Perpendicular

Chapter Two: Negative Slopes

'Why...' I thought to myself silently holding back bitter drops of water under my lids. The burn which I hoped, didn't turn out so badly, was being carefully taken care of by him.

Mitsukuni seemed to show great concern and wanted to help, but Tsururi quickly dismissed it, pulling him away from the commotion. The Morinozukas and Haninozukas appeared more humble than I had expected them to be. They were trying to move things around so that it would be easier for the servants to pick up. Mother insisted that they didn't, but the women patted and kissed their husbands away so that they could have some time to themselves.

Takashi didn't make eye contact with his mother for the most part. I couldn't tell whether or not he was angry at her. I didn't even know if I was angry at my own mother; it was thrown out there and all I could do was accept it. How was it ever going to hurt me?

"I'm very sorry Azami-san," Yukina finally spoke up. Her long dark brown hair was now tied in a messy ponytail as she handed the servants more cake platters. "I had not meant for this"

Azami shook her head before handing Oharu the medical kit to give to Takashi. I sat their silently, sucking on the melting ice, watching his movement carefully. It's like all the cheesy stuff you see in anime and I suppressed a giggle in my throat, masking the smile away from my face. I could see that my left leg was slightly swelling, but obviously burnt nonetheless and he carefully began wrapping the gauze around it.

"Come now. I'll take her to get cleaned up. Feel free to make yourselves at home." Mother pulled me up from the chair. She checked to see if I was comfortable walking and I stumbled a bit as she dragged me out into the hallway, Oharu not far behind.

"Don't hurt yourself now." Pulling me into the bathroom, I watched Oharu travel down the east wing as the doors closed encasing us in darkness.

Flicking on the lights I found myself staring at my reflection in multiple directions. It made me feel nauseous. But the only thing that was truly hypnotizing me was mother. Her dull eyes gave sent me a look that made me feel as if I should have to defend myself.

Grabbing me by neckline, she picked me up slamming me against the door. I saw specks of darkness hit my vision and I reached out to grab her hands to stop her.

She heard me let out a strangled breath, and she scoffed, almost tasting my fear. I could smell the scent of the wine on her breath and I only wanted assume that she was drunk. But her ability to converse told me otherwise. All I could feel was fury, and that ugly grin that was plastered on her face.

"M-mother...what a-are you doing?" Her long bony fingers traveled up to my neck, fastening themselves tightly around me.

"Have you not wanted to figure out how the world was? Are you so selfish that you can't be happy for your sister and simply do this for her?"

"What has she done for me?" I felt the grip on my neck tighten, but she ignored my comment.

"As far as I'm concerned, it was she who wanted to do this for you. Her precious, baby sister. She went out of her way for you and your disgraceful ass. We all know how hard you try to get away from there." My eyes narrowed at her, but I tried to stand my ground. I felt myself shaking beneath her feeling the six inch distance from the ground.

"If it weren't for her- I wouldn't let you go." She gave me a menacing look as she slammed me against the door, everything started to get darker. "Forgive me for trying to give you what you want. Some packages aren't what we expect. You should know that, as do I."

She dropped me onto the floor and I held onto my throat gasping for air. "You're one of them."

That churning feeling rose to my stomach again and I began to wish that I had never longed for this woman. If I had known how demonic she was. I wanted to react back, but I crawled away from the door with my hand on my throat in shock.

Mother pulled out a dress and shoes from the closet side. It was a silver short tube dress that looked almost skin tight and a pair of stilettos to go along with it. She then threw a denim jacket at me and smiled. "Put this on. You're about to get to know Morinozuka-san."

I crawled up from the floor grabbing onto the porcelain toilet, letting her leave and I could see into the mirror once again.

I looked like a princess. For once, I thought I was beautiful. But then, I was only reminded of how much of a tool I was and apparently a whore. My hair fell out of the bun, and my white curls spread out in waves against my lower back, weaving themselves around my shoulders. I felt so lightheaded as the enchanted feeling of being close to him began to fade away. I had also in some way yearned to be with Genkei, because he too could take away that kind of pain in his own twisted little way. That little wall I soon told myself I would start building around him was like the construction of The Great Wall of China itself and I could tell I would mesmerize the fact that I could even tackle on such a task.

Even the thought of being stuck with Takashi forever had not truly hit me as hard as I expected it, even if it was a mouth full to swallow alone. I would attempt to pray the way Nui had taught me, and hope for a man to take care of me. She had said I should, for my birth was the enlightenment of personal self destruction.

My lips felt dry and everything began to swirl in warmth. Before I knew it I found myself heaving chunks of dinner in the solid bowl that once had been white before me.

"Don't worry dear," I heard mother speak from the wide living room. I could hear everyone chatting and the smell of sugar cookies danced into the air. I could tell that Tsururi's fiancée was enjoying himself quite well despite the scene.

"I'm sure she's fine. She told me so herself when I took her to get changed. She insisted that she go out with Takashi-san." My skin could only crawl at the expression I imagined on her face. I had rinsed my mouth out checking myself one last time in the mirrors before traveling out into the halls.

"Then I am so happy for her!" Tsururi giggled clasping her hands together at her heart. Father had frowned a bit.

It had been a while since I had worn such shoes and it was almost uncomfortable. But, I feigned a small smile so I would not worry anyone else for the night. I was sure I had created enough havoc in front of mother to last me a lifetime.

I quickly walked before everyone bowing slightly, "I apologize for all of what has happened, however, I hope that Takashi-sama would still like to accompany me for a walk."

Pretending that I had not noticed Akira nudging his son, I waited patiently for Takashi to move. Reluctantly, he got up with a little more hesitation than I expected. Stooping down, he held my hand gently before planting a small kiss on it.

"I would enjoy that." He stood up gracefully and I finally realized how apparent the difference of our height was. I had known that I was conditionally taller than Tsururi without heels on. Perhaps about a good three inches ahead of her on my bare heels, but while I was in heels next to him, I was still less than a head beneath him. Something about his height...something of his presence let me welcome some tiny solace.

He tugged my hand tenderly as we left the house traveling into the large streets out front. I could not help but feel Genkei's eyes as he watched me leave and I had known that he would punish me more than mother had for the day. I shivered slightly, trying not to let him see me.

"Are you too cold?" I shook my head rapidly, rubbing away the goosebumps at my arms. I embraced the slight cold in the air sighing deeply as we traveled out.

"Those are the most words I have heard you speak all night." I shyly twirled a long lock of hair to keep myself distracted. Genkei's face however played on my mind and I regret the facade I forced out for the sake of my parents. His sharp dark eyes seemed to glare daggers at me, but he had such a coy look I could not help but feel wary of it. The tension left behind in the house gave me a strong eerie feeling now that the two of us were out into the settling dark, alone in suburban land.

"Hn." His presence however, I began to find comfortable. It was strange for the large lack of words, for I had almost presumed him selectively mute, could seem to bring peace to me internally.

He pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. Flicking at the container, a spark ignited vibrantly into the glistening night. I watched him inhale before a mist of smoke emitted from his lips, dancing in a stream of a ghostly whiteness into the sky.

"How peculiar." I mused to myself watching him from the side of my eye. He raised an eyebrow turning to me before flicking the ashes off the white.

"What is?"

"For someone who is well known for martial art skills it is quite odd to see you smoke. Are you perhaps retired?"

Takashi gave me a lame shrug, inhaling more. "Stress reliever."

No matter how I fought to find it to be a lame excuse, I reasoned that a man in his position could not help but simply feel that way. The overbearing expectations of his parents must be difficult to deal with. However, his parents seemed so genuine and honest. For even if he had not been put in this disposition with me, dealing with my clumsiness and perhaps forced along to my side for the rest of his life; they had simply wanted the best from him. It was all they ever seemed to ask.

And for the while that we kept walking, I found my admiration for him growing slowly, for the little I had discovered that night. And yes, I believed that Morinozuka Takashi was a strange man. Yet, he was nothing but simple.

I suppressed a laugh as I continued to walk aimlessly along the streets with him.

Song Inspiration;

Blame It On the Rain- He Is We.

Well I'm totally sorry I died for two months d: I have this habit of getting to chapter two and my stories kind of just...puddle there. I always gain new ideas quickly and my mind is always on the go for story telling. I really want to do editing this summer and work on my portfolio. Hopefully I'll be able to complete a MMV (for those MapleStory lovers) successfully without giving up or destroying my laptop (: It's truly been to hell and back with different operating systems, new viruses and loss of many, many files. But yeah, so I wanted to make a series because I NEED to get so many of my stories out of my head, its been bugging me nonstop, but I'll be a senior next year. So with much disappointment, I think I'll barely have the time anymore * tear tear *

So if you want the story to continue (which it will don't worry), you might want to spam me so I don't forget about the stories I've already put out there (:

Sadly I've had this in here for a while, but I'm really picky about what I'm putting up here for you guys to read ^^"

~R&R and I hope you enjoyed :D