Posture.

VII

                                                                       THAT DEADBEAT

Everyday Ayumi would wake with a churning stomach, dreading the day her punishment would come. She seemed to be making more mistakes, her punishment just kept getting bigger and bigger and bigger.

Despite these feelings Ayumi had somehow managed to push through a whole week of school, rumors and bloodloss, arriving at Friday after school, well technically very early Saturday morning. Ayumi begrudgingly sauntered through the dim, lavishly furnished halls as she made her way to her room.

"Oi."

Ayumi looked around and then down to see that she was one millimetre away from kicking Shu in the side. She cringed, knowing what this would lead to.

"Sorry?" It came out as more of a question, almost asking for him to let her walk past peacefully. His Carribbean eyes fixed slightly,

"Give me your blood." He demanded in a monotone voice, still half asleep. Ayumi hesitated before turning to run. A large, cold hand wrapped around her ankle, keeping her in place.

"Let go of me!" Within seconds she was pinned to the wall with Shu towering manacingly over her. He looked peeved yet slightly amused at her situation. He glared,

"You made me get up."

"No I didn't! You didn't have to! You could have just easily kept your lazy ass on the ground but you didn't!" Ayumi heaved.

"Shut up," he growled before a sharp pain pierced her neck, Ayumi choked. This one was painful. She squirmed, desperartely attempting to escape his grasp.

"Ayumi". Reiji's thunderous voice echoed throughout the halls. Shu looked up.

"So noisy". And with that he slowly walked away, seemingly vanishing in the eerie darkness. Reiji's amethyst eyes raged with hate, bloodlust, jealousy? 

"Perhaps my methods of teaching aren't as self explanatory as I wished, come, I will thoroughly educate you". He voice was strained, yet still flowed with his useful intimidating demeanor.

Ayumi didn't dare disobey so she followed smartly in suit. Within minutes Reiji was closing his door. He turned, a gleam in his eye sending shivers down Ayumi's spine,

"How many times have I said not to go near that good for nothing deadbeat?" He paused and took a step towards Ayumi. "Have I not warned you multiple times that he will disturb your education?"

Ayumi kept her head bowed and stayed silent. She heard Reiji sigh, heard his silk gloves being removed. Suddenly Ayumi yelped, her hands were tied above her head with Reiji's gloves as he stood. He glowered down at her pathetic form.

Crack.

He cracked his whip.

"You dropped the book sixteen times? Double it." He demanded. Ayumi quivered,

"Th-thirty two."

"Good girl". She shivered. "Now, count."

Crack.

The first blow landed harshly just below her ribs, stinging as Ayumi screamed.

"O-one."

And so it went on thirty one more times until Reiji finally came to a stop. Wordlessly, he undid the knots in his gloves. Ayumi tried to stand but her legs buckled, unable to withstand the weight and pain. Reiji signed before picking her up and carrying her over to his bed.

Ayumi lay motionlessly for a few minutes before Reiji came back with a steaming cup of sweat smelling tea. Ayumi shivered.

"There is no need to be so frightened. I created it myself, a remedy to help up build the body, not poisoness I assure you." Ayumi's hands trembled as she accepted the cup. Reiji huffed and took it out of her hands. "I do not wish for you to drop it, so I shall have to help you."

Gently, he held the cup to her lips, allowing her small sold before giving her breaks. After that he proceeded to given her medicine.

"You are a hassle. Go to sleep."

And silently he left, leaving the door slightly ajar.

Word count: 599