A/N: I didn't expect so many people to like this.. but thank you. I wish I could say I did my best, but this chapter is.. Idk, it's been a while since I actually tried to work on it so it feels weird for me. If you've read any of my other works then you know that there's differences in quality, perspective, style, etc from story to story. Criticism is appreciated; I want to become a better writer and understand the areas that I need to improve in :)

The Married Life

To put things into perspective, I am Bambi on ice when it comes to dancing. I don't know what I should be doing so I copy whatever moves people are using around me and try to play it cool; but I am not a cool person when it comes to dancing. I slip, I fall, I step on people's feet, I make an utter fool of myself.

And things only get worse when I'm dancing in heels. My feet are wobbly and I feel like I'm going to twist my ankle or otherwise fall sideways. Now normally I'd have my two best friends beside me who make everything fun and cover up for all of my tripping and awkward dance moves - but they are dancing with their dates. Things can't get worse for me.

Oh wait, yes they can. It's a wedding, and that means that the bride and groom have to have a dance together in which everyone has their eyes on their every move. Come one, come all, watch Manami severely injure her partner's feet after only four hours of marriage and knowing each other! God, I'm becoming cynical about this whole thing. Smile smile, try to be more graceful than you are right now.

I jump, feeling two hands rest on my shoulders from behind. The person leans forward, his mouth close to my ear as he whispers, "Relax, you're visibly tensing up."

Karma.

God dammit, his voice keeps making me shiver and I want it to stop!

Turning about to face him I look up at him and he smiles, offering a hand as the music for a slow dance starts to play. I take his hand, and we start to move, and as soon as we do I step on his feet by accident.

He mutters something underneath his breath, and pulls me closer to him so that he can place a kiss on my cheek.

"There's no use in trying so hard if you have two left feet. Don't worry about following the steps, just shuffle your feet a bit and let me lead." he whispers before pulling back.

My face grows hot and I look down, unsure of whether he's trying to help me out or just doesn't want me to harm him and make a fool of us. Either way, I try and take his advice, and with every little stumble I make he somehow manages to smooth it over.

Soon the dance is over and we're back at our table.

"Thank you, for helping me out Karma - a-and, I'm really sorry I injured you."

"No, don't apologize." he says waving it off. "You're making it sound like you gave me a sucker punch or something."

"You gave him a sucker punch?" a burly looking man with black hair approaches our table and grins at me. "You're totally dominating the whole Mrs. Akabane role!"

"Eh? No, no I didn't sucker punch him!" I say quickly shaking my head.

"Oi, Terasaka, who invited you?" Karma asks dully, serving to anger the man.

"You did!"

"Ah, right I needed a boulder to hold off the paparazzi." Karma says, snapping his fingers. "Thank you for coming!"

He's not friendly at all. I wasn't expecting him to act like this. Is this how he would treat everyone?

"Whatever!" Terasaka turns to me and leans over the table, green eyes staring hard at me. "Listen, this guy's a real sadistic jerk. He'll get you to do dirty things, and if ya don't like it feel free to step up and kick him in the balls. He's a devil who deserves to be knocked down a few pegs, so don't feel too bad, ya hear?"

My husband. A sadistic jerk with devilish looks... Karma. Huh. I'm starting to think I understand why people say he lives up to his name.

"What are you saying to my wife?" Karma asks, eyebrow twitching. "I'm not so indecent as you make me out to be, maid-cafe addict."

The two of them bicker a bit, and then the argument ends with Terasaka being dragged by the collar by his girlfriend.

The night passes by quickly, and I was only too happy to change out of my wedding dress into a shorter, black Audrey dress and get out of my high heels as the reception ended. My happiness came to an end, because I was hit with the realization that I'm going to my new home with Karma.