This Feeling (Takeru 'Juggernaut' Noto X Reader)

Chapter Five

Four days had passed since us getting here at Company One. Shinra was on edge a lot of the time. He was sure that Karim, Hou Li, and Rekka were a part of the Artificial human combustion going around in the area. We both agreed to keep an eye on all three of them.

Takeru also would try and spend more time with me. Each day after being dismissed we would meet up in the courtyard and talk together if we had time. We would talk about his home in New Qingdao. 

"What about you?" Takeru asked after excitedly talking about the farms he grew up on, "You haven't said much about your life."

"A-ah," I blushed and explained, "I-i'm sorry. What do you want to know?"

He sat quietly, giving me a chance to be prepared before he quietly asked, "Where did you grow up?"

I took a breath in, "I grew up on the edge of the nether. My parents had died when I was about eleven and people feared anyone or anything from that area. So for us who lost family or were hurt it was deal with it or die. 

At the time, I met a person who was a little older then me, he protected me. We didn't go anywhere without each other. Where he went, I followed. I even thought i loved him at one point.

We spent three years together, stealing from people who came to close, fighting with others from our area, and moving from vacant house to vacant house. That was until he met with some bad guys. They didn't care about anything but their own goals and would use anyone to get what they wanted. They offered us money and protection. Haru accepted without talking with me about it. I think he was swayed by their beliefs.

They were horrible people. Haru had hurt people, even me, for them. He even killed..."

Takeru had been quiet the entire time i talked, even giving me a few moments after, as he slowly slipped a hand on my arm.

"How did you get away?"

"While he was away I packed a bag and snuck away. He would often be gone late into the night and sometimes into the morning. So it was easy to get away without anyone knowing. What was hard was not knowing where to go. So I walked and walked. After a while, I ended up in Meguro ward. That's when i met Old Man Rojin."

I smiled warmly at the memory, "I had been digging in the trash behind his store. He must have heard me and came outside with a bat. That man was fearless. It didn't matter if he was older than dirt. He would fight god if he thought it was right. 

'god damn animals!' Is what he shouted but when he saw me it was, 'God damn kids!'

That night he took me in. He gave me food, clothes, and a place to stay. He asked me about why i was on the streets and I told him the story. He was pissed, to say the least. That old man didn't even really know me but was mad for me. 

The next morning he made me a large breakfast. As we were eating he asked me what i wanted to do. I had answered that i didn't know. I remember him saying, 'well, I'm going to ask you that every morning until you do' 

To say i was shocked was an understatement, but it was his way of asking me to stay with him. I remember crying and snotting everywhere while he freaked out in the background. I settled into my new life for the next five years. I worked the flower shop with Rojin every day. I even went to school with his help.

His family had died so he had been alone until he met me and I had nobody. We only had each other."

I sighed and looked over at Takeru, who had been watching me this entire time. He was frowning. His gaze fluttered over my face.

"What happened to him?"

"About two years ago he had found out he was sick. He didnt tell me until he was way to far gone. Rojin hid his sickness well. He didnt even tell me about having the store put in my name or having his assets transferred to me until the day he was in the hospital."

"What did he have?" Takeru's hand appeared near my face and gently wiped away tears that had started falling.

I hiccuped, "He had cancer."

Takeru let his hand fall away and I took up cleaning off my face. We sat together in quiet for a while. I was happy he wanted to know about me and I was glad he told me more about himself. A couple of sisters passed our spot and ended up giggling together. The wind blew a soft breeze across the courtyard. 

I looked up to the sky. I hope Rojin was looking out for me. I could see his wrinkled face grinning at me. His dark eyes sparkling in humor. Him rubbing my back when I was getting sick during flu season. Rojin threatening to beat my first crush. Him holding me while crying over my first breakup. 

"Takeru," 

"Y-yes?"

"What do you call a stolen tater?"

"I-I don't know..."

I chuckled and repeated one of the jokes Rojin would often make, 

"A hot potato..."

╔⏤⏤⏤⏤╝❀╚⏤⏤⏤⏤╗

The next day was normal for the most part. I had just gotten out of training and was in my room when loud blaring came through the intercom. I heard shouting in that hall and peeked my head out catching the last bit of yelling.

"-a Infernal has been spotted, Juggernaut and (F/N) will go with squad Hoshimiya," Tamaki yelled while holding the door handle, "Toru will go to squad Li and you two from company eight will go with squad Flam."

She turned without another word and rushed down the hall. I peeked across the hall at the young men standing still.

"Don't just stand there," I turned and started rushing towards where Tamaki ran down.

I heard the others get to moving behind me. I looked over my shoulder and saw Takeru right behind me. I gave a smile and he flushed. We kept running at a fast pace.

We all got to the gear room and suited up quickly. I grabbed a helmet and an Extengushing grenade launcher. I was rushed to Rekka's squad that was already loading into the back of a matchbox. I launched myself up and into the back to settle into a seat right beside Rekka. I had accidentally bumped into him. My stomach dropped as his face turned into a bigger grin. Takeru slid in next to me and I felt my fear soften to a small hum.

"So they put you in my squad?" Rekka as he looked up at the tapping at the back of the matchbox, the vehicle lurched into movement, "I would have thought they would put you in with Karim with the others from the eighth."

"I don't control where they put me," I almost hissed but bit back the harshness of my words, "Unless you had something to do with me being in your squad."

"Me?" He laughed and gave me an amused look, "Now why would I?"

Takeru was listening to our conversation and fidgeting in his seat. He was nervous and his fear was building. Rekka dropped our conversation and explained to everyone in his squad that multiple Infernals were at the location. We were to remain vigilant and to quickly put the infernals to rest.

We lurched in our seats as the truck stopped quickly. Everyone got out and went about blocking off the area. Takeru and i were told to help block the area and to watch Rekka and his squad work. I stood in the middle of the blocked off road and watched them take out one Infernal to rest. 

I turned and looked at the other squadmates helping escort people out of the area. A loud yell came from behind me and Rekka appeared at my side. He roughly shoved me away. I tripped and landed on my side on the ground. I looked up quickly to see an Infernal had rushed me. Rekka was now chasing after it. I watched his back disappear around a corner. 

He saved me...

I tried to move to get up but stopped as a sharp pain pierced my left side. I yelped and leaned back into the dirt. Heat was building in my chest. I gasped for air that wouldn't enter my lung. I could feel my throat tear as I released a loud cry. 

The last thing I remember is fire and Takeru's face...