New Beginnings

Chp. 20

Startled by the sudden touch I turned around to see some random guy eyeing me up and down with a smirk.

"Hey there gorgeous how bout me and you go on a little date."

I shook my head no and started to walk off. I didn't get far as he grabbed my wrist and pulled me back to him.

"Dont be like that at least give me your number."

I started breathing heavily as images of Shigeru flashed in my mind. I frantically start shaking my head and tried to pull my arm free, but he wouldn't let go.

"Come on its just a few digits."

Panicking I kicked him in his balls and took off running.

"Damn that hurt, but I love a good chase." he said as he starts to run after me.

I have no idea where I'm running to, and the building is almost empty.

'Somebody please help me!'

I pass a hallway were I saw something gray in the corner of my eye. Retracing my steps I turn down the hall and rounded another corner and stopped. Almost down on the other end of the hall was Suga and the team.

"Where you going baby? I just wanna talk."

I looked behind me and the guy is getting closer by the second. I start running again, waving my arms in hopes to get their attention, but they still haven't noticed me. Then I felt myself being jerked back, and I landed on the ground. I look up see the team almost leaving around another corner.

'No!'

"Finally caught you. Now your gonna get it for that little kick you gave me." He said as he grabbed me and raised his hand.

'No! No! Not again!'

Taking a deep breath I opened my mouth and screamed

"SUGA!!"

The guy flinched at my outburst and dropped me. I fell to the ground, and started gasping for air, feeling like someone was choking me. I rock myself back and forth frantically trying to breathe through the panic but it's not working. I hear shouting around me, then someone gently calling to me.

~Suga's POV~

"Suga!"

I look around upon hearing my name and spot Natsumi on the floor with some guy standing over her.

"Hey!" I shouted as I ran toward them with the team behind, but the guy took one look at us and ran off.

"Come on Noya. We're gonna catch that bastard." Tanaka said as they ran ahead of us.

Leaving the creep to them, I stop in front of Natsumi and kneel down to her level. She was rocking back and forth, with tears streaming down her face as she struggled to breathe.

"Natsumi." I called out to her, but she didn't respond. "Sweetheart, look at me." I said as I cupped her face.

Her wide eyes slowly shifted to mine and I gave her a smile.

"You're alright. Just breathe, like me. Deep breath in." I said and she followed me. "Good. Let it out slow."

I did it a few more time until I finally got her breathing under control, but she was still shaking. I pulled her into my arms, and she clung to me as she clutched the back of my shirt while she cried in my chest.

"Shh I got you." I said as I rubbed her back.

"I'm.. sorry... for... avoiding you." She said in between sobs.

'She was being chased by some creep, and all she can think about is apologizing me?'

"It's ok you don't have to apologize. We can talk all about it later for now let's just get you home. Here jump on my back, and I'll carry you."

She nodded her head as she got on. We heard foot steps behind us and turned to see Tanaka and Noya coming back.

"We lost him. Is she ok?" Noya asked.

"Yeah she's fine, but we should get Natsumi home." I said and they all agreed.

We started walking towards the lobby area to meet up with Mrs. Shirai and Kiyoko.

"What happened?!" Mrs. Shirai said as she came running towards us.

"We don't know. We were walking to find you two when I heard-" I stopped speaking when I realized something. "She... screamed my name. She finally... talked. She finally said something after so long and it was my name." I said getting excited I was so happy I almost cried tears of joy, and completely forgot that she was being chased.

"I see." She chuckled.

The team all cheered and we all started walking towards the exit.

"I missed you." I heard her whisper in my ear, and I blushed.

"I missed you too."

~Nastumi's POV~

After we got back to my house we celebrated the team's victory and that I was speaking again, but when it was getting late everybody left, except for Suga of course. We were both laying in my bed cuddling when he asked me a question.

"Hey, so I'm curious how come you didn't speak even after you told me the truth?"

I sighed and snuggled closer to him.

"It was because of our argument a few days ago. I know that you said it's ok, but I'm still sorry that I avoided you. I just felt like I was causing you and the guys nothing but trouble, and then you hurt your hand because of me. I didn't know what else to do, so I just kept quiet and tried to keep my distance."

Suga was quiet for so long I started to get scared until he sat up on the edge of the bed with his back to me.

"When you told me the truth, I was so angry at my own weakness in your situation that I punched a hole in the wall. And when you yelled at me to take care of myself I took my frustration out on you because there you were worrying about me when you had been through so much already and I couldnt do a damn thing to help you. You know, the day I found you in that room tied up and gagged, it was like my whole world came crashing down, and I felt so helpless that I didn't feel like I deserved to be near you, let alone touch you. So if anybody should be sorry then it should be me because I couldn't do anything for you. I couldn't protect you."

He started to get up to leave when I stopped him.

"You may not have been able to protect me that day, but you did save me. Do you have any idea how much, you being here with me these past few weeks really means to me? How much your mere presence makes me feel like everything is going go to be ok? Suga look at me."

He turned to look at  me with tears in his eyes. I smiled weakly and wiped his tears away.

"Please... don't go. I need you."

Not saying a word he laid back down, and held me tight as we fell asleep in each others arms.