Chapter 11: Aomine-chan!

Nibbling on my red bean Taiyaki, Aomine and I walk side by side as we now exit the food vendors side of the ongoing festival. After our minor dispute, we had decided to check out the festival before I had to meet up with Taiga. Something he wasn't all for. Reminding him what he was fighting for, he grabbed my arm and pulled me outside where he fed me, lectured me, yelled at me, but, had also won a large, oversized, stuffed cat for myself in a basketball game. Although I could've played and won the game myself, Aomine had insisted. Handing me the large, fluffy black cat, Aomine asked what I was going to name it.

"Aomine!" I yell happily, as I nuzzle my face affectionately into the large cat.

I watch as a vein pops out from his neck, as he begins to tug on my pony tail. "You little- like hell yer' calling that ugly thing Ao-"

Huffing, I swat his hand away as I turn away from him. "Fine, I'll name him Taiga! I can't wait to sleep with Taiga, tonight," I say slyly, as I look over my shoulder to catch Aomine's reaction.

He stares at me with a blank expression as his left hand begins to twitch nervously. Grinning at his restraint, I turn back around to face him as I stand up on my toes so he can see my face as I say the next part. "Taiga, he has such a large body. Who knows? I may not need my sheets if he's by my side. All I have to do is hug him closely to my body, because Taiga is all I nee-"

"It's name is Aomine! Aomine, damnit!" yells a distressed Aomine, as he snatches the cat from my grasp. He stares at menacingly for a while, as if planting his eyes in the stuffed animal. He then shoves it in my face, "Aomine! It's an-"

Grabbing his hands, I hold them in mine as I try to calm him down. "Whatta a kid," I mutter, as I walk past him.

"That's my line!"

Now here we were, the blush from Aomine's face still apparent as he trails behind me, his hands snug in his pockets as he begins to shiver from walking around half dressed.

"Y'know, you can hold Aomine-chan. He'll keep you warm," I begin to offer, as I hold Aomine-chan closely up against my chest. Mostly because I didn't want people seeing my embarrassing costume rather than being cold.

"Tell me how exactly that thing will make me-"

Failing to notice the hidden, alluring tone in his voice, I begin to list out everything great about Aomine-chan.

"Well, he's big and cute. I'm not sure about you, but holding him tightly against my body makes me feel really happy, and plus, he's incredibly soft and feels just as good in between my hands. He's-"

"So, you get happy when I'm in…in your hands?"

"Hm? Yeah-NO!" I yell out, as I realize what he had just made me say. Beginning to tug my hair out, I feel myself slowly dying from embarrassment.

Aomine begins to laugh behind me as he holds his sides in pain. Staring at him, I find that his obnoxious laughing was really annoying. Walking up to him, I grab the strap of one of his suspenders, holding it up in the air before I let it snap downwards, whipping against his skin as he immediately stops laughing.

Growling in annoyance and pain, Aomine in return flicks me on the nose, causing my eyes to water in irritancy.

Suddenly the phone in my pocket begins to vibrate, coming to life as a loud chime goes off. Pulling it out, it's a text from Taiga asking me where I was. Texting him back, I feel Aomine's eyes on me as I do so. For a split second I feel great remorse, to the point where I felt like telling Taiga that I had headed home, so I could spend more time with Aomine. But I couldn't. I wasn't the one fighting for him, it was the other way around. Telling Taiga where I was happily, I snap my phone as I'm about to place it back into my pocket, but suddenly a tanned hand snatches it from my grasp.

"Aomine," I whine out, as I try to grab it back. Aomine instead ignores me, as I watch in confusion as he grabs the attention of a girl, who telling by her uniform was in middle school, a few of her friends by her side. I watch as she grows shy and red at the sight of Aomine.

"You. Take a picture of us," orders Aomine, his voice far from gentle and caring.

I watch as the girl quickly takes my cell phone , her feelings changing from admiration to fear in a split second.

Aomine walks back to my side as he grabs my shoulders, but not before placing the large cat on top of his head. He then takes my body, positioning me in front of him as he places his hands around my waist, pushing the back of my body deep into his chest.

Leaning down, he whispers softly into my ear for me to smile. Listening to his orders, I smile at the camera as the girl in front of us snaps a photo, with her friends peering behind her as they smile at the picture that had been taken. Aomine runs towards the group of girls as they all take a nervous step back at the sight of the large man advancing in on them.

"Thanks," mutters Aomine, as he takes the phone from her. The girl shakily nods her head in response before they cautiously walk away.

"You just scared those girls," I tell Aomine, as I grab my phone from his grasp.

"Eh? Really?" he replies, as he looks to the side as if he hadn't known it. But I knew he did.

Looking at the photo, it sends my skin tingling and crawling as I stare intently at the close picture of us. I had a large, shy smile on my face as Aomine had a blank expression on his.

"You should take your own advice, Aomine. You didn't even smile!" I chide, I feel his chin rest on my shoulder as he too looks at the picture.

"You didn't tell me too."

"So I'm supposed to baby you now?"

"Looks like it."

Rolling my eyes, I contemplate whether or not to set the picture as my wallpaper, with Aomine still watching. As I begin to set it, I feel him smiling on my shoulder. Well, I couldn't give him the satisfaction of winning so easily. Instead, I set my wallpaper to a picture of Atsushi and I, snapping my phone shut afterwards.

"That's cruel," sighs Aomine, as he holds Aomine-chan underneath his arm.

"Tit for tat, I suppose," I reply back sweetly, as I pat Aomine on the side of his face.

"Tora!" yells out a familiar, comforting voice. Looking behind Aomine I find a waiting Taiga and Kuroko by his side. Waving at them both, I signal to them that I'd be there in a couple of minutes.

"Tora?" asks Aomine.

"Yes?"

"Can I…never mind," he mutters, as he runs his hand tiredly through his hair.

Giving him a confused look, he brushes the subject off. "Time to trade off?"

"Looks like it."

Aomine and I stand in silence, unsure of what else to say.

"Thank you," I finally say, as I keep my head lowered.

"For what?"

"I-I know it's unfair for me to make you buy me food, spend money on me for things like this," I say, as I point towards Aomine-chan, "but I want you to know that I love everything you do for me."

Aomine stares down at me, a quiet, solemn look on his usually pissed off face as he looks deeply into my eyes. He reaches out, looping his index finger around a curl that was miraculously still in place.

"Our kids would look fucking fantastic," he murmurs, his voice soft and sweet. Yet his words vile and over-crossing.

Yanking Aomine-chan from Aomine, I begin to fight for the stuffed cat. "What's with the red face?" he asks, a light, knowing smirk to his lips.

"W-What's with you!?" I yell back, as I continue to pull on the head of the cat.

"Come on. With my good looks and basketball skills and yer'…personali-"

About to kick Aomine once again in the legs, he reflexively catches my leg, yanking it up higher as I begin to lose my balance. "Ao-Aomine!" I yell out, as I feel myself about to topple over.

He suddenly let's go of my leg as he scratches his head in embarrassment. "What was that?" I ask out in confusion.

"I remembered that it only works if we're in bed," he muses out a loud, as a weird, perverted look glazes over his face.

Snatching Aomine-chan from hands, I flick Aomine on the side of his ear lobe as I run away from the man who begins to splurge out a few profanities.

"What the hell is that?" asks Taiga, as he points grotesquely at the black cat, Aomine-chan.

"Neh, neh. Isn't he cute?" I ask, as I lift up the animals paw and begin to swat the side of Taiga's face. He grabs the stuffed animal, handing it to Kuroko.

"I think it's-"

"G'ah!" I yelp out, as I stumble backwards, falling on my rear as I point shakily to what Kuroko was holding.

"Tor-"

"Is something the-"

"Th-That! W-What it is it?" I stammer out helplessly, as I begin to slide backwards as Kuroko takes a step forward.

"You mean number two?" he asks, as he holds out the black and white mutt towards me.

Squirming in fear, I find Taiga's legs as I begin to hold onto him like a frightened child.

"Taiga!" I whine out pathetically, as I begin to cry into his jeans. People passing by stare at us three questioningly, wondering why Kuroko was carrying around a dog and why I was in tears and why Taiga was standing around doing nothing when he should've been just as equally as scared as myself!

Taiga crouches down towards the mess before him, patting my head in comfort as he pushes Aomine-chan comfortingly into my grasp. Hugging the cat for dear life, I begin to cry into the furry creature.

"It's fine, Tora. Number two isn't going to-"

"H-How do you-"

"Know? Look," orders Taiga, as nods for Kuroko to hand him number two. Instead, Kuroko sets the dog on the floor, as if knowing that I was scared, the dog begins to cautiously advance towards Taiga and I. I clutch helplessly on Taiga's shirt, while keeping a steady gaze on the moving figure.

See, the reason why Taiga and I, well I suppose I now, had been so afraid of dogs was because when we were growing up, the nearest basketball cage was right beside a dog park. Back then, Taiga and I were fine with all types of animals. Even cats. We were playing in the cage one day and decided to keep the gate open, seeing as how we were expecting some other friends to arrive and play as well. Taiga and I hadn't thought much of the fact that the cage was open, so with that not in mind, we began to play basketball. But as we passed the ball back and forth, we had unknowingly caught the attention of a large husky that was nearby. A husky that should've been on a tight leash, taking in it's sudden, vicious barking. The husky then left it's owner, making it's way into the basketball cage. What scared Taiga and I both was that the large animal was running directly towards us.

"R-Run!" I had yelled at Taiga, as I pull him along towards the end of the basketball cage. But the only way out was the way we had come in from.

I ordered for Taiga to start climbing the cage, as I jumped up and immediately began to climb. But that was easy for me because I barely had any body mass. But as I looked down, Taiga was struggling to find a good hold. Jumping down, I begin to push on Taiga's butt angrily. "Come on, Fatty!" I had yelled out, as to which Taiga then replied stubbornly with, "I'm telling mom!" "With this fat butt I don't think you'll even be able to run home and tell mumma. Maybe we should feed you to the dog seeing as how you have so much fat to spare!" "T-Tora! Behind you!"

Not wanting to look in fear, I accidentally punch Taiga in between his legs as I was trying to push his butt up. Luckily for him, this pain actually caused him to climb up faster. But unfortunately for me, something had begun to tear on my sleeve, pulling me underneath it's grasp as it tried to eat my face. Punching the dog in the face angrily, I jump onto the cage where I climb to the top beside Taiga. We then watch below us as a few people come running into the courts, trying to get the dog away while coaxing Taiga and I downwards. Clearly shaken up, I had refused to climb down to the point where the local firemen were called in. I remember it clearly. I had been in anger that Taiga's fat ass almost caused me my life. I was also scared that I almost had my face eaten. And I was also embarrassed and even more angry that they were sending a fireman up on a ladder to bring me back down.

"How about we go down, love? You're parents and boyfriend are-"

"He's not my boyfriend!" I yelled flustered, as I then tried to kick the fireman off from his ladder. Which ultimately caused me to lose my balance. Squeezing my eyes shut, I begin to think about how I would've rather died from getting my face mauled off than by splattering into the concrete. But, fortunately for me, the fireman who I had tried to kill out of anger catches me in his arms, holding me tightly to his chest as the ladder is lowered.

I knew then that there was two things I was sure about. I hated dogs. And I absolutely adored firemen.

Back to the present, I'm suddenly reminded of Aomine and his costume. The type of comfort he had given to me.

Letting go of Taiga's legs and shirt, I hesitantly place my hand out, encouraging the dog before me to sniff it. The dog continues it's slow stalk, still unsure if I was scared or not. And then it licks my fingers, causing me to laugh as it tickles my skin. Running my hand in betweens it's ears, I fondle it's velvety ears between my fingertips.

"Number…two?" I mumble, as I crack a smile as the dog barks in response. Laughing, I pick up the dog as I nestle it gently into my arms standing up. The dog begins to lick my face, nuzzling it's snout into the crook of my neck. Holding it deeply, I give Kuroko and Taiga a thankful smile. A smile that thanked them for helping me get over my fear of-

Suddenly a large Doberman walks by on a leash, barking happily at the sight of number two.

"Attack, number two!"

I hold out number two in front of me, using it as a shield of power against the large, menacing dog. I hear Taiga and Kuroko behind me sigh out in response. Apparently my fear of dogs was still kicking.

Taiga grabs my arm, pulling me alongside him as the three of us begin to walk around the festival.

"Nice costume," he nudges, as he pulls off my fake ears, nestling it into Kuroko's hair. Kuroko gives Taiga a side long glance before taking the ears off, putting them up on his head.

"Interesting…for a tiger yourself, they don't suit you at all," infers Kuroko, as he takes them off, handing them back to me. Placing them back on, I watch as Taiga begins to argue with Kuroko.

As we walk aimlessly with the flow of the crowd, I accidentally bump into someone, causing Aomine-chan to fall to the ground. I watch as a pale arm reaches downwards, grabbing Aomine-chan for myself. Looking up ahead, I watch as Taiga and Kuroko continue to argue, both un-realizing that I was being left behind.

Grabbing Aomine-chan, I apologize to whomever I had bumped into and try to walk past them and catch up with the two, until the person grabs my forearm, halting my movements. I watch in disappointment as I lose Taiga and Kuroko in the sea of growing people. The festival was a big hit for sure.

"Please let-"

Suddenly the man pulls up behind a vendor, away from the crowd of people.

"My, my. Aren't you a sight to behold. Let me see you…up closer?," mumbles the man, as he wraps his arm around my waist, pulling my small frame into him as he whispers darkly into my ear. His hand begins to slide away from my waist, landing on my bare thigh as he begins to slide dangerously upwards. Growling, he suddenly stops as he hears the low, yet loud vibration escaping from my chest.

"Tell me, would you still make the same sound if I tied you to the-"

"Let. Go. Of. Me," I say slowly through clenched teeth. Right now, I was reverting from making a scene.

"Say, with that little get up of yours. Will you be willing to do me a little favour? Down there, I mean?"

Smiling into his shirt, I grab his hand from moving any further up, holding it against my chest as I look up at him with wide, innocent eyes.

The man looks down at me, a slow smiling creeping onto his face. "Good girl," he coos, as he suddenly tries to cop a feel.

Grabbing the back of the man's neck, I dig my nails into his flesh as I ram our foreheads together while kneeing him in the gut. He stumbles backwards, yet still keeping a firm hold on my forearm. He squeezes his nails into my flesh as well, copying my move. Wincing, this only makes me more angry.

Kicking repeatedly at his shins, I raise his arm to my mouth where I dig my sharp canines into his flesh. He yells out, retracting his arm as he holds it in pain.

"Y-You damned girl!" he growls out.

"Back at you," I mutter casually.

"Wait…why am I getting turned on?" mutters the man, as he looks to the side in slight embarrassment. Finding a stone on the ground, I pick it up and chuck it at the man's face. It nails him in the nose, causing some blood to lightly trickle down. He raises his hand to his nose in shock, looking at the blood on his hands.

"I know every detail of your face. Like hell I'm gonna let you leave this shitty festival without teaching you a-"

"D-Did you feel that, too?" I ask questioningly in a low, quiet drawl, as I hold my hand over my chest.

"What?" he spits out, as his eyes begin to trail down my body.

"I suddenly have the urge to kill you. Funny…for once I'm not sure if I can hold myself back."

The man before me begins to laugh, mocking my insult. "That's funny. Really. Now this is interesting. Should I kill you first and then do what I want with you, or have my way with that delectable body of yours and then kill you?" he asks questioningly, as he rubs his chin in thought.

Cringing at the sickeningly grotesque man before me, I realize that he is no longer worth my time. As if I'd run into him again in this mass of people.

I couldn't help my anger. It was guys like him that were the reason why so many girls were getting defiled and sexually harassed in the streets. As if I was going to let him roam free, especially on school grounds like the way he was acting. I'd done a few sparring matches back when I was younger, with Taiga as my partner.

"Hit me, Taiga!" I yell out in frustration, as I usher with my hands for Taiga to come at me.

He stands across from me, shaking his head as his eyes fill with tears. "I-I don't want to-"

Sighing, I blow the hair out of my face as I charge towards Taiga. Unsuspectingly, Taiga tries to fight me off, but instead punches me in my jaw, knocking a tooth out in the process.

"T-Taiga, I'm bleeding," I say, more out of shock than anger.

I had then watched as Taiga ran down the street to my house, yelling that he had just "killed Tora".

One of our neighbours had heard this and called the police. Once again, I was grounded and not allowed to see Taiga for a week, loosely speaking though.

Ever since then, Taiga and I had been fighting one on one and playing one on one. I knew how to handle my own. Especially against guys like him. Guys who thought they were superior to not just women, but to everyone else.

"I already know my choice. I'll strip you, tie you to a chair and cut off your- No, I'll cut off those God-awful cornrows. No wonder you can't get a girl! Because let's face it, the only person who'd lay hands on you would be your own mother!" I spit out viciously, as I find myself physically holding my arm back. I had to leave now. Leave before I grabbed the nearest knife.

"I've made up my mind. I think I'll tie you to the bed and have my way with you. I like a little bit of s and m in the bed. Especially if it's with a hapless girl like you who keeps running their big-"

Turning around, I begin to run away from the tall, dark haired, cornrow wearing man. Who did he think he was? Threatening to kill a girl and have his way with them in public like that? I mean, when I threatened to strap him down and cut off his manhood, I did that because he was really an idiot. There was no way I'd actually physically hurt that pathetic goon. He wasn't worth my strength, just my pointless insults.

Gritting my teeth and clenching my fists in distress, I put distance in between us, searching for Taiga and Kuroko. No way was I scared of him. Plus, there was no way he'd find me in this crowd.

A/N: Once again, I am not getting tired of reading all of the reviews which mostly make me laugh and smile. Love you all very much. =)