Disclaimer: I don't own SlamDunk

Well, since I hadn't continued this story for so long I am still glad to see you DigitalLavender, I guessed you are still one of the oldest among my readers who actually still follow my fics! Thanks! And thanks to Kasuri No Kami for reviewing and encouring me on this fic too. I nearly lost interest in writing it after it was removed from the net and I lost almost 100 over reviews for this fic! Sad isn't it.

Chapter 9

"You should be more careful," Rukawa said softly.

The next day in school, Rukawa met up with Nay and saw the bandage around her neck. Immediately, he asked her what happened. Nay was somewhat reluctant to say anything but Rukawa could be quite persistent when he gave her that stern look, which told her that if he finds out, things would be worst.

"It's better to wait for either Mitsui-sempai or me after school, so we can accompany you back." Rukawa continued unconsciously.

Recently, Nay realized that Rukawa had talked more often when they were alone. It was a great improvement of their friendship together and Nay couldn't help feeling glad that Rukawa had finally opened up to her.

Don't worry, I am fine. Nay signed with her hands. My classmates are always with me, most of the time.

Tanski watched Nay from the corner of the corridor. She seemed to be more cautious today. There wasn't once she was alone and Tanski couldn't do anything if she kept going around with a group of students. If she wasn't with her classmates, Rukawa would be there even if Mitsui wasn't around.

There must be another way to scare Nay. Tanski thought with a scowl on her face.

"Nay, is this where you want to go?" Mitsui asked.

It was a bright Saturday afternoon and Mitsui had asked Nay out for a date. He was thinking of catching a movie but Nay insisted on going somewhere else. Mitsui had no idea that Nay had brought him to an ice cream parlor. Mitsui wasn't really into sweet stuff but if Nay really wanted this, he didn't want to reject her. Besides, she looked really cheerful today. Mitsui hadn't seen that smile since the day Tanski attacked her.

Hai, Nay smiled while she signed quickly, Mitsui managed to catch it. It's been sometime since I came here!

"Well, come on then." Mitsui smiled in returned and put an arm around her while ushering her into the shop.

In the ice cream parlor, Mitsui and Nay took a seat near by the glass window. Since, Nay couldn't speak, she pointed out to Mitsui what she wanted to have and he helped her place her order. She had ordered a really huge chocolate ice cream Sundae and Mitsui got himself a glass of fresh fruit juice. He couldn't eat such sugary stuff. It makes him have goose bums after eating them.

However, even feeling a bit odd drinking fruit juice in an ice cream parlor, Mitsui was glad he brought Nay here. She looked so pleased when her Chocolate Ice Cream Sundae came. He watched her quietly with a gentle smile on his face.

"You really enjoy this stuff don't you?" Mitsui said softly leaning his head on his hand.

Nay nodded and smiled.

"I guess most girls love sweet things." Mitsui chuckled to himself softly. "I hope you can finish that. I am not helping you finish it."

Nay stuck out her tongue, I don't need you to help me. She signed

Mitsui grinned.

Nevertheless, Nay finished the huge portion of ice cream without difficulty. Mitsui was pretty amazed but still grinning at her, they left the place. For a small person like Nay, she could really eat a lot when she wanted to.

"Do you want to eat something else?" Mitsui teased.

Nay shot him a look, which told him to stop it.

"I was just teasing you Nay…." Mitsui laughed and hugged her to him. "You seemed so much cheerful after the ice cream. I was so afraid I will not see that smile again."

Nay looked at him surprised when he bent over to kiss her softly on her forehead.

"If you don't mind, I need to go to the sports department to get a new pair of basketball shoes." Mitsui said, putting an arm around her shoulder. "The old ones had worn out."

I don't mind, she signed.

Unaware, both the couple made their way down the sidewalk not noticing that a pair of eyes was watching them closely from the corner.

Tanski, was still furious that she didn't succeed on getting Nay alone all this time.

Rukawa was walking down the street alone with both of his hands shove deep into his pants pockets. He woke up early in the morning to practice basketball, but one of his shoelaces broke and now he was on his way to get new shoelaces in a sport shop.

While he was inside, he couldn't help but browse for other basketball necessities. He was, however, surprised when he saw Mitsui purchasing a new pair of basketball shoes. When Mitsui spotted him, he was also pretty much amazed to see Rukawa.

"Rukawa, are you getting something for basketball?"

"Yeah," Rukawa replied shortly.

"I came with Nay…" Mitsui replied and looked around.

Nay was no way near him.

"You were alone when I came in." Rukawa said.

"She must have run off somewhere in the department." Mitsui said frowning slightly.

"You lost her?" Rukawa asked, feeling furious that Mitsui could be so careless.

"I did not!" Mitsui flared in returned. "I am going to look for her."

Rukawa sighed inwardly and followed him. He couldn't imagine Nay being in trouble again after what happened to her recently. She shouldn't have left Mitsui's side without telling him first.

Nay was looking around the sports department store, when someone came up to her and pulled her off. All she could do was struggle and unable to utter a single sound. That person only let her go when they were in a deserted area of the road. When she turned around to look at her assaulter, she was slightly stunned and frightened to see it was Tanski again.

A small frown was formed on Nay's face showing Tanski that she wasn't afraid, even though she was.

"Having fun today?" Tanski asked, crossing her arms in front of her.

Nay didn't bother to write anything down her notepad to tell her anything.

"Ah right, I always forgot that you can't never speak," Tanski smirked slightly. "I have no idea what Mitsui see in such a retard like you."

Nay still remained motionless.

"Ah well, since you cannot stay away from him…." Tanski suddenly moved towards Nay in lighting speed, startling Nay slightly. She grabbed Nay by her hair and yanked her towards the road. "I will make you stay away from Mitsui forever!"

Nay shut her eyes tightly because of the pain she felt. Nay was dragged rather rudely forward when Tanski started walking again. She shoved Nay into the street so hard that Nay stumbled and felt on the tar road. Very slowly, Nay got up again and she saw a few scratches on both of her legs. Her right elbow was also bleeding because she had used it to break her fall and it hit the road pretty hard.

Before Nay could get up, she saw, out of the corner of her eyes, a car coming towards her in top speed. By the speed of the car, Nay knew that the driver couldn't stop in time. Nay was too stunned to move away, only stand rooted on the road. She could only hear the screeches of car tires and someone shouting her name.

"NAY!"

She felt herself being shoved away from the road rather forcefully. She flew slightly to the side and landed pretty hard on the pavement. In an instant, someone was at her side helping her up. She turned towards the person and saw Rukawa holding her up.

Then she remembered that she heard the car hitting something and she turned to see Mitsui lying unconsciously on the road. Nay's eyes widened with shock and dread. Her mouth opened slightly and the next thing happened was a miracle, the first word that came out from her mouth after being mute for 10 years was…

"HI…HI…HISASHI!" Nay screamed, tears pouring down her face.

Rukawa was also in shock to see that Mitsui was hit by the car but he even more flabbergasted when he heard Nay's voice. It may not be the sweetest melody in the world and since she had not used it for so long, her voice was low and croaky. Besides that, her pronunciation was also bad as well, hearing the way she called out Mitsui name.

But she had spoken! She can actually speak!

Rukawa came back to his senses when he saw a figure sprinting away from the scene. With his sharp eyesight, he immediately recognized that figure to be Tanski. He knew that, somehow, Tanski was the person who caused all of Nay's injuries and pushed her into the middle of the road.

Mitsui went berserk when he saw the car coming towards Nay. Before Rukawa could react, Mitsui was already running into the street to shove Nay out of harm way and he got hit instead.

"Don't worry Nay, Mitsui will be alright," Rukawa said softly holding her tightly. "Someone had called for an ambulance and it will arrive soon."

Nay nodded slowly but she could not stop crying. She did not want Mitsui to die and leave her alone. In such a shocking and tragic situation, Nay had not even realized that she had uttered the first word which was Mitsui's name after 10 long years.

TBC

Thanks for reading this fiction. I will try to post the next chapter up soon.