A week later at school, the guy who had caught me doing gymnastics came up and introduced himselrf, "I'm Ling."
I waved, wondering what he wanted, "I'm Ariana. This is my friend Fumiko."
She grinned at him and he looked at me and asked, "Can I buy you dinner sometime?"
I was about to say no when Fumiko said, "She'd love to."
I blinked at her and then at him and said, "um, sure."
He grinned brightly and said, "Tonight?"
I nodded and Fumiko said, "Pick her up at 6."
He grinned happily and nodded before leaving. I looked after him, getting a feeling I didn't recognize. I looked at Fumiko who asked, "Sorry, did you not want to go out with him?"
I smiled at her and said, "It's fine. So, want to help me get ready?"
She smiled happily and nodded, "Yes! Oh, let me go tell Gai I'll be a bit late on our date."
I nodded as she ran off and I wasn't surprised when Kakashi and Iruka came up, attached to the hip. Kakashi said softly, "Ling huh?"
I shrugged and Iruka said worried, "I'm not sure why, but he always gave me the creeps."
I shrugged again and said reassuringly, "it's just dinner. I'll see you guys later?"
They nodded and Fumiko ran up and dragged me off to pick out an outfit.
At six I was dressed in a pair of caprees and a tank top. I had my jacket over my waist. Ling came and looked me over with a frown, "Um, we're going to a fancy restaurant. Are you sure you want to wear that?"
I felt my eye twitch as I smiled and said, "Yep. Ready?"
His smile was back on and he nodded, "Sure."
I walked with him to the parking lot and was about to get on my bike when he said, "Why don't we take my car? Cheaper on gas."
I couldn't argue with that so nodded and got into his black car. We drove to a five star restaurant and I acted like I was a queen as they looked down their nose at me and showed us to our table. We ordered and the waitress asked me, "Excuse me, but weren't you here last night with Master Jiraiya?"
I nodded and she smiled and I was suddenly treated like a princess. Ling wasn't too happy, but hid it well. Then I listened to him babble about his car and awards he's won.
Growing more bored by the second, I finally had to ask, "Do you even hear yourself?"
He stopped mid sentence to glare at me and I said, "No really, all I've heard all night is everything about your car and all the accomplishments you've achieved. Do you honestly think I care?"
His face slowly became a grin and he chuckled, "your right, my apologise. I just got so nervous I couldn't stop myself. Please, tell me about yourself."
I smiled prettily and said, "Actually I'm full and ready to go home."
He nodded, smile still on his face, which was kind of creepy. He paid and we got into the car and he drove me home, silent the entire way. Which I would have enjoyed if it wasn't creeping me out. As soon as he parked I got out and he followed suit and said, "Sorry to ask, but can I borrow your science book? I forgot mine in class and we have that essay we have to write."
I hesitated and slowly said, "um, sure. I'm done with mine anyway."
He smiled brightly and followed me up to my apartment. I opened the door and said, "I hope Fumiko's still up." I saw a note on the coffee table and it read, "Ariana, we went to a late movie. Be back around midnight. Fumiko."
I withheld a sigh and picked up my science book and turned to hand it to him. only I didn't find him by the door, and before I could look, something hard hit the back of my neck and everything went black.
-00-
I slowly came to as I felt a chill go up my body and wondered why I was cold. Something touched my cheek and I jolted awake. Ling smiled sweetly over me, body too close for comfort. I tried to move but found my hands locked by handcuffs to the bars on my headboard.
I yanked to try to get free, but they held tight. I felt myself grow even colder and I tried to scream but I found duck tape on my lips. I tried anyway and Ling put a finger on my lips and said, "Shh, we're just going to have a bit of fun."
He moved and straddled my waist. I looked down and saw I was naked. Terror gripped me and he leaned in close, "Finally. Your mine."
He grabbed my breast and something stirred in me. It wasn't lust or anything. It was hot and I realized it was anger. I looked around for a way out of this as I worked to get my tongue through my lips and over the duct tape. That's when I realized my legs were free.
He sat up to take off his shirt and I thrust my hips up as high as possible, lowered a leg and thrust up again. It was just enough to hit his jewels. He wimpered and I rubbed my lips against the pillow, getting the duct tape off.
I screamed bloody murder and he slammed his fist into my cheek before covering my mouth, "Shut up!"
I growled and bit his hand as hard as I could. He yelped and yanked, but I held tight. I felt something tear as he yanked hard and I let him go. I spat his blood into his eye as he got off me angrily, about to teach me a lesson and I slammed my foot into his nose. All the while screaming, "HELP! SOMEONE! HELP!"
I kicked as hard and fast as I could, just barely keeping him away. Suddenly the door burst open and Kakashi and Iruke saw Ling trying to hit me as I was handcuffed naked to the bed. Kakashi grabbed Ling and slammed him into the wall. Ling fought back and Kakashi got him in a head lock as Iruka ran up to me and I felt hot tear spill over.
He spun on Ling and demanded a key. Ling smirked and gasped out, "I don't have one."
Kakashi karate chopped the back of his neck and he fell unconscious. He searched him but found no key as Iruka covered my body with a blanket. They got a screwdriver from my closet and undid the bars so that I could get loose.
I threw myself into Iruka's chest ands sobbed, "Thank you! Thank you!"
Kakashi called the police and Iruka helped me put on a pair of sweat pants and t shirt. I was so glad I had such great friends. Iruka gently lead me to the living room and Kakashi took the roll of duct tape by the bed and taped Ling to a chair.
I sat next to Iruka as he had his arm around my shivering shoulders as the thought of what almost happened hit me. The police showed up, undid the handcuffs and took Ling into custody and took my statement. Just as they were leaving Fumiko and Gai showed up and Kakashi explained what had happened.
Fumiko sat next to me and I forced a smile, "I'll be alright. I'm just going to take a shower and go to bed now ok?"
She nodded, looking worried and I went into my bathroom, not looking at my bed. I took a shower, letting the water wash away fresh tears and the feeling of disgust left on my body from him touching me.
Once I scrubbed myself red and dubbed myself clean and done crying, I got out and changed into my pajamas. Going into the living room, I found the everyone had left but Fumiko, who came out of her room and asked, "Do you want to sleep in my bed?"
I shook my head and said quietly, "I'll take the couch Fumiko, thanks."
I curled up with a blanket and pillow and closed my eyes tightly. I slept fitfully, waking up poised to scream but found it was just a dream, that never ended. The next morning I told Fumiko I wouldn't go to school that day and she left.
Kakashi and Iruka came over at noon to find I hadn't moved all day, just staring at the TV. They tried to get me to talk, or even go out. But I turned them down and they soon left. Three days later it was just the same. Until the fifth night, when I awake again, about to scream and realized I was only dreaming. Sitting up, I put my head in my hands and said, "your pathetic Ariana."
I got up and went into my room, ignored the bed and got dress in jeans and a t shirt. Grabbing my jacket I glanced at the clock to see it was 1 in the morning. Grabbing my bike helmet I quietly opened the door and went out. I went to the parking lot and to my bike.
Putting on my helmet, I got on and turned it on. Kicking the kickstand up, I held the brake and hit the gas until the tire squealed and I let the brake go. I shot forward and zoomed out of there. Going as fast as possible without getting in trouble, I hardly noticed as I came out of the city and into the country.
I drove and drove until I finally made it to Tokyo and went straight to the cemetery. I parked the bike and walked up to my parents headstone and sat in front of it. I asked softly, "What do I do know Mom? Dad?"
I didn't know how long I sat there until the sky lightened and a ray of sunlight hit the headstone. I slowly smiled as I remembered something my Dad said. "Once you've hit bottom. The only way to go is up."
Realizing what I had to do, I blew the stone a kiss and ran for my bike. Zooming out of there, then out of the city I realized it was the weekend and I had a plan.
Parking in the parking lot I ran up the stairs, two at a time and flung my apartment door open. Running to my room, I grabbed the mattress and with bedding and pillows in the middle, squashed it like a taco and dragged it out of the room.
Since Fumiko didn't come out running I figured she had left early and I just got to the front door when Kakashi and Iruka arrived. They stared as I lifted the mattress up and flung it over the rail, right into a dumpster. Going back in, they watched as I drug out the frame one piece at a time and tossed them as well.
I spun on Kakashi and asked, "Mind giving me a ride?"
I locked the apartment door as he asked a bit dumbfounded, "Um, where?"
I grinned at him, feeling like my old self, "To get a new bed. The last one just wasn't working for me."
He blinked and finally chuckled, "fine."
I grabbed Iruka's arm and said, "you too. I need company."
He grinned as we went to Kakashi's big chevy truck. We all got into the front seat, me in the middle and went to the mattress store. They helped me pick out and load a bed frame, with no bars, and a mattress. Then we got a new bed set and pillows. Going back to the apartment we got everything inside and Kakashi helped me set it up as Iruka made breakfast.
I sighed happily as I pounced on the newly made bed and said, "Thanks Kakashi."
He sat on it next to my head and said, "your ok now?"
I nodded with a grin, "Once you hit bottom, the only way to go is up."
He grinned and Iruka called that breakfast was ready. Before I could move Kakashi grabbed me and threw me over his shoulder. I squeaked then started laughing, "Help Iruka! I'm being man handled."
Iruka turned in surprise from the stove and couldn't hide his smile as he scolded gently, "Kakashi, that's no way to treat a lady."
Kakashi said slyly, "You don't mind."
I whacked the back of his head, "Too much info. Now put me down."
He pouted cutely and set me down gently. I giggled and then helped Iruka set the table. He dished out pancakes and eggs and we dug in. I munched happily and when I got done I asked,"Where's Fumiko?"
Iruka shrugged and Kakashi said, "I think she's with Gai."
I nodded and ate quickly. after i was done i asked them to clean up and Iruka said, "We got it. you go find Fumiko. she seems to be blaming herself a bit for what happened."
i nodded, hugged them thanks and ran out the door, dialing as i went. Fumiko answered hesitantly, "Um, hi Ariana."
i demanded, "Where are you?"
"Uh, the park."
i turned a corner and said, "Wait there."
i hung up before she could protest and started running. i ran past the buildings and down the sidewalk to the nearby park and spotted Fumiko from behind. i ran up to her and she turned, hearing footsteps and i pulled her into a hug. i hugged her tight and said gently, "I don't blame you Fumiko."
She gave a shuttered breath and hugged me back. She whispered sadly, "I- I didn't know what to do. you looked so broken. i was so scared you weren't coming back."
i let her go and she looked up at me with tear filled eyes. i smiled softly and said, "It's ok. i'm ok. All i ask is that you don't run from me any more."
She nodded eagerly and i grinned, "Besides, I need your help with keeping Kakashi from killing Gai. and i wouldn't be anything without my best friend."
She chuckled and i wrapped my arm over her shoulders, "But first, i believe we need ice cream."
she agreed and we went to find the ice cream cart. Bad memories now just a memory. And life continued on.
