Chapter 26

The goon smiles wickedly, taking me by the arm in broad daylight. I thrash, trying to escape his grasp. Several people give us frightened glances, but the goon smiles, and they retreat. He's got fang-like teeth, probably filed down to make him look demonic and intimidating. I go on screaming and thrashing, hoping someone--anyone--will hear me. Nobody even bothers to do so, and nobody comes to my rescue. After several minutes of the goons dragging me through the city, I stop screaming. Nobody will hear me now. My heart drops. They'll kill me, I think. Either that, or they'll rape me. One of them wears a black leather jacket. 

Are these the guys who confronted Chie in the anime? Weird they're still lame-ass thugs, I think. The leader scoffs at me, looking me up and down. Now, I don't look so appealing to him now that he knows I have an attitude. I grin coyly at him, mocking his stupid smirk. He flicks his head at one of his goons, and then the goon tries to hit me. I get to him first. I swiftly kick him in the temple, knocking him to the pavement. He groans, passed out. That'll be a nice bruise later. I wince, as my ankle rocks in my heel. It's wobbling; I'm still not yet used to wearing them. 

Leader: You bitch!

I run at him, ready to knock him down as well. He expects the move, grabbing my by the leg and slamming me full-force into the concrete. I cry out in agony. I hear pounding footsteps. It can't possibly be a person; who would care if we were being assaulted on a small side street in the middle of a huge city? It must just be my head, throbbing from the force. Then a new pair of feet appear by my head, which is bloodied and aches dully. I hear a low growl emit from the stranger's throat. I look up, and gasp. 

Yu runs at the buffoons, a blunt weapon in his hands, plywood or something. The goons go down easily, leaving only me, barely conscious, and Yu, breathing heavily. He looks down at me, his expression laced with worry. I sigh with relief.

Yu: Sasha, are you okay?

Me: I think...so.

I try to stand up, but my leg refuses to support me. Yu senses my distress, lifting me and supporting my weight on his shoulder.

Yu: You had us worried. I saw your bags down the street and I knew somethin' was up.

Me: Thanks. You're the hero. Yet again.

Yu: Yeah, no problem...

Yu grins, and I grimace as a shooting pain spirals up my leg.

Me: How'd you find me?

Yu: Called Rise, she said you'd left them behind, then I heard you scream.

Me: Nice job, Mr. Detective.

Yu laughs shakily. He was terrified that I was hurt, or that they'd do something to me. I smile gratefully at him.

4:00 p.m. 

After Yu takes me back to the hotel suite, I change into the new clothes that I bought at the store with Rise and the girls. I sigh deeply, my knees trembling as I stand in front of the mirror. The goons cut me up pretty badly, and Yu helped clean me up. I smile weakly to myself. Yu's a true person, a true caring guy. I hear someone knock at the bathroom door.

Naoto: Hey. It's me. 

I unlock the door hesitantly, not really wanting anyone to see me. As I pull down my shorts, I groan. It had to come NOW?! It was really that time of the month?! Maybe that's why I went along with the fight last night. I tug myself out of my now-ruined bikini bottoms, getting a tampon from my bag. I kick myself on the inside for not bringing more. I hear a wince from behind me.

Naoto: That sucks.

Me: Yeah...

Naoto: You bought that peach bikini today, right?

Me: Yeah.

Naoto: Should I go grab it for you?

Me: That'd be helpful, thanks.

Naoto: Yeah. It's not a problem.

Naoto slips out of the bathroom door, wielding the ruined swimsuit. I wince at the thought of the guys seeing it. I hear muffled laughter and arguing, and then silence. Someone must've said something to shut them up. Naoto walks back it, the peach swimsuit in her right hand. 

Naoto: I'm sorry. I should've hidden it.

Naoto's smirking, and I slug her in the shoulder. I know she did it on purpose.

Naoto: Did you know something? Yu stood up for you. He's a pretty cool guy. You should ask him out.

Me: Fuck off, Naoto.

Naoto raises her hands up in surrender, a smirk still on her face. I roll my eyes. She leaves the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. I change into my new bikini, slipping now into white short-shorts and sandals to match. I redo my makeup, which has been screwed up with sweat and blood. I hear the door crack back open, and Naoto pops her head back in.

Naoto: Sasha? I'm sorry. Truly, I am. I didn't-

Me: *sigh* Naoto, it's okay. Just please stop apologizing. Now what is it?

Naoto: Well...All of us are going to go sailing. You see, my grandfather used to work with a man who lives here. Actually, they were quite close friends.

Me: Sailing...?

I gulp. I've always been afraid of the ocean. Maybe I should go...? No. I'll stay here. Just in case.

Naoto: So, how about it? Wanna come with us?

Me: Um...No thanks, Naoto. I'll pass.

Naoto: Oh. Okay then...We were thinking about going to a little seaside cafe as well once we've returned. 

Me: Okay. I can probably meet you there.

Naoto: Alright... Well, see you later then.

Me: Bye.

I offer her a small wave, still standing in underwear and an undershirt. I was in the process of deodorizing when Naoto came in. I swipe my hands along the front of my shorts, wiping of dust and hair, the cleanly-shaven areas of my thighs rubbing gently against the soft, white denim. I slowly slip out of the undershirt and change into a crop-top, letting my skin breathe freely. I run my hairbrush through my thick, long, brown hair, a few strands breaking in the process. After I've done a few small braids, I sigh, finally finished. I hear the suite door close and the voices I heard before diminish. They must be leaving. Oh well. 

I open the door to the bathroom, and I can the sun is fairly low in the sky from the window. Maybe an hour, forty-five minutes before sunset? Nobody is in the suite, no shocker there. I hope they have fun without me. I groan softly to myself. Now I'm just throwing a damn temper-tantrum. As I pack my purse, I notice the thugs didn't touch anything on me. Except myself, of course. The money in my wallet, my jewelry, nothing. I sling the purse over my shoulder, and walk directly out of the suite. I push through a crowd of people, taunting them. I see several guys with their eyes near popping out of their sockets. I stifle a laugh and strut through to the elevator--model style. I plug my iPod into my ears, blasting music to reassure my confidence. 

Ow! Ho! Ow!

Baby, does he do it for yah?

When he's finished does he step back and adore yah?

I just gotta know

Cuz your time is money and I won't let him waste it

Oh no noo

Baby

Just go with it

Cuz when you're with me I can't explain it

It's just different

We can take it slow

Or act like you're my girl and skip the basics

Woa-ah no

These are irreplaceable

Da da da da da da da

Da da da

Your world that chase you're good enough

It's alright

I'm not dangerous

When you're mine

I'll be generous

You're irreplaceable

Uncollectable

Just like fi-i-i-ne china

---

Favorite

You're my favorite

Just like all the girls around me

You're their faces

And the city knows

Life is just a game but I'm not playin'

Wo-o-o-o-o-oah

These are irreplaceable

Da da da da da da da

Da da da

Your world that chase you're good enough

It's alright

I'm not dangerous 

When you're mine (Whoo)

I'll be generous

(You are) You're irreplaceable

Uncollectable

(Just like) Just like fi-i-i-ne china

It's alright (girl)

I'm not dangerous (I'm not dangerous)

When you're mine (Yeah)

I'll be generous 

(You are) You're irreplaceable

(You are) Uncollectable

(You are) Just like fi-i-i-ne china

---

Took me a weapon

Your look

I ain't know a better time

In this world

Took me alotta time

Just let me

Feel it baby

Feel it in your soul

Are you ready?

I knew your heart open clearly

You belong to me

Ah, no, no, no

It's alright

I'm not dangerous

When you're mine

Baby, I'll be generous

(Ah, no) You're irreplaceable

Uncollectable

Just like fi-i-i-ne china

Uh 

Yeah

Uh

Uh, no no-o-o

Oh

As the song finishes, I'm already outside, looking up at the birds fleeing towards the treeline, their homes. As they cry out in the near-orange light, I see myself in them. It kind of makes me sad. I might never go back home. Never go back to the States, huh...? I shake the thought from my head, trying to put on a little grin. I think of the good things I have here. Nanako, Naoto, Yu...All my friends here...The past is in the past, and the future awaits with arms yawning wide open. 

I smile as I walk towards the beachfront. As I come closer to the water's edge, I spot the sailboat that Naoto mentioned, and I hear laughing and yelling from aboard the ship. I smile softly. I hope to myself that Yu is having fun. As I look around, I notice that I'm not alone; I hear the crunch of sand and notice who's behind me. My heart flutters with joy. I feel my lips pull up into a grin.

Wooo!!! So excited that I FINALLY re-published the next chapter! Too much shit's been going on so I really haven't been focusing on this much. Thank you to all of my readers, I'm getting some wonderful feedback. By the way, if you recommend your stories, I WILL read them! 

--

By the way, a lot of people have been asking me what I'm planning on doing with this fanfiction. I'll just say that due to being in a serious relationship, I didn't feel comfortable including a character connected to me in name and experiences, all the personal stuff from all my previous chapters...So I decided to omit all of it, which means I have to completely go through and edit the names, events, and backstory alot. I'll also be editing the relationships a little, tweaking when the ships, such as Chisuke and Kannao, possibly even Riseddie, a little sooner. I think when I first started writing this, I wanted to ship Rise and Teddie...but then later on I totally forgot and focused alot on Chisuke. I will, however, keep updating, and once I'm done editing, I will begin writing new chapters. It WILL happen by the start of summer, which is in 7 official school weeks for me. So I'll just keep working for now, and keep your hopes up for lots of ships and new content!

Please, you guys, I know this is getting repetitive, but don't forget to vote, comment, and add this story to your Libraries and Reading Lists! It really, really helps with production, I swear! And thank you guys soooo much for being fans of mine for THREE YEARS now! Yes, it's almost been the 3-year anniversary for My Persona's True Form! I'm very excited to see what's to come!

-Mako-!~

A.K.A. : The Queen of Being a Yu'sMajestic AssSlapper