Can we Make It?

-34-

"We are going to be leaving in an hour. Make sure the two of you are ready." Shuichi had already started getting dressed by the time Maki told us this. I didn't want to have to leave the comfort of my bed. The warm sheets are soaked with the scent of Shuichi and the scent of safety...but I need to get ready to go. This mission is going to be challenging. Both in the physical aspect as well as the emotional aspect of things.

I know I can handle it, but I worry--

My gaze moved over to look at Shuichi. He already seemed stressed about the whole thing. I could tell by the way his shoulders slumped and how his eyes were randomly focusing on random things. In stressful situations, Shuichi tends to randomly hyperfocus on things. Staring at a wall and seeming to be deep in thought, when really his stress is just getting to him.

"Shuichi," I said, snapping him out of his trance. "Y-yeah?" He asked. I could tell just by his frightened tone as well as how his shoulders raised. Smiling to myself I moved over to him and made sure to gently touch his arm.

"You are feeling stressed about the mission," I said in a matter-of-fact tone. He looked into my eyes and I saw guilt. This was not something I expected to see in his eyes. But there it was, lurking in the background of his eyes making it hard to focus on the worried look he was giving me.

"Yeah..." His whisper caught me a bit off guard. Soft words floating into the conversation that could have been seen as me accusing Shuichi. I didn't mean for my statement earlier to come off so bluntly as to hurt him...this just simply wasn't the case.

"Hey, it's okay if you are. If I'm being honest I'm worried about the mission as well." A small smile crept onto my lips. Carrying my understanding to him, so he could relax a bit. Seeing as I knew what he was feeling and knowing that he in fact was not alone in this.

His eyes told me he was thankful for my words, even though he didn't say the words 'thank you'. Not that I would need to hear him say them anyway. He does so much for me that I feel as though I don't deserve his thank you's or even him going more out of his way to 'thank me'.

I moved my hands to put on my uniform before checking to make sure I was all geared up for the mission. This mission was definitely going to be more difficult than the ones before...because this organization is worse than anything we have encountered. They are taking children off the side of the road to seem like their hero. This then makes it easier to manipulate them to do their bidding.

My nerves started to kick in when I thought about it. What if we ended up getting trapped in this place? Wouldn't that make everything so much harder...it would. Shuichi being trapped in a place where he would be tortured and forced to do things he doesn't want to do...I can't bear the thought. I want to be able to know he is safe. Even if I have to take his place in danger, so he can escape and walk free.

Bzzt Bzzt

My wrist started to buzz. I knew it was the communicator watch that was a multipurpose communicator. Tapping the screen started the message.

"It's time." Maki said before adding, "Make sure to come to the car, and don't cause others to become suspicious of you. This is a mission that requires a small group." With that, the transmission shut off and I saw Shuichi had already moved towards the door. I took steps at a faster pace than his own so I could catch up with him.

I wanted to be by his side through the whole thing. Because even though I hated to admit it...Shuichi makes me feel safe. Just knowing he is okay makes me feel like I am okay and that everything can be calm for a small moment.

Our hands intertwined together and I smiled to myself. Now we are connected to one another. Now we will be able to stay together as long as this connection between our hands isn't severed.

Together even in the worst places.

The doors to the car were all open. Maki and Zoe were both packing things into the car. This was the start of a mission that was going to be hell on Earth...I just hope things go as planned. For Shuichi's sake.