Freak ~Juuzou x Reader AU~

Chapter 38: For the Wicked

~Juuzou POV~

Heh. That was close.

When did she get that perceptive? Or has she always been like that? I don't think I ever really noticed before. Then again, I guess I can't really hide the dark circles anymore.

It'll be fine, though. I'll sleep after we rescue those kids. That's when I sleep. Yeah. For now, we work. We look for those kids. We save them.

Twenty good boy points.

I shudder. We're going to save them. I know we will. I can feel it in my bones. We have to. We can't fail. We can't.

So what if I haven't slept? I'll be fine. So what if I miss home? I'll be fine. So what if Mama's voice keeps ringing through my ears? I'll be fine.

I'll be fine.

I'll be fine.

I'll be fine.

Outside, it is hot and sunny. The sky is a clear azure, and the air is heavy with heat and humidity. A very muggy summer day. But there is something else riding in on the breeze. Something that smells fresh, adding a certain chill to the breeze.

A storm is coming. I don't know when, but I can smell it. It's going to be a big one. Thunder. Lightning. Rain. It's all coming. Nature's lullaby.

My phone begins to buzz. I reach into my pocket and grab it, then answer, "Ello. Hanbee, what's up?"

"Suzuya, sir, we have a hit," he says quickly.

"I see... Hit on what exactly, Hanbee? We've been keeping an eye on a lot of things."

"Key. Jeris squad in (insert random city name), Key's place of main residency. They found information about Key's involvement with the ghoul restaurants." I suck my breath in. He continues, "They also found coordinates for where several human pet facilities are, including one in H/P."

"Several?"

"Yes, that is correct. The other jurisdictions will be proceeding with your orders."

My orders. Me. Mine. They're waiting for my orders.

"Hanbee."

"Yes, sir?"

"You said that there were coordinates for several facilities, including H/P's?"

"Yes," he answers confidently. "Several other jurisdictions are preparing to intercept and perform a mass rescue under your command."

There it is again. Under my command... But why? Why under me? Why by my words?

"Hanbee?"

"Yes, sir?" His tone sounds confused.

"Why are they all waiting for my command?"

He is silent for a moment, then: "Sir...you're the highest-ranking officer in the TSC. You were involved in several special ranked exterminations, including the Dragon and second Owl missions. Aside from some of the retired officers back in Japan, no one here has as much experience as you to lead this high of a level mission."

My eyes widen. He's right. I had almost forgotten. How could I forget?

A roll of laughter starts in my belly before migrating to my chest. "Ha! You're right, Hanbee! And you know what? We're going to save these kids. This time, we'll get 'em, and we'll shut down Key's nasty trade." I start to walk, the tiredness melting away. "And you know what else, Hanbee?"

"What else, sir?"

I grin. "That's an order."

There's a brief pause before he clears his throat. "Yes, sir!"

There's a storm coming. Its perfume rides on the breeze. I can smell it. I can taste it. There's a storm coming.

And victory will be ours.

**Ello lovelies! So, a little Juuzou POV. Looks like they're onto something. Are y'all ready for that? Ya wanna know the funny part? Juuzou talks about an approaching storm and here, where I live, it's supposed to storm sometime today. It's already overcast, so I expect it here in a few hours. Ya know...once I'm at work. But that didn't even dawn on me when I first started typing this lol. Anywho, thank y'all so, so much for everything! Y'all rock! Wuv yous!! <3**

-Noel Ross