Confession ~Juuzou x Reader AU~

Chapter 12: The Keeper

~4 Days Later~

Four days after Juuzou leaves, Rui is discharged.

Finally.

Finally, no more pullout mattresses. Finally, no more nurses shuffling in at odd hours. Finally, no more alcohol wipes and sterile air. Finally, we can start the process of healing.

Out of all of that, that's what we need most, especially Rui. Seeing her twitch in her sleep. Watching her eyes dart to the door with a sliver of fear before noticing it was a nurse or doctor. Knowing that she is harboring so much fear and pain.

As a mother, it is agonizing to see my child in pain. No parent ever wants to see their children suffer. Well, most parents don't. I sure as hell don't. Knowing Rui is in any sort of discomfort destroys me.

But there is another thing. Rui might be discharged, but we're not going home. Not to the apartment – the only home Rui has ever known. If I have a difficult time feeling safe there now, I'm sure so will Rui. After all, that was where she was ripped away. Snatched in the dead of night. And beyond that, the TSC is still housing us in the hotel.

Clay is still out there.

There's no saying where, but he is. He could come back at any moment. Or send someone. That's why there are TSC officers stationed outside of all the kids' doors.

My heart breaks at remembering those other children. On top of being kidnapped, their mothers are dead. Victims who had been slaughtered and devoured by ghouls. Ghouls that Clay willingly conspired with and for. And now, there are three orphans.

Of course, the kids all have family. Grandparents, aunts, uncles – whoever the TSC could find were notified. Granted, their mothers had been estranged, that plays little. The families are still devastated. They have lost daughters and now their grandchildren are motherless. So my heart breaks for them. And my heart breaks for what those kids will be going through.

But we are discharged. Rui is discharged. We can leave. Those other children will be here longer due to their cases being more severe. And they are. I can hear them scream from down the hall whenever the nurses try to feed or bathe them. They wail whenever blood needs to be taken. No one can console them. No one. If it's a long healing journey for Rui, I shudder at what it'll be for those other little ones.

And yet, as I carry a bag of clothes and any toys Rui has been gifted, she looks up at me, her cheeks red and eyes glossy. Her bottom lip quivers. And I see it – the fear.

"No!" she yells, shaking her head. "No! No! No! I don't wanna go!"

I crouch to her level. "Rui, baby, we can't stay here. We have to leave. The doctors said you're doing so good, so now we gotta go. Someone else needs this room now."

She shakes her head again. "No! The bad men! The bad men!"

The bad men. The ghouls who broke into the apartment. While one has been apprehended and is in TSC custody, the other is – as far as I know – still out there. Still roaming the streets. I understand her fear.

I inhale deeply and breathe. "Rui, we're not going home, home. We're going to a temporary home. One that the bad men don't know about."

She knits her brows. "Temp..."

"Temporary. It means just for now."

"We...have a just for now home?"

I nod, "Yup. Juuzou set it all up for us. And the bad men don't know about it, so they can't get you."

A sliver of light brightens her eyes. "Juuzou did?"

"Mmmhmm. He wants to make sure you're safe."

"He does?"

"He sure does."

Talking about this seems to be setting her at ease. At least a little. And it sets me at ease. Besides, what I'm telling her is the truth.

Juuzou is the one who rescued me from that ghoul. Juuzou was the one who found out Clay is involved in all this. Juuzou is the one who carried Rui out of that restaurant. Juuzou is the one who arranged the hotel. And Juuzou is the one who has arranged for the TSC to cover any of the medical bills – mine, Rui's, and the other children. He's done it all.

And right now, knowing he's the one who has arranged and taken care of everything is easing her. Even if only a tad. If it makes her feel better, then I'm good.

"So, whaddya say? Wanna go see our temporary home?" I ask, sounding as bright as I can muster.

For a moment, she almost looks as if she's about to agree, but then she looks at the door and her eyes fill with that fear again. She shrinks. "Where Juuzou? Mommy, where Juuzou?"

My heart falls. "He's still away working." I hold her little hands in mine. They are warm and so little compared to mine. I missed them so much. "I know it's scary. Mommy was scared too, but it's okay. We'll be fine."

"I want Juuzou."

"Rui..."

"I want Juuzou." She presses her forehead against me. "I want Juuzou."

"Rui."

My heart is breaking at seeing her this way, though I get it. I understand. She is scared and nervous. Leaving this hospital where she has been guarded scares her. It scares me too. There are so many uncertainties. The ghouls. Clay. All of it. But I know one thing; Juuzou would never put us anywhere that wasn't safe.

"Rui, he's not here," I say. "He's still away, trying to catch the bad guys. How can he catch the bad guys if he's here?"

She looks at me with glossy eyes and pouty lips. "Juuzou..."

Dejected, I'm about to say something when a voice hums from behind me, causing me to turn, and my eyes widen.

"What's the matter Rui?"

Juuzou. It's him. He's here. Standing, Abara at his side. Hair messy with bobby pins. His eyes are on us – bouncing between Rui and me. And Rui... She lights up and runs to him, gripping onto the fabric of his pants.

"Juuzou!" she beams.

"Hey, Rui," he smiles, bending down and scooping her up.

I smile at this. I smile at how she feels at ease with him. I smile at how gingerly he holds her. I smile at how natural he is with her. I smile at all of it.

"What's up?" he asks. Glancing between me and Rui.

I stand and sigh, "Rui has been discharged, but she's...a little apprehensive about leaving."

"What? Why's that, Rui?" He looks at her.

"The bad men," she says. Her voice is small.

A twinge of what must be pity masks Juuzou's face – but only for a moment. "Hey, now. The bad men aren't gonna get you."

"But –"

"Would it make you feel better if I took your mom and you there?"

"Oh, you don't need to –" I start.

"It's okay," he says, looking at me. "I don't mind. Hanbee, man things here, kay?"

"Yes, sir," Abara nods.

"So, whaddya say about that, Rui?" he asks, looking at her.

Her face lights up. "Yeah!"

"Then let's go!"

He turns with Rui still in his arms and begins to walk. I hesitate but follow behind. Grateful, of course, though guilty, too. He's busy and probably still exhausted, but he's doing this for Rui. He's doing this to ease her. And I am so incredibly grateful for that.

**Hello, lovelies! Looks like Juuzou is back and just in time to – conveniently – escort Y/N and Rui to the hotel. Any hunches as to what will happen? Feel free to take a gander! Hope everyone is doing good! I know things seem a little crazy in the world right now, so don't forget to take care of yourself. Love yourself – you deserve it and you are worthy of that. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise! Wuv yous!! <3**

-Noel Ross