Confession ~Juuzou x Reader AU~

Chapter 25: Going

The knocking comes shortly after Rui is dressed after her bath. She looks at me, concern and fear in her eyes. I smile and reassure her before going to the door, peeking through the peephole.

On the other side of the door, I can see two men – TSC personnel – standing. They are both dressed in their usual uniforms. Black and gray uniforms I have seen on several occasions. I'm familiar with the look, and I am somewhat familiar with the faces.

"May I help you?" I ask through the door.

"Good evening, Miss L/N," one of them – the shorter of the duo – says. "Sorry to intrude on your evening, but we've been instructed to gather you and your daughter."

I knit my brows. "Gather us? What for? And whose orders?"

"Head of commands, Juuzou Suzuya," says the other. His voice is deeper but steady.

The first nods, "Correct. He wants us to take all the victims to a secure area."

My heart rate increases. I look at Rui, perched on the hotel bed, staring at me with confusion. Suddenly, a cold sense of dread falls over me.

"Is something wrong?" I still haven't opened the door.

The two exchange glances before the shorter one speaks. "Ma'am... I...I don't know if I have the clearance to give full details."

I swallow, "We're not going anywhere. I don't even know who you two are. Where are your badges?"

It may sound crazy or paranoid, but it's not wrong. In fact, I want to kick myself for not asking this sooner. I mean, they might be dressed as TSC agents, but what if they're not? What if they're some of Clay's men?

The first is about to say something when the second steps closer, holding his badge up. "First class TSC agent second division, Shino Haruki. Badge number 0277213." He looks at his companion, who reaches for his own badge.

"First class TSC agent second division, Enji Ito. Badge number 0134268."

Shino appears satisfied and looks back at the door. "We were sent on the behalf of head of commands, Juuzou Suzuya to escort you and your daughter to a more secure location, along with the other protected witnesses."

I bite my lip and look once again at Rui before begrudgingly opening the door – though leaving the chain lock engaged. "Why? Why are we being moved?"

Deep down, I feel these two are telling the truth. Even through the peephole, I could see their badges. They look legit, but even more than that, the way they carry themselves has me believing them.

"Extra protection," Enji answers.

"But why?" I press. "I'm confused. We're at this hotel as protection, aren't we?"

"That's correct, you are," Shino nods. "That said, Commander Suzuya wants to enact an extra layer of protection by temporarily moving you and your daughter to a central area with the other witnesses."

"But why? I still don't get why."

I don't. I don't get why he would suddenly be sending out this order so abruptly. I mean, wouldn't he have warned me ahead of time? At least an hour before?

Shino must sense my hesitation because against Enji's protests, he replies, "At this very moment, commander Suzuya is enacting an operation to capture and apprehend Key and his men, who have all been spotted here in H/P by our intelligence unit."

Enji mutters something in Japanese – most likely telling Shino he was wrong to tell me this, but I ignore him. Instead, it is the shrill ringing in my ears and the cold hollowness that settles in my chest that has my attention.

Clay. He's here. He's in H/P. But where? And for how long?

No. No, that doesn't matter. It doesn't matter how long he's here, or that he's here at all. Not in the grand scheme of things. Not if...

I look at Rui. Slowly, she is inching closer to me, her eyes big with worry and confusion. I just got her back. She just came back, and Clay... He's here. He's in H/P. I don't know where. I don't know for how long, but he is.

I turn back to Enji and Shino. "Am I allowed to pack some things?"

Shino nods, "Of course."

"Okay. Give me...give me ten minutes."

"Very well," Enji agrees.

I close the door and turn to Rui, crouching to her level. "Rui, I need you to listen to me. We have to go somewhere new."

She knits her brows. "Where?"

"I... Somewhere safe. Juuzou is sending us there."

"But why?"

I bite my lip. I can't tell her. Not now. Not while she's still so fragile and wounded by everything that's happened. So, I think on my feet.

"He just... He wants to make sure we're extra safe."

She doesn't look fully convinced, but she doesn't argue. Instead, she asks, "For how long?"

"Uh..." Good question. The truth is that I don't know. "For the night at least, a few days at most."

That's all I have. That's the only thing I can think of on the spot. I pray she is satisfied with that. I pray that's enough. She observes me, her eyes locked on mine when she nods.

"Okay."

I sigh in relief. "Okay. Alright, let's pack a few things we might need, kay?"

"Yeah."

I spend the next several minutes tossing clothes and toiletries in bags and gather Rui's toys before hoisting her on my hip. When I open the door, both Enji and Shino are still there.

"Are you ready?" Shino asks.

I nod, "Yes, we are."

"Very well," Enji says. "Please, follow us."

And I do. I follow behind them as they escort us down the hall and out of the building, then to a dark car with tinted windows. Then, with a heavy chest and my heart racing, I get in with Rui still in my arms.

**Ello, ello lovelies! Look at that. Another chapter. Looks like things are picking up. Any idea where this is all going? Feel free to take a gander! ...so...honestly, I typed this chapter on the same day as the previous one so I don't really have anything new to say... Thank you oh, so much for everything! Y'all rock! Wuv yous!! <3**

-Noel Ross