From Distant Lands - Juro's Return

Chapter Twelve

Over the course of the next week, I stay at my grandfather's with my dad, making calls, making arrangements, and assuring Shiori that everything is fine every time she visits. Katsuki stays with me a couple of those nights, but I can only stand seeing him passed out on the floor next to the couch so many times before the guilt tears me apart and I kick him out for his own good. Today, after finally getting back to some of my regular hero work, I arrive at my dad's place to utter silence.

"Dad? You home?" I call through the house, a sense of unease coursing through me. He's kept to himself a lot of the time, but I don't think he's been this quiet in days. I walk back towards his room, feeling only partly guilty for not taking off my boots. Sure enough, Dad's door is closed, so I knock at it lightly, hoping to inspire even a small reaction.

"Dad?" I say again, knuckles at the door. Nothing... I reach for the knob and turn it slowly, surprised that he left it unlocked, and when I get inside I almost turn around. It looks like he's sleeping, lying on his side fully dressed and not making a sound, but just as I'm about to leave, I see the empty bottles on the floor... my eyes widen.

"Dad?" I ask again, a little more urgency in my voice. I rush to his side, turning him over and feeling for a pulse, but there isn't one. My heart stops completely, body jumping into action.

"Dad! Dad, come on!" I urge, smacking at his cheeks and bending over to try and listen for his breathing. I don't hear anything... tears spring to my eyes, panic making my body kick into overdrive. I immediately start chest compressions, heart hammering against my ribs and sobs wracking through my chest. Please! You can't do this to us! Not now, come on! What about us? What about Shiori's wedding? What about what you promised us, all those years ago!

"Dad! Wake up! Please!" I cry, giving it all I've got as I try to force air into his lungs. How long has he been out? What happened? How could I have left him alone? What is wrong with me? I can feel myself losing control as I try desperately to save him, feel myself crumbling beneath the weight.

"Help! Please!" I start shouting, desperate for someone, anyone to hear me.

"Somebody HELP!" I scream, leaning down to breathe into him again, hands shaking against his chest. I cry harder, screaming out unintelligible things, begging my father to come back to me because he can't die too. Not now. Please...

After what feels like forever, over my own cries and the sound of roaring blood in my ears, I hear the front door bang open and in seconds someone is grabbing my arms, trying to pull me away.

"No! No! Stop! Let me go!" I gasp, throat raw and body aching. I can't stop now! I need to save him, I need to bring him back...

"He's dying! Please! I need to help him!" I scream desperately, clawing at the arms that hold me.

"Kaida! Kaida, stop! Kirishima, call for help! Kaminari, restart chest compressions, I need to get her out of here" I can hear Katsuki's voice and feel his arms around me. I can see a flurry of motion around the bedroom and I know somewhere at the back of my mind that they're here to help me but... I can't just sit here. I can't just watch.

"Dad! Dad, I'm here! I'm sorry!" I cry, still throwing myself against Katsuki's hold. Even as Kirishima gets emergency services on the phone, his eyes darting between us worriedly. Even as Kaminari presses his hands to my father's chest, electricity passing between the two of them. Why isn't he moving? Fear grips me in a way it hasn't been able to in a long time and I suddenly feel like I'm losing everything. People just keep dying around me and now...

"Please... not you too..." I cry, feeling like I'm going to collapse. I can't even fight anymore, I just stand in the circle of Katsuki's arms, watching as my friends try to bring him back to life. How they got here, I don't know and I don't care, all I can do is watch and beg whatever god is listening not to take him away. Not after everything... we still need him.