From Distant Lands - Juro's Return

Chapter Fourteen

When I get upstairs, my legs are still shaking, heart beating unevenly and mind racing. What was that? How is it possible that Juro let me go and why? I walk up to the kitchen sink, turning on the faucet and running my hands beneath the cold water as I try to gather my bearings. So much happened... so much was said... I grip the edge of the counter, knuckles white. What the fuck? Suddenly my door slams open, the knob flying against the wall with a loud bang, and my boyfriend bursts through, eyes wild. I freeze, staring at him in surprise, stomach still roiling from my most recent encounter.

"Kaida... what the fuck?! Where were you?!" Katsuki demands, starting towards me. Every moment from the last few hours replays on a loop inside my head and I can't control it anymore. I double over, leaning my head over the sink as my body tries to expel the anxiety by force. Katsuki immediately shuts up, probably as surprised by my vomiting as I am by his sudden appearance, and I grit my teeth before another wave of it hits me. Damn it.

I stay hunched over the sink, retching in silence for a little while before the sudden sickness finally passes and I feel like passing out. Instead, I just stand here trembling, trying to come to terms with what's happening. It's finally here, he's finally here. Juro is finally making good on his promise and while I thought that I was ready, the terror swimming in my veins seems to think otherwise. I try to slow down my breathing, knowing I can't afford another panic attack right now, but it's hard when my own body refuses to obey me and even with Katsuki's hand on my back or holding my hair away from my face, I still feel consumed with dread.

"No, it's okay. I found her. Thanks Eijiro" Katsuki says over the phone, hanging it up right as I feel well enough to stand up straight. Thank god the water was running because a lot of my mess is already disappearing down the drain as I wipe my mouth, fingers still shaking.

"I'm sorry..." I mumble, refusing to look at him. Katsuki stays silent a second and I can sense his growing frustration.

"What the hell happened to you? Kirishima said you just disappeared on patrol today" he demands. I let out a shaky breath, wishing that I didn't have to tell him, or even... wishing it wasn't true.

"I didn't... it wasn't intentional" I say, not knowing where to begin. Out of my peripheral, I can see the incredulous look on Katsuki's face.

"So you vanished by accident?" he reiterates, disbelief coloring his tone. I sigh heavily, pinching the bridge of my nose with my thumb and forefinger before finally levelling a look at him. Katsuki must see the effects of the day because his irritation instantly melts away when I face him head on.

"What is it? What happened?" he demands, taking a step closer and grabbing my hand. His touch makes it both easier and harder to keep my composure, but I manage not to have a full meltdown in the middle of my kitchen.

"After Kiri left the bar... I was gonna leave with him, but..." my voice trails off as I think about the stupid kid. He was so young. I can't imagine what would make him stick by Juro's side, but I remember being his age and at Juro's mercy... what might I have done if the torture had lasted a day longer... a week... months... years... I close my eyes against the thought.

"There was this kid hiding behind the wall and when I went to chase after him... I didn't expect it. He darted out into traffic and I just wanted to save him..." I say, voice getting really quiet. All I'd wanted in that moment was to get him out of harm's way and figure out what the hell he was doing there. I shake my head and Katsuki searches my face, brow furrowing.

"What happened, Kaida? Where did you go?" he asks and I take a deep breath, gripping his hand so hard that I'm thankful for his gloves, cushioning the pressure.