From Distant Lands - Juro's Return

Chapter Sixteen

Shimizu is already prepared for my less than dazzling arrival by the time I get down to the station and when I burst through the door, he looks up at me unsurprised.

"You said you have a lead" I say immediately and he nods, holding out a folder. I take it from him instantly, flipping it open.

"It just came in an hour ago. Juro was spotted in an industrial park just outside the city" he tells me and I scoff, glowering down at the image of him immaculately dressed, walking into a tall cement building.

"What's with this guy and industrial parks?" I mutter, earning an arched eyebrow.

"You've been here before?" Shimizu asks and I shake my head, leafing through more of the photos. Juro is here... now. He's within reach.

"No, just someplace like it. So what's the plan? How are we doing this?" I demand, looking back up at him expectantly. Shimizu sighs heavily, scratching his head.

"I don't have a team exactly... but there were a few heroes who were free to help you scope the place out" he begins, prompting me to give him an impatient look.

"And?" I demand.

"Take it easy, sweetheart. We're already here" Katsuki's voice says teasingly as he walks up from the back of the building followed by Shoto and Tsu. I flush, both taken aback by the nickname and happy to see them here.

"You guys?" I ask, touched. Shoto laughs a little, giving me a look.

"You didn't think we'd let you go alone?" he replies and I can't help but smile. Tsu smiles back, a determined look in her eyes.

"The police force will back you up from the outside. Just make sure whatever happens, you don't let it get out of hand. The area around the park is heavily populated and we want to avoid casualties" Shimizu reminds me, as if I don't already know that.

"Of course" I tell him and he nods once, motioning towards the door.

"Let's get going then" he says and the five of us walk out of the station, nerves and anticipation seeming to vibrate through the air. Outside we're joined by a larger group of officers, each equipped with their own means of detainment and self-defense. I nod at a few I recognize before we all get into our respective vehicles. My hands shake as I take a seat and part of me can't believe this is happening.

"Hey" Katsuki says as we drive, nudging me with his knee. I look up at him, wondering what my face must look like with all the thoughts racing through my head.

"We got this" he reminds me and I nod, remembering what he said to me yesterday before... my cheeks heat.

"I know" I reply, looking away to avoid the sly smile on his face. God, I love him. Even when I'm nervous or scared or angry or upset... he still manages to remind me of that.

"We should have a plan before we get inside. Did you take a look at any of the photos?" Shoto asks me, redirecting my attention.

"He's right. We need to think this through first. Juro isn't an opponent that's going to go down easily" Tsu adds and I nod.

"That's a good idea. I did take a look at them and at first I thought it'd be better to split up and cover more ground... but Juro will be expecting that" I say, earning looks of agreement all around.

"So we stick together as a group, the four of us covering all vantage points so he doesn't get the upper hand" Katsuki clarifies.

"Exactly" I reply and Shoto purses his lips thoughtfully.

"We have to assume that he has a plan regardless and be careful not to be surprised ourselves. If there's anything we know about Juro thus far, it's that it's not hard for him to remain a step ahead of the game at all times" he says finally and I can't help but agree. Juro isn't one to be surprised easily, regardless of how we go in there, he'll be prepared. For the rest of the ride out of the city, the four of us try to strategize as best we can and when we arrive, my adrenaline pumps through me double time.