Chapter 26

I'M ALIVE! Welcome back to DNTOS, I first wanna apologize because of the long wait. ^^' I've been doing a lot lately and unfortunately writing was not one of them. However I am now apparently taking art requests and commissions which you can message to me via twitter or Deviant Art or here, I guess…or Tumblr…anywhere…Good news though, I finished Final Fantasy XV and Drakes Fortune and got to Hollow Bastion in Kingdom Hearts…and started Persona 5…yeah I've been playing PS4…I think I burned out a little. Anyway it's pretty hard to follow up on a Chapter that got so much praise so just prepare not to be as happy with this one. It's hard 'cause I've had writers block…but here we go.

"Ryuzaki…thank you…"

. . .

January 28th

You need to pull yourself together, you're back at the hotel, you're safe now…He won't be able to find you here, and even if he does you're in a room with five officers, they wouldn't let anything happen to you.

My hands are still on the wheel even though we're parked and the engine is off. I stare at my whitening knuckles; I hear a click and turn my head. Ryuzaki's unbuckling himself and as he notices my stare he glances at me.

I can only imagine how pitiful I look right now.

"Still shaken up?" His question takes me by surprise, but I look back to my hands and slowly unclench them. They ache, so I let them fall into my lap.

"Yeah I guess…at least a little. Honestly, Kira doesn't scare my half as much as Maxx does…the things he's done…" Ryuzaki finally removes the hat from his head and tosses it into the back seat with the glasses.

"Seems you're the one who needs a disguise; not me." A smile makes its way on my face.

Was that a joke? Is he trying to make me feel better? That's so sweet.

"Yeah, I guess I do, don't I?" I turn back to him and look into his dark eyes, it gives me the strength I need. "C'mon; let's carry all these upstairs." His eyes widen and nearly pop out of his head.

"How're the two of us supposed to carry all this up?"

"I don't know. You're the genius, you figure it out." I smile at him coyly. He turns and faces the front of the car and places his thumb near his mouth.

He's thinking again. The smart thing to do would be to call Watari and have the Task Force come help…

I sit in silence and wait for him to come up with a plan. When he doesn't, I sigh and hit the button on my 'spy belt' and wait for Watari to call me.

Watari should really give me his cell number, I can understand the rest of the Task Force but I spend more time with Ryuzaki then anyone…they should trust me by now.

After a few seconds my phone rings and out of the corner of my eye I see Ryuzaki jump. I chuckle slightly as I answer.

"Yo Watari, what's up."

"I should be asking you that. Are you alright Miss Matsui?" Watari seems concerned.

"Yeah we're alright. Ryuzaki and I are back and we need help carrying everything upstairs. The candy man over here tried to buy the whole store so there's a lot." Watari chuckles and I catch Ryuzaki's glare.

"Yes that does sound like something Ryuzaki would do. I'll get everyone together and we'll be right down."

"Operation grocery getter is a go." Watari laughs again at my corny-ness before he hangs up. I put my phone in my pocket and catch Ryuzaki's gaze. "What? You were taking too long; must be because you're sitting normally. That forty percent really makes a difference doesn't it." I smile and elbow him in the shoulder before popping the trunk and getting out of the car. I put the keys in my pocket and push up my sleeves.

"OW! What the fuck?!" A sharp pain shoots through my arm.

"Are you alright?" Ryuzaki appears next to me as I stare in horror at my arm. My whole arm is one giant bruise. "Oh dear…let me have a look at that." I eye him warily, but after a second I give in and extend my arm.

Ryuzaki's touch is gentle as he slowly inspects the damage. He places his fingers on a few separate places as he seems to gauge the pain; I wince every time.

"It's just as I thought…it's pretty bad, we need to ice it and wrap it as soon as possible." He looks at me with sullen eyes.

Yeah I could have told you that…but still…he seems upset, and he only seems to show emotion like this with me…

"Oooooh! Ryuzaki and Suzuki sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G." My head snaps in the direction of the taunt and I see Watari and the Task Force emerge from between two cars. I quickly pull my arm away and hide it behind my back as I spot the Chief.

I don't want them to see this; they'll make a big deal out of it.

"Oh shuddup Matsuda! You know it's not like that!" I yell at him as they come closer and head toward the trunk.

"I don't know Suzuki, you were holding just now." I spin in the direction of the Chief in shock.

"Nooooo! Not you too!" I groan as they begin to load their arms with bags.

"I was actually providing medical insight." Ryuzaki sticks his hands in his pockets and everyone stops and stares at me concerned.

Dammit Ryuzaki…

"What happened? Are you alright?" Everyone's demeanor changes immediately and I watch as Watari, the Chief, and Aizawa click into 'Dad' mode. The Chief approaches me first with worrisome eyes. I groan and glare at Ryuzaki before pulling my arm out from behind my back and rolling up my sleeve to reveal the bruising.

Everyone gasps in mutual horror and the Chief immediately grabs my arm and begins to inspect it, he's gentle, but it still hurts.

"These bruises look like finger marks! Were you attacked?! Who did this to you?!" I try to avoid them, but his eyes are unavoidable. They grab me with their mix of rage and concern and don't let go. I can tell he won't drop it 'till I spill my guts.

"An ex-boyfriend found me and threatened me…but don't worry; Ryuzaki took care of him…" I stare at my arm and the Chief lets go.

"Threatened isn't the right word, Suzuki. He attacked you unprovoked." As Ryuzaki speaks Watari opens up one of the Mt. Dew boxes and grabs a can, then he brings it over and gently places it on the bruise. I wince, but he motions for me to hold it in place.

Fuck this is cold.

"You were attacked?!" All of a sudden Matsuda is really angry.

"Yeah I guess, but like I said, Ryuzaki handled it."

"It doesn't matter! Don't you get it?! You were hurt! You need to report this so we can catch the bastard." Matsuda's eyes pierce my soul with their anger and sorrow.

"Who was he? What did he look like? Was he under the influence?" The Chief starts asking twenty questions one after another.

My brain is gonna explode.

"JUST-stop…please…can't this wait 'til we're all upstairs?" They're all a bit surprised at my outburst, but they sigh and nod. The Chief folds his arms.

"Alright, but you should press charges." I nod to shut him up

"Ryuzaki, why don't you and Miss Matsui go up ahead of us. I'm sure we can handle these bags on our own." I catch a weird undertone in Watari's voice, but I don't understand what it means. I turn to look at Ryuzaki, but he's already walking away.

Jeez, he never waits for me…

I run after him with the can still pressed against my arm, but as we reach the door I take it off and roll my sleeve back down.

Can't have any normal people seeing that…it would create a big fuss.

We step in and the door closes behind us, we're alone in the elevator.

"Suzuki…" His voice catches me off guard.

"Yeah?"

Oh boy, what now…

"Do you know how to defend yourself?"

What? Huh, wasn't expecting that…

"Ah…yeah I can…" When I can summon my blade or have some sort of blade or staff…I'm not much for hand to hand…

The elevator rises and my stomach rises with it.

"Yet you didn't fight back…why?" His question makes me feel sick…or maybe it's the elevator. My stomach begins to feel as though it wants to vacate, but I hold it down.

"Well…to be honest…had I fought back, he probably would have broken my arm. I was also in shock though…in the beginning when I first heard my name, I though Kira had found me…but then I turned around and saw that it was Maxx…I couldn't believe my eyes." The elevator dings and we step out onto our floor.

"Ah I see…however, I feel as though I should teach you a bit of what I know." I stop in my tracks for a second, but then run after him.

"What you know? You mean like the kick you did?"

"Yeah, something like that. The kick is part of it. I'd like to teach you a bit of Capoeira and perhaps a bit of Krav Maga…just for self-defense." A smirk crosses my face as we reach our door. Ryuzaki pulls out a key card and swipes it, the door beeps happily and he holds it open, offering me inside first.

"Wow Ryuzaki, I didn't know you used martial arts to work out." He closes the door behind me then puts his hands back in his pockets and heads toward the bathroom.

"How else would I maintain this girlish figure?" Caught off guard, I laugh out loud as he waves for me to follow him.

Oh man, when we're alone he's a real charmer. I wonder if this is him finally warming up to me. Girlish figure…that's cute. I still wonder though, what does it look like under that white shirt? And how does he stay so thin?

I follow him in to the bathroom as he opens a cabinet and pulls out a first aid kit. He sets it on the counter as I take a seat on the closed toilet lid. I watch as he pulls out the gauze, tape, and an Ace wrap. I push up my sleeve and extend my arm for him. An idea crosses my mind.

"Ah, so you're not only the number one detective in the world, but you're also a doctor with a silver tongue, aye?"

He begins to wrap the gauze around the bruising, and for a minute I think he didn't hear me, but then I see it. He's smiling! I put the can I'm still holding on the counter as he wraps my arm tight. He looks like he's concentrating, but through that mess of raven black hair I can see a smile plastered across his face. He pulls the wrap tight and tapes it before moving to wrap it with the Ace.

I can't believe he's smiling, like yeah, he smiles a lot but never like this. It's almost like he's happy but embarrassed all at the same time. Like he knows something I don't. It's so genuine, I can't believe it.

It becomes contagious and I develop a baby smile of my own. "What are you so happy about?" I hear the front door open as he finishes wrapping it up. From the bathroom I can still hear the Chief's words as everyone piles in with the groceries.

"If I get my hands on whoever did that to her; I'll…I'll…I don't even know what I'll do."

"Yeah, but Chief, if she doesn't wanna press charges then there's nothing we can do but hope that maybe Ryuzaki will want to…I feel just as strongly as you do about it, but it's their choice." Matsuda…

"I know that! But…it's just that she's so close to Light's age…and I don't think I've heard her once call or talk to her parents. She's all alone here; I guess I just feel like I should be responsible for her." My heart pulls at my chest as I hear the Chiefs words.

I never knew he felt that way…I see him as a father too…

"I know what you mean, it really irks me too. I'd like to wring that little punk's neck. No woman should ever be treated that way." Aizawa…you too?

I glance at Ryuzaki who also seems to be listening.

"We all care about you Suzuki…you should give the Chief a statement, even if you don't want to for yourself then do it for them." I sigh and look down at my arm again. The Ace runs from my elbow to my wrist and around my thumb.

"Ryuzaki? Suzuki? We're back." I hear Watari from the hall and Ryuzaki begins to pack up the first aid kit.

"We're in the bathroom with the first aid kit, Watari!" I watch Ryuzaki but within seconds Watari's at the door and has my attention.

"Oh, I see you've finished. Well done Ryuzaki." He stands from putting the kit away and places his hands into his pockets.

"Thanks…"

"Now, how does it feel Suzuki? Not too tight I hope." I stand and we move out into the hall.

"No I'm fine." But this damn thing looks like a giant cast…

I turn as the rest of the members flock over. Ryuzaki takes it as his chance to leave and walks away slowly.

Seems as though he's had enough human interaction for today…

"Are you alright?" I glance from the disappearing Ryuzaki to the concerned Chief Yagami. I sigh.

"I heard what you said, and I'm glad to have people like you guys that worry about me. I don't call my parents because…well…as far as I'm concerned I don't have any. My birthparents died and my adoptive parents eventually became too occupied with work and their wealth to even care. After everything I went through, everything I did…they never once told me they were proud of me." I wait in the shock induced silence, but after a few minutes the Chief puts his hand on my shoulder and sighs through what seems to me like misty eyes.

"I'm sorry you had a rough upbringing. No child should ever feel unwanted like that. If you ever need anything I want you to know you can come to my wife Sachiko and I." He seems very sincere.

It feels like he's trying to adopt me, wouldn't that be nice. It would also be hilarious, me the sister to Kira; well that is if Light is actually Kira like we think. I still think he could be, why else would the Shinigami follow him around?

"You really mean that?"

"Yeah, and you can come to me with anything too. I'm your brother after all." Matsuda places his hand on my other shoulder and I smile.

"Like the brother I never had." I laugh. "You're my brother from another mother." They all laugh.

"Sister from another Mister, right?" I smile at Matsuda as warmth fills my chest.

"Thank you…all of you."

"Now; do you want to make a statement about the attack?" The Chief pulls out his pen and pad but his tone is very light. I take a deep breath and let it out, steadying myself.

"I guess. His name is Maxx Agito, and he came up to me in the parking lot when I was putting the cart away. He demanded to know what I was doing in Japan and that I had to come home with him. When I refused he grabbed my arm to tight that I couldn't escape. Ryuzaki came over to us and after trying to diffuse the situation and asking Maxx to let go multiple times, he kicked him into the carts. Honestly…it was probably the only thing that would have made Maxx let go. And if it matters he wreaked of booze." The Chief scribbles stuff down then looks at me. I wrap my arms around myself as I recall the event.

"Appearance?"

"Um…tall I guess, no taller than Ryuzaki…blackish brown hair, blue eyes…actually…I have a restraining order against him back home…not that he follows it…I know it doesn't mean anything over here but I'd like another one." The men stop and stare.

"We'll find him and serve him one here, if he doesn't follow it we'll make sure he goes home."

"Don't worry Sis, we'll get him, he'll never touch you again." Matsuda seems excited and confident. I yawn as fatigue sets in.

Man, I'm fuckin' tired…

"You seem tired, that's all the questions I have for now. I'll get the rest of the story from Ryuzaki." The Chief puts his pad away for now and I smile.

"Thanks…I just hope you get to him before Kira does…he maybe an asshole, but he doesn't deserve to die." They all nod and I turn and head off to my room.

It doesn't take long before I'm lying down in my bed and feeling the pull of sleep. My eyes become heavy and as I close them a final though runs through my mind.

Maxx is in Japan…The Task Force is my family…I'm getting closer to everyone, including Ryuzaki…he stood up for me; helped me care for my arm…and I think…I love him…

Well there you have it guys Chapter 26, we're movin' along, but I still have writers block. I have this giant gap to fill and I have no idea what to put in it. Well except maybe Valentine's Day, but like how do I even start that? If you have any ideas or anything you want to see or anything you want to happen on a certain day, comment or PM me it and I'll think about it. Thanks to Ash, Wolfy, Shado and Trebor for reviewing the last Chapter it made me super happy but also like 'shit how do I follow that great chapter'. Lol. Thanks also to my two new followers Darcy18 and CrisNicMic; just so you know I usually update much faster, but I've had writers block. ^^' But I hope you liked that chapter and I'll continue to work on the Valentine's Day one. Peace out.