Man is least himself when he speaks in his own image.
Grant him a mask and he will tell you the truth.
A red masked figure stood atop one of the many skyscrapers of Tokyo. The figure was obviously male based on his stature and body shape. He was tall, very much so, standing an imposing 6'5". He was extremely muscled, his shirtless torso showing a multitude of tattoos and his bulging muscles. He wore black combat pants and combat boots. His red hair was arranged in a waist long neat ponytail. His mask was blank and red.
Behind him, sitting on the ledge was a slightly shorter figure. If he was standing he would measure 5'10". He was lean, with a black trench coat and black pants, with black combat boots. Securing his black trench coat were four buckles, though slightly loose to give him breathing room. His gray hair was held in a messy ponytail, with the top and sides still messy, falling over his blank and gray mask.
"It's almost time." the gray haired man said.
The tall man didn't make a sound, simply gazing out on the bright lights of Tokyo.
"You will kill your brother, and I...I will fix what I have broken." he continued.
The man still said nothing, but turned to the gray masked one. His unseen gaze made the gray man sigh.
"Soon. They seek the one eyed ghoul, Ken Kaneki. They will strike soon, and so will we." he assured. The man once again, said nothing, merely turning back to the city.
"Yes, soon. I will have my vengeance, and my salvation...maybe."
Scene Change: Anteiku
The mood was dark in Anteiku. They were on their seventh night of being closed. Naruko sat with Touka in the back office on a couch, her eyes showing anger and frustration. She had started to truly feel like she had a family. Touka, Irimi and Hinami were like her sisters. Yomo, Nishio, Koma, Uta and Kaneki were like her brothers. Yoshimura was like her grandfather. But Aogiri fucked everything up. They kidnapped Kaneki, they wrecked Anteiku, and she had a nagging feeling that they had a part in Otaru's disappearance.
"Naruko, you okay?" she turned her head to Touka. "Yah, I'm fine, just worried." she replied. Touka nodded.
Her and Touka hadn't exactly been the closest when she first came there. Touka felt like it was Naruko's fault that Otaru disappeared, and Naruko just kinda thought that Touka was a bitch. But over time they grew close. They would spar often and Touka was shocked at Naruko's inhuman ability to keep up with her. Naruko found that Touka was someone she could always talk to; whether it be about girl things, personal dilemmas, school, any of it. And although nobody knew, her and Touka often...experimented with each other.
They both had a general dislike for humans, both having horrible lives due to them, none of the boys at school interested them, so it seemed only right they were together.
Naruko and Touka were like mothers/sisters to Hinami, something they never bothered correcting.
She seemed happy with it, and they were happy with it. Naruko liked the idea of motherhood, but also always wanted a little sister. Touka just wanted a family, so it worked with Hinami looking at her and Naruko as mothers and sisters.
Uta was like her weird artist emo brother, Yomo like her overprotective brother, and Kaneki was like her wimpy nicer brother, though he had gotten stronger. And Koma was like her wannabe cool guy brother. Nishio...well he was kinda just an ass.
And Yoshimura was just like Hiruzen in so many ways. He was the leader of a bunch of people, he was powerful, and he believed in righteousness.
She was pulled from her reverie when Yomo walked back in the room, a troubled look on his face. Yoshimura gave him a confused look. "What is it Yomo-kun?" he asked curiously.
Yomo leaned against a wall and glared at the ground. "Do you know of any ghoul organizations that require all members to where blank masks?" he questioned Yoshimura.
Naruko looked at Yomo confused. "Where did you see them?" she asked.
"Outside the shopping mall where Aogiri is keeping Kaneki. It seemed like they were scouting." he replied.
"Why would they be scouting?" Touka asked in confusion.
"I don't know, but I don't like it. I've never even seen these assholes before." Yomo growled.
"You said something about them wearing blank masks, right?" Uta questioned. Yomo nodded with a raised eyebrow.
Uta sighed in clear annoyance, but told what he knew. "Well, I was talking to a couple of ghouls I know from the 19th ward and it turns out, they saw three guys with blank masks slaughter around thirty Clowns gang members. Supposedly without breaking a sweat." he droned.
Naruko looked at Uta in shock. "Y-you're serious!?" she yelled. He nodded and gave Yoshimura a glance.
"What do you know of these people Yoshimura-san?" he asked. Yoshimura chuckled lightly. "What makes you think I know anything?" he asked the emoish ghoul.
"Because you know a thing or two about a thing or two." Naruko interjected. The old ghoul threw her a slightly annoyed look before sighing and answering. "Very well, I will tell you what I know."he said, and everyone leaned in slightly.
"They are known as the Faceless. I don't know where they came from, but I do know they are supposedly led by unbelievably powerful ghouls of all shapes and sizes. Fat thin, tall short, young old, it doesn't matter. Each member has a specific ability that plays a role in the organization. According to rumors I heard in my younger years it is an ancient organization, stretching back as far as the Christian-Muslim wars, the crusades." he explained grimly.
"How do you know so much about the inner workings of the Faceless?" Naruko asked with narrowed eyes.
Yoshimura sighed, his old age showing. "I, in my youth, made the foolish decision of joining the Faceless. I was thirteen, I didn't feel like a had anything to lose, so I joined. After my partner was killed by my superiors for losing an arm, I thought they were a little to violent for my tastes at the time, so I ditched."
Everyone was in slight shock over what they heard.
"So...what do the Faceless have to do with Aogiri?" Koma asked. Yoshimura shook his head, "I have no idea," he said, "I don't even know how long Aogiri has been around, let alone a conflict between them and the Faceless."
Koma gave Irimi a knowing look, ans she returned it. "I'm gonna go to the roof for some air." Koma said, walking out the office door. Irimi said the same minutes later and left.
Scene Change: Roof
Irimi stood behind Koma wih a worried look on her face. "It's him, isn't it?" she asked rhetorically.
Koma just stared at the night sky with an air of uncertainty around him. "I still have a hard time, ya know? Accepting the way everything ended between him and Anteiku. And all cause of those fuckers at Aogiri."
Irimi nodded. "Well...if he has anything to do with the Faceless, we may have our chance in the next couple of nights to get him back." she said.
Neither could see, but a figure was hiding in the shadows of the alley bellow them, listening to everything. It smiled and began walking away, a single thought in mind. 'I've finally found you...'
Scene Change: Unknown Cave
Hundreds of figures donning blank masks, kneeling to a single man. He sat atop a great throne carved from obsidian. His face was hidden by a hood, but you could see a hint of a bearded jaw. He stared at his subjects with an air of royalty around him, his blood red eyes glowing under the hood.
He slowly stood, his legs strong and his posture straight. "My men...for thousands of years, we have lived under the boot of the humans! WE were here before THEM! This world belongs to US! In three nights, we will destroy Aogiri! If only to show our vast superiority within the ghoul and human world!" he roared, getting cheers and roarsof approval from the amassed figures. He smiled and noted the silence when a large passageway opened behind him.
He turned to see a heavily muscled and tattooed man and a gray masked trench coat clad man walk through a secret entrance. They both bowed in respect and sat in a meditation pose next to his throne, along with the other seven already there.
He looked back to his men. "Rest and train men, be fully prepared for the coming nights. The Faceless shall be led by the Soulless once more!" he yelled, his fist thrust into the air. His men roared in approval and mimicked him, before filing out to do as their leader ordered.
The cloaked figure turned and walked to his throne, pressing a hidden switch.
The throne rumbled and groaned as the back rest lifted, the arms expanded, and the bottom broke down into stairs. He walked down the steps and motioned for the others to follow. One by one, each random figure stood and followed the cloaked figure, the red and gray masked ones being the last ones. Right before he entered the underground passage, the gray masked man dropped a small black bead-like object.
They moved down the corridor quietly and swiftly, making sure to stay single file behind their leader.
They eventually entered a large room with a long oval shaped table. It was aligned with ten chairs, all stone.
There were four on each side, one large and more ornate one at one end and one smaller ornate one at the other.
The cloak figure walked forward towards the large ornate chair and slid into it comfortably.
"I'm sure you all know why your here." he stated in his deep voice.
"Hai, Butowari-sama. This is the crowning of the Soulless." a shorter figure said. The figure was obviously female based on her voice, build and long luxurious hair.
Butowari nodded his head in confirmation. "Yes. As you know the Soulless are the very foundation of the Faceless. You are their captains in my absence, you are their hope in a hopeless war zone. Only the strongest can be the Soulless, which is why you are all gathered here. Each of you will lead a group depending on the number I assign you." he explained, making all present nod in understanding.
He gazed at them hard, his Kakugan shining with scrutiny. "Arama, you are number 1. You are strong but your posture is poor. Correct this." he said, making a man with a black mask and short brown hair bow in respect.
"Thank you for this honor, Butowari-sama. I will correct this" he said, taking a seat nearest the man.
"Takeshi, you are number 2. You are strong but your apathy makes you careless with some of your allys. Correct this." Butowari said to a silver masked and white haired man, who bowed.
"Thank you Butowari-sama, I will correct this." he said in monotone. He took the seat to Arama's right.
"Mirachi, you are number 3. You are strong, but your temper sometimes blinds you. Correct this." he said to a red haired, blue masked woman. She bowed and said, "Thank you Butowari-sama. I will correct this." she said, taking the seat to the right of Takeshi.
"Tobi, you are number 4. You are strong, but your lethargy makes you unreliable at times. Correct this." Butowari said to a man with afro-like blonde hair and a green mask.
"Thank you...Butowari-sama. I will...correct this." he said, yawning and bowing. He slowly took the seat to Mirachi's right.
"Tao, you are number 5. Your are strong, but you lack focus. Correct this." Butowari said, to a green haired man with an orange mask. "Thank you Butowari-sama, I will correct this." he said, taking the other seat nearest Butowari, on the other side.
"Kokua, you are number 6. You are very fast, but you lack control. Correct this." he said to a short woman with violet hair and a black mask. "Yes Butowari-sama, I will correct this." she assured, taking the seat to Tao's left.
"Kimiko, you are number 7. You are swift, but your lust blinds you to the dangers around you. Correct this." Butowari said to a blonde woman with a cyan mask. "Thank you Butowari-sama, I will correct this." she said, taking the seat to Kokua's left.
Everything was tense and everyone was quiet as they gazed at the last two men. One of them would be 8, and one of them would be 9. Butowari sat in silence and laced his fingers together, resting his bearded chin on it. It had been in impossible choice between the two. Either his own flesh and blood, or the finest soldier he had ever seen.
He sighed deeply and tiredly, showing his age, if only for a moment.
"Goro," he addressed, getting the muscled man to stiffen. "Between the two of you it was an impossible choice. Both of you are amazing soldiers, and both of you have a weakness that glares just as much as the other." he said, making even the gray haired one tense slightly.
"I have deliberated over this longer than I should have, but this is my ruling."
"Goro, you are fast, strong, and possess the mind of a master tactician. You are headstrong and willing to die for your comrades if the situation demands such sacrifice. But...your hatred and animosity towards your estranged brother, my own son, has held you back in so many ways. You allowed his leaving to stunt your growth within the Faceless, and you become as crazed as a half-Kakuja at the mere mention of him. So for this...I give you 8." he said.
Everyone looked at Goro and saw his hands clenched tightly at his sides, veins bulging in his arm. But nonetheless, he bowed and to the seat to the left of Kimiko. Now just the gray haired man stood there, staring at the ground. "You...remove your mask." Butowari ordered. Without pause or question, the man reached up and unclasped the fastener on his mask, letting it drop to the floor.
"Now...pull the face mask off." he ordered once more, eyeing the black cloth covering the mans mouth and neck with disdain. Once again, the man did not question Butowari. He pulled the piece of cloth off his face and over his head dropping it to the floor.
"Behold, Otaru Yamada..."
Scene Change: Anteiku
It was the 10th night, and they were all ready. Naruko looked at everyone, noting Koma's absence. "What teams are we going in?" she asked Yoshimura, who nodded. "Good question. Yomo, Uta-san and Tsukiyama-san, you will all go together. Choose a building and strike, I have no maps so I cannot dictate your choice." he explained, making the three nod.
"Irimi-chan and Hinami-chan will come with me to scout." he said, making the two nod. "Naruko, Touka and Nishiki will travel together." he said, once again getting nods in return. "I will give the order to move out, understand?" he asked, getting nods in return.
He nodded (a lot of nodding huh.) and took a seat at the bar.
Scene Change: Near the Shopping Mall
Otaru moved through the forest swiftly, the other Soulless following closely behind, and many Faceless behind them. He finally made it to a ledge where they were overlooking the mall. He raised his hand and everyone halted. "We're here." he stated. Everyone nodded and started organizing their men. Eventually thirty men were kneeling to each Soulless, except for Otaru.
He walked over to some shrubbery and reached in, feeling a tarp. He pulled it out of the bushes to reveal several black crates, to which he yanked out with ease. He dropped them before the confused Faceless and opened them, revealing dozens of assault rifles, ammunition, explosives and the like.
"Soulless, handout weaponry to your men. I have things that need attending to." he ordered, making everyone except Goro nod. He sighed and shook his head, walking away into the forest. His and Goro's friendly partnership had deteriorated quickly after his crowning as number 9, captain of the Soulless.
He shook his head as he focused on the matter at hand. He weaved in and out of the thick trees until he felt he was far enough from his team. Time to catch his tail. He whipped around and shot off his his Kagune at a tree behind him, which exploded on contact. He pulled the his Bikaku from the tree and backed away, the Kagune whipping back and forth like an angry snake. Over the years it had changed slightly. It could extend to unbelievable long distances, he could change its shape at will and if he turned the tip into something of a needle, he could run through people in an instant.
A figure manifested in the darkness to his left and his eyes widened, knowing only one person could do that.
Scene Change: Shopping Mall
Naruko, Touka and Nishiki were sitting near a tower, hoods over their heads. Yomo, Uta and Tsukiyama were in a different position from the other team, though they wore hoods as well. Yoshimura, Irimi and Hinami were all under a bridge. Irimi put her hand to the ground and closed her eyes.
"Quite a few in there." she whispered. Yoshimura nodded his head and Hinami had sparkles in her eyes.
"Onee-chan, that's amazing." she whispered. Irimi chuckled and patted Hinami on the head. "One day, you'll be able to do it as well Hinami-chan." she assured, making the girl smile.
Several dozen CCG buses and vans were lined in front if the shopping mall. Hundreds of men lined up behind barricades with the finest weaponry the CCG had to offer. Itsuki Marude sat in his mobile command post and looked at the dozens of camera views.
Everything stilled for a moment, as if time had stopped. No sounds, no movements. It was the calm before the storm. Suddenly bullets flew from the mall, lighting up the barricades, and the CCG's men returned fire. Bullets flew as well as sparks and blood.
On the ridge everyone looked around for Otaru. "Where the hell is this asshole!?" Mirachi yelled, getting her answer in the form of a smack to the head. Otaru walked past her and she fumed.
He picked up and H&K MP5 and chambered it. "All these bullets are layered with special Rc cell suppressants, as well as the explosives. Be prepared, Aogiri isn't a bunch of lops standing around jerking off all day. They're all well trained and well armed. Watch your corners, and your men." he said, getting nods from everyone.
He looked at the gunfire and smiled, time to get this show on the road.
"Let's go!" he hollered, sliding down the cliff face. The others followed soon after, all in perfect tandem.
When they hit the ground they all shot off in different directions, their intent clear. Tonight, they would destroy Aogiri.
Scene Change: Naruko
Naruko ran down the hallway of the building where she smelt Kaneki. Touka and Nishiki had gone towards another building, seeking any other place Kaneki might be. She turned a corner and barely ducked down, dodging the hail of bullets the blasted down the hallway. She pulled a pistol from under her robe and jumped from her spot. She saw the assailants, three Aogiri grunts. She took aim and pulled the trigger, popping a new asshole in the forehead of the middle one. She ducked again when they tried hitting her.
She slid out of her hiding spot on her back and shot one of them in the throat and the other in the chest.
She stood quickly and started down the hallway again, but not before grabbing the H&K UMP45 off one of the assholes, along with ammo.
She continued down the hallway until she came to a door. She peeked in and saw five Aogiri members standing in the office room with machine guns and shotguns, chatting like a war wasn't going on outside. She quietly pushed the door open and took aim. Before they realized what was going on, she had pulled the trigger, ripping them apart. Their blood covered the white floors and gray walls, painting a nasty picture.
She moved past them without so much as a glance.
Scene Change: Otaru
Otaru dodged the strike thrown at him, and brought his knee into the ghouls stomach, making him double over. He brought his fist down on the mans neck, braking it with ease. He grabbed the body and used it as a meatshield when the ghouls allies opened fire on him. The sick squelching made Otaru cringe, until he deployed his Kagune and sent it them. He heard screams then a thud, and dropped the ghoul he was holding, letting him view the bisected bodies of his foes. He walked past them and continued onward, looking for a certain blonde.
He finally caught a wiff of her scent. Fox, and ramen. 'One of a kind.' he chuckled, before taking off. He busted through one window and into another. He rolled out and his arm shot out, piercing a ghoul. He dropped that one and viewed the others. The many, many others. His Kagune shortened and wrapped around his right arm, forming a large javelin-like weapon. He grinned as they tensed, and shot forward, impaling the first one he could. The others tried to retaliate, but his stabs were quick and precise. He lashed out with his left hand and grabbed ones neck, yanking on it suddenly.
The snap was heard and he dropped the body. Few were left, and they looked about ready to shit themselves. He smiled and slipped off the mask, leaving him in the black face mask. "Ready to die, assholes?" he grinned. They couldn't escape as his Bikaku shot off his arm and formed a large, spiked wrecking ball, hitting them all and tearing them apart.
He continued onward, intent on finding the woman he sought.
Scene Change: Yomo, Uta and Tsukiyama
"Not much resistance here, huh?" Uta commented as he dug his hands through Noro's body. "Hold him there Uta!" Yomo yelled as he spin kicked the top of Noro's body off. They watched in warped fascination as Noro's top half reattached itself to his torso. Uta was going to make a comment about his regenerative abilities, when a large crash was heard. They looked over to see a hulking man standing in a hole in the wall, panting, rage evident.
"NOOOROOOOOOOOO!" he roared, firing off at Noro, taking him through the wall behind him. Yomo and Uta looked on in confusion when they heard the cocking of a gun. They turned to see multiple white masked figures holding guns up to them. They barely got out of the way when they opened fire.
Bullets bounced off walls and the floors, lifting the dust.
Tsukiyama formed a large blade and ran through the dust cloud, prepared to cut the foes down. He was disappointed to find that Uta and Yomo had already dispatched them. "Come on, I have a feeling something bad is gonna happen here soon." Yomo said, walking away with Tsukiyama and Uta.
Goro snarled as he attempted kicking Noro, who just sidestepped the attack. He then went for a punch, which was dodged as well. He continued his onslaught until Noro delivered a vicious kick to his stomach sending him flying into another wall. He wasted no time recovering, but it didn't seem to matter. Noro stood in front of him, and delivered an earth shattering punch to his face, putting his skull through the wall behind him.
He was given no time this round as Noro ripped him from the wall and chucked him like a rag doll. He vanished and appeared behind Goro, midair, and summoned his mysterious Kagune, slamming it into Goro. The thing bit him deeply and smashed him through the floors of the building they were on.
He groaned as he tried getting up, only to have Noro land on his stomach, creating a giant crater around them. Noro stepped away and looked at his brothers pathetic form, smashed and beaten. He shook his head and walked away. That idea was cut short when he had to duck under a red claw. He jumped back and saw a woman with a blue mask and red hair glaring at him through her mask. The claw retracted to her and separated into three thin tentacles with spearheaded tips.
"And just who the fuck are you?" she yelled. Just then a man walked from around a building with green hair and an orange mask, behind him around twelve men with replicas of his blank mask, only white. They all had machine guns and looked a little worse for wear. "His names Noro. He's an executive of Aogiri and Noro's treacherous piece of shit brother." he explained.
The blue masked woman grinned behind her mask. "Then that's 2 reasons to kill the son of a bitch."
"Watch it Mirachi, he completely destroyed Goro without even thinking about it, and Goro could kill you and I without a thought." the man explained. Mirachi frowned, but nodded. "Have your men get Goro outta here Tao." she suggested, though it sounded like an order. Tao nodded and motioned for his men to do so. As they picked up the badly injured man, Noro did nothing. He was slightly interested in what the legendary Soulless could do. He wanted to know if they were still as powerful as reputed in legend.
Tao stood next to Mirachi as grey flesh-like substance emerges from his shoulder and wrapped around his arm, forming a long blade.
He looked at Mirachi. "You ready doll?" he asked. Mirachi grinned back at him. "Only if you are dickweasel."
The Kagune on her waist wrapped around each of her forearms and fists, forming gauntlets.
"Let's do this!" she roared, and they both charged Noro, who remained still.
Scene Change: Otaru
Otaru did not like this turn of events. The object he sought out, a young blonde woman in a purple robe, was locked in combat with a CCG 1st Class Investigator he knew as Koutarou Amon. She was, oddly enough, using a Quinque of her own. It was a large blade shaped like a rectangle. Simple, though with obvious cutting power, based on the large gash her blade put in the roof as she attacked Amon.
The other things he didn't like? Namely two Special Investigator's by the names Yukinori Shinohara and Iwacho, fighting none other than the Fukurou no Sekigan. This situation was very, very bad. He would have watched longer if not for Hirako jumping in to get the blonde.
"Shit!" he growled, blasting downwards. Hirako's blade neared Naruko's throat and in an instant Otaru was standing there, holding the blade. Everything seemed to halt for the other three combatants. They stared at the new arrival. His gray mask was featureless, and his trench coat black, secured by loose buckles. His messy gray hair was held in an equally messy ponytail. For some reason, his hair and demeanor struck a cord in Naruko's heart. He gave a Hirako a bone chilling unseen stare, and then spoke in an airy voice. "That's not very nice." he whispered, making Hirako shutter and brake his cold exterior.
Blood poured from the hand grasping the blade. He pushed slightly, then yanked on it. Hirako was pulled forward, and received a harsh punch to the stomach, rocketing him backwards toward a concrete wall. The man impacted the wall with bone crunching force, causing him to scream and pass out.
Amon roared and pushed the blonde away, pulling his glaive into two smaller swords. He attacked Otaru, whom ducked under the first slash and jumped back from the second. He blocked a hail of bullets with his Kagune, coiling it into a shield in front of him. It un-coiled and Otaru gave the blonde an unseen glare.
"The hell was that for!?" he yelled incredulously. The blonde was holding a sub-machine gun, pointing it at him and Amon. "All you bastards are going down!" she yelled, pulling the trigger. Otaru jumped high in the air, narrowly dodging the bullets and sent his kagune flying at the girl. She brought out her Quinque quickly and slashed the Kagune, making Otaru snarl.
"Your making it real hard to be nice you stupid brat!" he yelled, recoiling and retracting his Kagune into his body.
"Don't bother asshole. I'm here to get my friend back, not tool around and make em'." she stated.
Just then Amon rushed the blonde with his glaive raised. She quickly brought out her Quinque and blocked the strike. She dropped to the ground and flipped him over her prone form, going for a bisection. He moved his waist slightly and the sword missed. He stood quickly as did she and they clashed again.
Otaru was going to help again, but decide against it. She was doing fine.
He looked over at the fight between the Kakuja and the two Special Investigators.
'This should bear...interesting results.'
With that he charged at the three.
Yoshimura dodged under the two Investigator's attacks and threw them away. Shinohara recovered halfway through, and went for another attack. Yoshimura simply span around his attack and threw him at Iwa. This is when Otaru struck.
He charged Yoshimura from behind, his Bikaku kagune in lance form. The Kakuja span around and blocked the lance just barely.
"Your attack...was incorrect." Yoshimura spoke. Two gem-like spikes emerged from under his shoulders, pointed right at Otaru. His eyes widened in alarm. "SHIT!" he yelled, dropping just as a hail of needles scattered across the area behind him. He attempted sweeping Yoshimura's feet from under him, but he just jumped away and released another hail of needles. Otaru wrapped his Kagune around himself for protection. The dust that had risen slowly filtered away, showing Otaru on his hands and knees, panting.
"Shit." he grunted. He tried standing, but found himself unable to.
"This violence...it is an endless vortex of chaos...is it not, young ghoul?" Yoshimura asked in an almost gentle manner. Otaru gave no reply, but he felt his skin heat up and his hate start bubbling to the surface. NO! If he let...it, get to him, he could endanger everyone, especially the blonde.
"So much hurt...so much pain...I would give up my soul to see it all end." he spoke, slowly ambling towards Otaru.
"Shut up." Otaru whispered, his teeth clenching as the hate continued to culminate.
"I once knew a boy...so lost...so hurt...but he is gone now. I have not seen him in four years...and that girl over there, the one you helped, seemed so lost for so long." "Shut up..." "But then she found her will, and promised herself she would find him." "Shut...the fuck...up..." "And to this day she stays up at night, gazing at the stars, knowing he was doing the same." "You...motherfucker..." "And even now..." "shut...your...fucking..." "I don't think she realizes..." "mouth...mother-AGGGHHHH" "How close he really is."
Foam poured from around Otaru's mouth as the skin on his shoulder blades exploded, releasing six wing like fiery protrusions. His Bikaku kagune swept back out and thrashed around violently. Flesh-like muscles began pouring from the base of his wings and tail, covering his body.
It began to harden like armor, eventually finishing in a an intimidating image.
His Bikaku kagune had transformed completely. It now formed a large arm on his right arm, most likely giving him much power. It looked like a three pronged claw at the end. His 'wings' had hardened into gems not unlike Yoshimura's, arranging themselves completely differently though.
The bottom ones were two cannon-like tubes, both pointing down. The middle ones wrapped around his chest like a protective vest. The top ones were much like the two bottom ones, in the respect that they were tubes, except they sat upwards. His mask had cracked off, but a new one had grown in its place. Three arrow shaped lines covered the lower half, one on top the other, pointing upwards. Two slits served as eye holes, glowing and ominous purple. A small vortex of Rc gas had whipped around, but now cleared. His hair was let down from its ponytail, and flowed softly in the wind.
"This...is unexpected." Yoshimura stated in slight awe. Otaru said nothing, merely staring blankly back at the older ghoul. Yoshimura kept his composure in the face Otaru's silence. "You never told me you possessed an Ukaku kagune as well." the Owl said in an even tone, making it clear he knew Otaru's true identity. Otaru once again said nothing. Yoshimura sighed in sadness. "I see...I would get your men and leave with them, Shinohara-san, unless you wish to die." he said, making Shinohara scowl.
"Iwacho, enough sitting around, let's push these things as far as we can!" Shinohara said. Iwa looked reluctant, but nodded his consent. "Mm-hmm."
They both pressed the red marks on the back of the armors necks, and they glowed a deep red.
Yoshimura watched in clear disgust as they transformed. Otaru felt himself bristle slightly, but kept it in check. The slightest amount of emotional imbalance could make him snap, which was something he couldn't afford to happen.
"What atrocious weapons." Yoshimura spat in disgust.
Both Shinohara and Iwa stood, their living armors glowing red. Everything stilled, both the blonde and Amon halting in combat. Without warning, Yoshimura, Otaru, Shinohara and Iwa charged. Blade to Kagune, man to monster. Sparks flew as Otaru and Iwa clashed, an explosion of force at impact. Otaru jumped over him and from the middle wing armor black bullets poured down on him. He remained completely unaffected, and attacked the Kakuja who was now behind him. Otaru just ducked under the attack and punched Iwa with his transformed arm, sending him rocketing back.
Iwa pull himself up and glared at the ghoul.
"Let's go...Arata!" he roared, charging Otaru. The gray haired Kakuja didn't bother charging as well, merely shifting the top cannons of his Ukaku kagune onto his shoulders like rocket launchers. Rc gas gathered behind them, where it had opened up with five points. In an instant it was sucked in, and spewed out two streams of might flames. Iwa barely jumped over the twin streams of Rc flames. Otaru couldn't help but smile behind his mask. Show time.
The bottom cannons of his Ukaku kagune suddenly spewed out massive amounts of Rc gas, launching him into the air. Iwa had no time to react when the mutated arm slammed into him, sending him careening into the ground.
The floor gave away beneath Iwa as he impacted the ground, sending him down several more feet. Otaru landed on the ground and gave the hole an uncaring glance. If the dove wasn't dead, he was surely not getting up.
He looked over to see Yoshimura standing over an unconscious Shinohara.
He let his Ukaku Kakuja recede, and expanded his Bikaku Kakuja . He was covered in a black and purple muscle-like second skin, his left arm as mutated as the right. His mask now possessed a large horn on the right forehead. The three lines were no longer like arrows, all three completely straight.
Once again the air still, with Yoshimura and Otaru glaring each other down.
"If you do this, I cannot guarantee your survival, young ghoul." Yoshimura warned.
Otaru nodded. "I'm sorry Kuzen, but I promised someone something that I can't go back on."
Yoshimura nodded his head. Naruko watched in rapt attention, not even care that Amon was pulling away Shinohara to safety.
Both Kakuja snarled in an animalistic fashion, preparing to charge. And then they did. The ground broke away where they once stood, their speed unreachable. They met and the very sky shook.
Scene Change: Elsewhere
Standing upon a ridge overlooking the large battle, a woman frowned behind her mask. An intricate fox mask was framed by red locks. She wore blue robes. Her pale hands clenched in worry.
"Keep my baby safe Otaru-kun, please." she whispered. She turned her back and headed away, walking away. Just for a moment, as she walked away, a red whirlpool could be seen on the back of her robe.
End of Chapter 2
Let it be noted, Naruko is NOT lesbian, merely curious. And I have no idea when I'll update again. My life has taken a nose dive into shitville. Asshole landlords, water heaters, blah blah. I'm not gonna give anybody a sob story, just wanted anyone reading my stories to know I'm not abandoning anything, just getting my life together. Thank you for reading, please R&R.
Any questions or suggestions pmme or post in comments.
