...Who are you?! Please...just leave me alone!
Your eyes…Wait a minute...Are you...a ghoul?!
Y...you're hurt…What happened to you?!
...Please, just let me help you…
...It's ok, so long as you don't over do it...
...You might be here for a while. It'd be best if you'd just try and relax rather than strain yourself...
...I can tell that you aren't from around here. What's your name?
...Reyoto Jinpachi...It's nice to finally meet you. I'm Akihime Yushino.
THE GAME OF PREY
"...Aki…" I grumbled as I shifted out of the covers. I stared at the empty bed space next to me and sighed with my head in my hands. Another day, another painful reminder of what I lost in this world.
Sleeping was much more difficult these past few days. I hated it. My sweetest memories would only turn into haunting nightmares. I couldn't stand it. What I lost would never return to me. My Aki...Her presence lingered on my soul. Her light, warm smile, her beautiful laugh, her chocolate brown hair and those stunning blue eyes...It was all too much. I clutched my head tightly as her gorgeous image came to me. My cheeks dampened with my ongoing tears. I needed her! Why wasn't I stronger. I couldn't stand feeling like this.
...Daddy…
That one word sent chills down my spine. My head began to spin as I thought of my precious one year old daughter. So many things that I never got to do with her. What I wouldn't give to hold her sweet, innocent, tiny little body in my arms again.
"Shit...No please...I'm sorry...I'm so so sorry! Don't leave me! AKI! RIKU! PLEASE COME BACK!!!" I shouted in my apartment. I dropped to my knees and sobbed uncontrollably. The aching pain in my chest was unbearable. It was tearing me apart.
I slowly lifted my hands towards a picture of my family. My hands shook furiously as tears spilled onto my wife's smiling face. "Please...I need you…"
"I can't go through this alone…"
"HOW THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO LIVE LIKE THIS?!"
~RIIING~
I looked at my nightstand and grabbed my cell phone. I stared at the caller ID. It was Touka. This left me feeling confused. It was almost midnight. Why would she call me now of all times?
I walked over and answered the call. "Hello?" I said.
"Reyoto...Is this a bad time?" She asked.
"N...no. Why do you ask?" I said.
"It's Hinami. She's starting to get a little restless without her dad. I don't know what to do, Ryouko doesn't know what to do and we're all worried." Touka said.
"So you called me thinking that I'd be any help?" I asked.
"I know it's kind of outta the blue, but please. You're like the best guy! You're pretty much her godfather, so just work your fatherly magic." She said.
"I don't know Touka. That's not really my best attribute…" I responded uneasily.
"Please Rey! Just try for her. She's losing it. She's worried sick about him."
"...Alright. Give me a minute. I'll be right there." I said to her.
"Thanks Rey! That's why you're the best!" Touka said before hanging up. I sighed before hanging up the phone.
I walked over to the door and grabbed the knob. Once I turned it and swung the door open, I was startled by the the sight of Nishiki. He had a slight glare on his face. I stared at him with a raised brow.
"What do you want Nishiki?"
"I came here to tell you to quiet the fuck down. I'm trying to sleep with my girl and you're making that really difficult for me." He said.
"Don't worry. I'm just heading out. I won't keep you up any longer." I said to him.
"Right…" Nishiki turned around and walked next door. I shut my door and made my way down to Anteiku.
When I had finally arrived at the coffee shop, Touka immediately walked me to the back, where a crying Hinami could be seen next to a saddened Ryouko. I stepped inside and looked at The two of them for a quick moment before kneeling down next Hinami.
"Hey, hey, hey. What's the matter Hinami?" I asked softly.
"I...I missing...Papa…" She said in between large sobs.
"Aw man. I know how you feel. We all miss him. We all wanna see him again too but we just have to be patient. He's working really hard right now so he needs his space." I said to her.
"W...why...d...did we have...to leave him though? He always keeps us together." She said feeling hurt and betrayed. It broke my heart to see her like this and know that her father was really in danger. I hated myself for that.
"He needs his space. You gotta be strong for him and mommy, ok!" I said to her.
She sniffled a bit and stared at me with big wet eyes and a quivering bottom lip. "Is he gonna be ok?"
"Yeah...I'm sure he's doing fine. I'll tell you what. I'll go check up on him in two days. By then, he'll want to see you and your mom."
"O...Ok!" She said.
I wiped a tear from her small face and grinned. "Quit crying. You don't wanna make mommy sad now do you?"
"N...No." She turned to her mom and hugged her tightly. I sighed with content at the interaction between the two and turned to walk out the door.
"Reyoto!" Ryouko called out to me. I look back at her with a raised brow. "Thank you." She said with a light smile.
I nodded to her and made my way back to the front of the coffee shop. When I arrived, I could see Touka, Enji and Kaya glaring daggers at a familiar man in a black cloak.
"What the hell are you doing here?!" Touka asked.
The man kept his smile on his face as he looked directly at me.
"I stopped by to see my good friend Reyoto. We have much to discuss, don't we buddy?" He asked me.
"Sit down and start talking Ryko!" I ordered him. He shrugged and walked over to a table. I looked back at everyone else. "Relax. He won't be any trouble."
The others seemed to calm down a bit and went back to doing what they were doing. I stepped over to the table and looked at my informant.
"Hmm...You seem a little on edge tonight Rey. You lacking on sleep or something?" He asked.
I hardened my stare. "I thought I told you to start talking."
"Geez...Why you gotta be such a drag?" He chuckled. At this point, I was glaring hell at him. "Ok ok, just chill out. I'm gonna fill you in on some craziness going on in the 20th Ward as of late! First off, Jason is making his rounds again. Apparently him and Rize had a little confrontation before she died. Now he's sweeping the streets in search for who did it. Not sure why but it turns out that he's also looking for some new tools."
"Right, so that means that he'll probably be stopping by the Fueguchi house...Dammit!" I hissed.
"That's not all. Apparently, Aogiri is in search of some new members too. Can't say why but it can't be for a little tea party. My guess is that they're either staging a set of terrorist attacks or they're gathering up enough men in order to make up for any casualties."
"Casualties for what?" I asked.
"What do you think? Casualties for war. If they want total power over Tokyo, then they'll need to take out the Doves. If both sides do happen to fight, then there's gonna be a lot of bloodshed."
"Yeah...You're right about that...Speaking of the Doves, what's happening with them?" I asked.
"The CCG is hunting down our kind left and right as you already know. It's a shame, really. Most don't deserve it. It's the damn binge eaters that give us all a bad name." Ryko said.
"You're one to talk. You would've been a binge eater as well if I didn't find you out in the alleyway that day." I said to him with a slight glare.
He smirked at me. "Yeah, I know. Your bastard ass busted me in the fucking eye. Shit hurt like hell."
"I just don't get it. How did so many of our kind shift into the need to feast on so many humans, all in one sitting?"
"Take it from me...You learn to love the feeling of being more than full. Once you eat that much, you just can't stop." Ryko said.
"I suppose you also have info on why we've devolved into cannibals." I said.
"Tch, funny that you're the one saying that. Wasn't your former name Devour or some shit like that?"
"Shut the hell up. Look if you're done joking around, I've get a little request for you." I said to him.
"Really? Because I have one for you…"
This got me confused. "What do you want?"
"Nah, you tell me first." He said.
"I need you to keep your eyes peeled for a man named Shisen. You know him right?" I asked.
"The strip club guy? Yeah, I know of him. Didn't you screw his place up though?" He asked.
"Yes, but he managed to get away. I want you to track him down. The slimy bastard is either hiding from me and the Doves, or he got killed." I said.
"Right...Now as for my little request…" He said.
"Watch what you ask for." I warned.
"Chill out. I need you to go pick up something for me." He said.
"And that would be…"
"Well to keep things simple, I need to pick up a couple documents for a little project I got going on. Now these documents are gonna be in a briefcase. You'll know when you see it." He said.
"...What? Did I say something wrong?" He asked.
I narrowed my eyes. "...What the hell are you up to?"
"It's nothing too serious. I just got a lot going on at the moment and I need you to give me a little hand. I promise to slide you in on it once it's finished." He said.
"...Where do I have to go?" I asked.
"Southeast side, under that big red bridge that like, nobody ever uses. Some guys will be waiting for you. Well...technically they'll be waiting for me but you get the point. You might wanna keep your guard up though. They may give you some trouble." He said with a chuckle. "Meh, what am I saying? This is you we're talking about! You'll be fine! Now, you should probably be there in like, I dunno...three hours! That good with you?"
"This better not be something stupidly unnecessary!" I warned.
"It's not. Trust me! This is essential for stopping Aogiri's upcoming plans. Might require some testing though." He said.
"What plans?" I asked.
"Can't say it yet. Need the documents first."
"Fine, I'm going. Just keep yourself outta trouble, kid!" I said before stepping out and heading towards Ryko's location.
The southern parts of the 20th Ward were often left alone by the humans due to the high crime rates. Murders would occur often and that was because of the many ghouls that lurked around the place. It made people uncomfortable to say the least.
After a long journey in the night, I eventually arrived under the red bridge. I could see a large group of ghouls standing around with serious looks, conversing amongst each other. I boldly walked over to them and they looked back with mixed emotions. Some were pissed off at my presence. Others were pissing themselves.
"R...Reyoto?! What the hell are you doing back here?!" A tall tan man asked.
"Watch yourselves. One wrong move, and you die. Simple as that." I spoke. I eyed them all down. Daring them to make a move on me. "Now...I'm looking for some documents. Mind handing them over?" I asked.
"You think that you can just waltz on over here and start demanding stuff? Who the hell do you think you are?" The man asked.
"Are you really gonna make me force answers outta you guys? I really don't feel up to it tonight. Can't we just be civilized?" I asked.
"You're not getting shit from us!" A red haired woman dressed in black leather yelled.
I sighed. "Very well then…" I flashed my eyes red and charged at a few of them. I slammed one of them to the ground and stomped his face in. I turned and double jabbed another guy in his chest before busting his chin with and uppercut. He collapsed to the floor unconscious.
I felt a slash on my back and growled as blood dripped from my new wound. The red haired woman went for another attack with her kagune only for me to simply just grab it and pull her into a devastating cross, rattling her face on contact. I looked up and narrowed my red eyes at the remaining ghouls still standing.
"T...that guy is freaking nuts!" One of them stuttered with evident fear.
"Hell no...I'm getting outta here!" Said a large man with a silver briefcase in his hands.
"Not so fast sir...I'm gonna need that briefcase from you. Now!" I said to him.
"What? F...fine! Just take it! I ain't dying over this shit!" He tossed me the briefcase and took off with his buddy.
I stared at the case with a raised brow. "That was way too easy…"
"You're right! It was too easy!" Yelled a figure that had scarves wrapped around their face. He jumped forward and kicked me in my chest, sending me flying into the bridge. I had dropped the briefcase instantly, much to my dismay. "Let me change that for you."
"I don't know who the hell you are...but you're making a mistake." I growled as I climbed to my feet.
"No...I'm really not, Reyoto…" He zipped in front of me and smiled. "You know...I always pictured you to be a little bit...I dunno...More intimidating." He said before back handing me across the face. I turned my head back and glared at him.
"You don't wanna make me mad. I promise, it'll get real dark for you." I threatened him.
"Hmm...To be honest...I think I do!" He threw two very fast punches at my abdomen, one at my chest and a final one across my chin. I simply took them and stared him down. Slowly losing my temper. "C'mon chief! Swing back!" He yelled before tossing out another wild punch. I grabbed his hand and twisted it until I heard a loud crack. He chuckled at me. "You gonna do it yet?"
Finally having enough of his bullshit, I slammed my fist down onto his skull and kicked him down to his knees. "You really shouldn't test me."
"Aww, but then I'd never have any FUN!!!" He pulled me into a brutal punch that sent me flying atop the red bridge. He jumped up and landed next to me. "Oh yeah! You finally starting to get that look in your eye?"
"Shut up! You're very annoying!" I shouted before drop kicking him into a metal railing. He ripped the railing off and smacked me with it. I flew back and landed roughly on the asphalt of the abandoned bridge. He pinned me to the ground and started punching my face in. I grabbed his fist and flipped him to the ground instead. Once I climbed on top of him, I decided to bash my fist against him. Each punch was so aggressive, I quickly cracking the asphalt below us.
He started smiling as I hit him. "YEAH YEAH YEAH!!! MAKE IT HURT YOU SON OF A BITCH!!!"
"SHUT!" I punched him. "THE!" I punched him harder. "FUCK!" I punched him even harder. "UP!!!" I clasped both hand together and slammed them down onto his bloody face, sending him and myself through the bridge, back down to the ground. He switched his descent and kicked me to the floor, leaving a large crater. Once I got up he slipped behind me and got me with a German suplex. He then punt kicked me into a telephone pole.
He stomped over to me with his malicious grin. "You've got a lot of shit to answer for Mr. Jinpachi. Why would you even think to set foot in Aogiri territory? You got some kinda death wish?"
My response was to thrust my kagune into his stomach. He gasped as I hoisted him up into the air and slammed him down roughly. Before he could get up, I started to suffocate him with my dark blue tendrils. He choked and gasped for breath as saliva trickled down his mouth.
"I gave you a warning. You didn't listen…" I tossed the limp body to the side and walked over to the briefcase. I picked it up and glared. "This better be worth it Ryko." When I turned around, my eyes widened.
"Thanks for the good time Reyoto!" The scarf wearing man said before jumping away.
I sighed. "Either he's super resilient or I've just lost my touch at killing." Either way, my job was done and with that, I too departed from the area.
I made it back to Anteiku and saw that they were closed. I decided to just take the briefcase home and have Ryko pick it up some other time. Once back in my house, a strange feeling came from my stomach. I looked around my apartment and glared.
"Who the hell is in here?" I asked with caution.
"Hey Rey!" Said a smaller person. Said person was wrapped up in bandages and wore a little pink cloak.
"Eto?! What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Oh nothing! I just came to see how you were holding up lately. You know, with how much you've been out and about. You seem to be stirring up quite a lot of controversy with the ghouls." She said.
"Well I can't say I know what you mean…"
She giggled and sat cross legged. "Come now Reyoto! Even you have to understand what your presence means to other ghouls...what it means to Aogiri in particular…"
"It doesn't matter what Aogiri thinks of me. I could never align myself with that crooked organization." I said back to her.
"Hmm...That won't do Reyoto. Not one bit." She said. She then appeared right in front of me. "I need you to come back. You were one of my best allies. I rewarded you for your services in more ways than one! Why leave us behind and side with the people of Anteiku?" She asked sounding somewhat hurt.
"Eto...That was a long time ago. I was a fragile soul back then. A little stray twelve year old boy with nothing left in his life. When you asked me to join you, I had nothing left to lose. You founded Aogiri and gave me a home which is ironic given the fact that you're about five years younger than me...but still I'm grateful for what you did."
"Then why leave?" She asked.
"I had a change of heart. I didn't want to be the Devourer anymore. I met someone that also saved my life. I fell in love and at that point, she was my main priority." I said.
"You still could've stayed! You didn't have to walk out on us!"
"I know...I'm sorry about that...Well at least I was, until Aogiri got my wife and daughter killed!" I yelled.
Eto winced a bit. "Reyoto...I want you to listen to me. I never issued any sort of attack on you or your family."
"I never said you did. That doesn't change the fact that you're running a gang of bloodthirsty monsters. The Aogiri name led them to their deaths!"
"But...you were still one of us. You still are one of us! Can't you see that? Forget about everything else for a second and look back. We were a team. When those two men took your sister away from you, you killed them both! That ruthlessness is what inspired me to start our little club and you were the first of many." She unwrapped the bandages on her face and stared at me with both her red and green eyes. "You were my first friend. I just want you back. Why help my father when I'm the one that helped you?"
"It's because his ideal world is one that I wanna live in. I owe him a lot as well." I said to her.
She moved her smaller hands to my temples. "It's just food for thought Reyoto. I missed the good old days." She said.
"..." I stayed quiet. Part of me did miss running around causing trouble with her but the other part wanted my wife and kid back.
"I'll see you around okay. Don't get yourself killed. I haven't given up on you yet." She said before vanishing out of my apartment.
"Yeah...You too…"