Welcome back readers! Sorry for throwing out another short chapter, but I hope you still enjoy it all the same. Without any further ado, on with the story!
Chapter 7:
Family breakup
(CCG: Kaze's office):
The chocolate-haired teen gave a stretch before draining the last few dredges of his coffee. It was standard office stuff, nothing near what he enjoyed having at Anteiku. There was a knock at his door.
"Come in," he permitted. A moment later, Amon was stood before him.
"Get ready Kurokumo," the muscular agent instructed. "We're heading out now. Mado-san says that he's found a definite lead. There's a high chance that Jason will be there, or if he isn't then we'll be able to track him down a lot more easily."
Kaze nodded in acceptance. "Alright. Just give me a moment please."
(Yamato's apartment):
The Dragon was sitting down on his bed, staring at his phone with a complicated look in his amber orbs. He'd just finished having a small conversation with Kaneki. After the previous night's episode involving a certain purple-haired mad ghoul, he and Kaneki had traded numbers. Yamato had instructed him to give a ring if there was ever an emergency. He just hoped that his dark-haired friend wasn't too affected by Tsukiyama's second and hopefully final attempt on him.
Another problem was Jason, or Yamori. He was still hanging around the 20th ward for some reason. He'd heard rumours that the blond berserker had been seen near Dr Feuguchi's private surgery. He didn't know what business Yamori had with Ryoko's husband and Hinami's father, but he didn't think it was anything pleasant.
Pocketing the device, he stood up and began to get ready for work. The rent wasn't going to pay itself after all.
(CCG):
Kaze's hazel eyes scanned over the paper that Mado had handed him and the others. It outlined the basics of what they were going to do. Still, he couldn't quite grasp the reason for it.
"Excuse me, but why are we going to a private doctor's surgery?" he queried.
Mado smirked. "Simple Kurokumo-kun. Jason has been sighted in that vicinity, quite often as well mind you. I believe we have a good chance of finding him there." He picked up his quinque case and shifted to face the door. "Well then, let's get going shall we?"
(Feuguchi Surgery):
The group of ghoul investigators stood a few metres away from the small, unassuming surgery. Nobody else was around. It was too quiet. Kaze had an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach though. Something else was nearby, something dangerous.
Suddenly, one of the building's walls burst as a figure was thrown out, pieces of the destroyed barrier following him. Standing inside however, was a large blond man in a white suit. He was taller and even more muscular than Amon. In his right hand was what looked like some sort of custom made bolt cutter.
"I knew it," stated Mado, walking forward calmly. His voice had a slight tone of joy to it. "You were here after all… Jason."
Kaze gripped the hilt of his quinque tighter. 'So this is him,' he thought. Their musclebound target cracked one of his fingers. Kureo Mado started running towards him, quinque at the ready.
"I suppose I have a few minutes to play around with you," mused Jason.
Kaze approached the man who'd been thrown out of the surgery whilst Mado and Jason began an intense series of clashes. It was rather amazing to witness the aged investigator matching the S-class ghoul without any visible strain. Soon enough, Amon jumped in to assist.
Kaze crouched down next to the dazed and barely conscious victim. He could hazard a guess on who this was.
"Dr Feuguchi?" the chocolate-haired inquired, gently shaking the man's shoulder with his free hand. "Are you okay?" His eyes settled on the young agent and widened. "It's alright, I'm not going to harm you," Kaze assured, slowly getting up and taking a few steps back. "I was just making sure that you were still alive." He turned around, setting his hazel eyes back to the fight against Jason.
The hulking ghoul was dodging or blocking all the attacks sent his way, an amused smile plastered on his face. Every now and then, he sent a strike of his own, which similarly avoided or deflected by his two assailants. Sparks flew as both sides repeatedly clashed rapidly in a flurry of acrobatic movements.
Kaze couldn't help but feel his respect for Mado rise. Forget looking like he was straining, the old man seemed as though he was having the time of his life. The chocolate-haired investigator saw an opening whilst Jason's back was to him. Amon signalled with his eyes to take it.
Readying his quinque sword, Kaze dashed forward as Mado and his partner attacked Jason again, forcing him to block both at the same time. Kaze quickly approached and prepared to slash the ghoul's back or stab him. He saw Jason's foot twitch and immediately felt something amiss. He dug his feet into the ground and brought his weapon up just in time to block a powerful kick from their target, although he was still forced back a few metres.
Jason disengaged from the lock and leaped away to a clear space.
"Sorry, but I don't have any more time to play around with you doves," he said. With a speed that one wouldn't normally associate with such a large build, he leaped away and sped off.
Mado clicked his tongue in disappointment. Turning around, he began walking towards Dr Feuguchi, who was still on the ground. "It's a shame that he got away. In any case, we'll have to take this man back to headquarters for interrogation." Before Kaze could interject that he was a victim, a kagune started emerging from the man's back, pushing him up onto his feet. Mado smiled, as though he'd known all along. "Wonderful."
(Kaze's apartment):
The young agent fell onto his bed with a weary sigh, his mind a tired muddle of thoughts and emotions. Mado had ended up killing the doctor after a small scuffle. Kaze could tell that the man wasn't accustomed to fighting at all and he probably never harmed any humans, but Mado wouldn't have cared either way if he'd voiced this. The old coot probably would have found some way to get his reprimanded for it.
After being dismissed for the day, he'd gone to Anteiku for a hot drink and sandwich at Rin's insistence that he relieve some stress. The dark purple-haired woman had been troubled when Kaze recounted the events to her in his office. She tried to console him as best as she could, stating that there wasn't anything he could have done to help the man against Mado, yet a small part in the back of his mind wondered if that was true.
He'd encountered the mother and daughter from a few days ago again on his way to the establishment. The girl was happily telling her mother about how her big brother had taught her some new words in a book she'd been reading. It had somehow helped to lift his spirits a little.
(A few days later: Anteiku):
Yamato had his hands buried in his pockets as he approached the coffee shop. One of the wyverns had told him the previous night that Ryoko's husband had been attacked by 'doves' after Jason had literally thrown the man out of his own home/surgery. He was dropping by to ask how they were holding up.
The bell rang as usual when he entered the premises. He gave a nod to Touka when she greeted him and asked for the usual black coffee made by Irimi. Thankfully, hardly anybody else was around.
"You seem troubled Yamato-kun," observed Yoshimura as the redhead took a seat at the counter.
"I heard what happened to Mr Feuguchi," the Dragon replied quietly. "I was wondering how Ryoko-san and Hinami are doing."
The elderly ghoul's features turned slightly distressed. "Ryoko-chan is rather upset, but she'd keeping up a strong front for her daughter. Hinami hasn't been told yet though. Ryoko-chan is going to visit his grave later today, without her daughter."
"I see," Yamato mused as his beverage was placed in front of him. "Please give her my condolences, as well as that if she ever needs help I'm willing to give it."
Yoshimura tipped his head in acceptance. "I will."
(CCG: Mado's office):
The aged ghoul investigator smiled as he read a recent report. He'd been right again. Someone, most likely the ghoul's mate, had visited the grave and buried his mask there. Chances were that she was still in the 20th ward somewhere. All he had to do was find a way to draw her out.
(A few days later: Kaze's office):
The hazel eyed youth exited Yuki's room, having just finished a small conversation with her. If things went well, he'd be able to take her out for a stroll again in maybe a few days. There was a knock at the door.
"Enter," Kaze permitted. A second later, one of the messengers stepped inside.
"Agent Kurokumo, you're being called by special investigator Kuro Mado," he informed. "He wants you geared up and ready by the entrance in ten minutes."
Kaze quirked an eyebrow in mild confusion. Nevertheless, he gave a positive response. "Alright. Thanks for letting me know." Still, he couldn't help the sinking feeling in his gut as he got ready. Something terrible was going to happen.
(Elsewhere in the 20th ward):
Ryoko Feuguchi was walking through the streets with her daughter. There was a light drizzle of rain pouring down, making her all the more thankful for the umbrella that Yoshimura had kindly lent her. Hinami suddenly froze mid-step.
"Hinami, what's wrong?" the mother ghoul asked in concern. Her daughter's mouth steadily widened into a smile.
"It's father!" Hinami exclaimed happily. "He's nearby!" She completely missed the look of horror on her mother's face as she started running off without warning.
"Hinami wait!" Ryoko shouted, running after her.
'Father's here!' Hinami thought excitedly. 'That means the scary man must have gone away, we can go back home!' In her eagerness, she couldn't hear her mother begging her to stop and come back.
A few minutes later, Hinami ran into a clearing between some buildings. However, instead of seeing her father she was greeted by the sight of several ghoul investigators. Her confusion quickly turned to fear when she realised how dangerous the situation had become. Her mother finally caught up to her and took a hold of her shoulders, before she too realised their company.
Mado's leering smile grew larger. Not only had he lured his target, but a daughter as well. Soon, he'd have two new quinques added to his collection.
"Mrs Feuguchi I presume?" he stated. The woman didn't respond, although she tightened her hold on her daughter. Two more CCG agents appeared behind them and blocked off their escape.
Kaze remained where he stood, a sense of surprise coming over him as he recognised the pair. It was the same mother and daughter who he'd encountered a few times over the last couple of days. Seeing the absolute terror in the little girl's eyes, he was instantly reminded of the night he'd met Yuki. His stomach twisted into a knot. This was all wrong. Worse, he was unable to do anything because of Mado.
"Hinami, run," Ryoko whispered, gently moving her daughter in the direction of the young man with chocolate brown hair. There was an opening near him that she'd be able to get through if nobody else got in the way.
Feeling a push from her mother, Hinami bolted towards the exit that was about a metre in front of Kaze. Mado and Amon tried to go and stop the little girl, but were forced to quickly move back as Ryoko's kagune swiped at them.
"Kurokumo, after her!" Mado barked, snapping Kaze out of his slight daze. He saw the mother ghoul try sending her kagune in his direction, but Amon intercepted it. Mado glared at him. "What are you doing you fool?! After her!"
Gritting his teeth out of frustration, Kaze turned on his heel and ran after the daughter ghoul. He pushed himself as fast as he could go in the rain, mentally screaming all the while. He saw his quarry not too far ahead. She seemed to realise that he was pursuing her and began running more desperately.
All of a sudden, Kaze ground to a halt. He couldn't do it. That little girl was innocent, as was her mother. He was pretty sure that the late father had been too. No longer hearing the footfalls of the agent chasing her, Hinami also came to a stop. Curiously, ignoring the warning ringing in her mind, she turned back and looked at him. A look of guilt and frustration was present on his face. It melted away to one of deep sadness when he looked straight at her.
Kaze whispered "Go" to the shocked girl, slowly turning around. Gripping his quinque tightly, he started rushing back the way he'd come. That senile old coot be damned, he was not going to kill an innocent little girl who had just lost both her parents.
When he returned to the clearing, the mother was on her knees and taking deep, exhausted breaths. Her kakugan eyes widened when they registered his return.
"You're not used to fighting are you?" Mado asked rhetorically, holding his broken quinque out towards her. He swivelled his head to look at Kaze, frowning slightly when he noticed that the daughter wasn't with him. "Where's the girl Kurokumo-kun?"
Kaze lowered his head, his right arm shaking. "She got away…"
Mado clicked his tongue. "Great, another loose end to take care of." Returning his gaze back to Ryoko, he took out a new silver briefcase. "It's a shame that you broke my quinque, but I'm not too upset since I've been wanting to test this new one out." Kaze had a bad, foreboding feeling as Mado undid the clasps. He took out what looked like the late Mr Feuguchi's kagune, shocking Ryoko. "Say hello, to your husband!" The elderly agent raised the weapon up, a sickening smirk on his face. "So, do you have any last words?"
Ryoko lowered her head, her hair overshadowing her face. When she lifted it up again, her eyes were closed with a small trail of tears leaking out of the corners and her mouth set in a smile.
Mado raised an eyebrow before chuckling. "My, how interesting." He swung the quinque to decapitate her.
A clang echoed through the clearing. Kaze stood protectively in front of Ryoko, his quinque raised and blocking Mado's weapon. Everyone (including Kaneki hiding around the corner) stared at him in disbelief. He pushed against Mado, slowly forcing him back.
The senior investigator glared at Kaze in undisguised anger. "What do you think you're doing Kurokumo-kun?"
The chocolate-haired teen gave a strong thrust before taking a step back, pushing Mado out of the lock. "This is wrong! She's innocent damn it!" Ryoko stared at him in astonishment. "I'm sorry Mado-san, but I won't allow you to kill this woman."
"Kurokumo-kun," said Mado dangerously. "She is a ghoul. An enemy of humans and expert at deception. It's bad enough that you sympathise with these monsters, even doing something as foolish as sparing that other one and keeping her with you, but this is too far."
Kaze didn't lower his sword. "She's a person! You said it yourself, she's not even used to fighting!"
"Watch your tone boy," Mado snarled back, approaching him with small, deliberate steps. "I'm already going to file you for insubordination. Do you really want more on top of that?"
"I won't let you kill her," reiterated Kaze resolutely, a fierce determination in his eyes. "I'll take her into my custody like I've done with Yuki."
Mado gave a feral roar and charged at the younger agent, clashing quinques with him. "Wake up you delusional fool! There is no coexisting with ghouls! Stop dreaming and face reality!"
Kaze deflected another strike and sent one of his own, aiming at the man's upper right arm. "I've already opened up to reality long ago! And I'm sick of it! This world needs to change!"
Mado blocked the attack and kneed Kaze in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. As he doubled over, the old man viciously slammed his fist into the back of his head. Ryoko let out a strangled gasp. Not even a moment after he hit the floor, Kaze grabbed Mado's ankle and toppled him. He pounced forward onto the senior's midsection and punched him across the jaw. By this point, both investigators had dropped their respective quinques. They continued brawling and grappling, rolling across the rain drenched floor.
"Get off me you impudent brat!" Mado demanded, grabbing Kaze by the throat.
The hazel eyed youth grasped the offending wrist and pried it away. "Not until you agree to leave her alive! She could have easily taken advantage of this and killed us already, but she hasn't even got up!" He wrestled Mado to the ground and pinned his shoulders down. "Please Mado-san, we need to stop killing innocents, it only makes things worse!"
Giving an animalistic snarl, Mado grabbed Kaze's arms and pulled him down to the ground. Rolling away before he could be hindered, Mado scrambled to his feet and grabbed his new quinque. He charged towards the frozen Ryoko, who had been watching everything in complete shock. Kaze screamed in protest and got up to chase him before he could complete the deed. Suddenly, Mado was blocked by none other than Amon. The large man deflected his partner's quinque with his own, astounding him.
"A-Amon?" breathed the old man in disbelief. There was a hint of betrayal in his tone as well as his eyes.
Amon's face remained neutral, though a slight grimace was detectable. "Sir, please stand down."
A varying array of emotions flashed across Mado's countenance. "Unbelievable… Even you?"
Amon shook his head. "No. I'm not taking anyone's side here. While you and Kurokumo-kun were… disputing, I called director Marude. He said to let Kurokumo-kun go ahead with this. If anything happens, it will be entirely his responsibility. He's also going to be penalised one he get back to HQ."
Mado scoffed in irritation. "So be it." He put the quinque away and shot Kaze a nasty look.
Kaze sent Amon an appreciative nod, however the muscular agent just lightly shook his head with an unreadable expression before walking off to accompany Mado. Letting out a tired sigh and rubbing his slightly sore jaw, he calmly made his way over to a stunned Ryoko.
"Sorry about that," he apologised, offering her his hand. "My name is Kaze Kurokumo. Would you mind telling me yours ma'am?"
The mother ghoul gently grasped the outstretched hand and allowed herself to be helped up. "Ryoko Feuguchi."
Kaze gave a single nod. "Well, it looks like you're going to be stuck with me for a while Ryoko-san. Sorry about practically forcing this on you."
"No, it's okay," the woman assured. "You didn't need to do any of this. If you don't mind, why did you?"
"Well, let's just say that I don't like having to watch innocent people die," Kaze answered solemnly. "I saw the emotion and genuine concern you had for your daughter. None of that was faked… You're both innocent, just like another ghoul I met some time ago." He heard one of the others shout his name. "Come on, we should get going. I'd suggest you stay near me and away from Mado-san."
Ryoko nodded in acceptance. "Okay."
Hidden around the corner, Kaneki and Hinami watched with wide eyes as the pair walked away after the others. They'd need to tell the others at Anteiku about this.
And that's a wrap! So, how many of you saw that twist with Ryoko coming? Did you like it? Please review and let me know your thoughts. The next chapter will be showing the repercussions of Kaze's decision.
