NeonHorizon: Just a quick violence warning. Also, I have a Twitter account called NeonHorizon25 where I post updates, chapter progress, and stuff. So...if you like hearing about the posting schedule, anime obsessions, and the like...feel free to follow. I want to start updating this more often, but I'll have to put another story on the back-burner if I do...


Over the next week, various bloody packages were found in the house. They only appeared when they were both gone or in the early morning. He knew who was bringing the organs into the house; the other ghoul's scent was on the stained paper wrapping and lingered in whatever room the packages were left in. Each offering contained a freshly harvested organ.

Renji knew why the food was being brought. The more that Miyu ate, the faster that she would heal. What was perplexing was that she actually accepted the offerings and said nothing to him about feeling unsettled. The worst had been just earlier that morning. A human heart was left, packaged nicely with a little bow, beside Miyu's bed before she woke up.

He frowned to himself as he walked around the perimeter of the house, searching for possible entry points where the other ghoul could be getting in. As far as he could see, the windows were so patched with duct tape from the inside that it should be impossible for someone larger than a small child to slip into the house. How is he getting in?

"Mister Raven!" a cheerful female voice greeted him.

The boy tensed and looked over his shoulder. What did Miyu call her? Was it Hiyori? He turned to face her, not sure of what she might want with him. Over the past several days, he had become used to interacting with Miyu, but still struggled to comfortably deal with the ghouls around her.

"You didn't go with her? I thought she'd want some backup in case things get out of control. That's why I'm going." She saw his blank stare and raised an eyebrow. "Hello, I'm Itori."

"…right…" Renji took a step back as she leaned closer. He wanted nothing more than to go back inside, but her words piqued his curiosity. Miyu had gone out about half an hour ago and he had assumed that she went to deliver some stamps. "Were you talking about Miyu?"

She smiled and gave a nod. "Kurotani. That's right. So you're not going to the show? It should be pretty good. He's been working hard to make sure she had enough food to heal up so she'll be at full strength tonight." Taking a step closer, her smile widened. "You didn't know! Wow! She didn't even tell you, did she? The fight tonight! It probably already started! So? You wanna go with me?"

Shift P.O.V

Miyu knew from the start where the food was coming from and what purpose it was meant to serve. She also knew that there was no getting around this fight. If she refused Uta, he would just find her later and bring the fight to her; no matter where she was or who was around her. When she left the house, she determined not to tell Renji where she was going. The note that accompanied the most recent gift had hinted that he could become involved if she failed to show up and she was adamant about keeping him safe.

The fight had begun rather quickly. She went to the same area where she had fought the doves and was immediately attacked. Keeping her eyes on her opponent, she could feel her heart pounding in her chest. Her kagune were out and the top two were poised to strike, the bottom two bracing her to keep her steady.

He's fast. He's really fast, but he isn't using his kagune. Is he just waiting for the right time? Miyu felt an impact against her back and gritted her teeth, realizing that she had been distracted. Her top kagune moved to catch her from falling and she twisted. The vibrant red tentacles moved, twisting around her and she raised her arms to block a kick aimed at her head. She skidded backwards a few feet, the cement cracking beneath her kagune.

The girl blinked and he was suddenly on top of her, throwing her onto her back. Her kagune had become tangled and threatened to immobilize her as she glared up at him. I can't let him win! I don't know what's going to happen if he wins! Fury raced through her veins and she shook her head. One of her top kagune lifted and swiped at him, landing a hit. He was sent flying back and came running at her again, but both of her bottom kagune lifted to block him.

The heels of her boots dug at the ground as she tried to brace against his attack, her mind scrambling for what to do next. She had little experience with actually fighting and before her last battle with Uta, it had been years since she was this serious. Locks of pink hair fell over her face as she struggled to maintain her balance against a barrage of hits.

When he backed off a little, his grin faded. The boy tilted his head, clearly displeased with her strategy this round. "Why aren't you attacking? You keep defending, but I know how strong you are. Come on. Fight back."

She was silent, her red and black eyes watching him intensely from behind the neon pink hair. Her kagune flexed and her head tilted ever so slightly, almost in a mocking way. A tip dug beneath the cracked cement and sent a large chunk hurtling at the boy. He was forced to quickly duck to the side and she took this moment to rush forward. "Is this…what you wanted?" she demanded in a growl.

Uta's expression brightened, amusement shining in his gaze as he moved to dodge her strikes. She was noticeably picking up speed and, much to his delight, she seemed to be more energized than when they previously fought. He kept close to her while dodging her attacks, watching carefully for when she would turn lethal. It had been this way before; she was initially hesitant to hurt him, but eventually instinct kicked in and she fought as if to kill.

Her lips were twisted into a snarl as she started to let her guard down. Thoughts of him hurting Renji came to her mind and it was all the fuel that she needed. Her top kagune began to strike like a scorpion's tail and she used the bottom two to help her maintain her balance. She managed to land a few hits, driving him back, and propelled herself onto him. All four tentacles wrapped around his upper half, her face just above his and her gaze a smoldering glower. To her alarm, his smile grew and she felt a hand thread into her hair.

He heard her murmur a swear and twisted, tangling her hair in his grip. The kagune tightened around him in response to her pain, but at the same pushed her closer against him. "You make such weird faces," he remarked. "I'm glad I'm getting to know you."

The comment caught her off-guard and her appendages loosened ever so slightly. That was all that it took to let him break free. Miyu's back slammed into a building's hard, cold siding and she had to move quickly to dodge a hand thrusting toward her chest. She raised all four kagune in defense and backed up a few steps, watching him carefully. He's fast. He's strong. He's taller than me. We're both wounded though. She saw blood running down the side of his face and neck as well as dripping from his left fingertips. How can I win this? I don't think he's ready to stop. I don't think he'll stop unless I really hurt him.

Uta appeared disappointed at her shift in approach, but soon brightened. "You're a lot stronger than Aki was."

"S-stop it." The words came out shakier than expected and she frowned. "Aki-nii wasn't weak! He was…he was just doing what he could!"

"Why though? He knew that he was weak, but he kept fighting to protect you and didn't he always get hurt? So why did he even bother?" Uta stepped toward her, watching blood leak from the corner of her lips and trail down the side of her neck. "He got in the way. No. More like he slowed me down, just a little. But now I'm getting what I wanted."

"What?" Her pulse was so fast and so hard that it actually hurt. There was a tightening in her chest, a slight tremble in her hands and legs. What is he saying? Is he planning to eat me? I know that there aren't many like me here. If he eats me, how much stronger will he get? Will he go after Renji next? She gritted her teeth again and shook her head. "…what do you want…?"

His grin spread. "What? I couldn't hear you."

"Tell me…what was so important that you almost killed my brother." Miyu received no answer. Instead, he charged at her and deftly avoided a kick, delivering one of his own. She tumbled backwards, her top kagune moving just in time to block him from hitting her face again. Her anger surged and she could feel her restraint leaving her. Before she could stop herself, she was striking at him with all four kagune again and again. He was hit a number of times, but maintained that delighted smile as he retaliated.

Both ghouls were soon bloody and out of breath, facing each other in a narrow alley. The width of the space restricted Miyu's kagune and she knew that if he attacked her here, it could be the end of her. What does he want?! Just to fight? Or does he really just want to eat me? I need a strategy! There's no time to think! When she saw him darting forward, she threw her kagune back and then snapped the top ones at his face. He dodged and the bottom tentacles went for his legs. She heard a sickening, wet piercing sound and looked down in horror.

The point of her right bottom kagune had impaled his thigh. He looked at it with a slight frown and stepped back, trying to free himself. Though it was a terrible situation to be in, he actually looked really excited. When it became clear that he would not be able to pull himself free, he lifted his gaze to hers and gripped her shoulders before she could move. "You look pretty cute when you're surprised," he whispered.

Miyu was lifted and thrown down the alley, forcing her kagune out of his leg. She skidded over the rough ground on her side and when she tried to get away from his approaching form, she knew it was useless. Now that he was free, there was no way that she would get away with doing that much damage to him. Unsurprisingly, a hand tangled in her neon pink locks and dragged her face up, inches from his. The smile he wore sent a chill down the girl's spine and she felt her kagune subconsciously lift. A fierce pain erupted in her wrist as it was grabbed and a cracking sound told her that it could break if she failed to escape. The female ghoul struggled, trying to get free, and soon felt a new pain as his knee connected with her chest. My ribs…are breaking again…

"What? Oh. That was too much." The hold on her wrist loosened to a gentle grip, the hand in her hair softening its hold as well. Uta looked down at her, seeing tears of anguish welling in the corners of her eyes. Fresh blood was dripping from her lips as she bowed her head. "I guess I went too far. Sorry. I just got so excited. You're really strong."

Miyu's vision was blurred by her tears. She pressed a hand to her aching ribs, trying not to show how much pain she was in and failing miserably. He doesn't look like that hole in his leg even bothers him. Is he just good at hiding it? A cry of surprise left her as she was lifted and carried out of the alley. "Ngh…I'm…sorry about your leg," she muttered. "I-I might have lost my composure so…"

"I liked it," he replied. "You really went all out. It was just what I wanted." He smiled down at her as he emerged into the streetlight's glow. "You need to practice more; then it'll be even more fun."

She was set down and she stumbled a little, frowning when she felt his hand grip the back of her shirt to steady her. "…thanks…"

"That was awesome! You looked so cool, Kurotani!" Itori's face appeared over the side of a rooftop above, grinning down at the two other ghouls.

Miyu saw another face and felt the blood drain from her cheeks. Renji? Why is he here? What did he see? Her pulse became faster as he made his way down to their level and shoved her hands into her pockets. I didn't want anyone else to see me like that. I don't like people knowing about my kagune. Her arm was put over his shoulders and she felt a stirring in her chest. Her bones were slowly repairing themselves.

When Renji looked down at her, his expression made her tears multiply. His face was one of such concern and gentleness that she could hardly believe that he was really making such an expression. He was usually stoic and cold. Turning his face toward Uta, it changed. His mouth set in a firm line as he met the other boy's gaze. "She's done."

"If we tried to keep going, I'd be afraid of breaking her," the blond commented.

"What…did you want?" Miyu managed to ask, blood dripping with each word.

Uta leaned down so his face was level with hers and smiled. "I want to be friends. It should be a lot easier with Aki gone." He lifted his eyes to Renji again and seemed to just silently stare for a moment. "See you tomorrow, Miyu."

She saw his blurred figure turn and start to walk away. A bit of satisfaction came with the sight of him limping slightly. Her lips curled into a half-smile of triumph as she leaned against Renji's side for support. "Thank you."

"What were you thinking?"