I don't own Tokyo Ghoul or Akame ga Kill
One Week Later
Kaneki absentmindedly wiped down the countertops and tables of Anteiku. The day was Sunday so the café was closed so Kaneki was going to join up with Night Raid once he was finished. It had been a week since Bulat's death and everyone back at the base was grieving, except Tatsumi. After Bulat's death he was determined to surpass his old friends power so he was training near everyday. Kaneki had heard from Sheele that he was doing push ups with Akame on his back for strength training. Now, finally Night Raid and Kaneki had a stable means of communicating, Tatsumi actually did his job.
After Kaneki had talked to Night Raid he had left back for the capitol under the cover of night. On the way he met no problems and he had managed to tear down a poster of his likeness on the way into town. The journey was uninteresting, but what happened before he left was the real interesting part of the week. Kaneki looked around to see that no one was watching before he rolled up the seam of his sleeve. As he rolled up the fabric just until he could see the outline of a red tentacle tattoo on his arm.
One Week Ago (Main hall of Night Raid)
Kaneki, Lubbock and Akame stood before Najenda as they reported everything that had happened in their mission. Lubbock explained that Kaneki was able to save the official and defeat a large portion of the mercenary force. Kaneki didn't show it but Lubbock surprise change of attitude from what he normally exhibited was a little unsettling. Did Lubbock take something to give him a personality flip? As Lubbock finished up his end of the story Akame filled in the minor details "...Afterwards we met up in town square to take Official Coda to the town hospital. The only other news to report was what Kaneki found."
This little bit of information piqued everyone's interest "What did you find?" Tatsumi asked, curiosity showing on his face.
Kaneki sighed his normal board sigh that everyone in the room had now gotten accustomed to. Kaneki took out the small red box from behind him and presented it to Najenda. Najenda raised her only good eyebrow and took the box with her metal hand "What is it?"
"No idea." Kaneki responded.
Najenda looked it over "Do you know what's inside?"
Kaneki shook his head no and Najenda got a crafty smile on her lips "Well we better find out." she said removing the lid.
Silence filled the room as all of the assassins waited for their boss to respond with what was inside, but they saw Najenda's expression and suddenly they didn't want to know anymore. Najenda had visibly paled as she looked at the contents of the box. Everyone watching, with the exception of Kaneki and AKame felt their sweat drop. If something could take the words out of Boss's mouth then it wasn't good. Kaneki rolled his eye before walking behind Najenda to see inside the box. The inside of the box was like a royal bed room with more fancy padding than Kaneki could care for or look at with a straight face. Resting in the middle of the padding was a blood red metal vile. All around the vile ornate designs of war and carnage making the vile look like a precursor to the designs that it entailed. Najenda knew what this was as soon as she saw it, she had spent a large chunk of her career as a general looking for this. Kaneki casually picked up the vile "All of that secret treasure nonsense and it's just a fancy shot glass."
Everyone looking at Kaneki suddenly felt their jaws hit the floor as they watched. Najenda looked at Kaneki with fear filled eyes and Kaneki looked at her questioningly "What?"
"Do you have any idea what that is?" Najenda asked.
"No, I assume its some Imperial arm from how all of you are acting." Kaneki guessed.
Najenda nodded "That right there is one of the oldest Imperial Arms known to the empire, the Ketsueki Shinigami."
Tatsumi blinked in confusion along with Mine who was right next to him. Mine scratched her head "Ketsuky What?" she asked.
"Ketsueki shinigami." Najenda repeated "It was named after something from the emperor's time. To this day no one knows what it-."
"Loosely translated it means the Blood Reaper." Kaneki interrupted.
Once again everyone looked at Kaneki in shock "How do you know that?" Leone asked.
"Its Japanese." Kaneki explained "How is it that we speak the same language but they can't figure out simple translation." he thought.
Najenda waved the comment aside "Anyway we need to remain focused."
Kaneki nodded and put the vile back into the case "Thank you." Najenda said putting the box away at the side of her chair "Now down to business. As of yesterday, General Esdeath's main force, the Three beasts have been utterly decimated. As such she has ordered the summoning of a new team. There will be an unknown total of members and this will be our plan for the next few days. First, I will be leaving to journey outside the empire."
All of the senior Night Raid members opened their mouths to protest but Najenda silenced them by raising her hand "I'm going to take the imperial arms that we gathered from the Three Beasts and give them to the army to help them advance."
Najenda looked down at the red box before continuing "Even with the Three Beasts dealt with General Esdeath won't sit by and let us do what we want. And I'm sorry to say but we don't have the fighting strength to go against her right now."
The assertion that all of those that were present couldn't match Esdeath made more than one member clench their fists in anger. Kaneki didn't react to the statement, he was the one who said it first after all.
Najenda continued "Second I'm putting Akame in charge."
Akame instantly shot to attention "Your orders?"
"Train." Najenda said "Everyone is to become as strong as they can till the time that I return." Najenda turned to Kaneki, the Ghoul hybrid raised an eyebrow "I need the names and the number of people that are going to be in Esdeath's group. Don't think you can't have a nice chat over a nice thing of coffee?"
Kaneki smiled "I don't think that should be much of a problem." he said.
Najenda nodded "Dismissed!" she ordered.
Night Raid, and surprisingly Kaneki included, bowed. As everyone started moving to their rooms Lubbock came up to Najenda with Mine. Najenda had just put a new cigar in her mouth and blew out a puff of smoke before asking "What?"
Lubbock shrugged "I jus-." Mine sent a hard elbow into the green haired man's ribs. Lubbock sucked in air for all he was worth and he shot a glare at Mine before continuing "We were just wondering, what does the new Imperial Arm do?"
Najenda raised her eyebrow "Why do you want to know? You both already have Imperial Arms and someone can't have two. The only one here that can use it is Kaneki here."
Kaneki rolled his eyes "I don't need an Imperial arm." he said stating the obvious. So far Kaneki had gone up against people that two of the senior members couldn't handle alone, and the only evidence that there ever was a fight was the small pile of meat in his stomach.
Mine shook her head back and forth "I don't care if we can't use it, I just want to see what it does!" she shouted.
The shouting stopped Tatsumi and Sheele from leaving. Both assassins turned where they were and decided that they might as well see what was about to happen. Najenda sighed and picked up the box "It's an extract based Imperial Arm," she explained "You need to drink it and have it accept you before you can see what it can do."
Lubbock shrugged "Well we can at least see what it looks like in the light right?" he asked.
Lubbock picked up the vile and almost instantly Kaneki and Najenda knew something was wrong. Lubbock stood there unmoving looking down at the vile, his eyes glossed over. Mine looked between Lubbock and the vile "Um hello? Anyone in there?!" she asked.
Lubbock turned towards her and Mine flitched. Lubbock's eyes were dead and Mine watched in horror as crimson red began to fill the spaces in his eyes till there was nothing left but red "Lubbock?" she asked, sounding worried and Kaneki blinked at the action.
Lubbock put on an a smile, the kind that serial killers would have on when they were about to kill their first victim. Kaneki recognized the look and fast as a bullet Kaneki grabbed Mine and carried her bridal style away from Lubbock. Najenda got away as well although not as fast. Mine's mind barely had time to process what just happened and she was about to voice an opinion that would involve a lot of swearing, but then she saw Lubbock jump at the space where she once was. He slammed a strike down at the ground that only recently was occupied with enough force the make the ground crack and bring a small cloud of dust into the air. Night Raid was instantly ready, drawing their weapons on their friend "Lubbock!" Tatsumi yelled "What the hell man?"
Lubbock got up from where he was on the ground and he looked over the group. When he saw them his mouth started watering and he started to drool. Everyone was a little unnerved by the action and took a step back. Kaneki dropped Mine down in front of him and surprising him for the second time in this many moments, she didn't yell at him for carrying her. Kaneki and Tatsumi took a position between the group and Lubbock "Lubbock." Tatsumi said his voice dangerously low "What the hell?"
Lubbock looked Kaneki and Tatsumi over and he smiled again "So much." he whispered "So much, it's flowing through all of you like rivers of radiance."
Kaneki's eye narrowed "What's flowing?"
Lubbock bent down, like a animal about to pounce on its prey "Give it to me. Give me your BLOOD!" he said as he jumped at the group.
He was aimed right at Kaneki and the white haired ghoul barely sidestepped out of the way. Kaneki used his momentum to quickly put his hand on the back of Lubbock's neck. Using his inhuman strength he slammed Lubbock down to the ground pinning him. Kaneki then jumped over on top of Lubbock and he used his legs to pin the rest of the assassins limbs in place. Kaneki then took the arm that was holding the vial and forced it behind him in a holding position. By this time the rest of Night Raid had surrounded the two of them. Sheele had her scissors over Lubbock's neck, Mine's pumpkin over his heart. Incidentally Kaneki was in the way of the shot but he didn't put it passed the pink haired assassin to put them both down with one shot. Leone somehow had turned into her beast form without anyone apparently noticing and was in a battle stance away from the group. Najenda was trying her best to remain calm but she looked to be taking this outburst the hardest. Kaneki glanced at her and she was trying hard to make herself stop shaking, it wasn't working ever surprisingly was the only one being calm, his own weapon not pointed at his comrade "Lubbock." Tatsumi almost growled, scratch the calm "What are you doing?"
Lubbock's only answer was to snap his teeth at Tatsumi like he was an animal trying to get to a piece of meat. Kaneki tightened his grip on Lubbock's neck. The teen thrashed as the air was cut off from his lungs and he slowly stopped moving. Leone and Akame quickly realized what Kaneki was doing and they put their hands out in front of them so that the others wouldn't get involved. Kaneki raised an eyebrow, apparently they trusted him enough to continue doing his job. When Kaneki started to feel Lubbock's stop shrugging he tightened his grip to speed the process. When it was finally over Lubbock was slumped face down on the ground unmoving except the slow up and down motion of his breathing. Lubbock's arms lost their strength as well and the vile Imperial Arm fell out of his hand. Kaneki quickly grabbed the vial before anyone could touch it.
Kaneki stood up and everyone around him was silent for a moment. Mine broke the silence with her customary tone "Ok, WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!?"
"You got me." Leone said, her from returning to normal "My eye might've been playing tricks on me but let me go over it again. Lubbock just touches that vile and he tries to kill us?"
"Yep." Tatsumi said "That pretty much sums it up."
Sheele remained quiet throughout the conversation. She didn't want anything to go bad so she picked up Lubbock's sleeping form and began to carry it to his room. Najenda glanced at Kaneki and the vile in his hand "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Kaneki asked.
Najenda breathed out a puff of smoke and exhaled deeply "Yes." she said.
"Hang on." Mine said, her annoyed tone returning in full force "Please warn us next time you two are about to do that, I can't keep up. So, what are you two thinking about?"
Kaneki rolled his eyes "This thing has the ability to make whoever holds it go insane with bloodlust, making them go as far as to attack those they consider friend."
"And while Lubbock couldn't even open his mouth without drooling all over the carpet. Kaneki can hold it without any problems. My guess is that he's the most compatible with the Imperial arm and those that aren't go insane like we saw before."
Tatsumi's eyes gained a worried look "Will Lubbock be-?"
"I don't know." Najenda said "This Imperial arm hasn't been used since the time of the first emperor. The Emperor's records held little to no information on it."
"A nap or two wont hurt the guy." Kaneki said bluntly.
"Anyway if Lubbock was anything to go on anyone who isn't compatable becomes insane. If we send this Imperial Arm to the army, they might lose more members then this Arm will save trying to find a compatible person. I know I'm choosing the easiest option but we don't have time to argue with each other over what should and shouldn't be done."
"Hey you don't have to be all doom and gloom boss. We trust your judgment till the day that we die, so don't worry about it. If you say that this is the best option then we're all for it." Leone said with a smile.
Tatsumi did a quick nod with his head. Mine rolled her eyes but the edges of her mouth were spreading into a smile. Akame remained as neutral as ever, she copied Tatsumi's quick nod. Najenda smiled at her team before turning to Kaneki "It's your choice."
Kaneki looked between the vile and everyone there. The pros were simple, he would be able to gain even more power and his chances of being able to fight against the empire even harder. With this Imperial Arm, he could stand against Esdeath on his terms. The cons were also simple, if simply touching the vile got people into a bloodlust what would actually drinking the contents do? Kaneki's mind flashed back to all the mistakes he had made in the last few years. He felt himself smirk, What's one more mistake to add to the pile?
Without giving himself time to stop he quickly ripped the top off of the vile and downed the liquid within in a single gulp. Kaneki let the vile of now empty Imperial Arm. Everyone watching held their breath as they waited for something to happen. Kaneki looked down at his hand "Well that was anticlimactic." he said.
Tatsumi blinked "Is that it?"
Kaneki shrugged "Well thats-." Kaneki stopped himself as his vision started blackening.
Kaneki put a hand to his eye and he started breathing hard. His throat felt like it was on fire and with each beat of his heart pain shot through him. He doubled over and screamed in pain. Tatsumi rushed forward to help him but Akame held out her arm and stopped him. Kaneki kept screaming as images swirled through his head. Kaneki found himself back in Tokyo. All around him people he once knew walked around him. Touka was smiling at him before she suddenly melted into a pool of blood. Hide appeared before him as well. He was smiling but his stomach was ripped open, like a ghoul had eaten him. Kaneki felt his mouth get filled with blood and he looked down to see Hide's guts in his hands. Kaneki couldn't help himself and he screamed once again and images filled his head again. He saw images of war violence and they made his mouth water. So many people, so much food! It was like someone was dangling a perfect, juicy piece of meat right in front of him when he hasn't' eaten anything in weeks. Kaneki's eye shot open and it looked around the room in a frenzy. It got a good look at everyone, they looked delicious. Kaneki wanted nothing more in the instant to rip them apart, eat and savor every inch of their flesh. But the blood, oh the blood was going to be delicious.
Kaneki forced his resolve to the surface. With a deafening war cry he through himself to his feet and forced all of his anger to the surface. This thing, whatever it was was drawing on the most painful memories. If it wanted memories, Kaneki had painful memories in spades. He forced himself to remember the CCG attack on Anteiku, his final battle with Amon and the last moment he saw Hide. He remembered watching in horror as Ryouko was butchered in front of him while he kept Hinami from watching. Kaneki felt the blood gush out of him as he recalled Yamori's torture. "You want blood and pain? I have so much of both, so tell me. ARE. YOU. HUNGRY?!" he screamed in his head.
The images suddenly cut out and Kaneki found himself back at the Night Raid base. Everyone was staring at him in shock, even Sheele was there, how long was he screaming that he didn't notice her coming back? Kaneki winced in pain when he felt a burning sensation on his arm. He looked over his right arm and the sight that greeted him shook him to the core. All along his arm a red glowing tattoo shown out in crimson light. It designed itself into the shape of a scythe and several tentacles, two of which nearly stretched down to Kaneki's hand. The tattoo pulsed a steady red crimson and each time the light pulsed, Kaneki felt his heart beat in his chest. As his heart continued to beat the tattoo seemed to move as if its waiting for something.
Kaneki put a hand to his head "How long was I screaming?"
Tatsumi gulped "About three minutes, you didn't hurt anyone but you might want to relay the cement." he said pointing down.
Kaneki looked at his feet and saw what Tatsumi was looking at. All around him miniature divots creating craters all around him. Najenda looked Kaneki over "How do you feel?"
Kaneki clenched both of his fists and a crazy smile graced his lips "Like I could kill everyone."
Present
Kaneki quickly out his sleeve over the tattoo and continued to look like a normal cafe owner. About five minutes later he heard a knock on the door. Kaneki glanced at the door and said "Come in."
The door chime sounded as the door slid open. To revile Esdeath, and she was smiling, shit. Kaneki hid all emotion from his face except his smile "Esdeath, what can I do for you?"
Esdeath walked up to the counter wordlessly and slammed a file that she had hidden behind her. Kaneki glanced from the file to Esdeath but he picked it up and looked through the contents. With each sentence his heart sank and his rage grew. When he was finished he slammed the file down on the countertop so hard the stone plating cracked. Esdeath smiled her 'I'm going to enjoy this smile' "I see you read it."
"What. The. Hell Esdeath." Kaneki said, venom dripping from each word. He pointed at the file "This is direct orders from the emperor to close my shop! Why the fuck are you shutting me down?!" he shouted.
He was pissed, no, far from that he was livid. Kaneki wanted to jump atop of Esdeath and rip her apart. This place was his last home away from home, the one place that he could call his and the one place where nothing would ever go wrong for him. The Esdeath walked in a dropped this on him. So he demanded an answer. Esdeath sighed before taking a seat. The two of them waited in silence before Esdeath broke it "Kaneki I need you."
Kaneki rolled his eye "You've been saying that for three years, and again I'm going to say-."
"But you did say that you would defend the Capitol did you not?" Esdeath asked interrupting him "The revolutionary army is getting to close for comfort. I'm sure you've heard that the my team died by the hands of Night Raid?"
Kaneki nodded, the 'Innocent' him would've seen it on his way to get coffee each morning "My condolences."
"Thank you. I'm creating a team of expert warriors to combat Night Raid, under direct orders from the Emperor I am making you their combat and tactics commander. You won't be on the front lines unless you want to, you will only be training them until they perfect their power."
"Sounds like I don't have much choice." Kaneki said dryly "I'll do it, one condition."
"Name it."
"I keep the house."
Esdeath nearly busted a gut trying to hold in a fit of maniacal laughter "Of all the things you could ask for you want to keep the house? Fine, it will be done."
Kaneki narrowed his eyes at the general in front of him "If you were just going to force me to join, why did you give me the wish scroll?"
Esdeath shrugged for show "The minister thought it would ease the process."
Kaneki sighed for show. In truth he only wanted the house so that he could keep an eye on the fake wall which housed his mask and suit. If the empire found those, lets just say that Kaneki's life would become more problematic than it already was.
Esdeath got up from her seat "I have a little party planned for the team." she reaches into her pocket, taking out a piece of paper and handing it to Kaneki "These are the names of the team."
Kaneki took the list and read the list of names.
On the list were the following names, just first names for security reasons along with a very short bio on the name.
Wave: Man of the Sea. Follows orders to the letter, is normally outgoing and very protective of his comrades.
Bois: Shy, nice man who apols violence but has an aptitude for fire. Bashful when commented and is a natural friend to those who know him well.
Run: Gentle, kind and calculating teacher. Like Bois he doesn't enjoy violence, he would rather teach instead of kill.
Kurome: A prodigy in the art of combat. Don't ask her about her sweets.
Dr. Stylish: No comment, to stylish?
Kaneki raised an eyebrow at the question mark on the name. So far if the names were any indication only the Kurome, Wave and Doctor seemed a little off. Still can't be anything worse than what he was used to. Kaneki refolded the paper and put it in his pocket "Give me a few minutes to pack a few things."
Esdeath nodded "I look forward to everyone meeting the two of us."
Esdeath waved to Kaneki as she walked out of the door. Kaneki looked over the piece of paper with the names on it one more time. On the bottom of the paper was an address to a meeting room in the middle of the castle square. Kaneki put on a black overcoat to cover his waiter suit and went to work. He prepared enough travel coffee for ten people, hopefully it will be enough. As soon as he was done he walked out the door. His hand briefly went over the closed/open sign. Kaneki gritted his teeth before turning the sign to closed. He started making his way towards the location, hopefully something won't make him late.
He would later admit that he shouldn't tempt fate with such an easy ploy.
Five minutes Earlier
A young man in his late teens stepped into the streets of the main capitol. He was of average height and with his military grade jacket you couldn't take a good guess at his build. Around his neck was a black scarf with an anchor symbol colored white in the middle. His hair was black and his skin was tanned from being in the sun for long periods of time. Over his shoulder was a huge bag of fish and clothing. His name was Wave, and he was here to fight for the Empire as a true man of the Sea! (Exclamation point totally needed) His superiors had given him this assignment straight from the office of the head general herself. Wave smiled when he thought the whole idea over in his head, it was like a promotion.
This was Wave first time in the city, and as such he wanted to make a flashy entrance. The clothes he was currently wearing weren't his original attire but they made him look cool so he didn't care. As Wave was walking to his destination he noticed that a few of the people were giving him strange glances. He definitely heard something about 'A country bum' but he shook to comments out of his mind. He was a man who fought Pirates and Sea monsters, such little things can't bother him.
Wave continued walking towards his destination but first he looked through his orders to make sure everything was going well. The order was short and to the point so it only had a date, time and location for the meeting. The only other thing that was on it were two expertly drawn descriptions of his new commanding officers. One was a beautiful woman with long hair in a normal military uniform but she had her generals cap leaning slightly to the side. Wave guessed that this was General Esdeath, she was going to be the leader of the group after all. The other portret was off a man roughly a few years older than Wave himself. The portrait had him with dark hair, a straight emotionless face and an eyepatch over his left eye. On the bottom of the page had his name, Ken Kaneki, training/tactics supervisor.
Wave grinned from ear to ear, even though he was on the outer part of the empire he of course had heard all the rumors about the two he was going to work under. Esdeath, the woman who was called the empire's strongest soldier. Kaneki, the man who appealed violence but was able to hold his own against the general without breaking a sweat.
To be trained under and work with two of the strongest people in the empire. The very thought made Wave beam even more than he already was. With this he could compare himself to the greats, and show everyone back home how strong their traveling hero had become. Wave picked up his stride, his whole being shining with purpose. As he was walking he noticed a figure that stood out from the others. He had dyed jet black hair and Wave could only see the black over coat. Curiosity getting the better of him he quickened his pace and met with the stranger "Ho stranger!" he shouted.
The figure turned around and Wave thought that he must be the luckiest man alive. The face, the eyepatch it matched perfectly with the picture he was looking only moments before. Wave instantly breaks down into his best bow "Sorry that I didn't recognize you from behind Captain Kaneki!"
Kaneki raised an eyebrow at Wave. He pulled out a piece of paper, he looked at Wave and then back at the paper "You wouldn't happen to be the man named Wave would you?"
"HAI!" Wave shouted, his head still bowed "I am honored that you recognized me Captain!"
At this point the shouting started to garner attention and Kaneki was starting to get annoyed at all of the locals looking at him funny. He turned his attention to Wave "At ease Wave." annoyance dripping from his voice.
Wave stood back up and relaxed "So sir-"
"Call me Kaneki, no sir." Kaneki said quickly interrupting him and walking away.
"Yes sir!" Wave responded as he quickened his pace and came alongside Kaneki.
Kaneki briefly wondered if Wave was an airhead, he didn't need another one Sheele was enough for one day. He banished the thought as it came, Wave was probably under the impression that Kaneki was putting him in a test or something. It wasn't that at all actually, Wave had read the reports detailing Kaneki's achievements. Going up through the ranks, Wave looked to Kaneki as sort of an inspirational figure. Kaneki was what Wave inspired to be, a man with no past in the military but was still able to talk to and stand with the greats. To Wave, to do that, without the aid of some absurdly powerful imperial Arm was more impressive than any military victory in history. Wave was calling Kaneki sir out of military training that was drilled into him along with his own respect for Kaneki.
The two warriors walked through the streets in silence before Kaneki got curious "So Wave, where are you from?" Kaneki asked.
Wave just grinned in response and Kaneki felt like he just asked Shuu what his favorite dish was. Wave puffed his chest out and stood tall "I come from the land surrounded by the sea. The water is our life and it holds a just amount of death. My people live on the sea, fight on the sea, train on the sea and we die with our heads raised high!"
Kaneki looked around as soon as Wave had paused, sure enough the looks he was getting told him that those around him thought he was a nutter. Wave continued regardless "With the sea as my background I can take any training you see fit to give me. I swear, with heaven as my witness I will carry out any order you give me!"
Kaneki raised an eyebrow. The proclamation was something that had been repeated to the point that it was cliche. But it did hold promise and Kaneki felt a smirk come along the left corner of his mouth. "You will obey any order you say?"
"Yes!" Wave almost screamed "Any order."
"Any? Well then." Kaneki eyed the sword resting at Wave's belt "Take that sword and put it through your heart."
Wave instantly stopped walking and just watched as Kaneki kept walking. Wave put on a nervous smile before coming back to Kaneki's side "Um sir? Did you just asks me to-."
"You heard me." Kaneki interrupted again "You said you would follow any order. With the failing of ending your life right there you broke your promise to me within five minutes of the two of us meeting."
Wave looked between Kaneki and his Grand Chariot blade handle. His hand started to move towards the sword before patted the younger man on the shoulder "Touch that blade and you'll fail your first test."
Wave's eyes widened, to see if he would actually end his life was the test? Kaneki smiled like a teacher to his student "You Wave have been chosen to join what is going to be the most powerful, elite group of warriors the empire has put together since the time of the first Emperor. Your loyalty to my orders is adorable, but Wave. Know this, if your commanding officer orders you to end your life, there is no force, in heaven or hell that looks upon that commander and smiles. A commander's duty is to keep those under him from dying, to give them orders that will ensure their safety. That is the first and last order that will put you in a situation with no way out again Wave. As your commander and I hope one day your friend, you have my word."
Wave smiled and gave Kaneki the best solution he could give "Hai Sir!"
Kaneki smiled back, that was easier than he thought. With one over done speech Kaneki managed to earn both Wave's trust and his absolute faith. With this, Kaneki had possibly one of the best members of the new team in the palm of his hand. With his trust, Kaneki could do many thing, but he would be able to think on that later. By the time that Kaneki had mapped out a plan in his head the two of them had arrived at the meeting room. Kaneki and Wave both double checked the room to make sure they were in the right place. Kaneki was about to go in but Wave stopped him "I'm sorry sir, but I must ask that I go in first. I need this meeting to run smoothly because the people behind this door are going to be my teammates from now on. So in order to not be taken lightly, the first impression I make is critical."
Kaneki mentally rolled his eyes but outwardly he just gestured for Wave to go. Wave took a deep breath, tensing himself before bursting through the door "GOOD AFTERNOON! I'VE COME FROM THE IMPERIAL NAVY. MY NAME IS WA-"
In the only table in the room was sitting a man. He was wearing no shirt to hide the bulging muscles underneath his skin. That would've been fine for Wave but the fact that he sat there, unmoving, unspeaking with what appeared to be a white gas mask for a face unnerved Wave to the point where he couldn't speak.
"PARDON MY INTRUSION!" Wave screamed before quickly closing the door.
Wave sat down with the door at his back as he breathed heavily. Kaneki looked at Wave with a raised eyebrow "Great first impression." Kaneki commented under his breath.
Wave waved the comment off "It seems that we got this room mixed up with the department of torture."
Kaneki looked back and forth between the door and the paper in his hand "No, the meeting was going to be held in the special police force conference room. This is it."
Wave paled "So that means."
"Who ever you saw is your new teammate." Kaneki said dryly.
Wave's jaw dropped "What kind of place is the capital like? Pirates nowadays look more normal then that!" Wave complained.
Kaneki felt that he should tell him about the other people who would make that guy in there look more normal then an average pedestrian but he held his tongue. Kaneki moved Wave over so that he could open the door "Well then for now you should conduct yourself with decorum till General Esdeath arrives."
Kaneki opened the door and walked through, Wave followed close behind but he moved around far more awkwardly. Wave quickly took a seat but Kaneki stayed standing before bowing to the gas masked man. The man did nothing to acknowledge the action so Kaneki just sat himself down. The three men sat in their chairs in awkward silence that Kaneki and the gas masked man seemed to be unaffected by. Wave on the other hand shook back and forth with nervous tension. Just looking at the gas masked man gave Wave chills, what is up with this guy? He's just staring at the two of them like it's not awkward at all. The sound of the heavy door opening saved Wave from his fit of nervousness. The opened to reveal a short black haired girl. She stood no taller than five feet nothing but her eyes burned with a coldness that gave even Kaneki a second thought. She wore what Kaneki could've once considered a school girls uniform with a simple black shirt and a skirt that reached just above her knees. On waist the deadly edge of a katana sat sheathed. Wave smiled 'Yes, A normal girl!'
Kaneki on the other hand was trying not to call the new girl Akame. The resemblance was so uncanny that it couldn't be coincidence. A sister perhaps? Well whoever she was she wordlessly walked to the table and took a seat away from everyone else. She put a small bag in front of her, she opened it up and inside was a pile of candy. Wave got up from his seat and went to the girl "Hey. Are you one of the Imperial Arms users that was summoned here as well? Nice to meet you, I'm Wave-."
She protectively moved her bag of candy away from Wave "You can't have any of my candy."
Wave flinched and Kaneki's eye widened slightly, yep she was definitely Akame's sister. Wave awkwardly went back to his seat "Sorry to bother you." he said quickly.
The awkward silence reigned supreme again as the room went back to its original quietness. Thoughts were circling in Wave's head "Shit, what is with this situation? One of them just sits there eating candy, you're going to get cavities like that you know! And the other one just sits there and stares at me, is Captain Kaneki the only normal one here besides me? Oh, things can't possibly get any worse."
As soon as he finished the thought the double doors leading to the meeting room burst open. From the opening rose petals filled the room and floated down on the sitting group. "First impressions are so very important. And a first impression must benefit someone as stylish as myself." a voice said.
From the door a feminine looking man with a white business coat with a pink suit underneath. He saw Wave and Kaneki and he gave both of them a affectionate smile and a wink. Kaneki blinked, making sure he saw that right and Wave's jaw dropped again "NOW WE HAVE A CRAZY HOMO!?"
"Oh dear, you seem to be a country boy but you look very handsome. I can make you look even better, lets get along ok." he said with a wink to Wave.
Kaneki pitied Wave at that moment, but it was only a moment. "Oh good afternoon." a new voice said.
Everyone turned to the new voice. It came from a blond haired man with a winged headband and a long overcoat. He looked to Kaneki like an teachers cloak but with a black loose fitting suit underneath. To add to the looking of a teacher he carried a book under his arm. He walked up the table and Wave growned out "Nice to meet you, I'm Wave."
"Its good to meet you Wave, you may call me Ran. Its a pleasure to meet you." Ran said.
Wave's down demeanor instantly picked up, Finally a normal person! "Umm, Excuse me everyone."
Everyone turned their gazes again and found out that it was the gas masked man who had spoken. His voice was higher pitched than Wave would've guessed but he was to busy to think about that. He was busy looking at the steaming cups on the tray that he was holding. Everyone quickly found a seat at the table and the gas masked man gave everyone a drink. Kaneki tasted the water and it turned out to be very good tea. The man sat at his seat "I'm must apologize. This is our first meeting and I didn't greet any of you. I have a fear of strangers you see, I was very nervous. I have the most likely seniority here and I acted like that, please accept this tea as a sign of my apology. As fellow Imperial Arms users I feel that we should all get along. I'm Boss from from the incineration squad."
Wave nervously laughed "H-He has a fear of people with that appearance?"
Kaneki remained unphased as ever. He took another drink that Bois had given before standing "Do not blame yourself for shyness Bois, I feel that I must apologise as well. Well I hope to get this out of the way first, My name is Ken Kaneki, your training/tactics supervisor."
Everyone present looked at Kaneki in different levels of shock. All of them like Wave had read the reports and seen the posters but they still had a hard time believing that this was the famous Ken Kaneki. All of them had different starting opinions of the man. Ran saw Kaneki as a writer, Tokyo Ghoul being one of his personal favorite novels. The girl barely batted an eye at Kaneki's statement, she just didn't want him stealing her candy. Dr. Stylish looked at Kaneki with new interest. He could tell by the way that Kaneki held himself, he was definitely his type. Bois bowed his head "It's a pleasure to meet you Captain."
"I must say the same Mr. Kaneki." Ran said copying his bow.
Kaneki sat back down and took yet another drink from the tea "I must say Bois, your tea is quite amazing. I myself had prepared a batch of my cafe's coffee for this occasion but it seems that I needn't have done anything." he said holding up the traveling container.
Bois pirked up "Thank you for your compliments Captain. To here you say that about my personal brue is heartwarming to hear."
Kaneki raised his glass and everyone at the table with the exception of the doctor and the girl copied the motion. The group drank as one like all those before them. The group started going into senseless chatter but Kaneki didn't bother to pay attention. He was overlooking each and everyone in the room. They seemed to be innocent and weak enough but the girls katana and relation to Akame were one of the many things about the group that gave him pause. Bois didn't seem to have any weapon that Kaneki could see but you don't get onto the incineration squad without something to do with fire. Dr. Stylish didn't look to be a problem but Esdeath wanted him for something so he shouldn't let his guard down. The girl, she had to be Kurome, if she was anything like her supposed sister underestimating her would end up with his head off his shoulders. Ran looked to be the most collected of everyone, anyone who would look over and think through a fight was far deadlier than a normal berserker of a fighter.
As Kaneki was thinking he felt something slip into his pocket. He reached in without looking away from the group in front of him. It was a crumpled piece of paper that read 'Don't interfere.'
Kaneki tilted his head in confusion but then he felt another presence in the room. He looked over and saw what he wasn't supposed to interfere with. A figure that seemed to appear out of no where came into the room. It had a grey skull mask and the most body armor that Kaneki had seen on a single person, apart from General Budo. Wave was the first besides Kaneki to notice the newcomer "Hey, who's that?"
The figure turned to the group and pointed an accusing finger "I don't recognize any of you! Who are you and what are you doing in this room!?"
Wave narrowed his eyes "Hey now, we were called here for a special as-." he didn't get any further because the figure, faster then Wave could dodge hit him in the chest with a powerful kick. The blow sent Wave through the table and everyone except Kurome and Kaneki flashed into a battle stance "Your opponents are going to be assassins, leave your guard down for an instant and you'll be dead." the figure lectured.
The figure launched forward to the next closest person, who happened to be Ran. It shot out with a series of kicks but Ran simply put one hand out and swiped the kicks away from him. Ran muttered something like whoops but throughout all of the attacks he remained unharmed. Kaneki's attention was perked, Ran was pretty good. Ran jumped back away from the figure and Kurome decided she had had enough of this little party. With a sucker still in her mouth she unsheathed her blade and slashed at the figure. It managed to dodge the deadly edge of her katana but its mask was cut and began to fall off. Kaneki got up from his chair "So that's the Imperial Arm Yatsuhusa, it has a splendid cutting edge." the figure said. With the mask gone it was clear that the voice was feminine.
As the rest of the mask fell down it was revealed who was attacking them. Bois gasped before stuttering "G-General Esdeath!?"
"Damn that hurt." Wave said sitting back up. He looked confused for a second before seeing Esdeath 'Oh crap even the boss is a weird one'
A few hours later
After Esdeath's little 'Game' the members of the special forces unit were led to their individual rooms in the castle. Kaneki was simply lead to a changing room since he still had a house to go back to. When everyone had had a chance to take a shower and get settled in their rooms a servant gave each member a Tuxedo or specialized dress for them to wear. Kaneki looked over the suit when he got it. It was perfectly fitted to his size, Kaneki didn't know when Esdeath had gotten his measurements but he put it out of his mind. The first thing he did was search for any means of tracking on the suit. Weather it would be sent, mechanical or organic he had to make sure that the suit was clean before he put it on. Once it was on Kaneki looked himself in the mirror. He turned, looking himself over, the only thing strange about the suit was the single white stripe on his shoulder. The last time he had worn a suit Shuu had tried to kill him and feed him to a group of aristocratic Ghouls. Now Kaneki only hoped that the next half hour didn't end up with him either drugged beaten or poisoned.
Kaneki exited the training room and met up with the rest of the group in the castle yard. Everyone else like him was wearing their suits. Kaneki nodded to Bois, Wave and Ran before standing at attention. Esdeath walked up from behind the group, she too was wearing a black suit but her's came with an extra stripe on the side of her shoulder. She lead the group down the halls of the castle courtyard "So were you surprised by my little game? I say it's a lot better then a droll welcoming reception."
Wave put a hand on the back of his head "Well don't worry about me, I'm used to being roughed up."
Esdeath chuckled "Okay then, we'll have a party after our meeting with the emperor."
Wave paled for the second time that day "Wait we're already meeting the emperor? Isn't that a little fast for a first day?"
Kaneki shrugged "Normally yes but if we get the complimentary stuff out of the way we can get to our main objective as fast as possible."
Esdeath nodded "Correct Captain." the way Esdeath said captain made Kaneki rolled his eyes. It was like she was screaming at him 'After all this time, I won' Jump in a hole a burn you sadistic bitch.
"Before we get to that, General doesn't our little group lack a name?" Doctor Stylish asked.
Kaneki forced himself to chuckle for effect "Don't worry Doctor, the issue on a name has already been taken care of."
Esdeath smiled once more "Again you are correct Captain. We are a unique force within the military. We are organized and tasked to mercilessly hunt down and eliminate atrocious groups and enemies of the empire. Therefore, we will be the special force. We will be the Jaegers!" Esdeath declared.
Authors Note:
...Wow not even one update and I'm behind on my promised schedule. I suck. (Sorry I couldn't keep my promise. I finally was able to get a job to go through and it's been snapping at my time like you wouldn't believe. So again, Sorry I'm late.)
And yes this is just a set up chapter to establish characters. It might be boring but these kind of chapters need to be done.
Also I need to say this. Thank you, all of you guys out there. Over 200 favorites, over a hundred reviews and by the time I'm writing this nearly 250 follows. I have nothing to thank you guys with other than continuing this story with more muse than ever. So please continue reading the Ghoul of Night Raid.
Now all that needs to happen is this fic gets a trop page and I can die a happy man.
So if you found this, Thanks for reading =]
