Angel's Swan Song

Told you it'd be out today. Sorry for the cliffhanger in Backup Plan, but it gives you something to look forward to in the future.

Some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that school starts back up for me next Monday, so updates will get fewer and farther between. However, the good news is that my school somehow found the money to get every student a new Chromebook, and since I typically finish all of my assignments within the first 20-30 minutes of class, that gives me some writing time during the day. Not as much now, but some.

In this chapter, characters will die, and you'll probably hate me for it, but I think it will add some depth to Percy's character, as well as begin the road to becoming a kakuja.

Disclaimer: I don't own PJO or TG

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Kaneki was being dragged across the ground by some unseen force, a trio of superimposed clown masks floating above him. Deranged, maniacal laughter could be heard all around.

Kaneki reached out desperate to find something to hold onto. Then Tsukiyama appeared, dressed in the red suit from their first meeting. Kaneki smiled, elated to see a familiar, friendly face, but his expression turned to horror when the Gourmet changed forms, his suit turning to white, and his crescent-moon mask covering his face.

"My sweet Kaneki," Tsukiyama purred. He surged down, mouth agape, "Bone apple tea!"

BAM!

The Gourmet was knocked somewhere off to the side, and was replaced with a boy dressed in black shoes, capris, jacket, gloves, and coral-like mask that covered his entire face.

"Why do you keep pretending to be human!?"

Gigantic octopus tentacles, black in color with green suckers, erupted from behind the boy. Kaneki screamed as they crashed down on top of him…and he bolted upright on the couch he was sleeping on, breathing heavily.

Some nightmare.

Kaneki rubbed his eyes with hid hand, rattled by what the boy had said. 'Why do you keep pretending to be human!?' Kaneki wasn't pretending to be anything. He was a Ghoul and a human. He had a kagune, and he needed human flesh, but he wouldn't-couldn't-kill another person for food.

Yeah…Kaneki was a hybrid. And nothing would change that.

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A few hours later

Anteiku

Kaneki was cleaning a cup, listening to what the other Ghouls in the coffee shop were saying.

"Haven't you heard? Another Dove's moved in."

"I'm scared to go outside by myself now."

"Don't you miss the good ol' days when the 20th ward was safe?"

"Do you think the Kraken's going to do anything about it?"

"I don't know. He might be the whole reason the Doves are here."

"Well, whatever, the reason, I just hope that Kraken doesn't escalate things any further."

Kaneki had to wonder if that boy from the other night, and his dream, were the Kraken. From what the half-breed had gathered, this Kraken was somewhat of an icon among the Ghouls of the 20th ward. Kaneki resolved himself to ask about sometime in the future.

Then Yoshimura and Ms. Kaya came out of the Staff Only door.

"Kaneki. That's enough for today. Kaya will take over from here." Yoshimura said.

"Oh, o-okay. What about Percy and Touka?"

"Touka's not feeling to good, and Percy is trying to read with Hinami. Why don't you go pay them a visit? They're only one floor above us," Yoshimura smiled, pointing up.

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Kaneki looked at the plaque beside the door, finding it strange that there was another name on it. "Ayato…Kirishima?" he wondered aloud. He was about to knock on the door, when Mrs. Fueguchi opened it from the other side, causing Kaneki to gasp in surprise.

"Kay, I'm leaving. Thank you again for keeping an eye on them. Percy, Hinami, be good kids and do whatever Touka says, alright?" Ryouko turned around gasping in shock at seeing Kaneki right behind her.

"Oh, pardon me," the Eye-Patch said after regaining his bearings. Ryouko smiled warmly, and Kaneki moved to the side allowing her to pass. After she left to do whatever she was supposed to do, Kaneki entered Touka's room.

He found the girl herself leaning up against the counter of a personal kitchen, watching over Hinami and Percy, who were sharing a pillow at a low-rise table, both of them hunched over a book. Hinami was writing things down in a journal, and Percy was squinting his eyes, looking extremely frustrated.

Come to think of it, why couldn't Percy and Hinami read?

"Did you want something?" Touka broke Kaneki out of his thoughts.

"Um…Mr. Yoshimura said that you weren't feeling well, and said that I should come check on you."

"Well, did you bring me anything?"

"Nothing. Sorry," Kaneki said dejectedly. Why didn't he think to bring anything?

"Aaaaaah! This sucks!" Percy flopped down on the table, causing Hinami to giggle, and Touka to sigh. "These words won't be still, everything's spinning, and my eyes hurt!"

"Dyslexia?" Kaneki asked.

"Yeah. Hasn't been able to read coherently, ever."

"Does he at least know the alphabet, and how to pronounce words?"

Touka looked at the teenager with a half-lidded eye. "I said he's dyslexic, not an infant. Of course he knows the alphabet, and how to pronounce words. The problem is that the letters are fluctuating too much for him to see clearly."

"Oh," Kaneki said slowly. How do you help someone read, when they can't read properly, other than by reading for them?

"Hey, Kaneki, what's this word say?" Hinami asked. Kaneki took a look at the word. "That's 'orange osmanthus.'"

"Is that another flower?"

"Mm-hm."

Percy drummed his fingers on the table, dejected at his lack of reading coherency. As cool as it was to make water do what he wanted, it sucked being only able to read Ancient Greek. Where exactly do you get a book written in Ancient Greek while in the heart of the East?

Kaneki took note of this, and decided to try out the method his mom used to help him get over his own dyslexia. "Hey Percy? Try focusing on a single word, really hard. Imagine it being still, and force your mind to get it right."

Percy looked confused, but gave it a try anyway. He picked up the book he and Hinami were reading, and looked at a single kanji. He did what Kaneki said, imagining it being still. To his surprise, the kanji actually came into focus. It vibrated, like it was trying to move, but Percy could actually read it.

It was the kanji for death.

Touka sighed. "I'll make us some coffee."

"Hold on, I'll do it. If you're sick, then you need to rest," Kaneki protested.

"I'm fine. Just ate too much is all."

"Ate too much of what?" Kaneki asked before he could stop himself. Honestly, he didn't want to know. Then the doorbell rang. Percy sniffed the air, before grinning mischievously. "Hey Touka~" he sang, "it's your girlfriend~."

Hinami giggled, while Kaneki blinked, and Touka scowled, but also felt worry. What was Yoriko doing here? The Ghoul walked to the door, opening it up. Sure enough, the orange-et was there with a pot. That smelled like charbroiled feces.

"Yoriko, hi. What are you doing here?"

The human brightened at seeing her friend. "I came by to check on you. You weren't at school today, so I wanted to make sure you're alright. Also-"

Kaneki stood out from behind the wall, and Yoriko flushed. "Touka! Don't tell me you two -"

"Yep." Percy's voice rang out from within. "They were doing all sorts of things to each other. Front, back, reverse, and the smell. God, it smells like animals in heat back here."

Touka blushed furiously, as did Kaneki and Yoriko.

"Excuse me, I have to go murder my brother real fast. Be right back." Touka shut the door with a strained smile, and not even a second later, Yoriko heard the sounds of furious combat, yelping, something being broken, and a chicken squawking, before the door was thrown open and Percy came running out, and dove behind Yoriko.

Touka was approaching, kitchen knife in hand. "Come out, come out, dear brother. I only want to kill you slowly."

Yoriko blanched, not sure if her friend was joking or being serious. "Uh…I made these dumplings for you, but since it looks like you're busy, I'll just leave them here." Yoriko set down her pot, cast a look at Percy that said she was wondering what kind of flowers he would want for his funeral, and scurried down the stairs.

Percy gulped when a knife was placed at his throat.

"Now, now, baby brother. Where did you learn about such mature things?"

"Nishio told me about a year ago. I caught him and Kimi at a bad time, and he spilled everything about the birds and the bees."

Touka's eye twitched with a disbelieving look. Her beloved brother had known about sex since he was twelve? No! He was supposed to be cute and innocent forever! Uncorrupted by the ways of errant females for eternity! Never to have a girlfriend, because all of those hussies were not worthy of her Percy!

Then the most horrendous coughing fit ever to grace sentient ears resounded from upstairs.

Percy's lip trembled, and before Touka could do anything, the demigod bolted away. The Rabbit sighed dejectedly. Sally didn't seem to be getting any better, even with all of the food that had been forced down her throat. Like everyone else, Touka was deeply concerned for both Sally, and her son.

The effect this was having on Percy's psyche-the effect it would have if Sally didn't pull through…Touka felt sorry for any Investigator still in the 20th ward if that happened.

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If anyone actually managed to find the Kraken, they would've found him at the top of the Tokyo Tower. Like, balancing-on-the-steeple top of the Tower. He wasn't flying, so Zeus technically couldn't do anything, but Percy wasn't worried his uncle throwing a hissy fit; he was trying to get his mind off of his mother.

Tsukiyama wasn't finished with trying to get Kaneki, that was certain. The Gourmet was most likely planning out some sick, twisted plan that would get the Eye-Patch as his next meal. Knowing him, it wouldn't be so simple as to follow Kaneki into a dark alley and jump the poor guy, it would probably along the lines of Kaneki eating one person, while Tsukiyama ate Kaneki. Blue-haired bastard was screwed in the head like that.

The Doves hadn't done anything too rash, aside from two more had entered the fray. Since these newcomers didn't have attaché cases, they weren't anything to be worried over. The biggest threat was Kureo Mado, and whoever the new guy was. Speaking of Mado, that lead to the reason of why they were in the first place.

The 13th ward's Jason. An S-rated Ghoul that had almost every screw in head loose. Jason was a humongous meat-mountain, known for his Jason Voorhees-like mask, bulbous nose, and wearing a suit. He also had a blue and red Rinkaku that looked a couple of Zigzagoons. For some reason, he was in the 20th ward, and the Doves had a device that belonged to Jason.

A device that Mr. Fueguchi could make.

Then everything became clear. Jason was here for Rize, and in his confrontation with her, he must've lost his tool. Now he was sticking around the 20th ward because he had probably strong-armed Mr. Fueguchi into making a new tool, and Hinami and Ryouko were here because Jason had come and scared them away.

A plan began to form in Percy's head. Bottom line, he needed to get Asaki out of here.

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Later that night

Percy was finally returning home after the day. He had given his warning to Mr. Fueguchi, and now it was all up to the man to get out of there in time. The demigod walked up the steps to Anteiku, and saw the most curious thing by the door.

A note with a rose.

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Tsukiyama was playing the piano, which sounded more like a pipe organ, the girl Kaneki was talking to earlier tied up and unconscious on the altar, with candles lighting the insides of the church. He heard the door open and then shut.

"Ah, Kaneki. Do like Beethoven?" Then he looked over his shoulder. "Fils de pute! What are you doing here, Kraken!?"

"Kaneki will not be coming, and you will not be leaving here alive."

Tsukiyama paled, before he regained his bravado. "Ah, but mon chéri, you are a fool to challenge me alone. My Koukaku is naturally superior to your Rinkaku." A blue thing sprouted from the Gourmet's right shoulder blade, wrapping loosely around his arm once, twice, three times, before extending forward, becoming a massive blade.

It looked like a giant corkscrew with a knife.

"I admit, I'm surprised that you of all people are here, but no matter. You can take the place of Kaneki this evening. Besides, you've always smelled so much more appetizing, MY DEAR PERCY!"

Tsukiyama leapt high into the air, bringing his kagune down hard upon the ground. Kraken easily avoided the blow, but the Gourmet continued his assault, creating a game of violent tag. Kraken leapt from pew to pew, and Tsukiyama destroyed every single one with a single swipe of his Koukaku.

Kraken created some distance, and was able to unleash two of his tentacles. They zoomed forward, but Tsukiyama parried them upwards, before slicing them apart. The severed ends dispersed into black mist with green highlights, before that too disappeared.

"See, my sweet Percy? Your kagune may have superior flexibility than mine, but that also means that its RC cells are softer, and when compared to my heavier, sturdier kagune, they might as well be butter!"

Tsukiyama resumed his attack, but Kraken was not making it easy. He began leaping from place to place, blurring about the churches supports beams like a pinball. The Gourmet's eyes darted around, following every movement-THERE!

Tsukiyama raised his kagune just in time to deflect the tentacles that were shot after him. Before he could slice them apart, they speedily retracted, and Kraken fell back to the ground, four tentacles splayed out behind him. Tsukiyama grinned; this was going to be easy.

The older Ghoul charged forward. He leaned to the side, slicing upward, leaned to the other side and slashed down, spun around, slicing apart the other two tentacles, then he reared back and plunged his giant blade right through Kraken's torso, just below the trachea and above the naval.

"Now, then," Tsukiyama purred. "If you want to live through a blow like that, you'll have to eat the girl over there. And while you do that, I'll be feasting on you, Sweet Percy."

Kraken shakily reached up, and gripped Tsukiyama's suit with surprising strength for one bleeding out. The Gourmet raised a brow.

"I win."

Tsukiyama didn't even have time to blink, as with the extremely close proximity he had no time to properly react, as all twelve of Kraken's tentacles burst out, spearing the Gourmet through every vital organ short of the head. The tentacles extended, carrying their target with them, before arching in the air, and forcing the barely-alive Ghoul three feet into ground of the church.

Kraken retracted his tentacles, letting the blood of his opponent fill his mouth, before they disappeared into his back. He walked forward, almost giggling at the tickling sensation of his regeneration healing his wounds.

Tsukiyama was unconscious as his body desperately repaired the massive damage. Too bad. Kraken had promised his enemy that he would devour him if he went after Kaneki, and that was exactly what Tsukiyama had done. And now the Gourmet would pay with his life.

But not here. Not in this church. Kraken didn't know if the Christians held the same truth as the Greeks, but he didn't care. Enough damage had come to this hallowed ground, without murder and cannibalism being committed within its walls.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Since Percy had only moved the note instead of destroying it, Kaneki eventually found it by himself, just in time for a weakened Nishio to knock on Anteiku's door. The two of them followed Tsukiyama's directions, but when they entered the church, all they found was destruction, and Kimi tied up, asleep, on the altar. While relived that the girl was safe and unharmed, both were wondering the same thing: what had happened here, and where was Tsukiyama?

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The next day

Percy still hadn't returned to Anteiku, but everyone insisted that Kaneki shouldn't worry. Percy did stuff like this all the time. The boy didn't like to be chained down, and would often just wander the city, or start free-running across rooftops. Kaneki expressed worry over the Doves and other Ghouls, but his concern was met with laughter, snorts, and smirks.

Was Kaneki missing something here?

Nishio had been convinced by Yoshimura and Kaneki to start work at Anteiku, and the Ghoul agreed. This fiasco with Kimi had opened his eyes, and he needed to start toning things down if he wanted to keep her and himself safe, unharmed, and alive.

Currently, we find Hide, Kaneki, and Nishio talking, with Hinami abruptly standing up, her emotions boiling over.

"It's not fair! I just…I want to see Daddy!" The girl sobbed once, before making a break for the stairs, where she ran into someone, before brushing past them and up to her room.

"What's wrong with Hinami?" Sally asked, slightly congested. Everyone's eyes widened at seeing the Death Angel out and about, even Hide looked surprised, because he hadn't seen Ms. Jackson in days, and Nishio had been told the woman was sick with something.

Sally calmly walked past everyone, smiling faintly at seeing Kaneki and Nishio in waiter's uniforms. She sat down at the table with Ryouko, and the woman regained her bearings after seeing her long-time friend not bedridden.

Hide panicked about being late for something and quickly bolted.

Taking a deep breath, Ryouko told an abridged version of what was going on. How she and Hinami had to leave Asaki by himself, how her husband had been forcefully re-involved with certain outside influences, and how there hadn't been any word from him for days now.

Sally nodded, and gripped Ryouko's hands tightly. "Don't worry. I need some fresh air anyway. I'll go see how he's doing. You just be there for your daughter."

Ryouko began to protest, but Sally was having none of that. "Relax, I need to get out and stretch my legs, and since you're so worried about Asaki, why not kill two birds with one stone? I don't have to order you to stand down, do I?"

Ryouko blushed slightly at the friendly jab to her past, but she desisted all the same. Sally grinned slightly, nodded at Irimi, congratulated the boys on their new jobs, and exited Anteiku. No one saw her irises burn a very faint gold before fading back to normal.

"What did she mean by 'order you'?" Nishio asked. Ryouko looked away with an embarrassed look. Irimi smirked, gaining a slightly sadistic glint in her eyes.

"Back when the Angels of Death were running the 20th ward, Ryouko used to be Sally's lieutenant."

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Fueguchi Household

The Fueguchis lived in a two-story building made out of corrugated metal, next to an elevated highway, with their backyard looking a car graveyard.

Asaki was inside, packing his things. He had finished Yamori's tool, and now it was time to get the fuck out of here, and meet up with Kraken at the designated rendezvous spot. The Fueguchi patriarch couldn't help but marvel at how different Percy and Kraken were.

There was a rumbling sound, and Asaki's heart fell when a familiar scent entered his nose. "Yamori…"

The behemoth of a Ghoul was standing at the door, hands in his pockets. "Hey, Doc," Yamori said lazily, "did you finish what I asked for?"

"I-it's on the table."

Yamori's eyes glided downwards. "Ahhh!" he picked up the tool, clanking in open a few times. "Remarkable craftsmanship," his pupils dilated, "she won't stand a chance against this!"

Asaki gulped. "Now would you p-please get out of my office?"

Yamori clanked his tool, before looking at the scared man. "What? Don't like my company?" Asaki stayed silent. "As you wish, then." Yamori made to walk for the door, but he stopped, "Oh hey, Doc? I don't want to be a nuisance so I'll get out of your hair, but I gotta ask," Jason leaned down, his face becoming deranged, "when did you become a flunky for the humans!?"

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Investigators Kureo Mado and Koutarou Amon approached the Fueguchi residence, following up on a lead. Imagine their surprise when a man came flying out of the wall with a gaping hole in his abdomen…still alive.

Ghoul.

"My, my, when Kraken tipped us off about this place, I honestly thought he was selling out one of his own," Mado observed. "In reality, it seems that the little bastard was actually setting up a confrontation between us and you, Jason. I guess it stands to reason that Mr. Fueguchi here didn't get out in time, and is now a victim of circumstance. How unfortunate."

"Kraken, you say? I guess I'll have to pay that little runt a visit for making my schedule so much tighter. Oh well, I've got just a little time to spare, so I'll entertain you for a few minutes."

The Investigators drew out their Quinques, Mado's being a blue-and-green blade, and Amon's being a gigantic club-like thingy.

Then a hail of RC spikes came flying out of nowhere.

Both parties leapt away to avoid the swarm of killer projectiles. When it stopped, and everyone could catch their breath, Yamori, Mado, and Amon's eyes widened at seeing the white-cloaked Death Angel standing above the Fueguchi Ghoul, wings dancing about behind her.

[Tokyo Ghoul - Licht und Schatten – Yutaka Yamada]

"Oh my God," Yamori gasped. "The Death Angel. You've been on my hit list for a while now, sweetheart. Hey, boys! How about a temporary truce? You two and me against the Angel here?"

"Sounds good to me!" Mado cackled, the opportunity to turn this one into a Quinque far too good to pass up.

[0.25]

The three temporary allies charged forward, respective weapons ready for battle. Sally grabbed Asaki, and leapt backward, narrowly avoiding the three attacks that cracked the ground where she once was. Her wings crystalized and fired.

The three enemies easily leapt to the sides to avoid, all three going in for a charge.

The Death Angel side-stepped Amon, blocked Mado, parried Jason, blocked Amon, parried Mado, and was too slow to do anything besides tank Jason's kagune. Sally was thrown back, but she dug her wings into the ground and halted herself.

She needed to buy time. Time for Asaki to heal and join the fight.

She unleashed another stream of RC spikes, but Jason advanced through the storm, Mado wildly swiped his Quinque, and Amon spun his in an impossible circle, forming a shield of moving Quinque.

The Death Angel clashed with her fellow Ghoul, kagune against kagune. Sparks erupted from where the wings and spikey tentacles clashed, but neither was able to gain any ground, until Mado came flying in from above, slicing off one of Sally's arms.

She grit her teeth, and leapt backwards, avoiding the swipe aimed at her head. She jumped up, and alighted on the roof of the Fueguchi home, clutching the stump of her arm. It had been severed at mid-bicep.

[1.32]

This was not good. Asaki was still down, her arm was missing, and she was getting tired. Whatever had been plaguing her these past few days was now combining with the natural Ukaku stamina-lack, and it was taking a heavy toll. Escape wasn't an option, not in her condition. She wouldn't be able to outrun any of these men if her life depended on it, which it did.

Was this it then? Was this going to be her last battle?

[1.55]

No. She still had too much to live for. Herself, Anteiku, and herself. Sally's life wasn't fulfilled yet; she hadn't seen her Percy get married yet, she hadn't seen Touka get into University, she hadn't seen her grandchildren, she hadn't seen Ayato come back yet, and she hadn't seen her son in too long of a time.

[2.17]

"Huuuurrragh!" Amon appeared behind Sally, and landed a heavy blow to her back. She went flying off the roof, but she used that newfound momentum to spin and avoid Mado's swipe, and twist to avoid Jason's double overhead slam.

She had to bring her wing up to protect herself from Amon's attack, which blocked her vision. Sally was surprised when the pressure on her wing suddenly lifted, only to gasp as Mado's Quinque sliced it off. The severed bit dispersed into useless RC cells.

[2.39]

Sally blanched when Jason's kagune tore a hole through her stomach, but she crystalized her remaining wing and made Jason back off with a hail of RC fire. Amon and Mado swooped in for a joint attack, but Sally dove to the side, and fired off some more spikes.

She cursed herself. The trajectory was all wrong, and she completely missed. Sally just wasted a good amount of valuable energy. The Death Angel pulled all of the RC cells from her wing stump into her remaining wing, making it get bigger.

[3.03]

Sally stood strong, ready to finish this. Her opponents closed in on her like a pack of wolves going in for the kill. Jason was in the middle, flanked by the two Doves. Asaki was lying in a pool of blood, and one didn't have to be a doctor to see that the man had succumbed to his injuries.

The Angel of Death reached up and took off her mask. No point in hiding her face now. Jason's eyes widened, Mado's became narrowed, and Amon looked genuinely surprised and shocked.

A blazing kakugan stared defiantly at the wolves, ready to go down with a fight.

Sally's legs bent, and she exploded forward. Her right arm was extended, intent on slamming into Jason's face, with her left wing crystalized and ready for defense. She didn't expect Jason to suddenly disappear in a burst of speed. She didn't expect Mado and Amon to crisscross in front of her face, and use the temporary confusion to slice off her arm and slam her in the gut with enough force to make her cough blood.

Amon spun around, and launched Sally across the yard, where she skidded over to the Fueguchi.

Sally coughed up more blood, and widened her eyes when she saw Jason sailing down from above, kagune pointed down. She weakly raised her wing up to protect herself, but Jason's Rinkaku crashed right through it.

[4.05]

That was it. Jason tore his kagune out of the Death Angel, and her wing dispersed. Her kakugan faded, leaving only her teary eyes. Jason glanced at the approaching Investigators, and jumped away. Sally's biggest regret?

Not holding her son one more time.

'Goodbye, Percy…'

[End OST]

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Percy was back at Anteiku, with him and Touka taking orders, and Kaneki and Nishio working the bar. Tsukiyama's body would never be found, because there was almost nothing left of it. Just some bits of uneaten flesh, and a bloody skeleton. God that guy had tasted disgusting, but he wouldn't be bothering anybody anymore.

Percy noticed a distinct lack of a certain scent, but what was interesting was that scent was all over the coffee shop. With the large amount of people in right now, the many conversations provided the perfect opportunity to ask Kaneki this question.

"Hey, Kaneki, where's Mom?"

The Eye-Patch handed the Kraken a tray with multiple cups of fresh brew on it. "Oh, she went out probably three hours ago to check on Hinami's dad."

CRASH

All conversation stopped dead when Percy dropped the tray, breaking the cups, and spilling the coffee all over the floor. Kaneki yelped in surprise, Nishio's eyes twitched at seeing all of his hard work end up as puddle on the floor he just cleaned, and Touka raised a brow. It wasn't like Percy to drop things like that…

"What did you say?" the demigod squeaked.

"He said that your mom went to go check on the kid's dad. Now use this towel and clean up that mess while I remake everyone's order," Nishio growled, justifiably ticked off. Percy just stood there seemingly ignoring the offered towel. The chestnut-head began to steadily grow angrier at the apparent lack of disrespect, and Touka stepped in before something could happen. There were only Ghoul customers in right now, but didn't mean anything; this was still a place of business.

"Come on, Percy. You made the mess, you clean it up-"

"Breaking news: at twelve o'clock P.M. today, it was confirmed by CCG Investigators that the SS-rated Death Angel, aka Sally Jackson, best known for leading the Ghoul-gang Angels of Death, a gang that once terrorized the 20th ward, is dead.

"Sources say that the Death Angel showed up at the beginning of a confrontation between the 13th ward's Jason, and two unnamed Investigators. The two parties teamed up against the Death Angel, and after a brutal confrontation that left one Asaki Fueguchi dead, the SS-rated Ghoul was killed as well."

"We now return to your regularly scheduled program."

Everyone's eyes were glued to the TV as the computerized voice relayed the information. After the broadcast ended, in an almost comical fashion, all heads were slowly turned to Percy.

While the Kraken's identity remained largely unknown, it was no secret among the Ghouls that Sally was the Death Angel, and that Percy was her son.

Speaking of the boy, his head was bowed, making his bangs hide his eyes. His fists were clenched tight enough that blood dripped from his fingers. His shoulders trembled slightly, whether from rage or sadness was anyone's guess.

Touka reached out slowly. "Percy…"

The demigod ran away before she could touch him, slamming the door almost off its hinges. Touka blinked, worry etching across her face. She turned to the stunned patrons. "Everyone out, now! We're officially closed!"

The assembled Ghouls had the common courtesy to scramble the hell out of there.

"Uh…what happens now?" Kaneki asked.

"We pray that Percy doesn't do something stupid. Nishio, clean this up; Kaneki, go break this to Ryouko and Hinami. Best to get it over with now, before they find out in a worse way," Touka said quietly. The boys didn't argue, quickly getting to work on their assigned tasks.

Nishio and Kaneki didn't know what Percy was, beyond being a Ghoul, and Touka been brushing up on her Greek mythology. Poseidon was the god the sea, as well as storms and earthquakes. With what just happened, the Rabbit was almost quivering at the thought of the destruction Percy's rampaging emotions would cause.

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Kaneki knocked on the Fueguchi's door, and entered at the feminine shout of 'come in.' Ryouko and Hinami were piled onto the couch together, with mother reading a book to her daughter.

"Hey, Kaneki!" Hinami said brightly, but her smile faded when she saw the defeated look on her brother-figure's face. Ryouko's heart began to constrict.

"Um…" Kaneki started, before he paused and took a deep breath. He looked at girls with such a sadness in his eye, that both of them started tearing up.

"Asaki Fueguchi has passed away."

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Touka knocked a few times on Percy's door, before gingerly opening it. Her brother was still in there, because she could smell him, meaning he hadn't rushed out yet. Actually, the air was tinged with a salty smell. Percy was crying. And rightfully so.

Touka traversed the pitch-black room, easily navigating through the darkness. Percy had his knees hugged to his chest, and had his arms wrapped around his legs. Touka cautiously crawled onto the bed with him; it was a real possibility that he might attack. Touka slowly wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close.

"It's my fault," he mumbled.

Touka internally sighed. So he was going through the faze where he blamed himself. "Don't be an idiot. There was no way you could've-"

"I told the Doves where Mr. Fueguchi was."

"…what…?"

"Jason, the S-rated Ghoul, threatened Mr. Fueguchi, so Hinami and Ryouko came here. After Yoriko gave you that food, and Mom coughed really bad, and I left, I thought I came up with a plan. I told Mr. Fueguchi to finish what he was working on for Jason, then leave. Jason and the Doves were supposed to meet at the same time, and kill each other. Mr. Fueguchi was supposed to be gone, and-and M-Mom wasn't supposed…wasn't supposed to-"

Percy broke down, burying his head in Touka's chest…but he found no comfort. The elder Ghoul slid off of the bed, causing Percy to fall on his side. Touka began to walk away, as if in a daze. "Touka?" Percy asked, frightened by his sister's behavior.

She turned her head, and the demigod whimpered at the raw hatred in her kakugan.

"You're right. It is your fault that Sally is dead. You betrayed Mr. Fueguchi, Ryouko, and Hinami. You're the reason Hinami's dad is dead; you're the reason Ryouko's husband is dead."

Percy sobbed. Why was she telling him this? Why was she being so mean? Touka, please stop…

"You're not my brother." Percy whimpered. "You're no family of mine." Percy choked. "You are a monster." Percy was hyperventilating. "You don't belong here; you belong with the other monsters out there." Percy was trying to crawl away, only to hit his backboard.

Touka advanced on him, red eyes glowing in the dark. "Run, murderer, run and never come back."

Percy's lip trembled, before he shot out of the window and disappeared.

Touka was silent, her pupil glowing a sickly golden color. Then she began to laugh, a horrible, scratching sound, like knives scraping across a chalkboard. She regained control over herself, and said in an ancient, hollow, timeless voice:

"Revenge is mine."

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