Chrism00- I'm honestly surprised that no one had done a maffia theme before; I mean the white suits style themselves after the yakuza in the manga so it was a logical step for me (and very fun to write).

I've had several people request different ships in this story so to placate them I'm planning on putting some one shots of Kaneki's early life in Almost, But Not Quite. There are some other story ideas in there if you really want me to write those too.

Also, sorry this chapter is on the short side, but there's a lot of set up going on in this one and I just can't feel motivated at 11:30pm to add description to everything. I figured I really needed to update this story after what was essentially an unplanned two month hiatus. Sorry about that by the way.

Believe it or not this is my most popular story, even though it's one of my least detailed pre-plot. Anywho, love you all. Keep on being sexy ;)


Chapter 12: Kill the Freedom

The Web, 10:32 am

Touka glanced over her shoulder having caught a whiff of her mate coming down the stairs. Fortunately the old building creaked enough that her reaction didn't seem all that out of place. When Kaneki emerged from the staff quarters dressed to go on a trip, she nodded in his direction and excused herself. Their conversation was hushed and brisk. She watched as Kaneki approached Esdeath, placing a hand on her shoulder and leaning in to whisper in the general's ear. Despite herself Touka felt a twinge of jealousy, not that is was justified. She'd heard as much from Kaneki himself. The general was just a sister or daughter, his affections nothing like how what he directed towards her. Besides they were mates. Married. And she was being more than satisfied every second she spent with him.

Her misplaced worries were eased more when Kaneki returned to her side. They shared a kiss goodbye. "I'll be back before you know it, alright." His hand was warm against her cheek and she leaned into his touch.

"I know. Be safe."

"Always." Kaneki smiled a gentle expression in his eye. Just for her.

Touka took in a deep calming breath as Eto came down the stairs. She caught the slight redness in her sister-in-law's eyes and cheek. With Kaneki out the door she couldn't ask him. She'd just have to get the answer from Eto herself.

*POV

Esdeath straightened her posture in her chair when Kankei walked over. His demeanor didn't give anything away but she recognized the bloodlust in his eyes. He was going to kill someone. Probably.

Her mind shifted to the man who'd stormed in earlier, the way Kaneki's face darkened, the lightness and ease of his movements kicking the offending party while they were down. Seeing her sadistic older brother sent a shiver of excitement through her. Kaneki was the kind of lover she wanted, only not him. He was too old, the man who molded her. No, she wanted someone to mold herself, someone with potential and younger than her.

But first she needed to see Kaneki 'working' again. Boris might enjoy it too. And it would be vital to her Jaegers to experience the darker sides of him. He would be their captain after all. She wouldn't let Kaneki turn the Prime Minister down.

Esdeath grinned at her new follower. "Come now Jaegers. We have a job to do." As she stood they stood also. Touka seemed to be conflicted, gazing after Eto and sending glances in her direction. Seeing to ease her adoptive sister's tension, Esdeath gave her a warm smile. "Thank you for the coffee, sister."

"Ah, yes! Have a nice day, General."


Outside the Capital, Kanou's Residence, Underground Lab, 2:43 pm.

The air stung in a way that she never remembered before, like her lungs hadn't been working for a long time. Everything felt cold. What had happened to her? Oh right. She had been tortured and… killed. Was she dead? Is this how being dead felt?

A loud slam broke her out of the stupor. "Good afternoon, Doctor."

"S-Sasaki-sama! Y-you're early. I wasn't expecting you for at least an-"

"Cut the shit. You know why I am here."

The younger man's voice was cold and enraged as opposed to the old man who started begging for his life. Even though it would have been more comfortable to just keep her eyes closed, to go on sleeping, she forced herself to wake up. What she saw sent ice through her veins and her recently resumed pulse hammering in her chest.

A monster with two long, centipede like limbs coming from his back was holding the old man by his collar. Its glowing red ires focused on her as she struggled with her bindings. A burning feeling ached through her right eye tearing a soft whimper from her.

The monster, likely Sasaki, dropped the old man, four other sharp limbs pulling from his back as he approached. The rage in his one visible eye vanished, leaving the leer on his mask less terrifying and more unsettling. She shuddered when his black nailed hand cupped her jaw, tears pouring out in desperation.

"You made more of them." Sasaki turned his eye back to the cowering man.

"I-I wanted to fix them, Sasaki-sama. Takasuki-sama ordered me to."

"Yes, I'm aware of my sister's actions. You could have refused her. My word is law after all. You had my protection, until now."

That sent the old man over the edge, dropping to the ground in a groveling bow.

"Were those twins you stole not enough to satisfy you?"

"P-Please, forgive my foolishness my Underking!"

"I've forgiven you more than your share, Kanou. Don't worry about these children. They are my own and I take care of my own."

The old doctor was shaking, his tears stopped and a look of acceptance on his face. "K-Kaneki, please, free mankind from their weakness. Bring us light again."

"Of course." There was no more anger in his voice.

The doctor bowed his head.

Sasaki covered her eyes with a hand. "Close your eyes child and feel no fear. I will teach you about this world you've been reborn into. As a child of darkness you will serve me like the others. I am your king." The scent of blood filled her nose and mouth. The squelch of flesh being torn apart rung in her overly sensitive ears. Her stomach turned in anticipation and a hunger unlike anything she'd ever known gripped her. Every inch of her begging begging for the flesh and blood being spilt.

Something squishy and wet and warm was pressed to her lips. Sasaki's strong voice smooth in her ears. "Eat." She obeyed, relishing the flavour. She knew she was consuming human flesh, but along with discovery was knowledge. Knowledge that she was no longer human. It tasted good and she wanted more, needed more. Sasaki gave her more, uncovering her eyes to see his eye, its glowing stare reflecting herself in the darkness. Her right eye was the same as his. "What is your name, child?"

"Sayo, my lord."

"And this still sleeping one?"

She saw her childhood friend laying on a table next to her. "Ieyasu, sir."

Sasaki turned his gaze to two monochromic girls who looked down at the bloodstained floor with horror. "You're father disobeyed his king and I have passed judgement. Will you too disobey."

"No, Sasaki-sama."

"May we mourn our father, Sasaki-sama?"

He nodded. The two girls approached the pulverized remains and wept silently. Sayo didn't know what kind of world she had been brought into, but she didn't like it.

"Excuse me, your majesty, but where is my other friend, Tatsumi."

"My sister is caring for he. He is unharmed. He is also no longer your friend."

"B-but!"

Sasaki placed a soothing hand on her shoulder. "We are ghouls. Humans are our prey, not our friends. We cannot live with them nor without them. The Night Raid, of which Tatsumi is now part threaten our existence. You needn't concern yourself however. I am taking steps to ensure he will be joining us soon."

Sayo nodded, doing her best to roll with the punches. "When do you think Ieyasu will wake up."

"It is hard to say. No more than three days."

"Please," she clutched the surgical gown clinging to her side, "take us away from here."


Night Raid Base, 2:46pm

To say that he felt like shit was an understatement. The second Tatsumi walked into his room he collapsed. Takatsuki had finally worked through his system leaving every inch of his body stiff and aching. He noticed a lingering flavor in his mouth and a weakness to his muscles that unsettled him. That begging she'd been talking about makes sense, he could easily get addicted to feeling of power. Tatsumi flinched at that thought.

No! he was not going to become some kind of toy for that monster to play with. He is not a puppet!

Curiocity picked at him as he stripped off his shirt, peeling the sweat-soaked fabric from his back. The spider shaped bruise had faded slightly but was still clearly defined through his skin. A sickening reminder that he had some kind of something literally crawling inside him, capable of manipulating his actions completely. The brunette shuddered.

"Aw, miss me already?"

Tatsumi jolted, eyes darting around the room in search of the voices source. His eyes finally landed on his reflection, grinning dementedly back at him. "W-what?"

"Oh, come now. We both know you haven't forgotten me that easily."

"T-takatsuki?"

"Close. Remember what she told you? I'm you, the real you. I'm the bloodlust in the back of your mind, that predator that loves to see my prey squirm, struggling pathetically before I sink in my teeth."

The warped reflection laughed at Tatsumi's flinch. "You're a figment of my imagination, then. Just another fucked up thing that happened to me this week."

"Oh that hurts." His reflection chuckled, a sickening, blood-chilling sound. "Tell you what, go back to that little cafe of 'his' and I'll show you just how real I am."

"I'm way too exhausted for this. That's it, I'm hallucinating from fatigue. I need sleep."

"Oh, did you think that was a request? Sorry. Since when were you the one in control?" Tatsumi's body stiffened and he twitched violently, trying to fight off whatever this thing was. It was ultimately futile. The image's demented grin crawling over his features. "Off we go, to see the king." His smile faded into a serious expression, tossing a casual excuse to Mine as he passed. She glared suspiciously as he passed but Tatsumi's reflection paid her no mind.

This is not good. Yet more to deal with. When did Tatsumi stop caring so much? When had this gone from soul-shattering to an inconvenience. His bloodlust thought that was funny. They laughed.