Chapter 14: Unexpected
Slowly dragging his body out of bed, wounds fully healed and skin still pale as per usual, Souta groaned at the stiffness of his own muscles. The first thing he did is to clean himself and prepare for whatever activity he needs to do for today. A few days of vacation from responsibilities somewhat gave him an enough strength. Now he is staring at the downtown along with his group. They had decided to check on what is going on.
"So they really successfully took back Kanekichi's body huh" The busty clown brightened up, Happy that their source of unending amusement is still around to give them another round of tragedy.
"Apparently he is wide awake too and is trying to live as if he never killed anyone" The lanky tattooed clown said. There's a hint of disgust as he talked about the mentally unstable child that everyone loves so dearly.
"He is just another human after all"
"Dona-san, don't be harsh. He is becoming more and more beautiful"
"Well he better entertain us more" Roma rolled her eyes. "Anyway what shall we do next Sou?"
"This world is just a toy chest. You play with it while you can but when the time comes it is all over, the chest is shut and there is no reopening it" Furuta clenched his fist, an insane grin adorn his lips. "I'll show them that everything is for naught"
"I thought retrieving Kaneki Ken's body can stop this whole mess but there are ducts that flourished from other wards that never perish. The bastard children keep on appearing" Itsuki stared at Nagachika who was in deep thought. The boy keeps on spacing out as of late for whatever reason, Marude don't know.
"That means Kaneki Ken is not the main body we've been searching" Hairu muttered. She throws some photos on the table where Marude is leaning carefully.
"Clowns were spotted for the past few days as if they were searching for something" Miza and Hinami reported. They were in-charge of spotting enemies within the perimeter.
"Could it be that they are searching for Furuta?" Ui eyed the photos.
"There is only a single oviduct that produces these poisonous bastard children and those places where they were spotted are too far from where they were last seen" Hairu explained.
"They are trying to distract us" Hide concluded.
"Hairu!" Shio screamed; he burst forth from the door.
"What's wrong?"
"V! They are attacking ghouls and investigators alike!"
"WHAT?!"
"Arima-san said V might have realized that we found out something and the Zero squad will help in getting rid of them"
Once she reached the location, Eto carefully checked the surroundings within the underground tunnel where the main oviduct flourished. Realizing quickly what the clowns were trying to do, Eto had decided to search within this area without taking anyone with her or telling anyone about her plan. She stepped into one of the dark areas and saw a few humans eating dead humans. The scent in the air nauseated her. The small thrum of her heartbeat is the only thing she can hear as of the moment and the unbearable hunger that her child is experiencing somewhat made her frown. She ignored it for a moment and she resumes in walking till she spotted a man staring at the walls of meat while singing a familiar song. Eto stepped forward once the man finished singing.
Nimura halted from doing his work once he sensed the one-eyed owl. He looked at her through the corner of his eyes. The woman is standing proud and majestic behind him. Souta arched one dark eyebrow because not only she is barely wears something decent, the woman is also not wearing anything to avoid inhaling the fumes that might spread anytime soon all over Tokyo.
"Lost your way home, owl? Ah that couldn't be—" He turned around as he stood; the lower half of his face is covered with gas mask unlike Eto. "Here to kill me but you couldn't because I'm way stronger than you" He mocked.
"Quit with your mockery. I am not here for that"
"I doubt you are here to say hello to me either especially at how busy your group of blithering fools after taking back Kaneki Ken's body"
"You are really well-informed aren't you?" She stares into the Washuu king's dark coloured eyes. "Kaneki Ken is not the real dragon." Eto realized it the moment Furuta awakened the thing but her suspicions doesn't have any evidences to support or to even prove it.
"As expected from the one and only Eto Yoshimura. Let me commend you for being the sharpest knife within your group and you are correct because Kaneki Ken is just an offering to my dragon" Souta stepped forward and somehow he reminded Eto of a feral Hyena that is ready to attack his main target.
"The real dragon is here"
"Wear this woman" He removed the protective mask that he is wearing and he shoved towards her. He also removed his overcoat and rudely throws it at her direction.
"…" Eto grunted at how rude the Washuu king is but said nothing nevertheless. She put on the protective mask and the coat. She was startled when Furuta dragged her with him at the upper layer of the duct. Once they reach their destination, the pair saw a woman covered in semi-transparent flesh.
Furuta stayed quiet and he is glad that Rize is not yet fully awake. The man reached for the thing and carefully touches it.
"Rize" At first she thought it was just another unimportant body that was dragged into this mess but as she step closer, she saw none other than Kamishiro Rize. The woman's natural purple hair was now the shade of lavender and her eyes are emotionless just like the man beside her.
"Hello Rize. My Precious Dragon" Furuta greeted coldly however there's something inside him lit up when the woman he once loved has been reincarnated into the thing he always wanted to have.
The one-eyed owl hit his cheek using the back of her hand. Aware that Furuta is indeed a heartless man but this is beyond her expectations. Disgust is all she can feel the moment she realized what the young Washuu did to his own former lover.
He turned his attention from Rize to Eto. He grabbed her hand when she tried to hit him again. "Dragon is V's ark of life and using this they'll be able to create a new order that will be more favorable to them because it means they can build a new cage while they play the role of gods. This time there will be no restraints."
"So that is what you are after all this time. You are indeed one of those megalomaniacs"
"I am not seeking to be a god. I rather not play the role as fragile as that. Don't you know that even gods can perish once no one believes in them anymore? History can forget Gods but Kings remain."
"Heroism is wasted on you, little Washuu."
"If someone treasures freedom like a swallow, they must learn how to fly" Furuta's façade of eccentricity slipped at that moment, revealing a serious side of him.
"The bird cage that's what you were after all this time?" Genuine surprise coloured her voice. She remembered a portion of the lyrics of the song that Nimura Furuta sang awhile ago. Kagome, Kagome the bird in the cage when oh when will it come out? Looking into those dark coloured eyes somewhat sent shivers into her spine. Who would have thought the troll Nimura Furuta can make such expression that can send any weaker ghouls on their feet by merely staring into the depth of darkness of the man's eyes, he somewhat resembles Arima Kishou when the reaper was young.
"Leave. V is on their way here." Furuta observed that she's becoming paler. It must be the air— Nimura thought. "Why do you always flaunt your body around? At least wear something decent if you plan to go out for a walk" He observed that Takatsuki somewhat gained weight but made no comment about it. She grabbed his arm once he turned his back on her.
"…" She realized that he's been looking at her baby bump. Eto had decided to tell the man that what he did to her have bear fruit. It's only befitting for the father to be aware of his child's existence and giving him a choice to what he wants to do to their child.
"Yes? Is there anything else?" Annoyance coloured his voice despite the smile on his lips.
"I am carrying your heir." The woman left in a hurry while Furuta was left dumbfounded and staring into the spot where she was standing.
"…" Souta looks like as if cold water was dump on him at the revelation of Eto.
"We must eat something later" She pats her baby bump while she runs back to the first ward where their main base is located. Once she arrived, she was greeted by none other an annoyed Kishou Arima and a worried Tatara. Eto already removed the protective mask she was wearing on her way back but she forgot to remove the coat to which she internally cussed.
"Where have you been?" Tatara was the first one to break the awkward silence. He darted his attention into the coat that she is wearing. The unfamiliar scent of another ghoul that lingered to the coat caught his attention. He eyed Arima Kishou through the corner of his eyes and he saw that Kishou is also staring at the coat but the man seemed aware who owns the article of clothing that is protecting the owl from the cold air. It's your brother's coat isn't it, king? Tatara realized.
"He survived and you found him" Kishou said almost whispering for the fear that if someone else were to hear it. Eto's meeting with his brother might brew unnecessary misunderstandings between their group. He can't risk the owl and her baby.
"We have something to discuss" Eto stares at the two male in front of her. There's no need for her to hide anything to these two because they are her confidants and she is aware that they knew whom she was with a few minutes ago.
Later that day the three of them gather around the room where they always plan.
"So that is what he is after?" Tatara couldn't believe what Eto told them. Furuta Nimura is another joker of the deck, a secret ally that is ready to strike down V.
"He is doing a dangerous game against V. Kaiko will have his head." Kishou can't explain the feelings he bear for his brother. He is angry at the boy for doing this mess but at the same time he is beyond worried of his brother's safety. If someone is to sniff off of his real allegiance, Furuta will be good as dead. Kaiko will make sure of it. Clowns might not be able to vouch for him too for they will be dead along with him for their treacherous plan.
"That is why you have to keep your mouth shut unless you want V to deliver his head in front our doorstep" Eto rolled her eyes and she munches the fresh meat that was offered to her.
"The others need to know this" Kishou argued. "We cannot just let them to be a sacrificial pawn"
"No. We don't need to add more tangle into his plans" Eto said.
"The zero squad trust me with their lives and I can't just—"
"You signed their death warrants when you sent them with Kaneki Ken"
"This is our only chance" Tatara pitied the Aogiri Tree's one-eyed king for he needs to choose again.
"If Nimura Furuta succeeds on his plan, we will gain something" Eto unconsciously soothes her belly. "In war, sacrifices and deaths are essentials. This is what we've been waiting for. An opening to disrupt V's cage"
"It'll be unfair for the others—" Kishou argued once more.
"I'll use my kakuja and protect those brats that you cared most if that is what you were so worried about" Eto reassured the man.
"You are pregnant!" That's it, he snapped. He did not mean to shout at the owl but Eto's suicidal tendencies and recklessness is somewhat getting into his nerves as of late.
Eto was surprised at the man's sudden outburst but as a feminist, the owl stood and she rudely pointed at Kishou's chest, lucky the man is still sitting. "This is war Kishou and you of all people must know that collateral damages can't be avoided and don't you ever shout at me!"
Kaneki and the others heard Kishou's sudden outbursts. It never happened before not even when the man is still the CCG's white reaper. Kaneki, Touka, Hairu and Ui entered the room where the trio was located.
"Arima-san" Kaneki step in between the owl and the reaper. "Takatsuki-san please calm down"
"What's happening here? Why are they shouting at one another?" Hairu asked the Tatara who looked as if he is about to smash someone's head to the wall and kill them. Wait is that Furuta's coat? Hairu eyed the overcoat that Eto is wearing but said nothing otherwise. She is convinced that is indeed Nimura's clothing because she once saw him wearing it during one of the Sunlit Garden parties.
"It is just a misunderstanding" Tatara answered. He gently pulled Eto's arm and he pat her head as if trying to calm her. "Let's walk outside Eto"
"You have no other choice Kishou and we both know it" Eto narrowed her eyes, Tatara's patting somewhat calmed her. She sighs and she left with Tatara.
"Choice about what?" Ui's stepped in front of his mentor. "Are you three planning on something that we have no idea about?"
"Koori! Arima-san is not a traitor!" Hairu screamed at the bowl-cut investigator.
"I am not accusing him! I am merely asking him because he once hid something to us!"
"Is it true?" Touka's beautiful azure met Kishou's beautiful silver. She saw how stormy the reaper's eyes were as if he is been in great pain.
"Touka-chan, Arima-san will never betray us" Kaneki sided with his mentor.
"I am just making sure that they are not planning to sacrifice you. I am tired of losing you because of the selfish whims of others!" Touka pushed Kaneki out of her way and she left the room seething.
"…" Kishou rubbed his forehead, he can feel that headache is about to visit him once again.