Tokyo Ghoul: The Other Story
Chapter 20: Screams
Kaneki watched in astonishment and apprehension as a large form of a kagune started to expand from Takizawa's shoulder blades, it was growing larger and more solid looking than before turning armour like. He watched as the crazed half-ghoul laughed like a manic running his long pale hands and black finger nails all over his face as something black and shinny started to crawl around his eyes and creep up for form spike shapes along the forehead and started to crawl along the middle of his face and down the nose to form a bird like beck spookily similar to Kaneki's own Kakuja mask. The sound coming from the maniacs lips where something between a cackle and a scream, if Kaneki had to descript it, it would be bird like.
This sound made him wonder again where the investigators were, surly they could hear this mad screeching noise coming from the roof so why had no one come running? Unless...The CCG where waiting for one to kill the other so they could take out the winner? If so what a dirty way to play but he supposes he should have expected something like that from a Washuu who's taking command.
It seemed that Takizawa's transformation had stopped, he watched as the half-ghoul took his hands off his face to show his eyes wide in wonderment of the power he felt. Takizawa spread himself out more with hands reaching his the sky and the blade like Kakuja stretching its self out, Kaneki took a small step back to gaze upon the second half-kakuja he had ever seen. Jason had been the first half-Kakuja Kaneki had seen but this one didn't look as bulky but he bet it was fast and just as strong.
Takizawa turned to face Kaneki, his mouth stretched into a grin and his eyes as wide as baseballs. Kaneki could remember a certain CCG investigator describing him as the 'craziest ghoul he had ever met' but obviously that person had never met Takizawa. The way he stared at Kaneki was like a child who wanted to tear his present open but instead this was a ghoul who wanted to tear up his skin and play with his organs.
"SoOooOO what are you waIiiTTtinnngGG for CeNtipPPppede?" the half-ghoul mocked, his words where now becoming more like stutters as he tried to speck though the laughter that was pouring from his mouth. "T-there is noOOooo one HERe to sToP us EkEkkeK" Kaneki just stood there not completely understanding the sentences but just knew he had to act.
He jumped out of the way when Takizawa launched towards him, the Kakuja missed but still the half-ghoul laughed as Kaneki stood there. "WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU!" Takizawa screeched, the sound piercing though Kaneki's sensitive ears "WhhhhY don't you use your fucking Kakuja? This isn't A mmoooovvviieee YOU KNOW!"
"I think the last thing we need is two crazy half-kakuja's running about" Kaneki muttered more to himself as he stood face to face Takizawa. If Takizawa was the Owl and Kaneki was the Centipede then in nature the owl eats the centipede so there was one thing for it... Kaneki wasn't going to be the centipede, he didn't need his Kakuja kill this ghoul because the 'owl' seemed to be killing itself...mentally that is and Kaneki seemed to have sanity on his side, for now at least.
Kaneki dodged another attack from Takizawa, the eyepatch ghoul flipped and jumped behind the Owl. Takizawa looked confused for a second until Kaneki pulled out his kagune and aimed for Takizawa's head and with one swoop the head was sliced clean off.
Kaneki smiled, victory was his. Or so he thought. The body stayed standing as the head rolled further away with the crazed smile and mask still in tack. Nothing happened for a while, Kaneki took a step closer but not before wires of veins shot out from Takizawa's neck and reach out to lock its self to the his severed head. Kaneki watched in disgust and fascination the veins quickly dragged Takizawa's head towards the body upwards towards the stump of his neck. The half-ghouls pale hands were placed on either side of the head as it twisted back on to the neck like one of those old Barbie doll when the head would pop off and put back together again.
Then the Owl turned on one foot to face Kaneki once again, Kaneki stared at the half-ghoul in disgust and repulsion. Could nothing kill this guy? Kaneki knew that his own regeneration abilities where higher than most ghouls but he didn't think he could reattach his own head, he had never tried but if it meant becoming as creepy as this ghoul then it wasn't worth it.
Takizawa's grin widened as he took a step closer to Kaneki, he seemed wobbly on his feet but so was Kaneki but he couldn't avoid that, he had to stay focused. So far this ghoul was getting the better of him, nothing seemed to stop him or slow him down no matter how much pain he inflicted on the Owl he would just come back with more powerful. Kaneki bet even if he was to dismantle this monster of all its limbs it would reattach itself like Frankenstein's monster.
"Haha you see Kanekiiiii?" the ghoul jeered "Despite my Ukaku I have the regeneration ability to match a Rinkaku, even one like YOURS!" And with that the Owl launched another attack which Kaneki managed to block with his own kagune, even though he was fighting a Kakuja and the Rinkaku should of broke between them he managed to push the Kakuja back (well this was the Rinkaku which sliced though a Bikaku after all).
Using this opportunity Kaneki grabbed Takizawa by the hair and mustering up all his strength he threw the half-ghoul in the air and he watched as the Owl fell twenty feet away from him landing just on the edge of the roof. Now if Kaneki remembered his layout of the college right if Takizawa fell any further he would have landed on top of the roof of the college hall.
Kaneki marched over to the half-ghoul as Takizawa got up on his hand and knees, looking like an animal that was about to pounce.
"Why are you fighting me?" Kaneki asked as he marched forward "There are many CCG investigators around right now; if you came from Aogiri wouldn't they be happier if you killed more CCG?"
Takizawa looked surprised at Kaneki question but then he broke out laughing again "You really don't get it do youuuuu!" The ghoul grinned "Did really think the Madams would host an auction in this town by chance?!"
"Of course not!" Kaneki snapped back "A certain someone must of told Aogiri where I saw hiding so they get the Madams to plan an auction to lure my interest in hopes of capturing me, I'm guessing that's your job isn't?"
"I don't know?" Takizawa shrugged "Eto just let me of the lead and told me to have fun" The half-ghoul laughed again, now he was back on his feet. "You know I think she guessed me and you would come face to face at some point, probably wanted to see which one of us is stronger! To see if the efforts where wroth it!"
"What efforts!" Kaneki demanded to know.
"Well..." Takizawa started tilting his head to the side "How many Aogiri members do you think there are in this auction?" Kaneki thought before answering, wondering where the Owl was getting at.
"Well when I watched the building before the auction there was about a van full of members but not many" Kaneki answered "Why is that important?"
"Well think about it! Do you think a big organization like the CCG would have trouble with a hand full of ghouls and do you think Aogiri would be stupid enough to send so little followers when there are over seven hundred customers?" Kaneki did notice that however he couldn't find an explanation.
"True" Kaneki nodded "I doubt those rich ghouls would fight for themselves or for anyone...Do you have an explanation?"
The half-ghoul laughed again; there was a wobble to his posture "You really are stupid aren't you! To think I was compared to someone like you! Don't you see it? Only half of the ghoul attending the auction where customers! The other half where disguised Aogiri members!"
"What?" Kaneki gasped, now it all made sense "But why?"
"oooohhhhhh a few reasons" The ghoul smirked and he stood five feet away from Centipede "The doctor still hasn't achieved his 'goal' he still need more test subjects, including YOU!" Takizawa shot forwards towards Kaneki again but he didn't use his Kakuja but instead he used brutal force to knock Kaneki to the ground. Kaneki tried to keep the half-ghoul at bay with his hands and kagune but only at arm reach then to Kaneki's surprise Takizawa bit his blood stained teeth into Kaneki's Rinkaku.
Kaneki cried out in shock more than anything, in all Ken's years of fighting not once had anyone tried tear at his kagune, not even touch it! And with a sudden wave of anger and shock Kaneki yanked his kagune back and slammed it into Takizawa at full force sending the Owl flying past the edge of the roof and even smashing himself though the lower roof, the roof of the college hall.
Xxx
Back in the control room while Hayashimura was fighting Nutcracker, Shirazu knocked on the wall where he had nearly been stabbed with the kagune before. And to no surprise once Shirazu knocked on the wall the same large kagune broke though the wall. He smiled, so he was right, the kagune was on a sensor.
Hayashimura drew back from the fighting landing besides Shirazu and Saiko who was hiding behind one of the broken desks. Hayashimura was breathing heavily and he looked worse than before,
"This is tough!" He breathed out "This is my first time fighting a ghoul with two kagune!"
"Hayashimura. Saiko." Shirazu said turning towards the two "Can you remember the place where that Kagune nearly killed me from before, the one that shot out of this wall?"
He gestured to the wall behind him while Hayashimura and Saiko nodded confused
"Well I need you to lead her there..." But of course Shirazu had no time to explain because Nutcracker wasn't going to wait around. Hayashimura stepped back up, he didn't know what rank three Shirazu was planning but he had to trust him for now, it was their best chance.
Hayashimura took a jab at Nutcracker who jumped out of the way only to be attacked from the behind by Shirazu. Who blocked it with her Bikaku but Shirazu was betting on that now it was time for Saiko to play her part.
"Oii Nuts! Hey! Nutty crack lady!" She called out from the other side of the room, she was waving her arms and Nutcracker turned which was a big mistake because Shirazu and Hayashimura now at his side pushed Nutcracker back with their quinques, pushing against her Bikaku. The ghoul snarled, they had only moved her back by a few feet but that's all what they needed because before Nutcracker could move to attack she was stopped by a large kagune shape smashing out the wall and though Nutcrackers stomach.
Nutcracker as defeated by her own trap.
Shirazu smiled and got his quinque ready in his hand as he strolled calmly towards the consumed and struggling ghoul.
"Exterminating a ghoul as dangerous as you is sure to come with some reward..." Shirazu lifted his quinque up towards Nutcrackers neck "Just how much...are you worth?"
"I...I" Nutcracker struggled to speck as she coughed blood "I want to be...Beautiful"
The smile was gone from Shirazu's face and the whole room seemed to grow quite like they were the only two people in the room.
"Quite saying things..." Shirazu spoke slowly poking his quinque at the ghouls neck "Like you're a human..." and with that the quinque was stabbed though Nutcrackers neck.
Xxxx
Ayato and Touka stood facing each other, Mutsuki watched the two rabbit ghouls seemed to try to stare the other down and he couldn't help but shiver as he was now at the mercy of two S rated ghouls, Mutsuki seemed to get all the luck lately...
"What do you think you're doing here big sis?" The male ghoul asked, his voice was cold matching the winds that rustled though Mutsuki's bones "Shouldn't you be home looking after you're little coffee shop and helping those weak ghouls who think they can live among humans?"
"Shut it Ayato!" The white rabbit snapped but the heart wasn't it "Why don't you go back playing soldiers with your Aogiri friends, you already look like you've killed some Doves so isn't you're job done?"
"Aogiri's plans don't concern the likes of you" The black rabbit, whose name seemed to be Ayato said, to Mutsuki's eyes these two ghouls seemed to be as cocky as each other well they did seem to be brother and sister after all.
"Are you after Kaneki?" The female rabbit asked
"I've got no interest in that psychopath" Ayato said a little too harshly, almost scared in a way "but if you must know I've come for some to collect some little test Doves, unfortunately I accidently had to kill a few of them while defending some reckless idiot but I suppose that girl will have to do" He nodded towards Mutsuki who tried to make himself small besides White Rabbit, he didn't understand what Black Rabbit was getting at, why was he collecting investigators and why Mutsuki.
"Oh..." White Rabbit said with a laugh in her voice "So Doctor Kanou is still creating more failed experiments? He won't make anyone was good as Kaneki, according to him most of the experiments had turned to misshapen monsters who can't understand humans instructions, oh and then there was Kuro and Shiro tell me what on earth happened to them, one died yes?"
"Just get out of the way dumb sister" Black Rabbit said the a sigh in his voice "This girl means nothing to you in fact she will probably turn you in to her bosses if she knew you're identity, think as this as you're little bro saving you're life because you can never seem to protect yourself".
"Fuck you" White Rabbit sneered "You're right I should just hand her over and be on my way" Mutsuki looked up at the female ghoul with pleading eyes, surly after what was said between them she wouldn't hand over Mutsuki like that "However" Mutsuki heart leapt in her chest "If I did that a certain person might never forgive me" and to Mutsuki's surprise a beautiful form of red, yellows purples and blues poured from White Rabbits shoulder blades and he had to admit it was the most stunning Ukaku he had ever seen, it was like fire that had had been trapped in a form of crystals and placed to make a large form a one large angle wing.
"So..." The White rabbit sneered "Do you wanna find someone else or am going to have to fight you"
"Don't do this Touka..." Ayato sighed "I beat you last time and I've gotten stronger since and this time you're 'boyfriend' won't be here to save you" and suddenly the blue and purple Ukaku of Black Rabbit spread itself out and shot shades of crystals towards Mutsuki and Touka who managed to block them her own Kagune.
"Impressive" Black Rabbit whistled as he shot forward and smashed his kagune upon his sisters but still she managed to up and shot her own crystallised shades towards her brother which proves to be bigger and faster than her brothers and the Black Rabbit was thrown back the shades cutting his arms but not enough to hurt him, it was like White Rabbit missed on purpose.
"Next time I will cut right though you!" Touka shouted getting ready for another attack,
"Oh dead sister" Ayato said with a shake of his head and a chuckle in his voice "I was just warming up..."
Xxx
Kaneki jumped after Seidou though the broken roof, the Owl was lying on the stage next to the house but something strange was happening. Takizawa's body was twitching, his body had arched itself and his Kakuja seemed to be forming into something bigger and shaper and it seemed to be healing Takizawa's body.
But Kaneki wasn't going to wait for it to end; he ran up to Takizawa with Kagune out and launched down onto Takizawa stabbing him though the chest. The Owl screamed, blood spilt from his mouth with his Kakuja going wild.
Kaneki stabbed again with the other tentacle and Takizawa screamed again and tried to get up but Kaneki's Rinkaku was piercing him though the floor boards and his Kakuja was starting to weigh him down both physically and mentally, something Kaneki was betting on. Takizawa's Kakuja was now out of control, the user was in a fit between laughing and screaming and the Kakuja was swinging itself around but the Centipede ghoul took no notice. He still had questions.
"Where is Kanou?" Kaneki demanded to know "How how many other half-ghouls are there?" But Takizawa was still screaming and Kaneki just shook his head, there was no use dealing with Takizawa in this state. The crazed ghoul was trying to fight back against the Rinkaku pinning him down and the Kakuja fighting out.
"StOp IT!" The Owl cried, his hands starting to craw at his ever changing Kakuja that was now settling on his chest and his mask started to transform into something like a helmet "JaM jAm JAm JAM, Mummmmmy, dddaaddddyyyyy I'M so-sorrr-y Ma mamam ea-eat, jelly, jelly, jelly, jelly, jelly..."
"Takizawa calm down!" Kaneki cried out trying to pierce the ghoul's hands away from his face using the remaining two tentacles to fight back the mad Kakuja. "Look I know what's happening to you, you need to calm down or else the Kakuja will consume you!" But if Takizawa heard he didn't show it, instead the half-ghoul suddenly shot forward whether that on purpose is unknown but he threw Kaneki off and sent him smashing into the wooden house. Kaneki could feel himself being crushed as the house fell on top of him both wood and metal crushing him and his Rinkaku couldn't shield him, it was too soft due to the RC cells being similar to liquids and fighting back the Kakuja didn't help at all.
Once everything had stopped crashing down Kaneki started to hear rapid breathing noises and the sound of staggering footsteps coming closer and closer, he knew it could only belong to Takizawa. The half-ghoul presence now felt close and he felt a couple of planks of wood shift near his head but he knew better to think that Takizawa would save him.
Opening his eyes Kaneki now stared at the white haired ghoul with large tennis ball eyes underneath his mask which now looked too large for his head and looked like something one of those European knights used to wear in the medieval era and the black hood flowing behind him and the even larger Kakuja made him look bigger and more menacing from where Kaneki was looking, which was from the floor. Takizawa's smile didn't reach his lips as he spoke with venom in his voice but sounded sour due to his screaming a few seconds before.
"This is a nice little stage isn't it?" The Owl chucked and he knelt down on his knees to get a better look at the crushed Centipede under him "And I just had a fun idea...How about we act out a little play? Let's see...Your lines can be "I don't want to die' and 'I want to die after all' but first I want to set up the stage a little bit..."
Xxx
The two rabbits had thought for a few minutes and unfortunately Black Rabbit seemed to have the upper hand. Ayato's Ukaku had transformed from a wing to something like armour that formed over his arms that blocked a lot of Touka's attacks. But if you asked Mutsuki to describe the fight he couldn't because he was already trying to limp away, when he noticed that White Rabbit wasn't going to win. Unfortunately for Mutsuki Ayato was blocking the way to entrance which was the quickest way to the medical van so Mutsuki had to take the long way, back from where he came from.
It was difficult trying to quickly limp away from a fight while having to be quite at the time, he was now twenty feet away and he could hear still the battle of the Rabbits still raging but he didn't dare turn around (Note: Get those dirty thoughts out of your heads readers!) Mutsuki used the wall to steady himself it was then he heard something jump from the roof and land behind him, the investigator froze in fear and shock like deer caught and it made him drop the quinque knife.
It can't be one of the Rabbits, he could hear still them still fighting so was this an associate of Black Rabbit? Sadly his fears where confirmed sudden hands reached behind him to cover his mouth and wrap around his waist he struggled but the grip was too strong and he started to panic, was it Torso or that flashy rich ghoul from before? But he was proven wrong when was suddenly turned to face an unfamiliar ghoul wearing a white suit and messy blond hair and round eyes.
"Ayato is very good at predicting his victims moves" The ghoul said with a smile "You can call me Naki because we going to be spending some time together in the near future..."
Xxx
Akira Mado watched as the S rated Three Blades dodged the attack of Akira's Fueguchi One, this ghoul was fast and already killed some of her team mates, plus to make things worse Black Rabbit had showed up out of the blue only to disappear a minute later like a phantom along with S rated Naki.
"Akira!" One of her men shouted towards her "This is bad, Isai squad saw Rabbit heading towards the front of the college and they are chasing after him now"
"Let's go after them" Akira nodded, wondering why the Triple Blades would run.
"Remember" the fellow investigator spoke "Rabbit is proficient in both close and long range so he can adopt to fight at any range"
"Understood" Akira nodded, she was about to move until the distance sound of screams of pain made her stop in her tracks.
Xxx
Meanwhile Hinami had been avoiding CCG members at all cost and she was wondering when her luck was going to run out but still she kept close to the Aogiri members to see if she could listen in to conversation or someone would tell her something. None of them had realized that Hinami was an intruder but she couldn't complain, right now Hinami was sitting alone with Aogiri members around her who had taken refuge on the roof of the second building of the college where the students usually have their sports lessons.
The female ghoul had got a corner to herself and tried to listen on the conversations but none of them where important to Hinami's case. It seemed most of the members weren't bothered about Kaneki besides from killing Doves and wondering why they were at this auction in the first place.
Hinami was thinking about up and leaving besides she couldn't risk staying to long in case one of the leader came and realise she's not meant to be here until she and every other Aogiri member turned their heads in the direction of the main college building to the sound of screaming, a scream that Hinami recognised all too well.
Xxxx
Back in the town hall where Washuu and his officers were watching the battle from computers they instantly realized that there where screams ringing throughout the college that only belonged to one person and all the CCG members seemed to stop in shock and confusion. He ordered his staff to search on the CTV on who was making that noise it was then a voice could be heard, it sounded like the speaker was talking though a microphone.
"haha amazing! A stage, a microphone, the prefect scene, and an audience what more can I ask? Now everyone on the premise and people watching on the CTV can hear me!" The voice sound crazed but almost familiar to Washuu but he could tell this speaker and the screamer from before where two different people.
"We've found the source of the voice sir" One of Washuu's officers said "it's coming from the college hall, where the auction took place"
"Quick get the footage up!" Washuu ordered the officer obeyed and put the scene up for Washuu to see and what he found was shocking, it was a ghoul with messy white hair with a half-Kakuja out which was strangely familiar to Owl's Kakuja, was this the ghoul rank one Hayashimura had told him about? Then the ghoul at the others feet must be Centipede?
"I've made holes in various places!" the ghoul continued now looking down at Centipede "So how about we let your enemies hear you vibrations?!"
It was then Washuu got a call from Mado, he picked it up and Akira spoke with a quiver in her voice which was uncharacteristic for the woman.
"Associate Special Class Washuu" She began "Who is the one specking right now and who was the one screaming is it ghoul?" Washuu didn't answer but sat in silence "Commander where is it coming from? Who was the one screaming? ANSWER!"
Xxx
Hayashimura and Shirazu where resting while Saiko tended to their injures the best she could, "Are you ok rank one Shirazu?" Hayashimura asked and Shirazu nodded,
"Yeah" Shirazu breathed his mind had gone blank after the death of Nutcracker, the three had been sitting there for about five minutes getting their strength back, Hayashimura suggested they call the medical squad right away and rest up but Shirazu didn't want to give up now, it was too soon and he was worried about Sasaki, he knew his teacher was a dangerous SS rated ghoul but he wasn't immortal and he still found Washuu's idea disgusting leader or not.
He was about to suggest this idea when suddenly the sound of screaming reached them. Because these three where on the top floor they couldn't hear what was being said down stairs but the screams and the manic laughter of another came out as clear as day.
"What the hell!" Hayashimura gasped as the tortured screams continued shaking Shirazu to bones, those screams sounded familiar. He looked over to Saiko who was now standing with her eyes wide and blazing with fear, her teeth where gritted together and her face was now pale as snow and the light of the computer monitors made her look worse suddenly the girl bolted to the door.
"Saiko!" Shirazu screamed but already the girl was out the door, he then felt Hayashimura place a hand on his shoulder.
"It's too dangerous to follow her" Hayashimura said "We need to sort out Nutcracker, I can call the squads and tell them what's happened" But Shirazu wasn't listening, he brushed off the investigator and started running after Saiko who must be heading towards the noise of screams because they both knew who that noise belonged too and Shirazu suddenly felt guilty for letting Hayashimura take him to Nutcracker instead of sticking with the person that saved his life.
Shirazu was going to find the source of the noise; he was going to find Sassan.
Important Notes: I'm sorry if this chapter a bit short and took longer to update but college has started back and it's been a bit stressful and hectic I should be able to update better once I've got into the routine of things. I know some of you might have been confused on some of things which happened in this chapter but let me explain,
Firstly what Seidou said about the auction to Kaneki, what he meant was that the auction was basically a trap for Kaneki and the CCG. Only less than half of those 700 ghouls attending the auction where actual customers, the other half was Aogiri members who really had no interest of buying anyone it was just so they could fool the CCG and Kaneki on how many numbers Aogiri where gauging the auction. Understood? This is so they can capture more experiments for Kanou and maybe get Kaneki, so they wanted the CCG to come on purpose basically.
Secondly the thing with Ayato and Naki: Ayato ran away with Naki after killing some Doves and they saw Touka with Mutsuki, Mutsuki is an easy target (which sadly has been proven alot) and Ayato guessed Touka wouldn't hand over Mutsuki like that so while fighting her it was Naki's job to take Mutsuki what will happened to Mutsuki is still yet to be seen.
Thirdly before anyone asks (because I bet someone will) how could Kaneki fight off Seidou without a Kakuja? Well basically it was Seidou's own madness which was letting him down, he doesn't have total control of the Kakuja and Kaneki bet on that so that's why he managed to put up a good fight.
If you have more questions please don't be afraid to review and ask because I don't bite and hardly get angry LoL
Speaking of reviews ONLY 2! Oh come guys I love reviews they make my day and its rewarding hearing someone's thoughts on my story after writing a chapter a week because seriously it's not easy and they really encourage me! And we are nearing the end, probably around 4 chapters left.
Oh well I would like to thank tats magicalmcguffins and nissangtrlover2569 for reviewing the last chapter ;)