Chapter 21: Raid

{November 15th 2020, Anteiku: 7:01am – Five Days to Tokyo Raid}

{November 5th 6:01am: MDC Camp Site}

Yuuichiro Hyakuya had definite had better mornings. This one took first place since the start of the year, and he was more than willing to see this year end. He wanted to leave all the hardships behind, and the insanity that had come with it for just a brief stint if whatever cosmic force that decided to throw karma at innocent people let him have that. He groaned in frustration as yet another head rush made the room flip, and his throat decided it needed to be dry and scratchy as he breathed in to try and ease his tension. Shinoa had left to get something hot for them to drink while they waited for Guren to call for them to meet up, but honestly, he was beginning to feel as if he had been struck by lightning and needed the remaining time in the year to recover. He gulped in a deep breath of air as he felt an unsettling ache develop in his chest.

"This is not good…I knew being so lax about this was a bad idea but damn it…I didn't think…."

"Yuu! I'm back….I got some hot tea is that…." Shinoa stopped as she looked at him breathing hard as he was doubled over feeling unnaturally ill and faintly disoriented.

"Shinoa…" he glanced at her and she sat down the canisters she'd been given and walked over to him.

"What's wrong? Are you hurting?" she sat beside him and he felt a sharp pain rush through his head which forced him to clutch at the offending area as he took in another deep breath.

"Yea…I'm not sure….w-what brought it on t-though…" she eyed him as he gritted his teeth and tried to ignore what he knew was the cause of the sudden pain.

"It's the psychometric trait isn't it? You haven't been doing it enough have you?" he glanced to the side.

"If I can be honest….it scares me….what I'm capable of…" she felt a small knot form in her chest.

"Yuu, look at me…"

He glanced at her and she felt the knot in her chest grow tighter as his eyes changed color almost instantaneously. They went from the normal, beautiful and deep emerald to a sharp, cold electric green as the pupils slitted and she felt a tinge of grief fill her. This was still the same person, and just the fact that she had to reminder herself of that hurt. Taking in a deep breath Shinoa undid a few of the buttons on her jacket collar and moved it out of the way of her shoulder before looking at him as he averted his eyes.

"I know it hurts, and I know why it hurts…but please Yuu…I can't bear to see you like this…I don't want you in pain and I don't like seeing you suffering like you are now so…." He hissed at that.

"But you would have me become something inhuman…I'm not a human already Shinoa! I don't want to sacrifice anymore of the fragile bit of humanity I have left just because of something I have no choice but to appease…" she sighed at hearing those words.

"You know what I think a human is?" he glanced at her.

"What?" Shinoa smiled and reached out to him before cupping his face.

"I think it's in the manner you treat others, in the lengths one would go to protect something or someone precious to them. I think it's entirely about what you do to defend, to honor, to love, cherish, and appreciate what you may have be it big or small. I think humanity especially lies not in your race, your species, genetics, what you look like, talk like, dress like, or even what talents you possess…no…humanity isn't superficial or on the surface…it's here…" she placed a hand on his chest where his heart was and he blinked in realization.

If memory served him right, those words were the same ones he would had typically used to describe himself and others like him when it came to what their definition of humanity was. Yuu knew what Shinoa meant in saying that, and he had never been more thankful due to the fact that she had remembered and was able to recall those words, those simplistic words, to bring him back almost every time he felt the weight of it all cave on him. Shinoa smiled as he took in a shaky breath and she brushed her thumbs under his eyes.

"Now, let's get this under control and keep it that way so we can face this head on….okay?" he took in yet another unsteady breath and she pulled her jacket and shirt out of the way before the boy looked her in the eyes.

"I hate what I am….but at least you can help me stay together…I think you're the thread keeping me from falling to pieces….so thank you Shinoa…" she smiled as cool lips touched her shoulder followed by the brief sting of sharp teeth and blood flow.

"Its fine….I love you….I'll do anything I have to in order to save you…" she knotted her fingers in his hair and smiled as she closed her eyes.

"Because even if you don't know it….your holding me together too Yuu..."

{Anteiku: 7:00am}

"Touka?" the blue haired girl looked at her brother as she tugged on her boots and grabbed her mask.

"What is it Ayato?" the teenager pointed with his thumb over his shoulder.

"Kaneki wanted to speak with you about the meet up today with Guren's unit he's sending in," he stated. She rose an eyebrow.

"Why?" he shrugged.

"To hell if I know…I just get the feeling he thinks it's important," he explained.

"Alright, I'm coming..." Touka hooked her mask over her head and let it hang around her throat before walking out of the room and towards where she knew Kaneki was waiting with the others.

Ayato was a bit ahead of her and as soon as she was downstairs with the others their conversation for the day's actions went into its planning phase. Touka placed her input on specific details as each group was given their directive while Kaneki and one other would be heading to the bridge that lead into Tokyo City to meet up with Guren Ichinose and the others. As the details came to a close Touka smiled as she listened to the jobs that were handed out. Kimi and Nishiki were heading into the left boarder of the city to check on a few supplies that they could gather, Irimi and Hinami would be going to the west to seek out vampires, and Ayato and Hide would be making a run for the central zone of Tokyo for recon. She smiled just a bit as Hide gave his friend a wide grin in excitement.

Since being bitten by a werewolf some three years ago – and she got the distinct feeling that her math was off – Hide had gained agility and a few other detailed abilities which allowed him to keep up with Ayato at the least. Kaneki had paired in with both Nishiki and Ayato in recent months and for that she was at least thankful to know that they had one more fighter on their side. However, knowing who was going where and with whom told Touka one thing.

"So, I'm going with you huh?" she asked the white haired ghoul.

"Yes, I need you to come with me this time because Ayato has gone the other times. At some point Nishiki will have to do this as well. Irimi is staying hidden in case we need a surprise." To that statement Irimi frowned.

"Which means you don't trust Guren and his units," she stated. Kaneki shook his head.

"Actually, that's not true. I do trust them, but I don't trust anyone else in the Moon Demon Company because I have not met them face to face." Hide smirked.

"You have to rely on that talent of yours to discern some of the finite details on people huh Kaneki?" the white haired ghoul shrugged.

"You could say that. Mainly, I just don't want to do something and regret it. I make sure I'm careful and I only trust those I've laid eyes on and even then they need to give me a direct reason to trust them." Ayato gave him a bland expression at that.

"That may be all true, but you trusted Aogiri Tree, Banjou, and not to mention you also put your faith in Anteiku! You blindly trust sometimes," he said. Kaneki laughed a bit at that.

"You honestly think after Rize I openly trusted people in the ghoul world or the human world?" Ayato gaped.

"What?" Kaneki nodded.

"I've never fully trusted anyone until they've given me reason to, and even then I've needed several reasons to trust them….I know that may be hard to believe but even Hide had to win my trust over the course of a year and a half before I relied on him." Hide laughed.

"That's the truth. He was kind and we hung out, but unfortunately I was able to soon tell that he didn't trust me…man did I feel relieved when I was able to actually earn his trust!" he stated.

"So, no worries. I know what I'm doing." Ayato nodded.

"Okay, Touka? Help keep an eye on him and you do the same Kaneki," he said.

"Yea, got it!" however, none of them were quite sure what these upcoming events would do to change their lives.

{Bridge to Tokyo: 9:15am}

After a rather intense and faintly stressful morning Guren and Sayuri lead Yuu, Shinoa, Mika, Mitsuba, Akane, Kimizuki, and Yoichi onto the bridge to meet up with Eye-patch and whomever he was bringing with him. At this point though, with them settled on the bridge Guren decided to inform them of protocol for their first encounter with the ghouls.

"I don't want anyone making any sudden movements, nor do I want you drawing your weapons when these two come," he stated this and the others blinked in surprise.

"Why? Are they dangerous?" he turned to look at the others who were tense awaiting the meet up to begin.

"We've come into an agreement with the Kyushu within Tokyo – the Antique group – is what they're called. Two of them, their leader I'm suspecting and one of the watchers came and spoke with us as the units were moving outwards from their areas….they've agreed to help us in exchange for sanctuary in Shibuya," he explained. The others became still at hearing that.

"What? You really came into some kind of agreement with the Kyushu? Are you serious?" Guren looked at Kimizuki and the others who seemed shocked.

"Yes, they're surprisingly civil – I know we've all heard the stories, reports and whatnot, but the two I met? They were nothing like the ones we've heard of," Guren informed them calmly.

"So we're meeting here on the highway?" he nodded.

"Eye-Patch said it was the best place to be because it was in the open and neither of us would feel closed in," another explanation and Mika looked at their group.

"There are twelve of us meeting two of them – I would consider that feeling closed in," he said.

"Normally I would come in person alone, but they need to meet the seven of you because I'm sending you to meet them half-way between ward twenty and ward one." The group sighed but nodded.

"Alright, did they say when they'd…." Yuu stilled, tensing as the others watched him and Mika – Shinoa felt her body tense as the sharp scent of something unfamiliar flooded her senses – and two figures hopped out of the window lower to the ground from one of the nearby buildings.

"I'm guessing their here…" muttered Akane as she watched the two figures approach.

Kaneki and Touka were steady as they made it closer to the group of twelve. It was nothing short of discomforting but they were more concerned with making the weapon wielding humans anxious than their own comfort. The last thing any of them needed were trigger happy teenagers. Touka kept her eyes focused on the others as they grew closer and she was able to make out the faces of the teens behind Guren. She saw three girls present, a blonde, a brunette, and a girl with periwinkle hair who stood straight and tall next to a black haired, emerald eyed teenager. Kaneki glanced to her and she nodded as she put her gaze back on the others as they were finally just shy of being where they needed to be.

Emerald eyes locked onto her alongside a pair of pale sapphire blue ones that allowed Touka to realized why Kaneki trusted these people when they'd observed them prior to actually meeting with them for the first time today. She saw the same things that he did – the struggles, will to survive, and determination to stand tall in the face of danger. Kaneki and Touka came close enough to where they heard one of the boys – the one with pink hair – swear as his form let off a tiny tremble of discomfort.

"Damn….." something about his eyes told both Ghouls that he was uncomfortable, and because of that Touka began to wonder how far they could push these people before they broke down in fear.

"Well, nice to finally see you in person Eye-Patch…..who is that with you?" asked Guren. Kaneki and Touka shifted ever so slightly while Kaneki felt a need to laugh seeing as they had met in person before.

"This is Usagi, she is Kuro-Usagi's sister and came in his stead today. The vampires are getting restless because of your presence on the boarder of the city." The man sighed. Both ghouls knew that fact was weighing heavy on him.

"Sorry about that, but we have to gather somewhere for the rest of us to meet safely and that was the best place. Entering the city with our numbers this small would be asking for death," Guren told him and Kaneki nodded.

"Understandable. You have new people with you." the girl, Touka narrowed her eyes at a specific group of people behind Guren.

"Three of you aren't humans….you don't smell like one," she stated.

"Ahh you caught that did you? Yes, three of the teenagers behind me aren't fully human, but that is what makes them remarkable comrades – several of them also have gifts – what about you two?" the two ghouls eyed one another.

"Nothing on the line of what you described recently as to what we should expect. Now, about how we're going to know the Raid has started….we cannot just wait for someone to blow up a block of the city and that be the calling card – you need Tokyo intact anyways," stated Kaneki as he kept a steady eye on the group.

"Alright, then allow me to introduce our signal." Guren waved and Akane stepped forward. They eyed her in questioning and she gave a slightly anxious smile.

"She smells like a normal human, but I can catch traces of vampire venom in her system….is she one of them?" asked Touka.

"No, this is Akane Hyakuya, she's the sister of the two over there that you pointed out as not being fully human – she has an ability with song – if she were to sing at the roof top of a building all of us could hear it and that can be our signal." They were slightly unconvinced by that statement, but Kaneki chose to give them the benefit of the doubt for the time being.

"She can do that? How?" inquired Touka.

"I have a gift called Sonnet – it allows me to provoke emotions in others so long as it's something that they themselves feel – and it can also reach in great distances if I were to use the right song." The white haired ghoul nodded as the explanation somehow connected in his mind and made a strangely concrete sense to him.

"Alright, we'll trust you on that…now about the unit we're supposed to meet up with? You know we won't sit idle and wait for them when the signal for it to begin comes – we'll have to fight towards the First Ward so what should we do?" Kaneki interrogated.

The people meeting you are Akane, Mitsuba, Shinoa, Yuu, Mika, Yoichi and Kimizuki – they'll be meeting you at the between point which you've detailed as being a bridge near a white building with the specific letters on its side….they'll meet you there and then you can go on to the First Ward and there you can join the fight to take down the Noble within Tokyo." The two ghouls glanced them over seeing as Guren had pointed to each of them they now knew their faces and names which pleased them greatly. Without question though, Kaneki knew that the others could tell the information made them feel a bit more lax.

"Good, we meet at sundown at a bridge in front of a white tower building with specific letters on its side – your leader can inform you of that one once you returned to your basecamp – we have seven with us as well. Myself, Usagi, Kuro-Usagi, Yoshi, Cho, Hebi, and Verglas. That will make the combined unit fourteen members strong. We can clear Wards twenty through four – at that point we may have to diverge from the normal route – there are some of our kind that are to brutal after the virus and became wild…we recommend not fighting them."

"We'll listen to you for instructions but that also brings up a problem – my troops don't know this city well enough by this point to avoid the black zones that you know. Is there anything you can help us with?" inquired Guren as the two ghouls once more glanced to one another.

"You recall we have two humans with us – we will have to defend them as well, but….I can have Hebi show you on a map zone where to avoid going without one of us present – if not all of us – and that will minimize your losses. I'll have him and Cho deliver the map to you tomorrow morning. When we do that please be the only one present – we don't wish to cause commotion…." Touka stepped forward at that.

"You need to tell your troops the names we use, and not to attack us when we start to move – otherwise we'll be fighting one another," she stated.

"Understood, now, do we have everything we need to know?" the two ghouls looked to one another out of the corners of their eyes.

"We do, now, does the Moon Demon Company have what they need to know? We also know now what your unit you're sending our way looks like, and they know what we look like therefore, we shouldn't worry on that part. Do you need to know anything else?" asked Kaneki. Guren gave a thoughtful look for a second.

"Yes, as of now, I am offering the Kyushu that assist us in the Tokyo Raid on November twentieth….a place in the Moon Demon Company as a part of their sanctuary in Shibuya." The two of them stared wide eyed at the statement.

"Are you certain you wish to extend that offer?" questioned Kaneki, uncertainty laced his tone. How could they do this? Why would they do this?

"Positive…..will you accept?" Guren asked. The white haired ghoul thought momentarily. Kaneki knew how important this would be to the others, and while it was a great leap into the unknown, he was more than willing to take it for their sakes.

"I will accept on behalf of the group – please keep in mind that may change seeing as we weren't planning on joining – I see your reason for it though, the protection we asked for is needed to a high extent….if this is how you will uphold your side of the deal then I accept." Guren stepped forward with his hand out and Kaneki took it with a firm shake.

"Best of luck to you Eye-Patch, I'll see you and your group on November twentieth," he said as he let go.

"And to you Lieutenant Colonel Ichinose….we will see you in the streets of Tokyo. Stay well." With that the two turned to leave.

Just as they got out of view, but not entirely out of ear shot Kaneki and Touka heard one of the teenagers behind him take in a deep shuttering breath as they nearly fell over. The two ghouls glanced back to see Guren had his eyes on the black haired, green eyed teen who was bent over with his hands on his knees as he tried to get his bearings. They kept their focus on him and heard Guren hum in thought.

"Did they over power you?" he asked. The boy shook his head leaving Kaneki and Touka a bit surprised. Most humans felt uncomfortable around a ghoul, and being around two should have shook him to his core.

"No, but they are powerful…you made a good choice in asking for their help…." Guren stepped towards him as he stood straight and the two of them watched the interaction to see what the boy would do

"Will they betray us?" Yuu shook his head.

"The white haired one….he's honest….you can trust his words." The blonde and periwinkle haired girl nodded with him and Guren smirked.

"Good, because we're going to need it."

{Anteiku: 9:15pm}

"HE SAID WHAT?" the group jumped just a bit at hearing the outburst from Irimi who now was sitting back in her seat flustered.

"You heard me. Not only did they extend a further offer to us for protection sake, but Guren Ichinose's youngest son told him and the others that we could be trusted." The others stared dumbfounded.

"I'm officially amazed. How in the hell did you manage to get that much trust?" asked Ayato.

"Who knows….but that boy…Yuuichiro…he trusts us and I felt that early on. We need to put our trust in them, and that they'll do what they say they will..." Kaneki looked to the others, and Hide grinned brightly as he considered what was to come from this.

"We need to be strong for what's coming huh? Well, I guess we can manage that...after all...your a fairly decent judge of character, and I think you can manage it," he stated with an encouraging smile towards his friend.

"Thanks, Hide...now, we need to be ready for them in just a few days, and then, we're taking back Tokyo..." everyone nodded.

"We're right behind you, no matter what, okay?" stated Kimi.

"We've got through this so far by trusting each other, we can do it..." Kaneki assured them of this, and Touka grabbed his hand.

"And this time, we aren't alone..."

{…}

The fallen angels I run with all know, frowning at the reflecting sunset, it's our fear that makes us all human after all. Should I go? Torn old sepia photographs show - Should I return? I do wonder but, our fragile little world...after some time, I start walking, Must reject it, respond to the...Showing my back to where I was, calling, screaming inside of my soul, yes, I have to go.

{….}

Author's Note: Finally, I'm sorry about never being able to get these last five chapters up on this site! I've been monsteriously busy, but it's no longer the same problem. I will be updating these last five chapters at random, but I'm also, going to at some point, put up the complete Seraphim Blood II: Bloodied Angels up on the site once I'm done with it.

I have a beta-reader now, and she's been working on my Kingdom Hearts series since it started, and the Parallel Glass: Guardians story. I'm planning on getting several of my older stories up off the ground, finishing them, and connecting the threads carefully.

Tell me what you guys think! I apologize again for not having it up sooner, also, in the last five chapters, there are no previews. I look forward to reading your commentary.

PS: this is the non-beta version of the chapter, it'll be up, with the rest of the fixed chapters later!