yo chapter 2 sorry it took so long
It was the following morning when Natsu learned the truth of the ghouls that run Tokyo's underworld.
He wakes up and does a few stretches before getting ready for work.
He takes a look around to see his place is a one-room apartment, for lack of a better word.
After getting his clothes on, he opens his door to see an empty hallway.
Locking his door before leaving didn't take him long to be greeted by the midday sun.
He looks behind him to see the entrance to the area.
Good things for him places like this exist for ghouls who need a place to lay low.
If his memory serves, this underground slum was used by the government during the second world war.
In the decades that followed, ghouls started using it to hide away from the rest of the world.
Not just any ghoul can live here.
If you want to stay here, you have to kill or scare off the ghoul inhabiting the room you want.
Fortunately for Natsu, he didn't have to kill anyone as his name in the ghoul circles spread like wildfire.
After all, he is the son of the ghoul dragon, Igneel.
No one knows his father's real name. So he just consistently went by his nickname Igneel.
The ghoul dragon is the name the CCG gave him over a decade ago during the ghoul war.
That was when various ghouls came together to take out the CCG.
The CCG has just taken a massive hit from powerful ghouls.
In a last-ditch effort to win, they did a full-scale military-style raid on various slums across Tokyo.
This is one of the few that manage to stay hidden.
Natsu, along with his little sister Wendy were some of the few that survived.
Only because of the sacrifice of his father and mother.
In the aftermath, Natsu learned his father's body was never found.
That initially gave him hope he was alive, but he couldn't find any evidence to support that theory.
After eating the weak ghoul yesterday, Natsu was suitable for a few weeks.
Today was his day off, so he took the time to walk around the 20th ward.
It was actually nice being able to wander around amongst the humans.
This is what he loved during his time in Tokyo ten years ago.
Being able to move freely amongst the humans as if he were one of them.
Then a familiar scent crossed his nose...it was Erza.
She was stationed in the ward six months ago.
At first, all the ghouls were afraid of her as she is a well-accomplished agent of the CCG.
But during that time, many of the ghouls have learned she's not like other doves.
Most doves have some form of a twisted complex. But, for the most part, it's a god complex when it comes to ghouls.
But Erza was different. Weirdly she was merciful to the ghouls here.
It actually surprised him after all. He was the one who killed Siegrain.
He figures she would have a never-ending drive to exterminate ghouls.
Funny, he discovered this about a month after she was stationed here.
FLASHBACK START
Five months ago.
Natsu was shadowing Erza as he was one of the few ghouls within the ward who could take on a dove and live to tell the tale.
He's following her from the rooftops.
Then a loud noise was heard off in the distance.
She quickly bolted toward it, and likewise, he followed.
What he saw was something out of a nightmare.
The whole alleyway was covered in blood, with a single ghoul crouched down over his victim.
He looks up only to lock eyes with Erza before picking up the victim's head, tossing it to her.
She carefully picks up the head, not taking her eyes off him.
"You should be thanking me. I just killed a repeat rapist," he said with a proud smirk.
Erza looked to the head to recognize the man. But, when she looked back to the ghoul, he was gone.
Natsu just continued analyzing her from his perch for who knows how long before leaving.
FLASHBACK END
The following days the ghouls of the ward were on edge.
They were expecting more Doves to show up, but they didn't.
Natsu returned to the scene a few days later, only for all traces of the attack to be gone.
After doing some digging for a few weeks, Erza never called it in.
She's one of those doves, the kind that turns a blind eye when ghouls take out the trash of human society.
This wasn't a one-time thing. This has been happening for decades.
Guy murders a whole family only to find his eaten remains a few weeks later.
Rapists, thieves, Murders, the list goes on of their trash.
There are plenty of ghouls willing to take the law into their hands if it means an easy meal.
Ghouls get humans to eat, and the law has one less criminal to deal with. Everybody wins.
After a few more minutes of walking, he caught sight of Erza at a cake shop eating some strawberry cake.
She notices him before waving him over to her.
He obliged as it was clear to the ghouls of the ward she had a soft spot for him.
The ghouls of this relatively quiet ward took full advantage of this.
He found his seat across from her with a smile.
"Oh, you want a slice of cake?"
"No thanks, I have a gluten allergy, a slice of cake like this I can eat, but anymore I'll get sick. So I just avoid carbs entirely," he said with a straight face.
He's told this lie so many times he can do it flawlessly.
"Well, that's unfortunate to hear as I bought a little too much this time," she said with a nervous chuckle.
"It's ok. You didn't know."
Natsu takes a glance around to see his fellow ghouls eyeing him down.
It was no secret that she had a thing for him, so the ghoul unanimously decided he would keep tabs on her.
The last thing any of them needed was the CCG cracking down on the 20th ward.
They've met up several times during her time here.
He wouldn't admit it, but he developed a thing for her as well.
Unfortunately, it wouldn't work out if she knew the truth.
But even so, he did enjoy it as he felt like an actual human for the first time in a long time.
Out of the corner of his eye, he sees a man he hasn't seen in over two years.
"I'm sorry, I'd love to stay longer. I just remember I have an errand to run" he waved Erza goodbye.
She waved him good-by before paying for her meal.
Once he knew he was out of sight, he was met by a man with the same build as him with short black hair.
"What do you want Tokuma," he said firmly.
"What a guy can't pay a visit to an acquaintance he hasn't seen in over two years," he said smugly.
"How many times do I have to tell you I have no intention of rejoining the hidden ghoul Taskforce."
"Come on. You were the best HGTF agent the Japanese government had. Especially when it came to dealing with enemies of the state."
"How could I forget! a representative from the Japanese government offers me and my sister protection. In exchange, I hunt and kill state enemies. An assassination done by humans triggers the conspiracy theorists to spread chaos and fear among the masses with their crackpot assumptions. If a ghoul killed the same person and is discovered, no one bats an eye."
"Come on, Natsu, we really need your help with this one, please."
"What is it you're asking of me?"
"The government has learned a group of insurrectionists has invaded the Japanese government. But, unfortunately, humans don't have a sense of smell on par with ghouls."
"You need me to track them down and kill them."
"You know us so well."
"Why else would you show up on my doorstep two years after I left."
"That was in the past. We've changed a lot since then."
"Changed! I find that hard to believe, especially after learning the government has been using captured ghouls to test their anti-ghoul weapons with synthetic Rc cells."
"Ok, I see your point, but because of those ghouls, our knowledge of ghoul physiology has come a long way since then!"
"Humor me, what breakthrough have they come out with?"
"How about a new drug that allows ghouls to digest human food?" he said with a smug grin.
That little tidbit of information was enough to silence Natsu. Thus, making him reconsider the offer.
"As tempting as that is, I know there's more to it than that."
"Perceptive as always, Natsu."
"I have to be after spending five years with the government, so what are the side effects of this new drug?"
"Unfortunately, excessive use can interfere with a ghoul's ability to digest human flesh." He said in a mocking tone.
"I know there's a lot more to it than just that!"
"If a ghoul stopped taking it outright. They would not only be unable to digest human flesh but human food as well. We both know starvations is a living hell for ghouls."
"Is that everything?"
"Yes, as there are still a lot of unknowns at this point. So what do you say, Interested in doing one more job?"
"And if I refuse?"
"Nothing, we were just hoping you could help. After all, very few ghouls of your caliber have the skills and ability to cooperate with and integrate flawlessly into human society."
"I'll have to think about it."
"That's fine. You have two weeks to make a decision."
He took his leave, leaving Natsu to ponder his offer.
On his way back home, his phone vibrated.
He checks to see who it is. It was Uta.
That could only mean one thing Wendy's mask was done.
He would have gotten it sooner, but she rarely was alone when she was out and about.
By sheer coincidence, Natsu had to get a new mask. He decided to get her one.
When he returned to Anteiku, they were closed for the day, perfect.
"Wendy, Your mask is done!"
"Be there in a minute Niichan."
A few minutes later, she came down wearing a red long sleeve button jacket with a black undershirt.
Along with a black skirt and stocking and slippers with her blue hair in two ponytails.
Natsu picked up a napkin whipping her face.
"Wendy, how many times have I told you to clean the blood off, and your Kakugan is active. If you want to live amongst humans, you can't have it active the whole time."
"Sorry, Niichan, I just like how it complements my outfit."
"I know, you told me a thousand times already" she deactivated kakugan.
Natsu held his hand, which she took gladly.
Not wanting to run into any doves, they took the back allies to get to Uta.
He knocks on the door, only for Uta to let him in.
"Glad you made it with everything going on around here. I was worried you wouldn't be able to make it here any time soon."
"You do realize who you're talking to, right?" he said with a sly grin.
"Of course, now time to see if her mask will fit." he led them to the mask room.
Wendy took her spot on a seat as Uta put on her mask, making sure it fits.
The mask in question was a full pearl white victorian style mask.
It did a good job covering her face.
"How does it feel? I need to know if I have to lose or tighten it up?"
"It's perfect, Uta-sama."
"Well, that's good to hear."
"Here's your payment for her mask Uta."
"Thank you, Natsu, and I have your new mask ready." he runs to the back to retrieve it.
"Niichan, how do I look?"
"Like you just walked out of a painting" she grinned at this before taking it off.
Not a moment too soon as Uta returned with Natsu's mask.
The mask in question was a full face mask with scale design and horn jetting backward reminiscent of a dragon.
"You almost look like dad with that mask Niichan."
"I know" he puts on his mask before his kagune crawls under his clothes along his neck before covering his digestive pink hair.
"I almost forget you can do that, Natsu."
"Prefer you don't tell anyone about that," he said with a firm glare before shifting his gaze to Wendy. Both tightened their lips.
Wendy knows her brother is hiding his kagune from her.
She asked on multiple occasions to see its complete form, but all she got was a no.
Eventually, she dropped the subject entirely.
As for Uta, he can't blame him. It's not every day you meet a ghoul with fully developed Kakuja.
"Come on, Wendy, it's getting late. I have to get you back to Anteiku."
"Ok, by Uta -sama" she waved him off as they left.
Natsu dropped her off before heading home himself.
He let out a massive sigh as he sat down on his bed.
He is still going over what Tokuma asked him to do.
He would be lying if he said he wasn't intrigued by it. He's killed. Who knows how many corrupt politicians, mobsters, heck, even ghouls wanting to send a message? He killed them and ate them to get rid of the evidence.
Of course, there's also the fact he's one of the few ghouls who have the privilege of walking away from that life.
Most ghouls don't survive the first year, mainly because they become a security risk.
The rest, however, are either killed on accident or reassigned, never to be heard from again.
The only good thing coming of this is having two weeks to decide.
One week later
Natsu sat across Yoshimura with a firm expression.
"I can see why you came to me about this"
"I didn't know who to talk to."
"I'm glad you did. What I'm more concerned about is Wendy. I wouldn't put it past them to use her against you."
"That's been eating away at me. I know they don't have any information on her besides a name."
"What do you mean?"
"I spent five years with them. During my time, I made lots of friends, both high and low. I'm still in contact with them. But back to Wendy, shortly after I left. A guy I know destroyed the database that holds all the information on Wendy. So I was cautious with her when I left, knowing all their tricks on tracking ghouls."
"I don't want to cast doubt on your friends by how do you know this Natsu?" He said with a stern expression.
"Funny you should say that. Halfway through my time there, I made friends with one of the old-timers. Eventually, I saved his daughter from being killed by ghouls. As a token of appreciation, he gave me one favor to pay him back."
Yoshimura has a shocked expression at what Natsu was implying.
"When I left, I called in that favor to destroy the data based permanently erasing anything they have on Wendy."
"Surely he knew the consequences of that?"
"He did, but it didn't matter. He was dying from an aggressive type of cancer. So he figured why not go out with a bang by not only erasing the data but burning the building till ashes remain."
"How exactly are you going to contact him assuming you accept this job?"
"It is quite simple, a coded letter. That's how I am still in contact with those friends of mine." He said with a grin.
"Well, if you do, I'll do my best to protect Wendy."
"Thank you. You have no idea how much that means to me!"
"It's no problem, Natsu."
"Well, my shift is about to start. I will continue this later," he said as he walked out the door.
Natsu did his job as a waiter severing customers to keep his mind preoccupied.
Once his work ended for the day, he realized there was one more person he had to talk to about returning to HGTF. He needs to speak with Arima and hopefully secure his sister's safety.
He quickly met up with Renji. If anyone knows how to contract Arima, it's him.
They found themself in the underground paths of Tokyo.
"What is it you need, Natsu?"
"I need to have a chat with Arima, but I have no idea how to contact him. So asking Erza is out of the question!"
"Hmm, I see it'll take a few days, but sure I can get you some face time with the man."
"Thanks"
"It's no problem. Just hope you know what you're doing, Natsu,"
"I wouldn't of ask if I didn't."
"Hehe, I'm just testing you, Natsu" he waved him goodbye for the day.
Three days later
Natsu stood alongside Arima high above the streets of Tokyo on one of many medium-sized skyscrapers.
"You wanted to speak with me, Natsu?"
"Yes, an old acquaintance of mine reached out offering a job. I wouldn't put it past them to use my sister against me!"
"I see"
"I assume you've guessed I need you to look after her while I'm gone" he throws him a picture of Wendy.
Arima takes a moment to examine the photos thoroughly before giving them back to Natsu.
"Why me?"
"You're the strongest CCG agent. If anyone can keep her from falling into the wrong hands, it's you!"
"I see. I'll do my best on an unrelated note word through the grapevines you speed rivals a Ukaku types considering you're a Koukaku, how did that come about?"
"Lots and lots of practice and training, especially when it comes to covering your tracks."
"Also, I learn your one of the few ghouls with a fully evolved Kaguja."
"What of it?"
"Nothing just wanted to point it out, ghoul dragon," Natsu scoffed at his remark before heading off.
He wrote up a coded letter that night before dropping it off in a door hidden away among the countless subways of Tokyo.
He came back the following day getting a return letter. It gave him a time and place to meet up with
The meetup spot is the north side of Tokyo against the mountain at a near pass.
He went and said his goodbyes to everyone, especially Wendy.
"Do you have to go Niichan?"
"Yes, Wendy, I will be back, I promise. In return, you have to be on your best behavior. That means no kakugan because it matches your outfit," he said that last part with authority.
Wendy just looked away, but Natsu didn't let up. Wendy would take few glances back before looking away again. Eventually, she caved.
"I promise Niichan!"
"Good, I'll be back before you know it!"
He quickly found a low-grade ghoul getting a bite for the road.
It took him several hours, but he made it to the pickup point with 20 minutes to spare.
And, of course, he has his guard up. During those five years as HGTF, he's been double-crossed enough times always to keep one eye open.
He found a hiding spot just inside the first edge boarding the highway.
25 minutes later, he hears a car pull up, the window goes down, revealing Tokuma.
"Thanks for returning to the fold, Natsu the HGTF hasn't been the same since you left!"
"Let's just get this over with" he opens the back door taking his seat.
After a 30 minute drive, they turn onto a gravel road driving an additional 10 minutes.
Tokuma pressed a button on a remote before a hidden door on the mountainside covered in vegetation slid down, allowing them to pull in.
Tokuma parked the car before leading Natsu to his office. The whole time all eyes are on Natsu. Some are old faces who sent him a wave.
Others gave distrusting looks. It's clear to Natsu they're new to the dark side of the Japanese government.
Tokuma led him up a flight of stairs to his office at the end of the hall.
"Still have the same taste in style the last time I was here," he said, seeing a late 80's pop culture vibe.
"Can you blame me? That was the decade I lost my virginity!"
"Cut the crap, Tokuma. What is it you need of me!" he still standing, refusing to sit down till he knows more.
"Should be surprised you saw right through that lie I gave you two weeks ago."
"Spilt it!"
"Fine, but what I said wasn't a complete lie. Several factions from within the government have been working with ghouls to overthrow the government. We need you and other ghouls to find and eliminate. We both know that's the last thing both sides need, understand!"
"Yes, but this is the last time I help you understand! Don't even try to blackmail me into staying longer."
"You have my word!" Natsu left to learn his first task. "NOT!" Tokuma pulls out his hand, shoving cross-fingered. He pulls the top drawer off his desk, pulling out a picture of a red-haired CCG agent.
that's it for this chapter
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