Does Man Make the Monster?
Chapter 4
The Voice of Reason
(A/N Wow, okay, I have this feeling I pissed off a lot of people where I left off on the last chapter. I was even called a "shit writer" by one reviewer for making it a cliffhanger. Hmm… Okay… Well, that's a first. Anyway I hope this satisfies all of you. So here is the next chapter. I put this one up rather fast. I hope it's still good. Enjoy!)
SOUNDS/sounds
Thoughts
Inner Voices
(Last Time)
"Where are you looking, bitch?" Touka yelled, catching her off guard. "Don't you dare look at that girl!"
"No! Don't kill her," Incognito's panicked voice echoed in her ears. "STOOOOP!"
Akane hastily spun around to see Touka in the air and coming down fast. She was aiming straight for Akane's head. The redhead tried to dodge the incoming attack but she was just a split second too slow.
(Present Time)
Touka felt a strong arm wrap around her front just as her fingers dug into the investigator's left eye. The wound was too shallow she realized. She was then thrown back with a great force. Akane let out an ear piecing scream as Touka crashed hard into the water, rolling a little ways. She painfully pushed herself up and coughed out some of the dirty water that was forced down her throat and lungs from the impact.
She wiped the water from her eyes to see Incognito standing between her and the screaming investigator. Akane was holding her bleeding left eye as she cried out in agony. She crumbled to the ground and curled into a ball. Touka gritted her teeth and she stood up out of the water. Incognito seemed to be to safeguarding the redhead. She put a hand on her ribs where he caught her and slammed her back.
Ichigo wanted more than anything to check on and comfort his partner but knew better than to break character. It ate him that he couldn't tend to her. He managed to save her life but at the cost of an eye. He clinched his teeth and tightened his grip on the hilt of his bokken.
"THAT'S ENOUGH," he yelled, his voice modifier sounded a bit strained from the volume of his voice. "Stop it! Just stop it! You've done your damage now let her be!"
"You can't be serious?" Touka grunted, holding her sore ribs. "She's an invest—"
"I don't care what or who she is! You need to stop this here and now," he snapped, holding his bokken up and pointed the blunt tip end at her. "Humans see ghouls as monsters, are you really helping that stereotype by killing investigators? Revenge is blinding. Revenge is consuming. That is no life, not for anyone."
"But she—Uck," Touka was forced hard against a column with a strong hand wrapped around her thin neck.
The look of surprised was clearly painted on her face. He was fast. Way too fast. She never even saw him move. How was that even possible? It was that same maneuver he used to stop her from killing the investigator.
"I! DON'T! CARE! You got that?! A life is a life and once it's gone it can never come back," he bit out at her as she fought to get his fingers off her neck. "You can't fix a mistake like that! Not ever! Whatever is driving you to kill investigators, you need to leave it here in this tunnel for good!"
There was no getting around it. Incognito was furious with her. His grip was getting tighter and tighter. She knew he wouldn't kill her but the threat was still very much real. She was heavily injured and he wasn't. He was showing her just how easily he could overpower her.
"Now, we can do this one of two ways! You can grab the girl and walk out of here or I can knock some sense into you. I'd prefer not to hit a woman but so help me," he growled, his brown eyes narrowing behind the lenses of my mask. "If force is what you respond to best I'll—"
"STOOOOP IT," Hinami yelled at the top of her lungs. "Let her go! Please, don't hurt her! I can't take this anymore!"
Touka and Incognito turned to look at her. She was threatening to use her kagune on him if he didn't comply. He didn't want to risk it so he released his hand as Touka fell back onto her hands and knees with a loud splash. She took a few deep breaths in to replenish the missing oxygen in her body.. She looked up at him with watery as he stared down at her, motionless.
"D-damn you," she hissed, slamming a fist into the dark water.
"Damn me all you want but what you're doing isn't going to bring that girl's mother back. It hurts. It hurts like hell but doing what you're doing isn't right. How do you think the girl feels about all this? Have you even asked her?" he asked, squatting down to Touka's level. "You took all this into your hands without even thinking about the ramifications or what she even wants. It was a selfish act on your part. This revenge of yours isn't because the girl is hurting, the revenge is because you are hurting. I'm right, aren't I?"
All she could do was stare up at him in shock. He hit the hammer on the nail and drove it in deep. She tried hard to justify her actions but when it was all laid out before her she could not. It was selfish and never once did Hinami mention revenge for the death of her mother. It was all her, every bit of it. She hated being called out by someone who didn't even know her.
"DAMMIT! Dammit to hell," she yelled, slamming her fist repeatedly into the water and gravel. "It's not fair!"
"Welcome to life, princess," he drawled, standing back up straight. "Nothing is fair. You're old enough to understand that."
He turned briefly to look at his partner still crumpled in the water, crying and holding her heavily damaged eye. He felt a growl build in his throat looking at her. She was only following orders and doing what she thought was best. She was just a cog in the machine and nothing more. He hated how this turned out but it happened and he couldn't fix it. There was no doubt in his mind that this would have negative repercussions once news got back to the office. He also knew it would be twisted and turned into other things. Terrible things. He let out a forced sigh.
"Take the girl and leave," he ordered, looking back at Touka. "If another investigator comes by things won't end well."
Touka got up and ran over to Hinami. She wrapped an arm around the girl's small shoulders and started to walk out. She wasn't going to argue with him. He was angry enough as it was and she didn't feel like testing his temper more than she had. She limped out, keeping Hinami close to her. Hinami ended up supporting her some as they headed towards the exit. Suddenly Hinami stopped wanting to know something.
"W-wait," Hinami said, craning her head over her shoulder. "Um… Can I ask you something?"
He nodded as she drew in a deep breath.
"Why… Why are you trying to do all this?" she asked, looking at him with sad eyes.
"I made a promise," he answered simply. "I'm keeping that promise."
"Oh… I see," she sighed. "Was it to my mother?"
"Yes."
"Do… Do I know you?"
"No."
Hinami tried to think about who he could be. She wasn't sure about him. The man was very intimidating to her and came off as a no nonsense person. He had managed to stop Touka and she was thankful for that. She didn't like to see Touka act the way she had. She hated that Touka would do such a thing as to kill an investigator and then try to kill another one right in front of her. That's not how Hinami wanted see the young woman.
"Are you coming with us?" she asked, meekly.
"Hinami…" Touka groaned. "Don't…"
"I've got other things to handle. Go on home," he said, making a shoo gesture with his hand.
Hinami nodded and helped Touka out of the tunnel. It was best to get Touka back to Anteiku for now. She was injured and bleeding quite a bit. Hinami wished she knew who the man under the mask was. He had to have known her mother to do what he was doing but she couldn't place anyone. It was going to eat at her but she'd worry about that later.
Once the girls were out of the tunnel, he picked up the two quinque up out the water and put the mother's back in the suitcase. He didn't see the case for the other. It must be outside the tunnel somewhere. He stopped and stared at his wailing partner. There was no doubt she was in great pain. He took a few steps toward her want to help her but stopped short. No, he couldn't break character, damn it. He needed to take the two quinque and dispose of them so they could never be used again. The sooner the better if he stayed any long he might say fuck it and break character to help her.
He let out a long, pained sigh and started towards the mouth of the tunnel. Hopefully Amon would be around soon to take care of her. She needed medical attention and soon. He was close to the exit when he stopped dead. Well, speak of the devil. He was hoping to make it out before he showed up. He looked a little worse for wear. There was a large bleeding wound in his shoulder. Amon looked between Akane and Incognito. Being that Incognito was the only person there Amon put his own conclusion together.
"You did this, didn't you?" he snapped, through clinched teeth.
"Wh-what if I did?" Incognito said, staring at Amon. "What are you going to do about it? I'm the one holding the weapons and I don't see anything on your sorry ass."
He wasn't going to say Touka did the damage. Akane was too hysterical to make the correction and he needed to give the girls time to get away properly. He'd take the fall for the attack. He knew what he was getting into when he started this.
Amon wasted no time and took a swing at Ichigo with just his bare fists. Ichigo knew that if anyone detested ghouls it was Amon. He didn't want to fight his friend but right now they weren't friends, but enemies and Ichigo had to show that. He dodged the attack and swung out with the suitcase. Amon raised an arm managed to block the case from hitting him directly in the head. That hurt like hell and could only hope a bone wasn't broken. Amon then took wild kick at Incognito but the cloaked attacker blocked him with the suitcase.
Amon needed to get to Akane but he doubted that Incognito would let him pass. His partner's health right now came first. She needed to be treated at a hospital. He charged again trying to get his hands on the released quinque. He couldn't let that bastard use that on him. He hated the thought of a ghoul using one of the CCG's weapons. He went to grab the weapon only to get kicked in the gut with a stiff boot. The force knocked him down and he landed on his back, sliding some in the water. He clinched his stomach in pain and tried to get back on his feet.
"Stay down," Incognito ordered. "You're in no condition to fight me."
"Damn bastard! I'll never take orders from filth like you," Amon grunted, getting back on to his feet. "I'm not just going to let you—"
His voice just suddenly stopped as he looked at the monster just a few feet in front of him. A look of surprise and fear was etched into his face in mere second Incognito stared back feeling mighty uncomfortable. What was wrong? Nothing on his outfit was out of place was it?. Akane was still in the same place so…?
"Wh-what?" Incognito choked out. "Why are you just staring at me?"
"What are you playing at?" Amon snapped, taking a step back.
"Playing at what? What's your damn problem?" Incognito questioned.
"Your eyes. They're yellow," he forced out. "Yellow on black…"
A shiver ran down Ichigo's spine at those words.
"Yellow…? Shit," he cursed, running around Amon. This is not good! Not now!
"Stop," Amon called out and went to grab him but in a flash Incognito was gone. He hand gripped empty air. "Ah! The hell… Was that…?"
No ghoul could move that fast. Amon just stood there in the cold water for a few moments in shock before the sounds of Akane's crying snapped him back to his senses. He quickly sloshed though the murky water to get to her. He knelt down to her level as he gently grabbed her blood soaked hands.
"Let me see it. Let me see your eye," he ordered, trying to coax her to let go so he could look at it. "Let go. I need to see how bad it is. Akane, listen to me. I need to look at! No move your hands."
She slowly pulled her blood soaked hands back and tilted her head up some. He gasped a bit looking at the torn and blooded flesh. There was no chance in saving her eye. It had to be completely shredded at this point. He wanted to know why and how this happened.
"I-I'll help you up," he said, picking her up from under her shoulders. "Can you walk?"
She nodded faintly and he helped her up to her feet. Once outside the tunnel he pulled out his cell, finally getting good signal. She needed medical help and she needed it now. When she was a lot less hysterical he would get the full story from her. Until then he had to report what happened to him with the new Eyepatch ghoul and then… There was Incognito and his strange yellow eyes and unnatural speed. Amon knew what he saw and he didn't like it. What was it? What was Incognito? Was he some new form of ghoul? Or perhaps something else entirely?
Ichigo ducked behind a small dark alcove and fell to his knees, catching his breath. He was now well away from Amon and Akane. He ripped his gasmask off and looked down into the rippling water. There was enough moon and ambient city light to see his face clearly. His eyes were just as Amon had said; yellow on black. He closed his eyes hard, trying to force them back to his normal brown on white. He slowly opened his eyes again and cautiously looked back into the dark water. They were normal again. He released a heavy sigh of relief. He was now going to have to be careful. He couldn't let his secret out. Amon had seen his eyes and he knew it was going to be reported.
He got back up to his boot-clad feet and swayed a bit, before putting his mask back on. He needed get home but first... He looked down at the opened quinque in his hand. It was rather large and would garner a lot of attention he didn't need. Dare he risking going back for its case? Well, he would have a hard time hiding it without it. He didn't have a choice. It would take a little while yet before reinforcement came. He let out a long breath. He'd risk it. Amon was unarmed and would be too occupied with his Akane. Hopefully he could locate the large metal case without any trouble.
He remembered not seeing where that fight took place, so that meant it was outside the tunnel. He let out a hard breath and used sonido once more. Hopefully he wouldn't be spotted as he searched for the case. Had a look around the area close to the tunnel. He could hear Akane crying not too far from him. He needed to locate that briefcase and fast. It took him a minute or to before he found the opened case lying in the water. He picked it up and shook it out at little. I was best to move on now. He used sonido once more and arrived back to where he left the two quinque. He set the wet case down and put the long whip like quinque back up. It was a bit of a fight given the size and how it was shaped. Well, that was that. He picked up both case and quickly left the water channel behind.
He knew he'd get a call before too long about Akane. He had to act like he knew nothing. Using sonido he arrived at his hiding spot and changed back into his street clothes. When he got home he'd take a shower and get this smell off him. He ran a hand down his sweaty face as he stepped out from behind a large bush with his disguise in the large trash bag. Ryoko had run off with Hinami and Touka. So she never saw his eyes, which he was thankful for.
He was leaving the stolen quinque behind for now until he could dispose of them. The bay seemed like a good place. He'd weigh them down and ditch them out in there. He'd let them rot out in the salt water. He was going to make sure they were never used again by anyone.
He picked up his feet and moved at a hard jogging pace down street. He already wore out his energy. He still wasn't used to his sonido just yet. He really hadn't adjusted to the changes. A few minutes later he arrived at his apartment and unlocked his door. He flipped on the light and shut the door again. He set his outfit on the floor as he walked over to his work phone. There was a missed call. It was Amon's number. Damn. He unlocked the screen and called Amon back. Now he really had to put his acting skills to the test. The other end rang a few times before Amon picked up.
"Hello, Ichigo?"
"Yeah, it's me. I was out making a food-run. Had the late night munchies and I forgot my phone on charge. I saw you called."
"Did you get my message?"
"Uh, no. Why? What's wrong? You sound panicked. Did something happen? Are you okay?"
"Hayashi was attacked just a short while ago. We were on a mission and she faced down Incognito and the Rabbit. We're not sure of all the details just yet but… She's missing her left eye; it was practically torn from its socket. She's in surgery now to stop the bleeding and to close the wound."
"What?! You serious?! Oh, man... Oh, jeez… Other than that is she okay?"
"Yeah. That's the worse of her injures. We won't know everything until she's well out of surgery. They just got on the ambulance. I wish I could have been there earlier but I was detained by another ghoul I've labeled Eyepatch. He was keeping me away from Hayashi and our main targets. Damn monster bit into my shoulder and took a chunk out of me. I'm getting patched up at the moment. While engaging Eyepatch I briefly saw Incognito heading towards Hayashi's location. But as I said before I was detained by Eyepatch."
"Y-you don't say? That's... Wow. I bet that made you mad."
"Yes. When I did arrive I only saw Incognito. He was walking out with Mado's two quinque. The ones he had made out of the Fueguchi family. Fueguchi 1 wasn't in its case so I tried to get it from him but he fought back. However, there was something wrong with the whole situation. I'm sure it was him that left Hayashi half blind. He even admitted to it. But… He's not an average ghoul. I know what I saw. His eyes weren't red but yellow and he moved like nothing I have ever seen before. Another agent is coming down to document my report."
"Yellow? What?! Are you sure you saw that?! I've... I've never heard of such a thing before. That sounds creepy as hell."
"I know. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it. But… He's no average ghoul. I'm not even sure he is a ghoul or some other strange creature. His speed was… Incredible. One second he was there and the next he was gone."
"Is Mado aware of this yet?"
"No. I was also being rushed into emergency. I haven't had a chance to talk to him. He's not going to be happy when he learns his favorite and newest quinque were stolen by that strange ghoul. Look, Ichigo, I need to let you go. Get down here when you can. It'll be a while before Hayashi gets out of surgery."
"I'll be down as soon as I can. I need to do a few things before I leave. I'm just shocked this happened to her. Oh, man. I really don't know what to think. This just makes me so mad to hear this. Let me know if something changes before I get there, okay?"
"Will do. I'll see you when you get down here."
"Right. Bye," Ichigo hung up the phone and half tossed it back onto the table.
He ran his hands down his face and let out a heavy breath. He hated that all this happened and he couldn't stop it. He then took a fist and slammed into the table. He needed to get that shower before he made his way to the hospital. All that water leeched the smell of his disguise into his skin and hair. He couldn't very well show up smelling like Incognito. Amon would know it immediately. He had to make sure he was completely clean or he was going to be in some serious hot water.
Ichigo showed up a lot later than he meant to but he had to make sure not a bit of that smell lingered on him. He was surprised to learn Akane had been moved into a room so soon, most likely due to her status as a CCG investigator. He got off on the 6th floor and walked down to her room with a large bouquet of flowers in one hand and a new pink glass vase in the other. It was her favorite color. He knocked lightly on the door and walked in.
He was surprised to see Mado in the room. He was sitting in one of the chairs as Amon stared out the window at the rising sun with brace on his arm and lump of bandages on her shoulder under his shirt. He drew in a heavy breath and set the flowers down on the bedside table. He then filled the vase in the sink and took the flowers out of the plastic wrapper. He arranged them to make them look nice. He also took his coat off and tied it around his waist. It was quite warm in the room.
"You're rather late, Kurosaki," Mado stated, coldly, glaring at the junior officer.
"Don't start that with me right now, you old corpse," Ichigo replied, sharply.
He turned to look at his partner resting peacefully in her bed. She had a large gauze bandage that covered half her swollen face. He gritted his teeth remembering what happen just a few short hours ago. He put his hands on the bed rails and sighed.
"There was no saving her eye. They had to do a good bit of reconstructive surgery," Amon said, turning around to look at his friend. "The doctor said she need a couple more surgeries. X-rays showed she had a couple small fractures in the bones making up the socket as well. She'll wake from time to time but not for long."
"I see… I just can't believe this happened to her," he said, taking her hand in his. "You said Incognito did this to her?"
"That's what he said," Amon answered, half sitting on the window sill.
"I still can't believe he made off with my quinque! Both of them at that," Mado hissed, biting the tip of his thumb. "When I catch that monster I'll be sure to kill him. He won't get away with any of this."
Revenge seemed to be a rather large recurring theme and it was making Ichigo sick to his stomach. He wanted to voice his opinion but knew it was best to bite his tongue right now and he was biting it hard. He let go of Akane's hand and put them back on the railing.
"What are we going to do about Incognito and the Rabbit?" Ichigo asked, looking between them.
"Kill them, what else?" Mado spat. "Ghouls are devils plain and simple. They don't need to be walking this earth. They need to go back to hell where they belong."
Ichigo lightly licked his dry lips and scratched the back of his head. Things were getting serious now as there was another major attack on investigators. He was just one person and he was having a hard time trying to keep things together. This was a heavy weight Ichigo carried on his shoulders.
"As of right now, Ichigo, we don't have a real solid plan," Amon answered him. "It's going to take a while before we really know how to deal with them."
"Why was she out in the field anyway?" Ichigo inquired even though he knew the answer.
"She was filling in for me, of course. She's the same rank as I am and it was only natural she would cover my absence," Mado said almost bitterly. "Clearly she's lost her touch. She used to be quite vicious back in the day. You dragged her down from what she once was."
"Mado," Amon snapped. "Now is not the time for this."
"I dragged her down? Is that what you really think?" Ichigo bit out, gripping the plastic railing, hard. "You son of a bitch! I did no such thing!"
"Pleeease… Everyone knows she's been doing all the office work for you," Mado scoffed. "All the while you get to go out and have fun, leaving her to pick up your slack!"
That was true. That's how they ended up doing things after they moved to the 20th ward. He really had no argument against that. Mado was right and it really burned Ichigo to no end. He angrily clicked his tongue.
"What? No witty come back? You know I'm right," Mado hissed with a long knowing smirk. "You're just a glory hog."
"Mado, please, that's enough," Amon snapped, getting to his feet and walked over to his senior officer. "This is not the time or place for an argument like this."
"No, please, I'd like hear what this withered old corpse has to say," Ichigo growled out threw his clinched teeth.
"Oh, I've got a lot to say about you and not a bit of it is nice," Mado snorted, pointing a stern finger at Ichigo.
"Yeah? Do tell," Ichigo spat back.
"That's enough out of both of you," Amon almost yelled, cutting in front of Mado. "Tension is high enough, don't make it worse than it already is."
"Amon, move," Mado ordered, getting to his feet. "I've been holding my temper for far too long around this entitled brat!"
"Mado," Amon snapped as Mado pushed him out of the way. The young investigator hit his back on the railing of the bed as Mado started to walk around the face Ichigo. "Stop it! Both of you! Don't do this!"
Mado stopped right in front Ichigo and glared at him. Ichigo was a glory hog as far as Mado was concerned. Ichigo had an unfathomable amount raw talent and used that to his advantage. He didn't work as hard as the others had and it just ate at Mado to no end. Ichigo became a Rank 1 investigator only a few short years after he got out of the academy just on said raw talent. It took Amon a good bit longer to reach that level and he was top of his class. That's what made Mado so angry. Ichigo was an entitled brat and brats needed to be punished. He balled up a fist and in one solid motion, slugged Ichigo right in the mouth.
Ichigo stumbled back, hitting the bedside table almost knocking off the flowers. He wiped his bloody lip and quickly grabbed Mado by the shoulders. They wrestled each other to the hard floor kicking, hitting, and yelling at each other. Amon almost jumped over the bed as he tried to break up the fight. The tension between them had finally reached its braking point and there was no stopping it. A few nurses ran in hearing the commotion.
"Call security! Now," one of them ordered as a couple male nursed rushed in, trying to help break up the fight.
Ichigo and Mado weren't going to stop tearing at each other until one of them was out cold. Ichigo had to be careful, however. He knew his strength was growing and he could really hurt Mado if he didn't watch what he was doing. During the scuffle, however, Mado grabbed Ichigo's left arm and squeezed hard on the healing wound he received from the man just the other night. Ichigo cried out in pain and slammed Mado's back, hard, onto the tile floor. Mado squeezed tighter out of reflex. It was enough to open it back up. The wound started to bleed through his hidden bandage and his blue, long sleeve shirt.
"That's enough out of you two! Let go of each other," Amon yelled as he and the nurses fought to pull them apart. "Stop this right now! Stop it! This is not how CCG investigators act!"
Security showed up and rushed into the room. With the help of the security guards they managed to get the two separated from each other. Mado and Ichigo were still fighting to get to each other until the guards forced them to the ground, onto their stomachs, and held them down.
"You damn bastard," Ichigo yelled, wriggling under a guard's weight. "Get the hell off me!"
"That's quite enough out of you, carrot top," a guard snapped at them. "This is a hospital not a boxing ring!"
"He started this, not me," Ichigo barked as he felt his hands being folded behind his back and cold metal wrap around his wrists with a click.
"Instantly putting the blame on others," Mado mocked also getting his own set of cuffs. "That's just so typical of you!"
"What the hell?" Ichigo bit out. "It really was his fault—"
"Do we look like we care? Let's get them up and out of here," the same guard from before said as they were jerked back to their feet in handcuffs.
"Just take the blame for something just once," Mado said as he and Ichigo were forced out of the room.
"Oh, bullshit," Ichigo snorted.
"Shut up," a guard bit out.
Amon followed right after them. Maybe he could try to smooth things out. At least that what he was hoping to do, however, the hospital guards were within their rights to removed them from the property.
"Um, excuse me, officers, but… Can we talk about this for just a moment?" Amon asked, trying to block the guards as he fumbled to get his CCG badge out. "I know what happened wasn't—"
"Move! If you don't we will remove you from the property as well for interference," a guard snapped. "So do yourself a favor and stay out of it!"
"Do you have any idea who we are?" Mado huffed. "We're CCG investigators! You can't be treating us like dirt!"
Amon finally got his badge straightened out but the guards still weren't having any of it. CCG investigators or not they caused a fight in a hospital room. It just wasn't allowed, period.
"Yeah, well, the CCG can post your bail," the guard snapped, forcing them into an elevator. "Keep moving! Get in, both of you!"
Amon stayed behind as the two other investigators were shoved into the small cabin with the 4 guards. Mado was fuming at this point. Never had he been arrested for anything. That brat was the cause of this. He clinched his teeth, trying to roll his bony wrist in the tight cuffs. They were on rather tight. He looked over at said brat beside him. He perked a thin eyebrow, taking notice of the dark blood stain on his left arm. He didn't remember doing that to his arm during the scuffle. He must have cut his arm on something but the sleeve was intact. There was no tear so the cut was prior to the altercation. That would explain why he screamed out when he squeezed his arm. Mado narrowed his gaze at the young man, before turning forward again as the elevator dinged and they were ushered out into the lobby.
Where did you get that wound? Mado pondered as they were brought outside to waiting police cars. What have been up to, Kurosaki, while you've been out?
Mado was put in one car and Ichigo in another to keep them from fighting. The door was shut and the car started up. Mado stared angrily through the window beside him as they started to leave the hospital. Something wasn't right with this whole picture. What was it? It was eating at him badly. He closed his eyes and tried to think of something before they reached the police station. Ichigo had been acting odd since the other day. When he came to the office to gather some items and attended the memorial he just blatantly started to pick at him. Why would he start a fight just like that?
Wait a minute he… Mado's eyes snapped open. The Rabbit and her friend were there at that same time. Ichigo even wedge himself between them trying to keep him away from them. He wasn't just there to irritate. On top of that he escorted them out of the building. Then that very night he was attacked by Incognito. He remembered clipping that monster's left arm roughly in the same spot Ichigo was currently bleeding from. The more he thought on it the more parallels he saw. Ichigo was also an avid sword fighter and a skilled hand to hand combatant. Incognito showed the same skills. He turned to look at the police car behind him.
That would explain why he took such care in safeguarding his identity, even from ghouls. He was well known in the area and ghouls would pick up on his familiar scent. That also explained why he knew how to avoid a quinque the way he did. In the academy they practiced fighting each other with them as a way to hone their skills. That was also why he never displayed a kagune. Mado clinched his teeth and balled his hands behind his back. Ichigo was a traitor? Grant it he never liked the punk but he never saw Ichigo turning on the CCG and siding with ghouls. That very thought made him sick.
What made this worse was everything was just speculation. There was no physical proof Ichigo was really Incognito. A simple cut could be written off. However, everything else just fell too well into place. Ichigo's absence from the CCG also gave him the opportunity to prepare and do all this. They had no way to keep tabs on him and why should they? He felt his blood start to boil as they rolled into the parking lot for the police station. He could not bring this forward without at least one piece of physical proof. Without that a case would never be opened as it would be a waste of time and money should it turn out to be false.
The car door was opened and Mado stepped out. He looked back to see Ichigo getting out of the other car. Mado gauged the brat's height. He was about the same size just a little shorter but he remembered the thick sole boots of Incognito. That would give him some added height. Bit by bit there was no getting around it. Ichigo was involved somehow but…
That speed he and Amon both witnessed from Incognito was highly unnatural. Not even a ghoul could develop that kind of ability and a human most certainly couldn't do that. Was he jumping the gun or just wanting to pin something on the brat? Amon also reported the strange eyes Incognito had. No ghoul that he knew of had yellow eyes. They were always blood red. Always. This was where his hypothesis hit a large road block. Everything else fit perfectly but there were pieces that didn't belong in the puzzle
He was escorted inside the building along with Ichigo. Whatever it was he still felt that Ichigo was involved somehow. He knew it down in the pit of his stomach. Age, wisdom, and experience was telling him something was very wrong and he knew to follow them. He looked back over at Ichigo as they started the booking process. Yes, Ichigo was involved somehow and Mado was going to find out how one way or another.
Around 5 o'clock in the afternoon Ichigo finally made it home to his apartment. The CCG had indeed posted their bail and thanks to their influential power, neither Ichigo or Mado would ever have a court date. He fiddled with his keys and sighed, opening his door. He just wanted to go inside and crash. He took a step forward and kicked something just in front of his door. He looked down, finally noticing the item. It was a small vase with one lonely little flower. He picked it up and brought it inside with him.
He puzzled at the item for a moment as to who would give him one lonely little flower like this? It was nothing more than a dark pink rose. On a hunch he walked over to a book of flowers he recently purchased and started to thumb through it. He stopped on a page and looked over it. Dark pink roses meant thankfulness. He looked back at the rose again as something dawned on him. Someone had actually caught onto his message he had left for Mrs. Fueguchi and her daughter. He picked up the flower again and really looked at it. But who would…?
"Kaneki," the name just slipped out of his mouth.
There was no else he could think of. It had to be him. Kaneki was a big time book worm and no doubt was quite smart because of it. A small smile pulled at the corners of his mouth and he sat the rose back down on the table. He looked around noticing the apartment was empty. Ryoko wasn't anywhere to be seen. He went to his bedroom and changed out of his pants and blooded shirt into a tee-shirt and some shorts. He even fixed up his bandage before walking back out into the living room.
He plopped down on the floor and turned on the TV, flipping to the news. He had gotten wind that the media learned about his scuffle with Mado and it blew up like a bomb. There was nothing the CCG could do to stop it once got out to the public. He sat there and waited for the segment to come on. He wanted to see what media had to say. He already knew what the CCG had to say about the fight and it was suspension, for both of them. Needless to say their fight didn't go over well with the higher ups. They were also barred from the hospital as long as Akane was there. So that meant Ichigo couldn't visit her. That sucked. He quickly turned his attention back to the TV.
"…hospital today. The altercations happened between two CCG investigators. Investigator Mado Kureo, 1st class and Investigator Kurosaki Ichigo, Rank 1. The two started the fight in the room of another investigator, Hayashi Akane, 1st class after she was attacked last night by a ghoul. Those closest to Mado and Kurosaki say that the two had been at each other's throats for several years…"
Kaneki stood behind the counter, listening to the radio playing above his head. He was supposed to have today off but Touka was so badly hurt he took over for her. Someone had turned the radio over to a news channel after it was let out that two high profile investigators decided to have a knock down drag out in a hospital. Kaneki was quite surprised to hear Ichigo's name over the sound system.
"…at each other's throats for several years and finally reached a boiling point today. The fight, however, was short lived and the two were taken to a nearby police station. Both men are out on bail and the CCG has suspended both from active duty for an undisclosed amount of time. They are also banned from the hospital grounds… Hmhmhmhm… I'm sorry. I'm looking at their mug shots. Hahaha! Oh, my… That grin…. Hmhm! I'm sorry! Kurosaki just has… The smuggest look I have ever seen! Hahaha! Oh, wow! I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! Hmhmhm! I can't get over that grin! That is just the look of someone so proud of myself! I'm sorry. Let me… Try and get back on track. Ahem! Uh, where was… Ah, yes. Both men have been barred from the hospital grounds until Investigator Hayashi is released. Hayashi sustained a serious wound to the head by a ghoul but she is expected to survive. The CCG is not disclosing any more information on her at this time. No other people were hurt during the altercation and neither Kurosaki or Mado sustained severe injuries."
Kaneki sighed and shook his head as he walked back around the counter with two cups of coffee and handed them out to the costumers at one of his tables. He noticed one of them looking at a phone and laughing.
"Here look at this," he said, holding up his phone. "This is Kurosaki. That newscaster wasn't lying. What a smug grin! He looks just so happy with himself."
Kaneki almost laughed at the picture too. Other than a shiner and a split lip it looked like Ichigo did good in his fight. The man then swiped over to another photo. This one was of Mado. The older investigator on the other hand… It was clear who the winner was and it wasn't Mado. He looked like a truck hit him face first. He was black and blue and just a little bit bloody.
"There is no shame in that smile," the other table's occupant said, looking at his own phone. "I think it's funny to see the CCG's good image get smudged up a bit. They always have to be so perfect when we all know they are just a bunch of murders."
"I know. I would have loved to have seen that fight in person," the first man said. "Kaneki, right? What do you think?"
"I-I, uh, I'm not sure. I mean… It is funny, I guess," he said, rubbing the back of his head.
"You guess… Psh! It's great! I'm sure a lot of fights like this happen but we never hear about them," he stated with a sigh. "I don't like Hawk but… Damn! He doesn't put up with any shit."
"Yeah, I guess he doesn't," Kanaki said, turning on his heel.
He walked back behind the counter and grabbed some new cups, filling them with fresh coffee.
"I'm going up to see Touka and Hinami," Kaneki said, loading his tray, before looking at Koma.
"That's fine. Just don't linger. We need you down here," he said, working the register. "Thank you, miss. Please come again."
"I won't be long," Kaneki said, turning towards the stairs.
Kaneki got off the stairs and stopped at the door where Touka and Hinami were resting. He knocked lightly on the door before opening it. They were both sitting on the couch. He walked in, setting down the cups of coffee onto the table.
"So… Did you hear about the fight between Hawk and Mado?" he asked as Touka just stared at him. "Mado looks like a train wreck in his mug shot and Hawk looks just as happy as he could be. It's rather funny to look—"
"I'm really not in the mood," Touka groaned in annoyance, putting a hand on her sore side. "I just want to relax and not think about any stupid investigators!"
"Okay, okay," Kaneki said, tucking the tray under his arm. "Can I get you two anything?"
"Can you help me out with a few other words before you head back down?" Hinami asked, holding up her new note pad.
"Sure, what do you have?" Kaneki asked, walking over to Hinami's side of the couch.
Touka sighed and zoned those two out. She hated to admit it but Incognito was right. He had been the voice of reason last night. She wasn't getting vengeance for Ryoko or Hinami. She was angry that a good woman and a good mother had to die in such a cruel manner. She tried to justify it but… She honestly couldn't. When they got back to Anteiku, Hinami pretty much begged her to stop attacking investigators as well. Touka agreed but that still didn't mean she liked those damn bastards.
Her ribs had almost stopped hurting finally. That man was strong as hell and even faster than her. She didn't like him as much as she thought she would. Mostly because he reprimanded her and called her out on her mistakes. She let out a huffing sigh at that thought. But he was skilled, really skilled. Clearly he didn't put up with shit either. He made his point clear and she wasn't going to forget it. Even without saying anything she knew if she tried to attack another investigator he would be after her. She shivered a bit. She really didn't want to deal with him if she ended up on his bad side. She leaned back as Kaneki got back to his feet.
"I hope that helps," he said, handing her the pen back.
"Yes, it does," she nodded, looking at the notebook. "Thank you for helping me."
"Sure," he smiled and turned his attention to Touka. "Um… Touka?"
"What?" she almost snapped.
"Are you feeling any better?" he asked, biting his lip a little.
"Yeah, I'm getting there," she answered. "I should be fine by in another day or so."
"Well, that's good, right?" he said and she just turned her head away from him.
"Don't dote on me. I don't like it," she mumbled.
"Y-yes, of course," he said, turning on his heel and waved. "Well, I have to get back to work. I'll be back when the café closes."
"Great," Hinami waved back. "We'll see you then, Kaneki!"
Kaneki left and Hinami went back to her reading as she hummed a small tune. For a while she read her book before turning to look at Touka. She looked like she was sleeping but Hinami knew better. Touka had a lot on her mind right now. Hopefully it wasn't about killing more people. Hinami didn't like to see that side of Touka. Incognito was right in that she did look up to Touka not just as her hero but as a big sister. She missed her mom but was glad to know that someone else was looking out after her. She smiled a bit as she pulled out the drawing she made of Incognito that she had hidden away in her other papers. She really did wonder who the man behind the mask was.
Under the cover of darkness Ichigo walked out on a long pier that stretched out into Tokyo Bay. He had a large silver suitcase in each hand. He was dressed as if he were on duty but in a totally different suit from his usual he kept at the office. This was so he wouldn't look out of place carrying two quinque cases. Both were heavily weighted down with rocks and other solid items. He never wanted them to be used again and this was the best thing he could think of.
He sat one down on the wooden pier and spun his upper body back some with the other one in his hands. He used the momentum to chuck the first one into the pitch black water. Thanks to his growing strength he managed to get it out a fair distance. The case bubbled a little as it sank below the waves. He picked up the second one and did the same thing. He rolled his shoulders and looked out into the dark bay. They were both gone and hopefully they wouldn't resurface again.
He turned sharply and walked back down the empty, dimly lit pier. It was late and it was time he started back to his apartment. He took the bus to get there and he'd take the bus to get home. Ryoko still hadn't returned to his apartment and he worried a little. Hopefully she would show up soon so he could tell her about the disposal of her and her husband's quinque. He knew what would make her happy.
He made sure his black fedora hat covered his head of bright orange hair. He didn't want anyone to recognize him easily as he waited on the bus. His dad had given it to him as a bit of a joke. When he told Isshin he had made it to investigator his father sent him the hat to make fun of the old private investigator movies. Ichigo knew it was corny but he had a small laugh at it. He sat quietly on the bench as people carried on with their night life.
Tokyo was a city never sleeps he had learned this long, long ago. People were always moving around morning, noon, and night. It was certainly a stark contrast to Karakura Town. The business areas back home had a small night life but nothing like this. And the residential areas were dead quiet by now. There was hardly ever a person out on the streets. He missed it and he knew sooner or later he would be returning to his small home town within the year. What choice did he have? He was going to become a hollow and the best place was to live with his friends and family. He sighed and looked down at his nails. They were a deep black at this point. They almost looked painted to be honest. He slipped his hands into his pockets.
Finally after a while the bus rolled up. He would have to take two more buses to arrive close to his apartment. Grant it he made enough money to buy his own car but he saw no use for it. He was used to public transit and he didn't mind it. He got on with 5 other people. He found a seat next to a young man staring blankly out the dark window. He had on a set of electric green head phones and Ichigo could faintly hear rock music coming from them.
He leaned back as the bus groaned and pulled back out into the street. It would be a little bit before he reached his next destination. He pulled out his phone and thumbed through his news feed. There wasn't much that was of interest. He opted to play a game and opened a little colorful app on the screen. Even that got boring after a few minutes. He put his phone up in his pocket and just looked around the bus. He saw several drunks, some high school kids, street punks, a couple elderly people, and few parents with their young children. Speaking on young children Ichigo seat was suddenly getting hit from behind. He tried to deal with it but…
"Hey, brat, cut it out," he snapped, turning around in his seat and looked at the little boy behind him.
"Make me, you old goat," he chided, sticking out his tongue and continued to kick his seat.
"Where is your mother?" he asked, glaring at the boy.
"I ain't got one. No father either," he answered, kicking the seat even harder.
"Oof! Legal guardian then?" Ichigo drawled.
"I ain't telling you nothing," he snorted.
"Cut it out," Ichigo bit out in fustration, getting to his feet.
The boy had to be no more than 8 or 9. He was dressed rather shabbily and looked like he hadn't taken a good bath in a while. It was out rather late for a boy his age without an adult with him. Grant it this ward wasn't slap full of ghouls but there were just enough. The boy looked up at Ichigo with the most sarcastic grin.
"Whatcha gonna do about it?" the boy leered.
"You're out awfully late, kid," Ichigo said, leaning over him with his trademark scowl. "Not a good idea for a boy your age."
"Ha! Yeah, right! I can do what I what and when I want," the boy scoffed, crossing his arms.
"You a runaway?" Ichigo inquired
"What? Uh… Uh… No! I-I'm not," he muttered turning away.
"How did you get bus fair?" Ichigo asked, leaning in a little more as the boy's nervousness started to show. "You have no mother or father and the way you look no legal guardian."
"Wh-what does it matter to you, you moron?" the kid snapped, crossing his arms. "Mind your own d-damn business!"
"Don't cross me, brat. I ought to take you to the nearest police station and let them deal with you," Ichigo hissed and the kid whipped around and glared at him. "Runaways like yourself shouldn't be wandering the streets. There are some rather nasty creatures out there."
"You mean ghouls?" he kid grunted.
"I was going to say pedophiles, kidnappers, murders, human traffickers, and several others. But I suppose ghouls are a good one, too," Ichigo sighed, standing back up straight. "Why don't you just save me and you both some hassle and I take you home instead of you wondering around."
The child gritted his teeth and glared up Ichigo. Ichigo blinked at his angry response. What was wrong? He was only meaning to help the… Ichigo paused and looked hard at the boy. He was fighting to not show his kagugan. So that was it. Ichigo turned and shook his head.
No mother or father, huh? he sat back down in his seat with a flop.
He would do more damage helping the boy than not. Taking a young ghoul to the police was practically a death sentence. He wanted to help the kid but he had no means to care for another, especially not a ghoul child. He crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat again. He wished he knew what to tell the brat but he didn't. He nearly knew nothing about the true inner workings of ghoul society, just what they wished to show to the human populace.
Finally, Ichigo got off at his next stop and walked down the block to the next bus stop. He felt someone following him and he knew who. The kid from earlier was keeping his distance, however, that got Ichigo thinking about why the kid was following him. Ichigo arrived at the bus stop as the kid slowly walked up with a snobbish manner and sat down on the far end of the bench.
"Where are you headed any?" Ichigo asked, not even turning to look at him.
"Why do you care?" the boy huffed.
"I'm just asking."
"Twentieth ward."
"I'm heading there."
"So?"
"Have you ever been there before?"
"Why are you asking me so many questions, old man?"
Ichigo's eye twitched. He was in his late-twenties that does not constitute as old.
"Forget it…" Ichigo grumbled.
A couple more people walked over not long before the bus pulled up. Ichigo got on first and the young boy followed him. Ichigo took a seat and once again the boy took the seat behind him, almost instantly kicking his seat again. The woman beside Ichigo stared on in shock as Ichigo fought the urge to really reprimand the little demon behind him. She turned around in her seat and looked at the devilish grinning child.
"Hey, now! That's enough of that, young man," she said, shaking a finger at the boy. "Now you stop that right now!"
"Make me," he laughed.
She reached out popped one of his legs. He stopped and stared at her in surprise.
"I have a kid your age don't even think about it, mister," she snapped as the kid snorted and turned his head around. "Where are your parents?"
"I wish you people would stop asking me that question," he hissed.
"I wouldn't ask if you weren't alone," she stated, firmly.
"It's best to leave him be," Ichigo spoke up, looking over at her. "I've already been through this with him on the last bus. He won't really give a solid answer."
"He needs to be taken to the police," the woman huffed, turning back around as the bus started moving. "He doesn't need to be out this time of night all alone. It's not safe."
"I would agree but he's going to be picked up by family when he gets to the 20th ward," Ichigo fibbed. "Or, so I'm told. That's all I got out of him."
The boy drew in a breath as if he was going to say something but decided against it. It was a cover story and he might as well let it cover him for now. The woman looked back at the huffy boy before turning back to the front.
"Well, I hope so for his sake," she said, brushing some graying hair from her face. "I'm not liking what I've heard about the 20th ward lately and I work there. All those investigators being attacked. And then just today those two investigators going after each other and in a hospital no less."
"Yeah…" Ichigo drawled, pulling his fedora down a little more over his face to cover his new shiner. "I suppose tensions are running high there."
"You know you look a tad familiar," she mused, leaning in a little as Ichigo turned his face away. "I don't know why but I know I've never met you before."
"I don't know why either," he muttered and pulled his split bottom lip into his mouth.
"You live in this area?" she inquired.
"No, I live in the 20th," he answered.
"Oh… Okay," she leaned back in her seat. "I just swear… Tsk… I don't know."
That could have ended much worse. If that boy behind him found out… He was just glad that didn't happen. He closed his eyes some, trying to gather his thoughts. There was still so much to do. He needed to throw a wrench into the machine to try and stall them more. He yawned a bit and sensed something off. He opened his eyes only to see a smart phone about a foot from his face. He narrowed his eyes at his horrible mug shot. Dammit! Dammit to hell and back!
"That's you, isn't it?" she asked, trying to look at his face from under his fedora. "You're a CCG investigator, aren't you?"
"No, I'm not," Ichigo answered, coolly.
"Don't lie. This is you," she said, smugly, wiggling her phone a little. "You have the same cut on your lip, the same jawline, and bruising around your nose and eyes. I can also see just a bit of orange hair under your hat. You're this Kurosaki Ichigo, aren't you?"
Ichigo gnashed his teeth and balled his hands. So much for keeping his identity on the down low. He gave one curt nod, before pushing her phone back from his face.
"I knew it! I knew I had seen you somewhere," she said, happily.
"Yeah, great. Can you keep your voice down," he ordered as she looked at him, surprised.
"Okay, okay," she said quietly, looking at her phone again. "It's says here you are suspended from duty."
"Yeah, well, getting in a fight with your coworkers tends to do that," he muttered, crossing his arms.
"I guess that explains why you don't have one of those big suitcases," she mused. "You're dressed awfully nice though."
"I had to go to the main branch," he said, flatly. "You know I'm not supposed to be talking about this."
"Ah, got it," she said, turning off the screen. "I won't bring it up anymore."
"Thank you," he nodded.
Ichigo stretched his arms as he got off the bus. Only one more to go and then he could go home. He was already back in familiar territory of the 20th ward. He could see his local CCG building off in the distance as part of the skyline. He couldn't wait to just crash for real this time instead of lazing about in front of the TV. Mado put up one hell of fight and he was starting to feel it a little bit now.
Several people got off the bus and that included the woman and the young ghoul child. He wanted to see what the boy was up to but knew better. The less involved he was with ghouls the better for him. The next bus stop was a little bit of a walk and it took him down a couple shady areas. He kept his senses open for anything out of the ordinary. And it was a good thing, too. He couldn't shake the feeling of being watched and he didn't like that.
Where are they at? He pondered, keeping his eyes peeled for any movement. I don't like being followed. I might be at a disadvantage. I have nothing on me this time not even a small gun.
He was close now to the bus stop and picked up his feet a little bit more. Hopefully he was only being observed and nothing would happen. Suddenly he heard something land on the pavement behind him. He paused and turned around to see a dark cloaked figure with a cat mask, glaring at him. The figure was fairly short and thin, a good size of an average woman.
"Hello—Hawk," the voice was indeed female. "Nice evening."
"Yeah, lovely," he grumbled, getting his body ready for an attack. "Listen, I don't want any trouble."
"Oooh? Well, what do you want? Because I know what I want," she said from under mask. "And that's trouble with a capital T."
"Hm, well, good for you," he mumbled, taking a step back.
"Where's your quinque?" she asked, advancing on him a little more. "Oh, yes… I remember. Rumor has it you're on suspension. You can't have one, can you? Hahaha!"
"Where's the kid?" he asked flatly as she stopped dead. "You might have changed the pitch of your voice some but I can still tell you're the woman from the bus. So, the kid, where is he?"
Before Ichigo knew it he was blindsided into the side of an old dumpster. He sat up and rubbed his ailing head. His hat rested on the ground beside him. That answered that question. He looked over at the boy, wearing a plague mask and cloak.
"Where did we goof up I thought we had a good plan going?" she asked with a pouting tone, walking up to Ichigo and slammed a foot onto his chest, pinning him to the steal dumpster. "You know I think the Rabbit and Incognito have the right idea. We're getting tired of you murders running around choosing what's right and what's wrong in this world. Who gave you animals the damn right to judge?"
Ichigo stared up at her and then suddenly started to laugh. He didn't know why but he found this whole plot funny for some reason. They had planned out their attack quite well but yet it was poorly pieced together. It was like bad joke that was still funny at the same time. He had started to see the cracks when she was asking him all those questions and when the boy actually listened to her to behave. It was a good plan but riddled with obvious holes.
"What are you laughing at?" she barked, pressing harder on his chest. "This is no joke! We're not making an empty threat."
"Is this guy crazy or something?" the boy asked, looking up at the woman.
"HAHAHAHAHA! You really want to see what it's like to kill an investigator?" he asked, grabbing her foot and twisted it with such force the bone almost snapped.
"AAAAAGH," she screamed, stepping back and collapsed, holding her ailing leg. "B-bastard!"
"Mama! You—you…" the kid couldn't even get the words out his mouth as his eyes flashed red from under his mask. "I hate you damn people! I hate all of you!"
He charged forward and jumped up, releasing his kagune. It was a Koukaku type from the looks of it. It covered both arms with a thick wide shield that ended in large claw like appendages. He came down and slammed right where Ichigo's head had been. He tore into the old rusted metal of the dumpster but there was no Hawk. He had a look of shock in his eyes, noticing that Ichigo wasn't there. He wasn't even in his line of sight. The boy then felt a light tapping on his small shoulder. He turned his head around to see Ichigo smiling down at him. Fear ran down the spine of the young ghoul. How did Hawk move that fast?
"You get away from him," the woman snapped, trying to get back to her feet. "Don't you dare lay a hand on my baby!"
"Then perhaps you should have thought this through a lot more," he stated, glaring at her with a sassy grin. "Now. Here's the deal. I really have no need or desire to fight any of you. I'll pretend this never happened if you leave now and don't attack anymore investigators. What the Rabbit and Incognito did… Was bad a thing. It should have never happened and you don't need to continue it."
"Don't you dare talk to me about bad things," she hissed, releasing her own kagune. It was similar to her son's. "You monster's killed my husband!"
"And you think dragging your kid into a life of murder and revenge is a good idea? Your his mother! You should be protecting him not sending him to the slaughter," Ichigo snapped, suddenly appearing in her face as she stumbled back to the cold pavement. "Do you really want your child to learn that the pain and suffering of others is completely acceptable? You're putting him in an early grave! Killing an investigator marks you for life!"
"Mama! You… You get away from her," the boy got up and ran at Ichigo and pulled his arm back ready to strike.
He threw his right arm forward, expecting to tear into Ichigo's head this time for sure. But to his surprise and horror, Ichigo caught his armored arm before he made contact with his head. How? How was this even possible? Ichigo countered him bare handed and with just one hand at that. Both ghouls looked on in horror from behind their masks at the "human" before them. Ichigo then jerked the boy around and he landed square on top of his mother with meaty thump. The two sat up and glared at Ichigo.
"I have a good idea as to why you attacked me. You innately thought because I had been in a scuffle I might be too injured to fight back and you knew I wouldn't be carrying my quinque due to my suspension," he leered, leaning over them a bit. "Well, you guessed wrong. I'm perfectly fine and clearly I have no need for my quinque. Neither one of you really have the resolve to continue this idiotic stunt. Now I suggest you pick yourselves up and go home."
"Don't show us pity," she snapped, holding on to her son. "What do you have up your sleeve?"
"Nothing. I'm just telling you to stop what you're doing before you get yourselves killed," he snapped at her. "You have a child to look after how do you plan to do that if you're pushing up daisies? I want you to know this… It's better to think of the living and to remember the dead. You need to think of the here and now not something that happened in the past. I am full willing to forget and forgive this whole thing if you leave and never do this again."
"Y-you're just going to let us go?" she chocked, surprise her voice. "Just like that?"
"Yes, I am," he answered with a stiff head nod and crossed his arms. "I'm not on duty, remember? Why should I deal with work when I'm not on the clock?"
She painfully got back to her feet with her son helping her to stand. The small ghoul family stared at him through their masks unsure of what was happening. Why would he just let them go with but a slap on the wrist? This wasn't the Hawk they had heard about. Hawk was supposed to be a no nonsense ghoul killer; brutal and deadly. He was the most notorious CCG investigator in the 20th ward. This seemed totally out of character for him.
"Are… Are you really Hawk?" she questioned with pain in her voice.
"Yes," he nodded once more.
"Then why…? Why just brush this under the rug like it never even happened?" she snapped as panic started to set in. "We attacked you, dammit! Why aren't you doing something about it?!"
"Mama?" he asked, looking up at her.
"What gives me the right to judge what's right or what's wrong?" he answered flatly, turning on his heel before he picked up his hat and put it back on. "Just go home and take care of yourself and your child. Forget about going after investigators and live out your lives in peace."
He then walked out of the dark alley and back onto the main street towards the bus stop. He looked down at his hand that had caught the boy's arm. It wasn't even scrapped up but he felt the kagune cut him. He could see a little blood on his skin and shirt cuff but it was healed up. This was new. Had he tried that just over a week ago, or even just last night, his hand would have been a bloody mess. The changes were coming faster than he would have liked. His skin might be just as hard as ghoul's by now. He'd test that theory when got home. If that was the case… He pulled out his phone and looked at his contact list. He had two people he needed to call and he had been putting it off. One of course was his father and the other being Urahara.
He clicked his tongue and put the phone back up as he reached the last bus stop. This had been a long day and he just wanted to finally get some damn sleep. It wasn't long before the bus rolled up. He got on and found an empty seat by a window. He hoped he did the right thing with the mother ghoul and her child. Hopefully they wouldn't try something like that again. If had been anyone else that wouldn't have end well.
The bus finally stopped and Ichigo got off and walked the two blocks to his apartment. He dragged himself up the old rusted stairs and over to his door where he pulled his keys out and unlocked it. He flipped on the light and took his suit coat off, hanging it on a chair. He just needed to check if this was right or not. He walked into the kitchen and pulled out a small but sharp knife from the drawer. Hollow skin was tough on its own but the stronger the reiryoku the stronger it became. What he remembered of his vasto lorde form, his skin was harder than anything he could think of. Faded memory snippets of him fighting a fully released Ulquiorra was proof of that.
Ichigo rolling up his sleeve and pressed the blade down with a long swiping motion. The blade slid over his skin like it was made of soft yet strong metal. There wasn't even a red mark. He tried again and pushed a little harder but still the blade did not cut through his skin. He groaned, tossed the knife into the sink, and rolled his sleeve back down. Well, that solved that.
It was time he called his dad and Urahara. He'd do it in the morning when he was more awake and they were, too. He got dressed for bed and crawled into his futon. He noticed that the cut on his arm was gone without even a scar. So were the other bumps and busies he recieved. He stretched a bit under the soft covers. It felt good to finally be in his bed after the day he had. Hopefully Ryoko would show up soon. He pulled the covers up to his chin and closed his tired eyes. He hoped that Urahara might be able to at least slow his hollowfication down some. He needed time. He needed time more than anything. He was changing faster than he was expecting and he didn't need this. He still had stuff to do before he quit the CCG for good.
(A/N Yay! I've finally finished this chapter! I hope it was a good one for all of you. I tried to really get some interesting stuff in this one. Like Mado and Ichigo fighting for one. Please tell me what you thought! I love feedback!)
Millie M. Banshee