Does Man Make the Monster
Chapter 13
Into the Fray
(A/N So… I did manage to read that last chapter of Bleach and I have one thing to say… TRAIN WRECK! Wha… Wha… What the fuck, Kubo? I was pulled left, right, up, and down. You just crammed in so damn much that is was like you vomited on the pages. You might as was well just made the last few pages nothing but words and honestly that might have filled in some major gaps. You can clearly tell that the art was rushed. Fucking damn asswipes at Shonen Jump made him just cut it short. They couldn't wait one more damn month so this is what we get! This opens more questions than answers them! I just… Just… AAAAGH! Adlk;f ;wuoir9o458p43wy85 Error Message: Banshee. exe has stop working.)
SOUNDS/sounds
Thoughts
(Last Time)
She nodded her head as he pulled his hand from her shoulder.
"You can get out of that body armor. I know it's heavy and tight on you."
"O-okay…"
She turned with her head hung low and walked off, back into the dark house. He hated to leave her out of the main fight but if she wasn't able to fight back he couldn't risk her safety or the others. He didn't have a choice. He genuinely felt bad for basically telling her, "no, you can't come." He looked down at the rifle in his hand, held it up, and clicked on the safety.
"I'm sorry… Orihime…"
(Present Time)
Yoruichi arrived back at the house early in the morning with a small camera attached around her fuzzy neck. She had gotten pictures and videos of how the CCG planned to attack Aogiri Tree. It gave the group a good idea how to approach everything and avoid trouble. She had gotten pretty good shots of the area map and the building outline. It was a good place to hold up for sure with the ocean at the back a forest at the front. This was going to be a pain to deal with. Only way to really do this properly, was to be literally jumped in the middle of the building complex. And thanks to Urahara that was something they could do.
It was agreed they'd enter the Dangai and use the branch off technology Urahara had created to sneak into the complex. Urahara also had a small portable spirit converter for them. It was a far cry from the big one that Ichigo remembered growing up with. However, it was still a hassle to assemble.
Ichigo still hadn't found Ryoko and he had wanted her together the info for them but most likely she was doing that for Anteiku. As it was he needed to let Anteiku know that there would be some allies running around and to use their judgement when attacking the "Doves." It was looking like Yoruichi was going to have to the deliver that message. Ichigo could only wonder how Yomo was going to take to a talking cat given how Ryoko inside the bird blindsided him so badly.
Looking at his friends, the group could pass as basic soldiers, very basic soldiers. Like new recruits that honestly shouldn't be there. They looked like the CCG but that was about as far as they went. They wouldn't be noticed too much with luck. They just needed to be simple faces in the crowd and nothing more. It was best to let the ranked investigators to get all the attention. They just needed to keep their heads down and carry on.
It looked like the time for the attack was right on the verge. Ichigo, Urahara, Yoruichi looked over all the photos she had gathered. They got an idea of the layout of the complex that they would be entering and explained it to everyone else. Each person was paired off; Urahara/Yoruichi, Chad/Uryu, and Jinta/Ururu. That left Ichigo on his own and Orihime at the house.
She still wasn't happy about being left behind. She was finally back in his life and once again he wasn't seeing her. All she could do was watch out a broken window as the others participated in the drills. She hated being as weak-willed as she was. It was getting close now to the time when everyone would head out to rescue this young man named Kaneki. Yoruichi walked by looking up at her. She was about ready to head out and see if she couldn't talk to this Yomo person or the store manager. She walked over on her little kitty paws and stared up at her.
"Orihime?" her deep voice laced with worry. "Are you all right?"
"Oh, uh, Yoruichi! Um, yes, I'm fine," she exclaimed, looking down at the jet black cat.
"That is a terrible lie," Yoruichi said, jumping into her lap and looked out the window as well. "You want to be out there with them, don't you?"
"Yes…" she sighed, wiping the window a little more with her sleeve so Yoruichi could see a little better. "I really wanted to actually fight this time."
"Orihime… Please don't take this wrong but he is right. These aren't hollows, these are real world beings like you. They don't play by the rules that you know."
"But it's just…"
"It's just what?"
"I don't know… It's just that I finally have a chance to be with him again but I can't. I felt like he pushed me away."
"Oh, I see… Orihime… He didn't push you away. He pulled you out of training to protect you. "
"I know but that's all he ever does! I want to be able stand up there with him like everyone else."
Yoruichi let out a heavy sigh as Orihime fought back a few quiet tears. It was more than that. She was still carrying her high school crush on him. She wanted his attention but instead his mind was on everything but that. It also didn't help that he was as dense as a block of lead and she wasn't exactly up front either.
"Have you actually said anything on the matter?" Yoruichi asked giving her sideways glance.
"You mean about helping in the fight?"
Yoruichi wanted to slap her. She shook her furry head.
"No, I mean how you feel about him. Have you actually said anything about it?"
"Wh-what?! No! I mean wh-why do you think… Th-there's nothing like that!"
Yoruichi's amber eyes narrowed and Orihime deflated.
"Terrible lie, right?"
Yoruichi hung her head and nodded it.
"Quite terrible. He's been oblivious to your feelings for years but instead of making him see them you've kept them muted. He's dense, you know that."
"Is… Is it really that clear to you?"
"Honey, everyone knows it but your intended target," Yoruichi huffed, standing on her hind legs and put her paws on the broken glass. "Protecting people is all that's on his mind. Not lovey-dovey stuff. You want lovey-dovey buck up and say something to him. If you won't I can yell it from here! HEY, ICH—"
"EEEK! Yoruichi, please don't!" she quickly pulled the cat from the window. "Please don't do that! It's embarrassing!"
"The only thing that's embarrassing is this 'notice me senpai' mentality you have. Look, if you can't even be up front with your feelings maybe it was best he pulled you from the mission. This is not something for the meek hearted."
Orihime held her head low and Yoruichi put a paw under her chin.
"Now, now… I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Don't cry."
"Maybe that really is my problem. I really am that…"
"That's not what I… Oh, boy… Orihime, listen to me. Everyone is strong in different ways. Ichigo's strength is in protecting those he cares for. It's up to you to find your own strength and hone it. If anything your strength is the support you give others. Even when you're not feeling your best, you try to keep the others moving forward. You are the cornerstone, the foundation of the group. You may feel over looked, but without you, the team might just crumble."
Orihime rubbed her eyes and tried not to cry at the cat's words
"As for your feelings about Ichigo… It's really up to you if you want to keep your distance or try to close the gap. That's something I can't help you with but just remember this… You're not useless regardless of you may think. I need to go and deliver a message to the ghouls at Anteiku. I'll see you around, Orihime. Take care."
Yoruichi jumped down and headed out the back door. This really was no place for the girl. This wasn't the type of fighting she was accustomed to and it was just as well Ichigo pulled her from the training. She didn't have a choice this time. She wasn't the type to hurt others and she most certainly was not the type to kill. She was better suited as the medic, the caregiver of the group. If the girl had a stronger constitution she would actually be formidable but that won't ever be the case. Helping others was where she was needed most.
Yoruichi walked down the busy sidewalk and over to the café. It was nearly dark outside and there was a distant light coming from the café up above. She needed to get in and she couldn't wait for someone to come to the door. She had to look for another way inside. If worse came to worse she'd actually have to break in. She looked around the building. The window that was busted out looked like it might but be closed up with a lot of tape and cardboard. It just up on the second level. That was no problem whatsoever.
She got a running start and jumped up bounding off a few more landing spots. She landed neatly on the railing and looked at the window. All she had to do was just bust through that but that might end poorly. She jumped on the sill and started scratching at it. Maybe she could get their attention. She started meowing and scratching harder.
Thump!
"Damn cat! Go away!" a man snapped hitting the cardboard.
"How did a cat even get up there?" another man asked. "It's not suck out there, is it?"
"Don't know…"
They went back to their conversation for a couple of moments and then the room grew quiet. She started clawing and meowing but got no response. Clearly they were no longer in the room so she jumped to an area close to the exit. Maybe someone was coming out. A few people actually filed out. But she had to look for an elderly ghoul and a male ghoul with chin length grey hair. She waited for either one of those to come out. He finally spotted both of them together. The elder ghoul had something in his hands before it hopped onto his shoulder. A cockatiel? Wait, could that be Ryoko? Not wasting a moment she hurried to a closer location. The bird was about to fly off. Not if she could help it.
She jumped up and nabbed the bird clear out of the air. She knew that didn't look good but she had to get the news out. They were more inclined to listen to Ryoko than her. Ryoko tweeted and flapped her wings trying to get out Yoruichi's claws.
"Stop fussing, Fueguchi! I'm a friend of Ichigo's. We're here to help to get Kaneki back," Yoruichi said as the bird stopped fussing. "Let your friends know to be careful that they don't get Ichigo's friends mix up with—!"
Yoruichi was kicked hard in the side, almost taking with Ryoko with her. She hit the ground rolling as she saw the man with the grey hair pick Ryoko off the pavement. Damn! She never got to finish it. She got back to her feet and quickly raced over but was kicked again before they ran off. Yoruichi painfully sat back up again. If she ever met that man again in the near future he was going to get it. Hopefully she got enough out but she missed one key point to be careful of what CCG investigator's they go after. This could end very poorly.
"Yomo, stop," Ryoko screamed as loud as her little bird lunges could muster. "Stop! Go back! Please!"
"Why? That cat tried to make you into a meal," Yomo stated.
"Are you all right, Fueguchi?" Yoshimura asked as the bird struggled to get loose.
"I'm not hurt! That cat wasn't trying to hurt me," she said, finally getting a wing out Yomo's grasp. "That was one of Ichigo's friends. You have to go back!"
"You're saying that cat was…?" Yomo stopped and looked down at her. "Was that cat something like you?"
"I guess but he said that friends of Ichigo were coming to help but I… I never got to hear everything before you knocked him back," she chirped.
"Ichigo's friends? But Ichigo is gone," Yoshimura said and they continued to their destination.
"Yes, but… Ichigo's father had stopped by the café right after Ichigo jumped. He had given Kaneki his phone number for emergency purposes and Touka made a copy…" she sighed. "Hinami found that copy. I tried my hardest to make Hinami call that number. I think she finally heard me and she called Ichigo's father. I had to leave so I never knew if she got help or not… Clearly, she was able to do something. These aren't people from the CCG."
"So they're…?" Yoshimura voice faded.
"Espers?" Yomo asked.
"Most likely. That cat didn't get to finish what he needed to say," Ryoko sigh it might be best to at least let the other knew to be careful. "Just let the others know to keep a look out."
"We have to. Any help is appreciated but just how is that going to go over with everyone?" Yoshimura asked. "I mean… We never once mentioned you or that espers even exist. We still haven't even broken the news to Touka about you yet. Trying to explain this is not going to be easy."
"I… I don't know! But just tell them that there will be others coming to help. I just wish I knew who, how, and where," she exclaimed, spreading her wing for a second. "I wish I had more information to give."
"I had no idea that was… All I saw was a bird get nabbed by a cat," Yomo grumbled. "What else was I supposed to do?"
"I can't blame you for that but… Now we'll have to be extra careful so that we don't hurt his friends by accident," she stated.
"A least we have that much. We'll just have to work with what was given to us and hope for the best," Yoshimura replied. "I just hope something doesn't go terribly wrong."
It was already three hours into the start of the operation and so far it wasn't going so good. The CCG was constantly getting pushed back by sniper fire. Until they figured out how remove the ghoul snipers they couldn't actually break into the Aogiri Tree stronghold.
Akane stood leaning up against a jeep adjusting her black trench coat over her body armor with Mado standing beside her with his arms crossed. She was honestly surprised that they wanted her on the field given everything but right now it really was all hands on deck. They needed any able-bodied person they could get to fight. She still wasn't accustomed to having one eye and that made her nervous not having her full range of vision.
"You know, I used to think your partner was an annoying nightmare," Mado grumbled out of the corner his mouth. "Now I realize that he was a dream compared to that thing."
Mado pointed to the overly excited and eccentric young investigator constantly flitted around Shinohara. He was making a bit of a ruckus with the others. Amon was over there with Shinohara and the young man wasn't winning any points him.
"Make sure he doesn't hear you call him a 'thing,'" Akane grumbled, folding her arms over her chest. "There's no telling when he'll lose it and just… Ugh…"
"You mean when he first approached you and you said something that set him off?" Mado asked, pushing some of his hair from his face.
"That bastard tore off my eye-patch and picked at a couple of my remaining stitches and then tried to put in some of his body mod stitches while he was at it! I don't understand why he's even out here given how much of a loose cannon he is," she hissed, holding a hand over her black eye-patch.
"Yes, well, I'm not overly fond of being called, Mr. Mummy Man…" Mado snorted, tapping his foot against his quinque case. "Rumor has it you're going to be using Kurosaki's quinque. Is that right?"
"Yes, I requested to have Tsume be put under my name," she said, looking at the case to her right. "Why do you ask?"
"Tsume is not a light quinque. Can you handle him? He's awfully big after all."
"You're not getting your mitts on him, old man! Go collect someone else's!"
"I'm just making a point. No need to get snippy with me, woman," Mado sighed, listening to the sniper fire not far from them. "We certainly aren't getting anywhere fast. Those monsters steal from 11th ward branch and then somehow from the 20th from right under our very noses. Considering they stole uniforms, armor, and weapons tells us they are going to be masquerading as us. That is a very terrifying thought. We won't be able to trust anyone we don't know."
"I have to agree with that but why still the gear from the 20th, given that 20th HQ is still standing? They could have just used the gear from 11th given that it was overtaken," Akane mused, scratching the side of her head. "No one even knows how they got into the building. The cameras weren't tampered with but things just vanished in the blink of an eye."
"A lot of weird things have been going on to be honest," he grumbled, pulling at his tight armor. "Incognito's sudden appearance and then disappearance, Amon's report of Incognito's yellow eyes, and then, no offense, your partner's quick decline in health, leading to his… Well… Hm, then there was that brat, Grimm, that led us there…"
"Grimm… No one has seen him since that night…" she mumbled, lightly biting on the tip of her gloved thumb. "I don't even like that name. Far too ominous…"
"It's a rather ironic name, too… Given the definition of the word," Mado sighed. "Someone had a really dark sense of humor."
"I hope it wasn't you that put in that name," she turned to glare at him.
"Wh-what?! No! Goodness no… That's just in poor taste no matter how you look at it," Mado quickly answered. That was close! For a moment I thought she actually figured it out.
"Yeah… I guess even for you that would be…" she turned her head back down. "I still can't believe that he… I can still see him just… Drop off the side…"
"That is something that will haunt us for a while to come," Mado said, patting her shoulder. "Trust me. A lot still haunts me to this day…"
"Uh, Mado…?"
"What?"
"Don't look now but Shinohara's little minion is…" she pointed off a ways as Mado leaned forward to see what she was looking at. "This is going to be…"
"Great…" Mado leered devilishly as the young hellion made off with Marude's motor bike, burning a bit of rubber along the way.
He was headed straight for the complex at full speed. Marude tried to get control of his bike back from Juzo but with no luck.
"Is he crazy?!" she snapped, watching the young investigator, raced off with the owner just barely hanging on. "He'll crash that bike before he even makes it anywhere!"
"Oh, ye of little faith. Watch him! Grant it, I don't like the little prick but it's people like this that get things done around here," Mado almost laughed as Juzo managed to get the bike airborne. "C'mon, brat! Do it! DO IT!"
"Oh, I can't look!" she quickly covered her face.
A moment later frantic gunfire rang out in the area from inside the complex. She didn't want to see what happened to that stupid kid. How could Mado cheer him on like that? Maybe Mado really was a twisted piece of—"
"COME ON IN!" Juzo yelled, exuberantly from the building.
She peeked out from behind her fingers to see Juzo standing inside the building holding up a few severed heads in his hands. A large smile stretched across his face from ear to ear. That little bastard actually made the jump and cleared a path for them? Okay, she was rather impressed. Still hated the brat but impressed none the less.
"GOOOOOO! GO, GO! GO DAMN IT!" Marude yelled at the top of his lunges, pointing at the building.
Akane picked up her quinque case as did Mado. They quickly met up with Amon and Shinohara before hurrying inside the building with everyone else. Now things could actually get started. Maybe now they could finally get a good hold of the reigns.
Yoruichi opened up a soul phone and quickly called Urahara. The CCG was finally entering the buildings. They still had to wait a bit before actually dropping everyone off inside. She was already dressed in her CCG body armor and sitting up in a tall tree a good ways back from everything. Ichigo was on the branch above her, looking at the start of the assault through his binoculars. It would take them a little while more time to get in deep.
"So, it's finally started," Yoruichi said, closing the phone and put it up. "That kid is crazy. I like him."
"Yeah, you say that now… But up close… Ugh," Ichigo grumbled, pulling up his hood and snapped it closed over his horn and formed his mask. "I'm heading on in. You coming?"
"Yeah, I might as well. I am supposed to be the one to tell Urahara when to open the gate. I can't do that unless I know the status of things," she said, grabbing what little items she had. "Damn side is still sore."
"Where Yomo kicked you?" Ichigo asked and she grumbled.
"Yeah, although from his POV he most likely thought I wanted Fueguchi for dinner. I can't exactly blame him," she answered, rubbing her side.
"I suppose not. Good luck, Yoruichi," he said, using sonido and vanished. "Be save in there."
"Same to you, Ichigo," she breathed, using shun-po to make her way to the building.
She arrived unnoticed right in the middle of the fighting. She started to fire at the ghouls without anyone paying her any mind. She'd have to stick with them until they were deep enough in to open a senkaimon and let the rest of the party into the building. It would certainly be easier to let them in this way to bypass a lot of this drama. Hopefully Ichigo would located Kaneki fairly soon so everyone could bolt and leave this mess behind them. With luck, they may not even be needed. It was always good to have help, even if it's never utilized.
A dark cloaked figure landed silently on a thin steel railing of a rooftop, perched precarious like a cat on tower 4. His yellow/black eyes looked over the expansive area. The CCG was still a good bit away from his section of the complex. Now where would they keep the prisoners? He studied the lay out a little more when he heard a couple of people stop behind him on the roof. He turned to his right to see two Aogiri Tree members, staring at him through their masks.
"Who the hell are you?" one of them asked in a sharp voice. "How did you get up here, you bastard?"
"Where do you hold your prisoners?" he asked, turning to face them completely.
"Ha… Hahaha! You serious? You want to know? Why don't I just show you when I—Wha…?"
A clawed black and white hand was buried deep within his chest. He painfully screamed out!
"I'm not in much of a joking mood," he growled out, picking the ghoul up by his ribs. "I want to know."
"That's not going to happen," the other ghoul snapped, coming down ready to strike with his kagune only to have his partner be thrown on top of him. "What the hell, dude? Get off me! Off!"
"Look at… L-look at his eyes," the wounded ghoul choked out, weakly pointing at the intruder. "His eyes…"
The other ghoul studied the figure's eyes peeking out through the white and black toothy mask. His heart skipped a bit. His eyes clearly wouldn't human but they certainly weren't ghoul eyes either.
"Y-you can't be? I thought th-that was just a rumor," the second ghoul snapped, pushing his wounded partner to the cold ground. "There really is a yellow-eyed ghoul? Fuck that shit!"
He turned and bolted towards the stair well, leaving his partner on the rooftop.
"Not a real loyal bunch, are you?" the cloaked figure groaned and squatted down to the injured ghoul's level. "Now, I won't ask again. Where do you keep your prisoners?"
"Wh-why? Are you looking for s-someone?" he asked as the intruder's mask came uncomfortably close to his own.
"Kaneki Ken. Where is he?" the yellow-eyed ghoul ordered.
"D-don't know! I really don't," he choked out, scooting back. "But I'm not giving you a chance to find out!"
He suddenly released his kagune, a bikaku. One long tail-like whip came out and straight at the intruder's mask. To his surprise the intruder backed up and dodged the killing blow. The ghoul struggled to stand as his wounds continued to heal.
"Lucky bastard," the ghoul clicked his tongue "Not going to happen again I can assure you—UCK!"
He found the same sharp talons embedded in the same closing wound. He was then lifted off his feet once again and swung over the edge of the railing.
"I know this can't be comfortable for you," the yellow eyed ghoul said coolly. "So the location of your prisoners would be nice."
"G-go… Go, screw yourself," he choked out, trying to use his kagune again only to have his attacker grab it and knock it away. "H-how did you…?"
The intruder held up his armored fingers. His fingers were damaged but clearly the kagune never got down deep enough to draw blood. And to top it off they were healing at a fast rate.
"Even a gh-ghoul can't…" the Aogiri Tree member was just stunned.
"You're under the misconception that I'm a ghoul," the intruder said, looking up at the ghoul in his hand. "So let me make this clear to you. I am not a ghoul nor have I ever been. My smell alone has to prove that."
"Ngh! Th-then what are y-you?" he asked in pain as he was hung a little farther out over the edge. "Ah! St-stop!"
"Your prisoners?"
"I… I'm not c-completely sure! Nuggh! T-that's the truth! I-I just joined th-the other night! Ow! Sh-shit! I'm still learning the l-layout of the place, the who's who, a-and the rules. Y-you know, stuff like that!"
"Then you're of no use to me."
"Then c-can you put me d-down—please?"
"Sorry."
"S-sorry? Wait! No, d-don't you dare! AAAAAAAGH!"
The ghoul hit another ledge on his way to the bottom, doing a neck breaking flip. Right now Ichigo was fresh out of any mercy. His old self might have give the ghoul a second chance but he learned from Tsukiyama not do that. His instincts and experience told him to just get things over with. After all two apex predators were just one too many. He didn't particularly like giving into this side of himself but these people were far from innocent. Had the ghoul complied and not tried to attack him the outcome would have been far different.
He shook the blood from his hand the best he could before, turning toward the stairwell where the escapee ghoul made a break for it. He'd just have to see where this would take him. If it wasn't for Yoruichi doing her spying on the CCG this would have been a good bit harder. He had a rough idea of the place as far as the structure was concerned. As for what area was used for what he'd have to discover that for himself.
His bare, white taloned feet made their way down, step by step at a hurried pace. He kept his eyes and ears opened for anything out of place. Like the attacker below him and just off to the right on the stairs below. He jumped back up to the next fight of stairs just as a kokaku kagune shot up from the steps below. It cut right the iron railing. This was a large built ghoul compared to the one that ran away.
"Now who are you supposed to be?" Aogiri Tree member snorted. "Some sort of demon spawn? You certainly look the part with your horn and shit ugly mask. You don't smell like a human and certainly not ghoul."
"At least I'm not a cookie-cutter minion," came the quick reply of the horned intruder.
"Ha! Well, not much I can do about that," he yelled swinging down a heavy spiked kokaku, breaking into the metal stairs as a show of power. "But I'm not one to be mocked, kid."
"Well, how about if I ask you ever so politely? Please, sir, where do you hold your prisoners? Especially one named Kaneki Ken?"
"Kaneki ken…? Name does ring a bell but…" he jumped up and swung his kagune down where intruder had been standing. The ghoul soon found the intruder on the next level up once again. "How did you…? I have never seen any ghoul move that fast!"
"I'm going to sound like a broken record by the end of this mission…" the intruder grumbled, shaking his head. "Look, let me make this transparently clear to you. I am not a ghoul and never have been. You already said I don't smell like one. I just want to know two things: where your prisoners are and where is Kaneki Ken."
"Let me make this transparently clear! I don't take orders from you," the ghoul jumped and went to attack again only to have his kagune sliced in half. "The hell…?"
He never even saw how it happened. His kagune was whole one second and sliced in half the next.
"H-how…?" he forced from his mouth, before hitting the railing and almost falling over backwards.
The intruder grabbed him by the front of his red cloak and kept him from falling down the center of the stairwell. He then felt something remarkably sharp pressing against his throat. A sword but…? That wasn't a… He could barely see the blade in the darkness. It was like a faint shadow threatening to kill him.
"Is this transparent enough for you? You know my two questions so how about answering them."
"A-and if I don't?"
"Rhetorical question."
"Oh, c'mon… You'd actually…" he was starting to become nervous.
"You signed up for this so you knew what you were getting into. Now—I am giving you one last chance. Talk!"
Yoruichi eventually broke off from the main pack of investigators and decided to do her own exploring. She was so in the middle of it she couldn't make out the nitty-gritty. She couldn't see the forest through the trees so to speak. She kept her wits about her as she had just basically singled herself out. It was a breath of fresh air to get away from the smell of gun smoke and blood.
She came to stop a and fixed her body armor a little. If anything this might give her a better idea as to where to open the senkaimon when or if they were needed. She rolled her shoulders. She wasn't exactly accustomed to running with a large gun. Even for her it got heavy after a while.
"Where to go from here?" she mused, looking down a long open hallway.
The investigators were still working in the first tower but they were gaining ground fast. She had migrated to another tower. She only made it about half way down the hallway when she was greeted by a group of ghouls running up the stairs and burst out of the doors. Not taking a chance she quickly raised her gun and fired. Only two rounds came out before cutting off.
I'm I out? she quickly looked at the gun a noticed the problem. Jammed! Damn! I'm going to have to do this a little more my way.
"Oh, lookie here. A Dove got separated from her flock," ghoul mocked, walking a little closer with his companions right behind him. "And what a pretty dove she is."
"I'll take the complement," she smirked, trying to get the shell out but just gave up. She was better with her fists anyway.
She just took off straight at them. The sudden odd move made by the investigator rattled them. Why was she moving towards them? She was also moving pretty damn fast. She jumped up and brought the heavy rifle down square on the ghoul's head, forcing him into the concrete floor. The blunt force was so hard that even the ghoul's head was cracked wide open along with the floor. The others jumped back and looked at her, awestruck. An average human didn't have that much strength to just bust open a ghoul's skull clean open with a rifle. The rifle itself was nearly broken in half.
"But flattery will get you nowhere," she tossed the misshapen rifle over her shoulder and stepped over the dead ghoul. "All right. Any other takers?"
They hesitated for a moment, looking among each other. Was she for real? She was weaponless now that she snapped her rifle right over their comrade's head. She pulled out a couple large quinque hunting knives and twirled them around in her fingers with well-practiced ease. She wasn't so weaponless after all. One finally got up the nerve to jump her.
"Come here, you little witch," he shrieked, rushing right at her.
His just released his kagune only have her dodge it. She jumped up and over him. Before he could spin around to see her, a sharp quinque knife was driven into his right temple. She ripped it from his head right after as he just crumpled to the ground. The remaining 2 ghouls looked at their second dead comrade.
"How are you doing that?! You smell human enough to me," a female ghoul, snapped.
"I think we should get her together. She can't possibly take on more than one of us at a time," her male companion said, taking a step forward. "Besides, there's something different about her that I don't like."
The pair got ready to charge her together and she looked more than ready to take them on.
"So, it's two against one, I take it?" Yoruichi said, gripping the handles tightly her hands.
"You're biting off than you can chew, you damn Dove," he yelled at her.
He then charged at Yoruichi with the woman right at his heels. Distance was key with this attack. They'd use their kagune to put a buffer between her and them. They had practiced this in the past. The female ghoul had a bikaku with two long hooked tentacles. The goal was to hook her prey and hold them up in the air just long enough for her partner to come down with his bladed kokaku. It had worked in the past with great success.
He attacked first to create the diversion. The dove would be more focused on him, giving his partner a clear opening. He came down with a sharp blade that took up most of his arm. He swung down as she dodged out the way with practiced ease. This woman was far too good to be a basic foot solider. She had to be a ranked investigator. There was no getting around that the more he studied her. She had seen things, clearly, and knew what to do in the very spur of the moment.
He attacked her again, his bladed arm just missing the top of her helmeted head. He just needed to keep her attention until his partner had a good shot. He got Yoruichi to put her back to his partner. Now was the right time to use their attack. The female ghoul bent forward a little and released her two rinkaku from under her cape. She had a clear shot of the investigator and quickly took advantage of it.
Yoruichi heard something behind her. She took her eyes off the man just long enough to see the threat coming her way. Not missing a beat, she dived down as the two rinkaku hit her partner instead, burying themselves into his chest. Yoruichi crawled back a little before getting back to her feet.
"Takuma," she screamed, retracting her kagune. "Takuma, are you okay? I'm so sorry!"
"Dammit," he cursed clutching his chest as she ran over to him. "Little bitch!"
"Excuse me?!"
"Not you, Haruko! Her!"
He pointed over at Yoruchi who wasn't that far from them. The pair glared at her and she glared back with a rather passive gaze. Haruko turned and charged at her. She'd teach that damn Dove a thing or two! She charged only to stop dead with the sharp edge of the quinque hunting knife threatening to slice her thin neck wide open. She had barely even released her kagune when this suddenly happened. She dare not make a move.
"Don't you do it," he yelled at Yoruichi.
"Then maybe you shouldn't have done this to begin with," Yoruichi snapped at him. "You wanted a revolution, a war. Well, this is what happens between point A and point B. People fight and people die."
Haruko shook in fear as the quinque nicked at her skin. If she so much as twitched one hooked kagune that blade was going into her throat. Takuma took a step forward he'd have to get in close to do any good and she'd killed Haruko before that could even happen.
"Please don't hurt her," Takuma snapped. "Please… She's the only family I have left."
"Sister?"
"Half sister."
"Well, I need more than that to spare her," Yoruichi hissed. "Being related means nothing to me. I'm not in a sympathetic mood. Give me a good clear reason why I shouldn't."
"Takuma…" his sister whined, begging him with her eyes.
"We'll… We'll leave. W-we won't bother you anymore."
"Not good enough!"
"Why?!"
"You said you won't 'bother me anymore.' So I am assuming you wish to continue fighting even after this, as long as I'm not involved."
"N-NO! I mean… We'll leave! W-we'll leave Aogiri Tree behind! We won't c-come back."
"I'd like to believe that."
"It's the… It's the truth! We'll… We'll abandon this war a-and leave! Just give me back my sister!"
"I still don't believe you. Your voice says one thing but your body language says another."
"What?" he blinked.
"Your mannerisms, uneasy voice, and odd fidgeting all points to one thing. That one thing being is that you're lying," she answered him.
"I'm not lying! W-we will leave," he snapped. "Just g-give her back to me!"
"Please, I'll make sure he keeps his word," she cried, casting her eyes back on Yoruichi. "J-just let me go! Let us go!"
"This really is against my better judgment."
Yoruichi pulled the knife away and shoved Haruko back at her brother. The two collided almost toppling each other to the floor. They then looked back over at her.
"I suggest you leave now and not later. The rest of the CCG isn't too far behind me," Yoruichi warned. "Again this is against my better judgement. If I catch wind of you two again…"
"I promise that won't happen," Haruko said with a deep bow. "We will leave! Take my word! I'm not lying, am I?"
"No, you're not lying. It's just that I don't trust him," Yoruichi pointed her knife at Takuma. "He still has a strong killing intent. Given the chance your brother would attack me right now."
"Where do you get off thinking that I'd—"
He suddenly felt the tip of the hunting knife under his chin. How did she move that fast? He swallowed a nervous knot from his throat, looking down into her amber eyes.
"Trust me, I know. I'm an assassin by trade. If I can't read body language I would have been dead many years ago," she growled out. "Testing me is not something you should be doing. One miss step and I won't hesitate to shove this blade through your throat."
He clinched his teeth as his kagune covered arm twitched. Just one quickly jab to her side and she would be done for but dare he risk it? The same could be said of him. Like she said she could just as quickly run that blade straight through his neck. Was it really worth it? He shook a little as he weighed his options.
"Takuma, please don't do anything to upset her," his sister pleaded, grabbing his shaking arm. "She's being more than generous! I never even wanted to join! I only did so because you wanted me to! Please, lets just take this and run!"
"Mom was killed because of people like her. Not to mention my dad and your dad," he growled out at her. "I can't stand Doves!"
"I'm the only Dove you're going to meet tonight that's handing out an olive branch and I shouldn't even be doing that," Yoruichi hissed, her eyes narrowing. "I'm not giving you another chance. Leave—now."
"Let's go, Takuma! Please, our parents' vengeance isn't worth our own lives," she said, pulling on his arm. "They wanted us to live! Is this really what you want? To throw away everything they tried to do for us? Let's leave this place!"
He jerked his arm from her, cutting her arms as he swung at Yoruichi. He'd be damn if it let this chance slip by him. This would be the first investigator he'd kill tonight and he'd only rack up more! How could his sister not want revenge? He barely got his arm around when he felt the quinque blade bury itself into his throat and clear into his spine. He felt like he was choking and his body locked, completely unable to move.
"TAKUMAAAAAA!"
Yoruichi unceremoniously ripped the bloody blade back out. He stood for only a moment before he collapsed to the floor. How could this have happened? He just wanted to get back at these bastards for killing his parents. He choked on his blood bring out more than what was already pouring out. He then felt a boot on his shoulder. His blurred vision could make to investigator holding up her quinque again.
"NOOOO! Please don't," Haruko yelled and pulled him out from under Yoruichi's boot. "You've done enough I'll take him and leave!"
"I did too much damage to his throat and spine. It's taking too long to heal. Chances are he'll die before you even—"
"SHUT UP! Shut up! I don't want to hear it," Haruko yelled, clutching her brother close and started to sob. "Just leave us alone! G-go away!"
"Huh. Suit yourself. You're just prolonging his pain," Yoruichi pointed out, slinging the blood from her blade. "If he manages to survive it'll be a miracle."
Yoruichi stepped back and kept her eyes on the pair. She knew better than to put her back to an enemy. She continued backwards down the hall for quite a ways. She watched as Haruko clutched his limp body and cried into his shoulder. Just as she was about to round the corner she saw Takuma's soul sit up out of his body.
Urahara and the others waited patiently in the abandoned house for the call from Yoruichi. They were already suited up with their guns at their side. This was rather nerve wracking as to when they would actually get the call. No one really wanted to do this and so they were put on reserve for the time being until they were needed.
It had been decided they'd stay behind until absolutely necessary. As this really was different from fighting Hollows, Ichigo didn't want to risk their safety too soon. Yoruichi and Urahara also second that. Jinta was a little put out by this. He had finally gotten good at shooting. Well, somewhat good at shooting. He got close to hitting the target a few times at least.
"UGGHH! This is so boring," Jinta groaned, flopping back into his cot. "I don't see why we couldn't just go with them in the first place!"
"As boring at this maybe we can't rush things. For now it will just be Yoruichi and Ichigo. With luck they'll find Kaneki and get out of there before too long," Urahara stated, spinning his helmet of the floor. "I know this is boring, I agree, but we don't want to risk anything. We're not trained CCG soldiers. No doubt the CCG has noticed that weapons and gear have been taken from the armory. They know that there will be imposters running around dressed as them. The less time we spend there, the less we risk being caught."
"I get that! It's just… Dammit," Jinta snapped, running a gloved hand over his face.
"Patience is a virtue," Ururu hummed.
"Don't start that," Jinta grumbled turning to look at the ebony haired woman to his left.
"It is what it is, Jinta," Uryu said. "None of us our happy about this."
"Personally, I've had second thoughts about this. Like Urahara said, we're not trained CCG soldiers so we really don't know what to expect," Chad sighed, leaning up against the peeling wall, his arms crossed. "I'm hoping we don't get called to be honest."
"Same here. I know I'm not going to be able to handle a gun for any length of time. I'll eventually fall back to using my Quincey Arrows," Uryu sighed, shaking his head. "We'll end up sticking out like a sore thumb regardless."
"I'll end up using my abilities as well," Chad nodded.
"I think we all will, sadly. We'll feel safer relying on what we know and trust," Urahara said, reaching over to the long dark tube that concealed Benihime. "I doubt I'll actually use her but I can't be anywhere without her."
Uryu looked down at his cross, wrapped around his wrist. He knew that feeling as well.
"Also keep in mind the amount of souls that will be there. Ignore them the best you can. Concentrate on the living only," Urahara spoke up again. "No doubt the commotion has drawn in a small group of Shinigami to handle them. Don't get in their way."
"As long as they don't get in our way," Jinta said, sitting back up.
"I mean it," Urahara warned. "It wouldn't look good if we're seen communicating with unseen people."
"Fine, fine…" Jinta waved him off. "I'll ignore them—mostly…"
Urahara shook his head. Jinta was Jinta and Jinta was going to do what he wanted. Not much Urahara could do about it now. The redhead was an adult now and the young man was free to make his own choices as stupid as they may be.
"Why don't I fix some tea?" Orihime sudden spoke up. "It'll warm us up a little."
Orihime stood and walked over to the camping stove next to the cracked window. She picked up a gallon of fresh water and a tea kettle. She got the small burner going and put the full kettle on top. She didn't like hearing this too much. They were anxious about going and she was anxious about being left behind. She sighed as she rubbed her cold hands together before facing them towards the warm stove.
"Orihime?" Uryu said as she turned to face him. "Are we troubling you talking about this?"
"What? N-no, I'm not bothered. I'm just a little worried is all," she smiled, shaking her head a little.
"You're a bad liar," he grumbled and her face fell to a frown.
"Yoruichi told me the same thing."
"Well, you do wear your emotions on your sleeve, so to speak."
"I suppose I do…"
Uryu stood up from his camping chair and walked over to her. She looked up at him as he came to a stop. He had a rather serious look on face. She cast her eyes down and knitted her cold fingers together.
"Come with me," he motioned her to follow him out of the room.
She nodded and walked out the door right behind him. The room grew silent thereafter. Jinta and Ururu exchanged sly glances and slowly got up from their seats. They tiptoed in their heavy boot towards the dark doorway. They barely made a step out of the door when Chad grabbed the back of their armored vests and dragged the pair back into the room.
"Hey, Chad, what gives?" Jinta snapped as Chad let go.
"Leave them alone," Chad stated, glaring down at them. "Their business is their own."
"He's right. You two know better than that," Urahara snapped. "Shame on the both of you."
"Aren't you the least be curious as to what—"
"No," Urahara and Chad replied in unison.
"You're no fun," Ururu pouted.
"Totally," Jinta nodded, crossing his arms.
"You two are adults and it's time you start acting like it," Urahara said.
"You're one to talk. You've done the same thing," Jinta smirked.
"Yes, but it wasn't under circumstances like this," Urahara pointed out. "Let them be."
Jinta sighed and looked over at Ururu. She just shrugged and walked back over to her cot. He quickly did the same and sat down. He just wanted to know what was going on. He lightly tapped his boot against his helmet that sat on the floor next to him. So, it was back to the waiting game. He slouched a bit before falling back on his cot again. He looked up at the dark cracked, water stained ceiling. This was so damn boring! Things had better pick up soon.
Ichigo stood on one of the balconies of Tower 4. He looked out to see the CCG was already starting to migrate into Tower 2. They looked like they were finally gaining some ground on Aogiri Tree. He wasn't getting much done hanging out in this building. It might be wise to move on to another location.
He walked back inside and lightly looked down at the hand radio strapped in a holster, attached to his belt. Yoruichi had been rather quiet on the radio. She'd peep in every now and then to tell him she was okay but no real transmissions were made. He had been feeling something that was bothered him on the far end of complex. He wasn't sure what it was but it might be wise to investigate that area ASAP.
He started down another hall and heard something for a brief moment. It sounded like feet lightly scurrying and the light click off a door just around the corner. His bare feet made him very quiet as he moved. He extended his talons and prepared to peer around the corner. This was never safe but it had to be done. He slowly inched his head around the corner and saw no one. The hall was empty. That didn't mean one of the rooms lining the hall wasn't. Just to be on the safe side he manifested his sword. He slowly made his way down the hall keeping an eye on every door that he passed. He finally stopped at one that was at the far end. Someone, no, some ones were in there. Dare he disturb them or not?
He licked his lips up under his mask and slowly reached for the door handle. His clawed hand barely made contact with the metal handle when the door was ripped open and was nearly hit with a quick fist. He stumbled back a little and caught the small fist in his hand. A woman? He pulled her out into the hall as two others came out right after. He slammed her against the wall and held her against it by her neck.
"Don't come near me," Ichigo warned, tightening his grip on the woman's throat, his claws digging into her skin and held out the barely visible sword to the pair at the door.
"Stay back," the taller figure ordered, pulling the other smaller Aogiri Tree member behind him. "Let her go. Let her go right now!"
"I might if you give me some information," Ichigo said, keeping his sword aimed at the man. "I can be generous so long as I get what I want."
"Who are you?" the Aogiri Tree member asked, keeping perfectly still. "Your eyes aren't…"
"Yes, yes, I know… I hear this quite often, thank you," he snorted. "As for who I am, it is of no concern of yours. Just answer my questions and I'll give her back."
"Why should I trust you?" the man stated in a dark tone. "You're choking her! I do not tolerate such actions. "
He didn't know who or what was standing in front of him. He smelt familiar but he didn't smell human nor did he smell like a ghoul. He wasn't sure what the man smelt like and he didn't like it. The grip the strange man had on his partner wasn't particularly tight but it was just enough to block a good bit air from entering her lungs. She could easily blackout in a minute or two, she was already fading fast.
"Take a leap of faith," Ichigo snorted. "Two questions and if answered correctly I'll let her go. She's about to passout."
"All right, what do you want to know?" he was preparing to use his kagune. It was already creeping down his arm up under his cloak. He would get this bastard if he made one wrong move.
"Where are your prisoners and where is Kaneki Ken? I'm tired of getting the run around with you damn people!"
The space grew into an uneasy quiet. The only sound was the distant muffled gunfire and the woman's gasping breaths.
"S-so you're not with Aogiri Tree?" the young girl behind the man asked, peeking out. "You're looking for Kaneki, too?"
"Looking for him, too?" Ichigo blinked, looking at the two in front of him and then at the woman that was pretty much out cold at this point. "Oh, shit! I'm so, so sorry!"
He quickly pulled his hand back from the woman as she collapsed to the floor pulling in one large breath of air followed by several others. She coughed a little and she pushed herself up onto her elbows. Her vision was a little blurry as she looked up at the figure that nearly squeezed the life from her.
"I-I'm so sorry! I didn't m-mean to… I didn't know y-you were the ones from Anteiku," Ichigo said in a panic. "I've j-just been bombarded left and right a-and I just acted out! I am so v-very sorry!"
He dispersed his sword and bowed to the man before him. Now actually thinking back on it the voice belonged to Yoshimura. He was just so caught up in the moment he hadn't bothered to pay much mind. Hopefully they wouldn't ID with his voice too. His hollow mask created weird resonance within his voice so hopefully not. Well this man was Yoshimura than that meant the girl behind him was Hinami and the woman he choked just now… Given her height had to be… Irimi?
"S-s-so you're… Y-you're one of h-his friends…?" Irimi gasped, holding a gentle hand to her abused throat.
"Honestly, I had no idea!" Ichigo exclaimed, offering her his hand but she just swatted it away.
"So you're one of the people we were warned about just prior to coming here?" Yoshimura said, looking at the odd being up and down. "Come in. Let's not talk out here."
Yoshimura helped Irimi back up to her feet and into the room. Ichigo followed in right behind them and shut the door. He felt like a jerk doing what he did but he had been honest. He had just been assaulted left and right and just acted out without paying attention.
"Again, I am so sorry," Ichigo said, rubbing the back of his hooded head.
"Well, we were thinking the same about you," Yoshimura said, taking off his hood.
"Yes, but I acted out."
"You didn't know as I was about to attack you the moment you made a move."
"Wh-what are you anyway?" Irimi asked with bit of a rough voice. "You're n-not human and you're not a gh-ghoul. You smell weird."
"Hey, she's right," Hinami said, looking at Ichigo as well.
"Can you stop analyzing my smell?" Ichigo grumbled, crossing his arms. "That's kind of gross…"
"It... It really is odd. I swear there is this small hint of something that I recognize but... I can't quite place it," Irimi said, scratching her head. "And I'm pretty sure we've never met."
"I'm pretty sure of that, too," Shiro agreed. "Now stop smelling me. Seriously."
Yoshimura cleared his throat and took off his mask and extended his hand out to Ichigo. Ichigo reached out and took it.
"I'm Yoshimura, the manager of Anteiku," Yoshimura said, giving the man a firm hand shake.
"You can just call me Shiro," Ichigo replied, pulling his handed back. "I'm one of Ichigo's friends for Karakura Town."
"So then Mr. Kurasaki…?" Hinami said, taking an uneasy step towards him.
"He rallied a few of us together to come here," Shiro answered, turning to look at her. "And I do mean just a few."
"Just how many people exactly?" Yoshimura asked.
"So far there is only one other person on the property and she is masquerading around as a CCG solider," Shiro answered. "She's getting the lay out of the place and letting me know where the CCG is headed and their all over status."
"But just how many are you in total?" Yoshimura insisted.
"Hm… Excluding Princess and adding Kuro-Neko… Uh… 1… 2… Six active members altogether. Not including myself so… Yeah, very few." He counted everyone out on his fingers. He sounded bit nervous for some reason. "They will also be acting like CCG soldiers."
"So the whole party is really made up of 8 people. You don't sound all the confident in your other teammates," Irimi grumbled, pulling off her mask and rubbed a little sweat from her face.
"Well, considering none of them have any formal military training… Eehhh… Expectations aren't high," Shiro said, scratching the back of his hooded head. "Considering they just learned how to use a gun the other night… Military protocols, too… It wasn't looking well..."
"They're going to fuck this up, aren't they?" Irimi grumbled.
"I'm praying that they don't. I'm also praying they don't have to get involved. That's why I want to find Kaneki before things get too out of hand. If push comes to shove they can and will fight. But they will fight their way not the CCG's way and that can be bad for us."
"What do you mean 'their way,' huh?" Irirmi questioned, walking up over to him, a dark look on her face. "Just who are you really along with your little friends?"
Yoshimura cleared his throat and Irimi turned to look at him. He ran a hand over his slicked back gray hair and looked at Shiro. He had to ask before just blurting it out. Shiro might not like having everything being thrown out into the open.
"Do you wish to tell her or should I?" Yoshimura asked as Shiro looked at him. "It's best to place everything out in the open. Ichigo had already explained what he was not long before his death."
"Yeah, I suppose you can. Chances are she'll believe you more," Shiro yawned a little.
"What are two talking about?" Irimi asked, looking between the two men.
"Kaya, the same day Ichigo came to visit the café he let out a very big secret out about himself. Now I'm not making this up so please don't be critical about this," Yoshimura siad, feeling uneasy talking about it. "Huh… This is actually… A little harder to say than I first thought. Ichigo, well… He was human but he was something known as Esper. Have you heard of that term?"
"Esper?" Irimi blinked, scratching the side of her face.
"Oh, I know what that means! It's someone that has some sort of psychic ability, right?" Hinami said, looking up Yoshimura.
"Yes…" Yoshimura nodded.
"What? Seriously?" Irimi bit out. "You actually believed that?"
"If you had seen what we saw that day, you'd believe it," Yoshimura said, turning to look out the large window. "He didn't go into any detail but the young man stated serious issues with his powers and he said it was actually making him quite unwell."
"Unwell? Like what kind of unwell?" Irimi asked, looking confused and even a little worried. "Was that why he…? He jumped?"
"I can't say to be honest. He wouldn't say anything other than his abilities were making him very sick but he did tell us that there were others out there; other Espers, each with their own unique abilities. He didn't give any names, how many he knew, or anything like that. But given this young man here in this room… May I assume that your companions are Espers as well?"
"They are," Shiro nodded and Yoshimura turned to look at him. "Each one has their own gift so to speak."
"They all don't look like you, do they?" Irimi asked, giving a sideway glace at Shiro.
"No, I'm the odd one out in the group," he answered shaking his head. "I'm one of a kind. Trust me on that."
"Just what are you, Mr. One-of-a-kind?" Irimi asked.
"I am what I am."
"What sort of answer is that supposed to be? You look like one of the Devil's underlings."
"That's not really something I enjoy hearing."
"Well, you do… With your horn, boney mask, and everything."
"I know I do and it has caused me a good bit grief. So I would appreciate it if you didn't refer to me as such. At least you can walk out in the light of day. I barely feel safe stepping out into moonlight. I can't change how I look and this isn't a costume. My horn's real, my claws are real, my white skin is real, even this mask I wear is a part of my body."
She quickly closed her lips up tight. She honestly thought this was a bit of a costume. Clearly he wanted to set it straight. This also explained his strange scent. He really wasn't human. So then what was this thing standing in front of the door?
"So this is you in your entirety?" Yoshimura asked, looking Shiro up and down. "I must say I have never seen anyone like you before."
"Like I said: I'm one of a kind," Shiro replied. "However, my appearance doesn't make me any less of a person so I would like to be treated as such."
"Of course," Yoshimura nodded.
"As time is rather limited where is the rest of your group?" Shiro asked. "I need to warn them about my friends disguised as CCG soldiers. I'll be able to tell them who to look out for. I want to minimize screw ups."
"Kaya, do you think you can track the placement of Yomo and the others?" Yoshimura asked.
"Yeah, I think so. I just need to concentrate a little bit," she said closing her eyes and let the air around them go quiet. She listened to the chaos around her. "They are in… Tower 7 right now."
Shiro pause and turned towards the Tower 5. He then turned toward Irimi.
"Tower 5 what going on in there?"
"I know there is battle going on in the Tower itself but... It's actually the annex build behind Tower 5. Hinami picked up on that, too. We're not sure what's going on in that building. Just that it's two ghouls fighting each other."
"Hold on," Shiro said, pulling out a radio. "Kuro-neko, can you give me status update on the location of the CCG?"
The radio popped for a couple of seconds before a woman's voice came through along with a lot of gunfire.
"Let me move to a more secure location."
The radio went dead for a minute before crackling back on.
"The transmissions that I'm getting are stating that Unit one are invading into Tower 2 and Unit 2 is moving into Tower 5. By the way, the building behind the Tower 5… I've been meaning to call to see if you've been feeling that battle back there."
"Yeah, I'm feeling it. A little hard to miss to be honest. I can sense the bloodlust from here."
"I'm in Tower 2 at the moment. I'll stick around long enough before I move on."
"Tell her to go to Tower 6. The others should be making their way over from 7 there shortly," Irimi said, looking at Shiro.
"I need you to get to Tower 6. A group from Anteiku should be heading that way some time soon. They are in 7 right now."
"I copy that. I'll head over to 6 when I can. The CCG isn't playing around. It's kill on sight for the most part. Very few have been taken into custody. And Tower 5 from what I understand is getting slammed. There a ghoul or two over there that's really causing some trouble. Aogiri Tree has a strong footing in that tower so be careful as you move past the building. The annex building isn't far behind it."
"Yoshimura, who does she need to look out for?" Shiro asked, looking at the old ghoul.
"They will be dressed like Aogiri Tree members. A group of three men and one woman. I can't help much more than that," Yoshimura shrugged. "Everyone's is dressed the same. Just tell her to use her digression."
"That's not really helpful," he grumbled and then pressed to button on his radio again. "Kuro-neko, they will be dressed as Aogiri Tree members. Look for a group of 3 males and one female. Chances are it might be them."
"That's rather vague," she grumbled. "I need names or something?"
"Yomo, Touka, Ut—" Yoshimura was cut off.
"Yomo? I can track him. I still own for that punt he gave me earlier this evening," she snapped. "I'll find him no problem with that."
"Please, don't do anything stupid with him."
"I'm not. I'll wait until this is over with and then I'll let him have it."
"I know you… You're going to do something and it'll come out of left field."
"I'm not, so stop stressing out."
"I mean it!"
"I cross my heart I won't mess with him—too much."
Then the line went quiet right after. He looked down at his radio and groaned, putting in back up in the holster.
"What is she going to do to him?" Hinami asked.
"If it's anything like she did to me as a teen… You don't need to know," Shiro answered her shaking his head. "I can't unsee it. Both times."
"That bad?" Hinami asked.
"Looking back… Not really. It's more of a shock factor and I hope she doesn't do it to him. I have a feeling it might not go over well."
"Then maybe you should find her and prevent her from doing whatever you're worried about," Yoshimura spoke up.
"Yeah… No. I'm not that stupid. She's liable to do it to me again for shits and giggles. I don't need that right now," Shiro said, turning towards the door.
"Is there any way we can get in contact with you should we need to?" Yoshimura asked as Shiro opened the door.
"Not really. I only have this one radio," he said, patting the radio on his hip.
"Aren't you worried about your signal being picked up by the CCG? They have to be scanning the radio transmissions," Irimi said, looking at the small radio.
"They won't pick this up. It's on a frequency they can't detect," Shiro answered, opening the door. "I'll meet up with others and hopefully we can find Kaneki before too long."
"Um, in case I don't see you again can you do me one small favor," Hinami asked, walking up to him. "Can you tell Kurosaki's dad thanks for sending you and the others here to help?"
He looked down at her and lightly patted her shoulder.
"I'll tell him," Shiro said, stepping out into the dark hallway. "You take care. I'm heading to the annex building first. I need to see what going on there first hand."
"Be careful, okay?" Hinami said, waving at him.
"I will," he waved back at her.
He shut the door and hurried back towards the roof. It would easier to use Sonido to move from roof to roof. As fast as he moved the helicopters wouldn't see him. He made his way back out onto the roof as set his eyes on Tower 5. Just behind that was the annex building. Once he figured out what was going on over there he'd meet up with Yoruichi and hopefully the rest of Anteiku. He got a run start and quickly jumped to Tower 8, then to Tower 7 and 6. It was wasn't looking good on Tower 5 like Yoruichi had said. He'd worry about that when the time came.
He turned to see a silo shape building just behind Tower 5 and the energy coming off that wasn't good. He jumped down and quickly started running towards the building. He stopped dead as a bullet whizzed by his head. He turned to see a small group of soldiers standing between Towers 6 and 5. He clicked his teeth and ran again towards his target.
More bullets rain down on him. Clearly they saw an easy target in him as he was completely singled out. As it was, they didn't need to get involved with what was going on in the annex building. He'd just knock them out and continue on. It might even end up saving their hides. He faced them and charged. There were about 10 to 12 in total. Just a few well-placed kicks and punches should do the trick.
It wasn't too long before more than half of the men were down on the ground, out cold. Just a few more to go he noted. He elbowed one in the face before grabbing him and threw him at another solider. He turned to another soldier only to feel something sharp dig its way into his back. He reached around and painfully pulled out a blooded quinque throwing knife. His amber/black eyes widen as he turned to meet the owner of throwing knife. The female investigator was now flanked by the remaining soldiers. She was dressed in the typical dull green body armor but accented with a long black coat and white fir trim. Her long red hair was pulled back into a tight braid. Her one green eye glared at him as she gripped the handle of the large metal briefcase.
"Akane…" he whispered to himself. What is she doing here? I thought she wasn't supposed to be on active duty. They must have cleared her. Is the situation that desperate?
"That's quite enough out of you," she hissed, taking a step forward and held out her quinque case.
"I don't have time for you right now," he said, turning to leave.
"You had plenty of time for these men here," she snapped, stepping over one of the conscious soldiers. "Make time for me, too. I'll keep you fully entertained."
"To which I have no doubt but I really have more pressing… ISSUES!" he jumped as she fired off one of her single use pistols, just missing his shoulder. "Look, ma'am, I really don't need to deal with you right now!"
"God, you sound whiny," she snorted and unlocked her briefcase.
What she pulled from it made his blood run a little cold. He backed up a little as he got a good long look at the large blade in her hands. She was actually using his quinque? His Tsume? She gripped the hilt like he had shown her several times and adjusted he stance to accommodate his weight. He never thought teaching how to wield Tsume would ever come back around to bite him the butt.
"From the way you're acting tells me you know of this quique," she said, inching towards him as he backed up.
"I know it quite well," he answered.
"Then…" she ran straight at him, Tsume ready to swing. "Let's make sure you two get fully acquainted with one another!"
She swung the large blade just missing the top of the target's head. Not missing a beat she went for a quick thrust. The serrated end dug into his left arm. He pushed the blade back making the wound tear more. His blood ran down his arm and pour onto the cracked concrete ground. He didn't have time to study the damage. He had to keep his focus on her. He couldn't just run to the annex building he was too close to it now. She'd know where to look if he did and she didn't need to get involved in the fight happening in there.
He went to make a move towards her to pull Tsume from her fingers when he started to stumble a bit and his head began to feel funny. He was having a hard time standing up right. Was he losing that much blood? There was no way he could. His healing ability had to be working just fine. He shook his head, trying to clear it.
"Not feeling so good, are we?" she said, pulling out another throwing knife. "I added a little something extra to my knives just for this mission. Get enough of the drug in you and your heart will stop."
"A s-sedative?" he choked out, trying to keep his balance.
"I learned from a past mistake not to take chances with you devils," she pointing at her eyepatch. "Once bitten, twice shy as they say."
This was certainly going to complicate things. She moved closer to him as he took some unsteady steps back. The drug was starting to metabolize more into his system. He didn't know what she had used or how much was on her knives. It may only take one or two more before it killed him. There might even be a chance that Tsume was laced with the same sedative. He had to figure out something and fast. There was no way he could tangle with a Class One investigator with the way he was right now. The only true advantage he had over her was the he knew how she operated in a fight. That alone might be the only thing that could keep him alive.
(A/N OMG! I revised and revised and revised this chapter. I cut and pasted and cut and pasted. I hope it was worth the wait and the drama I went through with this chapter. I'm trying to keep up with this story for a long as I can. I know it was a bit of wait and I'm sorry. Please, let me know what you think. I love feedback!)
Millie M. Banshee