A dozen CCG vans sped through the streets of Tokyo. Hardly anybody was out at this ungodly hour. Suzuya yawned and checked his watch. It was 2:28 in the morning. He groaned and slumped into his uncomfortable his seat. Getting out of his and Eto's warm bed had been utter hell. All he wanted was to curl up next to his beautiful wife.

An obnoxious snore pulled Suzuya from his trance. He scowled at his new partner, who's head was resting on his shoulder. Her mouth was open and a line of drool dribbled down her chin. Her curly hair was pulled into a bun, and a single curly strand that had not been pinned back tickled Suzuya's cheek.

"Wake up," Juuzou said irritably, giving the woman a nudge.

"Hmm, what?" Josei said, wearily opening her eyes and adjusting her CCG battle armor. "Are we there yet?"

"Almost," Suzuya said. "Want a lollipop?"

"Sure," Josei said.

Suzuya handed the woman a lollipop. She unwrapped it, threw the wrapper on the grimy van floor, and stuck the pink candy in her mouth. Everyone in the van was either sleeping or half asleep. The vehicle slowed to a halt, and the doves rubbed their sleepy eyes.

Suzuya peered outside the window at the abandoned warehouse. He smirked; he might get a pay raise after this raid. Taking out the cards was a big thing. However, he had decided that he would not harm S rate Flower Crown. The attractive ghoul was how he got here in the first place.

"So," Amon said. "Our procedure: we will use these RC suppressant grenades. Throw them inside. The gas will make all the ghouls unable to use their Kagune. Kill as many as you can. I want every Cards member dead by the end of this. Understand?"

There were nods all around, and about five people filed out of each van. Juuzou grabbed his quinque and a grenade, and then rushed to the warehouse door with his partner and other CCG members.

Mesume sat inside with the Cards. Everyone sat in a circle talking and laughing. Young Shimina sat in Mesume's lap, and the doe eyed girl was braiding her hair. Kenki was telling a story about him and his brother when they were young. Mesume smiled at her family. She was home.

Suddenly, the warehouse door slammed open. Everyone turned their head to see who was there. Several gray canisters rolled toward them, and before anyone had any time to react, they exploded. The gas choked the ghouls, and Shimina began to cry.

"What's going on?" she cried, clinging to Mesume.

The doe eyed servant's eyes were wide. She was frozen, not a muscle moved.

"RC suppressant gas!" Kenki screamed. "We can't use our Kagune! Hide!"

The gas was so thick one couldn't see more than a few yards in front of ones self. Mesume held the sobbing eleven year old girl close to her. She desperately screamed the names of her friends, but her calls were drowned out by the sound of Q bullets shattering windows and tearing holes in the walls. Tears streamed down Mesume's face as gas filled her lungs.

"Mesume?" a panicky voice called out.

Through the gas, the servant could see Jimota running towards them.

"Jimota!" Mesume screamed. She tugged the screaming Shimina along with her, running towards her friend.

Mesume and Shimina were a few yards away from their friend when the rat a tat tat of a gun being fired at close range rang in their ears. Jimota froze, wide emerald eyes unfocused and teary. Mesume, horrified, stared at the nine holes in Jimota's chest. The brown eyed girl crumpled to the ground, dead.

"Jimota!" Shimina screamed, running towards the fallen ghoul.

"Stay back!" Mesume screamed, yanking the eleven year old back.

The servant knew they had to find shelter, but she couldn't find the will to move her legs. Her mind was set on a loop; one of her many conversations with Jimota.

"I don't know," Jimota sighed, leaning against the streetlamp. "I just don't know. It just seems like everything goes wrong, ya know?"

"I wish I could do something," Mesume said, frowning at the green eyed ghoul.

"You do," she said softly.

Mesume stared blankly at the slightly older ghoul. "I do?"

Jimota nodded, a tear falling down her face. "If something goes wrong," she chuckled and wiped away her tears. "Which it usually does. I know I can always come to you. Because you have my back."

Mesume smiled. "And I always will. That's what family is."

Finally remembering that she needed to hide, Mesume yanked Shimina away. They ran through the warehouse, bullets whizzing by them. Due to the gas, visibility of the doves was limited. Suddenly, Mesume and Shimina tumbled to the ground. Shaking off the initial shock, Mesume realized that they had tripped on something. Shimina suddenly screamed. Mesume slapped her hand over the young ghoul's mouth, but her mouth went dry when she saw what they had tripped on.

Kinmuno was sprawled out on the ground. His royal blue eyes were wide open, and a drop of blood dribbled from the corner of his mouth. There was a one inch hole in the center of his forehead from where a Q-bullet had torn through him. Mesume's lip trembled; she was using all her strength not to cry.

"It just seems like I'm always making mistakes," Mesume said, pacing back and forth in front of the crate Kinmuno was sitting on.

"Not everything is your fault you know," the black haired man said.

"But I've made so many mistakes!"

"Mesume, wanna know what's great about you?"

Mesume stared at the ghoul with a doubtful expression. "What's that?"

"You make mistakes. You do hurt people. But each time you say you're sorry, you really mean it."

Mesume flung her arms around Kinmuno. "Thank you," she whispered.

"For what?" he chuckled.

"For knowing what to say."

"We have to hide!" Shimina said, tugging at the stunned Mesume.

"Right," the servant said, eyes still not in focus.

Mesume and Shimina stumbled through the gas filled building, hearts pounding. Shimina pointed out a large pile of boxes.

"Hide behind," she let out a choked sob. "The boxes."

The two female ghouls ran to the hiding spot, and were met by a grisly sight. Sokutei Gosetsu was sprawled out. She looked like she was peacefully sleeping; her blood red eyes were closed and her shoulder length, deep purple hair fell perfectly around her beautiful face. However, her midsection was destroyed. All of the skin had been ripped away; most of the organs as well. The only thing connecting her upper half to her lower half was her mutilated spinal cord and shredded gasped and covered Shimina's eyes, and the young blond ghoul shrieked.

"You know," Mesume said, putting an arm around her friend. "His depression and all, it was hurting you. He left you for your own good."

Sokutei wiped a tear from dribbling down her face. "But how can I forget about him?"

Mesume sighed. "You don't have to forget about him. It's okay. Some people you will keep in your heart forever, but not in your life."

Sokutei stared at the doe eyed woman. "How the hell are you so wise? We're the same age."

Mesume chuckled. "Well, I've already made all the mistakes."

"You can't scream," Mesume said, tears streaming down her own face. She yanked on the young ghoul, and they almost ran smack into Tanichi.

"Mesume!" he said. He was crying, and his white hair was a mess. His white hair was a mess, and his t shirt was soaked with blood. In his arms he cradled Mitsumi. The doll like ghoul had a nasty puncture wound in her stomach.

"Oh my god," Mesume said, helping her friend put the pink haired woman down.

Mitsumi was pale and shaky, and she obviously did not have much time left. When she was all laid out, she looked at the three Cards members who kneeled at her side.

"Mesume?"

"I'm here," Mesume said, gently petting the woman's hair.

"Shimina?"

"I—I'm here," the girl managed through sobs.

"Tanichi?"

"I'm here baby. I love you, it's gonna be okay. I love you."

Tanichi's gray eyes were teary and desperate.

"Miss Mitsumi," Shimina asked, voice shaking. "Are you gonna die?"

At that question, Mesume let out a choked cry.

The pink haired ghoul forced a smile. "Seems to be lookin' that way. Don't you worry though."

"No!" Tanichi screamed. "No, you can't die!"

"It's okay baby," Mitsumi said, closing her eyes and taking the man's hand. "I'm not afraid."

Mitsumi took one last breath, and then became still. Tanichi sobbed and clung to her lifeless body like a child would to a teddy bear.

The three wept together until the shouting of doves startled them. Mesume swallowed her grief and spoke.

"We have to go."

"You guys can go," Tanichi said, stroking Mitsumi's hair.

"Tanichi," Mesume said, staring at the man. "If you stay, you are going to die."

"I know."

Mesume was silent for a moment. She then tugged Shimina away, looking back at Tanichi one last time. He was sitting, cradling Mitsumi's body. She forced herself to look away and decided the best place to hide would be in the secret basement of the warehouse. As they ran, Mesume saw bits of Sename Maikoku scattered around, Shinbei's headless body, Ranaida's bodiless head, and the mutilated corpse of Matakeshi Shiato.

Mesume flung open the trap door and shoved Shimina down the dark steps, following close behind. The two ghouls clung to each other in the dark, sobbing. Mesume couldn't help but think of everything these ghouls, her family, had said to her.

"Well, most of my good memories have something to do with you."

"I've learned a lot from you ya know."

"Thanks for not judging me when I make one of my god awful decisions."

"I'll always have your back. That's what families do."

"I don't know what I would do without you."

"Thank you. For letting me cry. I needed it."

"Thank you, for having faith in me."

"You help me face my fears."

Mesume allowed herself to sob for awhile, clinging on to Shimina. She had finally had a family. And, like everything else she had ever had, they were being taken away from her. She had not seen everyone's bodies, so there was still hope a few were alive. But Mesume still had Shimina. The young ghoul was only eleven and had seen more death than most people saw in their lifetime.

What are you doing, Mesume thought. Stop crying. You are twenty three for Christ's sake, and you have an eleven year old girl to protect.

"It's okay," Mesume said, holding Shimina close. "I'm not gonna let anything bad happen to you."

"I don't wanna die," Shimina choked out.

Suddenly, a bright light hit Mesume's eyes. She blinked in shock, and then tensed her muscles.

"Mesume?"

A flood of relief went through the servant's body.

"Heiko!" she called out to her brother.

"Oh thank god," he said, casting the beam of his flashlight on his sister and young Shimina. "Come on. I'm with Kintai and Kenki."

"They're okay?" Mesume asked, eyes widening.

"Well," Heiko said sadly. "Kintai is. Kenki, he… He took a blow to the head. He doesn't have much time left."

At that, Shimina began to cry again. Mesume hushed the young ghoul, and then they both followed Heiko to where Kintai and Kenki were. Mesume's heart twisted when her brother's flashlight beam fell on her two friends.

Kintai was on her knees, hand in Kenki's hand. The red haired ghoul was stretched out on the ground. He was pale and glistening with sweat. His hazel eyes were unfocused, and blood ran from his nose and mouth. There was a huge gash in the side of his head.

"Kenki!" Shimina cried, rushing to the man's side.

"Oh god no," Mesume said, putting her hands over her mouth. She joined Kintai kneeling beside him, and Heiko stood where he was.

"R-Raimushima," Kenki choked out. "Hizoku."

"What's he saying?" Mesume whispered to Kintai.

"He's delirious. He's calling out to his dead wife and daughter."

Suddenly, Kenki's eyes seemed to focus. He stared at Mesume.

"Raimushima," he said. "My beautiful wife. You came."

Mesume shot Kintai a confused look.

"He's hallucinating," the green haired girl explained. "He's looking at you, but he sees his wife."

Kenki turned his head to Shimina.

"Hizoku. My daughter. My pride and joy."

Shimina looked at Mesume in confusion, but Mesume just held up a finger to silence the young girl.

"Raimushima," Kenki said, using all of his strength to speak. "Hizoku. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry I didn't protect you."

Mesume wiped the tears from her eyes, not sure what to say.

Kenki stared at Mesume.

"D-do you forgive me?"

A lump formed in Mesume's throat. Kenki had been the father she had never had. She could not let him die hating himself for what happened to his family.

"It's okay," Mesume said gently, stroking the man's hair. "We forgive you."

A smile formed on Kenki's face, and he became completely still. Suddenly, all the lights on the basement flicked on.

"How touching," a sarcastic voice said.

Heiko, Shimina, Kintai, and Mesume whirled around to see who was there. A relatively small man stood in front of them. He had a white shirt that was dripping with blood, black pants, slippers, and red and yellow polka dot suspenders. There was a sadistic smile on his pale face, and his white hair was drenched in blood. He held his giant scythe in his hands.

"Suzuya," Mesume muttered.

Heiko looked at his sister, shocked. "Do you know this dove?"

"I—."

"Oh, they don't know?" Juuzou said, smirking.

"Mesume," Kintai said, not taking her eyes off the investigator. "What is he talking about?"

Juuzou chuckled and shook his head. "You idiot ghouls. So quick to accept a spy."

Heiko, Shimina, and Kintai's eyes widened.

"No," Heiko said to his sister. "You wouldn't…"

"How do you think we found you," Suzuya laughed.

"Mesume!" Kintai screamed, tears streaming down her face. "What the hell did you do?"

"You don't understand!" Mesume said frantically. "I didn't mean for this to happen!"

Heiko and Kintai stared at Mesume in horror.

"You did this!" Mesume's brother screamed. "This is all you!"

"No!" Mesume screamed, turning to Shimina. "You believe me, right."

"I hate you!" Shimina screamed, pummeling Mesume with her fists. "I hate you, I hate you!"

Kintai yanked the young ghoul away, and then looked at Suzuya. Heiko huddled close to the two female ghouls, hatred burning in his eyes

"Well," the white haired man said, walking closer and closer. "I hope the pay was worth it."

"Don't!" Mesume screamed, hand out.

But it was already to late. The scythe was in motion. With a sickening noise, Heiko, Shimina, and Kintai's bodies were split in half. Guts spilled onto the floor, and Mesume screamed.

"Stop screaming," Suzuya scolded. "You agreed to this, remember?"

"No!" Mesume said, hiding her face. "No, no, no?"

Juuzou laughed, grinning and rocking back and forth on his feet. "Don't worry, I won't kill you. But I'm curious. Does it hurt?"

Mesume uncovered her face and glared and Suzuya with pure hatred, kakugan activated. "Does what hurt?"

"Knowing that they're all dead because of you."

Mesume's eyes widened, and turned back to normal as tears began to flow. And then she began to scream. It wasn't a scream of horror, or shock. It was complete agony. It would rock any normal human to the core. She doubled over, collapsing onto her knees. She lowered her head onto the ground and scraped her nails against the floor, agonizing screams filling the basement.

Juuzou rolled his eyes. "Oh, shut up."

He hit Mesume on the head with the butt of his scythe, and she slumped down unconscious.

The doe eyed servant could hardly remember anything, but when she opened her eyes, everything was blurry and out of focus. However, she could tell she was still in the basement. Everything sounded distorted, but she could make out the doves on the upper level screaming to retreat.

She zoned out again, and she soon heard voices. Mesume could not see anything, but she knew someone was there and was talking.

"Boss," a male voice said. "Is this the Hanakurai Mesume chick you're looking for?"

Then the voices went away. And everything was gone.