"Ugh, what's that brat's deal?! She treats me like I'm some pet!" Touka slammed her fist against the wall, making a decent crack in it. She said it before, but she was going to kill that bandaged brat.

She didn't remember much of what happened after she was knocked out, just a few garbled voiced from the dojo's master and the brat, then she was taken somewhere away from the place. By the time she woke up she was in some alley near the park she usually trained at. Guess they just kicked me out… She rose to her feet, rubbing her neck. Jeez, that chick can throw a punch… Her throat was still sore from it. Yeah, she'd definitely have to do some more training, and not just daily jogs and the occasional sparring match with Renji. No, she needed some real training, something that would help her make some leaps in terms of power and push her limits to take on Aogiri and the other Doves. She could fight, she could fight well, but that brat taught showed her that some people were just at a different level.

"Oh yeah, I have training with Renji soon…" She thought back on his words. Think, then strike. That… sounded really stupid. That'd just leave her open to an attack, right? What was the point in thinking during a fight? It was just a matter of punching someone until they couldn't punch back, like any fight. Guess I'll have to ask him when I see him… well, after I eat anyway.

Touka's stomach was growling worse than she did when in a bad mood. No surprise really. After all the hits she'd been taking and the injuries she gain, she needed to get something in her to heal up faster, especially with the workout she'd get with Renji coming up. Coffee and water weren't going to cut it. Been awhile since I've gone hunting for something other than Doves… She rolled her shoulders, stretching. This'll be good practice I guess. It was still nighttime, and she still had a bit of energy to hunt. Alright, time to get some food, there's probably some twenty-four-hour store with people around.

Even after a decent meal and a bit heavier training over the past few days she could barely lay a finger on Renji. The best she got was a decent punch and a few quick jabs. More than usually, but one solid punch didn't make up for the several bruises on her body from their match.

"Dammit!" She hopped back to her feet, fists raised and going in to kick him, but he just tripped her and kicked her away. "Uuugh…" She sat up, huffing.

"Better," He said. "Just remember to block,"

"Yeah, yeah…" It was the usual stoic advice, but it sounded a little less harsh this time around. Maybe she was actually improving. "Hey Renji,"

"Hm?"

"What did you mean when you said to think before hitting."

"Think before you throw a punch,"

Touka huffed. "Renji…"

Renji met her glare, remaining quiet for a few more moments. "Just don't do something stupid without a plan,"

"Huh…" Okay, that made sense, but he could had just said that at first instead of being cryptic. Still, it was a very Renji way of doing things. "Well anyway, you know anywhere I can find a good place to train? Other than here with you?"

"No," An instant answer, and there was some edge in his voice. He didn't approve, but Touka wasn't going to back down. She stood up, placing a hand on her hip.

"Renji…"

"You're already causing trouble, don't make it worse on yourself."

"I can take care of myself," She shot back, walking away. "If you won't help me, fine," She didn't need Renji to find a place to train herself. She had other sources she could go to.

The 11th Ward's Animal Circus. According to Itori it was a rowdy nightclub on the surface, but in reality, it was a huge underground scene for ghouls. Human trafficking, Aogiri gang recruitment, pit fighting, general ghoul socializing, the works. A good place to cause trouble and make waves among the rowdier and wilder ghouls, all that was needed to enter was your mask and your kakugan. The perfect place to take down and make a statement to Aogiri.

She arrived at the club in simple attire, a dark purple hoodie, a black skirt with some gym shorts under them, athletic shoes, and of course her rabbit mask. Easy to move in, and pretty nice to look at too in her opinion. It wasn't like she had some wild outfit to dress up in, so it would have to do. She showed the doorman her kakugan, and after giving her a look he let her through, only warning her to not cause trouble. I should probably get a new mask from Uta soon. Her mask was starting to become recognizable as the Avenger. Thankfully she only took down weak punks in the gang so far, so it wasn't like she painted that big a target on her back… well, outside the bandaged brat anyway. But at least all she was really known as was a Dove killer, never a bad reputation to have in ghoul society.

The club itself was just a typical nightclub, but the amount of ghouls around was staggering. The place was a natural ghoul hang out like Itori said. Several people with kakugan out, chatting about Aogiri bases and convincing patrons to join, money trading hands, people asking for gang invitations and the like. It was a surprise for her. Not too often did she see ghoul hangouts like this. Most of them were around her age by the looks of it too. The place was booming with loud music and even louder personalities. Drinks and food being shared all around. Honestly, it annoyed her more than anything This place was a far departure from the quiet coffeehouse scene of Anteiku. Ugh… this damn music… She liked hip-hop instrumentals since it was easy to read and study to, but this was just obnoxious. Dubstep and dance music were just not her thing.

"Heya heya rabbit girl!" A redheaded girl in a clown mask skipped forward, slinging her arm around Touka's neck. "You look new. You here for the food, the fun, the freaks, or the fights?"

Ugh… Touka tried to pull away from the clown girl's arm, but she was locked in. This girl was trying to hold her down. "Keep touching me and I'll break your nose," She hissed.

The clown girl only nuzzled herself closer to Touka's body, rubbing her cheek against her face much to Touka's chagrin. "Oh? So you're here for the fights then,"

Touka tried pulling away again to no avail. "The fights?" She knew this place had an underground fight ring of sorts, but she might as well get information. Besides, Itori's information didn't exactly come cheap. It also came with a job to get some information on some of Aogiri's brass in return.

"Yeah, yeah…" The girl pulled Touka in closer, pointing to a small crowd of people in a corner of the club. "This club's got a big old pit for fights to happen. Bare-knuckle brawls between super-tough ghouls." The clown gave a few exaggerated punches, completely with those little puffs that boxers do, though heavier and more comical. "A lot of ghouls that do well enough get money, fame, and Aogiri's attention for recruitment."

"Really?" Just what her job wanted.

"Yuppers! The winner gets a million yen too,"

Touka stared at the clown girl, wide-eyed. "Seriously?" That'd be more than enough money to make rent and probably move somewhere decent… or pay Itori if she couldn't get enough information. No wait, I'm here to take out these punks and get information, not make money.

"You bet my rascally rabbit!" The clown girl, wrapped her arm around Touka again, much to her annoyance. "Sooooo, you wanna' join? Liven things up? It's the usual folks fighting tonight, so…" She pressed her cheek against Touka's, playfully nudging her.

"How?"

"How?" The clown girl repeated, making a pouting face as she pushed Touka toward a hole in the club, pushing aside all the onlookers. There, she saw two girls fighting. Well, finish fighting. One was completely bloodied and battered, probably just barely alive. "Just hop down into the pit and get those fists ready kiddo!" The girl started pushing Touka against the railing, hard.

"Hey!" Touka shouted, but the clown girl was in her own world at this point and continued pushing. This chick was actually trying to shove her right in there.

"Rules are pretty simple just beat up your opponent 'til they give up, stop moving, or die!"

"Okay, I get it, just don't start shoving me in there,"

"Relax would you? Just go in, throw some punches, spill some blood, and be happy like the rest of us!" The girl started pushing even harder, much harder than Touka expected. In fact, the clown girl easily picked up and was dangling her along the pit.

"What the-"

"Oh yeah, and try not to die little rabbit, that one's a toughie!" The clown girl's words were cheery but held a sadistic edge in her tone.

"Hey, let go would ya'!"

"If you say sooo~" Without hesitation she tossed Touka into the pit. "Alley-op~"

It was a short fall to the pit, and Touka was able to land on her feet, but that was certainly a surprise. She turned her head to the clown girl above, her eyes flaring red behind her mask. "Bitch!"

"Aaaaw, such a scawy widdle wabit~ She's gonna' beat up this poor, poor clown~" She said with exaggerated sobbing, fake-wiping tears from her eyes before bursting into laughs. "C'mon girl, live a little, and make sure to win one for your favorite clown!" She pumped her fists up into the air. "Go rabbit girl, go! Beat the evil queen and save the Animal Circus Kingdom!"

Evil queen? The hell is this girl talking about?

"Oho! It looks like our little clown found a new victim for our queen." The announcer's voice boomed throughout the pit, and the crowd let out a loud cheer, whether because there was new blood or honestly hoping Touka won she didn't know. "Hope she's tough, because our queen is hungry for a challenge," Touka looked back, seeing the near-corpse that was this 'queen's' last victim. It looked bad from the stands, but up close it was downright gruesome. The face was barely recognizable, beaten to a literal pump. Bones broken and popping out of skin, several gashes along the face and torso, this person was used more as a chew toy than an opponent. At least she was still breathing, but… was that really a mercy?

"It's unwise to look away from an opponent,"

Touka turned to her opponent, the apparent evil queen. A woman in a hooded cloak wearing a pure black mask, and blood staining her hands and feet. She definitely had a noble air about her. Not as flamboyant as Tsukiyama, but definitely queenly. And Touka could feel her bloodlust from already.

"Let's hear it for our dark queen, Yomihime!" The crowd roared with cheers, chanting Yomihime's name. This chick was obviously a fan favorite.

"Are you ready to die, little rabbit?" The woman said, raising her fists as she moved toward her.

Touka frowned from underneath her mask, rolling her shoulder as she walked forward as well. Once she was close enough she threw out a quick roundhouse to the woman's face, knocking her back. "Are you?" She shot back, tapping the ball of her foot against the floor.

The woman steadied herself, her bloodlust now fully focused onto Touka. She took the hit on purpose, that was clear. It was probably to gauge Touka's strength if she was as cocky as Touka thought she was. "Not bad…" She cracked her neck, raising her fists again. "For a brat,"

She launched herself at Touka. Four punches came in an instant, and Touka blocked each one in a hair's breath. Then a kick came, then a knee, then an elbow that nailed Touka right in the ear, but she kicked Yomihime away to get distance, the crowd wincing at the elbow she took.

"Tch…" That strike had her ear bleeding now, and she was going to payback that queen in kind. They met in the center of the pit again, and Touka struck first. She drove her fist right into Yomihime's gut, then punched her face she doubled over. The blow knocked off her mask, and Touka slammed her knee to Yomihime's face for maximum damage.

"Grah!" Blood splattered on her leg and skirt, and the queen went down.

The crowd was silent.

"Oh my. Did this little rabbit take out a queen?"

Yomihime groaned, slowly pulling herself up.

"Nope! Our bloody queen still has some fight in her yet!"

And I'm gonna' squeeze it out of her. Touka moved fast, pulling Yomihime to her feet and forcing her into a chokehold. The woman flailed and tried to speak, probably to surrender, but failed. Touka wasn't letting go, she wrapped her arms tighter around the woman's throat. She could feel blood and saliva dripping down her arm, but she wasn't letting go until a tap out, a surrender, or until she stopped squirming. Just a little more… She started flailing a bit less now, the last bit of fight in the woman was fading. Touka was about to take her out.

"Is that rabbit girl actually pushing Yomihime back?"

"Oh my god, she's doing it…"

"Go Rabbit, go!"

Now it was Touka's name the crowd was chanting, and it was apparently the jolt Yomihime need to get back into the fight. She rammed her elbow against Touka's ribs, desperate to make her let go, but Touka refused. Her struggling was slowly fading.

"Give up?" Touka asked, loosening her grip just a bit for her to speak. "I'll kill you if not,"

Yomihime gave her two more elbow strikes, snarling and cursing at Touka to let go.

"Fine then," She tightened her hold again, and the queen started to tap at Touka's leg. She tapped, but Touka only forced her to her knees. "I gave you a chance and you didn't take it." She snarled. "But… I need you alive, so…" She let go, throwing Yomihime to the ground.

"And it looks like the rabbit conquered our queen!"

The crowd roared in cheers.

"Way to go rabbit girl!"

"Hey, I think that's the Avenger that's been taking out Doves?"

"Seriously? Damn, she's as tough as the rumors say."

Touka paid no mind the cheers and voices, helping Yomihime up.

"What did you need me alive for?" Yomihime asked.

"You with Aogiri?"

"Yes,"

"Alright," Touka said. "Let's talk somewhere private then,"