Chapter 14

Get Ready For Tomorrow

2 days later, 8:47 AM, Mukade's secret base

"Shit I'm too hype for the next raid, man."

"Yeah, me too. I wonder what's the plan for later."

"Just gotta wait for our boss to come. Any minute now."

The assembly hall was filled with Mukade's loyal members. Every teams and the executive members were present. The briefing for the next raid was today, and most of them were impatient for it. Days of being just ordinary ghouls and keeping the identity as Mukade's member a secret was boring to them. So killing off some people in massive scale was something to be looked forward to.

Banjou and Zen were standing in the middle of the hall with Banjou's division members. Zen was officially got into Banjou's team, and he didn't have anything to complain.

"Banjou-san, what will be the briefing about? It's very crowded here..." Zen asked the beefy ghoul.

"The briefing is when Kaneki-san talks about the executive members' meeting conclusion and the plan for the next raid. Everyone must come or else they'll be clueless about what to do and mess up the operation." Banjou explained.

"I see... It's not even the raid yet, but I'm getting nervous." Zen said fidgeting. "What if I messed up?" He asked worriedly.

Banjou smiled. He patted the boy's head to reassure him, "It's alright. You're a little stronger now," Banjou grinned, "and you're not alone. There are hundreds of us here, so just take it easy." He comforted. For some reason Zen felt easier now. He really liked it to be around Banjou. He was a very kind guy.

On the other side of the room, Touka was standing with Nishiki. The next raid would be her second mission. They were getting a hang of this somehow. They became captains for a reason. They were strong, and Kaneki admitted that.

"My team's role this time is kinda nasty. Tch." Touka complained loud enough for only Nishiki who could hear.

"Bear with it. I've been in your place once, you'll eventually feel nothing. Let your team do the job." Nishiki commented. He was trying to make her feel a little bit relaxed but he figured it was useless.

"Easy for you to say..."

Suddenly a random ghoul shouted, "Boss's here!"

All members automatically looked towards the opened iron door with 3 figures who came inside. It was Kaneki in the middle, along with Rize and Yamori.

"Good morning, everyone." Kaneki greeted as formalities.

"Good morning, leader." All members replied in unison.

"All executive members come forward." Yamori commanded. Immediately the ones who were called came forward and stood beside the three leaders.

After everyone was on his row, Kaneki stepped forward and officially opened the briefing.

"Today is briefing day. You know what that means?" Kaneki paused. "The raid will be held tomorrow at 8 PM sharp. Better make yourselves ready."

"Yessir!" Again the members yelled in unison.

"Because of the sudden inspection yesterday, we decided to change our next ward target. The main base which inspected us was from the 21st ward," The leader glanced around the room with his one onyx eye, absorbing all members' attention, "21st ward was our first choice for the next raid. But we changed it to the 15th ward. It will be our next target."

"The reason is to avoid any unwanted suspicion from the CCG. If we attack that ward after the inspection they conducted, Onikisu would surely be the first suspect. We don't wanna risk that." Rize added the reason from behind.

"For the plan, every team will have their own roles like always. Banjou, explain." Kaneki commanded.

"Yessir." Banjou stepped forward and faked a cough. He would feel nervous sometimes even though he had always done this part. The beefy guy understood his leader was too lazy to explain this and that.

"Itori's, Kazu's, Uta's and Tsukiyama's team will go inside the building. They will take on the investigators there and continue to clear the first floor and heads on. Each captains will take on the strong Doves. You guys will help them. Clear?"

"Clear!" All members replied.

"Next. Giro's, Nishiki's, Rize's, and my team will guard the building from outside to prevent any incoming reinforcements. Make sure nobody gets in before we finish destroying the building. Clear?"

"Clear!"

"Touka's team will provide as back up. You guys will stay far away from the building in the hideout we have provided. Give any reports from outside and inform any danger that might disturb our mission. After we're done, you clean up the mess. ...Is that clear?"

"Clear, sir!"

"Then, finally like always... Yamori-san will help to annihilate the base's residents. Make sure not to get in his way." Banjou finished with a quick glance towards the smiling said ghoul. He looked smug, as always, and Banjou could already tell the 13th ward's Jason was impatient to go wild.

"One last thing." Suddenly the voice of leader echoed throughout the room. "I am going to participate in this raid from the start and will do so until we've destroyed the very last base."

Kaneki's announcement brought immediate noises. They were questioning 'Why? This had never happened before.', 'What is he thinking?'. Zen however didn't have any idea why. Does Kaneki had never participate in battles?

The teenage boy decided to ask a surprised ghoul on his side.

"Um, does Kaneki-san never fight before?"

The female ghoul beside of him nodded, "Not exactly 'never'. He only came in if we're in a pinch or things got out of control. That's why most of us managed to get out alive so far..."

"Then does that mean... Kaneki-san will help us out through out the mission?"

"Maybe, I don't know. Leader is usually unpredictable. Well, consider the next raid will be a piece of cake if he's around."

Zen reverted his attention back to the front. He was really curious, curious to know just what his leader was capable of. He wanted to see him in action so much.

"Be quite. I haven't finish talking."

The whole room immediately silent. They almost felt the chill over the absolute command.

"My role is to rise up the manpower and helping out the teams who are guarding the streets. I'll keep high ranking investigators at bay and you guys take care of the pawns. Your captains and I have already discussed this yesterday. Have I made myself clear?"

The whole members didn't see any bad sides of having their mighty leader in the battlefield. Moreover, the leader would join in until the very last base. They didn't have any idea why but what the leader said was always absolute.

"Crystal clear, sir!"

They were certain the next battle would be a whole lot easier and decrease the death toll.

"Good. The briefing's over."

Kaneki inhaled as he closed his eye. Then he opened it again, the eye was filled with determination to win.

"For vengeance."

"For vengeance!"

With that they only had to wait and prepare for tomorrow.

Once everyone had started to leave the hall, Kaneki approached his trusted artist.

"Uta."

The skinny man snapped his head towards the voice.

"Yes, Kaneki-kun?"

"Can we go to your studio first?" The white-head asked.

"Studio? Why?"

"I need a mask. Do you have some in ready stock?"

Uta nodded but he was still confused over his leader's demand. "I do but I thought I've already made you one a long time ago?"

"Yes, I still have it. However, I can't wear that one until I show myself when we've raided the 20th base. It's too obvious." Kaneki reasoned.

"Ah... I see. 'Kay then, let's go. You can pick whatever you like." Uta smiled and guided his client to his studio.

Yamori climbed up the stairs with a smile attached on his face. No one liked that smile. It looked so evil enough to make some ghouls with trust issues cringed.

Yamori wasn't the type to hang around with the other members. He didn't lead anu team. It was his own decision. Jason didn't find it comfortable and necessary to work with other people. He tend to think everyone would only get in his way and disturb his fun. The only one he could trust to watch his back was Kaneki. He admit his strength, truth to be told the blonde man was excited to see him in action and shed some blood.

"I really can't wait to see him dance again for real."

Jason grinned as he cracked his finger.

When Yamori finally got out from the basement, he saw The Binge Eater was standing there with her hands folded. It seemed like she was waiting for her partner. The blonde man didn't give any shit. She could be there for days if she wanted to. So Yamori walked passed her sight nonchalantly.

"Yamori."

The big man stopped walking.

"What?"

"What will you do this time?"

"What do you mean?"

Rize scoffed. She thought her lover's right hand man was acting fool. "You always do things your way in raids. Now that Kaneki is joining for real, what'll you do?"

"I took the part for cleaning the inside, didn't I?" He said without looking back.

"Even though Kaneki's joining you're still going to do that?"

Yamori sighed. He finally turned around to show the woman who irritated him just how serious he could be.

"Seriously, Rize. Stop being so sceptical and suspicious around me. So what if he's joining? I'm not going to abandon my part. You don't have any reason to be so annoying." Yamori clicked his tounge. "You should be the one who's not getting in his way tomorrow"

"Of course I won't!" Rize snapped.

"Then what's the problem, woman?" Yamori was getting even more annoyed. He already felt tired just by hearing his oldest 'friend' rant about worrying over her lover. Kaneki was independent and strong, there was no need to keep him safe fron everything.

"I'm just afraid you would prefer to watch him than doing your part, stupid," Rize scoffed as she smirked, "After all, you couldn't stand to watch him do all the work without you butting in."

Yamoru helplessly grinned. He laughed and did his usual habit. Cracked a finger.

"I'm not going to butt in. That moment would be too precious if I intervere. But I do plan on ending things quickly and get out to see him in action." Then the blonde turned away on his loafers, "See ya."

The Binge Eater could only watch him walk away. She sighed as she closed her eyes and continued to wait for Kaneki.

Zen and Banjou came out soon after together. They both realized Rize's presence that was leaning her back on the standing corroded steel.

Rize opened her eyes once again when she felt someone was looking at her. That might be Kaneki she thought. But she was wrong.

"Oh. Hey." She greeted simply.

The two ghouls bowed their heads. "Hello, Rize-san." They both greeted back.

It ended there. The glasses wearing woman didn't start any conversation.

The brunette was curious to know why his vice-leader didn't go home. It was kind of hot out here. If she had to wait for someone, then why didn't she go inside?

"Come on, kid. You said you wanna spar again with me." Banjou nudged the boy to gain his attention.

He heard his captain clearly. But Zen didn't want to leave just yet. Not before he exchanged more words with Rize. The eighteen years old boy gathered up his courage to speak, and he found it quite hard just like confessing to someone.

"U-um, uh, R-Rize-san!" He finally called.

Rize lifted up her head to see the boy was still standing there in front of her. She sagged up her glasses before answering.

"Yes, Zen?"

Hakuren felt her gaze almost pierced his heart.

"Uh... Are you waiting for Kaneki-san?"

Rize nodded. "Yes, I am. He sure is taking his sweet time."

Oh great, she didn't sound too cold this time. "Why are you not waiting downstairs? It's more comfortable down there."

"I know. It felt too cram down there before. I should've gone with him but I'm already here and I'm too lazy to go back down again." Rize explained. Her fingers scratched her arm, feeling a sudden itch.

"I see..."

"Yeah."

Ended.

Zen immediately think of another things to say. He didn't want to let it end like this. The boy began to question himself why does he want to gain Rize's attention so much?

Then the boy got an idea. It was something that he had been wanting to tell her.

"Um... R-Rize-san!" Zen called again.

"Hm?"

"I-I had some training with Banjou-san. Yesterday," Zen said sheepishly as he scratched the back of his neck, "I want to be stronger for tomorrow since it will be my first mission together with you all. I'm going to do my best."

Banjou who had been standing all along finally butted it, "Hey hey! And you said that was supposed to be a secret!" He ruffled the brunette hair's roughly.

"I-I'm sorry! Uuaaaa! Please stop it seriously hurts, ow!" Zen whined as his hands tried to stop the big hand on his scalp.

Hearing that, Rize couldn't help but smile. She found it funny for some reasons. The kid really took an attempt to live up Kaneki's expectation and be useful. Not that she hated it, but she found it amusing.

"That's good, Zen. Keep it up. Banjou must be a good teacher."

Now it was Banjou who got flustered. He stopped messing with Zen's hair and changed to bow his body a little, showing his gratitude. "A-ah, not at all, Rize-san! I was only teaching him how to extend his kagune's use and how to defend and attack with timing, that's all. Zen did a really good job keeping up with it."

"How very humble as always, Banjou. Good work." Rize chuckled and gave the two ghouls a sweet smile. They blushed immediately. How could a goddess was standing on the same ground in front of them? How lucky the leader was to have her as his lover.

Rize shifted her eyes to the base's entrance again to see if by any chance Kaneki was already standing near her again like last time. He seriously freaked her out. Rize had to question her senses again. What if they were getting dull?

Beyond the masses of other ghouls, a white hair was spotted until it revealed the leader with his artist friend by his side. They chatted a little bit until they reached the mouth of the entrance. Kaneki then noticed Rize who was leaning over the steel bar with the company of the newbie and his loyal member.

Feeling like they had to part ways, Kaneki said his good bye to Uta and let him walk away between the other ghouls. He began to approach his waiting loved one with a delighted smile. Zen who saw it once again reminded the moment when he also received that expression.

"Sorry for waiting. Had a hard time to choose." Kaneki laughed wryly.

"Don't worry about it. I'll see your new mask at home."

Kaneki didn't forget the other two presence in front of him. He shifted his eye towards them both. Zen and Banjou, Kaneki could already guess they were close with each other these days. Zen looked like the beefy guy's son.

"Kaneki-san!" Both Banjou and Zen bowed.

"Zen," Kaneki called the boy's name, "tomorrow is going to be your first participation. Are you ready?" Kaneki asked. His face was straight yet honestly, the leader was a little bit worried.

Zen who was oblivous by that fact nodded, "Yes I am! I asked Banjou-san to train me." Zen said as he looked up to his kind captain.

"Oh, really? Is that true, Banjou?" Kaneki was a little bit surprised. The same goes for Rize who heard him.

"Y-yes, leader," Banjou answered sheepishly, "I trained him after we sorted out the documents. He came to me to ask if I could teach him how to fight and getting stronger." Explained Banjou as he scratched the back of his neck. He actually didn't want anyone to find out and told Zen to keep it silent. But Zen didn't find any point to hide it. He wanted to make his mentor looked awesome.

"I see, that's good then. You owe my man, Zen," Kaneki gave a faint smile, "I hope I can see the positive outcome of your training tomorrow."

"Me too," Rize chuckled as she left the corroded bar behind her back and walked closer, "I'm looking forward to see it."

Zen nodded. He was confident enough, but that confidence didn't make him get too ahead of himself. He knew his limit and how weak he still was. However, the raven kagune boy knew he had improved. He intended to at least stay alive tomorrow.

"Then, see you tomorrow." Kaneki turned away with Rize followed from behind.

"See you tomorrow, Kaneki-san." Banjou bowed as always. When he tried to straight his back up, a firm hand was placed on top of his shoulder, preventing him to take a look at the one who placed it.

"Banjou," Kaneki whispered to his ear, "don't let him die."

"...H-huh?"

The grip on his shoulder got harder, "Make sure you don't see him breathing his last breath. You hear me?"

Banjou got no idea why his leader wohld give him an order like that. It meant the same as protecting the eighteen year old boy. Never ever Kaneki gave a direct order like this before. From that, Banjou could judge that Zen had something different. Something that could take the interest of the cold man.

"...I understand."

With that, Kaneki and Rize left the two ghouls alone. Zen was clueless but decided not to ask anything, and the other one could only obey his order as he questioned what in the world what was his leader thinking.

"Touka-chan! Nishio-kun!" Itori called out from behind to greet. Both called ghoul halted their way as they turned around to see their senior walking towards her along with Giro, the bald ghoul with tattooed centipede on his scalp.

"Itori-san, Giro-san..." Touka tilted her head, "What's wrong?" She asked.

Both Itori and Giro stopped to stand in front of two friends. With a frown look and sorry smile on her face, Itori asked her strong junior, "You got the nastiest job, huh? 'Cleaning up the mess'."

"...Yeah. I really wished I didn't received that part." Touka sighed. She wasn't sure she could be able to do it.

"Don't worry," Giro spoke, "All of us had taken that role. It's the easiest yet at the same time, you just don't have the heart to do it." Giro laughed bitterly.

Touka was still feeling restless. She knew it'd be an easy task, but she wasn't heartless enough to do something like 'cleaning up the mess'. Nishiki realized that. Without much thinking, Nishiki slapped Touka's back a little hard to bring out her guts.

"AW!" Touka was surprised with the sudden force on her back.

"Man up, shitty Touka. Instead of thinking over the nasty part, why don't you focus on giving us your support?" Encouraged Nishiki with his own way. The brunette looked to the other way, hiding his blushing face.

Touka blinked twice, until she realized what Nishiki told her in the first sentence. "'Man up'? Can't you use any other words, shitty Nishiki?"

Both Itori and Giro looked at each other, already knew what would happen after this. They shook their heads and walked away silently leaving the soon-to-be quarelling frienemy.

"Oh? I think I'm not wrong. Man up, shitty Touka. Aren't I kind enough to encourage you?"

"Don't say it as if I'm a man!"

"Oh, you're not? You're just so barbaric and has a vulgar mouth that I couldn't tell wheter you're a woman or not!"

"Look who's talking, shit lord. You are more vulgar than me and even more shitty!"

"I think that is more normal than hearing an emo girl like you speaking like me, shitty Touka."

"What did you say!?"

"Baaaka!"

"Stupid, dick, four eyes asshole!"

"Damn emo, shitty, midget bitch!"

And they kept on yapping insults until they both exhausted themselves and decided to end the pointless fight.

Uta just came out from under the base, being the very last member to leave the place. He thought the lot would be empty but there were still Zen and Banjou who were about to go home.

"Why are you both still here?" Asked the tattooed man. Zen and Banjou who heard his light voice turned around to see the one who called them.

"Uta? Why are YOU still here?" Banjou asked back the same question.

Uta smiled, "I fixed things up a bit in the studio. You know, I can't leave behind my works in a poor state." He shrugged his thin shoulder.

"Oh... well, we were just about to go back home. Just finished talkin' with leader." Banjou told his reason, "Let's go, Zen."

"Okay. See you tomorrow, Uta-san." Zen bowed his head to show his respect for the artist.

"Yeah, see you tomorrow. Make sure you don't get killed, alright?" Uta said half-jokingly.

"U-uta-san!"

"Now, now. Don't worry about it, you can count on me if you're in trouble, okay? Let's go." Said Banjou as he walked away after giving some encouragement pats on the younger's shoulder.

Those words made the brunette felt easier. At least he had someone to count on. Nevertheless, Zen wouldn't just going to the party without doing anything. He would fight.

A/N: Next chap, The Raid. It'll take long but I WILL TRY TO MAKE IT FUN GUYS. This chapter is only for the opening. So the next chap will be a full fight.

Oh yeah! I MADE A NEW COVER WOOHOO! XD If you like it, you can download it on my Deviant art :3