Chapter 16: The Right to a Future
{Nishiki…}
Tired eyes looked around the room, it was his old apartment, a place he hadn't seen in four years. The pale-brunette frowned as he looked around the area, noticing nothing had changed in those four long years, and as he peered out the window, it showed the city bustling in the late evening hours as always while a somewhat peaceful song played on the radio near the TV. The sound of footsteps caught his attention, and Nishiki looked around to see Kimi standing there in the door way, a smile upon her face, her hair longer than it had been when he'd seen her just a few moments ago, and her hand on her stomach, which was distended quite a bit. He eyed the scene for a moment as the woman came towards him, wrapping her arms around him.
"Come to bed, it's getting late," she said.
"Since when are we going to have a baby?" he placed his hands upon her belly, feeling a small kick as he did so.
"Silly, I'm almost full term! Are you that tired?" Kimi's eyes met his and he sighed.
"I guess I am… I must have fallen asleep at some point…" she frowned.
"What do you mean?" she inquired.
"The dream I had was so strange… you, me, Kaneki, Touka, Hinami, Irimi, and Hide were helping these people who had formed some kind of military faction that was fighting against these giant monsters and the world had been overran by Vampires, and we were going through a trial to get these Demon possessed weapons and join the fight against the vampires because they'd released a virus that had killed most of the world's population…" the statement seemed so strange to him, and the woman laughed a bit.
"Maybe you should write a novel, that would be a fun book to read, wouldn't it?" Kimi asked.
"I guess so… but, it is getting late, we should get to bed," he stated as he started to walk down the hallway while Kimi took his hand, leading him into the dim hall.
"We should, after all, Doctor Fueguchi is expecting us in the morning for my check up and to schedule a delivery time for the baby and then we're supposed to meet your sister to help get things for the baby too." the statement caused Nishiki to pause.
"My sister? And… Doctor Fueguchi?" he questioned.
"Of course! You know how hard Hide has been working with him to become a Doctor as well… he's even going to be helping with the delivery…" Nishiki frowned as Kimi started to pull him closer to the hallway.
"Right, but…" Kimi frowned at his hesitancy.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing, I just…" Kimi sighed.
"I swear, you're so nervous lately. It's okay! I'm perfectly healthy and so is the baby… besides, Kaneki and Touka have a baby too, remember? They had one just a little while ago," she explained. Nishiki felt realization dawn upon him at her statement.
"Kaneki and… Touka's baby? Kimi, Touka miscarried, remember?" he received a startled look from the woman.
"No, she didn't! Kaori is just fine, she's healthy… looks like her mother, but has her dad's black hair."
Nishiki remembered that name, the name that Touka had selected for the baby she was carrying roughly a year and a half ago. Kaneki and her both had chosen a name each, if it was a girl they would have named it Kaori; however, due to a vampire attack, Touka had miscarried the baby, and it had devastated the girl. The pale-brunette eyed Kimi with a frown upon his features as he began to recall what was going on.
"Hey, I got a question… I guess I'm still half-asleep, but what are we having?" the girl puffed out her cheeks, just as she always did when she got a little peeved at him.
"A boy, remember? Kirou, that's the name we picked," she said. Nishiki smiled, placing a gentle hand upon her stomach once again.
"Oh… right… but there's just one problem…" the girl frowned.
"What's wrong?" she questioned.
"Kirou was the name that Ayato suggested for the baby that Touka miscarried just before the Vampires attacked, and she lost the baby that night. Kaori was the name that you, Touka, Hinami, and Irimi came up with… Kirou was the name that all of the guys came up with… they decided that if they had twins, they'd use both names…" the woman gaped at him.
"Touka didn't have a miscarriage though!" she protested as Nishiki glared at her.
"Nice try Demon, but I know better!" he snapped as she stepped back, frowning.
"Why couldn't you just submit to me? You would have been happy here, in a world where everything went how it should have been…" the illusion disappeared, breaking apart at the seams.
The area was mist-filled, a stretch of cross-roads with rice-fields on all sides and standing before him was a beautiful woman with long silver hair, shock garnet eyes, and a pale kimono on her upper half, the lower half of her body, was a sleek, beautiful set of white scales that made up a snake's body. Nishiki gaped as he stared at the Demoness before him in awe. He had been told briefly that all Demons looked different, and that some of them were powerful greedy, while others seemed to be a bit more willing to help humans. He stared, awestruck as she began running her long, delicate fingers through her silken hair as she slid it over her shoulder and moved towards him.
"A Ghoul wants to be my Master, how intriguing, tell me… why do you want my power? Little beast?" she asked.
"I have someone… no… I have to many people I want to look out for, so I need to make a contract with you, please." She rose a fine eyebrow.
"Oh, being polite? That's rare… hmm… my help to protect those you care for… and that beautiful girl you love so dearly? Your wife?" Nishiki nodded.
"The world you showed me… that's the one I wanted to exist, but right now… it doesn't… and unless I have your power and work with the Japanese Imperial Demon Army, it will never exist. So, I ask, please, lend me the power you possess to do what I know is right," he asked. She hummed once more, thinking it over.
"It would seem humans and Ghouls have many things in common, many of those traits I find repulsive… but… I to once loved someone… therefore… I will form a contract with you, Ghoul." He nodded.
"Thank you," he said, bowing as she leaned back a bit.
"I am Remashita, the Snake of the Night Parade." Nishiki looked her in the eye.
"And my name is Nishiki Nishio, people call me Nishiki," he stated.
"Very well, Nishiki… I bid you good day until you call for me."
{Midnight Series Chamber: 9:02am}
"Hey! You awake or not?" called the voice of Mikaela as Nishiki blearily opened his eyes and looked at the blonde hovering just above him.
"Yea, a little dizzy though…" he sat up with the other's help and the blonde smiled.
"Well, good news is your fine, the poll-arms is yours now," Mika stated as he helped the other to his feet as Nishiki looked at the weapon, grasping it loftily in his hands.
"I'm going to need some practice with this." Mika nodded at his statement, eyeing the weapon.
"Guren isn't going to send you guys out there without training, so don't worry," he informed him as Nishiki let the weapon go and it lit up, forming into an arm band that rested at the top of his left arm. It was black, shaped like a snake, and had bright green gems for its eyes. Nishiki eyed it oddly and Mika shrugged at the appearance.
"So, this is your concealed form… interesting…" the blonde eyed it.
"The Demons take a concealed form that they feel would be the most useful for their wielder, I guess a large weapon like a poll-arm would be easiest to conceal like that," Mika explained.
"Now what do we do?" the other looked at the doors.
"Exit the room and wait with the others," Mika told him as they headed up the stairs.
The two of them pushed open the doors and saw that the same group that had been left behind were the ones that awaited them, causing both Mikaela and Nishiki to grow anxious as a scream came from one of the rooms and Nishiki covered his ears, panic lacing through him as he recognized the sound to be coming from Ayato. He looked at the doors, all of them shut, but seeming to rattle just a fraction as Mito stepped forward, placing a gentle hand upon his shoulder.
"They'll be fine kid, just relax and take a seat next to Kimizuki, Mika, you do the same alright? We don't know how things are going, so if we aren't on guard we could be in trouble," she said as Mika nodded and Nishiki settled next to Kimizuki who was watching the doors closely.
"How long have I been out?" Kimizuki looked at his watch.
"An hour, most of you went in at the same time, but some people probably started at different times. All the same, this has got me anxious," he stated.
"It'll be fine, most of us know how to use energy exorcism at this point, so I wouldn't be to concerned." The pink-haired teen looked to the blonde.
"You're way to lax about this for comfort…" Kimizuki said.
"I just feel like there's nothing to be worried about." Nishiki rose an eyebrow as Goshi took a puff off his pipe.
"Must be the Seraph inside him, Mika can sense the better half of people and even though the Ghouls have lead hard lives, he must feel that they're strong enough to handle it, so he's not worried," the man explained as Nishiki eyed the Dakini door as it rattled again.
"Then why does it seem like we should be?" Mika looked to the pale brunette.
"Because, it's human nature to worry about those you care for," he stated.
"The White Seraphim speaks the truth. It is within the nature of all living things to show concern for those that they consider family." Nishiki jumped as the voice echoed within his mind.
"What was that?!" he asked aloud.
"I'm guessing you heard a voice in your head?" the pale-brunette nodded.
"Y-Yea…" he stuttered.
"Your Demon is talking to you, they speak with us telepathically, and you can speak to them like that too." Nishiki looked at the arm band and then took in a deep breath.
"Hey, Remashita… what kind of Demon are you?" it took a moment, but he heard a tired sigh.
"I'm a type known as a Yokai, and before you ask… yes, I was a member of the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons. That is why my mental territory is a crossroads, that is where we used to appear…" her voice sounded rather exhausted, and he sighed.
"How about this, I'll let you sleep and then I'll ask more about you afterwards, sound good?" he offered her this and he heard another yawn.
"I accept your conditions, good night Nishiki…" with that everything went silent and he looked to the others.
"I'm guessing the little conversation went well?" asked Mika as Nishiki nodded slowly.
"That was a bit weird admittedly, but yea, she's sleeping right now." Kimizuki sighed.
"An hour and fifteen minutes later… and you two are the only ones done, that concerns me," he stated.
"It'll be fine, have a little faith, would you?" the pink-haired teen huffed.
"Guess I have to listen to you when you put it that way, especially coming from an angel," he said.
"Hmm… I guess so…"
{Hinami…}
"Whose there?! Answer me! Please!" she pleaded as she looked around the forest, finding herself lost as she stared at the foggy area, fear seeping into her as a song carried throughout the place.
"Come closer, little one, you will be safe with me…" the voice that had been singing beckoned her.
Hinami stood there, near a stream, her mind wondering how she had gotten into a forest of all place when she had been going to get her Cursed Gear and was waiting for the Demon to begin its trial with her. A series of footsteps came up behind her and she turned, only to see a familiar face staring at her just at the line of the trees. It was Yoichi, a relieved look on his face as he came towards the girl, placing a hand upon her shoulders as he took in a few deep breaths.
"Thank goodness! I was worried that you got lost!" he said in relief.
"Saotome? What are you doing here?" olive-green eyes looked to her.
"Looking for you! We got split up from the others when that Vampire attacked us," he stated.
"Vampire? What are you talking about?" he shook his head looking her over.
"Are you alright? You must have hit your head when that attack sent us flying. Man, I wish Guren had chosen a better destination than Germany for our first mission, we've been walking around this forest for hours now," he stated.
"Oh… I guess I did get hit in the head. Have you seen the others?" he shook his head.
"No, I haven't… um… Hina? Can I ask you something?" caramel-colored eyes met olive ones and she rose an eyebrow.
"What's wrong?" she questioned.
"I wanted to… know if you'd… go out with me once we left here?" Hinami felt her eyes widen.
"Go out with you… as in… go on a date?" she inquired.
"Yea, I feel silly asking you now, but I really like you. So, could you please go on a date with me when we get back Hina?" he took her hands, meeting her eyes with a warm smile as Hinami looked him over.
"Um, what about the others?" he shrugged.
"It doesn't matter right now, we'll find them later," he assured her.
She wanted to say yes, because the boy she had met in Tokyo during the raid may have been a soldier for the Japanese Imperial Demon Army, and while he certainly knew what he was doing: he was still so kind. However, his questioning here, seemed strange in a manner that told her something was off. He had completely skirted around any further mentioning of the others who were supposed to be on this mission with them, and then there was one other detail that told her something wasn't right: her nickname. While she and Yoichi were becoming close friends, he hadn't let attempted calling her by her nickname, and because of that, Hinami looked at their hands and shook her head.
"Saotome, no… Yoichi… I like you too, and that's why this hurts me to say, but I can't trust you..." he gave her a hurt look.
"I thought we were friends…" he said.
"We are, but the reason I can't trust you is… because you're not Yoichi! You're the demon!" the person frowned.
"Dammit all!" the forest began to clear, the fog rolling away as the area went black as night before the sun began to flitter in through the trees and Hinami looked around, confused as she noticed that Yoichi was gone.
Caramel-colored eyes looked around, and Hinami heard a twig snap, causing her to turn and look to see a beautiful young girl sitting on an outcropping of stone, a cow-like tail trailing out behind her, her shoulder-length hair a pale pink as she pouted, branch-like horns atop her head with what seemed to be flowers growing from them. Hinami approached carefully, not being certain as to what she was seeing as she eyed the girl's attire, consisting of a white dress that had straps that seemed to slide off her shoulders, a heavy gold medallion around her neck as she settled there, her skirt flared out around her, displaying billowy, fabric as she continued to pout.
"You're the Demon?" she asked.
"Yes, I am… and you're a Ghoul…" Hinami stared at her as she turned reddish-pink eyes on her.
"You've got me there. But…" Hinami looked at the girl's back, looking like a hollowed out tree, vines having grown from it and wrapped about her arms as she looked at her.
"It's ugly, I know. Everyone thinks I'm hideous when they see what my back looks like. Before I got trapped in here… they cut my hair off… I used to have such beautiful, long hair that almost reached my ankles… but… now it's short like this," she stated, her long, well-kept nails clenching into her skin.
"I think you're pretty… look at all the flowers on your horns, and the vines on your arms. They're beautiful…" the demoness looked to her in questioning.
"You're a very strange person," she admitted.
"People have always told me that… but… who are you?" the Demoness huffed.
"Skogsra, that's my native name. I came from the forest you see here, a forest that resides in Norway…" Hinami looked down.
"Then, that means you're a long way from home," she stated.
"I am, and I have been since the second world war… anyways, you want my power, right? Listen, I don't really care about possession and all that… it's really cumbersome and kinda annoying, so… here's the deal, you help those friends of yours make this world beautiful again, and I won't eat your soul… sound good?" Hinami smiled.
"I'll do you one better, we'll work together, you and me, and with my friends help, we'll make this world beautiful like it once was," she said, holding her hand out.
"Hmm… work with you? I think that'll do just fine. Alright, I agree to your terms. You can call me Huldra, it's easier to pronounce than Skogsra." The Demoness held out her hand and Hinami took it.
"I'm Fueguchi Hinami, it's good to meet you, Huldra," she stated.
"To you as well, and if you need me, Hinami… just call my name."
"I will!"
{Dakini Series Chamber: 9:27am}
Hinami blinked a few times, eyes looking around the chamber as she heard footsteps approach her before the faces of Yoichi and Akane came into view. She was helped up slowly and then was made to stand as she clutched the shield of Huldra in her arms, looking at the object as it glowed and vanished, reappearing in her hair as a black and green jeweled hair pin with a large emerald in the center, twisting limbs of a tree framing the jewel. She placed her hand upon it, a smile upon her face as she nodded to the other two while Ayato remained unmoving, his grip clenched to the point that his knuckles had turned white upon the sword as Hinami was moved out of the way by Yoichi while Akane kept vigil by Ayato.
"Did it go well with your Demon?" asked Yoichi.
"Yea, I'm fine… she's actually really nice…" Akane smiled.
"Reminds me of Melusine, she didn't really care about possession," she stated.
"Where is your Demon From?" Hinami looked to Yoichi.
"Norway, she said her traditional name is Skogsra, but she prefers Huldra," the girl said as Yoichi smiled.
"You have a foreign Demon, like Mika and Akane do…" Hinami frowned a fraction.
"That's right, Akane, where is Melusine from?" she inquired as Akane placed a hand to the small blue orb on her choker.
"France, originally. Like I said the other day she used to guard sacred streams, but because of her drowning people in those streams… Melusine ended up becoming a demon. She's been trapped inside this Cursed Gear a long time…" Yoichi looked to Ayato the sword rattling in his grasp.
"That Demon is giving him a work over," he said.
"Well, remember, Dakini type Cursed Gear are all former Guardians who became Demons, the sword it has is a Roman type, so there's no telling what's in that one…" Hinami bit her lip.
"I hope he's okay…"
"Your friend is strong, fear not Hinami…" a jolt came from her and Hinami almost panicked, until she recognized the voice as Huldra's and relaxed, a small smile coming to her features as she silently thanked the Demoness.
{Touka…}
"I am going to kick your ass!" Touka snapped.
The demon had deceived her, making it out that she and the others were settled at a park in Tokyo City, talking and having a relaxing day, the laughter of children not far from them as she looked around, her hair long instead of short, Kaneki's was black, not white, and he had his old smile and the same kind eyes that he had before the Eleventh Ward. It was different, the world she was being shown, and it was a peaceful paradise, a place where the horrors of their lives didn't exist. But when the absence of their new friends was made a note of, she had lost her nerve, and realized that this was all a dream, created by the Demon in her presence. Anger now filled her, her mind and body telling her that the Demon had played her, and she was beyond enraged as she locked eyes with the male Demon settled across from her.
He had golden blonde hair, extremely dark red eyes, and a pale, almost sallow complexion. His attire was a ragged pinstripe suit, his smile charming, but his expression giving away his anxiety as he watched her, and she narrowed her eyes as they changed, her Kagune flaring behind her like phoenix wings as she bared her teeth in an angered manner. It was without question, that something was wrong with this Demon's sense of humor, and Touka felt he needed to be taught a lesson.
"Now, is that any way for a lady to speak? I could have let you stay in that dream land for the rest of your life if you wanted, but no, you had to break all my hard work." The girl hissed.
"That was not a dream! That was a fucking nightmare! Don't you pull that shit with me!" she roared.
"I can tell by your appearance, that you are a Ghoul… I have seen a few in my long life, and your wings are stunning. So, I question, can we sort through a type of agreement?" Touka glared, marching forward as she snagged the Demon by the front of his ragged suit.
"You want a fucking deal? Fine, here's my rules: you do as I say, you give me no lip, and if you do that, then I'll reconsider breaking every fucking bone in your damn body, am I clear?!" she snarled as he looked into her eyes.
"Quite the temper, could you not hear me out?" Touka shot him a wicked glare.
"You've got twenty seconds," she snapped.
"Very well, I wish to be on the battlefield once more, I am a fallen warrior who became a Demon my lady. I wish to see more in the world other than this dreary place. Now, all I ask is that you fight, and I can tell by your demeanor that you are a warrior yourself, and if I am in the hands of a warrior, I am most pleased." Touka eyed him.
"So, you just want to fight, no interest in possession?" she inquired.
"I've possessed people before, but I am not welcoming to it. The experience can be cumbersome, and bodies can be uncomfortable. Personally, I grew tired of the game a long time ago…" the female Ghoul looked the Demon over.
"Who were you?" he sighed.
"I was a fighter, a man who sought to reason with those of lesser wealth, but my toils were for not, and so, I fought until I broke. My name is commonly known as Grim, a former wordsmith who had a skill for combat and the sword. If you want my proper name, I am Wilhelm Grimm, or William Grim to those of the English-speaking countries," he stated.
"Are you fucking joking? Your telling me you're Wilhelm Grimm? Of the Brothers Grimm?" he nodded.
"Naturally, as there would be no other." Touka tapped her foot.
"You said you were a warrior," she stated.
"The pen is often mightier than the sword my lady…" the blue-haired girl rolled her eyes.
"My boyfriend is the bookworm, and yet I somehow end up with the wordsmith as my Demon?" she questioned to no one in particular.
"If you do not like me, I can allow you to walk from our contract." He tugged on his gloves, adjusting them as he picked up a fedora-styled hat.
"You existed in the Victorian Era, why do you have a gangster attire?" she inquired.
"My last contractor was around in that day and age, I adopted the attire from his own personal tastes. Though, I must admit, I have never had a female wielder before." Touka looked to him.
"If you get any ideas, I'll stomp your ass, am I clear?" she asked with a glare.
"Very well, I am Grimm according to Demon Statuses. I will be a gentleman and serve my Lady properly." Touka glared.
"You're a Demon, I don't expect you to actually honor that statement," she pointed out.
"If I do not, you can dowse me in holy water…" she huffed.
"Fine, if you try anything funny once, I will take you up on that offer," Touka stated as he bowed.
"Might I ask my Lady's name?" she sighed.
"Kirishima Touka, and you are Grimm, correct?" he nodded.
"Indeed, I take the form of a giant black wolf as well," he said as his appearance changed into a large black dog with golden eyes and she smiled.
"I like you better this way." He nodded.
"Then I shall remain as a wolf for you My Lady," he stated.
"Good… then it's a deal, Grimm."
{Black Demon Series Chamber: 10:10am}
Touka sat up with a huff, frowning as she looked to the sword at her side, a disgruntled expression on her face as she stood, and the sword formed into a black bracelet with a quill charm on it. She shook her hand out, feeling a slight weight from it as Mitsuba and Yuuichiro came towards her in questioning.
"Should I even ask?" the black-haired boy questioned.
"Did you know that you have a famous author in your Demon collection?" she received confused looks.
"Huh?" asked Mitsuba.
"My Demon is Wilhelm Grimm, as in the Brothers Grimm…." The other two gaped.
"Seriously?! Well, I guess you learn more every day huh?" Touka rolled her eyes.
"Yea, anyways… how is Hide doing?" she asked.
"He hasn't woken up yet, if you want, you can go wait outside with the others." She nodded waving as she did.
"Tell that dumbass that if he becomes a Demon I'm stuffing him inside a teddy bear to be used as Gear, okay?" she asked as she left the room, and the other two heard a series of voices begin asking questions, letting them know that Nishiki, and Hinami were finished.
"I hope she's not serious…" Mitsuba giggled a bit.
"Something tells me that's just her way of telling us she's worried," she stated as Yuu sighed.
"Let's hope so…"
{Kimi….}
The red-haired girl stood in a grand temple, a grand place set up full of jewels and golden-toned walls, marble floors, and brilliant reds, golds, and deep blues that stood towering above her as she looked around and finally spotted an ornate golden and jewel incrusted throne just before her, the sound of a fountain catching her attention as she looked at the courtyard to her right, a dazzling blue-stone fountain bubbling up water just beyond sheer red curtains. It was a beautiful place, and though it was extravagant, it seemed abandoned until she heard the faint brush of bells and looked behind her as a curtain opened.
Standing before her was a regal, and beautiful woman. She was young, and had hip length fire-red hair adorned in golden chains, her ears were webbed, displaying horn-like objects, her eyes the same fire color of her hair, her skin pale, her attire black and red, sweeping and as she moved closer, she allowed Kimi to see her in full view. Her mid-drift was showing, revealing a low-riding skirt that opened up to reveal her slender, elegant legs that bore tattoos of peacock feathers upon them in a henna style.
Her top was white with golden weaving patterns, her arm bands gold with white flowing material about them, and the top half of her skirt black and gold encased. Trailing behind her was a series of black, red, and gold peacock feathers, almost like a tail of the bird as the woman walked, quietly, barefoot forward. Kimi saw a red barbed collar about her throat, tied together with a golden chain.
"You're beautiful," Kimi said in a rushed whisper.
"It would seem someone has finally decided to pick up my feathers, tell me, human… why do you enter my domain?" the stunning woman – no, the Demoness – walked forward a bit more, her long, gold-painted nails shimmering in the light of the grand pools of water just outside the open doorways.
"To make a contract with you, if possible," Kimi stated.
"You seem a bit hesitant to ask such a thing of me. I will have you know… a little over a century has passed since I have been even considered. To be honest, none have ever considered me worth their time… that may have been the intention of the person who sealed me though…" Kimi frowned as she watched the Demoness.
"That must have been lonely," she mentioned, not sure how to approach the subject.
"It has been. The domain I have here, it is nice, but… no one is here but myself… so it is quite lonesome." Fire-red eyes glanced over the pools outside.
"Do you want to form a contract with me? You wouldn't be alone anymore," Kimi suggested.
"Timid, you are quite timid. But, you offer me something that I cannot gain alone…" the Demoness reached for her, brushing her hair away from her face.
"Call me insane, but I don't think anyone should be lonely… especially for as long as you've been." The Demoness sighed.
"Interesting, I sense no hesitation in your choices or words, only in your feelings towards myself… it is wise not to trust a Demon, girl," she stated.
"Well, you are a stranger as well… can you tell me about yourself?" the Demoness blinked before laughing a fraction, revealing her fangs.
"I suppose I could. Once, I was a powerful deity, a God of War… yet see me now… degraded to the state of a Demon… but it is of my own choices that I have fallen like I have," she said, shaking her head.
"You were a God? How did you become like this?" the Demoness looked down.
"I betrayed the loyalty of my worshipers, I slaughtered them as if it was within my right. I am a God of War, but I should have been more considerate of my worshipers, and because of what I have done… I was destroyed by my own lust… and reborn as a Demon… as the thing you see me as now. Krishna would be so greatly disappointed in me," she stated.
"That name… you're a Hindu God, aren't you?" Kimi recalled a mythology class she'd taken in her first year of college, and what they had discussed in the topics of Hindu beliefs.
"I was, once… associated with the noble Peacock… a symbol of immortality, of grace, and power… what a wretched thing I am… these years trapped here have left me to ponder my actions, and as I am now… I believe for it to be a fitting punishment," the Demoness stated.
"Then form a contract with me! Please, and you'll never be alone again, because you'll have me and all the others!" Kimi smiled to the former God and the Demoness stared.
"You are an incredibly strange person… but I find you interesting, so willing to befriend a Demon, even though I could choose to possess you," the red-haired Demoness said.
"But I don't believe you will do that, and you know why? Because, if you did… then you'd be lonely again." A small smile came to the fallen God and she nodded.
"That I can agree with. Very well, a contract then… I shall have you know, I am a slightly unconventional weapon," she stated.
"I'm married to a Ghoul and I'm a human… that makes me pretty unconventional as well." Kimi smiled, and the Demoness shook her head a fraction.
"I can agree with your statement there…. Shall I have your name?" she inquired.
"I'm Nishiki Kimi, may I have your name?" the Demoness held her delicate, long-fingered hand outwards.
"I am Kartikeya, the Demoness of Peacock feathers. It is a pleasure to meet you…"
{Demise Kings Chamber: 10:20am}
"Kimi? Are you okay?" asked Shinoa as the red-haired girl slowly got up.
"Yes, I'm fine. It seems my Demon has had it rough… she was very easy to speak with." Shinoa smiled.
"I've noticed that the Demise Kings Demons don't care for possession unlike some of the other types. Black Demon Series ones are pretty eager to do so, unless their foreign ones, then they don't really care," she stated.
"Ouch!" Kimi felt a sharp burning come from her legs as she looked down, noticing a faint green curl appear just at her knees.
"What is that?" the periwinkle-haired girl asked as Kimi tugged off her boots and showed an elegant curling design of a peacock feather that started at the end of it on the top of her foot as it cured around the top of her ankle and up the side of her legs until they reached the sides of her knees where the very top curl of the feather stopped at the top of her knee just at her thigh. They were electric green with black accents and a red medallion in the center.
"They're beautiful…" Kimi said.
"This is the concealed form I possess. I form into a tattoo upon my wielder's legs and when I am called into battle, I bear a different appearance. When the time comes, call for me, and I shall aid you, Kimi…" the red-haired girl took in a steady breath.
"This is the concealed form of my weapon. I guess I'll need shorter boots for this weapon, huh?" Shinoa nodded.
"Probably, I'll make sure to let Guren know. Shall we go?" the girl nodded and stood before grabbing her boots as the two of them exited the chamber and Kimi was instantly seized by Nishiki as he asked her millions of questions and she answered each one as the group begin to notice the tattoos upon her legs, which she also explained while Shinoa smiled, noticing that the group of them were starting to become closer, and it gave her some hope.
{Ayato…}
"You're a real mean bitch, you know that?" he asked as he stared at the girl as she frowned.
She was ivory skinned, long knee-length blood-red straight hair, sharp eyes that matched her hair, and a pair of black shorts, a red duster that was sleeveless upon her upper half that showed her mid-drift, a lone single-loop arm warmer of black with red stitching that stopped just at her shoulder, a black choker with a red crystal on it, black, smooth horns upon her head that were red at the top but faded in an ombre style to black as she sighed, tossing an apple about as she looked at him.
"Please, Jason said the same thing to me when I did the things that resulted in my curse… but hell, I did it for love! What about you? Ayato?" her bare feet tapping across the ground as she took a few steps forward and crouched down next to him, her long red hair falling over her shoulders.
"What about me?" he questioned as she sighed.
"Do you realize I'm asking if you get the reason we're dealing with all this back and forth shit? You want power, I have it, but to be honest, you're a Ghoul and I have you on your knees… come on, show me what you got…" the girl took a bite of the apple in her hand.
"Personally, I don't want to hit a girl. But if you want me to stomp your ass, then I will." He shot up, and unleashed a barrage of blue-purple shards that the Demoness almost blocked, but dodged instead, as she tisked and then looked to him.
"Really? I've had worse fights from far more devious beings," she said.
"Then why not talk? What do you want? My body?" she rolled her eyes.
"My, so eager and lewd… I doubt that the girl you like will appreciate that," she stated.
"I-I don't have a girl!" a huff came from the Demoness.
"Sure… what about that pretty girl? Akane? Right?" Ayato felt a blush come to his face.
"What about her?" the Demoness shook her head.
"Are you certain you don't like her? I mean, I see from your memories how she behaves with you and how you respond to her. You've got the hots for the girl… I can tell you that I see why, I mean… I was once a young, beautiful golden-haired maiden," she stated as she twirled about, landing upon the railing of the balcony just at the window where they were, within a castle-like structure by the ocean.
"You have blood-red hair…" the Demoness hummed.
"I didn't… I fell in love and helped a hero to achieve an almost impossible goal. I killed my own brother, brought the label of a witch to myself, tricked innocent girls into cooking their father alive in a boiling cauldron... and when I did, I was hexed, but still had hope, my beauty faded into a sin-stained form… my blue eyes went red, as did my hair, and I was marred… the man I had done all those things for, betrayed me… and when he chose to marry another, I sent her a cursed robe, causing her to burn alive, and him and his entire Kingdom with it…" Ayato eyed her.
"Jason… a sister who killed her brother out of love… oh, I get who you are now," he said.
"Hmm… so my story has survived? Nice to know that I'm still depicted as the scorned, heartless bitch…" Ayato laughed.
"Not really, I just remembering hearing of the myth when I was a kid. The Princess of Colchis, Medea," he told her as he took in a few deep breaths.
"My name is actually spelt M-E-A-D-E-A… but what this is doing, is getting us nowhere, what do you want to do?" Ayato looked into her eyes.
"I want to become capable of fighting with my new comrades… if I don't… succeed… I'll piss off my big sister… and I'll have betrayed my allies…" Meadea hummed.
"Betrayal is a very serious thing… look at what it did to me… but I don't know if I like the idea of my Master being a flesh-eating beast…" she flipped off the balcony, landing in a crouch before him as he watched her, the attacks from earlier having caused him to weaken.
"I'm not a beast… now listen… if you'll be willing… I'll make a deal with you," he stated.
"Ayato… you are a Ghoul, your kind existed in even my human days… wicked beasts that devoured humans alive… your deals cannot be trusted even more than my own could be." The blue-haired Ghoul glared.
"Are you really that self-righteous? You're a Princess who committed heinous acts against her own family, innocent people, and against someone she loved just because he ultimately could not love her anymore because she was an ugly monster!" the red-haired girl snagged him by his throat, hoisting him in the air with strength that betrayed her tiny, willowy form.
"What place do you have to speak of my actions with such a pious tone?! I was betrayed by my family, by the person who swore to always love me! Do you know how great that pain is? That I would risk damming myself just so that I would still be loved? That I did whatever I had to for him! and he betrayed me!" she threw Ayato, causing him to slam into the wall across from where he had been standing, blood rushing out of his mouth as he coughed.
"The guy was a jerk, I get it… but you do carry that blame as well. You were far too trusting and willing to do whatever you had to or what someone asked you too in order for them to love you. Last I checked, you were a Princess and Priestess, weren't you? Didn't you make an oath to the God or Goddess you worshiped not to do the things you did?" Meadea glared.
"I will kill you!" she roared as he prepared himself for her attack and when she lashed at him, he caught her arm, turning her to the point that he was able to hold her to him, a glare coming to her features.
"Stop fighting me…" she hissed.
"Let me go! You sickening beast! Don't touch me!" she snarled at him as Ayato pinned her arm at her side and held the other one in just the right angle to keep her from fighting him.
"I have been betrayed, hurt, crushed, and treated like utter shit by the world I live in, and I was nearly killed by the person who is dating my sister, and I now consider one of my best allies. I have realized how wrong I was… that I needed to accept my mistakes and work towards changing them… no matter how painful doing so became. I know you're a Demon, so you can't change what you are now… but you can start learning what you did wrong right here and now!" Ayato flung the girl forward, causing her to roll across the ground as she hissed in pain once she made contact with the wall.
"Shit…" Ayato stepped forward.
"Meadea, make a contract with me, and I will make a deal with you," he stated.
"Oh? And what is that? Some kind of shit that you'll let me have my fun, but I can't do this or that? Please… spare me! I'd rather possess you!" she glared, blood dripping down the corner of her mouth.
"Actually, my deal with you is that I won't betray you. Instead, I'll become your ally, and if you will become mine, we will have a deal," he stated.
"Become my ally? What sort of cock-and-bull story is that supposed to be? You don't ally yourself with a Demon you impudent whelp! You take over them or they take over you! Simple as that!" Ayato crouched in front of her and he sighed.
"I get that you've been burned before… but if you give me a chance, then I'll prove you wrong about some people," he said as she eyed him.
"And if you don't?" he looked her in the eye.
"You can do whatever you want… I know that if I agree to this, and I fail on my end, then you get your desires… whatever you want you get," he stated.
"Whatever I want, huh? Fine then… you're not my enemy, until you prove me wrong, Kirishima Ayato…" he grasped her hand and met her gaze.
"I don't plan on it, Meadea..."
{Dakini Chamber: 11:01am}
"Ayato, you alright?" asked Akane as she looked at the boy while he eyed the area around him before shaking a bit as the girl helped him up and he looked into her concerned brown eyes.
"I'm a little shaken up, but I'm good. Meadea can be a real bitch…"
"Hey! I can hear you loud and clear bunny boy!" a growl left Ayato.
"Don't deny it you evil hag!" he snapped at the sword as it rattled.
"And don't you dare deny it either carrot breath!" Akane eyed him as he glared.
"Why are you insulting me so soon?!" he questioned.
"Because you insulted me! I am not an evil hag! I'm still beautiful thank you very much!" he rolled his eyes.
"You may be pretty to look at, but you're also a Demoness! Ergo, you are technically evil," he reasoned as the Demon went silent.
"Touché… bunny boy… touché!"
"Great… I have a nickname…" Akane giggled.
"Some of them do that," she stated.
"Oh, really? Like whose?" the girl thought for a moment.
"Well, Kiseki-O calls Kimizuki strawberry boy," she said.
"His hair is pink… Meadea is calling me bunny boy!" Akane giggled again.
"I think it's cute," she said, musing his hair a bit.
"Well… if you think it's cute, I guess I can deal for now…"
"Whipped!"
"Keep your opinions to yourself, Meadea…"
{Hallway: 11:15am}
"Ah, then that means two are left," said Goshi as he saw Akane and Ayato walk out of the Dakini Chamber.
"Seriously? Two?" the others nodded as Ayato eyed the others sitting around on the opposite side of the hallway.
Mika and Kimizuki were settled by one another, chatting with Kimi and Nishiki while Yoichi and Hinami were discussing some things as well. Settled not far from them, was Shinoa who seemed anxious as she paced back and forth, glancing at the Black Demon Series chamber where only two people were remaining while Touka settled next to Kimi as she frowned down towards the door at the end of the hallway. It was a rather quiet gathering, people talking in hushed tones as they waited for the remaining two people to come out.
"What time is it?" Ayato asked.
"Almost noon, how are you feeling?" he shrugged.
"My Demon is a bit of a fussy bitch, but I can deal. I put up with Touka most of my life," he said as his sister shot to her feet, punching him in the gut as she did.
"Jackass! You're the reason I had to act that way!" she snapped.
"Okay… sorry…" he hobbled over to the side of the hall and settled down on the ground as Akane came and sat next to him while Touka rolled her eyes.
"Seems they're rather congenial, are they perhaps in a relationship?" the voice of Grimm inquired within Touka's mind and she sighed.
"Not right now, but for my brother's sake, I kind of hope so… someone like Akane would be good for him." the Demon hummed.
"My Lady, you should not worry. The one you love is strong, and eager to become stronger. In knowing that, I would not doubt that he shall not waver nor fold to the constraints of any Demon or creature of ill tidings. He is after all, strong enough to place himself beside such a strong Amazoness, such as yourself," Grimm's speech eased Touka, but not greatly.
"What concerns me isn't that he's not strong enough, but his desire to get stronger. It's done some terrible things to him in the past… I just don't want to lose him again…"
{Hide….}
A splash of waves roared in his ears as he shot up, standing barefoot upon a dark-sand shore with a dark, churning ocean while above him the sky was a steel-slate gray, the winds howling wildly around him, whipping his hair and clothes about him in a frenzy as he looked for the place that he had been thrown from. When he'd arrived in this pocket dimension that the Demon he'd been sent to contract with existed in, he was dragged into the water and nearly drowned, only to be thrown out of it and onto the shore when he'd fought the thing and now, he was beginning to question where he was, and what the Demon would do next.
The wind overtook all sound alongside the rushing waves as he looked around him and finally spotted someone standing on the rough rocks that overlooked the small lagoon in the shore. He took a few steps closer, the wet sand making it hard for him to walk quickly as he kept his gaze upon the figure until he grew close enough to see the person clearly. It was a young woman, in her teen years he suspected, with extremely long, straight-flowing black hair that was cut short at her shoulders, and fell to frame her ivory skinned face. Her dress was long in the back, bearing a ripped white train that bled up into a shorter white dress with a bare, low-cut back and a clasping collar in the front in a halter style. It was torn just at the top of her left breast, and at her left side a few inches under the same breast almost as if it had been burned.
The dress was trimmed in black, at the bottom and top of it, her feet bare, atop her arms a pair of almost crown-shaped off-shoulder cuffs were settled, white, but rimmed in black as well. Her horns were wrapping, almost like a crown, and then moved off and up towards her head in the color and appearance of white bone, curving almost like the horns of a wild beast. He stepped closer and she turned to him, revealing glowing pale-yellow eyes instead of the red he'd expected. She stared at him, slate, pastel-yellow eyes with their fine slits staring into his very soul as he took in a shaky breath. She was entirely monochromatic, save for her eyes, which held the only remnants of color, much like the environment they stood in.
"So, you outdid me…" she said.
"You're really the Demon? Whoa! Your gorgeous!" the Demoness sighed.
"And you are gullible. I am not beautiful… I attempted to drown you, fool," she stated.
"Eh, it happens… so, what do you wanna do? Fight me some more? Or make a deal with me?" he put his fists up, a smile on his face as she rose an eyebrow.
"You are quite strange," the Demon told him, her soft, whisper-like voice causing him to look her over.
"And you're not what I expected. When I was being told about Demons with the others… they told me they were dangerous, kinda ugly creatures." She shrugged a bit.
"We can become ugly when we choose to. I prefer this form to the state I was in when I tried to drown you… it's unbecoming and hideous," she stated.
"Hmm… something tells me you've gotta story behind those eyes of yours," Hide said calmly.
"A story? Yes, I suspect I do. Not a very pleasant one, admittedly…" he shrugged.
"You're a Demoness, right? But, I'm gonna go out on a limb here, and guess that you used to be someone else, huh?" she looked down.
"In a way, I was a Guardian… but because of how cruel I had been towards the place I was meant to protect, and the way I did my job… I became a Demon… and… turned into an ugly monster with an inhuman form. This is what I once appeared as, but I had so much color and life to me… now I'm… lackluster and dismal…" Hide hummed.
"I see, this is your punishment… funny thing is, you didn't really try to possess me or kill me," he mentioned, putting his arms behind his head.
"That was the mistake I made… when I first became a Demon. The body I possessed was my dearest friends. Because of that, she ended her life in order for me to be sealed away… she is the reason I bear the appearance I have now… my colorless existence is part of her curse…" Hide watched her.
"A Demon with regret? Amazing," he stated.
"I was not always a Demon! I once guarded a scared Kingdom! A Lost City! And because of my actions, I fell from my status! My conscience lingers with me still… though I rarely call upon it in these days." Hide smiled.
"Yea, I can understand that… so, what are you gonna do? Try and kill me?" she shook her head.
"No, you defeated my feeble attempt… personally, the last time I attempted possession has caused me to lose my taste for it." She stepped towards him, her long hair and the trail of her dress bellowing behind her like wings as she came forward and placed her slender, delicate hand to his face, long nails gently scraping across his cheek.
"Then, what do you want to do?" he asked.
"I distaste remorse, it is a bitter thing and I hate it. If you go forth without regret for your choices… then I will make a deal with you." He sighed.
"Thing is, I'm human, I'm going to regret things… it's kinda are schtick… but… how about I choose not to regret making the contract with you? If I never regret choosing to do that, then can we still make our deal?" she hummed.
"Not regret… forming the contract with just me? I suppose I cannot expect you to completely abandon a piece of your humanity… very well, we have a covenant then." She looked him in the eyes and he swallowed nervously.
"Alright then, I'm Nagachika Hideyoshi, and what's your name?" the Demoness moved closer, placing both her hands upon his face as she remained focused on his eyes.
"Leviathan…" with that she kissed him, and he stared, wide-eyed as the world around them faded away, the girl slowly disappearing with it as he felt himself fall backwards and far from the realm the Demon girl existed in.
{Black Demon Series Chamber: 11:40am}
"He's a goner…"
"Shut up Asuramaru… I don't need your negativity right now," Yuuichiro said as he leaned back on his arms next to where Hide was still lying.
"I know which Demon is in that thing… she can be a mean bitch when the mood strikes her, not to mention she's conniving and seductive…" he sighed.
"Are we talking about another Demon here? I thought you were speaking about yourself there," he stated.
"Oh, real funny! I have never tried to seduce you! I leave that up to your girlfriend. The Demoness inside that Cross-bow is seductive and dangerous!"
"Actually, you have tried to seduce me a handful of times, but… do you know what kind of Demoness is inside there?" he questioned.
"Yes, she's a powerful and ancient Demoness… I've heard her story a few times and it's not pleasant. She was a bad choice on your friend's part…"
"Great… are all bow-type weapon Demons this annoying?" Yuuichiro asked.
"Not all of them, but the nastier ones tend to end up in long-range weapons like Gekkoin and Byakomaru…"
"Well, let's just – "the black-haired boy was cut off as Hide shot up gasping for air, coughing as he did so before flipping over onto his hands and knees as he did so and the other rushed to him.
"Shit… that was scary," Hide admitted as the other watched him.
"Nagachika? You alright?" the blonde nodded.
"Yea, I'm fine. The Demon kissed me and it kinda stole my breath…" Yuuichiro rose an eyebrow.
"It… kissed you?" he questioned.
"She, actually, but yea… she did…" Asuramaru hummed.
"She's going to plague the hell out of his dreams…" Yuuichiro sighed.
"Well, come on, let's go see if everyone else is done, okay?" Hide nodded as he took the black-haired boy's hand and was hoisted up to his feet.
"By the way, don't call me Nagachika. It's Hide, you're my friend, Yuuichiro," he said.
"Then don't call me Yuuichiro… it's just Yuu..." the blonde nodded.
"How revolting…" mumbled Leviathan.
"Oh hush… didn't you tell me you once had a friend?" the Demon fell silent at that.
"Come on, Hide…" the two of them pushed the heavy doors open and saw that everyone save for three people were present, letting Yuu and Hide know that they weren't out of the woods, just yet.
{Blood Series Chamber: 12:02pm}
Guren frowned as he looked at the white-haired boy who laid on the floor, concern rippling through him as he watched the boy's steady breathing while Shinya kept watch on the time. They had been in there for nearly three hours, and according to the blonde's occasional check ins, the others were almost done with their own trials, but for some reason, this Cursed Gear was taking a long time. The Lieutenant Colonel sat down on the stairs leading down into the incantation area and Shinya came to stand beside him.
"He's fine, just be patient. This is the first time we've created a Cursed Gear like this, so there's bound to be a few tiny glitches," Shinya said.
"Three hours isn't a tiny glitch; Shinya and you know it. The Blood Gear was created to be just as powerful but not as dangerous as the Black Demon Series… or the White Demon Series… but look at this… he's not even flinching or anything. It makes me wonder if we've made a mistake…" the other sighed as Guren watched the teenaged Ghoul in anxiety.
"Considering what's inside that Cursed Gear… have you thought it's possible that a meaningful conversation is what's going on right now, and not a glitch?" the man looked to Shinya.
"You may have a point… it has been four years since that day… hasn't it?" Shinya nodded.
"Exactly, so just have a little patience and faith, Kaneki is a strong boy, so I don't doubt he can do this," he stated.
"Fine… I hope your right, otherwise I'm a steak dinner for his girlfriend." Shinya laughed a bit.
"My, that is an admittedly humorous mental image," he said.
"And here I thought we were friends…" Shinya shook his head.
"No worries, I doubt Touka would actually eat you," he assured.
"If you're wrong… you get to be dessert…"
{Kaneki…}
A ringing bell echoed in his ears, the sounds of people chatting casually, the noise of saucers and other items moving about resounding within him as the scent of fresh brewed coffee caught his attention and he finally opened his eyes and looked around himself, finding shock and awe filling him. the place surrounding him, was none other, then Anteiku, long before the downfall the world experienced because of the virus. The floors were cleanly polished, the furniture looking glossy as it always did, the bar busy with Kouma behind it, chatting up a conversation with a pretty girl who had always stopped by on Tuesday mornings for coffee and light conversation with him.
Touka was laughing, speaking with a customer which he quickly identified as Hide, bustling around him was Nishiki, and Ayato who poked his head out of the kitchen to say something before he was dragged back in by Irimi who laughed, smiling as he was sent back to his task. Hinami was bringing orders to their tables, full of laughter and cheers while Yoko and Kimi spoke with one another in a corner.
Without a moment of difficulty, Kaneki felt a lone tear trail down his face for the first time in years. It was chilled, and felt strange upon his skin as he wiped it away, only for the tear to be replaced with another as he rubbed his eyes across the sleeve on his arm, him taking notice that his black nails were gone, and as he glanced at the clean, pristine windows, he saw his reflection from four years ago. He wore his old medical eye-patch, his features weren't as pale, and his hair was shorter, and jet black, his appearance showing that he had yet to experience the pain of the eleventh ward. He looked down, seeing that he was in the Anteiku server uniform, showing him his early days as he took in a steady breath.
"My, you look so upset, is something the matter my boy?" a familiar voice spoke, grandfatherly and endearing as he felt his breath hitch as Tsukiyama walked past him, acting like his normally eccentric self as he took a seat at a bar and ordered a coffee while Itori, Yomo, Uta, and Yoriko entered as well, the group of them speaking with Hide and Touka.
"No way…" Kaneki turned and was face to face with one person, whom he never believed he would see again.
"There, you look like you've seen a ghost," said the man.
"Y-Yoshimura?" another tear began to fall down his face.
"Yes, my dear boy. How have you been?" Kaneki found himself staring.
"W-What… how are you here? I don't…" the boy trailed off, finding himself confused.
"Kaneki, much has happened in these four long years, and I take it you are confused," Yoshimura stated.
"I-I am! How… you aren't a…" the man shook his head.
"No, I am not a Demon. However, I have been sealed within this Cursed Gear, the first of a new generation of them," he said.
"Why would they do that?! I don't understand why they – "the man smiled.
"In our world, there are people who bear special talents, and it was one of these people who removed my soul from my dying body and brought it to the Imperial Demon Army. There, they requested that a man named Lieutenant Colonel Ichinose Guren, place my soul within a Cursed Gear so that I may live on, and one day be used to stop the creatures that were destroying our world," he explained.
"A person… with a Gift?" Yoshimura nodded.
"Yes, they were special, and kind hearted… and sadly, perished in the virus's onslaught shortly after they left me with the Moon Demon Company," the man said as he started to walk to a corner table where Kaneki slowly followed and sat down with the man as he sighed.
"Who?" Kaneki asked.
"Banjou did… it was brave of him, but he knew what he was doing. Kaneki, please, do not hate the Japanese Imperial Demon Army for their actions, here…." The man looked around at the busy, but peaceful shop, the people around them, smiling and talking.
"I'm happy, and can see the smiling faces of my loved ones every day," Yoshimura stated.
"But… it's not real! And… you're trapped within a Cursed Gear… my…" the man nodded.
"Yes, I am within the Cursed Gear you have chosen to contract with. The creature within it, is myself," he said simply.
Kaneki felt the weight of the situation fall upon him as he heard those words, tears welling in his eyes as he found silent sobs coming from him. it had been four years since the day that he had seen Yoshimura die at the hands of the CCG, and now, he had learned that in those four years, the former owner of Anteiku had been sealed within a Cursed Gear, awaiting someone to pick up the sword and make a contract with him to be used on the battlefield. It was a darkly poetic moment, and while there was relief brought to the young half-Ghoul, in knowing that to some degree, the grandfatherly Ghoul was still alive, a part of it hurt more than he could bare.
"This isn't… fair though! I never agreed to this! Why didn't they tell me that it was you?" he felt tears fall further down his face, tears reminding him of his weaker days as he sobbed like a small child for the first time in four years.
"Kaneki, listen to me, please. I am at peace here, and I know that in your hands, this weapon I live within, can do great things, and change the course of this war. You can do something to make people see where the line between humanity and the damned are," Yoshimura concluded as the boy continued to wipe the tears from his face with his shirt-sleeve, the painful constriction of his throat from crying causing his chest to hurt.
"I'm so sorry… that I couldn't save you… that night. I did all of those things, fought through all that hell… became stronger, and I still failed you and the others…" Yoshimura stood, and moved to place a gentle hand upon the boy's heaving shoulders.
"No, you did not fail us. Fate had a different plan written for all of you on that night, and I have never blamed you for the events that unfolded. Instead of letting it destroy you, Kaneki, you rose to the occasion, like a phoenix from the ashes, and became strong enough to lead the others, granting them survival, and safety… you devised plans and strategies that ultimately has brought you here…" Yoshimura stated.
"Here… where we've become members of a militaristic faction… and have chosen to put ourselves in so much danger… did I make the right choice? Placing our lives in the hands of a man who keeps so many secrets…" a small sigh left the owner of Anteiku.
"You have done what is right, my boy. Listen to me, everyone has secrets and reasons for keeping things quiet… just like some of your friends have told you some of what they are or their pasts, but you do not know all of their pasts, they do not know all of yours either. Being with those other children, you must garner trust and respect for one another, as a family," the older Ghoul told him.
"Like a… family?" Kaneki questioned, looking into his eyes as the sun set, the snow beginning to fall as night settled in and the people vanished as Yoshimura stepped back and Kaneki stood, the sound of his footsteps changing as he felt the familiar fabric of his battle suit on his skin, the sensation of his eye-patch gone as he looked to his black-nailed hands, his white hair hanging in his eyes slightly.
"Exactly, all of them are your family now, and if you will, I will stand by you and guide you, from this day forward, Kaneki," Yoshimura said as the boy looked up and just behind the man as the coffee shop disappeared, and they stood in the open streets of Tokyo, the night of the raid, but what seemed like hours before it and in the moment the streets appeared, so did the ghost-like forms of the group he'd known for four years, and the newest additions of their group. A bright smile came from Akane, a nod from Kimizuki, Yoichi waved to him by Hinami's side, Yuu and Mika laughed, smiling as Touka rolled her eyes, a small smile at her lips, Guren, Goshi, Shinya, Mito, Sayuri, Shigure, Irimi, and the rest of their little rag-tag group were gathered together as Yoshimura stood by his side, looking to him.
"They're waiting for you. There is a whole adventure ahead of you, and they are willing to walk beside you the entire way, so go, Kaneki, take my sword, and I will stand by you and aid you when the call comes…" the Ghoul took a step forward, the clothing he wore changed once more, the battle suit fading way as the crunch of snow came to his attention and he looked back to Yoshimura, the weight of an unfamiliar fabric upon his body as he looked to white-gloved hands and realized as he looked at the black sleeve with its green cuffs that he stood at the cusp of a new chapter in his life.
"Yoshimura…" the manager smiled, looking up to him.
"Yes? Kaneki?" he inquired.
"Come with me?" the man smiled once more.
"All you have to do is call me, and I am never far away…" a wild whipping of chains was heard as Kaneki looked around only to feel a faint sting in his arm as black chains wrapped about his left arm, causing blood to seep through as he felt the presence of the manager once again and relaxed, the chains slowly going lax as the snow fell harder, wind whipping around him as the clinking of the chains slid through his grasp and slowly formed into the black and red sword he had grasped earlier.
"Just call your name… very well…" he held the sword up into the air, as he looked at the bloodstained gloves he wore, his uniform sleeve slightly soaked in blood.
"Come to me! KETSUEKI FUSA!"
{Blood Series Chamber: 12:20pm}
Kaneki opened his eyes, looking around the room as he slowly got himself up, tears slowly dripping down his face as he wiped them away on the sleeve of his shirt before he heard Guren and Shinya move towards him, asking if he felt alright or not, to which he replied simply with the most basic statement he could as he got to his feet and the sword vanished from his grasp, forming into an earring of black metal with a red tear-drop jewel at the end of it as he stood there, getting his bearings as Guren nodded to him and started to usher him out of the room, following Shinya as he did so just as the door shut behind him and he looked to see Touka standing before him, a smile upon her face as she rushed to him, wrapping her arms around him while he steadily returned it and the others began to get off the ground while Guren looked at the group.
"Well, now that we're all here kids, let's go to the next destination on this field trip: the cafeteria," he said.
"I'll second that!" some of the others laughed while Kaneki smiled, feeling relief flood him as he saw each and every one before him.
"You ready, Kaneki?" asked Hide.
"Sounds good, let's go…"
"Remember, Kaneki, I am here… all you need to do is call."
"Thank you… Yoshimura..."
{…..}
Burning this bridge behind me…
{…..}
Author's Note: Whew, seven Cursed Gear trials all at once is a lot of writing, just so you know. Yes, I am aware that a lot of the Demons are mythological figures and one a historical figure, but hey, I wanted a variety. Personally, I felt that having that mix would be good, and a lot of the Demons the Ghouls possess were once humans or guardians who fell into the state of being a Demon, so I thought over time they would form a bond with them over similarities. We have some training chapters up ahead of us, and a bit more detailing on Guren's side. Tell me what you think, and I will await your reviews.
Sincerely,
ShadowDragon94.
Chapter 17: Sutures