"Reapers reunited! The search for the truth continues…"
Special Class Investigator Kuzo Alexander (Kaneki) stood at silently across the desk from Urie, the Director giving the young Investigator a once over before sighing. "Kuzo… You've been through a lot in the last month… Noro wouldn't want you to avenge him don't you see? He stayed behind so that you could live in his place…" His own heart clenches in pain as he says this. Both Kaneki and Shirazu had sacrificed themselves for his safety… Kaneki more than once.
Kuzo doesn't protest, not even on the inside. He had lost the person who mattered to him most, even more than his failures of parents did… "Director. I am perfectly capable of joining First Class Erashi's Investigation… It's unlikely that we will encounter any combatants in the 4th Ward anyway"…
Urie nods, pacing the length of his ebony desk. "Fair point, and you are the most capable Investigator we have now… Did you get any leads on Tatara? After retreating, he would have regrouped with the One Eyed Owl". Kuzo shakes his head. "I believe the Owl had no part in the engagement at Cochlea. In fact, I could stretch my theory to say that Tatara was acting independently of the One Eyed Owl in coordination with an influential Ghoul".
The Director's eyes widen a fraction. "I….hadn't thought of that. It's a solid theory, enough to base an Investigation off. Very well, you have my authority to initiate this operation of yours. A full scale scrutinizing of any previously suspected ghoul related incidents"… Kuzo nods and bows to the Director. "You honour me sir. First order of business of investigation is… The Helter Skelter Bar".
…...
Erashi walks through the sequences of her fitful dreams, voices and hands reaching out to brush against her legs as she runs from the frightening beast behind her. She looks to her left, sprinting through the portal that opens up, depositing her on top of a tall building overlooking a deserted street. As she looks around in wonder, she spots a small woman wearing a floral pink dress and entirely wrapped in bandages.
"Well hello there. Come on, come sit next to me". Erashi gapes, thinking that this person in her dreams was actually talking to her. "You mean me?" The woman laughs, a melodious and beautiful sound. "Of course you. Come, we have matters to discuss…" Erashi dumbly nods her head and sits next to this apparition, swinging her legs over the edge of the building. "I don't know who you are… but you can contact people using your dreams, so you must be adept… I'm Eto, good to meet you". She cracks a smile beneath those bandages and Erashi, confused but this woman's cheerful influence getting to her smiles in return.
"Umm… I really don't know what's going on… Who are you?" Eto turns to the Investigator and sighs. "Me? Well I'm Kuzo's mother of course. Eto Yoshimura". Erashi's eyes widen. Kuzo's mother? He'd never spoken about his early life or parentage to anyone… But that name… Yoshimura. She had seen it somewhere before…
"Kuzo… He's changed a lot now…. He might not be the same child you once knew". Eto leans on her chin on her arms and sighs. "I know… I have my own ways of keeping tabs on my only child, ways that he'd rather not know about I'm sure. Kuzo is… special. His father died before he was born… Hell, he probably didn't know I was pregnant back then. It was… a busy time".
Erashi thinks back to the year Kuzo would have been born, and gasps. "He was born in the same year as the 1st Ward attacks?" Eto nods silently, looking down at the street below her. "That down there is the Helter Skelter Bar… A place where his father knew some people… I don't know much about them but… They sit atop the world inside this birdcage… I think they'll be the ones to give him the means to break it open…" The Investigator glances at Eto. What a curious woman she was…
Suddenly, her vision throbs, and she feels herself being called from afar. As if sensing this, Eto nods at her. "Before you go, I must ask something of you…. Please, protect Kuzo. Protect him from the fate that was decided for him before he was born… Only his father can take him to the right place, but only you can save him…" Erashi tries to open her mouth, to ask Eto for an explanation, but as quickly as it lasted, she was awake, Takashi staring down at her, a smug grin on his face.
"Didn't anyone ever teach you to knock?" She sits up groggily and glares at her partner, no words needed to make him retreat from the room to stand sentinel outside in the hallway. "I did, but you didn't answer… We're gonna be late for the rendezvous with Special Class Alexander ma'am". Erashi goes into her bathroom and splashes cold water over her face and slips into her uniform. Special Class… After Special Class Noro had been slain at the hands of the King, Director Urie had appointed Kuzo as his immediate replacement, taking full command over Squad 0.
He was growing up far too fast… First, his crushing defeat at the hands of that same ghoul in China, and now this, his mentor gone forever. She has to try hard not to burst into tears for her friend's loss. She was an Investigator, and so was he. They had a job to do. As she steps out of her apartment, locking the door behind her, she sets off towards the elevator, Takashi following. They enter the lift and proceed towards the ground floor.
"Here are the files that you requested First Class". Takashi hands her the said files and she flicks through them as they walk out of the building onto the street. They were reports of past investigations and one major extermination in the 4th Ward years ago. The Clowns…. This group was even more mysterious than V had been back in the day, and Kuzo believed that they had been around twice as long.
Something catches her eye, a photograph depicting a street in the centre of the 4th Ward, the infamous Reaper Kishou Arima battling ghouls with Take Hirako. It wasn't the fighting that caught her attention, however. It was the small building situated just off the main road down a dark alleyway. Its neon sign standing out even in the black and white photograph. Helter Skelter…
So that was what had bugged Erashi during her strange dream. The bar that they were sitting across from was this very same bar. The bar that Kuzo's and her squads were about to initiate an investigation on… She shakes herself out of her uncomfortable thoughts, hailing a taxi and heading north from her home in the 1st Ward…
…
Kuzo waits for his old friend to arrive as he watches his squad go off for a lunch break in a nearby café. This Investigation was strictly confidential, and he wanted to keep the rest of his team out of the way but close enough to be accessible if things went awry. A taxi approaches the end of the street he's on and two Investigators step out, Erashi coming forward to embrace him. He awkwardly pats her on the back as he raises his eyebrows at Takashi who is grinning from ear to ear behind his superior.
"I'm glad you chose me for this mission Kuzo. It's about time that we had some time to talk about things…" The young Special Class sighs and pulls away from her, looking up at the pre-dawn light. "A lot has happened Erashi… you know that… I had to change". She lowers her eyes to the ground and wrings her hands anxiously. "I understand that, but you don't have to do everything alone Kuzo… Don't give me that look. Even if you have people around you still act as if you're alone".
Kuzo looks away, the closeness of the discussion bothering him. "Come on, we need to find this bar and take a look around"… The trio step into the alleyway that Kuzo had been standing in front of, and Erashi glances at Kuzo as they walk side by side. "So what made you think about investigating these "Clowns"?
"After the… incident at Cochlea, I did some research. Every time something of importance has ever happened in the war between humans and ghouls, there have been rumours of this group being involved. I think that they're the "Higher Ghouls" They know things that most do not, so I'm going to bring them in…" Erashi nods. This was a sketchy plan at best… Who knows how capable these Clowns were? In all other cases of contact with that group, many Investigators had lost their lives…
At last they stand outside the neon sign of the Helter Skelter, and Kuzo pushes the door inwards, stepping inside and holding the door for the others to join him inside. The bar was small but tidy and the air clean. Behind the bar, a light red haired woman leans against the bench, staring at them with obvious amusement playing across her face. In the lounges at the back were three others. Two men and a tiny woman.
Uta is the first to speak. "Welcome to the Helter Skelter. Would you like a drink?" The Special Class blinks in surprise. These guys were all Ghouls right? Shouldn't they be attacking them on sight? Instead he smiles shakily. "Yeah thanks… Just a beer thanks. Erashi? Takashi?" His two comrades settle for tonic water and the three of them sit together at the bar, painfully aware of the strange group looking at them. Suddenly, they all come over and sit next to Kuzo at the bar. Uta smiles warmly.
"Don't worry your little head about it Kuzo Kaneki. We aren't going to hurt you". This sets alarm bells ringing in Erashi's head. Kaneki? But she has no chance to talk with Kuzo as he swiftly turns on Uta. "You are the Clowns… Ghouls…" Itori giggles while Roma and Nico grin foolishly. Uta also smiles and nods. "That's right. We are the Clowns. And before you ask anything more, how did you come to be in our hideout?"
Expecting an attack, Kuzo tightens his grip on the hilt of his compressed Owl Quinque, which he had gotten specially modified to be carried on his person. But no attack comes. This makes him angry. "Because you're involved with everything! Why do you not attack us? Are we not enough of a threat to you?" Itori taps her long fingernails on a wineglass and sighs.
"It's not that mister Investigator. We have no reason to attack you. In fact, we already know everything about you. For now, we simply wait to be picked up by a friend". Kuzo nods stiffly. "Okay… Then were you at Cochlea?" Uta nods. "Yes, but before the incident you are speaking of. We paid Doctor Kanou a visit… He wasn't ready back then but now he's got his head in the right direction". Kuzo grunts. "Nothing that you people say makes any sense. Just what is your objective here?"…
"Our objective? To revive the King and help him break this birdcage of course…" Uta gives Kuzo a lopsided smile as the Investigator looks at him steadily. "The One Eyed King? But he's not-"… Nico cuts him off by placing a finger on the young man's lips. "Such a cute young boy… But oh how little you really know… It's probably for the best after all. The King died many years ago after he completed but one of his callings… Of course, he doesn't know this himself yet, but he's still working towards that goal anyway".
Kuzo glares at the Clown Troupe. "I thought that maybe I could get some answers from you guys, about him. About the true nature behind this world we live in… But just like him, you don't think I'm good enough to know do you?" Uta shrugs. "Perhaps he is only trying to prepare you for the times ahead, Kuzo"…
Before Kuzo can answer, the roof above their heads is suddenly swept aside, a grinning set of teeth facing them. The ghastly monster screams in delight as it swipes down its arm to pluck one of the Clowns, but Uta releases his Kagune and literally throws the beast into the nearest tall building. The Clowns leap up through the hole onto the roof and Uta cocks his head. "Oh dear, this was unexpected. Why on earth is the Owl here?" Kuzo freezes. While the Owl had been swiping at them, a familiar voice had called to him. Kuuuuzzzooooo 3
He shakes his head. Eto…. Mother is the One Eyed Owl?! He, Erashi and Takashi join the Clowns on the roof as the Owl recovers from the impact and leaps into the air, firing several shards at the Clowns while her huge clawed arm arc towards Kuzo. Shit. His Quinque was still in its storage and he had no time to deflect or dodge. He's about to shove Erashi and her partner out of the way when two figures drop from the sky, one dressed in white with a long Quinque that slices off the arm of the Owl and pushes her back, while the other is dressed entirely in black who motions for Uta and the other Clowns to follow him.
Kuzo is suddenly locked into eye contact with their saviour whose stark white hair stands out in the oncoming dawn. The Investigator is filled with hate as he faces his father. Kaneki cocks his head as he notices his son standing a distance away from him. He sighs. "Some mother you've got haven't you? We both seem to be "Tough Love" kind of parents…" Kuzo is about to either lunge forward or scream and shout at the One Eye before Kaneki jumps on top of the Owl, telling Arima to stop his attack and to go after the Clowns. Using his Kagune he cleanly slices open the head of the Kakuja and drags a bewildered and bloody Eto from within.
He kisses her directly on the lips as her eyes widen in recognition. "Kaneki-" The King silences her with a finger to her lips. "Shhh my dear Eto… Don't worry. He will make his own way but you can help him… Go with them, and forget about me and the Clowns…" With that, he leaps away into the sunset, following the rest of his group… Only Eto and the Investigators are left on the roof.
Erashi goes forward with Takashi to capture Eto but Kuzo raises a hand to stop them. "No… I'll take her". He has no chance to move however when another Investigator suddenly lands lightly on the rooftop, aiming both of her deadly Quinque at the Owl. Hiyori Arima stares at the retreating form of her older brother and a tear tarnishes her perfect face. The veteran Investigator quickly shakes it off however and is about to eliminate this ghoul that had caused so much suffering when Kuzo leaps in front of the outstretched Ixa and Narukami Mark 2's, his arms spread wide. "WAIT"
Hiyori frowns at him, surprised at the emotion behind the cry. She slowly lowers her weapons, looking him in the eyes. "What is the meaning of this Kuzo? Has Noro's death rendered you a hopeless mess? That there is the Owl! We have to kill her!" Kuzo shakes his head vehemently. "Please! It was…. It was me who wounded her so I'm allowed to hold ownership rights over her!" Erashi frowns. Ownership Rights hadn't been practiced in over 20 years but the protocol was still in the CCG's constitution, so technically it was valid even now.
The widowed wife of Noro Schneider and renowned Special Class Investigator sighs and puts away her Quinque, walking to the edge of the roof and looking out over the city. "I was sent here as backup in case your Investigation went wrong. Don't be so surprised. As if the Director would just let a young and inexperienced Special Class execute his first mission without supervision… What happened in there Kuzo? You were supposed to be capturing the Clowns but instead you get involved with the Owl?"
"I will grant you Ownership Rights… But she will be imprisoned in the deepest levels of the new Cochlea beneath Headquarters. This time, she will not escape!" Kuzo breathes a sigh of relief and nods. He didn't know why he had saved his mother. She had abandoned him to the humans as a young teen and hadn't even approached him once. But there was something… A feeling that Eto Yoshimura could help him, just as Kaneki had told her earlier…
…
Kaneki stood in the open doorway of the balcony watching the Clowns lounge on the expensive sofas and chairs. Kanou stood against the back wall sipping at a Gin and Tonic, and Arima stood out on the balcony itself. After they had escaped Cochlea, Kanou had somehow gotten them into the expensive penthouse suite in the 2nd Ward overlooking the CCG Academy, and it was here that Kaneki and Arima returned with the Clowns in tow.
"I was wondering when you would get around to talking with Kaiko and Kanou… You've impressed me, Kaneki". The snowy haired ghoul turns to Uta and scowls. "I don't need your all-knowing quips Uta-san… What I need is your help…"
Uta cracks a smile and licks his ever present eyeball. "Ok, then start asking those questions I know that you're dying to know. Kishou Arima, Kanou, Kaiko… they could only tell you so much, so let us enlighten you". He leans back, scrunching his eyes closed then opening them, all of the Clowns revealing their One Eyed nature at the same time. This makes even Arima raise an eyebrow, Kaneki and Kanou's eyes widening in shock.
"So you were One Eyed Ghouls after all… The first, if I'm not mistaken". Uta almost glows with pride, smiling. "So you did know! You've gotten better, Kaneki". The Reaper steps inside out of the cold and sets his jaw. "I believe that Kaneki suspected, but wasn't certain after he spoke with Kaiko…" Kaneki nods, showing that this was indeed true. Uta sighs, then continues. "We Clowns are the first One Eyed Ghouls created in the Garden, far before you and the other Demi Humans were created, Arima. We know many things because we watched them happen before our very eyes, and so did our leader…"
Kanou now joins in. "And who might your leader actually be? I've always been curious?" Uta smirks. "The boss hasn't been seen in quite a few years, but I'm sure he'll reveal himself when the time comes". Kaneki nods. "But… what it the time? I get the feeling that everything that's happened until now is all leading up to something… Or someone". Once he says that, everyone in the room stops dead, staring at him. Kanou shakes his head wondrously. "You certainly weren't supposed to be good enough to figure that out this soon… How did you know about him?"
The snowy haired One Eye walks around the lounge to sit casually, facing everyone in the room. "Since I…. woke up in China, I haven't been just sitting around as you well know. I have decided to find the true cause behind all of this… Because I know that none of you here are affiliated with him or working towards the same goal. This person… Let's call him the Puppet master, is the one who gave Kaiko the means to create V and experiment with half ghouls. He's the one who originally created the Garden, and therefore created you first One Eyed Ghouls to change the world for him. He's the Keeper… The one who made this birdcage…"
Uta nods slowly… "We've had a similar theory for a long time. Also, this Keeper must have been the one who sent Ukina on the trail of Yoshimura… He brought about the creation of both the One Eyed Owl and the One Eyed King… He orchestrates everything…" "Indeed. This is our opponent, someone with influence enough to maintain control over everything. A dangerous man… Uta, Nico, Itori, Roma, Kanou, Arima… Before me I have gathered the most capable people on this earth of taking this Keeper on. Will you follow me?"
"And so the Web of Lies is revealed!"
One by one, each person in the room nods in determination. Kaneki turns to Kanou. You made me into a One Eyed Ghoul at the subtle influence of another correct?" Kanou hesitates, then nods solemnly. "It was one of my partners at the CCG while I worked as their Coroner…" "Of course… But you also created me because you knew, deep down, that One Eyed Ghouls would be the ones to make a difference, to break the birdcage correct?" Kanou blinks, then nods. "Yes… I suppose you're right. Ken Kaneki". Kaneki stands and steps past Arima to lean against the railing of the balcony alone, breathing in the cool night air. What he had to do next would be hard… Eto was the One Eyed Owl, but this Owl wasn't the Owl he needed… Only he knew what came next, he, and the elusive leader of the Clowns who watched him from afar…
Suddenly, a voice calls to him from behind, and as he turns, the world goes black around him.
"Ken Kaneki… what are you still doing here? Did you lie to me back then?" Kaneki sighs. "So you're the one haunting me now huh… Haise". Haise Sasaski raises a concerned eyebrow and leans on the railing next to him. "Back then… you told me that your death would be your salvation… That has changed…. But now what is your salvation? Did you abandon me?"
Kaneki smiles softly, staring up at the stars. "I still have things to do, Haise. Don't worry… I will make a world fit for someone as loved as you to live in… That I promise"…
"A promise to the one he holds most dearly!"
End Tokyo Ghoul Crimson 08
Next Time: The Owl's Blood