Chapter 12: Envy!
The sound of the school bell ringing, as a sign that class is about to start. Having gotten used to his school life in these past six months, Itachi was on the roof of the new school building. He picked himself up, while stretching his arms out, and he quickly snuck back down from the roof and into the main building through an open window.
Itachi looked around, to make sure no one spotted him. Being the center of attention to the rest of the student body sure is stressful. Having impressed both students and teachers alike with his academic abilities, grasping each and every subject with ease, with his great physical abilities for P.E classes. In fact so far, there was only one subject he was struggling with, home economics. A class were his sharp intellect and physical abilities were truly useless to him.
He could still remember the failure of his last dish, not only was his station left in a mess with batter and egg remains everywhere. But the entire station and the floor surrounding it, were covered in dishes that he considered to be imperfect. The only times he ever did good in that class, was if they had to work in groups and he worked with either Rias or Akeno. They always left the dishes to him. At first, they tried to let him cut some vegetables, but they quickly relived him of his duty as when he once tried to cut a carrot, it flew right through the window of the classroom from him having used too much force with the knife.
Itachi let out an annoyed sigh, considering next class was home economics. He grumbled something as he marched over to class. Itachi had gotten to class, and the teacher had instructed them to split up into groups of two. Rias and Akeno quickly tried to gun for Itachi, wanting to show off their cooking skills to the man they loved. Oh, if they were the only ones, despite his obvious failure at cooking many girls tried to group up with him. In the end, one hand grabbed onto him and pulled him out from the crowd.
Itachi looked to the hand that grabbed him, and it was Sona whom was pouting at him. "This time I'm the one who gets to partner up with onii-sama." Sona declared sick of seeing girls trying to show off to her brother. She truly was the overprotective type that meant no one was good enough for her brother.
'Well, guess I'm failing this class now…' Itachi thought, despite his great love for his younger sister she was a horrible cook. True at least she knew how to handle the tools to make the dishes, unlike him, and she wasn't as much a perfectionist like him. Everything she presented looked delicious, the taste however was the problem. Yet strangely Itachi has never heard Sona complain about home economics, surely she must be doing bad in class with her cooking skills.
"Okay class, we'll be doing something really simple today. We'll bake some cookies." The teacher smiled cutely while clapping her hands. The teacher was a young woman in her mid-twenties, with black hair tied into a ponytail that went over her shoulder. She was the type of person that didn't have an evil bone in her body, and that would encourage you to try your best every time.
"Okay, let's show them our skills, onii-sama!" Sona beamed with a smile of excitement. "I just know you will do it better this time." Sona tried to encourage Itachi whom gave his signature "hn" as a respond.
Rias pouted over not being paired up with Itachi, she turned to Akeno and they ended up making a pair. Akeno giggled a little in amusement at Rias' pouting face, while the rest of class looked at their priced foreign princess cute pouting face in awe. Over the past six months, naturally more male transfer students had appeared, although there were only ten male students at the academy. And with only three male students in their class, with Itachi being one of them.
"Okay onii-san, how about you start by making the cookie dough?" Sona gave Itachi a simple task, while she gathered more ingredients and tools. When she got back, she dropped what she had in her hands. In front of her was Itachi, his expression blank and emotionless, as it looked like someone had thrown a dynamite cube into the dough. And the explosion had spread the dough all around the station, and all over Itachi. Itachi stood there staring blankly, as some cookie dough that had exploded onto his face dripped off.
"Sona…" Itachi uttered to the gaping Sona.
"Y-Yes…" Sona uttered back.
"…I think I put in too much force."
"Oh my." The teacher gasped at what looked like a cookie war zone. And the class let out small chuckles at the scene.
In the end, even Sona gave up, realizing that cooking just isn't Itachi's thing. And like Rias and Akeno have done before her, she left the dishes to him. When it came to presenting the cookies, Sona's in particular let out a heavenly glow as they looked perfect. Yet Itachi knew better, behind that mask of perfection, was disaster. Now it was for the teacher to taste it, or so Itachi assumed.
"Okay class, why don't you share your cookies with the rest of the class?" The teacher suggested to which everyone went around handing out cookies to their classmates. Itachi in particular got a lot of cookies handed to him by girls.
Then came the moment of truth, as Sona handed out her cookies and watched with such a hopeful expression. Their classmates and sensei gladly tasted the perfect looking cookies, although then their expressions darkened at the taste. Just like Itachi predicted, or so he thought. What followed next was their classmates and goodhearted sensei looking into the puppy dog like eyes of Sona. As she stared at them with a hopeful look.
'There is no way we could tell her.' They all thought as they looked at Sona making that adorable innocent face, as her stare intensified at their lack of responds.
"Well Shitori-san, what an… interesting flavor…" Sensei uttered while keeping up her kind and loving smile, everyone else started to compliment her as well to which she beamed with a happy smile.
'Guess that answers my question…' Itachi sweat dropped at the scene taking place before him. After class was over, they headed out to the schoolyard.
"As always, your display at cooking never ceases to amaze." Rias giggled at Itachi whom actually had a faint blush, which only made Rias and Akeno wanting to tease him even more.
"Well… I'm sure you will do better next time, onii-sama." Sona tried to build up Itachi's confidence, although the attempt failed since she couldn't even look Itachi in the eye while telling such a lie.
"It's not like I am unaware of my lack of talent as a chef." Itachi uttered.
"Oh don't worry, I can make you any meal you want." Akeno wrapped her arms around Itachi, while poking his right cheek lightly. "And I will do other things for you as well." Akeno whispered into his ear while winking at him. Just as Itachi was about to give a reply, he was interrupted.
"Hey, check this out. They captured the leader of those ghoul terrorists." They heard the voice of one of the new male students, talking with his friend as they looked at a news report from their phone.
"Eh, no way, that's Sen Takatsuki! She's my fav horror author! I can't believe she was a ghoul all along!" The other boy spoke in disbelief and shock.
"What are they talking about?" Sona questioned with a curious look, considering the word ghoul was mentioned. Rias brought out her phone and searched up the news report. They all leaned in closer looking at Rias' phone to see the news report. The headlines said "famous author of horror stories, Sen Takatsuki reveals to the public that she is the ghoul known as the One Eyed Owl."
Itachi paid close attention to the video, seeing the figure known as the One Eyed Owl. Was a short young attractive woman with green hair cut into a bob cut, her left eye was in a beautiful green shade like an emerald, but her right eye was dark and blood red symbolizing that she was a ghoul. In the interview she also revealed her real name was Eto Yoshimura.
Itachi knew about ghouls, all devils, angels and fallen angels knew about ghouls. Or more so, everyone knew they existed, but only supernatural creatures knew what they really were, same with a handful of humans. Ghouls are in fact beings of supernatural origin, they are at least considered a part of the supernatural world. However, they are looked down upon by almost all supernatural creatures which is why devils and such don't get in contact with them. Since no supernatural creature has gone in contact with ghouls, ghouls don't even know what they are and don't know of the existence of other supernatural creatures.
Ghouls mainly look like normal humans, with the main difference being their powers. Ghouls have a special predatory organ that allows them to form weapons and claws. This is known as Kagune, and there are four different types. There is one for speed, attack, defense, and distance attacks. The Kagune also helps boost up a ghouls physical abilities drastically, as well as their healing abilities. Because of their biology, ghouls are only known to be able to eat human flesh. And for this naturally, they are persecuted and hunted down by humans.
As stated before, ghouls are looked down upon by supernatural creatures, and are in fact considered to be the lowest of the low. Especially by devils standards, the old faction and many other noble devils view ghouls as trash. They are not looked down upon because they are weak, far from it, some ghouls can become just as strong as a high-class devil if they tried. Ghouls also in fact only make up 1% of the human population.
Itachi has also heard many news reports lately these past years, about ghouls starting up small wars in the streets of Tokyo. He had heard of the Aogiri ghoul terrorist group, rumored to have been lead by the One Eyed King, also known as the One Eyed Owl. Although, in this press conference they were watching, Eto reveals that she is not the One Eyed King, but she is only the One Eyed Owl.
"These ghouls sure are strange creatures…" Rias commented as she looked intrigued while looking at the press conference. "Especially this one, why would she reveal her identity to the world?" Rias gave an excellent question, why did Eto reveal her identity? Was she tired of hiding? Or was there something else going on?
"Do you have anything against ghouls, Rias?" Akeno asked out of curiosity to Rias earlier statement.
"Hmm, not really. Why do you ask?" Rias asked her queen while looking rather puzzled.
"Well, it's just I have heard that most devils despise ghouls." Akeno replied.
"Well, that is true." Sona stated while crossing her arms. "Although, the Gremory and Sitri family are maybe the only noble families that don't despise them. We just don't really care, they are such a minority even among the supernatural creatures, and since we never interact with them, we just don't really care."
"Most don't bother trying to understand them. If you ask a normal devil about ghouls, they will either call them animals, lowlife creatures, or just creatures that eat humans. Although, I myself have studied a little upon all supernatural creatures, ghouls included. Although I didn't find much about them, I at least know somethings." Itachi's knowledge of ghouls were mostly about their abilities, a little on their biology, and of their history and diet.
"Well, I think they are strange… but a little interesting." Rias commented while still watching the live report on Eto.
"How so?" Sona asked looking a little puzzled, as she really hadn't given ghouls much of a thought.
"Well, like, why they can only eat humans and stuff. I mean, what is the reason for them being created like that? To keep balance in the food chain? And how they must feel from being hunted just for trying to survive." Rias listed her thoughts on the ghouls and why she found them strange and a little interesting.
"Well, when you put it like that, I can sort of understand." Sona said as she returned to looking at Rias' phone at the press conference.
Itachi remained puzzled at the acts of this Eto, revealing her identity like that to the world. What was happening in the ghouls world, was something big coming? Itachi also found her calm and composed attitude during the press conference to be a little interesting. 'Eto Yoshimura, huh? What an interesting character.' Itachi thought as a little smile creeped up on his face.
A few days later
Things have gone on as normal for the past few days, the most exciting thing to happen to the gang, was that Rias and Akeno declared they had reopened the old Occult Research club as their base of devil operation.
Then suddenly, in the middle of the night a new, news report was showed revolving around ghouls once again. Apparently, there was a riot of sorts within the ghoul detention center in Tokyo, and that the One Eyed Owl was also a part of the riot. Itachi looked at the live footage of inside the detention center, and saw a massive monster of a creature with one red eye, rampaging through the prison and tearing it apart from the inside.
When he looked closer, it seemed as if the giant beast that was Eto, was hunting for something or rather, someone. Itachi couldn't help but think it looked like Eto was upset over something. Something came to view on the screen once Eto moved a little to the side, and what appeared to be a man dressed in black running away from Eto while looking frightened. And out of all the ones attacking Eto, she was gunning for this man precisely.
To most it would appear this man was running away scared and helpless, yet an experienced warrior like Itachi saw it differently. By closely paying attention to the details of what he saw, it looked as if the man effortlessly dodged all of Eto's attacks. In fact, he didn't even see the man break a sweat as he was running away.
'Perhaps I should go get a better view…' Itachi thought as a blue light formed beneath his feet, and formed into a magic circle. Just as the process of his teleportation started Kuroka walked into the room with Koneko.
"Itachi-sama?" Kuroka questioned as she and Koneko came just in time, for Itachi to send them a single glance before he vanished through the magic circle. "Where is he going?" Kuroka looked to Koneko for answers, and the younger nekomata merely shrugged her shoulders in responds.
"Should we go after him, onee-sama?" Koneko asked her older sister, whom hummed a little.
"Nah, whatever it is he will be fine. Besides, if he needs help, he will just give us a call, nya." Kuroka shrugged her shoulders as she had complete faith in her master, he always acted with reason, and was strong enough to take care of himself. "Hey, the movie is about to start, let's go!" Kuroka flicked her fingers as she changed into a pair of black pajamas decorated with red kitty faces. She also summoned a bowl of popcorn into her hands as she jumped onto the couch and changed the channel. And Koneko quickly joined her sister, with a bowl of popcorn twice as big as Kuroka's.
Location: Tokyo, Ghoul Detention Center
Amongst the rubble of the prison, ghouls were fighting for their freedom and all the investigators were occupied containing them. And further in the rubble, were signs of a big fight having gone down, and Eto was in her base form, beaten and bruised while laying up against a wall. And in front of her was the man she chased earlier was the tall man. With medium-length black hair, he wore a black suit with a bow tie, and he had dark gloves. His eyes were red, although his right eye in particular was dark and blood red. And on his lower back stuck out four tentacles of sorts, it was a Kagune.
Eto glared up at the gloating man before her, Furuta or rather Washuu. "That is Rize's Kagune… isn't it?" Eto asked the gloating man before her.
"Correct!" The man playfully declares while laughing at the severely injured Eto, her limps torn and most of her Kagune destroyed.
"What exactly is your true goal…?" Eto asked as blood dripped from her forehead and over her green eye.
"To create Super Peace!" Washuu declares with a serious expression that lasts for a split second, as he then walks away while clapping and laughing like a child.
Eto tries to move, yet her body won't even budge, she could feel that she was walking on death's door. 'The rest is up to you, Kaneki… wish I could see the world you would create… a world were humans and ghouls can live in peace… ' Eto thinks back at her life, how she always felt like an outcast as she was neither ghoul nor human, but a hybrid of the two. She always wondered if the world would be like that, would she feel at home? She always envied humans and ghouls, as they all at least had a place they belonged. If the world had become as she and Arima's envisioned would she find out where she belongs? 'Heh, what a laugh it would be.' Eto gives a weak chuckle, before she starts to slowly close her eyes ready to embrace death, although she halts as an almost blinding blue light appears before her. 'What the…?'
Eto looks in bewilderment as a figure steps out from the blue light, the figure looked male from his body structure. And he was relatively tall, way taller than her anyway. She looked further confused as she got a good look at his face. 'A kid?' Eto raised her brow at the 16-year-old Itachi standing before her. 'An angel? Eto thought seeing this pretty boy embodied in this bright light, to her it looked divine. Was he actually and angel sent to take her away? That thought was destroyed when from Itachi's back, his majestic devil bat wings popped out.
Eto stares at the wings in awe, and she can already tell they aren't any sort of Kagune. Itachi activates his sharingan, and Eto widens her eyes a bit thinking he might be a ghoul after all. No, he doesn't even smell like one, and those eyes are different. Eto quickly dismisses the thought as she smelled his scent, and also saw the black tomoe marks in Itachi's red eyes. With those eyes, and the wings his presence and appearance became more demonic.
Eto stares at him and then she grows a smirk. "Heh, now that's more like it." Eto utters having reached the conclusion Itachi was some sort of demon sent to take her to hell to be punished. "Greetings, mister demon… here to take my rotten soul away?" Eto stares calmly at Itachi, without any hint of fear or any kind of emotion in her eyes.
"…" Itachi doesn't respond, he just looks at her beaten form and figure. He actually felt sorry for her, but he wasn't going to let that cloud his judgment. "Why did you turn out like this?" Itachi asked a simple question to which Eto looks in confusion at the question, she gave a look that said why would you care?
"And why is that any of your business, mister demon?" Eto asked not seeming willing to budge.
"It's not. I just wanted to know, that's all. And I think devil is a more appropriate term to describe me." Itachi replied as they both looked into each other's eyes.
"Is that so? And why is that something you want to know, mister devil?" Eto remained hostile, she wasn't going to fight as she was dying anyway there was no point in resisting.
"Because it could give me a reason." Itachi replied to which Eto looked confused.
"A reason for what?" Eto's curiosity got the best of her as she raised her brow at Itachi.
Itachi held out his right hand and summoned out a blue knight chess piece from the palm of his hand. "On whether or not I should save you." Once those words escaped Itachi's lips Eto's eyes widened as she stared at the glowing, floating chess piece. "Tell me. Do you want to live?" Itachi asks his expression showing no sign of emotion.
Live? She could live? He would let her live? The thought ran through Eto's mind, and the slight desire she had to see the world Kaneki would create for ghouls sprang to life. Despite how she originally just wanted to be a stepping stone for Kaneki to reach her and Arima's goal. She hadn't even planned on surviving to see that world, not that she didn't want to, she just never counted on the fact that she would. Before she could think another thought, her lips quiver and move. "Yes…" She utters, and the thought rose in her mind that no one really wants to die.
"Then live for my sake from now on, as my servant and a member of my peerage." Itachi floats the evil piece towards Eto, as the light intensifies and it merges into her chest. Eto looks drowsy and closes her eyes, as her limbs are growing back and her injuries completely healed.
Later
Eto slowly opens her eyes, and sees the beautiful starry night sky over her. She picks herself up rubs her temple, seeming confused. "What happened?" Eto thinks back and her eyes widened as she shot herself standing up, and looked at herself. She was completely healed, even if she was a ghoul, healing this quickly from such injuries was just ridiculous. "What's going on?" Eto also remembers the devil guy, and instantly turns around although no one was there. She looked at her surrounding seeing she was at the top of a skyscraper.
"Good you're awake." A voice reaches her ears and she instantly jumped back, although widened her eyes over how far she jumped as she just meant to jump back a little. She went on guard as she glared at Itachi whom stood before her, she was particularly focused on the last words she heard him speak before she fell asleep.
The word servant rang in her mind like a raging bell, she didn't want to be anyone's servant nor did she want a master. "Listen, I don't know what you are after, but I don't appreciate being someone's servant." Eto glared at Itachi as her Kagune sprung to life, her body was wrapped up in some flesh that grew in size, into a giant one-eyed beast. "I will tear those pretty little wings from your back!" Her voice became more rough, and it became more crazed.
"I thought this might happen." Itachi sighed and flew up to avoid Eto's rampaging attack as she charged straight at him. He heard Eto giggle as she stretched out some white tentacles that flew at Itachi. "Such a pretty birdie!" Eto giggled sounding both playful like a child, and sadistic.
"Now hang on, I think you might have the wrong idea." Itachi tried talking while dodging Eto's onslaught of attacks that came his way. In the end, Itachi had flown too high up in the air for Eto's tentacles to reach, or so he thought.
Eto's massive kakuja form leaped up into the air, and flew towards Itachi, much to the young Sitri's surprise. Itachi had barely time to react, as Eto had her kakuja smack its claw towards Itachi. Itachi reacted with quickly blasting a ball of fire into the kakuja's head blowing it clean off.
Itachi retreated into the air by flying higher up, he looked at the smoking remains of Eto's headless kakuja, and saw the half ghoul woman sitting in the back of the jaw of her kakuja, as although the head was blown off the lower jaw remained. "Heh, little brat." Eto smirked looking a little amazed and surprised at seeing an attack like that. "You really are something else, mister devil!" Eto giggled as the head of her one-eyed owl form grew back, and she kept giggling in a more sinister voice.
"She really does seem like a villain. Although, her abilities would prove quite useful. If I can just tame her it will be fine." Itachi muttered to himself and dived back down to the roof of the building and Eto quickly followed, landing with a massive thud thanks to her kakuja's massive size.
Eto carefully studied her opponent, as they both walked in circles not taking their eyes of one another, waiting for who would make the first move. 'He hasn't really fought back that much… that fireball earlier was strong enough to melt away the top of my kakuja. He is clearly very strong and skilled… he reminds me a lot of Arima.' Eto thought and had her kakuja raise its Ukaku and shoot out a single projectile at Itachi. Itachi swung his arm to the side, as a wave of water came from a magic circle and countered the projectile. 'He can also use water… and it is strong enough to counter my attack.'
'Judging by that last attack, she's studying me… she's being warry of fighting an opponent with abilities she has never seen before. Quite remarkable, she is a cunning one.' Itachi gained a smile as he retracted his wings, and got into a defensive fighting stance.
Eto's kakuja let out a sound that resembled a growl, and raised its Ukaku again and this time shot out an endless bombardment of projectiles. Itachi stretched out his right arm and moved it in a triangular fashion, creating a magic circle that shot out a barrage of ice projectiles. They both bombarded each other with projectiles, that countered one another. All that remained was to see who could keep up the bombardment the longest.
Eto grew frustrated, knowing full well that she couldn't keep this up and she had no idea how long he could keep it up. She had no choice but to end her assault, and fall back hoping those ice projectiles wouldn't hit her real body. She ended her assault and jumped to the side, although she was surprised. Itachi also ended his assault merely a second after Eto did.
'Did he also reach his limit? It's like he doesn't want to hurt me… Even though he claims I'm his servant or something now, he should know we ghouls have regenerative abilities, right? Even if he didn't he clearly displayed abilities of healing earlier when he healed me. Even if killing me would prove to be problematic for him since he will lose what he is after, he still shouldn't have problems with injuring me.' Eto kept trying to think on what this guy wanted to achieve, usually Eto is great at reading people, and figuring out what kind of a person they are. But this guy, she couldn't read him at all, that alone both interested her and made her warry of him.
"Are you ready to hear me out yet?" Itachi questioned, although the responds he got was Eto charging at him without warning, slamming her claw into him. Itachi was sent skidding back from the impact and twitched his eyes a little in pain. "Guess not…" Itachi avoided the second strike and slammed his palm into the ground, as ice started to pop out, and started to freeze Eto's kakuja from the legs up to its neck into a solid block of ice. "Okay, listen, I do not wish to be your enemy, nor do I wish to harm you. I want to learn a little more about you, and ask you a simple question. If you do not wish to be a member of my peerage, I will gladly undo what I have done to you and set you free." Itachi's words seemed to calm Eto down as she stared at him.
"…" Eto looked at herself, and could feel the power from this young man and see she was no match for him. She wiggled her kakuja around until it broke free from the ice, she then dissolved the kakuja and jumped out and landed in front of Itachi. "Heh, guess I managed to read you a little." Eto smirked having realized Itachi wasn't exactly trying to manipulate her, and force her to do his bidding. Rather he reminded her more of a guy with some sort of business proposal. He wasn't a bad guy, he came across as a shady type to her still. "Okay, talk."
"Let me start off by introducing myself, I am Itachi Sitri of a noble devil family, the Sitri ranked Prince." Eto raised her brow like she was asking if this was some kind of joke, seeing as Itachi didn't really seem like a noble spoiled brat. Although the look in his confirmed that he was serious.
"A devil huh? So you came here from hell? Are you here to take me with you for eternal damnation and what-not." Eto replied with a rather carefree smile, as it seemed she had just given up on this life.
"No, I am from the Underworld, true. But what you humans call hell, we call Purgatory, where all evil souls go after they die. I am here to spare you from death by offering you a job of sorts." Itachi said as he brought out his devil wings, to which Eto looked a little curious.
"What kind of job?"
"As servant, or rather a member of my peerage. As a reincarnated devil, assisting the household of Sitri and the underworlds survival." Once Itachi said this a bell rang into Eto's mind.
"Reincarnated? Earlier you said you had done something to me… was that it? You turned me into a devil?" Eto questioned and went on guard when suddenly, something else besides her kagune came from her back, a pair of devil bat wings. "What the?"
"Since you were on the verge of death, and with no other method to ensure your survival I chose to reincarnate you before asking. If you want, I can undo the process. Once you have heard me out, of course." Itachi said to which Eto calmed down and continued to listen to Itachi.
Itachi goes on to explain about devils and their society, what being a peerage member implies with granting humans favors, fighting stray devils, and fighting for the Sitri household. He also explains that Stray Devils are the ones that have betrayed their master. Eto also seemed to be interested in the idea of becoming a high-class devil one day to get her own peerage.
"And although it is true, that some reincarnated devils are looked down upon by high-class noble families. My family happens to be one of the ones that view their servants like family. I already have five peerage members besides you, and all are a little… different like yourself so to speak. They are quite the unique bunch I must say." Itachi gave a light chuckle thinking about his peerage members, to which Eto widens her eyes.
He wasn't lying, he really does care for his servants as family. Eto thought considering the honest smile Itachi gave with that chuckle, it looked sincere. Although Eto honestly didn't care about that. "So what? I should feel honored to have been chosen by you? Honored that not some other devil punk picked me before you?" Eto asked with a little condescending smirk at Itachi.
"Well, no… but actually, I doubt anyone else would have chosen you." When Itachi said this Eto looked a little insulted. "To be honest, ghouls are not exactly popular amongst the supernatural community. Despite basically being supernatural beings yourselves, the others actually look down upon ghouls quite a bit." Eto looked annoyed at learning that not only did humans hate them, but basically everyone else did as well. She even frowned a little.
Despite all this new information on the world, a question was nagging in Eto's mind ever since Itachi began his explanation. "Wait, so ghouls count as a part of the supernatural world, like you devils. Yet for some reasons, we ghouls don't even know you exist. Why is that?" Eto asked as all this new information was both fascinating to her, and confused.
"Since you were looked down upon so much, the rest of the supernatural world cut its ties with all of you since the beginning. No one is really sure why, it just happened. A theory many have come with throughout the years, is that since you ate humans, whom were essentially necessary for gods to survive through their faith. And for devils to make deals with. They viewed you as a problem, or an infestation of sorts." To this explanation Eto did not looked pleased, she clenched her fists in anger.
"Then… the source of ghouls current situation can be traced back to ancient times of the supernatural." Eto uttered as all the horrific events that was her childhood, and she remembered her mother or at least what she had learned about her.
"Although, that is their fault for not bothering trying to understand them." Itachi added to his explanation on ghouls and their relationship with the rest of the supernatural world.
Those words shocked Eto greatly. "Huh?" She was taken a little aback at that, having expected something else, like even though your abilities are useful or some bullshit like that.
"I have studied upon all supernatural creatures, even ghouls, well with what I could find of information on them anyway. So that I can understand them more, after all, if one wants to bring peace… one must understand others and their view on things. Ever since I was a kid I have dreamt of bringing peace to the world, not just for devils and other supernatural beings, but for the humans as well. I want to create a world, where everyone can understand one another… and live together in harmony. That might be impossible, but I won't know unless I try. At the very least, before my life ends, I at least want to plant the seeds for that peace to grow and bloom someday." Itachi spoke of his dream, with such passion in his voice, he didn't show it much with his facial expression, he only smiled warmly thinking of such a paradise.
Eto looked in awe, and suddenly she burst out laughing. "A devil? A creature like a devil wants to bring world peace?! I can't… it's too much!" Eto couldn't contain herself from the irony, Itachi sweat dropped at the laughing Eto whom placed her right hand over his chest. "I like you kid, you are one heck of an interesting guy." Eto having wanted to create some sort of peace between humans and ghouls. That was her goal, well sort of. She didn't really have a righteous goal like bringing world peace, she never wanted to save the world.
"You know kid, I also had a dream of bringing peace… although that was honestly more for myself. When I was a kid, I saw a lot of messed up shit… heck I am messed up. I just wanted to change the world, so I wouldn't have to live in that living hell of a life I had, and so others wouldn't have to. But in the end, I knew I couldn't do it. So I decided to become a stepping stone for someone that could. That person has already walked past that step, and is progressing further." Eto looked out to the city of Tokyo and thought about a certain young man named Kaneki. She then looked over at Itachi, and giggled a little as she pushed herself up against him and licked his neck. "Thanks to my writing skills, I am good at reading people too. And, although I can't read you quite well, I can at least confirm this about you… You and I are a lot alike, I can tell… you've seen some messed up things."
"I won't deny it… although I don't think we are that much alike." Itachi replied as he gently pushed Eto off to which she smirked at him.
"You know, you remind me a lot of two people that I know…" Eto uttered as she thought about Kaneki and Arima. "I find you quite intriguing you know… You aren't a bad guy, but I can tell you don't consider yourself good either. Otherwise, you wouldn't bother with someone like me, cause let's face it, I am a horrible person." Eto admitted while keeping up a sadistic grin while saying so.
"… That might be true for now, but people can change. Even you. And like you said, we share some similarities I must admit, perhaps that is why I wish to change you." Itachi admitted, he did feel sorry for Eto. After he saw that news report where she revealed that she was a ghoul. He had studied up on her a little, reading some of her books, reading into her story trying to figure out what kind of a person she was. He reached the conclusion, she was a messed up, sadistic, cunning young woman. Someone who has seen the horrors of the world, and been shaped by those horrors. She was someone who had been hurt her whole life, and wished to end the pain. Just like him, the third great ninja war, the kyuubi, discrimination, outcast for both his village and clan, a murder, a criminal. He understood her pain, more than she could realize.
Eto could tell that Itachi understood her pain however, she couldn't grasp just by how much though. "Earlier you said ghouls are hated by devils, are you sure you want to risk your reputation for someone like me?" Eto asked while smirking, as it was the same to her regardless.
"I couldn't care less about my reputation, all that matters to me are my family, my friends, and my goal. And unless you want out, you are a part of all three now." Itachi replied to which Eto snickered a little. "That, and I think I might already have ruined it a long time ago." Itachi added as he thought of Kuroka.
"Sounds like the words of a fool if you ask me. But fine, this new life might be an interesting one. I might just need to check it out before I make a final decision." Eto agreed to come with Itachi to see how this life as a devil would be like before deciding.
"Very well." Itachi prepares a magic circle for them to teleport through.
Eto looks over at Itachi, this time looking rather serious. "I know that you already know this… but. I have a goal of my own, if you in anyway get in the way of that, I will kill you." Eto states as she still wishes to see the change Kaneki will bring in the future for humans and ghouls. That and her second new goal, to bring a change on how the supernatural world views ghouls. And this time, she would do it herself.
"I know." Itachi replies with a smile as a sign that he won't get in the way.
Eto returns the smile. "You really are an interesting one… this might be a whole lot of fun." Eto's smile turns a little more sinister as they vanish through the magic circle.
Back in Kuoh town
Itachi and Eto arrived inside of their mansion of a house, Eto gaped a little at seeing the inside of this massive building. "The heck…" Eto uttered.
"Let's just say my family likes to go a little overboard… well not just mine." Itachi uttered as images of his father, Lord Gremory, Sirzechs and Serafall all came to mind.
"You live here? Just you and those servants of yours?" Eto skipped around the hall like a little child, as she took a look around. "Sweet place I will admit. Guess being a noble has its quirks."
"Yes, well, I think its too much. But to answer your question, I live here with my younger sister, my fiancé aka childhood friend and their peerage members as well including my own." Itachi replied and Eto seemed to react especially to the fiancé part.
"Fiancé? You getting married? At your age?" Eto questioned as she was under the impression Itachi was a teenager.
"It is arranged, although it is mostly so she doesn't have to marry a certain man she doesn't like. Once that matter is resolved, we'll see how things play out." Itachi replied and Eto seemed to understand the situation. "You see, noble devils are almost extinct from the last war we had against angels and fallen angels. So a lot of arranged marriages are made to ensure the survival of pureblooded devils. Personally, I think it is foolish. Any hope of keeping that old tradition vanished with the war. Right now, the hope for our race's survival, lays with the reincarnated devils."
"Wow, so basically whether those stuck up nobles like it or not, I'm now a part of their hope to survive." Eto grew a condescending smirk, thinking on the reactions of those noble geezers when they hear that one of their noble children included a half ghoul in his group of servants. The thought alone made her giggle.
"Glad to see you are getting used to the idea." Itachi commented as he saw Eto browsing through a book shelf.
"Aww, isn't that sweet of you. You put out my books for display." Eto said as she held out one of her very own books, and saw some pages were marked.
"After I saw the reports of you turning yourself in, I decided to study a little upon you. You can learn a lot about a person through their work." Despite Eto trying to hide it, Itachi noticed what resembled a smile of joy from the corner of her lip.
"And, what did you learn?" Eto closed the book and looked at Itachi, with a look that said she wanted an honest answer.
"… That you are someone who has given up on this world, someone who has witnessed its horrors since birth. That you have lived a whole life being hunted, and that lead you to being a cold hearted, twisted, cruel and a sadistic person.
"…" Eto was still glaring at him, and the tension in air seemed to grow. Silence filled the room, and neither of them budged while looking at each other. Eto then put the book back in the shelf, smiled and clapped her hands. "Correct!" She sang in a sweet childlike voice. "Now…" Eto skipped around Itachi, and wrapped her arms around his neck while poking his cheek. "What about you? What kind of a person are you?"
"… What do you think?" Itachi asked while looking as stoic as ever, Eto then skipped back to standing in front of him, and studied him.
"Hmm… A sweet, and kind person filled with love. But most of all, loyal. Someone willing to do anything for the ones he cares about. A soldier… someone that does what needs to be done, no matter how much your hands get dirty. A killer, manipulative. And with that stoic face of yours, I can guess you are an excellent liar. Please, stop me if I get anything wrong or leave anything out." Eto listed the things while turning her back on Itachi and walking around, once she finished, she turned back to face him to see his face. It hadn't changed at all, still emotionless and stoic. "I'll take that as a yes…" Eto smiled cutely like a child.
"Hn, not bad." Itachi commented with a small smirk. "Shall I introduce you to the others? They are probably in the V.I.P room." Itachi walked towards the elevator, and Eto gladly followed.
"V.I.P room?" Eto questioned with a raised brow.
"We use it for when important people like the four Maous come to visit, like nee-san." Itachi replied to which Eto looked shocked and looked at Itachi to see if he was joking, which he wasn't.
"There are four Satan's? And your big sis is one of them?" Eto asked to confirm to which Itachi smiled as confirmation. "… Holy shit." Eto said just before the elevator door closed and took them up.
Once they arrived at the V.I.P room Itachi was greeted by the wild Kuroka. "Itachi-sama!" Kuroka jumped at him, making the first thing Itachi saw as he exited the elevator, Kuroka's boobs in his face. "Where did you go of to earlier? I missed you. Nya!"
Eto looked a little taken aback, and amused at seeing Itachi dealing with this situation by remaining stoic. "Mommy." Eto looked suddenly to Itachi's back seeing little Jack attached to his back like a monkey, nuzzling up against Itachi's back.
"Did that little girl just call you mommy?" Eto asked to which Itachi sent her a look that said it was normal.
"Nya? Who is this?" Kuroka questioned as they all noticed Eto.
"Ohhh! A green haired beauty." Eto looked to her side to see what she would describe as your average otaku, as Damian was in his perv state eying the newcomer.
Then two large shadows covered them, and Eto looked up to see two tall muscular men, the old man Harry and Bob in his 23-hour state. "Huh, you weren't kidding when you said they were the odd bunch." Eto commented looking rather carefree.
"Guys, this is Eto Yoshimura. She is the newest addition to our little family. She's a knight like you Jack." Itachi looked over at Jack, having already explained to Eto about the evil pieces, the half ghoul looked over at the little girl attached onto Itachi's back whom greeted her with a single look. "She is also the ghoul known as the One-eyed Owl." Itachi added to which everyone looked a little taken aback besides Harry.
"Hmm, she's the one from the news." Harry pointed out as he looked down on the little ghoul with his eyes narrowed. "I suppose if you think she won't cause trouble, I'm fine with it. And if she does it shouldn't be that much of an issue to deal with."
"Quite the prideful geezer, aren't you?" Eto commented with a condescending smirk at Harry, whom merely smiled back.
"Hmm, quite brave for such a little girl." Harry huffed, to this they both let out a small chuckle.
"For information sake, I'm 27."
"So, she's a ghoul? Man, I've had to kill a few in the past as a bounty hunter. But I don't think they were nearly as strong as her." Damian commented having heard of the One-eyed Owl and its power. "Oh, I didn't mean anything by it! Killing those ghouls wasn't personal or anything."
"Oh don't worry, I couldn't care less." Eto replied which caught Damian off guard.
"Huh… I see." Damian uttered looking dumbfounded, thinking she would be angry.
"And what guarantee do we have that she doesn't try to eat us?" Bob asked a serious question considering ghouls can only eat human flesh.
"What's the matter big guy… scared that I might bite you?" Eto gave Bob a condescending smirk to which Bob sent her a little glare. "I will have you know, not all ghouls are gluttons. I myself only eat when I have to. Besides, not sure if devil flesh even tastes good."
"Out of all of them, I'm actually the only full-blooded devil though." Itachi commented to which Eto sent him a look.
"Oh? Is that an invitation for a sample?" Eto gave a little devilish smirk to which Kuroka stepped in between.
"Now listen here, the only one allowed to eat him in any form. Is me, nya." Kuroka wiggled her body around, clearly having a different thought on the word "eat" in this situation.
"My, how bold." Eto commented with a giggle. "Although I must admit…" Eto walked past Kuroka and pushed herself up against Itachi while licking his neck. "The thought has crossed my mind." Eto declared, yet Itachi remained stoic at that comment.
"Try and see what happens." Itachi challenged to which Eto smiled and backed up, while holding her hands up.
"Scary." Eto sand in a sweet childlike voice.
"Anyway, Eto. This is Kuroka, she is my queen. That is Harry Newgate, my rook. Bob, my pawn. Damian, my other pawn. And Jack the Ripper, your fellow knight." Itachi introduced everyone, and left the little assassin in the end, although Eto was a little shocked at hearing that last introduction.
"Jack the Ripper? The serial killer?" Eto looked carefree as she looked over at the little assassin whom looked back at her, with those big yellow-green eyes. "My, how adorable." Eto merely smiled at the cute little assassin, and some sweat dropped thinking that wasn't the proper reaction.
"Anyway, I called you all here because a stray devil has appeared. And since both Rias and Sona are busy tonight, we have been given the task to deal with it. Kuroka, prepare the jump." Itachi instructed to which they all gathered around the nekomata.
"Here we go! Nya!" Kuroka raised her hand and they all vanished through a magic circle.
They arrived in a small park, that was closed off for the night, because of people mysteriously vanishing. "This stray devil is reported to have killed 2 humans so far, we're here to stop it." Itachi instructed as they were standing outside of a little cave. "Come on out now!" Itachi raised his arm as a magic circle formed around the rock, and water blasted up from the ground, destroying it and out flew the stray devil. A giant humanoid bat like creature, with six legs and large sharp fangs. "Eto, why don't you show off your skills to the others." Itachi said as the rest stepped back.
"Okay then, I was getting a little hungry actually. Guess I should test out how devils taste." Eto licked her lips as instantly she turned into her one-eyed owl kakuja form, leaving some of her new comrades speechless at seeing this form. It wasn't easy to tell which was the stray devil anymore.
Eto flew up to the beast, at immense speed which she herself was a little surprised about. Itachi did mention her speed as a knight would improve drastically, and that was just perfect for her. Eto started bombarding the bat creature with crystal like projectiles, piercing the beast's wings sending it crashing towards the ground.
Eto moved quick and swiftly, like a predator with its prey, she was aiming to end the fight as quickly as possible. She sent her kakuja's tentacles piercing through the beast's body like blades making it scream in pain as it was pinned down to the ground. The head of the kakuja opened itself, as Eto's upper body came to view, and she quickly sank her teeth into the beast's neck. Eto ripped open its throat and started eating on the beast, blood splattered all around the green grass, and the beast lost its voice from having its throat ripped open. And gave one last twitch with its body, before it died.
Eto looked up at the others, her mouth covered in blood, and her face lit up like a kid in a candy store as she kept eating the stray devil's flesh. "This tastes even better than humans…" Eto commented and she ripped of a leg from the stray devil, broke it in half with her ghoul strength, and drank the blood that dripped from the leg. "I can feel it… I'm growing stronger by eating this."
Some of her new comrades looked a little grossed out, Itachi looked a little relived that it meant Eto would at least be able to eat stray devils more often instead of humans. "I take it this means you will join?" Itachi asked.
To that question Eto looked over at Itachi, licked the blood off her lips and smiled. "Yes." She replied in a sweet childlike voice, which creeped out some of her new comrades.
"Well… as long as she doesn't try to take a bite of us…" Bob uttered, thinking bad guys, and stray devils should remain on Eto's menu. Lucky for them ghouls didn't have to eat that often as them, so they would have time to find stray devils or really bad people for her to eat. Kuroka and Damian nodded in agreement to Bob's statement earlier, while Jack didn't seem to care, having seen and done worse things herself. And Harry didn't seem to care as Eto didn't at least try to hurt any of them.
Meanwhile
Standing afar from the scene of Itachi's peerage welcoming Eto, standing on top of a skyscraper were two figures. One figure stomped his foot, seeming furious at the scene. "A ghoul? A ghoul?! What is the young master thinking?!" The figure was the old man Behemoth, quite upset at this new peerage member in his beloved students' peerage.
"I didn't know you had anything against ghouls, Behemoth." The second figure was female, judging from the sound of her soft cold voice.
"Nah, I don't really have anything against those creatures. It's just that I'm worried about the young master. Even if he doesn't know it, other noble families have backed talked him quite a bit. Ever since he recruited that nekomata whom killed her own master into his peerage. Then he gets some abomination of gathered souls claiming to be the serial killer Jack the Ripper. And now a ghoul, creatures that are especially viewed as trash by most nobles." Behemoth expressed his concern for Itachi's reputation.
"You worry over that? We both know the boy doesn't care what others think of him. Besides, if I hear anyone back talk that sweet young boy…" The tall slender woman stepped forward, her long light blue hair blowing in the wind, as a cold breeze emitted from her body. She looked upon Itachi's figure alone with her blue eyes, the moon light reflecting in those ice-cold eyes. The light of the moon also revealed a white military general getup, the top of her uniform was opened around her massive bust revealing her cleavage, and as well as a black symbol. "… I will freeze them into a block of ice, just like Lady Serafall would have." She smiled as spikes of ice erupted around them.
"You should learn to contain yourself, Esdeath. That is no way for the Queen of Serafall Levithan to behave." Behemoth in responds flicked his fingers shattering the ice into tiny ice crystals that blew away into the wind.
"You just watch yourself, Behemoth. After all, that overprotective side of yours might even cause you to lose your cool." Esdeath's smirk grew as she eyed her comrade from the corner of her eye. Their stares were so intense that the tension in the air grew. The tension only eased once Esdeath returned to look at Itachi whom from the looks of it, was telling Eto about other jobs devils do besides disposing of Stray Devils. "Still, is Lady Serafall serious? About not giving any protection to her brother? Despite considering how things are going with the old Maou faction. Things could get dangerous."
"I'm afraid so, apparently Lady Serafall means the young master might end up despising us if we dot on him too much. Although, she has approved of us interfering if the danger is too great for the young master to handle. N-Not that such obstacles exist of course! The young master is capable of doing anything!" Behemoth states, his voice booming with pride for Itachi.
Esdeath merely ignored Behemoth, and his little praise of the young Sitri heir, to whom she just keeps her gaze upon. Esdeath begins thinking back on the very day she met Itachi Sitri. And also, on a boy she once loved and adored, Tatsumi. A boy, no a man, with quite the potential and power, and despite that he died.
Flashback
Esdeath was taking a walk through the Sitri castle, having returned from a job given to her by her master Serafall Levithan. It had been a few centuries now since Esdeath was revived by Serafall and into her peerage. As she's walking, she spots her comrade and fellow member of Serafall's peerage, Behemoth. Behemoth is standing on a balcony, while holding a video camera and filming something. Looking like some dotting overbearing grandfather in Esdeath's eyes.
Esdeath walks over to Behemoth, not saying a word and neither does he. She merely looks at what Behemoth is recording, and widens her eyes a little as she sees a young boy. The young boy couldn't be older than ten, and standing before him was a massive Stray Devil, the kind reserved for adult High-class devils only to handle. She also recognizes the boy upon closer inspection, seeing it was the younger brother of Lady Serafall.
Esdeath is about to spring into action, but is stopped by Behemoth much to her confusion. She looks back at the boy, seeing him swinging his body as the room temperature suddenly drops. And even Esdeath is feeling a small chill down her spine. From the boy's arm comes out a wave of energy that resembled a blizzard storm. The boy the directs his arm towards the beast while shouting. "Subzero: Ice Prison!" And in the blink of an eye the Stray Devil is frozen in solid ice.
"Level 47 complete, well done young master."
The beast suddenly vanishes after a computer like voice echoes through the room. The beast is instead replaced by a giant cyber looking skeleton. She casts a glance back at Itachi, and looks surprised of seeing that look in his eye. It wasn't the look of a child, nor that of a noble devil child, no, it was the look of a warrior. 'How could a noble child at that age have eyes like that?' Esdeath thought in confusion.
She was brought out from her train of thought, at the sound of clapping. She looks to her side seeing Behemoth clapping his hands intensely while shedding tears of pride and joy. "Well done young master! as expected of one of the future four Maous!"
Itachi looks to his master, and widens his eyes on seeing Esdeath there. He looks a little nervous and embarrassed at his master displaying his affection like that in front of others. He however gives Behemoth and Esdeath a nervous innocent like smile. In that instant Esdeath's heart races, as an image of Tatsumi's smiling face flickered in her mind upon seeing Itachi's smile.
Itachi's smile vanishes, as he looks dizzy. Behemoth is about to rush in seeing as Itachi is about to fall unconscious from overusing his power. However, Esdeath was faster and caught the young master into her arms in a gentle embrace. Holding his unconscious sleeping head into her bosom. 'Never again…' Esdeath thinks to herself as an image of Tatsumi's corpse flickers in her mind. 'Never again shall I witness someone like that die again…' She gently tightened her embrace around the young master. "I swear that from this day on, I shall protect you… no matter what the cost."
Flashback end
'Tatsumi… I shall make sure Itachi will survive no matter what. I won't let someone who looked so innocent die like you did. I will make him strong, and I will not fail like I did with you.' Esdeath thought as she looked at the smiling face of the current Itachi as he interacted with his peerage members. Esdeath narrowed her gaze. "That is my new purpose…"
That's the end for now!
Now, Eto has become a member of Itachi's peerage, and will in the future gain the title the Owl Sin of Envy. The reason why I think Eto could fill the spot for Envy, is because she seems to not only bear hatred towards humans and ghouls alike, but also is kind of envious on how she doesn't have a place where she truly belongs unlike others. As she neither fits into human society and ghoul society as she is half ghoul, half human. So, I thought she fit for Envy, regardless of how she destroyed that Stray Devil at the end XD
And Raven will be gluttony because she desires knowledge, more on that will be explored when she is introduced.
And Esdeath has also been introduced, I thought since Serafall has been alive for who knows how long (seriously does anyone know? If you do, leave it in the reviews) she would have been able to live during Esdeath's era so to speak. And would have a chance to recruit her as a member of her peerage. Now on when and how this happened, and what Esdeath experienced on her first days of being Serafall's servant will be explored more another time.
Oh, and in case anyone is wondering, I kept the Itachi vs Eto fight short because honestly Itachi is too strong for Eto to fight right now, and he didn't want to hurt her. Plus, Eto isn't unreasonable and can be reasoned with if using the right words, and if she knows she is no match for someone I think she will be very reasonable and listen.
Anyway, leave a review!
-Later!
(responds to reviews):
Oblivious IJ: Raven is a character from the DC universe, she's a member of the Teen Titans. I felt shivers thinking of what Serafall might do to me when I read your review XD! But my decision remains on the no incest part.
Guest: Here it is, and I will certainly try my best.
: That holy knight would be Xenovia, she might be a good addition, but I'm still not sure on some of the candidates, plus I don't want too many from Rias' peerage in his harem. And Itachi might reveal his backstory, still haven't decided on that though.
Rain Sennin: Yeah true, still have time to figure it out though.
TehStorm: Thanks, and whether he reveals his backstory or not is not something I have decided on yet. But I will certainly give some thought on if I should or not.
98kazer: Interesting suggestion, I will give it some thought. And as for Gabriel, the main reason I thought of having her in the harem, was for the fun interactions it would bring with Serafall (seeing as she hates Gabriel).
Shadic21: Thanks.
Cboylan: Sorry, not happening. I like Rossweise and all, but no.
HaMiroKar420: Thanks!
Mr. Haziq: Fair point.
EmilyGonzalez: Thanks!
Guest: I have thought about adding her to the story, I will think about it.
Akuma: As you can see in this chapter, I explained why I made Eto Envy instead of Gluttony.
Guest-Questioner: Yeah, okay that's a fair point. Guess I need to go back to thinking on that one.
Donovan77: I will think about it.
merendinoemiliano: Well, Gabriel will at least bring some humor in my opinion with Serafall and all that. But I see your point. Thanks!
Devilscreed: They don't really give themselves the title, you'll just have to wait and see what happens XD! And the reason I picked Raven for Gluttony will be explained.
BuddhaBuddha: Ah, that makes sense. Didn't grow up in America so… my understanding of slang might not be at its best.
Guest: She can get love, I just don't see why that has to be Itachi. I mean sibling love sure, but lovers love, eh…
Youngdrgn: You are welcome.
Immortal ninjaaa: There is actually a way she can avoid becoming a fallen according to the light novel, but I won't get into detail about it if you haven't read that far, because spoilers.
Guest: Haven't seen it… XD!
Guest: Thanks!
Dat boi: Thanks! You are welcome!
Harambe: Thanks!
supboyyyyy93: I can see where you are coming from, and I respect your opinion on the matter.
The testing ground of Death: This was already explained to me but thanks for informing me, and all I can say is… me not American, me no know American slang XD
Dp11: Probably not, I don't think that subject has come up in DxD yet… but I think I shouldn't.
allentey: Damn right! Back when I wrote that, I almost felt like adding "Wait, he can talk?" and Itachi responding with. "I mean… guugugaga.".
Guest: Because I think it would be interesting, and fun to come up with characters and give them story arcs. Even though you might have bad experiences with bad OC stories which I can understand, I still think you should have given it a try, lots of people seem to like some of my OC characters so far in this story, or at least they don't mind them.
No-Named-Dude: Thanks, and that is interesting. Although when I thought of Bob I was mostly inspired by Escanor and King from Nanatsu no taizai, that and a little from All Might from Boku no Hero Academia.
Guest: Here you go!
EtheriasNatsu07: Thanks!