Hidden in Stitches (UPDATED 6/12)
Jun 9, 2016 12:18:15 GMT -5
Post by Thunder on Jun 9, 2016 12:18:15 GMT -5
FIRST:
Okay, so this is the first fan fiction I've ever written, and I know anime isn't for everyone (trust me, I know XD) but my friend made me watch this anime and I ended up liking it enough to write a fan fiction based off of my favorite character (the boy in my signature). But, if you DO read it, could you at least tell me what you think of it? Chapters in the spoilers below. Just a friendly warning, some blood will be involved (no gory details, I promise!) and mild language (Nothing rated R!)
Okay, so this is the first fan fiction I've ever written, and I know anime isn't for everyone (trust me, I know XD) but my friend made me watch this anime and I ended up liking it enough to write a fan fiction based off of my favorite character (the boy in my signature). But, if you DO read it, could you at least tell me what you think of it? Chapters in the spoilers below. Just a friendly warning, some blood will be involved (no gory details, I promise!) and mild language (Nothing rated R!)
{Mika, The Half-Breed}
It was dark in the alley, which made me wonder why anyone would want to be walking through it late at night, with only a street lamp lighting the street, just outside the alley. Either way, the smell of the human was mouth-watering. Blood still dripping down my chin, I leaned forward off the roof of the building and took a deep breath, savoring the smell. Well, I thought, I guess a bit more couldn't hurt! I watched as the figure danced through the dark, eyes closed and humming. "You're mine " I hissed, hurling myself off the roof and dropping down in front of him. After hitting the concrete, a wave of excitement swept over the boy, making his scent even more powerful.
I ran my tongue over my lips, and licked the blood off my fingers as his ruby eyes took me in. Not what I expected of such a pleasant smell. Thin, almost feminine figure, very pale with white hair. I looked him up and down, noting the red stitches that climbed his right arm and the double red stitches under his lips and right eye. I also noted the red stitches that trailed down his neck and disappeared under his black tank top, hidden under his unbuttoned shirt. "Hello, ghoul! " He smiled, waving a stitched hand at me.
Hmph, damaged goods. Oh well, he sure smells good. "Holy moly!" He gasped, grinning. "You're another one of those one eyed ghouls, aren't you? "
I took a step back, and narrowed my red eye, gleaming from behind my mask. "I'm not up for games, boy, " I growled. With nothing but a small pinch, my Rinkaku kagune released, all four pointed directly at the human.
He pouted and took a step back, staring at my kagune in wonder. "What a fine quinque those would make, " he hummed.
I arched them, sending them towards him at high speeds. They hit the ground, sending stones and dirt into the air, leaving nothing but a hole in the cracked concrete. He dodged the attack easily. "I'd love to stay and play, ghoul, but as you can see, I got a little lost. I hope you can forgive me," he smiled. "I hope to see you around, ghoul! It's sure been fun! "
Before I could react, he'd darted out of the alley and down the street. I frowned, licking the blood from my arm. Too bad he got away. It's late, anyway. I should get home.
My kagune tightened and shrank back into nothing, curling up in my back. I sighed and turned away, disappointed that such a fine human was to go to waste. "What are you talking about, Mika?" I asked myself. "I need to report back to Rize, so I can give her the rest of my share, after all, I do hunt on her territory."
Running a hand through my dark hair, a I took the mask off and hid it back in my sweatshirt. I sure hope Rize understands what took so long, and hopefully won't kill me for letting a human get away, I thought as I hopped up onto the metal dumpster and climbed the rain gutter back to the roof, where I hid my stash of prey for the night. I was sure that she would, then again, Rize isn't exactly the 'understanding' type.
The wind shifted, sending a breeze through my hair and I turned my nose to the wind, taking in a deep breath. It took a moment for my senses to adjust, but the scent, I knew it all too well. Doves! That little dumbass, he must've ratted me out! I curled my fingers into fists, and ran. I didn't know where I was going as I ran across the roof, nor did I care, all I knew was that I needed to get away from those ghoul-killing creeps. I hopped along the buildings, jumping from roof to roof, until I came upon the little cafe, where I met up with Rize. "Damn," I panted, as I jumped down from the roof, landing just outside the building. "That was close. If I'd stayed a little longer, I would've been made into a fine quinque."
That caused a shiver to run up my spine that even caused a ripple to run through my kagune. With one last look around to make sure I wasn't followed, I turned, nearly running into a girl, who stood just outside the shop, holding a trash bag. Her purple eyes flashed in annoyance as she took a step back, a bored look on her face. "You're here for Rize, aren't you?"
I took a half-step back, nearly bumping into a tree. "You're the one who's always with her, so I naturally assumed..." the girl sniffed and wrinkled her nose, eyes narrowing. "You're that sleazy binge-eater, aren't you? The one killing for Rize, just so that filthy ghoul can keep her hands clean."
I sniffed as a breeze carried the girls scent my direction. Ghoul, definitely ghoul, I concluded. "Whatever, you just missed her," the girl said, flatly.
I sighed, both in relief and annoyance, though I knew I'd have to face her, eventually. "Oh. Well, do you know where I could find her?"
"No clue," she said, blowing a stray strand of purple hair from her face. "Now, if you're not going to do anything productive, I suggest you leave. Binge-eaters aren't welcome here. Not if they're going to attract any attention."
I nodded and turned away. I only got a few feet before I paused and turned back to her. "If you see her again, could you tell her that a girl named Mika is looking for her?"
The ghoul sniffed and rolled her eyes, dropping the bag into a green metal trash bin by the road. "Sure, seeing as now I'm your secretary."
I flashed a smile, despite her hostility. "Thanks," I said and darted off.
I wanted to get as far away from that area as possible, seeing as the Doves had already started tracking me. Strange, the twentieth ward is usually more quiet than other wards, and the only known binge-eater is me, so why send the Doves? Maybe calling myself the binge-eater is a bit much, considering I don't actually eat it all. Most of it goes to Rize. Somehow, I don't think the Doves care about who eats it. It's all the same to them.
I sniffed the air. Smells like rain, I thought, stuffing my hands in my pockets and looking down at my feet as I walked. I wonder what kind of trouble that Rize got herself into. It's only a matter of time before karma catches up with her, and I'll be there to watch it in full glory.
Wandering around in the dark apparently clouded my awareness so much that I hadn't realized someone walking straight toward me. I side-stepped around the person the best I could, but knocked our shoulders hard enough to leave a bruise, if I wasn't a ghoul. "Watch it!" I spat, despite the fact it was my fault.
The person stumbled away, flashing me a smile as he did so. "Sorry!"
He smelled so familiar, so good.
Then I realized as he danced away, he was the same damn boy.
It was dark in the alley, which made me wonder why anyone would want to be walking through it late at night, with only a street lamp lighting the street, just outside the alley. Either way, the smell of the human was mouth-watering. Blood still dripping down my chin, I leaned forward off the roof of the building and took a deep breath, savoring the smell. Well, I thought, I guess a bit more couldn't hurt! I watched as the figure danced through the dark, eyes closed and humming. "You're mine " I hissed, hurling myself off the roof and dropping down in front of him. After hitting the concrete, a wave of excitement swept over the boy, making his scent even more powerful.
I ran my tongue over my lips, and licked the blood off my fingers as his ruby eyes took me in. Not what I expected of such a pleasant smell. Thin, almost feminine figure, very pale with white hair. I looked him up and down, noting the red stitches that climbed his right arm and the double red stitches under his lips and right eye. I also noted the red stitches that trailed down his neck and disappeared under his black tank top, hidden under his unbuttoned shirt. "Hello, ghoul! " He smiled, waving a stitched hand at me.
Hmph, damaged goods. Oh well, he sure smells good. "Holy moly!" He gasped, grinning. "You're another one of those one eyed ghouls, aren't you? "
I took a step back, and narrowed my red eye, gleaming from behind my mask. "I'm not up for games, boy, " I growled. With nothing but a small pinch, my Rinkaku kagune released, all four pointed directly at the human.
He pouted and took a step back, staring at my kagune in wonder. "What a fine quinque those would make, " he hummed.
I arched them, sending them towards him at high speeds. They hit the ground, sending stones and dirt into the air, leaving nothing but a hole in the cracked concrete. He dodged the attack easily. "I'd love to stay and play, ghoul, but as you can see, I got a little lost. I hope you can forgive me," he smiled. "I hope to see you around, ghoul! It's sure been fun! "
Before I could react, he'd darted out of the alley and down the street. I frowned, licking the blood from my arm. Too bad he got away. It's late, anyway. I should get home.
My kagune tightened and shrank back into nothing, curling up in my back. I sighed and turned away, disappointed that such a fine human was to go to waste. "What are you talking about, Mika?" I asked myself. "I need to report back to Rize, so I can give her the rest of my share, after all, I do hunt on her territory."
Running a hand through my dark hair, a I took the mask off and hid it back in my sweatshirt. I sure hope Rize understands what took so long, and hopefully won't kill me for letting a human get away, I thought as I hopped up onto the metal dumpster and climbed the rain gutter back to the roof, where I hid my stash of prey for the night. I was sure that she would, then again, Rize isn't exactly the 'understanding' type.
The wind shifted, sending a breeze through my hair and I turned my nose to the wind, taking in a deep breath. It took a moment for my senses to adjust, but the scent, I knew it all too well. Doves! That little dumbass, he must've ratted me out! I curled my fingers into fists, and ran. I didn't know where I was going as I ran across the roof, nor did I care, all I knew was that I needed to get away from those ghoul-killing creeps. I hopped along the buildings, jumping from roof to roof, until I came upon the little cafe, where I met up with Rize. "Damn," I panted, as I jumped down from the roof, landing just outside the building. "That was close. If I'd stayed a little longer, I would've been made into a fine quinque."
That caused a shiver to run up my spine that even caused a ripple to run through my kagune. With one last look around to make sure I wasn't followed, I turned, nearly running into a girl, who stood just outside the shop, holding a trash bag. Her purple eyes flashed in annoyance as she took a step back, a bored look on her face. "You're here for Rize, aren't you?"
I took a half-step back, nearly bumping into a tree. "You're the one who's always with her, so I naturally assumed..." the girl sniffed and wrinkled her nose, eyes narrowing. "You're that sleazy binge-eater, aren't you? The one killing for Rize, just so that filthy ghoul can keep her hands clean."
I sniffed as a breeze carried the girls scent my direction. Ghoul, definitely ghoul, I concluded. "Whatever, you just missed her," the girl said, flatly.
I sighed, both in relief and annoyance, though I knew I'd have to face her, eventually. "Oh. Well, do you know where I could find her?"
"No clue," she said, blowing a stray strand of purple hair from her face. "Now, if you're not going to do anything productive, I suggest you leave. Binge-eaters aren't welcome here. Not if they're going to attract any attention."
I nodded and turned away. I only got a few feet before I paused and turned back to her. "If you see her again, could you tell her that a girl named Mika is looking for her?"
The ghoul sniffed and rolled her eyes, dropping the bag into a green metal trash bin by the road. "Sure, seeing as now I'm your secretary."
I flashed a smile, despite her hostility. "Thanks," I said and darted off.
I wanted to get as far away from that area as possible, seeing as the Doves had already started tracking me. Strange, the twentieth ward is usually more quiet than other wards, and the only known binge-eater is me, so why send the Doves? Maybe calling myself the binge-eater is a bit much, considering I don't actually eat it all. Most of it goes to Rize. Somehow, I don't think the Doves care about who eats it. It's all the same to them.
I sniffed the air. Smells like rain, I thought, stuffing my hands in my pockets and looking down at my feet as I walked. I wonder what kind of trouble that Rize got herself into. It's only a matter of time before karma catches up with her, and I'll be there to watch it in full glory.
Wandering around in the dark apparently clouded my awareness so much that I hadn't realized someone walking straight toward me. I side-stepped around the person the best I could, but knocked our shoulders hard enough to leave a bruise, if I wasn't a ghoul. "Watch it!" I spat, despite the fact it was my fault.
The person stumbled away, flashing me a smile as he did so. "Sorry!"
He smelled so familiar, so good.
Then I realized as he danced away, he was the same damn boy.
{The Real Binge Eater}
The sun that peeked through the thin curtains of my apartment annoyed me. Because of those stupid Doves, I had been out later than normal, so I'd be running on very little sleep. Though, once I rolled over and pulled the blankets over my head, I couldn't see the sun. Despite the fact my bare legs were exposed to the chilly apartment air, it was a small price I'd have to pay for an extra hour of sleep. Once my mind was beginning to drift, my legs caught a harsh draft of icy air that sent a shiver throughout my entire body and I caught the scent of an intruder in my house.
My whole body stiffened. I knew that smell. That sweet, sickly smell. "I was growing worried," that high, innocent voice soothed, a voice dripping with deadly honey. "I thought that maybe the Doves caught on to you, when you didn't show up yesterday with my meal. I had to go out and hunt for myself, and you know how I just hate getting my hands all dirty and that blood isn't easy to get off."
I curled my lip back and sat up, clutching my blankets to my chest. There she sat, in a chair at the foot of my bed, in my small, run-down apartment with the peeling green wallpaper and musty air. How the hell did she find me? Purple hair running down past her shoulder, curling ever so slightly, her light purple eyes flicking around my room in her little white dress. She heaved a dramatic sigh. "I thought that maybe I could count on you, Mika, but I do feel that you failed me. When miss Kirishima from that little coffee shop told me you had been looking for me...." she trailed off, a sickly smile turning her lips upward. "Well, now I have no choice but to send you off on your own. Throw you out into the real world."
My eyes went wide and my breath hitched. "But- you can't! We had a deal! I hunt for you so the CCG don't find you, and in return, I get protection and a share of your territory! You send me out there now, the Doves will catch me!"
Rize hummed, tipping her head to one side, running a slender finger across her bottom lip, eyes raking across the room in thought. "Should have thought of that first," she said, dismissively.
There's no way she would send me out there alone, she's framed me for so much! All of her binge-meals were killed at my hand, so they're after me, not her! She puts me out there now, that's it! That damn boy from the alley will be right, there will be a wonderful new quinque out there made with my kagune!
"Rize," I said slowly, trying to remain calm as I lowered my head, eyes closed. "Please. There must be something I can do! It wasn't my fault. There's Doves, here, in the twentieth ward! I had an almost run-in with them, so I had to leave."
She hummed again and looked out my open window, which I assumed was her entryway. Rize then looked down at her lap, brushing a strand of purple hair behind her ear with such grace. I clenched my teeth. Why was she prolonging this?
Finally she sighed, her eyes flicking to the ceiling. "Alright, binge-eater. Our deal will remain if you find someone for me. His scent is sweet, mouth watering. I've come across this boy once, while visiting the gourmets. He was their scrapper, but the little monster was taken during a raid that the CCG had started. Rei Suzuya, was his name." Rize chuckled, looking at me shaking her head. "You won't find him, but I suppose if you can, and bring the boy to me, I'll rethink this."
I recalled the scent from the night before, and my stomach growled. Such a wonderful smell.... "So, if I find him...?"
Rize stood and smoothed out her skirt, rolling her eyes, tiredly. "I said if you can bring him to me, alive, I'll reinstate our agreement. Understood?"
I nodded and Rize only chuckled to herself, shaking her head. She mumbled something under her breath as she exited (through the door, I might add), though I didn't quite catch what she said. Rei Suzuya....huh.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I sat in the little coffee shop, Anteiku, staring down into the dark liquid, and watching as my reflection stared back at me with the same, hopeless expression, not offering any help. Rei Suzuya, I'd never heard that name before, especially in the twentieth ward. Then again, I didn't know any names of scrappers, or any gourmets.
"You, again?" I heard a faintly familiar voice snap and I jumped. "Where's that scum, Rize, at?"
I looked up to see the same ghoul from the night before, this time dressed in a uniform, as opposed to the gray shorts and green shirt she had been in the previous night, standing over my table. I blushed and scratched the back of my head. "I, uh...she, um-"
I didn't want to admit that I sure as hell needed help, because Rize was no longer in the picture, but I didn't want to lie, either. The ghoul sighed and closed her eyes. Boy, she looks tired.
"Look, Mika, right? I'm sorry. I don't mean to trash your friend, alright? She just gets on my nerves, nothing personal towards you," she said, then offered a forced smile. "I'm Touka Kirishima, by the way."
I sighed, slightly relieved. At least someone didn't hate me. "Yeah, she's not my friend. It was a deal, that, um..." I chuckled bitterly and looked back down at my coffee, shaking my head.
Touka looked around and slid into the booth seat across from me, offering another smile, this one a little more genuine. "Listen, don't be bringing any trouble out here, okay? We like the peace that we have and don't be coming here with any drama involving Rize."
I nodded at her and she stood, her eyes weighing down on me, heavily. I didn't know if she hated me, or if she was warning me, or what. She left me utterly confused. I sighed and looked back down at my coffee as she walked away.
My fingers curled around the cup as I lifted it to my lips and took another sip. I wrinkled my nose in disgust. Damn it. It's cold. I sighed and set it back down, leaning back and looking out the window beside my booth. People buzzed in and out of the shop, causing me to chuckle. Little did they know that they were talking to and being served by ghouls. Humans are so stupid. We blend in with them so easily, and we walk and talk with them. They don't even feel threatened until a Dove comes, then all hell breaks loose.
My eyes grazed over the crowds of people who roamed around on the streets. Across the road, I spotted a flash of white hair. It's him. That same damn kid! Why do I keep running into him? My eyes followed him. Should I go get him? No, if I leave now it'll be too suspicious. Besides, I'm sure I'll find him again.
Just as quickly as I had seen him, he was gone. I let out an aggravated huff and rested my head against my hand, staring out the window.
Damn it. Oh, never mind, that. I'll just look for him tonight. I'm sure he'll be out. Until then, I have other things I have to worry about, like finding this Rei person. Rei, the only one who can save my life, ironically.
"Damn you, Rei," I muttered to myself. "Where are you? Who are you? And how can I find you? "
The sun that peeked through the thin curtains of my apartment annoyed me. Because of those stupid Doves, I had been out later than normal, so I'd be running on very little sleep. Though, once I rolled over and pulled the blankets over my head, I couldn't see the sun. Despite the fact my bare legs were exposed to the chilly apartment air, it was a small price I'd have to pay for an extra hour of sleep. Once my mind was beginning to drift, my legs caught a harsh draft of icy air that sent a shiver throughout my entire body and I caught the scent of an intruder in my house.
My whole body stiffened. I knew that smell. That sweet, sickly smell. "I was growing worried," that high, innocent voice soothed, a voice dripping with deadly honey. "I thought that maybe the Doves caught on to you, when you didn't show up yesterday with my meal. I had to go out and hunt for myself, and you know how I just hate getting my hands all dirty and that blood isn't easy to get off."
I curled my lip back and sat up, clutching my blankets to my chest. There she sat, in a chair at the foot of my bed, in my small, run-down apartment with the peeling green wallpaper and musty air. How the hell did she find me? Purple hair running down past her shoulder, curling ever so slightly, her light purple eyes flicking around my room in her little white dress. She heaved a dramatic sigh. "I thought that maybe I could count on you, Mika, but I do feel that you failed me. When miss Kirishima from that little coffee shop told me you had been looking for me...." she trailed off, a sickly smile turning her lips upward. "Well, now I have no choice but to send you off on your own. Throw you out into the real world."
My eyes went wide and my breath hitched. "But- you can't! We had a deal! I hunt for you so the CCG don't find you, and in return, I get protection and a share of your territory! You send me out there now, the Doves will catch me!"
Rize hummed, tipping her head to one side, running a slender finger across her bottom lip, eyes raking across the room in thought. "Should have thought of that first," she said, dismissively.
There's no way she would send me out there alone, she's framed me for so much! All of her binge-meals were killed at my hand, so they're after me, not her! She puts me out there now, that's it! That damn boy from the alley will be right, there will be a wonderful new quinque out there made with my kagune!
"Rize," I said slowly, trying to remain calm as I lowered my head, eyes closed. "Please. There must be something I can do! It wasn't my fault. There's Doves, here, in the twentieth ward! I had an almost run-in with them, so I had to leave."
She hummed again and looked out my open window, which I assumed was her entryway. Rize then looked down at her lap, brushing a strand of purple hair behind her ear with such grace. I clenched my teeth. Why was she prolonging this?
Finally she sighed, her eyes flicking to the ceiling. "Alright, binge-eater. Our deal will remain if you find someone for me. His scent is sweet, mouth watering. I've come across this boy once, while visiting the gourmets. He was their scrapper, but the little monster was taken during a raid that the CCG had started. Rei Suzuya, was his name." Rize chuckled, looking at me shaking her head. "You won't find him, but I suppose if you can, and bring the boy to me, I'll rethink this."
I recalled the scent from the night before, and my stomach growled. Such a wonderful smell.... "So, if I find him...?"
Rize stood and smoothed out her skirt, rolling her eyes, tiredly. "I said if you can bring him to me, alive, I'll reinstate our agreement. Understood?"
I nodded and Rize only chuckled to herself, shaking her head. She mumbled something under her breath as she exited (through the door, I might add), though I didn't quite catch what she said. Rei Suzuya....huh.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I sat in the little coffee shop, Anteiku, staring down into the dark liquid, and watching as my reflection stared back at me with the same, hopeless expression, not offering any help. Rei Suzuya, I'd never heard that name before, especially in the twentieth ward. Then again, I didn't know any names of scrappers, or any gourmets.
"You, again?" I heard a faintly familiar voice snap and I jumped. "Where's that scum, Rize, at?"
I looked up to see the same ghoul from the night before, this time dressed in a uniform, as opposed to the gray shorts and green shirt she had been in the previous night, standing over my table. I blushed and scratched the back of my head. "I, uh...she, um-"
I didn't want to admit that I sure as hell needed help, because Rize was no longer in the picture, but I didn't want to lie, either. The ghoul sighed and closed her eyes. Boy, she looks tired.
"Look, Mika, right? I'm sorry. I don't mean to trash your friend, alright? She just gets on my nerves, nothing personal towards you," she said, then offered a forced smile. "I'm Touka Kirishima, by the way."
I sighed, slightly relieved. At least someone didn't hate me. "Yeah, she's not my friend. It was a deal, that, um..." I chuckled bitterly and looked back down at my coffee, shaking my head.
Touka looked around and slid into the booth seat across from me, offering another smile, this one a little more genuine. "Listen, don't be bringing any trouble out here, okay? We like the peace that we have and don't be coming here with any drama involving Rize."
I nodded at her and she stood, her eyes weighing down on me, heavily. I didn't know if she hated me, or if she was warning me, or what. She left me utterly confused. I sighed and looked back down at my coffee as she walked away.
My fingers curled around the cup as I lifted it to my lips and took another sip. I wrinkled my nose in disgust. Damn it. It's cold. I sighed and set it back down, leaning back and looking out the window beside my booth. People buzzed in and out of the shop, causing me to chuckle. Little did they know that they were talking to and being served by ghouls. Humans are so stupid. We blend in with them so easily, and we walk and talk with them. They don't even feel threatened until a Dove comes, then all hell breaks loose.
My eyes grazed over the crowds of people who roamed around on the streets. Across the road, I spotted a flash of white hair. It's him. That same damn kid! Why do I keep running into him? My eyes followed him. Should I go get him? No, if I leave now it'll be too suspicious. Besides, I'm sure I'll find him again.
Just as quickly as I had seen him, he was gone. I let out an aggravated huff and rested my head against my hand, staring out the window.
Damn it. Oh, never mind, that. I'll just look for him tonight. I'm sure he'll be out. Until then, I have other things I have to worry about, like finding this Rei person. Rei, the only one who can save my life, ironically.
"Damn you, Rei," I muttered to myself. "Where are you? Who are you? And how can I find you? "
{The Night Owl and the Stitches}
I sat on my windowsill, my knees pulled up to my chest and arms wrapped around them as I stared out at the setting sun, debating. Did I go out and hunt for the boy, or did I just give up and accept the fact that I was already dead? Besides, what proof did I have that Rize would actually hold up her end of the deal if I did manage to find Rei?
I brushed some loose strands of black hair from my face and took a deep breath. Okay, okay. One quick walk around the ward, not technically a true 'hunt', but if I happen to come across that Rei Suzuya, I'll find a way to deliver him to Rize without killing him. So, I guess I'll just leave my mask behind, then.
I knew it was risky to leave it behind, but I didn't intend on eating that night, so I wouldn't need it. With one last glance over my shoulder to make sure my door was locked, I slipped out the window and onto the flat roof of the building next to mine. No one goes out this late at night, which is why I didn't use my door. It could've looked suspicious, and considering I was already being hunted, I didn't want to attract any attention from anyone.
Damn, why is it always raining? I wondered as I made my way across the roof to the back of the building. The wind was blowing my hair, slightly as I jumped down into the alley. If this weather keeps up, I won't be able to catch anything.
I stuffed my hands in my pockets and made my way out of the alley and onto the sidewalk. I kept my head down and eyes flicking from side to side. Puffs of air came from my lips as I breathed. Man, it was cold.
Instead of focusing on how cold it was, I focused on the air, taking in whatever scents I could to make sure there weren't any CCG investigators around, following me.
For it being late and rainy, the streets were strangely full. People never quieted down in Tokyo, and it bugged me.
How many of these people were ghouls, blending in and befriending these humans? I snorted. Humans were truly disgusting creatures, and I would never understand them. Why did they hate us? It's not like they do anything useful in their pathetic lives, besides feed us. And anyway, why don't the animals hate them? They can eat other things, can't they? Yet, they choose to kill them, so why hate the ghouls so much when we don't have a choice?
I sighed and shook my head. I just didn't understand.
The rain was letting up, finally, after my clothes had been soaked completely through. At least the rain chased a lot of the humans off the streets, I told myself, smiling a little. As I came up to the end of the street, I spotted two investigators, both in gray coats with big, silver briefcases. Quinques. I stopped dead in my tracks and someone walked into me from behind. I stumbled forward a little and whirled around on the person. "Excuse you!" I spat, and my eyes went wide. "You again?"
The same damn kid. I narrowed my eyes at him. Why did he have to smell so good? It wasn't fair. "My bad," I muttered, angrily.
The white-haired boy closed his eyes and smiled. For the first time, I noticed his red hair pins. Roman numeral 13. "Oh no, don't worry about it! I guess I just got a little lost for a minute there!''
I tipped my head to one side. Just because I can't eat him now, doesn't mean I have to lose him, again, I realized. What if I can get him to trust me? Get him to meet me later, somewhere that I'd be prepared... "You seem to do that a lot, kid," I said. "What's with all those stitches anyway?"
He looked down at his arm, seeming confused, then looked back at me. "What about them?"
I glanced around, the smell of rain growing stronger. Great, more rain and I'm already soaked through. I should get moving. There's a lot of people around anyway, this isn't exactly the best place to stand and have a conversation. "I mean, they're cool and all, but why do you have them?" I asked.
"It was fun," he answered simply.
I sighed and started walking away. He followed. I'm not getting anywhere with this kid, and I'm sure as hell not getting anywhere near meeting up with him later. Besides, I still have to find Rei if I want to keep working for Rize. "Yeah, but what made that seem like a good idea?" I pressed.
He was like a bird with the attention span of a gnat, looking everywhere, lost in his own world. He was giving me a headache. I nudged him with my elbow as we walked. "Hey, kid."
He looked at me with wide, ruby eyes. "Hm?"
"You got a name?" I asked him. Honestly, I was getting a little tired of all this small talk.
He smelled delicious, and I wanted him. Bad. I knew this was taking time, but since he'd gotten away from me the night before, I really had a reason to kill him. I hated when stupid humans got away from me.
He nodded and smiled. "The name's Juuzou!" He answered. "What's yours?"
He wanted my name. I sighed in annoyance. What could it hurt, honestly? It wasn't like he could put a name straight to the ghoul who'd attacked him, right? "Mika," I replied. "Mika Suskasia."
Juuzou smiled, his eyes wandering around as though he'd never seen the city before. He looked like a little kid. "Nice to meet you, Juuzou," I said, smirking a little to myself. "I have a feeling we're going to get along very nicely."
His eyes flicked over to me, then he looked down at his hands, tugging lightly at the red stitches. "Oh, really?" He asked, looking back at me with his wide eyes.
"Say, I'd like to talk some more, but I should be getting home, it's late. Hey, kid, shouldn't you be home, too?"
He shrugged, hopping up on a bench as we walked, his arms out at his sides like he needed to balance to walk on it. I sighed, again. I sure hope he's worth the headache he's giving me, I thought as I pressed my fingers to my temple. "Look, kid. I gotta go. But, maybe we could meet up tomorrow, somewhere? Your choice."
Juuzou hopped off the bench and looked at up at the dark, cloudy sky. "Why, sure!" He smiled.
I gave a one shouldered shrug and looked to my left, across the street. No Rei. Then again, did I really expect to find him? "Your pick. Where do you want to meet?"
He hummed, almost lost in thought, again. "The zoo! There's tons of animals, there!" Juuzou said, sounding excited.
The zoo. Well, alright. I took another deep breath. Yes, I concluded. He was worth it. That smell, it's so sweet. Something about him, smells delicious. "Okay, then. I'll meet you there. But, for now, I need to get home. I'm a little wet," I told him.
He grinned. "Well, good for you! So, bye, then!"
I opened my mouth to tell him what time to meet me, but he danced off, once again, his eyes closed. I sighed. There was something off about that kid.
I sat on my windowsill, my knees pulled up to my chest and arms wrapped around them as I stared out at the setting sun, debating. Did I go out and hunt for the boy, or did I just give up and accept the fact that I was already dead? Besides, what proof did I have that Rize would actually hold up her end of the deal if I did manage to find Rei?
I brushed some loose strands of black hair from my face and took a deep breath. Okay, okay. One quick walk around the ward, not technically a true 'hunt', but if I happen to come across that Rei Suzuya, I'll find a way to deliver him to Rize without killing him. So, I guess I'll just leave my mask behind, then.
I knew it was risky to leave it behind, but I didn't intend on eating that night, so I wouldn't need it. With one last glance over my shoulder to make sure my door was locked, I slipped out the window and onto the flat roof of the building next to mine. No one goes out this late at night, which is why I didn't use my door. It could've looked suspicious, and considering I was already being hunted, I didn't want to attract any attention from anyone.
Damn, why is it always raining? I wondered as I made my way across the roof to the back of the building. The wind was blowing my hair, slightly as I jumped down into the alley. If this weather keeps up, I won't be able to catch anything.
I stuffed my hands in my pockets and made my way out of the alley and onto the sidewalk. I kept my head down and eyes flicking from side to side. Puffs of air came from my lips as I breathed. Man, it was cold.
Instead of focusing on how cold it was, I focused on the air, taking in whatever scents I could to make sure there weren't any CCG investigators around, following me.
For it being late and rainy, the streets were strangely full. People never quieted down in Tokyo, and it bugged me.
How many of these people were ghouls, blending in and befriending these humans? I snorted. Humans were truly disgusting creatures, and I would never understand them. Why did they hate us? It's not like they do anything useful in their pathetic lives, besides feed us. And anyway, why don't the animals hate them? They can eat other things, can't they? Yet, they choose to kill them, so why hate the ghouls so much when we don't have a choice?
I sighed and shook my head. I just didn't understand.
The rain was letting up, finally, after my clothes had been soaked completely through. At least the rain chased a lot of the humans off the streets, I told myself, smiling a little. As I came up to the end of the street, I spotted two investigators, both in gray coats with big, silver briefcases. Quinques. I stopped dead in my tracks and someone walked into me from behind. I stumbled forward a little and whirled around on the person. "Excuse you!" I spat, and my eyes went wide. "You again?"
The same damn kid. I narrowed my eyes at him. Why did he have to smell so good? It wasn't fair. "My bad," I muttered, angrily.
The white-haired boy closed his eyes and smiled. For the first time, I noticed his red hair pins. Roman numeral 13. "Oh no, don't worry about it! I guess I just got a little lost for a minute there!''
I tipped my head to one side. Just because I can't eat him now, doesn't mean I have to lose him, again, I realized. What if I can get him to trust me? Get him to meet me later, somewhere that I'd be prepared... "You seem to do that a lot, kid," I said. "What's with all those stitches anyway?"
He looked down at his arm, seeming confused, then looked back at me. "What about them?"
I glanced around, the smell of rain growing stronger. Great, more rain and I'm already soaked through. I should get moving. There's a lot of people around anyway, this isn't exactly the best place to stand and have a conversation. "I mean, they're cool and all, but why do you have them?" I asked.
"It was fun," he answered simply.
I sighed and started walking away. He followed. I'm not getting anywhere with this kid, and I'm sure as hell not getting anywhere near meeting up with him later. Besides, I still have to find Rei if I want to keep working for Rize. "Yeah, but what made that seem like a good idea?" I pressed.
He was like a bird with the attention span of a gnat, looking everywhere, lost in his own world. He was giving me a headache. I nudged him with my elbow as we walked. "Hey, kid."
He looked at me with wide, ruby eyes. "Hm?"
"You got a name?" I asked him. Honestly, I was getting a little tired of all this small talk.
He smelled delicious, and I wanted him. Bad. I knew this was taking time, but since he'd gotten away from me the night before, I really had a reason to kill him. I hated when stupid humans got away from me.
He nodded and smiled. "The name's Juuzou!" He answered. "What's yours?"
He wanted my name. I sighed in annoyance. What could it hurt, honestly? It wasn't like he could put a name straight to the ghoul who'd attacked him, right? "Mika," I replied. "Mika Suskasia."
Juuzou smiled, his eyes wandering around as though he'd never seen the city before. He looked like a little kid. "Nice to meet you, Juuzou," I said, smirking a little to myself. "I have a feeling we're going to get along very nicely."
His eyes flicked over to me, then he looked down at his hands, tugging lightly at the red stitches. "Oh, really?" He asked, looking back at me with his wide eyes.
"Say, I'd like to talk some more, but I should be getting home, it's late. Hey, kid, shouldn't you be home, too?"
He shrugged, hopping up on a bench as we walked, his arms out at his sides like he needed to balance to walk on it. I sighed, again. I sure hope he's worth the headache he's giving me, I thought as I pressed my fingers to my temple. "Look, kid. I gotta go. But, maybe we could meet up tomorrow, somewhere? Your choice."
Juuzou hopped off the bench and looked at up at the dark, cloudy sky. "Why, sure!" He smiled.
I gave a one shouldered shrug and looked to my left, across the street. No Rei. Then again, did I really expect to find him? "Your pick. Where do you want to meet?"
He hummed, almost lost in thought, again. "The zoo! There's tons of animals, there!" Juuzou said, sounding excited.
The zoo. Well, alright. I took another deep breath. Yes, I concluded. He was worth it. That smell, it's so sweet. Something about him, smells delicious. "Okay, then. I'll meet you there. But, for now, I need to get home. I'm a little wet," I told him.
He grinned. "Well, good for you! So, bye, then!"
I opened my mouth to tell him what time to meet me, but he danced off, once again, his eyes closed. I sighed. There was something off about that kid.