Chapter Text
File #4: Territory
Ever since the more prominent presence of the CCG, ghouls have started to band together and create their own groups or systematic organizations. There are very few in number because ghouls fight amongst themselves for hunting territory or superiority.
However, the few that has rose up and gained an organizational system are feared because of their vast territories and strength. They are exceedingly difficult to place down by even the CCG due to their numerous numbers, resources, and strength.
Out of those numbers, three come into mind. The Port Mafia, The Guild, and The Rats in the House of the Dead.
The Guild is a mysterious organization that is said to not even exist. But it is definite that they are well funded to have even escaped the CCG’s prying eyes.
The Rats in the House of the Dead is well mentioned but little is know about them. They’re information brokers, willing to sell out information to anyone, ghoul or human. Like rats, they have no loyalty - the would even side with the CCG if they were given what they wanted.
Finally, the Port Mafia. This is an organization that I am well versed in. An organization that has haunted me day and night - both in nightmares and reality.
They are definitely well known and greatly powerful - enough to go head to head with the CCG. Furthermore, they are conscious of their strength - enough to the point that they would kill hoards of ghouls to serve their own purpose. Like their name implies, if compared to a human organization, they would be a criminal syndicate.
What makes all three of these organizations unique and different from the rest is their frigid line of command.
I wonder….
What type of monsters are the Bosses of each respective organization….
To command such beasts?
“It’s definitely rare… for the three of us to actually meet like this.” Wine colored eyes glinted harshly in the soft shade of moonlight as a light smirk played on the lips of the owner.
“Certainly.” Dark purple eyes glinted in the moonlight, turning the shade to the darkest color of the night. A soft smile stretched upon his face, “It’s quite generous of you to set this…”
“Why of course.” Bright golden hair, the color of sun glinted in the pale moonlight, brighter than the twinkling stars. “I simply had the means to do it after all.”
“Here, we should have no problems speaking our minds without the CCG hearing about our ventures.” The man with hair of gold and eyes of sapphire smirked as he raised a champagne glass towards two other men in front of him.
Mori Ougai, of the ghoul organization Port Mafia, smirked his eyes cruel, “That may be true but we do have an untrustworthy rat amongst our midst.” He glanced at the dark haired man next to him, “Isn’t that right, Demon Fyodor-san?”
“It’s simply business.” Demon Fyodor, the boss of the Rats of the House of the Dead, smiled serenely, “You should understand, Mori-san.” His eyes glowed eerily, “After all, your members are cocky enough to infiltrate the CCG.”
“Ohoho.” Mori laughed, “I’m afraid I have little to no understanding of what you’re saying.” His eyes flashed as a wide grin appeared on his face.
The golden haired man sighed, “You and your CCG problems.” He waved his hands, “Everything can be solved with money. What’s the point of information and infiltration? Hand them some money, control their government, and cripple the CCG.”
“I must say Fitzgerald,” Fyodor Dostoyevsky smiled coolly, “Your position in America is quite puzzling for me. Even with money, do humans allow their predators to rule over them?”
Fitzgerald bared his teeth in a mockery of a smile, “Humans are such greedy creatures. If they don’t bow down to your commands… well.” He let out a cruel laugh, “That’s because you don’t have enough money.”
“How plebeian.” Mori sighed, “I myself find a good mind and brute force can win over most CCG situations.”
“I’m in the thought that information is the most useful out of all of them…” Dostoyevsky smiled, “Isn’t that right, Dazai-kun.” For the first time, he addressed the silent right hand standing behind Mori.
Dazai’s single eye glittered darkly, “Perhaps.” He tilted his head slightly, “But brute force does has its uses.”
“You would know, wouldn’t you?” Fitzgerald sneered. “There’s little point arguing with you peasants. Why have you gathered us, Mori Ougai of Port Mafia?”
Mori leaned back on his chair, crossing his legs and entwining his fingers to set his chin on them. “Well, if you insists, Fitzgerald.” His eyes glinted, “I would like your full agreement regarding something.”
“Oh, that is?” Dostoevsky closed his eyes as a knowing smile spread on his lips.
“Regarding the new Quinx program…” Mori smoothy began, “I want your agreements to leave that issue to the Port Mafia and not to interfere.”
“More specifically, the Qunix Nakahara Chuuya, correct?” Demon Fyodor smiled serenely, “He’s quite an interesting character…”
“Quinx…” Fitzgerald hummed, “They’re a bit too interesting…”
“I’ve been lenient with both of you.” Mori smiled, “Allowing you to open a business in Yokohama, Fitzgerald.” He slyly glanced at Dostoevsky, “And allowing your rats to run free.”
“I wondered why Dazai-kun hadn’t feasted on them yet, cannibal.” Fyodor hummed thoughtfully.
“You wound me.” Dazai dramatically shook his head, “I only eat out of necessity.” His eyes glowed cruelly, “You should understand Fyodor-kun.”
“Hehehe.” Fyodor chuckled, “Very well Mori-san.” He tilted his head in agreement, “The Rats of the House of the Dead will not interfere with the Quinx - including giving out information.”
“As long as my business is there, I’m not too interested in the Quinx.” Fitzgerald shrugged.
“Then…” Mori’s smirked, “I’m glad we’ve come to an agreement.”
“Chuuya’s kagune is so pretty!”
“Oi! Don’t call it pretty!” Chuuya glared at the bandaged waste of space, “It’s fucking badass, that’s what!”
“Ehhh?” Dazai questioned, drawling out the sound, “It looks like fairy wings…. Could Chuuya be Tinkerbell?”
“WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU SAY?” Chuuya roared, lunging at the man who spun out of reach. Dazai laughed, “I mean Chuuya as fairy wings and is small!”
“YOU-” Chuuya began when Atsushi quietly spoke up, “Um… Chuuya-san?”
Chuuya stopped, turning to look at Atsushi who had a strange thoughtful look on his face.
“You know…” He trailed off, “The Kitsune hasn’t even showed itself in a few days… what are we going to do?”
Chuuya sighed, “We don’t have to worry about that actually.” He straightened up, “The meeting I’ve been in actually is about that issue. We’re temporarily pulled off the case.”
That caused Dazai and Atsushi to look at him sharply.
“Why?” Dazai asked quietly. Something flashed in his eyes too quick to decipher.
“Well, he hasn’t been causing too much problem as of now but more importantly…” He sighed, “We’re going after another ghoul that has recently been causing problems.”
“Who?” Dazai questioned.
Chuuya frowned, “You’re not part of the CCG. This is classified. On that matter…” He handed a letter to Dazai who looked at the envelope. “This is a letter of thanks from the CCG with a check. It’ll probably help you out anywhere if you’re looking for a job or whatever.” He paused, “And the police for the matter. We want to thank you for your service in tracking down the Sekigan no Kitsune but we cannot accept your help anymore or open you up to classified information.”
Dazai’s face was carefully blank as he studied the pristine white envelope, “I see.”
He lifted his gaze to stare into Chuuya’s, “Does that mean this is it for us?”
“Us?” Chuuya scoffed, “What the hell are you talking about. There was never an us.”
“Hmm.” Dazai hummed, his voice oddly dark, “I see.”
He brushed past Chuuya, “I’ll see you then, Chuuya. Atsushi-kun.”
Without another word, he left the room, leaving the office oddly silent. Chuuya felt a strange pang of loss before he shook the feeling away. He found it slightly odd that the man hadn’t even tried to fight back or refuse the offer.
“So who are we going after?” Atsushi broke the uncomfortable silence.
Chuuya sighed as he opened two fresh files, “We’re going after two ghouls called… Mad Scientist and Demon Snow.”
---
“Is it safe with just the two of us?” Atsushi asked Chuuya worriedly as they walked in the dark streets alone.
“Don’t worry about it.” Chuuya waved his hands, “Although they’re classified as dangerous Mad Scientists is an S class while Demon Snow is an A class. We’ve both been sent on the Sekigan no Kitsune hunts so it should be fine.”
“But if Dazai-san is to be believed, the Kitsune has a specific interest in you.” Atsushi paused at Chuuya’s glare but bravely plunged on, “He could have attacked us in other opportunities but he only shared words with you before leaving. We haven’t had a legitimate fight since Hellhound.”
“Mad Scientist attacks with his kagune that drops bombs but he isn’t very good at close quarters. I’ll be taking him down quickly while you keep Demon Snow busy. Then we’ll take her down together… understand?”
Atsushi nodded.
Chuuya grinned, opening his mouth to reassure the younger boy when something caught the corner of his eye. He turned around to see a projectile flying at him.
“Shit!” Chuuya grabbed Atsushi and ducked as the projectile exploded around them. Immediately, he activated his Kagune, using his unique ability to control the gravitational fields around him to smother the explosions from harming them.
“HAHAHAHAHAH!” A crazed laughter filled the air. Chuuya let out a wordless snarl as the smoke cleared to show a strange figure with an equally strange lemon mask on his face.
“That’s the Mad Scientist.” Chuuya nodded to the man’s white lab coat, “He always wears a coat.”
Before Atsushi could respond, two long tendrils slashed out at him. The tendrils were slim, not thick like the Sekigan no Kitsune’s or Hellhound’s but nevertheless just as deadly. The two jumped apart and Atsushi skidded back as the smoke cleared to show the figure of a young girl dressed in a beautiful red kimono with a yellow obi. The ghoul was clutching a small cell phone with a white rabbit attached to it while her Kagune, a mix of two large moth like wings made of white flesh and two long tendrils that were thin and whip like in nature protruding from her bottom half. A porcelain white mask with two eye holes and blue lines that drew downward covered her face.
The mask looked like she was crying.
The girl stepped forward, “People call me Demon Snow.” Her voice clear but monotone, devoid of emotions, “I like rabbits and the smell of tofu. I killed thirty five people.”
Atsushi’s eyes widened before he glared at her, “I’m going to have to stop you.”
The girl didn’t respond but her kagune lashed out at him. Atsushi tried to dodge but her kagune whipped by faster than the eye could see, slashing his arms and throwing him back. Atsushi coughed, trying to get up when he saw the tendrils whip once more. He rolled on the ground, letting a grunt of pain as it cut his back but avoiding his heart.
He glanced around frantically to try to find Chuuya but was thrown back by Demon Snow’s kagune. He coughed out blood. ‘Her Kagune is too fast!’
He closed his eyes, raising his hand to block her final strike when he heard a soft gasp of pain. When he didn’t feel any pain, he slowly opened his eyes and stared at his hands.
They were covered with the a strange white color with black veins that formed a claw in each hand. His new kagune had cut off the tip of her kagune. “My Kagune…” He breathed in shock before he looked at Demon Snow in determination.
He lunged forward, taking her surprise to lash out with his new kagune. She quickly closed her wing like ones to protect herself but to both his and her surprise, his kagune cleanly sliced through it and her mask. Surprised blue eyes flashed before her other wing slammed into him, covering her face from view.
Before he could act as shriek was heard from behind him. He glanced behind to see Chuuya with his feet on the Mad Scientist’s back, forcing the ghoul onto the ground with the force of his feet and his kagune’s ability.
Demon Snow staggered backwards, her right winglike kagune shredded by his wing and bleeding while her tendril like weapons were also sliced by his claws. Her only intact wing covered her figure and face from view.
“Good job Atsushi.” Chuuya stated calmly, “Now capture her so we can interrogate them after sending them into the ghoul prison, Cochlea.”
Atsushi raised his voice calmly, “Um, Ghoul-san.” He stated politely, “If you surrender, we can make this painless…”
The ghoul hesitated before she began to lower her wing when something caught the edge of Atsushi’s eyes. Before he had time to reach, something plunged into his stomach.
Pain filled his very head as he slowly looked down to see a thick Rinkaku kagune plunged into his stomach. He raised his head to meet Demon Snow’s eyes. Her kagune had dropped, allowing him to see her entire face. Her eyes were widened in horror and Atsushi, in the back of his pain muddled head, noted how young she looked.
“ATSUSHI!” Chuuya’s voice sounded distant as the kagune plunged out of his stomach and he fell face first.
“Y-you!” Chuuya hissed when he noticed the attacker.
The single kagune curled slightly around the figure, the sinister fox mask glinting in the light. “I thought your hunts were completely reserved for me, investigator.” Sekigan no Kitsune’s single Kakugan glowed eerily as he stepped forward.
“If you move, he dies.” Chuuya hissed as he put more weight onto the Mad Scientist who groaned in pain.
The kitsune glanced at him briefly before turning to the other demon, “Izumi.” He called out her name carelessly, “You’re dismissed.” Demon Snow, now named Izumi, lowered her head before she quickly disappeared but not without giving Atsushi’s body a glance.
The one-eyed ghoul turned to look back at Chuuya, “He has obviously failed to bring you down. I don’t care whether you kill him or not… especially after he disobeyed me.”
“It was the boss.” The Mad Scientist croaked, coughing when Chuuya applied a bit more pressure, “He told me to capture him.”
The kitsune’s smile twisted darkly, “Of course he would interfere.” He spat out in annoyance before he smiled darkly at Chuuya, “Let him go and I’ll leave peacefully. If not… well a life for a life. I’ll take your cute protege and try the taste of a fake ghoul. They’ll probably be tastier than anything else…” He licked his lips.
Chuuya hesitated before he deactivated his ability, stepping off the fallen ghoul. After a second, he kicked the ghoul towards the kitsune with force causing the other to duck to avoid the body. In that moment, Chuuya struck, his feet slamming into the kitsune’s rinkaku with the force of a train.
The ghoul skit backward before slamming into a wall. Chuuya quickly leaned down to check Atsushi, letting out a sigh of relief when he noticed that Atsushi’s wound was already closing. Chuuya had never seen a ghoul heal as fast as Atsushi did. At one point, the CCG had decided that Atsushi’s quinx surgery had been a failure. All the boy had been given was his healing ability and a kakugan. Now, seeing that Atsushi had defeated Demon Snow with his kagune, Chuuya felt a rush of pride. Atsushi had learned.
“Cough Cough. Aah, that hurt.” There was a sound like a whip cracking on the ground as Chuuya noticed the silhouette of multiple tendrils of Kagune swishing in the air, similar to the shape of a fox’s tail. When the dust cleared, the kitsune masked ghoul staggered out, four rinkaku tendrils protruding from his lower back.
He cracked his neck, tilting it in an odd angle before he focused back onto Chuuya, his single eye glowing menacingly.
“I was in a bad mood.” The kitsune growled, “And now I’m in pain! I hate pain.”
Chuuya crouched, ready to defend himself with the Kitsune jumped, landing on the roof of the building that he had plunged into.
“I’m angry.” The kitsune stated matter of factly. “And I hate it when my prey starts hunting others.” His kagune twisted in the air irritably like angry tails.
Chuuya’s eyes widened as the rest of the Kitsune’s kagune protruded from his back, showing five bikaku and the four rinkaku formed around his back to show nine menacing looking tails.
He readied himself for the ghoul to attack but the ghoul just stood there, his kagune rippling in the air before a wide grin overtook the ghoul’s face.
“I want you just as angry.” The ghoul decided, almost childishly. “What to do… what to do…” He hummed to himself. Chuuya slightly jolted, the voice seemed familiar to someone else he knew. However, he couldn’t exactly place it.
The ghoul’s single eye landed on Atsushi causing Chuuya to quickly shift and block the Seikigan no Kitsune’s view. However, it was too late, the single eye widened gleefully.
“You would hate it, wouldn’t you…” The kitsune continued, “If I kill all you little dove friends.”
Chuuya felt shock strike through his vein before it was quickly replaced with horror. “You-” He began but the kitsune began to transform again.
Crimson veins stretched out as the fox’s kagune took over the form. Chuuya watched with his heart in his throat as the already monstrous figure turned into a thing from nightmares.
Covered in sinewy muscle like flesh, the ghoul turned slowly but surely into a four legged animal as his kagune formed a fox head with long sharp ears.
Choking, Chuuya backed away, almost tripping over Atsushi’s prone bodies as he stared at the ghoul that looked the same yet completely different from the legendary beast called the Nine Tailed Fox.
“Kakuja.” Chuuya breathed, “A complete Kakuja.”
As if hearing his voice, the fox, now the size of a large bus looked down at him, an animalistic grin spreading on its face as a single eye glowed in its left eye socket, the right one closed as if he was winking.
It’s paws were like large human hands tipped with claws while his hind legs kept the form of a canine. His nine ‘tails’ swished around as a distorted high pitched echoing voice sounded through the air, “Is hatrack impressed?” It sneered before it tilted his head, “Or is he scared?”
Before Chuuya could respond, the thing crouched the jumped . Chuuya could feel the shockwave as the ghoul left the roof, causing cracks and marks on the concrete of the building he was on top of. Then the ghoul was gone.
No. Chuuya realized as his blood turned cold. Not gone….
The ghoul was heading straight to the CCG Headquarters.
To start a Massacre.