Tatara stood next to Eto as she sat on the edge of the building, swinging her legs as she watched the destruction below unfold.

Meanwhile Touka was still running towards Anteiku.

Koma dodged another attack from the investigator

Koma...

Touka breathed hard as she ran faster.

Irimi kicked off of the investigators weapon as she flipped through the air.

Irimi...

Yoshimura used his Kugane to block another attack.

"Sir!" Touka yelled as she ran.

***

Investigator Akira Mado stood in front of other investigators as she gave her order.

"Don't let those Apes get near us!" She commanded as the Apes ran at them and they began to shoot, but some were taken out.

"Misato!" Akira called as Misato brought out his Quinque and shot at the Apes.

Takizawa ran at a ghoul, but got his helmet knocked off in the process. Takizawa got pushed up against the wall by an Ape.

"Takizawa! It's too early for you to be so worn out!" Akira shouted.

"Shut up! I'm still just warming up!" Takizawa shouted as he kicked the ghoul off of him, and the ghoul got shot.

"I won't let myself be in the way of the investigators!" Takizawa breathed out.

***

"Iwa!" Shinohara yelled out as Iwa was thrown to the wall.

The Owl struck Shinohara, Shinohara pushed off and attacked, all of the sudden an investigator shot his Quinque in the back of the Owls Kugane, exploding and causing his Kugane to disappear.

"Hoji!" Shinohara yelled.

"Shinohara!" Hoji yelled back.

Shinohara got into position as a new Kugane formed out of the Owl.

"His fire power may be a five, but his regeneration must be an eight. he is without a doubt CCG's greatest foe." Shinohara as they watched the Owl regenerate his Kugane.

***

"Higher mind!" The investigator shouted as he shot another attack at Koma, who jumped up to dodge the attack.

"Sheesh! Can he not attack without shouting, too?!" Koma said as he clung to a pillar.

The investigator took a deep breath as his guns charged up. Koma jumped off of the wall and lunged for him, but the investigator held his gun up, "Compress!" he shouted as he shot another blast, but Koma shot his Kugane out in time to stop him from getting in the way of the blast.

"What is this?!" Koma questioned the blast of energy.

"Diffuse!" he yelled as he shot another blast of energy. Koma was caught by surprise as he jumped back and dodged all of the blast, before landing in a crouched position.

"What's this? You managed to evade my Higher Mind?" He said as he clutched his fist.

"Special investigators are powerful, alright." Koma admitted as he fixed his mask, and noticed a cord connected from is gun to the suit case he held in his other hand, "However, the Devil Ape has victory in sight!"

***

More investigator shot at Irimi, who easily took them down. She jumped into the air as an investigator tried to strike her.

"Just let me hit you and die!" The investigator shouted as shot at her, but she dodged all of the blast and landed in front of him.

"You rotten little mongrel."

"This mongrel is the one who's going to kill you, you...man-grel!"

***

Koma attacked the investigator and cut the cord that connected to the gun as he flipped backwards onto the wall.

"Now, die investigator!" Koma yelled as he leaped at hi, but the investigator took a deep breath.

"No, you!" He said as he pressed a button and extended his gun as it hit Koma in the stomach, blood came out as Koma went back, "Die with a whisper!" he yelled as he shot a blast through Koma's stomach. It was in slow motion as Koma's mask fell off and blood sprouted everywhere before he hit the ground.

"There's no way that we homo sapiens can lose to you lowly apes."

***

The two investigators charged at Irimi, but she jumped up and avoided the attack, the other investigator in anger shot at her, but she dodged all of them, she landed on the ground and kicked the other two investigators, she flipped back as she dodged the blast and leaped up before the Kugane could hit her.

"She's strong. So that's an SS-rated?" Questioned an investigator.

"You've got a 'Villager No.2' kind of face going on." Irimi said as she crouched on the edge of a balcony, "And you have a cocky, nasty way with your sword, don't you?" She asked as investigator's eyes widened.

"What's going on? What's all the racket?" An old woman asked as she opened her back door, Irimi turned her head slightly, "A-a ghoul...!" She panicked.

"A civilian! Captain Hirako!"

"Blow her and the old hag away!" Hachikawa shouted as he aimed his Quinque.

"Hachikawa!" The investigator shouted, but it was too late, because Hachikawa shot at the old woman and Irimi.

"Damn you, old woman!" Irimi shouted as she jumped in front of the old woman to block the attack from hitting her. Irimi let out a gasp as the blast hit her, she then slowly fell to the ground, her mask already off.

'I've gone and gotten soft, myself...'

Irimi closed her eyes.

***

Koma laid on the ground, blood covering him as the investigator walked up.

"Well now...shall we move along to the final of the first act now?" He asked, but was quickly shocked once his gun was cut into pieces, "My angel!" He yelled, before he was hit in the back of the head. Koma smiled slightly upon seeing the familiar face.

***

As Irimi continued to fall, she quickly shot her eyes open as flipped and landed on the ground, her nails sharpened as her Kugane came out.

"I wish...I'd gotten a second cup of coffee..." Irimi said as her eyes turned black with a red iris, she screamed as she shot blades of her Kugane at the two investigator and charged at them.

'I know I haven't always made the right decisions up to now...'

Hachikawa shot more blast at Irimi, who dodged them and lunged at them.

'Whether I was right, or whether I was wrong,'

One of the investigators managed to hit Irimi, she clutched her teeth as the Quinque hit her side.

'may not even matter in the first place,'

She growled as she shot forward and attacked the investigator. But another one ran in anf stabbed her in the side, she lurched her head back as she gasped.

'However, running up against my sins like this--'

She quickly shot back up and spun as she attacked them.

'all of the choices I've made up to this point--'

Hachikawa shot more blades, which priced through Irimi, who gaged as she looked up, and her Kugane faded.

'today, being able to die for someone--'

Irimi smiled as she slowly fell.

'is something I'm glad for...'

***

"Mr. Yoshitoki, it looks like the 3rd division had brought down the Black Dobers."

***

"How I've been waiting for this day! This is the moment I've been longing for. " Hachikawa spoke as they looked down at Irimi

"Investigator Hachikawa..."

"What?"

"The lives of civilians should be our first priority. I have serious doubts about your actions earlier."

"You're one thickheaded bastard. Taking down the Black Dog is worth a hundred times more than the life of an old hag with one foot in the grave already. Ten years. Ten years I've waited. Both my teacher and fellow investigators were killed by her. Do you have anything else to say, special investigator, Hirako?" Hachikawa asked as he lifted his collar down to show that the bottom half of his face was missing, "I'll make a fine Quinque out of you." He said as he aimed his Quinque at her and charged it up. Irimi slowly opened her eyes and smiled.

"I'll be waiting for you in Hell." She whispered.

"There is no afterlife for ghouls." But before he could strike her he was hit back.

The other three investigators got into stance as Irimi smiled slightly.

Kaneki looked at the investigators as he popped his finger.

"Is there one for humans?" He asked.

***

The investigators charged at the Owl, who blocked all of their incoming attacks.

"Ui!"

The all attacked the Owl, while an investigator from above charged up his weapon and shot at the Owl.

"Well?"

"Incoming!" Shinohara warned as the blast had no affect on the Owl, who shot blades of his Kugane at the investigators.

"Even with Ui here, this is it? Maru, where's Juuzou?" Shinohara questioned.

"I've sent him your way."

Juuzou ran down the stairs with his Kugane scythe in his hands. He jumped into the air and struked the Owl

"Good evening."

***

Mira slowly opened her eyes and yawned, she moved her hand, expecting to feel a certain guy, but found the bed empty. Mira quickly shot up and clutched the sheet to her bare chest as she looked around.

"Hide?"

But there was no answer, Mira panicked as she reached over and switched the lamp on, a piece of paper and a ring caught her eyes, she reached over and picked the ring up, she examined it before slipping it on her ring finger, she then saw the note. She reached a shaky hand over as she grabbed the letter, she brought it into her sight and gazed over it, her eyes widened in fear as she read the letter. She gasped as she dropped the letter and tears pricked from the corner of her eyes. Mira quickly shot out of bed and grabbed her clothes, she slipped on white jeans and black combat boots, she grabbed a white trench coat and grabbed her mask and sword. she went to open her bedroom door, only to find out that something was blocking it, she let out a frustrated scream as she banged on the door. She then noticed the window. Mira ran to the window and opened it, she slipped her mask on as she leaped out the window, and ran to Anteiku.

***

Kaneki stood there as the investigators surrounded him. His Kugane then formed. He then leaped at the two investigators and quickly took them out, the third investigator ran at him, but stopped.

'Kaneki...'

Irimi smiled.

The third investigator walked towards Kaneki.

'For you to become that strong...'

The investigator launched himself at Kaneki, who blocked all of his attacks.

'there wasn't any other way, was there?'

Kaneki's Kugane cut the investigator Quinque in half.

'It's the choice you had to make.'

The investigator fell to one knee.

'You poor kid, Kaneki...'

Irimi closed her eyes.

***

Mira didn't live that far from Anteiku, so she was close by now, her black hair was pulled up into a high ponytail, as she ran investigators came into view, they quickly noticed her and got ready.

"It's the White Fox!"

Mira launched forward. She elbowed an investigator in the back and used his hunched over form, she placed her hand on his back and kicked another incoming investigator. She wrapped her legs around another investigator neck and flipped over to bring him down, she kicked the investigator to her left and the one behind her and then the one to the right, she then flipped over as her hands kept her weight up as she spread her legs and kicked two investigator before launching up and using another ones back to launch herself forward and kick the two in front of her. Once she took down those investigators she ran.

***

Juuzou laughed as he launched himself at the Owl.

"Juuzou! Don't dart around!" Shinohara shouted in worry.

Juuzou only laughed as he fought the Owl.

'Juuzou isn't skilled at coordinated attacks. The way he's going, he can't beat the Owl. He has to match the rhythm.' Shinohara thought.

"There's no need for that."

"Mado?" Shinohara questioned as he saw Mado.

"You think too much with your head. You should surrender to your senses a little more. Not every enemy can be defeated with by-the-number moves. Neither friend nor foe is obliged to move predictably, right? In which case, at least get to know your friends well." Mado said as he turned his head slightly to look at Shinohara, "Their thought patterns, their behavior patterns--everything. Then you can let them move about freely. When you and I were partners that's what I did, remember?"

Shinohara hardened his features after thinking of the memory, "Man, he could pick his words better, couldn't he?" Shinohara smiled as Juuzou continued to attack the Owl. As Juuzou attacked the Owl finally managed to hit him, he rolled on the floor as he coughed.

"Juuzou!" Shinohara said as he approached him, Juuzou looked up at him, as he smiled down at Juuzou, "Charge in there!" he said as Juuzou was surprised.

***

Mira ran until she saw a familiar white haired boy. Mira smiled under the mask as she ran towards him, seeing he was helping someone up.

"Couldn't stay away either, huh?" She asked as she approached him. Kaneki turned to see her as his eyes widened.

"Mira."

"Hey." Mira said as she looked at the person he helped up.

"Irimi." Mira whispered as she stepped forward, Irimi looked up and smiled.

"Just couldn't stay away, huh?" Irimi asked as Mira took off her mask and smiled.

"No. Now lets get you somewhere safe." Mira said as she went on the other side of her and helped Kaneki walk her. Once the two set her down next to Koma, Kaneki left.

"Don't get killed!" Mira shouted as he turned his head slightly.

"Same goes for you."

Mira smiled as she looked down at Koma and Irimi.

"You two look like shit."

"Thanks kid." Koma chuckled slightly. Mira smiled as she looked back the other way.

"I gotta go." Mira said as she bent down and surprised the two as she wrapped her arms around their shoulders.

"Thank you, for pulling me away from the dark." Mira whispered as she pulled away and slipped her mask on, "Stay safe." She said as she ran off.

"Gotta find, Yoshimura." Mira mumbled as she ran off to find the owl.

***

Juuzou laughed more as he jumped up and slashed at the Owl. Shinohara attacked, but the Owl tried his best to block them as Juuzou jumped up and attacked.

"Incredible..." An investigator said as he watched Juuzou and Shinohara fight the Owl in sync.

"A coordinated attack with Suzuya is getting the job done, huh?"

"Mm-hmm." Iwa said.

"Here they come!" The investigator said as he and Iwa readied their Quinques and aimed at the Owl as they circled him

'If we had one more man to clinch this...' Shinohara thought.

"Where's Hirako? What is Mogan doing?" Shinohara asked.

"They took on the eyepatched ghoul." The investigator said as they closed in on the Owl, who looked down at the mention of Kaneki.

"Are they alright?"

"Yes. Their Quinques were destroyed, is all."

The Owl then jumped up and used his Kugane to climb up the building.

"Don't let him escape!" Shinohara yelled.

Yoshimura took deep breaths as he walked, thinking about Kaneki.

"Do you think even I can do it?"

He looked down as he walked.

"I must decide what to do after I see things for myself."

Yoshimura looked over the city as he stood on the ledge.

"Kaneki..." He then jumped down and landed in front of Juuzou, who smiled.

"You're not getting away!"

***

"This way! Hurry!" The investigators yelled as they ran.

"The White Fox is here!"

In the shadows Hide took off his helmet. A figure in white ran by as he pressed himself against the wall as they stopped and looked around.

"Old man." they whispered as they pulled out a sword, and Hide knew it was Mira, but he stayed quit until she ran off.

***

The owl jumped back as he tried to avoid Juuzou's attacks. Juuzou flipped back as Shinohara caught his foot, "Juuzou!"

"Throw me back, just like this!" Juuzou said as Shinohara brought him back and threw him at the Owl, he laughed as he attacked him again.

The Owl had two shots pierce him as Shinohara and Iwa went in to strike. They all went in to attack, hitting and causing damage. Juuzou leaped up and swung his scythe, cutting off a chuck of his Kugane. And he thought of Kaneki again

"I can't stand not being able...to do anything anymore."

They all attacked him at once. As he thought of Touka.

"Huh? School? Why should I?"

"Iwa!"

"Mm-hmm!" Iwa said as the two cut his side and he thought of Yomo.

"I'm not...cut out to work in the shop."

"Hoji!" Shinohara yelled as Hoji ran forward to strike.

"Are you trying to start something with me, knowing I'm the Devil Ape?"

Yoshimura staggered as Shinohara ran at him, cutting a piece of his Kugane as a young Irimi went through his mind.

"Don't talk to me like you know me, I'll kill you."

Juuzou ran forward as he used his Kugane to block Shinohara's Quinque as he thought of Mira.

"The hell you know what I've been through, you're not my dad."

A slightly older Mira is shown as she smiled.

Juuzou jumped up and hit the Owl, as an image of his wife and child came into view. Shinohara went in for the final blow, strinking him, Yoshimura's head went back as his mask broke, and his wife came into view, smiling. He groaned as crawled away, Juuzou lifted his weapon up, but Shinohara stopped him. Yoshimura limped away, blood running down his face as a small white figure ran, this was Mira, she was far away, but she knew that the other figure was Yoshimura. So she picked up the pace. Yoshimura fell down, and started to crawl, he looked up and saw a bright light, and there he saw his wife, who smiled.

"Ukina..." He whispered as he stretched his hand out and his fingers laced with hers as he smiled. His mask disappeared as she held his hands in hers and smiled.

"Old man!"

The investigators looked up to see the White Fox running their way and they all readied their weapons, but Shinohara pit his hand up.

"Wait."

Mira stumbled as she ran forward watching as Yoshimura slowly fell. As Mira got closer she dropped her sword and ripped off her mask, not caring about the investigators. She slid down as Yoshimura fell, his hand still up, and she reached her hand out so her fingers interlocked with his and his head fell onto her lap.

"This is Shinohara..."

"Yeah."

"Shinohara. If you would..."

"Owl extermination...complete."

"No..."

They all turned to the girl who held to Owl close to her as she cried.

"Shinohara...." Iwa said.

"Huh?"

Iwa pointed at the girl, who they now knew was the White Fox. Shinohara said nothing as they watched her cry into the Owl's shoulder.

"You promised you wouldn't die on me." She whispered as she hugged him closer to her, "Why does everyone I love get taken from me..." She whispered as she hugged him tighter. "I'm sorry!" She cried loudly, causing the investigators to stare at her in confusion, "I'm so sorry for taking everything for granted and for being a total jerk." She whispered as she set him down and slowly stood up, Mira bent over and picked up her sword and turned to face the investigators, forgetting about her mask as a dark look over came her features as she stared at Shinohara. She gritted her teeth as she gripped her sword tightly.

"You bastards." She sneered as they all got into position.

"What more could you take away from me!" She yelled as she launched herself at them. Attacking them with anger. Every hit an image went through her mind.

"You're annoying as hell"

"Nishki." She muttered as she hit Juuzou back.

"I need your help on this problem." Touka asked as she held her book out.

"Touka." Mira muttered as she flipped back to dodge an attack.

"You want to know about the Devil Ape." Koma asked as he smiled.

"She really doesn't, Koma." Irimi laughed.

"Irimi....Koma...." Mira whispered as she used her sword to block Iwa's attack.

"What's this word mean?" Hinami asked as she showed the book to Kaneki.

"It means peace." Kaneki said as he smiled.

"Kaneki.....Hinami...." Mira flipped through the air as she kicked Shinohara back.

"You need to work on you're anger." Yomo said.

"Yomo..."

"Let's go to Anteiku!" Hide said as he pulled on Mira's arms.

Mira gripped her sword as the investigators surrounded her, "Hide...."

A smiling Hioko flashed through her mind, causing Mira to gasp as a tear ran down her cheek,

"You hold the sword like this."

"Like this?" 10 year old Mira asked as she held the sword in front of her.

"There you go! See you got this!" Hioko said as Mira smiled

"Hioko....Yoshimura..." Mira whispered as an image of a smiling Yoshimura flashed through her mind, "You're not a bad person, Mira, you just need someone to guide you down the right path."

"You were right old man....thanks." Mira smirked as she leaped up and spun through the air, striking the investigator with the gun in the leg, he let out a pained scream as he stared at Mira, who smirked before she flipped back and landed. She stood in front of all of the investigators as she smirked, until something crashed down behind her, Mira slowly turned around as she saw the One Eyed Owl. Her eyes widened as her breath hitched and she took a step back.

"Two of them!" Iwa shouted.

"I knew it!" Shinohara shouted.

"One eye." Mira mumbled.

The One Eyes Owl hardened it's Kugane's an smirked as it looked at Mira, who's eyes widened in fear. The One Eyes Owl smirked as it swung it's Kugane at Mira, who's eyes were wide with fear and her mouth slightly open, and her life flashed before her eyes.

To be continued