Tokyo Ghoul - NEST

Storm Approaches

" Great deeds are usually wrought at great risks."
- Herodotus

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Sasaki POV

Saiko stopped me again to point at all the different snacks. Honestly, she just wants to gorge on all of the snacks. I spoke at her cheek and she groans as I refuse to get her anymore junk.

"You'll only gain more weight!" I said while pinching her cheek.

"Bwaht! (But), I can shtill exercise!" She said, trying to grab at the junk food stalls again, but Shirazu picked her up by the shirt and placed her in the middle of our group.

Shirazu sighed. "You'll just get lost, gosh your like a little kid." He mumbled, scratching his head.

I chuckle a bit at that statement as Saiko objects strongly. Behind us is Urie and Mutsuki, who are both looking at some goldfish catching stand.

"Do you want one?" Urie asked, as if Mutsuki was a child. "It'll die within a few days anyway."

Mutsuki pouted a bit, but tried to hide it, but surprisingly, Urie pushed her aside and quickly caught one, the vendor put it in a bag and gave it to her. Mutsuki looked too shocked to even speak.

"T-Thanks..." Mutsuki mumbled.

Urie nodded slightly and walked ahead to catch up with us a few steps ahead, Mutsuki stared at the bag, then grew a bright smile, one I hadn't seen in awhile.

Urie walked ahead of us all, but I'm glad he's getting more attached to the squad. Lately, ever since the auction raid, he's been much more easier to handle. Maybe he learned a lesson?

I smile a the development, and the group stops as a feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn to find Touka standing there, a small smile on her face as she crossed her arms.

"I thought you said we'd meet at the entrance of the shrine!" She said with a potty attitude.

Touka wore a hoodie and some jeans, which I was hoping to see her in a kimono, but I suppose those are too darn expensive. She notices me staring and sighs.

"Were you hoping for something better?" She teased, a smirk on her face.

"No, I was just using my imagination." I said, still staring. Touka saw this and tried covering herself up, which made everyone in my squad whistle and nudge me, except Urie of course, who was spacing out.

We walked around, the others kept their distance for some reason, which bummed me out, I wanted Touka to get more acquainted with them. I bet her and Mutsuki would get along. I don't know about Saiko though.

Touka stretched when the fireworks started, and looked back at me. "This brings me back to the good old days, huh?" She said with a short smile.

"Yeah. It was fun, back then." I trailed off as I saw some visions of Anteiku go into my head. I miss those days.

"Really makes you wish Hide was here." Touka suddenly said.

My entire body froze for some reason. My head started to feel as if it'd been juggled. My eyes pulsed with pain, and I could remember a slight taste of blood in my mouth.

"Touka..." I mumbled.

"Huh? Why are you crying!?!" Touka said suddenly.

I looked up at her, my eyes wide as a blank expression went over me. Blood, the sweet taste of blood...

"Who is Hide?" I asked, the question lingering in my mind as I felt as if my brain was being placed on a hot charcoal furnace.

Just as Touka looked surprised and was about to say something, a large amount of screams were heard in the distance. I clenched my head, the scratching noise of a centipede going through my head.

Touka didn't notice my pain and looked in the middle of the festival to see what was happening. Her eyes looked in terror as I followed her gaze.

"What... is that?" Touka mumbled.

Levin POV

The loud roar of screams woke me like a thunder crack. I quickly stood up from the tree I was napping on as Kurona seemed to be getting up also. We both looked down at the festival from the hill and my whole body shivered in fear.

"Holy hell." I whispered.

A giant mass of kagune, it seemed like, was in the shape of a giant centipede. The thing screeched, sending vibration through the air and making me and Kurona clench our ears.

Humans all around were being crushed and stabbed by the hundreds of arms and being eaten by the mouth.

I snap out of my trance and pull on Kurona's shirt. "We gotta do something!" I said, but behind me a voice ringed out.

"And what makes you think you can help them?" Said a man's voice.

Kurona turned before me and flinched, shivering none stop. I was confused, she only ever acted scared when she was around Juuzo, but this wasn't Juuzo's voice.

I turned to find a man wearing a white lab overcoat, his tan colored hair slimmed back as a smirk appeared on his face.

"So, we finally meet, Levin Seto." He said, doing a slight bow.

"Your..." I trailed, anger welling up inside me. "You did this! What is that thing!?!" I said, gritting my teeth.

His smirk grew. "My name is Akihiro Kanou. A pleasure."