myths, magic, and fandoms
Itori is an ukaku, flighty and deadly. She has gotten Yomo drunk to have ukaku fights before.
Nico is a powerful but dainty koukaku.
Tsuneyoshi and Yoshitoki are rinkaku kakujas.
Matsuri is a bikaku kakuja, which made Tsuneyoshi dislike him even more. Because he’s the first Washuu in generations not to be a rinkaku.
Washuu Iyo is a rinkaku.
Tatara is a rinkaku, capable of summoning four incredibly thick and powerful tentacles.
Who else am I missing?
Uta
– “Finally decided to try an eyeball?!” Uta is perplexed at the sight he just walked into.
– “Yup.” You try to act nonchalant. You know eyeballs are not nutritious. You’ll have to wait until Uta kills again, though you like to live in the denial that he ever does. h
– Uta’s eyes narrow. He crosses the room, a question in his mind. You’ve been sick lately, of course. But he doesn’t ask directly – all he says is “are you okay?”
– You assure him you are, heart sinking. Things are awkward for the next day. You’re anxious to eat more food, and Uta is anxious about what you’re hiding.
– When he leaves the bed you share the next evening, you tiptoe after him.
– “I thought you didn’t like me killing,” he calls from the street over.
– You emerge from around the corner, a guilty expression on your face.
– “Do I have to ask?” he says sorrowfully.
– A lump grows in your throat. “I’m – I’m pregnant, Uta.” You explain you didn’t want to tell him, lest he want you to let it die. As you speak, his kagune wraps around you, drawing you closer and closer.
– “Hey, if the tiny halfling matters to you, it matters to me,” he says, sincere. He decides to call Yomo to give you both meat for tonight.
Yomo Renji
– Yomo has noticed someone stealing from :Re’s supplies, so he’s waiting for the thief in the basement of :Re, just hidden from the refrigerator.
– He freezes when he sees his you tiptoe down to rummage in the refrigerator. With concern, he watches his you choke down human meat and gag, yet force yourself to swallow.
– He steps out into the open, shocked and unsure what to say.
– Your head hangs. “I knew you’d catch me some day. I guess you know now.”
– Yomo, the lovable doofus he is, takes a few seconds to realize what’s actually going on. Though somehow even more stunned than before, he quickly embraces you.
– “You’ve lost so much – I didn’t want to get your hopes up,” you admit. “You have every right to be angry.”
– Yomo tells you he doesn’t care, because this is all he ever wanted but never dared to dream of, and that you shouldn’t bear this alone. He kisses you passionately.
Washuu Yoshitoki
– As an bureau investigator in CCG, you stayed in the office most days. Know colloquially as the Computer Queen, you weren’t directly under Chika. Which was good, because you’d been secretly dating for months.
– As both of you wanted to keep your relationship under wraps – you for your career, him for his father’s disapproval – you were terrified to discover that you were pregnant.
– Unfortunately for you, the blood test also revealed that your child was half ghoul. You fled the clinic before investigators – your colleagues – arrived, grateful you’d given a fake name.
– Was Chika…a ghoul? You hadn’t been with anyone else – not recently at least. Feelings of betrayal overwhelm you, and yet you don’t want to expose him – you don’t want him to be killed.
– So you vanish, with only the child developing in your belly to keep you company.
– You follow a ghoul to the dangerous section of town, where you stumble upon a child ghoul feasting on a body. The kid lets you eat, too, and you ponder your fate, and your child’s.
– CCG appears, and you help the child flee, but you yourself are caught. Blood-soaked and human, yet cannibalizing a corpse with a ghoul. Yoshitoki himself sees photos of you kneeling before the corpse, crying with despair.
– Once you are arrested, your pregnancy is detected, though you refuse to name the father.
– At night, Yoshitoki enters your cell and stares at you. You fight the urge to slap him, and he is too overwhelmed for words. He steps forward, hesitantly, and touches your stomach. Then he leaves.
– when Marude questions you the next morning, Yoshitoki enters the room and tells his best friend that the child is his.
– He then says he has allowed Matsuri to flee from CCG and V’s surefire vengeance- hence the wait – but that you should not be punished. Of course, he hopes that Maru will listen first. And that you will forgive him, though he does not expect it.
– You both shelter with Hide, per Marude’s arrangements, and you reconcile there.
I love my Maruchika.
SFW
– They both secretly loved each other for a while as partners at CCG. But Yoshitoki never realized his feelings until he was placed in an arranged marriage by his father.
– After the untimely death of Matsuri’s mother (read: tsuneyoshi killed her), Marude offered Yoshitoki much help with the baby, and a shoulder to cry on.
– This turned into a real relationship. One time they took Maru’s motorcycle for a weekend away from everyone without anyone else knowing, except Arima, who babysat.
– Yoshitoki loves cooking for Marude, and he’s pretty good at it (especially for a ghoul).
– Matsuri once called his father out for his ‘suspicious’ relationship with Marude, while he was forced to marry Iyo.
– Yoshitoki wrote an entire letter to Marude to be opened after death, in which he explained everything – the lies, the investigators, the Washuus, the family expectations he wasn’t able to break free from.
NSFW
– The first time they made love, Yoshitoki’s kakugans accidentally activated. He narrowly avoided revealing them to Marude. Ever since then, he’s been very, very careful.
– He’s, er, had steamy dreams in which he does tell Marude the truth, and Maru accepts him.
– Marude loves pillow talk and cuddling after. He will not accept quickies, or leaving that night. If they’re having sex, he’s staying the night.
– Yoshitoki will let Marude bite him, and quite enjoys it, but he will never bite Marude. It feels too ghoulish.
– Both of them love the feeling of losing themselves in each other, of forgetting their lives, of focusing only on their best friend and lover. It helps them stay sane.
I love it.
– It’s Yoshitoki’s idea, and it wasn’t hard to gain Arima’s agreement. Furuta was harder, though.
– Eventually, they appeared in his apartment with plans and IXA in case the devil clown decided to try anything.
– When discussing plans – Furuta’s horror movie suggestion was nixed immediately by Yoshitoki – they soon realize that they are all interested in a butterfly garden. But pretending not to be, for fear of appearing ‘unmasculine.’
– Furuta can name every plant in the garden, and Arima nearly cries with feels when a Monarch butterfly lands on his glasses.
– Yoshitoki has a guidebook of every butterfly species, and is particularly adept at discovering the camouflaged ones.
– They take a selfie together (do I even have to say it was Furuta’s idea) and none of them will ever admit it, but they each keep a copy in their wallets.
Furuta Nimura – secretly writes a ‘better’ version, in which Serena Joy finally leaves and murders the Commander.
Rize Kamishiro – loves all the theories and analysis. Refuses to say why she loves it so much. Probably runs a blog on it.
Arima Kishou – could not get past the first episode due to guilt.
Arima Yusa – Was not allowed to watch. Snuck it and has spent the next three days pondering.
Ihei Hairu – tries desperately to convince herself it isn’t like the garden at all.
Ihei Shio – Snuck it, cried straight through.
Souza Rikai – Became even more determined to fight after sneaking the episodes.
Hsaio Ching-Li – Hopes all the women rise up and revolt. Just like she wanted the Handmaids to unite and defend Janine, she will unite to defend her Sunlit Garden sisters and brothers.
Washuu Yoshitoki – Riddled with agony as he watches, feels conflicted. He secretly hopes Marude watches it so they can discuss.
Washuu Matsuri – relates far too much to Ofglen’s predicament.
Washuu Iyo – Ofglen is also her favorite. She and Matsuri write fanfiction of her.
Washuu Tsuneyoshi – dismisses it as feminist propaganda.
“Chika, what’s wrong?” Marude Itsuki is happy. Well, a nervous kind of happy. They’ve just apprehended an SS rate ghoul, their first enemy of that caliber. Now they sit in Chika’s apartment, sipping wine.
“N-nothing.” Chika flicks back his hair and smiles. It’s hard being the son of Tsuneyoshi, with the future of a bureau to defend humankind on his shoulders.
Marude smiles sympathetically. “I’m glad I got to take down this ghoul with you.”
Chika’s cheeks are flaming now. “Me too. I – when he had me pinned down – I was thinking that even if I died, I’d be happy because I got to fight with you.”
“Really?” Marude chuckles. “I’m flattered, Chika.”
He’s not sure what possesses him next, but he grabs Chika’s face and plants a kiss straight on his best friend’s lips.
Marude pulls back, realizing suddenly what he’s done. He’s kissed the heir to the CCG. He’s jeopardized a friendship and a career. “Chika – I – I’m sorry -”
“Don’t be.” Chika pulls him closer. “Do you – really feel that way?”
Marude nods, and the next thing he knows, Chika is kissing him back with more passion than a starving ghoul.
“Maru,” Chika whimpers in his ear. He mutters something else, too, but the only word Marude hears is ‘bedroom.’
And so Marude pulls Chika into the bedroom. Their lips never part, and the painting in the hallway is now off-kilter, but finally they fall onto Chika’s bed.
“You lead,” Chika whispers, because for once he doesn’t want to be in control.
Marude’s face is scarlet. Sweat beads his brow, and Chika has never thought him more beautiful.
He doesn’t feel like a ghoul right now. He doesn’t feel the damnation of his family or his upcoming nuptials to a breeding ghoul. He feels free, and warm, and loved.
It occurs to Chika, as Marude unbuckles his pants, that he might never have felt loved before.
With Maru here, he thinks as their bodies connect, he feels human. He feels like he’s worth something.
Oh my god yes.
“Are you ready?” Matsuri’s hands sweat. He smiles at his cousin, who’s supposedly less valuable than him, but he likes sneaking away to play with the garden kids like her.
Hsaio nods before kicking open the door to Tsuneyoshi’s office.
“What on earth -”
“Move aside, idiots.” Matsuri shoves Arima out of the way.
Hsaio and Matsuri yank off their sweatshirts to reveal rainbow T-Shirts reading I’M GAY across the front.
Tsuneyoshi glowers at his grandchildren. “Is this a joke?”
“Nope,” Hsaio tells him.
“We gay,” Matsuri squeaks. “I want to marry a boy.”
“I want to kiss Big Sis Hairu,” Hsaio says dreamily.
Tsuneyoshi grabs his phone. “Yoshitoki? Get your ass in here.”
The room is awkwardly silent as everyone waits.. Arima remains expressionless.
“Oh.” Yoshitoki stops short in the doorway, the moment he sees their shirts. “Is that all?”
“Your spawn will destroy our legacy,” Tsuneyoshi growls. “We’ll get you a new wife and -”
Yoshitoki gasps. “No. I’m not putting another woman through that.”
“Oh, is that how it is? Are you like your son, then?” Tsuneyoshi mocks. There’s a dangerous edge to his voice.
Arima stays silent, knowing perfectly well what his brother and Special Investigator Marude do behind closed doors.
Yoshitoki sighs. Matsuri looks terrified, and Hsaio clutches his arm, determine to kill them all if they try to hurt her friend.
And his father would.
Yoshitoki sighs. His choice is obvious. “Yes.”
“What?”
“I put the B in LGBT.”
“I’m sorry?”
“I’m a man, I’m a tough man, and I’m bisexual, Father.” Yoshitoki looks at Matsuri, who sweats with fear.
“You – ”
“I’m in love with the half-ghoul leader of Aogiri,” Arima throws in quickly.
“What?!” Tsuneyoshi gasps. “What is wrong with my family?”
“I mean…inbreeding, rape, sex trafficking, toxic masculinity…” Hsaio rattles off the words that come to her mind.
“From now on, what if…we oppose V? What if we stop our abuse?” Arima suggests quietly.
“Yes!” cheers Matsuri.
Yoshitoki grabs his son’s hand. “For you, Matsuri, I would do anything.”
“What?! Get back here!” Tsuneyoshi fumes as his family walks away.
“We’ll be in trouble soon,” Arima says. “I’ll call my girl and get everyone whisked away to safety. A lot of secrets are about to come out.”
Yoshitoki smiles at Matsuri and Hsaio. Pride ripples through his heart. “Thanks to these two.”
I’ve sorted the characters according to their introductory affiliation.
Anteiku/Re Affiliates
Kaneki Ken – to be safe
Nagachika Hideyoshi – to see Kaneki again
Yoshimura Kuzen – Eto’s forgiveness
Kamishiro Rize – freedom and food
Kirishima Touka – Kaneki to be free of the worm
Koma Enji – to be alive
Irimi Kaya – a puppy
Yomo Renji – His niece and nephew safe
Kosaka Yoriko – To see Touka again
Hinami Feuguchi – for everyone she loves to be happy
Nishiki Nishio – to kiss Kimi
Nishino Kimi – a world where ghouls and humans live in harmony
Tsukiyama Family
Tsukiyama Shuu – A taste of Kaneki
Karren von Rosewald – Tsukiyama’s love
Matsumae – the family’s safety
Mirumo – his son’s happiness
Chie Hori – another camera
Clowns
Uta – eyeball snacks. Maybe a kiss from Yomo.
Itori – blood wine!
Hoito Roma – to belong
Nimura Furuta – his father’s approval
Rio/Shikorae – his brother
Nico – makeup
Donato Porpora – a reunion with Amon
Aogiri Tree
Kirishima Ayato – Hinami’s coffee. Maybe Hinami.
Yamori – kagune pliers
Tatara – Houji’s head, but really his siblings back
Yoshimura Eto – the world’s obedience
Noro – life
Miza Kusakari – nothing bad to happen anymore
Naki – to see Yamori again
Hakatori – a new quinque
Banjou Kazuichi – a hug
CCG
Amon Koutarou – to be a good person
Takizawa Seidou – to be human again
Mado Akira – internal peace
Houji Kousuke – a break from murder investigators
Mado Kureo – to kill the one-eyed owl and make their kagune into his quinque
Marude Itsuki – assurance that Yoshitoki was actually his friend
Washuu Yoshitoki – a vacation
Washuu Matsuri – Urie
Washuu Tsuneyoshi – nothing good.
Kuriowa Takeomi – Yoriko’s cooking
Kuriowa Iwao – his son’s happiness
Aura Kiyoko – Aura to calm down
Tanakamaru Mougan – hairspray
Shinohara Yukinori – to see his family again
Itou Kuramoto – a practical joke book
Kurona Yasuhisa – Shiro
Hajime Hazuki – to be a renowned badass
Mayazumi – eyebrow liner
Arima Squad
Ihei Hairu – Arima’s smile
Arima Kishou – atonement
Ui Koori – Hairu resurrected
Take Hirako – Shio and Rikai’s resurrection
Arima Yusa – a peaceful world
Ihei Shio – a pet reindeer
Souza Rikai – flowers
Suzuya Squad
Suzuya Juuzou – Mr. Shinohara to awaken
Keijin Nakarai – recognition
Hanbee Abara – to marry Suzuya
Miyuki Mikage – an alien encounter
Mizurou Tamaki – a girlfriend
Quinx Squad
Yonebayashi Saiko – no one dying anymore
Shirazu Ginshi – Haru’s healing
Urie Kuki – Mutsuki’s safety
Mutsuki Tooru – to be safe and happy
Hsaio Ching-Li – Saiko’s affection
Aura Shinsanpei – Kaneki’s head, or his aunt’s approval
Higemaru Touma – to save the world
Well that hurts.
Matsuri’s phone buzzes. Rolf’s number for the third time.
“Too busy to plan our next move?” Yoshitoki asks in exasperation.
“As a matter of fact, yes.” Matsuri storms out of the room and marches into his office. He leaves the rest of the investigators to judge him like they already do. Because he’s not Yoshitoki.
He answers, heart quickening. “Rolf?”
Rolf has never called him before. Matsuri warned him he could die if his grandfather found out.
Something feels very wrong.
“Is this Washuu Matsuri?” asks a male voice in a thick German accent.
“You’re not Rolf.”
“I am his father.”
Nausea rises in Matsuri’s stomach. No. His parents found out –
“Rolf is dead. Ghoul attack.” The older man’s voice cracks.
There’s a shuffle, and a woman comes on. Rolf’s mom, Matsuri presumes. “You’re the man who meant a lot to him. We promised him we’d tell you.”
“How?” I left him. I abandoned him, and he still wasn’t safe. Matsuri’s world spins.
His knees wobble, and he sinks to the wooden floor. Rolf, who loved him, who made him feel human, whom he loved with all his heart, enough to leave alone.
Matsuri can’t process the story of Rolf dying defending a kid from a ghoul. A monster, just like him.
Did you die realizing I am a monster?
Or did you die wishing they were a good ghoul like me?
Matsuri knows the latter is more likely, and he cries harder.
Yoshitoki raps on his door shortly after Matsuri has ended the call. Matsuri refuses to answer.
Yoshitoki enters anyhow. His face is pinched, and he’s ready to criticize his son again –
And he stops. Matsuri’s face is streaked with tears.
Yoshitoki closes the door behind them and sits across from Matsuri. The Bureau Chief on the floor.
“Talk to me.”
Matsuri cries harder, and his father for once doesn’t tell him to stop. He just holds Matsuri’s hands and lets him sob.
Kaneki Ken – I don’t feel human. 😦
Kamishiro Rize – it’s sexy and pretty and, well, goodbye to you.
Kirishima Touka -Pretty proud of my wings. Trying to accept Kimi’s words that I’m beautiful.
Kirishima Ayato – Dang thing doesn’t last enough.
Yomo Renji – Confident in my intimidation skills.
Uta – It’s a work of art.
Itori – Ain’t it sexy?
Nishiki Nishio – This is how I get the girls.
Tsukyama Shuu – Smooth and strong, just like me.
Karren Von Rosewald – It’s pretty useful for retrieving Master Shuu.
Matsumae – I’m a boss and I know it.
Koma Enji – Look how mighty I am!
Kaya Irimi – Bet you weren’t expecting a winged puppy, were ya?
Fueguchi Hinami – Mom, Dad, I will make you proud.
Yoshimura Kuzen – Triggers guilt for Eto.
Yoshimura Eto – Dis fun. Rawr. MISCHIEF MANAGED.
Tatara – Bow down, bitches.
Noro – Keeps him alive.
Yamori – Another torture tool.
Naki – wow!
Miza Kusakari – Feels dangerous, and she likes feeling dangerous.
Hakatori/Yumitsu Tomoe – cool, but using quinques is cooler.
Rio – Knows it’s special, but still hesitant.
Hoito Roma – my kagune is cyuuuuuuuttteeeee
Donato Porpora – it’s murder time.
Nico – pretty, pretty
Furuta Nimura – finally I have one
Takizawa Seidou – I fucking hate it I fucking hate all of this shit
Amon Koutarou – Kagune? What kagune? Me?
Yasuhisa Kurona – I miss Shiro.
Urie Kuki – outta my way, badass coming through.
Mutsuki Tooru – I don’t like this much.
Shirazu Ginshi – Uh, am I doing this right? Am I cool yet?
Saiko Yonebayashi – using for battle is boring. Using to create anime sculptures is priceless.
Higemaru Touma – I mean I like it, do you? Urie, do you like it? Do you?
Aura Shinsanpei – I hope wings don’t make me look silly.
Hsaio Ching-Li – And here’s a WHAM! And a BAM! On your feet, minion!
Washuu Yoshitoki – What are you talking about?
Washuu Matsuri – Urie…will you show me yours if I show you mine?
Hajime Hazuki – I feel so goddamn grown *voice cracks* up
(Edited to add Hajime)
Mercy and Magic 