Stitched Together

Chapter 6: Lollipops and Promises

Surprisingly enough, though we're assigned the 20th ward, we find ourselves at a scene in the 13th. I wonder who's actually currently assigned here, because I don't see doves around often. There were a few other members here, but no one special, probably just the clean up crew. Shinohara lifts up a tarp and peeks in, Suzuya hovering over his shoulder. I keep my distance, the smell is already sickening. "The bodies were cut up into roughly 200 pieces, whoever did it was obviously skilled due to such clean cut lines," Shinohara notes, pacing away a bit. That sounds rough, who could... wait a second... oh no. "It was you wasn't it," he says bluntly as he turns to his subordinate.

"Aw how did you know?" Suzuya says in his typical tone. So that's where he was last night. This certainly explains why he was covered in blood again.

"I've learned how you do things. Honestly Juuzou, you have to control yourself," he sighs. Apparently this kid has a violent streak. Now I know why Shinohara told me not to make him mad when I first met him. Suzuya just rocks back and forth on his feet and stares upwards. "I'll have to file this in the report and apologize for you... again," he says. "You know if you keep tearing up ghouls like this then you won't get a quinque."

"What!" Suzuya gasp. "but I really want one!"

"Oh yeah, at this rate Reina will get one before you," he teases. Suzuya glares over at me, making me tense up a bit. His eyes are somewhat eerie, the bright scarlet color of his irises bore right through you.

"Reina won't leave me without a quinque, right," Suzuya giggles, putting his hand on my shoulder and squeezing a bit harshly.

"O-of course not," I stammer, wincing a bit at his force. He lets go and smiles.

"See, Reina won't get one before me," he says in his sing song voice. I rub my shoulder and shudder. He really doesn't let people get in his way.

"Er, well we're done here for the day, I trust you can make it home since this is your ward..." Shinohara trails off and looks at me apologetically.

"Yes, thank you again Shinohara," I bow and make my exit. A hand grasping my wrist makes me roll my eyes and turn.

"Let's walk home together Reina~" he sings, taking my hand and parading out. I never have much of a choice with him.

"I can't believe you really did that," I think aloud, referring to the mangled ghouls.

He tilts his head and smiles. "What? Ghouls are just filth anyways, they're meant to die," he says with unsettling cheeriness. His words sting me as soon as they leave his lips. My instincts tell me to keep my mouth shut because if I start defending them he'll definitely become suspicious. "Reina?" His voice makes me blink away my thoughts.

"Y-Yes?" I put on the best smile I can manage being next to an insane ghoul slaughterer.

"Are you okay?" He asks simply.

"Of course," I reply.

"Then why are you squeezing my hand again?" He gazes up at me with curiosity. I look down and realize I am holding his hand tightly. I let go immediately and withdraw my hand.

"I-I'm sorry, I was just thinking about the ghoul from the other day and how dangerous they must be to fight," I lie.

"You're a big girl Reina, you'll be fine. Plus you've got me if any big bad ghouls are too much," he snickers, obviously mocking my cowardice.

"Hey, I can handle myself. I'm not scared, it's just, any one of us can die at any second," I huff.

"Whether we live or die doesn't matter," he giggles. His answer takes me surprise, does he put no value on life?