Summary: This fanfiction takes place in a Tokyo Ghoul alternate reality where a young Kaneki meets a young Eto. Age gap has changed to two years for convenience. This is also my first fanfiction ever, so sorry if it's crap! The story is being told from Kaneki's perspective, although you can feel free to self insert yourself into his character. Please, enjoy!

Note: Normal Text - Action or movement

Itallicized Text - Thoughts

Bold Text - Emphasis

Itallicized Bold Text - Emphasis on thoughts or extremely important events

[Insert name: Text] - Dialogue

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I was a normal bookworm you could find anywhere. I had no outstanding features, nothing that could make me stand out from the rest. It never really bothered me, because I didn't care about what others thought about me, so long as I could enjoy my books in peace.

There were a few exceptions, however, because I had one friend named Hide. He was a wild one, since he decided to befriend a nobody that only read books all day. I didn't really question him--because deep inside, I felt happy knowing there was someone who cared about me.

My parents? I never really knew my father too well. He died when I was young, and left behind his giant library filled with books. I fell in love with the huge collection, as it was the only remnant left of my father. My mother was always flooded with work, and never had time to care for me. When I did try to garner attention from her, she ended up beating me for getting in her way. I haven't tried to bother her since. I don't want to be a nuisance for anyone.

...That's probably the reason why I'm all alone. Today, I'm even more alone because Hide is out somewhere. Not that it's a problem, I'm used to just having my books by my side. ...Except that I had already finished the book I was reading and it was the only book I had brought with me. I should've brought another one...

Out of boredom, I decided to get up off of the riverbank I was sitting on and wander around the streets of Tokyo. I couldn't go home even though it was late in the afternoon because of the fear my mother inflicted upon me. Instead, I observed buildings, things, people. Everyone had their own daily routine. Not many people have a chance to go outside and enjoy life like this, so I should embrace it while it lasts.

I peered into a dark alleyway on my right due to loud, eerie crunching and chewing noises. I had assumed it was some sort of wild animal... but what appeared in front of me was a bruised and scratched up girl, wearing a torn and ragged cloak. Her most redeeming features were her green hair, which seemed to stand out the most... besides her glowing red eye. It was a "kakugan," something that ghouls, man-eating creatures had as substitute for regular human eyes. This was one of the ways to identify a ghoul, as I had learned from watching a TV show on ghoul physiology.

But having their kakugan out usually means it's too late. It means you're moments away from having your flesh torn apart, your organs ripped like paper, your bones crushed into powder, your life--

Oh wait. That's happening to me right now. I'm going to die. I'm going to die? Here? Now? I guess I really didn't accomplish much after all. Whatever, it's not like there'll be people who'll mourn my death... Maybe Hide will. But my mother wouldn't. In fact, she'd probably have less work to do because she wouldn't be trying to sustain herself and her child by herself and overworking herself to the point of--

[Ghoul: "...That...what is that?"]

My thoughts were interrupted as the female ghoul pointed at the book I was clenching in my arms. At this point, I regained my senses and realized the creature was already eating another human. Maybe it was full and didn't have the need to eat more people. Maybe I could have another chance at life. Maybe... if I could run. I was still paralyzed in fear, knowing I didn't have the courage to haul ass out of the situation. Unfathomably, I ended up replying to the girls question in order to save myself.

[Kaneki: "T-this is a book. Something that can give you, u-uh, knowledge!"]

I kept stuttering in fear. I definitely didn't want to die. It's not like I was afraid of death, I'm only scared of the pain.

[Ghoul: "Knowledge...? You mean that thing could make you... smarter?]

I was quite amazed to realize that there were those who didn't know what books were. But I guess that's how it is for those who live in isolation, like ghouls.

I quickly responded to save myself.

[Kaneki: "Y-yeah! And not only that, it could make you feel a lot of emotions, like happiness, sadness, and... umm"]

My mind wandered off. Why was I getting so excited from describing my only hobby to someone I had just met? And, to make matters worse, to a ghoul? What was I doing?

It seemed my stalling had worked, though. The female ghoul's curious expression transformed into a faint smile, which had surprised me. Did it work? I guess it did.

[Ghoul: "Happiness... huh. I want to feel that too."]

I guess even ghouls had emotions too. I mean, they were just like humans, except they ate humans.

I didn't know how to respond to her curiosity, until I stumbled upon a great idea.

[Kaneki: "Then, why don't you take this book then! I-I already finished it, so it's not like I have a use for it or anything..."]

My voice trailed off. Where was I going with this? Why would a ghoul, interested only in human meat, take a liking to books? It made no sense to me, but maybe this ghoul was different. After witnessing her curiosity, I decided to help her while also trying to save myself.

[Ghoul: "Really? I can't read that well, though..."]

She seemed to be excited for a moment, but I couldn't tell. I wasn't all that shocked when she said she couldn't read; it was to be expected from a ghoul. ...I should probably stop objectifying ghouls like this. I know they're just like humans now, especially after a conversation with one.

...I want to help her. She seems interested in books, the only thing that helped me stay sane throughout all these years. I also felt a strange spark when I told her what books were. It wouldn't hurt to teach a ghoul how to read right? They're capable of thoughts and emotions; happiness isn't something that should be restricted to those who want to feel it. Just a little bit... just a little bit would be fine right? This wasn't about just saving myself anymore, I want to introduce someone else to something I love.

[Kaneki: "I could teach you how to read... I mean, it's all I do, s-so I think it would be fun to teach someone else about it! I-if you don't want to, then that's okay too!"]

I was doing it out of selfishness. I wanted to introduce people to the world of books, the world I enjoyed by myself. It made me so happy; why was I only keeping it to myself? Truth be told, I just wanted someone to read them with, someone to understand what it feels like to be me.

[Ghoul: "But, you're a human, and I eat your kind. Why would you go this far for someone like me?"]

I already knew the answer to this question. After all, I already thought about it and I knew for sure why I wanted to do this.

[Kaneki: "Because... I want to see you become happy. Everyone deserves a chance to experience it, even ghouls! That's why I want to help you learn how to read. ...So you can feel the same happiness that I feel."]

The ghoul was surprised after hearing these words from me. I was surprised too! I didn't know I had the courage in me to say something like this... but I did.

[Ghoul: "R-really...? That's the first time someone's ever said something like that to me, let alone a human... but I'll accept your offer. I want to see this happiness you talk about for myself."]

I was genuinely delighted to hear this, but also a little bit frightened. What if she just decides to eat me randomly? ...Whatever, I'm too deep in this to back out now. This is definitely a change of pace for me... I don't want this opportunity to pass. Who knows what'll happen in the future? Maybe she'll become a famous novelist or something. Just kidding! There's no way that would happen.

I noticed her expression while she said her last sentence. She seemed a little bit embarassed and actually... happy. Her smile was quite delightful to see, especially after the dark and gloomy first impression I had of her. She was pretty cute like that, too... I want to see more of it. I want to see her be happy... not only with books, but with the world. I want to show her this unexplored vastness outside of her shell. Even though... I still haven't gotten out of my own shell. Slowly but surely though, I am climbing out of it, and along with me, will come someone else... I hope.

[Ghoul: "My name is Eto. Thank you... thank you, for helping someone like me."]

[Kaneki: "Ahh... no worries. My name is Kaneki. Kaneki Ken. ...I hope we'll get along."]

Chapter 1 ~ Intertwined

END

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Note from Lunicia (me!): Updates won't be on a schedule. I'm planning for this fanfiction to be really really long, (like as long as the storyline of Tokyo Ghoul Part 1 goes to). I'll update whenever I feel like it, and since I have a lot of time (on summer break, 14 years old, I got TONS of free time) I'm sure new chapters will come every 1-2 weeks or maybe less if I'm feeling reflective. Thank you for reading my story! Please be sure to leave some feedback, as it is my first fanfiction ever! :3