Disclaimer: I don't own Tokyo Ghoul.

Warning: Kaneki/Hide.

Note: Enjoy.

Summary: Someone hurt his best friend. However, Hide isn't talking - scared that they might hurt him again. Can Kaneki find out who and keep Hide safe at the same time?

Chapter One

He walked inside.

The cafe was quiet - void of people, except the staff. They watched him curiously, with narrowed eyes. However, Hide didn't mind, just thinking that they're tired from working. So, Hide smiled at them, but didn't get one in return.

They instead furiously frowned. He felt uninvited. His heart fluttered, then. His smiled dropped, too.

They're Kaneki's friends. He thought that they could be friends as well. He was clearly mistaken, though.

"Is Kaneki here?" Hide asked, as Tsukiyama tilted his head sideways. "It's his birthday today. And, I brought him a present. So, I wanted to give it to him in person."

"You've just missed him," Tsukiyama answered, as Hide sadly sighed. "He left a few minutes ago."

"Do you know where he is?"

"You really don't know your place, do you? Kaneki is one of us now. He's not human anymore. Leave him alone."

"W-What?"

"Didn't you hear me? You need to leave Kaneki alone. Stop chasing after him.

"I ...I ..."

"Stay away from Kaneki. If you don't, then I'll eat you."

...

The ghoul grabbed his wrists.

It hurt him - left handprints, like purplish bruises. He began sobbing - trying to free his hands, but instead aggravated the other. After all, Tsukiyama did let go, but then reached for his throat.

He clawed at Tsukiyama's fingers, who just kept tightening his hold. He couldn't breathe anymore, not even see. His vision was starting to blacken, his sight dotted and doused in dark patches.

He was then thrown to the ground. He crawled towards the exit, though. He scrambled outside, then. He didn't stop running, just until he knocked a woman over.

"I-I'm sorry," Hide squeaked, as she dusted herself off. "W-Where am I?"

"Oh, my goodness!" she shrieked, as Hide lowered his eyes. "What happened to you? My husband is a policeman. I'll take you to the police station. It's not far from here."

"N-No, I can't go there."

"Come back, young man! You need help."

"T-They can't help me."

"Young man!"

XOXO

He drank coffee.

His friends talked to themselves - whispering in a corner, which he found odd. However, Kaneki didn't care, especially because he's worn out. So, Kaneki wanted some space, not to socialize.

They shot him glances, though. Without hesitation, Kaneki stood up, just about to leave. However, Hinami had hugged him around the waist, with her small arms. Then, Hinami stepped backwards, her facial expression a nervous one.

They all looked nervous. It was mostly Hinami. She handed him a present, except the present wasn't from her.

"You friend stopped by," Hinami squeaked, as Kaneki's eyes grew wide. "He wanted to spend some time with you. It is your birthday today."

"I forgot," Kaneki sighed, as Hinami bit her lower lip. "Of course, Hide would remember my birthday. What are best friends for, after all?"

"You should see him."

"It's late and raining, Hinami. He's probably asleep right now, but I promise I'll thank him tomorrow."

"You should really see him, Kaneki."

"What's wrong, Hinami? Did something happen to Hide?"

"I can't put it into words. It's better if you see him, Kaneki."

"Alright."

…

The walk didn't take too long.

He stood outside of Hide's apartment. He had knocked several times, but hadn't received an answer. His phone calls too weren't answered, just kept meeting the automated voicemail. His text messages weren't answered as well, not even seen.

He was becoming concerned. Without hesitation, Kaneki barged inside, with brute strength. Then, Kaneki began searching the apartment, where Hide's phone lay. So, Kaneki cursed and called Hide's name, but didn't get a response.

He was worrying more now. He sniffed the air - trailing the scent of Hide, which was so sweet. He inhaled again - catching another scent, a girl's scent who was lingering at the threshold.

"Are you looking for Hide?" she asked, as Kaneki nodded. "You must be Hide's friend, then. We share a class together. It's in the afternoon, but he was absent."

"Yeah, I'm a friend of his," Kaneki admitted, as she gave him Hide's homework. "I'll tell him you stopped by."

"Well, I hope you find him."

"I will find him."

XOXO

He was drenched.

It was raining hard. He didn't have an umbrella, not even his phone. Even worse, Hide was lost, but exhausted and hurt, too. After all, Hide had been aimlessly walking, just hoping he'll see familiar faces.

The blonde saw none, though. He was so scared - paralyzed by fear, his body trembling and shaking. He's never felt this vulnerable before - fearful of his own shadow, which was quivering, too.

The darkness was unnerving. He hadn't been afraid of it, except for now. It was a whole new world, with its own creatures.

"Hide!" Kaneki cried, as Hide's heart fluttered frantically. "Slow down, Hide! Talk to me."

"Happy birthday," Hide croaked, as Kaneki's eyebrows furrowed together. "I should go. It's late now."

"You don't even know where you are, Hide! What happened to you? Where did you get these bruises? Did someone hurt you?"

"I fell on campus."

"Really? Those bruises on your neck can only come from a chokehold. These bruises on your wrists look like handprints."

"I fell …"

"Bullshit!"

…

The sidewalk was slippery.

He still took off running, though. However, Kaneki was faster than him, especially because he's a ghoul. Even so, Hide was smarter than him - throwing things behind him, like boxes and trash cans.

He slowed Kaneki down, but angered him, too. After all, Kaneki's kagune came out - tendrils that shot right at him, not hurting him, though. Instead, Kaneki's kagune coiled around him - slithering and snaking his waist, which were constricting him.

He couldn't move anymore, just stand there motionless until Kaneki approached him. The ghoul's kagune retracted - replaced by Kaneki's arms.

"Okay, I get it," Kaneki sighed, as Hide's knees shook. "You don't want to talk. I won't force you right now, but you will tell me who hurt you tomorrow."

"I already told you," Hide sniffled, as Kaneki rolled his eyes. "I fell on campus."

"I'm not stupid, Hide!"

"I wasn't saying you are …"

"Stop lying to me, then!"

"K-Kaneki …"

"You're freezing. I'm taking you home."

"O-Okay …"

XOXO

He plucked Hide up.

It was a quiet walk, especially because Hide wasn't talking. The blonde stayed silent, but kept staring at him. So, Kaneki looked down at him, not appreciating that scared look.

Instantly, Hide looked away. Without hesitation, Kaneki scowled at the blonde, who flinched fearfully.

"A-Aren't you tired of carrying me?" Hide stuttered, as Kaneki scoffed at the question. "I mean, I'm heavy."

"You're not heavy," Kaneki snorted, as Hide chewed his lower lip. "I'm a ghoul. So, I'm a lot stronger than I look."

"Y-Yeah, I know ghouls are strong."

"And how would you know?"

"W-What?"

"Hide."

"M-My apartment is here."

…

The clock read midnight.

Meanwhile, Kaneki crossed his arms - watching Hide from afar, who hugged his knees. Then, Hide grabbed his blankets - clutching them tightly, just before laying down.

He sat down beside Hide - peering at Hide's bruises, especially the necklace of bruises around Hide's neck. They infuriated him. How could anyone hurt his best friend?

"Don't forget what I said," Kaneki grumbled, as Hide whimpered again. "You're going tell me everything in the morning."

"K-Kaneki …" Hide grimaced, as Kaneki turned the light off. "I … I …"

"Don't even think about lying to me, either."

"K-Kaneki …"

"Goodnight, Hide."

"Night, Kaneki."

A/N: What do you think? Leave me your thoughts.