Hi all, InnumerableWritings here with just a quick note before the story. This is my first attempt at a story and I just want to say that my schedule can be quite busy at times, and so I might not update as often as I should. But I promise that I will update this, and it will be completed! Lastly, please review, as it helps me get better as a writer.

Kaneki yawned for the umpteenth time that day. Business was slow at Anteiku today, with even Enji and Irimi struggling to find something to do during the morning shift. Enji had distracted himself by repeating some hyperbolic overly-dramatic story about the adventures of the infamous "Devil Ape" ghoul, and Irimi absentmindedly cleaning cups as she half-listened to Enji's ridiculous story. Kaneki looked out the windows towards the city streets, Nishiki would arrive (most likely with Kimi on his arm) to relieve him of his duties and allow him to, "go to school." Kaneki ran his hand through his messy white hair and ignored the ever present voice in his mind that screamed for him to snap his fingers and eat the people walking by the shop. He pulled his hair a bit, "Wait, damn you." he thought, his agreement with The Manager was that as soon as his morning shift ended he would meet with Banjou and the rest. Together they would raid another ghoul restaurant, and he would recuperate until his night shift. In that time the voice would be sated until the next time it felt hungry for the power ghoul and human flesh held.

Kaneki released his hair from his grasp and exhaled. His thoughts began to stray from his lunch plans to a certain blue haired girl who had held most of his attention recently. Touka Kirishima had started out as the girl who hated him, cursed his existence and wanted nothing to do with him. She had eventually become his training partner, and after being his savior after his experience with Yamori (a finger snap followed even thinking about that name) he had saved her from her own brother and another ghoul named Noro. Kaneki smiled, after saving her the two had begun to see more of one another, studying, training, and hunting together whenever they had the chance. The two had spent so much time together, that even little Hinami had begun joking that "Big Brother and Big Sister would be married within the next two months." Kaneki let a small smile break through for a moment as he thought about Touka and Hinami. Those two really were his only family left in this world. Hearing the front door of the shop open, he saw a tired Nishiki and a chipper Kimi enter the shop, he smiled at Kimi when she ran to him with yet another compliment on how white hair was a good look for him, and breezed by Nishiki when the latter confirmed Kaneki's suspicions that he was in a rather bad pre-coffee mood. Kaneki said his goodbyes to Hinami, Enji, and Irimi, all of whom cheerily wished him good luck, but gave him sad smiles as they figured out where he was going. Kaneki ignored it. If it was to protect them, than anything he did would be ok….. Right?

They arrived at the restaurant, Touka had texted Kaneki for studying help and he told her he'd be over as soon as possible

This was all okay, right?

Tsukiyama introduced him as the "scrapper" for todays meal, the poor ghouls had no idea that they would be that meal.

This is alright.

Kaneki's kagune lashed through the crowd as soon as Tsukiyama announced that they were the meal. The ghouls couldn't run as the two cut them down.

This is okay. This is for everyone.

The exits were covered by Banjou and his men, Kaneki let out a chilling laugh as he cut down ghoul after ghoul, only pausing momentarily as he sampled each fresh corpse.

This is to keep everyone safe. To keep Hide safe. To keep Touka safe.

Tsukiyama licked the blood from his kagune as he pulled it out of another screaming ghoul. "While you don't exactly taste all that good, you'll be tres bien for making Kaneki stronger" was all he said as he finished off yet another ghoul

I will protect them. All of them.

The ghouls were finished, the meal was over, and after changing into normal clothes the ghouls dispersed, agreeing on the same time next week. Kaneki headed over to Touka's, trying his best to pretend he hadn't just murdered and eaten an entire building filled with ghouls.

He knocked on the door and she opened it, Kaneki was taken aback at how every time he saw her he could swear she looked even more beautiful than the last time. But now was not the time for that as the voice in his head helpfully reminded him. He cleared his throat.

"H-hey, Touka-chan, what do you need help with?"

AND CHAPTER ONE DONE! Please leave a review if you enjoyed, or if you didn't. But please only constructive criticism!