Disclaimer: I do not own Tokyo Ghoul.
Enjoy the story!
"If my survival caused another to perish, then death would be sweeter and more beloved."
—Khalil Gibran.
The deafening silence that embraced the two alarmed figures was long and torturous. The two passengers that had kept informing Amon had yet to appear once more behind the tiny closed window.
While there had been occasional sounds of shuffling and fabric, it seemed as though neither party was daring to make a move. Whether it was orders or because they had enough information to where they were heading, Aogiri members seemed too tensed.
Amon had stepped forward, deliberately turning his back from the ghoul as he pressed the side of his face to the vehicle's doors. He listened silently, his eyes never once leaving the concentration he was keen to keep. At times, he would still keep watch of Eyepatch from the corner of his eye.
"Can you open the doors?" The white haired whispered to Amon, keeping himself balanced by the wall as his skeptical eyes stared to both opposite directions. He had taken noticed of the wary emotions the investigator was expressing. Therefore, he decided to keep his distance.
"Wouldn't that be what the enemy wants?" The jet haired whispered back as he pressed his ear closer. His senses were focused, trying to gain as much information as his limited hearing could get from the outside.
"Maybe. But the longer we stay here, the faster their patience will decrease." His expression twisted into a frown. He felt troubled, knowing quite well that Aogiri did not wait for their enemies. If anything, they were very impulsive—Ayato had proven so.
"You have a point." Amon nodded as he searched through his trousers. Luckily, he had kept his uniform quite intact and would manage to fend for himself if a ghoul were to attack any vital points. "Why do they want you?" He asked as he took out a set of keys.
The investigator was met with silence, taking into account that Eyepatch did not want to discuss anything that may relate to him. Which, in fact, was a very obvious answer to guess. He took ahold of one specific key, plugging it into the keyhole as he twisted it.
Amon heard soft footsteps step closer; he felt a bit anxious when he noticed Eyepatch had come within reach of him. Upon closer inspection, he could tell how much shorter the albino haired was. If it weren't for the species he is and the situation they were in, he might of found it interesting.
Amon slowly pushed one of the doors to open, taking into consideration to step aside just a bit so that Eyepatch could also scan the area outside. Kaneki's eyes darted quickly from one corner to another.
For a while, Kaneki merely stood as still as he could. His senses were alerting him of every single action, despite how normal the place looked. However, realization hit him as he stared widely at the empty highway.
"Amon. How often do you see empty highways?" His gaze fell on the investigator, his expression was one which was identical to his own—utter risk and contemplation.
"…Only when there is a high alert emergency." Amon's words were that of a small whisper, dread and brood mixed with many other emotions.
"The question is—" Kaneki supported himself by holding onto the side of the opposite door, waving his hand when he noticed Amon's clear hesitation towards his rash actions. He slowly placed his feet down on the pavement. "—Who alerted them."
After a short minute, Amon followed Eyepatch's actions and stayed alert to any movements around them. So far, the place seemed deserted and no clear danger was present. Yet.
Kaneki tested his legs after a while, noticing that the Rc suppressants were wearying off just a bit as well as the Anesthesia. He took a few calculated steps to the side, circling the vehicle towards the front.
"I don't sense your comrades."
To Eyepatch's words, Amon quickly made his way ahead of the ghoul. He hastily stepped to the driver's side of the vehicle and yanked at the door. With much ease, the door opened and revealed it to not have any passengers.
"Wha—." Amon became baffled as he quickly looked around the vehicle, circling it various times and even going as far as to look under it. He finally came to a halt where Eyepatch had stayed standing, continuing to support his weight on the vehicle. Amon kept his gaze forward and then looked behind them to the isolated highway—no sign of either men could be found.
"They took them." Kaneki answered Amon's worse fear as the investigator looked at him rather accusingly for suggesting such a thing. "Aogiri Tree is not merciless." He challenged Amon's stubborn gaze with his own daring look. "We have to keep moving."
"We can't just—."
"More of them will arrive soon. We can't risk it." He sighed quietly; knowing that Amon was still human and would not understand how important survival was in the ghoul world.
Amon kept a tense silence between them for a few moments, Kaneki being quite sure he was contemplating to go search for the two missing men. The loyalty this man had was admiring to the half-ghoul, though he could not assure his safety due to his current condition.
"Let's say that you're right." The jet haired finally spoke as he looked gravely at the ghoul. "If they were taken by the Aogiri and we can't do anything for them, what can we do for our survival?"
The ghoul stared deep into Amon's eyes, seeing a new shade of light in which Eyepatch was analyzing from him. He could tell that what the ghoul was bound to say would not be easy for neither of them, but Amon wasn't exactly feeling at ease to be trusting a ghoul just as Eyepatch did not trust a CCG member.
"Stay close. We can't drive on the vehicle, and the highway is too open. You'll have to stick to me in case ghouls notice you." Kaneki carefully spoke his words. Of course, Amon did not seem to be satisfied by the answer but the half-ghoul wanted him to understand that sacrifices had to be made. "There are members in Aogiri that are much weaker, while there are those of higher rank." Kaneki slowly began to mumble to himself, trying to gather as much information that he can to conclude a plan for the two of them.
"You have no weapons. However, I do smell a suitcase in the passenger's seat. If you keep the Arata armor close to you, it will seem threatening to others." Kaneki motioned his head towards the vehicle, though winced at the motion.
"You haven't healed completely." Amon frowned at his words, knowing it was ridiculous to feel worry for the ghoul. However, it was a reflexive reaction that he had whenever he saw anyone injured that may be somehow acquaintance to him.
"I'll live." Was the short response from Kaneki as he slowly stood up straight, trying his best to not focus on the Rc suppressants. The wounds had closed, though an itching feeling was still eating at his organs. "We have to leave, I doubt they haven't noticed us."
Crunch…crunch…crunch
The rhythmic steps echoed through the empty streets as the two walked through tall buildings and bridges. It had been quite some time since they had gotten off the highway, making their journey a little easier from prying eyes.
Kaneki was well aware of the many ghouls that hid behind empty trashed stores and restaurants. If it weren't for the alert that had been made, countless of bodies would have surely been found.
From the corner of his eye, he could tell Amon was quite tensed. And despite not bringing it up, he knew that the investigator was noticing the strength Kaneki was regaining. The Rc suppressants were fading quicker, the movements making it easier to cope with and being able to keep up with Amon's long strides.
There were times when occasional ghouls would stumble out and grin toothily at the dove but would quickly retreat whenever they recognized Kaneki. He wasn't sure how far this nickname 'Eyepatch' had gone, but it had made an impact on the ghoul world.
After a while of walking, they both began to notice shadows moving around the corner of the buildings. They did not tell one another of the occasional figures, though they were sure they both knew what it meant. Aogiri had assigned these ghouls, though they weren't sure for the reason of being persistent.
"Are the Rc suppressants…?" Amon whispered towards the ghoul.
Wordlessly, Kaneki activated his kakugan as he looked at Amon. That was the only signal he needed to know that Eyepatch was ready for battle, though the tiny limp was still quite visible. To say the least, the investigator had been slightly wary of the eye though he hoped the ghoul would not attack anyone else aside from the two visitors.
In sync, the two quickly rolled to opposite sides as needle-shaped like spears pierced the ground roughly, making rubble and cement sprinkle on the glass of opposite buildings. The glass shattered in the process, making other hidden ghouls scurry away at the violent scene.
Despite the intrusion, Kaneki had kept his eyes fixed on Amon. He was sure that the investigator would need help if he were to have to force himself to use the Arata armor. Which, might he say, he could not activate yet unless he wanted his blood to be extracted painfully slowly.
"Well, well, well…it seems we have two little rats that haven't been captured yet." The ghoul with a sinister mask spoke roughly. He wore a red cloak that flapped roughly with the wind. "While one can be food, he can be useful to us." He continued speaking arrogantly as he looked at Kaneki. "But my, you have been a pain in the ass as of late, Eyepatch."
Kaneki narrowed his eyes dangerously at the aogiri member. He knew the trademark of that cloak, and was quite sure that he had come here in behalf of orders. His gaze was ripped away from the ghoul as he heard a pained screech and a thumping sound.
He had forgotten about the other aogiri member whom had kept in the shadows. He glared at the second cloaked figure that held Amon in a choke hold, causing the investigator to drop the suitcase in order to protect his neck with his arm.
"Whaddaya know, this investigator ain't all hot shit!" The second member laughed loudly as he held the jet haired tightly. "Eyepatch~. Are you telling us you joined 'em? I mean, we did have GREAT plans for ya."
Even though the situation had seemed nearly hopeless upon having a hostage, Amon acted on instinct and took hold of the ghoul's arms. With enough force he pulled the ghoul upwards and slammed him against the building's window. He, of course, did not only shattered the glass but slammed the ghoul against the other side of the floor to buy himself time to retreat from the close contact with the other.
As the investigator quickly took the suitcase into his hand and ran to the side Eyepatch to be able to make up a plan, he was startled by the sudden speed the other ghoul had. He noticed his right arm had a kagune that rolled itself into its arm like a rope.
"A Koukaku—!" Amon was cut short as he was thrown at a high speed away from where he had once stood. He rolled in the pavement and shattered glass from earlier until he came to a deafening halt. He coughed as he slowly stood up; taking out any small shards his skin had been impaled with. "Dammit." He murmured to himself, knowing well that he could not activate the Arata without risking his own safety.
That had been the only distraction Kaneki had needed as he quickly ran at the ghoul, his kagune easily slid out with menace as it stretched out like a carnivorous plant. He quickly pounced at the ghoul, twisting his tentacle-like weapons to pierce his abdomen several times. This did brought certain memories, such as Nishiki.
His eyes, however, had never once left Amon's form. Kaneki knew Amon did not seem like the type that liked to be protected, though there was no choice when the half-ghoul knew all too well what being powerless was like. Kaneki quickly took hold of the ghoul's shoulders and slammed him face first into the pavement. He repeated the motion several times until the mask cracked and shattered. The ghoul's face eventually was too deformed to recognize it.
The second sound of feet coming behind him easily made it possible for his kagune to pierce through the ghoul and lift him up. He glared behind him at the ghoul that stood elevated from the ground, choking on his own blood as he stared at Kaneki. A sinister grin took over the ghoul's mouth, making Kaneki become very suspicious their hidden agenda.
He dropped the body to the floor, noticing Amon hurridly racing towards him. He stood up as his kagune retrieved back into his back.
The investigator seemed to have a concern look, though Kaneki ignored it prior to remembering their survival had to be absolute. He stared at the bodies for a while longer; a thoughtful expression was evident on his face.
"Sorry, I wasn't—."
"You're injured." The half-ghoul interrupted Amon as he examined the wounds the other had inflicted. He knew his kakugan was still active, though he wished to demonstrate not all ghouls were as bad as Amon may think—or anyone, for that matter. To his relief, the investigator had minor wounds. If he were to have a leg broken or anything necessary to run, it would be much more difficult to keep him on his feet.
The investigator took a while to reply, his eyes clearly focusing on the kakugan. He did not seem tensed, however, he looked as though he wasn't feeling any threat from him. Which, in truth, was the reality of Kaneki's intentions. The fact that he was collaborating with a ghoul was an unbelievable statement he may never tell his co-workers at the CCG.
"You are too. If you have to do all the work, I doubt we'll both be out of here."
Eyepatch stared at Amon once more, a habit that the investigator had taken into account. He had not seen the other take this much interest on someone, though he wondered if the curiosity was mutual.
"It's fine." Kaneki answered rather stubbornly, though he was merely being truthful.
"The fact that you didn't abandon me behind—"
"You would have done the same." Kaneki cut him off, though his words had surprised Amon. For the ghoul was right, he would have done so.
"A...comrade's compassion. Right? Do ghouls even have compassion?" Amon thought to himself. He had seen Eyepatch act with sympathy, though he wasn't sure of it now. Not any of this made sense, though he did feel he was seeing a different side to this ghoul.
Though unknown to them, Aogiri tree had actually been testing the two of them. Somehow, it had become quite known of their strange interaction ever since they first encountered one another. But it wasn't just about the interaction, rather, what a ghoul and human may accomplish was troubling to them.
To be continued.
Thank you very much for reading!
I hope this chapter did not seemed rush. I almost didn't finish it, but I wanted to update it today for all you lovelies to read.
Once more, thanks for the support!