Chapter 7

As they sped towards Anteiku, questions filled Fey's mind. Why did she help Kaneki in that 'accident'? Why was Hide friends with Kaneki? Why did he need help at that time if he was that strong? Why did Touka take Kaneki with her?
Fey just blindly ran, not thinking about where to go. They passed alleyways, streets, and even parks. Alex stopped Fey, "Fey do you even know where you're going?" She asked, panting heavily.
They stopped at a park, the smell of nature was alluring. The sun was still up, but it was past mid day. People looked at the two a while then continued on their way.
"Some of these places we ran through, we have never even been there." Alex stated.
Fey just stared at Alex with a blank expression, not listening to what she is saying. much confusion is happening to her.
"Fey! Are you even listening to me? Hellooo?" Alex waved her hand in front of Fey's face.
"Huh...?" Was all Fey said, she looked around her. After a few minutes she noticed where she was.
"Wait, where are we?"
"We're in a park, genius. I was thinking you could answer the same question." Alex sarcastically said.
"Sorry Alex... All these questions are filling up in my head, I can't think."
"Fey, this isn't like you. You're usually calm and collected. What happened?" Alex looked at Fey with concern.
"I don't know, I just spaced out and ran blindly. I'm okay now. Don't worry." She assured Alex, "now come on!"
After a few moments they continued on their way. This time they jogged, not wanting to wear themselves out. Fey thought of what they were going to do when they get there. Touka obviously told everyone else of me knowing about her.
'Great, everyone I know seems to become our enemies...' Fey thought, frustrated.
'I had a good friendship with them at Anteiku too... Aside from Touka. Alex has been friends with Hide for the whole time we've been here too..'
They decided to fast walk, since by now they can't run anymore. The two talked about what they would to when they arrived. Maybe they would exchange Hide for the keeping of the information about Anteiku a secret. No, they would never be trusted with that information, especially since they worked for the CCG. Force their way in and take Hide? No, they were greatly outnumbered. Sneak in? Nope, ghouls have a keen sense of smell and hearing. The two can never pull it off. Every plan they make seems to get refuted almost immediately.

The sun was about to set, it was off the horizon. Fey felt this hostile presence around her. She became attentive, becoming aware of her surroundings. Even through the honking of horns and the conversations of crowds. Alex just looked down, sad that there was was no way to help her friend by themselves. They did not want to alert the CCG, truth is. Fey had known, but did not report them because she knows they are good people. But she also felt like a hypocrite and a failure. Developing feelings for ghouls. Alex felt the same. So, instead of making their way to Anteiku, they went towards the CCG building. They walked for a while and they came off the streets, and into the alleyways. The alleyways provided a lot shortcuts, if the person knows which brick wall is which. When they entered Fey told Alex, "don't let your guard down, anything can happen."

As they walked Alex and Fey can feel an unsettling aura around them. It continued on like that until they made a sharp turn and could see the lights of the streets. They fast walked towards the street. Quarter way there someone jumped in front of them, Fey unstrapped her briefcase which turned into her sword, while Alex pulled out her gun. They aimed at the sudden figure as it slowly rose. Its red eyes looking directly at the two. A ghoul. After a brief moment, the ghoul formed its kagune, an ukaku, and shot its spiked crystals at the two. They both then backed off and turned at thr corner, wanting to get away from the crystals.
"Alex, stay here and cover me, you have no defense against those crystals." Fey whispered, Alex nodded.
Fey gave a thumbs up and slowly peeked at the ghoul. It was walking towards them. Fey turned and ran towards the ghoul, getting ready to swing her sword. The ghoul took on a defensive stance and readied itself. As Fey neared she began to see the ghoul's features. Blue hair, thin frame, cold glare. "Touka..?" Fey whispered. Fey slowed her pace until she came to a stop. She stared, wide eyed. "If you're here, then you're not alone-" Fey muttered. Then a sudden realization hit her. Touka lashed at Fey, but but she blocked the attack and ran towards Alex. When she turned the corner she could not see Alex anywhere.
"Shit! Alex! Where are you?!" Fey yelled, hoping her friend would answer. Nothing.
Fey angrily turned around and when she did, a tall figure behind Touka could be seen. Fey guessed the figure was a ghoul, she could make bits of it. It was male, that's for sure, white hair, a bit of a stubble, he wore a long dark grey overcoat. In his grasp was Alex, hand over her mouth.
Fey's eyes widened in shock, she immediately readied her sword.
"Give her back!-" Fey got cut abruptly from a blow to her head. Loosing consciousness she fell to the ground. She fought the pain in her head, she could feel like she was being picked up and ended up hanging on the shoulder of her attacker. 'So this is how it ends...?' Fey thought before blacking out.


"Fey, honey, can you please go to your room?" A female voice said. "Okay mom." I said, getting up. I patted my shorts and picked up my toys and went up to my room. I entered my room and turned on the lights. Mommy only tells me to go up to my room if something important happens. I sat on my bed, wondering what is happening.
After a few minutes I heard footsteps coming up the stairs. When the door opened I turned to look at who entered. It was my dad, his black hair falling into his face. He brushed it off and came to me with mommy waiting at the door, she was holding a knife...?
"Fey, you know about the bad guys right?" Daddy said, I turned to face him and nodded.
"The bad guys are chasing daddy, so we will have to move again."
"Aww," I moaned, this always happens, "why can't you make the bad guys go away dad? Mommy always tells me how strong you are."
"Yes, she is right. But I cannot risk you two being found out, so please. Pack anything you need into your bag. I'll be back to get you in 5 minutes."
He then turned to leave, I sighed at took what I needed. This is the second time this is happening. After a while passed I heard crashes downstairs. I got scared and stopped packing and backed away from my door. I heard shouts and screams as well. The lights suddenly turned off. After silence, I heard footsteps coming up. I was sitting against a wall, darkness swallowed my room, with it only being lit by the moonlight from my window. The door swung open, my dad came in and carried me. He was covered in blood...
"Dad? Whats wrong?" I asked, tears in his eyes, "why are you-"
"They are here. I need you to be quiet." He whispered to me. He took my bag and grabbed the table clock and threw it downstairs. Footsteps coming closer. He then opened the window and jumped down, landing without a sound. He ran away from the house. I could not see my mom anywhere.
"Dad? Where's mommy?" I asked, worried. He did not answer, instead more tears rolled down his eyes.
"Your mother.. She..." He tried talking, "she's... Dead..."
As soon as I heard that hateful word I started crying. I held my dad's shirt and cried.


I slowly opened my blurred eyes. My head hurt. When I fully opened my eyes I felt my face, was I crying? I scanned my surroundings, for starters I sat up and realized I was sleeping on a bed, unfamiliar walls surrounded me. Faint yellow light lit the room, hinting that the sun was rising. Where am I? What happened..? I tried to recall the events that happened. Right, I got struck on the head. God it hurts... I was fighting... Someone. And... "Alex!" I shouted. Receiving no response. I remember now, I got captured by the ghouls. Why didn't they just kill me right there? I stood from the bed, the room was quite pleasant. The colors or the walls were bright, the furniture made the room have a cool feel to it. I walked towards the door. When I lifted my hand to grab the handle of the door, it started turning itself. There is someone on the other side. I grabbed my-
Wheres my knife?! I searched the room, no weapons were in sight. The door slowly opened and I just stood there stiffly. I came face to face with the manager, Yoshimura.
"Oh, good morning." He smiled.
"Where am I?" I asked.
"Well, you're in Anteiku. Koma brought you in with your friend."
I stared at him, dumbfounded.
"You're... Not going to kill me..?" I slowly asked, confused.
"No, you did quite the influence on some people here, despite that some people here don't trust you with the information you have. So even if you live, you can't leave our sight."
Information? Ah, the fact that Anteiku was ran by ghouls.
"I was quite surprised that you did not tell the CCG immediately after sparring with Touka." He mentioned.
Right, he does not know. Well, it's only right that I tell him.
"Truth is, I knew you were ghouls even before this encounter. And no, I did not alert the CCG because for the time I spent here I came to learn that this place is filled with good people..." I explained.
Yoshimura smiled, I started to feel embarrassed, "look at me, running my mouth over like that." I scratched my head.
"Oh, no its fine. I'm sure the others will be pleased with you. But they still don't fully trust you. Remember that." He said, smile never leaving his face.
Despite them letting me live, I still always have to be on my guard.
A familiar face enters the room. Kaneki.
"Oh, good morning Kaneki." I smiled and waved.
He seemed relived. Why is he wearing an eyepatch?
"They let you live.. Thank goodness..." He said, I noticed that he was wearing a waiter outfit, did he start working here? "By the way, Fey. Alex is waiting for you downstairs..."
The moment I heard Alex's name I went downstairs. When I opened the staff door three heads turned to look my way. Alex and Hide, sitting at the counter. And Touka, beside the entrance door. I looked out the window I noticed it was raining.
"Fey!" Alex squealed, running to hug me. She entangled me in her arms with a bear hug, "are you okay?"
"Yeah, Alex.. Do you know about-"
"Yes." She whispered, "Anteiku is ran by ghouls."
She released me and I saw Hide waving to me.
"Hey Fey! How are you?"
"I'm fine Hide. And yourself?" I simply said, relieved that they did not do anything to him.
"Doin' great, by the way, thanks for helping us in the accident."
"The wha-" I got cut off by a small kick from Touka, "oh right, yeah no problem." So that is what they told him what happened. He looked at me, head tilted then Kaneki opened the door and entered the room with us.
Hide then stood up, "Oi Kaneki, I gotta go now alright. Thanks again Touka." He said before leaving some money on the table and leaving.
When they left Touka looked at both of us. "You two. I don't know if the manager told you this, but since you two are going to live then you will have to stay here or anywhere under our eye to ensure Anteiku's safety." She explained, her cold, hard glare never leaving us, "if you try anything, I will make sure you are both dead."
Alex and I shifted uneasily, without our weapons we could not contest Touka.
The bell of the entrance door saved us from her icy glare. Who entered was a woman wearing a yellow jacket with a peculiar design along with white pants and boots. A little girl beside her, who I assumed was her daughter, was wearing similar clothes. They both had brown hair and hazel eyes and were dripping with water from the rain.
"Keneki, towel!" Touka ordered, as soon as she saw the two.
Kaneki left then arrived with a stack of towels.
"Thank you..." The woman said quietly. She took a towel and wiped water off her daughter, then herself.
"Hey there Hinami, long time no see." Touka said gently to the little girl.
"Is Yoshimura here?"
"Yes, in here."
Alex and I just stood there, watching the scene. The two noticed us and looked at us uneasily. Touka led them inside the staff only area. Seeing that I assumed they were ghouls. But I'll ask to make sure.
"Who's that?" Kaneki asked. As if reading my mind.
"Thats Mrs. Fueguchi and Hinami, we'll be looking after them starting today."
"They're ghouls..." Kaneki muttered, I knew it, "why are they here?"
"Its kind of a long story..." Touka said, turning to clean the counter.
"Story? What is it?"
"Kaneki you're getting on my last nerve! You can't even do anything."
Kaneki was taken aback and looked down, "I'm fully aware of that..."
She then looked at us, "Hey, since you're staying here, make yourselves useful." She threw rags at me and I caught it, what did she mean 'staying here' are they actually planning to keep us here?
Touka winced and rubbed her shoulder when she threw a rag to Alex. Alex looked at her pitifully, "sorry about that..." She said softly.
"Whatever." Touka said and continued cleaning.
"By the way, Kaneki." Touka looked at him, "watch out for people in trench coats with box carriers."
"Box carriers?"
"The guys who carry the big attachè cases, like the one Fey always carries."
"Oh, alright." He said then went up to the staff room. After a moment of silence Alex and I started cleaning the tables.
After some time, we finished cleaning. I looked around, Touka no where to be found.
"I'm gonna go up to tell Touka or the manager that we're done." I told Alex.
"Go ahead, I'm just going to stay here with miss Irimi." Alex said, smiling at her. Irimi threw a genuine, but uneasy smile at Alex, but she did not seem to notice. I also need to ask them what Touka meant by 'staying here'. I took the rags and made my way up the stairs. I walked down the hall, stopping in front of a room, hearing talking. I leaned against the wall, curious.
"Try it." I heard Yoshimura say. After a minute or two I heard someone vomit. Disgusting.
"I'm sorry... I can't..." I heard Kaneki stuttering.
"Are you alright?"
"I can't eat it, the bread tastes like a bland sponge, while the cheese is like curd-smelling clay."
Yoshimura laughed, "that is quite the description."
"The trick is to swallow it whole, then act like your chewing and make a few sounds to make it look realistic. With enough practise, you can start eating with your friend again. But remember to vomit it out later, it'll ruin your health." He explained, "also, I have something for you."
"Sugar cubes?" Kaneki questioned.
"Dissolve these into your coffee then drink it. They will satisfy your hunger to some extent."
"Thanks!... Umm... What do they contain?"
"I think it's better if you don't know."
I turned to leave when I saw the face of the little girl peeking out of a door. She seemed to noticed as she quickly closed the door. I heard the two talk again.
"By the way, Kaneki. Can you go get some food delivery? I normally ask Touka, but she is studying for an upcoming test."
Touka goes to school? That's dedication right there...
"I-I can't kill anyone..!" Kaneki raised his voice.
"Don't worry, you won't be doing any of that... Anteiku provides food for our friends that don't wish to harm humans. You understand the necessity of that, don't you?"
"Yes..."
"Anyway, you leave with Yomo tonight."
Yomo? That's a new name...
I then heard them coming towards the door. I went back downstairs and into the cafe. I just placed the rags behind the counter and walked over to Alex. I sat down on the opposite side of the table. I told her about what I overheard.
"So?" She said, "what about? I already knew ghouls can't eat normal food."
"Not that, I mean about this 'food delivery' aren't you curious about it?"
"No, you already know what it is. The thought disgusts me."
"Yeah, I do, but I wanna see where they get it. I'm gonna try to ask them if I can tag along."
"Knock yourself out. But I'm staying here..." She said, then looked down, "Fey... How about Kiro sensei... He'll be worried about us.."
"Yeah, I know. But we don't really have a choice, I'll try to ask anyway."
"Alright"
Kaneki came out of the staff room door. I stood up and went to Kaneki, wanting to ask him some questions.
"Hey Kaneki." I said, smiling.
"Oh, hey. Do you need anything?"
"Yeah, uhh can I ask you-"
"Heeeeeyy, whatcha guys doing?" She cheerfully cut into the conversation.
"Oh hey Alex, want anything?" Kaneki asked politely.
"Nah, I'm fine. I'm just bored."
"Alright, how about you Fey, you said you needed something?"
"Yeah, I wanted to ask you a few questions... Do you have the time for that..?"
"Uhh, sure."
"Great! Lets take a seat."
The three of us took seats at a table,
"First off, why did you feel relived when you knew they let Alex live then me? If they let Alex live, surely they'll let me live."
"Uhmm.." He started scratching his cheek, "thing is... Some people were fine with Alex, but you... Proved to be dangerous to Anteiku... I was really worried they would just kill you."
Hmm, I'm not sure if that's a good thing or bad thing...
"They know they can keep Alex under control, but they thought you might retaliate as soon as you woke up. Especially Touka."
"That seems reasonable... Second, after that battle with the man under the tunnel I saw how strong you are, why did you look so helpless when I helped you..? Was that just a trick?"
"Actually..." He looked down, "I was not born a ghoul... In that day of the incident I got transplanted the organs of the ghoul you fought. Thus me becoming a ghoul. I don't know how that is possible, but here I am..."
He looks so sad... Well, who wouldn't be in his place. That answers two questions at least.
"Lastly... Why don't you tell Hide...?"
He looked at me with sad eyes.
"I don't want him to know what I've become, he's really protective, so he will always be beside me. Don't get me wrong, I would like that, but I do not want to endanger his life. It may not look like it, but when he's serious he seems like a completely different person..."
A long pause entered the conversation.
"Alright, I'm sorry if these questions hurt you. But thanks for answering them anyway."
"They only reminded me what happened, no need to worry-"
I cut him off, "can I also come with you?"
"Wh-what? Where?" He asked, confused.
"I may have overheard you..."
"Why do you want to come anyway..?"
"Uhh, no reason, I just want to explore the 20th ward more." I lied. The real reason is that I want to know where they gather their 'food'.
"You will have to ask Yomo-san. He'll arrive soon."
As he said that, the door opened. The same man I saw behind Touka yesterday entered the room. The long, grey overcoat. The white hair. The height. Definitely the same person. He looked at the three of us then went up to the staff room. Does he work at Anteiku too?
"Who was that?" I asked Kaneki.
He stood up, "that would be Yomo-san."
He's Yomo...? I stood up and followed him. I looked back and saw Alex staring out the window, was she even listening to the conversation..?
Kaneki went up the staff room and I followed him. He opened the third door at the end of the hall. When we went in I saw shelves around the room, each holding red and blue striped glass cups. Two sofas and two armchairs, both pairs opposite to one another neatly arranged around a glass coffee table. On top of the table was two red and blue striped cups, just like the ones on the shelves. The manager sat on the sofa, and Yomo on the opposite sofa.
"Oh hey, sit down." Yoshimura motioned to the armchairs. Kaneki sat down on one. I stayed standing in my place.
"You too, Fey." He smiled.
I slowly made my way to the other armchair. When I sat I looked at Yomo, then looked at Kaneki.
"Yomo, this is Kaneki. And this, Fey. I think you know her from yesterday." He gestured to us.
Yomo looked at us with his never changing expression.
"I asked Kaneki to go with you instead of Touka, I'm sure that's fine with you..?"
"Why not.." His voice was deep and calm.
"Uhm...c-can I come too..?" I nervously asked, the manager looked at me confused, "I-I just wanted to get familiar with the 20th ward more." I added.
Yoshimura looked at Yomo, then he looked at me with his cold, hard glare. It was worse than Touka's. I stayed there frozen, waiting for an answer uneasily.
"...fine..." He finally said, then stood up, "I'll be coming back tonight. Be ready by then..." He said before leaving.
This will be fun...
"Sir, what Touka said something about Alex and I 'staying here' what does she mean?"
"She mean exactly that. You don't really think we're going to send someone to look after you 24/7, we have an extra room here for both of you, but you'll have to work here as well."
"We can't go back...?"
"Unfortunatly, no."
"We don't have a choice either. Right?"
"It's for the best..."
I nodded my head, I guess it is. I don't mind staying and working here, but Kiro will be really worried. I just hope this won't be permanent.


Yay, that was a long chapter, whew.
Sorry if it seems Cliche to you :P
Anyway, Hope you like it! Please Review 3
By the way, Chapter 1 Has been rewritten, read it if you haven't already.