*A/N – Hey friends! Look who's decided to rear their head again. That's right, it's me. After reading Volume 8 of the original TG manga, I felt a strong desire to write a one-shot chapter on Touka, and her feelings after Kaneki left Anteiku. It won't be any longer than a normal chapter at the very most, but hopefully it turns out okay. Also, since I plan to release this on Halloween, please excuse me for not adding horror elements. On a similar note, I'm surprised there hasn't been more Tokyo Ghoul inspired horror circulating around the community. You'd think there would be at least some in a show about freaky, superhuman cannibals. But I digress, so I'll just let you get into the section. Enjoy!*

TOUKA

She could not accept it. She could barely understand it. Why would he save her and take the time to care for her if he was just going to leave? He's gotten ever dumber…

Touka Kirishima, a young woman of eighteen, lay alone in her bed. Earlier in the night she had been protected from death by one of her friends. He decided not to come back home with her and the rest of their friends. She used to think of him as a helpless, lost soul. Now he was different, and not completely for the better. His hair had changed, his face had become dark, and his personality especially had been almost totally altered. He almost was not himself at all. Yet at the same time, this new him felt so genuine it made Touka feel his old self may have been an elaborate dream.

Someone knocked on her door. "No," she snapped. "Whoever you are, don't."

"I have coffee," Hinami called from behind the door.

Touka groaned quietly. As much as she loved Hinami, she had not desire to talk to anyone right now. "Bring it in, but I don't feel like talking."

The door clicked and creaked open. Hinami stood timidly in the opening, tiptoeing in and placing the steaming cup of coffee on Touka's desk. She turned around to leave, but hesitated. "He'll come back, won't he?"

Touka flinched. "I… I don't know." There was little more she could say. She did not want to say more.

Hinami sighed. Without another word, she stepped out of the room and shut the door behind her. Touka was left on her own again. She should have said more to Hinami. There'll be time for that later, she reasoned with herself. She'll be fine.

Touka huffed and sat up. There was a bitter taste in her mouth, the taste of emptiness. Her brother nearly killed her tonight, he almost got killed by Kaneki, and just as she had been before Kaneki came into her life, she was without a brother. Nobody to turn to.

She was not an idiot, but she still had hope things might return to normal at some point. She hoped Kaneki was not gone forever. Why am I so fixed on him? He's just a guy. Touka trued to shake the thoughts of the young man from her head, to no avail. She decided to finally sleep when her eyes shut on their own. Maybe her dreams would be better than her reality.

In her dreams, she stood on a bridge over a busy street. The sun had begun to set. Her breath plumed out in front of her in a cloud of steam. And Kaneki stood across from her, eyepatch over his right eye and white hair covering his forehead. She was glad to see him, but angered as well.

Kaneki stood there, unmoving and unblinking. He looked steely, but as if he could break down as well. He sighed. Touka smiled lightly, but quickly wiped the expression from her face. She was bitter about past events, she would not let go of that so easily. She was still happy to see him. She took a step forward. Kaneki stayed where he was. As she continued to move forward, the colours of the scene faded, and everything went dark.

Touka awoke to the first light of dawn. She cracked her eyes open, glancing around the room absently. It was still a bit dark. The sleep in her eyes made everything blurred and blended together. After a few blinks, things began to retake shape. The mug of coffee Hinami had brought in still sat on Touka's desk, untouched. Touka felt cold. She turned her eyes down and noticed she had slept in her clothes from last night. They were caked in dried blood and felt damp to the touch. Damn shame, I loved this outfit.

Touka forced herself to get out of bed and change. The floor was freezing, but she braved the cold as she stripped down and tossed her old clothes aside. Pulling on a baggy tee shirt and a pair of shorts, she placed her bloodied clothes in a hamper and curled back onto her bed. That feels better already. Now the only issue was the hole in her heart.

He'll come back, she reasoned. He has to. But then again, why would he? I was always such a jerk that maybe he just wants to be done with me. But maybe Hinami will be reason enough for him? She sighed deeply, all these ideas filling her head. Just as long as I get to see him one more time. Maybe then I'll do right by him. I just hope my good judgement does right by me too.

Touka would have normally gone downstairs and made herself coffee if she woke up so early, but her head was so full she thought there would be no room for coffee anyway. At least I'm not hungry, I guess…

*A/N – Thank you once again for reading thus far! Chapter 8 is in progress and on the way. Stay tuned for new developments, and some events to move the plot forward!*