Kanae too…

Kaneki rested his head in his hands. Tsukiyama paced through the kitchen, wringing his hands. "Matsumae can't find him, or anyone who's seen him."

"Shit," Touka said, slamming a pile of dough down. Her eyes filled.

Hinami was in the dungeons, and they refused to let Kaneki see her. If he pressed again, they would get suspicious. Ayato's vanished like Amon and Seidou. Kanae… the witch? Thieves? Kaneki rubbed his temples. I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do, and yet they look at me like I'm some kind of leader—

"My father's arriving today," Tsukiyama said, dropping onto a stool. They all occupied one of the back corners of the kitchen. Flour coated the tables, and Tsukiyama didn't seem to care that it smeared all over his overcoat. "And I can't—I don't know what to tell him. Kanae is my friend."

Chie frowned.

"Is there something we should know?" interrupted Irimi.

Touka blinked.

"Are you planning on breaking Hinami out?" asked Koma. "Because—"

The idea hadn't even occurred to Kaneki. It wasn't without appeal.

"We think Furuta is collaborating with the witch," said Touka.

Irimi's jaw dropped. Koma rubbed the pan he was drying, shaking his head. "Do you have proof?" Irimi questioned.

"That was what we wanted to get," Touka whispered.

"I was going to talk to the witch," Tsukiyama insisted. "Touka and Kaneki already did—but Kanae insisted on going in my stead—it's my fault!" He leapt to his feet. "I have to save him!"

"Kaneki and Touka?" Irimi's eyes focused on them. "It's true; Hirako told me that Furuta isn't exactly endearing himself to the nobles-"

"You've seen him again, eh?" asked Koma, arm descending to land on Irimi's shoulder. She rolled her eyes.

"Kaneki and Touka." Yoshimura stepped out of the backroom, face grave, a sack of rice in his arms. "What are they saying? You went to Aogiri to meet with a wanted-"

Touka crossed her arms. She glanced at Kaneki. His pulse hammered in his throat. "We met her. She let us go."

"You're honestly foolish," Yoshimura informed them.

"It was before Hinami—"

"That doesn't matter!" Yoshimura's voice rose. "You cannot—that was—Touka!"

"That's why I was going to go, and why Kanae went," Tsukiyama interrupted. "If we can bring down Furuta, Hinami will be free—"

"No, she won't be," Yoshimura barked. He set the rice down with a crash. "Think about it for a moment, Touka, Kaneki, Shuu. Hinami helped someone who participated in the assassination of—"

"So what, we should just leave her there?" Touka demanded. She jumped back. Kaneki's stomach churned. He felt like he was going to vomit. He clutched the wooden table. A splinter jabbed into his finger.

"That's not what I—"

"You can talk a talk about what we should have done," Tsukiyama said. "But what is done is done. Kanae is my friend, and I—"

"Your friend whom you sent to talk to a witch known to drain the life out of their victims?" Yoshimura cut in. Tsukiyama flinched. His face drained. Chie lowered her head.

"You'd have us just sit here, wouldn't you?" Touka shot back. "Wait and tolerate everything they do to us?"

"You're starting to sound like that witch and her rebels," Yoshimura said, face red, strained. His lips trembled.

He's scared for us, Kaneki realized.

I'm scared for us.

I don't know what to do.

Irimi pressed her lips together. Koma hung his head.

"Excuse me?" Touka cried out. "That's my brother! My—I—" She turned and slammed her fist into the wall.

Kaneki lunged, grabbing her in his arms. She struggled. He held her. Don't hurt yourself. She kicked him in the shins and he gasped. You missed him. And you just got him back, and you miss him again. It's okay.

She broke free and cursed.

"You need to be smart about it," Yoshimura said in anguish. "Touka—Kaneki—you have a privilege she doesn't have, but you also need to tread carefull—you—"

The door swung open, and Yomo entered. He froze. "Is something happening?"

"No," snapped Touka, and then she pushed past him and stormed out. Kaneki felt helpless. He cracked a knuckle.

"How is Uta, Yomo?" questioned Irimi.

"Feeling better," said Yomo. "Though he won't mention who attacked him."

"He doesn't remember?" Irimi questioned.

"That's what he says." Yomo set a sack of meat down.

Kaneki pushed past him and headed out into the narrow corridor. He knocked on Touka's door. She didn't answer. Kaneki gritted his teeth and cursed himself. He pushed it open.

Touka lay on her bed, curled in a fetal position, clutching a chain around her neck. "What are you doing here?"

Kaneki shrugged. "I wanted to make sure you were all right."

Touka pushed herself into a sitting position. "I can't let Hinami just be executed like that." At the very least Furuta had stated that there would be a trial. Not that Kaneki was expecting much of one. With Ui's sworn testimony, with so many eyewitnesses, there was no hope for Hinami unless she ratted them all out, which she wouldn't do.

I could take the blame.

But no, Hinami would have to strike a deal for that, and he couldn't see her to tell her that, that it would be okay, that his life meant nothing if his loved ones had to suffer so. He wished he could speak to Hide about this, but letters were not safe, and Hide hadn't written to him since leaving the city anyways. Kaneki's heart ached. Hide, I miss you.

"I won't," Kaneki managed. He'd get to her. He'd speak to her. It was probably too late to save Kanae. But Hinami—he had to.

There were interrogations scheduled. For Hinami. All he needed to do was find out who would be conducting them, and talk to them. Blame me, Hinami. I'll lose my head.

As long as she would okay, Touka would be okay. If he didn't get to talk to Hide one last time, he'd give Touka a letter to give Hide, and a letter for her own.

Because you make me feel wanted.

He took Touka's hand, and squeezed.

"Where is Kaneki?" Mutsuki emerged from his chamber, rubbing his head. Circles hung hunger his eyes. Since the maskmaker was attacked, Mutsuki's seemed scared, jumping at little things. Urie wanted to reassure him, but he didn't know how.

I won't let anyone hurt you, Mutsuki. I'll catch whoever it was.

"Who knows," Urie said, pouring a cup of tea. He wished he could buy Mutsuki some chocolate or something. He looked as if he'd lost weight. Well, they'd all been on edge since the raid. He offered the tea to Mutsuki. He took it, staring vacantly towards the door. "Not like he's ever around," Urie added, gripping the handle on his cup.

"I miss him," Mutsuki admitted. "He was kind to us when we first—"

"He barely spoke to us."

Mutsuki said nothing. He stirred some sugar into his tea. Right, Mutsuki liked sweet things, of course he'd like sugar in his tea. Urie didn't. Shirazu once spiked Urie's tea with sugar and Urie spat it out.

I miss him.

Saiko cried about Shirazu a lot. Urie couldn't bring himself to visit him, though Mutsuki had gone once. "If Shirazu wakes up, I wonder if Kaneki'd even care."

Mutsuki's shoulders stiffened. "He would. I believe that." He sipped his tea.

A knot formed in Urie's stomach. I don't know what to do. It's all on me. All on me now.

"Urie?" ventured Mutsuki. "Do you think-Shirazu's in danger? From whoever cursed him? And they might-" He didn't finish.

The tea scalded the roof of Urie's mouth. "I won't let that happen. I promise you, Mutsuki. Shirazu will wake up. I promise."

Mutsuki's eyes filled. He blinked them back and nodded.

"And if you're worried about what happened to Uta and that commoner," Urie added. "We'll find that monster and put them in the dungeons. If they're involved in treason we'll take off their head. I promise. They won't hurt you."

Mutsuki ducked his head. He nodded.

"Are you feeling okay?" Urie managed. Dammit, why don't I know what to say?

Mutsuki shrugged. "I'm glad you're wearing your pendant." A smile emerged. Urie pinched the pendant, cheeks burning.

What if the witch had targeted Mutsuki next? Urie had heard rumors that they could do that if they were close by. Fury surged in Urie. Mutsuki was good. Compassionate. Like no one he'd ever met.

Once Urie remembered throwing a fit and screaming, hoping his father wouldn't leave again. His father merely ignored him, and Urie eventually learned crying wouldn't bring him back. Because his father had a job to do and honor to uphold. Mutsuki held him. When he risked Mutsuki's life. You're brave.

"I want to be stronger," Mutsuki said, staring out the window.

"Then I'll help you," Urie said. "We can fence. Later. I have to interrogate that bitch Ui arrested."

Mutsuki tossed him another smile. "Thanks, Urie."

He nodded. "I'm essentially the leader now that Kaneki's off—galavanting with that kitchen girl."

Mutsuki twisted his shirt. "You are."

"Don't worry," Urie said, hand on Mutsuki's shoulder. Mutsuki looked up at him, surprised. His face-his cute nose, his round eyes, those lips-was inches away. "You've got talent. Potential. Even Suzuya believes that." Urie pushed himself away from Mutsuki. He curled his hands. I just touched his shoulder.

He mumbled an excuse and hurried out, heading down towards the dungeons. The air grew damp and dank. Mildew covered the walls and the sound of water dripping would drive Urie insane if he had to stay in here. Only a few torches lit the narrow corridors. The stone ceiling was low. Urie ducked as he stepped further. His boot landed in a small puddle and he cursed.

Tokage nodded at him, keys jangling as he grabbed a torch from the wall and lead him under a stone archway. A moan filled the air, coming from some prisoner behind Urie. He shivered.

Tokage unlocked the metal barred door to one small cell. The ceiling arched, and it was barely wide enough for Hinami to lie down. She wore a simple shift and no shoes, her hair mussed and dirt smearing her tear-stained cheeks.

"You're Kaneki's squire," she said the moment she saw Urie, who crouched low.

"I am," he replied. "And I'm here to interrogate you."

Hinami shook her head. "I don't know—I just didn't want the boy to get hurt—he was nice to me—"

"He was an invader."

"I didn't know that." She dropped her gaze. Liar. "Please, can I see—Kaneki? If I could just talk to him."

"He wants nothing to do with a traitor like you," Urie cut in. "Your parents. Tell the truth now. It might be the only way to save your head. The trial's in a fortnight; if you talk you might be able to-"

"They were not witches!" Hinami's cry echoed. Wit-ches, wit-ches, wit-ches.

Urie frowned. "You understand why I find that hard to—"

"No," Hinami interrupted, wrapping her arms around her legs. "I don't. You're always suspicious; maybe that's why people don't like you nobles. I don't care how you treat us though—all I wanted—all my parents wanted—was to live, and you—" A sob tore from her throat.

"I'm not feeling sorry for you," Urie said coldly. Shirazu. You helped him suffer.

Hinami leaned against the stone wall, crying. Her shoulders shook.

"There has to be someone in the palace," Urie said. "Someone high up. Who's working with the witch. We know you couldn't have done it on your own, Hinami." She probably could have. But it made more sense for—

She sniffled. "The other kitchen workers—Kaneki—they had nothing, they knew nothing—"

"I didn't think they did," Urie cut in. "Kaneki's many things, but he's no traitor." But she mentioned him…

"That girl," said Hinami. "I saw her. In the garden. She had a mirror she was using to view Arima."

To drain his life! A magic mirror—could you do that through a mirror? Urie didn't see why not. "Who?"

"She had pink hair," said Hinami.

"If she had anything to do with what happened to Arima, I hope she suffers," Hairu declared.

Ui swallowed. The venom in Hairu's voice—it reflected his own fury. At Fueguchi, at the situation, at himself because a part of him wanted to wake Arima up just so Hairu would see how much he cared about her. "She will," he affirmed.

Hairu paused by a bush of soft pink flowers. She plucked one and tucked it behind her ear, winking at him. "How does it look?"

"Arima would surely find it beautiful," Ui said stiffly.

"But what do you think, silly?" The sun streamed down on her, casting her in an angelic light. The Sunlit Gardens were beautiful today, green and vibrant, floral fragrances mingling in the air.

"I think you look lovely," Ui said.

"Good." Hairu grabbed another flower and approached, slipping it behind his ear. She dissolved into giggles.

Ui crossed his arms and scowled.

"You look lovely," Hairu cooed. "Ui Koori, the fair maiden—"

"Hey!" He grabbed her arm. She squirmed away from him, chortling. A flock of birds flew overhead.

Hairu ran through the garden, smirking over her shoulder. Ui rolled his eyes and gave chase. "You're acting like such a child!" he yelled. Well, fine. He stopped running, crossing his arms again.

A pebble struck his temple. Ui yelped. "That hurts!"

Hairu's face popped up from behind a thick hedge. "Then play with me, idiot!"

"We're not children!"

Hairu stood. She swept her arms out and twirled around, her teal skirts swirling around her in a cloud. "I used to play here as a kid. I loved it. I met Arima here."

"Careful or you'll get dizzy!"

She stumbled, and Ui lunged to catch her. She grinned up at him. A somber look faded onto her face. "Arima smiled at me over by those bushes," Hairu said, pointing. "No one else ever did."

Huh? Ui frowned. He knew her parents died young, but—

Hairu spotted a tulip and broke away from him to pluck it. She pulled off the petals one at a time, dropping them in the fountain. "I'm too scared to walk here at night anymore. After what happened to Rize."

Ui nodded. "That's smart."

"I wasn't very nice to her," said Hairu. "I should have been. Neither of us had parents, you know." The yellow petals fluttered down, floating atop the water.

"I heard rumors she was illegitimate," Ui said.

Hairu knelt, picking up a pebble and skipping it across the surface. "So am I."

Ui's eyes bugged. He had-shit. "I didn't mean—there's nothing wrong with that. It's a stupid stigma—you can't help how you were born."

Hairu peered up at him, her green eyes soft. "Thanks, Koori." She got to her feet and frowned, shading her eyes. "What's that?"

"What's what?" Ui asked, peering down into the fountain. Hairu pointed, but all he could see was a stone basin, huge and with—

Hands landed against his back. Ui flailed. The water flew towards him, splashing his face. The stone bottom ground into his chin. He gasped, pushing himself up in the middle of the fountain.

Hairu's mouth hung open. "I didn't actually mean for you to fall!"

Ui spat out a mountain of bitter water. He blinked up at her, sodden strands of hair covering his face. He held out his hand.

She gingerly reached over to help him up. Ui yanked before his better judgement could overrule him. Hairu shrieked, toppling into the fountain. And then she crowed with laughter, splashing his face. He yelped, scrambling to escape the fountain.

I wish we could laugh like this all the time.

Ui escorted her back to the Kuroiwas' chambers, both of them dripping water across the stone steps. Ui kept his head down, hoping no one spotted him looking like this. Hairu wrung her hair out, still chortling. She plucked the soaked flower from behind his ear. His face heated even as his teeth chattered.

"There you are!"

Ui looked up, heart pounding. Hirako rushed towards him. Takeomi and his betrothed, Yoriko, stood nearby, both of them pale.

"What's happening?" Ui demanded.

"They're searching our place," whispered Takeomi. "Hairu—I don't understand why—it's like they think they'll find something—like they think we're traitors or—" Yoriko clutched his arm.

Ui glanced at Hirako. He nodded. "Stay here," Ui ordered Hairu. Hirako's eyes darted back and forth from a sodden Hairu to a sodden Ui, but of course, his lips didn't so much as curl.

Ui pushed his way into the Kuroiwas' quarters. Urie Kuki glanced at him, Mutsuki Tooru beside him.

"What's the meaning of this?" Ui asked. "You—"

"Fueguchi told us your lady was seen with a magic mirror," Urie informed him.

"She's not my lady!" Ui shot back. "And that's complete bullshit, and an insult! To Hairu, to the Kuroiwas, to—"

"I found this, Urie," interrupted a boy with dark hair hanging over his eyes. Aura Kiyoko's nephew. Shinsanpei. He held up a handheld mirror, silver, engraved with flowers.

"So what?" Ui barked. "Lots of people have mirrors!"

"It's true," Hsiao cut in. Ui glanced at her, grateful. "Hairu is—as I've been saying, I know her, Urie. She's no witch. She's magical, but only in her kindness."

"I believe Hsiao," declared Saiko.

"Well, there's one way to find out," said Higemaru, snorting as if this was some kind of laughable matter. "Show us Arima, mirror!"

Urie held the mirror aloft. It glinted, sunlight flowing through the window and bathing the room and its ornate, velvet-covered furniture with golden light.

Nothing happened. The only reflection Ui saw in it was his own, and Saiko and Hsiao's.

"See?" Ui snapped. "Now give Hairu her mirror back and apologize to—"

Mutsuki shrieked. Ui jumped. The mirror began to glow. A face appeared in it, wavering. Arima's face, cheeks sunken, skin gray from the enchanted sleep.

"I'm sure there's an explanation!" Hsiao cried out. She glanced at Saiko, her eyes narrowed.

"Me too!" Saiko insisted, but weakly.

"Mutsuki, Aura," commanded Urie. They turned on his command, heading out the door.

"What are you doing?" Ui yelled. He raced towards the door after Mutsuki and Aura. He froze. They grabbed Hairu.

"What's happening?" Hairu cried out.

"Someone must have planted it!" Ui bellowed. "You can't—"

"Is this about the mirror?" Hairu yelled. Aura held her arms. Mutsuki put a sword to her throat. "Someone gave it to me! I used it to watch Arima—I didn't do anything wrong! Koori!" She turned to him, tears streaming down her face. "You have to believe me! I didn't—a vendor gave it to me years ago—I was twelve or thirteen—"

Ui lunged. Hirako grabbed him, holding him back. Ui struggled. "Let her go! She didn't do anything! She said—"

"Magical items are still illegal," another voice said. Ui turned to see Suzuya there, a deep scowl on his face.

Suzuya. Of all people, he should understand. Ui stiffened. Hirako released him."I want Arima to wake up just as much as you want Shinohara to," Ui told him. "But she's-arresting Hairu is—not going to—surely you understand wanting to see—"

"I can't care, not if I want Shinohara to wake up." Suzuya's brow creased. He sucked in his breath, squeezing his fists. "Take her to the cells."

"You know me, Juuzou!" Hairu cried out. "I gave you sweets! I—"

He clamped his hands over his ears like a child terrified of being yelled at, turning on his heel. He ran. Hanbee cussed and ran after him. Mutsuki swallowed. Aura's eyes darted around. The prick just wanted revenge for what happened to Kiyoko—he didn't care if an innocent got hurt. Some justice he was representing. Ui could spit at him.

"I didn't use it for anything wrong—I know it looks bad, but I swear it! Koori—please—" Her eyes find his, streaming jade, desperate.

"Let her go!" Ui yelled. Yoriko cried into Takeomi's shoulder. "I believe you, Hairu, I believe you!"

"Weren't you part of passing these laws years ago?" demanded Urie. "Take her away."

Panic dug its nails into him, cold and bitter. Ui gagged. Of course he was but it was only to protect the kingdom from—stop!

So what if she was a fool for keeping that? She's brainless but harmless an—no, she's good, she's got a good heart, and she's talented and smart and too good, too big-hearted for her own good. "I'll talk to the king!" eked out Ui. "I promise, Hairu." I won't let you stay there for long. "Trust me—you won't have to suffer." He met her eyes. "Promise."

"This isn't right!" Hairu eked out.

"I'll fix it," he insisted.

Hairu dropped her head, shoulders shaking. Mutsuki and Aura led her away, and she walked with them. A sob cracked through the air.

U's chest felt numb. Because he saw in her eyes. She didn't believe him. She didn't think he would come through.

I'm not going to lose you, Hairu. I promise.

Hi readers!

I'm just letting you know that unfortunately this fic will be going on a (brief) hiatus because I will be traveling to India over the next twelve days! I'm already almost finished writing it so no worries about it being abandoned unless, like, I get hit by a bus, but I won't reliably have internet access to post it. The next update will be on Wednesday, March 7.