Disclaimer: I do not own Tokyo Ghoul.

Each time a character thinks the words will be Italic.

Dialogue instructions:

Kaneki: "-speaking-".

Kaneki: "-thoughts-".

Thank you for the reviews! They inspire me so much to continue this!

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I am planning to do a weekly schedule in order to update the story every possible Wednesday. I may start this approximately around the beginning of 2016! Thank you for your generous support!

ALSO, there's a scene which was taken from the Tokyo Ghoul manga in Chapter 107. I do not own any of it! I just added it here.

Enjoy!

WARNING: This is more about friendship! If you want smut, please go somewhere else. ^^; Thank You!

"Since we cannot change reality, let us change the eyes which see reality."

─Nikos Kazantzakis

The sound of rapid footsteps began to echo through the metallic structure, the floor rumbling at every forceful increase of speed that would occur at every given occasion. Tatara gazed over his shoulder to the figure which was keeping up with them, almost as if they were the prey of a predator.

Tatara turned his gaze away from the figure, looking ahead to the closed entrance that was kept for emergency exit. His amber orbs gazed towards Shachi, a signal that meant he needed his brute force in order to blast the door open.

Kanou: "You can't just blast it open! This lab is my property, it may go to ruin!"

Tatara looked towards the doctor whom Shachi was holding with his Bikaku. Honestly, they knew he was valuable for their research and what they wanted to accomplish but at times they wished they could get rid of him.

Shachi: "It's either that or we may throw you to the wolf behind us. He would have a feast by devouring you."

To this, Kanou tensed and gripped the Bikaku's scaly form. He did not mention any other protests, seeing that saving his lab would be meaningless due to the CCG already knowing its whereabouts and whom it belonged to.

Shachi accelerated his sprint and slammed his fists down into the interior of the metallic floor, causing the place to tremble and make a gash extend towards the destined door. Automatically, the hinges came off and all it needed was a push for it to drop. Tatara, upon seeing his chance, raced on forward and kicked the door down.

Five seconds apart, Kaneki stormed out the door and swiftly aimed his centipede-like tentacle to drag itself under the fleeing men's feet. By mere chance, they managed to jump at the last second and come to a halt.

The half-ghoul stood his ground as he stared intently at the two ghouls though he focused on the doctor that was held by one of them—he instantly felt that he may have a chance if he were to defeat Tatara though it would take too much stamina to do so.

Tsukiyama and Banjou slowly peeked from the damaged door, seeing the intense situation in which they were involved in.

Tsukiyama: "Monsieur, might I add that the doves are currently behind our trail? Not to mention, the Shinigami of the CCG is also on his way."

Banjou: "Not only that…someone who Kaneki has been avoiding since that incident is also on his way here. Honestly, the kid might regret sticking his nose where it doesn't belong." He shook his head, his expression filled with resentful emotions. "Kaneki did not deserve any of this."

Tsukiyama: "Neither did us, mon chéri. But we weren't given a choice, and Kaneki-kun wasn't given one either. If anything, we most protect him."

Both ghouls were startled when a tree branch was thrown their way. They managed to dodge, though the entrance was now slightly blocked. Tsukiyama and Banjou took a few steps back, seeing that this would not end well.

Tsukiyama: "Kaneki-kun is also not with us, but rather…his inner self." Banjou regarded Tsukiyama's words with worry, knowing that he had once encountered with the mental state of the half-ghoul—though had never confronted him.

The half-ghoul's lips twisted into a grin yet again, his tentacles swinging and beating the ground with force as if he were skipping from joy. Tatara kept a passive look though began to wonder how he should introduce him to the battlefield. Shachi gave a piercing glare towards Kaneki, though he was a man of his pride and felt this was not a fair fight.

Shachi: "If we were to bring him out, I doubt it would help this ghoul's state of mind."

Tatara: "It's a risk we must take."

Shachi: "And what of the doves? We're risking our lives if we were to stick around for far too long."

Tatara: "Eto would do the same."

To this, Shachi frowned. The girl who was seen wearing bandages all around her body and a hood which kept her hidden. He did not appreciate being used as a ragdoll if he needed to do anything for that mysterious child.

Shachi: "Hold onto Kanou, I'll take care of this." He spoke in a gruff voice as he set Kanou down, pushing him with his Bikaku to protect himself behind Tatara. "I fought with the boy once, and I'll do it again if needed."

Tatara: "I will signal when he is directed here. The stubbornness and yapping of not wanting to harm anyone, it's far too akin to Kaneki's former self."

Shachi: "Wouldn't that be considered a bad idea? He may die if he turns as stubborn as ever."

Tatara: "That is why he is the bait and we are to escape. It won't take long, for he will bring Kaneki back from the mental state he is in."

The ghoul took in this information and nodded his head, confirming the plan. Shachi took his stand, burying his feet under the dirt as Tatara took ahold of Kanou's frame, swiftly turning away and rushing to the destination secluded from the eye of the doves. In said place, he would find him.

Kaneki's enlarged black sclera commanded its orb to swiftly turn to look at the fleeing ghoul which held Kanou. He let out a sharp cry as he sped towards them, but immediately noticed Shachi's fighting stance. His feet slowly came to a halt, and regarded the muscular ghoul with distaste yet the grin continued to stay in place.

He rushed towards Shachi, his hands clawing on forward as they met with larger hands. Kaneki slammed his forehead against Shachi's, both men pushing at each other to get the upper hand. Kaneki's tentacles aimed forward to pierce Shachi's frame though were blocked by Shachi's Bikaku.

Shachi: "You are bound to meet a greater opponent—a man who may put you in a distraught stage. You may even come to the realization that you should have let him die that night."

The white-haired merely stood his ground and slammed his forehead in a much forceful way. Shachi noticed the other was listening though could not form any words to respond to him. Shachi twisted his Bikaku and grasped dirt as he threw it into the half-ghoul's eyes.

The half-ghoul quickly reacted and was confused for a second, though that was all the time Shachi needed as he wrapped his arm behind Kaneki's neck, lifting his leg upward as he collided Kaneki's head to his knee.

A quiet grunt could be heard as the half-ghoul stumbled back, touching his enlarged black sclera which was now broken into shards. He felt the agonizing pain as blood splutter down his face, feeling agitated as to how much blood he was seeing. He began to wipe at the blood with his arm, though was instead blinding his eyesight.

Shachi took this chance to slam Kaneki into the ground, being able to slam his fist down into Kaneki's injured back. The half-ghoul let out a cry, feeling his bone snapping and twisting to the knuckle which was burying himself far too painfully deep.

His fingers curled onto the ground, trying to scurry away as his tentacles aimlessly stabbed at everything around his frail form. His centipede-like tentacle was the most intelligent of them all, and would often scrape Shachi's arms even though its owner could not see momentarily.

The attack did not last long due to Shachi avoiding a violet Koukaku twisting and piercing its way towards him. The muscular ghoul examined the wide cut that had been inflicted on his arm.

Tsukiyama: "My, my, you didn't think we would join in and help our dear Kaneki-kun, did you?"

His steps slowly made their way elegantly to be in front of his opponent, all the while protecting the half-ghoul who tried to stand without stumbling as much. Banjou knew well that if he were to fight Shachi, he would not last. Cautiously, the worried ghoul made his way to the blinded Kaneki.

Banjou: "He-hey, Kaneki! We're here to help you, can you hear me?" To say that he wasn't afraid was an understatement. He knew the other could hear him, but could not control his body or his actions. Banjou took a few steps, and slowly stretched his arms towards him. "We came here to save you from—"

Kaneki wordlessly took both of Banjou's arms in a tight grasp, managing to get up shakily as his tentacles lowered slightly, identifying the smell which was of the person in front of him. Banjou gulped, trying his best to ignore the pain which Kaneki's nails were inflicting on his flesh.

Banjou: "Tha-that's right, do you remember my smell? It's me, Banjou! Tsukiyama is also here, remember that French purple-head?" His words were countered with a bewildered look from the half-ghoul. However, it did not take long for recognition to cross Kaneki's face.

Kaneki: "…Banjou-san? Banjou-san…Tsukiyama…thankgoodness…you've come to help."

Banjou: "Yes! That's us! We're here! Come on, you still have to—." Kaneki's hand withdrew from Banjou's arm, and without a word pierced into his torso. The half-ghoul stared at the other, his limbs twisting every now and then due to the bones which were broken.

Banjou stood still as he processed what had just occurred, not being able to understand the situation. Blood spurt from his mouth as Kaneki withdrew his arm, mumbling a word that could be identified as 'strike'.

The ghoul fell forward onto the ground, Tsukiyama quickly taking notice of the situation behind him. Despite the distraction, Shachi did not attack his new opponent. Instead, he analyzed what the outcome would be if they were to bring Kaneki back to his senses. The bulky man stood there, and ran a hand over his gushing wound that continued to spill from his arm.

Shachi: "I will see to what will happen—this fight may come to a better conclusion if they are to exhaust the half-ghoul." He nodded absently to himself, as he crouched and tended to his wound.

Tsukiyama had taken notice of Shachi's movements, though felt relief to know that he would not attack him—he did not know why his instincts would tell him this, but he was willing to give his back to the enemy. At least until he could help Banjou and Kaneki.

Tsukiyama: "Kaneki-kun! Return to your senses!" He yelled as he charged forward, worry consuming his mind as he saw Banjou's stilled form.

The half-ghoul felt the ground tremble as Tsukiyama charged at him, though he did not seem to emit danger. Instead, he was merciful and once he felt the ghoul was close enough, he threw a kick his way. It collided perfectly with the ghoul, though he began to feel strange emotions, such as guilt.

Kaneki's vision began to clear out, though the first person who he saw was Banjou in the middle of a pool of blood. His eyes widened as he stared, he felt disbelief as his heart began to hammer loudly against his chest. His breathing hitched, slowly he began to pant even louder as he clutched his head and let out a shrieking scream. He began to swing both ways, his screaming began to increase as he spoke nonsense, blaming himself all the while of what he failed to protect.

Tears began to stream down his face as he looked at his bloodied hands, questioning his own existence. He slowly dropped to his knees, his screaming turned into apologies as he clutched his head even tighter. Tsukiyama slowly stood up, he cringe slightly to the sight before him.

Tsukiyama: "Kaneki-kun…" He whispered, regarding Kaneki with sorrow as to how the half-ghoul had changed over the years. Though the pain was strong, Tsukiyama knew that Banjou would not come to his demise so easily. He recalled the night before how Banjou felt his Kagune may expose itself soon, and if this theory was right, his RC cells may be awaken by the danger he was facing.

—To be continued—

Thank you for reading! Stick around and you'll see a friendship being built! ^^

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