A/N:

This chapter is long overdue, but it's longer so I guess it's okay. There's fluff too, because everyone needs a side of domestic happiness with their heaping serving of angst.

After returning to Hide's apartment, Kaneki called Touka and explained the director's proposition. She was skeptical to say the least, but she agreed to go to the apartment and at least speak with "that asshole you brought with you last time." She flat-out refused to meet with anyone else from the CCG.

When she arrived though, she only had Hinami and Nishiki with her.

"Big brother!" Hinami shouted, and Kaneki braced himself for what he knew was coming.

Hinami practically flew at Kaneki, catching his stomach in her arms and sending both of them crashing to the ground.

"Hey, Hinami," Kaneki choked out, patting her head. "This is becoming somewhat of a habit, now, isn't it?"

Hinami laughed against Kaneki's shirt. "I just missed you! That's all! Touka doesn't like to read the hard books with me, and Nishiki only reads his boring textbooks."

"Where're the others?" Kaneki asked. He picked himself up off the floor, and Hinami securely attached herself to his arm.

"Yomo's taking care of the ghouls who depended on Anteiku for food. Tsukiyama is off doing something too freaky for me to ask about... probably. Irimi and Koma had to put their gangs back in order."

"Oh, I see. Come in, then." Kaneki stepped to the side. "You remember Hide, right?"

"Shitty dye-job? How could I forget?"

Nishiki winced and said quietly, "Hey Kaneki, about what happened after we... uhm... met-"

Hide called from the other room, cutting him off. "Is that Touka I hear? Well, what're you waiting for? Come on in!"

Kaneki led the way into the modest apartment; Hinami was still on his arm while Nishiki and Touka trailed behind him hesitantly. Hide was standing in the living room, whatever action movie they'd been watching still playing on the television, forgotten.

Nishiki looked anywhere but at the human, who was holding his arms out wide while saying, "Welcome to my, er, our humble abode!"

"Enough with the theatrics, Hide," Kaneki said with a chuckle. "You already know Touka. This is Hinami, and... oh." Kaneki's words trailed off as he remembered what had happened between Hide and Nishiki. He'd long since forgiven the other ghoul, but he hadn't talked to Hide about the incident.

Nishiki, feeling awkward, scratched his head sheepishly. "Look, Nagachika, about what happened... I... uhm, how to say it..." The ghoul struggled to find the right words, still avoiding looking at Hide. He rarely ever apologized for anything, much less for trying to eat a human. "I'm sorry. Back then, I was a bit... well, you know. I wouldn't have tried to... eat you... if I knew things would play out like they did. For what it's worth, I really am sorry."

"Nishio, look at me," Hide's tone turned uncharacteristically serious. Kaneki wasn't sure he was breathing. Hinami shifted a bit more behind Kaneki, still unsure of whether or not she could trust the human.

Nishiki hesitantly brought his eyes to meet Hide's own.

"You're not planning on eating me anytime soon, right?" Hide asked.

"No, of course not!"

"Then, as long as you're sorry, it's okay," Hide said with his typical bright smile.

"Are you sure?" Nishiki asked hesitantly, unable to believe the human's reaction.

"Yeah, I'm sure. Besides, if you hadn't attacked us that day, it would've taken me a lot longer to figure out Kaneki was a ghoul. So, in some weird, twisted way, I'm grateful you nearly killed me. But just so we're clear, I am glad you didn't actually do it."

Typical Hide, Kaneki thought. Foolishly optimistic.

Nishiki's shoulders sagged in relief, and Touka laughed quietly. "I've never seen shitty Nishiki so flustered before."

"Well it's not happening again, so savor the moment," Nishiki replied. "At least I'm not a brat like you."

Hide ignored their bickering in favor of introducing himself to Hinami. She was, understandably, scared of meeting a human. She'd yet to have any good experiences involving the other species, aside from Kaneki. Though she didn't count that, since he was technically a ghoul now.

Hide crouched down so he wouldn't come off as intimidating. "Hello there, I'm Hideyoshi Nagachika. But, since you're so cute, I guess you can call me Hide." Hide offered a hand to shake. Despite how he'd toned down his overly cheerful attitude for a calmer approach, Hinami still hid behind Kaneki, arms wrapped around one of his.

"It's alright Hinami; you don't have to be scared of Hide. He's my best friend. He'd never hurt you." Kaneki tried to console her.

Hinami hesitantly shook Hide's hand from behind Kaneki. "I- I'm Hinami."

Hide didn't acknowledge her fear in the slightest, and Kaneki was grateful he wasn't taking any of this personally. "Well Miss Hinami, I hear you like to read. I don't care for reading myself, but Kaneki is the biggest book nerd I've ever met."

"Y-yeah, big brother's p-pretty smart."

"Since he lives with me now, I've got all of his books here. Would you like me to show you?"

Hinami's eyes widened, and she looked up at Kaneki, as if asking if it was okay.

Kaneki smiled down at her. "I bet you know more words than Hide does."

"No way!" Hide protested, playing along. "I'm older, so I've got to know more words!"

Hinami readily rose to the challenge. "Big brother taught me a whole bunch of words! I'll show you who's smarter!"

Hide laughed and gently took her hand, leading her to the bookshelf in the corner. Kaneki watched with a proud smile on his face as Hinami pulled Monochrome of Rainbows from the shelf and began reading the most difficult words in the book. Hide, genuinely surprised at how well she was able to read, didn't have to pretend to know fewer words than she did.

"Now that the human and the kid are otherwise occupied, let's discuss what you called about earlier," Nishiki said in a low voice.

Kaneki nodded, and led the remaining two ghouls into the kitchen. "I asked Amon not to come over until I text him, so we've got some time to talk."

"He actually listens to you?" Touka asked incredulously.

"That's what I've been saying, Touka. I really think he's trying to understand us. More so than the others. We should put forth an effort, too."

She scoffed. "I'm here, aren't I?"

"It's a start," Kaneki said with a sigh. "For the record, it was hell to get them to agree to pardon you guys. You in particular, Touka. You've got somewhat of a reputation."

"I can't believe they agreed to it."

"Remember, it's only a pardon if we agree to take part in the experiment. With that being the case, I doubt they'll drop the charges against everyone else, since they're not here," Nishiki commented.

"I'll ask Amon, but I can't promise anything," Kaneki said. "Anyway, are you willing to give it a shot?"

Both ghouls were silent.

"I've been back and forth with them for a while now," Kaneki continued. "They haven't done anything to me that I didn't agree to. I mean, I'm living with Hide; I'm not even in a cell anymore. No guards or anything."

"They're the CCG, Kaneki." Touka argued. "They've been slaughtering us for so long. I just-"

"Please," Kaneki interrupted. "If it works, we don't have to hide anymore! We can live, Touka!"

"I'll do it," Nishiki spoke up suddenly. "If it means I can go back to Kimi... I'll do it."

"Thank you, Nishiki."

"Yeah, whatever."

"Touka?"

Touka looked over the counter at Hinami, who was now showing Hide yet another book. She hesitated before saying, "Hinami deserves to live her life. She's still young, so she's got time to enjoy it. As long as your Dove doesn't try anything funny... I guess I can trust you on this. Not him- but I can trust you."

Kaneki smiled. "Thank you- both of you. I'll tell him it's alright for him to head over, and we can work out all the specifics. Sound good?"

"Fine."

Amon arrived twenty minutes later, hovering outside the apartment, holding nothing but a single folder. "The director and I typed up detailed copies of the agreement. Since ghouls don't technically have rights, it doesn't need any signatures, but I thought you might appreciate being able to read it over," he said, holding the folder out to Kaneki.

"You can come in, you know. You met them before, and nothing happened. There's nothing to be afraid of, as long as you don't attack them."

"I know, but you have to understand how difficult this is for me. I still can't bring myself to trust your friends completely, though I am trying." Amon stepped into the hallway, closing the door behind him.

"I can assure you, I'm the most dangerous one here, Amon. Nothing's going to happen." Kaneki led the way to where Touka and Nishiki were seated at the kitchen table. Hide, as per Touka's instruction, had brought Hinami to the bedroom so she wouldn't feel so threatened by the Dove. He took his gaming console with him to keep them occupied.

The table only had four seats. Kaneki sat across from Nishiki, to put Touka and Amon the farthest apart. Nishiki was prickly at best, but Touka was more likely to start the attacking if she felt threatened.

"I thought there'd be more of you?" Amon asked.

"They're busy." Touka snapped. Amon didn't say another word.

Kaneki opened the folder and passed the papers around. After reading it over himself, he found it to neatly outline what they'd agreed on before. There weren't any other contingencies sneakily added in.

"Why do we have to move here?" Touka asked.

"Ease," Amon answered. "It's much simpler to have everyone near the same location for the duration of the experiment. We'll know where to find you if something comes up. Kaneki also informed me that you wouldn't like to be separated very far, so neighboring apartments will provide privacy and proximity."

"What's the fake stuff made of?" Nishiki asked.

"I don't know, to be quite honest."

"I've already tried it," Kaneki said. "Tastes just like the real thing. Nothing happened to me either."

Touka seemed hesitant to trust as usual, but she was coming around. "And if this whole thing works out like you say it should..."

"Ghouls will no longer be the target of extermination," Amon confirmed what was written on the paper. "We ask that ghouls sign up for a registry, but it's only for the purpose of being able to acquire the meat we'll offer. Their identities will remain anonymous to everyone but a select few investigators."

"And the ghouls you have in that prison?"

"Those with no prior crimes will be released, with financial compensation."

"What about my friends? The ones that didn't come here."

"I... don't know if I can pardon them. I'll ask, but I can't confirm anything," Amon sighed. He was losing them. He had to reconcile it, somehow. "It will take time. Nothing of this scale can be done easily, but, eventually, ghouls will have the same rights as humans. That's my goal."

"I thought you wanted ghouls' extinction."

"I never wanted all ghouls to die. I wanted to protect humanity. I think this is the way to do that. If there's a way to get ghouls to stop targeting humans, then I'd be doing just that."

Nishiki stood. "I made my decision before you showed up. I'll do it. My girl- she's human. If we can be together, without consequence, then I'll do whatever this is."

"That can be arranged, Mister..." Amon held out a hand and fumbled for a name, before realizing he'd never gotten one.

Nishiki shook Amon's hand with far more strength than necessary for a handshake, and said, "Nishiki Nishio."

Amon winced at the ghoul's unrelenting grip, knowing it was on purpose, but forced a smile anyway. "Thank you. Here's my phone- will you put your number in? I'll let you know when we're ready to start."

Nishiki typed his number in under the name 'N. Nishio- Serpent' before leaving, presumably to be with Kimi.

Kaneki looked at Touka, who'd been unusually quiet.

Please, Touka. Do it for Hinami! He thought.

As if she'd heard his silent plea, she finally stood. "Fine. Me and Hinami will stay in the other apartment. Not with that idiot."

It took Amon a moment to realize she was referring to Nishiki, but he nodded. "Great. Here you go." He shook her hand then handed his cell over.

She put her number in under 'rabbit.' She didn't give her name, unlike Nishiki. The Dove already saw her face, and for her, that was more than enough.

Amon took the awkward silence that ensued as his queue to leave, which he did, after saying goodbye to Kaneki.

"We're done, guys," Kaneki called out. "You can come out now!"

Hide burst through the door almost immediately. "Finally! Help me, Neki! She's a monster!" He shook Kaneki's shoulders erratically. "I don't know what else to do man!"

"Hide, what the hell are you talking about?" Kaneki shoved past Hide to see what had been going on. He looked at the screen, where Mario Kart was displayed, with Princess Peach as the victor. Hinami was innocently laying on the bed, controller in hand. Everything seemed to be in order.

Hide made a show of hiding behind Kaneki as they entered the room, Touka on their heels. "It's not natural, dude. She's too good at this game."

Kaneki snorted, then doubled over in laughter. "Don't tell me... you lost... to a thirteen-year-old girl! At least say you let her win!" Touka walked over and high-fived Hinami.

"Okay, the first time I went easy on her, since it was her first time playing, you know? I was a gentleman! I even showed her all the controls and everything. I let her win that one, but then she unleashed this beast and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't beat her!"

"Hide, while I am glad you two are getting along, there's no way she's that good at this game. She's literally never played before today, and you and I used to play all the time."

"You couldn't beat her if you tried, Neki."

Hinami's eyes lit up at the idea of playing video games with Kaneki. "Big brother! You should play with us, too!"

Kaneki picked up Hide's abandoned controller and sat next to her on the bed. "You're on, Hinami."

Kaneki lost. Pathetically. As did Touka. It was unreal how good Hinami was at Mario Kart. In the end, it had taken the cooperation of Touka, Hide, and Kaneki to finally finish... second, third, and fourth.