Title: The Masks We Wear
Disclaimers: Ok, three seasons in, you all know that I don't own Tokyo Ghoul in any way or any music or other anime mentioned
Warnings: You should know what to expect by now
Notes: This chapter takes place in the first episode of Re. Little Hineki is a year and a half old, but is more mature than normal kids his age due to the ghoul in him and he's very smart. He still has orange hair and gold amber eyes.
Summary: Hikari comes back to the Quinx Squad to find a lot of stuff going down as usual. Akira said things are getting crazy with this blood ghoul, Torso on the loose. Good thing she and her son, Hineki live with the Quinx Squad. Hineki is getting along great with almost the whole team, and they wouldn't let anything happen to him. Haise still doesn't remember who he is. Hopefully, he will before Sasayai Shi makes a return.
Song Choice: Perfect Doesn't Last by Beth Crowley
"Regular Talk"
'Thoughts'
phone calls and texting
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Hikari's POV
I already reprimanded Haise on the Torso situation. Akira says. "And by reprimanded, you mean you punched him in the gut. Seriously, Mado, he's going to get an ulcer from those punches of yours." I reply as I walk to the housing for The Quinx Squad. He's a strong guy, he can handle it. Anyways, how are you and Hineki holding up? I know it can be hard with Hide undercover as long as he is. Akira asks. I sigh. "Yeah, it's been rough, but Haise and the others absolutely love Hineki. Saiko and Haise in particular. I can't tell you how many times I have found Hineki bundled up in his blankets and him saying he was a cute little bagworm" I reply to Mado's laughter.
I can see that. Saiko's like a big sister to little Hineki. It's natural he would imitate her behavior. Mado says and I sigh. "That's what worries me. What if he develops her lazy attitude? That won't be good for him" I say. Perhaps you can talk some sense into Saiko. Anyways, I have to file reports. Akira says and we hang up. I go inside to everyone doing their own thing. Haise is cooking dinner, as per the norm. Shirazu is sitting with Saiko and Hineki watching some kind of anime. "What is this called again? Looks like a kid's show, Saiko" Shirazu says. Hineki pays Shirazu no mind, eyes glued to the tv. Saiko glares at Shirazu. "It is a kid show, Shiarhi...well, It's for adults like me too...but anyways, it's called Ika Musume" Saiko says looking back at the screen. "You see the girl with blue tentacle like hair on the screen?" She asks and Shirazu nods. "That's the main character. Her name is Ika-chan, isn't she cute?" Saiko asks. Shirazu blushes. "not as cute as someone I know" he replies under his breath.
I stiffle a giggle watching them and sit nearby to watch the action unfold. Hineki is bouncing in his seat watching Ika-chan on the screen. Saiko smirks. "Me right? It's got to be me. I'm totally not a bit overweight, yes, but even Ika is not as cute as me" Saiko says looking back at the screen making Shirazu blush more. Not seeing his playmate's predicament, Hineki climbs into Shirazu's lap and yawns. "We both have blue hair too." Saiko says and covers Hineki with a throw blanket. "Well, thanks for stating the obvious, Shiargi. I'm happy you said it. Just further proves how cute I am. But anyways, this is the first episode and I'm rewatching it now for the third time, huhu. Wanna know what it's about?" Saiko asks. Shiargi blushes. "I think I should get Hineki to bed. Little guy's tuckered out." Shiargi says and gently gets up, holding Hineki. Saiko nods and goes back to watching her show.
I go into the kitchen where Haise is. "Hello, Haise." I say and get a bottle of water from the fridge. "Oh, hey, Hikari. How long have you been back?" Haise asks. "Long enough to see Shiargi go put Hineki to bed. He and Saiko are really good with him" I say and Haise nods. "It helps that he's a smart kid. He learns quickly and doesn't cause much trouble." Haise says as I take a drink of water. "He must get it from his father. Hide is very perceptive" I say and Haise stops a moment. "Hide...That would be Hideyoshi Nagachika, Right?" He asks and I perk up a moment. "Yeah. He's deep uncover at the moment. We haven't heard from him for some time, but that's normal for undercover work" I say and Haise nods. Tooru soon comes in and sits down. "Hey Tooru, saw you at medical earlier. Are you doing alright?" I ask concerned.
Tooru nods. "Yeah, just the standard check up. Nothing major" She says. I'm probably the only one besides Hineki that knows that Tooru is actually a girl, and she likes it that way. I nod. "That's good." I say. "How's things going with the PGR?" Tooru asks. "Pretty good. We've had an influx of Ghoul Doves in the past couple months. So, I've been pretty busy getting them settled in" I say and she nods. "Must be tiring having to explain things to every new group that graduates from the academy" Tooru says and I nod. "Yeah, but the ghouls appreciate a one on one explaination rather than a video" I say and she nods. "Usually is like that with humans too. Gives them the chance to ask questions." Tooru says as Shiargi comes in and takes a seat across the table from me. "Hikari, we got a problem" He says and I look at him.
"Well, I'm not sure how big of a problem it will be, but Hineki's getting more teeth in. The incisors on the top and bottom are sharper than normal ones for ghouls or humans." Shiargi says and I nod understanding. "Will have to watch out for gum bleeding then. At least he won't feel too different since you have sharp teeth, Shiargi" I say and he rubs his head. "Yeah, might make him less scared of my smile too" He says and Urie comes in and joins us. "That kid of yours is a menace." Urie says. "You only say that because the kid doesn't let you do anything behind Mr Sas's back." Shiargi says and Urie grumbles making me smile a little. "Well, dinner is ready." Haise says and sets plates in front of us. "Hey Saiko, Dinner!" Shiargi says and we hear her fall off the couch in surprise. I giggle as she comes in rubbing her head.
"You fell asleep watching that kid show again, didn't cha?" Shiargi asks. Saiko blushes. "No...I was just resting my eyes" She says and Shiargi laughs. Urie rolls his eyes when he doesn't think anyone is looking. "Saw that, Urie" I say making him grumble. We eat in relative silence from that point. After dinner, I rope Saiko into helping clean the dishes. "I was needing to talk to you, Saiko. Hineki is starting to pick up some of your habits." I say as we wash the dishes. "I'm not mad at you, saiko. I just want you to understand how much Hineki looks up to you. You're like a big sister to him and he's going to copy what you do." I say and she nods. "In other words, I need to set a good example for him" Saiko says. I nod. Saiko smiles a little. "I think I can handle that." She says. I nod and we soon finish cleaning up.
Song Choice:Wish You Were Here- Nightcore version (Don't know the artisit)
After cleaning up the kitchen, I say good night to everyone and head upstairs. I gently close the door so I don't wake up Hineki. I take a shower and cry thinking about Hide. 'I hope he's ok...' I think. I shut off the water and dry off. I hear my phone ring and rush to the bedroom. 'He really knows when I'm upset, doesn't he?' I think and answer the phone. "Hello?" I say. Hey beautiful. Damn, it's good to hear your voice again. Hide says on the other side. "It's good to hear your's too, Love" I say and hear russeling from Hineki's bed. I look and see Hineki pull himself up and look at me curiously from the crib. "Your little man just woke up. He's standing on his own now." I say and pick Hineki up. "Dadadada?" Hineki asks. Was...Was that Hineki? Hide asks surprised. "Yeah, he's a little motormouth. Hineki, do you want to talk to daddy?" I say and Hineki smiles big.
I put the phone on speaker. "He can hear you, Hide" I say. Hey there, Hineki. How's my strong little man doing? Hide says surprising Hineki a little. "He can hear you but not see you. I think it's confusing him a little" I say and then Hineki starts to say baby gibberish periodically broken up with dada, mama, sai, and gi. who's Sai and Gi Hide asks. "Sai is Saiko and Gi is Shiargi. They're two of his favorite people here" I explain. Oh, that makes sense. How's Kaneki? Hide asks as Hineki keeps talking gibberish. "I think he remembered something today. I mentioned your name and he seemed to freeze a minute" I say. It may be small, but at least it's something. Hide says. "Yeah, right now, he basically acts like himself before Rize if he had joined the CCG." I say. That's good. Just lets us know he's there somewhere. Anyways, there's something big going down over here. An auction. Big Madam is said to be making an appearance. I'm sending you the intel now. I love you. Never forget that, Hikari hide says and hangs up as a large email comes through my phone. I sigh and go downstairs with Hineki.
"Hikari? You're still up?" Haise asked surprised. "Yeah, got a call from Hide with some important intel. Woke up Hineki and he go to talk to his daddy." I say and Haise nods. "Can you keep an eye on Hineki for me? Some warm milk should get him right back to sleep. I have to get this intel back to Arima and the others" I say. "Of course. I'll be happy to watch him" Haise says and gently takes Hineki from me. "Sas! Sas! Sas!" Hineki says making me giggle. "Looks like Hineki learned another name, Haise." I say and Haise chuckles and holds Hineki eye level with himself. "So, I'm Sas? Wonder who could have taught you that?" He says making Hineki squeal happily as I leave. I smile thinking about how smart Hineki was getting.
Akira looks up at me when I come in. "Hikari, I thought you were going home" She says. "I did but then hide contacted me. There's a couple of interesting events coming up." I say and she nods. We work through the night going through the data. Ayato comes into my office with coffee for Akira and tea for me in the morning. "So, everything set up?" Ayato asks and I nod. "It's in the hands of the other Special Investigators now." I say and he nods. "You should get some rest, Hikari." Akira says and I nod and head home. Once there, I find Haise and Hineki cuddled up together on the couch. I smile and head to bed.
To be continued
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Notes: Yeah, Hineki is a cute little jelly roll.
