Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or its characters; that right belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. Nor do I own Tokyo Ghoul or its characters; that right belongs to Sui Ishida.

Author's Note: So, a head's up, in this Chapter, I am bumping up the timeline for before the actual start of the Tokyo Ghoul Storyline. And there is a reason for it: building relationships between certain characters and causing major drama for the story. Cause for those who know me and anything I write, I do drama in my stories.

The sound of the door to the stairwell caused quiet to descend in the small room as all eyes turned towards the open door to the receiving room. A few seconds before the footfalls came up the stairs to the second floor of Anteiku before they all saw the person causing them. The petite, raven-haired girl had her head down; nose scrunched as she seemed to be absorbed in the book she held in one hand, while the other dragged her backpack across the carpeted hall. It definitely was a sight to see, though to most it was normal. The girl was very much out of place to some of the onlookers.

"Kagome!"

The call of her name brought the girl to a stop as the onlookers watched as she lifted her head and looked into the room. Revealing wide, dark-blue eyes that blinked before a bright, happy smile split her face in two before the book and backpack were dropped, forgotten, as the girl, Kagome, ran into the room.

"Renji, your back!"

The sheer joy in the girl's voice was not what had been expected as her arms were wrapped around the tall, thin, white-haired Ghouls' legs. It left a sense of confusion to wash through some of the onlookers as Kagome just seemed too gush about how worried she had been about the man. He hadn't said anything before vanishing. Only to step back and delivered a swift kick to his nearest calf. This had eyebrows shooting up in shock and worry. There was no mistaking the fact that the girl, Kagome, was definitely a human child.

When a small smile twitched at the corners of his mouth as he knelt and reached for the girl. It caused breaths to be held as the room's tension grew to the point that it was palpable. Only to leave some feeling lightheaded as the girl, Kagome, was pulled into a hug and given mumbled words that were meant to be reassuring. To have the girl give a quick peck to his cheek as she said it was alright, but she was worried and scared because it had been two weeks since he'd just left.

"Kagome, come here, please."

Soon, the girl was looking towards the speaker, the owner of Anteiku, as her cheeks turned a deep pink as she realized that everyone just witnessed her outburst. Soon enough, though, she was standing by the elderly man, Yoshimura, the owner of Anteiku. It was obvious, even with a glance, that there was a familiarity and caring relationship between the two. Almost like they were family? But that would be impossible, the girl was human, and the man to those in the room would all know he was a Ghoul.

It was the smiles that she flashed after collecting herself rather quickly. Before anyone could speak up, the girl was bowing at the waist; wavy raven locks falling over her shoulders as she spoke.

"Welcome to Anteiku. I hope we can get along."

A sudden wave of confusion and tension rolled from the two the girl was talking two. They just stared at the girl, unable to wrap their heads around the fact that this human girl, Kagome, was being totally sincere. Nothing was perfect; not all things went smoothly like people would plan or hope.

"What the hell is wrong with you!"

All eyes turned to the young boy, who was glaring hateful daggers at Kagome. Who was slowly righting herself from her bow.

"Ayato!"

"No, Touka, this girl is an idiot just to be so nice and welcoming!Doesn't she get that she is in danger?"

A soft, deep-laugh filled the room, drawing the two's gazes back to the old man and Kagome girl. When it became apparent to the two that it wasn't either of them laughing, they looked over to the man, Yomo as he had named himself, while Kagome called him Renji, was laughing. It made them both quiet down and feel more confused than before.

"Renji!"

The soft squeak came from Kagome, but they were fascinated by seeing the stoic man laugh in good-natured amusement by what they were talking about. Both knew that he could easily lay them out on the wooden floor if they attacked. Having prior, first-hand knowledge already.

"Looks can be very deceptive, Ayato and Touka," Renji stated after collecting himself, though a small smile twitched at the corners of his mouth. "Kagome has lived here at Anteiku for the past three years now? And her Aunt is a frequent customer. Never assume that you know a situation at first glance if you wish to survive."

A soft groan drew the two to look from Yomo to look back at Kagome. Who had turned a deep mixed shade of red-purple as she pouted openly?

"Your mean, Renji!" Kagome mumbled loudly, followed by a loud and very rude snort. "But he is right; looks are deceptive. Not everything that is seen is truly reality, so to speak. I accept that I am the odd person out here, but that doesn't change a damn thing. We all have to survive."

The words that came out of Kagomes mouth left Ayato and Touka in shock. It was stated simplistically as if it was common knowledge. It was clear that she knew what they were all were and that she was food, prey. Yet, at the same time, they both got the feeling that it wasn't her that was the prey in the room at that moment as she smiled brightly at them.

"Gramps, I hope they are not staying with Renji! He is a confirmed bachelor, and while seeming a clean freak, I do not think he is qualified to take care of two kids," Kagome said, her body twisting, so she was looking at Yoshimura. While Renji looked unamused by her comment. "If they have no place to stay, can I make a suggestion? I will give up my room for tonight, but you can ask Auntie Ryouko if they can have the apartment that she reserved in her... husband's rental for me? I mean, it would be safe, and there are already others there that would help them."

Unable to stop themselves, Ayato and Touka felt their jaws drop open at what the girl was saying, or rather doing. She was openly giving up her personal space for them and trying to help them get a new home. It set their nerves on edge and left them feeling defensive at the act of charity from a human, child or not, after being attacked and betrayed multiple times already. Then before they could try and protest, Yoshimura agreed to contact this Ryouko woman and make arrangements. Taking their right to decide from them as Kagome jumped and hugged the old Ghoul before stating she had to study for an Algebra test and that it would be wise to get them fed, before walking out of the room with a wave over her shoulder, humming.

He watched as the two dug into their small, semi-frozen hunks of flesh with a vigor that was proof of how hungry they were. It made him sad that they had been orphaned so young. Then again, it had been a shock to see Renji return after being gone for two weeks or so with two small children. His nose had easily picked up on the similarity in looks and smell between the three of them. But when they were introduced, they were the children of a friend.

Enji shook his head as he finished making the sandwich that would go up to feed Kagome. He understood that she took her education seriously and that she had given the two before him her bedroom to sleep in with a glance at Kaya, who just nodded her head and took the plate and a glass of cold-brewed coffee with her on a tray for Kagome.

"What did you put on that bread?"

Blinking, Enji looked at the girl, Touka, and smiled as he responded, "It would be best if you didn't know, but I know kids are curious little monkeys. It is peanut butter and gummy bear sandwich with green tabasco sauce."

The way the boy stopped and paled further as he blanched, while Touka looked visibly ill at what he said. Letting a chuckle escape, Enji rolled his shoulders in a shrug as he went back to cleaning up the dishes from the day.

"Do humans normally eat such weird things?"

"No, Touka, they don't; Kagome is special in that regard and a few others; I think you'll find out."

Silence filled the cafe as the two finished eating their food and sipped at the luke-warm, watered-down coffee. Enji wondered how things would progress because Kagome was bound to try and form an attachment with the two, for better or worse. And with it almost being summer vacation for her, there would definitely be some major spark and fireworks going off. Meaning that there'd never been a dull moment.

She tapped her pencil on the desktop as she glared down at the piece of paper that held all the answers for her homework and notes for studying Algebra. It was a crime that this form of Mathematics even existed. In each of her damn reincarnations, this subject had always eluded her. Hell, she had the definition for it, and Arithmetic, memorized. And nowhere in either description did it say solve for a missing letter in the middle of a damn equation.

Groaning as she dropped the pencil on the desk, and grabbed the last of her sandwich and shoved it in her mouth. Taking her frustration out on the food, her teeth gnashed loudly against each other in her ears.

"I can't believe you are really eating that disgusting smelling thing."

Having been focused, Kagome gasped in surprise and shock at the sound of a voice behind her, which had the adverse effect of making her swallow a bit too quickly and choking a little. After a few slams of her fist to her chest and drinking the rest of her coffee, she twisted in her desk chair to look at the duo standing in the door with Kuzen behind them. The smile on his face had her arching an eyebrow for a second or two.

"Well, to each their own, right?" she said, smirking slightly at the boy who was trying to set her on fire with his glare.

"It is time to bathe and get ready for bed, Kagome," Kuzen stated, his voice that soft commanding tone.

With a nod of her head, Kagome started to gather up her school stuff and put it into her backpack.

"I like your room. It isn't as girly as I thought it would be."

This had Kagome pausing for a few seconds to look at Touka and smile before responding, "I like girly things, but it isn't practical and not conducive to studying or being in a safe, calm spot. But thank you for thinking it nice, Touka."

The girl let her blue eyes, which Kagome noticed were a few shades lighter than her own, narrow. She could tell from Touka's, and Ayato's aura's that they were still on edge, being wary. Especially for her, which was to be expected.

"Well, there is only one bathroom. Touka, would you like to double up so Ayato can get his in at a decent time? Mister Yoshimura has things he does at night, so it is best for us to be in bed before he has to do them," Kagome said, her eyes watching the aurae of the two jump around before Touka flushed a deep pink and nodded her head yes.

"Good, I have a spare set of pj's. You are taller than me by a few inches, but they are shorts and a shirt, it should fit. Let me get them, and let's get clean because the best thing in the world is a hot bath!" Kagome said, her excitement at taking a bath throwing the other two off, while Kuzen's aura showed his amusement at her antics. "I think there is a spare shirt from Renji in my draw... that Ayato can wear if he wants. Then after baths, you two can share my bed; it is a full size, and I will sleep on the couch in the receiving room we were all in earlier."

The two blank stares of confusion and shock she got had Kagome motoring over to her dresser to gather up the mentioned articles and her own necessities for herself. She was sure things would be awkward for a while. But then again, she had high hopes that these two would open up to her... mostly due to her being around their age physically, at least.

TBC!