Hey guys! I'm so sorry for not updating in a while, I was so busy. But anyway, I tried my best to get this chapter done quickly and here it is! Hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 6: Journey

Dark grey eyelashes fluttered open as they were hit with a stunning light.

Kaneki groaned at the warm ray of sunlight that lit up his face as well as the entire room by its welcoming presence.

"Ugh, it's too bright…"

Suddenly he jumped up eyes wide, bulging out of their sockets.

"Where am I?!" Kaneki desperately scanned his surrounding and soon realized it wasn't a dream.

…

"Well, I guess I should leave huh?" Kaneki was strangely saddened when he spoke aloud.

She's like me…

Kaneki slid his feet to the floor, and after another groan he got up and scrubbed his eyes.

I wonder what time it is, they should have a clock here right?

Looking around Kaneki spotted a clock; reading it, he saw 9:69.

Wait what?

8:69

Rubbing his blurry eyes, he tried to read the digital clock again.

8:39

Sighing, he closed his dodgy eyes to rest them before taking a step forward when he heard a 'thud'.

He jumped back at the sound, looking down on the floor to see where it originated from. There, facing him with its lipless, toothy grin was his favourite battle companion.

I still can't get around how you were in my clothes.

Leaving the thought at that, he took down at his makeshift bed, folding the blanket and putting it in the middle of the couch along with the pillow. He took his pitch black mask and shoved it in his pocket once again, somehow concealing it so well that it only made him look like he was just a bit fatter.

As he reached the living room door, the smell of rotting cheese quickly travelled up his sensitive nose.

Ugh, breakfast.

He unlocked and opened the door and in a gush, of the scent of more rotting cheese smacked his nose. Ignoring it seemed to be tougher than he expected because he still felt slightly nauseous from eating a whole batch of human food yesterday night.

*grumble*

Funny how to ask for food when you know that the only food here is rotting cheese.

*GRUMBLE*

Well, that's not the only food here…

The thought of tasting one of the delicious humans entered him mind.

No, what the hell am I thinking? There's no way I'm sinking my teeth into one of them.

Just wait a little longer, once I leave I'll get you some fresh meat.

Another, stronger wave of disgust from the dining room hit him harder than before. He gently took a step back, closed the door and took the pleasure of dry heaving for a while.

After feeling slightly better, he opened the door more slowly this time. He opened his mouth to breathe from there deciding that breathing from his nose would increase his risk of an unintentional dry heave.

Groaning, he made his way across the hallway, up the stairs and to the bathroom. After washing his face, he took a good long look at himself in the mirror.

How ugly.

He straightened his clothes and moved the mask in his pocket into a less annoying position before checking himself once more. He fixed his eyepatch and smoothened his hair before analysing himself in the mirror again.

Still ugly.

*Rumble*

Ugly but hungry.

He grinned in the mirror, unable to remove the thoughts of fresh meat soon finding his way into his drooling mouth.

Forcing himself to remove the grin off his face, he wiped the drool of his chin and headed back downstairs.

"Oh, the y'are Kaneki, mornin'!" Gazel soft voice filled his ears, prompting him to stop halfway down the stair case and look down at the girl. "Fancy eyepatch, what's it for?"

Kaneki let out a slight chuckle. "Good morning to you too. Well, you see my left eye hurts like hell when I see bright things with it like sunlight, so the doctor told me to wear this eyepatch throughout the day.

"Oh sorry, get well soon…" Gazel trailed off and lowered her head as a small wave of guilt hit her.

As Kaneki opened his mouth to reassure the young girl, her head immediately shot back up with a cheerful face and happily said, "Anyway, breakfast is ready! Mrs Sozaka and I made some pancakes, they're really yummy I swear!"

I wish they were.

"Alright, I'll be there in a bit." Kaneki's voice seemed to have gotten duller and colder when she introduced what was for breakfast but Gazel took no notice and blushed at the handsome boy. She turned around trying to hide her blush before speed walking to the dining room.

Kaneki, the rock that he was, never had a girl fall for him so he completely and idiotically brushed the clue the girl had given him to the back of his mind.

Ken made his way down the stairs to the dining room ever so slowly while replaying how the situation will go in his head.

He can't eat another serving of human food of course, he just barely made it through yesterday night without completely vomiting over his and Gazel's plate. He even managed to play it cool before he got to the toilet.

He needed to leave before eating the disgusting 'breakfast' to go find himself some real food.

Just after descending the last step, Kaneki moaned and clutched his stomach. It feels like he hadn't eaten in weeks and his hunger clawed at his stomach like a caged animal begging to be free. And all that human food he forced down only added to his hunger even more.

He stopped a metre from the closed dining room door before taking a deep breath.

This shouldn't be hard.

All I need to say is I'm leaving, they'll probably be sad and say at least have breakfast first then I'll say I'm full from yesterday's dinner and then we'll exchange all those crappy good bye stuff.

It'll only take about 5 minutes then I can get a proper meal, right?

Straightening his slouched back and replacing his distressed face with a more neutral one, Kaneki entered the chatty room and found himself smiling.

Instantly Kaneki was challenged with the task of keeping his composure when the foul smell of rotting cheese hit his nose for what felt like the tenth time this morning.

The 4 didn't seem to notice Kaneki open and stand beside the door, smiling.

Toshio was reading a newspaper while sitting on a chair, one leg on top of the other. Mrs Sozaka had her hands clapped together and eyes closed, making a small prayer before gently eating her food in a posh manner. Gazel was talking pointing her fork at Akihiro who was munching away at his breakfast.

"You could at least eat with your mouth closed you pig!" Gazel seemed rather disgusted at the boy's manners.

"Oh-shut-up!" Akihiro spat back at her between loud chews.

Kaneki decided to grab everyone's attention by tapping his foot once on the wooden tiles that made the floor of the room.

"Oh Kaneki you're here, come sit next to me!"

"Kaneki sweetie you're awake. Good morning dear."

"Yo!"

"Hello Ken."

The four gave their greetings to the smiling boy all in their different ways. Toshio grinned (evilly) and went back to reading the newspaper, Mrs Sozaka went to drink down some water, Akihiro carried on munching the pancakes off his plate and Gazel continued to smile at him, waiting for Kaneki to walk over and sit next to her.

When she realized Kaneki hadn't moved a muscle, she asked "Somethin' wrong?"

I'm sorry.

Kaneki took a deep breath in then out before saying "I'm really grateful for all that everyone's done for me. I don't know if I'll ever be able to repay the kindness that's been given."

Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at Kaneki.

I'm so sorry.

Kaneki turned his head to face Gazel. "I was a complete stranger to her yet she opened her heart so wide for me. She even took me to her house, fed me and gave me a place to sleep." Kaneki turned to Akihiro, who had pieces of pancake around his mouth. "Even after just meeting him less than a day ago, I made a new friend who's willing to go to unmeasurable lengths to spar, talk and see me." Akihiro smiled and at the corner of his eye, he saw the girl smile too.

Kaneki turned to the old lady and the tall man who conveniently sat next to each other and smiled. "And I thank you two as well, for being so kind and taking care of me without question of who I am." Kaneki purely meant that statement to the wrinkly woman, he completely lost his care for the man after what he saw yesterday.

Kaneki's words were so moving, he even the slightest felt shred of regret and sadness for what he would say next. "I want you all to know I am so deeply grateful for all that you've done and I'm in your debt. I hate to say this so soon, but I must leave."

At the end of his speech Kaneki closed his eyes and gave a bow in respect and as a thanks for his hospitality.

For the next five seconds, everyone had their mouths drooped open in shock. Everyone had their eyes bulging out of their sockets. Everyone didn't know what to say; speechless.

Everyone except Toshio that is. Just after Kaneki mentioned that he's leaving, the man failed to conceal a small grin that Kaneki saw all too well. Though the man did replace his smirk with a forged look of shock.

"N-no, Kaneki… I-I" Gazel was hesitating and unable to form a sentence before she burst into tears.

Mrs Sozaka went to comfort the girl, wrapping Gazel her with her arm and gently stroking her.

Before Kaneki examined anyone else's expressions, he said what he decided to say when things got a bit too 'emotional'. "I'm sorry I said it so suddenly, but I can't stay here forever. I hope you understand that. Don't worry though, it's fine. I'll be sure to visit some time."

"Really?!" Gazel shouted in surprise.

"I was getting worried you were gone for good there man!" Akihiro also seemed relieved to hear about Kaneki's future visits, though he did conceal some of it out of embarrassment.

"Well it's good to see you're coming to visit us dear, you're welcome any time honey." The motherly voice of the old woman also gave it's relief and joy.

"It's been a pleasure." Toshio simply stated giving Kaneki a smile.

"Yes, it has." Ken replied giving the older man a stern, neutral look. He then gave everyone else happy, grateful smiles before turning to leave.

"You don't want breakfast first?" Gazel added a hint of sadness to her voice, in an attempt to make Kaneki feel guilty and join their meal. But no amount of guilt would make Kaneki eat another revolting meal any time soon.

"I'm really sorry, I would honestly love to but I'm still stuffed from yesterday's delicious dinner, I can't eat anymore. Thank you for the offer though, I really appreciate it."

"Oh…"

Then there was silence. Kaneki was facing the door, his back turned to the four of them while they stared back at him.

Before He could carry on walking out the room, Gazel popped up. "Well, let's at least see him off! C'mon guys!"

"That's a wonderful idea sweetie!" The old woman finally let go of her, allowing Gazel to get up from her seat followed by Akihiro and finally Toshio (after giving a small sigh).

They all walked to the front door led by Kaneki. Before he managed to grab the door knob, a concerned voice spoke out. "Maybe I should pack you something in a bag, some food maybe? Or some clothes? Some money?"

"If I could ask for some clothes and some water? Please?" Kaneki thought bringing along some resources would be useful for his unpredictable journey.

Gazel's face lightened up and her lips made a beaming smile. "Sure!"

"I'll go grab our little pirate here some of my clothes." Akihiro laughed pointing at Kaneki's eyepatch.

"Hey that's rude! Y'know, he wears it because his eye can't see light for long, so don't make fun of him it's not funny!"

"Cut me some slack, he looks just like a pirate with those dull evil eyes, white hair and the eyepatch. He has the scary looks, all he needs is a ship and crew. Hey I know! I'll be vice-captain!"

"Akihiro!"

"Haha, sorry I couldn't help myself."

Just like Hide and Hinami...

Kaneki jumped and gasped at the thought of his 'sister' and best friend. How did those comparisons rush to his mind so suddenly?

But they do seem so much like Hide and Hinami…

Kaneki violently shook his head in an attempt to shoo the thoughts away but to no avail. It only brought attention to him as he heard an old woman say "Are you alright dear?"

Kaneki looked up to see the old woman bearing a confused and concerned face. He didn't see Toshio anywhere, and something told Kaneki that something's not right with the guy's disappearance.

"Oh, I'm sorry ma'am. I was just slightly saddened that I'll have to leave."

"Oh, I see. That's understandable, but don't forget you can visit any time honey."

"Thank you-"

Kaneki was cut off by the sound of loud footsteps and a voice shouting his name. "Kaneki!"

He turned his head to see Gazel dragging a black, simple backpack across the floor with one hand while waving with the other. Once she reached the two standing by the door, she unzipped the bag to reveal its contents filled with water bottles.

*huff huff* "Is this enough?" She asked between deep breaths.

Kaneki smiled. "That was fast Gazel. And yes that's perfect, thank you."

"Will you be able to carry that hefty load?" The old woman sounded concerned while eyeing the nearly full bag.

To dismiss the concern rising in the elderly gran, Kaneki used his strength to effortlessly swing the bag onto his back as if it was empty.

"Woah! I knew you were strong but not this strong! I put around eight gallons of water in there!" Gazel was astonished at the teen's strength, even the gran's eyes were wide open.

Kaneki turned to the girl in shock. "E-eight gallons?"

What made her think that any normal human would be able to carry that?!

Shit, I made it look too easy.

"That's a hell of a lot." Kaneki added a small hesitant chuckle at the end his sentence in an attempt to try and hide his concern.

"Y-yeah, and you lifted it at if it was nothing…"

Silence.

"…That doesn't make sense, unless you're a…" Gazel's eyes widened with realization while she began to shiver and shudder at a certain thought. "W-WAIT! A-ARE YOU A-A… A…"

SHIT!

FUCK… I messed up big time!

Did she notice?!

No way!

Kaneki's heart raced at a thousand miles an hour, staring at the shocked look of realization on the shivering girl's face. Kaneki stepped back in horror, ready to run when she says the word ghoul.

After 5 long seconds of unbearable tension, Gazel finally found the strength to speak again. "An athlete!"

…

…

…

"WHAT?!" Kaneki's mouth hung in utter confusion.

It took a couple more seconds for Kaneki to realize what the hell just happened.

"You're an athlete right? That's so cool!" Gazel's shocked face now had more amazement than confusion.

"W-well, y-yeah sort of…" Kaneki didn't know how or what to feel. He was still shocked at what a close call that was and how dumb the red-haired girl was.

Is she dumb?

What are the chances that a 'homeless' guys is an athlete?

"So that's why you're so muscly. Wo-"

"Well well, so that's why you beat me in that arm wrestle." Kaneki turned his head to see the black-haired boy carrying a small pile of clothes. "If you didn't train and build up some decent muscle then I would have totally beat you."

Kaneki smiled at the boy who was now standing in front of him looking up at his face. "I'm not so sure about that."

"I am! Anyway, here are some clothes. I thought I'd pick the ones that have the darker colours to them 'cuz they look better on you." Akihiro had picked a variety of different types of clothing from t-shirts to sweat pants.

Kaneki's smile grew wider. "Thank you."

"Well done darlings. Akihiro dear, put the clothes in his backpack will you?" The wrinkly, hunched granny pointed to Kaneki backpack and the boy obeyed.

He put the 5 different shirts and 5 different trousers in the backpack, making it look very fat with all the water already in it. Once he zipped the half-ghoul's bag, he slapped it and nodded saying "All ready to go."

Kaneki's mouth got tired from all the smiling he did in the morning and although he wanted to smile to the boy who seemed so much like his best friend, he couldn't. Kaneki wasn't used to smiling so much since all he had experienced in the past 2 years of a ghoul life was hell, and there isn't much smiling in hell.

(NOTE: Yes I know Haise Sasaki had been an investigator for more than that but this goes so that Haise regains his memories sooner and this story is the result of that.)

"Thank you all so much." Kaneki gave a little bow.

"No probs dude."

"Sure no problem!"

"Take care sweetie."

Gazel opened a nearby cupboard on her tip toes and took out several keys hooked together by a heart keychain. She rushed to the door while searching the keys and when she pulled a shiny bronze one, she began unlocking the front door.

The door swung open and there, in front of Kaneki were hundreds of chatty people walking across the pavement. Some were walking to work, some were walking their children to school and some were walking with their friends to college while others out for a walk. It was a beautiful sight to see that Tokyo was alive once again. A gush of fresh air hit Kaneki which was a relieve to him because all he had been smelling was the scent of pancakes in the dining room and on their breaths.

He took a step forward, indulging in the freedom that was set before him. But that freedom couldn't be all fun and games forever, he had a job to do and that was to find his friends.

"Bye! Don't forget to visit us!"

He turned around to see the 3 of them waving. Gazel at the front with a huge bright smile and both hands going crazy while Akihiro and Mrs Sozaka at the back with one hand waving and broad smiles.

Kaneki gave them a smile of his own before saying "I will. Thank you all once again." And with that he set of in his distant journey ahead, ready for each and every obstacle that would come his way.

Thanks for reading. And also, thanks for all the reviews that you all have been giving me. I really enjoy reading them and they honestly motivate me to write even more. Please keep those reviews coming!