Summary: Shortly after Yuki is unsealed, a new student arrives at Cross Academy, one that seems to have a past with a certain prefect.

Pairings: Kiryuu Zero/ Kaneki Ken; Nagachika Hideyoshi/Kaneki Ken (Past); Kuran Kaname/ Cross Yuki

Tags: Canonical Character Death; Tokyo Ghoul Season 2 AU; Canon Divergence; No: Re; Grief; PTSD- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; Canon Typical Violence; Kaneki Ken Needs a Hug; Past/ Implied Torture; Aftermath of Torture: Cross Academy as a University

*/*

Something was off.

Scowling, as he stepped into the classroom, he took in the excitement buzzing among the students, keen ears catching bits and pieces of conversations as he made his way to his seat.

"Did you hear?"

"New student-"

"-think he's cute-"

"New Prefect?"

The last one made his brow rise slightly. Since Yuki's return to pureblood and subsequent move to the night class, he had been the only prefect. Yori had been supposed to move to the position, but he'd argued against it, not wanting more innocents to be exposed to the dark secrets of their school. If the headmaster had hired another prefect, it could only be someone in the know.

Another hunter, perhaps?

But then- why hadn't he heard anything from the Association?

In the front of the class, their sensei gestured for them all to settle down.

"As you all may have heard, we have a new student. He will also be taking over as a prefect for the time being. Come in and introduce yourself, please."

As the new student entered the room, he felt his breath catch in his chest.

Snow-colored hair in the place of black, mercury eyes empty instead of warm, and yet he knew this person. But-

But it couldn't be.

Why would he be here?

Why would he be here alone?

Glancing back towards the door, he almost expected an excitable head of blond hair to bound in behind the new student and yet, no one else entered.

His gaze returned to the other just in time to hear him speak.

Even his voice was different, monotonous, lacking the warmth, the kindness he remembered.

"I am Kaneki Ken."

Everyone seemed to be waiting for him to say more, yet he didn't. Instead, he turned to their sensei who seemed just as thrown off as the rest of the class.

"I-um- yes. Please take a seat beside Kiryuu-kun." Kaneki turned to the class and Zero raised his hand lazily, trying to hide the pain, the curiosity in his heart as the other turned in his direction.

Something flashed in the older male's eyes before he made his way up the aisle to the seat beside the hunter.

Taking a seat, he gave him a nod then turned to face the front and Zero-

Zero found himself wondering what had happened to his friend that made him change.

And where the hell was Hide?

*/*

Kiryuu Zero.

Years had passed since he had seen the younger boy and yet he'd never forgotten him. The boy had been his first friend outside of Hide. They'd met when he and Hide had been in high school when Zero had come to their class as a new student. He'd taken to the other instantly, especially when he found that the other liked to read as much as he did.

Zero had also been his first crush outside of Hide, which the blonde had found endlessly amusing. He'd wanted to ask him, wanted to confess, however, only six months after they'd met him, he'd vanished, leaving only a letter telling them he'd been recalled to his home.

It had hurt...but he'd understood.

He'd hoped that one day he'd see him again and yet-

Yet now...he found himself cursing the CCG for sending him to Cross Academy.

They'd managed to catch him after his fight with Arima and had forced him to the school, apparently run by one of the bastard's old friends. A friend that didn't know about ghouls and instead hunted something else.

Vampires.

The creatures were considered a delicacy among the ghouls that had met them, a myth to those that hadn't. They'd been extinguished in the 20th district long before humans had become aware of ghouls and as such, few knew of them. Even the majority of the CCG thought they were myths.

Honestly, he'd thought that the CCG would rather kill him.

And yet, when he'd asked, Arima had countered by asking him why he hadn't killed that agent and his team, why he had brought the body of a CCG soldier (oh god, Hide- no!) back to his comrades.

He hadn't been able to answer and Arima had only nodded as if that had confirmed something he'd already known.

Then he'd told him, ordered him, to leave Tokyo. Told him that he was giving him a second chance, that he deserved it for the life stolen from him and he'd wanted to argue.

He didn't want a second chance!

He wanted- he needed Hide, his home, his most precious person who was de-gone.

But he knew better.

Worse, he couldn't bring himself to waste Hide's sacrifice.

So he'd done it.

Had made his way to Cross Academy and enrolled. Had accepted the prefect position Arima had recommended him for and tried to re-learn how to breathe when half of him was gone.

Only to come face to face with the only other person to ever hold his heart.

To hold Hide's heart.

It hurt.

It hurt so much.

Even now, he could feel the fleeting glances of the other, the weight of the violet eyes, and their questions.

It stood out even amongst the dozens of other gazes flitting in his direction and he just-

He needed-

"Are you alright?" He closed his eyes at the question but nodded.

"I'm fine, Kiryuu-san."

Zero flinched slightly and his heart ached as her voice sounded in his mind.

Hurting another person you care about, Kaneki-Kun?

Shut up.

The other recovered quickly and nodded. "Can we talk? Later?"

He hesitated, everything in him telling he needed to stay away. That he was only putting the other in danger. Yet his mouth spoke before he could follow those thoughts.

"Hai. After patrol?"

His friend's (?) eyes lit up, a tiny smile crossing his lips.

"Okay."

Turning back to the front, he tried to ignore the terror. The sickly despair, lingering on the edge of his consciousness told him that he'd just made a very bad decision.

*/*

"Kaname-sama, it seems that Day Class has gained a new student. He will be taking over Yuki-sama's prefect position."

Carmine eyes gazed down at the chessboard before them, their owner giving a soft hum at the words.

"A hunter?"

Seiren shook her head. "A friend of the Chairman sent his charge. From what I overheard, he knows about vampires but isn't a hunter with the association."

The pureblood raised an eyebrow.

"A freelancer?"

She nodded. "It seems that way."

He gave another hum, curiosity dancing in his gaze.

"I see." He glanced at the clock and stood. "Very well, I suppose we shall meet him soon. It's time for the changeover."

The younger vampire gave a soft sound of agreement and followed him from the room.

Meeting his court near the entrance he warned them to be alert for the new prefect. His beloved Yuki frowned slightly.

"Is he a hunter like Zero?"

"No. It is our belief that he is a freelancer. A hunter that works separately from the Association. The majority of them work overseas in the Americas, however, there are a few near Tokyo and Kyoto as well. Freelancers are especially dangerous as they are not under the Association's purview and the majority of the Council tends to ignore them as well. So be careful about provoking him." He stared at Aidou as he said this, making the blonde flush slightly.

"H-Hai, Kaname-sama."

Smiling reassuringly, he led them from the building and toward the gates. As usual, most of the day class was there, however they were quieter than usual, each glancing in the direction of a smirking Zero and an unfamiliar white-haired male.

He was slender and stood only a few inches shorter than the hunter, his eyes empty as they gazed upon them. Clad in the day class uniform, he seemed almost like an apparition, silent and watchful, yet something about him made Kaname's hackles rise in unease. Made the ancient predator in him wary and watchful in a way not many outside of Kaien Cross and Rido did.

It was a novel feeling, one it took everything in him to hide as he exited the gates. The day class began to squeal, their volume rising and yet-

A single glance from the new prefect brought the volume down once more.

"Good Evening, Kiryuu-kun."The hunter glared at him, shifting almost protectively in front of the new prefect, who tilted his head slightly.

"Kuran. Get to class."

"I am merely introducing myself to the new prefect, as is my duty as Night Class president."

The hunter's glare darkened, however, the new prefect placed a hand on his arm and stepped forward, shocking Kaname when Zero seemed to calm almost instantly.

"I am Kaneki Ken, the new Day Class Prefect." The pale-haired prefect murmured, his voice deep and monotonous. The day class girls, and some of the guys flushed slightly at the sound.

Interesting.

"Kuran Kaname, Night Class president. Pleased to meet you, Kaneki-Kun. Feel free to find me if you have any questions."

The other nodded, stepping back beside Zero. "Please get to class, Kuran-senpai."

Glancing at him once more, he turned to continue to class, his court following behind him.

"He was hot." Aidou blurted out once they were far enough to be out of Kiryuu's hearing and Akatsuki snorted, while Kaname felt his lips twitch in amusement.

"Too bad it looks like Kiryuu has eyes on him. Did you see how he moved to protect him from Kaname-sama?"

Aidou pouted. "I just want a taste. Can you imagine how good he would taste? Look at him!"

Ruka sighed in exasperation while Yuki gave the ice user a chastising look. "No eating the students, Aidou." She warned sharply and he nodded reluctantly, but there was something mulish in his eyes.

As they entered the classroom, Kaname noticed a glint of white move past the window.

He could only hope that Aidou wouldn't do anything foolish. Furthermore, he couldn't help but wonder just who Kaneki Ken was, and why did he, a human, make Kaname feel like…

Like prey.