A/N: This is a slightly revised chapter, as I've edited certain incorrect words and tenses.
A/N: First off, I want to give a shoutout to my consistent reviewers, Scattershot98, GiddyLove, and a few others. You'll have asked for me to change the structure, and format so I'm currently working on that. So it's a big thanks from me to you, as we continue this story together.
The smell of coffee is brimming within the walls of Anteiku. A peaceful silence that feels so foreign with the ever constant troubles that they have to face as ghouls, and for the half-ghoul, this is much worse.
Kaneki has awoken hours ago, but he felt as if he could sleep all day. The fight with Nishiki brought unnerving thoughts and questions, but his main thought is Hide. The guy had been with him during the fight, but he was knocked out unconscious. However, what if he saw him? Thoughts on Hide thinking of him, as nothing more than a monster, plagued him. Kaneki didn't want the man to see him as a ghoul.
This pondering of life came to an end, however, when Touka barged through the door. "So, this is what you're doing up here lazy ass?" She questioned, but Kaneki could see that it is mainly rhetorical. " I'm just resting Touka, but I was going to get ready for work earlier." Kaneki said. " Were you now? Get up, and stop being a lazy ass!" She said before hitting him over the head, then proceeding to slam the door.
Touka cares for Kaneki, even though she berates him time to time. Nishiki looks a Touka with a cunning smirk, "Checking up on your boyfriend Touka?" She only glares at the man, before grumbling "We don't go out."
" Yeah, Yeah." Nishiki said, as he leaned against the wall.
Kaneki walks down the steps, dressed in his regular work outfit with one noticeable change. His nub of a hand is beginning to grow back slowly, which gives him great relief. " Maybe today will be the start of a new way of life." He thought to himself. " Hey Touka. Hey Mr.N-nishiki. What are you doing here?"
"I'm your coworker now. The old man said I could repay my dues to you by working here, so here I am." Nishiki said. Kaneki only nods in response, before starting the beginning of the work day.
Hours passed by, as no one out of the ordinary came to the small cafe. A figure walks in with a flamboyant outfit and slicked back purple hair. "Tsukiyama, why are you here?" Touka asks, already knowing the man's antics. "I can't stop by and visit little bunny?" He asks. For the second time today Touka grumbles and just decides to ignore the man. "You serve him Kaneki. I'm going on break." Touka said before disappearing into the back.
Kaneki walks over to the man, drawing Tsukiyama's attention at the new specimen. "Oh, who might you be?" Curious, as to who this aromas young man is. " Ken Kaneki." The answer satisfies Tsukiyama, as he orders a coffee. While he waits he couldn't help, but thank of the gourmet that will be held soon. He needs a new meal, one that will bring great attention to the show.
He didn't have to wait too long, as Kaneki returns with a fresh cup of coffee. "Would you mind joining me Mr.Kaneki? Sitting at a table for two, alone is especially dissatisfying. Would you agree..Mr.Kaneki?" Tsukiyama asked. Kankei only nods in response to the man's question, as he sits on the other side of the man.
"I almost forgot. My name is Shu Tsukiyama, and I'm happy to meet you Mr.Kaneki." The man's generosity and upbeat charm is a drastic change from the routine. Kaneki offers a smile in return. "What's your hobbies Mr. Kaneki?" The curious man put his head in his arms ready to listen to the boy that captures his attention.
"I love to read." Kankei said, which is his main hobby when he isn't working or busy trying to stay sane. Shu listened intently, as he continues to ask questions. The time went by, as Shu offers Kaneki a cup of coffee which he gladly accepted. The small cup managed to prick Kaneki. Shu seeing his clever work at hand decided to continue his part.
"Oh dear. You're bleeding Kaneki." Shu said as he cleans the blood with a handkerchief. If you excuse me, I have to use the restroom. Tsukiyama, goes to the bathroom before pulling out the handkerchief. Tsukiyama let out a muffled, but pleasured scream as he sniffed the handkerchief. His pupils expanded, and body clenches at just smell of Kaneki's blood. He would be his next meal. The greatest dish yet, and only to be served with the best preparation. "I must start immediately." He thought to himself.
He exits the bathroom before heading over to Kaneki. "I must go now, but we will see each other soon." Handing the boy a card, " Bon jour, Kaneki." The man said as he walks out the cafe. "What a weird guy." Kaneki thought.
Touka returns from her break, as she managed to see Tsukiyama walking out. " Nishiki." "What did he do, or say to Kaneki?" Touka asked curiously. "All I heard, is him asking Kaneki what he likes to do." Nishiki said nonchalantly, as he cleans out the dishes.
Touka sighed, guessing that Kaneki would be okay for now anyway. The guy did need a break from all the harsh things he has been surviving somehow.
Tsukiyama returns to his manor. The servants are at his whim, he has the finest decorations, the best clothes, and even top quality dishes. However, a particular dish has caught his attention, Kaneki. The boy is filled within his mind, and he could only imagine the sweet taste of his flesh as he tears the limbs off. Better yet, filet the flesh and prepare it in a way that will fit his artistic flavors.
The next day, Kaneki goes out for a walk deciding to enjoy the fresh air and a change of scenery. He didn't have any destination in particular, rather just a clearing of his mind with all events going on lately. One person he didn't expect to see on this walk is Yomo.
"There is someone that demands to see you Kaneki. "Someone wants to meet me. What kind of person?" Kankei asked curious about the mysterious person. "That is a question you will have to find out on your own." Yomo said.
"You don't have to come along, but do you want to?" Kankei gives a nod in response, as he followed Yomo to the shop Located in the 14th ward.
"We are here." Yomo said. Kaneki went to the door opening it before... "AHHH." He screams, as an old lady tries to grab him while screaming at him. Kaneki falls onto the floor shaking slightly from the shock.
"That is enough Itori." Yomo said, while the woman giggles and Uta look curiously at Kaneki. "You're no fun Yomo. " The party within the shop sat at the bar, as they boiled down to the real reason why Kaneki is here.
"Would you like some Kankei?" Itori asked as she pours a glass full of red substance. "Oh, I don't drink." He said timidly. She, "Accidentally", splashes the liquid on his face causing his kakugan to flare to life.
Kaneki placed his hand on his right eye, trying to hide the sign of him being a ghoul. "Don't worry about it we are all ghouls here."
"Do other one eye ghouls feel the same?" Itori thought aloud. "There are others like me?" Kaneki asked.
"There is another that was born as a one eye ghoul. However, I haven't seen her in a long time." She said.
"How do a ghoul and a human have a child?" Kaneki asks wondering how such a union occurs.
" Well my dear Kanekichi, in the first combination, the mom being a ghoul and the father being a human result in the slight chance of the mom's body absorbing the child as nutrients. Now when the father is a ghoul and the mother is a human she must eat flesh to sustain the child, or it will die from the lack of nutrients. However, the chances of a pregnancy happening are slim anyway." Itori explains while Kankei digests all the new information.
"What happens when two half ghouls create a child?" He asks wondering if he would ever be able to have kids. "I don't know, but maybe you'll come to find out and tell me allll about Kanekichi-kun."
"Now for the main reason that I want to see you. It's regarding the Gourmet, Shu Tsukiyama, he has information regarding the exclusive ghoul restaurant. Information that I need, and what better person than the one seems to desire so badly. " Itori said.
"I have heard that he cannibalizes other ghouls for his dishes. But you should try to hide your right eye Kaneki, or you may be mistaken for the rumored One Eye King." Uta added in.
"Nishiki didn't seem to care anything about me having one eye," Kaneki said. " He's young and ignorant of the darker truths of the ghoul world," She said. "For example, the rumors regarding Rize's death. Do you really believe that was just an unfortunate accident? "
"Uh..I never really thought about it too much." Kaneki said.
"I've heard rumors regarding the fact that there was a silhouette on the roof. In which they cut the suspensions holding the beams, and pop goes the weasel they fell upon you both." Itori said.
Itori grabs Kaneki hugging him into her voluptuous chest, cuddling him. "You're just so innocent, and it's adorable. But, I can't tell you any more valuable information, unless you get the information that I need on the Gourmet."
" Before you go Kaneki, take this." Uta throws him the mask, which has a distinct Frankenstein appearance. The mask has a row of teeth that can be undone with a zipper, black leather, and a patch that can cover his non-ghoul eye. Kaneki smiles, before thanking the man as he leaves out the shop.
He walks down the street thinking of ways of on how he would get information about the ghoul restaurant from Shu. The sound of fighting stopped Kaneki from thinking, however as he presses his back against the wall and gazes into the alley. " Mr.Nishio", Kaneki exclaims in his head. "What could he do to help the man? Call the police? No that will only make things worse. He has to go and stop them, even though the man did almost kill him." He thinks to himself.
Kaneki walks into the alleyway, " Leave him alone." The thugs look at the newcomer before laughing. "What's a pipsqueak like you going to do if we don't!?" One thug asks. "Lets fuck him up boys", as they cracked their knuckles and chuckle menacingly. The leader of the group shot forward at Kaneki, as he clenches his fist. Kaneki barely able to dodge it managed to thanks to his heightened reflexes.
When the fist connected to the wall it cracked on impact causing Kaneki to give the man another analysis. The thugs are all ghouls, and he has to be careful not to misjudge any of the attacks or that maybe his life. Kaneki punches the man in his face breaking his jaw, as his kakugan activates from the adrenaline rush.
"You're the One Eye King!?" Lets get out here boys, as the group scurried away from the rumored One Eye King. Kaneki walks over to Nishio, picking him up. "You got yourself in a lot of trouble Mr. Nishio."
Nishiki looks at Kaneki, "You piss me off." Kaneki helps the man get home, as they make way to the door opening it before Nishiki drops to the floor, injured.
ZAP ZAP
The sound of a fully functioning taser goes off, as Kaneki barely manages to avoid being zapped. "You're not the French, narcissistic bastard." The woman said.
"Kimi. He isn't the one that caused my wounds." Nishiki said. The woman now know as Kimi rushes over to him, and holds him tightly like his life depended on it. "You'll heal, right? What were you doing outside?" Kimi asked, worrying about the man that she loves.
"I haven't eaten, so my urges are out of control. And a lot of ghouls that are usually hidden are starting to come out of their crevices. Then, a Dove has died in the 20th ward." Nishiki managed to choke out.
"Kaneki-kun. Can you do me a favor, and not tell anyone about this. After all, you're a ghoul, right?" Kimi said. " U-Uh yeah. I won't tell anyone." Kaneki said as he left for his own home preparing to hang out with Tsukiyama tomorrow.
The next day
Kaneki and Tsukiyama started their day off by playing sports, as Shu notes that Kaneki has no aptitude for sports at all. Then they proceeded to take a walk enjoying the fresh air, as they asked about each other hobbies and likes. What Kaneki found to be interesting is that Tsukiyama also has a great love for books, which interested him. Furthermore the fact that the man also had an encounter with Rize himself. The noon soon turned into evening, and neither party has eaten.
"Would you like to go to an exclusive restaurant Kaneki? It has a great variety of food, which I'm sure you can enjoy. This the place that Itori wanted me to find out about." Kaneki thought to himself. " Sure," Kaneki said.
They made their way to the restaurant, as Tsukiyama whispers into the ear of a finely dresses man. "I'll see you on the inside Kaneki." He said. "Follow me, sir." The well-dress man escorts Kaneki to a shower, as he has sweated throughout the day. Kaneki relaxes, as he washes his body up from the long day. Before drying off and being met with the servant who has a suit prepared for him.
Putting on the fine suit, he is led to a door which has two other people waiting. A man with short hair named Kobachi and a fat woman named Mitari he found out. They are served coffee, before being led to a room with one table. "This is oddly suspicious, " Kaneki thought.
The ceiling opens to a roaring crowd all wearing a mask and looking down at them with interest.
"WELCOME EVERYONE TO TONIGHTS DINNER! FIRST OFF TO THE LEFT WE'VE JOURNALIST, KOBACHI! WHO IS ALWAYS AT THE GYM AND IS IN TIP-TOP SHAPE MAKING A VERY CHEWY TEXTURE FROM HIM. NEXT IS THE WOMAN, MATARI WHO SHOULD HAVE A SALTY FLAVOR AND FAT! LASTLY, WE'VE AN EXOTIC DISH, MEAT OF A GHOUL!" The announcer exclaims as the crowd goes wild in the desire to try the dishes.
"I'm not into cannibalism." A woman said. "Oh, my dear, but he is far from your average ghoul." Tsukiyama Pulls out the handkerchief, which has Kaneki blood on it." The smell lures many of the ghouls to its orgasmic smell, and the desire to taste the ghoul al the more.
"Shall we have the ULTIMATE GOURMET MEAL!?" Tsukiyama exclaims.
The group of three looks at the crowd with horror realizing that they were brought here to be food for this group. Kaneki drops to the ground realizing that he was too stupid to notice the end goal of Tsukiyama.
"Now then, Time for the dinner show!" The announcer yelled. " "Today's scrapper has arrived!" A hulking figure appears from the darkness revealing a large man that held a butcher knife and mask. His first target is Kobachi, as the man seemed to believe this is all just for the entertainment factor. How he was sadly mistaken, as he is pummeled into the ground, breaking a majority of his bones while letting out a bloodcurdling scream.
The screams drive the crowd wild, as they cheer on the scrapper wanting more and more of this demented, sick show. Which is comparatively the same to the ancient Romans own gladiator shows. The scrapper brings down his butcher knife amputating the man's arms and legs before ripping off his head and throwing it to the crowd. Blood rained down, like a waterfall covering the now remaining two and their executioner.
"Yous two next." The hulking butcher said.
Kaneki stood in front of the woman trying to protect her from the monster before them. "Stay back, I'll try to hold him off," Kaneki said.
However, Matari kicks Kaneki making him fall to the ground, " How about you die first then!"
The observing ghouls watched with curiosity loving the betrayal and revival of pure human nature, as they betray one another. Kaneki barely manages to dodge the scrapper's slam, as he rolls to the side. The scrapper looks confused wondering why there is no dead body under his arms. Nonetheless, he turns his sights on the woman as she runs from him.
He chases after her, but she is too fast for him to catch. But, the poison has started to take its effect as she slows down exponentially. Before the scrapper grabs her and begins to rip off her oily skin slowly. She screams in agony, but he continues the slow torture appeasing the crowd's bloodthirstiness. Then he uses the saw blade to slice her open while ripping out her small intestine and using it, as a whip-like leash to grab Kaneki.
"Yous now." The scrapper said as he pulls Kaneki closer with the bloody intestine. Trying to slice Kaneki in half with the cleaver, but he managed to slide through the gap of it miraculously. Then, aiming a hard punch at the man's face making him drop Kaneki in pain.
"That weapon isn't going to work. He needs something different." Tsukiyama calls for the secret weapon, a quinque. The servant brings out a suitcase and gives it to the scrapper. "Just click the button here." The servant said, before leaving out.
"Make moma proud Taro-Chan, and I'll have a reward for you when we go home." A woman from the crowd yells out. "Yes, moma." Taro said. He tries to slice Kaneki in half, but the boy managed to avoid and twist the giant's arm then break a joint with hard knee jab. Consequently, enraging the monster as Taro uses his free arm to swing the blade slicing Kaneki's side.
Kaneki groaned slightly in pain from the slice, as he realizes the poisonous gas is taking its effect on him. Taro grabs Kaneki squeezing him tightly, breaking a few bones in the boy's petite body. Letting out a scream, as the crowd cheers in excitement, " Kill him! Cut him up into pieces!"
The single kakugan in Kaneki's single eye flared to life, while managing to shock the audience. Whispers, " A one eye ghoul?" Could be heard throughout the crowd. Tsukiyama stared at the boy. "I must have him to myself.. I can be the only one to eat him." He thought before jumping over the rail and shoving his fist through Taro them ripping him in half.
"What did you do to my Taro!" Madam A screams." Taro will be our meal on this lovely night. I'm sorry Madam A, I'll give you suitable replacements for Taro in good time." "Fine, but they better be good." She said annoyed at the loss of her toy.
"Would it be too much to ask for you to just forget this night Kaneki-kun?" Tsukiyama asks as the blood rained on them. Kaneki sighs, as he made his way out of the restaurant and on his way home.
The early sunrise, on a peaceful Sunday, is what Kaneki would call an enjoyable relaxing day. A ring on his doorbell makes him wonder who could possibly be there. "Was it Tsukiyama?" The thoughts of that ghoul made him worry, but he answers the door nonetheless." It is Kimi, what could she possibly need with him?" Kaneki thinks to himself.
"It's about Nishiki. He hasn't heal from his wounds, and I'm very worried about him. Can you help me? I don't know what I should do, but I thought you might know what I can do?" Kimi asked. "I'll talk with someone I know, so don't worry," Kaneki answers with a smile. "Thank you so much." Kimi said.
Kaneki went back inside to read a couple of books to start his morning before going to Antikeu. A hand grabs Kimi by the mouth, revealing Tsukiyama. "You shouldn't be so thankful, yet." The last thing Kimi sees is the rising of the sun, as her world goes black.
Kaneki hears a clicking noise on his window, so he gets up and looks only to see a message with a rose. "Only one person..." He thought. Opening the letter to read that Tsukiyama has kidnapped Kimi, and he has to meet him at a cathedral to save her. Kaneki rushes to Antikeu to see a dead tired Nishiki waiting outside.
"That bastard took Kimi. We've to get her back.." He said angrily. "I know Nishiki, so lets go while we still have an opportunity. The two guys set out for the catbedral, as they one common goal in mind. Save Kimi. They arrived to see Tsukiyama and a knocked out kimi on a platform. "So you both read the message I take it?" Tsukiyama says with an amused smirk.
"I'm going go to kill you." Nishiki activates his kagune before striking at Tsukiyama, however the injuries and hunger have taken a massive toll on him. Which allowed Tsukiyama to overpower him easily with his koukaku type kagune that has an appearance to a sword.
The stronger ghoul simply batted him to the side, as his main dish is right in front of him.
Kaneki activated his own kagune to try and fight the upper ghoul. Using his kagune to propel himself into the air, Kaneki shot down at Tsukiyama like a razor bullet hoping to break the man's kagune. However, Kaneki underestimates the durability that the kagune held and thus is surprised when his attack is simply deflected. "You poor thing, the last-ditch error to save yourself. Now it's time for you to be eaten Kan.." Tsukiyama is cut off mid-sentence as Touka slashes his face.
Kaneki looks at Touka surprised that she is even here. She simply ignores him before focusing on the Gourmet, as he looks at her pissed off. "You fucking wench. Interrupting my meal, I'll kill you." He said.
"Go fuck yourself ." She said, activating her winged kagune launching a barrage of crystals at the man. Tsukiyama simply used his kagune, as a shield blocking the fatal crystals as he moved closer. He slashes her side, then kicks her into a pillar. "You're all weak, and will all be my special dishes." Tsukiyama said with the thought of all the new food exciting him immensely.
"Damn it, I'm too weak. I haven't been eating enough flesh.." Touka thought as an idea came to her. "Kaneki let me bite you. I only need a small amount of your flesh if we are to have any hope of defeating him." Seeing as he is currently incoherent to her words, she grabs him biting his shoulder eating a partial amount of his flesh. She did enjoy the taste, letting a quiet moan before stopping.
Tsukiyama only saw red. She tasted HIS DISH! The only one that could do that is himself. The rage took over, as he clashes his blade with the rejuvenated Touka's kagune. The clash of kagunes is the only thing that can be heard in the halls of Cathedral. However, Touka is gaining the upper hand and is pushing the Gourmet back as her crystals have hindered his movement one by one. While her aerial attacks are proving to be much more effective with the intake of fresh flesh.
Tsukiyama decides that if he could not have Kaneki, no one would be leaving here alive. Therefore, he started to cut down the pillars that support the old building. "We are all going to die, so lets make this fun."
"Kaneki get these two out here and run. I'll handle this psycho, right here, right now. " Touka said. This seems to have been the magic trick, as Kaneko regain his senses and evacuates the injured Nishiki and unconscious Kimi.
Touka and Tsukiyama stare down each other, as the building is falling apart more and more every second. The two appear to be blurs, as their kagunes both seek dominance over one another, neither getting the upper hand. Touka shot forth crystals aiming to completely immobilize Tsukiyama. But, he wouldn't fall for the same trick twice as he uses the pillars to boost his speed and his kagune as a lance to pierce.
Touka manages to block it, but not without a cost as he manages to pierce her arm. She ignores the pain, as her goal is to kill the man with no chance of survival. She knew that time isn't on her side, as in a few more minutes the entire building will crash upon them both.
Tsukiyama's thoughts are twisted within rage, and he only had one objective in mind. That objective is to slaughter Touka and her little friends. Seeing a flicker of opportunity, she sliced off the man's arm, then shot the crystals into his abdomen furthering the pain he is receiving. "You're going to die," as she stares down at him with her single Kakugan glowing brightly. Before stomping the man's head, as she listens to the man's pitiful cries.
Touka cuts off the man other arm before walking out of the cathedral. Moments before it collapses, as that marks the end of Shuu Tsukiyama. "Kaneki lets take them to the shop and heal them up. The manager will decide what to do after that." Touka says. He only gives a tired nod to the response, while they prepare their way to Antikeu.
Night has set in Tokyo, while others slept, others worked. A lone investigator stood on the rooftop, overlooking the collapsed cathedral. Their white hair fluttered in the breeze, "Ken Kaneki.."
