Author note: Finally back and excited to write for my readers once more. So sorry for the long wait, but I do have a new found motivation to write more chapters at a much more fluid pace. Nonetheless, here is the new chapter. Enjoy!
Chapter shorter than usual :(
Chaos. That is all that could be describe the scene before them. Bodies of ghouls, in a multitude of shapes and kagunes all sprawl out on the cold gravel. Blood flowing, as if it were a newly found river. This is the sight that is be founded to the new couple.
If it were his earlier self, Kaneki would've been revolted by the sight. Now, it is only a hinderance to his goal. To protect his friends... he needs power. A power that could stop him from being so useless... the power that brought an end to Yamori himself. It thrills him, but terrifies him all the same.
He could remember the last moments he spoke to his friends at Anteiku, but more importantly his last talk with Nishiki.
After escaping the room with Eto, Kaneki was left alone to deal with his friends that had came for him. Since, Eto didn't want to be involved with his little family. She simply disappeared, and told him to meet them at the designated location.
The sound of battle alerted Kaneki to a nearby battle. His vision allured him to an injured Nishiki and Touka... He raised his eyes to see the perpetrator being her younger brother. Not saying a single word, he single handily rushed past all of the projectiles to protect Touka.
Kaneki used his kagune to fend off most of the attacks, while minor hits were healed quickly. "Mr. Nishiki. Take care of Touka." The one eye ghoul dodged the barrage of shards, then jabs his fist swiftly into the young ghoul. Blood spat from Ayato's mouth.
"You bastard!" The younger ghoul screams in anger and frustration. "How could this wimp turn into this?" Ayato thinks to himself , before regaining his arrogance. Gaining a smug smile, the two begin a fist fight with neither letting up as each clash is a fight of dominance.
"Because you're Touka's younger brother I won't kill you." The empty voice of Kaneki was like listening to a corpse. However, Ayato believing that he was being looked down continued to struggle against his opponent.
"I will break you piece by piece." Kaneki began the assault breaking Ayato's wrist, then ribs as the sounds of bone breaking continued. His grunts of pain didn't receive any mercy in the beating that he was getting. In the end, Ayato was in too much pain to comprehend what exactly occurred to him.
Kaneki ignored him and walked over to his duo of friends. "I am not returning Nishiki." The grey eyes of Kaneki were no longer filled with a sense of child happiness, but something different. Something...primal.
Nishiki, knew that he would not be able force him comply if he wanted too. "Be safe bookworm and try not to die." The only response he received back was a head nod. "What are you going to tell Touka?"
Kaneki, froze for a moment. "Tell her that there are things that I must do to protect ones I care about." Those were his final words to Nishiki, as he went to the rendezvous spot.
Nishiki sighed, " I wonder how you and Hinami will take this...Touka."
Kaneki stopped reminiscing, as he finished cannibalizing the ghoul's body. There were many more that he would feed on, but he thought about the ghouls he just killed. Eto told him, they were a villainous criminals that preyed on elderly and women. So, he did what anyone with power would do.
He slaughtered every last one of them. No mercy in this Hell of a world, especially for the sick individuals that made it hard for others.
"You're amazing my love. At this rate your kakuja will grow in just fine, and will be ready use at your own will." Eto's slender hands wrap around his neck before pecking a kiss on his bloody lips. "Are you okay? Kaneki-kun?"
Kaneki didn't want anyone to worry about him. Not anymore, as that only led to death of the people he cared about. "I am fine, Eto-chan." She simply stared at him for a few seconds before sitting beside him.
"You know Ken, I only want be here for you. I may have been a little...aggressive about my approach. But, I do mean good by what I do to and for you."
"I know Eto." Kaneki says quietly. "We all have to hurt. While, some more than others. The end is something that you may never believe. I don't know where this world will take us... but, you're all I need to continue this journey." Eto nuzzles her head into his shoulder, as they both relax into each other's presence.
"I have a book promotion in the U.S, and you could use a vacation from all the stress. So, you're coming with me." She breaks the silence with conversation. "How long will it be?" Kaneki asks curiously, as he has never been out the country.
"Oh." Noting her boyfriend's interest at the sound of getting out of the country for a while. "It will be two weeks long, and will be in some place called Seattle. I've heard that it rains a lot there, so it should be a good for us to read books and do romantic things... K-a-n-k-e-i." She says that last part with extra emphasis, as Kaneki smiles at her playful attitude.
"I would like that a lot Eto-chan." A fresh experience outside of the country would do him some good. And, allow him to see how ghouls outside of Japan function all together. Nonetheless, he has a lot of ghouls to eat.
The next few hours Kaneki spends devouring the ghouls and keeping his girlfriend busy with questions of the place that they'll be visiting.
"Today, is the day Kaneki-kun! Wake up, wake up!" Ever since he has joined Aogiri Tree, he has lived with Eto. Depending on her mood the wake up calls could vary from being loving to homicidal. In which, he mostly preferred the former.
"I am up, but give me five more minutes of sleep." Kaneki replied lazily. The room's temperature drop as Eto looms over Kaneki with kakugan activated, " What did I tell you?"
The sudden change in voice has given Kaneki enough energy to awaken, and quite quickly. Eto smiles softly, then begins gathering her essentials for the long plane ride. "You have everything you need Kaneki-kun?" She asks her lover, while putting her hair into a messy bun.
"Yes, I have everything packed and ready to go. I just need to get dressed for today and we're set." Kaneki says, while staring at his girlfriend's frame. Eto catches his glance, and decides to tease him. She crawls onto Kaneki's lap, pressing her medium size breast against his chest. "If you're a good boy, then maybe I'll let you take me..." She seductively whispers into his ear.
Kaneki's face turned into a shade of crimson, as he was dumbfounded. The situation is new to him, and he has never had much experience with women... especially on the sexual side. "Look at you. You're a tomato." Eto giggles.
Ever since Kaneki's torture she tries to make his nightmares go away. He would count down from 1000-7 and call out for her in the middle of the night. She decided that she never wants to see him so hurt again, so she is building him to be stronger.
Kaneki laughs softly with her, as he realizes that his face is completely red. "We should be getting dressed and getting ready go soon Eto-chan. The tickets say we leave at 10am, and it's 9am." Seeing that her lover is right, Eto hops up and begins to get dressed. A simple green dress, black stockings, and black shoes.
Meanwhile, Kaneki puts on black jeans and white shirt that says Tokyo. Following up with a pair of black laced boots. "One question before we go Eto-chan. How will we get through Rc scanners without getting detected?"
"We are half-ghouls, Ken. So, we can walk through the scanners without worry." Kaneki accepts his girlfriend answer and stops stressing himself.
The couple finish their daily routine and head for the airport. Finally, ready for a moment to spend with one another. No CCG, no chaos, no work. Just the two of them against the world.
The process to get on the plane was simply, as they are now boarding their eleven hour ride. With Eto snuggled into his chest like a miniature fox, he could only stare out the window as he listens to his favorite song, Unravel.
"The Owl and Centipede are on route."
" Keep a close eye, and report any changes over the next two weeks."
" Yes sir."
" Don't fail me Mr.Terrell."
" I never have sir."
The closing of doors set in a final darkness, as only figure solemnly waits for all the pieces to align.
