"Time to go," Eto said quickly, wiping her eyes.

The children were at the table doing a puzzle with Naki; and both kids looked more asleep than awake.

"Where are we going?" Kaito asked, yawning.

"You're going with your father," she said.

"No!" Hitomi said, standing up. "I want to stay with Mister Naki!"

"Oh, Hitomi," Eto said, kneeling down to get on eye level. "You'll see him next week."

Hitomi paid no mind to her mother's words and cried harder. The sobs violently shook her little body, and none of Eto's kind words could do anything about.

Suzuya quietly walked into the room. His shoulders were tense and he kept his head down. Kaito got up from where he sat without and took his place cowering behind Suzuya.

"Hitomi," the white haired man said flatly. "Stop crying. It's time to go."

The girl just wailed louder. Naki sighed and took Eto's place kneeling in front on Hitomi. She flung herself against him and held on tight.

"Hitomi," he said gently. "You will see me next week. I promise."

"What if I don't?" Hitomi whimpered.

"Why would you not?" Naki asked, drying her tears.

"What if the doves get you?" she sobbed.

"Oh, don't worry about that," the blond ghoul said. "If I'm going to die, it's not going to be because some dove. Okay?"

Hitomi nodded slowly. "Okay."

She hugged Naki one last time, tentatively hugged her mother, and took her place next to Kaito. Suzuya gave Naki a curt nod, and then looked at Eto. His heart broke. There were tears in her green eyes. That usually would not have affected Juuzou, but now that he knew the truth, it was more than he could bare.

"Come on," he said softly, guiding the children outside into the warm night air.

When they were back at the apartment, Juuzou quickly put the children to bed. He then got ready himself, and was soon lying in bed. Alone.

Being alone was something that never bother Juuzou. But now, he felt like he should have someone sleeping next to him. Like he should have… someone. And the worst part was that he knew who he wanted that someone to be.

She had told him she still loved him. She had seemed genuine, but of course, so had their relationship before. Besides, it was no secret that her and Naki were having sex; it was written all over their faces. But did they love each other? Thinking about gave Juuzou a feeling that he was definitely not used to: Envy.

"Why do I feel jealous?" he mused out loud.

Did he care about her still? She was beautiful, but that was besides the point. She was a ghoul. She did seem caring, though. And hell, they had children together. That thought caused Suzuya's mind to drift to the children. Hitomi was a sweet kid, however very emotional. Kaito, on the other hand, seemed completely stoic. Naki had hinted at that there were things about him that he did not know, but Suzuya was pretty sure he knew what the 'things' were. The lady at the orphanage was obviously an alcoholic, and both Hitomi and Kaito both had the profiles of an abused child. Juuzou sighed and rolled onto his side.

"This going to be the end of me," he muttered. "I'm a special class investigator for God's sake. I shouldn't be feeling like this—." he paused. "About the one eyed owl, the leader of Aogiri."

Notes

to the guest 'me': I am not writing Eto x Kaneki. I do not ship them. Please stop.