The 20th Ward was very lucky that night. Kaneki was able to hold onto his sanity long enough to get out of the ward using the underground system. Although, for whatever wars he ran off to wasn't as lucky. It was a complete and utter massacre that night.

Any ghoul that Mukade could find was killed and devoured before they even knew he was there. It was truly horrifying. Blood was splattered throughout the allies and half eaten corpses were left within them. There were even some human victims. The Doves would probably be swarming the area in less than a day.

Eventually, Kaneki made it back to Aunt Rize's apartment. It was almost sunrise. He quietly let himself in. He grabbed a change of clothes from the spare bedroom Auntie was letting him have, and went to the bathroom to take a shower.

As he let the warm water cascade down his body, he thought on his time as Mukade.

The CCG never let his use his kakuja. He cannibalized enough at a young age that he'd formed a half kakuja, allowing them to finally give him the alias of Mukade. They thought it was dangerous though, so he was immediately sedated or punished whenever he showed signs of activating it.

It was then they began the experiments began. Under the disguise of punishment, they began to test him. Finding out that when pushed, a ghoul adapts. Even more so when they're a one-eye.

After he broke out using his kakuja, he thought it would be all over. That he could get better. That he wouldn't have to worry about how long the centipede would stay inside his ear, or what one thousand minus seven was. That he could live on without being looked at as a freak, an abomination.

Aunt Rize was helping him and so were the ghouls at Anteiku, but he could see it in their gazes. Every time they found out something new about him, fear of the freak in front of them could easily be seen. After they got over the shock, the fear turned to either pity or hatred.

He thought he'd just be able to have peace. No more sessions. No more centipedes. No more experiments. No more Mukade. And so far, the only one that had made him feel truly okay was the human boy named Hide.

Kaneki got out of the shower. He quickly dried off and slipped on some clothes. Then walked to his room and crawled into bed. He fell asleep with the thoughts of why on his mind.

Hide found Kaneki writing something when he walked into Anteiku that day.

"Watcha doing buddy?" He asked as he sat down.

"Writing a poem."

"Ooh! Can I read it?"

"Sure. It's not very good though. I just learned to write and I'm still not that good." Hide wisely chose not to comment on this. Kaneki handed over the poem he was writing. The writing wasn't that good, but the words. Oh god the words...

Red

Outlining my life.

Following day by day,

But nothing keeps the pain way.

Red

Life filled with strife.

The color dripping from my face,

Voices begging for a taste.

Red

Ripping me open like a knife.

They put it back in my ear,

But never stay long enough to hear.

Red

The voices started shrieking like a fife,

Never staying silent.

They're growing more and more violent!

Red

I can't escape this anymore.

Trapped in a cage,

With ever growing rage.

Red

They tried to lock the door,

On the failed me.

I'm not alright, can't you see?

Red

Sometimes I feel like such a chore.

I'm broken, lying

Helpless and dying.

Red

They treat me like some forgotten lore.

Goodbye fingers goodbye toes,

I'll leave you before my sanity goes.

And now, all I see is

Red

Who the hell had put this poor boy through so much pain?! Hide was outraged at whoever had. He quickly stood up and rushed to Kaneki, pulling him into a tight hug. He wanted to see Kaneki become happy, to not be focused on how much he had been hurt and is still hurting.

"It's okay Kaneki," he whispered.

"Hide,...why?"

"I just feel like I've know you forever, yet we've only just met. It hurts me knowing that someone did something to make you this way. I just want to see you smile without being afraid. I'm sounding weird aren't I?"

"Hide, thanks. Would it be strange to say I feel the same?"

"Not at all 'Neki, not at all."

Hide gave one final squeeze, before going to sit back in his chair. Kaneki already missed the warmth and feeling of safety leaving him. They fell into a comfortable silence.

A few hours later, that peaceful mood was broken. Hide got a call saying he had to pick up something from an upperclassmen for an event. Kaneki didn't listen to most of it, only paying attention to the part of his Hide leaving him.

"Can I come with you Hide?"

"You want to come with me?"

"Yeah. You're mine and I don't want you to leave yet." Hide blushed at this, but let the white haired boy come with him.

When the got to the upperclassman's dorm, Hide carelessly threw open the door. Rushing out came a blushing girl. Embarrassed at being caught straddling her boyfriend.

"Wow Nagachika, ever heard of knocking?"

"Sorry Nishio-senpai! I was told to pick up the dvd of last years college festival."

"Then what are you waiting for? Help me look."

"Sure thing."

As Hide turned his back to begin searching, Nishiki turned his attention to Kaneki. Scenting the air, he smelled the other. What he found was interesting. The boy in front of him smelled a lot like a ghoul- very similar to Rize actually- but didn't smell fully ghoul. Maybe he hung around humans too much? Or the other way around?"

Kaneki silently snarled at the ghoul in front of him. Nobody was going to touch his Hide. The ghoul backed off for now, beginning to search for the disk.

After a few minutes of searching, the ghoul spoke. "I think I left it at my place. Come with me."

Kaneki was puzzled by this. Weren't they already at his place? Maybe he meant the girl who had ran out's house? Probably.

On the way there, they stopped at some food vendors. The ghoul pretended to eat whatever the hell Hide got, but Kaneki refused to eat. When asked why, he told the truth. He wasn't hungry.

They were passing by an alleyway when the ghoul decided to make his move. He kicked Hide into the alley, knocking him unconscious. The ghoul began to retch, throwing up the food he had eaten.

"I was really hoping you wouldn't try to eat Hide. Guess I have no choice."

"What the hell are you talking about brat?"

"I'm already rather full from last night, but a few more mouthfuls won't hurt, right?" Kaneki now bore a maniac grin, eyes gleaming with insanity. One now sporting a red iris and black sclera.

"You touched my Hide. I think I'll hurt you for that."

Nishiki, feeling scared but not yet ready to admit defeat to the crazy ghoul, brought out his Bikaku kagune.

"Only one of your eyes are red? That's gross."

Kaneki walked over to where Hide had been kicked, making sure the other was okay before beginning the fight. Finding that Hide was only unconscious, he decided he could play with his new prey for a little bit.

Nishiki, seeing Kaneki's back turned, decided to attack. Running forward, he tried kick the white haired menace with the combined strength of his kagune and foot. It was easily blocked by the others very own Bikaku kagune, this one a mixture of reds.

Kaneki turned around, facing the supposed attacker this time. He broke his control over his Rc cells, allowing the Bikaku kagune to disappear. In its place were six Rinkaku tentacles, Kaneki's natural Rc type.

"They told me a lot that Bikakus usually hold an advantage over a Rinkaku type. I think it's fitting to destroy you with the type that is supposed to be weaker."

"How dare-" Nishiki was cut short, the fight had begun.

It could only be called a massacre. Nishiki stood no chance against Kaneki. He was quickly stabbed though the stomach and brought up into the air, where he was repeatedly stabbed by the remaining tentacles.

After the ghoul had lost consciousness, he could tell because he had stopped screaming, Kaneki flung him to the ground. Lifting one of his kagune to his mouth, Kaneki licked a small amount to blood off.

"You taste like shit. I think I'll just leave you here instead of eating you. Goodbye Mr. Ghoul. "

Kaneki returned back the Hide, picking the injured human up. He carried him out of the alley and ran to Anteiku. They would be able to help Hide.

No one else was ever going to touch his Hide without his permission again. There was no way Kaneki was willing to give up the human, so was now going to be very cautious around the other ghouls.

If he lost Hide, there would be no bringing him back. His cheerful attitude was infectious, and he made Kaneki forget about what had happened to him. No one was going to take away the person who seemed to want to help pick up the pieces of Kaneki. No one...