Disclaimer: I do not own anything except my OC. Everything else belongs to the original creator

Chapter 7

3rd Pov

The day has gone slow according to Yuzuki who spent most of her time working on files, sending some cases to the head of departments that should be taken care of, and now she plans to leave. She hasn't dealt with much ghoul activity lately since none were placed under her field nor has any case arose that called for her attention. Her last mission was with Juuzou before he was assigned to Shinohara and now Yuzuki was left alone once again.

She sighed to herself, leaving her office as she walked down the hall, but she felt a presence and she stopped for a moment. Frowning a bit, but she felt her lips twitch when she recognized the scent.

Yuzuki paused for a moment, turning slightly she saw a familiar figure and a smile formed across her lips, "Fura, how have you been?"

The man chuckled to himself a bit before reaching the young Investigator's side, "I've been doing pretty well. Had better days," He looked down at Yuzuki, who had her head tilted up at him as if she was waiting for him to continue the conservation. He smiled faintly, "What about you, Yuzuki?"

Shrugging, the girl only smirked to herself for a moment before looking up at the tall man, "So far it's been well, but I agree with your statement. I had better days too."

The two of them walked side by side and Fura looked over to the young Investigator, "Yuzuki will you join me for a walk?"

"Yeah, I have time to spare," Smiling up at the man, Yuzuki chuckled lightly before turning away as the two continued down the hall, "It's been awhile since we talked, huh, Fura?"

"It has."

The two walked through the park, it was quiet since no one was around which left the two CCG Investigators to talk to one another in peace. Yuzuki held her hands behind her as she sighed to herself, chuckling bitterly at the realization, "I've noticed that we only talk over work and-"

Fura frowned to himself before looking up at the sky, "I wished it wasn't like that. That you weren't part of this. CCG isn't right for you, Yuzuki."

She laughed under her breath, it was dry as she shrugged to herself while tilting her head over to the man, "But I had no other choice, did I? That was one of the only conditions if I wanted to live a new life."

"Funny isn't it? That you were brought into this, into CCG... Like me and by no one other than Arima himself introduced to this world." The black haired man smiled at the fact that connected the two, but he narrowed his eyes as he muttered, "Sometimes I wish I haven't."

"I can't say I wouldn't dream of it, but there are times where I wished to be somewhere away from here." Raising a brow over to Fura, she sighed while offering a smile to him as she stated a cold fact, "But I know my father saved you that night, he gave you another chance like he gave me."

The two came to a stop in front of a bench, both sitting down and Fura leaned back as he stared up at the tree that shaded them, "I still don't understand him even through all the years," Frowning, he didn't really knew where he was going and he became lost of words, "He can be..."

"..." Yuzuki didn't say anything about the matter for a moment, she felt the need to keep some thoughts or words to herself. It wasn't in her place to say anything regarding the man that raised her. The damaged has been done and she feels the need to remain in silence since no one would actually understand Arima.

Shifting her faded eyes beside her, she laced her fingers together before lifting her head up towards the leaves that covered them from the sun, "I... I haven't been able to fully comprehend his reasoning behind his decisions at times. But I do know that they're for the better."

"Like him removing you from the squad?" Fura raised a brow over to the girl, he sighed before staring off to the distance, "You don't need to live up to the exceptions, Yuzuki. It's best if you were far away from his team and that ward."

"I feel like that's why he did it, he must have wanted to protect me at least." Yuzuki felt the corners of her lips twitch, but she shook her head before closing her eyes, "I've seen what that ward can be and what kind of ghouls there is, but I've seen worse already, so nothing can compare."

Chuckling, Fura smiled faintly over to the girl, "He always cared about you even if he doesn't show it." Shrugging, he closed his eyes for a moment as he whispered, "He might not express it, but he shows it in his strange ways."

Facing the man, Yuzuki curled her fingers into the material of her dress and she whispered, "Are you sadden that you two drifted?"

"Arima and I have gone our separate ways through time. I sometimes can't stand that ba-.. man... He's became colder..."

She turned away, lowering her unfazed eyes towards the ground, "Hirako has said something similar... or implied it..."

Fura sighed, he didn't say anything as he allowed the thoughts to settle before he glanced over to the Investigator, "But it doesn't mean I can't see you."

"You still kept in touch even after your fallout with my father," She smiled slightly, "It must have been difficult to say the least."

"I knew something like that would've happened, but... Aki and I didn't want to stop seeing you, Yuzuki. You've been a part of our family and I didn't want to abandon you for something that is between Arima and me."

"Thank you, Fura."

Standing, he looked over to Yuzuki and he offered a hand towards the girl as he stated, "Aki and I wish to invite you over this weekend. I think it's been far too long and with what happened recently, I think it's the best to step away from work." He smiled, "Also Aki really wishes to see you again."

Yuzuki returned a smile, accepting his hand, "I have a lot to say to her and certainly Aki has so much to share with me."

"That's how I met this guy~!" Hide exclaimed, wrapping an arm around the other boy as he leaned in closer to Kaneki, "What would you do without me?!"

Kaneki shrugged, smiling as he looked over to Yuzuki as he answered back, "I don't know, probably still being me, but with no friends."

"See!" Shaking the boy a bit, Hide patted his friend's shoulder as he explained, "You gotta get out there, talk to people." Chuckling, the boy leaned against the boy's shoulder, "You got me and now-" Looking over to the girl who was on the other side of Kaneki, "Now you got Yuzuki too~!"

Yuzuki sighed, lifting her head over towards Kaneki before she shifted her attention to Hide, "He's not the only one getting out of his comfort zone."

His brown eyes widen, quickly letting his dark haired friend go. Hide moved in front of the girl, "Don't tell me you're anti-social too, Yuzuki!"

Only giggling at his response, Yuzuki shrugged her shoulders, "I haven't made too many friends or actually gone out and talked to people."

Kaneki raised a brow at the girl, "But you talk to the employees at Anteiku."

"I already know them since my parents were good friends with the manager there, so I've gotten to know the employees. Other than that, I don't talk with another one else beside my family and them." Looking over between the two boys, "Then I have you two, who I actually hang out with."

Hide wrapped his arms around both of them, continuing on as he glanced between the two, "Then I gotta get you and my boy out there, making new friends and socializing."

The black haired boy shook his head, "Ah... Hide, I rather not..."

"Kaneki, you can't live in a book your whole life! You'll be missing out!" Hide laughed, looking up in the sky as he stated, "Imagine the awesome people you'll never know." Smirking, he leaned in closer towards the boy as he raised a brow, "Hey! Imagine never knowing me!" Then wiggling his eyebrows as he quickly glanced over to the girl, "You'll even miss out of finding your true love~!"

Kaneki quickly became flustered as he shouted, "Hide!"

"It's true!" Letting go of his friend, Hide held a hand up in defense while still keeping an arm around Yuzuki, "Life will pass you by!"

The light haired girl sighed, "Hide, you're overwhemling him."

Turning his full attention to her, pointing at her as he exclaimed, "That goes to you too, Yuzuki! You gotta meet people and explore the world!"

"I've met my fair share of people already. I just don't go about it like you do." Yuzuki stopped, moving under his arm as she stepped away from him while stating, "You even embarrassed my friend, who works at the café."

"Oh, you mean the waitress," Kaneki raised a brow before quickly sending a frown over to his friend, "I told you Hide that you fraught her!"

"Oh! The cute waitress~" Hide snapped his fingers while quickly defending himself, "I didn't mean to! I was just being me!"

"You were being rude!"

"No, I was complimenting her."

Yuzuki shook her head as she walked beside Kaneki while she faced the orange haired boy, "She was just flustered, but don't do that again, Hide. I really don't want to hear it again."

He paused, glancing over to her, he smiled, "So... She spoke about me~? Anything you'll like to share."

She turned away, shrugging her shoulders before tilting her head a bit, "Ummm... No, nothing you'll like to hear. She was rather straight forward about her thoughts on what happened."

He sighed, pouting slightly, "I'm assuming she was upset?"

She nodded, "You can say it something like that."

"Hide, you just don't say stuff like that to a stranger." Kaneki scolded his friend's behavior, "We might socialize much, but you my friend forget the word 'boundaries'."

Quickly countering his friend's point, Hide shook his head, "It's called being friendly."

Kaneki frowned slightly while raising a brow, "Oh, rather too 'friendly'."

Hide pouted again as the two look at him unamused expressions, "I already apologized."

Sighing, Kaneki nodded, "We know."

Yuzuki smiled over to the boy, "She's working today, so don't repeat the mistake again, Hide."

Throwing his arms over his head, "I won't, I'll be more calm, I guess."

Entering the café, the three of them sat at a table. The boys quickly noticed someone who they haven't seen before, who sat alone near the back of the shop with a book in hand. The two of them began to speak about the stranger while Yuzuki curled her fingers up as she sensed the unwanted presence of someone that she didn't want to cross paths with in her ward. She frowned to herself, not saying much as the two boys talked among themselves.

Hide leaned in closer to Kaneki as he whispered, "Wow, she's new around here, huh~?"

Kaneki looked over his shoulder and he felt his cheeks heat up slightly before looking away, "S-she is..."

The other boy continued to whisper as he watched the waitress that he flustered, "Look the cute waitress is taking her order~ Do you think if I ask, she'll know her name?"

Kaneki frowned at his friend and quickly protested, "Hide! Why would you want to know?"

Smirking at his friend's reaction, Hide raised a brow while pointing out, "Don't tell me you weren't looking too~?"

"I-I wasn't-!"

"Huh? Yeah, sure you weren't." Leaning back to his chair, Hide shrugged while chuckling, "Plus, she's way over your league like just look at her. You got no chance."

"Shut up!"

"I'm telling you~"

"Whatever..." Muttering to himself, Kaneki crossed his arms, but he noticed that their friend hasn't said anything since they sat down. Unfolding his arms, he looked at her in concern, "Yuzuki? Are you alright?"

She shrugged, her expression was cold, but she tried to keep her voice from revealing any emotion she was feeling, "Yeah... I'm fine, just didn't want to interrupt your conservation."

Hide leaned over to girl as he teased, "Aww~ Is Yuzuki-chan jealous that we're talking about another girl~?"

Frowning, Yuzuki wasn't in the best of moods and she turned over to him, "No. I couldn't care less if you were, but she... She gives me a bad feeling."

He snapped his fingers while pointing at her, "You're jealous!"

"No, Hide!" Curling her fingers up, she bit the inside of her cheek as she tried not to say anything regarding the stranger, but she muttered out, "I just can't stand the vibe I'm getting from her. She's bad news."

Kaneki studied how the girl became hostile about the stranger and he couldn't help, but feel upset to see her in such matter. He reached over to her, but she stood up from the table, "Yuzuki-"

Pushing in her chair, she didn't bother saying anything else, "Excuse me, I'll see you guys later." She walked off towards the hall in that must lead to the restrooms or a back door.

Kaneki stared at the spot where she once was before looking over to his friend, "She... She looks upset or even angry."

Hide's eyes were wide, he was taken back at the girl's reaction before he glanced over to Kaneki, "Dude, I think she's just-"

"Don't say it Hide." Frowning, Kaneki didn't allow his friend to finish his sentence, but he countered it with a question, "Why would Yuzuki be jealous anyways? So stop saying it already and give it a rest."

"You're the blind one out of the three of us!" Laughing, the boy leaned over the table as he wiggled his eyes at the boy while grinning, "Kaneki, I've noticed that you two have been hanging out a lot recently. You even gone on a date with her!"

His face flushed, but he shook his head as he quickly protested, "I-It wasn't a date!"

Chuckling, Hide leaned back into his chair as he began to list of his reasons, "Then you got upset with me when I stole you away the other day."

Frowning, Kaneki quickly explained, "We were planning to go to a bookstore, but you came and-"

"Ended your little date~?" Smirking, the boy continued on, "Plus I've seen the way you'll be all flustered around her and how you choose to invite her with us. Or how you'll stand close to her."

Without giving the boy a chance to react, Hide wrapped his arms around his friend as he teased, "It makes me wanna cry~ My boy is growing up~!"

His cheeks heated up, pushing his friend away as he harshly whispered back, "Hide!? Stop it!"

"It's true!" Frowning slightly, without knowing he brought his hand up and brushed his chin lightly as he narrowed his eyes at his friend, "I don't like Yuzuki like that!"

Narrowing his eyes, Hide rolled his eyes while smirking to himself as he continued to tease his poor friend, "Huh, sure... I'll believe you. But I'll ship you two now since you're denying it."

His gray eyes widen, straightening himself in his chair as his cheeks burned, "What!?"

Hide leaned against his arm as he stared over to the indigo haired waitress, "I should ask the cute waitress for her name and maybe the babe over there too~"

"Hide, you wouldn't-"

The boy sat up slightly as he waved his hand over to the waitress, "Hey-!"

The black haired boy quickly went to stop his friend, "-Hide!"

Sharply turning on her heels, Yuzuki narrowed her eyes as she tried to persuade the old ghoul while still maintaining control over her emotions. Crossing her arms, her fingers curled up as she stared over to the manager, "She's the bringe eater! You can't possibly allow her to stay in this ward."

Not acknowledging the girl's outburst, Yoshimura kept a calm attitude, "She hasn't done anything yet, so we can't act."

Frowning, the dove dropped her arms as she brought up a few facts regarding the ghoul, "You're aware of how she left the 6th and 11th Ward. She'll bring unwanted attention from CCG, leading them into discovering this place one way or another."

Glancing over his shoulder, he kept a stoic expression while explaining his decision, "Yuzuki, I know you're concern, but we can't possibly act hostile towards her until she actually proves to be a problem here in our ward."

"I've spoken with her care taker, he even agreed that she's uncontrollable and won't change her ways. Sooner or later, she'll do something that CCG will have to interfere." Sighing, Yuzuki shook her head as she looked away, her expression dropped for a moment as she whispered, "They'll put me in charge of the case since I already live here."

Yoshimura turned around, he studied the girl before he sighed to himself, "Then we'll keep a watchful eye, but as of now we can't do anything. That's my final decision Yuzuki, so if you can excuse me I have work to attend to."

The dove didn't agree with his terms, moving away with her hands curled up into a fist, she turned over to him, "I won't stand by and wait until she hurts someone."

Raising a brow, he looked over to young Investigator, "I'll assume you'll be spectating Kamishiro Rize carefully then."

Not facing the manager, Yuzuki released her fingers from it's form and she reached the door knob, "I'm not part of Anteiku, so I don't obey by your calls."

He looked away, sighing to himself before advising the young ghoul, "Then I wish you luck, Yuzuki, but I do warn you that she's a very troubled woman."

The two were sitting at one of the many tables within the small quiet café, no one was there and it was relaxing. The two boys were enjoying their drinks until Hide set his cup down while asking his friend about Yuzuki.

Raising a brow towards Kaneki, Hide swirled his cup a bit while glancing around the shop, "So no word from Yuzuki?"

Shaking his head, Kaneki set his cup down while informing his friend about a few things, "No, today's Thursday, so she's with her brother for the whole day."

Hide was taken back for a moment, leaning back as he tilted his head, "She has a brother? Didn't know that."

Correcting his friend, Kaneki shrugged while glancing towards the window before looking over to Hide, "Well, it's more of a surrogate brother. He's her close friend."

Leaning against the table, Hide took another sip of his coffee before glancing over to the boy, "Oh! Okay, that's nice to know. So we won't see her until Friday?"

Nodding, he released a sigh under his breath before he picked up his cup, "Probably, but I don't know."

"So it's the two of us today~!"

The black haired boy leaned against his arm, shifting his eyes away as he whispered, "Yeah."

Kaneki found himself staring off to the distances, blinking he saw Yuzuki sitting alone at the bar stool having a friendly conversation with the Koma who was one of the employees in Anteiku. He watched how she smiled, the way she cheerfully spoke with the man, and then he saw how her eyes canceled out her smile. Lately, he's been seeing the very details about the girl that he didn't noticed before and the boy didn't know what to do about this strange feeling.

He remembered how he felt when their arms were linked and how they made flower crowns together. It made him feel strange, his cheeks were hot and his hands were sweaty, but as time went by he felt comfortable being close beside her. Kaneki had to admit he was disappointed when Hide dragged him away before he had the chance to take Yuzuki to a bookstore, but it gave him time to reflect.

However, he was more confused then ever. Still not paying much attention to the words that left his best friend's mouth, Kaneki continued to wonder about the girl, but it didn't last long enough when Hide snapped his out of it.

"Kaneki!"

Snapping his eyes over to his friend, Kaneki quickly glanced over his shoulder only to see that he was merely daydreaming and that Yuzuki wasn't in the café. Quickly remembering that the girl informed him that Thursdays was a day that she spends with her brother, so he wouldn't see her until the next day.

Returning his attention back to his friend, who only gave him a look that he return a confuse expression.

Hide laughed at the fact he caught his friend blocking him out, "Dude you were totally spacing out!"

He rubbed the back of his head while chuckling nervously, "Huh? Yeah, sorry..."

Leaning over the table, Hide looked over to where his friend once stared at, but he smirked to himself as he wiggled his eyebrows, "What were you looking? Huh~ Or more like who were you daydreaming about~"

His cheeks flushed, but he sat up, "N-No one Hide!"

Chuckling, he teased the poor boy, "Oh come on, you gotta admit there's something. You like her?"

Frowning slightly, Kaneki made a point regarding the topic, "If I didn't then we wouldn't be friends. You like her too, which is why we hang out together."

Leaning back into his chair, Hide held his hands up, "Hey, I don't like her in that sense. She's cool and all, but she's just a friend to me. But I can't deny that she looks cute."

Kaneki looked away from his friend, not saying another word after hearing Hide's response. Leaning against his hand as his eyes rested on the small amount of liquid in his cup, "..."

Hide's eyes widen, a smile creeping up on his lips as he watched the way his friend reacted and Hide quickly jumped to a conclusion, "Oh~! You like Yuzuki-san?!"

His gray eyes widen at the words that left the boy's mouth causing Kaneki to snap his head over to him. Quickly denying the boy's statement, "W-what-No!"

"I can see it in your eyes, Kaneki~" He pointed over to the boy who quickly became flustered and Hide kept a watchful eye on his friend, "I know when you're lying!"

He brought his hand up to his chin, leaning against the table as he frowned at the boy across from him, "Stop it Hide, it's not like that."

"Sure it isn't." Not convinced, Hide leaned back in his chair as he kept a watchful eye on Kaneki, "I saw how you really wanted to hang out with her yesterday when I got you."

"I already told you! We were planning to go to a bookstore, but since you took me away, we didn't get to it."

"Books! I swear~" Waving his hand around, but he stopped after noticing something from the corner of his eye, "Speaking of books... Look~"

Looking over his shoulder, Kaneki realized it was the same girl that Yuzuki didn't trust. His eyes widen once he noticed that the book the woman was reading was his favorite book, "She's reading The Black Goats Egg by Sen."

Hide raised brow over to Kaneki before he chuckled to himself, "Isn't that your favorite author? Look you two already got something in common."

"It's not just my favorite author Hide, it's my favorite book from all Sen's collection."

"See! You should ask her out since you two like books and all." Glancing between the mysterious woman and his friend, but Hide sighed, "But I kinda doubt she'll say yes, I mean look at her and-" Raising a brow as he stared at the boy in front of him, "My dear friend, you're not really all that great with talking to anyone especially women."

Shaking his head, Hide chuckled before he took another sip from his coffee, "I don't know how Yuzuki can deal with you and the way you stumble on your words."

Kaneki glanced over his shoulder for a second before looking back to his friend, "I-I'll ask her..."

"Go for it."

She hasn't spoken with anyone from Anteiku after discovering that Rize has ended up in the 20th Ward nor has she explained herself to her humans friends. It's been a couple days since she left them hanging in the café, but she couldn't just tell them that the woman was a ghoul.

Leaving the training room, Yuzuki straighten out her clothes as she head down the hall. However, someone called out to her causing her to turn towards the sound and to her surprise it was Investigator Amon.

The tall man look down at the young Investigator, "Yuzuki-san, if you have a moment to spare I'll like to speak to you."

"Amon?" She lifted her head, realizing the great height difference between her and the young man. She smiled, holding out a hand to the Investigator, "I believe we haven't formally met, so what do you wish to speak about."

He accepted her hand, returning a faint smile before finally revealing his true intentions, "Forgive my mentor, Mr. Mado for his actions." Stepping back, he bowed his head as he asked for forgiveness and he stood tall once more as he went on, "I'm aware that it was wrong of him to confront you in such a way. Especially in front of Arima."

"It's fine, no need to apologize." She shook her head, "Mado has done this many times before, so you shouldn't apologize in place of his."

The two walked side by side as Amon continued to try erasing the first impression, "I wish I could've prevent it if I knew he held some form of resentment towards you, Yuzuki-san."

"Lets place it behind us and move on." Sighing, she stood beside the tall man as she gave her thoughts about his partnership, "I believe you'll do some good for Mado, so I wish you the best of luck and welcome to CCG."

"Thank you, Yuzuki-san." Looking away from the girl, but he raised up a question as he glanced over to her, "I wasn't aware that you were the daughter of Arima."

"We hardly express any sign of affection during working hours unlike before, so not many of the new Investigators are aware of it." Folding her arms behind her back, she explained to why such information wasn't known and she lifted her head up at him, "I've discovered that you worked with my father for a brief moment before he assigned you to Mado."

Nodding, Amon gave his thoughts about the talented Investigator, "You're correct. Arima is a great Investigator and I had the honor of working with him even if it was a short time. Even then, I wasn't aware of you or your involvement of CCG."

"I worked more with my father at the time and only on missions that were assigned to us, which appeared to be very challenging. Other than that none have seen much of me until now." Shrugging, she explained the reasoning behind her lack of appearance through the workforce, "I've grown more accustom to working more and appearing frequently here, but I still have a narrow field operation depending on the case."

"I've heard great things about you Yuzuki-san and I hope that we'll work together in the near future."

"I hope so too, Amon, and it was a pleasure to finally speak to you."

"You too."

Yuzuki met up with Hide at the park before the two went to a music shop. The day was coming to an end, but the sun was still out as the snow began to fall across Tokyo. The dove released breath causing a small blanket of fog to cover her face while Hide stuffed his hands into his pockets. The two walked down the sidewalk, neither really saying much as they accepted the others presences.

Then Yuzuki shifted her head over to him, "Hide, how you been?"

He chuckled, smiling over to the girl, "Pretty good! Been kinda boring without you and Kaneki around today."

She raised a brow, "What do you mean? Where's Kaneki today?"

Hide snapped his fingers while filling her in on the information regarding the absents of their friend, "Oh he's preparing himself for a date he has with Rize. I still can't believe he managed to score a date with her!"

"He what!?" Her faded purple eyes widen, stopping in her tracks as curled her fingers, "Hide, did you not listen to me about that woman?! She's bad news!"

"She's not that bad, she's nice. I don't know where you're getting that idea from." He turned around, standing across from her as he frowned slightly, "I mean Kaneki seem to be happy about it."

Frowning at the boy, she shook her head as she tried to think of something, "Call him right now and tell him not to go."

"Don't tell me you're jealous Yuzuki-chan~" Teasing the girl as he took the reaction the wrong way, but it only made her even more furious as he said, "I tried to make him confess his love for you, but he denied it, so my ship died."

"Hide this isn't some joke!" Storming past the orange haired boy, Yuzuki took in a deep breath as she looked over her shoulder, "I might not see, but I know when someone's trouble and clearly she's bad news."

Quickly catching up to her, Hide tried to reason with her, but it didn't seem to work. Standing in front of the girl, he grabbed her by the arms so they can talk, "Come on, Yuzuki, you're just being irrational."

"If you don't stop Kaneki from going on that date then I will." Shrugging him off, she glared as she firmly stated a fact before leaving him behind, "I know something terrible will happen if he goes with that woman."

"Yuzuki!" Hide shouted over for her, but she didn't turn around and he was left alone. Whispering to himself as he pulled out his phone, "Damn... She's got it bad..."

"Kaneki!"

Running up to the boy, Hide stopped in front of his friend but he took a moment to catch his breath. Shaking his head, he jumped onto his feet as he grabbed Kaneki by the collar and shook him a bit.

"Huh? Hide?" Kaneki was lost to why his friend was acting like that and asked, "What's wrong?"

Hide let the boy go as he began to explain, "I spoke with Yuzuki and she found out about your date with Rize."

His eyes widen, Kaneki stepped back as he stared at Hide for a moment before asking, "S-she did? What did she say about it?"

"Dude, she didn't like the idea one bit!" He threw his arms as he overreacted about the subject, but he quickly leaned closer to Kaneki as he gave his opinion, "To me, Yuzuki sounded really jealous~"

"She what? No, she probably-"

"Kaneki! The girl literally ranted to me about how Rize is only trouble!" Placing his hands on his hips as he began to explain how Yuzuki said, "Then she told me to tell you not to go out with Rize." Tilting his head, Hide dropped his hands as he added, "Or she'll tell you in person."

"Does Yuzuki really don't want me to go on my date?" Scratching his cheek, Kaneki looked away as he began to give it some thought, "I-"

Hide placed his hand on Kaneki's shoulders, "Hey, you don't have bail on your date if Yuzuki doesn't agree with you."

Shaking his head, Kaneki shifted his eyes away as he thought back to how she acted the other day, "But I don't want to upset Yuzuki, if she really thinks it's a bad idea then-"

"Aww~ You really value her opinion," Wrapping an arm around the boy, Hide grinned as he teased him in a cheerful tone, "See this is why you two are my otp!"

He was taken back at the sudden outburst and Kaneki shook his head as his cheek redden once more, "Hide!? It's not like that! I just don't want to be on her bad side, that's all."

Letting go, the orange haired boy gave him a concern look, "So what are you gonna do?"

Kaneki sighed, turning over to his friend before he began to walk away, "Let me think about it."

"Kaneki!"

He stopped in his tracks at the sound of his name, but he was surprise to see that it was Yuzuki who was calling out to him. Kaneki hunched his shoulders a bit as the weather got colder, but he kept his eyes on the girl as she made her way towards him.

Tilting his head a bit, "Yuzuki?" Then his eyes widen slightly when she placed her hand on his shoulder and he felt his face heat up as she began to talk to him.

"Kaneki listen to me, Rize is trouble and I'm only telling you this as a friend, so please don't do this." Her expression soften, she was trying to persuade the boy that it was best to stay away from Rize, but it wasn't easy, "I wouldn't be telling you this if it wasn't true."

Frowning, Kaneki stepped back from her as he countered her points, "You don't even know her, Yuzuki. I've spoken with her and she's nice, nothing that is a sign that she's trouble."

"That's because your blinded by her charms." Returning a frown, Yuzuki crossed her arms as she bit her lip when she desperately tried to save him from a great mistake, "Please, if you haven't seen any small signs that show you she's bad news then just believe my words."

Her fascial expression soften once again, "I care about you Kaneki and I really don't want you to get hurt because of her." Resting her hand on his arm, she made one last stand in hopes that he'll listen, "Promise me that you won't go with her, please."

"Yuzuki... I..." His eyes avoided her for a moment then he faced her, offering her a smile as he held his chin, "I promise. If you think she's trouble then I believe your judgement."

"Thank you for hearing me Kaneki" Smiling, she stepped away from him and bid her farewell as she took his word for it, "Please take care of yourself, okay. I'll see you later, goodnight."

"I'll see you tomorrow then," He waved at her, watching her leave, "Goodnight Yuzuki."

Once she was out of sight, Kaneki felt his smile falter as he glanced down at the ground before he turned away while whispering under his breath, "I'm sorry..."

Touka was working, taking orders and cleaning up after tables, but she wasn't prepared to step in and try to prevent a ghoul from luring their pray. She never interfere before, but this time it was different and she couldn't help but feel guilty if she stood back.

Her eyes caught sight of the two humans that Yuzuki have been spending her time with around the ward, but what really caught her attention was the woman that stood beside the black haired boy. Touka glared slightly, she was aware of who that woman was and she knew that she wasn't human, but a ghoul.

Picking up a few cups from an empty table, she frowned as she realized something, That idiot is actually going with Rize?

Glancing between her tray that was filled with cups that held some liquid while others were empty and she looked over at the two boys, especially the one that stood next to that ghoul, I need to stop him before he gets himself killed. None of the less, I don't want Yuzuki to kill me if I didn't try to stop the human.

Acting as if she didn't see the three of them, she bumped into the black haired boy causing her to drop the tray and a loud shatter echoed through the café. Everyone turn their attention towards them, she quickly knelt down to clean the mess and she noticed from the corner of her eye that the boy began to help her.

"Oops! I'm sorry!" Touka moved the tray as she tried to pick up whatever survived the crash, "I didn't see you there."

"Oh! I'm so sorry about this!" The boy began to collect some of the broken pieces as he apologized, "Let me help you."

She sighed to herself, the plan seem to buy some time, but she wasn't expecting the other boy to interfere. She frowned, her plan backfired completely as the other boy that embarrassed her was now helping her clean up.

"It's alright, I got this covered," the orange haired boy knelt down as he grabbed a few napkins to clean up some of the coffee that spilled. He looked over to his friend and nodded, "You can go Kaneki."

The boy excused himself as he stood up beside his date, but he quickly thanked his friend, "Thanks Hide and sorry about-"

Hide shrugged it off as he winked at his friend, "Don't worry about it! Go on your date."

He smiled a bit before he walked along with Rize, "See you later."

The orange haired boy felt his collar tighten as he remembered what he said before, but he smiled sheepish as he apologized on behave of his friend. Hide placed the broken cups on the tray as he chuckled, "Uh... Sorry about the mess my friend caused ya."

"It's my fault," She shook her head, accepting the help from the human and she stood up after thanking the boy, "Thanks for helping."

He gave her a two finger salute along with a wink before he took his leave, "No problem!"

Touka dropped the broken cups into the trash while ignoring the look she gained from Irimi and Koma. The girl went to the back as she began to think the worse, Yuzuki is going to kill me when she finds out...

Entering the now closing shop, Yuzuki unwrapped her scarf as she walked over to the counter. The dove set the material aside while greeting the girl, "Hey Touka."

Touka didn't face the girl as she walked past her to clean one of the tables, but the ghoul didn't want to withhold the details involving the human that went off with none other than the bringe eater. The indigo haired girl bluntly stated, "I saw one of your human friends leave with Rize."

Yuzuki's eyes widen at the words that she heard, sharply turning on her heels she faced the waitress, "And you didn't stop him!?"

The young ghoul felt the coldness behind the dove's words, but Touka finally faced the girl as she firmly stated, "I tried, but his other friend ended up helping clean up the mess I created to stop him which failed."

The light haired dove only paced around a bit as she thought of the worse case, but she quickly turned to Touka, "You should've done- Ugh!" But she stopped herself from lashing out at the girl that tried to help and Yuzuki just stormed out of the café, "I swear boys are idiots!"

"Yuzuki! You can't possibly-" Touka followed behind Yuzuki, but she stopped in her tracks as the door closed behind the dove and Touka muttered under her breath, "Forget about it."

Yomo came out from the back, raising a brow at the young girl who looked disappointed for not being much help. The white haired man glanced over his shoulder as he stated, "It appears that Yuzuki is about to confront the ghoul."

Koma glanced between the two as he questioned, "You think she'll reveal herself to the boy?"

Touka frowned, snorting as she continued to clean, "What? That's she's a dove or that's she's a ghoul?"

"Either one," Koma grabbed the cups from the counter, "I just hope it doesn't end badly for her or the boy."

The indigo haired ghoul only narrowed her eyes as she placed the trays away, "I doubt it. She'll have to move on if Rize already ate the kid."

"Touka."

She turned around to see the manager standing there with no clear expression over his face and Touka only frowned to herself. Crossing her arms as she muttered, "What? I have a point there."

Yoshimura sighed, "Yuzuki will be devastated if something were to happen to her new friends."

"Then she shouldn't have gotten close to the humans!" Touka snapped, but she didn't face anyone nor did she want anyone to see her as she harshly stated, "They're weak and bond to die quicker."

"Kaneki!?" Yuzuki felt her insides twist when she smelled something that she couldn't possibly describe, but she knew it was blood. Her eyes widen, her fists tighten as she shouted from the end of the scene, "HEY!"

Kaneki looked up to see her standing not so far away and he tried to get up, but his mouth felt dry as he whispered, "Y-Yuzuki? What-" His eyes widen as he realized that she's in great danger and he exclaimed, "Run!"

The ghoul giggled, wiping the blood across her lips as she smiled so sinisterly at the dove, "Someone came to join the fun, huh~?"

He felt the blood drain from him, the warmth fading and the pain finally going numb, but he still felt the need to protect his friend. His eyes were filled with tears as he shouted, "Yuzuki run-!"

"Oh~ You're the one I've heard about~" Rize walked towards the unarmed girl, she taunted the dove as her kagune waved around her, "Oh the daring Reaper's Daughter has came~"

Licking her fingers, the ghoul narrowed her eyes at the dove as her rinkaku shot forward, "But you're too late and I'll have to eat you up before ending my date with Kaneki-chan~"

Yuzuki narrowed her eyes and she flipped out of the way before she spirted forward, "You're done terrorizing people Rize and I'm going to stop you."

Her eyes glowed brightly, the red color could pierce through anyone, but Yuzuki didn't seem bothered or troubled. Rize frowned to herself as she watched the dove dodge her attacks, but she smirked to herself, "Oh~!? Is that so? Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you my dear, but you'll be long dead before you have the chance to touch me. Especially without your quinques."

Yuzuki glared, she twirled out of the kinkaku's sharp crawls while running forward and she felt her kakgune, but she ignore it. Forcing on the movement, her surroundings, and the sounds she was able to detect the next attack. Rize was quick, but Yuzuki was faster and managed to lay a hand on the ghoul which only made her angry.

She pressed against one of the points across Rize's arm and it quickly went numb, but Yuzuki ducked as she felt the kagune swipe over her. The two stepped away from one another, then Rize made another attack as she dug her kagune into the ground, but Yuzuki quickly flipped away. The dove frowned to herself as she thought I should've brought my quinque with me.

Landing not so far from the injured boy, Yuzuki stood tall as she felt something in her surroundings shift. Not moving, Yuzuki sensed the ghoul rush towards her, but she never made it across the area when the sound of cables snapping echoed.

Stepping back, Yuzuki felt the beams crashing down onto the ghoul, but she quickly looked up to see a figure standing above them and her eyes narrowed the moment she recognized the scent.

"Souta..." Muttering under her breath, but Yuzuki quickly discarded the idea of dealing with another ghoul. Turning around, she went to the aid of the boy who hasn't moved since she confronted Rize.

Rushing over to the boy, the dove quickly began to put pressure over his wound as she tried to keep him conscious. The girl felt her emotions scatter as the smell of blood overwhelmed her, but she needed to save him.

"Kaneki!?" Her voice became weak as she felt the warm blood under her hands causing her to tense up at the thought of the serious condition he was in.

Shaking her head, she bit the inside of her cheek as she began to take to him, "Stay with me, Kaneki. Come on, don't you give up now!"

His eyes became heavy, but he didn't want to close them as he say the sky blur. Still he heard her voice and surprisingly he heard a clown laughing in the distances, but he didn't know if he was hallucinating.

"Please, just hold on." Letting him go, she quickly fished out her phone and began to dial 911, but she couldn't help but think, God! Why didn't I act quicker!? I should've known-

Grabbing onto his hand, she felt a pain that she hasn't felt in so long that she can't describe it. It was a pain that was building up within her and she leaned over the boy as she tried to gain a response from him, "Kaneki? Ken... Ken please react-anything!"

She felt the pressure around her hands tighten for a moment, but it quickly faded and she held onto him, "Ken, I know you can get through this. We still didn't go to see Sen Takatsuki and I promised to take you..."

"Don't you die on me like this Ken," Then she felt something wet trail down her cheeks and her eyes closed as she allowed the sensation to cover her, "Please, don't go too..."

His eyes closed and his breath became shallow causing the lone dove to panic. She bit her bottom lip before begging as she cupped his now cold cheeks, "Not you too, please, just stay with me Kaneki."

She felt the muscles around his mouth twitch, his lips trying to part as if he wanted to say something, but nothing escaped his lips. The sadness part of life is when words you desperately try to share never reach past your lips and Kaneki surely felt the world fall around him as everything slowly faded into darkness. However, he still felt a warm touch across his face and he managed to make out the nose before slipping into the dark.

"Please... Don't die on me Ken..."

A/N: Well, I was close to the day I said, but it wasn't too long like last time. I hope the chapter wasn't too long since I've noticed the word count from the last one and this one. Thank you for those who viewed and followed/favorited it. I really appreciated it! I'll be taking another break due to the fact that this week will be busy for me. Graduation is coming up and a lot of things need to be done along with me taking a break after it's all over with.

When I update again in a week or two I'll have Chap 8 and 9 ready to make up for my absents. Thank you for reading and I hope to hear from you guys through reviews. It takes a couple of seconds and you don't need to have an account to review, so feel free to leave your thoughts. I would love to hear your feedback.

Next Chap we'll see the aftermath of what happened along with the struggles that they'll endure. Things are about to change and both sides will face challenges that might make life unbearable.

Until then, hope you have a good day wherever you are :)