Chapter 6

Thoughts

"He didn't come because the tattoo machine was broken in the process." Banjou scratched the back of his head with a huffed.

"So he fixed it up first?" asked Giro as he pulled the pole slowly, marking the white ball direction. The purple ball was his target. Then with a precised force, he pushed the pole and made the white ball hit the purple one. The elder ghoul cursed when the targeted ball didn't get in the hole.

"Yeah. He said finishing his artwork is more important than any other things." replied Banjou as he walked over to the other side of the billiard table.

They were in the game room where there were 3 billiard tables and other sorts of board games. Nishiki was also there joining the game. He didn't intend to go home just yet. After all, there wouldn't be anyone who's waiting for him with a hug nor a fancy plate of human flesh.

"Wow, lucky. My turn." Nishiki went over the other side of the table where he could hit the white ball closer. The purple ball that Giro targeted was closer to the hole-so he took the advantage. The purple ball got in smoothly.

"You got it in because of me." said Giro with a grin. It was as if he wanted the credit for the win.

"Oh, really? I bet you didn't want me to hit it, old man." replied Nishiki as he smirked.

"Haha! What a cruel four eyes you are, kid." the baldy ghoul shook his head like a father who saw just how naïve his son could be. Nishiki scowled because he didn't like it to be called a 'kid' nor 'four eyes'. He was 25* years old already, and he had a proper name.

Banjou was standing on the other side of the table. He was only watching the game, didn't have any intention to join. The white ball was hitting the other, and the ball that was hit went to hit the other innocent balls. Giro made a triple combo and one of them managed to get in the hole. After that the elder ghoul excused himself for awhile to go to the vending machine, taking three canned Coffee Brandy.

Something came in Banjou's mind. It was about the leader of the 20th ward, Yoshimura. The ex-manager of Nishiki and Touka. He remembered that they were bad mouthing him again in front of those two.

"Nishiki." Banjou called. The brunette ghoul who were currently bent down to hit the ball replied his call without lifting his head.

"Yeah?"

"Um... I'm sorry, about before." for a moment Banjou felt like maybe he shouldn't have said it but he couldn't help it. Being nice was his forte.

Nishiki hit the ball perfectly and got two balls in. The skilled ghoul smirked as he lifted up his back again.

"About what, Banjou?"

Banjou scratched the back of his head, "Well, you know, um... about Yoshimura-san," Nishiki got taken aback, "Leader didn't have to say that. I feel bad for you and Touka."

"O-oh..." now the glassesed ghoul felt awkward. It was rare for him to get an apology about his ex-manager, "Don't sweat it."

Banjou smiled seeing that side of Nishio Nishiki who had always speaking rude and not honest, just like his other barista girl friend** who already went home right away after the meeting finished.

"Sometimes it makes me wonder just how identical you are and Touka. Like the male-version of her, hahaha!" Banjou teased with a loud laugh.

Nishiki immediately snapped his head with displeasure, "What the hell!? I look nothing like that barbaric woman!" in the back of his mind he also thought that the one who resembled Touka the most was his late little brother.

Nishiki's response made Banjou laughed as he ignored his friend's protest, "Will you play the second round? If you do then I'll join." his laugh ceased as he voiced the last sentence. In return, Nishiki only gave the big ghoul cynical glare. But Banjou knew he meant 'fine, whatever'. After all, Nishiki wasn't entirely mean.

"Uta~ How's the greeny? I want to meet him!"

"He's right here. Zen-kun!"

The shouta ghoul appeared awkwardly from behind of Uta's back. He nodded a little, showing respect to his senior.

"CUUUTE!" Itori suddenly ran over to Zen and hugged him very tight, "How old are you?" Itori asked enthusiastically. Hoping that the boy she hugged was way younger than her.

"E-eighteen, ma'am." Zen found trouble in talking and breathing. He thought maybe today was the day he would die ridiculously.

"You're kidding me! You look 15!" the woman ghoul pulled away Zen's body and scanned him from head to toe. "You're a midget aren't you, kiddo?" Itori grinned.

Zen felt like a heavy rock from Grand Canyon fell on his head. He couldn't deny it and quickly he cursed the fact that he was short.

"May I see your tattoo? Where do you have it?" asked Itori. It was also her habit to look for every newbie's tattoo. It was to feed her curiosity and also to appreciate her artist friend's work.

"Here." Zen moved his right leg a little bit. He was wearing a short pants so the tattoo was visible. The ink was still fresh also.

The red centipede tattoo was encircling the fair leg with it's head on the calf facing upward. The number 899 was drawn on the centipede's body in algrerian font to matched the centipede's style. Another wonderful tattoo it was.

"That one is my favorite design, y'know." Uta stated in advance.

"I know. It's the same style as me, don't you remember?" Itori showed her wrist. Rather than Zen's bigger one, Itori's centipede was smaller and simple. The color was red with black stripes. The number 6 was shown being hugged by the centipede under the wrist.

Uta chuckled, feeling proud of his old work from 4 years ago. Also the fact that his bestfriend had it, it made him even happier.

The chattering of the other members in the lounge were accompanying them. They were sitting on the bar along with Tsukiyama and Rize who had nasty conversation. The artist told the newbie about Mukade's history and the eleven strongest members. Who were the oldest to be here and who were the youngest.

"Ah... if we're talking about this I began to remember about Yomo-kun..." Uta muttered with a hint of sadness.

"'Yomo-kun'?" Zen tilted his head over the unfamiliar name.

"He used to be a member and also one of the strongests," Itori explained. She gulped down the red liquid to her throat, as if it would be the trigger to opened the past. "A bestfriend of mine and Uta. We joined Mukade together 4 years ago. Back then we had nowhere to go. We used to only fight and kill with no other reason but to survive."

"Then we found them on the street of the 19th ward along with dead bodies of ghouls," Rize suddenly butted in as someone who also experienced the moment, "We saw their fight and Kaneki took interest in them." said Rize nonchalantly.

"I remember back then how Kaneki-kun asked us to join him. He said, 'I want you three to join my organization.' and then I thought, 'Who the fuck is this brat? Acting all high and mighty like he owns the place'. Honestly, I was irritated. So was Itori. But Yomo-kun just kept staring, being a veeery talkactive person he was." Uta said with a very amused tone. He brought small laughter from everyone, including Rize.

"We didn't just easily accept. We fought. 3 vs 1." Itori said as she spinned her wine glass. She remembered the power she had faced together with her friends.

"Wait, so you mean the three of you fought Kaneki-san alone?" Zen asked in disbelieve.

Both Itori and Uta nodded, "And let me tell you, we weren't weak okay? We fought evenly. And that surprised me. A ghoul from nowhere that we have never seen before could be that strong." Itori sipped her glass until it was empty.

"Also he was with Rize-chan and Jason-kun. It surprised me even more." Uta added with a weird smile.

Zen finally showed his interest back. All of these stories about Mukade's past were really intriguing in his ears. "Then who won in the end? Was it you?"

"Neither." Rize spoke up from Itori's left. "Both of sides were even. But actually, the one who cornered Kaneki a lot was Yomo," Rize's eyes began to squint curtly towards the others, "the traitor."

The moment she heard that, Itori's expression began to get gloomy. Uta didn't show it, but deep down he also felt bad.

"T-traitor?" Zen repeated the negative word. What did she meant by that?

"Can we please not-" before Itori could finished Rize already cutted her off.

"He quit and changed side to Yoshimura 2 years ago," Rize closed her eyes in disappointment, "he said he couldn't follow Kaneki anymore. Also saying that being with Yoshimura could make him a better person. What a garbage."

Uta flinched after he heard the last sentence. His knuckles got tighten uncontrollably. His calm and friendly demanor could possibly gone if he didn't have enough patience. The artist hid his anger behind a fake pure looking smile.

"He is not a garbage."

"Huh?" Rize turned her head around to see the offended ghoul. She squinted her eyes curtly. "What did you say?"

"Yomo-kun is not a garbage. He has done a lot of useful things for the organization." Uta glanced over the ghoul he actually likes, "You can call him a traitor, but I think calling him a 'garbage' is too far, Rize-chan." said Uta as nicely as possible.

Itori was astonished. Secretly she smiled a little, showing her happiness. She was kind of glad that Uta spoke up in her stead.

"Ho... So you want me to take back what I said?" Rize wickedly smirked. Obviously she wasn't sorry for what she said.

Uta shrugged his shoulders, "That's up to you. I'm not saying that I want you to take back what you said, but it's better if you don't say that again in the future."

Now the two ghouls were staring at each other. Their relationship was starting to strain. Zen who didn't know what to do was too afraid to speak and he felt guilty for asking back then. Itori who was sitting in the middle of the two also trying to cool down the atmosphere but deep down she felt like Rize deserved it.

Sensing that the atmosphere was getting heavy, Tsukiyama who has been observing the conversation finally spoke up, "Arrétez! This talk is over! Look at our little greeny's pretty face, he's looking nervous because of you all. Even his cold sweat is visible from here. So let's just drop it, shall we?" Zen felt glad in an instant. "Uta-san, Itori-san why don't you go to the play room? I believe Monsieur Giro, Monsieur Banjoi, and Nishiki boywould like more playmates!"

Uta smiled and stood up from his high stool. "Hm... I don't know how to play it but I guess I can learn. Sorry, Zen-kun. You must've feel awkward." Uta apologized with a sad smile.

"N-not at all! Please don't mind me!" the young ghoul quickly shook his head as he wavered his hands. Uta chuckled. He already had a feeling that he might be liking the newbie as a friend.

Itori also stood up and put her empty glass down. "I'm coming too," Itori turned her around to see the young ghoul she liked, "Zenny, we'll talk again later!" the ghoul in red gown waved cheerfully. Before she left, Itori gave Rize one last glance. Rize didn't pay any attention and sipped her glass again. She didn't see them off also.

After both Itori and Uta left, right at the same time Yamori came from the basement. His beige colored suit was tainted with a little bit of red dots. Everyone in the room who saw him acted like they didn't care. But honestly, they feared him everytime he came out from the stairs below.

"Yamori-kun! How was your playtime?" the purple haired ghoul greeted happily. From the way he said it, it really annoyed Yamori so much that he wanted to bring out his rinkaku out and pierced Tsukiyama's chest immediately.

"Shut up. You're so annoying. Fucking gourmet." Yamori growled and glared.

Tsukiyama widened his eyes, "Up until this moment, I still do not know what is your problem with me. Hmm..." the gourmet made a fake disappointed expression.

"Your talking is my fucking problem." Yamori went to take a sit beside Rize. The bartender asked if he wanted anything, but the blonde ghoul said no.

Zen who was still sitting there finally saw the man called Yamori. The famous feared Jason of the 13th ward.

'That's... Yamori...! What's with all those blood on his clothes...' the newbie's eyes widened in complex fear and curiousity. Afraid of making any eye contact, Zen decided to follow Uta and Itori by going to where they headed.

"Where's Kaneki?" Rize asked without looking at Yamori. She didn't realize that Zen already escaped the dramatic bar. Even if she knew, she wouldn't even give a damn. In fact it was better that way.

"Still down there. I don't know what he's doing." Yamori rested his elbow on the bar. "I only told him to kill the man."

Rize cocked her head, "Kill? Oh my. Why would he waste anytime to kill a shitty small fry?" Rize sneered and chuckled. She took the novel that has been rested beside her emptied glass, Black Sheep and White Wolf was the title. She opened the page with red bookmark that wasn't too far from the last page and began to read where she left of.

Feeling like he had nothing to do anymore, Yamori was thinking that he should go home. "I'm outta here. See ya." the blonde man descended from the high stool and made his way to the exit.

"I think I should go too. Need to go somewhere." Tsukiyama Shuu tapped the reading ghoul's shoulder, "Have a nice day, vice leader."

"Wait, Tsukiyama." Rize halted without looking back.

"Yes?" The Gourmet slightly raised his eyebrows. He was thinking that the woman might tell him something bad.

"What did you and Kaneki talked about?" Rize asked. Her voice was flat, hiding her suspicion. But she gave Tsukiyama enough hint that she disliked what Tsukiyama hid from her.

"Nothing. I only asked him for dinner."

"Dinner?" the reading ghoul now turned her head back around and gave Tsukiyama a view of her displeased expression, "Then why didn't you let me know?"

"Because it's private, mademoiselle." Tsukiyama retorted as he gave an annoyed glare, feeling like Rize wanted to know too much.

"I have the right to know, Tsukiyama." Rize glared back. Her eyes showed just how serious she was. If Tsukiyama didn't answer, then Rize was ready to take this outside. As long as it was about Kaneki. She would do anything.

"Why? Because he's your lover? So why don't you ask Kaneki-kun himself? Now excuse me, I need to go." but before the tall ghoul left, he stopped like he forgot to eat the last piece of a meal. "Oh, a small advice for you." Tsukiyama looked towards his frienemy and gave a mocking smile. "You better give your boyfriend a free space. I can see that this whole time you are way too interfering with everything about him. Adios."

The lavender haired ghoul widened her eyes. She got taken aback by what Tsukiyama said.

She didn't say anything in return and only answered with an astonished face. With a satisfied feeling, Tsukiyama went ahead, leaving the lounge.

Rize looked down to her lap. What The Gourmet said to her was haunting her mind.

'I realized that... But I... I have to do it. It's for his own sake... and because I love him...' Rize said to herself with a gloomy feeling. Her grip on her novel tighten, as if that novel was her resolution.

"I probably should go down there..." Rize descended from her stool and fixed her white dress. She carried the novel on her right hand, also reminding herself to read it again when she gets home.

But when the violet haired ghoul turned around, the man she wanted to picked up was standing behind her. The surprised ghoul looked up to his face who was looking down towards her.

"Where are you going?" Kaneki asked as he tilted his head.

"O-oh, you're here already!" Rize said frantically, but she quickly calmed herself. "I just wanted to pick you up. But you've already done so let's go home." the last sentence sounded more like a question.

Kaneki only smiled softly and hold her free hand. Rize felt the warmness that was emmited from his skin. That warmness made her want to hold it back tighter.

"Okay. Let's go home." with that the two leaders of Mukade left the base.

They got inside the black ford car that was parked on the construction. Kaneki went inside the driver seat while Rize sat on the passenger seat. Kaneki took off his blazer and threw it onto the back seat, he always felt uncomfortable wearing it while he drives.

After that, the white haired ghoul grabbed the wheel and moved the car backward. They went outside the abandoned construction area, leaving the 11th ward. The sky now was clouded but it was still hot outside. Fortunately the two ghouls were inside the car, so it was cool.

Nobody had spoken a word since they drove their way back to home. Kaneki was focusing on the road, while Rize was in her own world. Her mind kept on telling her to just read the psychological novel on her lap but it'd make her feel dizzy. Reading inside a moving car was something he couldn't handle.

Finally Kaneki was the one who broke the silence, "What do you think about the newbie?" he implied to Zen.

Rize perked up, "You mean that curly haired midget with short pants?" Rize paused to think about his name but came up with nothing, "What was his name again?"

Kaneki chuckled, "Hakuren Zen. What do you think of him?" his eye-patched eyes didn't glanced towards the woman beside him.

"He looks... average to me. Why?"

Kaneki smiled weirdly, "Really? I think he has the potential."

"What potential?"

"To be one of our best. Just an intuition, though."

Rize stared at her partner for seconds. It was kind of random, but she figured that Kaneki wanted to break down the silence. Rize only smirked in return and rested her head on the window. "Really? Then I'm looking forward to see him in the front line."

A/N: Hai everyone! Delayed once again and I'm so sorry if this chap doesn't meet your expectation. I just want to get some things clear here. Probably the most boring? I dont know.

Reason for late: SCHOOL and a little bit of idea loss.

*I don't know about Nishiki's age but he's obviously older than Kaneki. So I decided to make him 2 years older

** Not a lover.

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