A/N: Hey guys, this ones gonna be a bit longer since a lot of people are telling me they're a bit too short. I'm still stuck with school, but so far it's becoming easier and easier to get things done! So, once school is over, I can get back to updating this. Also, heads up, I may be creating a Rosario + Vampire x Tokyo Ghoul story sometime in the future, so look forward to that. Anyway, back to the readings!

Kaneki sat in the same metal chair, staring blankly at his surroundings through the thick darkness. He could barely see this time, the darkness less thick than his first time there. The area was full of checker patterns, the chair most likely in the center of the room. He expected the girl from before to show up and try to toy with him, whispering hints or just outright teasing him for his memory loss, but somehow, he felt that this time wa different. He could feel the chills building up inside him, as if his instincts were screaming at him to run away.

'I need to leave this place...' Kaneki thought as he tried to stand up, but didn't even get to move a centimeter before he felt something like shackles wrap around his legs and arms. At this realization he went from complete caution to outright panic. He couldn't remember what had happened, but his body sure as hell did. He thrashed left and right, trying to break free from the situation, but it was all for naught.

"Kaneki…" A horse whisper came from his left, right in his blind spot. He tried to turn his head, but his body wouldn't do what he told it to. He nearly had a panic attack at the sound of snapping. His body tensed as his breathing became even more irregular.

"Have you ever heard of the chinese red headed centipede…?" The man asked, the snapping getting closer to his ear. "I'm gonna try putting this guy in your ear, all right?"

Kaneki screamed.

[scene]

"Where is that stupid familiar!?" A pink-haired mage walked through the halls, mumbling to herself as she tried to find the room of her familiar. Currently, she was inside the servants quarters after hearing something about a maid carrying the unconscious body of the monster. She wandered aimlessly, trying to figure out which door inside the building held him.

"Oh for Brimir's sake, why do I have to go through this place!? It's all because that stupid, disobedient familiar not listening to me…" She trailed off, finding the door she was looking for, it was slightly ajar, and she could see Kaneki inside, fast asleep. She winced as she recalled the look he gave her after she ran to him, his smile sending chills down her spine.

'He's a madman' She thought, entering the room. The door creaked slightly as it turned on its hinges, giving full view to the pinkette. She tensed up, before walking in and stopping beside his bed. 'He's a madman, but he is still my familiar.' She placed a hand on his head, staring into his silk-like face. His white hair and skin making him seem like a ghost. 'how did you end up like this…?' Her face softened slightly, before trying to lean in for a closer look, but didn't even get to move before his eyes opened and he shot up in his bed with a scream. Louise, startled by this, backpedalled away from him with her arms up in a silly pose. She stayed like that for a few moments before she noticed the look on Kaneki's face. He was breathing heavily and his expression showed extreme fear and stress.

Louise felt a wave of pity wash over her as she stared at him. Kaneki quickly regained his bearings, placing a hand over his face and laughing slightly.

"It's just a dream. It's just a dream. Nothing more…" He trailed off, sitting there with his head in his hands. Louise coughed a bit to get Kaneki's attention, said person lifting his head up instantly at the unexpected noise. He calmed down a bit at seeing her, his face expressionless as he waited for her to speak.

"H-How are you feeling…?" Louise asked, shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot as he just sat their unblinkingly.

"I'm fine, thank you. Do you need anything from me?" He asked, half expecting her to try and force an apology out of him for the way he acted yesterday. Louise wondered why he would ask that. It was fairly common for an aristocrat to worry about their familiars health, even if they weren't fully deserving of it.

"Why would I need anything from a disobedient familiar? I only came here to see how you were doing, since it's my job as your master, but now that I see that you're alright, I have no need to talk to you." She huffed as she crossed her arms, turning her head up as if looking down on an ant. Kaneki visibly grew annoyed at this, tapping his finger against the side of the bed. He sigh after a couple seconds, taking a look around the room. He noticed at first that he wasn't in the infirmary like last time. He turned back to louise, who was still looking up.

"By the way, where am I?" He asked, Louise breaking out of her pose to give him a confused look.

"You're in the servant's quarters. The rumors said that you were carried here by a maid. Guess they were true if one of the maids here knew you by the color of your hair." She stated matter-of-factly.

"Hey, Kaneki. When you were fighting Guiche, you seemed like a whole other person. Is there something you're not telling me?" Louise asked, tilting her head slightly. Kaneki looked up, focusing on her eyes. Louise felt a bit uncomfortable, but managed to hide it well. Kaneki looked back down into his lap, trying to remember what happened, but only ended up in drawing a blank. He could clearly remember the fight with Guiche, but after that it was only static.

"No, but I feel like whoever the person I was, had probably lived a tragic life…" He trailed off. Louise's expression becoming dejected as They sat in silence, the air holding a type of thickness to it. Louise decided to break the tension, standing up and heading for the door. She turned her head to look at him, Kaneki still looking into his lap as if he was lost in thought. She sighed again, before making herself seem more confident.

"If you're well enough to sit up and talk, then you're well enough to take orders from your master. I'm going to be heading to town, and I need someone to carry the baggage." She said, placing her hands on her hips as she looked down on him. Kaneki just sat there for a bit, before smiling slightly and getting himself out of bed.

"Yes, master." He stretched the word out a bit, as if to mock her. Louise smiled a bit as well before they both went out the door.

[Scene]

The town was fluctuating with activity. People running about from store to store looking to buy whatever suited their fancy. Kids running around, pointing sticks at each other and yelling out some type of made-up spell from their imagination. Kaneki and Louise were walking through town, some of the people staring at them, well mostly at Kaneki. Some whispered about the color of his hair, some calling it unnatural while others called it a sign of beauty. Others commented on his attire, but he just ignored those ones. Louise was looking intently at many of the stalls, but none of them catching her eye.

"What store are we looking for?" He asked, Louise still studying every stall.

"I'm looking for a weapons shop to get you some armor and maybe something that you can use to protect yourself." She stated, Kaneki raising an eyebrow at her.

"Why would I need armor and a weapon when I know that I can protect myself?" He countered back, Louise visibly becoming irritated. She turned to look at him, pointing a finger at him.

"You may be able to fight bare-handed, but that can only take you so far! You need something else to protect yourself with, even if it's just a piece of metal!" She stomped her foot in front of him, causing him to back up a bit at the outburst. 'Jeez, talk about being hot-headed.' He thought, going back to following her on her errand. They stopped in front of a weapons store. The place looked a bit rundown, but overall was very kempt. They walked inside, finding many weapons and armor loitered around the store. Some were hanged on walls and shelves, while others were placed in barrels.

The owner stood behind the counter, looking at the pair with slight animosity. Kaneki tensed up a bit, expecting the man to attack them. The man smiled at the two, but his animosity still showed through his eyes.

"How can I help you, miss?" He asked, walking up to them while rubbing his hands together. Kaneki stepped in front of Louise, giving the man a death glare. He fliched, backing away slightly as Kaneki continued to stare at the man. Louise intervened, walking in front of him.

"We need one of your best swords." She stated, the air around her seeming to yell arrogance. The man went to the back of the store, quickly bringing out a golden sword with a jewel on it.

"This is the best sword I have right now, greatly crafted in Germania." He stated, showing the sword off to Louise.

"How much is it?" She asked, giving the man an inquisitive look. He smiled, placing the sword on the counter.

"It's three thousand newgold." Louise's jaw nearly dropped at the insane price.

"T-Three thousand newgold!? You can buy a mansion and some land with that price!" She screamed, placing her hands on the counter.

"Why of course. The price shows the quality of the sword. Every noble knows this." He stated, smirking at her. Louise grounded her teeth before leaving the store owner and his shop, pulling Kaneki along with her.

"What a freakin' rip off! How can such a sword cost so much!? Sure, it may have been made in Germania, but that doesn't mean that it'll be good!" She ranted stomping through the town. Kaneki looking impassively at her as she stomped. They continued this for a couple minutes until something caught Kaneki's eye. The sign showed a mask with some of the country's language filling the sign. He could feel a sense of familiarity with it, his body reacting instinctively. Louise was still ranting, but stopped when she realized Kaneki had stopped following her.

"Familiar…?" She looked around, catching a glimpse of him walking into a random store. She scowled, cursing under her breath before following him in.

Kaneki looked around the store, checker marks littered the floor, giving him a deep sense of nostalgia. Different types of masks hanged from the walls, some looking like animals while others just looked downright monstrous. Then, something caught his eye. It was a black leather mask with an eyepatch over its right eye. its mouth was set in a type of sneer with a zipper, bolts adorning the neck area as well. Overall, it looked like something out of a horror story, but he couldn't explain this feeling. Like something was calling to him.

"Familiar! what do you think you're doing!?" Louise screamed from behind him, grabbing his arm. Kaneki didn't even realize she was there.

"Sorry. This mask just caught my eye for some reason…" He looked at the mask, his eyes going glossy. Louise was slightly worried about him, looking between him and the mask. She sighed, ringing the bell on the counter to gain the store owner's attention. The owner walked out of the backroom, several masks hanging from her shoulder. She had flowing red hair, wearing an apron with a bit of paint on it. Her eyes looked very tired and she had a small scar on her neck.

"How can I help you?" She asked, placing the pile on the counter. Louise stared at this woman, getting a sense of caution from her.

"I'd like to buy this mask here. How much is it?"

"100 newgold." The woman stated, pulling out a needle and thread. Louise looked a bit surprised, expecting the price to be more, but didn't complain. She pulled out 100 newgold and placed it on the counter.

"Thank you for your patronage." She said, not even looking up from her work. Louise didn't even bother commenting on it, taking the mask off of the mannequin and giving it to Kaneki. He just stared at it, before being dragged out of the store.

"That mask looks so creepy. I don't know how you like it, but don't wear it when you're with me." Kaneki only nodded in response, looking back down at the mask in his hands. Whatever this mask was, he felt that it held the key to regaining his memories, but he felt what awaited him was only despair.