Saiko was having a bad, to say the least. No, it wasn't just a 'bad' day, it was one of those that would make your hair gray from stress. It was one of those days that she would rather spend playing Final Fantasy and watching some anime to soothe her. But no, she had to be there for the decision of Sasaki's fate. That was one of those things that she could not, under any circumstances, miss. Saiko couldn't even put it into words how relieved she was to hear that Yoshitoki was so merciful.

But the other thing that was currently bothering Saiko was the two boneheads in the room: Shirazu and Urie. The tension was so thick she swore she could cut it with a knife, no scratch that, a quinque. Saiko almost mistook it for sexual tension as she stepped in with Mutsuki, whom she had collected from the hospital that morning after the meeting. Both men were yelling at each other (Well more or less Shirazu but whatever).

"You shouldn't have been so reckless!" Shirazu yelled furiously. Saiko almost spoke up. Way for the kettle to call the pot black, Saiko had seen plenty of times Shirazu do lots of reckless (and stupid) things, but you didn't hear that from her.

Half an hour later, a soft click of the door aroused her from her silent ponderings while sitting at the bar. Swiveling around on her seat, Saiko was greeted by the sight of Sasaki, with a stern look in his eyes-which softened the slightest when he caught sight of her. Looking into his eyes made her think of the sadistic look in his eyes when- No! She thought, Don't think of the past! This is now! Forget that! He's Alive!

"Maman," Saiko said standing up to greet her superior. Boy, was she glad to see him again. Tentatively, she took a step towards him, he closed the distance and engulfed her in a hug, warm and strong, just like family. Just this time, she felt like it was more of a brotherly embrace than the usual fatherly one. Saiko stepped away and Sasaki made his way over to where Shirazu was currently yelling at Urie (Who, as per usual, ignoring every word he said). As Sasaki entered the room fully, Shirazu stopped his ranting like an 'off' switch had been flipped.

"Sassan…" Shirazu said absentmindedly, like he didn't know what else to say. There really wasn't much to say either.

"Sassan, Listen," Shirazu said, then a murderous glint shone in his eyes. So Shirazu had been waiting for Sasaki's permission to kill Urie. How lovely. "You don't mind if I-" Sasaki held up a hand.

"Shirazu, nobody will be murdered in this house tonight," He said. Unfortunately Saiko heard him say underneath his breath and a shiver ran down her spine. Nice knowing you, Urie, Saiko thought, Even though you were a complete asshole the entire time I knew you.

"What were you thinking, Urie?" Sasaki asked, turning to Urie, who was trying (and failing) to feign innocence. When Sasaki got no response, he asked again, more forceful this time.

"What were you thinking putting your comrades in danger Urie? I know I taught you better." Urie's usual apathetic mask broke.

"I just wanted-" he began, then Sasaki interrupted him.

"To what? To get stronger? To be promoted? Someone almost died, Urie. Something that insignificant shouldn't mean you endanger your comrades." Urie's eyes showed anger and ice dripped off his words.

"I don't give a damn what happens! They don't matter-" Crack! The sickening sound of flesh striking flesh. Everyone's eyes widened slightly. Sasaki was never physical with his lectures. His short time as a Kakuja must've changed him. His eyes showed only anger and bitterness, and… regret? No, that can't be right.

"'You don't care'?" Sasaki asked, deadly edge to his words. "I'm sorry, but you can't just not care! If you want strength, don't get it at the expense of other people's Lives!" Sasaki yelled. Urie looked away in shame, a handprint from where Sasaki had struck him showed bright red on his face. They both looked pissed, but Saiko wasn't sure who was angrier. She had never seen Sasaki so… so pissed before. Usually when he reprimanded Urie, it was more like a reproachful father rather than… this.

"Urie," Sasaki said again, and everyone cringed, anticipating another furious lecture from Sasaki. "Strength isn't a bad thing to have, but don't be an egotistical bastard with it. You make mistakes, and sometimes, those mistakes cost lives, understood?" Urie's apathetic look came back to his features, and he nodded, walking out the door. Nobody made a move to stop him. Sasaki turned to Mutsuki, who blanched. A small smile played upon the latter's lips.

"Forgive the outburst earlier," He said. That was when the questions began.

It was overwhelming to see the quinx again, Kaneki thought. Okay, not the best impression to violently reprimand one of the team, but hey, desperate times call for desperate measures. Urie reminded Kaneki too much of him, maybe that was why when he was Haise that he wanted to save him from making the same mistakes he'd made. There was such a thing as too much strength, and Kaneki knew it all too well.

"Sassan!" Shirazu said. "Who finally let you out of the hospital?" he asked. Shit… well, might as well explain the situation.

"Rank 1 Washuu," Kaneki said, heading to the kitchen to make coffee. When he mentioned Hide, Shirazu's eyes visibly darkened.

"The one who opted for you to be put down?" He said darkly and Kaneki nodded solemnly. Mutsuki looked horrified. Speaking of which…

"Mutsuki, I heard you were injured," Kaneki said. He nodded quietly.

"Forget that!" Shirazu interjected. "How the hell did you become a Kakuja?!" Again, Mutsuki blanched, whiter than a bedsheet. Kaneki finished pouring himself a cup of coffee and spoke softly.

"One will go to great lengths to become stronger,"

A/N Holy shit, chapter 4, guys! Actually, I typed this all in one night! I was so excited to get this up! Anyways, I'm not too satisfied with this… but that's just me. Do you think Urie got enough abuse? Who should I verbally abuse next chapter? Also, I want to know how I did with the 3rd person POVs, since I usually write in 1st person POV most of the time anyways. Constructive criticism is valued, but please be nice about it! Anyways, good night everyone, and thank you for reading!