Chapter 2: Meeting I
Kaneki pushed himself through the jostling sea of people on the street - merchants, shouting at the top of their lungs, trying their best to sell their goods to the people of Tokyo and Geishas with thick layers of makeup on their faces, wandered around their prostitution premises, seducing the upper class men that often passed by, with their alluring attires and erotic crooning. At the corner of his eyes, Kaneki saw a few Imperial Samurais scattered around the street and alleyways, ready to unsheathe their Katanas if any dangerous commotions were to occur during the bustling day.
He woke up this morning to sores all over his body and a pair of puffy red eyes. After he washed his face a couple of times, the puffiness subsided. He sighed in relief - He really didn't want Rize, his intimidating boss, to taunt him. After he bid Hinami a soft "Goodbye," and lectured her about safety steps to be taken during his absence, he set out to his workplace – A mediocre bookshop in the more lavish side of Tokyo, where the Sakura trees blossomed more and the people all wore clean and nice Kimonos or Yukatas, something that is merely impossible to be seen in the poorer side of Tokyo which composed of rancid streets and broken down houses where he lived.
He held the straps of his cheap straw bag tighter as he pushed through a bunch of men. He lost count of the number of times he said "Sorry, Sir!" and "Excuse me," as, they returned his apologies with grumbles of irritation. He sighed, it's not his fault they were blocking the already cramped street.
Once the crowd started to thin out, he knew that he was getting close to his destination. A few elderly and middle aged women in their modest Kimonos greeted him a, "Good morning!" enthusiastically, from their respective small shops, a sincere smile on their wrinkled faces.
Kaneki would always return the favour with a warm smile of his own and a wave of his hand, sending the ladies to giggle and whisper amongst themselves of how adorable the young man was. He slowed down his pace to a walk, as he approached an antique looking bookshop, its signboard fading. From outside, it seemed like a typical bookshop – Dull and boring, something that you would just forget about the moment you walked away from it. But, inside, it was the complete opposite; its walls were decorated with velvet red, European wallpapers and hand painted Japanese folklore creatures. Red Japanese lanterns hung from the ceiling, lighting up the bookshop with an ambient atmosphere.
On the side, there were black and white Maneki Nekos, lined perfectly on the marbled counters and wooden racks of the quaint bookshop, their paws often waving, beckoning for a customer to come by. The bookshelves on the other hand, were filled with all sorts of books ranging from the classics to poetry and even . . . porn, for the perverts of Tokyo. The shop also offers books in different languages that Kaneki had never knew of, like French, Latin and English.
He knew that ever since he first walked into the shop, after days of looking for a job, that this was his place and where he belonged. The smell of books hit him hard and he felt comfort in them. Not for long though.
"Kaneki-kun," crooned his dreadful and sly boss, softly. Her dark violet eyes had a wicked gleam to them. Kaneki gulped; when Rize's like that, it could only lead to one thing - extra work.
"Kaneki, guess what?" she asked the black-haired boy with a bat of her long lashes.
"U-um, what?"
"You have 10 customers today!" she announced cheerfully, her hands clasped into a manner of rejoice. Kaneki sighed. He knew that he had to do his job if he wanted to support Hinami and him, but, it really took a toll on him. Rize turned around and lifted a dozen or even more books in her hand before resting it on the dark brown table near Kaneki. She gave him a smile, brushing her hand through her long ceries-violet tresses. Maybe to the other men, it may have seemed like a sweet smile belonging to that of an angel, but, to Kaneki it was like the devil's smirk, dragging him to the depths of hell.
"Now, what are you waiting for? Get to work!" she told him sternly, her soft eyes turning into sharp knives, stabbing through his very being. He nervously gave her a perceptible nod of his head and hastily, sat on the empty seat at said table. He took out his brush and bottled ink from his bag. Looking at the tall, stack of books he can't help but let out a defeated sigh.
Why were the so-called clever and efficient 'Scholars', always let others do their work while they take all the credit? Kaneki shook his head at the thought. Well, what can he do? This is what he does for a living in the meantime; doing the lazy, homework of the privileged and upper class brats for an ample amount of money and sometimes, doing book deliveries around Tokyo. He was what one would call a 'Scribe'.
It wasn't easy to sway and plead Rize for this job. It was the best job among all that were available to low class citizens such as him. The only reason Rize hired him was because she realized how much of a 'Book Genius' he was. He could conjure incredible poems in a matter of minutes and, he could remember the contents of a whole book by just flipping through its pages. He didn't study hard or anything. He was just. . . gifted.
He gingerly dipped his brush into the ink before writing down his answers on the parchment, delicately. It took all afternoon to complete his work. He closed the last book and set it aside along with his brush and ink. He took a breather and stretched his arms.
The doorbell jingled.
He could hear Rize greeting the customer with a voice coated with genuine glee. 'That's odd, usually Rize just greets the customer with a fake smile and that was it,' he thought. Kaneki turned his head, his eyes landed upon a pair of beautiful byzanthium-violet eyes.
His heart beat a bit faster when he saw the man. His hair, which was a few shades darker than his eyes, was well-kept and swept neatly to the side. His shoulder was broad and he had a handsome visage. A sudden pang of envy immediately hit Kaneki.
The man was the epitome of perfection.
Just by looking at his silky, vivid red Kimono with a detailed pattern of a silver Sakura flower on the bottom and its golden sleeves flowing down the man's hands beautifully, Kaneki knew that he wasn't just any upper class man. When his eyes land on the small but noticeable crest of a crescent with the branch of a Sakura tree overlooking it, he knew that there was only one person that could have that and that said person would be, Tsukiyama Shuu, the only son and heir of the famous and powerful Tsukiyama Clan, lead by a lineage of potent Shoguns.
He jumped up from his seat, bowing in respect.
Tsukiyama stopped chit-chatting with Rize and looked at the younger man, his lips pulled into an amused smile. "Rize-chan, why didn't you tell me that you have such a cute man working for you, hmm?" his velvety voice, spoke in an accusatory tone, walking to Kaneki in a few long strides before he leaned down to his face, taking in every beauty and imperfections. Adorable was the first thing that came into Tsukiyama's mind.
Kaneki's eyes widen, his cheeks flushed red. He didn't know how to react especially when Tsukiyama . . . sniffed him? He moved a step back, lengthening the gap between him and the peculiar man. This earned him a soft chuckle from the violette.
Tsukiyama felt a tiny flutter in his stomach by Kaneki's cute reaction before his eyes glanced up and braved itself to bore in to the younger man's dark, onyx ones. Drinking in at how the young man's eyes (Technically, eye, since the other was covered) easily showed his true emotions. Surprise laced with a tinge of . . . sweet embarrassment, perhaps?
Tsukiyama smirked.
Suddenly the lavish man tottered to himself, his hand reaching out to caress the side of Kaneki's face. "Hmm, say, what happened to this eye?" he asked curiously, his thumb moving to the white eye patch that covered his left eye.
Kaneki's blush deepens, and he looked away, anywhere but the man's evocative eyes. He cleared his throat.
"Tsukiyama-san, I respect you as a noble of a well-known family that has contributed a lot to our country, but, I won't tolerate you touching me however you like," Kaneki said, swatting Tsukiyama's hand away, with a dark glare. Kaneki honestly didn't know what got a hold of him, he just suddenly felt a bubble of anger in him and snapped.
Tsukiyama's eyes widen in surprise momentarily, before it had a glint of thrill in them. Rize who was watching them from afar, feeling mildly entertained by the whole scene, quickly got in between them when, the younger male acted violent.
"Alright, alright, calm down here," she said softly, easing the tension.
Tsukiyama suddenly let out a loud laughter earning himself an odd look from both Rize and Kaneki. He took out a small handkerchief, wiping his teary eyes.
"Ah, sorry...I must say, Rize-chan, you truly have an interesting boy working for you...and, it's alright, he has the full right to be angry. I was in the fault here and for that, I am sorry…mon cheri, for my rude behaviour," he bowed.
Kaneki was truly taken aback when Tsukiyama did that, he never had anyone especially that, of an upper class apologize and bowed to him before. Maybe, Tsukiyama isn't such a bad man after all. Guilt started to pool himself. The older man straighten up, turning his gaze to Rize.
"Rize-chan, I actually came here, not only for old time's sake but I heard that you have the latest copy of French classics? I would like to purchase them," he said, taking out a bag of money from his garbs before handing it to Rize.
"I trust that, that is enough, no?" he asked, eyeing Rize as she checked the amount. She nodded her head.
"Yes, it's more than enough, Tsukiyama-kun, thank you," she replied, flashing him a smile. She turned her head at Kaneki's way.
"Go and get the books would you?"
"Ah, y-yes,"
He nodded, before going to the last row of bookshelves and taking the heavy leather books into his hands. He walked to Tsukiyama's side, handing the books over to the violette, whose hands lingered for a second or two on Kaneki's, feeling his soft skin.
"Ah, these are exactly what I needed, thank you, I shall take my leave now, au revoir," he said, heading to the exit of the bookshop.
He stopped at the door way, and turned his head, his eyes looking into Kaneki's once more and it made butterflies swirled in the younger man's stomach. The man looked so ethereal standing there with the soft, light hitting his well-built form, a smirk holding intents of mischief playing on his lips.
Shit. Why does he always fall for the mysterious bad guys?
"Oh, before I forget…Rize? I would advise your worker to realize how adorably enticing, he looks," he spoke in a low but audible voice and with that, Tsukiyama exited the premise and entered his carriage, his books in hand. His servants can't help but feel nervous and exchange looks of worry with mild confusion when they noticed their master was suddenly acting a little bit more cheery if not, too much than the usual.
Kaneki looked on at the empty space the violette had once been, a feeling of nervousness mingled with excitement ran through him. He himself, wasn't sure why, but, there's just something about that man that he can't pinpoint.
He chuckled softly, looking at the bookshop with a strong interest. Who would ever think that, the little mouse is here? Not only is his scent so delectable but so is his appearance and oh, that feisty behaviour just adds more spice to him. That boy is truly enchanting. Tsukiyama can't help but feel his heart captivated by him.
Not till his carriage was half-way to his home that, Tsukiyama realized something; he didn't catch the boy's name. He felt like he wanted to punch himself at his careless and forgetful ways. He let out a sigh.
"Oh, well, till we meet again...mouse,"
Once Tsukiyama was gone, Rize looked at Kaneki, an odd smile plastered across her beautiful face. "W-what?" Kaneki inquired the woman.
"You know, Kaneki-kun," she started. "I know Tsukiyama-san for a very long time. His family is a very powerful one, they have a lot of connections not just within Japan but also other foreign countries. He's not a man that you can mess with. But you know that, already, right Kaneki-kun?"
Kaneki nodded his head, not sure where Rize was going with this.
"Kaneki-kun I also know that...when Tsukiyama is interested in someone, he would not stop till they are his. He would do whatever it takes to get what he wants. Charming guy, really,"
"What does that have to do with me, Rize-san?"
She let out a laugh, as if it was the funniest thing she had heard in her entire life before an eerie smile graced her cherry red lips.
"I also know when someone has piqued his interest and that someone is... none other than you,"
"Kaneki Ken,"
"T-that's...impossible," he denied, a doubtful tone in his voice as he recalled his uncalled behaviour to the man.
Rize let out a soft chuckle, "Maybe, you better get yourself ready Kaneki-kun. Tsukiyama won't let you off his sight now. Especially with your unique scent..." her voice trailed off. Kaneki gave her an incredulous look.
"W-what are you implying? You can't be suggesting that Tsukiyama-san is a... ghoul?"
"Bingo! He's a...ghoul," she replied, her lips curved into a wicked smile. 'But, how? He's so well-known . . . It can't be,' he thought to himself, digesting the newly found information.
"Smart isn't it, how he hides it so well? Ghoul hunters have always thought of ghouls to stay silent amongst the humans. Living life to blend in rather than sticking out like a sore thumb, but, the Tsukiyama Clan did just the opposite and look at them now, living life with such ease . . . free from the fear of getting caught," she mused, her chin resting on the of top her hand.
Kaneki can't help but nod his head silently in agreement at the brilliance of it all; how they fooled the people of Tokyo so well, to the extent where even if anyone were to go and tattle on them of their true identity, the Ghoul hunters would not believe in any of their words.
Tsukiyama Shuu, is not what he seems afterall. There is more about him, than meets the eye. Kaneki's poor heart beat faster at the thought of that.
He groaned.
Seriously, why does he always fall for these type of men?
Returning back home, the conversation he had with Rize plagued his mind. If Tsukiyama Shuu was a ghoul, could there also be ghouls amongst the Shoguns? If so, does this mean ghouls and humans would actually have a shot to co-exist? Or, would they do the otherwise? Kaneki shook his head and rid himself of the numerous questions his mind ask of him.
The flickering lights as he walked through the murky and rancid streets, reminded him of the awful night he had. A part of him is anticipating the shrill screech of the woman and another illogical side of him, fears that the woman's spirit is seeking revenge for him and as how incredulous it may have sounded, the thought made him pick up his pace especially when he heard the noise of a falling object somewhere behind him. Goosebumps rise on his pale, icy skin and why does his pants feel wet?
Shit.
He peed himself.
To be Continued. . .
A/N: Sorry for my crappiness towards the end of this chapter, hehehe. Leave a fav/review if you enjoyed the story ^ v ^)/