Most of the story is AU…Actually, if √A has enough differences to be called AU then this story has more than enough right to be called AU.

Chapter Four

Kaneki's eyes slowly open into a daze. He saw white. He slowly sat up into a sitting position. He felt a tug on his arm. He followed the tube the needle in him attached to with his eyes to the machine with an empty bag. Had he gone to the hospital for his follow up appointment? He didn't remember going. The last thing he remembered was—Kaneki jumped off the bed, rattling the equipment he had been hooked up to until the force of his jolted movement ripped the needle out of his arm. He held his arm where the needle was yanked out as the memories returned to him.

He had been fighting a Ghoul Investigator.

He had been trying to find Hinami-chan.

He had been trying to stall for Tōka-chan.

He gripped his arm where the needle was torn out as he thought about the two. Tōka-chan… Hinami-chan… What happened to them? Were they okay? He recalled the days he helped Hinami-chan with her vocabulary and the days Tōka-chan would always beat him in their spars. They were fine, weren't they?

He rushed to the door and turned the knob. It wouldn't open. Why was the door locked? He tried turning the knob a few more times before using the side of his fist to pound against the door in a desperate attempt to get out and confirm his friends were okay.

He took a step back. This wasn't getting him anywhere.

Kaneki was startled in looking up when he heard a click from the doorway and the knob turned. The door opened to reveal a young woman with long black hair, tucking a key away in her pocket.

She looked up only to blink. "Ah. You are up. Though, I hope you weren't planning on leaving the room dressed like that."

It was Kaneki's turn to blink in confusion as he looked down at his attire. It was just a hospital gown. But then where were his clothes? He looked around the room. His eyes landing on a desk where a neatly folded pile of clothes with a black hooded sweater on top which most definitely wasn't his. Next to the pile was his wallet, phone and… his mask!

Instinctively, Kaneki's hand shot up to his left eye which wasn't covered by anything. He couldn't even be certain if it was his eye or a kakugan. Nothing in the room allowed him to see his reflection. More so…

Was she human or ghoul?

"Sorry about the sweater. Yours was pretty torn so I bought a new one when the store opened first thing this morning." She smiled and talked as if nothing was out of place. Her gaze made its way to his hand covering his eye. "Does your eye hurt?" Her head tilted.

Kaneki slowly lowered his hand. "No."

"That's good. You feeling well after the transfusion?"

"I feel fine." Why did he have a transfusion? "Ano. Where am I exactly? Who are you?"

"Gomennasai gozaimasu." The woman dipped her head. "I'm Higurashi Kagome. You're at the 20th Ward's CCG Headquarters."

Kaneki froze. This wasn't good. What were the chances that she knew he was a ghoul.

"I have to say you peeked my interests, Kaneki Ken." At his reaction, she explained, "Your ID was in your wallet."

Kaneki tried to calm himself down. He was fine and she had the ability to kill him when he was asleep if she really knew he was a ghoul—

"This may be a bit too forward, but how did you turn into a ghoul?"

"W-What are you talking about?"

"Please don't think me stupid," replied Kagome displeased with his denial. "You're a ghoul but your parents are human. Logically, you somehow gained the body of a ghoul." She leaned against the doorframe. "What I'm curious to know is how."

Kaneki wondered what his chances of getting out were. He didn't know the layout of the building or where the Doves were. Nor how many. Even if he left, he couldn't go home. Couldn't return to Anteiku. Couldn't return to Hide. He took a step back defensively. This was the end for him.

Kagome sighed and uncrossed her arms. "Look. I don't expect you to trust me and I can't say I know what its like because I don't. But please don't act like I'm your Shinigami. This isn't your end. At least it doesn't have to be."

Kaneki looked on at her in surprise. He could get out? She would let him leave?

"Well, if you want to die that's always an option—but I don't think either of us are inclined to that option. Your second option is to be detained in Cochlea." Knowing not many knew what that was, she added, "It's a ghoul detention centre. Not very pleasant."

"And the third option?" he was almost afraid to ask.

"Your third option is to join the CCG under my jurisdiction."

Kaneki's hands tightened. Just like that his future was decided for him. Perhaps he could use this chance to keep Doves away from Anteiku. "Do I get to say my farewells," his voice blander than before.

Kagome looked at the ghoul from the corner of her eyes before looking the other way. He only could see her back as she said, "It's better if you don't. If you do I'll have to report them."

Somehow it was like she knew. Knew that he had been collaborating with other ghouls—a crime worthy or harsher penalty than a common criminal. The message was as if she was saying "Return and I'll have to kill them".

In reality, perhaps her knowing wasn't that far off. Thrust into a life he wasn't used to, it would be difficult to get by on his own. Getting help from other ghouls was the logical answer. Still, she knew that and now she was giving them a chance based on his actions. It was odd to say the least. A little suspicious too considering her occupation. Still…

"Then I choose three."

She turned around with a bitter smile. "Not that you had much choice." She dug through her pocket and took out that key she had pocketed when she first arrived. She extended her hand to him. "Here." She dropped the key in her hand. "Unfortunately, you'll have to stay here until the director deems you can live on your own again. This will be your room. Also… I don't recommend wandering without me for now. There are plenty who oppose your presence."

With that Kagome left and Kaneki stayed.

It's a bit of a shorter chapter because I had counselling today, but it will be made up in the next chapter where… a lot happens. A lot. And a lot of characters.