A/N: Sorry for the long wait between chapters. I have been busy with school and other stuff. But I promise that you can expect more consistent updates from now on. Thank you again for reading, and please enjoy!
Amon led Kaneki and Tsukiyama back through the CCG's halls, and out the front door. Not one of the guards followed them. Strangely, the RC detector gate did not beep when either Kaneki or Tsukiyama passed through it. They were ushered into a car that waited for them at the front of the headquarters, and away they went.
"Why didn't the RC detector go off? Tsukiyama is a Ghoul, right?" Kaneki asked.
"The gate was temporarily deactivated to avoid panic. This operation is entirely top-secret. The public would be infuriated if they discovered that the CCG was working with Ghouls." Amon answered, sounding distinctly annoyed.
"I have a question as well, Monsieur Amon," Tsukiyama said suddenly.
"Yes, what is it?"
"What is stopping me from killing you right now?"
"Absolutely nothing. But I would advise you to look behind us," Both Kaneki and Tsukiyama looked out the windows to see that two black SUVs were tailing them. "Those cars are filled with Investigators. Every one of them has a quinque. And they will gladly erase scum like you from the face of the earth, Gourmet."
"Fine! No need to be so rude."
They all were silent for the next twenty minutes, until Amon finally pulled into a dilapidated and empty parking garage.
"We received a tip that the Phantom was spotted here. I have a hunch that this may be where he lives. Your job is to find any evidence that that might be the case," Amon reached back into the car to find a bag, from which we pulled two cameras. "Call me or another investigator over if you find anything interesting."
"Alright-" Kaneki was interrupted by Tsukiyama pulling him away from Amon. They walked together to a more empty part of the garage.
"So, Kaneki, how did they get you?" Tsukiyama asked.
"What do you mean?"
"You know. How did they get you to," Tsukiyama paused as if considering what to say. "Participate in all this."
Kaneki's heart sunk again at the thought of his friends at Anteiku, who were no doubt worried awfully about him. "Oh...I don't really want to talk about it."
"No worries. I'm a bit embarrassed about this entire situation myself. But if it would make you more comfortable, I'll say." Tsukiyama paused once more, and Kaneki could only guess that this was to seem more dramatic. "They captured me when I was out hunting. If that man hadn't screamed so loudly, I would be enjoying a feast today instead of wandering around this filthy place."
"Yeah. That must've been rough." An awkward silence hung in the air. Kaneki cast a quick glance to the side, trying to avoid Tsukiyama's odd stare. Something was slightly sticking out from behind a corner. He approached it warily. But his worries soon disappated, as he saw it was only a sleeping bag.
But hadn't Amon asked him to mention if he found any evidence that someone lived here? Before he could call Amon over, he stopped suddenly. A strange scent came from the bag-no, not a strange scent-a good scent. Dare he even say, delicious?
Kaneki knelt down next to the bag, and ran his hand over it. He soon came across a strange lump. Cautiously, he lifted the sleeping bag from the ground. Much to his horror, a human kidney wrapped in saran wrap sat on the cement in front of him.
Kaneki stumbled back, catching Tsukiyama's attention. He casually strolled over to the kidney. Picking it up, he brought it near to his face and smelled it, causing his kakugan to activate. "Not very fresh at all. Cold and fatty, too. This 'Phantom' must not have any taste buds."
"HEY!" a voice suddenly shouted at them from across the garage. Amon. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING WITH THAT?!"
Amon and two other Investigators ran over to them. "Are you insane? Tampering with evidence? What were you thinking?!" Amon yelled as he seized the kidney from Amon's hands. "Dammit...the fingerprints on here are going to be ruined now." he grumbled.
"Well, I mean, at least we have an idea of where the Phantom might have been, right sir?" one of the other Investigators said, as he held out a bag for Amon to place the evidence in.
"Yes, of course. Look for any Ghoul fluids." Amon groaned, exasperated. The other Investigator, now looking worried, nodded and got to work.
"Monsieur, if it may help, it should seem that this cut of meat is a few days old. You can see the decay is beginning to occur already. Whoever got this kidney hast been here for a while."
"Good to know." Amon mumbled as he pulled a notepad from his coat and began writing on it. All the while, the other Investigators stood around him, taking photos and notes, and talking fearfully among each other. Kaneki simply stood aside, in shock of the whole situation. He felt almost regretful that he had discovered the meat. Surely this 'Phantom' was just trying to survive, like all Ghouls did. Kaneki didn't want the blood of anyone on his hands, Ghoul or human if the investigation meant that he would be forced to kill, or be killed...
Mado had better have kept his word. Kaneki thought to himself. This was all for everyone at Anteiku. Touka, Mr. Yoshimura, Hinami, Yomo, and the rest. He had to protect them from the Doves, somehow.
"Amon, sir, wait," one of the other Investigators suddenly piped up. "Do you hear something?" The Investigators' whispering ceased. All was silent.
Thud. Thump. The sounds quietly reverberated through the echoey garage.
"Damn! It sounds like it's in the staircase. Everyone get your quinques. We might have our guy. Hurry, and stay quiet!"
The Investigators dashed back to their SUVs as Amon had instructed, and retrieved their quinques. With amazing speed and precision, they concealed themselves in various positions throughout the garage. If not for the two cars, one wouldn't have suspected anyone was there. Kaneki and Tsukiyama quickly mimicked them, hiding together behind one of the support columns.
The staircase's metal door creaked open. A tall figure came through, dragging a heavy-looking garbage bag behind it. At first it seemed that the figure had no face, but then Kaneki realized-it was in fact wearing a simple, plain black mask. A Ghoul's mask.
It was the Phantom.