She feels as though she has been arguing with herself for ages tirelessly to no avail; nobody's spoken a word. The world around her is dead silent. Kaneki and Ayato continue their stare off, and she couldn't tell if they were about to jump at each other's throats or if they were just simply trying to size each other up. How was she supposed to explain this to Kaneki? Would he even believe her? He knew Ayato was Ryoko's best friend but right now it definitely looked like more. She had grown so accustomed to Ayato walking around in this condition; this considering the pair had lived together for such a long amount of time, but she was no fool to how bad this situation was. She looks at Kaneki again, still not being able to read whatever emotion he's feeling, a placid facade written across his normally comforting face.

She faces her attention back to Ayato, he just seems bored at this point. Ryoko wishes she would have never invited Kaneki up here, it was supposed to be a good time and now she has just practically ruined everything between the two. She was a mess. Kaneki slightly tugs on her shirt, and she places her hand on top of his to keep him there in fear that he will run away from Ryoko. He looks angry, but she understands why. Ryoko can't say that she would be thrilled if Kaneki invited her in only to find a half naked girl in the middle of his living room.

"What's up?" Ayato cocks an eyebrow finally, and nods towards Kaneki. Kaneki smiles faintly, waving with his free hand. Ayato shrugs his shoulders, and walks into the kitchen disappearing behind the wall.

Ryoko pulls Kaneki outside with her, almost certain that she's about to be screamed at. She has never been so scared in her life, this was like an actual nightmare that she might have. Ryoko shut the door behind her, turning to face Kaneki who was clouded with a confused, almost hurt look on his beautiful face. It made her want to kiss him, something that she had been thinking about recently but pushed aside numerous times because she didn't want to make Kaneki uncomfortable. But he looked so hurt right now, and that reason was Ryoko, she never wanted to make him feel like this. She had never wanted Kaneki to feel this way in general, but knowing that you were the cause of why someone you care about dearly is sad, was heartbreaking.

She chews on her lip, a bad habit she has formed over her years, and thinks harder on what the hell she should do. Ryoko could always explain herself, but he might not believe her. She could even get Ayato to come out here and tell him, but that might just make him mad. Ryoko was at a loss, and was honestly scared that she was going to lose whatever Kaneki and her had together. She didn't know what it was, but she desperately wanted to because she hadn't had such a nice relationship of this sort, in a long while. Probably since Ayato left. She presumes getting her eyeballs gouged out of her own skull would be better than this situation.

Her mind goes to dark places, but Ryoko eventually refocus herself back to Kaneki.

"Please don't look so sad," She frowns completely full of sorrow herself, and Kaneki glances up from the floor he had been staring at for what seemed like forever. She had wanted him to say something, but he stayed silent.

Kaneki proceeds to shake his head and bite down on his lower lip, it almost seems like he's about to burst into tears. She can feel the panic build up inside of her as he speaks lowly and defeated, "I just don't understand why you would invite me into see this other guy you're with. I know we aren't technically together but-"

She realizes he has absolutely gone to the worst place possible in his mind, she knew Kaneki wasn't happy but he truly thought the worst of every situation. She didn't know what to do, so she had acted on impulse instead. Ryoko's hand reaches to grab the junction of Kaneki's shoulder, her body is acting instinctively at this point. She shuts her eyes in hopes that she won't embarrass herself and accidentally slams her forehead against his. A noise escapes Kaneki's mouth as Ryoko pulls him to her body fiercely, but she doesn't give him a chance to speak a single word. Any words Kaneki had to say were lost against Ryoko's mouth meeting his. At first the kiss was gentle, because Ryoko was still so scared about even doing this, she regretted it halfway through until Kaneki finally processed what had happened and kissed Ryoko back. Her fists knotted into his shirt, and pulled him closer to her desperately feeling the need to have him close to her.

They could have stood there for hours in that position, and she'd still have said it was too short. That beautiful moment, over too quickly for her liking. But when the both of them pulled away, and she thought that he might finally say something to her, Kaneki just pulled Ryoko back in. Roughly. Too rough. She feels his nose smash against her own, and is not sure if it hurts him as much as it hurts her, but one thing she's sure of is that her nose is throbbing. She kisses him again though, enjoying it too much to care. After a moment or so she can feel the liquid drain down from her nostril onto her cupid's bow and flow almost resembling a river, onto Kaneki's face as well. Kaneki pulls away, his eyes growing huge as he realizes what happened.

"Oh my god you're bleeding!" He practically screams, throws Ryoko over his shoulder and bulldozes inside her apartment.

As Kaneki zooms towards her bathroom, where he knows the first aid kit is from the last incident, where she had to get him to help doctor up her shoulder that he took a bite out of. She still had bandages on that shoulder, but they weren't visible with the shirt she was wearing at the moment. Kaneki sat her down on the counter in the bathroom digging through the cabinet trying to find the first aid kit. She was told by Ayato not to lean your head back but lean it forward when you had a bloody nose. Ryoko's nose leaked blood all over the floor and she couldn't even muster up anything to say because she was so surprised that this was happening.

Kaneki rushed back over to Ryoko, and held some cloth to her nose so it would suck up all the blood that was escaping instead of turning the entire bathroom floor red. He was still clearly freaked out, and there was blood all over his face and Ryoko's. The bathroom door creaked open a little bit more and she glanced over to see a blur of purple. She knew it was Ayato but Ryoko couldn't exactly move because of the placement she was in. She was sat on the counter, and Kaneki was in between her legs holding the cloth to Ryoko's nose. They probably looked horribly stupid.

"What the hell happened?"

Kaneki sighs heavily, "It's a long and embarrassing story I'm sure she will tell you all about it sooner or later."

Ryoko rolls her eyes and the indigo haired male ascends into heavy laughter, "Okay you crazy kids, I'm going to uh-" Ayato gestures between Kaneki and Ryoko, "not be in here with this mess."

As soon as he leaves Ryoko slumps her shoulders and Kaneki removes the cloth from her nose. It seems to have finally stopped bleeding. Kaneki runs a wash cloth under the faucet, and brings it up to her face, she imagined to wipe the blood that's smeared all over it off, but she flicks his hand away and he looks completely confused.

"Ryoko-"

"I think the blood is kinda hot." She finally gets some words out, not exactly what she had wanted to say the entire time she had been mute, but it was good enough for her. Kaneki's face goes bright red.

"Ry- Y-You need to-" She cuts him off once again, wrapping her slender legs around his torso; since he has made it so convenient for her, and grabs his face with her hands. She kisses Kaneki again, making sure not to slam her nose against his once more. It only lasts for a brief moment because he pulls away to check her nose.

After that, she let him clean off her face, and his own. She hops off of the counter and guides Kaneki through the apartment, out the front door. Again.

"Here we are again," She slowly releases a large amount of air that she felt as though had been brewing in her center, and pinches the bridge of her nose.

Kaneki laughs a bit, reaching behind his head to scratch, it doesn't surprise Ryoko anymore she just wants to push his arm back down at this point. That habit of his, that and always putting his hand on his chin. That one was definitely puzzling. "I don't feel nearly the same way I did before."

"Yes I figured that was the case," She smiles brightly at him, which he returns instantly. She could tell both of them were buzzing and almost high off of that feeling of kissing someone. The dopamine in Ryoko's body was setting her ablaze.

"I'm sorry about your nose, and I'm sorry I assumed the worst with Ayato. I know he's your best friend, I hope we can get to know each other a whole lot better." Kaneki places his hand firmly onto Ryoko's cheek, leaving it there as she embraced the warm touch. His thumb slowly caressed her cheekbone lightly, comforting her immensely.

Ryoko placed her smaller hand gently over Kaneki's, it was cold, and she nearly laughed at the fact this showed how different they truly were inside. Ryoko shakes her head lightly, "Don't even worry about it. I'll see you soon, okay?"

"I'll miss you until then," Kaneki wraps his arms around her, and places a kiss on Ryoko's temple instead. It's a sweeter gesture in her opinion, and it makes her blush a whole lot more than kissing. She was so weird, that much she knew. Kissing was nothing to her, she had done it numerous times, although she did admit it felt different with Kaneki. But whenever he did things that flattered Ryoko, she always ended up blushing. Usually Kaneki was the one who was blushing, stuttering, or embarrassing himself but sometimes, on very rare occasions, it would be Ryoko.

After Kaneki leaves, she goes back inside to find Ayato sitting on the couch flipping through channels. He finally has clothes on, to an extent, all he put on was black sweatpants. Still shirtless, not that she minded though. She was almost sure he did a moment ago when he came into the bathroom, but she also was sort of out of it at that moment. Ryoko sunk into the couch next to her best friend and leaned into his comfort. He instinctively wrapped his arm around her. That was one thing that was different about Ayato and Kaneki. Ayato was calm, and they had been so used to each other small gestures like this were so easy, and comfortable. Every time she even hugged Kaneki he seemed to have a panic attack. It was as if physical contact scared him.

"You took that surprisingly well," She looks up at him, gazing into his wet curls that hung slightly above his shoulders.

"I'm neutral to your boyfriend thing," Ayato shrugs. His face doesn't change but Ryoko can tell something is bothering him tremendously.

Ryoko pokes Ayato in the cheek, he looks down at his wild, amber eyed friend, with daggers in his eyes. "What's wrong with you grumpy pants? Why are you here anyways?"

"Nothing, I don't know, it was just weird seeing you with another guy I guess. It's just been us two for so long, adding other people seems strange you know? It's stupid, I hate whenever I feel things." Ayato shudders and she starts laughing at him which makes him finally crack a smile. "Don't laugh at me! The only reason I'm even remotely emotional is because of you. Anyways, we're looking for some ghoul that's supposed to be here, we could be here for more than a week."

She gasps, and dramatically puts her hand onto her chest. "I get you for a whole week?"

"A whole week." He reiterates.

"Thank goodness," She let out a sigh and wraps her arms around her best friend. "I missed you, a lot."

He hugs Ryoko back tightly, and she enjoys the familiarness Ayato always seems to bring with him. There was always something about him that reminded her of home, and for the longest time she had contemplated why that was, until Ryoko finally realized and admitted to herself that Ayato was her home; whether she had wanted it that way or not. They were each other's home. Once you spent a certain amount of time with someone, and went through hardships with them it really changed the type of relationship you had. And Ayato's and her own had truly been changed forever. She could never, ever imagine life without him.

"I missed you too Ryo," He rests his chin on the top of her head, it had proved to be quite comfortable considering her hair was so thick it practically made a cushion. "Really bad this time, honestly. It was harder than usual to leave you last time. I practically begged to go on this mission."

"Now that doesn't sound like my best friend, begging? What the hell?" She leans back and raises an eyebrow at him. Ayato doesn't really look like he's joking around right now. Honestly the look on his face confuses and worries Ryoko a bit, it's an expression she doesn't recognize.

Ayato shakes his head, a saudade look in his beautiful eyes, "It wasn't like me at all."

"It's okay Ayato, you know I'm always going to be here." She frowns, and holds onto him again. Ayato runs his fingers lightly up and down Ryoko's back, it's soothing. Here she was trying to make sure that he was alright, and he was only doing the same for her. Ayato and Ryoko have always been like this, always so worried about the other. Not even thinking about themselves.

"You seem tense do you want a massage?"

She nods her head quickly, almost too eager. "Do you even have to ask?"

Ayato's massages were honestly the best. She regrets the decision immediately whenever she remembers her shoulder hasn't completely healed. Ayato dug his fingers into her shoulder, and she nearly started to cry from the immense amount of pain that shot through her entire body. Pain radiated through her shoulder, throbbing massively. She clearly hadn't realized that she screamed until she saw the look on Ayato's face. It felt like someone had dug a blade deep into the open wound, and stirred it around inside her muscles, churning up everything that made Ryoko, Ryoko, all the way to the bone.

"What happened!"

"My shoulder!" Is the only thing she can manage to say. The pain is so much worse than when he actually bit her and tore off the large piece of flesh. Ayato rips Ryoko's shirt, and sees the bandages that she's put onto her shoulder.

His eyes widen immediately. "You're bleeding! Jesus, I didn't think I did it that hard!"

At that moment, the people next to their apartment yell through the paper thin wall. "I'm glad you two finally decided to fuck after all of this time, but could you keep it down we're trying to watch a movie!"

Ryoko's face is red, Ayato's face is red, and this is an absolute disaster. She finds herself in the bathroom again sitting on the counter letting Ayato patch up the newly reopened wound on her shoulder.

"Why won't you tell me what happened?" He asks.

"Because you're going to get upset,"

He rolls his eyes, "Just tell me."

"Kaneki is a one eyed ghoul. He got Rize's organs implanted into him and-"

Ayato's eyes widen, "Holy shit he's that guy?"

She nods in agreement, Ayato gestures for her to continue on with the explanation. "Anyways, he can't control his hunger very well. That's why he wears the eyepatch, his kakugan is always activated in his ghoul eye." Ryoko slightly pulls on the bottom of her eyelid gesturing to her eyeball, "We were walking home, and he was drunk. It was a mess."

Ayato shakes his head, "I'm not mad, but that dude needs to get his stuff together. And you need to not get guys you just met drunk!"

Ryoko dismisses Ayato's comment, and suddenly feels extremely embarrassed that she's sitting here in front of Ayato with just her bra. Of course he always had his shirt off, but it was different. Out of all the years the two lived together this had never happened, she felt the urge to cover herself. She could feel the blood rush to her face, growing with heat each moment she thought more into the subject. Ayato notices her squirming around more than usual.

"You're beautiful." He murmurs lowly, it was barely audible, and Ayato normally wasn't the one for compliments so Ryoko almost couldn't believe he had said it. "And you're all patched up." A smug grin returned to his face, a more normal Ayato, but Ryoko couldn't just dismiss what he had said. It was the only thing on her mind.

He helps her off of the counter, and she immediately rushes to her room searching for a t-shirt that isn't ripped. She couldn't stop thinking about what Ayato said. He thought Ryoko was beautiful? Why was he making her so nervous anyways, normally she was so comfortable around him. Something seemed different though, even when he asked if she wanted a massage she felt a little hesitant to say yes because it seemed so strange. She shakes her head, and slides on the black t-shirt, walking back into the living room to find Ayato has placed himself back onto the couch. Is it even okay for Ryoko to sit next to him?

She felt too nervous. She decided that the best option is to just go to bed and pretend none of this ever happened. "I'm going to head to bed, I'm super tired it's been a long day."

"Alright sounds good, goodnight." Ayato says quickly, and she rushes to her sanctuary, better known as the bedroom.

She flops effortlessly onto her bed, reaching on the side table where her phone has been plugged in pretty much all day. She never really brought it with her when she was with Kaneki because Ryoko paid full attention to him a majority of the time. Not like she had anyone important to talk to anyways. She was happy to see the two new messages, both from Kaneki.

Kaneki: Hi Ry, today was really great, Hide talked my ear off about it for at least an hour so I think he thoroughly enjoyed himself. I had a good time too! Ugh, sorry I'm still so nervous. You really surprised me today.

Kaneki: Was it, um, okay?

I giggle at Kaneki's texts. They definitely sound very much like, well, Kaneki.

Ryoko: Yes Kaneki, I had a good day too. I really enjoyed Hide's company. I think I'm going to leave him for you.

I send it, and hold my phone to my chest for a moment. Giving in and sending another text.

Ryoko: Just kidding. Yes, it was more than okay. I apologize for the surprise but the look on your face worried me and I couldn't think of anything else.

Kaneki: It's fine, you can surprise me any time you want. Sorry to worry you. How is Ayato? Is it nice having him back around? How long will he stay this time? I won't tell Touka.

Ryoko: It's not a surprise if I do it often, silly. Ayato is.. Good. It's nice having him here, but I think I'd rather you come stay the night again. He'll be here for a week or more. Good! I don't need her to hate me any more than she already does.

Kaneki: You want me to stay the night?

I roll my eyes. Of course that's the only thing Kaneki got out of that entire message.

Ryoko: Yeah. No puking, biting, or sleeping naked though.

Kaneki: You're never going to let me live that down are you?

Ryoko: Never! It's late, and I had a very busy day. I'll call you tomorrow, goodnight Kaneki.

Kaneki: Goodnight Ry, sleep well. Oh… by the way, I'm glad you were the first person I kissed.

Kaneki: Ha! Just kidding, it was Hide. So, uh, first girl I kissed. I'll explain the Hide thing tomorrow.. I'm not gay! I swear.

Oh gosh. She set her phone down, and folded her arms behind her head staring into the dark abyss that she knew was the ceiling. She couldn't believe that she was the first person Kaneki's kissed. Ryoko suddenly felt bad for every single kiss she engaged in before his. She remembered her first kiss vividly. It wasn't anyone of importance, and it was honestly stupid. She was glad Kaneki's was actually meaningful to him. Ryoko yawns, and turns over onto her side.

"Ryoko," She can hear her name being called, it's soft and very close to her. She couldn't see anything, it was all black. Was she dreaming?

"Ayato?" Ryoko turns towards the voice keeping her eyes shut, she was so, so tired. Ryoko would know his voice anywhere, it was practically in tune with her brain.

His weight sinks into whatever surface she's on, his hand is on her cheek in a moment and it feels very warm. She reflexively leans into his touch, and his thumb runs across her cheek a few times. Ryoko can feel his warmth, but still can't see any trace of him. Only feel. "I need to do this okay?"

"Whatever you want Ayato." A sleepy smile spreads across her face.

She feels the pressure of his warm, soft lips against hers. Ayato was comfort, and everything he did felt so normal. It was such a pleasant feeling, and Ryoko wasn't even sure if she was conscious or not, so she didn't stop him. Ryoko barely processed anything that was happening. Everything seemed to be happening so quickly, and she hadn't remember falling asleep but she also didn't remember being awake. Somewhere in between seemed plausible enough. Before Ryoko realized, Ayato was gone and she was completely unconscious again.

Ryoko woke up to the sound of someone angrily honking outside. Not the best wake up call, but she couldn't really complain because she had slept a decent amount and needed to get up. The sunlight barely filtered in through the black out curtains she had hung in her room so long ago, Ryoko was an extreme advocate for being against the sun. Only little specks of light were visible on her blankets. She remembered everything from last night. That had been such a weird dream, from what she had gathered; Ayato came, showed up out of nowhere, and kissed her. Was it real? No it couldn't have been, that's just ridiculous. Ayato didn't care for her in that way, he had made it very clear numerous amounts of times.

Ryoko was very confused. She checks her phone again, and sees that there's a new message from Kaneki. This is normal though. He makes a point to text her every morning, she really appreciated the gesture but she told him it wasn't necessary, of course he still insisted.

Kaneki: Morning beautiful! Call me when you get up.

She sighs and her mind is suddenly thinking about both of them. There was a time Ryoko liked Ayato more than a friend, but it had passed long ago. Kaneki, she knew she had feelings for him. But everything was so confusing. Her thoughts flit to twilight for just a moment before she shudders from imagining herself as Bella. No thanks. She was not going to be some dumb girl stuck in a love triangle, she really cared for Kaneki. Ayato and her could never be together. Ever.

"Ryoko!" She can hear Ayato's pained scream from the living room, it sounds like he's in pure agony. She throws the blankets off of her body and sprints into the living room where she finds her best friend laying in the middle of the floor heaving. She barely could process what was happening for a moment, everything seemed to be happening in slow motion.

He's laying in a puddle of his own blood, and there's so much of it all over him she can't even tell where he's bleeding from.

Ryoko's tears sting at her eyes, threatening to overflow any second, "Ayato! Ayato, it's going to be okay. Don't move, just don't move!"

She hurriedly jumps up running to the bathroom for the first aid kit that she seemed to be using so frequently lately. Ryoko sits back down next to Ayato and rips his shirt off of him. He has a huge open wound from his abdomen to his clavicle. The wound is just oozing blood; ghouls had regenerative powers but they didn't always work quickly. Ryoko's shoulder still wasn't healed from the bite, because ghoul on ghoul wounds healed a lot slower than just something from a human. That's why the ghoul investigators used quinque's. Weapons they had fashioned from kagune's they had stolen from ghouls they killed.

Ryoko moved Ayato's head into her lap trying to stop him from choking on the blood that has regurgitated into his mouth from him coughing. Ayato reaches up, and touches her face for a second completely surprising her. It takes her off guard, she can feel his cold hand smearing his own thick, blood onto her cheek, but she doesn't care.

"Ayato?"

"I love you," He smiles at Ryoko, blood dripping from the corners of his mouth like tears, covering his teeth and all. His hand falls to the wooden floor of our apartment, limp.

"Ayato!" She shrieks desperately needing a reply from her best friend, but was only answered with complete silence. His body was so lifeless, and there was blood everywhere. All she could see was red. Everything was red. She looked down at her own pair of bloodstained hands, Ryoko was trembling. She then redirects her gaze back towards the not currently breathing body and mess of purple hair in her lap.

The tears are flooding now, and her hands are shaking so much she can barely tuck his soft purple locks behind his ear. There's only one thing she can manage to say.

"Ayato,"