Sorry for not updating as quick as I'd like, college can be a huge pain in the rear. Turns out you guys seem to enjoy this story so I'll do my best to update it more often. :) As always, I do not own Tokyo Ghoul or you.

Chapter 4: A Ghoul and A Promise

'This is...Hide's scent...' Kaneki stared down at the girl he held so dear, his best friend's scent was still fresh on her so he figured that she came across him not too long ago.

'Hide...I'm so sorry...things are like this...but it's for the best...' He clenched his fist as a tear slid down his cheek.

"Kaneki-kun, is something wrong?" (F/N) looked at her friend with worry and began to gently stroke his cheek, wiping the single tear away.

"Y-Yes, everything's fine. Do you want me to walk you home? It could be dangerous with all the recent ghoul activity."

Kaneki was right about the ghouls, he could smell them more than he could last night. It was likely because of Aogiri's actions and that was something he didn't want (F/N) to find out. Of course, he could just eat any ghoul that would try to harm her, but he was afraid that if she ever did find out what he really was, she would never want to see him again and that would hurt him just as much as hiding from Hide.

"That would be great, thank you Ken." (F/N) gave him a smile and felt around his shoulders to find his arm in order to cling to it. After wrapping her arm around his, they began to walk down the path to her home. She buried her face into his arm and breathed in his scent, closing her dull eyes slowly as he guided her.

'Not only are other ghouls about, but I do smell the smallest whiff of Ayato. Was he spying on me?' The white-haired ghoul didn't want anyone at Aogiri to know about (F/N) because if he brought her amongst them, he was sure that they would try to eat her. He felt that seeing her every night would ensure her safety since ghouls didn't usually attack in the daylight in fear of the CCG. There was also the chance of them running into her and taking her away but wouldn't get much out of her simply because she didn't even know that he was the Eyepatch Ghoul they were trying to hunt down. Every night was a risk to him but he didn't care as long as he was able to see and protect (F/N), but one day he had to tell her that he was a ghoul and that was something he was dreading.

(F/N) nearly fell asleep holding onto her friend's arm due to his alluring scent, which caused him to ask and carry her the rest of the way home. Of course she felt embarrassed in him asking but he didn't seem to mind at all since she could sense his small smile. His aura was much calmer than it was last night and it seemed to have an effect on her as well, making her more lethargic than she was before.

It wasn't long before he reached her dwelling, her scent was practically radiating off the house and that drove him mad. However he was thankful that he feasted before bringing her home, otherwise he might have bit into her then and there.
Kaneki gently shook (F/N) awake so she could unlock the door and head inside. When she opened her dazzling, but pale (E/C) eyes, she seemed to blankly stare up at him before yawning.

"Are we there Kaneki-kun?"

"Yes, would you like me to take you inside?" Kaneki didn't really plan on going into her home, but if it was more time to spend with her he didn't mind doing it.

"That would be appreciated..." (F/N) tiredly replied to Kaneki and reached into her pocket to find the key to unlock the door.

After she unlocked the door and opened it, while still in Kaneki's arms, they walked inside before he closed the door with his foot. He inhaled her scent around him as he carried her up the stairs, asking her which door lead to her room. (F/N) showed him the door and he managed to open it without dropping her which made her wonder how he was so strong but skinny.

Kaneki gently laid (F/N) on her bed and pulled the covers over her, petting her soft (H/C) hair since she had quickly fallen back to sleep. He stared at her for a few moments before giving her forehead a kiss and left her house. Since he didn't want to leave her with an unlocked house he used the key she had to lock the door and slid it back under the door to make sure no one would get in. The ghoul hated to leave but he needed to get back to Aogiri Tree before anyone got suspicious of him, especially that damned Ayato.

'That brat has no right to be involved in my affairs...but I cannot kill him, so I will have to deal with him some other way.' Kaneki contemplated on what he should do to keep Ayato off his back and out of his business.

Ayato was frustrated that he almost had a delicious meal, but had to resort to a mediocre one instead. The teen wanted to sink his teeth into the girl that Kaneki found and was apparently seeing which made his stomach turn in disgust. True, ghouls could develop feelings for humans, but the mere thought of it made Ayato sick. Kaneki was developing a bond for this girl and it was not making sense to the purple-haired ghoul. If he were the one in Eyepatch's shoes, then he would have kidnapped the girl and kept her as a slave or pet, ghouls did that quite often so it wasn't uncommon.

'When I get my hands on her, I'll keep her all to myself, I don't care what that shitty Eyepatch says. He doesn't know it yet but one day that girl will belong to me, not him!'
He had watched the very ghoul he disliked leave the human's residence as he gritted his teeth in annoyance and turned to leave in haste, his ukaku carrying him back toward headquarters.

It didn't take Kaneki long to get back to headquarters and since it was later than midnight, most of the members were either hunting or making plans for the raid next week. Of course, they knew he was the reason for moving it because he and the Black Rabbit generally quarreled quite often. This time, he made sure to get rid of any evidence that he had been around (F/N) for the sole sake of not wanting Ayato or the others to find out.
He made his way to his sleeping quarters and plopped down onto his bed, staring up at the ceiling with a blank expression before digging his nails into the mattress.

'I will protect her, no matter the cost...even if it's my life, I want her to keep living and have a happy life.'

I apologize if I made Ayato-kun a bit yandere there, I'm trying to make sure his personality will fit with the story. If you have any ideas for the story feel free to let me know, I'm open to lots of options so don't be shy! :) Until next time!