I apologize if it's been a while you guys, midterms are no fun in college. I've also been a little depressed the past couple of days due to school and family life back home so I hope I don't disappoint anyone with the lack of updating. Dx I do not own Tokyo Ghoul or you so enjoy.
Chapter 7: A Ghoul's False Hope
After moving in with Arima the previous night, (F/N) was hoping that this would turn out to be a better life than with her now deceased parents. The Ghoul Investigator was lenient with the teen due to the fact that he helped raise her throughout her childhood so it was no surprise that he was charged with the task to see that she got the love and attention she needed. (F/N) saw the older male as both a caretaker and mentor, simply because he was a bit of a mother hen when it came to her.
Once she finished getting ready the next morning she headed downstairs to where she had sensed Arima's presence in the kitchen, his overwhelming aura putting her in a state of relaxation.
"Okay, Arima-san, I'm heading out to the bookstore."
(F/N) picked up the smell of French toast and waffles, which made her mouth water and, in turn, caused her to snag a few pieces of the French toast.
"Just be sure to be back before dark...and take this walking stick with you, I had it specially crafted for you in case a ghoul tried anything funny in broad daylight. It's made of pure quinque so it should give you some protection. If you ever need me, don't hesitate to call the CCG HQ."
"Mmm, thanks Arima-san! I'll see you later!"
The (H/C) teen gently took the stick from the male's hands and headed out the door, a big grin etched across her face. She had promised the author she met yesterday that she would met her at the same bookstore they ran into each other at. (F/N) couldn't wait to reunite with her friend Kaneki after not seeing him for about half a week so she was hurrying down the street with the walking stick Arima gave her.
Sen (Eto) was patiently waiting for the girl to meet her and take her to Kaneki like she promised. The author grinned as she thought back to what had happened last night, her sights set on the new 'experiment' that Tatara had in mind. She had overheard the white-haired half-ghouls conversation with said ghoul a few hours ago and wondered if the human he desired would actually survive the surgery, or even want it for that matter.
'Whatever Kaneki's wishes are is of no concern to me, but I don't mind bringing her to him every now and then...seems exhilarating.'
"Miss Takatsuki! I'm here!"
(F/N) was able to sense the author's odd aura just by walking up to the store so she had no problems finding Sen.
"Ahhhh, good timing Miss (L/N), I was about to start worrying that you wouldn't show. Good thing I'm a very patient person! So are you ready?"
After the (H/C) girl nodded, the pair started heading down the block, unbeknownst to (F/N) of the plans that Sen had in store for her. The messy, green(ish?)-haired girl led the blind teen down an alley.
Panic started to rise in (F/N)'s chest, a sense of dread starting to overwhelm her.
"Ummm, Miss Takatsuki, are we lost? I can't hear or sense other people around..."
"Don't worry your sweet little head, I'm just taking a little 'detour' is all, please don't be frightened. Some of my colleagues will get us there faster, that alright?"
"Yeah, that's fine, as long as I'm back home before dark."
It was a good thing that (F/N) was blind, otherwise this wouldn't work for Eto. She had a few members from Aogiri assist her in bringing the blind girl to headquarters since that was the easier option for her. They had managed to get across the wards without being seen or detected by any humans or doves so there wasn't any problems with transporting the teen.
Ayato had been pacing in his room nonstop since last night, the thought of (F/N) being at HQ if only for a short while was getting him both riled up and irritated. He was glad that she was being brought there but angry because Eto decided to do it without telling anyone, not even Noro or Tatara. But he had a feeling that neither of the two would have opposed her or agreed with her.
'Those two are usually neutral when it comes to Eto, I can kinda see why. That bitch is crazy and I definitely don't want to face her in a brawl.'
His nose instantly picked up the girl's scent and followed it in the hopes of it actually being her. His suspicions were proven correct when he approached the door that led down the hallway to the different rooms.
"Now remember, no poking around anywhere or bothering anyone but Kaneki, alright? I've already told everyone else to leave you be so you should have no problems running into anyone or finding him."
(F/N) nodded as she headed in the direction Sen had told her to go in order to find Kaneki's room. She headed down what seemed like an ominous corridor that went on for a while without any thoughts of anyone bumping into her.
"Well look what the owl dragged in, a mouse."
She recognized that voice, barely, but looked in the direction of it.
'I-It's that boy from the other night...but why is he here?'
"L-Leave me alone Mr. Rabbit, Miss Sen said no one is allowed to touch me except her and Kaneki-kun..."
The (H/C) girl could sense the boy getting closer to her in a silent manner and his aura radiated with anger and a hint of affection, but very faint.
"I don't care what that hoot said, shut up human. You may be here to see Eyepatch but right now the Black Rabbit is all you should worry about right now."
He slammed his fist above her head and pinned her against the wall, glaring at her with his kakugan even though she couldn't see them with her blind (E/C) eyes.
(F/N) felt trapped by this boy and was intimidated by his aura, her walking stick shaking in her hand.
"Even though I can't taste you right now your smell is driving my crazy. It's making my mouth water, but I can't seem to bring myself to bite you right now. You're such a tasty-smelling morsel and seeing you helpless like this makes me all the more excited."
'Taste? Bite? Is this boy a ghoul?'
She then remembered that her stick would be able to counter him at least a little so she slowly lifted it and struck his leg. At first she heard a chuckle, then it developed into a screech of pain.
"Damn it! The hell is up with the fucking stick of yours?!"
The purple-haired ghoul cursed and backed off the girl, coming to the conclusion that her walking 'cane' was crafted from qunique steel.
'Those damned doves must've given her that thing! Shit this hurts so bad, I'll be lucky if Tatara can fix me up.'
"This isn't the last you'll see of me, girl...I swear it. Next time I'll snap that damn thing like a twig!"
(F/N) could sense the ghoul's aura limp away slowly before she continued her trek down the hall to find her friend's room. After remembering Sen's instructions, the teen was able to locate his room. She reached for the doorknob and opened the door, completely oblivious to what was going on with her friend Kaneki.
Kaneki turned to look over at the open door, his uncovered eye widening as the scent of the very girl he cared for so much. He managed to retract his kakuja and kagune before greeting her.
"(F-F/N)...it's you, long time no see, huh?"
"Hello Kaneki-kun, its great to see you again."
Something was off about Kaneki, she could sense a change in his aura that made her feel a bit uneasy but shrugged the feeling off as she walked up to him by following the sound of his voice. She could feel her friend bring her into a tight hug when she got close enough to him, his hand began to stroke her hair.
"I missed you so much, (F/N)-chan..."
"I missed you too, Kaneki-kun."
The two sat next to each other on his bed after the long hug, the smell of coffee beans seemed to waft off him as if he had made himself some coffee earlier. And his alluring smell never changed from when she first met him in the alley.
"(F/N)-chan...If I tell you something, will you promise not to hate me and tell me about what happened your eyesight before I do?"
(F/N) was taken aback by the question, no one ever asked about how she went blind so it came as a big shock to her. If he was going to tell her a secret, she might as well hold to his word.
"W-Well you see...I wasn't born blind like many people think. My-My eyesight was taken from me when I was about 8 years old...I was attacked by a ghoul..."
Kaneki's eyes widened at her confession, which also caused his fists to clench up.
"When I was playing in the park there weren't any other children there, so my parents watched from afar. It was getting late, so I didn't realize what struck me until I heard, 'What pretty eyes you have, dear. Mind if I take them?!' And since that day I've never been able to see...after the incident, I was rushed to the hospital and had an RC cell transfusion in an attempt to save my eyesight. Unfortunately, it was only able to bring a little color back into my eyes..."
Tears started to well up in her eyes before they slid down her cheeks, but a cool hand reached up to wipe them before they fell.
"I-I see...I'm so sorry (F/N)-chan...now I must confess what I promised..."
The white-haired ghoul pulled the teen close and embraced her tightly, hesitant to speak. After what seemed like forever he finally managed to croak out in a soft voice.
"I-I'm...I'm a half-ghoul..."
Aaaaaaaand that's a wrap! I felt the need to at least try and write a longer chappie for you guys since I made you wait for so long. Until next time!