A/N: Hey guys. Sorry for the long wait, i've had a lot of shiz going on lately but that's no excuse. But anyway, I'm back and should be updating semi regularly once more. I'm thrilled with all the new followers this story has gotten since I went on hiatus, and I hope ya'll like the chapter, enjoy!

Chapter 15: Hide and Go Seek

Aelin paced anxiously, impatient to set off on the rescue mission. With a growl, she shoved open Anteiku's front door intending to hunt down the missing ghouls, only to run face first into Uta and Itori. She did a quick headcount and began bouncing on the balls of her feet in anticipation of the upcoming raid. She donned her mask and change of clothes in a rush, and bounded out into the night, ready to kick some ass and rescue 'Neki. And possibly discuss Eto's most recent literature release under her pseudonym, Takatsuki Sen. Aelin loves literature, especially the dark and grim stuff, and being able to read Eto's manuscripts and talk symbolism with her was worth dealing with Eto's more… eccentric tendencies. Lost in her thoughts, Aelin nearly ran headfirst into a looming building, skittering backwards only to realize she had reached her destination.

Aelin stalked in the shadow of the building looming above her, hesitant of drawing attention but determined to find Kaneki. She sent a wary glance towards the Anteiku ghouls as they quietly slipped in, and relaxed as soon as they were out of sight. She straightened, donning her mask with a scowl and strutting confidently towards the entrance. A few ghouls moved to stop her, but quickly jumped back when they saw it was her. She was no stranger to Aogiri, and though she bowed to no one, she came by often to visit Ayato and make a bit of cash on the side. Eto seemed to favor her for some unknown reason, not insisting, (A.K.A. threatening) on her joining the group. Striding through the monochrome halls, she sent an acknowledging nod towards Tatara as they crossed paths, and continued towards Jason's playroom. Though she hadn't given a flying fuck about Yaomori's recreational activities previously, he should not have messed with her friends. She was tense, preparing for the upcoming fight, but froze in utter disbelief as she glanced out the window. With a groan, she pulled out her phone and dialed Hide.

"Uh, hey Alli-chan, kind of bad timing, could you maybe call me later, the reception isn't super great right now"

"Sure Hide, as soon as you explain why you're on top of a fucking building with fucking binoculars you motherfucking moron!"

"Eh heh heh… long story?"

Aelin flipped Hide off through the window, then winced in realization she was still wearing her mask.

"Oh my god, I just got flipped off by a gho- girl. Definitely a girl, nothing suspicious in the slightest!"

"..."

"Alli? You still there?"

"First of all, I don't know if it's sad or hilarious that you find it normal to have girls flip you the bird. Especially when said girl, or should I say ghoul, is me."

"Ha, Ha, Ha, Alli-chan, very funny. Like I would believe that. Wait, aren't you supposed to be in Psychology at Kamii right now?"

Aelin bared a unsettling grin in anticipation.

"I guess you could say i'm too ghoul for school."

She snickered under her breath and quickly hung up on Hide, taking off once more towards Yaomori's "playroom". With a vicious snap kick, she tore down the doors into his lair, only to begin shaking with rage at the bloodbath before her. The walls were a canvas, white and unfeeling, and splashed, smeared, doused in scarlet coloring that screamed of languish and suffering. Fingers and toes were strewn haphazardly across the bloodstained floor, proof of her friend's suffering. The scent of blood was overwhelming, its sweet copper tang tainting the air to the point where Aelin could no longer prevent her kakugan from activating in response. In the corner of the room, she saw a young male with white hair bent over Yaomori's broken form, stilted numbers escaping his bloodied crimson lips. The teen looked up as Aelin's footsteps echoed across the chamber, then froze as he caught a glimpse of her mask, scuttling backwards in a panicked frenzy. Aelin crouched down in an attempt to appear nonthreatening, then spoke up in a calm voice.

"Shh, shh. It's alright, you're safe, I'm not going to hurt you. I'm just here to look for my friend, okay? He has black hair, a thin face and slender frame, and only one kakugan. Have you seen him?"

The ghoul finally lifted his head from its bowed position, meeting her eyes hesitantly. His left eye was active, a throbbing kakugan. His right was not.

The lone dull brown eye stared into Aelin's own in a heart wrenching gaze, a single tear sliding down the boy's cheek as his shoulders began to shake. Aelin let out a world-weary sigh.

"Oh 'Neki, what did they do to you. Don't worry, me and Anteiku are here to get you out, okay? Cmon, let's go home. I'll let the others know I found you."