A/N: Sorry for the delay, I had some trouble trying to figure out how to pick up the mood without it seeming like Aelin is magically over everything, and I wanted to go back and rewrite some of the earlier chapters, since my writing has improved a bit since I first started this story.. Also, this story will be following the manga, because I despise root A squared. After this chapter this becomes a lot more apparent, so if your lost on what's happening I recommend checking out the manga. Question, am I the only one who wonders how being tortured magically teaches Kaneki how to fight well? If anything, his reflexes would be worse from days without training, and pain doesn't show you how to fight… Thanks to all the new followers since my last update, and enjoy! (Also please review, it means the world to me!)

Chapter 19: Kisstake

Ayato's POV:

Ayato and Aelin lay flopped on their backs in the dirt, slightly out of breath from the constant sparring. With a tired grin, Aelin turned on her side to smirk at the out of breath teen.

"You're getting better Ayato. Still a fucking embarrassment to me since you got your ass kicked by Kaneki of all people, but there is improvement. I'm sure you'll be lean, mean, fighting machine in no time! Hell, you already got the mean part down, and you're thin as a twig, so I guess that qualifies as lean. Now you just gotta pull your head out from your ass and you might even be a half decent fighter!"

Ayato scoffed, rolling his eyes at the snickering teen.

"Ha, ha, ha. Laugh it up. You'll be singing a different tune when I whoop your ass someday!"

Aelin snorted. "When pigs fly, Ayato. Not a chance in hell you'll beat me anytime soon. I'm not exactly slacking off myself, you know?"

"Yeah yeah, just you wait."

"Oh, and Ayato?"

"Hmm?" He turned over on his side to face the suddenly anxious ghoul. "What's up?"

"Just… Thanks. For being here and putting up with my shit. I owe you."

Ayato's eyes widened at his companion's words, taken aback by her unexpected admission. He sat up and crossed his arms with a sharp "Tch", looking away from Kitsune in an attempt to hide the light blush staining his cheeks. "Whatever. It's not like you haven't done the same for me more times than I can count. So let's just call it even, 'kay?"

Smiling softly at the bluenette, Aelin pulled herself to her feet and dusted off her jeans in a half hearted attempt to tidy herself. Aelin beamed brightly as an idea came to her, and the girl gave up at fixing her clothes in favor of sending Ayato a manic grin.

"Now let's blow this popsicle stand and go mess some shit up, I'm bored!"

With a groan, Ayato pulled himself up from the ground, shaking his head in exasperation as Aelin took off towards Anteiku. "Damn it Kitsune," he muttered under his breath. "I'm really not in the mood for another reunion with my shitty sister." Despite his words, the ghoul chased after his fleet-footed companion, not eager to be left behind.

Aelin's POV:

Aelin strode into the entrance of Anteiku with Ayato hot on her heels, ready to start sassing her half-ghoul friend. Glancing around, she frowned when Kaneki failed to fall within her line of sight. "Do you think he's in the back?" She asked Ayato with a furrow in her brow.

Ayato groaned. "How the hell am I supposed to know? I'm a ghoul, not a fucking GPS!"

She blinked, giving a shrug of her shoulders in response. Aelin whipped around upon hearing footsteps echoing from behind her, a smirk stretching across her face. She leapt at the newcomer, planting a sloppy kiss wetly on their cheek with a loud "Mwah~".

"Kaneki, there you are! We were looking all over for- for… you?" A befuddled expression painted her features as Aelin took a step back to get a better look at her unfortunate quarry, only to freeze in horror. In the background, there was a loud thump as Ayato crashed to the ground, clutching his stomach and guffawing without restraint.

The teen suppressed his snickers for a moment to quip with a tilt to his lips, "Wow Kitsune, I didn't know that you-", Ayato broke off into cackles anew, "that you swung that way! Bwah-ha-ha, this is fucking priceless!" At those words he collapsed to the floor, once more overcome with laughter.

In front of the two teens, looking distinctly unamused with her nose wrinkled in disgust, stood Kirishima Touka.

A/N: The kiss she intended to give Kaneki was not a romantic one, and it shouldn't be taken as such. It was the kind you would give a little brother to make them whine about how gross kisses are. Aelin sees Kaneki as a little brother, and nothing more. So sorry for those who were looking forward to such a ship, but it shall never set sail. I really don't intend for there to be much, if any, romance in this story, though I might leave little hints here and there that can be taken as platonic or romantic (Ex: When Alli-chan cuddles with Hide on the couch early on in the story).