A/N: Hello, I had a comment or two about the introduction of re: and the question was if there was going to be spoilers? The answer is no. I am ultimately changing re and using it for my purpose. I have not even read much of the manga, so I wouldn't really be able to spoil anything if I tried. Since I have not read the manga, I am not too certain about the characters and I do apologize if I make them OOC. Without any further ado let's get on with the story.
Chapter 16
Shirazu, Saiko, Mutsuki, and Urie. Those were their names.
Kaneki looked at the squad. "Now. What brings you to the CCG? What is your purpose?"
"Isn't it obvious? We hate ghouls." Shirazu answered.
"Why do you hate ghouls?"
"They are monsters." Urie answered.
"Is that how you really feel about ghouls?" Kaneki asked, looking among the three.
Urie rolled his eyes. "Of course."
Kaneki sighed. "Alright. The first thing we are doing today is taking an assessment." Kaneki gave each of them a textbook on ghoul behavior and a 50 page packet of multiple choice questions.
"What is this?" Shirazu asked.
"A test. I want to make sure that you learned something in your classes."
"But we already had ghoul behavior." Mutsuki spoke up.
"True, but you didn't have it with me as a teacher or used the textbook I prefer."
"That is not fair. Besides, how will this help us on the field?" Urie argued.
"It is my decision as your squad leader to teach you."
"But…"
"You only have a few hours to finish this test and the clock started running four minutes ago."
"What are you going to do during our exam?" Mutsuki asked.
"I'm going to grade papers."
####
Saiko finished first, followed quickly by Mutsuki. The boys were taking a bit.
Urie was getting frustrated. Finally, he snapped. "Why the hell are we doing this?"
Kaneki looked up from grading Saiko's test. "Is there a problem Mr. Urie?"
"You bet there is!"
Kaneki listened intently. "Please, tell me."
"You're our squad leader. Why do you have us doing this crap?"
"Because, you need to understand ghouls if you are going to work with me."
"All this book says is to be kind and sympathize with ghouls. This book is shit!"
Kaneki took off his glasses and set them on the desk. "Okay, Mr. Urie. If you hate this, how about I test you in a different way. I won't make you finish the test, if you find the two ghouls hidden within the CCG."
The four cadets gasped. "The CCG is harboring ghouls?"
Kaneki nodded. "Two."
"Mr. Sasaki, is it really true?" Mutsuki asked.
"Yes, and as ghoul experts, which you are saying that you are, you know how to read them and find them. You have free range over the facility, but in 24 hours I want their names."
"Can't be hard to weed out one damn ghoul."
Kaneki nodded. "You are all dismissed. See you tomorrow."
The cadets left and Kaneki finished grading papers. He packed up when he finished and walked to the daycare and showed his ID to the daycare tenants.
The tenant smiled. "Let me get Kou."
Kaneki waited for his son and looked on the wall to see a picture that Kou drew which was pinned to the bulletin board along with his classmates' pictures.
Kou walked out with the teacher and she did not look happy.
Kou sniffled and looked like he was on the verge of tears.
Kaneki kneeled down. "Hey, what's wrong?"
Kou was silent.
"What's wrong?"
"Kou attacked another child."
"What?" Kaneki gasped.
The teacher glared at Kou and folded her arms. "He took his kagune out and grabbed the poor kid."
"Is that true Kou?"
Kou nodded, tears in his eyes.
"Understand Mr. Kaneki, that I will not tolerate such behavior."
"I'm sorry. Please understand that for a ghoul child it is normal behavior."
"I will not tolerate such behavior."
"And the CCG says that you will." A voice said.
Kaneki turned to see Arima behind him.
"You may go now." Arima dismissed him and Kaneki did as he was told.
Kaneki led Kou out and took him home.
Kaneki opened the door for Kou. "Sit on the couch. We need to talk."
Kou went and sat on the couch.
Kaneki sat on the floor in front of Kou, looking at him. "What happened?"
Kou sniffled and began to cry.
Kaneki was shocked by his son's sudden tears and hugged him.
Kou sniffled. "We were playing tag Mommy. I didn't mean too."
Kaneki kissed the top of Kou's head. "It's okay. What exactly happened?"
Kou hiccupped, unable to speak through tears.
Kaneki's motherly instinct took over. His kakugan activated and his own kagune emerged and he wrapped Kou in them.
Kou calmed a bit, wrapped up in the warmth of his mother's kagune. "Mommy, I'm sorry."
Kaneki sat beside Kou and gently wiped Kou's eyes with a tissue. "I'm not mad. I just want to know the full story."
Kou wiped his eyes. "I was it and I was close to tagging Hiro." Kaneki guessed it was a classmate of his. "I got so excited mommy and my kagune came out."
Kaneki gently kissed Kou's cheek. "I love you Kou. It was an accident. I am not mad."
"Mrs. Muri got so mad at me and told me that she was going to tell you mommy. I didn't mean to." Kou repeated.
"I know, sweetheart."
"Will Daddy be mad?"
"Shh." Kaneki gently rocked Kou. "Your daddy and I would never be mad over something like that."
Kou sniffled.
Kaneki kissed Kou.
Hide entered the apartment and saw his husband and son crying. "What happened?"
Kaneki hugged Kou. "Go read or play. I need to talk to Daddy."
Kou jumped off the couch and left.
"What happened?" Hide repeated.
Kaneki walked over and hugged Hide.
Hide held Kaneki.
"I will explain while we make dinner."