"Welcome!"

The cheerful voice resounded through the shop after the jingle.

"You're forgetting something" Yomo's gruff voice spoke.

"And that is?" He asked blankly.

It was the day before the cafe opened, and Yomo wanted to review everything he thought him. He wanted to complain that he could be doing something better, but was quickly shot down when he realized he actually didn't. There was Saiko but she was busy being initiated to her work place. Which was… weird. Her surgery and her initiation were almost a whole week apart. 'They must be showing her around the workplace and such' he thought to himself. It seemed the two were going through the same hell as each other. The pain of work.

"Ahem" Yomo coughed catching the blonds attention, "You're missing the part where you tell them you'll be right with them, or you know to take a seat."

Seriously, this is what he was being scolded about.

"Now let's try again." Yomo told him before exiting the shop.

A couple minutes passed, and the same sound of bells jingling filled the room.

"Welcome! Please seat yourself, and i'll be right with you!" Naruto chirped but with a bit less enthusiasm as before.

Yomo nodded in acceptance. They had finally gotten past part one.

Taking a seat in the corner of the room, he looked through the menu that could be found at every table. Hearing the echoes of shoes hitting the floor in a rhythmic pattern; Yomo faced the waiter. He had the same cheerful, friendly, smile when he came in here. His spiky blond hair that was impossible to tame seemed to radiate a feeling of comfort. A blue eye that welcomed anyone and everyone. Yes, he was doing good so far, but the hard part was yet to come.

"Have you decided what you want to drink?" Naruto asked.

Looking him over he saw only one flaw.

"Where's your notepad?"

"You know, it's kinda impossible to write and carry something when you only have one arm." he responded with a hint of annoyance. He hadn't taken any offense to his comment, but he just wanted to show the geezer that he couldn't do everything.

Seemingly ignoring him Yomo looked back at the menu, "Put the notepad down on the table, and than write on it."

Silence.

Opening his mouth to protest, Naruto realized he was completely right. It was such a simple solution to a stupid problem. Turning around with his mouth still agape he scrunched his face before getting his notepad and pen. Returning a small time later he laid the pad down on the table before taking the pen out of his pocket.

"What may I start you off with today sir?" he asked politely.

Nodding in acceptance Yomo gave him his order. A simple one really; black coffee with sugar.

Making his way behind the counter. Naruto repeated the steps that were drilled into him at day one. Taking out the roasted coffee beans, he put them in the grinder. Of course he had to grind them manually since things were never that easy for him. Afterwards, he put the grinded coffee beans on the filter; where he then slowly poured water over it, and waited. A while later a aromatic scent filled the cafe. The sound of clinking was heard as he set his work down on Yomo's table. It was still dancing out steam, but that was normal.

"Voila" Naruto exclaimed proudly, however the ghoul still held his stoic face on.

Closing his eyes, Yomo grabbed the coffee before bringing it up to his lips. It stayed there for a while as he took in the scent. Not perfect, but it was good nonetheless. That didn't mean the taste was the same however. Taking a small sip, the burning sensation of freshly brewed coffee meeting his tongue coursed through his mouth down to his throat. It was the same as the smell. Not perfect, but not terrible.

"It's nice." he spoke stoically.

"Really? Nice, that's it?" Naruto asked as he slouched over with a deadpan.

"I said it's 'nice', not bad." Yomo replied opening one eye.

Letting out a sigh he prayed that this trial as he called it was almost done.

"You're free to go. I already know you know the rest of the stuff." The stoic man spoke causing Naruto to straighten up.

"Really!?" he asked excitedly.

"Yes. Congratulations, you're now a full fledge waiter."

Pumping his arm into the air he couldn't believe it. Not only was it over, but he was a waiter!

'Wait a minute… that's more of a downgrade than an upgrade' he thought as his one revealing eye turned into a line with his mouth matching it. Turning his head like a broken machine to face Yomo he only had one question.

"Are you still going to pay for my ramen?" he asked a bit nervously.

"No"

Falling at the mans bluntness; he couldn't believe it. His pay was probably getting docked, and that only meant less ramen. Curse this cruel world!

"Also you might want to check your room." the silver haired ghoul spoke cryptically.

"Huh? Why? There's not gonna be anything bad, right?"

Instead of a response he got nothing but silence.

'Sheesh, at least show some sign of acknowledgment' he thought before making his way upstairs.

Opening his room, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Everything was in place, but there was something added to it. A wrapped rectangular what he assumed was a box laid on his desk.

Approaching it he made out some writing on it,

To Whiskers,

Try not to get killed.

-Uta

Reading the first part over brought a constant twitching to his eyebrow. Seriously! They're not whiskers! Closing his eye he took in a deep breath before exhaling. Plopping his eye open he looked at the box. Unwrapping it slowly he couldn't help but already feel a wave of nostalgia wash over him.

Opening the package he let out a gasp, before excited rummaging was heard through the halls.

With Yomo Downstairs

For what seemed like the hundredth time for today the jingle of a bell was heard resounding through the cafe. Looking up from his newspaper he was met face to face with Touka. She seemed to have a somewhat anxious look on her face, but who could blame her. Not after the rumor they heard of their friend.

Kaneki Ken.

It had been sometime in July when they lost everything. Three months to be more precise. Three months of believing everything they once had was gone. Now a rumor of a CCG agent who has the ability of a ghoul comes spreading around like a wildfire. Just what exactly were those doves planning? They had already tried to go after him when they mistook him for Naruto, and that was due to his carelessness. He couldn't imagine how much trouble it would bring if the CCG found a way to recruit ghouls into their ranks. That's not what was on his mind however. It was the fact that the supposed 'ghoul' in the CCG had been rumored to have the kagune of the 'Eyepatch', and was under training from the CCG's reaper himself.

"Have you told him yet?"

Looking back at his paper he shook his head. A look of disapproval flashed on Touka's face, but was interrupted by the excited footsteps making their way downstairs.

"Yomo! Yomo! Look! It's so awesome, Dattebayo!" Naruto bounced around the mans table with excitement while he all but shoved the mask into his face.

The mask resembled that of a fox with red paint outlining its eyes. It had three whisker like markings on each cheek that curved at the end. A symbol that reminded him of his doppelgangers mask was placed on its forehead, with red accompanying the ears. All in all, it reminded him of the ANBU that was placed to protect him when he was younger.

Smile still etched on his face; Naruto placed the mask on.

"Look! Look! It's so cool!" he chirped as he pointed at it with his hand. Somehow even with the mask on they could still see his wide smile through it.

Closing her eyes and letting out a tired sigh. She felt as if she was dealing with a child. A child that was high on sugar, and worse of all, a child who was almost an adult.

"Naruto! Shut up and listen!" she snapped at the blond.

Opening his mouth to retort he was silenced by the glare he received from a certain purplete. Luckily for him the mask was covering his mouth, but he had a feeling she still somehow knew what he was doing.

Still glaring at him she waited until she was sure he calmed down. Not receiving anything but a stare she turned to Yomo, signaling him to speak.

He was still in the same position as before. Eyes closed with both of his hands on the coffee. Only this time it seemed like there was less coffee as before.

"While you're out in Tokyo I want you to be on the lookout-"

"For what?" he asked, rudely interrupting him. The holes burning at the side of his head was all he needed to know to shut up. Touka was starting to get pissed. That was not something he wanted or needed right now.

"There's rumors going on underground that the CCG have a supposed ghoul in their ranks. It's been spreading around for a while now, but everyone mostly doubts the claim. Just be on the lookout for anyone in a white coat using a ghouls ability."

Nodding at his words he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. There was that feeling in his gut again. The same feeling he had when he had first encountered Haku. He just didn't know what it was.

"This ghoul…. Is it… him?" he asked a bit unsure of himself.

There was a silence between them. His words seemed to affect Touka the most, if her hair shadowing her eyes was anything to go by. Yomo… Yomo was still in the same state as before, but this time with his eyes slightly open staring at him.

"Yes… It's Kaneki." he replied neutrally.

Nodding once again he glanced at Touka. She seemed to be reminiscing about something. Closing his eye he was about to approach her, to comfort her, but was stopped by the sounds of footsteps. Opening his lone blue eye he realized it was Touka. Her retreating form made its way upstairs.

A silence fell before the two.

Still staring at the stairway that led upstairs he wasn't prepared for what happened next.

"Ow!" he yelled as something hit the side of his head and miraculously landed in his left hand, "What the hell Yomo!" he asked in agitation with a glare sent towards the source of the object that hit him.

"That's your pay starting from now on. Don't spend it on stupid stuff, since you only have about a week or two worth of food in there."

Looking at the small envelope he opened it to see what he assumed to be quite a bit of money. Conveniently at that exact moment the lone or phone, whatever it was called, vibrated in his waiter pocket. Taking it out it was a text from Saiko herself.

'Oh thank Kami. I thought I was going to be bored out of my mind the whole day.' he thought in relief.

Apparently the initiation was shorter than she thought.

'She was probably late.'

Replying to her message with some difficulty he went upstairs to change, and made his way towards their usual hangout spot.

An Hour Later

"So you're telling me you fell asleep on the couch when they were showing you around the house?" Naruto could be heard with amusement in his voice.

"S-shut up!" the girl sitting across from him stuttered out in a blush.

Her response only seemed to make him roll in his laughter.

"I-i'm sorry but… how… how did you manage to fall asleep on the couch on your inituation?" he asked after calming down a bit.

Gaining a pinkish tint on her cheeks. Saiko burrowed her face into her scarf.

"Ioverslept" she blurted out.

"What?"

"I overslept!" she spoke a bit louder.

Dumbfounded by her words he blinked blankly. It seemed the words were still processing in his head before a look of realization hit him.

"What! How?"

The question seemed to make her tense. Fidgeting with her fingers she couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed, "Saiko…. might have stayed up all night playing a game."

There it was again. That cute little third person tick she had. Then again who was he to judge when he would be screaming how he would be the next Hokage with a 'dattebayo' followed up with it.

'Wait a minute I still do that.'

Suppressing a chuckle at her antics he couldn't help but smile. Over the past week he had probably became the best of friends with Saiko out of everyone else. Of course he could tell that she was keeping something to herself, and he couldn't blame her when he was doing the exact same thing.

"Eh I probably would have done the same thing." Actually he did do the same thing. He was extremely late for the entrance exam, and almost overslept his graduation from the academy. Luckily he wasn't like a certain silver haired teacher of his.

His comment seemed to take her out of her small stuper.

"So what'd you do today?" she asked while planting her hand against her face. Seemingly interested at whatever the blond had to say.

Shrugging his shoulders he spoke, "Eh you know, this and that. Became a professional waiter. Or just a normal waiter."

It seemed to interest her if the curious tilt of her head was anything to go by, "A waiter?"

"Huh? Oh yeah, I work at a cafe not to far from here. We're opening tomorrow."

"Really, that's awesome!"

Smiling at her response he was glad she thought so.

"I guess you can call me a NEET." she chirped with a thumbs up that was pointed at herself.

Blinking a few he put his hand on his chin in a thinking gesture. A few moments passed, and a defeated expression graced his face.

"What's a NEET?" he asked.

White circles replaced Saiko's eyes as her mouth hung off her chin.

"First you don't know what manga is! Now this! It's like you lived under a rock you're whole life!" she yelled at him while waving her arms to her sides furiously.

'She's not far from it' he thought on her last comment. If you replaced the rock with a different world than it would be spot on.

Squinting his eye he somewhat listened to her as she told him all the different types of pop culture in japan. It was a problem though when she was speaking faster than he thought was possible. Honestly, her enthusiasm reminded him of Bushy Brows and Bushier Brow-Sensei.

Eventually his eyes saw the bigger picture. Where he was once staring at just her lips move, he was now looking at her whole face. Her two thick pigtails moving ever so slightly whenever she moved her head. The unevenly fringed bangs that seemed to follow her heads every motion. Her blue hair that seemed to shine with a glow that just captivated him. Then there were her eyes. Eyes that were darker than his own, but yet still seemed to be made out of sapphire.

He couldn't help but close his eye and smile.

Friendship was a wonderful thing.

Time passed them in a blink of an eye. What was once a ramen stand had quickly changed to an arcade. The flashing of the word 'winner' repeated on his screen, while Saiko had a angry look on her face.

"That's the fourth time in a row you beat me at something! I thought you said you never played one of these!" she yelled accusingly.

Scratching his head sheepishly he felt bad, "What! I wasn't lying when I said that… I just have the devil's luck when it comes to things like this" he spoke trying to defend himself.

"Yeah, well it takes skill to win at things like this." she quickly retorted.

'She isn't actually mad…. Right?' he wondered to himself.

When they had gotten into the arcade; they had made a wager on whoever won the most games against each other. The other person would have to give the other all of their tickets.

He did feel a bit bad about beating her, but honestly! It's not like he was trying to win!

Staring at her frustrated retreating form he couldn't help but frown. She seemed to take pride in her gaming skills.

'Ok, I'll try to lose the next ones.'

It seemed she had picked the next game if her waiting form was anything to go by. She seemed to be a mix of frustrated, annoyed, and determined to win the next ones and the ones after that. Sighing he just hoped his devilish luck didn't interfere anymore.

Some Time Later

'How the Hell did this happen?'

Curse his luck! He had by some small stupendous chance he had won every single game. That wasn't even the worst part. Saiko had all but stopped talking to him, and he wasn't sure if it was out of anger or disappointment. Hopefully he could find a way to fix this.

They were currently standing at the prize section, and waiting while they weighed how many tickets he got. It seemed to be a lot if the constant changing of the tickets was anything to go by. Finally after what seemed like hours he got ticket count.

Glancing at Saiko she seemed to be sadly looking at something. A look of want clearly in her sapphire eyes.

'Yeah… I think I know what to do.' he thought to himself as he looked at the item she was looking at. It was an orange creature who had fire on his tail, with his hands out. It's mouth was open, which showed a toothy smile.

"Excuse me sir!" He yelled while waving his arm to get the workers attention. It seemed to catch Saiko's as well, clearly curious about what he was going to get. Pointing at the plush he spoke cheerfully, "Could I possibly get the orange guy up there?"

The worker nodded before leaving to get it for him. There was a silence between Naruto and Saiko, but this time it was different than before. This one was filled with an air of curiosity. They stayed there waiting for the worker, while Saiko looked at Naruto trying to figure out his intentions. Did he catch her looking at the prize, and decided to get it for her?

'Come on Saiko… he's probably going to get it for himself' she thought sadly. She was upset that she lost. Why wouldn't she be. Out of everything video games was the only thing she was really good at, and she prided herself for that. She had seen the plush over a month ago, and had been saving up since then. Almost all her allowance was put into this one thing, and now here she is losing it all.

Letting out a sigh a frown graced her lips. Not only did she lose all of her tickets, but now she had to go all the way to the first ward where her new home was. That was a trip she didn't want to take in this mood.

She watched as the worker handed the plush that almost reached her collar bone to Naruto.

Dropping her head she stared at the floor.

Was he really going to keep it all for himself? Why did she go on and make a stupid wager like that? She was so close to having it, but watching someone else take her prize with her own tickets hurt. Or at least that's what she thinks it was.

A soft texture brushed the side of her arm, which sent a jolt down her spine. Looking up she was met face to face with the smiling orange creature that she adored in her game. Next to the plush's face was Naruto's. Seemingly replicating the creatures smile with one of his own.

"Here" he said softly.

Looking at the creature again she took in unsurely. Was he really just gonna give it to her like that?

"You sure?"

Everything seemed to stop as she awaited his answer. The noises of children yelling, machines clinking, and people talking all seemed to fade away from existence. She was expecting him to say 'no', but the answer she got was something she would always remember.

"Saiko…" he started with a small smile, his features showing nothing but joy, "You're someone important to me-"

Five words was all it took to fluster her. Her heart beat seemed to rise as did her eyes.

"-I'm sure we'll have plenty of opportunities like this again. Afterall i'm sure I won't always be this lucky, dattebayo." he told her with a smile.

It seemed to work as her mood did a complete one eighty. A smile replaced her frown as she looked at her gift.

"Thank you… "

It was all Naruto needed to hear for his smile to widen even further.

"I should probably get going." she told him.

"Huh?" he asked not realizing what she said.

"It's getting pretty late. In fact Saiko needs to be home soon."

"Well come on! I'll take you" he chirped as he grabbed her arm and tugged her along with him, all but cutting her off from protesting if there was any.

Saiko seemed content with it as she was dragged out of the arcade. With one of her hands holding Naruto's while the other flew behind her gripping the gift, she couldn't help but smile at her new friends antics.

Later

"Holy crap…. Saiko is your house?" Naruto's asked as he pointed at it with a gobsmacked expression.

"It's not just mine. There's-" she stopped as she started counting on her fingers, "-four other people who live in here."

The house was the definition of a modern rich house. It seemed to have three floors with an attic, and the yard was obviously taken care of. It had a gate at the front with fences surrounding the property. All in all, it was probably one of the nicest houses Naruto has seen in his life. If he was to compare the architecture to the Elemental Nation to here, than 'here' definitely beat his home.

Approaching the door, the house seemed to get bigger and bigger with every step. You could hear people chattering away, and if the voices were anything to go by there was a lot of people. A party?

Stopping in his tracks the same gut feeling from before came to surface. He didn't really feel like bargaining into something that didn't include him.

'Not like that stopped me before'

"Naruto?" Saiko's voice caught his attention, "You coming?"

Looking around he couldn't shake the feeling he felt from before.

"Uh… Maybe next time. I'll see ya later Sai-chan!" he yelled as he gave the blunete a quick wave before jogging away.

"Weird" Saiko muttered out to herself.

'He probably forgot he had something to do' she thought while glancing down at the prize he had given her. She couldn't help but have this warm tingly feeling. Turning around she made her way towards the door.

'Just why exactly is he so nice?' she thought as the blond became the focus of her attention. The whole time they knew each other they had only ever talked at the ramen place, or briefly over text. 'Saiko's thinking to much into this.' was her last thought before entering her new home.

It looked exactly what one would expect when viewed from the outside. Rich, extravagant, and clean furniture. Long narrow hallways filled with artifacts and paintings. Rooms that were so clean you could eat food off the ground. Turning to where the 'welcome' or 'initiation' party was, she couldn't help but frown. She didn't really know anyone here, and she didn't like the looks she received from some of the CCG officers. It wasn't one of lust, but disgust.

Disgust, for turning into the beings that they swore to destroy. At least she wasn't actually a ghoul. Just….part one. Yeah, just part one. 'After all Saiko can still go out to eat all those delicious foods' she thought with drool in her mouth.

Entering her room she looked around at the blank state of it. There was a simple bed with white sheets and pillows. There was a desk with a single lamp on it, and walls as white as snow. To simply put it, the room was frankly rather blank looking.

Placing the plushie, she got from Naruto, on her bed a smile crept its way onto her lips. At least she'll have some sort of decoration in here. She didn't know why, but she felt that this decoration wasn't the only seed being planted.

"Ah, Saiko I was just about to go out looking for you." A voice called out from her door.

Turning towards the voice she was met with a man clearly in his twenties, with black streaks coming out of his crown and white covering the rest of it. He had on a black turtleneck sweater, with jeans accompanying them. Grey eyes that leaned more towards black than white. A friendly welcoming smile plastered on his face as he looked at her.

"Ah-um-it's…. You….." she sputtered out not expecting the sudden appearance of her squad leader was it?

Chucking he ruffled the shorter girls hair, "I can already tell you're gonna make this a lot more fun."

Slowly nodding at his words she let him continue, "Would you like to join the party? After all it's for our squad, so I would think you would like to be there." he asked politely.

Looking around her room she clearly felt uncomfortable doing that. She would have rather been playing or maybe even hanging out with Naruto more….

Noticing her discomfort a gentle understanding smile crept on his face, "Well, you're always welcome Saiko. I can't wait to get to know you and the squad better."

Leaving to return to the party he gave her one last smile before shutting the door.

Naruto

Just what the hell was this surging pain. Ever since he used that damn rinnegan he had been getting head splitting headaches throughout the past few days, but they hadn't been this bad.

'Sasuke definitely didn't experience this.' There was just no damn way he could handle this pain while fighting two godly like beings, and than him.

Entering the subway he boarded one of the trains as quickly as possible. He had to get back as fast as possible.

Looking up at the lights his vision started to blur.

'What the hell?'

Looking around he started to feel his vision darken.

'I feel sleepy….b...but….I need….to get….ba…..' were his last thoughts as he drifted to sleep.

Re:

Just where was that blond idiot. She had texted him to get home ASAP, but no he hasn't even opened her message. The worst part was he didn't even tell them where he was going, so it was either wait for him or go on a wild goose chase. With the café opening tomorrow she was going to take the former.

"I'm sure it's nothing Touka, probably just got lost in the city." Yomo tried to reassure her.

Looking at him a clear worried look crossed her face, "That's what i'm worried about. Knowing him he's probably drugged, caught the CCG's attention, or has someone trying to kill him. We've only known him for what? A couple of weeks-"

"And yet he's grown so close to our little group of misfits" Yomo finished with a sip of his cup.

Nodding, she looked down at the phone before sending one last message to the whiskered teen.

Train

His cerulean eye opened itself to the baren train. Groggily moving his head forward. Looking around there weren't many if any people. There was one but they seemed…. Creepy. Checking the map he was in the 11th ward…..

The one place they had told him not to go…..

He was in…

'Well she's going to kill me' he thought as he scratched his head, 'Lets see I can either get off now, and shinobi style my way back… oh wait….my mask. Well that leaves two other options, one stay on this train for let's see…. Two hours! Or get a cab with the limited money I have left.'

Opening his wallet he looked at the amount he had, which was a surprising zero.

'And I already used it all on ramen and games. Nice Naruto, nice.'

Sighing he rubbed his face in frustration before taking a seat.

Once again falling into the same sleep he once had before.

Unknown

Jolting awake he found himself in the familiar sewer he had grown used to when he was in dire need of help.

Although something was off.

The pipes, that used to be pumping Kurama's chakra into him since his birth, were broken.

"I should probably talk to Kurama about that…" he thought out loud.

Shrugging to himself he started his trek on the same path he had always taken. Taking the finally turn, Kurama's cage was there in all it's glory, opened and all.

"Oi! You lazy oversized plush! Get up!" he yelled with his one arm in a shouting gesture.

Silence.

Frowning, he couldn't help but feel the same feeling as before start to surface up.

"Kurama?" he asked a bit more softly with his facial features turning into one of worry.

Nothing but the echo of his voice

"Hey come on…. Now's not the time for jokes…."

Still nothing.

Approaching the cage slowly the only thing that could be heard resounding through the room was the splashes of Naruto's footsteps hitting water.

Finally reaching the open gate his eyes shot wide open as he fell to his knees. Raindrops that fell from his cheeks.

"K-kurama!" he sobbed.

Tightening his hand so hard it turned white he started to repeatedly hit the floor. Cracks started to form under the pressure as he gave one last cry before slouching over. Staring at the water his eyes widened once again at what was staring at him in the reflection.

Instead of the one cerulean blue eye he had gotten used to looking at; there showed two cerulean blue eyes staring at him. Looking back at the cage with a petrified expression he noticed a tablet with the symbol that had an 'ə' with steam coming out of it. Getting up he approached the tablet.

'That wasn't there before.' he thought with his head tilt.

Touching it he disappeared from his mindscape, never noticing the dark purple mist that had slightly poured out the cracks.

Authors Note

I'ma start with apologizing for how long it took to get this chapter out. As some of you guys know school has started up again, which has cut my time by quite a bit. In fact I didn't even open this chapter until last month where I wrote a bit, told myself, "let's get one out on monday," and than never returned to it until yesterday and today. Anyway I just want to thank everyone for reviewing. (Even the ones who went on a rant on why Naruto is practically a god). It has definitely opened more doors that I didn't know even know were there, and I would like to say I have a solid ground to continue this story on. I might go back in to fix all the grammar, and all the other jazz, sometime soon. (That includes the previous chapters) Cause I was rereading what I wrote, and slapped myself for all the mistakes that were on it. Anyway, thank you all for reading and still hopefully being here after all this time. I'll try to work on this piece by piece whenever I can. Also a quick side note for those of you who read my other story. I will post an update about what's gonna happen on that whenever I actually feel comfortable saying what I want to say. Once again, sorry for the long wait. I'll try to make sure the next one you guys don't have to wait 3 months and some days. Thanks for reading! Till next time! (Not 3 months) :)