Kaneki should have never come.

He drove up to the house, sneaking around though he didn't really need to, when he caught Yoshimura's scent.

The car pulled up a second later, but for some reason, he didn't rush over. There were more scents, unfamiliar ones, and the scent of blood. And ghoul scent.

Kaneki fell back a step. What was going on?

But then Yoshimura saw him. He closed the distance in a heartbeat. "It's good to see you Kaneki. I…I wasn't sure you'd make it this year."

Kaneki froze in fear, and said defensively. "Well I did. Where have you been?"

His tone was a little accusing, but for good reason.

"I got shot." He added.

"You what?" Yoshimura put a hand on his shoulder. "Are you alright?"

"I'm ok." Kaneki said reluctantly, feeling bad. "What are those scents? Ghouls?"

"NEW ghouls." Yoshimura said "I'm afraid it's spreading."

Kaneki nearly choked on his breath. "More ghouls?!"

"I think some of ours have been taking trips." Yoshimura sighed. "Breaking rules. We are still contagious after all. But…I'm starting to think there might be more to it…"

"Different transformation factors?" Kaneki said fearfully, thinking of Kuri.

"Perhaps." Yoshimura said. "I have to have others help me look. These ghouls are brand new, and no bites. It seems they have eaten their families upon changing, and afterwards lost the will to live."

Kaneki gasped. "So…what do we do…?"

"We save the ones we can, and pray it doesn't go global, Kaneki."

Yoshimura went to the truck and began helping out two teenagers, younger than Kaneki. The girl was wailing and crying, but the boy's tears were more silent, wracking sobs.

Kaneki looked away. It reminded him too much of the pain of the past.

He opened his mouth to ask about Kuri, then closed it again. Yoshimura might disagree; he might want to keep it a secret—or worse, have one of the others study why she had not transformed.

"What are we going to do about Amon?" He asked finally.

"Hope that he has enough brains not to slaughter anyone." Yoshimura said. "The others will help him. I have Nishio looking after him for now. We have to ensure he doesn't go back to Hinami's home, or visit his girlfriend Arima."

"Arima's father is that man who loves hunting ghouls." Kaneki shuddered.

"We are aware of him." Yomo said, getting out of the car. "But it seemed he was sabotaged by and enterprising young ghoul."

Kaneki blushed with pride. "Yeah that was me…"

"Pretty obvious, Ken." Yomo grinned. "Comin' inside?"

Kaneki shook his head. "I have my own place to stay."

"Bring some coffee back from the bookstore." Yoshimura smiled. "And pick me up some Nietzsche."

Kaneki nodded, smiling brightly at the thought of curling up with Kuri in the warmth of her bed that night.

Thoughts of her whisked the worry of the growing ghoul crisis away.