The Quinx of Change

Summary: What turns into a time of mourning quickly turns into fear, when Hide accidentally activates a switch, he hears a sound that sends chills to his own core. His amnesiac best friend, Kaneki, is in danger, and he needs to be saved, by whatever is hurting him. It doesn't matter to Hide if the very person who told him to ruthlessly slaughter a ghoul is the same who will help him save his friend.

13th Ward, Control Room in Auction Bid

What was he doing?

Hide couldn't tell. One moment he was fighting alongside the rest of the CCG against some ghouls, when all of a sudden, he briefly let Amber take hold of him, instructing him to mercilessly kill someone who clearly was unable to fight no more.

He was ruthless, uncaring, and hesitant. He let go of his rationality, and allowed himself to fall into the depths of insanity briefly, which wasn't him. Who was Hide?

Then on the other hand, he fled, ignoring both the investigators and ghouls alike, running into a quiet area, a control room he did not even know the purpose of. Right now, he did not care for what others thought of him. Right now, all he needed was some form of privacy. He needed it.

"Am I a monster?" Hide asked himself, his vision heading back to the scene that continued to play in his head. The image of brutally killing that ghoul, just because he was on the opposite side of this war.

"Of course you're a monster, you're like me!" Amber's voice echoed into Hide's mind, who at this point was sick of her. She had been responsible for making him lose control, it was all her fault. Hide is just a human, who was brought into this war. He was forced into by the CCG, just for wanting his best friend back. It was all he wanted, was his best friend, and he was fighting a war to bring him back.

"Oh shut up, you're the one who told me it was a good idea…" Hide replied not wanting to argue with her, especially with what she made him do. However, Amber did not let down. Instead, she taunted further.

"Ha, keep telling yourself you are innocent. I was the one who told you what to do, all you did was follow my advice." Amber taunted, which made Hide enraged.

"You're blaming me for this now?!" Hide asked his voice enraged but not louder, more in disbelief. "This is all your fault! You were the one who told me to kill that ghoul! You were the one who encouraged me to make him suffer! You were the one who made me do all of that! It's all your fault!"

"Haha, HAHA, what a joke. Oh Hide-kun how ignorant and a bliss you are. Just admit it Hide-kun, when you have a monster like me in your mind, it makes you a monster! Even then, you were already a monster!"

Hide sighed clearly calming down after his little episode, trying to grasp everything now, "So because you're the monster in me, it makes me one as well?"

"Precisely, besides I'm just the thought in your mind. You don't have to act whenever I say anything. I just give advice and you choose which to follow." Amber stated, and it only made Hide feel worse.

"Oh god, maybe it was all me, why did I do it?"

Amber decided to butt in, "Of course it's all you, can I control your body? No. So regardless, you were the one who ultimately killed that ghoul."

Hide sighed in shame and frustration. He thought he could blame Amber for doing it, for briefly taking over his body, but he couldn't. She had admitted she couldn't control him, only encourage him.

"But why am I a monster?" Hide asked no one in particular, but the voice in his mind. "I thought they were meant to scare kids. Now the more I'm growing, and seeing this world, the more I realize how close they truly are. Even I am a monster to an extent, how coincidental is that…"

"There's a nice saying about monsters, as a kid you think their under your bed, but as you grow older you realize it's inside of you." Amber chuckled.

Hide himself chuckled at the though, "How convenient, so you're saying the monsters been in me this entire time?"

"Its in everyone, ready to sprawl out at the right time. Everyone to an extent is a monster. Besides the only one to stop a monster is another. Everyone in this world is a monster, contributing to violence, pain and loss." Amber muttered, a bit of hatred evident in her tone, as if she was aware and had prior knowledge of the circumstances.

Hide could only look on in silence, as he sat on the ground of the control room. He had a lot to think. "Maybe you are right, we all have a monster in us, capable of going. Perhaps it's a form of a self-defense mechanism we use whenever we are under threat…"

"Perhaps, but in the face of danger, the best you can do is realize the monster in you, and embrace it." Amber ended her statement after a minute of silence.

It was a bit to take in for the orange haired boy, mourning over the unnecessary death he had caused. It was overwhelming, the guilt running through his veins and mind as his body would not stop shaking. Still, he had to remember, he was in a war. He was fighting an opposing side. There was no doubt in his mind that he would be responsible for killing people. Even if ghouls weren't considered people by the CCG, Hide knew better. His best friend was as human could get, yet he was a ghoul. Kaneki was, and still is, a person, a human, more human than anyone else here.

"I remembered as a little child, always thinking how innocent the world was, how bright everything looked, how lively everything seemed," Hide started, giving a small smile, before it turned into a frown. The stark difference between the hopeful and sunny atmosphere a child typically has, versus the stark and realistic tone many adults gain as they mature.

"But now, all I see around me is violence, hurt, distress, screaming, and just war. There's nothing bright about this world now. Everything is just a never ending cycle of torture. Here I am, mixed up in this fight, with no morals, no explanation. The only thing keeping me here is the small chance I'll get my friend back. But even then, what difference will I make?" Hide asked himself, new fresh tears threatening to fall out of his eyes again.

"I can definitely relate to that. We ghouls aren't much different than you humans. As children we run around without a care in the world, but as we grow older our perception changes. I thought nothing of it, wanting to live a normal human life, even though I was a ghoul." Amber stated, and Hide listened intently.

"What changed? In you and in the eyes of others?" Hide asked.

"I couldn't eat human, or else they'd realize something was going on. So I ate ghouls. But as I continued to eat them, I became less stable, and my mental health deteriorated. Eventually I snapped and just like that, my cover was blown. Despite rarely killing humans, I was deemed a monster, regardless. That changed me, and I embraced it. No matter how hard I tried. I was just another monster." Amber stated, her tone filled with hate and sorrow.

"Once I started killing humans and ghouls alike, it was over for me. Killed by the CCG, and here I am now, residing in your subconscious." Amber quickly summed up, and Hide sighed.

"That's, beyond tragic…" Hide muttered, not being able to think of anything more.

Amber made a sarcastic noise, "It's whatever. But regardless, no matter how simply of a life you want, in this world you never get it. And in this world, everyone's a monster, you included. You're no different from the rest of us. You'll kill, and move on."

Hide pondered on what Amber was telling him, there had to be a way out of this. This fighting, was it worth it? Why was is needed? Sure ghouls were sometimes dangerous, but most clearly wanted to just live their lives. What was Hide supposed to do?

"What about those who try and fight for simplicity?" Hide asked.

"They're just as much of a monster as the others. No matter your goals, you have to step down on others to reach them. What you are insinuating is nothing different. You'll still have to kill." Amber stated, as she was giving advice to Hide, said boy sighing.

She was right. He was a monster, everyone was. Regardless, monsters grow inside an individual, and for Hide, it was evident given the circumstances.

"But if everyone is a monster, whose human and ghoul?"

"Does it matter? Is it better to have one term, or multiple? Human? Ghoul? Why not monster? At least that's something both can call themselves." Amber reasoned.

Hide then nodded, before he spoked his own mind, "But beyond every monster is a reason."

"Huh?" Amber did not get what Hide was referring to.

"Every monster is a monster for their own reason. No one is born a monster, we both agreed to that with talking about our childhoods, but it's created through tragedies. A monster rises when a person is vulnerable. They need to be reminded they are normal, what they go through is normal, and that there are better ways at coping." Hide reasoned and explained.

"That may be so, but how can you cure a monster? Once a monster is always a monster."

"You think that because you never had the chance to remove the monster in you. You died with the monster in you, some others are able to find peace before they perish." Hide stated, his eyes determined with a new reason.

It was through this ordeal did Hide learn some valuable lessons. Sacrifices were to be made, but through every individual's action is a reason, not matter how stupid or impulsive, there's a reason.

As Hide looked around, he began to survey his surroundings, suddenly confused as to where he was.

"Where am I?" He asked, the silence rather unnerving. It was somewhat surprising considering all the fighting that was happening. He would expect to hear the sounds of war, fighting and clashing, but no. Instead he was left to his own thoughts, with nothing Hide could detect with his hearing.

Even Amber had become radio silent, at the moment that is.

"Huh…" Hide stated at last, wiping some remaining tears from his eyes as he got up, Kura in his left hand as he walked to some buttons and switches.

"What are these even for?" Hide asked to no one in particular. He was currently pondering whether or not he should be playing with these. Considering the building they were in, it may cause some unnecessary damage. Despite the damage he had already caused, he was determined not to lose himself like the last time.

He was not a monster, well maybe compared to others, but he would find his reality and escape.

With a determined look at the switches and buttons, Hide looks at some symbols as if they were a sign of what they meant.

It was at this point did Hide notice the symbol of a speaker. He knew this one relatively well as they were similar to his headphone symbols. The speaker icon probably indicated some sort of speaker to play, though he didn't know where it would play from. Perhaps the stage, where the abducted are put for auction bets?

Hide did not precisely know, but what he did know was that he had to do something. He may have killed a ghoul but he wasn't going to stop protecting his friends. Who knows what Kaneki and the others were doing during his time of mourning. He was so selfish to worry about himself killing a ghoul, when the others could literally be getting torn apart. He was supposed to be searching for Suzuya and Mutsuki.

So with a look of hope and confusion, Hide pushed the button, and to his horror, he heard a familiar scream.

Hide's eyes widened even more than they could as he realized the screaming of agony and pain, was Kaneki's.

"Kaneki…" Hide mumbled as he began to run out the control room, the noise of Kaneki's screams could be heard throughout the building.

"Looks like the time you spent caring about yourself, was also when your friend was dying. Looks like you cannot save him after all." Amber taunted, and Hide was having none of it.

"Shut up Amber!" Hide bellowed as he began to hear the shocked voices of some CCG investigators. But Hide ran, he knew where to go. The stage, it had to be where the speakers where connected to.

He gripped Kura with even more strength that his knuckles were reddened, but he didn't let that stop him. His speed was remarkable, and his determination was something else.

"I am not failing you again!" Hide bellowed in pure desperation, as he ran closer to the stadium, only to find a crack in the stage.

Hide gasped thinking this was it. But the collision of something below made him sigh. He was failing him again, and he knew if he pondered any longer, he would not be as lucky. He had to go down and face him.

Basement of Auction Building

With a determined glare, he ran to the stairs leading to the basement. He could have used his kagune to leap down, but he was afraid of doing so, knowing Amber would most definitely come out. It was the last thing he wanted.

Making his way down, and bursting to the door, he looked at the mutilated form of his friend.

"Kaneki…" he mumbled, before his eyes turned to the ghoul who had done so.

With a determined face, Hide charged towards the ghoul, who despite Hide's superhuman speed, managed to dodge the attack, without any injuries.

The ghoul merely looked on, "What a bother." He merely stated before unleashing his kagune. Hide gulped, before he noticed a barrage of projectiles flying towards Hide. He merely grunted in frustration that he was caught, twisting Kura around to deflect all of them with ease. The usual smile Hide had was no more, filled with an uncharacteristic serious face of concentration. Considering Kura was a koukaku quinque, it was relatively effective against those kinds of projectiles.

However, what made Hide somewhat glad, was the fact that the ghoul was a ukaku, something he was used to fighting. While he doubted his own strength, considering Haise/Kaneki would always beat him, but he was determined to not let his best friend die.

Hide attempted to fire some decay pillars towards the ghoul, whom merely dodged. Hide used the similar tactic against the other ghoul, to close the distance between this ghoul. The ghoul seemed to understand, and quickly struck out with his kagune.

Hide quickly collided it with Kura, finding himself in a standstill with the ghoul. Hide did not mind this as well. His purpose was to stall the ghoul enough so that Kaneki could hopefully heal. He knew he may not defeat this ghoul, so he preferred the defense.

However, the ghoul was stronger than Hide, and within a minute found himself overpowered, and forced to back down. He quickly stepped back, before dodging another barrage of projectiles.

"Come on Hide-Kim, this ghoul tried to kill your best friend, summon me." The voice of Amber appeared in Hide's mind as he hesitated, looking at the ghoul's kagune, it's crystallized form, alongside the face of this ghoul really creeped Hide out.

Upon closer inspection, Hide realized and spotted that this ghoul was actually a one-eyed ghoul. There was no way for a one eyed ghoul to appear out of nowhere. Unless…

"No." Hide mumbled, which caught the attention of the ghoul.

"What's wrong boy? Realized your fate?" The ghoul asked.

Hide's limbs froze, "That voice, Takizawa?" Hide asked, not believing what he was seeing.

The ghoul merely stood there, silent, which only made Hide gasp louder. "No." Hide could only say, before he felt the figure collide with him. Hide's own shock had left him vulnerable to Takizawa's onslaught.

"Ow…" Hide mumbled as he realized Takizawa was on top of him, his one kakugan showing. Hide looked to the right, his Kura blade a bit away.

Hide felt himself himself in a vulnerable situation, with Takizawa punching him repeatedly as Hide felt himself being used as a punching bag, coughing out blood in the process.

Once Takizawa stopped, he leaned close to Hide's ear. Hide took his opportunity to reach for Kura.

"Come on Hide, you're just going to hurt yourself more." Amber taunted, as Hide continued struggling for Kura, Amber telling him he's too far away and that he'd have to use his kagune.

"You know Hideyoshi, I remember that time you took me out for lunch, you treated me like a genuine person." He sneered his voice close to Hide's ear, while the orange haired was dealing with Amber talking as well.

"He's vulnerable, putting himself into striking distance, don't you want to protect your friend? How can you if you can't even protect yourself?" Amber sneered, and Hide felt his shoulder blades tingling yet again, his own kagune wanting to come out of his skin.

So engrossed in his thoughts with Amber, he hadn't heard anything of Takizawa's monologue.

"But I'm a ghoul now, and you're a human. Nature's plaything, we are all products of nature. So let's say you're the gazelle, and I'm the cheetah, nature tells the cheetah to eat the gazelle, so I am inclined to do the same." Takizawa explained, before attempting to bite Hide.

Hide panicked, before he closed his eyes, allowing the flames on his wings to spread through his body, temporarily burning Hide, before they travelled towards Takizawa.

*Flame Body*

The surprised Takizawa quickly got off wailing at the pain of being burned, while Hide looked up, clearly burned up a bit, but still willing to fight.

With a quick thinking, Hide punched Takizawa right in his face, before he could notice, staring down to Takizawa, who was finally recovering from the burns, holding his eye where Hide had struck him. Hide clenched in pain, knowing his eye was also burning a bit from that hook.

When Takizawa looked at Hide, his eyes widened in slight shock at the kagune he was showing, as well as the kakugan in his right eye.

"So you're one too? Then why do you fight for the CCG?" He merely asked, but Hide didn't answer, letting himself get comfortable, as the sound of Amber echoed through his mind.

"You see how simple it is? If you did this more you could have avoided more issues!" Amber exclaimed, and Hide grunted, his face turning a frown as he stared at Takizawa with the coldest glare he could muster.

"Your only mistake." He breathed, letting his eyes stare down at Takizawa, his eyes full of anger and rage, as he was clearly influenced by Amber, "was letting me within striking distance."

Hide looked up above Takizawa, seeing a crate hung up by a damaged wire. Hide spread his wings out and lashed a fiery line towards the line.

*X Flame*

Takizawa looked up, his eyes arched in curiosity, as he noticed the flame strike the wire, as the crate began to fall. Takizawa quickly made his way out as he jumped out, which only left him open for a slash from Hide.

Hide had charged with his superhuman speed, clashing his kagune, his orange crystallized wings against Takizawa's own after he got the hit in. They merely grunted as they stared down at each other, with Hide's frown turning into a slight growl, angered that he would hurt his best friend.

Hide's wings shined briefly, before using the other to trip Takizawa, who merely jumped up. Hide backed up, letting him land, before charging yet again. The two clashing together.

"An ukaku as well, I wouldn't have thought you were skilled close combat." Takizawa sneered, his smirk evident in contrast to Hide's own growl, as the flames on his wings riled up with the flames intensifying.

Before Hide knew it, he screamed, the voice of Amber encouraging him, as one of his wings took the form of his an orange blade, while the other took the form of an armoured plate, acting as a hardened exterior similar to Kura.

*Shapeshift*

Hide smiled, at least knowing he could do more with his kagune, before he opened his orange sword-like kagune, firing his projectiles out of it, causing Takizawa to remain on the defense, receiving a glancing blow. He merely grunted, his face developing some small bruises. Of course, even his kagune blades and armour plates contain some flames across them, with the projectiles firing out with flames added onto it.

*Flaming Pellets*

Hide then charged forward, Takizawa crystallizing his kagune, managing to slice underneath Hide's shield and under his rib cage, while Hide stabbed the ghoul's side, they both coughing out blood in the process.

But Hide didn't feel the pain end yet, as Takizawa took the opportunity to bite Hide's left shoulder, the orange haired gasping in shock, growling before pushing his blade up, opening the healing wound from Takizawa's stomach.

They both gasped from the pain, while Hide took the opportunity to back up, his wound on his shoulder hurting, but healing slowly.

Hide quickly turned his shield into a crystallized wing on his left, realizing how useless his armoured plate was.

The two looked at each other, panting as their injuries began to take its toll. However, Takizawa was inevitably at a better position due to the bite he had gotten out of Hide, whose shoulder was bleeding out. He couldn't fight for any longer with his injuries.

Almost like a mirror, Takizawa crystallized his wings, while Hide raised his one sword, and his wing, going to protect his injured shoulder.

The two, in unison, from their wings and sword, began to fire their crystallized projectiles at each other, striking each other with the full brunt of the attack.

Hide grunted, as his right torso felt most of the pain, while Takizawa was struck throughout. Hide had his left wing to at least defend his injured shoulder.

But while Takizawa stood standing, panting heavily as the projectiles took its toll, while Hide was struggling. His shoulder was damaged, and his right side was burning. While he was regeneration, it wasn't at the pace of his opponent. Not to mention that the flames on his wings burning his rc cells were finally catching up to him.

Hide was mentally cursing his own kagune, as the problem with the flames burning and sapping his own rc cells was seriously a detriment to his overall capabilities.

Still, Hide raised his kagune in defense, still determined to help Kaneki, quickly realizing that he was standing in front of his best friend, who while was healing was full somewhat injured.

"H-Hidee…" Hide wasn't sure if it was actually Kaneki, or the fact that he was too tired to say his fully name, but hearing his nickname from Kaneki/Haise was surprising.

Still, Hide wasn't going to let that stop him, the voice of Amber telling him to fight was still there. He wasn't giving up despite his predicament. He was in a more injured state when defending Kaneki from Arima. He had succeeded then, he will again now.

Before Hide could even have a chance to engage, he was interrupted by another figure.

"Why are you in the way? We're on the same side!" Takizawa exclaimed to the new figure.

Hide looked to his side to see what appeared to be a young teen with a strange mask covering her eyes. Hide looked on, a bit saddened that someone this young was involved in this.

Hide then realized what Takizawa stated and he flinched, looking at the new figure in skepticism.

"He's still of use to us." The girl stated, and Hide's eyes flared. Despite his injured state he wasn't going to let them take his friend away.

"None of you." Hide panted, "Are taking him away from me!" He yelled, enraged at the two figures, crystallizing his kagune to sent projectiles around, twirling his body to strike both the figures.

*Flaming Pellets*

The young girl mostly dodged, only being grazed while Takizawa felt another round striking him. Takizawa himself grunting in pain from the flaming pellets striking him.

The young girl looked at Hjde, injured and panting, giving him a rather sorrowful look.

To Hide's surprise however, he spotted the young girl engaging in a fight with Takizawa. His shock was apparent in his eyes as he merely looked at the two use their kagune's.

"How can-" Hide was about to ask, before Takizawa commented something.

"Your surprisingly strong, Hina." He stated, which made Hide's eyes widen in shock.

"Hinami?" Hide whispered, watching the two fight fiercely. Hide had an idea of who the girl was. He remembered always seeing her alongside Kaneki, as she would refer to him as onii-chan, seeing his friend as a older brotherly figure.

He suddenly realized who this girl was. "I can't." He mumbled remembering the promise he told himself. He wouldn't let a family of Kaneki's be hurt. He couldn't.

Raising his kagune again, he charged in, his injuries hurting less as they healed a bit. Before Takizawa could counterattack, almost striking Hinami with his kagune, Hide charged, using his crystallized wings to slash open a torso wide wound into Takizawa.

The ghoul in question fell, and for a moment Hide sighed in relief. Glad that a major threat had been averted.

That is, until the ghoul looked up, a half mask of a weird bird and it's beak showing up.

Hide gulped, realizing that this was not the end of whatever was happening. Despite still using his kagune, he just was not in the ideal health to continue fighting. Hinami wasn't faring any better.

Still, Hide wasn't going to give up. He still was standing, as thus would continue fighting until then.

"A kakuja…" he heard a mumble, and Hide's eyes widened, realizing what he was dealing with. This was something more than anything else he had faced.

He merely watched as Takizawa did a number on Hinami, before taking his opening. The incomplete kakuja was in the shape of a weird sword on both of his arms.

Hide knew that he had to be careful, as these types of ghouls were incredibly unstable and strong. The information and evidence right in front of him, as even a normal ghoul couldn't withstand the attacks of this berserker.

Hide used his crystallized wings again, hoping he would be alright, but with each collision, he felt his kagune weakening, as if Takizawa's strength was multiplying. It was the strongest thing Hide could feel, and before he knew it, his crystallized wings broke like glass, shards flying all over the places as Hide exclaimed in shock and pain. Even the flames around what once was Hide's wings dispersed, not affecting Takizawa whatsoever.

Within a split second after, Hide found one of Takizawa's sword pierced in his stomach, before a kick knocked him into the wall.

Hide groaned, with the wound on his left shoulder, his right side and now his stomach, he was losing blood relatively fast, but he was still conscious. He looked and saw Hinami wasn't in a better position. Her kagune was also destroyed in the fight, and was left helpless.

All Hide could do, was watch in helplessness, as he felt his vision go dark.

...

Hide found himself in his subconscious yet again, watching as Amber walked closer to him.

He merely sighed in realization the talk he was going to receive.

"So, you see the power you can have when you eat other ghouls?" Amber asked at last, and Hide was mildly shocked that she wasn't mad at him. Though it wasn't that surprising considering she was again tempting him into eating other ghouls.

Hide shrugged, "I think it's the opposite, you saw how he was banging his head across the wall, he clearly wasn't thinking properly."

Amber chuckled, "Well it's a natural process. An incomplete kakuja will be painful and mentally scarring, but once you manage a complete kakuja, your pretty much unstoppable!"

Again Hide merely looked away, unable to response. After what he had experienced, he was not going to do such a thing.

"Well, how are you to fight a kakuja?" Hide asked, and Amber laughed,

"To be honest? I don't know. I managed to get there but I was killed the first time I got to use it, so I wouldn't know." Amber replied, and Hide sighed.

"We're not getting anywhere with this, that ghoul-" Hide said, worrying about Kaneki and Hinami.

"Don't worry about them, your body is healing, your injuries aren't fatal, as for Kaneki, he'll fight that ghoul, whereas Hinami's fate is set in stone." Amber stated, with no emotion in her face, surprising Hide.

Hide then got up, "I have to do something, I have to get up, I can't let them go at this alone."

Amber merely sighed, "I know you do, trust me, but your simply unable to fight a lone kakuja on you own. Especially in your state."

Hide didn't know what to really say. He had spent earlier mourning over killing a ghoul, and now he was here probably dead from a ghoul. Karma really has a way of coming back to bite you in your ass.

But then again, Hide managed to save Kaneki again. This time he had actually fought back, and for a time seemed to be winning. He had been what he had failed to do from the start. Despite his state, he found himself smiling.

But it was short lived, as he asked Amber, "So what now?"

Amber looked at him in confusion, "what do you mean, what now?"

"What happens after I wake up? Do I practice to get stronger?"

Amber looked at Hide rubbing her cheek, "well that'd be a positive I'd say, though I was impressive with your little sword kagune, you are learning how to use it. But again your restraining it from its full potential."

Hide laughed, "Well of course it's restrained, my kagune is supressed, because there's quinque barriers on them, I can't."

Amber merely chuckled, "But if you break out."

Hide sighed, There's a term for that, called Framed Out. In the event that happens the individual is to be treated as an S-rated ghoul, so no I can't unless I want to be hunted from both sides."

Amber looked on, "I see, well…"

But she said nothing, with a bout of silence taking over afterwards.

It was a bit weird, Hide thought, he thought unconsciousness, or subconsciousness wasn't a thing. There was really only one world, but here he was, with a ghoul residing in his subconscious, living there as if it was normal.

What was Hide really supposed to do? How was he going to go about things.

Hide sighed, he didn't care. What he cared about was Kaneki, and his friends. Even that girl, Hinami, she was nice enough to help fight that kakuja despite his hostility.

Perhaps that was his fault for not listening and being patient, but hearing your friend being taken somewhere suspicious made Hide scared.

Hide sighed, looking at the sky in his subconscious world. He would wake up, right now, or whenever. He was certain that he would eventually wake up.

...

As if his fate wanted him to do so, he had successfully managed to wake up. Grunting, he also managed to get himself up, despite his injured shoulder. He noticed his kagune has dissipated entirely. Hide sighed, before noticing the amount of CCG troops, now entering.

His mind shifted to Hinami, whose eyes widened in realization.

"No…" Hide mumbled realizing that the doves would most definitely kill her. He couldn't step in front of the ghoul like he had done to Kaneki. In particular, Arima's stoic face was evident, looking at Hinami like she was nothing more than a monster that needed to be eliminated.

This entire battle was something else, started as a simple case, had turned into a whole another level. This was definitely the biggest battle Hide had participated in. Probably up there with the Anteiku raids.

Hide looked at Hinami's frightened expression. She knew what was happening, her death apparent. Just like her parents, at least she would see them after all these times.

It sounded harsh, but that was reality. Perhaps this would be the end of her tragic life, she would see some form of happiness afterwards. So without any more fear, Hinami closed her eyes, embracing her death from the reaper.

But it never came. To both Hinami and Hide's surprise, Kaneki spoke out.

Well, actually it was Haise. "Investigator Arima…" he panted, with Hide noting the wound on his stomach, healing. It was somewhat relieving to Hide, seeing his friend mostly intact after what he had heard.

"Haise." Arima replied not showing a single emotion, with the ghoul in front of him.

"I hunted her down. I took her down. Please at least let me take charge over her." He stated, panting afterwards.

Arima merely looked at the girl, before Haise, speaking after a while, "Investigator Haise and Hideyoshi are injured." Was all he stated, walking away from Hinami, which made the three sigh in relief.

Hide noticed the strange look from Akira, as multiple medics came to check up on him.

"What we're you thinking, Hideyoshi?" Akira asked, both concerned and enraged at his actions,

Hide merely shrugged, wincing as his wounds were being checked on, "I defended you and my friend." He said, not regretting his actions one bit.

As Hide was sent alongside Haise to get more treatment for his injuries, it gave him some time to reflect on the effects of this battle. Definitely the most significant battle he had partaken in. The slaughter of that ghoul, the fight with Takizawa, and the imprisonment of Hinami, curtesy of Kaneki, which he was beyond thankful for.

As Hide walked away with help, a though suddenly dawned on him. Should he tell Touka of Hinami's imprisonment? What would she say?

Hide sighed. There clearly was a lot of things he had to catch up on, considering the amount of things that happened. This battle gave Hide a lot of time to reflect, and regardless of all the bad, he at least knew he had to keep moving forward. He just needed to wait.

He just needed to wait for Kaneki to regain his memories again, that's all.

A.N / So that is the end with the Auction even, as this was what made Hinami end up in Cochlea. I'll probably have some scenes of Hide checking up on her, as a sort of reliever. The events of this chapter were somewhat heavy, therefore next chapter will be a bit lighter. This chapter goes to the end of chapter 31 in the manga by the way. Anyways hope you enjoy.

Flame Body: The user ignites their entire body with flames. This comes with the expense of burning their own body and rc cells temporarily to inflict damage in any enemy within contact with the user. The move's damage depends on how much contact is made, but even contact with the arms can quickly become severe for a ghoul, though at the cost of also costing the user stamina. For Hide, it is a great last ditch panic move to get any enemy off of him.

Shapeshift: The user manipulates the shapes of their kagune into the shape they desire. This allows for a number of possibilities, that can assist in either defense or offense. Comes at the cost of some rc cells, but it's negligible, and can also be used to lower the amount of rc cells burnt.

X Flames.

Flaming Pellets.

Fiery Drift.