The Quinx of Change

In the aftermath of the Rose Family Extermination, the Quinx Squad are saddened by the apparent loss of one of their members, each feeling different emotions. Whilst they think the worst, they are oblivious to the pain and internal conflict their lost and presumably dead friend is going through, in a different part of Toyko, the same friend they thought they lost, alive, but in a precarious position that makes his story as tragic as it is.

They had failed. He had failed.

Shirazu was at a crossroads, feeling terrible, the emotion of guilt being encompassed on his face and his entire body. Guilt, the very emotion that is usually caused by your action in the past, or lack of. Despite this, Shirazu had done what he could.

Most of the Quinx Squad had reaffirmed that to him, stating that he had succeeded.

"I thought I did, he was regenerating when I brought him to the medic, I swear he was alive when I had him." He said, unsure of how he had died.

"You did your job, unfortunately the van Hideyoshi was in was attacked by ghouls from Aogiri Tree, that was through no fault of your own." Urie had told Shirazu.

It was clear to the Quinx Squad and the rest of the bureau that Hideyoshi Nagachika had been declared dead by the CCG, his body missing alongside the others taken from the transport vehicle.

But Shirazu felt guilty, he had felt useless. As a leader, he was supposed to protect his squad, and his friends, but he had let one of them inevitably kill themselves just as a distraction. If Shirazu hadn't gotten all desperate, with his sister in the hospital and thinking about the state of everyone, and overexerting himself, maybe they could've been alright.

But Shirazu also felt a bit of survivor's guilt. Hide had taken the spot Shirazu was going for, only for him to be pierced by that kakuja tail-like limb, Shirazu didn't even know what to call it at all. It was tragic, and it made him think that it could've easily been him in that situation if Hide hadn't stepped in when he did.

What was he supposed to do now?

Mutsuki radiated shock. He was in disbelief. While he had been hopeful once Shirazu had taken him to the medic, the smallest bit of hope vanished when the ghouls from Aogiri Tree attacked, and Hide's body went missing as a result. Mutsuki couldn't even cry.

Hide was a unique person to him. He was definitely outgoing and energetic like Shirazu, but also was very serious in terms of various topics. When the topic of his parents came up, he was mature and relatively hesitant in talking about his parents. When he had accidentally walked in when Mutsuki was naked, he was very mature about it, comforting him while he was petrified.

It was times like these that made Mutsuki respect the person Hide was.

Saiko had been in tears ever since. While she hadn't talked to him a lot, she saw Hide as a strong character. He had also been kind, acknowledging her interest in video games and the sorts, buying her new games to keep her entertained in an environment she didn't want to be in. He was very kind in wanting everyone to feel wanted, and while he kept his own secrets, he didn't let it keep him isolated.

Urie was no different, and with the death of Hide, he was in thought, in regret. Regret for not knowing the guy in the time he was here. He had to admit, he had thought Hide as nothing more than a delinquent due to his personality and his late arrival in terms of the rest. However, during the occasional sparring alongside Haise and the rest of the Quinx Squad, he himself was surprised at the fast pace the guy was learning in terms of fighting.

Urie had seen Hide as another kind of Shirazu, but after seeing his seriousness in situations, and his strength, his tone on him changed quite considerably, seeing him as an actual member of the team. With his death, Urie had seen the others in a different life. Even Shirazu. Even if he annoyed Urie with all his might, he didn't know what would happen if he were to die.

As a result, Urie had confronted Shirazu, and while he had tried to be his usual self, the events that occurred showed Urie a different type of Shirazu. A more sensitive and caring person, and Urie knew he had to connect with them better. Whereas Shirazu was filled with guilt, Mutsuki was in shock and denial, and Saiko was just depressed, Urie had regret filled in his face.

Regret that he didn't cooperate and get to know them better. Once he had heard of Aogiri Tree's capture of Hide's body, he had vowed to retrieve his body, from them. He may have been filled with regret, but he was determined to right his wrongs, and this was the only thing he could do.

But the person who was the most confusing was none other than Haise.

While Haise had taken the loss like the rest of the group, he hadn't particularly expressed a single emotion to an intensity as the rest, but rather all of them without a less precise answer. He had seen the boy in a confusing light, mistaking him as nothing special, until he had risen the ranks in strength. But that all changed when the voice in his head had begun to break down.

Hearing Hide dead had for some reason dealt a major blow to the voice in his head, Kaneki. Of course, with Haise's weird predicaments with the voice in his head, knowing the person had connections to some, he had a weird feeling that this Hideyoshi Nagachika. He had tried to confront him earlier about this, but he seemed rather neutral about the issue.

Almost as if he wanted to reveal something, but there was something that prevented him from doing so. When he had confronted Arima about Hide, he had seemed a bit mixed.

In truth, even Arima had been shocked and saddened after hearing the death of Hide. As much as he wanted to tell Haise about his past with Hide, he knew he couldn't.

So, he decided to tell him through a vague answer, "Very well, Hideyoshi Nagachika was someone you knew in the past, before you lost your memories. That is all I can tell you and know."

Haise was confused, the voice in his head was crying and in a poor mental state, it was clear this Hideyoshi Nagachika was close to him.

"That cannot be it." Haise stated, he needed to be more if his inner voice was this traumatized.

Arima sighed, "I cannot tell you more, there may be more, but I simply do not know."

Haise couldn't ask more. Maybe he could ask Akira, but also was confused. Why was this person so close to Kaneki if he only knew they were close? How close were they?

There were a lot of questions Haise needed answered, regarding this person.

This person, whom he would call Hide. Who was he? And what was his connection to Kaneki?

Haise sighed as he began to head towards the coffee shop he had once taken Hide with, alongside Shirazu and Mutsuki.

He was also going back there to stare at that cute waiter, whom he also felt he had a weird connection there.

When he entered, he was met with a smile from the same lavender haired waiter, who was always there to take his order.

"I'm sorry if this is personal, but did something happen? You look sad." The girl asked, and Haise sighed.

"Yeah, we just lost one of our own." Haise stated.

Touka looked a bit shocked, at the sight of the white-haired, who clearly was hurting.

"Could you tell me what they're name was?" Touka asked after a bit. "You do not have to tell me if you are uncomfortable."

Haise sighed, "Hideyoshi Nagachika, he was killed by a ghoul named Noro." He started, unaware of the shocked looks the others had.

Nishiki's face of confusion was evident. The same guy whom he had tried eating, and helped teach to fight was now dead? Yomo was upset as well, even if his face hid it, and Touka's head lowered, as she tried to not show anything away.

"Well, we don't really know exactly. One of our teammate's stated Hide was regenerating when he had given him off to the medic. Of course, once we had learned that Hide's body was among those lost in that Aogiri attack on the transport vehicles, the CCG officially declared him dead."

Touka looked on in shock, Hide was dead. Their only main source of checking in on both Haise and Hinami was now gone.

"I-I'm very sorry to hear that." Touka could only utter, a sad smile encompassing her face, the same face that Haise had found himself staring at quite a bit, for too long.

"It's okay, but I feel like I knew the guy." Haise stated, catching the eyes of some.

"Did you?" Touka asked, on the one hand, she had to be very careful when it came to giving anything away, but allowing Kaneki, or Haise to potentially gain information and learn more about what happened prior to the invasion, was crucial.

Even if Hide was dead, his entire purpose was to get Kaneki back, and even then, would Touka fill in what Hide wanted. The entirety of :re and Anteiku would.

Haise sighed, "I don't know, really. It's just a feeling like I had a previous connection before all that. I was only told earlier today by Arima that Hide was a friend of mine in the past, but that's all I was given."

Touka could only look on in pity. Right now, she and the rest were just hearing of Hide's apparent death, but here was also a close friend of his mourning and confused. Touka sighed, what was she supposed to do?

Remembering how Kaneki had been there for her when Hinami's mother was killed by ghoul investigators, it made Touka feel useless. Here was her chance to repay for his actions, but she couldn't even help, because the guy couldn't recognize her!

"I wish I could help you, but I do not have the capabilities. Make your order, and perhaps it'll be a start." Touka said at last, trying her hardest not the break down at seeing Haise's tears coming out of his eyes.

"It's fine, it really is. You're already doing enough, so I cannot thank you enough." Haise stated, and that only hurt Touka more.

But still, she herself had to cope with the reality that Hide was now gone, never to be seen again. If Kaneki were to regain his memories, how would he react knowing his best friend died waiting for him?

How would Kaneki cope? Would he ever be the same? Even if Hide's spirit for living onwards contributed to helping Kaneki, how would he truly feel realizing he would never see his best friend ever again?

How might that change Kaneki? His very best friend, dead because of ghouls, either it could take Kaneki on a route of no return, or one of recklessness that could find himself dead too.

Touka really didn't know what to do, and looking back at Nishiki and Yomo, she sighed, the two were probably thinking along very similar lines.

She watched as Haise got a book, and while still teary was clearly trying to move on, and temporarily forget about it. Touka was busy wiping some tables that were used earlier today. She could have sworn she was Haise look up at her, the same way he had done with Rize.

Touka smiled to herself, a bit relieved to see that her feelings, were to an extent returned, before she sighed and frowned, knowing that even if she got Kaneki back, she would have to deal with the biggest hurdle, of Kaneki finding out about his deceased friend, since childhood.

Touka sighed, it was going to be quite the week, as they would have to cope, not just with the loss of Hide, but also the total loss of connection between them and Hinami. Hide was their only connection, their only line and now it was cut. Hinami was all on her own now.

Touka, again looked at Haise, whom was looking back at her. He seemed a bit nervous, especially so when Touka approached him.

"U-um, yes maam?" He asked stuttering a bit, making Touka giggle slightly.

"It's getting late, perhaps you should head home?" She asked. While she didn't want him to leave, she knew he was still hurting and needed him to maintain himself.

Haise merely nodded, "Y-yeah I should, thank you." He said, leaving and Touka waved back, looking at the rest, seeing the sad faces, knowing a friend of theirs was no more.

The others within :re however, began to mourn for the death of their comrade.

…

"Hide-kun!" The sound of Amber was the first thing Hide heard once he woke up, in a sense.

"Uh..." He mumbled, looking around, quickly deciphering he was in his subconscious.

He looked around and noticed something rather strange already. There, sitting in her usual spot as always, was Amber. The months passing had done nothing to her in terms of her appearance. She still wore hoodie, and coverings around her body, trying to hide herself from the outside world.

Hide had gotten used to it, he didn't mind it as much, especially when Mutsuki came in the picture. It just goes to show that sometimes you do not know what you thought you knew about someone.

"What is going on here?" Hide asked, motioning to the atmosphere. Where before it took on an orange hue, now took on a redder one. Almost bloodred, and its kind of freaked Hide out.

"Don't you know?" Amber asked, her face developing a weird tone.

"Not really." Hide replied and Amber laughed.

"Oh, damn you, and your ways. Alright sit down." She said, taking Hide's arm and plopping him down much to his surprise.

"What are-" Hide was about to ask, before Amber put her finger on his mouth, trying to shut him up.

"You fought a ghoul and lost. Now you are somewhere I don't know. All I know is that I can smell lots of ghouls." Amber stated, a bit of a grin as she drooled, looking for a nod from Hide which she got.

"Good, you understand. Anyways, it seems that whatever happened, the quinque frames restraining you kakuhou has been destroyed and removed. As a result, you have a large amount of rc cells flooding into your body's system."

Hide then looked around, suddenly understanding the bloodred atmosphere. It kind of made sense. That was the result of the rc cells flooding into the rest of his body.

"I see, but how did my quinque frames get removed and destroyed?" Hide asked, clearly trying his hardest to remember what happened. "Did they burst during the fight…?"

He was fighting a ghoul, told Urie and Shirazu to finish the ghoul off before he felt something go through his stomach, and he blacked out.

"I can only remember the ghoul hitting me in the stomach, everything after is hazy at best and nothing at worst." Hide stated. "And even then, my kagune and the quinque frames are on my shoulder blades, not my stomach… If I was a rinkaku or a bikaku, it would've been more likely for that strike to break through…"

"I see, well then I'll explain." Amber stated once again. "If it wasn't for the bite you took from that ghoul, that stab to your stomach would have ended you. And you are right, it was not what broke the quinque frames. A ghoul's kagune is barely able to break a quinque."

At that Hide's mouth suddenly went up, like he wanted to vomit. "Wait, I ate that ghoul?" He asked.

To his shock and disappointment, Amber nodded, a smile plastered on her face. "Yes you did, and man did you do it well. Tore off quite the chunk of his shoulder and leg. Got to give it to you for a first timer you did well."

But Hide wasn't impressed whatsoever, he wasn't happy at all. Quite the contrary, he was mortified. "I ate a ghoul?" He asked, with his eyes wide and his mouth open, like he wanted to vomit."

Amber sighed and nodded, before turning her face to one of content, "Yes you did. No point in thinking about it. If it wasn't for that, you would have died, and thus the remnants of me would have as well."

Hide sighed, "That's disgusting, I didn't want to..."

"Well, you did, and you are alive because of it, so be glad." Amber retorted, not wanting to hear Hide complain about this.

Hide sighed, feeling disgusted that he had in fact, eaten part of a ghoul open. How did he even do that? It didn't matter. What Hide knew now was that he had partaken in eating ghoul. What was going to happen to him?

"Anyways, there's something more dire that I need to speak to you about." Amber stated, bringing Hide out of his thoughts.

"And what is it?" Hide asked, hoping it didn't have to do with eating ghouls, he was still ashamed and mortified he had done such an action.

Amber sighed, which made Hide a bit nervous. The serious tone Amber had was unlike anything he had heard from her. Most of the time it was full of glee and lust, but now it was serious, as if she was the leader of a company speaking to her coworkers. It felt weird.

"The rc cells in your body are reacting to the overflow of the rc cells from your once restrained kakuhou." Amber started. "Essentially your body does not know what to do with this rapid influx of rc spreading throughout your bloodstream."

The seriousness confused Hide, but the idea of rc cells flooding through his body was not a good sign. If Hide looked at the background around him, then he could quickly realize that it was becoming more orange and redder, almost flame-like.

But even then, the flames looked more erratic, as if it was the flames burning rather than one of a controlled one.

Hide looked at Amber in confusion, "Why does this matter?"

"Because it could cause your death." The voice of Amber, in her seriousness almost made Hide take a double take. It seriously made Hide feel he was talking to a different woman.

"Remember if you die, and once you die, the remnants of me will also die, because I reside in your subconscious." Amber emphasized, almost lecturing Hide it felt.

Hide sighed, "Then what am I supposed to do?" He asked, clearly pointing the question to her. If she was more serious than him, then she knew what to do more than him.

"There's two options: either accept the rc influx or fight it." Amber stated, looking up and seeing the bloodred sky, flash blue temporarily. It was enough to confuse Hide for a solid minute.

"What happens if I do both of them?" Hide asked, wanting to know more about what he was getting himself into.

"If you choose to fight it, you'll most likely die, as your body will presumably do more damage than it can take, and even in the small chance that you do succeed, you'll be left with permanent scars that'll stay with you." Amber explained, clearly being serious about this, not once did Hide feel any maliciousness from Amber, for once.

"As for if you accept it, it'll be a very tough process initially, and you may die quickly from the takeover. But once you past that initial stage, you'll be able to live your life." Amber explained to a sighing Hide.

"So, in both cases, I have a chance to die?" He asked and was met with a nod from Amber.

"Yes, the chances are there. For the first, death can come within weeks of suffering, while the second, death can come almost instant. As for me, the first option would be difficult for me, as I'd be attacked by your body if you choose to fight. But if you choose the second, you'll also be accepting me as an integral part of your body." Amber stated, and Hide immediately got a bit suspicious at that.

"Is that so?" Hide asked, "How can I be sure you aren't trying to persuade me into giving up power or something?"

"What are you getting at?" Amber asked, raising an eyebrow to her usually expressionless face that Hide still couldn't see.

"Isn't it obvious? You're trying to take hold of me!" Hide accused Amber, who merely scoffed, not showing any semblance of panic for what she was being accused of.

"I told you this already, but no matter what I simply cannot. Say what you want, but I am merely a part of your entire body. I cannot take over your body with rc cells. The most I can do is give you advice and talk to you, that is it." Amber stated.

Hide looked at her, still skeptical. "How can I trust you?"

"Really?" Amber asked, her face clearly showing surprise, "I saved your life! If I hadn't told you to eat a chunk of that ghoul, you would've died! Even if it was more my benefit, I have to keep you alive for me to thrive. But even then, the most I can do is tell you stuff. You still control all your bodily functions, like your muscles, nerves and the likes. The only thing I control is your subconscious, telling you to release your ghoul side."

Hide looked at Amber, seeing the serious tone evident on her face. There was no maliciousness, no lust, or no lies. Her tone indicated thorough passion in her words, with no lies. She really was serious.

"You really are telling the truth..." Hide said at last, clearly not believing it.

"Huh? That's all you have to say?" Amber asked, not believing it. Ironically, during the time between life and death, the two began to not believe each other, feeling skeptical of each other.

Hide then asked, "Well what happens to you once I choose?"

Amber put her hand to her chin, thinking of her next words, "If you choose to fight, then even I will be targeted. You can expect me to fight back against your body, as it will be the aggressor. The battle will damage both me and you, permanently scarring us. I will weaken, but so will you. As for if you choose to accept, then I'll be fine, unless you die. The influx will have no effect on me as it will to you."

Hide again looked at Amber to make sure she wasn't lying or had any hints of such things.

Seeing as she seemed to be telling the truth, Hide sighed, "Fine, I guess I'll accept it."

Amber looked at Hide, "What?" She didn't believe him once again, but seeing the tone and sense of desperation in Hide with that sigh, she eventually decided to not deny it anymore, nor argue more.

In the end, Hide decided the best option he saw, at least.

"I'll accept the rc cell influx. I'll do that considering the chances of me being alright it there."

"Ah, but I forgot something." Amber stated, immediately causing Hide to stop what he was doing.

"What is it?" Hide asked. He felt a bit of apprehension at this, but he continued forward. He had to make a decision immediately, or else death was the most likely fate for him.

"Well, if you choose to fight it, you'll retain your humanity, you can live as what you are, a human with a ghoul's weapon. Your body having fought off the influx of rc cells, but if you choose to accept-" Amber looked at Hide, her face full on uncertainty.

"If I choose to accept, which I said I was doing." Hide stated, reaffirming his choice.

Amber sighed, "Well, if you choose to accept, the influx of the rc cells in your body will change it forever." Amber solemnly stated. Hide didn't get this, however.

For the meantime, Hide was at a crossroads, what did Amber mean by his body changing forever? But in the end,

Hide shrugged, "I don't see any problems with that."

"Are you sure about that?" Amber asked, and Hide sighed.

"Well then what happens with the rc cells?" Hide asked.

Amber sighed, remaining quiet for a bit, "I cannot tell you that. You will have to find out yourself. As for what changes, let's just say your body doesn't become human."

Hide still didn't understand, "What do you mean by not human? Do I become a bird or something?" He asked, his voice raising in confusion and anger. His question remaining unanswered. He thought that his kagune would give him bird-like wings.

Amber again reiterated, "I cannot tell you directly, you will need to find out on your own."

Hide sighed, "Will I die because of it?"

Amber shrugged, "Not directly, but maybe from external factors, though that can be mitigated how you act."

Hide pondered, trying to gather the cryptic messages Amber was talking about. What should be do?

Should he try to fight the wave, keeping his body, or accept change?

"Amber, I have one more question." Hide stated a bit.

Amber merely looked at Hide, "And what is it? We have to hurry."

"Would you accept change, or be skeptical?" Hide asked.

Amber shook her head, "Always go for change. If you choose to stay the same, you'll get bored. I thought you'd know that better."

Hide nodded, knowing his decision, "Okay, I'll accept it." Hide stated.

Almost a minute after that statement, a rumbling was heard in Hide's subconsciousness. Before Hide could ponder and react, he saw a wave of red before his vision went black.

After that, Hide could no longer think. He couldn't move, or imagine anything. He was completely mute, both in the conscious and subconscious worlds.

By the time Hide woke up, he found himself in a strange room. "What the..." Hide mumbled, looking around, seeing nothing but blood everywhere. He saw to his right a pair of items, and a trashcan filled with numerous amounts of charred skin, which confused and disturbed him, for reasons she was unsure of.

Because of the environment he was in, Hide could not ponder time. While in the subconscious world he had around ten to twenty minutes, he was unaware of the actual time in this world.

But then again, the fact that no one was here made Hide a bit unconscious.

"Amber?" He called out, at last, hoping to hear something. Anything.

Was he deaf? Maybe that's what Amber meant by his body changing forever. He was convinced until he heard a small water drop from the roof to the floor.

With the assumption that his senses were gone being false, Hide looked on, looking for anything.

"Why aren't you answering Amber?" Hide asked, actually scared for the girl in his mind.

Hide wanted to get up, but he quickly realized that his hands and legs were strapped, and he felt incredibly weak. Perhaps it was the influx of rc cells? Amber had told him what happened there.

"Wait..." He mumbled, closing his eyes trying to ponder what happened. But alas, the last thing he could remember was being pierced by Noro, after shouting for Urie and Shirazu.

Hide gave a small, relieved smile, he hoped the two and the rest of the Quinx Squad were doing alright.

For now, he had to try and find out where he was. He felt off, and he didn't know why.

That is, until he heard footsteps. Hide was partially glad, at least knowing he wouldn't be alone again, but also scared. Who were these people, and what did they want with him?

Hide eventually came face to face with two people. One was an adult, with faded hair, indicating he probably was around in his 40s and 50s. He seemed like a doctor considering his clothing. The other, was a girl, with striking green hair, her smile looked very awkward, in a demented way.

Hide merely looked at the two, not knowing what to say, but ultimately deciding to say nothing. They seemed malicious, in the way they held themselves.

"Well." Hide's eyes widened in realization who this man was. The same guy who operated on Kaneki during the accident. The same guy who had an arrest warrant from the CCG.

Akihiro Kanou, Hide looked at him with a glare in his eyes. Kanou seemed to see it, but smiled.

"You know, I have a lot to thank you for." Kanou started. "With the Quinx surgery, and seeing how those who undergo it don't succumb to the change, it makes sense. The restraint kakuhou, the frames to keep it under control, and here we are, I have successfully removed the frames, and look!" He stated, pointing to Hide. "He's awake and alive."

The short, green haired girl laughed in response, "Oh certainly, he was breathing when you put him here, look!" She said pointing to the bucket of charred skin. "Judging by the kagune you told me he had, I already burned parts of his skin off, and look how well he's regenerated!" She exclaimed in excitement.

Hide looked to the trash in surprise, that was his skin burnt off from his skin? It didn't seem like it, and why wasn't he aware of that?

Eventually, Hide saw Kanou smirk, "You're a lot tougher than we realized. We noticed afterwards that the normal dosage of rc suppressants weren't affecting you, so we had to try, more drastic measures." He darkly stated.

Hide's eyes widened, in surprise and confusion.

Eto spotted this and smirked, "We had to build a custom quinque, since a ghoul's kagune was the only thing able to pierce you."

Kanou merely added, "In the end, she decided to just burn you after learning of your kagune, and low and behold, it worked regardless."

Hide raised his eyebrow, what did she mean, ghoul's kagune? Why couldn't regular metal objects work on him? They did before.

Kanou smirked, "You probably are confused, but I shall explain. In short, we removed the frames from your kakuhou, to see the aftereffects of such an event. With my calculations and theories, I was right, in that you were able to withstand the influx of rc cells."

"So that's why that happened..." Hide thought.

"Because of your rc levels surpassing that of a typical ghoul's normal metal weapons were ineffective. As a result, we tried using rc suppressants to bring them down, but to our shock, your body had either developed a resistance of a high dose tolerance to it. As a result, we have to use this." He pointed at the custom kagune that was made.

"You doves call it a quinque, so to speak, we've been using this to slice you up." Eto finished for Kanou, and Hide then began to understand to an extent. "But honestly, burning you up is funnier!" She explained with a bit of glee.

Hide lowered his head, not really knowing what to say. This was the one time he wished Amber was talking to him, even taunting him or something. He hadn't heard from her ever since, was she okay?

Suddenly, Hide felt a burning slice across his chest. "Kff!" Hide groaned in pain, as he witnessed Eto grabbing the quinque and slicing him. He wanted to put his hand over it, before seeing something interesting.

"What the." Hide thought as he noticed his shirt and pants were torn, and that he was barefooted. "Why was that strike burning me…?"

He then looked at the quinque, and realized quickly that Eto had actually placed it in literal flames before slicing him.

"Anyways, I'll let you have fun with your pet." Kanou stated, before leaving to his room. Hide's eyes widened at what Kanou had stated.

"Well, that says a lot about what they see me as, a tool." Hide thought as he looked up at the girl in front of him, looking at with what could best be described as lust.

"Well, you little boy, what is your name?" She asked sweetly, too sweetly, which made Hide a bit nervous.

In one swift motion, Eto grabbed Hide's little finger of his left hand, and cut it swiftly with the quinque.

"Ah!" Hide exclaimed, not expecting it.

"Listen here." Hide looked up to see Eto looking at him, her eyes looking at Hide's. "You will answer everything I ask you, or I will burn your body over and over continuously until they grow back."

Hide then groaned, before yelling in pain again as this time his left arm being pressed with the burning blade, causing him to hiss in pain. "What is your name?!" Eto yelled this time, and Hide gulped.

"H-Hi-Hidey-AH!" Hide screamed again as his fingers being charred until falling off.

"Speak faster!" Eto exclaimed, her patience clearly running thin.

"Hide!" Hide yelled at last, gasping for breath, taking a slight sigh as he relaxed a bit, after not feeling anything.

Of course, that didn't last long. "Ack!" Hide yelled again as the rest of his fingers on his hands were charred, falling off. He hissed more as he felt his torso being pressed aside in addition.

Hide could only pant, as the nervousness was getting to him. He looked to what remained of his left fingers.

"Don't worry, Hide-kun, your body will grow back, I promise." Eto sneered as she went off. "If anything, this will help you when fighting with your kagune!"

Hide could only look on in fear and confusion.

"What am I doing here?" He asked himself, trying to understand what was happening. Where was Amber? Where was the Quinx Squad, what happened to him? How did he end up here?

Of course, it didn't last as Hide saw Eto return half an hour after. Hide looked at the charred injuries of his body, immediately healing itself until it came back to normal.

"You." Hide looked at Eto with a nervous and scared expression. "What did you do to me?"

Eto merely chuckled darkly, a laugh that Hide will never forget, a laugh that will send chills down his spine, as he felt Eto continue to burn him in little increments across his body, blindfolding him so he couldn't know when Eto would strike him.

He never even got his question.

"Are you enjoying this Hide-kun? Because I really am!" Eto squealed in joy, looking at the orange-haired boy who was breathing heavily, trying to ignore the pain to the best of his abilities.

When Eto stabbed the quinque right into Hide's shoulder, the burning pain encompassing there as he screamed in pain and agony.

"Aiiiee!"

Eto laughed, "Answer me, you tool." She got close to his panting face, the distance making him even more nervous if possible. He seriously hated the blindfold, he couldn't tell when he was being struck or burnt.

"N-n-noAh!" He screamed again as he felt shoulder being overwhelmed by a burning sensation of pain, before the quinque chopped his fingers off. "I just grew them back..." Hide moaned in pain, with Eto laughing in the background.

"That's exactly why I sliced and burning them again." Eto answered.

All Hide could do was breathe calmly, he didn't want to overwhelm himself, he couldn't even distract himself with Amber. Where did she go?

"Amber, where are you?" Hide asked, moaning in the process at how much pain he was in.

"Amber? Oh, Hide-kun has a girlfriend?" Eto taunted, and Hide shook his head, "A mother?" Eto asked afterwards, and again Hide shook his head.

"It's… complicated." Hide stated, and Eto shrugged.

"You're going to get hungry soon, Hide-kun, I'll bring you food!" She stated, a little too happy yet again.

"P-please, c-can I h-have the b-burgers?" Hide asked, "I-If you h-have a-any?" He reassured, and Eto looked at him in shock.

"Do you really not know?" She asked a bit silent and Hide looked at her confused face.

"W-what? Humans n-need to e-eat three t-times a d-day..." Hide commented.

Eto looked at Hide with an amused expression, before nodding, "Okay, since you asked so nicely Hide-kun!" She said before leaving.

Hide looked to the ground, to see the sets of fingers and toes that were indeed his. Perhaps it was the reflection or something, he wasn't sure.

"They really cut me like this? And I can regrow my limbs? What's going on?" Hide asked himself, seeing Eto enter back with a burger.

"T-thank you." Hide stated, and Eto smiled.

"You got some manners, I like that." She got closer to Hide, "perhaps I'll enjoy my time with you." She chuckled, before jamming the burger into Hide's mouth.

Normally, Hide would love the idea of a cute girl, preferably Oohashi, jamming a delicious burger into his mouth, but there were two problems.

One, the girl wasn't a Big Girl staff, or any cute girl, but rather his tormentor, and second, the burger tastes disgusting. Once he had gotten a bit, he immediately felt the need to vomit, and before he knew it, he vomited on the floor, Eto smirking.

Hide looked at the ruined contents of the burger, mixed with his own fluid, horrified that he couldn't eat that burger.

"Want to try another bite Hide-kun?" Eto asked, and Hide looked on.

"Y-yeah, its m-must've b-been a r-reaction..." Hide reasoned not wanting to believe anything else.

"Okay." Eto replied, this time allowing Hide to take a bite.

To his horror, it tasted horrible, and despite swallowing it, it came right back out.

Now, Hide was certain that the burger was inedible.

"You eat it..." Hide told Eto, and she smirked. She took off the blindfold from Hide's eyes as his eyes lowered from the sudden brightness.

"Aren't I the one ordering you around?" Eto remarked, before eating a piece of the burger with ease.

"What..." Hide could only wonder, how she was able to eat it. After she finished chewing, she looked at Hide's dumbfound reaction.

She smirked, "You really don't know what happened to you?" She asked at last.

Hide shook his head, "No! I don't!" He exclaimed, putting his head down.

Eto smiled and chuckled, "Well eat this." She said, and Hide saw a weird package.

"What is it?" He asked.

"Meat." Was all she said.

While Hide was hesitant, the smell of it made Hide think otherwise, and Eto herself could see. He was beginning to drool, and unbeknownst to him, his right eye was forming a kakugan.

Eto smirked, allowing Hide to eat the meat with gratitude. To Hide, it tasted amazing, even better than those Big Girl Burgers.

"T-that was a-amazing, what was it?" Hide asked, and Eto laughed.

"That was human flesh." She said, and just like that Hide's mind shook, not believing what she had just told him.

"No, I refuse that. What did he do to me? I at least get to deserve that? Right?" Hide asked, somewhat to himself and to Eto, his mind being attacked with the fact that he had eaten actual human flesh.

"First ghoul flesh and human?" Hide mumbled, and Eto again chuckled. She was beginning to like her new toy.

She raised a mirror, and once Hide looked into it, he knew what he was.

The kakugan in his right eye, instead of the grey sclera that distinguished him as a Quinx, it was now pitch black, with red streaks running through it, similar to the other individuals he had previously fought.

"I-I'm a g-ghoul?!" Hide asked finally, petrified when Eto nodded her head, in confirmation, much to his own disbelief.

A.N / So how do you like that switch up? We officially now have a Ghoul Hide! Kind of unexpected, huh? Don't worry, in exchange for this Shirazu is alive, unlike the actual manga. You can probably guess what the next chapter is, though. As for this, it is within the time-skip between chapter 58 and 59.

Flame Trail.

Igniting Storm.

Smolly.

Red Rain.

Flame Body.

Shapeshift.

X Flames.

Flaming Pellets.

Fiery Drift.