A/N

Hello,

First, I just wanted to say that this story won't fully follow the canon. I have changed a lot of things, but the main events will still happen, albeit differently. We'll also see more moments with Eto.

Please note that this story is now Rated M.

Enjoy reading!

Chapter 7 - Another Half Ghoul

The group left the scene of the disaster, Naruto was in a state of panic. His mind raced, struggling to comprehend the possibility that Rize might be dead. He kept repeating to himself, over and over, "She's fine. It's all a dream. She's fine."

Touka, seeing his distress, stopped abruptly and turned to face him. Without warning, she slapped him hard across the face. The sharp sting of the slap jolted Naruto out of his spiraling thoughts.

"Snap out of it, Naruto!" Touka shouted, her eyes blazing with frustration and concern. "Not too long ago, you wanted her stopped. Now that she's dead, you're sitting here crying about it. Make up your mind."

Naruto's eyes filled with tears, and he shook his head, his voice breaking. "No, I didn't want her to die. We were always meant to be together. She wasn't meant to go out like this... It's all my fault. If I had just tried harder..."

Kaya stepped forward, her voice gentle but firm. "Naruto, you did everything you could. Rize was lucky to have someone like you, but that doesn't mean she deserved you. You can't blame yourself for her choices."

Naruto went silent, the weight of Kaya's words settling over him. He looked down, his heart heavy with guilt and sorrow. The group continued their journey back to Anteiku, each person lost in their own thoughts and emotions.

When they finally arrived at Anteiku, the atmosphere was somber. Yoshimura greeted them at the door, his eyes filled with concern as he took in their expressions.

"What happened?" Yoshimura asked, his voice calm but urgent.

Touka glanced at Naruto before answering. "Rize is dead. There was an accident, and she was crushed by steel beams."

Yoshimura's eyes widened in shock, but he quickly regained his composure. "I see. And what about the boy?"

"Kaneki," Touka replied. "He's badly injured, but we had to leave him. The doves were closing in, and we couldn't risk getting caught."

Yoshimura nodded, understanding the difficult decision they had made. He turned to Naruto, who was still silent, his face a mask of pain and confusion.

"Naruto," Yoshimura said gently. "Come inside. We need to talk."

Naruto followed Yoshimura into the back room, the others trailing behind. Once they were all seated, Yoshimura looked at each of them, his expression serious.

"This is a difficult time for all of us," Yoshimura began. "But we must stay strong. Rize's death is tragic, but we cannot let it consume us. We have to move forward and continue to protect each other."

Naruto nodded slowly, his mind still reeling from the night's events. He felt a deep sense of loss, but also a strange sense of relief. Rize was gone, but so was the threat she posed. It was a bittersweet realization, one that left him feeling conflicted and hollow.

As the night wore on, the group talked quietly among themselves, processing their grief and finding solace in each other's company. Naruto remained mostly silent, his thoughts a tangled mess of sorrow, guilt, and memories.

Back at Kanou General Hospital, the emergency room was a whirlwind of activity. Ken Kaneki was wheeled in, barely clinging to life. His injuries were severe, and the staff worked frantically to stabilize him. Among the medical team was Dr. Akihiro Kanou, a man known for his controversial and secretive research into ghouls.

Dr. Kanou observed the chaos with a clinical eye. As he examined Kaneki's chart and injuries, an idea began to form. The boy was dying, and conventional medicine would not save him. But Dr. Kanou had another option, one that could potentially change everything.

"Prepare the operating room," Dr. Kanou ordered, his voice cutting through the noise. "We need to perform an emergency organ transplant."

The staff exchanged glances but followed his orders. Dr. Kanou had a reputation for being unconventional, but he was also a brilliant surgeon. They trusted his judgment, even if they didn't fully understand it.

In a separate room, the body of Rize Kamishiro lay cold and lifeless. Despite her gruesome end, her organs were still viable. Dr. Kanou had been studying ghouls for years, and he knew that ghoul organs had unique properties that could potentially save Kaneki's life.

As the preparations were made, Dr. Kanou worked quickly, removing Rize's organs with precision and care. He knew the risks involved, but he also knew that this was Kaneki's only chance.

The operation began, and hours passed in tense silence. The medical team worked tirelessly under Dr. Kanou's direction, transplanting Rize's organs into Kaneki's body. It was a delicate and dangerous procedure, but Dr. Kanou's skill and determination drove them forward.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the surgery was complete. Kaneki was moved to the intensive care unit, his condition still critical but stable. Dr. Kanou watched over him, the implications of the procedure weighing heavily on his mind.

Kaneki drifted in and out of consciousness over the next few days, his body struggling to adapt to the foreign organs now inside him. He experienced strange and terrifying sensations, his mind unable to process what was happening.

As he slowly recovered, the reality of his new existence began to dawn on him. His hunger was different, more intense, and he found himself craving something he couldn't quite understand.

The days passed, Kaneki was released from the hospital, as he was struggling to cope with his new reality. He had kept the fact that Rize was a ghoul to himself, choosing to withdraw from university and isolate himself from his friends and familiar surroundings. He found that everything he ate tasted disgusting, and he was hardly able to stomach normal food. Desperation set in as he subsisted on little more than water for days, his body weakening with each passing hour.

As the hunger gnawed at him, Kaneki began to suspect the truth: ghouls couldn't eat normal food. He was no longer fully human, and his body craved something he couldn't bring himself to accept. The realization struck him hard, filling him with dread and confusion.

One night, driven by a hunger that was becoming unbearable, Kaneki wandered the streets aimlessly. He was lost in his thoughts, his mind a whirlwind of fear and denial. Suddenly, a tantalizing scent caught his attention. It was the first thing in days that smelled appetizing. His stomach growled, and he followed the scent, his desperation driving him forward.

The smell led him to a dark alley, and as he turned the corner, his eyes widened in horror. Before him was a ghoul, hunched over a corpse, eating ravenously. The realization hit Kaneki like a punch to the gut: the smell that had drawn him was that of human flesh.

The ghoul looked up, noticing Kaneki. He smirked, blood dripping from his mouth. "Hey there, kid. You want a leg?" he offered, holding out a severed limb.

Kaneki recoiled, shaking his head vehemently, his stomach turning at the sight. But before he could react further, a blur of movement caught his eye. The ghoul was suddenly attacked and killed by another ghoul, who appeared out of nowhere.

The newcomer stood over the corpse, asserting his dominance. "This is my feeding ground," he declared, his voice cold and commanding. He turned his gaze to Kaneki, who was frozen in shock. "And you don't belong here."

Before Kaneki could respond, the ghoul lunged at him, intending to eliminate the intruder. Just as the attack was about to land, a figure intervened, blocking the blow with ease.

"Back off, Nishio," the newcomer said, her voice filled with authority. Kaneki recognized her—it was Touka, the girl from Anteiku.

Nishio snarled, glaring at Touka. "This isn't your territory, Touka. It's mine. It was mine long before Rize came."

Touka remained unfazed, her eyes cold and unyielding. "Rize claimed this territory, and now that she's gone, it will be re-allotted. You lost it because you were too weak to keep it."

Nishio's eyes flashed with anger, but he didn't dare challenge Touka directly. He knew her reputation and strength. With a final glare at Kaneki, he turned and disappeared into the night.

Touka turned to Kaneki, her expression softening slightly. "Are you okay?"

Kaneki nodded shakily, the reality of his situation crashing down on him. "I... I didn't know what to do. I can't eat anything. Everything tastes horrible. I... I'm so hungry."

Touka sighed, understanding his plight. "Come with me. I'll take you somewhere safe. We need to talk."

Kaneki followed her, his mind spinning with questions and fears. They walked through the city until they reached Anteiku. Inside, the familiar warmth and scent of coffee provided a stark contrast to the chaos in Kaneki's mind.

Yoshimura greeted them with a calm, reassuring smile. "Welcome back, Touka. And you must be Kaneki. We've been expecting you."

Kaneki blinked in surprise. "Expecting me?"

Yoshimura nodded. "Yes. We know about your situation, and we can help you. But first, you need to understand what it means to be a ghoul."

As they sat down, Yoshimura and Touka explained the basics of ghoul life to Kaneki. They told him about their inability to eat normal food, their reliance on human flesh, and the constant threat posed by the CCG. Kaneki listened, feeling a mix of fear, confusion, and reluctant acceptance.

"But I don't want to hurt people," Kaneki said quietly, his voice filled with despair.

Yoshimura placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "There are ways to survive without killing. We at Anteiku can show you how. It's not an easy path, but it's possible."

Kaneki nodded, a glimmer of hope igniting within him. He wasn't alone in this nightmare. With the help of Yoshimura, Touka, and the others at Anteiku, he could find a way to live without losing his humanity completely.

Back in his apartment, Naruto was consumed by grief. Rize's presence lingered everywhere, from her belongings scattered around to the faint scent of her perfume still in the air. They had come to this place to start a new life together, and now, every corner of the apartment reminded him of her. He could see her face, the rare smile she would give, and it was excruciatingly painful.

Naruto knew she had been dangerous. She had killed people like Ayame, she had hurt him in ways he never thought possible. But deep down, he also knew she had cared for him in her own twisted way. It was just her personality, her nature as a ghoul, that had driven her to such extremes. He couldn't reconcile the two sides of her, the monster and the person he had loved.

As he looked at her bed, memories flooded back, and Naruto broke down once more. Tears welled up in his eyes as he spoke out loud, his voice choked with emotion. "I miss you so much, Rize. Why did it have to end like this?"

Suddenly, his phone buzzed, pulling him out of his thoughts. He wiped his eyes and checked the screen, seeing a text from Sen Takatsuki, the famous author he had become friends with.

Takatsuki: "Hey, Naruto! I have some free time and would love to catch up. How are you doing?"

Naruto stared at the message, feeling conflicted. He didn't want to disappoint her, but he wasn't sure he could handle a conversation right now. His fingers hovered over the keyboard before he finally typed a response.

Naruto: "Hey, Takatsuki. I'm not feeling the best right now. It's been a tough time."

Takatsuki's reply came almost immediately, her concern evident even through the text.

Takatsuki: "I'm so sorry to hear that. Do you want to talk on the phone? Sometimes it helps to talk things out."

Naruto hesitated. He wasn't sure if he was ready to talk about what had happened, but he also didn't want to push away someone who cared. Taking a deep breath, he replied.

Naruto: "Okay, we can talk."

Within moments, his phone rang. He took another deep breath and answered, trying to steady his voice. "Hey, Takatsuki."

"Naruto," Takatsuki's voice was gentle and soothing. "I'm really sorry to hear you're going through a tough time. Do you want to talk about it?"

Naruto closed his eyes, feeling a lump form in his throat. "It's... it's about Rize. She... she's gone. And it's tearing me apart."

There was a brief silence on the other end before Takatsuki spoke again, her voice filled with empathy. "I'm so sorry, Naruto. Losing someone is never easy, especially when you had such a complicated relationship. If you want to talk about her, I'm here to listen."

Naruto nodded, even though she couldn't see him. "We came here to start a new life together, but everywhere I look, I see her. She was dangerous, she hurt people, but she also cared for me in her own way. I just... I don't know how to deal with it."

Takatsuki's voice remained calm and supportive. "Grief is a complex process, and it's okay to feel conflicted. It's okay to miss her and to be angry at her at the same time. You don't have to have all the answers right now."

Naruto felt a sense of relief wash over him. Just hearing her understanding words made him feel a little less alone. "Thanks, Takatsuki. I really appreciate you being there for me."

Takatsuki laughed softly, trying to lighten the mood. "It sounds like this Rize was a ghoul or something."

Naruto went silent, the casual remark hitting too close to home. The silence stretched on the line until Takatsuki spoke again, this time more serious. "Naruto... is it true? Was she really a ghoul?"

Naruto didn't know what to do. He felt trapped, but Takatsuki's sincerity and concern made him want to confide in her. "Yeah... she was a ghoul. But it doesn't matter anymore."

There was a long pause before Takatsuki replied, her tone careful. "If you lived with a ghoul, does that mean you are also one?"

Naruto laughed slightly, the sound tinged with bitterness. "No, I'm not. You've seen me eat normal food before."

Takatsuki's voice was teasing but probing. "Yeah, but that can be faked."

Naruto's voice grew more defensive, almost as if he were trying to convince himself. "I'm not a ghoul. I'm not."

Takatsuki sighed, the teasing edge returning to her voice. "It's unfortunate. Having a friend who's a ghoul would be cool."

Naruto's tone grew serious. "Be careful what you wish for, Takatsuki."

She laughed, her voice light again. "I have to go, but we should meet up soon. How about it?"

Naruto nodded, feeling a small sense of comfort from the conversation. "Yeah, that sounds nice."

As he hung up the phone, Naruto felt a mixture of emotions. The conversation with Takatsuki had brought some relief, but it had also stirred up more questions and feelings of isolation. He was grateful for her support, yet he couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped between two worlds.

The next day, Naruto woke up to the sound of his phone buzzing. Groggy and still weighed down by the events of the past few days, he reached for his phone and saw a text from Touka.

Touka: "Come to Anteiku, and fast."

A sense of urgency gripped him as he quickly got ready and made his way to Anteiku. His mind raced with possibilities, wondering what could be so important. As he entered the familiar café, the usual warmth and scent of coffee greeted him. But today, something was different.

Naruto walked in and was immediately struck by the sight of a friend he thought had died. There, sitting at one of the tables, was Ken Kaneki. But something was different about him Naruto could sense it. He moved closer, his heart pounding in his chest.

As he approached Kaneki, a familiar scent hit him like a punch to the gut. It was Rize's scent, unmistakable and all over Kaneki. It made no sense, and Naruto's mind struggled to piece together what was happening.

"Kaneki?" Naruto said, his voice a mix of disbelief and confusion. "What's going on here?"

Kaneki looked up, his eyes reflecting a mixture of pain and resignation. "Naruto, I... I don't know how to explain this, but after the accident, they... they used Rize's organs to save me."

Naruto's eyes widened in shock, his mind racing to comprehend the implications of what Kaneki was saying. "What do you mean? They used her organs?"

Kaneki nodded, his voice trembling. "Dr. Kanou at the hospital. He transplanted Rize's organs into me. Now... now I'm a half-ghoul."

Naruto staggered back, trying to process the revelation. The scent of Rize on Kaneki, the changes in his demeanor, it all made sense now, but it was overwhelming. He turned to Touka, who was standing nearby, watching the exchange with a serious expression.

"Touka, is this true?" Naruto asked, his voice desperate for confirmation.

Touka nodded. "Yes, it's true. Kaneki is one of us now, a half-ghoul. We brought him here to help him understand and control his new abilities."

Naruto looked back at Kaneki, a mix of emotions swirling inside him. He felt anger, confusion, and a deep sense of loss. But there was also a spark of hope, knowing that Kaneki was still alive, albeit changed.

"Kaneki," Naruto said, his voice softer now. "How are you handling this? How are you feeling?"

Kaneki looked down, his hands trembling slightly. "It's been... difficult. Everything tastes disgusting except for... human flesh. I can't go back to my old life, but I don't know how to live as a ghoul either."

As he looked around the cosy interior of Anteiku, taking in the warmth and camaraderie that seemed to fill the space. It was a stark contrast to the turmoil he felt inside. His gaze settled on Naruto, who seemed to be at ease with everyone here, and he couldn't help but wonder why.

Touka stepped forward, her expression determined. "That's why we brought him here. Anteiku is a place where ghouls can live peacefully. We can help him learn to survive without hurting people."

Naruto nodded, feeling a sense of solidarity and purpose. "Yes, we can do this. We'll help you, Kaneki."

"Naruto," Kaneki began, his voice hesitant, "why are you so close with everyone here? How do you fit into all of this?"

Naruto took a deep breath, preparing to share a part of his past he didn't often talk about. "Well... I'm also a half-ghoul. But unlike you, I'm a natural half-ghoul. My mother was a ghoul, and my father was human."

Kaneki's eyes widened in surprise. "I had no idea. That must have been difficult."

Naruto nodded. "It was. But I've learned to manage it with the help of the people here at Anteiku. They've become like a family to me."

There was a moment of silence as Kaneki absorbed this information. He felt a strange sense of camaraderie with Naruto, knowing that they both shared the burden of living between two worlds.

"I'm sorry about all of this, Kaneki," Naruto continued, his voice filled with guilt. "Because I introduced you to Rize, she tried to eat you..."

Kaneki shook his head, a small, sad smile on his lips. "No, Naruto. It

wasn't your fault. I shouldn't have been so gullible. I let myself be led into that situation. You couldn't have known what she was planning."

Naruto still looked sad, the weight of the recent events evident on his face. "But I still feel responsible. I wanted to help you meet new people, to share the good parts of my life. And it turned into a nightmare."

Kaneki reached out, placing a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "At least I'm alive, right? We both are. And we can get through this together."

Naruto nodded, his expression softening. "Yeah, you're right. We'll figure this out."

Kaneki took a deep breath, a thought crossing his mind. "What about the doctor who did the surgery on me? Where is he?"

Touka, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. "Dr. Kanou? He's gone missing. He disappeared shortly after the surgery, along with Rize's body."

Naruto's brow furrowed in deep thought. He remembered the man who had made the steel beams fall on Rize, a man who had planned the attack with precision. The memory of that night was hazy, but the realization began to settle in his mind.

"It was all a planned attack," Naruto said quietly, almost to himself. "The man who caused the beams to fall on Rize... it wasn't an accident. Someone wanted her dead."

Kaneki looked at Naruto, a mix of curiosity and concern in his eyes. "What do you mean? Who would go to such lengths?"

Naruto shook his head, trying to piece together the fragments of memory. "I'm not sure yet. But it feels like there are bigger forces at play. We need to be careful."

Touka nodded in agreement. "We'll keep an eye out. For now, the priority is helping Kaneki adjust and keeping everyone safe."

Naruto and Kaneki exchanged a determined look. They had both been through so much, but they had each other and the support of their friends at Anteiku. Together, they would uncover the truth and navigate the complexities of their new lives.

As the day wore on, Naruto found himself reflecting on the unexpected turns his life had taken. The loss of Rize, the arrival of Kaneki, and the mysterious disappearance of Dr. Kanou all weighed heavily on his mind.

The next few days were a mix of preparation and reflection for both Naruto and Kaneki. Naruto knew that Kaneki couldn't hide from their friends forever. It was time to face the world again, to find some semblance of normalcy amidst the chaos of their new lives.

On Monday morning, Naruto met Kaneki outside his apartment. "It's time to go back to university. We can't hide forever. Our friends need to see that we're okay."

Kaneki nodded, a mixture of anxiety and determination in his eyes. "You're right. Let's do this."

As they made their way to campus, the familiar sights and sounds of university life began to wash over them. It felt both comforting and strange, a reminder of the normal life they once knew.

As they walked through the bustling courtyard, they ran into Hide, who rushed over with a wide smile on his face. "Kaneki! Naruto! I heard you were hurt, Kaneki. Are you okay now?"

Kaneki smiled, feeling a wave of relief at seeing his best friend. "I'm doing better now, Hide. Thanks for checking on me."

Hide grinned, his usual cheerful demeanour lifting the spirits of both Naruto and Kaneki. "That's great to hear! Listen, I need to meet a senior student to get the DVD of last year's college festival. Do you guys want to come with me?"

Naruto and Kaneki exchanged a quick glance and nodded in unison. "Sure, let's go," Naruto said, eager for the distraction.

The three friends made their way across campus, chatting and catching up on everything that had happened. Hide's infectious energy helped to ease the tension that had been building within Naruto and Kaneki.

They eventually arrived at a small study room where the senior student was waiting. When they opened the door, they were greeted by the sight of the senior student, Nishio, in a compromising position with a girl, Kimi.

Nishio smirked, clearly unbothered by their interruption. "Hey, Hide. Here for the DVD, huh? Help me look for it, then? "

Hide nodded enthusiastically. "Yep, of course I'll help! These are my friends, Naruto and Kaneki."

As Kaneki's eyes widened in shock as he recognized Nishio the ghoul who had attacked him before. "Nishio..." he whispered, a mix of fear and anger in his voice.

As the group began searching, Nishio suddenly straightened up. "Actually, I think I took it home. Why don't you come with me to get it?"

The three friends exchanged uncertain glances but decided to follow Nishio. However, Naruto couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

Once they reached Nishio's place, it became clear that they had been deceived. Without warning, Nishio attacked. He knocked Hide out cold with a single blow and then turned his attention to Naruto.

Nishio lunged at Naruto, but Naruto dodged the attack with ease. "Do you really think you can attack me and get away with it?" Naruto said, his voice calm but deadly serious.

As Kaneki rushed to Hide's side, panic evident in his eyes. "Hide! Please, wake up!"

But Naruto, watching closely, took a step back, a theory forming in his mind. He needed to see if he was right, so he stepped aside to let Nishio pass.

Nishio sneered, walking over to Kaneki and kicking him away from Hide. "You're just trying to eat him. So, what's the big deal if I do it first?"

Kaneki's eyes blazed with anger and desperation. "I would never eat my best friend!" he screamed, something deep within him stirring to life.

Nishio placed his foot on Kaneki's face, grinding it into the ground. "You're weak, just like before. You can't protect anyone."

An angered Kaneki struggled beneath Nishio, but he was no match for the ghoul's strength and kagune. Just as Nishio was about to kill Hide, something snapped inside Kaneki. In a fit of desperation, his kagune erupted, stabbing Nishio repeatedly and lifting him into the sky.

Naruto's eyes went wide as he realized his theory was correct. Kaneki had inherited Rize's kagune. "Kaneki..." he whispered in awe and horror.

Kaneki, overwhelmed by his newfound power and the intense hunger, began to lose control. He was about to turn on Hide when Naruto stepped in. "Kaneki, stop!" Naruto shouted, but Kaneki didn't respond. His ghoul instincts had taken over.

Seeing no other option, Naruto moved quickly, knocking Kaneki out cold. Kaneki's body went limp, and his kagune retracted. Naruto stood over him, breathing heavily, his mind racing with what to do next.

Naruto pulled out his phone and called Touka. "Touka, I need your help. It's an emergency. We're at Nishio's place, and things have gone bad. Please, hurry."

Within minutes, Touka arrived, taking in the scene with a sharp intake of breath. "What happened?"

Naruto explained quickly, "Nishio attacked us. Kaneki... he released his kagune. It looks like Rize's. He almost lost control. Hide's unconscious."

Touka nodded, her expression serious. "Let's get them out of here. We'll take Hide to a safe place and help Kaneki when he wakes up."

Together, they carefully moved Hide and Kaneki, making sure to leave no traces behind. As they carried their friends to safety, Naruto's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The revelation about Kaneki's kagune and the danger they had just faced weighed heavily on him.

Once they reached a secure location, they laid Hide and Kaneki down to rest. Touka looked at Naruto, her eyes filled with concern. "What are we going to do, Naruto?"

Naruto sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We need to help Kaneki control his powers. And we need to figure out more about Dr. Kanou and what he did. But right now, we need to make sure Hide is safe and keep Kaneki from losing himself."

As the night wore on, Naruto sat by his friends, his resolve hardening. The challenges ahead were immense, but he knew they had to face them together.

Later that evening, Naruto sat alone in his apartment, the events of the past few days weighing heavily on his mind. He needed a distraction, something to lift his spirits and help him feel a sense of normalcy again. He decided to call Sen Takatsuki, hoping for a friendly voice and some pleasant conversation.

He hesitated for a moment, then dialled her number. To his surprise, she picked up after just a few rings. "Naruto! It's been a while. How's my favourite ghoul friend?"

Naruto smiled, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. "Hey, Takatsuki. I'm doing okay. I was wondering if you'd like to get a coffee sometime?"

There was a brief pause before she replied, her voice warm and enthusiastic. "I'd love to. How about in a couple of days? I can make some time."

"That sounds perfect," Naruto said, feeling genuinely excited about the prospect of meeting up with her. "I've missed our chats. How's your day been?"

"Oh, you know, the usual," Takatsuki replied with a laugh. "Working on my new book. I'm really excited about this one."

Naruto's interest was piqued. "A new book? That sounds amazing. What's it about?"

"It's a bit of a secret for now," she teased, "but I can tell you it's going to be something completely different from my previous works. I'll bring a draft with me when we meet, and you can be one of the first to read it."

"I'd love that," Naruto said, genuinely intrigued. "You know I'm a big fan of your writing."

"Thanks, Naruto. That means a lot coming from you," Takatsuki replied warmly. "So, how was your day? Anything exciting at university?"

Naruto hesitated, not wanting to burden her with the truth. "It was alright. Just the usual classes and assignments. Nothing too exciting."

"Sounds like a typical university day," Takatsuki said with a chuckle. "But I'm glad you're keeping busy. Sometimes it's the mundane things that keep us grounded."

"Yeah," Naruto agreed, feeling a bit guilty for lying but knowing it was for the best. "So, where should we meet for coffee?"

"There's a new café that opened up near the university," she suggested. "It's called 'Café Luna.' I've heard good things about it. How about we meet there?"

"Sounds perfect," Naruto said. "I'll see you in a couple of days then."

"Looking forward to it," Takatsuki replied. "Take care, Naruto."

"You too, Takatsuki," he said before hanging up.

As he put down his phone, Naruto felt a sense of anticipation. Meeting with Takatsuki would be a welcome distraction, a chance to focus on something other than the chaos that had consumed his life. He spent the next couple of days preparing for their meeting, trying to push thoughts of ghouls and danger to the back of his mind.

Chapter 7 - Another Half Ghoul End

A/N

That's the end of this chapter. Things will begin to pick up now, as I feel like this has all been just a prologue. The next chapter will show more of Itachi and Sasuke.

Now, onto some reviews.

Naruto and Eto fit perfectly together, both born as half-ghoul. Yes, they really do fit very well. I might make them the pairing... maybe.

That would be neat if Naruto was a reason for Eto to want to live. That could give her the strength to become the One-Eyed King. You're onto something, my friend, but not the One-Eyed King... Nameless King.

Razberry17 - I'm not sure if I will include any more Naruto characters, but that can change.

Gr4vityJuli4n - I just really love Rize. I don't know why, but she's fun to read about.

Thank you all for your feedback and support!

Until next time,

byebye!