Tᴏᴋʏᴏ Gʜᴏᴜʟ Rᴇ:Cᴏᴅᴇᴅ

Friend

Everyone stood there with wide eyes. Kaneki's kagune had stabbed into him and was currently carving a large piece out of him as he moved to the platter Hide was previously on.

"Tsukiyama...I may have been nothing more to you than just a piece of meat but I want you to know that even if it was all fake, I enjoyed every moment I spent with you and everyone here. I don't hate you and I still see you as a friend."

When he was done, his kagune held a blood slab of meat that was placed on the platter with a splat.

He staggered forward but Uta caught him and helped him stay on his feet. His wound was already almost done healing thanks to Rize's higher than average healing factor.

"Touka...Nishiki...just let them be. Kanae, that should be enough for him to heal right?"

The masked ghoul just stood there in shock but nodded his head. He couldn't understand why anyone would show them any kindness after everything they'd done. What the hell was wrong with this guy?

"Whatever you say man. Come on Touka, we're outta here."

Touka was the most surprised out of anyone. They'd risked their lives coming here to save him but here he was begging for their lives and even gouged a piece of himself out to help his enemy heal. It was something that would only done by one other person that she'd known. Her father.

"Right..."

Yomo returned and swept Kaneki off his feet, carrying him bridal style to the vehicle they'd come in. He'd definitely need an explanation on the way back to Anteiku.

Kanae watched them leave and then returned to the ballroom where he found his master staring down at the piece of meat on the platter.

"I shall ze if I can find you some silverware."

As Kanae left, a singular tear found its way in Tsukiyama's eye before sliding down his cheek. What had he done? He'd just ruined a relationship with one of the greatest people he'd ever met.

In a fit of rage, he shoved the whole slab in his mouth and chewed it up angrily. It was so delicious. So packed with flavor. Everything he'd hoped it'd be. But...it wasn't worth it. And for the first time, Shuu Tsukiyama felt empty.

The next morning he awoke feeling depressed but he knew he had things to do today so he got up and prepared for the day.

As he made his way to the library he found Kanae standing there looking like he'd seen death himself. But there was no way the White Reaper was in his house right now. Right?

When he reached him he was able to see what had him so surprised. There was Kaneki speaking with Matsumae while he organized paperwork.

"Oh Tsukiyama, you have a call scheduled for 2 this afternoon and I need your signature on some of these documents."

"I...oh right of course. I'll get right on that."

He walked past Kanae and Matsumae as he got to work with his assistant. Matsumae literally had to drag Kanae away so they could get some work done.

"What the devil is he Matsumae?"

"Hm?"

"Ken Kaneki. What kind of monster is he?"

"I have no idea what you mean Kanae."

"We tried to kill him and his best friend. We lied to him from the very start and yet..he's here today working with Master Shuu like nothing happened. He cut out a piece of himself to help him heal after that bitch cut off his arm!!"

"Ever think that Master Shuu has found a true friend?"

"What?"

"Just something to think about. Now I have errands to run so behave yourself."

As Matsumae left, Kanae followed behind her and stood in the entryway to the library once and watched the two work before heading to the rose garden.

"Ken Kaneki...a friend...lügner..."

When all the business was taken care of, Kaneki was putting some paperwork when he felt a pair of arms wrap around him from behind.

He smiled softly and let the older man have his fun.

"What's this for?"

"For coming back. Last night made me realize what a fool I've been. I let my desires cloud my judgement. And it almost cost me my friend."

"We all make mistakes Tsukiyama. It's what we learn from them that make them worth it. I've already for given you and thanks to this whole experience I now know not to be so gullible. So, thank you."

Tsukiyama broke the embrace a couple minutes later and wiped the tears out of his eyes and smiled.

"How's about we go to Anteiku tonight?"

"You and I both know that I wouldn't exactly be welcome there."

"Trust me."

"Oh alright. I'll let you protect me this time."

They finished up and left the estate for a night of fun and forgiveness in mind. Hopefully Nishio and Touka wouldn't be too mad.

They were mad. He got smacked around multiple times by Nishio and had to run from Touka while Tsukiyama sat back and laughed at the whole ordeal.

The ghouls had a grand old time, never once knowing that danger was right around the corner.

On the rooftop of Anteiku stood multiple cloaked figures behind three regularly dressed men. One of which who bore a strong resemblance to Touka.

"You sure he's here Yamori? I don't like having my time wasted."

"Oh relax, Nico here has always been great at getting information. Accurate information."

"That's right big boy. You have nothing to worry about."

Ayato couldn't stand Nico, the way he just worshipped Yamori was disgusting but then again he was gay as all kinds of hell so it was to be expected.

He hated Yamori the most though, God the behemoth was so bloodthirsty and twisted that he inwardly cringed at the thought of what he was going to do to the guy with Rize's kagune.

Oh well it wasn't his problem, he had something else to attend to. A matter of family.

"Alright, let's do this shit."

He dropped himself off the roof and kicked through the window of the cafe, startling everyone inside.

"Knock knock."

"Oh my god...Ayato?"

"Hello big sister."