Tᴏᴋʏᴏ Gʜᴏᴜʟ Rᴇ:Cᴏᴅᴇᴅ

Slumber

Morning came fairly quickly and as the sun began to brighten up the room, Kaneki stirred in his sleep before opening his eyes.

He couldn't remember the last time he'd slept so well and wondered why he had. Then it came flooding back to him.  Touka.

He looked over at the form of his sleeping lover and grimaced at the sight of her bruises. Sure they had begun to heal but just knowing that he caused her pain for his own pleasure made him sick to his stomach.

Eventually she began to stir as well and rolled over so she was facing him; the bite mark on her breast a faded scar now.

She opened her eyes and stared at him, the memory of what transpired last night returning to her mind as she did so. She did not look happy.

"Touka I...I don't...I'm sorry."

"...you were an animal last night. Like a totally different person. What...was that?"

"I don't know. I think I just got carried away with excitement. It was my first time after all."

"You sure about that?"

"Yes!"

"Well I have to say that for a first time...that was pretty fucking great."

"I know and I'm so sorry that- Wait, great?"

She sighed and sat up as she covered herself with the sheets.

"Yeah. I mean aside from the brutal attempt at maiming, it was great. I couldn't have asked for a better first."

"First of many?"

"Easy now, I'm still in recovery."

They shared a laugh and curled up with one another and watched as the birds flew by the window.

"So, what's the plan for today?"

"Today we raid the home of Kanou."

"Who?"

"Oh that's right, he's the one who made me into a ghoul."

"And you're going after him?"

"I have to. He did this for a reason and I need to know why."

"Well, we'll make him talk."

"Actually...you won't be coming with us."

"You're kidding right?"

"..."

"Ugh!! I didn't come with you just so you could bench me!! I joined you to help!!"

"And you will, by staying with Hinami today. I imagine that even after getting revenge, she still doesn't feel too well today. You can help her with that."

"I...ugh fine. But this is the last time you leave me out of a mission. Got it?"

"Yeah. Yeah I got it."

"Kiss on it?"

He smiled and puckered his lips only for them to be greeted by her fist.

"Payback is a total bitch Ken and so am I."

After his face healed, Kaneki ventured outside the room and entered the living area where Banjou, his crew, and Hinami all sat around watching the television as Tsukiyama prepared coffee for everyone.

He greeted everyone with his usual smile but couldn't help but notice that Hinami seemed more depressed than ever. He knew why.

While her parents had been avenged and justice served, there was still the feeling of emptiness inside. He knew because he'd felt the same way after taking out Yamori. And this was precisely why he needed Touka to stay with her today.

"Tsukiyama if you could please give everyone the rundown on today's mission, that'd be great."

"Oui. As you all know our dear Kaneki here was once a human who was tricked by our departed friend Rize Kamishiro-"

"RIZE?!"

Kaneki and the rest stopped and stared at Banjou who had jumped up from his seat.

"Yeah, Rize is the reason why I'm like this. She pretended to like me but attempted to murder me. An accident saved me but killed her which is why I'm here before you like this."

"Heh...that sounds like her. I always knew she'd meet an untimely end... I just thought that I...forget it."

"You were close."

"You could say that. I was like you, completely smitten with her but she never truly reciprocated my feelings ya know? Guess we're kinda in the same boat."

Yeah, I guess we are. Tsukiyama."

"Right, well our friend Kaneki here was made into one of us by one Doctor Akihiro Kanou. From the information that I was able to gather, it seems that he used to work for the Commission of Counter Ghoul but was fired for illegal experimentation. He appears to have gone off the grid and operated under false identities and paperwork which allowed him to work in the hospital you were admitted to Kaneki."

"Hm."

"The records show that Kanou once had a partner who was tragically killed by a ghoul along with his wife. Their estate is said to still be standing and completely abandoned. I believe that we should head there immediately and investigate."

"Exactly so that's our mission. Touka and Hinami will stay back this time for some much needed rest while the rest of us will venture to the estate to see if there's anything that will help us."

Soon Kaneki and the rest were dressed for battle and ready to head out.

Before leaving, Touka stopped Kaneki at the door by pulling on his hoodie and making him face her.

"You come back to me alive alright?"

"Of course, I have way too many things to do and too many people to see again before I die."

"Whatever nerd, Hina and I will hold down the fort."

"Couldn't ask for more capable women to do it."

He smiled underneath his mask and turned his back to her. It was time to find out everything they could on Kanou and why he was doing what he was doing.

The thought of seeing that man again filled Kaneki with a am mixture of emotions such as sadness, anger, gratefulness, disdain, and many others.

This man had saved his life from a horrible accident and Rize's attack but he'd also ruined his life forever by turning him into a half ghoul. But if it wasn't for him he wouldn't have met Touka or the others. He was confused. But there wasn't time for that. Soon he'd come face to face with the doctor and receive all the answers he wanted.