A Twisted World

Right

I throw my arms up high as I stretch my aching bones. Behind me, Kaneki snakes his arms around my waist.

"I arranged for your share of meat to be enlarged." He mumbles into my ear.

"Ah, thank you for that. I think I'm going to go hunting tomorrow for good measure. Nothing matches the taste of fresh adrenaline." I reply.

Kaneki winces slightly and straightens up. "I have some business to attend to. Make sure you take today easy." He rubs my head.

I stare after him as he walks off. I wonder what's gotten into him?

I shrug it off and head towards the kitchen.

"Keiko-chan!" A rough voice calls after me. I turn to see Ayato coming my way. "Are you off to eat?"

"Yeah, I'm dying right now. Would you join me?" I answer shyly. I don't really enjoy being around others when I'm eating but he seems so eager to spend time together.

"Yeah, lets go," he says as he takes my wrist and pulls me along.

***********

My eyes roll back in bliss as I pop an eyeball against the roof of my mouth. This one was green, making it an enjoyable sour. The rest of the food is usually minced into minuscule bits so as to limit lower ranks meals, but they eyeballs are always harvested before that.

"What do you think of this new mission?" Ayato asks, knocking me out of my blissful state.

I swallow and lick my teeth before answering. "Nothing good, I don't think. Everyone's spirits feel lower than usual."

"Mm," Ayato gums in response. "We just have to whip them into the right mindset by keeping ourselves strong. You need to take better care of yourself."

I prop my elbows rudely on the table as I think back to what happened on that building not too long ago.

"I'm eating more, old man, relax," I from as I pop another eyeball.

"I'm serious," he hardens his voice, leaving closer towards me. "There are some crazy investigators out there. Like the blonde who almost ended Naki. I don't want you dying and leaving me with all the work."

"How could I die? I have you and Kaneki watching over me. Besides, I couldn't just leave him and Naki alone." I push my chair back and collect my plates. "Don't worry so much over silly things, Ayato."

I walk off to dispose of my things.

"But you could leave me?" He whispers softly.

*************

I slip into so black shorts, an old hoodie of my brothers, some thigh highs and sneakers as well as a black medical mask.

I hoist the hood over my head and slip out my window.

It's only a ten minute walk to reach the populated area of Tokyo, the streets so crowded everyone's bumping into each other.

A cold wind picks up, and the sky looks ready to burst with dandruff.

Everyone seems to be out today, all bustling along carelessly. I watched children trail after their mothers, trying to stop them so they can go to the nearest attraction.

I'm still starved. I want to dine on something particularly delicious today.

"Mmph!" I screech as someone yanks me into an alleyway.

"Shush, you're causing a racket, mon cher," Tsukiyama whispers in my ear.

I roughly push away before enveloping him in a hug.

"Tsukiyama?" I exclaim happily. "I haven't heard from you in ages!"

He smiles softly before leading me into the building next to us.  "I was attending a dinner when I smelt you. Would you care to join? You look dreadful." He frowns as he holds his head in his palm.

"I was actually out hunting, but I'm sure it's safer to go with you." I reply. He places his hand against the small of my back and leads me inside.

***

"And then what?" He leans forward as I describe recent events for him.

"I had to drag them home and lock them up." I shrug casually. "What about you? What have you been up to as of late?"

He stares off into the distance and he thinks of an answer. "Truth be told, I mostly stayed in my library researching. I read about everything from Oedipus to twilight."

"You read twilight?" I snort.

He sits up slightly. "Yes. It was an awful story but it was certainly better than other things."  

"Mm," I agree. "That's certainly true."

"How are you enjoying dinner?" He questions. "This man was particularly foul-mouthed when he realized he was a fish in a barrel."

"It's very bitter. Was he an alcoholic?"

"Unfortunately." He sighs. He glances down at his watch. "I hate to rush this but I really need to leave. I have a business thing to attend to."

"Business thing?" I muse in amusement.

He chuckles lightly before standing up and gesturing for me to follow. "I really have missed you, Kat-chan, we need to have another sparring session soon."

I nod in agreement before sending him a small salute. "See ya!"

*****

"Where were you?" Kaneki asks as  he wrinkles his nose.

"I had dinner with a friend, is all." I say, extremely confused.

"I wish you would tell me before you disappear. Especially after last time." He grimaces and he rubs his temple.

"Well, in all honesty, I left to get this." I say as I pull out a small shopping bag.

"What's this?" Kaneki asks as he gently takes it. Inside is a freshly autographed novel from Takatsuki. Darn Eto said I had to wait in line like everyone else if I wanted her latest book signed.

He yanks me into his embrace before pecking my cheek.

"Whatever did I do to deserve this?" He chuckles a blessed chuckle.

I lean back to stare into his storm ridden irises. "You loved me," I grin back. "And I knew this would distract you from our impending doom."

We flip down on the bed as Kaneki continues to nuzzle me closer.

"What did I ever do to deserve this?" He whispers softly as I fall asleep.