"Kaneki! Kaneki!!" I whined, tripping over myself in my pursuit.

He wouldn't face me. I was facing his back as he walked away, and as quickly as I was running, I couldn't catch up to him.

"Kaneki!! Kaneki, Kaneki, oh please!! Kaneki!! Don't leave me here alone, please!! You're everything to me!"

Gasp!

Ah.. again.. again..

------------------------

Honestly, I couldn't believe this.

I'd been wandering around, looking for a nice coffee shop, when I bumped into him.

Blink, blink.

"Oh, hey, Kaneki! I was just on my way to dinner, what have you been up to?!" he ran up to me and joined me in stride.

"U-Uh, Hide, I-I'm kind of busy right now," I subconsciously rubbed my chin.

"Sure, sure, but you have time for your best friend, dooooon't you?" he made big, puppy eyes.

"Nagachika? Do you know this guy?" a different person joined our stride.

"Oh, sorry, Seido-san, I know we were planning to go to dinner together, but I haven't seen this guy in forever!" Hide shoved himself into me, and despite being a strong ghoul, I fell out of stride, almost tripping over myself. "Honestly! What's a guy gotta do to make you respond?! Antisocial book nerd that probably spends his time f*cking a book!"

"Hide!!" I squealed, feeling my face heat up.

"Booksexual. I bet you're secretly plotting a revolt! To make it legal to f*ck books!"

"Hide, I don't think it's currently illegal to f*ck books, and that's not the point!! A-Anyway, I really should go.."

"No! I finally found you, and I am NOT letting you go!"

"People are staring.." I whined.

"Be quiet! You were standing here with your head in your a**, wandering aimlessly, and you tell ME you're busy?!! You looked like a lost, beaten elephant!!"

"I don't understand that simil-"

"Which is WHYYYY we're going to dinner!! Now! Sorry, Seido-san, bye-bye!" Hide waved to his friend, dragging me along, "I hope you understand!"

"U-Uh, yea.." Seido waved back awkwardly, obviously confused.

Ahhh..!

"H-Hide, I'm serious!! Don't quit your plans for me!! I'm busy anyway!" I tried to pull my hand away.

Seriously, is Hide a complete kakuja or something?!! How can he keep his grip on me?!! I should be stronger!!

I sighed.

This only serves to prove I'm not worthy of protecting Hide.. much less any of the ghouls I care for..

-------------------------

Hide hummed cheerfully the. Whole. Way.

And I tried to refuse the whole way.

"Seriously, Hide, I am SERIOUSLY busy!"

"We're here."

"So please-"

Whoa, wait, what?

I looked in front of us. Hide's apartment.. I turned grim.

I am so not looking forward to Hide shoving my face full of food.. Hide isn't even a very good cook.. He normally just eats easy ramen, and-

"Let's go in!" Hide dragged me inside. He led me to a chair, "Stay there, and I'll prepare the meal!" He grinned brightly. He then turned around, started up a coffee machine - when did he get that? - and messed around in his fridge, shaking his butt to the tune he was yet again humming. He found what he was looking for, kicked the fridge closed, and-

"Is that wine?!! Why do you have wine in a JAR?!!"

Hide just laughed, "Relax, you'll love it! Trust me," he winked, "And it's mystery juice!"

Mystery.. juice.. Hide, I'm pretty sure that must not even be edible.. Mystery stuff is never good!!

"Wh-What's in that package..?"

"It's mystery meat!"

THAT MIGHT EVEN BE WORSE!!

"!"

Oh wait. Actually.. mystery meat is probably better for me.. depending on what kind of meat.. I sincerely hope some human/ghoul meat somehow got into Hide's hands..

Serious long shot.

I watched Hide work, a thought occurring to me.

.

.

.

Why the heck am I still in here? I can just bolt, right now! Make a run for it!

I moved to get up, but Hide's voice stopped me, "Nuh-uh, don't you dare. You're going to stay right there." My nose caught wind of something, and I glanced at Hide.

"... Why do you.."

"There's lots I want to talk about," Hide set the syringe on the counter. "And honestly, I'm willing to do anything to have that conversation - and finish it. Even if that means I have to knock you out."

"..."

Wh..Why.. Why does Hide have RC Suppressors..?!

I settled back into the chair. Hide resumed cooking.

"... Hide?" I hated my own cracked, squeaky voice.

"What is it, Kaneki?"

"... Why do you have RC Suppressors?"

For some reason, he chuckled. "Noses can be pretty sharp, can't they?"

"..."

"I've worked hard trying to find you. I didn't expect to see you in the streets all of the sudden though. Lucky me! But I'm not finished with my experiment yet, sorry."

"Why do you have RC Suppressors?" I repeated, my voice hoarse.

"I have plenty of quinque knives, too," he placed something into the microwave, "And of course, tranquilizers specifically for ghouls. By the way, Kaneki, when's the last time you ate?" he turned to me. The coffee machine beeped.

"..." I rubbed my chin subconsciously, "Th-This morning.."

He stared at me. I couldn't help but feel like those eyes were boring into my soul..

"Tell me the truth, Kaneki. When's the last time you ate? Are you hungry?"

"... I-I'm hungry.."

I'm always hungry.. always..

Hide nodded and walked over to the coffee maker, pouring it into two cups. He set them on the table in front of me, but before I could pick mine up, he put a sugar cube in it. My eyes widened. I looked at him. He was staring back at me.

"That helps with hunger, right?"

"...Y-You couldn't.."

Hide doesn't.. Hide can't know the recipe for Yoshimura's special sugar cubes, could he? He can't know I'm a ghoul, can he? H-He doesn't..

Hide never replied, walking back over to the microwave. Warily, I picked up my cup and sniffed it.

It doesn't smell strange..

I took a small sip.

Urh.. I'm so ashamed.. How could I not trust my own best friend? My childhood friend?

But..

I glanced back at Hide, who was staring at the microwave, waiting for it to finish.

He did have RC Suppressors.. Of that much, I'm sure..

And that friend of his looked familiar..

After a while, the microwave beeped, and Hide got out the meal.

"Here you go," he set it in front of me, "Dig in," he sat across from me and began sipping his coffee, staring at me attentively.

"..." I picked up the burger, sniffing it. It doesn't smell tampered with..

Or nauseating.

Are you serious? Hide seriously ended up with incorre-

No wait.. This can't be human/ghoul meat..

There's no way this bun is human/ghoul meat..

"Go ahead, Kaneki. And we can start talking."

"..." I glanced at Hide. My stomach gurgled.

I..It does.. s-smell good.. Like, really good..

I took a deep breath and bit. I was hit with the normal taste of human meat. The feeling of Heaven surged through me.

But.. but.. this is a.. burger..

"...I-It's good.." I nodded, my teeth biting my wavering, bottom lip. I couldn't stop the tears.

Why does this taste good..? I-I'm a ghoul!! And this is normal human food!!

I looked up at Hide warily. He was grinning.

"I'm glad you like it. Now, I'm sure you're confused on why you can eat that, but before I explain that, there's a lot ELSE to catch up on. And if you even try to leave me again, you'll be sorry," he warned, pointing at me, and although there were a few syringes next to him, his 'threat' was more comical and teasing. It had no malice or fright, and I found myself chuckling softly. He grinned, seeming pleased that he had made me laugh. "Kaneki, I know why you quit school - and life in general for that matter. It's because you're too ghoul for school," he wiggled his eyebrows, and I found myself laughing and holding my stomach. My laughter died down slowly though, as his words sunk in. I looked up at him, shocked and disbelieving.

"T-Too COOL for school?" I warily assured. He shook his head.

"Too ghoul for school! Like, those people that eat other people?"

{Insert horrified picture of Kaneki here.}

"What."

"Aw, come on, man, don't ruin the mood! We have a peaceful organization that calms down the 20th Ward, how much more could we ask for?! If Anteiku spread to all the Wards, and like, conquered them all, how great would that be?!!"

"Hide, we are not talking about some crazy war game, this is real life!!" I screamed at him, shocked.

"So? That only makes it more needed that Anteiku spreads to all of the Wards. But insteeeaaad, there's this crazy organization that is like the CCG, only on the ghoul side. You know what I'm talking about- Aogiri! You know, that organization that you joined that kills people left and right with a crazy chick for a boss. Yep, that one! Aogiri, with Eto, the miracle half-breed that f*cked up her own life! And the Black Rabbit, the hormonal teenager that hates everything and seriously has a sister complex." I spit. "And Noro and Tatara, both of which have a problem with never saying ANYTHING!! And finally, little Eyepatch, who is OBVIOUSLY having an affair with a certain investigator by the name of Amon-san."

"Hi-Hide, you have no idea what you're saying!!"

"Sure I do! And by the way, Mister Eyepatch, Amon-san has a precious little kouhai, so be careful. ..Two precious little kouhais.."

"HIDE!!!" I squealed.

"Yes, Kaneki?"

"Y-You have no idea what you're saying!!"

"Sure I do. When you get down to it, all my words make sense, don't they? You don't have any rejections. And I'm being completely serious, Kaneki," his tone and expression were serious for the first time tonight – possibly the first time ever actually.. – "Aogiri needs to be overtaken by Anteiku. Simple as that. And the CCG needs to get their heads and hearts on straight so that innocent ghouls aren't being killed left and right. You agree with me, don't you, Kaneki? It only makes sense."

"...B-But.. Hide, how.." I started to actually let the words sink in since he obviously wasn't going to budge. "How do you even.. know I.."

"How do I know you're a ghoul?" I nodded stiffly. "Simple- as if your actions weren't anything to go by – plus the undeniable fact that you WERE almost eaten by a ghoul and came out with that ghoul's organ in you – the incident with Nishio-senpai confirmed it."

My eyes widened. I looked at him. "Wh-What?"

"I was conscious," he explained, "Of course, I wasn't able to open my eyes, or I'd be found out, but still. The noises were enough to go by if anything else. Plus, after you defeated Nishio-senpai, you were mumbling to yourself." I jerked, remembering that night in full. I turned away to the ground, ashamed.

Hide.. Hide knows.. I.. I almost ate him..

I shuddered, but Hide just grinned, "Thanks for saving my life, buddy!"

I looked at him in disbelief, "I tried to EAT you!!"

"Yea, so?" he was clueless, "You were hungry. No helping that. You'd been starving yourself, trying to hold onto the humanity you had left. If Yamori only wouldn't have captured you, you would've succeeded." I twitched again.

"Hide.. just how much.. do you know?"

"Every bit," he paused, "Basically. But I didn't research far into the whole Jason ordeal. If you wanted to tell me what he did, you can. All I need is the gist, which is that he tortured you."

"... Why? Why did you.. go so far..?"

"Why? Because you're my best friend, Kaneki!" he grinned brightly, "You don't understand how special you are, man! I don't care what people tell you, you'll always be the most important to me. You're not worthless. You're everything to me. And nothing can change that. I don't care if you're a ghoul, or if you kill people – heck, you could become a house for all I care!"

A.. house?

Hide, what goes on in that crazy mind of yours?!!

"-So, this time, Kaneki, can you stay back with me? Just trust me, and we can stay side-by-side again. I've been so worried. Every day, I fretted over whether you would get caught or killed. Aogiri is dangerous, Kaneki. But stay with Anteiku, and we'll both be fine. Okay? I may not be finished, and the CCG may not be terminated, and Aogiri certainly hasn't vanished, but just wait for all that to happen, okay? Wait at Anteiku, and I promise, everything will be fine. Look how far I've already gotten!" he pointed to the burger.

"...Hide, I.."

"But nothing, Kaneki. If I fail, then you can go back to Aogiri, and you can continue killing people, but until then, please. Just please, wait. I can't lose you, man.."

"..."

"Promise, Kaneki? Will you wait?"

I'm not.. sure what Hide's planning, but..

"Fine. I need a break," I sighed, my mind whirling over the fact that Hide had tranquilizers.

"Good," he nodded. "If I succeed, you'll be the first to know," he grinned. "Now, go ahead and finish that burger," he stood up, pointing to the burger, "I'll be back later."

"? Where are you going, Hide?"

"Dinner with Seido-san wasn't the only plan I had in mind for tonight. See you, man!"

"Ah! Hide!!" I called after him, but he was already out.

...Hide..

Didn't even explain why I can eat this burger.. >lc

------------------------------

Wahaha, I've captured the infamous Eyepatch~..!

Now I can go ahead full-speed towards my plan..

Watch out, world.

Here the SUNFLOWER comes!!!!!

{Sorry, I couldn't resist :3 }

--------------------------------------------

"What are you doing, Seido-san?" I peaked over his shoulder. I smirked inwardly.

"Ah, you know that new ghoul, the Sunflower?"

"Uh-huh."

"He's become more active as of late."

"Is that so..?"

"Nagachika, Seido, get back to work!" Mado-san screamed at us, and I mopingly dragged myself back to work.

-----------------------------------

"I'M HOME~~!"

Urh, so loud..

"Be quiet, Hide, I'm trying to read," I huddled up closer to myself.

"Why are the lights all off~?" he mused, flicking some lights on.

"GYA!"

| / _

"Henh~? So the infamous Eyepatch can be scared off a couch by some simple lighting?"

"Sh-Sh*t up, Hide!!" I scrambled back onto the couch. I hissed at him before settling back into my original position. I grabbed a nearby blanket and threw it over myself.

"Aw, Kaneki~" he whined, "Why are you so intent on hiding away from me and the world~? You can't live in that cage forever, you know~"

I heard his footsteps padding around the room as he spoke, and just on time, he plopped down at the table. I peeked out of my blanket.

I'd been living with Hide for three weeks now. My place had been taken since I hadn't been paying the rent.

Hide had a daily schedule that he followed. He had two outings each day, and in between those outings was right now.

"Kaneki, I've told you not to peek," he absently commented. I got back under my blanket.

I wasn't really sure what was on that table of his since I'd only gotten a few glances. He puts all of the stuff away before he leaves for his second outing. He obviously didn't want me looking at it.

I'd asked him about the burger after he returned from his second outing that first night, and he told me he'd disguised it..

Touka now uses the burger – although she clearly wants to kill the human that figured everything out – at her school. I haven't gotten back to college yet though..

I still eat the burger. Although I know what's in it, it's definitely easier to eat – even though I have no problems with that kind of thing anymore..

I'd looked around Hide's place a few times since I initially came here. It's probably not a good idea, but my curiosity has been fueling me about Hide lately. When did he make that burger? How did he attain the burger's ingredients? How exactly did he make it look perfectly like a normal burger? And what exactly is he working on? Questions like that swirl around in my brain.

I haven't found any answers to any of my questions. It would seem Hide's pretty tight-knit about whatever he's doing.

I also found out that whatever he does on that table isn't the only strange thing he does..

"Oh, by the way, Kaneki, I brought you something," I heard him stand up and walk over. He lifted the blanket – much to my dismay – and handed me an envelope.

"Of course you did.."

He grinned, "Yep! Ghouls have to jerk off, too, you know." I glared at him.

"I have told you a million times, Hide!! I am not having an affair with any investigators!!"

"Suuure you aren't," he strolled back to his table. I growled under my breath and stuck the envelope under the couch.

Who knows what crazy pictures he attained this time, but I'm positive I don't want to know.

Hide.. is really strange..

I got back to reading.

--------------------------------------------

"Amon-san! Can you be the poser for my pictures again?!!"

"Why do you want to take pictures of Amon-san anyway, Nagachika?" Seido inquired.

"It's a secret!"

"Why me though? Nagachika, the last time, you asked me to wear a centipede costume.. a centipede!!"

"Nagachika sure has some weird kinks."

"What is the point of dressing me up in a bug outfit?!!"

"Aw, come on, Amon-san!! This time, it's not so bad!!"

Amon sighed, putting his face in his hand, "What is it this time, Nagachika?"

"I want you to dress up as Eyepatch!"

"h*LL NO!!"

{-a weird scene that I wanted to put :P I don't know if it's really what Hide was doing. If you want, you can act like Naga-chan doesn't even give Ken those pics X'D I doubt he is anyway!}

-------------------------------

"Hey, Kaneki, what was that envelope Hide gave you?" Touka inquired suspiciously.

-_-

"Please don't ask.."

p class=MsmXG'

{Apparently, according to this computer, this story has a p class. Not sure what that is lol.}