Artificial

Introductions

"Let me go! Please, I'm begging you! I never asked for this! Please, someone help me!"

The squealing of young children brought a young woman back into the reality she knew all too well, her mouth dropped open in a silent gasp as she thought about the same daydream that had been haunted her sleep for nights on end. It had been five years, and yet she had still not been able to get over the terror of that one night; the terror that ruined her life. A small smile curved her lips upward and she stepped away, her scarf flapping in the wind behind her back. The cries of the children became more distant, and she was soon able to hear the sound of her own stomach growling unhappily.

A short bell sound caused her head to turn and face a small café, the letters spelling out Anteiku. She'd heard of this place. It was a relatively popular café, quiet and small, perfect for everyone. She made her way into the building, removing her scarf. "Welcome to Anteiku," someone called to her, and she lifted her head to stare at the owner of the voice.

He seemed like a young kid, with dark hair and equally gray eyes. Or, she assumed both eyes were gray, since one was covered in a medical eye-patch. He was smiling softly, unlike the girl behind him, whose scowl was half hidden by her dark blue fringe which covered half her face. The woman turned back to the boy. "Hello." And she took off her woolen hat, shaking her hair free from tangles. "I'll just take a coffee, if you don't mind."

"Right away. Feel free to take a seat, " he replied, bowing slightly. a little, returning to where his coworker stood, beginning to prepare the drink. The woman took a seat by the large window, back to the door, placing her hat on the table. The bell rang again, and she heard a few exasperated sighs. "Tsukiyama, what are you doing here?"

Tsukiyama? Where had she heard that name before? She didn't turn around as the intruder answered. "Why, Kaneki-kun, I'm here to see you! There isn't anyone else—" His voice stopped. "Shion?"

"That's where I've heard your name before," Shion replied, turning in her seat as Kaneki gently placed her steaming cup of coffee in front of her. "Shuu, seeing me can't really be that much of a surprise, now can it?"

"Seeing you around can mean plenty of other things," he growled, standing right in front of her. "So what are you doing here?"

"I can't sit down and unwind with a simple cup of coffee?"

"Um…" both turned to face the dark haired boy as he stood nervously to the side. "Can we not fight?"

Shion clicked her tongue, downing her coffee in one go, not adding any sugar or creamer, and stood up. She smiled softly at Kaneki one last time before placing her hat back on her head, making sure her hair was completely covered before harshly pushing past Shuu and out the door. Kaneki stared after her. "She didn't pay for her drink."

"Good. I wouldn't want her money even if I was poor and hungry," the purple haired man replied, grounding his teeth. "She's bad news, Kaneki-kun. Don't trust her."

"And instead we should trust you?" Touka perked up from by the counter.

"Touka-chan!"

"What? It's the truth," she said, crossing her arms over her chest.

Shuu frowned, copying the waitress' stance. "I know you're very...iffy about the things I say, but believe me when I tell you that Shion is a very powerful person." He sat down in the seat the young woman once occupied. "She is a force to be reckoned with, Kirishima, and I don't need you getting into more trouble than needed."

With that, he took his leave, giving Touka and Kaneki little information about the person that had just downed a full cup of coffee in their café. They looked at each other with equally confused looks before returning to their designated jobs around the café.

Shuu visited Kaneki at his university the following day, while the boy was enjoying the fresh air with his favorite book. There was no warning, instead he just plopped himself across from Kaneki, a smirk curved on his lips. "Hello, Kaneki-kun, did you think about my invitation?"

Kaneki lifted his book to cover his face. "What is going to be happening if I go there, Tsukiyama-san?"

"There are details that don't need to be mentioned." Shuu smiled innocently. "Are you going to come tonight?"

"I mean, I guess I could stop by."

Shuu clapped his hands together. "Trés bien! The gourmet hall has been quite interesting in the recent past. I'm sure something will be there that will appease to your liking."

"A gourmet hall? Ohonhon!" Arms wrapped around Shuu's neck as a high pitched giggle resounded in his ear. Kaneki lowered his book at the sight of the customer from the day before. "Sounds like fun, why didn't you invite me?"

The purple haired man growled and tried to push her away. "Because you're not someone that I would associate with."

Shion frowned and turned to Kaneki, a smile once again blossoming on her face. "Hello. You're the waiter from yesterday. I'm sorry for leaving so abruptly, I'm Akuyo Shion." She held out her hand.

Kaneki grasped it. "Kaneki Ken. You also left without paying for your drink."

Kaneki got a good look at her eyes—red as blood—as they widened in sudden realization and her hands darted about her pockets. "I'm so sorry, Kaneki!" She pulled a wad of bills out of her pocket and slapped it in his open palm. "I hope that's enough." She sat down next to Shuu, who moved over, trying to keep distance. "So, the gourmet hall?"

"I told you, you weren't invited," Shuu deadpanned, rolling his eyes.

"You know I'm probably going to show anyway, right?" Shion sang, flipping her white hair over her shoulder. Briefly, Kaneki wondered how she got her hair to be so bright and even in color. "You can do so much but never keep me away."

Kaneki stifled a chuckle. "Come on, Tsukiyama-san, let her come."

He glanced over at the white haired woman, whose smiled hadn't faltered and her stare hadn't broken. His eyes met hers in an intense glare. "No," he stated, standing up and walking away.

Shion watched him leave, chuckling to herself. "Don't mind him, he's just being a big baby." She folded her hands atop the table and looked at Kaneki. "I do hope Shuu hasn't been too much of a bother lately, Kaneki."

"Oh, no," Kaneki hid his face behind his book. He felt bad about lying to this woman's face, but he barely knew her, so it seemed like a good idea. "He's not that bad. It seems like you and Tsukiyama-san have a very close relationship, though."

Shion blinked owlishly, and suddenly burst into laughter. "Me? Close to Shuu? It's because we call each other by our first names, isn't it?" She looked down. "No. We've just known each other for a fairly long time."

Kaneki nodded absentmindedly. He closed the book and folded his hands on top of it. He met Shion's crimson orbs momentarily before she suddenly stood, breaking eye contact and stepping away. "If you're going to show up tonight at the hall, don't be late. Shuu doesn't like people who are late."

And she quickly left, pushing past various university students as she went.

So...I've had this idea for a couple of months, but due to school, I was unable to start it properly. Now that I'm graduated from high school and in the beginning of my summer vacation, I'm going to have a lot more time to write!

I'm going to try and make Shion a character people will like. I know usually people turn away from stories that have an OC as a major character, but my hope for Shion is that she will become a supporting character and that Kaneki will keep his hold on his protagonist spot. I don't know how to write Mary Sues, nor do I see the signs of an OC becoming one, so if you see Akuyo Shion becoming a Mary Sue, give me a heads up so I can stop it! It's the last thing I want.

This story will follow the anime: Tokyo Ghoul's season 1 and Tokyo Ghoul Root A

For reviews: I'm going to start responding by private messages if you have the option available. If not, they will be answered during the author's notes at the end of every chapter.

Thank you, my flowers!

-Eternal White Rose