Hey readers, apologies for the delayed update here. Well, I gave it my best go. Not entirely thrilled, but wanted to put something out there to at least spur me forward. Things are going to have to stray from the anime and a bit of the characters to keep the story going. Unless…I just give after this chapter.

Hope everyone can understand and still appreciate the story.

Thanks!

P.S…nothing is edited too tired from summer classes and work. Apologies.

Ever thought your air way was the size of a plastic straw?

Has your heartbeat become so shallow you were convinced that organ had died long ago? Yet, you're still conscience.

Perhaps, you were so deranged from lack of sleep, food, and numbness that your mind gradually started to deteriorate? Madness starts to eat you alive. Forget the monsters during the day; your mind is the internal parasite you can no longer out run. It sits there, picking away bits of you, chomping delightfully at your suffering. That is until you can no longer take it, until your soul finally cracks.

That is what has become of me.

"That's what's become of me," I sickly coughed. My sight peered up to the dripping IV pouch. It had been changed exactly four times today; I figured that means it's about evening hour. Pretty sad that is how I can tell time, now.

I wish I could say, the little operation had been a success, but to no amazement on my part, I had developed a roaring infection that was oozing at the surface. It wasn't the only injury that didn't take to the skin grafts well either. My calf that had been bitten, when I was attacked in the air vent, was not looking any dandier. Any time, Banjo would change the wrap, my skin (the human parts), looked as discolored as a rotten avocado.

I wasn't sure there was going to be anything left of me. Both mentally and physically I was wasting away.

Fine. Call me a weakling. Ridicule me that I'm pathetic. But I won't hesitate to agree, because I was the one who survived it all. Hostage situations, a bloody arena, brutal injuries, let's see if you can say the same. And everyday, not to mention, I have the heavy burden of the many lives I saw slaughtered in front of me. Many times, many of lonely nights, I wondered how many of their families didn't even know they were gone.

I knew for a fact, both my parents were still in the dark about Ume.

Unexpectedly, the door to the basement slammed open. I was shocked to see Ayato panting heavily. His hair clung around his face and barely exposed his ghoulish eyes. As I looked closer, I noticed bits of his clothes slightly torn.

"What's happened to you?" I asked in a horse voice. Banjo, who had been tending to some activity in the corner of the room immediately, went to his boss's side. His voice was filled with panic.

"S-Sir are you alright? What's happened?" Ayato's mouth snarled into a growl at his servant's frantic actions. With a strong push Banjo was forcefully shoved against the wall. Startled, I then struggled to sit upright on my elbows.

"The hell's the matter with you?" I questioned as strongly as I could. My captor didn't even shoot a nasty glare. Instead, he stormed over to the corner where Banjo had been working. In a quick motion, he snatched an empty cardboard box and began throwing random items inside.

His mood had yet to lighten. "Is this all the shit you managed to collect?" Ayato snapped. Banjo nervously cleared his throat.

"Y-Yes Sir, it's been hard to sneak out and-"

Ayato slammed several of the items into the opposite wall. His anger was clearly rising. "Fucking bitch!" He screamed. His knuckles were gripping the metal table with such tension that the aluminum was starting to crinkle.

"Ayato! Ayato what's wrong? Tell me…" I gradually paused as I saw his limbs shaking. His jaw clenched terribly too. If I hadn't known him, I would have thought he was on the verge of a break down.

"You don't get it. You stupid humans will never understand it." Ayato hissed deeply. His words sounded more weary than threatening.

I absorbed the insult and decided to try a different approach. From the past, I knew arguing never got me any farther than where I started. I took a breath and hoped I could find the patience inside of me.

"Then inform me. I shouldn't be kept out of the loop. Please, would you-"

"Shut up!" Ayato yelled then turned his aggression towards me. This was nothing new, four weeks in counting there was hardly a moment where he wasn't pissed. But something about him, seemed more intense than usual. "Don't tell me to calm down. You know nothing, absolutely fucking nothing! You're blind and damn ignorant."

I tried to wrack my brain for any clues that could have happened over the last several days. However, nothing was ringing a bell. Nothing was waving a red flag to indicate where this boiling hatred was coming from. Sure, the Doctor stopped by last week to do her weekly check up and sure there was a slight argument between Ayato and her. My thoughts suddenly clicked.

"It's about me isn't…" I let out my strained breath. Ayato's snarl drifted. His ghoulish eyes even vanished at the sound of my confession. Somehow, I managed to guess right.

Just as Ayato was about to speak, a loud crash erupted outside the room. Banjo nearest to the exit, took quick action.

"I'll gather the others and plant guard's around all sides of the building. We can also-"

"No, that bitch isn't dumb enough to send her slithering serpents to the main sides. No, she's going to attack from below," Ayato said. My heart slightly pounded as I looked to the concrete floor. I grew more unsettled as the thoughts of a hungry monster could burst through the floor any moment.

"I'll stationed them there and the main hallways then," Banjo clarified, to which gave Ayato the satisfaction and agreed with a nod.

"You have her scent right?"

Banjo looked at me. "Yes."

"It will be the same location that discussed with you before. I expect you to act according to the plan. Any screw ups and it will be the end of you," Ayato threatened. The assistant lost his shocked face before he glanced back at me. He starred at me a good while before speaking.

"We'll do everything we can to keep you safe, [F/N]." Banjo tried to reassure me.

"What's happening?" I asked in a shaken voice. Now, I was really growing fidgety. "Wait!" I called when Banjo pulled his mask over his face and in a blink was gone. With the click of the door I was left alone with my captor.

"Tsk, making pointless promises."

"At least he cares," I muttered. Ayato's face nearly lite up in flames.

"And what, I fucking don't? What, I'm not risking my group and not to mention my damn life to protect you?" The Ghoul shouted. I found myself in a state of confusion and pure utter shock.

"Y-your what?" I stuttered.

Ayato snorted, "Didn't expect a piece of shit like me to do such a thing huh? Well, there you have it [F/N], I am."

I pulled my brows together. "I don't believe you."

"What?" Ayato hissed as he turned around. "You think I'm bullshiting you?"

A cough escaped my mouth and I winced at the unexpected pain it brought me. Headache, fever, chills, all of it should be a logical explanation for my crabbiness. But right now I was more than just a cranky teen; I was unwilling to believe any more lies that this monster fed me. "That's exactly what I think," I spat.

"Is that fucking so?" Ayato snarled as he came forward. I kept still, I kept solid and held my ground. His eyes crackled into those scarlet irises. His teeth were clam tight like a wolf looking to challenge. But I still refused to show any fear. "You want to know something [F/N]? Would you care to hear a deep dark little secret? I'm sure, some blackmail would just fuel your day."

"What are you talking about?" I questioned.

Ayato came forward, his hands clenched at his sides. "You want to know why I hate you humans so much?" I kept my mouth zipped as his eyes burned into mine. "It's because you are all the same, thick headed, arrogant, and murders. You blindly kill and regret…nothing."

Frozen in disbelief, I barely could converse. I shook my head questionably. "What, killers? Who's the one who eats other beings? Who are the ones who leave corpses pilled in the streets bleeding into the drains? Humans don't-"

"Humans don't…what, [F/N]? Humans don't commit crimes, they don't steel…don't eat other things? Tsk, get your head out of your ass. Humans savor the taste of blood too. The only difference is the other creatures that you eat can't talk like you. They don't really look like you either, that's the only difference. That burger, it was once alive too."

I argued, "Ayato that's not the same! People, they think…they feel…they have families…they…" The Ghoul flashed his wicked irises.

"And we don't?" My captor darkly asked. His stance was firmly square as he toward over me. Now, I was getting the picture.

My mouth slowly eased open. "I-" Then my dry throat forced me to swallow. "Ayato…I didn't mean it like that." My captor huffed before twisted his back to me. His fingers rolling up and down at his side. His head wasn't held high, it had drifted low as though someone had stabbed him. I couldn't figure out what he was thinking.
"You know," The Ghoul harshly started, "I often ask myself why I even fucking bothered. Why I had carried ahuman away from harm. Why I haven't ripped her throat out and chewed her flesh…"

I nervously gulped as I watched him head toward a nearby table. His fingers began to toy with the tools that lay out. A pair of scissors flashed a glint in the light. Subconsciously, I began to scoot back.

"To think, I would even do something like that. It's out of character for me to protect…to save a human. A girl, who means nothing," Ayato said. I could hear the venomous-hate leaking from his lips.

"Ayato," I shakily said as I tried to snap him out of his daze. The scissors were gripped in his hand, they were smiling, and ready they were to taste blood. My eyes went wide as my captor turned around. "Ayato…Ayato stop. Please…"

He came forward, smooth in his stride. His expression was emotionless. The air was still and thick with sinister intent. My heart pounded, knowing I was trapped. "Ayato…what are you doing? Wait, stop!" I held up my one arm while I continued to shuffle back. My side screamed, my calf burned all the pain electrified.

I gave out a weak kick in defense and immediately regretted it. My captor instantly used his foot to pin mine down. I let out a cry and frantically twisted about hoping to escape the darkness of death. I shot up my other bruised arm in defense to cover my face. I gritted my teeth against the agony and decided once and for all to fight till the better end. I was ready; ready again to not become another lifeless corpse.

As expected, Ayato latched onto my wrist with his crushing force. His other hand was open and at the perfect angle to strike. I had no weapon and no other means of protection. I took a swing with my other hand and ended up landing it on his shoulder. Ayato was unfazed, my fingers had taken more of the damage. But still, I fought kicking and squirming.

Without much warming, I found both my arms pinned down and with my throat openly exposed. Sweat was starting to form around my hairline. I was about to snap a remark when Ayato leaned further down and I could tell by his face he meant me no harm.

"[F/N], you're fucking delusional." He whispered as he released one of my wrists. I heard the snip of the blades and felt the bandage to my side unravel. I let out a tight breath. "But I guess I am too." I watched him as he reached over my body to retrieve a new item. A damp cloth came into view and was pressed gently to my side.

"Ayato, I'm…I'm sorry. I didn't-"

The Ghoul continued to dab my injury. "Quite apologizing. I understand." I raised my brows.

"Huh?" I turned my head. "Wait, you understand?"

"Do I have to repeat myself?" He huffed. I felt the tickles of the cloth scrape away the scarred skin. He then paused and pulled the rag back. "What I understand, now, is why that stupid eye patch kid didn't let you die. You're a fighter. But also stupid and many of times oblivious, however deep down it's clear, your not like most humans. You're different."

I let my mind ease and my ears listen for a moment.

"Perhaps…" Ayato sighed. "Perhaps that's why I can tolerate you. Even without the added skin, you are more Ghoulish than you know." His eyes fell upon mine. I knew most people would have taken offense to his words, but I knew him and that was a full-hearted compliment. No matter how grungy the pick of words may have seemed.

"Thank you," I replied. A tiny smile pulled at the sides of my cheeks. "That really means a lot." I could see Ayato's cheeks heat up. Softness was obviously not his comfort zone. He let his messy locks drape around his face.

"Whatever. Just keep your side uncovered for a bit. The air will heal it quicker than any medicine. Might be the last time it gets a moment like this." The worriedness in his voice lingered.

I winced horribly as I tried to sit up.

"The hell are you doing? Lay down-"

I reached out and pulled his shirt as I struggled to get into a sitting position. My tailbone groaned, as it had been much too long since I had even been up. Ayato held still as I gathered my breath. "No, not until you tell me what you know. I'm not helpless you just said it yourself. So please, don't keep me out of the dark this time." I held his shirt, waiting any second for the furry to rise from him.

Instead, he was silent.

"Talk to me," I begged. His gaze wasn't egger to meet mine. I shook his shirt, and then I let my hand fall back to my lap. Both of us sat there in the dimness of the room. The seconds ticked by. "Ayato, I want you to trust me."

The Ghoul raised a questionable expression. "What?" He sneered.

"I want you to treat me as your equal, as a partner. You said it before we are much alike. And at first…I didn't want to believe you. I was afraid. I was scared, if I accepted what I had become…I was no longer myself. I feared not being human. But now, I realize, I never really was innocent. It's true…I've lied, broken rules, and even have killed. My hands are stained. There's no going back…"

I swallowed as I looked at him. Ayato's face was stoned in astonishment. I guess he never expected me to submit.

"So, I'm asking, as your partner, for you to trust me. As I have come to believe in you. I won't shy away from your touch anymore. I know now, you have no intentions of hurting me. I just ask that you consider trusting a human."

The silence was long. We both remained where we were, each frozen by each other's gazes. The strange thing was, I meant every word. If I could accept myself, maybe I could stop the troubles of the past from invading my dreams.

A touch brushed my cheek. I held back a flinch, as it was so unexpected. I followed the fingers down to the elbow and up to the face of Ayato. My captor ran his hand under my chin and up the side of my face. It was warm, unlike his usual demeanor.

I let him lean closer. Our faces nearly centimeters apart and I wondered if he was going to let me have it. If this was the moment when he was going to explode with anger. Again, the Ghoul surprised me. A pair of arms hesitantly stiffened around my frame. A deep chested exhale came from his body as he pulled me to him. I found my face resting in the crook of his neck. I heard him breath in my scent. A hand cradled my back.

"I hate what you have done to me." The Ghoul muttered. His fingers tightened around my shirt. I held still. "Yet, I can't distance myself. I can't hate you, [F/N]." Ayato hugged me harder. The feeling of his pulse was alive against my own chest.

I stayed quiet.

A trail of soft lips made their way up my jaw. A shiver came over me as they glided around my face and were centered over my own. Gently, Ayato pressed his mouth upon mine. He wasn't excited or overly aggressive like he was back at the slaughterhouse. Instead, the teen before me was passive as though he had completely changed. Our lips kneaded together, intertwined in harmony. I let my hand rest on the side of his neck, careful to not startle him. In response, Ayato brought his touch under my chin. He slowly pulled away and held up my face to the light.

"If I'm to treat you as my equal, you must agree to be with me…to stay at my side regardless of the situation. For me to keep you safe, I must keep you bound to me. As my partner, your previous life will be over. But you've already come to accept that, haven't' you?"

True, I thought. I had accepted everything. However, I didn't expect this. I knew what he was implying. He was forcing me to choose. Either live amongst the former crumpling society I knew, the one with family, friends, school, chocolates, and venerability, or I was to follow beside him into the uncertainty of the underworld. I would hardly be a target, but also my life would forever be changed. Kankei. I would probably never get to see him again either. Did that matter though?

"I have," I admitted. Ayato nodded before undoing the scarlet scarf that hung around his neck. In a quick loop the fabric was laced around me.

"Be sure to wear this at all times. My scent alone will keep others away, if we become separated. A territorial Ghoul is never one to be reckoned with. I can assure you…you'll be fine as long as you hold on to this." He gestured to the scarf.

I stroked the fine threads. "It's quite soft. Never would have expected that from you." I lightly laughed, trying to play off the fact I was no longer single (which was not exactly what I had intended with the whole 'partner thing'). God, how long had that been? Was I even prepared for this…any of this?

Ayato clicked his tongue. "I've been surprising myself lately." I was about to respond when I felt a heavy weight on my shoulders. I peered around to see my partner had put his jacket around me. I starred at him questionably.

"Care to explain?" I asked. Ayato tiredly rubbed his eye and pulled the skin slightly down. I could tell he was beat. "Have you eaten lately?"

"Don't worry about it." His voice sounded exhausted. "There are things you need to understand, though I wish I didn't have to say it." None of this sounded good.

I looked to the half infected skin on my leg. "It's the Doctor who did this. What is she after?" My partner sighed another time.

"Think of it as GMO on humans."

My stomach began to twist. "GMO? You mean as in genetically modified food? What does that have to do with us?" Ayato licked his bottom lip, and then turned his attention back to me.

"What if our food source never ran out? What if we no longer needed to hunt? What if…" His words were cut short when a loud couple of crashes hit outside of the room. The yelling from the men could be heard. I tensed, fear prominent in my muscles.

"On your feet!" Ayato harshly commanded. I staggered up and clenched my throbbing side. I heard the cries growing and Ayato's frantic hands as he was moving things around from behind me. He kicked several boxes and cursed repeatedly.

It was clear; the threat was here.

"Come here," The boy next to me, grabbed my arm and yanked the needle roughly from my vein. A seep of blood trickled down while I was tugged in a different direction, closer to the door. My pulse elevated.

"Ayato-" My ally muffled my words with his hand.

He hushed me and kept his voice low. "Listen, this is not just a single room. It's connected to a series of halls much like a chamber. Keep going left and hide whenever necessary. I'll find you, once I lead them off our heals."

I shook my head and moved away from his hold. "No damnit, you can't expect me to just leave you. Look at you, you are already beaten down and starved. How can you possibly fight alone?"

Ayato's growl returned. "I told you to listen to me!" Another couple of explosions rattled the ground. I could feel the earth beneath me start to give. "There is no time for this fucking arguing. You said you trust me and I trust you to follow orders. I don't need an excuse card."

"You need backup. Are we not together?" I sternly replied to which I received a paired of rolled eyes.

"Fucking stubborn."

"You wanted it." I sarcastically said. The ground shook another time. I barely could keep on my feet since I was still so weak. Ayato firmly held me, with one arm around my shoulder.

"We only have a slim shot this will work." Ayato confessed.

The ground moved and the sounds of cries echoed outside. I gripped my partner's shirt tightly once more. "Have a plan?"

It was all so quick; all I felt was a horrendous amount of pain. My side flared. My mouth spilled a wad of blood. I trembled as I looked down; to where a new hole was dug into my flesh wound. A large crystal of glass was wedge deep. I knew where it came from as I saw Ayato's glowing eyes. My knees started to give, my blood pressure was fading; my mind was going foggy again.

He didn't pull it out; he just laid me down and watched me bleed.

He watched me struggle on the floor, as I was dying to relieve the pain, but not able to muscle the strength to extract the object. It all burned and stung. Ayato, just watched as I suffered. His face was emotionless and uncaring with those sinister eyes.

I could barely breath over the amount of blood that was erupting from my throat. It was suffocating. I kept choking and squirming.

The dizziness was growing, the ground shaking more, the confusion swirling within me. I wasn't even sure I could tell you my name. My lips trembled as I gasped for air.

"Go to sleep." Were the last words I heard before my eyes glazed over. My heartbeat faded. The life within me drained. A flush of warmth was fed through my veins. It was surprisingly peaceful. The noise, the sounds, the pain, the guilt; all of it was gone. I floated alone, in a blissful fantasy, never to wake again.

My a fatal lesson had been learned, I thought.

Trust is hard to come by and it's no guarantee once it's earned.

Creepy…lol

Btw want another exciting read with Levi Ackerman?

Check out my other Fanfiction…"Sinful Delights" With action, romance, humor, and drama on every chapter! Guaranteed a satisfying read from start to end!