A/N: Hello! This is my first Tokyo Ghoul fic so sorry if anything sucks, or if characters seem Ooc. Anyway, that said, I really love Tokyo Ghoul anything related to it so I really wanted to make a fic for it. I know it's not a very original idea, but I really like the idea of Touka and Kaneki growing up together, and knowing each other before all the ghoul stuff kicks off. BTW SPOILER ALERT FOR TOKYO GHOUL RE:

Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING!

Prologue: Growing up

(Touka 8 - Kaneki 9)

It was a late autumns day, and the trees were yellow and red, worn down by the weather that had given them life a few months prior. It was sunny, and yet the cold still found its way into the citizens of Tokyo; the chill of winter was on its way.

Given the season to be fall, the exact month was October, and the day had been an unlucky one. It was Friday, and this particular day happened to fall on the number thirteen. To some, this was a misfortune, but to others, it was just another day. But for a small boy with a penchant for reading, friday the thirteenth was a good day, in fact, possibly his favorite day. It was the day that he could see her.

Kaneki watched from outside the little shop, a thick book in his arms as he pretended to read. He sat, legs dangling off a bench as he "read" from across the street. Every now and then, he would peer into the coffee shop, hoping to see her there. And to his delight, when he had looked through the shop's window for the third time, a girl with blue hair came into his field of vision. She sat at a table close to the door, but still within in a passer bys view. Her shoulder length hair covered one eye, and an impatient expression was smeared across her face. She looked quite intimidating for a eight year old, her harsh features and the feeling that one would get when there was something dangerous about would spike upon going near her. Yes, this little girl was scary, but Kaneki smiled as if he was about to approach a cute rabbit, not the blue haired beast that radiated irritation.

He snapped the book shut and practically ran to the coffee shop door.

A soft jingle could be heard as Kaneki opened the door with enthusiasm, the slim boy bouncing in, while still staying in his usual reserved nature. His silvery eyes immediately fell upon the girl, and his smile grew even wider. He walked as fast as his growing nine year old legs could carry him, and in no time, he stood beside the table, a grin as bright as the sun adoring his face. But he wouldn't sit down yet, even with the perfectly empty chair across from her, he still needed her permission.

"Hello, Touka-chan." He greeted, awaiting her response.

There was a small silence as the blue haired girl shifted her gaze from the table and onto him. She examined him, her glare never wavering, as she soon locked eyes with him.

"Took you long enough." She finally said, a tone of agitation clearly showing. "Do you know how long you kept me waiting?"

Kaneki, to his credit, let his smile widen even further as he let his reply follow.

"Sixteen seconds."

Her left eyebrow raised as she seemed to reply with body language, "really?" The two children stared at each other, one smiling, the other glaring.

Kaneki was baffled. Normally, with anyone else, he would have apologised profusely at being late sixteen seconds. Even if it was ridiculous to be sorry for being late a miniscule amount of time, he would have done so anyway, it was just in his nature. But right now, with Touka, it was different. Kaneki was happy, happier than he had been all week, so no matter what Touka would say, he would remain in his state of happiness. He got to see her, and that was enough for him.

After the two had been staring for far too long, Touka let loose a sigh and closed her eyes before opening them again. the piercing stare was gone, and her lips had formed what seemed like smile, but could be easily misread if you were anyone but Kaneki. Where others would see a neutral look, the young bibliophile would see a wondrous smile. After all, when it came to the matters of Kirishima Touka, a neutral look is about as good as it gets.

"Well, are you going to stand there all day, or are you going to sit down, I need someone to share coffee with." She stated rather forcefully, a hint of fondness in her voice.

Kaneki quickly obliged, setting his book down on the table and quickly sitting down.

"But Touka-chan, I don't drink coffee." He said.

The blue haired girl simple shrugged and gave him a pointed stare.

"You do now…" she whispered, speaking only loud enough for the two of them to hear.

Kaneki merely sighed and smiled. There was no point in arguing.

"I guess I do drink coffee." He whispered back.

"Good."

There was a silence. Both of them not knowing what to say next. They hadn't seen each other since last friday. Kaneki knew it was only a week ago, but to him, it could have been easily mistaken for an eternity.

"I missed you." He said, erring on the side of caution.

Kaneki knew Touka wasn't too good with expressing any other emotion than anger, but he hoped this once that she would return the gesture of affection. He really did miss her, even with her almost abusive nature, she still was something he hadn't ever had before. A friend. And Kaneki could tell he was one to get attached to his friends, and so he hoped that maybe Touka would show that he was her friend too.

But even without the verbal confirmation, he knew he was her friend. Even with everything she says, Touka always met him here at Anteiku ever since their initial meeting. Oddly though, she demanded that they do a little ritual before they would meet up. She had asked that he wait across the street from the coffee shop, and that he would always have to ask permission to sit down.

At first, he had asked permission with a very formal request. But over time, he stopped asking, and she stopped expecting it. Currently, Kaneki would wait until she would either ask him to sit or subtly (not so subtly) hint at him to sit. It was an odd little habit that the two would perform, but Kaneki had no problem it, it was worth it anyways.

"Baka, we saw each other last week." She spoke, sharp and quick.

And there it was, the reply. Kaneki wouldn't lie and say that he wasn't even a little disappointed, still it didn't bother him any.

"But,"

The word was a whisper, no, lower than a whisper, almost as if it was a soft wind barely perceptible to the human senses. The close to mute word surprised him, but the following ones would make him even more shocked.

"But… I suppose I missed you too."

Silence reigned like a tyrant, controlling every sound around them. The bustle of the other customers didn't even register in Kaneki's ears. He didn't know what to say. Touka had never shown this much care towards him in all the time that they had been seeing each other. A spark of something lit off in his heart. His eyes found hers and they simply looked at each other as sense of understanding began to cover them. Kaneki noted something, Touka's eyes were really pretty. He soon started to fall and melt into those eyes, they were like a large ocean, and all he wanted to do was discover more of it. In truth, this was a real moment, in more ways than one.

Too bad it had to be ruined.

"Hello Kaneki-kun, here to see Touka-chan again?"

Kaneki's head snapped towards the voice. The young bookworm was met with an interesting hairstyle. A soft smile landed on his lips as he recognised the owner of the voice.

"Hello Koma-san, and yes. I am here to see Touka-chan." He answered earnestly.

Enji let a knowing grin fall upon his features as he gave Touka a look.

"Aww, isn't that sweet."

Touka shot him back a pleading glare, it was angry yet begging him not to go any further. Enji, the famed devil ape, let it go and simply did his job, after all, he could tease her about it later.

"Alright then, what can I get you two?"

In Touka's case, that question was rhetorical, but Kaneki didn't know that yet.

"Coffee, black." Touka murmured.

Enji took out a small ordering pad and wrote down the order, then turned to Kaneki.

"And for you young sir?"

"I'll…"

"He'll have the same." Touka said quickly.

Enji smiled knowingly at Touka one more time before nodding.

"Two black coffees coming up." He said.

The devil ape walked away quickly. He would let the two be alone for now. While Touka and Kaneki couldn't see it yet, he did. And the Devil ape was going let her have her fun while it lasted. The boy was human after all, and that could cause… problems.

After Enji had left, the silence had returned, trading places with the waiter with an odd haircut. But Kaneki didn't dislike the silence, in fact, he found it quite peaceful.

Too bad that had to end too.

Touka smelled something delicious. It wafted into the air and surrounded her senses. It was blood, and it was coming from him.

"Hey, Baka-kun!" She hissed.

Kaneki was confused. What had he done? weren't they just enjoying each others company? Why does she seem angry?

"Yes?" He answered tentatively

"Let me see your arm." She demanded.

Kaneki froze. He felt the bandages under his left sleeve shift slightly, as if they themselves felt like they had been found out. He couldn't let Touka see.

Kanei stuck out his right arm, presenting it in front of Touka. But she knew better, the scent was coming from his left, not his right. She quickly batted the arm away, then pinned his right hand under hers while she reached across the table and tugged on his left arm. Despite Kaneki being older than her by a year, Touka was considerably stronger than he was. He hadn't the faintest idea why that was, from what he could see, Touka was just like him. A skinny twig without an ounce of muscle.

Kaneki suppressed a scream as his left arm was jerked forward. Hot needles and a sharp pain ran through his arm as she rolled up his sleeve to reveal bandages. However, these bandages were soaked in blood. It seems his injuries have reopened.

"What is this?" She whispered harshly.

Kaneki looked away. He wouldn't meet her eyes.

"Kaneki…"

The use of his name drew his attention as Touka looked at him with a concerned yet restrained expression. What could she be restraining?

"What happened?" She asked, her voice less hostile and a sense of true caring took over.

Still, even with the look of concern and the out of character caring Touka presented, he still did not answer. He looked deeply into her eyes, hoping that if he looked pathetic enough, she would drop it.

She didn't.

Touka let out an exasperated sigh.

"Come with me." She whispered.

This got his attention.

"What?"

Touka stood, letting go of him before standing up.

"I said, come with me." She reiterated, this time with more force.

Kaneki stood up slowly, curious and anxious at her mysterious actions. What could she be planning? Where were they going?

The blue haired girl, shorter than him by a couple inches, grabbed his right hand with hers and lead him to the counter. Surprisingly, she took him behind the counter and through a door. They went up a flight of stairs and down a hallway. The pair of kids stopped at a door bearing the names Ayato and Touka on it.

Kaneki was really confused. Touka lived here? At the coffee shop? Why? How? He didn't have time to question it further as she opened the door and led him inside

Enji held two cups of coffee in his hands. He went around the counter and walked towards the table that Touka and Kaneki had been sitting at. But when he came into view of the table, he was surprised to find no one there.

"Huh… kids these days."

Touka quickly poked her head into her room, making sure Ayato wasn't there. When she didn't see her little brother anywhere she pulled Kaneki into the room.

Kaneki was currently sitting on what he assumed was Touka's bed, and was watching her dig around her desk drawers. As she was busy searching for something, he couldn't help but look around her room. The walls were sparse, no posters or decorations of any kind. There was only a window above her bed, a small desk which she was rummaging through at the moment, and a small closet. However, there was another bed on the other side of the room. It probably belonged to Ayato, whoever that was.

While he and Touka had come to be good friends, they didn't really know much about each other. They simply spoke about trivial things and half the time it was her getting mad at him for something. Despite this, they had grown close. So he, while being very mature for his age, couldn't help but feel a sting of jealousy. Whoever Ayato is, he must be close to her. But Kaneki didn't know why he felt jealous. He didn't have any right to be so either, so what was that little voice in the back of his head screaming bloody murder?

"Hey! Baka-kun!" Touka said.

Kaneki was pulled out of his thoughts and he turned his attention towards Touka. She was carrying a small medical kit along with a bottle that smelled funny.

"Yes Touka-chan?"

Kaneki had a pretty good guess at what she was going to do. The medical kit said it all. The blue haired girl marched up to the bed and sat beside him on his left side. She unpacked the kit, taking out disinfectants and some gauze.

"Roll up your sleeve." She said quickly.

Kaneki complied, pulling up his sleeve until a wrap of bloody bandages showed itself for the world to see. Kaneki, knowing what was going to happen next, slowly began to unwrap the clotted bandages. As he did this, he could have sworn he heard Touka gulp, but it must have been his imagination, it could have easily just been the sound of his heart beating in his ears.

When he had finished unraveling the bandages, four ugly scratches raked down his forearm and ended at his wrist. These weren't the shallow scratches one gets when messing with a cat, these looked like rusty nails had been gouged into his skin with tremendous force.

The freshly opened wound bled, red streaks flowing down his arm.

Touka was surely going to go insane. Her mind ran at a million miles an hour trying to resist the temptation to take a bite out of her friends arm. Her hands clenched tightly, and her eye twitched ever so slightly. This was bad, if she couldn't keep her hunger in check, she might end up eating one of the only people she cares about. How had she ever thought this was a good idea?

Kaneki watched as Touka observed his injuries. She stared at his arm, and he began to wonder what she could be thinking. Why was she looking at his arm? Didn't she want to clean it up before the blood lands on her bed? But before that could happen, Touka snapped out of her daze, taking a deep breath and grabbing a bottle of funny smelling liquid. She wiped away the blood that had left the wound and then quickly picked up fresh medical gauze, placed the cloth on top of the open bottle, tipped it until the gauze was soaked with the stuff.

Kaneki knew what the liquid was, he had known from first smelling it, let alone his eyes seeing it. So it was with this knowledge, that it was no surprise when his arm started to feel like it was on fire. Touka had just placed the rubbing alcohol soaked gauze on his injury, cleansing it without an indication of guilt for his pain.

While it wasn't a surprise, Kaneki still winced at the sudden stinging rushing through his left arm. He felt the familiar rush of tears behind his eyes, as they requested to be let loose in a way to express pain. But he didn't let them. Kaneki held his tears, taking deep breaths and watching as Touka continued to clean his wounds. He would not cry, not in front of her. For an odd reason, he felt the need to show her something. No. More like prove something to her. Prove that he wasn't a wimp. Prove that he too was strong like her. Prove that he was worthy to be her friend, worthy enough to receive her affection.

It didn't take long, the cleaning process was relatively simple. Sterilize it with alcohol, then dress and treat the wound. Touka had done it marvelously, if a little rough, but Kaneki didn't mind. He had never known Touka to be gentle, so why should he expect it now of all times.

When she had finished, his arm was neatly wrapped up in white bandages. Touka had packed away the medical kit, and was sitting next to Kaneki on the bed, their backs on the wall, both wondering what to say. Finally,

"Thanks." Kaneki mumbled out shyly.

"You're not welcome." Touka answered back coldy.

Kaneki seemed to shrink a little, his frame sinking deeper against the wall. Why does Touka have to be so cruel?

"You're not welcome until you tell me, how."

"Huh? How? What do you mean?"

Touka turned towards him her eyes narrowed and agitated. She quickly grabbed his shoulders and made him face her, eye to eye.

"Don't play dumb with me Kaneki! I know you're smart, you always bring those stupidly large books around with you whenever we meet up. So answer me! How did you get those injuries?"

Silence...

However, Touka didn't notice it, let alone Kaneki, the blue hair girl subconsciously began to pull him closer as she waited for his reply. When he didn't answer, her eyes began to hurt with restraint as she continued her rant.

"We always meet up, and talk. But you know what? That kind of talk is meaningless. We've spent hours with each other yet we haven't said anything real! It's all so stupid! So I ask you,"

Touka leaned in close with menacing eyes and whispered,

"Tell me something real… what happened to you?"

Kaneki felt her warm breath on his face. He felt her grip on his shoulders, the feeling of her leaning in. Of course all of this meant nothing, as young Kaneki was still uneducated in the ways of romance. So her closeness didn't bother him. Yet, even so, with his mind pure, he couldn't help but feel slightly dirty. As if the touch of another has broken his skin.

"Mother said that I tried to play with a stray cat, and… and that it had scratched me."

"Don't lie to me!"

"I'm not… Mother… mother said… m-mother…"

Kaneki looked down, his face filled with confusion and sorrow as his mind was trying so hard to protect him.

"I… Touka-chan…" He looked up, his eyes meeting her own, "I... I don't know."

Touka looked on at the boy in front of her. Something tugged at her heart. It was his eyes. Those lost grey eyes of his that held so much hidden pain and sorrow. Young eyes shouldn't look so dull. She should know, she saw them every time she looked in the mirror.

"I… I don't know…" He murmured out once more.

His words floated between them, like a wave of understanding had settled over them. She backed away, letting go of him and sitting back down on the bed.
Kaneki, couldn't see. His eyes followed Touka, but his mind played the same image over and over again. Of his mother patching him up and telling him that a cat had done it.

He felt her leave him. He felt her hands let go of him and her close presence slink away. His head tilted down and he stared at his lap. He was so confused. How had he gotten hurt again? It had to be the cat right? That's what mother said and she's always right.

"Hey, Baka!"

Kaneki head snapped up, her voice bringing him out of his thoughts. He didn't say anything, only choosing to look at her, expecting her to berate him for something else.

Touka may be a brash young girl with a heart of stone, but she knew pain when she saw it. Human or not, she would not let her friend hurt. There was already enough of that in this world.

Kaneki's eyes slightly widened as Touka scooted over closer to him. He felt as she positioned herself next to him so they were hip to hip on his right side, and felt a strange part of his heart start to beat faster. The blue haired girl then let her head lower onto his shoulder as she leaned on him. Kaneki froze up, the close contact sending into a state of shock.

"Touka-chan…" he squeaked out, momentarily forgetting his inner struggle.

"Shut up. It's okay."

Touka silently took his right hand in her left and held it gently. Kaneki looked down at their intertwined hands and then turned to face the owner of the hand currently holding his own. His eyes widened even further when he saw Touka. For the first time, he saw Touka Kirishima, with a smile on her face. It wasn't one of joy, but more of a simple comfort. It was small, and if you didn't look hard enough you would have missed the slight curve in her lips. But alas it was there, and Kaneki was speechless.

He tried to speak, but found nothing but silence in his throat. His limbs loosened and relaxed, and he let himself enjoy the gesture of care that Touka was showing. He had never seen her like this before. Kaneki didn't even know there was a side of Touka like this.

The black haired bookworm looked away, a slight heat rising to his cheeks. He tilted his head until it rest on top of hers. Before he knew it, a smile had crept its way onto his face.

"Thank you, Touka-chan." He said quietly.

"Whatever…" She murmured back, "But, tell me okay?"

"Tell you what?" Kaneki asked.

"Baka. If you're hurt, tell me." She stated firmly.

Kaneki's smile grew.

"Alright, Touka-chan." He whispered.

They sat in silence for a while, both children enjoying the others presence. Soon Kaneki broke the silence.

"Hey Touka-chan?"

"What?" She asked sharply.

"You know how you were saying that nothing has been truly real between us?"

"Yeah, so what?" She returned.

"Well, it's just…" He paused and raised their entangled hands,"I think this is real."

He moved his head and looked down at her. She moved to match his gaze, and with a small smile, she said, "Yeah, I think so too."

Kaneki and Touka had stayed up there for the next two hours before the young bookworm had to go home. Kaneki and Touka stood at Anteiku's exit, neither really wanting to say goodbye.

"I'll see you next Friday." Kaneki said with a smile.

While he was sad to leave, he couldn't help but grin at the thought of next Friday.

"Yeah, bye." Touka replied, a miniscule amount of emotion showing.

Kaneki noticed Touka's almost stone like face and felt a small pang of disappointment stab at his heart. That's why he decided to do something interesting.

Kaneki quickly moved forward and closed the distance between them and gave her a hug. It was Touka's turn to freeze as she felt arms wrap around her. After a couple seconds, she inturn let her own arms circle around him.

"Thank you for patching me up, Touka-chan." He whispered.

He always loved coming here. He had never really liked coffee, it was bitter and strong, often overwhelming his tastes. But for an odd reason, the heavy aroma of the dark drink was wonderful. He absolutely loved the smell of coffee.

Kaneki pulled away, and gave her a small smile.

"Bye," He chirped.

"Bye," She whispered under her breath.

With that, he left, book in hand, opening the door and leaving Anteiku. But he knew he would be back soon. But as he walked away from that little coffee shop, he noticed something. When he had given Touka a hug, he noticed a very familiar scent. Coffee, she smelled like fresh coffee. A soft laugh ran through him, it was very fitting that she should, If only he knew why he loved that particular scent.

Kaneki got home fairly quick. The walk from Anteiku to his home wasn't that bad. He quickly climbed the stairs to his apartment and unlocked the door.

"I'm home!" He announced.

Silence.

The dark haired bibliophile took off his shoes and entered deeper into his home. He found his mother folding laundry. Kaneki approached her slowly.

"Okāsan, I'm home." He said gently.

His mother continued to fold a small white towel. However, the towel was heavily wrinkled. How long had she been folding this one towel?

"Okāsan, I'm home." He said, softer than last time and with a gentle smile.

"Huh? Oh! Kaneki. I didn't see you come in."

Kaneki set his book down on the dinner table.

"Okāsan, you look tired. You should rest." Kaneki suggested, his voice full of worry.

(Touka 9 - Kaneki 10)

"Touka…"

Kaneki sat across from her, tired rings under his eyes that haunted his face as he looked blankly at the bedsheets.

"Touka… I, my mother… she's…"

The blue haired girl looked on in surprise. Kaneki had just shown up randomly at Anteiku. At first she had been irritated by his surprise visit, but upon seeing the redness of his eyes and the look of utter despair, she quickly realized something horrible had happened. She had taken him back up to her and Ayato's room. They were currently situated on her bed, sitting across from one another.

Luckily her little brother was busy... eating. Touka had yet to tell the two males in her life about each other. And she planned to keep it that way. Ayato would lose it if he knew she was friends with a human. She knew Kaneki knew about Ayato, but surprisingly, he had never asked her once about who he was.

"She's gone… she passed away yesterday."

A silent trail of tears began to run down his face. He wiped them away and looked towards Touka.

"What do I do?" He asked, voice hoarse and ragged.

Touka wrapped her arms around him, quickly pulling the despairing boy into a hug. She felt his arms encircle her. She couldn't help but notice as he began to shake.

"You can live," She said simply.

Touka wasn't stupid, nor as innocent as Kaneki. She knew that his mother wasn't the saint he claimed she was. Touka saw all the bruises and marks that Kaneki had whenever they would meet up. Touka hated his mother. She wished she would just die, for her to do something like that to her friend is unforgivable. Yet, as the boy hugging her shakes in her arms, she can't help but realize that while his mother was far from good, she was what Kaneki valued the most. He loved his mother, and no amount of truth or comfort would be enough to fill that emptiness.

He was just like her now. She was a Ghoul, and he was a human, but they were now the same. Touka realized this, she and him both carried the burden of emptiness. No one could replace her father, and it was the same for Kaneki. Nothing can heal a scar on the heart.

"How, how do I live?" He asked.

"By letting yourself move on. But don't worry, you'll have help." She answered, "You'll have me."

(Touka 14 - Kaneki 15)

Kaneki had always wondered why Touka only wanted to meet on Fridays. It was such an odd habit, and it was even weirder now that they had known each other for years now. The only exception to this rule in their friendship had been day after his mother died, and that was a memory he'd rather not relive.

Today was Friday, and just like all the ones before, today was the day that he could see his best friend. They had both agreed to meet after school at a small park near Anteiku. Currently, the two teens sat together on a wooden bench that overlooked a small playground.

Kaneki noticed that there were a few kids on the playground. He smiled warmly and remembered when he used to be so small and innocent. He then turned to Touka.

She looked as she always did. The same blue hair and the same bangs that hid her right eye. Of course, she had gotten a lot taller since when they were younger, and her more feminine features were more pronounced. She really was beautiful. A small blush began to form on his cheeks. He would never say the last part of that to her though. Kaneki quickly turned his head away from her, hoping his thoughts of her would fade along with his blush.

"Touka-chan?" He asked

"What do you want?" She asked, turning her head to face him.

Kaneki let a small smile grace his lips. Touka, brash as ever. Even though she was like this he couldn't help but appreciate her for it. He was a dreamer with his head in books, and she was his anchor to reality.

"Why do we always meet on Fridays?"

"Because." She said curtly.

"Because?" He questioned.

"Yeah… because." She ended.

There was a small silence between them.

"However, starting today, we can meet any day you'd like."

Kaneki's eyes widened in surprise.

"Why?" He asked.

"What! Do you not want to see me?" She retorted back.

Touka narrowed her eyes and scooted away from him.

"Wait! No, it's just…" He paused. "You always wanted to meet me on Friday, and only Friday. So what changed?"

Kaneki watched as Touka displayed an emotion he didn't see often. Sadness. Her eyes lowered, and he suddenly noticed the slight pink tinge to her eyes. Had she been crying?

"Someone important to me is now gone. I no longer have to take care of them, so now I have more time." She spat out.

Kaneki remained quiet, obviously there was something more to this than she was letting on. In his silence, Touka only seemed to grow more upset.

"Aren't you happy? Now you get to see me even more! You better be happy, it's because of you that he… No, no you aren't happy. How could you be. I'm such a bitch to you all the time, why would you want to see me more? You probably don't want to see me at all. You're just like Ay-"

Her little tirade was said quietly, but it was still having the same impact on Kaneki. He quickly moved closer to her and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a hug, not letting her finish what she was going to say.

Kaneki had never seen Touka like this. She is always so strong and forward, a no nonsense kind of girl. What had happened to make her this doubtful, to make her this sad? He would not let this happen, Touka was the closest thing to a true family he has, and he'd be damned before he let her fall to her demons.

"I am happy, you're my best friend Touka. I always want to see you. You must know that none of what you said is true right?"

Touka was quiet. She didn't answer and seemed to just slowly calm down.

"Kaneki, promise me something."

He pulled away so that only a protective arm was wrapped around her. She leaned into him, letting him comfort her in her time of sorrow.

"Anything." He answered.

"Promise me you won't ever leave."

Her request was quiet and simple and Kaneki felt his heart begin to beat faster.

"I promise. I will always be here for you."

Touka pulled away, and gave him a genuine smile.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Touka then pulled his arm around herself again, and sunk into the moment that they had just created.

"Will you read to me?" She asked.

Kaneki, blush and smile on his face, pulled a book out of his book bag and opened it up in front of both of them.

(Touka 17 - Kaneki 18)

Kaneki stood outside Anteiku. The smell of coffee wafted into his nose and a bright smile settled on his features. The college student opened the door and entered the familiar coffee shop that he had been to so many times before, and sat down at a table next to the window.

He pulled a small white book from his book bag, and began to read. But just as soon as he had started, a feminine voice cut into his story.

"By any chance, is that 'The Black Goat's Egg' by Takatsuki Sen?"

Ken Kaneki looked up from his prized literature and found himself staring at a woman. She had magnificent purple hair, with sharp bottom framed glasses. She wore a gorgeous smile and peered down upon the seated Kaneki. Undoubtedly, she was one of the most beautiful girls he'd ever seen. But that didn't stop his inner literature nut to explode.

"Yes it is." He answered back, light blush on his face due to the woman's slight display of cleavage.

The purple haired woman giggled.

"I thought so, I absolutely love her works." She replied.

Kaneki felt his heart explode. She was stunningly beautiful, and she had a good taste in literature? This was his dream girl. And the best part was she approached him, there was no dilemma of should he or should he not go talk to the pretty girl.

"Me too!" He exclaimed, standing up in his excitement. "My name is Ken Kaneki, may I know yours?"

"You may, my name is Kamishiro Rize, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"The pleasure is all mine Kamishiro-san." Kaneki added.

Rize giggled at his compliment.

"I'm afraid I have to go now, but I would very much like to talk to you again. Do you come here often?"

Kaneki was a little disappointed by her sudden leave but was hopeful once again upon hearing her question.

"Yes I do." He answered happily.

"Then I suppose I will be seeing you soon then, Kaneki-san."

"Goodbye, Kamishiro-san."

Rize walked away, her purple hair fluttering slightly as she opened the coffee shop's door and left. Kaneki watched her until she was completely gone from his field of vision. He had a good feeling, that he would be seeing her sooner than he thought.

"Who was that?" A voice behind him asked.

Kaneki turned around and found himself face to face with an angry blue haired waitress. Why did she look angry, what had he done this time?

"Oh, Touka. Hello." He greeted.

"Who was she?" Touka asked again, this time more forcefully as she grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him closer.

Kaneki's eyes started to turn into hearts as he uttered the words that would change everything.

"The girl of my dreams."

A/N: So this was just the prologue, so there wasn't much plot here. Sorry if there are any spelling or grammar errors, I'm literally the worst editor ever. But please tell me if this sucks, or if there are things I've gotten wrong. I'll try to update this soon. Thanks for reading!