Notes at the bottom.

Blood Shot Chp. 3

Blood Shot

Kaneki's reveal left Touka speechless and looking for escape. Practically running back down to the cafe she set to work till close, completely ignoring Irimi's questions.

It was a lie, right?

What Kaneki said about half-human, half-ghoul hybrids existing?

It was a lie, right?

'Stupid Touka! Of course, it was a lie! There's no such thing as a half-human, half-ghoul hybrid! There's no such thing as a human falling for a ghoul!'

Because that's just not how it works. Humans are afraid of ghouls. And ghouls eat humans.

'That's what's supposed to happen at least.'

But what Kaneki said could be true, couldn't it? He is, after all, living proof. If he was really a half-human, half-ghoul hybrid then that would explain his smell.

Not a ghoul.

Not a human.

Both.

Neither.

And if he can't control his kakugan than that explains why he always wears an eyepatch over his left eye.

And if rumours are true then there is a 'one-eyed owl' or 'one-eyed king' wandering around Tokyo. Touka didn't know if she completely believed them but if they were true, and what Kaneki said about a half-ghoul's strength is true, then they must be a force to be reckoned with.

'Ag! Fu**ing Kaneki!'

Kaneki disappeared before the shop opened. From the glimpse she got though her window he was wearing black shoes, black pants and a white button up top. When he turned to close the door behind him Touka could see that instead of the leather one he was wearing a white medical eyepatch and was carrying the brown messager bag he had when Touka first met him.

He didn't come back till closing.

It was strange. Touka has barely seen Kaneki down in the coffee shop and never did he leave Anteiku. Still nobody acted like this was any different to normal.

Sunday was always busy for Anteiku, but this was ridiculous. It was so busy that Irimi, Koma, Touka and Yoshimura all had to attend to the counter and floor when the 'half-ghoul' came down the stairs.

Looking at his outfit Touka had to wonder if the man could even see colour - his attire was once again made up of complete black and white. What surprised Touka though was the tied apron around his waist.

"Go behind the counter Koma. I'll handle the floor." Now that made Touka stop. Kaneki was working? Really it shouldn't have surprised her. He did use to work at Anteiku after all.

"But Kaneki, you have other work to do."

"It can wait. I'm ahead anyway."

"But yesterday was-"

Koma was cut off by the white-haired male staring at him.

"I'm fine." Kaneki said in such a forceful voice that left no room for protest.

"I'll be fine handling the floor." continued Kaneki, in a softer voice that caused Koma to unenthusiastically comply.

Still throughout the shift Touka noticed that his face was almost chalk white. There was an unsteadiness about him that, judging by their looks, the others picked up as well.

She couldn't help but wonder what had happened the day before.

Smile and ignore.

That might as well be Kaneki's moto.

Smile, greet the customer, ignore how sick you feel.

Smile, take their order, ignore how your legs are shaking.

Smile, thank them for coming, ignore the eyes that trail your movements.

Smile and reassure, never let them know that you struggle to ignore the very voice in your head.

"Only 2753. How WEAK"

"Have a nice day."

'One more hour. Then I'll go eat.' the relief he felt as he looked at the clock seemed to motivate him to continue.

Smile and ignore.

He said he would help out for 3 hours then go do his own work. Only one more hour to go. 'Thank goodness.'

"Kaneki." Called the authoritative voice of Anteiku's manager. A blank stare was all he received.

"Yomo wants to see you in the back."

"I'll go after my shift"

"Go now. I'll take over for you.

Yoshimura had stopped working an hour ago and only ever worked if he was needed, or if he wanted to. If he was willing to take over for Kaneki after already working for half the day what Yomo wanted must be important.

But, as much as he hated to admit it, Kaneki knew if he took a break of any kind he won't have the strength to continue later.

Apparently mind reading is a hidden talent of the old man's, "your shift is over Kaneki, thank you for your help."

Breathing a mental sigh of relief Kaneki nodded before walking through the 'staff only' door and disappearing in to back. 'Eat and lie down.' Kaneki reminded himself of his two priorities just as he came face to face with Yomo.

"Ken. What's your number?"

With four simple words all the relief Kaneki had felt vanished without leaving a trace. Nothing good ever came from that question.

Keeping emotions hidden the one-eyed ghoul responded in a flat tone. "2753."

'Weak' a feminine voice hissed in his mind.

Yomo's sigh brought ken out of his head just in time to hear the dreadful words coming from the elder's mouth.

"Doves are scouting the ward. It's too dangerous to find you food right now."

"Ok" was the calm answer from the silver eyed male.

'sh**'

'sh**' 'sh**' 'sh**'

As he walked passed Yomo up the stairs the only coherent thought Kaneki Ken had was that this was going to be a mess.

Kaya was worried. Ken had been looking sick all day and yet he stubbornly refused the notion of rest.

'Sigh. And he'll only get worse'

Yomo had just spent the last hour telling everyone about the Box-Carriers and even though he never said anything, Irimi knew what they meant for Kaneki. The fact that the manager took over his shift only confirmed what she knew.

Why was it always Kaneki who has to suffers through these things?

It felt like she, for all the wrong she has done, was getting off easy compared to him.

That isn't to say there has been no misfortune. Each member of Anteiku, and properly every ghoul to ever exist, has some form of darkness in hanging their heart.

The manager, for all his kindness and smiles, holds the secrets surrounding daughter and his power. Secrets that she suspected nobody will ever hear.

Yomo, she knew, was held down by his sister's (Touka's mother's) death.

Touka herself was trapped in guilt and sadness for her father's and brother's disappearance.

And, of course, Koma and herself were once the leaders of rival gangs. Fighting each other, not for food or hunting grounds but for mere sake of fighting. Killing humans and trying to kill each other.

'Oh, how the tables have turned' she thought reminiscing how she came to work at Anteiku. She didn't take it well but eventually agreed with Yoshimura only to completely flip out when she found out she'll have to work with the Devil Ape.

Coming out of her memories, Kaya stopped outside the only door on the top floor of the cafe and knocked.

'The taste changes with how much care you put into it...It's just like people. No need to rush.'

~Yoshimura, Tokyo Ghoul

Hi everybody!

What is this? A chapter!

hahahaha

Sorry again it's been so long and that this chapter is a little on the short side, I'm still kind of working on some of the things I mentioned in my last update.

I'll like to thank everyone who sent me a review/PM after the update. Whether the message was a 'get well' wish, help with the story or just general support, it was all very helpful and motivated me even more to continue writing.

You guys may not realised it but your reviews and how fast you responded to the update made my feel a bit better for taking so long to write and not like i was making excuses for no reason.

Also big thanks to all those who read/reviewed 'Like Living With A Stranger', it honestly was just a 5 minute story i had to write in therapy and i really didn't expect anything from it.

I was thinking of doing a similar story for other SAO characters (i was asked to do one for Asuna), so if you have any ideas or thingss you want to see i'd love to hear them!

And if there are any fandoms you think i should write about let me know! i'm always open to suggestions!

Love you all! Have a great day/night!

~Annabell