Chapter 2: Beneath the Mask

Felt struggled to push a fatigued old man Rom along the dusty road; she didn't know where she had found the strength to keep a giant like him moving but by some sheer miracle she somehow found it. And she wasn't about to let up anytime soon.

"Help!" She yelled as she frantically turned her head from side to side desperately looking for a single soul who would come to them. Rom stumbled to the ground, falling onto his side as his breathing became more laboured. "Old man Rom! Please!" She tried desperately to get him back onto his feet but tried in vain.

She had never felt more powerless, scared and distraught than at this moment; Old man Rom, the guy who looked out for her for years was going to die right in front of her and the two others, Subaru and Kaneki, may already be dead; waiting on Felt to get help that might never arrive.

In her mind she could see them; lying on tavern floor seconds away from death as Elsa loomed over them with a bloodied knife in her hand.

"Someone... save us..." they cried in her head.

"Someone, please anyone, help me..." She muttered as the tears began to sting her eyes and run down her cheeks.

"You!" Came a voice in front of her, she looked up to see two people standing over her. The half elf she stole the insignia from and a knight, dressed in a elegant white coat, red hair and a sword at his hip.

The look on the half elf's face was one of anger.

Ever since Kaneki revealed his Kagune he hadn't moved from the spot and yet he was the one on the offensive and looked to be winning the fight.

Subaru's eyes were glued to Kaneki's blood red tentacles; they seemed to give off a dark crimson glow as they slivered around in the air and struck at Elsa like oversized vipers as she dodge their continual attacks. He was mesmerised by the slick movement of Kaneki's Kagune, it's scale like texture, while also still horrified that he had been so close to a monster all this time.

Elsa ducked under the strike of one of the tentacles and swiftly moved towards a stationary Kaneki like a viper moving in on its prey; she stuck her knife straight at him but Kaneki seemingly danced to the side, with her other knife she made a swipe at his face but he grabbed the blade with his right hand and held it tight, bending the sharp edges slightly with his grip.

Had anyone else, a human, done that then their hand would be soaked in blood but yet Kaneki's was bone dry.

"You're going to have to try better than that." Kaneki taunted as he moved his head towards her slightly. There was a playfulness in his voice; he didn't see Elsa as something worth getting scared of or a possible threat to his life.

Elsa was then batted away with the other tentacle which sent her flying into the wall, she crashed into the wooden floor, leaving a noticeable mark from the collision, as she dropped onto the floor. "You were pretty keen to cut us open, so tell me Bowel hunter would you mind..." he placed his thumb on the top joint of his middle finger and pressed down.

Crack!

"If I cut you open instead?" His voice sounded almost demented as his shadow loomed over their would be murderer.

This guy's crazy

Elsa quickly got up from the ground, the look of confidence now replaced with an uneasy expression.

She once more charged at Kaneki who responded with a barrage of strikes towards her with his Kagune.

The left tentacle struck down from above, looking to crush her into the ground, she leapt to the side and landed onto the tavern counter, the right tentacle smashed into counter but Elsa swiftly avoided that attack too; she jumped up into the air and held her knife above her head as she aimed it for Kaneki's face.

Kaneki moved his head back slightly as Elsa descended upon him and quickly batted her away with his Kagune like she was nothing more than an annoying bug, she crashed into a stack of wooden crates.

"Slight improvement but no where near enough" Kaneki commented with a wry tone and smile on his face.

Elsa stood up straight, bits of wooden and broken stuff falling from her, and once more put on a smile "you're quite the challenge" she held the knife to her face as they continued their stare down. "And I do admire those tentacles of yours."

"Thank you, you remind me of the person I got them from." Kaneki remarked.

"You're quite resilient but everyone has weakness". Elsa threw one knife towards Subaru, the blade heading straight for his face; Subaru couldn't react quick enough, Kaneki quickly shot one of his tendrils at Subaru and deflected the attack, knocking the knife away, a bit shocked by the sudden move, what he didn't notice was that Elsa moved right in front of him.

She made a swift slash with her only knife for his left eye, Kaneki quickly moved his head back; the blade hitting the bridge of his nose as it narrowly avoided connecting with his eye. Elsa turned her slash into a stabbing motion as she moved to plunge the blade into Kaneki's eye. He blocked the attack with his left arm.

This time the tables had turned; Kaneki looked frustrated while Elsa clearly enjoyed the new found advantage. Kaneki pushes her back, jumped up from the ground and performed a spinning kick; the kick pushed Elsa further back as she quickly blocked the attack with her arms, her heels skidding across the wooden floor.

"That was clever" Kaneki admitted as he placed his finger onto his left eye, checking if Elsa has cut into it. "I shouldn't have underestimated you."

"Like I said, you aren't the first over confident person I've killed" Elsa replied. "You're going to need more than just your two pretty tentacles to stop me."

Kaneki gave her an almost devious smile as he placed his thumb on the bottom of his ring finger and pressed down.

Crack!

"Who said I had two?" suddenly two more blood red tendrils burst from his back; it was like he was turning into an insect, Elsa gasped while Subaru could only watch still stunned and terrified by the turn of events. "I'll hold back a bit less this time."

He ran towards her and leapt into the air as he launched a spinning attack with his kagune, Elsa quickly jumped back as Kaneki struck the ground. She moved in for the attack but was once more put on the defensive as the tentacles which emerged from Kaneki's lower back continually tried to strike at her.

She stepped to the side to avoid an strike from one but was only then swiped at by another which sent her to the ground. "What's the matter? Can't keep up?" Kaneki taunted, that voice again; it sounded he was drunk on the bloodlust and power. The attacks were coming fast and in sync with one or two feigning an attack as the other landed the blow; chipping away at her.

Elsa tried to make her way past them towards Kaneki but he kept moving around; his body dodging her attacks with inhuman speed.

She quickly side stepped away from a tentacle that looked to impale her and ducked under the other one looking to hit her on the head; breaking her way past and towards Kaneki.

She moved her hand back to swipe at his face once again.

Kaneki smiled at her and for a split second stood as still as a statue as she moved her blade for a clean swipe at his eyes.

Like a flash of lightening, one of the red tendrils flashed by in front of her and sliced the top half of her forearm from the rest of her bod with incredible speed. The severed limb was flung into the air and caught into the grasp of another tentacle as the others swept Elsa off her feet and held her down.

Kaneki tossed detached limb near his duffle bag, he knelt down and picked up one of her knives and as he stood back up he placed his foot on Elsa's back. The long dark crimson tendrils then began to disintegrate and fade away like dying burning embers.

"People like you, bowel hunter, have no respect for life." Kaneki stated with a calm malice to his voice "you take enjoyment out of killing people; you remind me of a few individuals I knew in that respect." He presses his foot down slightly "They deserved what they got."

This all seemed unreal, it was like a insane work of fiction, and Subaru was now a part of it.

If Kaneki kills Elsa then will he come after me?

Suddenly the sound of shuffling at the doorway snatched his attention as he quickly caught sight of Satella and another man, dressed in a smart looking white dress and armed with a sword, appearing by the door; they both caught Kaneki standing over Elsa.

Kaneki didn't seem to notice he was being watched.

"You won't be slicing open people's stomachs anytime soon but I won't be the one taking your life" he said a he tossed the knife to the side.

"That's quite enough" Said a voice from the doorway, Kaneki turned his head to the side to see Satella and another man at the entrance watching him.

"I'll handle her from here." Said the guy as he approached Kaneki with a calm demeanour. The was a stony look on Kaneki's face; it was clear he was guessing whether they had seen his Kagune.

"I'm Reinhard, a knight of the Royal guard; I'm impressed that you had taken down the infamous bowel hunter of the north."

"I had some help." Kaneki replied directing Reinhard's attention to Subaru, still shocked at the turn of events.

Kaneki raised his foot from Elsa as the guy apprehended her, bounding her legs together with some kind of magical spell. "Reinheart..." Elsa muttered "that man is a monster... you should kill him now before he escapes." Elsa weakly moved her head to look at Kaneki.

"The only monster I see is the one who took pleasure in trying to kill us in cold blood." Kaneki quickly responded. He turned his head to Subaru who was just getting off the floor "isn't that right, Subaru?" He asked. Subaru flinched as Kaneki gaze was directed towards him.

Oh shit... what do I say? Subaru thought to himself if I tell them what he is then they could stop him but... his eyes shifted to Elsa but could they stop him?

"Well said." Reinheart complemented as he continued to restrain Elsa, not looking over to Subaru "Wouldn't you agree?"

Kaneki walked up to Subaru and placed his hand on his shoulder as he leaned in forward near his ear "Agree. I promise I'll explain everything, you have nothing to fear from me."

"R..right..." Subaru stuttered, Kaneki then walked over to his duffle bag. Just then another person ran towards the door, it was Felt. "Felt!" Subaru exclaimed.

"You guys... you're alright" Felt replied, the look of relief on her face was as clear as water.

Satella marched up to Subaru, a serious look on her face. "The thief told us that you and your friend came to buy my insignia... just to give it back to its owner. Why would you do that?"

"His idea." Kaneki said, suddenly tapping once him on the back. Subaru turned his head sharply to see Kaneki with his duffle bag hanging on his back. "Well.. do it then." He whispered.

Subaru then remembered; he wanted to ask Satella her name. Subaru kept his eye on Kaneki for a second as he wondered to the side and leaned his back against the counter in s very relaxed manner... as if the past few minutes never happened.

"I'm waiting for an answer." Satella reminded him, slightly annoyed.

"Oh umm... because it was the right thing to do." Subaru replied, stumbling at first before becoming more resolute. "I knew that it had to have been important to you."

Satella's expression soften slightly "I don't know how to repay you." For almost a split second, Subaru had forgotten the horrors when he witnessed her smile.

"All I ask... is to know your name." Subaru requested.

Satella looked a him, perplexed by his request "my name... it's Emilia."

Kaneki snapped his head towards the two Satella was a fake name? Clever...

"Kaneki." Elsa called out as Reinheart continued to restrain her. "This isn't over, no matter what I'll find a way to slice you open. All of you."

Kaneki glared at Elsa as he curled his index finger inwards and pressed down with his thumb.

Crack!

"Good luck with that." Kaneki replied. A part of him was tempted to activate his kakugan just to taunt her. But held off as he knew doing that would be stupid.

Emilia walked up to Elsa and tapped her on the forehead "sleep." Elsa's body fell limp as Reinheart lifted her up.

Reinheart turned his head to Felt "As for you, the promise you made, return the insignia if we came to your friends' aid."

Felt sighed "Fine..." she reached into her pocket and in her hand was Emilia's insignia.

The bright red jewel in the centre emanating a blood red glow as she held it out to him. Reinheart stared at her, a look of realisation dawning on him, before he grabbed her hand

"Hey what the hell!" Felt yelled.

"What is your name?" He demanded.

"It's Felt." She replied.

"Your surname?" He inquired further.

"I don't know! I'm an orphan." She continued, agitated about being grabbed.

"you must come with me!" He exclaimed.

"Hey what's the big idea?" Felt responded trying to free herself.

"Hey man, you can't just abduct someone!" Subaru exclaimed.

"It is imperative that she come with me at once." Subaru was about to move in further to push Reinhard away from Felt when Kaneki stopped him.

"Will anything happen to her?" Kaneki asked.

"You have my word that no harm shall come to her, I swear this by my honour and life as a knight." Reinhard proclaimed.

Kaneki nodded his head before looking to Felt "Felt, if anything happens then we'll come to help you." Reinhard escorted them out of the tavern "Take it from me, don't go picking fights unless you know you can win." Kaneki whispered, he felt Subaru tremble as he placed his hand on his shoulder.

Kaneki sighed through his nose this is exactly what I wanted to avoid. He let go of Subaru and headed over to Sate- Emilia. "Hey, this may be asking for too much but you think you could help us out; we're new comers here and we don't have a place to stay." He asked plainly.

"Since you two risked your lives to retrieve my insignia the least I can do help you is in that regard." Emilia responded. "Lord Roswell would be happy to reward you for your service, you could accompany me to his mansion; a carriage will arrive for me."

"Good to hear." Kaneki replied. He turned his head to see Subaru sitting alone with his head in his hands. Kaneki walked towards him, quickly catching his attention, he picked up a knocked over chair, placed it in front of Subaru and sat down. "Subaru, we need to talk, I know you're scared of me but you have nothing to fear."

"Don't think I can take the word of a monster that eats people on that." Subaru responded. "How do I know you aren't just lying to me so you could just kill and eat me?"

"If you die then we're back at square one so there's no way I'm letting that happen." Kaneki replied. "We might be the only people from Japan who got sent here, possibly the only people from our world; we're in the same boat whether you like it or not." Suddenly the sound of rumbling and wheels skidding across the dirt was heard outside until in cane to an abrupt stop. "I'm not a monster, neither are the ghouls I care about, they never asked to be be ghouls but that's just how the world works." Kaneki stood up and faced the door.

At the doorway was a short woman dressed in a maid outfit, a round face with pink hair and red eyes.

However what caught Kaneki's eye was how the woman's hair style, height and the unimpressed expression on her face immediately reminded him of Touka. He wanted to laugh but instead just had a perplexed smile on his face.

"Lady Emilia, I'm here to escort you back to the Roswaal estate." Said the pink haired, she turned towards Kaneki and Subaru "and who might they be?" She said turning her head to face them.

"These two risked their lives to retrieve my insignia and helped capture the bowel Hunter in the process." Emilia explained.

"I see, Lord Roswaal will be pleased to hear that." The maid replied.

"They're to come with us." Emilia further added.

"Very well." The maid replied simply. "My name is Ram, it's nice to meet you" the time of her voice had made it clear that greeting was entirely a formality. "Please make your way to the carriage." Subaru rushed off as if to put distance between him and Kaneki, while Kaneki casually strolled to the carriage outside. Both Emilia and Subaru were inside, Kaneki climbed inside and sat on the left side of the seat facing forwards while Subaru sat on the left of the seats facing back with Emilia. Kaneki places his duffle bag beside him on the empty spot.

"Say Emilia, you're magic is like super powerful right?" Subaru asked.

"Well yes, I guess you could say that but Puck also serves as my bodyguard so I'm safe from almost any threats." She replied.

"That's good to know." Subaru said as he and Kaneki exchanged glances.

"Tch." Kaneki responded, he rested his elbow in the window sill and placed his chin on his hand as he looked outside the window.

It was going to be a long journey.

Kaneki lapsed in between sleep and consciousness as he tried to stay awake, he closed his eyes for a second and drifted into a light slumber.

He saw it. Antieku burning and littered around were the bodies of the people he knew in a pool of their own blood...

Touka, Hinami, Nishio, Banjo, Renji, Kaya, Enji...

At the front of the store, just near the door, the manger sat up against the wall; he looked battered and bloodied as Eto looked down on him.

She turned to face Kaneki, the mass of bandages still covering her face, and giggled at him.

It wasn't long before the giggling grew louder and louder till she was out right laughing at his face.

Her laugh seem to echo in his head growing with intensity until it became an almost unbearable migraine.

Suddenly he felt an almost indescribable pain appear from his left eye, he placed his hands what felt like a sharp point which stuck out from his left eye socket

He began to scream.

ITS GOING THROUGH MY HEAD

ITS GOING THROUGH MY HEAD

ITS GOING THROUGH MY HEAD

ITS GOING THROUGH MY HEAD

ITS GOING THROUGH MY HEAD

He felt someone. Something. Standing over him. Their gaze burning holes into the back of his head as he tried to desperately remove whatever it was that was sticking out of his eye.

"Don't leave a soft voice suddenly urged him stay with us..."

Kaneki jumped up slightly as he awoke from his dream. He quickly looked around before realising he was back inside the carriage.

He leaned back against the seat and rubbed his eyes.

Dream... it was just a dream...

Yet he couldn't shake off the feeling that something was going to happen back home and that his absence was putting them in danger.

What the hell was that voice? He thought as he rubbed his eyes. He looked up to see Emilia had fallen asleep as Subaru seemed to have drifted off as his body was still turned to face Kaneki as if to keep watch of him.

He looked outside to see a garden path of nicely trimmed hedges and cone shaped trees on green grass. As the carriage came to a halt both Emilia and Subaru awoke.

Kaneki caught a glimpse of the massive mansion through the window on the other side. The door open to reveal the pink haired maid on the other side; still with the same expression on her face.

"Lady Emilia and guests, we have arrived at the Roswell's estate." she said.

Kaneki waited until both of them had stepped out, he grabbed his dufflebag and draped it over his shoulder as he stepped down the carriage and took a proper look at the estate; the place was monstrously large and hideously grand that carried an air of superiority to it.

It was a mansion that fit the time period yet wouldn't be out of place in a modern setting, looking like the fanciest hotel in existence.

As Kaneki stared at the building under the bright glow of the moonlight he couldn't help but think...

Tsukiyama would definitely live in a place like this.

At the base of the steps to the building, another maid who looked almost identical to the other one stood to meet them, the only difference was that her hair and eyes were a light blue.

"Lady Emilia, welcome." Said the blue haired one. She glanced over to Kaneki and Subaru. "I assume you've brought guests."

"Yes, they've aided me in retrieving my insignia." Emilia replied.

"Is that so..." the maid replied as her eyes scanned them; the look she gave wasn't like the other maid, it was more cold than unimpressed. Suspicious than apathetic. "It's a pleasure to meet you, my name is Rem."

Ram and Rem huh...

"Subaru Natsuki" Subaru replied.

"Ken Kaneki" Kaneki replied "but everyone just calls me Kaneki."

"Sister, please show them to the guest rooms" Rem asked.

"Of course, sister." Rem replied "please follow me." She gracefully raised her arm and guided them to the entrance under an archway. The inside was as expected; similar to the interior of a fancy hotel with marble floors and cream coloured walls decorated with candles and expertly drawn paintings.

She directed them up the large staircase and towards one of the many corridors, stopping by one of the doors "Subaru, this will your room." She turned towards Kaneki "Kaneki, your room is right next to his. Also I noticed your clothes are ripped from the front and back, if you would like I could repair them for you."

"Thank you." Kaneki replied as he walked towards his room. He open the door to a large yet empty room with dark blue curtains, polished wood flooring and a large double bed.

The room felt cold and almost unwelcoming.

He shut the door behind him and took off his hoodie and button shirt, opening the door slightly to hand it to her "Just place it by the door please." He asked, before he shut the door. The soft and muffled thuds of footsteps echoing in his

Before he sat down on the bed placing his dufflebag beside him and opening it.

Inside was his items, he dug down to pull out something wrapped in a blood soaked fabric.

Inside was a severed hand.

Elsa's severed hand.

He took out the hand, careful not to get any drops of blood staining the white sheets, and bit down on one of the fingers; enjoying a quick meal before he went to sleep. He wrapped the hand back into the cloth and hid it inside his bag.

He placed his head on the pillow with his body resting the covers.

He began to dream once more; he found himself standing in a field of flowers.

So beautiful... the spring time is so beautiful

The sound of rushing water was singing him into a gentle rest, at first Kaneki had thought it was a nearby stream in a field somewhere.

But then he saw the concrete pillars that sprout unnaturally from the field and the grey ceiling high above him where the blue sky and white clouds should be.

There was a figure standing in the distance who was dressed in a long white cloak and carried a long scythe in one hand.

Death. He looked so beautiful... why Kaneki thought as he watch the figure.

Slowly the field of flowers started to die.

"Sleep awaits you... stay with us"

Kaneki awoke at early dawn as the sun began to rise and a warm orange light seeped into the cracks of the curtains. He rubbed his head for a second as he tried to recall the dream.

What the hell was that?

He got off the bed and headed towards the door, opening it he found his hoodie and button shirt neatly folded to the side of the door.

He placed on his clothes and began walking around the long corridor; after admiring the same painting for about the third time he quickly caught on that the corridor was on loop.

He stopped at one of the doors and placed his hand on the knob, twisting it to open the door.

He was greeted to what looked like an impossibly expansive library with towering shelves of books that seem to go on and on, and right in front of the entrance was what looked to a small girl with big blue eyes, a red oversized dress and braided curly blond hair.

The two looked at each other for a few seconds, the girl glaring at Kaneki.

And lying on the ground was Subaru, completely knocked out.

"What the hell happened here?" Kaneki asked, he knelt down and placed his finger on Subaru's pulse.

"This buffoon was continuously bothersome, I suppose; insisting on calling Betty a 'Loli' and talking about being a 'game master'.

Kaneki sighed before he began scooping him off the floor. "I'll just close the door." Kaneki said.

"Do that I suppose." She replied.

He closed the door and carried Subaru towards his room on his shoulder, he opened the door, shut it behind him and carefully placed him on the bed. Subaru shifted slightly and slowly opened his eyes to see Kankei standing at the side of his bed; he jolted to the side in surprise, the look in his eyes were that of someone coming face to face with their would be murderer.

"Still scared of me." Kaneki said "I meant what I said I'm not going to hurt you."

"How am I suppose to trust you on that?" Subaru questioned, he seemed scared yet also driven to question Kaneki's sincerity "You sounded crazy when you fought Elsa and you kept the fact you were a ghoul hidden from me!"

"I refused to kill her, to not stoop down to her level." Kaneki replied. "If I was a monster than I would have killed you both." Kaneki paused for a second to let his statement sink in. "Remember I saved your life, it would have been easier to let Elsa kill you then kill her." Kaneki paused again "I've never killed a human before and I'll likely never will."

"How do I know you're not with that ghoul terrorist group, Aogiri tree?" Subaru questioned.

"I'd never be in league with those bastards." Kaneki replied, disgusted by the suggestion.

"Look I get that you're trying to convince me that you won't eat me but with everything I know and heard about ghouls, I don't think I can trust you." Subaru stated.

I'm different from you monsters!

"I use to think like that too; it's easy to think we're monsters but you don't know me or the people I know. If you can't trust me now then fine, I understand, but the very least we can do is watch each other's back." Kaneki stretches out his hand towards Subaru. "Deal?"

Subaru thought about kaneki's proposition.

Can I really trust this guy?

"I'll think about it." Subaru replied hesitantly as he shook Kaneki's hand.

Just then the door clicked open and in stepped the two maids.

"Sister, it appears that our guests are having an intimate moment." Said Ram.

"Sister, indeed how inappropriate for us to walk in." Rem replied.

"Hey it's not like that!" Subaru yelled defensively, he noticed that he was still holding Kaneki's hand and quickly pulled away. "What are you two doing here anyways? And didn't anyone tell you it was impolite to just walk in on people?"

Just then another person walked into the room, it was Emilia who still appeared to be dressed in her sleeping gown.

Subaru gawked at her who ever gave her this totally gets me!

"Seems you two still get into trouble." Emilia commented. She walked up to them "I'd like to thank you to again for yesterday, risking your lives to retrieve my stolen insignia was a noble act; you two have done me a great service."

"All in a day's work" Subaru stated triumphantly.

"Don't mention it." Kaneki replied, his reaction was more subdued that Subrau's.

"Well time to start a brand new day! Subaru proclaimed as he raised his fist in the air.

After quickly getting changed into his clothes the three of them headed into the courtyard of the mansion; the place was expansive, something which could put even the wealthiest person's front yard to shame.

Subaru began doing his stretches as Emilia watched next to him and Kaneki watched from the nearby gazebo.

"What are you doing?" Emilia asked perplexed.

"My homeland's ancient technique of callisthenics." Subaru replied enthusiastically. "C'mon join me, Emilly.

"Aren't you gonna join into, Kaneki?" Emilia asked.

"I do my exercises at night, you guys go on ahead." Kaneki replied.

"Alright, let's go!" Subaru yelled, the two of them went through the routine; stretches, jumps, lunges etc. "Now raise both your arms and yell victory!" He said as he took one of her hands and raised it up with his.

"Victory!" Emilia yelled.

"Victory!" Puck yelled.

In the background, the audible sound of chuckling behind them could be heard as Kaneki did well to contain himself while he shook his head.

"Beautiful morning isn't it?" Puck asked. The small creature turned to face Kaneki "come out and join us, stop being so anti-social."

"Alright." Kaneki replied as he got up from the wooden bench in the gazebo and walked over to them.

"Thank you two again for trying to retrieve Lia's insignia, we really owe you a lot." Puck told them. "I should really repay you two; we haven't met before but my name is Puck, I'm lia's spirit animal."

"Nice to meet you, Puck." Subaru replied.

"Interesting to meet a spirit animal." Kaneki added.

"Anyway, like I said, I'd like to repay you for your selfless act yesterday, so what will it be?" Puck asked.

"Yeah? Okay let me pet your fur whenever I feel like it." Subaru replied as Puck landed into his hands and he stroked the small cat's coat tenderly.

"What about you, Kaneki?" Puck asked as Subaru continued to pet him.

"Looks like one of us has to make the obvious option." Kaneki remarked "Can you send us back to our world, specially Japan?"

Subaru looked at Kaneki; if Puck could send him back to Tokyo then Subaru wouldn't have to worry about him possibly killing and eating him.

What about the deal? He thought does he just ditch it as soon as we go back?

"Ah wait... can you just send him, I don't want to leave just yet." Kaneki looked at Subaru perplexed by the request.

"Sorry but I can't do that." Puck responded "that's outside my abilities, whoever brought you here could probably send you back."

Kaneki sighed "worth a shot, is there anything that can get... me... back home?" Kaneki shifted his eyes towards Subaru then back to Puck; confirming his choose.

"Sorry, I'm afraid they'll have to find some other magic user." Puck replied. "Even then I've never heard of any user being able to teleport people from different worlds."

"I see..." Kaneki replied as he placed his hands in his pockets "Thanks anyway..." it was clear from his voice, he was disappointed.

"Lady Emilia and guests" said the maids as they approached them "Lord Roswell has arrived, please make your way to the dining hall." They made their way back into the large mansion once more and into what looked like a fancy hall. As they stood at the entrance Subaru caught sight of that little girl with the blond curly hair and weird dress.

"It's you, I suppose." Betty said disinterested.

"You're the brat who nearly killed me!" Subaru accused.

"You were a nuisance and I had to get rid of you, I suppose." Betty replied. "But Betty has no intention of killing."

"Nuisance? Where'd you get off calling me nuisance?" Subaru questioned.

"Hey Betty, haven't seen you in a while" said Puck, interrupting their spat, as he appeared on Emilia's right shoulder.

"Why hello Bubby!" Betty joyfully said, the sudden change in attitude caught Subaru off guard, though it looked to have thrown Kaneki off more. "I haven't seen you in ages, I suppose, shall we spend the day together." Puck hopes into Betty's hands as she began stroking the small flying cat.

"Yeesssh" Kaneki muttered. "Mood changed quickly."

"My my, how unusual to see you here, Beatrice." Sang a voice next to them very suddenly. The guy was tall and dressed in a 'very out' there way with the kind of make up you'd see on a clown.

Subaru was about to comment when he caught Kaneki jumping back slightly "Tsuk-" he stopped himself when he looked up at his face for a good few seconds. "Sorry about that, for a split second there you reminded me of someone I knew."

"You're friend must be a person of high class taste then" said the man "Allow me to introduce myself, I am the lord of this manner, Roswaal L Mathers." He said, we'll more like sung "Please to meet you."

Shit that guy was the Lord, good thing I kept my mouth shut. Subaru thought. They all sat down at the nicely laid table before them with Roswaal sitting at the head.

Subaru picked up his spoon and was just about to eat into his breakfast when he remembered Kaneki.

He can't eat normal food he turned his head to look at Kaneki; curious to see his reaction.

Kaneki calmly picked up some bread and tore it in half before biting into it.

"The food is lovely." Kaneki said looking at Roswaal. He sounded so convincing he had almost everyone fooled. Almost everyone. "I'm sorry to say this but I'm not that hungry but I'll eat as much as I can."

"Please do as you like." Roswaal replied.

Over the course of the meal they got to learn a bit about everyone; out of the two maids it was Rem who did most of the heavy lifting around the house, Roswaal was a Margarve who was a pro at performing magic... also Emilia was in the running to be the ruler of the country.

Wait what?

"I'm a royal candidate competing to become the 42nd ruler of Lugnica." Emilia stated.

Subaru was completely dumbstruck while Kaneki nearly chocked on a piece of bread.

"Sorry for surprising you but I wasn't trying to keep it a secret." Emilia said as she placed her insignia on the table.

"Hey it's the insignia." Subaru commented.

"This qualifies someone to be king." Emilia explained "It determines whether someone is worthy of the responsibility."

"So you're saying you let slip the one thing you needed to be king?" Kaneki asked.

"I had it stolen from me!" Emilia defended.

"Still would paint a terrible image of you to those wise men." Kaneki added.

"Indeed, who would support the claim of one who couldn't protect a tiny insignia let alone an entire kingdom" Roswaal concluded.

"So I guess you could say we did a damn good job" Subaru said "that raises the expectation for a reward."

"I owe you too so much for helping me retrieve my insignia, I will try and match your reward with the great work you've done." Emilia offered.

"Any reward you desire, you only have to name it."Roswaal sang.

Subaru looked at Kaneki who shrugged; it was likely that Kaneki was going to ask for a way back home but Subaru had other things in mind. "Alright, I have one request." Subaru declared "I'm starting to like this mansion, hire me to work here!" The was a dramatic pause after Subaru's request as everyone stared at him.

"Can you send me back to Tokyo?" Kaneki asked, though his voice sounded as if he was already geared for disappointment.

"What is this 'Tokyo' you speak of?" Roswaal replied. "I've never heard of that place before and I'm afraid I have neither the power or expertise to teleport people."

"It's my home." Kaneki said "But if you can't do that then I have other three requests; firstly I'd like have access to that expensive library of yours, maybe I can find out something about why we're here and how to get back."

"Of course." Roswaal replied. "Beatrice will assist you in your research, you need only ask for the type of reading material you require." He said as he glanced over the Beatrice with a smile on his face.

"Second, I'd like to visit the capital whenever I can; my hope is that I can find someone who can help me get home or at least show me how."

"Would you require assistance in that matter, perhaps someone to accompany you during your visits?" Roswaal asked.

"If I need it than I'll ask but for now no thanks." Kaneki replied. "And thirdly I'd also like to be employed here for the time being." Subaru felt a twinge of anxiety as Kaneki said that. "If I'm going to be staying here then I might as well make myself useful."

"I assume that will be all, well your requests shall be granted to up you." Roswaal sang.

"Also where's the nearest bathroom?" Kaneki asked.

A few hours had past since they signed up to be employees for Roswaal. In a room filled wooden wardrobes, Rem began pulling out smart tuxedos for them to wear.

As Kaneki changed into his new uniform it became very apparent that these clothes were made of people taller than him and Subaru.

They stood before the maids and Emilia in their loose clothes, looking like little children dressed in their parents clothes.

"It's clear that these clothes don't suit you." Ram commented "At all."

Excellent observation, Sherlock.

"Indeed, you both are rather short for men." Subaru winced slightly at the comment. "Though Subaru is perhaps a few inches taller than Kaneki." Subaru was then smirking at the comment. "Though Kaneki's physic is far more muscular than Subaru's scrawny figure." Subaru was once more hurt by the maid's observation.

"We'll have to measure you both then." Ram said as she pulled out a long tape from one of the wardrobes.

"Well while you two do that, I'll continue my studies." Emilia said "I'll see you two later." She said as she waved goodbye.

"Leave it to me, Emilia!" Subaru declared as she walked away while Kaneki let Rem measure him.

"Can I make a small request?" Kaneki asked as Rem measured his left arm. She turn her head towards him slightly. "My left eye can suffer from infections from time to time, could I wear an eyepatch?" He said as he used his right hand to rub his chin slightly.

"Will it impede your work if you were wear one?" Rem asked.

"No, I've worked with an eyepatch before." Kaneki assured her.

"Alright." Rem replied as he finished measuring him "Its Subaru's turn now, please move to the side." Kaneki as Rem measured Subaru all while he squirmed from her touch.

It had taken almost no time between the measurements and tailoring of the clothes for them to be ready. Rem handed Kaneki his clothes with a black eyepatch sitting at the top of the very neatly folded pile. Kaneki tied the eyepatch over his left eye before he placed on his new smart clothes, he looked a himself in the mirror as he fixed his buttons.

"Thank you." Kaneki said.

"Yeah, thanks for this." Subaru added.

"Please, your gratitude is unnecessary." Rem replied coldly. "My Sister will show you around the mansion and inform you of your responsibilities."

Ram escorted them through the building; showing them the different facilities and areas of the Goliath sized mansion. "The bathrooms are located here." She said pointing to a door, Subaru opened the door to find Betty with Puck playing with each other in what looked like a bedroom inside a library. They stopped as they turned their heads to face them.

A look of annoyance on Betty's face.

Kaneki quickly took the door nob and shut the door.

"Let's not piss her off again." Kaneki said.

"Strange, I thought her room was on the upper floor." Subaru remarked.

"You've just witnessed miss Beatrice's door crossing." Ram informed them.

"She's got connections to any door in the mansion." Subaru observed.

"Correct, once Miss Beatrice has eliminated her presence there's no way to find her without trying every door." Ram added.

"I guess bumping into her again is out of the quest-"

"She's in here!" Subaru yelled, catching Kaneki off guard as he swung open the nearest door.

"Ah!" Beatrice exclaimed in surprise.

"Impressive, Subaru." Puck complemented.

"How'd you find the right door again?" Beatrice questioned.

"I told you before I'm a flat crusher who makes game masters cry." He declared proudly, Kaneki watched perplexed by Subaru's strange luck of the draw.

"I have no idea what that means." Beatrice replied.

"Means he's a massive geek." Kaneki said he approached the open door. Subaru glared at Kaneki "What? I'm a book worm if that makes you feel better."

"So what's you're relation to Roswaal, you his sister or something?" Subaru asked as he turned his attention to Beatrice.

"Don't you dare think so lowly of me as to assume I'm related to him I suppose." Beatrice replied, seemingly hurt by Subaru's question.

"Betty oversees the Roswaal's forbidden library." Puck informed "Of course Kaneki gets to be the exception since he asked for access to it."

"Forbidden library?" Kaneki repeated "So I'm assuming I'm not getting access to everything this library has to offer, only what Roswaal allows me to see?"

"Roswaal is the greatest magic user in the kingdom and had many books which must be kept from the eyes of others." Ram informed them.

"Will this affect my chances of getting out of here?" Kaneki questioned, Ram didn't answer. Her silence was all Kaneki needed to hear "I see, I should have asked for unrestricted access then." Kaneki shut the door, he felt a creeping sense of disappointment that his goal was now further hindered and a feeling self loathing for being so naive as to think that there wouldn't be strings attached to his requests.

They continued through the mansion till they ended up outside in the courtyard. "That ends your tour of the estate, now to inform you of your duties."

"Probably would have saved us a lot of time if you told us what to do when showing us around-"

"Please, right this way." Ram said, blatantly ignoring Kaneki. "Your duties will be to assist Rem and I in our tasks; our tasks include..." the list was too long to remember.

Shit...

To say it was a long day would have been an understatement; working a full day at Antikeu and immediately going on the night run with Renji would have been 5 times easier than this job. Also didn't help that he had to take after Subaru whenever he either messed up or injured himself.

Kaneki sat in his room, it was much smaller than the guest room but honestly he preferred it that way; the atmosphere was colder and unwelcoming there, he felt less of a stranger in this room. He unzipped his duffle bag and pulled out his black short sleeve hoodie and shorts, leaving his skin tight body suit to cover the remains of the decapitated hand.

I'll need to finish that soon

He stepped out of his room and into the hallway to see Rem walking by "Kaneki, what odd clothing you're wearing."

"It's my exercising clothes." He replied. Not exactly a lie but not entirely the truth.

"Exercise? At this hour?" Rem questioned.

"I'm more productive at night." Kaneki replied. "See ya." He said as he walked off leaving her.

he walked into the courtyard of the mansion, the cool night air tussling his white hair, he breathed deeply as he began to do his stretches.

He stopped for a second and looked up at the rows of windows that decorated the building.

For some reason he couldn't shake the feeling that someone, somewhere, was keeping a close eye on him.

It doesn't matter he thought as he shook off the feeling I'm not doing anything that would get me in trouble anyways.

He stretched his left hand upwards as he rotated his arm a few times. "Alright, lets do this."

"Aw!" Subaru exclaimed as he cut his finger, blood began to pour out of his wound as he drop the knife into the table.

"You're sewing skills are noteworthy but your knife work leaves much to be desired." Ram commented, a back handed remark to match the physical pain Subaru was experiencing. "You seem to be doing well, Kaneki." She said turning her attention towards him "Though preparing sandwiches and tea isn't a grand accomplishment."

"Thank you very much, I appreciate the complement." Kaneki replied as he touched the base of his chin "I use to work at a cafe so I have experience in kitchen tasks."

"Your competency is welcome." Ram added. Subaru felt a pang of jealousy as they seemed to pile less insults on Kaneki than him and even those appeared less ruthless.

"Hey no fair!" He exclaimed "How come you go hard on me but not him; I can make sandwiches and tea too!"

"It's more than just sandwiches and tea, Subaru, it's also..." Kaneki picked up a sliver platter of nicely cut triangle sandwiches and held the base with outstretched fingers "about the presentation." He said with a smile.

"How can you say that and sound so triumphant?" Subaru yelled, he grabbed the knife on the table "I'll show you just how easy this is." He picked up a loaf of bread and quickly sliced into it.

Along with a bit of his right index finger.

The rest of the day went as usual; cooking, cleaning, a visit to the nearby village to collect some groceries and a hostile encounter with a small puppy.

After a long day, Subaru spent time with Emilia. He watched as she perform her spells. It took everything in him; his courage, his bravery, his heart, guts and soul. But he asked her to spend tomorrow with him.

And she agreed.

He felt like jumping and cheering, he wanted to celebrate on the spot. But he kept his composure and waved her off as she went to bed. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted Kaneki, dressed in black, doing push ups inside the gazebo.

A few days had passed since that day. The two of them worked together around the house in performing their daily chores for the past few days; Subaru began to see Kaneki less of a threat to himself, fear wasn't the only thing he felt for the guy, it was there still but less pronounced.

Drunk on his confidence he walked up to him triumphantly. Kaneki was dripping in sweat slightly as he stood up from the floor.

"Hey, What ya doing?" He said.

"Just doing some exercise, I'm half way through." Kaneki replied. "You can join if you want."

"Thanks but I'm getting an early night." Subaru said "I've got a date with Emilia." The smile on his face practically radiated confidence and self- satisfaction.

"Congrats on that, I'm happy for you" Kaneki replied "Enjoy yourself." Subaru felt good; he never had someone some be supportive in things like this. In fact he hardly had any friends to begin with.

This feels good

"Hey can I ask you something?" Kaneki said before Subaru began to walk off. "You still scared of me?"

I don't know really

"Honestly, not as much." Subaru replied as he rubbed the back of his neck. He still remembered how he handled Elsa at the tavern and how he threaten to cut her open but then refused the opportunity to do so.

"Do you trust me?" Kaneki asked.

Subaru pondered his answer; even after getting to know Kaneki a bit more over the last few days, the image of that crazed ghoul who threaten to cut Elsa open still lingered in his mind. A constant reminder of the continuous peril he was in.

"Sorry I just know you well enough to trust you yet." Subaru replied.

"I see, that's fine." Kaneki replied "Hey, another thing, have you been getting weird dreams lately?"

"Weird dreams? What dreams?" Subaru asked, puzzled.

Kaneki sighed "it's nothing, must be me then, I'll just have to cut down on my caffeine."

"Hey you do that, man." Subaru said as he walked off.

Tomorrow's going to be a good day

Kaneki watched as Subaru walked off, he placed his hand in his pocket and pulled out his phone.

He checked the time

8:41

"Twenty more minutes then I'll head to wash room." Kaneki muttered to himself. He looked upwards at the mansion again; that creeping feeling of someone watching him from one of the many windows began to sneak up on him.

His eyes shifted towards the largest window, the office of Roswaal, and stared at the dark panels of glass.

He moved further inside the gazebo as if to try and escape the gaze of someone from above as he continued his training.

Maybe I'm just paranoid

Kaneki collapsed onto the floor as he tried to catch his breath; he wiped the drops of sweat that ran down his temple.

The gentle rustling of nearby trees and the cold breeze put him at ease as it caressed his skin; he closed his eyes for a second and thought back to his home, Anteiku and his friends.

Hinami.

Hide.

Touka.

He needed to get back to Tokyo soon and reunite with everyone. He sighed; working towards that goal... he didn't even know where to start.

He moved his foot downwards to stretch his legs, trying to relax his tired muscles.

Only to realise that he was now no longer lying down but standing up as the base of his foot pressed down on what felt like a smooth surface. He opened his eyes and was greeted to a warm orange morning light, a fancy room. And Subaru sleeping on a bed he was standing over.

Kaneki looked down; he was dressed in his regular clothes. "What the fuck?" He muttered as he began to look around the room, anxiety and shock quickly taking him over.

Did... no... we couldn't have...

Subaru opened his eyes to see Kaneki standing over him, he jumped slightly in shock. "Hey what are you doing in my room?" His eyes scanned Kaneki and pointed at Kaneki's hoodie "why're you dressed in those don't we have work-" Subaru looked at his hand.

The bandages and cuts that decorated his hand were completely absent.

Kaneki watched as as that same look of dread and shock slowly formed onto Subaru's face. "Why... why are they gone?"

"Did we just... did it just happen again?" Kaneki threw the question out into the open. Of course neither of them knew the answer.

"Why the hell have we gone back?"

I've been writing this on the train rides to university for a couple weeks now.

Hope it lives up to your expectations.