The next day Mira and Hide were back to normal, and there were no more secrets between the two. Hide also wanted Mira to show him how she fights, so here they were, in the middle of an ally at 6:00 at night. She sighed as she stood in front of her excited boyfriend, she removed her jacket and unsheathed her sword.

"Wow! That's so cool, babe!"

Mira only looked at the blade in her hand and sighed.

"When Hioko took me in he stool the metal they use to make Quinques from the CCG, and welded it to look like a normal sword and gave it to me for my 10th birthday." Mira said as she clutched her arm with her other hand. Hide gave her a small smile.

"Well, show me what you got." Hide said as Mira gave him a small smile. She got into a stance, but was interrupted. 

"Well, well, well. Looks like we don't gotta hunt tonight boys, foods right here."

Hide pushed Mira behind him as sic ghouls appeared, all ready to feast on the two.

"Stay back Mira."

Mira only sighed as the ghouls walked closer. Mira then stepped in front of Hide, who's eyes widened in shock.

"Mira." Hide whispered, but Mira was silent.

"You know, it's quit rude to interrupt someone's date." Mira said bluntly, as the ghouls busted out into laughter.

"Aw. The little doll thinks we're afraid of her." The main ghoul said as his kugane appeared.

"Mira." Hide said, getting worried about her safety.

"It's okay." Mira said as she gave him a light smile.

"Well see what you have to say after we kill you!" The leader yelled as he leaped towards Mira, who stood completely still, worrying Hide more. Once he was close enough Mira swung her blade across his arm, and she watched as it fell clean off. The ghouls eyes widened as he fell face first into the ground.

"The hell!"

"She took him out!"

"You're a speed type ghoul. I expected you to act like one. Shame." Mira said as she stuck her sword through his chest and twisted, killing him.

"Get her!" The others yelled as they leaped into action. Mira flipped back and landed on her left hand, as they approached she rotated her hips and kicked one in the face, and another in the stomach. She then leaped up and twisted in the air, with her sword out as she decapitated two of the ghouls. She landed lightly on her feet as her back was turned to the two ghouls running towards her, as the leaped for her she duked and swung her sword, cutting their legs off, and then she killed them. One more stood and he was scared as he backed away.

"Please don't kill me."

Mira only stared at him with no emotion on her face.

"Eyepatch. Tell me any information you have, and I might let you live."

"E-eyepatch. Yeah! Sure, I'll tell you all you need to know, just don't kill me."

Mira held her sword out to his neck.

"Talk."

"O-okay, so uh, the attack to kill the Owl is tonight."

Mira's eyes widened.

"A-and Aogiri is going to attack. So, eyepatch will be there for sure."

Mira said nothing.

"Thank you." She said as his face brighten with relief.

"So can I go..."

"But unfortunately. your time ends here." Mira cut him off as his eyes widened before Mira sliced his throat. She stood there in silence, looking at the body.

"Geez."

She quickly turned around. Completely forgetting that Hide was there. His eyes were wide and his mouth hung open.

"Oh, sorry. Forgot you were here." She said bluntly as she sheathed her sword and wiped the blood off of her face.

"Remind me to never piss you off." Hide said as Mira let out a soft laugh.

"Let's go home." Mira spoke as Hide nodded his head in agreement.

And the two went home, not knowing of the events that will happen later that night, and how it would change their lives.....forever.

***

A helicopter flew through the sky that night. A man, leader of the CCG operation against the 22th ward to catch the Owl, stood in front of hundreds of investigators, who knew that they might not even survive this dreadful night that was to come. Each investigator had a look of determination plastered on their face, others were plastered with fear, but quickly covered it up. The man then raised his arm.

"Commence the operation."

***

Investigators rounded the corner as they closed in on the coffee shot Anteiku. An investigator raised his hand as a signal to close in. They all stood in front of the small coffee shop, guns ready. Foot steps were heard as two figures walked down them and now stood in front of the investigators. One wore a red ape mask, while the other wore a black dog mask.

"Welcome to Anteiku." The two spoke as the investigators began to open fire at the two ghouls. But the two dodged them with ease as they took out the Dove with ease

"Stay by me! There's only two of them!"

"Only two he says." Irimi spoke.

"Apes and dogs run in packs, chump." Koma said as the two jumped into the air and Komo snapped his fingers. All of the investigators looked up in shock as the two ghouls landed infront of their gang.

"I thought it was just the Owl that was held up in there."

"I know them. That's the Devil Ape. And the other is the Black Dog."

"I don't get it? Their sworn enemies. Why are they teaming up?"

"You haven't gone soft on me, have you fellas?" The Devil Ape asked his crew as they cheered, "Hell no!"

"All of you, lay down your lives for me." The Black Dog spoke as her crew spoke, "Right!"

"Go crazy." The Devil Ape said as his crew jumped down and attacked and they were joined by the Black Dog's crew who attacked as well.

***

"The first division has engaged! We got Apes faces and Black Doobers out here!"

"Black Doobers? Where the hell is Aogiri?"

"Orders Chief Washuu?"

"First division. Do what you can to split up their forces. Second  and third divisions, move in and kill any stragglers."

***

"Investigator Madode will command both."

"Copy that." Madode said as he flipped switches in the van, before a beeping went off.

"What is it?" He asked as the Investigator looked at him.

"Let me have the Black Dog, sir. I got a bone to pick with her."  He asked. as he pulled down his collar to show that the bottom half of his mouth was missing skin.

"You hear that!? That means you got the Devil Ape, Moben."

"Mm-hmm, roger boy."

"And Haske. Don't do anything dumb."

"Copy that." 

***

A scream was heard as the Devil Apes crew took out more investigators. They shot at them, but they all dodged and killed the, The Devil Ape held an investigator by the hair.

"Who's next?" He asked as the other investigators showed fear.

"Hiye! Mace!" A voice yelled as blue energy was shot towards the Devil Apes. The leader managed to dodged the attack and landed, crouched down.

"Careful with that. Someone might end up dead." The Devil Ape said as he looked up.

"Crawl back to your mountain top..." He said as he sniffed the air, "You damn dirty ape."

The Devil Ape let out a chuckle as he stood up, "Hate to break it to you. But this is my mountain."

***

The Black Dogs ran across the roof tops. As they jumped they were then attacked. Irimi gasped as the attack barley grazed her mask, but it killed the rest of her girls.

"Hey. Long time no see, Black Dog."

Irima looked up at him, "Bow wow."

***

"4th division and above, lock down the other quarters. Don't let a single one of them slip out of our net. "

"Copy that!"

The investigators look up as they see a hooded figure stand under a street light, with fog surrounding him.

"And there he is."

The ghoul slowly turned his head and his red iris glowed bright as he stared at them. They all quickly turned in fear and pointed their guns towards him.

"The act of taking from others is tantamount to evil. From the moment we are born, we continually take something from others. Life is a succession of committing sin." Yoshimura said as his Kugane formed around his face, "Life is evil itself." He continued as his Kugane appeared behind him, "I am conscious that I am evil. And so are all of you."  He finally said as he stood under the street light with his Kugane out in spikes, he turned around to face all of the investigators, "Now, come and kill me."

***

Hinami sleeps soundly as Touka walks  past the T.V and heads for the door, she opens it, but Yomo stands outside, as if expecting she would try to leave.

"Where are you going?" Yomo asked.

"Anteiku." Touka answered sadly as she looked down.

"It's over." Yomo spoke as Touka's eyes widened.

 "Over?"

It was silent between the two as they stared at each other.

"We're just...going to let them die?" Touka asked as she clenched her fist tightly, "We always said we help each other out at Anteiku! What will become of the manager? What will become of Koma, and Irimi?!"

"They...were always looking to find common ground somewhere. They had taken many lives and committed many sins."

Koma faced the investigator, the two looking into each others eyes.

"But by running into Yoshimura, they came to realize the meaning of all they have done."

Koma launched himself at the investigator, the investigator then shot a blast of energy.

"Nonetheless..."

Irimi runs at the investigator, she jumps up and kicks his Quinque.

"...no matter how much of a change of hear they had, their sins remained."

Irimi kicked their Quinques as she flipped over to dodge their attacks.

"And so, they required punishment."

Irimi jumped back as she stared at the investigators.

"Punishment?"

"This fight is also their punishment. Both for them, and those with them."

"Then, what about me? What about me? I've killed too! I've killed lots of people, both because I had to eat, and simply because I was pissed off! I also...I also need to be punished, don't I?" Touka said as she looked down, "Where's Mira?"

"Safe." Yomo said.

"She's not fighting!? Why is she hiding!? Doesn't she care about Anteiku!?"

"The manager asked her to. He made her promised to not fight."

Touka was silent as she looked up at Yomo. She then walked past him and stopped, she then began to run. Yomo said nothing as he sighed.

Why...?

Irimi smiled as she cleaned a cup, "School, huh? I would have liked to gone myself."

Why, are they all ...?

Koma scratched his hair as he smiled, "You think my tie looks like a sewer sludge? That's cruel, Touka."

Touka ran

Why are they all going away?

Yoshimura smiled as he turned around, "Touka..."

It's all going away

Yoriko smiled as she held out her lunch, "Touka, would you like to share my lunch with me?"

The two girls smiled as they held their umbrellas and looked over the bridge.

My promise to Yoriko

"Touka, what are your dreams for the future?"

The formulas I worked so hard  to memorize...

The two girls walked away, smiling, "Be sure you tell me someday."

"A coffee shop? You mean like Anteiku?"

All of it...All of it...

Hinami stood with her arms crossed over her chest as she wore a bird mask. Mayu had her arms around Hinami smiling as Uta and Yomo smiled, Koma was giving a thumbs up as Irimi was surprised. Nishki was laughing as Mira sat on the counter smiling with Yoshimura next to her.

All of it is going away ...

Touka closed her eyes tight as she ran.

I can't take it...

Mira stood with her arms over her chest as a soft smile was placed on her lips, "Touka...don't worry, I'll bring him home...for you, you have my word. You're my friend"

I can't take anymore...

Kaneki had his back turned to her as he walked away.

Not anyone else...

Touka ran faster into the city.

***

Kaneki stood on top of a building as explosions went off. His eyes were closed, he opened them when he heard a sound.

"You and that damn brooding look on your face..."

Kaneki turned around slowly to see Nishki.

"Nishki..."

"Hmph, long time no see, huh, Kaneki? I got s message from Yomo." Nishki said as he and Kaneki sat down, "He has Touka and Hinami someplace safe, so they're okay. And Mira's also safe, so I guess she should be fine too." Nishki said as bright lights lit up.

"It's all to end so suddenly, just like this, huh? The daily life we took for granted now crumbles in an instant. Whenever it ends, it's always in an instant. Geez, that old man could be aggravating though, huh? He'd even wipe your ass if you let him. Old Devil Ape and Irimi were hard to deal with too. They left the nastiest taste in my mouth." Nishki said as Kaneki looked up.

"What are you going to do now?"

"Me? I'm gonna run away, of course, you nitwit. If I were to go charging into that flock of doves, then the old man and the others really will die for nothing. So..." Nishki said as he stood up, "I'm gonna go see Kimi one last time, then I'm gone. I can't have her waiting for me until she's old and grey. Besides..." Nishki said as Kaneki looked up at him, "A woman that fine?" Nishki said as he smiled at Kaneki, "I gotta make love to her one last time."

Kaneki looked down, "If I...hadn't brought you into Anteiku..."

"Don't belabor the point now. You'll turn my stomach." Nishki said as he smiled and looked up, "I don't hold it against you. Tell me, Kaneki...there's no need for you to wear that, is there?" Nishki said as he motioned to his mask. Kaneki closed his eyes and looked down.

"I won't let you go." A voice spoke as Kaneki looked up.

"Tsukiyama?" Kaneki asked as he turned his head to see a tired Tsukiyama, his hair was in his face, as he wore a white button up shirt, that wasn't completely buttoned.

"Can't you see how many of them there are? What would I do if anything ever happened to you, Kaneki?"

"I'm well aware of the risk."

"In that case...in that case...you can die...right here!" Tsukiyama yelled in anger and his Kugane appeared and he jumped up into the air to attack Kaneki, who just dodged all of his attacks.

"What are you, blind?! Against a force that great..." he yelled as he continued to try to attack Kaneki, "I wouldn't make a dent, even with my Tsukiyama family powers! What would you have me do, Kaneki!?" he yelled as Kaneki kept on dodging his attacks, but Tsukiyama managed to cut his cheek. "I'm not going to let anyone get in the way of me eating you! Not even you! I won't allow it!" He yelled as Kaneki jumped over him and landed behind him, crouched on the floor as Tsukiyama turned around, "Kaneki!" he yelled as he jumped up, Kaneki just stood there as Nishki pushed his glasses up.

***

The Owl stepped forward slowly as the CCG trembled.

"Ch-charge!"

The Owl then shot out spikes, killing the front line of investigators. They shot at him as he shot more spikes, injuring some, and killing others, "This is what SSS-rated means?" an injured investigator said as the Owl approached him, "How are we...supposed to..." But before the Owl could strike him Shinohara struck him, "It's a shame. I wish you could've served Iwa some of your delicious coffee, too."

***

Tsukiyama laid on the floor with Kaneki and Nishki over him, "Have a heart, Kaneki..." he said as he cried, "Would you please not go?"

"Tsukiyama...I'm sorry." Kaneki said as he bowed, "Thank you for coming and trying to stop me." Kaneki said as he picked up his mask, "But..." he said as his mask hung around his neck and turned around, "I can't stand not being able to do anything anymore."

***

"The CCG has asked that no one go near the attack as they proceed"

Hide sighed as he listened to the news of the attack.

"Hide?"

The blonde looked up to see his girlfriend, Mira Hisaki, leaning against the kitchen doorway as she wore one of his shirts.

"What are you doing up?" She asked as she walked over.

Hide said nothing as he continued to watch the news. Mira sighed as she walked over at stood in front of the T.V. Hide tried to look around her, which caused her to frown, she turned around and saw that it was about the attack that the CCG was leading on Anteiku. Mira watched as they bombed and fought ghouls. Mira clenched her fist.

"Irimi..." She whispered as she looked at the screen and saw an explosion, "Koma." another explosion, "Old man." Mira looked up and saw a look on Hide's face, and immediately knew what he was thinking, she picked up the remote and turned the T.V off as Hide sat up.

"Mira..."

"No!" Mira said as she looked down and clenched her fist tighter.

"I know what you're thinking and you better stop! There's no way you're gonna go out there and fight! Are you crazy!" Mira yelled as she looked up at him, his eyes widened as he saw the tears running down her face.

"I've already lost everything, Hide! I'm not ready to loose you too." She spoke softly as she cried, she fell to her knees as she cried even more, just the thought of the man that she loved going out to fight and not come home scared her. It really scared her, and Mira knew that she wasn't ready to loose anyone else. She felt a hand on her shoulder, she looked up, tear streaming down her face as she looked up at the one she loved.

"I won't go."

Mira's cries went to sniffles as she looked up at him.

"Promise?" She whispered.

"Promise." Hide said as put his finger under her chin and lifted her head up more and pulled her closer. Mira sighed as she planted her lips onto his, and all of her problems went away.

***

Hide sat at the edge of the bed, he sighed as he pulled his pants on. He then pulled his shirt on and grabbed the CCG vest, he then slipped it on as he got up and picked up the helmet. He looked over at Mira's sleeping form, the white sheet covering her nude form as she hugged the blanket closer to herself. A soft smile was placed on his lips as he set a ring and note down by the night stand, he walked over to the door and opened it, but before stepping out, he looked at Mira one last time, before sighing.

I'm sorry, Mira...I love you

Hide then put the helmet on and ran out into the night.