Kaneki has always wanted a dog, but between his abusive mother, neglectful aunt and everything concerning his Ghoul life, that childhood desire never came true. He gets the surprise of his life when his family presents him with a new Akita puppy (maybe named Hachiko, after the infamous dog). (I blame the puppy videos on YouTube and the movie Hachi, for this one 😝)

“Touka, are you okay?” Kaneki enters their apartment to see her doubled over, pressed against the door to their bedroom.

“She’s fine,” Ayato calls. Hinami clutches his shoulder and giggles.

“All set!” Touka calls.

“Oof,” Kaneki hears Yomo grunt from behind the door. It opens and out spill the Quinx, Tsukiyama, Nishiki and Kimi, Akira and Amon, and…an Akita puppy.

Kaneki’s mouth falls open as the puppy quivers with excitement. It yips and scampers closer to him.

“We’ve named it Hachiko. You don’t get a choice,” Saiko calls.

Kaneki laughs. He stretched out his hand so the puppy can sniff him. “Better our dog than our kid.”

“Don’t worry. Mutsuki and I made a list of names,” Touka assures him.

Kaneki gulps.

The puppy tackles him.

“It’s so lovable!” Kaneki cries. “I – oh my gosh, Touka, I love it!”

“Take care of it well, Kaneki,” says Akira. She grins. “Maris Stella won’t like you anymore.”

“She better like Hachiko. He’s the best,” Touka declares.

Kaneki looks up at her with tears in his eyes. When he confessed his lifelong dream a week ago, in the middle of the night, he hadn’t expected anything other than a hug.

“Now that we can live freely, I figure we might as well make the most of it,” explains Touka.

Kaneki smiles. “I love you.”

(Part of the dream verse) Kaneki saves his aunt from ghouls, and his family expresses their feelings towards the woman who treated him like scum for most of his life (include any one you want, though I would love if Mutsuki, Touka and Akira were among them. Enjoy yourself and express your own distaste for his aunt. Be evil if you must 😈)

“Do we have to rescue her?” grumbles Touka. “She doesn’t deserve her nephew or her grand-nephew-or-neice.”

“Touka, I can’t…I can’t be like her. I can’t abandon her. You know?” Kaneki swallows.

Touka sighs. “I know. I’m proud of you. I’m just…horrified you suffered like that.”

“All in place.” Mutsuki radios from where he and the Quinx have positioned themselves on his aunt’s roof.

“Thanks.” Kaneki clears his throat. “Akira, go for it.”

“Yes, your majesty.” Akira draws her quinque, and Amon uses his kakuja to bust down the door. “CCG!”

There’s a scream.

“Quinx, go!” Touka barks into their radio.

Urie and Hsaio use their koukakus to plunge through the roof. Aura flies forward on his ukaku to grab Kaneki’s aunt as the rest of the squad plunge Rc suppressants into the ravenous ghouls.

“No bloodshed, Maman.” Saiko clicks the radio.

When Kaneki approaches his blubbering aunt, he hears the familiar sound of her rage.

“Don’t touch me, you scum!”

“We just saved your life,” Higemaru says.

“I don’t like you,” adds Urie.

Mutsuki claps his hans to his cheeks. “Why were you so mean to your nephew?!”

“Nephew? Those – those beasts – they blamed him for this,” seethes his aunt. “Where is he?”

“He’s here,” Touka announces, slipping her hand in Kaneki’s. “Hi, I’m his wife.”

His aunt scowls at her belly. “I should have expected that of him.”

“Why are you so mean?” Mutsuki cries.

“Don’t you know all he needed was a mother? And you denied him that.” Akira’s eyes flash. Amon holds her back.

Kaneki swallows. “I don’t forgive you. Not yet.”

“I don’t want your forgiveness!” cries his aunt.

“I just don’t hate you enough to want you to die. I suppose we’ll both have to live with that.” Kaneki continues on, as if he hasn’t heard her.

“We’ll take care of the ghouls. Go reunite with the family you haven’t abused,” Mutsuki says coldly.

Kaneki feels a chill settle over him as Akira, Amon, the Quinx, and Touka surround him. “I have a family, Aunt. I’m sorry you can’t be part of it.”

Tokyo Ghoul girls as Barbie movies

Oh gosh, I’ve only seen a few of these, so I hope it satisfies!

Kirishima Touka – Barbie in the Nutcracker

Irimi Kaya – Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus

Fueguchi Hinami – Barbie as Rapunzel

Kosaka Yoriko – Barbie & the Diamond Castle

Yoshimura Eto – Barbie as the Island Princess

Itori – Barbie in A Christmas Carol

Mado Akira – Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses

Gori Misato – The Barbie Diaries

Kusakari Miza – Barbie Fairytopia: Magic of the Rainbow

Ihei Hairu – Barbie and the Three Musketeers

Yonebayashi Saiko – Barbie Mariposa

Hsaio Ching-Li – Barbie of Swan Lake

Aura Kiyoko – Barbie Thumbelina

Kamishiro Rize – Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper

Urie rescues Mutsuki from Torso.

TW for abuse and sexual assault, because Torso.

“Lay another hand on him and I’ll kill you.”

Mutsuki jerks awake to see Urie Kuki hauling Torso out of their bed, dangling him by the throat.

“Mucchy!” Yonebayashi Saiko pulls Mutsuki away. Higemaru Touma hands Mutsuki a jacket, and Aura Shinsanpei has shoes ready.

Hsaio Ching-Li leaps forward, her koukaku emerging and sending Torso’s head rolling onto the ground below.

Urie tosses his body away, and whirls around. “Mutsuki!”

“No, stop!” Mutsuki falls back from his family. He tumbles t the strong and scampers against the wall, hugging his knees to his chest. “Stay away! I’m – I’m disgusting.”

“Mutsuki, you’re not disgusting. That is,” Urie says, pointing towards Torso’s corpse, “but not you.”

“Mutsuki.” Saiko’s voice shakes. “It wasn’t your fault.”

“It is,” insists Mutsuki. “I’m just like him. I used ghouls as a lie! I killed my family! I killed the cat at the academy – that was me! I’m just like him.”

He shrieks and wishes he were strong enough to use his bikaku to kill himself.

But Urie’s arms are already around him. “Mutsuki, there’s nothing you can do that will scare me off.”

“Huh?”

“I love you. You’re my family, and – and Mutsuki, you’re so special to me.” Urie trembles. “I am so sorry I couldn’t protect you here. I would rather it have been me.”

“No – you’re good,” cries Mutsuki. Shame clouds his eyes.

“So are you. We all know that.” Urie strokes Mutsuki’s hair. “Mutsuki, it’s okay. It’s really okay. Your past hurts, but it’s not your fault. You were just a kid.” He points to Torso. “That one wasn’t a kid anymore.”

“You’ve never been a monster,” Saiko adds.

“We’re going to help you, because we’ll never give up on you. And Saiko’s right – everything and anything he did to you is not your fault. Never, ever.” Urie’s eyes glitter as he embraces Mutsuki.

A man is hugging him. A man who isn’t preying.

Mutsuki begins to sob – with relief.

(Part 2 to the dream request Bonds deepen when the nightmares return and this time, they witness Kaneki’s torture by Jason and all that it entailed, ending with Kaneki’s utter destruction and first act of Ghoul cannibalism. Since Ayato was so bitter about it, he gets to join the suffering this time.

Ayato thanks you. 😉

Touka screeches herself awake.

“What’s wrong?” Kaneki shakes her.

Oh, right. He sees Hinami and Ayato curled up at their feet. Shuu is on the floor, oddly cuddled with Aura and Higemaru. Hsaio and Saiko lie half under the bed, and Mutsuki lays his head on Urie’s chest.

Please tell me they didn’t find out more.

“He put centipedes – centipedes in your ear!” Touka claps her hands over her ears.

Ayato lets out a shrill scream, and Hinami bolts upright. Soon everyone is yelling.

“Kill me instead!” Saiko wails.

“I can’t choose!” Mutsuki shrieks.

“Nine-hundred ninety three,” sobs Hsaio. “It’s nine-hundred nintey three.”

“Is it all right if I eat you?” Ayato pins Hinami beneath him, only to gasp into consciousness. “Hina, I’m sorry!”

“It’s all right.” She scrambles towards Kaneki. “Big brother.”

“I hate bugs.” Aura trembles.

“I like them, but not in me.” Higemaru shudders.

“It’s terrible,” Urie mumbles.

“Hey, Ayato had the dream,” Touka points at him.

“I…it was a nightmare.” Ayato swallows. “I let that happen to you, Kaneki.”

“I know. I forgive you.”

“I should have done something.” Ayato clenches his fist.

“It’s okay, really.” Kaneki gulps. “I’m so sorry I upset you all.”

“Sorry?” Saiko asks incredulously.

“Kaneki, ma chere, we’re sorry,” says Tsukiyama. “You have suffered terribly. And we all – we don’t think it’s a burden to know. We don’t think it’s a weakness of yours. We love you and call you friend.”

“We want to know,” Mutsuki says, reaching for Kaneki’s hand.

“It’s what families do, right?” Saiko holds up a high five to Touka. “About time you prepared for that, anyhow.”

Kaneki laughs.

“Tell us the rest, if you’re ready,” Mutsuki says.

“We’ll listen. We’re all here.” Touka smiles and rubs Kaneki’s shoulders.

“I don’t even know where to begin.” Kaneki surveys their beautiful faces.

“How about the beginning,” Aura mutters, and everyone laughs.

Thank you for so many scenarios. You rock. For Chapter 144, Touka, Saiko, Urie, Scarecrow!Hide and Akira somehow end up in the Kaneki conference and remind them that they aren’t alone in this and to rely on others more. (Maybe end with a “Let’s go home”, from Hide 😭)

Thank you for sending them in! You rock too. =) Also, I included Mutsuki because he’s another part of Kaneki’s ‘family.’

“I want to see Touka-chan again,” Shironeki mumbles.

“She’s here.” Shironeki looks up to see Touka’s hands clasping his face. She leans over him, eyes smoldering.

“Maman!” Saiko dashes in to throw her arms around Haise.

Mutsuki and Urie tiptoe in behind her. Mutsuki waves timidly at the kids, and Urie nods at the Reaperneki. “’Sup.”

“Hey, it’s okay, you know.” Akira enters and approaches 240. She kneels besides him and wraps her arms around him. “Shh, shh. It’s okay.”

“Why are you all here?” Kuroneki blinks.

“Because they love you,” says a garbled voice. Scarecrow enters.

“Who are you, brat?” Reaperneki crosses his arms.

He holds up a sign. I’m Hideyoshi Nagachika.

Kuroneki gasps, and Scarecrow crosses over to him. I was never gone.

“What happened – I mean – why – you’re not really here.” Shironeki’s tears flow. Mutsuki would never be in the same room as Touka-chan.

“We are, in a sense. We’re all a part of you, too, right?” Touka smiles.

“Try to confide in us a bit more,” Saiko says.

“We do love you,” Mutsuki says. “Even Urie. Even me.”

“Where did I go wrong?”

Akira stands. “You didn’t trust us. But we trusted you. We’re a part of you. Let us help you, Ken.”

“Can you bite?” Mutsuki asks. “Just one bite of the Oggai should heal you.”

“He’s a kid!” gasps Kuroneki. “And a human!”

Touka scowls. “Oh, because humanity totally matters.”

“Ghouls aren’t evil.” Akira says. “Despite what I taught you. I’m sorry I failed as your mother, Ken.”

The kids begin to sob. “You didn’t fail us, Akira-san.”

“Take a bite. He’ll heal and so will you. And you’ll save GOAT,” says Urie.

“We’ll be with you,” Saiko adds.

Hide holds up another sign. Let’s go home.

Home isn’t a place. Home is where these messy, crazy people are. Reaperneki wipes his eyes, and Haise smirks at him. “Crying?”

“Let’s go home.” Kuroneki stands, and one by one, all the Nekis follow. Haise guides 240.

Let’s go home.

Shirazu (and not Mutsuki) is the one Urie thinks about on Rushima Island, and how he wishes he were still there fighting with him and knew if he were still alive he’d have a better chance of helping Mutsuki against kakuja!Amon. His thoughts of Shirazu give Urie the strength he needs to continue on

This scenario is loosely inspired from the Trost arc of Attack on Titan.

Whenever Urie feels close to collapse, Shirazu comes to him.

He can see him encouraging Aura to swing that way, right now. He would assure Higemaru he’s going great. He’d be speechless at Hsaio’s skill, and then he’d return to trading snark with Saiko.

He wouldn’t have let Mutsuki vanish.

Why did you go? As he spits out blood, Urie knows it’s not rational to hate Shirazu, but right now he does.

It’s not me. It’s yourself you hate. Shirazu laughs.

Why? Why am I always losing you? Over and over and over?

For a moment, Urie feels he will split in two if he uses his koukaku. He’s weak. He’s tired. He’s lonely.

But then he sees an enormous kakuja heading for Mustuki, and suddenly Urie is alive again. His koukaku is nearly weightless.

It’s as if Shirazu is swinging with him.

We have to live on, Urie thinks as his heart rate settles, because if we don’t, we won’t be able to remember you.

In his head, Shirazu takes his hand.

(If I’m asking too many questions at once, let me know 😓. I swear this is the last one until the others are done) Tsukiyama, Touka, Hinami and the Qs gain a deeper understanding of Kaneki when they all have the same nightmare: Kaneki’s first fight with Arima and his mental walkthrough with his mother and younger selves (from the ending of the first TG, the saddest scene IMHO 😭)

Hahaha you’re free to ask away, but that’s very sweet of you to consider. ❤ ❤ Also this ask might kill my heart. 😉

“KANEKI!!!” Tsukiyama leaps out of bed. It’s 2 am, but he just had a dream that ended with Arima Kishou dragging Kaneki by his hair. Memories of Kaneki’s mother destroying him, treating him in ways that Tsukiyama could never imagine Mirumo treating him.

He races into Kaneki’s room.

Kaneki is already awake as Touka yells. “It was horrible – your mother was hitting you and – Arima was dragging you and -”

“Shuu?” Kaneki frowns.

“Amour! I had the same dream!” Tsukiyama clutches his heart.

“Tsukiyama?” HInami hurries in, Ayato behind her. “Kaneki, are you okay? I had the worst dream.”

“Why are you and Ayato together?” Tsukiyama chortles.

Kaneki begins to shake. “Why are you all dreaming this?”

“Is it true?” Ayato asks dryly. He’s a bit bitter he didn’t have the dream.

——————————

Aura staggers into the hallway of the Chateau. “Arima had me – and some woman was hitting me – it felt like Aunt Kiyoko hit me. It hurt so much.”

Saiko grabs him, sobbing. “It was Maman, Maman’s memory. I know it.”

Mutsuki is crying silently. Sasaki would have understood being hurt by a parent. Sasaki had been safe to confess to. Why hadn’t he?

“I never realized people could be so mean,” Higemaru says sadly.

Hsaio shoots him a you-privileged-brat look.

“Huh?” Urie stumbles out of his room, rubbing his eyes. “Oh.”

“You had the dream, too?” Saiko asks.

—————————–

“Hajime’s tracker leads here.” Mutsuki watches his GPS as he leads the Quinx deep underground.

“I’m surprised you can get a transmission,” Saiko says. He heart pounds. Maman, maman was hurt.

“We all must have had the dream for some reason,” muses Higemaru. “Who could have done this?”

“Ever thought it’s a fake?” Aura grumbles.

“Ever thought you should shut up?” Urie responds.

“Who are you?” Two ghouls block the entrance up ahead.

“We’re your king’s children,” Saiko snaps.

——————————-

When Mutsuki opens the door, he’s neither surprised nor upset – oddly – to see Kaneki sitting in bed with Kirishima Touka. Especially since Yostume, a blue-haired boy, and the Gourmet Tsukiyama are also huddled around Kaneki.

“Maman! A good maman!” shrieks Saiko, launching herself at Kaneki.

“We all dreamt the same dream about you,” Urie says awkwardly.

Touka points at Mutsuki. “Why is that one here?”

“Because he had the dream, stupid hair,” Aura shoots back.

“Don’t insult Miss Touka! She has high fashion, you high school misfit,” gasps Tsukiyama.

“Are you now our other maman?” Saiko hugs Touka without waiting for a reply.

“Kaneki…” Urie steps forward. “Are the dreams real?”

“I mean, they’re real because you all had them,” the blue-haired ghoul replies snippily.

“Ayato,” chastens Yotsume.

“I guess I mean…did your mother do that to you? And Arima – hurting you like that…have you ever had a good parent figure?” Urie can’t imagine life without his dad. It hurts too much.

Kaneki has tears in his eyes. He meets Mutsuki’s gaze. “I guess we’re alike, right?”

Mutsuki dissolves into tears. “I’m so sorry, Sensei.”

Kaneki holds out his arms, and Mutsuki falls into them. Touka awkwardly strokes the kid’s shoulders.

In a way, Kaneki is relieved. No one judges him. They all love him, and he didn’t have to tell on his mother.

“Kaneki, let us help you,” pleads Urie.

Saiko grins. “Yeah, we’re terrorists now.”

Shirazu survives with him and Sasaki/Kaneki getting together and Shirazu calling him Sassan.

“I’m glad you’re here, Sassan.” Shirazu smiles down at Kaneki.

“But I’m not Sasaki,” cries Kaneki. Sassan. Why does the nickname still warm his heart?

“I know.” Shirazu rubs his back. “But I’m here for you, the Quinx are all here for you, and we’re going to help you.”

“How?” Kaneki sniffles.

“That cafe. You knew the manager from before, right?” Shirazu hoists Kaneki up. “Lean on me. That’s it. We’ll go there. I’ve got you. I’m not leaving your side.”

Kaneki dares to believe him. What choice does he have?

Shirazu guides Kaneki into the hallway of the Chateau.

Kaneki blinks. All the Quinx await before the front door. Mutsuki, Urie, Saiko, Aura, Hsaio, and Higemaru. “You guys?”

“We’re going to help you,” Mutsuki says, his voice trembling.

“See? We all love you. We’re family.” Shirazu tackles Kaneki in a hug, and all the Quinx pile on.

“Do I have to,” mutters Aura. Higemaru promptly yanks him down onto the hug pile.

“Now.” Saiko straightens. “Let’s go.”

Saiko, after finding out Sasaki/Kaneki wasn’t actually beheaded on stage in front of the CCG, goes to look for him at re to further calm her fears and make sure he is okay sans Mutsuki and Aura and they reunite

Saiko knows where Maman is. Actually, Urie does too, but he’s too much a coward to come with her, because if he sees Maman he’ll feel bound to arrest him.

Saiko though? She doesn’t feel obligated. She didn’t even choose this life.

But she did choose Maman. He’s her Maman. She loves him, and dammit, she’s gonna find him.

As for Mutsuki, she doesn’t even know. She’s worried about that boy. He needs Sasaki to help him.

“Oh my god, you are terrible at hiding,” Saiko announces as she strolls into Re.

Kaneki Ken drops his coffee.

“Really? Why are you so obtuse? I realize you were just executed, but still. What if next time they actually catch you?!” Saiko puts her hands on her hips.

“I have no idea who this girl is, but I like her,” Nishiki announces.

“You’re one of the Quinx.” The manager approaches. “Why did you come to find him?”

“Because I like seeing him alive!” Saiko shakes her head. “I watched you die and it was horrible.”

Kaneki’s face falls. Saiko cared if he died? The Quinx all cared?

Of course they did.

“Ken.” Touka points to Saiko. “You said the Quinx were your family. Be a dad.”

She flushes at Nishiki’s wink.

“Saiko, I do miss you.”

“So why? Mutsuki’s losing his mind – he’s been sick since Rushima. Urie’s closed off. I have no one and it’s like we meant nothing to you!”

“Because I – I am not Sasaki!” Kaneki squeezes his eyes shut.

“Yes you are, you blockhead!” Saiko growls. “You’re Sasaki and Kaneki Ken. Sasaki is a part of you. Don’t forget him and don’t forget us! Now, apologize.”

Kaneki’s eyes moisten. “I really am sorry.”

“Good.” She opens her arms, and Kaneki falls into them.