54 Rize

The door shut and with a kick from Touka. Bastion sighed and tapped the door sealing the room from eaves dropping. The room was covered in manga and band posters. A photo of Ayato, Touka, and Arata was proudly in the frame. A picture he didn't remember of him was in another picture frame closer to the tv. There was even one of Ayato much older. Then there was one of Touka and Ayato in their early teens. The rooms colors were a mixture of pink, brown, and blue. Several games and movies filled the shelves. He activated his sharingan to keep everything in his memory forever. She saw his eyes and stopped whatever she was going to say.

"Your eyes, how are they like that? Touka said. Bastion rolled his eyes.

"I'm not a ghoul Touka, I'm as human as ever for what it's worth. When I use them, I memorize everything permanently? Great for tests and storing precious memories." Bastion said and smiled good naturedly at Touka. "Is that the box set for Gurren Lagon, oh we have to watch it together.

No series has made me cry manly tears like that one." Bastion said.

Touka let out a sigh and turned on the TV. "You're lucky its my off day." Touka said.

"I'm lucky to have found you at all Touka." Bastion said. She hit his shoulder then grabbed her hand in pain.

"What are you made of?" Touka yelled.

Bastion shrugged and sat on the bed with her. Time flew by and he sent Rize a text saying he would meet her at the ambiguous book store.

He stood up and she stopped him. "You're not going, when I said dinner whore, I meant she asked people out and ate them for dinner. She probably plans to eat three other guys tonight." Touka said.

"So, a real dinner whore then. I'll give you the gory details in the morning, alright Touka." Bastion said.

She ran to stop him when his shadow clone dispelled. He swapped places when she was distracted. He could've just left the shadow clone with her for the rest of the series, but he needed to have fun tonight.

He met Rize at the book store in question. "I adore, this book its one of my all-time favorites." Rize said. Picking out a new book called the black goat's egg.

"I tried picking up the series, but they never spoke to me. The author seems to have had a harsh life. She loves the tragic endings and never-ending depression. I've had enough depression, I'm only interested in having fun now." Bastion said cheerfully.

"Oh, do you have a tragic back story." Rize said. Her tone was a perfect blend of insanity and an attempt at empathy.

He looked at her for a moment then shrugged. "I'm alone in this world. The only person I'm close to, is Touka and we've only just reconnected. My parents were killed by a ghoul on one of their outings. I heard about it a few days after it happened. I'm alone but I learned to enjoy solitude. It no longer bothers me. I'm free." Bastion said.

"How did you and Touka meet?" Rize asked. She was clearly fishing but he didn't mind the real trolling wouldn't happen until tonight. What would she do when she found, her kagune incapable of damaging him? Oh, it would be so much fun.

"Childhood friends, we grew up in the same neighborhood. We played together built sand castles and played games. I didn't know how much I missed her, until I saw her again." Bastion said.

Rize gave him an odd look. "Hey, let's cut through the industrial park what do you say. Want to get dangerous? I'll tell you some interesting facts about Touka in return." Rize said cheerfully.

Touka was following him, she was literally following his scent like a bloodhound. He could sense her getting closer. Bastion had spun around a few buildings and reversed his tracks to keep her back. She was still gaining on him.

They began to get away from the crowds and made their way towards the construction site. Random steel beams swung from wires and pilled up everywhere. Bastion felt his anticipation peak. As they fully left the light of the city. "Oh, Bastion being out here makes me feel so excited. Come closer I have something for you." Rize said. Was this it, after all that, would he have to end his fun here?

He approached relaxed until he stood just within her personal space. Bastion raised an eyebrow and she blushed. Truly blushed, Rize the terrifying binge eater blushed. Her cheeks reddened not in a horny or mischievous way. She looked flustered, nervous even it was a look he found somewhat appealing. Bastion grabbed her hand and pulled her closer. Her eyes widened at his actions.

She looked away and reached in her bag, before pulling out a scarf. "It's chilly, I thought you would like this. Close your eyes, I'll put it on you." Rize said. Bastion lifted her from her feet and closed his eyes. Her breath hitched at the abrupt contact.

He felt the soft fabric wrap around his neck three times before it formed on his front. Did she just troll him? Rize the binge eater must have figured him out in some way or was this part of her game. Perhaps, she had decided to strengthen their relationship before eating him. Like basting a turkey.

"Thank you Rize this is." The scarf was covered in steaks. Bastion paused, "lovely," he finished. Rize giggled at his expression.

"You looked like a kicked puppy. I had to try something to cheer you up. Do you really like it?" Rize asked. She blushed again and bumped up against him. She opened her mouth to either kiss or bite him when he put a finger to her lips.

"Sorry, but aren't we moving a bit fast. I barely know you. I've talked for the whole time its your turn. We have a semi empty construction yard to explore and I don't know about you, but I have all night." Bastion said.

She looked completely put out but followed as he went deeper in. "What do you want to know?" Rize asked.

"Why do you like those books you read? The black goat and the others. Perhaps, if I know what draws you to them, I'll pick them up again." Bastion said.

"I love the depictions of gore and death. They make me feel hungry." Rize said. Bastion shook his head.

"Something so base doesn't hold my attention. There is more to life than hunger and lust. Such fleeting instincts fade, they will leave you hallow and unfulfilled. You will only move on to the next high until you're dead. I guess, I won't get into them after all." Bastion said. Rize broke into a fit of laughter.

"Most are either disgusted, terrified, or admiring of my admission. You took my truth and called it worthless. I'm not angry at you at all and I think that's hilarious." Rize said between light giggles. "What would you do if you found out I was a ghoul?" Rize said.

"I would take you on less dinner dates." Bastion bluntly stated. "I would consider most of the girlfriend expense from you as income. I mean think of all the expensive restaurants I won't have to take you. It would be great." Bastion said.

"Did you know?" She asked. "Did Touka tell you?" Rize asked. Bastion looked at her in a way he reserved for especially dumb children.

"I knew the second you entered Anteiku." Bastion said.

"Your stupid and have no survival instinct then. I'm going to eat you now." Rize said and he kept walking. Then stopped and looked back.

"Are you done muttering to yourself? We still have a lot of construction site to explore." Bastion said. She glared at him but didn't expose her kagune. Why she didn't attack him was a mystery. Maybe she liked him deep down or maybe she instinctively knew he was out of her league. Either way this was a fun way to kill time.

"I'm cold get closer." Rize said.

"Maybe you should have worn more than a light dress. Do you want my jacket?" Bastion said. She frowned and scooted closer to him.

"I haven't decided whether to eat you or not. I would hate to ruin your nice jacket with my kagune if I decide to." Rize said darkly.

"Adorable," Bastion took off his jacket and began pushing her arms through the sleeves. Rize gave him a dour look the entire time. "Keep glaring like that and your face will freeze, and you'll starve. No one wants a dinner whore with a glare." Bastion said.

"You are a cruel man. Young men practically throw themselves at me to be eaten. Why aren't you scared. Normally, when they find out, I can smell the adrenaline pounding through their bodies. You are relaxed, I don't like it." Rize said and pushed some purple hair out of her eyes. The wind had taken control of her hair and tossed it everywhere.

"Maybe, I'll tell you someday."

"How do you think this night will end? Most like you end up in my stomach. What makes you different? Any other time, I would have devoured them by now human or ghoul. Why can't I bring myself to attack you? It makes no sense." Rize screamed.

"Maybe you're not hungry." Bastion said. Her face froze, and her eyes turned red. Four tentacles ripped from her dress. Bastion crossed his arms and smiled. Still despite having her kagune out, she didn't attack.