A/N: Hello everyone! This is an au that I saw on Tumblr and it was very tempting to write this out and guess what I did?! I wrote it out. It was very fun writing the first chapter so please tell me if you are willing to read more! Please remember that this is not my idea nor is it my au! It belongs paa-kaa on tumblr! Please enjoy!

There's a saying most would know but never understand.

There's a phrase that most would hear but never comprehend.

Perhaps it's because most would never be able to experience the full meaning of this phrase…

Ignorance is bliss.

To be blinded by a human being's natural innocence,

To be held in security by the protection of naivety,

To know nothing at all is better than to know everything.

Why?

Because once you rip away the purity that binds you to heaven,

Because once you tear away your golden chains and step into a world full of blood, full of darkness, and full of reality…

Then surely,

Surely, you will be hurt.

Surely, you will be scarred,

Surely, you will be drowning in your own screams of desperation, trying and trying to crawl your way out.

But once you enter an unknown world that's stained with screams of the unlucky,

Then you will never be the same.

And due to the cruel twist of fate or perhaps due to the unpredictable movements of circumstance, Touka Kirishima was thrust into this very world of blood.

Ah,

Ignorance truly is bliss.

Yes, Touka didn't become so immensely interested in the secrets of the world willingly.

Becoming a bartender at some shady looking bar that was located right at the center of the city was never her choice to make.

All her life, she never really did have a choice.

After the sudden death of her parents, Touka was forced to grow up faster than she was supposed to.

So, with desperate thoughts and complicated arrangements, she landed herself a job at this bar called Anteiku.

Touka knew fully well what sort of place this was.

It was a godforsaken, disgusting place that was always filled with gossip, rumors, cigarette smoke, and sometimes the echo of gunshots.

Everyone in the city knew that this little bar was hiding the most darkest and sensitive secrets in all of Japan.

Whispers about this place would drift along with the wind, rustling the curiosity of others, gently probing at their fears…

Yes, this was a rather nasty place.

So nasty that even the toughest police wouldn't dare to throw a glance at its direction.

So why would Touka Kirishima, a normal student, just trying to live her life as best as she could work here of all places?

A good question…

But the answer?

Touka would prefer to keep the answer to herself for a multiple of reasons.

And if one were to be perfectly honest, she was more than qualified for this specific job.

To work in a place like Anteiku, she would need the sharpest of intuition, she would require an eye that could detect danger, and ears that could pick up the faintest of murmurs, and, of course, she would need more than just luck…

But most of all, she would need lips that could seal all the secrets that she had gathered.

She would need to keep everything, all the information, all the knowledge, and all the whispers to herself.

If she were to let even a single thing escape from her memory to her tongue and out her mouth,

Then blood would be splattering the walls, staining the very life she had struggled to create.

Corpses might litter the path she had chosen to take,

Her hands might be grasping a gun that's aimed at the skull of her victim,

Touka Kirishima just might become a monster, a murderer, a beast…

All because she couldn't contain a simple little secret.

This is the responsibility as a bartender of Anteiku.

Even if,

Even if a mafia boss, rumored to have immeasurable strength with an endless amount of enemies, even if he had killed countless of men with his very hands, even if he had all the connections in the world,

Even if he had locked his gaze onto Touka, she was not allowed to utter a single drop of information.

Even if he was the infamous Centipede…

And Touka Kirishima is proud to say that she does her job very well.

"Touka," a voice sighed. "You're going to work this late again?"

A young girl in her twenties yawned quietly, her hazel eyelashes clumped together, refusing to let the dim light of the lamp leak through.

"It's really…really…late…" she continued, pausing to get in another yawn. "Like really late."

"I get it, Yoriko." Another voice snapped back softly. "But it's my job and I'll come back as fast as possible."

Yoriko didn't seem to believe her because Touka heard the gentle rustle of her blankets and the silent creak of her bed as her friend sat up on her sheets.

"You said that last time and you came home at five!" she whispered, exhaustion finally melting away with her frustration.

Touka gently pulled on her shoes before smoothing down her bartender uniform. Violet locks brushed against her cheeks as the autumn breeze wafted in through their slightly ajar window. With a sigh, Touka turned to glance at her roommate.

"I promise."

"Promise what?"

"I promise that I'll be back as fast as lightning."

Yoriko held onto her gaze before squeezing her pillow tightly in her arms.

"You better…" she mumbled, plopping back down sideways onto her mattress. "I'll be waiting."

Pulling on a sweater, Touka nodded in her friend's direction before grabbing her purse, keys, and phone.

"Goodnight." She said just below a whisper.

"Night."

For a bar, it wasn't particularly that noisy or crowded.

In fact, it had a very sullen sort of vibe to it.

Classical music danced faintly in the background while the hushed voices and secretive whispers drifted around like soft feathers. The stench of smoke clouded the room, acting as a screen for the dying light bulbs overhead. Chuckles and snickers dotted the atmosphere every now and then before being interrupted by a harsh cough. The low clinks of wine glass vibrated through the air as different parties made their toast in muffled cheers.

Perhaps the word 'elegance' best defines this specific mood.

No, perhaps the word 'dark' is better.

No…

A single word alone would not be enough to describe this bar known as Anteiku.

From experience, Touka had learned that this murky, revolting place could only hold such a quiet tone for a brief moment.

At a drop of a hat, this illusion of peace can be shattered along with the bottle of champagne and whiskey.

In a split second, the gentle chuckles and quiet smiles can be wiped away by the trigger of a gunshot.

In this bar, anything can happen.

Well, actually…

Maybe not anything.

Half of Touka's guests were members of gangs, mafia, and important political figures.

If violence did break out and if someone were to die then it would be the same as declaring war.

"Give me the usual."

Touka didn't even have to look up to see who it was.

"Looking lovely as always." The man continued as she placed a small glass of wine in front of her guest. "The bartender outfit never fails to enlighten me."

"Save it." She sighed, resting her chin on her palm.

The young man chuckled before sliding the tip of his index finger on the rim of his cup. He wore a suit that was dyed with the crisp color of crimson with a necktie that resembled the night sky. His pants was similar to the deep, dull image of the ocean, and Touka couldn't help but stare as he adjusted his collar before brushing his lilac bangs to the side.

Truth be told, he was quite attractive.

Shaking her head, she quickly grabbed a stray rag and began to wipe the countertop out of sheer boredom.

"Oh, by the way," she suddenly started, her eyes narrowing at the stylish man in front of her. "I hate to make assumptions, but-"

"Yes, it was me."

A pause then another sigh, "Do you even know what I-"

"The murder that took place about a day ago?" he said softly, leaning over so only she could hear. "I'm sure you can keep a secret, am I correct?"

"Are you mocking me?"

"Hardly. Well anyway," he chuckled lightly. "What made you think it was me?"

"Only you would murder that guy in such a…creative way." She mumbled, tossing the dirty rag aside.

"Ah, you flatter me."

"Why did you do it?" she frowned, making sure her voice was down to a minimum.

"Why?" he repeated as if slightly surprised by her question. "That is classified information."

"You're going to tell me anyway, aren't you?"

"Ahhh, you know me too well." He winked, finishing his drink.

Touka said nothing as she watched her client exhale, letting his alcoholic breath softly crash against her.

Silence.

And then,

"Tsukiyama," she said. "I'm still waiting."

"Rather impatient, are we?" he smiled, running his fingers through his hair. "Fine, fine. I shall ease your curiosity."

Touka raised an eyebrow, obviously not amused by his endless teasing.

Tsukiyama was a dangerous man and she knew this very well.

Despite his charming looks and flashy attire, he was a very dangerous man.

Not many knew who he truly was, but Touka, thanks to the endless amount of rumors and facts that he told her himself, she knew exactly who he was.

And he was part of the mafia.

A mafia that everyone all across the city knew.

Aogiri.

That was the name…

A group that held the strongest of men and the sneakiest of women, a group that made it rain blood, a group filled with weapons and murderers…

It was a group that could bring death in a manner of minutes.

And their leader?

Touka knew his name but would never know how he looked like.

She knew all of his names actually:

Eyepatch, Centipede, and One-Eyed King.

And his actual name –

"Kaneki wanted him dead." Tsukiyama said almost happily, his fingers tugging at his necktie.

"What?"

"I'd rather not repeat it…just in case." He whispered, his eyes glancing around before resting them back on her face.

"Okay…" she blinked. "But why?"

"I don't know." He laughed, this time playing with the tip of his tie. "I just did what I was told. No questions asked."

"Of course…he is your boss after all."

"And I'll follow him to hell and back." He smirked, getting up from his seat. "Look at the time! Minutes and seconds just fly when you're talking with a beautiful woman." He chuckled, handing Touka the money. "Keep the change, it'll be your tip."

Rolling her eyes, Touka nodded her thanks.

"Oh and before I forget," Tsukiyama started, leaning over once more.

His lilac pupils clashed with Touka's darker ones as he held onto her gaze. The whispers and chuckles of others quietly faded into the background as he gently spoke with the utmost of care.

"I'd be careful if I were you," he said slowly. "Everyone thirsts for the juiciest of secrets…and you, Touka Kirishima, know them all."

And just like that, he took a step back, slightly bowed, then left with a quick spin on his heels.