Title: On Marionette Strings

Author: Serpent at Sunset

Pairing: Yamori x OC x Tsukiyama

Rating: T

Fandom: Tokyo Ghoul

Genre: Angst/Romance

Word Count: 1,995

Summary: Some gardens bloom only at night in deep darkness, and someone has finally noticed Natsuki's bud... Yamori x OC x Tsukiyama

Disclaimer: I do not own Tokyo Ghoul.

After the exhilaration wore off, it dawned on Natsuki to ask where exactly where she was. That information would dictate her direction.

She quickly walked out further away from the house of horrors and into the main street just as the streetlights began to flicker on. Maybe that was a good sign. Maybe her situation would improve.

She immediately pounced on a woman dressed in a business suit. She was all too weary and human.

"Excuse me, where am I?"

The bystander's gaze didn't even flicker towards her. "In The 13th Ward."

So, she was in his home turf. Where else would the Jason bring her?

The woman kept walking straight ahead. She was obviously in a hurry. Well, she was a human after all. It was far better to be inside than risk the unknown.

It occurred to her to return to the 20th in the hopes of reaching her home for what good would it would do her. Or, she could return to Anteiku for some familiarity and solace. They would be having their special witches' brew, and Natsuki would be able to see the costumes of the servers. But, then, Natsuki would have to face the questions...

She could simply ask Yoshimura, the manager of Anteiku, for help as opposed to ordering some useless coffee, but she doubted that Anteiku could fend off Aogiri. Natsuki couldn't drag them into it, even Touka. It was her problem. Her cross to bear.

There was a throbbing in her temples as she continued along her way. She wondered if she had eaten enough. This is the first time in over a month that she had actually walked a distance.

If Natsuki closed her eyes, she could pretend that she didn't have a care in the world. When she was a girl, she even pretended that she was human and would have a pretend tea party with tea and miniature cakes. Too bad, in reality, cake was disgusting.

Such was the way of fantasies.

She opened her eyes again and just began to walk anew with no definite destination. There were no instructions after all.

Would Yamori really risk losing her?

Her navigating train of thought was disrupted when she noticed a crowd gathering outside a relatively new concrete building. Against the wall of what she saw was a club, she encountered a Lolita and an angel. They giggled into their cell phone for their selfie and didn't even notice her approach.

Curiously, she neared the club's entrance while considering her options. The music reverberated around her through the stone. She had no money first of all and no costume either.

Attracted to the music, she lurked around for a bit. Unfortunately, the people at the door noticed her.

"Are you going to come inside, sweetheart?" a man at the door asked.

Crap.

Natsuki began to fluster.

"She's with me," a horrible and familiar voice claimed suddenly.

Natsuki turned sharply to see Yamori suddenly standing there wearing his Jason mask.

So, he had been tracking her every movement. And, she had really thought that she had been alone...

In unison, they then walked to the door. Natsuki swore that even the bass of the music had gotten quieter.

"And, what's your...costume?"

Natsuki immediately saw that the speaker was dressed as a show girl. Natsuki supposed that she was the eye candy to reel guests in. Still, her tongue was stuck to the roof of her mouth. She knew that she was in no way dressed for a club in her simple gray dress and blue sweater...

"Oh, she's my victim," Yamori chuckled.

Natsuki supposed that she fit the role. Inside and out.

Though their eyes still held more than a few questions, they quickly let them inside when they saw the yen notes.

Once inside, Natsuki confronted him. "So, you're following me?"

He rolled his eyes. "Shut up. I"m accompanying you. Didn't you want to do anything for Halloween?"

She stayed silent. Honestly, she wanted of the night herself. But, Yamori had ruined things. Again.

He changed the subject. "I'm going to get a drink," he said. Do you want one?"

"Why do you keep pushing me to drink?" Natsuki demanded. "It's really not my favorite activity."

Yamori's grin was all teeth, and it was disturbing to look at. Maybe because it was so feral.

"Because it's fun, and you need to relax."

Natsuki bristled. She didn't want to look down like he already owned her.

The patrons were milling and hovering about them. Other ghouls and even some curious humans eyed them. Most looked curious, but some looked perturbed. Offended, even.

Yamori noticed. "Look at everyone, girl. Everybody wants to dance with Jason." With aplomb, he removed his mask.

Once more, Yamori had an inflated opinion of himself, but who could to tell him other wise? It was his ward after all. His word, his rules. Still, Natsuki couldn't resist.

"And, you still have a huge ego," she remarked.

Yamori then fiercely seized her arm. She gasped as he eyes widened. He wasn't kidding around.

"If you keep mouthing off to me, you will be punished. You can believe it," he hissed.

It seemed like he was anticipating it eagerly, and unfortunately, he was a man of his word. Still, she was pissing him off even though it wouldn't be gratifying in the end. It was really more stupid than brave.

She was screwing up...

"I want to dance," she insisted.

Yamori stepped away from her. "Then, dance."

Natsuki closed her eyes and focused on the music. She wanted to escape into the sound. Soon, her feet and hips began to move in a rhythm.

"You always seem to have so much energy to dance. You must love it."

She could hear Yamori, but couldn't see him. That worked for her.

In truth, there had always an inclination to dance ever after her mother forbade it. In her bedroom, Natsuki would twirl and spin or dance along the pavement. With a nub of chalk, she would even create a dance floor. It was almost a birthright. It was a shame that she couldn't do anything with it.

Now, she was dancing...here. With her rapist.

"I'm always pent up," she informed him. "When was the last time I left that house?"

"There are better ways to release that energy, you know," he drawled as he began to paw her waist.

And, he was too eager to enlighten her. It dawned on her to deck him, but there was no way he would let that pass.

The dance was tame at first, but soon he began to participate by brushing up against her. Natsuki's eyes snapped open. It was all to clear where his mind was. Still, a calmness spread over her. What could he do in a club full of people? Would he dare? There was only one way to find out.

On impulse, she ground her body against him just to test him.

"So, you know what I like," he almost groaned.

This was just wrong. Ghouls weren't big on ethics, but it was just nauseating. Sickening. She was mortified for herself and for anyone watching. If only they knew the truth of their relationship.

"I thought that you liked to drink."

His stare was downright predatory. "I'm a patron of many pleasures."

She shivered down to her toes as her face flushed with fire. Natsuki already knew that she couldn't handle this man, but she would have no choice.

He was getting closer, and Natsuki tensed. She never knew what to expect these days. All she could do was dance at the end of her strings.

"Happy Halloween, Natsuki," Yamori murmured against her neck.

She was utterly unresponsive when he found her lips and sealed his declaration with a kiss. She wanted to moan in protest, but it would probably only serve him to excite him more.

He reeked of obsession even on the dance floor. Yamori was near wearing her like a coat.

Well, it would certainly be a memorable Halloween; Natsuki would probably never forget it.

It could even be her last.

How very interesting...

The ghouless was watching the show with rapt attention. It almost better than eating. Almost.

For Halloween, Rize was a bride in an elegant white dress with sheer panels and lace. Yet, she already knew that she was never going to get married now. Once upon a time, she had wanted Kichimura to live happily ever after with.

"You know someone?" her male companion asked.

She was only going to eat him later, but for now, she could amuse him.

"No one that matters," she haughtily responded.

He inclined his head towards her "A rival? You feeling nervous, Rize-chan?"

She really loved Chisou's smile. A pity that he wouldn't last long. Her sole response was her laughter. Natsuki, a rival? She wasn't quite sophisticated enough for that.

"I want to go out." She pouted. "I'm hungry."

"They serve food here," he pointed out. "Want me to get some?"

It pleased her greatly that she already had a willing slave.

Rize fussed with her dress. "I want to eat in private. I know a great cafe nearby. Would you take me there?"

She already knew that he would follow her until the end of time even though it would ultimately be his end. Human men were so silly.

She had always remembered what the adults used to say in the Sunlit Garden. "Appear to be the innocent flower, but be the snake beneath it." It was wisdom that was worth its weight in gold for a ghoul.

There was so much tragedy tonight. It made Rize excited. But first, a feast.

As they walked hand in hand, Rize smirked to herself.

Well, Shuu would find this interesting...

They arrived later. Much later. The night was tomb dark and Natsuki was trapped by Death in it. Maybe she was already a corpse. It would be an appropriate costume for her. Or a ghost.

On the way back, they didn't say a word. There was really no need to. All Yamori mentioned that they were to meet a Tatara tomorrow. He would probably be about as nice as the ghoul she was walking with.

They passed through the front door although there was no home inside. At least, for Natsuki.

"Did you kids have fun?" Nico asked when they through the door.

It seemed that Nico got away with a set of different rules. He was always so informal.

Yamori leered. "It was...stimulating."

Natsuki hastily turned her face before a flush could set in. That was one word to describe it, however there were others.

Predatory...vulgar...obscene...

"By the way, it's going to be my birthday. Did you get me something on the way back?" He smirked.

"Cool it, Nico." Yamori waved him away with his hand. "We have to get Natsuki outfitted."

Nico was intrigued. "Oh? For what?"

He held her between his two hands like a jewel, but she wouldn't even raise her head. Natsuki was strangely ashamed. Well, she had accepted his offer.

"Meet the newest member of the White Suits." Yamori was still brandishing her like a trophy.

Naki's mouth hung open. "For real? Mom joined? We'd be a family."

Something unreadable passed across Nico's features. Maybe he was the only one who could see the truth.

Natsuki stared down at the interlocking squares of the floor. She could already feel the weight of the cuffs, and she hadn't even joined yet. So, this was to be the rest of her life.

If only she had stayed home that night. If she had, none of this would have ever happened. She never would have been caught by the CCG and would have ventured into the sewers.

But, Natsuki knew that she had to be careful. If she thought any longer on the situation, she would only become angry at herself.

That wasn't the ideal way to survive.

A/N: Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this fic! ❤ In the next chapter, Tatara will be introduced, and Natsuki will have a clothing change.