Title: Blue Boy

Author: Serpent at Sunset

Pairing: Yamori x OC x Tsukiyama

Rating: T

Fandom: Tokyo Ghoul

Genre: Angst/Romance

Word Count: 1,895

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.

Arima stared at the screen with interest. The anomaly was back again. Maybe it was finally time to file a case for her...

There was always something around here lately. Arima was tempted to go back to bed for a nap, but then no work would get done. His coffee clinked against the deck when he abruptly set it down. He had even gone as far to put sugar in the dark brew for some energy to stave off the constant yawning. His body clearly protested three hours of sleep a night.

Suddenly, from behind him, he heard a footsteps that clarified that he was no longer alone with his work. Arima stiffened. He looked down at his notebook and waited for the trespasser to reveal themselves.

"So, there's the new ghoul!"

Arima instantly recognized that as the voice of Takizawa Seidou Of course. He would be nosing around here.

Now, he understood that he should have gone to his private office instead of the company room.

"Yes, we've seen her. She follows the Aogiri Tree," Arima supplied.

"Hey, she's dressed like those White Suit guys," Seidou observed.

Arima nodded. That much should be obvious even for a novice.

He got nearer to the monitor screen. "Is she a member?"

"All we can confirm is that her appearance," Arima replied stiffly.

Seidou pressed a thumb to his lips. "Can I name her Lady in White?"

He was brave to make that suggestion, especially since it wasn't even his department.

The young man didn't move from the screen an inch. Arima knew that he was transfixed by the grainy photo of the masked woman in white. Well, what could be the harm?

"I suppose so. But, she could just be a minor ghoul."

Seidou didn't look too concerned as a smile spread over his face. "I named her. I win."

Just what a rookie would say. Everything was neat as first until it became an everyday occurrence. It didn't take long to become weary, and Arima suspected that Seidou had less endurance than most.

Still, Kureo Mado and Koutarou Amon promised to have a very good year...

Even though Natsuki couldn't see them knew, she knew that they were there: the ropes that were bound around her wrists. They were pulled by Yamori himself as she was forced to accompany him wherever he wanted her to be. Tonight was no different.

"You cut quite a figure," Yamori's voice was gruff though it was full of appreciation for his creation.

She didn't respond with any thanks. It wasn't needed, and Natsuki wouldn't have meant it. She wasn't pathetic in any event.

Tonight, they were breaking into a medical facility for some lab test samples. There were no specifics because she wasn't privy to that information, but Aogiri wanted them, and Aogiri would get them. Nico mentioned that they were most likely ghoul samples and once more Natsuki had to ask him just where he got his information from. In Nico's words, "the Clowns knew many secrets." Apparently, the CCG was after ghoul DNA.

But, in the end, no one cared as long as they got paid.

There was a sharp chill in the air denoting that it was the beginning of December. They had divided into two teams. Yamori by himself, and Natsuki had been paired with Naki. Yamori suspected that Yamori had divided them so to see if they could handle working together. Then, Naki had gotten lost. Natsuki sighed. So far, the night wasn't promising. Yamori would probably punish the both of them...

Suddenly, the cell phone rung in her hand. At least Yamori trusted her with that responsibility.

She answered it and pressed the device to her ear. "We're there. I have it."

"What did Aniki say?" Naki's mouth gaped.

"To go to the safe house. They have it."

"As expected of boss." Naki nodded. "Let's hurry."

Naki broke into a jog, and Natsuki was forced to adapt until her breath turned into sharp gasps.

"Isn't it fun, Natsuki?" Naki was certainly eager.

She didn't answer.

Naki actually enjoyed these errands. Natsuki didn't answer as she was too interested on her moving her feet...in heels that didn't really like her feet.

All she could do was pray that they didn't get lost again.

Two minutes later, they found their safe house and bounded up the wooden steps to the only occupied room.

There, Natsuki found that Yamori wasn't alone. His hair was shoulder-length and blue. He sported a leather jacket and wore a purple scarf around his neck. He reminded her of someone she hadn't thought about in months. Natsuki didn't think about her old life that much any more. Slowly, Natsuki could swear that she was losing grips on herself. Was she too becoming white and transparent? Weightless?

Apparently, this stranger would agree. "Who's this?" He studied her suspiciously.

"A new recruit, Ayato. Be nice," Yamori hissed. "Girl, this is Ayato Kirishima."

Sometimes, intuition was more accurate than people gave it credit for.

Without a pause, Natsuki rushed headlong into her inquiry like a drowning woman gasping for air.

"Kirishima? Do you know someone named Touka?"

Ayato frowned. "Touka?"

"She works as a waitress in the Anteiku coffee house."

Yamori seemed surprised, but he said nothing. Instead, he watched this exchange like it was a ball game.

Natsuki watched Ayato as he made a fist.

"No."

Well, that expression on his face and gesture said differently.

He tilted his head. "And how presumptuous to make an assumption when you haven't even told me your name."

If the asshole behind her had just used her name...

"It's Fuji Natsuki."

Ayato's interest was off his face an exact second later. Not an unusual thing for Tokyo. In this city, there was always someone else or something else to be concerned about.

In one swift moment, the metal briefcase was taken from the table.

"Later."

Then, Ayato jumped out the window with the test samples. Not how she would have transported delicate lab samples, but he would never take her advice. If she gave it, she would be accused of overstepping her authority.

She wondered if she would ever see him again. Strange individuals flitted in and out of her life like shadows.

"The night is still young, and I feel like celebrating." Yamori jammed his hands into his pockets.

"Okay, boss!" Naki pumped a fist.

When didn't Yamori not feel like celebrating? Natsuki stared out the window in the direction of the 20th Ward. How was everyone doing? Had they forgotten her name? Probably.

"Are you coming, Natsuki?" Yamori's voice tainted her memories.

She snapped out of her trance. "Yes."

"Damned right you are." Yamori snarled over his shoulder

Soon enough, Natsuki would be returning to her hell. As Natsuki watched, he cracked his finger again.

She couldn't help but wondered if he was jealous over Ayato, but realistically, what could possibly develop between them?

Natsuki wondered what her life would be like now. Following Yamori's broad back.

As a slow snow began to fall, she closed her eyes. She just wanted to got lost and melt away like a snowflake. She would never escape the white anyway. Maybe she should just be buried by it...

Still, Natsuki made a note to herself to ask for a dress with actual long sleeves. Winter was cold. Almost as cold as her heart.

While lost in her emotions, she noticed that they had stopped at a Western style establishment with Ionic columns. The words carved above the door said "Tsuta." Ivy.

Immediately upon entry, two older gentlemen started to ogle her by the bar. Natsuki ignored them as she had her own problem to deal with.

"We're out of blood wine," the bartender reported to the source of her grief.

"What the hell do you you mean you're out?" Yamori slammed a meaty fist on the bar.

Natsuki cautiously approached. She well knew that Yamori couldn't take any disappointment.

"Just what I said." The bartender shrugged. "We're a popular establishment as well you know."

His tone hinted of a history she knew nothing about. That was fine with her. The less she knew about Yamori the better.

She was expecting it as she kept staring at Yamori's hands, and he didn't disappoint. Suddenly, he brought it up and cracked his forefinger.

Yup.

She couldn't even count how many times he had cracked his finger. It usually followed a passionate moment, if Yamori felt pissed off, or when he was just plain feral. The little things were finally starting to annoy her, but it was that very irritation that peaked her curiosity.

"Why do you keep doing that?" she finally asked.

The bartender smirked at her, and she realized that she was now a source of amusement. Even Naki's eyes widened.

Natsuki understood that she was entering dangerous territory by asking that man anything. The others were probably wondering why she was making things worse for herself. Perhaps Yamori would just answer her with his fist.

He looked down at his hand as if the thought had indeed crossed his mind before he shook his head. "You wouldn't understand."

She should just let the matter drop like a icicle falling from a roof, but Natsuki could still feel emotions racing though him, and she was on the verge of becoming terrified. Still, She thought that she could glimpse a flash of pain in his eyes, but as soon as it manifested, it had disappeared along with any evidence that it had been there at all. Now, she could be in trouble.

He was really looking at her. Really looking at her before he mercifully turned away.

If she continued watching him, he was going to rip her violet eyes out. Unanswered questions still shimmered in her gaze.

Yet, he could see her apprehension and feel her discomfort. Her lips has stopped moving, and he swore the world had frozen. Good. She should be scared of him. Everyone should. Including this prick bartender.

Natsuki-chan well knew that he had a hair trigger. Yamori was a bomb and he could explode at any time.

Here, Yamori had himself a witness everywhere he went. Naki was dumb, but Natsuki was not. He too often caught him studying him. Though, what else does a victim do but study the habits of her predator? It was a practice necessitated by survival. Yamori knew that all too well.

How easily he could have broken her by now leaving nothing but a shell that took orders and nothing else, but she fulfilled all of his needs at the moment, so why ruin a good thing? Natsuki was soft and comfortable to recline with. She was willing enough if it mattered.

Now, Naki and Natsuki were both looking at him. Yamori inwardly sighed. The leader had to act.

"We're going back."

"Back home?" Naki asked.

Yamori rolled his eyes. "No shit. At least I know for a fact that they're blood wine there," Yamori grumbled.

When he walked on ahead, he knew that they would follow him out of the bar without a fight. Naki was a devoted servant, and Natsuki had nowhere else to go.

Finality echoed around the three of them as the snow swirled through the black sky and dusted their blond hairs.

Yamori was sure that he would find warmth at home...