Title: Scent of a duelist
Author: jz_l0ves-Atemu
Fandom: Yu-Gi-Oh!
Pairing: Yami no Yugi/Anzu Mazaki
Rating: teens
List and theme: 30kisses, #11 Gardenia

Summary: Anzu Mazaki is a dance instructor and received a bouquet of flowers from a mysterious admirer. The next day she asks for help from one of her students. Will she figure out who this admirer is, and what he wants by the only the flowers in the bouquet?

Notes: Canonish only because Yami lost the Ceremonial Duel against Yugi and is in the afterlife or is he?
Start of a new multi-part arc in Viva La Revolutionshipping.

Authors Notes: this story is the only thing I could come up with for this theme.

Anzu bowed deeply as the audience gave her a standing ovation. She hid the tears she cried during her performance. If you were still alive, Atemu, I would gladly become your queen! She whispered as if in a prayer.

While she remained in her bow a bouquet of flowers appeared almost by magic at her feet. She picked it up while rising. Carrying it in one arm she blew a kiss to the audience and left the stage.

When she got home she set the bouquet in the largest vase she had. Her hand brushed against the card that was tied to it.

My dear Anzu,

this bouquet is as enchanting as your dance was this evening. It also has a few secrets to tell. All of my love,
a secret admirer.

She blushed while reading the P.S.

P.S. the only way to discover my identity is in these flowers.

The next day she took the bouquet over to her dance studio and called a few of her older students over.

"Does anyone know the secret language of flowers?" She asked, most of her students shook their heads. Aiko Takenuchi, a student who studied flower arranging her freshman year of high school raised her hand. "I think I can help."

After the class was dismissed Anzu & Aiko translated the bouquet.

"Sensei, your secret admirer is playing a game with you." Aiko said as she spied the Maiden's Blush Rose that sat at the top. "This rose says 'if you love me, you'll find it out.'"

"The card says his identity was in the flowers." Anzu said as she picked up one of the angrec blossoms. Why does this look familiar? She thought looking at the star shaped golden yellow blossom. "He must be royalty." Aiko added.
"Not to mention, the gardenia speaks of a secret love. Looks like a royal person has a crush on you."

After Aiko finished translating the bouquet, the two women parted ways.

"A royal guy has a crush on me?" she whispered. That's funny, the only royal I know personally died a second time four years ago. She mused, driving to the museum.

She stopped by the pier and gazed out at the ocean. "A secret love from an absent royal friend. Can't be Yugi, he's the King of games now. Not actual royalty so I don't think that counts." She shook her head and headed to the Museum.

"Are those for me?" a playful masculine voice asked. She glanced in irritation at Marik Ishtar.
"No," she replied.

"They were given to you from a mysterious admirer who wants you to play a game with him. The only clues lie in the bouquet of flowers you're holding." Ishizu said from the shadows.

"How did you know?" Anzu asked "did you get the Necklace back?"
Ishizu chuckled, "No Anzu, I've borne the Necklace's power so long that I've absorbed some of its abilities."

"So, you know who sent this bouquet?" Anzu asked Ishizu said nothing, a smile quirked her lips.
"Follow me." The Egyptian woman cryptically said, beckoning her to the Exhibit.

Once they stood before the carvings Ishizu spoke again. "Tell me what the flowers have said to you."

Anzu relayed what she and Aiko had discovered.
"Ishizu, it doesn't make sense, Yugi defeated the pharaoh and sent him to the afterlife four years ago." She added. "could it possibly be…" she couldn't help the feelings of hope that cascaded into her heart. "is he really…" Anzu closed her eyes, her hands clasped tightly against each other.

Ishizu disappeared at his unspoken command. While Anzu was filled with hope he took her into his arms.
Tears of joy trickled down her cheeks as amethyst met cerulean. "Yes, Anzuko, the gods decided that it wasn't my time yet after all." He replied in the sexy deep voice that her heart secretly longed for.

Without a moment's hesitation she took his lips with hers. I'm here to stay, my love. He sent into her mind.

Once the need to breathe separated them, Yami knelt down on one knee.
"Anzuko, I know this is sudden, but will you become more than just the queen of my heart? Will you marry me?"

Anzu thought back to what Aiko had translated. Your royal admirer sends his love and devotion and wishes it could be returned.

Her lips met his again in a passionate fiery kiss. She wondered if he took lessons from Jake*(a rodeo cowboy who met & married his fiancée within an hour of meeting her)
The answer is yes! She mentally cried. With all the love in my heart!

おわり