Gardenias

Gardenias

Hato chiisai

Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh.

If you’re a fan of my fics, you already know that this story is YAOI

As per my promise in Tearing Down the Sky, each chapter of this fic is dedicated to the winner of the “Guess Who The Four Are” Contest. The answer was the Four Arch Angels, Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel.

This chapter is dedicated to Sakura-chan

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Chapter 4

Snow Drops

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Nakazawa looked up from his desk at a knock on his door.

“Enter.” He called, and a man walked in. “Ah. Kinomori-san. Good of you to come.” The man nodded and sat down. “I want you to get me information on a young man named Ryou Bakura.”

“May inquire as to why?”

“He seems to have a connection to someone I find suspicious.”

“……. Mm-hmm….. Do you have any information on him at all?”

“None. I know a few small things. For example, he is currently seeing Ryuuji Otogi and lives at Ryuuji’s place of residence. He was in the hospital two nights ago with a head injury. Other than that, nothing.”

“Have a physical description?” The man asked, writing all of this down.

“Young, in mid teens… Pale skin, brown eyes, white hair.”

“White?”

“White. Very thin, and short. I’d say between five and five six.” Nakazawa said, and the man stood and nodded.

“I’ll get right on it, sir.” He said, and turned and left. Nakazawa smirked, then went back to his paper work.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“I can’t believe I’m doing this…” Otogi moaned as Ryou dragged him down the street.

“You should take a day off more often.” Ryou said to his boyfriend.

“Not that, having lunch with Bakura and Marik!” Otogi cried, and Ryou laughed.

“You’ll live.” He said.

“Hah! Yeah right!”

“Oh, calm down, idiot.” A gruff voice said, and Otogi leapt about three feet into the air.

“Hi Marik!” Ryou chirped, then ran at Bakura. “YAMI!!” He squealed, and leaped into the dark’s arms.

“Hello, Ryou.” Bakura said with a soft smile, and kissed Ryou’s forehead as he hugged him. They just stood there for a few minutes, but Otogi and Marik found it impossible to get jealous. Sure, Bakura was Marik’s lover, and Ryou was Otogi’s, but the bond between the yami and hikari was unfathomable, and they had a very intimate relationship that Otogi and Marik knew they could never rival.

After a moment, Bakura released Ryou and cupped his cheek in his palm.

“How are you?” He asked, concern in his voice.

“Fine.” Ryou said with a smile, and Bakura returned the smile.

“Good. So, shall we go?” He asked and Ryou nodded happily. Fifteen minutes later found them sitting around a table, laughing at Marik being creative with bread sticks. Ryou and Bakura sat across from their respective lovers and beside each other, Bakura with his arm thrown around Ryou’s shoulders, and Ryou with his head resting on Bakura’s shoulder. Every now and then, the yami would smile down at his little hikari and give him a gentle word or kiss on the forehead. Otogi was slightly jealous, but he couldn’t help noticing how happy Ryou was with his yami, and how happy and mellow Bakura became when he was in such close proximity to Ryou. It was incredible how dramatic the change was in the yami when the hikari was near.

“Are you ready to order? Or do you just want me to take your drink order now?” The waitress said, coming up. She looked over the table, thinking how lucky she was that she had four hot guys there. She smiled in adoration at the “brothers” who seemed to be very close.

“Diet coke, please.” Ryou said. “We haven’t even opened the menus.”

“Alright then.” The waitress said, and looked at Bakura.

“Screwdriver. OW! Rootbeer! Shit, Ryou!” Bakura yelped, as Ryou smacked him upside the head. Marik snickered, but eyed Ryou before also ordering a rootbeer. Otogi shook his head and placed his order for a Sprite, and then Marik demanded Mozzarella sticks and more bread sticks, while Ryou asked for a salad, and Otogi, soup. Bakura just said he’d share with Marik and Ryou. The waitress went off to get their appetizer, soup, sodas and salad.

“How’s your head, kiddo?” Marik asked Ryou, diving for some of the crackers in the little basket between Ryou and Otogi at the head of the table.

“Fine, Marik.” Ryou said with a smile.

“How did that happen?”

Otogi gulped and looked at Ryou, his eyes telling him not to say anything. Ryou lowered his own eyes.

“You already know.” Otogi said, and Marik and Bakura looked at him. “Bakura told you the night it happened.”

“….. Oh yeah!” Marik said, grinning, and going for more crackers, then dove to grab the lemon from Otogi’s Sprite as the waitress brought them their drinks. Otogi gave him a look, but said nothing. Ryou’s eyes sparkled as his salad was set in front of him, and he smacked Bakura’s hand when the yami stole a baby tomato. The waitress left and Bakura opened a menu, letting Ryou read it as he munched his salad. Otogi did the same, placing a menu between him and Marik so he could eat his soup, and Marik, his Mozzarella sticks, which Bakura kept swiping when Marik wasn’t looking.

“Ummm…. This is expensive.” Marik mumbled.

“It’s on me.” Otogi said.

“Oh, okay then. Now I can look at THIS side!” Marik said, and Otogi gave him a dirty look. Ryou giggled.

“Ooooh….. Stuffed portabellas…..” Ryou said through his salad.

“Stuffed what?” Marik asked, through his mouthful of cheese.

“Big mushrooms.” Otogi said, and Marik made a face.

“I’ve had enough mushrooms to last me a lifetime.” Marik muttered, and Bakura cracked up.

“Not THOSE kind of mushrooms!” Bakura laughed. “This mushroom just tastes good. It doesn’t make you hallucinate.” Ryou and Otogi wisely chose to be silent following this comment. Bakura picked up a fork and speared some of Ryou’s salad onto it and popped it into his mouth, staring at the menu again. The waitress returned and Ryou pointed to his salad.

“Can I make this into the Endless Soup, Salad and Sourdough?” He asked, and she smiled.

“Sure.” She said, and looked at Otogi.

“I’d like the Eggplant Parmesan, please.” He said, and Marik scowled as he looked over the menu. Bakura glanced at the menu again.

“I think I’ll go for the seafood alfredo.” He said, and they all looked at Marik, who closed his eyes and jabbed his finger on the menu, making Ryou giggle.

“Looks like I’m having the….. what the hell is that?” Ryou cracked up at that, and Marik glared. Ryou looked up at the waitress.

“He’ll have the stuffed portabella.” He said, and the waitress nodded and flounced off.

“Ryou!” Marik howled, and Bakura laughed.

“Get a grip, Marik.” He said. “I’m going to the bathroom.” And he got up and walked off. Otogi and Marik watched him go while Ryou concentrated on his salad, and watched him grab the waitress and pull her out of sight. A few moments later, he reappeared, smiling and nodding to the waitress, who was grinning and laughing. They went their separate ways and Bakura returned to the table. He plopped down and grabbed the last mozzarella stick making Marik howl his disapproval, but stopped when he felt a foot rubbing up his leg. He then simply glared at the grinning Bakura.

The waitress returned and gave Ryou his soup, and told the others that their meals were on the way. They made small talk until the meals were brought, and then the talk slowed as they ate. Finally, their plates were removed and Bakura struck up a discussion about cars. They were interrupted by several waiters and waitresses heading over, singing happy birthday and carrying a giant ice cream sundae with a candle stuck in it. Ryou turned bright red and seemed to try to rejoin with Bakura by osmosis as the dessert was set down in front of him. Bakura winked at Otogi, who nodded a small thanks. After Ryou’s humiliation was over with, the four boys dug into the dessert, Ryou telling Bakura that he appreciated the gesture, but that he knew he was shy and didn’t like being singled out, and Bakura apologized to Ryou with a kiss on the cheek and offering him the single cherry as a peace offering, which Ryou happily accepted. When they finished, Otogi paid the bill and they all got up and left the restaurant.

“Come on!” Marik said, grabbing Otogi and dragging him down the street. Ryou squeaked as he was dragged by Bakura. “We’re not done yet!”

“What?!” Otogi gasped, and let out a little ‘eep’ as Marik got a bit too close for comfort.

“We have that surprise for Ryou.” He muttered and Otogi grinned and nodded.

“Oh, yeah… I almost forgot!” He said. Twenty minutes later found them in Otogi’s car and Marik running into the house that he lived in with Malik and Isis. After a moment, he ran back out again with a red box with a big white bow on it. He leapt into the car, which began to move again, and shoved the thing into Ryou’s hands. Ryou blinked and looked at the eager Marik and Bakura, then at Otogi, who shrugged, but had a knowing twinkle in his eye. Ryou untied the ribbon, and there was a sudden movement in the box. Ryou froze.

“Go on!” Bakura coaxed, and Ryou looked at the holes that had been covered by the ribbon. He sighed and lifted the lid off.

“Ohhh…..” He cooed, and Otogi looked into the box at a…. white ball of fur wearing a big red bow. The tiny puppy stood up on his hind legs and whined, trying to get out of the box. Ryou let the box fall to the floor as he pulled the puppy out and giggled as the little dog began frantically licking his face. Marik and Bakura grinned as Ryou cooed over the puppy. Otogi smiled slightly; the puppy WAS cute.

“What kind is it?!” Ryou gasped, his eyes sparkling as he cuddled the puppy.

“Umm.. A Samoyed….” Bakura said slowly. “I think….”

“Yup.” Marik said with a grin. “She’s got all her shots. She just needs to be spayed.”

“Otogi, can I keep her?!”

“Of course.” Otogi said, reaching into one of the little limo cupboards, and pulling out a few smaller boxes. He held them out to Ryou, who passed the puppy to Bakura and took them. He began opening.

“You were in on this?!” Ryou gasped as he opened a food and water dish, and a collar.

“Yes. She has a doggie bed in our room at home waiting for her. And when you name her, I’ll get her a tag, and get her name stitched onto the bed and collar, and engraved in her dishes.” Ryou squealed and hugged Otogi, then took his puppy back.

“So, what are you going to call her?” Marik asked, grinning. Ryou made a cute pout as he thought.

“I’m not sure…” He said, and giggled as the puppy tried to chew on his thumb.

“How about Snowy?” Otogi offered, and got three looks that plainly said, ‘you must be joking’.

“I’m gonna call her… Daisy.” Ryou said, and huggled his puppy, who licked his chin as she made little squeaky puppy noises.

“We’re gonna get her fur trimmed. It must be hot for the little girl.” Otogi said, smiling at Ryou. Ryou grinned and turned, throwing his free arm around Bakura.

“You’re the best, yami.” He said, and kissed Bakura on the cheek. Bakura smiled and returned the kiss and embrace. Ryou then leaned across Bakura and did the same to Marik, who placed his kiss on Ryou’s forehead. “Thanks, Marik.”

“You’re welcome, Ryou.” Marik said, and Bakura ruffled his hikari’s hair.

“You can drop us here, Dice Boy.” Bakura said with a grin at the tic in Otogi’s eye at that. “I’m sure you want to spend the rest of Ryou’s ‘birthday’ alone with him, okay?” Otogi snorted, and Ryou blushed, hiding his face in Daisy’s fur. The car stopped, and Bakura and Marik got out.

“Now what?” Ryou asked, seductively, looking up at Otogi, who gave him a sad smile.

“We need to head up to my office.” He said, looking at the clock. Ryou gulped, and slowly nodded. “But after, I promise….” And Otogi pulled Ryou into his arms, kissing him softly.

“I love you…” Ryou whimpered, resting his head on Otogi’s chest.

………………………………………..

Nakazawa rode in the back of his car, flipping through the file folder that Kinomori had given him.

“Hmm…. Ryou Bakura, age sixteen… Mother and sister dead, father an archeologist…. Hmmm…. Out on expeditions nine to ten months out of the year… hmmm….” He closed the folder for a moment. “So he’s LIVING with Ryuuji… Something else to use against them… Ryou’s a minor; I can get them separated…” He opened the folder again. “Straight ‘A’ student, born in London, England, moved to Japan at age six. Interesting…” He closed the folder again and looked up at Ryuuji Otogi’s building. He smirked, and got out of his car. He chuckled, seeing a shadow in the one lit window; Otogi was watching him. He walked into the building and got into the elevator. He hummed a tune as he waited, and strode out when the doors opened. Ryou froze, a glass bowl full of water in his hands. Nakazawa smirked and approached the boy, being between Ryou and the door of Otogi’s office. Ryou slowly backed away, eyes wide.

“Hello there…” He drawled, and Ryou gulped, and then tried to step around Nakazawa, but the man grabbed his arm. Ryou yelped as the wet bowl slipped from his fingers and fell to the floor, its fall cushioned by the thick carpet.

“HEY!!” Both turned as Otogi’s office door slammed open, and the Dice Master glared, emerald eyes glowing. “Get your damn hands off him…” He snarled, and Nakazawa let go. Ryou grabbed the bowl and disappeared down the hall in a hurry, while Nakazawa followed Otogi into his office, noticing the browning gardenias in the trashcan, explaining what the bowl of water was for. He watched Otogi get an envelope from his desk. At an odd noise, he turned and eyed a fluffy white puppy with a red bow around its neck tearing up a pillow on the sofa. Nakazawa grunted in slight amusement.

Ryou walked in then and moved around Nakazawa, staying out of reach. Nakazawa watched Ryou place the bowl on Otogi’s desk, and then move to the gardenia bush in the corner of the room with a pair of scissors, clipping off the newly opened blossoms. Once he had gathered half a dozen, he returned to the desk and gently placed them into the water, watching them float quietly on the surface.

Otogi handed Nakazawa the envelope, and the man grunted, counting the money, and then pocketing it, before looking back up at Ryou, who was now at Otogi’s side, and staring quietly at the puppy in his arms.

“See you tomorrow.” Nakazawa said, and left. Otogi sighed in relief, and sank down into one of the chairs in front of his desk. He snaked an arm around Ryou and pulled the boy into his lap. Ryou relaxed and laid his head on Otogi’s shoulders. Daisy started trying to eat a lock of Otogi’s hair that was dangling before him.

“Did he hurt you?”

“No.” Ryou whispered.

“Wanna go home?”

“Yes. You promised me some fun tonight.” Ryou said, fixing a mischievous smile on Otogi.

“Oh boy… I did, didn’t I? Okay…. Where?” He asked, and Ryou’s eyes sparkled.

“Back yard.”

“Back yard?!?”

“Back yard.”

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