Nothing But a Game

The Dark Game

Original by: Nagia

Rewrite by: The Merry Hell-Raiser

August 28, 2003: Yes, I went and lived up to my name. I lived up to my name to the point where Nagia actually went and used all caps in her replies. I consider that an achievement and even went and patted myself on the back. She above all people should know that once I get an idea in my head, I generally do something about it. She wants 40 reviews, and I’ll be damned…twice, I do believe that I said, if she doesn’t get them. Just because she doesn’t want to re-write one of her oldest fics, doesn’t mean that she will. I am…and am doing it in secret.

That doesn’t necessarily mean that I have to tell her that….

But alas, she found it. And most likely felt the need to skin me. *shrugs* I wanted her to find it, so all is well.

Disclaimer: Who said I owned it?


Chapter 1:

A few notes: The following re-write was not done by the original author. It wasn’t even written with the original author’s permission. Technically, this chronicle never existed.

Started August 29, 2003 at 12:35 a.m.


~*~*~

The tables were tipped as Badamon once more gained the power of Kayura. When he tempted her to return to the winning side, she was intent on domineering the situation.

Kayura came into power with not only his knowledge and power, but his blood on her hands as well. If only that had been enough.

But greed only hungers for more greed, like wise the Lady Kayura hungered for one possessing an iron will, someone to provide her with a challenge. She knew of five possessing the will that she had sought. Her mind and body however clamored for one of the five troopers.

Date Seiji.


Luring him into her clutches would be easy enough as well. She woappeappeal to his passions, his hobbies, as well as his love for ancient weaponry.

~*~*~

Seiji stood in the Odewara Civic Center almost directly underneath the banner announcing the Weapons Convention. Normally, he detested crowds, but for some odd reason, he felt pulled to this place.

Violet eyes looked around at the nearby booths before settling on a beautiful weapon. Drawing up to the table, he acknowledged the young woman guarding the blade with a nod. A small smile settled on his face as he investigated the blade. He read the small sign next to the display stand.

Hino no ken, Rei Ken. “Sword of Fire,” he voiced his appreciation for the weapon. “It’s beautiful.”

The dark-haired young woman returned his smile with one of her own before reaching for the weapon and lifting it. “I can sense that you want to test it.”

A blond eyebrow rose before Seiji nodded. “If I may?”

She nodded her acceptance.

Taking his time balancing the sword, he noticed, much to his masculine chargin, that the blade forced the user to take a much more feminine stance. Resisting the urge to snicker, he was quite glad that none of the other Troopers were with him.

Shuu would have a field day.

Grimacing slightly, Seiji gratefully handed the sword back to the priestess. The young lady’s eyes took on a mischievous glint before she nodded.

He moved on to the next table, which held the blade, Imazuma, Lighting in normal tongue. Imazuma was the prized blade of the Kuno line, a family with several rumors surrounding them. The corner of his mouth twitched as he stared at the priestess guarding the blade. A quick glance at the heavily made up young woman made his breath hitch in his throat.

Yikes.

The small weight and the glint of gold on his finger made him praise the Fates. It was at times like these that he was glad to be engaged to Nasuti Yagyu, his landlord of four of five years.

And his lover for the rest of the time.

The mere thought of last night’s activities warmed his blood considerably. If his mother knew of his actions-

He was very glad that the Date matriarch didn’t know of his actions.

A breeze flew by as another young man, dark hair and eyes flashing under the lights, performed an easy kata.

Seiji felt the need to roll his eyes and sigh.

Amateurs.

Eyes locked on the plastic badge that read, Tatewaki Kuno, and lips twisted into a grin.

Rumor had it that Tatewaki was in love with a cross-dresser. To make the gossip even more humorous, the cross-dresser had three fiancées.

Honestly, one was enough for Seiji.

“Strange guy, beautiful sword,” he paused. “Weird family; must move on.”

Turning to watch another exhibitioner perform a complicated kata, he caught the sight of another sword.

He had to remind himself to breath again. An extended survey held that the blade was of pure silver, gilded with ebony veins that didn’t depreciate the sword’s value, but caused the number to skyrocket. Remembering the blade’s characteristics, he made a note to ask Nasuti about it later.

She was the mythology expert of the house, but he was glad that she was unofficially certified in another field. Body no Seiji, he mused. Damn.

An older woman, hair graying at the temples, gently but swiftly lifted and sheathed the blade, her light eyes locked on his own.

She was smiling.

At him.

A warning bell rang in the back of his head as he was swamped with the sudden urge to leave. Never one to not listen to his thoughts; he nodded and headed for the door.

~*~*~

On his way to his car, a glimmer arose in the corner of his eye. A flash of reddish-brown drew his attention to a mahogany-haired young woman holding another blade in his direction. The feeling of being pulled drew him to the blade as one thought showed its face.

Nasuti was expecting him.

He sighed, knowing good and well that he’d be sleeping by himself if he pissed her off again. Withholding sex was an easy but cruel punishment for his hormones.

Well, he mused. She was smart, but she’dgivegive him for being a few minutes late.

The sound of footsteps on asphalt retreated.

She was challenging him.

He harshly told his instincts to take a hike as he fought curiosity against caution. Walking leisurely down the alley that his quarry retreated in, he raised a hand to his belt, loosening a dagger hidden under his blazer.

The dagger had been an early birthday gift from Nasuti, one that she would murder him if he lost it, then ask questions later.

Sometimes women were so silly.

Metal slid against brick as the pursued stood on a nearby threshold off the alley. Carefully manicured fingers beckoned for him to follow her.

He stopped dead in his tracks and glared.

He may have been blond, but an idiot he was not.

Someone give him some credit for intelligence and erring on the side of caution.

She disappeared into the shadows beyond the door, but returned, a derringer enwrapped in her palm.

The need to tell this lady, term used sparingly, to shove it somewhere unseemly was becoming hard to ignore. He didn’t need to use a gun, he’s never felt the need to even look at a gun.

Because a blade made the kill seem so much more personal.

“I know you’re anxious of your surroundings. DO you know how to use it?” Her voice was innocent, reminding him of a child surrounded and clothed in pink.

Pink, he cringed at the thought of Nasuti’s old sweater.

He needed to thank Byakuen for using it as a scratching toy. He hated that sweater, made her look too old for his tastes. Besides, less is better, right?

Damn straight, he muttered in response to his own musings and to the young woman that he followed.

‘I use a blade, not bullets.” His response was succinct, but she got the idea with the knowing smile that she used.

He followed her, much like a sick, lonely puppy.

Yuck, bad analogy.

The rustle of clothing behind him wasn’t enough warning for a blade held loosely against his throat.

Bad Seiji, bad.

The owner of said blade wrapped a small arm around him for effect and to let him know that slitting his throat was a wonderful option.

“Well, well, look at what my pet dragged in.”

He knew that voice. Looking up into the shadows, his sharp sight caught the glimpse of another young woman.

And here he thought that Nasuti’s fashion sense sucked, the outfit of the apparent ringleader was a piece of work. A violet miniskirt was teamed up with a fitted halter that left little to the imagination.

“Kayura,” he spat. “You seem to have forgotten something.” He felt the need to growl out of sheer annoyance grow as she walked, her gait falsely modest.

Being a closet ecchi and nymphomaniac on Saturday nights granted him much knowledge of one female’s anatomy. He really had no reason to see another’s.

Especially one as tainted as Lady Kayura.

“Oh, really?” She cocked her head over in askance before stopping in front of him.

His restrainer forced him to the ground. “Other then your modesty, of course.”

Shuu needed to switch him spots. “Oh yes, modesty. I knew that.” She laughed before falling back on her haunches. “But Nasuti has enough modesty for all of us, although I have no idea how she managed to keep it.”

Seiji laughed. “If only Kayura knew. Apparently you’re not too observant. He raised up his right hand. Much to his enjoyment, her dark eyes slit in to a sneer.

A sculpted eyebrow rose as she studied Sei fac face. “You’re not serious, are you?”

“I’m suffering from Sex-with-a-Yagyu Withdrawal thanks to you.”

Kayura flushed before gritting her not so perfect teeth. “Damn you, bastard.”

“Now, now, don’t be touchy.” He felt sardonic, he loved being conceited.

A burst of pain exploded behind his eyes as he fell prone on the ground.

Then he didn’t feel anymore.