Author's note: This is my very first fanfic.

Disclaimer: I have no ownership over Fushigi Yuugi so please do not sue me.

"Bolds," : Conversation (for easy reading...I hope.)

"You really shouldn't have run," a low and husky but melodious voice drawled lazily, "I hate playing games because... I always win." Rhythmic echoes of clicking boots came threateningly close that Richard could have sworn his predator was walking beside him. He scrambled quickly, on all four, into a corner while his body trembled fiercely in absolute fear. His black, terrified eyes darted frantically in every plausible direction and his hands shook so bad it was near impossible to even use the gun to aim. Fingers so stiff would have buckled in pain if he had even sent thoughts of pulling the trigger.

As he waited in anticipation in hiding, he knew without a doubt that his predator would eventually find him. Hell, his predator could very well be lazing somewhere in the forbidden darkness under the immense cover of the shadows. "You should really put that dangerous sore eye away." Again that husky seductive voice and Richard's nerves went into a frenzy. The voice sounded so close and he could feel light nibbling on his earlobe. Flailing his arms wildly as if he could knock his predator away, Richard's black eyes bulged in pure terror.

There, at the entrance of the room was the silhouette of his predator. In all his golden glory, stood the man of his nightmares- Nakago. Nakago looked exactly as he remembered; long melted gold hair, icy and piercing sapphire eyes, sharp and angular face, and that signature evil smirk. Gulping the lump of saliva that had been there for the longest time, he summoned all of his ferocity and growled, "What is it that you want?"

The smirk drew wider and more malicious. Bringing down his face closer to Richard's, the predator slurred quietly. "What I want is..." A large calloused yet smooth hand started caressing his cheek with the lightest touches Richard had felt. He whimpered, he moaned and he cried in painful delight. This was his enemy, his predator who was burning his nerves not like the way Shoka can. As he moaned, he failed to react quickly when the hand gripped his jaw in a murderous hold. The smirk vanished, the malice dissolved from those dark azure eyes and the sadistic face turned emotionless. "I want everything back. I want my life back."

Suddenly everything clicked nicely. This predator was after him because he was one of those seven. He was one of those who witness his defeat, his fall and who had rejoiced. Richard remembered the feeling of relief washed on him when he saw the archangel sent to Yui fall. He had celebrated despite his claim to be neutral. If Suzaku was on his side, he could stall time long enough to plan an escape. "Your life? Aren't you alive?" Richard uttered uncertainly. He had to pretend fear if he wanted mercy. He needed to.

"You're very amusing, Dr. Richard or perhaps you prefer Mitsukake." Nakago slurred yet Richard knew his thoughts were still coherent. "You dare question me about my being alive...how amusing truly."

"So...it's not your life you're after, are you?" Richard continued to talk smoothly and confidently since Nakago released his aching jaw. Rubbing his jaw, he didn't thought he should continue to be wary. After all, would you rather fear a sadistic and malicious looking man or an indifferent man? Richard chose the former and since Nakago had turned emotionless, it was time to lower his barriers.

"Oh no, I guess not. I can hardly claim my life again since it is as good as gone," Nakago sighed as he fumbled with his coat pockets, finding something. Unsheathing a 6-inch dagger, Nakago looked at the dangerous weapon pitifully. "Such dangerous beauty..." He turned the dagger, seeing it from all angles and finally turned to look at Richard. "Beauty things tend to be very vicious, don't you agree?"

"I suppose..." The barriers were up again and Richard didn't know what to think. That dagger was so dangerously close, slashing the free air between them. Was it to destroy tension and restore the peace between them or was it to signify the cruelty of beautiful things? Richard didn't want to be too optimistic so he decided he would not pick until Nakago's next move.

"You know, revenge is such a childish thing?" Nakago flicked the dagger up into the air before catching it between two fingers. "But justice is such a mature thing. Ironic isn't it when there's such a fine line differentiating them?" Richard's eyes widen when he felt rather than saw the dagger slicing his face.

Time slowed down significantly as blood started oozing from the light slash. It was just one long but delicate slash. Nothing big but the pain was..."Do you think this pain was equal to mine?" Nakago appeared in his hazy vision. It was only then that he realized he was in pain; that he noticed Nakago had taken the first move. That his predator had attacked him very lightly; extremely lightly.

"You...never change. You...always...were guided by...revenge," Richard uttered weakly, his voice was failing him and he felt sapped off all of his energy. He felt weakened, he felt drained.

"No, not this time. I am seeking peace, seeking...justice," Nakago coaxed so gently and quietly that sounded so seductive to Richard. The next few things came slow and agonizing yet it burned Richard with unexplainable lust. The dagger sliced, pierced and tore his body. His torso was a bloody mess, his guts spilling lopsidedly and his heart...His heart was so visible in the ugly scene yet despite all this, Richard felt nothing but pleasure. Was he seduced? Was he in a trance? He didn't know and shockingly, he was not bothered. He relished the moment Nakago was giving him. Call him mad, call him insane, call him whatever-you-wish but...The heavenly pleasure, the sweet persuasive words, the gossamer touches of this predator was...

"NAKAGO!" It was the last thing Richard screamed before he finally was thrown out of his dreamy reverie. He felt excruciating, hellish pain but there was naught that he could do. He had lost, he was defeated, he had failed as a Suzaku seishi and as one of Miaka's seven protector. "I'm sorry, Miaka. I'm sorry Shoka..."

"You shouldn't feel sorry...You don't have time to be," Nakago wiped the blood on his coat before he swiped out a pure white rose, "I bid thee adio." He dropped the white thorny rose carelessly before he left the scene feeling satisfied. Slowly, the white petals were tainted by the blood of the dead and with it, its innocence and purity was lost forever. And slowly, the petals curled and died like a dying flower.

He walked out of the large white building as if nothing had happened. How convenient to be killed in a hospital. Nakago closed his eyes, savored the one moment of midnight silence before he took out a neatly folded paper. Unfolding it, he crossed Mitsukake name from the scribbled list of names.

Chichiri

Chiriko

Hotohori

Miaka

Mitsukake (DEAD) October 24, Doctor

Nuriko

Tamahome

Tasuki (DEAD) October 13, Bike Gang Leader

"One more down...six more to go," Nakago sighed as he crossed Mitsukake name from his list. "Your luck wasn't so bad after all, Mitsukake...you'll have the limelight soon just like Tasuki." Melting in the elusive dangerous shadows, he started stalking again like the predator Richard had called him. Poor the doctor that he still died but at least this time he was allowed to be with his beloved Shoka. But nevermind about his fallen preys, he was doing justice for both himself and the Seiryu seishi. He was an avenger. It was time to start trekking the next one.

Please R&R and tell me if you like or hate this story. Thank you for your time and effort in reading this short fanfic.