"To Love the Dark"
By JessieHeart
~ Disclaimer: Nope, I don't claim ownership over ANY of these characters! And I've bought a new box of pocky... Take THAT! ~

Chapter Three-
'Training'
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"Now think, what comes next?" Matjutsushi asked. Keiko looked nervously over her cauldron.

Keiko had been at the home of the Magicians' for a whole week now. A sort of schedule had immerged. Mornings were meditation with Sei. They also worked on mind and body harmonizing. But no matter what they did, it was done in silence, as Sei never communicated, not even with his hands or gestures.

After lunch was charm work with Oliver, and then dinner. Sometimes the schedule was interrupted by Matjutsushi, who would teach her a variety of things. Today he was teaching her potions.

Keiko flipped through a small potion book. Her cauldron bubbled promisingly.

"It's either… orris root or wolfsbane," she guessed. Her master offered no help. "Um… Wolfbane!" Keiko grabbed a handful and tossed it into the pot.

The concoction turned black and exploded onto her dress.

Cleaning herself up, Keiko looked at the magician. "It was orris root, huh?"

Matjutsushi turned so she wouldn't see him smiled. "No, you should have added both."

Keiko turned to go change. She glanced back and saw that he was laughing.
*

Charms with Oliver were more encouraging. Keiko learned simple tricks; like turning statues real or levitation. Today was dedicated to research in the library.

Keiko began to scribble notes on how to cast a proper summoning spell. She took all of her notes in Japanese, because it made her feel better to know that Oliver couldn't read them.

"Well fine then," Oliver said with a false hurt, "I'll just have to speak more French, fleur!"

Keiko stood and stretched. She began to look through the rows of books. There was on in a glass case written in a strange language she did not recognize.

"What is this one called?" called Keiko to Oliver. The blonde bishonen looked up.

"That is the 'Book of Secret Arts,'" he explained. "It has the power to increase our magic a hundred fold."

"That much?! Truly?"

Oliver winked.
*

After Keiko would go to bed, the Dark Magicians would smoke pipes in the formal room.

"She is very pretty, I'll give you that," said Oliver. He took a long drag from the pipe. "I've seen the way you look at her, Matju-San."

Matjutsushi raised a purple eyebrow. "You imagined it then. She is no more than an apprentice to me."

Oliver leaned back. "We French are romantic! Sei, what do you think of Keiko?"

Sei communicated by sending a voice into their minds. He never spoke a word. "She _is_ lovely. Her presence brings cheer even into my silent chambers. Miss Motosuwa reminds me of my wife."

"You were married?"

"Yes, years ago. I lost her, our baby, and my hearing the night she gave birth."

Oliver tapped his foot, uncomfortable. He did not dare ask how Sei came to be deaf. "But… we all like Keiko, at least?"

Matjutsushi answered with a question. "What are you getting at?"

"We could perform the Rite of Strength Release on her."

Sei's forehead burrowed. "You mean… if we died, then our powers would go to Keiko?"

"You've seen how strong she is getting!" Oliver argued. "And if this war over the ancient pyramid's magic is to pass, then the Rite may be useful."

Matjutsushi scorned. The Rite of Strength Release was usually used on a magician's child or loved one. This ensured the bloodline survived in times of peril. He stood.

"The Rite cannot be preformed if we do not all agree. It will not be done."

With that said, he left. Oliver mocked his anger and folded his arms.

"Well then!" he pouted. Oliver turned to Sei. "Matju SO has a crush on her."
*

End of Chapter Three
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Dictionary:

Bishonen = Cute/Sexy Guy

Fluer = Flower (I think… once again, my French is awful…)

Author's Notes:
In case you were wondering, this 'Rite of Strength Release' IS referring to Dark Magician Girl's ability to gain 300 attack points for every Dark Magician in the graveyard. Cool, huh?
And for people who are reading this for the Dark Magician/Dark Magician Girl pairing, I promise that the romance is to come! Also, more Jounouchi/Mai, because that's my favorite couple… hee hee!
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