Shu glared darkly at the paper before him. His morning had sucked. He had nearly overslept, had to engage in a frantic search for his homework which had somehow been misplaced, was unable to grab anything to eat, had forgotten his money at home, the guys had none to lend him, and he just flunked a test. His luck was not good this morning. His temper was at the breaking point. So when Ryo made the mistake of rejoicing over his test grade at lunch, Shu snapped. He swung at him and Ryo dodged, barely. Shu now had an outlet for his anger, and couldn't stop, didn't want to, really. He attacked mercilessly and Ryo defended, but Shu still managed to land a few good hits. Ryo was a better swordsman than fighter. At each hit, Ryo's eyes became somehow bluer until it hurt to look at his eyes. The tide turned, slowly. Ryo seemed to get a burst of energy and began to fight back. Shu was tiring, his anger and energy dissipating beneath the melding of cold anger and amusement in Ryo's eyes. Ryo threw Shu off balance, then kneed him in the stomach, and watched contemptuously as Shu dropped to his knees, gasping for air. Ryo snarled.

"What the hell was that for!"

"...stop..."

"Well?"

"Stop bragging! You're all smart now, you always know the best plans, you have all the power, you get all the credit, you're the 'leader'. I'm sick of it! You act all humble but all you want is attention."

Ryo gapped at Shu as Kage whispered poison to him.

Shu leered as he stood. "What, speechless O mighty leader?"

Ryo snarled and decked Shu before stalking off, leaving an unconscious Shu and stunned friends behind.

Ryo fumed in the gym as he sat, unable to participate because he had broken two racquets in his anger.

'That...that...Shu...who does he think...what does he know?'

What if he's right?

Ryo turned and looked at the window as he rested, and glared at Kage.

What do you mean?

You do have a high opinion of yourself.

I have good self-esteem.

Or is that a cloak for arrogance?

Ryo turned away from the window, but Kage remained in his mind.

Do you want revenge on Shu?

NO! yes...

Did I hear you say 'yes'?

Ha! Shu's a friend. I wouldn't do that.

You wouldn't. I will.

What do you mean?

I'll get your revenge on Shu. I'll make him pay for insulting you, for hurting you, for embarrassing you.

What's the cost?

The use of your body, of course.

"Ryo? Are you feeling okay?"

Ryo blinked, not having noticed he'd gone through the rest of the period, and was now walking home with the guys.

"Yes. I'm fine."

Shin winced at the clipped tone and Shu jumped on another chance to taunt Ryo. Ryo's anger swelled again, and ha gave an accusatory glare at the others for not stepping in during their physical and verbal fights earlier and for not doing anything now. Ryo stalked up to his room, slammed the door, threw his bag on his bed, and stood in front of the mirror, his whole body vibrating in fury.

"Kage," he snarled softly and watched his reflection change ever so slightly.

Yes?

Ryo swallowed hard, having second thoughts. He knew most likely what would happen as a result of his request. As he thought of his friends, his anger reasserted itself and he decided.

"Take the body. It's yours."

Kage didn't need encouragement, and the reflection in the mirror changed to Ryo's appearance, who closed his eyes and surrendered to the soft darkness Kage wrapped around him. Now he wouldn't have to deal with Shu, Jun's annoyance, Naste's hen-pecking, Shin's overbearing concern, Seiji's need to always be right, Toma's super-smartness and... Yuu, with his insincerity. Kage smiled as Ryo faded, but with an act of will and stubbornness he kept his appearance that of Ryo.

'Can't have them suspect, now can we?'

Kage sat down, flipped through Ryo's photo albums and waited. After all, Ryo was known to be prey to fits of sulkiness. Once everyone was asleep, he silently slipped out of the house and walked to the lake. He was surprised to see Kisu already waiting there.

"Well?"

"Toma's birthday is tomorrow. We're going to a semi-fancy restaurant. Lots of people. Easy to blend in."

"And you want to strike then?"

"Yes."

Kisu thought this over, then smiled. "Alright."