Oh my gosh! You guys.. make me so happy! Your reviews are wonderful and your stories inspire me and motivate me! So thank you all sooo much! XD As I've mentioned in a review or two, we're almost to the point where it's hard to complain about being deprived of Ikki and Kazu, since you are all uploading them one by one. You have NO idea how happy it makes me!

I share a bit of Kazu in me by being so unconfidant in myself and kinda shying away from attention. 'Coz personally, I don't like the way I write. My transitions are shaky and my paragraphs can be dull. But you guys make me feel so good about my story and I'm worried about disappointing you, so I'm working really hard! So this update is for you!

I know it's all going kind of slow right now but be patient and work with me – I hope to make it all worthwhile in the end. I know I'm taking my good old time building things up but just sit back and enjoy okay? Love you all! (And I also went back and fixed a few grammar issues I saw in the last chapter. If you catch any problems in this chapter, feel free to let me know and I'll go back and take care of it when I get the chance.)

Oh and sorry for the wait. Won't bother you with details.

Thanks!

ren'ai-iki: Akito kissing Ikki, yeah about that. Gotta have that tension, yeah? And see I told you that you would like Sano. See, I know you ! XD

E-san: Yeah, Sano is really one of those characters, huh? He's a pervert and a weirdo and we can't help but love him. And for some reason, I just saw Kazu as a freeze baby. It's just kind of cute, you know?

HagarenFanGirl: My poor boys. Ikki's night was rough but sadly I don't plan on letting things stop just like that. Sorry Ikki ! This update was slower and for that I'm sorry, but I hope this makes up for it.

shoxxic: wahaha I love you too! And I LOVE spoiling people! And thank you soooo much on compliments on Ikki and Kazu's character. Writing in character means a lot to me and you saying nice things about it makes my day.

This chapter sucks, in my opinion. I promise I will try hard to make the next one better.

--

--

--

Air Gear

a fiction by Crimson Vixen

Simple Mind Games

--

--

--

Thank God Kazu had opened the door when he had knocked. For one, it was late, and the odds of waking someone up by knocking were something he thought about only after he had actually done so. Secondly, it was to his shock and his relief that it was Kazu himself that had opened the door, blinking curiously and worriedly at him. To Ikki's dismay, his friend was fully dressed in his sweatshirt and jeans that were too big for him, held up by a belt. His hat was still gone.

The first thing he had asked, besides if he was busy and was up for a walk, was why he was already dressed for the occasion. After stumbling around on his own words for a while, he explained how he had just gotten home not even ten minutes prior to his arrival. This sparked a hope in the crow that Kazu would join him in his midnight stroll, and he was not disappointed. Kazu, once he had bundled up all nice and warm, went with him, and as the night grew older, they'd started practicing their riding, though neither boy was surprised.

Of course, Ikki was doing most of the tricks, trying to turn his mind to innocent, likable things instead of guilty, gory memories. Kazu stood back and watched as though it was what Ikki expected, though to tell the truth, Ikki felt a little odd being watched like that, like those light blue depths were drilling holes into his back and trying to read him. He wouldn't be surprised, either. Kazu was an amazingly good people watcher, and picked up a lot when playing the role of spectator.

Still, he wanted Kazu to join him, not eyeball him from afar. It felt wrong to do AT alone right now, for some reason. He thought this as he landed a rather difficult looking flip in the air, and he pounded his chest victoriously and looked Kazu's way, determined to get the other boy to take part.

He grinned wildly, and it was probably one of the biggest grins Kazu had ever seen, and that was saying a lot, since Ikki did that sort of thing all the time. The older boy pointed a proud thumb at himself, pearly whites daring anyone to go against him. And who would? Ikki was great, and that trick was pretty damn amazing.

"One of these days, they're gonna name a move after me," the young crow stated boldly, his whole posture screaming confidence. Confidence that the blond had admired since they day they had met. The same confidence that attracted Kazu to him in the first place.

Kazu put on a grin as well, forcing himself to do something before his thoughts got the better of him and took a wrong turn. He felt pride for Ikki when the spiky haired boy went soaring through the air like a natural, and when he landed with the gracefulness of a dancer; it was always an amazing sight worth stopping dead in your tracks to watch. But along with that pride came a small spec of unwanted jealousy. It wasn't so much that Kazu wanted Ikki to mess up one of those days, but more like he wished he could do is as easily as Ikki made it look. It wasn't a 'why you' but a 'why not me'.

There was nothing wrong with being happy for your best friend when things were working out for him. But was it wrong to feel belittled when that something seems to take priority over you? Maybe it was all in his head.

Ikki had said so himself, that Kazu was and always will be his best friend, and that he was no way underneath him. And Kazu would tell himself this many times, repeated it in his head like a mantra, but old habits were hard to break, he supposed, because he still felt like the underdog. He could run around as much as he liked, but he would only end up going in circles, because he was leashed, bound by gravity and the public's eye. The one that would always cross the finish line, but do so in the shadow of the leader.

Quickly he patted Ikki hard on the back of his shoulder, jetting out an airy laugh and spreading his smile wide enough to raise his light blue eyes, somehow unable to stay down when Ikki was nearby.

"Ikki," he lowered his brows playfully. "At the rate your going, they're gonna name a whole series of moves after you!"

That statement broadened the slightly taller boy's expression, as if saying 'yes you would be correct' and he puffed out his scrawny chest, placing his fists on his hips to strike a rather heroic looking pose, already feeling better.

Kazu only continued to smile at his friend. The Ikki 500 was a name that the blond thought to be somewhere between really cool and borderline silly as far as trick names were concerned. But it was nice to dream, at any rate, and Ikki was tenacious so, who knew? Never in his right mind would Kazu dash that unwavering faith, that everlasting dream to reach the top, especially when he was right there with him in the fantasy.

"Whew..." Ikki sighed loudly, wiping his arm across his beaded brow. "Up for a drink?"

"Yeah," Kazu nodded instinctively. It was like reflex; he had somehow unknowingly picked up the habit of agreeing to whatever Ikki was saying even before he could say it, or before Kazu could even register the words. Because he was thirsty, but still cold.

He let his friend lead him to the nearest soda machine, which wasn't very near at all, and Kazu already had his fingers wriggling around in his pocket for change before they even got there, listening to the jingling as he wriggled his fingers. Listlessly he counted the coins in his now open palm, and when he lifted his head, was surprised to see Ikki already holding one out to him, pushing it against his chest.

"Th-thanks," he mumbled shortly, taking the can in his hands and loudly popping it open and letting the fizz leak over his fingers. There was no reason for it, so why was he blushing like he was, clumsily taking the can and holding to himself like it was that precious. The blond shook his head; it was a soda, nothing to be stupefied over. People were going to start saying things about him.

Ikki was already guzzling his own as though it were his last hope in a dried up desert, fizz humorously dribbling down his chin and onto his shirt. But it looked refreshing, at least, even if the air around them was already cool. So Kazu mimicked the spiky haired boy, understanding now why Ikki had let it spill over his jaw and neck like he was – 'coz it felt so damn good in it's own way. He found himself sighing through his fine nose and closing his eyes to the simple sensation.

When he was done downing the whole thing, he crinkled the can within his hand and waited for Ikki. Only when his friend was done, he had a glint in his eye, that look on his face. The blond gulped lightly; being a watcher of Ikki for a huge majority of his life, he knew how to read these little signs, and reading Ikki could be like reading the back of his hand sometimes, and by the looks of it now...

Well, he certainly had something up his sleeve.

"Tell me, are you up for a little game," he proposed, tossing the empty can up and catching it like a baseball. By game, of course, Ikki usually meant a test, or challenge. And as much as Kazu sometimes dreaded them, he never back down from them.

He only stared for a moment, lips thinning in the way he did when he was put up to bat like this. A huge part of him wouldn't let himself waver in front of someone like Ikki. He knew he was fast, though it did nothing for his opinion of his own ability. He hated when Ikki did this, probably doing so to boost self worth in the blond, but he always found himself focusing more on what Ikki would think of him in the end that he was of the actual task. It was a game of confidence that Kazu hated with a passion.

And Ikki was trying to fix him of that, it seemed, in his own little way. And that was how he did everything; through example.

By the time Kazu blinked himself back into the present, Ikki had his arm craned back and he threw the can with all his might. The blond's soft blue eyes followed it through the air curiously, face going stiff when his ears picked up on Ikki's sure voice giving him his orders.

"Better book it if you wanna catch it," he briefed with a tone of cocky authority. Kazu could just hear the smile in his voice.

It registered in an instant yet still he hesitated, sparing a quick look to his friend, swallowing once more before shifting his weight to move forward in a burst of speed that left Ikki's jacket fluttering in the gust. He'd already wasted a few precious seconds – seconds that in a real fight, could have cost him everything. In a split second the air was like thunder to his ears, and he was squinting to see past the burn of the wind, narrowing in on that stupid falling can and leaning forward with his arm outstretched. It was hard to see it at night, but thankfully some of the streetlights would refresh its location.

Without too much thought he was able to tell he wouldn't make it in time at the rate he was going so he threw himself into the air and was just able to snatch the aluminum scrap, landing gracefully on the ground after one full rotation. His breath grew heavy to his ears and his heart drummed in his head, and he wondered briefly if Ikki got a kick out of these little games he played along with so easily. Or if he'd planned this particular one when he offered the drink in the first place. Kazu made a face, cherry cheeks standing out against the stark white of his pale skin. The rush was nice, though.

He made his way back to Ikki, who had a look of approval spreading across his young features. Something about that look made Kazu feel good on the inside, but as expected, he wasn't happy. Surely he could have done better. He could have started out sooner, ran faster, found a shortcut, something. There had to of been something he could have done differently; he just didn't think of it at the time.

"Running was something I could never beat you at," Ikki mono-toned warmly with a smile, with a soft fondness, and it was something he told Kazu often. It always rang a certain bell in his head, because he'd say it the same way every time. Maybe he was purposely trying to reiterate it for him, to prove a point, to get it in his head. "You're an amazing Storm Rider, Kazu. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Not even yourself."

But that part was new.

But... I'm still not...

It was obvious the boy was proud of Kazu, proud of his team, and he wanted them to feel the same way.

The seriousness in Ikki's tone was something Kazu made key not to ignore, even after he broke out into another grin and slung his arm around the blond.

"And besides – that was so cool!" he laughed loudly, eyes crinkling at the sides from smiling so big. It was contagious, Kazu couldn't help doing the same thing. The moment felt old and familiar, but it wasn't in a bad way. He opened his mouth to say something – he wasn't sure what, but closed it when he felt Ikki's hand on the back of his neck.

"Okay, that's good for now," he said. "I swear you just keep getting faster."

"Right?"

"I'm serious," Ikki said solidly, lowering his brows. "Take me seriously. We should do this more often."

Kazu blinked, taking a good long pause to let the words soak in. Then, just to make sure he understood...

"You mean, you and me?"

Ikki shrugged simply, grin washing over his face like a gentle wave. Seemingly out of nowhere he handed Kazu another full can, and held another one for himself. He clanked them together in a quick toast.

"Yeah, sure."

For whatever reason, the blond let out a relieved sigh.

"Yeah," he said softly, raising his hand and hitting his knuckles against Ikki's waiting ones, and then they chugged their newly opened beverages. Kazu stopped before Ikki did, letting curiosity get the better of him.

"But... why me?" he asked softly. What about Buccha or Onigiri. What about Akito? Easily his shoulders sagged, his hope quickly fading as the possibility creeped up that... maybe the reason Ikki offered a little extra training because he wasn't good enough. What if he was holding back the team? Like Ikki was too afraid to hurt his spirit on the matter or something. Of course Ikki usually wasn't the type to bite his tongue for the sake of someone else's feelings. But it was okay, anyway. Kazu preferred to have his feelings stepped on openly. It hurt less.

Ikki quickly downed his can and wiped at the underside of his nose with his finger.

"To be honest," the crow mumbled fondly, turning away a little. "It feels like its been forever."

For the most part, that was the truth. Not only was he trying to save them from the gap that threatened to distance them, and Ikki would freely admit that it was mostly him who was at fault, but he wanted to see just what it was that was keeping the jet so uptight. His eyes were straying, he was a bit more jumpy and although Kazu usually kept to himself, he was acting a lot more secretive.

His answer seemed to somewhat satisfy Kazu, who nodded tersely and held the can upside down over his head to get the last few drops.

"Been forever," Kazu repeated, grasping it and reassuring himself that he was just being paranoid. Ikki would never abandon him, after all. As a friend, or a fellow team member.

When had he gotten so frantic, anyway? He never used to be so worked up over stupid things that didn't even matter. Ikki wanted to spend a little more time with him, simple as that.

"I had a feeling you'd get it," Ikki beamed, then he added proudly, "I know you so well."

Kazu tried to smile at that, but couldn't force it on himself. Being tossed under the label of predictable bothered him. He didn't understand why, and he didn't try to. It just did. Sadly, when it came to everybody else, Ikki didn't belong under that category. The crow was always surprising somebody. Surpassing all the constantly rising expectations with flying colors, and getting more and more well known by the day with his skill and cocky attitude.

He wanted to be able to impress somebody too, and for some reason, Ikki felt like the only guy worth impressing.

He wanted to be able to pass expectations like that, to be viewed as something special, something more than just another guy on wheels that just happened to be on the same team as the boy who was said to be the next Sky King. Certainly not some guy that everyone could predict.

Kazu shuddered to chases away all those potentially dangerous thoughts, and brought his attention instead back to Ikki. The blond had always been perceptive, and now that he was able to get a better, closer look at the other boy, he could see the details he had missed before.

Ikki's eyes were heavy and tired, ghost of shadows looping underneath them. Not the bags of several sleepless nights, but closer to one long restless one. His movements were slower by just a fraction, and his smile, though strong, was weighty.

Suddenly the air felt different, like somehow he was the one that had to look after someone else. With little hesitation, Kazu put a hand to Ikki's back. He'd gotten so strong so quickly, worked hard. Kazu could feel the small muscles on Ikki's back ripple when he breathed. What about him? Had he gotten any stronger as well? If he had, was it noticeable?

"Ikki," he breathed, watching the crow's face drop into seriousness, meeting his eyes. "You look like crap."

No one ever said honesty was pretty, and yeah, it wasn't the best way he could have gone about it. And the boy was used to be insulted, but Ikki tensed anyway.

"Didn't get much sleep last night," he shrugged a little too easily. Please don't ask why, Please don't ask why, Please don't ask why...

"Why's that?"

But Kazu was always suspicious, and on a constant quest for knowledge.

It felt wrong to lie to his childhood friend, and so he didn't plan on it. Evading some of the truth, however, was another matter entirely.

"Guess who dropped by?" he asked with a small laugh, trying to make the moment a little lighter before it had a chance to stray anywhere darker.

Kazu thinned his lips. Couldn't be Simca. Whenever Ikki talked about her, drool collected in the corner of his mouth, and his cheeks would turn pink. No one he knew would sneak into Ikki's house unless there was really – oh wait...

Oh God Kazu's skin flushed viciously and then drained, and he looked at Ikki almost unbelievingly. There was no telling how or why his mind jumped to the conclusion that it had, but there was always something inside of him that put him on edge about it.

"Please don't say Sano. Please don't tell me it's the Iron Clock."

"Then I won't. How'd you know?"

"Call it a hunch," Kazu shrugged stiffly. "A feeling in the pit of my stomach."

Instinct, he wanted to say. Ikki offered a sympathetic smirk. That was understandable; either Kazu was amazing at guessing, or he really did have a strange wire in his brain telling him when someone like that was around.

"The hell is he doing here?" Noticeably, Kazu's voice had adopted a defensive edge.

"Hell if I know."

Kazu huddled into himself, like a turtle to his shell, and a pout similar to a kid denied a free puppy.

"I'm not sure I like that guy," he mentioned bitterly.

"I know."

"Why the hell would he be here?" he asked again.

"I said I don't know. But I don't want the bastard breathing down my neck."

"That's just our luck."

Both boys stood there in agreeable silence, heads dropped low and staring at the ground and thinking generally the same thing. The crow shuddered and the jet did so with him. Not only did they both have a mutual respect and disgust for the man, but they both knew that with his presence, trouble probably wasn't tailing too far behind. And along with Akito's little premonition about the winds of change, Ikki himself felt something brewing. He even wished that those murders didn't bother him and that his feelings of them being important were misguided. And he certainly didn't want to dwell on this feeling that nights like this, enjoying time with people he cared about, were about to be cut short. That his world was beginning to spin just a little bit too fast.

"Ikki?" the blond spoke carefully. "You look really..."

"Like crap, I know. Sorry," Ikki blurted, cutting Kazu off. He listened intently to the silence that dances between them. In truth it didn't feel awkward to either of them. It was the kind of shared quiet that felt okay and natural and comfortable because they were friends. That knowledge was flattering, but Kazu broke it anyway.

"Uhm..."

Such a short, indescribably little sound, but it held so much.

"Uhm?" Ikki echoed, urging the boy they called 'Stealth' to continue.

"I know we're a team but, do you think that team members, I, that is to say, I mean, they... as in individuals, do some things on their own? For the team, and for themselves?" he stumbled verbally. He looked visibly flustered with himself and tried again. "I mean, should a team member fight some of his own battles... on his own, for the sake of his team?"

Ikki blinked. Where was all of this coming from? For sounding so jumbled, he understood every word. The crow jumped straight to the conclusion that Kazu was referring to some sort of inner struggle. Aiming to be like Ikki for most of his life, it made sense that he would seek his advice.

"His own battle, huh?"

"Yeah, and one where you can't bring others into it."

Ikki twisted his lips. Can't bring others in, or won't?

"Well..." Ikki jutted his chin and rubbed at it in sincere thought. "I think so, yeah. Everyone has the freedom to choose who and how they battle. Just remember that you can still call on me in a rut."

He felt silly tagging that onto the end but he often worried about Kazu when he battled things on his own. And a part of him hoped that he could be depended on by his comrades. As a leader, he felt a sort of duty over all of his team members, and even though they were all able to help themselves. Along with their strengths, he knew their weaknesses, and Ikki fought hard to protect those. Also, his little speech seemed to do well, though only for a moment. Perhaps those weren't the words he was looking for? Now the roles were reversed and Kazu was the one looking spacey.

"Yo," Ikki called, and their eyes met. "Kazu, if you're having problems you can always choose to do it alone. But when you ask for help from someone else, there's no shame in it."

Even though Ikki knew full well that he would have a hard time doing such a thing himself. But Kazu had a habit of finding his way into situations he didn't always seek help with when it came to getting out. There was no doubt in Ikki's mind that there was something going on, and that Kazu had no intention of fessing up to it, at least at the moment. Still, he hoped that his friend would heed his advice if he really did find himself stuck. And he wished he could do more to help but at the moment, he hardly knew what to do with himself and his problems.

A breeze pushed past the both of them and Kazu absentmindedly rubbed at his exposed head. His shoulders tensed, like he was ashamed for ruining their time together by doubting him. It didn't matter how he felt about himself, whatever Ikki said, he meant it. It didn't mean he had to be right, but it was sincere.

"So what are your plans for tomorrow?"

"Huh? Oh, uh..." Kazu tried, eyes roaming everywhere except for Ikki, attempting to summon up the words he needed. "I'm not really sure. My sister is leaving tomorrow for school and so I'm gonna have the house to myself again."

That was right. Kazu's sister was in college now, and was only home for a short stay. His parents were still overseas and Kazu had been left home alone quite often because of it. But Kazu claimed that he enjoyed it, because he was never home much in the first place and when he was, he could do whatever he wanted. Still, it struck something in Ikki, and maybe it was just because he felt like they were drifting apart, but he spoke his next words before he realized he was speaking.

"You know, you should come and stay at my place."

And the idea floated around in the air for a little while as Kazu observed it.

"I dunno..."

"No one will be at your place, and if you really need to, you could just make a few trips to your house to do whatever chores you may have, or grab something you forgot... and if you want..."

"You always were really persistent..."

"I'll even help you pack."

"But what about... that guy?"

"What, Sano? I forgot about him... I'll tell him to behave."

His lips twitched into a smile, and he tugged his hood up higher to shield his ears. He didn't want anything to do with the master of time, but with Ikki there, he figured everything would be alright. They probably wouldn't even be home most of the time. And the girls all liked him and treated him like family so chances were they would be okay with it. After a minute, Kazu turned to puddy. After all, Ikki was offering.

"I think I would like that," he said, the reasons as to why still mingling and some undefined but he couldn't deny that the proposition struck something in him. At any rate, Ikki seemed just as relieved and happy as he felt, letting his shoulders sag with a sigh, and showing his foxy grin.

"Great! We can get your things tomorrow after your sister leaves."

"Sounds like a plan."

He wasn't sure why, but Ikki felt like he was making progress in something. He couldn't stand the way that his friend was starting to obsess over his progress as a Storm Rider. This might be just what he needed.

So that was it. As of tomorrow, Kazu would be living with Ikki for an undetermined amount of time. It was of course after the decision was made that Ikki starting remembering the other pieces he had not given serious thought.. Sano, for example, and if he really would be able to keep the man under control, and how Kazu didn't know the reason why the pervert was there in the first place. How would he keep the rest from Kazu? Perhaps, now that he thought about it, this was all bad timing. But he couldn't take it back now. Kazu looked so happy and they really did need to spend more time together. Perhaps he would be able to keep it all from the blond; what had happened.

In the end though, he had someone to help keep him busy. At least this way, his mind would be more at ease. At least a little bit.

Ikki still liked the idea but after splitting up with Kazu for the night and heading home, he was greeted by Sano just outside his house, and the crow started having his doubts. The older boy had a certain gleam about his stare, a sparkle in his eye, like he just knew something. It was the perfect way to ruin the night Kazu had saved.

"As fickle as a woman, you are," he said mockingly as Ikki crossed the front lawn, yet in a way that sounded almost degrading. As if he was hinting that it was one of the reasons he wasn't too fond of the female sex. "You insist and insist on being left alone to sleep and the second that you are, you are nowhere to be found."

"Not now, Iron," the crow waved him off easily, marching past him but well aware that he was being followed into the house.

"Or perhaps you planned it all along?"

"Yeah right. Leave me alone."

"I must tell you that I don't think this stage of childhood rebellion is a well timed one."

By now, Ikki was ignoring him. Or trying to, anyway.

"Dragging others into your personal affairs is nothing short of stupid."

That stopped Ikki dead in his tracks. He spun around sharply on his heel, finger shoved viciously in Sano's face and the tips of his toes pushing him higher.

"You were following me, weren't you?" he asked in a dangerously dark whisper. "That's why you were waiting here for me."

Sano made no effort to explain himself, nor did he shrug his indifference. He simply waited for Ikki to continue, as he somehow knew he would.

"I thought I told you I didn't want to know you were here. It hasn't even been a few hours and already you're testing my patience. And I'm not dragging anyone into anything."

"It would seem that lack of sleep makes you cranky."

"Shove it," the crow spat, then stopped in a short moment of reflection and then met Sano's eyes. "And uh, it's not just me. If you're going to be staying here for a while, stay out of everyones business. I mean it."

Sano seemed to acknowledge Ikki's little warning, knowing that regardless of any promises or agreements made, chances were there were going to be moments where he was going to have to intervene because Sano couldn't keep his eyes, and sometimes his hands, to himself.

"In all seriousness, though..." the brunette interjected before Ikki could storm up the stairs, quietly of course, so as not to wake anyone up. "Do you really think it wise?"

Ikki rolled his dark eyes.

"Look, Kazu's going to be staying with us for a while and that's all there is to it. He doesn't have to know about what happened. See? Leaving him out."

Saying those words cut him. Keeping secrets from the very friend he was trying to reconnect with, him knowing that keeping that secret was going to be a challenge, but mostly that everything Sano had been saying since he got here made so much sense, and Ikki was somewhat angry that he had been lacking the ability to think these things all the way through lately. Not only that, but memories were returning, and his stomach already burned with the images.

His hand gripped the railing tightly, refusing to turn around again and look at that cocky college student, for he knew that the second he laid eyes on that smug face, he would lose it. With a refreshing burst of energy he threw his weight into running up the rest of the stairs and shutting himself in his room. Akito was, not surprisingly, slumbering peacefully on his bed, tiny limbs sprawled in many directions like he had moved a lot in his sleep.

A new wind, Akito had told him. He felt like the winds were changing. He had failed to explain whether it was a good or bad change, but luck and instinct told him it was probably that of the negative sort.

Ikki, not wanting to wake the small boy, sat down next to his bed instead, and leaned against it. He ran his fingers through his pointy hair several times, trying to think with a clear head but not knowing where to start. He wanted Kazu to stay over, but he didn't want him or anyone else knowing about those murders, since they all probably had their own things going on. That didn't even count Akito, who was already under the same roof, and the tiny rider was just as, if not more perceptive as Kazu was. But Sano and his damn logic. How was he supposed to keep something so fresh from his good friends? Well, they were good at keeping secrets, right? At least, he was when you told them to.

No point in wasting time thinking about it. Tomorrow he would help Kazu get settled in and then he would continue with his life like he always had. That incident in the ally was disturbing and it was likely that he would be fussing about it in his head for some time to come, but it was something that was bound to pass eventually.

--

--

"There isn't a day that goes by on this earth, where lives are not lost. It's a fact."

The table that sat between the Devil and his workers was small and unstable, round in shape and moldy in texture. But it was enough to hold the game. Ironic, how he was addicted to card games, games of chance and luck. Some were games of everything or nothing. Some where easy and rewarding. He enjoyed games like Betrayal, Blackbird, Wraparound, and a little game he made up all his own, called Food Chain; a little game of faith and risk he usually found himself on top with.

The leader, face still shielded by a red and black painted mask, even in the safety of his own dark world, flipped through his cards easily, and with the flick of his wrist as smooth as a pro, he flung a single card onto the table. It was greedy game now that money had been placed into the pot, but it was still almost childish in its simplicity, but a game he loved regardless.

He'd been playing Uno since before he could remember. Though his version was slightly different. To draw a card you had to discard one. He liked to bet, and sometimes it was more than money. There were things like items, days of work, or who got the luck of dealing with the next target.

"Some things are just that simple," he had once said. "That doesn't make the outcome any less satisfying."

The other three players put down their cards, watching the pile increase with a steady flow of patterns and colors, colors of the Devil, and when their leaders turn arose, his lips curled into a smile. His lithe fingers hovered over his hand, pinching a single one and eying the other players. All of them tough, all of them obedient, all of them under him.

"In most any game of cards, you cannot help the cards you are dealt, but when you handle them right, you can still come out on top," he cooed lightly, setting a card down. A Jack of Hearts. "I'd go so far as to say that life is a card game."

A light snicker.

"After all, you are in control, but only to an extent. But that little piece of control is all you need."

The other players took their turns without a fuss, sitting quietly with their ears perked.

"Understand that you cannot have success without sacrifice," he continued, discarding and grabbing a new card in its place. "In life, you cannot get what you want unless you give up something in return. So for something like this, to earn the title of King, sacrifice is a necessity."

He placed down his next card, the freshly picked one, and slid some more money onto the center of the table.

"You mean... play God's hand."

It was not a question, merely a statement confirming the one prior, catching on to what he was talking about. And the answer was already laid out in front of them. They already knew what they were meant to do before the game had even started. Their leader didn't like it when things stood in his way, and he would do absolutely anything necessary in order to get what he wanted. That's what they were for. And right now, he had his eye set on becoming the Sky King, a title that was hanging so fragile, close enough for him to reach. The problem with it being close enough to reach was that it was close enough for anyone to reach.

He wanted to get there first. And nothing was to big or too small of a sacrifice to get it.

He grinned as he set down another card, an Ace of Hearts, Ace being their wild card, and changed the order of the deck. With mild entertainment, he watched the other's faces expectedly fall. And like fair players they took their turn, knowing full well that their boss had won this round, and when his turn came, they found they were right.

Sacrifice. He was almost obsessed with it.

"How about a second game. A different one," one of them spoke horsely, scooping up all the cards with abnormally slender arms and shuffling them.

"You always did like a gamble, Weaver. A trouble maker, you are."

Weaver let out a sickly sound of agreement. His body was lanky like wilting vines, his entire face wrapped in a maroon strip of cloth, all but two beady eyes that stared out from the dark shadows. He wore a pack over his shoulders, that seemed attached to his spine. It was metallic in texture. He hissed evenly, chucking the players their new hands.

"What about you, Mantis?"

The reply was delayed, and at first, Weaver wasn't sure if the other had heard him. But then he heard the slicing of air, the light tapping of long nails on the wooden table. The pile of cards that were placed in front of him were now in his hand, even though neither men were able to catch it with their eyes.

"I don't start trouble, I let trouble find me." his said, voice low and dangerous. His willowy face scrunched up and then straightened again as he cleared his throat. A short flick of a lighter sounded and shortly illuminated his bony cheeks, thin lips and sharp chin. A cloud of thick smoke swirled out into the dim light dangling over the table. "But I don't mind playing a game or two when a situation presents itself."

He shuffled his own personal cards.

"What's the name of the game?"