Chapter VI: Master of Games

-March 22nd, 1999 Agarashima, Miyago prefecture 5:00am

Samantha awoke with ringing in her and bright lights shining behind shadowed figures, her hands were bound to the bolted to the concrete floor. A fist impacted her skull once then twice, she remained motionless. They had removed her clothing not that she had anything she could use against them in a paper-thin hospital gown, not that she cared but it would be the first and last insult she would suffer at the hands of whoever the fools were. The next blow came from a bat, the leader she would assume, he stank of cheap cigars and even cheaper perfume. "Had a nice nap gaijin?" He laughed, and four others laughed with him, one man snorted behind, another gulped in the corner. A leader but not the one who planned her kidnaping. "Cute girl, you're going to tell us wha-" his face was a hair breath away from hers, her wrists twisted her middle claw slid upwards severing the chain that linked one cuff with the other, she cut low severing his left foot, she needed information and he would give it to her eventually. In one swift motion she frees her legs and barreled towards toward the light. The thugs in the room stood in shock until she cut the lights engulfing the room in darkness. Her captors huddled around their wounded leader, ignorant of the fate they would suffer, she could see them but their purely human eyes could never penetrate black that surrounded them. [Kill the bitch!] the leader cried. She could hear a few panicked breaths and the erratic beating of their hearts. She could smell the abstract fear and sweat.

The door burst open and in came a man donning silver armor, he stood around 1.98 meters tall, He quickly spotted Samantha lurking in the and charged. Like a predator the girl identified him as the largest threat and did the same. Keniuchio dodged her attacks, her attacks were the same as her father's… or so he thought, for a split second he watched as her body shifted its stance, her speed drastically improved under his mask he could feel a true challenge, an opponent worthy of his blade… He was quickly put on the defensive, the more rage her eyes showed her strikes became stronger. Every few swipes her claws would pierce armor cutting deep into him. He was getting weaker and the girl knew it. What had started as a test quickly became something more akin to a duel, if she had a katana it would have be eternally more entertaining. He needed an equalizer, gathering energy in his leg he sent a devastating kick to her abdomen, the force of which sent her through the wall, she fell three floors before impacting the ground bellow.

Adrenaline flushed through her system forcing her damaged tissue mend itself at accelerated pace, in seconds she was on her feet. The sky was clear as the first rays of sunlight seeped over the compound's stone walls, a shadow grew at a rapid speed, but she didn't move, she waited for the last possible second before evading to left and digging her claws at the samurai's side. The world slowed and blades clashed, blood trickled down her left hand while her right held the blade above her head. Their eyes met, Samantha could see the realization dawn on him, he had underestimated her, with her final attack she had pieced his lung but avoided the heart, and for moment he saw humanity in her ice blue eyes, pity for a slow and painful death, but in a flash her eyes became dead once more. Twelve guards clad in black ballistic armor surrounded them with weapons ranging from blades to machine-guns, on their right shoulders clan Yashida symbol was printed in a contrasting white. Seeing she was surrounded Samantha lifted her hands slightly above her head, her adamantium claws sunk back into her body slowly. Heard the sound of metal meeting stone, out the corner of her eye she watched how the silver clad samurai leaned his weight on the blades grip. Her eyes trailed up her bloody left arm. A familiar voice shouted its outrage.

The crowed parted to allow their lady passage, Mariko Yashida did not look pleased nor did the woman behind her. Mariko was in sleeping clothes and her hair was undone. The other woman had [What is the meaning of this?] Mariko shouted, her hands were balled tightly glaring at the samurai with a great level of anger. The samurai glared back, but it had little effect on her. [Have you no words, Keniuchio?]

[I am protecting… my family] He responded in ragged breaths.

[Protect us?] Her anger increased steadily, but was hidden in a mask of cold fury. [I have told you time and time again that you would never spill the blood of our allies in my house!] She lifted her hand signaling the men to lower their weapons, with another gesture she signaled two of them to help Keniuchio. [Take him top the infirmary and make sure he stays there. He is of no use to us in his current condition.] They nodded and left. She turned to the rest of them. [Continue your duties and be on alert Keniuchio incompetence may have given our enemies time to infiltrate the compound.] All the while Samantha stood unmoved observing the woman that stood besides her employer with critical eyes. She had long flowing black hair, with kind black eyes, the similarity between the two were there, but what caught her attention was her unwavering stare the woman directed at her hands. There was familiarity in her eyes as if she had seen them before. Mariko stood in front of Samantha with a purely diplomatic face that was met with her own blank face. [I apologize on behalf of Keniuchio. As head of security he was supposed to meet later in the morning.] Mariko's eyes darted to her companion. [This is to be your charge. My daughter, KIrika Yashida.]

Samantha bowed politely. [A pleasure to meet you Yashida-sama] She smiled in return. Something in Samantha's head was floating in the back of her mind, something Logan said…

[It is a pleasure to meet you…] She paused as if to find the right word, she extended her hand and three bone like spikes slowly popped out. "Imoto." for a moment the word's meaning didn't register… then it did, 'little sister'. Samantha's façade broke ever so slightly an eyebrow, she would have 'words' with Logan.

-March 22nd 1999 Osaka prefecture 5:10am

Logan had a bad feeling, the type feeling that usually meant that someone wanted him dead and knew how to do it, but that was beside the point, at the moment he was surrounded by half a dozen ninjas clad in red. "One time," he mutters, "can't I come to Japan without being attacked by fucking Ninjas!"

-March 22nd, 1999 Sasaki Institute for Higher learning 8:00am

The sun was high but the air was cold, and like many Monday mornings the students of Xavier's School for gifted youngsters there was an early morning drill. The difference would be that their opponents wouldn't be a Danger Room androids but the students of Sasaki and former X-Man, Shiro Yoshida. There were six of them Kwannon was the leader, her eyes were black with golden irises and her hair was dyed a deep shade of purple, her psychic abilities were limited greatly to her Psionic projections, mostly katanas and other blades, and empathy; her second in command was the masked mutant Kuan-Yin, his controlled electromagnetism, he was matched by his brother Shen, wore the same mask as his brother; then came Aimi Yoshida Shiro's daughter, she controlled Shadow Matter allowing her to teleport around the field; And her aunt Leyu Yoshida who had similar powers as those of her brother; and finally there was Takeo a telepath.

Scott and Kwannon got along better with each other than Jean had originally anticipated, they were evenly matched when it came to leadership and would often go after each other while training. Kurt and Aimi loved to race around each other. Kitty and Leyu would often times be found in each others company, talking about music and clothes, which would often lead to them arguing. Shen and Kuan-Yin could be found floating around each other in silent contemplation. Rogue could be found under a tree reading whatever book she brought with her. Takeo just floated around Jean, starring at her from afar, which she was uncomfortable with.

Charles Xavier was certain that if Logan had been watching he would have them running drills in the Danger Room until the he was satisfied with their skill, and that would never happen. Sasaki's team had them out maneuvered using the terrain to box them in. Takeo was stronger than Jean that much she was certain of, her telekinetic abilities were no match to what he could do with his mind, Shen and Kuan-Yin made Spyke's spikes useless., Kwannon had Scott pinned in a chokehold. Kitty was unconscious, Kurt was exhausted, and Rogue was battling Aimi using Sunpyre's powers. All and all Charles' was pleased to see mutants sharing bettering themselves in a controlled and safe environment. He continued to watch the battle from Yui's office in peace until the door opened, the door opened and he met Yui's black eyes. They hadn't gotten a chance to talk privately since the Blackbird landed.

"Why are you here, Charles?" Her voice is laced with accusation. Charles noted how she dyed her hair in a dark red, bofore

"Is it wrong to wish for my students to meet other mutants?" he asked smiling.

"If that were your motivation you would have informed me of your visit weeks ago. Now I ask again; why are you here?"

Charles sighed, Yui was always a smart woman. "There is a mutant who's visiting the country. She's prone to violence."

"And powerful, if you're here."

"Yes, but that's not the problem what's inside on is even more so…"

"So, one of your X-Men has wondered away from the nest…"

"She was never my X-Man she is friendly with some of my students but outside of that she tends to stay away from telepaths."

"What makes her so dangerous?"

"She has recently to my knowledge experienced a break with reality, if she were to loose control in a public place and expose us…"

"I see, where exactly is she staying? I can have Shiro pick her up."

"According to Logan, Agarashima." He said his arms crossed. "But it would be unwise to do so, she might lash out if she feels that we are trying to trap her, in which case, she might ally with Erik just to spite us."

"A dilemma indeed, Shiro wouldn't want to abduct one of his cousin's guest." She looked out the window. "It would seem that my students are the victors."

"True, but mine held their own."

Jean was tired and a bit bruised but was better off than most. Her hair was dirty and her suit was ripped, whatever was happening had Sam had stopped halfway through morning training allowing her to fight back somewhat decently. She watched Takeo as he walked away with the rest of his group, the twelve-year old boy had an air that brought chills down her spine. The other X-Men sat on the floor resting before going on with the day. Scott invaded her view, he had a determined look on his face that looked borderline frustrated, parts of his uniform were clearly sliced off, a bruise was forming under his visor and his lower lip was busted. "Hey." She greeted, her fatigue easily noticeable in her voice.

"Are you feeling alright?" She nodded absentmindedly, Scott could see that her mind was far away. "You were a bit out of it during training." She nodded once more as if willing herself awake, with a plainly fake smile.

"I'm just tired Scott."

"You've been acting strange since Friday… Jean, you know you can tell me anything, right?" He a hand on her right shoulder and squeezed gently.

"Scott's got a point," Kitty cut in. "so like what's the deal?" Out of all of them Kitty was in the best condition having phased through most attacks but had phased one too many times. "Does it have something to do with Sam?"

Jean was getting a bit frustrated, Kitty was the one that had seen her collapse that October night and had promised her that she would keep it quiet until it was actually relevant, "Kitty." Jean warned, glaring at her slightly confused expression.

"What about Sam?" Rogue said standing up. Most of Rogue's suit was charred but she was relatively unharmed, just a few scrapes from when she was blasted down by Sunpyre. Her loyalty to Samantha was strong, she was Rogues first real friend since the whole mutant madness had started and had lost her trust once. For some reason that Jean couldn't really understand Rogue was extremely protective of Samantha and often would go out of her way to get in between Jean and Samantha when she tried to get close.

"Nothing."

"It doesn't seem like nothing to me." Rogue pushed herself closer to Jean getting in her face.

"It's nothing, now please take a step back." She was feeling trapped. Kurt saw this and discreetly moved away from the group.

"Maybe we should all calm down." Evan said putting himself between his two teammates. Scott tried pulling Rogue away but was quickly shrugged off, she glared at Jean once before leaving.

"So… what about Samantha?" Scott asked with a slightly annoyed expression.

Jean huffed and walked away. She needed some space and she knew her team didn't understand that.

-March 22nd, 1999 Agarashima city, 2:00pm

Samantha watched her sister interact with people… it was strange how everyone knew Kirika's name, how everyone was so familiar and friendly towards her, but as soon as their eyes met her own ice blue they glared at her, she ignored them. Their eyes meant nothing to her, their words meant nothing to her, their existence meant nothing to her. In her joy Kirika was blind to the glare they sent at Samantha when she introduced her as her sister. "Daken." She heard one child whisper once they had gotten farther away; the most direct translation she could find would be mongrel, the other was a form of slang for someone of mixed blood. Clearly the people of Agarashima knew nothing of Lady Yashida's former fiancé or these words would be directed at Kirika… no they wouldn't Mariko had too much pull for people to even glare at the girl.

Other than the people she found Agarashima to be a rather beautiful place, its buildings sat on the water and very few roads existed, the air was clean and she could barely hear the purr of a few motors. The water was clear enough to see its bottom, which made her a tad bit nervous. It wasn't that she couldn't swim, it was more the fact that her skeleton weighed over a hundred pounds and she would sink like a stone; and the gilly weed incident hadn't really proved her to be the best of swimmers. Once they stepped on ferry and found the a pair of chairs Samantha closed her eyes and let her senses expand, there were twelve other people on the ship, their heartbeats normal she couldn't smell any outward signs of aggression, for the moment they were safe. She opened her eyes and observed Kirika's outfit, a green jacket with a white shirt and loose jeans. Samantha herself had decided that covering the tattoos on her face would garner less attention, she wore the black leather jacket and gloves over a grey t-shirt, The thermo-optic camouflage rested on her skin, its visor pulled her hair back like a pair of sun glasses. [How much further?] She asked. Even at Hogwarts she wasn't one to sit idle when she could be moving about.

[Not much, just two more stops.] Kirika then turned to looked at her. [Tell me a story.] This caught Samantha by surprise, her eyes opened and out of the corner of her eyes she stared blankly at her half-sister's expectant look. Samantha's impression initial of Kirika was simple, though a generally serious individual, when in contact with someone she felt a sense of kinship she would act like more childlike in an effort to gain something, in other words simple manipulation. What could she say? Kirika knew about mutants but there was no indication that she knew anything about the world of magic, and that was not a chapter she looked forward to facing once more.

[I don't have one.] Taking it as a cue to leave the past where it was, Kirika quickly started talking about her life, about the uncle that taught her how to fight, about the other uncle who was a national hero that resented her family for some reason or another; about how Yukio for a long time was the closest thing she had to a sister; but the one thing she wouldn't stop talking about the Kazuri. She idolized Logan, but also resented him… it was clear in her eyes that familiar feeling of abandonment, the one Samantha herself had felt for a better part of her life. For second Samantha feel something pull at the edges of her mind. 'You know that look.' It whispers. 'You have seen it in the mirror often enough.' It drawls before being pushed back by a by something outside her mind.

True panic, that accursed feeling she had forgotten in the Facility, gripped her harder than the chains they had used to restrain her. Samantha mind races as thoughts joined together looking for an answer to what could possibly be trying to enter her mind, till a stray memory halted her; the entirety of her fifth year she had struggled to find the same answer, Voldemort had entered her mind and tortured her with visions of people being killed and eaten by his pet snake. Voldemort the man that had taken away everything had found his way back into her mind, for an instant that primal sense of fear is reflected on her face, Kirika notices and cautiously rest her arm on Samantha's shoulder, snapping her of away from those thoughts.

Kirika debates if she should comment but decides against it. The ferry slowed to a stop, people came and left it. Neither noticed the woman with chalk white skin pass them by, nor how she stopped for a second before walking away. [Mother used to tell me stories…] she stated slowly, almost nervously. […it was so long ago that I can not remember the tale but I do remember what it represented. A warrior without fear lacks the drive to push forward and will fall to stupidity before time.] She took a deep breath. [Don't feel shame because your afraid, use your fear to protect what is precious to you.]

A hint of a smile crawled its way onto Samantha's face. [Your words are wise.] But the fear remained, she shrugged Kirika's arm off. The ship shifted from side to side in a gentle rocking motion, minutes passed slowly in silence. Once more the ferry stopped. Kirika was the first to stand with Samantha following behind her.

[This way.] She led her down busy streets to eventually stopping at what appeared to be an arcade. Samantha felt a spike of irritation surge through her. She had half a mind to ask her half-sister if she was stupid or was pretending to be. Kirika smiled at and disappeared into the darkness. Samantha moves to follow but found reality peeling away taking her back to place where the crimson stars shown brightly and land was covered in bones 'Comfort offered so effortlessly.' Its tone is bored and hollow, it sounded male. 'But you are still alone. We are still alone… even me listening to every mind in the world. Every mind weeping and loving and screaming and dying. And it never quiets' He sounds pained, the world shook at the sheer volume of his voice, 'Oh, God. Please, I wish it would quiet!' then it stops and Samantha can feel its eyes on her. She looked behind her to see crooked castle in the distance, a distorted version of Hogwarts. 'Your so quiet… My wicked lovely girl.' She felt a shadowy tendril slither up her back. 'What comfort will you offer me?' It rested on her shoulder, reflexively she turned and found herself back in the real world face to face with a man with a very angular face and a tall and long black Mohawk, he had a smile that reminded her of a predator. He smelled of nothing.

[Are you alright?] The air became heavy with pheromones, unconsciously she let her guard slip. But she was ready for it. She had demonstrated the ability once during her tenure at the Facility. Samantha shifted her weight and focused her strength in her right hand. She placed said hand on his chest and pushed back sending him into the water. She rushed into arcade wanting to avoid whatever scandal would follow but her instincts were going wild. There were so many horrendous scents that she could barely follow Kirika's. turn after turn she failed to find her charge. Until out of the corner of her eyes she spotted her waiving her over to play some shooting game. Without a second thought Samantha pulled Kirika with her.

"Is there a back entrance?" She asked the squirming form of her half-sister.

[Why are you talking like that?]

"Smaller chance of them understanding me. Now, is there a back entrance?"

"Yes."

"Take me to it." She paused noticing the door open and the scentless man enter the arcade, bones were coming out of his knuckles and she could see the animal in his eyes. "Now."

Sensing the urgency in Samantha's voice she began to run at much faster pace. Kirika knew the city, so they ran. "Where are we going?"

"Back to your mother's estate."

For the better part of half an hour the duo made her way towards land. Samantha noted the lack of lookouts that she had expected that either Mariko or Yukio would send out. The wind shifted and she could smell the Sabertooth's bloody stench, it was getting closer and coming from behind them. Samantha began to run faster and so did Kirika. A sudden explosion from the west nearly threw the duo off balance. It took a few seconds to register but when Kirika finally did she stopped. Samantha had to lift her up and carry her the remainder of the way. Samantha understood what had happened, the Yashida home had been attacked and new plans were already formulating in her head. When they finally reached the car she threw Kirika in the back seat before getting into the drivers chair and took off. Escaping the into the magical world was chief among them.

-March 22nd 1999 Dorogakure Inn Tokyo prefecture 7:00pm

In the four hours of travel Kirika hadn't said a word, her skin was ashen and her eyes completely red. Samantha had to drag her out of the car and into the very well named inn her magic had guided her too. Its wards kept all non accompanied muggles out so at they would be safe. Getting a room had been easy a soon as she showed them the Black family signet ring and food and clothing where provided as an added bonus. The inn was small in size but held a very rustic beauty and even had a thermal bath to relax in later. The room only had one bed, which she allowed Kirika to take.

Samantha's cellphone began to vibrate in her back pocket, the number understandably was blocked. "Hello?"

[Samantha? It's Yuriko.]

[What happened?]

[Mariko was right to suspect that the estate had been infiltrated… we were attacked. Harada and most of the security force are dealing with the invaders.]

[Is Mariko alright?]

[She is fine, we're currently moving to safe house-] A struggle could be heared over the line.

[Samantha this is Mariko how's Kirika?]

[Nearly catatonic, it would be best if you talked with her.]

[Listen, whatever she tells you, you must keep her hidden.] she could hear the borderline panic in her tone. [The enemy is focused on us, keeping us separate is the best course of action.]

[I agree, now I'm handing the phone over to Kirika so you can explain it to her.] With that she pressed the phone to Kirika's ear. Kirika blinked a few times before se finally spoke.

"Kaa-chan?" in an instant the phone was snatched away from her hand and cries off joy could be heared. Samantha watched as the girl talked endlessly before she felt that presence in the back of her head pull her back into the crimson star world. She was back, surrounded by dead trees in what felt like the forbidden forest. The shadow prince sat on a burned tree. 'Lovely Samantha, my Samantha'

"No"

'Welcome home'

"This isn't real."

'Real enough.' He said leaning in, his head alone was bigger than her body, his pointed chin nearly scraped the floor. 'Dreams are the only realities that matter, Samantha. Dreams keep a mans soul alive.' Without warning Samantha launched herself at him and dug her claws into its chest. He rested his body on the chair with an amused expression on his face. 'No pretense. No second thoughts, your mind is so…clean.'

"Stop talking." She orders. His face is in front of hers inches away.

'Make me' He waits and watches. 'Or not.' For some reason she stops and pulls her claws out.

"What do you want?"

'You wouldn't like to know who I am?'

"You are all the same, users, manipulators, pain makers."

'Not me. Not yet.'

Samantha's eyes narrow but she waits. "Fine. Your name."

'Some call me the Gamesmaster'

"What do you call yourself?"

'I don't know my name anymore. I lost it, somewhere. I think you understand how easy that is to do. To misplace pieces of yourself here and there… I hear everyone, Samantha. Every mind six billon. I can't… turn it off. All I can do is… focus… on people. If I concentrate. I can be at peace.' He sags in his throne. ' I can… rest just a little.' Samantha pushes off him trying to gain some distance but he reaches out to her, his tendrils wrap around her. 'Let me focus on you.' He whispers 'You and no other. I have been following your life for such a long time already. Be my peace.' He drew her closer to his exposed heart. 'There is an entire world I could give you.'

"No." She answers in an ending note. He loses the amusment in his eyes.

'Say "no" again.' He challenged. 'Say it until you run out of breath.' He tightened his grip 'Say it to me. Say it to the rest of the world.' He growls. 'But you will never own yourself, Samantha. It doesn't matter what you do, someone will always be waiting to draw you in. To control you and you will let them. Because that's all you know. Born a slave always a slave it doesn't matter if the chains fall away you'll put them on again. I can give you whatever you want. '

"All I want is to be free."

'No, that's not what you really want' he pauses smiling 'But I could give you that too. I could give you love.' He squeezed her heart. And pain erupted from her very soul.

For a second Samantha looses hope, but the echo of the phoenix bathes the world in green light purging the shadows away. and awakening her to a moon lit room where Kirika was fast asleep. She stood from her chair and walked to the window, those white stars gleamed ever so brightly. He was wrong he had to be wrong she could change. She glares at a distant shadow.

"Watch me."

A/N: Thanks for the reviews, hope you enjoyed, and feel free to review or PM.

Sorry about the late update was distracted watching Daredevi.