"I hope this thing ends quick. I want to get home and have a nice long sleep", Tsukushi groaned.

            Yuki could only shake her. Throughout the night, Tsukushi had either been whining, groaning, helping herself to the food or complaining about Doumyouji Tsukasa. Suddenly a waiter stopped in front of them.

"Excuse me Miss Makino, Mr. Yamashita request your presence immediately at the library," the waiter said.

            Tsukushi frowned as she followed the waiter. What now?

            Tsukushi was still frowning when she reached the library. But it suddenly turned into a scowl when she saw that Tsukasa, Mr. Yamashita and other three unfamiliar guys seated around a table.

            Sensing her presence, Tsukasa turned around. "Welcome in Miss Makino. You are just in time for a poker game."

"Come and seat Miss Makino. Lets show these young men who is a champion in this kid game," Mr. Yamashita remarked as he motioned her to the seat next to him.

"Poker? Im sorry sir but I dont play poker," protested Tsukushi politely.

"Oh? Are you too embarrassed and afraid to play the game knowing that I will win eventually?" mocked Tsukasa as he raised an eyebrow.

            An outraged gasp escaped Tsukushi. Of all the things! He mocked me. "No I am not a coward or embarrassed. Yes I will join you for a game," Tsukushi snapped as she took her seat.

            Soujirou noticed the exchange and grinned. But it was the mischievous glint from Tsukasa that really hit him. This is really going to plan.

"Alright! Here are the rules. No cheating, withdraw while you still can and winner takes ALL." Rui stressed out. When everyone had nodded their agreement, Rui handed out the cards.

            Tsukushi looked at her cards and grimace inwardly. "How do you play this game?" Tsukushi looked around nervously.

            Tsukasa caught her gaze and smiled. I'm going to win this game.

The game started and soon Mr. Yamashita withdrew from the game. Slapping his cards down, "Well people, I better be going now. Nice playing with all of you. Miss Makino, be careful of that person over there. He is a tricky one."

  Tsukushi glanced at the direction Mr. Yamashita was nodding at. Tsukasa's gaze locked with hers. "No need to tell me that," she mused to herself.

"Ok people. Show your hands," Rui said after Mr. Yamashita had left.

Everyone showed their cards. Tsukushi noticed that she was the weird one. Everyone had a straight flush except her and Tsukasa.

"Royal Flush," Tsukasa announced as he showed his cards.

            All of the bets were given to Tsukasa. Tsukushi stared as her money was given away. She has no more money to bet unless she wants to create a big hole in her life savings.

"I want to quit," Tsukushi burst out. All gaze were averted to her. Tsukasa raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"I have no more money to play," Tsukushi admitted.

"Well that is very sad. Perhaps we can save cost by having a strip poker," Tsukasa drawled out.

            Tsukushis face went white. Strip poker? She had heard that this game was the worse of all. People had to strip every time they lost. Tsukushi shook her head.

"No. Sorry but I really got to go," Tsukushi said as she walked to the exit.

"Well it seem that Miss Makino is really a coward. Too afraid to take a risk," remarked Tsukasa all the while hoping that Tsukushi would fall for it.

"Nani?! Coward! I shall show you who is the real coward," Tsukushi burst out. Looking at Rui, "I'll play".

            Tsukasa smiled inwardly. "You are gonna fall into my trap soon my tempest," he mused.

            Tsukushi draw again. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she looked at her card. I'm going to lose again

Show hands, Rui lean over the table and inspected the cards. All of the players showed their cards. All of the male players eyed Tsukushi  suspiciously when she didn't show her cards.

            At last Tsukushi showed her cards. "You lost again Miss Makino," Mimasaka remarked.

            Sighing, Tsukushi slowly took out the pins from her hair, unbounding it. Placing the pins on the table, Tsukushi waited for the cards to be drawn again.

            Tsukasa stared at Tsukushi as she shook her unbound hair. The brown hair cascaded down her waist creating a halo around her. Tsukasa felt himself growing with need. Taking a few calm breaths, Tsukasa averted his gaze back to his cards.

            Soujirou noticed his friends behaviour and nearly laughed out loud. True that Tsukushi is a beauty but he didn't think that his friends soul would be easily on fire with just simple movements. "Well its about time that he become aware of his needs," Mimasaka mused to himself.

After half an hour, all the male players had been striped down to the waist. Tsukushi had lost all of her accessories and valuables that left a big hole in her life savings. Thank god that her clothes are still intact. (A/N: oohh Tsukasa stripped down to the waist...**drools)

"This is the last game," Rui announced as he draw up the cards again.

            Tsukushi sighed in relief when she heard the announcement. This action went unnoticed by Tsukasa. I'm not going to let you off that easily tempests.

"Since this is the last game, why don't we raise the stake a bit?" Tsukasa smiled.

            Mimasaka knew something was going to happen. So he tried his best not to grin as he played along with his dear friends little game.

"No problem but what will the stake be?" Mimasaka looked at Tsukasa, masking any emotion that may flaw the little of theirs.

"The one who lost the worst will be the slave of the winner for two weeks," Tsukasa stated as he looked at Tsukushi in the eye.

            Tsukushi felt uneasy with it. Since she doesn't want to lose her pride, Tsukushi swallowed nervously and accepted the challenge.

            So the game was on. The male players played very calmly especially Tsukasa. Tsukushi on the other hand was becoming desperate. Somehow she felt that Tsukasa would do anything to get her.

"Show your cards now players," Rui announced again.

            Tsukushi, Mimasaka and Soujirou showed their cards. Tsukushi was the lowest loser. Soujirou had gotten a straight flush.

            Whistling slowly, "Well I suppose you will be my personal slave now." Soujirou gazed Tsukushi softly as he watched Tsukasa's reaction at the corner of his eyes. As he expected, a flash of anger marred Tsukasas face before it is covered by the blank expression that Tsukasa is extremely good at.

"Not so fast my good friend," Tsukasa laid down his cards. A collective gasp was heard from the players.

            When Soujirou had commented that she would be his slave, Tsukushi felt light headed and thought it was a figment of her imagination. Now looking at the smug looking Tsukasa and back at his cards, Tsukushi really felt light headed. With a last look at Tsukasa, Tsukushi succumbed to the oblivion that had threatened to engulf her. Slumping off her chair, Tsukushi fainted.

            Laughing out loud, Soujirou teased Tsukasa now that Tsukushi had fainted. "I wonder whether she fainted because she had to be by your side for two weeks or that she is trying to play chicken than face her soon-to-be-master's face."

            Moving from his seat, Tsukasa pinned Soujirou with his stare. "What were you trying to do just now? Make her yours?"

"Hey I was just trying to make the story a little interesting I dont mean to steal her away from you. Anyway Im your good friend and good friends dont turn their backs in time of need... hehehe" Soujirou nervously shrugged.

"Whatever. Just dont repeat it again," smiled Tsukasa. Carrying the unconscious beauty in his arms, Tsukasa headed for his awaiting limousine.