http://clampfix.fanworks.net/ss-fix/game01.txt </head><body><pre>Hi all, sorry it took so long in coming:) Title: The Game of You Authors: Epeeblade and Shinri Part: Chapter 1 of Part 1 Rating: PG for now Summary: In an alternate Universe, Subaru seeks to subdue the Sakurazukamori...by marrying him... Website: http://www.geocities.com/epeeblade/fanfics (will be posted soon:) The Game of You By Epeeblade and Shinri Part 1: Courtship Chapter 1: The book Subaru carefully unwrapped the brown paper from the package that had arrived only moments ago. The return address was Paris, France, so he knew it had to be from his twin, Hokuto, who had been abroad studying fashion for as long as he could remember. Dismally, he wondered what she could have sent him, the last package had contained a rather awful set of orange pants. This time, he was surprised to see a book under all that wrapping. A letter was taped to the front and he recognized his twin's scrawled calligraphy. "Subaru, I thought you might need this. Keep me posted! -Hokuto-chan." He pulled the letter off and gasped at the book's title. "How to get a man, 7 surefire rules to your heart's desire." His cheeks began to redden immediately, and he quickly looked around to make sure no one was around, although he was alone in his own apartment. How had his sister known? Then again, for as long as he could remember, she had been trying to fix him up with one guy or another. Why she had never attempted to do so with a girl had missed him completely, perhaps his sister had a better sense of these things than he did. He cracked open the book, and read the chapter on the first rule: "Rule number 1, Play hard to get. Under no circumstances must you make it easy for the guy. If you're too easy, you become a doormat, something he knows will always be there and therefore ignores. If he calls, do not call him back. If you are meeting for a date, be a few minutes late, and make no excuses, as if he isn't worth your time. Be aloof." Subaru snorted, "If I played any more hard to get, I'd be in another country. This is ridiculous..." Still, curious, he turned to the next chapter. "Rule number 2, Dress well. Men do notice a well-dressed lady. Never let him see you ruffled or unkempt. Hair and makeup must always be perfect, however, don't preen. Don't redo make-up in his presence, make it seem that you are naturally perfect." Subaru frowned, clothes were his sister's department, although he couldn't consider any of her clothes, well, normal. Ever since she left, his wardrobe had been pared down to jeans and tee-shirts, in various shades of gray and black. He moved to his closet, and threw open the doors. He imagined he could hear crickets from the empty chasm that gazed back at him. There was no doubt about it, he would need to go shopping. And before he did that, he needed someone who knew clothes. Unfortunately, Hokuto was thousands of miles away. On impulse, he grabed his wallet and trench coat and scooted to the apartment next door. He knocked and the door revealed a teenager with sleepy violet eyes. "Subaru!" Kamui gasped, "W-what are you doing here?" "I need some help." Subaru told him. "Anything!" Kamui blinked his long feminine eyelashes at him. "Um, is Fuuma in?" "What?" "I mean, I need to go shopping, and I figured maybe the two of you, might, you know, help. I need some nice clothes." Kamui snorted, "Then why are you asking us? Haven't you noticed that we never wear anything but our school uniforms?" "Oh, ok, then, I'll leave you.." "NO!" Kamui grabbed the Sumeragi's arm before he could leave. "Maybe, I think Fuuma has a friend who might be able to help... *** Subaru often wondered how he got himself into these situations. All he wanted to do was marry the Sakurazukamori like his grandmother said and end the assassin's reign of terror. Was that too much to ask? But instead, here he was, taking the advice of some book Hokuto sent him, probably as a joke. Kamui and Fuuma had gone off the meet this "friend" of Fuuma's, leaving him alone in this creepy department store. Creepy because all his memories of shopping included Hokuto dragging him around, and throwing horrendous clothes at him to try on later. He shuddered in memory, and began looking through the stacks of sweaters on the table. He saw a gray one that caught his eye and he reached for it, accidentally brushing his hands against those of someone who had walked up behind him, "Oh, I'm sorry…" he began, but faltered as he turned and saw who the wandering hand belonged to. Seishirou Sakurazuka stood there, smiling down at him, "I really think gray is not your color, the green would bring out the emerald of your eyes." "Um, thank you," Subaru squeaked out. The older man held out his hand invitingly, "Sakurazuka Seishirou, I believe we met briefly yesterday?" Ok, now what did the book say? Be aloof, crap how was he supposed to be aloof? "Sumeragi Subaru?" Subaru answered, cursing himself for the sudden uncertainty in his voice. He shook Seishirou's hand quickly, pulling back as if he'd been burned. "Are you certain?" Seishirou laughed kindly, his amber eyes twinkling with humor.. Subaru turned away, his cheeks reddening. "Yes." "Of the Sumeragi's?" there was a sudden darkness in Seishirou's voice, and Subaru turned surprised to hear it. "If you know of my family, you are educated indeed," Subaru flirted shyly, wondering if the book covered encounters like this. "Perhaps we should discuss just how educated I am? How about dinner tonight, at the restaurant in the park? My treat?" Ok, here it was his chance to play hard to get. "I don't think that would be a good idea, I hardly know you." Subaru blinked rapidly, trying his best to look sweet and sexy and confident. "Do you have something in your eye?" Seishirou asked concerned. "Um, no…" Subaru turned away again, his cheeks burning once more. "You are very cute, Subaru-kun, may I call you that?" As Subaru nodded he thought, ` you can call me whatever you like.' The man exuded a powerful presence, reeking of sheer masculinity. Subaru found himself going weak in the knees and was certain he would melt into a puddle any moment now. That's when Kamui and Fuuma finally returned, "Hey, Seishirou, there you are! I thought we were supposed to meet outside." Fuuma called, and once he approached them wedged himself between Subaru and Seishirou. "This is your friend?" Subaru gasped. How did his teenage neighbor know this sexy, confident man? "Yes, we met at the ice cream shop where I work. " Fuuma said adoringly. "I think he has the best fashion sense of any man, the perfect choice to help you Subaru." As he spoke, Fuuma kept his gaze firmly trained on the man before him. Seishirou looked irritated, "Why thank you , Fuuma, and shouldn't we get shopping? I don't have all day…" It was eerily reminiscent of shopping with Hokuto, Seishirou picked out various pieces of clothing for Subaru to try on, however, unlike his sister's choices, these clothes lacked anything pink, rubber or with feathers. He took the bundle into the fitting room, asking all three friends to wait outside. Once there, Subaru whipped the copy of the Book out of his back pocket, "What's rule 3?" he murmured. "Rule 3, the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Don't take him to a restaurant, cook a good homemade meal for him. This shows your dedication to your man, that you'd spend a whole day slaving over a hot stove. Plus, you get the chance to exhibit your cooking skills. All men want a wife who can cook. Use this opportunity to show this marketable skill." "Well that didn't help much," Subaru shoved the book back into his pocket, realizing if he stood there reading any longer, it would look suspicious. He turned to the first outfit, a set of tailored black trousers, a green silk button down skirt, with a matching metallic green tie. When he exited the fitting room, all three clapped. "You look simply wonderful Subaru, almost good enough to eat," Seishirou told him, causing Subaru to blush and squeak before he retreated back into the fitting room. "I don't think the book meant he should eat me," Subaru thought giddily to himself as he changed back into his original outfit. He wasn't about to parade any more outfits in front of that trio. He exited saying, "Well, if that one fit, the others should too, since they're all the same size. I'm going to pay for these, bye…" Subaru retreated to the cashier's desk, his credit card in hand. "Subaru-kun, wait," A deep voice came from behind, and Subaru found himself whirled around, the heavy hand gripping his shoulder firmly. "Please say you'll have dinner with me tonight." "I'm sorry Seishirou-san, but no." Subaru replied firmly. At the dejected look in the man's eyes he sighed and said, "however, would you like to dine with me tomorrow, a home cooked meal at my place?" Seishirou smiled at him, his golden eyes glowing like a wolf's. "I would like that very much, Subaru-kun. I will see you then." He lifted one of Subaru's hands and kissed the palm gently, dipping his tongue within the indentation. Subaru felt he was going to melt from just that one touch, and nearly swooned. He kept his feelings in check though, and remained (hopefully) aloof. *** Subaru hardly slept that night and spent the morning purchasing ingredients at his local supermarket. He even called Hokuto in France to ask for special recipes. "Don't you watch Iron chef, Subaru?" Her high pitched voice teased through the phone and Subaru had to hold his away from his ear to avoid the horrible feedback. "Hokuto-chan, please! This is serious!" he wailed. "Why, do you have a hot date coming over?' Subaru remained silent. "Oh-ho-ho, you DO! My little brother, finally getting some!" "Hokuto-chan!" he screeched appalled, "Please, I'm not that kind of guy…If you can't help, I'm going to hang up right now." "Sheesh, ok, there's this one recipe I know…" He spent the rest of the afternoon at the stove, hoping that at least some of Hokuto's cooking skills had rubbed off on him. Finally, it was all done and he placed the pots on warmers, set the table, complete with two candles. All he needed now was for Seishirou to arrive. He sat in the living room a bit restless. In final preparation for his dinner, Subaru decided to read the fourth rule, which startled him. "Rule number 4, DO NOT PUT OUT. Under no circumstances should you sleep with a guy unless the ring is on your finger. Girls, you know the saying, why should a man buy the cow when he can get the milk for free? Plus, it's another incentive to marriage, if the man is so riled up for sex he'd promise you anything. Now get out there and keep your legs together!" "I guess this goes with that whole, play hard to get thing," he murmured, then nearly dropped the book as the doorbell rang. He shoved it underneath the cushions of his sofa, then stood and took several deep breaths. Now, he could open the door. tbc</pre><p><a href="./">Back</a></p><p><a href=http://www.dreamhost.com/donate.cgi?id=216><img border=0 alt="Donate towards our web hosting bill!" src=https://secure.newdream.net/donate1.gif></a></p></body></html>