Italics represent memories and thoughts. :)

She found herself entering the greenhouse on campus. Technically, it was reserved for the botany majors and other students taking classes, but no one questioned her presence.

Among the various plants and small trees, she felt at peace. The scent of the fertilizers and flowers cleared her mind. She breathed it all in, desperate for the release it was sure to bring.

Most of the other students chose their quiet places of sanctuary based on silence and a decided lack of other people bustling about. She prefered the greenhouse, despite the other students around.

Her feet propelled her towards the very back on instinct. In this section, flowers grew everywhere. There were perhaps twenty different species, all lined up on tables and against the walls.

She gazed over them, letting the tempests of her mind fade away. With gentle care, she caressed the bud of a hibiscus.

This was her favorite place on campus. Every flower had a name, and she'd taken great care to memorize them all.

She found a little stool in the far corner and retrieved it. She pulled out a notepad for the sole purpose of pretending to study if someone happened to find her back there. Once she'd settled herself in, she took another deep breath.

She reflected back to the chaos of her thoughts and found one to pick her way through. This exercise usually left her with a clear mind by the end.

Students filed into the classroom, each claiming a table and a partner. Those that knew each other closed ranks, leaving the strangers to fend for themselves.

She watched the others, waiting for someone to claim the seat beside her.

A mousy girl with plain brown hair and dull eyes hidden behind thick glasses joined her, but didn't seem interested in a friendly hello.

She went back to her people-watching, only to find one of the most curious people she'd ever seen.

The long red hair was an oddity in and of itself, but the delicate, almost feminine, features that accompanied it were remarkable.

He was beautiful. It'd felt strange to use that particular word when referring to a man, but there was no other word for it.

He sat as if he were the only one in the room, ignoring everyone and everything around him.

Each of the flowers before her had small note cards sticking out of the soil. She'd used these numerous times, looking for plant names and any other information that had been thoughtfully provided. New members had been added to the uniform lines.

She frowned. It had been too long since she'd been there. Seeking this haven was a last resort- one she used once the tangled mess of thoughts in her mind became too much to simply put to the side.

Among the new flowers were two she'd never seen before. She could not give them names. Despite being more or less concealed behind and between the bigger flowers, she'd noticed their unique qualities.

One looked similar to a pitcher plant, it's bowl-like shape and slick petals belying what she was sure was its true nature. Dark blues at the bottom faded to pinkish whites, but the lip of the plant was violent orange. The liquid in the center of the bowl held the half-digested remains of several maggots and a single fly.

The other flower might have been closely related to a venus fly trap, but the colors were wrong, and it seemed far too small. The tiny heads of each plant were no bigger around than a pencil eraser. Where most fly traps were green on the outside and red or pink on the inside, this one was pale purple on the outside and bright blue on the inside. Each short tooth started at the base as white, then darkened to black.

He'd always seemed anti-social. He kept his distance, and most people tended to shy away from him or pretend he didn't exist.

Trying to be friendly, she'd said hello. All she got in return was a nod.

Miffed, but not discouraged, she'd said hello to him every time she saw him. He'd never once responded with anything more.

There were no cards on these two plants to identify what they were or who they belonged to.

As she leaned closer, she noticed a sickly-sweet aroma. Her nose wrinkled at the offensive stench, but she did not back down. Curiosity was getting the better of her.

The coffee shop on campus was always full of students. Many had books out, or chatted over laptops.

As a people-watcher, she'd noticed the signature bright red hair as she waited in line. By no means was she nosy, or overly social- she only wanted a hello.

Coffee in hand, she'd approached the table, noticing another student sitting across from the one she wanted to tease. It was a game to her, saying hello to someone who never responded. The day he acknowledged her would be the day she'd win.

"Check."

His voice was calm and cool, deeper than she'd expected it to be. Even over the din of the others crowding the place, his voice was clear and sharp.

As she made her way closer to his table, she spotted the chess board. Unable to repress a grin, she studied the pieces.

In a bold move, she'd stepped forward, reaching over his shoulder, and moving one of his pieces for him. She'd felt his entire body tense beside her. When she straightened back up, she flashed him a smile.

"That's checkmate," she teased. When his eyes met hers, she tasted victory.

With one hand outstretched, she considered touching the slick petal of the pitcher plant.

"I must strongly advise against handling those." Flinching at the sudden sound of another human voice, she pulled her hand back and straightened.

Shuichi stood a few feet away, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"Beauty can be deadly," she muttered, glancing back down at the flowers. A light chuckle brought her attention back to the redhead beside her. He'd moved closer, though she hadn't heard his footsteps.

It was unsettling.

"Would you like to play?" he asked, gesturing towards the board. She nodded. The other student grumbled as he stood and gathered his things.

She would play white.

The pieces were placed in their starting positions, and he allowed her the first move.

That first game had been the easiest she'd played against him. His look of surprise made her laugh.

"You'll have to play better next time." Then she'd stood and left, heading out for her next class.

"Miriko?" His voice snapped her out of her memory. Those emerald eyes were staring through her, piercing her soul. She tried to smile, but her lips only twitched before settling back into her almost-frown. "Is something wrong?

"No," she answered softly. It was the truth, though she wished she were alone. She needed more time to sift through her thoughts. She turned to face Shuichi. "Why are you here?"

There was a moment of pause. His eyes bore into hers- they were guarded, almost suspicious.

No games. Not now, when she was too overwhelmed with confusion to fight back.

"Those are my flowers," he stated. She looked down at the tiny buds of the plant she likened to a flytrap.

She was sitting at her lab table, watching everyone from behind her book. The seat beside her remained empty.

He entered the classroom. Her eyes flashed down to her book. She waited.

"May I join you?"

He'd never asked anyone else before. She looked up at him, smiling and nodding. Something about him made her tense. Her body screamed for her to get up and walk away. She refused.

"You seem distracted," he muttered. She shrugged. Of course she was distracted- this was her place of solace and he was an invader.

"I come here to think," she whispered.

She wanted him to leave. Her strange fascination with him was becoming too much to bear. How was she supposed to work out this situation in her mind with him so close?

Staring at the flowers, she thought of how flustered she'd been only a few hours ago. Their unique conversation at the cafe had thoroughly confused her. What did he expect of her?

"I have to go." With one swift movement, she stood and snatched up her bag, turning to run from the greenhouse.

"Wait." His hand caught the top of her arm, stopping her. "Perhaps I can help with whatever is troubling you?"

Annoyed, she pulled her arm from his grasp and rounded on him.

"You're what's troubling me!" Her words echoed around them. She hadn't realized she'd shouted. "I can't figure you out! Why do we continue playing these asinine games?"

Shock registered clearly on his perfect face. Part of her hated him at that moment.

Even when he appeared surprised, the look in his eyes was almost mocking, as if he knew far more than he ever let on. Her stomach was doing flips at the expression.

Each day was the same. Her teasing hellos and his equally teasing nods in return.

They were on opposite ends of a battlefield yet again.

She stared at him, watching his eyes as he considered her outburst.

"I apologize."

She expected herself to crumble at his words, to run to him and apologize as well.

Anger flashed through her instead. She turned her face away from him. Her hand balled into a fist at her side.

They met for chess everyday. Coffee and conversation always followed.

He was a tease. His clever puns and innuendos were always full of both insults and compliments.

She'd always responded in kind, stepping up to his challenge.

"I didn't ask for an apology," she snapped. She turned to look at him once more.

His face was carefully blank.

"No," he stated, his tone measured and calm.

What am I doing here?

"I won't play this game." Her rage had simmered down, but her tone held a certain amount of force that could not be ignored.

That same flash of shock changed his expression for a brief moment.

"I never asked you to." His expression was unreadable.

Bewilderment altered her features. From that very first game of chess, he'd been tormenting her. The little comments and remarks about her strategy and intent pushed her to respond.

"I never back away from a challenge," she retaliated.

This confrontation began weeks ago. His direct insult had been to allow her to win. It was only after the battle was over that she realized he'd pulled his punches.

She'd responded in kind, sacrificing each of her men to his conquering king at the second battle.

The chess board was spread out between them. She studied the pieces remaining.

She'd lost this match.

"I underestimated you," she admitted with a small smirk.

That statement had been layered, and she'd known he would see through it. It wasn't quite a bold-faced lie, but one she chose for the purpose of adding insult to injury.

"What do you call this?" His voice and face were passive.

Ire boiled through her veins. This was another game- one of wills. He was pushing her to break- to forget the situation and continue on as if it had never taken place.

Bowing out was no longer an option.

"Asking for a straight answer for once," she muttered.

He did not answer. He lowered his head, eyes cast to the floor.

"Allow me to put it more simply," she began, aware of the bitterness in her tone. "If my only purpose is your entertainment, I'd appreciate knowing. Do not play me for a fool, Shuichi."

His head snapped up, eyes blazing with fury.

"Do you truely think so little of me?" he demanded. She shook her head and his features relaxed once more. "Yet you have no problem believing I think so little of you?"

That particular observation had never crossed her mind. She'd never believed him to regard her as anything less than what she was.

Distraction was quickly becoming her mortal enemy.

"Answer my question!" She'd shouted again...

His eyes cut into hers. The tension was suffocating her. He was still while she was shaking. They were always on opposite sides.

The strain between them increased when he stepped forward. She was certain that this was the closest he'd ever come to her face to face.

Shuichi looked older in that moment, far older than any college student. His eyes were no longer the bright emerald she'd become accustomed to. At this moment, they were dark, shaded behind the thoughts that those orbs were reflecting.

"I have met few people that challenge me," he began, guarded and gradual. "However, your ability to navigate the mind's inherent twists with grace astounds me*."

Finding it difficult to stand still, she crossed her arms over her chest. Eyes narrowed against him, she waited for him to continue.

Compliments could never be taken at face value- not with Shuichi.

"Our games…" he faltered. She might have been amused by his struggle for words if she wasn't so desperate to know what he was trying to say. "Our games leave much to be desired. I wish to know all of you."

What?

Mind reeling, she studied the dark intentions and solid truths in his eyes. His mouth was set in a hard line. His struggle was ongoing as he warred with himself over the words he'd just spoken.

Unable to conceal her surprise, her eyes widened and her lips parted. All of her breath left her in one exhalation. The room was spinning around her as her thoughts raged in the depths of her mind.

What does he mean?

Gasping, she felt her body craving oxygen like an addict. Her breathing was shallow and rapid- unable to fully satisfy her need for air. Chest burning under the strain, she fought for deeper breaths.

Those shadowed eyes were boring into hers.

How do I respond?

Words were failing her. She didn't know what her own thoughts were- they would not settle into clearly formed ideas.

She nodded.

It was the only thing she could do.

Shuichi's statement had been accurate- their games weren't enough to satisfy either one of them. Dodging questions and dancing around facts had led them to this spot.

Taking a deep breath, she willed her muscles to relax. She focused on her fists first, straightening her fingers one by one. Her shoulders were next, rolling them back and letting them fall.

Understanding washed over her like a bucket of ice cold water. The emotions that were reflected in his eyes provided the answers she so desperately sought.

This game was over- the battle ended.

Her stance relaxed and a loose smile took its place on her lips. She was amused by the darkening look in his eyes that served as his response to her sudden change in demeanor.

"What is your proposal?" she asked. That light in his eyes flickered as he analyzed her words.

Now they were on an equal playing field- no more pawns left to take the devastating blows that diminished their power.

If his statement has served as his surrender, then her question in return acted as her own.

The darkness in his eyes faded as a smirk replaced the hard line his mouth had settled into.

"I do believe I've already invited you for dinner." He was teasing again.

Her bitterness had been obliterated. They'd reverted seamlessly back to their word games, but this was no war.

Shuichi's statement felt wrong. She considered the words carefully before speaking.

"For?" she shot back, catching the hint in his tone.

He did not respond, but desire shadowed his eyes in a new way.

There was no mistake. His intentions brightened his emerald eyes, the smirk becoming almost sinister.

Her spine tingled and her stomach dropped. She was grateful for her gray sweater as chill bumps rose over her arms.

Part of her mind warned her against him, screaming for caution. She ignored it.

Tightening her grip on her bag, she turned away from him once more.

"9 o'clock?" she asked. He nodded once. "I'll be ready." With that, she headed for the exit, her mind reeling with new possibilities.

Perhaps a stalemate wasn't a terrible way to end a war.

A/N:

First of all: thank you to those who've been reading this!

Second: This all started with that fun little one-shot (part one). Then it sort of… grew legs and ran away, becoming its own creature of existence. That being said- there might be a few more chapters.

(Might being the key word there!)

A few shout outs:

GoodEnoughTheOpenDoor says there is 154% sexual tension in the line "I want to know all of you."

I loved that- had to share it. :p

The line before the asterisk (*) is a creation of Miss dragonfly-rising, and I thank her very much for her help!

And, here's a shout out to Just 2 Dream of You! Just because she's her awesome self!

This chapter put me through hell and back to write, so I hope everyone enjoys it!

I am shamelessly begging for reviews!

Thanks again to those who've read and reviewed and favorited/followed- it means EVERYTHING to me!