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Chapter Two: The Chess Masters

Two teenagers were seated across from each other in a dark room. There was a thick tension between them, as if the air itself was choking them. A thin ray of light was visible through the windows; although not enough to overpower the darkness in the room.

"Have you met with your team yet, Renge?" The dark-haired boy in front of her set down his teacup and looked at her.

"I haven't had the time," Renge replied, hesitating. "They just met each other yesterday after all."

"That's hardly an excuse," Nekozawa retorted. "I see I was right in my opinion that you're not ready to participate in this game."

Renge stiffened. "That has nothing to do with the game. I have as much chance as you do to win."

Nekozawa smiled a thin smile. "Is that right? I've won every single game I've participated in, Renge. Even Reiko cannot beat me."

Renge gritted her teeth. "She was close last year."

"That doesn't count. Only winning will get you anywhere," Nekozawa said. "I have a very skilled team this year. I just thought I'd give you a fair warning."

She glared at him. "I don't need a warning. I'll do just fine on my own."

Nekozawa smirked. "I surely hope so." He stood up and put on his black cloak. "Oh, and don't get too attached to your pawns, Renge. They are just that; pawns. The chess master is the one that really matters. Without us, the whole system falls apart. The pawns are nothing without us."

"That's not right," Renge cried. "Without the pawns, the chess master is nothing! Who would we have to control without them? Who would do the things we can't?"

Nekozawa glanced at his step-sister. "An interesting way of looking at it. It's your opinion, I suppose. Although, I can't say I agree." He started to walk out of the room. "I wish you good luck in the game, my little chess master."

...

...

Haruhi examined the girl in front of her. She looked about her age; sixteen. She had wavy brown hair and big brown eyes. She wore a black dress with ruffles at the bottom, and her sleeves puffed out. Her hands were covered with black leather gloves.

"Renge Houshakuji, right?" Haruhi asked, trying to break the awkward silence.

"That's right," she said softly. "And you're my team?"

Haruhi nodded. "Yes."

"Let's get down to business, shall we?" Kyoya put down his teacup and adjusted his glasses. "Would you mind explaining to us how this is going to work?"

"Not at all," Renge said. "I assume you know mostly everything about the game already, so I'll explain some other things. The game will begin next week, and will last as long as it needs to. You'll be participating in many different types of trials to get to the chess pieces."

"Chess pieces?" Haruhi asked, frowning.

Renge nodded. "At the end of the trial, the winner will receive a chess piece. If every chess piece is found before one of the teams yield, the game will automatically end. The team that has the most chess pieces will win. You can, of course, steal a chess piece from the other team. Although, that hardly ever happens."

"Steal a chess piece?" Hikaru repeated with a sly grin.

Renge smiled slightly. "That's right."

Kaoru grinned. "Sounds good to me."

Kyoya frowned slightly. "And if you get caught?"

"Then you'll have to fight them for it." Renge shrugged. "But before you enter the playing field, you'll be put through several tests."

"What kind of tests?" Haruhi asked warily.

"The tests give you an idea of what awaits you in the game. You'll be put in a mock playing field tomorrow. It will look just like the real one, although the dangers won't be real." Renge stared at them with a grim expression on her face. "I will do all I can to help you all get home. Although I'm new to this game, I've known Nekozawa for a long time. I've talked to him a lot more than Reiko has, and I think I know what tricks he's going to use." She smirked. "Don't count me out just yet. I've got some tricks of my own."

Haruhi could tell that Renge was sincere. She truly believed that they had a chance of winning this game. Her confidence made Haruhi relax slightly. At least their chess master wasn't entirely incompetent.

"This is your first time participating in the game, right?" Honey asked.

"Yes," Renge admitted. "I can understand if that worries you all-"

"Not at all!" Tamaki exclaimed. "We can tell that you'll do your best in getting us home, and that makes all the difference. We have something Nekozawa and his team don't have."

"And what's that?" Hikaru asked dryly.

Tamaki started sparkling, much to Haruhi's displeasure. He pumped his fist in the air. "A fresh chess master!"

Renge sweat dropped. "Fresh?"

Hikaru's eye twitched. "Are you saying she smells nice?"

Kyoya smirked. "I see what you mean."

"And what exactly does he mean?" Kaoru demanded.

"Having a new chess master means that we can surprise Nekozawa. This is the first time she's ever been in the game, which means that he doesn't know what to expect from her. Unlike Renge, who I assume has watched every chess game, she knows what to expect from him." Kyoya explained.

Haruhi smiled. "Which gives us an advantage."

Tamaki grinned. "Exactly! So, all hope is not lost!"

"Yeah, but who knows what Nekozawa is planning this time around," Hikaru said. "Not to mention the team he has."

Renge frowned. "He told me his team was highly skilled. I don't know for sure that he was being truthful though..."

"Of course they're skilled," Kaoru said. "They wouldn't have gotten into this program if they weren't."

"But that means we're skilled too," Tamaki said with a smile. "We all have skills that will benefit us in the game somehow. We still have a chance."

Renge clasped her hands together in delight. "That's right! So, we all need to work together to win this game. If even one of us is absent, things will fall apart. It's not a chess game without all of the pieces."

"That's right! None of us can function properly without each other," Tamaki said. "So, we have to work hard!"

"Yeah!" Honey said, pumping his fist in the air.

"Ah," Mori said with a nod.

The twins looked at each other with identical grins on their faces. "Let's do this!"

Haruhi smiled. For the first time since she had arrived here, she felt hopeful. Perhaps she would be able to go home after all.

Kyoya shook his and smirked. "Idiots."

...

...

A/N: As you can probably see, Nekozawa is out of character. It was necessary to the story, and his real personality didn't fit with his role.