It was dark, but there was a gleaming brightness somehow.  The shiny, cold glitter of polished metal, catching the faintest rays of light and vainly reflecting them, multiplying them tenfold.

     It was cold, but the power flowing around made things strangely warm to the touch.  Power of the strange god/demon known as Orochi, the Serpent.  Orochi did not often invest his power in silly trinkets, like this medallion, but now there was a wonderful reason.  The avatar he had been waiting for had finally matured, and was ready to accept the power he had been born to bear.  This was the new vessel of Orochi's consciousness, the frail human form that would serve as his disguise in the mortal realm.  It was time for the children of the Serpent to unite again, and in this body, Orochi would determine which of his children were worthy to join him.  Those who were weak would serve as food for the strong.

     All that needed to be done was the entrapment of the avatar, and that would be…child's play.
 
 

    Chris looked around the antique store, disheartened.  All he wanted was something unique for Shermie's birthday, and if there was a place to find unique things, it was this store.  Unfortunately, it seemed that there was nothing quite right for Shermie that day.  The old-iron candleholders decorated with stars and crescent moons were neat, but Shermie wasn't a candle person.  And there was that neat Indian hand mirror, but that hadn't seemed good enough either.  Chris was quickly approaching his wits' end.

    On his way towards the exit, a glint of metal caught his eye.  He turned and looked at the brilliant silver medallion in its case, a large, coiling serpent forming the round border and a mystical-looking symbol adorning the center.  A sudden covetousness came over him, and he knew he had to have it.  Carefully, he picked up the case and carried it to the register, where the cashier made much of his choice.

    "That's right fine silver," the old woman said knowingly.  "I think it's some manner o' good luck charm."  She wrapped the case in plain brown paper and tied a piece of jute cord around the bundle, making an attractive parcel.

    "It seems like it," Chris agreed, taking the package under his arm.  "Thank you!" he said as he slipped out the door.

    "Yer welcome, sonny.  You come on back sometime," the cashier called after him.
 
 

    Shermie's gift ended up being a matching armband and bracelet set of sterling silver, cast to resemble coiled snakes.  At least, Chris knew she liked snakes as rings.  He hoped that held for other types of ornaments.

    He was a little annoyed at Yashiro, who was giving Shermie the rather unoriginal gift of a gift certificate.  True, it was her favorite store, but…there wasn't much personal feeling in money.  Or perhaps that was Yashiro's point.  After being laughingly rejected by the girl, Yashiro would want to make a point of not caring too much.

    Now that he thought about it, Chris realized that his gift might be a little too personal.  But he was positive she would love it!  And if it made her happy, it was worth taking a little risk of being too forward.

    Not that he didn't have a terrible crush on her…he just didn't want her to know that.  It was a pretty hopeless case anyway; she was older, and sophisticated, and sexy as anything, so she could certainly get any man she wanted, and that certainly didn't include a short, underage boy.  So he kept his infatuation under tight rein, and tried not to give any clue of how he really felt about Shermie, who likely didn't pay much attention anyway.

    At least they were close friends.  Chris didn't think he could bear it if they weren't.

    It was six o'clock, and Shermie would be home shortly from her day job as a secretary in a lawyers' office.  Chris had drafted Yashiro to help make a special dinner for her, and everything was just about complete.  The table was set with the "nice" dinnerware, and candles provided a softer lighting than the usual overhead mock-chandelier with its over-bright bulbs.  A startling bouquet of early spring flowers rested in a Chinese vase in the center of the table.  The only thing that would have made it nicer would have been Yashiro's absence.  Not that Chris begrudged his friend's right to be there, but…it would have been so sweet to have a private dinner with Shermie.  A little bit on the absurdly romantic side, but it would have been sweet nonetheless.  As it was, it would be the three of them dining as close friends.

    Yashiro had already made good his escape from the kitchen, and was watching MTV for a few minutes.  Chris set everything to keep warm and slipped off his apron.  The medallion glinted in the fluorescent light of the kitchen, and he cupped it in his hand, tracing the design with his eyes for the hundredth time.  It made him feel secure somehow, and he had not removed it once putting it on.  The others had not remarked upon this, but surely they had noticed and were somewhat curious as to what the thing really was.  He wasn't very sure, himself.

    There was suddenly a sound of heeled shoes against steps; Shermie was home.  "Yashiro!" Chris hissed, bringing the tall man dashing to the doorway.  They stood on either side of the door, and as Shermie pulled the door open and stepped in, they cried "Happy Birthday!", nearly scaring her out of her skin.

    "Damn it, don't do that!" she snapped, then smiled to soften her words.  "I thought I was going to have a heart attack!"

    "Oh, and that's the last thing we want for the birthday girl," Yashiro laughed, taking her by the elbow and guiding her in.

    "What's all this…?"  Shermie took in the view of the table.  "Oh, guys…you shouldn't have…"  She examined the flowers, an enchanted smile on her face.  "How very sweet of you!"

    "It's not much, but…it's your birthday," Chris said shyly.

    "Speak for yourself," Yashiro said sourly.  "You like to cook."

    Shermie giggled, her eyes dancing.  "Well, I'll go change out of my work clothes, and wash up a little…Unless the food won't keep?"

    "No, no, it's fine," Chris assured her.  "Take your time."

    "Not too much time…we're hungry, and so are you," Yashiro complained.

    "Fine, fine…I'll be ready in a few minutes."  The girl slipped off to her room to change out of her jacket and skirt.

    "'It's not much, but it's your birthday,'" Yashiro said in a mocking tone when Shermie was out of earshot.

    Chris blushed.  "Well, it is…"

    "It makes a good excuse for you, doesn't it?" the man laughed.  "Well, good luck.  She's a picky girl."

    "Oh, don't I know it…I'm not really…trying for that…"

    "No?  Then what's with this dinner, and that present?"

    "You helped with the dinner…"

    "Not by choice," Yashiro growled.  "She knows it was your idea."

    "Well…what difference does it make, anyway?  I'm just her friend…"

    "That's all you're going to be if you think that way…"

    "But I don't have the right to think anything else, do I?  I mean…I can't presume to think I have a chance with her, you know?"

    Yashiro looked at the boy a little oddly.  "That's a weird way of looking at it."

    "Well…I just don't want to get my expectations up, and then get dropped on my ass," Chris said finally, grinning at his friend mischievously.

    "Arrrrrrgh…"  Yashiro held his hand out and made a grasping motion with his fingers in a gesture of frustration.  "I'm just warning you…She's a picky girl."

    "But I like Chris' cooking," Shermie said, closing the door to her room and walking up the hallway.  The other two looked at her somewhat guiltily, but she didn't give any sign of having heard any other part of their conversation.

    “Well…I hope you like this, then,” Chris laughed, moving around the kitchen as Yashiro led the girl to her seat, pulling the chair out for her in a grandiose manner.

    Shermie giggled, sitting down and leaning back, playing with one of her ponytails.  "I can't wait to try it," she said with a playful grin.
 
 

    After the dishes were cleared, it was time for the presents.  Yashiro, not wanting to try to top Chris' gift, gave Shermie his card first.  She was delighted with the gift certificate.

    "I intend to use this as soon as possible," she laughed, hugging the man and kissing his cheek.  "Thanks, hon!"  Yashiro grinned and winked at Chris so that the girl couldn't see.  Blushing a little, Chris handed Shermie the small, wrapped box he held.

    "Mm, a box…" she shook it lightly, hearing something rattle inside.

    "I hope you like it," the boy said nervously as Shermie slowly peeled off the wrapping and opened the box.

    "Oh!"  The girl lifted the armband and bracelet out of the box, examining them closely.  "These are gorgeous, Chris!  Where on earth did you find them?" she slipped the bracelet on.  "Perfect!"

    "Oh, just this little place," Chris replied, blushing again.  "They seemed right for you…"

    "They are, they are!" Shermie laughed, leaning to kiss his cheek.  "Thank you, honey."  She smiled brightly, but Chris thought he saw a little mischief in her eyes.  What did that mean?

    "Well, that's that."  Yashiro stretched rather ostentatiously.  "What's on TV tonight?"

    "Yashiro, that was almost rude," Shermie laughingly chided him.

    "Sure it was, I'm a rude kind of guy!  But you love me anyway, right?" he winked.

    The evening continued in the usual fashion, since all of the "special birthday stuff" was over with.  Yashiro always watched TV, but Chris was never interested in what was on, so he found other ways to pass the time.

    Today he gathered his nerve and asked Shermie if she would play chess.

    "Chess?  Hmm…I haven't played in a while, but sure!" she smiled.  "I'm afraid you may overwhelm me, however.”

    "I'm really not all that good either," the boy admitted, "but I need the practice."  He pulled out his cherished Chinese chess set.  The pieces were all carved stone, shaped as functionaries in the court of a Mandarin, and the board was polished mahogany.  It was a beautiful set, and he took meticulously good care of it.

    "Where do you find all these neat things?" Shermie asked admiringly, helping him set up the board on the floor.

    Chris looked down at the chessboard, fiddling with the pieces.  "Antique stores, flea markets, things like that…Sometimes you go and don't see anything good, but the things you can find on other days makes it worth it…"  He looked up and leaned back a little in surprise; Shermie was looking at him steadily.

    "I see," she said, smiling again with that little wicked look.  "Shall I make the first move, or will you?"  Her hand was poised over one of her pawns.

    The boy paused at her choice of words.  Why had she said that?  Was she trying to tell him something?  That she…No, that was silly.  She hadn't meant anything by it.  Chris shook his head to clear it.  "No, you can go first," he said, waving a hand at the board.

    It was a long game, but finally Chris outmaneuvered Shermie into checkmate.  She laughed softly.  "Well, you won…so, name your prize."

    "What…?"

    The girl leaned her head to one side, smiling.  "You won.  Don't you want something?  If I had won, I certainly would."  Her grin was almost a dare.

    "But…what kind of thing…?"  Chris looked down at the chess pieces, unable to hide his confusion.  "It was just a little game…"

    "You know what I would want if I had won?"  Shermie's grin grew even wider.

    "No…what?"

    "Just something like this…"  She leaned over the board and kissed the bewildered boy on the lips, then pulled away, laughing at the blush spreading over his cheeks.

    "But, Shermie…"  Chris stared at her.

    She raised an eyebrow.  "Hmm?"

    Chris shook his head violently, feeling slightly dizzy.  "N-nothing, never mind…"  He looked around frantically to see if Yashiro had seen any of this.  Fortunately, the man wasn't in the room.  "Shermie…"

    "What is it, hon?"  Her smile was less minxish than before.

    "Why…did you just do that?"  The boy realized how stupid that sounded as soon as it left his mouth, but it was too late to take it back.

    "Why?  Because I wanted to," Shermie laughed.  "That's why I do anything."

    They put away the chess set and went to the den to watch TV for a while, but Chris' mind was definitely not on the TV.  Shermie had indeed made the first move, and it was his turn now.

    I wonder what happens when someone gets checkmate.