Locke Cole wiped his brow, standing at the bow of the airship, watching the clouds race by. His blue bandana slipped down over one eye, and his short sandy hair rippled in the wind. The ground spiraled as Setzer landed the airship.

"Well... here we are. The Colosseum..." Setzer said, brushing back his long gray hair to smirk at Locke.

Locke nodded. "Thanks, Setzer, I appreciate the lift. Later!!" Locke called over his shoulder as he walked off the airship.

"Hey!!!" Setzer yelled, getting ready to take off again. "Since you're going to the Colosseum, does this mean you're not dating Celes anymore!?!"

Locke rolled his eyes. "We were never 'dating', Setzer. We were just friends...." Locke sighed, remembering how much more than that Celes craved from him.

"So does this mean I can date her now?"

"Go for it..." Locke said, walking down the plank and away from the airship before the scarred gambler could question him further.

Locke sighed and gazed evenly at the Dragon's Head Colosseum. He began to walk towards the entrance, the raucous music drifting from the large building already audible.

The slim treasure hunter slipped into the entrance, easily blending into the crowd. People jostled him as they danced, the music pumping around him. People clamored to get to the arena and place their bets. Locke was shoved in every which direction, never seen, never noticed. The Colosseum was even more packed than ever; people were literally wall-to-wall.

Locke preferred to be invisible right now. For nobody to see him as they went amongst their business, none the wiser as he lightened their pockets. He walked as a shadow, near everything and everybody, but never seen.

Except by one man. He noticed the blue bandana almost immediately. He watched the slim rogue travel through the crowd, picking pockets. Locke seemed like a youth, young and fresh, but the man knew differently. Locke was young, somewhere in his mid-twenties, but his life had matured him quickly. Sandy hair tumbled around his heart-shaped, smooth baby face; his big blue eyes darting around the room, spotting the fattest coin purses and systematically lightening them. His slender frame was covered in a dark, yet decorative outfit, consisting mostly of scarves, sashes, and bandanas.

He never seems to change, the man mused, taking a sip from his drink.

Locke paused. He felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise. Someone was watching him, he could feel it. Locke turned to meet the gaze of the man who was watching him in the crowd.

Locke saw a tall, lithe man with white-blonde hair and swarthy skin of a light mocha color. The man was casually sipping from a champagne glass, with a smug smirk spread across his handsome, aqualine face. He had three, long scars spread across his face. He wore a ruffled shirt, a decorative vest, and tight swashbuckler's pants. His hair was cut to an angle towards his face, and earrings and various body piercings decorated the suave beauty.

Locke narrowed his eyes, displeased that he had been caught in the act. He tucked away the remainder of his catch in his sash and walked past the dark-skinned man, trying to determine if he would be a threat.

"Tell me, precious... Staying long?" the tall man casually asked, sipping again from his champagne glass.

Locke turned and glared at the tall man. "And is this your business?" he asked, placing his hands on his slender hips.

The swarthy man chuckled lightly to himself. "I'm just asking a question, precious..." he asked.

Locke rolled his eyes. "My name is Locke Cole, not 'precious'. And I'm here to join the Colosseum as a contestant...." he said crossly, becoming annoyed with the smug man in front of him.

The man bowed. "Forgive me, Monsieur Cole. My name is D'Arcy... I am merely a spectator... I am, how shall I say it, a financial backer to a few contestants..." he said smoothly.

Locke looked evenly at the man. Something about him was so familiar. Locke then noticed the most glorious treasure he had ever seen on the man's neck. It was a brilliant pendant, with tiny emeralds, rubies, and sapphires embedded within it, making an odd, but beautiful design. "Nice pendant... Where'd you get it?" the slim rogue asked, licking his lips as his eyes gleamed with avarice.

D'Arcy smiled still, a smile that would grace a snake. Everything about him was predatory. "This old thing? You like? It's a family heirloom..." he said.

Locke crossed his arms. "Family heirloom... So I guess you're kinda attached to it then?" he asked evenly, feeling dwarfed by the tall man.

"Not really. It wasn't my family..." D'Arcy purred, leaning near Locke as he spoke, twiddling the pendant.

Locke blinked. "Right... So, uh, what's the asking price, out of curiosity?" he asked, licking his lips as he stared at the jeweled pendant.

D' Arcy chuckled and leaned back. "Hmmm... Business before pleasure, I see. You've come at an excellent time, Monsieur Cole. I shall offer this worthy item to contestants seeking to defeat my most difficult of champions, Monsieur Chupon."

Locke groaned, remembering the pink, bulbous creature well. "Chupon isn't exactly the fairest, either. We woulda had 'im a million times over if he hadn't kept sneezing on us!!" Locke complained, his generous lips tugging into a pout.

"Now you understand why I offer such a worthy item to put forth upon his defeat. Otherwise no one will want to fight him...." D'Arcy chuckled, leaning back against the bar, eyeing Locke up and down.

Locke crossed his arms. "Well, I woulda done it... But not if I gotta fight the giant cotton candy man...." the rogue said with a pout.

D'Arcy raised an eyebrow as he placed his empty glass down. "Really? Perhaps I shall make an exception for a man of your beauty..." the tall beauty purred, leaning over Locke again.

Locke blinked and cleared his throat, feeling warm by D'Arcy's presence. "Errr... Whatever. I'm a... gonna go get a room..."he said cautiously, backing away slowly.

"Are you now? Then I shall see you tomorrow, Monsieur Cole."

"Right..." Locke exclaimed, nervous at the thought of seeing this predatory man, who was eyeing him like a lion eyeing a rabbit, again.

D'Arcy leaned forward to whisper in Locke's ear. "Tomorrow, precious... I'll send out another of my champions.... Sleep tight, Locke Cole. Tomorrow we have our wager..."he whispered, slipping his tongue out to lick Locke's ear before heading off.

Locke jumped and held his ear, staring agape at the retreating backside of the chuckling man. "He... licked my ear!!" he exclaimed to himself.

The slim treasure hunter shook his head and stomped off to the inn, feeling used. What the hell is up with that freak!?! I'm not some bitch he can use and abuse!!

Locke's train of thought was interrupted by a irritatingly familiar voice. "Step right on up! Welcome to the Dragon's Head Colosseum!! Place your bets here, folks!!" the voice called.

Locke stopped by the purple octopus, and allowed himself to smirk. "Nice hat, Ultros... Dig the threads..." he said smugly, grinning at his old foe.

The purple octopus looked up from his bet-taking, wearing a bright yellow ticket taker's costume. He used one of his tentacles to adjust his canary yellow cap and glared at the small man.

Locke snickered again. "How's your career going for you? Let any more small children paint your portrait?" he asked, almost coquettishly.

Ultros growled and bared his huge, snaggly teeth. "Shouldn't you be saving whiny women from bad operas?" he asked sweetly.

Locke groaned. "Now that was hitting below the belt, Uncle Ulty..."the rogue hissed.

"Aww, why don't ya go pick somebody's pocket, ya rotten thief..." Ultros hissed.

"FOR THE LAST TIME, YOU SNAGGLE-TOOTHED OCTOPUS, I AM NOT A THIEF!!!!! I AM A TREASURE HUNTER!!!" Locke screamed as he flew at Ultros, bandanas and tentacles flying.

A crowd soon gathered around the wrestling pair. Bets were soon placed on who was going to win. Odds were ten to one in Locke's favor, who was biting, kicking, scratching, and cheating.

Locke was very close to winning, having worn out Ultros with his pent up aggression, and raised his fist to hit Ultros one last time, before strong arms encircled his slender waist and literally threw him off the purple octopus.

Locke stood up, rubbing his backside from where he had landed as he watched Shadow clear the crowd and help Ultros up. He gaped as Shadow headed towards him, placing his hands on his slender hips before Locke, glaring at him beneath his cowl.

"Locke Cole. If you wish to fight, take it to the arena. Otherwise, if you are caught picking fights with the employees again, I will be hired to assassinate you," Shadow said, a familiar edge to his voice that Locke couldn't place.

Locke rolled his eyes, sauntering off to nurse his wounded pride. "Whatever. You people can suck me sideways!" Locke exclaimed sulkily.

Shadow smiled to himself as Locke stormed off. "I believe that's the intention, Locke Cole..." he chuckled.

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Locke awoke with a hangover. The sun hurt his eyes, and he stumbled out bed. The room spun and he leaned over to vomit in the pot by his bed. He heard applause to this action and looked over, wiping the snot from his nose.

D'Arcy's long form was leaning against the doorframe, clapping. "Wonderful performance, Monsieur Cole. Encore! Encore!" he said with a smirk.

Locke gave D'Arcy the finger. "Fuck you, motherfucker..." he slurred, moping over to the bathroom.

"How eloquent. All teasing aside, I have a business proposition for you. And I recommend you stay sober for the event..." D'Arcy said smoothly, heading out.

Locke grumbled as he brushed his teeth. "I hate that asshole..." he swore. He took his time leaving.

Shadow was waiting outside, leaning casually against a wall. "D'Arcy sent me to give you the proposition..." he hissed.

Locke sighed. "What is it?" he relented, glowering at the hooded assassin.

"Here's the deal. You fight me in the arena. You win, you get the pendant. You lose, you get the pendant," Shadow said, slight amusement in his snake-like voice.

Locke blinked. That was too good a deal to be true. "Okay. What's the catch?" he asked suspiciously.

"Well...... If you lose, you also owe D'Arcy a favor...."

"What sort of favor?"

"The sexual kind, you dip. Do you accept the offer?" Shadow chuckled.

"I....." Locke said, thinking hard. He wasn't surprised that D'Arcy wanted to get him into bed. But he was surprised at the price D'Arcy would pay for his "services". Locke wanted that treasure. He wanted the jeweled pendant bad. Real bad.

"Well? I don't have all day, Cole..." Shadow snarled.

Locke sighed deeply. "Fine..." he agreed. Locke wanted that pendant... and D'Arcy had made the deal so that either way, Locke won.

Shadow bowed and slipped away, presumably to report to D'Arcy. Locke went to go find a hangover cure...

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Locke stepped into the middle of the arena. It was almost evening by now. D'Arcy had scheduled the fight as the main event for the day, which annoyed Locke greatly. He was not a warrior. He was going to have to use cleverness and trickery to win.

The crowd cheered, and the stands were filled. Locke looked around nervously, then noticed Shadow stride out from his end of the arena. The crowd went wild, as Shadow was very popular amongst the regular customers.

Locke tried to look cool and collected, straightening his bandana. There he is.... Shadow... big as life and twice as nasty.... I'm not so worried about losing as I am about dying... the slender rogue thought to himself, swallowing hard as Ultros silenced the crowd.

"Ladies and germs!! Welcome to the Dragon's Head Colosseum!! In tonight's extravaganza we have Shadow, the ninja assassin!!! Facing off with him tonight, is Locke Cole, our foolish thief!!!" Ultros bellowed, smirking at Locke when he referred to him as a thief.

Locke's face turned red and he gripped his dirk in anger. Ultros had made a mistake. He just pissed off the wrong treasure hunter....

"Alright, folks!! Here it is.... Gentlemen... and Locke.... Let... the... games.... begin!!!" Ultros yelled dramatically, commencing the battle.

Locke was infuriated. He rushed Shadow in haze of rage, slicing at the tall assassin's side, and making a small flesh wound.

Shadow's true blue eyes widened in shock at Locke, and then a grin was seen through his black face mask. He lept at Locke, high-kicking the rogue in the side of the head, landing gracefully on his feet. Locke shook his head, falling to the ground. Shadow underestimated the rogue's cleverness, and the treasure hunter swept his legs into Shadow's legs, knocking the black-clad man on his ass. Locke leapt at the fallen ninja, raising his dirk to stab into Shadow when the quick ninja rolled to his side, quickly standing back up and chucking three shuriken into Locke's fighting arm.

Locke looked up in pain and anger, he dropped the dirk from his damaged hand, and caught it in the other, showing he was just as adept with the other with a quick flourish. Shadow smirked, and tried to rush the thief, but Locke was quicker and jumped high, avoiding the ninja's deadly blow, tumbling over him and stealing Shadow's stash of shurikens right from his sash. Shadow spinned, looking shocked as Locke grinned and pocketed the shurikens. Shadow sighed and brought out an ancient scroll, tossing it at Locke. Locke looked worried, knowing what it was, and only barely avoided the fire skean, the rush of flames and heat sending him toppling onto his stomach.

Shadow anticipated this, bringing out a wicked-looking knife, ready to plunge it into Locke's back when the other flipped onto his hands and back-kicked Shadow in the face, coming to land straddling the tall, lanky assassin. Shadow chuckled and yanked Locke by his choker chain, tossing the slender man over his head. Shadow back flipped onto his feet while Locke stumbled to his feet, looking dazed.

"Nice fight, precious. But it ends here," Shadow hissed, quickly lifting his leg in a snapping side-kick, slamming his foot into Locke's head.

Locke fell to his knees, blood dripping from his nose, his eyes cloudy with pain. Shadow reached over and took Locke's head, almost as if in embrace, and slipped his hands to his neck, dragging Locke back to his chest and placing him in the neck-breaking position. Locke closed his eyes, anticipating death.

"Victory to our reigning champion, Shadow!!!" Ultros shouted, as Shadow dropped Locke on the ground, staring at him with a smirk that was visible through his gauzy mask.

Locke stared up at the assassin, surprised that he still lived. "That was fun, Locke. But I'm sure D'Arcy will be having even more fun with you later on, neh?" the shadowy ninja smirked, his hands on his hips.

Locke cursed and groaned, as Shadow strode away, and nurses rushed over to attend to Locke...

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Locke sulked as his wounds were patched up and bandaged. No serious damage was done, mostly bruises and flesh wounds. A few potions and he was as good as new. He sulked when he went back to his room to shower and change. Locke came from his room, sulking.

"Such a sad face, precious. You put up a better fight than either of us expected from a sweet little boy such as yourself. Very impressive. You still earned your treasure...."

Locke looked up with irritation as D'Arcy dangled the jeweled pendant before his face. Locke snatched it from his hand, glaring hotly at the tall beauty.

D'Arcy smirked. "Does a night of pleasure with myself bother you that much?" he purred, leaning over Locke.

Locke could smell the cologne, a very familiar scent. He stared up at D'Arcy, his glare softening slightly. "Not really... Not like it's my first time with a guy, or like I'm completely straight... I was so goddam close!! I almost beat Shadow!! By myself!!" Locke whined loudly.

D'Arcy threw his head back and laughed. "Oh, my sweet precious... How amusing... That was no easy accomplishment. Be proud. Look at it this way... You not only get a pretty little bauble to play with... But the best sex of your life..." D'Arcy purred, a smirk on his face. He took Locke's bandana off, taking a lock of Locke's pale blonde hair in his hand and gently running it through his fingers.

"Yeah... whatever..." Locke pouted, still sore over his defeat.

"This way, precious. I think you will enjoy my bed better... It is far more luxurious..." D'Arcy said smoothly, turning away to lead Locke to his room, which was the grand suite.

Locke whistled when he went in the room. The room was quite luxurious, with a hot tub, a huge bed in a pit in the center, filled with pillows. A table with food had been set out, and silk was the primary material in the room. "Sweet... Lot better than my adventuring days, where I would have to share a room with three other people...." Locke said, stealing chocolates from the bowl on the table next to him.

"Hmm..... Thought you might appreciate such surroundings, precious. You are quite expensive, my pet... very high maintenance..." D'Arcy purred, pouring two glasses of champagne. He strode over to Locke, something about his predatory walk reminding Locke of someone.

Locke accepted the glass D'Arcy offered him, sniffing it for poison and then slowly sipping on it. He looked up at the tall, lanky beauty, staring at him suspiciously.

D'Arcy chuckled at Locke's distrust. He leaned over the smaller man, whispering seductively into his ear. "You are right not to trust me, precious, but I promise I won't garrote you..." he hissed, his voice losing it's smoothness to take on something far more... serpentine.

Locke blinked and then dropped his champagne glass, gaping at the smirking man before him. "You... lying.... cheating... assassin!!! You're Shadow!!! You tricky bastard!!!" Locke screamed.

Shadow laughed. "It took you long enough, Cole. I was beginning to wonder about your intelligence..." the tall man smirked.

Locke pouted. "You tricked me... What's with the D'Arcy persona?" he whined.

"Awww... D'Arcy was someone I killed long ago. I took my life savings, and D'Arcy's identity... Then financially backed myself for the events in the arena. I had nothing better to do, and the contestants can't bet... But D'Arcy can. And when I saw you, I knew just what to do..." Shadow explained, pouring Locke another drink.

Locke blinked. "So you bet on yourself, knowing my strengths and weaknesses... Which is why you could afford to give me the pendant... Because you made a fortune off of beating me... especially since you let it look like I was going to win for awhile..." Locke concluded his pretty face darkening.

Shadow bowed. "That was the plan... But you actually put up a good fight... I didn't have to let it look like you were going to win... Because I, myself, didn't know if I was going to actually beat you for awhile. You're resourceful, Locke. I underestimated you..." he purred.

Locke pouted. "Well... it was nice doing business with you, Shadow... Hope you drop dead..." he said, turning away to leave.

"We still have an agreement, precious... And I intend to collect..." Shadow said calmly.

Locke stopped and turned, staring at Shadow. "You... actually think I'm going to sleep with you... after what you did!?!" Locke demanded.

Shadow sipped his champagne, smirking at Locke. "Of course. You made the agreement. I win, you sleep with D'Arcy... And am I not D'Arcy? Besides... I could offer you a lot more than a night of fantastic sex..." Shadow purred.

Locke blinked again. "Like what....?" he asked, crossing his arms, determined to get a better deal.

"You're a treasure hunter. I have lots of treasure. And I know where more is. I need a partner in my ventures... We could be become very rich men together, Locke Cole. You are clever and resourceful, and I'm tricky and skillful. And you couldn't ask for a better lover..." Shadow offered, seductively turning away to strip and stepped down into the large pit where his pillow-covered, silk-sheeted bed was.

Locke licked his lips. Now that was a deal holding out for... "Fifty-fifty, right?" he asked, not moving, even as Shadow sat upon his bed, in a very suggestive posture, showing off his exotic beauty.

"Fifty-fifty. I'm fair, if I posses no other virtues. I swore to give up killing men for riches. So one must find alternatives..." Shadow purred.

Locke was now smirking, visions of treasure and fortune swimming through his head. "Sounds like a deal... I accept..." he said, a lop-sided grin appearing on his adorable heart-shaped face.

"Excellent. I like to seal my deals with a little passion, if you don't mind. I'm getting quite cold, and feeling rather neglected at the moment..." Shadow said, beckoning Locke over.

Locke snapped out of his greed-induced fantasies. "Oh yeah... Let's see if you're as good as you say you are..." Locke said, grinning at the nude Shadow and walking slowly towards him, stripping as he went.

Shadow smiled to himself, finishing his glass of champagne while admiring Locke's sweet beauty. "Very nice, Locke.... I always wanted to get you in my bed, but I was far too busy and you seemed all wrapped up with that whiny blonde.... whatever her name was," he said as Locke climbed down into the bed.

Locke sighed, rolling his eyes, his long eyelashes fluttering. "Celes... She was just my friend... Everybody thought we were gonna get married or something... When I'm in the mood for girls, I prefer those who don't complain about everything and don't cling to me like a barnacle on a sunken ship...." Locke said.

"I agree. When in the mood for female company... One must be picky... But the same applies to male company..." Shadow purred, leaning close enough to Locke, for Locke to feel his hot breath.

"Tricky bastard..." Locke muttered as Shadow's lips touched his, slowly engulfing them in a deep kiss. Locke closed his eyes, sinking into Shadow's embrace, his generous lips moving against Shadow's. The two men embraced each other, and Shadow gently sunk the smaller man into the pillows, moving his lips down to Locke's neck.

Shadow lay the younger man beneath him, slipping a thigh between Locke's, kissing and sucking gently on Locke's delicate neck. Locke gasped and then moaned as Shadow rubbed his thigh against Locke's beginning arousal. Locke responded to this stimulation by rubbing his own slim thigh against Shadow's already hardened erection. Shadow moaned into Locke's neck, moving down to Locke's chest, finding a nipple with his tongue and licking it slowly, much to Locke's pleasure.

Locke smiled to himself, his face in rapture as Shadow sucked gently on the nipple he found. Locke ran his slender fingers down Shadow's back, moaning softly. Shadow moved even further down, reaching Locke's still-growing erection. Shadow smiled and began to lick the underside of Locke's shaft, eliciting louder moans form the youthful looking man. Locke rocked his hips slightly up, digging his fingers into Shadow's back as the swarthy man began to suck gently on Locke, but only at the tip of his penis. Locke moaned, rocking his hips again, trying to get Shadow to engulf him, but Shadow was all tease and pulled back.

Locke's big blue eyes fluttered open, staring at Shadow with irritation. Shadow leaned down to Locke and licked his ear, whispering into it. "Just a little for now, precious. I don't want to spoil the effect... And its your turn..." Shadow said, his voice husky.

Locke sighed, sitting up. Shadow was on his knees and Locke bended down, licking at the very tip of Shadow's erection. Shadow ran his fingers through Locke's soft, sandy hair, moaning very softly. Locke decided to be just as much of a tease, moving down to lick Shadow's scrotum, eliciting an almost surprised gasp from the assassin. Shadow yanked a little on Locke's hair smiling with pleasure, as Locke sucked gently on the scrotum. Shadow sighed, and then pulled Locke back up reluctantly.

Locke blinked in surprise, no one ever stopping him from that. Shadow smiled and then kissed Locke, running his tongue along the inside of the smaller man's mouth. He pulled away from the wet kiss with a smile. "Very resourceful... But I have want of something particular from you, precious," he whispered, taking Locke, and turning him slowly around, kissing along his face, the side of his face, and then the back of his neck as Locke was turned.

Locke grinned as Shadow pressed his very hard erection against Locke's adorable butt, rubbing himself gently along Locke's opening. "Ahhh. Shoulda known..." Locke whispered, turning his face to the side, so Shadow could kiss the side of his face. Shadow smiled and groaned into Locke's ear as he pressed in, finding Locke to be exquisitely tight.

Locke cried out at the penetration, and Shadow began to rock his hips rhythmically into Locke, bending the treasure hunter over, so Locke was flat on the bed, almost smothered in pillows. Locke tightened his thighs around Shadow's waist, rubbing his own, almost painful erection against a pillow. Shadow moaned softly again, finding the bundle of nerves he searched for and thrust straight into it, causing Locke to get very loud. Locke tried to rub himself fast against the pillow, but wasn't finding the stimulation he wanted at this point.

Shadow smiled at Locke's crescendo of moans, and massaged the treasure hunter's back, leaning over the slim man to whisper in his ear again. "Would you like me to take care of that for you, precious?" Shadow asked, flicking his tongue out to quickly lick Locke's ear again.

"Y-... yesss...." Locke moaned into a pillow, his body dripping sweat, and he clutched onto the sheets.

"Beg..." Shadow whispered, still thrusting into Locke's hot spot.

"Oh god..." Locke cried, ready to beg anyways, " Please.... oh god... please... don't tease me... I need it..."

Shadow smiled. "We'll have to work on your pleading, precious... But that will do..." he breathed as he slipped a hand around Locke's waist, to stroke Locke's throbbing erection.

Locke moaned sharply, crying in pleasure now, his entire body in ecstasy. His body rocked forward with every thrust Shadow made, and Shadow pumped his erection to the same rhythm. Shadow was panting into Locke's ear, kissing the back of his neck, sweating as well. Shadow pushed Locke further into the pillows with one hand, and tightened his grip, but not painfully, as he pumped Locke, his own pleasure near peak. Locke started to cry out loudly, Shadow thrusting hard now. Locke came, almost with a scream, onto Shadow's hand, ruining one of the pillows.

Shadow smiled at the cry of pleasure Locke gave at orgasm and let himself release as well, climaxing inside of Locke, groaning softly, his discipline and restraint greater than the slim rogue's. Shadow slumped next to the still Locke, panting heavily from his exertion, wrapping his arm around his lover and pulling Locke towards himself.

Locke moaned at the movement, feeling a little sore, and grinned sheepishly at Shadow through heavy-lidded eyes. "You weren't lying about your prowess... It was great..." he breathed, grinning still.

Shadow smiled, feeling drowsy. "Mmmm... very nice, precious. I see that I made the right choice for partners... Especially in the more pleasurable ventures..." he sighed, leaning his head against a particularly soft pillow.

Locke felt sleepy as well, and lay beside Shadow, feeling warm. "Thanks... Know what the best part about sex with another guy is?" he asked.

"Hmmm?" Shadow asked, his eyes already closed.

"Don't gotta listen to anybody bitch about falling asleep after sex..." Locke said, resting his head on Shadow's shoulder with a smile.

"Well said, precious..." Shadow agreed as the two men drifted off into satisfied slumber, their deal now sealed.