castling
Genre: fanfiction (Death Note)
Rated: G
Started: 11.08.2006
Ended: 14.08.2006
Author's Note: Short story written for Linda, unlearned. This is my first Death Note fanfiction, so it took me a while to figure out how I wanted to portray the characters and take the story.
Light and L play chess. I based parts of the story on my experience back when I was part of the chess academy (one of the guys that was there, a classmate of mine, placed third in the nation). Also, if I had to place this in a certain period in the story, I suppose I would put this sometime before Misa appears. Hope it's worthy!
Summary: Ironically, the situation mirrored the situation that brought them together. An open invitation followed by a series of planned steps, each attempting to prevent capture while openly launching attacks at the opponent.
--------------------------------------------
Dark eyes, accented by skin darkened by sleep deprivation, trained themselves on the hand of his opponent. Slim, strong fingers picked up the heavy frosted glass piece and set it down two squares in front of it. White pawn to D-4. The gaze followed the hand as it retreated, taking its place on top of Raito's other hand. The turn was finished.
A thumb habitually settled itself on L's bottom lip as he sat stooped over in the chair with his knees drawn up to his chest. Expression unreadable, L concentrated his gaze on the frosted and clear squares, mind working at the speed of light as he picked an approach. Then he looked up, meeting Raito's gaze before turning his attention back to the board.
And so came the declaration of war.
Ironically, the situation mirrored the complete existence of their relationship. An open invitation followed by a series of planned steps, each attempting to prevent capture while openly acting on the offense.
Only the stakes were lower. Chess did not need an alias and vague provocations to drive the momentum of the game. All it needed was a sharp mind and pride.
A thin, pale finger tapped the knight before a thumb rested on the neck of the piece. Picking it up between his fingers, L moved the piece out in front of the formation.
Black knight to F-6. The Scottish Opening.
Reflecting an action that he had taken in the Kira case, L made a bold move by exposing one of his most powerful pieces early on in the game. Though the move forced him out of his comfort level, such a thing wouldn't break the camel's back. Besides, it might reveal something about Light, just as it did with Kira.
Oh how he would love to prove that they were one and the same.
The percentage was currently 5 percent. And possibly rising.
L's thoughts were interrupted by the soft tap of a glass piece being placed on the glass surface of the chessboard. White pawn to E-4.
L could feel Raito's gaze fixate on him from behind the long brunette bangs as he tapped his fingers on his knees. Absentmindedly brushing his lower lip with his thumb constantly, he focused his attention on the board, planning his strategy ten steps ahead. Though overly cautious, it was better to be cautious than to weep over one's mistakes a minute later.
Black pawn to D-6.
Forty-five minutes later, many of the chess pieces were engaged in a standstill, unable to move under the risk of being captured. Each player studied the board intensively, anticipating the consequences and calculating ways to minimize the losses.
The game no longer focused itself on outmaneuvering the opposite side, but rather on the battle of attrition.
Raito leaned forward, looking over his folded hands with a thoughtful expression as he placed his full concentration on the chessboard. Should one look harder, hints of frustration nested itself in his brow, which furrowed together. A direct result of overanalysis. Should he make the move or would he come off too aggressive? If he backed off, wouldn't it seem out of character? Long bangs hid his murderous glint, which mirrored that of a five-year-old that was proven wrong for the first time. Determination reflected through his twisted lip as he sat, heeding the set up of each piece that graced the chessboard.
L, on the other hand, stared blankly at the top of Raito's head, squatting on the chair as he waited patiently for his turn to move. His impenetrable expressions concealed his emotions perfectly from all those around him as he wore a mask of a simpleton. The perfect disguise for a genius mind.
Anyone observing the pair would admit that it created a sharp contrast to L's unassuming expression as he enthusiastically ate his chocolate koala bear cookies.
Then everything went into motion.
A white bishop takes the black knight on E-9.
Black bishop takes the white bishop on E-9.
White bishop takes the black rook on C-8.
When the dust settled, each found more prominent pieces lost, sacrifices for something more important. Raito slowly smiled at the situation. He had managed to create a dilemma that would force L to make sacrifices. One would lead to checkmate while the other would force him to sacrifice a major piece in the game. If L played into his trap, he would have the upper hand.
Despite Raito's high spirits, the question remained. Would L take the bishop with the pawn?
A hand reached over for the pawn and paused while the tired eyes studied the board some more. Then all of a sudden, he grabbed the king and swapped and placed it on B-8, resting the rook on C-8. Castling. He decided not to take the bait and opted to protect the most valuable piece on the board. Conservative, but an interesting development nevertheless.
Finally, Raito's brow furrowed in thought, he made a miscalculation. The black queen clearly guarded the 8th row, ready to take on any offending pieces from her perch. Somehow, he would have to pull through in the end. To end in a draw would be cowardly.
The two sides engaged in an intense tango, sacrificing pieces in order to gain an advantage over the other.
"Checkmate," Raito finally said triumphantly, as he picked his knight, the keystone of his strategy, and set it down, cornering L's king. Chestnut brown eyes fixed themselves on L's expressionless stare, displaying a silent taunt as he waited for the inevitable surrender.
A hand reached out and knocked over the black king, a clear signal of resignation. A silent smirk formed in Raito's mind.
This match was his.
---- end of castling
Disclaimer: Thanks to aoi_aka for checking grammar.
Rated: G
Started: 11.08.2006
Ended: 14.08.2006
Author's Note: Short story written for Linda, unlearned. This is my first Death Note fanfiction, so it took me a while to figure out how I wanted to portray the characters and take the story.
Light and L play chess. I based parts of the story on my experience back when I was part of the chess academy (one of the guys that was there, a classmate of mine, placed third in the nation). Also, if I had to place this in a certain period in the story, I suppose I would put this sometime before Misa appears. Hope it's worthy!
Summary: Ironically, the situation mirrored the situation that brought them together. An open invitation followed by a series of planned steps, each attempting to prevent capture while openly launching attacks at the opponent.
--------------------------------------------
Dark eyes, accented by skin darkened by sleep deprivation, trained themselves on the hand of his opponent. Slim, strong fingers picked up the heavy frosted glass piece and set it down two squares in front of it. White pawn to D-4. The gaze followed the hand as it retreated, taking its place on top of Raito's other hand. The turn was finished.
A thumb habitually settled itself on L's bottom lip as he sat stooped over in the chair with his knees drawn up to his chest. Expression unreadable, L concentrated his gaze on the frosted and clear squares, mind working at the speed of light as he picked an approach. Then he looked up, meeting Raito's gaze before turning his attention back to the board.
And so came the declaration of war.
Ironically, the situation mirrored the complete existence of their relationship. An open invitation followed by a series of planned steps, each attempting to prevent capture while openly acting on the offense.
Only the stakes were lower. Chess did not need an alias and vague provocations to drive the momentum of the game. All it needed was a sharp mind and pride.
A thin, pale finger tapped the knight before a thumb rested on the neck of the piece. Picking it up between his fingers, L moved the piece out in front of the formation.
Black knight to F-6. The Scottish Opening.
Reflecting an action that he had taken in the Kira case, L made a bold move by exposing one of his most powerful pieces early on in the game. Though the move forced him out of his comfort level, such a thing wouldn't break the camel's back. Besides, it might reveal something about Light, just as it did with Kira.
Oh how he would love to prove that they were one and the same.
The percentage was currently 5 percent. And possibly rising.
L's thoughts were interrupted by the soft tap of a glass piece being placed on the glass surface of the chessboard. White pawn to E-4.
L could feel Raito's gaze fixate on him from behind the long brunette bangs as he tapped his fingers on his knees. Absentmindedly brushing his lower lip with his thumb constantly, he focused his attention on the board, planning his strategy ten steps ahead. Though overly cautious, it was better to be cautious than to weep over one's mistakes a minute later.
Black pawn to D-6.
Forty-five minutes later, many of the chess pieces were engaged in a standstill, unable to move under the risk of being captured. Each player studied the board intensively, anticipating the consequences and calculating ways to minimize the losses.
The game no longer focused itself on outmaneuvering the opposite side, but rather on the battle of attrition.
Raito leaned forward, looking over his folded hands with a thoughtful expression as he placed his full concentration on the chessboard. Should one look harder, hints of frustration nested itself in his brow, which furrowed together. A direct result of overanalysis. Should he make the move or would he come off too aggressive? If he backed off, wouldn't it seem out of character? Long bangs hid his murderous glint, which mirrored that of a five-year-old that was proven wrong for the first time. Determination reflected through his twisted lip as he sat, heeding the set up of each piece that graced the chessboard.
L, on the other hand, stared blankly at the top of Raito's head, squatting on the chair as he waited patiently for his turn to move. His impenetrable expressions concealed his emotions perfectly from all those around him as he wore a mask of a simpleton. The perfect disguise for a genius mind.
Anyone observing the pair would admit that it created a sharp contrast to L's unassuming expression as he enthusiastically ate his chocolate koala bear cookies.
Then everything went into motion.
A white bishop takes the black knight on E-9.
Black bishop takes the white bishop on E-9.
White bishop takes the black rook on C-8.
When the dust settled, each found more prominent pieces lost, sacrifices for something more important. Raito slowly smiled at the situation. He had managed to create a dilemma that would force L to make sacrifices. One would lead to checkmate while the other would force him to sacrifice a major piece in the game. If L played into his trap, he would have the upper hand.
Despite Raito's high spirits, the question remained. Would L take the bishop with the pawn?
A hand reached over for the pawn and paused while the tired eyes studied the board some more. Then all of a sudden, he grabbed the king and swapped and placed it on B-8, resting the rook on C-8. Castling. He decided not to take the bait and opted to protect the most valuable piece on the board. Conservative, but an interesting development nevertheless.
Finally, Raito's brow furrowed in thought, he made a miscalculation. The black queen clearly guarded the 8th row, ready to take on any offending pieces from her perch. Somehow, he would have to pull through in the end. To end in a draw would be cowardly.
The two sides engaged in an intense tango, sacrificing pieces in order to gain an advantage over the other.
"Checkmate," Raito finally said triumphantly, as he picked his knight, the keystone of his strategy, and set it down, cornering L's king. Chestnut brown eyes fixed themselves on L's expressionless stare, displaying a silent taunt as he waited for the inevitable surrender.
A hand reached out and knocked over the black king, a clear signal of resignation. A silent smirk formed in Raito's mind.
This match was his.
---- end of castling
Disclaimer: Thanks to aoi_aka for checking grammar.