:The sun peeks over the horizon as dawn approaches. The poker game has wound down to a climactic confrontation between the Blue Tigress and
:Panda-kun. All eyes of the "folded" players volley back and forth between
:the stony faces of the two remaining hand-holders (<g>). Panda transfers
:the stub of his cigar from one corner to the other of his mouth. Sapphire
:twitches her blue whiskers. Chang places two shallow glasses of saki at
:the elbows of the two focused competitors, as they consider their next moves.

:Panda: "Well, Saf. It's you and me. There's a pretty decent pot there. You
:gonna show me your cards or make me a rich panda?"

:Saf: [She ignores the panda's tease and continues to look over her cards,
:betraying no emotion on her regal visage. She then lays down her hand
:on the cluttered table, with a look of triumph gleaming in her eyes. A low,
:growl of pleasure emanates from her throat] "Read 'em and weep Panda-kun."

:Panda: [Panda stares at the cards thoughtfully, and then transfers his cigar
:stub back to its original corner of his mouth. He glances down at his own cards
:one more time and then gently lays them down on the table-  face down.]
:"You got me cat. It's all yours."

:Sapphire's face lights up in disbelief, as she stares at Panda's face, a portrait
:of defeat. She suddenly reaches out for the pot and cradles it, pulling it
:toward her like a bulldozer.

:The group groans in concert and exudes sighs of disgust. Sapphire hums merrily to herself as Panda reaches for the five cards that lay face down in
:front of him.

:The Wraith: "HOLD IT BEAR!" I wanna see those cards!" [The Wraith reaches
:for Panda's cards but is stopped by a large, blue paw, its needle sharp claws
:gently piercing the five cards in front of Panda.

:Saf: "You know the rules Wraith. he doesn't have to show you his hand."
 
:The Wraith regards the Blue Tigress begrudgingly, and then steps back. He
:suddenly vanishes into the ground with a hollow laugh.

:The rest of the group returns to their interrupted exit, their heads hanging low
:with fatigue and frustration. Panda rises from his chair and stretches with
:a long yawn, as Chang slides the metal bolt into place on Panda's pen door.
 
:Sapphire finishes counting the pot out loud and then sections the total into
:3 smaller piles.

:Saf: "Chang here's your third, Panda here's yours, and of course the rest is mine. It's been a pleasure doing business with you gentlemen. [Sapphire
:yawns and stretches in that glorious way that only cats can, as Panda casts
:an admiring glance her way] "Well, I think I'll be leaving now. My plane to
:the west coast leaves in an hour and I can't be late. Let me know when we
:can do this again sometime hummm?" [Sapphire purrs and gives Panda a
:peck on the cheek, and then leaves. Chang looks at Panda, who now has
:a contented smile on his furry face] "God she's amazing. Eh Chang?"

THE END

Or so the conspiritor's thought...But little did they know that Ami Mizuno 
stayed around to hear the gloating. She did not like to be hustled in a poker 
game, and she would have her revenge. Soon, very soon, one Azusa Shirtori 
would be visting a certain cat and Panda. 

Ami started to laugh as she disspered back into her magical girl world, 
ready to hurly untold horror on her tormentor's....

Ja ne!!

Richard(I don't like to be hustled) Beaubien
----------------
Mizuno Ami-chan forever!!!