Chapter 1: Wolves at Tundra

Sakura Kinomoto POV

I unloaded the rest of my boxes from my black ford f150. First and only thing I purchased with my mother's filthy money. Fitting really, to use the cash she shoved down my throat to run away from her.

"Your face is worth millions darling. You can land a billionaire and be set for life. Here, push your boobs out more." Her chilling voice rang through my head, a constant reminder how messed up my life was. My mother was a proud gold digger, flitting from one husband to the next. She was divorced four times and is now with husband number five. Older, meaner and more twisted than the rest and the most important, richer. My mother was immensely wealthy already, ergo, I was too but I didn't take her money if I could help it. I busted my teenage self to work part time, full time in between college classes to save enough money to leave.

I shrugged. That's in the past now. I left New York for this small town in Japan, the place where I was born and raised until I was 5, hoping to have a fresh new start without all the lies, scheming and deceiving my mother brings around with her. When I hit 21, I bought a one way ticket here with my savings and never looked back.

I made my way to the apartment I looked up online, just two floors up with a small balcony that I see a lot in Japanese movies and made a mental check list on what I should do. Make my home cozy, as cozy as this small run down apartment could be. It's a good thing their parking lots are secured. Second, get a job. And last but certainly not the least, look for my father.

I don't remember what he looked like. I don't remember a specific moment when I was with him or what we were doing. All I could remember was happiness. Every time I tried to conjure him up in my thoughts, I could only remember the feeling of being happy, of being safe and that alone is enough, enough for me to seek him out and give me a sense of belonging because for all the bravado and attitude I have, deep down I still wanted to be part of something.

God I'm turning into a sap. I reached my door, fumbled with my keys and before I could turn it, it suddenly opened. A woman slightly taller than my 5'3" height with black hair stood in front of me, her gray eyes wide and a big grin on her face. Before I could register everything, she plucked the boxes out of my hands and placed them on the floor before latching herself onto me.

"HHIIYAAAA! You must be my new room mate."

She was oozing with excitement and happiness. Gah, maybe sense of belonging and happiness can wait. Room mate? What?

"Can't breath-" inhale "allergic to-" inhale "hugs, need space." I managed to say in between gulps of air. Damn she could grip. She didn't look the type. She was lean all right but didn't seem to be the type to work out.

She released me so suddenly and ran a hand through her hair, her face flushing. "Sorry, I'm just really excited. And you look so cute too. You'll be the perfect model ah.. I mean room mate." She glanced nervously at me, hoping I didn't catch her mistake.

Whatever. I suddenly feel so exhausted. She led me in further the apartment, it was quaint and clean. There was a small kitchen with dining area off to one side, living room, and a hallway leading to two doors opposite each other, probably bed rooms. I spotted the bathroom and toilet down the hall.

"Tomoyo, Tomoyo Daidouji. Please take care of me." I turned around and saw her bowing. Ah, Japanese culture, right.

I awkwardly bowed while saying, "Sakura Kinomoto, likewise."

She showed me to the empty bed room, it was completely empty except for a small bed, desk and a chair. I dropped the boxes on the floor next to the door, dragged my ass to bed and fell on top, my eyes closing before my head hit the pillow. Mental checklist can wait tomorrow.

"I need a drink babe." Sakura grumbled to Tomoyo while banging her head on the table.

"Don't beat yourself up Sakura, you've been here for three days. You'll find a job soon enough." Tomoyo tried to lighten Sakura up. She's been roaming around her area for three days straight after she arrived, trying in vain to get a job.

Sakura just groaned and started muttering, "I'm just a useless potato. Nobody wants a useless no experience potato Tomoyo."

Tomoyo sighed and stopped chopping. She was making dinner for the two of them. She was nice like that. The morning after Sakura arrived, she prepared breakfast, Japanese style and right then and there, Sakura decided she and Tomoyo will be the best of friends. "I'll even sacrifice a hug or too." Sakura thought to herself.

"How desperate are you to get a job?" Tomoyo asked while giving Sakura a studious glance.

"Very desperate. Like I'll scrub toilet floors with a tooth brush desperate."

"Right. Well I don't think you have to go that far Sakura." Tomoyo laughed. "I know a friend, he owns a bar-"

"Not desperate enough to flash boobs Tomoyo." Sakura interrupted.

"Of course not. Well, he's in need of a bartender. You up for that?"

"That's perfect. Perfect for me. I took bar tending 101 when I was in college. Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Sakura cried.

"Ah, let's just say the customers there can be... intense. I didn't want you to work there if I could help it but seeing as how you're so.. you know, depressed and all gloomy. You can give it a shot."

"AH! Thanks Tomoyo, can you get me in really? Do I have to do an interview?"

"Nah, you're as good as in if I say so." Tomoyo gave Sakura a cheeky grin and a wink while suddenly becoming serious, "Just be careful, don't involve yourself with anyone there Sakura. Serve drinks, make polite distant small talk and come straight home after."

"Yes mom." Sakura rolled her eyes at Tomoyo, smiling from ear to ear afterwards.

"Right, well, I'll make the call. You start on Monday next week okay?"

"Mkaaaaaaay~"

Sakura POV

I made my way to the bar Tomoyo mentioned the night before, I see the name flashing blue and black with the word "Tundra", flashy and a foreign name but I like it. They made an episode on national geographic about it. Tundra, one of the coldest biomes on earth, noted for its frost-molted landscapes, extremely low temperatures, poor nutrients and short growing seasons. I vaguely recall the animal that could survive in that kind of extremes. Wolves, I believe?

I opened the door and the smell of smoke and liquor invaded my senses. It was packed tonight, all the tables were full and the bar only had a couple of seats empty and I suddenly remembered it was a weekend, no wonder. I passed by a group of girls in skintight pants, mini skirts and tops that could pass off for a bra and glanced discreetly to what I was wearing, sweat pants, converse and a blank tank top. I finished my very casual and under dressed outfit with a black cap. I shrugged, wasn't here to get in on any action.

I came to get a drink, check out the place where I was going to work, get a drink, spy on my soon to be co workers, get a drink again, and maybe spot my boss, Tomoyo's mystery man. She wouldn't admit it but I'll bet my own kidney its her man. So instead of listening to Tomoyo's warning not to come here first without her, I hopped into my truck and drove down while she was at work tonight. Sucks to be alone but my curiosity got the better of me. That, and the drink.

I got to an empty seat at the center of the bar and soon a pretty waitress named Rika took my order, a shot of Ballantine's whiskey. I swigged it down as soon as it arrived and she poured me another one before saying, "Haven't seen you around here miss, you new?"

"I just moved couple of days ago. I'm still trying to get used to all this." I casually waved around me.

"Tell you what, you finish 10 shots, I'll give you one free as welcome." She grinned at me and I nodded grinning back. Nice Japanese people. She turned around and started entertaining other customers.

I didn't notice how long I sat there, taking in my surroundings, drinking shot after shot. On my seventh, I felt the hair at the back of my neck stood and I barely suppressed a shiver, my hand unconsciously rubbing the spot. My long brunette hair was up on a pony tail, it reached lower than mid back but left untied it would reach my waist. A draft maybe?

I swigged my drink down and ignored the uncomfortable sensation.

"What's a pretty little thing like you doing around here?" I felt a hand grabbing my wrist and jerked to see who the dick was. A tall man with dyed blonde hair and almost yellow eyes stood next to me, his shoulders wide but his gut obviously sticking out his t shirt. In other words, a douche who thinks he can intimidate me with his size and false sense of power.

I made a move to try and get my wrist free but he tightened his grip and I winced, that's definitely going to bruise later.

"Let go of my wrist before I chop your hand off for you." My other hand inching towards the handy pocket knife I always keep in my pocket.

He gave me a disgusting grin, his face leering to the cleavage my modest top showed off. "I like them struggling and screaming, are you a screamer little thing?"

The fury bubbled up inside me and before I could stop myself, I was fishing out my pocket knife and was ready to thrust towards his hands before another hand gripped my shoulder, firmer and almost kind.

I looked up and saw a huge man. His shoulders were broad and wide, his waist tapering off to his jeans, his muscles bulging and dear God his face, chocolate unruly hair and deepest brown eyes I've seen.

"I think you should let go before the little miss here decides you're more attractive lacking a limb Neikan." his voice, deep and warning, obviously giving off a different message, "Let go or I'll kill you."

The man, Neikan, he was apparently called let my wrist go and shrugged his shoulders coolly, "Didn't think you'd show Syaoran."

"Didn't think I would either but here I am."

Two men stood on either side of me, my eyes going back and forth, me glaring more on the douche and staring with wonder at my own mystery man. My mystery man? Seriously Sakura, get a drip. Focus. You are mad, remember.

"Fuzen will hear about this." Neikan finally said, briefly glancing at me, after a moment of staring each other down.

"Send him my regards and a good fuck you to the face." Syaoran continued to stare him down until Neikan turned his back, walking stiffly towards the door and he was out. It was then I noticed everyone's attention on us, then they heaved a sigh of relief, the tension disappearing and merriment ensued once more. I turned my back away from the man named Syaoran, ordered my 8th drink and swigged. The alcohol a welcome burning sensation down my throat and that's when I realized I was shaking, part fear and part fury from the encounter earlier. Nice work Sakura, not a week goes by and I was about to stab someone.

"So.." Syaoran started behind me, I could feel his heat against my body. Was it warm in here or was it just the 8 shots of alcohol and the hot guy savior next to me?

"I haven't decided yet." I managed to say.

"Decided on what?" He asked with a small smile playing on his lips as he leaned his hip to the side of the bar.

"Whether I should make a play at stabbing you also?" Damnit, the alcohol is clouding my common sense.

He chuckled and sat down next to me.

"Pretty bold of you stranger to sit there, not asking if you can." I did my best to glare at him too but found that I couldn't, his smile really contagious. Are those dimples?

"What's your story?" He finally asked.

"Don't have one." I waved to Rika for my 9th shot of whiskey.

"Sure you want to have another one?" Was that a censorious tone I hear in his voice?

I glared at him again and he put his hands above his head, as if surrendering. "If I finish 10 shots, I get one for free." I said, trying to fill up the silence.

"I'm impressed."

"I don't care." I haughtily said.

My eyes moved to the angry red marks marring my wrists. That bastard. I could feel the anger returning again.

"What do you call a fish with no eyes?" his voice penetrated my raging thoughts.

"What?" I just know I have a bewildered look on my face. What fish?

"What do you call a fish with no eyes?" he repeated with an exasperated tone.

Oh. Oohhhh, he was making a joke.

I rolled my eyes at him, "I don't know. What?"

"A fssssshhhh." He made an exaggerated tone, wiggling his hands like a fish.

I stare at him for a good minute, his smile never wavering.

"Stranger makes jokes too, how refreshing. Does that normally work?" I asked before finding myself smiling also.

"I'm not normally this aggressive." He admitted.

"I don't think you're normal at anything you do." I admitted that as well. He was just so, what did Tomoyo describe the people who frequent here? Intense. Yep, super intense. Like if you look intense up in a dictionary, his face would be there.

"Where do you live?" He asked, his head tilting to the side.

Woah, no. I don't do exchanging information. "I don't give my name to strangers. More so my address. Now shoo, go away please."

He clicked his tongue and grinned. "If you're not here to tempt all the men here then why would you walk into this bar alone in those clothes?"

"Ah the world today, can't a woman like me get a drink alone and maybe some peace without sending mixed signals to the wolves?" Rolling my eyes at him again. How many times did I do that today?

"And, I'm wearing sweatpants and a tank top. You might have some luck with the blonde bimbo drooling all over her fake tits at you." I added for good measure, nodding my head to the end of the bar where there was indeed a blonde bimbo.

He just stared at me with those dark smoldering brown eyes, raking his gaze from the top of my hat down to my beat up converse shoes.

"Stop it." I whispered. Did my voice just go raspy?

"Stop what?" He asked, his voice turning husky also.

"Like you've seen me naked." I tried to regain my breath. My heart suddenly beating fast.

A moment of silence again.

"No you can't." he suddenly said.

"What?" What was he talking about now?

Then he got really close, too close. Close enough I could smell him, all clean male and scented pine cones.

"You can't walk in here and not send mixed signals to the wolves." then his voice got dangerously low, "and babe, I'm the alpha of this pack here."

I shivered. Damnit Sakura, what have you gotten yourself into?

Author's Notes: RxR please. Much love. 3