Kyoto Federal Department

Interrogation Room 6

June 9, 2013

3:55 A.M.

All she could do was sit there, staring blankly at the unattractive dark gray wall. She knew people were on the other side observing her, but she didn't care. All she cared about was him and whether or not he was alive. Tears slipped down her bleeding and bruised face, tickling her skin. She didn't make a move to wipe them away, not wanting to give them any clue as to why she was crying. However, they probably already knew the truth. Body shaking from the chill of the vents' breeze, her eyes twitched as someone entered the interrogation room. Footsteps were loud and unattractive as they stepped on either side of her. Two high-class characters entered the room, dressed in dark suits. The door slammed shut with a loud snap, getting a reaction out of her. Eyes never leaving the trained spot she found just below the one way glass, her vision was suddenly obscured as the two bodies sat down in the plastic chairs.

Familiar dark blue eyes trailed over her, assessing the damaged and dirty clothing. She knew they assessed the blood stain that wasn't hers. Knew they were taking in every mark on her skin. Still, keeping her gaze trained on the spot, she ignored the two detectives sitting before her. A small tape recorder was placed non-too-gently on the cold silver table, large fingers turning it in a clockwise motion so the speaker faced her. Silence followed for a long moment, ticking away like a grave site. Breathing hitched at the pain in her ribs, she finally turned her gaze to one of the detectives, the kinder detective, as he pressed the little red button.

"June ninth, 4 am Sunday morning, witness one interrogation. Please state your name, age, and place of birth." The Detective spoke, low and even as it echoed throughout the cold, bland room.

"Sakura Li, twenty four years old, born in Tomoeda, Japan." Her eyes flicked between the two, taking in their shadowed gazes as the single dim light overhead illuminated their features poorly.

"Do you confirm that you are betrothed to a Syaoran, Li?" the other detective asked. Her voice was just as low and even as her partners, but it held malice hidden.

"Yes,"

"For how long…?"

"Does that matter?" Sakura's green eyes were sharp, never leaving the dark blue hues of the female detective.

"No it doesn't, but it might help your case Mrs. Li. Do you know where your husband is now?" the question, however sharp, hung there for a while as Sakura continued to stare. The recording spun in tiny circles as the tape took in the silence. Seeing that she wasn't going to say anything, the woman frowned. "Mrs. Li, if you don't want the charges placed on you then I suggest…"

"He's dead," both of their mouths turned into a thin line of frustration, watching their witness's now expressionless face. As Sakura returned their looks evenly, her mind went elsewhere, remembering painfully the events that had taken place.

"Mrs. Li, can you explain in detail the events…" but she wasn't listening as little by little tears slipped down her face, coating in with the blood and dirt caking her skin—her neck—before finally, she broke down and cried.

-Four Months earlier-

February 9, 2012

9:20 A.M.

"I can't believe my baby girl is going away to college." Fujitaka Kinomoto moaned. His voice hit a high pitch as he tried to keep his composure. Keeping his daughter enveloped in his arms, he continued, "I'm sure the board of director can find you a job at the company, you wouldn't have to go so far away to find a career and then you could be safe at home."

"Dad…dad I can't breathe," Sakura huffed out with a laugh as her father squeezed her a tad tighter.

"No dad, the little monster needs to go to college so she can actually learn something."

"Hey!" Sakura snarled emerald eyes sharp as she glared daggers at her older brother. He only laughed, taking her from their father's grasp and giving her a hug himself.

"But, dad's right you need to be careful out there in the wild. Never know what kind of beast you can scare away with that glare of yours." He continued as she tried slamming her fist against his arm, only to fail miserably as he held her tighter. "Least we know she can't get a guy with this attitude, so we don't have to worry dad."

"Touya, be nice to your sister."

"I am being nice," Touya answered with a laugh, letting Sakura go before she could bite him. Pretending to be hurt, she sniffed, wiping a dry spot on her cheek as she took a causal step away from her family. Between her brother and father, she was by far the shortest, never having actually grown any taller than five feet. Craning her neck slightly to see her six foot tall male family, she grinned wickedly.

"Well then, I'm off before Tomoyo calls the brigade and both our phones panic." This time tears began to well up as she took in one last look at the two men she'd always have in her life. Though she hardly saw her father, he was the only one that took care of her from birth to now. Even her brother had a say in the way she was raised. Feeling the lump in her throat she smiled brighter to try and hide it. "I'll call, love you both."

"Hurry up and go before I change my mind." Fujitaka ordered, handing her a black backpack. Sakura nodded, tucking a short strand of hair behind her ear as she walked off the porch. Slinging her bag over her back she turned not wanting her family to see the tears that blurred her vision. Searching awkwardly for her car keys, she beeped her red Honda to life and turned, giving both her home and family a last good-bye. Fujitaka waved with one arm on his sons shoulder for support as he watched his little girl finally leave.

It took Sakura a moment to clear her vision as she backed out of the drive and finally drive off. College, she was going to college after two years of living the life she wanted to outside of high school. She didn't know why she decided to get a job and take a break from school, but she did and now, as her life began to unravel before her eyes, she decided to attend college. It had been a unanimous decision amongst her friends, all of them trying their hardest to get into the same school at the same time. It wasn't easy but they finally did it. Pulling away from her neighborhood, Sakura stared out the window as she rolled to a stop at the first main light. Tomoeda was a small town and had given her the best life she could have hoped for, but now she needed to move on. As the light turned green, tears that had long since blurred her vision, continued to fall.

Sniffing awkwardly, she shook her head at the despair bubbling around her and turned up the volume to Eminem's debut album. It was a good distraction as she pulled onto the highway, heading for the Kyoto and her new life. Eminem was a known rapper that went big back when she was in elementary school. His words lived his life and as she caught on to Pink's verse in "Won't back down" she couldn't help but let their words bring her an insight to a new life. She could do this, how could she not? College was just a whole new part in a world that lived off of higher power and higher education. At least all her friends will be there with her, finding themselves just as she was trying to. Smiling more to herself then to the thought that she was crying like a child, she began singing along at top notch.

College, here I come…

Kyoto, Japan

10:53 a.m.

He stared out at the large property, taking in two of his friend's mock fight with swords. Their movements were fast, but he knew his were faster. His arm twitched with the fluid movements of their swings, body tensing as one ducked and the other swung. The weapons weren't real, but he could easily make out the vital points each inflicted; a blow to the stomach, a slice against the neck, and a blow the chest. Each time they connected, it left the other breathless. Real swords would have left blood, not sweat. He was becoming blood thirsty as he watched them. The look in their eyes told him they were feeling the same way. Out for blood, but not from loyalty. His blood ran cold as he continued to watch them, mind disappearing to those he hated. If only he was down there with a real sword, aiming for the throat of the one that killed his fiancé. A twitch of his lip and he shook himself free from years of regret.

Turning before they noticed he was watching, he left the window with his mind occupied. They had lost to the enemy, a trait no one took too well. He could tell by the way his friends were practicing forcefully with each blow of their fake weapons, that they took couldn't handle the defeat. Though no one was critically hurt, it had tormented their pride. It tormented his pride—bested once again. Unconsciously he reached for the bandage wrapped around his left arm, the stain becoming visible. Walking down the spiral staircase to the front room, he was met instantly with a cold blast of air. Stopping in his tracks, he stared, dark eyes widening at the scene before him. A large metal fan stood atop an oak table, blowing full blast as two others that lived with him sat in front of it. Noises as strange as a dying gazelle came from their mouths, hair billowing about them.

"What are you doing?" he asked, feeling skeptical as he stared at the two.

"An experiment," blue eyes twinkled with mischief as one of his friends responded through the fan, making their voice echo in cut tones. "Want to join us Li?"

"No, no I think I'll pass. Have you seen Meilin?" he asked, moving to make an escape.

"With Wei," the two chorused.

He was gone before they could say anything else with the fan. Their echoes followed him, both males chanting a song from the seventies. There was another echo, one of pain the closer he walked towards the west-wing. The cries of anguish made him cringe even as he blocked out the voice with his hands. His own pain erupted in his arm at the movement and he winced, entering a cold, white room. Lying on her stomach, Meilin Rae looked worse for wear as she dug her nails into the padding of the cot she laid on.

"Well if the misses wouldn't get shot, then this wouldn't happen." An elderly man spoke, his accent rich as he laughed half-heartedly. Meilin cursed, letting out another scream as her back side got stitched up. From his spot against the door frame, he could make out a dark wolf tattoo, teeth barred as it engulfed a red painted rose and sword against her shoulder; the same shoulder that was being stitched up.

"Shove it, Wei; I don't need another lecture from you—!"

"He's right you know," they both looked up, Meilin's unusual shade of red orbs sharpening from pain and annoyance.

"Bite me, I saved your ass! The least you can do is…" she paused, seeing his face. Wincing as Wei pulled on the strand of thread to tighten up her wound, her tears began to waver in her eyes. There was silence after a short while, the elderly man finishing up with her stitching before he cut it loose and stood. With a bow, he was out of the room, giving the two Li's privacy to speak.

"Auntie called," slowly Meilin got up, one hand covering her bare chest as she slid off the mat. Back turned away from her cousin, she reached awkwardly for her shirt and slipped into it. The pain in her shoulder was more agonizing then it had been before it was stitched up and as she tried covering her chest and slip her other arm into the sleeve, she bit harshly on her inner cheek.

"What's my mom want now?" Meilin finally asked. Her voice was low as she buttoned her shirt to the top. A sudden thought crossed her mind and she whirled, eyes widening. "No,"

"I'm sorry, she wants us both—,"

"Fuck Syaoran, don't you think walking into the devils trap last night was enough!?" her good arm went up in frustration before she held her stomach, leaning back against the cot she'd been laying on earlier. "She's going to take one good look at the two of us, tell your mother, and then we'll both be shipped off back to Hong Kong!"

"My mother is with her," his words were harsh yet low, eyes narrowing considerably. Just those simple words made Meilin's heart race as she gawped at him, a million curse words floating through her head. "We are to be at the restaurant at five, Kyle as well."

"Did she at least tell you why?" Meilin asked calmly, her throat suddenly dry.

"Classes start tomorrow was what she said." Syaoran shrugged his shoulders even as the pain in his own arm tugged painfully. Everything always got worse before it got better; it was a rule of the universe. Whatever their mothers had planned for them, couldn't be any worse than the pain they endured during the night.

In fact, Syaoran knew nothing could compare to the pain of being shot at.

University of Kyoto

3: 55 p.m.

Parking in the load–unload zone, Sakura got out of her car and stared at the large stone building. University of Kyoto was supposed to be the number one, top rated University throughout Japan. Her brother had gone to it and their father had gone to it. In fact, the place had been the location where her parents had met and fell in love. Maybe one day she would meet her soulmate at the University and spite her bachelor brother. Kyoto University had a history of Kinomoto's attending, graduating, and finding their soulmates—Touya being the exception—and she was hoping it was her turn. She made a mental note not to follow in her brother's footsteps and return home after graduating, broken up after a few partners and working at a run-down café called Canis Lupis. In fact, if she really thought about it, her brother was working with one of his ex-girlfriends at Canis Lupis Café as if they hadn't dated in the first place.

A shiver ran down her spine at her brother's strange behavior lately and pulled out her cell phone, sending her friends a mass text that she had finally arrived. A mixture of emotions overrode her senses. She was finally here and ready to start a whole new chapter in her life. Opening the back of her Honda and disappearing into it, she began grabbing what would be the easiest to carry to her new room. A room she would be sharing with a stranger. The thought made her stomach clench, but she quickly squished the negative thoughts that her roommate would be a silent psychopath that only speaks in quotes. Her kind-hearted nature would easily trap her roommate, even if it would take half the year. Those words had been her friend Tomoyo's words and she began to live by it, even if her brother uses it against her when she meets strangers at random.

One box in hand, she began to close her trunk and lock the car, moving around it awkwardly. From memory her room was on the fourth floor and down a long stretch of a hall. Even though she wasn't sharing it with any of her best friends, she was okay with that. They were all attending the same college with an adventure in mind. That was something at least; she didn't have to start a new completely alone.

Time began to sidle by as Sakura unloaded her car little by little. As she finally came to the last load, her purse and backpack resting against her back as they battled her left shoulder, she moved to grab the last box and slammed the trunk shut. The slope leading to the university from the parking lot was a stretch, giving her legs something to scream for. She'd only taken three small boxes, but the stairs were murder. The moment her legs found level ground and the first set of stairs that entered the large brass doors, someone yelled. Turning her head, she squinted against the blazing sun peeking out of the trees, not seeing anyone. When the yell came again she realized too late that it was coming from within the corridors. Quick movements got her down the steps a second too late as it burst open, a body slamming against her arm and knocking both box and person down. Someone swore and Sakura didn't know if it was her or the stranger. Vision blurred as her hair got in her face, getting her heart beat to thump drastically. It almost felt like the end the way she felt her body go down and her eyesight obscured.

Strong arms wrapped around her waist, stopping her fall right before it met with the ground and she blinked, hearing a crash of a box a moment later—her stuff. "Shit, I'm so sorry. Are you okay?" a masculine voice answered, breathing into her ear. Trying to decipher what just happened, she blinked, nodding her head slowly. Her death had come to a quick end, stopping in time.

"What just happened?" she asked as she turned away from her overturned box to meet his gaze.

"Would you believe the apocalypse came early and I just saved your life?" blue eyes twinkled with mischief, making her blink. The confusion bubbled around her mind before she realized he was hitting on her. Arm still wrapped around her waist, he straightened her into a standing position. "Sorry, we should just sue the school. Whoever came up with bars for handles is a complete idiot. Doors open to soon, student death toll is rising because of them." that made her laugh, getting a grin out of him as he finally let her body go.

"I see, so the apocalypse is the school's door knobs." Fixing her purse and backpack, she smiled warmly. "Thank you for saving me,"

"Of course, I can't let a damsel in distress die from such a bizarre ending." The guy laughed, shaking his head as he stuck out his arm. "Jonathan Haruto and I really am sorry for almost killing you, however not sorry to have met you." Sakura arched a brow, taking his outstretched hand.

"Sakura Kinomoto," through his smile she caught his falter at the mention of her name. Taking her hand back, she moved to grab her box with a sigh. "My brother always makes fun of me for being clumsy, so please don't worry about bumping into me. I'm prone to it."

"Brother huh," Jonathan spoke slowly. Sakura stood, assessing the change of atmosphere. The guy was almost frozen in place, deep in thought. She didn't understand why and from the way his blue eyes took her in like a predator, she didn't think she wanted to know. "Seeing how I almost knocked you into another world, why don't I treat you to dinner?"

"No, no that's okay." Sakura said too quickly and sighed. "My friends, especially Chiharu, will kill me if I suddenly went out somewhere without permission or saying something first." It was a poor excuse but a true one. The hurt was evident on his strong jaw but so was the doubt she caught when she mentioned her name and brother.

"Let me at least help you to your dorm room, just in case another apocalypse happens."

"Sure," she smiled with a laugh, letting him take her box and backpack. Protective over her purse, she lifted it higher on her shoulder and followed after the tall blond, keeping in sync with his long legs. She didn't notice before but he was intriguing and not because of the strong muscles she could clearly see through his thin long-sleeve shirt. "Now that I'm thinking about it, were you in a hurry somewhere?"

"Uh," Jonathan gave her a glance, the same concentrated expression written across his face. "Nah, I was just heading to meet up with my brother and his girlfriend, but they can wait."

"How noble of you," she laughed, fingers tucking away a strand of her hair. They walked in silence for a while, the awkwardness of it all beating down on her. She couldn't help but keep the faint blush from creeping up her face as they walked on. A few times she caught the looks of other female students as they watched Jonathan and her walk down the hall of the fourth floor. The girls eyes taking in his strong frame and handsome faces, while they gave her a dirty look that screamed jealousy. "Umm, it's here." She spoke, voice almost breaking at the strange silence.

"Sakura…!" a voice loud and clear echoed down the hallway. Sakura flinched and turned, ignoring the brow raise Jonathan gave her friend. Dressed in a papa roach tee cut up to suit the femininity and rocker status, as well as black dickies and combat boots, Chiharu Miharu all but radiated punk. "We've been looking all over for you; we saw your car at the loading zone but not you. Where have you been!?" she bellowed and stopped in her tracks, wavy strands of hair brushing her shoulder as she blinked. "Umm, hello," she said breathlessly, eyes on Jonathan before turning to Sakura curiously. Sakura knew from the way the girls eyes sharpened in color that she was screaming with questions in her head.

"Sorry I…almost died from the school apocalypse." Sakura answered, smiling sheepishly as Jonathan laughed outright. "Uh, Jonathan this is my friend Chiharu, Chiharu…Jonathan. He saved me from a death experience."

"Pleasure to meet you," Jonathan replied kindly, trying not to laugh as he took in Sakura's friends confused stare.

"Ditto," Chiharu blinked, her hazel eyes going from one person to the other. A phone shrilled loudly as if whoever was calling was angry with the world. Jonathan swore as he entered the room and easily placed Sakura's box on the nearest table, digging into his pocket for the ringing device.

"That's my cue; it was delightful to meet the two of you. Sakura, see you around?" he was walking down the long hall before she could respond, answering his cell phone with a clipped tone of voice. Bringing her gaze back to Chiharu, who was watching the man walk away; she shook her head and laughed.

"Don't say it, just…don't say it," too late, she thought at the twitch of Chiharu's lips.

"Sakura Kinomoto, you need to explain like right now…no wait, over dinner!" Chiharu latched onto her arm, pulling her to the side as she shut the dorm bedroom. "The girls are waiting for us at the restaurant, I, being the amazing friend, volunteered to search for your missing ass and what do I find!? I find you already making friends with a really, really hot guy. Who is he? How did he save you? What just happened…?" Sakura listened to her friend babble on, asking a million questions as the two girls walked down the hall towards the outside. She couldn't help but wonder the same thing as well.

Kabuki's Restaurant

5:17 p.m.

He could feel their stares as he walked across the dimly light pathway, weaving around chairs and people set up in the center of the two story restaurant. A part of him wished the stares were aimed at the waitress or at least other busy patrons, but he knew the truth. Dressed in an expensive dark suit, brown hair slicked back so strands didn't shield his face, he was an eye sore. Walking behind him, dressed in a dark red gown too fancy for the kind of restaurant they were at, Meilin caught the eyes of half the guests as well. Though she was hanging on the arm of her boyfriend, dressed in a silk suit, it didn't stop from lookers wanting to gaze at the red-eyed beauty. Her raven black hair was set up in a half bun, letting the long tendrils of it to cascade down her bare back. Syaoran had been surprised she'd worn a dress that exposed her back. The bullet wound she'd received on her shoulder wasn't visible to the eye, but the twitch of her eyes was indicating the pull and tug of each movement.

He knew his cousin just wanted to show off her wolf tattoo, warding off predators that didn't belong. Unfortunately her tattoo was covered by a leopard print band aid, covering the bullet hole. Syaoran Li watched in the corner of his eye as a few guests began whispering, keeping a close eye on those that didn't look befitting of a high-ranking restaurant. The moment the waitress moved aside a crimson covering, revealing their table hidden from view, he had to keep his face expressionless and gaze less livid. Four pair of eyes lifted up the moment the cloth cover was moved aside, and it was like the air around them tensed up by that one move.

Bowing respectfully, Syaoran kept his gaze level with that of his mother's before she inclined her head in greeting. Her midnight black hair barely wavering from its position atop her head. "Mother," Meilin's words cut through, her own head bowing as she and her boyfriend greeted the two women sitting at the table. "Is this business or pleasure?"

"Mei…" Syaoran started.

"You may perceive this however you'd like," dark eyes held laughter as the elder woman arched a brow at Meilin's gawping mouth. "It's good to see you again, Kyle. Please sit down; it looks like you're making the restaurant nervous."

"Sake," Meilin told the waitress before she could escape, making Syaoran narrow his eyes at her as the girl nodded, gaze not meeting Meilin's. "Well Wolf does own the place, I would be nervous too." Ordering their own drinks, the three took their seats as they were told, Meilin the only one talking still. "Really though, business or pleasure because otherwise…"

"It's strictly pleasure, don't be rude Meilin Rae." Meilin's mother spoke with a thin line of her lips, gaze never faltering as she held the same amusement as she had from the beginning. Silence fell as the curtain moved once again, their drinks arriving as well as a platter of food. From the way Syaoran's mother gave their patrons a gaze and a curt nod, the food was a gift from the chef. Being a Li and a highly respected guest, they got a lot of gifts. The moment they were gone, the conversation seemed to pick up without hesitation. "I'm told you moved to the dorm rooms of the University, instead of continuing your boarding with Wolf. Why is that?"

"Seriously, that's what this is about?" Meilin asked, not hesitating as she knocked back a tiny porcelain cup of sake. Syaoran watched her wince slightly, wondering if it was from the taste or the stitches. "It's my third year; I want the experience of living within the walls of school with rules and regulations just once."

"It has nothing to do with the parties Universities are rumored to have, obscuring your studying?"

"No mother," Syaoran couldn't help but begin to tune them out, wondering how long the two were going to go back and forth with the same thing. It was like this since he could remember, Meilin and her mother always arguing and talking about school. The conversation always went back to why Meilin was attending the University when she could be taking over the family business, then going back to why she wasn't going to the University close to home. Syaoran's had many conversations about the same thing with his own mother and at the moment, he was glad she wasn't putting her own two senses in.

He had a feeling, as he took a sip of his tea and glanced at the woman across the table, that his mother had something on her mind. She was awfully silent, allowing her sister in law to do all the talking. One thing was true, their families always found out the little details in their lives. Between Syaoran and Meilin, they never got off the hook regarding what they did in life. Syaoran could feel Kyle's amusement radiating off him as he too listened to the women's bizarre conversation. Dressed in the same manner, his suit just as dark, it was a rare occurrence to have Kyle with them. Usually it would be just Meilin and Syaoran, meeting with their families for lunch or dinner and getting a good scolding. It seemed that even with Kyle present, arguments could still ensue. Just as the conversation took a turn for the worse and Meilin's sake began to get lower and lower in her glass, a soft hum of a cell phone began to vibrate. Body tense, Syaoran absently touched his suit pocket and groaned. A part of him didn't want to answer the buzzing phone, knowing it was disrespectful when with family during dinner, yet another part was wondering about the bit of information he would learn from answering.

"Oh just answer it, Xiao Lang." his mother spoke, eyes sharp as she ushered him with a wave of her hand. Getting to his feet in apology, hand going into the depths of his coat pocket, Syaoran met Meilin's pleading gaze and sighed. He knew she wanted the distraction to be excused from the table and hoping for the best, he quickly left the stares of the table.

"What…?" He snapped into the phone, walking through the restaurant towards the front. People stared, others gawped, and he was sure some of the waitress's swooned over his presence as he passed. Once or twice he bumped into someone by accident, not apologizing as he listened to the voice on the other end, giving him the details he'd been waiting for.

"Silver Cobra's on the move, GPS signal says they've went back to the docks again. The twin's went eastward towards Tokyo, I already have someone going on par with them…where are you?" a male voice spoke, echoing in his ear. Opening the door with a push of his back, Syaoran entered the dark outside in a gust of wind.

"Dinner…" someone smacked into his bad shoulder, bringing out the worst of the pain he'd been so good at hiding since it happened. Wincing incredibly, holding in a breath of curses, he glared at the female rocking backwards at the impact. Light brown hair billowed with the gust of wind, her green eyes startled.

"Sorry…sorry…sorry," she was speaking, voice low as she gathered her courage and bowed. Her companions were just as shocked, watching as she kept repeating herself, one hand rubbing her arm. Syaoran couldn't help but smirk, ignoring the burning sensation in his own arm as the pain dulled to a throbbing heat beat.

"Sorry I'm here," he spoke into his phone instead of speaking directly to the girl. Moving to the side, he watched her as the four others ushered her in, whispering amongst themselves. The girl that ran into him gave Syaoran a quick glance before the door shut behind their forms. "I'll get Mei and Kyle now, text me the coordinates of the docks." He hung up, eyes on the tinted gold window of the restaurant's door. Wondering if the girl was still at the foyer with her friends, he felt a slight disappointment when she wasn't just as his phone beeped to life with coordinates. Glancing at it, Syaoran let out a grin. Let the festivities begin…

To be continued…

Alright then, first off, wolves reign has once before been up but due to…I guess ignorance and confusing chapters I had taken the story off. Now, I have this up, completely renewed and different then the last. Same love triangle, same characters –minus a few, and same gang related war. Hope you all enjoy it, feedback much appreciated. Thank you.

Immortal-Blood XD