In this fic, Sakura is an orphan. Touya makes an appearance, but he is not her brother. Tomoyo and Meilin are her only adopted family, bonded by a harsh life on the streets. Meilin is also not related to Syaoran.

Japanese Lessons:
Hisashiburi long time no see

Featuring my abysmal lyrics. Don't take them anyway.

-v-V-v-

A woman with overly teased blonde hair beamed her million dollar trademark smile at the camera as she clutched a sheet of paper in front of her.

In other news tonight, Time Magazine has announced for the first time in its history, a tie for the annual Bachelor of the Year, but it was an understandable decision. The two men who receive this honor are none other than Eriol Hiiragizawa and Syaoran Li, the evenly matched kings of the Asian music empire. They are often compared to the sun and moon of the industry, for despite their similarities as celestial beings sharing the heavens of entertainment, they could not be any more different. As one would expect of the eligible bachelors, both men are devastatingly handsome, wealthy enough to be ranked in Forbes richest 100, and accomplished for their young ages of 23. They were even acknowledged to be best of friends in high society until an unexplained falling out last year. But true to their nature of night and day, Eriol and Syaoran have very different ideas on what makes good music. Eriol Hiiragizawa, son of the late Clow Reed and CEO of Pure Heart Records, specializes in a blend of English pop and light romantic ballads. His latest singer Yukito Tsukishiro's album "Songs of My Heart" sold over 5 million copies in its debut weekend in Japan. In contrast, Syaoran Li, the son of the late Fujitaka Kinomoto and CEO of Guilty Pleasures Incorporated, focuses on hard and edgy Asian rockers with an R&B flavor such as heartthrob Touya, who has also received a Grammy for Best New Artist. Their differences extend even to their reputations. Whereas Eriol is known for dressing in impeccably elegant suits and maintaining good company, Syaoran is infamous for trendsetting clothes fit for any princely bad boy, mastering the rocker look for even everyday appearances. Syaoran is more notorious for his openly many affairs with the world's elite models and actresses. Ironically, despite being such stark contrasts of each other, both enjoy immense popularity from the masses that thank them for the great music they provide.

However, Eriol Hiiragizawa may have an edge this summer with the unexpected release of a new pop group known as Angel's Kiss, featuring three lovely ladies known only as Chiharu, Naoko, and Riika, and judging from the promotion pictures of delightful innocence, Syaoran Li has his work cut out for him to match his rival.

The television snapped off with a sudden blink. Syaoran, dressed in a crisp forest green business shirt that was unbuttoned halfway and designer black pants, leaned his elbows on his large mahogany desk, his brow furrowed. In the darkness of the large office, Takashi Yamazaki stood quietly by his side in an impeccably clean and dark suit.

"Sneaky bastard," Syaoran grinned, although the smile did not extend to his cold dark eyes. "A surprise release of a trio of innocent girls, eh?"

"I have already sent the scouts to look for suitable girls to represent us, Sir," Yamazaki stated quickly.

"If they're releasing by the summer, it only gives us a month to retaliate. That's not enough time to find three individuals and coach them into harmonizing with each other. We'll have to look through old scouting reports and pick up an already-formed trio."

Yamazaki smiled inwardly. Although there was some speculation in the media about how capable the two princes would be handling the music industries after the horrific car crash that killed Clow Reed and Fujitaka Kinomoto, the former kings of the business, he knew that his boss possessed an almost psychic foresight that made him absolutely deserving of the multi-million dollar empire. His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden buzzer.

"Sir, Mr. Jin Zhang is here to see you," the secretary's voice sounded electronically through the intercom.

"Send him in," he snapped brusquely.

The door opened, and a handsome man in his early twenties strutted through in a pair of dark grey slacks without a shirt, displaying his toned chest within the sharp v of the buttoned suit jacket. With a shadow of a honey brown burned across his jaw, he raked back his shaggy blonde locks with languid ease, a toothpick held jauntily between his white even teeth.

"Hisashiburi," he drawled lazily, lifting a hand coolly toward Syaoran.

"Late to work again, Jin?" Syaoran mused amiably to him.

"Unavoidable. The ladies can't get enough of me," he crowed proudly, feigning annoyance with the sluts he fucked on a nightly basis as he stretched out his taut muscles. "If you bothered to come to the clubs with me, we'd be late to work together."

Syaoran smirked as he returned to his paperwork, scribbling his signature on a few contracts encased in blue velvet books. He had long known that the sole purpose of Jin trying to get Syaoran clubbing was so that Syaoran, with his now famous face and wallet, would attract more girls who would sleep with Jin, hoping to get closer to Syaoran. Turning down Jin became almost a ritual, being that he preferred the upper-class beautiful models and popular actresses over the commoners, but he gave him the courtesy to beg him a little more.

"Ever heard of the Twilight Den?" Jin's gold-flecked hazel eyes almost burned with arousal at the mere name.

"Isn't that the club that made its reputation by being the sleaziest place in Japan?" Yamazaki sneered disgustedly, although if he intended to offend Jin, failed.

"All the alcohol you can drink served by stacked waitresses, dancers everywhere, on the poles, in the cages, and…" Jin's toothy smile grew as he pulled out a poster of three luscious ladies from his jacket and spread it out over Syaoran's desk, interrupting his work. They were similarly dressed in scanty black leather as they posed on the glossy paper, a splash of letters in the corner indicating that they were playing at the Twilight Club on the weekends. "Fallen Angels," Jin whispered excitedly, as though it was paradise itself. "Rumored to be the sexiest bitches you've ever laid your eyes on, dancing like Satan's daughters for a dollar."

Syaoran gave the poster a cursory gaze before raising an amused eyebrow at Jin. "You got shot down by them, didn't you?"

Yamazaki snorted as he caught Jin's look of surprise, revealing that he indeed was rejected by the three. Jin brushed it off, and his features tightened as he leaned forward on Syaoran's desk. "You and me, tonight at the Twilight Den. What do you say?"

Syaoran's amber eyes flickered over the central girl, focusing not on the way she was deliciously bent over, but on her emerald eyes that seemed to say something much more in their cold stare.

"It's a date. What time should I pick you up?" Syaoran teased as he looked up at Jin, catching both him and Yamazaki off-guard.

-v-V-v-

A few minutes before the show was scheduled to begin, the Twilight Den was already packed with leering men who didn't seem to get enough of the complimentary lap-dances by the sexy waitresses as they served the beer. Not interested in watching the girl dry-hump the obese customers at the tables, Syaoran and Jin steered for the barstools, where a thin man with a thick mane of wavy golden locks was manning the counter. He wore the bar's uniform of a scarlet brocade vest over his white blouse and black slacks. His baleful topaz eyes smiled with amusement as he easily noticed how much the two handsome men stood out from the rest of the usual crowd of drunks and boors.

"Name's Kero, and you'll have the pleasure of me as your bartender this lovely evening," he grinned cheekily in a thick Osaka accent. "First time here?" he nodded to Syaoran as he wiped down a glass.

"Gin on the rocks, and make it a double," Syaoran grunted without answering him.

Kero chuckled as he dropped a few ice cubes into the glass. "Fair enough, but if you're here for the Fallen Angels, you might as well listen to my commentary."

"I think I'll have a scotch," Jin mused, imitating Syaoran's cool, but failing altogether as Kero ignored him and set down Syaoran's drink in front of him.

"Three pretty ladies, but they have more brains than you'd think. They make their own music, dance, and costumes," Kero dropped his voice to a whisper, as though it were classified information. "Three pretty ladies," he repeated, "make a pretty investment."

Syaoran smirked before picking up his gin and taking a sip. "So you recognized me, and want me to invest in the common sluts that work here?"

Kero's laughter boomed over the DJ's pumping music. "Common sluts? Ask your pal over there if he's still sporting that bruise on his heart after all three turned him down. And if you think they'd choose these blue-collar workers over rich pretty-boy over there, you're very much mistaken."

Jin winced visibly before reaching over the counter and grabbing the bottle of scotch, taking a wild swig at the open neck in response. He was thankful the lights on stage began to dim as the show finally started.

"DJ Spinel masterminding the box tonight," the maniacal voice cackled over the speakers. (A/N: Get it, get it? DJ Spinel / Spinner? No? Ok…) "Featuring the hottest act in the sleaziest club in Japan," he continued to crow proudly, "Twilight Den is proud to present…" There was a dramatic pause as the upbeat tempo started up. "Fallen Angels!" He stretched the last syllable as a spotlight snapped on the stage.

"Did you spike his drink again?" a waitress laughed as she set her serving tray on the bar counter next to Syaoran. Jin eyed her firm breasts under her thin tube-top, but she took no notice.

"A pinch of sugar does it every time," Kero murmured as he polished another glass.

"Why do you torture him so much?" she grinned, her fiery red curls bouncing impishly over her sparkling green eyes.

"He plays better music," Kero replied simply, to which she burst out laughing.

Here's to the other 9 to 5
Done with biz's daily grind
Now club music pumping up my drive
Like bees to the honey,
All over me, (all over me)
It's time to say… good… bye

The central figure Syaoran recognized with the cruel emerald eyes began dancing across the catwalk that jutted out into the crowd in little more than a thin white tank top and a school-girl's black miniskirt with artful slashes of checkered print across it and red tulle mesh peeking out underneath. Her fishnet stockings had similar torn holes as she completed the rocker look with her chunky boots and a streak of pink glitter in her long honey brown hair. He smiled inwardly to himself, watching the way her hips swiveled with a saucy passion. The spiked leather bracelet wrapped around her wrist caught a few rays of the spotlight as she raised her mike, soon joined by two others with long dark hair as the tempo shifted to a more R&B and rap blend.

Licking my lips so scandalous
My eyes begging for every push
A-ha, did you really fall for this game girls play?
Were you so eager to do what we say?
Hate to tell you this but,
I've been faking all the way

The girl with raven black locks tinted with red leaned her back against the other with wavier hair and purple streaks of glitter. Her fiery crimson eyes shot to the crowd as she licked her ruby lips for emphasis, dancing in a tight white blouse that she tied up to expose her taut midriff and the top of a lacy black bra, and black short shorts that sparkled like latex as it clung to her like a second skin. Her thigh high leather boots marched on the stage to the beat as she grinded her back against the other girl, who wore a white halter top that gave the appearance of a business shirt, with a black mock-vest cinching around the ruffled white around the thin black tie that was sewed on. Also exposing her slender waist, her black micro-mini seemed to be anything but business with a flash of black garters holding up the black thigh-high stockings, her high heels balancing her serpent-like slithers. The two flashed smiles as the music pumped on, their aroused moans punctuating the beat.

Oooh… ahhh… oh right there

Haha,
Just like that you're under our spell
Three witches we, for us you fell
Coming this way like you're the ish
Like you have something women want? You wish

The three centered on the catwalk, and the girl with amethyst eyes glittering with lust behind the thin square frames set low on her nose, swung her leg along the pole, swiveling down as they came toward the end of the song, lining up as their hands and hips rocked in unison.

Here's to the other 9 to 5
Done with biz's daily grind
Now club music pumping up my drive
Like bees to the honey,
All over me, (all over me)
It's time to say…
Oh yeah, you know it's time…
To say… good… bye

They struck a pose as the last note was drowned out by an explosion of wolf whistles and applause, and it only then occurred to Syaoran how similar they looked to the Angel's Kiss promo pictures, except that before him were absolute devils with longer hair. The one on the left with amethyst eyes even sported glasses like Naoko. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he set down his glass of gin. Kero glanced over him, a roguish twinkle in his eyes.

"Aren't they great?" the waitress sighed wistfully before taking up her tray and making her rounds again. "They get paid more than the other strippers here, and they don't take off a single piece of clothing."

"Would you like to meet them? Five hundred bucks gets you a backstage pass. That's even less than what I charged your friend last night," Kero cackled as Jin glowered darkly at him, but he seemed unfazed.

Jin flicked the wad of cash easily out of his wallet and threw it at Kero, determined to try his luck again with Syaoran flanked at his side. Kero smiled and after pocketing the money, led them behind the crimson curtains toward the dressing room, where the strippers for the next act were preparing. They cast an interested look over Syaoran, but he steered Jin onward toward the three girls who were taking a sip of water and combing the glitter out of their hair.

The one with crimson eyes finally looked up as she caught sight of Kero and the playboy she met the night before. "Pimping us off again, Kero?" she snorted in an annoyed, off-hand manner.

"Gas is expensive," Kero said mildly, referring to the yellow Mustang he was able to purchase through the tips alone from anxious customers eager to meet the girls backstage. "Ladies, your gentlemen of the evening," he smiled as he gave a sweeping mock bow, introducing Syaoran and Jin. "Gentlemen, I give you Meilin, Tomoyo, and Sakura," he nodded to each of the girls in turn.

Tomoyo, rolled her amethyst eyes flecked with grey at the familiar face of Jin, whose gaze was already focused on Sakura as she wiped off the garish lipstick that made her seem even paler under the bright lights of the vanity. "Don't you ever give up, John?"

"It's Jin," he scowled as he automatically ran his fingers through his long hair.

"Kero says you make your own music," Syaoran stated finally, staying in the shadows.

Meilin raised a perfectly arched eyebrow at him before returning to the mirror to brush out the last of the red streaks in her hair. "I'll give you credit for being the first to actually talk about the song itself."

Syaoran smirked coldly at her. "Can't blame them with such an amateur performance."

Sakura finally turned from her chair, her emerald eyes flashing dangerously. "Amateur?" she repeated.

Syaoran waved his hand dismissively. "The costumes were fine, if I consider how inaccessible the trendiest fabrics must be to you, as well as the dance on Meilin's part. But the lyrics were…" Syaoran trailed off, chuckling softly.

Sakura stood up, rage searing behind her cold eyes as her fists clenched at her sides. "What about the lyrics?"

Tomoyo glanced between Syaoran and Sakura as she leaned comfortably on the dresser's edge before deciding to step in. "What Sakura means to say is, that I am in charge of the costumes and music, and Meilin choreographs the dances. Sakura writes our lyrics."

Syaoran looked Sakura up and down, taking in her slender form and sultry curves before cracking a sideways smile. "So you're the one responsible for the amateur lyrics?"

"And what makes you think they're amateur?" Sakura spat angrily, stepping just close enough to be in punching range to hit him.

His mocking laugh burned her to the very core. "You seemed like such a bright girl until you started talking. You can't possibly be deluded enough to think that this crowd was here to listen to you singing those words. Even Jin wouldn't get hard over it."

She stepped dangerously closer, glaring up at his statuesque build as she felt his hot breath flow over her. "I must be delusional, then. Please, enlighten me with what makes my lyrics so amateur."

He didn't back off, and towered above her so closely that if his stormy amber eyes drifted just a little more south from her blazing eyes, he would be treated to a delicious view of the top of her breasts. "There was no flow, no real story behind the words, just a lot of nonsense bullshit. In short…"

"In short," she repeated, each word laced with spite.

His smirk was painfully derisive. "In short, you write like a virgin."

There was a dead silence before Meilin tittered softly. "The chorus was a little weak, Sakura."

The tense atmosphere was suddenly diffused as Sakura whirled on Meilin, a hurt expression in her eyes. "Meilin!"

"But you've got my interest, being perceptive enough to pick up on our flaw," Tomoyo continued smoothly as she gazed over Syaoran with renewed amusement. "Who are you?"

Syaoran didn't reply and merely tucked a business card in Sakura's cleavage before walking away. Caught off-guard, she felt her cheeks and temper flare. She ripped the card out and gave it a hard glare that wasn't so quick to diminish as it read:

Syaoran Li
CEO of Guilty Pleasure Inc.

Below were an address and a number of the office. Scowling, she threw a last-minute insult at him, knowing full well that he was in charge of the famous music industry.

"What makes you think we'd even call you?" she snarled.

He didn't miss a beat, and continued his way toward the back exit. "I didn't think you'd be foolish enough to choose this place over a twenty million dollar contract with Guilty Pleasures. You're fortunate enough that I need the three of you, even if you are just a figurehead," he called out.

"You… You…" Sakura stammered, so consumed with rage that she had trouble getting her words out, but the door had already slammed shut as Syaoran and Jin left the club.

-v-V-v-

Muahaha, nobody out-cools Syaoran, even Sakura. Wonder if Sakura will swallow her pride and sign up for a twenty million contract? How long would she even last under Syaoran's princely egoism? Find out the next chapter.