Chapter One - Scary Encounter

Oh well, finally in Tokyo. I can't believe that taxi driver was so rude, I don't need him. I can find the address by myself. Let's see…- Sakura sighed looking at her watch, it was almost 9:30pm – crap I think I might be lost…

'Hello there missy…what are ya doing?' – a strange suddenly approached her
'Oh I am just trying to find this address; could you please point me on the right direction – said with soft smile
'I got a better idea' – he grabbed her by her arm and pulled her towards him
'Ah! What are you doing?! LET ME GO! – she yelled desperately – someone please!
'You got a pretty big mouth there, missy, let's find a better use for it' – he pushed her against the wall and dragged her into a nearby dark alley – we will have fun together baby...

Sakura was crying and screaming but nobody seemed to notice, not that there were many people on the street either…the stranger started to unbutton her blouse with haste, Sakura was kicking him and trying to release herself from his grip but it wasn't working, he was too strong…

'Oh no! This is it, if he hurts me I won't be able to…continue…I am going to die today…'- she thought – please someone, help me! – Sakura screamed with all her might, tears were falling down her cheeks…she was so afraid.

She heard a sudden thump and a crash noise. When she opened her eyes, the stranger was fighting with someone, a dark figure, she couldn't see very well because of all the dirt and tears around her eyes…

'Are you ok?' – said a masculine voice as he approached her
She was still crying uncontrollably, unable to speak
'It is alright now, do not worry' – his gentle voice was so soothing – 'come on, I can help you get up'

The man saw her ripped skirt and unbuttoned blouse, he took his coat off and placed it on her shoulders… - 'what is your name miss?'
'Sak-Sakura Kinomoto' – she said with difficulty
'My name is Syaoran Li, I am not sure of what to do exactly in this situation, however come around to my car, I have a bottle of water there, that might help you calm down a bit – he was so gentle, he placed his arm around her shoulders and walked her to his car – 'here, drink some' – 'the police will be here any minute'
'The police…?' – Sakura was surprised; she didn't feel like talking about what had happened just yet
'Of course, he should be punished…he hurt you and he might try to do it to someone else in the future' – the man looked into her eyes, her face was all dirty and red – 'do not worry I will be here with you the whole time' – he said with a sweet smile.

The police arrived and found the attacker on the floor unconscious, Syaoran had done a great job knocking him out. They took their testimony and the paramedics examined her body for injuries. After all, they took the stranger away and advised they will be in contact to update them on the case.

'So...where were you heading to Kinomoto-san?, I can give you a ride if you want, or I can take you to the clinic as the paramedics suggested' – said the young man
'No… I am fine, I can clean myself up when I get home' – Sakura was very shy around him, he had just saved her life, he had seen her in one of the worst possible scenarios
'Ok, so where is home? Can I take you?' – he was taking an interest in her…she seemed to be hiding something
'Well… - she was suddenly interrupted by her own stomach growl, her faced turned red in an instant
'hahahaha looks like you are very hungry huh? – he looked so handsome when he smiled, Sakura was completely mesmerised by his face – there are still some places open for dinner, come on it's on me'
'…O-ok' – she managed to say
'But first, let's get you more comfortable ok?' – Syaoran opened the door for Sakura and helped her get inside
'Where are we going?' – Sakura thought this may be a very strange situation, specially after how the night had started
Syaoran didn't reply, he just turned on the engine and drove

They arrived at a very big house on a nice neighbourhood, he opened the doors with the remote control and drove inside. Sakura was looking around like a child seeing Christmas lights for the first time.

'Welcome to my house Kinomoto-san' – he said with a beautiful smile
'Ehhh?!' – Sakura was so surprised, what was he trying to do? She thought to herself
Syaoran opened the door for her, a man came out of the house and said: 'Welcome back Master Li, oh! I see you have company tonight, nice to meet you miss'
'N-Nice to meet you too…' - Sakura was really confused, first she thought he wanted to take her home, then he wanted to take her to a restaurant, how did she end up at his house?
'Please Wei, get her some clean clothes and get a maid to tend to her needs, I will get the first aid kit' – Syaoran rushed towards the stairs, he looked back at her and said – I will be right back
Sakura was taken into a guest room, everything in that room was exquisite. Expensive silk sheets on the bed and the decorations were astonishing

Knock, knock

'Kinomoto-san?' – Sakura's face blushed when she realised it was Syaoran outside the door.
'Y-yes? You can come in – her hands were sweating and her heart was beating really fast.
'Like I promised, I am back…I see that you look much better, those clothes suit you and you had a nice warm bath? – he was smiling softly, kneeling down slowly… - I brought some band aids and other things to help with the cuts…the paramedics did not do a very good job huh?
'Thank you…thank you for everything… I mean you don't even know me, you saved me today and I have been in shocked ever since but now that I am calmer, I really wanted to convey my deepest thanks – she looked at him right in the eyes
'You're welcome Kinomoto-san, may I?' – he asked for her permission to place a few band aids on her leg
She nodded and her face was burning up…what is this sensation?
'Well now, we can go ahead and have some dinner, I hadn't eaten anything either' – he extended his hand to her and she gladly took it with a smile

After dinner at the Li Mansion and a wonderful long chat about the circumstances of her arrival to Tokyo, Sakura knew it was time to go…it was almost midnight and she still needed to get to her apartment.

'I can drive you home...' – Syaoran stood up and realised that Wei was coming to the dining room with a phone in this hands
'Apologies for interrupting, it is an important call from the office Master'
'Ah…sure, please excuse me Kinomoto-san, I will get the chauffeur to drive you home on this occasion
'No problem, thanks again' – Sakura was feeling disappointed, she didn't want to part with him just yet – what are you doing Sakura? get a grip! She thought to herself

Just as she was leaving, Syaoran rushed out of the house, she opened the car window as it seemed he had something to say…
'Here is my business card, you can give me a call sometime…and maybe…' – she opened her eyes widely and was shocked to see that he was blushing

'Sure…good night Li-san' – she was happy, it was ridiculous, so silly…but still she felt happy.

Two weeks went by and Sakura had adjusted a bit better to her new life in Tokyo. Her apartment was very modest and small, nothing in comparison with the Li mansion. The neighbourhood was not as good either, there was lack of street lighting and there were always fights in the middle of the night. Well, this is all she could afford for now, so no time to complaint. She had managed to land a job at the Children's Hospital in the city centre, she was a young paediatrician after all, but had just started her career so there was definitely a long way ahead…whilst she was tidying up she stumbled across Syaoran's business card…

'That's right…I never called him…- said sadly – 'I am sure he was already forgotten about me anyway…'

Knock knock
'Sakuraaaaa' – a cheerful girl jumped at Sakura and gave her a big hug
'Oh Aoi, what a surprise, what brings you here'
'well well, you are not going to believe this…I have met the most amazing man in my whole life at the bank today! I am so happy!
'I am glad, how was he?'
'Gorgeous of course, kind and with money, lots and lots of money – Aoi started spinning around with joy
'Sigh…you are hopeless, aren't you?'
'Please not again, do not pretend like money is not important…let me be happy ok?'
'Do as you wish Aoi, but be careful ok? It is not fine to hurt other people's feelings, and I don't want you to get hurt either'
'it is ok, I know what I am doing…by the way maybe I should see if he has a good looking friend for you, we could go on a double date or something'
'Nah, leave me out of it please… - all she could think of was Syaoran...

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