A/N: This isn't originally a fanfic, I have this plot in my mind for years but I can't seem to work it out. Thinking up characters can be hard. Then starting reading fanfics gave me an idea, why not make my growing list of plots fanfics! I'll have established characters already and only little with manipulations and I'll have a story. And now here it is. Luckily I have a computer now, back then I have to write manually, that's why I never finished any story—Laziness, it's just that my mind work faster than my hand. But yes you can call it laziness. .

Disclaimer: I don't own Cardcaptor Sakura and Tsubasa Chronicles characters except the plot and a few added characters

CHAPTER 1: The Mystery

"It started with the Reed family's generation before the present. It was a prosperous kingdom living in harmony. But after the tragedy struck, misfortunes seem to follow. First, the queen gave birth to a handsome twins; this could be happy news to everyone except the queen died of birth. But what makes it perplexing is that the doctor and two midwives were found lying dead on the floor of the delivery room, while the other midwife mysteriously disappeared. The painful scene was discovered by two servants who went to inspect after they heard a commotion happening inside the delivery room, shortly after the incident.

"The King was devastated of his queen's death, it's been a difficult pregnancy for the queen, who does not have the best of health, but he never expected this tragedy to happen, he partially blamed the missing midwife for abandoning his queen. There could have been a chance of saving her, they could have get help if whenever they saw fit. He gave his best efforts to find the missing midwife to no avail. She disappeared just like that. Forgetting the twins, as they gave remembrance of his dead queen, the king immersed himself in solving the tragedy, going as far as hiring investigators in neighboring countries, but this turned out to be futile.

"Years past, the mystery remains unsolved. The king gradually took notice of his two sons, as they helped to ease the pain in his heart little by little. He named the twins after what he and his wife decided before the queen gave birth, Clow and Taide (Ta-i-duh). The first meaning 'floodgate' and the second a variation of 'tide'. It was based on a myth* the queen loves (She was hoping that the two will live harmoniously together like the two spirits in the myth). He started to love them and trained them as the next rulers of the kingdom. But that's another problem he has to face. As a rule, the eldest son would inherit the throne. If a queen gave birth to twins, the same rule applies; the first born will be the heir. But since no one else knew what happened that devastating night, no one knows which of the two is the first born, except those who helped the queen gave birth, now dead and other went missing.

"The Royal council decided that they will choose a rightful heir at a right time. And twins grew handsomely. With their different looks, (being fraternal twins) they have different personality. One is mild mannered, inquisitive, adventurous and wise. The other was equally wise but rather aggressive, ambitious, and has tyrannical tendencies. Eventually, the Royal Council chooses the first as the heir. Outraged by the decision, the second twin opposed the council, going as far as thinking up clever schemes that soon endangered his brother and the king. He was banished from the Kingdom.

"But his threat was evidently clear before he was sent away, he will not stop until the day that the throne became rightfully his. No one heard of him after. Except for occasional threats sent to the present king.

"Now the whole Royal Family feared for the safety of the future heir to the throne. That's why measures were ensured for the Crown Prince's safety. Especially when the Crown Prince stubbornly decided to enroll to a school opened for everyone instead of going to the Royal Academy. He claimed that being near his people will help him understand them more and will be useful for him in the future when he became the King. That's why you were with him…"

"Because I'm the inside eyes of his protection… I know, I know, mom. I already heard the story for a thousand times already, but what I don't know is why I have to hear them again?" said an irritated boy with a shock of unruly chocolate brown hair and intense brown eyes.

"Syaoran," Yelan sighed. "I'm just making sure, that you remembered, okay."

"Oh, I remember alright, it's etched on my mind. But why brought it up again?" Syaoran said, and then suddenly leaned forward on the mahogany table that's between him and his mother. They were at Yelan's office in the LPI building. Yelan Li is the head Private Investigator and owner of the Li Private Investigations.

"Something's up. Isn't it, mom?" Syaoran raised an eyebrow, looking at his mother expectantly. Excitement was flooding his veins as an idea of another mystery crossed his mind.

Yelan sighed, then smiled at her son. He inherited her passion for case solving. Actually, he is already making a name for himself as he solved some cases that baffled the police. They actually were more baffled when a teenager beats them in solving a case. No wonder, they thought, he was a Li.

Their Li Private Investigations business is widely respected even by the kingdom police and the Royal Family itself for being the best crime solving body in the Kingdom. Yelan is always depicted as a sharp woman with a quick mind and stern attitude toward crime solving. It's no wonder her son would be the same.

Her husband was an excellent investigator, too. She met him when she was still new to Japan, and during her exploits of being an investigator. It was during an encounter on her first assignment given by another private investigation company. Shaky at first, as the other tries to outwit the other in solving the case, but rivalry turns to love. They were both Chinese and have the same passion for crime solving. They were married soon afterwards and had five lovely kids. But unfortunately he died in an encounter. The Elders of the Li family persuaded her to come back to China and handle the business that her husband abandoned to pursue his dream, but she refused, too and instead started a Private Investigation business. Something she and her husband planned on doing before he died. She carried on with their dream after his death, and still does what they both love. She knows he'll be happy to see it's success. She left the Li Corporation to her husband younger brother, Cheng, as it was also the wish of his husband. Cheng handles the Li Corporation well to the amazement of the Elders that they eventually agreed on how the situation turned out.

"You're right. Something's up." She grinned. Something she doesn't usually do in front of people. "The thing is the threat to the crown prince is still not lifted. And you know that despite his royal guards, you're his inner guard. I want you to be alert and be extra careful"

"Why? Is there any danger?" Syaoran's asked frowning.

"We received info about the twin's recent activity at the nearby country. But we haven't figure it out yet." Yelan said leaning back her swivel chair. "Also there's something valuable to be moved within the Tomoeda Academy."

Syaoran brow furrowed. "Valuable? Like what? Does it concern the Royal Family and the Prince? And why on earth place it in a Private school where anyone can access it?"

Yelan sighed again before she leaned on her table looking nowhere. "I personally don't think it's a good idea either," she said scowling. "It's too risky. But where is the best place of hiding something that's of important value?"

"Hidden in plain sight." Syaoran grinned.

"Exactly," Yelan beamed. "But still…"

"I think the ideas' fine mom. Who would have thought that a thing that the Royal family deemed important will be stored in an ordinary private school?"

"Oh, I wouldn't call Tomoeda Academy ordinary…It's the best luxurious private school there is."

"It's still a school, mom"

"Yes, but…Well that's why I wanted to alert you on the changes…The Prince's guards will increase, but the King also wants you to be alerted, too." She beamed again at her son. "The king trusts you a lot, you know."

"Oh I know," Syaoran said slumping in his chair, rolling his eyes. "Give him my regards mom, and assure him that I'll do my best to protect Eriol whenever the situation presents itself." He said in a patronizing tone.

"Syaoran Li! I know the you're close to the prince and you're his best friend and all, but really you have to be serious with these kind of matters, we're talking about the Royal Family and we have their huge trusts in us, even if were basically foreigners in their country."

"Jeez, mom, I know. I'm serious okay…It's just that…" He smirked. "Well Eriol—I mean the Prince… well never mind. We grew up together it's just sometimes formalities were lost between us…"

"Still…he's royalty and—"

"I'm not forgetting, mom, I'm not. So what's that valuable thing?" He quickly asked evading her scolding which he receive a lot. But Eriol—the prince—gave him the liberty of calling him by his name and erasing any formalities. They have established that long ago since they were little kids.

Yelan regarded his son, like his father, you cannot sway him out of the real matter. She was actually evading this question because… "It's top secret."

"What?" He asked incredulously. "You can't even tell me?"

"Sorry, no, the king wishes to keep it safe under the carpet until it needs revealing."

"I thought he trusts me? How am I suppose to look out for something I don't know"

"You don't need to know. All you need is to keep an eye on your surroundings."

"But…"

"No buts, Syaoran,"

"But…"

"Well let's just put it this way, you're a great detective right? Figured it out yourself. The king knows that you will investigate of course, and he's letting you. His majesty is just too kind." She said rolling her eyes.

"Yelan Li! I know you and the King are like best friends and all but really, do you have to roll your eyes talking about—"

Yelan laughed at his son's mocking.

"Sorry," she chuckled. "I can't help it."

Syaoran laughed, too. "Exactly, now you know what I mean."

"Yes, right. But now," She looked at her watch. "Off you go. You'll be late for school."

"Give me a hint."

"It concerns the Royal family."

"That's too general, at least tell me if what kind of thing is that…thing?"

Yelan thought for a moment. "It concerns the prince."

Syaoran rolled his eyes.

"Also, some valuable information that can be plain shocking to everyone else and needs to be concealed to privy eyes not to mention Fei Wong. It concerns the r—prince's safety."

Syaoran narrowed his eyes. "Information? Files?"

Yelan cocked her head. "Could be, could be top secret files and other stuff…"

Syaoran frowned, rubbing his chin, contemplating. "It concerns the past…probably the mystery of the Royal twins…"

Yelan eyebrows shot up, her son is smart. She kept her expression blank, giving nothing away, when looked at her and grinned.

"Otherwise, why tell the story?"

"Little Sherlock on a trail?" she said, teasingly. "You'll be late and I still have business to attend. Off, off you go."

"Right," He grumbles. "Off I go."

Yelan stared at the door where her son just disappeared. Clever like you Jun, If only you can see him now.

She stood up and walked to the window watching her son leave in his car. She can imagine Syaoran and his husband solving cases together. It could be a father and son bonding. She sighed. She can actually see her husband in him, a lot. They have the same hair and eyes…same cocky attitude, and they're both smart. You must be proud of him.

Then her thoughts drifted to the situation at hand. Risky, she believed it is risky to expose all of this in plain sight. It might even be dangerous for Syaoran, that's why King Clow decided not to tell him the whole truth. What he doesn't know won't hurt him. But The King also new of his inquisitive mind so he lets him investigate as he wishes. Kind…too kind. She sighed.

If only they could stop Fei Wong in his schemes fast. Then everyone will be in order. Then the Crown Prince won't have to deal with this either. They were still young…too young.

She sighed again and went back to her desk. This will eventually fall in order soon. Right now she needs to focus on the transfer of that valuable thing.

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Syaoran mind was racing with possibilities. Being the best investgators in the Kingdom, His mom's company works with the Royal family in protecting the Crown Prince. The two families eventually got close. He became the company and best friend of the prince, and later on the King's inner eye, like a personal guard, because his guards can't always be with him all the time especially, when he decided to attend an ordinary private school.

"I wonder what kind of valuable thing that is…" He wondered allowed. He considered looking through the school record system…If that thing concerned top secret information they could put it there. But if they indeed hide any information there, security measures are bound to protect it. Hacking it could be difficult, doesn't mean he wouldn't try if he needs to.

He sped down the road, and eventually entered the Tomoeda Academy private grounds. His mind still thinking about the case.

He smiled, he is thinking about it as a case already.

Her mom won't remind her of the infamous Royal Family Mystery if it doesn't have anything to do with the mysterious transfer in their school.

Out of nowhere, he suddenly remembered their previous conversation during dinner, last week.

[Flashback]

"Hmmm…Fujitaka Kinomoto, eh?" Her mom said while turning the page of the evening newspaper They were at the dining table having dinner.

"Who?" Feimei asked.

"Fujitaka Kinomoto, he's an archaeologist who's gradually making a name for himself." Said Syaoran, turning to his sister. "He's recently gaining popularity for solving historical mysteries in the US."

"I see you know him." Her mother asked.

"Not personally," Syaoran grinned. While her mother rolled her eyes. "I followed his cases online, there's a website dedicated on him. He's clever mom, his really great. I'm surprised it's your first time hearing about him?"

"Actually, No. I've seen him before. I also read his background, which is impressive, if I might add. But it's only recently that I've read an article about his growing success."

"You saw him? Why didn't you tell me?"" Syaoran's said wide–eyed.

"I didn't know you're a huge fan."

"When?"

"Recently, about a month ago. He visited the king asking permission to take the Royal Family's mystery."

"Yeah, I've heard of that. I've read it in the newspaper." He said excitedly. "Did King Clow mind?"

"Well, no he doesn't. He's actually grateful, he himself wants to know the truth about what really happened several years ago and whether if he was a first born or not. Several investigators gave up already. He's really thankful one takes an interest again. He needs all the hands he can get."

"What if he learned that he's not?" Feimei asked again, Yelan's youngest daughter. "Will he step down on his throne?"

"He can if he wants to," interjected Fuutie, the eldest. "He's a kind king and from what I gathered from mom he's really not that thrilled getting the throne."

"Well King Clow loves to travel doesn't he? If you're King you can't go out a lot." Said Xiefa, the second eldest.

"He does travel right?" said Fanren, the third eldest. "Sometimes with Queen Kaho and the Crown Prince Eriol."

"Yes, but for a short time only." Said Yelan. "And it's for the Kingdom's business."

"So, did he already start investigating, mom" Syaoran asked.

"I heard he has, but suddenly disappeared."

"Disappeared?"

"Yes, which is odd abandoning the case. But he was found later on an expedition in Africa, as says so in the article, here." She passed the newspaper to Syaoran. "It said he's not completely abandoning the case. He's still working on it. He just need to attend business in Africa…he's an archaeologist after all." Said Yelan, frowning.

"Maybe he found a lead in Africa," said Feimei seriously. Her sisters and Syaoran laughed.

"That's too far from Japan, Feimei." Said Fuutie. "Why would the royal family be involved with something in Africa?"

"Oh I dunno… a mystery story usually sometimes involves something way out of the area where it started."

"I think I understand what she's trying to say." Said Syaoran, suddenly. "Maybe his working something about Fei Wong's disappearance. Maybe he went there."

"Aw, our little brother is soooo smart" cooed Xiefa. "All grown up and becoming a great detective."

"Yeah awwww… I bet he'll become more popular with girls, too." Joined Fuutie. "I can't wait to see her new girlfriend."

"And another girlfriend, and then another and another…." Said Fanren making all of his sisters laugh.

"Shut it!" He can't wait for their visit to be over.

"Awww is little-Syao's embarrassed?" teased Fanren.

And it continued on throughout the rest of the dinner.

[End of Flashback]

Syaoran rolled his eyes again remembering her annoying sisters…why do they have to be four? But then frowned again, Fujitaka Kinomoto in Africa and on the case of the Royal Family Mystery…did he found something already that's really valuable and decided to keep it in the school?

Well if he's working on the twins' mystery…maybe Fei Wong really went there… maybe he somehow traced his travels there.

Or maybe he found out something really valuble, too valuable to hold and the royal family decided to keep it in school…maybe because Fei Wong found out about it…or maybe…

Too many maybes, he has to find a lead. Then he grinned. He'll check that convenient little website later. Maybe he can found something there.

End of Chapter 1.

A/N: Is it boring? I think it is…somehow *sigh* or maybe that's just me because I really want to get into action already…yeah maybe. But that wouldn't work out unless you know what happened years ago, right. A story needs information in order to understand… oh well. This story is creating lots of side stories for me…still have to work out a few things…

By the way, since the title is THE DARE; there would be a *gasp* a dare in the next chapter. I'm still thinking of what will be the prize of the dare. If you won a dare, a popular prize is making the loser your slave for a period of time… aside from that, what else would be a good winning prize? Did I mention the participants of the dare are freaking rich boys? So a few dollars will look like nothing for a prize wouldn't it? Any suggestions?

* I made the myth myself just to justify the chosen names, hehehe it's really a lame one.