The set-up

Hong Kong, China

Sayoran Li quickly thrust his weapon at his invisible foe. Perfectly executed punches, kicks, and rolls were performed flawlessly over and over again. With his eyes closed and feet bear the nineteen-year-old future leader of the Li Clan moved fluidly and dynamically through his self-administered morning practice. His practicing arena was none other than the garden his own home. Magnificent and lustrous the spacious garden provided the perfect oasis for Sayoran's combat training. Also quiet and expansive…the only sounds coming from the rolling of his feet and the hum of the waterfall in the background.

"Xiao Lang?" followed the sound of a sliding door opening. His mother was calling to him in Chinese.

Sayoran sighed and ceased his practicing as footsteps grew closer to him.

"Xiao Lang…" his mother began "answer me when I call for you." Yelan Li stood behind him with her arms crossed; a stern look on her face.

Sayoran uttered a low growl of annoyance and turned to face her.

"If it pleases you, mother." He mumbled before shoving past her and stalking into the house.

Yelan Li sighed and her eyes grew tight. This morning was just like every other morning in the Li house. She was almost ashamed that her son had grown to become such a cold hearted, distant person. The future Leader of the Li Clan was a man that should evoke envy and admiration amongst the people of China. He should be prepared to lead with conviction and compassion. Her son possessed none of these things…and he was already nineteen years old.

Tomoeda, Japan

A man dressed in casual Chinese clothing sat across a small circular table from Fujitaka Kinomoto. A blue-print of sorts lay in front of them and consumed both of their attention.

"This is where we believe the artifact to be…" said the Chinese man "It is on Li Clan property so we would like to request that you and your chosen team begin an excavation of the area as soon as possible."

Sakura Kinomoto, Fujitaka's seventeen year old daughter peaked her head out from around the bottom of the stair-well. From what she had gathered from her almost-ninja-status eavesdropping her father was being commissioned to do a dig on some rich dude's estate in…Hong Kong. Her father was a well-known archeological professor at the local University. However, it had never crossed her mind that people from Hong Kong has ever heard of him.

"How long is the Dig expected to last?" Sakura heard her father ask the man.

The Chinese man took a slight pause. "That…we are not certain of. However, we have asked others to assess the sight and they all say such an excavation would take nearly six month's too completel."

Fujitaka adjusted his glasses slightly. Six months…there was no way he could leave Sakura home alone with her twenty five year old brother for that long.

"I have a young daughter named Sakura who's not yet and adult…" Fujitaka began slowly.

Sakura's ears strained to hear more from around the stair well at the mention of her name. Her eyes widened with excited hope. Maybe if she was lucky her father would have to bring him with her and she would actually get to see Hong Kong!

The Chinese man smiled. "We can take care of that. All the accommodations needed will be provided within our own private estate. Including those needed by your young daughter."

The middle-aged archeologist thought for a moment. The opportunity presented was most certainly a once-in-a-lifetime chance. He had read a few articles about the Li Clan and had a moderate idea of their power and wealth in China. However, he would need to talk to Sakura first…

"What do you think, Sakura?" Fujitaka asked out-loud receiving a quizzical eyebrow from the Chinese visitor across the table.

Feet pattered across the hard wood flooring as Sakura lightly skipped from behind the stair-well to the table. Her father chuckled lightly at his own ability to know his daughters sense of curiosity. Emerald eyes dancing with delight and excitement brightened the room immediately.

"Let's go, Father!" Was all that needed to be said.

Fujitaka extended his right hand to the Chinese man sitting across the table from himself. As they shook hands the Chinese man smiled.

"We have an agreement." The archeologist announced.

AN: Well =] what do you guys think so far? This is just the prologue. So all the other chapters will be much much longer than this!

Read & review please! ^_^ If you do I will update fast!

-Kitten