Disclaimer: Yah yah. I know. I don't own CCS. Don't gotta rub it in.

So this chapter is officially revised.. just a little so that its not quite as it was before.

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Hidden Secrets

Chapter Three

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"Sakura-san," a cool, crisp voice cut through the air.

The punch that had just barely made contact with Syaoran's face was now across the room. The girl had immediately jumped back at the sound of the all too familiar voice. Her fist immediately disappeared and an innocent smile quickly spread across her face.

"Clow-sama," Sakura nodded her head in respect. "What brings you down to the lower levels?" (Lower levels meaning training area.)

The man had long black hair and a noble face. As he strode over to Syaoran, the boy bowed low, "Clow-sama."

Syaoran had heard of this man... he was even distantly related to him. He was more powerful than any other person in the entire region. Though it was doubtful that anyone overseas at America was as prestigious as this man was. There was no one he respected more.

Clow had started JPSN all by himself. He was their first and best agent. He retired from field work eight years ago.

"Li-san," Clow motioned for Sakura to walk over to them. "Exactly what is going on? The two best agents fighting here is entirely unacceptable."

"Clow-sama we-" Syaoran was cut off by Sakura. "We were just having a friendly match. To... to test each other's skills." Her smile grew even larger. "You know how us agents are..."

Head turned towards her, Clow smiled down at the emerald-eyed teen, "You are our best agent... but somehow you can never lie to me... is it guilt?" Sakura bowed, "I can lie to everyone but you Clow-sama."

"Very well," the older man had a kind twinkle in his eye. "I'll let this little 'friendly' match go... I just don't want it to continue... You both have a field assignment together in a week... you two will train the new agents until then." Ruffling Sakura's hair affectionately, he gave her a hug and a pat on the head before leaving the two of them alone in the room.

Syaoran watched as both Clow and Eriol left the room. Ducking his head in a mix of fury and jealousy Syaoran's hands became a tight fist.

Why? Why was Clow so kind and familiar with HER! HE was HIS relative... you'd think he'd pay more attention to him... but no... was he even acknowledged?

HE was heir to the Li clan... HE was the better agent... maybe... HE was... was... UGH!

Syaoran jabbed a finger in front of Sakura's face, "Kinomoto. Why are YOU so familiar with HIM! What makes you something special?" His displeasure was evident, and Sakura merely shook her head.

"He's my father's adoptive brother... my dad and mom are in America... he's an architect so I stay here with my uncle and brother," Sakura seemed annoyed. "Why do you care anyway? It's not like it really matters. I know he's all powerful and famous and everything... but..." A look of realization dawned on her face, and a sly smile crept onto her pretty features. "I didn't realize that it would bother you so much. You aren't by any chance jealous are you?"

"So he favors you because your his niece?" Syaoran folded his arms, refusing to answer her question. "That would explain why everyone here thinks so very highly of you. It's all starting to make sense."

"Why you!" Sakura held herself back, keeping her promise to Clow in mind.

"What?" he mocked. "Am I wrong?"

She glared back at him, "Dead wrong. We have orders, so pay attention. It's just like an amateur to get caught up in petty things such as this. The practice rooms for trainees are over here."

Walking side by side, Syaoran looked over at Sakura. Contrary to his accusation of her being favored because of her status as a niece, he had already formed a grudging respect for her. It could not be denied that she was pretty strong. He could see why she was their top agent.

Her abilities in comparison to himself, however, had yet to be determined. While with most fighters he was able to realize the scope of their abilities fairly quickly, with her he was unable to do so. He'd have to spend some more time watching her.

Her unknown strength seemed to intrigue him and challenge him at the same time. If she really had caliber enough to be his partner, it would be worth his time to stay in Japan a little longer than expected.

He kept looking at her, observing her facial features, the slightly annoyed by expression on her face, and the smile she gave to everyone who said hi as she passed by.

"We're here," she cut into his thoughts. "I bet you've never trained newbies before... I'll show you. I hope you catch on soon, because I'm not going to teach by myself the entire time... normally I just supervise."

She walked over to the front of the room. Instantly all the agents were in a straight line, saluting and shouting, "Ma'am!"

"You're all lucky. I'm going to train you to be some of our top agents here so you better work at it, got it? As of today, me and this nobody whom you can ignore are going to teach you how to spy like real men and women," her voice was loud and commanding.

"But... we already learned what it takes to be a field agent!" one of the men shouted out. His peers merely glared at him, a couple elbowed him and told him to be silent. The owner of that voice really had no tact. Sakura was instantly in front of him.

Holding the man's chin between two slender fingers, she forced him to look up into her icy eyes, "Those are just the rudiments of the department. And..." She slapped him causing him to fall to the ground. "Even rookies should know not to question a superior... especially if she is JPSN's top agent."

Whispers of shock and joy swept across the room. They were going to be trained by the best! The man who had fallen turned beet red.

"What do you mean by the best, Kinomoto?" Syaoran crossed his arms and glared at her. He had been leaning casually against the wall, watching her every move.

"It means," the guy Sakura had slapped tried to make up for his earlier mistake. "That she is the BEST. Kinomoto-sama has no one who can patch her skills... except for maybe Clow-sama."

Syaoran brought his fist down on the man's face, "Are you saying I'M not a match for the likes of HER?"

"Put a cork in it Li," Sakura had saved the man from falling a second time by holding him up with one small arm. "I AM better than you... Besides, don't hit this guy... I kind of like him." The sly smile on her face annoyed him to no end.

"But," she turned back to the man, staring coldly at him. "You should know to NEVER even try to compare Clow-sama to me. He is MUCH better than I am."

He watched her, eyebrows raised as she told the man to do fifty push-ups. She was surprised when the rookie gaped at her. Obviously their previous training had not been sufficient. Fifty push-ups was nothing at all. It was the lightest punishment he had ever heard of.

But it was good that she respected Clow so much... he did as well. The both of them put together were no match for the renowned JPSN leader.

Syaoran began to stretch, but his eyes never left Sakura.

"Oi! Li! I need to show these people some fighting moves... I want you to be my straw dummy. I'm to lazy to go get one and hang it from the ceiling."

Rolling his eyes Syaoran got up and walked over to her. He let his hands rest carelessly, hooked in his pockets as he watched her get in a ready stance.

"Here it comes!" Sakura shouted as she began a series of kicks and punches. He blocked them all easily. She was obviously moving slower than usual so that the wannabes could see her actions clearly.

She ended as abruptly as she began and turned to their 'students,' "Ok! I want all of you to be able to that perfectly within... an hour? No mistakes."

"An hour?" I asked her as everyone got into pairs and began sparring. "Isn't that too long?"

She just shrugged, "One twitch of a mistake and they'll be getting a 'lecture' from me... trust me. You do NOT want to be 'lectured' by me."

Sakura turned away from him to hide a small smile.

Li Syaoran... he was still a mystery to her. There were few people she couldn't figure out within an hour or so of their company... and she had spent the whole day wit him. He may not have taught a class before, but he was more than capable of doing so. He knew to block rather than dodge so that the trainees could see how each move connected, and he was adept at matching her speed perfectly. Not any faster, not any slower.

She had found someone interesting after all. Maybe, just maybe, he was worthy of becoming her partner.

She raised her head in slight surprise as Syaoran got into a fighting position, "Come on, how about a rematch? I'm sure that the trainees won't tell on us."

No words needed to be said, she was eager to continue their early bout as well. Sakura began to move into a fighting stance as well. Her hands were fisted and her legs were balanced apart.

She kicked the ground to start her attack. Her foot flung up into the air as she did circular kicks first one then another with her other foot. It seemed almost like a dance that never ended. She moved towards him without pause.

She twirled around and around Syaoran. He couldn't connect any of his punches or kicks, she just flowed around them like water.

Syaoran could not feel it, but Sakura's feet were slamming down on him mercilessly, each of them hitting specific pressure points of his body so that the pain would be numbed... though he would feel it later.

Behind the neck, on the right shoulder, and so on. When she finished she was five feet away from him, her arms were opened, her left foot was behind her right one, and she was wearing a beautiful, mocking smile. Just for him.

Immediately, Syaoran's body became completely numb. Trying to move a single limb took a great deal of effort. He grunted unhappily. "You didn't even give me a chance to start my own attack."

"The early bird gets the worm, Li... and it looks like I was way ahead of you. Better luck next time. It looks like I win this round."

Syaoran wanted nothing more than to rip the conscending smirk off of her face. He smiled at the thought. "Well..." an idea popped up in his head. "If I lose, I'm taking you with me!" He wrapped his arms around her waist as fast as he could, but the sudden movement sent them both stumbling to the wall.

Soon Syaoran was staring into Sakura's clear, emerald eyes. One arm was around her waist, supporting her, the other was against the wall, supporting his weight.

A blush crept onto both of their faces.

To be continued...

MUAHAHAHA I think I just might make them kiss... what do you think? REVIEW!