Shenzhen, China

December, 2024

7:00 p.m.

Chapter Four : Roulette part I

"Can you take these two with you?" she asked, reading Syaoran's mind. He was going to do the same thing, though with Sakura along. He didn't know what the small girl was up to. "I'll try a way to distract Nick if he's still around this area. They're pretty much after me for what ever I did so they'll follow. Chiharu desperately needs warmth and Takashi of course needs rest." She explained lamely.

…

…

…

"Where is he? It's been hours already." Everyone was waiting in the front room, a fire going on to warm them. The others had arrived to the large mansion about an hour ago, wet from the pouring rain that had started.

"Cool it Aiko, you know it takes at least an hour to get here from Hong Kong. They probably ran into more trouble or something." Aiko glared before she crossed her arms over her chest and leaned more into the large cushioned couch. Her black mini dress was already short enough to reveal anything but as she leaned more into the couch, it rose up even more revealing almost everything.

"If that girl complains one more time I swear I'm going to forget every politeness I have and punch her." Chiharu mumbled making the person next to her grin. "Do you really think they ran into more trouble?" she asked, leaned her head on her boyfriend's shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her, holding her tightly.

"Possibly, they are trying to avoid being seen by Hiroshi's men and Mireille's so it's a possible idea." He explained. He was going to say more when the door opened and a figure walked in, dripping wet and carrying an even wetter girl.

"Xiao Lang!" Aiko hyped out practically leaping out of the seat. Chiharu grumbled under her breath again as she stood as well, seeing her friend asleep in his arms. She hadn't gotten off on a good start with the girl when she arrived and she still hated her. "Who the hell is she?"

"Meilin go retrieve Wei and have him set up a cold bath in my room for Sakura, she's burning up." Syaoran exclaimed tightly, ignoring Aiko as she tried to peek at Sakura but her brown hair was all in her face. Chiharu approached them quickly, hearing all this.

"What happened?" she asked desperately, placing a cold hand on Sakura's burning forehead. She pulled back quickly, feeling the scorching fever. "How did this happen?" her fingers brushed along Syaoran's arm and she felt the same burning feeling but said nothing.

"The cab we took broke down a couple miles away so we walked in the rain, then she just passed out." he told her before going quickly to the door which Meilin return through. She explained Wei was doing as asked. Without anymore questions and answers, Syaoran left the room with the unconscious Sakura in his arms.

"I felt him too…he's burning up." Chiharu whispered to Takashi. He looked at her doubtful before watching the guys back. He could tell from the distance that Syaoran was keeping his body straight and his walking sensible. He was ready to faint as well.

Her vision and hearing was a little off but she could make out the sound of music. My Chemical Romance "Give 'em hell kid," was playing loudly in the room, few teens dancing to it. The ones drunk enough to dance to it. Others sat around, smoking whatever they got their hands on, drinking regular beer. The main room was dimly lit by red bulbs to help ease pain of headaches. She stumbled, her shaky hands holding onto her side. A knot in her stomach told her she needed to stop moving or else something disgusting was going to happen. As she leaned against the wall, she tried to get her vision go clear. Her eyes merely watered from the stench of alcohol and smoke.

Coughing she keeled over and held down everything in her stomach. As the music changed to a different song, she walked forward, pushing aside girls that were giving some guy a lesbian show. They just glared dirtily at her before going back to what they had been doing. The hall which she found on pure instinct was dark, causing her vision to go completely hazy. Like inside her mind had a green light to show her way because that's all she saw. Everything around her was green. Even her trembling hand as she reached for the nearest doorknob. A cold hand wrapped around her upper arm and she froze, turning her gaze to the person.

Standing beside her was a tall, lean figure. The shadows of the dark hallway hid who he was but she was grateful for the support as he opened the door and led her inside. Her legs seemed to walk on their own towards the middle of the room. She turned around at the sound of the lock clicking into place. "Thanks," she mumbled but her words were forced as pain in her abdomen started again. She had been beaten badly by two guys she used to work with. Use to because she no long wanted to work with them after she found out something pretty bad. "No problem," the person spoke. The recognition of that voice made her freeze, her heart and all. Through the darkness of the room and the blurry sight of her vision she could see something sauntering towards her.

"No," she got out, stepping backwards. There was a creak of the floorboard before a loud squeak from her. The same cold hand which had helped her enter the room was now wrapping itself around her neck and pushing her backwards. She stumbled on her feet as she tried to stay in one place. The person was too strong for her weak body at the moment. She tripped over something but the person stopped her from falling down. Instead they pushed her roughly backwards so she landed on something soft and bouncy. "No," she mumbled when she realized the soft matting was a bed. She felt their hot breath on her exposed neck before it was devoured. Clenching her eyes closed she tried her best to push them away but there was a solid grip on her wrist. Not to mention a hard body smashing her.

"This'll teach you to leave town." Her hands were brought above her head and gripped together painfully. Shivers ran down her body as a soft delicate touch went across her skin to the beginning of her shirt. Fingers lightly played with her stomach before sliding underneath her shirt and towards her bust line. "Stop…please," she chocked out writhing underneath them. A cold hand snapped off her bra and easily cupped her petite breasts, mangling with it roughly. She couldn't help but moan through choked pleas. The hand went down her flat stomach to the beginning of her jeans. Easily undoing it she felt his fingers slid downwards to the edge of her panties. Feeling their fingers at the rim of her womanhood she screamed just as two fingers slid inside.

"Shut up bitch," he breathed against her neck before sucking on a sensitive spot of her collar bone. "Get…off," she moaned out before screaming loudly into his ear. He bit down on her skin making her choke out a cry. "I said shut…up." removing his fingers he jammed them into her mouth making her taste herself. She jerked under him trying to spit out his fingers. All at once she felt his fingers leave only to be replaced by his mouth. She writhed under him, feeling his fingers slid down her body. "You brought this onto yourself," he commented as he undid his pants and pushed them down with difficulty. "Please no," she cried feeling her panties leave her hips. His fingers traveled up her slim body to rest on her shoulder before he moved more over her. Slowly she felt him enter her and with a deep breath she screamed.

"NO!" her eyes shot open and she sat up easily thinking something was keeping her down. Sweat bedded her pale face and she felt something drop into her lap. Looking down she saw a small hand cloth lying folded.

"Are you alright Sakura?" someone exclaimed making her whip her head to the side. Not exactly seeing the person she brought her legs up to her chest protectively and scooted back, fear written all over her face. Sitting in an awkward way on a large cushioned chair was Syaoran looking at her strangely. Confused, Sakura looked around. Her vision wasn't blurry and she had no clue to where she was or what exactly happened just a few minutes ago. "Sakura?" Syaoran spoke again making her look back at him. He was standing up now, and slowly making his way to the bed she was in.

"S-stay away from m-me." she croaked out making him stop inches from her. She curled herself into a tight ball, her back leaning against the wall against the side of the bed. Like a lost child she looked around more clearly, her mind playing flashback after flashback of the same scene. Syaoran took another step forward, his knees hitting the edge of the bed. Sakura made a whimpering sound and he stopped from moving any closer. She was still very delusional and from where he was he could see sweat beading her upper lip. God she looks more dead then when I first met her. He thought, watching her shrink into herself and his rather large t-shirt.

"Sakura," his voice was soft making her raise her head to him but who she saw wasn't Syaoran. It was Hiroshi.

"Get the fuck away from me!" she screamed but her voice caught it only half of it came out. Syaoran stared at her, slightly confused. "Stay…away," she whispered out, pulling the covers over her whole body. Through the darkness of the dark green quilt she could see his shadow move off to the side but he stayed near. It grew hot under the blanket but she didn't dare come out. "Why me?" she asked suddenly, her breathing hard as she folded her legs and allowed her hands to fall in her bare lap. Syaoran's pacing form stopped, hearing her cry.

"Why did it happen to me?" her voice continued to ring out even though it was mostly muffled by the quilt over her head. Her fingers found the hem of the large shirt and she began twirling it, her mind lost but her thoughts clear as ever. "…me…why?" She tensed, feeling the bed sink in front of her. Her eyes looked through the darkness, watching the shadow of Syaoran as he sat in front of her but not moving. It was growing intensely hot under the blanket, suffocating her.

Hearing her breathing become more struggled Syaoran pulled it down from her head. "Why did what happen?" he asked, keeping his voice soft. She looked at him, her emerald eyes dilated from the lack of air just recently. "Sakura?" he tested since she didn't make a sound. Her body was trembling from the cold of no blanket and because her skin was burning up so much at the moment.

"Nothing happened," she said rather childishly. He quirked an eyebrow and she laughed. The first laugh since she started this whole thing. Though the laugh was real, he wondered if she'd gone crazy in the past. The laughter turned to tears, answering his question and she threw herself at him. "I'm stupid...so bloody stupid." She choked out loudly through her tears. Syaoran wrapped his arms around her thin waist and rest his cheek against the top of her head.

"Sakura what happened?" he spoke as if he knew her for years though it was only a couple hours. "Why'd you freak out on me just now?" Sakura drew back slightly, looking up into his eyes. For the first time in those ten minutes, he saw sadness in her eyes. A sadness that could overcome depression anytime and day.

"All my life I kept some things a secret and I had kept it a secret even from me. But this…that was one thing I hated most and its coming back to haunt me." she said. He was confused at first until she brought up her arm where the two diagonal marks where. His eyes went wide, seeing the bluish mark on her, going from her wrist almost to the middle of her arm. "I've been afraid of him for so long…of Hiroshi. Even Mireille. Since I did these I've had the past haunt me and I hate it."

"You tell me this but I still don't understand what the hell you're talking about. What happened to you that made you do that?" Sakura's eyes went wide slightly, her emerald orbs glossing over with fear that still haunts her. She leaned forward so her lips were inches from his ear, her arms going around his neck for support.

"He…I was raped."

10:30 p.m.

"I was raped," Syaoran threw aside his oil rag for the twentieth time that hour. Her voice kept going through his mind every time he would think of her. Every time he allowed his mind to wander off from the goal at hand. What she had told him explained a lot but it didn't explain why she hadn't told anyone, especially the police. She still even refuses to tell the police even with Hiroshi currently in jail for the fight with Takashi while he was drunk. "I've been afraid of him for so long…" damn it. Syaoran cursed running a greasy hand through his already messy and sweaty hair.

He'd been trying to work on his car for the night's event but he couldn't even finish checking the brakes without getting distracted. Sakura was one girl that got to him and badly. The last girl that had gotten to him like this is dead, dead and not forgotten. Syaoran pulled himself out from underneath the car and practically cursed at the figure standing above him, mini black dress safety pinned to show off the snake tattoo curling up her thigh. Her hazel brown eyes were going over every muscle in his bare chest before locking with his own chocolate orbs. Getting his heart beat back on track, he glared emotionlessly up at her, ignoring how short her dress was.

"What do you want Aiko?" he asked calmly. He really wasn't in the mood for her clingy needs. Especially since he couldn't even be in the mood to fix his car. Aiko flicked back her baby blue hair, her way of flirting without intentionally doing it.

"You're supposed to be in bed. You came down with a fever just like that girl did." Syaoran shrugged, standing up and practically towering over her as he reached for his t-shirt. "I looked in your room to see how you were feeling but no one was in there. I figured you'd be in here, you naughty Li." Aiko wrapped her arms around herself as the chill of the night came through the garage.

"Of course I'd be in here. We have the race with the Panthers and I'm not going to let it pass with a minor fever…wait no one was in the room?" he was caught off guard. He stared at the shock look in Aiko's eyes as she thought about what she said. Why did he care if his room was empty or not? "Where was Sakura?" she pursed her lips but said nothing. Growling low, he rushed out of the garage, random curses going through his mind. As he entered through the kitchen he stopped. Sitting on the stool, wearing only a large t-shirt that was big enough too makeshift a dress, was Sakura.

"Ah, Bonjour Master Syaoran. Mademoiselle Sakura was just telling me about your two's adventure with the car." A middle aged man said with a heavy French accent. Syaoran continued to stare at Sakura who looked well and was sliding her index finger along the rim of a glass. She looked up from it when the chef said his name, slightly surprised he would be there. "I'm making her 'être faim'; I can make more if you are hungry."

"I have a craving for pancakes and chocolate chip cookies." She explained shyly, finally averting her eyes from Syaoran. "Meilin was busy with Kyle I didn't want to interrupt so I went wondering around, obviously ending here." she said to his questioningly look. She looked at him when she felt his hand on her shoulder. He was sitting beside her now, a crooked grin on his handsome features. "Why do you look so happy?"

"For a second I thought you'd run out on us. Aiko said you weren't in the room but here I find you wearing nothing but my shirt and waiting for pancakes and cookies. Are you seriously a sick patient?" she stuck her tongue out and pouted. He chuckled, oblivious to the smile appearing on the chef's face as he placed a plate of chocolate chip pancakes and chip cookies on the counter in front of them. "I'm sorry…"

"Liar," he nodded guiltily and that just got the two of them laughing. "I wouldn't run out on you guys…I'm sort of afraid to go back to my place." She said softly, grabbing a cookie and quickly putting it in her mouth before more nonsense came out of it. Syaoran looked at her sadly before taking one for himself. "Jean-Paul these are so delicious!" she squealed childishly making Syaoran chuckle and the chef himself to thank her with a kiss on the hand. At the door watched a very pissed off teenager. Huffing at the affection the two showed she turned on her heel and walked back up the servant steps, having an evil idea come to mind.

11:30 p.m.

The two were still in the kitchen eating and talking when Meilin came down, a little worried. She'd been looking for Sakura but found out she wasn't in bed. Finding Sakura in the large shirt and learning French from Jean-Paul her mood lightened. Syaoran was sitting close to the girl, his arm wrapped around her waist and helping her dip her finger in ice water as she spoke, sounding like a pregnant chicken cawing madly. She stared slightly confused when Syaoran began laughing, though what Sakura said in French was funny, she'd never heard her hard headed cousin laugh like that. (J'ai deux sœurs dans le four)(I have two sisters in the oven) seeing the black haired girl standing at the entrance, Jean-Paul smiled and waved to a seat.

"Mademoiselle Meilin it is good of you to visit or do you come to join your cousin and Mademoiselle Sakura?" he spoke, which got Sakura laughing. She somehow found his accent funny when he spoke English which was alright with him since she was a cute girl. Syaoran turned his head as Meilin approached, staring at him as he continued to hold the girls hand in ice water.

"Actually I was looking for the supposedly sick Sakura since she wasn't in bed any longer." She arched her brow at the two. "Am I interrupting something?" she flicked her eyes to their proximity and her cousin's hand. Syaoran's face went stony while Sakura blushed crimson.

"JP was teaching me to make cookies and I burnt my hand, since the waters freezing Syaoran's forcing me to keep it inside." Sakura explained just as he removed his hand from hers. Taking her chance she brought her slightly red fingers out of the water and placed them on a hand towel.

"So I was interrupting something." Meilin mischievously smiled making the girls blush grow redder then her fingers. "Anyway…Syao, Eriol called earlier; you never mentioned a race tonight. He and Manji are waiting over at the bluffs. Tomoyo's in the room getting acquainted with Chiharu." Syaoran glanced at the hanging clock and cursed. Sakura watched him, feeling his hand slid across her waist as his body heat left her. She actually liked him there, she felt safe and warm. Instantly chills went up her arms and legs at the lost of heat.

"Aiko was supposed to mention it; she's the one that got the call from Dylan about it." Meilin shook her head, watching her cousin head for the side door. "Where's Kyle?" it was like he was never there and laughing. Sakura stared at his changed personality.

"Fixing up his bike. He's racing tonight against Marcus, some rematch thing. Takashi's working on the car you never finished. He wants to feel useful for helping him and his girl out." Syaoran nodded opening the door but then he stopped. He spun around, looking point blank at the girl in his t-shirt.

"Have Tomoyo dress you in something other then my shirts. Just stay away from dresses." Sakura oddly nodded, watching him disappear behind the door. Meilin smirked, making Sakura blush once again and look away.

"My cousin so has the hots for you." Sakura got to her feet, the blush still transparent on her pale face. "Don't deny it either, you like him. Even ask Jean-Paul here…Xiao Lang is interested in our own runaway Princess." When Sakura said nothing Meilin just looped her arm around the girl and led her to the stairs. "You'll love Tomoyo; she's the regular fashion crisis girl. She'll love you since your small enough to fit into the clothes she designs. Later Jean-Paul, see you tomorrow morning."

"Au Revoir Mademoiselles."

"Bye," Sakura finally spoke, finding her voice as she allowed herself to be led upstairs and down the many dark halls.

…

…

…

Sakura got to meet Tomoyo rather rushed since Meilin wanted to go to the bluffs badly. Tomoyo was a petite girl with long black hair and large amethyst eyes that seemed to be deeply rounded with black. The second the two girls met, Tomoyo was all over her with questions about her life and random questions about the type of things she wears. Chiharu on the other hand had questions of her own about the current Syaoran Li t-shirt she was wearing. Besides all that the girls had immediately gone into trying different style of clothing on.

"Good you guys are out here." Tomoyo replied happily as she entered the large sitting room. The guys were sitting around talking. She was dressed in a simple black tank top with the symbol for selfish on the front and leather skirt with knee high socks and converses. She almost looked like a school girl gone bad. "Since Aiko decided to ditch early she didn't get any good stuff."

"Just show us the girls," Syaoran replied desperately. He wanted to leave and having waited for them for an hour was long enough for him. Tomoyo stuck her tongue out before ushering someone over.

"Sakura," Sakura walked out rather shyly since she actually was talked into wearing something without sleeves. Her face went red seeing Takashi's wide eyed look. She wore a black vested tank top that had buckles all along the sides revealing her skin. Like Tomoyo she wore a black leather skirt with small slits on either side but she only wore simply black doc martin combat boots that went to her knees. "Meilin grab Chiharu before she escapes!" Tomoyo suddenly remarked making Sakura and Takashi sweat dropped.

"Come on you lazy duck." Meilin replied, dragging the other girl out by her wrist. The two looked exactly like Sakura and Tomoyo only they wore black leather pants and Chiharu's shirt was a light pink while Meilin's was a darker pink. Oddly enough, Chiharu went straight over to Takashi who looked rather speechless since Chiharu never wore tank tops or pink.

"Can we all go now?" Meilin asked, breaking what little silence they had mustered. She separated from Tomoyo and Sakura and walked towards Kyle, letting him drape an arm over her shoulders. Tomoyo nodded her answer, her arm looping through Sakura's as the two walked forward. "Takashi can you take one of the bikes? Tomoyo doesn't have her license and we need two motorcycles." Takashi nodded without question which got Chiharu to smile.

"Since when does Meilin give small commands?" Tomoyo asked playfully. Meilin stuck her tongue out before thumbing towards the silent and passive Syaoran.

"Since Mr. Commando over there decided to go silent on us and stare at runaway princess." They all laughed except for Sakura who seemed to blush lightly and look away from Syaoran's gaze. She'd been doing the same thing, staring at him. Syaoran looked at Meilin, his face stony as ever. He apparently heard the comment and understood it. Meilin laughed even harder before dragging Kyle out the door followed by Chiharu and Takashi.

"I'm going with Meilin so have fun." Tomoyo whispered to Sakura and left, leaving the two alone in the room. Sakura's blush went deeper as she looked at Syaoran who seemed to follow Tomoyo's retreating form. Finally after awhile he smirked at Sakura which got her to smile though it didn't reach her eyes.

"Instead of two sisters in the oven want to put a cousin and a cousin's girlfriend?" she stared at him for awhile, trying to comprehend that before she burst out laughing. He extended his hand to her, a corky smile on his face. "I see they bandaged your arm, interesting choice. Shall we go then?" Sakura nodded, taking his hand and letting him drag her to the outside with the others.

Hong Kong eastern Sea

1:00 a.m.

Where they had headed to was blocked off by police tape and cones. Somewhere off in the distance was the sign do not enter, construction ahead. Of course that didn't stop the two cars and two motorcycles going up towards the high bluffs. They traveled up the long narrow hill onto an area just barely over the ocean that was high tide below. Buildings appeared out of nowhere, positioned in the cliffs. Lights were off except for few dim lighting that went with the street lamps. As they went higher up people could be seen walking, dancing, drinking and smoking. It wasn't until they were close enough that you could hear the extremely loud music playing.

Loud music of different types rocketed throughout the pitch dark night. The very dim lights there was making certain colors glow radioactive. The high tide hit up against the cliffs rocks, giving the air a cool breeze and the music a weird beat to it. For a discreet party, everyone around seemed to be just as loud as the music. Sprinkles of water splashed upwards, getting few people dancing around wet which also got them more louder. Cars ranging from corvettes to vipers, mustangs to GTO's and even motorcycles lined up the empty streets. Teenagers and twenty some year olds were around them, talking and partying. They were all having a weird good time even though there was a lot of arguing between people. It was drag racing, what do you expect?

Syaoran slowed down slightly, moving through the partying crowd. Few that knew the car well waved and moved on while others just stopped and stared. The windows of his car were all tinted so no one could see inside. Kyle appeared beside them pointing off in the distance. He nodded and followed after Takashi, going tightly through the crowd of crazed people. Sakura stared through the tinted windows, childishly awed at the scene before her. Though part of her had a faint memory of something so out there, she never had seen something like a drag racing party. Especially in Hong Kong, places were everything to deal with laws was strict. Her emerald eyes seem to reflect off the window, her darkly rounded eyeliner making her look deader then ever before. Syaoran's face appeared there as well, staring at her as she looked on.

"Having fun?" she turned to face him, a light blush on her cheeks. He glanced away from her, not wanting to get into an accident or run over Takashi. "Don't tell me you've never seen a race before." He commented, stopping as Takashi did. Kyle was talking with someone up ahead.

"I have…" she thought about it for a second. "If Paul Walkers Fast and the Furious and Ice Cube's Torque count. As well as the news and their chases." Her blush seemed to grow redder as he stared at her disbelieving. "What? I'm serious." The car went forward again, following the two bikers up a steep hill that led higher up on the bluffs.

"That's sad Sakura…really sad. Just don't let Meilin hear that, she'll have the biggest outburst." Syaoran smirked at her, shutting off the engine once they were positioned at a weird angle at the top. A light yellow corvette was next to them, Aiko sitting on the hood of it talking with someone. Seeing Syaoran's car, the blue haired girl hopped down immediately but stopped when Sakura came out of it. She was really starting to hate her. Keeping her composer she approached.

"I see you actually came along." Her voice was dry as she spoke. Sakura looked up at her, completely emotionless. The look in her eyes was completely different as well. Aiko took a step back but nothing more as she looked at Syaoran who was staring at her just the same; emotionless. "Marcus's been looking for you." like nothing happened she latched onto the guy she'd been talking to earlier.

"Where is he now?" Syaoran asked, going around the car to stand by Sakura. He didn't miss the way she was staring at her but it wasn't hatred more of a surprised look. Aiko shrugged before stepping close to him, her lips inches away from his ear.

"She has the same look as Race in her eyes and I don't think it was intentional." She whispered before walking away with the guy. Meilin and Tomoyo said hello to her before approaching the staring Syaoran. He looked at Sakura not seeing it then looked over at Takashi and Chiharu as they walked hand in hand next to Kyle who was talking with a blue haired guy.

"Hey man you look like you saw a ghost or something." The blue haired guy remarked when he approached them all. Tomoyo hopped over, giving a giant peck on the cheek before latching her arms around his broad waist.

"I didn't see one but Aiko thinks she did." he frowned. Syaoran shrugged off the feeling and placed a gentle hand on top of Sakura's head. "She thought it was Race but I highly doubt that, she's probably drunk again. Anyway…Eriol this is Sakura, Takashi and Chiharu." It wasn't the fact that he spoke randomly it was what he said that shocked everyone. Eriol bowed lowly to Sakura getting a weird laugh from her which surprised Chiharu and Takashi. She was slowly changing with each new person she was meeting and they liked it.

"Who's Race?" Sakura asked, making Meilin easily shake her head. Syaoran did the same, ruffling her hair just a bit before taking her hand in his. The two didn't even notice it but the others did and boy did their faces light up.

"It's no one to concern yourself with." Syaoran turned to face Eriol, seeing the smug look on his face. "Where's Marcus? I've got that race with him don't I?" Eriol nodded, looking around the parkway from someone.

"Well if it isn't Li and his bitches. I heard you ditched town because of some…problems was it?" some guy spoke darkly, coming up with a girl hanging at his side. Syaoran self consciously tensed, anger rising in him but he wouldn't let anyone around notice it. Sakura looked up at him, feeling his hand consciously clench hers from anger rising in him. The guy looked down at Sakura, his eyes flicking to their clasped fingers. A smug look appeared on his face and he waved away the girl on his arm. "Now who's this?"

"Someone you'll never get to meet." Syaoran spoke darkly, pulling Sakura behind him. The guy smirked darkly before turning to stare at the others.

"You've got new riders I see. Not bad, but they look like stoners to me Li. What happened? Milay couldn't find anymore real men to join in. I know how much you love real men." Takashi growled, going forward but Chiharu held him back. The guy seemed to laugh at this before stepping closer to the fuming yet passive Syaoran. "Ready or not…here we go."

"Let's hit it Marcus," Syaoran pushed him back, walking passed him with Sakura still attached to his hand. Tomoyo made a smug look before trailing behind them with Eriol. Meilin just smirked, letting Kyle take off with Chiharu and Takashi to do something. The small group approached waiting cars, a crowd of spectators cheering and dancing around. Syaoran released Sakura's hand and opened his car door.

"Rules are simple…up the cliff, through the town and back down the bluff. First person to finish wins the turf and the money, last person leaves town unless further notice." Aiko came out of the shadows, wearing a black vest with buckles along the front, revealing cleavage. Her dark green leather pants clashed amazingly with her red combat boots. Marcus smirked, giving the blue haired girl a quick smack on the ass which got her to stick her tongue out playfully.

"Those rules suit me. But how about we change it just a little." Marcus opened his own car door and got in, slamming it easily. "Aiko and Chase join in on double teams. First person from either team to win gets the prize and the first person from the opposite one gets that ticket to hell. The other ones in between get something totally from the crowd. Whatever they decided, the do it or get it." his dark eyes went right to Sakura who was standing rather oddly next to Syaoran.

"Sounds good to me. I need a good ride." Aiko spoke cheerfully, looking over at Syaoran as well. "Li?"

"What ever, a bets a bet with a little more class." He got in, slamming his door and starting the engine without a second word. Aiko went around to her lavender corvette and did the same as well as some guy with completely light green hair and his red viper…

"Are you ready to get your ass beat?" Marcus asked, hanging his arm out the window. Syaoran just smirked, turning his gaze to the peering in Sakura who was a little off all of a sudden. She didn't know why but part of her was pounding that she'd witnessed something like this. Her emerald eyes scanned the darkness before them before looking at the driver who was staring at her oddly.

"Something wrong?" Syaoran asked. He hadn't missed the odd look in her eyes and it was bugging him. She shook her head and he raised an eyebrow, before a loud rev came from Aiko who was finally ready to start. "I want you to stay with Eriol. Are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm fine, you just win this." He nodded slowly before watching her back up to the sidelines with Eriol and Tomoyo who was shouting and hooting for both Aiko and Syaoran. Next second she knew Meilin waved down her arms in front of the four drivers and watched as they all zoomed down the lanes. The feeling in her gut grew bigger as she watched Syaoran take the lead next to the viper on Marcus's team. Eriol put his hand on her shoulder and she jumped getting him to stare at her oddly. "Sorry, just a little nervous."

"Syaoran's fine, if you're nervous about that. He's the best driver in this whole group. Marcus doesn't have a chance especially with the other member being the blue haired freak Aiko." Sakura just nodded her head and watched the race. Tomoyo looked behind her at them but thought nothing of it especially since Eriol was reassuring the girl.

Syaoran looked over at his side where Marcus was now, his dark blue corvette coming up quickly. A rather large smirk grew on his face as he sped up his own car, taking in 95 mph. the curve around that Aiko was talking about before was coming up and what she forgotten to mention was it only fit one car. It was that narrow. Looking quickly behind him at the tailing Aiko who was keeping it cool in her lavender corvette, he sped up a good minimum and turned. Tires squealed on the turn and the car began to tip slightly. Marcus cursed and slammed on his breaks before going in behind Aiko. The four cars went around the corner sharply before spreading back out. Syaoran in the lead once again with Marcus's man.

"Come on, the finish lines on the other side." Eriol spoke softly to Sakura who was trained on where the cars just disappeared at. She looked up at him, his smiling gray eyes staring down at her. A reluctant nod shook her brain and she followed the running Tomoyo and the walking Eriol with half the crowd.

Aiko slammed on her breaks quickly, just as Marcus cut across her. Cursing a million words in German, she clenched her eyes closed as her car spun out, slamming into the other guy. Her head snapped forward at the impact and her mind went black though she could still see, her vision was just a little blurry from getting rattled. Syaoran looked at his mirror just as Aiko's car tipped over soundly on its side. He cursed, not wanting anything bad happen to her. Switching gears he sped his car up, seeing Marcus come up behind fast. Checking his meter he did gears once more as it came into a steady rev. making a sharp turn around the road blocks, he came up near the edge of the bluffs once more. Marcus followed pursuit, not at all coming in slow.

"Look there's only two of them left." Some girl shouted. Sakura froze in place, hearing more and more shouts of only two racers left. But not who. Takashi and Chiharu came into view both of them a little guilty about something. Kyle had the same look as he approached from the other way. Unwrapping her arm from Takashi, Chiharu wrapped it around Sakura, a little worried at her friend's new state. Sakura was pale and staring hard at the two cars out in the distance.

"He'll be alright." She assured but Sakura didn't hear. She was too busy fighting back a past dream as well as her gut feeling.

Syaoran sped up his speed, trying his best to avoid the obstacles that came into view. Marcus was doing the same as well as stay on Syaoran's tail. Already they lost Chase and Aiko in the town so that led him to have to win this. ("You did what?" Tomoyo shrieked. Kyle just shrugged as Chiharu and Takashi looked away guiltily.) Something continued to tick in Marcus's car and he freaked, seeing his gas mileage go down considerably. Swearing he swerved to the side, doing a quick take back just as a light post came into view. Syaoran looked through his mirror and cursed, seeing Marcus's car do swerves, this way and that. Ready to take the turn to a different route down the bluff, Syaoran slammed on his breaks. Marcus swerved left avoiding hitting Syaoran.

"Holy shit!"

To be continued…