Author's Notes: Hey Hi! Looky, looky! I've got Hooky! Well, not exactly, but I do have this chapter posted up a lot sooner than I thought it was going to be. Cheers! So, enjoy the next installment of "Behind Closed Doors," and thank you all for your continuing support! Constructive criticism is always welcomed. Have Fun and Enjoy!

Behind Closed Doors

Chapter Five: Beginnings of Awareness

Sakura immediately recognized the face that walked through the door. She was the perfect blend of her parents.

Four-year-old Aria walked into the room uncertainly, standing just inside the door and visibly terrified. Sakura stood slowly and walked calmly up to the girl, squatting down in front of her and looking straight into her big green eyes, smiling gently.

"Hello there. My name's Sakura. What's yours?"

"Aria," she whispered to the floor, rooted to the spot.

"It's very nice to meet you Aria. And how old are you?"

Aria held up four fingers very shyly, before hiding them behind her back.

"Wow, you're such a big girl!" Sakura held out her hand. "Will you join me on the couch over there? It's much more comfortable than standing on the carpet."

Aria nodded timidly in response, taking Sakura's three left fingers in her own hand and following Sakura to the couch, climbing on top of it with a child's grace.

"If I ask you some questions, can you answer them for me?" Sakura began slowly.

Aria studied the couch, but nodded timidly.

"You love your brother and sister a lot, don't you Aria-chan?"

"Um-hmm."

"Do you get along with them? Do you fight with them?"

Aria shook her head. "No."

"That's very good to hear. I'm glad you get along so well," she encouraged the shy girl before her, and was pleased to see a small smile travel across the little girls' face. "And I'll bet you love your daddy a lot too, huh?"

Aria finally raised her head and smiled at Sakura sweetly. "Uh-huh."

Sakura smiled reassuringly. "What's your favorite thing to do with your daddy?"

"I like it when he hugs me."

"I'll bet you feel warm and safe when he holds you in his arms, huh? My dad makes me feel the same way. I miss him a lot right now. He's on a trip with my mother." Sakura didn't miss Aria's reaction to the word mother. She immediately seemed to introvert herself. Sakura tilted her head to the side slightly. "Do you love your mother too, Aria-chan?"

Aria let her gaze drop to the couch again. She didn't move. Sakura stepped carefully. "Does your mother scare you sometimes?" Ever so hesitatingly she nodded. Sakura felt her heart reach out to this little girl who barely even came up to her waist. "Are you scared now?" Aria didn't move, unsure of the answer herself.

Sakura made a decision. Ever so cautiously, she reached out and encircled the tiny, fragile little girl with her arms and drew her onto her lap in a hug. "It's okay sweetie," she soothed. "You're safe here. No one is going to be mean to you when you're here."

Aria stiffened in surprise for a few moments, her heart beating wildly, but after a few moments she relaxed and soaked in the warmth radiating from Sakura. She tentatively wrapped her arms around Sakura and snuggled into Sakura's embrace. Sakura looked down tenderly at her and stroked her hair for a few moments, wondering how any sane person could find Aria anything but completely adorable.

Don't over do it Sakura. You're not supposed to get any closer than necessary, remember? Her mind reminded her. And it's not going to help matters if she becomes too attached to you either. Once this case is over, that's it. And then what? Sakura reluctantly released her hold on the girl still clinging to her, knowing her mind was right.

"Now Aria-chan. I need you to keep a secret for me okay? No one is supposed to know what I look like. My identity is a secret. You can't talk to anyone but your brother, sister, and Raelin about this. Can you do that for me?" She waited for a moment, and finally Raelin nodded against her chest. "Good girl." She carried Raelin to the door, set her down, opened the door and sent her out.

Her next interviewee was waiting right outside the door anxiously.

Aria immediately clung to her sister's skirt tightly. Kerri dropped down beside her little sister. "Are you okay?" She asked, concern lacing every point on her face. Aria nodded quickly, and Kerri, seemingly satisfied looked up to meet Sakura's eyes. She looked back at Aria. "Go back to Aunt Meiling and Uncle Kai, okay? And tell Nathan to be ready." Aria nodded, pecked her sister on the cheek with a quick kiss and then took off further into the room.

Sakura stood aside to allow the eldest Li child in. The picture hadn't done the young girl justice. She looked like a much younger version of her mother, Marlene. Right down to the length of hair and color deep in her eyes. It was downright unnerving to have such an incredibly honest and innocent girl looking back at Sakura with the same face as her estranged mother.

"Come on in Kerri-san," Sakura stepped further back into her room to allow the twelve year old to enter.

Kerri strode in without hesitation and sat herself gracefully onto the couch, waiting patiently for Sakura to readjust herself and start.

"I'm going to assume that you know exactly why you're here," Sakura prompted.

"To get rid of that woman," Kerri answered swiftly.

Sakura blinked at Kerri's use of words. "You are referring to your mother, Marlene, correct?"

"She's not my mother," Kerri replied vehemently. "At least, not in the traditional sense; yes, I am biologically her daughter, but she doesn't act like any mother I've ever met."

"I see," Sakura sat still, trying to wrap her mind around Kerri's abruptness.

"If there's anything I can help you with, let me know," Kerri continued without preamble. "I want that woman out of our lives soon."

"Kerri-san…do you know why you're here?"

"Aunt Meiling brought us here to help save my Dad, and the rest of us," she answered bluntly.

Sakura bit her lip. "Okay, well, then. Let me start by first telling you that who you see before you is the real me. No disguises. My name is Sakura, but who I am and what I look like is never to leave this room, understood?" Kerri nodded. "I am the agent assigned to investigate your Aunt's case. My other name is Warai Miko, and that is how the rest of your family, aside from your younger cousin and sister, knows me as. And I would prefer to keep it that way."

"You're telling me who you are so that I trust you, right?" Kerri didn't miss a beat.

"Correct."

"Good, I'm tired of dealing with liars and secrets."

"Kerri-san," Sakura began, holding her clipboard in front of her. "You seem to know a lot more than most about what goes on with your- with Marlene." Kerri nodded again. "May I ask you a few questions, just to clarify a few things, and make sure I am on the correct path?"

"Sure." Kerri settled into her seat and tucked her feet up and underneath her.

Sakura crossed her own legs and met Kerri's deep sapphire colored eyes. "Your- Marlene has been with other men besides your father, correct?" A strong emotion passed through Kerri's face. "I'm sorry," Sakura apologized softly. "I know it's hard, but-"

Kerri was already shaking her head. "I'm fine, really," she assured a worried-looking Sakura. "Yes, she has. Far too many for me to keep track of or care about for that matter."

"The one she is with now is her longest running affair, correct?"

"Yes, she's actually brought him to our home a few times when Dad has been out. His name is Carden; he actually had the nerve to introduce himself one day." She scoffed at his audacity.

So far so good then, Sakura thought in acknowledgement. "And…I will admit to you that I have made contact with your father, Li Syaoran, and I have found him to be…" Really hot, she shook the thought away. "…a very honest person." Kerri nodded again, following along so far. "He hasn't been…seeing anyone on the side himself, has he?"

"Of course not!" Kerri all but jumped out of her seat in outrage. "How could you even think that?!"

"Calm down Kerri-san, please," Sakura tried to pacify the young adolescent. "I am asking this as a professional question, I was not implying anything more." Kerri settled back down, but silently fumed to herself. Sakura sighed. "Okay, so your father still loves Marlene?"

Kerri glowered at a couch cushion. "Yes, hopelessly…unfortunately."

Sakura continued to make notes. "And have you ever noticed Marlene doing anything out of the ordinary, besides her usual affairs I mean." She clarified, and looked up when Kerri didn't answer right away.

Kerri herself was concentrating on some far off point, recalling something or some event from before. "I think…" she forced the words out slowly, as if still not sure herself. "I think that woman is trying…to kill my Dad."

Sakura's pen faltered for a moment, but she pressed on without hesitation. "How do you know this?"

"I've overheard conversations she's had on her cell phone. She'll talk to the person in a low voice and her face has this…look on it. She talks about days and times, and the daily schedule my dad goes through." Kerri paused for a moment in contemplation. "It used to be that she ignored my dad unless she wanted something from him, but now it's like she pays attention to every little detail. It's almost like she's watching him a little too closely."

Sakura stole a glance up to see Kerri's hands clenched in her lap and shaking silently.

"And…she's held other conversations, with that man mostly. They're up to something. Something that involves Dad's company." She finally looked at Sakura, her eyes wide and her face drawn. "I'm scared for him Sakura-san. For all of us….I try my best to hide Nathan and Aria away when she's home, but-"

Sakura set her notes aside and laid a hand atop Kerri's trembling grip. "That's what we're here for Kerri-san." She put on her best reassuring smile. "It shouldn't be your job to protect your entire family from your own mother. You're not alone anymore. Your Aunt and her family are helping all of you, and so are we." Kerri just nodded silently, tears welling up in her eyes. "Hey," Sakura lifted Kerri's face to meet hers. "It's going to be okay. We're all here to protect you, okay?"

A small, grateful smile graced the young girls' face. "Thank you," she whispered shakily.

Sakura smiled brightly. "Anytime." She glanced at the clock on the wall. "I think that should be enough for you today. You've helped me immensely-" Sakura was startled to find herself engulfed in a tight hug. Sakura returned in warmly. "I promise you. You're going to be just fine. You're a strong girl."

Kerri released her hold on Sakura and wiped her eyes before heading toward the door. Her expression was back to its original state before her hand had even closed on the doorknob. "Nathan," she called out. "It's your turn." The door clicked behind her and Sakura had a moment to re-collect.

So Marlene's started to make her move, huh? Looks like Meiling-san was right, Marlene isn't satisfied with just torturing her own family. Now she's looking for a way to gain more control. According to Kerri-san she may be hiring a hit man or men for that matter, and she's planning something with Ookami Inc too. I need to make sure Naoko and Mika get a deeper scope on this.

The door opened for the fifth and final time to reveal a replica of Li Syaoran in miniature form. "Good afternoon, Nathan-kun," Sakura greeted cheerfully.

Nathan greeted her with a blank stare before immediately dropping his gaze and studying the carpet.

Okay. That was…unexpected. "Won't you join me over here? The couch is very comfortable."

"Okay." He made his move to sit where Sakura indicated and then continued to study the pattern of the carpet.

"Is everything okay Nathan-kun?" Sakura asked curiously.

"Yes," he continued to answer monosyllabically.

First things first than I suppose. "Nathan-kun? My name is Sakura, and I want to help you and your sisters."

"Daddy and Mommy too?" He looked up briefly.

Sakura answered with care. "We're going to help your family, yes." She paused for a moment while Nathan seemed to soak in the information. "I hear that you love your father."

Nathan nodded. "Daddy always loves me. He tells me all the time."

"And what about your mother?"

"Mommy only does when other people are around." He seemed to answer without speaking, than finally realizing what he had said, went pale and darted his eyes around the room.

Sakura didn't miss any of it. "It's okay Nathan-kun. You're okay. You can say anything you want to here. You're not in trouble."

Nathan appeared to breathe again, but didn't answer.

"Are you not supposed to say bad things about your mother?"

"No, Daddy doesn't like it. He says it's not nice. And Mommy only allows bad things to happen."

"I see," Sakura commented off-handedly. I should just let him go back to his family. He looks likes he's ready to sprint off at a moment's notice. "Nathan-kun? Can I ask you a favor?"

He immediately became wary, and watched her suspiciously. "No one is supposed to know who I am, except your sisters and your cousin Raelin, okay? It's a secret. Can you keep it for me?"

He nodded slowly, slightly frightened. Sakura could almost read the thoughts running behind his eyes, 'Why is she hiding herself?' But she couldn't answer him without terrifying him more, so she let him leave and he shot out of the room without a second glance back.

Sakura stood and stretched her arms high. After a moment Tomoyo joined her in the room.

"How did it go?" Tomoyo asked curiously.

"You weren't listening in on your ear piece?"

Tomoyo shook her head. "I wanted to be completely focused on Taizen-san and the Li children. I didn't want other voices in my head."

"Oh," Sakura thought before she spoke. "I received some interesting information we definitely need to look into. Do you know which, Naoko? Mika?"

"Yes," Naoko answered in the earpiece without hesitation. "I'm looking up Marlene's conversations as we speak, but I may need Mika's assistance in breaking through to view them."

"I'm on my way up," Mika's excited voice filtered in. "I'll check it out in a minute."

Sakura and Tomoyo looked at each other.

"Let's head on back," Sakura suggested, gathering up her notes.

"Sakura-chan?" Tomoyo's voice halted Sakura's movements; she looked her friend full in the face. "How were they?"

Sakura plopped back onto the couch and Tomoyo sat next to her with more grace. She sighed and blew her breath of air at her bangs. "They're holding up alright for now. But Kerri-san's about to crack from all the pressure, Nathan-kun looks like something's about to jump out and bite him, and Aria-chan's well…she's very confused."

"Their father must be a complete idiot," Chiharu's voice sounded as she stepped into the room from the door Tomoyo had just entered, lowering herself gingerly onto the couch.

"They say 'love is blind'," Rika commented, following just behind.

"Would you believe it if we told you Takashi-kun had it out for you?" Tomoyo asked.

Chiharu thought about it for a moment before sighing. "I see your point." She stroked her belly absentmindedly.

They heard a frustrated sigh in their ears. "Mika, I'm going to need your help as soon as I can get it. This is a lot more intricate that I originally thought."

"I'm on it!" The cheerful teenager responded.

"Sounds like Marlene has something to hide, don't you?" Rika asked the room in general.

"You can say that again," Naoko let out another frustrated noise. "You'd think she was trying to take over the world with how complicated these codes and walls are."

"Or just her husbands company." Sakura put in.

"Or that," Naoko acquiesced.

"Sakura-chan?"

"Yes?" Sakura looked over at Tomoyo.

"Have you met Eriol at Ookami Inc yet?"

Sakura furrowed her brows. "Actually, no, I haven't yet."

A devilish glint lit up Tomoyo's eyes. "See if he can catch you tomorrow, please?" Her eyes pleaded. "I haven't told him what you look like as Miko yet, and I want to know if the disguise can fool him. Plus, I've told him to keep an eye out for anyone suspicious. Let's see just how aware he is."

Sakura looked at her closest friend exasperatingly. "Tomoyo, this is a case, not a test for your fiancé."

"If he has any intentions of marrying me, he needs to be aware," Tomoyo waved Sakura's comment away. "You never know when someone may come back for revenge."

Rika and Chiharu agreed full-heartedly.

"Alright, alright," Sakura finally relented. "I'll give him 'The Test'. What made you finally decide to spring it on him?"

"This case," Tomoyo answered without hesitation.

"Ah."

"Speaking of which," Naoko's voice sounded again. "You should be careful Sakura."

"Huh? Why?" Sakura asked confusedly, everyone in the room was looking at her. "What?"

"You were closer than necessary with a few of your interviewees," Rika answered gently.

"It's not like they don't need it," Tomoyo assured her friend. "It's just that you need to remain objective. Personal feelings can't get in the way, remember?"

Sakura rolled her eyes. "I'm being objective you guys. I haven't let my emotions get in the way before this case. Why would I now?"

"Because your boss and target's husband is hot," Mika's voice answered matter-of-factly.

Sakura felt her face flush, and everyone burst out laughing. "Mika!"

"Sorry." They could almost hear the grin flashing across her face. "But you know it's true."

"Aren't you a little too young to be thinking like that?" Sakura groaned.

"I'm three years younger than when my parents had me, one year younger than when the Li's had their first daughter, and one year older than when Rika-san married Terada-sensei."

Rika's face flushed as well.

"She has a point," Chiharu pointed out.

"You're not helping!" Sakura threw a pillow lightly at Chiharu and all the girls broke out into laughter once more.