RR: Reviews Response

Xing: Yay! I'm glad you get excited for these!

xSapphirexRosesxFanx: The freak's outcome will be implicitly implied in this chapter. If you want to know more, I guess I can throw a reference in a future chapter. And I totally agree. Syaoran is such a spazz. But that's why we love him.

CrescentMoonTenshi: Aww, that is so sweet of you! I do feel honored and loved. Hopefully the story continues to meet your expectations.

To all the readers: Thank you for journeying with me thus far. Seriously, it takes a lot to read a fanfic, which has no set timings in updates. I will strive to resolve that issue with chapter banks, which include chapters already written. Without further adieu, let's continue this roller-coaster of a tale.

XOXO

Chapter 10: Rotten to the Core

"You kneed him in the crotch." Touya casually commented as his nostrils flared.

Sakura detected a sense of pride in the statement.

"Well, yeah. He tried to drug me." Sakura watched as one of the cops began to attach a "do not enter" yellow tape across the elevator door.

"Do you have any idea how dangerous this was? You could have gotten killed!" Touya was practically yelling at her now.

Several cops stopped in their tracks.

Sakura heard a whimper next to her. She glared at Tomoyo.

Thanks for calling him.

She knew Tomoyo had her best interests at heart, but sometimes those "best interests" fueled idiotic actions. Like calling Touya in the middle of the night to the club. Where there were serial rapists. And his stolen car.

"But I didn't. Look, I caught the killers. I rescued assholes out of this elevator. And I'm not even drunk. What's the big deal?" Sakura defiantly glared at Touya, "Stop treating me like a child!"

The entire floor went silent.

Touya exchanged a glance with one of the veteran cops and nodded.

"Now, let's get out of here."

XOXO

"I'm fine Mark. It's just a little bruise." Syaoran shoved his best friend's hand away as Mark attempted to apply some ointment on his right forearm.

"What were you thinking?! Going off alone like that! Do you realize how dangerous this was? You could have been killed!" Mark was fuming. His nostrils, flaring as he spoke, were slightly red from the explosion.

Syaoran reached for the beer bottle, but Mark slid the bottle out of reach.

"You're going to take some meds. You're not allowed to drink right now." Mark pointed a finger at him, "and if I catch you anywhere near a hard drink, you will have hell to pay."

Syaoran stared at him with a glazed expression, "What are you gonna do otherwise?"

Mark crossed his arms, "I'm going to tell Madame Li."

That shut Syaoran up.

But he mumbled, not wanting to look too weak, "She's gonna read about it in the papers anyways."

He stared out the window and watched the slight drizzle envelope the city in a hazy glow.

"That may be, but she'll be furious if she learned you were mixing meds and alcohol."

Syaoran raised his glass of water and meds in mock salute, "Fair enough." He then proceeded to gulp both down.

Mark sat down at the desk and began to plan the next day's schedule.

"Tomorrow we shall leave home bound."

He began to scribble some information down on the notepad.

Syaoran began to feel the drugs take over his senses, almost blurring them completely. He felt drowsy, but wasn't able to sleep. The events from a few hours ago continued to flash through his mind.

One thing in particular continued to invade his thoughts.

That girl... And her knickers.

He felt himself redden again. He knew in that moment, he had felt attracted to her. It was purely physical, driven by purely hormonal needs. He lusted for her in that moment.

It wasn't like he had lusted like that for a stranger before. Of course, there was that one moment (in his case, several) that every individual had undergone: the weakness of envisioning a complete stranger, completely naked.

However, this time it was different.

His wife had just been murdered. It was glossed over as a drug overdose, Mark and mother had cleaned it all up quite nicely, but he knew he truth.

It was by his neglect that she had died.

And now he was fantasizing about a prostitute.

Oh lord, he needed help.

"Can't sleep." He listlessly remarked to Mark, "Entertain me."

Mark rubbed his eyes and stifled a yawn, "I'm not your slave Syaoran."

Syaoran dryly retorted, "You're my friend. That's close enough."

"Want me to read the midnight post?"

Syaoran sighed in response.

Mark shook his head. "I'll take that as a yes."

He picket up the midnight post the bellboy had just left a few minutes prior and began to shuffle through the papers.

Pondering his thought aloud, Mark began to mumble, "Well of course the elevator incident is in here...and the club got free publicity from that...hmmm, I'm starting to wonder if it was a ploy?"

Mark continued down the page, "Umhmm...wait, what?"

Syaoran, who had been dreading this moment, slowly sat up, "I can explain about the prostitute."

Mark looked up from the newspaper and donned a look of disbelief, "What are you talking about?"

Syaoran nodded his head and waved his hands as he spoke, "oh, so they probably listed her as a stripper then. Go on, what did they write?"

Mark immediately rushed towards Syaoran and checked his temperature, "Are you alright buddy?"

Syaoran flicked the hand away, "I'm fine! What's going on?!"

Mark handed him the newspaper. "You tell me."

With his head pounding from all the annoyances, he snatched the newspaper and skimmed the area Mark directed him towards.

Date Rapists caught at inauguration of new club!

…police had received an anonymous tip and had followed up on it. The suspects, Assex and Jagger Hamilton, are two brothers who have left a string of victims across America. Their memo consists of befriending females online via dating websites and then proceeding to drug their victims. One of them was apprehended in the infamous elevator incident concerning Syaoran Li (see above). Representatives of Syaoran Li have yet to comment on the issue. Meanwhile, the suspects are complaining of a vicious setup plan. However, the DNA evidence proves contrary to their allegations. This will hopefully bring some level of solace to the victims who have been so horribly scarred by these incidents. Experts estimate that they are surely to receive life imprisonment. More updates in the morning edition. Stay tuned!

Syaoran was left gaping. He reread the horribly and hastily written article only to realize that this was in fact true.

"Holy shit. I had no clue." Syaoran ran his hand trough his hair and opened his mouth a couple I times, but no words came out.

Mark heaved a great sigh and shook his head, "Thank goodness you're not a woman."

Mark immediately took out his phone and began to alert the agents on what to say.

Syaoran, meanwhile, was puzzled, and dare he say it, somewhat concerned?

She was with him.

Mark terminated the call and looked forward to see his buddy deep in thought.

"What were you saying about the prostitute?"

Syaoran narrowed his eyes in frustration, "This doesn't make any sense. There was somebody else with us in that elevator. She was his date!"

Mark shook his head slowly, "Nobody else came out of that elevator besides you and that guy. Are you sure your head feels fine?"

Syaoran began to shout, "I know I saw her! I'm not imagining this!"

Mark was beginning to look worried. "Look the paparazzi took several pictures of the incident and nothing."

To prove his point, he opened a Manila envelope and displayed the photos for Syaoran to see.

(Fun fact: celebrities have most of the publishing agents in their pocket, so the pictures are almost always approved of.)

Syaoran couldn't believe it. The photos contained no trace of her. He flipped photo after photo, but nada.

"This is impossible," he muttered the statement to himself.

He frantically looked up, "The cameras?"

Mark frowned, "The police has access to those. And since there is an investigation going on, I think it will be difficult to access those right now."

Syaoran pounded his fist on the table, " I want those as soon as possible."

Mark nodded and exited the room.

Syaoran suspected he was calling the doctor to ask about any side effects to the medication or hallucinations regarding the traumatic incident.

Syaoran bitterly laughed to himself. His whole life was a fucking traumatic experience.

He went to lie in bed and pulled the covers over himself.

Suddenly he realized something.

She has my jacket...

So she does exist.

The thought of that brought a smile to his lips as he drifted off to sleep. He wasn't crazy.

XOXO

"You stole my car." Touya's voice was on the brink of erupting once again. However, it contained a level of calmness, which Sakura found quite dangerous.

"Technically, I borrowed it. I planned on returning it you know."

Sakura nudged Tomoyo, who bobbed her head dutifully.

That was the least she could do, since she did rat them out.

"Yet borrowing implies a concept of consent, which you obviously did not receive when you decided to nick the keys from my room."

Touya crossed his arms and frowned in disapproval at both of them. He rolled his eyes as he realized they were shivering from the brisk autumn air of October.

"Just get in the car."

Giving each other an apprehensive look, Sakura and Tomoyo eagerly boarded inside the car.

Touya entered the car and clipped his seatbelt.

He turned around and commanded, "You put yours on too."

Sakura crossed her arms, "We're not five years old Touya. The law allows us not to wear one."

Touya raised an eyebrow, "The law also allows me to arrest thieves. Now, I don't think you want to begin this game little sister. You have five seconds."

Sakura opened her mouth to retort, but Tomoyo clamped it shut. "Hehe, there's no need for that."

She motioned for Sakura to put on her seatbelt. Sakura pushed Tomoyo's hand away and grumpily pulls at the seatbelt.

"It's good to follow directions, litte imp."

Sakura imagined the snug smile that was plastered across Touya's face right now. God, she hated it when he chastised her.

The fast whizzing of the streetlights made her realize that the car was going at a rapid speed. She glanced ahead to see Touya rapidly scrolling down his smartphone. Of course, he chose a car that could drive itself. As if humans weren't lazy before.

"Soooo, whatcha doin' there?" Sakura knew he hate being interrupted. Which is precisely the reason why she interrupted him.

He continued scrolling and responded without looking up, "New details on a developing case."

Sakura shifted closer so that her face was close to the phone. She saw a recurring name. Li.

She could also tell this was urgent because the tip of his phone was blinking red.

Touya hastily slipped the phone out of sight, but it was too late.

"You're not taking the case, right Touya?" Sakura's voice contained notes of hysteria and accusation.

Touya remained stoic and silent.

Tomoyo darted her eyes between both parties, trying to understand the situation.

"What case are you guys talking about?"

Sakura shook her head rapidly, "No. No, I won't let you take the Li Empire case. I won't!"

Touya reached out to comfort her, "Sakura, I have to. There's no other option available. The committee has promoted this case to the red alert, especially due to the incident tonight."

Sakura pushed his hand away and began to tremble slightly. Tears began to well up within her eyes. They ran down, like streaks of tar, as she furiously vented her emotions,

"I don't care! I can't lose another person right now. I'm not strong enough for that."

Tomoyo placed a reassuring arm around Sakura.

"Touya, you promised."

"I don't keep my promises Tomoyo. You of all people should be well aware of that. "

A dark shadow passed over Tomoyo's eyes. She turned her eyes away as tears trickled down her face.

She quietly told herself, "I Know."

Sakura who has witnessed this odd exchange, made a mental note to discover the reason for it.

For the remainder of the trip, no words were spoken, only the slight tittering of the rain as it brought to life, the melancholy of the car's inhabitants.

XOXO

She's slipped it ever so quietly, ever so discretely. Nobody heard a thing. Nobody saw anything. The only indication of her act was her heart, thumping rapidly and erratically.

She took a deep breath. She had to do this.

She finished mixing the last cup. Placing it on the holder, she began walking towards the living room.

"Hot chocolate!" Sakura brightly announced as she handed the cups to Touya and Tomoyo.

Touya picked up his cup and peered at the contents suspiciously.

"I poisoned it Touya," Sakura rolled her eyes, "you can be so thick sometimes."

Touya took a tentative sip. " One can never be too sure."

Tomoyo drank her cup with much enthusiasm, "ohhhh, Sakura! I love peppermint!"

Sakura picked up the red-colored cup she had specifically differentiated for herself.

She lifted the cup up. " I just want to say sorry for overreacting before. I know you have no choice Touya. Cheers for good luck."

They all clinked their cups together and took a sip of the warming goodness.

They all glanced at one another awkwardly.

Tomoyo cleared her throat, "So, what do you reckon is going to happen to the Hamilton brothers?"

Sakura tutted, " I was trying to enjoy my drink Tomoyo."

Touya pondered upon the question. Taking a long sip, he answered, " They're most likely going to receive life imprisonment based on charges of fraud, charges of rape and battery. Will not receive parole."

Tomoyo clutched her chest in relief," Thank goodness they got caught."

Sakura nodded her head, "it's a good thing we went there last night."

Touya stared at Sakura with an odd expression on his face.

"What's wrong?" Sakura consciously fixed her hair.

"You're not afraid."

Sakura raised an eyebrow, "There's no need for me to. I know how to take care of myself."

"You have to realize the repercussions of your actions Sakura. You could have been seen. And you know the number one rule, actually the most important rule, is to not be seen. Thank goodness Jerry was there to handle to paparazzi."

Sakura defiantly raised her head, " I saved lives Touya. If we hadn't gone tonight, it would have been someone else. My only regret is saving his sorry ass in the elevator."

Touya reprimanded, "Don't try to play the reaper. We try to save lives, not take them."

Sakura ignored him and added, "Actually scratch that. Both their asses."

Touya sighed. She would never learn.

Tomoyo interjected, "Who else did you save?"

Sakura turned towards Tomoyo, "didn't you see him? He was probably acting all high and mighty with his sunglasses. It was that driver. I can't believe my luck. Ran into him for like the third time."

Tomoyo shook her head; " I was with the police that time. I wasn't allowed near the elevator. But that's crazy. Maybe fate is trying to tell you something."

Sakura cracked her knuckles, "yeah, that the world is full of pompous fools? I know that already."

Touya quietly sipped his drink. He felt the details of that matter should remain private.

Sakura began to clear away the evidence of their twilight hot chocolate event. As she picked up the glasses she stated, "I just hope I never see him again."

Tomoyo tried to stifle a smile, "and what if you do?"

Sakura picked up the tray, "He'll have my fist to answer for."

As she departed for the kitchen area, Touya and Tomoyo exchanged silent but humoresque glances.

Suddenly, they began to feel extremely sluggish. They both fought the urge to close their eyes, but their body counteracted their efforts.

XOXO

Sakura washed the dishes a second time to allow the drug to heighten its effects.

She knew she only had a few hours to accomplish the task so she rapidly began to prepare.

First, she checked to see if Touya and Tomoyo were indeed passed out. After confirming the fact, from Touya's monstrous snores and Tomoyo's slight sleepy mumbling; she placed a blanket on each of them.

She then snatched Touya's phone and properly read the details of the case.

Red alert: Attempts of murder made on Li family.

Tara Li brutally murdered. (Click here to view autopsy photos and details). GRAPHIC.

Fire at mansion. (Details). Suspicious.

Profile of family. (Link).

Profile of staff. (Link).

Senior Li disappearance investigation. (Link)

Agent required to investigate matter as soon as possible.

Board of corporations voted unanimously to give case top priority.

Initiate.

Sakura hesitated. If she pressed that red initiate link there would be no going back. Looking at the screen again, she saw that five people had been assigned to this case.

Five people over a decade.

All of them had been obliterated from existence. This was dangerous. This wasn't going to be easy. She was probably breaking hundreds of rules right about now. Not to mention the dire consequences. Suspension. Or even death.

Death.

Derek immediately came to mind. His mangled body flashed in her mind. Snippets of her wedding day clouded her thoughts.

Did he even care about me? Why would he do this to me?

Sakura wanted to cry, she wanted to scream, but she felt so empty.

Did I even love him?

No.

"Yes I do! I do love him. I'm doing this for him." Sakura chastised herself and began to tremble.

She tapped the button.

A few options came up. Long gone were the days where you actually talked to your initiator. There was certainly a barrier in communications. The only thing connecting them was this device and millions of invisible waves.

Assign case to: Agent X. check.

Undercover profession: maid, governess, and gardener.

She wrinkled her nose at the options.

The only one that seems plausible to gain any insight was the governess.

It was just her luck that the position was recently vacated.

Undercover profession: Governess. Check.

Equipment required: basic. Army-style. Personalized. Lightweight.

She never liked the package plans. She always chose personalized. Especially since she was going to be around children.

Equipment required: Personalized:

Infrared glasses. (Allows user to see at night and behind walls. Caution: Do not view at people directly as what is seen cannot be unseen.)

Stun pen. (Just open the cap and out squirts out a tar-like substance that immediately stuns object at whom pointed. Caution: Avoid eye area as may cause blindness.)

Bombastic bubble gum. (Chew twice and spit out. Blows like a bomb. Caution: Do not mix with regular gum.)

Pink shimmer powder: Allows user to attract to any hard surface. Can use to climb walls. Caution: May lose effect on weather-altered surfaces. Sparky residue may stain fingertips.

Specialized id: Allows user to access any door or system. Caution: Remember assigned name!

Governess wardrobe (Autumn and Winter edition): Includes several blouses, skirts, dresses and pants. One puffy overcoat. Boots and dress shoes. Scarves. Caution: Tomoyo Daidouji creation.

Sakura asked Touya to place a caution on every wardrobe pakage. Especially hers.

She clicked a few weapons, most of them concealed as everyday objects, and clicked done for accessories.

Next, she booked a flight for Hong Kong, which was set to leave in a few hours. She chose first class, just because Touya was paying for the ticket.

Transferring all the information to her iPhone, she delicately placed Touya's iPhone near his hand.

XOXO

Upstairs, she began to stuff her personal effects into a burgundy colored suitcase.

She shuffled around the room and knocked a few things over in attempt to find some specific items. She realized her room was a colossal mess.

She hadn't cleaned it in weeks. She purposely ignored the side that contained the wedding dress. It was still in tatters, still dirty and still somber. It held too many painful memories.

She chose to bring her mother's wedding diadem with her. It was the closest thing she had of her mothers'. It offered her a living memory. She was with her mother, through the diadem.

She nimbly caressed the edges of the fine detail before wrapping it in a shirt and placing it the suitcase.

Quickly, she stripped herself of her nightclothes and donned a causal pair of gray skinny jeans and paired it with a black sweatshirt that had an embellished gold heart on the front. She polished the look with a high ponytail and natural makeup. It looked like she had put nothing on, but that was the point of au naturalle. It just made her feel covered.

Besides, her entire life was based on the guise of a cover. Makeup in that sense was her extension.

She zipped up the suitcase and sweeper the room for a final look. Her eyes caught the jacket the "driver" had given to her.

She picked it up and did the oddest thing. She took a whiff.

Uh.

She liked it.

She began to inhale the scent embodying each fiber of the jacket.

She hated to admit it, but that bastard "driver" smelled amazing.

She contemplated leaving the jacket.

But it smells delicious. Like musky caramel with a dark aftertaste.

But it's his. You should throw it out.

She finally chose to keep it after checking the label. Made in France.

She figured it would give her a good chuckle reminding her of the elevator incident.

She put the jacket on and hugged herself. It was baggy, but she felt warm.

She felt comforted.

XXXX

A/N: thought I would end both of their scenes with this notion of the jacket. Honestly, this one is more of a transition, but it brings to light a lot of troubling facts about each character. As for Sakura drugging her brother and friend, that's my homage to Sakura and using the sleep card in the show. Honestly, I fell in love with the concept of magic cards and elements. And of course Sakura and Syaoran's relationship! But I vamped up Sakura's character a bit because I found her kinda wimpy in the show (at some points). Just sayin'. But I love her anyways.

Next chapter will deal with Sakura finally beginning her mission.

Until next time,

Serendipitousloveaffair

P.s. Don't forget to leave a review!