Author's Note: Last time, we had our first Eriol sighting. But it wasn't by Madison; it was by Li and Sakura. Sakura stayed behind to tape Madison, while Li and Kero kept an eye on Eriol. But as Li tried to keep up, he was pulled in by the three Italian thugs, who had revenge on their minds. So what happens now?


Dateline: Saturday 7:30 PM (19:30)

Location: Alley outside of Hyde Park

Li couldn't believe this was happening. Last time he saw Vito and Mario, they were behind bars where they belonged. Somehow, though, these two creeps got out and it was probably because this big guy bailed them out. And they had Li cornered in an alley.

"You know, I was pretty angry earlier," Vito said. "I was so mad, that all I wanted was to turn your face into ravioli. But I've had a chance to cool off. So now, I'm giving you a chance to apologize for offending me and having me thrown in the clink. What do you say, kid?

Li had only one answer for him. He fearlessly spit in the Italian's face.

Vito shrugged and wiped the spit off his face. "Wrong answer, kid." Then he gave Li a fierce punch in the stomach, sending him to his knees. "I'm going to enjoy this."



Kero flopped out of Li's pocket. The kid was about to get beaten up. His instincts told him to immediately go get Sakura. The kid wouldn't be able to take a three-man beating. He was in a lot of trouble. But instead, Kero got another idea.

While the Italians were focused on Li, Kero flew away. He turned the alley's corner and saw Eriol walking down the street. Kero then saw another perfect convenience. Eriol had a shopping bag. So Kero crawled along the edge of the buildings until he saw Eriol stop at a red light. Kero then flopped into Eriol's bag. He was set. Kero would be able to keep track of Eriol and where he was going.

But Kero felt a little guilty. He left Shoran to get a beating. Was he doing the right thing?



Li took another kick to the ribs. Vito was relentless. Li was nearly coughing up blood. He already had a broken nose. So far, it had been a one-sided battle. But Li was about to change that.

Vito tried to kick Li again, but Li caught the Italian's leg and tripped him up. Mario tried to help his fallen comrade, but Li kicked him in the stomach. As Vito got up, Li continued his assault with repeated blows to the chest and stomach, culminating in a flying kick to the face. Vito fell, but it wasn't over. Li was picked up from behind by the huge seven-foot individual. The big guy had Li by the arms.

"Hey, this kid can fight, Vito," he said calmly.

Vito picked himself up and stormed towards Li. "Too bad it's his last fight! Hold him for me, Ox!"

Li saw what was coming. He reared up his legs and let out a furious double kick that knocked Vito down. Then Li kicked backwards, nailing the big Ox right between the legs. Ox released his grip and held his groin in pain. Li picked up a trashcan and swung it horizontally, striking Ox across the face and knocking the big man down. Mario tried to rush in, but Li tossed him right on top of Ox and they both fell to the ground.

Li momentarily had the advantage until something wooden struck him in the back of the head. He fell in a heap and looked up to see Vito holding a two-by-four. Li had released a new rage in the Italian, for Vito had been bleeding from the mouth.

"You've got guts, kid," Vito huffed. "But you see, you can't win. You never could. That's why you should have just stayed out of our business. Now it's time for me to finish this."

Vito reared back with the two-by-four, but someone came up behind him. That person struck Vito in the head with a glass object, leaving the Italian unconscious on the ground. The person came out of the shadows, revealing himself to be a black-haired boy with a ponytail and a black apron. Li recognized him. It was the boy who sold him the brooch.

The boy shook his head. "Waste of a perfectly good glass fish. Spent hours on that. Are you all right?"

The boy reached his hand out and helped Li to his feet. He looked down at the fallen Vito and realized just how close he was to near-death. He owed a lot to this boy.

Of course, Li didn't show it. "I could've had him."

"You probably could have," the boy shrugged. "Look, we'd better get out of here. And I'm already late. I should've been home about an hour ago. Will you be all right?"

"I'll be fine," Li sighed. He reached for a handshake. "Hey…thanks. What's your name?"

The boy accepted the handshake. "Felix. And you're very welcome. Don't worry about it."

Li knew he had seen him somewhere, but Felix obviously didn't recognize him. Then again, how could he? Could he really remember every customer he ever met? Li just shook his hand and walked back out of the alley. To his dismay, Eriol has long since been out of sight. What would Sakura say? Then Li felt around his jacket. He suddenly realized something.

Kero was gone.

Dateline: Saturday 8:00 PM

Location: ???

As soon as he felt no movement, Kero jumped out of the bag and rushed behind the nearest couch. He took a peek outside the couch to see that Eriol hadn't noticed him. Kero also noticed what a nice place this was, but he also noticed the front door ajar. He looked out the front door and saw another door across the hallway. This was an apartment building.

Then Kero found his chance to escape. Eriol walked into his bedroom. He was out of sight. So Kero quickly flew out of the bag and out the front door. As soon as he was out, Kero looked back one more time. He saw the room number. It was Room 6.

Then Kero looked to his left to see just what he was looking for. It was the exit. Kero flew out and looked at the number painted on the sidewalk. When he saw that, he looked up at the sign under the traffic light. Now Kero knew where he was. The street looked very familiar. Then it hit him.

It was the same street where the Comfort Inn was located. All Kero had to do was fly down the street and get to the inn without being seen.

So Kero began moving down that street, all the while keeping in mind the address of Eriol's apartment.

Dateline: Saturday 10:00 PM (22:00)

Location: Comfort Inn

Sakura walked into the apartment room, feeling tired. She managed to follow Madison all the way back to the place she was staying. She must've gone back there to regroup after coming up empty at Hyde Park. But if only she knew what she missed. Eriol and Madison were literally inches away from each other, yet they weren't aware of it.

Putting her camera down, Sakura walked into the bathroom to wash her face. But as she dried herself off, she heard someone walk through the front door. Sakura was almost fuming. It couldn't be him. He was supposed to be following Eriol, not coming back to the hotel.

"Li Shoran, that better not be you!!"

Sakura stomped out of the bathroom…and gasped at what she saw. It was Li all right. But he looked like he had just been in a fight. He was clutching his ribs and was bleeding from what had to be a broken nose.

"Oh my God! Li, what happened?"

Sakura sat Li down on the bad and tried to lay him down. She was extra careful not to hurt him or agitate his ribs.

Li coughed. "Remember when I told you we wouldn't be seeing those two Italian guys again?"

"Yeah."

"Apparently, they didn't agree with me. We got into it in the middle of an alley…just like last time."

"Only this time, there wasn't anyone to stop you guys," Sakura cut him off. "Li, I'm so sorry. Just lie down and rest."

"Thanks, Sakura."

"Um…you didn't by any chance see which way Eriol was headed, did you?"

If Li was on his feet, he'd have fallen over anime-style. But instead he just moaned. "I'm sorry. I couldn't exactly see where he was going. Maybe if I had been paying attention in between shots to my ribs."

"I'm sorry. I guess it was too much to ask. Maybe Kero saw something. Where is he?"

Li sat up. "He's not here? I thought he was with you."

Sakura was getting concerned. "You mean you don't have him?"

"He flew off while I was getting beat up!" Li growled. "I thought he was getting help! That stupid stuffed animal! Wait 'til I get my hands on him!"

A voice sounded from outside the hotel window. "You won't have to wait too long, kid."

Sakura and Li glanced at the open window. Kero was flying by the windowsill and flew inside. Li tried to lunge for the guardian beast, but fell back, clutching his ribs.

"You ditched me!" Li shouted. "How could you do that to me, Kero?!"

Kero shook his head. "Sorry, kid. I thought you could handle yourself back there. All I wanted was to do what Sakura asked of me. And I did. While you were getting beat up, I flew into Eriol's bag and followed him home."

Sakura's face brightened. "Kero! You found Eriol! Where is he?!"

"He lives down the street," Kero answered. "Kind of ironic. He was so close to us, yet we were looking so far. I was wondering if I was doing the right thing by ditching the kid, but from the look on your face, Sakura, I can tell I did just fine."

Sakura's smile suddenly faded as she turned back to the aching Li. "I'm sorry this happened, Li. How did you get away?"

"I had a little help," Li groaned. "I wouldn't be here if someone hadn't helped me. Luckily, a guy came up behind that Vito guy and shattered a glass fish over his head. He said his name was Felix."

Kero gasped and suddenly flew up to Li's face. "Did you say Felix? What did he look like?"

Li paused to think about that. "He was…wearing a black apron…and he wore his black hair in a ponytail. He looked to be about our age. And he was the same guy who sold me your brooch, Sakura."

"It's him!" Kero piped up. "That's the guy Madison stayed with last night!"

Sakura's ears were burning. "What was that, Kero?"

"It was the guy Madison stayed with last night," he repeated. "He picked her up off the street and let her stay at his place."

"And…she left her bags there," Sakura remembered. "So she had to go back…and since she has nowhere to stay…she'll probably be staying there again…tonight…and probably tomorrow night." A smile slowly formed on Sakura's face. It was starting to get wider. "This is perfect!"

Li was curious. "You sound like you have an idea, Sakura."

"I don't just have an idea," she said. "I have THE idea. This one's going to reunite Madison and Eriol for sure!"

Li sat up again. "What do you have in mind?"

Sakura was ready to begin explaining her elaborate plan. This plan would ultimately end in Madison finally finding Eriol. Sakura almost couldn't believe herself. This scheme was worthy of Eriol.

"We start tomorrow. As soon as we get up…"


Author's Note: Plan? What plan? Sakura obviously has something in mind. What will she do and will it end in what we've all waited for? Come back tomorrow and see how it all goes.

Any comments? It's almost over. Review below and tell me how I'm doing.