Geo

Geo: Oh, and it's me again! Whoa!!
Brooklyn: Hey, this song is cool!!
Geo: *glares* will you TURN off the music?! I'm trying to CONCENTRATE! Hey...I like this song...
Brooklyn: See...this song IS cool!
Geo: Hey, this is in Spanish...isn't this the song from the Spanish soap opera? Yeah, see...it says 'El Precio de Tu Amor'...hey. Well, you know what? I'm going to dedicate this chapter to that song!
Brooklyn: BWAHAHAHA!
Geo: *pout* I'm the only one who does the evil laugh. Anyways...disclaimer PLEASE!
Brooklyn: Geo does not own the characters of CCS. There. Fin.
Geo: All right! On to the fic.

Oh wait! Just a reminder: the group are in Vancouver, if you remember. Oh, and if you might have figured out, they're all about 24 years of age, so that means one year has gone by. Pretty young but...they're really smart! Oh, and I'm basically going to be calling everyone by their REAL names, even though they're called something else.

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chapter 10

so be it

Luche por la fortuna de tenerte
porque era inutil ya vivir sin verte
Rompiendo las barreras para siempre
que separaban nuestro gran amor

"All right, class, I want you to read Act 3, Scene 3 in your Romeo and Juliet books for homework. I'd like you to especially work on Romeo's lines when he's talking about being banished. I'll hear your answers on Monday." Sakura Avalon announced to her literature class. The school day was almost done and the weekend was approaching, so Sakura didn't want to pile the kids with too much homework.

She sat down at her desk, sighing at the amount of Macbeth paragraphs she had from her grade 11's. This was definitely going to take up her entire Saturday.

"Ms. Avalon, do you want us to hand in the last nights homework?" Asked a young girl above the noise of the class getting ready for the weekend. Sakura laughed and shook her head.

"No thanks, Lisa. We went over it today in class, and I hope all of you took notes. I don't need" She said, smiling at the whoops of joy that came from the class.

The bell suddenly rang and the teenagers almost ran out of the room. On any other day, Sakura would have stopped them for running but right then she was just as excited that the weekend had arrived. That evening, the whole group was going to a nice dinner. It was really their first time out together where they were relaxed and settled since they had arrived in Vancouver.

'I hope Syaoran makes it,' She thought sadly. He was off on a business trip to Calgary and he said he didn't know whether he was going to be back for the dinner or not.

"So, Ms. Avalon, you ready yet?" Asked a voice from the doorway. Looking up, she saw Chiharu waiting in the doorway. The two were lucky enough to get a job in the same all girls private school, whereas Yamazaki was teaching a couple of blocks away in another school.

Sakura smiled and nodded, placing the papers in a file. "Yeah, I'm ready." She turned off the lights and walked down the hall, listening to Chiharu blab on about the troubles of teaching chemistry to giggly grade 7's.

"I mean, I can't trust them with any of the acids, especially when it's all pure. I mean, I was expecting to teach high school, not junior high!" She said. Sakura rolled her eyes, laughing.

"Come on, Chelsea, it was just one day. You were only substituting for Raymond, you know that." Chiharu sighed.

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Chiharu said, grabbing her bag and sticking her books in it. Sakura, following in her suit, took her own bag and sweater she had taken that morning. Walking out to the parking lot, they saw Yamazaki by his platinum Inifiniti New Q. Ever since they started, Yamazaki had dropped and picked the girls up, just so they can have some sort of normal routine.

"Hey girls, what's up?" He said, giving Chiharu a small peck on the lips and then sliding into the driver's seat. Chiharu turned red but followed into the front seat as Sakura sat alone in the back.

'They're so cute together,' she thought happily. However, she couldn't help feel a bit forlorn and lonely for Syaoran.

"So, how'd the day go for you chicks?" Yamazaki asked as he pulled out of the parking lot. Chiharu shrugged.

"I don't know. Okay, I guess...had it not been for those giggly grade sevens..." Sakura laughed as Yamazaki looked over at her for a few seconds, a puzzled look on his face.

"What was that all about?" Yamazaki asked her. Sakura laughed.

"Nothing really...just something at school." She said, shrugging. Yamazaki sighed, turning around the corner to drop Sakura off at her house.

"You know, that sounds really weird. I thought I GOT out of school once I graduated from university...I never expected THIS." He said as he stopped in front of her small house. She smiled as she grabbed her bag.

"Thanks Yamazaki for the ride." Yamazaki leaned over and winked at her.

"No problemo..."

"So, we're still going to get together tonight?" Chiharu asked. Sakura nodded, then frowned.

"Have you two, by any chance, heard from Syaoran?" She asked quietly. Chiharu nodded, smiling sympathetically while Yamazaki shrugged.

"Sorry, Sakura. You know you'd probably be the first one he'd phone." Chiharu said. Sakura sighed then smiled.

"All right. 6:00 pm and my house is the meeting place, right?" Yamazaki nodded and Sakura walked up the sidewalk as they pulled out and left. Sakura sighed again as she pulled out her keys and checked her mailbox. Nothing except some junk mail.

"I hate junk mail." She muttered as she walked into the empty house. She sighed again. She was so used to coming home, knowing that Syaoran would be over for dinner or something. Chuckling, she had to admit that he was over at her house more than he was at his own apartment. Walking over to the couch, she set her things down and went to get ready for that evening.

~*~*~*~*~

"Hm...yeah...well, that kind of design for a dress is quite...eccentric, Ms. Thomas, but it could be done. Hm, I'll have the designs ready by Monday, at the earliest. I have a lot of other clients on my waiting list, so I'll try to get you all done as soon as possible. Is that all right, Ms. Thomas? Good? All right, I'll talk to you on Monday. Good bye." Tomoyo hung up the phone in her office of the small boutique she owned in the funkiest part of town. Looking up, she smiled as Eriol walked in.

"And what can I do for you, sir?" She asked politely and formally. He rolled his eyes the pointed at his watch.

"Come on, Madison, we have to get going." He said, indicating to his parked Audi. She sighed and rolled her eyes but turned to Ana, her assistant manager.

"I can handle it, Madison, don't worry." She said, smiling and holding up Madison's keys, jacket and purse. "You'd better get going before the Parking Patrol tow Eriol's car away." She smiled her thanks and locked up her office. Waving goodbye, she followed Eriol outside the store.

"It sounds so weird when you call me that." She muttered as she slid into the front seat. He turned, raising an his right eyebrow at the comment.

"I've been calling you that for the past year." He said. She chuckled as she grinned mischievously.

"Not when we're alone, you don't." She whispered and laughed when he cleared his throat nervously. Turning on the ignition, he drove onto the main street.

"So, who were you talking to?" He asked her. She shrugged.

"A friend." Eriol sighed and shook his head.

"Well, whatever..." He muttered as she happily glanced out the window.

~*~*~*~*~

"Coming, coming coming, just wait...!" Sakura called as she fumbled to put on her high heels and earring at the same time.

She was thanking her lucky stars that she was at least dressed and ready for whoever was early. She had decided to wear a pale pink evening gown with these cute silver sandal-like high heels. Of course, she had gone shopping with Tomoyo and Chiharu, and they influenced her decision.

She swung open the door. "Gosh, you're early, I wasn't expecting you guys for another 15 minu..." She stopped abruptly as she noticed who was standing at her doorway.

A handsome young man with black pant and a white dress shirt, his black tie slightly undone. He was carrying his blazer over his shoulder, since it was a pretty hot night. His chocolate coloured hair was somewhat messy and the bangs almost covered his sunset coloured eyes, but Sakura could still tell they glinted mischievously.

"Syaoran!" She said and laughed. She was hoping he would make it and *poof* here he was at her doorstep, fifteen minutes early. She flung her arms around him, burying her face into his shoulder and indulging herself in inhaling his spicy-autumn like scent that was so comforting. (A/n: Isn't inhaling such a funny word?)

He put his arms around her waist, drawing her closer to him.

"I'm so glad you made it, Syaoran. I was really going crazy without you." She said, tears threatening to fall down her cheeks.

He bent his head down a bit, just low enough to whisper, "Luche por la fortuna de tenerte, porque era inutil ya vivir sin verte. Rompiendo las barreras para siempre, que separaban nuestro gran amor."

Sakura chuckled. "You have to forgive me, Mr. Li, but I'm not as fluent in Spanish as you are. You know my language is French." Syaoran smirked.

"Well, French is Latin based and so is Spanish. You should be able to figure is out." She pouted.

"Aw...please Syaoran? Please? For me?" Syaoran chuckled again, but instead of making another smart remark, his husky voice came in a whisper against her ear.

"The gist of it is I'm so lucky to have you, I can't live without you." And Syaoran meant it with his entire heart. He was happy to be home.

"Well, the feeling is mutual." She whispered back. He smiled and turned her head towards his. He bent down a bit more and his lips met hers.

'Finally,' they both thought.

"Aw...isn't this so sweet!!" Came a voice behind the two. The two jumped apart and turned around to find a smiling Eriol and a video-taping Tomoyo. Syaoran rolled his eyes as Sakura happily blushed and invited the company in.

"Well, well...if we didn't come, I'm afraid how far this would have gone." Eriol remarked.

"Shut up, Hiirigizawa." Syaoran growled as he followed the couple to the living room as Sakura returned to her room to grab her purse.

"My, my, my, Mr. Showron. Quite a temper, eh?" Eriol said, smirking. Syaoran continued to glare at him and Eriol continued to smirk.

"They aren't getting along right now, are they?" Sakura asked Tomoyo, who continued to chuckle.

"No, but that doesn't really matter, does it? Yamazaki will be here and they'll have a common annoyance for him." Sakura nodded in agreement, and turned to the door as the doorbell rang.

Not waiting for Sakura to answer the door, Yamazaki entered in a dark blue polo shirt and dark pants. He smiled as he saw Syaoran sitting on the arm of one of the chairs.

"Hey, dude, you made it! So, do you have the..." But that was as far as he got from Chiharu's hand clamping his mouth shut and Syaoran's glare.

"Have what?" Sakura inquired innocently.

"Nothing!" All five answered simultaneously. Sakura narrowed her eyes, looking at each individual.

"I have a strong suspicion that something is going on..." She said. Syaoran smiled as knee-melting smile at her and shook his head.

"Nothing's going on, Sakura. Seriously." Sakura shrugged and smiled, but instinct told her that something was going to happen at dinner.

"Well, let's get going, I'm starved!" She said, everyone murmuring in agreement. As she locked the door, she heard Eriol and Yamazaki whispering.

"You never have learned when to keep your mouth shut, have you Henderson?"

"Shut up, Moonie..."

"Why you jack ass..."

"Will you too stop fighting?!" Hissed Chiharu sternly. Sakura laughed and turned to the waiting Syaoran. He nodded towards the his small Mercedes.

"Thy chariot awaits, oh beautiful goddess." He whispered. She laughed as she led the way towards the black car.

"As I said almost a year ago, you have too much charm for your own good."

~*~*~*~*~

The restaurant that the six had made arrangements for was one of the nicest in the city. They were actually having a very nice evening and they were waiting for their coffee when Sakura noticed that everyone was smiling and Yamazaki was obviously fidgeting.

"Okay guys, what do you have planned?" Sakura asked, eyeing the group. Tomoyo smiled pleasantly and innocently.

"What do you mean, 'planned'? I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about." She said shrugging. However, Sakura knew that innocent look, and she knew whenever Tomoyo was smiling innocently, she was plotting something.

"I can tell. I didn't spend most of my life in...my previous job...not to know little details." Sakura said, smiling. Syaoran sighed, but Chiharu jumped in before he could say anything.

"You're absolutely right, Sakura, we can't hide anything from you. The surprise is that Meilin is moving here to Vancouver soon. She was in Toronto for a long time and now she's moving over here. That's the big surprise." Sakura smiled.

"Meilin? Coming here? That's wonderful!" She said happily. As Sakura happily talked to Tomoyo about arrangements, Syaoran shot a thankful glance over at Chiharu.

Inside he was a nervous wreck. He had been waiting for this occasion for the longest time. And now that it has come and the moment was now, he couldn't seem to say or do anything intelligent. He felt as though his meal was going to come up since butterflies were presently taking up all the space in his stomach. But he had to be strong. He couldn't be nauseous.

'Carpe Diem, Syaoran, carpe diem. Sieze the day,' he thought to himself as he gazed lovingly at Sakura, remembering that nausea was worth what may happen next.

"Sakura," he interrupted. She turned to him, smiling.

"Yes, Li?" She asked. He took a deep breath, knowing that it was either now or never. The others suddenly got up and left the table, standing a safe distance behind, but still in view.

"Sakura, we've known each other for quite some time, about a year, to be exact. When we met, our opinions were somewhat different, and we wanted to kill each other...literally. Well, I'm glad that our missions never worked out, because I don't know what would've happened." He said quietly. Sakura kept smiling, but inside she was wondering what exactly was happening.

'Oh God, oh God...is he doing what I THINK he's doing?'

"We've been through a lot Sakura, through pain and anxiety and happiness and sorrow. And frankly, I'd like to live my life knowing that you'll always be by my side, always there, my understanding, caring, loving angel that you are." Syaoran got down on one knee and took a box from out of his pocket.

"Sakura Avalon, will you do me the highest honor of being my wife?" He asked, his question barely above a whisper but to Sakura she could hear the question pounding in her ears. She smiled brightly and happily. She didn't need time to think this question over. This question was, to her, a no-brainer.

"Yes." She whispered. Syaoran's eyes went wide.

"You...you said..." He said, nervously trying to make sure his ears weren't deceiving him. Sakura, with tears rolling down her cheeks slid down to the floor next to him and hugged him.

"Yes." She whispered into his ear. She heard him give a slight sigh of relief. Then, pulling away from the hug momentarily, he slid the beautiful engagement ring onto her finger. With that, he pulled her closer to him and kissed her, joyfully and happily.

The whole restaurant went into cheers as the two kissed. Chiharu was sobbing, claiming she loved happily ever afters, Tomoyo could feel the tears rolling down her cheeks but she held the camera steady. Even Eriol and Yamazaki were a bit teary-eyed.

Sakura and Syaoran didn't notice the cheers. And no one noticed when the telephone lines were suddenly cut.

The electricity suddenly went out and the only light came from the few candles. The two broke the kiss, looking around them at the sudden lack of light.

"You went all out for this, Li." Sakura said softly to him, thinking the romantic candle light was his doing. However, Syaoran was still glancing around suspiciously.

"I'd like to say that it was my doing, but I can't take the credit. Look at the waiters and the cooks. They're just as confused as everyone else." He whispered, slowly standing up. Sakura's senses got out of their haze as she noticed that exact same thing when he pointed it out. She rose as well, and the two joined the other four.

"This looks bad," Yamazaki muttered, taking Chiharu's hand in his instinctively. Syaoran agreed silently and looked around for some sort of nook or cranny where they could hide in case anything happened. He saw the space where the washrooms divided and decided that that space would do, in case anything happened. Nodding over to the space, he quickly led the group over to the small corridor.

"What do you think is going on?" Sakura asked warily. Syaoran shook his head.

"I have no idea, Sakura. And this time, I have no way of protecting you. I left my guns when my other self died." He muttered.

All of a sudden, there was a blast. Chaos erupted as armed men and women walked into the dining room.

"My, isn't this a nice restaurant." Said a female voice. A fairly familiar voice.

"Damn it. Do you remember that voice, Syaoran?" Whispered Sakura. Syaoran nodded. It was the head terrorist of that terrorist group, the one who shot Sakura. The only thing holding him from going out there and trying to beat the woman up with his hands, unarmed, was Sakura's hand in his.

"Isn't it just like the great Syaoran Li to pick such a fine one for him and his friends and girlfriend." The female continued.

"Tsk tsk, I don't see him anywhere. Oh Syaoran...Syaoran..." The woman called mockingly. Syaoran glanced at all the people in his group, indicating them not to say a word.

"Oh, Syaoran...hm, maybe he won't answer to that name...how about this. Xiao Lang..." The woman called again.

Sakura could see, even in the dim light, Syaoran's jaw go hard as he restrained himself from launching at the woman in rage.

'How could she have known we were here? Or Syaoran's real name?'

"Syaoran, or Xiao Lang, I don't have time for hide-and-go-seek. So you know what, how about this. If you don't come out right now, I'm going to shoot this poor innocent woman here." The lady called. Eriol shook his head and Syaoran nodded, knowing that he shouldn't make a move, even if it meant a life. However, he really didn't want any lives to be wasted mercilessly. These people were innocent and this lady had no right to get them involved in his past.

A shot rang out, followed by terrified screams.

"I shot her in the leg, Syaoran. Next time it will be more accurate." She called out, trying to lure him out. After a few minutes, another shot rang and still more screams.

"Xiao Lang, that was in the arm. Next time I'm actually going to kill someone. I don't have all day. You can't hide. If I can't find you in this way, I'll just send my people to find you. No one can call the police because the phones are dead. Systems are suddenly down for cell phones and all the exits are blocked. Now, you either come out now, or I'll be shooting everyone in my path."

Syaoran winced, knowing that innocent lives were going to be wasted. How did she know his name? He had never used it, not once since he was 11. There was something going on and Syaoran knew he had to find out, or risk too many lives. He let go of Sakura's hand, to her silent objection.

"What do you think you're doing?" She hissed angrily, yet worry was etched into her face.

"Be quiet, Sakura, and stay here. She's only asking for me. I don't want you getting hurt for no reason." He glared at the rest of the group. "That goes for the rest of you."

He rose and walked slowly out of the corridor. He saw the woman's face twist into a malicious smile.

"Ah, so there you are, Xiao Lang." She said but never moving her gun from a young man's chest. Everyone was staring at him, wondering what a regular young man had to do with this crazy woman.

"How do you know that name?" He asked softly, narrowing his eyes. She smirked.

"I know a lot of things about you now, Xiao Lang. Now, you can come along with me quietly and no one else gets hurt."

"How do I know I can trust you?" Syaoran asked as he saw two guards walking towards him.

"Well, you just have to. I don't usually kill without a reason. Right now, I have no reason, since I have you here. However, if you object..."

"I still don't trust you. You almost killed Sakura..." He yelled. She frowned then swiftly shot the man she had held hostage. Syaoran turned away, not wanting to see the man's face twisted in surprise and momentary pain.

"Now will you come, Syaoran? Or I swear, there will be others following him to the gates of heaven." She said quietly. Syaoran held up his hands in defeat.

"I'll come. Just don't kill anyone else." He said. At that moment, the guard took his arms and stuck them behind his back to pin him. The other stuck a handkerchief over his nose and mouth roughly, even though Syaoran was making no protest. Syaoran could smell the sweet-scent of chloroform as he drifted off to into a haze.

'Please keep Sakura and the rest of them safe,' he thought as he fainted into darkness. He slumped over and one of the guards picked him up. Following their leader, who was keeping a clear path with her gun, they walked out and into a ready and waiting car, that sped off.

"Syaoran!" Sakura yelled as she finally got free of Eriol and Yamazaki's grips to keep her steady so they wouldn't give off their position. She ran off down the street where she could see the car. Almost tripping on her high heels, she tore them off and followed the car down the street. Shots were fired in front of her from someone in the car which forced her to run behind a building for cover. When she looked around, the car was rounding the corner and was gone. But she still kept on running, trying to follow it even when it had a head start. She finally gave up, collapsing to her knees, sobbing.

"Sakura!" She could hear Yamazaki's faint yell but she didn't care. Stopping behind her, he caught his breath then bent down beside her.

"Sakura..." He whispered as she turned away.

"How could he be so stupid?" She whispered. "So incredibly stupid! To give himself up, just like that. Without a fight. Nothing. He just let them take him away...to kill him or..." She stopped, the sob racking through her whole body. Yamazaki sighed and put a comforting arm around her shoulders.

"If they were going to kill her, they would've done so right then. No, I believe they have another use for him, I don't know what." When she didn't answer, he turned her to face him. "Hey, babe. Please, calm down. It's okay. We'll find him. Don't worry. We just need a plan and information. Now, come on. Eriol's paying the check and Chiharu's getting the car. Let's get going back to someone's house so we can figure this out." Sakura sighed and smiled gratefully. It was really nice of Yamazaki to be, for once, understanding instead of goofing off.

"Thanks, Yamazaki." She whispered. He grinned his usual quirky grin.

"No problemo, babe. Now, let's get a move on. You're shivering."

~*~*~*~*~

"What are we going to do?" Chiharu whispered, holding onto her mug of hot coffee. Both Yamazaki and Eriol were pacing around Sakura's kitchen as Tomoyo brought Sakura a blanket.

Smiling her thanks, Sakura returned her gaze down to her wedding ring. There was a pink quartz shaped in a heart on either side of the diamond and on in the inside, it was engraved "Lost forever if I never knew you" in tiny letters.

"We'll get him back, Sakura. Don't worry." Came Tomoyo's worried voice. Sakura snapped out of her daydreams to smile and reassure her friend that she was okay.

"Thanks, Tomoyo. I'll be okay. We'll find him. I know we will."

"I was thinking, we should get a few trusted members of our old agencies. Some people we considered friends. They can perhaps help us on this case, especially in getting us some legal weapons as soon as possible." Eriol said thoughtfully. Chiharu frowned.

"Wouldn't that sort of destroy what we've been trying to work on this past year?" She asked. Sakura glared at her.

"I'm willing to risk anything for Syaoran." Chiharu looked up and smiled sheepishly.

"Don't get me wrong, Sakura, so do I. It was just a thought." Sakura nodded then sighed.

"I guess I can get Touya and Yukito. Touya was almost like a brother to me, and Yukito is just as friendly," she thought.

"And we can probably get Nakuru and Meilin in on this." Yamazaki added. Eriol nodded.

"All right. We get some sleep, and then we work on this tomorrow morning." He said, confidently. "We will get Syaoran back, Sakura. I promise."

Sakura nodded and stood up and escorted her guests to the door. Each gave a sympathetic smile and left her alone to be with her thoughts.

'We wanted to escape our past lives...and it almost worked. Oh, why did this have to happen tonight of all nights?! Right when Syaoran asked me to marry him...' Sakura could feel her eyes well up with tears as she thought with horror what they could be doing to her sweet, kind, loving Syaoran.

'He did it so that no one would get hurt. No one else, that is. Syaoran, please...stay alive and well while you're there. I promise, I'll come and help you.' She thought. She let herself cry for a while so it would all be out of her system for tomorrow. She had to be strong and commanding, just like Syaoran. She knew that if she wasn't, if she let sad emotions get in her way, she could very well risk her life, her friend's lives, and Syaoran's life.

She thought she had escaped her life from before. However, it came back to haunt her. Sighing, she turned out the kitchen light, leaving only the faint glow of the lamp in her bedroom.

'So be it.'

End of DANGEROUS RIVALS

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Geo: And that's the end of THAT fic!
Brooklyn: WHAT?!?! What do you mean, END?!!? You just STARTED a new PLOT?!!
Geo: *sigh* It's not really the DANGEROUS RIVALS plot...it's more like a NEW STORY!! *hint hint*
Brooklyn: You mean...so you're saying...oh I get it! SEQUEL!
Geo: *glare* Good job, Brooklyn, you just gave it away! No, no...I'm sure you kids out there knew what I was talking about...I mean OBVIOUS! I'm kind of doing that thing that JRR Tolkein did...when he ended the Two Towers, it was sort of like a cliff hanger, I won't say HOW just in case any of you are READING it. But it does end at a cliff hanger, all I'm going to say. And that's what I did here too. Well...yup...next up is the SEQUEL to DANGEROUS RIVALS! Whoa!

Also coming up on my agenda...
coming soon to a computer screen near you...

1.) A new CCS story that's pretty angst-like...I've been wanting to write a good tragedy but remembering my LAST attempt at a tragedy...-_-;; well, not good. So, it'll be half/half. Turns out good!
2.) TRYING to do a Matrix fanfic.
3.) New chapter to Talent Show: Summer of '01 : Can't Get Enough of that Good Ol' Time Rock &Roll!

Well, that's it. Hope you liked the story, the sequel will come out SOON! Just as soon as I get a title for it....hm...

~Geo