Friend or Foe (con't)

Keetra:: hi minna! Man, how did all you guys like that little surprise ff.net threw at us, ne? (T.T) I couldn't check my reviews! ^_^. Anywho, now that ff.net is BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can post this. I decided to wait a while cuz of the expected overhaul of updates. I wanted to make sure you guys could find it. Aint I considerate?

Kero:: no you're not!

Keelah:: get a life Kero! You're a royal pain in the arse.

Kero:: I have a life!

Keetra:: (mumbling) yea and it's found in the fridge.

Kero:: I HEARD THAT!

Keetra:: who cares? (Kero (_ _)+) well, I had a lot of people wanting me to keep the chef mini-series in so I guess I'll have to come up with some more. U guys r the best. Here's some arigatous for the reviewers!

Sujakata:: alright! New reviewer! I glad you think my fic original. I like to make things different. Keep reading and reviewing please!

Alexandra-chan:: yea. They were a little naughty weren't they? Hehehe. I enjoyed writing the S+S.

Pochacco:: Hoeee. It not very hard to confuse you is it? To put it simply, it an implant that lets other people know what the hell I'm saying. That simple enough? You didn't think it was that bad? Good. I didn't want to make too limey. The way Keelah reacted to it though was so priceless.

Glarie:: a little late on the reviewing aren't we? LOL! At least you reviewed though. arigatou! Yea. It was sad that Syaoran got whipped. I was a little mad that day when I got to that part so I guess I kinda took it out a little on Syaoran. :,-Z . I not very happy about what I did. Yep! Keetra has two forms. So does Keelah but I doubt you'll see hers in this fic. Maybe I'll do it in another fic! Awe! No comment on chapter 8! That a little harsh, ne? I wanna know what you think!

Azure Rosas:: thanks for the flames. They were used for the banquet in this chapter's miniseries episode. I'm glad you like the chef. I having a lot of fun writing hilarious scenes for then to be caught in. oh darn, no comment on the naughty pairs? Hehehe. They weren't that naughty were they? ::shrugs:: ah well. ::takes a sip of soda:: I hope Kero-chan is ok. I hope that ff.net being down for so long didn't cause you to drop him in there. He'd give the alligator one big stomach ache. Hehehe.

Now for And the Chef Walked In!

~+~+~+~+

In this, the second of very embarrassing scenes, we are brought to the preparation of a banquet to honor our great Vinzer. The table is set, the goblets are shining. The only thing missing is the Vinzer's royal throne, which has been made out of country by the finest goldsmiths money could buy. Stang is pacing impatiently in the banquet hall, it was expected to arrive 5 minutes ago. He is not happy. The main doors open and four slaves enter carrying the majestic throne. They are hurrying yet trying to keep the heavy object from slipping from their grasp.

"Be careful with it you idiots! Bring it here before you bumbling buffoons drop it."

They rush over and place it at the head of the table, glad to be rid of their burden. They wait patiently to be dismissed.

"Now get out of here you nincompoops before I serve you at my banquet."

They bow and rush, not to fast but certainly not very slow, out of the room. They only person in the room is Stimp. Stang regally walks over and sits in the throne he been waiting for what seems an age.

"Is it not a grand throne Stimp?"

"Yes, my master. It is a grand throne for a grand Vinzer." (Keelah:: suck up!)

A slave enters the Hall. "Vinzer, your guest are arriving." He bows then takes his leave when Stang bows back."

"Come, Stimp, I must not keep my guests waiting."

Stang tries to arise from his throne, but his rear is wedged tight is the seat. A very uncomfortable position as those of us who have been unfortunate enough to be stuck in a chair would know. Stimp does not notice this and keeps walking towards those doors. Stang tries again and again to unstick his but from the uncomfortable position it is caught in. He finally desists at his attempts.

"Stimp, can you come here a minute?"

Stimp turns and walks back . "Yes master?"

"Help me get out of this. The seat is a little…narrow."

Stimp grabs his master's claws and pulls. And pulls again. Stimp gives up on the hands and grabs him in the underarms. He pulls hard. A still wet spot on the floor happens to be under one of his feet, which causes him to loose his footing. Stimp slips and falls forward into Stang's lap. Right between the legs.

1.1 And the chef walks in…

"Sir there is a problem! One of the guests is allergic…" he looks up and sees yet another embarrassing scene. "But I am certain that we can handle it on our own." He bows and takes his leave.

"Master?"

"Just get me out of here, Stimp."

Grabbing Stang again under the arms, Stimp gets a footing that is not slippery and pulls hard. Stang pops out of the seat like a cork from a bottle. Stimp falls on the ground dragging Stang on top of him. Their faces are inches apart.

1.2 And the chef walks BACK in…

"Sir, I forgot…" sees the couple on the floor. "…to leave. Goodbye!" starts mumbling, "Not again!" He leaves.

Stang pushes himself to his feet, and brushes himself off.

"Someday, I'm going to kill that chef with my bare claws."

He leaves the room grumbling.

~+~+~+~+~+

Keetra:: teeheehee. I love being an author. It so much fun! ::giggles insanely::

Kero:: I don't know her!

Keelah:: me neither. I don't know either of those two losers.

Keetra:: great. Less I have to pay for pudding and chocolate chip brownies.

Keelah:: ugh. You don't pay for it anywaz! I do!

Keetra:: ^_^;; serves you right.

Kero:: will you just get the story started already.

Chef:: sir, I,… oh.. this isn't the master's chambers.

Keetra:: nope.

Chef:: what are you doing? ::looks at the computer screen:: oh! A story! Can I watch?

Keelah:: sure.

Keetra:: only if you tell minna "Here's the story."

Chef:: here's the story minna! ::turns to Keelah and Keetra:: who am a talking to anywaz?

Keetra and Keelah:: Hoeeeeee! :: fall to the ground anime style::

~*~*~*~ Chapter 9 ~*~*~*~ The Capture

Sakura and Syaoran walk down the maze-like corridors of Stang's castle. To say that it is lavishly decorated would be an understatement. Everything is made with the most expensive cloth and there is no limit to the gold, silver and other expensive metals. Everything has at least 5 jewels on them. All in all, it is an impressive sight, to beautiful for words.

Syaoran navigates the confusing passages by memory, though Sakura marveling at the splendor around her slows him. He is patient though. He too used to do the same, many times arriving late because he did. They eventually reach the entrance to the kitchens. Syaoran opens the door and pulls Sakura through.

The kitchen is big, gourmet style big. Anything a cook would ever need or want can be found here. Many slaves are about, some chopping vegetables, some mixing, others measuring. Some look up as Sakura and Syaoran enter.

"Hey guys, Li-san finally decided to show up." One of the male slaves calls out.

"Shut up, Tsomu-san." Syaoran answers.

One of the slaves walks over carrying a bowl of fruit.

"So, Li-san, I see you brought a lady friend." He says so that all can hear.

"Does somebody have a girlfriend?" Tsomu calls out teasingly.

Syaoran blushes 499 shades of red. (:: are there 499 shades of red? ^_^;; ::)

"No, she's my sister!"

"Well, then…" the second slave, Saori, reaches out, grabs Sakura's hand and kisses it, saying, "Maybe we could go out on a date sometime?"

Syaoran shoves him away from her.

"Back off, Saori-san, or you'll be seeing stars! Keep your hands off her." Syaoran threatens through clenched teeth.

Saori backs off waving his hands in front of him.

"Whoa! Chill out Li-san. I was just kidding." Saori winks at Sakura. "See ya around, gorgeous." He walks off leaving a very pissed Syaoran behind, as well as a majorly sweat-dropping Sakura.

Sakura lightly grabs Syaoran's arm and he turns toward her.

"We should get to work, Syaoran-kun."

He nods. "Hai."

They go over and grab two aprons then go to an area to work. Syaoran notices that Chef Hosea is not in the kitchen. He turns to a female slave who is working beside him.

"Where is Hosea-san?"

"He left for the Vinzer's quarters." The girl, Sun-hi, replies with a certain glint in her eye.

"Have the bets been placed?"

"All except yours." She takes a folded paper out of her pocket along with a pencil. "Place your bet."

Syaoran thinks a moment. "Put me down for… Stang and Kem."

Sun-hi writes it down. "And your wager?"

"What's not taken?"

"There's oven cleaning, floor waxing, and table cleanup."

"I'll wager… ovens."

Sun-hi writes, then folds the paper again and puts it and the pencil back in her pocket.

"Just in time, Li-san." One of the slaves near the doors looks out the tiny windows on them. "Here comes the chef. I say! Doesn't he look chipper?"

Antionne Hosea walks through the doors, looking anything but chipper.

"I can't stand it anymore. He can guess when his meals are ready. I'm not going up there…" he mutters.

"So, who was it this time, Hosea-san?"

all the slaves put on a look of disinterest, but every ear is listening and every heart is hoping that he or she has won.

"It was the half lizard son-of-a-bitch and that female whore of his. I swear, those two should really get a room…" Chef goes on with his venting. Unnoticed by him, Sun-hi pulls out the paper and circles the names of the winners. Around the kitchen, silent groans of disappointment and sighs of victory are made by the bet makers.

Sakura leans over and whispers, "Syaoran-kun, what was that about?"

"Every time the chef goes up to the Vinzer's room, he always comes back saying that he's seen something bizarre. We place bets for chores on what we think he saw. If you lose, you have to do that chore before you can leave."

"Oh."

Syaoran looks over at her struggling to chop onions. And failing miserably. He puts down the cucumber he is peeling, walks over and stands behind her.

"Here, let me help you."

He glides his arms around her body and puts his hands on top of hers. His face is next to hers, his mouth close to her ear, his breath tickling the little hairs there. His hand guiding hers, they chop the onion on the counter. Sakura is trying to concentrate but it is difficult when you have a guy tickling your ear hairs, especially when that guy happens to be Syaoran. Syaoran carefully helps her chop, trying to avoid cutting her fingers. He notices that Sakura's eyes have started to water and some tears have trickled down her face.

"Genki desuka?"

"Daijobou. My eyes are just watery. I don't know why."

"This is your first time chopping onions isn't it?"

"Hai. Otou-san always cut them."

"Onions let of a kind of mist that irritates your eyes when they are chopped. They'll get used to it."

"Ok."

It's not just that though. after this is over, I'll have to go back to my own dimension. It will be hard to forget what has happened here. This Syaoran is so sweet, so loving. His Sakura must've been very lucky. To have someone like him. I wonder how she died?

Sakura puts these thoughts aside and concentrates on her chopping.

~*~*~*~ Later in the day ~*~*~*~

Sakura cleans off the counter she was working at. It would soon be time to leave. Syaoran had been sent on a small errand and as soon as he came back, they would leave. There were other slaves still there, working. Most of then are assigned to night shift and had arrived about 5 min ago, but there were some day shift workers still there, paying up their lost bets. Sakura waves goodbye as one of the slaves leaves and is waving goodbye to her. She had become fast friends with many of the kitchen slaves. Saori, however had been a constant annoyance. He always found some reason to pass close to Sakura and give her little gifts. Sakura would just smile back but Syaoran gave him a stare that could kill. Saori would just smile and wink at him, which would aggravate Syaoran even more. Saori had left already though, so Syaoran had no problem leaving her behind while he went on the errand he had been given. Sakura finishes cleaning her counter and puts away the cleaning towel.

Where are you Syaoran-kun?

"You there!"

Sakura turns and sees Hosea pointing at her.

"What is your name again?"

"Salena, Hosea-san."

"Right. I need you to run a quick errand for me then you are free to go. I need you to take this list to the storage room and give it to the person in charge there. Do you know how to get there?"

Sakura shakes her head negative.

"You go down this hall, take your 5th left then go straight to the end and bear right. Go down that hall until you see a flight of stairs on your right. Go halfway down those stairs and ring the cord hanging there. A hidden door will open. Go down that hall and take the second left. All the way at the end are the storage rooms. The one you want is the seventh door you will see. You got all that?"

Sakura nods, a bit unsure of herself.

"Good." He gives her the note. "This list is very important. It is the supplies we will need for breakfast tomorrow. If you get lost, then just ask any of the guards along the way for directions. They'll help you if they're in the mood for it."

Sakura takes the note and walks out, knowing that if Syaoran comes back, one of the slaves there will surely tell him where she has gone…

~*~*~*~ Meanwhile ~*~*~*~

Stang is resting peacefully in his quarters. He is enjoying a time of relaxation. Seemingly nothing can possibly disturb him from this feeling of ease. (:: so, of course, something does!::)

He suddenly jolts up straight.

This feeling, this aura. But it can't be. The card mistress in this dimension is dead.

But the feeling is still there. Circling his mind and thought, haunting him like a ghost. He realizes that it is real. That the card mistress is here. Somehow, she exists. He probes through to locate the location of this aura. The result surprises him. She is within his own castle! Within his doors and security. Walking the corridors that are filled with his treasures.

Is she planning to sneak up on me? To attack me when I least expect it? I must stop her.

The aura is not heading to his quarters though but away from them. This confuses him.

She must be lost. This gives me time. Time to prepare a trap for her. ah yes. She will not get me unawares.

"Guards! Enter here. I am in need of you."

The two guards who stand watch outside his quarters enter.

"Yes, oh Vinzer. You have sent for us?"

Stang smiles. "I will be having an uninvited guest entering my quarters soon. When I tell you to, grab her and do not let her go."

"Yes, Vinzer." They position themselves on either side of the room.

Stang follows the aura with his mind.

This is taking too long. I will simply have to help her find her way.

Kem looks on wondering who is the unexpected guest that Stang is setting a trap for. Stang reaches out with his mind and begins to lure in his bait.

~*~*~*~

Sakura is lost. Nothing looks like the chef had said it would. She had been walking along trying to find a guard to ask directions from, but there were none to be found. She keeps walking ahead, not knowing where she was going but having a strange feeling that she was heading somewhere.

~*~*~*~

Stang smiles.

Good. Now she is heading the right way. I must make sure that she does not get off track again.

~*~*~*~

Sakura keeps walking, letting her feet guide her. They seemed to know where they are going. Several times she had turned at a corner but had the feeling she was going the wrong way, so her feet just turned themselves around and walked the other way. She turns at a hall that is barely decorated. The only thing in it are two very small torches on either side of a door. She walks up to it, thinking that maybe she can ask someone inside for directions to the storage rooms. She grabs the handle and opens the door. The room within is barely lit. at a glance, Sakura can tell that it is a bedroom. A very decorated bedroom. It is obviously for somebody very important.

"Guards, seize her."

before Sakura can react, two burly guards grab her arms and pin them behind her. a figure get out of the bed and crosses over to her. Sakura gasps. It is the figure that she had seen in her vision. Stang hisses.

"Welcome to my parlor, said the lizard to the fly. You came into my trap. You thought you could sneak up on me did you? Thought you could outsmart me? You sneak into my palace and roam around like a lost little fly. How you are even alive I do not pretend to understand. But you shall tell me in due time. Oh yes. I will know how you got here. No secrets are kept from Vinzer Stang for long." He turns to the guards holding her. "You know what to do."

The guards nod. A cloth is removed form one of their pockets and shoved under Sakura's nose, a strange scent coming form it.

They're trying to poison me!

Frantic she struggles to get out of their grasp. But their hold is too strong. Every attempt just gets the cloth shoved more forcefully under her nose. Exhausted she breathes deep of the scent. The eyelids droop and soon she becomes weak and gives in to the chloroform. Her limp body is held weakly by the guards.

"Take her to the dungeons. I'll begin questioning her tomorrow."

The guards bow and drag her body out towards the dungeons. Stang gets up to get a victory glass of wine, tired of sitting around with nothing to do.

Kem gets off her stool where she had witnessed the whole thing and hits a code on her implant. Her last though before teleporting away was, Keetra will want to hear about this.

~*~*~*~ End chapter 9 ~*~*~*~

Keetra:: awe. Did naughty little me leave a bad little cliffhanger? Too bad. I guess you'll have to wait and find out what happens in the dungeons. And how Syaoran will react when I tell him what has happened to his precious little Ying Fa. In the meantime, please leave a review. This story is sadly, fastly coming to an end. I have already planned a sequel though so don't get discouraged. This is not the last time you will see me and Keelah.

Keelah:: that's right. So get used to us cuz we aint going anywhere!

Kero:: what about me?

Keetra:: you gonna help me introduce and thank reviewers. ::hugs him tight:: you so good at it Kero!

Kero:: ::coughing:: I think it might be better if I didn't.

Keelah:: I said it before and I'll say it again. I don't know these two losers.

Keetra:: anyway, please review. I love feedback. You guys are the best. I so glad I have reviewers like you. ::wipes a tear from her eye:: I love you guys!

Kero:: I thought you loved me!

Keetra:: oh come on Kero. You know what I meant.

Kero:: ::flies off in a huff::

Keetra:: ::chasing after him:: Kero, come on! Don't be like this. I'll give you cake!

Kero:: how gullible do you think I am? You think I'll just forgive you for cake?

Keetra:: fine then you can forget about the cake. :: stops chasing him and walks in other direction::

Kero:: ::turns and goes after her, pleading:: Keetra, I take it back can have some cake?

Keelah:: R+R people! I need to go break this up before it turns nasty. Ja!