Undercover
By Anime no Miko
-----//----//----//------
Usual disclaimer applies.
~ * ~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~
Chapter 1: Forging an Identity
(Kinomoto Enterprises, Fujitaka's office)
"Tonight at 7:00 p.m.?"
"That's right."
"Isn't this important business dinner tonight, same hour?" Touya asked, rethorically.
"And we can't postpone it. It wouldn't be proper as the meeting has already been rescheduled two times now," Fujitaka explained to his son. "I thought of calling Tomoyo and Sonomi, but then I remembered this fashion exhibit they are working on."
"Hmm yea ... I heard of it. Starts tomorrow?" Fujitaka nodded. "Hmm ... And mother's out. Does she know, anyways?" Touya asked, running a hand over his dark hair.
"Yes, I phoned Nadesico and told her," Fujitaka said. "But she won't be able to get back until Monday. She compromised with the Miss Korea Teen commitee to be member of the jury for the event."
"That's mother," Touya sighed. "Oh well, let's just send the limousine to pick Sakura up. She'll understand," he concluded and waited for his to agree. "What's it?" he asked preoccupied as Fujitaka shook his head.
"Well, Sakura said she has a surprise and that's why she's coming back before than planned," Fujitaka said, taking off his eyeglasses. Touya stared at his father without saying a word, then started laughing like crazy. His father had to be playing a joke on him, the 26-year-old man thought. He looked up at his father again and what he saw was a very serious man, far too serious.
"No. Not again!" Touya cried, and Fujitaka nodded knowingly. "The last time she said that she came back from New York with tattoos and pink hair and with a gang of freaking punks none less!"
"I remember well," Fujitaka said. "It was a bliss neither the tattoos or the dye was permanent. Nadesico almost fainted."
Touya frowned, and so did Fujitaka. Who was going to pick Sakura up at the airport? Sure they could send the chauffer and all, but that would only alert the press and kami knows what they'ld write on the papers this time. Someting scandalous no doubt, and with the new generation, that bunch of bold papparazi with freedom-of-press stickers on their foreheads, taking the communications media over, it wouldn't be that easy for the Kinomoto Enterprises to hold them back.
Both men were deep in thought when a sudden knock on the door broke in. Touya raised an eyebrow but simply received a shrug from the older man.
"Come in," Fujitaka said, with a trace of annoyance for being interrupted in that precarious moment. He had explicitly told his secretary to not let anyone in.
.~*~. .~*~..~*~. .~*~..~*~. .~*~.
I straightened my coat and took a deep breath. I was sure I had interrupted. How much sure? Very. I had been eardropping their whole conversation, looking for the right timing to break in. No, it wasn't the secretary's fault. I had flashed the poor woman one of my heart-melting smiles and told her it was really important that I talked to her boss. She was at first a little reluctant to let me in the corridor that led to Mr. Kinomoto's office, but I convinced her at last.
It could have been largely due to the fact that I wasn't lying because Kinomoto had indeed given me a secret mission, which I of course told Wei about before carrying out successfully. It was relatively easy though, I just had to meet some guy at a deserted café and bring him the package the guy would give to me. Of course I didn't opened it, that could signify instant death. And Li Xiao Lang, was of course not born to die this young and charming. My plan was to give Kinomoto the package and wish with all my will that he let me stay and share its content and meaning with me. Alright, that's not a plan. But, hey, what did you expect? It has been barely a month since I arrived to Japan and I've already accomplished more than any of the other buddies: I've gained enough of Kinomoto's trust for him to assign a mission to me, and it hadn't even been through that daughter of his, Kinomoto Sakura, whom I haven't had the pleasure to meet yet. That will change soon, of course.
I opened the door and walked in casually, then stopped on my heels feigning surprise for supposedly having just realized I had interrupted their conversation. I promptly casted an apologetical look at the Kinomotos, father and son, and murmured a "I'm DEEPLY sorry."
Mr. Kinomoto (father) was the first to speak. "Ah, it's you, Li," he began, standing up and motioning me to take a seat. I bowed and sat down, as the good boy I am. "Nothing to be sorry about. We were just talking about my daughter, Sakura." I nodded and smiled lightly. "She's returning to Japan tonight," he continued.
I caught sight of the look Touya was giving his father, but he ignored it and told me all the stuff I've so carefully listened already. It's hard to believe that a man that can be so honest as Mr. Kinomoto have just been, is involved in doubtful business, as I was told.
"I can pick her up," I volunteered casually, trying not to sound eager. "If you want me to, that is." I waited for their reaction, and was relieved when Mr. Kinomoto's face lighten up and he smiled at me. However Touya ...
"Why?" he asked without decorations, glaring at me. I swear I did all I could to make him like me, as a friend, that is, but it seems it's meant to be this way. I don't like him and I know the feeling is mutual. Why? I thought sarcastically. 'Cause I have to enamor her, you moron!
Touya stood diagonally across from me, arms folded across the chest. I was elaborating my answer, when he spoke again. "I won't have womanizers play with my sister," he stated and I was taken aback. It's incredible how this guy seems to be able to read my thoughts so well. I'll make note not to think when he's in my perimeter. By now, Kinomoto was also looking at me, waiting for me to say something.
I did the only thing that came to my mind. I laughed heartily. "You need not to worry. I doubt she'll want to have anything with a senior like me. Besides she's a child and I look unto her as the sister I never had," I partly lied. If they only knew I had four, annoying if I may add, sisters back in Hong Kong. I hoped that convinced them.
"We really appreciate this, Li. You've saved us all," Mr. Kinomoto told me and I smiled.
"Whatever," Touya murmured and began walking towards the door. I sighed in relief watching his retreating form, I almost smiled in triumph. Too soon though. He turned his head just before stepping out the room and said in a low yet clear (and threatening voice): "Better stick to your word." I gulped.
"Don't mind him, Li. Touya's always like that when it comes to little Sakura. He's a little overprotective," Mr. Kinomoto said in a reasurring tone.
A little? I don't even want to imagine what will he do to me when I actually start to date her, I told myself.
"I would be too," I said. "So, when is your daughter arriving?"
"At 7:30 tonight," Fujitaka said. "Air France flight 607 from Paris." He wrote down the details on a card and handed it to me.
"I'll arrive ahead time and bring her to your house right away," I told him.
"I owe you, Li. Arigatou-gozaimasu," he thanked me sincerely. "Please take care no reporters see her ... her 'surprise.' "
"Count on me," I said, all professionally. We stood up and shook hands. I was on my way out when I suddenly remember the package I had inside my briefcase. I handed it to him and he took it gratefully, almost lovingly. I really wanted to know the contents of the mysterious package. All I knew was it was light. Too bad for me. He didn't show any intentions in sharing with me, and so I left, not before accepting his thanks once more.
TBC ...
~ * ~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~
Arigartou for R&R, minna-san! I'm glad you liked the prelude, heh! ^-^ Hope you like this first chapter as well! Ja!
PS. Do you like it mainly from Syaoran's POV or shall I change?