Disclaimer: Nope, CCS is still not mine.
Author's Note(s): Sorry for the long delay, I've been dealing with some personal stuff. . . not to mention I haven't been at the house very often. . . well. I hope you still enjoy THIS chapter. ^_^
Azi: -evil laugh- Cliffhangers suck. . . unless you're the author. ^-^
****
He rubbed his eyes roughly then checked the screen again.
'This can't be happening.'
He didn't know how long he stood staring at that paper before a door opened and a couple stepped out. Though busy talking, they stopped abruptly when they saw him. Casting him a strange look, they walked past, laughing once they turned the corner. Numbly, Syaoran realized he must look odd gaping at the gum wrapper.
The problem was that he had nowhere else to go. The paper he held in his hands was the only remainder of hope he had. When the bug had died, so had his hope. She was gone.
So he stared.
Long after every wrinkle in the paper had been noted and named, something broke through his thoughts.
He hardly had to strain his ears to hear the awful sound.
The wrapper dropped from his hand and he turned sharply on his heel, bolting for the door. It took a second for him to realize the door was locked. Cursing, he pulled the key from his pocket. Thankfully the noise did not stop.
He burst through the door, racing straight for the source of the ringing.
His hand wrenched it from its cradle on its seventh ring. He gasped for breath before answering.
"Chang?"
****
She rolled over with a groan and immediately heard a click behind her. Recognizing the click, she froze instantly.
Someone behind her laughed.
"I guess I don't have to say freeze," said a female voice, taunting her.
Sakura didn't answer. The woman laughed again and Sakura had to grit her teeth to keep from responding angrily. Somehow she knew making a woman who held a gun mad wasn't the smartest move. But something from her voice made Sakura instantly hate her.
She heard footsteps and watched numbly as a woman suddenly appeared in front of her. She looked up from the side of her bed and had to fight to stifle a gasp.
The woman was tall and skinny enough to be a model, though she had filled out in certain areas. She wore a simple outfit of black dress pants and a white tank top. Long blond hair was piled into a sloppy bun atop her head. Her face had dainty features: a strong chin, small nose and large gray eyes. Her lips were held in an amused expression, presumably affected by the gun she held in her hands. It was carefully trained on Sakura.
"So you're the woman who's got her hooks in Syaoran, then?"
Sakura didn't answer. Instead, she asked a question of her own. "And you would be. . ."
She laughed. "Easy there, sweetheart. I'll tell you when I'm good and ready."
Sakura couldn't help it; She rolled her eyes and propped herself up on the cot. The woman's gray eyes were narrowed on her, and she noticed her clutch on the trigger had tightened.
'So I can be rude and she still won't shoot me. . . must be on orders not to. . .'
Stifling a smile at this thought, she realized the woman was speaking again.
"You needn't get cocky, girl. Chang'll be here in a little to straighten you out."
The thought of Chang brought an angry growl from Sakura. Her eyes flashed to the heavy shadows lingering on the side of the room. She narrowed her eyes but couldn't tell whether someone was there or if she was just imagining things.
She looked around the room finally and realized while it resembled a guestroom, it must be underground. There was one small window on the left wall, but it was very high and all she could see was the pavement from the street outside. Though she stared for a couple minutes, she saw no one walk by.
'Well, we're still in a town, just not in a busy part of it,' she thought.
She was lying on a small cot directly across from the window. There was a table with three chairs pulled up near it. On the walls were various tapestries, presumably hiding the concrete wall behind it. She also knew it would help to hide spies.
The strange woman settled into a chair near Sakura, her gun never leaving its target. Sakura narrowed her eyes on the gun and let out a gasp.
"That's my gun," she said softly.
The woman raised an eyebrow and spared a glance at the gun. "Oh really? Where'd you get it? A trashcan? Really, it's rather pathetic, isn't it?"
Though she was taunting her, Sakura clenched her jaw and broke into a sweet smile. "Then why don't you return it?"
She laughed. "One day we can have a shoot out. But not now."
Sakura took the pause in conversation as a chance to look for her weapons. She realized she was still in the same dress she had worn for dinner, but her knife had been removed from its sheath. Her purse was also gone.
She turned back to the woman and glared. "Why are we waiting on Chang?"
The woman raised an eyebrow but did not respond.
With an impatient sigh, she let her body fall back on the cot, her eyes trained on the window. Now she had to do what she hated most. Wait.
****
"Yes, cousin, it's me," Chang answered, obviously amused. "I know we agreed on a curfew of eleven, but Sakura was feeling a little drowsy. She'll be staying here tonight."
Syaoran growled angrily, making sure the curtains were closed before he continued. "You drugged her?" he asked through clenched teeth.
Chang laughed. "She was drowsy."
"You drugged her," he repeated, this time with more conviction.
"Well, no. One of my men did," he said. "But I did give the order."
Syaoran slammed his fist against the wall, ignoring the pain. He was glad the curtains were closed; he didn't want Chang to see how angry he was making him. Unfortunately, his cousin had one more surprise for him.
"Really, cousin. You need to control your anger a little better."
Syaoran bolted upwards, checking the curtains for the third time that night. They were snapped shut; the windows were closed. He remembered checking the room before; he had found no bugs planted. And yet his cousin certainly seemed to have some sort of eyes to their room. First he had found the bug Sakura herself had planted discreetly and now this. He cursed again.
"Where's the bug?" he spat.
Chang laughed a second time. "Oh now. Don't make an old man tell his secrets."
Syaoran snorted. "Old man? You're only a few years older than me." After pausing a minute, he couldn't help but add, "And a man? Certainly not."
Though it was a childish reaction, he was proud to hear Chang's growl. The remark had a history between them- Syaoran still remembered the night Chang had admitted to stealing his fiancé. He had said the same words.
When his cousin spoke again, his voice was noticeably harsh. "Appropriate words, Syaoran. For tonight I stole the second woman you loved."
Syaoran laughed; a laugh that eerily resembled Chang's own. "You're losing your touch cousin. The first fell for your charms, yes. But Sakura? No, you had to drug her to get her home with you. Not a wonderful victory, is it?"
Chang snorted. "It doesn't change that I have her."
Syaoran sensed the stubbornness in his cousin's voice and changed the subject. "When am I going to get her back?"
His cousin was quiet before he finally spoke, his voice dripping with amusement. "What makes you think you'll get her back? Maybe she'll choose to join my organization like the first."
Syaoran answered, his voice quietly dangerous. "You should get to know your prisoner better, cousin. She'll never join someone who kidnaps women for plans."
Chang laughed. "So the WPO still thinks that? They still think I kidnapped her?" He began laughing loudly again, not stopping for a few minutes. Syaoran endured them. "I was sure you'd correct them, dear cousin."
Syaoran shrugged. "It was easier that way."
"And you wouldn't have gotten the case if they'd known the truth," said Chang, obviously thinking aloud. He let out another chuckle before going silent.
"When am I going to get her back?" asked Syaoran again.
"Well, maybe she won't join my team, but she does have information on the WPO," he said thoughtfully. "Information that could be very useful."
Syaoran snorted. "You think she'll just spit out the information? She's a seasoned agent," he said, happy his voice kept his uncertainty hidden.
Chang sighed. "Perhaps. But there is another value she has-she's an agent. I'm sure I could ransom her for the papers."
"I thought that was what you were using Nicole for."
"I'm sure you'll tell them the truth soon enough," he said simply.
Syaoran sighed. "She's an agent. Expendable. They won't give up the papers for her."
Chang laughed again. "You misunderstood me, cousin. I meant ransom her to you."
Syaoran inhaled quickly-too quickly; he coughed for a minute. Hearing his cousin's laughter, he glared, knowing his cousin could see.
"You think I'll let you use me as a pawn?" he finally choked out.
Chang's smirk was evident in his voice. "I didn't think you had a choice." His voice changed as he continued. It now sounded bored. "Now. As much as I'd like to catch up some more, I have a new guest to attend to. I'll call in a day; once you've had time enough to get over your stubbornness. We'll discuss your plans to attain my papers then."
Before Syaoran could open his mouth, the tone was ringing in his ears. He slammed the phone down on the hook, wishing fervently for something to break.
'My cousin would be perfect for such.'
****
The door swung open; Sakura didn't bother to look up. She did, however, hear her guard get up and meet Chang at the door.
When she heard a familiar smacking noise, she quickly turned. She caught the end of their kiss before the gun was firmly targeted on her again.
It didn't register that she'd had a chance to escape; she was finally realizing who the woman was.
"Syaoran's ex-fiancé?" she asked, her voice slightly faint.
The woman smirked. "I prefer Chang's girlfriend, but sure."
Sakura's eyes darted back to the man. He stood, his mouth curled into his usual smirk, his eyes studying her. Her eyes slipped to her dress before darting back at him, now with a dark glare.
"I'm feeling a bit overdressed. Might I have a change of clothes?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Chang nodded but made no move to get them. She watched, gaping, as he seated himself beside his girlfriend. Realizing her mouth was hanging limp, she reattached her jaw and settled herself regally on the cot.
Chang laughed lightly before Sakura's glare finally made him stop. His face was still curled into a smile. "I'm glad you're awake."
Sakura rolled her eyes before they resettled back on the barrel aimed at her. She smirked at the woman before turning to Chang.
"Mind calling the woman off?" Shaking her head, she couldn't resist adding, "Jealousy is an ugly emotion."
The woman growled before finally lowering the gun. "You're lucky I let you have the man I was done with," she spat.
Chang broke in before Sakura could respond. "Love, you should be more patient with Sakura. She's still getting over the drugs we gave her."
Sakura rolled her eyes as the couple kissed again. She flung her body flat on the cot, staring at the ceiling and carefully ignoring the pair. Though she had been excited about getting information in the beginning, now they were nothing more than a trial of patience.
She was carefully plotting her escape when Chang cleared his throat loudly enough to wrench her from her thoughts. Sighing, she turned her head to face him, not bothering to sit up.
"What?" she spat.
He frowned for a second before answering, "You haven't figured out anything yet, have you?"
His woman laughed again, nudging him fondly. "She doesn't even know who I am yet, love."
Sakura raised her eyebrows at this. She knew the woman was Syaoran's ex- fiancé already.
Chang examined her for a moment before breaking into a grin as well. He motioned toward the woman sitting next to him. "Then, in the hopes of being polite, might I introduce my lovely girlfriend? I know how much you've been wanting to meet her."
Sakura rolled her eyes, but before she could retort, Chang continued.
"In fact, she's the reason you're even here."
Sakura's eyes narrowed.
"Might I introduce Nicole Meyer?"
Sakura's jaw dropped as she stared at the very reason she was here. The woman stared back, her lips curled up in her usual smirk.
"Y-you? But you were k-kidnapped!"
The woman, Nicole, laughed. "They still think I was kidnapped?"
Chang broke in now. "Syaoran hasn't told them yet."
Sakura's eyes were still wide when someone stepped in. She started, realizing he had come from the shadows. He was a tall man, dressed fully in black. The only bursts of color were a pair of blue jeans and a white tee. He sat them down on the table with quiet grace before disappearing back into the shadows.
Sakura was still trying to remember whether he'd come through the door when the clothes were shoved into her lap. She looked down at them, feeling as though she was five seconds behind everyone else, when she felt Nicole's rough hands pulling her from the cot.
She watched numbly as she was shoved into a small dark room. She heard the bolt locking behind her. Standing there, it took Nicole's voice to knock her out of her dream-like state.
"Get dressed now, wench. Don't make Chang wait."
She looked at the clothes clutched in her hands before she fumbled to put them on. Her face was grim.
'He's already surprised me too many times. I can't let him do it again.'
****
Author's Note2: Hmm? How waaaaas it? Again, typos-sorry. Sorry for the wait as well, lol. At least I finally got it done, though, right? That's what matters? -stares hopefully at angry reviewers- Well. I've got to go do the Rivals update.
Author's Note(s): Sorry for the long delay, I've been dealing with some personal stuff. . . not to mention I haven't been at the house very often. . . well. I hope you still enjoy THIS chapter. ^_^
Azi: -evil laugh- Cliffhangers suck. . . unless you're the author. ^-^
****
He rubbed his eyes roughly then checked the screen again.
'This can't be happening.'
He didn't know how long he stood staring at that paper before a door opened and a couple stepped out. Though busy talking, they stopped abruptly when they saw him. Casting him a strange look, they walked past, laughing once they turned the corner. Numbly, Syaoran realized he must look odd gaping at the gum wrapper.
The problem was that he had nowhere else to go. The paper he held in his hands was the only remainder of hope he had. When the bug had died, so had his hope. She was gone.
So he stared.
Long after every wrinkle in the paper had been noted and named, something broke through his thoughts.
He hardly had to strain his ears to hear the awful sound.
The wrapper dropped from his hand and he turned sharply on his heel, bolting for the door. It took a second for him to realize the door was locked. Cursing, he pulled the key from his pocket. Thankfully the noise did not stop.
He burst through the door, racing straight for the source of the ringing.
His hand wrenched it from its cradle on its seventh ring. He gasped for breath before answering.
"Chang?"
****
She rolled over with a groan and immediately heard a click behind her. Recognizing the click, she froze instantly.
Someone behind her laughed.
"I guess I don't have to say freeze," said a female voice, taunting her.
Sakura didn't answer. The woman laughed again and Sakura had to grit her teeth to keep from responding angrily. Somehow she knew making a woman who held a gun mad wasn't the smartest move. But something from her voice made Sakura instantly hate her.
She heard footsteps and watched numbly as a woman suddenly appeared in front of her. She looked up from the side of her bed and had to fight to stifle a gasp.
The woman was tall and skinny enough to be a model, though she had filled out in certain areas. She wore a simple outfit of black dress pants and a white tank top. Long blond hair was piled into a sloppy bun atop her head. Her face had dainty features: a strong chin, small nose and large gray eyes. Her lips were held in an amused expression, presumably affected by the gun she held in her hands. It was carefully trained on Sakura.
"So you're the woman who's got her hooks in Syaoran, then?"
Sakura didn't answer. Instead, she asked a question of her own. "And you would be. . ."
She laughed. "Easy there, sweetheart. I'll tell you when I'm good and ready."
Sakura couldn't help it; She rolled her eyes and propped herself up on the cot. The woman's gray eyes were narrowed on her, and she noticed her clutch on the trigger had tightened.
'So I can be rude and she still won't shoot me. . . must be on orders not to. . .'
Stifling a smile at this thought, she realized the woman was speaking again.
"You needn't get cocky, girl. Chang'll be here in a little to straighten you out."
The thought of Chang brought an angry growl from Sakura. Her eyes flashed to the heavy shadows lingering on the side of the room. She narrowed her eyes but couldn't tell whether someone was there or if she was just imagining things.
She looked around the room finally and realized while it resembled a guestroom, it must be underground. There was one small window on the left wall, but it was very high and all she could see was the pavement from the street outside. Though she stared for a couple minutes, she saw no one walk by.
'Well, we're still in a town, just not in a busy part of it,' she thought.
She was lying on a small cot directly across from the window. There was a table with three chairs pulled up near it. On the walls were various tapestries, presumably hiding the concrete wall behind it. She also knew it would help to hide spies.
The strange woman settled into a chair near Sakura, her gun never leaving its target. Sakura narrowed her eyes on the gun and let out a gasp.
"That's my gun," she said softly.
The woman raised an eyebrow and spared a glance at the gun. "Oh really? Where'd you get it? A trashcan? Really, it's rather pathetic, isn't it?"
Though she was taunting her, Sakura clenched her jaw and broke into a sweet smile. "Then why don't you return it?"
She laughed. "One day we can have a shoot out. But not now."
Sakura took the pause in conversation as a chance to look for her weapons. She realized she was still in the same dress she had worn for dinner, but her knife had been removed from its sheath. Her purse was also gone.
She turned back to the woman and glared. "Why are we waiting on Chang?"
The woman raised an eyebrow but did not respond.
With an impatient sigh, she let her body fall back on the cot, her eyes trained on the window. Now she had to do what she hated most. Wait.
****
"Yes, cousin, it's me," Chang answered, obviously amused. "I know we agreed on a curfew of eleven, but Sakura was feeling a little drowsy. She'll be staying here tonight."
Syaoran growled angrily, making sure the curtains were closed before he continued. "You drugged her?" he asked through clenched teeth.
Chang laughed. "She was drowsy."
"You drugged her," he repeated, this time with more conviction.
"Well, no. One of my men did," he said. "But I did give the order."
Syaoran slammed his fist against the wall, ignoring the pain. He was glad the curtains were closed; he didn't want Chang to see how angry he was making him. Unfortunately, his cousin had one more surprise for him.
"Really, cousin. You need to control your anger a little better."
Syaoran bolted upwards, checking the curtains for the third time that night. They were snapped shut; the windows were closed. He remembered checking the room before; he had found no bugs planted. And yet his cousin certainly seemed to have some sort of eyes to their room. First he had found the bug Sakura herself had planted discreetly and now this. He cursed again.
"Where's the bug?" he spat.
Chang laughed a second time. "Oh now. Don't make an old man tell his secrets."
Syaoran snorted. "Old man? You're only a few years older than me." After pausing a minute, he couldn't help but add, "And a man? Certainly not."
Though it was a childish reaction, he was proud to hear Chang's growl. The remark had a history between them- Syaoran still remembered the night Chang had admitted to stealing his fiancé. He had said the same words.
When his cousin spoke again, his voice was noticeably harsh. "Appropriate words, Syaoran. For tonight I stole the second woman you loved."
Syaoran laughed; a laugh that eerily resembled Chang's own. "You're losing your touch cousin. The first fell for your charms, yes. But Sakura? No, you had to drug her to get her home with you. Not a wonderful victory, is it?"
Chang snorted. "It doesn't change that I have her."
Syaoran sensed the stubbornness in his cousin's voice and changed the subject. "When am I going to get her back?"
His cousin was quiet before he finally spoke, his voice dripping with amusement. "What makes you think you'll get her back? Maybe she'll choose to join my organization like the first."
Syaoran answered, his voice quietly dangerous. "You should get to know your prisoner better, cousin. She'll never join someone who kidnaps women for plans."
Chang laughed. "So the WPO still thinks that? They still think I kidnapped her?" He began laughing loudly again, not stopping for a few minutes. Syaoran endured them. "I was sure you'd correct them, dear cousin."
Syaoran shrugged. "It was easier that way."
"And you wouldn't have gotten the case if they'd known the truth," said Chang, obviously thinking aloud. He let out another chuckle before going silent.
"When am I going to get her back?" asked Syaoran again.
"Well, maybe she won't join my team, but she does have information on the WPO," he said thoughtfully. "Information that could be very useful."
Syaoran snorted. "You think she'll just spit out the information? She's a seasoned agent," he said, happy his voice kept his uncertainty hidden.
Chang sighed. "Perhaps. But there is another value she has-she's an agent. I'm sure I could ransom her for the papers."
"I thought that was what you were using Nicole for."
"I'm sure you'll tell them the truth soon enough," he said simply.
Syaoran sighed. "She's an agent. Expendable. They won't give up the papers for her."
Chang laughed again. "You misunderstood me, cousin. I meant ransom her to you."
Syaoran inhaled quickly-too quickly; he coughed for a minute. Hearing his cousin's laughter, he glared, knowing his cousin could see.
"You think I'll let you use me as a pawn?" he finally choked out.
Chang's smirk was evident in his voice. "I didn't think you had a choice." His voice changed as he continued. It now sounded bored. "Now. As much as I'd like to catch up some more, I have a new guest to attend to. I'll call in a day; once you've had time enough to get over your stubbornness. We'll discuss your plans to attain my papers then."
Before Syaoran could open his mouth, the tone was ringing in his ears. He slammed the phone down on the hook, wishing fervently for something to break.
'My cousin would be perfect for such.'
****
The door swung open; Sakura didn't bother to look up. She did, however, hear her guard get up and meet Chang at the door.
When she heard a familiar smacking noise, she quickly turned. She caught the end of their kiss before the gun was firmly targeted on her again.
It didn't register that she'd had a chance to escape; she was finally realizing who the woman was.
"Syaoran's ex-fiancé?" she asked, her voice slightly faint.
The woman smirked. "I prefer Chang's girlfriend, but sure."
Sakura's eyes darted back to the man. He stood, his mouth curled into his usual smirk, his eyes studying her. Her eyes slipped to her dress before darting back at him, now with a dark glare.
"I'm feeling a bit overdressed. Might I have a change of clothes?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Chang nodded but made no move to get them. She watched, gaping, as he seated himself beside his girlfriend. Realizing her mouth was hanging limp, she reattached her jaw and settled herself regally on the cot.
Chang laughed lightly before Sakura's glare finally made him stop. His face was still curled into a smile. "I'm glad you're awake."
Sakura rolled her eyes before they resettled back on the barrel aimed at her. She smirked at the woman before turning to Chang.
"Mind calling the woman off?" Shaking her head, she couldn't resist adding, "Jealousy is an ugly emotion."
The woman growled before finally lowering the gun. "You're lucky I let you have the man I was done with," she spat.
Chang broke in before Sakura could respond. "Love, you should be more patient with Sakura. She's still getting over the drugs we gave her."
Sakura rolled her eyes as the couple kissed again. She flung her body flat on the cot, staring at the ceiling and carefully ignoring the pair. Though she had been excited about getting information in the beginning, now they were nothing more than a trial of patience.
She was carefully plotting her escape when Chang cleared his throat loudly enough to wrench her from her thoughts. Sighing, she turned her head to face him, not bothering to sit up.
"What?" she spat.
He frowned for a second before answering, "You haven't figured out anything yet, have you?"
His woman laughed again, nudging him fondly. "She doesn't even know who I am yet, love."
Sakura raised her eyebrows at this. She knew the woman was Syaoran's ex- fiancé already.
Chang examined her for a moment before breaking into a grin as well. He motioned toward the woman sitting next to him. "Then, in the hopes of being polite, might I introduce my lovely girlfriend? I know how much you've been wanting to meet her."
Sakura rolled her eyes, but before she could retort, Chang continued.
"In fact, she's the reason you're even here."
Sakura's eyes narrowed.
"Might I introduce Nicole Meyer?"
Sakura's jaw dropped as she stared at the very reason she was here. The woman stared back, her lips curled up in her usual smirk.
"Y-you? But you were k-kidnapped!"
The woman, Nicole, laughed. "They still think I was kidnapped?"
Chang broke in now. "Syaoran hasn't told them yet."
Sakura's eyes were still wide when someone stepped in. She started, realizing he had come from the shadows. He was a tall man, dressed fully in black. The only bursts of color were a pair of blue jeans and a white tee. He sat them down on the table with quiet grace before disappearing back into the shadows.
Sakura was still trying to remember whether he'd come through the door when the clothes were shoved into her lap. She looked down at them, feeling as though she was five seconds behind everyone else, when she felt Nicole's rough hands pulling her from the cot.
She watched numbly as she was shoved into a small dark room. She heard the bolt locking behind her. Standing there, it took Nicole's voice to knock her out of her dream-like state.
"Get dressed now, wench. Don't make Chang wait."
She looked at the clothes clutched in her hands before she fumbled to put them on. Her face was grim.
'He's already surprised me too many times. I can't let him do it again.'
****
Author's Note2: Hmm? How waaaaas it? Again, typos-sorry. Sorry for the wait as well, lol. At least I finally got it done, though, right? That's what matters? -stares hopefully at angry reviewers- Well. I've got to go do the Rivals update.
