Chapter six : Negotiations.
Sakura groaned and woke up. Her chest felt tight and she could barely move. Memories came flodding back and she woke fully. She starred around the white painted recovery room. She got up and cringed. She looked down at the clothes she was wearing. They were the clothes Wei had given her. She was wearing jeans and a red shirt.
She ran her hand through her hair and looked out the window at the bright blue sky. She watched as white fluffy clouds past by and looked like mare's tails( female horse ). Sakura frowned, that meant rain was coming.
Sakura crept towards the door and opened it. How was she going to get out of this? Her eyes widened. What was Tori going to say when she got home? She had been out of it for how long? He'd chuck a mental! Sakura spotted her boots near the bed and quickly went back and snatched them up and put them on. She was out of here!
* * *
Sakura went down the stairs and could here voices coming from the lounge room. She crept to the door and went to open it when she heard:
" And where do you think you're going? "
Sakura froze and turned around to come face to face with Eriol, who was smiling at her amused.
" Home. " Sakura said.
" Don't you think that Li will want to know? " he asked still smiling.
Sakura glared not at him, but towards the loungeroom.
" What Li and I want are two different things. " Sakura spat.
Eriol smirked.
" Do me a favour will you Eriol? " Sakura asked. " Tell Li that the Jade Fox will meet
him when and where she decides. " and with that she left.
Eriol walked back into the lounge room smirking. Li looked up from trying to flog Meilin's ass in cards.
" Was that the front door I heard? " he asked, still concentrating on his hand(cards).
" Yes. " Eriol said, leaning against the door frame.
" Who was it? " Li asked.
Eriol shrugged.
" I don't know. "
Li frowned and looked at him.
" What do you mean you don't know? Who came to the door? " he asked.
Eriol smirked.
" I said that was the door, I didn't say that someone came to it. " he smirked.
" More like left by it. "
Li looked at him confused.
" Huh? " he asked.
Eriol smiled.
" I mean someone left by it. Someone with emerald eyes and honey-brown hair. "
It finally sunk in. Li jumped up and his cards fell to the floor.
" WHAT?! " Li yelled. " You let her go?! " he demanded.
" I didn't let her go, she left. She told me to give you a message. " Eriol smiled.
* * *
" Sakura! " Li yelled as he ran after her.
Sakura groaned and walked faster.
" Don't walk away from me dam it! " Li yelled after her. " Sakura! "
Sakura sighed and turned around to face him, running up to her. He caught up with her and glared at her coldly.
" What the hell are you doing? " he demanded frostily.
Sakura looked down at her feet sarcastically and looked at him weirdly.
" I'm walking Li. It's where I use these two things here called legs and walk. Let me demonstrate. "
When he realised that she wasn't stopping, he took off after her again.
" What the hell is up with you? " he demanded. " And what's with the message? "
" You have a brain Li, use it. I'd hate to think that it's sitting up in that head of yours and doing nothing all day. Put it to use and when you figure out the answer, call me. " Sakura stated and started to walk away from him.
Li grabbed her arm and made her look at him.
" Will you just stop and talk with me? " he asked looking at her. " For a minute? "
Sakura shook her head.
" I told you Li. Jade Fox will meet with you in her true form when and where she decides.
Simple. I'll see you later. " she threw over her shoulder and left, walking down the road away from him. Li just watched her go.
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~* A few days later *~
" So you're going to go through with it? " Madison asked.
Sakura had just finished telling her about what had happened the other day. (Since it had happened on Friday, she hadn't seem Madison till Monday, which was today.)
" Yes. We're not going to get much farther if we don't join up with the Wolves. "Sakura stated, getting ready.
Today she wore a dark blue tank top and tight leather pants with black ankle boots. Her cut still hurt, but whatever they had done to her after she had passed out, had made it heal faster.
" Wish me good luck. "
" Good luck Sakura. " Madison said, watching her best friend go for the deal.
* * *
Li walked into the building. The secruity guard looked up at him warily. Li was wearing all black. Black top, black pants, shoes and black drench coat. He wore dark shades to hide his cold eyes and the image of the suspicious guard reflected in them.
" What do you want here? " the guard asked coldly, eyeing Li.
Li smirked. The guard pulled out his radio and called for backup. Li whipped out his gun and shot him. The guard gasped and slid to the ground, just as the backup rushed into the foyer, raising their guns towards Li.
Gun shots rang out as each guard fell to the floor silent, drowning in their blood. Li looked up at the shadow standing in the doorway, sunlight shining behind them.
" Did anyone call for back up? " asked the shadow as they put away their gun, and stepped into the foyer.
Li looked over the figure. Dark shades like his, dark clothes, boots and a dark trench coat. The only thing that stood out was the shining honey-brown hair. The figure removed the dark shades and Li gasped.
" Sakura?! " Li asked stunned.
Sakura smirked coldly and walked over to him seductively. She closed his gaping mouth with the tip of her finger.
" Close your mouth Little Wolf. We have buisness to attend to. " she said and walked past him, eyeing the elevator.
Li whipped around.
" What the hell are you doing here Sakura? " he demanded.
Sakura leant against the elevator and looked at him.
" You wanted to meet with Jade Fox in her true form, did you not? " she asked.
Li nodded.
Sakura smirked.
" Well here I am. "
* * *
Li pressed the buttons and the door to the elvator opened.
" I don't believe you. " Li stated, as the doors closed. He pushed the top floor, and the elevator jumped into gear, taking them up.
" What don't you believe Little Wolf? The fact that I'm the Jade Fox or that it's me Sakura Avalon? " Sakura asked as the doors opened, revealing an office.
It reeked of 'made of money'.
" Don't believe it full stop. " Li grated and stepped into the office.
Sakura followed him.
" So what's White Tiger done to you to make you come here? " she asked.
Li looked at her.
" Yes I do know that's it belongs to White Tiger. " she smirked.
Li mumbled, snopping though White Tiger's stuff.
Sakura walked around the huge office and looked out the window.
" I'm settling an old score. " Li finally said.
Sakura laughed.
" What's so damn funny? " Li demanded.
" Do you always hold grudges Little Wolf? " she asked.
Li continued to search for anything he could use or take.
Sakura walked seductively towards him and he loooked up.
" I believe from experience, the best place to go would be the draws. " she said.
Li looked at her and then tried opening the draws.
" No use. They're locked. " he said and walked away back towards the elvator. He had what he had come for - lists of White Tiger's deals and contacts and other bits and pieces.
" If you don't succeed try, try again. " Sakura said and jumped kicked the draws. Money showered down around the office and Li starred at her in disbelief. Sakura picked it up and stashed half of it into her bag and gave the other half to Li. She looked at it and smiled.
" Not as much as what I picked up last time. He must have learnt from the last time I looted him. " she laughed amused.
Li shot her a look through his shades. When the elevator door opened Li looked in deep thought. Sakura pulled out something from her pouch and stuck it to the elevator wall. She pulled Li out and pushed the button for the top floor of the office building, triggering her device, and bolting out the building with Li behind her.
* * *
" How long does it take for that to reach the top floor? " Sakura asked.
" A couple of seconds why? " Li asked.
Suddenly a huge explosion rocked the building as White Tiger's office blew to pieces.
" That's why. " Sakura chirped happily.
In the distance sirens started.
" Time to book it. How'd you get here? " Sakura asked.
" By foot. " Li said.
Sakura made a noise of frustration.
" Then lets book it. " she said pointing to her bike.
Two figures dressed in black rode away doing more than 150m/h down the streets of Japan, as Police, firefighters and ambulance arived on the scene.
* * *
" What's this really about Sakura? " Li demanded jumping off the bike, watching from where they had stopped to watch the fire.
" I told you. The Jade Fox wants to join the Wolves. "
" No. " Li said.
" Why? " Sakura challenged.
" Because Sakura - "
" I am the Jade Fox Li. Get it right. " Sakura snapped.
" You can't be! " Li snapped.
" How do you figure? " Sakura demanded.
" Because I - I. "
Sakura smirked.
" I don't believe you are the Jade Fox. That's why. "
" Oh please spare me. " Sakura sighed, rolling her eyes.
" No I won't. I wanted to meet with the Jade Fox- "
" And here I am. "
Li yelled in frustration.
" No you're not! You can't be! You're just- "
Sakura glared coldly.
" Just what Li? Just Sakura Avalon? Just plain and boring Sakura."
" I didn't mean that. "
" Then what did you mean? "
" Just take me home will ya and I'll forget that I ever met you. " Li said.
" No. I want to negociate, and I'm not going anywhere. " Sakura stated.
" Then I'll walk. There's nothing for us to talk about. You're not joining the Wolves. "
Sakura's mind raced.
" Then I'll just have to go about it my way won't I? " Sakura challenged.
" What? " Li asked.
Sakura smirked.
" Get on. I'll take you home. " Sakura said and jumped on the bike.
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~* A few days later *~
Li starred at the empty seat of Sakura's. She had been away from school for a few days now and Li was starting to get worried. When he had questioned Madison, the all source of information, she hadn't seemed worried. She had been hiding something, he had known instantly.
* * *
That after noon, Li got a call from Wolf, who had demanded that Li come back to Hong Kong for a report and for new orders. So Li had set off to the airport for a ticket to Hong Kong - his home.
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Li entered Wolf's office. Wolf turned around from starring out at the window and smiled at Li.
" How was your flight? "
" Fine. " Li replied and put down his bag and jacket.
" I've been most impressed about your progress Li. But that's not why I called you back here. " Wolf said.
Li raised his eyebrow.
" It isn't? Then why? " Li asked.
" I got a surprise the other day, one that I never imagine I would recieve. Came as a bit of a shock at first, but I'm use to it now. " Wolf said sitting in his chair.
Li frowned. What the hell was he going on about.
" I see you're confused. Let me explain. After my little 'surprise' appeared on my doorstop the other day, we've been in heavy negociation, and after much diliberation, we've come to an agreement. I called you back here because I would like you to meet our newest recrute and ally to the Wolves. " Wolf stated.
Li looked around.
" Well where is he? " Li asked.
" SHE is right here. "
Li's mouth hit the ground as Sakura stepped out from behind Wolf's chair, smiling innocently.
" WHAT?!! " Li yelled.
Sakura waved sweetly. Wolf laughed amused.
" Isn't she something? Quite a little surprise isn't she? "
" Quite. " Li ground out between clenched teeth.
Sakura pouted.
" Now Li, is that anyway to greet me? After all I am the newest member of the family. Not to mention Snow Fox as well. " Sakura stated happily.
" Humour me. Who is the Snow Fox? Nikki maybe? Madison? " Li asked sarcastically.
" How'd you guess? " Sakura asked innocently. " Has Madison been telling Eriol behind my back again? "
" What?! You mean Madison IS the Snow Fox?! " Li asked stunned.
Sakura's smile confirmed it.
" I don't freakin' believe this! " Li yelled.
" Now Li. I want you to rest up and then after filling Jade Fox in, I want you two to go back to Japan. The two of you have a lot to do considering you're partners. "
" WHAT?!!!!! " Li cried.
Sakura smirked.
" No bloody way! I am not taking her with me! " Li yelled.
" Why not? " Wolf demanded.
" Because she did this behind my back, after I refused her last time to join the Wolves and I refuse to recognise her as my partner or even as a Wolf. " Li stated angrily.
" You will take her back to Japan with you and you will accept her as your partner got it Little Wolf? " Wolf demanded. " Or kiss the Wolve's leadership goodbye. I'll hand it to Eriol. "
" You wouldn't? " Li demanded.
" Watch me. " Wolf said, his old eyes glaring.
Li starred at Sakura. She starred back at him, daring him to refuse her.
" Fine! " Li said turning around and walking out the door.
" Keep an eye on my little wolf Ying Fa. " Wolf commanded. " He's the best we've got. "
Sakura winked.
" Don't worry Wolf. I know how valuble Xiao Lang is. I'll stick to him like glue. "
Wolf chuckled.
" That I believe you will. " he laughed as Sakura walked out of the room after a very pissed off Wolf.
* * *
" Wait up Li. " Sakura called as she ran after Li.
Li stopped and turned around to glare at her. They were on a balcony that had high walls and chinese statues of Dragons and Pheonix's. They looked out over the streets and markets of Hong Kong. Where the temple like roof hung over the balcony, that went all around the building, hung tiny little lanturns that burnt brightly, throwing their light on the two figures that faced each other.
" Why should I? Tell my one good reason why I should talk to you? " Li asked angrily.
Sakura looked up at him, the lanturn light reflected in her crystal-like eyes.
" I know you're angry. "
Li glared at her coldly, making her cringe.
" Angry? Why should I be angry, I have no reason to be angry. " Li said.
" No need to be sarcastic. " Sakura stated.
Li's eyes went to tiny slits as he continued to glare at her.
" As soon as we get back to Japan, I'm am going to deal with you and mark my word, when I'm finished with you, you will never want to be associated with the Wolves again. " Li stated.
" Li you're not going to get rid of me, no matter what you may think. " Sakura said softly.
" Don't bet on it. " Li said and walked off, leaving her standing there, watching him storm off.
Sakura sighed.
" Oh Li. "
* * *
Sakura leaned on the balcony and starred out at the lights of the city below her. The wind blew her bangs away from her face and her eyes reflected the lights. She watched as all the late night shoppers hurried around and the listened as the music blared and wafted up and around her as she listened.
" What on earth are you still doing out her child? " came a voice behind her.
Sakura turned around and smiled.
" Just thinking Li Yelan. "
" I told you to call me Yelan. " she said flicking her fan.
Sakura smiled.
" Just thinking Yelan. " she replied, turning to look back out over the city.
" Do you have things like this back home Ying Fa? " Yelan asked, standing beside her.
Sakura shook her head.
" No, but we have our festivals from time to time. But nothing like this. It's such a beautiful picture. "
" Yes it is beautiful. " Yelan said.
" Do you mind if I ask you a question? " Sakura asked. " It may offend. "
Yelan nodded.
" Has your son always been a pain in the ass? " Sakura asked.
Sakura noted that Yelan's mouth quirked at the corners as she forced herself not to smile.
" My son, can be a pain - "
" In the - "
" A pain. " Yelan said firmly, still trying not to smile. " But that is the way he has been brought up. Our way of life is different from yours Ying Fa, that you must understand. With all of the training- for leadership of our clan and leadership of the Wolves, it is not easy and requires a lot of a person. Li is the way he is, becasue of his training all his life. " Yelan stated.
Sakura thought this over.
" But still - "
" I am Li's mother, and I am proud of what he has become and what he will achieve. Though the path is long and hard and taxing, I have had all faith in him. "
Sakura was silent as she continued to think.
" Give him some time Ying Fa. My son will come round I'm sure, that is if you have anything to do with it. " Yelan smiled, and left Sakura starring out into nothing as she thought about what she had said.
* * *
Sakura changed into her little skimpy nighty trying to beat the humidity of the night. Her curtains flapped in the hot breeze and Sakura walked over to open them. She threw open the doors and stepped out onto her balcony and breathed in the fresh air in deeply. She looked up at the roof. She looked for a way to get up there, she was in the process of still looking when she heard:
" Trust me, you can't get up there. I've tried. " came Li's voice.
Sakura jumped and turned around to search the darkness for him.
" Over hear. " and Sakura noticed his shadow.
" What are you doing out here? " Sakura asked, walking over to him, sitting on the ledge that seperated their rooms.
" Thinking. " he replied dryly.
Sakura looked down at what he held in his hands.
" Since when do you smoke? " she demanded.
" I haven't for nearly two years. I brought them out here in case I need one. " Li replied.
Sakura glared and snatched them out of his hands and threw them over the balcony.
" Hey what the- " Li tried to snatch them, but they were already gone.
He looked up ready to give the death glare, but Sakura beat him to it.
" Are you trying to kill yourself? " she demanded.
" Why are you making such a big thing of this? It's not like I was going to. "
" But the temptation was there and you were thinking about it. There's a difference Li, and I thought you were stronger than that. " she said sadly.
" Hey, don't try that guilt trip on me. It won't work Sakura. "
Sakura looked at him with those sad emerald eyes.
" Are you trying to kill yourself by smoking that shit or trying to slowly poison yourself? "
" Why is this so important to you huh? Like you care about what the fuck I do anyway Avalon. You've taken any chance I would have had smoking any, so drop it already. "
" Because I hate to see anyone succumb to something like that. " Sakura poked him in the chest. " It's like a slow death and I hate to sentence anyone to that, even my enemy. " she replied.
That's when Li noticed what she was wearing. He looked her up and down in the little light that was around them. Li smirked.
" Do you always wear stuff like that to bed or is just because you can't handle the humidity here? " he asked curious.
" I wear this all the - " she stopped and glared. " What I wear to bed is none of your buisness. " she said.
Li laughed.
" And here I thought you were wearing it for me. "
Sakura blushed, but it was too dark for him to see.
" If you're not going to talk civilized I'm going to bed. " she said and turned away.
Li laughed again.
" Come on Avalon, I'm just trying to get you to bite and you fall for it everytime. " he said smirking.
" Hmph. " Sakura glared at him, but went back to him, and jumped up, so she was sitting next to him on the cool cement.
" So does this mean you've finally succumb and accepted me as your fellow Wolf partner? " Sakura asked.
" Don't push it. " Li grated out.
" It's killing you to know that I managed to get past you and become a Wolf reguardless isn't it Li Showrun. " Sakura asked smirking.
" You already know the answer to that, so I won't bother answering for my sake. "
Sakura nudged him.
" Is it really that bad Li? Having me as your partner I mean? " she asked.
Li was silent.
Sakura hadn't realised that she had been holding her breath, but she sighed and starred up at the sky.
" Can't we even negociate? " she asked.
Li was still silent.
" Fine, be that way. " she spat.
" Do you ever shut up? " he finally asked.
Sakura was stumped and lost for words.
" Guess that answers the question. " Li said, starring at the stars. " Are you willing to work hard? "
" What? " Sakura asked stunned.
" Of course you'll put through extra hard training as punishment for defying me, then more training to find out what you know, Madison too. "
" Are you saying what I think you're saying? " Sakura asked.
Li turned around to look at her.
" You know how I feel about this Avalon, but I know you won't quit until you get what you want, besides it's not worth having Wolf on my back either. So rub it in already, Little Wolf has gone soft and giving into annoying girls. "
Sakura was stunned and excitement and happiness bubbled up inside her. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him gratefully.
" Thank you so much! I promise I won't let you down! Oh thank you! " she cried, hugging him.
Li was stunned as she hugged him tightly.
" Yeah ok, you've thanked me enough, Sakura you're killing me! " Li said, choking.
Sakura let go and starred at him, her eyes sparkling happily.
" Sorry Li. You have no idea how happy you've made me. "
Li studied her.
" This really makes you happy doesn't it? " he asked seriously.
" Totally and utterly. " she breathed.
Li smiled softly. But in the dark, Sakura didn't know that he was.
" Yeah well, we have a busy day tomorrow, go get your beauty sleep you need it. " Li said.
Sakura playfully hit him.
" You are as bad as Tori! No wonder the two of you don't get along, you're two much like each other! " she chided playfully.
" That's the biggest insult of my life. Not even Eriol stoops that low. " Li said in mock hurt.
Sakura giggled.
" Serves you right for insulting me. " she shot back and kissed him on the cheek, before jumping down and going back into her bedroom.
" Nice doing buisness with you. " she said as she disappeared inside her room.
Li just starred back at where she had disappeared. Had she just kissed him? Li shook his head and continued to stare at the stars.
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Sakura yawned and stretched as she got out of bed. She had fallen instantly asleep last night and had dreamed happily and peacefully. She went outside and looked at the bright sunny day. A movement caught her eye and she turned and saw Li still asleep on the wall. She shook her head and went over to him.
She ran her finger tip gently along his eyelashes ( do you know how much that can tickle??? ). His eyes twitched and he turned away, trying to swat whatever was annoying him. Sakura bit back the giggle that she had almost let out and continued to tickle his eyes.
" Rack off. " he murmered.
Sakura giggled softly and continued to tickle his eyes.
" Go away and leave me freakin' alone. " he murmered.
Sakura burst out giggling.
* * *
Sakura's laughter was what Li woke to. He opened his sleepy amber eyes and starred up at her above him.
" I bet your back is killing you. You must have fallen asleep. " Sakura said smiling, as Li sat up and groaned at his stiff back refused to co-operate. Li noticed that she was still wearing that skimpy nighty, and he gulped as he saw it in full deatail in the light. It was black and barely covered her mid thigh. Spaghetti straps and was made out of lace-like type material. There was cut low at the back and low at the front.
" Li are you ok? You've gone red. " Sakura's worried voice broke into his one-track thoughts.
Li looked up and met her worried gaze.
" Do me a favour Sakura? " Li asked.
" What? " she asked.
" Never wear that in my pressence again. " he stated looking meaningfully at what she was wearing.
" Oh. " Sakura replied when she realised.
Sakura groaned and woke up. Her chest felt tight and she could barely move. Memories came flodding back and she woke fully. She starred around the white painted recovery room. She got up and cringed. She looked down at the clothes she was wearing. They were the clothes Wei had given her. She was wearing jeans and a red shirt.
She ran her hand through her hair and looked out the window at the bright blue sky. She watched as white fluffy clouds past by and looked like mare's tails( female horse ). Sakura frowned, that meant rain was coming.
Sakura crept towards the door and opened it. How was she going to get out of this? Her eyes widened. What was Tori going to say when she got home? She had been out of it for how long? He'd chuck a mental! Sakura spotted her boots near the bed and quickly went back and snatched them up and put them on. She was out of here!
* * *
Sakura went down the stairs and could here voices coming from the lounge room. She crept to the door and went to open it when she heard:
" And where do you think you're going? "
Sakura froze and turned around to come face to face with Eriol, who was smiling at her amused.
" Home. " Sakura said.
" Don't you think that Li will want to know? " he asked still smiling.
Sakura glared not at him, but towards the loungeroom.
" What Li and I want are two different things. " Sakura spat.
Eriol smirked.
" Do me a favour will you Eriol? " Sakura asked. " Tell Li that the Jade Fox will meet
him when and where she decides. " and with that she left.
Eriol walked back into the lounge room smirking. Li looked up from trying to flog Meilin's ass in cards.
" Was that the front door I heard? " he asked, still concentrating on his hand(cards).
" Yes. " Eriol said, leaning against the door frame.
" Who was it? " Li asked.
Eriol shrugged.
" I don't know. "
Li frowned and looked at him.
" What do you mean you don't know? Who came to the door? " he asked.
Eriol smirked.
" I said that was the door, I didn't say that someone came to it. " he smirked.
" More like left by it. "
Li looked at him confused.
" Huh? " he asked.
Eriol smiled.
" I mean someone left by it. Someone with emerald eyes and honey-brown hair. "
It finally sunk in. Li jumped up and his cards fell to the floor.
" WHAT?! " Li yelled. " You let her go?! " he demanded.
" I didn't let her go, she left. She told me to give you a message. " Eriol smiled.
* * *
" Sakura! " Li yelled as he ran after her.
Sakura groaned and walked faster.
" Don't walk away from me dam it! " Li yelled after her. " Sakura! "
Sakura sighed and turned around to face him, running up to her. He caught up with her and glared at her coldly.
" What the hell are you doing? " he demanded frostily.
Sakura looked down at her feet sarcastically and looked at him weirdly.
" I'm walking Li. It's where I use these two things here called legs and walk. Let me demonstrate. "
When he realised that she wasn't stopping, he took off after her again.
" What the hell is up with you? " he demanded. " And what's with the message? "
" You have a brain Li, use it. I'd hate to think that it's sitting up in that head of yours and doing nothing all day. Put it to use and when you figure out the answer, call me. " Sakura stated and started to walk away from him.
Li grabbed her arm and made her look at him.
" Will you just stop and talk with me? " he asked looking at her. " For a minute? "
Sakura shook her head.
" I told you Li. Jade Fox will meet with you in her true form when and where she decides.
Simple. I'll see you later. " she threw over her shoulder and left, walking down the road away from him. Li just watched her go.
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~* A few days later *~
" So you're going to go through with it? " Madison asked.
Sakura had just finished telling her about what had happened the other day. (Since it had happened on Friday, she hadn't seem Madison till Monday, which was today.)
" Yes. We're not going to get much farther if we don't join up with the Wolves. "Sakura stated, getting ready.
Today she wore a dark blue tank top and tight leather pants with black ankle boots. Her cut still hurt, but whatever they had done to her after she had passed out, had made it heal faster.
" Wish me good luck. "
" Good luck Sakura. " Madison said, watching her best friend go for the deal.
* * *
Li walked into the building. The secruity guard looked up at him warily. Li was wearing all black. Black top, black pants, shoes and black drench coat. He wore dark shades to hide his cold eyes and the image of the suspicious guard reflected in them.
" What do you want here? " the guard asked coldly, eyeing Li.
Li smirked. The guard pulled out his radio and called for backup. Li whipped out his gun and shot him. The guard gasped and slid to the ground, just as the backup rushed into the foyer, raising their guns towards Li.
Gun shots rang out as each guard fell to the floor silent, drowning in their blood. Li looked up at the shadow standing in the doorway, sunlight shining behind them.
" Did anyone call for back up? " asked the shadow as they put away their gun, and stepped into the foyer.
Li looked over the figure. Dark shades like his, dark clothes, boots and a dark trench coat. The only thing that stood out was the shining honey-brown hair. The figure removed the dark shades and Li gasped.
" Sakura?! " Li asked stunned.
Sakura smirked coldly and walked over to him seductively. She closed his gaping mouth with the tip of her finger.
" Close your mouth Little Wolf. We have buisness to attend to. " she said and walked past him, eyeing the elevator.
Li whipped around.
" What the hell are you doing here Sakura? " he demanded.
Sakura leant against the elevator and looked at him.
" You wanted to meet with Jade Fox in her true form, did you not? " she asked.
Li nodded.
Sakura smirked.
" Well here I am. "
* * *
Li pressed the buttons and the door to the elvator opened.
" I don't believe you. " Li stated, as the doors closed. He pushed the top floor, and the elevator jumped into gear, taking them up.
" What don't you believe Little Wolf? The fact that I'm the Jade Fox or that it's me Sakura Avalon? " Sakura asked as the doors opened, revealing an office.
It reeked of 'made of money'.
" Don't believe it full stop. " Li grated and stepped into the office.
Sakura followed him.
" So what's White Tiger done to you to make you come here? " she asked.
Li looked at her.
" Yes I do know that's it belongs to White Tiger. " she smirked.
Li mumbled, snopping though White Tiger's stuff.
Sakura walked around the huge office and looked out the window.
" I'm settling an old score. " Li finally said.
Sakura laughed.
" What's so damn funny? " Li demanded.
" Do you always hold grudges Little Wolf? " she asked.
Li continued to search for anything he could use or take.
Sakura walked seductively towards him and he loooked up.
" I believe from experience, the best place to go would be the draws. " she said.
Li looked at her and then tried opening the draws.
" No use. They're locked. " he said and walked away back towards the elvator. He had what he had come for - lists of White Tiger's deals and contacts and other bits and pieces.
" If you don't succeed try, try again. " Sakura said and jumped kicked the draws. Money showered down around the office and Li starred at her in disbelief. Sakura picked it up and stashed half of it into her bag and gave the other half to Li. She looked at it and smiled.
" Not as much as what I picked up last time. He must have learnt from the last time I looted him. " she laughed amused.
Li shot her a look through his shades. When the elevator door opened Li looked in deep thought. Sakura pulled out something from her pouch and stuck it to the elevator wall. She pulled Li out and pushed the button for the top floor of the office building, triggering her device, and bolting out the building with Li behind her.
* * *
" How long does it take for that to reach the top floor? " Sakura asked.
" A couple of seconds why? " Li asked.
Suddenly a huge explosion rocked the building as White Tiger's office blew to pieces.
" That's why. " Sakura chirped happily.
In the distance sirens started.
" Time to book it. How'd you get here? " Sakura asked.
" By foot. " Li said.
Sakura made a noise of frustration.
" Then lets book it. " she said pointing to her bike.
Two figures dressed in black rode away doing more than 150m/h down the streets of Japan, as Police, firefighters and ambulance arived on the scene.
* * *
" What's this really about Sakura? " Li demanded jumping off the bike, watching from where they had stopped to watch the fire.
" I told you. The Jade Fox wants to join the Wolves. "
" No. " Li said.
" Why? " Sakura challenged.
" Because Sakura - "
" I am the Jade Fox Li. Get it right. " Sakura snapped.
" You can't be! " Li snapped.
" How do you figure? " Sakura demanded.
" Because I - I. "
Sakura smirked.
" I don't believe you are the Jade Fox. That's why. "
" Oh please spare me. " Sakura sighed, rolling her eyes.
" No I won't. I wanted to meet with the Jade Fox- "
" And here I am. "
Li yelled in frustration.
" No you're not! You can't be! You're just- "
Sakura glared coldly.
" Just what Li? Just Sakura Avalon? Just plain and boring Sakura."
" I didn't mean that. "
" Then what did you mean? "
" Just take me home will ya and I'll forget that I ever met you. " Li said.
" No. I want to negociate, and I'm not going anywhere. " Sakura stated.
" Then I'll walk. There's nothing for us to talk about. You're not joining the Wolves. "
Sakura's mind raced.
" Then I'll just have to go about it my way won't I? " Sakura challenged.
" What? " Li asked.
Sakura smirked.
" Get on. I'll take you home. " Sakura said and jumped on the bike.
*************************************************************************************************
~* A few days later *~
Li starred at the empty seat of Sakura's. She had been away from school for a few days now and Li was starting to get worried. When he had questioned Madison, the all source of information, she hadn't seemed worried. She had been hiding something, he had known instantly.
* * *
That after noon, Li got a call from Wolf, who had demanded that Li come back to Hong Kong for a report and for new orders. So Li had set off to the airport for a ticket to Hong Kong - his home.
*************************************************************************************************
Li entered Wolf's office. Wolf turned around from starring out at the window and smiled at Li.
" How was your flight? "
" Fine. " Li replied and put down his bag and jacket.
" I've been most impressed about your progress Li. But that's not why I called you back here. " Wolf said.
Li raised his eyebrow.
" It isn't? Then why? " Li asked.
" I got a surprise the other day, one that I never imagine I would recieve. Came as a bit of a shock at first, but I'm use to it now. " Wolf said sitting in his chair.
Li frowned. What the hell was he going on about.
" I see you're confused. Let me explain. After my little 'surprise' appeared on my doorstop the other day, we've been in heavy negociation, and after much diliberation, we've come to an agreement. I called you back here because I would like you to meet our newest recrute and ally to the Wolves. " Wolf stated.
Li looked around.
" Well where is he? " Li asked.
" SHE is right here. "
Li's mouth hit the ground as Sakura stepped out from behind Wolf's chair, smiling innocently.
" WHAT?!! " Li yelled.
Sakura waved sweetly. Wolf laughed amused.
" Isn't she something? Quite a little surprise isn't she? "
" Quite. " Li ground out between clenched teeth.
Sakura pouted.
" Now Li, is that anyway to greet me? After all I am the newest member of the family. Not to mention Snow Fox as well. " Sakura stated happily.
" Humour me. Who is the Snow Fox? Nikki maybe? Madison? " Li asked sarcastically.
" How'd you guess? " Sakura asked innocently. " Has Madison been telling Eriol behind my back again? "
" What?! You mean Madison IS the Snow Fox?! " Li asked stunned.
Sakura's smile confirmed it.
" I don't freakin' believe this! " Li yelled.
" Now Li. I want you to rest up and then after filling Jade Fox in, I want you two to go back to Japan. The two of you have a lot to do considering you're partners. "
" WHAT?!!!!! " Li cried.
Sakura smirked.
" No bloody way! I am not taking her with me! " Li yelled.
" Why not? " Wolf demanded.
" Because she did this behind my back, after I refused her last time to join the Wolves and I refuse to recognise her as my partner or even as a Wolf. " Li stated angrily.
" You will take her back to Japan with you and you will accept her as your partner got it Little Wolf? " Wolf demanded. " Or kiss the Wolve's leadership goodbye. I'll hand it to Eriol. "
" You wouldn't? " Li demanded.
" Watch me. " Wolf said, his old eyes glaring.
Li starred at Sakura. She starred back at him, daring him to refuse her.
" Fine! " Li said turning around and walking out the door.
" Keep an eye on my little wolf Ying Fa. " Wolf commanded. " He's the best we've got. "
Sakura winked.
" Don't worry Wolf. I know how valuble Xiao Lang is. I'll stick to him like glue. "
Wolf chuckled.
" That I believe you will. " he laughed as Sakura walked out of the room after a very pissed off Wolf.
* * *
" Wait up Li. " Sakura called as she ran after Li.
Li stopped and turned around to glare at her. They were on a balcony that had high walls and chinese statues of Dragons and Pheonix's. They looked out over the streets and markets of Hong Kong. Where the temple like roof hung over the balcony, that went all around the building, hung tiny little lanturns that burnt brightly, throwing their light on the two figures that faced each other.
" Why should I? Tell my one good reason why I should talk to you? " Li asked angrily.
Sakura looked up at him, the lanturn light reflected in her crystal-like eyes.
" I know you're angry. "
Li glared at her coldly, making her cringe.
" Angry? Why should I be angry, I have no reason to be angry. " Li said.
" No need to be sarcastic. " Sakura stated.
Li's eyes went to tiny slits as he continued to glare at her.
" As soon as we get back to Japan, I'm am going to deal with you and mark my word, when I'm finished with you, you will never want to be associated with the Wolves again. " Li stated.
" Li you're not going to get rid of me, no matter what you may think. " Sakura said softly.
" Don't bet on it. " Li said and walked off, leaving her standing there, watching him storm off.
Sakura sighed.
" Oh Li. "
* * *
Sakura leaned on the balcony and starred out at the lights of the city below her. The wind blew her bangs away from her face and her eyes reflected the lights. She watched as all the late night shoppers hurried around and the listened as the music blared and wafted up and around her as she listened.
" What on earth are you still doing out her child? " came a voice behind her.
Sakura turned around and smiled.
" Just thinking Li Yelan. "
" I told you to call me Yelan. " she said flicking her fan.
Sakura smiled.
" Just thinking Yelan. " she replied, turning to look back out over the city.
" Do you have things like this back home Ying Fa? " Yelan asked, standing beside her.
Sakura shook her head.
" No, but we have our festivals from time to time. But nothing like this. It's such a beautiful picture. "
" Yes it is beautiful. " Yelan said.
" Do you mind if I ask you a question? " Sakura asked. " It may offend. "
Yelan nodded.
" Has your son always been a pain in the ass? " Sakura asked.
Sakura noted that Yelan's mouth quirked at the corners as she forced herself not to smile.
" My son, can be a pain - "
" In the - "
" A pain. " Yelan said firmly, still trying not to smile. " But that is the way he has been brought up. Our way of life is different from yours Ying Fa, that you must understand. With all of the training- for leadership of our clan and leadership of the Wolves, it is not easy and requires a lot of a person. Li is the way he is, becasue of his training all his life. " Yelan stated.
Sakura thought this over.
" But still - "
" I am Li's mother, and I am proud of what he has become and what he will achieve. Though the path is long and hard and taxing, I have had all faith in him. "
Sakura was silent as she continued to think.
" Give him some time Ying Fa. My son will come round I'm sure, that is if you have anything to do with it. " Yelan smiled, and left Sakura starring out into nothing as she thought about what she had said.
* * *
Sakura changed into her little skimpy nighty trying to beat the humidity of the night. Her curtains flapped in the hot breeze and Sakura walked over to open them. She threw open the doors and stepped out onto her balcony and breathed in the fresh air in deeply. She looked up at the roof. She looked for a way to get up there, she was in the process of still looking when she heard:
" Trust me, you can't get up there. I've tried. " came Li's voice.
Sakura jumped and turned around to search the darkness for him.
" Over hear. " and Sakura noticed his shadow.
" What are you doing out here? " Sakura asked, walking over to him, sitting on the ledge that seperated their rooms.
" Thinking. " he replied dryly.
Sakura looked down at what he held in his hands.
" Since when do you smoke? " she demanded.
" I haven't for nearly two years. I brought them out here in case I need one. " Li replied.
Sakura glared and snatched them out of his hands and threw them over the balcony.
" Hey what the- " Li tried to snatch them, but they were already gone.
He looked up ready to give the death glare, but Sakura beat him to it.
" Are you trying to kill yourself? " she demanded.
" Why are you making such a big thing of this? It's not like I was going to. "
" But the temptation was there and you were thinking about it. There's a difference Li, and I thought you were stronger than that. " she said sadly.
" Hey, don't try that guilt trip on me. It won't work Sakura. "
Sakura looked at him with those sad emerald eyes.
" Are you trying to kill yourself by smoking that shit or trying to slowly poison yourself? "
" Why is this so important to you huh? Like you care about what the fuck I do anyway Avalon. You've taken any chance I would have had smoking any, so drop it already. "
" Because I hate to see anyone succumb to something like that. " Sakura poked him in the chest. " It's like a slow death and I hate to sentence anyone to that, even my enemy. " she replied.
That's when Li noticed what she was wearing. He looked her up and down in the little light that was around them. Li smirked.
" Do you always wear stuff like that to bed or is just because you can't handle the humidity here? " he asked curious.
" I wear this all the - " she stopped and glared. " What I wear to bed is none of your buisness. " she said.
Li laughed.
" And here I thought you were wearing it for me. "
Sakura blushed, but it was too dark for him to see.
" If you're not going to talk civilized I'm going to bed. " she said and turned away.
Li laughed again.
" Come on Avalon, I'm just trying to get you to bite and you fall for it everytime. " he said smirking.
" Hmph. " Sakura glared at him, but went back to him, and jumped up, so she was sitting next to him on the cool cement.
" So does this mean you've finally succumb and accepted me as your fellow Wolf partner? " Sakura asked.
" Don't push it. " Li grated out.
" It's killing you to know that I managed to get past you and become a Wolf reguardless isn't it Li Showrun. " Sakura asked smirking.
" You already know the answer to that, so I won't bother answering for my sake. "
Sakura nudged him.
" Is it really that bad Li? Having me as your partner I mean? " she asked.
Li was silent.
Sakura hadn't realised that she had been holding her breath, but she sighed and starred up at the sky.
" Can't we even negociate? " she asked.
Li was still silent.
" Fine, be that way. " she spat.
" Do you ever shut up? " he finally asked.
Sakura was stumped and lost for words.
" Guess that answers the question. " Li said, starring at the stars. " Are you willing to work hard? "
" What? " Sakura asked stunned.
" Of course you'll put through extra hard training as punishment for defying me, then more training to find out what you know, Madison too. "
" Are you saying what I think you're saying? " Sakura asked.
Li turned around to look at her.
" You know how I feel about this Avalon, but I know you won't quit until you get what you want, besides it's not worth having Wolf on my back either. So rub it in already, Little Wolf has gone soft and giving into annoying girls. "
Sakura was stunned and excitement and happiness bubbled up inside her. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him gratefully.
" Thank you so much! I promise I won't let you down! Oh thank you! " she cried, hugging him.
Li was stunned as she hugged him tightly.
" Yeah ok, you've thanked me enough, Sakura you're killing me! " Li said, choking.
Sakura let go and starred at him, her eyes sparkling happily.
" Sorry Li. You have no idea how happy you've made me. "
Li studied her.
" This really makes you happy doesn't it? " he asked seriously.
" Totally and utterly. " she breathed.
Li smiled softly. But in the dark, Sakura didn't know that he was.
" Yeah well, we have a busy day tomorrow, go get your beauty sleep you need it. " Li said.
Sakura playfully hit him.
" You are as bad as Tori! No wonder the two of you don't get along, you're two much like each other! " she chided playfully.
" That's the biggest insult of my life. Not even Eriol stoops that low. " Li said in mock hurt.
Sakura giggled.
" Serves you right for insulting me. " she shot back and kissed him on the cheek, before jumping down and going back into her bedroom.
" Nice doing buisness with you. " she said as she disappeared inside her room.
Li just starred back at where she had disappeared. Had she just kissed him? Li shook his head and continued to stare at the stars.
*************************************************************************************************
Sakura yawned and stretched as she got out of bed. She had fallen instantly asleep last night and had dreamed happily and peacefully. She went outside and looked at the bright sunny day. A movement caught her eye and she turned and saw Li still asleep on the wall. She shook her head and went over to him.
She ran her finger tip gently along his eyelashes ( do you know how much that can tickle??? ). His eyes twitched and he turned away, trying to swat whatever was annoying him. Sakura bit back the giggle that she had almost let out and continued to tickle his eyes.
" Rack off. " he murmered.
Sakura giggled softly and continued to tickle his eyes.
" Go away and leave me freakin' alone. " he murmered.
Sakura burst out giggling.
* * *
Sakura's laughter was what Li woke to. He opened his sleepy amber eyes and starred up at her above him.
" I bet your back is killing you. You must have fallen asleep. " Sakura said smiling, as Li sat up and groaned at his stiff back refused to co-operate. Li noticed that she was still wearing that skimpy nighty, and he gulped as he saw it in full deatail in the light. It was black and barely covered her mid thigh. Spaghetti straps and was made out of lace-like type material. There was cut low at the back and low at the front.
" Li are you ok? You've gone red. " Sakura's worried voice broke into his one-track thoughts.
Li looked up and met her worried gaze.
" Do me a favour Sakura? " Li asked.
" What? " she asked.
" Never wear that in my pressence again. " he stated looking meaningfully at what she was wearing.
" Oh. " Sakura replied when she realised.