AN: I know a lot of you are pissed about Ling. And I know that Li is still married to her, but this chapter explains everything about their background of their marriage. And you'll find out why he believes she is a bitch. A lot of you are going to want to murder her, but don't say I didn't warn you.

Things you should know:

"Someone talking"

Someone's thoughts

~*~*~ Changing to someone else's Point of View (You will be told whose point of view). When I am changing the setting of the story and that doesn't appear, it means it is still the same point of view from the previous setting.

[Author's Notes]

Disclaimer: Cardcaptor Sakura doesn't belong to me, it belongs to Clamp but the plot is mine and any new characters are mine

Murdering Angel

Chapter Six

(Sakura's P.O.V)

Eriol and me stared at each other as we heard shouts coming from Li's bedroom in our home. We had to come back from the restaurant half an hour ago, seeing that our plan was all in ruins. And now people know we aren't really married. I should have been relived, but I am not. Because of this Ling woman, we can't get John Doe anymore.

"Who do you think she is?" Eriol asked.

"Well, she did say his wife . . ."

"Yeah, but I want to know how they got married, when they got married, and why all his employee files in our database states him as single."

I frown. "Maybe he is a player or something. Huh, I knew he was a bastard."

Eriol shook his head. "Li doesn't seem like that type of guy. In fact, you mentioned that he hated it when women would flirt with him. A player would have taken all the attention and used it to his advantage. Something is wrong here. Li stated that she disgusted him, and he also stated that she was a liar and a little bitch for doing something."

I hear the front door open and I glance at the entrance of the living room as Bennett comes in, putting the spare key into his pocket. I had called him to tell him that our plan has gone into flames.

He paused at the doorway and looked up at the ceiling, hearing the shouts. "Who is she?"

"She said she is his wife."

He looks at me with shock. "I don't believe it."

"Well it's true. She had came into the restaurant, slapped him, and then yelled out that she's his wife."

He ran a hand through his hair. "Damn, if I'd known he was married I wouldn't have put you guys up to this stunt . . . In our database he is stated as single! Why in hell didn't he tell us?"

"I don't know. All I know is that our plan can no longer work. And now we can't get John Doe."

~*~*~(Syaoran's P.O.V)

"Damn you!" I yell. "You fucking ruined our plan! Is this your M.O.? To ruin anything and everything that doesn't seem perfect to you?!"

"If you hadn't left Hong Kong, then maybe none of this wouldn't have happened!"

"If you hadn't become such a slut, we wouldn't be going through any of this!"

"I am not a slut!"

I laugh, but it didn't contain humor. "Yeah fucking right. You think that I only know about Chan? Hah! You have another thing coming. I know all about your damn affairs with your co-workers, your male friends, and even your damn boss!

She took a step back, her eyes widening. "How . . . how did you-"

"Does it fucking matter?!" I roar. God, she makes me so angry. "But I don't even give a damn about your affairs! I never had given a damn about your affairs."

"Then why in hell are you-"

"You know damn well why! Don't even try to be all innocent! You yelled it out during our argument a year ago, so don't fucking stand there and say you don't know the real reason why I am divorcing you! I was willing to give you a chance to stop having your damn affairs, but after what you said to me that night, it was the last straw." I clench my fists. "I can't believe I ever thought I loved you."

"You still love me, Xiao-Lang-"

"Li to you" I spat.

"I am a Li! I am your damn wife!"

"Not for long" I growl. "Now leave this house, Numi" I say, emphasizing her surname.

She glowered. "I am not a Numi anymore. I am a Li!"

"I said leave!"

"So you can have sex with that bitch?! Hell no!"

"Damn it we aren't really married!" I yell out. She blinked.

"Not mar- then why did they have that article-"

"Get out" I roar.

"Don't you dare yell at me like that-"

"I have a right to kick you out of this property! And I have the right to arrest you for obstruction!"

Her eyes widened. "You can't do that!"

"The hell I can't. Thanks to you and your damn meddling, Kinomoto and me can't get a serial killer. And also thanks to you, a lot more others are going to be killed!"

She bit her lip. "But I didn't mean to-"

"Get out!"

She flinched as I glared at her. Okay, I admit, I am being a little hard towards her, but I'll never forgive her for what she did. And it wasn't about the affairs.

She sighed and looked at me with watery eyes. She knows that I don't like it when women or children are crying. And she knows that whenever she cried, I gave her everything she wanted just so I wouldn't see her tears.

But I don't give a damn anymore.

"Please don't make me sign the divorce papers" she whispered in a voice that used to make my heart ache. "Please give me a chance. I didn't mean to hurt you. I love you."

"Yeah, and I wonder how many of your lovers you used to say that to. Tell me, during your little trip to Paris, did you tell the guy you left with that you loved him?"

She opened her mouth . . . then closed it. She was going to yell something, and considering that it was exactly her yelling that caused this divorce, she smartly decided not to yell anything that she could regret later.

"I didn't leave with anybody-"

"My attorney saw you."

She put a hand over her mouth as she 'tried' to hold in her 'sobs'.

"I'm sorry about . . . all this. Please, Xiao-Lang, don't give up on us."

I sighed, and I saw her eyes flicker with happiness. Before, a sigh indicated that I would do what she asks in order for her to stop crying.

But not anymore.

"I gave up on us the day I found you, in our bed, with Chan."

She froze as my eyes narrowed to slits. I know why she froze; she didn't get what she wanted. She is a spoiled one, who was used to getting anything she wanted. But my love for her had blinded me to see that, it had blinded me from everything about her true nature.

But now it is no longer blinding me, because the love is no longer there.

I watch as she drops her hand, and then she glowered.

"You leaving to Paris did not change my mind about divorcing you."

"I refuse to sign the divorce papers!" She yelled.

"Then I'll just decrease the amount of money."

"Hah! You do that and I'll just continue to refuse to sign the papers!"

"Damn it, Ling, I am being generous!"

"I don't care! Xiao-Lang you are mine. I refuse to let you go in order for that hussy down stairs to have you!"

"She's not a hussy" I snap. "Do not call her names that are more appropriate for you."

Her eyes widened. "You're defending her!" Her eyes widened more. "Dear God you are attracted to her!"

"So what if I am?" I was surprised that I admitted to her. But I suppose it was more for me to hurt her ego. She was also used to getting attention from men, and therefore, in her mind, she is the most beautiful and most attractive woman there is. It's about time she realized that there is other women out there that are more beautiful than her.

"I bet that once I sign those papers you are going to run to her arms and fuck her!"

"I don't want to be with her" I snap again. "For your information, Ling, she is not someone who I want to get close to. We are partners, and that is as far as our relationship will go. We will never even reach the tip of friendship because you taught me that if I get close to any woman, I might end up making a mistake."

"Are you calling me a mistake?" She asked, outraged.

"A mistake that I married? Hell yes."

Her chest rose and fell as she took deep breaths. I glare at her, silently telling her to get the hell out. She stomped her foot and spun around. I stood there for a moment as I watched her go. I raise a hand to swipe the sweat from my brow as I hear her feet pounding down the stairs and then the slamming of the front door.

I knew that something in our plan was not so perfect. The article was the thing that screwed up our perfect plan. If we hadn't agreed on doing the article, then maybe Ling wouldn't have known about Kinomoto and my fake marriage. Then she wouldn't have yelled out about her being my real wife.

I also knew that once I go downstairs, I was going to have to explain some things.

~*~*~(Sakura's P.O.V)

It wasn't until ten minutes later after the woman had left that Li came down the stairs. He looked horrible. His eyes were filled with exhaustion and anger and his face was haggard. Me, Eriol, and Bennett watch as he entered the room and sat down on the recliner chair.

Bennett stayed silent for a few seconds before asking him what was on his mind.

"Why in hell did you list yourself as single?"

Li looked at him. "I was hoping that by the time you read my files, I would be single."

"I don't understand."

"Me and Ling are getting a divorce. Or, at least, I'm trying to get a divorce."

"What is her full name?"

"Numi Ling. Of course, she might go around town saying that she is Li Numi Ling, showing that she is married to me."

"Why are you guys getting a divorce?"

He stayed silent for a moment, as if debating over something. "Affairs."

I had a feeling that that wasn't the real reason. His tone was trying to sound convincing, but my gut feeling says that something else caused the divorce. Not only that but something in his eyes flickered. It was like his eyes were telling us to believe him.

But I still wasn't convinced.

"She was having affairs." Li continued slowly, as if making sure that he wouldn't say something wrong. "I don't know exactly how many, but I know she had them. At first, I was only aware of one man -I had caught them in our bed- but after hiring a Private Investigator, I found out she was cheating on me with a whole lot of different men. For a year now I have been trying to convince her to sign the divorce papers, but she refuses. If I decrease the money settlement, she just becomes more stubborn. So for a long while, my money has been going on a roller coaster ride as I try to figure out how much I should give her to back off, but at the same time I don't want to be too generous, as a way of punishing her." He turned to look at Eriol. "That is what is in my notepad: notes and decisions on the money settlement."

I glance at Bennett. He was nodding his head, accepting this all. It reminded me of an interrogation, and in some way it was. We wanted answers.

"Still, why not tell us?" I ask, not wanting him to let on that I didn't believe he was giving us the full story.

He looked at me. "It hurts to talk about it. I loved her more than life itself, I would have gladly given up my life to protect her. But all I got was betrayal. I tried to just forget the past." Like you.

He didn't have to say the last two words. His eyes told me that he had understood for a long while what it felt like to be betrayed. He knew how it felt to be in my shoes. I never had someone who I can share a bad experience with, and knowing that he knew how it felt like to be betrayed brought me comfort. Eriol must be thinking that I can now trust him and get along with him.

But I also know that Li is a man and someone who I haven't known long . He can betray me.

That is how he must see me. I am a woman. I can betray him.

So it was settled before both of us can even try. We can't trust the other, because our pasts taught us not to trust anyone. We both have barriers up to protect ourselves, because the pain we had felt was too great we refuse to feel it again. No matter what, me and Li will never be able to trust anyone or each other, which was pretty ironic. Him and I are partners, we need to trust each other. It's the only way partners survive.

But I know I'll be able to survive no matter what. I am a fighter, I don't need to trust anyone to survive.

"Sorry" Li replied after several minutes of silence. "I apologize for Ling ruining everything. I didn't expect for her to come here. When I was in Hong Kong, she had left to Paris in hopes that she could show me that I wouldn't survive without her. That was when I came here, and when Kinomoto pronounced going undercover as a married couple, I didn't-"

Bennett shook his head. "Don't explain. We just have to hope that . . ."

Li looked at Bennett. "What?"

He scratched his head. "I'm not quite sure what surname to call the woman."

Li slightly smiled. "Call her by Numi. Once the divorce is final, she'll no longer have the Li name."

Bennett nodded curtly. "Well, as I was saying, we just have to hope that Numi didn't somehow provoke John Doe into doing something different."

Li sighed. "I somehow doubt that."

I nodded my head. "Me too."

~*~*~(John Doe's P.O.V)

Damn it. They were undercover. I should have known. I could tell that after the woman yelled out that Li's and Kinomoto's marriage was a fraud that they were trying to get me. It was in the way Kinomoto was shocked and then apologized to the people when they were leaving. A distraught woman who married a man who was already married would have yelled, slapped, not caring where they were. She wouldn't have apologize and then leave with the man and his true wife. Li and Kinomoto must have known my M.O. on getting my victims. That's why they were playing husband and wife.

And by God did I believe it. Kinomoto was the perfect target. I'm assuming that the woman (Ling is what Li called her) who had ran into the restaurant wasn't part of their plan. Actually, I'm pretty sure that it's because of Ling that their plan to get me is now in ruins.

I suppose I should thank her for that.

I was so close to going after Kinomoto. But now, I'm just plain pisst. I hated being fooled. I had never once thought myself as a gullible guy, and I was going to get caught if it wasn't for that woman.

Oh, but Kinomoto is going to pay. I suppose I should punish Li, but he wasn't my next target. Kinomoto was my next target, so she will be the one to pay. But I won't kill her directly. No, the best weapon is to make her feel guilty . . .

Which will lead to fear . . .

Then to her death . . .

~*~*~(Syaoran's P.O.V)

I rub the back of my neck as I start to walk up the stairs. Bennett and Hiiragazawa left like five minutes ago, making it ten thirty right now. God, what a stressful night.

"What's the real reason?"

I paused half way up the stairs and look down at the bottom of the stairs. I frown.

"Excuse me?"

"Why are you and Numi getting a divorce?" Kinomoto asked.

"I told you, she was-"

"Bull. That isn't the full story."

I stay silent, not knowing if I should tell her or not.

"I'll tell you" I finally say "but only if you tell me the full story about Tsuchida and his involvement in your life."

She blinked.

"I know that there's more to the story, besides the fact of Tsuchida . . . forcing himself on you."

"An eye for an eye, huh?"

I nod and she bit her lip. I admit, it was quite a bargain. I knew that she doesn't trust me; and I don't trust her. My past with Ling is a sensitive topic, the same way her past with Tsuchida is sensitive. So if she wasn't going to open up, then neither was I.

I stare at her for a few seconds and just when I was going to go back up the stairs, the doorbell rang. I narrow my eyes. It's late, who in hell would be ringing the doorbell at this time of night?

I go down the stairs, past Kinomoto, and go up to the door. I unlock it cautiously and then open it.

I was shocked at who it was, but that shock quickly faded and anger replaced it.

"So, you committed bigamy?"

I glance back at Kinomoto, and she looked as if she was torn between being afraid or being angry.

"What in hell do you want, Tsuchida?" I ask, letting anger seep into my words. He smirked at me. He wasn't very tall; actually, he was the same height as me.

"Oh, I just wanted to know how Kinomoto is." He looked past me. "How are you, sweetie?"

I look back and I silently command her not to answer and to stay where she is. Thankfully, she actually listened. I had a feeling that it was because she feared Tsuchida, unlike before, when she kept hitting him. I guess the shock and anger the first time overrode her fear, not to mention that she was in control. But now, the fact that he is actually here, free and all, is sinking in, and now she can no longer block out the fear.

"Well, I suppose she still loves you" Tsuchida replied as I look back at him. I realized that he doesn't know that we were actually undercover. I didn't know if that was good or bad. "But has she ever told you that I was the first one she loved? That I was the first one to make love to her?"

"Make love to me?" Came a voice next to me and I look at Kinomoto. I guess she didn't listen to me after all. And she looked angry as hell. But I can still see fear in her eyes. "You didn't make love to me! You fucking raped me you bastard! I told you no several times that night but you acted as if I had never uttered the word!"
Tsuchida's eyes narrowed and he took a step forward. I moved in front of Kinomoto before I had the thought formed. It was just instinct.

"You wanted it" Tsuchida said. "You wanted it just as much as I did."

I felt Kinomoto quiver against my back, and then I knew that after this guy leaves, I am going to have to warn Kinomoto about Tsuchida's threat.

"Leave" I order.

"Why? Whether I leave or not, I'll always be in her mind. When you have sex with her, I'll be in her mind. When she thinks about her poor dead father, I'll be in her mind."

"Make him go away" Kinomoto's muffled voice said against my back. "P-please make him go away."

"I told you to leave. If you don't leave now, I'll have to force you. I'll kill you if I have to. And believe me, I'll enjoy killing you."

He looked at me. I assume that he is a little surprised that I don't fear him. I guess he came here to make me feel fear for him that same way Kinomoto does.

Too bad for him.

"Fine" he said in an emotionless tone. "I'll go. I suppose her father being killed is a very touchy subject." He smirked. "But I'll be back."

I felt Kinomoto getting fistfuls of my shirt as I watch Tsuchida leave. I close the door and slowly turn around as Kinomoto let go.

Damn, her eyes are red. And she was hugging herself, staring at me.

"He killed my father" she whispered as she looked down. "My father and him were p-partners."

Her knees buckled and I barely had time to grab her before she fell to the floor. I lifted her into my arms.

"I'm taking you upstairs" I told her as I begin to walk up the stairs. Her arms snaked around my neck and held me tight.

I reach her room and I walk in. I make my way to her bed and put her down slowly. She released my neck and looked at me with watery eyes.

"Kiyo was a PI, like my father" she whispered.

"You don't have to tell me-"

"They were assigned to solve a mystery of drug smuggling" She continued, ignoring my protest. "My father trusted Kiyo with all his heart, enough to let him court me, which was something a father wouldn't normally do knowing that his seventeen year-old daughter wants to be with someone who is almost five years older than her. That's very rare." She curled into a ball as tears began to fall. "One night they went to an old warehouse. A tip told them that that is where most of the drugs were. My father went in." Her eyes closed shut. "And then it blew up."

I sucked in a deep breath. My God, Kinomoto had very good reasons not to trust anybody.

"Kiyo double-crossed him. Damn it, he betrayed him. Kiyo became part of the smuggling within days of receiving the damn assignment, I guess he couldn't keep away from the chances of having a lot of money. And then, almost a month later, Kiyo realized that my father was getting closer to stopping the smuggling. And if he stopped the smuggling . . ."

"Then Tsuchida wouldn't get money" I say softly. "So the tip, the warehouse . . . it was a setup."

Kinomoto nodded jerkily.

"Oh, Sakura I-" I paused. Did I just say her first name? But it seemed she didn't notice . . . or didn't care. She just continued to stay in her ball-like position. But something was bugging me.

"Did this happen before . . . or after Tsuchida raped you?"

"After . . . I didn't tell my father because I blamed myself, that I did something that made Kiyo rape me. I didn't want my dad to be angry at me. But then, two days later . . . my father was blown to pieces. Damn it, Kiyo raped me and then killed my father." She then laughed, but there was no humor in it. "And you know what's funny? There wasn't enough evidence to convict him. I had told the police about him raping me, and he was prosecuted for that. But a lousy finger print that was found in the warehouse that belonged to Kiyo wasn't enough. I-it wasn't enough . . . and my father was the best PI this town had."

The picture in the cafe flashed in my head. The guy in the picture was Kinomoto Fujitaka . . . her father.

I didn't know what to do. I stared at her as she shifted so that she faced the other side, away from me. I run a hand through my hair. Now her past is revealed. For a month, it was a mystery, but now I got the full story.

And now I wish I never got it.

~*~*~(Sakura's P.O.V)

I felt him get off the bed as I keep my eyes closed. I was glad he was leaving. Twice he saw me vulnerable, now he sees me vulnerable again. But I didn't want him to see me this way. I hated showing my vulnerability. It showed weakness, and I didn't like being weak.

I open my eyes when I feel the bed shift again and I found myself staring into amber eyes. He was lying next to me, facing me. I wondered why he didn't leave the room for a moment as he stared into my eyes, which I knew were red and puffy.

"We were in our house" he spoke softly. "This happened about a year ago. By then I knew about her affairs, but I thought that if I waited, then maybe Ling would stop. Maybe Ling will just understand that I wanted to be a PI because I wanted to help people. She was drinking, and we got into an argument."

I realized that he was telling me why he is divorcing Numi. An eye for an eye, I had said, and he is making sure that he reveals his full past because I had revealed mine.

"And then, all of a sudden, she yelled out that . . . that she had an abortion." He sighed. "The baby was mine."

My eyes widened. "That bitch" I whisper.

He nodded. "She yelled that out to hurt me, and boy did it ever. It was almost like a physical blow. We both didn't want kids at the moment because we were too busy with work, and not only that but I didn't want any kids to be involved just in case Ling didn't stop having sex with almost every man she met and I decide to divorce her. But it didn't matter. The baby was created . . . it was alive. And she killed it. At that moment, I started to hate her. I told her to pack her things, and I kicked her out. Filed for divorce the next day."

"How long were you married?"

"We were high school sweethearts. We married when we were 19. We were married for four years before I filed for a divorce a year ago. The first two years we were happy. And then I revealed I wanted to become a PI. I guess she didn't like the fact that I wouldn't be getting paid the way I would running the family business. I was going to tell her that I would still run the business on the side, but when I found out about the affairs, I thought screw it."

"So for two years, you knew about her affairs, and you didn't utter a word?"

He shook his head.

"Why did she abort your baby?"

"Ling always said she had the perfect body, and having a baby would ruin it. Her belly would get bigger, and in her eyes, no man would want her. So the only thing to do was to abort it."

"When did she have the abortion?" I asked.

"After digging around, I found it was about a week after I announced that I was going to become a PI." He closed his eyes. "Sometimes, I blame myself for my child being killed. If I didn't announce about me becoming a PI-"

"It's not your fault" I say. "It's her fault."

"But if I-"

"No, I'm telling you, it's not your fault." I hesitated, but then drew him into a hug; wrapping my arms around his neck and I felt him hesitate before wrapping his arms around my waist.

"Then it's not your fault for Tsuchida raping you" he said.

I swallow the lump in my throat. "How can you be sure? If I didn't-"

"It's not your fault. If Ling aborting my baby isn't my fault, then Tsuchida raping you isn't your fault. Okay?"
I nodded slowly. "Just one question. Why has the divorce been going on for a year?"

"Ling is spoiled and stubborn. She refuses to sign the papers because no matter how much money I decide to put into the settlement, it isn't enough for her."

"Then how much is enough?"

"Me staying with her is enough. If we stay married, then she can spend as much money as she wants. Even now, she can't spend a single dime from my money, and so she is limited to things that aren't expensive. She told me I am hers and that she refuses to let me go. But I have a feeling that she feels that the money is hers and she refuses to let go of it."

For the first in a long while, a smile appeared on my lips. And it was definitely a true smile.

We stayed in that position for a long while, until I felt him release me, but I just tightened my arms around his neck, fear sweeping over me.

"No, please stay with me. Don't leave me alone."

"Kinomoto-"

"Please. Kiyo is angry that you aren't afraid . . . he might come back. Please don't leave me alone."

I felt him tense. "But . . ."

I smiled a little, as I realized the reason why he is hesitant to stay. "It's not like I am asking for sex, although you probably wouldn't mind just so you can see my little ass."

He chuckled. "So I am assuming you aren't going to be bothered if I comment about it in the future?"

I shake my head.

"Damn."

"Try teasing me about you keeping me up all night long."

"I have a feeling you won't be bothered by that either."

"You are correct."

A moment of silence passed before he sighed. "Fine, I'll stay, but only if you loosen your death grip."

I blink and giggle nervously as I let go. He pulled back a little and shifted until he was laying on his back. He pulled me towards him and put my head on his shoulder.

"Thank you Li" I say, before I gave into the darkness of sleep.

~*~*~(Syaoran: Next Day)

I slowly open my eyes as sunrays hit my face. Confused, I stared at the unfamiliar ceiling. My ceiling in my room in the house is white with squares. This ceiling looked more grayish than anything else.

I turned my head a little and nearly jumped when I saw Kinomoto sleeping contently next to me; it was then that memory came rushing like a tidal wave. She told me her story, I told her mine. As I stared at her, I had a feeling that we now have a mutual understanding for each other. In fact, I think that we had a mutual understanding for each other for a long while. But why we refused to admit it was beyond me. I could say it is do to our stubbornness, but why are we stubborn to just admit we understand each other?

I don't think I'll ever know the reasons.

I slightly smile as Kinomoto sighed in her sleep, as if she was quite content being held by me. And that was when I realized that I was indeed holding her. When I fell asleep, I was on my back, her head on my shoulder. My right arm was outstretched and laying on the bed while my left hand was lightly placed on her back.

But now, our legs are tangled, we're facing each other, and my arms were wrapped around her. I don't know exactly how I was facing the ceiling when the first thing I should have seen was Kinomoto.

I frown when I realize that me and Kinomoto have nothing to do today. Absolutely nothing at all. Today, we were suppose to plan everything out for when John Doe comes, but after Ling storming in, that is not going to happen.

I need to find something to do for today . . . I need a break from them reports on John Doe. I continue to look at Kinomoto, wondering what women like to do to spend time. Shopping, of course.

I make a face. I definitely don't like shopping. Every time Ling went shopping, she would drag me along for 'company'. Yeah right. I ended up being her personal bag holder. But shopping would probably make Kinomoto happy, and after last night, it's probably the best medicine for her.

Kinomoto began to stir, and I slightly smirked, anticipating the time when her eyes open and she realizes our position. She sighed again before her eyes opened. She blinked a couple of times and looked at me for a moment before closing her eyes, her eyebrows burrowed together. She opened them again, and then she froze.

"Oh god, you're real" she slightly whispered.

"The last time I checked, I was definitely real."

"Don't be sarcastic" she snapped.

"Is that what I get for staying with you after you asked me to?"

"I did not-" She stopped and blinked at me a couple of times. "Oh . . . I did ask . . ."

"More liked begged."

She frowned at me, and I smile.

"I did not beg. I just asked. You could have said no and I wouldn't have minded. I don't need you."

"Yeah, that's why you held my neck in a death grip."

"I was drunk with sleepiness."

"Or just plain drunk."

I was laughing inside. She was glowering at her petty defense that she did not beg. I know she didn't beg, but she didn't simply ask as if she was asking the time either. It was somewhere in between, I think. But I, of course, am going to say that she begged.

"Either way" I continue "you begged."
Before she can counter attack, the phone rang. Her emotions are easily read, so I knew she was relieved. My smile turned into a grin when she noticed our position and she scowled as she untangled herself and sat up. She picked up the ringing phone.

"Hello?" I watched as her face broke out into a smile. "Hey, Tomoyo. How did it go at Tokyo? . . . Hmm, at least you got to see your mom." She frowned after a few moments of silence. "Tomoyo, didn't you go- . . . but- . . . but Tomoyo-hello? . . . Hello?!" She sighed as she hanged up the phone. "Great. Tomoyo wants me to go shopping with her and Eriol, even though she went last week."

I briskly got up and off the bed, somewhat having the feeling that Daidouji wanted someone else to go along during her shopping spree. I barely made it to the door connecting her room to mine when Kinomoto spoke up. And her voice held smugness.

"And you're going too."

I pause and groaned. "I am not-"

"If you refuse, you'll be tied up and dragged over to the mall. Believe me, Eriol will do anything to make sure Tomoyo is happy."

I cursed. "I hate shopping. Every time Ling went shopping, I ended up being her personal bag holder, no matter how much I complained. But I didn't complain much because I kinda did like the company."

I expected a comeback because I knew that Kinomoto would take that as an accusation that she would make me her bag holder too. But I got nothing but silence. I turned around to look at her, a little wary.

"What's wrong?"

She was looking at me a little . . . funny. I didn't like it at all.

"You still talk about happy times with Numi" she said.

I blink. "Yeah . . . And?"

She continued to look at me before shaking her head. "Never mind. Move your lazy ass and dress."

I eyed her for a moment before turning around, but then I look back at her once more. "I have to warn you about Tsuchida."

"Huh?"

"Tsuchida is a threat. He is going to come after you because he was a no show at his court date and the attorney said that the last thing Tsuchida said was that he was going to make you pay."

She didn't look scared or shocked. She merely nodded her head.

"I expected as much. He said the same thing when he was taken to prison."

I stay silent for a moment. "Don't walk around alone. We still don't know about John Doe, and he might come after you too."

She frowned. "How come he won't go after you?"

I ignored her question. "Just be careful." I open the door and enter my room, closing the door behind me. I bang my head against it. In truth, I had a feeling that John Doe would go after Kinomoto rather than me, because I was pretty sure Kinomoto seemed like the perfect target before Ling came into the picture, and since Kinomoto was going to be his next target, he is going to make sure she pays. And when he is done with Kinomoto, I'm sure he is going to go after me as victim numnber14.

Damn Ling. I never should have married her. If I hadn't married her, then my baby wouldn't have been killed.

My baby . . .

Unexpected sadness washed over me, thinking about it. I never thought I would ever become a father, because I didn't think myself as father material. But to think that I might have become a father . . .

And Ling aborted it. Damn her. Damn her selfish reasons. Damn her personality. I've never hated anyone as much as I hate her. And to think that I was actually in love with her and went as far as marrying her. Marrying her was one of the stupidest mistakes I have ever made.

No. Falling in love was one of the stupidest mistakes I have ever made. And I can't make that mistake ever again.

~*~*~(Sakura's P.O.V: Mall)

I crossed my arms, glaring at Li.

"I don't need you following me around" I snap.

He shrugged. "Too bad."

I growl. "At least let me go into this store!"

He looked at the store, called 'My Style', and shook his head. "Too crowded."

"Too crowded?! All the stores you saw are 'too crowded'!"

"It's not that Sakura" Eriol stated as he came up next to me. Tomoyo was at his side, her hands empty-handed. But it wasn't because she didn't buy anything. Oh, no. She ended up making Eriol carry the bags.

"It's because he doesn't want to carry your bags" Eriol continued and sighed. "You women always make us guys carry your bags just so your hands are free to carry more bags."

Tomoyo lifted up her chin. "That is not true."

"Oh really? Then you wouldn't mind carrying your own bags so you won't buy anymore stuff?"

Tomoyo blinked at that as I frowned at Li.

"Is that why you refuse to let me go into the stores? So I won't have to buy something you can carry?"

He nodded and before I can open my mouth to say that I wouldn't do that, he began to speak.

"Don't say that you wouldn't do that. I know you would."

I growl. "I did not come here just to walk around!"

"Well you are going to."

I stomp my foot. "You can't make me!"

"Look, we can either act like mature adults and continue to stroll around the mall, or you can act like a stubborn brat and I can act like a mature adult carrying you out of the mall."
I cross my arms. "Bastard."

"Thank you."

I glare at him, and then slightly glanced at the store behind him. My Style was one of the best stores out there. The clothes are a little pricey, but the clothes they sell are amazing, made from the best fabric.

And by God I am going in there.

"You're welcome" I reply back, a little too sweet. He blinked back at the unexpected reply and I took it as a chance to slip by him. The good thing about being shorter and skinny than him is that I have a faster agility.

I glance back and give him a smug look as I enter the store. I look around for a bit before moving to the left, planning on going around the store starting from that side. But I was only able to take a step before someone grabbed my elbow. I balled my fist and swiftly turned around, wanting to slug Li. But my hand was grabbed before it made contact. I blink, before giving a nervous laugh.

"Oh, sorry Bennett. I thought you were Li."

Bennett sighed as he glanced to the entrance. I glance at that direction too and saw that Tomoyo, Eriol, and Li were heading my way. When they approached Bennett crossed his arms.

"Don't you think it's a little too soon for a shopping spree?"

I snorted. "I haven't bought a single thing because Li here doesn't let me."

Bennett sighed again. "Putting your differences aside, we need to talk about John Doe and the situation. Numi's outburst last night has indeed ruined our plan. People in the restaurant had told others about the little situation and there are even rumors that you two were actually undercover."

I was shocked. "How? How can people know? And so fast??"

"I am betting that someone in our building blabbed about it." He sighed again. "Both of you need to be careful. I called the manger of the restaurant to tell me who was the waitress on shift that night. I am going to ask her a few questions about how the people in the restaurant reacted and if any had left a little upset or angry." He then looked at Li. "Seeing that the plan is in flames, you guys no longer have to live in the house. You guys can go back to your own homes."

I glanced at Li, and he glanced back. We both knew that if we went back to our homes, Numi is going to stalk him, and I'll be in even greater danger because of Kiyo.

"We can't go back to our homes" Li said. "We don't know if John Doe was provoked, and he might do something that we wouldn't be able to handle on our own."

I nodded to agree with him, glad that he was able to come up with a good reason.

"I don't think-" Bennett was interrupted by a phone call. He took out his cell and answered it. I glance behind him as he began to talk on whoever was on the other line. I peered into the crowd when I saw the Sandy-haired man. My eyes widened as I realized that he was staring straight at us. I glance at the others and saw that they hadn't noticed him yet. My vision then went back to the crowd, but he was no longer there. I blink, wondering if I was imagining things.

I probably was, I think to myself, staring at the space where I thought I saw him. There was no way he could have actually been there. I had glanced away for only a few seconds, and that isn't enough time for him to just disappear. So there is no need for me to tell anyone about it, especially Li. Knowing him, he'll say I'm paranoid, and I probably am. But Hell will have to freeze over first before I give Li an opportunity to say that to me. Besides, I want to do some shopping without Li annoying me.

But that's only wishful thinking.

AN: Poor Syaoran . . . I told you would want to murder Ling. She killed two birds with one stone by getting that abortion. She killed his baby, and now he believes falling in love is a stupid mistake that he won't do again. And poor Sakura . . . Her father was killed by the man she had once loved. What is this world coming to?!?!

Well, please review, and no flames!