Two Days Later. . .

Once again the room was in darkness. Only the faint light from outside reflected in the study. All was quiet except for the faint breathing coming from the young man once again in deep thought.
And once again, the door opened and a shadowed figure walked confidently into the room.
" More therapy Hiiragizawa? " asked Li's synical voice.
The figure paused for a second and continued walking towards the desk.
" Maybe. Are you willing to except the extra-charge rates that have now officially kicked in? " you could hear the smirk in his voice.
" Niku Kuso Hiiragizawa. " came the reply making Eriol chuckle. " Ah well, you can't blame a shrink from trying. " Eriol replied.
" You don't try Hirragizawa, you con. That's what you do. " Li swiveled around in the chair so his profile was outlined by the outside light.
" Something wrong? " Eriol asked watching him. Li sighed and rested his chin on his hand, starring out into the night, not answering him.
" This wouldn't have anything to do with the girl with green eyes would it? "
Li glanced at him sharply and a knowing smile came to Eriol's face.
" You're going to try and turn her aren't you? " Eriol asked smiling.
Li looked away and grunted, once again resting his chin on his hand.
" Don't be ridiculous. I know nothing about her, and as you've seen, we don't exactly get along do we? "
Eriol, still smiling and sat down in the chair near Li's. " Well something is on your mind. You only sit here in the dark when your moping. And I know you haven't been here for the last week, so it makes me wonder where've been? Or should I say - with whom? " Li jumped up so fast, Eriol actually looked surprised as Li glarred daggers at him.
" When the hell is it any of your god-damn business Hirragizawa? " he snapped glarring. " I had important business to take care of, and I don't particually think it has anything to do with you! "
Eriol blinked and sat back in the chair calmly watching him. Li raked his hand through his messy hair and sat back down in his chair and starred back out the window. It was a few minutes before he spoke.
" It was the girl. . . " Li admitted softly.
" Nani? " Eriol asked, not hearing him.
Li turned his worried gaze to him. " I said it was the girl. " he said more loudly. Eriol's smirk made Li clench his fists.
" She was hurt. " Eriol lost his smile. Li turned away from him and starred back out the window. " There was a gun fight, she was shot in front of me. She wasn't hurt too badly, for she walked away, to go into hiding, while I took care of the people after her. I found her afterwards, she fell at my feet. She just lay there, bleeding and all I could do was stand there and watch, before I realised that I had to take care of her. "
" Li - " Eriol began but Li didn't stop.
" I took her back took her back to my apartment. I took care of her. She hadn't healed properly and then . . " he trailed off.
" Then what? " Eriol asked frowning.
" I came home to find that she had disappeared. She'd woken up while I was out and had left. There was money for stuff that she had taken from the fridge and by the phone for the cab that she'd called. "
Eriol balked surprised.
" The funny thing was, I was devastated. I expected her to be there, and she wasn't. I looked around town, but I couldn't find her. She'd simply disappeared. "
" I- " Eriol stopped unsure what to say.
Li gave him a ghost of a smile. " What? The great Hiiragizawa has nothing to say? No advice to give? I'll be damned. "
" You're already damned as far as I'm concerned. " Eriol shot back. Li made a noise and turned back to the window. " She was still hurt Hiiragizawa. A gun shot wound to the side, she shouldn't have moved. She must have been desperate to get away. And what's anoying me the most is the fact that I'm plagued by the questions: ' Why didnt she stay? ' and ' Why did she have to leave? '. I mean we know nothing about her apart from the fact that she was at the track that day, but who is she? And you're right- " Li sighed.
" About what? " " About the fact that I'm curious to see how well she'd fit into the Black Wolves. "
Eriol looked at him with an expression that Li had never seen before.
" Nani? " he asked warily.
Eriol gave him a small smile before standing up and clapping him on the shoulder. " Give it time. I'm sure everything will sort itself out eventually. But I have to admit, you've got it bad. " smiling happily he turned and walked towards the door.
" Exactly what do you mean by that Hiiragizawa? " Li demanded.
Eriol shook his head. " Ah now, that's for you to discover on your own. Us shrinks even have our own secrets. Shall I send you my bill? "
" Keep your damn bill and your damn secrets. Tell Meilin I won't be here for dinner. I'm going out. "
Eriol smiled and shook his head. Even as one of Japan's major player's like himself, Li still had a lot to learn about women. " As you wish mightly leader. " Eriol bowed and walked down the hallway, muttering under his breath: " I'll just make sure that I leave the meat cleaver out where Meilin can easily reach it later. "

Later that night . . .

Sakura was sitting in the hospital bed sighing, totally bored. Folders and photos were scattered around her on the bed and on the bed side table, but she had gotten frustrated with them earlier and had given up. As far as she could tell, the tattoos found on the dead and seen at the crime scene three years ago, were exactly identical.
She was contemplating what she would do next when her cell started ringing. Blinking at it she wondered who on earth would be ringing her on this particular cell and warily answered it.
" Ohayou? "
" Is this Cherry? It's Meilin. Remember me? "
Sakura starred at her cell confused and then remebered she had given Meilin her number.
" Oh, ano hi Meilin. Hai, this is Cherry. What can I do for you? "
There was a pause.
" You don't sound like most people that I know when they pick up their phones. It's almost . . . nice to have some one not demand what you want. " she laughed a little. " Anyway, I was wondering if Xiao Lang was with you? "
" Xiao Lang? " Sakura asked completely stumped.
" Hai, Xiao Lang, or Syaoran Li as you know him. You know the one you slapped the other week. "
Sakura blushed red.
" Oh, ano . . him . . right. Iie, gomen. I haven't seen him. " she remembered waking up in his room and blushed several shades redder. She heard Meilin curse on the other line and focussd once again.
" Is something wrong Meilin? "
" Oh no, nothing's wrong. It's just that that baka is so gonna get it from me when he comes home. I made dinner especially for him and he knew it too, but he ups and disappears on me. Mou, maybe I should put a bullet through him, maybe that'll keep him home for a while. " Meilin muttered.
" Meilin! " Sakura gasped horrorfied, cringing as her own wound pulled.
" Don't sound so horrorfied. " Meilin chided. " I wouldn't do that. I'm tempted, but he's family after all. "
There was another pause.
" What's that beeping? Are you in a a hospital? " Meilin demanded suddenly.
" Huh?" Sakura was thrown off and cringded again when she pulled the wound. " A h-hospital? Kinda, why? "
" What are you doing in a hospital? You're not hurt are you? "
" No not really. I'm fine. I'm sorry I couldn't help you with Li. "
" But - "
" I really have to go now Meilin. Bye! " she hung up quickly and sighed. She starred at her cell.
" That was close. The last thing I need is any more Wolves interfering. At this rate I'll be found out and then Macc will kill me. "
Chucking her phone on the bed side table, she snuggled down and drifted off to sleep.

Meilin starred down at her mobile and frowned.
" What's wrong Mei? " Astal asked, laying on her bed hugging a pillow.

They were in Meilin's bedroom. Astal was one of Meilin's good friends. Astalte had joined around the same time that Meilin had been accepted. The two found that they had mutual understandings and some things in common and had built it up from there. Now the two were almost inseperaple. Astal was one of the few girls that had managed to join and earn a honourable reputation among the Black Wolf men. She was courageous, loyal, strong in and out of battle and knew how to hold her own. She was hard to the core and ruthless when she needed to be, and even on some occassions, she stood up to Li, and let him know what her opinion was - which mostly consisted on strong proffanity and flashing steel-grey eyes.
Girls were generally accepted in the Black Wolf Society, all gangs were different, but here females weren't considered as important as the guys. Most girls would lie with Black Wolves, but they hardly ever got accepted into the gang. When she was, it was a rare occassion. Meilin was tolereted a little more highly than others because she was Xiao Lang's cousin and family and under his protection. Women were to be able to know how to protect themselves on some level, know all about cars, occupy the Black Wolves beds and on some occassions - bare children to their partners. It wasn't as bad as it sounded. Black Wolf females were pretty free to do whtever they wanted, but when it came to fighting and making important desicions, they were to stand back and let the leader and the other men deal with it.
And so it was that the girls had their own society inside the Black Wolf gang. They would party, share stories, practice fighting, look out for their friends and stand up against anyone that tried to dominate, dance, dress anyway they wanted mainly to get the attention of the Black Wolves and make them proud , drag race, do up their cars, and be a unity. Over all, they were they a tight knit community the Black Wolves. You hurt one, you'd piss of more than few others, unless you weren't favoured or accepted.

Meilin looked over and met her gaze. " Cherry's in a hospital facility. "
" The new chic? "
Meilin placed her phone down and nodded. " I could hear beeping in the background. I didn't recognise the noise in the background. It's not Yosida or St. Fu's either. " ( hospitals were gang members can go and not get caught. )
" Are you sure? " Astal asked sitting up. " And what's it mean to you? "
" I'd bet my Scorpion X that she is. " Astal's eyebrows shot up. " And I don't know what it means to me . . yet. "
" What do you know of her? "
" Not much. We haven't really had the chance to suss each other out. But I don't think she's with anyone. I think she's clean. "
" Clean? " Astal stell-grey eyes hardened. " How can you be sure? "
" I can't. " Meilin replied hugging a pillow in her lap. " I watched her that night at the track and she seemed . . genuine. I have a good feeling about her. Good enough in fact that she might be the next one. "
Astal surprise clearly showed.
" What? You think she's good enough to actually get through? "
" We haven't had a woman join in a long time. You know that we aren't as worthy as men. " she replied. " I think Cherry would be a good candidate. She's strong and fights her fears well. She doesn't let them over whelm her too much. She keeps a clear head, and besides, it takes guts to stand up the Xiao Lang, let alone slap him. "
" How long have you been thinking about this? " Astal asked, reaching over and taking a sip of her juice.
" Only today really. There are some new Wolves that need to intiate some girls. I've tried to approach Li about taking in some numbers, but that ambigious ass hole keeps disappearing at the right time. "
" Thinking of putting a bullet through him? " Astal asked arching her brow.
Meilin snorted. " I doubt even that would stop that za zhong. "
Astal smirked and chucked her pillow at Meilin and ducked when Meilin pegged her own.

Suddenly they paused and heard music coming from downstairs and their eyes lighted up in delight.
" Party! " Astal cried and jumped up.
" Wait for me bitch! " Meilin jumped up and followed her.
They went down the staircase and smiled as they saw the everyone dancing. Astal smiled.
" Been a long time since we were able to do this without it being in secret. "
Meilin nodded and snarled when someone bumped into her.
" Is that hostility I can see Meilin? " a girl Meilin didn't like purred.
" Hostility wouldn't be the word I would use. " Meilin glarred back at the blonde she could have killed Li for initiating.
" Tsk tsk. " she wagged her slender finger at Meilin. " You know that fighting among menbers isn't smiled upon. We must all try to get along remember? "
" Then get a train ticket and book it Cheng. " Meilin smiled sweetly. " Then the problem would be solved. "
The blonde smiled but it was cold. " Such the comedian aren't you darling. You could try pretending you like me. "
Meilin snorted and then smiled forcefully. " Is this better darling? " she asked sweetly.
Cheng laughed and Meilin's nerves shattered. " Your acting skills are a little lacking Meilin. I smell a rat with that smile. "
" Well I smell a skank and her name is Cheng. " Meilin snapped. " Take a hike Cheng. Go play dominate species with someone else. "
" Good idea. " Astlte put in, giving the blonde the full fury of her steel-grey eyes. " You're annoying me too. "
Not one to play with Astalte, Cheng and her two friends walked off in a huff.
" Li should have gotten his head examined with that one. " Astal uttered angrily.
" Be my guest. " Meilin replied and headed towards the drink table. " He knows better than to diss you. "
They grabbed a drink and went and joined their other friends, along with Mika and Eriol.

The sun wasn't shinning the a week and a half later. Rain fell in torrents; thunder and lightning ruling the sky. Sakura gingerly put on her coat and struggled into her shoes, sighing as she looked outside.
" What a lousy day to be discharged on. " she muttered. Macc had collected the files earlier that morning, telling her as he'd left to take it easy. " . . Saito and Saola can handle it for a while. Just take it easy ok? "

Sakura humphed and muttered to herself.
" . . . think I can't handle it . . . what would Saito and Saola know? . . . It's just a stupid wound . . bakas. "

30 mins later . .

Totally soaked and dripping wet, Sakura wiped the rain out of her eyes as she trudged home. Why did six blocks to her apartment seem like a hundred? Sighing, she pulled her collar up further and continued on her way. That's how Li saw her.
He'd been sitting in the cafe and had been reading the paper and sipping his coffee, when he'd looked up wondering who on earth would be walking out in the storm and had recognised her instantly. He'd dropped the paper and ran to the door, pulling it open just as she went around the corner.
" Hey! " he called and bolted after her. He almost ran into her when she stepped back to see who had called out.
Startled emerald eyes starred up at him, as she recognised him.
" Li. " she stated softly surprised. " What are you doing out in the rain? "
" I could ask you the same thing. Look at you, you're soaked! "
" Well you're getting soaked by standing here and talking to me. Go back inside. "
He grabbed her arm as she went to turn away. She looked up at him startled.
" Where have you been? " he asked, guiding them over to a small canopy. " Where'd you go? "
Sakura blinked twice.
" I went home. I felt bad for taking up your bed and making a nuisance of myself. I had over stayed my welcome. "
His eyes hardened and Sakura took a step back.
" Cherry - " he paused in thought. " I hate that name. Isn't there something else you go by? "
" Nani! " Sakura asked startled. " N-no. That's my name. "
Li frowned. " I'll think of something then. "
" Hey now wait a minute. " Sakura protested. " You just can't go and change my name just because you don't like it.
The day you change my name will be when hell freezes over! " she snapped angrily.
Li smirked.
" Did you know that your eyes deepen in their emerald colour when you're angry? They glow like fire. "
Sakura choked on her indignation and turned away angrily, choking as too many things wanted to be said all at once.
" Go away Li. " she shot over her shoulder and walked down the side walk into the rain when she finally calmed herself enough to say something.

A solid wall appearing in front of her stopped her flight. She looked up shielding her eyes from the rain as she met his gaze.
" That - " he said softly looking down at her. " Will never happen. "
Sakura gasped as his lips met hers. He claimed her mouth with fire and warmth and Sakura couldn't believe the arrogance of the man. His arms slid around her waist and stroked upwards and she cringed when he touched her side. Opening her eyes she glarred at him and brought her foot heavily down on his.
His eyes flew open and jumped backwards and Sakura had the satisfaction of seeing pain flashed through his eyes, before he covered it.
" What the hell ? " Li gasped starring at her.
Sakura glarred at him angrily. " How dare you! " she yelled, absently-mindedly holding her side, which didn't go unnoticed by Li." Who gave you permission to touch me! " she demanded.
" Well who gave you the right to cripple me? " Li demanded limping forward. " Well if you hadn't invaded my personal space and hurt me I wouldn't have had to go to such drastic measures now would I? " she snapped, still glarring.
" Gomen Cherry. " he said apologetically. " I didn't mean to hurt you. "
Sakura tossed her head angrily, ignoring the rain. " Well you did. Now if you don't mind, I'm going home, without you. "

She stepped past him and stepped off the gutter and went to cross the road, but paused thoughtfully. Turning back to Li she reguarded him angrily.
" Oh and if I were to change your name; your first name would be Womaniser & your last: Arrogant Bastard. "
" That's a little long for a name isn't it? " Li asked a little of his old self coming through.
Sakura hmphed.
" No. " she said wiping rain out of her face. " It suits you perfectly. Right down to a T. " and with that she disappeared into the rain.

Li smiled, glad to know that she had re-appeared and turned back to the coffee shop.

Sakura hid around the corner and couldn't stop shaking. And it wasn't from the cold. She gingerly touched her lips were she could still feel him. Blushing slightly, she pulled out her cell and called Macc.
" What? " Macc demanded when he picked up the phone.
" Gomen Macc. It's me Sakura. " she said quietly looking up and down the street. " I have something to ask you. "
" Spit it out Avalon. I've haven't got time for these cat and mouse games you play. "
" If one of us could get in with the Black Wolves, would you go for it? "
" Avalon, no one will get in that quickly with the Wolves. It'll take months to get in close enough. You've just a brush with one of them, don't do anything stupid. Natually we want to get close enough. We need facts, details. Phone numbers, house numbers, area locations, weapon counts, job lists you name it. Anything that we can get on them, we need. Is that all? " Macc asked impatiently.
" Hai. Arigato. " Sakura hung up and sighed thinking thoughtfully. She looked back at the street where Li had disappeared.
" Kami help me . . " she prayed and walked back up the street. . . .

Li jogged across the street and fumbled with the keys leaning over the door of his Nissan 300zx. Suddenly his back stiffened and he whipped around ready to fight, and starred in disbelief at the drenched Sakura learning against the wall watching him calmly.
" Back for round two? " Li asked arching an eyebrow.
Sakura rolled her eyes and looked away. " You wish. " she muttered.
" Then what are you doing waiting for me? " Li asked.
Sakura met his gaze. " Just merely wanted to tell you that Meilin was looking for you last night. Did you know that? "
" Meilin? " he asked surprised. " She rang you trying to find me? "
" Hai. She hoped you were with me, since she couldn't track you down anywhere else. I think you pissed her off majorly. Just thought I'd come and warn you that's all. I'd hate for you to go home and have her shoot you as she threatened to do last night. "
Li looked at her skeptically. " Shoot me? Don't you think that's a bit much? "
" Maybe. "
" I'd bet you'd love to see that happen right? " Li asked leaning against his car.
Sakura shrugged. " Makes no difference to me. You're not my relation. "
" Which is just the way I prefer it. " said Li, a small smirk adoring his face.
Sakura couldn't hide the blush that tinged her cheeks. So she hid herself lower in her coat, allowing the collar to hide most of her face.
" Is that all you wanted to tell me? " Li asked smiled knowingly.
Sakura saw the smile and had to look away. " Hai. I just wanted to warn you. " she smiled a secret smile. " And to ask you how your foot feels. "
She hid her smile when he briefly glarred at her. " Numb. " he replied sharply and looked away.
' No way! ' her mind cied. ' Syaoran Li actually looking away! Impossible! '
She giggled.
" I suppose you find crippling someone funny I suppose? " he demanded angrily.
Sakura shrugged. " Only with you Xiao Lang. " she admitted and then sneezed - twice.
Li looked at her worried. " How long have you been out in this? "
" Only since eleven. " she replied and sneezed again.
Li looked at her as if she were mad. He shook his head and then walked over to her and guided her to the passenger side of the car.
" Get in, and don't argue. I'm taking you back to my apartment, since I know you won't tell me where's yours is, though I'd be guessing it's around here somewhere. "
Sakura got in and didn't answer. Smiling at her determination, he got in and started the engine.

" . . . You can have a shower while I head back to the mansion. Meilin's the same size as you. I'll bring back some of her clothes for you to wear ok? " Li didn't wait for an answer and took off his soaking shirt.
Sakura eyes widened in surprised and promptly turned her back while he got changed.

A warm hand on her shoulder startled her and she looked back over her shoulder to see Li smiling at her through his eyes. " Shower's in there. " he indicated the bathroom off his room. " I'll be back as soon as I can. " he threw a large fluffy bathrobe into her startled arms. She looked at him surprised and he leant forward and kissed her cheek.
" Keep warm. And no running off. I will find you if I have to. " he warned and smiled as he left.
Sakura watched him go and shook her head slowly.
" OK Avalon, " she whispered to herself. " You are definitely in way over your head this time. "
She headed towards the bathroom.
" I hope you appriciate this Macc. . . . "

At The Black Wolf Mansion. . . .

Li opened the door on a tirade. A tirade of long black hair and flashing ruby eyes. She glarred at him from across the room and didn't move an inch. Several other members looked at each other and waited to see what would happen next. Li sighed and shook his head, watching as her back stiffened even more.
He walked across the hallway to head up stairs when he heard Meilin gasp.
" Xiao Lang? " she asked worriedly, anger momentarily forgotten. " Why are you limping? Did you get into a fight? "
Li stopped and turned back to look at Meilin with a smile.
" I guess you could say that. One hell of a minx with flashing emerald eyes and one hell of a foot that can crush bone. " he smirked and then ruined it by cringing as he took a step up the stairs.
Meilin frowned obviously not impressed.
" So that's why you weren't here last night. " she asked anger returning.
" No Meilin and don't come to conclusions. I am not your little boy that you command at will. I grew up a long time ago and take charge on no one but myself. " he shot her a look. " No, my 'fight' was with Cherry. She was warning me that you were ready to kill me if necessary. She thought it would be nice if I didn't walk into an ambush. "
Meilin glarred at him.
" So now you have a thing going on with Cherry? How long will this one last? " she demanded angrily.
Li glarred back at her. " Meilin if you want to have it out with me, we'll do it in my study. "
" Hah! " she tossed her head angrily. " What's the point? Everyone will know about it anyway. Answer the question. "
" For your information there is nothing. " he replied calmly.
" I can guarantee that one of these days, you're going to get played big time, and it will be by someone that you actually have feelings for. I've seen it coming for years. I hope then, that you'll learn your lesson. "
" Doing curses now Meilin? " Li asked keeping check of his temper. " I told you to stay out of my life. "
" And I told you to stay out of mine." she shot back. " Last night was the last time I ever do anything thoughtful for you again. It's about time you realised what it means to have family. I hope you like the cold Xiao Lang, because you'll get the cold shoulder from me from now on. "
" Is that a promise? " Li asked smirking.
Meilin's eyes widened in surprise and hurt and she fought back her pain and collected her pride.
" Make no doubt. " she snapped. " I won't be in your way anymore. " and with that she turned her back and walked out of the room.
Li sighed and went upstairs to get his things.

Li looked up when Astalte, one of Meilin's friends stood in his doorway. She had long black hair and soft grey eyes, but he had seen those eyes turn to steel as she killed.
" What is it? " he asked.
" I thought you should know that Meilin is leaving. She's just arranged a ticket to China tonight. Are you going to stop her? "
" No. It's what she wants to do. I'm not her keeper. "
Astalte's eyes sharpened and turned like steel. " I see. " was all she said as she walked out.

Sakura must have drifted off because the next thing she knew, someone was stroking her hair and she met amber eyes as her eyes fluttered awake.
" Oh? Did I fall asleep? " she mumbled yawning.
Li smiled as he watched her.
" I think you must of. You were just lying here when I came back. Did you enjoy your shower? " he asked picking up something that Sakura soon realised were clothes for her. She nodded sleepily.
" Where's Meilin? I thought you would have brought her back with you since we both want to conspire against you. "
She frowned when she saw him frown at her. " What did I say? " she asked warily.
Li relaxed and knew she couldn't have known about the fight with Meilin. " Nothing. I just had a fight with Meilin. She won't be coming. "
Sakura sat up gently, concious of her side. " A fight? She didn't really try to kill you did she? "
Amusement shone through Li's eyes as he leant down and and ran his fingers lightly over her flushed face from sleeping, smiling to himself when he saw her blushing.
" No, she didn't. She made me angry and we had a fight and now she's threatening to leave tonight to go back to our home in China. She'll get over her anger soon enough. " Li replied.
" That's terrible! " Sakura sat up straighter and cringed. " How can you let her go like that? She's your family! "
Li sighed. " Not you too. " " Not me too what? " Sakura asked warily.
" I've already recieved the third degree from Astalte. "
" Who? " Sakura asked confused.
" Meilin's friend. Well, one of them. " Li replied wearily.
" You have to stop her. " Sakura commanded.
Li looked at her.
" Why do you care? Meilin is just someone you beat at a competition a few weeks ago. Why is she so important? "
Sakura looked down and away from him.
" I'm not Meilin, and I don't know what happened between the two of you. " she looked back up at him. " But I do know how important friends and family are. One day you could have them; next you lose them. How can you let something ruin a perfectly good relationship? No doubt Meilin had a good point, otherwise you wouldn't have fought at all. "
" Now wait a minute. Whose side are you on anyway ?" Li demanded.
" I'm not on anyone's side. But it's easy to see that you don't like people telling you things that you don't want to see or accept. I've known you how long exactly? And already I can see that you let stubborn, male pride get in the way of better judgement. "
Li glanced at her and then got up. " I'm going to have a shower. I'll be out shortly. "

Sakura watched him go and she thought quickly. Meilin was her only life line in this stupid scheme. If she went and she lost out with Li, she be screwed. Jumping up and ignoring the pain in her side, she doned Meilin's clothes and ignored the large amount of flesh that she normally wouldn't have shown and bee lined for the front door where a second time, she called a cab. . . .

Li came out of the shower and frowned. He went into the kitchen and noticed that her coat and shoes were once again gone. Swearing he tried to think of where'd she'd have gone. He couldn't think of any place she'd be, until his gaze landed on an old photo of Meilin and himself when they had been ten. Cursing under breath, he grabbed his keys and sped off towards the airport. . .

" Meilin! "
" Huh? " Meilin wiped away her tears and turned around and looked at the young girl dashing through the crowds.
" Meilin! Wait! "
" Cherry? " Meilin stopped and waited until she caught up with her. " What are you doing here? "
" I . . can't . . let . . you . . leave . . like . . this. . . " she panted, gripping her side.
" What ?" " Please Meilin don't leave. " Sakura begged. " I know I've only known you for a short time, but I still don't want you to leave. I know it's hard to believe, but you're the best person I've met in a long time. If you go, who will I race against? "
" How about Xiao Lang? He's more than aqqainted with you. " Meilin shot back.
Sakura cringed. " I guess I deserved that. But just so you know, there is nothing going on between him and I. He'd like to think that there was, but he's in for a surprise. I don't fall so easily. "
Meilin studied her for a moment and a small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. " I'd like to believe that. It's about time he got a dose of his own medicine. "
" Oh you can believe it all right. " Sakura said with conviction. " How do you think he got that limp? "
Meilin's eyes widened. " That was you? " she asked in disbelief. " I thought Li was lyin- " she stopped looking away. " Never mind. "
Sakura tilted her head to side watching her.
" Will you stay? " she asked softly.
Meilin went to open her mouth but shut it when they heard a familar voice call out Cherry's name. The both looked at Li dodged through the crowd, his limp not as prominent as before.
" I thought I told you to stay inside? Do you want to catch a cold? " Li demanded angrily.
Sakura hmphed and crossed her arms, her back to Li.
" You are not my keeper. " she stated haughtily. " I come and go as I please. You didn't have to follow me like a lost puppy. I can manage on my own thank you very much. "
Li glanced at Meilin. She met his gaze squarely.
" I thought you were leaving? " he asked quietely.
Meilin stiffened and Sakura half uncrossed her arms in surprise. Was that concern or worry she'd heard there?
" I'm still deciding. " she replied calmly looking at Sakura. " Cherry was attemtpting to talk me out of it. "
Li looked at Sakura's back in surprise. " I guess she could talk anyone out of anything. " he smiled faintly.
" Do you want another limp to add to the injury list? " Sakura snapped angrily, her back still towards him.
Li balked. " No thank you. I'm still suffering on the fatality list. "
" Good. " Sakura muttered and looked at Meilin and winked.
Meilin blinked in surprise. She was leading him on! She couldn't believe it. For years she'd watched Li rake in girl after girl; use them and push them away when he was done. But here was this tall, slender girl, with the eyes of a jewel, who was leading Li around by the nose. She would never have believed it. The tables might be finally turning she wondered to herself. It might be worth hanging around to see this out.

" Cherry, I'll stay. But only beause you wanted me too. " Meilin said smiling at Sakura.
" Yokata. " Sakura said and gave Meilin a hug. Meilin's eyes widened in surprise and she met Li's gaze over Sakura's shoulder. Something passed between them then, something that she wouldn't understand until much later, but for that spilt second, it was like old times again when Li and herself had been kids.
" Lets go home then. " Meilin said and started walking back with Sakura to the front entrance.
" I'll take you home, after I drop Cherry back off at the apartment. "
" No. " Sakura cut in. " Meilin will come back with us. "
" I said - " Li yelped when Sakura's foot connected painfully with his already injured foot.
" Don't argue. "
Li glarred at her angrily. " God damn it Cherry. That was my sore foot! "
Sakura managed to look contrite. " Oops! My bad. I was aiming for the other one. My aim must be off. "
Li looked at her in disbelief, and beside her, Meilin couldn't help but laugh. Sakura shrugged innocently.
" What can I say? You bring out in the worst in me. " she replied as she smiled at Meilin and took her bag from her.
Li starred in disbelief as the two walked off ahead of him as if they were all ready a part of a family.

As soon as they had entered Li's apartment, Sakura made her way into the kitchen and opened the fridge and shook her head .
" You can tell a bachelor lives here. " she muttered as she surveyed the beer and the almost empty fridge.
" Now what do you think you're up to? " Li asked beside her, resting his arm along the edge of the fridge door.
" Trying to make dinner. " Sakura replied as she shot Li a frustrated glance. " Is this all you live on? "
Meilin came up behind them and looked in the fridge.
" Yep. That's bout all this boy eats. "
" Meilin. " Li cut in glarring at her.
" What? " she asked.
Sakura surveyed the cupboards and went in search of a chair. There was no way she was pulling her wound trying to reach up to them.
" Now what are you doing? " Li sounded exasperated.
" Trying to reach those top cupboards. " Sakura replied coming back empty handed. " I want to see what I can scrounge up. " " You can cook? " Meilin asked sounded intrigued.
" Hai. " Sakura nodded smiling. " Since I was a little girl. My tou-san and onii-chan taught me. I've learnt from the best. " her eyes sparkled with love and adoration for the latter.
Meilin's eyes rose as she leant against the bench. " So you do have a family? I was wondering. You've hardly mentioned anything about yourself since we met. But why do you want a chair to stand on? " she asked getting side-tracked. " You're tall enough to reach them. "
" Hai. " Sakura nodded. " But I don't want to hurt my side. "
" Side? " Meilin asked totally lost.
Li appeared behind Sakura's shoulder.
" Cherry was caught in cross fire nearly two weeks ago. That's why I wasn't at the mansion. I was here taking care of her. " he shot Sakura and irrated glance. " That was until someone decided to take off without any warning. "
" Ara! " Meilin gasped, then frowned. " Is that why I could hear beeping in the background when I called you? You said that your weren't in hospital! " Li shot Sakura a curious look and she managed to look sheepish.
" Ano, why don't you go get comfortable Meilin why I try to find something to make for dinner? " Sakura said hastily, trying to stand up on tippy-toe to reach the cupboards.
" Hello, I'm here. " Li said sighing and opening the cupboard for her. " Why don't you just ask? "
" Because I'm the one making dinner not you. " she said shooing his hand away as he went to open the others.
Sighing, Li shook his head. " Have it your way miss bossy boots. "

Sakura yelped in surprise when he gently grabbed her around the waist, careful of her side and lifted her up so she could peer into the cupboards.
" Put me down! " she cried as her feet swung back and forth in mid air. " Really Li, there's no need. I can - "
" Just get what you need. " Li cut in smiling. " Your as light as a feather, I could stand here all day. "
Blushing furiously, Sakura grabbed what she needed and Li lowered her gently onto the ground once again, where they caught Meilin smiling amusedly.
" Nani? " they both said in union, making her smile broaden.
" Oh nothing. " she said, still watching them. " Watching you, would make anyone think that you're an old married couple. "
Li and Sakura both blushed several shades of red.

Sakura turned away placing what she held in her hands on the bench.
" Ano, why don't you make yourself comfortable Meilin? No doubt it's been a tiring day. "
Meilin smiled and then nodded and walked out into the lounge room. She knew when to drop a subject.
" Anything I can help with? " Li asked watching her as she pulled down three cups.
Sakura shook her head and turned around and smiled. " No, but you can go keep Meilin company. No doubt there are some things that the two of you need to discuss; issues that have nothing to do with me and that I'm not supposed to hear. If I need your help, I'll call. "
Li studied her for a moment and then nodded. He walked out of the kitchen and Sakura sighed. Now she could concentrate on what was at hand.

5 Mins Later . .

Meilin stopped talking as Sakura rounded the corner carrying two cups. She smiled at them brightly and placed the cups down. " Some hot chocolate to get you started. If you need me for anything, I'll be in there. " she indicated the kitchen and walked back around the corner.
Li watched her and go smiled. " Isn't she amazing? " he asked turning his smile on Meilin.
Meilin sipped her hot chocolate and met his gaze over the rim of the steaming cup.
" Hai. You're quite taken with her aren't you? " she asked softly.
Li's smile faded as he thought.
" She is different from any others that I've had relationships with. " he admitted holding his cup. " I don't know what it is, but I - "
" It's innocence. " Meilin cut in taking another sip and tucking her legs underneath her.
Li looked at her startled.
" What? "
" It's innocence. She's not fake or see-through like all the others. She's genuine, authentic. There's real courage and determination in her. She doesn't expect others to do for her what she knows she could accomplish herself. In Cherry her spirit hasn't been broken. " Meilin finished softly.
Li looked away and starred off into nothingness.
" When you put it like that - " he trailed off in thought.
" So how long to you plan on keeping her? " Meilin asked and ignored his sharp look at her.
" You make it sound as if she's some pet I picked up off the street. "
" Well generally they are. They're strays and you bring them home one after the other. One bitch on heat after the other if Cheng is anything to go by. Why you - "
" I get your point. " Li said through clenched teeth. " Mou, Meilin. You can be a bitch yourself most times. "
" Well if it paints a picture, then I've succeeded. " Meilin shot back.
" Enough! " he snapped quietely. " I don't want to fight. I've had enough of fighting. "
Meilin placed her cup on the table and sighed, her long black hair falling over her shoulder. " So have I. "
" Truce? " Li asked wearily.
" Temporary truce. " she smirked, her ruby eyes sparkling. " After all we are family. "
" Guess that says it all doesn't it? " Li asked smiling faintly.
" You know I haven't seen you smile this much since we were kids. She's obviously good for you. "
Li looked over his shoulder towards the kitchen.
" I'll take that as a compliment. " " You do that. " Meilin said as Sakura rounded the corner announcing dinner was almost ready.

Meilin leant back in her chair and patted her full stomach.
" I'm so full I think I'm going to explode! " she laughed amused.
Sakura smiled as she watched her friend. She could easily fit into this kind of life style she realised a little surprised.
" Well I guess that would ruin the figure. " Li taunted gleefully as Meilin glarred at him.
Meilin waved her fork threatenly. " I'm not that full. I could easily pummel you if I have to. " " There will be no pummeling, threatening, biting, fighting or making a mess in this kitchen. " Sakura mock glarred at the two. " You have issues, you take them outside where you can make bakas of yourselves in front of everyone else but me. "
" Awe! " Li teased. " That takes all the fun out of it . "
Sakura rolled her eyes and started cleaning up. Li grabbed her wrist and she met his gaze surprised.
" Leave it. I'll take care of it later. You've done enough tonight. " he said softly.
" But I - '
" Leave it Cherry. " Meilin said, standing and taking the dishes from her. " We'll take care of them. "
" But I - "
Li stood up and towered over her. " Don't make us hurt you squirt. " he threathened mockingly.

Sakura stood rooted to the spot as she was thrown back in time to a time and place that had long since gone, when another certain tall young man had towered over her and told her to leave the dishes alone. Someone who had called her the exact same thing. How she missed times like that.

" Cherry? " Meilin asked uncertain as she watched her.
Sakura blinked and looked past Li to Meilin. " Nani? "
" You've gone pale. Daijoubu ka? "
Sakura forced a smile. " Hai. Must have drifted off. "she smiled again and took the plates and headed towards the sink and didn't miss the looks Meilin and Li sharred in their reflections in the windows.

Meilin waved goodbye as she stepped into the cab. Sakura was sad to see her go, but Meilin said that it would be better if she went back to the mansion and let them know that she was still around. Li closed the door and Sakura rested tiredly against the wall.
" You look tired. " Li murmered softly. " Come on, time for bed. "
" Maybe I should go too. " Sakura said stepping away from his hand. " I-I don't want to over stay my welcome. "
Li sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.
" If I didn't want you to be here, then you wouldn't be. " Li said.
Sakura met his gaze and sighed. " Are you sure? " she asked quietly. Li nodded, walking with her towards his bedroom.

" Here, you can wears this. It's Meilin's. " Li said giving her a night gown.
Sakura starred at it and looked away uncomfortably.
" Something wrong? " Li asked taking off his shirt, reavealing toned muscle.
" I umm, I'm not used to wearing such revealing clothing. " she murmered blushing red. " I mean, I - "
Li smiled softly and opened up one of his draws and tossed her one of his pyjama shirts. " Wear that. "
Sakura blinked and seemed to relax a little. It was long enough to go to her knees.
Li crossed over to her, and she tried to ignore the bare chest that was directly in her line of vision. He to tipped her chin, so she was looking into his warm amber gaze.
" Cherry I will never make you do anything that you don't want to do. " he whispered. " That I swear. "
She blushed even more and Li dipped his head slowy stopping just inches from her mouth, waiting for her to make her decision.
" I-I'm tired. " she muttered. " I'd like to go to sleep now. " Li smiled faintly and touched his nose to hers. " All right Sakura. You pick which side you want. "

Sakura nodded and then froze and starred at him in horror. " What did you just say ?" she whispered.
Li smiled. " Like it? I prefer it more than Cherry. But you always smell like Cherry Blossoms, hence Sakura. "
Sakura starred at him and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He didn't know who she was, but he'd gone and changed her name and how was he to know he'd hit the right one! So trying to cover what mental stability she had left, she drew forth her anger from the previous anguement and glarred at him, startling Li who stepped back.
" So? You went ahead and thought you'd change my name eh? Do you think I'd just sit back and let you change me just to suit you? " she demanded angrily, hiding behind her facade. Li seemed a little relieved. " You're not really that ticked off are you? It's just fun Cherry, since you won't tell me your real name. "
Sakura poked him in the chest backing him up as she continued her tirade. " So you won't accept that fact that that is my real name eh? " she demanded angrily. " Too bad for you Syaoran Li, because it is! How dare you think you can just go and change any part of me for your personal amusement! If you ever, EVER call me that again I'll kill you. " she spat and spun around and marched into the bathroom and slammed the door - hard - and locked it, sighing and shaking with fear and adreneline.

She heard Li's voice on the otherside of the door a moment later and jumped startled.
" Cherry? " he called knocking. " C'mon, I didn't think you'd get that upset. If it angers you that much, then I won't mention it again. " " Cherry? "
Thinking fast, Sakura decided that if she wanted to keep her cover she'd have to play this thing through. Not make such a big deal over it.

She opened the door slightly and met worried amber eyes.
" Promise? " she asked.
" Promise. " Li replied straightening from the door jam. " I didn't think you'd be so upset. "
Sakura walked past him and turned her back to him as she changed into his pyjama shirt.
" I don't change for anyone Li. " she stated calmly. " Don't make decisions for me like that. "
Li watched her as she got into the bed. She reminded him of a hurt child. Feeling as if he'd crossed a major line, he crept to the other side of the bed and collected his things and headed towards the bathroom for another shower to try and relax.

Sakura moved closer to the edge of the bed and lay starring into the dark. As always the fear was waiting in the recess of her mind, but she wouldn't let it over come her tonight. She sensed Li had his back to her and was fully asleep. Kami, she thought, if someone had asked her a few weeks ago if she'd ever sleeping in some guys bed, purely sleeping nothing more, she would have blushed and told them that they were crazy. Now she wasn't sure what she'd end up doing when it came to this assignment. And she had to remember that Li Showron and the other Black Wolves were simply that; an assignment.
Slipping from the bed quietly, she crept out into the laundry where her clothes were finished drying and quickly changed.
' This is becomming a habbit . . ' she mused to herself as she crept to the front door and slipped out into the night.
This time she walked all the way back to her apartment, making sure that no one followed her. She couldn't risk Li following her and seeing her place. She crept to her door in darkness and turned the key in the lock and sighed as she leant against the door. Reaching behind her she locked the locks and triggered the alarm.
Sighing, she found her way to her bedroom in the dark and changed into her own pj's - a summer shirt, in green silk, and shorts in the matching material. She fell into her own bed and fell aleep before her head hit the pillow.

A few Weeks Later . . .

Sakura sighed bored as she once again, sat in her chair with her feet up on her desk, starring out into the streets of Tokyo city. Manila folders piled up in towers on her desk, but she ignored them. She was dressed in jeans and a black cotton shirt that slightly hugged her figure. A few people had given her approving looks as she'd walked in, and she'd hurried to her office, where she hadn't moved since.
A knock sounded on her door and she looked up as Macc's secretary came in.
" Excuse me Avalon-san, but Macc wishes you to join him. "
Sakura sighed and nodded.

" You wanted to see me? " Sakura asked as she closed the door behind her.
Macc glanced at her and then continued speaking on the phone. Sakura sat down and started to tap her fingers. It wasn't long.
" Kami stop doing that! " Macc yelled angrily. " Bloody hell you're impatient. I wanted to see you because I have a new job I want you to accomplish. Saito and the other three have been given their orders. "
Sakura stared at him waiting.
" There's another tourniment coming up in two days. Since you've managed to get in with the Black Wolves against my wishes I might add, you'll compete along with Saito. Saola and the others have other assignments. Your cover will be that you got called away for some bodgy jobs that needed particular handling. Is that clear? "
Sakura arched an brow. " So now I'm a thief? Wow that's gonna be one hell of an resume. "
Macc glarred at her. " No, you have skills in all areas, remember that. Fortunetely for us and yourself you are gifted in most areas anyway. So it's not completely a lie. I know you'll be able to work with that. "
" So let me get this straight. " Sakura sighed. " I'm to enter in the next tourniment along side Saito, and if Meilin and Li ask me where I've been, I simply tell them I had some jobs that required my particular skills and handling? "
Macc nodded and picked up a report.
" And just for the record I don't know whether I should be happy or disappointed by this report Avalon. I hope you're not editing this for your own cause? "
Sakura's glare bore into him. " If you're implying that I've changed what I'm discovering to suit my own benefits and purposes, that I'm working it to make the Black Wolves look like innocents then you're a bloody fool. Has Takouya put you up to this? " she demanded.
Macc sighed and relaxed back in his chair.
" No he didn't and I know you're not lying when you bring him into anything. "
Sakura hmphed and asked if that was all and was dismissed. It was time for a nice hot coffee and a chat to an old friend that she hadn't seen in a while. . .

To Be Continued. . .

za zhong - Chinese for either three things : Mixed race, bastard or son of a bitch.