I will not update until I have 20 reviews!!

Disclaimer- Still don't own anything just characters of my own inventions and the storyline.

Syaoran's Angels

Chapter 13: Masquerades and missions

Eriol Hiragizawa was not a happy man.

First, his hotel room was without power due to the fact that some idiot construction workers accidentally severing the powerlines when they were trying to put in a new road. Then his rented car had a massive scratch on its paintwork because some idiot driver couldn't even drive properly.

Eriol resisted the urge to swear on the top of his lungs and wondered what he had done to bring about such bad luck.

And going along with the old saying 'bad luck comes in three', Eriol had one final piece of bad luck he had to deal with.

HE HAD LOST TRACK OF HIS PREY.

Eriol gritted his teeth and resisted the urge to punch the windshield. For an assassin, losing track of his quarry was a big deal. He needed to find out where they were and fast.

Marcus Ruflac wanted results and so far Eriol hadn't come up with any. He better finish this job or otherwise his reputation would be seriously damaged and an assassin with a damaged reputation would find it hard to find any work at all.

Eriol sighed and wondered how his life had suddenly become so difficult.

Normally he would find where his quarry live and use subtle methods such as poisoning, sniping, knife-in-the-back to finish the job. If subtlety didn't work, a bomb usually did the trick however this time around...

He actually bothered to try and find out everything about the girls especially anything concerning that beautiful lavender-eyed temptress who had strolled into his life with sudden and shock ease.

Tomoyo...

Eriol sighed and reminded himself once more not to get himself emotionally involved with her.

There was no point in falling in love with a dead (or soon to be) woman...

Right?

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

"Hi, I'm Xiaolang."

Sakura just sat there gaping at him well aware her jaw was open.

'Sakura!' Tomoyo's voice came in loud and clear through the hidden com-link snuggled inside her ear.

Sakura shook her self slightly and managed to gather her wits back. Putting on her sweetest and most seductive smile, Sakura beamed at him.

"Hi," Sakura winced knowing she probably sounded like some kind of seductress out to steal someone's boyfriend.

She cleared her throat and tried again.

"Hi, my name is Sakura."

Hmmm... a bit on the shy side but at least I don't sound like a two-timer she thought suddenly to herself.

She was suddenly aware of the fact that Xiaolang was talking again, blushing furiously she switched her attention back to him.

"So are you one of the Angels?" he asked curiously.

"Yeah," Sakura replied wearily expecting a barrage of questions about her job.

"So what do you do outside your job?"

"What?" Sakura exclaimed shocked that he would ask something like that.

Every time anybody asked anything about her it was usually what she did in her line of work. This was the first time they had actually about her.

"What do you do?"

"Well, I breath and occasionally eat," Sakura replied teasingly.

Xiaolang laughed, his laugh was rich and deep and Sakura decided right then and there she liked the sound of it.

"You know what I mean," Xiaolang said with a small smile on his face.

Sakura warmed up to him every more as Xiaolang accepted her little joke with good humour.

"Well, I do what normal girls do: shop, go the gym, have fun, watch sappy movies and have a good cry..." Sakura trailed off blushing, "I can't believe I just said that."

Xiaolang smiled at her warmly as Sakura smiled shyly back. They continued to look at each other for a little while before Sakura broke the comfortable silence with a question of her own.

"How do you know Syaoran?" she asked curiously.

Xiaolang was silent for a while as he studiously avoided her gaze.

"He and I were business partners are one point," he replied finally.

Sakura stared at him as a wide grin spread across her face.

"That's great!" she squealed, "Have you actually seen him? What does he look like?"

Xiaolang fidgeted nervously for a few seconds as Sakura eagerly waited for his answer. He blushed and looked out of the window for a few seconds before turning back to the Angel.

"Well... he is..." Xiaolang hedged.

"Yes?" Sakura prompted.

Xiaolang took a deep breath and sighed.

"As much as I'd like to tell you, he told me never to tell anyone what he looks like or any information about his business or where he lives,"

"Oh," Sakura said a little disappointed, "Oh well, I guess it's better if I don't know."

Xiaolang smiled apologetically at her and patted her hand comfortingly.

"Sorry."

Sakura blushed feeling his hand touch hers but quickly recovered by beaming at him. Xiaolang smiled back at her.

"So what exactly are we going to?" Sakura asked trying to make small talk.

"Don't you know?" Xiaolang asked surprise.

"Yeah, I know it's a party and all but specific information, please?"

Xiaolang was silent for a while.

"Well, it's basically..." he began, "a show-off party."

Sakura blinked.

"Huh?" she blushed realising that it was probably impolite to say that, "I mean, pardon?"

"Well, it's basically what it sounds like," Xiaolang explained, "Ryan Trong is an old man who enjoys the company and respect and admiration of others. He's been bragging about the dig for months now and now is his chance to show off the findings."

"Oh," Sakura murmured,

"Sounds... interesting," she added diplomatically.

"It's not," Xiaolang told her with a warm smile, "I hate these things. It's down right boring and I have other things to do then to sit around and listen to Trong show off once again..."

"Why do you go then?" Sakura asked curiously, "Why don't you refuse their invitations."

Xiaolang smiled at her and Sakura bristled seeing the smug look on his face, he sighed as in exasperation as though she was little girl and he had to explain something to her.

"You can't simply refuse to go with these things. It is important to keep a good, healthy relationship with a fellow businessmen, networking is important and keeping yourself on the good side of powerful men is very important in the business world," Xiaolang recited it to her as though it was his mantra.

Sakura glared at him.

"Sorry, I didn't know that," she said waspishly.

Xiaolang laughed and smiled at her warmly.

"Sorry if I sounded a bit arrogant there," he told her ruefully, "Sorry but I had that lesson drummed into my head since I was five."

Sakura blinked at him not understanding.

"My father was a businessman as well and wanted me to follow in his footsteps so they family company would proper," her companion explained.

Sakura opened her mouth to comment as the limo stopped moving.

"We've arrived, sir," the chauffer informed them.

"Thank you," Xiaolang replied.

He opened door and stepped outside, Sakura moved to do the same but stopped as Xiaolang turned around.

"Madam," he smiled charmingly at her as he held out a hand to help her out.

"Thank you," she smiled back at him as she clasped his hand lightly and elegant stepped out from the limo.

Xiaolang bowed at her and offered her his arm, smiling graciously at him Sakura linked her arm through his and the two walked down long pave path towards the imposing mansion standing before them.

As they walked Sakura admired the garden on either side of the path, illuminated by lights the lush green foliage appeared to be a beautiful emerald green, the small water droplets hanging on the leaves reflecting the light and shimmering like gems. Flowers off every colour and description lent the garden their vivid colours and Sakura's grin grew wider as she spotted the flowers for which she had been named after. Xiaolang glanced over at the woman he was escorting and smiled seeing what she was looking at.

"Beautiful, aren't they?" he murmured.

Sakura nodded.

"Just like you," Xiaolang added smiling warmly at her.

Sakura blushed but grinned back at him.

"Why, thank you," she accepted the compliment graciously.

The two made it to the end of the path and walked up a flight of marble stairs. Two large ebony doors were opened allowing the light from within to spill out onto the ground outside. Inside beneath a giant glistening chandelier, a giant crowd of people were inside sipping fine wines from tall elegant glasses and nibbling on delicacies. Sakura took one glance around and knew most of these people were millionaires, all men wore impeccable business suits or tuxedos and the women were wearing elegant dresses, jewellery sparkling from their ears, necks and fingers. Sakura couldn't help feeling self-conscious feeling that somehow she didn't fit in. Nervously she smoothed down her dress wondering if she was correctly dressed for this type of function.

'Relax Sakura,' Tomoyo murmured through their com-link, 'you look fine.'

"Why am I here?" the American Angel murmured softly, "You are better suited for these things."

'Then who is going to do the surveillance?' Tomoyo wanted to know.

Sakura sighed.

"You're right... unfortunately."

Suddenly Xiaolang's voice made her jump.

"Talking to yourself?" he asked with a small smile on his face.

Sakura shook her head.

"Com-link," she informed her, "I'm talking to one of my co-workers."

"How?" Xiaolang asked.

He glanced at her face and studied her closely.

"You don't seem to be wired... are you?"

Sakura laughed.

"No, I'm not wired," she told him careful to keep her voice low so she wouldn't be noticed, "The earrings I'm wearing are actually com-links in disguise."

"Then how care she hear you?" Xiaolang asked curiously.

Sakura gestured toward her necklace.

"The diamond pendant on my necklace conceals a recorder as well as a mini-camera," she explained, "My co-worker can hear anything that's going on and could also see what's going on."

Xiaolang nodded.

"Wow, it seems you're a real James Bond," he teased.

Sakura laughed.
"Except I'm not as big as a flirt as him."

"Ah! Xiaolang!" a loud voice called from across the room.

Both of them jumped at the unexpected intrusion but both quickly recovered. Xiaolang slowly turned around a false smile appearing on his face.

"Ryan!" he greeted cheerfully.

The two men exchanged handshakes as the woman standing beside Ryan gave Xiaolang a flirty grin. Sakura glared at her and resisted the urge to tell her to back off instead opting to put a demure smile on his face as the two men chatted.

"So Xiaolang, who is this delightful woman?" Ryan asked winking roguishly at Sakura.

"Ryan, I would like you to meet..."

"I'm Cherry Avalon. Nice to meet you Mr. Trong," Sakura cut in smoothly using her fake name as she held her left hand out.

"Please, Ms. Avalon. Ryan is perfectly fine," Ryan courteously held Sakura's hand in his and kissed it lightly before releasing it.

"Of course," Sakura said politely.

"Xiaolang, do you want to see some of the findings of the dig?" Ryan asked.

Xiaolang smiled and nodded.

"That would be very good," he said politely.

The four of them wandered through the large room as Ryan and Xiaolang chatted, Ryan's escort turned towards Sakura.

"Hi, I'm Ieran," the woman looked Sakura up and down before giving a little laugh as if she knew something Sakura didn't.

"Hello," Sakura offered politely.

"You're nice," Ieran told her glancing at her body.

Sakura knew full well she wasn't complimenting her personality.

"But?" Sakura asked knowingly sighing in exasperation.

Stuck up witch Sakura thought disdainfully.

"You're not as pretty as the others," Ieran added with wicked glee.

Sakura was silent for a moment wondering if she should take the bait, Ieran watched her an evil smirk on her face.

Oh, what the hell! Sakura thought.

"What others?" she asked casually taking the bait.

Ieran laughed and shook her head slightly deliberately showing off her long, cascading black hair.

"His other... girlfriends," Ieran said it with much disdain, "You don't expect a virile young millionaire like to him to be without... lovers?"

Sakura was silent knowing Ieran had deliberately said the word 'lovers' to invoke a reaction out of her.

Well, two can play at this game

"Really?" Sakura asked arching an eyebrow, "How very interesting."

"It is isn't it?" Ieran smirked.

Sakura laughed causing the two men to look at the two women, Sakura grinned at them reassuringly and they turned back to their conversation.

"Then you must the one that clung to him like a..." Sakura paused and grinned wickedly, "... like a lovesick puppy."

Ieran flushed as Sakura smirked knowing she had hit a weakness.

So I was right! Sakura thought smugly.

Judging by the venomous tone in Ieran's voice Sakura had known she must have at some point been Xiaolang's girlfriend. Why else would she try to drive a rift between them even though in reality they weren't going out? Sakura smiled to herself and congratulated herself on reading Ieran right.

"Did he tell you that?" Ieran asked in a clipped tone.

"Oh no," Sakura patted her arm with false sympathy, "He said something much worse but I was nice. I gave you the children version."

Sakura grinned at her as Ieran glared at her, fury causing her black eyes to glow with unholy light.

"Oops and he told swore to me secrecy," Sakura smiled at her with false sadness, "I'm sorry but I've never been able to keep a secret."

With that last parting shot Sakura totally ignored the woman as Ieran spluttered in anger and instead of retorting she settled for a vicious glare in her direction before ignoring her as well.

If Xiaolang and Ryan noticed the tension between the two women they chose to ignore it, instead they chattered a bit about the findings of the dig as they stepped into another room. Sakura sucked in her breath as she studied the glass cases that stood within the room. Each one held a different artefact that was glorified by the many lights that beat down on them. Gold glistened under the artificial lighting. Gems glowed like multi-coloured stars.

Ryan laughed boisterously at the look on Sakura's face.

"Isn't this something?" he asked clapping Xiaolang's back.

"Yes, it's very fine," Xiaolang murmured.

Sakura carefully studied each glass case making sure that the book wasn't amongst the artefacts here. If it was their mission would be so much easier, Sakura sighed. No such luck.

Ryan proceeded to show them the artefacts giving lengthy introductions for each one, Sakura listened with half an ear but was carefully studying each piece hoping to extract some kind of information about where they had come from.

During a lull in the conversation Sakura tried her luck.

"These are very fine examples of Chinese historical artefacts," she complimented Ryan.

"Thank you, Ms. Avalon," Ryan told her with an easy grin, "But these are just the trinkets. There is many more to come."

"Where are these artefacts from?" Sakura asked, "I'm ever so fascinated by these things. My dad is an archaeologist you see."

"Well, I'm not quite sure where they come from..." Ryan began nervously.

'He's lying,' Tomoyo murmured through their com-link.

Sakura resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"So your dad is an archaeologist?" Ryan recovered quickly hoping to make her forget the vague answer he had given her.

Sakura nodded and smiled charmingly.

"Oh, yes."

Ryan opened his mouth to comment but was stopped as a butler dressed in a tuxedo came up to their little group.

"Sir, the guests are waiting for you welcoming speech," he told Ryan.

"Oh yes, yes! Of course," Ryan smiled disarmingly at Xiaolang and Sakura, "If you please?"

Sakura smiled as they left the room and entered the main room again. Ryan strolled to the front of the room, Ieran trailing behind him as Xiaolang and Sakura strolled casually to a discreet corner.

"I heard what Ieran said," Xiaolang began uncomfortably.

"Don't worry, I don't believe her," Sakura told him with a grin.

"Good."

Ryan tapped his champagne glass with a small silver spoon as the guests quietened and gave him them full attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family..." Ryan began.

'Sakura, it's time...' Tomoyo told her.

Sakura nodded.

"Xiaolang. I'm going. Can you make excuses for me?" she asked.
Xiaolang nodded.

"Of course."

"Thanks."

Sakura began walking away.

"Sakura?"

"Yeah?" Sakura turned back to him.

"Good luck," he grinned at her charmingly.

"Thanks."

Sakura stealthily wandered through the crowd careful not to draw attention to herself. As she walked Tomoyo began talking to her through their com-link giving her directions to Ryan's office.

'Sakura, walk up the flight of stairs and you'll come a balcony.'

Sakura walked up the stairs weaving around the few groups of people who stood there listening to Ryan's speech.

'Good. Walk along the balcony until you come to a corridor on your right.'

Sakura walked on and came to the corridor. She turned and casually strolled into the corridor.

'Keep going straight forwards and you'll come to another flight of stairs.'

Sakura saw the stairs and quickly walked up them.

'Turn to your right and the first door on the left is his office.'

Sakura followed her friend's instructions and soon came to an imposing ebony door. She tried to open it but found it was locked. Smiling grimly Sakura slipped a hand beneath her dress.

'You brought your lock picks?'

"Yeah," Sakura murmured.

She continued to grope under her dress until she felt the secret pocket sewn into the inside of her dress. Pulling the Velcro flap off she reached inside and retrieved a slender leather pouch.

She opened it and selected a strangely shaped piece of wire. Gently she inserted it into the lock kneeling down so she was eye level with the doorknob. She twisted the wire gently and smiled as the lock clicked. She stood up and twisted the doorknob before pushing the door open. She strolled inside and quietly closed the door behind her.

'Sakura. Stop!' Tomoyo yelled suddenly.

"What?" Sakura murmured.

'Cameras. From where you're standing you're just out of range. Don't get in any closer until I tell you to. I'm hacking the surveillance computers.'

Sakura nodded and waited patiently. It didn't take long, thirty seconds later Tomoyo spoke again.

'Camera disabled. Go.'

The American Angel strolled towards the desk situated in front of the far wall as she walked her hand slipped under her dress again. Placing the lock pick kit back into the hidden pocket, she pulled out a pair of gloves and two disks. Slipping them on she reached the computer and sat down onto the chair. She booted up the computer and waited patiently as the screen hummed to life.

A message appeared on the screen demanding the password. Sakura smirked and shoved one of the disks into the computer.

The disk booted up as another of Tomoyo's self-made programs appeared. The program quickly broke through the computer's safety systems and Sakura was soon greeted with the computer's desktop.

Humming softly to herself Sakura ejected the disk and inserted the other one. Quickly she copied the program on the disk onto the computer's hard drive. Like most of Tomoyo's programs, the program would remain invisible to any scans that computer would run and will self-destruct itself after a certain time period. Also the computer will have absolutely no record of Sakura entering its desktop, such was the power of Tomoyo's computer wizardry.

Sakura shut down the computer and ejected the disk. Singing softly to herself she slipped the disks back into the secret pocket and began to get up. She froze suddenly seeing a peculiar box on the desk; the box was small... about a quarter of the size of a normal CD case. But it was old, carved of some kind of unidentifiable wood with intricate designs etched onto it. A winged lion snarled at her from the lid as the sides showed off images of dancing flames. Sakura gently touched it and to her immense surprise with a soft click the lid open.

"What is that?" she murmured.

She stood transfixed as she studied the item inside. A key lay inside, a gold chain threaded through the metal. The key was created in an old fashioned style but it was not that that drew Sakura to it. It was the shape of the key. The top section of the key was circular and a large five-cornered star was etched into the metal. Two intricately shaped feather wings carved of gold adorned the sides, Sakura trace these wings with her fingers as she picked it up.

As though in a trance, Sakura looped the gold chain around her neck. The key seemed to glow with some inner light as she admired the stark contrast between the brilliant colour of the gold set against the midnight black of her dress. Still transfixed with the key, Sakura slipped it off and almost unknowingly slipped the key inside her secret pocket. She reached over and closed the box.

It was as though she was coming out a dream, Sakura blinked sleepily and frowned realising where she was. She was dimly aware of the fact that she had just stolen a precious artefact but did not find herself overly concerned about it.

Quickly she strolled towards the exit, opening the door she peered outside.

The coast was clear.

She slipped outside and paused to rub the doorknob with her gloves eliminating any chance of her fingerprints being found on the metal. She slipped off her glove and slipped them back into the secret pocket.

'Good, I'm hacking in,' Tomoyo informed her not aware of the fact that Sakura had stolen something.
Sakura nodded as she quickly began making her way back to the main room. She was just about to descend down the flight of stairs when someone yelled at her.

"Miss!"
Sakura turned around slowly allowing a charming smile to appear over her face.

"Yes?" she asked the butler.

"Miss, you do realise this is restricted area, don't you?" the butler asked bowing to her stiffly.

Sakura feigned shock.

"Oh, I'm so sorry but I had to use the restroom and I got a little... lost," Sakura allowed a blush to appear on her face, "I'm terribly sorry if I'm in..."

"No, it's okay," the butler reassured her, "I'll take you back."

"Why, thank you," Sakura smiled at her coyly.

She strolled after the butler as the man led the way back to the main room.

'That was close.'

Sakura nodded slightly. The butler stopped in front of the main flight of stairs.

"This is it, miss."

"Why, thank you very much," Sakura gave him a final smile before walking down the marble stairs and rejoining Xiaolang who had been watching her worriedly.

"Did you pull it off?" he asked concerned.

Sakura smiled at him mysteriously.

"Of course, I did."

Xiaolang smiled at her. Sakura glanced around the room and saw that Ryan had finished his speech and was mingling with his guests.

"Well, you missed out a flowery and somewhat boring speech," Xiaolang informed her.

"Oh no, what a shame," Sakura said sweetly.

The two strolled through the crowd as various people yelled out greetings to Xiaolang. In response, the man smiled and shook hands as Sakura avoided questioning gazes. He continued to lead her through the crowd.

"Okay, where are we going?" Sakura asked.

"Somewhere quieter," Xiaolang smiled ruefully at her, "I'm getting a headache."

Sakura smiled softly as Xiaolang led her into exhibition room, they were silent for a moment as Sakura studied the artefacts once more. She glanced around and frowned.

"What's the problem?" Xiaolang asked noticing.

"You know if this party is supposed to be about these artefacts there are not that many people actually looking at them," she noted.

Xiaolang laughed.

"This sort of events is just a chance for businessmen to..." Xiaolang paused looking for a phrase to express his feelings, "... suck up to rich men and rich men come here to be admired and pampered."

Sakura frowned.

"Such is the life of the rich and famous," her companion said with a crooked grin.

Sakura shuddered.

"I would hate that kind of life. To be surrounded by deceptive manipulators and false smiles..."

A hurt look came over Xiaolang's face. Sakura gaped at him before recovering quickly. She silently kicked herself.

"Not that everybody is like that..." she said hurriedly, flustered, "I mean you don't do that... you don't try to be chummy with rich people."

"Chummy?" Xiaolang asked with a grin.

Sakura blushed.

"You know? Friendly?"

Xiaolang laughed.

"I know what it means but it sounds so peculiar to hear you say it."
Sakura frowned not quite understanding.

"Okay, I'll take the bait... why?"

"It just makes you sound like a little girl."

Now Sakura was really confused.

"Okay..." she said slowly.

Xiaolang saw that Sakura had no idea what he was trying to get at (and to be perfectly honest he wasn't sure what he was trying to do either) so he decided to drop the subject.

They stood there in comfortable silence for a while just admiring the treasures that Ryan had collected.

"You know," Xiaolang said suddenly, "This is probably the most interesting party I've been to in a long time."

"Yeah? Why?" Sakura asked surprised.

Xiaolang sent her a smile chock full of flirty goodness.

"Because you're here," he said his voice a warm whisper.

Sakura tried to stop herself but she couldn't help it. Her cheeks became a brilliant red as her heartbeat quickened.

"Ummm..." she stalled trying to think of something to say.

Xiaolang leant forwards as Sakura began panicking.

He's going to kiss me!! her mind screamed.

Sakura was confused.

She knew they shouldn't but a small traitorous part of mind wanted it.

She knew it would complicate things but her heart told her to go for it.

Her body... hell, it was screaming for it.

Sakura was utterly and completely lost for a good course of action.

Should she kiss him?

Or should she turn away?

I need time to think! Sakura thought desperately as Xiaolang leaned close towards her.

She wished desperately that someone would walk in and disturb the moment.

A few seconds later her wish came true...

But it had a nasty twist to it.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

"So how are you going?" Meiling asked as she peered over Tomoyo's shoulder.

The whole computer screen was filled with numbers, letters and symbols. To Meiling it looked alien and seem to be the scrawling of a madman but Tomoyo seemed to be at complete ease as she typed hurriedly.

"Give me a sec," Tomoyo said calmly as she continued typing.

Meiling sighed in frustration and continued pacing the room.

"Got it!" Tomoyo yelled cheerfully as she hit the last key.

The numbers, letters and symbols faded away until a file appeared. Tomoyo quickly copied the file to her laptop's hard drive before quickly scanning it.

"It has the exact locations!" a happy grin spread across her face as she read the file.

"Where?" Meiling demanded.

"Mongolia... in the Altai mountains," Tomoyo frowned, "Wait a minute."

She typed in something and a map appeared on the screen. A blinking red dot came to life on the map.

"I'm guessing that's the location?" Meiling asked looking at the map.

"It sure is."

"Good," Meiling suddenly frowned, "How's Sakura doing?"

Tomoyo blinked realising she had just forgotten about her. She quickly minimised the file and brought up another one. This one was connected to the mini-camera in Sakura's necklace, from the screen Tomoyo could see everything that was happening. Suddenly she froze.

"What?" Meiling demanded.

Tomoyo swore loudly.

"Damn!"

"What?" Meiling peered over Tomoyo's shoulders and blinked slowly.

"Trouble," she murmured.

Tomoyo nodded.

"Big trouble."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Sakura was still panicking as Xiaolang came in closer.

Oh god! What am I going to do? What am I going to do?

She was starting to pray for something to break this moment and to her immense relief something did happen. But her relief quickly faded to be replaced by shock and fear.

"FREEZE!" a loud voice yelled.

From the main room the sound of screaming and general panic could be held. Xiaolang suddenly stood up straight.

"What is going on?" he wondered more curious than alarmed.

Sakura frowned and the two walk hurriedly to the door leading to the main room. Sakura peered into the main room and gasped seeing what was happening.

A team of commandos stood in the doorways each one holding a fully automatic weapon. Sakura gritted her teeth knowing where she had seen them before.

The Paris museum...

"Spinnel..." she muttered in disgust.

Xiaolang was silent beside her as he watched the scene fold out before them. One of the commands strolled across the room as the rest of his team kept their weapons trained on the guests, which were stunned into silence.

"Ryan Trong?" the leader asked in a rough voice as he stopped in front of the man.

"Yes?"

"You're coming with me," the leader commanded.
He turned around and gestured to his team. Two commandos peeled off from the main group and join him, together the trio kept the guns trained at Ryan as they led him upstairs.

"Damn it," Sakura growled.

'Sakura?'

"Tomoyo, can you two get here quick?" Sakura asked in a whisper trying not to draw attention to herself.

'We're on our way but you've got to stop the three commandos with Ryan. They're probably going to take him to the office and extract the information about the locations from him.'

"Got a plan?"

'A dangerous and fool-hardy plan... but yeah I've got a plan.'

"Good give it to me."

'Alright,' Tomoyo sighed, 'This is what you do...'

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Hmmm... guess what? Another CLIFFHANGER! Awww... Sakura and Xiaolang didn't kiss... you didn't think it would be that simple did you? (Evil grin) Well, you know what to do review!!

Next chapter:

Sakura and Xiaolang are stuck inside the mansion as the Spinnel commandos attempt to retrieve the location of the second book. Tomoyo and Meiling are rushing over as fast as they can as Sakura attempts a dangerous plan in order to halt the commandos' efforts. Will Tomoyo's plan work? And what is the significance of the key Sakura had stolen? Plenty of actions, twists and surprise in... Talisman of the Sun

A/Note:

Okay, in case you're wondering what Sakura's key looks like it looks rather like the Star Key in the original CCS series. However the key is a lot smaller but a little longer in shape and size. The whole key is made out of gold and will a major role in the coming chapters.

S/S fans... well sorry, but they don't kiss yet... ahhh... don't you love suspense?