Chapter Two:

Syaoran looked back at the bed before pulling the rope near the mantle. The servant from the night before appeared moments later. He ushered her outside, closing the door softly behind him.

"Yes, my lord?" she asked head down.

"I need to speak with the owner immediately."

The woman nodded her head in response, "Yes, my lord. If you would please allow me to awake her before, I'll take you to her rooms."

He just looked at her before dismissing her, "Hai, but please hurry."

"Yes, my lord," she replied, taking off down the hall.

He placed his hand on the doorknob and paused. He couldn't go back in there until he spoke with the owner. It didn't seem right considering his intentions; and besides he didn't trust himself with her. It was hell sleeping beside her after her announcement of coming with him. It took all of his will to withhold from her innocent temptation. He closed his eyes briefly. It would do him good to be away from her for a while. He turned around. He might as well look for Liam.

He sighed, running his hands through his hair. His thoughts were running wild. Trouble always seems to follow him whenever women were involved. He was so deep in thought he didn't stop for the man in front of him. Smack!

The impact sent the man sprawling backwards. Syaoran looked at him apologetically as he gave him his hand.  The man ignored it, "Watch where you are headed?" he barked, getting to his feet.  He brushed himself off before looking at Syaoran. A flash of recognition passed his eyes before he replaced it was haughtiness. He bowed, looking at him from the length of his nose. Syaoran instantly narrowed his eyes.

"Please accept my apology, my lord," said the man through gritted teeth. He had a vindictive look to him.

Syaoran straightened his form. "It has been denied," he replied with disdain. There was something about this man that was sinister and it was not appreciated. He looked over him. He had to be at least a year or two younger than him and from a poor lineage, from first glance. He was also wearing clothes of a servant boy, from the looks of it either stolen or years old. "What is your name?"

"Chadwick, sir" he replied less than respectful. He was still slightly bowed.

"Look at me," commanded Syaoran. A servant would not have cowered so long nor speak with such disrespect unless he was not who he appeared to be. And Syaoran definitely didn't miss the flash of recognition in his eyes. There was definitely something amiss with this man.

Chadwick complied, meeting Syaoran's unrelenting gaze. His demeanor was not one that a servant would have more that of a noble. "Who is your father, boy?"

He looked ready to attack. He clamped his teeth shut, "I don't know, my lord. I am a bastard. My mother passed away when I was a lad."

Syaoran grabbed him by his shirt and rammed him against the wall. His look menacing, "Do not lie to me," he said. "What do you want?"

Chadwick had his hands around Syaoran's, fighting back. His eyes were ablaze with hidden rage. It would've caught Syaoran by surprise if he hadn't expected it. He kneaded him in the chest. Chadwick doubled over; Syaoran righted him looking into his eyes. "What are you doing here?"

Chadwick tried to regain his breathe, "I do not know what you are speaking of my lord. I am just a stable boy."

Syaoran brought him forward only to ram him back again, Chadwick head hit the wall.  "Like hell you are; who sent you?"

"No one, my lord."

"Who?" he asked more callously.

Syaoran was faintly aware of the commotion behind him. He had planned this, he had planned it all. Chadwick smirked in response before whispering so that only Syaoran could hear, "I'm glad you saw through the guise. It saved me a great deal of trouble Li."

Syaoran halted, his grip tightened. "What do you want?"

He laughed bitterly as if he wasn't at his mercy. "Revenge."

"For what?"

"Her. Consider this your warning," with that he returned to his servant form. He slackened his resistance and pretended to cower in Syaoran's hold. "Please, my lord. I walked into the wrong room."

Syaoran suddenly became completely aware of his surroundings. He released his grasp and threw himself from him. His eyes were narrowed as he replied, "It's alright. It was just a misunderstanding."

Chadwick bowed, "I am deeply gracious, my lord." Syaoran heard him snicker.

Syaoran dismissed him before turning around. He was met with the scolding glare of the owner. He straightened himself as she dismissed everyone back to their respectable rooms. She made her way towards him, "I didn't think you were a troublemaker or else I would've sent you on your way, lord or not."

Syaoran wasn't impressed, "I'm sure you would have," he replied sarcastically.

She ignored the comment, "You wanted to see me." Her plan of seduction coming to mind.

"Hai, I thought I was being called to your rooms, was I mistaken?" he asked.

"No, you weren't, but when the servant girl came to retrieve you, you were making quite a scene."

"I apologize, it was indeed a misunderstanding."

"I'm sure it was," she said walking away. She paused and turned to him, "Aren't you coming?"

He followed solemnly.

"You want me to do what?" the owner asked outraged. This was clearly not what she had expected.  She didn't care who he was, she wasn't going to agree with such ludicrousness. She was sitting behind a large desk in her makeshift study. It easily could have been mistaken for a dressing room with the clothes thrown about the place. It made her even more ghastly to him.

Syaoran sat in the chair that was offered upon entering her chambers. He took quick note of her rooms. She had owned a whole floor to herself and it was much grander than one would expect from someone of her occupation. He wondered where the girls sleep during the day. He looked at her bored, wishing dearly that he had brought his quizzing glass with him.  "I said that I want to take Sakura with me." He didn't expect this to be easy.

She shook her head with such force he thought it would fall off, "Absolutely not. It's unheard of. I can't, no, I won't allow it."

"You can and you will allow it. I do not want to hear your highly corrupt morals bestowed upon me," he said harshly.

She looked offended. She stood up, throwing the chair back in the process. "I will not be insulted in my own establishment."

He held up his hand, silencing her. "You don't seem to realize whom you are dealing with woman." The woman's stubbornness was getting him very annoyed and her constant lying.

"I don't care who you are, the answer is no. Now if you would be so kind, my lord, leave. I'll have the guards show you out."

Syaoran laughed, so she doesn't know who I am. She made her way around the desk and was halfway to the door when he spoke to her. "Tell me, who did you think I was when I was seated at your table tonight?" She paused and turned around, baffled. He stood up and began to walk to her, "I daresay you didn't know who I was, just that I was from a wealthy family." She backed up against the wall. He stopped inches away from her making sure he didn't touch her. "You had me spotted out as soon as I walked in the room, didn't you? Sakura, you had her in mind for me. Your willingness to please me made that more than evident, but that backfired, didn't it? You thought you could get something out of it, especially after you saw what I was worth."

She was about to protest and move out the way, but he placed one hand on the wall behind, trapping her between his arms. He lowered his head to her ear, "What would my father think when he hears of the activities taking place on his grounds?" he asked softly.

She looked at him dismayed, "What do you mean his grounds?"

He laughed softly, "Oh, so you really didn't know. How foolish of you."


She pushed him away then, "What are you talking about?" She was shaking slightly, from fear or from his closeness he didn't know. Either way he didn't care, he was going to get Sakura one way or another.

He backed up and shoved his hands in his pockets, looking at her boyishly. "I am Syaoran Li, heir to the Duke of Bradenton," he said proudly.

Her eyes widened with fear. She bowed immediately, apologies spewing from her mouth. He smiled despite himself; he really shouldn't be enjoying this. His smile disappeared after she rose, "Please, please forgive my lord."

He nodded in acknowledgement, "Only if you release the girl."

She shook her head, "I can't, you don't understand…she is my ward."

A look of disdain was on his face. He stood up straight and looked down the length of his nose, "How is it that she came into your care?" he asked softly.

Her shoulders slumped and she sighed as if she had the weight of the world upon her shoulders, "Her stepfather brought her here, sir." 

"I know all of that, woman. Just how did he know that you would take her? And please save yourself from your ridiculous lies; it will get you no where."

She put her hand to her mouth as she began to pace around the small room. She stopped a few moments later by the window, "I knew him when I was a child. We were close and I owed him my life. He had no choice, but to bring her to me. I was the only person that he could trust. He said he would return for her, but that was years ago."

"Years ago?" he asked confused. "I don't understand."

"Sakura has been in my care for six years," she said, turning around.

He looked shocked, "Six?" He hadn't expected this turn of events. He had thought that she had just recently had come here. The conversation started to click into place and he now understood her reluctance to speak about it. His eyes softened, she was truly an angel. One thing didn't make sense though, why was Sakura now working as a lowly prostitute.

The woman nodded.

"What was the sudden change of heart?" he asked venomously. There was no doubt in his mind that she knew exactly what he was talking about.

"It became a challenge to take care of her and as the years passed by and it became more evident that he wasn't coming back, I thought of a more efficient way to keep her."

"To make a profit from her you mean."

She nodded, showing no remorse. He looked even more disgusted with her. "The little wench owes me and because of the damned debt I owed I had to sacrifice my girls to make rounds to watch over her. It was the least she could do for my generosity."

Syaoran had to do all in his power not to strike her. If had ever had the urge to strike a woman, it was now, but he had a better plan in mind for her. "Well, I'm glad that I have made your acquaintance then."

"What?" she asked.

"You have been relieved of your debt to her stepfather, consider in now in void. I will pay you for all the years that she has been in your care. She is now my ward," he bowed, "Good day to you madam." He threw another pouch of money to her feet and made his way through the door before she could protest. He then proceeded to go downstairs and opened all the doors, calling for Liam. He was making a spectacle of himself and didn't give a damn about it.

Liam came running out of a room close to Sakura's. He was pulling up his pants and looking quite disordered. "What is going on, Xiao Lang?" he asked frenetically.

Syaoran just smiled sheepishly, "I hope you enjoyed yourself because we are leaving," he said as he continued to walk to Sakura's room.

"Leaving?" he asked, confused.

"Yes, in about five minutes," he called out before opening the door and disappearing inside.

Sakura was just finishing off the last of breakfast as Syaoran came storming into the room. She looked surprised and startled as he began to grab his things around the room.

"Gather your things and get ready to go," he told her as he picked up the last of his discarded clothes. When she didn't move her looked over to her, "What's wrong?" he asked as he put his belongings on the bed. He made his way over to her and held her face in between his hands, "I hope you aren't reconsidering this," he said solemnly.

She looked him in the eyes for a moment before averting her eyes. She looked like she was disbelief. He pulled her over to the bed and into his lap as he sat down, "What's wrong?" he asked again.

She mumbled something incoherently. He put his head further so that he could listen as she repeated it. "I thought that you had changed your mind," she admitted. "I woke up and you were gone."

He smiled before placing a kiss on her lips, "I would not do that, darling."

She smiled and pressed her forehead to his, "I was hoping you wouldn't."

He sighed; being this close to her was affecting his senses. He gently brought her to stand with him, "We have to leave now. I had the horses drawn to the front," he lied. He didn't know how they were going to get out of here without a fight. It was a matter of time before the owner regained her senses and came after him with all the guards available and he was pretty sure that some of the men would help her too, nobility or not, Sakura was a treasure that they wanted.

Sakura nodded as she put on the garment that she wore before he carelessly threw it off of her. He was heading to the door when she called out to him. He turned around.

"We have a problem. I can not leave here in this."

He frowned as looked her over. She was right. There was many things wrong with the garment; but the main ones was that it left nothing to the imagination and she would catch her death when she stepped out of the brothel. He slammed his fist into the wall as he cursed. Why didn't he think of this earlier?

He opened the door only to met Liam's fist. He stumbled from the unexpected blow. Liam laughed as he handed his friend up, "Sorry, my boy, didn't see you coming. I was about to knock."

Syaoran cursed, "Like hell you didn't." He cradled his right cheek with his hand. He was about to continues when Sakura's movement behind him reminded him of his current situation. Liam followed his train of thought with a raised eyebrow, "You didn't?" he asked surprised.

Syaoran shook his head, "Not the time or place, Liam. We have a problem."

Liam returned his gaze to his friend reluctantly. "What problem? And who is we?"

"We; me, you, and," he looked over his shoulder, "her." Liam followed him up until that last point. Syaoran looked as if he just got we into a whole shit load of trouble. He smiled at her before pulling Syaoran with him out the door and closed it. He checked the hallway before grabbing him by the shirt and thrusting him backwards to hit the door behind him. Syaoran caught the reaction in time to prepare himself for the impact. He then pushed Liam off of him, "What the hell is your problem?"

Liam cursed as he balled his hands into fist, "I was just about to ask you the same thing after, I knocked some sense into you."

"I am in a perfect state of mind, my friend. It is you that needs to get help." He narrowed his eyes, "Now, are you going to help me or not."

Liam sighed, frustrated. "Who is she?" he asked.

"A friend," Syaoran answered.

Liam looked threatening, "Do not play games with me, Xiao Lang. If I'm going to help you, I'll be damned if I'm doing it blindsided." He was a naturally good-natured man. It took a great deal to get him worked up to the point of physical blows, especially of those directed to his best friend; but having seeing that look upon Syaoran's face, there needed to be intervention, especially when it was known that from their youth, Syaoran never got them in just a minor problem. 

Syaoran nodded, "I know. I'm sorry." He then told him everything. Everything, except about Chadwick. This was neither the time nor place for that conversation. Liam punched the wall, it was a matter of time before the meddling owner came looking for them indeed.

"God, Syaoran…if I had known this would have happen when I forced you to come with me I would have let you stayed home." 

Syaoran cringed upon hearing his name, he was angry. Syaoran patted him on his shoulder, "Cheer up, at least we aren't having a dull time."

Liam glared at him, "Don't remind me." Syaoran laughed and Liam followed suit, "You owe me, Xiao Lang."

Syaoran nodded, "Yes."

Liam sighed before putting on his cheery face. "Well, we better attended to your siren before the dogs come out." He put his hand on the doorknob, "You go first."

Syaoran laughed, reminding him of his bruised jaw. It was a small price to pay, he guessed. He opened the door to find Sakura wrapped in his cloak, "I'm ready," she called out. He frowned, it was ten times bigger than she and she must not have been too warm in it.

"We need to find you other clothes," he said.

She shook her head and opened her cloak. She was wearing servant clothes. He looked at her questioningly. "I found them in the adjoining washroom."

He smiled, "Good." He looked back to find Liam already out the door and on the lookout for anyone.

He waved them on, "We had better go while the coast is clear, Xiao Lang."

Syaoran nodded before grabbing her hand, "Ready?" he asked again. "There is no turning back after this."

She nodded, "I know."

With that they disappeared through the door and made their way out to her freedom and possibly their exile.

Author's Note:

I know, I know. I am so sorry, I had no intention of taking this long to update, none whatsoever. I had midterms and a death in the family. So that pretty much took up all my time. I just finally, thank god, had time to sit down, and sat down I did and wrote for two days straight. It was driving me mad that I hadn't updated. All these ideas were spewing from my mind like floods. I made it long, hopefully that will make amends for a little while, lol. Thank you for your reviews.  I really didn't expect you guys to like this story *knocks on wood* I'm glad that you did. I kinda went overboard and revealed too many things, too soon, but I see it's working for the better…you don't know all my secrets. Well, I look forward to your reviews. And I will start on the next chapter tomorrow. My hands are cramping, lol. Till Next Time: (Midnight Passion)