AN:

Shout out to The Angels' Princess for being possibly the only one to read the last AN and understand that I have exams and they are more important than writing.

Interesting statistic. About 1 in 100 people who read this story actually review… So love to all of my reviewers. Two more chapters to go.

If you want everything, You'll end up with nothing - Lulu (Final Fantasy X)

Chapter Fifteen: We All Fall Down

In Anaheim, Los Angeles a young woman sat calmly, gazing at the sheet of paper in her hands. Her beautiful face was twisted in an unusual display of anger at the picture before her.

Toying with a long curled lock of platinum blonde her she pouted her cherry red lips and grasped the phone beside her.

"I thought you were doing something about this?" she murmured, her voice falsely bright.

Pausing to listen to the answer she frowned, her voice losing a bit of its saccharine, "I don't care if it's not as easy as you thought it would be. I want it done and I want it done soon."

Long acrylic fingernails tapped against the glass tabletop beside her as she listened impatiently to his excuse.

"Just do it, or the next person to take a fall will be you."

Flipping the phone off she stood and paced the room, finally stopping at a mirror. Bright blue eyes enhanced by contact lenses, artificially tanned skin and collagen enhanced lips stared back at her.

Picking up a mascara wand she brushed it expertly over already dark eyelashes.

Smiling at her appearance she placed it back in her Gucci handbag, picked it up and walked out of her apartment, offering generously fake smiles to the paparazzi waiting for her outside of it.

As the black limo pulled up outside of the apartment block she turned to flash one last smile before disappearing into the vehicle.

- O -

"Not very nice are you?" Mahara Ritsuko murmured taking in the young man's appearance with critical eyes.

Black hair ruffled with the wind and dark red/brown eyes narrowed at her as he pushed off of the railing of the ship.

"Something you want, Princess?"

She sighed, drawing a hand back through her own hip length black hair, "We've been through this already, my name is Ritsuko!"

He grinned slightly, "I know, but Princess suits you."

Rolling her eyes she turned her back to the rail and leaned against it, eyes following the movements of the people on the ship. Letting herself get lost in the words of the people surrounding her and the rhythmic rocking of the ship.

"Ritsuko,"

She started and looked at him, wondering if he were sick. Since meeting him a week ago she could count the number of times he had spoken to her voluntarily on one hand.

"Yes?"

"You should think about getting off of this ship at the next port, it's dangerous for a girl like you."

She beamed at him, "Are you concerned Asakura, about me?"

Her amusement died as he caught her cheek with one large hand and looked at her carefully, "Go home to your family Princess."

Her amusement was long gone now and annoyance flashed momentarily in her eyes before being covered with a cheerful smile, "I am Asakura."

With those last words she drew away from him and walked back below into the cabins, leaving him standing alone on the deck.

"And cut! Great job today people, take a break."

Mahara Ritsuko smiled at her co-stars, crossing the set until she reached the trailer she had come to call her own. It wasn't until she sat down inside and drew off the wig that Mahara Ritsuko became Li Sakura again.

The phone beside her chimed angrily and she smiled at it, observing the dark circles beneath her eyes barely showing through the makeup as she picked up the phone.

"Hello,"

"Sakura,"

She smiled with content at the voice on the other end, "Hey Syaoran."

As she began chattering away at the things that had happened that day she couldn't help but remember what a rocky relationship they'd had.

Just when they'd begun to work out their problems, they'd been pulled apart again and now barely saw each other. She was and had been filming her new movie for the last three months and as the legal heir of Li Corporation every other company now wished to meet with him to secure alliances and deals. They'd barely seen each other since their rush marriage.

"Are you listening to me Sakura?"

She jumped and smiled, "Of course I was Syaoran, when have I not listened to a word you've said?"

She could practically hear him scowling on the other side of the phone.

"Well since my wife won't even listen to what I'm saying I suppose I'll have to find some people that have to. I have a meeting, I'll talk to you later alright?"

"Ok," she replied smiling.

The next call could be heard just as she was hanging up the phone. Sighing she donned the wig to become Mahara Ritsuko again and leave Li Sakura to her own problems.

- O -

Li Syaoran flipped his cell off as he wandered down the corridors. It was odd just how quickly it had taken him to become accustomed to his wife's presence.

Sure, at first he had been playing nice to her to suit his mothers desire, but it was more than that. Ever since he had woken up in that hotel room with her laying snugly next to him several revelations had occurred to him about Kinomoto Sakura. Washing her off of his body later he had been forced to realise that many of his assumptions had been wrong.

It had been difficult to be nice to her at first. The walls he had spent so much time building still firmly up. It had taken her less than a week to slip past those walls. And he had found it easier and easier to like her.

"Li, just the man we've been waiting for."

He offered a short nod to the men waiting in the room, siting at the head of the table.

"How's the wife?" a short man he remembered to be named Tupeziki queried lightly.

He smiled slightly, "She's fine, the movie shoot seems to be going well."

"I must say Li, marrying your cousin to the Muzashi heir was a stroke of pure genius. Tell me will his uncle be attending the wedding?"

Syaoran's jaw clenched, "If you're implying that them marrying was a political move on my part you a sorely mistaken. They are in love and I don't intend to stand in their way."

"You must be worried though, after all, first and foremost the Muzashi's priorities lie with the family, should anything, untoward happen to his uncle he will be expected to set your cousin aside and take a wife more appropriate to his status."

Casting a narrow look at the representative who had spoken, a snob from one of his formerly rival companies, he smoothed his features and said pointedly, "We are here to discuss our actions gentlemen, not to speculate on my families personal lives."

There was a shuffling agreement before the men began to talk business again.

- O -

The young woman entered the apartment with a sigh of relief that turned to curiosity as she eyed the occupant of her large couch.

"What are you doing here Eriol?"

"I'm surprised Moyo darling, I thought that you'd ask how I'd gotten in first," the black haired man responded smiling charmingly at her.

She sent him a wry grin, "What am I this, time, your fiancée? Your wife? Your sister?"

He bounced excitedly as he responded, "None, you're my lonely cousin who doesn't speak Mandarin too well."

"This is the fifth hotel suite you've managed to break into Eriol, I'm beginning to worry."

His grin widened, "You never worry."
Shrugging at that comment she sat her bag down on the kitchen counter and pulled off her heels.

"Anything good on?" she queried, coming to sit beside him.

He kissed her soundly as she made herself comfortable, letting it deepen until he was breathless and she was little better.

"Moyo, lets go to England."

She pushed back from him slightly, "England, Eriol?"

He smiled, "Yes, you need a vacation, you could meet my family."

She laughed, "Eriol, I don't have time to take a vacation at the moment, besides, why would I be meeting your family?"

He watched her for a moment longer before kissing her soundly once more.

"Eriol?"

Smiling he stood up, "I suppose I'll see you around then Tomoyo."

She frowned slightly, "Why?"

"I've been called back, my family needs me and our business has been concluded, Syaoran and your cousin are married. It's time for me to return."

Tomoyo watched him leave without saying a word, eyes grave as he leant forward before he left and gave her one last kiss. It was funny how little she had ever consider his feelings or her own in their game. He had always been so accessible, it was odd to realise that he had been putting his life on hold for her. Eriol had been a friend and a companion, sure they had become intimate but she had never given the situation much thought. It wasn't until he was leaving that she realised that she didn't want him to go.

- O -

The conference had run late and Mei Ling was stuck in their mansion alone and bored.

The TV offered nothing new and enlightening to her attention and books weren't her thing, so she was forced to sit in the living room barely watching music videos on MTV while she listened nervously for the door.

Millions of thoughts were whirring through her head.

What if he had changed his mind, what if he didn't love her anymore, what if something had happened to him and her personal worry, what if something had happened to his uncle.

When the door sounded she jolted out of her chair, trying to move as quickly as she could without making it seem as if she were anxious. She found him in the doorway, pulling off his jacket and placing it on the hook. His figure seemed slightly hunched and her mind went into overdrive bringing up all of the possibilities. One remained focussed in her mind. It was when he turned around and she caught a glimpse of his haggard face that she gasped.

"Jason, what's happened?" she demanded, following him and he walked through the house to the kitchen, pouring himself a glass of scotch.

His eyes turned on her and for once they were serious, without the mocking gleam that she had become so accustomed to.

"My uncle, he's ill."

She closed her eyes releasing a deep breath to stop from screaming before opening them again.

"I guess this is it then," she smiled but it was more bitter than sweet.

He glared at her, "I'm not giving you up Mei Ling, I've already told the council that."

Her smile no longer reached her eyes, "No?"

Slamming the glass against the counter he crossed the expansive kitchen to face her, grasping her shoulders and holding her in place.

"I am marrying you Mei Ling, that is not something I'm planning to set aside for anyone."

Prying herself gently from his grip she placed a hand gently against his cheek, "Jason, the people will need you, a diplomatic alliance would be the best thing for you."

"I don't care!" he murmured, pulling her against him, "I love you."

A sigh escaped her lips, "They'll turn you into a martyr make you out be selfish and foolish. The press will be here everyday the people will hate us."

"I don't care!" he whispered against her hair.

Closing her eyes as the tears threatened to fall she stepped back.

"I do."

Placing her engagement ring carefully back into his palm, avoiding his shocked gaze she walked away from him knowing that this would be the best thing for him. The best thing for both of them.

- O -

It was late when Sakura finally got the chance to retire to her temporary house. She was tired but the satisfaction was there prominent beneath everything else.

"Sakura, hey!"

She turned and smiled, "Hey Kenji, can I get you anything."

He smiled at her, a beautiful smile that was useless, "I'd love something to eat, come have dinner with me?"

"I don't think so Kenji, not tonight."

Concern filtered into his gaze, "You tired? I forget that you're not used to the long hours."

Smiling at him she nodded, pulling the prepared food out of the fridge and reading the directions stuck to it.

"Sakura," he breathed and she looked up to find he was far closer to her than she had first thought; in fact a scant inch lay between them now.

An uncertain smile crossed her face, "Yes?"

He grinned and leant forward plastering his lips against hers.

Shock reigned for a few moments as she stood unresponsive in his embrace before she pushed him back, "Kenji I'm married!"

He looked at her lustily, "Oh come on Sakura, can you really tell me you didn't feel anything?"

Breathing deeply as she watched him Sakura stated as calmly as she could, "I think you had better leave now Kenji, I'll do you a favour and forget this ever happened."

Watching him slink away and the door shut behind him she couldn't help but look to the front window because she had been certain that she'd seen flashes.

O - O - O