The Cotton Club

Disclaimer –I do not own Cardcaptor Sakura or its characters.

(A/N- gangster fic of the roaring 20's. lol. I know I'd said I wouldn't start another fic without finishing another but…well….i lied… Oh, the characters aren't Japanese in this fic but have those names for obvious reasons.)

DOUBLE IMPORTANT DO NOT BE OFFENDED- this is a historically accurate, researched piece and it does offer a bit of racism, but that's how it was back then.

SORRY IF THE LANGUAGE IS SORTA ANNOYING, BUT I'M TRYING TO POTRAY THE STORY BEING NARRATED BY SOMEONE OF A THIRD PARTY, LIKE THEY WERE STANDING RIGHT BESIDE THEM ALL THE TIME, BUT WEREN'T AN ACTUAL PERSON IN THAT ERA. AND THEY SAY STUFF LIKE 'chicks' AND broads" ETC, ETC. sorry tell me if it's annoying in reviews. And I'll stop.

ATTENTION BAD GRAMMER ON PURPOSE…(read above)

Narrator

It is a Friday night. It is dark outside, there is no moon tonight. The stars cannot be seen for the city lights drown their brightness. It is the City of New York. The centre of activity and the world in this year that is 1926.

But the place to be in New York is Harlem. It is the core of the cities entertainment. Between Lenox and Seventh Avenue there are over 125 different nightclubs. Among these are speakeasies, cellars, lounges, cafes, taverns, supper clubs, rib joints, theaters, dance halls, and an unknown number of bars and grills. It is a hustler's town.

But the most populated and frequented of all these would undoubtedly be the infamous 'The Cotton Club' that lies in the heart of Harlem and is situated on the corner of West 142nd Street and Lenox Avenue. It is definitely the place to be in New York.

It holds the glitterati of today's society. Anyone who is anybody can be seen there.

It's great for letting lose and unwinding after a long day working. Or just for a good laugh and a strong drink.

The Cotton Club is one of the various speakeasies around that do not do things…by the book. Considering the owner, one Owney Madden- a notorious gangster- owns the joint, what else do you expect?

Prohibition had hit at the start of the decade and is still plaguing our fair city. However, you can not get a drink in New York unless you walk ten feet in every direction. Illegal ratchets were going on everywhere and not just involving booze. Prostitution was quite popular, and who can forget good old fashioned theft? The criminals basically ruled the city and at the head the criminals were the gangsters.

This is the case with the Cotton Club; it is a front for organized crime so obviously gangsters congregate there often.

One in particular actually, one who should be concerned greatly with our story as it involves him and a certain young woman…

A black Model T Ford pulled up to the curb on Lenox Avenue. A driver stepped out, as did a passenger on the right hand side, facing the curb.

The man in question, the one that concerns our story, is on the right. His name is Syaoran Li and is a well know gangster in Harlem. Probably the one everybody's been hearing 'bout lately. See, he was in the papers a few days ago, something about a shooting and him being pulled in for questioning.

He's been in and out of prison since the age of 10, since he was old enough to steal anything from ya back pocket. 'Course he's moved on to bigger and better things since then and now you see him today. A very proud man just at the age of 21 with strong shoulders and lean muscles. He was one of the few bosses who can actually hold his own. He didn't need bodyguards but preferred to use 'em, just in case. He was quite a wanted man. If not by the cops then by other mob bosses. Seems like whatever he did, someone always wanted him dead.

Li stepped out of the car and re-adjusted his black fedora with its white band and put on his black coat which was long in length and zeroes on the price tag.

He walked into the club, the door being held open by a doorman, with his crony at his side. Frankie was his main bodyguard as well as his confidant. Not that he talks much but when he did, he needed someone to listen.

He hands his coat to the cloakroom along with Frankie doing the same and proceeds through, past the lobby to the actual club.

The Cotton Club consists of two levels. On the ground is the floor where the stage is and up above, on the second floor, is the dining section. The club is always decorated in silver and glass. Makes the place shine, ya know? Lots of long velvet curtains were on the walls with a few hundred pictures of various famous acts on em.

They slipped the maitre de a tenner and were on their way to his privately reserved table on the bottom floor. They weren't here to eat, only drink. Frankie is at his heel as always, but was soon joined by Bobby and Joe.

They sat and ordered a few drinks. A round for the table never hurt anyone. They wait for the floor show to start before they attend to business for the evening.

Big Jim is waiting on the opposite side of the club of course. See, that's his bodyguard right there. Big tall, kinda stupid. Yeah that's it. Now see that guy who's sitting down looking all high and mighty over there, smoking his cigar? Yeah, well, that's him, Big Jim. Now you know why they call him Big Jim.

Syaoran has kindly offered to buy him out you see. But Big Jim don't want no part of that and has blatantly refused. But little does he know that our dear Syaoran has his eyes on it and what Syaoran wants, Syaoran gets.

The show started with the twelve chorus girls suddenly dancing on stage. Syaoran came here often, for business and for pleasure so he'd seen this many times. It didn't interest him. However he was looking at their legs and chests, sizing up which one he'd do next.

One on the end caught his eye though. She is the shortest of the bunch and barely reached the height requirement of at least 5' 4''. The Cotton Club was very picky with whom they hired and he wondered how she had gotten in.

This charming woman who caught our man Syaoran's attention was infact a total joke. She is gorgeous you don't have to tell me, I always said Syaoran could pick em, but she just doesn't have it together. She is off on her timing and looks so nervous. You can definitely tell she is new.

Currently now, Syaoran is trying to hide his laughter while he continues to stare at the little beauty before him.

But the chorus line soon disbanded and now they are wandering off stage. The official meet and greet of the club was always done by the dancers. In their skimpy little skirts which were more like tassels hanging off their underwear, so who wouldn't want one sitting on their lap? It was their best way of keeping customers.

The jazz music stopped blaring and the trumpet stopped sounding as the girls made their way over to the tables. Syaoran snickered loudly, as he so often did to show his disgust and amusement for nearly every situation he finds himself in.

The music was now fading into a soft melody and none other than our girl Sakura stepped up to the microphone. Syaoran would never have said it himself, but she looked a peach up there. A little nervous just as before and now fear was in her eyes, but a peach none-the-less.

Syaoran's eyes were locked onto her face as she slowly began singing an original song to the soft melodies of the piano by her side. She moved across stage with a new found grace and is currently now lying atop the piano.

But all too soon for Syaoran the music stops and she steps down off stage and into the back curtains. And much to his dismay, disappearing from his sight.

As soon as she stepped away, Syaoran was chatting into Frankie's ear, telling him of his plan to meet the little one. Frankie obliged his boss and made his way also behind the curtain. Ready to bark commands.

"What the hell do you call that, you were horrible. You moved all wrong. You had no sense of rhythm and couldn't keep up with the music. You're useless! You're lucky I like your singing so much or else you'd be outta here so fast you couldn't even say lickety split!" Screamed Mr. Torrio, the club's manager.

Sakura at this point of the 'conversation' was almost blind by her tears. They were flowing so freely her makeup was pouring down her face. She runs to go and fix it and that's when our dear Frankie approaches the manager.

"John, long time no see." Said Frankie in a friendly manner while taking his hand into a manly handshake.

"Ahhh, Frankie I see you keep returning. Syaoran here?" He asked hopefully, like he was gonna get something outta this deal.

"Yeah, that's why I'm here. Got a favor to ask. You know your new broad? Well yeah, Syaoran has taken a liking to her and wants her at the table tonight." Stated Frankie, just as Syaoran had told him to do.

"I see. I shall arrange it. She's been in trouble as ya probably saw and this will help her make up for it. Tell him I'll have her ready in 5. I assume you want her dolled up, not like some floozy doing the floor show?" Asked John, already knowing the answer but not wanting to tick Syaoran off. He is a big customer after all.

Frankie can be seen walking back to Syaoran with the good news. Syaoran however is not letting any emotion go. He is reserving his judgment till after he meets with the lady. 'Let's juts see how this goes. She could be my latest conquest or something more, my frequent call girl.' He thought idly as Sakura is soon seen walking up to him.

He notices her and her hips as they make the dress swish from side to side. As is the style, she wears a black and white flapper dress that sweeps just past her knees and is embroidered all the way down. Like her floor dress it has tassels on the bottom making her stocking line visible. Her hair is short, above her shoulders and a red feather comes out from the side of her headband wrapped around her head. (You know the flapper styles).

Syaoran could only think one thing at this moment. 'Wow, I should be careful of this one.'

'She doesn't look to happy, better make her feel welcome, while getting my kicks all the same.' Was his next thought that was accompanied by a grin on his handsome face.

He watched as she sat at the table beside him. Places had previously been made to accommodate the other men's 'dates' for the evening but half at the present time were on the dance floor. The music had picked up again just after Sakura had finished her song and was swinging like there was no tomorrow.

'She is avoiding my gaze and will not look at me' he thought. So to rectify the situation, he lifts her head using his hand, cupped around her chin.

She stares back but only because she is forced to by his powerful hand. She looks upon him with her big emerald orbs and he sees she has an expressionless look on her face. He can't decipher it. So he removes his hand and just looks upon her once more. 'Those eyes, they're so bright and innocent. They almost sparkle. How can she survive in this world?'

"What might your name be little one?" He asks, already making up a nickname for her.

"Sakura, and might I ask yours?" she replies sharply.

"Ohh, feisty aren't we little one?" But continues before he gets an answer out of her. "My name is Syaoran Li." He finishes but gets no reply. So he continues with another question hoping to probe some answers out of her. He can clearly see she does not like being here and he is amused by her predicament.

"Would you like a drink, or a smoke my lady?" He so kindly offers.

She turns to him and nods. "I wouldn't mind both actually."

"Why of course, anything for you my dear." He said as he gently takes her hand form where it rested off the table and places a feather light kiss on her hand.

Syaoran then reaches into his suit jacket pocket and pulls out his cigarette case and a lighter. He puts one in his mouth and lights it, then hands it to Sakura.

"You know I could have done it myself. I may be young but I am educated in the ways of the world. Especially the underworld." She said as she takes the butt from Syaoran and then follows with one long drag, smoke coming from her mouth moments later.

Syaoran eyes her and then asks, "yes, I was wondering, how old are you? You seem a little young to be working here."

Sakura looks at him before turning away and answering. "I am 17 and this is the only place that would hire someone so young. It's required in this business." She says while now looking at the floor.

The sparkle had gone from her eyes if anyone bothered to look. And it just so happens Syaoran was. He noticed this and began to wonder, what could make her suddenly so miserable? He now decides that he is going to find out, in time. He was going to enjoy it before it came to that.

To change this obviously hurtful topic, Syaoran grabs a nearby waiter and orders that drink he promised Sakura some time ago. He doesn't bother to ask what she wanted. Big mistake I say. But then again, this is Syaoran, who knows what goes through his mind. Tut, tut, tut. He will learn some day, I hope.

"You're doing it again! I told you, you don't have to baby me, really." She says, almost yelling while glaring at Syaoran. 'That'll teach him… or not.' She thought as she suddenly re-thought her answer. A strange occurrence for someone so young and headstrong like herself.

"Well, I'm sorry that you feel that way. I was merely being a gentleman. I shall remember in the future to not to extend such liberties to you." He retorts ever so quickly. Ouch Syaoran, give the lady a go. Don't be smart.

"Well you should know not to take any liberties with me." She shot back which seems to shock him. No-one, ever, yells back at him, at least not twice in a row and gets away with it. But he could see that with Sakura, he didn't feel like he needed to put her in her place. He was content with quarreling with her.

But with his soon to be made comment, he shall find out that he also loves making her squirm. "Oh well I'm sorry Miss Sakura, it's just that since you work here I figured, men like me were allowed to take certain liberties with women like you." Said Syaoran in a seductive tone with one eye brow raised. Wrong move Syaoran.

Sakura's drink now arrives, a whiskey sour, carried by a waiter who just places it on the table and walks away. Not wanting to get in between them and on the bad side of Syaoran Li. But the little interruption did nothing to ease the tension in the air.

Then as if that stunt isn't enough to put Syaoran in an early grave, he has the audacity to put his hand on her knee and begin stroking it up and down from underneath the table. Definitely, the wrong move Syaoran.

Sakura shot up like a bullet which immediately removed Syaoran's hand from her.

She is clearly outraged and I'd hate to be Syaoran right now. As you saw before, she has quite the attitude and I'm betting that she has a temper to match. I say, run for cover.

Syaoran watches her arise from the table and just smirks again. He obviously hit a nerve. Part of him feels happy but the other feels guilty for making her uncomfortable. He can't decide which.

She grabs the untouched glass in front of her and without so much as a second thought or glance, throws the contents of the glass on Syaoran's face.

You can see her stomping off in the distance, past the curtain. Syaoran however, is still in shock once again. Seems this girl is shocking him a lot lately. I like her. She gives old Syaoran a run for his money.

No one dares to insult the great Syaoran Li, let alone some cheap dancer, so everyone in the club goes silent. Even the band. No-one laughs or says a word until Syaoran could be heard laughing at himself. They all joined in and the band began to play once more. They were just glad he didn't start shooting. The Cotton Club was safe like that, but things still happened that some people would rather forget.

Using his decretive handkerchief located in his outside upper jacket pocket, he wipes the whiskey off his face and gets up from the table.

'Now, it's time for business Play time is over.' He thought as he waltzes over towards Big Jim's table. The chicks fawning on him are immediately shooed away by Jim's hand, which is holding yet another cigar. He looks upon the big man in a white suit. Sunglasses adorn his eyes before he takes then off in a sign of respect.

He motions for Syaoran to sit down as both sets of bodyguards stand, surrounding the table making it impossible to be heard and seen, especially atop the jazz music playing on the stage just a table or two over to the left.

"So we meet again Li. But I am sorry to say this meeting is pointless. I have no intention of selling my business to the likes of you or anyone for that matter." Syaoran sits contemplating this sentence before answering.

"Well that is most unfortunate as I am very interested in owning it." Syaoran states calmly, looking Big Jim straight in his eyes.

"But then again, maybe not. Who said I am thinking of buying it? I will be taking it from you now instead and if I cannot, then it shall be no longer." To this, Big Jim just laughs. Syaoran was by no means angry at this point which is quite unnerving.

"You thought you could over power me and my men?" He says before laughing heartedly for the second time at Syaoran's expense. Now it appears Syaoran is getting mad. Or so I thought before a full grin appeared on his face, symbolizing humor and patience. Two traits of which do not go well inside Syaoran Li.

At seeing this so rarely displayed emotion, Big Jim stops laughing and looks questionably towards one of his bodyguards to ask what was with this. He then looks back at Syaoran and notices that he has stopped laughing.

"But I already have." And with that, he steps up from the table, says no goodbye's or engages in any handshakes and walks towards the exit. Bobby, Joe and Frankie following closely behind.

Big Jim watched as Syaoran and his men exited the club. He still could not believe what had happened. He suddenly began laughing though. Syaoran heard his laughter even from the lobby, and over the music. It was that bloody loud. But he did not care, he only smirked his infamous grin. That meant he had won. Big Jim had underestimated him and that would be his downfall.

Big Jim is stumped but takes no notice. He is just pleased he managed to be rid of Syaoran Li so easily. He could not think of doing anything. The very thought of it is preposterous. First thing in the morning he will double security and Syaoran Li shall get nothing.

Li grabs his coat and walks past the doors, opened by the same doorman as before. Frankie is following him as well as Bobby and Joe. They have things to attend to that require great numbers. They needed all the help they could get.

The plan had been set long before negotiations had even started between himself and Big Jim. He was quite sure that he would not part with his portion of the city and all its ratchets. He was always well prepared as such is the case right now.

Syaoran is a boss you see who is in charge of a lot of people. Hundreds in fact. It was his own family, the only one he'd ever really known. They each did their part to survive and make a profit in this world. If we have to live, why not enjoy it, ay?

Syaoran had worked his way up from a lackey when he was younger to being the big boss he is today. He often killed many in those days and his work didn't go unappreciated. He was called upon for most jobs involving precise aim and discretion. He soon attracted the attention of the previous boss. He was put as a body guard and his status in the family was lifted. When the old man died, Syaoran was chosen by him to be the next boss. It seemed fitting enough but some people were not altogether happy with it. He soon showed them that he belonged by bringing new business to the family, making them quite powerful in the underworld. Oh, and he iced those who opposed him. That helped, a little.

Since becoming boss, he hasn't gone on many jobs or killed many people but he still liked to join occasionally. He was quite young so he thought he had to prove he was competent of pulling off the job.

Syaoran's family practically owns the West Side of Harlem, where as Big Jim owns the East. Syaoran, not being greedy but never turning down an opportunity, decided a long time ago to set his sights on the other half of the city. Now the time had finally come to make good on that opportunity.

He had never intended to buy Big Jim out and him refusing just before made it easier to execute his carefully laid out plan made months in advance.

Syaoran now stands at the curb, about to step into the back of the Ford, but a sound from afar stops him. Someone is yelling at someone. Then that someone is…crying?

He walks around to the edge of the club, his bodyguards left behind. He sees the stage door by the dumpsters and there stand two figures, one female one male. The male was clearly yelling at the female and she was taking it too. He dared not to step closer but kept watching for unknown reasons, even to him.

"What the hell did you think you were doing? That was Syaoran Li, the mobster. You do not piss off Syaoran Li! Now get outta here before he burns up my club because of you!" Shouts the man, half hanging out of the door, stopping the woman from entering. She has on a black and white dress and was clutching a rather large suitcase.

"But…you…c-ca-can't…I need this job. I'm sorry it won't happen again. Please don't kick me out, I'll do anything. Just don't-" But she is cut off by a hand reaching up to slap her right in the kisser. Her once pale cheek is now scarlet.

"No way in hell love, you'd do me no good. I won't hear of it no more. Now get ou-" No it was his turn to be cut off by a hand at his throat.

Whilst the man and the woman were fighting, Syaoran had stayed silent until he saw the man's hand raise to meet the woman's face. He wasn't quick enough to stop it –I always said he should work out more- but was there to catch the man before he did any more damage.

"Do not ever lay a hand on such a lady. You have done me a great disservice. I shall remember this." And with that, he lets him go as the John Torrio gasps for much needed oxygen.

"F-Fine, she can stay. But no more mischief outta ya or I'll have you whacked instead!" Then Torrio takes no time in closing the door and toddling off inside, leaving the two outside on the doorstep, under the lonely streetlight. Lonely little sucker I say. Run and hide, run and hide. But about Syaoran…

He kneels down towards the woman who was forced to the ground. He picks her up to reveal it's none other than Sakura. Syaoran really shouldn't have pissed her off so much and made her almost get fired.

Sakura is still awake and they both stare into each other's eyes. She sees a new side of this so called gangster. She notices his eyes show concern, for her, of all people. Syaoran was just admiring her eyes and trying to interpret the sense of loss in them.

He helps the poor girl up to her feet, his arms encircled around her. But once she is standing on her own two feet, he doesn't let go of her.

"Uh, thanks. I really should be getting home now." Sakura does not look at Syaoran. She does not have the heart. He just saved her after what she had done earlier. She feels awful.

"On the contrary, I believe that you should not being going home alone. You will accompany me to my place where we can get…acquainted?" Syaoran says as he looks up down upon her while showing off his dentists fine work.

The look on Sakura's face right now could not be re-enacted for any amount of dough. It was clearly priceless. A Kodak moment indeed. She was shocked and could not believe the man she had thought twice about only moments earlier had stooped down again to the level of a lowly jerk.

Well…she wasn't going to take this. So she did the only thing she could possibly do at a time like this. Her heel was raised high in the air before it came crashing down on Syaoran's toe. Yay! Score one for Sakura.

Now Syaoran's a pretty big and buff guy. He could take on anybody, but now…this little broad once caught between his arms, caught him off guard and got the better of him. Just long enough for his grip to loosen and for Sakura to run scurrying away.

He regained his composure slightly, and just stared at the blank space that was Sakura but only five seconds ago. To say he was surprised, would be lying. He knew she'd try something, but he didn't expect the foot maneuver. He was glad she was more merciful and didn't go for the area most women are attracted to.

But he was relatively happy with the way that went actually. He hadn't expected her to fall in his arms, he knew it'd be a challenge, and she simply showed him more of that quick wit he loved so much in her. And besides, he couldn't take her home tonight, he had work to do, tomorrows another day.

Syaoran found his way back to the car and found Bobby, Joe and Frankie leaning on it with a cigar in each of their mouths. Ahh life's simple pleasures. They noticed him and butted em immedietly and they all stepped into the car. Frankie holding the door out for Syaoran of course.

The group was speeding down the strip. Each not saying a word, lost in their thoughts of their upcoming assignment. It had been planned that if they could not take Big Jim's dynasty, then they would eliminate it along with the competition it presented.

Even though it was out of their area, Big Jim had a distillery in the caves way outside of town. There, his men would make the booze and transport it to various clubs and bars throughout the city.

But then again, tomorrows another day and Sakura's another woman.

-To be continued-

(A/N- Tell me what u think plz, if I should continue or not. lol.)

-Golden-Pond-