The Cotton Club

(A/N- sorry, I just realized that it's been exactly 10 weeks since I last updated, as last time was last terms holidays. Hehehe, oops? Anyways, I was just reading over my story and I realized that my writing style has so changed, so I hope u like this new installment. And unlike last time, for my absence, I am not going to give a lemon. Lol, sorry, not in mood, and Sakura's not a total whore.)

WHY THE HELL DIDN'T SOMEBODY TELL ME 5th AVENUE WAS IN THE EAST SIDE OF HARLEM? Oh god, how embarrassing! So much for my extravagant knowledge. Lol. So obviously as u didn't notice, u didn't care so on with the story.

THIS TIME, I DARE YOU CHECK THE FACTS THEY'RE REAL!

ENJOY!

Dislcaimer; I do not own CCS or CC.


She stood there, clutching her heels to her chest like they were her only lifeline. Yeah, it's your shoes that are going to help you now…

Syaoran came up behind her and wrapped his arms securely round her waist. Possessive much?

Sakura stood there like a rabbit caught in headlights, unable to say anything. How are you going to get yourself outta this situation my dear? It always makes me laugh how these smart women get themselves into shit like this. Oh pardon my French, but the occasion called for it. It's too hilarious.

Syaoran began to nuzzle her neck, patiently awaiting an answer while he made himself busy.

Finally finding her voice Sakura replied with a simple, "It was cold." That should explain everything to our boy Syaoran right? I mean, he's been with so many women that incoherent female babble is like his second language. Smart Sakura, real smart. If you could see me, you'd know that my eyes are currently rolling around in their sockets in utter sarcasm.

"That doesn't give you the right to leave my bed now, does it?" He asked politely, not moving from his position. He was quite comfortable it seems. Who wouldn't be? A woman, cowering in fear, about to bow down at your feet to perform every sexual fantasy you can come up with if you ask it? Sure, I wouldn't mind one of those.

Sakura, for lack of a better answer to his question replied, "…No…"

"Glad you see it my way. Now… I want you to strip down to your undergarments, walk back in the bedroom, and place yourself back into bed, got it?" His tone had a sense of finality and superiority to it, so Sakura did nothing but nod and agree to his wishes.

He released her from his grip and proceeded to slide the straps of the dress down her shoulders, as he carefully placed feather light kisses at the junction of her neck. The dress fell to the floor without a sound again. The only thing that could be heard was Sakura's heavy breathing. With one final kiss to the neck Syaoran swatted her ever so lightly on the bum, nudging her forward indicating he was done with her.

She walked slowly, afraid he might do something if she made any sudden movements. She turned her head around and looked over her shoulder, never stopping in her path back to the bedroom. Syaoran had his arms crossed over his chest, chin slightly up and a satisfied smirk upon his face. He was boss, and he just showed Sakura that.

The door was shut silently by Sakura. Aww, how cute, she's trying to shield herself from Syaoran. Like that's gonna happen. Remember, what Li wants, Li gets.

She leant her back on the door, face in her hands. 'Way to go Sakura, you handled that well.' She thought as she tried to calm her breathing. 'He was so intense. Why did I listen? He's not the boss of me. But he was so forceful, I felt like I had to obey.' So she couldn't believe that she actually listened to him huh? Well missy, what else did you expect from the most powerful man in Harlem, and possibly New York? You're stuck now, he ain't never gonna let you go until he's had his fill. Congratulations. I dub thee mistress number two.


Big Jim was still in his wing-backed chair, and at the very same desk he was last time we saw him. He'd been calling in all his favors you see. People who owed him a favor or a wad-a-dough. He had a few successes, people did cough up some of what they owed. But he was far from happy. Seems that some people are scared to associate themselves with Big Jim now that Syaoran's suppose to be taking over Harlem. News travels fast in the underworld. Syaoran's stocks were on the up and up, and Big Jim's were plummeting down below the level. (AN- no not actual stocks, just a saying.)

He sat, smoking his cigar, starring out the window, thinking. He looked down and out if you ask me. His hair was a complete mess, like, since when was that the style? And his tie was just hanging loosely around his neck. Complete loser. I looked better than him, and I've been places you don't wanna go. He had a cup of brandy on the desk that he occasionally took a swig from aswell as a bottle of vodka ready, stashed in a book case. He probably shouldn't have been drinking the last of his own supplies right now. Syaoran blew up his distillery so he kinda has no way of getting more. I ain't gonna tell him though, let him suffer.

Now I know what you're thinking. It's time for our boy-hero to come in and take over the city with our fair damsel, Sakura, on his arm right? Wrong! Hehehehe. Big Jim may have lost his main source of profit, but that don't mean he don't have other ventures. Oh, and Syaoran does know of these ventures too. Eliminating the distillery was only the first step in our boss' master plan. 'Cause if you start at the top, quite a few things fall below it that make it easier for the taking in the long run. Everyone around him, including Jim knew this, so you could basically turn him over and call him roasted. Hope was not lost, it was just taking a vacation.

The big fella looked at his watch and stood from the chair. He had some place to be so he went and skedaddled on out of there lickety split before one of his mistresses caught him at home, or worse. His wife.

He shuddered at the thought. 'That bitch has been on my back all month about that charity event at the Luxer. The last thing I wanna tell her is this.'

Poor Jim… His wife and his second mistress go shopping together every Thursday. Using his money of course. They'd both be angry if they knew their -his- supply of money was going to be dwindling fast if he didn't do something soon.

He went out the back door, grabbing his winter coat and hat from the stand. He pocketed his hands in his trousers and proceeded to his destination.

No one would recognize the mob boss now. Shoulders slumped, head down, eyes gaunt. He really looked pathetic. He began smoking a cigarette, no fine cigar for this broken man. No sir-y-bob. Oh how the mighty have fallen. It's glorious. Syaoran would love to see him like this. Maybe I'll take a picture?

He spent the next few minutes lazily walking about. He stopped at a street corner under a lonely porch lamp and lent on it, smoking another cigarette. He snorted at himself. 'I look like a regular drug store cowboy.'

A car came right up to the curb before opening its door for him as an invitation to get in. He did so without thought, it was his own boys after all. He called 'em earlier and arranged for the transportation. He was going to see an old acquaintance who could hopefully straighten out this mess he seems to have gotten himself into. So much for his pride. Letting someone else take care of his dirty laundry, tut, tut, tut. Coward, couldn't even face Syaoran like a man. But then again, if I were him, I'd be doing all I can to beat Syaoran too. He's kinda scary. Well… I'd be either doing that or fleeing to China.


Across town, draped over a deliciously expensive bed with silk sheets, our dear damsel in distress had finally drifted off to sleep. It was by no means easy, she tossed and turned for hours before letting go at about 4:00 am. Her last words were something like…hmmm….oh now I remember. "How the fuck did I get into this mess?" Her exact words.

But the supposed hero of the story, waltzed on into the room like he owned the place... Ok, ok. He does but you get my meaning, capeesh?... and disturbed the poor damsel in bed, waking her up in the process. It was my no means intentional of course, but it was also not unwelcome. For him anyway, I should probably mention that.

Sakura was lying on her stomach, head turned to the side away from the door. But she still heard Syaoran come in. His house, his rules. He could be as bloody loud as he wanted. She was awake now, worried about what he was up to next.

Syaoran was undoubtedly a great fuck, but that's all she wanted it to be. If she helped him get his kicks, he'd leave her alone, not demand she stay in his bed until he said so. 'Who does he think he is, ordering me around like that?' And just as she was about to move and voice her opinions to the man who was presumably getting undressed on the other side of the room, she realized something. A big something. I can't believe that she forgot. Maybe I gave you too much credit Sakura.

'He's Syaoran. Fucking. Li.'

Stopped, dead in her tracks. He's a mobster, the mobster. Rich, powerful, able to kill you with a flick of the wrist kinda guy. She'd put up with him, she'd have too, but she didn't have to like it. And that meant the sex. 'If he thinks he's getting any now, he's surely mistaken.'

She felt the mattress shift underneath her and she accidentally let out a yelp as she was rolled over. So much for pretending to be asleep. Oh Sakura, you have so much to learn. Maybe I should hook you up with Giselle, she'll teach ya a thing or too, 'specially 'bout our boy Syaoran here?

"I knew you wouldn't be asleep." To that she said nothing, smart. Keep your mouth shut and nobody gets hurt. Hahahaha, sorry, that sounded oddly familiar, I guess I've just been arrested too many times. I hear it a lot.

"But don't worry, I'm only testing. I'm tired, we're going to sleep." There's that authoritative tone again. Now before the whole, Syaoran-get's-Sakura-in-bed incident, I'd be telling Syaoran to keep his mouth shut because this is Sakura, but now, go for it. He came, he saw, he conquered. Poor Sakura didn't see it coming. She thought she had the better of him, but the tables have turned and she's now at his mercy. It really is a pity. I'm actually quite disappointed. Here I thought Sakura'd be different. Better luck next time I suppose. And there will be a next time, knowing Syaoran.

Again, Sakura said nothing. Syaoran didn't mind. Hay! He was tired!

When Syaoran had himself situated on the bed, he placed his arm over Sakura's waist and went to sleep himself. Sakura did too, surprisingly. It was comfortable. She didn't feel awkward or like pushing him away, and she most certainly did not feel like he was going to kill her any second. It was a nice change from only moments before. She liked him when he slept.


Here he was, in a dingy dive of a place, late at night with the Big Cheese. Big Jim Colosimo was in the red light district of outer New York, having a cup of tea in a brothel with the legend, Al Capone.

This particular brothel was his wife's venture, which through marriage became his. Not one of the better whoare houses he owned, but discreet enough for his tastes. He still didn't like coming down here though. Sure it brought in the money but prostitution was low on the scale, even for criminals such as himself.

He and Capone go way back. Before he came into his own, Capone worked behind the bar at one of Colosimo's club's, the Four Deuces. He also, on occasion, helped him outta some rough spots with the customers for which he was heavily compensated. But here he is again, in debt to a now very powerful and influential man, and not only in Chicago. The infamous 'Scarface' had his own reputation that followed him all 'round the country.

The story of the scar is pretty funny actually. He made a nasty comment about one of his boys' sisters, so the punk that was Frankie Galluciano stood up, pulled out his pocket knife and slashed Alphonse right along the cheek. They forgave each other in the end. I mean, what did Capone care, it made him famous. He should be thanking the bloke.

Li was just as feared as Capone, but not as well known. But give the kid a chance, he's only 21 for Pete's sake! But despite fame, fortune, and more power than any one man should wield at any given time, he sat here, with this piss weak, bindle stiff of a man drinking tea. It was like they had nothing better to do with their time. Priceless, sheer gold.

"So what brings you outta your neck of the woods?" Big Jim started off the conversation somewhat lightly. Not wanting to enrage what may be his only real hope. They may be old acquaintances, but that as over a decade ago.

"Business and pleasure. The unions out in Chicago are giving me a bit of trouble. Had to come to New York to straighten things out." Now Al was never one to say much so it surprised Jim when he let that piece of info go so freely. He eyed his companion worriedly before deciding it was nothing. They'd both been around the block a few times with each other, so he felt he could trust him, so maybe Al did too.

"But I hear you're having some troubles out here too. It's not too deep I hope." News travels fast in the underworld, remembering me telling ya that? Here's that hard truth in a nutshell.

"It's nothing I can't usually handle." Big Jim replied whilst reclining back on the chair. Arms stretching over his head in a bored fashion. He looked around the dimly lit room. Red embossed wallpaper lined the walls, and a tiny table sat in the centre where he and Capone were situated at. The room was small, it had to be. Goons stood on either side of the two chairs occupied by the two men talking.

"I don't believe you. Cut the barber. You wouldn't have contacted me unless otherwise." Capone was no fool after all. He didn't get to where he was listening to trash like this. Just ice the bastard and call it a day, go home.

It was unexpected, but Capone didn't flinch, not once. Colosimo smashed his cup down on the table, shattering it completely. Off his rockers, I tell ya. "It's just that boy Syaoran. He needs to be taught a fucken lesson. What it's like to play with the big boys and lose."

Capone didn't answer. He'd heard of this youngster Syaoran Li. Suppose to be pretty good actually, he'd like to meet the man infact. Had him rightly intrigued it did. He looked at Jim, still not saying a word. So Jim continued.

"He thinks he can waltz right in and upstage me? That brat's got another thing coming! I'm gonna bury him. I'm gonna toss his salad into the pavement so hard that not even the fishes could hear him sleeping!" He was breathing pretty hard at this point. I was kinda worried he'd collapse all of a sudden and break the chair he was sitting on.

Capone sat quietly, leg's crossed, eyes on Jim, studying him. He took a sip from the tea cup and smirked, shaking his head as he brought it down from his lips.

Laughter seemed to be the order of the day. And as he sat there laughing at his one time boss, Jim threw the remaining shards of the cup at the wall. He was not pleased. That much was as plain as the moon is in the sky.


The sun came through the thin chiffon curtains. Sakura placed her hand over her eyes, trying to shield out the rays. She groaned as she went to sit up. Definitely not a morning person.

The first thing she noticed was that Syaoran was not beside her or even in the room for that matter. Though she'd thoroughly love to get out of there, him not being there was quite unnerving.

She scrambled out of bed, noticing the clock red twenty to ten in the morning. Way too early for a girl like her to be up. But here she was, up and well, –nearly- dressed and she started out looking for the warden in this prison, Li.

She cautiously opened the door to the bedroom and peered out. Nothing was out of the ordinary, all was quiet, and so she proceeded on into the living room. Nothing. Then she stepped into the dining room. The same, nothing. Syaoran was not to be found. Doubting that the city's most feared man would be in the kitchen cooking up a storm, she decided to skip that section of the apartment. The coast seemed to be clear. A huge grin broke out on Sakura's face at that moment. 'I'm free, no more being a prisoner!' Then the girl –I'm almost embarrassed to tell you this- but she started to jump up and down erratically, throwing her hands in the air while squealing. Yes, squealing! I personally didn't think her time with Syaoran was that unbearable? Wonders never cease to amaze me though.

Sakura ran around the apartment like she owned the place in the absence of its real master. She rushed back into the bedroom after that little…escapade... and threw the rest of her clothes off as fast as her hands would manage. I personally never knew she could move that fast. But then there's that wonders thing again.

Not forgetting her purse on the couch, she scooped it up and opened the front door. Funnily enough, before the door opened all the way, she gave the room a salute as she walked –more like stomped- off in triumph, through the doorway to her salvation and the start of the rest of her life without Syaoran. Fucking. Li.

But she ain't that lucky a 'gal.

I just love this part don't you? It's when our dame's hopes and dreams are crushed. Ssssh, just watch…

As she closed the door, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, her breath stopped, as did she. There, situated on either side of the door, sitting in two chairs looking anything less than normal, were two goons that she just knew were Syaoran's.

'I just knew it would be too good to be true.' She groaned as they stood up to regard her presence. They were tall, a lot taller than her. But that wouldn't be too hard as dear Sakura was not much taller than a regulation fire hydrant. Ha-ha, sorry it's just too easy.

"I'd advise you to step back inside miss." Stated the one on her left. He was slightly shorted than the other. He was blonde and in a black and white suit, typical gangster. No doubt strong, definitely able to stop her if she walked away. Hard boiled.

She looked to her right at the second lackey. He had a hat on, and inside too –how disrespectful. But Sakura could see dark brown hair peeking from underneath its sides. He had his hands clenched in front of him in a passive pose, ready for anything.

But she decided to test them anyway. If they were indeed acting upon Syaoran's wishes, he wouldn't want them to touch or hurt her right? So in a very bold move -if you ask me- she ignored them and stomped on the first guy's foot for good measure before beginning to walk down the hallway with her head held high.

Theories, ninety-nine percent of the time, aren't true. Sakura learnt this the hard way as she found arms around her waist pulling her from the ground and up against a very broad chest.

Not one to give up entirely yet, she tried her darndest to break free of the powerful grip without any luck. "Will you put me down this instant! This is uncalled for! What do you think you're doing?" She's feisty that one, there's the Sakura we all know and love. Not some submissive doll on her knees. Kicking, screaming, shouting. She was doing almost anything to get out of the guy's clutches, and essentially, Syaoran's hold on her life.

"No can do miss. We got our order's see, and they involve you staying in that room 'til the boss gets back." She rolled her eyes as she was set back down on the ground again, none to gently I might add. She's a lady after all, show a bit of respect lads!

"Can't you break the god dam rules for once!" She was furious! Who was this dog to tell her what she can and can't do?

"Nope." Was all he said, officially ending their conversation. She was shoved back inside and the door closed behind her.

She screamed. Loudly. My ear drums will never recover.


Syaoran smiled. He wasn't doing anything particularly amusing, it was just a feeling. Who knew what Sakura'd do once she woke up. But when he thought about it, he had a slight idea. It was comforting knowing he could coax a reaction out of her. It was what he liked most about her. How she reacted to everything he did. Pfft, attention seeking bastard.

"Boss, what's so funny?" Frankie asked, clearly amused.

"Just thinking about Sakura's reaction to my…protection." He still had that far away look in his eye and that smirk on his face.

"The dame from the club?" Questioned Bobby, taking a brief moment away from his job to join their conversation. He then continued on with The Broderick.

A nod was all they got in return. They looked at each other puzzled at their boss' behaviour. They shrugged, it was not their lace to question Li's motives, actions, or words. They simply proceeded with the job they had been given.

"Finish this up will ya? I'm going to go buy some butts." Said Syaoran eventually, snapping out of his revere.

He walked out of the warehouse, leaving behind one frightened shop owner who was currently pinned against the wall with a revolver at his temple and a hand at his throat. All in a day's work for Syaoran and the boys it would seem.

Frankie and the rest of the clan were currently trying to 'squeeze' the old man outta the business of bootlegging. It was in their -and his- best interests if he would shut up his shop and sell out to a bigger production. Syaoran was just that production.

He wandered out onto the street, looking both ways as he did so. He was Syaoran Li, murderous gangster but not so stupid as to walk out in front of traffic. He wasn't ready for his overcoat yet.

He pulled out and lit his last ciggie before stepping into a grocer. He named his maker and flicked a dime at the lug behind the counter. He walked off with a smile and crossed the road again to help his boys. He may be leader, but he wouldn't let them have all the fun now would he?


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I've researched some slang terms of the era, so here are the translations.

#Drug Store Cowboy; A guy who stands on street corners, trying to pick up chicks.

#Hardboiled; tough guy.

#Barber; talk.

#Bindle stiff; criminal, lowlife.

#The Broderick; a thorough beating.

#Butts; cigarettes.

#Overcoat; coffin.

Ok, I know Big Jim Colosimo actually died in 1920 (yes he's a real person!) but I didn't actually base him on this character in the beginning, it just followed. All facts are true, Capone did work at his club, the Four Deuces but he (Big Jim) died before he saw anything become of Capone.

Also, Torrio is either Big Jim's nephew or cousin, my research ain't clear on that. Everyone seems to have their own opinion. This is most unexpected to me, but definelty good. I can definelty make some drama involving this huge triangle!

(A/N- i got exams and exam revision for the next five or so weeks then i've finished highschool for good! so i'll definelty upload all my stories (both of em lol) then. so enjoy! My spelling probably sucks in this chapter. I've read it like ten times and i'm seriously over it so i just wanted to post it. it's of decent size, it could ahve been longer though, but you get what you're given. deal.)

-Strawberry-Buttercup-