Author's note:
This story is a figment of my (er dark) imagination. Similarities to any situation is absolutely coincidental. Please Follow and Review! Thank you.
Disclaimer: I do not own CCS, Clamp does. I do not own the song Ever After, Bonnie Bailey does.
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Chapter 44: Love and Wrath
It was a very lively breakfast where five distinguished families of their own native countries gathered together for the sake of one small family of three.
The Lis of Hong Kong.
(The Madame Yelan, Xiao Shi, Fanren, Feimei, Fuutie, Xiefa, Mei Ling, and Uncle Wei)
The Amamiyas and Kinomotos of Japan.
(The Old General Masaki, Fujitaka, Touya and his wife Kaho, Natsume, Tonoichi, Tsubasa, Kokoroyomi, Kitsuneme, Mochiage, Ruka, Tomoyo and her fiance Hiiragizawa Eriol, and Fujitaka's nephew Yukito Tsukishiro)
The Xings of China.
(Xie Jing Xing and Shen Miao)
The Yues of Europe.
(Old Leng Xiao, Old Madame Rou Xi, Ze, and Xu)
After an hour of happy chatter and cooings over the overly cute new addition to the family, everyone went back to their own courtyards and agreed to meet for a late lunch after three hours.
Sakura, who was currently holding Xiao Bao in her arms, is surrounded by the Old General, Fujitaka, and Li Yelan.
"Baby, let Grandpa hold you for an hour!"
Displeasure clearly reflected in Fujitaka's noble and handsome face.
"Grandpa? May I remind you, Father, that it I who is Xiao Bao's grandpa."
The Old General snorted at his son-in-law before moving closer to the little bun with his arms stretched out.
Xiao Bao stared curiously at the man before him, whose face is inching closer and closer that he can smell the strong scent of coffee from him.
Looking down at the pudgy face with gorgeous large light amber eyes staring back at him, the Old General's heart pumped faster in excitement and he tried once again to make him go his arms willingly.
"Baby," he cooed softly, "Come to great Jiji. Come on baby, don't be scared. I have lots and lots of yummy chocolates in my courtyard..."
It was now Li Yelan's turn to react.
She scoffed just as the Old General mentioned the chocolates.
"Do you even listen to yourself, you stinky old man? You sound just like a child abductor! Are you trying to scare off my grandson?"
The Old General shot her a fierce glare as he tried to angle himself so that the little child won't see the changes in his face.
"Shut up, you old woman." he muttered angrily under his breath.
"Ha! I am OLD?" Li Yelan failed to keep her voice down and the startled Xiao Bao jumped in his mother's arms.
"Mother..." Sakura sighed helplessly as she patted Xiao Bao's tiny back to reassure him that everything's alright.
Li Yelan covered her mouth with her slender hands as she apologetically looked at Sakura and Xiao Bao.
The Old General did not even bother to hide his snickers as he watch Yelan's face change from pale to pinkish as she felt shameful for being the one who scared their little treasure.
Even the quiet Fujitaka smiled in amusement at Yelan's unusual behavior.
Maybe it was due to the fact that the previous tension among the three has lifted that the little child finally felt at ease with them.
Xiao Bao lifted his face from his mother's bosom and looked carefully at each of the three adults in front of him.
After a full minute of gauging the three, a cute giggle escaped from his lips, making the three adults turn their heads to look at him.
Sakura also giggled as she hugged Xiao Bao tighter in her arms.
Three adults who have been bent on arguing all morning for the attention of their grandson/great-grandson felt the tips of their ears warming up as they felt mixed emotions right at this moment.
Happy, that Xiao Bao finally noticed them.
Shy, because they felt that Xiao Bao was studying them the whole time.
Ashamed, because the mother and child were laughing at their immature antics.
AHEM.
In unison, the three cleared their throats and tried to appear pleasant to the eyes as Xiao Bao never took his eyes from them.
All three had their most beautiful smile on their face, their eyes showing warmth and excitement as they look tenderly at the child.
Xiao Bao giggled again before hiding his face again in his mother's soft chest.
Sakura kissed the top of Xiao Bao's head as she whispered something softly on his ear.
The child paused for a moment before nodding his head.
"Such an obedient child I have." she whispered to his ear, making Xia Bao feel fuzzy all over as her warm breath tickled his ear and neck.
"Mama will pick you up as soon as I finish cooking Uncle Muye's food."
She kissed Xiao Bao's forehead.
"It will only take Mama less than one hour to prepare it."
She kissed the tip of Xiao Bao's nose.
"Then Mama will immediately go to where Baobei is because Mama will miss Baobei too much if I don't go right away."
She kissed Xiao Bao's left cheek.
"Mama and Papa loves Baobei with their whole heart"
She kissed Xiao Bao's right cheek.
"...and Mama and Papa also love Great Jiji, Grandpa, and Grandma. so Baobei must stay obedient while you are with Great Jiji, Grandpa, and Grandma."
She kissed Xiao Bao's left eyebrow.
"Does my little heart understand?"
She kissed Xiao Bao's right eyebrow.
The dazed Xiao Bao couldn't do anything but stare at the beautiful face of the woman he acknowledged his long lost Mama.
With her face almost touching his, plus with the fact that it is his first time to be kissed so much like this in less than one minute, a red flush slowly crept from his neck up to his whole face and even his ears.
Looking at the shy little bun in her arms, Sakura tightened her hold on his round midsection and bumped their noses in a playful manner, making Xiao Bao giggle cutely again.
"Does Baobei understand what Mama said? Hm?"
Xiao Bao nodded his head the second time, gazing deeply in Sakura's eyes.
"Baobei, yes. Mama right."
Baobei understand, Mama. Baobei will always follow what Mama says. Mama is always right.
Xiao Bao then reached out his chubby arms and ever so gently touched Sakura's cheek.
"Mama, most beautiful. Baobei love Mama most."
Sakura squealed as she twirled Xiao Bao around happily.
Can she really adopt this child?
She doesn't want to let him go.
Unnoticed by Sakura, the three adults watching at the show of the mother and child's affection on the side are fighting down the surging emotions in their chest.
Li Yelan subtly wiped the tears at the corners of her eyes.
Her poor daughter-in-law.
Her very pitiful grandson.
Xiao Lang and Xiao Shi must mobilize the Wolves the soonest.
They dare to move the future heir of the Lis, then they should face their wrath head on!
Kinomoto Fujitaka clenched his fists on his sides as he remembered how his precious little princess endured such hardship when she got abducted that time.
He is glad that they have Xiao Bao and were finally reunited but a father's heart will always bleed for the pain and loss of his dearest daughter. Sakura is the pearl in his palm, and yet he as a father, who holds such strong power in his hand, wasn't even able to protect her from such a predicament.
They must move their forces!
The Old General is also wiping his tears but not subtly as the poised Madame Li Yelan has.
But if one will look closely at his pair of dark eyes, one will see a fierce glint of anger and deep hatred.
As if the Oyabun of the number one Yakuza in Japan will take this attack on his beloved granddaughter, the one person who has sacrificed the most just to continue his legendary organization, lying down.
And to let his one and only great grandson suffer so much for living almost two years without a parent.
Evil with evil.
The Black Diamonds and The Wolves will definitely fight back.
"Dad.."
Kinomoto Fujitaka returned to his senses the moment he heard his daughter's soft voice.
"Yes, dear?"
Sakura walked towards him and kissed his cheek. "Can I leave Baobei to you, Jii-chan, and Mother? I just need to prepare Little Muye's favorite macaroni and cheese since he'll be coming here later to have lunch with us."
Fujitaka frowned a little.
"He'll be having only that? That doesn't have any nutrition in it."
"No, he said he wanted to bring it back with him to the hospital. I just thought that I should cook it now so that we'll have uninterrupted time together later."
She looked down at Xia Bao tenderly.
"It'll be his first time to meet Xiao Lang and Xiao Bao. I want them to meet each other properly."
Fujitaka patted Sakura's head. "That's a nice idea, sweetheart."
Bending down his waist so he can be at eye level with the little bun, who's finally smiling up at him, he tried to talk to him in his softest voice.
"I'm your Mama's Papa, so that makes me your Grandpa. It is my pleasure to meet such a lovely and obedient child."
Fujitaka held out his hand to shake the bun's tiny hand.
Watching the friendly man before him, Xiao Bao copied his movement and reached out to place his puny palm in the man's large ones.
Well, this feels nice. His hand is warm although Mama's is better since it's softer and fragrant.
Fujitaka fought back the tears as his heart couldn't take the joy his grandson brings to him.
Oh, Nadeshiko. Look, it's our Sakura's son!
Our first grandson!
As if he wasn't already at the verge of his emotional breaking point,
"Grampa. Baobei."
Hi Grandpa! I'm Baobei. It's nice to finally meet you!
Li Yelan almost squealed like a teenager upon seeing Xiao Bao finally opening his heart to them. She fluttered her white slender fingers to wave hello to the little guy and she almost forcefully take him from Sakura's arms when he waved back at her with a toothy smile.
"Baobei, I am your Papa's Mama. Call me Grandma!" the regal Madam also bent down to be in the same face level as the child.
"Papa?" Xiao Bao looked up at his Mama.
Hey, where's my Papa by the way?
She couldn't explain it but just by that one word and by looking at this kid's wide eyes, Sakura understood what he was trying to say.
She gently bit Xiao Bao's bulging cheek and answered his question.
"Did you remember the many tall and handsome men who said hello to you this morning?"
Xiao Bao nodded earnestly earning him praises from all four adults around him.
"My, my! Our Baobei is very intelligent!"
"Good memory like his father!"
"Good thing he did not inherit his mother's memory, ne?"
"Dad! How can you say my memory isn't as good as Xiao Lang?!"
"Really, Sakura?"
Pouting, Sakura replied in a small voice. "Well, I am not really that bad."
Xiao Bao tilted his head to one side as he look at his mother's sad face. He placed his palm on her cheek and asked again in a soft voice.
"Papa?"
"Oh right! I forgot you asked."
Fujitaka, The Old General, and Yelan rolled their eyes at the same time.
Really, this girl!
"Papa is with those handsome Uncles of yours talking about work stuff. He promised that once they are finished, he will find us so we can all spend the rest of the day together. Isn't Papa the nicest?"
Xiao Bao nodded his head with such enthusiasm he's like a fluffy little chick eating grains.
"Papa love Baobei. Papa hold Baobei, no pain!"
Xiao Bao was getting all excited, wanting to tell more but he just don't know how.
He obviously wanted to tell his mother how Syaoran was to him this morning and it's making him frustrated that he can't say the words in his mind!
Confused, Sakura's perfectly shaped eyebrows furrowed a little.
"Pain? Was it because of your sniffles?"
Shaking his head, Xiao Bao wanted to tell her more but Fujitaka interrupted the two as he can see what Xiao Bao was trying to tell Sakura.
"Dear, you need to start on your cooking now so that we can all get together early before lunch. We'll take care of Xiao Bao, there's no need to worry."
"Oh right!" She exclaimed, handing over her little boy to her father.
Xiao Bao looked sadly at his mother but because he promised her that he will behave, he obediently went to his Grandpa's arms.
"Mama…" his soft voice seemed inaudible but who said these four are ordinary people? With their keen sense of hearing due to their excellent martial arts, all of them heard the lonely and tiny voice.
Sakura almost gave up on making Jiang Muye's food.
But then when Xiao Bao gave her a little wave while smiling so big she can see some growing baby teeth, and with his extraordinary eyes sparkling brightly as he speak, Sakura's heart almost melted as she gaze at him.
"Go Mama. Baobei also eat Uncle food! Delishooo!"
Go do your best, Mama! Baobei will also eat Uncle's food! For sure, it is very delicious!
Raising her right fist up in the air, Sakura let out a loud "HAI!" Before turning her back at them as she headed towards the Manor's kitchen.
Today, she will definitely make the best macaroni and cheese for her baby cousin and soon-to-be first baby!
Yes. Today, she will talk to Xiao Lang about adopting Xiao Bao as soon as possible.
Whistling a happy tune as she skipped down the hallway, Sakura felt like today onwards will be the best days of her life!
—xoXoXoXO—-
At Natsume's Villa, a few blocks from the Manor
11:15 A.M.
"So, how come these dufus came for breakfast?" Syaoran pointed his thumb to where his twin, Mochu, Koko, and Kitsu are seated.
Seated quietly in one side, no cigarette in hand, no can of beers nor snacks on the side.
It was really such a rare sight for them.
"Well," Natsume drawled as he comfortably sat back on his favorite lounge chair at his patio.
It was a wide, round rattan chair with white linen-covered soft cushion at the back and seat. Mikan was the one who chose most of his home furnishings and she knew, although this very intimidating and unfeeling man like solid wooden manly furnitures, he only preferred those kind for his office, study, and dining. But for places where he relaxes at times, he is very fond of light colored furnishings, plants of all sorts, and of course, the most comfortable cushioned seats.
"When we told the elders the truth last night, though they were very…"
He glanced nonchalantly at the four.
Koko swallowed his saliva painfully.
He is he most sensible among the younger Amamiya males (him, Kitsu, and Mochu) and he knew that the more relaxed Natsume is, the more scary he is.
"...very, very, very angry at these four stupid boys, they wanted them to attend your first breakfast banquet as married couple. Plus, the elders wanted the little prince to see how big his family has finally become."
"I see." Syaoran took a sip of his coffee.
When Natsume handed him a pack of cigarettes, he quickly shook his head.
"I have a kid now, man. I can't smoke when he's around or like for now, when I have to meet up with him and Sakura later. I don't want to smell like cigars."
"You're just afraid that Sakura will kick your ass." Xiao Shi muttered under his breath but the other three heard it, making them snort loudly as they try to keep themselves from laughing.
Syaoran took a small piece of paper napkin and after making it into a solid circular paper napkin pellet, flicked it towards his twin.
Taken by surprise, Xiao Shi yelped loudly when the strange object hit him directly right at the center of his eyebrows.
Just a little bit more and it would've hit him in the eye.
"Damn it, Gege! Do you want to make me a blind handsome bachelor?"
"Gave you another chance, didn't I? Shut your mouth then."
Tsubasa, who just came out to the patio after getting himself a soda from the kitchen, slapped the back of Xiao Shi's head.
"I don't remember giving you permission to talk."
All four men lowered their head and stared gloomily at their feet.
Sitting beside Xiao Shi, Tsubasa turned to look at Tono and Touya, who were both standing a little farther from them while having a smoke.
"Hey, Tono! Did you receive any update on who's behind the abduction?"
Tono shook his head.
"None yet. But I've tagged it as a Black. I expect some update by tonight."
The tasks for the Black Diamond Organizations are color-coded by their importance as reviewed by the active Lieutenants (Koko, Kitsuneme, and Mochu) and at the same time, must be approved by either one of the Wakagashiras (Natsume and Sakura) or at rare times, by the Oyabun (The Old General).
Of course, since Touya, Tono, and Tsubasa are the delegated Amamiyas whose 90% attention should be placed on activities concerning of their official business world (Amamiya Group of Companies), they seldom interfere with the dealings of their black market group.
But that doesn't change the fact that the three of them have the highest position in the second-ranked members (Lietuenants). So when Tono issued different tasks in order to investigate what happened to their baby princess, and who the f* is behind all these, everyone in their organization knew that this is a top urgent task.
The Black Diamond organization doesn't only revolve on money loaning, business funding, gambling, and prostitution. They also offer hiring mercenaries of different skill levels.
The top services they've been hired for are for secret investigation, abduction, stealing, and assasination. Tasks are mainly classified into two categories: The Colors and the Metals.
The Old General thought of these names as to not alert any suspicion in cases when outsiders hear of this.
For the Colors, there is Yellow, Orange, Blue, and Red.
Yellow task is the lowest and cheapest grade, then Orange, followed by Blue, then Red is the most expensive an ordinary citizen can purchase.
Next is The Metals. Silver, Gold, and the exclusive Black. These are where the topnotch mercenaries can be sent. Extremely expensive, and, at most, the client must be from one of the approved list of families the Oyabun and Wakagashiras has prepared from way back the organization has been formed until present time.
Silver is very expensive, with a minimum cost averaging of 20 Million US Dollars.
Gold is the best one that these special group can buy and is about 10 to 50 times more expensive than the cheapest Siver task.
Black tagged tasks are tasks that cannot be bought by money, even if you offer a billion US dollars in return.
Black tasks are those issued by the family. Therefore, only the most talented and the most elite of the mercenaries are dispatched for these tasks.
When a task is tagged as Black, it is of utmost priority and none of the other tasks shall matter. If the requested mercenary is currently involved in other tasks, he or she must immediately drop it and ask for a replacement, and then quicly proceed to the Black task.
These male and female mercenaries are directly trained under the third-ranked members of the Black Diamonds, Ye Sha, Ye Mei, Su Mei, Su Yue, and the now newly appointed CEO of the Ishikawa Corporation.
"When will the paternity results come out?" Touya asked Syaoran.
"Right now, Ze and Xu are in the hospital for that. Ze is knowledgeable about it and he can produce the results before three this afternoon. Xu has taken over the security over the place to assure of the confidentiality of the process.
He said something about feeling uneasy that someone is spying on us. So he has been very busy since this morning, making rounds around the place and getting all involved staff fingerprinted. He has also issued a background check on all of them, making sure that no one is connected to any organization or is from Beijing or Europe."
Touya nodded his head in satisfaction.
"Knowing that Yue Ze is leading the process, I am very much assured. Plus I did not expect the younger Yue to be this efficient. How can he be friends with these four?"
He pointed to the four lonely people on the side, looking as if their soul has left their body hours prior.
"Do you know Yue Ze before?" Tsubasa asked.
"Yes. We've been doing business since my earlier years. You and Natsume don't know him since he rarely go to Japan. It is always the younger Yue who handles important business here and in Beijing. But Tono and I both frequently travel to Europe since the Yues owns different businesses there."
"Italy, Germany, Sweden, Greece, Switzerland, and United Kingdom among the few." Tono smirked at the bewildered faces of the four idiots.
Their jaw almost hit their chest as they gaped stupidly at Touya and Tono.
"Xu is that wealthy? That cheap bastard! He's never been extravagant in front of us nor generous to spend on things for us!" Mochu exclaimed bitterly.
"Hahaha! I remember how you always paid for his tab!" Xiao Shi slapped his hand on his thigh as he remembered the old days when they would go out and spend money left and right as if it would never diminish.
Touya has always been the most serious among all the Amamiyas, and that includes even the elders. But right at this moment, Tono noticed his mouth seemed to curve a little as he watch the four idiots wailing and complaining on how they were duped by the younger Yue.
"You seem fond of those four at this moment."
Touya took a sip of his straight Macallan 1926 whiskey.
"I am thinking of how spirited they are when today is the last day of their freedom."
Tono burst out laughing as he pushed back a few fallen strands of his long, black hair.
"They've probably forgotten about it. When will we send them to train?"
"Tomorrow at 4 in the morning. Make sure they only bring sets of clean underwear and nothing else. Tell Tsubasa to keep their mobiles and other gadgets locked in my study at the Manor."
"Got it, Young Master." Tono saluted as he raised his arm and knocked his temple with his hand.
A mobile tone sounded and everyone turned to Syaoran as he picked it up.
Seeing that it was his business phone, Natsume sinalled for the rest that it's nothing important.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. At least it wasn't Sakura or any of the elders. They still haven't discussed on how to break the news to her later.
"Yes?" Syaoran's deep voice was a bit hoarse from lack of sleep.
"Li Syaoran?" A feminine voice sounded on the other end.
Seated beside Syaoran, Natsume's ear erected the moment he heard a woman's voice.
Frowning, Syaoran checked the time on the same Patek Philippe that Sakura once admired very much.
"Who is this and what is this about? Do you not know not to contact me but my secretary?"
He is very much annoyed right now. Who the f* dares to call him this early on the morning of his wedding! And a female!
What if he was with Sakura when this happened?
Syaoran tried to remove the scary thought in his mind.
"Oh, did I disturb you? I'm sorry. I am calling to set a business meeting on..." The woman tried to sound wronged for being on the receiving end of the Li Syaoran's anger, but who is she though for the mighty Syaoran to notice?
Syaoran then ended the call and turned off his mobile.
Anyway, Rachel knows to send him an sms on his personal mobile if something really urgent comes up.
"So?" Natsume eyed his best friend.
Syaoran shrugged his broad shoulders.
"Some freak. Who cares."
Syaoran reached out for his cup of coffee as if not bothered by the call.
But of course, Natsume wouldn't let him go.
"Thanking the heavens that Sakura isn't here?"
Syaoran unintentionally gulped down the hot coffee when he heard Natsume's words. He coughed as his scalded throat burned in pain.
"Oh you're lucky that's all you get for letting an unknown woman call you at eleven in the morning on the day after you got married."
Syaoran coughed more as he cursed this man beside him.
Although in his head, he totally agreed with him.
Compared to Sakura's wrath, this pain is nothing.