Sakura looked at Tomoyo's large stomach with vague interest and a hint of what looked like she was disturbed. Beneath her hand, she could feel the baby moving around.

Tomoyo beamed, "It's wonderful, isn't it?"

Sakura pulled her hand away. "Err...I guess so."

"We just finished getting the nursery organised." Tomoyo said cheerfully, "I can't believe how fast time passes."

"I feel like it was only last week you told me you were pregnant." Sakura sighed. "Yet here you are, about to give birth any day now."

"What about you and Syaoran?" Tomoyo asked.

Sakura frowned, "What do you mean?"

"Have you two spoken about kids?"

Sakura shook her head.

Tomoyo looked worried. "Do you not want kids?"

"I want children...it's just...I guess it happens when it happens." She shrugged.

Tomoyo smiled understandingly. "It's okay. I understand."

Sakura then sighed. "What's taking those two so long? They've been talking for over an hour now."

"I'm not sure..."

Sakura groaned. "Stupid work..." she muttered.

"Sorry to keep you ladies waiting." Eriol spoke as he walked in with Syaoran behind him.

"It's fine. Is everything okay? You were both gone for a while." Tomoyo said.

"Everything is fine. We were just discussing a few work-related matters." Syaoran answered.

"Sure, you were." Sakura muttered.

"Sakura." Syaoran frowned with disapproval. She smiled innocently at him, causing him to shake his head.

"We better leave, since it's getting late." Eriol said.

"Alright, I'll walk you guys to the door." Sakura smiled.

"Oh, thank you." Eriol smiled. "See you later Syaoran."

"Yeah. See you." Syaoran watched Sakura leave the room with the two and he sighed softly, thinking to himself.

When Sakura returned, she found him sitting on the couch, waiting for her. "Come here." He said softly, patting his knee.

Sakura felt her cheeks redden as she walked over and seated herself on his lap.

"I need you to do me a favour." He started.

Sakura tilted her head to the side in confusion. "What is it?"

He watched her for a short moment before answering. "The streets are more dangerous than usual recently. I don't want you going anywhere on your own."

Sakura watched him carefully, searching his expression. Something told her that there was something more to this sudden request.

"Okay...If I go out to the city, I'll go with Ami or Tomoyo."

He smiled as he brushed her cheek softly. "Thank you."

"Syaoran...is there something you're not telling me?" Sakura dared to ask, and for a minute she was worried she'd angered him.

Instead, she was surprised when he nodded. "There is something I need to tell you. It's about the reason we got married." Syaoran said.

Sakura frowned in confusion. "It was for financial reasons."

Syaoran grimaced, "That's what your mother wanted you to believe. The truth is, she had us marry for your own protection."

She raised her brow sceptically. "Protection?"

"Yes..."

She stared at him with disbelief, wondering if this was some kind of joke. But when she realised Syaoran was dead serious, she knew it was anything but a joke.

"What was my mother trying to protect me and my sister from?" she asked quietly.

"I'm still trying to find out all of the details. Your mother mentioned a former family friend who intended to take the two of you as his own once you were of age." Syaoran explained. "My father knew of the issues your mother was having with this person."

Sakura wasn't sure what to think. It was too much to take in. "Syaoran, I don't understand..." she said, "It doesn't make any sense."

"My father offered your mother my family's protection through marriage before he died. Hence, our marriage."

"But-that's not fair on you-"

"I agreed to it."

She stared at him, stunned.

"My father asked me, and I agreed to the arrangement."

"But...you hated me." She mumbled.

He looked uncomfortable. "I never hated you. You used to annoy the crap out of me, but I never hated you. I... just didn't understand you, and it frustrated me."

Sakura thought over his words for a moment and gave a small nod. "Okay. I believe you."

He looked guilty, and she smiled. "I'm sure you'll tell me all of the necessary information when the time is right. I trust you. With everything."

Syaoran smiled softly. "Thank you."

"Does Tomoyo know?" Sakura asked.

"Eriol plans to tell her when they get home." He answered.

Sakura nodded. Syaoran looked at her softly before he cupped her cheek gently, pulling her in for a kiss. As they parted, Sakura felt her cheeks heat up as she became acutely aware of their position, and she buried her face in his shoulder.

Sakura was still shy and timid when it came to anything sexual, and if there was one thing Syaoran had learned, it was to take it at Sakura's pace. She still hid her face in his shoulder when she sat on his lap-such as what she was doing at that current moment.

He smiled, and his lips grazed her jaw line, making her stiffen. Syaoran was teasing her again, much to his pleasure and her embarrassment.

He nibbled her ear, knowing she was particularly sensitive there, and felt her hot breath against his neck. Smiling, he slid his fingers beneath her skirt to feel her smooth thighs.

"S-Syaoran..." she whispered his name sending shivers down his spine.

His lips grazed her jaw line again and goose bumps rose on her skin.

"Hey," he spoke softly, "Look at me."

He stroked her hair softly, and timidly, she pulled back, so he could see her face. Her cheeks were a rosy red and her eyes glazed with lust. Syaoran smiled softly as he pulled her in for a kiss. It was gentle and loving, allowing for Sakura to relax against him and melt in his arms. They parted, and she smiled softly.

"This innocent demeanour of yours is adorable." He murmured softly against her lips.

Before she had any time to reply, his lips caught hers in another kiss. Syaoran licked her bottom lip in plea of entry and she parted her lips for him. His tongue slid past and enticed hers to dance with his as he slid his hand further up her thigh to cup her ass.

A moan escaped her throat and he parted from her lips, trailing kisses down her neck and lavishing attention on her collar bone.

Sakura could feel his growing erection pressing against her hot core, and she pressed her pelvis down against him. He squeezed her butt and parted her lips so she could feel it more and she whimpered.

"Syaoran..."

The way she whimpered his name with such want and desperation tipped him over the edge. Holding her, he shifted so that she was lying on the couch with her legs wrapped around his hips and his erection still pressed against her core.

He kissed her neck, nibbling her pulse as he unlaced the front of her dress, loosening the top so the sleeves hung loosely from her shoulders and showed the tops of her breasts.

She threaded her fingers through his dark hair and with a barrier of cloth between them, he thrust against her, sending sharp spikes of pleasure through her blood.

Her breath came out in breathy moans and gasps as he brought her closer to the edge, thrusting against her core. Sakura's body seized as juices spilled down her inner thighs and she moaned into his neck. He continued to thrust against her core and she arched her neck as she trailed her hand down his back and to the front of his pants, but he stopped her hands from travelling any further and pinned them above her head.

"S-Syaoran, let me..."

He cut her off by kissing her powerfully, and soon she started to feel that coil back in her abdomen. She threaded her fingers back through his hair and lifted her hips to meet his thrusts, until finally the coil burst and sent pleasure coursing through her veins as the same time Syaoran felt his release.

He collapsed over her, careful not to crush her beneath his weight, and pulled her face towards his to kiss her softly. Sakura's limbs felt useless after their little adventure, and she felt her eyelids droop. Syaoran's fingers brushed over every inch of her exposed flushed skin and he showered her with soft kisses often. Sakura was just glad one of the maids hadn't walked in.

Maids.

The maids!

"What?" Syaoran asked as her eyes flew open.

"What if the maids heard!?" she cried.

"Shh, it's fine." He murmured soothingly.

"Syaoran, you know how I am about-"

"Yes, I do. Which is why they're all terribly busy doing other things in other parts of the manor. I told them not to disturb us for any reason." He murmured against her neck.

Sakura blushed, "Did you plan this?"

He smiled. "No, but I may have put the extra precaution there in case you wanted to."

She froze and buried her scarlet face in his shirt.

"Just teasing you." He chuckled.

She groaned, "You..."

He nuzzled her neck affectionately, distracting her from her embarrassment and instead she smiled.

"Are you trying to distract me?" she asked.

"No, what makes you think that?"

"The conversation..."

He pulled back and looked at her with confusion. "Is there anything else you'd like to know?"

"Well...do you know who it is that's after me and Tomoyo?"

Syaoran grimaced. "We have the name your mother gave us."

"But?"

"We can't locate them just yet." He replied.

"Oh."

"I'm sorry." He apologised.

Sakura smiled softly, "Just don't do anything reckless, okay?"

Syaoran smiled and kissed her softly, "I won't."

...

Sakura woke feeling stiff and sore from her activities with her husband the night before, and she looked over at the clock to find it was nearly ten o'clock. She sighed heavily. Syaoran was out at work all day and had said he wouldn't be home until late again, leaving her alone in the house all day. She didn't know what to do with her day, and Syaoran had asked her not to go anywhere in the city on her own.

She sat up and stretched her stiff body before she stood. She walked over to her wardrobe and pulled the green dress she'd gotten from Syaoran for Christmas out to wear. Once she'd gotten dressed, she headed downstairs for breakfast, and then headed out to see Tomoyo.

The two sisters walked through the city together, headed for the orphanage. Tomoyo was a little out of breath, so they slowed their pace to make it easier for her.

"You're due soon, right?" Sakura smiled.

"Yes, that's right." Tomoyo smiled, wincing as they walked, but Sakura missed it.

"Have you and Eriol decided on names yet?" Sakura then asked.

Tomoyo nodded, "Mika, since it can be a girl or boys name."

Sakura smiled brightly, "That sounds adorable!"

"Do you mind if we rest for a minute? I'm feeling a bit tired." Tomoyo breathed.

"Of course, we can!" Sakura looked around and spotted a little stall selling cool drinks. "Take a seat by the fountain. I'll go get us some drinks, okay?"

"Thanks Sakura," Tomoyo smiled gratefully.

While Tomoyo went to sit down, Sakura hurried over to the stand and waited to order, choosing a refreshing orange and mango juice for the two of them. With the drinks in hand, Sakura turned and headed over to the fountain, only to find Tomoyo wasn't there.

With a frown, Sakura looked around, searching the area for her sister, but couldn't find her anywhere.

Just as Sakura was about to start panicking, a hand covered her mouth with a disgusting smelling cloth. Sakura struggled, trying to figure out why no one was coming to help them in such a public area. Just as she was about to pass out, she realised the reason: concealment magic.

...

Syaoran cracked his stiff neck, loosening it up after a long day of work. He was looking forward to getting home to Sakura; he felt relaxed and completely at ease by her side.

He sighed softly. Research was going slowly, but that wasn't new. They were researching how to treat a form of illness caused by an excessive drainage of magical power and caused the sufferers to fall into a dangerously weakened state that ultimately resulted in death. So far, they'd had no break throughs.

A soft knock on his door alerted him of a visitor. "Come in," he answered.

Sid walked in with a small pile of files in his arms. The doctor smiled, "Long day?"

"Just a bit." Syaoran replied. "What can I do for you?"

"I just came to give you these files on your new patients." Sid replied.

Syaoran took the files from Sid, "Thanks."

"No offence, but I get the feeling you don't like me very much." Sid smiled awkwardly.

"I treat all of my colleagues the same. What makes you think you're any different?" Syaoran replied.

Sid shrugged. "You're good friends with Yamazaki."

"We grew up together and he's a close family friend." Syaoran answered.

"Ah, I see."

"Is that all?" Syaoran asked. "I don't want to leave my wife alone at home for too long."

"Oh, err, of course. Sorry to keep you." Sid replied awkwardly, and then left.

Syaoran shook his head. Sid was good at his job, but Syaoran didn't trust him, not after what Sakura had told him about what happened between her and the man all those months ago. Thankfully, Sid didn't run into Sakura very often. Syaoran wasn't sure if the man had anything to do with the person who was after Sakura and Tomoyo, so he had been keeping a close eye on him. So far, there wasn't anything suspicious.

Grabbing his briefcase, Syaoran left the hospital to return home, only to be surprised when a frantic looking Ami greeted him at the door.

"What's wrong?" he asked immediately.

"It's Lady Sakura-she went out to see Lady Tomoyo, but she hasn't returned home like she said she would. I'm worried." Ami explained.

Syaoran frowned. "I'll call Eriol-"

His sentence was cut off by frantic knocking on the door. Hoping it was Sakura, he opened the door, only to find Eriol looking more than a little frazzled.

"Is Tomoyo here with Sakura?" he breathed.

"No, Sakura's not here either." Syaoran replied, squashing the growing panic bubbling inside.

"Shit." Eriol cursed. "We should start thinking of a plan."

Syaoran frowned, "How can we? We don't even know who took the girls', or where." He said.

"I know, but we've been anticipating for months that something was going to happen. We should start with what we know, first." Eriol said, keeping himself calm while Syaoran struggled to keep his emotions under control.

Frustrated, Syaoran just nodded.

The sound of the grandfather clock ticking filled the quiet room. It was well and truly late into the night. Syaoran was grinding his teeth from the stress, his jaw hurting, but he was sure Sakura was feeling far worse. He was so worried about her, and they had nothing to go on-no shred of evidence or information at all.

They had gotten nowhere with their plans.

The phone rang suddenly. Syaoran looked up, glancing at Eriol who was waiting for him to answer the phone. Syaoran reached over and picked up the phone, bringing it to his ear.

"This is Li speaking. How can I help you?"

...

Sakura woke in a warm, comfy bed with soft silk sheets and warm blankets covering her. Her head ached terribly.

She looked around, finding her surroundings were familiar, and that she recognised the room she was in. It was her old bedroom. But...why was she in her old room? When her mother had died, they had sold the house to a man who won the highest bid.

"What on Earth...?" she frowned, unable to make sense of it all.

She stood from the bed and walked to the door to try and open it, but found it was locked. Groaning in frustration, she walked over to the couch and sat down. Briefly, she wondered if there was something she could use to pick the lock, but the room was bare of anything except for the bed and a few pieces of furniture. Cold air brushed against her skin, alerting her that she'd been changed out of her original clothes and into a white cotton shift. Her feet were bare.

'Tomoyo, I hope you're safe...' she thought of her sister who was heavily pregnant and prayed that she was ok. She was so worried about her and she was sure that Tomoyo was worried for her safety as well.

'This is my fault.' Thought Sakura. If only she hadn't asked Tomoyo to go to the orphanage with her, then they wouldn't be in this mess. Syaoran had warned her not to go into the city alone-he had warned her that it wasn't safe.

Tears blurred her vision. "Oh god Tomoyo, I'm so sorry." She whispered.

She waited for what felt like an eternity in the room, waiting for her captor to finally reveal themselves. She didn't know what the time was and had no way of knowing as there was no clock in the room. She was starving as the last time she'd eaten had been breakfast.

At long last, the door swung open to reveal a man in his late thirties holding a tray with a hot meal on it and a hot cup of tea.

Without saying a word, he walked over and set it down on the coffee table in front of her before he sat down in the chair across from her.

"You should eat something, so you don't starve." The man spoke, his voice deep.

Sakura just glared at him.

He was tall and lean, his jaw square and eyes cold and dark. He eyed her with interest as he sat there, looking bored, and when she didn't make a move to take her plate, he smiled coldly.

"I'll force that food down your throat if you don't start eating it. What would you prefer?"

Sakura had no doubt he'd do it, either. So, she reluctantly reached out to take the plate which had a tasty looking omelette on it and started eating slowly. She hated how he watched her with those cold, cruel eyes of his. It was in that moment that she wished for Syaoran to come and save her. She shoved the thought to the side. She couldn't afford to play the helpless damsel. She needed to find her sister and somehow escape.

Once she'd eaten, Sakura set the plate back on the tray, watching the man in front of her carefully. "Where's Tomoyo?" she demanded.

A smile tugged at his lips. "Do you really think you're in any place to be demanding answers?"

Sakura sat silently. He was right.

Seeing her expected reaction, he smiled wider. "She's in her room, down the hall. What do you think of the place? It's not too different to your old rooms."

"Quite frankly, it's creepy." Sakura replied.

He laughed. "You haven't changed."

Sakura didn't say anything. Who the hell was this man?

"I remember when you were young...so bright and full of life." He spoke, "And here you are a grown woman. You do look stunning."

Sakura tried not to squirm beneath his gaze as his eyes raked over her body.

"What do you want?" Sakura asked, her voice weak.

He smiled. "You and your sister are going to assist me with an experiment."

Sakura felt her stomach flip uncomfortably. She waited for him to elaborate, but he never did. Instead, he picked up the tray and left the room, locking Sakura inside.

Frustrated, Sakura let out a low growl. She paced the room, searching for something-anything-that might be of use to her. If only she was strong enough to lift the furniture, then maybe she could bust down the door. But, that would make too much noise and possibly put Tomoyo at risk. There was nothing. Nothing.

Feeling exhausted, she decided the best thing she could do was try and get some decent rest, so she could come up with a plan later. So, she walked back over to the bed and crawled in, closing her eyes.

...

She woke to the sound of the door opening and closing. Daylight filtered through the curtains and across the room to where a hot meal sat in wait for her. There was no one in the room but her.

Cautiously, Sakura slid from the bed and walked over to the coffee table, eyeing the contents. It looked to be porridge, much to her disgust, but it was something and she was starving, so she ate as much as she could without gagging.

Once she'd eaten, she waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Until she was sure that she was going to go insane.

What the hell did he want with her?! And experiments? What on earth... Sakura groaned in frustration. Next time she saw the man, she wanted to scream and hit him and demand to be taken home to Syaoran!

"You look restless."

She looked up to see the man and she narrowed her eyes. "That would be because I've been locked inside this room for god knows how long." She snapped. "I want to see my sister."

"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that's not possible right now." He replied dully.

Sakura felt her insides clench. "Is she okay? What did you do to her?!" she shouted.

His cold eyes narrowed. "Keep your mouth shut if you know what's good for you."

"Give me back my sister!"

He walked forwards and slapped her once, twice, then three times, sending her vision into a whirl.

She glared at him.

"You dare defy me again, and I swear your punishment will be a lot worse."

Sakura cradled her stinging cheek, her lip split and bleeding.

He grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the room, walking her through the familiar house until they came to a room she didn't recognise. It looked like it had been purpose built, and looked like a cold, boring hospital room with various tools and machines through the room. A chair sat in the middle, and a bed in the corner.

He shoved her over to the chair and strapped her wrists and ankles to the chair, so she couldn't move.

"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice quavering. She was scared. She watched as he filled a syringe with some odd coloured liquid.

"I'm curious to see how your body, with that seal on your magic, will react to this drug created through magic." He murmured.

"Why? What are you trying to prove?" she asked, starting to panic as a cold sweat broke out on her skin.

He didn't answer. Instead, he turned and walked towards her, the syringe in his hand.

"No... don't-don't come near me!" she shouted, but it was useless. She felt the needle pierce her skin and a cold liquid creep through her veins. It didn't take long for her to start feeling its effects as a sense of euphoria washed over her, soon followed by excruciating pain.

...

Syaoran rummaged through his papers, searching for a specific article. The call he had received from Yamazaki the night before had been alarming-one of the well-known doctors had recently been expelled from the medical society for looking into forbidden research regarding the removal of magical seals. The name had been the same one as the name Nadeshiko had given Syaoran.

At long last, he found the article. Bingo. Akio Nakamura.

Syaoran remembered that the man used to work under his father. He had been a skilled practitioner but was a little odd, or so he had heard. But what was more alarming was that he was doing forbidden research into the removal of magical seals, such as the one that had been placed on Sakura's magic when she was seven.

If she was exposed to such a vast amount of magic power, it could be life threatening. Her body wouldn't cope with the sudden immense change and her organs would break down. What he didn't understand, was what Tomoyo had to do with it. Why did he need her?

Syaoran looked up as he heard Eriol knock on the door. "Did you find that article you've been looking for since that call last night?" Eriol asked.

Eriol looked like shit. There was no better way to describe it. Syaoran had sent him off to get some sleep at one point, but it didn't look like he'd been able to.

"Yeah. Its him." Syaoran replied, "I'm not sure what he wants with Tomoyo, though."

"Tomoyo doesn't have any magic power, unlike Sakura. You said that Sakura had a seal placed on her magic when she was seven?" Eriol said.

Syaoran nodded. "Her father gave up his life, so she could live."

"Well, now that we know it's definitely him, I finally have the information after nine bloody months as to where he lives." Eriol sighed, "It's rather cruel, to be honest."

Syaoran frowned. "Why?"

"It's their old house, where their mother was murdered."

Syaoran felt his stomach flip. That was too cruel. "Shit..."

"What should we do?" Eriol asked. "If we tip him off that we're coming, it could get messy."

Syaoran clenched his fists in anger. He had no idea what Sakura was going through, but he was sure that it was nothing good, and that she was probably scared.

"We need to get the Magical Containment Forces together." Syaoran said through his teeth. "It's the safest way to get the girls back."

Eriol was silent for a moment, and then he nodded. "I'll go get that organised."

The Magical Containment Force was a force organised and governed by the three most powerful magician clans to keep the magic community under control-a form of law and order, basically. Syaoran's family, the Li clan, was one of the three families and Syaoran was the family head.

He just hoped-prayed-they got there in time.

"Sakura..."

I have nothing to say except thank you for your reviews and for reading, as always! See you again soon!