Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN CARDCAPTOR SAKURA NOR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS - THEY BELONG PURELY TO CLAMP
BroodingDarkness: Here's the next one! Thank you! It's a bit longer than usual, but there's a lot more to get through now. Anyways, enjoy!
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JBubbles: Oh, good! Yes, they are 'practically' back together and the storyline is moving itself along! Thank you so much!
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A big Thank you to all of my reviewers as they always make my day!
Warning: Mentions of violence and sexual references.
"Blah blah blah" is speech
"Blah blah blah" is the person talking on the other end of the phone
####### is a time cut, but with the same people at the same place
Gypsy Dance
by Brooding Darkness
Part 14
"How you find time to do all of this is beyond my knowing. I have a new found respect for designers because of you," Eriol smiled over the phone.
"Thanks, Eriol. It has been a lot of work but it'll all be worth it when I see her walk down that catwalk," Tomoyo sighed happily, if a little tiredly. She had been up most of the night finishing off three of the last outfits necessary for the next fashion shoot, but they were finished.
Pushing the door to the main building of Dark Angel Fashions¹ with the her mobile wedged between her shoulder and ear, one hand holding the three dresses that she had finished the previous night and a cup of milky coffee in the other, Tomoyo made an effort to keep her conversation going while trying not to appear too starry-eyed at the deal she had just made with Clow Reed². It was a simple phone conversation, but Sakura needed a nice and easy way back into the fashion industry and Tomoyo's latest Summer Line was the perfect opportunity. So, the two companies had made a 3 week contract for the green eyed model to work with Tomoyo before going back to her contract with Clow Reed.
Tomoyo was ecstatic, to say the least.
Spinning gracefully, Sakura admired the pure genius that must have gone into the long rose-pink dress she was currently wearing. The strapless gown spilled out with various shades of dark pink and light red slices flaring at the bottom like a roses petals opening out in the summer sun – or at least that was the thought behind the design. And to Sakura, that was exactly what it looked like.
"You are a genius!" She gasped, grinning brightly at young designer who was just stood in the doorway, smiling back gently at her.
"Thank you. Do you need any adjustments? There are another six outfits that I want you to try on before you go out there, but otherwise you look fantastic!" The dark haired woman stepped into the small changing area running a hand lightly down the silky material and then over equally silky peach skin.
"Not to the dress, but you can take my measurements again later," Sakura said huskily, smirking.
"Okay, but that'll have to wait until later," Tomoyo smirked right back. "Now, the next outfit is in the grey back with the number 4. After that, you can try the ones with number 7, 12, 18, 19 and 21."
"Roger!" Giggling lightly, the green eyed woman twirled back around quickly unzipping the back of the pink gown and then placing it gently onto the back of a provided chair. "Is Syaoran really coming to this?"
"Yes, he wants to support the both of us. Everyone already knows that the two of us are his friends, and he's never been against showing public support for his beliefs and right now, that's us."
"I know, but he's always so busy! And it's not like everyone knows how close Syaoran and I used to be."
"Let's hope they don't," Tomoyo cautioned. "I don't usually involve myself directly with my models since we use different agencies and I usually get told their sizes just before I actually start to put the cloth together, but keeping your personal life a secret is extremely hard to do these days and it's not something I'd advertise. So, I suggest that you keep your background between us for your own sake, not just Syaoran's."
Nodding at the sage advice, Sakura unzipped the grey plastic protection away from a yellow shirt and pants combination outfit.
Standing at the fake wall, Eriol motioned to one of the European models to step onto the catwalk and do her job. The blonde was pale, thin and too tall for his liking, but she was one of the studios favourites, so here she was.
"Eriol!"
"Ah, Sakura! You look wonderful! Tomoyo really does know how to make any design work even when the original model isn't being used," the bluenette admired.
"Thanks, Eriol. Honestly, it does feel like it was made for me," she grinned back.
"It looks like it was made for you," he smiled back, waving behind her for the next model – Natasha, he thought – to get on stage after giving her a nod that she was dressed and ready to go on. "Are you ready for this?"
"Yes. I just want to get back out there and I'm grateful that I've got all of you supporting me. I don't think that I'll be able to do this alone." Wringing her hands, the model took a deep breath as Eriol lightly tapped the small of her back to indicate that it was her moment to enter onto the catwalk. Shaking herself lightly, Sakura straightened her back and stepped gracefully onto the catwalk and did what she did best.
Happy did not even begin to describe how Eriol had felt before he had entered Kaho's office. His love life was picking up and going quite well – even if the relationship itself wasn't quite sorted out beyond its physical nature – and his work life was quite good as well, what with the temporary contract between the two companies. He also had a good indication that he was going to win his case – especially since there was such a thing as free speech.
Then Eriol had walked into Kaho's office.
"Hello, Eriol. I'm glad to hear that the shoot went well, and Sakura-san did amazing as usual! It's like she never stopped," the Studio Director spoke, standing to shake his hand.
Returning the gesture, Eriol smiled his infamous Cheshire Cat smile replying, "Kaho. I don't think she ever really 'stopped', but yes, she was wonderful. Now, what was it that you really wanted me to come in for?"
Taking a seat across from the long haired woman, Eriol crossed his legs elegantly and waited for her to begin speaking, all the while running through various discussions and scenarios that she could have possibly brought him in to converse on.
"Eriol, we've been working together for quite some time now, and we've even invested into the business together. We started it, and with some help, we've managed to nurture the business into something great. But our investors do hold 40% of the company."
Nodding, the bluenette indicated with his hands for Kaho to continue.
"Well, the thing is... and I can't stress how much they like you – they do! – but... this business with the case and the Mayor and his son... they want you to resign." Sitting forward, leaning on her desk with her arms crossed, she waited for the reaction she just knew he would give, trying not to look guilty.
"What? Resign? Kaho-"
"I know! I know. I spoke with them all and I've managed to stress how important you are to the company – you do own 30% of it after all – but I agree that you should take a step back. So that's what we all want you to do," Kaho put up a hand to stop him from interrupting her.
"And how do I do that? Take a step back?" He asked coolly.
"Take a break," she replied simply.
"A break?" Eriol blinked. This must be what Déjà Vu feels like, he thought.
"Only for a while! You could call it a long holiday. Just until the case is resolved," she tried to reassure him, soothing her words and giving him a slight, apologetic smile.
"A holiday? Okay... and what about my models? Sakura? Who will run the departments and my half of the agency in my absence?" He offered genuinely interested in who would replace him, if only temporarily.
"You."
"Me? How? You just asked me to take a break," he pointed out bluntly, beginning to feel frustrated despite his cool demeanour.
"You won't actually be on the premises and you won't go to any shoots or shows – one of the assistants will do that, or I can if need be – but you can still do everything else provided that it gets sent to your home office and it's all under the radar," she shrugged. The light was currently shining onto his glasses in a manner in which she could no longer see his eyes, and his cool expression gave her nothing to go on as to his reaction. He was blank, cunning and currently dangerous to both her and the investors. And that was very bad. Very bad.
"I see. Well, I shall just have to go about my business quietly and demurely then. Making sure that no toes are stepped on and pretending that I've done something wrong," he smiled, speaking as though he was merely discussing the weather.
"You have done something wrong," Kaho pointed out sitting back into her chair.
"No I haven't. Speaking the truth isn't wrong, and even if it was, there is nothing legally wrong with what I've said and how I've handled it. The case will be dismissed and that will be the end of it," he said, smile still in place.
"Well... good. Then this shouldn't take too long."
"No. It shouldn't. Now if that's all? Thank you for your time and I hope you know what you're doing," he said, standing up and holding out his hand.
Taking it, Kaho grimaced, nodding. "So do I."
Rubbing his eyes tiredly, Syaoran wondered just why he had decided to get out of bed that morning. Although, if he really thought about it, there were many times during a day, every day of the week when he felt like that. Why he didn't just quit all of this and take up dancing as a living was beyond him in these moments.
His day had started off as usual, and then he had taken a short amount of time to make an appearance at the morning design show to support both Tomoyo and Sakura before getting back to the office where he had been stuck on calls and walking out of his office to search for one of his sectaries.
"Where is that woman?" he muttered annoyed that Meiling hadn't shown up yet. At first he had thought that she was out with Yue as she had been spending most of her time with him doing her job over the past few weeks, but after checking the schedule he had found that she was actually supposed to be helping him out with the small business that had caused so much trouble for them both. Almost a full month later and they were still having issues. It really did make him want to resign.
Entering his office once more with several files in hand – the Gods and Goddess only knew if he had any of the right ones – he pinched the bridge of his nose before making a calculated decision.
*RING RING RING*
"Hello? Tsukishiro Yue speaking."
"Hi, Yue? I'm looking for Meiling. Is she with you by any chance? She's missed work, but the last time that happened it was down to a scheduling error on one of my other sectaries part, so I was just wondering if you've seen her," he asked, politely, yet commanding. He was not about to let the man cover for her if he had ever felt so inclined too. Syaoran seriously didn't think that Yue would, but Meiling had a way with people. Even people like Yue.
"I spoke with her yesterday about a possible prospect as I have yet to be pleased with any of her choices thus far – which I cannot stress enough about asking for someone else despite your best assurances – and so I wanted to show her the type of building she was supposed to be helping me look for," the silver haired man spoke coldly, but Syaoran knew the man well enough to hear the irritation in his voice.
"I can assure you that Meiling is more than capable. Have you thought that perhaps she is showing you the best of what there is? Maybe the buildings she's show you so far are the only ones available that come anywhere near to what you've asked for," he replied, more than ready to defend his cousin and adoptive sister.
"Perhaps. Either way we'll see if she understands what it is that I really want," Yue sighed.
"Yes, we will. So, she is with you then? That's good. I'll just adjust that in the data logs then. Tell her I need her to come back to the office the moment she's finished. I really didn't understand this stupid colour coding system of hers and I'm still not sure if I'm actually looking through the right paperwork," he laughed shaking his head even though the brunette knew that Yue could see him. During their conversation he had flipped through the yellow, green, blue and red folders and he was now moving onto the purple and orange ones. So far, none of them contained the information he had actually been searching for – which meant another trip to Meiling's special cabinet for all things colourful and confusing.
"Very well then. I'm sure I shall be seeing you soon, so until then, goodbye."
"Goodbye, Yue. And thank you for your patience," Syaoran smiled before placing the phone back onto his desk. Groaning at the unneeded documents in the purple and orange files, Syaoran stood to make yet another trip to the red eyed woman's desk.
##################################################
Hanging up, Yue looked down both ways of the street and then over the road. Truthfully, he had not only lied to Syaoran but he had also hidden his worry over the woman. If Syaoran did not know where Meiling was – and he had just been about to call the man himself before the brunette had phoned him – and since she had not shown up at their meeting point for almost a full hour, then surely something must have happened.
Yue scowled feeling that he should have paid much more attention to those bruises then he actually had. Pocketing his mobile, the silverette crossed over to the other side of the road and hailed a black taxi. Giving the driver Meiling's address, Yue sat back watching the scenery pass by, hoping that he wasn't too late to help.
##################################################
Slapping the blonde, Meiling ignored the throbbing pain from just above her left brow as she wrenched herself away from Cleon's grip.
"I've said it once, and I feel like I've said it a million times, Cleon: NO!"
Spitting at her, Cleon barely shifted from his position as he grabbed her arm once again. "Did I tell you to slap me? Did I tell you to speak? No! You do what you're told or you're going to get hurt." Breath through his nose for a few moments, he made a visible effort to calm down. "I don't want to hurt you Meiling, but if you keep defying me like this, then I have no choice."
"You don't want to hurt me? You have no choice? Are you insane or just demented? What the hell do you think I'm going to say to that?" She yelled back, ripping herself away from his grip once again. Wiping the spittle off of her cheek, she snarled at him, "Don't get in my way, Cleon. And never threaten me. I'm a dangerous girl when I want to be and you won't ever be able to deal with it, do I make myself clear?"
"Cute. I do love it when you're feisty, but you have to learn to keep it to the bedroom if this is going to work out," the blonde insisted,
"Work out? There isn't anything going on! I don't want you! I HATE you! And I HATE everything about you! So, get out!" Pointing at the door, the red eyed woman felt like killing the man. He had hit her repeatedly and the only reason she hadn't gone to the police yet was because she knew how Syaoran would react and he had enough to deal with at that point in time. Besides, she was a big girl and she could take care of herself.
BAM!
Flying straight into the floor, Meiling's hands automatically caught her and spun her so that she was back onto her feet. Her years of martial arts training came in handy in these instances, but they didn't stop the room from spinning or the pain that had bloomed onto her face. Vaguely, she felt a trickle of something tickled her face and lips, and a quick dart of her tongue tasted metal and sweat.
"I said that I didn't want to hurt you, Meiling. But that doesn't mean I won't," Cleon spoke quietly. He actually sounded like he had regretted the action, but since he had done it anyway, Meiling highly doubted it.
"Get stuffed."
This time her body reacted faster than her spinning mind as her hands came up to block his assault and she ended up grabbing his hands and flinging the blonde over her hip, slamming his head and hip onto the floor a split second before the rest of his body followed.
Heaving from the wooden flooring, Cleon gasped as he glared up at the dark haired woman who was just now regaining her footing properly. This was not how he had wanted this discussion to go, and he was certainly not about to give up now.
"Meiling-"
"Miss Li?"
Turning on one foot, Meiling stared in shock and horror as a certain longed haired man casually and gracefully entered her apartment. Yue took one cool look at her, and Cleon still lying prone of the floor with his mouth open and then at the half-wrecked living area before directing his still cool gaze at the red eyed woman.
"Are you having any trouble?" He asked giving no indication to any emotion he may have felt in that moment.
"Oh, you know... just a pest. I'll kill it soon enough," she smiled back. It was only then that she realised that the trickle was blood and that her face must look an absolute mess. Without even glancing at the blonde still lying on her floor, Meiling briskly walked over to the large mirror in the small hallway and viewed the damage. Syaoran's going to be asking a lot of questions, she thought, lightly touching her blooded lip.
"Perhaps I should make sure that the pest does not return. Just to be sure you're rid of it for good. I don't want to turning up late to any of our meetings if this venture is to continue," Yue spoke to her coolly, not moving from his standing place in the living area, cold and dangerous eyes still focusing on the blonde man.
Blinking, Cleon finally registered just what was being said and moved to stand back up. "Now listen here you! I don't know who you are, but-!"
"Quite right. My apologies for the lack of introduction, but I don't usually address rodents and I certainly don't consider addressing them when I find them with someone else," the silverette brushed off turning his attention back to Meiling.
"Syaoran's looking for you. I told him that we were viewing a template for the type of building that I wish to own for the company, so once you've gotten cleaned up that is where we shall go so that you don't make me a liar."
"Thank you, Yue. Huh, I never thought I'd ever say that," the red eyed woman mused smiling almost teary at the man. "What about him?"
"I'll sort him out. You go get ready."
"Thanks again." Skipping around the couch so that she would avoid the now fuming blonde man, Meiling dashed into her bedroom, locking the door behind her. She would never admit it, but she had been so relieved when Yue had waltzed in like that that she truly did want to cry. Grabbing a cloth she sat in front of her dresser mirror and began to wipe off the blood.
Ten minutes later she had fixed her make-up up enough to cover the majority of the bruising and her split lip no longer looked so bad, but she was still thinking up a plausible story for her to tell Syaoran when she next saw him. Or perhaps she would text him, then at least, he might not be so shocked and more inclined to believe her.
Leaving her bedroom and taking a quick glance about the living room, Meiling noticed that Yue was the only occupant. "You got rid of him then?"
"Yes, and he shouldn't be troubling you again. If he does call me. Or Syaoran, and don't dart out of telling him. He needs to know," Yue said calmly, his eyes betraying his worry.
"I will," she sighed in reply, shoulders slumping slightly. She supposed she'd have to at some point, but that point was entirely up to her.
"Good. Now, then. Shall we go view the perfect building?" Holding out an arm to indicate for her to go first she smiled brightly nodding.
"If it's that perfect I could negotiate for you to buy it and provide the current residents with a new building," she suggested, laughing as lightly as she could.
"Don't even thing about getting out of this so easily. I want my own version, thank you."
"Okay, I was only saying," she grinned, locking the front door once they had both walked through.
Wondering why he was even bothering anymore, Syaoran found himself in front of the latest Cirque du Crepuscule warehouse-turned-studio and feeling for all the world like an idiot. Eriol was the only one who knew that he had the Semi-Finals today and he had barely practiced for it. Since his job at the club had been shot, he had made less and less time to actually dance and the brunette felt like he was certainly going to flunk out. And he had never flunked out of anything before.
Gulping as discreetly as he could, he entered the building to find a small reception directly across from the entryway and that the interior was definitely a few steps up from the first warehouse.
"Can I help you?" the man behind the reception desk asked politely.
"Yes, I'm here for the Semi-Finals," he replied smiling as best he could.
"Ah, yes! Just sign into the book and then head down the right hand corridor. You'll want Room S408, it's just at the end on the left. Congratulations for getting to this stage by the way, I heard that it's pretty tough this year," the man smiled indicating the book on top of the counter.
"Thanks, and yeah, it is pretty tough."
Following the directions, Syaoran politely knocked on the door before entering and immediately seeing the three other dancers that had been with him in the Quarter-Finals plus ten more dance acts. It was slightly disturbing to see the salsa-couple dressed in equally florescent clothing which left almost nothing to the imagination, but then Syaoran had to remind himself just what he had picked out to wear for the competition.
Dressed in a short sleeved, forest green shirt with bronze and gold printed leaves and a slightly darker shade of forest green three-quarters with the leaf print continued along with wood-brown boots and a leaf-patterned hair ornament, Syaoran realised that he stood out himself.
Moving to the back of the room, he dumped his bag next to the others and joined other single dancers in stretching out with the ballet poles along a wall filled with full length mirrors.
"Hello!" A young woman smiled, adding pressure to her leg which was stretched out onto the beam.
"Hi," he replied smiling back as he began his own exercises.
"My names Matsumoto Maki. Is this your first year competing?" She introduced herself. She was actually quite pleasant looking despite being clearly in her mid-forties, and her soft smile reminded Syaoran of his elder sisters.
"Hi! I'm Gypsy, it's nice to meet you, and yes, this is my first year. Is it yours?" He smiled right back.
"Gypsy? That's unusual. Yes, it's my first year too," she said, letting her happiness shine through. She seemed like a gentle woman and Gypsy wondered if he might have found a friend in this competition.
"Well, we'll just have to help each other then," he answered, holding out a hand as she stood upright.
"I'd like that, thank you."
"Okay, everyone! We're starting now!" A woman dressed in business dress yelled before she took her place behind a wooden desk next to four other people dressed in a similar fashion.
"Good luck!" Maki whispered.
"Good luck to you too," he whispered back, both smiling at each other.
"I need your help," Cleon spoke tartly into his mobile, glaring at everything and anything within his line of sight.
"What do you need help with?"
"I need you to help me get rid of someone," the blonde practically snarled.
"Sure! Just give me a name and place."
"Thanks. His name's Tsukishiro Yue, and he lives at 207A Kirkby Lane, you know the place, yeah?"
"Yeah, consider it done."
"Thanks," Cleon smiled, sitting back as he lifted his cup of coffee to his lips.
"No problem."
Notes:
¹I've made this company up, so if there is a company named that, then this is no relation.
²This is Eriol's company name. Yes, it's not original, but it works.
BroodingDarkness: Oooh! And the drama continues! Please review! Thank you!
