Chapter Four: Mutiny of Revenge

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Author's Note: Happy New Year! Thanks everyone for reviewing! I really mean it, it makes my day. Anyway, here's the next chapter!

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Madame Gisella ran her fingers through her wall closet in her own private bedroom. Today was an important day for her, and she needed to look her best. Running a comb through her locks, she grimaced, spraying more products into her already stiff hair.

The sound of her high heels clanked across the hard wooden ground, as she made her way towards her office. The remnants of yesterday still hung in her office, as she opened the door to be greeted by a whiff of smoke.

Grabbing a chair to stand on, she scrambled through her cupboards for the air freshener.

R-RING

The telephone rang, as she awkwardly jumped off the chair, and ran to catch the call on time.

"Madame Gisella's, how can I help you?"

"Madame Gisella? This is the governor's secretary."

Gisella smiled, so Duke Gautier had managed to pull a few strings for her after all.

"You are aware that I would be calling today?" she continued.

"Yes, I wasn't sure." Gisella replied.

"I've heard from a few sources myself that your girls are beautiful performers, and would like to ask whether they would be free to give a special performance for the governor's strictly invitational private party?"

"When would they need to be ready by?"

"It's planned to occur on the town's centennial anniversary date."

"I see."

"Will your girls be ready by then Madame?"

"I will make sure they will be."

"Thank you, a messenger will come around later this afternoon with invitations for you and your girls," said the secretary before hanging up.

Placing the cordless phone down, a smile erupted on Gisella's face. This was the kind of advertisement she needed, with the governor choosing her girls over the others, it would spell out a message for everyone.

Basking in her glory, she walked slowly towards the piece of rope that was hanging down near her door, giving it a small tug a loud noise echoed throughout the building.

RRRIING

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"Girls, hurry up and sit down," ordered a cold voice they were all familiar with.

"God, what's wrong with her today," said Sakura, as a few girls around her smiled.

"As many of you are already aware, there is to be a private party for the governor this weekend, and a few of you will be invited to perform at this event."

"Do you mean perform or perform?" said Anna, her voice loud above the others. Beside her Sakura nudged her, Gisella would punish her later for speaking out and for her cheek.

"However you want to take it Anna," replied Gisella, before continuing. "This is a very important occasion for this establishment, and so therefore I will be selectively choosing the girls that will be performing." She said, stressing the last word, as Anna cringed.

"Meilin." She called out, as the girl walked towards her giving her a slight nod.

"No surprises there." One of them called out.

"Sakura," continued Gisella, a few girls applauding her choice. She named some other girls, as one by one they stood up to stand behind Gisella. "And funny enough, Anna."

Calling out the last girl, Anna smirked at her expression.

"These girls were the top performers in the last week, if the others wish to attend such an event in the future I suggest you work harder."

Tomoyo watched some of the most beautiful girls in the building huddle around an equally beautiful woman.

Gisella walked out of the room first after she had briefed them, followed by an apprehensive Meilin who made sure to get out of the room before the other girls started slandering her.

"Hey," said Sakura, sitting down on the chair next to Tomoyo.

"What happened?"

"We just need to perform one piece for entertainment, and after that we're let loose to entertain the crowd," replied Sakura with a hint of distaste in her tone.

"I'm sure it'll be fun," commented Tomoyo, taking it back when she saw Sakura pull a face. "Okay, well it'll be better than hanging around here."

"True that," said Sakura, "Come on, I need a facial." She continued, uncrossing her legs to get up as both girls made their way towards their room.

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"Duke Gautier! What a pleasant surprise," came the sickly sweet voice of the owner of the building, as the tall man looked around the room.

Some girls, who had been cleaning the room from before, huddled together in the corner, surprised that a visitor was here in daylight. Madame Gisella's was only ever open during the night.

"I've been issues with invitations for you and your girls Madame." The man said, in a deeply strange voice. Reaching into his coat pocket he took out multiple matching invitations in cream envelopes with matching royal seals and in signatures.

Madame Gisella took the envelopes herself, slipping them into a foreign department.

"Girls, back to work!" she screeched. They jumped in fright as they ran to the room next door. Carefully closing the door, they made sure to leave a gap open so they could hear the conversation.

"Why are you here now, Monsieur? You know our opening times," asked Gisella with frustration.

"I was sent to deliver your invitations Gisella, are you not glad?" he replied, his manner calm. "There is also something else."

"What?" inquired Gisella, leaning in interested.

Taking out a cigarette, he nodded towards Gisella, as she quickly pocketed a light for him. "I need one of your girls."

"For what?"

"To bring to the party."

"I'm sorry monsieur; we don't offer an escort service," replied Gisella, unsure of what the Duke was asking of her.

"Then I suggest you make an exception, or do I need to remind you that although technically you own this place –

"Alright!" she interrupted, "Which girl do you want?" said Gisella looking extremely flustered.

"Show me what you have," replied Duke Gautier, as he took a seat waiting for Gisella.

Rushing to gather up all the girls she ran into the next room almost colliding with the girls that had been eavesdropping.

"Line up in there." She snapped at them, before rushing off to call the other girls.

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Sakura and Tomoyo were rushed among other girls to the front foyer to meet a mysterious stranger. Lucky enough for them they hadn't started applying their facial cream.

"You know what's happening?" she yelled across the corridor to Sapphire who had also been caught in this stampede.

"Oi! Meilin, what's happening?" Anna redirected the question to the black-haired girl who was also on her way downstairs.

"I don't know Sapphire," replied Meilin, "Ow, get your filthy hands of me." She screamed at another girl.

Scrambling into the spacious foyer, they all tried to straighten up their appearance as they lined up against the wall.

"That's all of them," came the harsh voice of Gisella, directed towards the mysterious raven-haired man.

Sakura gasped as she recognized who the man was, he was the same one that had eyed her a few days ago when he had left Gisella's office.

"Her." said Gautier, lazily pointing his cigarette towards an emerald eyed girl.

"Sakura?" asked Gisella, unsure of whom he had meant. Sakura was the only one with green eyes, but she had almost sure that he would've chosen Meilin. She motioned for the girl to step forward as the others filed out of the room.

"Yes, her." He snarled, a twisted expression forming on the edge of his moustache. "I have a dress for you my dear." He continued, pointing towards a brown paper bag that had been left inconspicuously on the floor beside him. "Go try it on."

"Monsieur she's one of the girls I've chosen to perform on the night," argued Gisella.

"Then find someone to replace her Gisella." He replied, staring deep into her eyes to make sure she got his message. Nodding obediently she filed out of the room, with Sakura following her.

"Come." she motioned, carrying the dress with her.

They turned several corners before entering a room that was rarely used.

The room was more spacious than the dressing room the other girls had to share; it had dark red drapes and large clean mirrors that ran from all the sides of the walls.

"Who is he? Gisella, what's happening?" blurted out Sakura, when she had closed the doors and curtains.

"That was Duke Gautier, he's the army official assigned to this area."

"He's an army official? Then what's he doing here?" said Sakura, she knew soldiers would come here frequently but not officials.

"He needs an escort for the party," she replied, as she unraveled the long red dress. "He's going for the seductive look," said Gisella who was looking at the gown.

"What do I have to do?"

"You'll spend the day with him, and later you'll be going to the party together. Remember Sakura, our customers want confidentiality." Gisella replied, pulling the gown over Sakura's shoulders. "Come on, breath in."

"I'm trying damn it." She gasped, as Gisella pulled the dress down.

"Play your part well, you're setting the standards." She continued, adding a light touch of makeup onto Sakura's flustered face. "Okay done, find a pair of heels that matches in the corner over there and you're ready."

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"Come on, higher, higher," ordered the cold, stern voice of their Colonel, pacing around while watching their measly attempts.

"Sir, we're trying as hard as we can," came a gasping voice in between his breaths.

"Not hard enough."

"Give us a break already, we're all tired sir," argued another.

"No, if I did that you'll be here for another year at this rate. Come on, I want to see those knees lift higher."

"I can't!" some of them called out.

"Fine, we'll have a break and when we come back we'll do two more consecutive rounds." Said Syaoran, as the rest of his regiment groaned in unison.

"Colonel, call for you," said the major from beside him.

"Thank you major," replied Syaoran, striding into his tent for privacy.

"He's talking to his fiancée again, damn I would love to be him," said one of the soldiers when he saw Syaoran had disappeared inside his tent.

"Don't let him catch you saying that," replied another.

"He's a slave driver I tell you."

"I bet you I'm older than him, he's so arrogant. God I would love to teach him a lesson or two."

"Here here!" a few others joined in.

"Hey, I've got an idea. Listen…"

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"Are you listening to me, Syaoran? Well the man in front of me thought I was joking or something! Honestly."

Syaoran grinned listening to Aimee talk about her latest shopping ventures.

"I'm sure you told him off."

"Could you ever see me doing something like that?" gasped Aimee.

"You're too good for that." He replied, he could almost hear her smile on the other end.

"Yeah, I could have you telling me that everyday. But honestly –

The line went dead.

Syaoran looked around the room for what had happened to the cord. Walking over to the electric plug, he checked to see if it was plugged in properly. Nothing was out of place.

"Major!" he yelled, as a short, stubby man came rushing in.

"What happened to the connection?"

"Connection?" he repeated blankly.

"Telephone connection major!"

"I-I it should be fine sir!" he stuttered, his whole form shaking and sweating.

"Well it isn't working is it? Go find out what happened," ordered Syaoran, as the quaking man in front of him jumped. "Now!"

"Y-Yes sir!" he mumbled, before rushing to check the line. Dragging his feet behind him, he faced the Colonel to deliver the bad news.

"Well major?"

"Uhh… you see, there's a slight problem with the line…" he rambled.

"What exactly?"

"The cord extension has… well… fallen apart…"

"Fallen apart major?" asked Syaoran, as the man in front of him nodded nervously. The line had actually been cut, but he didn't want to put the Colonel in a worse mood.

"Y-Yes sir." His forehead started to sweat as he became aware of the harsh glare of the Colonel's fury. "Well, I'm sure there are other phones in town which you can use Colonel."

"Thank you major. Please inform the rest of the regiment that they are free for the afternoon and to expect more intense training tomorrow." He informed the major who gulped before walking out the door.

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"That dress looks lovely on you my dear," said a deep husky voice. Two people who appeared to be apart of the city's rich upper-class society sat on the outside of one of the city's trendiest café's.

"You can call me Sakura, and I must thank you; it was your choice after all."

"I'll have none of that Sakura." The dark, curly-haired man retorted.

"You are too kind sir."

Truth was, she had spent the entire day going sight-seeing with the Duke, and although she had grown up in this city he showed her scenes she had never before seen.

As much as this would amaze any simple girl, she had found him conceited and arrogant. He loved his money, but was also open to spending it on women and meeting their extravagant desires of glittering gems.

"Come, I must have you eat more my dear!" he exclaimed, breaking Sakura's train of thought.

"Oh, I was just thinking."

"What of Sakura?" he questioned, and Sakura could almost place the hidden meaning behind his words. She almost wanted to slap him for how unsubtle he was, but then again she was paid to play his game.

"Oh, you are bad Duke Gautier," she replied, a devilish intent behind her smiles as he joined her in laughing out loud.

"Colonel! What a pleasant surprise to see you in town!" the duke exclaimed breaking the conversation as he stood up to greet a young man with copper locks that had been passing by.

Sakura stood up also, surprised that such a young man had become a Colonel.

"Duke Gautier," acknowledged Syaoran who was eager to be on his way.

"Oh, I must introduce you! Sakura this is Colonel Li, Colonel this is Sakura, my fiancée."

Sakura took a moment to register as whom Duke Gautier had introduced her as, his fiancé?

"Pleased to meet you," said Syaoran, extending his hand out.

Still in a state of shock, Sakura took the soldier's hand, surprised when he bent down to lightly kiss her hand instead of shaking it.

Looking down she blushed when he lifted his head to meet his eyes with her own.

"Pleasure," she replied returning to her snotty tone as she got control of herself.

"Oh and congratulations," continued Syaoran, eyeing her bare fingers.

"Thank you Colonel, I must congratulate you myself! Rumors are that you and the Lady Aimee are engaged?" interrupted Duke Gautier, as Syaoran replied with a slight nod. "You are coming to the governor's party later this week aren't you? Strictly invitational I've been told and it would be rude of you to decline his request."

"I'll be there." He replied, taking one last glance at the emerald-eyed girl beside the Duke before striding off to find the nearest telephone.

Sakura stood watching the Colonel walk off, she felt as though he had tried to search through her eyes with his stare and she felt uneasy about it.

"Sakura my dear!" came the abrupt voice of Duke Gautier which brought her out of her thoughts as she sat back down.

"Oh yes, fiancée was it?" she teased.

"My dear, you play your part and I pay mine."

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Author's Note: Okay first off I know not much has happened, and maybe it's because of my pacing. But right now I feel like I'm building the scene and atmosphere and still introducting characters. Are there way too many "original" characters? Is it too confusing? Let me know if it is. I was reading my 6 page outline which I wrote for this story and don't worry the plot picks up soon!

Anyway, I'll really appreciate it if you review, and say whatever you want.