Chapter 3

Unwanted Bonding

I think I was pushing myself back. Really, taking in all that's happened, it still surprises me that I can be so calm. The agreement isn't official yet. And dad and Touya are going to work out something or another with the trusts and all. While they do that, surely I can sneak a trip to China. Besides, dad and Touya feel guilty as it is.

It was 10 AM, and Sakura Kinomoto was up and early this morning; she had sneaked in a phone call to her secretary, Hillary back in England, and had told her to stop forwarding the memos to her laptop. Hillary was also now on a paid break, while the negotiations on the funds progressed with the Wang's.

She had finished all her packing; it was quick, since she wasn't expecting this to be a long trip. Tomoyo had also finished all her packing and had left last night to 'talk' to Eriol about the other matter's at hand.

So Sakura was left with a little free time to herself. It had just then occurred to her that maybe she should give her dad a ring to let him now about her most recent endeavors. She picked up her cell phone from her tote and dialed the number's quick.

She was taking a nice stroll in Tokyo Imperial Gardens (which were busy as usual), and had also grabbed a coffee from down the street. What didn't Tokyo have?

"Hi Sakura!"

"Hi father, how are you doing this morning?" she asked in a cheery tone. There was a small pause at the other side and then:

"I'm good thank you, and how is my little girl?"

"I'm great Daddy! I just wanted to call and let you know that I was going on a little trip with Tomoyo to Hong Kong, you know…sight seeing and all that good stuff," she continued, "We won't be there long, you know…she just has some business to attend to and all."

Again there was a slight pause, and Fujitaka's voice seemed restraint. "Well…I'm sorry Sakura, but I don't think that will work well with the schedule we have prepared for this week. And…we should really be watching our…budget from now on…we aren't where people think we are…We're bankrupt."

Sakura felt guilt pang trough her heart, "Yes…I know that…"

"And besides, the Wang's son was going to visit you today," he took a breath and continued, "and you were the one who agreed to this, and gave them your word. I think you had better keep you word Sakura."

Sakura flipped the cell phone from one ear to the other, "Yes father, I know…it's just that I've been busy, and so has he. We just haven't any time."

"And that is why we, your parents, have made time for you. Anyway, he'll be round two. And I am really sorry, you're just going to have to wait a week for that trip…"

"That's fine father," she complied dejectedly, "I'll speak with you another time father."

"All right, and your to meet us Wednesday at 9 AM sharp as well," Sakura just mumbled a quick 'Mmhmm,' and flipped her phone close.

Her plans had been ruined; she dialed Tomoyo and told her to cancel their trip, and to just go with Eriol for now, because she would join them a week late.

Sakura went over to one of the bench's to sit down. A little free time, taken up; by whom? Why, no other then Tigen Wang, the devil's spawn.

She sipped her coffee quietly and she watched as the hustle and bustle of Tokyo Imperial Gardens grew thicker. She watched as the children played, and seldom she would connect eyes with a strider, and would give them a warm smile.

She looked down at her two hands only to see the same milky white. Sakura was officially bored out of her wits. She picked up her coffee again to take a sip. It was then that she noticed a slur of vision go across her, and soon after a scream of a woman.

"THEIF!" she screamed. "THEIF! HE STOLE MY PURSE! STOP HIM SOMEONE PLEASE!"

Confused, people turned around for a scintilla of a second, but then continued on with their ways without even being fazed.

Sakura looked back to where the pilferer had gone, but only to see he was already lost in the crowds. She stood up to get a better look, but no luck. It was then she felt a heavy pang and a sudden jolt of pain.

"Owww!" she fell to the ground in pain, her coffee flying out of her hands.

"Ouch!" Sakura got up quickly, wiping dust off herself and rubbing her arm where it hurt. It was then that she noticed the other lady on the ground covered with dark liquid that she was trying to get rid off.

"Oh, I am so sorry!" she said offering a hand to the other individual. She gladly took it and stood up still trying to wipe away the coffee with her hands.

"Ouch! It's hot!" She said suddenly blowing at her hands.

"Yeah, its coffee…err….here, let me help you with that," she reached in her purse to pull out serviettes. She then handed it over to the woman who was completely soaked. Her mid-rift was a big brown spot and it was probably burning her considering she was wearing thin silk.

"I am so sorry about this, is there anything I can do to help you," Sakura asked with a worried expression on her face.

"No, this hasn't been a very good day for me," she said pulling the material that was stuck to her body, "first," she continued, "I missed my flight to Kyoto, then my purse got stolen, and now, I'm covered in coffee."

"Oh no, it was you?" Sakura asked concerned, "I am so sorry about this, it's just…that I was caught up in my thoughts I didn't see you coming."

"Oh it's quiet alright," she said sweetly, "but I guess I have to go report it to the police now. Looks like I'm going to be staying in Tokyo for a while. All my credit cards were in my purse, I wouldn't be able to fly out until I get them back."

"I understand," Sakura said taking the used serviettes from her hands and throwing them in a bin, "Look. Your still soaked, here let me take you to my place and you can get cleaned up and you can stay with me until all this is fixed."

"Err…I'm not quiet sure," she said a bit reluctant.

"It's the least I can do. You know, after, I completely destroyed your outfit." Sakura pressed pointing at her once teal silk blouse, which was now the color of mud. It was an act of sincerity, completely, and utterly. But that didn't mean it didn't have to conflict with Tigen's plans for them today. In fact, it was brilliant. "I don't live too far away, and besides, you need to get back to Kyoto don't you?"

"Well…I suppose so. Thank-you….err," she looked to Sakura expectantly.

"Oh right, it completely slipped my mind," she stuck out her hand, "I am Sakura Kinomoto."

"Nice to meet you Sakura Kinomoto, my name is Kita Pachinko," and Kita shook her hand.

"Just give me a minute, I have to call for someone to pick us up," Sakura said searching for her phone in her tote. When she had managed to get it out she called Jouji up for a ride home.

The two women started walking out the gardens to the nearest street where Jouji would pick them up.

Sakura was the first to strike up a conversation, "So Ms Pachinko, what is it that you do?" she asked.

"Oh well I'm a financial analyst working abroad for my base company." Sakura grinned genuinely.

"That's very fascinating, I previously worked abroad as well."

"Really now, and what did you do?" Kita asked as the passed by some children.

"I had an executive position in one of my father's branches in London. It was very exciting indeed."

"Wow that sounds fun. Why is it that you left that position?" Kita asked as they stopped, reaching the intersection where they were supposed to meet Jouji.

"Oh, you know, personal things tying me down and all. Father needed me back in Tokyo." Kita nodded understandingly.

"So you don't have much of a career at the moment then?" when Sakura nodded Kita continued, "Because our company is always looking for new employees." Kita smiled at Sakura, who giggled a bit.

"Thanks for the offer Ms Pachinko, but I actually have found some leisure pursuit work."

"Oh, and what might that be, if you don't mind me asking," Kita asked kindly.

"Of course not, I work as a model now."

"Wow, that's a profile there. I mean with those striking eyes, I don't see how they wouldn't take you." Sakura blushed at Kita's enthusiastic comment.

"Thank-you, but you'd be surprised. It's a—" Sakura stopped short of a car stopping near them, "Oh this would be our ride," She opened the door for Kita and then got in herself.

*

"Thanks again for all this Sakura," Kita told her new friend "I'm so glad that it was you whom I ran into."

Sakura smiled at Kita, "And that's ditto for me Kita." She had turned out be a very amazing person and one Sakura had learned to admire very quickly.

They were currently standing in Tokyo International Airport awaiting Kita's flight. She had stayed with Sakura for two days and had by now retrieved all her possessions that were once stolen from her. Her meeting in Kyoto had been cancelled, compliments of her boss and she was off the hook. But she had to return to her office, for some urgent matters had popped up.

"When are you coming to Hong Kong?" Kita questioned.

"About five days," she answered, momentarily glancing at her wrist watch, "I have some wrinkles to smooth out back here."

"Perfect, my office is holding an annual charity bash, complete with costumes and everything. And you simply must come!" Kita piped up and Sakura bit her lip, "It's the least I can do after all this."

Sakura grinned sheepishly and gave Kita her acceptance. When it came 8:30, Kita and Sakura bid farewell and promised to see each other soon. Sakura was then racing out of the airport and heading towards the meeting she had to attend at promptly 9.

*

When she neared the silver doors and heard the familiar voices from within, she suddenly felt the hair on the back of her neck stand straight. She inhaled sharply and let out a deep breath. She then advanced towards the door and pushed it open, whilst plastering a false innocuous expression.

The occupants of the room all raised their heads towards the new arrival. They included, Sakura's father, a disgruntled looking Touya, their lawyers: Mr. Cantlon, his equals, and other unrecognizable figures, and finally a man in the corner who very suspiciously resembled the devil himself.

Seriously, she thought, what was with Tigen? Was the melanin in his body unbalanced and causing unnecessary chemical reactions to occur in his brain and give him that jerky demeanor?

She pushed her thoughts aside and cleared her throat, "Excuse-me gentlemen, please forgive me for my tardiness." She inclined her head towards her father and Touya.

"A pleasure to see you," Mr. Cantlon acknowledged her.

Sakura smiled pleasantly towards the man, "Oh and it is always a pleasure to see you Mr. Cantlon."

She then took her time to look around the room and smile at the other figures and acknowledge their presence.

"Well then, let's get down to business, shall we?" Fujitaka started to open the folder placed in front of him. Sakura took the only remaining seat around the black marble table.

Tigen took his sweet time to turn towards her and whisper, "I missed you on Monday."

Definitely the melanin.

She smiled sweetly towards the rest of the table who seemed to be watching them as if they were exotic zoo animals on display.

"My sincerest apologies regarding the attendance, did you not get my message?" She asked while Mr. Cantlon slipped a folder towards her direction.

"Yes, I did receive your message, thank you for informing me" he said clearly, he then whispered, "I still missed you though."

Sakura ignored him and resumed in looking through the contents of her package. "Well if we may begin," Mr. Cantlon spoke up, "as many of you have probably noticed by now, these are pre-nuptials. Necessary, as required by Mr. Wang, and Dr. Wang. And agreed and approved upon between Mr. Harajuko and myself."

Mr. Harajuko, a gentle old man in a crisp black suit, inclined his head towards the couple. Sakura gave him the complimentary smile and resumed her vision to Mr. Cantlon.

"Now if we may turn to the second page, section one," Mr. Cantlon continued, "we will see the basic outlines—"

"Hey, Mr. Cantlon? Can you hurry it up man? If Mr. Harajuko agrees to it, I am for it too. After all, Mr. Harajuko knows what he's doing."

"Uh…"

"I would like to take my fiancé out to for a bit of shopping you see."

"If you…," Mr. Cantlon glanced over at Fujitaka, who gave him a discrete nod, "say so Mr. Wang."

"Great." Tigen declared loudly to the room.

So he was used to getting it his way, Sakura thought, she would obviously make it her first priority to fix that.

"Okay…uh, I suppose then, if we may turn to page forty-five of the third booklet we will see it all summarized." Mr. Cantlon spoke hesitantly. "Basically, the wedding is to take place in four months time on the date specified here, before that date, the date specified on the next line is when all the funds mentioned in the next line, section three, roman number 'I V' shall be transferred to take care of the stock-market business. Before the wedding, Miss Kinomoto will have 15 control of Mr. Tigen Wang's chequeing bank accounts only. After the wedding, the control will be changed to 27-73, and it will be extended to all trusts, exceptions of all mentioned bonds and stocks."

And blah, blah, blah it went on, Sakura thought. She had no interest in Tigen's money, except the money with which he would save their family with. She had no care in which companies he bought shares in or what percent composition his bonds are currently at. All she cared for was for getting them out of this hole, not to make it even deeper.

"Every year, the couple stays married, the control shall be raised by the amount mentioned in section three, roman number 'V'. If the couple manages to stay married more than four years, then the percentage that it will increase by seventy times ten to the minus three, percentaged with that years shares sold and profit intake. If the couple manages to produce an heir," Sakura's eyes suddenly widened at the word, " then…"

She didn't care what happened then, there was going to be no heir. NO child. NO offspring. Tigen and her were supposed to get married, save her family from bankruptcy, and get a divorce. Or something like that.