Author's Notes: I edited a bit from when I updated. It seems I was so sleepy I wasn't able to clean it well.

"He spent evening the with her. First time he spent a whole evening with only one chit." The young man said nervously. He really would rather not be here if he didn't have to.

The man sitting behind the desk eyed him coldly. "Interesting. You say it was a Miss Tomoyo Daidouji?"

He wiped sweat that had started slipping down his temples. "Yes, sir. Plain and boring girl."

If possible, the man's eyes grew colder, glaring at him. With disapproval dripping at his words, he said, "It really is a small world."

"Sir?"

This boy is pathetic, the man thought. He had no eye for beauty and no pride to speak of. He sneered. "Keep observing his movements and Miss Daidouji." With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the feckless lad.

Soon. Soon, he'll have the key and his revenge. His exile is nearing its end.

xoxoxox

Thick blackness and quiet blanketed her. Barely anything could be recognized in the darkness, but she knew the hallways like the back of her hand. She stepped lightly, careful not to break the fragile silence. Light would soon chase the shadows away. She sneaked out of the house without event and pulled a plain cloak over her head. Only when she was secured inside a hired carriage did she relax.

It was very early in the morning. She hoped the duke would be awake when she gets there. Even if he wasn't though, she was determined to meet him. She had to be back before noon. Tomoyo is sure to look for her if she were absent for too long.

If things went wrong, she risked compromising herself and bringing scandal in the family. But she had to do this. Her brother would possibly strangle her if he found out his virtuous single sister was heading to a notorious bachelor's dwelling. Meeting said notorious bachelor before the break of dawn aside. Hopefully, he'll never know.

She clasped her hands in front of her after knocking on the heavy doors of Lord Clow's house. If you could call it that. The "house" was nearly the size of a mansion. She was nervous and she almost turned around to walk back to the street. Then she remembered Tomoyo's face as they went home last night. She saw a rare fury there. Tomoyo was always as cool and calm as a winter night even in a temper. But last night, Sakura was scared her best friend would bite her head off if she so much as breathed in her direction.

Sakura didn't see her with anyone else but the duke last night. Given his reputation, he must have done something very appalling to upset Tomoyo unbelievably. She couldn't let that slide. No one had the right to disrespect Tomoyo in any way. She should have listened to her instincts last night and kept the duke from Tomoyo.

The cad was as slippery as an eel though. She didn't miss the way he kept Tomoyo away from her. During the supper dance, he had selected a position far apart from Sakura and her partner. At supper, they sat too far for polite conversation without shouting. Even after supper, he had immediately engaged Tomoyo to dance. He couldn't have done a better job at staking claim than if he had peed on her.

The door opened and she saw a mid-age black-haired butler with oddly chatoyant eyes. "I am here to see the duke of Clow. He is expecting me."

The butler sized her up with a raised brow before letting her enter without comment. The hallway seemed endless and maze-like as they walked through the house. He led her to a red parlor before saying, "I shall inform His Grace of your presence, madam. Shall I ring for tea?"

"No, I won't be long." She would leave right at this moment if she could remember the way out.

After he closed the door, she wondered again how she should face the duke. She had to know what happened last night or at least what his attentions are. Probably best that she do this calmly. She would have the advantage of surprise if she decided to slice his throat.

She walked to the hearth, her hand checking for ash in the grate. It seemed the room was not used often. She had just sat down when the door opened. That was quick.

But the man at the door was not the Lord Clow, but a very rumpled under-dressed Lord Wolfcrest. He wore a wrinkled white shirt and well-used breeches tucked in scuffed boots. His sleeves were rolled down to his elbows and his collar exposed his throat. No one could accuse him of being pasty or pale. But what was he doing here looking like he just came out of…

"Lady Avalon? What are you doing here so early… You're not… Eriol's…Are you?"

The matching horrified expressions on their faces held for a moment before Sakura succumbed to laughter. He looked at her as though she were a flying cow. She almost burst in laughter again. "No no! Of course not! I have just arrived. What are you doing here so early?"

"I live here." He said simply, now watching her with interest. He had always found her personality refreshing. It was without the usual affectations of most ladies. She almost fidgeted. "What did you say your reason for being here again?"

"I didn't… I uhh I'm here to speak His Grace about a certain matter of immediate importance…" She was trying hard to keep her curiosity in check. It had gotten her in trouble more often than not, but it still won out now. "My Lord, why are you umm…" Scratching her nose, Sakura dropped her gaze to study the carpet. "You have a peculiar attire so early in the morning…"

Syaoran's brows drew together in confusion for a moment before he remembered his untidy appearance. "Oh ah, I was out riding… a horse!" He could kick himself for that. Of course, he was riding a horse!

Sakura flashed a brilliant smile at him. "Do you love horses then, My Lord? Aren't they just wonderful? Doesn't it feel so refreshing to ride with the winds?" Aren't I an idiot for babbling?

Syaoran blushed averting his gaze. "Oh umm yes…"

He looked at her again. "Lady Avalon, you have a little… something on your… nose…"

When Sakura reached up and rubbed at the opposite side, smearing more ash on her nose, Syaoran automatically raised his hand to help her.

The door suddenly opened.

"It seems I should have taken more time in getting dressed. I do wonder whether I'm early or late."