Chapter 3

This is the second time I have done this. I deleted the original by accidentally saving another of my fanfics over it. I am so steamed!

Oh just so you know, I got the information on Kōfu from Encarta. So if it's wrong, please don't blame me. I have no idea about the distance or the roads etc in Japan, so all the writing is pure fiction. Please understand that before you read on. Thank you and have fun reading!

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Professor Avalon was sitting in is office marking papers when there was a knock on his door and three men walked in. They flashed their badges at him and explained that they were from the police dept. Aiden starred at them a little surprised before he offered them to come in and sit down. He turned to the one that had called himself Detective Kale Brody and asked him what he could do for him.

" Professor, do you know that up until a week ago your daughter was listed as missing? "

Professor Avalon starred at him in total shock.

" I beg your pardon? " he asked. Kale nodded.

" A Miss Daidoji reported her missing while she was in Shanghai for one of her meetings last week. "

" Daidoji-san told me that Sakura was staying with her and was helping her with her modelling. " Aiden replied.

Kale shot him a small smile.

" I see. "

" So what is the situation? " Aiden asked trying to remain calm. " Have you heard anything? "

" Be assured Professor, your daughter was found and has been placed in protective custody until further notice. "

" Protective custody? " He was relieved that she had been found, but his confused mind could only take in one thing at a time at the moment.

" Hai. She has taken up a new identity and has been placed in a new location. "

" Forgive me gentlemen, I am finding it hard to concentrate at the moment. " Aiden removed his glasses and rubbed at his eyes.

" Take your time Professor. " Kale said.

" Why has Sakura been placed in protective custody? " Aiden asked once he had put on his glasses once more.

" We believe that she may be in danger and until that theory has been proved volatile, we have to make sure that she is safe. "

" Danger?" Aiden asked in disbelief.

Kale nodded.

" What could Sakura possibly be in danger fr - " Aiden stopped and then jumped up, fear etched clearly on his face.

" Dear God, it can't be Morimoto. Is it? "

" Please remain calm Professor. We have checked and re-checked and Morimoto is still in maximum security. We have received several reports from Shanghai and we believe that Miss Avalon may be in danger from someone with connections to Morimoto. Either that, or a copycat."

" Moto is still after her? " he sagged down into his chair stunned. He couldn't believe it.

" Miss Avalon has reported that on numerous occasions she has found herself in situations where she believed she was being openly stalked and in some circumstances, threatened. " Kale replied checking his notes.

" Why didn't she say anything?" Aiden whispered lost in his own thoughts.

" Fear can make a person act strangely and erratically. " Kale stated. " Our reports say that she escaped to a ranch in America where she stayed until one of the agents from Shanghai made contact with her. "

" I see. " Aiden replied. " It must have been the friends that she stayed with the last time she needed to hide."

" We believe so sir. " Kale confirmed. Aiden looked up and still looked stunned.

" Thank you for coming and telling me Detective. Is there something else you would like to discuss or is that all? "

" Actually, there is one more matter I would like to address before we leave. " Kale spoke up.

" Hai? "

" The reason we have come here today is not only to inform you on your daughter's activities, but to inform you that your son, yourself and Miss Mikazukigata will be asked to join protective custody along with your daughter. "

" Excuse me? " Aiden asked completely stunned.

" We feel that it is best sir. Besides these orders do not come from me, but from the Commissioner in Shanghai. There's no way around it we're afraid. We will escort you home where you can collect anything that you think you will need in an extended stay, and also, so you can deal with any pressing matters that need to be tended before you go into lock down. "

" You are serious aren't you? "

" This is a serious matter sir. " Kale said firmly. " Miss Daidoji is already in lock down in Shanghai. We must act as quickly as we can to prevent anything from happening. "

" Dear God. " Aiden muttered turning to look out his office window. " When I thought we could all move on . . " he turned to look at Kale.

" And my son? Have you told him yet? "

" We are trying to get in contact with your son even as we speak. Miss Mikazukigata as well. "

Aiden frowned. He knew his son could be difficult to reach even at most times. He looked around at his cluttered desk and sighed.

" Please give me a minute gentlemen. " Aiden said and picked up the phone to organise for someone to mark his papers and take over is classes.

When that was done he drove home and picked up his laptop, his travel case, (that was already packed in case of a split-second trip) and changed the message on the answering machine. As an after thought, he wrote a note for Tori in case he should come home before the police had time to get in contact with him. Looking around his house, he sighed and then closed the door on the dark, empty house and followed the police in his own car.

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Meanwhile . . .

" . . pretty please? "

" No. "

" Please? "

" How many times do I have to say it? No. "

" Meanie! "

" Calling me names won't work either. Give it up Avalon. "

" Mou, I've been holed up here for two days! Two days! Please let me go out and get a little fresh air? "

" You can get that out on the balcony. " Li flipped the page of the magazine he was reading.

She reached over and snatched the magazine and held it behind her back. Li sighed irritated and shot her a side ways glance.

" Now don't look at me like that. " she chided. " Why should you have anything to do when I can't? "

" There is lots of things for you to do. " Li replied.

" Hah! " she barked rolling her eyes. " You call searching the Internet, watching crappy movies on tv and ordering room service things to do? "

" At least that's something. "

" Are you blind! " she demanded throwing the magazine on the table. " Look beyond that balcony over there. Look at that crystal, blue water! The surf! The pool below! The beach! Why the hell do we have to stay up here when there are numerous crowds below to get lost in! "

" Exactly. I let my gaze wonder for a moment and you'd be off like a rocket and then I would spend my valuable time trying to find you and getting stressed and annoyed. No thank you. "

" Aarrgh! " she growled and walked over to the balcony doors and folded her arms over her chest.

" Besides, " Li snatched the magazine back and flipped back to the page he had been on. " We are supposed to be maintaining the cover of a blissfully married couple.

Blissfully married couples remain in their rooms. "

" Hah! That's a male's opinion for you. Believe me, if we were up here doing what you're allowing the outside world to believe, I wouldn't be flat on my back all day. I would be enjoying the surf and the other pleasurable things that they have to offer here. Like the spa and the masseur."

" That's a female's opinion for you. " Li said turning the page not looking up.

" Besides, getting massages can be a sexual stimulant if you're strung enough. " she replied calmly. " Especially if your husband's or boyfriend has just been - "

" I think I get the point over here. " Li cut in his cheeks a slight pink.

" Well I'm just pointing out Mr Li, " she said not looking at him but at the ocean.

" That we do not have to remain up here for the sake of pretences. Married couples have fun too you know. "

" It's not going to work Avalon. So give it a rest. " he replied turning the page.

Sakura huffed and shot him an irritated glare before she marched into the bathroom and slammed the door behind her. Li was still starring at the door when it opened a moment later, and she came out dressed in her bikini and her wrap. She angled her brow up at him and waited.

" You can either come with me and have fun with me, or I will go on my own. Either way I am getting out this room right now. Are you with me or against me? "

" What makes you think I'm going to let you out of this room without my

permission? " he asked getting to his feet.

" Because we entered this arrangement on equal terms and I know my rights. Besides you know you can try to stop me, but then that would be just wasting time and energy on both our parts. "

" Avalon - " he sighed getting up.

" Don't. " she said cutting him off. " Please? I am asking here. That has to amount to something? "

Li sighed and ran his hands through his hair and watched the smile blossom on her face lighting it up like the sun.

" Alright, " he sighed kicking himself. " But no more than an hour. "

" Hai, hai. " she nodded dragging him to the door. " And no running off on me. " he warned.

" Hai. " she agreed again as she skipped out the door.

" Oh and Avalon, just for the record; I don't fall for the puppy-dog eyes. "

Her laughter rang down the corridor as he closed the door firmly behind him.

She threw her head back as she broke the surface, scattering droplets that caught the sun, flinging her head back in pure delight. She sank back into the water and then kicked her legs to maintain buoyancy. She sighed again as she starred up at the endless blue of the sky.

Beside her Li broke the surface and flicked his wet bangs out of his eyes. She shot him a radiant smile and then dove back under the water. Catching his breath Li waited for her to emerge. When she didn't he frowned and dove under to look for her.

The sunlight wasn't as strong as it was above; it was clear though and made it look like a underwater wonderland. He looked around and then spotted her swimming out a small rocky crevice below him. Tropical fish of many colours swam by and she watched them smiling. She looked up and motioned for him to follow her. He swam down to her and she motioned for him to keep following.

Keeping a mental note on his limited oxygen supply, he swam after her. She didn't go far. She swam down to the sand and then pointed through a rock crevice. Li came down beside her and looked. Through the hole he could see the schools of fish swimming on the other side, the sunlight coming through the water. He looked to Sakura and she brought her hands up to her face imitating a picture with her thumbs and pointers meeting. Yeah it was like a picture he surmised. He kicked off the bottom and broke the surface seconds later gasping for air. Sakura appeared next to him a second later.

" Can you believe it? " she gasped. " It's like a painting. "

" It reminds me of all those fish tanks in all the fancy restaurants. " Li replied. She shot him an unimpressed look.

" What? "

" How can you class what's down there to some cheesy restaurant where rich people go just to throw money about? "

" Well I can't help if that's what comes to my mind. " he retorted.

" Syoaran you need to spend more time in fantasy land instead of being stuck on solid ground all the time. " she smiled mischievously before she leapt out of the water and tried to dunk him playfully.

" Oh you think so? " he swam out of the way smiling.

" Oh most definitely. " she nodded and swam after him.

They fooled around for a few more minutes until they were too tired to laugh and swim anymore. Being near shore, they floated on their backs and starred up at the sky.

" I wonder what it would be like to live in the water? " Sakura said closing her eyes.

" You'd look like a prune. " came the instant reply and she laughed, turning slightly to look at him.

" You never indulge me in any of my curious fantasies do you Li? "

" I try. " he smirked.

She stood so her feet touched the bottom. She flicked her hair and then shot him a look as he righted himself as well and shoved him back in the water, laughing as she raced to shore. Li growled and then pushing his messy bangs out of his eyes before he ran after her. She collapsed on her towel still laughing as he ran up glaring good-naturedly.

" You're so gullible Syaoran. " she stretched out and placed her hands behind her head.

" You caught me at a vulnerable time. " he said laying back on his towel.

" Excuses, excuses. " she chided closing her eyes.

" Don't fall asleep you'll burn. " he warned watching her.

She made a small noise and he could see her drifting off. Sighing he reached over and tugged on her hair gently. Her eyes snapped open and then looked at him sleepily.

" What? " she whined.

" Don't go to sleep, you'll burn and then I'll have to listen to you whine and complain when you're as red as a tomato. "

" Meanie, " she yawned and then forced herself to sit up. " You better make this up to me. " she shot him a look.

" Hmmm. " he seemed to be thinking. " Let's see, risk the wrath of a tough lady and show her a good time to make up for her missing her beauty sleep, or be a real louse and ignore her for the rest of the day? Hmm. That's a tough question. I may have to think some more on that. "

" Syaoran, you great lug. " she threw her wrap at him and he caught it smiling.

" Just joking. Come on, I did have an idea. " That caught her attention. She tilted her head to the side.

" And I'm not telling, just yet. " he smirked knowing what she was thinking. She loved surprises.

They packed up there stuff and then washed off the sand and the sea water under the showers provided. They'd dried off by the time they made it back to the hotel. From there, Li treated her to a big lunch with tropical punch.

They'd just finished their meal when Li caught her watching some guys go pass, obviously heading back to the pool area. She sipped from her drink and watched them until they left. She smiled to herself and then caught Li watching her arching his brow. Trying to prevent the pink dusting her cheeks, she put down her drink and cleared her throat.

" You know, Madison and the others girls would have loved this place when we were in high school, even now. There's just something about gorgeous men walking around with nothing on but their board shorts that really makes a school girls' heart flutter. All that muscle and fantastic abbs. " she sighed dreamily.

" I never figured you for the drooling type. " Li said sipping form his drink. Sakura shot him a glare.

" I wouldn't call it drooling. Merely dreaming. " she had the stars in her eyes and Li grunted disgusted.

" So more or less if I walked around in nothing but my board shorts showing my fantastic abbs, I'd have you sighing over me?"

" Oh most definitely. " Sakura shot him a sassy grin. " But I know you wouldn't. "

" Oh? What makes you so sure?' Li challenged.

" Easy. " Sakura smiled. " You'd never go out of your way to impress me. Besides, you haven't the slightest interest in me and further more, " she smiled. " You already have my number. " She turned away to call for another drink and missed Li's angry look.

" So much for a man's pride. " he muttered.

" What was that? Sorry I missed it. " Sakura turned back to him curiously.

" Nothing. " he ground out and sat back and starred out across the ocean. The wind blew his bangs and Sakura blinked.

" Oh! Thank you! " she said when the waiter brought her and Li another drink.

They sat in silence for a while before he heard her sigh again. Looking at her out of the corner of his eye he saw her looking off in the direction of the pool.

" Hmm. " she purred. " He would be perfect for Rita .. "

" That's it! " Li jumped up, grabbed her hand, put her drink in her other hand, picked up his own and dragged her off away from the area.

" H-ey! " she cried nearly tripped trying to keep up with him.

" If you can put your tongue back in your mouth for five minutes I'll slow down. "

Sakura stared up at him silently and tried to decipher his mood. Li found a shady spot with a new view and sat down on the chaise lounge and didn't say anything more. Sakura didn't like the silence. She wondered what was wrong. She sighed and then sat back and sipped from her drink. This reminded her of the time that Chelsea was having problems with Zachery. He'd gone weird on her and then they had found out that he had been jealous of Chelsea admiring one of the seniors - Wait! That was it! The truth was so outrageous, she snorted and choked on her drink.

Sakura dropped her drink and coughed, which was difficult because she was laughing. Li was looking at her weirdly, but reached forward and clapped her on the back. When she managed to get herself under control she looked up and met his gaze. Seeing the fire in them only made her snigger and then she fell back laughing on her chair.

" What the hell is your problem Avalon? " Li asked wondering if she was going mad.

" Oh! Itai! " she cried holding her stomach. " Oh it hurts. "

" Then stop laughing. " Li snapped out.

" But it's so funny. " she giggled.

" Want to share the joke? " Li asked losing patience. She stifled her laughter and met his irritated gaze.

" I can't believe that you're jealous of some school boys. "

" What? " Li's eyes narrowed.

" I mean they're not yet men and no longer little boys and yet you feel threatened by them. It's just yummy. "

" What are you blathering about? " Li snapped.

" You got jealous because I was admiring those hunks back in the dining room. " she smiled laying back relaxing.

" Excuse me? " his eyes narrowed into lethal weapons. If looks could kill.

" Hey it's no biggy. " she said raising her arms back behind her head. " I think it's

cute. "

" Cute? " his eyebrow twitched.

" Yeah, I mean I have no idea why you would be jealous. With you guarding me night and day, it's not like I'd be able to pick up a potential boyfriend. Plus I'm supposed to be married, but then again I could become a cheating, money-grabbing, all-you-can-get playgirl. I mean I could run off with some hunk miester and play on the whole image. I bet Moto wouldn't be expecting that. Hmmm. What an interesting thought. "

" One, there is no way in hell I am letting you dump me for some cheap surfie boy with dreadlocks and two, if you did, I'm sure Moto would still track you down without me there to protect you. "

" Chill Syoaran, " she opened one eye to look at him. " I'd never leave you. "

" Good. "

" Besides I'm only in it for the cat. " she smirked and closed her eyes again.

She heard him make a sound and she could only surmise that he was either choking on shock and indignation or laughter. She wasn't sure. Either way, she still smiled. ()

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" . . . so Sakura is in Hawaii with Xiao Lang? " Madison asked watching him.

Eriol had just told her what was happening with Sakura.

" Yes. "

" And is there under a new name and pretending to be married? "

" That's what I was told. " Eriol replied nodding.

" Oh. " she looked away sadly.

" Hey are you ok? " Eriol asked, leaning forward. " I know that it's hard not to worry about her. I mean she is your friend and all - "

" It's not that Hiragizawa. " Madison replied sadly. " It's more a personal thing for me." she sighed again.

" Personal? " he looked truly bewildered.

" You see Sakura has always let me make clothes for her since we were children. Dresses, outfits, swim wear - I've made it all for her. It's why I love designing so much. I do it for Sakura and now I do it for the world. But she left and I didn't get to give her any of my designs to take her with her so she can think of me while she is gone. "

Tears welled up and Eriol leapt off the lounge and knelt down in front of her. He couldn't stand to see a female cry.

" Hey baby, don't cry. It'll be ok for sure. You'll see. I'm sure Avalon is thinking about you. "

" You think so? " she sniffed and he nodded.

" Yeah. " he smiled charmingly and she blushed a little and then composed herself.

" Arigato. " she said and then stood to start making dinner.

He watched her go and then sighed. That had been close. Those water works were a dangerous thing for a male. He watched her clear things in the kitchen so she could make them dinner. She spotted him watching her and she turned away again making him smile. He loved how he could affect her. He never grew tired of it.

For the last couple of days, they had fought and argued like true lovers. She was persistent he'd give her that much. She was so determined to live her life even with the possible threat over her head. She has wanted to attend meetings and he had refused saying that she had to stay where he could keep and eye on her and she had argued that since he wasn't really in a job then he couldn't really prevent her. Yeah, she like to hit below the belt in more than one way.

But he won in the end. He always won. He'd watch her magical and mysterious eyes darken and then she would look at him like she wanted to break his neck - or worse, and then she'd stick her stubborn chin in the air and then storm off where she would do her best to ignore him for the rest of the day, which only gave him more reason to get a rise out of her.

He busted her on a few attempts to leave without him knowing. That's when she would show her temper. She would stamp her foot and cuss at him and he would stand there smirking like a fool taking it all. Then he would escort her back inside and make sure that no one was watching them.

Oh and there were threats. Out of pure frustration at some times, he'd threaten to cuff her to him and she would have to follow him around the rest of the day. Having already bad memories of being chained to him, she would hold back her comments and ignore him. But some days when he really got her fire up, she would threaten him back and he'd laugh. How could he describe that watching her eyes darken and glow with inner fire made him ludicrously happy while she chewed into him verbally?

He got off the lounge and went into the kitchen and started chopping the vegetables. She shot him a side ways look but didn't say anything. They worked in companionable silence and when there was nothing he could do, he cleaned up and made the table ready.

Madison turned on her music and listened to it's soothing tones as she cooked away. How on earth was she going to get around the solid road block by the name of Hiragizawa? Apart from knocking him dead flat on his back for a few hours, she had no idea how she was going to attend her meetings next week and she couldn't miss them. As it was she had to give her orders on line or over the phone. How could she deal with a dress that didn't look right if she had no idea what it looked like? Looking at a picture on the computer didn't cut it.

She shot him a look when his back was turned. She needed to meet this next deadline. She had all her top designers working around the clock and she had several dresses she had started on but hadn't finished. Those were her pride and joy and no one could touch them but her. But doing it all alone and with the emotional stress of being bullied by the ex-detective was taking it's toll on her and more importantly on her dresses. How could she infuse love in her gowns when all she felt like was ripping them apart?

She hated being bullied. Abhorred it, but yet when Hiragizawa did it, it didn't seem like bullying at all. It would be later when she would sit down and think it over that she would realise that he had manipulated her and turned it around to suit him. He was turning her from a quiet, composed gentle lady into a rebellious, spiteful monster.

But that was all about to change.

She was going to turn the tables on him. She would rebel, but she would do it in his own, subtle way. She was an observer. She had been told so on many occasions over the past years and it was a gift she cherished. Hiragizawa prided himself on his intelligence and his male, egotistical pride. Not to mention his charm.

She dished up their meal smiling to herself. She had a plan and she was itching to get it into action. She composed her face and brought the meal into the dining area and then made her way back into the kitchen to get the wine. Eriol pulled her chair out and made sure she was tucked in before he took his seat. Oh he was a trueborn gentleman all right, but that didn't mean that his ego couldn't be played on and used to help her get her own way.

She looked up and met his gaze and smiled to herself before starting to eat. The music played on in the background and all the while she mentally rubbed her hands together in glee. Was Hiragizawa in for a surprise. . .

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Madison came out into the lounge room dressed up in her suit and had her large, but impressive handbag with her. Eriol squinted at the clock and then searched for his glasses so he could see what time it was. He groaned when he saw that it was early and flopped back on the pull out lounge and threw his arm over his face.

" Can't you get up at a reasonable time? " he complained.

" The day belongs to those that rise early to claim it Mr Hiragizawa and we have errands to run. "

" Huh? "

" Would you like a coffee so you can comprehend me?" she arched her brow and placed her bag on the coffee table.

She heard him mumble about sassy mouthed females in the morning and she smiled as she pushed the cup into his hands.

It was after his third sip that he looked at her a little more awake.

" Now what were going on about? " he looked her up and down at her suit and arched is brows again.

" We have errands to run. " she replied calmly.

" Do we? " he asked. He looked ready to give her the lecture and she held up a finger for quiet.

" Yes, we do. Unfortunately Hiragizawa my little cottage is not equipped for staying visitors. I'm running out of food and toiletries and I need to pay pills and unless you plan on compensating me if I should loose my little home, we have to step out into the world. "

" We? "

" Well I know you will be accompanying me. You said so yourself. I am not to go anywhere without you. So get up and make a move. I want to be out of here within half an hour. "

" Bossy little thing aren't you in the morning? " he growled looking at her angrily.

" When there are many things to do, then yes. Besides I am not a lay-about. "

Mumbling under his breath, he finished his coffee and then hit her shower.

Almost cackling in glee, Madison suppressed her emotions. If he caught a whiff of anything out of the ordinary, then she would never pull it off. He emerged ten minutes later and they were driving off to a little super market near by.

When they walked inside they grabbed a trolley and started pushing it around the aisle. She looked over at the young girl working at the counter and nodded slightly. The young girl smiled and then came towards them. Eriol sensing something pretty was walking towards them, he looked up and smiled. Bingo. Thought Madison smirking.

Smiling at Eriol she asked if they needed any help. Madison went through her list and pretended not to know where things were. Eventually when she deemed it safe she gave Eriol the list and said that she needed to visit the rest room, leaving her friend that she had made on her numerous trips to this store and the unknowing detective behind. She smiled and asked him if he had any trouble doing it. When he shot her an undignified look she walked away satisfied that her friend would keep him occupied until she made her escape.

As soon as she locked the door behind her she whipped off her jacket to her suit and placed it on the sink counter. She reached into her handbag and brought out a grey zip up jacket with print on the front. She put it on and zipped it up. Then she removed her skirt and put that with her jacket and then struggled into worn, faded jeans. She replaced her shoes with joggers and then she gathered her hair up and shoved a cap on her head and then shoved all her clothes into her handbag.

Hopefully, there would be a taxi waiting out front with her dresses in it that she had been working on. She had the guy go and collect them earlier before he came to collect her.

She crept out of the bathroom and looked past the corner to see if she could see him. She saw him going down an aisle with his back to her. She kept her head down as she marched past him and walked out of the supermarket and spotted the taxi waiting. She picked up her pace and opened the door and got in. She gave the directions and only after she was halfway to the office, did she remove her cap and sigh.

-----

Where the hell was she? Eriol looked up from the list he was reading and frowned. He had one more item to get and then he would be going to the check out. It had been no more than ten minutes at least since she had left him. He smiled charmingly at the young girl that had been keeping him company and then excused himself and left the trolley in the aisle before he knocked on the door. When he got no reply he knocked again. He pushed the door and saw that it was empty. Jerking back in surprise he scanned the supermarket fear clawing at him.

Abandoning the trolley, he went to the lady behind the cash register and asked her if she had seen a woman who matched Madison's description. The lady shook her head saying that she had only been at the register for the last five minutes. He turned to look for the young girl that he had been talking to and saw that she was nowhere to be seen. He thanked the woman behind the counter and walked outside trying to figure what the hell had happened.

" Where did you fly to Miss Daidoji? " he whispered his mind racing through possibilities.

-----

" . . . Now Jean, move that way just a little will you please. " Madison said as she watched the model move.

" Hmmm, I think we need to add those straps on the back like we originally thought. "

" Sounds like a plan. " Chiyo, her assistant replied and wrote down the notes.

" Now this one bothers me. " Madison said with her finger resting on her chin. " I think it's just the overall design. I'm not sure. "

" Well you already have the qualified amount for the showing. " Chiyo said.

" Cut it? "

" Hmmm . . " Madison frowned and then sighed. " Hai, hai. Cut it. Next please. "

They'd been doing this for the last three hours. When Madison had first appeared surprising everyone, they had wasted no time in getting down to business. Besides, she had no idea when Hiragizawa would come for her. First, they had eliminated the important issues and now here they were deciding what to keep and what to fix up.

They continued through until after lunch and then Madison and her workers collapsed in the dress room and talked about what they had accomplished over coffee. After that, Madison saw to any more pressing issues and then leaving instructions for her crew she left.

But she didn't go home.

She pulled into the car park of her favourite place thirty minutes later and walked into reception. She was warmly welcomed and within minutes Madison was laying on the bench having Ryoma rub relaxing oils into her tense muscles. She had warm stones placed along her spine after that and then she dozed.

She was then later escorted to the spa where she sipped champagne and drank in the beauty of the gardens facing her from where she soaked in the hot tub. When she was through with that, she had her nails seen to while she sat in a white bathrobe and a facemask.

When she was dressed and felt like she was floating, she had her hair seen to; trimmed, washed, dried and just for some fun, she got dark purple tints placed through it. What the hell, she was in a rebellious mood. She paid them and thanked then once more before she got into her car and made her way to her next favourite place.

She entered the shopping mall and went directly to the clothes stores. She looked at all the newest styles and got some new inspirations for some of her designs. She bought some new jeans and some new shirts that she could wear and bought a new pair of shoes. Her old ones where starting to get worn.

She bought an ice cream and then made her way to the camera shop where she bought some new equipment and talked with the man behind the counter that she had known for years. When he had to go serve another customer she bid him goodbye and walked back out to her car with her purchases.

Half an hour later she pushed the button hidden behind her sun visor and she drove her car through the gates of her family estate and watched them close behind her. She got out of her car and took her purchases inside via the garage. Well she had accomplished what she had wanted and then some. Maybe, just maybe, she had outsmarted the fox.

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Meanwhile . . .

She was getting sick of looking out the window. She had watched the scenery change so many times that she lost track of where they were. They were heading to Kōfu, her home. Kōfu is in the southern parts of Honshu and just north of Fuji. A small town known for its silkworms, crystal, natural hot springs and the scenery. She didn't remember much about it, after all she had only stayed there for a few weeks, maybe months, before she was shipped off to Morimoto.

Before she had left, before she had seen what she had not meant to, she had been doing some research. Tori had been helping her with some of it. He'd helped her shortly after Moto was placed behind bars. All she had to go by where some papers that had been found in Moto's possessions that the cops had delved through and an address of where she had once lived.

She had marked it out on the map, colouring the tiny line with a fluro highlighter. By her estimation, they were already halfway there. She bounced her legs for lack of nothing better to do and then fiddled with the station on the radio. Tori shot her a look and then flicked the blinker and merged onto the exit. Luna looked at him with a masked expression as he headed into Hino.

She realised what he was doing when she saw the gas station and some shops up ahead. Tori pulled the car to a stop and smiled at her. She looked at him warily as he got out of the car and started to fill up. He looked back inside the car and arched his brow at her.

" You want to stretch your legs or are you going to keep fidgeting? "

" Hai, hai. " she muttered as she got out of the car. She groaned as she stretched her arms above her head.

" Feel better? " Tori asked when he heard her joints crack.

" Mmmm . . " she stretched the cricks out of her neck.

Tori finished filling up and then walked inside the station to pay. He came back out and told her he was going to move the car and then they were going to get some lunch and have a look around at the shops. She nodded and went inside the station to use the bathroom. She came out minutes later and together they walked along the sidewalk.

They looked in the shop windows and then they headed towards a small cafe and ordered something to eat. When they were finished, Luna leant back in her seat and sighed tiredly. She was so tired. She felt, rather than saw, Tori's gaze on her and she allowed a small smile to adorn her mouth.

" Don't worry Dark Angel, I'm fine. Just a little tired. I hate travelling. "

" Even if it's to find a part of your past? " he asked.

" Yeah. " she straightened and looked at him. " Especially trying to find a part of my past. "

" It will be fine. We may not find anything. "

" Thanks for the vote of confidence. " she replied sarcastically.

" That's not what I meant. " he chided. " I'm just saying that there may not be - "

" I get your point Avalon. " she cut in. " I'm not expecting to find anything either. " He looked at her surprised.

" Look, I'm not exactly a child any more am I? Whatever was of my past in probably long gone. I don't even expect to find a grave. "

" You got to have more faith than that. " he said.

" Faith? " she questioned. " What faith. What kind of parents leave their child for that monster to claim?

" Now you don't now the full story. " Tori said firmly. " You don't know what happened. "

" Look, I don't really care ok. " she snapped.

" You're really on edge aren't you? "

" Don't get in a fight with me Tori. You won't win. " she glared.

" I'm not trying to argue with you. " he said glaring himself. " But you make it so hard. You know what I think? "

" What? "

" I think that there is more to this than you trying to find your parents. "

" Whatever Avalon. " she put money on the table and then stood up.

" What are you hiding? " he asked standing up to tower over her.

" What makes you think that I'm hiding anything? " she asked evasively.

" You're skittish, you couldn't get out of town fast enough, and your acting like a shrew. "

" I am not a shrew. " she hissed aware of the people around them.

Tori grabbed her hand and lead her out of the cafe and walked her down the street.

" I'm not asking you to tell me. " he asked making sure no one was around. " All I ask is that you trust me. "

" I do trust you. " she snapped.

" Do you?" he asked, his gaze burning into hers.

" I - "

He backed her up against the wall and placed his hands on either side of her head, trapping her. He searched her gaze and she tried not to squirm. He leant down a little closer and her breath caught.

" There's no need to be afraid. " he whispered as he lowered his head towards hers.

" I-I'm not. " she breathed as her eyes closed.

They heard footsteps walking towards them and they jerked apart. Her face flushed with embarrassment, she backed away from him and tried to act casually. She waited until the man walked passed them before she looked up and met his gaze.

" I think we better get going if we want to make it there before nightfall. " He didn't reply as she walked off.

" I will help you Luna. Know that. " he said when he caught up to her.

" I know. " she sighed resigned. She slipped her hand in his. " Thank you. " and she meant it.

Tori squeezed her hand and they walked back to the car ready to tackle the next part of their journey.

TBC

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Sakura was referring to the joke that she sharred with Li in the privious story where she was going to let him have all the furniture and the cat when they split.