Chapter Four

Syaoran POV:

I looked up just as Sakura tiredly stepped through the doorway, dropping her purse and coat on a white wooden bench that stood near the doorway. Yamazaki gently but firmly closed the laptop just as Sakura walked into the room. "Tadaima," she said quietly, noticing Yamazaki's presence and giving a little wave.

"Okaeri," I replied, nudging Yamazaki's shoulder. He stood up and gave a little bow.

"Pleased to meet you Kinomoto-san! Did you know the Sakura plant was believed to be connected to romance and purity?" he said in that matter-of-fact tone of his. Sakura's eyes widened slightly.

"Really?" Her piqued curiosity shining in her eyes. Yamazaki gave a mock wise nod.

"Often alchemists would use them to make lo-!" Yamazaki groaned as he rubbed his head from where I bopped him. Sakura jumped in suprise and sweat dropped as she looked at him.

"Is he..?" she asked nervously. I gave a nod and knocked Yamazaki on the head a few times.

"It'd take more than that to down this baka," I fixed Yamazaki with a glare. He gave me his easy going smile and once again waved to Sakura.

"My name is Yamazaki Takashi. Nice to meet you Kinomoto-san," he said with a friendly smile. Sakura returned his smile with her own and gave a slight bow.

"I'm Kinomoto Sakura, although I suppose you already know that. Would you like some tea?" she offered politely.

"Yes please." And with that Sakura whisked off to the kitchen to brew tea. Yamazaki turned to me and nudged my shoulder suggestively. "She sure is pretty right Syaoran?"

"Yamazaki, you should remember I like my women more...wild," I replied, a small smirk spreading across my face. "Besides, as a married man, you shouldn't be commenting on other women's beauty." He shrugged in response.

"My VERY beautiful wife wouldn't mind. Did you know that back in the day, it was legal to take on more than one wi-!" I hit him on the head, sighing. Sakura came back into the room, carefully balancing a serving tray. She set it down on the coffee table and knelt down next to it. I sat down on the couch and dragged Yamazaki down with me while Sakura slowly poured the tea into the cups. She handed one to each of us and took her own into her small graceful hands, sipping it.

I examined the cup and gently scratched at the gold line that was painted around the cup rim. A small flake came off and drifted down to rest on one of the tiny cherry blossoms that were painted on the rest of the cup. The cup itself was cute, white with the pictures of cherry blossoms blooming on branches. It seemed to suit Sakura very well. It was silent as we all enjoyed to warmth and slight bitterness of the green tea. Sakura fidgeted at the silence and finally broke it.

"So Yamazaki-san, have you known Chen-san for long?" she asked. Yamazaki gave a slight nod. We'd practiced a cover story before she'd come.

"We met in college and have been friends ever since," he replied. I scoffed.

"Friends is an overstatement," I said with a slight playful undertone.

"Did you know friends was a term in referring to sex sla-!" he groaned as he nursed his new bruise on his head. Sakura blinked in suprise and looked at me with a question clear in her eyes. I shook my head and picked up a small scone, sniffing it lightly before taking a small bite. A mild sweet tangy flavor filled my mouth. I couldn't help but be slightly suprised. The sensation of orange and chocolate filled my mouth. I had to give it to this girl, she was good at what she did. Yamazaki had tried it himself and was now grinning like a fool...wait...he always is.

Sakura continued light chatter before Yamazaki excused himself for the night and left, taking his laptop and a dozen scones for his wife and him to share. Sakura saw him to the door while I took the tea tray into the kitchen. A flash of white caught my eye and I peered into the tea cup Yamazaki had used. A small note had been written on a napkin and tucked into the cup, angled away from Sakura's view.

Obviously there wasn't enough information from the goverment's database.

Ask Eriol to investigate the Underground.

I slipped the napkin into my mouth and swallowed it. Sakura came in just as I was putting the cups into the sink. She hung at the doorway, hesitation clear on her features.

"Yamazaki told me about you not having a place to stay," she stated nervously.

I inwardly raised an eyebrow. What in the world was Yamazaki up to? "And I was wondering...maybe you'd want to stay here for a little bit? At least until you find a place of your own."

"Thanks but...are you sure it wouldn't bother you?" I asked a little. Giving in too easily was a dead giveaway. She nodded and smiled.

"After all, that's what friends are for. Right?"

"Right." So naive. I stay at her place for a night and she thinks we're friends? Why in the world is she targeted again? For a few seconds, she hovered by the door before saying goodnight and walking away to her room. After a few minutes I heard the rush of the shower being turned on and finished with the dishes before going to my own room. I took a quick shower, took out a small briefcase and did a quick inventory of my weapons. I glared at the small indentions in the casing that was supposed to hold the knife and weapons I'd been carrying with me the other night. I took out my phone and dialed my friend's number. "Eriol? I need you to look into some stuff for me."

Oh dang...this is very late and I apologize for the belated update but it's here! Given it's not very long and kind of is OOC but it's here :) I've been busy with original works as it says on my profile, and a few new projects I'm doing with my dear friend Kurokami, whose account is on Fictionpress only. To check it out, go check out my Fictionpress account, ScarletDusk. Happy reading!