Author's note: Unlike my other fanfics, the length of each chapter here will only be around 3K to 4K (with the rare longer one) words. I'm trying to be consistent with the lengths so I can update regularly. This means there are going to be quite a lot of cliffhangers so brace yourselves. I'll try and update fast so you won't wait too long. For the many people who reviewed, followed and favorited the story, thank you so much for appreciating the work! It warms my heart, haha. I took a little longer with this one due to numerous responsibilities I had in the real world. XD

So with that said, I offer the next helping of Take One. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: CCS and all its characters belong to CLAMP. They own all rights to them. Let's support them by buying official translated manga! So far, I've only got Volume 1 of CCS. I'm looking for the rest though. :D

Chapter 8: A Semi-Sweet Trap

Rating: T

-oOo-

Syaoran's body reacted automatically to the sound of the box giving way. He pushed his body forward to stop her fall. Instead of her back, which he expected, she must have twisted someway because he was being smothered by something he had least expected. He was glad it wasn't a sharp shoulder plate but surprise caused him to blurt out those stupid – but honest – words. He would not be surprised if she managed to pull his head clean off his shoulders. He couldn't really see anything since it was dark in the space to begin with and her endowments were blocking pretty much everything else. He expected the shrill scream she let out but what he had not expected was her wrapping her arms around his head, causing him to press deeper against what his schoolmates in high school had so crassly called "Puff-Puff Heaven". If Syaoran was being honest, he quite enjoyed the experience. It was hard not to like her softness (completely hidden under that sack of an outfit her brother let her wear as usual) and the deliciously sweet smell that emanated from her. Without his permission, his brain registered the fact that not only did she taste sweet but she smelled sweet, too.

She was clinging on to him for dear life and Syaoran found himself suffocating. Would it be fine to die this way? Maybe. What headline would be in the tabloids if they found out the truth of his untimely death?

Li Syaoran, multi-awarded actor and model, suffocates while being buried in woman's soft and fragrant breasts.

That sounded about right. There was a chance it could be something tactless though. That's how tabloids were after all.

Li Syaoran: Death by Boobies!

A chill crept down his spine. The headline was probably going to be the latter. No. He didn't want something like that on his tombstone. Using his strength, he forced his face out of its recent confinements and tried to get his bearings. He blinked a few times when all he saw was black and all he heard were whimpering sounds coming from the girl who was latching herself on to him. She was shaking all over and Syaoran could feel wet droplets falling on his face. Sakura was crying! He forced himself to make sense of the situation. Before he could even do so, he felt an unseen force push him backwards. The floor beneath them started to vibrate as well.

"Damn it! We're moving!"

Sakura did not seem to hear him. She just clung to him, her breathing labored. Then it hit him. He had completely forgotten she was claustrophobic. He felt his pocket, glad that he had the sense to bring his phone. He had a way to call for help at least. He tried to feel around for the flashlight to no avail. He had dropped it when he moved to catch her. They had to call for help soon but he first had to calm down the trembling girl atop him. If he didn't, he'd probably be observing the wonderful biodiversity of ocean life in Tokyo Bay firsthand the moment brother dearest saw them in this position.

"Hey, everything's going to be all right. You aren't alone," he said to try and calm her. She felt her move slightly, probably to shake her head given her next statement.

"No! It won't be. We'll be trapped here forever!" She started to shake violently and held on to him tighter.

Should he try his old tactic again? He felt himself salivate at the thought, instinct being the usual bitch that is was. He shook his head slightly to dispel evil thoughts. He was supposed to be comforting her, not preying on her! Still, with how close they were right now, Syaoran was trying hard not to be excited. He was a man after all. When a girl clings to you the way Sakura was clinging to him… it was impossible not to feel anything. He was lucky that she was so distraught. That turned away any other I-might-lose-control-and-take-advantage-of-you-just-like-I-did-before thoughts. Most of it anyway. There was still a part of his brain that was keenly aware of her smell and the way she was wrapped around his body. He tried his best to ignore that part. Tried being the operative word.

Feeling her shake, he rubbed his hand on her back soothingly, the way you would a child. "You aren't alone. I'm here. Everything will be all right."

He felt her bury her face in his neck. He felt her tears and he pitied her even more. He combed his fingers though her hair, murmuring words of comfort. Did she always smell so sweet? Holding her like this, Syaoran was reminded of when he held her during their little aquarium party. It was probably just him and his weird delusions about being her protector and stuff - No, he wasn't in denial – but Syaoran felt like she molded to his body perfectly. This was the second time they were this close and just like the first, his arms went perfectly around her.

Delusional thoughts, right? Syaoran thought so.

Unconsciously – Because there's no way in hell he'd do it on purpose – he pulled her closer and placed a kiss on the top of her head. Soothing words and gentle strokes on her back followed. After a few minutes, her tremors stopped. She still had him in a death grip. Syaoran found that he didn't really mind.

"Niisan…" she whimpered.

For some reason, hearing her call out her brother's name annoyed him. It was like his efforts weren't really amounting to much since she was still calling out for someone else. He sighed when he realized what he had just been thinking.

"I've fallen into your trap real deep," he whispered.

Sakura did not reply.

He finally took out his phone and dialed Eriol's number.

-xXx-

The look on Touya's face was not welcoming. Eriol had seen it before when he had been looking for his sister in the place they were in a few days ago. He looked around and saw that Syaoran was not where was supposed to be. But then, Syaoran wasn't due to be in that spot for the next two hours. He might be still walking around killing time, right? Right. Eriol was an optimistic fool, if any.

Unable to handle his curiosity, he called out to the actor. "Kinomoto-kun?"

Touya turned to face him, a deep frown etched on his face. "I can't find Sakura."

Eriol sighed inwardly. He had been hoping it wasn't that. "Have you looked through the entire set?"

"Anywhere she's likely to go."

"No one saw her?"

Touya shook his head. "I followed the trail of people who saw her but I got a dead end by the props station. No one saw her there apparently."

Eriol cocked his head to the side. "That's odd."

"Where is Li Syaoran?"

Eriol felt like ice water was injected into his veins. It seems he wasn't the only one who was starting to get suspicious. Be that as it was, Syaoran was his charge and it was Eriol's duty to save him from psychopathic big brothers with sister complexes the size of Tokyo Tower.

"He's not due here for the next two hours," he answered coolly.

The way Touya's eyes narrowed told him he didn't believe him. Eriol was telling the truth though. Part of it anyway. Did Touya have a lie radar somewhere in his head?

Feeling that it was better to tell the entire truth, Eriol added, "Since he has free time, I told him to roam the set."

Did he just seal Syaoran's fate?

He heard Touya mutter something under his breath and Eriol hoped that it wasn't a demonic spell of some sort. With Touya's many talents, Eriol wouldn't rule out the possibility that Touya was an adept at witchcraft as well.

Before his suspicions could be verified, the director came to them.

"Touya-kun, we should start."

Touya shook his head once. "Sakura is missing, Sir."

"Again?" he asked in disbelief.

"Yes, Sir," Touya said with a nod.

The director turned to Eriol with piercing eyes. "Where is Li-kun?"

For a split second, Eriol wished Syaoran burned in the pits of hell for not being here. Clearing his head, he tried to organize his thoughts so he could save Syaoran's skin.

He was saved by the arrival of one of the director assistants. "Sir, everything is ready."

"Wait a second, Sakura-chan's missing!" the director answered.

"Eh? She's not back yet?" blurted out the assistant.

All eyes turned to him.

"What do you know?" Touya had immediately picked up on the things the assistant did not say.

The assistant dry-swallowed and looked at Touya in fear. "I… I…"

"I?" Touya prompted, clearly impatient.

"She was by the props van a few minutes ago. I was really busy and so were the other props men so it was hard getting help for anything and-"

"Get to the point," snarled Touya.

The assistant flinched. "I asked her to get me some towels from one of the vans, Sir."

The director looked at him in disbelief. "What are you saying? Why did you ask that of her?"

Touya didn't bother to listen to the explanation, he rushed to the props vans. Eriol followed him silently, wishing that Syaoran was with him. That would ease one of his worries. As soon as they reached the place, Touya looked around frantically. The director and his assistant showed up a few minutes later. There was still no sign of Sakura.

Eriol's phone vibrated and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the caller ID. "Syaoran? Where are you?"

"Hi, Eriol."

Somehow, Eriol did not like how Syaoran sounded. He voiced it out. "Something's telling me I need a drink."

Syaoran laughed on the other line. "Yeah, a few shots probably." Eriol rolled his eyes. "You know the thing you told me not to do?"

Eriol groaned. If he could beat Syaoran with a stick he definitely would. "Are you with Sakura?" Might as well get it out there.

"Yeah, I am."

Eriol noticed that everyone was listening in to his call. Everyone probably connected Sakura with Syaoran now.

"Where are you?"

"In a van," Syaoran answered.

Eriol let out an exhausted sigh. "You like dark places, don't you?"

"Everything will be all right," he heard Syaoran say.

A girl's voice could be heard in the background. It sounded a little too close. Given how Syaoran basically whispered his words just now, Eriol had a sinking feeling in his gut.

"She sounds a little too close, Syaoran," he told his charge, voice lowered dangerously.

He chanced a glance at Touya and saw how his eyes flashed. Eriol always had a taser with him. He made a mental note to get it before they went to where Syaoran and Sakura were. He'd have to knock Touya out and get Syaoran to safety as soon as possible.

Syaoran laughed on the other line. "Yeah, she's all over me right now."

Eriol didn't find anything funny with what Syaoran just said. "Excuse me?"

"Given that she's claustrophobic and we're stuck in a moving van right now, I think it's just normal," Syaoran said conversationally.

Eriol jaw dropped. He turned to his companions. "He said they're stuck in a moving props van."

Touya immediately grabbed the nearest props man he could. "Has any van left here in the last few minutes?" he demanded.

The person he grabbed nodded. "Yeah, just one. Left some twenty minutes ago."

Touya turned his eyes at the assistant who cowered at the glare directed to him. "Which van did you send Sakura to?"

The assistant looked around, his eyes widening as his gaze landed on an empty space of land. "It's gone."

The director blew up then. "What the hell were you thinking asking her to do things for you?!"

Eriol ignored the scolding and put the phone back on his ear. "We're bringing you back. Don't worry."

"Yeah, thanks," he heard Syaoran say with relief. "There's just one major problem though."

Unfortunately, part of Eriol's brain was immersed in the gutter at that moment. "Please no."

"It's not what you are thinking you dirty-minded manager," Syaoran scolded him.

Eriol breathed a sigh of relief. "What now?"

"Give the phone to her brother."

Eriol had to blink a few times before replying. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah. Give it."

"But-"

"He can't kill me using words, Eriol," Syaoran reassured him.

Choosing to believe in Syaoran, Eriol walked to Touya and handed over the phone. "For you."

Touya snatched it immediately. "What are you doing with my sister you -"

Eriol watched as Touya stopped talking and listened. He had to give it to Syaoran. Maybe he had some skills of diplomacy after all.

"Give it to her then," he heard Touya say.

-xXx-

Syaoran didn't know if he regretted it. He knew it was necessary given that his attempts at calming her down sans kisses (he hadn't succumbed to the urge, thank goodness) weren't actually effective. Still, being deemed useless was grating on his nerves. Sakura was currently on top of him, talking to her brother on the phone. After seeing his efforts were useless, he decided to call in the experts. The only thing that was worse than letting her use her phone to speak her brother is actually being able to listen to what they were saying. Yes, Sakura and Syaoran were that close.

Increasing his frustration was the fact that Sakura probably thought of him as a stuffed animal. Why else would she be perfectly comfortable straddling him and clinging on to him in the dark like this? With her skin flush against his and her breaths hitting his sensitized neck, they looked like lovers in an ardent embrace. She was in a state of panic, that he knew of course, but still, she should have enough sense to keep away. Or keep a little distance at least. She was acting like the way her body heat mingled with his was something normal. She was also ignoring the fact that Syaoran was slowly holding her tighter – again, not on purpose. It was like Syaoran was deemed harmless.

Syaoran didn't know if he liked being considered harmless.

He was a grown man, not yet a full-fledged adult given Japan's laws, but he would be considered one most anywhere in the world. He considered himself fairly well off in the physique and looks department. Was Syaoran vain and full of himself? Of course not. He was sure he wasn't modest either. He was just being realistic and practical. If you were born with something good, why should you complain? It was the same as using innate talents. He was always giving his best when it came to his work. He was a responsible person of society, dutifully paying his taxes, meticulously following the law, giving back whenever he could and always treating people no matter the station with respect.

Bottom line? He was a gorgeous representative of the male species, damn it. A very desirable representative! Why didn't the girl on top of him realize that?

Why didn't he affect her the same way she affected him? Why didn't she notice that Syaoran smelled like cedarwood or pine nuts or sea salt or whatever weird nature-y smell women associated with sexy men? Why didn't she get goosebumps when Syaoran breathed on her ear? His entire neck was filled with those little things right now. Why didn't she remember what Syaoran's mouth tasted like? Syaoran was sure he wouldn't easily forget how she did. Why isn't she bothered feeling his hard muscles? Her legs were scraping against his toned obliques (Syaoran worked especially hard for those) but she hardly noticed at all! Syaoran on the other hand was fairly sure his brain was memorizing how Sakura felt against him. Typical of his brain to remember useless trivial things instead of the really important things.

But the biggest mystery of all: Why was Syaoran allowing these things to get to him?

Syaoran let out an exasperated sigh. He didn't have an answer and he didn't want to waste brain cells thinking of one.

His internal struggle was cut short when he felt the van jerk to a stop. He debated whether to move Sakura to a better position but thought against it. Let her brother see. Eriol was probably already thinking of a way to save him anyway. Who knows? Eriol may finally use that taser he always kept in his bag.

A few seconds later, light streamed in, causing Syaoran to close his eyes. In the next second, he felt Sakura's weight lifted off him. He looked up with squinted eyes and saw Touya Kinomoto cradling Sakura to his chest. A spark of irritation flew though Syaoran's mind, quick as lightning but he ignored it. He struggled to catch the phone Touya threw at him. He realized a little late that it was the phone he lent Sakura. Without a glance his way, Touya headed out. Syaoran stood and dusted himself off casually and walked out with his head held high.

He was greeted with the sight of almost half of the crew waiting outside for them. He went to the director and Eriol who were standing in front and bowed. "I apologize for the trouble we caused." He looked around and saw that Touya was nowhere in sight.

"What happened?" the director demanded.

"I saw her walking into one of the props vans. I was worried since she's not supposed to go in those things. When I saw her inside, she was looking for something. Towels, was it? I think that's what they wanted. Someone asked her to get some and left just like that she said. I decided to help her. She fell when she was standing on one of the boxes. I tried to catch her. The next thing I knew, we were trapped inside and the van started moving. It was lucky I had my phone on me."

The director gave him an approving nod. "I'd normally be angry but seeing as you were her savior again, I'm glad. She has issues with the dark?" he turned and asked Eriol.

"Claustrophobic," Eriol answered.

"That's why she was in that state," the director replied.

Eriol gave a nod.

"Why was she asked to do those things, director? She's supposed to be her brother's handler. She isn't some gofer." Syaoran was a little put off that someone actually asked her to do things for them. Each person had a definite job on set and they should do it themselves.

The director seemed to share Syaoran's opinion. "Don't worry. I already addressed that."

"That's good."

The director looked back at the crew that were gathered around. "What is everyone doing just standing here? Get back to work, people!"

Everyone started to scurry away back to their posts.

"Li-kun, we'll go with you first since Touya looks like he won't be ready."

"Yes, Sir," Syaoran answered immediately.

The director placed a hand on his shoulder. "Good. Thanks again. It's actually good that you and Sakura were together today."

Syaoran felt as if he just dodged a bullet. "I'll go get ready, Sir."

The director gave his shoulder a squeeze before going back to the set.

Syaoran turned to Eriol. "Scold me already."

Eriol smiled and shook his head. "No need. After hearing your explanation, I'm relieved."

Syaoran eyes him curiously. "I broke your rule."

"If you hand't been with her, who knows what would have happened. That move with the phone call was good though. Touya didn't say it but I'm sure he appreciated the gesture."

"Really?"

Eriol laughed. "I didn't have to use my taser, did I?"

Syaoran had to laugh at that. "Yeah. Though I kinda wanted you to use it."

His manager flicked his head with a finger. "You fool. Go and get ready so we can start filming."

"Yes, Sir."

-oOo-

Author's note: No cliffhanger this time. :D Please leave a review. I always love hearing from readers! Also, with the way I describe things in this chapter, I might have to raise the rating. I was a bit traumatized about ratings since people from my other story found some stuff way over the T rating and called my attention. Oh well. We'll see how things go first. Anyway, until the next chapter!