Welcome to The Betrayal! I've been working on this story for quite some time now, and I finished writing out the story the other week. I was going to wait and upload this story after Loved By The Gods, but oh well. I've attempted (?) a new formatting? I think? I hope it's an improvement? I'm very unsure of myself at the moment. Let me know if it's any better.

As usual, if you aren't familiar with my stories (Not including A New Beginning), then I should warn you that there is violence and some adult content in this. If that's not to your liking, then shoo.

It was a pleasant Spring day, with a gentle breeze and warm sun. Cherry blossom petals had begun to fall and it wouldn't be long before the flower viewing festivities began.

Sakura, however, would not be taking part in such festivities. She finished packing the last of her things in the final box and taped it up with a heavy sigh. She pushed it to the side and stood up, walking over to the bench.

The apartment she was moving out of was small, but comfortable. It had one bedroom and a small living space and kitchen.
A floor board creaked under her foot as she walked to the kitchen bench, picking up the file that sat on top and stared at it tiredly. This new assignment of hers was going to be tough-she knew that simply from reading the man's background history and that her assignment was in the S rank.

Sakura thought back, remembering the day she'd received the file.

...

"Sakura!"

Sakura looked up from the table to meet the eyes of her best friend-her only friend and person she trusted-the famous opera singer, Tomoyo Daidouji. She was a beautiful young woman, with soft pale skin and large violet coloured eyes. Her pink lips were curved into a smile. Her long, wavy black hair cascaded down her back and over her shoulders.
The woman was holding a bouquet of pink and yellow roses and she was wearing a floor length silk gown in a pale shade of lavender. She had just finished greeting her VIP guests backstage.

Sakura blinked. "Sorry-what?"

Tomoyo rolled her eyes playfully, "I asked what was on your mind. Sometimes you get this distant look on your face, like you're off in some other world." She said as she sat down in front of the dressing room mirror.

Sakura had been waiting in the room ever since Tomoyo had finished her incredible performance.

"Oh...sorry." Sakura replied dully.

"So, what happened to Jun?" Tomoyo then asked. "Is everything okay between the two of you?"

Sakura shrugged. "We broke up."

Tomoyo gasped in shock. "Oh Sakura, I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"

Sakura nodded. "I'm not that torn up about it, really."

Tomoyo's eyes widened. "He seemed like a really great guy. What happened...?"

Sakura leant her cheek on her hand. "He said he couldn't deal with me being so emotionless all the time. It's understandable, I suppose." She explained, looking a little bored. Sakura couldn't care less-in fact, she was quite happy to be rid of him.

Tomoyo groaned. "All right, first of all, stop dating men if you have no interest in them." She advised.

"Interest?" Sakura repeated with a small frown of confusion.

Tomoyo gave a sigh of exasperation. "Alright, I know that you were brought up and trained not to feel emotions, but surely you're not dating these men without feeling an inkling of interest?"

Sakura shrugged her shoulders, "It stops me from being bored."

"And that's why you can't hold down a relationship. You don't have any interest in them or who they are."

"Does that really matter?" she asked. Sakura had been in several relationships, but she wouldn't necessarily call them intimate. Except one-but she had no desire to remember that one. It had ended badly, and she had never seen him again. Since then, she barely showed interest in the men around her.

"Of course, it does, sweetie." Tomoyo sighed.

"Then...how do I do that?" she asked.

Tomoyo opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted when Sakura's phone went off. Sakura reached into her plain black leather handbag and removed her phone, finding she had a message.

"Is that the agency?" Tomoyo asked. Her distaste for the agency was clear as day on her face.

Sakura nodded. "I'm needed for an assignment. I'm sorry."

Tomoyo frowned with concern at her friend, "Aren't you tired of that place? Why don't you quit?"

Sakura looked into the mirror. She saw a boring woman, with boring emerald green eyes and boring short pale caramel coloured hair. There was nothing interesting about her or her life, in her opinion. She didn't know anymore.
Her job was the only thing she knew.
Being an assassin, that is, and an incredibly efficient one.

"I'm not sure...maybe I am."

Tomoyo took Sakura's hands in her own. "Please, Sakura, think about it for me?" she begged.

Sakura held eye contact with her friend for a long moment. She knew her best friend only wanted the best for her, but she did not know why she was so insistent on getting her to quit her job. But Sakura was tired of her job-it exhausted her, and she hated to acknowledge that.
She nodded. "Okay."

Tomoyo smiled gently, "Alright. Stay safe-don't get into too much trouble!"

A small smile pulled at Sakura's lips. Sakura had learned to trust and feel herself around Tomoyo, and she had even learned about feelings of friendship thanks to her patience. "Thanks, Tomoyo. I'll call you when I can."

Tomoyo nodded, and Sakura left the dressing room. She turned to her right and headed down to the exit that led out to a dark alley-it was late, about eleven o'clock, and it was quite chilly. The alley was quiet, which wasn't a surprise, and Sakura made her way out onto the main street. It was busy-but the middle of the city always was-and Sakura made her way through the suffocating crowds.

Some men standing outside a strip club whistled at her as she passed by, but she ignored them and continued past-or at least tried to.
One of the men who looked to be in his early thirties grabbed her arm and pulled her over.

"Hey now, don't be shy."

Sakura didn't bother saying anything. She knew what they wanted.

"Why don't you tell us your pretty name?"

The grip around her arm tightened painfully, but she didn't feel overly bothered about it. However, she didn't have time to deal with these men or take part in their stupid games.

She shoved all her body weight into the man holding her and quickly proceeded to punch him hard, three times in the abdomen. He released his grip on her, bent over in pain, and she lifted her knee up into his nose and broke it. She then spun around, blocking the fist flying at her face, and made quick work of the man's accomplice as well.
She watched for a moment as they writhed on the floor in agony before turning and continuing down the road feeling rather satisfied.

She approached a tall sky scraper building that presented itself as a regular government department building, however that was not the case.
This tall building was where assassins were trained, brought up and assigned their work. No one knew about it, and no one ever would. They were trained to fit in with the world around them, to put up a mask and fool the world, but never feel. Feelings, after all, were a person's greatest weakness-or so they were taught.

With a soft sigh, Sakura pushed open the heavy glass door and walked into the pristine lobby, walked across the plush burgundy carpet and towards the elevators. She pressed the button to open the elevator doors and waited for a moment. A soft chime sounded, and the doors parted; Sakura stepped inside and pressed the button for the top floor.

She wondered what her new assignment was this time. Her last assignment had taken her overseas to a small European country to assassinate a woman who had betrayed her ex-husbands trust and sold out his company, getting all the money he lost.
She didn't understand why people behaved in such ways. It was all too strange to her.

Another chime sounded, alerting Sakura that she had arrived at the top floor. She stepped out and turned to her left, making her way down the long winding hallway until she came to a stop at a wooden door. She knocked twice and waited to be acknowledged.

"Come in." A strong voice sounded.

Sakura opened the door and stepped inside. Sitting behind a large desk was a lean muscular man wearing a black suit with a red tie and white dress shirt. He wore designer sunglasses, and his black hair was a mess.

"You called, Rin?" Sakura spoke as she came to a stop in the middle of the room.

The man looked up from where he sat. "Yes. You have a new assignment." He pushed a file towards her.

She stepped forward to take it, "Here in Japan, or overseas?"
Part of her was hoping it was in Japan-she hated flying and she hated being away from the comfort of her familiar surroundings. But, work was work and she had to deal with it.

"Your target lives here, in Japan. He's the head of the Li clan." Rin explained.

Sakura raised her brow, "The clan of magicians over in Hong Kong?"
She had heart bits and pieces about them over the years, but she never paid much attention to the gossip around her. She was familiar with the practice of magic, but she rarely ever used it-she saw no need to when she was quite capable of doing things without its help.

He nodded. "He requires a personal secretary or an advisor of sorts. You'll be taking up this position. This mission will be difficult-he's a smart man. That's why we've called you." He explained.

Sakura nodded, "I'll look at the file as soon as I get home."

Rin nodded. "You'll be meeting him tomorrow morning. All of the details have been sent to your phone."

"Understood."

Sakura turned to leave, heading for the door, but Rin stopped her.

"You know what to do, Sakura."

Sakura hesitated for a minute. "…Yes, sir."

Then, she left.

…

Her apartment building wasn't far away-a five-minute walk at most. Sakura swiped her key card and pushed her door open, shutting it behind herself and walked straight over to the couch.
She was exhausted.
But, she needed to read the file, so she sat up and opened it to reveal the photograph of a man in his late twenties, with a square jaw and lightly tanned skin. He was lean and muscular, with warm amber eyes and messy chocolate coloured hair.
His age showed he was 28, one year older than Sakura.
He was single, trained in various forms of martial arts and magic, and had an impressive educational background.

Sakura read through his history, gaining knowledge of the type of person he was.
When she was done, she pulled out her phone to look at the meeting time and place.

It would take place at a quiet cafe at eleven thirty. If she was to get this job, she needed to act professional, just as her job would demand of her.

"Li Syaoran..." she murmured his name.
'No loose ends.' She reminded herself, and then headed straight to bed.

…

The cafe was warm and quiet. The bells chimed as Sakura opened the door, and it didn't take her long to spot the man she was meeting. She had to admit, he was a lot more attractive in person than in the photos.

She walked over to the table he sat at by the window wearing a perfect smile. "Mr Li?"

The man looked up and amber met emerald. Sakura felt a strange feeling in her chest as they held eye contact, her cheeks warming a little.

He raised his brow. "Can I help you?"

It took a long moment for Sakura to comprehend what he'd just asked. Flustered, she quickly apologised. "I'm sorry-I'm here for the meeting we organised? For the job?" she quickly smiled.

Recognition showed on his face. "Ah-please, sit."

She sat herself down in the seat across from him.

"Did you want to order anything first?" he asked.

Sakura's ears perked at his comment. "Oh...you wouldn't mind?"
She never passed up the chance to have a slice of her favourite cake.

He gave a small shrug. "Do as you please."

Sakura waved a waitress over and spouted off an order of a slice of strawberry shortcake and chamomile tea. She couldn't help but notice the waitress's obvious sexual interest in the man sitting before her.

"And you, sir?"

"I'll have the same tea. That's all, thank you." He dismissed her without even looking her way.

"Of course." The waitress smiled flirtatiously, and then walked off swaying her hips.

His eyes were focused entirely on Sakura, who started fidgeting awkwardly beneath his piercing gaze. Sakura wasn't sure how to act in such a situation, so she gave an awkward smile.
There was something about him that made Sakura feel self-conscious, something she had never felt before. Just what was it about him? Was it just that he looked attractive? Or was it something else?

They sat in an awkward silence until their orders arrived. The same waitress placed Sakura's order in front of her, and then set Syaoran's tea down along with a fruit tart he didn't order.

He looked at her and she winked. "It's on me." She said and walked away before he could say anything more.

He sighed and shook his head in exasperation. "So, Miss Kinomoto, let's discuss the position." He then spoke.

"Of course." She smiled politely.

"I'll need an extra pair of eyes to assist me with my work, and to carry out errands when I can't complete them. Are you aware of what my family does?" he asked.

Sakura nodded. "Your family caters to magicians, making custom items for magic use."

He nodded. "That's correct." He said, "Are you aware of the other side of this position, however?"

Sakura frowned. "I'm sorry, but I don't recall reading about another side..." she apologised and was immediately filled with dread. She HAD to get this position.

"I'm looking for a partner-someone to spend my life with. The other part to this will require you to live with me, as well as us getting to know each other. Essentially, we'd be dating." He explained.

Sakura paused her fork mid-air. She probably looked stupid, with her mouth hanging open and the fork in the middle of the air, but she was just so surprised by his words. She had not been expecting it at all. Live in the same house as him?

"Are you ok with that? It is your decision." He then added.

Sakura was still too stunned to answer.
Finally, after a very long awkward pause, she spoke. "I'd like to have the chance to try." She replied. "I-um-well that is, if you're comfortable with that..." she blubbered, though she wondered why she was acting so strange.

He nodded. "Alright. I can organise for you to move in next week."

"O-okay, I'll start preparing as soon as I get home." Sakura replied.

'Geez Sakura! Get a grip!' she mentally chastised herself.

"Very well."

Another awkward silence. Sakura ate her cake quietly while he stared into his steaming tea cup.

"Miss Kinomoto?"

"Yes?" she asked, voice higher than usual. She then looked slightly surprised-surprised about her behaviour.

"I need you to be completely honest with me about yourself." He said, though softly.

She blinked in surprise. "Is there something you'd like to know?" she asked, genuinely confused.

"You're not hiding any dark secrets, are you?"

"Eh?" Sakura once again paused her fork mid-way to her mouth in surprise. This time, the man sitting across from her cracked a small smile.

"I know self-defence and various forms of martial arts?" she replied, tilting her head to the side wondering if that was what he meant.

He laughed. It wasn't an unpleasant laugh, but quite pleasant for the ears. It was a warm laugh.

"Sorry," he apologised, "Forget I asked."

Sakura looked at him with confusion, feeling like she was missing some joke.

He looked at his watch and sighed softly. "Please excuse me, but I have to leave. I'll pay for the order."

"Oh-that's not necessary..." she started, but he shook his head.

"I insist."

After a moment, Sakura nodded.

Then, he nodded to the fruit tart. "Feel free to eat that as well."

"Oh-Thank you."

"I'll see you again next week." He said, and then turned to leave.

Sakura watched him pay for the order and then leave, leaving her with her cake, tea and the tart.

She had no idea how to go about this job. It entailed doing something she was terrible at. Dating.

'Boy am I screwed…' she sighed to herself. She wondered if maybe she should call Rin and tell him to send someone else before she got fired from her new job-save herself the hassle. But part of her was excited, and that part of her took over her thoughts and told her not to.

Instead, she ate her cake and tart and drank her tea, and then pulled out her phone to report that she got the job.

...

Syaoran slid into his car and started the engine with a soft sigh. He wasn't sure how he felt about the meeting. The last four or five candidates had disappointed him greatly, since they were only after his money and looks. Two had cheated on him.
He wondered if this woman would do the same.

Something about her seemed off, but at the same time he felt strangely calmed and at ease with her. Not to mention she was amusing. Her total surprise when he had told her his actual intentions, and the way she looked with her mouth hanging open would instantly cause someone to turn away in a normal situation.

He smiled to himself. This wasn't a normal situation, though.

"Sakura, huh?" he murmured to himself as he drove.

She was quite attractive with her short auburn hair that framed her oval shaped face. Her eyes were a brilliant shade of emerald, her skin pale and lips a soft pink. She looked quite fit, her body an hourglass shape. He was surprised she wasn't already married with how beautiful she was.

It didn't take long to get home. Syaoran pulled up the driveway of his two-storey house, the front garden neatly kept and beautiful flowers bloomed. The lawn was a lush green and freshly watered.

He stepped out of the car and locked it before walking up the path to the front door, mindlessly unlocking it and stepping inside.

As he stepped inside, however, his phone rang. Sighing heavily, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and looked at the screen to find a familiar name. He rolled his eyes and answered it.

"Hello Eriol."

"Is this a bad time?" the man on the end of the line asked.

"No, I just got home." Syaoran replied as he walked into the kitchen.

"Ah-you had an interview today, right?" Eriol said.

"Yeah. Her name is Sakura Kinomoto. She'll be living here as of next week." He said.

"What do you think of her?"

Syaoran furrowed his brow. "Well...I don't think she's after my money. She was completely dumbfounded when I told her, unlike the others that only showed a small moment of shock and then excitement."

Eriol hummed in thought. "And she agreed?"

"She said she wouldn't mind trying, though I think she may have looked a little uncomfortable." Syaoran answered, "I am a stranger, after all, and we'll be living together."

"Yes, that's true. Let her settle in first and get used to her job." Eriol advised. "And don't make any moves on her."

"Oh, shut up." Syaoran muttered.

"Hopefully she's the one."

"Yeah...the family is getting loud about me marrying, though."

"Is that why you've been avoiding family functions?" Eriol teased.

"Partly. It's annoying." Syaoran muttered.

Eriol laughed.

"By the way, you're coming here at some point, right?" Syaoran added.

"Yes, I'll be coming to take care of some work matters and stay for a while." Eriol answered.

"Alright. When, exactly?"

"About a month from now."

"Thanks." Syaoran sighed softly as he looked at the clock, "Sorry, but I need to get some paperwork done."

Eriol laughed, "Very well. Let me know if you need anything. I really do hope Miss Kinomoto is the one for you after all this time."

Syaoran smiled, amused. "Hopefully. See you later."

Eriol said his farewell and Syaoran ended the call.

He too hoped that Sakura would be the one he'd been looking for.

...

Sakura was at a loss for what to do. She was technically going to not only be working for the man she was supposed to kill but dating him as well! She knew this would be a difficult job, but now it just seemed harder. If she killed him too soon, she would be the first suspect, and she couldn't let that happen. No wonder it was S rank. It seemed almost impossible.

But...she had no idea about anything to do with dating. She knew he'd probably dump her within the first few weeks.

So, she did what she always did, and pulled out her phone to call her one and only friend, explaining to her the situation and her dilemma.

"WHAT?" Tomoyo shouted on the other end of the line.

"That's the truth-the man I'll be working for is also going to be dating me." Sakura said, "But I suck at relationships. You said so yourself."

Tomoyo sighed heavily. "Oh grief. I didn't say you sucked, exactly, you just have no interest."

"But I need to be with him for more than a couple of weeks to do my job..." Sakura whined, "Please Tomoyo, I'm desperate!"

"I'm not helping you unless you have an actual interest in this relationship." Tomoyo replied flatly.

"But, Tomoyo-"

"No."

Sakura sighed. "Alright. Sorry for taking you away from work." She apologised.

Tomoyo was quiet for a moment. "Sakura, I just want you to be happy. So please, consider quitting the assassin business."

Sakura lowered her eyes to her hands for a moment. "I... I'll think about it."

"Thank you." Tomoyo replied warmly.

A small, genuine smile tugged at Sakura's lips. "See you later."

She ended the call with Tomoyo and stood from her table, leaving the cafe and headed home.

...

Sakura placed the file back down on the bench with a soft sigh. It had been a hectic few days, that was for sure.

The sound of knocking at the door grabbed her attention and she moved to answer, finding it was the moving helpers who had come for her boxes and belongings.

She watched as they moved the boxes out of her apartment, wondering if there was anything else she needed to grab.

Coming up blank, Sakura grabbed her bag and shoved the file in it before heading out of the apartment.

What did you think? Weird? Bizarre? Typical Sarah? See you soon! (Please review, I'll love you forever) *Wink*

I know that in a lot of fics, Syaoran is often a very famous rich businessman and the business is usually huge and amazing. I wanted to do something different, change things up a bit to make it interesting. What do you think?