I sat on the back porch of the mansion. I listened to the neighbouring houses, where the elders were slowly loosing their minds by yelling at inanimate objects. Younger people held parties. The working families all asleep. I sighed as I heard my brother and stepfather argue through the night. It was a usual thing. Touya barely lived with us anymore. Mostly because my stepfather, Masaku, hated both Touya and I. He was only in it for my now deceased mother and the money our family held. Touya holds most of it and refuses to hand it over to Masaku. For the best I think. Their yelling got louder and I heard a vase hit the ground. Touya would soon walk out the front door and leave me again for a week or a month. I could never tell when he would come back. That's why I too left for a while.

I looked down at my packed backpack. It held my cell phone, clothes, walkman and money. I heard the front door slam shut and I knew that was my queue to leave. I got up front my sitting position and walked around to the front of the house. I saw Touya's car pull out and speed off. I sighed once again and headed off. I turned right this time instead of left like I usually did. Just to see what I could find down this way. It would probably be the same. Find a friends house and stay there for a couple days. Masaku would probably file another missing report on me. He did it often. Unless he knew I couldn't go far. Right now I suspect he thinks I'm up in my room either studying for a test tomorrow or sleeping. He has tabs on me. The teachers call whenever I don't do my homework, when there is a test. He wants me to get into collage or university as soon as possible. That way he can live in all his greed with my house and money.

I walked over a bridge and peered at the river flowing under it. I slipped on my headphones to listen to the cd my walkman held. I wrapped my black hoodie around me tightly. It was chilly out for a spring night. The pants I wore were thin which made my legs cold. If I didn't find a place within an hour, my legs were sure to seize up in the cold. I remember one time, when I was in this exact position. It was winter and I stupidly ran away with only my school uniform on. Sure I thought to bring my backpack that only held money and my cell phone. I just about froze to death before Touya found me and took me back home. That was the first time I attempted to run away. I have learned. It's actually more of a schedule than anything. Touya comes in the morning. I get my pack ready. Go to school. Come back to find Touya and Masaku fighting. Grab my pack and wait for Touya to leave so that Masaku will have other things on his mind. And then leave before Masaku decides to lash out on me. By the time I come back, he is either with other business, or punishes me by way of locking me in my room for a few days with minimal food. I guess I've gotten used to it. I could go a few days without food completely. I've done it before.

I guess I didn't realize how long I had been walking when my legs started to hurt. I looked at my watch and saw that it was two o'clock. I had been walking for and hour and a half now. Time flies when you are running away. But then again I also had no clue where I was. 'Great Sakura, now what?' I thought. I was at a corner street, so I only really had one way to go. But I saw a path that lead through the woods across the street. I walked across it and looked into the dark path. 'Chance it or go back home.' I warned myself. On that note I chanced it. Yeah, it was creepy. I wasn't exactly one for the darkness. The path lead me in different directions for a few minutes. A clearing soon came into my view. When I came to it, all there was was a huge tree and a bench that sat underneath it. My legs were going to collapse on me so I decided to sit on the bench for a while. I took my headphones off and laid my pack on the bench beside me. I got a pair of black sweatpants and slipped them on over my other pants. I was really cold and didn't plan on dieing of hypothermia. I also got out another larger sweater. I might have looked like a huge black marshmallow, but my health came first.

All too soon I hadn't realized that I had fallen asleep. And all too soon was I woken up. The sun beamed down on me through the tree leaves. My head was resting on my pack as my whole body took up the bench space. I sat up and stretched my sore limbs. It was rather warm out now so I took off a layer of clothes. My brown hair fell out of my hood as I put it back on my shoulders. I looked at my surroundings not really remembering where I was immediately. But it came to me because of the events last night or early this morning. Checking my watch again, it was nine thirty-seven. I'm not a heavy sleeper. On normal weekends I can only sleep until seven when my mental alarm clock goes off.

I got a granola bar out of my pack. If I was going to find a place today, I needed at least a little energy. I couldn't see the path I came through from last night. I walked around the tree looking for it. When I got halfway around I spotted it. Pushing the oddness of it being in a different spot to the back of my mind I wandered back through it. But it didn't take me back to the street. Instead it brought me to a large house. Almost bigger than my home.

I noticed a couple cars parked out front along with a few motorcycles. All red and black. But that wasn't part of my problem. I had lost my way out and found a house instead. Now I didn't know if I should do the innocent young girl who got lost act (at least half of that is true…the lost part), or just try to find my way back. My legs were still a little sore not having my trusty Advil on me to take away the pain. So I was up to pushing through the pain up till now. I hesitantly walked towards the front door. I was about to knock when I heard people's voices around back. I walked around the side of the house. When I got to the edge I only peeked around to the back. There was girl standing by a car with her arms crossed looking very angry at two men in front of her. She had long blonde hair and blue eyes that looked like they could kill with one glance. One guy had black, messy hair, and the other one had silver hair that was equally messy. I couldn't see their faces so I settled for calling them tweedle dee and tweedle dum.

"What do you mean he's left! God can I not leave you two with a simple task? Who knows what Wolf will do to him." The girl yelled irritated.

"Look, Selina he is next in line for our leader. Maybe he should be able to do what he wants." Tweedle dee said.

"Yes but we don't know if there is a Snake out for him. He could be off guard and could get killed. Then Wolf would have our heads instead." The girl, who I guessed was called Selina, shot back.

What were they talking about? Something about a guy running off. Some person named Wolf and snakes? You'd think they'd have gone mad if it weren't for them not being in an insane house.

Now this is what happens in all the movies and other stories. It's just the obvious thing that happens to everyone in this sort of position….I stepped on a twig and it says "SNAP!" so that everyone can hear. I quickly hide around the side and think of what to do next. Obviously they are going to come here. Obviously I better start moving. Obviously I can't because I have no where to go except for if I book it back the way I came.

After a while of waiting I began to think they never heard me. So very cautiously I poked my head back out to see. And what did I see? I shotgun pointed at my head…that's what. You never really get why people are so afraid of them until you are in a position like this…then you understand.

The guy with silver hair stared at me with cold eyes. He motioned the gun to the right so that I would totally come out of hiding. I stepped out so that I was visible. I tried to stay calm. Who knows what would happen if I showed fear. It's not easy to hide.

"What is it Nicholas?" Selina called to the guy in front of me.

"It's a girl." The guy, Nicholas called back.

"Bring her over. And please put away the gun. I highly doubt she'd be stupid enough to fight here."

Stupid enough to fight? Yeah sure I've had to defend myself a couple times against Masaku but against three people? Nuh uh. As I made my way over the other girl and guy, Nicholas followed close behind me. I came to a stop right in front of them.

"Who are you?" The girl asked suspiciously.

"Sakura…" I said right away.

"I see. New member of the Snakes are we?"

"Huh?" I commented stupidly. 'What the hell is she talking about?'

I felt the back of my sweater go up. I turned quickly.

"What are you doing?" I asked almost horrified, slipping my shirt back down my back.

"Checking for a tattoo. You never know when the Snakes are around." Nicholas said in a way that sent shivers up my spine.

"But it seems you don't have one. Selina, what do you think?" The guy with black hair said. He looked like the nicer one.

"It doesn't matter if she has a tattoo or not. Spies need a good cover. And they obviously didn't do a good job on this one." It looked like Nicholas wanted to kill me. But I had no idea why.

"Come with me Sakura. Nicholas, Jamie, keep an eye out." Was all Selina said before she took my arm and led me inside the house through the back door. I followed her through the house. We went through a kitchen and up a level of stairs. Selina took me into a room where a desk stood in the middle of the room and a chair with a middle age man sat behind the desk. He was writing something out before he looked up at us. His brown messy bangs swung in his eyes.

"Selina, why the visit?" He asked kindly.

"Wolf. We found this girl in the backyard just now. I wanted to know what your view in her is. Nicholas seems to think she is a spy for the Snakes. I'm not quite sure." Selina informed the man in front of us.

"Well. Where did you come from?" He asked his eyes moving over to me.

"I- I came from the town." I said shortly, not knowing if I wanted to give away any information.

"What are you doing here? How did you find us?" He asked again. He was so kind about it, I didn't have the heart to lie.

"I was running away. I didn't really mean to come hear. I just followed the path and it led here." I answered.

'Damn it Sakura! Do give away too much!.' My mind screamed to me.

"Selina, get this girl a shower and new clothes. Then come to me and we will figure out what to do with her." Selina bowed her head respectfully and took my wrist.

"Alright Sakura, let's go." She said as if I was a child.

"Sakura…Such a pretty name. I've heard it before." I heard the man say. I looked back at him with a confused look. He just smiled and looked back down at the paper he was writing on earlier.

'How would he know my name?'

Selina took me the rest of the way out of the room before I could say anything. We went up another flight of stairs and into a large room. Selina let go of my wrist and turned to me. She looked me over.

"You're about my size." She mumbled. I stood there not really knowing what to do.

"Don't look so scared. If Wolf doesn't see you as a threat, then you have nothing to worry about." Selina said to me and smirked. God I hate when people smirk. Something about it just creeps me out.

"Listen. If you want I could just leave. No questions asked." I tried to reason.

"You said you ran away right? Well you are obviously trying to get away from someone or something. That's why Wolf is letting you stay for at least the day." She said, as she walked over to a closet. She got out a green tank top and jeans.

"Here. The shower is through that door. I'll be in here when you're done." Selina handed me the clothes.

"Uh thanks." I said and went into the bathroom.

Feeling the warm water run over my skin felt really nice on my cold body. The soap running through my hair smelt like vanilla. I wanted to stay in there forever but of course, time has its limits and so does the warm water.

Getting out I wrapped a towel around my body. I wiped the mirror from its mist and looked at my reflection. My abnormally bright green eyes stared back at me. 'What have I gotten myself into?'

………………………………

"What! Your letting her stay here? She could be a spy for all we know." Nicholas protested.

Wolf agreed to let me stay in the house for a couple of days. Why? I have no clue. I was sure to have my throat slit in the middle of the night.

"Yes I am Nicholas. Sakura may have the eyes of a Snake, but that's not to say she is one." Wolf replied calmly.

As Nicholas and Wolf argued it out, Selina explained to me that most Snakes have green eyes. It's like that because green resembles the colour of venom. They also have their Snake tattoos, though they aren't completely recognized that way.

"A snake wrapped around a sword is how you'll be able to tell, but they hide them pretty well, so don't look for those as a first sign." Selina said.

I didn't really know why they were telling me this. I was only going to be here a couple of days. And I really was going to leave, I didn't plan on staying.

"I do not agree with this one bit. Why don't we just give her some food and let her be on her way." Nicholas argued still.

"No. She is a guest here. And I want to get to know her some. It is decided Nicholas. Fight against me anymore and I will see to it to give you food and let you be on your way." Wolf said in a 'and that's final' tone.

Nicholas locked eyes with me. His blue eyes glared at me. He left without another word. I shivered slightly.

"I am sorry about that Sakura. He's just looking out for us." Wolf explained.

I nodded my head. "S'okay."

"Selina, would you mind calling Touya for me?" Wolf asked.

Huh? He knew Touya?

"Sure." Selina answered and left the office.

"How do you know Touya?" I asked confused.

"You mean he has never told you?"

"Told me what?"

"I see. Let me explain. We here, who live in this mansion and in other locations through out the city, are a gang. We are called the Wolves. Touya has been a part of us for about ten years now." Wolf looked at me, almost waiting for my reaction.

'About as long from when mother died.' I thought. Touya ran away when I was six. He was about ten then himself.

"He came to us in almost the same circumstances of you. Said he ran away. That he came from in town. He often told me about you. That's why I recognized your name. It didn't dawn on me until a while ago that you were his Sakura."

"So this is where he usually is?" I asked.

There were mixed messages going through my head.

'Why am I so calm about this?'

'Why didn't he ever tell me?'

"Yes. He leaves for a day every once and a while. Comes back enraged. I suspect he goes to your house? Where you and your stepfather live?" Wolf inquired.

"Yes. He and Masaku get into a fight every time Touya comes around. I always leave around then so that I don't get the punishment of Masaku's anger." I replied warily. I hated remembering all the times I got beaten. The scar on my thigh was a constant reminder.

Selina walked back into the room just then, "Sorry Wolf. I couldn't get a hold of Touya. But guess who's back? Syaoran just walked in. He looks none to pleased either." The look Selina had on her face was a mix of worry and I think amusement. It confused me a little.

Wolf sighed and rubbed his head. Did that mean something was wrong? I sunddenly had the urge to bolt and say I never saw this place in my entire life.

"Alright. Take Sakura to a room and send Syaoran up here." Wolf said.

Again I followed Selina out of the room and back up to the floor Selina's bed room was on. The room was large with light green walls. A bed lay on the left side of the room and the door to the bathroom lay open. My back pack was on a chair beside the door. I had wondered where it went after I had my shower.

"Sleep. You look like you need it. I'll wake you back up to have some diner. Mostly everybody is out so expect to meet a lot of people." Selina said.

She saw the look on my face. I'm not big on meeting crowds of people that I don't know. A group of 5 or less, maybe, but anymore would start to worry me.

"You don't have to meet them if you don't want to…?" Selina said.

"No. It'll be ok. I just get a little shy that's all." That's a lie, but I'll deal with it.

I thanked her and she left. I took my pack to the bed and sat down. I took out my cell phone. I missed a few calls. Looks like Masaku was trying to find out where I was. One of his tricks I've learned to avoid. I laid back on the queen sized bed. It was really comfortable. I practically sunk into it.

I doubted I was going to get any sleep. But just to make sure I rolled on my side and closed my eyes. That was the position I fell asleep in and woke up in everyday. But I was wrong when I thought I wasn't going to get any sleep. I guess all that had happened today was taking a toll on my head and it just wanted to shut down for a while.

………………………………...

"Hey. Sleepy head. Get up." I heard a harsh voice say.

Great. It was all just a dream. I'm back with Masaku and I have to get to school soon. The thought of being with Nicholas rather than Masaku made Nicholas a saint.

"Hey did you hear me? I said get up."

"Screw off Masaku. I'm not going to school today." I said lazily.

"Who's Masaku?"

Huh?

I opened my eyes to see Nicholas standing behind me with his arms crossed. 'It wasn't a dream. The saint is here.' I almost rolled my eyes.

"Oh. Sorry" I said and got off the bed.

"We have supper down stairs for you. Come on." Nicholas said roughly looking away from me.

I followed him back down stairs to the kitchen where I saw quite a few new faces. They all stared at me. Suddenly the thought of being with Masaku wasn't such a bad idea. At least he didn't multiply in large numbers.

"Great. You're up. Want some diner?" Selina said walking over to me.

"Uhh sure. Thanks" I said.

"I guess I should introduce you to all these asses shouldn't I?" She said and led me over to the other people.

"K so everyone, this is Sakura."

Everyone who was around the kitchen said their hellos. A couple people were so cheery I almost puked.

"I'm sure you'll get to know some of them a bit better later but for right now," Selina pointed at the first person in front of us, "that's Jamie, Ryu, Mei Lin, Raven, Kyle, Tomoyo, Chiharu, Rika, you already know Nicholas, Naoko, Gabriel, Eriol, and that grumpy guy back there is Syaoran." Selina finished. I know that for sure I was never going to remember who was who. I recognized a few faces from my school though. I think I even had a class with one of them.

"Hey, I think I know you from somewhere." The girl who I think was Mei Lin said, almost reading my thoughts.

"Yeah I thought so too." I answered.

"Oh. I'm sorry Sakura. You still haven't eaten." Selina intervened. Wow. These people can really take care of you. First a shower, then a nap, and now food. If I were stuck up I'd feel like a princess.

The guy at the back, Syaoran I think was his name just stared at me with an odd look. As soon as I looked at him I looked away again. I felt really uncomfortable under his stare.

"Here, Sakura. Sit down." Jamie offered with a smile.

"Thanks." I said as I sat at the table. Maybe being with these people wouldn't be half bad. I only just wish Touya would get here and tell me why he kept this from me. I was almost mad at him. But what if he had a good reason? Could I blame him for it? Could I blame him for leaving me with Masaku?

…………………………………………..

OK! So first rewritten chapter over. As I said I'm changing things around and hopefully getting it finished cause for once I want a finished story. So this is my goal!