Title: The Misguided Fool

Long term Summary: Li Syaoran, the head of security for the Troy exhibit, Eriol, the owner of the museum, with his wife Tomoyo, the young director of the "Troy" exhibit. They expect too many people bent on thievery for the precious Emerald statue, the main piece of the exhibit. And troubles starts when the first security technician sent by Haste Security nearly blows up the entire system, and the new technician arrives. Li Syaoran and his infamous brash temper is put to the test when Sakura Kinomoto, the new technician with a cool and fierce personality arrives, driving him to the edge of his sanity.

Chapter: Prologue

:Prologue:

My cute little descendant, I'm put you in charge of this year's greatest exhibit, the 'Troy.' We—that is the board, Tomoyo and I concluded that more than one thief is interested in this exhibit. And we couldn't recommend a expert for the job than you."

Syaoran stared long and hard at Eriol. Maybe because of the mischievous glint in his eyes or the slight devious look to his smiling fascade Eriol usually held when something was up or because of the false praises he had thrown to gain his approval.

He's up to something. As cliche as it might be, the last time he put me in charge of one of his exhibits, I ended up on a blind date with the Director.

Either Syaoran's mistrust was showing more plainly than he's thought or Eriol was developing a unique talent for reading his expressions; which ever the case, he didn't like it, Eriol added, "Rest assure, there is no female worker involved within this exhibit, Syaoran."

Tomoyo sitting beside him jabbed his right side, glaring down offensively.

"Oww!" Eriol winced.

He turned his attention to the fiancée at his right. Noticing her offended look, he quickly corrected himself. "Sorry. My lovely Tomoyo shall be acting the roll as the director of this exhibit. Other from her and possibly Margaret—who you feel is quite mature enough to be your great grandmother—there is nobody else."

Something doesn't feel right.

"Oh, and did I mention the additional pay?"

Without a second thought Syaoran (making the gravest mistake in his life) threw away all logic and instincts aside. "What the hell, I'll take it."

x x x x x x x

Three days later, Syaoran found himself as head of security over the Troy exhibit; along with three of the most uneasy restless nights.

Apparently, Eriol had never assumed that the opening date would push him to his limit and set an impossible task upon the sole technician as well.

"Hey you," Syaoran snapped at the technician, "I don't have to be an Einstein to know that sparks coming out of the system is bad." Syaoran saw the skinny young man with his enormous size glasses shrink further into the desk.

"I-I," Syaoran interrupted, and bellowed "What the hell did you do to the multi-million dollars head security?"

The poor guy shrank further down as Syaoran continued. "Why the fuck is this thing sparking off? And the fuck is the screen going crossed?"

The only thing the poor guy could think of at this situation was to run as fast as he could.

And he did.

"Shit!" Syaoran ran after the surprisingly fast coward.

"Get your ass back here!" Syaoran yelled as he saw there was no way in hell he was going to catch him.

x x x x x x x

Tomoyo, in Syaoran's office this time leaned back on his visitor's chair and swore for the fifth time. "Well at least I know how badly Michael screwed-up."

"Blowing the hard drive," Syaoran agreed, "is definitely what I call 'screwed-up'. It might've taken his supervisors a few days to admit the thing was a total loss, but at least he finally did."

"Well maybe it's a good thing," Tomoyo said. "As uneasy as we've both felt, maybe starting over with an entirely new security system is the way to go!" Tomoyo stared at Syaoran uncertain. "I'm sure at this rate, Eriol will reconsider the opening date. We are doing that, right?"

He nodded "Starting from scratch—yes; the drivers will be replaced, and all the basic programming installed again. Which won't be cheap, but Kevin insisted on footing the bill."

Tomoyo snorted sarcastically, "Yeah, Tom told me he over heard you talking to Kevin this morning—or roaring at them rather. According to Kevin, you used words that were completely original."

"I was upset," the security expert said mildly. "I wanted them to know I was upset."

"Which they undoubtedly do," Tomoyo murmured. "Along with Tom, all the guards, and the first dozen museum visitors here this morning."

"Then everyone understands my position." Syaoran retorted.

"I'll say. Tom was bloody scared for his life when he passed your office. He even thought you'd pick-up the chair and throw it to the wall." Tomoyo grinned. "But the point is—are we staying with Haste Security?"

Syaoran shrugged. "They're supposed to be the best, in spite of their very red faces at the moment. And their CEO called me about an hour ago swearing on all he hold dear that there won't be another screw-up." Syaoran's voice darkened, "But that stupid kid wants to sue me for physical abuse—and his hospital bills."

x x x x x x x

The phone began to ring and Eriol picked it up... "What? He ran away? Why would one of your technician run away from— oh." Eriol looked at the clock. "That bad huh?"

There was loud noise of rushing foot steps that was coming Eriol's way. "Syaoran did it again? What did he— ouch. Ok, can you just send me—they can't all be scared of the guy—Ok... I'll hold."

Eriol shifted his gaze patiently to the clock as the automatic hold background song came into hearing. Not after a long wait another voice introduced himself to Eriol. "This is the CEO of Haste Security, with sincere apology for our staff's…reluctance into aiding our service to your next exhibition, Mr. Hiiragizzwa. But we have found a rather suitable employee in our staff who is perfect for your position."

Eriol heaved a sigh of relief. "Ok. That is fine. We can wait for his appearance until the next wee—a GIRL?"

Accidentally, he dropped the receiver onto the ground before a very interesting and musing thought came into mind. "Can you send me her dossier faxed to me by tonight?"

The other caller seeming to have had a mutual understanding to Eriol's inner intentions, laughted cheerfully.

For the next few minutes, they discussed the plans together. The possibilities of success and so forth before the heated discussion was interrupted as Syaoran barged into the room, his face in a mask of fury.

His eyes were burning and his face was red.

"The damn technician nearly blew up the main security system, and had the guts to RUN!" Syaoran paced around the room, cursing harshly. Eriol went back to his conversation on the phone as Syaoran continued to bicker.

"Yes, he's in the same room—oh, no, don't tell him. It'd be quite amusing that way. No, I'd like to let things happen on its own. Yes, I'll call you back, Yu. Make sure the new technician arrives first thing. Goodbye." Click.

"New technician?"

Eriol nodded. "And this one won't run away from you. The top technician in Haste Security to replace the one who unintentionally," Eriol said emphasizing the word, "sabotaged the display's security system."

x x x x x x x

When Syaoran stalked into the Exhibit's computer room in the middle of the following Saturday afternoon. The talk between him and Eriol was not surprisingly uneventful and left Li in an even fouler mood than ever. Instead of having to extending their previous opening date of the exhibit by a month to fit the new security system, Eriol insisted that then new installer was highly reccommend by the company.

The date was staying the same.

And the next morning Eriol was gone.

He left Tomoyo in charge of the exhibit affairs due to an emergency business meeting—something between Haste and his market in London.

One look of his face should have warned anyone that he was not in a good mood.

Unfortunately, the computer technician who was kneeling half under the main desk couldn't see his face.

So his brusque voice and somewhat imperious summons caused her to bump her head—hard—against the underside of the desk.

"Hey—you," he growled, snapping his fingers as he looked around somewhat cramped room that was filled with various machines, monitors, and control panels.

He heard a thud, and it effectively drew his attention to the desk. Then he saw the top of a rather wild auburn head being rubbed by one small hand, and a pair of fierce green eyes glaring at him.

In a voice that was every bit as intense as her eyes and held a strongly evoked irritation, she said, "To catch a taxi, you snap your fingers. To call a forgiving dog, you snap your fingers. But if you want a printable response from me, you use my name."

"I don't know your name," he retorted.

She let out a little sigh that sounded aggravated and climbed to her feet, still rubbing her head. Her expression remained somewhat annoyed, though her voice was milder. "That's true, but hardly an excuse. You might have at least said 'Hey, lady,' or even "Excuse me, miss."

"I didn't know you were a—girl," Syaoran said. He realized he was being stared at and decided he'd better clarify that statement.

"I mean, I wasn't aware that Eriol would be sending me a female technician. And I couldn't see you when I came into the room. "

"Next time," she said briskly, "knock."

For a little thing, she had an attitude, he thought.

He towered over her by half a foot, but she was obviously not in the least intimidated. In fact, there was something slightly mocking in her expression. Syaoran wasn't used to being treated mockery, especially by a woman.

"What's your name?" he demanded.

"Sakura Kinomoto."

He didn't respond immediately to this information, even thought he asked for it. He wasn't often caught off guard by a person or a situation, but this one was of a rare occasion.

When Eriol promised him the very best technician to replace the one who had unintentionally sabotaged the display's security system more than a month ago, Syaoran expected another cheery and anxious young man whose language was so technical that it barely resembled English and who probably had no other interest in anything but his computers.

What Syaoran had definitely not expected was a pit-sized brunet somewhere in her early twenties with very long and definitely wild auburn hair, big eyes so haughty, fierce, and green any cat would envy, and a small and alive face that he had to admit, gorgeous, that certainly wouldn't be easily be forgotten.

Syaoran certainly had a thing for blonds, and he liked them thin, leggy, and tall. This girl hardly fit the mold, in more ways than one.

In fact judging by what he's seen of her temperament her hair should have been red.

He was almost certain it was meant to be red.

He eyed her, not entirely pleased because she certainly didn't look like his mental image of a geeky computer technician. She returned his stare, placing her hand on her hip then looked him up and down slowly and thoroughly—missing nothing along the way—with a total lack of self-conscious.

"I understand it's very impolite to ask a question, get an answer and leave a girl hanging. I also know for a fact, it's very rude to stare, at least at the way you're staring."

He was definitely annoyed by her attitude. "Look, incase nobody told you—you work for me."

Without hesitation and in a very matter-of-fact way, she responded, "My job here is to complete the installation of a very expensive computerized security system for this word renowned display of these jewels and Emerald statue." She indicated, pointing at the miniature display of the grand scatter ruby and jade encrusted statue.

She pointed out in a banal tone, "I work for Haste Security, because they're my employers, then second, Eriol H. because he hired us to do the job, thirdly, Tomoyo, because she's the director of the exhibit. And you forth—," she glanced at his name tag he wore on his left side of the jacket, "Syaoran, because you're the head of security. And since the Eriol is away—I believe on his honeymoon with Tomoyo—I answer directly to you on any answers concerning security."

"And I don't need any of you to hovering over me, incase nobody told you—I'm very good at what I do."

"That remains to be seen," Syaoran said. He felt very irritated of her. And couldn't take his eyes off her vivid expression, it was disconcerting combination of reaction.

AN: With every additional reviews, I'm was more reminded and inspired to write on, so thanks to all of the reviews so far, Chapter One is done faster than I expected to be. Also, considering all the requests for "The Misguided Fool" to continue, I won't get rid of it once I update "Never What it Seems". My special thanks to Bakura13 and cold-crescent-moon