EDIT! Thanks to NeoDude for pointing out how Yue is locked up (I thought I caught that ... ) fixed it now! Yue comes in later. Thanks again, NeoDude!
A/N: Hah! I am out of my funk (I got into said funk because a person pretty much wrote out everything i had planned to write and I hate being that predictable) so I bring you a new story that is predictable, but NOT. Figure that out, eh?
Sakura Cards: High School Edition is pretty much what the second season was, with two changes that create TOTALLY different situations. And I have done my research! During my break, I have watched the entire second season a total of 3 times, so I know what I'm doing this time around. Here are the major changes;
Change 1: Everyone is in their final year of high school.
Change 2: At the end of the Final Judgment, Sakura and Syaoran had a huge fight. Syaoran is back in Hong Kong and they haven't spoken since, yet are still bruising from it.
… you might be saying, "Wait, What? S+S Fighting? Why? Isn't this an S+S Fic?" Well read on, my friends. Read on.
Criticism is appreciated. If you're going to flame me, at least have a valid reason besides "this sucks." Plus, be polite - remember, in the words of Thumper, "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all : )"
Warning: First chapter may be a little dull. Bear with me. Second chap includes much more action and plot details.
8-------------8
This is it.
This is THE year.
The year where everything is finally going to go my way. My graduation year.
The girl's room had grown along with her – gone were the stuffed animals and the cute posters of kittens and flowers. The only reminders of her age were the poster of a male celebrity hanging beside her full-length mirror and the range of clothes in her closet … and on the floor … but nonetheless she was usually tidy.
The once-cheerleader was no longer a four-foot-something kid; she had matured into a young woman, with a fit body and a cheery personality that most people enjoyed. Her hair had lost the cute pigtails it once adorned, but the length was still the same. Green eyes stared at her pajama-clad body with a glimmer.
She grinned as her mind went through all the possibilities her graduating year would bring. She hadn't had the best social luck in school, but near the end of last year she had made some key friends. The adventures she had experienced in her grade-school days were safely locked away in her desk drawer, and she was ready to finally be normal. Life was good. Going into geek mode for a moment, she quoted a line from one of her favorite television shows. "No power in the 'verse can stop me …" she whispered.
8-----------8
Sakura's First Day of Her Last Year:
Not again!
(Also known as Season 2, Episode 1 and 2 ... ish)
8------------8
Tomoeda Park had yet to see the effects of fall. The air smelled as fresh and dewy as it had in the spring, despite the knowledge that school was only two days away. Children were in the park with their parents for their last play-all-day before they were stuck in classrooms once more. A few single people walked their dogs along the path, passing by a beautiful raven-haired girl that sat on a nearby bench.
She looked on with a smile as she watched a toddler slide down the Penguin King slide, admiring the carelessness of youth. She would give up everything to have that again. With the coming school year she had a few extra stress-enhancers on her plate. Scholarships could only be awarded by living up to the applications sent in. Her mother continued to get job offers for her daughter to come work for them. The responsibilities were overwhelming, and they almost showed through her amethyst eyes-
Stop it, she told herself mentally, brushing out the wrinkles of the white peasant skirt she wore. Today is a day of relaxation. You invited Sakura over so we could pamper ourselves and chill out once more before Monday. Just enjoy the day and ignore what's coming tomorrow-
"TOMOYO!"
Her head shot up at the sound of her name, and she looked in the direction of the call in surprise – and laughed lightly.
Sakura was running down the path at top speed, panting heavily. She nearly toppled over when she came to a stop in front of the bench. Tomoyo smiled sadly at the shape she was in – obviously she had been running late that morning and had left her house maybe a minute ago. She only wore a pair of jeans and a green tank top, along with some white sandals (the easiest thing to wear in a hurry.)
"I'm … Sorry!" Sakura panted, bending over and resting her hands on her knees as she caught her breath. "Ran … late … alarm clock … "
Tomoyo stood up, smiling sympathetically. "Don't worry about it, Sakura," she said. "I've learned after all these years to tell you to meet me fifteen minutes earlier than planned."
Sakura frowned and she looked up. "You do that just so I'd actually arrive on time?"
Tomoyo grinned. "Yep."
"That's kind of mean."
"It works, though, doesn't it?"
Sakura rolled her eyes. "Can't argue with that … " she stood up straight, exhaled one more time, and smiled. "So, what's the first step in our Spa program?"
Tomoyo hooked her arm through her friend's, leading her down the path towards the road. "First, you will most likely get attacked – lovingly, mind you – by my mother, since she hasn't actually seen you since closing ceremonies back at the end of May."
Sakura sighed in defeat, but smiled. "It's my own fault for not coming over more often. Next?"
"Waxing."
"Isn't that the one that hurts the most?"
"Yes. Might as well get it over with, ne?"
Sakura gulped and bit her lip. She was a waxing virgin, and had heard horror stories from … well, everyone. Tomoyo smiled warmly and patted her arm. "I actually hired people to come do the job, Sakura. Don't worry – they're professionals, giving you as little pain as possible."
"Hired? Tomoyo, you shouldn't have – I'll pay you back!"
"Sakura, relax. Think of it as an extra birthday present."
The girls stopped at the edge of the park, right along the road. Tomoyo's regular limo, along with two bodyguards, was parked nearby. The women got out of the front seat and stood at attention, waiting for their boss to come over. Once they reached the vehicle, they opened the doors for the girls, who thanked them and crawled inside.
Sakura leaned back against the cool leather seats with a happy sigh, closing her eyes in the silence, but opened them to look across at Tomoyo. "Tomoyo," she said, a little angry by her "gift." "My birthday was months ago, and you already got me a digital camera. I'm behind on gifts for you as it is! Besides, I have a job now, I can pay-!"
Tomoyo's eyes were closed, but they opened at the comment and she raised an eyebrow. "Ignore the presents and accept them willingly," she said. "Most things in life aren't free so be grateful when they are."
"You're starting to sound like those businessmen your mom hangs out with."
Tomoyo mock glared at her, causing Sakura to laugh at the face. "Okay Okay I won't talk about them!" she said quickly, holding her hands up in defense. "I take it back! You sound like Tomoyo!"
Tomoyo grinned. "That's better."
"Geez it's like I'm your slave or something."
"Did you just figure that out?"
"NO – I'm just stating the obvious once more."
The car drove through intersection upon intersection. The drive to Tomoyo's house was a lot longer than it used to be; the company Tomoyo's mother ran had skyrocketed in the last few years, causing them to buy a larger home ten minutes further away than their last place of residence. It was closer to the office and to Mrs. Daidouji's business partners.
Sakura grinned and leaned against her knees, excited at the idea that came to her mind. "Speaking of free stuff," she started. "For Prom – what about lending out your limo? It'll save the gang fifty or sixty dollars if they don't need to rent one."
"And have kids throw up in it from beer consumption? I think not!" she stated half seriously. "If people wanna get so drunk that they puke they can do it in their own vehicle!"
Sakura frowned. "You're a bit of a party pooper."
"No, I'm realistic." She smiled devilishly. "And don't be calling me a party pooper or I'll be making your graduation dress REALLY ugly!"
"You're supposed to use your dressmaking powers for good!"
"Don't act surprised, you know I have an evil side!"
"You … darn, you're right." Sakura leaned back again, and looked out the window at the passing people. "But what if it's just the usual group from grade-school? Rika, Chiharu, Yamazaki and Naoko, and a date if they want to bring one?"
Tomoyo smiled. "We'll see how the year goes."
8------------8
After being harassed lovingly by Tomoyo's mother at the door, Sakura finally made her way upstairs with her friend to her room. It had been updated since the golden days of elementary school. Half of it was her bed and entertainment system – the other half was her own personal fitting and sewing area. A short stool was in the middle of the hardwood floor space, and a dressmakers doll stood in the corner by the sewing machine, next to bolts upon bolts of fabric.
Sakura kicked her shoes off by the door, flipped her hoody off her arms and hopped up onto of the stool, her arms spread. "Measure me, Gucci!" she shouted.
Tomoyo grinned and made her way to the sewing table, picking up a notepad and her measuring tape. "I'm not going to be the next Gucci, Sakura."
"What about the next Donna Karan?"
Tomoyo looked up in though, humming like she was half serious. "Alright," she smiled jokingly. "That's doable. Stand still."
Sakura giggled and looked around the room. So many Friday nights were spent here … and now they would be spent at parties because of connections. This reminded her of something as Tomoyo took her waist measurements. "So, for Antoine's party on Friday night," Tomoyo looked up as she heard this. "Did you get your mom's permission yet?"
Tomoeda District High School was school limited to kids inside the district, and the children of parents that lived in the nearby embassies, or if their parents had well-known jobs. Sakura had gotten in only by a mile of the district borders; the other kids from their grade-school days had made it, too. Tomoyo was out of the area but qualified because of her mother's job. Antoine was a boy that joined the school two months into the second semester last year. His father and mother were dignitaries from the African Embassy. He had quickly gone from new kid to one of the nicest and most popular kids in the school. He had this party planned for a long time, even before finals last year, to welcome the final school year of the rest of their lives.
Tomoyo nodded. "He actually came by the house to convince her to let me go!" She pulled back for a moment, hooking the tape around her neck. "They negotiated – I'd only be allowed to attend if there was security present. And that's when he let her know about his parent's jobs." She winked. "Ambassador Security is way better than rich-people security."
Sakura giggled. "At least I won't be alone there."
"What about Antoin-"
"Besides Antoine, I mean."
"Ah. By the way, you're wearing that one-shoulder top I made!"
Sakura gulped. "I-I can't!"
Tomoyo looked up. "Why? Afraid to show a little skin?"
"I told you," Sakura fibbed. "I don't have a bra that I could wear with that!"
"Bull crap," Tomoyo called her on it. "If not that, wear at least SOMETHING I made, okay?"
Sakura nodded, but frowned and watched her warily. "You were never so concerned about advertisement before," she said. "Why now?"
"Ever since that new girl last year, Danielle, saw my patterns and asked me to make her dress?" Tomoyo started and Sakura awed in remembrance. Danielle was one of the most popular girls in the school – famous by all for her kindness and humbleness, and in Sakura's words, 'she uses her popular power for good'. "She told all her friends about it and I got three hundred dollars in commission for five grad dresses I made! I want to keep rolling in the money!"
Sakura's expression dropped and she looked flatly at her. "Tomoyo. Your mother is a president. Of a billion dollar company. You live in a MANSION-" she stopped when Tomoyo lightly slapped her shoulder. "Shush, you, you know what I mean!" the dressmaker said. "Now hold still!"
At that moment, the door opened and two ladies in white outfits came in with matching bags. Tomoyo grinned at the sight of them. "Thanks for coming, ladies!" she said as she stood up, grabbing Sakura's hand and pulling her off the stool, as the women set out things they would need for the procedure. Sakura looked at a white box with a blue star on the lid. "What's that for?"
"It's for the waxing."
Suddenly the woman pulled out a large chocolate bar and shoved it into Sakura's hand. "What's this for?"
"This is for the aftermath of the wax. Comfort food, you know?"
Sakura gulped. "Eep … "
8--------8
"OW! SON of a BITCH!"
The scream actually came from Tomoyo's mouth, as both girls laid stomachs down on the table. The specialists were working on the backs of their thighs.
Sakura already had tears streaming down her face. "That chocolate bar didn't last very long – EEK!" She shrieked as a strip was rubbed off.
Tomoyo shifted, lifting her upper half onto her forearms. Panting, she looked over at Sakura. "I do this, every, freaking, year," she struggled to say. "But … it … is so … WORTH IT!" she screamed the last bit as another strip ripped.
Sakura bit on a towel. Happy thoughts, happy thoughts, happy thoughts -
RIP!
"MrrrgH!"
8-----------8
Thirty minutes later, the two were a picture of spa relaxation. Hair tied back, green mud masks, freshly waxed legs covered in aloe vera gel to recover, and painting nails.
"Before I get my French manicure started," Tomoyo said as she slowly crawled from the couch to the television. She opened the cabinet underneath the screen, looking at videos. "We picked up a few cheap ones at the video store," she said, holding up some newly purchased movies. "Ooh, a thriller – 'Fear'? Staring Reese Witherspoon?"
Sakura gulped and pulled her legs up to her chest. She never had to voice how she was afraid of horror flicks – this was the signal for Tomoyo to pick something else or to save her from being scared out of her mind. Tomoyo smiled warmly and said, "Alright, something else … 'War of the Worlds'?"
"Tomoyo. Look how I'm sitting!"
Tomoyo rolled her eyes. "That movie is good though! And so is the book!"
"I Won't Touch Either!"
"Fine, fine …" Tomoyo dug deeper, reaching her hand into the back of the cabinet. "There has to be something worthwhile back here-"
She stopped when she heard the crash of a tape hitting hardwood floor. Her eyebrows rose. She pulled her hand out and looked inside. There was no back to the cabinet, so the tape fell through. She crawled around and picked it up, reading the label – and her eyes widened.
Sakura blinked. "What is it?"
Tomoyo slowly smiled. "This seems like so, so long ago." She turned towards Sakura and held up the tape. " 'Card Captures, May through June.'" She smiled at the warm memory. "That was quite an adventure, wasn't it? … Sakura-chan?"
Sakura's face had gone to a frown. The thought of the Clow Cards also brought about a bitter hatred (except when it came to the guardians, one of them sealed into the Clow Book six years ago). The other competitor, Syaoran Li …
She shook her head to clear her mind and faced her expressionlessly. "Pick another movie."
Tomoyo blinked, totally surprised that Sakura wouldn't want to talk about the thing she ruled over. "But – Sakura-"
"How about 'Love, Actually'? That one was good."
Tomoyo frowned, her hands lowering as she held the tape. She felt sad by her reaction … but knew better than to question it. "Alright, Sakura … "
8-----------8
Sakura walked home from being dropped off at the park that night feeling fresh, yet sore. The movies had been enjoyable, but her mind nagged at the resurfaced memory that day.
She stared up at the setting sun that caused an orange glow over the neighborhood, and frowned – there was a sinking feeling in her stomach that hadn't disappeared yet, no matter how happy she had acted in front of Tomoyo.
Syaoran Li. He appeared after she had captured six, maybe seven cards, claiming that he was the rightful ruler of the cards because his family was direct descendents of Clow Reed. He had been her enemy and competitor, driven by the pressure his family and his clan gave him. They hadn't hit it off so well in the beginning. Squabbles occurred over the simplest things. Things only got worse when the obsessive Meilin showed up and fought on Syaoran's side.
Luckily, things started to turn around near the ordeal. They got along and even assisted each other with card captures. A friendship had started to blossom and she was happy the fighting was over. They worked together in gym, helped each other with Math and the three of them even hung out after school some days. To tell the absolute truth … she had developed a tiny crush on him. She enjoyed getting up in the morning and seeing that handsome, serious face, and the way he sometimes protected her during a capture. She wouldn't dare admit it, though – not even to Tomoyo.
But the friendship didn't last. During the Final Judgment, it had been her that had won. And that's when she saw the true Syaoran. The next day at school he was quiet. Sakura repeatedly asked him what was wrong, and he didn't even reply until the end of the day …
8----------8
"Syaoran-kun!"
He paused, but didn't turn around. It was only a minute after the final bell had rung, and students walked around him effortlessly on their way home. Sakura ran up to him, still packing her school bag. "Why are you leaving so quickly?" she asked when she reached him, stuffing her Math booklet into the pouch.
"I have to go pack."
She froze and looked up. "Pack? For what? Are you leaving on a trip?"
"I have to go home."
By this time, Tomoyo had finally caught up to the two, and heard the last part. She stopped in her tracks and raised an eyebrow. What was going on?
Sakura's arms dropped, her bag hanging limply at her side. "Home? … you mean, Hong Kong? But …why?"
"Because I Lost To You!" He suddenly shouted, turning around. Sakura winced and leaned back from the force his angry eyes hit her with. "I Lost To You, Of All People! Do You Have Any Idea How Ashamed My Family Is Of Me? That I Didn't Fulfill My Destiny By Being The Ruler of the Cards? I Was Surprised They EvenWanted Me To Come Home!"
Students from all around were staring in shock. Chiharu, Yamazaki, Rika and Naoko had heard the commotion as they left the front doors of the school, and had come running around the corner of the gates to watch, wide-eyed.
Sakura blinked rapidly, hurt by his words. She held her fist to her chest and stepped back as her heart began to ache. "Syaoran-kun … " she whispered.
"Don't Call Me That!" He yelled. "I Am Forever Dishonored Because Of You! If I Had Lost To A Boy My Own Age It Would've Been Different, But To A Lousy, Weak Little Girl! It's A Disgrace!"
Sakura's mouth hung open in shock … until her fear turned to anger. "How Could You Say That!" She shrieked at him. "How Could You Be So Mean!"
"It's Easy When The Target Is Pitiful! You Won By Pure Luck And You Know It! I'm The Rightful Candidate!"
"If You Were Good Enough, You Would've Been The Winner!"
Syaoran growled for a moment, bearing his teeth. "Good-for-nothing bitch. I'm glad I never have to see you again. You weren't even worth My TIME!"
He turned and ran off down the street, leaving Sakura awe-struck … before she shouted right back, "I HATE YOU SYAORAN LI!"
Tomoyo gaped. "Sakura-chan!" she exclaimed, rushing up to the girl and putting her hand on her shoulder. The bag dropped to the ground, and Tomoyo saw her friend's face … she was crying.
8----------8
She was heartbroken. Never had anyone been so disgusted with her. She hated the feeling that someone out there despised her so much. Of course, since she thought he was a friend, at first she felt guilty because her winning the Final Judgment had caused his clan to turn on him. Then she reminded herself that he had gone along with it and hated her as well. She felt sick for her last few years of grade school. Entering middle school, the fact that she still had her close group of friends offered little help. She had become afraid of boys (except for Yamazaki, who was harmless no matter what he tried to do) and it was hard for her to approach them or be approached by them. She always saw a bit of that serious, stubborn Chinese boy in all of them, and that scared her. She was forever changed by him, and probably not in a good way.
Finally, though, she forgot about him, and about the cards, which she had sealed along with Kero in the Clow Book on the last day of grade school, and she tried to live a normal life. It was just below average, if you wanted to sum it up. She had encountered the cruelty of girls, but had survived thanks to her own clique of friends. They had gone through final exams, the fear of high school, crappy teachers, good teachers, girlfriends, boyfriends, new friends (unfortunately Sakura never got to experience those last few new findings) and they were tight.
Sakura sighed at the sight of her house. Forget about him, she told herself. You were able to do that the first time. You can do it again. She started to focus on her sore feet, and began to imagine how great a warm bath would feel. This is the year where everything is going to go right-OW!
She hadn't been watching where she was going, and had crashed into a sign on the front lawn of the house next door to hers. She groaned, rubbing her sore shoulder as she looked at the hanging metal … and her eyes opened widely in surprise. "For Sale?" she looked up at the home. It was quite large, fit for bigger family. It had held six people already; the only two remaining were the parents. They had talked about moving to a senior home that summer … "Guess they decided to go through with it."
Sakura sighed and moved along, walking up the stairs to her house. "Soo tired … " she mumbled.
8-------------8
Monday morning did not get off to a good start.
First, her not-so-trusty alarm clock of ten years had finally busted that morning. She would have to pick up a new one today at school, probably during her spare class. Then, she couldn't figure out what to wear. She finally settled on a jean skirt that flared at mid-thigh and ended just below her knees and a light green tank top with white flats. Then, as she rushed out the door to meet Tomoyo's limo for a ride to school, her friend had to remind her after she got into the car that she didn't have her book bag, making the auburn haired girl scream in frustration and run back inside to get it.
Sakura knew it only took minutes for Tomoyo to get ready, but she always secretly thought that she went through hours of work to look so beautiful. She wore a brown peasant skirt, a caramel colored tank top and a brown short-sleeved shrug overtop. Her dark hair was partially pulled back and held with a brown flower clip, and golden espadrilles adorned her feet.
Finally, on their way to school, the girls compared their timetables that had been mailed to them over the weekend.
Sakura read hers aloud. "First block, Math; Second Block Gym; Third Block Spare Class; Lunch; Fourth Block English; Fifth Block Social." She smiled up at her. "Second Semester will be easy, with only one major subject to look after!"
Tomoyo smiled and then read from her timetable. "First block Math-" she was interrupted by a small cheer; the two girls knew they had the same homeroom, meaning they'd at least see each other once a day. "Second block Fashion; third block Choral Music," she paused and said, "Mr. Yamaha liked it when you came by last year, Sakura. I'm sure he wouldn't mind, if you had nothing to do, if you sat in on class with me!"
Sakura clapped her hands. "That would be awesome!"
Tomoyo laughed lightly, and continued. "Lunch; fourth block Chemistry; Fifth Block Social." She placed the sheet of paper back into her tote bag and said, "At least we have two classes together."
"Three, if all goes right with Choral!"
"Sakura, he loves you as much as he loves me. He'll be happy you're there."
8---------8
They met with the hundreds of other students that regrettably walked back into the school. Chiharu, Yamazaki, Rika and Naoko were waiting at the front door for them all, excited to see them after such a long time apart. They exchanged hugs and heartfelt greetings when thunder above them suddenly rumbled.
Tomoyo and Chiharu pulled apart and looked up at the sky, which was rapidly turning grey and dark. Naoko frowned. "Rain on the first day back?"
"That's a bad omen."
All the girls stared flatly in annoyance at Yamazaki. He had the look on his face that he was about to get into storytelling mode. His ability to make up legends and myths had come in handy, to tell the truth. He had a weekly segment on the school's lunch hour news program that ran every Friday, titled 'Spooks of Tomoeda District'. Most of the time he made something totally up, and his friends somehow got suckered into helping him by dressing up as a ghost or causing camera effects and whatnot, but every once in a while he found some old story about the school that was true. The last true story was about a girl who killed herself in the gym bathroom because her boyfriend didn't love her, about twenty years ago … and Sakura had avoided that bathroom ever since.
"A thunderstorm could signify devious things going on underfoot-"
Smack!
Chiharu thoroughly cuffed his arm, scolding, "School hasn't even started yet and you're making up lies!"
"It's not a lie! I haven't even done anything!"
Tomoyo laughed to lighten the mood. "Let's just go to homeroom, shall we?"
They walked through the familiar hallways, heading towards their designated room, when Rika suddenly got tearful. Sakura was the first one who noticed when she heard her sniff. She stared at her in surprise and concern. "Rika!" She wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "What's wrong?"
Rika wiped a stray tear from her eye. "This is the last year we're going to be here!" she said happily. "It's almost over!"
"So those are happy tears, then?" Yamazaki joked as they reached the door of their classroom on the second floor.
"No," she sniffed again as they walked in. "This is the last year that we're guaranteed to see each other every single day! We won't have that luxury once we're done!"
"Rika," Chiharu sighed, looked depressed. "I've hated school since kindergarten. Don't spoil my streak and make me like it."
The group took the six seats (two by three) in the far right corner of the classroom, just like they did every other year. They pulled out their fresh notebooks and pencils and calculators, ready to begin, and talked to each other as they waited.
Finally, the bell rang, and the door closet to the teacher's podium opened and their instructor came in, yelling, "Everyone take their seats!"
The six in the back raised their eyebrows. That voice seemed really familiar. Sakura whirled in her seat and gasped, smiling. "Mr. Terada!" she exclaimed.
Mr. Terada heard his name and recognized the six in the back, smiling at his old fourth grade student. He walked to the podium and set down his briefcase. "Good morning. My name is Mr. Terada, even though some of you already know that." He winked at the back of the room. "I taught at Tomoeda Elementary until last year, and got upgrade to high school math. I hope we get along this year."
Sakura leaned back in her chair to tell Tomoyo, "No worries about failing math – the only time I understood it was when Terada taught me!"
Tomoyo smiled and looked at the others. Chiharu and Yamazaki looked excited. Naoko had grinned but was already absorbed in a book she hid in her lap. Rika, on the other hand, looked flustered by the sight of her old teacher … and Tomoyo smiled at that.
"Since I'm already new, I'd like to ask if there's anyone new to the school this year as well?" Mr. Terada asked, looking around the room.
A few kids raised their hands, and they were required to state their name and where they came from. Sakura rested her cheek her hand as she watched them, dazing out already. She told her mind to focus – this was not the year to be daydreaming. If she failed her exams at the end of the year she wouldn't get into university. Her grades as a senior meant more than all the other years combined. Focus, focus, focus-
At that moment, thunder crashed loudly and lighting lit the entire view of the window, just as the door to the classroom slammed open. Several students, including Sakura and Chiharu, screamed in surprise … and then looked at the door.
A boy stood there. He was taller than average, and wore more popular clothes. Dark grey jeans and a designer button-down shirt from a major clothing brand caught most people's eyes, first, especially the name of the designer embellished on the front and back of the shirt in a graffiti-like style. The thing the girls noticed next was the looks. His hair was so deep in black that it had blue highlights. Wire frames covered his deep blue eyes … so deep they were almost mesmerizing. Sakura found herself staring at them like she was in a trance. Her heartbeat quickened. Who was this guy?
The boy smiled politely and bowed at the teacher during the silence in the room. "Sorry to be late, sensei," he said. "I got lost."
Mr. Terada smiled. "It's alright. I take it you're new to the school?"
The boy nodded. "Yes. My name is Eriol Hiiragizawa. I hope I'm on your attendance. So many things went wrong already this morning-"
"You're here," Mr. Terada said, checking the list in front of him. "Take a seat wherever you want, Hiiragizawa. Where do you come from?"
"England, sensei."
Whispers broke out through the classroom. Naoko even looked up. "Did he say England?" she whispered excitedly at Chiharu, who rolled her eyes. Naoko was obsessed with the British – her favorite movies either had Ian McKellan, Hugh Grant or Jude Law involved somehow, and most of her room was covered in Orlando Bloom.
"He doesn't even have a British accent, so stop it," Chiharu pointed out as Eriol walked toward them where the empty desks were. "You sound like you're about to have a bunch of kittens."
Sakura giggled at the comment and Tomoyo smiled … but Sakura froze when he stopped beside her desk. She looked up, blushing.
Eriol smiled down at her. "Is this seat taken?" he asked, indicating the desk in front of her.
Sakura shook her head and smiled. "N-No, go right ahead."
Eriol nodded in thanks, and sat down, turning halfway in his seat to look at her. She tilted her head in the silence. "What is it?"
The warm smile had yet to disappear. "I'm just thinking about how lucky I am, to get to see your smile every day."
Sakura's eyes widened. Say WHAT?
8----------8
"It's so cute! The new guy was totally flirting with you!"
Sakura's face hurt from constantly being flushed. "Will you two tone it down?" she asked pleadingly as she pulled on her gym shorts.
Chiharu was still giggling, wearing only her bra and her shorts. Naoko was fully dressed and sitting on the bench, waiting for her friends. Naoko grinned. "What's wrong, Sakura?" she asked. "Can't we celebrate the possibility of a potential boyfriend?"
Sakura rolled her eyes, struggling to pull her polo gym shirt over her head. "There's nothing wrong with celebrating," she said, her voice muffled from the shirt. She gasped when she finally pulled her head through. "But I don't want you guys to get your hopes up!"
"Why not?" Chiharu asked, pulling her shirt on with ease as Sakura sat to tie up her shoes.
"Because if you guys get your hopes up, then I'll get my hopes up and I don't want to be let down!"
"Boys aren't that bad, Sakura," Chiharu reassured her as they stood up, walking out of the change room to join the others in the gym. They began to stretch and Sakura tried to ignore the sudden familiar feeling of regret in her stomach.
"I know, Chiharu," she said. "I just don't want to get hurt."
"That's what we're here for." Naoko reassured.
"Yeah, we'll beat up anyone who takes advantage of our Sakura!"
"Thanks, G.I. Janes."
"No problem, damsel in distress."
Suddenly, the roof, some forty feet above them, started to creak loudly. All the girls in the gym stopped and looked up curiously. Another crack rang out, and out of the blue a huge chunk from the ceiling crashed down to the floor. Girls shrieked and jumped out of the way – Naoko and Sakura grabbed Chiharu, clinging to her in fear. Following the drywall and cement was a steady trickle of water.
Hearing the noise, the gym coach ran out of her office and stared up at the hole, cursing. "Um … " she scratched her head, trying to think of what to do.
8----------8
" … so you guys watched Sex Ed videos in a classroom?" Tomoyo exclaimed.
Sakura nodded. "It was somewhat traumatizing. We knew we had to do it eventually – it's fifteen percent of our final grade." She sighed and her shoulders sagged. "I guess it was better to get it over with."
Tomoyo nodded as they entered the music room – and her jaw dropped.
The normal, kind, elderly Mr. Yamaha wasn't there. A twenty-something man with slicked back brown hair and a goatee stood at the front of the room. The fifteen girls that made up the choir stood near the doorway, afraid to go in. Five boys were the bass and tenor section, and they sat in chairs surrounding the conductor's stand already, talking and laughing. Sakura recognized some of them; they were part of a troublesome group she knew she wouldn't click with. They were obviously there just for the easy credits.
Tomoyo walked up to one of the girls and asked, "Where's Mr. Yamaha?"
"He got fired," she said. "Something about how he didn't have the right skills. We needed someone more up to date, or something like that."
"That's bogus!" Tomoyo exclaimed. "Mr. Yamaha led us to a ton of awards-"
Sakura gulped. She didn't want to be asking favors of a new teacher on his first day of his first year here, especially when there would be drama in the room already considering how he got the position. She put her hand on Tomoyo's arm and said, "Maybe I shouldn't sit in today-"
"Nonsense."
All the girls looked up at the new teacher, who had obviously overheard Sakura. He looked up at her and smiled – but she felt uncomfortable. "This choir is too small already – we need all the help we can get. C'mon, all of you sit."
"Psht," one girl scoffed under her breath at the small insult. "We've always been this size and that hasn't stopped us from getting trophies."
Tomoyo held Sakura's hand for reassurance and sat in the second row of chairs, behind the girl she had talked to. The teacher stood up and started to talk about the career he had – turns out he was actually thirty two – and all the awards he had won on his own, and spoke about the opera he was in and all that stuff. After a while it felt like he was bragging, and it was a tad annoying to listen to. Sakura rested her elbows on her knees … and suddenly felt the boys staring at her. One was eyeing her up and down in a judging manner, and it unnerved her. I should go-
"So, ladies and gentlemen, we're going to start on a difficult piece called Kyrie Eleison," the teacher, Mr. Shininobi, pulled out a stack of music sheets from his nearby briefcase, and started to hand the booklets out.
Sakura blinked. The name sounded familiar – That's because it was the opening number of the choir's performance last year, she remembered. "Um, they did this one already," Sakura pointed out.
The teacher jerked to a stop and turned back, like he was totally thrown for a loop. He raised an eyebrow at her. "Excuse me?"
Sakura gulped, and regretted speaking up. "Um, they sang this last year."
"Yeah," one of the girls said, and the others followed simultaneously.
The teacher frowned, all the while staring at Sakura. Finally, he sighed and took the music back. "All right then," he muttered, reaching into his bag again. "We'll just do an African piece, titled Jabula Jesu-"
"Um," Sakura suddenly found her mouth moving again. Why am I saying anything? I'm not even IN this class! "They did that one already, too."
"Yeah," Tomoyo said. "Got city championship for that one."
The rest of the room nodded or agreed with what she said – when Mr. Shininobi suddenly leaned on his conductor's stand. He stared down at Sakura in a dominating manner. "Isn't anything good enough to sing, Miss – who are you, anyway?"
Sakura gulped, suddenly feeling regret. "S-Sakura Kinomoto, sir."
"Miss Kinomoto," he finally finished, and waited for her to answer his original question.
She gaped for a moment, not knowing what to say … when one of the boys, the one who had been eyeing her, suddenly spoke up. "We can kick her out, you know."
Sakura whirled to look at him. What?
He didn't even look her way. He wore a black leather motorcycle jacket and black jeans, and had messy blonde hair. The boys around him grinned. Mr. Shininobi looked over at him. "Excuse me?"
"You can always kick her out – she's not even part of this class. If she won't shut up, make her leave."
Some of the boys started to laugh behind their hands. Sakura's jaw dropped open. She was awestruck. It's bad enough she made a fool of herself in front of a teacher she didn't know, but what had she done to this guy to deserve this? She felt embarrassed, hated, afraid-
"Good point. Miss Kinomoto, you're excused."
The tone was so serious she couldn't argue. Tomoyo looked over at her with an open mouth, unable to find words. Sakura finally gained control of her mortification and gave Tomoyo a weak smile to tell her she was okay. Then, she picked up her bag, and made the long walk from her chair to the door.
8----------8
Crying out in the rain is one of the most pitiful experiences anyone could go through.
She was the only one of her friends that had a spare class third block – meaning she had nothing to do – and everywhere in the school she could only see people she didn't get along with. There were those girls in the cafeteria, and the librarian that hated her in the computer room … so she opted to sit on the stairs of one of the exits, under an awning, watching emergency repairmen fix the hole in the gym roof while it rained.
It was a pathetic place to wallow in misery but it wasn't like it could be helped. She sniffed, blowing into her last Kleenex and threw it in the nearby trashcan. Why did she feel like had just been caught naked in front of the whole school and deserved it? Every corner she turned she saw someone that didn't like her. The feeling of being hated was the worst emotion she had. If only there was some way to get rid of it …
She stared at the rain that came down. Everything was covered in an even sheen of water. She frowned at the sight of it, wiping away a tear on the back of her hand. Her face was probably totally red from crying already. She was as wet as the ground outside, she thought and chuckled dryly.
This rain is so weird, she thought. It's not natural. And it's not the season for it to be pounding down so hard that it crashes the gym roof. She sighed. This is not how my first day was supposed to go. It was supposed to be memorable in a good way. She took a shuddered breath, feeling a fresh wave of tears coming on.
"Are you alright?"
Sakura yelped and nearly jumped in the air, turning around to look at the entrance.
Eriol Hiiragizawa stood there. Sakura gaped for a moment, before exclaiming, "Eriol! Hi! Um," she turned her back on him quickly, wiping her face rapidly with her hands in an attempt to make herself look decent. "Yeah, I'm fine-" she started to say after a few seconds of silence … when he held something beside her face. A white handkerchief.
Sakura looked up at him. He smiled warmly, comfortingly down at her. Realizing there was no pointing denying her tears, she gingerly grasped the fabric and wiped her eyes. "Thank you," she muttered.
Eriol sat down beside her, resting his arms on his knees. "Do you want to talk about it?"
She shook her head, and he nodded in response. "Fair enough."
She sighed and looked heavenward. "This isn't how my last year was supposed to go. This isn't even how my first day was supposed to go."
"Nothing every works as planned."
"Nonetheless, at least one thing should go right every day," she argued, sweeping the handkerchief over her eyes one more time, before fiddling with it in her hands. "Is that too much to ask?"
Eriol thought for a moment. "No, it's not. But think about it," he looked over at her with a smile. "Things could be worse, right?"
Sakura let out a wry laugh. "Things are going to get worse, at this rate."
At that moment, she could've sworn he muttered, "You've got that right."
She turned sharply to face him. "What was that?"
He simply smiled. "Lighten up, please. You look so much better when you're smiling."
She could feel her cheeks warming up at the compliment, and the corners of her mouth twitched upward involuntarily. His smile reached his eyes, causing them to glitter. "That's better," he said warmly, and stood up, offering her his hand. "What is your name? I forgot to ask."
Sakura took his hand carefully, and felt a jolt when his fingers wrapped around hers. "Sakura Kinomoto."
"Pleasure to meet you, Sakura. Can I buy you lunch?"
8----------8
After buying her a sushi plate from the cafeteria and staying with her while he ate his own, Eriol excused himself, claiming he had business to take care of at the office. Sakura thanked him, and made her way to the usual lunch spot – the stairwell leading to the roof. She stood in front of the sealed door, waiting for the others after the first lunch bell rang. The hallways filled with students heading to their lockers or the cafeteria. She watched them thoughtfully. She had felt so crappy and down on herself for the incident before, like it was entirely her own fault and she deserved it … just like the last time she had gotten into an argument with a boy … but now, thanks to Eriol's determination to cheer her up, she felt a lot better.
Tomoyo, on the other hand, didn't.
Sakura spotted her halfway down the hall, storming in anger. Chiharu and Yamazaki were at her side. Obviously they had heard the story and were trying to calm her down.
"Tomoyo, be reasonable-" Yamazaki tried, putting a hand on her arm as they got closer.
Tomoyo jerked back and turned around. "I will not be reasonable, Yamazaki!" she retorted. "That man is a disgrace! Can't he make decisions on his own, instead of listening to kids make the rules? No one but that jerk-off Neguyen got off without being totally insulted and ridiculed! And Sakura!" she turned around to stare sadly at Sakura, who only stared back in surprise. She rushed up to her friend and hugged her tightly. "Sakura, he made fun of you even after you left! It took all my willpower not to jump up and punch him in the face!"
Sakura patted her back comfortingly. "Tomoyo, I'm fine, don't worry about it."
Tomoyo pulled back – it was her turn to look surprised. "What?"
Sakura shrugged. "I thought about it, Eriol found me, we had lunch and I got over it."
Tomoyo stared in her eyes, feeling like she was missing something, like Sakura's road to recovery had come and gone too quick. "You sure?"
Sakura nodded. "Positive, Tomoyo. So please – can we be done with it? Because I'm done with him."
Tomoyo nodded slowly, and said, "Alright, if you insist."
"Now we can get to more important things!" Rika said, suddenly grinning.
Sakura smiled, oblivious. "Like what?"
"Like how you said you just had lunch with the boy that flirted with you earlier!"
Tomoyo's eyes lit up – she had missed this bit of information because she had been concerned with her friend's welfare. "OH MY GOD-"
Sakura covered her ears and turned away. "I'm Not Saying Anything, Leave me Alone!" She protested. I'm never going to hear the end of this …she thought as she opened the door to the stairwell-
- only to jump back as a wave of water rushed through. It sped down the hall quickly, wetting shoes and splashing at jeans. Girls yelped and some attempted to jump out of the way. Sakura stared at the lake in surprise, and Rika leaned over her to look up the stairs with wide eyes. "Oh my goodness!"
A waterfall fell steadily down the stairs, obviously leaking in from the roof. Sakura bit her lip. "This rain is nuts."
8-------------8
Sakura waved at the limo as it pulled away and down the road, faintly seeing Tomoyo waving back in the tinted window. She smiled. The rest of the day had been enjoyable. For English she had one of the most favorite teachers in the school, who had shown them clips of The Simpsons that parodied a famous book or movie, like The Odyssey and Huckleberry Finn. For Social, she was reunited with Tomoyo, Yamazaki and Rika and they had an older teacher that made a lot of stupid jokes that they laughed at anyway.
She sighed, feeling a lot better than she had at lunch. And then there was the issue of Eriol. Who knows what could happen with that boy. Was he actually interested, or was he a friendly gentleman? Whatever it was, she was looking forward to seeing him tomorrow.
She stared up at the rain that soaked her as she stood outside. She frowned at her stupidity and walked up the stairs to the house, shaking out her skirt when she had gotten under the protection of the awning, when something caught her eye.
She looked next door to see the "For Sale" sign had been covered and read "Sold". Her eyebrows rose. That was quick, she thought, as she went inside.
8-----------8
The next day was a lot less interesting. Teachers had finally hit the books hard, giving them homework after being so easy on their first day back. She understood math, for the most part, but she knew that in English they were going to start Shakespeare, which was hard enough to read in old English – old English translated into Japanese was like Chinese Algebra.
Gym class was a dilemma. The gym had supposedly been fixed, but ten minutes into class someone noticed that water was leaking from the supply room. When they opened the door, a wave of water much like the one from the stairwell yesterday rushed out and covered the gym's hardwood with an inch deep puddle. A huge leak had broken through and all the equipment was getting ruined. Their workout was getting all the basketballs and nets and everything else to the other supply room in the next wing.
During her spare she couldn't find Eriol anywhere. She sat in the courtyard where there were some awnings over some sets of stairs. Other kids sat around the courtyard, obviously having nothing better to do. Classrooms for three stories high could look down and see them. Sakura had been getting the odd envious look from someone who wished to be out here. She sighed and thought, it's not that great, buddy …
She stared at the water dripping into a puddle as she drew her jean-covered knees up to her zippered-hoody chest. A student across the courtyard had his radio out, and had tuned into the weather channel. The report floated through the air to her … " …the rain, though not appearing to fall in extreme amounts, has caused major flooding in stores and homes. The gym roof of Tomoeda District High School caved in from a leak yesterday. The strangest part of this downpour is that it's only falling in Tomoeda. Everywhere outside of the district is experiencing sunny skies. Experts are baffled … "
Sakura frowned. Only in Tomoeda? Man this is getting ridiculous, she thought. Our basement flooded last night, for goodness sake. Plus, it's not even raining hard – it's just not going anywhere. And how could this be powerful enough to break through the gym ceiling twice?
Her heart suddenly sprang to life. Her whole body straightened up as a feeling, like a jolt of electricity sprang through every limb and back again. She hadn't had this sensation in years, and she barely recognized it … her eyes widened and she looked around frantically. … magic!
She gulped, suddenly feeling afraid. So this rain wasn't natural. She hadn't dealt with magic in years. She wasn't prepared. The cards and her wand were at home, and if this wasn't a card, what was it?
Students around the courtyard suddenly gasped, drawing her attention. The rain on the ground suddenly reversed, dripping upward into the sky suddenly. There was so much of it that it swirled into a large hovering puddle of water. Students from watching classrooms exclaimed, and soon everyone was peering out the windows.
Sakura looked up at the hovering mass of water with wide eyes, and gasped when it moved – towards her. A huge funnel shot down in her direction. She covered her eyes quickly and muttered, "Shit."
8---------8 TBC 8----------8
So, we covered freaky rain, Eriol's entrance, the squabble between Sakura and Syaoran and some information to get us into the swing of things… and next time, we covered the problem with the wand and how she discovers how to release it again! Not to mention the return of Kero! Next chapter probably won't be as long … but hopefully as enjoyable. Once again, sorry if it was boring, it was mostly background info. Review if you want to!