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" Listen you little motherfucker, I don't care who Sakura is and what you think about her, all I know is that it doesn't matter what you do. In the end Sakura won't be able to resist me and then we'll see how innocent this little cherry blossom really is." Eriol shot back to Syaoran, who had gone red with rage.

But before Syaoran could say anything the bell for lunches end rang and Eriol stalked off. Syaoran didn't know why this was getting to him so badly. Hell, he hated that Kinomoto girl, she was always so damn annoying. Assuring himself that it was just the right thing to do, and that he hated Eriol more than Sakura anyways, he promised himself right then and there that Eriol would not hurt Sakura. Syaoran would kill before he let that happen.

Chapter 4: "Getting to Know You"

Syaoran's POV

Syaoran was in a foul mood all the way back to the classroom, where he slammed his books down and slid into his seat, ignoring the teacher's looks. He was so consumed still with thoughts of Eriol seducing Sakura that he almost didn't notice the real Sakura turning around to talk to him. Finally snapping out of his trance, he tried to catch what she was saying.

"I'm just a wreck when it comes to math, it's almost laughable. And I know you don't owe me any favors or anything but I was wondering if you'd be able to maybe...I dunno...help me a little after school? I wouldn't ask, but if I don't pass this class I won't graduate and then I won't be able to-"

"No." Syaoran cut in sharply.

"No..." Sakura asked, looking confused.

"No I can't help you." Syaoran repeated. He felt a strange twinge at the slightly hurt look on her face, but what did he care, she wasn't his problem. Like she said herself, he didn't owe her anything. Not a damn thing.

Sakura quickly slid back around in her chair and Syaoran resolved himself not to look at her. What he couldn't help but noticed, however, was when Eriol strutted over, with a barely concealed grin on his face.

"I couldn't help but overhear you, darling Sakura, your beautiful voice always captures my attention. If you would like, I could help you with mathematics, I'm not too bad at it myself." Eriol told her in a silky voice.

Slightly blushing, Sakura began to respond, "Eriol, that's so kind of you-"

"But unfortunately she already is getting help from me" Syaoran interrupted. What was he saying, he asked himself as the two shocked faces stared back at him.

"But Syaoran, I thought you said..."

"Meet me by the cherry tree right after school. Don't be late." Syaoran snapped. He couldn't believe himself. Why was he offering to help her? It's not like he really liked her or anything...It must just be because he didn't want to let Eriol get any more opportunities to hurt her. He would do the same for any girl. Yeah, that's right...But Syaoran couldn't shake off the unexplained feeling of unease as he waited for the minutes to tick by until the end of the day.

Sakura's POV

True to his word, Syaoran was waiting under the Sakura tree at 3 o clock. Sakura nervously approached him, unsure of what to expect. This guy was always proving to be a mystery, she never knew what to expect. Sitting down next to him she opened her math book while quietly whispering,

"Thank you for this Syaoran, you don't know how much it means to me."

The only reply Sakura received was a grunt, but she figured it was an improvement over something nasty he could have said. With that out of the way, they began with the math. Syaoran turned out to be quite an excellent teacher, explaining the more complicated principles with more patience than Sakura would have ever guessed he had. After an hour, she felt much more confident, but realized if she did not leave now she would be late for work. Thanking Syaoran again, she stood up and began the walk to the bus stop, all the while thinking what a nice break that had been from the stress of life.

Three weeks later, Sakura and Syaoran were again sitting under the Sakura tree, math books open on their laps. Sakura's grade had gone up admirably and Syaoran did not glare at her every time she talked to him anymore. They had even conducted some of their study sessions at Sakura's apartment when the weather didn't permit sitting under a tree. In fact, it could almost be said that they were slowly becoming friends...Deciding it was time for a small break, Sakura leaned back against the tree and gently closed her eyes. The wind blew small strands of hair in front of her face and Syaoran found her couldn't take his eyes from it...

"Syaoran?" Sakura asked, breaking him from his fascinated stare.

"Yea?"

"Why do you hate Hirigizawa Eriol?" she murmured.

Suddenly filled with a bitter feeling, Syaoran looked down at the grass and noticed his fists had clenched without him realizing it. He paused for a second, wondering how much he should tell her...

"I just don't trust him. I know things about him, and he's dangerous. Promise me you'll stay away from him." Syaoran spoke roughly. Sakura, eyes still closed, frowned slightly.

"Eriol? Dangerous?" she questioned.

"Yes. Promise me!" Syaoran nearly barked.

Sakura, who was used to his mood changes by now, sighed slight and promised that she would. Minutes ticked by and the silence was thick. Syaoran was battling within himself whether he too should take this chance to ask Sakura what he was so curious about.

"Sakura?" he asked, his tone much softer now.

"Yes?" she responded.

"Why do you have to work so hard? You're always going off to some job or another. What about your parents?" Syaoran could hardly believe he had the bluntness to ask such personal questions. He noticed Sakura had become slightly stiffer and was about to apologize when he was cut off.

"They're dead. They died two years ago in a car jacking. The man wanted their car and money, and once he had those he didn't care what happened to them. So he shot them. I work...I work because I have to take care of my brother. I'm his legal guardian now that I'm 18 but if I can't care for him children's services will take him away. I can't let that happen, he's everything I've got in this world." Syaorans eyes widened slightly at this confession...he had never knew any of this...had always just suspected that Sakura's parents were always on vacation or something.

"That's why I need to pass math, why I need help to pass it. If I don't pass, I can't graduate and I won't be able to get a job next year and take better care of Xander. He deserves better." Syaoran felt awkward when he realized a tear was slowly sliding down Sakura's cheek. He had had no idea...he didn't know what to say...This girl who worked so hard to care for her brother thought nothing of herself, and felt guilty that she couldn't work more to give him more. He had never met anyone quite like that. Submerged in his thoughts once more, it was a good fifteen minutes before he realized Sakura's breathing had become slower and rhythmically deeper. 'She had fallen asleep', realized Syaoran with a small hint of a smile. He would have woken her up for work, but he knew it was one of her few days off. Placing both their books in his bag, he crouched down and gently slid his arms under her, easily lifting her light body off the ground. 'Too light' he thought to himself, frowning slightly. He walked back to his car, where he placed her carefully into the passengers seat and brushed a loose strand of hair out of her face before closing the door and hopping into the drivers side. Anyone watching the scene would have thought they were dating...at the very least, closer than just friends.

Arriving at her apartment building, Syaoran again picked her up gently from the seat and carried her up the flights of stairs to the apartment he knew to be hers. Opening the door with Sakura's keys, he brought the sleeping girl to her bed, laying her down gently. Feeling the sudden urge to lie next to her and kiss every inch of her body, Syaoran snapped backwards and stumbled a few feet away from the bed. Where in the hell had that come from? His mind was whirling, and his heart was racing. This had gone too far, he promised himself he wouldn't like Sakura, let alone feel like...this. 'I don't owe her anything', he reminded himself. 'I can't let this go any farther.' And on that thought he stumbled out of the apartment, only half noticing the small boy who was wandering up the stairs to enter the same door he had rushed out of.

The next day at school Sakura was impatiently waiting Syaoran's arrival. She had been confused when she woke up in her bed, and blushed at the thought of Syaoran bringing her there...holding her in his arms... Pushing those thoughts from her head, she looked up to see him stiffly walking past her and dropping into his seat behind her. A little confused, Sakura turned around to ask him about their next study session.

"Syaoran, do you think you'll be able to meet today after school?" she asked/

"No." he replied gruffly.

"Ok, what about tomorrow then? I just can't get problem 15 down."

"No, I didn't mean the day. I meant I can't help you any more. I don't have the time to waste." He spat at her, not daring to look her in the eyes. He couldn't help but glance up though, and the look of shock and betrayal in her eyes tore into him...was this really the right thing to do, he wondered? Abruptly, Sakura's eyes turned hard and her mouth pressed into a thin line. Turning around swiftly, she didn't say another word to him.

The teacher voice seemed to drone on excruciatingly slowly this day, and he couldn't wait for class to be over. There had to be something he could tell Sakura, something to make her understand why they couldn't keep having these sessions. I mean after all, he hadn't promised them forever, he had done more than he was obligated too after all...But his justifications did nothing to relieve the sense of guilt in his stomach and the repeating image of her eyes that lingered in his head. When the bell rang, however, Sakura tore from her desk and left a slightly open-mouthed Syaoran behind.