Chapter 4: Betrayal…

XOXO

Sakura let out a wistful sigh.

She had woken up early and once again decided to take a quick walk through the park. But to her disappointment, the cherry blossom trees were already wilting.

That was the thing with cherry blossoms, they were unpredictable. They could bloom at any moment and wither just as quickly.

'And this would've really brightened up my day.'

She began to walk to school, her shoulder drooping slightly, almost annoyed at the trees for not abiding to her wishes.

She let out a startled gasp as hand tapped her on her shoulder. She whirled around only to be faced by Syaoran.

"What are you doing here?" She asked cautiously and almost accusingly.

"I'm just walking to school. This is the path I usually take." Syaoran replied, coolly. Hearing Sakura release a breath of relief, he added "Don't worry, I'm not stalking you or anything."

"That's not why I… never mind."

"But, errr, I'm actually glad I ran in to you."

Sakura looked up at him questioningly.

"You see… I want to… ummh, apologize." At this, Syaoran began walking slowly in the direction towards school, staring determinately at his feet.

Sakura followed him, matching her footsteps to his.

"I'm sorry… for my behavior when you came to my house yesterday… when I kicked you out. I… I was just in a really bad mood and I took it out on you, so… yeah. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."

Sakura didn't say anything for it seemed like Syaoran wanted to say more.

"I'd also like to apologize for my behavior towards you in general, I mean, up until yesterday, I didn't realize---" he broke off for a moment, and suddenly his entire demeanor changed. His uncomfortable posture became one of in control. His embarrassed face distorted to one of superiority and resentment. And his compassionate and concerned attitude was altered to one of arrogance and bitterness.

"---How pathetic you are! God, you little freak, just stop talking to me, will ya!" With that, he stomped off in a huff, leaving a bewildered, confused and hurt Sakura behind.

She didn't understand what had just happened. One minute he was apologizing and the next he was yelling at her for talking to him.

Only when she looked to where he was walking to, or more importantly, to who he was walking to, did she realize the reason for Syaoran's odd behavior.

For who else would be able to control Syaoran like that, other than…

Yoko Yang.

XOXO

Sakura tapped her pen against the desk lightly, extremely bored. And she wasn't the only one. But while the rest of the class were passing notes and whispering to their friends about their plans for the weekend –since it was currently a Friday- who sat beside them, Sakura sat alone in the back row, surrounded by empty desks.

She unconsciously began to chew at the end of her ballpoint pen, lost in her thoughts, when she suddenly had the strangest sensation of someone watching her.

Looking around the room, she noticed Yoko, who was sitting beside Syaoran three seats away, glaring at her, with the fiercest look.

'Jeez… what's up her ass this time?' Sakura wondered.

She was broken out of her thoughts when there was a knock at the door.

"Come in!"

It was the principle at the door, a friendly middle-aged man who had a bushy mustache and eyes that were always smiling.

"I am sorry to interrupt Mizuki-sensei, but I would like to introduce two new students to your class who have just transferred here." He announced.

Sakura immediately went back to her daydream, totally uninterested, unlike the rest of the class whose boredom had instantly vanished. After all, to Sakura, they were all the same. She had stopped bothering to try and make friends with anybody knowing that in the end, all she was going to be left with, was the feeling of betrayal.

"Of course, you may bring them in." Mizuki-sensei said, putting on a smile.

The principle gestured for the two anonymous students to enter the classroom.

A young girl walked in, her hands behind her back nervously. She had long, black, wavy tresses that cascaded over her shoulders stunningly and framed her flawless face. Her pale skin was so luminous and pure, that it could be described as virgin snow. Her radiant eyes, were an unusual colour of deep violet that glimmered with an unknown source. A small smile graced her lips, as she gave a dainty bow.

The second student was a male, and he, oddly enough, had black hair that had a natural blue sheen to it. He had cerulean blue eyes which matched his remarkable hair colour and it stood out from his pale skin. He walked with an air of confidence surrounding him, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his trousers casually and his head held up high. He also gave a small bow to the class.

In short, they were both attractive and striking, which as a result, sent almost the entire class into a frenzy, each student whispering about how 'hot' the one from the opposite sex was to their friends and classmates.

"Please make them feel welcomed." The principle said lightly, before shutting the door behind him.

Almost everyone's thoughts were running along the same lines for that one, brief moment…

'My pleasure…'

Mizuki-sensei cleared her throat to gain everyone's attention.

She also happened to have gained Sakura's, as she finally looked up from her desk to see what all the fuss was about.

As soon as her eyes landed upon the two 'anonymous' students, she let out a gasp. She immediately closed her eyes and rubbed them, pondering on whether this was a dream or a hallucination. After pinching herself hard on the arm, the realization finally struck her.

It wasn't a dream. Or a hallucination.

For the situation before her was very, VERY real.

And although they were taller, and although they had both developed during puberty, and although her hair had grown much longer and he was no longer wearing his glasses… Sakura had no doubt.

Her two best friends were back.

Tomoyo and Eriol… were back!

All in ONE DAY!

'Looks like this day isn't as bad as I thought it would be, after all.'

Sakura had to bite her lip from squealing out in excitement.

She watched closely as Tomoyo's eyes scanned the room, passing over every student. Sakura sat up a little straighter as the amethyst eyes passed over her… and continued on.

Feeling dejected, Sakura slumped in her seat, trying not to feel too disappointed. But she couldn't help it. Tomoyo was her best friend, and yet she didn't even recognize her.

Or maybe… she did recognize her, but took one look at the way she was dressed and decided to dump her.

Too busy trying to keep the moisture out of her eyes, Sakura didn't notice that Tomoyo had shared the same look of disappointment.

"Would you two kindly introduce yourselves?" Mizuki-sensei asked them politely, wearing a smile that urged them on.

Tomoyo stepped forward. "Ohayo, my name is Daidouji Tomoyo. I used to live here in Japan, and even went to this school, until four years ago when I had to move to Hong Kong for my mother's business. And even though I enjoyed Hong Kong, I am glad to be back!" She finished with a smile.

Eriol, in turn, also stepped forward and introduced himself to the class. "Hello, my name is Hiirigizawa Eriol. I also use to live here and go to this school up until four years ago when I moved to England. In fact, Daidouji here, and I go way back." He declared as he shot Tomoyo a smile which she gladly returned. "And yeah… it's good to be back!" He added cheerfully.

"That's great." Mizuki-sensei said. "Well, since both of you used to go to this school, I guess you don't need anyone to show you around. So, if you'll just take your seats next to…" She stopped, searching for empty seats.

Almost every student in the class glanced to their left and to their right, desperately hoping to find a vacant seat beside them. When finding none, they looked around searching for the nearest available seat.

And there were four… all around Sakura Kinomoto.

"… Ahhh!" Mizuki-sensei exclaimed, finally noticing the unoccupied space, surrounding Sakura.

The whole class moaned at the unexpected luck Sakura got.

Who knew, that being a loner could be useful?

"Will you two please take a seat next to Kinomoto Sakura. Kinomoto, please raise your hand."

Sakura slowly and awkwardly lifted up her hand.

She was watching both Tomoyo and Eriol closely, wondering if at least her name would ring any bells.

She saw the surprise, shock and delight that ran through Tomoyo's amethyst eyes. She could see the astonishment and stunned look in Eriol's sapphire ones. But the thing that made Sakura's heart swell the most, was the familiarity in both their eyes.

'They didn't forget about me! They may not recognize me but they remember me! And that is what's important.'

A wide smile grew on Sakura's face. Her dull green eyes glimmered ever so slightly.

In a flash, Tomoyo was by her side. With a huge grin spread out on her face she bent down and enveloped Sakura in a hug. During which, she whispered in Sakura's ear softly "I missed you." Before giving her a tight squeeze and sitting down beside her.

Sakura felt her grin widen and her heart swell to twice its size.

The whole class watched this interaction, baffled and disoriented.

Does the new girl do that to just anyone?

When Eriol passed Sakura, he gave her a smile and said with a nod of his head "Ohayo Sakura-chan."

"O-ohayo, ehm… E-Eriol-kuh." Sakura stammered, as she returned a shaky smile.

He went and sat down next to Tomoyo…

Leaving the whole class completely mystified.

XOXO

"Why is everyone staring at us?" Eriol asked, puzzled at all the looks they were getting from their fellow students, as he, Tomoyo and Sakura walked down the corridor to lunch.

Sakura looked down at her feet. "They just can't believe that you two, who are so beautiful and could easily be popular, is hanging out with such an ugly geek like me."

"Oh Sakura, that is so not true! I know you are beautiful, much more prettier than me! I just don't get why you hide it though, underneath all that… e-exceptionally large clothing you have on." Tomoyo defended.

"I'm not hiding anything!" Sakura insisted. "This is how I look… really! I've just changed is all."

"I'll say! I didn't even recognize you at first, in class. I was actually looking for you, but when I didn't see you I just assumed you were in a different class."

"Look Tomoyo-chan… okay I admit, I may have changed since you last saw me, but that doesn't mean I purposely changed. This is just how I look now. My natural look."

Tomoyo didn't reply. She hadn't believed a word Sakura had said but decided not to press on the subject. She somehow knew that it had something to do with her parent's divorce and knew that Sakura was touchy about the subject.

"Eriol-kuh, you're being awfully quiet all of a sudden." Tomoyo remarked, trying to get off the topic.

"Oh, huh?" Eriol murmured, pulled away from his thoughts. "I was just thinking."

"By the way, I've been meaning to ask, where are your glasses?" Tomoyo asked him.

"I wear contact lenses now." Eriol replied. "Glasses didn't really suit me."

"I thought they did." Sakura commented.

Eriol was about to reply when Yoko and her girl posse, strutted over to them. She not-so-subtly flipped her hair over her shoulder and shook her head around. She then flashed them a smile, showing all of her perfect, pearly-white teeth.

"Hey." She purred. "I'm Yoko, Yoko Yang, as I'm sure you've already heard."

Tomoyo forced a smile. "Daidouji, Daidouji Tomoyo."

Eriol shot Yoko a smile. "Hi, I'm Hiirigizawa Eriol. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"I'm sure." Yoko said smugly, sliding up closer to Eriol.

Sakura was glancing back and forth between Yoko and Tomoyo and Eriol, wondering what Yoko was up to.

Yoko then stood in between Sakura and Eriol with Tomoyo, pushing Sakura out of the conversation completely.

"Look, I don't normally do this, but since I'm such a nice person, I'll do you two a favor." Yoko stated, in a commanding voice. "Kinomoto here, she's a geek. An outcast. An ugly brat. Now, you both have the right looks in becoming popular, and I have a feeling you might fit in with us… but if you continue to hang out with this nerd any longer you will also be labeled a nerd. So why don't you just ditch the dog over there, and follow me, and you can be part of the popular crowd. Part of MY crowd."

Tomoyo and Eriol didn't reply.

For a single terrifying moment, Sakura thought that they were actually considering it. She looked on at the scene with dismay unable to do anything.

Suddenly, Tomoyo shoved Yoko on the shoulder pushing her away. "Like hell I would EVER do that!" Tomoyo spat at her. "Lookie here, bitch, don't you ever talk about my BEST friend that way! She is worth a million times more than a good-for-nothing skank like you! So you don't deserve to say that to her! And I would rather kill myself than ever join the likes of YOU! You see… I'm not a whore."

Tomoyo finished, crossing her arms over her chest, with a triumphant look on her face, waiting for Eriol to say something around the same lines.

Sakura had never been so grateful to Tomoyo in her whole entire life. She couldn't believe how Tomoyo had just stood up to Yoko. At least she now knew that she had one true friend.

Yoko looked absolutely livid. Her eyes were burning with hatred for Tomoyo. She raised her arm, preparing to slap the victorious smirk right off Tomoyo's smug face when she decided against it. She still had hope. The other boy hadn't replied yet, and he looked as if he was actually considering it. So with as much will power as she could muster, Yoko clenched her fist and brought it back down to her side.

Tomoyo who was still in the same position, wondered why Eriol still hadn't said anything. She glanced over her shoulder to look at Eriol whose expression was unreadable. His bangs were covering his eyes.

"Eriol?" She muttered, urging him to say something.

Sakura was also looking at Eriol, panic rising in her heart. 'Why isn't he saying anything?'

Everyone was completely focused on Eriol, waiting with baited breath for his reply.

He finally looked up. He opened his mouth but nothing came out.

"Eriol! Say something!" Tomoyo shrieked shrilly. "Tell them 'No'!"

Eriol didn't meet anyone's eyes. Instead, he chose to focus on the lockers behind them.

"I… I…" Was all he could get out.

"Eriol Hiirigizawa! What the hell are you waiting for? Just tell them that you wouldn't ditch Sakura for them in a million, billion years!" Tomoyo screamed.

He took a deep breath. "I… I c-cant."

Tomoyo just gaped at him in disbelief.

Eriol looked slightly more confident. "I won't." He said firmly.

"What?" A small voice whimpered out. Everyone turned to look at the direction from which the soft voice came from and was faced by a teary-eyed Sakura.

Eriol turned to look Sakura dead in the eye. Sakura wanted to look away, but somehow found herself somewhat transfixed.

"I'm sorry, Kinomoto." He whispered, guilt obvious in his eyes.

They just stared at each other, neither of them breaking the connection, until finally…

SLAP!

Eriol's head was whipped back as he felt a powerful force hit his cheek. Cupping his cheek with his hand, he turned to see Tomoyo standing in front of him, anger, disappointment and pain obvious in her eyes.

"Stay away from her." She threatened softly, unable to look him in the eye.

"Tomoyo---" Eriol began.

"Just go…" Tomoyo interrupted in such a disappointing tone, it would've shamed all parents and teachers.

Eriol took one last look at Sakura and walked off. Yoko smirked with glee at the turn of events and followed after Eriol, but not before shooting Tomoyo a triumphant smirk. The rest of the mob followed after her, sharing nasty looks and comments about both Sakura and Tomoyo.

As soon as they were out of sight, Tomoyo ran to Sakura and hugged her tightly.

Sakura let her pain out in tears as she sobbed onto Tomoyo's shoulder.

Once again, after opening up to someone… all she was left with was the feeling of betrayal.

XOXO

Authors Note: Sorry haven't update in quite a while! Hopefully this chapter will make up for it! Not much Syaoran in it… this was mostly focused on Sakura. Once again, this chapter followed the basic story plot but was much more in depth. Plz review this! All your reviews so far have been so supportive!

XOXO