The Lost Princess

A/N: reviews… reviews… reviews… please? ^^

Chapter 6

"Where's Takashi?" came Sakura's inquiry to Syaoran as she sat beside him inside their Philosophy room.

"He's out… trying to sweet-talk his girl friend." Syaoran answered with a shrug.

"They fought?" came Sakura's inquiry with a raised brow.

"Seems like it." Syaoran answered with a hesitant grin.

"What did he do this time?" she asked with a slight amusement.

"He's been accused of not having any time for her anymore and that he's spending most of his time with us… particularly you." Came Syaoran's explanation, grinning impishly.

"Such a shallow reason…" Sakura commented with a thoughtful frown.

"I think not…'cause she should be threatened by you. You might steal Takashi from right under her nose." Was Syaoran's casual and a matter-of-fact tone.

"Really?" came Sakura's all too enthusiastic tone, obviously riding Syaoran's teasing.

"Finally, you admitted that I'm really pretty!" she exclaimed with a wide smile.

"I didn't say anything like that…" Syaoran countered, a touch of mirth dancing in his brown eyes.

"You may not have said it directly…but you implied it. I just read between the lines." Sakura stated with a smug grin and a teasing countenance.

"Vain" Syaoran surrendered, pinching the bridge of her nose fondly.

Sakura's smile widened when he surrendered.

"Loser." She countered in a playful tone so Syaoran wasn't insulted.

"Takashi, how's everything?" Syaoran asked immediately the moment Takashi went in the classroom and sat on the chair behind Syaoran's. Syaoran noticed Takashi's grim countenance, the emotions in his dark eyes hidden. By his look, Syaoran could guess what had transpired.

"Later, Syao." Takashi told him in the quiet of his voice. Syaoran nodded his agreement then he saw Sakura give him a worried look.

"It's bad isn't it?" Sakura couldn't seem to hide her worry from her voice as she whispered the query to Syaoran.

"Looks like it."

XXX

It was already seven in the evening when their practice ended.

"Okay, guys! Thanks for the cooperation! Till tomorrow, same time, same place! Bye, guys!" came Tomoyo's loud announcement as the dancers slowly scattered.

"Hey, guys! Where are you going?" came Sakura's inquiry when she saw Syaoran and Takashi about to leave.

"To hell!" came Takashi's moody reply before leaving.

"Right! Don't bother coming back!" she called after him in sarcasm, her temper almost surfacing because Takashi had been a really heavy burden the whole practice, always snappish.

"Sakura?" came Syaoran's chide, giving her a warning look before jogging to catch up with the moody guy.

"Darn!" she muttered in annoyance.

"'Ey, Sakura!" she heard a call from behind her. She turned and saw Tomoyo.

" 'You going home alone?" Tomoyo inquired, jogging to her direction.

"Seems like it. The two guys just ditched me." She muttered, the annoyance still evident in her tone.

"Takashi was sort of…" Tomoyo tried to find the right word, "…distracted." She finished lamely.

"That is an understatement, Tomoyo." Sakura commented with a frown.

"Takashi was being a jerk." There was firmness in her tone when Sakura made the announcement.

"Okay… If you say so… Anyway, why don't we go home together? I mean, we're neighbors, apparently." Tomoyo changed the subject tactfully, noticing that Sakura was pissed.

"Sure!"

The moment the two ladies went out of the school gate, a black colored car with black tinted windows stopped infront of them. A tall, lanky guy came out of the driver's side and approached them.

"Eriol… What are you doing here?" came Tomoyo's surprise the moment she saw the familiar guy.

He was in an all black outfit, complete with black tinted shades. His outfit emphasized his ivory-hued skin and his dark hair which was wonderfully unkempt.

"Taking you home, princess." Came the sarcastic answer, lips quirking up into a smug grin.

"Oh, yeah?" Tomoyo's usually cheerful and calm demeanor had turned frosty.

"Anyway, as you can see, I'm with someone here so mind your manners." She snapped, lavender eyes flashing dangerously. That was the only time that he notices Sakura who was standing beside Tomoyo quietly. He gave her a charming smile.

"Nice to see you again, my lady." He stated in a surprisingly polite tone before removing his dark shades. Sakura caught a familiar slate-colored eyes.

~Oh, Kami! He's the guy I bumped into yesterday.~ came her surprise, her heart crazily hammering in her chest.

"Uh…yeah…" she stammered, mentally scolding herself for her reaction. She badly wanted to disappear that she wished for the ground to open up and swallow her whole. She knew her cheeks were flaming in embarrassment but she hoped that the guy didn't notice.

"You've got such expressive emerald eyes." The guy offered good-naturedly, a smile tugging on the corner of his lips.

At this, Sakura looked away, eliciting a soft chuckle from the guy.

"Stop teasing her, Eriol! And quit your flirting!" Tomoyo chided, delivering a gentle but firm punch on his stomach.

"You think you're so cute? Ex----cuse me…" Tomoyo insulted, rolling her eyes annoyingly.

"Jealous of her, princess?" Eriol taunted, turning his dancing slate eyes on Tomoyo.

"Why would I be?" Tomoyo inquired dryly and blandly, showing disinterest.

"Because I'm giving her my undivided attention…" he pointed out with a smug grin.

"You wished!" she retorted before dragging Sakura with her and going inside the waiting car.