Man, you people sure know how to encourage me to write more! Thanks are gratuitously extended to GrossGirl18, Sadistprincess, The Wolf puppy-chans, Evern, AyameRose, and to two recent readers, jess r 94 and Sakura-miaka. My terrible, terrible review addicting is being well slated.

To answer a few questions that were asked (and a few that weren't) The English names WHICH I LOATHE are the Black Bouquet members code names, (your guess was absolutely correct Sakura-miaka) and the Lupine members information is all on the alias' (Tomoyo and her mother lead double lives the whole way!) The huge chunk of writing was accidental; I wrote that with gaps and when I had uploaded it, the spaces disappeared. For anyone who noticed, I made up most of the last names, and that is NOT Kero's English name in the anime; I AM AWARE OF THIS. Yeah I made Syaoran go into denial, but that is explained (sort of) in this chapter. xxxHolic will be making an eventual appearance, but it won't be through dreams, seeing as none of the characters have what I have defined as the traits of a dreamwalker. I apologize but I have already stated that I am unsure as to how school in Japan works okay?

Now, I will stop babbling and you can read the chapter, sound good?

"Mariko?"

"Here!"

Sigh. Another week of school. The end of a beautiful weekend of getting my adorable relative to try on clothes I have made for her.

"Carlos?"

"Yo."

Another week of threaded anticipation for the two days of reprieve in which I can spend every moment encouraging the future modelling career of the great, wonderful and adorable Sakura-chan.

"Madison? … Madison?"

Another five days of boredom as I pretend to be learning old knowledge, instead of dedicating myself to the new.

"Madison Taylor? Madison, are you awake dear?"

I suddenly snapped to attention when I realized that the teacher, Ms MacKenzie, was right in front of my desk, trying to get my attention. I blushed heavily as I whispered an apology. Several boys in the class room were laughing, but a vicious glare from the teacher sorted them out. For as beautiful as the teacher is, she is not someone to piss off. As she finished off the role, I suddenly noticed that my most darling cousin was not yet in her seat. I glanced to Naoko-chan, Rika-chan and Chiharu-chan, but they all shrugged; wondering just as I as to where Sakura-chan was. Sakura-chan may have always been late during elementary and middle school, but she broke that habit as soon as we entered high school last year. Now she was only late if a matter concerning the Matriarchs family cropped up. I felt myself tense, not liking the possibilities clamouring inside of my head. Ms MacKenzie finished off the announcements and let us talk amongst ourselves and the squad instantly barricaded me from leaving my desk.

"Madison," Chiharu-chan started. I sighed knowing that they hated having the alias' as much as I did. "Where do you think she is? Whenever something happens, she lets you know right? Have you received anything?"

I checked my phone but there was nothing there, well nothing from Sakura-chan. My admirers don't count.

"Nothing Chelsea. I'm actually getting a bit worried, but there is nothing we can do if she doesn't tell us."

Chiharu-chan nodded her head in defeat, and looked out the window. Naoko-chan opened her mouth to say something when Ms MacKenzie started clapping to get our attention.

"Everyone, if I could have you back in your seats?" Everyone went back to our assigned place and Ms MacKenzie continued "Thank you. It turns out we have some new students starting today. I want you all to make them feel very welcome alright?" I tried to cheer up a bit. New students. Plural. Meaning that there may be girls among the group. I sat up just a little straighter so that I could get a better look. I regretted my decision however, once the door slid open.

The Lupine.

A furtive glance to the squad showed that they were just as freaked as I had become. Chiharu-chan had looked up who the seven people at the scene had been. All had come up in our database as a member of the Lupine, and some of them even had a ranking next to them; Kirai Arkam for example, the man who made me think of a beast, was second lowest of the entire gang only just above the blind lame dog statue. Chiharu-chan had informed the Matriarch as soon as she found out and the Matriarch had sent Touya-san to warn them against even trying to find out about us. We were all protected in case they did try to find us, case in point at home and when I am only with friends, my name is Tomoyo Daidouji. Everywhere else, however, I am Madison Taylor. Out of all of us, Touya-san was probably the worst choice to send a warning, as the Lupine would undoubtedly be searching for Sakura-chan, and Touya-san does have a sister complex, but it worked out in the end; Touya-san had managed to find the boy who appeared to be in charge during the incident, and told us that the boy addressed him by his alias; Tori Avalon.

Sakura-chan had surprised all of us when she told us not to harm any of them. The fool excepted, all of them had tried to defend themselves and nothing more, and so we had no reason to stand against them. We were to just leave them be. We all ended up agreeing with her, and let the whole thing drop from memory.

But right now, the memory had been revived. Ms MacKenzie started introducing them.

"This is Zachary West." The teacher pointed out the boy with black hair and very narrow eyes. He was smiling and looking directly at Chiharu-chan. The Lupine were using aliases, just as the Black Bouquet was. Chiharu-chan had already found out that Zachary West was really Takashi Yamazaki. Chiharu-chan was staring at him as well, seemingly searching for something, but I have no idea what it may have been.

"Here we have Meilin Rae." The beautiful girl with red eyes and black hair stood forward. Meiling Li was her name by birth, she had only really changed the last name, but she came from a culture that was built on a family names importance.

"Kirai Arkam" his very name means hate, so I wasn't surprised that everyone in the Black Bouquet that heard of him hated him instantly. The database mentioned how he was full of himself, and it showed in the fact that he kept his name.

"This young gentlemen is Eli Moon" And there went my thought processes. It was the man with the beautiful eyes and the gentle blue hair. And he was staring at me, with a smile so filled with warmth and kindness. Eriol Hiiragizawa was the name the database gave. Eli Moon still suited him though. I became so focused on his face (and obviously fit bod) that I barely heard the last introduction.

"And Syaoran Li." The boy that had been in charge. The Database called him Xiao Lang Li, Syaoran being how it is pronounced in Japanese. It was different enough that it would hide his identity, but similar enough that it was still his name. He scanned the room thoroughly before his eyes came to rest on the squad and myself. This boy was obviously in control, and would try to force information about Sakura-chan from us, but there is no Black Bouquet member alive who would dare speak a word of their beloved Hime.

The four boys were wearing the uniform of black slacks and a white shirt underneath the maroon blazer with a maroon tie, and the only girl in the group was wearing the regulation black dress with maroon blazer over it. Ms MacKenzie gave a quick perusal of the room and then assigned the newcomers their seats.

All were in the row directly behind the squad and me. Arkam behind Naoko-chan, who Ms MacKenzie introduced as Nikki. Meiling behind Rika-chan, introduced to her as Rita. Yamazaki was placed behind 'Chelsea'. Eriol was in the seat behind mine and I could feel myself blush at his smile as he passed my desk. And Xiao Lang Li was put in the desk behind Sakura-chan's empty one. At the thought of her empty desk, I worried again as to where our precious Sakura-chan was, whether she was safe, if she had been hurt or worse! My thoughts were taking a dark and dangerous turn when suddenly the door to the classroom opened, and I felt a deep sigh of relief leave my lungs.

Sakura-chan was at the door.

"There you are. Nice of you to join us dear." Ms MacKenzie's tone was light and her face calm, meaning she knew that Sakura-chan was going to be late … maybe Sakura-chan had had a medical appointment?

"I apologize for being late ma'am." Sakura-chan's voice was smooth and unapologetic, though very few would recognise it as such. It was the tone that her voice took on when she was guarding herself and her words. As she went to her desk, in a motion that was more akin to gliding then walking, a meeting of our eyes told me that she was aware of what sat behind us. I sent the same message to the squad and then once again paid attention to the teacher. Ms MacKenzie was asking for volunteers to take the new students around the school, so that they could become more familiar with it. Though I was tempted to volunteer myself to the man behind me, I clamped it down and refused to raise my hand.

Someone else could guide him. My duty was to Sakura-chan, as friend, family and guardian.

No one of the squad volunteered and Sakura-chan didn't raise her hand either. Sakura-chan spent her time gazing out the window, and I could see the boy behind her glaring at her, harsher for every second she did not respond to it. Ms MacKenzie finished assigning guides, and then allowed us to resume talking until the bell went. The Squad and I moved instantly to protect Sakura-chan, but to most, we were just surrounding her desk to talk to her.

"Where were you sweetie? You haven't been late for ages and you didn't tell any of us!"

"Sorry Rita. I was a little sick over the weekend and ended up sleeping in this morning."

Sakura-chan had the most delicate of blushes grace her cheeks and she looked truly embarrassed, if she were telling anyone else, they would have truly believed that she had slept in. But Sakura-chan was telling me and the Squad. We knew that she hadn't been sick; we had been with her after all. Sakura-chan had something going on this morning, and she felt that discretion would be better tact at this point. We all cooed and fawned over her, asking whether she was better or if she needed to go lie down in the nurses office but she insisted that she would be alright.

As we talked I could feel the Lupine member eyes upon us. They were all gathered at Yamazaki's desk, and were sneaking glances in our direction. No one but the squad, Sakura-chan and I noticed. We didn't mention it though. If we brought no attention, the Lupine wouldn't bring any attention either.

The bell went and we reluctantly left Sakura-chan to go gather our things and leave for our particular classes. Every class aside from P.E was segregated according to skill. The squad were in relatively high classes for everything, and I was in very high classes. But Sakura-chan was in the advanced level. Sakura-chan could just retain and understand knowledge, though she didn't realise just how much she retained. As she departed for her classes, she indicated that we would talk during lunch. The Lupine members dispersed with their guides, and so Sakura-chan would be safe for a while. As I headed to the science labs, I prayed that Sakura-chan would be unharmed always.


Lunch took three days after forever to arrive, and as I rushed out of languages to reach my locker, I couldn't stifle the worry that had begun to consume me. Meiling and Eriol had both been in my classes. I had heard them briefly talking about their other members, and found that Yamazaki was in a slightly lower level (possibly with the squad) and that Kirai Arkam was in the lowest level though he had been claiming he got there intentionally because the work would be easier. Neither of them believed it. What had me worried, however, was that their leader was in the advanced level. There was only one advanced circuit for each year level. Xiao Lang Li, was in Sakura-chan's classes.

I quickly entered the code for my locker and practically threw my books in before grabbing my lunch, locking the door and running to protect the Black Bouquet's most precious treasure. On my way out, I met up with Naoko-chan and she was just as worried as I. Chiharu-chan and Rika-chan joined us soon enough and we continued on to where we always ate. Not one of us would be able to relax until we reached the Cherry Blossom grove.

Sakura-chan had beaten us there, and was spreading out the blanket when we arrived. She was perfectly fine and we couldn't help but to embrace her in thanks. We helped her set up our picnic-style lunch, and explained why we were panicked. Sakura-chan listened to all of us before she spoke.

"Yes, he is in the advanced line. That is no reason to panic though. From what I can tell from his behaviour in the class room so far, he is trying to establish a line of diplomacy, separating himself and assumably 'Eli', 'Zachary' and 'Meilin' from the actions of a narcissist." Sakura-chan's calm, clear voice rippled like water and was as sweet as honey. Her words calmed me, and I could see the others calm too. Truly, Sakura-chan is a princess if her words alone can cause such peace. Sakura-chan looked up towards the pathway and began speaking again.

"You can stop hiding. Seriously, sneaking around like the bogey-man? Such actions are beneath you aren't they?"

I started choking on my laughter, even as her words drew the intruders from their hiding places. The Lupine members all seemed surprised that she had noticed them, and Arkam was down right fuming at the bogey-man reference. They all stood silently, waiting for whatever Sakura-chan would say next.

"I assume that you wanted our attention, otherwise you wouldn't be here. If you have something to say, please do so; we all want to eat our lunch."

Kirai Arkam jerked at her tone, but with everyone present he didn't make a move. Xiao Lang stepped forward to speak.

"I want to know why. Why did you order that we were to remain unharmed?"

Sakura-chan waited a moment before sighing. I understood why. She was sparing them and he was questioning her actions.

"Because I feel no grudge against you. Excluding the self love personified, every one of you moved to protect. And I heard you, Syaoran Li, call out for him to stop. As far as I am concerned, you have a moral standard and adhere to it. With Kirai Arkam, I can see nothing."

Sakura-chan's words were spoken calmly and truthfully, without a hint of doubt or self-consciousness. Her words sunk deep into the Lupine's thoughts, you could see it in the way they all gained a contemplative look (well aside the jerk) and they actually turned to leave, before Meiling stopped and turned to face Sakura-chan. She ended up walking right in front of Sakura-chan, and the Squad and I were ready to defend if need be.

"I … I really hope, that despite what has happened … I hope that we can be friends."

I couldn't help but be surprised by that, and I saw blind fury in the form of Kirai Arkam. Sakura-chan smiled and raised her hand to shake Meiling's.

"I would like that too, Meilin-chan."

Meiling looked a little unnerved by Sakura-chan instantly giving her an affectionate term, or it may have been that Sakura-chan referred to her by the alias, but Sakura-chan was going to respect the Lupine's use of aliases. As she shook Sakura-chan's hand however, Kirai Arkam snapped and started charging for them. The squad all moved into a protective circle, and Meiling and I moved to her sides to keep her safe, when Sakura-chan stood up; looking directly at the charging mass before us.

"Not another step, Kirai Arkam!"

Sakura-chan's voice was strong, firm, and unrelenting. It was the voice of someone powerful, someone who knew they would be obeyed. The Members of the Black Bouquet always shuddered at its use, and I could see the members of the Lupine suddenly stiffen.

And I saw Kirai Arkam stop.

"Turn around, and calmly leave, Kirai Arkam. I do not want to suffer your visage for a second longer than I must!"

The members of the Lupine were gobsmacked when Arkam left. Meiling turned and asked Sakura-chan what happened, and all the remaining wolves strained to listen. Sakura-chan answered to all of them.

"I did not want him here. That's all."

Xiao Lang and Eriol looked slightly worried, and Yamazaki looked impressed. Meiling seemed to think for a moment before doing something totally unexpected.

Like tackling Sakura-chan into a hug.

"You are so cool Hime-sama! Pretty please may I have lunch with you?" Only Sakura-chan was unsurprised by the request. She just smiled and answered.

"Of course you may. After all, you are our friend now, Meilin-chan." Meiling squealed in delight and she started laughing when Sakura-chan started hugging her back. Sakura-chan, still hugging Meiling, turned to the other members of the Lupine and spoke.

"If you wish to join us also, I can see no problem with it. But be sure to remove your shoes before you sit on the blanket."

While initially shocked, eventually we were joined for the picnic. Yamazaki and Chiharu-chan ended up sitting next to each other and started talking about the assignment one of their classes had been given. Rika-chan and Naoko-chan spoke of the horrible dress one of their teachers wore. Eriol sat next to me and just kept that damnable smile on his face, while I was speaking to Sakura-chan and Meiling. Meiling told us about the part of China where she grew up and I was fascinated. She had an open, friendly personality, and I became friends with her rather quickly. Meilin-chan, as I started calling her aloud, and Meiling-chan as she was in my mind, was glad to have a couple girls she could hang out with during school and all. She also ADORED Sakura-chan. We ended up bonding over our adoration for the darling Cherry Blossom. Even though the Lupine still only knew her as Hime, Meiling had the proper respect for Sakura-chan, as a friend, advisor, and guard.

Xiao Lang had also joined us for the lunch, but he ate in complete silence. I couldn't help but notice the glances he spared to my cousin though. Those and the ever so subtle blush, that marred his otherwise stoic façade. I remembered how Sakura-chan seemed to have recognised him during the incident, and theories started forming in my mind. One kept jumping out at me though.

They would make a really cute couple.

As Sakura-chan briefly spoke to Rika-chan about something I hadn't caught, I leaned over to Meiling-chan and whispered it to her. She thought on it briefly before a smile cracked her face, and she started nodding in total agreement. Meiling-chan whispered that although it would work, it would never happen.

"Syaoran would never admit that he likes Hime-sama." We started giggling; we couldn't help it! Xiao Lang and Sakura-chan would be a match made in heaven, but Sakura-chan would be totally oblivious and Xiao Lang in denial. Our giggling turned into full blown LAUGHTER! Sakura-chan turned back to us with an adorably curious look on her face, while everyone else just looked curious or confused. Meiling-chan and I smothered our laughter with our hands and tried to stave questions with muttered 'don't worry's.

The rest of the picnic went without mentionable incident, and as we were packing up, the bell went signalling class was about to begin. Eriol, Meiling-chan and I had a free session, so we volunteered to finish cleaning up. Sakura-chan felt bad about making us do that, but ended up taking the offer in the end; Sakura-chan is in the advanced circuit after all, and tardiness is not tolerated. The others accepted and left to their respective classrooms. Meiling-chan and I were folding the blanket we had all been sitting on, while Eriol took the rubbish to a nearby bin. Meiling-chan and I began talking about how cool it would be if our little leaders were to become a couple. We were so deep in discussion, we didn't notice when Eriol returned and listened to our conversation.

"They would look good together, no doubt there."

I am not an athlete, but I am proud that my record for high jump is now two metres.

Eriol smiled at my feat and apologized for scaring me. Even though I think the guy is the definition of hot with legs (and from what I can tell, good legs too) I ended up half-hiding behind Meiling-chan so that he wouldn't be able to see me entirely. He just kept using that damn smug, sexy, enticing smile! I was so close to fainting!

Before Meiling-chan smacked him over the back of the head.

"Don't worry Madi-chan" Meiling-chan had shortened my alias because she felt that Madison-chan sounded odd. Eriol was rubbing his head when Meiling-chan smacked him again. "He is a little weird and a lot creepy, but is for the most part harmless. If he starts getting over the top, a slap, whack, or smack will generally sort him out."

I gave Meiling-chan the third biggest hug I have ever given to someone. Sakura-chan of course was the recipient of the first, and my mother was given the second biggest. A hug makes everything better.

Meiling-chan and I continued talking while Eriol followed us around and Meiling-chan kept him in line. The day was rather enjoyable, now that I had people I could willingly talk to in class.

But then I saw something horrible!

While Meiling-chan, Eriol and I were in Music classes (Eriol on the piano, Meiling-chan on the violin and myself a singer) I turned my head to look out the window and saw Sakura-chan (on her free line) being surrounded by the school sluts! I was panicked; how could I not be? The school sluts are always trying to make her life miserable.

I started when I realised that Eriol and Meiling-chan were looking over my shoulders. Meiling-chan asked me what had me worried, and even though I should keep it to myself, I couldn't help but tell dear, sweet Meiling-chan.

"Those bimbos are always causing trouble. Nearly a month ago they nearly broke Chelsea's leg. And they have always been jealous of Hime" I used her title unthinkingly. Whenever she was in possibly danger, I always ended up calling Sakura-chan 'Hime'. "I know that they will use any excuse to hurt her, even if it's something ridiculous like-"

I didn't get to finish, Meiling-chan had already jumped through the open window. I glanced at Eriol and he told me to go help; he'd cover for us. I couldn't help but smile at him, and quickly followed Meiling-chan. When we reached Sakura-chan, my soprano solo was the furthest thing from my mind.

As we were about to reach Sakura-chan, one of the bimbos raised her hand to slap my darling cousin. I was already running as fast as I could and began cursing myself for being so slow in reacting, when Meiling-chan suddenly ran forward in a burst of speed and caught the bimbos hand before it touched Sakura-chan.

"Whatta ya think ya doin'?" The bimbos couldn't even focus enough on how they spoke. Everything they had was spent on making themselves look (what they think is) hot. "This lil tramp's been walkin' 'round like she owns tha' place since she got here. An' now, she's actin' like tha' new hottie likes her, when no one sane would go fer such an ugly whore!" The lead bimbo thought that Meiling-chan would agree with her, seeing as Meiling-chan was new, and sluts generally seem to fall into the 'popular' category. But Meiling-chan knew Sakura-chan, and knew that Sakura-chan and Xiao Lang would look gorgeous together. Before she could respond though, I personally saw to knocking the bimbo out. HOW DARE SHE CALL SAKURA-CHAN SUCH FOUL NAMES? Meiling-chan helped me knock out the rest of the little horde and quickly moved Sakura-chan somewhere else. We checked her over for injuries and such but she was in perfect health. We had gotten to her in time.

"Thank goodness." Meiling-chan released a huge sigh of relief. "I was so worried that you may have been forced to fight them Hime-sama." Meiling-chan gently took hold of Sakura-chan's hands. "There is absolutely no reason for you to fight if you don't have to."

Sakura-chan looked at Meiling-chan with such a gentle, appreciative look that it took me a few moments to realise that she had trapped Meiling-chan and I in a hug.

"Thank you so much; the both of you. You both mean so much to me." Sakura-chan's words were spoken so softly that for a brief moment I could have sworn that they were the whisperings of the wind. But the embrace tightening, for just a few seconds, told me that I wasn't in a dream world, nor was I imagining this event. Sakura-chan eventually released us from her hug (though Meiling-chan and I both protested) and said that the bell would be going soon. Meiling-chan and I suddenly remembered the music class and scampered off with a last hug to Sakura-chan, wondering what cover story Eriol would provide for us. I spared a final glance towards Sakura-chan as we rounded the corner.

We were in the same class at the end of the day. I could start protecting her again in P.E.

End. What do you think? The bimbos didn't have any names; they just turn up to be annoying. I loved writing Meiling! For some reason, I just feel that she NEEDS to be protective over Hime-sama (laughs) and because of that she would get along well with Tomoyo. Shorter chapter but that should make it easier to absorb (quickly! Use your mighty brain juice!) what I ramble on about. Eriol will be the next narrator. Till chapter Ten.

Toodles and Love,

Oky Verlo.