A new beginning - chapter 7, part A
"Another magical experience?"
Coco cookie: K everyone - my site has moved to http://www,angelfire.com/anime4/anime_freak2/home.html and it's got a whole new look. If ya wanna see what the colour card or Sakura looks like, it would be a good idea to visit my site and check 'em out. I just scanned on da fanart recently.
Do people like it how a new chapter comes up each weekend? Or should I upload 3 or 4 chapters each month instead? That way u get to read a whole bunch of da storie at once instead of just a tini bit at a time. So . . . wat ya think about it? Tell me through a review or my email: mmm_lotsa_chocolate@hotmail.com. Don't be surprised if da person who replies is called "I.P freely" - dat's me.
Key: da brackets are thoughts and da starry things indicate a new setting in da storie.
* * * * *
"Tomoyo, while I was walking home with Syaoran-"
"You walked home with Syaoran?!" Suddenly squealing filled the other end. "That is just so romantic!"
Moving the phone a few centimetres away from her ear, Sakura sweatdropped. "Yes we did walk home together."
Suddenly Kero who was sitting on her desk bolted up right. "You walked home with the brat?" he mouthed with his jaw wide open.
Sakura sighed as she adjusted the phone. "Anyway, he said that life was rather boring these days - and I just thought that we could have a 'Welcome back' party for him!"
"Sakura! That is just a wonderful idea!"
"I already asked otusan and he says it's fine with him."
"Does Touya mind? I mean he and Li-kun have never gotten on with each other."
"Oh Touya's out for the night - and I'm sure we can have the whole thing cleaned up before he comes home." Twirling the phone cord around her fingers, Sakura added, "Do you think Eriol could help out? And Rika, Naoko, Chiharu and Takashi too?"
"Ofcourse they will - but how about Asumi?"
"Well he doesn't really know Syaoran yet. And I just thought that us primary friends could get together."
[Not only that] Tomoyo thought with a smile [But Asumi and Li-kun just don't get along - except you don't realise.] "Do you want me to ring Eroil right now and we can do a three-way call with him?"
"Hai!"
* * * * *
BRING BRING!
Laying down his oven mitts on the kitchen table, Syaoran yelled, "Get the phone!" He should wait a few seconds first to see if Eroil would already get it, but past experiences told him that he wouldn't budge unless told to.
Suddenly footsteps were heard and the phone stopped ringing.
Realising that Eroil must have picked up the phone, Syaoran went back to his cooking. Then just as he was adding more ingredients into the mixing bowl, Eroil's talking interrupted his actions.
"Why hello SAKURA - you sure are really nice to ring ME." Then looking toward the closed kitchen door, Eroil heard that the rapid mixing had stopped. [Hope you heard that my descendent.]
~ In the kitchen . . . ~
Syaoran's eyes widened - Sakura called Eroil? Why out of all people would she want to talk to him?
"Ah yes, I missed you too."
Syaoran dropped the spoon instantly. [She misses him?] Unknown to Syaoran, Eroil had covered up the mouthpiece while saying that.
"If we start tomorrow straight after school then we'll have," Eroil suddenly paused.
[Start what?] Syaoran walked slowly toward the kitchen door. Pressing one ear onto it, he listened intently to what was being said.
"So we'll have to start it later each day because you and Naoko are training - sure, that's fine with me."
* * * * *
"So we'll have the party-"
"Eroil!" Sakura and Tomoyo hissed.
"Eh, I mean see each other. So we'll see each other on Saturday night. Which means we have only three days and Saturday morning to prepare it."
"That's heaps of time!" Tomoyo assured.
"But because Sakura and Naoko are out training, we can only meet with each other for about one hour each day - that isn't very much."
"But with everyone's help, we'll get it done in time - I'm sure!" Sakura exclaimed.
"Okay then, it's fine with me SAKURA. And it'll just be loads of FUN-"
"Why are you talking so loudly Eroil? We don't want Syaoran to know Tomoyo and I rang you," Sakua said puzzled.
"Oh yes - we don't HIM to know do we? It's our PRIVATE secret."
Trying her best not to crack up, Tomoyo couldn't help but let go a little snort of laughter. She didn't mind at all when Eroil didn't even say hi to her - she knew what he was trying to do. But Sakura being all dense didn't get one bit of it. Then clearing her throat, Tomoyo said, "I'll go phone the others okay?"
* * * * * *
[Shit] Syaoran leaned even closer toward the door. He wanted to go grab the other phone so he could listen to what they were saying, but it was in his bedroom. And to get there, Eroil would absolutely see him.
"Okay then, it's fine with me SAKURA. And it'll just be loads of FUN."
[Fun? Are he and Sakura really seeing each other this Saturday night?] He could feel his blood running cold as he waited for the next piece of the conversation.
"Oh yes - we don't HIM to know do we? It's our PRIVATE secret."
[Him? He means me right?] Syaoran stood there leaning against the door. For seconds he waited intently but no more conversation was made. Suddenly his eyes narrowed [Could they have finished talkin-]
BAM!
Rubbing his sore head, Syaoran moaned. Eroil had just flung open the kitchen door and he, who had totally rested his body weight against it, collided with the floor. Finally finished with his moaning, he looked up and realised Eroil was staring down at him with the evil expression.
Immediately he got up and dusted his clothes. "I, eh, was cooking," he stammered.
Eroil smiled with the I-don't-believe-a-word-you're-saying look; making Syaoran turn an even redder shade.
"Ah yes," Eroil said, "And I see we're having burnt chicken for dinner?" With that, he motioned to the oven that looked like it was on fire.
* * * * *
Placing the phone back onto the table, Sakura reached down to her desk drawer. Then just as she wrapped her fingers around the knob, her hand immediately slipped off.
"Hoe!"
Kero looked up from the video game he was playing (not before saving it). "What is it?"
"Hoe - the desk, it's all . . . " Sakura paused as she rang a finger over it. But this time as she did so, there wasn't the weird slippery feel - or the strange power she had sensed in the air.
Hovering beside her, Kero asked, "What?"
Sakura opened the drawer. "Oh nothing - just a bug." Then she smiled reassuringly at him. But as her eyes fell onto the amethyst gem she kept inside, her heart jumped nervously. Was it just her or did she see the stone glow a little?
* * * * *
After school the next day . . .
"Okay Naoko, we just have to zip to the school and back-"
"You're joking! We're here at your place and we have to go back to school again?"
Sakura placed an encouraging hand on Naoko's shoulder. "Come on! It won't be hard - we'll have lots of fun and become really fit."
"But it's nearly 800 metres distance!"
Sakura nodded. "Ofcourse Naoko - I do this every morning when I'm late for school. Since the event you want to improve in is cross-country, 800 metres is a good distance to use as training. " Then she walked over to the end of the driveway waiting for Naoko to follow.
Naoko sighed. "I really wish I don't have to do this . . . " Then reluctantly, she moved herself beside Sakura and got into a starting position for their long run.
"Come on - we'll start this off with a fast run!" Sakura said as she immediately rushed off.
~ A few seconds later . . . ~
[Hoe! Where's Naoko?] Anxiously, Sakura stopped running and looked around her. For a while her eyes found nothing - until finally, a small dot came in view. As Sakura waited, the speck soon became clearer - until taking on the shape of Naoko. Until Naoko was right beside her again (panting and tired), Sakura began to run off again. "This time we'll just jog."
~ Seconds later . . . ~
"Um, we'll just do a fast walk then," Sakura said cheerfully.
~ Not too many seconds later . . . ~
"Eh . . . let's just make this a slow stroll okay?" Sakura said as she sweatdropped a little.
Just as she turned around, Naoko grabbed onto her hand. "Sakura," she said quietly, "I'm horrible at this aren't I?" Sighing, she let go and slumped herself onto the grass. "There's no way I can improve - I'm just a natural loser at sport."
"Naoko," Sakura cried as she bent down to look at her, "Don't be silly, we just need to work on it a little more - today was just our first day, we have heaps more time to improve!"
Still underneath, Sakura was rather surprised. It wasn't that Naoko was overweight or weak - she was perfectly healthy. [Then why is she having so much trouble?]
"Anyway," Sakura said as she helped Naoko up, "Lets head home now - we've got to start preparing for the surprise party!"
* * * * *
"We're here!"
Looking up from the table, Tomoyo smiled. "Great! Now while you were gone, the rest of us already planned out the jobs each one must do."
"We're doing the shopping!" Rika said excitedly as she grabbed onto Naoko's arm.
"And you and I will be baking the special cake and organising desserts!" Chiharu said to Sakura.
"I'll be directing and assuring that everything goes well," Tomoyo began.
"And Takashi are I are in charge of the lighting and music," Eroil finished.
Sakura's eyes swirled. "Hoe . . . How about the decorations then?"
"We're all doing that together - but we'll start worrying about the decorations on Saturday morning," Tomoyo answered. Then motioning to the mountain of books on the coffee table, she said, "For now, we've got to start our researching. Taking out a couple thick, cook books, she handed it over to Sakura's open arms. "Hope you find something nice to make!"
* * * * *
"How about this one?"
Walking over to Chiharu, Sakura looked down at the cake she had found in the book. Sakura sweatdropped. "Hoe . . . " It was beautiful - but totally large and nearly impossible to make. Swirls of icing made her stomach turn - and probably Syaoran's too since it weren't made of chocolate.
"We have to make chocolate cakes Chiharu - and if possible, make less difficult ones."
Chiharu nodded as she flipped the page over. "I know - but I hate chocolate. And to think that we'll be slaving over plates and plates of that stuff," she made a face, "It really makes me sick."
Sakura giggled. "Hai - I don't love it that much either." Then just as she turned the page, her eyes fell onto the most perfect cake. It wasn't too large or too extravagant - but a cute, triple chocolate cake. The outside was covered in milk chocolate icing and flakes of white chocolate were sprinkled on top.
"Chiharu! This one should be perfect!"
Looking over what Sakura had found, Chiharu smiled. "And the heading proves it - 'A chocoholic's dream'".
* * * * *
Next day at school in cooking class . . .
Watching Mirano hang continuously over Syaoran made her totally sick - and now that she sat with them at lunch, it just seemed to get worse.
"Sakura?"
"What?" Sakura practically shouted back. "I mean . . . yes?"
"Wouldn't it just be fantastic if we made this seafood meal as the appetizer?" Asumi said as he pointed to the cookbook he was flipping through.
"Hai - it's wonderful," Sakura replied sullenly. Glancing back to the corner where Mirano was happily chatting with Syaoran, Sakura felt her stomach drop. [I haven't had a chance to talk to him all day . . .]
"Or do you like this one better?" Asumi persisted as he held up another page in the book for Sakura to see.
"That's good as well."
"So we can try to make this one as our first recipe?"
Sakura nodded absentmindedly. "Hai . . . "
Defeated, he leaned back on his chair and sighed. "Well since we all agree, then that'll be it." Then turning his eyes back on her, he frowned. [Eversince he came along, you never notice me anymore.]
* * * * *
Flying through the door, Sakura dumped her joggers onto the front porch. "Did you manage to get the ingredients for the cake?"
Sitting by her coffee table with heaps of things cramped on it were all the rest of the gang. Looking up from her spot on the couch, Rika replied, "Sort of - I've got a few things, but not all. I've got the dessert food ready though."
Sakura clasped her hands excitedly. "Everything's going to be so great on the night!"
Finally Naoko entered the room as well. Slumping herself against the wall, Naoko closed her eyes wearily, "That was just so tiring . . . "
"But you're getting better!" Sakura smiled encouragedly.
"And because you're out training, you don't have to go shopping - so you should be grateful," Rika smiled. "Lugging back all this food is quite a challenge."
"Well I'm happy with my part in this whole thing," Eroil said cheerfully as he continued to fiddle around with the light he seated on his lap. Rika must have bought it because it was one of those disco ones you would put up for a party. And by the amount of loose parts that were around him, it seemed he was damaging it rather then securing.
"I never knew you liked working with electronics," Tomoyo commented as she glanced up from the sketches she was making.
"I don't. But I like my part because if I do something wrong, you can't blame me since you know just as little." Then nodding his head in Takashi's direction, he added with the same wide grin, "It's entertaining to exchange thoughts with him as we work too."
As if this had been planned, Takashi immediately held up one of the CDs he had in the pile in front of him. "Did you know that this song 'Love is ours', was the original story of a romantic tragedy between two lovers?"
Everyone groaned - except Sakura who found this fascinating and thought it was true. "Hoe! Really?"
Takashi nodded seriously. "The lovers were named Homeo and Duliet - and their famous history together was captured by this song. Because a evil witch had placed a curse of these two people and-"
"Come on Sakura!" Chiharu said hurriedly as she went into the kitchen, "We've got lots of work to do!"
Sakura smiled. "Hai!' Then grabbing her bag off the couch, she went off after Chiharu. But just as she took another step, she suddenly lost her footing and tripped.
"Sakura! You all right?" Tomoyo asked worriedly.
Rubbing her sore behind (politest word I could think of) Sakura nodded slowly. [This is the second time something weird had happened to me - could it be another clow card? I mean, I felt it too - the sense of magic was in the air.]
* * * * *
Next day in a maths lesson . . .
All she could hear was Mirano's outrageous flirting and the hundreds of compliments that were purred to Syaoran. Every time she tried to talk to or greet Syaoran, Mirano would always cut her off and start telling him about something embarrassing that Sakura did in the past.
Slumping down further in her seat, Sakura sighed. Did life have to further upset her by making her study maths today?
"Miss Kinomoto! You expect to just lie there through this whole lesson eh? Not even bothered to get out your books I see."
Sakura flushed. Hurriedly she reached into her bag and took out her textbooks - and with regret - slammed it onto the table in her haste. Instantly the loud sound echoed through the room.
"Any school property that shall be damaged will have to be paid for," Ono sensei continued coldly.
"Hai." Sakura bowed her head, trying to stay cool and stop herself from making further mistakes.
"I expect the student to at least have enough manners to look at me while speaking. Of course, someone as rude and disappointing as you can never fulfill that."
So much for not making further mistakes.
Sakura bit her lip. He loved picking on her - he just loved to single her out of everyone and make her seem like a fool.
"Now I believe you where late for school today - as I heard from my star pupil," he paused as he cast a sickening smile at Mrano. Instantly, Mirano stopped snickering and smiled back angelically. She enlarged her brown eyes and batted her eyelashes a few times to confirm her 'sweet' nature.
Turning back to Sakura, he said, "I don't think this type of behaviour is in any way appropriate, therefore you should see the-"
"I think you have wasted a lot of this lesson's time. Could we just begin with the maths?"
Everyone glanced startled at the person who just spoke - Syaoran. Sakura's eyes widened [What does he think he's doing? He'll never be let off by the sensei after this.] As if reading her thoughts, he suddenly turned his gaze on her.
Ono sensei narrowed his eyes. "Very well - you are right." Then turning to the blackboard, he began to write up some problems.
Making sure that the teacher was not looking, Sakura hissed, "Syaoran! He's going to torture you for the rest of your life!"
He shrugged. "What? And let him continue to scorn you?" He watched her expression turn speechless and just as immediately, she reddened. He wasn't surprised she was totally amazed - he was a bit too. [I just suddenly got the feeling i had to help her - that it is my job to protect her.]
"Arigato," Sakura finally said as she smiled gratefully. They hadn't spoken all yesterday - and suddenly, he was sticking up for her against the meanest teacher.
"Will Mr Li please come here to solve the first problem for the class?"
On the board was written a most complex algebra question - Sakura's eyes immediately swirled as she looked it over. Calmly, Syaoran got out of his seat and walked over to the blackboard. As he approached, Ono sensei handed over a piece of chalk and folded his arms. His (talking about da teacher) mole like face looked even more hideous with the mean smile he had planted on.
After looking over the problem for a few seconds, Syaoran swiftly wrote 34 on the board. "I'm done,' he said calmly as he handed back the chalk.
* * * * *
Walking into her lounge, Sakura gasped. There was a large disco ball attached in the middle of the room and smaller lights around the place. Beside her, Naoko also gasped. "It's so professional!"
"Nice isn't it?' Tomoyo smiled, "Eroil-kun fixed this all up before he had to go to basketball training."
Sakura nodded as she pulled on an apron over her jogging outfit. "Did you get all the ingredients Rika?"
"Is it that hard to see?" Rika joked as she motioned to the pile of food on the dining table.
"Come on Sakura! Help me carry this stuff over so we can sort it out," Chiharu said as she began taking some ingredients over to the kitchen area.
"Hai!"
* * * * *
[Go in. Just knock and go in.] At this thought he unlatched the gate and took a step forward.
[No - stay right here.] Immediately he drew back and closed the gate.
[But something's going on in there - she's keeping something from me.] Sighing, he opened the gate again. [Everyday Eroil would go to her place after school - exactly what's going on? I need to find out - maybe there's a problem--]
Suddenly Syaoran closed his eyes. [I'm sure I just felt something - it's clow power.] Today during lunch, he had seen Sakura fall just while walking on the concrete. [How could a gymnast and a dancer like her just trip like that?]. Not only that, but he had sensed the same power as he did now.
[Well that settles it - I'm going in.]
* * * * *
"Okay Sakura, I'll start with making the chocolate covering."
Sakura nodded. Then reaching for a large bowl, she began reading off the cookbook. "Two eggs . . . "
"Here!" Immediately Rika handed them to her.
Sakura smiled. "Arigato!" Taking one egg in her hand, she tapped it lightly on the side of the bowl, pulled it open, then let the egg yolk slip out. Reaching out for the second egg, she suddenly felt something weird was going on - like the atmosphere around her suddenly tensed up. Sakura paused as she tried to find the source if it with her magic - but the feeling disappeared.
"Eh, is something wrong Sakura?" Chiharu asked slowly.
"Hoe? Oh nothing." Hurriedly Sakura tapped the other egg and went back to her cooking. With both egg yolk in the bowl, Sakura bent down to get an egg beater - then just as she did so, there was the same weird feeling, and a sudden force of power.
Losing her footing, Sakura tripped - her hand collided with the bowl, bringing it down with her and emptying the yolk onto her head.
"HOE!"
"Sakura!"
"What happened?"
"You're covered in egg yolk!"
"Did you know that egg yolk was considered to have healing powers?"
Lifting the bowl off her head, Sakura sat there stumped. She could feel the yolk oozing down her hair and onto the rest of her body. "Yuuuuccck!"
Then to make matters worse, the doorbell suddenly rang.
"Don't worry - I'll get it," Tomoyo assured. But once she looked through the 'hole' (da thingy u look through 2 see who it is) she immediately ran back.
"It's Li-kun!" she hissed.
Sakura paled. "W-why's he here?"
"Dunno. I'll go talk to him," Rika said - but Sakura held her back.
'You can't!" Sakura mouthed, "He's not supposed to know any of you are here."
"So you're going to answer the door?" Chiharu mouthed back.
Wiping as much yolk off her as possible, Sakura nodded. Without waiting for another word, she went over to the door and opened it.
Standing outside was Syaoran - dressed casually in a white shirt and khaki pants. "Hey Sakura, I just wanted - what happened to you?!"
Wiping her gooey, wet hair off her forehead, Sakura faked a laugh. "Hoe? What do you mean? I'm perfectly fine!"
"Fine?" Syaoran dipped his finger into one of the puddles of yolk that were on her apron. Rubbing it between his fingers, he wrinkled his nose. "This is egg." Turning his dark brown eyes on her, he narrowed his eyes. "What's going on?"
"N-nothing," Sakura stammered. "I have egg on me because I heard that it's good for skin - so I tried it out."
Syaoran folded his arms. "Why's it on your clothes then?"
"Hoe! Um, because egg is good for getting rid of stains - so I tried that out too." With that, Sakura began scrubbing her apron and then showed it to him "See? Not one stain in sight - I told you it works."
"Because there never were any stains - just egg yolk."
"Hoe! No-"
"You're hiding something from me Sakura - what is going on?" He took another step closer until he totally towered over her. "Remember that you can't take on the forces by yourself, you need my help."
At his words, Sakura broke into a fit of giggles. "It's not that Syaoran!"
"Then . . . " Syaoran's face paled. [Then does that mean she and Eroil have been . . .]
"Syaoran, I can't tell you right now. But I swear I'm not doing anything risky - what I am doing is something I'm sure you'll like when you find out." Then with the gorgeous smile planted on her face, Sakura began to close the door, "Just make sure you can be here on Saturday night okay."
* * * * *
"Sakura!"
"Hoe!"
CRASH!
Getting up from the door she had fallen on, Sakura groaned. This was absolutely a clow card - over and over, it would make her suddenly trip or slid on perfectly stable grounds.
"Sakura! Are you all right?" Naoko exclaimed.
Holding onto her sore head, Sakura forced a smile. "Yep - that didn't hurt one bit." Then from the corner of her eye, she glimpsed a flash of blue - the card! Sakura bit her lip; there was no way she could capture it with all of them in here.
Reading her expression, Tomoyo came to the rescue. "Wow! We've gotten so much done today - why don't we go home earlier to rest? We have a big day ahead of us!"
Picking up their bags, Rika and Chiharu nodded agreement. "Hope you have a good night then!" they called on their way out.
"Bye!" Naoko added.
"Did you know that saying goodbye was another way of-"
"Come on Takashi - you'd better leave before they decide to chuck you out," Chiharu sighed.
"Thank you so much Tomoyo," Sakura smiled.
"No problem," Tomoyo replied cheerfully, "I know how to handle people and you know how to handle cards."
"They're gone! FINALLY!" Zipping down the stairs, Kero flew into the kitchen and flung himself onto the fridge. "Glorious food . . . ice cream . . . oh how I have missed you!" he cried.
Sakura sweatdropped. "Kero, we need to capture a card now-"
"No! I forgot to bring the costume I just made!" Tomoyo gasped. ("And you think I'm weird . . . " Kero muttered.)
Reaching into her pocket, Sakura grasped the amethyst stone. Some how or the other, it gave her a feeling of security and confidence.
As if it knew that they were waiting for it, the card stopped hiding everywhere and came into clear view. It was rather short with bright red cheeks; it wore huge spotted overalls ("Probably encountered the colour," Kero commented) and had on a clownish hat that covered most of it's plaits. Seeing them, it began giggling and it's eyes became nothing but mere lines (a lot like Takashi).
Sakura brought out her magical key and chanted the spell - soon it became her pink staff. But when her hands reached into her deck of cards, Sakura realised a problem. They were fighting in her lounge - where any damage would cause Eroil's hard work to be wasted. Plus Otusan and Oniichan were to be home any moment . . .
* * * * *
Coco cookie: Was this chapter boring? And not only that but I had to also cut this chapter in half as well - why?
Because (A) It was getting too long. And (B) my schedule is to get one chapter up every weekend - I was a bit behind this time because I had a huge drama competition at school. It went for like aaaggggeeessss.
Yo Jared! It's just way kool talking to u - you always answer da questions I put up in every chapter. So u go 4 Germany eh? Well their goalkeeper is actually one of da best in da world - but he some how totally suxed dat night and gave his powers to the Brazilian goalie. Hope I was able to add more action in this chapter - but it'll mostly be in da next chapter.
Thanx everyone 4 reviewing! You're just too nice ^_^ sniff . . . sniff . . .
Did people hear about da Bali bomb thingy? SCARY! I live just a few minutes away from Sydney Harbour - and my highschool has been getting these bomb scare messages. Could someone really be trying to blow up North Sydney Girls High? AHHH!
I love AVRIL! Yo Canadians out there - you have got one of the koolest singers! Did anyone hear her song Sk8er Boi? Way good!!! I also love Eminem, Blue, Selwyn, Enrique - actually there's too many ^_^ It wasn't until this year's Arias that I knew Australia's got some pretty kool singers as well. Oh, and I love da song 'Round round' by Sugarbabes.
Coco cookie: K everyone - my site has moved to http://www,angelfire.com/anime4/anime_freak2/home.html and it's got a whole new look. If ya wanna see what the colour card or Sakura looks like, it would be a good idea to visit my site and check 'em out. I just scanned on da fanart recently.
Do people like it how a new chapter comes up each weekend? Or should I upload 3 or 4 chapters each month instead? That way u get to read a whole bunch of da storie at once instead of just a tini bit at a time. So . . . wat ya think about it? Tell me through a review or my email: mmm_lotsa_chocolate@hotmail.com. Don't be surprised if da person who replies is called "I.P freely" - dat's me.
Key: da brackets are thoughts and da starry things indicate a new setting in da storie.
* * * * *
"Tomoyo, while I was walking home with Syaoran-"
"You walked home with Syaoran?!" Suddenly squealing filled the other end. "That is just so romantic!"
Moving the phone a few centimetres away from her ear, Sakura sweatdropped. "Yes we did walk home together."
Suddenly Kero who was sitting on her desk bolted up right. "You walked home with the brat?" he mouthed with his jaw wide open.
Sakura sighed as she adjusted the phone. "Anyway, he said that life was rather boring these days - and I just thought that we could have a 'Welcome back' party for him!"
"Sakura! That is just a wonderful idea!"
"I already asked otusan and he says it's fine with him."
"Does Touya mind? I mean he and Li-kun have never gotten on with each other."
"Oh Touya's out for the night - and I'm sure we can have the whole thing cleaned up before he comes home." Twirling the phone cord around her fingers, Sakura added, "Do you think Eriol could help out? And Rika, Naoko, Chiharu and Takashi too?"
"Ofcourse they will - but how about Asumi?"
"Well he doesn't really know Syaoran yet. And I just thought that us primary friends could get together."
[Not only that] Tomoyo thought with a smile [But Asumi and Li-kun just don't get along - except you don't realise.] "Do you want me to ring Eroil right now and we can do a three-way call with him?"
"Hai!"
* * * * *
BRING BRING!
Laying down his oven mitts on the kitchen table, Syaoran yelled, "Get the phone!" He should wait a few seconds first to see if Eroil would already get it, but past experiences told him that he wouldn't budge unless told to.
Suddenly footsteps were heard and the phone stopped ringing.
Realising that Eroil must have picked up the phone, Syaoran went back to his cooking. Then just as he was adding more ingredients into the mixing bowl, Eroil's talking interrupted his actions.
"Why hello SAKURA - you sure are really nice to ring ME." Then looking toward the closed kitchen door, Eroil heard that the rapid mixing had stopped. [Hope you heard that my descendent.]
~ In the kitchen . . . ~
Syaoran's eyes widened - Sakura called Eroil? Why out of all people would she want to talk to him?
"Ah yes, I missed you too."
Syaoran dropped the spoon instantly. [She misses him?] Unknown to Syaoran, Eroil had covered up the mouthpiece while saying that.
"If we start tomorrow straight after school then we'll have," Eroil suddenly paused.
[Start what?] Syaoran walked slowly toward the kitchen door. Pressing one ear onto it, he listened intently to what was being said.
"So we'll have to start it later each day because you and Naoko are training - sure, that's fine with me."
* * * * *
"So we'll have the party-"
"Eroil!" Sakura and Tomoyo hissed.
"Eh, I mean see each other. So we'll see each other on Saturday night. Which means we have only three days and Saturday morning to prepare it."
"That's heaps of time!" Tomoyo assured.
"But because Sakura and Naoko are out training, we can only meet with each other for about one hour each day - that isn't very much."
"But with everyone's help, we'll get it done in time - I'm sure!" Sakura exclaimed.
"Okay then, it's fine with me SAKURA. And it'll just be loads of FUN-"
"Why are you talking so loudly Eroil? We don't want Syaoran to know Tomoyo and I rang you," Sakua said puzzled.
"Oh yes - we don't HIM to know do we? It's our PRIVATE secret."
Trying her best not to crack up, Tomoyo couldn't help but let go a little snort of laughter. She didn't mind at all when Eroil didn't even say hi to her - she knew what he was trying to do. But Sakura being all dense didn't get one bit of it. Then clearing her throat, Tomoyo said, "I'll go phone the others okay?"
* * * * * *
[Shit] Syaoran leaned even closer toward the door. He wanted to go grab the other phone so he could listen to what they were saying, but it was in his bedroom. And to get there, Eroil would absolutely see him.
"Okay then, it's fine with me SAKURA. And it'll just be loads of FUN."
[Fun? Are he and Sakura really seeing each other this Saturday night?] He could feel his blood running cold as he waited for the next piece of the conversation.
"Oh yes - we don't HIM to know do we? It's our PRIVATE secret."
[Him? He means me right?] Syaoran stood there leaning against the door. For seconds he waited intently but no more conversation was made. Suddenly his eyes narrowed [Could they have finished talkin-]
BAM!
Rubbing his sore head, Syaoran moaned. Eroil had just flung open the kitchen door and he, who had totally rested his body weight against it, collided with the floor. Finally finished with his moaning, he looked up and realised Eroil was staring down at him with the evil expression.
Immediately he got up and dusted his clothes. "I, eh, was cooking," he stammered.
Eroil smiled with the I-don't-believe-a-word-you're-saying look; making Syaoran turn an even redder shade.
"Ah yes," Eroil said, "And I see we're having burnt chicken for dinner?" With that, he motioned to the oven that looked like it was on fire.
* * * * *
Placing the phone back onto the table, Sakura reached down to her desk drawer. Then just as she wrapped her fingers around the knob, her hand immediately slipped off.
"Hoe!"
Kero looked up from the video game he was playing (not before saving it). "What is it?"
"Hoe - the desk, it's all . . . " Sakura paused as she rang a finger over it. But this time as she did so, there wasn't the weird slippery feel - or the strange power she had sensed in the air.
Hovering beside her, Kero asked, "What?"
Sakura opened the drawer. "Oh nothing - just a bug." Then she smiled reassuringly at him. But as her eyes fell onto the amethyst gem she kept inside, her heart jumped nervously. Was it just her or did she see the stone glow a little?
* * * * *
After school the next day . . .
"Okay Naoko, we just have to zip to the school and back-"
"You're joking! We're here at your place and we have to go back to school again?"
Sakura placed an encouraging hand on Naoko's shoulder. "Come on! It won't be hard - we'll have lots of fun and become really fit."
"But it's nearly 800 metres distance!"
Sakura nodded. "Ofcourse Naoko - I do this every morning when I'm late for school. Since the event you want to improve in is cross-country, 800 metres is a good distance to use as training. " Then she walked over to the end of the driveway waiting for Naoko to follow.
Naoko sighed. "I really wish I don't have to do this . . . " Then reluctantly, she moved herself beside Sakura and got into a starting position for their long run.
"Come on - we'll start this off with a fast run!" Sakura said as she immediately rushed off.
~ A few seconds later . . . ~
[Hoe! Where's Naoko?] Anxiously, Sakura stopped running and looked around her. For a while her eyes found nothing - until finally, a small dot came in view. As Sakura waited, the speck soon became clearer - until taking on the shape of Naoko. Until Naoko was right beside her again (panting and tired), Sakura began to run off again. "This time we'll just jog."
~ Seconds later . . . ~
"Um, we'll just do a fast walk then," Sakura said cheerfully.
~ Not too many seconds later . . . ~
"Eh . . . let's just make this a slow stroll okay?" Sakura said as she sweatdropped a little.
Just as she turned around, Naoko grabbed onto her hand. "Sakura," she said quietly, "I'm horrible at this aren't I?" Sighing, she let go and slumped herself onto the grass. "There's no way I can improve - I'm just a natural loser at sport."
"Naoko," Sakura cried as she bent down to look at her, "Don't be silly, we just need to work on it a little more - today was just our first day, we have heaps more time to improve!"
Still underneath, Sakura was rather surprised. It wasn't that Naoko was overweight or weak - she was perfectly healthy. [Then why is she having so much trouble?]
"Anyway," Sakura said as she helped Naoko up, "Lets head home now - we've got to start preparing for the surprise party!"
* * * * *
"We're here!"
Looking up from the table, Tomoyo smiled. "Great! Now while you were gone, the rest of us already planned out the jobs each one must do."
"We're doing the shopping!" Rika said excitedly as she grabbed onto Naoko's arm.
"And you and I will be baking the special cake and organising desserts!" Chiharu said to Sakura.
"I'll be directing and assuring that everything goes well," Tomoyo began.
"And Takashi are I are in charge of the lighting and music," Eroil finished.
Sakura's eyes swirled. "Hoe . . . How about the decorations then?"
"We're all doing that together - but we'll start worrying about the decorations on Saturday morning," Tomoyo answered. Then motioning to the mountain of books on the coffee table, she said, "For now, we've got to start our researching. Taking out a couple thick, cook books, she handed it over to Sakura's open arms. "Hope you find something nice to make!"
* * * * *
"How about this one?"
Walking over to Chiharu, Sakura looked down at the cake she had found in the book. Sakura sweatdropped. "Hoe . . . " It was beautiful - but totally large and nearly impossible to make. Swirls of icing made her stomach turn - and probably Syaoran's too since it weren't made of chocolate.
"We have to make chocolate cakes Chiharu - and if possible, make less difficult ones."
Chiharu nodded as she flipped the page over. "I know - but I hate chocolate. And to think that we'll be slaving over plates and plates of that stuff," she made a face, "It really makes me sick."
Sakura giggled. "Hai - I don't love it that much either." Then just as she turned the page, her eyes fell onto the most perfect cake. It wasn't too large or too extravagant - but a cute, triple chocolate cake. The outside was covered in milk chocolate icing and flakes of white chocolate were sprinkled on top.
"Chiharu! This one should be perfect!"
Looking over what Sakura had found, Chiharu smiled. "And the heading proves it - 'A chocoholic's dream'".
* * * * *
Next day at school in cooking class . . .
Watching Mirano hang continuously over Syaoran made her totally sick - and now that she sat with them at lunch, it just seemed to get worse.
"Sakura?"
"What?" Sakura practically shouted back. "I mean . . . yes?"
"Wouldn't it just be fantastic if we made this seafood meal as the appetizer?" Asumi said as he pointed to the cookbook he was flipping through.
"Hai - it's wonderful," Sakura replied sullenly. Glancing back to the corner where Mirano was happily chatting with Syaoran, Sakura felt her stomach drop. [I haven't had a chance to talk to him all day . . .]
"Or do you like this one better?" Asumi persisted as he held up another page in the book for Sakura to see.
"That's good as well."
"So we can try to make this one as our first recipe?"
Sakura nodded absentmindedly. "Hai . . . "
Defeated, he leaned back on his chair and sighed. "Well since we all agree, then that'll be it." Then turning his eyes back on her, he frowned. [Eversince he came along, you never notice me anymore.]
* * * * *
Flying through the door, Sakura dumped her joggers onto the front porch. "Did you manage to get the ingredients for the cake?"
Sitting by her coffee table with heaps of things cramped on it were all the rest of the gang. Looking up from her spot on the couch, Rika replied, "Sort of - I've got a few things, but not all. I've got the dessert food ready though."
Sakura clasped her hands excitedly. "Everything's going to be so great on the night!"
Finally Naoko entered the room as well. Slumping herself against the wall, Naoko closed her eyes wearily, "That was just so tiring . . . "
"But you're getting better!" Sakura smiled encouragedly.
"And because you're out training, you don't have to go shopping - so you should be grateful," Rika smiled. "Lugging back all this food is quite a challenge."
"Well I'm happy with my part in this whole thing," Eroil said cheerfully as he continued to fiddle around with the light he seated on his lap. Rika must have bought it because it was one of those disco ones you would put up for a party. And by the amount of loose parts that were around him, it seemed he was damaging it rather then securing.
"I never knew you liked working with electronics," Tomoyo commented as she glanced up from the sketches she was making.
"I don't. But I like my part because if I do something wrong, you can't blame me since you know just as little." Then nodding his head in Takashi's direction, he added with the same wide grin, "It's entertaining to exchange thoughts with him as we work too."
As if this had been planned, Takashi immediately held up one of the CDs he had in the pile in front of him. "Did you know that this song 'Love is ours', was the original story of a romantic tragedy between two lovers?"
Everyone groaned - except Sakura who found this fascinating and thought it was true. "Hoe! Really?"
Takashi nodded seriously. "The lovers were named Homeo and Duliet - and their famous history together was captured by this song. Because a evil witch had placed a curse of these two people and-"
"Come on Sakura!" Chiharu said hurriedly as she went into the kitchen, "We've got lots of work to do!"
Sakura smiled. "Hai!' Then grabbing her bag off the couch, she went off after Chiharu. But just as she took another step, she suddenly lost her footing and tripped.
"Sakura! You all right?" Tomoyo asked worriedly.
Rubbing her sore behind (politest word I could think of) Sakura nodded slowly. [This is the second time something weird had happened to me - could it be another clow card? I mean, I felt it too - the sense of magic was in the air.]
* * * * *
Next day in a maths lesson . . .
All she could hear was Mirano's outrageous flirting and the hundreds of compliments that were purred to Syaoran. Every time she tried to talk to or greet Syaoran, Mirano would always cut her off and start telling him about something embarrassing that Sakura did in the past.
Slumping down further in her seat, Sakura sighed. Did life have to further upset her by making her study maths today?
"Miss Kinomoto! You expect to just lie there through this whole lesson eh? Not even bothered to get out your books I see."
Sakura flushed. Hurriedly she reached into her bag and took out her textbooks - and with regret - slammed it onto the table in her haste. Instantly the loud sound echoed through the room.
"Any school property that shall be damaged will have to be paid for," Ono sensei continued coldly.
"Hai." Sakura bowed her head, trying to stay cool and stop herself from making further mistakes.
"I expect the student to at least have enough manners to look at me while speaking. Of course, someone as rude and disappointing as you can never fulfill that."
So much for not making further mistakes.
Sakura bit her lip. He loved picking on her - he just loved to single her out of everyone and make her seem like a fool.
"Now I believe you where late for school today - as I heard from my star pupil," he paused as he cast a sickening smile at Mrano. Instantly, Mirano stopped snickering and smiled back angelically. She enlarged her brown eyes and batted her eyelashes a few times to confirm her 'sweet' nature.
Turning back to Sakura, he said, "I don't think this type of behaviour is in any way appropriate, therefore you should see the-"
"I think you have wasted a lot of this lesson's time. Could we just begin with the maths?"
Everyone glanced startled at the person who just spoke - Syaoran. Sakura's eyes widened [What does he think he's doing? He'll never be let off by the sensei after this.] As if reading her thoughts, he suddenly turned his gaze on her.
Ono sensei narrowed his eyes. "Very well - you are right." Then turning to the blackboard, he began to write up some problems.
Making sure that the teacher was not looking, Sakura hissed, "Syaoran! He's going to torture you for the rest of your life!"
He shrugged. "What? And let him continue to scorn you?" He watched her expression turn speechless and just as immediately, she reddened. He wasn't surprised she was totally amazed - he was a bit too. [I just suddenly got the feeling i had to help her - that it is my job to protect her.]
"Arigato," Sakura finally said as she smiled gratefully. They hadn't spoken all yesterday - and suddenly, he was sticking up for her against the meanest teacher.
"Will Mr Li please come here to solve the first problem for the class?"
On the board was written a most complex algebra question - Sakura's eyes immediately swirled as she looked it over. Calmly, Syaoran got out of his seat and walked over to the blackboard. As he approached, Ono sensei handed over a piece of chalk and folded his arms. His (talking about da teacher) mole like face looked even more hideous with the mean smile he had planted on.
After looking over the problem for a few seconds, Syaoran swiftly wrote 34 on the board. "I'm done,' he said calmly as he handed back the chalk.
* * * * *
Walking into her lounge, Sakura gasped. There was a large disco ball attached in the middle of the room and smaller lights around the place. Beside her, Naoko also gasped. "It's so professional!"
"Nice isn't it?' Tomoyo smiled, "Eroil-kun fixed this all up before he had to go to basketball training."
Sakura nodded as she pulled on an apron over her jogging outfit. "Did you get all the ingredients Rika?"
"Is it that hard to see?" Rika joked as she motioned to the pile of food on the dining table.
"Come on Sakura! Help me carry this stuff over so we can sort it out," Chiharu said as she began taking some ingredients over to the kitchen area.
"Hai!"
* * * * *
[Go in. Just knock and go in.] At this thought he unlatched the gate and took a step forward.
[No - stay right here.] Immediately he drew back and closed the gate.
[But something's going on in there - she's keeping something from me.] Sighing, he opened the gate again. [Everyday Eroil would go to her place after school - exactly what's going on? I need to find out - maybe there's a problem--]
Suddenly Syaoran closed his eyes. [I'm sure I just felt something - it's clow power.] Today during lunch, he had seen Sakura fall just while walking on the concrete. [How could a gymnast and a dancer like her just trip like that?]. Not only that, but he had sensed the same power as he did now.
[Well that settles it - I'm going in.]
* * * * *
"Okay Sakura, I'll start with making the chocolate covering."
Sakura nodded. Then reaching for a large bowl, she began reading off the cookbook. "Two eggs . . . "
"Here!" Immediately Rika handed them to her.
Sakura smiled. "Arigato!" Taking one egg in her hand, she tapped it lightly on the side of the bowl, pulled it open, then let the egg yolk slip out. Reaching out for the second egg, she suddenly felt something weird was going on - like the atmosphere around her suddenly tensed up. Sakura paused as she tried to find the source if it with her magic - but the feeling disappeared.
"Eh, is something wrong Sakura?" Chiharu asked slowly.
"Hoe? Oh nothing." Hurriedly Sakura tapped the other egg and went back to her cooking. With both egg yolk in the bowl, Sakura bent down to get an egg beater - then just as she did so, there was the same weird feeling, and a sudden force of power.
Losing her footing, Sakura tripped - her hand collided with the bowl, bringing it down with her and emptying the yolk onto her head.
"HOE!"
"Sakura!"
"What happened?"
"You're covered in egg yolk!"
"Did you know that egg yolk was considered to have healing powers?"
Lifting the bowl off her head, Sakura sat there stumped. She could feel the yolk oozing down her hair and onto the rest of her body. "Yuuuuccck!"
Then to make matters worse, the doorbell suddenly rang.
"Don't worry - I'll get it," Tomoyo assured. But once she looked through the 'hole' (da thingy u look through 2 see who it is) she immediately ran back.
"It's Li-kun!" she hissed.
Sakura paled. "W-why's he here?"
"Dunno. I'll go talk to him," Rika said - but Sakura held her back.
'You can't!" Sakura mouthed, "He's not supposed to know any of you are here."
"So you're going to answer the door?" Chiharu mouthed back.
Wiping as much yolk off her as possible, Sakura nodded. Without waiting for another word, she went over to the door and opened it.
Standing outside was Syaoran - dressed casually in a white shirt and khaki pants. "Hey Sakura, I just wanted - what happened to you?!"
Wiping her gooey, wet hair off her forehead, Sakura faked a laugh. "Hoe? What do you mean? I'm perfectly fine!"
"Fine?" Syaoran dipped his finger into one of the puddles of yolk that were on her apron. Rubbing it between his fingers, he wrinkled his nose. "This is egg." Turning his dark brown eyes on her, he narrowed his eyes. "What's going on?"
"N-nothing," Sakura stammered. "I have egg on me because I heard that it's good for skin - so I tried it out."
Syaoran folded his arms. "Why's it on your clothes then?"
"Hoe! Um, because egg is good for getting rid of stains - so I tried that out too." With that, Sakura began scrubbing her apron and then showed it to him "See? Not one stain in sight - I told you it works."
"Because there never were any stains - just egg yolk."
"Hoe! No-"
"You're hiding something from me Sakura - what is going on?" He took another step closer until he totally towered over her. "Remember that you can't take on the forces by yourself, you need my help."
At his words, Sakura broke into a fit of giggles. "It's not that Syaoran!"
"Then . . . " Syaoran's face paled. [Then does that mean she and Eroil have been . . .]
"Syaoran, I can't tell you right now. But I swear I'm not doing anything risky - what I am doing is something I'm sure you'll like when you find out." Then with the gorgeous smile planted on her face, Sakura began to close the door, "Just make sure you can be here on Saturday night okay."
* * * * *
"Sakura!"
"Hoe!"
CRASH!
Getting up from the door she had fallen on, Sakura groaned. This was absolutely a clow card - over and over, it would make her suddenly trip or slid on perfectly stable grounds.
"Sakura! Are you all right?" Naoko exclaimed.
Holding onto her sore head, Sakura forced a smile. "Yep - that didn't hurt one bit." Then from the corner of her eye, she glimpsed a flash of blue - the card! Sakura bit her lip; there was no way she could capture it with all of them in here.
Reading her expression, Tomoyo came to the rescue. "Wow! We've gotten so much done today - why don't we go home earlier to rest? We have a big day ahead of us!"
Picking up their bags, Rika and Chiharu nodded agreement. "Hope you have a good night then!" they called on their way out.
"Bye!" Naoko added.
"Did you know that saying goodbye was another way of-"
"Come on Takashi - you'd better leave before they decide to chuck you out," Chiharu sighed.
"Thank you so much Tomoyo," Sakura smiled.
"No problem," Tomoyo replied cheerfully, "I know how to handle people and you know how to handle cards."
"They're gone! FINALLY!" Zipping down the stairs, Kero flew into the kitchen and flung himself onto the fridge. "Glorious food . . . ice cream . . . oh how I have missed you!" he cried.
Sakura sweatdropped. "Kero, we need to capture a card now-"
"No! I forgot to bring the costume I just made!" Tomoyo gasped. ("And you think I'm weird . . . " Kero muttered.)
Reaching into her pocket, Sakura grasped the amethyst stone. Some how or the other, it gave her a feeling of security and confidence.
As if it knew that they were waiting for it, the card stopped hiding everywhere and came into clear view. It was rather short with bright red cheeks; it wore huge spotted overalls ("Probably encountered the colour," Kero commented) and had on a clownish hat that covered most of it's plaits. Seeing them, it began giggling and it's eyes became nothing but mere lines (a lot like Takashi).
Sakura brought out her magical key and chanted the spell - soon it became her pink staff. But when her hands reached into her deck of cards, Sakura realised a problem. They were fighting in her lounge - where any damage would cause Eroil's hard work to be wasted. Plus Otusan and Oniichan were to be home any moment . . .
* * * * *
Coco cookie: Was this chapter boring? And not only that but I had to also cut this chapter in half as well - why?
Because (A) It was getting too long. And (B) my schedule is to get one chapter up every weekend - I was a bit behind this time because I had a huge drama competition at school. It went for like aaaggggeeessss.
Yo Jared! It's just way kool talking to u - you always answer da questions I put up in every chapter. So u go 4 Germany eh? Well their goalkeeper is actually one of da best in da world - but he some how totally suxed dat night and gave his powers to the Brazilian goalie. Hope I was able to add more action in this chapter - but it'll mostly be in da next chapter.
Thanx everyone 4 reviewing! You're just too nice ^_^ sniff . . . sniff . . .
Did people hear about da Bali bomb thingy? SCARY! I live just a few minutes away from Sydney Harbour - and my highschool has been getting these bomb scare messages. Could someone really be trying to blow up North Sydney Girls High? AHHH!
I love AVRIL! Yo Canadians out there - you have got one of the koolest singers! Did anyone hear her song Sk8er Boi? Way good!!! I also love Eminem, Blue, Selwyn, Enrique - actually there's too many ^_^ It wasn't until this year's Arias that I knew Australia's got some pretty kool singers as well. Oh, and I love da song 'Round round' by Sugarbabes.