A New Beginning – chapter 10

"Another chance for love?"

Coco cookie: hullo peoplez! Thanx for all ya reviews dat were posted up for da last chap. I have to say, dat the comments were very different – some ranging from Great to Could have been betta. Still, I like all comments as long as they're not flares (u can send them to my email if u wish). I don't mind getting those half nice reviews as they help me decide on what you people like and what I should improve on. So you're welcome to go and post reviews like them too.

KEY:

Braces indicate thoughts while the starry things indicate a new setting in the story.

* * * * *

"Syaoran!"

"Huh?" Glancing around, he immediately wished he hadn't.

Not noticing his strange expression, Sakura just smiled brightly. Then hitting him playfully with her baton, she pouted. "You didn't wait for me! Didn't I tell you yesterday that we should meet together outside the change rooms?"

Clearing his throat uncomfortably, Syaoran tried to tear his eyes away from her. [How can I stay sane if you're wearing all that at eight in the morning?] Fiddling with his soccer clothes, he tried to force away the burning feeling in his cheeks. Sakura's cheerleading clothes were totally tiny – designed to draw the opposition's attention without fail. [And it's working] he thought as he stared at her pink top again, his gaze soon being drawn to her skirt.

Now nudging him with her pompoms, Sakura broke his daydreams. "Aren't you going to apologize Li-kun?" she asked.

"You always use Li when you're angry with me don't you?"

"Hoe! I'm not angry with you – I mean," she said as she folded her arms in a cute way, "Of course I am."

"Wow," he said sarcastically, "I'm so scared."

"You better be!" Sakura giggled. She brought out the color card. "Ever thought about green hair?" she hinted.

"Two can play that game Sakura," he sneered. "Would you like to see your pompoms go up in flames?"

"Well I'll put it out!" she replied as she slapped the water card against his fire card.

"But no matter what you do, you can't beat the tickling monster," Syaoran said in a spooky voice as he waved his hands in front of her.

Hearing monster, Sakura wavered a bit. Then a smile crossed her lips. "Very funny Syaoran," she remarked.

"Don't believe me? He's right here."

"Hoe! Really?" Paling, she glanced around her. Then regaining herself, she faced him with her hands on her hips. "You're not very scary Syaoran."

"Really, he's here."

"W-Where?"

"HERE!"

In an instant he was on her, ticking her ferociously at the waist, making her squeal and twist. "Did you think I forgot that you're very ticklish?" he taunted as a smile crossed his lips.

In between her giggles, she cried, "P-please…Syaoran! Let g-go!"

"This is my revenge for you hitting me with your baton."

Seeing that she was trying to get away, he pinned her down with his legs and continued to run his fingers over her ribs. "Of course…you can always beg."

"Hoe! I-I'm sorry!"

"Louder," he teased. Seeing that she wasn't going to, he immediately sped up his tickling, making her squeal out loud again.

"SORRY!"

* * * * *

"Ohohoho! They're so cute together!" Standing behind the lockers, Tomoyo viewed in on Sakura and Syaoran. Then frowning, she said without turning around, "Eroil?"

"What?" he said sleepily as he rubbed his eyes.

"Don't you think they're cute?" she squealed again.

"Yah…"

"Oh come on! Haven't you been up at this time before?"

"Yeah…"

Turning around, Tomoyo placed a sympathetic hand on his shoulder. "I know, yesterday's athletics was tiring – but we all went through it okay."

"No it's not that," he sighed as he took off his glasses and began to wipe them, "I just realized how much I hate having to go through another lifetime of school. I mean, being that I'm now like 900 years old, aren't I ever old enough to retire from these things?"

* * * * *

Sweat dropping, Chiharu patted Sakura sympathetically. "You're still a bit sick aren't you?" They were practicing their cheers for the match that should be starting soon - some occasionally stopping to go and flirt with the soccer players.

~FLASHBACK~

"I thought Li-kun is the only guy for you," Naoko began.

"Oh he is - but you must admit those guys are hot." Wrapping a strand of hair around her finger, Mirano smiled. "Well a girl can't resist temptation you know." She stopped again to wave at another guy that was looking in their direction.

"But they're the enemy team," Sakura said puzzled. Still she didn't really mind what Mirano was doing - it kept the guys away from her and spending less time with Syaoran was the best thing possible.

"So? They may be our enemies but they're reaaaaaally cute guys."

~FLASHBACK ENDS~

Putting down the pompoms, Sakura sniffed. "Hoe...a bit." She felt herself go red seeing that all the cheerleaders had stopped to listen to her blow her nose. Well it wasn't her fault - all that rain from yesterday had made her catch a slight cold. Despite the sun's warm rays, she shivered tremendously.

"Do you want to sit down for a moment?" Rasha (if ya dunno who she is, refer to some old chaps) said kindly. "You'll never get better if you're like this."

"In other words," Mirano sneered, "you're useless to the team if you're sick."

Too tired to answer back, Sakura trudged to the nearby benches that were by the soccer field. There the roof would provide shelter and she could watch the guys train. On the way, she grabbed her jacket and continued to dab at her nose.

Skimming the field, she saw Syaoran walking in her direction. Her heart leaped and a smile lit up her face. [Is he coming to see me?] she thought giddily. Then raising her hand up high, she waved cheerfully.

* * * * *

With his brown eyes locked with her green ones, he saw how cheerfully she waved to him. Seeing her so happy and cute on the sidelines made him want to run to her and smile back. He frowned. [What is wrong with me? She's not feeling well so all you thought you should do is go up and offer her your sport jacket incase she needed it. That's all] No one ever made him feel like this and he never should - he was strong and untouchable, no one could trigger his emotions.

Except for her, he realized puzzled.

As he walked along, he suddenly felt someone's hand on his shoulder.

"Care for a match Li?"

Turning around with a look as challenging as Asumi's, Syaoran stared into his hard blue eyes. "You'll do anything to make sure I don't go near Sakura don't you?" he said quietly so that it was only loud enough for Asumi to hear.

A grin - not kind nor insulting - crossed Asumi's face. "I prefer not to answer that," he answered casually. "But...are you too chicken to accept my offer?" He shook his head, taunting Syaoran. "Actually, wise choice - it is quite embarrassing for you to have your butt kicked in front of Sakura isn't it?"

Not buying the insults, Syaoran shrugged. Who cares if Asumi continued to believe he was a bad player? At least he plays the sport for the spirit - not just for getting praise and wins.

"It's okay Li, all new players are too scared to take on challenges," Asumi continued wickedly. "But for someone like you...well you're much worse." He spoke so quietly that Syaoran had to strain to hear. [It's all so that Sakura still thinks he's such a nice, sweet guy] Syaoran thought angrily. Still the only evidence of him being annoyed was his clenched fists - he could keep this under control.

"And the only reason why you got a place on the team is because Sakura coaxed the coach for you."

[That's it] Syaoran faced Asumi's gaze full on with his. "The game starts now," he hissed. Then grabbing onto the ball, he led the way onto the center of the field. His ribs still hurt from yesterday (just like how Sakura still had her cold) and he knew that he should be saving his energy for the real match that should be starting soon. [But I don't turn down a challenge - and this guys needs to learn how to shut up]

Together, they stood facing each other while another soccer player began going through the rules briefly.

"Okay," he finished, "you may start when ever you're ready."

"Wait a sec," Asumi said as he held up hand. Then turning in Sakura's direction, he winked at her and bowed as if doing this in her honour. Not expecting this, Sakura squeaked.

Syaoran frowned as his and Asumi's face were right opposite each other again. "Flirt," he muttered under his breath.

"Ready? GO!"

Once the command was yelled out, both players dove for the ball. Asumi managed to get to it first. Instantly he wove it expertly - showing off a bit more then he needed to - and ran easily toward the goal he should be aiming into. [This is way easy] he thought as a smile formed on his face.

Then as if he had spoken to soon, the ball he had under control was suddenly pushed away from him with lightning speed. Now with the ball in his command, Syaoran zipped back the other way.

Hearing Asumi's infuriated cry, Syaoran snickered. He was so close to his goalposts now - and with Asumi unable to stop him, scoring a goal was just too easy. With the ball still winding around his nimble legs, he glanced sideways to see exactly how far Asumi was.

Syaoran's eyebrows raised; he had gotten a lot closer then he had expected - Asumi was just a metre behind him. Turning back to look straight forward, Syaoran realized that this was the perfect time to kick the ball in. He sped up his pace, concentrating and focusing his energy into the last move.

Then just as he moved his leg back, the pain struck. Asumi had perpously knocked him in the side, his arm ramming into his ribs and making Syaoran gasp with shock.

"Foul!" Sakura yelled angrily as she bounced right off her seat.

Syaoran fell to the ground clutching his chest. From the corner of his eye, he saw Asumi snatch the ball back with a shocked expression. [Either he doesn't know that my ribs are already damaged - which is why they hurt so much. Or he's just pretending for Sakura that this is an accident.] Trying to get off the ground, Syaoran gritted his teeth to hold back the pain. [Bastard]

"You alright?" Asumi asked, his voice fake with kindness.

"No," Syaoran replied icily.

"Do you want to go and rest-"

"I continue my matches." In a flash, Syaoran kicked the ball out of Asumi's reach. Then catching it easily, he swerved to the right of Asumi, just dipping over the wall and curling the ball neatly into the corner.

* * * * *

"Syaoran! Wait!"

He was just in the middle of going to the showers when she stopped him. As she approached, he awkwardly smelt his shirt just to see if he stank. Finding out he didn't, he breathed a sigh of relief. The soccer match with Asumi hadn't tired him - but it had left his ribs throbbing through the whole match with Shadiu High.

Practically standing on him, Sakura gushed, "You were great Syaoran! You're the best player on the whole team!"

Clearing his throat uncomfortably, Syaoran turned away to hide his blush. "Eh, thanks." Compliments always left him nervous and embarrassed - especially ones that came from her. He didn't know why, but Sakura's thoughts were so...different.

"Oh come on! Can't you notice your great skills for once?" Sakura teased. Then seeing that there was no reply, she poked him in the ribs.

"Ow!" Syaoran yelled as he placed a hand protectively over his injury. "Watch it Sakura!"

"Hoe! I'm so sorry!" Then placing one of her hands gently over his, she moved it aside to see his wound.

"If you're going to hurt me I'll kill you," Syaoran warned.

A hurt expression formed on Sakura's face. "Hoe! I wouldn't do that-"

"Just joking," he sighed. [Note to one self - she can't take jokes unless the meaning's very obvious] "Hey! What are you doing?"

Turning red, Sakura hurriedly put his shirt back down. [Hoe! Why am I feeling embarrassed? I just want to check if his wound] "You didn't do anything to help this heal," Sakura said, regaining herself. "And," she added quickly," I didn't do that just to see your body." Hearing those words, Sakura turned pink. [Hoe! That's sounds even worse now!]

Seeing her, Syaoran chuckled. "So doc, what do you think I should do with my injury?"

"Hoe...I don't really know (Syaoran sweat dropped) Have you been to a doctor?"

He shrugged. "I've been waiting for this to heal by itself."

"So you didn't did you?"

"Yeah."

Sakura sighed. "How do you ever expect for yourself to get better then?"

"You sound like my sisters."

"Hoe! I was talking about-"

"Yes I know. I told you already - I wait for it to heal by itself."

"But you need to do something about it Syaoran." Placing a finger on her chin in a thoughtful way, Sakura said," I think you should have it bandaged tightly to prevent any more damages."

"What's with the formal words and the sudden wisdom?" Syaoran asked as he raised his eyebrows.

"Hoe! Stop making fun of me!"

An amused smile crossed his lips. "Fine then-"

"Apologize," Sakura said sweetly as she leaned closer toward him.

He sighed. "Fine, sorry. Now about your theory - HEY!"

Tugging him toward the exit of the field, Sakura smiled happily. "Come on! Let's go to your place so that I can help bandage you up."

"You make me sound like some toy," he grumbled.

Sakura giggled. "Exactly! A fuzzy, warm teddy bear - that's you." Then quickening her pace, she gushed, "Now let's go!"

"I didn't say you could go to my place yet," Syaoran began. He tried his best to run sideways as looking forward meant staring right at her flying skirt. Even thinking about it made him redden.

"Hoe! Please?"

"Well I guess so - I need to start packing for camp too."

Staring back at him with wide green eyes, Sakura asked, "You haven't started packing? Camp's going to be on in just 2 more days!"

He sighed. "What? You've known about this whole thing for weeks while I only found out yesterday - in other words Friday."

"I guess you're right then - well first I'll bandage you up and then I'll help you pack." A cute smile formed on her face. "Does teddy need any bear hugs?"

Turning red, he chose to ignore the question. "Oh and Sakura?"

"Hm?"

"Would you mind changing once we get to my place? Your clothes are a bit...intoxicating."

* * * * *

Coco cookie: Hullo! There's a lot of S+S in this chap - they're not together yet but it's proof of da fact dat their feelings r blossoming. Not just as close friends - but even more ^^ Cause did u people realize dat sometimes, although u didn't expect it, dat u can suddenly b all friendly and flirty?

It's just da real feelings at work!

Now it's da weekly time for my complaining to u nice people who bother to listen. Let's see..oh yes! Went swimming 3 times this week and I'm now like an over-cooked muffin except wit decorative circles around my eyes. Oh well, it's worth it. I've now passed da swimming/life saving test although I drank like 4 litres of pool water - EURGH!

Eva tried swimming with clothes on? God dat is sooooooooooooooooooo tiring - and luckily we only had ta do 50metres of it unlike da other group who did 200m.