Disclaimer: Clamp owns Cardcaptor Sakura, I don't. I am not making money out of this or using it for any illegal purposes. Etc, etc. ^_^

Dance With Me

Part 1

Near the end of the day during Sakura Kinomoto's seventh period class, the Seijyu High School speakers suddenly crackled alive. The merry afternoon chatter gradually died down as the students strained to hear the unexpected announcement. "Seijyu High's Annual Valentine's Day Dance will be held this Friday in the gym. Take advantage of  the perfect chance to tell your special someone how much you care!" That was all it took for the talk to start up again. No one payed much attention to the rest of it: the cost per couple, the heart-shaped cookies would be sold, or the appearance of a new DJ. In fact, Sakura didn't pay much attention to any part of the announcement. While everyone else was bursting excitedly over the news, she was busy scrutinizing her algebra book and scribbling furiously.

"Sakura! Did you hear that?" said her best friend Tomoyo Daidouji, tapping her back with a pencil.

Sakura swiveled around in her desk. "Wha-? Hear what?"

"They just announced the Valentine's dance!" she laughed. "You really should pay more attention. What do you think, are you gonna go with anyone?"

"Oh, I don't know. I'm not even sure if I should go at all."

Tomoyo was appalled. "Why not?? You have to go, Sakura! Then I can design a brand new Valentine-themed outfit for you! Oh, you'll look so beautiful!..." A starry look sparkled in her eyes as she clasped her hands together dramatically. Then, the starriness turned into a mischevious twinkle. "Besides, I think I know someone who would looove to go with you!"

"Whaat??" said Sakura, giving her friend a strange look. "Who are you talking about?"

"Oh, just someone," she giggled. "But he's so shy, you'll probably have to ask him first!"

Knowing she wouldn't get an answer, a puzzled Sakura turned back to her math. "I'll never figure out all these stupid formulas by the time we have the test!" she wailed, twisting a lock of reddish-brown hair in frustration. "Tomoyo, I need help!"

"Calm down, of course you'll figure them out," soothed the dark-haired girl behind her. "You've gotten much better at math lately. Here, which problem do you need help with?"

Sakura pointed hopelessly into the book on her desk. "Number thirty-five."

Before Tomoyo could move to help her, a voice spoke up, "This is how you do it."

Sakura jumped. A glasses-clad boy with black hair appeared directly in front of her, pencil in hand. Immediately, he bent down over her desk and started to work on the problem.

"Eriol!" she said in surprise. "You didn't have to come all the way over here!" Eriol sat all the way across the room from her.

"It's fine," he smiled. "I don't mind a bit, if it's to help you."

She reddened a little as she watched him continue writing out the problem, carefully explaining each step. Eriol was always so nice, but she didn't understand why. Even though he had been in her classes since fifth grade, she still didn't really know that much about him. That boy just had a mysterious air hovering over him sometimes...

"Thanks!" exclaimed Sakura as he finished explaining the problem. "I really get it now!"

"Eriol's so good at math," said Tomoyo, looking at him. He grinned modestly.

The bell rang. Chairs scraped back, schoolwork was forgotten, and a general feeling of relief and laughter filled the air. It was the end of a long Monday, and school was finally out for the day! Quickly, Sakura gathered up her papers and shoved them into her backpack. She couldn't hide the dreaded math problems away forever, but she could take a break from it for now. Syaoran was waiting for her. Just like he did every day since they had started walking home together at the beginning of high school, when he moved to a house near hers. It was just more convenient to talk that way, since they weren't in many of the same classes this year.

As she shouldered her backpack and started out the door, she felt a hand catch her arm. "Wait," said Eriol. "There's something I need to ask you."

The girl blinked in surprise and turned to face him. "What is it?"

He glanced down nervously for a moment, then focused his intense gaze on her innocently inquiring face.

"Will you go to the Valentine's Dance with me, Sakura?"

A sudden loud crash jolted them both. The stack of books Tomoyo had been holding were scattered all over the floor.

"I-I'm sorry, I'm so clumsy," she stammered, kneeling down to pick them all up. "I'll see you later, Sakura. Bye."

"Tomoyo! Wait!" Sakura called after her friend, but she was already out the door. That was strange. The graceful, poised Tomoyo she knew never dropped anything, and certainly wasn't clumsy. Suddenly, her mind flew back to the issue at hand. Eriol.

He was studying her face, still waiting for an answer.

"The dance? Ah...I...I'm not sure...well...I...because...ah..." She blushed at the incoherent words coming from her mouth. He had asked her so politely.

"I'll understand if you don't want to," he said quickly. She noticed that his hand was still holding her arm.

"I...I don't really know how to dance," Sakura faltered, still not fully recovered from his sudden request. Her mind raced. Dance...with Eriol? She couldn't just say no, that would be way too mean.

Eriol stepped forward, staring into her big green eyes, forcing her to look back. His enigmatic smile was drawing her in. "I can show you how," he whispered.

"Okay..." she said hesitantly.

Brightening, he released her arm. "All right then. Talk to you tomorrow, Sakura." He happily flashed another smile on her and strolled out the door.

Slowly, Sakura let her breath out, her heart thudding wildly. What was that all about? He was a good friend, she thought as she started toward the door. That had to be the reason why he asked her. Right? Gripping her books tightly, she shuffled out of the classroom.

Her feet came to an abrupt stop.

Syaoran and Eriol were standing in the hallway, facing each other. Daggers shot from one pair of eyes to the other. Eriol's smile glinted dangerously. Syaoran's fists were clenched with anger.

"Syaoran!" He turned at the sound of Sakura's voice, breaking his concentrated glare.

Eriol started, but he recovered immediately. "I'll be going now. Please feel free to call me, Sakura." Aiming a smug look at Syaoran over his shoulder, he left the two alone.

They didn't say a word to each other as they walked out of Seijyu. People walking around them buzzed and chattered noisily, making their silence feel even worse. Sakura stole a glance at Syaoran. He was staring grimly at the cracks in the sidewalk, his hands in buried his pockets.

"Syaoran, Eriol asked me to the V-" she began.

"I know. I heard you."

"Oh," she said. "Well I...are you...don't be mad, Syaoran!"

Finally, he looked up. The wind ruffled Sakura's hair, making it dance gently across her anxious face. He blushed and looked away quickly. "Why would I be mad?" he breathed. "I'm not mad."

"I know you don't really get along well with Eriol, but he's been really nice to me. I couldn't just reject him," she said.

"It's okay, forget about it," he muttered.

There was another awkward period of silence, with both of them staring off into different directions. Suddenly, Sakura bursted out, "Will you go to the dance too?"

"Huh??" Syaoran's head flew up, a trace of red tinging his cheeks.

"It'll feel so weird to just dance with Eriol all night," she confessed. "Besides, I really don't know how to dance at all. If my best friends came too, maybe it wouldn't so embarrassing." She smiled at him, and he blushed.

"Hey, I know! You and Tomoyo can go together!" she said.

"What??" he exclaimed, shocked. "No way!"

"Oh please, Syaoran! Then we can all be there together! Please!" she pleaded.

"No!! She probably wouldn't agree, anyway!"

~*****~

"Be your date for the Valentine's dance?" said Tomoyo. This was weird. She knew Syaoran would rather be going with someone else. But then, she realized that the someone else was already taken.

Syaoran nodded silently, his face burning. For Sakura, it's for Sakura, he repeated over and over in his mind. 

She thought for a moment, then smiled at him.

"Okay."

*****

Uh oh...doesn't look so good for Syaoran and Tomoyo! Don't worry, its gonna be S/S and E/T soon...hopefully...^_^' So tell me if you like it so far! Review review review!!! The more reviews, the faster comes the next chapter!! And be nice! Or be mean, if you insist...hahah! _