Chapter 8. Here's the next chapter! I tried to work my butt off so I could update a lot sooner to make up for what happened with chapter 7! Once again I'm really sorry! Thank you to everyone who has reviewed! I love you all, and please continue to review! Hope ya enjoy!

" " Talking ' ' Thoughts *~*New scene

On with the story.

Her fingers timidly found their way across the fold, and she pulled the sheet open. She gasped and her eyes widened in shock.

'I warned you.'

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Hey!" Naoko greeted Sakura as she stumbled into the car, "How was school?" Sakura gave her a weak smile and shrugged her shoulders. "Fine," She mumbled and sank back into the seat. Naoko glanced worriedly over at her, "You sure everything's ok?" Sakura nodded and gave another fake smile, "Yea, just another tiring day at school." Naoko nodded and smiled back, however still unconvinced.

When she pulled into the parking lot, Sakura quickly mumbled "thanx," before sliding out, grabbing her bag and slouching to the door. She plastered a fake smile on her face before opening the door and greeting everyone inside. "Hey!" Tomoyo called out and waved her over. Sakura smiled and walked over to the group. "How's your arm?" Rita inquired. Sakura smiled and patted it gently, "Great! I can barley feel it anymore!" She turned to give Tomoyo a reassuring smile, "I'm gonna head upstairs and get a start on my homework! I'll see you guys at dinner!" Tomoyo nodded and picked up a magazine. She had a gut feeling that there was something Sakura wasn't telling her.

Sakura quickly ran up the stairs, her backpack banging against her with every step. She slowed down as she reached the last steps, and turned right, heading towards her bedroom.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Syaoran sighed, stepping back inside, and sliding the door shut. He might as well go downstairs before Mei Lin comes looking for him. He had spent the whole day in isolation trying to gather his thoughts. Since he had arrived they had only had two major run-ins with the Bloods, and it worried him that the other gang seemed to be taking no extra interest in them. He thought they had killed Jason (Refer to Ch. 5 + 6) off as an attempt to get him in Tokyo, but so far they hadn't made a move. He furrowed his brow in frustration, not only were they not going after him, but someone was after Sakura. "What did she do?" Syaoran shook his head and opened his bedroom door.

He stepped out into the hall and immediately caught sight of her. Something was wrong, he could tell. A sour expression caught her normally cheerful lips, and her eyes seemed lost and confused. She didn't seem to notice him, but continued to slowly drift down the hall. "How's your arm?" he asked softly as she approached. Sakura was jolted out of her thoughts and stared at him for a second before reality came back to her. "Fine," she mumbled, dropping her gaze to the floor. He nodded and looked her over carefully. She looked so fragile and lost. Something was defiantly wrong. "Sakura." he started slowly, then changed his mind, "Do you know why there's people after you?" She quickly glanced up at him and shook her head. Her eyes started to slowly wander down to his lips. Sakura absently ran her tongue over her own and felt her cheeks slightly colour.

He sighed, running a hand through his messy hair, and his eyes caught hold of a piece of paper scrunched in her hand. "What's that?" he asked, nodding in the direction. Sakura's eyes widened, and she quickly stuffed the paper behind her back. "Nothing." His eyes narrowed, "If it was nothing, you would have no problem showing me." Sakura narrowed her eyes in return, "It's none of your God damn business Li," she spat out icily. Syaoran immediately took hold of her wrist, "Don't lie to me." Sakura tried to pull back, but he tightened his grip. "Let go of me!" she screamed, and beat her free hand against his chest. Syaoran didn't respond, but kept a firm grip on her.

She raised her face to glare at him, and he noticed the tears welling up in her eyes. Surprised, he quickly let his grip slip and took a step back. He hadn't meant to hurt her. Sakura spun and in an instant had slammed her bedroom door in his face.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Tomoyo heard the screaming from the living room below and quickly stood up, "What the hell is going on?" She started for the stairs, but Jess quickly grabbed her wrist. "Don't. It will pass over soon.He'd never hurt her." Tomoyo nodded and sank back down. If Syaoran laid one finger on Sakura, she'd personally see to his death.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Sakura slammed the door, and dropped her bag. She crumpled the note in her fist and threw it at the wall. 'Why does he have to be so difficult?' She sank down onto her bed, and switched on her stereo before wiping away her tears.

I hate everything about you

Why do I love you?

You hate everything about me

Why do you love me?

' Great' Sakura thought, as she pulled a pillow to her chest, 'Even the music is against me!'

*~*~*~*~*~*~* Syaoran stood in shock in the hallway. This had never happened to him before. He had never frozen, not knowing what to do. He heard music blare from Sakura's room and cringed at the lyrics. 'No.' he shook his head and took a deep breath. She was impossible. He could never love her. Making up his mind, Syaoran stormed up to the door, throwing it opened without knocking. Sakura looked up at him in shock, but quickly recovered and glared at him.

"Get out!" she hissed. Syaoran shut the door behind him and made his way over to her. "Turn off the music." She continued to glare at him. "NOW!" Sakura jumped at his sudden outburst, and quickly obeyed. "What?" she asked, her face flushed in anger. "Where is it?" Syaoran questioned. Sakura just stared at him, "Where's what?" "You know what I mean!" he replied angrily. Sakura's gaze momentarily slipped to the paper on the floor, and Syaoran quickly turned around.

She scrambled up, trying to push past him, and reach it first. How could she be so stupid to just leave it out in the open? Sakura lunged for it, but instantly felt his strong arms surround her. It was just like the night she had tried to run away. He quickly swung her up, dropping her on the bed, and leaving her powerless against him. She closed her eyes in despair and bit down hard on her lip as he bent over to get the note. She heard him open it, but kept her eyes tightly shut. There was a long silent pause, before she heard him speak again.

"Sakura.who wrote this?" She was surprised, his voice came out soft and calm, not at all demanding and forcefully like a moment again. She slowly opened her eyes and looked up at him, "I.I don't know." He nodded in understanding and glanced over the note again. "Where did you find it?" "In my locker." she muttered. Another uncomfortable silence settled across the room. "Where are the others?"

Sakura looked up at him sharply, "What others?" The anger began to return to his face, "Sakura don't lie to me! I know this can't be the first one!" Sakura looked down, her glare boring a hole through her sheets, "It's not your problem. Don't get involved!" "Like hell it's not my problem!" Syaoran now yelled at her, "Your part of our gang, your problems are our problem!" He stopped when he noticed Sakura shaking, silent tears pouring down her face. He sighed and walked over, sitting down beside her, "Sakura I'm sorry.I didn't mean to yell." Sakura shook her head, but didn't look up.

"No." she whispered, "I just don't want this. Any of this." She looked up at him, and Syaoran felt a sharp jab seeing the pain in her eyes, "I'm not cut out for this life style! I mean this is a gang for Christ's Sake! People die.people are murdered.people." he last words were cut off as Syaoran quickly lowered his head to hers. She felt his warm lips brush against her own and her eyes widened in shock. She tensed, for a moment, before willing herself to be taken, and sinking into the kiss. Her lips responded to his and he slowly deepened the kiss. Sakura's mind raced with a million questions, 'What is he doing? What am I doing? What the hell is .' He slowly broke the kiss and pulled back, wiping away a tear from her soft face. "You don't have to do this alone Ying Fa," he simply said before getting up and leaving her dazed and confused on her bed.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Mei Lin furrowed her brow and crossed her arms below her chest. "Wait. Can you run through that one more time?" Syaoran gave her an impatient glare and Eriol tried to stifle a laugh. Mei Lin glared at them both and shook her head, "Ok, so basically, someone is following Sakura? They don't want her to become a wolf for some unknown reason? And now they're leaving her threatening notes?" "Good enough, " Jess said, slipping an arm around Mei Lin's shoulder. She beamed proudly and looked up at Syaoran to continue.

He shook his head in disgust and started again, "We have no clue who is following her, although are best bet is the Bloods." "But we don't know why!" Mei Lin cut in. Syaoran shot her another glare and she smiled sheepishly. "Why don't we get some of are own men to follow her?" Todd spoke up. Syaoran nodded, and shot Mei Lin another warning glare before continuing, "Yea, I was getting to that. We need to keep a close eye on her at all times. But just following her around is still risky."

Eriol pondered for a second, "We could always take her out of school, but that may draw some unwanted attention. Suppose someone called her father? We can't risk anyone finding out she's part of are gang." Syaoran nodded and ran a hand through his hair. "Someone must know if they're doing this to her?" Kado added his input, "and for some reason they really don't want her in." "What about her father?" Takashi blurted out. Syaoran closed his eyes in concentration, "No. It couldn't be him. If he wanted her back, he'd have called the police or something. He's probably still too drunk off his ass to even notice she's gone."

Mei Lin rolled her eyes at the group, "Oh you guys are impossible! You need a woman's brains to solve this! Why not just enroll me in school with her? I can keep a close eye on her until vacation." Syaoran gave her a small smile and nodded, "That could work.but it would take a couple days to get you registered." "Of course it will work! It's my plan after all!" Mei Lin announced. She stood up, flipped her hair and made her dramatic exit. Syaoran just shook his head. He still couldn't believe they were related.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Tomoyo looked up at Eriol pleadingly, "Please! Please! Please!" Eriol sighed and shook his head. "No Tomoyo, Mei Lin has to do this alone. If you were to all sign up at once, don't you think someone would take notice?" Tomoyo just pouted and crossed her arms, "It's so unfair! Mei Lin gets to have all the fun!" "Damn right!" Mei Lin cheered from across the room, earning a glare from Tomoyo. "How did I ever fall for you?" Jess laughed at her energetic state. Mei Lin just stuck out her tongue and continued to dance around the room, "I'm so excited! I get to do high school all over again!"

"What's going on?" Sakura asked as she walked down the stairs. Mei Lin paused for a second, before running over and giving her a big hug. "I get to go to school with you!" Sakura looked surprised but laughed and hugged her back. "It's going to be so awesome!" Mei Lin continued, now twirling Sakura around with her, "We can have all the same classes, and eat lunch together and have all the same."

"Homework?" Tomoyo finished for her. Mei Lin stopped and her face fell, "Shit! I forgot about the work!" Tomoyo smiled triumphantly, "I guess I don't feel as bad about not going now!" Mei Lin rolled her eyes, "I'll just pay someone off!" "Like hell you will!" Syaoran said entering the room, "If you want to do this mission, your going to do it properly." Mei Lin sighed and plunked down on the couch. "Fine, fine! But things better start to get more interesting around here! I'm dying of boredom!"

Sakura laughed, and sat down beside Mei Lin. She looked up to see Syaoran watching her intently, and quickly dropped her gaze, "So um.why are you coming to my school anyways?"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Syaoran closed his eyes in concentration, and slowly, yet gracefully moved around the training room. He held his sword up, taking a fighting stance and calmly breathed in. It was a way to relax, to relieve all the stress from pervious days. He had started the art when very little, and had not yet been willing to give it up. He stepped around the room in slow motions, twirling his sword and slowly thrusting it into the air. 'Concentrate!' his mind demanded, but he was failing miserably.

He had kept himself busy all yesterday, staying around everyone as much as possible, burying himself in his work. Now everyone had gone their separate ways, Sakura in her room studying, after another hard day at school, Mei Lin and Jess off doing God knows what, Eriol treating Tomoyo to a romantic dinner. He sighed, the others were off in their own privacy as well and now he was all alone to his thoughts. He hadn't slept the previous night, and he wasn't sure if he would be able to again tonight. He just couldn't get her off his mind. 'Why the hell did I kiss her?'

The question raced over and over in his mind. 'Two times now.' Syaoran sighed. This wasn't like him. He never lost his head. He thought each action out perfectly before he did it. What the hell was she doing to him? Syaoran stood up and wiped the sweat of his brow. He had to get her out of his mind. After all, she was just another girl.just another helpless pathetic girl.

Shaking his head, he closed his eyes once again in deep concentration. He stayed still in his stance for numerous minutes, before thrusting forward without warning and taking his rage out on the air. In a series of quick swipes and jabs he moved across the room in a graceful dance, fighting off the invisible enemy.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Sakura walked through the hallways carrying a glass of cool lemonade. She needed to talk to Syaoran. They had been avoiding each other since last night, and it was driving her subconscious insane. Hesitantly, she stood by the training room doors and cleared her throat. 'Ok Sakura. You can do this. No biggy!' She knocked on the door and waited a couple minutes for an answer, but none came. Slowly, Sakura turned the knob and stepped into the room.

She saw Syaoran moving around in a series of complex moves, and her mouth dropped in awe. She watched as he danced around, showing off his great skill and concentration. Her eyes dropped to his shirtless body, and a small blush crept across her face. "Um.Syaoran?" she called out. He didn't answer her, but continued to move around. "Syaoran!" she called louder, and sighed in exasperation when he didn't answer.

Sakura took a step onto the mat and called even louder, "Syaoran! I need to talk to you!" Her annoyance grew, as he still seemed not to take notice of her. That was when Sakura realized he was getting closer. She starred at him, her feet unwilling to move, as his body crossed the room towards her. Her hand gripped the class tighter. 'He knows you're here! He's just playing with you!' she tried to reassure herself, but her doubt quickly grew. She commanded her feet to move, but she felt glued to the spot. Terror over took her as he drew even closer. 'This is not the way to go!' her mind screamed, but her body wouldn't react.

Twirling around in a skilled motion, Syaoran brought his sword swinging roughly, thrusting it out, and stopping the blade mere inches from Sakura's face. She tired to scream, but her voice refused her call. She starred at the blade hovering before her with wide eyes, unable to move or even give the slightest squeak. After what seemed like hours a smile appeared on Syaoran's face, and he opened his eyes. Dropping his sword to his side he cocked his head and stared at her with an amused look. It took Sakura seconds to recover before she quickly threw her arm up, soaking him in the lemonade. Syaoran stared at her in disbelief, "You came all the way over here just to throw lemonade at me?" Sakura glared at him and regained her posture, "No, if you must know, I needed to talk to you, and thought you might like a refreshing drink!" Syaoran smirked, "Thanx, I was hot, but I feel better now." Sakura just shook her head and sighed in annoyance. "Look Syaoran, I just thought we could talk! I'm sick of fighting with you constantly! Can't we just be friends?" She didn't mention the kiss, she couldn't. Hopefully they would both just forget it ever happened.

Syaoran looked at her with considerate eyes for a second before sighing in agreement. "I'm willing if you are Kinomoto," he simply stated. Sakura beamed, obviously please with how her proposal went. She reached over grabbing a towel, and tossed it to him. "Of course," he said, drying himself off, "You can't expect the fighting to stop completely." Sakura gave him a mischievous grin, "I'd never dream of it!"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"No! Put your foot over there! I said shoulder width apart, not as far as you can go!" Syaoran sighed in exasperation as Sakura clumsily tried to take a stance with the distinctly way-to-heavy-for-her sword. He wasn't sure how, but after their peace agreement, she had somehow managed to talk him into teaching her some basic sword moves. "I'm trying!" Sakura wined, as she lost her balance and fell over. "This is a lot harder than shooting a gun!" Syaoran sighed again, and went to help her up.

"You just have to concentrate. Don't let anything distract you. Focus completely on the stance." Sakura nodded, and tried to strike the stance once more. She closed her eyes, biting her lip in concentration, and tried to stop wobbling. Syaoran let a small smile spread across his lips. She looked so adorable concentrating so hard. He quickly shook the thoughts out of his head. This was only Sakura after all. "Is this good?" Sakura called out, shaking a little, but doing her best to remain steady.

"Umm.errmmm. It's getting there." Syaoran stated. He strode over to her and tried to stifle a laugh. Sakura opened her eyes and glare at him, "Shut up! You've had years of practice! This is my first time!" Syaoran nodded, and moved closer to help her, "See you want to have your body angled in more of this direction," he moved one arm gently around her waist, the other guiding her arm, as he slowly shifted her body. Sakura blushed slightly at his touch before a sudden realization overcame her. "Ekk! Syaoran!" she yelled, pushing him back, "You're still all sticky from the lemonade."

Syaoran laughed and raised an eyebrow at her, "And whose fault is that?" Sakura blushed and looked away, "Fine, fine, I admit it! Just don't get me all sticky!" Syaoran licked his lips, "Is that a challenge?" "No!" came Sakura's startled surprise. She slowly began to back away, as he took a step forward. "Syaoran, I'm warning you!" she said, raising the heavy sword up in front of her.

"Is that so." he simply stated. Sakura nodded impishly and backed up further. With a quick motion he disarmed her, leaving her still backing up with out a weapon. "So.what would happen if I did something.say like this?" Sakura gasped as Syaoran grabbed her arm, twirled her around, and pulled her into a big bear hug. "NO!" she shrieked, and burst out laughing. "You're all sticky! Please! Syaoran." she didn't finish her sentence, and burst out laughing as he lifted her kicking feet off the ground. If Sakura had been facing him, she would have noticed the rare grin spreading across Syaoran's face.

She burst out into another fit of giggles as he began to tickle her senseless, "Syaoran.(gasp).please.(gasp).my sides!" But whatever pleas escaped her lips Syaoran remained unheeding. "Well well, it seems as though you two are having quite a good time!" Eriol laughed from the doorway. Sakura and Syaoran froze in shock, before Syaoran quickly released Sakura and they pushed apart. Eriol just laughed viewing the stunned, and now both sticky, Sakura and Syaoran gape at him in surprise.

Author's Notes: So finally done Chapter 8! I know I said there would be more action but umm.it's coming up I promise! I have my exams coming up, but I'll still try to update as quickly as possible! I hope you guys all enjoyed this chapter! Amanda Panda you got your wish ne? Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, and please continue to do so!!!

Ja ne! ~Fallen Angel