A/N: I have a feeling I'm missing something up here in the author's note. Oh well...

Chapter 2: The Rules

Syaoran Li has moved to Tomoeda several years before his freshman year in high school due to winning the last 'game' he played with his mother. Their relationship is a strange one. It has never been a mother-to-son relationship, but they still loved each other. Now, his mother has appeared in Japan and offered Syaoran another chance to win one more 'game'.
--

"Alright, let's say, I do go through with this. What will I get?"

"Is the prize all you care about, Syaoran?"

"Yes."

"I see."

"..."

"Well? What is it, mother?"

"I believe this time I will reveal what you are playing for when you're finished, when I think you're finished."

"What!? You expect me to trust you?"

"Yes."

Li wavered then smirked. Surprises can be awfully fun. This could be the last time he will have fun and he might as well make the most of it.

"On one condition, you go back to Hong Kong. I don't want you breathing over my shoulders. I'll win for sure. Also, never ever come unannounced again."

An independent young man, Li felt he didn't need his mother. He has learned to do everything himself and he wanted to be free from his family.
----

"Hi!"

"Good morning!"

"Are you ready for your second day of school, Sakura?"

Tomoyo has known Sakura since time immemorial. The two has always been seen together. They were the best of friends. They complement each other well. Whereas Sakura is cheery and lively, Tomoyo is calm and sedate. Sakura was dense as a kid, but now in her freshman year, she has learned to notice things. Things like boys giving her 'the looks'. It frustrated her because she wasn't interested. As for Tomoyo, who believed that Sakura could use a boyfriend, she has thrown every guy at Sakura's feet.

"Yup! I have a easy day. Chemistry, History, Computer Science, and PE. I know I'll have fun today!"

Today, the two friends have decided to walk to school together. Immersed in their conversation about shopping plans and fashionable clothes, Sakura accidentally bumps into someone. She falls backward and lands harshly on her butt.

"Ouch..."

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Thanks for asking."

Sakura looks up only to see the last person she wanted to see at that moment. There stood Li with his hand extended. Sakura stands up without taking his hand and walks off with Tomoyo, who had watched the whole thing in amusement.
----

"He scares me."

"Why?"

"Just because!"

"That's not a reason. Li's nice, Sakura. I've never seen him acted like this before."

"Exactly. Li has never acted like this before. I'm inclined that he's up to no good."

"Sakura, it could be that he's only trying to become more social. Give him a chance."

"I'll give him every chance to prove me right!"

Shaking her head, Tomoyo walked with Sakura into the school building. Just as they entered, the bell signaled the first period. They were cutting it very close.

"We're in the same class again."

"Yes, chemistry!"

"Sakura, don't blow up the lab like you did in eight grade!"

"I can't promise I won't."

Expecting to see only the teacher in the room, they were thoroughly surprised to see Li sitting near the window. His mind was million miles away. Sakura actually walked out of the classroom to check if she was in the correct room. She returned a moment learning that it is the correct room.

Well, we are in the same grade. It's only natural that he's in one of my classes, but how the heck did he get here first? I left him at the sidewalk.

Sakura gazed intently at Li. She felt bad and took Tomoyo's advice to be nicer.

"Good morning."

Li sat still. His eyes still glued to the world outside the window. He didn't hear one word. He didn't even know they were in room.

That jerk. He's not even responding.

The tardy bell rang and the remaining students poured in. Sakura took the third seat near the windows, which was one seat in front of Li. Unlike the English teacher, the chemistry teacher was quite lax. He had allowed the students to choose their seats. Tomoyo sat to the right of Sakura. The room was twice the size of the other rooms. The seats were position in the front of the room while all the lab equipments were in the back.

"Good morning, class."

"Good morning, teacher"

The whole class replied with the exception of Li. He was still out of it. The teacher decided that since this is their first day of the class, introductions were needed. He went through the class room row by row until he hit Li.

"Li...LI!"

"W-what? I'm sorry."

The class giggled and Li blushed embarrassingly.

:"Tell us a little about yourself."

Now, in the class, there were several classmates that were extremely interested. Sakura turned her head and looked at him waiting the 'usual'. Several of them has been going to the same school with Li a few years back and has been dying to know more about him. When school started, some teachers would do this 'intro' thing. Li usually just stated his name and 'man of few words' phrase. He usually just left it at that. This year, however, things were different.

"Oh, right. My name is Li Syaoran. I've moved to Japan from Hong Kong approximately 5 years ago. I live alone. Well...unless you consider my martial arts teacher who is my legal guardian. I have four sisters. I don't like them that much, but they're pretty nice........."

That was something no one had expected. Li had talked a storm about himself. To everyone, he's no longer a mystery. He has removed the cloak and revealed himself to everyone. The girls in the classroom sighed in admiration and whispered among themselves. The guys accepted Li as one of their own. Li's status rose to new heights with only a speech. Li's popularity with the girls increased with every smile.

Something's not right. This isn't him. This isn't the Li I know.

Sakura looked at Li intently, who had now finished with his introductions and sat down. He looked into her eyes and for a brief moment, she saw something mischievous about them. Li saw recognition in those emerald orbs and cursed himself. He had won the class.

Most of them. That girl's very perceptive.

A stray thought, a stroke of genius, entered Li's mind suddenly.

Wait a minute. What if...yes, I don't have to wait. I'll make my move now and end this game faster. And what's more...this will be some challenge.

He smirked in appreciation of his plan and he reveled in the thrill of the challenge.

"Let's begin our lesson. It's an easy assignment."

The teacher began with chapter one since the introductions were now over. Li and Sakura hadn't bothered to listen. Each of them had thoughts to sort out.
----

The end of the second period means lunch break. As Sakura leaves history to meet up with Tomoyo, the image of Li at the cherry blossom tree refreshed her mind. Today's happenings flashed through her memory. Memories of her past encounters with Li came back to her in force. She doesn't understand why she remembers such things. However, all those hidden memories helped her reach a conclusion. Li is not what he seems.

He has conflicting images of himself...why?

Sakura met Tomoyo in the courtyard.

"Sakura, I have something to do first. Wait for me at the lunch spot."

"Okay. See you there."

With that, Tomoyo ran back into the building. Sakura went up to the cherry tree and sat down. Taking out her packed lunch, Sakura began to munch on the sandwich. Just as she was about to take a bite, Li's voice startled her.

"Beautiful, don't you think?"

Li's words were short but had greater implications than Sakura thought. He could have meant anything.

Sakura jumped up and looked for the source of the voice. The leaves rustled and Li dropped down from the tree. He gracefully landed behind Sakura. She gasped, turned around to face him, and cautiously stepped backward. Li stared hard into her eyes. His gaze burned deep into her mind. Not knowing what to do, she looked at him straight in the eyes. It wasn't the best of choice. Entranced by the fire in his eyes, Sakura stood in awe. Shaking her head vigorously, she broke free of his magic. Her gaze left his eyes to settle on a more 'secure' place. It wasn't the best of choice either. By sheer force of will, she moved on from his lips to his chest.

Get a grip. He's a jerk. A liar. A hypocrite. People who lie about themselves are not to be trusted.

"What do you want?"

Li took a step forward, a step closer. In response, Sakura backed away. Li moved in again, but this time, Sakura backed into the tree. She was trapped. She looked into his eyes. Now at such a close distance, she saw herself in him and he in her.

His face was only several inches away from hers.

Her heart speeds up, but her conscious mind reminds her, warns her to be careful when dancing with wolves...

"Just you."

Then he kissed her. His lips met hers and the world around them disappeared for a few brief seconds. Sakura's mind screams and her heart unwilling pushed him away.

*SMACK*

The imprint of her hand appears on his cheek, but Li is still in a good mood. She had expected him to be mad or something else. She didn't expect him to look so good, so happy, ... so victorious.

He smirked.

He knew that Sakura almost gave in. He knew that this wouldn't be easy. He knew her to be very resilient. In the end, he knew he had to possess her. This wasn't a game anymore. He had felt something in that one stolen kiss.

I will have her and no one else.

A/N: Now I know I'm suppose to say something in the footnotes. I see some authors do this. Hehe...look! it's a pencil! Bad pencil but ish all good. Use the pencil and review!
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