A New Semester of Love

Chapter 6: A Change in Plans

The next couple months passed quickly.  They all got into the routine of classes and as exams approached, became busier with more papers and studying for their finals.  The summer had passed quickly enough as did the rainy season, and now in late November, the temperature was much cooler, and everyone was eager for the upcoming break.

On the last weekend of November, Sakura, Syaoran, Tomoyo, Eriol, Rika, and Naoko planned on going down to Tomoeda to hear a special lecture to be given by Sakura's father at Tomoeda University.  They were going to meet Chiharu and Yamazaki who would be attending the lecture as well.

Sakura and Tomoyo were packing the Friday before for the short trip home when the phone rang. 

Tomoyo answered the phone as Sakura continued to pack, oblivious to the conversation.  She hummed as she put a couple days worth of clothes into her bag.  It'll be nice to go home for the weekend and hear my father's lecture.  And it's definitely a nice break from all the crazy studying for finals.

She looked up as Tomoyo hung up the phone.  Tomoyo wasn't looking pleased.

"What's wrong?" Sakura asked.

"That was Rika-san.  She called to tell us that she heard your father's lecture was cancelled."

Sakura's eyes widened in surprise.  "Why?"

"She didn't know."

"I'll call home then and ask," Sakura said, reaching for the phone. 

Tomoyo handed it to her.  "I'll go up and tell the guys what Rika-san said."  Sakura nodded at her as she left.

Sakura waited as the phone rang…ringing five times before finally a male voice greeted her with a quiet hello.

"Hi, Otousan?"

"Sakura-san.  It's nice to hear from you," her father said.

"I heard that your lecture tomorrow was cancelled.  Is it true?" Sakura asked him.

She heard a soft sigh over the phone.  "Yes, that's right.  I'll be giving it at the beginning of next semester instead."

"Why?" Sakura questioned.

"I've been running a slight fever all this week and it's gotten a little worse, but still not serious, but my colleagues have decided that the lecture should be postponed."

Sakura's eyes widened as she listened.  "Are you okay?" she asked, worriedly.

"Of course," her father replied.  "It's not anything too bad.  It'll be gone in a few days."

"You can't be there by yourself though.  You need to rest," Sakura told him.  "I'll come home."

"No, no, it's okay, Sakura-san.  I'll be fine."

"I'll take a train home as soon as I can.  I should be there sometime tonight," Sakura said, ignoring his reassurances.  Fujitaka just smiled, not surprised by his daughter's concern. 

"I'll be there soon," Sakura said, hanging up the phone.  She quickly resumed her packing, hurriedly throwing in some few last necessities that she would need to stay home for the weekend.  Tomoyo came in as she was finishing, followed by Eriol and Syaoran. 

"I told the others," Tomoyo told her, watching as Sakura zipped up her bag and looked up at her.  "Is it really cancelled?"

Sakura nodded.  "I'm still going home though.  He's sick."

"Your father?" Tomoyo asked.

"Yeah, he has a fever," Sakura answered.  "I'm going to make sure he's okay."

"I'll go with you," Syaoran said.  "You shouldn't go back alone."

Sakura just looked up at him for a moment, not really wanting to argue.  It will be nice to have him with me.

"I already have my stuff packed since I thought we were going anyway for the lecture."

"I can go back with you too," Tomoyo offered.

Sakura smiled at her.  "It's okay.  All I'm going to be doing is staying at home with my father…I'll be back Sunday afternoon if everything is okay.  And Kero-chan can stay here with you," she added, noticing that Kero was, at the moment, taking a nap in the middle of her bed.

Tomoyo smiled back at her and then looked down, her countenance falling.  I guess I really can't do much to help…

Eriol worriedly noticed Tomoyo's change of expression and kept watching her as she watched as Sakura picked up her bag, gave Sakura a goodbye hug, waved as Sakura and Syaoran both said a goodbye to them both and headed off to Syaoran's room to get his own bag then to the train station, leaving Eriol alone in the room with Tomoyo.

She sighed, almost silently, as the two disappeared from her view.  Eriol didn't think she had noticed he heard her.  She doesn't seem to be as happy as I thought she was…

He noticed she was looking at him now, smiling.  I wonder if that smile isn't as real as I thought too… He smiled kindly back at her. 

Tomoyo noticed a new look in his eyes as he looked at her…he seemed to be looking at her more closely than he had before.  I wonder why he's looking at me like that…his eyes…they make it seem that he's confused about something…or concerned about something…but why is he looking with those eyes at me?

She looked away…looked at her own half-packed bag.  "I guess we'll be staying here this weekend then," she said.

"Yes, it seems that way," Eriol agreed.  They were silent for a moment.  They turned to face each other at the same time, both looking away immediately as they did, blushing. 

Eriol was the first to speak.  "So…maybe we should think of something to do tonight?  It'll be kind of boring just to sit here all weekend."

"Yeah, you're right.  What do you want to do?" Tomoyo asked him, finally looking at him, a bright shade of pink now fading from her cheeks. 

Eriol looked out the window.  The sun was already quite high.  Only a few high fluffy white clouds were scattered across the otherwise clear blue sky.  Tomoyo's gaze followed his own.

"It's a beautiful day, isn't it?" Tomoyo asked.

Eriol nodded his head in agreement.  "We should go out and enjoy it," he said.  She just looked at him as he continued to stare out the window.  "How about we go find us some lunch nearby, then take a train out of the city and watch the sunset somewhere?  I'm sure we could find some nice place…we could stay out and watch the stars even if we wanted."

Tomoyo smiled at Eriol's plans.  He's kind of romantic…

He finally looked at her, his eyebrows raising as he noticed her smiling expression.  She looks amused…that smile…

"Sounds good to me," Tomoyo told him.  "We don't have much else to do it seems."

He looked at his watch.  It was already nearing one in the afternoon.  He looked back up at Tomoyo and smiled, his eyes starting to sparkle playfully.  "Well, let's go then, my lady," he said, bowing slightly to her then holding out one hand to her.  Tomoyo's smile grew as she laid her hand in his; she blushed as he gently brought it to his lips and kissed it.  He's so cute…

Eriol himself blushed as he held Tomoyo's hand up to his lips for a moment.  He looked at her face as he released her hand…saw her blushing too, and he blushed even more.  He turned quickly and began leading the way out of her room…Tomoyo followed him after she quickly picked up her purse.  He stood, leaning against the wall, watching her as she locked the door.  She turned and smiled at him as she finished.  He smiled back as they walked together down the hall, down the stairs, then out of the building and to the nearest bus stop.  He kept his eyes on her the entire time, only looking away the few times she turned to glance at him.  She's so pretty…I feel so nervous…this is crazy…I haven't ever really felt like this before…

They stood quietly as they waited for the bus, both slightly uncomfortable alone together for the first time in a long time.  Tomoyo looked up at him still looking at her…she blushed as he quickly turned his head away, realizing he had been staring at her.  This will be an interesting day…

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End of Chapter 6 

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Sorry if this chapter is slightly boring and kind of slow, but basically it's a big setup for chapter 7, which should be more interesting.  ^_^

Thank you for reading!