Sea of Dreams:

Chapter 3: Love is Friendship

"Good morning, class!" Professor Takaishi said cheerily.

"Good morning, Professor Takaishi," the class chorused. Professor Kiki Takaishi taught English literature in the college and was a favourite among most students, Sakura included.

"As you all know, we've finished our last interpretation of Shakespeare's epic classic, Hamlet. Now, today, I would like to start something new, something I surmise you'll find rather interesting…"

Sakura leaned forward in her seat, eyes wide. I hope it's something good, she thought to herself. Hamlet was amazing, but that ghost scared me out of my wits…

"…so, without further ado, let me start this unit with…"

She turned around and wrote three words on the chalkboard. ROMEO AND JULIET.

Sakura's eyes went round. There was a considerable amount of "ooh"s from the girls in the class.

"Yes," Professor Takaishi announced dramatically. "Romeo and Juliet. A timeless tale of hate, tragedy, death, fraud and…"

"Love!" the class chorused.

"Oh great," Syaoran muttered.

"So…first of all…if I were to say Romeo and Juliet, what thoughts would come into your mind?" Professor Takaishi asked. Hands flew up. "Miss Daidouji?"

Tomoyo blushed. "A rose," she said hesitantly.

"Interesting," Professor Takaishi said as she wrote down rose underneath the first, bold ROMEO AND JULIET.

"Now, what does the word rose make you think of?" Professor Takaishi inquired. "Miss Kinomoto?"

"Love," Sakura announced.

"Yes," Professor Takaishi breathed as she wrote down love underneath rose. "Now…who can tell me…what is love?"

No one raised their hands; on the contrary, everyone looked confused.

"Anyone? Anyone? No one?"

Professor Takaishi looked around, scrutinising one worried face to the next. Then, finally, her gaze rested on one, very worried face.

"Mr. Li," she said, "can you tell me what love is?"

Sakura sweat-dropped as Syaoran's face went red.

"Uh…love?" Syaoran stammered. He looked despairingly at Sakura, who shrugged and then, surprisingly, at Tomoyo. This seemed to compose him a bit.

"Love," he said, and took a deep breath.

"Love is friendship," he said finally.

Sakura's jaw dropped.

"If this girl can't be my friend," he pointed at Tomoyo, who was sitting behind him, "then I can't be in love with her. Friendship starts all relationships, especially love, and if the one I love is incapable of being my friend, then this love is wrong."

He spoke very clearly, and Sakura noticed his amber eyes had a glazed look about them.

"It's simple," came Syaoran's voice from far away, "love is friendship."

Then he added, in a much more natural voice, "Is that okay, Professor Takaishi?"

Professor Takaishi had been goggling at him in what seemed like awe. Finally, she found her voice.

"Indeed, Mr. Li," she said finally, "what a wonderful thought! Love, and friendship! Thank you for that wonderful suggestion!"

Professor Takaishi's voice trailed off, as Sakura struggled to absorb what Syaoran had just said.

-§-

Sakura was leaning against a tree, her knees drawn to her chest, and her arms wrapped around them. Her head was facing the sky, and her emerald eyes were glazed in thought. All she could remember was the way Syaoran had looked at Tomoyo.

If she can't be my friend, I can't be in love with her…

Was that a hint?

Did that mean he had feelings for Tomoyo?

Or…was it for someone else?

-§-

Disclaimer: If you read the previous two, it would be rather familiar by now.