Disclaimer: same old stuff about not owning any of the characters... only the plot, etc.

A/N: hiya all.... sorry for the, er... rather late update, i have been rather busy lately studying to get my L! ... not so exciting really, but i gotta learn to drive sometime... sooner rather than later. well enough useless blah, here it is people. Chappy 3!! oh and thankies for the review from sfiresakura!

Chapter 3 - Cherry Blossom

When Sakura retired to her dorm that night, she was surprised to see that Maddison wasn't there. Her new friend should have been back by now.

"Hmm…" Sakura thought out loud, "I wonder where she has gotten to."

Just at that moment, Sakura's stomach growled loudly.

"Better go get some food, then. She better be here when I get back…"

With this, she bounded down the stairs to the common kitchen, which she shared with all the others in her dorm.

"Hey, Sakura! Over here!" a familiar voice called from the den.

"Maddison! You worried me half to death! Why weren't you in our room?"

She just chuckled, "Oh, sorry. But…" Maddison said with a hint of mystery in her voice.

"But what? Tell me!"

Maddison laughed loudly, and then in an even louder voice she said, "Stop your whining. Come outside and I'll show you. You go first."

As Sakura walked toward the back doors, she noted that all of the outside lights were off, where as they were usually on.

She stepped out of the hall into the ominous black cloaked outdoors, and stood there. Behind her, Maddison flipped the light switches on.

"SURPRISE!" came a chorus of voices from all around her.

With a genuine look of shock blended with confusion, Sakura replied, "Thanks, guys. I'm really flattered and all, but you do all know that my birthday isn't for another two weeks, right?"

"Yeah, actually," Maddison and Lee laughed together at their joke.

"It just adds to the surprise of it all!" Lee added with a smile.

Sakura looked around for the first time since 'the surprise' and noticed something very touching. There were decorations of pink cherry blossoms everywhere, which made sense, since it was spring time. But the touching part came in the fact that cherry blossoms were her mothers favourite flower.

Lee noticed a single tear slip down Sakura's cheek.

"What, Sakura?" asked Lee, "Is there something wrong?"

"N-no… its just that the flowers… they remind me of my mom."

Lee thought about this for a while, edging closer to Sakura. He remembered hearing once that Sakura meant cherry blossom. That must be it then. "Your mom named you after the cherry blossoms, didn't she?"

"Yes. How did you…" Sakura broke off and stared quizzically at Lee. How did he know this, when she hadn't told anyone ever?

"Well, common sense actually. Your name means cherry blossom."

"Yeah. It was her favourite flower." she almost whispered.

Then, experiencing one of her extreme mood swings, Sakura jumped up and shouted gleefully, "Oh my God! Is that chocolate cake?! Mmmm!"

Forgetting all that had just occurred, she rushed over to the cake and dug out a huge slice.

"Mnffff mnnffff mfffffn!"

"Say what now?" Lee was having a hard time understanding the Sakura that had a mouth full of cake.

After swallowing, she repeated, "This is sooo good!"

"Yeah, its awesome. I think Maddison made it."

"Really? Wow! Compliments to the chef!"

It was so useless trying to make small talk with her. He knew that he would never in a million years be able to tell her what he wanted to, so why was he even bothering talking to her at all, if he wouldn't be able to have what he wanted in the end. He had to try though. Even if he wouldn't be able to come right out and say it.

"Well, um… I'm gunna head up to my room now I guess. Er. I kinda wanted to talk to you for a sec, if that would be okay."

"Well yeah, I guess. Shoot…"

"Actually, I was thinking more in a private type setting…"

"Mmm. Right. Um, well we could go up to my room. Maddison's out here, so I don't think she'd mind…"

"Nkay, well, after you."

Lee ushered Sakura into the dorms and lead her up the stairs.

Once at her door, Sakura placed the key in the lock and turned. The door opened easily, and they stepped inside the rather smallish room.

Sakura sat down on her bed and patted the spot next to her.

He came and sat in said spot, looking very nervous.

"So, what were you wanting to talk about?"

"Um, you know what? I forgot!!" he laughed an obviously fake laugh and put on an equally fake smile. "Gotta go! See ya round I guess…"

With this, he laughed nervously and bolted from the room.

Sakura looked around for Lee, confused at why he ran away when he so obviously wanted to tell her something, but Lee was nowhere to be found.