Dark Wild Nights

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. I am only using them in a short work of fiction. I am doing this for fun not for profit, so don't sue me. As I have nothing but a small kennel that I use as my house. It's not much but I like it and you can't have it.

Chapter 6

Everyone has such great faith in me, Sakura though as she made her way to school. I just hope that I'll be worthy of that faith. I just hope that I won't let them all down. Sakura gave her head a firm shake. She wouldn't let any of them down. Kero was right, she had gone up against tough odds before and made it out, she would do it again.

Before she knew it, Sakura was in front of her school. Now I won't have time to doubt myself, Sakura told herself. Eriol was to be joining the class again, at least she hoped that he would be in her class. Her group of friends had been lucky that way. In each new grade they had been kept together.

After putting her roller blades away, Sakura made her way to her classroom. Saying hello to various acquaintances and squad mates that she saw. All of whom were surprised to see that she was actually at school a bit early. The only response given to these comments was a laugh and denial that she wasn't always late.

Had these people known her better, they would have known that something was wrong with her. She had to force her laughter and her joking comments were only half hearted.

When she got to her classroom Sakura saw that not many people were there yet. Tomoyo, Naoko, and Rika were sitting in the corner where the six of them sat. Right in front of the back row of empty desks, kept there for any new students arriving during the year. Sakura made her way over to her friends.

"Hey guys," Sakura greeted them as she sat down.

"Oh my god," Rika exclaimed, "where the hell is the fire? Is the world ending? Are we all going to die? I mean, you're here before the bell. Well you're always here before the bell, barely, but you're here early."

All of the girls including Sakura burst out laughing as Sakura put her stuff away. Sakura was happy to find that she didn't have to force her laughter as she had earlier that morning. It was good to be in the company of her friends.

"Hey, it's not that big of a deal." Sakura told them, trying to defend herself. "It's happened before and it will probably happen again. I hope anyway."

The girls were throne once again into a fit of laughter. It was so much easier to act like nothing was out there just waiting for her when she had her friends around her. Just then Chihiru and Yamazaki walked in the classroom.

"My gosh, Sakura, you're up early." Chihiru exclaimed as she and Yamazaki reached the group of girls.

"Yeah, you beat us here," Yamazaki said.

"Well thank you Captain Obvious," Sakura commented sarcastically getting a laugh from the girls. "Man all I've been getting today is disbelief at my being here already. Yeah I know it's weird but it's happened before."

"True enough," Rika began, "but the chances of it happening again any time soon are slim to none."

Sakura laughed at that. The others started to laugh as well, and then stopped. Sakura stopped as well knowing that they could tell the difference in her laugh. Knowing that they could tell she was trying to hide something. Sakura sighed and waited for the question that she knew was coming.

"Is something wrong, Sakura?" Tomoyo asked. "You don't seem to be yourself."

"It's kind of hard to explain, Tomoyo." Sakura began. "I'll tell you guys all about it at lunch, because I don't want to tell this story twice and as it is we're missing someone."

"But Sakura," Naoko began, "we don't even know if Eriol is going to be in our class. How is he going to know that you want to talk to him if we don't see him?"

"Don't worry about that, Naoko," Sakura told her while sharing a smile with Tomoyo. "He has a way of knowing when and where he is needed."

"She's right you know," Tomoyo continued. "I wouldn't be surprised if he beat us to our usual spot, even not being told where it is."

Rika, Naoko, Chihiru, and Yamazaki exchanged an unbelieving look. They had no doubt that Sakura and Tomoyo truly believed what they said but they thought that the two were over exaggerating just a bit. No one could do that.

"You two are making that up," Yamazaki accused.

"The thing is that we're not. You must remember that he is no mere human. He is half of a reincarnated sorcerer. A very powerful sorcerer and Eriol in his own right is very powerful." Tomoyo told them.

"You guys are now a part of a new world. A magical one where you must expect the un-expected." Sakura said. "Believe me, it took a long time to get that concept through my head."

"Okay, say that you're right about Eriol," Chihiru stepped forward, trying to grasp the possibility. What Sakura had said about them being in a new world was true enough. This was her world but a lot of it was hard to imagine. "Let's put it to the test. Let's not tell him anything about this. At lunch, someone can distract him while the rest of us go to our tree. If after five minutes he doesn't go over there that person can bring him over."

"That seems fair enough," Sakura said after she considered it for a couple minutes. "Tomoyo why don't you go with him."

"Why me?" Tomoyo asked her voice a bit high and her face was a bit on the red side.

"I think that is an excellent idea, Sakura," Rika said evilly.

"Why shouldn't it be you, Tomoyo?" Sakura wanted to know. "I'm sure you could find something to show him he would be interested in."

"Sakura!" exclaimed a shocked Tomoyo.

"I didn't mean it like that you hentai." Sakura laughed. "But if you want to you can. I meant that the two of you have so much in common that you could find something that would catch his interest."

Just then the bell rang preventing any further discussion on the subject. The group went to their desks, though Tomoyo was scowling at Sakura the whole time. It amazed Tomoyo that Sakura could see right through her charades, but couldn't get her own feelings sorted out. Though in the past couple weeks it has become more apparent that Sakura was starting to get it.

A second later Mr. Terada walked into the classroom closely followed by Eriol. Eriol scanned the room. Many of the students he already knew from his previous year here. His gaze rested on Sakura for a second. He could tell that something was troubling her greatly and had a feeling he knew what it was. Moving on he glanced at each of Sakura's friends who now knew of the Clow or rather Sakura cards. Lastly his gaze rested on Tomoyo. The one girl he couldn't figure out. She was kind, caring, and passionate, all were qualities that he admired in a person. Yet he was always flustered in her presence though he hid it well. Feeling the weight of his gaze on her, Tomoyo raised her eyes to meet his. He gave her a small smile and she ducked her head and blushed.

Sakura felt Eriol's calculating gaze on her though she didn't look up. She knew that he would catch any of the emotions that were slipping through her weakened barriers. Once he looked away, Sakura raised her eyes to watch him. He looked over Rika, Naoko, Chihiru and Yamazaki and knew that he wasn't impressed that she had told them everything. His gaze then rested on Tomoyo. Emotion went across his face and eyes. Wonder, puzzlement, and care were there for sure and a couple that she couldn't place. Eriol smiled when Tomoyo met his eyes, which caused Sakura to smile as well. At least Eriol returned Tomoyo's feelings even though he didn't know it.

"...Eriol you can go sit behind Tomoyo. Tomoyo please raise your hand." Mr. Terada instructed.

Tomoyo followed her instructions and raised her hand, though she didn't raise her eyes. She could tell that Sakura, Rika, Naoko and Chihiru were trying not to kill themselves laughing. Go ahead and laugh it up girls, revenge is a dish best served cold, Tomoyo thought evilly. And my dear Sakura things are already in motion for my revenge on you. Though I didn't intend for it to be revenge.

"Now that that is done, everyone get out your Math books." Mr. Terada continued once Eriol was seated.

A series of groans were issued from several students in the class. The loudest came from Sakura and his own girlfriend, Rika.

The morning flew by and soon it was just a few minutes before the bell was to ring for lunch. Many of the students were already packed up and talking quietly amongst themselves. Sakura and her friends were all sitting in a little huddle catching up on things. Tomoyo was trying to figure out what to say to Eriol to get him to come with her.

The bell rang and everyone was leaving the classroom. Tomoyo had to make a decision and fast. However, the decision was taken out of her hands when Eriol asked: "Tomoyo, can I talk to you a minute?"

"Uhh...sure," Tomoyo stammered, and then turned to her friends. "You guys go ahead and we'll catch up later."

The girls and Yamazaki went on ahead but not before the girls gave Tomoyo a knowing glance. Just wait till I get my turn, Tomoyo thought after them.

"What did you want to talk to me about?" Tomoyo asked Eriol as they moved out of the classroom.

"I was just making a decision that you seemed to be having trouble making." Eriol told her as they collected their lunches.

"So I guess you know the whole plan, right?"

"You don't have to guess," Eriol pointed out, "you know that I do. Unlike those friends of yours."

"They just don't know you the way that I do is all." Tomoyo told him gently. "In time they will learn just what you are capable of."

"I know that they will, Tomoyo," Eriol said. "We had better be making our way over to your tree to meet them."

"I can't wait to see their faces," Tomoyo smiled evilly as she followed Eriol over to the tree where they always met.

To Be Continued. . . . . . .