A Life-Term Assignment

Compass Star

Chapter 1

Hi there, my name is Sakura Kinomoto, as some of you might already know. I'm 17 years old, and will be 18 on 1st of April next year. Right now, I'm attending Seijou Senior High School. I live in Cherry Street no. 5 with my father and my older brother. My mother died when I was 3 years old. So, sadly, I grew up without a mom's love. But that's okay. My father and brother always managed to shower their love to me so I wouldn't get sad whenever I remember about her. I am living a pretty quite life with a cliché routine, like go to school-not to mention I always comes late, study hard to get the best grades, go home, do chores, got tired, eat, do homework, go to sleep and wake up in the morning with the same schedule all over again. But actually, I am a little bit different with other girls. I have a quite unique power. I can sense people's presence and know what they're feeling. At first, I become confused and unmanaged, but as time goes by I can control my power just to feel an unpleasant presence and other's feeling when I wish to. But that was until someone came into my life...

(One morning in Seijou Senior High)

Sakura entered the gate to her school, wearing the same cheerful face; smiling to people she passed around. She stopped at the locker room and took out her books. Today was the first day of a new semester so there are many people that just started their new classes and school. She was just about to go to her class when there was a beeping sound beside her ear.

She sweatdropped and said, "Tomoyo, could you please stop it?"

The girl beside Sakura grinned and turned off her camera.

"OHAYOU, Sakura-chan!" she said while giving her a bear hug.

"To..moyo-chan... can't breath..."

Tomoyo released her grip and giggled nervously, "Ups, I'm sorry..."

"You always had a knack for suffocating me, Tomoyo-chan."

"Ohohoho... I'm touched by your words!" she slapped Sakura's shoulder.

"Aww, that hurts..." Sakura mumbled, sweatdropping even more.

"Ne, ne, Sakura-chan. Have you heard about it?" Tomoyo asked her. "We will have a new exchange student from Hong Kong. It is said that he will be staying here for quite a long time. Oh, I can't wait to see his face!"

"Really? What do you imagine him to be?" she asked, trying to sound interested, but to no avail.

Tomoyo grinned mischievously, "Ohoho, I think we just have to wait and see..." she said with twinkling eyes.

"Yare yare, I know it's your talent picking up gossips from people, Tomoyo-chan."

"Hohoho, Don't mess with the queen of gossip then!"

"Oh right," Sakura rolled her eyes and walked off with Tomoyo tailing her while the bell rang and people headed to their classes.

(Class)

"Students, today we have a new classmate for you here. His name is Li Syaoran. He came from Hong Kong and will be studying here with you all in this class. Please welcome him."

"Ohayou gozaimasu. My name is Li Syaoran, I came from Hong Kong and I will be studying here with you all from now on. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu," the boy was tall with a chestnut hair and amber eyes, with a good-looking feature which can make every girl in the school kneeled to him. He has a well-toned chest with perfect bicep and triceps, but not too big or buffy. Just the body every guy dream of. He stared at the class with his sharp-gorgeous-amber eyes before bowing and waiting to be seated by the teacher.

"Now, let's find you a seat..." the teacher mumbled, looking around the class.

"Sensei, there's an empty seat beside me!" a voice piped in.

"No, there's one beside me!" another voice said.

"No, beside me!"

"He can sit here!"

Looks like our new boy was already so popular among the girls.

"Quite!" the teacher roared, making the class a hollow sanctuary. "Ehm, Li-san, you can sit behind Kinomoto-san over there by the window."

"Thank you, Sensei."

Syaoran walked to his seat, passing Sakura who was gazing towards the window, not noticing him. He sat behind her and the teacher began his lesson.

(Locker Room)

"Hey, did you see his face? Oh my god! He's so gorgeous! How I wish to be his girlfriend...!"

"Guys, did you see the new boy's face? God, he's like an angel sent from heaven!"

The buzz of the good-looking boy had spread quickly in the school like a virus, so fast and intimidating. Sakura was walking with her friends, bored with talking about the new boy in school.

"Could you guys please stop talking about this boy? What's so good about him anyway? Probably just some stuck up mama's babe..." she said while rolling her eyes.

"Sakura, you should try to get some refreshment! What's so bad about that guy? From head to toe, we could say that he just descended from the paradise by God!" said Naoko, a girl with a short brown hair and wears glasses.

"She's right, Sakura. You haven't got a boyfriend since like, forever!" Chiharu commented. She's a pretty girl with light auburn hair with two ponytails. She had a boyfriend, Yamazaki Takashi who stood beside her with a smiling face telling that he agreed with his girlfriend.

"Maybe now is the time for you to find a boyfriend, Sakura..." said Rika softly, the dark auburn haired girl who wore a lady-like feature: graceful and tender.

"You're wrong, Rika-chan. I know it is the time for Sakura to get a boyfriend, most likely to be someone like Li-kun. He can be your candidate, Sakura..." said Tomoyo encouragingly.

"Candidate for what?" asked a voice behind Sakura. She turned around and saw Eriol standing before her, dragging a peevish-looking Li Syaoran.

"Hmm, speak of the devil..." muttered Yamazaki to Chiharu.

"It's nothing, Eriol-kun!" said Sakura hurriedly, before anyone could utter a word about the previous conversation.

Eriol raised his eyebrows, looking suspicious but decided to let it go. "Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to our new friend here: Li Syaoran. He will be here with us from now on," he introduced Syaoran to the other. "Oh, and just for your information, he is my cousin."

"Eriol! Why don't you tell me that earlier? You didn't speak a word that your gorgeous-looking cousin is going to attend the same high school as us!" Tomoyo said, complaining how her boyfriend didn't tell her the important news.

Eriol, however, did not answer his girlfriend's questions, "Syaoran-kun, this is my girlfriend, Daidouji Tomoyo. The girl with glasses here is Yanagizawa Naoko. The girl with short hair on the left is Sasaki Rika. This boy here, is Yamazaki Takeshi with her girlfriend here, Mihara Chiharu. And last but not least, which you may already know, is Kinomoto Sakura."

Everyone greeted Syaoran with a hand-shake, which he returned coolly with a nod.

"Ne, Li-kun. The whole school's talking about you!" said Naoko.

Chiharu winked and grinned, "She's right. You totally rock the school off."

"All the girls are drooling over you," said Rika, which approved with a girl squealing next to her when she saw Syaoran passed.

"Guys, can we talk outside? I think it's a little stuffy here," said Sakura, glancing around, referring to a group of girls talking and wailing about Syaoran.

(07.00 pm)

Sakura was walking home that evening when she felt she was being watched. She stopped and waited for her stalker to show up.

"You have a really sharp instinct, you know," said a voice behind her.

"I just happened to have that specialty ever since I was little. Some sort of a sixth sense, if that's what people call it." She raised her chin. "So, what's your problem?"

"Problem? I think I should've been the one who ask that question. What is your problem?"

"I don't really get what you mean," she tilted her head and turned around towards the person behind her.

"You didn't seem to be really pleased about me the time Eriol introduced me to you."

"Why are you asking me that? Are you afraid of losing your popularity, um-Li Syaoran, right?"

"Hey, I'm not that cocky of a person. But no offense, I just don't like it when people acting insensitive towards me."

"Insensitive?" she chuckled. "Then maybe you should stop being cool and too remote towards other people. You know, you should start treating people the way you want people to treat you."

Syaoran raised his eyebrows, "Don't act as if you know me."

"I don't," she replied. "But the way you're acting makes other people feel uncomfortable, or that's what my opinions are," she shrugged, but then smiled. "And no offense to you too, but I have to go home before my brother looking for me."

"I'll walk you home," said Syaoran.

"No, thanks."

"What a gentleman I am if I have to leave a girl walking down the street alone at this hour?"

She rolled her eyes, "Whatever you wish, Cool Boy."

Then they walked across the street with Sakura lead the way and Syaoran following her close behind like a bodyguard.

"You know, it's uncomfortable to have people following you from behind," Sakura commented.

"Sorry, but I presume you will be embarrassed if people find me walking with you here, especially this time of hour."

"Or you don't want your popularity to be ruined because of walking with me."

"If I am embarrassed to be walking with you, I would have left you moments ago. And would you care to drop that subject, please?" Syaoran replied with an annoyed tone.

Sakura grinned, "You easily get offended."

"So are you. And that is one of my specialties."

Sakura chuckled, "So, are you following me just to ask that question, what my problems are?"

"No, actually. I just happened to pass around when I saw you walking towards this street. I feel that it is dangerous for a girl like you to be alone in this hour. So, I decided to follow you," he explained briefly. "By the way, where do you live?"

"Just a few blocks from here," she replied, but in the heart she knew he was lying. "So, where's your home?"

"Um, I live in an apartment in Onigura Street. Not so far away from here too, I guess."

Sakura tilted her head, "Hey, you know what? Onigura Street is located just beside the street I live in."

Syaoran raised his eyebrows, "What a coincidence."

"Yes it is. What a coincidence." Sakura stopped on the turning way. "I guess this is it. See you tomorrow."

"You sure you don't want to be accompanied to your house?"

Sakura smiled a little. "Nah, it's okay. I'm good from here."

"Okay then. See you."

"Bye." Then, she left.

But the young man who accompanied her didn't leave. Instead, he pressed his ear with his fore-finger and muttered. "The Blossom is in."

(Tomorrow Morning, 07.57 am)

"Oh my God, I'm late!" Sakura's cry booming inside her house.

"Oi kaijuu, ohayo."

"KAIJUU JA NAI!" stomp

"AWW! What was that for?"

"Oh shut up, you have been calling me that since I am in 2nd grader! Don't even think I can get rid of that so easily! Ittekimasu, otou-san! I'll be home at three this afternoon!"

"Itterasshai, Sakura-san," replied Sakura's father.

(Tomoeda High School, 08.03 am)

"Kinomoto-san, this is the 5th time you are late this week. Can you appreciate the time a little more?"

"I'm sorry Miyamoto-sensei. I promise that won't happen again."

"I have fed up listening to those sentences for the hundredth time this month."

Sakura grinned sheepishly, "I am really sorry, Miyamoto-sensei."

"Oh whatever you say, Kinomoto-san. Now just sit down and don't disturb the class."

"Thank you, Miyamoto-sensei."

Sakura walked to her seat and sighed in relief. Suddenly, someone tapped her on the shoulder.

"Have problems waking up in the morning?"

"Shut up, Li."

"Kinomoto-san, is there something you want to share with the class?"

"Um-uh, no Sensei."

"Then be quiet and pay attention."

"Yes, Sensei."

Sakura glared at Syaoran behind her who smirked and raised his eyebrows, indicating he knew nothing. Sakura rolled her eyes and decided to listen to the teacher.

(Lunch Time, 12.30 pm)

"Hey guys, what about going to the cinema this Saturday?" asked Naoko to her friends who were eating their lunch under the cherry tree.

"Do you know when the word cinema was used? It was when..."

"Oh shut up, Takashi! Stop lying!" snapped Chiharu and whacked Yamazaki on the head.

"I think that's a good idea. Who's in?" said Tomoyo, followed by Chiharu, Yamazaki, Rika and Eriol raised their hands.

"Sakura, don't you want to join?" asked Rika. "You're usually enthusiastic about this."

Sakura smiled regretfully, "Sorry, I really want to go but I have to stay at home. My father and brother won't be home until late night this Saturday."

Tomoyo's face fell at her statement, "Zannen. I won't be able to make you clothes, Sakura-chan!"

Sakura sweatdropped, "Sou ne, zannen..."

"By the way, Li-kun. Let's go together with us this Saturday!" said Chiharu.

"Sorry I can't. I have some business to take care of."

"Hmm, so mysterious. You are soo interesting, Li-kun! No need to be surprised that the whole school is drooling about you!" exclaimed Naoko with her glasses gleaming under the sun.

Sakura whispered beside Naoko, "Hey, he didn't like it when we bring up that subject."

"Since when did you learn that thing of Li-kun, Sakura-chan?" Naoko asked with mischievous eyes.

Sakura blushed slightly, realizing her wrong choice of words, "Err, no. It's just he told me that yesterday! Yeah right, yesterday! Ohoho..."

"You seem so nervous about it, Sakura-chan," commented Rika who sat on the right side of Sakura. "And you have a time to be alone with Li-kun?"

"N-No, of course not! He told me in class, yesterday. Yeah, class. Then again, why would I be so nervous about something like that?" Sakura snapped sweating heavily.

"Last night I met Kinomoto on the street near her house. My apartment happens to be near her house, so I decided to walk her home," piped Syaoran, despite the lie that Sakura had stated, which made him got her deadly glare.

"Oh really? That is so awesome, Li-kun! I wanna know what's your next move to get Sakura!" Chiharu said, winking to Sakura.

"Come on all of you, stop that!" exclaimed Sakura, face red in embarrassment that made all of her friends laughed.

(After School, 03.00 pm)

Tomoyo and Sakura were walking outside the school gate after finishing their last class that day.

"Sakura, let's go home together, ne?" Tomoyo asked.

"Um," replied Sakura.

"How about going to the ice cream parlor first? I heard that they have a new flavor," said Tomoyo.

Sakura smiled, "That would be a good idea."

Little did they know that Li Syaoran was watching them from the park nearby.

"Is there any news from the HQ?" he asked to no one in particular.

"No, but there are some intels that say some of the underground organizations are trying to find a way to get these girls," replied a voice from behind the tree which belongs to Li Meiling.

"Can you get me the name?"

"The organizations? Not yet, but just give me 12 hours. Maybe I could get a name."

"Good, I'll be looking forward."

"Okay, good luck and be careful."

"Aa," Syaoran replied and walked towards the ice cream parlor. He approached the two girls and greeted them, "Hey, you two."

Tomoyo looked up and grinned seeing Syaoran standing before them, "Ara, Li-kun. Come, sit down with us. Do you want some ice cream?"

"No, I'm not in the mood of eating ice cream," he replied, sitting down beside Sakura, who gave him raised eyebrows.

"What are you doing here?" Sakura asked.

"Am I not allowed to be here?" he asked. "I just happened to pass around here when I saw you two."

"Are you with Eriol?" Tomoyo asked.

"Yes, earlier. But he said he had to go home. We parted at the park just a while ago."

"Sou ka," Tomoyo replied. Then she stood up suddenly, "Sorry Sakura, I think I'm going to go after Eriol, maybe he hasn't gone too far. Li-kun, can you accompany Sakura home?"

"No, no. I can go home by myself. No need to worry about me, Tomoyo-chan," Sakura cut in before Syaoran can answer.

"Sakura, I asked to come home with you. Now that I can't, I request Li-kun to be my replacement, okay? At least you won't be coming home alone," stated Tomoyo firmly. "So, can you, Li-kun? Your apartment is near Sakura's house. So, you can go home at the same time."

"Of course, no problem," he replied, making Sakura's jaw dropped.

"B-but, it can't be just like that!" she exclaimed.

"Okay Sakura, Li-kun, I think I should be going now." Tomoyo stood up and walk away, "Sakura wo onegai ne, Li-kun!"

Sakura sighed and glared at Syaoran, "You planned this, aren't you?"

"Planned what?" he replied, bewildered. "I said I was passing near here when I saw you two, right?"

"I knew you were going in the same path as Tomoyo and me from the school," she argued back. "And I knew you weren't with Eriol all the time. You just said that to make Tomoyo go away, aren't you?"

"Whew, you sure know a lot, girl," he smirked.

Sakura smiled sarcastically, "Thank you."

To be continued-

Ohayou - the informal way of saying good morning
Ne, ne - kinda like "hey,"
Yare, yare - a way of saying "ck ck"
Ohayou gozaimasu - the formal way to say good morning
Yoroshiku onegaishimasu - it's like "i hope we can cooperate well with each other" but it's used in a formal introduction greeting
Kaijuu - monster
Kaijuu Ja Nai - I am not a monster
Ittekimasu - phrase to say when you go out of your home
Otou-san - father
Itterasshai - reply to 'ittekimasu' it's kinda like saying "please be careful and go back home in one piece."
Zannen - too bad, a sign of regretfulness
Sou ne - that's true
ne - said at the beginning or the end of a phrase, the meaning is kinda like "right?"

Well, that's all for the first chapter. Sorry if it took so long to deliver this chapter. I want to get this chapter really perfect before i can post it on to you! thanks

Don't forget to REVIEW!