Disclaimer - I don't own CCS. But I own this plot!
I've managed to cough up another chapter. Can't believe it's been 2 months. When I re-read my first chapter... It just doesn't seem right. But short of rewriting, I don't really know how to fix it. And sometimes I forget little details like how the place Sakura and Syaoran met, was HK, until someone mentions it. Oh well. I'm getting old.
There's a good reason why the school is doing this to Sakura.
Too much chit chat... on with the story.
CHAPTER 4 : A dish best served cold
After Sakura's hesitant agreement, the court was ajourned. The Principal told Sakura and Syaoran to stay behind.
The Principal placed a multipage document and told Sakura to sign in. Normally Sakura would read before signing anything, however, in this occasion, she just want this to be over as quick as possible. Grabbing the blue pen, she quickly scribbled her name on the dotted line.
"Thank you, Kinomoto-san. As I said before, Li-san, here would be mentoring you for a month starting from tomorrow. There will be some changes to accomodate that, but nothing too unreasonable."
Changes? What could they possibly want to change? Syaoran already in most of her classes.
"I'll now leave you two to get acquainted."
Giving one last stare at Syaoran, which seemed to convey some unspoken message, the principal left the room.
Sakura felt apprehension growing within her as she shared the room with her adversary alone.
On the other hand, Syaoran felt excitement and power brewing him, although he tried his best to remain unfazed. He had his prey just where he wanted. His plan was finally coming into fruition.
As Syaoran stared into Sakura's eyes he could see, fear and uncertainty. The firey attitude in her, which he encountered yesterday was all but extinguished. Replaced, a meek, scared little girl. Syaoran kinda missed that firey spirit, a side of her rarely seen. Sakura averted her eyes. She could not bare looking at him, as shame burnt in her. Her face had a tint of pink. The moment continued for a while as neither spoke. Finally, the silence with broken.
"Speechless?" Syaoran started. His voice echoed through the empty hall.
"Uhn" Sakura meekly whispered. She didn't know how she should act and say. So much has happened today, she just wanted to go back to her bed and sleep. Wake up and find it was all just a horrible dream.
Syaoran almost felt sorry for her. Almost. But he reminded himself of the reason he was here. And for all he knows, she could just be acting.
"I hold the cards now, Sakura. The whole deck, in fact. If you're smart, you won't go against me."
"What do you want? Really." Sakura finally gathered up the courage and looked him in the eye, trying to search for answers in this puzzle. Her voice was soft and uncertain. All he saw in those amber pools were amusement and destruction. It reminded her
"I want to help you" The subtle mischievous grin on his face told Sakura that it was the last thing he wanted.
"Well... I don't really need your help. Why don't I just work on my own and you just file whatever report you need to. That way, it'll be easier for the both of us." Sakura asked with hope in her eyes.
"Heh. Nice try Sakura. I won't fudge the paperwork because you told me to."
Sakura reached out to touch Syaoran on the arm and reiterated her request.
"Syaoran, please. My livelihood depends on this. I can't be kicked out of here."
"Well, you better an obidient little girl and listen to me then." Syaoran expression turned serious.
"And get your hands off me" He swung off the grasp of Sakura's hand.
"Don't our past mean anything to you?"
"It obviously didn't to you, from what you said yesterday."
Sakura felt hurt. She wished that she hadn't met him in the hall yesterday. Wished that she could go back to yesterday and start anew.
"I'm sorry." Tears were threatening to spill out of Sakura's eyes. Syaoran also felt a pang to his heart. He ignored it. He's supposed to be enjoying this. Shaking his head he spoke once more.
"Sorry just doesn't cut it. I don't want to talk about it anymore. I expect you to come to my room 6 PM tonight. You'll get your first assignment."
"No! I don't want to go. I clearly heard the principal say it starts tomorrow!" She didn't care if she sounded like a pouting child. Sakura was going to take all the freedom she could get.
"Well maybe I should record down that you just tried to entice me to fudge the reports. If you don't get kicked out, it'll look real good on your transcript."
"I didn't do that! I just..."
Tears were now flowing freely from Sakura. Syaoran clearly had the upper hand.
"So it'll be my word against yours? Are you willing to bet on the School believing you over me?"
"You're blackmailing me?" asked Sakura while quietly sobbing.
"Call it what you like, I expect you to be there." Syaoran said finally. He walked out of the court, footsteps echoing throughout the great hall, leaving behind a sobbing Sakura.
How did it come to this, Sakura wondered. The day before, everything was just peachy. Ever since he came, all hell broke loose.
Back in Sakura's room, she allowed herself to fall face down on to her bed. The soft bed was comforting. She wasn't going to attend the rest of the day. Surely, news of it have spread throughout the school. She did not want to face her friends or answer any more questions.
Another question bubbled up - What could Syaoran possibly want from her at 6?
Sleep befell her as she contently hugged her pillow. At least she won't get in trouble in her dreams.
zzz zzz zzz
Sakura stared at the green door in front of her. She couldn't see inside as the blinds were down on the window beside it. She was early. She didn't want to give Syaoran another excuse to punish her.
Syaoran wouldn't mind if he came early would he? No. He should really commend her for taking the initiative to be early for her hell.
She knocked on the wooden door and waited. Fifteen seconds passed with silence. She tried again, this time banging louder. Anyone within the block could hear it. Still, only a gust of wind and closed door greeted her.
She decided to open the door and walked. It was mostly empty with a bed and a desk.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed his shoulder. She spun around quickly. It was only Syaoran. Wait. It's Syaoran! She backed away from him.
"Sakura, you have to do whatever I say, right?"
"I guess..."
"Right now, I'm bored"
This usually isn't good.
"I want you to entertain me." He began too closing their distance.
"Wh..what?"
"You know exactly what I mean." He whispered into her ear.
"I.. I can't"
zzz zzz zzz
Sakura awoke with a jolt. She had an intense dream. The fragmented memories of the dream dissolved in a matter of seconds that she was back in the concious world. She couldn't decided if it was a good dream or bad dream. Maybe it was bad. Her heart was thumping lightly and her breath was erratic. Her cheeks were flushed and she was sweating slightly.
As she calmed down, she took a glance at her alarm clock. 6:08 it read. 'Crap, I have to go to Syaoran's.'
She went to the mirror and found a girl with messy hair and panda eyes groggily glaring back. Should she fix herself up before going to meet her death? She was in no shape to face the world. It's not like it was a date. She didn't need to fix herself. Yes, in fact, maybe Syaoran will find her less attractive and decide that he doesn't want to mentor her anymore.
She gingerly walked out, her clothing wrickled by the sleep, and skipped to her destination. After walking for a minute, she found that she didn't even know where Syaoran's room was. Sakura sighed. Her friends have told her she was dense, now she's beginning to believe them.
Remember last night, she knew that his room must be near hers.
There wasn't much people around at this time. The adminstration office would be close by now as well. Sakura thought about it. Should she just tell Syaoran tomorrow that she couldn't find his room? Afterall, it was his fault that she is now lost.
Looking around she saw a cleaner and decided to ask for directions.
"Hi, do you know if a new student just moved in to this building?"
"uhh, let me think... Yes, yes, I had to clean a room a few days ago. It was already clean, but the p..."
Sakura hadn't got the time to listen to the old lady's life story, so she interrupted.
"Could you tell me where his room is?"
"It's on the second floor, room 205A"
"Thank you very much" Sakura smiled and left for the room.
"I thought holloween wasn't for months..."
zzz zzz zzz
After looking at the building map, Sakura arrived at the room.
A disgruntled Syaoran was leaning over the balcony ledge. Sakura hated getting into trouble. It seems that trouble is following her around today. However, Sakura liked an annoyed Syaoran rather than an annoying Syaoran.
"Syaoran-kun... I'm sorry, I sorta slept in" Sakura smile sheepishly knowing her non-chalant facade was annoying him.
Giving Sakura a once over, Syaoran was amazed how improperly dressed and messy Sakura was.
"Do you always walk around, dressed like a bum from a slump who never took a bath before?" his annoyed tone was apparent.
"Yes, got a problem with that?"
Normally, Sakura would be annoyed at a comment like that. Due to her fanatic fashion expert, Tomoyo-chan, she was always well presented. But anything that annoyed Syaoran was good. She was scoring points.
"Well, maybe I should teach you have to bathe properly."
"Well maybe you shou..." it was only nearing the end of the sentence Sakura realized what he said.
"Alright." The annoyance on his face was gone. He had won again. Grabbing Sakura's hand. He dragged her towards his room.
"Hey wait, no!" Sakura started to protest. She was still groggy from her sleep and obviously not thinking fast enough.
"I know how to bathe myself." Sakura countered.
"Yeah, obviously, as shown right now."
"But.." Sakura started struggling, but to no avail. Syaoran obviously had more strength.
"You're hurting my wrists."
"Maybe you should stop struggling then"
After much effort they arrived at the bathroom and Syaoran let go. Sakura quickly massaged her wrist. She heard bathroom door close and looked up to find Syaoran staring at her.
"Now, strip." Syaoran commanded.
"What?"
"Normally, people bath with their clothes off." Syaoran spoke as-a-matter-of-factly.
Sakura froze in place. What should she do. She's now trapped in the bathroom with Syaoran guarding the door, and she was about to get naked in front of him! She could see the he was enjoying this - placing her in an embarrassing situation like this. Her plan had definitely backfired.
"No!" Sakura said defiantly while her cheeks started to heat up.
"Are you embarrassed to be naked?" In fact, no one except for herself had seen her in the nude in her teenage years. She felt increasingly insecure and covered her chest with her arms.
"Yes" she replied softly and started at the ground. The floor tiling suddenly because really interesting.
"Why? Because you're flat chested?" Syaoran taunted.
Sakura stayed silent. A mix of anger and embarrassment flowed through her. Her face was bright red. Should she prove him wrong? Should she? She knew he was challenging her. She weighed the pros and cons. It would be nice to catch him off guard. But she knew that's what he wanted. Either way, she was damned.
Looking at the girl before him, Syaoran was really curious what she would do next. Should he push her further? After moments of inaction and silence, he decided that there are more important things to do than games right now. Satisfied at the effect he had on Sakura. Syaoran stopped even though he would've loved to have his way with her.
"I'll let you off this time. But if you ever turn up like this again, you know the consequences. Now, go back to your room and clean yourself up."
Sakura couldn't belive what she was hearing – Syaoran backing down! She was just thankful that he still had some kindness in him. Syaoran opened the door of the bathroom and allowed Sakura to get out. As she passed Syaoran, she whispered a soft, barely audible "thanks" – her token of gratitute.
zzz zzz zzz
After taking a bath and dressing nicely, she walked back to Syaoran's room, recalling the directions.
Seeing the door already open, she walked in.
"Syaoran-kun?" Sakura announced herself. Syaoran was reading something his desk, hearing his name he glanced up towards the door.
Sakura hoped that Syaoran would approve of her improved image. She was definitely more self-concious now, after the threat from Syaoran.
"Good. Much better. Come in and sit down."
Sakura strolled in and closed the door, then looked around to find a chair. The only chair was occupied, so she resorted to sitting down on the bed.
"What do you want me to do now?" Sakura asked.
"Keen to get started?" Syaoran asked amused. Sakura just glared in return. The faster this is done, the sooner she could get home.
"You know that English homework where you had to write a short story?"
Sakura didn't like where this is going.
"Yes. Isn't it due tomorrow?"
"Well, I'm not really good at English. So you're going to do it for me!"
"What! What were you doing for the past two weeks while you had it?"
Then it hit Sakura, Syaoran just came yesterday.
"Wait. We all got two weeks to compose the story. You don't need to hand it in tomorrow."
"Yes, Ms Smith wanted to give me an Extension, but I declined saying I could finish it in line with the rest of the class."
Sakura by now had his mouth wide open. She would kill for an extension. Her story was still not complete.
"Why? What's wrong with you?"
"Don't use that tone with me Sakura." Syaoran grew serious.
"I want you to compose it. It's not negotiable."
"But I haven't even finished mine."
"Well, you had two weeks to do it" Syaoran was now wagging his finger at her. "Too much time playing Sakura. From now on, you'll have to be more hard working."
Sakura bit her lips, incensed by what he was asking of her.
"Fine! But are you going to help me?"
"No, I have something important to do."
"What is more important than this assignment?"
At that moment, a knock came from the door and it swung open.
"Hi Syaoran!" came a squeaky annoying and unmistakeable voice. It was Sophia, one of the popular girls in Sakura's grade. She was had blond hair, a tall and slender physique and a pretty face, or so most of boys thought.
"Ready yet?"
Then Sakura caught her eye.
"What's she doing here?" she said in disgust.
"Don't worry, I'm just mentoring her. She's leaving to do her assignment."
"Ohhh. The one that is due tomorrow? I forgot all about it."
She lingered towards Syaoran and grabbed his arms. Looking up at Syaoran longingly with fake teary eyes, she continued.
"What am going to do. I'm going to get in lots of trouble!"
"Good, you deserved it!" Sakura chirped in. Whoops, did she say it out loud?
"Oh don't worry Sophia, Kinomoto can do yours as well."
"WHAT!" Sakura exclaimed.
"Really?" Sophia face instantly brightened up.
"Yep, she has lots of spare time unlike us. She can handle it, can't you?" Syaoran's eyes narrowed on her, and silently conveying his threats.
"Fine." She was now very pissed off.
"Thank you so much Syaoran!" Sophia chirped. "You don't know what it means to me!" the chirping sophia continued and whisper to his ear "I'll make it up to you tonight"
It was loud enough for Sakura to hear, who was already blue in the face. Decided she had enough of this, she ran out of the room, grabbing her stuff - who knows how many bimbo girlfriends Syaoran invited. How did Syaoran get a date so quickly anyway?
While walking back to her room, the breeze lightly blew against her face, her eyes were watery. How dare Syaoran give her 3 times the workload and all on such short notice. He was using her like some homework slave and hiring out her services to other people. How did he become so mean and nasty?
He was really unpredictable. One time he can be compassionate, others he can act like a total ass.She did not looking forward to tomorrow. Will she even have a tomorrow?
She picked up her mobile from her pocket, and decided that she needed to chat with someone. The screen showed "1 missed call". Tomoyo had rang her this afternoon. She decided to call Tomoyo.
"Sorry the number you trying to is engaged. Please-" Sakura closed the phone. It's around 7:30, Tomoyo's probably on the phone with Eriol.
She sighed at that thought. She was all alone. Ever since her roommate moved out, she had felt very lonely during the night. Her block had only few occupants at this time. It was just a few days until the semester break. Most pupils had left early to be with their families. Sakura wished she would be back home with her small family.
She arrived in front of her room and leaned over the balcony. She looked at the moonlight. It was a full moon. It was really beautiful. In the background the crickets chirped. This somehow made her feel more calm.
Absorbing the scenery one last time, she turned around went into her room. This was going to be one long night.
zzz zzz zzz
"Oh, did I tell you there's this new cute guy"
"Yeah! How did you know"
"Oooohh, tell me all about it"
"I don't mind long stories"
"Shut up"
"Fine, but you have to explain everything. Or else"
"When are you coming back, sweety"
"Middle of next week? Can't wait"
"Okay. chat to you later then"
"Love you too"
-
So who's coming back? Sorry, no prizes for the right answer.
Hopefully I'll update within two weeks. If not feel free to flame me, email death threats, hire hitman, poison my food etc. And should I up the rating to M, so I can write without having to tone things down? yay or nay! answer me! Do you guys even read this? No? You all suck then! Whoops did I just type that? I'm going crazy.
Finally, Please review!