Remember, the only reason I'm updating is because there seem to be a lot people who likes this story (for some reason). So keep reviewing if you want more :)
I won't up the rating because I started with PG13, and I think a lot of readers are below that. The rating stays, so they probably won't be doing much, err.. questionable stuff.
For those wondering what was with the last bit. It's all fanfiction dot net's fault. They deleted my dot dot dots, in between the sentences. It was meant to be a scene of Tomoyo conversing on the phone with that dot dot dot someone.
A plan
The day before yesterday, everything was going good. Life was good. School was good. Never in Sakura's wildest nigthmares, that she would expect a comet to crash into her world, metaphorically speaking of course. She wondered if it would be better if a third impact did happen, at least she wouldn't have to worry about him. One pain covers the other. Even better, a precision impact comet landing right into Syaoran's room, while his asleep. That would take care of the problem.
Sakura needed a plan. Living each day as it comes isn't an option any more. She knew Syaoran was playing a game with her. He didn't come here to study. He came here to stop her from studying. He had displayed great ability to strategise at a young age. Great foresight in placing pieces well in advance to achieve a broader goal. Sakura remembered a time when they were little, they were playing a board game of monopoly with her onii-chan, Syaoran and her dad. Syaoran had gained estates on the whole east side of the board. A few more turns later and everyone except Syaoran was bankrupt.
She thought about asking Tomoyo for help, but thought the better of it. Not now, she really didn't want to explain the long story. Syaoran had gave her too many homework. Why did he have to volunteer to redo all of the work he missed? Duh, why did she bother asking herself a question with such an obvious answer. She was really going insane.
Hunched over her study, she continued to answer the math questions. This was only helped by the fact she had a faint memory of doing it a few weeks ago. As much as she hate to admit, this extra practise could actually help her.
zz zz zz
Sakura had finished the last of the maths exercise. Much to her relief, only two english essays remain for today. The only noise in her half empty room was the discrete ticking of the wall clock. It was 1 AM already and she doubt she'll be sleeping tonight. She begin reading the question to the essay: "Answer the question in accordance to the text you chose to read in your term break. When comparing the two texts of in their context, how was your understand of the texts developed and reshaped?"
She remembered this essay question as one of the hardest in her English class. Even reading and understanding the question takes half an hour. Then another shocking insight hit her - she can't write about what she read! It'll be the same and the teacher would definitely suspect it. Sighing, she wondered what Syaoran would've read during the break, if at all... "Revenge for dummies" perhaps, "How to screw your friend in 30 days". Not that it was suitable at all for this essay. Burying her face in her hand, she asked herself: What can she do?
Then it hit her. A solution! She went to her bag and got out her Notebook computer. The college has wireless internet provided for their students. She immediately opened up Firefox and googled "Free essays". After 5 minutes of searching, she found a relatively nice essay answer that matched the question. After downloading it, she opened up the document and substituted the title and the name to "A comparative study of texts. By Syaoran Li". Highlight, bold, increase font size, and change colour to pink? Maybe not.
"Perfect!" Sakura smiled.
zz zz zz
Syaoran awoke with a massive hangover. He usually didn't drink that much, if at all. He lived and grew up in a very strict family. If her mother saw him like this, he would be given a stern lecture and probably be punished in some way. Last night, he was celebrating his new found freedom. He partied like there was no tomorrow. Today, however, he regretted it.
He trodded over to the mirror and through his puffy eyes, he stared at himself. One question ran through his mind. "Why am I here?". He knew the answer already, but a part of him was still sceptical. Shaking off the rogue thoughts, he hastily clean himself up. Washed his face, teeth and took a shower. Class is going to start soon.
zz zz zz
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP
Sakura had a good 4 hours of sleep last thanks to her ingenious plan. She smacked the alarm clock to stop the nuisance. Sleep was too good, but she can't be too slack. On a normal day, she would continue sleeping for a bit. However, these days, she can't afford to be late. The school seems to be find every excuse for her to be expelled. She won't let that happen.
After a brief washing up, she dashed out the door with the homework, only to bump into the devil himself. Luckily, she stopped or else she would've been on top of him... or maybe not. More likely, it'll be like running straight into a wall - she'll bounce staright back.
"HOEE!" Sakura said startled. "Good morning" she tried very hard to show a smile.
Syaoran, in return, had a stern look on his face.
"Have you got my essays?"
He wastes no time does he...
"Yes, no thanks to you, I had stay up all night doing it."
Handing Syaoran the folder, she continued,
"Alright, the essay talked about a book called... hey wait!"
Without a reply, not even a mere "thanks", or "okay". Syaoran took the folder walked off, leaving a confused and agitated Sakura.
"What is with him... Oh well, he'll be in for a surprise" Sakura shrugged.
zz zz zz
The first class was English. The teacher was Mrs Reed, an English teacher recruited from England. She was an overpaid, over enthusiastic educator. Her lessons were great in a way, like eating chocolate, but when you eat chocolate everyday, you eventually get sick.
Excitement bubbled up in Sakura. Syaoran had no idea what was coming.
"Hi Sakura-chan, how was tutoring?" Tomoyo came out of no where and asked.
"It was terrible," she dragged Tomoyo into the corridor out of earshot of other students.
"He made me complete all the work he missed!"
"You mean he made you do his homework?" Tomoyo narrowed her eyes.
"Yes, but guess what I did?" Sakura couldn't suppress a grin.
"What did you do?"
"I just went on the Internet and downloaded an essay for him"
Tomoyo's mouth dropped.
"Sakura!", she exclaimed, "plagarising will get you expelled for sure!"
Keeping her grin, "But tomoyo, it won't be me that getting expelled."
"Sakura! This is too dangerous. What if it backfires?"
"It won't, Tomoyo! Trust me. Syaoran can't say it's done by me or he'll be in trouble. He'll probably get get expelled," Sakura uttered in dreamy eyes.
"When have you become so vindictive?" Tomoyo had a worried look, which she then embraced Sakura. "What happened to my Sakura-chan"
"TOMOYO You're embarrassing me!" Sakura struggled out of the death-hug.
"I haven't changed, but the moment the SONOFABITCH, came here and caused me so much trouble, I vowed to fight back." Her determination was glaring to all the bystanders.
The bell then rang and students slowly went to their seats.
"Just be careful, Sakura..." Tomoyo whispered.
zz zz zz
"Good morning class!" enthused the teacher.
"Good morning Mrs Reed." the monotone voice of the class replied.
"How are we all today?"
Mumbling was thought to be heard somewhere in the midst of the class.
"That's wonderful!"
"Now, as I understand, the recently transferred top student Syaoran has a exciting presentation to give the class!"
Sakura really wanted to gag. Top student? urhrhrhgg.
"Syaoran" the teacher, now directing his words at Syaoran asked "Are you ready to do your presentation on the two books you read?"
All eyes were on Syaoran. Sakura was particularly interested in seeing him get creamed.
"I wasn't aware that I had to give a presentation." Syaoran offered.
"Oh? I'm sorry, I must've forgot to tell you. I'm quite sure it was on the question sheet though. Then can you just come up and give us a impromptu presentation then?"
"Well..."
Sakura couldn't help but grin at the helpless Syaoran. Smothered by the
"C'mon, I'll give consideration when marking your presentation." encouraged the teacher.
Briefly, Syaoran's eyes landed on Sakura. Their eyes locked for a split second, as Syaoran conveyed his anger and Sakura returned her amusement. Revenge is sweet. Seeing a chagrin Syaoran, was nearly worth the work last night. Nearly.
Reluctantly getting up and grabbing his folders, Syaoran slowly walked to the front of the class. Trying to keep his face from burning up was hard. His eyes fell on Sakura again, who seemed to have a grin plastered on to her face.
Just when Syaoran was about to speak, a bell rang. The fire alarm bell to be exact.
"Students, students! Don't panic! This just might be an exercise!" Mrs Reed yelled as students got out of their seats. The fire escape procedure was that all students are to assembled at the school oval, in case of an emergency.
"NO, Naomi! Leave your belongings and head to the Oval NOW!" The teacher instructed, while trying to control the class.
"But, Mrs Reed, it's an expensive phone!" wailed the student named Naomi.
"Quick, Sakura, let's go" Tomoyo said and got up from her seat.
How can he be so lucky? Sakura asked herself. There were plenty of times when she could've used something this? Why is everything on his side?
Outside the classroom, students were rushing out of class, pushing the person in front. It wasn't far from chaos.
As Sakura followed Tomoyo, an arm grabbed her and pulled her to an adjoining corridor. There she came face to face with the devil, or Syaoran as they call him. Sakura eyes had a mix or surprise and horror painted on her face.
"What are you doing? There's a fire! We have to get to the oval!" Sakura said anxiously.
"There's no fire"
"I don't want to be burnt to crisp." Sakura said with unrgency and added "I'm not immune to fire, unlike you!"
"Ha ha. That's very funny Sakura." Though, Syaoran was anything from amused. Sakura tried to escape but Syaoran had the exit covered.
"You tried to make a fool out of me!" accused Syaoran.
"No, you managed that quite well on your own." Sakura made another attempt at freedom, only to have both arms grabbed by Syaoran.
"We're not finished talking yet."
"Yes we are! Let go, you idiot!" stuggled Sakura.
"Hey!" a third voice came from behind.
"Quit mucking around and get to the oval!" It was a teacher.
Syaoran finally let go and turned around.
"We'll finish this later" An annoyed Syaoran said before dashing off.
Safe for now, Sakura thought. Sighing, she made her way to the oval.
zz zz zz
The fire alarm turned out to be an exercise. The principal remarked that the students were too complacent and hinted that may be more exercises. To most however, it was a complete waste of time. At least they got off class.
It was nearly the end of the school day, when Syaoran got a phone call from the school administration, asking that he report to the principal's office. This was already turning out to be a bad day for Syaoran. He was about to find Sakura to finish their conversation. Now the prinicpal wants to see him. What does he want again?
He headed to the office.
zz zz zz
"Li-san, I know that the standards of the college might seem a little bit too high for you, but there is absolutely no reason for this." The principal reasoned.
Confused as to what the principal was saying, Syaoran replied
"Toriyama-san, what are you talking about?"
"There is a problem with the two English reports you have handed in."
Syaoran raised an eyebrow as the principal continued.
"I've been informed by Mrs Reed that you didn't write them."
Stunned, thoughts raced through Syaoran's mind. Did Sakura tell on him? The Sakura he knew didn't have the guts. Seeing that Syaoran isn't all that forth coming, the principal pressed on.
"Li-san, we run all student assignment through a computer checking system to see if they are plagarised. Our system picked up that your assignments are downloaded from the Internet."
Downloaded off the Internet? He was beginning to comprehend the situation. Sakura had downloaded the essays from the internet, Syaoran thought. He knew she wasn't capable of producing two seemingly well written essays in just one night. He began quiet fuming, contemplating what punishment he should dish out to the wench.
"Syaoran Li! Did you hear what I just said?" an annoyed principal asked, "In normal circumstances, plagarising will earn you an immediate expulsion!"
"Mr Toriyama, to be honest, I did not do the plagarising. Someone else did"
"What do you mean? Did you not hand this report in?" the principal tabled the reports in question.
"I handed it in, but it wasn't done by me. It was done by... someone else."
"So someone copied the work off the internet, and you handed it in as your own?"
"Yes"
"And how did that happen?" enquired an outraged principal, but he immediately thought the better of it.
"Wait. I really don't want to know" the principal began rubbing his temples. This was beginning to give him a headache.
Syaoran, seeing the principal was already on the back foot, decided to press an end to the conversation. "I think this is a matter for me to resolve. I promise it won't happen again."
He was about to turn and leave when the principal started again.
"Li-san, with all due respect, this college isn't your personal RPG game" he continued "You might not know this, but there is over 100 years history in this college, with numerous famous actor and politician aluminis. The reputation of this college is being..." the principal paused to considered his choice of words "being... threatened by your reckless actions. The audit on Sakura Kinomoto has already raised some eyebrows. Questions are being asked and eventually, the truth will leak out!"
"Might I remind you, Toriyama-san, that the Li family currently has 51 stake of the whole college and my mother is a candidate for the next PTA presidential election. The college would be closing down if not for my family's help."
"Li-san, all I'm saying, is think of the good of the school before taking any rash actions. There's more than just you and Kinomoto-san at this college. You are putting at risk the futures of students at the college. I implore you to reconsider what you're doing!"
"Enough. I know what I'm doing. If you don't think you can handle this job, I'm sure I can find a suitable replacement."
"No, no, that's not necessary."
Getting up from his chair, he turned around and gazed out the window that was behind him. The view of the oval, was clear from his office. Sighing lightly, he continued,
"I've been the principal of this college for the past fifteen years. I guided this college through hard times - when there was financial trouble due to funding cuts; when there are teacher strikes. There reaches a point where you thought you've experienced everything there is, as a principal, where I can think back and I'll know what I should do this time. That was until you came here."
Shaking his head, the principal seemed to be in deep thought. Syaoran, however, wasn't interested in his life story. He interrupted.
"Will that be all, Mr Toriyama?"
"Yes, you may return to class now."
Exiting the principal's office, Syaoran thought about the problem at hand.
Looking ahead at the empty corridor, he said to no one in paritcular,
"The kitty has grew some claws..."
FINALLY after X+ months, I've got this chapter 5 written. At this rate. The story should be finished by the time most of you get married. LOL.
Merry Christmas and Happy 2006.
Reviews would be a really nice present for me :)