CCSxSt Tail. Two gangs at Tomoeda High; Sakura's and Syaoran's. Both hate each other equally, but what happens when they have to stand side by side against another school? DM ET but especially SS

im on HOLZ WHOO! Soz for really late updates..how can u possibly keep still wen the sun is shining and the weather is wonderful and the birds are twittering and its CHRISTMAS...and the holidayz…? (its summer over here atm -.-)

Costumes/haircolours/eyecolours/etc will b revealed soon…possibly in this chapter : )

YAY this is officially CHAPTER 10. and maib...over the 20,000 word mark as well (have to check after i upload)

Ok..a few things 2 sort out:

nipagirl12193- im not mad…seriously! I wanted to change it coz I want this story to be more…believable? Well…its pretty unbelievable with all the magic and stuff but I don't want to change the characters that much, because then I'll just be using the names of CCS, not the actual characters of CCS…do u all get it? (an easier way for me to explain would be…I want the characters to be believable.) geez, I suck at explaining things -.-

I actually want to know what sux / isn't working with my stories ok? Then hopefully I can:

a) change it for future readers

b) keep it in mind for future stories

so feel free to say if its crap etc, no hard feelings. Unless I find out your fone number and where you live, I won't do anything to you. Promise XP.

Other than that...enjoy. Its pretty long (for me, anyway)

And…MERRY CHRISTMAS, everyone!

Disclaimer: 'tis not mine. No characters r mine, juz the storyline…

The Ice-cream Parlour: Shall We Dance?

Syaoran hung around the drinks table, sipping his fruit punch. Eriol had disappeared off to somewhere immediately after they had entered the room, and Asuka had gone to the restroom to fix his mask. He couldn't feel their auras either because part of the deal was that his two friends had to hide their auras as well. He had a feeling that Kinomoto had not arrived yet. 'Typical', he thought, 'she's always late for everything.' He took a glance at his surroundings. Every year, Tomoeda High organized some sort of dance, ball or social that the whole school attended, and every year was a different theme. This year, the decoration for the Masquerade was dark and richly detailed. Black velvet drapes shielded the ugly brick walls of the hall. Delicate thin strands of silver streamers completed the look. There was a beautiful water fountain churning at the end of the hall, in an attempt to make the atmosphere more 'mystical', and at the other end was a lovely strings quartet. Bluestone pillars, each set evenly apart, stood around the room with silver winding up from the bottom.

The ceiling was not visible for it was covered with hundreds of silver and black helium balloons, and it suspended small silver stars and glittery moons in the air. The hall was dimly lit with nothing but several lights that hung down from the high ceiling. Syaoran observed these lights with an annoyed expression. They looked like a gypsy's crystal ball, a clear bubble with a small light in the centre. 'Damn!' he thought, 'it's so dark in here with these useless lights…how am I ever going to find Kinomoto?' He made a mental note that if he lost this contest, he would find the people who decorated this hall and strangle them.

He leaned against one of the bluestone pillars as the music started playing again, and watched when couples headed towards the centre of the room to the dance floor. Being in disguise with his new haircolour and lenses, he was not glad that the girls didn't recognize him. When he was in 'Syaoran Li' mode, the girls won't even dare talk to him. And now, with black hair and blue eyes, girls have been flocking to ask this 'stranger' for a dance.

"No," he said in monotone, when some girl dressed as a kitten came within two metres. The girl turned sadly away at the rejection. 'They just don't get it, do they?' Syaoran thought to himself, 'I've said 'no' to about a hundred of them already…do they think to themselves that they would be the one to change my answer?' Syaoran smirked as a girl clad in a tight mini dress made her way over. She winked flirtatiously at him but he sent her a look of disgust. "Definitely not," he told her before she even opened her mouth. He grabbed his dyed-black hair in irritation, making it even more tousled. 'Damn it Kinomoto,' he gritted his teeth, 'where the hell are you?' Deciding that he needed a fresher drink than fruit punch, he emptied his glass and ducked outside through one of the back doors for a drink of water.

Sakura blinked as she entered, in a daze at the sudden dimness of the room. Her friends immediately separated from her; this was part of the plan, because if Li spotted her hanging with Tomoyo and Meimi, he would know that it was her. She felt her friends' auras switch off, as part of the deal. A warm feeling enveloped her; the atmosphere of the room lifted her spirits greatly. She observed the hall; the only bright spot in the room was the centre, where people danced. Others were standing on the sides in the darkness, talking and drinking. The dim lights gave a sort of magical feeling to the room and everyone was talking in hushed voices. Making sure she hid her aura well, she wandered her way alone, feeling everyone's eyes prickle her skin. But she showed no fear. Sakura Kinomoto was not one to show fear. But tonight, she wasn't Sakura Kinomoto either. Her hair shone a dark mahogany that flowed past her shoulders, and her once emerald green eyes were now concealed behind vivid turquoise lenses, making her look ethereal. She floated across the room, receiving jealous looks from girls and making guys' jaws drop. 'I wonder where Li is,' she thought.

She eventually ended up by the fountain. Sakura sat on the edge, examining her reflection. 'Funny,' she mused, 'I can barely recognize myself.' A noise behind startled her. A couple was apparently kissing behind a pillar and accidentally knocked one of the ornaments down. Sakura glared at them for disturbing her peace. The couple blushed, and feeling self-conscious, decided to find some other place to make-out. As they headed off in another direction, with the boy leading the girl away, Sakura's glare softened. How she longed for something like that! Sure, she had half the male population in her school lusting after her, but she knew that was all it was: lust. She hadn't actually found someone who loved her on the inside, someone she could depend on. Ever since she found out she could use magic, she had been independent. She had all that power, and even Touya and her dad knew she was capable of taking care of herself. Never had she had someone who she could lean back on, someone who would embrace her when things got down. She wished for someone who would think about her the whole day, and she would think about him. Sakura smiled sadly at the water, dipping her fingers in and enjoying the coolness it gave. 'What am I doing, daydreaming?' she said bitterly, 'I should be thinking about Li.'

"Daidouji."

Tomoyo froze in her spot, afraid to turn around. "Yes?" she squeaked, still with her back to him. He didn't answer but she heard a movement behind her. His fingertips brushed her bare arm and she felt goose bumps appear on her skin.

"Daidouji…" His voice teasing and soft.

Eriol held a breath as she slowly turned, taking all of her in. Tomoyo was dressed in lilac. Inspired by the Greek Classical period, it was a light dress with a modest neckline, then tight just beneath her breasts, and flowed down to the floor. Dainty white pearls made up her straps. A slit ran up to her mid thigh, giving her innocent dress a sexy edge. From her hair up in a bun entwined with white flowers, to the silver stilettos that laced up her legs, there was no denying that Tomoyo Daidouji looked like a goddess. Was it coincidence? Eriol had designed his own costume as a Roman god, mixing contemporary with the ancient. He himself was dressed in loose white pants; and only a long white linen robe, held together by a silver clasp, covered his bare chest, making girls faint whenever he walked past.

Eriol smiled as she blushed faintly under his gaze. He brought up a hand to her face and she trembled, unsure what he was going to do. Gently, he reached for her silver mask, and fixed it so it was straight.

"Daidouji," he said again, "dance with me?"

Asuka looked at the mirror one last time. Eriol designed him as a prince, with a high collar, red tailcoat trimmed with gold and white cuffs. His white pants covered his white shoes, and he wore a yellow sash attached to his left shoulder. Asuka scowled at his reflection, hating the fact that he was at this party and that maybe, by some stupid chance, he would see Haneoka.

Why though, did he hate her so much? He didn't know. Ever since they were in kindergarten, even before he met Syaoran and Eriol, he had something against her. Haneoka was always better than him in everything. In kindergarten, she was able colour in pictures better, she was smarter in spelling and counting numbers, she drew prettier pictures…Haneoka was always perfect. He hated her for that. He made her his rival; an enemy to defeat. He started taunting her; name-calling, hair pulling, and sticking his foot out to trip her at any chance. But Haneoka, back then, didn't retaliate. She was everyone's favourite child; sweet and forgiving, even to him. But when and why did she start hating him back? 'Oh yeah,' he smirked at the memory, 'I broke her favourite crayons...'

Asuka exited the boys' toilets with a depressed spirit. There was around three hours till the Masquerade ended and he had nothing to do. Syaoran was trying to remain disclosed and Eriol was no where to be seen; their auras were hidden. Even Hanoeka wasn't around for him to annoy. 'Argh...' he thought, still standing in front of the toilets, 'I'm a sad, sad, lonely person,' he commented, looking up at the balloon-filled ceiling, 'God please help me get through tonight…'

OOF.

"OW!" Someone bumped into him and because he was stronger, the person was knocked to the ground.

"Watch where you're going!" snapped the person, looking irritated, sitting on the floor.

"What do you mean? I was just STANDING HERE," Asuka retorted. He reached out a hand to the person on the ground, and helped the person up. The girl dusted off her clothes with her free hand and it was then did Asuka realize that she was absolutely beautiful. She featured a pale yellow off-the-shoulder top and a gold butterfly pendant hung around her neck. Her white knee-length skirt was actually made up of different pieces; each piece was shaped like a petal, and because the material was almost see-through, when layered together, her skirt looked like a delicate flower. Three yellow ribbons were tied around her waist. She reminded Asuka of a fairy, from stories when he was young; the pretty and cheeky ones that always got into mischief. Her hair was braided into two plaits, her real haircolour barely visible because her hair was crazily streaked with gold glitter. Her mask shielded her eyes from him but Asuka still stared awestruck at the girl in front of him.

"Um…" the girl said, her voice sounding strangely musical and familiar. Asuka shook his head. "What?" he asked, trying to cover up the fact that he was staring at her. She pointed to his hand, which was still holding onto hers. "Oh," he said, now truly embarrassed. He watched her smile a bit and he let go, a little unwillingly. Asuka watched her leave, and to him, it seemed like forever. Her every step echoed in his mind and every graceful movement was replaying in front of his eyes.

Asuka sighed. Now he knew what people meant by love at first sight. And like most circumstances, she was way out of his league. 'Now…' he thought, 'back to my sad, sad, lonely world of never-ending Masquerade…what was I thinking about before? Oh yes…God…you up there? Thanks for making the girl of my dreams fall at my feet but get up and coldly leave me. It's nice that I feel alone and hurt and unwanted and emotionally unstable,' he blamed sarcastically.

A thought struck him. He replayed the scene in his mind. The girl…the girl…bumped into straight after his short prayer to God. God must have sent her to him…but not to make fun of him, but he actually answered his prayer! He mouthed the exact words he had said moments before: "God please help me get through the night…" She was the one sent to help him 'get through the night'. And what was he doing now? Letting her leave him just like that!

Asuka desperately scanned for the fairy in yellow. 'What am I thinking…she must have gone somewhere far far away by now,' he thought sadly, 'Nice one Asuka…you blew your chance.' Suddenly his eyes caught a flash of gold glitter. His mind went numb for a second when she turned, and he saw something glinting around her neck: her butterfly pendant. His heart leapt. It was her! He hurriedly pushed his way through the crowd; ignoring the disapproving looks from his fellow students and teachers; he didn't care. He needed to get to her.

Meimi yawned. The Masquerade was sure not what she had imagined. She thought it was going to be all festive and bright and colourful, but it turned to be some crappy dark room and dull waltz music. Apart from the fact that she had bumped into that cute boy moments before, the Masquerade was just plain boring.

"Wait! Sorry…excuse me…get out of my way!"

Meimi listened to the voice. It was very familiar, but she couldn't put her finger on it. 'Oh well…there are over a thousand people here…could be anyone,' she thought, and continued walking.

"Please let me through…I have to get to her! Excuse me…she's getting away…"

Meimi giggled. Whoever it was, he was sweet! Chasing after a girl like that… 'How romantic!' she went starry-eyed and sighed, 'I wish he was chasing after me…'

"Ah crap…sorry there...WAIT!"

Meimi frowned. He needed some work on his language though. 'Ah crap' was so not romantic. A tap on her shoulder made her stop walking and she turned around.

'AHHHHH!' she screamed ecstatically inside her head. It was the cute boy she bumped into just then. He was breathing heavily and looked like he had just been running. Meimi put the pieces together. 'He was the one…chasing for the girl…who was…me?'

He ceased panting and straightened himself uncomfortably. "Ah…uh…" he managed to splutter out.

Her eyes widened. "Y-yes?"

His cheeks turned visibly red. "Will…w-will you…"

Meimi smiled encouragingly, "Will I…?"

"Will you dance with me?" he diverted his gaze to the ground.

'YES!' her mind screamed, 'DANCE WITH HIM!' But on the outside:

"No."

His head snapped back up. "Why?" By his tone she could tell that he was not often refused.

"Do I need a reason?" she said slyly. Time to play hard to get!

"Yes, tell me," he growled.

"You're persistent, aren't you," she put her hands on her hips, a bit annoyed with him.

"Listen lady," he said, grabbing her arm, "I asked nicely!"

"Your behaviour isn't that nice now," Meimi commented calmly, not fighting his grip. 'He sure is good-looking, but really, his manners are appalling!' she noted to herself. 'Just like someone else I know…' Her thoughts drifted to Asuka, who had called her a 'bitch' and a 'dumbass blonde' just this morning. 'Argh…Asuka…why am I even thinking about him now?'

The boy shuffled his feet, still waiting for her answer. She looked him up and down, still considering. He was dressed handsomely as a prince, and glancing swiftly over his shoulder, she saw several girls glaring enviously at her. She also noticed that he had forest green hair…just like…Asuka. 'Stop it,' she mentally slapped herself, 'there's a perfectly cute boy who is standing in front of you and you're thinking about HIM?'

But then she thought again. 'He's here tonight, right? What would Asuka think if I danced with this boy…he did say I was an ugly disease-infected monster who nobody would go near…' she recalled from one of their usual verbal battles. 'Stupid idiot…Ugly, 'ey? Monster? I'm going to prove him wrong!'

With that, her expression changed. She beamed a billion dollar smile at the boy on front of her. "Sure!" she said, suddenly taking his hand that was on her arm, "Let's dance!" and she practically dragged the bewildered boy to the dancefloor.

The dark haired boy slipped back inside, the wind from outside making his hair more rogue-like than ever. He scanned across the room, hoping to spot his rival, Kinomoto. He could not find an auburn head anywhere. 'Phew…' he thought, 'she's not here yet.'

He returned to his place by the bluestone pillars, again watching everyone while at the same time keeping watch for Kinomoto. 'Look…there's Yamazaki and Mihara…geez, they need to get a room…and there's Mamoru…what the hell is he wearing? And Mina…that's just disgusting!' Cursing the lights, he tried to find his friends. His eyes wandered towards the crowds of people that were chatting on the sides of the room, but he couldn't find them anywhere. 'Unless…they're in the middle…dancing…' What he saw made his jaw drop.

Eriol…was dancing with Daidouji! His eyes were glued to the elegant couple as they twirled gracefully around the centre of the room, completely in tune with the music and each other. 'Do they even know they're dancing with each other?' he wondered, 'but either way…Eriol's a lucky bastard…Daidouji looks hot.' He decided to leave them be; they actually do look perfect, like a real couple.

His watchful gaze left them, but what he saw next nearly made his eyes bulge out of their sockets. He found Asuka dancing with…Haneoka! "What is with the world today," he muttered. But thinking it over, Asuka probably doesn't know that it was her. And Haneoka probably doesn't know it was him either. They absolutely detest one another…and Syaoran admitted that Haneoka was barely recognizable (and pretty cute, he might add) in that costume and with all that glitter in her hair. 'Asuka buddy…' he grinned, 'you're gonna be so in for it when she finds out.' With a wicked smile, he also decided to leave his friend alone; but for a very different reason. After all, it would be so funny to see the look on Asuka's face!

'So…my friends have bagged the prettiest girls in the school…now, where's the ugliest one?' he thought, folding his arms. 'If Daidouji and Haneoka are here…Kinomoto should be somewhere here as well…'

'Where could she be hiding?' he asked himself, checking each part of the hall. 'Let's see…behind the strings quartet? Nope. Drinks table? Nope. Dancefloor? 'Course not…nobody would dance with her. Fountain? Fountain…oh my god fountain…' he kept saying when he caught sight of…

Her.

All thoughts of Kinomoto went straight out the window when he saw her.

She was perfect.

And beautiful.

And indescribably stunning.

Smooth brown hair, the colour of dark chocolate, hung in waves past her shoulderblades. It was left down but little butterfly clips held pieces of it back, making it look neat and pretty and the same time. The dark colour contrasted greatly against her pale complexion: it was like the moonlight kissed her skin; there was a certain radiance about her that glowed from the inside. Soft pink lips held a pout that made Syaoran forget about everything around him; he could see only her. He watched her shoulders sag and her head rest on her hand. His eyes left her face and traveled down her slender neck, and he thanked whoever designed her dress silently. It was strapless, and hugged every curve, then flowed down and spread onto the floor. It was a light, distinct green, a pale green like honeydew. Swirling designs outlined in diamante decorated the bust, and strands of white pearls wrapped around her figure just under her breasts. A pair of delicate transparent butterfly wings was sewn onto the back.

And she was sitting on the edge of her fountain, looking pensive as her hand skimmed the surface of the water. Syaoran wondered what she was thinking about. Syaoran couldn't tear his eyes away from her. She was beautiful…that was the only word to describe her, and still that word is not enough. She was beautiful in her own way, not like Daidouji, or Haneoka. How can you compare an angel with a goddess, or a fairy? They were all beautiful, but in very difference ways.

When Syaoran felt his jaw becoming sore from it hanging open, he quickly regained his composure. And tore his stare away. Then glanced back at her. Then looked away again. Then stole a look at her. Then pretended to stare at something else in the opposite direction. "What the hell is happening to me," he said, "stop looking at her like some obsessed pervert."

'One last look,' a voice pleaded in his head, 'and then never again.'

"Alright," Syaoran said. He swiveled his head in her direction.

And found her amazing blue-green eyes catch his.

'Shit.'

I'll put a review of all the costumes in the next chapter. Meanwhile…

Asuka's costume- think of Syaoran's prince costume in the original CCS

The Girl Syaoran Is Staring At's costume (I think you all know who she is…but in attempt to not ruin anyone's read) - think of Neo Queen Serenity from Sailor Moon

everyone gasps…if Asuka's wearing Syaoran' prince costume…then what will Syaoran be wearing?

R&R thx

Merry Christmas!

scarletskies