Countless days past Syaoran continued to attend all his punishments including running lines with Sakura. Syaoran had to admit that he occasionally got better in what he was doing even if it was little improvement that no one would notice but Sakura sure did. It annoyed him that she was always there to help him even if he didn't want it. Or did he? Annoyed that she saw every little improvement that happened and the glances and smiles that go along with it. But its weird that he did not feel mad or hatred other than the feeling of annoyance he kind of though that Sakura was an OK person and that he was glad she was there to help him and notice his improvements. Nah couldn't be.

Syaoran walked casually in the hallways trying to stall time until he got back to class. Who to see him but Mr. Terada on his way to the teacher's lounge.

"Mr. Li where do you think you're going?" He asked.

Syaoran stopped to turn him. "Class." He said without any witty remark.

"Just as I thought." He smiled.

Syaoran grunted and started walking away.

"Oh Syaoran don't forger that you're 3 day retreat is coming up. And I am pleased to tell you that I am very happy that you have improved in your activities lately." He added.

The retreat. I totally forgot it's this Tuesday.

"Sure whatever." Syaoran said as he turned at the corner where the principal could no longer see him.

"I'm worried Sakura." Mr. Kinimoto said as he read his paper.

"Worried about what?" Sakura asked. Her dad has called her down to talk to her and their talks where always something serious.

"Worried that you spend a lot of time with that Li kid too much. I know his kind and its no good."

Sakura frowned. "Dad you know better than judging him."

"I'm not. It's the whole truth." He said.

"He isn't all that bad once you get to know him and you know he has good inside of him I can tell from his eyes."

Mr. Kinimoto sighed. "There's no stopping you is there?"

"Dad give him a chance." Sakura said.

Mr. Kinimoto sighed again and turned back at his paper.

Syaoran opened his eyes to look at his alarm clock: 8:04

Oh crap! The retreat

Syaoran jumped out of bed and started packing his stuff. He put on his a white t-shirt and a green vest and headed downstairs.

Oh wait my cell.

Syaoran picked up his cell and saw that someone left 10 messages since last night.

I wonder…

Syaoran held the receiver up to his ear: Hello Li its Meilin can you call be back as soon as possible BEEP. Oh I forgot to tell you that I was sorry for how I acted yesterday I know you must've felt bad right? I mean you have to be I can tell from your eyes. Ok bye now BEEP. LI pick up please I miss you Meilin BEEP.

Syaoran stopped the messages he heard enough and deleted them all.

You know nothing of my eyes Meilin…

Syaoran headed downstairs as he pocketed his cell. He saw his mom drinking coffee and reading the newspaper.

"Hey." Syaoran said.

"Hey Syaoran." Mrs. Li smiled.

"Please don't call me that." Syaoran said getting a cereal bar.

"Ok. Where are you going?" She asked.

"Some retreat. I'm going." Syaoran said and walked towards the door.

"Bye son." She called after him.

"Bye…mom." Syaoran said quickly.

Mrs. Li smiled for once in a long time her son called her mom.

Syaoran shook his head.

Why did I call her mom?

He didn't have time to think because it was almost 8:30 and the bus was about to leave. He stepped into his car and called up his friend Eriol.

"Eriol come to the school right now." Syaoran said.

"Huh what? All right. You're going to that stupid out of town thing aren't you?" Eriol asked.

"Yeah. Go quick I want you to take care of my car when I'm gone."

"No prob. I'll be there right away."

"Ok bye." BEEP.

Syaoran reached the school and stepped out of his car. He saw Eriol, Takashi and Meilin in a distance. And then he saw the bus and a line up to go in.

Good I'm not late.

Syaoran ran up to Eriol. "Eriol take care of my car all right?"

"Like I said no problem." Eriol said taking his keys.

"Ok see you guys in 3 days." Syaoran said and started to run up to the bus.

"Li wait!" Meilin said running up to him.

Sakura was already in the bus waiting for everyone to get in. She looked out her window and saw Meilin kiss Syaoran on the cheek. She quickly looked away. She felt a little tear in her heart and smiled sadly.

Syaoran did not even bother look at her. "Meilin please we are through. I thought I made it clear?"

Meilin… my growing pain.

"Hey a little good bye kiss wouldn't kill you." Meilin winked.

Syaoran started walking away to the bus. He stood at the end of the line the consisted of 4 people. When it was finally his turn he stepped in the bus and looked around every seat was filled except for a few loners around the back. He looked if any of them was Sakura. None. He saw that Sakura was happily talking to her friend around the middle of bus.

I forgot this is her world.

Syaoran sat with this obese kid at the very back. He took his mp3 and started listening to it.

Sakura turned her head to see Syaoran at the back listening to his music.

He came. I knew he would.

The bus started and they were off. Syaoran would now and then steal glances of Sakura still afraid to look into her emerald eyes. Sakura did the same in return but she tried to look into his eyes but it was covered up by his messy auburn hair.

The guy beside Syaoran tapped his shoulder.

Syaoran turned around. "What?"

"I'm Juon." Juon said as he smiled that reached cheek to cheek.

"I'm Li." Syaoran replied.

"I know who you are. You're the guy that always bullies me when I was in 8th grade." He said.

Syaoran's eyes widened.

That was him? I couldn't recognize from his face but the way he talks really gives it away.

"Oh hey. I couldn't recognize you buddy."

Sakura turned her head to hear their conversation better.

"Hey Juon."

"Yeah?"

"Sorry." Syaoran said almost too quickly for anyone to understand.

"Pardon?" Juon asked he wanted to hear it again.

"I said once and once only." Syaoran snapped and turned around again and put his music back on. Juon smiled and looked out the window to count the rocks again.

Sakura beamed at Syaoran although he could not see.

Syaoran… you've changed so much.

An hour has past and they have arrived at their stop. The teacher sponsor of this retreat stood up and said. " Everyone single file this our stop. Let's go."

Syaoran got up and started walking in the squishy bus. Timing was just right when Sakura got up when Syaoran was passing by. Syaoran looked to his side to see who was walking beside him. Sakura smiled at him and Syaoran looked away.

Great it's her…

A few guys in back started pushing causing a chain reaction that reached Sakura. Sakura was almost knocked down when in a split second Syaoran caught her.

"Hey no pushing!" Syaoran shouted at the back and it immediately stopped. Sakura was already up and noticed that Syaoran was till holding her waist. Sakura didn't mind at all in fact she liked it until she remembered the kiss Meilin gave Syaoran.

"Uhh Li-kun?" Sakura said tapping his shoulder.

Syaoran turned and realized that he was till holding her waist. Quickly he let go of her. "Oh sorry…"

This has never felt so awkward.

Syaoran walked past her and out the bus. He immediately smelt the sharp smell of cow dung. He looked around and saw a huge farm.

The farm… oh joy.

Syaoran's face grimaced and walked up to the crowd where the teacher was talking.

"As you can see our retreat for today is a farm. We are to help farmer Jin because he currently has no employees. Don't be fooled by what you see now or smell." The teacher paused to chuckle. "This is a very beautiful place only a portion is being used for farming and animals where we will be working. But we will be spending a lot of time at the river during break and if you choose to go swimming you can do so. You will be sleeping in cabins near the farmhouse where the employees use to sleep. You will be paired up in partners for your activities for the 3 days that we are here. There will be 15 per cabin and you must with your partner in the cabin and no exchanging partners because I've already randomly picked for you."

The crowd of students whined that they were not able to pick. Syaoran did not care who he was partnered with. Although if it was Sakura he might have to complain. He laughed to himself and looked at the work that was waiting for him. Sakura was again with her friends excited to get to work and eager to see the river. He was too eager to see it. He hadn't been out of town for quite a long time now. The students hushed as the teacher cleared his throat to say the partners. Syaoran did not pay attention at all until he heard his name.

"Li and …Sakura." He announced.

Syaoran grunted out loud for the teacher and Sakura to hear.

The teacher turned to look at him and said. "I see you are excited Li."

Syaoran rolled his eyes but inside he smiled he wouldn't have any other way. But Syaoran quickly erased that thought and sat down on a flat rock near the entrance. Sakura smiled inside too trying not too look to pleased. But the kiss she saw just made her smile turn into a frown.

It had to me him.

"Ok go and stand beside your partner." The teacher said.

Sakura figured Syaoran would never walk towards her so she walked up to him and stood beside him.

"Hey Li-kun." She smiled.

"Hey." He grunted.

Her presence is soothing.

Syaoran shook his head. His mind was not cooperating with him.

"Let's go in. Stay with your partners now." The teacher said and opened the wooden fence door to the farm. "Oh and before I forget our 4 days was turned to 3. We were not permitted to stay more than 3."

Sakura and Syaoran walked beside each other as they were instructed. They were stopped in front of the farmhouse and a man probably the farmer started talking. Syaoran did not pay attention again because he could not help it be distracted by Sakura so close to him. He kept on looking to her side as he admired her hair and her delicate face. Syaoran shook his head again.

Stupid Syaoran pull it together.

Sakura is not the unaware and felt his soft admiring stares. Just then she felt that tear feel better.

Why is he looking at me!

The farmer handed out papers that indicated what they were to do in the 3 days they were here. There was also a map of the farm and the cabin number they were supposed to sleep.

Sakura took the paper from the teacher and read it.

"You may settle in your cabins and get started please right away." The teacher announced.

"Looks like we are in cabin 3 Li-kun." Sakura said.

"Which is where?" Syaoran asked.

"That way." Sakura said pointing.

They both started to walk to their cabin.

"So are you excited?" Sakura asked.

"Sure." Syaoran said sarcastically.

"So are you and Meilin going out?" Sakura asked.

Might as well pop the question.

Sakura thought sadly.

Syaoran mind raced.

Hah ya right. I mean we use to. Is that why she didn't say hi to me on the bus? She saw Meilin and me together? OH crap the kiss!

"Why is it any of your business?" Syaoran asked.

"No." Sakura said looking down.

Why did I ask that!

Why did I say that to her! Ahh whatever it's not like a care.

There was an awkward silence until they got to their cabin. Sakura went inside first and settled to the top bunk. Syaoran settled on the other side of the cabin. Syaoran wanted to say something but his pride got the best of him. A bunch of students started going inside. Sakura greeted them and started talking to them.

There goes my chance…