Author's Note: I deeply apologize for the wait of this chapter. i couldnt find the time to update due to the exams i have. i swear ill try to update more often, now that examz are coming to an end.

Also, ive reread my previous chapters, and changed bits and pieces. nothing major, maybe except for one thing. you can choose to reread or not. if you don't you'll still get the story =, no problem. but i wonder for those who do, can you spot the difference?

anywhu, on to the story.

once i again i deeply apologize for the wait.

Disclaimer: CCS doesnt belong to moi.

Enter Eriol

Sakura's POV

Shit, only two minutes left. Why can't I ever be punctual? I kept on running towards my homeroom, the bell was about to ring.

RRRRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGG

Made it.

Straightening myself up, I opened the door. Upon my entry, it may appear as though, I'm only walking straight to my desk. My overly large glasses covered my eyes; hence no one knows when I'm sneaking a peek. Normally, I wouldn't be sneaking peeks.

But this morning seemed to be different; everyone was crowding around the table right next to Li-san's. I could only make out blue hair, that seemed to be natural but was it even possible? Maybe in manga or anime… but this is no manga or anime!

I was at my seat before I could get a better glimpse of the blue haired person. Maybe, he's new?

I shouldn't be so nosy. I took out my notes and pencil case, ready for the next class. But subconsciously, I was listening into the conversation. I couldn't help it.

"… yeah it was the best! Next time I'll take you with me, my cute little descendant." Said a teasing voice.

"Shut up, don't call me that! And you said, you'll take me the last 5 times you went and I still haven't been to England. You're just a bluff."

I recognised that voice, Eriol's, I mean Li-san's. I still have to apologize to him, I'll be lucky if he still wants to talk to me.

"Class, get back to your seats!" Ah, the teacher.

"Glad, to see you back. Hiiragizawa-kun, let's hope you left all your mischief in England." He said, as he followed it up with a laugh. I too, found myself smiling but I guess, it wasn't funny seeing that the class didn't laugh.

The teacher then coughed, seeing that it wasn't all that funny and started the roll call.

So, he's Eriol Hiiragizawa san. I found myself wanting to turn around a take a glance for myself, but my shyness over rid it, so instead I decided against it. Li-san too sits behind me.

I wish I could speak to him and apologize but not in front of all these people. I guess, my only chance and hope if after school. Seeing that his… friend? Just came back from England he probably wants to hang out with him to catch up. I doubt I could speak to him during lunch anyways.

Sigh.

"Kinimoto? Kinomoto?!?"

Kinomoto? That's my name, well my surname…

"Yes?" I said abruptly.

"I've been calling your name for the last 10 times, please pay attention. It's only the start of the day." The teacher huffed and continued the roll call.

"Gomenasai. (sorry)" I felt myself shrinking into my seat. How embarrassing. I could even hear a few sniggers from behind.

Sigh. Nothing new there.

Class then began, but instead of paying attention in class, in found myself wondering and planning on my confrontation with Li-san. I guess, all I can do is hope for the best. Fingers crossed.

Recess

As soon as the bell went I ran to my locker for food. Somehow, today's breakfast just didn't seem to be enough. My stomach was grumbling all throughout English. And if I'm correct Li-san and his friend from England heard. Every time it grumbled particularly loudly they snickered. Stupid stomach of mine.

So, with my lunch at hand I started to head towards my place. Not home, but the cherry tree just outside the building. And as usual, I saw Li-san heading the opposite direction. This is when we usually do our little greeting. A smile and a nod. We were getting closer and I was waiting for the moment. I tilted my head a bit to the left, smiled and nodded.

Problem being, Li-san just walked on pass me. With Hiiragizawa beside him.

I found myself rooted to the floor. So, this is how it feels to be truly ignored.

I can't give up.

Syaoran's POV

I just walked pass Sakura, without giving her out usual greeting. Well, she did; but I didn't return it. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. And I feel bad. What's wrong with me?

I'm usually not like this. I usually don't give a damn about anything. Hiiragizawa sensed it, I can tell but he just chose not to question me about it. Well, at least not now but I know he will.

Why do I feel bad? Ever since I was little I was brought up to feel no emotions at all and even if I were to feel, it would be to feel good about myself not bad. I guess, you could say I was brought up to be heartless, cold. Especially, after I met "her"…

Sakura Kinomoto, what exactly is it about you that I can't seem to forget about you or bring myself to completely ignore your existence?

Eriol Hiiragizawa, during all this time he just walked beside me. That's the kind of person he was, he was thoughtful when it really comes to it. And he never pries, he waits. But that's only because we trust each other, we trust each other to open up to the other and be honest. Eriol is my one and only true best friend.

"Hey, let's skip out on class and go to our usual hang out place." He sensed my troubles.

"Sure." and as the bell went signalling for 3rd and 4th period we went the opposite directions towards the stairs that led to the school's roof top.

Eriol and I are the only two with the keys to the rooftop, well except for maybe the principal. But the rooftop is even off limits to him. I guess, he knows where he stands.

"Did you see her?" I found myself asking. This is how we were, straight to the topic.

"The new girl? With the whole nerd get-up?" Eriol replied.

I nodded.

"She's something. Quite entertaining too, during homeroom and English. Couldn't stop laughing when her stomach kept grumbling." Eriol said, as he sat down.

"Yeah." I then sat beside him.

"Are you going to start? I can tell it's a long story and we only have two periods."

"Yeah. It all started…."

………….

I told Eriol everything. He was cool about it. I knew he would be.

"A thornbush, eh?"

"I know, I mean what the hell? And everything was going all fine and swell. Until I told her." I said, running my hand through my hair.

"Want my view?" Eriol said, seeing my frustration.

"She seems real, and I think you know that. The people in this day and age act nice, dresses politely when in all reality they're not. She's not. She doesn't brother to doll herself up, instead she waits patiently waiting for those who aren't materialistic to notice her. And from what you said, she treats everyone with equal respect and dignity."

I nodded. And allowed him to continue. It's not frequent when we have a serious conversation like this.

"I particularly like the bit when you told me, how you guys ran into the two children. You were probably surprised weren't you?"

I nodded, again.

"I think you know what to do. What you want to do." With that he stopped.

"Yeah, I do. But you know me, if she's avoiding me; I'm not going to chase after her. If she doesn't want to be friend me, I'm not going to insist. She's the one who called me a thornbush, poured water over me, straight after we declared we were officially friends." I huffed.

"But don't think I didn't notice her little greeting towards you, during recess. You might have kept on walking but I turned my head around. She stopped the moment you walked passed her and with her head hanging down. I would say she was hurt." Eriol said, smugly.

I forgot how observant he was.

"Like you can blame me, after what she did." I huffed again.

Eriol then raised an eyebrow.

"I trusted her Eriol."

He further raised the eyebrow.

"Everything she did revealed her personality. It was like she had nothing to hide. Everything she did, never once contradicted her personality. I found myself believing her, trusting her. I don't know, it was like she had this really strong sense for justice. And then once I tell her who I really am, she contradicts herself."

I looked up to meet Eriol's smile.

"Do you still trust her?"

Do I?

Eriol then shook his head, seeing that I didn't answer.

"Do you reckon she trusts you? I think so, she did greet you, and thus she must still consider you as a friend. I think she should be the one, wondering if she should trust you. I know what you did, you had your reasons. But this girl is different. From what you told me, she trusts others way too easily. This just goes to show that maybe she hasn't been let down before. And you're the only one to befriend her so far."

He then stopped, to gather his thoughts.

"Imagine, if it wasn't you. But some other bastard that wanted to pull a prank on her, make a fool out of her in front of the whole school when she's just new around here. That would have been horrible."

Eriol was right. And I'm feeling bad, not that I wasn't feeling bad to begin with. So, I'm feeling worst.

"But then, you on the other hand don't trust others at all. So, I guess it's normal for you to think the way you're thinking."

I smirked at that, I knew Eriol was trying to make me feel better.

"Point being. It's your choice, but know that I stand on your side, man."

And that was that.

Eriol's POV

Lunch then began, as Syaoran and I descended from the roof top by the stairs. He then said he needed time to think on his own, so allowed him to wonder off by himself.

I wanted to talk to Tomoyo anyways.

Tomoyo Daidouji, the girl of my dreams. We met in kinder garden but then she moved away and came back during our primary school days.

She's the most beautiful girl in school and the most popular. No surprise there. But it isn't because of those features that I love her. It's so much more.

Back then, during kinder garden I didn't have many friends. Especially, with Syaoran being homeschooled. Even back then, I wore glasses. Which only gave the kids more of a reason to make fun of me.

I was born in England, both of my parents were also born in England. So it was only onormal when we gave to Japan, that I would carry an English accent. For that I was also made fun of.

For blue hair, yes, was definitely abnormal which then gave the kids other reasons to make fun of me.

As a kid, I didn't know any better and either did the other kids. If they knew better they wouldn't had treated me like so. I was the sole heir to the Hiiragizawa Corp.

So, like I said I didn't know, so I didn't use that fact to my advantage.

The bullying started and continued. I would try to avoid them, ignore them to an extent that they don't think I'm making a fool out of them. It wasn't easy.

And then she came.

…………………Flash back………………………..

"Oi, four-eyes. Where do you think you're going?" said the leader of the group.

"Please, stop. I didn't do anything to you." Cried a younger boy with glasses and blue hair.

"That's because you can't do anything!" The bigger child continued, running after the blue haired boy.

"Help! Someone! Please, help me!" ran the blue haired blue, but as he ran he collapse; his little legs could no longer carry him any further.

"Now, we got you." The group of young kids then crowded around the fallen blue haired boy.

But before, anything can be done; a new voice could be heard.

"STOP!" it was a young voice belonging to a female.

"Dadouji Tomoyo. What are you doing here?" asked the bully, about to kick his victim.

"I should be asking you that, not the other way around."

"We're just having some fun, with the blue hair." Said the leader as he actually kicked him this time.

A grunt could be heard from Eriol.

"Just leave. It's not cool to pick on others who are smaller than you. Imagine what the others would think." Tomoyo said, walking towards the group.

"Oh, whatever. You ruined the fun anyway. Let's go boys. See ya, Dadouji." Said the leader as he left, with the rest of the boys following up behind.

As soon as they left, Eriol began to pick himself up.

"Are you okay, Hiiragizawa-san?" Tomoyo had said, as she gave him a hand getting up.

"Arigatou (thank you)."

It then became silent. Awkwardness sifted through the two children.

"Why did you help me?"

"Because you needed my help."

………end of flash back………………

Tomoyo Dadouji was the first person in my life who stood up for me. Ever since then, I stood on my own two feet. I learnt how to speak for myself and defend myself because of her. I didn't want her to see my vulnerability.

After that incident I had been working on my courage to speak to her, I wanted to protect her, the way she had protected me. But I was too late. By the time, I had worked up my courage she had left, along with her mother.

But she came back, at the start of grade 5; she came back. And I was happy.

We became friends and unknowingly I started to harvest feelings for this particular girl.

She was the type of girl who wasn't afraid to speak her mind, if not she'll act on it. I guess, you could say she wasn't afraid to be called a bitch. She wasn't afraid to be herself.

"Hey Eriol!" Ah, Tomoyo Dadouji, what perfect timing.

"Good afternoon, Tomoyo Dadouji." I said, with my English accent. As I bent down on one knee and gently took a hold of her left hand and pecked it.

Tomoyo being the collective, cool person she was; was flattered, and smiled.

"Welcome back." Tomoyo then gave Eriol a hug, they were friends after all.

"It's good to be back, how have you been?"

"Alright. Eriol, I need to talk to you."

Yes, Tomoyo was always straight and blunt whenever she could. She never liked beating about the bush.

I admire her, because even though she's a girl she's not only strong but brave.

Tomoyo's POV

Now that Eriol's back, things might go a bit smoother.

"I want you to befriend with Sakura Kinomoto." Nothing to it.

"I see. What's in it for you?" I smiled at that, Eriol always did know me well.

"I believe she has it in her to help Syaoran move on…"

"So, you want her to break down the wall, for you to go through?" Eriol questioned.

As much as I hated to admit it. It's true.

"Yes. But you don't want Syaoran to be involved in an arrange marriage either."

Eriol then smiled, his smile.

"Syaoran already has the intention of befriending her. I take it that you want me to show an interest in her, a different interest. In case, Syaoran might show that particular interest. Syaoran would never think of showing interest in a girl that I'm interested in. Right?"

I nodded.

Eriol then smirked to himself. Yes, I know about his feelings towards me. He confessed quite a while ago but I told him clearly that I only have my eyes on Syaoran.

"Syaoran knows…."

I know where he was going.

"That you like me, right?"

Eriol said, nothing. I guess, I was right.

"Easy. Just tell him that you've moved on. Moved on to Sakura. You don't have to go out with Sakura forever, I think two months, max. As soon as, Syaoran and I get together, you can dump her."

If everything goes as planned, that's how things would turn out. Syaoran wouldn't think of dumping me because of Sakura and Sakura would never let Syaoran dump me because of her.

"Would this make you happy?" Eriol ask, piercing me with his eyes.

"Yeah. It would." Returning Eriol's glaze.

He then looked down, as if in deep thought but in the next second, he looked me back in the eye and smiled his Cheshire cat smile.

"I'll do it." With that he turned around and exited the way he came in, with his hands in his pockets.

I knew I could trust Eriol Hiiragizawa.

Not only because he had feelings for me but because he was a gentlemen. He's a man of his words.

I smirked as I recounted our first encounter. On the outside, it may seem as though I rescued him because he was in need. But it was more than that. As a child I watched many movies, and it made me realize things that normal people didn't notice. Especially, a child.

I didn't plan on rescuing Eriol Hiiragizawa. I guess, during the process, I know I'll be saving someone.

My plan was to stand up to the bullies. The bullies was a group of guys, everyone knows how a guy should never lay a hand on a girl. I was safe, as long as I didn't push it.

I was going to play hero. It was another scheme to boost up my popularity. Not only would I be an idol to the weak, but I'll be an acquaintance to the bullies. They would realise that I'm not scared of them, making me their acquaintance. Everything had once again turned out the way I had wanted.

Well, not exactly. There was a bonus, Eriol Hiiragizawa regained some self-confidence. And that's how he became who he is today.

I always knew he was interested in me, but Syaoran had and always been my goal. And I'm not going to settle for second best.

Well, the bonus wasn't only an advantageous to Eriol only, but me also. When I came back from the hell hole and back to where I belong; Eriol welcomed me back with open arms. Because of him, I met Syaoran Li.

Why am I so determined when it comes to Syaoran Li?

Well, it isn't only because he's from the richest and strongest clan alive. Not because he just came out of nowhere because apparently he homeschooled his primary school years. Not because he resembled a sex god. Not only because he's the most athletic person at our school. His qualities are infinite.

Yes, because of those features I, like all the other girls would probably lust and worship the floor he walks on. But I consider myself different from them. I don't admire him, like him, lust after him; instead I love him.

When I first met him through Eriol, Syaoran Li was totally different from what he is today. Well, not really. The old Syaoran Li went through girls like girls goes through clothes.

But according to Eriol, it wasn't Syaoran's choice but the Li elders'. The Li elders' plan was to train Syaoran into a perfect gentlemen and at the same time make connections. Hence, the girls that Syaoran went out with was always a daughter of the rich.

But besides from that, Syaoran never paid any attention to any girls. Like a gentlemen he would respect them. But he would show no interest at all. It was like no one could touch him. He was perfect.

Girl after girl would confess their feelings to him, but like a gentlemen he would decline. That's why I didn't brother. I wasn't going to make a fool out of myself. I would always try to impress him without being obvious. I would be graceful, polite etc in his presence, but he wouldn't even spare me a glance. But I didn't care all that much, because I haven't felt the spark yet.

Until that day.

I remember that day, from that day on my heart started to beat really fast whenever I'm in his presence.

I was in the library picking out a good book. I liked reading and it not only improves my reading but it also makes me appear very lady-like. When suddenly the book shelf besides me, trembled. On instinct a normal person would run or try to hold it back up.

But for the first time, my brain had stopped working and the only thing I could do was watch as the bookshelf fall towards me. Strange thing being, I welcomed it with open arms. I didn't get it. I loved my life, now that I'm back from that hell hole, don't I?

CRASH

But I didn't feel a single thing, not because my body turned numb. No, I did feel something. I felt warm, a pair of arms wrapped around me. It was a male, his body was very masculine. He had shielded me; I didn't feel a single scratch. I loved the feeling he was giving me. I felt safe, secured and …relaxed?

"Hey, you okay?" a husky voice had asked me, I could feel his breath onto my hair.

I hadn't planned it, I didn't want it but I think I needed it. I found myself hugging him around the torso, hiding my face into his chest.

"I was so scared." I remembered, whispering out.

He then patted my hair and rubbing my back. "It's okay. You're safe now."

I dared to look up and I was met with his burning amber eyes, they were so beautiful. My heart was pounding, and given our situation, I was constantly wondering if he could feel my heart pound against his chest.

"Let's go sit you down." His hold around me, tighten as he led me to the library couches. I didn't want him to let me go, I felt safe with his arms around me.

"You sit down here and calm yourself down. I'll go help out the librarian."

I wanted to say no, but I knew it had to end sometime.

I think that was when I fell in love with him.

Because during that time when I was in his arms, for the very first time I didn't feel threatened, and I didn't feel the need to impress him.

tbc

i keep changing povs again..... i hope it didnt get too confusing. next chapter SS will definitly talk! please review *smiles*