A/N: Gomen, gomen... sorry, i had stumbled upon the dreaded writer's block... so hence the late update...Admittedly, this is shorter than my other chapters, but I promise I'll get right on it for the next update : ). I do hope y'all stick with me until the end : ) But then again, the ending has already been decided except for the journey towards it. Thanks again for my reviewers, and I'm glad to see several new names on the list. : )

Chapter 7

Mei Ling called Tomoyo to report on Syaoran's behavior. The conversation turned out to be more than just that.

"I couldn't believe it. Syaoran did an abrupt change. It almost felt like the same Syaoran before he met Sakura-chan." Mei Ling said incredulously. Her eyes had been sporting a wide-eyed look since their last conversation when she walked in to find Syaoran stony.

Syaoran had been cold to everyone, keeping his face a blank mask at all times. He went through his days looking as serious as ever, hardly cracking a smile. Unfortunately, it seemed to have the opposite effect on the girls. They seemed to think of him cooler than ever and Mei Ling was having a harder time trying to fend them away. Practices for the cultural festival seemed more like the performance day itself with the number of people watching.

Not used to the attention, Syaoran had lashed out at them at one of their practices. It helped a bit, but hardly made a dent at the huge turnout of female classmates who tried their best to get into their classroom. Last Mei Ling heard, a few of the girls fainted due to the lack of oxygen.

"Well, maybe it's his way of getting his focus back." Tomoyo, being always positive, sought out for a reasonable explanation.

"Could be." Mei Ling said slowly, letting the thought sink in. "I wouldn't put it past Syaoran to do something like that. He did grow up pretty much a loner, and kept to himself most of the time."

"Then we shouldn't worry about it any longer. It seemed he himself noticed his inattention." Tomoyo cheerfully stated.

"Yes. I guess so. But what about Sakura-chan, is she still floating off to Syaoran-land?" Mei Ling inquired.

"Less these days, but at least she's almost back to her cheerful self. That is something we all feel thankful for. Sakura-chan wouldn't tell me whatever was worrying her, and I don't want to intrude on her. She has always been like that; she will talk when she feels ready to." Tomoyo sighed. "Anyway, the last time we talked, I hadn't gotten a chance to ask you about the play you're putting up. What is the story about? Your letter told me some of the details, but I wish to know more."

Grateful for the topic change, Mei Ling indulged Tomoyo's curiosity. "The story is very straightforward in a way. It deals with feuding countries, sort of like Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, but more relevant to society. Two nations with different culture, ideals, and race had been thrown into a war waiting to happen. Both tolerate the other at face value, but scorn each other behind their back. The leaders, instead of forming an alliance to end the bad waters between the two countries, had chosen to embrace the misguided beliefs of their ancestors. The disappearance of their children at the same time prompted the fathers to declare war without thorough investigation. The couple, who found bliss in a country far remove from the naïveté of their own homeland, was forced to return in an effort to bring enlightenment to their folks, only to end up caught in the crossfire. It's really sad, and yet so true."

"Yes. It is." Tomoyo agreed. "In some way, it kind of reminded me of the Cinderella play Touya and Yukito put up while they were still in high school. You haven't been to Japan then and wasn't able to watch it. It was hilarious, but teaches something far deeper. It's very creative and informative at the same time."

"Yeah. I heard Syaoran refer to it a few times before, but since he's hardly speaking to anyone these days, I doubt he'd say stuff like that for awhile."

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Syaoran threw a mid-air kick. It was tiring practice, but at least, it keeps him from losing focus. These past few days hadn't been easy for him. It took all his determination to concentrate on what was in front of him. Whenever a stray thought of Sakura pops in his mind, he quickly thought about his part as Abdul and the lines and moves he had to memorize.

He wiped the sweat from his brow and plopped, exhausted, on the grass. The moon beams played with the flowers in the garden while his eyes followed the ever changing pattern. It was at these times that he let his thoughts wonder to the auburn-haired princess of his heart. If he was a painter instead of a fighter, he would have taken out his oils and canvas and painstakingly capture the beauty before him so he could share it with her.

The leaves had taken on a silvery glow, while the color of the flowers was enhanced further more. The wind blowing lazily through them caused them to dance, making it even more romantic.

He let out a sigh and fed his eyes with the beauty. After awhile, he went back inside, pulling a clean paper and pen from his desk to describe what he had seen, hoping that her emerald eyes would light up and imagine the scene as he had witnessed it.