This was a, uh, long chapter. Took me a while to rewrite because there was a need for major editing, sorry.

Chapter Seven

"Enemy Turned Redeemer"

The whole class was still taken aback by the commotion behind them. It was the first time that they saw the two of them talk like that. Usually it was just a "hi" and a "hello" back in a non-friendly way. But this. This was the first worthwhile conversation they had in a long, long time, if not ever.

"Good morning, class." Everyone was too surprised to even notice the door slide open. None of them realized that their teacher already arrived. "What a nice way to start the semester," his voice was flat and sarcastic.

Everyone stood up in embarrassment. "Good morning, sir," they all greeted. He curled his lips to a smile. As they raised their head to smile back they recognized the face in front of them; a man not older than thirty – healthy and fit – with jet black hair and deep brown eyes. He is good-looking and young to be a teacher, but all knew too well to appreciate God's gifts to him. He may look good but this is not the reason why most students know him. Strict and merciless as he was, he failed every student who didn't pass his standards.

"What have I interrupted?" he asked the girl in front.

She looked at her seatmate. He nodded once, and then faced in front. "Uhm…" her voice was shaky, "…Li and Kinomoto were talking." Her voice broke off.

"And what were they talking about?"

"Uh…" she struggled again. Syaoran's hand tightened to a fist with only him knowing. While his student was looking for the right words he wrote his name on the board: Mr. Makoto Ukitate. "I couldn't hear them clearly," deciding that it would be safer if she'd not pry.

He faced the class and looked for the two. Their faces wasn't unfamiliar to him, he knew every student before even teaching them. Slowly and with a grin on his face, he walked towards the farthest part of the room.

As he reached Syaoran's chair, he stood still waiting for him to look up with an even wider grin than before. Knowing that he could do nothing more than obey what their teacher wishes, Syaoran looked up. "Was I disturbing something important, Mr. Li?" his grin changed to an exaggerated frown.

Syaoran was quite pissed that their teacher was making a fool out of him. His fist tightened more hidden under his table, though he knew better he couldn't help himself. "You obviously did so, sir." And then followed it with a grimace.

"Sorry for his attitude, sir. He just can't control his temper, please excuse him." To Syaoran's surprise, it was Sakura who said this. He kept himself from looking at her.

This was what he was waiting for; he couldn't hide the small curl on his lips. "Well we do have some manner issues, Li-san."

Holding out his anger was really all Syaoran could only do at that moment. This teacher was his least favorite one. This hatred started last year when they first met during their Biology class, Mr. Ukitate was the substitute teacher.

Suddenly, he felt Sakura's hand above his trying to hold his now shaking hands. He took a deep breath and tried ignoring his teacher's comment.

Knowing that his attempt failed to punish a student, he walked away slowly. He started his lecture about his classroom policies. Everybody listened to every word since they don't want to experience what Syaoran went through, it is their first meeting after all.

Little by little, Syaoran cooled down. "Try ignoring him. Ignoring kind of works," Sakura whispered to him. He took another deep breath and smiled weakly at her.

"Thanks, Sakura-sama."

They didn't talk the whole class. Even though Syaoran tried starting a hushed conversation she ignored him. After few more futile attempts, he decided to give up. He stared mindlessly above wishing for their Chemistry class to end as soon as possible.

That afternoon was very boring for Syaoran; nothing to do and nobody to talk to. Although this wasn't uncommon to him he still found it very gruesome. Mr. Ukitate was now wrapping up their Chemistry introduction.

A few girls looked their way to Sakura's surprise. It seemed like they were checking up on their little good-looking, smart, strong, and almost perfect Syaoran-kun who was shamed about an hour ago. "Look how worried they are. Maybe they should call him 'Kami-sama' because they almost worship him and the ground he walks on," she whispered to Tomoyo following it with a sigh.

Tomoyo giggled a bit. "Why, is it bothering you in some way?" she asked in a low voice to avoid their teacher's attention.

Blood rushed to Sakura's cheeks for some unknown reason. It appears that the guy seating besides her didn't notice his secret admirers. One of her eye brows raised, but before she could answer she heard a whisper. "Don't be jealous, Sakura-sama. I don't like them anyway." Mr. Ukitate was now writing their assignment on the board.

Her cheeks were still red and hot but she ignored it. She looked to her right, "Jealous?" her voice sounded a bit too loud. "I'm not jealous. Who cares if they like you? Maybe they just don't know the real you–"

"He's walking this way…" Not again. Syaoran thought to himself. Sakura stopped and tried to back out but was too late.

"Did I interrupt something again?" Mr. Ukitate who stood in front of them spoke.

Syaoran's hands tightened again but this time he could no longer hide it under his desk. "We're sorry, Ukitate-sensei," Sakura apologized avoiding their teacher's gaze.

"So am I to continue class now?" he asked the two. Sakura nodded without a word. Syaoran kept still. "Li-san, can I continue class now?"

With his fists tightly clenched and teeth bared, he replied to a sarcastic manner. "Why do you need my permission for, sensei? You may do whatever you want. It's your class, after all."

"Hmm…" he placed his right hand on his chin and started rubbing it with his forefinger, "Well, since this is my class I want you to continue your conversation in front of class," he replied with a wide smile on his face.

His fists tightened. Mr. Ukitate noticed though he paid it no attention. Silence filled the class. Time wasn't doing them any favors and moved agonizingly slow. A few minutes passed before he asked once more, "Isn't this my class?"

The sound of hard fists hitting the wooden desk echoed throughout the class.

Syaoran was now in his feet, eyes fixed only to their teacher, fists above the wooden desk. "Excuse him, sir." Sakura stood up and pressed Syaoran's shoulder trying to make him sit down. He took a deep breath before doing so.

A wide grin evident on his face, "I see some anger management issues as well, Li-san. Not quite good for your first day in my class," he shook his head in disappointment.

But this didn't make him stop. "If Li-san is too shy, then maybe Kinomoto-san would be glad to share." It wasn't a question.

Sakura was lost with words. Feeling uncomfortable due to their teacher's special treatment, she tried looking for the right words. "I'm sorry, sir. But it was nothing."

"Nothing?" his voice was mocking. "I don't mean to pry…" Oh hell you don't. Syaoran kept to himself. "…but has jealousy ever been nothing?" This made Sakura flush from humiliation.

Damn. What good sense of hearing. Sakura thought desperately to herself. "Well… um…" she couldn't think of excuses. Pressured as she was, she couldn't help but keep silent. Nice one, brain. Really helpful…

The bell rang.

"Too bad," a sigh escaped from Mr. Ukitate's mouth, "I wanted to resolve this problem but time is up. We'll just be seeing each other after class, won't we?" Sakura simply nodded once. Syaoran ignored him. "Maybe later you'll find an excuse, Kinomoto-san," he smiled at her. Sakura forced a smile back.

He turned around and walked in front. Before dismissing the class he wrote their homework on the board.

Redness from Sakura's cheeks didn't fade. "Nice going, Mr. Eavesdropper," she whispered to him, more silent than how she whispered a few minutes ago. Syaoran chuckled upon noticing the redness of her face.

"Sorry, Sakura-chan, I can't stay until four. Mother said she'd show something today and requested that I go home early," Tomoyo explained as she took her school uniform off. It was their P.E. class and they were changing in the girls' locker room.

While Sakura was changing to her P.E. shirt, she replied. "It's okay, Tomoyo-chan. I wouldn't let you stay after school even if you offered."

"Why not?"

Sakura let out a soft sigh. "It's just too much of a burden."

They continued to change into their P.E. uniforms. And then went out as they finished. They were going to do volleyball while the boys do basketball. Sakura wasn't really good in sports mainly because she's light-headed. But baton tossing was an exemption since it's not that physical. "I'm not really into volleyball," she said dreadfully to Tomoyo as they were walking towards the volleyball court.

Tomoyo giggled. "Don't worry; it's going to be fine. Nothing can happen… right?" she asked herself feeling a bit dubious. Sakura replied with a lazy groan.

They were asked to form into two lines, and were divided into two random groups. Luckily, both Sakura and Tomoyo ended up in the same group. "You girls pick your first six players. I've introduced volleyball last semester, right? And I'm expecting that all of you still remember, even if not all, some of the things I said." It was their P.E. coach who stood between the two vertical lines.

"We have enough time for two games so everyone can play," Ms. Rimorin, their P.E. coach, continued as she clapped her hand two times and blew her whistle.

Both teams had twelve players. Their team decided to choose two good players to lead and they had a random-point-whoever-you-see grouping. In the end, Tomoyo and Sakura were separated; Tomoyo on the first game, Sakura on the next.

Sakura gave Tomoyo the classic 'two-thumbs up'. A wide and encouraging smile on her face as Tomoyo got in her place in the court.

"We have enough time for two games so everyone can play," Ms. Rimorin, their P.E. coach, continued explaining. She took out a coin from her back pocket, "Your call," pointing to the opposing team.

"Heads," the girl nearest to Ms. Rimorin answered instantly.

Ms. Rimorin flipped the coin, caught it with the same hand and placed it in the back of her other hand. "Heads it is," as she clapped her hand two times and blew her whistle.

Sakura cheered for her best friend as she was playing. With energetic voice she cheered: "Go, Tomo-chan!" And unknowingly caught sight of the place opposite of the volleyball court – the basketball court, where he, due to unlucky circumstances in Sakura's perspective, scored a three-point shot. Lucky shot. Lucky bastard.

She was sitting on the floor besides the volleyball court. Nobody dared sit beside, nor near her; she's unwanted. She sighed, and then hugged her knees up to her chest. With nothing better to do, she rested her head on her knees and looked around. In front of her was Tomoyo and their classmates, it was Tomoyo's turn to serve. Sakura gave her a thumbs-up before she looked around. As her eyes reached the basketball court opposite from where she is, she couldn't help but stare at him. He was playing, and he is really good, Sakura couldn't deny that from him. It seems like nobody in their class could match him in any way. Speed, agility, strength, wit, anything that has to do with basketball, name it and he has it. If he tried out for the varsity he would, without a doubt, get in easily. Become Captain, even.

Cheers came from the audience as they watched him play. His well built body evident behind his P.E. shirt; broad and muscular shoulders, hard biceps, solid chest. He is a little handsome. Sakura admitted to herself as she couldn't help but ogle. She shook her head in disbelief. But behind that macho façade is an arrogant, self-centered, stupid jerk! However, she couldn't deny that he is, to be honest, not only a little handsome, even if he was a bit sweaty, and God knows how he smells. Nevertheless, he seemed to be enjoying himself.

"He isn't bad looking, I guess…" she whispered to herself. This made her reminisce of their time together. To be honest, she was really attracted to him at first sight, so he couldn't be bad looking. Her face flushed deep red. Even back then I knew that he was good-looking, but I guess he gets more and more handsome everyday. She thought about him. Images and memories of the ill-forgotten past crept up on her. And his body, he isn't too thin that's for sure… yet it seems like his physique is just perfect: not so thin and not so buff… she couldn't control her imagination. Abruptly, she closed her eyes and shook her head, trying to get rid of those ideas. BAM! Sakura felt something hit her head hard. The sudden impact made her chin hit her knees.

While she rubbed her head with her right hand, she massaged her aching chin with the other. She kept her eyes closed and in the darkness she heard footsteps approaching her. "Sakura-chan!" a familiar voice called out as she bent down to take a good look at her. "Sakura, are you okay?" Sakura opened her eyes; the sudden light hurt her eyes. As her sight cleared a little, she recognized the girl beside her – Tomoyo's face painted worry.

Her sight was blurry. Instantaneous pain felt on her head and chin. "Ouch," she massaged her chin harder.

"Where does it hurt?" Tomoyo examined her. "Guess that must have hit you too hard," she tried explaining while helping her to her feet. "Easy now…" both of them were now standing up, "why were you staring blankly at the other court?" Tomoyo's voice was straightforward, though it seemed irrational to ask questions at the moment.

Little by little, she felt better. Her eyes were now clear though the pain hasn't completely left her fragile body. "Well, it's just…" thinking why she was staring, and upon recalling, her cheeks felt hot. "Never mind, who hit me anyway?" noticing that it was too strong to be coming from their class.

A soft sigh came out of Tomoyo's lips. "You know that there are many girls who hold grudges against you, so why did you let your guard down?" her eyes narrowed down to a girl not far from them, "It was her." The girl Tomoyo was looking at was being scolded by their coach, but she couldn't hide her smug smile when her eyes and Sakura's met. "She took you out on a very had spike, and mind you, she is a varsity player."

Sakura felt better. The pain in both her head and chin were gone. "Guess I can't turn my back to anyone then?" she asked her, trying to avoid other's gaze, feeling rather pathetic.

Tomoyo heaved a sigh. "Yeah, I guess." Then, gave her best friend an encouraging pat on the back.

Worried as she was about her student, Ms. Rimorin came up to Sakura the moment she finished talking to the culprit. "Are you okay, Kinomoto-san?" examining her body. Sakura nodded at once. "Matsumoto, one more hit and you'll be sorry," her voice was serious and deadly.

"Sorry, coach!" Matsumoto, the culprit, apologized as she bowed in fake regret.

Ms. Rimorin looked at Sakura again. Sakura gave another thumbs-up, and then their coach continued on with the game.

Tomoyo wiped her sweaty face. "I'll be focusing on the game, but I'll look out for you so you can ogle at him again," she whispered to her ear, following it with a girlish giggle, then ran back the court. Sakura's eyes widened in a combination of surprise and embarrassment.

Before continuing her, from Tomoyo's perspective, ogling, she checked if there were any volleyball, or any other hard thing that could be thrown at her. When she decided that there was no danger, she looked at Syaoran again. He was no longer playing, so she looked for him. Curious as she was if he saw her embarrassing and painful moment, her eyes searched in hurry.

In that instant, her emerald eyes met auburn ones. It was the same auburn eyes that she kept thinking about just very few days ago. Syaoran was staring at Sakura while Sakura stared at him. To her surprise, or in a way, to her amazement, behind his auburn eyes was worry.

Right at that moment, she heard a voice call out her name. "Sakura!" and just in time, was able to dodge a ball towards her. It wasn't an intentional hit; the other team wasn't able to counter the spike, and it bounced towards Sakura.

Hurriedly, she stood up and went to get the ball back. "Here," she tossed it strong enough to reach the volleyball court.

Feeling lazier than before, she took her time walking back to the floor. Upon arriving, she swept away the pebbles on the concrete floor and sat down with her legs bent. Tomoyo playing seemed like a good excuse not to look at him. Give it a few minutes. If I look now he'll assume that I like to look at him. Just a few minutes…

Sakura couldn't help herself because she was utterly curious if Syaoran looks at her the same way she does. But it'll give him, and everyone else who'd notice a reason to assume things, she thought to herself. But it didn't stop her from trying. She decided to do the classic 'act-like-you're-stretching-while-looking-for-someone' technique. Sluggishly, she stretched her arms forward, and then, slower than before, stretched it upward while turning her head slowly acting as if stretching her neck. Syaoran wasn't on the place where she last saw him. She twisted her neck slowly looking in every direction, but she could not find him. After a few more attempts, she caught sight of him about ten feet away from her. Unknowingly, a smile escaped her mouth.

"Sakura!" she heard someone shout. At that instant, she looked at where it came from, but too late, she was going to be hit directly on the face. She closed her eyes, and braced herself for the strong impact about to hit her face. Seconds passed, but nothing hit her, she could just feel her breath bounce back her face as if something solid stood in front of her.

"When do you plan on opening your eyes?" someone close asked her. It was a boy's voice, a gentle one, a familiar one.

She opened her eyes; her vision was blurry for shutting her eyes too tight. As it cleared up, she recognized the back of her savior in front of her.

"You okay?" her savior asked. She looked up and saw Syaoran's amber eyes looking worriedly at her.

"S-syaoran!" was what she could only utter.

"You don't have to make a scene," as he stood up and swept off the pebbles on his knee. He faced Sakura's direction and offered his hand to her. Before taking his hand, Sakura noticed the scrape on Syaoran's knee.

Both were on their feet and they noticed Tomoyo and Ms. Rimorin rushing to their direction. "You okay? Nothing broken or anything?" his voice was teasing.

"Let me take a look," ignoring his question. She bent down low enough to see his knee. "It's bleeding. We should go to the clinic to have it fixed," she straightened up and faced their teacher. Before she could even talk, Sakura cut her off. "I'll send him to the nurse's office, ma'am. May I be excused for volleyball practice today?"

Ms. Rimorin nodded, and then went towards the culprit. "Nothing to see here," she said in flat voice while fending off the girls who looked worried. "Girls, continue on with the game. Matsumoto, bench! I'll be seeing you in detention after class." Matsumoto groaned.

"There's no need to ask the school nurse," Syaoran tried breaking free from Sakura's grip, "I'll just clean it up and it'll be better in no time."

Sakura looked at his direction, bent down, and flicked Syaoran's knee. "Ouch!" was Syaoran's instant reaction. "What you–"

"Hurts, doesn't it?" she straightened up and grabbed his wrist. "It's my fault, so I need to take responsibility."

"This will sting a bit," the nurse warned Syaoran as she placed the medicine on his knee. Syaoran shrugged but didn't complain. "Good job," the nurse said in a friendly manner as she closed the ointment.

"I'm not a kid." The nurse laughed softly.

Syaoran was seated on nurse's chair while Sakura stood nearby leaning on the white wall. "Wait for a while. I'll get something to patch that up," and the nurse went out the room.

As the door closed behind her, Syaoran looked at his scraped knee. He raised his hand to touch it, "Don't touch it. You'll ruin the ointment."

He stopped his attempt. "Sorry, Sakura-sama," he rolled his eyes and then slumped back on the chair.

"I'm sorry," Syaoran heard Sakura apologize. "Then I guess you can go home early today. I'll ask the nurse to excuse you from detention."

"Wh–" but was cut off again by Sakura.

"It's the thanks I owe you."

"You'd do that for Mr. Eavesdropper? His voice was teasing and mocking.

She smiled at him. "Of course. Mr. Eavesdropper saved me earlier."

She is more beautiful than I can ever imagine after two years. Syaoran thought to himself while making use of the chance to stare. "I think he'd refuse the offer."

"Why?"

"Because Mr. Eavesdropper wants to spend time with you." Syaoran doubted whether what he said was true. But it wasn't conspicuous, so he ignored it.

"Really? He wouldn't mind?" she asked him in the same mocking tone he used earlier.

He smiled, and then got hold of her hand. "Yeah, I think he won't."

This made Sakura grimace. "I can sue you for sexual harassment, you know." She removed her hand from his.

He got grab of it again. "What is wrong with you?" Sakura's voice got louder. Surprised as he was from his own actions, Syaoran took back his hand. This is just too obvious. What am I doing? He asked himself in disappointment.

Silence came upon them.

Not long after, the door opened. "Sorry I took long," the nurse arrived, in her hand was a roll of bandage. She bent down and covered up Syaoran's scraped knee in just a few minutes. "You're good to go, kiddo!"

"I'm not a kid." Syaoran stood up and went out of the room.

Sakura bowed in gratitude. "Thank you," and then followed Syaoran walk out the room.

Lazily, Syaoran walked back to the boys' locker room to change, while Sakura to the girls'. They didn't talk the whole time they walked together. Syaoran was walking with his hands on the back of his head, Sakura behind him. They separated when they went to the locker room.

When Sakura arrived at their classroom Syaoran was already there fixing all his stuff. Tomoyo approached her as she entered. "Are you okay, Sakura-chan?" Tomoyo's voice was worried.

Only a few people were left in the room. This made conversation a little easier. "Yeah, all thanks to–" she looked at Syaoran only to find out that he was looking at her, too. Sakura immediately removed her eyes from his gaze. Tomoyo followed her eyes, and then sighed.

Sakura decided to ignore her sigh. "Matsumoto was suspended for a week of varsity training. I was surprised on how she reacted to that, seems like she likes volleyball more than I thought she does," Tomoyo explained in a calm manner. "Serves her right for what she did to you." Sakura forced a smile back, she felt bad for what happened to Matsumoto.

Both of them walked back to their tables. Tomoyo already got her things, but waited for Sakura to fix all hers. Sakura ignored Syaoran the whole time, though she knew that she will have to ask him where their teacher's room is.

Upon finishing, Tomoyo broke the silence. "It's already 3:36, Sakura-chan. I can only walk you to Mr. Ukitate's room, sorry."

Sakura shook her head. "No, you go on ahead. It's nothing." Now that she had everything, Sakura stood up. She turned to Syaoran, who looked impatient from waiting. "We'll go to Ukitake-sensei's room, right?" He nodded and stood up.

"Don't worry. You go on ahead." Syaoran was talking to Tomoyo.

Tomoyo forced the lips to curl. "Sure. See you tomorrow, Sakura-chan."

When she disappeared from the room, both of them went their way toward Mr. Ukitate's room. "Do you where it is?" Sakura asked him as they walked the almost empty corridor.

"Yeah. I've been there before." Syaoran led the way while Sakura followed in silence.

As they walked, Sakura observed the school hall and rooms. Every room they passed by she peeked into, walls she swept her hands to, she was like a child exploring unknown land. Syaoran noticed this peculiar behavior of Sakura. "You look like a kid who's in the museum for the first time."

She didn't pay him any attention, and just continued with what she was doing.

Frustration slowly ran in his body. He doesn't like being ignored. To catch her attention, Syaoran let out a loud sigh.

"What?" Sakura finally looked at his direction. Mission successful.

Syaoran chucked. "What?" Sakura demanded, her voice got louder.

"Don't shout at me, Sakura-sama. I just wanted to know what's with the strange attitude. You know, a girl who spent two years in school and acts as if she's been here for the first time."

Feeling rather rueful for what she did, Sakura apologized. "Sorry about that," her pace started slowing down. She took a deep breath before continuing. "Well, it's just since our freshmen days; I've been hated by everyone. Because of a reason… well, a reason unknown to me. And since then I've always looked on the ground while walking, because if I don't look at the ground I'll see everyone's odious glares. And believe me, they are difficult to bear with," a sigh escaped her mouth. "It gets better everyday, though. Experiencing it everyday will surely make you tougher. Everyday is like hell. Uh, maybe not everyday, I get breaks during weekends."

He couldn't help but pity her situation, but acting was one of the things he learned to do. "Tough luck," he replied, his voice arrogant and insensitive.

Long, ugh, very long chapter. I hope I didn't bore you to death. Ha-ha! By the way, I haven't edited the added chapter yet. Skip that part, please! :DDD THANKS~