Chapter 4 Prepare

Sakura knocked on the door before she opened it. She bowed to the teacher and apologized for being late. She then gave him the excuse letter from the principal. She waited for the teacher to nod at her before she proceeded to her seat. When she was walking back, her teacher commented, "Seiji Narumi is a great mentor, Sakura. You're lucky to be chosen to learn from him." Sakura seemed surprised with the comment. She turned and smiled. She bowed at her teacher and sat.

"But I'm sorry, Sakura, I need to give a surprise quiz on the topic I just taught. If your grade slips, I'll let you have special credit." The teacher said.

Sakura nodded as she took out paper as the others did as well. "Hey, what was the topic you guys just discussed?" Sakura asked Tomoyo before the quiz started.

"Sensei, talked about the fall of Rome and the rise of feudalism in Europe." Tomoyo replied.

"Ok, thanks." Sakura answered. She did an advance reading on the subject. She wished that her reading was enough to get her through the quiz.

Sakura was really nervous. She wasn't sure if she would be able to answer enough questions to pass. Their teacher then started to dictate the questions. As he read each question, Sakura was a bit relieved that at least the questions weren't that foreign to her but rather really familiar. She wasn't sure if they were right but she wrote the first thing that came to her mind.

She said a silent prayer as the quiz finished and the teacher asked them to pass their papers forward and had the people in front exchange papers. They started to check the papers. After a while, the teacher told them to tally all the scores. He then asked which students got the perfect score and give him the papers. A classmate stood up and handed the paper to the teacher. It was surprising that only one student got the perfect score.

The teacher then read out the name on the paper. He wasn't that surprised when he realized who it was. It was just like he had originally expected. "Well Sakura, you didn't need those extra credits after all. You got the highest score." He said.

Sakura was surprised herself that she had gotten a perfect score. She always liked history and it was something that captivated her interest but even so, she never expected that she would get a high score with just doing some advance reading the night before. At least it paid off and the principal wouldn't start reprimanding her that she was letting her grades slip.

Her friends and classmates cheered a little as the teacher started to make a roll-call first from those who had only one mistake and then two mistakes and so on. The teacher announced the names and their respective scores. He then gave them their assignments before finally dismissing them for the day.

"That was amazing, Sakura. History has always been your strong suit." Tomoyo commented.

Sakura smiled shyly. "Nope…I just got lucky that the advance reading I did last night was right on today's topic." She replied, trying hard not to blush.

"Even after a concert, you still have the energy to study? You really are something else, Sakura." Eriol commented.

Sakura couldn't help but blush. "Will you guys just quit it? It's no big deal. It's not something that's amazing ok. I'm just lucky." They smiled as their next teacher entered and started class.

After class that day, Sakura stretched and said, "I really don't like math. I don't know how in the world I'm going to finish that pile of homework tonight."

Tomoyo couldn't help but laugh as she fixed her bag to go home. "You always say that but you always do good in exams and never flunk. With Li-sempai helping you out, well, I'm sure you'll finish it." She said. Sakura started to fix her own things.

"No. Not this time. I'd rather finish it on my own. I've made a decision. From now on, math is my friend even if it's a little complicated. I can't always depend on Shaoran." Sakura said.

Naoko, Chiharu and Tomoyo looked at each other. That sure was a big leap forward. They knew that even if Sakura was very intelligent in her own right, she did have a lot of trouble with math. But she found it bearable because Shaoran would always teach her about it since it was his forte among others.

Having Sakura say that she didn't need Shaoran to help her out anymore and that she would be really doing it on her own, it was really something. They weren't sure if it was a good thing but they knew that it would demand a great effort from her. They just dismissed that there was anything wrong with it as Sakura got up and excused herself to head to the student council meeting.

As Sakura left her classroom, she saw Shaoran standing there with his bag. He seemed to be waiting for her. She stood there and looked at him as he straightened out and walked towards her upon realizing that she was there.

"Hey, Sakura. I thought that we could walk home together. Rika had some shopping trip with her friends so she said it was alright if I headed home. I really, really need to talk to you. I need to ask you about something." Shaoran said.

"I'm sorry, Shaoran. I've got a student council meeting. I can't. You go on without me because it's going to be long. We have a lot to talk about." Sakura answered.

"It's ok. I'll wait for you. It's not like I have something to do." Shaoran said.

"No. It's ok, Shaoran, really. Just take it easy, Shaoran. I'm really sorry. I better go." Sakura said as she started to run towards the meeting. She was running a little late. Shaoran watched her go.

It felt somewhat weird. He knew Sakura enough to know that there was something up. He just shrugged it aside. He knew that the student council had it way over their heads. He headed home, decided that he would call Sakura up later that evening and have the talk then.

Sakura hated the fact that she had to avoid him. She had never pushed him away like that before on purpose. She knew that if she kept it up, pretty soon Shaoran would notice it and confront her. She dreaded that day but she knew that she cannot turn back. It was for his happiness after all. He would hate her for this but it didn't matter to her. She would rather have that than see him in such misery that he so much denied that he was in.

She knew that he had such a stoic nature around him and he rarely, or rather never, showed any sign of emotion. He may show weakness at times but it becomes quickly evident that it has turned into his strength. He never openly showed his true self to others, only to a very few people like herself. As his best friend, she had learned to read things in him actions even without sharing words. She knew how it had taken him by surprise and consequently hurt him.

It was better that way no matter how hard or painful it might mean to her. She was going to protect him at all costs. That was her only consolation. It was the only thought that she allowed to matter. She was going to continue to avoid him.

The week passed rather slowly for Sakura. It was hard trying to think of different excuses everyday to Shaoran if she happened to accidentally bump into him at the corridor. Pretty soon, Shaoran stopped asking why. He found out from Ryu that they were going to have a student council leadership training that weekend so they were all very busy trying to prepare everything. It was hard to talk to Ryu sometimes too as he would scramble about like all the other student council members as they made preparations for their leadership training and the upcoming college fair for the seniors.

They had a lot of paperwork to get done and have signed by the different people involved. As student council, they also had to follow up on the different universities as all preparations were left to the student council. Guidance and counsel were only given by the faculty members as they had other responsibilities to attend to.

Even through the hard work, the week still passed painfully for Sakura. It seemed that she wasn't doing enough to create a valid reason to stay away from Shaoran. She hated lying and he could always tell when she was being untruthful towards him. She needed to have this valid thing that would make her reasons believable somehow.

It was somehow a little relief that Rika had started to take up most of Shaoran's time as his girl friend though Sakura couldn't entirely deny that it still pained her because she had to choose to let go of her best friend.

On Friday afternoon, Sakura got out of school late because of a student council meeting. As she was making her way towards the gate, Tomoyo called out. Sakura turned and saw her running up to catch her.

"Hey, Tomoyo. Practice?" Sakura said when she caught up with her.

"Yeah. Sensei gave us new musical scores to study. It was a little hard since there were a lot of new members and we had to start polishing our voices to make us into a choir again." Tomoyo said. Sakura smiled as they started to walk.

"Hey Tomoyo…well I was thinking…I passed this ad yesterday, you know about the ice skating club near the mall…well I was thinking of signing up. What do you think?" Sakura asked.

"Ice skating, huh? It's pretty cool if you ask me. But don't you already have a lot of stuff in your hands and you still want to join?" Tomoyo asked.

Sakura smiled. She had a feeling that she would say that. That was what her brother and father said last night when she told them about her plan. Her father had given her his consent if that was what she really wanted to do. Touya was a little uneasy with it but still told her that if that was what she really wanted, then she should go for it.

"I know, I know. But I know I can do it. It's just going to be another hobby I wish to pursue, that's all." Sakura explained.

"It looks like you already have your mind set. I really think it's cool. Just don't push yourself too hard, Sakura. I know that you are very athletic and all but just don't over do it." Sakura smiled again.

"I know, Tomoyo. Thanks. It just feels like I need to go for it, you know, try it out. If it doesn't work out, at least I've tried right? I'd be happy with just that. Don't worry. It's not like I'm going to neglect any of my responsibilities in school and towards my friends." Sakura said, almost laughing.

Tomoyo smiled. "Does Li-sempai know about this? What does he think?" Tomoyo suddenly asked.

Sakura's face fell a little but tried very hard to hide it. She just masked it with a smile. She had completely cut off Shaoran from her life during the past week. "No. He doesn't need to know and please don't go around telling him either." Sakura answered as she smiled again. Tomoyo looked at her, unsure. "Besides, I already know what he's going to say anyway. He'd tell me 'what are you thinking?' or 'do you have a death wish or something?' In the end he would just end up agreeing with me anyway." Sakura explained.

Tomoyo laughed a little and said, "Yeah. I'm pretty sure that's what he'd say and do." Sakura started laughing too. They then went to the skating ring and Sakura signed up. Training started the following week. Sakura gulped inwardly but she hid it from Tomoyo. She convinced herself that it was what she needed to do. It was the perfect escape that she needed, away from school and away from Shaoran.

Sakura took the course 6:30 – 7:30 pm. In that way, when her cheer practice started as well as a little gymnastics training that their coach would have them do, as well as student council meetings every now and then, she wouldn't have to rush things and would have time for all of it.

They watched the skaters there for awhile. Sakura and Tomoyo couldn't help but smile in amazement as they saw those athletes. It was amazing. They showed much skill and confidence. They both knew that it was hard to skate. So just seeing them make it into an artistic expression was simply awesome. It was different watching ice skaters in TV. It was much more spectacular watching them up close. Sakura wondered if she'd be able to be as good as them. She told herself that she would try her best.

After awhile, Sakura and Tomoyo parted ways. When she reached home, her brother and father still weren't in. She made them some dinner. She headed to her room. After taking a warm bath, she sat in front of the mirror and started combing her long hair. Her cell phone then started to ring.

The name registered to be Eriol's. She smiled and answered it. "Hey Sakura, just called to wish you good luck on your leadership training tomorrow."

Sakura smiled and replied, "Thanks, Eriol. I'm a little nervous actually."

"Nervous? You?"

"Why? Is that so unbelievable?"

"Well…yeah." Sakura started laughing.

"You don't have to be nervous, Sakura. I'm sure you'll do just fine." Eriol said.

Sakura smiled before saying, "Thanks for the confidence, Eriol. I'll keep that in mind when I go to the leadership training tomorrow."

"Ok. Well, goodbye and good night Sakura."

"Good night, Eriol. Thanks so much and bye." She then set her phone down and started combing her hair again. It was already drying out.

It wasn't even a whole minute when her phone started to ring again. She checked who it was calling and it registered Ryu's name. "Watanabe-san? What can I do for you?" Sakura answered.

"Sorry to call this late, Sakura but Seiji-san called me and told me that there were some changes in the itinerary. I'll forward his message on what we need to bring tomorrow. He said that what was originally scheduled tomorrow will be moved to Sunday. He will make everything fit on Sunday."

"Suddenly I feel nervous about this whole thing." Sakura commented.

"I know what you mean but that's not even half of it. You'll understand and share my sentiments once you've read the list of things he has asked us to bring."

"Now I'm scared, Watanabe-san." She then heard Ryu start to laugh on the other end.

"Don't be. We're in this together. I'm just as anxious as you." Ryu commented.

"Forgive me for saying this but I'm really having a hard time picturing you to be nervous about tomorrow." Sakura said.

"Actually I was about to say that about you." Ryu answered.

Sakura smiled and shook her head. She then laid back in her bed. "I guess we're just working ourselves too much, Watanabe-san."

"You know you can call me Ryu. We've been friends for a long time now."

"Yeah I know. It's just you are my superior and my senior."

"Yeah but it won't be long before I will no longer be your superior, perhaps still your senior."

"Hmm. Ok, Ryu-san. I'm not about to argue with you." Sakura answered and then laughed.

She heard him smirk. He then said, "Hey, I know it's none of my business but are you and Shaoran are fighting or something? I know we are busy but…I don't know…it's just he just commented that he's having a hard time contacting you so I was a little hoping too much to get in touch with you since he said that there could be something wrong with your phone."

"Tell him nice try. I know you're with him right now and no. We're not fighting and tell him he didn't do anything. I just have a lot of things to deal with so I usually put my phone into silent mode or I turn it off. Thanks, Ryu-san." Sakura said.

"How'd you know? What gave it off?" Ryu asked.

"Because I know him and I know you. You should have just left it at student council matters. I appreciate the concern, don't get me wrong, Ryu-san. There was just too many details. You should have stopped at hoping to get in touch with me. You could have just dropped the part where you said that he said that there could be something wrong with my phone. If I you ask me, I'd say he's even listening right now, am I right?"

Ryu and Shaoran looked at each other. Their other friends were judging their expression. Shaoran tried to get the phone from Ryu but Ryu fought him off and just turned and said, "You're sharp as always. Anyway, I'll send the text message sent to me by Seiji-san. I know you have some homework to do too so see you tomorrow. Good night, Sakura."

"Good night, Ryu-san. Don't get brainwashed too much by Shaoran. Bye." Sakura said as hang up.

Ryu just sent her the message and turned to Shaoran. "I know she's sharp but I didn't know she is that sharp." Ryu commented as he sat back down as he joined the others.

"Well that's Sakura for you. I did tell you that she'd realize it sooner or later. You should have just stuck with the student council business and I did tell you that we're not fighting. She's just busy." Shaoran replied.

(to be continued…)

Hmm…things are still far from starting to reveal the truth. Please bear with me. Thanks to those who sent in their reviews and those who read it. Thanks. Please do continue to review. Thanks again.

Michiko