I know I said I probably wouldn't be updating soon, but I couldn't sleep last night and just jotted things down. I edited it this morning, and tah-dah!!! Who's complaining? I'll fix Chapter 7's ending sooner or later. But right now, I need to get ready for the new school year(I start on Sept. 8).

Enjoy and RxR!

As the hesitant sun slowly crept over the horizon, a stray ray of light penetrated the lush leaves of tree tops and illuminated Syaoran's face. (A/N: I've always wanted to write a sentence like that. Hehe.) On it was a look of pure concentration. A sword was clutched in his hand, poised to attack the breeze. Suddenly, he broke out in a series of strikes and blows to his imaginary enemy: his nerves. Every time he swung his sword, his nerves lessened. I'm going to ask Sakura to the dance today!

An hour went by, and he had to settle with 1% of his original nerves. He was already late! After a quick shower, he threw on a greed plaid shirt, and khaki pants, an outfit picked out by Tomoyo. Slipping the jewelry boxes into a pocket, he rushed out the door to Penguin Park, where he would choose one girl to be his date to the dance.

*****

A couple blocks down the road was Stacey and her friends, conjoined at the arms, marching towards the park. Each had an outfit that matched the others' and a smile on. Strangely, Stacey's posse, including her, had dressed relatively conservatively. Stacey had a one-sleeved dress on that ended a little past her knees allowing the silver gladiator sandals to shine. Lavender tear-drop earrings that hung from her ears along with the deep purple brangles on her wrist complimented the violet shade of the dress.

Natalie had the exact same outfit on, in blue, and Maggie's was in red.

They were dressed to impress, and were confident that Stacey was taking her place beside Syaoran today. What could go wrong?

*****

Similarly, Tomoyo and Meiling was strolling to the park together after meeting up at a corner. Armed with a video camera and smug smiles (they knew that Syaoran unintentionally tricked Stacey), they were ready fro the final day of the contest!

"Do you think Saks will show?" Meiling casually asked, starting up a talk.

"Of course! The entire contest was started by her, so she has to come!" Tomoyo replied skeptically.

"If you say so. Do you think anyone else will show up?'

"Probably. The entire grade knew about the contest, and who would miss a chance to see the most popular guy ask out his date? Those with nothing else to do will probably come."

They continued their idle chit-chat as a huge crowd came into view.

"What do you know! You were right! Lots of people came." Meiling exclaimed. "And here comes Sakura!" She was rollerblading backwards with her eyes closed. Her plain T-shirt fluttered against the wind, clinging to her body, as well as the jeans she had on. Very casual.

On the other side, Stacey's gang was marching towards the group. "Oh no." Meiling groaned, spotting the group. "Stacey actually looks really pretty. What if Syaoran does a last minute mind change! You can only expect so much of a guy."

Tomoyo didn't answer, but she continued trudging forward, shoving her way through classmates, and some curious strangers with nothing better to do.

The sight that was bestowed on them was astonishing. Syaoran was gaping at Stacey(who was smirking), and completely ignoring Sakura, who was trying to wake him from his trance.

What if Meiling/I was right?

*****

Contrary to what they believed, however, Syaoran was merely gaping at Stacey's choice of clothes. She's not dressed sl-err.. She's properly dressed! And so were her friends! She actually looks pretty. Mmm.. not as pretty as Sakura. Soon to be MY Sakura. Speak of the devil, is that her in front of me?

"Syaoran! Syaoran! Snap out of it! You can gap at her at the dance!" Sakura whispered harshly, shaking him.

"Oh… Hmmm? How do you know that she's the one?" Syaoran asked, still in a daze.

Tomoyo and Meiling let a breath go, relieved. Quickly, pulling out a microphone from her purse, Tomoyo started the final round.

"Welcome to the final round of 'Who's Gonna Be Syaoran's Date!' Starting with over 100 girls, we have singled out 3 remaining girls. Today, Syaoran will choose one lucky girl to be his date to the dance!" Tomoyo shouted dramatically. The crowd cheered. "There was one rumor, however, that the contest was just an easier way for Syaoran to ask his date out! That she was picked before the whole contest was started! But maybe it was only a rumor." Tomoyo winked at the crowd, confirming the rumor, and enraging Syaoran. "Now contestants! Please line up by the swings! Sakura, the green-eyed beauty, wearing a T-shirt and jeans, is on the first swing. Stacey, the pretty girl (Tomoyo strained this out), wearing a gorgeous asymmetrical dress, is on the center swing. Last, but definitely not least, is Meiling, Syaoran's cousin, only one of the contestants to join in on the fun." The crowd laughed at this, the idea of a girl getting through the rounds just because she wanted something to do after school. "Syaoran is burying three gifts under the swings. Only one is the true necklace, having Syaoran's and the girl's initials engraved on it." Syaoran was quickly stuffing 3 boxes under the ground below their swings. "Ready! Start digging girls!"

All the girls sat down and lazily started to dig. Sakura and Meiling already knew they weren't going to win, and Stacey already knew she was going to win. So why bother?

Syaoran, on the other hand, was graciously thanking Tomoyo for the idea. Last night, when Tomoyo picked out his clothes, he was fretting on how to ask Sakura to dance. Tomoyo had given Syaoran two 'fake' necklaces and told him to bury them. "No problem." Tomoyo whispered. "Now go back to your station!"

"Now, has everybody found their box?" At their nods, she continued, "On the count of three, open your boxes!"

"1! 2! 3!" the crowd shouted in excitement. They flung open the boxes

*****

Sakura's POV

I rolled my eyes at Tomoyo's excitement. She was just pumping up the crowd! But when 3 had been reached, I couldn't help but open the box with enthusiasm. There was this strange feeling at the bottom of my heart, hoping that it was me who was chosen. But how could that be? We were just friends, nothing else. I didn't like him, did I?

I definitely was not expecting to be picked, so when I first saw the necklace, I gasped. It was awe inspiring. The cherry blossoms that climbed up the heart looked so delicate, but when I stroked them, they held strong. Finally, my eyes scanned over the engraved marks. "S.L. & S.K" I felt a lump in my throat. He picked me. He picked me! I felt surprised, not only because he chose me, but also because of how happy I felt. I glanced at my competition to find Stacey angrily stomping on her necklace and Meiling, who already put on her necklace, was smiling encouragingly at me. She nodded her head, signaling I should look forward. My eyes trailed up to his nervous expression. His hand was outreached to help me up, and I gladly took it.

"Sakura Kinomoto, will you go to the dance with me?"

Silence washed over the park, waiting to hear my answer. Suddenly, before I could say anything, Stacey's shrill voice cracked the tense silence.

"SAKURA? That was her name? Sakura! S.K. stands for Sakura Kinomoto?" Stacey stomped towards her friends, and they all hmphed away, the crowd silently laughing at them.

"So, what do you say?" Syaoran asked again. I saw the crowd nodding their heads ferociously.

"I- I- I don't know." I caught a flash of sadness in his eyes, but before I knew it, he was smiling again.

"Will you decide soon?"

"I don't have a dress!"

"Sakura, your dress is already made." Tomoyo piped in.

Still, I didn't know. Would we be going as a couple? As friends?

"I'd have to ask Touya first." I was stalling and I knew it.

"He says it's fine." A voice grumbled from the tree behind them. Touya's head popped out from the side. "It's okay, monster. Just say yes or no."

"We'd be going as friends…" Syaoran confirmed, with a tinge of sadness.

"As friends? Alright."

The whole crowd clapped and cheered, and after a while, dispersed. Meiling pulled me away, towards Tomoyo's house.

"Come on! We need to make sure that your dress fits!" Meiling shouted. Before we rounded the corner, I saw Tomoyo talking to Syaoran. And he looked sad. I wonder why? Was it because of something I said?

*****

"You did it! She's going to the dance with her!" Tomoyo encouraged.

"Yeah, but only as friends. She doesn't like me…" Syaoran replied meekly.

"Hey, you know Sakura. She doesn't know the ways of the heart. Even her own heart is confusing to her. She wouldn't even think about crushing on you unless you brought it up. Try and confess at the dance, kay?" Tomoyo reassured, walking away. "Now I have to fit her dress!"

Syaoran watched her go, and sat down on the swings. Maybe there's still hope. But I love her. What ever makes her happy is fine with me. His mind traveled back to the last time he sat on the swings sadly. It was when Yukito, Sakura's first crush, turned Sakura down.

***Flashback***

"Syaoran, I asked Yukito out today."

He felt his heart drop, but also a little spark of happiness. He didn't understand why at the time, but now, he knew. If Sakura was happy, so was he.

"Syaoran, he said no. He refused my feelings kindly, but it still hurts!" Tears dripped from her eyes.

"It's okay. I understand. I understand perfectly." He allowed her to lean on him as he grasped her in a comforting hug. Now, he felt glad that he still had a chance, but the feeling of desperation overpowered it. When Sakura was sad, so was he.

***Flasheback Ends***

"Oi, brat. Don't look so down. Be happy that I allowed her to go to the dance with you at all." Touya called from the trees.

Turning his head, he met his eyes, and replied, "Thank you for giving us a chance. I will try my best not to hurt her." Offering a smile, he continued slyly, "Who knows, maybe I'll be calling you big brother soon." And then he sprinted to the safety of his home before Touya could react.

"BRAT! WHAT DID YOU SAY?"

So yeah. I know it's shorter then the last couple, but I wrote this to get to sleep so...

RxR!