Chapter Two
Meet the Crew
Hate me,
And I'll love you back.
August 2019 – Tomoeda, Japan
It was Monday, meaning, classes are starting a bit later. Weekend went by way to fast, and the new week had already started. The first week of her fifth year and the first real school day.
She let the wind blow her hair freely, as she closed her eyes to inhale the fresh morning air, spreading her arms, to catch the wind. 'Aaaah! That feels so good!'
Sakura had left home extra early, so she could skate the entire way to school, instead of taking the bus half way. She didn't go fast yet, she was just enjoying the morning breeze, skating on one leg with closed eyes. The mp3 player she got from Tomoyo was attached to one ear, and she was skating on the rhythm of the music. It almost felt like dancing to her. The cycling-track she used was pretty much abandoned, so she was literary dancing over it, taking her time and space.
Softly singing a few lines of the song, she opened her eyes, shortly checking if she was still on the pad. She swiftly dodged a dog running up to her, and skating backwards again, she caressed his soft fur. Turning around, just in time to not bump into the owner of the dog, she greeted him and went on.
Being so occupied in the music and skating, the time went by fast, and before she knew it, she stood at the entrance of the school. Glancing at the clock, she noticed she was only twenty-five minutes early, meaning there would be very few students in the school at this time.
She went inside, to her locker, and switched her skates for shoes. Walking away, she almost bumped into someone. 'Hoe!' She exclaimed coming swiftly to a halt before they would actually collide. Looking up, she found a new face with intense amber eyes and a very mean scowl on his face. But besides that, he could only be described as handsome. Hoe! I'm glad I didn't bump into him! Eriol popped up beside him, smiling his famous smile. 'Ohayo, Sakura-chan! You're early today!'
'Oh, hey Eriol-kun. Eh... well, I am early today.' She smiled widely at her not so bright answer. Then she sighed and bowed her head. 'Gomen, I'm not really awake yet...' She looked at her friend, and her eyes grew wary. 'Why are you so cheerful today?'
The mysterious glance appeared in his eyes, witch usually meant something was going on. 'It's just a week of wonders, that's all. And this is one of them.' He said, pointing at the amber eyed boy. 'Sakura, this is Li Syaoran, my best pal in the world, although he doesn't want me to be that, of course.'
'Who would...' Sakura mumbled, as she rolled her eyes and Syaoran just continued to scowl at both of them. She had to admit, this new kid was creeping her out. How could one be scowling so hard? Did I do something wrong? Or did Eriol do something wrong again?
Eriol continued as if she wasn't interrupting him. 'Syaoran, this is Kinomoto Sakura, Tomoyo's best friend, and she is very attached to me, since my girl is gone for quite a while already, and I remember her of Tomoyo, of course.'
'Of course...' Sakura mumbled, sweat dropping. 'Nice to meet you, Li-kun.' She said to Syaoran, as she bowed a bit. He didn't say anything back.
'Sakura-chan!' A loud voice squeaked, as someone jumped upon her back. 'I missed you!'
Sakura cringed. 'Good morning, Nakuru-chan. Long time no see, had a nice weekend?' Sakura greeted the older girl as she carefully untangled herself from her hug. Nakuru nodded happily as she threw her arms around Eriol and Syaoran. The new guy shoved her away very fast, although Nakuru didn't notice that.
A second person came by. 'Hello, Sakura-chan.' It was Naoko who was smiling brightly. 'I want to thank you. I've sold the problem, thanks to you. It took me the entire weekend though.'
Sakura smiled happily. 'I'm so glad for you! So no one bothers you any more, eh?' she asked, winking at her.
Naoko winked back. 'No. At least... not in that way.' She motioned with her eyes to the side, and Sakura saw a boy walking past them, quite a handsome one at that. It made Sakura laugh with twinkling eyes.
'Hey, you're right, this is a week of wonders.' She told Eriol, elbowing him. He raised a brow, giving her the you-know-nothing-yet-look.
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Syaoran was in his new school, to early for the lessons to start. Eriol already waited for him, and he greeted his friend, careful to not let go of his scowl.
Eriol was about to show him the school, when he had stopped just in time, before he would bump into someone, who just walked away from the lockers.
He looked right into two cheerful, emerald pools that were supposed to be eyes. He was lost for a moment, but he didn't lose his scowl. He let Eriol talk to the girl, who he obviously knew. He heard her name. Kinomoto Sakura... and he just hoped he wouldn't bump into her too much, those eyes were just to freaking beautiful...
But that was wasted hope, of course.
Eriol soon made clear they were friends, meaning, hanging out with Eriol, was probably equal to hanging out with this girl, Kinomoto. His scowl deepened. Just my luck…
He didn't get a good feeling from this girl. Innocence radiated from her, and it seemed she was like one of those girls that always smiled and befriended everyone. The kind of girl that hadn't met real life yet.
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It was morning, on the third day of school, and he had read already more than thirteen of the many books he had to read this year. He had avoided Eriol and his friends as much as possible, so he didn't really had a chance yet to talk to Eriol. Just a talk between friends. God, this is boring...
Reading one of those books, he noticed someone entering the library. He looked up very briefly, to see Kinomoto walking his way, headphones in her ears, eyes half closed as she swayed a bit on the music.
She stopped at a row of books right next to him, and picked out one. She obviously knew exactly which book she needed. She wanted to walk away with it, when she unplugged one of her earphones to listen carefully, her face darkening a bit.
'Well, what have we here! If that isn't the newest silent creep of this school.' A voice said out loud, coming from just outside the library. A group was visible there, and so was a girl with dark, curly hair, with a purple/red glow to it.
Kinomoto just sighed and put her earphones in again.
Syaoran raised a brow. He had really thought that she was about to come in between. Then I'll just have to go myself. But at that moment, the Kinomoto girl walked to the door. She followed the rhythm of her music, and danced towards the group, right at the girl in the middle. 'Rika-chan, dance with me.' Sakura said, as she plugged one of her earphones in Rika's ears.
'W...what? Sakura-chan?' The girl named Rika asked unbelievably.
'Dance with me! You know the song, we used to have a dance on this a couple of years back. Do you still remember it?' Rika nodded, as Sakura grabbed her arms and started the dance inside the library. At first, Rika was stumbling along, until some point, where she got the hang of it, and danced with more enthusiasm in the middle of the library.
Syaoran couldn't read anymore, as he watched them dancing their hearts out. They were both laughing as they remembered the steps from a long time ago, moving in perfect synchronization. He looked in aw as they finished their dance.
Laughing, Rika threw her arms around Sakura, hugging her. 'Sakura-chan! I haven't seen you in such a long time!'
'I know!' Sakura squealed, jumping from excitement. 'It's been like... Five years! How have you been?'
Syaoran looked at his book again, as the two girls began to chat. Listening with only half an ear, he figured out they knew each other from dancing lessons, a couple of years back. But Rika had moved to Tokyo, and they didn't talk often anymore.
As the "bullies" put their attention on something else, Syaoran shut their chit-chat off, concentrating only on his book. He was reading the last couple of pages, and he finished that in no time. Closing it, he saw the two girls sitting at a table, still chatting lively. He examined Sakura from a distance. When he had called Eriol, to tell him that he came to live in Tomoeda for a while, he found Eriol in a very talkative mood, and had told him how Sakura always got the so called "victims" away from the "bullies". She had just done so again, on a brilliant way. Looking at the group, he saw the boys talking about Sakura, and how she danced.
Syaoran raised a brow. Eriol was right…They literally respect her for how she solves these problems. Without using any violence at all. That's difficult to do. He wouldn't tell anyone, of course, but he respected this tactic.
Paying attention to the books before him, he saw he had read them all already. He put them back in the shelves, picking out new ones. Carrying them in one arm, he walked out of the library, past the group of boys.
They looked like they wanted to have some fun with him, but hastily stepped back seeing the scowl on his face.
'Wow, he's cute!' One of the girls from the group squealed.
'What?' Another one replied. 'He's scary!'
'Just because he scowls, doesn't mean he isn't cute!' The first said, as her eyes dreamily followed Syaoran's retreating back.
'Hm… he is so going to be mine!' A third girl stated.
Syaoran sighed. Not again... can't those girls ever leave me alone? I look angry as hell, and they still want to go after me...!
Somehow, Eriol managed to pop-up beside him. 'You know, they won't bother you, if you aren't single anymore.' He had that twinkle in his eye, the one that you shouldn't trust.
'What are you implying, Eriol?' It came out harshly, but then again, he always sounded like that in front of Eriol. Friends or not friends, that had never changed.
'Nothing, my dear friend.' Eriol smiled as he walked away. 'Just exactly what I mean.'
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Sakura looked up from her conversation with Rika, and saw Syaoran leaving the library with a lot of books. Her mouth dropped, as she saw her 'enemies' backing away with one look from him. She closed it quickly and turned her attention to Rika again, but she did hear the excited squeals from all the famous girls in the group. She immediately felt sorry for Syaoran. Even if they were scared of him, some of those girls never gave up.
She suppressed a blush, once she realized that he probably had seen everything, when she started to dance with Rika. Or maybe not, it seemed as if he was reading a lot. Not that he has done anything else than studying these past days…
And it's only the beginning of the year!
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The biggest surprise had yet to come, when Sakura walked outside with Chiharu. They had just finished another hour of practicum, when she saw someone very familiar coming their way.
She squealed happily as she run towards her best friend in ages. 'TOMOYO-CHAN!' She screamed, while she ran past Syaoran and Eriol, and gave Tomoyo a big hug.
'SAKURA-CHAN!' Tomoyo screamed, as she hugged her friend back.
'You're back! How are you? How was it? I thought you wouldn't return for another month? WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME YOU WERE COMING BACK?' Sakura almost went ballistic, while Tomoyo just laughed happily, answering everything at once.
'Yes, fine, great, you're wrong and I wanted it to be a surprise.'
'That's great! That's mean, you should have told me!'
Eriol and Syaoran sweat dropped. 'You probably wonder how they could possibly understand each other...' Eriol remarked, while Syaoran shrugged. Chiharu on the other hand, was now hugging Tomoyo, understanding perfectly well what the conversation was about.
'It's so great to see you again!' Chiharu told Tomoyo, as the three of them began a long conversation on how they all had been doing.
'I think you're in trouble, sooner or later, for not telling Kinomoto.' Syaoran mentioned, whispering softly to his friend. Eriol raised a brow, wondering what he meant. It only made sense when Sakura stood in front of Eriol, shouting angrily. 'Eriol-kun! You're mean! You should have told us! I just know that you knew she was coming! We could have made a surprise party for her, or something like that! You know I like surprise parties!' She wined as Eriol covered his ears, and Syaoran took a few steps back, muttering something like 'Told you so...'
Then Tomoyo came in between, dragging Chiharu with her. 'So this is the famous Li Syaoran?' She asked, looking at the amber eyed boy. 'Nice to meet you! Any friend of Eriol is a friend of mine!' Syaoran just nodded a bit, trying not to get her attention. Oh boy... why me? he thought. He had heard stories about Tomoyo from Eriol, on that fated phone call that got Eriol in his strange talkative mood. And he certainly didn't want to be a part of her attention, because that would mean she would videotape him, everywhere he went. Until now, she only did that with Eriol and Sakura and all the boys she thought formed a cute couple with Sakura. Or so he was told... by Eriol. So that said enough. And Tomoyo looked at him with stars in her eyes. I'm doomed... their goes my privacy...
The group of girls went on talking. And soon Rika and Naoko were introduced to Tomoyo and the others. Yamazaki and Ted came along, and the group was complete, all sitting under the oak-tree.
Syaoran tried to get away, more than once, but the boys held him back every time, making him stay, saying that so much studying wasn't healthy at all.
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That evening, Sakura skated back home, thinking of a lot at the same time.
She was extremely happy that Tomoyo had returned. It just wasn't as fun without her. Tomoyo had been working for one of the best fashion designers in the world who, of course, lived in America. Working there had meant a lot of experience for Tomoyo and extra points in school. People said that, when Tomoyo gets out of school next year, she would be a famous designer in no time. And Sakura just totally agreed with them.
And with Tomoyo back, she also got two new friends, Naoko and Rika. Although Rika wasn't really a new friend. She had dancing lessons with Rika, five years back, when they both still lived in Tomoeda. Rika had told her that when she moved to Tokyo, she started on a new school, but it seemed to be to easy there. The lessons where boring and simple. So she had made a deal with her parents. If she could prove this was the right study for her, they would pay and allow her to go to Tomoeda University. She succeeded, and got here in the beginning of this week. But because she didn't know Sakura was here, she stayed at the background, trying to be invisible.
Naoko had joined the group of friends rather smoothly, she just totally fitted in. She had told her that she studied various languages, so she could read and write of all countries.
Then, there was the other new one, Li-kun as she had decided to call him. She wasn't really sure if she could say he was a friend or not. He didn't seem to want to be friends. Not only with her, but also with the rest. He seemed to be glad to be alone. She didn't understand that. Wasn't that boring? And neither did she understand why he studied so much. Maybe this school was a bit to hard for him, and he needed to give it his all, only to graduate?
Oh well, if that's the case, I can always try to help him.
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September 2019 – Tomoeda, Japan
In the first weeks of a new year, new students always managed to arrive late. They hardly ever arrived all in the first week, they just came to school, one by one, spread throughout the first weeks. In the second week of school, newbie's still came in. Some in their first year as an university student, others as transfer students from other schools or countries.
And in this third week, yet another one arrived. Her name was
Kuromori Tomiko
But this new girl was a tiny bit different from the rest of the student from this school.
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As Sakura walked through the school, her mind was with the homework that she had just received. It had to be about your favorites sport, a full report of history, present and future, for about 300 pages long. That was a lot!
She had yet to figure out which sport to choose. Because, come on! Sport is fun, but not investigating it! While walking this absentminded, she passed the art room, not really noticing the lorry-like-things, where she almost tripped over. You know, those boards with wheels under it, so you can transport heavy things, without really carrying it. She stopped just in time, before she would have caused an accident.
And just as she was about to walk further, she heard screaming. Sounded like 'Let me go!' and things like that. Sakura figured it was the same as usual, and without thinking, she grabbed one of the lorry's, rolled it down the hallway while standing on it. Nearing the one she heard, she quickened her pace. It was a boy, who was denied passage to his classroom, and who tried to get past Hyji.
Rolling past the group, she grabbed the boy, pulled him on the lorry, and together, they rolled away from the group, leaving laughter behind them.
But just as she was about to turn a corner, the boy stopped the lorry, and got off. 'What the HELL do you think you're DOING!' He screamed at Sakura, as she got of the lorry. 'Aren't you supposed to save the losers and nerds around here? Now everybody thinks I'm a loser!'
The boy, who was obviously not in his first year, yelled and screamed at her, thinking people thought he was a loser, as he was just 'saved' by the 'loser hero'.
Sweet and caring as Sakura might be, that was one of the few things she didn't appreciate. People calling them losers. Rika, Yamazaki, Naoko, Chiharu… they were not losers. Not at all. So Sakura stood there in the hallway, fuming and trying to get herself under control. Other students had come to look, and from the corner of her eyes, she could see Eriol, Yamazaki and Syaoran standing there. She heard Eriol telling Syaoran not to interfere, because Sakura was used to these kind of things.
She grabbed the boy, who was still ranting, by his collar. 'What's your name?' She asked trough gritted teeth.
The boy whimpered because of the sudden strength Sakura possessed. 'Rian…!' He stuttered as he tried to free himself from her grip.
'Well, Rian. I'll remember that name, so I wont accidentally help you again.' She put him on the lorry, and pushed it hard, in the direction of Hyji and his friends. 'Hyji, you can have him. Do as you like.' She yelled, and she could see Rian tremble in the lorry. He obviously knew by now, he was better of being saved by the "loser hero".
Sakura turned around and walked away, as she could hear Rian's scream of fear. She ignored it and went to the oak-tree outside, to calm down, her furious expression made place for a sad one.
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Sakura sat silently under the tree, hugging her knees, as she tried to calm herself down. This wasn't the first time that one of them got on her nerves. It happened about three times before, and all of them ended up the same as Rian. And just as she did now, she had regretted her actions afterwards.
So why did she still act this way? Why did she always flip when someone insulted her friends? Okay, maybe because they were her friends, because she cared for the people she "saved" from Hyji and his friends. But still...
Rian was entering the worst school year of his live, just as the three people before him that had rejected her help. He would be tormented and she wouldn't help him, not once. Somehow that hurt her.
Sure, it was her decision, but it still hurt her. Hyji wouldn't do anything drastic, that just wasn't like him, but he would make school miserable for Rian. This just proves it. We all torment others, and we are all tormented. This way, we are all equal.
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Kuromori Tomiko glared at the black windows of her car, while her driver hastened them to Tomoeda University. She hated these rides. The driver was always late. Fashionable late, but late anyways.
The car screeched to an halt, and soon after, her chauffeur opened her door, offering his hand to help her out. She took it and carefully stepped out of the car, not wanting to ruin her new uniform.
The chauffeur disappeared with the car, without any notice. Just as she had ordered him. She hated it as the man talked to her, so she forbid him to do so.
School... I hate school. Why can't I get privet lessons? School is so troublesome...
Walking in the building, Tomiko quickly tried to store all that she saw up in her mind. Things, students, teachers, stairs, elevators, everything that could work in her advantage.
If I have to go to school, I might as well enjoy it.
Her walk through school brought her in a hallway with a lot of commotion. She witnessed a fierce girl with auburn hair and intense green eyes, who pushed a terrified boy on a lorry to the other end of the hallway.
'Hyji, you can have him. Do as you like.' The girl yelled at someone on her side of the hallway.
Tomiko's eyes smiled as she witnessed the next thing that happened. Ah... I have already found my kind of people. She'll be my first subordinate.
As the green eyed girl walked outside, Tomiko disappeared as well.
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Syaoran walked away with Eriol besides him. He could say that at the least, what he just saw was troublesome. Kinomoto's kind expression and words just totally turned around. This only proved that no one was to be trusted that easily. Eriol saw the question marks hanging above his friends head and motioned him to follow.
'There's a long story behind Sakura-chan.' Eriol said, as he stopped by a window which viewed the oak-tree. He pointed at the girl under it. 'It's not up to me to tell you, but I do wish you understand a few things.' Syaoran eyed the girl, as he listened intently to what Eriol had to say.
'Sakura is a kind hearted girl, and always wishes to help everyone, see the best in everyone. Her theory is very simple. Everybody torments, and everybody is tormented. Knowing that, she thinks we all know how it feels to be tormented, so she wants to find a way to help everyone, because even those that torment, are being tormented.'
'That's why she helps the tormented ones with a mere joke.' Syaoran stated. It sounded like he really thought it was a mere joke, but deep inside, he approved her way of fighting.
'Exactly. That way, she helps them all, and that is her final goal. Or so I believe it is.' Eriol eyed the girl under the tree carefully and pointed at her again. 'But she can't save everyone. She is, after all, just a human. She has a habit of blowing up when someone insults her friends. Namely Chiharu and Yamazaki. That boy from a while ago, Rian, has suffered the consequences of doing so. The thing is, she is always sorry for her actions afterwards. It happened four times now, and the first three of them ended up leaving the school, and she feels guilty about that.'
Eriol turned to Syaoran, looking him straight in the eye. 'Sakura-chan is not strong, but she has a strong will. That's why she manages to do this. The most important thing for her is having friends. So you, my friend, really mustn't judge her so fast. I know what you think of her, and I say it's wrong.'
Syaoran glared at him. He always knows what I think, that stupid wise mouthed creep. 'You know very well it's not that simple.'
'I know it isn't, you have your own problems. Just show her now and then that you are a friend as well.' Eriol turned to the window again, and saw a girl with long black hair nearing Sakura.
Syaoran noticed as well. 'What if I don't want to be her friend?'
'Don't disappoint me now, Li Syaoran. You can't hide in your world forever. Sooner or later, you have to come out.' His voice was filled with power, and Eriol's face made clear he meant every word.
The glare on Syaoran's face deepened. 'I hate it when you do that.' And that's the same reason why you are my friend. I don't know how you know, but you always know what's best for me. Always. And I always hate it when you turn out to be right, all over again.
'I know you do, I know.'
They stayed in silence, as they watched the scene below them unfold itself.
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'So you're the queen on this school?' A sweet, yet demanding voice asked.
Sakura looked up from her knees as she saw a girl in front of her, with pitch black hair and strong dark brown eyes, with tiny specks of silver in it. Those eyes were hypnotizing, and Sakura had to force herself to look away. But the only thing that really got through to her, was that the girl in front of her was as beautiful as her eyes were hypnotizing. 'Excuse me?'
'I asked if you were the queen on this school! Well, are you?' The entire vision of beauty disappeared at the sound of that threatening and cold blooded voice.
Sakura looked at her again, this time having no difficulty to see her straight in the eyes. 'I'm sorry, I have now idea what you are talking about.'
'Ugh!' The girls face darkened, and the silver specs in her eyes seemed to shine. 'I guess I was wrong then, I have to use child's language to make you understand the words of the high class. I asked if you were the leader of the group that stands high above the rest.'
Now Sakura's eyes darkened. 'Oh, I see. You think I am the queen of the bullies.'
'Yeah, if that's what you want to call it. My name is Kuromori Tomiko, Queen of all the schools I ever been on, and next queen of this school. You have the choice to join me or... disappear from my sight, because you are obviously not good enough to fit the role of a queen.'
Somehow, Tomiko's words calmed Sakura down. 'Hm, be the queen you want to be, I have never been the queen of the bullies. If you want to see me as a queen, then I'm probably the queen of the saviors.' With that, Sakura stood up from her favorite spot under the oak-tree. 'My name is Kinomoto Sakura. It was nice meeting you, Kuromori-san.'
Tomiko gaped at her, as Sakura walked away from her, leaving her to stand alone under the oak-tree.
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Tomiko was fuming with anger, as she saw the queen of "saviors" walking away from her, having the last word said. No one treated her that way, no one. She wasn't the queen for nothing, everybody paid the price for going against her, even Kinomoto Sakura. That was for sure.
Being the richest had his advantages. She had the money, the name and the beauty to achieve everything. And everything is what she had always gotten, and still gets. The rules of her game were simple:
My way, or no way at all.
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It didn't take long for Kuromori Tomiko to get her way in this school. Soon after her meeting with Sakura, she got three new friends, who stuck to her like glue: Yoko, Naomi and Miki. These three were always in the group of Hyji, but switched sides a bit to fast.
Wherever the four of them went, they constantly tried to make Sakura's life miserable. It started with little things, like glaring, and calling her dirty names. But it went from bad to worse. Soon they made it public, and they tried to hitch everyone up against Sakura. They let her trip in the hallways, stole her stuff and irritated her in everyway possible.
Not many students choose her side. Most didn't like the way Tomiko acted, and stayed away from her. But one person had to join her group at every cost. He had observed Tomiko for quite a while, and thought she was the best way for him to get revenge. So one day, Rian stood in front of Tomiko, giving her his all, if she could help him get revenge on Kinomoto Sakura.
And of course, Tomiko welcomed Rian in the group.
Last week of September 2019 – Tomoeda, Japan
'Itai...!' Sakura stood up from the ground where she lay a moment ago, when one of Tomiko's friends made her trip... again. It happened a lot these past weeks, but she had no idea what to do against it. She was scared that her first year on this school would repeat itself. Stop thinking about that! They won't go that far! She spoke to herself sternly, but it didn't take away her feelings.
She was quite helpless at the moment. Her entire schedule of helping others was put to waste, because Tomiko had changed the rules so easily. Because of her, Sakura couldn't help others this way anymore. Her goal was gone.
'Sakura-chan! Are you okay?' Tomoyo hurried herself to Sakura, through the student who stood in the way, pretending to not have seen the accident that happened right under there nose.
'I'm fine, Tomoyo-chan! I'm fine, thank you.'
'No you aren't.' Tomoyo took her arm and guided her to a much quieter hallway. 'I can see it in your eyes. You're worried about something. Please tell me?' She pleaded.
A smile came across her lips. 'You know me to well, Tomoyo-chan, but I tell you as soon as you need to know.'
'Humph... You are always like this! I'm here to help, you know! And so is the rest...'
'I know you are.' Sakura threw her arms around Tomoyo's neck and hugged her friend. 'I love you to, Tomoyo-chan.'
It was always like this. Every time Sakura needed help, she would reject it, and finish the conversation with those four words. It meant that she wouldn't listen to word said about this subject, until she would bring it up herself. 'I love you to, Sakura-chan.' She hugged her friend back, sighing as she thought about something to help her anyway.
'Come, let's think of a plan to stop all of this.' Sakura nudged her friend to follow her to the oak-tree, where they could plan things out carefully.
'How about a slumber party at your place? I still need to see your new castle.' Tomoyo joked. 'We can think of a plan then, so no one else will hear it.'
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Syaoran sat in the library, as usual. He had spent most of his time from the past few weeks, here. He had studied all the many subjects that he was given, and, luckily, he was still on schedule. The library was the ideal study room, but he studied here for different reasons.
Almost every student came to the library, at least once a week. It was always quiet here, so if someone talked, you could here every word. And because he hardly ever spent time with Eriol and his friends, this was the only place where he felt a bit accepted in this huge school. Here, he could still here all the newsflashes, and the chitchat of all the friends that came, without getting behind with his schoolwork, and without getting to close to other students their lives.
And, also a strong reason, in this corner of the library, he could observe anyone who came in. Eriol often walked in, and those where the only short times he spent with him. Sakura more often walked in, about once every day. And although he hardly ever spoke to her, these where the moments he looked out for.
Every time she came in, his mind became more clear, so he could focus more on his work. So if she was reading a book at the table he worked on, he never sent her away, like he did with all the other students. His thoughts from the beginning – stay away from her – had disappeared ever so slightly. He had allowed her to enter his world, even though it was just a very small part of his world. He couldn't even remember when he started calling her by her front name in his mind.
'Well, aren't you a cutie?'
Syaoran inwardly cringed at the false sweetness of the voice that spoke to him. Rumors had already told him that this was Kuromori Tomiko, newest 'Queen' of the school. He choose the ignore her.
'I asked,' The tone became threatening. 'aren't you a cutie?'
He sighed. Some people. 'I'm sorry, I actually thought it was a rhetorical question.' He still hadn't looked up and continued writing. He could almost feel Tomiko's face harden in anger. He hated these kind of girls. But then again, he pretended to hate everyone.
The sweet voice returned. 'You're right, there isn't really an answer on that, now is there? So how about having lunch with me later on, so we can talk some, without all your homework disturbing you?'
Syaoran finally looked up and noticed her brown eyes had little specks of silver in it. Fascinating. 'I'm to busy to have a chat with you, so if you can excuse me, I need to go on.'
Her eyes shined as she looked flirtatiously at him. 'Then maybe some other time, right?'
'Rather not.' Was his stony answer.
He returned writing, and soon after, she left. He sighed. Why can't they ever leave me alone? He continued working on all his schoolwork, blocking all around him, out of his senses. After a while, another voice bothered him.
'Li-kun, do you want to join us with lunch?' Sakura asked as she was searching for a book on one of the shelves besides him. She found it and turned to him and found him still writing in his notebook. 'Li-kun?'
Finally he looked up. 'No, thank you. I'm busy and I'm not hungry yet.' He saw her disappointed face, and right at that moment, his stomach grumbled, rather loudly. He had to suppress a blush coming to his cheeks. Wrong moment...
'Oh... I see. Don't work yourself to hard, Li-kun.' She gave him a weak smile, and with that, she left him at the table and went to rent the book she had found.
Don't work yourself to hard, Li-kun...
How can she say that, after it was perfectly clear that I lied?
'It's simple, Sya-o-kun.'
'Don't call me that.' He grumbled as he heard Eriol from behind the bookshelves.
'It's because she cares more about others than about herself. Even cares about you, although no one can possibly understand why.' Eriol continued, ignoring Syaoran's comment. After all, he had thousands of nicknames for him. 'She once told me a line, which really touched me. It's so like her. She said: hate me, and I'll love you back.'
Syaoran turned around, but Eriol had already disappeared to somewhere else. I hate it when he talks like that.
AND WHY DOES HE KEEP READING MY MIND!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Sakura sat under her favorite tree, wondering what she had done wrong this time. Why does he dislike me so much? Have I done something wrong to him?
Tomiko walked passed her, talking to Miki and Yoko loudly enough for Sakura to hear. On purpose probably. 'Do you remember Syaoran? Li Syaoran? Well... He's going to be my new boyfriend. We haven't talked about it yet, but it is obviously that he wants me.'
As the voice faded Sakura cringed. Of course. If he likes her, then it's no wonder he dislikes me. Even he must know what's going on between Tomiko and me. Maybe it's better to not try to be friends with him.
Absentminded she got her lunchbox and started to eat on her own. After Li-kun's words, she didn't feel like eating together with her friends. Her normal cheerfulness had disappeared for a moment, and she didn't want Tomoyo to see that. She would only worry for nothing.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
The office was to big for a temporally stay, even if it was for the heir of this business. It was bigger than his own office, and he didn't like that. It did something to his ego, it didn't seem fair.
But as was instructed, he placed his share of the papers on the huge desk. The heir of the Li-companies would come to work here most evenings, starting this evening, so everything had to be ready for the almighty Li-sama.
Touya winced as he heard the door open and unfamiliar footsteps entering the office. Looking up, he looked right in a cold face with glaring, amber eyes. Behind him stood his chief.
'Kinomoto-san, please meet Li Syaoran, Heir of Li.' His chief introduced him. 'Li-sama, this is Kinomoto Touya, the divisional head of the second level.'
Touya suppressed a mean scowl and offered Li a hand. 'Nice to meet you, Li-sama.' He managed to get it out politely.
Li just nodded.
'If you can excuse us know, Kinomoto-san.' His chief ordered Touya, who was glad to get out of this room.
Touya walked towards his own small office and put the last hands to his work of today, wanting to get home as fast a possible. Yukito stayed for dinner today, so that meant the house was cheerful again.
Normally, it was Sakura that kept everyone cheerful, but these last few days, it seemed she couldn't remember how to do that anymore. He was worried, and promised himself to figure this out as soon as possible.
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The office felt cold. He hadn't seen the other offices yet, but he got the strong feeling none of them was as big as this one. And that, while he was here only for a few hours in the evening. Absurd.
The director of this location, Tamaho Hoku, had just left this office, so he could see in all the papers that every left for him.
Numbers.
Calculations.
Complaints.
Names.
And much more. He sighed as he put himself to work. If he was lucky, and he finished this, he still had time to meditate, before training.
It was already late when Syaoran returned home from the Li-company. To late to meditate… So instead, he quickly changed his clothes for simple black pants and a tight black t-shirt.
The garden of his new house was large enough to practice martial arts, and so he began the long hours of training which he did every morning and evening.
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AN: Just two reviews? Aah.. bugger! Come on, you can do better than that!
Or is it really that crappy:S