A New Season

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Chapter 4

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In ecology, predation describes a biological interaction where a predator organism feeds on another living organism or organisms known as prey. Predators may or may not kill their preyprior to or during the act of feeding on them

--Wikipedia

Have you ever felt the pure fear of a predator circling its prey? To tell you the truth, for me personally, this was the first time.

The prey, me.

The predator, Baka-sensei.

I had never been cornered. I had cornered. I was never glared at as if to kill me. I would be glaring. So, why was it that I felt the same feeling when I had walked into homeroom today? Simple.

I had ditched class yesterday.

See, it would have been fine if Baka-sensei had a bad memory or if I had skipped again today. But that would make me look like a coward, which I was not!

"Eriol, Syaroan please come up." Baka-sensei said, which seemed to have brought upon a cold storm towards him. Eriol was definitely frozen. I saw him getting up like a robot and walking to the front of the class. I causally got up to, after all what was the worst she could do to me?

She then magically, okay fine it was more like pulled from underneath her desk in a very quick manner displayed a wheel on her "Alright, Eriol, spin the wheel."

"Uh… okay…?" was Eriol's uneasy reply, he walked up to the wheel and nervously spun the wheel counterclockwise.

The wheel spun and the number became blurring. Slowly yet reluctantly the wheel started to come to a stop. 9... 7... 4... 2... 8. It stopped at eight, of course what did this number mean? Baka-sensei failed to mention what the numbers actually specified... were the numbers something I-we should fear? I mean she can't possibly punish us according to the number; ten being the harshest of them and one being the lowest, or maybe it's the other way around?

I looked over to Baka-sensei and saw the smile. I'm not talking about the kind of smile a little girl has when she is given the pink pony she wanted for her birthday, no this smile was far from it. This was the same smile my sisters had when they had found their next victim, whom coincidentally had been me for the past seventeen years. I wasn't even given a warning when I came into this world. The same grin was now plastered in her face. I felt unease roll over me. I looked over to Eriol; he didn't seem to notice the evil dripping in that grin.

"Alright, Syaroan you're up." She said as she gestured to the wheel.

I sighed as I spun the wheel; I wonder where it will stop? It began to slow down passing 4…9….5…3…8…9. Oh, no! Damn that is bad, please dear god, I swear let it not be nine and I'll even be nice to Baka-sensei! It seemed to stay at ten… but suddenly went to one and stopped.Yes! Scored!! I felt my lips tug into a small smirk. How was she going to react to this?

I could almost see the grin drop from Baka-sensei's face. Shaking her head, she said "You must one damn lucky kid, Syaroan. That was the only number that was punishment free." She turned around, and began again, "I shouldn't have created a free card on that."

"Eriol, you are the first participant of the Wheel of Humiliation! How lucky you are!" I raised an eyebrow as Baka-sensei hummed joyously, completely changing her emotions from before like a breeze as she took out a small box with the number eight written in a scripture font. The box inside was filled with folded pieces of paper. "Pick your pick."

Eriol's hand tensed as it hovered over the box. The students in the classroom were at the tip of their seats with anticipation. He looked over to me, looking for an answer to what might happen. I shrugged, better go with it, I replied with my eyes. He dipped his hand in and pulled out a small, neatly folded white piece of paper. Slowly, he opened it and gaped up at Baka-Sensei.

"You can't be serious?"

"Oh, what is it that you got Eriol?"

"Its... are you serious?" He looked incredulous as Baka-sensei just smiled. "No... no freaking way... no way! I am not going to wear a freaking dress all day!"

"Oooh! You got that one! Eriol, I have the perfect dress, plus it'll match you eyes. My cousin designed it, and she was begging me to look for a model for it." She pulled a big box form under her desk and pulled out a light blue spaghetti-strap sundress with blue sparkles along the bottom. I could practically see the Eriol's eyes bulging out. Ha, the poor guy. I could almost picture it, of course it would make any healthy male vomit, but for amusement, it defiantly won.

Eriol's turned to me, his eyes shrieking 'No way in hell'. And then there was that pleading look, the look that he tried to do when he thought he had broken his sister's new stereo, the Syaroan-help-me-I-don't-want-to-wear-a-dress, of course last time it was help-me-pay-for-this-you're-too-rich-for-your-own-good. I felt my lips tug into a smirk. "Eriol, a deal is a deal."

"S-Syaroan?! You can't be serious, I thought you were my friend!"

"I am, but—"

"As much as I'd like to see the end of this argument, Eriol has to get into this dress." Stated Baka-sensei in a matter-of-fact tone.

Eriol looked over me to again, "He got a free card, and I don't! This sucks, Akira-sensei, you can't possibly let this continue!"

"Sorry, Eriol. It's a fair chance. Now get in the dress."

"Besides, it's your color" I said, as I saw the frantic look in Eriol's eyes. "I'm sure Shun would agree, and Nakura-san as well."

His eye's widened even more. "Syaroan, my best friend, you wouldn't betray you old buddy, your pal like that would you?" Seeing that I only felt my eye's lit up. He quickly turned over to Baka-sensei. "Sensei, you are the kindest of all teacher, I really don't wan—"

He couldn't continue as Baka-sensei, pushed him into the small storage room connected to the classroom. Before Eriol could do anything the door shut behind them with a slam. I raised my eyebrow as I heard some sort of scream.

Minutes later, the door opened to reveal Eriol in the dress, his face was flushed. The dress was spread along his broad shoulder, and it dangled at his knees. For a second nothing moved, and then everyone burst in laughter, even I felt myself chuckle on the inside. He looked over to me and looked completely angry.

"Hey, don't look at me like that; I'm sure your girls would love to know that you have come in touch of your feminine side."

"Damn it Syaroan, I would totally walk over to you and strangle you, but unfortunately there is an odd breeze!"

With that statement the class roared into laughter again, I looked over to see Sakura laughing, with tiny droplets of tears in her eyes. I smiled and quickly caught myself; did I just call Baka-sensei Sakura? No—err that was a mistake. She is still definitely Baka-sensei.

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A half hour to go before the day ended; we were back again in homeroom after math, the three sciences, and Japanese history. I put my head down on my desk, and was about to fall asleep when a few guys started commenting on a girl, who was, apparently, waiting outside.

I could feel Baka-sensei, walk towards the window by me, actually she was right there, in front of me. Slowly, I felt myself drift back to sleep. "She is beautiful. One of you, is really lucky to have such a pretty girlfriend. Maybe, I should try for her."

I quickly sat up, alerted. Baka-sensei can't be serious?! I thought she was a girl… don't tell me she's 'special'.

"Sensei!! You can't do that! You're the type of guy that every girl would fall for!!" Whined a student.

"That's right Sensei, you are always dress nicely and are so confident doing whatever you would want, that's not fair!" complained another.

"We are deprived men! We need our women!"

"Sensei, I bet you already have a very hot girlfriend, so is it necessary to break a poor guy's heart." Stated Eriol as he began to walk over to the window.

"Well, I can't help it. I like beautiful things." I could almost see her pouting. She's so cute—Damn it! I'm doing it again!

"Uh… Syaroan…" Eriol said making me look at him. He was hesitating. That wasn't a good sign.

"What is it?"

He just shook his head and motioned towards the window. What was it that he couldn't say? I stood up, and walked over as curiosity had engulfed me. That's when I recognized the hair. What was she doing here?!

Before anyone could stop me, I turned around quickly and went for the door. This was odd. Mei Ling? What was she doing here? She probably still has a fever from yesterday. Damn it, I'm worried for her!

I quickly reached the school entrance, I'm in soccer after all, speed is very crucial. There she was, standing with a light blush on her cheeks.

"Mei Ling?" I said, after regaining some posture.

She quickly turned around, her amber-red eyes, full of surprise. Her blush became darker as she saw me. I quickly looked over her; she was dressed in her normal clothing, meaning that she didn't go to school.

"Mei Ling" I repeated again. "What are you doing here?"

"I-I wanted to ask you…" she began to stammer, as she shifted her weight from one leg to the other. Her nervous habit. Suddenly, she looked up to the sky.

Reflexively, as did I only to see small droplets of rain beginning to fall. I grabbed her hand and softly said, "Let's go inside, before you get wet. I wouldn't want you to get sicker." I felt her follow. But it only began to rain faster, and harder, causing us to run.

Holding her hand got me thinking how much her hand felt different, from the time I—Baka-sensei had held my hand. Her hand was small, and very soft, comparing, Baka-sensei's hand was just… I don't know it was different. It felt like the warmth belonged.

Once, inside, I took my hand back, and looked to see that she had gotten her hair wet. Clucking, my tongue, I tried to get some of the rain droplets off of her face. She kept her face down, and she became redder. "I'll go get my stuff, and I'll take you home. Stay—" Giving it another thought and remembering how the people in class had reacted towards her, "No, actually come with me."

I watched as she gave a small nod, I turned around and began to walk. "I don't think I brought an umbrella, but I'm sure I can borrow one from someone. And, don't talk to anyone" From the corner of my eye, I looked back to see that I had left her behind. Mentally sighing, I waited as she caught up. This time when I started to walk, I paced myself to her walking so that she wouldn't feel rushed.

Now, we had reached the classroom, and unexpectedly, Baka-sensei stood there, leaning on the wall. She looked over, and had an odd expression. I stopped, and held Mei Ling's hand back, and came to stand in front of her, blocking Baka-sensei's view. "I have to go home, my cousin—" I gestured to Mei Ling with my head, "—isn't feeling too well."

She smiled which looked a little stiff, and quickly moved so that she could see Mei Ling. Again I moved so that she couldn't. She raised an eyebrow, and grinned a second later. "Oh, trying to stop me, it's not like I'm not going to rape her."

I snorted, "Yeah, I don't think so." She tried again, and I quickly blocked her.

She sighed, "Syaroan, seriously I'm one of the least potentially dangerous people here, so believe me when I say that I'm not going to do anything. Why don't you get your stuff form the classroom, and I'll give both of you a ride home. It's raining fairly badly. I already told everyone, that they all will be dismissed once you came back."

I looked at her, was she serious? I studied her eyes, and they held an odd sense of anger, as well as determination, but why were they there? Was she mad that I left the class like that? But it's not like I was skipping, so why was she angry?

I turned around and looked at Mei Ling, and said, "Are you okay with that?" She nodded politely. "Fine, let me get my things then." I walked to just where she stood, and looked down at her. And again there was a tinge of anger in her eyes, I turned away and walked into the classroom.

"So you're going to take her back?" asked Eriol, he already had my bag and things read. See, this was why we were friends, we held each others back without even knowing it.

"Yeah, she still seems sick." I answered him back as I took my things from him.

"How are you going to get back, I don't have an umbrella and neither do you."

"Seems like Baka-sensei is dropping us off."

"What?! Don't tell me, he's going for her?"

"You know that's impossible as much as I do."

"Yeah, you're right. So, the usual place then?" he asked as I reached the door. I wasn't surprised that no one had questioned me about Mei Ling. Eriol had probably threatened them. This time I shook my head, I was pretty sure Eriol was going to ask why, but I didn't give him a chance and left the classroom without another word.

As I walked out, Baka-sensei and Mei Ling were talking; they seemed to not notice me, until I lightly cleared my throat. "Are we leaving or not?"

Baka-sensei looked up and said, "Why not. Are you ready Rae-san?"

I felt shocked; Baka-sensei never used suffixes with anyone's name, why had she done so with Mei Ling. I glanced over to Mei Ling, as we began to walk to the school parking. She seemed to blush lightly but blushed harder when she noticed that I was looking at her. I leaned closer to her, "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Y-yes." She looked down, not meeting my eyes.

"Did he say something to you?" I asked.

"N-No!" she said a little too loudly, this caused Baka-sensei to look back.

"Syaroan, you're not bugging her, you?"

"No, he's not. Syaroan-san would never do that. Sorry for being so loud." Mei Ling replied quickly. Baka-sensei gave a small nod and continued to walk.

I sighed mentally, she trusted me too much, and she cared too much, did she really know me? "Mei Ling, I'm sorry if I offended you in anyway. But, if someone does ever say anything bad to you, let me know, all right?"

She nodded, by now we had reached the car, running quickly; Baka-sensei had brought the car, so that it was by the doorway. She unlocked her car and motioned us in. I opened the door for Mei Ling, and let her in, and I went and sat in the front with Baka-sensei.

"So, where to Rae-san?" Asked Baka-sensei, she had taken off her hat, and was fixing her hair as she looked in the rearview mirror at Mei Ling.

"I live near the North River, 52 Cross Street."

"Ah, I see… Are you neighbors with the Daidouji's?"

"Yes, I am. How do you know them Kinomoto-san?"

"Hmm… that, I use to model for them for a while. Alright, I know where that is. Syaroan, would you turn on the radio?"

I moved forward and went to turn on her radio, when a though popped into my head, I don't know any radio station! I never listen to the music, let alone the radio! What do girls listen to now? I pressed the power button, and a CD began to play, the speakers blasted with too much bass, and a scream penetrated the sound. I could more or less feel Mei Ling jump behind me, and I quickly controlled myself from embarrassing myself.

Baka-sensei's hand quickly shot, towards the power button, and gave a small chuckle. "Sorry about that, I forgot I was listening to Linken Park—it's an English rock-slash-metal band."

"Kinomoto-san you listen to English music?"

"Yes, I moved to Canada when I was in grade 2, it was only this year when I decided to move back here. SO having lived there for a few years, I started to enjoy English music."

"If you don't mind me asking, why did you move there?"

"My father, he was teaching there for a while before leaving for England. I decided to stay there with a friend so I could finish my education."

"Then why did you move back?"

"That's… well, my brother needed someone to teach here…I guess." I looked over to see Baka-sensei was looking straight ahead, she had hesitated for the first time I had met her. This, for some reason made me feel uncomfortable… a feeling of curiosity combined with terrible foreshadowing. Why, it had I didn't know. But, this left me really questioning, why she had returned to Japan.

Silently, I turned on the radio, and lowered the volume, so it was like a soft rumble of music.

"Ah, you modeled for Daidouji-san, right? What was it like?"

Baka-sensei chuckle, "Oh, believe me, it wasn't easy. You have to do exactly the way she says—Tomoyo, that is. If you don't, you won't be able to live to tell the tale. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed working with her, she is very efficient and professional in her work. But—" I turned so that I was looking in the general direction of Baka-sensei, but not so much that it looked like I was looking at her. She grinned, "—I have to say, she's the love of my life, after my mother of course."

I almost choked on air! Was that even possible? Mei Ling gasped, "You're in love with Daidouji-san?"

"I do love her. She is one of the few people in the world that know everything about me." I felt my heart sink. So, Baka-sensei really was different. She has already met her 'one'. Why did it bring me down? It shouldn't, should it? After all, I don't like her—there is nothing to like about her, is there?

"Here we are." Said Sensei, interrupting my thoughts. I looked out my window and saw a large house, with familiar white roman pillars.

I opened my door walked out, getting droplets of rain, soaking my clothes. At the same time Mei Ling came out. We quickly ran to the front door. She started to wipe some of the rain off of her face.

"Syaroan-san, can you p-please come to my school festival next weekend? It's okay if you don't want to…" she said as she seemed to find her shoes quiet interesting.

I gave her head a small pat, "Of course, send the tickets to me as soon as you can. Anyways, I better go, I don't want to hold that guy up any longer."

She smiled happily, "Thank you, I will have someone send the tickets to you as soon as I can get them." Then she looked down again, with a large blush forming on her cheeks. "You seem to like him."

I blinked a few times before answering, "I've never met a person quiet like him before, he… intrigues me."

"I-I, S-Syaroan-san, c-can y-you k-kiss me?"

I was taken back by that comment. I placed my hand gently on her forehead, "It seems like you still have a fever. Get in, before your conditions become worse."

She nodded, obviously embarrassed, with nothing else she could do, she entered the house. I ran back thinking at why she had said that. However, as soon as I sat inside the hummer, I was stunned—for lack of a better term. There she was, her head rested gently on the steering wheel, her hand wrapped around the wheel, and hung off of the top. But it was her eyes that drove me mad. Her eyes were filled with a sad emotion, they were so powerful, they made me feel that I could jump from the highest mountain just to make her smile again.

Why was she so sad, was it me? Was it the fact that I left in the middle of class? Or was it Mei Ling, did she say something to her? Why did this tear me apart?

"Have you seen the way she looks at you, Syaroan?" she asked her voice so quiet, that I had to strain my ears to hear.

I didn't know what to say, I couldn't say anything. She was so depressed because of Mei Ling?

"She looks at you the way you would to your love, not the way you look at her. Do you know how you do? No? You look at her as if she were your younger sister."

I continued to stay silent, she shifted herself, so that she was now sitting up straight. "Please, Syaroan, please don't lead her on. Please don't disappoint her, please don't do that, it will crush her heart. Please Syaroan, if you care even a little bit about her…don't lead her on."

I couldn't do anything. The way she pleaded made my heart clench, quietly I replied, "Yes."

She smiled sadly, and shifted the car to drive, "Where to Syaroan?"

"Eriol's" I replied, and turned to look out the window, so I couldn't see her face, her eyes any longer. This allowed me to think more deeply about what she had said. If I didn't love Mei Ling like I was supposed to, who was I to marry? Who was I going to love?

---:---

That day shad stayed in my heart for months. That made me open to more of what was going on, and what was going to happen.

Author's Note:

Hi everyone, sorry about the late updates. I promise that I will try to update every two months, and if I have time, every month. Anyways now to the reviewers.

Musette Fujiwara
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Thank you :D