Disclaimer: I do not own any CCS characters in the story. They all belong to CLAMP.
Now off to the story we go!
Back to the Way It Should Be
Chapter 2: School Trouble
From the moment Yue and Sakura emerged from the Kinomoto house, Yukito immediately noticed something was wrong for three reasons. One, Yue and Sakura weren't holding hands or attached to each other, something that Yukito hasn't witnessed from the two ever since the Moon Guardian and his Mistress got together. Two, an awkward atmosphere was coming from Yue and Sakura instead of the usual lovey-dovey air that was sweeter than any expensive chocolates could be. And lastly, Yue's hair was tied in a loose ponytail, which is unusual for Yukito, since Sakura prefers Yue's hair to be just flowing freely down his back and has made Yue promise not to tie it when he's in his false form.
So naturally, Yukito narrowed his eyes at the couple and bluntly told them, "What the hell is up with you two? Are you two in a lover's quarrel or something? Don't tell me Yue did something bad to you Sakura? If he did, I'll beat him into a bloody pulp!"
Sakura, who was just about to greet Yukito, stared at him with wide eyes and her mouth agape. Now this was a Yukito she'd never ever seen before. The Yukito in front of her now is just as barbaric as her older brother!
On the other hand, Yue wasn't surprised by Yukito's behavior. It already occurred to him earlier that the people they knew would have their personalities opposite. However, it was quite weird to him to see his false form in front of him, talking back to him and acting like Touya. Nevertheless, Yue kept his cool.
"How do you know something is wrong?" questioned Yue, taking everything calmly- something he's so capable of doing.
Yukito gave Yue a deadpan look and replied," You're seriously asking me that question?"
Yue nodded. He needed to know how Yukito immediately noticed that something was wrong so as to minimize the risk of others noticing too. That way, his mistress and him would attract less attention and avoid others to think that they've gone crazy. Or worse, others might think they have been replaced by aliens just like in the movies that Cerberus have watched in the TV and shared to Yue.
Yukito let out an exasperated sigh and said, "God Yue, I thought you were smarter than that. Everyone would immediately notice that something's wrong with the way you and Sakura are currently acting."
By this time, Sakura has snapped out of her shock and she asked, "What do you mean?"
"I'll answer as we make our way to the school. OR we'll be late," answered Yukito, starting to walk away.
Sakura and Yue looked at each other briefly and then followed Yukito. When they were in step with Yukito, the silver-haired young man with glasses started to answer Yue's and Sakura's questions in full detail.
"So Yue, ready for school?" asked Yukito when their university was finally in sight. Yue and Sakura has explained their predicament to Yukito earlier, since he demanded them to tell him what was really wrong and he gave them no choice. At first he thought Yue and Sakura have gone crazy. But then again, he believe them after a little while knowing that crazy people wouldn't be able to think of the same thing and their testaments seemed to be logical enough to explain their current situation…. As far as magic can be logical that is.
Yue didn't answer, and so Yukito turned his head to see what the Moon Guardian's reaction was. Yue's face was a mask of apathy, but Yukito saw anxiety in Yue's eyes and didn't fail to notice how tense Yue seemed to be. Yukito couldn't help but laugh.
"What's funny?" asked Yue.
Yukito smirked and said, "You'll see. You'll see. Lucky for you we have the same classes and you're my seatmate, so just follow after me."
Yukito then checked his wristwatch and exclaimed," Crap! It's this late already! Come on Yue! We only have less than 3 minutes to get to class!" Without another word, Yukito ran. A second after, Yue followed after him.
The two reached the class room just in time when the bell rang. Luckily for them, the teacher hasn't arrived yet. Yukito then went to his seat, which was in between a desk near the window and Touya's. Yue sat on the empty desk near the window, remembering that he and Yukito were seatmates. Yue took note that all of the eyes of the girls in the classroom seemed to be on him, and he didn't like it one bit.
"Yukito-san! Yue-san! What happened? Why are you two late?" asked a gentle-looking Touya.
"There were some things we had to take care of first," Yue automatically replied.
"Ah.. I see. It's a good thing the teacher's absent," said Touya with a caring smile. Although, it soon fell when a group of girls crowded around Yue, Yukito, and Touya's desks.
"Not again," grumbled Yukito under his breath. Touya sighed but then put on a friendly smile. Yue's face was as emotionless as ever, although he was slightly confused at what was happening. Who could blame the poor Moon Guardian? He only knew school through Yukito's memories and he himself has never experienced attending one.
"Hey Yue," purred the girls simultaneously in a no doubt flirty tone. Not to mention, they winked at the same time to the Moon Guardian.
A look of disgust flashed through Yue's eyes. At once, Yue's impression of the girls was: Living hell. Also, Yue's mind concluded something: He'll barely survive this day.
While Yue was being terrorized by flirts, Sakura on the other hand had bigger problems. The moment she stepped into her classroom, she was greeted by a bag of open flour thrown at her. Of course, Sakura's perfectly styled short light brown hair, her face, her uniform and her bag became white thanks to the flour.
Never before in her life did Sakura experience being bullied. So, at first, she thought someone was just playing a prank at her. But when Sakura saw who threw the flour at her and what that person's reaction was, tears immediately pooled her emerald eyes.
Standing a few feet in front of her, smiling wickedly and a video camera in hand and recording the scene, was Tomoyo Daidoji. Sakura's cousin. Sakura's best friend.
"This is priceless Sakura!" Tomoyo said with hatred and amusement dripping from her silky and musical voice, "You look so KAWAII when you're covered with flour! I thank you for giving me the pleasure of recording quite a PERFECT KAWAII embarrassing and fitting scene of you!" Tomoyo then laughed mirthlessly and evilly. Chiharu, Naoko, Rika and Yamazaki who were standing a few feet from Tomoyo's left joined in the laughter.
"Did you know that in ancient times, flour was used as make-up?" Yamazaki shared an obvious lie.
"Really? I didn't know! Tell me more Yamazaki!" Chiharu played along.
"It was said that flour was the make-up used by ugly witch girls!" finished Yamazaki.
"Just like Sakura!" added Rika.
Tomoyo, Chiharu, Naoko, Rika and Yamazaki laughed even harder, now joined by almost everyone in the classroom. The homeroom teacher in the classroom could only watch the scene unfold. The teacher couldn't do anything. The Daidoji family was just too influential that if the teacher would oppose Tomoyo, it meant a ticket to doom.
Sakura looked down at the ground. Hot tears streamed down her cheeks. This was just so wrong. So wrong. Tomoyo… Chiharu.. Naoko.. Rika… Yamazaki…. Why were they doing this?!
"Oh look. Ugly Sakura's crying. Aww.. She looks even more KAWAII! Too bad Yue isn't here to see you!" Tomoyo remarked.
Sakura's head snapped up at the mention of her Moon Guardian's name. Yue? Why would Tomoyo mention Yue?
"Daidoji! Stop this!" a familiar female voice exclaimed. Tomoyo, Sakura and the others searched for the owner of the voice, who was none other than Mei Lin.
"Ah, Li Mei Lin… Why are you protecting Syaoran-kun's rival? Isn't he your boyfriend? Why stand up for Sakura?" Tomoyo responded.
Sakura's eyes widened. Syaoran and Mei Lin are a couple? Sakura looked at Syaoran who was now standing beside Mei Lin. Syaoran wasn't looking at her though. His gaze was fixed on Mei Lin, waiting for his girlfriend's answer. After all, Tomoyo was right. Why was his girlfriend standing up for his rival?
"She may be Syaoran's rival, but this is just too much! You're doing this just because you're jealous that Yue and Sakura are together! That Yue didn't choose YOU!" retorted Mei Lin.
An angry look flashed on Tomoyo's face.
"What did you say you Chinese freak?!" snarled Tomoyo.
Mei Lin was about to say something back when Syaoran cut her off.
"Enough Mei Lin. Don't waste your breath for Sakura. Don't get yourself in trouble just because of her!" Syaoran scolded.
"Don't worry Daidoji-san, this won't happen again. Please forget what Mei Lin just said," Syaoran told Tomoyo with a bow, "We ask for your forgiveness."
Tomoyo huffed, "It better be the first and last time this happens. Or else, your GF's going to be in trouble!"
"Yes," Syaoran said and then glared at Sakura, "Don't get the idea that Mei Lin's your friend Kinomoto. She only did that because you look so hideously pitiful right now. You're just a waste of time." And with that said, Syaoran made Mei Lin to sit down and then followed by himself.
Sakura couldn't take it anymore. Tomoyo hates her. Chiharu, Rika, Naoko and Yamazaki too. To top it off, Syaoran loves Mei Lin and he.. he… he… Sakura felt her heart shatter to millions of pieces as Syaoran's words echoed in her head.
"I see… I'm just a waste of time huh..," Sakura mumbled and then ran out of the classroom.
"That's right Sakura! Run away! Go to Yue! Show him how ugly you look!" Tomoyo yelled after her receding form.
This only made Sakura's heart clench more. The small pieces that remained of her heart felt like they were being hammered to dust. This was just too much.. Too much.. This was a living nightmare… Where would she go now? Who would she turn to?
Sakura continued to run aimlessly. She tripped on the stairs and sprained her right ankle, but nonetheless, she stood up and continued running. She couldn't feel the throbbing pain of her sprain. Her heart was hurting more.
Her feet continued to move on its own will, carrying her away from her school. People in the streets laughed at her, adding to the Card Mistress' misery. More tears fell from her eyes, and she ran even faster away from the people around her who were mocking her to no ends.
Her feet led her to Penguin Park, although she didn't notice it, and continued moving into the forest around the park. She tripped on a protruding tree root, and this time, she stayed lying on the ground. Her right ankle was too sore already and it was swelling really big.
"Why? Why? Why?" the words escaped Sakura's trembling lips, "Why is this happening to me? Anyone… Won't anyone come save me?"
A/N: Oh boy… was this chapter too much? The atmosphere suddenly turned heavy! I'm sorry if you didn't like it…. Tomoyo's too evil here…. I don't have a grudge against Tomoyo or anyone in CCS! Promise! I'm so sorry if I'm soooooo slow in updating, I've got a lot of school work deadlines to meet.. Hontoni gomen nasai… Comments, violent reactions, ideas, suggestions, and/or criticisms will be welcomed with open arms :) I'd really love to hear a reader's opinions and reactions! ^_^