March 13, 2002

4 years, 8 months, 10 days prior to Incident

As Sakura passed by the courtyard, she could spot Yagami Light sitting on a bench, surrounded by several chattering girls. His lunch was left untouched.

Under her trained eye, his facade of pleasant amiability dissolved into nothing; it was obvious that he was hungry and highly annoyed, but too polite to tell the girls to go away.

It was the third time this week. Tomorrow being white day, she wasn't surprised that the flock had gotten bigger than ever.

Just ignore them and eat if you're that hungry!

Sakura considered leaving him to his fate as she had done every other time she'd seen him like this... but he looked particularly pitiful today.

Maybe it was because of the practiced, put-upon smile that screamed of insincerity.

Maybe it was because his hair was getting a bit long, and part of his fringe was beginning to cover his left eye.

Maybe it was because of that hidden air of broodiness that, during a different life, had made her own heart flutter.

Maybe it was because the rays of sunlight illuminated his hair until it seemed a familiar shade of blond.

In any case, Sakura decided to have mercy on him today. She hefted her bag higher on her shoulder and trooped towards him.

"Yagami-san!" she called. He looked up and stared at her in shock - or perhaps a dismal 'Not you too?' - as she stopped in front of the group. "Did you forget about that assignment we were both given?"

"Assignment?" Light asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Yeah, for extra credit. English class, remember? Unless you want to fall behind me. Again."

Light twitched.

That's right little mouse, don't you smell that delicious cheese?

"I mean, not that I'd mind very much if you did. It wouldn't be very different from the current situation, actually. Since you'd seem to have forgotten, I just thought I'd help you out a little. I have to give you at least a chance of catching up."

Light pasted a friendly smile over his clenched teeth. "Of course, Fuyuno-san, how could I possibly have forgotten?"

"I don't know either," she told him with a smirk. A muscle in his jaw jumped.

"Aww, Light-kun, do you have to go?" a few of the girls whined.

"Girls, you're much too pretty for him," Sakura told them with a grin and a playful wink. "When you find a proper guy, you'll wonder why you ever thought this bookworm was cool!"

Leaving behind a group of tittering school girls, Sakura dragged the grumpy Light into the school.

"What are you doing?" he asked, sounding rather ticked off. "There is no extra credit assignment. I would know."

There was, actually, but that was a secret between her and the English teacher.

"Of course there isn't," she said instead. "I'm saving your ass, since you looked so miserable."

He blinked in surprise, but stayed silent until they finally reached her destination.

Unbeknownst to most students, there was a little picnic table on the roof. It had a fantastic view and basic protection from the elements. Sakura had set up shop there in the beginning of the school year, bringing along a little heater and a fan, and this was where she led Light to.

"You have," she checked her watch, "15 minutes. Eat quickly."

He sat.

"I'm not going to thank you," he told her, glancing away.

"I wasn't expecting you to."

She settled down beside him with a book.

"I don't owe you anything, okay?"

"Of course."

"I still don't like you."

"Uh-huh."

"... Thanks."

"No problem."

Alright, so maybe Fuyuno Sakura wasn't that bad.

He still hated her.

Just... not as much.

Fuyuno Sakura - age 11, 1st year junior high

Yagami Light - age 13, 1st year junior high

AN

Sai, Kakashi, Sasuke, Naruto. In order of how important the teammate was to her.

I had this chapter written out before Snail Mail. Hohoho

Sense and Sensibility is the book Sakura was reading. If you look closely, I guess you can apply it to the contents of the chapter, but don't think too hard on it.