Disclaimer: Cardcaptor Sakura belongs to the wonderful CLAMP, not me.

Sensei, I Love You
Chapter 2

This was the craziest thing that she had come across. Was her teacher for real? Before she knew it, she was standing in front of her teacher's house. It was a massive double storey house. Sakura suddenly wondered if he had gotten this place from his teacher's salary. Did a teacher earn that much? At least he won't have to sleep on the streets.

He was waiting for her by the gate, holding it open like a gentleman so that she could pass through before locking it to prevent unwanted strangers from loitering within the premises. Goodness! He also has a pretty lawn! Did she spy a swing over on the left side of the lawn?

"Welcome to my humble abode," he grinned and showed her into the house. They stepped into the dark house and Sakura waited for Syaoran to hit the switches for the lights. She was momentarily blinded when they came on. She was frozen to the spot by the sight that greeted her—the house was spacious and looked really comfortable. The living room was visible from the door and Sakura was awestruck by the humongous flat television screen mounted onto the wall. She didn't have the luxury of watching television for a long time! Those sofas of his were real masterpieces. It looked as if they were tailor-made by the looks of the fanciful designs on the leather. Sakura bet it would be really comfortable to sleep on it!

"Your house is awesome!" Sakura gasped, still looking around.

"And you only saw my living room. Wait till you check out my kitchen and my room," Syaoran said with a smirk.

Sakura turned her wide eyes to his and shrank back. His room? He wanted to show her his room? "I don't think the last thing is necessary."

Syaoran chuckled. "I'm just showing you. It's not as if I'm going to pounce on you or anything. You are still underage right? Though the idea sounds dangerous and exciting, I'm going to pass for that."

Sakura's brow crinkled at Syaoran's bluntness. She was suddenly disgusted by what he had said. "Ew. Stop being so crude. Just… stop talking to me."

"Are you shy?" Syaoran asked suddenly, throwing Sakura into a panic. Twin heat bloomed on her cheeks at the question. "You are, aren't you? And I bet you haven't been to a bachelor's house before."

"Wha-What has it got to do with you?"

"Nothing much." Syaoran shrugged. "But it's pretty interesting to see you blush like mad. I think I've just found a new hobby."

Hobby? Syaoran was making it difficult for her to follow his conversation. One moment he was talking about being under aged, then he was talking about being shy and before she knew it, he had reached the topic of hobby. Was he just newly released from the lunatic hospital or something? Why was it so difficult for Sakura to follow his conversation?

"I'm just staying for the night," Sakura interrupted his one-sided conversation. "I don't want to sleep in public places—I hate that. I'll be leaving the first thing tomorrow to look for new place to stay and to find a new job. I hope I won't be a bother to you tonight. I think I'll take the sofa."

"Take the sofa?" Syaoran sputtered. "Whatever for?"

Sakura rolled her eyes. "To sleep of course! What else do you think I'll use it for? Sell it for cash? Actually that is a good idea! I believe this fanciful sofa will fetch me lots of money."

"Hey!" Syaoran protested and pushed Sakura away from his beloved sofa. "There's no way this baby is leaving my house so you can forget about that."

Sakura eyed the sofa and sighed. "I was just joking, Li-sensei. Surely you can handle a little joke?"

Syaoran straightened from hugging his sofa. "Of course! I'm made of tough material," he said and patted his chest, earning him a chuckle from Sakura.

"You're crazy," she told him truthfully. "But thanks for having me here today. I really appreciate it. Although I really wished you didn't ruined my job for me. That job really pays well and I've lost a great part of my income because someone wouldn't stop pestering me."

"Hey, don't blame me," Syaoran wagged a finger in front of Sakura's eyes. "You are the one who got distracted. I was merely having desserts there. You can't blame me for that. I'm just a simple and innocent little customer."

"A guy who likes desserts? You're the first one that I know of. Plus today is the first time I ever see you in the café. Don't lie to me about what you are doing there. You are stalking me, aren't you?"

"So what if I was? Surely a homeroom teacher has the right to be worried about their precious students. Especially those who decided to skip school on a whim."

Sakura's eyes widened at the accusation. On a whim? That crazy and childish teacher dared to think that she had skipped school on a whim? "I'm so sorry that you are worried about me because I decided to skip school on some random days without giving you any notice. If it will make you feel better, I could hand in my withdrawal letter tomorrow morning. Then you wouldn't have to worry too much about students like me," Sakura spat, crossing her arms defiantly and glared at him. "I think I better start drafting the letter now."

Ignoring Syaoran's protests, Sakura flopped onto the sofa and immediately sighed blissfully at being able to rest her leg after a long day at work. She was tempted to just lay flat on the sofa and end the night early but it was impossible when Syaoran was staring down at her from the back of the sofa. Without wasting any more time, Sakura dug some writing materials out from her big bags of belongings and started scribbling something on it.

"Dear Principal," Sakura recited as she wrote the words down, conscious of Syaoran breathing down her neck. Actually it was kind of a good idea to withdraw from school since it will allow her more time to work and save enough money to actually rent a decent apartment instead of a miserable small room. It would definitely be much more comfortable than having people staring at her when she stepped out of her rented room to use the facilities. "I hereby withdraw—hey! Give me back my paper!"

"Not a chance," Syaoran muttered and tore the paper into strips before returning them back to her. Sakura looked at her torn papers in dismay. "You are not going to withdraw from school."

"Why not? It's my choice! What has it got to do with you?" Sakura shouted and threw the strips of papers at his chest. They never made contact and just floated gently onto the floor. Sakura made a disgruntled sound and almost stomped on her feet in childish tantrum. This homeroom teacher really got on her nerves. First he had the gall to actually stalk her at her work and cost her to lose her dear job and now he wouldn't even grant her request to withdraw from school!

"Because I said so," Syaoran taunted. "And don't you dare argue with me on that. I'm still your homeroom teacher. Show me some respect." He stepped away from her and moved on to the narrow staircase on the side of the living room which led to the upper floors.

Sakura eyed his retreating form angrily and muttered under her breath. "Some homeroom teacher… Crazy... Stupid... Childish... Freaky... Stalker! Pedophile…"

"I heard that."

"Oh? That's great! 'Coz it's just so you."

"I don't have time for this. Just sit there and wait. I'll prepare a room for you. It'll take a bit of time since my house is in a mess at the moment without a maid."

Sakura's eyes went round at that, her anger momentarily forgotten. He could even afford a maid with his teacher's salary? How on earth was that possible? "Wow," Sakura whispered to herself and sank onto the sofa again. "And he calls this messy?"

She stared into space for a few moments with many thoughts flashing in her mind and it gave her a headache. She was very tired after everything that has happened today. He said it would take him quite some time to prepare a room for her and perhaps she could use this chance to write a complete withdrawal letter for submission. She could also save a little on school fees as well! Her eyes sparkled upon thinking about it. It took her about fifteen minutes to get the letter right at the third attempt. She quickly re-read what she had written and was pleased with herself. Challenge completed! However, here came another problem—she would need to ask for an envelope for the withdrawal letter. That would mean Syaoran would know about the letter and he will definitely tear it up again. Sakura shook her head. No. She wouldn't risk that again. Not when it took her lots of effort to come up with a perfect letter. She'll just make do with the letter alone.

Having finished with her withdrawal letter, Sakura kept her stationery and folded the letter neatly before sliding it inside her bag. She looked over at her belongings and felt a sense of loss weighing down on her. After so many years, that were all she had left. From a big house filled with smiles and laughter to what she was currently—alone and lost. She had to fight to live another day, to keep a roof over her head and food in her stomach. Truthfully, she was getting a little tired from the daily reality battle. She must be losing herself since she was thinking so negatively but how could she be happy with what was going on around her? It was impossible.

Sakura gave in to her sudden impulse to see her family photo, the only one she had managed to save when she was evicted out from her own house, along with some clothing and necessities. She always left it on her bed when she slept as she could pretend her parents were still with her, protecting her like always. Dragging the biggest bag in front of her, she began to dig through her belongings and frowned when she couldn't find it. That's weird. She discarded the bag and dragged the other one over and panicked when she still couldn't find it.

"No… Nononono!" Sakura chanted breathlessly as she proceeded to overturn her bags and combed through her belongings that were spread out on the floor in Syaoran's house. "It can't be!"

Syaoran must have heard the ruckus Sakura had created and came bounding down the stairs. "What happened?" He stood shocked still when he saw the mess on his floor but he didn't admonished Sakura. She looked on the verge of tears as she looked through her items, tossing them everywhere. "Hey, what's wrong?" He slowly stepped closer to her and crouched down so that he was at eye level with her.

Sakura blinked her tearful eyes up at him. "My photo… It's missing."

"What photo?" Syaoran asked, looking around for the said item.

"It's not here…" she began sniffling. "It's not here…"

"Hey, relax," Syaoran cooed, pulling Sakura up and depositing her on the sofa. She looked detached and he was actually worried about her. "I'll help to look through your things again. Don't worry. It should be around here somewhere."

"That's the only thing they left for me," Sakura whispered brokenly. "And I lost it. I actually lost it."

Sakura was still clutching one of her bags in her hands. Her knuckles had already turned white from gripping too hard. Syaoran gently pried her hands away from the bag and gave her a small smile of encouragement, which had her blinking in surprise.

"We'll find it, eventually. Don't worry." Syaoran promised, patting the top of her clasped hands.

Sakura watched in silence as Syaoran began his own search and tidying up the mess at the same time. Somehow, she felt a little better. At least the panic had ebbed and she was feeling a bit numb. Watching her teacher at work seemed to take away part of her worry. She leaned against the sofa and took in deep breaths to calm herself. When was the last time she had seen her family photo? It was with her on the bed when she slept the day before and she had put it on the small bedside table when she woke up in the morning and rushed to work. Perhaps… Perhaps it was still in her rented room!

"I think I know where it is," Sakura announced, jumping onto her feet immediately and rushing out of the house. She heard Syaoran shouting behind her but she did not pause to look back at him. There was only one thing in her mind: to retrieve her precious photo before it was lost to her forever.

"Where are you going? It's already so late! Hey!"

Footsteps pounded behind her but she hardly noticed it against the rush of wind on her face. Her legs worked even harder to propel her to her destination. She was panting hard by the time she reached her formal residential place. The gate was locked so she had no choice but to ring the doorbell. Syaoran caught up with her soon and was glaring daggers at her.

"It's in there," Sakura told him before he could even get a word out. She rocked on the balls of her feet as she waited impatiently for the occupants to answer the door. When there was no movement at all, she pressed the doorbell again—twice—and almost pressed a few more times but Syaoran caught her hand. She looked at him inquiringly. "What?"

"Let's just wait," he said, releasing her hand immediately and watched her warily in the event she decided to launch an all out attack on the poor doorbell. "Patience is a virtue."

Sakura rolled her eyes at that particular statement. "Somehow, the way you said it isn't convincing enough. Correction: it's not convincing when you say it."

"Aww! Why?" Syaoran pouted.

"Goodness! Stop acting like a child! You are my homeroom teacher, aren't you? You are supposed to be the mature one!"

"I'm acting like a child?" Syaoran snorted in disbelief. "No way. I'm the ever prince charming in school."

"Those girls are blind," Sakura retorted, turning her attention back to her house. Her eyes lit up when her landlord opened the door and came out to meet them. "Tanaka-san! I'm sorry to disrupt your beautiful evening but I believe that something of mine is still in my room."

"It's not your room anymore," Tanaka-san muttered loudly. "You don't get a room when you don't pay the rent."

"I'm really sorry about the rent. I promise I'll pay you back when I've saved enough money. Can I make a quick trip to the room to check if some of my things are still there?" Sakura asked. "Please?"

Tanaka seemed to ponder on her request. "When you have enough money to pay for last month's rent," he said and dismissed her by turning back towards the house, leaving a gaping Sakura behind. "If you don't pay, you can just forget about taking a step into my house."

"Please wait! That thing is very important to me!" Sakura shouted and rattled the gates to get Tanaka's attention.

"Therefore the more you shall get me last month's rent! You have until this weekend to pay or else you can kiss goodbye to your remaining belongings," Tanaka spat and waltzed into his house.

Sakura fisted her hands in anger. How could he hold her things ransom. She has to get the money before Tanaka destroyed her photo. Nothing could happen to that photo; otherwise she won't know what to do anymore. She always stared at the picture lovingly every morning and using it to remember all the happy memories of her family. It was how she recharged herself and how she got the strength to persevere on. Without it, she was just an empty shall and it was exactly how she felt right now.

That's Chapter 2 for you! And some of you guessed it right-Sensei, I Love You is actually inspired by the manga 'Faster Than A Kiss' which I really enjoyed reading. However, Sensei, I Love You isn't 'Faster Than A Kiss' because it's Sakura and Syaoran! And it won't be fun if SILY follows FTAK. D:

I'll update the next chapter within a week! (Depending on how fast I can get myself to edit the chapter) See you then!