It's been like a week, but I'm finally back! So, quick statement: from now on, I think I'll just update the story once a week, that way it's more organized, and I don't feel pressured to finish typing and editing super fast. I'll most likely post every Saturday. This way, you all don't have to keep checking during the week like I do when I'm reading a fanfic.

That said, here's chapter 5.

Syaoran's POV

When Monday rolls around, Sakura keeps her promise and shows up to tutoring on time. I find her waiting outside for me, like aways. Without even speaking to her, I can tell she's in a better mood. For one, she doesn't have her arms crossed, and then there's the calm look on her face. Well, calm and tired. Nonetheless, it looks like today's lesson will be relatively easy for me.

My assumption is confirmed when she turns to me and says in a polite voice, "good morning, Li."

I raise my eyebrows before returning her greeting. "Good morning, Kinomoto," I say in an equally polite voice. As we head inside, I can't help think how creepy this is. Is she planning to pull out a chainsaw, or something? Why is she so being so polite?

Approaching the door, I hold it open for her. Passing me, she glances over, and mutters, "thank you." Okay, it's official. She's plotting something.

After a shockingly painless lesson, I can't help but be on the look out. As strange as it sounds, I'm basically waiting for something to go wrong. Even throughout the lesson I was on edge. She seems way too at ease. Could it be that after less then a week she's already adapted to me? I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but if all our lessons are this relaxed I might actually be okay with them.

Speaking of which, I still have to ask Terada when this all ends. So, I wait until lunch to approach him.

"Mr. Terada," I call, walking up to his desk. He raises his head.

"Li, how may I help you?"

"I was just wondering," I begin, "about the tutoring that I'm giving Kinomoto-" He cuts me off, a stern look on his face.

"If this is an attempt to bargain your way out, then the answer is no."

Well, so much for that idea, but it's not like I had gotten my hopes up thinking I'd be able to worm my way out.

"Actually, sir, I was just wondering how long you were thinking I would be tutoring her for. Do you want me prepping her for midterms?" Midterms aren't until the end of October, meaning we've got about a month.

Mr. Terada rubs his chin. "I hadn't really thought about that," he admits. "I suppose that would be a good goal to strive for, though. How about this?" He looks at me, snapping his fingers. "If you can get Kinomoto to pass all of her midterm exams, then I'll let the two of you off the hook. Unless there are more incidents, in which case I may have to extend the time."

That won't be a problem. Well, unless Sakura screws it up, but I doubt she would do anything if it meant the possibility of spending more time with me. "Sounds good to me, sir." Then I think about it. "Although, she is kind of a tough nut to crack. Getting her to pass all of them might be a bit difficult." I'm talking mostly to myself, but Mr. Terada replies, anyways.

"If there's anyone who can do it, it's you. I'm sure Kinomoto will appreciate it, too."

Unlikely. I decide to keep the thought to myself. "Alright, thanks, Sensei." I turn and start to walk back to my desk. Midway, Mr. Terada calls out to me.

"Oh, and Li!" I turn around. He gives me an amused smile. "Try to get along with her."

I'm not sure I'll be able to do that, but decide to say, "I'll try," just to amuse him. He nods and I continue on my way. Picking up my things, I head out of he room to go eat lunch with Takashi.

Sakura's POV

I've decided to try, as hard as it is, to be polite towards Syaoran during our tutoring. I doubt I'll be able to keep it up forever, but it's better just to keep things calm and not to let my emotions get involved. It wasn't too hard today, though. Ever since I had that dream about my mother on Friday night, I've been feeling better.

Anyways, today during lunch I invite Rika to eat with Tomoyo and I again. Chiharu wasn't at work yesterday, so I assume she's not at school today. My theory is confirmed when Rika agrees. We decide to eat lunch in the classroom today. Rika moves to sit in the seat in front of me, and Tomoyo pulls her desk over to form a miniature circle.

I decide to strike up conversation. "So, Rika, do you know if Chiharu is sick today?" It might not be the ideal place to start, but it's all I can think of.

A worried look crosses Rika's face. "I'm not sure. That would make sense, though. I haven't really heard from her. Why do you ask?"

"She didn't show up for work yesterday, so I was just wondering if you knew anything."

Her eyes widen. "You and Chiharu work together?"

I take it Chiharu never thought to mention that we are coworkers. No surprise, though. I'm not even sure Chiharu knows that Rika and I talk to each other. We only just started eating lunch together.

"Yeah. We work at the same cafe across town."

She clasps her hands together, still holding her chopsticks. "That's so cool! Which one? I'm surprised I never knew about it."

I wave it off with my hand. "It's really not that big of a deal. The cafe is called Twin Bells." Her face lights up.

"Oh, I love the name!" Then, out of nowhere, she smiles mischievously. "It has a nice ring to it." We all giggle at her pun, and continue our lunch.

Upon my arrival at work, Mrs. Matsumoto rushes up to me and asks, "Sakura, do you happen to know if Chiharu was at school today?"

"She wasn't. I asked one of her close friends, but she said that she hadn't heard from Chiharu. Hasn't she called?"

Mrs. Matsumoto rapidly shakes her head. "No, I haven't heard from her since Saturday."

Now I start to think. Chiharu isn't one to just up and vanish. She hardly ever gets sick, either. "Do you think I should swing by her place after work to check up on her?" I know it's a bit much to offer, especially considering Chiharu and I aren't on the best of terms, but she's still my coworker, so I feel obligated to look out for her.

"Oh, would you, Sakura?" She looks relieved. "I can try calling her again, but the past two times that I've called no-one has picked up."

"Is something wrong, you two?" We both turn to see Ruby walk into the lounge. She studies the situation. "What's with the serious faces? Did you get news from Chiharu?"

Shaking her head, Mrs. Matsumoto responds, "no, not yet. Sakura offered to check up on her after work, though."

Ruby looks at me. "Do you want me to go with you? I wouldn't mind." Her offer warms my heart, but I have to refuse.

"That's alright. I think it might be best if I went alone." I'm not sure if I'm right about that, but Chiharu and I go to school together, so it's only natural for me to go and check up on her.

"Alright. Let me know if you change your mind." Ruby heads back into the kitchen.

I get started on my shift afterwards. I spend most of it wondering if Chiharu is just sick, or if there's something else going on. I'm probably overreacting, but Chiharu is a really strong girl; It's kind of hard to imagine her getting sick.

So, this is Chiharu's house. I've been here before, but it looks different. Maybe because it's fall, but the yard used to be a lot more lively. The way I remember it, there were flowers and well maintained shrubs out front. Now, the flowers are gone and the shrubs are growing out of control.

I approach the front door wondering if this is such a good idea. Maybe I should turn back now. I shake my head. Don't think like that, Sakura.

Suddenly, I hear loud banging from the other side of the door, followed by shouts. I stand there for a good minute, listening but unable to make out the words. It sounds like a man and woman arguing. After a few minutes, the voices finally subside and I hear a door being slammed.

For a while, I can't move. Then I reach up and ring the doorbell with a shaky hand. I hear another shout followed by footsteps. The door swings open.

Chiharu stands on the other side, wide-eyed. "Sakura? What are you doing here?"

I hesitate. "Well, when you didn't show up for work yesterday, then again today, Mrs. Matsumoto got worried. She called here twice, but nobody picked up. I offered to check up on you." I try to explain the situation in a way that makes it sound like I'm here on business. Truth be told, I was getting a little worried myself. After hearing all the shouting, I still am.

"Oh." Chiharu nods like she accepts this explanation. Out of nowhere, there's another bang from inside the house. Chiharu glances over her shoulder, and then hesitates before turning back to me. "Can we go somewhere else?"

Seeing how desperate she looks, I simply nod. "Of course."

The walk to Penguin Park is a quiet one. When we finally get there, I lean against the side of the King Penguin slide, while Chiharu sits down on one of the penguins surrounding it.

"So, I take it you aren't sick." She looks down at her hands in shame. "You should talk to Rika and Mrs. Matsumoto. They're both worried sick about you."

Chiharu lifts her head. "You talked to Rika?" It looks like Chiharu really didn't know about lunch last week.

I nod. "I talked to her at lunch today. She seemed pretty concerned."

"Wait, are you the one who she went to have lunch with on Friday," she asks, just realizing it herself.

"Yeah, I invited her to join Tomoyo and I, but that's beside the point." I take a deep breath. "I don't really know how to ask you this, but is everything okay with you?"

I watch her intently as her eyes drift back down to her lap. "You heard?"

"Kinda hard not to." She doesn't look so much nervous about talking to me about it as she does hesitant.

"Go figure that after all this time, this is how you find out." She doesn't give me time to ask what she means. "They're always like that. My parents, that is. They go at it for hours on end sometimes."

"Is that why you weren't at school or work?"

Her head shoots up. "Of course not. I'm used to it by now."

What does that mean? Has this been going on for a long time? "Then why-" I don't finish. Maybe I shouldn't ask. It's really none of my business, besides our being coworkers. I doubt she wants to talk about it, anyways.

She sighs. "Look, I'm only going to tell you this because Mrs. Matsumoto sent you here, so don't go getting the impression that we're suddenly best friends again or anything." I nod.

I've always respected Chiharu, so I wouldn't cross that line without her permission. If ever Chiharu wanted to be friends again, though, I would welcome her back with open arms, regardless of the fact that I don't know why she cut ties with me in the first place.

I'm pulled from my thoughts when she speaks again.

"My parents are getting a divorce." Her voice reveals no emotion. My eyes widen, and I take a step forward to turn my body towards her.

"What?" It slips out before I can stop it. Chiharu doesn't seem to mind, though.

"Yeah, it's like a slap in the face, isn't it?" Her voice is sour now.

"Chiharu-" I don't know what to say to her. I think back to when my mom died. Back then I didn't want others trying to help me without me asking for it. I decide, in the end, to ask the one thing that I can think of. "Are you okay?"

She nods. "It's not like I didn't see it coming. I'm actually a bit surprised that they lasted as long as they did."

I can tell she's hurting beneath that sturdy exterior, so I say the one thing that I think she needs to hear. "Is there anything you need me to do?" I try to ask it in such a way that doesn't make it sound like I'm doing it out of pity. That's the last thing she needs. Even if she doesn't need anything, sometimes the offer alone can do the trick. Knowing that there's someone there for you.

So, when she shakes her head, I nod and let it be. If she doesn't want my help, I can't force it on her. That's something I know firsthand. After all, I've had someone do it to me before, and that situation didn't end too well.

When I get home, I head straight to the phone and dial Mrs. Matsumoto's cell number. She answers after just two rings.

"Moshi, Moshi! Sakura, is that you?" From her voice, I assume she must have been waiting for my call.

"Yes, this is Sakura."

There's a crinkling sound as she exhales sharply against the phone. "Thank goodness! I was getting worried. Did you see Chiharu?"

"Yeah. I stopped by her house and talked the two of us talked for a little while."

"Well, that's a relief. Is she alright?"

I hesitate. "She's not sick, if that's what you mean."

"Then what-"

I cut her off. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Matsumoto, but can't tell you the details. She has a family matter going on, and I don't think it's in my place to tell you without her permission." When Chiharu is ready, she'll talk to Mrs. Matsumoto herself.

There's a pause. "As long as she's going to be alright, I will respect your decision, Sakura. I think you're mature enough to decide whether or not to tell me."

"Thank you for understanding." Mrs. Matsumoto has always treated us like adults and allowed us to make our own decisions. That's one of the reasons she lets me work so hard. It's because she trusts me to be mature enough to know when I've reached my limit.

"Do you know when she'll be returning to work?"

"I'm not sure, but it will probably be within the next few days. She's a strong girl; I'm sure she'll be back soon." She has to be.

"Alright. Thank you, Sakura." I can tell she's wrapping things up, so I follow suit.

"Anytime. I'll talk to you at work tomorrow, then. Good night." I hang up the phone.

When I get to school Tuesday morning, I'm shocked to find Syaoran already there. Skating up to him I can't help commenting, "you're here early." I come to a steady halt about three feet away from him.

"Yeah, I've gotta talk to you this morning."

Talk? My heart pounds anxiously in my chest. Surely he doesn't mean that, does he? It's only Tuesday, yet this week has proven to be even more stressful than the last.

"Yesterday I talked to Mr. Terada," he starts. Mental sigh. I swear he did that on purpose. I already have enough to worry about without him causing me extra stress. "I asked him how long I would be tutoring you for."

Did you, now? I'm surprised that I hadn't thought to ask myself earlier. "What did he say?"

"Midterms."

I consider this. "Well that's not so bad. I was worried you were going to say finals or something."

Syaoran raises his eyebrows. "Yeah, well, don't go getting too excited. Mr. Terada isn't letting us off the hook quite that easily. There's a catch."

My ears perk up. "A catch? What do you mean, 'a catch'?" I glare at him in suspicion.

"You have to pass them. All of them."

What? "Pass them?" He nods. "You've gotta be kidding me." I say it out load without meaning to. Sure, it sounds simple enough, but I'm still really behind in all of my subjects. Most of what we learned this year just went in one ear and out the other.

"Yeah, that's what I said, but there's nothing we can do about it. If we're going to do this it's going to be some intense studying on your part. You got that?"

I feel a pout forming on my lips. "Got it." This is just great. At this rate I'll be stuck with him for the rest of the year. This must be some cruel trick of fate.

"Good. We better get started, then." He leads the way into the building.

We spend the entire time from when we sit down to when the five minute bell rings doing serious studying. I try to listen to what Syaoran is saying, but my mind keeps flicking over to Chiharu and wondering whether or not she'll show up for school today.

Syaoran's POV

Ring! Ring! Ring!

I sight in relief at the familiar sound of the lunch bell. I waste no time in grabbing my things and heading next door. I spot my black haired friend immediately. He's sitting in the same spot that he always is, only this time he's alone. As I walk over to him I glance around the room.

"Takashi," I say walking up to him. He looks up from the bento he's just pulled out. His appearance worries me a little. He looks like he didn't get any sleep last night. There are dark bags under his eyes, and his posture seems worse than usual.

"Hey, Syaoran," he says, tiredly. He reminds me of someone who just found out they didn't get into the college of their choice.

"I take it Chiharu is absent again today." I don't see her anywhere in the room, and she wasn't here yesterday, either.

Takashi's mood seems to drop even more, if that's possible. "Seems like it."

I find it strange. She didn't seem sick to me last time we saw each other, but who knows.-

I pull out the chair in front of his desk and sit down. "Have you heard from her?"

He sets the chopsticks carefully down on the bento box. "She texted me last night."

I feel relief course through me. Chiharu and I aren't super close, but I still eat with her and Takashi everyday. We talk all the time, just not necessarily about things that are important. Mostly random things like homework and other school stuff.

"So, what did she say?"

Takashi reads my face, deciding whether or not to tell me before saying, "she didn't give me the details. All she said was 'they finally made it official'."

"Do you know what she meant?" I may not talk to her about these sorts of things, but over the years I've picked up on some things about Chiharu. Enough to guess what she meant, but I decide not to jump to conclusion.

"I have a pretty good idea, but I shouldn't go saying anything until I know for sure."

I nod in agreement. If my prediction is right, it's not the sort of thing you hear through speculation or rumors.

Sakura's POV

Chiharu wasn't at school today. I wasn't that hopeful that she would be, all things considered. So, when I get to work and find her in the lounge sitting across from Mrs. Matsumoto at the table, I'm more than a little surprised.

"You're back already?" Upon seeing her the words escape my lips. The two of them turn to me.

Chiharu looks at me indifferently. "Yeah. I wasn't sure I was ready to face everybody at school, so I figured I'd come into work a little early to get out of the house." She seems so calm, that I'm a little surprised. Maybe working helps calm her down.

"Oh. I see." I look over to our manager. "Did you..." I trail of, hoping Chiharu will pick up on what I'm saying so that I don't have to outright ask.

Mrs. Matsumoto answers in her place. Clearing her throat, she says, "Chiharu informed me of her family situation when she arrived here at noon."

I nod, accepting the explanation. I turn to Chiharu again. "Do you think you'll be back to school tomorrow?"

Rika turns in her chair so her body is facing me. "About that," she starts. "I'm going to need to take you up on that offer from last night." I find it hard not to show my surprise.

I feel my head bob up and down. "Of course."

"I need you to gather up some people for me tomorrow. I want to tell everyone together. At first I was going to do it at lunch, but I think after school would be best." She turns to Mrs. Matsumoto. "Would you mind if Sakura and I are a little late tomorrow afternoon?"

Mrs. Matsumoto wastes not time thinking it over. "Not at all, Chiharu. Take care of what you need to."

"Do you want me there when you tell them?"

She nods. "If you don't mind." I don't mind, but I also don't understand. "I'd feel more comfortable with someone who already knows there."

I suppose that makes sense. "So, what do you want me to tell them?"

"You can just say that I need to talk to them after school in the courtyard. By 'them' I mean Tomoyo, Rika, Takashi and Li."

My blood runs cold at the last name. I already knew that they were friends, so I shouldn't be surprised, but this is going to be a lot harder with him around. I have to remind myself that this is for Chiharu's sake.

"Alright. I'll round them up tomorrow and we'll meet you in front of the school, then?" She nods. "Okay," I say quietly.

Tomorrow is going to be one interesting day.

Syaoran's POV

I arrive to school before Sakura again on Wednesday. I wasn't even trying this time, so I'm not sure why. Five minutes later when she shows up, I see the reason.

I'm leaning against the brick wall when I hear footsteps from my left. Out of second nature I turn my head. Initially it was going to be a side glance at the passerby, but when I see Sakura walking up to me in normal shoes I stop and stare. Not at her face, but at her feet.

"No roller blades today? That's a first." I didn't even know she had regular shoes.

She doesn't acknowledge my comment. "I need to talk to you, Li."

Her serious tone makes me look up at her for the first time. Her gaze is is firm, and demands my attention.

"What is it," I find myself asking.

She doesn't so much as blink at my question. "I talked to Chiharu yesterday."

My eyes go wide. Since when were Chiharu and Sakura talking to each other again? Did I miss something? And why would she have talked to Sakura of all people? Could Sakura know where she is? Of course. She just said that she talked to her.

Questions are still running through my head when she goes on.

"She asked me to tell you, Tomoyo, Rika, and Yamazaki that she needs to talk to all of you in the courtyard after school today."

"Tomoyo, Rika, and Takashi?"

"And you." Obviously, otherwise she wouldn't be telling me this.

I decide to see just how much Sakura knows by asking, "did she say why?"

"That's why she needs to talk to you." Way to be cryptic. Her emerald eyes study me for a moment. "Do me a favor, Li?"

"Depends."

"Can you tell Yamazaki for me? You know him way better than I do."

Yeah, and we know each other so well. I keep the thought to myself.

"Sure."

"Thanks." She sidesteps me and starts walking forward. "We should get started, then."

I frown, confused, at her retreating figure. I almost forgot about the reason we were here. "Right." I follow her into the building.

When the final bell rings, I wait behind with the others. While our classmates rush out of the classroom, we wait inside for a few minutes to let them head out before meeting Chiharu.

Takashi walks in after the other students are gone and walks over to me. During lunch I told him about what Sakura said to me. He seemed just as surprised by it as I was.

Rika also stands up from her spot at the front of the room and walks back to the rest of us. Tomoyo acknowledges her, but I just turn to Sakura, who is peering out the window. Her eyes rapidly travel across the many students leaving the school grounds. Without warning they stop and she leans in closer to the window, putting her hand against it.

"Do you see her?"

A frown forms on her face. "I'm not sure, but I think so. If I'm right, she's across the street."

"We should probably get going, then." I stand up and grab my bag. Sakura and Tomoyo follow suit and all of us leave the classroom together.

If it hadn't been for Chiharu's mysterious meeting, I might find this rather provoking. It feels more than a little strange standing here in the courtyard with everyone. I never would have expected to see all of us gathered around. Especially considering Sakura's here. There's a lot of history in our little group.

By the time we arrive out front, we find Chiharu already there waiting for us under one of the trees.

Rika rushes up to her first, throwing her arms around her. Over Rika's shoulder, Chiharu looks at Sakura and nods. Sakura mirrors the action in return, and walks off to the side.

Takashi goes behind Rika and rests his hand on her shoulder. She reluctantly pulls away and Takashi removes his hand.

"You want to talk to us," Takashi says it like it's a question.

"I do." Chiharu glances back at Tomoyo and I. "I'm sorry to ask you all out here after school, but it seemed like the best time to tell everyone. As you may have already guessed, I'm not sick."

Rika's expression turns puzzled. "But you-" She doesn't finish. Chiharu gives her a sad smile and Rika shuts her mouth.

"Come on, Rika. We all saw this coming." Rika looks down, biting her lip. "Everyone is already thinking it, so I'll just come right out and say it." She lets her gaze sweep over all of us before it finally stops on Takashi. "My parents are getting a divorce."

I feel guilty thinking that I was right. We all had our suspicions about Chiharu and her family. I'm sure Takashi has known for a while now. After Sakura called us all together saying Chiharu needed to talk to us together, we all knew it was something important. More than just a mere sickness.

Now I remember Sakura. My eyes make there way over to where she stands listening on the sidelines. Why would Chiharu have wanted her here for this? Why doesn't Sakura look surprised? It hits me like a ton of bricks. How had I not seen it? Sakura already knew.

She must sense my gaze, because she turns her head to look at me. I read her face, trying to uncover the reason.

I can hear Takashi say something, but it doesn't register.

"You already knew," I state incredulously. Her gaze doesn't falter. I shouldn't be so surprised. The fact that she was the one to gather us had already told me something was up. The real question now is: why Sakura of all people?

The others look between the two of us. Chiharu speaks before anything else can be said.

"I told her." Sakura brakes eye contact with me, and she and Chiharu have a silent exchange. "She stopped by my house Monday, and I told her then. Yesterday afternoon I asked her to gather all of you here for me."

Takashi looks at her similar to the way I look at Sakura.

"Why was she at your house in the first place?" It slips out before I can stop it.

Does it really matter? Even if it does, this isn't the time to be asking.

Chiharu eyes me. "You all seem way more interested in why Sakura is involved than the actual reason I called you here."

Crap. She's right. We should be worried about Chiharu and her family, not the reason her ex-best friend is the first person she told.

I open my mouth to apologize, but before I can something stops me. It's Chiharu. Her lips just moved. Upwards. "It's kind of refreshing." She lets out a dry laugh. "Sakura stopped by Monday night because our manager asked her to."

My brain takes a moment to process what she's just said. Everyone else seems to come to an understanding, but I'm more confused than ever. 'Our manger', she said.

"Do you two work together?"

Sakura watches silently while Chiharu nods. Well, that sure explains a lot. But, wait, that just makes things confusing in a totally different way. I want to ask so many questions, but Takashi's voice snaps me out of it.

"Chiharu." His voice is dead serious now, causing all of us to fall silent and look at him. Even his eyes are open and looking straight at Chiharu. "Are you going to be alright?"

I watch Chiharu's reaction. She studies Takashi's eyes as if trying to find the answer to the question within them, and then says in a firm voice, "yes."

Sakura's POV

After Chiharu's announcement we all went our separate ways. Well, all except for Chiharu and I, who are currently walking down the sidewalk together on our way to work. I'm wearing my normal shoes today specifically because I expected we would be walking together. I don't try to force conversation onto her, so we walk side by side in a comfortable silence.

"Sakura," Chiharu calls my name, breaking the silence. I look over, and wait for her to continue. "Thank you." The statement surprises me, and I raise my eyebrows to silently ask her why. She sees my reaction and continues. "For everything." She smiles at me, and find myself smiling back.

Maybe- just maybe- given time, Chiharu will come to accept me in her life again.

I'd really like to hear thoughts about the flow of the story. Does it seem like I'm going all over the place? I'll be anxiously awaiting any reviews.

Thanks for reading!