chapter 2

Friend or Foe?

"I can’t wait, this movie is gonna be so good!" Tomoyo said excitedly as they stood in line for tickets at the movie theatre in the mall.

"Oh my gosh he is so hot! I mean, this movie-I heard he looks really good in it, like better than normal! If that’s possible." Sakura said, gazing at the poster to the side of the concessions, with Keanu Reeves staring straight back at them. If only he was 20 years younger and was in Syaoran’s place! Then I’d really be into Card Captors stuff!

They bought the tickets and started walking to the concession stand, when Tomoyo spotted Mark and another girl close at his side, waiting in the ticket line. Sakura noticed Mark looked nice in street clothes. He had on a light tan leather coat that came past his waist and had khaki pants on. He wore a black shirt, and his black hair seemed a bit darker and was spiked up with a little more care than how he had it in school. No doubt about it, he looked very nice today.Sakura blushed a bit just to herself, but shook it off and followed Tomoyo to go say hi.

"Hi Mark! Are you going to see the Matrix too?" Tomoyo asked, carefully eyeing the girl clutching to Marks arm.

"Um yeah! Me and my sister, uh Melanie." Mark said, quickly pulling the girl off him and introducing her.

"Oh hi! I am Tomoyo and this is Sakura."

Sakura smiled at the girl, still quite unconvinced that she was his sister, for one because she had yellowish hair, and she looked nothing like him. She brushed the thought away and came up with an idea.

"Do you guys want to sit with us? We like sitting up front so we catch all the action parts." Sakura said, then frowned noticing the small glint of disappointment in Melanie’s face.

"Sure, that’d be great! We’d love to wouldn’t we Melanie?" Mark said, waiting expectantly for Melanie to reply.

"Um, sure." She said, in a quiet voice.

They all parted to buy some popcorn and all the other food, and met up again going back into the movie. This is gonna be a weird movie, watching it with Mark and his "sister"! Sakura thought.

______________________________________________________________________

"I need my arm, you know!" Syaoran yelled in frustration as Meilin tugged and dragged him through the mall.

"I know I just saw Sakura, Tomoyo, and Mark going into the theatre! Don’t you want to see the movie with them? It’s got alot of kung fu stuff, you’d probably like it. Plus it’s got KEANU!" Meilin seemed to melt away for a second in a daydream, then resumed pulling him along.

Syaoran rolled his eyes. What is it with guys who know how to do martial arts? Girls just flock to them in huge numbers. Syaoran thought as Meilin went to buy her ticket. Well, maybe I better keep an eye on Mark. You know, he might like attack one of the girls or something. Better go look out. Syaoran walked after Meilin, but outraged at the ticket prices, decided he’d rather sneak in then pay that much money. There’s an exit on the other side of the mall, I’ll enter there.

Syaoran jogged through the mall’s large layout, finally reaching the oposite side of the movie theatre. Luckily, a movie had just ended, and many people were walking out the door. Syaoran casually walked in through the open door, then rushed down through the several different theatres playing, trying to find the right one.

Once he found the right one, he walked right in, pretending to be coming back from the bathroom or something like that. Immediately he spotted his little group of friends (and enemies) and quietly made his way a few rows above them. There, this is a good veiw. They won’t notice me, but if there’s trouble, I can jump the few seats and get there in seconds.

Syaoran sat through some of the movie, actually finding it quite interesting. He found a few new moves in the action scenes he planned to try out at home. Some annoying girls to his right kept looking at him, smiling and giggling like little babies. Syaoran glared back at them, but they only blushed all the more. He rolled his eyes and did his best to ignore them.

Syaoran watched Mark, who so conviently had placed himself next to Sakura. Syaoran almost jump down there as Mark was reaching for some popcorn from Tomoyo, reaching past Sakura to get it. He sighed. I knew nothing was going to happen! Why did I follow them here? Syaoran thought about leaving, when one of the girls to his right, moved a few chairs closer to him and smiled. Girls these days. What do they think, that we can be best friends now that we sat next to each other in a movie? Finally, in a bit of jealousy, the other girl planted herself right next to Syaoran. He shuffled over a bit in his chair, and did his best to ignore them. The one sitting further away seemed shocked at this unfair advantage her friend was getting, being right next to him, so she sat herself on his other side. Syaoran was about to get really mad at the two weirdos surrounding him, but he noticed Mark moving again. Syaoran glued his eyes on Mark and Sakura.

Mark "accidentally" spilled his drink, having the large portion of it fall all over Sakura. Syaoran couldn’t see all of what was going on, but he could tell Mark was trying to help Sakura wipe off the "accidental" spill that was soaking her shirt. That was it for Syaoran. He couldn’t control himself much longer. When Mark sat closer to Sakura to apologize in his charming way, Syaoran jumped up.

The girls sitting at his sides hopped, a bit startled, and watched longily as he jumped down the row of chairs to the bottom. He didn’t really make all that much noise, except when he screamed "PERVERT"! as he landed behind his friends. They jumped, scared for a second, then recognized Syaoran, red with rage, breathing heavily after his 3 row drop attack. Mark looked very surprised, if not a bit scared, as Syaoran gave him a mean glare. Sakura sat unsure of the whole fiasco and bit down on her lip.

What did I just do? I didn’t really just do that did I? Oh God everyone thinks I am jealous of Mark and I am a huge nerd and I will be kicked out of the theatre, then they’ll realize that I didn’t even buy a ticket! Syaoran quickly fumbled with a coverup story. "I saw you guys, um, down here, and I figured I’d come sit with you. Sorry to...Make all the commotion." Everyone frowned a bit, but returned their eyes to the movie. The two weird girls, however, were making their way down to Syaoran’s new seat.

"What is your problem!?" Syaoran whispered at them harshly, willing them to go away.

The girls just giggled and leaned in as far as they could in their chairs. Syaoran groaned and made his way to the exit. He ran out, finally letting himself breathe. He tried to exhale all of what happened, the weird girls, Mark and Sakura being so close, him making a fool of himself...Instead of waiting for Meilin, Syaoran ran to the bus stop outside the mall and took the first one home.

____________________________________________________________________

Thank goodness for my minicamera! Tomoyo thought as she held the trusty electronic in her outside hand. She had put the thing right on the back of her seat, facing backwards, recording all of Syaoran’s stages of fury. Tomoyo wasn’t quite sure about the two girls following him, but she would look back on her camera to find out. For now she looked back to the movie to catch up on the scenes she had missed.

What was that!!?? Sakura wondered. First I got put next to Mark, which I didn’t really mind, but it was very uncomfortable. Then I get soaked by some of his pepsi, then I have him touching me and wiping off my shirt. That was very weird. Then, Syaoran jumps out of no where yelling prevert, which i think was directed at Mark. Was he watching the whole thing? What was that!!??Sakura frowned but figured she’d try to find out at school the next day.

____________________________________________________________________

(next day, in school)

Sakura felt a bit odd sitting in fron of Syaoran in first class. On top of that, Mark was sitting right next to Syaoran. Mark had apologized again before school started about the drink, but Syaoran still hadn’t mentioned anything about his little outburst. He seemed to be avoiding Sakura, as well as Mark.

The teacher was giving a lesson about old english, which creepily reminded Sakura of the ghost that weekend. She quickly looked back at Syaoran. He was drawing a wolf on the side of his english book, along with a classice full moon scene. She stared at the picture for a second, noticing it was quite remarkably good. Syaoran noticed her staring.

"What?" He asked, quickly hiding his picture.

"Nothing. That was a good picture." Sakura said quietly, turning back to the boring lesson of "thou" "shallts" and "thys".Syaoran didn’t say anything ni reply, but gave his usual glare of i-don’t-care- look.

Sakura sighed and waiting longily for lunch. She was already hungry. Three more classes to go...

_____________________________________________________________________

"I hear we get some exciting news in science! The other class wouldn’t tell, but they promised it’d be something cool!" Tomoyo said as she grabbed her books quickly out of her locker, checking to make sure she had everything, and then shutting her locker.

"That’s cool! Maybe....HEY! Don’t we have a fall trip soon!?" Sakura asked. She couldn’t remember where Touya went this year, but she knew she’d remember when the teacher would tell them.

"Hey, you’re right! Maybe..."Tomoyo said.

They followed some of the other kids into their last class of the day, science. Syaoran was already in the room, claiming the back corner as his. Sakura and Tomoyo sat twoards the front, and resumed their conversation.

"Well, we just finished studying astronomy, so we’ll probably go somewhere dealing with our next chapter." Sakura said, then began to look through her book to the next chapter. "It’s on caves!"

Their conversation stopped when the teacher approached the front. "Okay class, I am sure you have heard somethings from the other class, so I will make this short. Yes, we are going on our class trip, and seeing as the weather is getting cooler, it will be in a short two weeks. We are going on a cave exploration trip, spelunking. We have gone to the same cave every year, Pack of Wolves Cave. The cave was named after the small pack of wolves that used it’s shelter to survive. No need to worry, though, the wolves are long gone now." The teachers speech began to be drowned out from the excited kids talking excitedly about the upcoming event. "The cave takes some canoeing because of the water parts through it, which is why we need to get going before the cold weather sets in.You will get four to a canoe, and we will need kids to donate camping gear, tents and such. I am going to be passing out a release form for you to bring home for your parents to sign."

"That will be so fun!" Sakura said, hardly containing her excitement. Tomoyo nodded quickly, smiling large.

"The trip will last from October 1st to October 5th. We leave ealry on Monday, so be sure to get your sleep and be ready to go. We’ll talk more about this when the trip gets closer. For now be planning who you want in your group and try to find things to donate for the sake of the trip. Tents, rope, things like that. Along with your release form is a list of equipment needed before we can go."

He let the kids talk for a few more minutes, then began the introduction to caves and inside the earth, though he knew no one was really listening. Sakura shifted impatiently in her chair, desperately wanting to talk with Tomoyo. Finally, after an eternity, the bell rang, and they were set free to talk and run again.

Sakura waited for Tomoyo to get her books, and then resumed walking again. "Can you beleive it!? It will be so much fun, and I will get to tape you and Syaoran once again!" Tomoyo said, walking full of life.

Sakura rolled her eyes but dismissed the last comment, and continued on about the trip. "I know, I know! Now I remember Touya telling me about spelunking. He kept talking about his team’s headlamps went out while canoeing, and they had to go almost blindly through the water." Sakura smiled, but inside she shuddered. There could be ghosts and who knows what in there. Maybe...bats! I would freak if I had no light in a dark place like that!

______________________________________________________________________

Syaoran glared at Sakura, who was chatting cheerfully with Tomoyo. She made me act like such a fool! Syaoran evaluated his homework for that night, and noticed in a good surprise he had finished all of it that day. At least I don’t have any homework tonight. hmm what should I do after school? Syaoran picked up his books and started toward the door. I know! I’ll give Moon a visit! Syaoran decided his choice looked very appealing, and walked towards the bus stop. I’ll just have to catch a bus over there before Meilin catches me out here. I want to be alone.

Syaoran sat down at the bus stop, sighing and letting his head fall back against the bench. He stared up at the beautiful leaves falling from a tree behind him. The tree was large and old, and held a presence only ancient things could posess.

Boy that would be really fun to climb-

"Hey Syaoran! What are you doing here? Going somewhere?" For a second Syaoran thought the cheery voice might be Meilin, and reluctantly pulled his gaze from the tree behind and over him. But luckily, it was only Sakura.

"Yeah. I am going somewhere." Syaoran mumbled. Sakura smiled but didn’t walk away. She looked like she was trying to say something.

God no! She is going to ask about yesterday!

"Listen, Syaoran, about yesterday-" Sakura started but was abruptly stopped by Syaoran.

"None of your business." Syaoran snapped. He knew she would persist on, so he tried to thing of some more things to say to stall before the bus got there. But before he could open his mouth, Sakura started again.

"I understand. I don’t mind, I found it kind of funny, I mean...you know? Just laugh about things once and a while. Don’t assume everyone is against you. You know the expression, we weren’t laughing at you, we were laughing with you? Well-"

"Quit it Sakura. Of course it’s easy for you to laugh!" Syaoran stood up and faced her. "You have all your family and friends right at your fingertips. I’m sorry your little speech of encouragement didn’t work, but deal with it. You think you can fix everyone’s life with your cheery airhead attitude? Well, you’re wrong. I for one remained unfazed by you. If you don’t like the way I act, it’s your problem, not mine. You can hang out with your other friends and depend on them. Not me. You can’t change me so easily." Syaoran looked up to see Mark and Tomoyo walking along, smiling and cheery. "Look here they come now, ready to help poor Sakura after I was so mean to her." Syaoran walked to the side of the road, immediatly biting back his words. Some of it may be true, but she doesn’t need someone rubbing her weakness right in her face. Like me... Syaoran turned back at Sakura, who’s eyes were glistening with tears. She held them in, but didn’t make eye contact with Syaoran’s gaze. Instead she spun around and walked toward Tomoyo and Mark, smiling like nothing had happened. But Syaoran saw right through the mask. She had a deep wound in her feelings, which Syaoran had given her. He sighed and tried to clear his mind, but random thoughts came to his head. (Most of them were self name calling and scolding)

The bus roared to a stop in front of Syaoran, and he hopped up the steps and found the bus quite empty. He sat himself in the front and gazed out the window, watching the subarbs slowly turn into more feild and open country. After a half hour, the bus stopped, at the end of its route, and Syaoran stepped out.

The country looked amazingly refreshing, with the woods and trees spread through the fields making vibrant colors of orange, yellow and red hilight the country side. He walked through a shortcut in and unseeded field, and jogged the rest of the way to a big red barn, old and peeling, but still held shelter from rain and snow. Syaoran walked into the barn and checked over the old tractor that was kept idle for so long. He hopped into the seat and backed the small tractor into the field. He grabbed some rope from a peg as the tractor crept out of the barn, then pushed it into speed and moved down the long rolling field, searching for...

"Moondust!" Syaoran shouted over the tractor noise, and pulled it to a stop. He parked it and jumped to the ground. He ran over to the old horse, and threw his arms around it. The horse bobbed his head with pleasure from the attention, then pulled free.

He arched his neck, letting his silvery white wavy mane fall down gently over his muscley features, then began trotting in a circle around Syaoran. It then stopped and faced him, pawing at the ground. Syaoran laughed. "I know, you want to run, like old times. Hang on, hang on."

Syaoran fumbled with the rope and tied it in a makeshift bridle, then launched himself in the air, halfpulling himself, onto the tall silver horse’s back. "Okay Moondust, you know I have only ridden once or twice since we were in Hong Kong, and I lost alot of the balance I had..." Moondance impatiently hopped up lightly on it’s hindlegs, begging for permission to run. Syaoran smiled and grabbed a bit of mane to hold himself aboard, gripped tightly with his legs and leaned forward. Moondust broke smoothly into a perfect gallop, smooth and upwards, carrying themselves lightly along the tall grass. Syaoran saw the fenceline in the far distance, and gently turned Moondust around. The horse slowed into the turn, but went into the straight with even more power than before. Syaoran felt like laughing now, if only Sakura could get to see this side of him. Carefree, happy, and completely soft.

Seeing the tractor reappear on the horizon, Syaoran reluctantly slowed Moondust to a halt. Syaoran slid down off Moondust’s back and pulled the rope off of it’s head. Moondust seemed to look almost sad at Syaoran for stopping, but nudged him saying goodbye. Syaoran felt sadness wash over him as he remember all that had happened in the previous days. He sighed and gave Moondust one last hug, and then hopped back into the smaller sized red tractor. Bye Moondust, I will not wait so long for our next visit. Syaoran hit a rather big bump, sending him flying into the air. He grabbed the bottem of the seat and held tight, quickly covering ground and spotting the barn quickly. He slowly parked the tractor back into the old barn, narrowly missing some misplaced tools, and shut off the old tractor. Back to the bus stop.

________________________________________________________________________

"He is so mean!" Sakura cried as she fell faceforward on her bed. "I hate him!" Sakura cried again as she lay on her bed. She was talking to no one in particular, but yelling seemed to cool some of her anger.

"Hate who, squirt?" Touya asked, leaning on her doorway. Touya narrowed his eyes. "Wait a minute. If it was that brat....! What did he do to you? Me and him will go have a little talk..."

"NO! no- I mean it, it was Mr. Levin. Today in P.E. he, uh, yelled at me for being loud and made me sit by myself in lunch. He’s really mean." Sakura said, feeling horrible making up a story. Well, maybe if Touya gave Syaoran a talking to, the world would be better off...No. Syaoran would probably hold him with a sword and threaten him to leave him alone.

"Mr. Levin? I always thought he was a pretty nice guy...Oh well. Tough luck squirt." Touya walked away, heading down the stairs He opened the outside door, but stepped back in and called, "I am going out. Dad was working late on some research for the university, so you can order pizza or something. Do whatever." With that, the door shut.

Well at least I am alone now, I can scream and yell all I want. No. That’s not what I want to do...maybe I will go out for pizza. Sakura went over to the phone, but realized she didn’t have the number. She leafed through a couple local phone books, but couldn’t find the right place. I’ll call Tomoyo, she’d know. Sakura quickly punched in the well memorized number, and waited through the rings. At the ninth one, Sakura hung up. Hmm. Well, it’s nice out today, I guess I can walk, it’s not very far off. With her mind made up, Sakura ran upstairs to get her coat. In a crumpled heap beside it lay Syaoran’s coat, which she had still failed to give him. Well, he’ll have to wait. I am sure he has other coats.

Locking the door behind her, Sakura stepped out into the cool air. It was relatively cool for this time of evening, but Sakura didn’t mind too much. She hugged her jacket tight and started down the sidewalk. Some people were out in their yards, kids throwing baseballs or having small soccer matches. Other seemed miserable as they raked the leaves on their lawns. Sakura smiled from the overall outside atmosphere, and did a spontaneous cartwheel. Some adults Sakura recognized as family friends, were sitting on the porch and waved, smiling at Sakura’s youthful energy.

Sakura stopped and gasp. Had she broughten the money? She hadn’t. It was laying there on the counter and she had completly missed it. Sakura had been walking for almost ten minutes, and didn’t quite feel like going back. Sakura scrounged through her pockets for some extra change, and was delighted to find a five dollar bill wadded in her coat pocket, very likely from the previous fall. Five bucks might not cover a pizza, but an order of breadsticks and an apple cider would do me just fine. Sakura resumed her energetic walking, reaching the small pizza parlor in no time.

It wasn’t really a pizza parlor. It was just a one room place made for only take out orders. Sakura didn’t care, they had reputation for the best cheese ever. Skura stepped into the door. To her left was mailboxes for the apartment complex that the pizza place was built into. Sakura walked over to the empty counter and ordered cheesebread (she decided it sounded a bit more appetizing then straight breadsticks) and a hot applecider. She turned and found an empty seat there for waiting customers, and sat down. Only the moment she sat down did she notice a familiar figure walk through the door.

"Syaoran?" Sakura bolted up and said his name bitterly. Sakura noticed he had several spots of rust and dirt on his clothes, and his hair looked a bit tassled.

Syaoran seemed to be shocked for a minute as he looked at her. He then recognized her with a scowl.

"What are you doing here Syaoran?" Sakura asked.

"Me?" Syaoran seemed a bit baffled by the question. "I live here." He said flatly, shoving the obvious answer right in Sakura’s face. He frowned. "What are you doing here?"at the pause, he accused, "Are you following me?" He glared at her.

Sakura walked a bit closer gathering her angry frown and breifly noticed the odd smell coming off him, but threw that detail aside. Sakura looked him square in the eye. "I am buying food." She motioned at the pizza parlor. "Don’t try to make me feel out of my territory. I have just as much right as you do to be here, and just because I seemed so hurt earlier doesn’t mean I am scared of you. I am not. You should check the words you said earlier. You said it is my problem if I don’t like the way you act. I think it is the other way around. I can’t help it if I am so happy, I just know how to move on from sorrow. I guess that’s one thing they never teach in martial arts, learning to move on with your emotions. And-" Sakura stopped short. She felt horrible saying all these mean things to Syaoran, and she realized somewhere in her walk to the pizza parlor, she had forgiven him. Her eyes softened. "I...I didn’t mean to-I mean-" Sakura looked at Syaoran, who was watching Sakura quizically. Sakura took a breath and threw her arms around him. "I am sorry! What you said was right, I am not very strong, but I have been getting, and will be getting stronger every day." Syaoran seemed to have a difficult time deciding whether or not to hug back. He offered a pat on the shoulder, but not much other comfort. Sakura quickly pulled away, blushing profusely, and stared back at her feet.

Syaoran stood a bit in shock and amazement. He tried desperately to control the deep blush making it’s way to his cheeks. Syaoran heard an order being called from the pizza place, and coming back to earth, looked up. "Um...Isn’t that your order?"

Sakura looked back and smiled gratefully. "Yes! Thank you. It was nice, uh, talking to you! See you tommorrow!"

Syaoran mumbled bye while giving a small wave, and walked over to the stairs. He glanced one last time at Sakura and walked up the stairs to his apartment.

Sakura smiled gratefully to the chef/cashier, and walked out the door with her delicious bread and warming apple cider and made her way to a nearby bench, sitting under the trees as they ruffled in a small breeze. The sun was just starting to leave it’s high in the sky, and gave the trees their extra pretty look from sunset light. Sakura leaned back and smiled as she drank her apple cider, which was just the perfect temperature. Wow, that fight didn’t last very long. I thought I’d never talk to him an hour ago, and here it is, only 6 and I just hugged and made up with him. That was odd. Sakura cleared her thoughts for a second and gazed at a chipmunk off to the side of the bench. But he didn’t really hug back. Well, that doesn’t matter. I apologized, there’s nothing more I can do. He seemed to forgive me, I thought he did anyway. Sakura continued her thoughts for some time, resting on the cool bench.

_____________________________________________________________________

Well that was...cool. No. it was...strange? odd? oddly comforting even though she was insulting me? I’m not sure. Syaoran sighed for the thousandth time, only this time in almost a state of contentment. He looked out his window, to find Sakura sitting on a bench not too far below. Syaoran smiled softly, then returned his thinking. He was going to watch a soccer game he had taped while he was in school before Meilin got home. When he had come in, Meilin had left a note saying she was at a "friends" house and would be back around eight. Syaoran had plent of time. On his way out of his room, Syaoran caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. He stopped quickly and backed up to look. He looked angrily as he saw his tassled wind styled hair that seemed going in several directions. He had dirt and rust stains on his clothes that had probably come from the tractor. On top of that, he was sure he smelled like horse. At first he felt horribly embaressed, but forced it out of his mind reasoning, I can’t let her make me so self conscious. Syaoran layed back on his favorite of three couches, and willed the action of the soccer game to clear his thoughts.

___________________________________________________________________

"Last year I heard that some boys put itching powder in the girls sleeping bags! Wouldn’t that be horrible?" Chiharu, one of Sakura’s friends, asked happily.

"Yes! Maybe we should plan something against them first!" Meilin said gleefully, mischievous things running through her mind.

"Hey! we could put green bugs in their sleeping bags!" Sakura said, laughing to herself, though no one else saw it as a good idea.

Tomoyo frowned, not liking Sakura’s idea and wondering what had inspired it. "Well, whatever happens, we have to make sure us girls canoe faster than them, we have our female race’s pride to protect!" Tomoyo said proudly.

"Definitely!" Meilin said, along with Chiharu, Sakura, and some other girls listening into the conversation.

Mark slid down from his seat and leapt into the conversation. "You girls think you can beat us, eh?"

Meilin smiled with the challenge and narrowed her eyes at him, leaning towards him out of her chair. "Not think, know."

Mark kept the galre contest for a few more seconds, then tweaked her nose, sending Meilin squealing back into her seat. A few of the boys laughed, and Meilin looked at them with a look threatening death.

"I’ll bet you girls will be crying for our brave courage as us men leap through the dark unknown, leaving you far, far behind." A boy named Kamito said, feuling the fire. A few more boys chuckled and jumped into the battle.

"You boys won’t be leaving anything behind, except for maybe a few infested sleeping bags." Tomoyo said wittily, seeing Syaoran shoot up from his lunch, turning red. So Syaoran has something to do with Sakura’s odd idea of green bugs. Tomoyo smiled smugly, planning out how to find out the rest of the story. Sakura had told Tomoyo all about the ghost and Akuma, and how Sakura had stood bravely in the face of the ghost. Tomoyo knew the story had a few white lies in it, but she got the general idea.

"It’s not like any of your boys are actually athletic!" A girl on the side said. She quickly checked her words and gave a flirtatious look towards the back of the table. "Except for you Syaoran."

Syaoran looked over at his name, but seeing it was just another annoying girl, returned his thoughts to his butterscotch pudding. He noticed his eyelids starting to feel heavy. I still have to go to three more classes...

__________________________________________________________________

Exactly how late did I stay up last night? 9:30? maybe only 9? Why am I so tired? I can’t be getting sick, the trip is only 4 days away! Syaoran looked over at Meilin during science class, watching her shuffle ni her chair, her constant jitters keeping her from ever being still. If only Meilin would give me some of her energy...

"Syaoran, pay attention!" The substitute teacher snapped. Their science teacher was out gathering trip supplies. "If I have to tell you one more time, it’s detention for an hour." The teacher glared at Syaoran, who still allowed his head to droop. "Syaoran did you hear me?"

Syaoran forced his head up and looked at the teacher, a certain amount of longing in his eye. Longing for what? Need to sleep... some more...Stay awake! Have to stay awake or another hour of this. Syaoran stared blankly at the board, listing the assignment for the night and the things to bring in tommorrow in preparation for the trip, for tommorrow was the last school day before they left.

Syaoran could hardly stand up out of his chair when the bell rang, but he stumbled all the way to his locker, quietly wondering how he would walk home. Meilin walked by and stared at him. "Nice job sleepyhead. Stop training so late. Or whatever it is you do at night. You will get so many detentions you will be suspended or...expelled! You already have three from your little brawl with Mark. Don’t forget that!" Meilin slapped him on the shoulder, causing him to fall a bit off balance. He grabbed the locker handle to steady himself. What’s wrong with me? One pat on the back from Meilin and I am thrown over? All the years I spent training in Tai Kwan Doe and Kiaoko Shing Ki, you’d think I could stand a slap on the back from Meilin. Most of her words didn’t even register! What’s going on? Syaoran had a bit of an energy surge, mostly out of frustration, and was able to get his books in his bag and shut his locker. When he began to walk out, his one minute energy hype quickly deteriorated. He forced himself into the normalest looking walk he could manage, and once outside, took a break on a bench closeby the door. He leaned back and conserved as much energy he could. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back on the hard bench. It would be a long walk home.

"Is everything alright?" Sakura asked, setting herself beside Syaoran. Why am I doing this? I don’t know him better than anyone else, why do I feel obligated to help him? Sakura sighed and decided it was her duty. She was a nice person, she decided.

Syaoran kept his head tilted back, and only opened one eye, just to check who it was. He grinned slightly at her, something he would rarely do when awake, but in his sleepy head his gruffiness seemed to disappear. "Hey Sakura. Just hanging out." He closed his eye, and seemed deep in thought.

"Oh. Well you seemed really tired in science, though you seemed fine the rest of the day. It just seemed kind of, you know, unlike you."

Syaoran stayed silent for one moment, then seemed to realize the whole conversation and what was happening. He immediately went into his defensive shell, and opened his eyes. A bit of anger clouded across his large ambers, but he pushed it away. Don’t get mad at her! She was only concerned. Alot nicer than anyone else around here. Just don’t let her too close, and you’ll be okay. Syaoran coached himself. "No, I am okay, just a little tired from staying up, that’s all." Syaoran stood up, though seemed a bit unsteady. He tried to take a step, but swayed backwards. Sakura jumped up and steadied him, arms around his shoulders.

Sakura could almost watch the wave of sleepiness run over him, and he leaned appreciatively into her steady arms. "I am sorry. I don’t know what’s got into me these days, but I just seem really tired. Maybe I need a break..." He fell completely against her, thowing her off balance, but Sakura managed to hold herself, and well as his weight, up. She shook him gently, patted his face a bit, but he remained sound asleep, feeling heavier and heavier. Great! What do I do? I am standed right next to the school doors, struggling to hold Syaoran up, and he’s asleep. All the other kids will get the wrong idea and....

"What do you think you are doing with him?" Meilin ran over to Sakura and pushed her away from Syaoran, causing him to fall to the ground with a thud! The grass provided a little comfort, but the jolt had done the trick of waking him up.

Syaoran jumped up in defensive stanse, and relaxed as he saw the familiar faces around him. Meilin ran over and gave a one way hug. "I didn’t know what happened! I come out here and for all I know Sakura put a magic spell on you, and you were leaning against her and I tried to get her to let go but she wouldn’t and she tried to kick me but she let go of you and then you fell." Meilin said in one run on sentence.

Syaoran looked suspiciously at both girls, then gave an accusing glance at Sakura. "You used your magic to put me to sleep!?" He asked, his fury starting to rise.

Sakura stood shocked, feeling as though he had given her a good kick in the gut. He thinks I would try to use magic so I could hold him? How disgusting! He really thinks I am that desperate!? Sakura’s eyes clouded over progressively and she stared hard at Syaoran. "I thought- I thought you were smarter!" Sakura rethought her words, then decided to give a try at telling him her story. "That’s not what happened at all!" She glared over at Meilin. "You came out of science, really sleepy. Remember? Anyway, you tried to walk out here, and you started to fall, so I caught you (Sakura’s cheeks start to turn pinkinsh) but Meilin came out and pushed me down, asking what..." Sakura left the sentence unfinished. She didn’t want to put emphasis on what she had been doing or what it looked like they had been doing. Syaoran looked at both of them, confused, but set back into his usual scowl. "I don’t care. I am going home." Syaoran got up, a bit stiffly, and walked swiftly to the sidewalk. Sakura watched him walk for a few more steps, assuring her worries that he was alright, then stepped back to the bench to get her bags. Meilin looked at Sakura with an intense feeling of confusion and hatred, and spun off after Syaoran.

Sakura thought about the whole thing, then decided it was nothing to get mad about. She sprung along the sidewalk towards her huose, then remembered she had rollerblades in her bookbag. She stopped and sat on the edge of someone’s lawn and tied them tight, then stood up and began gliding through the cool fall air. I hope that the ghost doesn’t give me any trouble in Pack of Wolves Cave! She shivered in fear, remembering the creepy breath, the horrible smell, the unearthly coldness. Don’t think about that now! Sakura reached the door, yanked off her skates, and jogged up to her room. She yelled Hi at Touya and her dad, who were both sitting drinking tea and talking about some of those "adult" issues. Sakura threw her bag down and started back out of her room, when she realized something odd.

Sakura whipped around and peered into her room, and found her drawer glowing brightly, as it had done with the clow book so many years ago. Hiya! What is that! Sakura approached it slowly, wishing vainly for Kero’s company, and slowly opened the heavy wooden drawer. Almost immediately her star cards began dancing around her, hanging in midair. Sakura watched with unsure eyes, not prepares for what would happen next. Powers shot out of some cards, flying freely out of her half open window. Sakura jumped and stared at the cards, now dimming. She picked one out of the air and looked at it. It’s once brightly colored paper now seemed dull and lacking energy. Several of the cards showed the same symptoms, while others remained unchanged. I need to do something! What did the cards just do? Break their seal? That is impossible! I changed them all into star cards, and they were drawing energy from me. There must be another explanation. Thinking quickly, she called the Li apartment.

"Hello?" An energetic high pitched voice answered, seeming a bit preoccupied with something.

"Um, Hi." Sakura blushed a bit feeling funny calling his house, but forced out the idea and assured herself it was strictly business. "Is Syaoran home?"

(Long pause...) "Is this Sakura?"

"Yes." (More silence...) "Listen this is important! I really need to talk to him."

On the other end of the line, Meilin thought this over. I’d be such a child if I told her he was gone. But I don’t want him talking to her! What if she puts him to sleep again, and I am not there to help? "I’m sorry, Syaoran’s unable to come to the phone right now."

Syaoran, who had been sitting on the couch reading a book on magic and sorcery, looked up, confused.

"Meilin! I really need to talk to him! The clow cards are going crazy and I don’t know what’s going on!" Sakura cried into the phone.

Meilin smirked, thinking out the what Sakura had just said. "Nice try, Sakura, I know the clow cards are all sealed. They can’t be-"

Syaoran, who had bolted out of the couch when he heard "Sakura", pushed Meilin away while grabbing the phone. "The Clow Cards? What about them?" Syaoran asked quickly, not doing a very good job of hiding the concern in his voice.

Sakura was very releived to hear his voice on the phone. "I’m not sure, they just went wild! I think they broke loose or something."

"That’s impossible!" Syaoran said, thinking fast .

"You’d better come over here. Climb up the tree like you did last time." Sakura looked around nervously, and was glad to see Touya and her father downstairs, sitting in the same position. Syaoran didn’t say bye or anything, but just hung up the phone, obviously ready to get over there.

Just a few minutes later, Syaoran kicked her half open window lightly as he hung from the tree. Sakura opened it all the way and stood back as Syaoran threw himself in. He dropped to the ground heavily, panting hard.

Sakura checked his physical health, noting he seemed very exhausted from the short run. That was odd. Maybe he sprinted all the way here? "Are you alright?"

Syaoran slowly stood up, pushing off his knee as a brace. "Just (Gasp) need to (pant) catch...my breath." He tried to give her a reassuring smile, but it seemed to use even more energy. He turned serious and looked around Sakura’s room, quickly spotting the clow cards. He picked one up, the Windy, one of Sakura’s most faithful cards. It seemed normal to him.

"Windy didn’t seem effected. Some of my weaker cards, however, seem dull and gone. Like there is nothing beyond the paper." Sakura said, handing him the Double card.

Syaoran looked it over, concern starting to drift into his eyes. "You’re right. It’s like they...broke the seal or something. But that can’t happen. Unless someone is using magic against you. And I can’t think of any magicians living that are strong enough to do this."

"What about Clow Reed?" Sakura asked.

"He doesn’t use magic anymore. I didn’t know of anyone else practicing magic except for you and I." Syaoran said.

At the last part of his sentence, Sakura shot a worried glance at Syaoran. He was tired lately, as if using alot of magic energy. Syaoran saw her look and frowned, seeming a bit hurt as he read her thoughts.

"How could you beleive that? You know I wouldn’t turn against you!" Syaoran said in a forceful yet almost pleadingful manner.

Sakura bit her lip. Syaoran was her rival, yes, but she didn’t beleive that he would hurt her. Then again, he had hurt her numerous times, as far as feelings go. Why would he stop there? The conflicting thoughts drew out a headache. "No, I know you wouldn’t." Sakura said, lying to try to make up quickly. Inside though, in the back of her mind, she still thought the case out in her head. It was very possible...

Syaoran didn’t seem convinced, but threw it aside for the moment. "We’d better take a look around the city, they might be causing some chaos. Get all the cards that are messed up, and bring them along. They might be useful."

Sakura followed the orders as quickly as possible, then started to the window. "I...I don’t think I can jump that far." She said as Syaoran lept to the tree. Sakura felt stupid having to use magic where Syaoran just use physical abilities, but she did anyway.

"Jump Card! Land me safely on the ground!" Nothing happened. Sakura frowned, then looked through her collection of dull cards. Jump was lifeless along with rope.

Syaoran, still hanging from the tree, threw himself back into Sakura’s room. "Why don’t you just go downstairs through the door?" He said in almost a mocking tone.

Sakura saw the challenge and eyed him carefully. "After you." She motioned. Syaoran sighed in a quiet protest, but jumped over to the high branch. This is it! Sakura gathered herself up for the huge jump, then threw herself out. Not quite making the tree, Sakura desperately stretched her arms out, wrapping herself around unsuspecting Syaoran, who had his back turned to her. Syaoran, who wasn’t prepared for the flying weight, lost grip of the tree, and fell along with Sakura to the ground. Syaoran had an easy fall, having Sakura break the landing as she did. Syaoran rolled over and looked at Sakura.

"Are you okay?" He asked, very concerned.

Sakura slowly opened her tightly shut eyes, and gazed wide eyed at Syaoran, who was leaning directly over her, and exstremly close. Sakura shut her eyes again. "I-I think so." She wiggled her toes and fingers, and satisfied enough replied, "Yes, I am alright." She looked back up at Syaoran, who smiled softly, about to say something, when a door slam was heard a few feet away.

Syaoran quickly left Sakura’s side to face the oncoming disaster. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING WITH MY BABY SISTER!?" Touya screamed, having impeccable timing to catch the few seconds of closeness the two had just shared.

Syaoran blushed a bit, and stammered. "N-nothing!" He scowled at Touya, and collected himself. "You, you have a perverted mind. Sakura fell out of a tree, and I was just making sure she was alright." Syaoran said, fire blazing in his eyes.

"Why would you need to be practically laying on top of her just to ‘make sure she was alright’?" Touya asked suspiciously.

Sakura stiffly got up, aching all over, especially in her back, but confidentally approached the conversation. "Touya, you know me better than that. Syaoran’s telling the truth. Don’t jump to conclusions."

Touya was about to go on, but seeing his sister’s pleading eyes, retreated. "If that brat ever attacks you again..." He muttered as he walked along to his car.

After watching him drive off, Sakura broke the long silence. "Sorry, I didn’t quite make the jump." She said, shaking her head in shame.

"A head’s up would have been nice." Syaoran said, then came back to business. "Let’s go then."

Sakura managed a small smile and walked through the aching pain coming from her back. She would be very sore tommorrow.

____________________________________________________________________

Sakura eyed the tree warily. After being out for so long, they still hadn’t found anything. Now Syaoran dropped her off at her house, leaving her to get up to her room. It was far too late ot use the door, and Sakura hoped her father had assumed she was in bed all that time. Sakura started up the tree, slowly shuffling across the tall branch, legs hanging limply. The jump didn’t look so bad at this angle, and Sakura figured she could make it. Swinging a few times to gain momentum, she went feet first into the window. Aside a couple starting bruises, Sakura had made it. Smiling triumphantly, she collapsed on her bed, glancing at her clock. One seventeen, in the morning. Sakura yawned and quickly fell asleep...

I told you....I warned thou that the one of solitude and feirce untamed anger would turnest against thee...Look at what has happened now... Ancient sorcery spells drain his energy...but his strength grows as he takes your cards away from you...

Sakura bolted awake. What was the wickedness that had enveloped her in such fear as she lay prisoned in her dream? What was its source? It was only my imagination. The ghost, today with all the cards, and all the old english Mr Smith uses in English class, that’s all it was. Sakura squinted her eyes. A bright flash of light blinded her for a second, followed by a loud clash of thunder. Sakura glanced at her clock, but it was blank. Must have been a power outage.

Sakura walked to her window, watching the storm intently. It was violent, but not out of the ordinary. Turning back, she sat at the edge of her bed. She was awake now, and had nothing to do, not even able to play zelda with the power out like it was. She looked at the dark window, out into the dark night. A bright flash revealed a horrible face in the window, covered in a white veil, staring with it’s horrifying eyes. Sakura screamed and jumped back further on her bed. She shivered with a petrified fear, oblivious to anything about her. Another flash of lightening showed nothing but the average outdoors, trees swaying with the wind. Sakura slowly relaxed, still scared, but coming back to her wits. She leaned against the headboard of her bed, trying to stop her shaking.

Why didn’t my powers sense her? Sakura frowned and pondered on this thought. They did-in my dream. I felt her wicked spirit in my dream. An eerie sound jolted Sakura awake. Slow footsteps at the end of the hall, moving towards Sakura’s room. Sakura tried to reason the situation. Maybe it’s just Touya. I did scream rather loudly. A sound joined the footsteps, sending a horrifying chill up Sakura’s spine. A scratching noise, moving with the footsteps, slowly, slowly, creeping towards Sakura’s door.

Sakura, going into hysterics, looked frantically for an escape. I need Syaoran! Where is Syaoran!? Sakura looked at the window, and in a split second decision, decided to go through it. Jumping off her perch on the bed, Sakura ran towards it, planning not to bother opening it, just to go through and run, run run, as far as her legs could take her. In midstride, Sakura stopped, frozen. The lightening showed the grim sillouhette of a floating wedding dress, and her eyes intently burned against Sakura’s. Behind her the horrible steps came closer...closer...Sakura, swept far out of human reasoning from the horror she felt deep into her bones, collapsed on the floor, letting the black of night envolope her, keeping her safe.

...Where was thouest dear soldier? Did he leave thy unprotected? I warned you...

______________________________________________________________________

The wicked voice rang in Sakura’s head. Her mind swam from the trauma of that night. Sakura shook her aching head, trying to avoid the cold wetness on her forehead. "Quit..." She mumbled, and slowly opened her eyes. Touya and her father stared with concern at her, with warm candlelight glowing behind them.

"Sakura! You are awake!" Touya said warmly, pulling the damp cloth off her head.

"Where...where am I?" Sakura asked, squinting around the room.

"You are on the couch, honey. You screamed and then we found you passed out in front of your broken window." Her father said, concern at the corners of his eyes.

I never jumped through the window, did I? Sakura questioned herself. No, I never did. Then what broke my window? "What broke my window?"

"We were gonna ask you the same thing. If you didn’t know, we figured it was probably a stick or something blown by the wind from this storm. You were just laying in front of the window, all cut up, when we got to you." Touya said, yawning halfway through the sentence.

Sakura frowned at some of his words. She touched her face and felt some scratches, originating with the broken glass. Sakura looked at her arms. They had several scratches as well. What really happened?

"You need your rest Sakura. You may sleep here, your room is a bit wet from all the rain. I’m sure we’ll be getting power back, if you’d like to watch TV." Her father said, as he and Touya turned to leave the candlelit room.

"Wait!" Sakura cried quickly. They turned around quickly. "Will you please stay until I fall asleep?"

Touya rolled his eyes. "Sure Squirt. But first you have to tell me what exactly you were doing in front of the window."

Sakura thought for a moment, and made a story. "I was watching the storm. I screamed after a nightmare, I remember waking up screaming, and then I walked to the window to see the storm."

Her father nodded, but Touya looked at her questioningly. "If you say so. Fall asleep quickly. I wanna get some sleep in before school tommorrow." Touya looked at his watch. "Today I mean. It’s in another three hours."

Sakura fell asleep nodding to Touya, allowing everyone to go back to bed. It seemed like just a few minutes later, and sunlight blinded Sakura, even through shut eyelids. I hate sunrise light. It’s so bright and..wait. Sunrise=morning. Morning= "School!" Sakura exclaimed, bolting up from the couch. Looking at the clock, she was realived to see she had an hour still to get ready. "Good. I need to shower and get the stuff to bring for the trip..."Sakura said to herself as she gathered her blankets off the couch. Sakura found her back exstremly soar from the fall she had taken yesterday, and her limbs all seemed to ache with exhaustion and lack of sleep.

Sakura lagged up the stairs and walked to her room, throwing her blankets in. She gasped at the broken glass on the floor. She stared at it, trying not to remember the terror from before. She fled the her room, running to the bathroom. This has to stop! I won’t be able to go in my room again! A cool shower should help. Sakura turned the water on, and looked at herself in the mirror. Scratches covered her face, a particularly nasty one under her left eye. It wasn’t horrible, like hide yourself for a week kind of thing, but Sakura had looked better. She sighed, and fiddled with her watch, pulling it off. When she looked up she gasped. A face over her shoulder looked at her blankly, not even blinking. Sakura held her breath and whipped around, to see nothing but the running water. She felt a bit sick from the scare, but forced herself in the shower. It didn’t do much to relax her, but she did feel cleaner and more alert. Although, who wouldn’t be alert after seeing a ghost in the mirror?

Sakura dressed and dried her wet hair and threw it into her usual hairstyle. She tied green ribbon into them, and hopped down the stairs, anxious to see Syaoran. She could leave now and be early, which was a good idea. "Bye dad!" She called, jogging by him.

"Wait, young lady, where do you think you are going?" Her father asked causing her to stop.

"School. I am fine father, really I am, and I really need to be at school today!" Sakura pleaded, shining her puppy dog eyes at him.

"Sakura, you hardly slept last night, went unconscious, and was cut up by a window. Touya informs me you fell out of a tree. I think one day of school is expendable for my daughter’s health. Now come over here and eat your bagle." Her father said.

Sakura looked with longing eyes at the bag of Thomas bagles, but shook her head. "I can bring them with me, but I don’t have time to sit and eat. I have to go to school today because we have to turn in our trip release forms. I can’t miss that. Really dad, I feel fine!" She smiled convincingly at him. "I could take on the world. Me and my thomas bagle." Sakura grabbed two bagles along with a wad of cream cheese, and headed for the door once again. "Bye dad!"

Her father gave a disapproving glance, but returned his attention to his breakfeast.

______________________________________________________________________

God I am hungry! Syaoran thought as he walked to school. He was a bit early, but he didn’t mind. His mind had been restless that night, and he hadn’t gotten much sleep. He kicked some pebbles out of his way. He knew Sakura had been up to something, he felt some magic around, but didn’t sense any danger, so he stayed in his house rather than having another fall out of a tree.

"Syaoran! The person I wanted to see!" He heard from behind him. He turned around to face Sakura, slowing to a stop on her rollerblades. Syaoran gazed at the two full bagles in her hand. "Do you want one? I have an extra." Sakura held out a bagel to Syaoran.

"No, ‘sokay." He politely refused, blushing a bit from the offer. He did however, hungerly crave for the soft bagel she held in her hand.

Sakura shrugged and walked on. Syaoran looked up at her, and gasped at the scratches on her face. "Sakura! What happened!?" Syaoran choked out her name, this was one of the rare times he said it. He instinctively moved closer to her and looked around, searching for the culprit of this skin slashing masacre.

Sakura blushed from his concern and began the story. They slowly stopped walking, till they stood talking in the middle of the sidewalk.

"You fell asleep with the window there, but woke with cuts and a broken window?" Syaoran asked, frowning.

"It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, I know, but everything happened in a blur and was so scary, I..." Sakura said shaking from the bits of fear that held her as she retold the story. (She failed to mention the whole face in the mirror as she was taking a shower, trying to keep images out of Syaoran’s head, you know?) Syaoran placed a hand on her shoulder to calm her.

"Must have been pretty scary stuff." Syaoran said, the awkwardly pulled his hand off her shoulder. He grew serious. "This ghost is beginning to be a menace. She was from the start, but now she even broke a window. She got to you when I wasn’t around, and Lord knows what she’ll do next. You better keep your magic alert ." Syaoran said.

Sakura nodded gravely. They stood there another moment in deep thought, then Sakura looked at her watch. "We are going to be late!" Sakura cried, and pushed into speed with her roller blades as fast as they’d allow. Syaoran sprinted quickly behind her. Sakura went into a corner a bit too fast, and hitting a rock, went flying into the air. Her bagles went airborn too, thrown high before coming back down.

Bagles! Syaoran thought and dove, streching his arm out to catch the bagles safely in his hand. Sakura landed hard on the pavement, rubbing her knee, but was alright thanks to the knee and elbo pads she was wearing. Who ever knew Touya would be right about the safety gear for my blades? Sakura thought, and pulled herself up. She looked over at Syaoran, who was carefully brushing off the bagles in any of the impact damage that may have been done. Sakura scowled at him.

"I have been through a trauma, and then I go flying in the air, and you dive to save the bagles!?" Sakura said, than burst out laughing.

Syaoran wore a crooked smile, unsure whether to laugh or apologize. He held out the bagles for Sakura to take back, but she just laughed all the harder. "Take them! A man willing to throw himself over pavement to save the bagles from getting dirty deserves to eat them!" She laughed a bit more, and began a bit more cautiously towards school, still moving swiftly along.

Syaoran jogged but was so preoccupied with eating the very delicious breakfeast that he didn’t cover ground very quickly.

_____________________________________________________________________

Sakura tried to be patient, but after the sixth person asked her what happened to her face, she resorted to shaking her head.

"Now you know how to make new friends!" Tomoyo said. "Just get injured and you’ll have thousands of kids ready to talk to you!"

Sakura rolled her eyes and laughed . Sakura had managed to get to school on time, but Syaoran had ran into the classroom just as the bell was ringing, and was given his fourth detention.

"Did you remember your bungee cords?" Sakura asked. Tomoyo had volunteered to donate some rope for the trip.

"Yes! I walked out of the house without them, but my mom ran out after me with them in her hand. Good thing." Tomoyo said.

They walked to the gym lockers, pulling their shoes out. "It’s gonna be so scary in all that dark! Good thing Syaoran will be there to protect you!" Tomoyo said, smiling at her hint.

Sakura shuddered. "Don’t talk about it. I am still freaked out about last night. I passed out for goodness sake!"

Tomoyo cringed in apology. "Sorry, I forgot." She moved closer in to Sakura and quieted her voice. "You really don’t think the ghost will be there do you?"

Sakura closed her eyes tight, trying to block the horrible images out of her mind. "I really hope not, Tomoyo."

Tomoyo stepped back and smiled. "Your misfortune is my fortune! I hope I can get good lighting in the cave." Tomoyo bit her lip in thought.

Sakura rolled her eyes again and grinned. "Thanks for being a concerned friend."

They laughed and walked into the gym, filled with excited kids, ready for the weekend and then the big class trip.

___________________________________________________________________

Syaoran shook his hair out of his eyes. That is really getting annoying these days! He continued jogging the warm ups, up in front of everyone else. Sakura had stopped to tie her shoe, leaving Syaoran to get his lead. Maybe I should just rough it and go to the hair dressers. I can’t let Meilin try to cut my hair again...Syaoran frowned at the memory of a small gash across his forehead, along with his slightly crooked bangs. Definitely a hair dresser. I don’t want to have to get stitches along with a crooked haircut.

Syaoran had unintentionally slowed down in his thought, and Sakura had caught up once again. He glared at her and started running faster, matching her pace. He could see the corners of Sakura’s mouth curve up in a grin, loving the challenge. Three laps left, I can sprint that. Syaoran pushed himself into full speed, passing Sakura for a moment. Sakura struggled but matched his sprint. They went into the second to last lap side by side, straining their legs to keep up the grinding pace. Three laps is a bit longer than I remember. Syaoran and Sakura began to tire into the last lap, both refusing to slow, but slowing none the less. They hit the last turn at a quick jog, heading into the last stretch with full power. Syaoran ignored the pain in his legs and his loosening shoe string, pushing himself to his runnnig limit. A few stride behind the finish, Sakura’s foot landed solidly on Syaoran’s loose shoe string, sending him into the air, falling on the finish line. Sakura had slowed immediately after accidentally tripping him, so technically Syaoran had beaten her. Still, Syaoran was holding his arm and trying to hold back a wince. He stood up painfully, breathily heavily. and glared furiously into Sakura’s scared eyes.

"I’m so sorry, I didn’t-" Sakura stammered. She really felt bad about it, she knew Syaoran thought she had cheated him out of winning.

The gym teacher ran over to Syaoran, dismissing Sakura back with the other students. "You landed very hard on that arm. Can you still move it?"

Syaoran, used to dealing with pain, kept his eyes calm. He tried to move his stiff fingers, but they screamed in protest. The rest of his arm ached, but it seemes as if his elbow was throbbing the most. Syaoran winced as he tried to move his arm, and looked back at the gym teacher. "I am alright. My elbow hurts a bit, that’s all." Syaoran didn’t look back, but walked coolly to his place and sat down, returning his glare at Sakura. She met his eyes for a moment, showing true apology, but looked back at her feet.

I didn’t know she was that competitive. Syaoran checked his thoughts. No, you know she wouldn’t hurt you just to win a silly race. Quit blaming her. Syaoran softened his glare and looked away. I better put a spell on my elbow when I get home. Syaoran supported his elbow with his other arm. Today in gym they were doing sit ups and working with the abdominals, so he figured he could make it without using one arm.

"Alright class, today we are going to work with the pull up bar. Let’s try to set some school records here!" The gym teacher said, looking annoyed with the kids that groaned.

Syaoran frowned. How would he do this? His right wrist hurt with any weight or strain put on it, so that left weight on his left arm. He would have to at least look like he was using both arms, so he wouldn’t get sent to the nurse. He sighed. Any other day he would be happy to whip Mark in a match of pull ups, but today he might be beaten.

The class gathered in a long line to the pull up bar. Syaoran stayed around the back of the line, trynig to work up energy. This was going to be hard.

Mark went second, getting 35 pull ups. He hopped down off the bar and smiled at the class, especially at Sakura, who stood in front of Syaoran. Syaoran look aggrivated, and forced his glare upon his feet. How will I even get ten with this bum arm? The line slowly progressed, and the kids finished with their turn cheered on their friends.

Sakura walked over to the bar, but tripped falling flat on her face. She got up flushing with embaressment, and looked down at her feet. Syaoran looked at her shoes also. It looked as if her feet were tied together. That was very odd. Sakura hopped up on the bar, getting 17, pretty good for a girl. Syaoran sighed. He was going to be beaten by Sakura!

____________________________________________________________________

Sakura watched as Syaoran jumped up to the bar, holding himself a bit lopsided. He began, seeming to struggle with each one, but trying desperately to look normal. Sakura watched sadly. With the way he was pulling himself , and the crooked angle he held his body at, Sakura could tell he was using one arm. He stopped at twelve, very red in the face from work and embaressment. Everyone looked at him a bit surprised, but knew better to ask him questions. Sakura looked at him with a bit of impression. Twelve was very good with just your left arm! He brushed by Sakura, half glaring at her, and placed himself in the back of the cheering crowd. Sakura sighed and walke after him.

He glared at her as she approached, making her a bit nervous. "Syaoran, that was very good." Sakura tried to smile, but the sincerity was lost in his glare. "I am very sorry about tripping you like that. I really didn’t mean to and..." It was your fault for not having your shoes tied Sakura held back.

"That’s alright." Syaoran said, seeming alot more understanding than Sakura had thought him out to be. He looked at Sakura’s shoes. "Why did you trip?"

Sakura frowned then realized what he was thinking. Wow he is so observant sometimes. He found it odd too. "I am not quite sure. It was like my ankles were stuck together for a second." Sakura said.

"My shoe coming untied wasn’t an accident. It was double knotted and very tight, no way it would just come out like that." He looked at his own shoes. "Besides, the other shoe was perfectly tight even after the other one came out. I think we are looking a one of your escapees here." Syaoran looked around the gym

Of course! Sakura thought, slapping herself on the head. "You’re right! Sounds like the job of the rope. Only..."

"Only why didn’t we see it?" Syaoran asked, reading her thoughts.

"Yes. Why didn’t we?"

"I think your cards are teaming with each other. I don’t know why, clow cards are independent beings, but in this case, I’d say the Invisible was hepling out. Why, I really don’t know." Syaoran said, thinking about the theory.

Sakura nodded and thought silently too, racking her brain to figure out who was behind all of this, and why were they doing it?

"Looks like you guys are trying to solve a murder mystery!" Tomoyo said, breaking their thought.

"We think the clow cards are behind Syaoran’s fall and my trip." Sakura said freely. Syaoran scowled at her for releasing the private information.

"Oh my! Like, they could cause trouble for more people in the school? More injuries?" Tomoyo motioned at Syaoran’s wrist.

"I’m not injured." He said stubbornly.

"Why did you do your pull ups with one arm?" Sakura questioned. Syaoran’s eyebrow went up. Did she see that? Syaoran felt a bit realived, now Sakura wouldn’think he was a wuss. After a few moments without an answer, Tomoyo talked again.

"Well, why couldn’t you sense it?" She asked, reasonably.

Syaoran frowned. Why didn’t I sense it? Then again, why didn’t I sense danger last night? It seems my magic it getting very out of shape. That is very odd. Sakura looked up. "I did sense something. It wasn’t very strong, but now that you mention it, I remember thinking ‘something’s not right’ as I walked up to the pull up bar. It was a very weak presence of magic I felt, but I couldn’t tell if it was coming or going. It was...very well hidden."

They looked at Syaoran. He wondered what he should say. If I say I didn’t see anything then they’d wonder why all of the sudden my magic wen bad, which I don’t know. If I say I sensed it, I’d be lying and they’d ask why I didn’t say anything. "It was weak." Syaoran said, logically agreeing with Sakura. He frowned. "We underestimate this power. Sure it only tripped us (and sprain my elbow) but who knows what it will do next. We need to recapture your cards." Syaoran’s eyes began to weigh. Not this again! I was up late last night though. But still, I never used to get this tired. Syaoran did his best to listen to Sakura and Tomoyo reasoning, but he still felt more threatening waves of sleep. He was about to fall to his knees when he remembered he had put a small vase of magic in his sock the previous night, in preparation for another sleep attack. He forced himself into a lazy jog, heading for the bathroom, where he could drink the potent without question.

Sakura looked at Tomoyo in wonder. Tomoyo smiled. "I guess he really had to go." Sakura laughed and continued the clow card discussion. A few minutes later, Syaoran came out, a bit more jumpy, or something different, Sakura couldn’t put her finger on it.

Oh my gosh! Sakura thought as she put her thoughts together. He felt tired after using magic on us! He was controling the rope! So now he just went and gave himself a dose of magic so he can control the cards again! Sakura bit her lip as he approached, worried sick from her thoughts.

"Sorry, I-uh, left something in the bathroom." Syaoran said. He looked at Sakura, who seemed a bit scared of him? What did I do? His eyes met her for a moment, but she immediately darted hers away, looking at the other kids in the room. That is strange. Why is she avoiding me like this?

Mr Levin called everyone in to the middle, congratualated Mark on his record (Syaoran was clenching his fists and fuming) and then dismissed them to change and leave. Syaoran complimented himself for thinking of the magic, which seemed to wake him right up, and walked quietly to the lockers.

____________________________________________________________________

Sakura passed her release form up in science, then settled back in her seat. She felt especially uneasy with Syaoran sitting diagnal from her today, and she could feel his eyes burning through the back of her chair. She shifted positions. His magic seemed to go dead every time something with the clowcards happened, in perfect timing. And today he had even planned ahead by bringing some extra magic to drink the the gym bathroom. Sakura turned her head to catch a quick glimpse of Syaoran. He stared back with questioning eyes, making Sakura even more uneasy. Just what kind of a friend was Ly Syaoran?...