Summary: She was the new girl. He was the outcast, the ‘Goth’ who was never given the time of day. She pry’s to places she was never meant to step foot on; he was one of them. Will it cause him sweet pain or bitter love? SxS

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Slogan

I watch you, oblivious to my feelings or is it me to yours?

You became my only friend and yet I still want more.

Something that I cannot have because you are different from me.

You have more friends, a better status and to make you like me would be cruel.

That is why I must let go of this sweet pain and bitter love.

This tainted love.

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Warning: Some scenes may not be fully understood for younger audiences, that is why this story is rated ‘M’. There maybe suggestions of lemon and perhaps small scenes unless something extreme happens. Warning comes to some extreme swearing in some places but no mention of the c-word, very sarcastic, dry humour, some very tragic scenes and angst and a very slight maybe of lemon.

Beta: Woven Bamboo Pattern (love you to bits :D )

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Tainted Love

Friends.

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Syaoran had never been this interested in a girl before.

Actually he had never been interested in another student at this school before.

It was indeed a peculiar feeling. One he may have felt to his friends in Hong Kong. But that surely was insane? Seriously, he, Li Syaoran, wanted to become friends with another student.

All because she didn't laugh and call him names.

No. He would never stoop so low as to hang with a commoner, one who could not understand him.

Hell, he couldn't understand himself, so why would an outsider be able to?

Shaking his head, he broke off into a brisk walk down the corridor down to the cafeteria.

Anyone who had been to that school for at least a month would know that Li Syaoran did not go to such places. Which remained the big question, why was he going there?

'That damned oddball. She shouldn't sing in school toilets.'

And he was calling her odd.

He was the one who was outside the girl’s toilet.

Though may he add, he did see her crying.

Which seemed strange to him since she didn't come across as the type of girl to just burst out crying and yet... she did.

Perhaps...

What Eriol says is true.

Maybe there are more to these scum bags than meets the eyes.

'Not that she is a scum bag' thought Syaoran as he approached the cafeteria doors.

'Just really... odd' and then he was in. The social ladder had begun and to say he was at the bottom was an understatement.

Everybody stared at him as he walked past the tables, his eyes fixed on auburn hair.

Sweat built up on his face. He even feared his pale white make up coming off.

The more he tried to approach her, the farther away she seemed to become.

And then he was there... standing in front of her. His left hand gripped securely round her wrist pulling so it was just above her neck line.

He felt the glare he was receiving from Daidouji; but at that moment in time, he really couldn't have given two damns.

What he really had on his mind was the fact that everyone was watching his every move, his every word.

And it was pissing him off.

Her green eyes widened with recognition and fear as she stared back at him curious and frightened at the same time.

“L-Li-kun?”

“Wasn't I supposed to show you around, idiot?” Sakura glared in response.

“Sakura-chan would feel much more comfortable with me, Li-kun. She is, after all, my best friend,” Tomoyo interjected quickly.

“But as you know Daidouji, if I do not show Kinomoto around, I'll get detention and I don't want that.”

Sakura took a large in take of breath and gulped deeply. She studied Syaoran for a second before letting her muscles relax.

Syaoran feeling Sakura muscles un-tense let go of her wrist.

Turning on his heel, he walked a few steps away from her before halting. His head titling downwards to the one angle of his neck, he looked out of the corner of his eye.

“Coming.”

Sakura read this more as a command rather than a question but still gathered her stuff from the dinner table and followed Syaoran out of the cafeteria.

Tomoyo could only watch helplessly as she watch her best friend walk aimlessly into a life of which she previously knew so well.

'Be careful Sakura-chan.'

Which left only one thing for the lavender head to do. Pray for her cousin's safety.

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“You cause quite big scenes, don't you?” Her taunts were more playful than nasty and Syaoran could tell that she was trying to communicate with him.

Only he didn't respond. Because he knew as soon as he opened his mouth there would be more teasing... coming from him to her.

And he wasn't too sure she could handle it.

“Well at least you could talk to me. You pulled me away from my best friend; I am not hanging round with a walking corpse if that is how you are going to act.”

“You know, I'm pretty sure you could hold a conversation with yourself you talk that much, oddball,” the words flew out his mouth before he could stop them.

What he didn't see was that a secret smile played on her lips that he finally talked to her.

“Now that you're talking to me, can you walk a little slower please?”

“You should walk a little faster,” and then he was feeling a jabbing pain in his back - from where Sakura had just hit him.

“I hope you’re not trying to knock me out again, odd ball.” There it was again. The ability to talk to her as if he had known her for years.

This was not good.

“Perhaps I should, your manners don't seem to float my boat.”

His eye brows rose at the opportunity of some clear teasing.

“Ohhh, and what does float your boat? I suppose... Tamakaki is quite the charmer, no?”

“Ewww, I couldn't go out with him even for money.”

“Well that's me out the window then, my heart has snapped in two,” stopping in his tracks, he veined pain and a dramatic sigh.

Rushing to his side Sakura tried to explain.

“Hoe! I don't mean like you- I meant- wel kind of- erm...”

“OW-Hey... what was that for?” Sakura rubbed her temples, glaring at the now smirking Goth.

“Nothing... just thought it was fun.”

“Oh how nice. Jeez, however boring am I,” Sakura rolled her eyes before walking off; Syaoran hot on her tail.

“Oi! The only reason I'm with you is so I don't get detention. GET BACK HERE, BAKA!”

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A can hit the bin as blue eyes darkened with hatred. Fists pulled tight, Tamakaki gritted his teeth.

“Damn that Li, always stealing things that aren't his,” almost immediately, the smirk back on his tanned face. Running his hand through his gold locks, he turned around and walked in the opposite direction down the corridor.

“No worries. I'll have what belongs to me yet.”

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A/n: And I'm done! Sorry for the long awaited chapter. Just been really struggling but I think I have found my inspiration for this story again.

So do we like?

Please review. I know this story is a bit of a jumbles but I'll improve if loads review ;) I'm not saying review or I'll delete, I'll just feel some purpose to write this story.

Constructive criticism is allowed, mis-spellings in Japanese... ect. Or even wrong spellings of names. Except for Tamakaki. :D