AN: I DECIDED TO CONTINUE THIS FICCY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love Christmas….it gives me a chance to play catch-up!
*~*~*~*~*
Syaoran and Eriol were standing by the steps waiting for the two young women to meet them. Eriol had a small martini glass in his hand, Syaoran held one filled with cabernet sauvignon.
Syaoran looked at his watch and growled softly, "What on earth takes women more than two hours to prepare for a function?"
"They have appearances to keep up, unlike you, brother dear," Eriol smirked as he looked at his annoyed sibling.
Syaoran glared at him and put his hand in the pocket of his khaki dress pants. He'd gone semi-formal when he started dressing, choosing to wear a forest green button-up shirt and a black undershirt beneath it. Eriol stood beside him resplendent in an outfit similar to his. He wore black slacks and a deep azure button-up shirt with a white undershirt beneath. Eriol tapped his foot impatiently. Syaoran, noticing his movement, smirked at his show of restlessness.
"Dying already, are we, Hong Long?"
"Can it, oh sweet brother of mine," Eriol glared daggers at his sibling.
"And if I don't?"
"You'll be forced to explain to the world your fetish for lipstick."
"You wouldn't! That was all your idea! It's not my fault you got me drunk!" Syaoran snapped at his brother.
"I know it was all me. But the grand general public doesn't know that."
"Yarou-"
"Such language! Gentlemen, I expected better from the two of you." Tomoyo had appeared wearing a deep violet silk gown. Half of her hair was placed in a simple bun and the other half lay sown her back in rolling waves. She wore very little make-up, aside from the pale pink lip gloss that glistened on her lips. The gown was laced in the back and the front was made to resemble a medieval gown, with a gently sloping "V" lined in a darker violet silk. The sleeves were made of a sheer indigo material that was attached only at the seams. The sleeves opened up at her shoulder and exposed her pale skin.
"You look beautiful as usual, Tomoyo," Eriol bowed and offered Tomoyo his arm.
Sakura walked down moments later and Syaoran dropped his glass of wine. She was beautiful. A soft pink material clung to her body, thin straps holding the gown in place. Sheer pink sleeves were attached just under her shoulder, exposing only a little of her skin. The back of the dress was much like Tomoyo's, only the lacings were done in a different manner. In the stead of the traditional criss-cross, the pale pink ties were laced in an intricate knot, twisting around each other. If one looked closely, they could see the cherry blossom outline the laces formed.
"Are you ok, Syaoran?" Sakura looked at him concerned.
Syaoran nodded and offered her his arm. She accepted gracefully and smiled as he led her into the banquet hall.
*~He's speechless because of the dress, you know. You do look stunning in pink, dear one.~*
*~Why thank you. How's the *gentleman* act coming along? And don't forget, Eriol, *no* pick up lines.~* Sakura's smile grew wider at the obvious grimace that passed over Eriols' face.
*~Got it. Stop badgering me about her. She'll be fine.~* Eriol looked at his brother's friend.
Sakura inclined her head slightly and Eriol sighed. She was overprotective and had no need to be. Tomoyo could take care of herself.
Eriol shook his head and led Tomoyo into the banquet hall, following his thunderstruck brother. They made their way to a table in center of the room where they found that while they were tablemates, they also had other *unwanted* company.
Ladies and Gentlemen, meet Kisaragi Rina, and of course, her partner in crime, Kando Aoshi. Both were entered in the contest and Sakura and Tomoyo were well acquainted with Rina. She had once attended Tomoeda's local high school. Not only that, she was told she was "beautiful" and had a "good voice". Well because of both, the girl's ego swelled to the size of which could only belong to a man that has never been told that he has no skill in bed. She had practically bedded every football and hockey player at school, including Sakura's old boyfriend, Kando Aoshi. He'd fallen for the girl's "charm", rather, that was what he called it.
Tomoyo growled and launched herself at Rina. "What the hell do you think you're doing here?!"
"Tomoyo! Yamete! Eriol! Hayaku; stop her! Syaoran, help me!" Sakura locked her hands on Tomoyo's left arm as Eriol and Syaoran rushed to help.
"Tomoyo, yamenasai," Eriol's voice became cold and commanding.
Startled, Tomoyo let go of Rina and Eriol quickly locked her in his arms. Sakura sighed softly. *~Arigato.~*
*~Don't worry about it…I do need an explanation though.~*
"Tomoyo-chan. Daijobu?" Sakura looked at her friend.
"Oh, I'm bloody fine! Just wait until I get my hands on you, you backstabbing bitch! I will make you regret the day your mother pushed you out of her ass!" Tomoyo spit out at Rina.
The girl was looking down at Tomoyo, "Daidouji. How *nice* to see you again. You as well, Kinomoto."
Sakura gave Rina a curt nod. She paid no heed to Aoshi. The boy was as good as dead to her for choosing a slut over her. It didn't matter, he was an old relationship. A memory that she would have preferred never to surface to her conscious mind ever again, but he was here, nonetheless. Syaoran placed an arm around her waist in comfort. She smiled at him and moved to sit down.
Two more people joined their table. Another young woman by the name of Kim Jae Eun and a young man by the name of Travis Arden who had flown in from Evanston, IL. Both were much better company than Rina and Aoshi. So when the time came to sit, Travis sat on one side of Eriol and Aoshi sat on the other side of Travis. The same went for Jae Eun and Rina.
As the banquet commenced, Rina and Aoshi talked to each other as Sakura and Tomoyo got to know Jae Eun and Eriol and Syaoran got to know Travis.
The lights dimmed suddenly and Sakura and Syaroan looked at each other, one in fright of the dark and the other in comfort. (do I really need to tell you who is who? Hope not! ;p)
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to officially welcome you to Tokyo. Now, I will only say a few words before I draw the lucky ten who will be singing tonight." Several calls of "not now" or "I'm not ready yet" or "YEAH" greeted his remark. As he continues his short speech, Syaoran looked at Sakura and smiled.
"Nervous, Ying Fa?"
"No?" she squeaked.
"You know, you're going to have to get over that stage fright soon. You have to sing on *public television*," Syaoran grinned as he stressed his last two words.
"I know." Sakura smiled at him and pinched his cheeks, "Were you worried about me, Little Wolf?"
Syaoran blushed and thanked God that the lights were dim. "Of course…not."
"And the ninth singer is Kinomoto Sakura!"
"HOEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
The crowd laughed lightly as the cute expression made itself heard over the announcement. Sakura turned a deep cherry red at her accidental outburst.
"And the tenth, is Li Xiao Lang!"
Sakura grinned at him, "At least I'm not the only one!"
Their attention shifted back to the man as he got ready to hand the mike to the first singer. "And our first entertainer tonight! Kisaragi Rina!"
She stood up and flounced her way to the stage and waiting microphone. She pointed at a song on the list that the do provided for her and stood on stage ready to sing.
She opened her mouth and Sakura began to gag lightly into the cream-colored napkin that rested in her grip.
"I used to think
I had the answers to everything
But now I know
Life doesn't always
Go my way, yeah...
Feels like I'm caught in the middle
That's when I realize...
(Chorus)
I'm not a girl
Not yet a woman
All I need is time
A moment that is mine
While I'm in between
Sakura bit back laughter at her choice in song. Tomoyo looked at her and shared the amusement. Eriol looked disgusted and Syaoran paid her no attention. In fact, the only one paying ttention to her was Aoshi. He was *transfixed*, to her of all things. Sakura started to giggle and Tomoyo laughed quietly into her hand. It wasn't that she had a bad voice, oh no, quite far from it; her only talent was to mimic pop stars. She would never amount to much in the entertainment world.
(Verse 2)
I'm not a girl
There is no need to protect me
Its time that I
Learn to face up to this on my own
I've seen so much more than u know now
So tell me to shut my eyes
I'm not a girl
Not yet a woman
All I need is time
A moment that is mine
While I'm in between
I'm not a girl
But if u look at me closely
You will see it my eyes
This girl will always find
Her way
I'm not a girl
(I'm not a girl don't tell me what to believe)
Not Yet a woman
(I'm just tryin to find the woman in me, yeah)
All I need is time (All I need)
A moment that is mine (That is mine)
While I'm in between
I'm not a girl
Not yet a woman
All I need is time (is All I need)
A moment that is mine
While I'm in between
I'm not a girl
Not yet a woman"
Sakura finally released all of her laughter as Rina tripped on her *flounce-age* back to her seat. Aoshi rushed to help her up and Eriol tripped him. Travis snorted into his napkin and Jae Eun hummed and stared innocently at the ceiling.
"Travis Arden, get up here boy! You're next!"
Travis got up nervously and made his way to the stage. He also pointed to a song on the list and sat waiting. Chords were struck and he took a breath and began.
"I could stay awake just to hear you breathing
Watch you smile while you are sleeping
While you're far away and dreaming
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender
I could stay lost in this moment forever
Every moment spent with you
Is a moment I treasure
Don't wanna close my eyes
Don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
Laying close to you
Feeling your heart beating
And I'm wondering what you're dreaming
Wondering if it's me you're seeing
Then I kiss your eyes and thank God we're together
I just wanna stay with you
In this moment forever, forever and ever
Sakura smiled, it looked like their new friend had quite a bit of talent hidden in his sleeve and quiet demeanor. She only hoped that Rina didn't get her hands on him.
Don't wanna close my eyes
Don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
I don't wanna miss one smile
I don't wanna miss one kiss
I just wanna be with you
Right here with you, just like this
I just wanna hold you close
Feel your heart so close to mine
And just stay here in this moment
For all the rest of time
Don't wanna close my eyes
Don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
'Cause I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
Don't wanna close my eyes
Don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing
Don't wanna close my eyes
Don't wanna fall asleep, yeah
I don't wanna miss a thing"
Their table joined in the wild applause as he bashfully sauntered back to their table. Jae Eun smiled at him and threw her table napkin at him. "I thought you said you couldn't sing!"
The table laughed at her comment and stared pointedly at the blushing American.
"Well, I don't think I can, does that count?"
The table laughed again as the rest of the chosen began to sing songs. Finally Sakura's turn came up. She gulped and looked at Tomoyo for support.
"Ganbatte!" Tomoyo winked at her friend. She'd do fine. She always did.
*~You'll do fine, Ying Fa. Now get your butt up there and sing! My oh-so-loveable brother wants to hear it!~*
Sakura blushed a deep red and walked quickly to the stage. She told them her song and waited for them to get ready. (AN: in case some of you haven't heard this song, it's Gackt's Sekai Story… ::Sigh:: love Gackt…so beautiful…download the song if you have the chance!)
"Kasuka na hikari ni yobi samasarete
hakanai yume no kioku to kiesou na koe
Called back to consciousness by a faint light,
by the memory of a fleeting dream and the fading remnant of your voice,
toozakaru kako no zawameki wa
ima de wa mienai ano keshiki o utsushidashite yuku
the vivid stirring of that far-distant past
keeps reflecting a scene that now I can no longer see:
soba de warau... kimi ga iru
still at my side, smiling... you are here.
sou... maru de kinou no koto no you ni oboeteiru yo
dare yori mo fukaku boku ni fureta sono manazashi o
Ah... clear as though it were but yesterday, I still remember it!
That one glance which touched me more deeply than anyone else ever had...
wakachiau koto no yorokobi mo
kiseki no you na ano deai mo...
futari no omokage sae mo okizari ni shite kieteyuku
The joy of what we shared
and that near-miraculous encounter
and even the last traces of what we were together -- all of it, deserted, vanishing away...
usureteyuku kioku no naka de
mou ichido dake dakishimetakute
setsunai kurai sakebitsuzukeru kimi no na o
koe ga nakunaru made
From within those vanishing memories,
I yearn to hold you just one more time.
To the verge of pain, I keep crying out your name
until my voice is worn to silence.
She began to whisper into the mike,
"Hito wa ittai doko kara kite, doko e iku n' darou?
Taisetsu na yasashii hito wa
kimi dake ga inai..."
"Where is it that people come from, and where do they go?
My precious, gentle one--
you alone are no longer here..."
utsumuite furueru kimi o
kono ude de dakishimetakute
kono sekai no dare yori mo kimi o
mamoritai to kizuita kara
I want to hold you in my arms
as you stand there trembling, head downcast.
Because I've realized that what I want
is to protect you, more than anyone else in all this world.
mou sukoshi de boku wa kieru kedo...
soredemo kimi dake wa hanashitaku wa nai
setsunai kurai kimi ni tsutsumareta ano hibi o
boku wa wasurenai
Soon now, very soon, I too will disappear, yet...
even so... you are the one last thing I cannot bear to let go.
Those days when you held me to the verge of pain--
I will never forget…"
Syaoran looked up at her and saw a small ring of light encircling her. "Amazing…"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
AN: happy? I decided to make a super long chappie to make up for the good as year that I never updated! Be happy folks! Ja ne!