Title: Listening Within

Author: Peonyqt1004

Chapter Title: Practicing

A/N: Sorry for the prolonged updates... *Sighs* I had... troubles. =) I hope everyone is doing alright! Please remeber to review!

-------------------------

[Breakfast...]

"Where is Martha?" Sakura asked, looking around for the petite older woman.

"She went to work... she got a new job!" Tom said as he bounded out of his room in his jeans and large red shirt. "Sakura, how are you going to get to school when

mama isn't here to take you?"

"Umm... I guess I'll have to take the bus..." Sakura said fretfully, knitting her eyebrows together in worry. Jin peeked at her from behind his door.

"I think Daddy is going to take you..." Jin said quietly. His baby blue eyes looked timid but he came near Sakura nonetheless. "Is your leg better?" The young girl

smiled, brushing back her short baby fine hair behind her ear. "I'm fine..." Jin smiled tentatively, backing away as Sakura bent down to hug him.

"Your eyes still scare me. You look like a cat." Jin whimpered, moving away. Tom pouted. "I think Sakura is very pretty! She's prettier then an ugly pussy cat!"

Sakura laughed softly, eyeing Jin as he edged away. "Are you scared of cats?" Jin shook his head but his eyes told her otherwise.

"I'm not scared of cats! They are..." Then he ran off. Tom sighed. "Sakura, he is scared of cats. He lies. He got attacked by one when he was very young." Sakura

nodded, looking sad.

"Sakura, are you going to school or not?" A deep voice asked. Sakura felt her spine tremble with chills as she turned. Mr. Simmons stood there with an impatient

look. "You better hurry Sakura, I have to get to work after dropping you off!" Sakura nodded mutely. Tom tugged at her sleeve. "Don't get him mad Sakura." He whispered

softly, looking as frightened as Sakura. "Daddy is scary when he's mad."

Sakura got into the car and bit her lips as Mr. Simmons slipped into the drivers seat next to her. Without saying a word, he turned on the engine and started the

car. They were not far down the street when he started to talk to her.

"How old are you again Sakura?"

"Um... I'm 16..."

"You sure don't look 16." He replied as they stopped at a stoplight. Sakura firmly wished that she were anywhere but here. It was so uncomfortable.

"Sakura? You look worried." He said softly, and he put his hand on her thigh. Sakura froze, her eyes large and scared as she eyed Mr. Simmons. He wasn't looking at

her face however, he was looking around her chest.

"Um... Mr. Simmons..." Sakura said quietly, scared and trembling. She had on a skirt and was wishing frantically that he would get his hands off her thigh. To her

relief, someone honked behind them and Mr. Simmons had to drive up in front of the school.

"By the way Sakura..." He said nonchalantly as she got out from the front door. "Why do you lock the door at night? It's not safe. We need to be able to help you right

away if something happens." Sakura nodded quickly and made her way out of the car and took her Viola. Her ankle was feeling a bit better so she only needed one crutch

today.

"See you later Sakura!" Mr. Simmons said loudly. Sakura ignored him; frightened at the things he did in the car and more.

"SAKURA!" He bellowed, his voice sounding angry. "Don't you DARE ignore me!"

Sakura hurried into the school building and looked behind her. He was glaring after her with those brown eyes, and he got in his car and roared away. Sakura

sighed in relief.

"Are you ok Sakura?" Tomoyo asked while they walked down to first period.

"I'm fine." Sakura sighed. "But Mr. Simmons... he's acting so strange! He's scaring me!" Tomoyo blinked and smiled, "Maybe he's just getting used to having a foster

daughter in his home." Sakura smiled weakly. "I hope so too..." Tomoyo suddenly hesitated as they neared the classroom.

"Sakura?"

"Yes?"

"Did Eriol... um... ask you out?"

Sakura suddenly smiled. "Yes. And he brought me some ice cream yesterday too! Isn't it great! It's a perfect way to get over Syaoran!" To her surprise, Tomoyo

didn't look too elated.

"Oh." Tomoyo replied, looking stricken as she tugged at her french braided long hair. "You're lucky." Sakura tilted her head, "Is there something wrong?" Tomoyo

shook her head. "No."

[P.E class...]

A handsome tall amber haired boy was stretching out near the bleachers, as he got ready for the usual mile run.

"Syaoran." A high feminine voice whined. "Why won't you go out with me?"

"Because you're annoying, slut." Syaoran replied angrily. "Go away before my cousin sets her eyes on you!" The blonde blinked her eyes rapidly, looking crestfallen

of being rejected. She wouldn¡¯t give up. "Well... I am better then that Kinomoto girl... eh Syaoran?" Syaoran simply glared at her. "Cut it out Marina! Just go away from me!"

Marina pouted. "Oh Syaoran--."

"Hey Mariana!" A strong voice said irritated. Marina turned and turned pallid as she faced a tall and angry Meiling.

"Didn't I tell you to leave my cousin alone?"

Marina's face turned beet red with anger. "Meiling! Don't talk like that! Your cousin likes me!"

Meiling sneered at Marina. "Yea, as if. Get lost!" Marina glared at the girl and tossed her perfect blonde hair and muttered, "Incest..." Before she left. Meiling let out a

colorful cuss word and started for Marina. Marina let out a gasp and hurried away.

"Stupid preps." Meiling said angrily. She turned to Syaoran. "Syaoran... we're getting married next year! Why are you still ignoring me so much?"

Syaoran gave her a look. "Listen- I don't really care what our stupid clan says. We may be engaged, but we will never marry!" Meiling looked hurt. "But--." Syaoran

suddenly became very gentle, but he had a stern look in his eyes.

"I think it's wrong to marry my cousin... and I think of you more like a sister. You know what I believe in! Meiling, things can go no farther then an engagement. It

only helps he by keeping pests away."

Meiling blinked back tears. "Syaoran..."

"ONE MILE RUN STARTS NOW!" The P.E teacher barked. The teacher turned around to Sakura. "Except you. How's your leg doing?"

"My ankle is sprained, just a bit, I think everything is going to be ok." Sakura replied with a bright smile. The teacher sighed. "Well, we need a runner like you in

track team... How about it? It starts a week after you get that cast off." Sakura nodded. "I think I'll do it!" She replied enthusiastically.

"Sakura!"

Sakura turned to see Eriol jog up to her. Surprised, she turned to him. "Eriol?" He looked cool and elegant as always. He had on his nice neat dark colored blazers and

neat black slacks.

'He almost looks as good as Syaoran.' Sakura thought with a small smile.

"Sakura..." Eriol stopped to take a breath. "I thought I'll never catch you!" The P.E teacher smiled apologetically and moved away.

"Sakura, you did tell me you needed help with math right?"

"But why did you come in the middle of your class?" Sakura asked, sounding distressed. Eriol shook his head, smiling broadly. "I found a way to help you! Remember

how... when we were eating ice cream... you said you needed help? Well, I can be your personal tutor!" Sakura let out a small chuckle.

"That's great!"

Eriol looked at his watch. "The teacher approved and told me to tell you... Can you come over my house right after your practice with Syaoran?" Sakura nodded.

"Sure!" He grinned and waved at her. "I'm going now sweetheart. See you later!"

"Bye!" Sakura waved her hand at him and smiled. Things were looking up today.

[After School...]

Syaoran let out a loud sigh as he waited near the end of the hallway.

"Where is that irritating girl?" He asked himself softly as he looked at his watch. 'I guess I'll leave then--.'

"HOOOOEEE! SYAORAN WAIT!"

Sakura limped towards him with Eriol by her side, holding her viola. Syaoran felt his blood pressure rise by looking at his enemy.

"You're late!" He snapped.

"Remember Syaoran? I sprained my ankle?" Sakura said angrily back at him, rolling her eyes. Syaoran felt the instant prick of guilt and coughed to cover it up.

"Fine. Excuses are a load of BS. Come on." He snatched the viola from Eriols hand. "Why does he follow you around like that? Is he your new pet?" Syaoran asked

Snidely.

"He's my boyfriend Syaoran." Sakura said angrily. Syaoran blinked and felt a strange pulse beat in the back of his head. "Oh, right." Syaoran said tightly. Eriol

smiled affably at him. "Hello my cute descendent."

"Shut up." Syaoran growled. Eriol merely smiled his annoying smile and waved to Sakura.

"Sakura! See you later!"

"Bye!" Sakura replied full heartedly. Syaoran marched over to the black limo and yanked open the door for Sakura. Then he slammed the door and got in the limo,

not missing the laughing look on his nemesis¡¯s face.

[At Syaorans home...]

After the long moment of silence in Syaorans luxurious limo, Sakura was relieved when they came to his home. But when she saw the house, her eyes bugged out

and her mouth dropped open. It wasn't a house... it was a mansion!

Syaoran let out a tired sigh as he got out of his seat.

"Open the door for Sakura." He instructed his driver.

"Syaoran! Your home is so big!" Sakura said timidly, not being able to hide the shock and admiration to such a beautiful and vast estate.

"Close you mouth, you look like a fish with your mouth gaping open like that." Syaoran snapped. Sakura closed her mouth and glared at him.

"Hurry up Wei!" He snapped at his driver. "Help Kinomoto with her bags and Viola and bring them to the music room!"

[Practicing]

"Did you practice at all?" Syaoran asked despairingly.

"I did!" Sakura shot back angrily. "But with you glaring at me like that, I can't play!"

"What do you want me to do?" He asked, sounding exasperated as he rolled his eyes. "Close my eyes and listen to your horrid playing?!"

Sakura shot out of her seat and whirled around to face him, she grimaced as her ankle throbbed at such movement. "What is wrong with you?" She demanded. "If

you didn't criticize everything I do then maybe I can play this piece once!" Syaoran glared at her. "Fine! I won't say a word and I won't look at what you are doing..."

"Can you sit over there?" Sakura asked, pointing to the seat across the room. Syaoran glared at her. "Fine!" He huffed and sat down heavily on his antique sofa.

Sakura counted to ten and started to play. Syaoran shut his mouth when he heard the mistakes.

'Stupid girl.' He thought to himself. He observed her from far away and admired the way the sunlight casted a glow about her hair. She was dressed in a pleated

black skirt and a cute white top with a bow on the top. He thought it was a bit girlish, but it looked nice on her.

"Done!" Sakura squealed as she finished the piece. "Now you can play while I criticize!" Syaoran gave her a look and sighed as he took out his violin and seated

himself on a stool.

Green eyes observed his rigid but handsome stance and his brown hair, which fell in messy, mop about his head.

'Why does he look so... beautiful when he plays music?' She thought dreamily. 'He looks different... more... gentle... but something is lacking...'

He stopped playing as he ended his part and smirked, looking up at Sakura. "I didn't have nearly as many mistakes as you Kinomoto." Sakura bristled. " Syaoran--"

Syaoran waved his hand. "Quit those slip ups Kinomoto. I pardon the times when I let your name...ah... slip my tongue. But let us stick to Li and Kinomoto. It is more

professional."

Sakura looked hurt but proceeded on, sounding a bit icy.

"Ok, then... LI... Your music was played perfectly... all except for one thing."

Syaoran's eyebrows rose up.

"You lack soul in your music."

There was a long silence and Syaoran exploded on her.

"Lack soul? I lack soul? Listen Kinomoto, I don't appreciate you saying I don't put something into my music when--."

"Li!" Sakura yelped out. "I wasn't meaning it in a bad way--." Syaoran quieted down, glaring at her. "Come on, let us play together once and you can leave." Sakura

glared at him. "It hasn't even been 30 minutes yet!" Syaoran ignored her. "30 minutes can be plenty. You have to practice on your own before you combine the music."

Sakura sighed. "Might as well then..." She muttered as she brought up her viola.

They played together, but something was lacking. It was as if they were only playing the notes they saw. Sakura felt utter despair.

"Syaoran... there is more to this then notes..."

"I have soul. If that¡¯s what you¡¯re hinting at." Syaoran seethed. Sakura sighed. "No, there are more then the notes which are on the paper." Sakura tapped the music

sheets with a slender finger. "There is also the notes in between, the one you play with your heart!"

"Bullshit!" Syaoran snapped back scathingly.

"Why are you so mean to me?" Sakura demanded.

"Why not?" Syaoran replied quickly. "I don't have any reason to be nice to you."

"You don't have any reason to be mean to me." Sakura countered. Syaoran glared at her glumly. "You can go home now." He hissed.

"Fine!" Sakura replied, grabbing her crutch and snapping shut her viola and viola case. "But can I use your phone? I need a ride."

"Who are you going to call, you mother?" Syaoran asked sneeringly as he took out his cell phone and handed it to her. He was surprised when he saw tears in her

eyes.

"Don't talk about my family that way... with a sneer and a...a horrible soul!" Sakura said softly as she blinked back tears. "Actually, I'm calling Eriol to pick me up.

He has a car, I don't." Syaoran frowned at this.

'My arch enemy?'

"You know... My butler can drive you--."

"To 6789 Pluming Court Dr?" Sakura asked, putting down the phone. He looked at her sharply. "Isn't that Eriols house?" Sakura nodded. "How did you--." "We're

related... kind of." Syaoran replied. 'And I hate him.' He wanted to add.

"Oh? Wow... Both of you are so different!" Sakura said in wonder. "How so?" Syaoran asked her sharply. Sakura tilted her head whimsically. "Well... he's nice...

polite, affable, considerate, gentlemanly, and so elegant... and you are..."

"Cruel, mean, hot-headed, anti-social, and inconsiderate?" Syaoran finished for her, ending the sentence in a questioning tone. Sakura turned red but nodded. Syaoran seethed

with rage.

"You can go now." He said sharply as he got up.

She just stood there looking utterly lost.

"Why aren't you leaving?" He demanded, turning on her like a rabid dog.

"I don't know the way to the entrance." Sakura replied with a tiny voice. "Your house is so big..." Syaoran stared at her and sighed.

"Alright, follow me."



[At the entrance...]

"Well, when are we going to meet next time?" Sakura asked him with a bright smile. Syaoran did a double take as her smile lit up her face.

"Um..." He replied, turning slightly red. "Uh- How about next week?" He mumbled. Sakura nodded. "Ok... I'll see you then!" She turned to leave when a gust of cold

autumn air swept through the estate. Sakura let out a small shriek as her skirt whirled upward in the gust. Syaoran closed his eyes tightly, trying to shut out the picture.

Sakura was utterly red as she patted down the skirt.

'I'm never wearing skirts again...' She thought angrily.

Sakura hurried into the black limo and shut the door and was grateful when they left the large estate.

Syaoran opened his eyes just as he saw the black limo leave the gates. His face was bright red and he noticed something dribbling down his face. He dabbed at it and saw that he had a nosebleed.

'Just forget what you saw Syaoran...' He reassured himself as he regained his composure and walked into the house. But he couldn¡¯t erase the image of Sakura's rear

end, clad with only a white piece of cloth called an underwear.

'I need a cold shower.' He thought to himself miserably as he quickened his pace.

[Sakura...]

Sakura was still blushing when she arrived at Eriols place. Eriol had a nice house too, and welcomed her graciously. He noticed her red face when she arrived and

questioned it.

"N-nothing! It's the wind... it's getting colder isn't it!" Sakura said loudly, laughing awkwardly. Eriol looked at her strangely. Sakura was glad when she arrived at

the Simmons home.

She went inside and was surprised to find that Martha Simmons was not home.

"Where¡¯s your mom?" Sakura asked Tom. Tom was finishing his homework. "She's still working..." Tom looked sad. Sakura smiled. "I'll cook." With that, Sakura

limped to the kitchen and proceeded in conjuring up a few delicious dishes.

The kids were delighted.

"Where is your father?" Sakura asked as she spooned the mashed potatoes and vegetables into their dishes. To her surprise, Jin answered. "Working."

"SO you're home alone?" Sakura asked in surprise. The two kids nodded. Sakura bit her lips. How could she have been so selfish? She was out all day long, leaving

these children by themselves.

'Next time, Syaoran and Eriol can come to my house.' She thought firmly. After dinner, Sakura called Tomoyo, who was busy working on her video camera

assignment.

"So you'll be going to homecoming with Eriol... right?" Tomoyo asked nonchalantly.

"I guess." Sakura replied.

"Oh... how did it work out at Syaoran's place?"

"He was being a brat, yelling at me..." Sakura sighed. "But his house was large... i got lost."

Tomoyo giggled. "Yea, Syaoran is filthy rich. His mother and father are part of the Li clan..."

Sakura blinked. "What's that?"

[Syaoran...]

He felt absolutely rotten. All he could think about was the remark Sakura made about showing your soul when playing music, and her rear end.

'I'm in control of myself.' He reassured himself repeatedly.

Wei walked in with his drink and his dinner.

"Is mom home yet?" Syaoran asked his butler.

"No, she's still in Hong Kong." Wei replied.

"Hmm... What did that girl say when you were in the car."



"Nothing much sir."

Syaoran looked at Wei sharply. "Tell me everything!" He barked.

Wei blinked. "Are you interested in it at all?"

"YES!" Syaoran said loudly. Wei smiled.

"She lives in a foster home." Syaoran blinked. "She doesn't have parents?" Wei nodded. "Both died in an accident, she wouldn¡¯t tell me anymore than that. She is

quite a nice girl Master Li. Do you fancy her?"

"Fancy her?" Syaoran asked, looking insulted. "That girl? She's a pathetic little girl! Why would I fancy her? Wei. Go downstairs and get me some tea." Wei nodded

and bowed. Syaoran stared after his butler.

'Me? Fancy stupid Kinomoto? That's ludicrous!'

But then Syaoran thought about her beautiful music, her green eyes and her nice... tush.

'I don't fancy Kinomoto. I think I am just being competitive with her. She's good at everything, like me. She's another nemesis to add to my list. She's number two

on my arch enemy list, beaten only by Eriol.'

He smiled to himself, pleased at his conclusion. He suddenly removed something from within the black jacket that he was wearing over his white sleevless wife beaters. It was a girlish looking hanky. It was stained with dried blood. He sighed. 'I have to give this back to Kinomoto...' Then he frowned, 'But she won't miss it. I can keep it. It's not as if she asked for it or anything...' He had no idea why he wanted to keep it, but he went on a whim and listened to his inner voice. 'I'm keeping it. It's not because I like her or anything... and I'm not gay. I'm keeping this because...' He bit his lips and tucked the hanky away deep into his jacket.

'I'm keeping it just because I want to.' He thought firmly. 'I have to do something about Sakura and Eriol, it's really bothering me.' He suddenly had a horrible headache. 'Why in the world did Sakura have to like Eriol? Didn't she... like me?' He thought about the rumors and sighed. 'But they were just rumors... right? It's not as if I care.' Laughing out loud to ease the strangely building tension in his chest, he grabbed his violin and decided to practice.

'I'll show Sakura I have plenty of soul. I just need more practice. She doesn't know anything!'

[In the Simmons home...]

A tall dark man opened the door to Sakura's roomed, pleased to learn that the door was not locked. He stood over Sakura for a long time, just staring at her. When

she shifted; he doubled back and walked out the door.

Only a few minutes after the stranger came into her room, Sakura jerked upright, sweat streaking her face and a look of pure horror on her face.

"Mom!" She gasped out, but when she looked around, she saw no one. Suddenly, Sakura fell back onto the bed, her face lined with grief.

"Oh... why did you leave me? Why did I have to be the only survivor?" Sakura asked no one in particular. Sakura got out of the bed and padded over to her desk and

opened a drawer and stared at the picture within her hand.

A family smiled back at her. A young girl with brown hair and green eyes was hugging a tall man with glasses and sandy brown hair. A laughing young woman

with a beautiful face and long luxurious curly black hair smiled as she too hugged the tall man. Her eyes were green and laughing. A tall black haired young man stood in

the background, looking slightly annoyed but he too was smiling, just a little bit.

'Maybe... just maybe Tory is alive. Maybe he can survive the war... Oh brother... I'll pray for you... But every night... I get nightmares. I see you die in the field...

and I'm alone...'

Sakura wiped away stray tears and turned to go back to bed, but her eyes widened as she saw the wide-open doorway. Someone had obviously been in her room.

Shaken, Sakura closed and locked the door. She calmed herself down, reassuring herself that it was just the boys.

'It might have just been Tom, curious to see if I was awake.'

But the horrible cold feeling didn't go away as Sakura got into bed.



To be Continued...

A/N: Hope you enjoyed it! WIth Mid terms coming up very soon... *Sigh* I prolly will not be able to update as much. Sorry people, and sorry for the slow update on my other stories, including "Mercy for the Damned". All my files are scattered... I will try to have everything updated real soon...

-Peonyqt1004

Special thanks to the following reviewers!

-svetlaella (Haha, sorry about Mercy for the Damned as well- I guess the new chapter for that has to be delayed. Thanks for the reviews as well!!)

-kawaii neko ( Thanks for the reviews!)

-maru (Thank you!)

-kikakai (Thanks for the review and I will try to update sooner!)

-magiabruxa (The thing with Tory will remain a mystery till the need arises... thanks for the review!)

-sakura-star2 (I dunt think I included u in my other special thanks lise- so thanks for the review!)

-Chi Koya (I'm glad you like my story. ^_^)

-sally (Ooiing- I hope this got through to u by email!)

-Cherry Jade (That's so cool- you play the cello? ^.^)

Till nxt time, ttyl!

REVIEW!

-Peonyqt1004