With Everything I Have, With Everything I Am
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Chapter 3: Lonely Plaza
Syaoran groaned and looked at the clock as his memory began to catch up with him. "That's right...I fell asleep..." He shook his head a bit to clear away the grogginess that came with waking up. Then he remembered something. "Where's Eriol...?"
The amber eyed boy did remember sitting next to his cousin when he had fallen asleep. He got up, still feeling the bite of the morning, except it wasn't morning. In fact, it was 6:00 PM. Syaoran walked up to a window in the kitchen, pulled the curtains aside, and peered through the pane of glass. The Audi was gone. Well, it sort of answered his question. Syaoran closed the curtains and allowed himself to fall back onto the couch. He tilted his head slightly so he could see forward. He looked towards the sliding glass doors.
"A jog would be nice. It's not that hot now, and the sun is setting..."
That was enough reason for him. Syaoran got up from his position and climbed the half-spiral staircase to his room where all his luggage was. "Note to self: Remember to unpack later." He said to no one. He knelt down to one of his suitcases and opened it. He grabbed a pair of loose pants and a sleeveless shirt. After changing he dug through his other two suitcases for his Mini Disc Player. And, of course, it was in the last suitcase. It's just the way things always are. It's always in the last place you look. He flipped through a couple of his extra MDs (Mini Discs). "Zhou Jie Lun, Cai Yi Lin, Wen Lan, A Du, Wang Li Hong, Tao Zhe..." After flipping through a box of his MDs, he decided he couldn't find anything he really wanted and went over to Eriol's room, where everything was already coveniently organized. Eriol's MDs were conveniently placed on the desk. Eriol was more of a CD person, so his options were limited as well. "Utada Hikaru, F4, Twins, Harlem Yu, J-Pop Mix, and...Wu Jian Hao." Syaoran thought about it. He could switch to his CD player...but it was heavier. He glanced into his room and then glanced at Eriol's MDs again. Wu Jian Hao it was. Syaoran, courteous as he was, of course, left a note to Eriol that he took his MD. He returned to his room to grab his running shoes and put his headphones on. With his shoes, now on, he paced down the stairs, through the sliding doors, and out of their fenced in yard. He started a slight jog along a path, paying more attention to his surroundings than his music.
He picked up his pace a bit as he hit a paved pathway. He jogged past houses, stores, restaraunts, volleyball courts, and trashcans. Nothing quite caught his attention until he started to approach a pier. There were couples all around, holding hands, kissing, cuddling, talking, watching the sunset...
He slowed down to a walking pace and he watched the couples carry on with themselves, too caught into their significant others to notice anyone else. He watched the sight, and his eyes softened. He turned his sights from the couples to the sunset, it was magnificent. He closed his eyes, turned and continued on with his jog, it was only then, that he finally began listening to the words of his music.
Just another lonely night, I walk
Yin yue chong long long zhe ge ye wan, wu hui de ren men jiu yao san chang
(A night full of music, people at the party will leave to somewhere else)
Chong chong diu xia zai jian de wo tao li xian chang
(I quickly say goodbye and leave the place)
Kuai le de hou jing shi zai tai qiang, wo de xin xiang bei tao kong yi yang
(Happy thoughts are too strong, my heart feels empty)
Yi ge ren zai jie shang de wo te bie gu dan
(Being alone on the street makes me especially lonely)
"Sakura...what I would give if it were just you and me on that beach...just the two of us watching the sunset..." He thought to himself. He began to think of all the things that happened since the last time he had seen that girl with those bright, innocent eyes. "Back home...those parties. Those extravagant parties and all the family, all the respect in the world right in front of me. It meant nothing...I just wanted to go back, back to her. I...felt so empty without her...and now that I'm here, I don't think I could even face her...In a way, I've reverted back to the person I used to be. Before I met Sakura...except not that cold. Ah...everything I did...I just wanted to be back here with her. Those girls mother always tried to set me and Eriol up with. Those were a laugh. Once you've met the girl of you dreams...no one else comes close. Sakura...she's one that would pass by once in a lifetime. I just hope my chance isn't up yet."
Yi jing wang le you zhe zhong wan shang, pei zi ji, shen hu xi, hai you ban ge yue liang
(Already forgotten this kind of night, being with myself, breathing, along with the moon)
Jing guo lu bian de wu ren qiu chang, yi bian zou, yi bian xiang, zhe ji nian de shi guang
(Already passed by the empty basketball courts, as I'm walking I'm thinking. The times that happened between these couple of years)
Chui zhe fen, chui zhe feng, lin zhe yu, lin zhe yu
(Feeling the wind, feeling the rain)
Ke neng ji mo ran shi jian bian de hen kuang
(Maybe loneliness makes the world seem wide)
Zuo zhe meng, zuo zhe meng, ting zhe yu, ting zhe yu
(Dreaming and listening to the rain)
Zuo zai xia ban ye de ji mo guang chang
(Sitting in the lonely plaza)
"No one would ever know...how much I loved that girl. How much I love her. I just hope that I'm not too late. I really want to see her..."
Xiang qi chong qian de yi ge meng xiang, duo jiu mei qu de yi xie di fang
(I remembered my dream from before, how long it's it been since I've went to some places)
San nian qian de na yi ge wo you duo feng kuang
(The person I was 3 years ago was much crazier)
Gu dan shi bu shi yi ge fang xiang? Yi hou you mei you yi xie xi wang?
(Is loneliness a direction? Will I ever have any hope?)
Zhe xie shi qing ye xu wo dei xiang dao tian liang...
(These things make me think throughout the whole night...)
He closed his eyes a bit as he ran, hoping that he wouldn't run into anything or anyone. The memories were flooding in. Times from before, times from after, times from what he hoped. He opened his eyes again, emotionless eyes. He ran and ran, making an attempt to clear his head of negative feelings. "I will see her. I won't rest until I do."
Yi jing wang le you zhe zhong wan shang, pei zi ji, shen hu xi, hai you ban ge yue liang
(Already forgotten this kind of night, being with myself, breathing, along with the moon)
Chui zhe fen, chui zhe feng, lin zhe yu, lin zhe yu
(Feeling the wind, feeling the rain)
Ke neng ji mo ran shi jian bian de hen kuang
(Maybe loneliness makes the world seem wide)
Zuo zhe meng, zuo zhe meng, ting zhe yu, ting zhe yu
(Dreaming and listening to the rain)
Zuo zai xia ban ye de ji mo guang chang
(Sitting in the lonely plaza)
Even though I walk with no one else beside me
Feel your presence, and that's what really helps me
Funny how the way people change
But through it all, you know I still remain the same
Yin yue chong long long zhe ge ye wan, wu hui de ren men jiu yao san chang
(A night full of music, people at the party will leave to somewhere else)
Chong chong diu xia zai jian de wo tao li xian chang
(I quickly say goodbye and leave the place)
Kuai le de hou jing shi zai tai qiang, wo de xin xiang bei tao kong yi yang
(Happy thoughts are too strong, my heart feels empty)
Yi ge ren zai jie shang de wo te bie gu dan
(Being alone on the street makes me especially lonely)
Xiang qi chong qian de yi ge meng xiang, duo jiu mei qu de yi xie di fang
(I remembered my dream from before, how long it's it been since I've went to some places)
San nian qian de na yi ge wo you duo feng kuang
(The person I was 3 years ago was much crazier)
Gu dan shi bu shi yi ge fang xiang? Yi hou you mei you yi xie xi wang?
(Is loneliness a direction? Will I ever have any hope?)
Zhe xie shi qing ye xu wo dei xiang dao tian liang...
(These things make me think throughout the whole night...)
"Xiang dao tian liang..." Syaoran repeated as the song came to an end. He had been jogging for a while now, almost an hour. It was time to head back, it was a long way back...
On his way back, he passed by the pier again. This time, he felt an urge to go and stand upon it. He removed his running shoes and socks, walking barefoot into the cool sand. He trekked slowly through the soft sand, watching his every step, until he reached the wooden platform. He removed his headphones as he approached the edge of the pier, facing the ocean. The stars were out, bright and shining, and nothing could be heard but the sound of the ocean and crashing waves. The breeze was cold, but it was welcomed after the long jog/run. He sat himself down on a bench and faced the ocean, listening carefully to the waves. He felt the urge to lay on the bench, and that's just what he did. He stared up at the stars, pointing out constellations, mentally. He gave a loud sigh. Though he would never admit it, he was lonely. He only wanted one particular person there, though.
"You know, it's not good to fall asleep there." Came a voice.
Syaoran, startled by the intrusion, quickly bolted up and looked at the source of the voice. He was shocked by her beauty. Long, dark brown hair that was pulled back from her face by a clip. Stunning brown eyes, light ivory skin, and a smile that could melt any, or most, guys. Her clothing ensemble consisted of a black tank top with a denim jacket over it, and a pair of jeans.
"Sorry if I interruped your thoughts, it's just that people have a tendency to fall asleep there and get robbed." She added in order to clarify her rude behavior.
"Umm...thanks for the warning." Syaoran, finally snapping out of his shocked state, responded. "This girl..."
"Sure, no problem." The girl said with a bright smile. Syaoran stared at her, he was oddly attracted to her. Her long hair and stunning eyes, her slender figure and gentle but commanding voice; it couldn't be helped, he was, afterall, a guy. "My name's Aya Sakai," she said with her hands held behind her. She held an innocence about her. She came off as a street smart girl with much experience, but now, as Syaoran was looking at her, she reminded him of his much loved cherry blossom. She smiled at him, a bright smile that made him blush a bit. "Umm...I'm Syaoran Li." He said nervously, surprised at his own open-ness. "Why did I just tell her my name...?" He continued to stare at her, she was awfully pretty.
"I've never seen you here before..." Aya said with a smile. "Are you new here?"
"A-actually, yes." Came a slightly shaky response. "I just moved in today." He finally gained his composure. This girl was playing a spell on him, he was so mesmerized by her.
Aya smiled at him some more. "Well, what are you doing out this late at night?" She asked cheerfully, a smile never leaving her face. Syaoran, feeling a bit uncomfortable, shifted gears. He shifted back to being emotionless, stoic.
"It's none of your business." He said coldly. The girl was stunned at his coldness. Just a minute ago he was so cute and nervous. Syaoran turned around to walk home, feeling a bit of regret. She pouted, but Syaoran didn't see. He didn't want to know this girl, didn't want to like her. He was afraid he would fall for her. After all, his heart already belonged to another, right? He started walking away, the regret picking at him. "No, I won't turn around. She shouldn't be so nosy!" Syaoran mentally screamed. "But she was just trying to be nice, make conversation..." He was debating over this in his head over and over again. When he finally reached home, he was still arguing. Before he opened the wooden gate, he turned around and squinted his eyes, looking at the pier. She wasn't there anymore..."Good."
"No...bad!" And, again, the conversation was raging. He walked through the fence and opened the sliding door...his head was starting to hurt from all the mental arguing...
"BI ZUI LE!!!! (SHUT UP ALREADY!!!)" He screamed as he entered the house. Eriol, who was sitting on the couch reading a book turned to his head to face Syaoran and raised an eyebrow. "Did you catch a cold, little cousin? You seem to be telling a silent house to shut up."
Syaoran glared at Eriol like there was no tomorrow. That girl had really bothered him. If being sweet could kill, he would be dead. He was attracted to her, no matter how much he tried to deny it and he wasn't very comfortable with this attraction. He had just met the girl. The more he thought about the girl, the more irritated he became with himself. So, he thought of other things...which brought him to wonder about Eriol's disappearance.
"Hey! Eriol!" Syaoran called to Eriol who was in the kitchen.
"Yes?" Eriol politely replied."Where were you earlier?" Syaoran inquired.
Eriol, who was making a sandwich looked up from his mayonaise covered knife and smiled that infamous smile. That smile that said "Don't you wish you knew?" without actually saying it. Syaoran, even more curious now, would not stop. "Admit it. You were at a girl's house."
Eriol laughed a hearty laugh. "No, dear cousin. Unlike you, who was on the pier flirting with some pretty little brunette." He smiled an eery smile. "Don't think I didn't see." Eriol spoke in a teasing tone.
Syaoran became flustered. "I-I...I was not flirting with her!!!" He screamed. "I was laying on the bench and then she came up to me and starting telling me about how people fell asleep on that bench and she was just trying to warn me about--""Was she pretty?" Eriol asked very quickly.
"--how people got robbed there because they fell asleep looking at the stars and yes. We talked a bit and then--"
"Did you like her?" Eriol, again, inquired quickly.
"--she got too nosy so I blew her off, yes."
Unknown to Syaoran, he had fallen prey to Eriol's little game. "Well, cousin, you have just answered that you thought she was pretty and that you liked her."
"What?!" Syaoran thought for a second. "Oh, DAMN YOU."
Eriol tossed Syaoran half a sandwich. "Eat. I'm too tired to cook tonight."
"You're not going to tell me where you went, are you?" Syaoran asked as he took a bite out of his sandwich.
"No." And that was the end of that conversation.----------
Syaoran retreated to his room after his somewhat short conversation. He was tired and needed a shower. Really needing a shower. So, he did just that. He stepped into the spacious bathroom and started a nice hot shower. When he emerged when he heard a knocking on his door. "What?" Syaoran said, wrapping himself in a towel. He was actually done showering, just didn't want to get out. He stepped out of the bathroom and into his room, hair wet, skin steaming, and hot bod glistening (drool).
He heard the knock again. "I'm coming...I'm coming..." He grabbed a smaller towel and started toweling off his hair. Now....it was wet and messy, added on to the steamy skin and glistening bod.
He walked over to the door, with the smaller towel slung over his left shoulder. He grabbed the door knob and turned, and as he opened the door he asked, "What do you want, Eri--" He stopped. He blinked. He gaped.
She stood there. She stopped. She blinked. She gaped.
Damn. He was hot.
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Eriol sat downstairs sipping a cup of hot tea. He leaned against the backing of the barstool waiting for something.
He closed his eyes and listened very carefully.
Foot steps could be heard.
But only one pair.
She shuffled past Eriol and out the door.
He took another sip of his tea. "Waiting..."
"ERIOL HIIRAGIZAWA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
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-Outside-
Damn. He was hot.
Aya leaned against the door. Her face was tinted a nice shade of red and the cool ocean breeze felt heavenly against her flushed skin. She had always lived on the beach, but never had she seen someone quite like that. The more she thought about it, the more she blushed. Who wouldn't?
She closed her eyes and leaned against the door when she heard a loud yell that startled her. Being naturally curious, she leaned herself a little harder against the door and tried to listen.
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-Inside-
"What do you think you were doing?!" Syaoran demanded. He was now wearing pants instead of a towel, but still a bit wet, with the messy hair, and the shirtless-ness. He continued to rub the towel on his messy hair, trying to dry it. a bit.
"Whatever do you mean?" Eriol asked innocently.
"You know damn well! Why'd you send Aya up to my room while I was showering?!"
"Oh. That." He smiled. "You said you liked her. I thought I was doing you a favor. I mean, who can resist Xiao Lang right after he's gotten out of the shower?" Eriol laughed a little.
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-Outside-
Aya blinked. Again. And again.
"Did he...?"
She began to get deep into thought about what she heard. "He likes me?!" Was the main thought. A repetitive thought.
She stood there contemplating her life with Syaoran. She liked him too. It was obvious. But what was she to do? Waltz in and go "I WANT TO BE WITH YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOU!!!"? Not quite.
She left the place feeling very…different.
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-Inside-
"You suck. Majorly."
"C'mon, Xiao Lang. You know you wanted it. Just for her to take a little itsy bitsty peek so she'll fall head over heels just like any other girl in the world." Eriol was cracking up at this point. Syaoran was so frustrated and embarassed that it was hilarious.
Syaoran scowled. "At least I'm not the one out hunting for girls. They come to me."
Eriol fake scoffed. "HA! At least I don't turn down pretty girls I like!"
"Haha! You, turn down a pretty girl? You can't even get one within ten feet of you!"
"Only because I hang out with you, and you repel them."
"You sure it's not just your BO?"
The argument went on and on and on. Each argument better than the next. From girls to underwear to clothes...they argued about it all. And in the end, it was a truce. After much stress, the two retired to their bedrooms for their first night in their new home.
----------
The next day, Aya came back. She had to talk to Syaoran about what she heard, she just wouldn't be able to sleep until she knew. She stood at the door, waiting, afraid to knock, confront him…
"Just do it!!!" She screamed in her head.
A few moments later, a pair of girls walked by with a bouquet of flowers in a vase and a plate of cookies.
"Do you think they're awake?" The violet-eyed girl asked, looking at her watch.
"It's already 9:45, Tomoyo-chan! Who is still asleep at this hour, on such a beautiful day?" The auburn-haired girl asked.
There was a moment of silence...
"Kero!" The girls laughed giddily, carefree and happy.
They walked passed the driveway, that no longer had cars in it, for they were in the garage, and towards the front door, when they approached Aya.
The auburn-haired girl blinked and then smiled. "AYA! What are you doing here?" Sakura asked. Aya was Sakura's old friend from high school. They were friends, but lost contact after graduation.
"SAKURA?! TOMOYO?!" Aya was shocked.
The three chattered about on the doorstep of Syaoran and Eriol.
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-Inside-
Syaoran was just waking up. He had his pajama pants on and was dragging himself into the bathroom. He washed his face and brushed his teeth and made an attempt at his hair. After that, he returned to the bedroom area and made his bed. When he was finished, he decided to change after breakfast. So down he marched in his pajama pants in all his shirtless glory. He was, after all, home. That and he lived with a guy so it didn't matter what he wore.
He came down and saw Eriol cooking breakfast already. The smell of pancakes filled the bottom floor of the house and his stomach grumbled. "Natural reaction…" He thought.
Eriol turned around when he heard the footsteps coming down the stairs. "Good morning." He greeted cheerfully. Eriol was odd like that. He was almost always cheery.
"Mornin…" Syaoran said as his stomach grumbled some more. Eriol laughed at this. He then moved aside to reveal two plates that were stacked with pancakes with two more plates of scrambled eggs and ham. Syaoran had a wide smile on his face. Happy happy! There's food! He brought the food to the island in the kitchen and set the table (island).
"What do you want to drink?" Syaoran asked as he stuck his head into the refrigerator.
"Tea with milk." Eriol replied as he finished up the cooking.
"'Kay." Syaoran said pouring some orange juice for himself. He then went to one of the cabinets and pulled out Eriol's tea bags and proceeded and making tea for Eriol. After all was done, they sat down and began eating.
Syaoran took cut a piece of his pancake and stuck it into his mouth. "Something's missing…" He thought. He looked at the round pieces of flour on his plate.
"Eriol, what did you do to my pancakes?" He asked and stopped eating.
"Nothing." Eriol said as he sipped his tea. Eriol was already done eating, considering he didn't have nearly as much of an appetite as his stoic cousin.
Syaoran looked at his plate some more. "Then why does it taste funny…?"
Eriol, wondering what was wrong with his cooking got up from his seat and looked at the pancakes. "Nothing's wrong with them…" He said, eyeing them curiously.
"They taste…plain." Syaoran replied. Eriol stared at him. He then walked over the cabinet and pulled out a bottle of something, and threw it at Syaoran, who, reflexively, caught it. "Maybe it's that, Sherlock!"
----------
-Outside-
"Well, I really should be going now." Aya said, forgetting her reasons for traveling to Syaoran and Eriol's home.
"Do you really?" Tomoyo whined.
"Yeah. Besides, shouldn't you be greeting some neighbors?"
Tomoyo and Sakura had completely forgotten the purpose of their trip. Sakura laughed.
"Oi, Aya! Have you seen them?" Sakura asked out of curiosity.
"Yeah, why?"
"Because Sakura heard a rumor go around the school that they were pretty hot." Tomoyo answered for her.
Sakura, always easily embarassed, blushed a bright pink. It was Aya's turn to laugh.
"You guys can decide for yourself. See you guys around." She smiled and waved. After Aya left, it was rather silent. The breeze blew through both of the girls' hairs and they looked at each other.
"ROCK PAPER SCISSORS THROW!" They both said in unison.
Sakura had her hand in a fist. Rock.
Tomoyo had her hands opened out. Paper.
Sakura lost.
"Mou, TOMOYO! I did it last time too!!!"
"And you're so good at it! Remember what happened last time we were greeting new neighbors?" Tomoyo smiled.
"I TRIPPED AND SPILLED THE WATER ALL OVER THEM!!!"
Tomoyo was having a great time just reminiscing. Sakura, on the other hand, was worried. Tomoyo took the vase of flowers from her. "There. Now you won't repeat that mistake."
Sakura scowled and took a deep breath. She brought her hand up and knocked on the door.
----------
After breakfast, both boys went to do their own thing.
Syaoran was putting the dishes in the dishwasher while Eriol read a book. When Syaoran was done with that task, he wanted something to drink and went to the refrigerator. He felt the cool air the refrigerator produced on his skin. Then, all of a sudden, there was a knocking.
Syaoran looked at the front door, one hand on the refrigerator door handle, another about to grab the carton of milk. Then he glanced over to Eriol who was looking back at him. Eriol turned around and returned to his book. Syaoran glared at the back of his head and closed the fridge. He walked over to Eriol and smacked him on the back of his head and then walked to the door. He heard a bit of talking on the other side of the door, and knew it wasn't Aya. He sighed a bit and then opened the door.
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The two girls turned around and looked at him. All eyes grew to sizes of tomatoes. Speaking of which, Sakura was looking like one right about now. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing quite came out. Syaoran tried as well, but nothing. Inside, Eriol was wondering about the silence. There was no talking, no door slamming, no laughing, nothing. He put his book on the coffee table in front of him and got up. He walked over to the door where Syaoran stood. He could see two figures in front of him, but that was it. He walked a little closer and put his hand on Syaoran's shoulder and pulled him back a litle so he could see who it was while asking him, "Syaoran, who are our guests?"
Eriol looked at them, and his eyes widened as well. It was all quiet with staring and gawking. Lots of it. Until...
There was a thud. "SAKURA!!!!" Tomoyo screamed. Sakura had passed out.
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A/N: LOL...I think this chapter is odd. And if you're wondering...all those singers I listed at the beginning are real singers. They're people I listen to. :D This song...was really from Wu Jian Hao and it's called "Ji Mo Guang Chang." Or...Lonely Plaza. :D So...Vanness Wu - Lonely Plaza. For your viewing pleasure, English in the midst of Chinese will now always be bold. :D (And so sorry for typos and formatting errors or problems. is going to kill me with formatting problems.)
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