So tell me, how has your day been? Apart from getting strange look from various teachers from laughing too loudly, mine has been all right… I've never been so red in my entire lifetime though -_-;;
Answers to reviews:
ScarleT RoSe: Thankyou for your review! It's good that my story still attracts new people ^_^
Sakura-miaka: YAY! I did a good job with your torture scene then!!!! I think everyone should hate Tyson and if they actually like him, they should be shot ^_^ Hmmm how did I know you liked Kai and Rei the best? The simple answer is that I'm psychic! Nah I just love Kai and Rei as most people do and it just so happens to turn out that you're one of them^_^ I'm glad that my email got to you because I have a nasty habit of emailing the wrong person! So embarrassing I assure you!
Azure Rosas: you know what, I feel really sorry for Eriol too1 It's weird how I dedicate a whole chapter to torture him when I think he's one of the coolest character on the show ^_^ oh good God! I so regret adding that convo at the end of the chap! It's evidence of what happens when I get on a high!!!! ^_~ Glad you liked it though!
Kerochan: when I first saw the CCS movie I was amazed at how pretty Yelan was myself! I see where Syao gets his looks ^_^ I think Syao would look cool playing the drums as well (hehe BANG, CRASH! Good to let out anger on!) But the spotlights can still go on Syaoran when he plays da guitar! When I first planned this story out I didn't intend to have Chloe in it, but I just had sudden inspiration to add her in to make Syaoran's already complicated past even MORE hard to understand ^_^ And if u couldn't tell already I love making Syaoran play/look after little children! *hugs syaoran plushie* Syaoran so soft and cuddly and sweet and etc, etc, etc ^_^ *drools* Oh God there I go spacing out again!!!
SaKuRa LoVa: I'm glad my eriol bashing chapter turned out well to everyone's likings! I really have to Eriol a break ne? *sweat-drops*
KawaiinessPnay: Out of all the Eriol bashing parts I think I'm most proud of how your one turned out!!! *grins* I'm super glad you like it!!!
Cat Li: YAY another person to add to my updating notice list ^_^ Thanks for the band names. I'm using all the other left-over suggestions as other band names so that everybody that gave me names can have them featured in the story ^_^ Thanks 4 the review by the way!
cherryblossom127: hehehe *sweat-drops* I was totally high when I wrote that end convo with my friend! Err Syaoran doesn't exactly have hotpants but my friend and I reckon that Syaoran's summer shorts are short enough to be hotpants so we drool over them – either that or we were so high we went delusional! ^_^ I'll try and find you an example of 'Li's hot pants' but most of the pictures I have of him are him in his winter uniform and plz don't think I'm insane because of that whole 'interesting topic' thingy ^_^
Helen: Thankyou for your kind words
Pink Cherry Blossom: er….huh? Neva mind me ^_^ and here's the real instalment u and ur salivary glands were waiting for ^_^
Azure Angel: hehehe that's exactly why I put the link on da email ^_^ thanks 4 ignroting your D.T and reading this instead. And thanks for your approval for putting up Interesting thoughts ^_^
Kazeko: I'm glad u liked it ^_^ and just 4 the record the whole Mega, Mega Kazeko-chan idea was thought up by my friend! I'm glad ur not offended though ^_^
Azure Flame
Chapter 11 – Boom, boom, CRASH
"What are you serious?!!! You're gonna be in a BAND?!" Kami shrieked. (hehe bet u 4got about her…) Syaoran nodded.
"Oh cool! You can be like that cool guitarist Evan that's in Avril's band!" Kami said excitedly.
"I think that's highly impossible Kam. I'm just doing it as a favour to Kai."
"Don't be ridicules of COURSE you're going to become famous! My gosh what'll you wear?"
Syaoran sighed, "I better get ready to go now. Practise is in 15 mins."
Kami groaned as she saw Syaoran emerge from his bedroom in a simple green t-shirt and jeans.
"Please say you're not going out in that?"
"Why? What's wrong with it?" Syaoran asked.
"Everything! Well I guess at least you're hair is respectable enough," Kami replied thoughtfully.
///Joey's garage/// (By the way remember Hot Guy? Well that's Joey)
Syaoran hesitantly opened the door leading into Joey's garage and peeked in. He saw Joey adjusting the strings to his bass guitar and Tomoyo was sitting daintily nearby on a directors chair. Kai was perched on a stool behind his drum kit and was polishing one of his many cymbals. Syaoran scowled as he saw Eriol in the very corner sitting on the long piano seat. But that wasn't what made Syaoran scowl, it was the person sitting on Eriol's lap laughing and fingering the piano keys gingerly. "No Sakura, the D key isn't part of the C major chord!" Syaoran heard Eriol explain while re-arranging Sakura's fingers.
Clearing his throat Syaoran entered the garage making everyone look up. "Hey Syaoran!" Kai greeted and then motioned Syaoran to closer to him. "How does this sound?" he asked and violently hit the largest cymbal. Syaoran gasped and covered his ears. Scowling he looked up at the smug Kai. "What was that for?!" he asked, exasperated.
"Just warming up!" he said with an innocent smile.
"Ohayo Li-kun!" Tomoyo called out smiling.
"Nice to see you arriving on time for once!" Joey added, slapping Syaoran playfully on the back. Syaoran grunted and then made eye contact with Eriol. Eriol stared back and then nodded his greeting. Syaoran grunted again and then slung his guitar strap across his back, blushing when Sakura smiled at him.
"So now that we're all here, how about we start with a warm-up?" Kai suggested.
"That sounds like a good idea," Tomoyo said, walking up to her microphone stand. Sakura got of Eriol's lap and sat in the chair that Tomoyo had used.
"How about 'it's gonna rain?" Tomoyo suggested, "It's a good warm-up for my vocals!" she added.
"Sounds good to me! Alright with a 1, 2 and a 1,2,3,4!" Kai counted everyone in with his drum sticks! And then immediantly started the drum beat. After a few more funky drum beats he stopped playing to allow Joey's bass guitar solo carry through loud enough and Tomoyo hurriedly stepped up to the microphone to begin singing the melody.
Ashidori mo karukushite chao chao (Footsteps are lightly taken, chao chao)
This time Syaoran's funky guitar playing was heard louder as Kai lightly tapped away on the drums.
Torumono mo toriaezu chao chao (But hurrying anyway, chao chao)
Raion ga unaru mitai no raimei ga (The thunder like a lion's roar)
Taisan wo unagashite iru (Prompts a dispersion.)
Dou naru no? (What's going on?)
Sou...mou sugu ame (That's right...the rain's coming.)
Ame wa mou aribai wo kesu no? (Has the rain erased his alibi?)
Kare wa mou wasurete shimau no? (Did he already forget?)
Futari wa mou korekiri ni naru no? (Is this all the two of us will become?)
Subete wa ame no seitte koto ni shite okou (Let's make all of this the rain's fault.)
Sakura clapped enthusiastically from her seat when Syaoran and Joey had finished the final guitar notes that ended the song. "That was great you guys! If that was just a warm-up I can't wait to see what your performance songs are going to be like!"
"We really sounded alright?" Eriol asked.
"Of course we did! Right guys?" Joey interrupted resulting in a cheer from all the band members.
"How about we practise one of our performance songs now?" Kai suggested and Syaoran nodded in agreement.
"But can I quickly go to the bathroom first?" Tomoyo asked apologetically.
"Sure, it's a free country!" Joey replied and Tomoyo walked out of the room.
"Well since our singer is gone maybe we should do another warm-up?" Kai suggested. Eriol shook his head, "I don't think that's such a good idea, I mean we really need to practise as a band. Why don't we just get Joey to do the vocals for her?"
As much as Syaoran hated to admit it, Eriol was right.
"Then we'll just start on 1-3!" Kai said and Syaoran went red, "NO WAY!"
"Why not man?"
"Well for one thing there's too much guitar in it!"
"And the problem with that is….?"
"I'M PLAYING THE GUITAR!" Syaoran cried in frustration, hating all the attention he was going to be getting.
"Ignore Syaoran everyone and let's rock!" Kai said over the top of Syaoran's ranting. Syaoran scowled and picked up his guitar again. Delicately plucking the strings of it, the melody softly began playing and Syaoran forgot all about his embarrassment. Playing the slightly higher-pitched notes, Joey moved closer to his microphone and started singing in his smooth alto.
kowareru hodo aishitemo sanbun no ichi mo tsutawaranai
junjou na kanjou wa karamawari I love you sae ienaideiru my heart
Crash! Went the drums as Kai passionately banged down on them giving the song a rockier feel to it.
Sakura smiled as she heard Syaoran's guitar give the song more electric beat and harmony. Getting lost in the music Sakura focused on Syaoran. His strong arms moving down the strings, his immense concentration of which fret to put his fingers on, causing his fringe to fall into his eyes.
(A/N: To make everything less confusing I'm going to just type the English translation)
On the long, sleepless nights, the images I send to you
whisper "that is love".
continuously shaking speech that moves you to tears
changes into a slight fever mingled with a sigh
Give me a smile and shiny days, by your smile
I can withstand the cold of a frozen night.
The beat of the drums got faster and the guitar's notes became louder as the chorus was being played. And this time Eriol was finally able to play the piano. (Not that there's piano in 1-3 anyway though ^_^)
Even if my love reaches the breaking point, 1/3 of it won't reach
My true feelings are just spinning on air, my heart isn't even saying "I love you"
(Syaoran's guitar rocked on and Kai kept the beat magnificently.)
Like rain in the middle of summer, the dry, bareness moistens, your smile is bright.
Give me a smile and shiny days, don't clear up so quickly!
Because we can overcome any wall that stands in our way.
Sakura felt like jumping up and dancing around the room, but refrained from doing so not wanting to embarrass herself.
Whoever you love, these images will reach them, right?
Don't say you can find them, your words are dancing in space.
The further apart you go, the more it hurts the person you love
The more I chase them, the more my heart feels the cruel distance
Syaoran turned bright red when he realised it was time for his solo. He took a deep breath and let his fingers run up and down the fret board resulting in Joey getting excited and yelling out, "Go LI!!!!"
Syaoran chose to ignore him and continued playing. When Kai joined in cheering Syaoran on, Syaoran looked up angrily and made eye contact with Sakura. Big mistake.
*dinnnNNk*
Everyone stopped their playing to glance at their guitarist. Syaoran sweat-dropped. "Whoops there goes my pick ne? Eh.he..he did that hurt Eriol? I'm sorry eh..he…he." He of course didn't tell them what exactly or who exactly made him loose his concentration. Eriol handed Syaoran his green pick, eyes narrowed slightly, now with a red mark on his forehead.
Kai rolled his eyes and started the beat again.
Give me a smile and shiny days,
Give me a smile and nice days,
If only we could meet in an embrace...
Whoever you love, these images will reach them, right?
If only you had said so in your dreams
Even if my love reaches the breaking point, 1/3 of it won't reach
My true feelings are just spinning on air, my heart isn't even saying "I love you"
When Joey had finally finished singing there was clapping from the doorway. "Nice guys, but I guess that means that you don't need me now?" Tomoyo said smiling.
"Weren't they great?!" Sakura shrieked clasping her hands together. Tomoyo smiled wider, "Just perfect!" Winking at Syaoran she added, "Even Mr Tense managed to pull things off!"
///A few hours later///
"Dinner's here kids," Joey's mother called from the doorway.
"Oh yeah! I bags the pizza with double cheese and meatballs!" Joey exclamined shoving his bass guitar onto its stand and then sprinting upstairs. His mother shook her head, "That boy needs to learn a lesson in hospitality," she remarked.
Kai grinned and gently placed his drum sticks on the middle drum (Err what was that one called again? ^_^;;)
Syaoran and Eriol followed him out slower. Tomoyo smiled at Sakura. "Those boys and their stomachs!"
///After dinner///
"Hope you guys don't mind a good ole movie. I took the liberty to pick one myself, how does the movie Dogma sound to you?" Joey asked, leading them all into the entertainment room.
"Unfortunately the couch only seats four so three will have to sit on the floor!" Joey explained.
"But that means that there would be six of us…and there isn't," Sakura commented, confused.
"Sure there are! My great pal Yumei shall be making her appearance in exactly…" Joey glanced at his black, digital watch. "Well, she's late," he concluded.
"Well I don't mind sitting on the floor," Tomoyo told them.
"Me neither!" Sakura agreed.
"Aright then, let's get comfy!" Joey said happily. (hehe Steph - it's orgasm Joey ^_^)
Syaoran sat down on the end of the navy blue couch and Kai sat next to him. Joey jumped in the air and landed neatly…on Kai's leg.
"OW!" Kai yelled and bumped into Syaoran, pushing him into the armrest of the couch.
"OwwwWWW, metal digging into RIBS!!!" Syaoran cried out and Sakura giggled.
"Sorry Syaoran, blame Joey! Do you know how much he weighs? My poor, poor leg!" Kai exclaimed rubbing it gently. Joey grinned, "So what if my co-ordination and aim was a bit off!"
"How typical Joey!" Yumei's voice mocked from the doorway.
"Hi Yumei!" Everyone greeted.
"hey, shove over Joey willl ya?" She asked, sliding in next to Kai.
"Well get comfy dudes! And try not to eat too much popcorn and coke because there's not gonna be any toilet breaks," Joey informed everyone.
After a while Sakura groaned.
"What's wrong?" Eriol asked her.
"My butts numb!" She complained.
"That can be easily fixed," Eriol told her and gently pulled her onto his lap. Sakura smiled and leant against Eriol's warm chest- Syaoran switched positions on the coach. (^_^)
Eventually Syaoran's eyes drooped and she fell asleep. Sakura looked up in surprise when she heard soft snores behind her. She smiled slightly when she realised that it was Syaoran. She declined the urge to reach up and stroke his smooth cheek. Turning back the screen she watched as Jay and Silent Bob made their usual comments – well with the exception of Silent Bob's of course since he doesn't speak anyway.
She leant back onto Eriol's chest again and closed her eyes, exhausted as well. She was woken up with a soft kiss on her forehead. Her eyes snapped open and she saw Eriol's kind face smiling down at her. Sakura returned his smile and the two of them kissed properly.
Syaoran woke up and was greeted with the sight of Sakura kissing Eriol. He grunted his disapproval and slowly stood up, but his legs had turned completely numb and he collapsed on top of a surprised Tomoyo. (Don't laugh guys-that happened to me once!)
"Oh I'm so sorry Daidouji-san!" Syaoran apologized, embarrassed.
Tomoyo shrugged, "it just surprised me that's all."
When all feeling returned to Syaoran's leg he hobbled out of the room muttering, "I need to go to the bathroom."
Walking downstairs he turned on the light and saw his red and black electric guitar standing invitingly in its stand. Syaoran walked over to it and sighed. Why am I so confused these days? Why do I always get so annoyed at Hiragizawa and Sakura? I surely don't l-l-love her! No way! I promised that I'd never love any one else…but that was so long ago! Syaoran ran a hand through his tousled hair. Does Chloe remember the promise I made to her when I was 9? Probably not. It was years and years ago, and yet I still remember. It was the week before she left Japan. We made a pinky promise that we'd never love anyone else. But I bet she's met lots of boys better than me in America. And I met Kami, but I think I just go out with her because I feel sorry for her. It's not her fault everyone gets the wrong idea about her, just because she's an attention seeker. Why am I even thinking about her again? What's over's over...
Syaoran gently lifted the guitar up and stared at it.
Why am I so confused? Why am I so attracted to Sakura?
Syaoran stroked the guitar strings thoughtfully he began to play his heart out. Then he began to sing softly.
Doko made mo tsuzuku aoi sora massugu miagete
Fukinukeru kaze wo suikonde saka wo kakete 'ku
(This can't go on forever. I look up at the blue sky
The wind that blows over everything runs up the hills)
Itsu mo yori maji na hyoujou wo tooku kara nirami-nagara
Nande darou Wake mo naku iji ni natte shimau
(My usually serious face watches you from far away
What has happened to my pride?)
Ki ni naru aitsu Fushigi na aitsu Koko de jitto shite irarenai
Magarikado de wa Sou Nani ka okorisou de kakedasu yo
(That girl I can't ignore, that mysterious girl
I'll just watch quietly from here
It seems that something big waits around the corner)
Ki ni naru yokan Fushigi na yokan Yume de mita you na munasawagi
Yokan dekinai mainichi massugu mitsumete
Aitsu ni makenai yo
(That feeling I can't ignore, that mysterious feeling
My heart beats like in a dream
It seems that every day it gets stronger
I won't be beaten by her)
Orenji no kumo wo oikakete anna ni isoide
Omoikiri nanka ni tsumazuite hade ni koronda
(I chase the orange clouds so hurriedly
With all my strength I trip over something, falling on my hands)
Itsu datte aitsu no koto nante kankee nanka nai n' da kara
Asufaruto ketobashite kaerimichi wo isogu
(When did she start to mean so much to me? I don't know why
Fly over the asphalt and hurry home)
Ki ni naru aitsu Fushigi na aitsu Kyou mo yokome de chekku shite
Shiranai uchi ni Sou Naze ka aitsu no peesu hamatte 'ru
(That girl I can't ignore, that mysterious girl
I can't look away from her eyes today
Why am I matching my pace to hers as we walk down the street?)
Ki ni naru yokan Fushigi na yokan Nani ka hajimaru munasawagi
Donna toki demo yuzurenai risou ga aru kara
Dare ni mo makenai yo
(That feeling I can't ignore, that mysterious feeling
Something made my heart start beating
But I have an idea! I won't give up whatever happens
I won't be beaten by anyone
That girl I can't ignore, that mysterious girl)
Ki ni naru aitsu Fushigi na aitsu Koko de jitto irarenai
Sono mune no oku Sou Himeta honto no chikara shiritakute...
(You wouldn't stay here patiently within your heart
You want to know the true power that's been kept secret)
Ki ni naru yokan Fushigi na yokan Marude mirai wa meiro da ne
Yume wo shikkari kono te ni tsukameru toki made
Jibun ni makenai yo
(That feeling I can't ignore, that mysterious feeling
It's like our future's a labyrinth, isn't it?
Grasping my dreams tightly
I won't ever give up on myself)
(and yes that is 'Kini Naru Aitsu; that girl I can't ignore' (Li Syaoran song)
Soft clapping greeted Syaoran and he hurriedly opened his eyes again to see who it was. "KINOMOTO!" he growled angrily, going bright red.
"That was really sweet Li-kun! Who was it about?" She asked.
Syaoran turned redder and he slammed his poor guitar into the holder and walked past Sakura. "That's personal you know?!" he answered, irritated.
"Oh I'm sorry Li-kun that was so nosy of me!" She called back to him.
As Syaoran walked back upstairs, more applause sounded in his already red ears.
"That was great Syaoran!" Kai said amazed.
"W-What? H-H-How did you…?" Syaoran stammered.
"The movie ended in your absence and we heard you playing," Tomoyo answered his half finished question.
"Yeah, and don't be embarrassed Li, it was wonderful!" Joey added grinning. "I'm just glad that I have the best guitarist on MY team!"
Syaoran scowled at everyone and grabbed his bag. Walking towards the door, Sakura worriedly called out, "Where are you going Li-kun?!"
"Home."
"But what about your guitar?!"
"I don't care!" Syaoran replied, hurriedly thanking Joey's mother and then closing the front door softly behind him.
"What's up with him?" Eriol asked.
Kai shrugged, "I dunno. Can't take a compliment I guess…"
Tomoyo stepped closer to Sakura and looked at her friend's troubled face. "Don't worry Sakura. You didn't do anything! And Li-kun will be alright as well – he's just really embarrassed, that's all!" Tomoyo said, comfortingly.
"What makes you so sure?" Sakura asked softly.
Yumei chocked on her coke. "Are you serious? His face was redder than a burnt tomato!"
Sakura nodded slowly and Eriol wound his hands around her shoulders, "Sakura you always get so worked up about these kind of things. Just relax Not everything's your fault okay?" Eriol softly told her and in response, Sakura snuggled closer into Eriol.
Unbeknownst (Yes that is a word ^_^) to anyone, Yumei slipped out the door, holding Syaoran's guitar. Running quickly down the street, she spotter Syaoran's silhouetted figure in the distance. "Li-kun!" she shouted out, running faster. When she had reached him, she yelled louder, "Oi! Are you death or something?" Syaoran tuned around in surprise. "You forgot your guitar, " Yumei explained after she had caught her breath.
"A-Arigato?" Syaoran said, accepting it.
Yumei smiled, "you look like you seriously need someone to talk to," she commented.
Syaoran shrugged and started walking again.
"Please?" Yumei begged and started dragging a reluctant Syaoran to a park bench.
Once they were seated, Yumei spoke up first. "So, lemme guess. Girl problems?"
Syaoran stared at her and Yumei winked. Syaoran sighed and started rawing designs in the mud with a stick. "It's just when I was 5 I met this really sweet girl. She was my real first friend and we did everything together. It was when I was 7 I realised that I had somehow fallen in love with her. Fortunetely a bit afterwards I found out that she felt the same way…"
"But?"
"But then two years later when I was 9 and she was only 7, her parents got a divorce and her mother wanted her to move back to America with her. So about two weeks before she was to leave, we made a pinky promise that we'd always remember each other and never fall in love with anyone else." That was also when we carved out initials into that tree…
"That's so sweet – yet unrealistic. Of course you're going to love someone else especially after all this time…" megumi smiled sympathetically, "ist sounded like you two were a real item. A match made in heaven."
"I guess."
"And now?" Yumei started.
"And now, I think I'm in love with someone else-which is absurd!"
"Do you mean Kami? And of course it's not stupid!"
"…Nah, I mean REALLY in love with someone."
"You don't love Kami?" Yumei persisted.
"Not in those ways. I mean sure she's great to hang around with, even if she can be annoying and naive."
"I see."
"Yeah, crazy ne?"
"Not really. I know how you feel not being loved in return – HECK not even letting them know how you feel…"
"Now it's time for ME to do some guessing. Hmm…could it be Kai by any chance?" Syaoran asked with a sly grin.
"Now why would it be Kai?" Yumei asked, twitching slightly.
"Oh, I don't know…"
"Is it really that obvious?"
"Not at all. Not even Kai knows!"
Yumei sighed again, "We're both pretty f**ked up then, huh?" (Naughty me 4 swearing *hurriedly covers up swear word with Winamp skin while her father walks in the room*)
"So what's so special about Ms Kinomoto?" Yumei asked.
Syaoran's head snapped up, "WHAT?!"
"You heard me. Look Syaoran, I know more than you think. We're both the same in ways!"
"It's not official yet!" Syaoran stressed.
Yumei laughed, "You should try listening to your heart more. You'd be surprised with what's it's trying to tell you."
"Sheesh! You girls are all the same! Listen to your HEART!" Syaoran mocked.
"Hey! You Koitsu! I was only trying to help!" [1]
"Thankyou Yumei-san."
"No probs. And let's just keep our little crushes a secret between you and me!"
"Agreed!"
"Nice working with ya Li-kun!"
"Anytime!" The two started laughing at their formalness. After they had settled down, Yumei asked, "So I'm going back, how bout you?"
"May as well…I HATE the cold," he said grumpily.
"Excellent! And I wanna hear more of your fabulous guitar playing!"
"Shut-up!"
"And I heard about how poor Eriol-kun got attacked by an angry green pick!"
"Shut-UP! Keep mocking me and I'll tell everybody that you still sleep with a teddy bear," Syaoran blackmailed.
"Do NOT! And what's the evidence?!"
Syaoran smirked, "You should try making sure that his head isn't sticking out of your bag."
"GRR! You sneak! No fair! If you dare say one word I'll tell everyone that you draw love hearts on your guitar!" Yumei exclaimed, red in the face.
"What? All lies!"
Yumei snickered and pointed at his guitar handle. Syaoran glanced at it and cried out in frustration. "W-What the??? How did they get there?!..........KAMI! I'll kill her!"
He of course was referring to the numerous hot pink hearts running down the neck of his…well what WAS a sophisticated electric guitar. Yumei laughed again and peeled one of the stickers off and shoved it on Syaoran's cheek.
"WHY YOU!" Syaoran exclaimed, trying to pull it back off.
"You should leave it there; you look so kawaii with it on!" Yumei giggled.
Syoran scowled at her, "Whatever!" And the two of them walked back down the street.
TO BE CONTINUED
So if you don't get this chapter, it was mainly Syaoran opening up to someone and hopefully realising his true feelings. That and band rehearsals 'cause the big performance is coming up! ^_~
[1] The term 'Koitsu' basically means bastard.
Also if you like Rurouni Kenshin, then you will be familiar with the songs used in this chapter - It's gonna rain and 1-3 (I did not use all the words from It's gonna rain to make it shorter)
Next chapter is going to be Sakura's birthday – what'll Syaoran do? ^_^ Let's see a clue… ice and falling on your butt a lot and I'll also add some jealousy between them ^_^
Lots of reviews=good chappies.
Arigato dudes!