Disclaimer: I do not own Card Captor Sakura and everything you could recognize yours.
Summary: Syaoran has a band and their drummer just quit. Trying to find a new one, he stumbles upon the least person he thought could play. He stumbles upon music and something even more…
A/N: This has been the most reviews I garnered! Thank you thank you thank you! Hope you all still like it!
Chapter 1: People Come In Different Packages
"C'mon Syaoran! We have no other choice but to hire her," Eriol asserted as he eyed Syaoran, who was currently walking around the studio.
Syaoran simply groaned in response as he messed up his already rumpled hair.
Tomoyo shrugged. She disheveled her own hair with one hand and let out a groan of her own before finally exclaiming her annoyance. "Could you please stop walking around in circles!" it sounded more of a demand instead of a request. "You're driving me god-forsakenly nuts!"
At this, Syaoran finally halted from his tracks and began stomping his foot on the carpeted floor.
After a few minutes, it was now Eriol's turn to get in a rut and growl. "I have had enough of this shit!" he wailed, losing his wise-old-man's posture. It's not everyday the young keyboard player loses temper and when he does, he can scare the hell out of anybody. Even Hercules would run to his little sanctuary on Mt. Olympus just to escape he's wrath. "We are hiring her and that's that!" he shouted before standing up from his seat and stomping out of the room, eyes practically burning with rage.
Syaoran was ceased. He gaped at the door Eriol just slammed and was left speechless. Finally, after running through his thoughts, he found his voice and asked. "W-What just h-h-happened?" it came out as a stammer.
Tomoyo sighed. "It's official," she started as she shook her head. "You are a hopeless birdbrain with the sensitivity of a rotten poo." She stood up after her statement and walked out of the room as well, leaving Syaoran all by himself to sort everything out.
He tiredly slumped on the velvet-covered couch and leaned back to stare at the ceiling. I guess I have no other choice… he thought before searching his pockets for his cell phone.
Finally finding it in his left pouch, he searched his phonebook for the right name and hit the glowing green phone. He sighed as the other end begun ringing.
"Hello?" a woman's voice greeted on the other end.
"Uhm… This is Li Syaoran. Is this Sakura Kinomoto?" he replied haggardly as he ran his free hand on his hair.
"Yes?" the voice on the other end retaliated, the tone of her voice evidently becoming sprightlier.
Syaoran shrugged at the sudden change of timbre before informing the applicant of his reason for calling. "We talked about it and… you're hired."
He expected a loud squeal of excitement at the other line that he distanced the phone further from his ear. To his surprise, the voice on the other end simply remained silent before answering.
"Okay then," she told him coolly. "When do I start?"
Syaoran managed to reply even though bewildered at the person's stoical disposition to such good news. "There'll be a band practice tomorrow here at the studio. Be here at 9:00 am. I'm sure you know the place."
"Of course I do," Sakura retorted cockily.
"Okay then," Syaoran responded as he nods his head like she could see him. "See you tomorrow at nine."
He flipped his phone after his words and let out another sigh. I sure hope I'm not making the biggest mistake of my life, he sympathized himself as he stared, yet again, at the ceiling.
00 00 00 00 00
Sakura's P. O. V.
I walked briskly towards the building entrance. I can feel my hair swaying slightly at my back and I think my eyes are sparkling with enthusiasm. Oh God! I'm so nervous! I have never been in a band before. I mean, I learned to play drums since I was little, but I've never tried joining an actual one! If it weren't for Touya pushing me through this, I wouldn't be here… I gotta say thanks to him again later… even though I already told him about a hundred times this morning.
Honestly, I thought I wouldn't get the job… I mean… position… or… whatever! I assumed they would hire a boy or something. Well, I guess I have my lucky stars to thank for that! Come to think of it, they looked shocked when they saw I'm a girl. And when they told me they'd call me after bickering about how they blurted out I'm hired all due to reflexes, I imagined I wouldn't hear from them anymore. I'm only more than thankful they did though.
I continued pacing towards the lobby desk and smiled at the guard that welcomed me. I checked my watch and saw that I arrived five minutes before nine. I intended to make it exactly on time.
"Good morning!" I greeted the girl at lobby as I handed her my ID.
"Good morning, ma'am," she greeted me as well and gave me a laminated… something. I suppose it was a visitor's pass. I looked at it before I continued walking, it said 'Visitor's Pass'… yep, I was right.
I continued on towards the elevators and hit the down button as I patiently wait for the metal doors to open. And when they did, I stepped into the marmol compartment. Man, this place is fancy!
When I arrived at the fourth floor, I checked my watch again and smiled when I saw that I saw it flashing 9:00 am. I strolled through the wide hall and stopped in front of the glass door that had a silver plate that said 'Recording Studio 1'. Better now or never, I told myself before opening it and marching inside.
I gazed at the three people seated at the velvet couch and smiled before bowing down. "I'm Sakura Kinomoto," I greeted cordially with a smile.
"We know," it was the messy haired man from before who answered me. He wore a gray shirt, baggy pants, and he had these metal chains hanging from them.
He smirked cockily, rumpling his chestnut brown hair before standing up and walking towards his guitar, which was leaned at one side of the studio. As if it wasn't unkempt enough!
I have to growl in thought. I really hate his guts! He's so… what's the word for it… presumptuous! Not to mention that irascible smirk of his! I couldn't stand him! Of course, I couldn't tell him now could I? As much as I want to strangle him, all I could do now is ignore every bit of that forsaken bandleader. Although, I think I smirked… But I guess no one noticed.
"Oh don't be rude Li," it was the girl who spoke this time. Her ponytailed indigo hair swayed at her back and her amethyst eyes gleamed as she stood up and approached me. Wow… She looked punk-glamorous with her dark eyeliner and all black attire.
I eyed her as she approached me with a smile before offering her right hand for a shake. "I'm Tomoyo Daidouji," she introduced herself. "It's nice to have another girl in the band."
I can't believe she's with the git. She's nothing compared to him! She's nice and beautiful.
I took her hand and shook it. "You can call me Tomoyo," she told me.
"Very nice indeed," the only remaining person in the room remarked. He had this spiky blue-highlighted raven hair and sapphire eyes. He also wore an all black, punk attire and he had simple-rimmed glasses. He looked more intelligent than the cocky prat. Way, WAY more intelligent looking!
He also approached me and smiled charmingly. "I'm Eriol Hiiragizawa," he introduced himself as he took my right hand with his. He leaned and kissed it. Can you believe it? He kissed my hand! Oh, he's such a gentleman! Although, it was a little odd since he looked punk-ish - if that's even a word.
I think I blushed with what he did. Who wouldn't! He is so hot… Maybe being part of this group could be fun?
The pompous git entered the next room without a word. And I just can't hold back my irritated smirk anymore the moment he was gone.
"He's Li Syaoran," Tomoyo told me. Maybe she assumed I wondered?
I shrugged. "Friendly isn't he…" I remarked, sounding as sarcastic as I can.
"He can be a handful most times," she elaborated with a smirk.
"I noticed," I retaliated the obvious.
"Not to mention a little dumb," Eriol added with a playful smile on his face. Okay, I just HAD to hold back a laugh. It was a little mean, yes, but who would even bother taking his feelings into consideration if he was such a jerk?
Tomoyo whacked him in the arm with a chuckle. "You better hope he didn't hear you!" she warned him.
"What is taking you so damn long?" Syaoran… er… I'd prefer git… wailed, his voice practically echoing from the other room. Really vexatious.
"Stubborn too," Tomoyo added as she walked towards the door, a black bass guitar hanging in front of her. "C'mon Sakura."
Normal P. O. V.
They entered the room where Syaoran had earlier stomped into. The walls were all covered with dark blue cushion-like wallpaper - if you can call it that - and the ceiling and the floor were both painted black. Microphones hanged at the top of each spot where the players should be, drums stood at the far back and the keyboard at one side. A florescent bulb lit the room and silent air conditioners are situated randomly at the ceiling.
Tomoyo and Eriol entered with a grin on their faces. They walked towards their position and adjusted their own amplifiers.
Sakura, on the other hand, entered cautiously. She silently closed the door behind her and slightly gaped at the room. Like being in a band, it's also her first time to ever step foot in a real studio. She only saw recording stations on MTV's. Not the very good ones either… she remarked to herself.
"C'mon Sakura, go to you place," Tomoyo instructed her, obviously referring to where the drums are - at the far back.
Sakura simply nodded and walked towards the back of the group. She took a seat on the chair across the instrument and grabbed the drumsticks before letting out a sigh of nervousness.
"The piece is already in front of you," Syaoran told her imperiously. "Try to keep up."
The auburn haired talent arched an eyebrow. Oh I'll show you how to keep up… she thought venomously as she clenched at the sticks, studying the piece in front of her.
"Okay," Syaoran exclaimed. "1, 2, 3… 4!" he counted off before entering with a few tabs.
Okay, on one… Sakura told herself as she stared at the portion where she would enter, which was right after Syaoran's little exhibition. The guitar solo was very short - and by very short it means it only had four tabulations - that counting up to number three would mean a very late entrance.
The song was entitled Ultimate and based on the piece, it wasn't all that rock. Nevertheless, the beat was quite enjoyable.
1! Sakura signaled herself. She entered flawlessly, hitting one drum after another. She wasn't finding it hard at all. It came out naturally.
The other three players had to turn their heads towards her as they continued playing their own instruments. The seemingly quiet girl that stepped inside the studio just a few minutes ago had suddenly turned into somebody who's rocking hard, somebody who everybody would soon be mad about, somebody cool! They were all feeling mutually shocked but felt the urge to continue playing if it would keep the new member playing.
"Rock on girl!" Tomoyo shouted as she carried on with playing her bass guitar.
Eriol gave her a wide smile before agreeing with the bassist's complement. "Yeah, you go, Sakura!"
Sakura was pleased with herself. It's not that she's not used to receiving good feed backs, but coming from people who really worked in the field and those she had just made acquaintance with made all the difference. It proved to her that she was really good at what she likes doing most.
Syaoran stopped playing and glared at all his band mates making them all cease out of bewilderment too. "What the hell is wrong you?" he practically screamed at them.
"What is NOT wrong with you?" Eriol snapped right back. He, like Tomoyo and Sakura did not like how Syaoran just acted.
"Do not change the subject Eriol!" he retaliated with an expression that said 'I am not kidding around'. "Daidouji just missed her cue."
Tomoyo muttered an 'oh' when she realized what he was talking about. Apparently, she was the one who's suppose to sing the song and because of all her amazement, she totally forgot. "Sorry," she whispered. "I just lost concentration for a minute there."
"Whatever," Syaoran replied, turning back his attention on the piece. "Just… don't miss it again. 1, 2, 3…4!"
They started playing again and Tomoyo gave Sakura a small smile before she began flicking the bass again. This time, she made sure she didn't miss her cue and sang the moment she had to.
"You're the kind of friend who always bend when I'm broken, like remember when you took my heart and put it back together again," she let the lyrics all flow out of her mouth smoothly and clearly.
Sakura was slightly taken a back. She didn't know the young bass player was good at singing. No, Tomoyo was very good at singing.
00 00 00 00 00
The practice lasted for about an hour before Syaoran gave them the privilege to have a thirty-minute break.
It took a lot out of Sakura - being new and all - to keep up with their overflowing energies. Then again, playing the drums seems more strenuous that playing the other instruments.
Try to keep up… Sakura reminded herself what Syaoran told her before the practice started. I never knew it was this exhausting. She stood up, trying not to look evidently tired, and headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" Tomoyo asked, obviously to her.
Sakura turned her head back and smiled before answering. "I'm going to get some water," she told her.
Tomoyo stood up from the couch and walked towards her. "Oh, Let me come with you then," she said as she opened the door.
They walked down the long and narrow hall in silence. Turning at a corner, they finally spotted what they were looking for - the water dispenser.
Sakura sighed when she saw the water bubbling inside its container. Her throat was nearly on the edge of drying and she can't wait for another second to have a drink. She grabbed one of the cups stacked at the side of the dispenser and pushed the faucet-like switch colored blue.
Tomoyo cannot anymore hold back the chuckle she was forcing not to let out when Sakura drank the water and let out a child-like sigh of relief. "You are so obvious," she told her boldly.
Sakura blushed at the comment. "I was trying hard not to," she replied sheepishly, throwing the empty, used cup in the trash can.
"You have beautiful eyes. Know that?" Tomoyo remarked with a friendly smile. "Especially when you're blushing." She noticed Sakura's animated eyes the moment she stepped foot inside the recording studio with much nervousness and excitement. They have shown her that much. It was like her eyes really reflected her soul, her feelings, and everything she was.
Sakura's blush deepened. Now, she was redder than ever. "T-Thanks," she stammered. It was so much like her to be transparent and easy to be read.
At this, Tomoyo laughed. She wasn't the type who easily gets comfortable with people, but with Sakura, she seems to be completely at ease. There was something in her that made her feel she could trust her.
"You know what? You could use a little punk-ing up," Tomoyo said when the sudden thought came to her.
"Hoe?" Sakura exclaimed her confusions out. (A/N: I haven't used this in the other story so I thought I'd use it here… heehee)
Tomoyo studied Sakura from top to bottom and nodded in agreement with herself. Her casual jeans, shirt, and sneakers were all far from fitting in with her newly found career. Her make-up - defined as foundation and lip-gloss - wasn't quite suitable as well. "You are hopeless, woman," she remarked with a twinkle in her eye. "I guess there's no other choice. I have to give you a total make-over if you're going to play with us." The comment sounded more like a devious scheme, and the enigmatic grin on the young bassist's lips gave it all away.
"Then I'm wishing you good luck," a voice mocked from behind them.
Turning to see who it was, Sakura smirked at the irking face she saw - Li Syaoran's. Just don't force me to talk to him… Sakura pleaded in her thought, although, it seemed more of a demand.
"Shut up, Li," Tomoyo sneered at him. It was obvious the young bass player does not like the irascible jerk as well - as if anyone does. "Don't listen to her Sakura. He just can't admit to himself he finds you pretty too," she said the moment she turned to the auburn-haired talent.
Syaoran scowled with a grimaced and derisive visage. "Pretty?" he echoed. "If you're actually thinking that, then you really have to get your eyes checked, Daidouji." He took out his hands from his pockets and literally shoved Sakura out of the way when he reached out to get a cup for himself.
Sakura's eyebrow quirked at the comment and the disrespectful action. Never in her life has she encountered such insensitive and pompous moron and she was not about to tolerate him.
Shoving Syaoran right back to face her, his water-filled cup dropped, splashing the cold liquid all over the guitar player's pants.
"Shit!" Syaoran wailed. "What the fuck is wrong with you?" The curse came out all unintentionally as he tried with every might to dry himself up. He seems to ask the question when irritated.
Sakura simply glared at him before responding. "Know what, Mr. Fabulous?" she started, quoting the 'Mr. Fabulous' part and making it sound as sarcastic as she can. "News flash. I-DON'T-LIKE-YOU."
Yay it's finished! Sorry it took so long… I was really busy… (honest, cross my heart!). I promise I'll update Cupid's Mess next. Hope you like this chapter! Oh, and sorry if it seems a bit too fast for your taste… Peace out!
Thanks for the reviews guys: shuga high obsessed, tykat92, lychee, AzNAnGeL07, BriAnna, VcChick, angel-of-death-and-destruci..., cherry sk8er, Kitty29, shamanic cherry, dbzgtfan2004, peachy-love, Magicalflame, kawaiiseeker987, Playing Dominoes With Elvis, Pinaygrrl, -Kori Kage Tenshi-, Lady Diamond and Kome
Princess Yang Fa - thanks for the review! And you bet I'll email you if need help! Thanks!
Destinyaquablossom - Actually, I have no idea how to play My Happy Ending on the drums… Sorry… I don't play drums actually, just the guitar and I know a little on keyboard… Thanks for the review!
Lynn - hmm… I don't know yet if he's going to fire her… but for now I guess not heehee… Thanks for the review!
Noir Rose - I re-read the story and then I realized… Syaoran does seem really stupid… heehee… sorry if I exaggerated a little. Promise not to make him that stupid anymore heehee…. Btw thanks for the review!
Light's Blue Blossom - again, sorry if I made syaoran slow… promise not to exaggerate anymore! Heehee… Thanks for the review!
FullxMoon - yeah, sorry for making syaoran sound so evil… Thanks for the review and glad you like it!
Vicky's Sparks - sorry for making syao sound so stupid, promise he'll be better in the next chapters. Glad you like it and thanks for the review!
Misuki - sorry for not updating so soon… so much work… hope you like this chapter! Thanks for the review
Muffinizer - I love My Happy Ending too! Thanks for the Review!
Emeraldied'Obsession - Hope this is longer… Thanks for the review!
BlueMeteorGirl - Well, he has to hire her! Heehee… Thanks for the review!
ffgirl-07 - Woah! That's totally psychic! It's like we have the same mid or something… coolies! Heehee… just kidding! I haven't checked if you posted it up yet but if not, please do? I really wanna read it too! I mean, although we have the same topic, that doesn't mean we have the same plot doesn't it? So please upload it! (Don't worry I'm not gonna steal ideas heehee… ) Thanks for the review!
For questions email me or - better - include it in your reviews (love them!) Ja ne! - simply-0bssessed