CH10: Feeling the Music
"You're almost ready," Eriol's voice startled Tomoyo. She had been examining herself in the mirror when he had suddenly appeared behind her and placed a gentle hand on her bare shoulder.
As much as she hated the boy who stood with her, she could not dress as such. She was going to be singing and dancing with a crowd of teenage fans. In that situation, one did not dress conservatively, or at least someone with Tomoyo's fashion sense refused to. It was not that her dress was slutty in the least, in fact it covered more skin than most girls her age would. It clung seductively to all the right places and draped loosely everywhere else. Tonight, the eyes and ears of hundreds of people would be on her and she was going to give them a show they'd never forget.
She turned and looked at the annoyance that she could not get rid of. If he was going to act like her date, then he would at least be arm candy that she could be proud of. She was surprised to find that he once again knew how to dress himself. He wore a dark purple silk shirt and dark blue pants that were joined together by a black belt with a silver buckle with a design carved on it. She recognized the design. She had seen it hundreds of times before whenever Sakura had manifested her magic.
"You seem awfully interested..." Eriol whispered to her seductively, "But let your eyes wander, you're not going there on the first date." Tomoyo flushed from anger and embarrassment.
"Do you always draw magic symbols on your clothing?" She turned away from Eriol and began to look through her jewelry. She felt like something was missing from her look, but had no idea what it was.
"I find that it can be handy to have a magical item or two on me," he said casually. "Who knows what could happen?" The way he said the last part sent a shiver of fear down her spine.
"Does that mean that you're anticipating a third first date?"
"You see a lot more than you think. It's too bad you can't realize it." Eriol smiled lightly. "Shall we be going?"
Meiling was exhausted. It had only been a few days, but Tsumeguchi wanted to get her back into top fighting form. It was not that she was in bad shape, in fact, the top martial artists would still think twice before messing with her, but with the way her training had been for a month now, she had gotten a bit soft. She collapsed on the floor of her room, and what seemed like moments later, there was a knocking.
Meiling slid open the door grumpily. Whoever it was would regret interrupting her rest. She came face to face with a bunch of handpicked flowers carried by her student. She blinked slowly. She hadn't expected him to come by. The class had ended over an hour ago.
"It is almost time for the dance," he pointed out, "Will you be ready soon?"
"Dance?" She had completely forgotten about it since she had begged Sakura to come. "Give me a minute." She shoved past him, ignoring the flowers and headed towards the washroom to take a quick shower to wash off the sweat.
A few minutes later, when she returned, he was sitting in her room. The flowers had been placed in a bowl of water and set on the table.
"Out," She ordered. She pointed at the door, carefully ensuring that the towel she was wearing didn't slip.
"Okay." His eyes didn't leave her as he stepped out of the room and she closed the door. A quick two minutes later she emerged. She wore a white dress with red trim that displayed Li symbol on the back. Her hair, still slightly damp, was put up into a high ponytail.
"Okay, let's go," She said rather energetically as she grabbed his wrist and began to drag him out of the building.
"You look good," Ryuuten said. He meant it. The only word that sprang to his mind to describe her appearance was erotic. The white fabric clung to her still damp skin. He looked forward to seeing what would happen once she really started to sweat.
"Idiot." She smacked him in the back of the head. She knew she looked horrible. She had rushed getting ready too much for it to be worth a compliment. It didn't really matter anyway. They were just going as friends and they were late. There was no point in taking a long time to look nice anyway. It was a dance. There would be dancing, an exercise almost as rigorous as fighting. She would be a sweaty mess by the end anyway.
She glanced at her escort for the evening. Something about his smile unnerved her. She had seen the dazed look on the faces of many guys. It told her that he was appraising her like a piece of meat. She didn't really care about that though as long as he didn't try something stupid. Her training had kept her in good shape and she was proud of her body. She wasn't particularly curvy; her athleticism had kept her body light and toned, but she did have breasts and that's where Ryuuten's eyes seemed to be focused.
Sakura knew the type of activities that could go on at a dance, especially ones like this. It had been organized by students and was being staged at an empty warehouse that had been rented for the evening. She had no doubt that there would be drugs and alcohol. If they were not being taken in the open, then at least in the darkest corners, junkies would be enjoying the night through a bottle, needle or pill. Sakura had half a mind to lock their other wrists together just to be safe, but instead was allowing him a trial separation - on the condition that he remain within the same boundaries that the chain would have allowed. She was determined to ensure that he did not touch drugs ever again.
Syaoran really hadn't cared either way. He liked being attached to Sakura. She could be very affectionate if he was good, though when he slipped up there was nowhere to hide. He had half a mind to do something bad, just so that they could remain chained together.
He had come to enjoy the mornings, especially when he now got the chance to watch her body move through the translucent veil of the shower curtain. Sometimes, she would even leave it open a crack and he would catch glimpses of the forbidden treasures of her body that he longed for. He was never sure whether this was carelessness or just another of the little games she had created to entice him into doing his best.
He had been quite disappointed when she had gone to Wei and had him retrieve the key before she washed up in preparation for the dance. He paced outside the washroom. He was wondering if he should enter and begin his own preparations. She was, after all, already used to him being in there with her.
He rubbed his forehead with his fingertips. Thinking too hard made his headache worse and all the pacing was aggravating his stomach. There was an easy way to find out. He opened the door a crack.
"Hoee!" A bar of soap bounced off Syaoran's skull. It answered his question quite effectively. "Don't make me chain you to the bed!"
"Sounds like fun," he called back to her. Syaoran was pretty sure that the ever naive, if not innocent, Sakura was now beet red and was mightily resisting the urge not to peek again. His loins pulsed with excitement at the thought of a naked, wet blushing Sakura coyly revealing a little while pretending to cover herself. The thought was soon replaced with another, one that made him dash for the vomit pail. What he had done that night sickened him more than any withdrawal ever could.
As one of the performers, Tomoyo arrived before the dance was scheduled to start. A few other local bands had also come and were busy setting up on the stage. Tomoyo, only being a singer, had little preparation.
Eriol was hovering over her and watching with a glazed look as she got ready. When she took out the CD that held the music she would be singing to, he said, "I'll do that."
"If you're going to be here, might as well be useful," Tomoyo told her annoyance, "Give this to the DJ." She handed the disc of the music for her performance to him.
"As you wish," He said. Tomoyo could not see the magical aura that emanated from the disc for a second when Eriol took it from her.
The first group to take the stage had merely been a warm up act. Tomoyo felt that there was a good reason why they had not received more opportunities to perform. She was glad that the DJ had decided to play some other music between their performance and hers.
Wei dropped Sakura and Syaoran off outside the warehouse where the dance was being held. Meiling and Ryuuten were already there waiting for them.
"Sakura!" Meiling waved. Sakura dragged Syaoran over through the mass of teens. The inside of the building was no less packed than the outside. Except for the stage and a line of tables selling refreshments the floor was covered in a crush of teenagers that ground together to the heavy beat of the music, appearing to jerk from one position to the next in the light of the strobes that flashed over and over in a hypnotic overload of the senses. Sakura had no choice but to cling to Syaoran in fear of being separated from him in the midst of the crowd. Meiling and Ryuuten had disappeared and Sakura doubted that they could find them in the crowd.
The music faded. The crowd calmed momentarily before the DJ announced, "Now, for some real talent. Here's Daidouji Tomoyo!" The crowd roared as gentle music began to pour out over the speakers and Tomoyo's voice clearly mellowed the crowd. Couples clung to each other and rocked to the music.
Sakura had not gone dancing with Syaoran before. He was good at it. It surprised her, though it made sense when she thought about it. Many formal dinners and events often included dancing. The Li's certainly would have forced him to entertain the daughters of any important people they felt like persuading. He would definitely have been trained for this.
Sakura look up towards the stage as Tomoyo's voice faded. Everyone seemed caught off guard by the sudden break in the middle of the song.
"Okay, that's enough of the old stuff. Time for something new." Tomoyo's eyes glared straight at Sakura. "Track seven." The DJ complied and the new song began to play.
They say that I will dance and sing,
For you I'd do most anything,
Maybe once that could have been true,
But what I really feel for you...
The gentle classic Tomoyo style abruptly stopped and heavy bass began to thunder through the speakers.
I am not a toy for you,
A puppet who will dance for you
Strings that say what I will do,
Because I have feelings too.
Sakura could not even recognize the voice as Tomoyo. It was as harsh and grungy as the music. The crowd was whipped into a fervor. As suddenly as it had begun, the harshness faded and the light voice returned along with the lighter music to match.
So, touch me and feel me,
Come and know the real me.
Hold me tight and kiss me,
And when I'm gone, miss me.
Her voice took on an almost pleading tone as the speed began to increase. The crowd followed as if driven by her voice.
I've always wanted you to,
Give everything and be so true,
To know me like I've known you,
Love me as I've loved you too.
Couples ground together passionately. They held each other with lips locked. Some of the girls had tears snaking down their faces as they clung to their men as if they'd disappear if they relinquished their grasp.
Now, Tomoyo's voice changed again. Her pleading tone replaced with one of mourning. A sweet sadness began to fill the room.
I have a smile on my face, but the truth be told,
I am alone in the dark, and my hearts so cold,
You're the light of my life and I want you to see,
you brighten my day and bring warmth into me.
My chest is so empty cause you have my heart,
When you're not beside me, I'm being torn apart.
You come talking to me and you're making my day,
My hearts all aflutter and I've nothing to say.
You stand there, You're waiting, but I'm so afraid.
I open my mouth, but only silence is made.
I had my great chance, you came and I blew it,
I should never have hoped, I'm lost and I knew it.
It was amazing. Tomoyo's voice gripped the hearts of the crowd. Sakura could feel the hopelessness and despair of lost love as Tomoyo sang. Then the crowd was once again frenzied by the harsh and angry chorus.
I am not a toy for you,
A puppet who will dance for you
Strings that say what I will do,
Because I have feelings too.
So, touch me and feel me,
Come and know the real me.
Hold me tight and kiss me,
And when I'm gone, miss me.
I've always wanted you to,
Give everything and be so true,
To know me like I've known you,
Love me as I've loved you too.
Sakura became lost in the emotions the song evoked. It was so enthralling. It was impossible to resist the call. The song moved into the second verses in a mixture of bliss and anguish. The contrary emotions only fuelled the desires that filled the heavily beating hearts of the crowd.
You knock on my door, it's a quarter to eight,
'Come see a movie? Let's have a date'
You take me to the theatre, then ask me to pay,
and I'm so enchanted that I do it your way.
At the end of the evening, I'm so full of bliss,
You bring be back home and send me in with a kiss.
My parents told me, you're not right for me
You're just taking, not giving like you should be.
They don't understand, they just don't know you,
The feelings we have, they just have to be true.
They can't stop my heart, and it's moving forward,
You're the only one my heart is leading me toward.
Each beat of the music swayed the entire crowd. No person was unmoved by the sound of Tomoyo's voice.
I am not a toy for you,
A puppet who will dance for you
Strings that say what I will do,
Because I have feelings too.
So, touch me and feel me,
Come and know the real me.
Hold me tight and kiss me,
And when I'm gone, miss me.
I've always wanted you to,
Give everything and be so true,
To know me like I've known you,
Love me as I've loved you too.
It was an almost religious experience. It was a feeling of being connected to everyone in the crowd. The purpose didn't matter, just the feeling. You had to follow the music.
You see me after school, and get me into your car,
Drive up to lookout point, and it's not that far.
"Baby I love you, let's be together today,"
I am all yours and I let you have your way.
We do it together in your cars backseat,
This kind of closeness, it just can't be beat.
You say to me that you've had enough,
Feelings and love, you lied about that stuff,
You took what you wanted, I had nothing left
I am just a victim of your sexual theft.
You played with my feelings, you left me to cry,
You didn't even care that I wanted to die.
Bliss. Love. Contentment. Betrayal. Anguish. Revulsion. Pain. Excruciating agony.
I am not a toy for you,
A puppet who will dance for you
strings that say what I will do,
Because I have feelings too.
You took me and led me astray,
You touched me and had your way.
You left when I begged you to stay,
Crushing my heart, you walked away..
I had given, you didn't need to take,
Everything I did all for your sake
But everything you did was fake,
My heart was a glass for you to break
So, stay away, and fear me,
Don't go anywhere near me.
That's the way it's gonna be,
From now on this heart is free.
Kiss me, and I'll kill you,
Won't see me if I see you,
I want you to know it too,
The pain I feel because of you.
Sakura screamed as thick red blood splashed across her face. Ryuuten's body fell to the floor in front of her. She hadn't even realized that they'd been next to each other. Meiling's face was filled with such fear that Sakura almost didn't react in time when Meiling went to kick the boy in the head. She blocked Meiling's kick before it could kill Ryuuten. Screams of pain and fear filled the building.
Sakura didn't have a chance to figure out what was going on as a powerful pair of arms wrapped around her. She recognized that they belonged to Syaoran, but something was wrong. She was pulled roughly against his body. He breathed slowly and heavily beside her ear. His right hand grabbed her breast and began to squeeze and knead it painfully. His left rubbed forcefully between her legs and threatened to break through her clothing and enter her. His erection pushed uncomfortably against her back. It didn't matter that it was Syaoran. Sakura screamed.
I will not let it happen; never ever again
Close my heart to people; shut away the pain,
I won't be a puppet, you can't pull my strings,
you can't push me around saying beautiful things,
I was down but not out, outlook blacker than black
I will never forgive you and I'll get you back,
Revenge is a bitch, and that's what I'll be,
I will tear out your heart, yes you will see
The fruits of your labor, the pain that's in me
I will keep coming, and you will never be free
To take what you want then put me back on the shelf,
I'll show you a babe in total control of herself.
The arms released her. She didn't have the strength to hold herself up. She fell to the ground and began to cry. All around her the sounds of pain echoed. Quiet whimpers. Begging. Crying. Screaming. Angry shouts. Grunting. Physically or sexually each person was being assaulted by their partner. Those who had come alone were taking out their feelings on whoever was around them.
The one person who hadn't been screaming cried out in pain. Syaoran was on the stage. Tomoyo was looking around in shock and bewilderment. A dark bruise was forming on her cheek.
Tomoyo looked scared. She had seen Syaoran like this once before. His eyes gazed at her with murderous intent. She trembled. She couldn't find the will to speak out against her attacker.
"If you had hurt her, she would have forgiven you," Syaoran growled. He made his sword materialize in his hand. "But you made me hurt her. You were warned." Tomoyo closed her eyes and screamed at the top of her lungs. A loud metallic clash forestalled her impending death. Tomoyo cracked open her eyes to find a shining silver rapier keeping Li's blade millimeters away from her throat.
"You should be careful with that. You might hurt someone that doesn't belong to you," Eriol said playfully as he effortlessly forced Li's sword back. Li punched at Eriol with his off hand, but his arm was caught and he was thrown off the stage and into the crowd. "I think we should probably cut out early for your own safety," Eriol said as he helped Tomoyo up.
"I want to stay," Tomoyo said. She didn't even protest that Eriol was now holding her. After what she had just experienced, she wanted the comfort, even if it was from someone like him.
She recognized it as one of the things she had dreamed of. She had wanted Sakura to be treated like an object and be hurt as much as she felt hurt. All the other people were innocent bystanders; she hadn't wanted it to really happen, especially not to anyone other than Sakura. This was all her fault and she was going to see it through to the end, no matter what that end was. The chaos was too much for her. If it wasn't her singing, then something else must have been forcing the madness.
Tomoyo pushed away from Eriol, suddenly repulsed by the feeling of his touching her. He didn't try to stop her as she race over to the DJ's table. She could see him now. He was at least thirty, and he had a girl who couldn't have been even half his age pinned to the floor under him. His eyes were glassy and unfocused. Tomoyo couldn't stand by and let the man continue.
The girl was screaming for help and trying to escape as the man pulled at her dress and the collar tore. This gave her the leeway to pull free and she tried to crawl towards the mass of bodies a few feet away to escape. The DJ turned and grabbed her ankle, dragging her back towards him. Tomoyo took the opportunity to deliver a powerful kick between his legs from behind. The girl escaped but Tomoyo had no idea how far she'd get before someone else would try something. She looked at the DJ's equipment and pressed the stop button. She turned the volume all the way down. She even unplugged it. All her efforts were in vain. The music wouldn't stop.
"Only Sakura can stop it," Eriol said to her, "You know that don't you?"
"This has to stop," Tomoyo slammed her fists down onto the equipment.
Eriol pulled her away from the table as Syaoran's sword crashed through it. Tomoyo screamed in fear, but Syaoran suddenly slumped to the ground. An even more fearsome Meiling had been behind him. She struck him over and over and over. All the sound stopped. Everyone in the crowd looked around in stunned silence except for Meiling who was still hitting the unconscious body of Syaoran and crying.