Don't matter Don't matter.
Disclaimer: I do not own CCS. Not even in my dreams. Happy, CLAMP?
Summary: Newly transferred student, Sakura Kinomoto finds herself friends in Tomoyo Daidoji, Eriol Hiragizawa, and Syaoran Li. As long as they have each other, nothing else matters. What happens when relationships get in the way of their friendships? Can they sort out their problems with each other, or must they part ways as friends and lovers? A NOT so typical high school drama.
In this farewell; there's no blood, there's no alibi
Cause I've drawn regret, from the truth of a thousand lies.
What I've done, Linkin Park.
Author's note: Beware, long chapter.
Chapter 4: Sing for me alone:
"Hey guys, I've got great news!" said Yukito as he entered the music room, where his band mates had already assembled, and were testing their equipment.
"Mr Toku's sending us on a promotion tour to the Singapore?" asked Chiharu raising her eyebrows hopefully.
"Haha, very funny. We've got a concert scheduled for next Friday, at the Oasis's!" he exclaimed.
Sakura's jaw dropped.
"I know, exciting, know?" asked Yukito pleased with Sakura's reaction.
Naoku, on the other hand was not pleased.
"You call that great news?!" she shrieked. "Wait, till I get my hands on you, you…" she continued as she proceeded to poke him with the violin stick, she found lying nearby.
"Hey, ow, OW, and OW!" he yelled as ducked behind Chiharu for cover. "What's wrong with you?"
Chiharu suddenly started, losing the dazed look on her face.
"We've got less than 2 weeks to prepare for our concert and you call it good news?!" she screamed in his face. With that, she started punching him, and Yukito started retreating towards the door.
"Easy, girls, easy! I didn't plan it, Mr. Toku did. So hurt him, not me!" he said looking really panicky.
"Oh Lord, have mercy on us!" Chiharu wailed.
"Um, guys? When are you planning on practicing, seeing we've got less than two weeks left?" Sakura interrupted her rambling.
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"Hey Sakura, heard you're having a concert at Oasis's on Friday. Can I have a backstage pass?" yelled Nakuru as Sakura made her way to her friends who were sitting in the cafeteria.
"Sorry, Nakuru, you'll have to ask Yukito; he's the one who's handling all the backstage passes." Replied Sakura.
"What are you gonna sing? Cant wait to hear you sing," said Takahashi.
"You'll have to wait and see," she yelled back in response, as she sat down at the table where her friends were sitting.
"So, how's the practice going?" smiled Tomoyo.
"Hehe.. not so good… Naoku keeps hyperventilating, imagining me forgetting my lyrics, or the others missing a beat, or the instruments malfunctioning," she said.
"Well, that's Naoku for you, classic case of dementia," said Eriol in a wise, sagely manner.
"Sorry Tomoyo," said Sakura and poked Eriol in the arm. "She's my friend!" she continued indignantly.
Eriol rubbed his arms and rolled his eyes.
"Sakura, guess who's doing your dress, hair and makeup?" asked Tomoyo, with a sly grin on her face.
"Let me guess, you?" asked Sakura with a small smile on her face, to which Tomoyo's grin only got wider.
"Could you imagine anyone else?" asked Tomoyo.
"Not really. Anyway you guys are all coming, right? For the concert? I've got you all backstage passes," she said.
There were nods of approval from all except for two people, clearly in their own world.
Sakura then noticed Syaoran, who had earphones in his ear, and music was blaring from the earphones of his ipod.
"You're coming too, right, Syaoran?" she asked, looking directly at him. He had however not heard.
She then waved her hand before his face to get his attention, and repeated her question a little louder this time.
He just moved his head forward with a questioning look in his eyes, a gesture that said, speak-louder-I-cant-hear-you
Sakura's face went red from her anger and patience that had been sorely tested since Naoku's hysterics in the morning.
"Uh-oh…here we go," muttered Tomoyo to Eriol.
"Yeah, remind me never to piss off Sakura," replied Eriol.
They then watched in surprise as she leaned forward; Syaoran being the most surprised as he didn't have a clue of what was going on.
So, as I was saying; she leaned forward and with one jerk, she pulled the earphones out of one ear, and said in a hurtfully loud tone, "You coming or what? To the concert?"
He jumped, and thought, there goes my eardrums. He quickly replied, "Of course, not a doubt."
Well, one down, one to go, thought Sakura.
She then turned around to face Meiling, who was dully poking her food, unaware of the attention she was being subjected to.
Sakura said gently, "Meiling?"
No response.
Sakura waved her hands in front of her.
No response.
Eriol and Tomoyo looked highly amused and Syaoran had started laughing at the priceless look on Sakura's face.
Sakura then jabbed Meiling hard in the knees.
"What, what? Break's over, already?" she said with a start.
"No," said Sakura laughing. "You're coming for the concert right?" she continued.
"Uh, yeah sure." She replied melancholy.
Wonder what's with her, Sakura thought.
Is someone jealous, thought Tomoyo.
I'm hungry. Doesn't look like Syaoran is going to eat more. Better help myself, thought Eriol.
With that, Eriol took a cupcake off Syaoran's plate.
"Hey, give me that back," whined Syaoran.
"If you insist, you may have it, take it," he said and he opened his mouth for Syaoran.
"Ugh, no thanks," Syaoran replied, disgusted.
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(Backstage)
"Sakura, there you are!" exclaimed Eriol. "Hey Tomoyo, good job with the dressing," he replied, seeing Tomoyo next to her, looking for a makeup brush, no doubt. Tomoyo muttered, "thanks."
"Glad you could make it. Where are the others?" asked Sakura clearly asking about Syaoran and Meiling.
"Um.. Meiling couldn't make it, she fell ill, and Syaoran's well, outside, drinking juice or something. Wait, none of the drinks are spiked right?" he replied suddenly anxious.
"Spiked?" asked Sakura.
"You know, …they're all non-alcoholic, right?" asked Eriol again.
"Of course," replied Tomoyo. "Why do you ask, though?" asked Sakura intrigued; clearly it had something to do with Syaoran.
"Um..well… you did NOT hear this from me, but last time he got drunk at a school function, he kind of told Mr. Terada, that his wife had a nice coughcough..ass." he replied choking on the last word with laughter.
"What?!" said Sakura, laughing hysterically.
"All done," said Tomoyo all of a sudden.
"Come on Sakura, it's time," said Naoku sticking her head through the door.
A/n: Check out the dress I had in mind for Sakura: It's on my web page, on my profile, since it refuses to come on this page.
Copy paste the link in your web browser, and check it out, I'm so nasty!:)
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"So you guys, you've waited long enough, don't you think?" said Ryu who was hosting the event. To which the crowd screamed.
"Make some noise for…. THE BITTERSWEET SYMPHONY!" said Ryu enthusiastically, as the dais suddenly rose up with the band members stand still on it. Once the dais was done moving, Sakura started speaking.
"Ok guys and girls, first up we're gonna play "Most girls". Are you ready for us?" she asked. Sakura was wearing a red dress designed by none other than Tomoyo. Syaoran was the one who was most surprised.
"No guys, she asked ARE YOU READY FOR THEM?" Ryu yelled, the crowd screamed louder for them.
"That's more like it," smirked Sakura as she saw Li whose jaw still hung open.
Syaoran's thoughts:
Man, she looks so hot in that dress. Damn it. And she's my friend. Damn. Sue me, I find my best friend hot!
"Hit it, Chiharu!" she yelled. And Sakura started:
I never cared too much for love, she sang as she pulled Ryu onto the stage from behind the curtain.
It was all a bunch of mush that I just did not want, Ryu pulled her close as if to kiss her, but she turned away and he ended up kissing her cheek. She pulled some cash out of his shirt pocket,
Syaoran's thoughts:
That didn't bother me. That didn't bother me. That didn't bother me. What is she even doing with that idiot on the stage?
Paid was the issue of the day
If a girlfriend's got some game and counted it in front of Naoku.
Couldn't be more fly, gettin paid was everything and they did a hip bump.
But I'm not every girl and I don't need that world to validate me
At this she faced the audience and pointed to herself and caught Syaoran's eye once more.
Cuz shorty's got a job, shorty's got a car, shorty can pay her own rent,she stood next to Chiharu and both of them sang.
Don't wanna dance if it is not in my heart
MOST GIRLS want a man with the bling bling, she sang as she edged her way, close to Yukito.
Syaoran's thoughts:
Damnit! Stop with the flirting already! It looks dumb. Besides, she and him…? Nah………!
Got my own thing, got the ching ching, as she walked away from him and faced the audience.
I just want real love, she sang, as she held her right hand over her chest, where her heart was.
MOST GIRLS want a man with the mean green, she teasingly pointed at Yukito.
Syaoran's thoughts:
Will she stop flirting already? That too with losers?!
Don't wanna dance if he can't be everything that I dream of, she walked as if in a trance.
A man that understands real love, she smirked and pointed straight at Syaoran.
Syaoran's thoughts:
Now, I'm a loser. Real smart, Li. But wait, she flirted with me!
A couple of heads turned, curious to see who it was. Tomoyo smirked and nudged Eriol, on seeing Syaoran's grin widen.
I was a girl about the floss, as she walked towards Ryu.
It was all about the cost, how much he spent on me, as she accepted the bouquet of roses he offered her.
Seek, for a man who's got the means, she wrinkled her nose as she smelled the roses.
Syaoran's thoughts:
Roses, the idiot! Sakura means cherry blossoms, not roses, hah!
To be givin you diamond rings, she sang as he got on his knees and opened a box with an artificial diamond ring.
It's what every fly girl could want or even dream, and she looked at the audience.
But I'm not every girl and I don't need no G to take care of me,she wriggled her index finger and once again ran to Chiharu and they both sang:
Cuz shorty's got a job, shorty's got a car, shorty can pay her own rent
Don't wanna dance if it is not in my heart, no no, as she faced the audience again.
MOST GIRLS want a man with the bling bling, she sang as she stood close to Yukito.
Syaoran's thoughts:
Not again!
Got my own thing, got the ching ching, and she walked away from him.
I just want real love,she then lay her head on Naoku's shoulder as she stopped playing for that sentence.
MOST GIRLS want a man with the mean green, she looked at Yukito accusingly.
Syaoran's thoughts:
What, does she have some sort of animalistic attraction for him? He's trouble. I can tell.
Don't wanna dance if he can't be everything that I dream of
A man that understands real love, she sang, as she lost herself in the amber eyes of the boy, who was gazing at her with a smile on her face.
Syaoran's thoughts:
Yeah, that's right, look at me, not at that idiot.
"Ok, next up, Sakura's going to sing, Say ok," announced Naoku, grabbing the mike from her and hnading it back to her, by which time, Sakura had looked away from Syaoran, blushing furiously.
(A/N: the words in brackets are backup/extra vocals, sung by Naoku.)
You are fine
You are sweet, she sang with her eyes closed.
But I'm still a bit naive with my heart, she opened her eyes and smiled at Tomoyo.
When you're close I don't breathe
I can't find the words to speak
I feel sparks, she sang gently swaying to the music.
But I don't wanna be into you
If you are not looking for true love, oh oh
No I don't wanna start seeing you
If I can't be your only one, she looked directly at Syaoran.
Syaoran's thoughts:
The only one? Hmm. Let me think. No, I don't mind.
Chorus
When it's not alright
When it's not OK
Will you try to make me feel better?, she sang looking at Tomoyo and then shifting her gaze to Eriol.
Will you say alright? (say alright)
Will you say OK? (Say OK)
Will you stick with me through whatever?, she looked questioningly at Syaoran as she sang it. Syaoran started nodding and stopped halfway.
Syaoran's thoughts:
Idiot. Idiot. Idiot. Remind me why I had to nod, again?
Or run away
(Say that it's gonna be alright. That it's gonna be OK
Don't run away, don't run away)
Let me know if it's gonna be you, she sang as he ran to one side on the stage and knelt to her audience,
Boy, you've got some things to prove, she sang along with the crowd into the mike.
Let me know that you'll keep me safe, she ran back to the middle of the podium and made eye contact with Syaoran.
I don't want you to run away so
Let me know that you'll call on time, and she ran to the other side of the stage and sang with the crowd.
Let me know that you'll help me shine
Will you wipe my tears away, she then hopped her way to the middle of the stage.
Will you hold me closer, with that, she beckoned to Syaoran, with her fingers.
Syaoran's thoughts:
Man, she's good. Why did nobody tell me she was a flirtinator?
Chorus
When it's not alright
When it's not OK
Will you try to make me feel better?, she then stood close to Yukito and sang the rest.
Will you say alright? (Say alright)
Will you say OK? (Say OK)
Will you stick with me through whatever?
Or run away
(Say that it's gonna be alright. That it's gonna be OK)
Say OK
(Don't run away, don't run away)
(Say that it's gonna be alright. That it's gonna be OK, don't run away)
Will you say OK
(Say that it's gonna be alright. That it's gonna be OK)
"It's gonna be okay…" Yukito sang ending the song at a slow, low tone.
Syaoran's thoughts:
I hate, I repeat, I hate that idiot Yukito. Still, Yukito – one , Syaoran – three. Hah!
"Ok, we're going to perform My Immortal, our last song for tonight. This is in the memory of all those who died in the floods in Kyung valley," said Yukito in a morose voice.(A/N: I totally made that up, don't panic!)
"This also goes out to those of you all who have lost beloved ones at some point or another in your life. Let us grace their memory by remembering them tonight," said Sakura, with a deathly paleness on her face.
She then went and sat next to the piano that had been kept on the stage a little towards her left side.
She then began to play and started singing.
I'm so tired of being here
Suppressed by all my childish fears
And if you have to leave
I wish that you would just leave
'Cause your presence still lingers here
And it won't leave me alone
These wounds won't seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There's just too much that time cannot erase
When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears
And I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have
All of me
You used to captivate me
By your resonating light
Now I'm bound by the life you left behind
Your face it haunts
My once pleasant dreams
Your voice it chased away
All the sanity in me
These wounds won't seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There's just too much that time cannot erase
When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears
And I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have
All of me
I've tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone, by this time she had tears in her eyes.
But though you're still with me
I've been alone all along, she sang it with a burst of energy and emotion that everyone who were initially swaying their heads to the slow music, screamed and cheered for her.
When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears
And I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have
All of me
All of me…, she didn't look up at all, as she let those shameful tears run across her cheeks. Chiharu got up and went to comfort her. Chiharu knew why she was crying; Sakura had lost her mother when she was just 4 years old. She still missed her mom.
"There, there, sweetie, it's okay," she said as she pulled Sakura close to her shoulder.
"Your mom loves you very much, and I'm sure she's proud of you," said Yukito.
"Come Sakura, it's over, let's get you to your room, okay?" said Naoku, she didn't want the paparazzi hounding a tearful Sakura.
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Backstage in Sakura's room:
"You did very well today," said Naoku in an effort to cheer Sakura up.
"Thanks," she replied weakly, no longer sobbing.
"You wont believe it!" said Yukito as he entered barging into the room.
"Stop right there." Said Chiharu and she raised her palm to make him halt.
"Ever heard of knocking, Yukito?" she asked crossing arms over her chest.
"Uh…sure, but we don't stand such formalities right?" he asked uncertainly.
"What if we were not here and Sakura was dressing? She's a girl, not a guy, Yukito!" she replied frustratedly.
"You mean like the time Yamazaki walked in when you were?" he smirked.
"Yeah… Wait a minute, how did you know that?!" asked Chiharu blushing like mad.
"Well, you shouldn't leave your journal lying around, you know?" he said. "I cant believe you find that conceited moron hot…I mean Yamazaki?"
"You didn't!" she said all color drained out of her face.
"Well, you better not tell anybody about it. Or else…" she threatened.
"Else what?" Yukito asked daring her on.
"I'm going to tell the girl you like that you like her…!" said Chiharu smirking. Ooh, blackmail is one good weapon, she thought.
"I don't know what you're talking about…" said Yukito. Oh crap, don't tell me she knows, he thought.
"Ahe-Ahem," Sakura cleared her throat. "Arent you guys forgetting something?"
"Yeah like, maybe we're still here?!" said Naoku.
"Oops," said Chiharu, "Sorry."
"Anyway, I was about to tell you we might go to France the next summer, to shoot videos for a new album!" said Yukito.
"Awesome," Sakura said and high fived Yukito.
"You said it" Naoku and Chiharu said in unison.
"Hey your friends wanted to talk to you, should I send them in?" asked Yukito.
"Yeah, thanks," said Sakura.
All three of them then left her room.
Sakura went and sat and played the song again and sang,..
Now I'm bound by the life you left behind
Your face it haunts
My once pleasant dreams…
Before she continued Eriol, Tomoyo and Syaoran entered and she stopped playing.
"Oh, hi guys," she said as they came in.
"You sang very well," said Eriol.
"You looked hot, don't you agree, Syaoran?" said Tomoyo winking at Syaoran, much to Syaoran's discomfiture, and vehement grumbling. So she noticed, he thought.
Sakura's eyes showed pure amusement.
"I liked your last song best, though," continued Tomoyo.
Only Syaoran noticed the temporary hardening in her eyes, at this statement.
"Hey, Eriol! Why don't you get us something to eat?" Syaoran said. Take her with you, he mouthed to him pointing to Tomoyo.
"Without eating everything on the way back!" retorted Tomoyo.
"Maybe you should go with him just to make sure," said Syaoran.
"Oh, I get it," she suddenly said and winked at him before leaving with Eriol.
Syaoran groaned. Tomoyo was going to make life more complicated.
"Who did you write the song for?" he asked Sakura when they were alone.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said.
"Stop it. Stop blocking me out. Just answer me." He said stubbornly.
"My mother. What's it got to do with you?" she said through gritted teeth; she didn't like telling people about her mother.
"I'm so sorry, Sakura. Wanna talk about it?" he asked looking at her very kindly with his eyes.
"Why would I wanna?" she said rudely, thinking, I wish I didn't have to do this, but I never wanted any of this.
"Because I'm one of your best friends and best friends help each other out!" he said looking hurt.
"Please just drop it, dont" she said, already feeling her resistance, the walls around her crumble.
Syaoran: There was nothing I could say, I knew she was about to cry. Therefore I did the only thing that made sense to me.
He pulled her close in a hug and she sobbed on his shoulder.
"Hey, listen, wanna know something? My dad's dead too," he whispered softly.
"He died fighting in the war before I was even born, I know how you feel, I used to feel the same, hell there are times I cant get over it, but let me tell you something," he said.
"What?" she asked, feeling sorry that she was being so weak, when she'd had her mom till she was four, whereas Syaoran had never met his dad.
"You're never alone. Even though people close to you leave you, doesn't mean they stop loving you. They're always there in your heart, looking out for you," he replied petting her back, comforting her.
"Since when did you become so wise?" she asked a small smile forming on her face.
"Since when did you start flirting so much?" he asked in return.
"What do you mean," she asked grinning widely.
"Oh, you know what I mean. SO called goody-two-shoes isnt so innocent after all," he smirked.
"But I am. I've never even been on a single date so far," she said pouting.
"How about I change that?" he said suggestively, raising his eyebrows at her.
"I wouldn't mind," she said.
"You'd love it, come on, the flirting proved it," he said.
"Like you're jaw dropping didn't?" she smirked and continued, "Yeah, I noticed. Anyway, I was flirting with Eriol, not you!" she 'hmph'ed.
"WHAT? Sakura Kinomoto, repeat that!" exclaimed Tomoyo; both Eriol and Tomoyo had returned with food.
"You were flirting with me?" smirked Eriol; he had a pretty good idea Sakura had said that to tease Syaoran, but Tomoyo didn't; this was going to be so much fun watching Tomoyo's reaction!
"Oops! Wait, that's Dad! My cue to leave, later everyone," she said hearing a horn blow outside and was about to run out, but Syaoran caught her wrist and turned her around to face him.
"So, it's a yes?" he asked, passionate fire in his eyes.
"I didn't say no!" she grinned and wrenching her hand out of her grip, ran out.
"Syaoran, now would be a good time to explain…" said Tomoyo threateningly.
"Uh, would you look at the time, Mom's gonna kill us both if we don't reach by 11:00 pm. Tell you later, Tomoyo," he said and dragged Eriol with him.
"You better!" she yelled behind them.
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Sakura: Hmm, Syaoran's a sweet guy.
Syaoran: Talking about me, sweetie?
Sakura: Nope, Talking about Eriol, actually.
Tomoyo: What?
Sakura: Kidding.
Tomoyo: Uh-uh, you better be.
Eriol: Ooh, all the ladies want me!
Syaoran: Stop oohing like a girl.
Eriol: You're just jealous of my voice. You'll see!
Syaoran: Yeah right. Even Terada sings better than you.
Meiling: Break it up, already. Missed me? Well, I'm back and better.
Rika: I hate security! The ass never let me in for the concert.
Crazy heart: You deserved it. Ok, everyone catch my crew in action in the next chapter, You and I.
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Thanks to:
Waterfall-kunoichi
animelover20
AngelEmCuti
Ellabell
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