The Sounds
Prologue
"…because some days it seems like the clouds won't stay away…"
The small crowd gathered at the foot of the equally small low wooden stage went wild, drawing in a few curious glances from the people passing by on the sidewalk, attempting to get through.
"Turn your back because you can't understand. I can't get through; I can't get through to you…"
But that was it. A few curious glances; no questions, no one staying to watch the band as they beat out a beat that vibrated between the buildings. A few people had on faces of annoyance – not everyone was a fan of drumbeats and guitar solos, after all.
"…just tell me…"
As the music drowned out, what was left of the gathering disbanded, leaving four 17 year old boys to clean up. The figure at the front – a tall, slender boy – turned to the one in the back packing up his drums.
"That drum solo was better than ever, Takashi," he complimented with a rare smile and equally rare amber eyes to match. "But you might want to work on those rolls at the end. I can't finish a song properly by myself."
The boy with the drums, Takashi, smiled serenely, and a hint of an eye-roll was evident. "Syaoran, must you always have some type of criticism?"
"It's the only way we can improve –"
"He was only joking, man. You're the reason we're even here," interjected a graceful boy with navy blue hair. Draped across his sculpted chest was a worn-out electric guitar that looked as if it had been through five years of constant stressing.
"Here?" Syaoran snorted humorlessly. "Where is here, Eriol? A small street in the big city with an almost-nonexistent fan base?"
"It's something…"
Syaoran sighed, running a hand through already-tousled chestnut hair. Eriol was right. "Yeah, it's something."
x – x – x
"…it's just what I need."
With a large drumroll, the guitar riff ended.
Screams filled the air and Syaoran's sun-kissed ears. Smirking at the end of another success, he winked at no one in particular in the large concert hall. The screams raised in volume instantaneously.
Li Syaoran had become a magician.
The bronzed singer left the stage energetically, though all his energy had been drained. It was all part of the act. Eriol and Takashi followed, leaving the new bass guitarist they had hired to take down the stage.
"Yamazaki," Eriol yawned out as soon as they were off the stage, "tell him." He stared at Takashi expectantly, raising an eyebrow.
"Eriol, not now. We just got a new bass…" Takashi hissed, nervously glancing at Syaoran, who was now looking extremely bored.
"What is it now, Takashi? Another broken stick?" Syaoran laughed louder than needed, making the poor drummer feel very uncomfortable. Syaoran had recently taken a liking to teasing his sexuality.
"No, Li," he replied coldly, fed up with the jokes. "I wanted to inform you that I'm leaving."
"Okay, well see you tomorrow at Eriol's. Try to at least practice a little this time, alright man?" Syaoran turned towards the dressing rooms, walking away.
"Syaoran…"
He never stopped walking. "Can't a guy take a leak, Eriol? It's not even you doing all the work up there." Syaoran's voice was suddenly filled with sarcasm, disinterest, and a hint of…disgust? "And work on that stupid riff of yours. Don't make me cover for you again."
The dressing room door slammed violently.
x – x – x
"What do you mean, he left?!"
Eriol raised his eyebrow. "Yamazaki told you yesterday after the concert, Syaoran."
The distraught lead singer paced around the small attic hurriedly, kicking Eriol's amplifier a few times.
He winced. "Dude, Syaoran. You know I can't afford another amp. The bosses aren't paying us until we reach our sales quota."
"Well Takashi knew that I can't afford to replace another guy!" Syaoran yelled at his friend. "Where the hell am I supposed to find another drummer before tomorrow's expo?"
"Takashi already has that taken care of," Eriol replied matter-of-factly. "He isn't as thoughtless as you."
Syaoran glared at him. "So what's that idiot's big idea?"
"She's coming in about five minutes."
"SHE?!"
"Problem, Syaoran?"
"Yes, I do have a problem with that, Eriol Hiiragizawa! If –"
Syaoran's problem was never heard, as at that moment, the door to the attic flew open. Soft footsteps flew up the wooden steps fleetingly. A clump of wild auburn hair peeked over the top of the staircase leading up to the duo. A pair of bright green eyes revealed themselves. Then the body came.
She was a small, gaunt figure with the largest glasses Syaoran had ever seen on a girl. A canvas messenger bag was draped over her shoulder, two flimsy drumsticks peeking out of it.
"What the hell were you thinking, Hiiragizawa?" Syaoran hissed dangerously.
The girl didn't notice anything wrong as she dipped her head frantically and introduced herself to Eriol.
"Sorry I'm late, Li-kun! My name's Kinomoto – Kinomoto Sakura. I'm your new drummer." She turned to look questioningly at a fuming Syaoran. "Is this the guitarist?"
Eriol snickered. "You do know, Syaoran, that we get more funding if there's a girl in our band, don't you?"
x – x – x
A/N: Smooth Silver WILL be updated. I just had to get the plot bunny caught on paper before it hopped away D:.
CSS and all characters belong to CLAMP. (Which means I've made it this far without OCs! : D)
Anyways, this fic will be SxS, but it'll have some implications to my own opinions on CD ripping and the label-band relationship.