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[svn r4] got moon images from NASA!
author rlm
date Sun, 14 Mar 2010 07:01:51 -0400
parents fc00894c1d4a
children
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rlm@2 1 Cardcaptor Nadeshiko
rlm@2 2 Chapter 4
rlm@2 3 by
rlm@2 4 Amazoness Duo
rlm@2 5 and
rlm@2 6 G.P.
rlm@2 7 amazonessduo@hotmail.com
rlm@2 8 pearsong1954@yahoo.com
rlm@2 9
rlm@2 10 I.
rlm@2 11 Nadeshiko sat huddled by the windowsill, intent on the rays of sunshine filtering through the
rlm@2 12 glass. With emerald eyes, she scrutinized the delicate crystal swan cradled in her hands. Suddenly, the light caught a new facet of the beveled wing, showering the tatami mat with a
rlm@2 13 fiery rainbow of color. The little girl let out a shrieking squeal of delight at this latest
rlm@2 14 display. Fascinated by the morning’s little light show, she remained oblivious to the
rlm@2 15 footsteps growing louder on the stairs. Nor did she notice the gentle rapping on the door
rlm@2 16 that soon became a frantic pounding. Not even the worried voice of the old man could rouse
rlm@2 17 her,
rlm@2 18
rlm@2 19 "Miss? Little Miss? Are you all right? Please open the door. I’ll have to break it down if...,
rlm@2 20 oh, oh, it’s not locked. Forgive me, Miss, but I am opening the door now. Oh, I hope she is
rlm@2 21 all right. I hope she is all right."
rlm@2 22
rlm@2 23
rlm@2 24 Through wars, typhoons, and earthquakes, the old man had served three generations of
rlm@2 25 Amamiyas, but rarely had he known such fear. Peering into the enormous sunroom of the
rlm@2 26 family's summer cottage, he saw the little girl curled up into a ball by the shimmering
rlm@2 27 picture window. She was utterly still and motionless, and his heart sank. Tottering over
rlm@2 28 as quickly as his ancient legs would go, he reached with a trembling hand and gently touched
rlm@2 29 her shoulder. In a halting whisper he asked,
rlm@2 30
rlm@2 31
rlm@2 32 "Nadeshiko-sama, are you all right?"
rlm@2 33
rlm@2 34
rlm@2 35 Reacting to the tentative touch, the little girl suddenly whirled around, all smiles. In
rlm@2 36 a cheery, sing-song voice she replied,
rlm@2 37
rlm@2 38
rlm@2 39 "Hai, ojiisan. Look at all the colors! Aren't they beautiful? Where do they come from? Are
rlm@2 40 the colors inside the crystal? How do they get out? How do they all fit in? Does the sunlight
rlm@2 41 unlock them somehow? I have to ask grandfather, but he won't be back until tomorrow. I know!
rlm@2 42 I'll ask Teddy-chan. He knows lots of things."
rlm@2 43
rlm@2 44
rlm@2 45 Clutching the crystal swan, the girl dashed down the hallway to her room, silvery hair
rlm@2 46 trailing like the wisps of a little cloud. The old man slumped to the floor, letting out a
rlm@2 47 slow, relieved breath. Smiling at last, he thought, "I hope her imaginary friend has better
rlm@2 48 nerves than I."
rlm@2 49
rlm@2 50 Except that this particular imaginary friend was anything but. Teddy-chan, or Kereberous, as he
rlm@2 51 preferred, spun the top and watched with glee as it zipped across the floor. Hovering in the
rlm@2 52 air like a hummingbird, he followed the spinning toy on its journey across the parquet floor.
rlm@2 53 When the breathless girl burst through the door, He jumped in surprise, then smiled with
rlm@2 54 satisfaction at the thought, "The legendary Cardcaptor. And I found her."
rlm@2 55
rlm@2 56 Standing before him, catching her breath after running down the lengthy hallway, the girl
rlm@2 57 suddenly burst out,
rlm@2 58 "Teddy-chan, what makes the colors in my swan?"
rlm@2 59
rlm@2 60 Then, remembering her manners, she suddenly dipped a bow before continuing, "Ohayo,
rlm@2 61 Teddy-chan. Do you know what makes the colors happen when the sunlight is on my swan? I was
rlm@2 62 going to ask grandfather, but he won't be back until tomorrow. Do you know?"
rlm@2 63
rlm@2 64
rlm@2 65 Folding his arms and bowing his head with thoughtful concern, the Seal Beast called upon
rlm@2 66 his ageless wisdom to answer his eager pupil,
rlm@2 67
rlm@2 68 "Colors, yes, of course, of course. The colors happen because, well, it is hard to explain
rlm@2 69 exactly why the colors happen the way they do. Perhaps you could show me which colors you
rlm@2 70 mean?"
rlm@2 71
rlm@2 72 The little girl gleefully produced the sparkling crystal, and shifted it in the morning light
rlm@2 73 streaming through her window. Suddenly, a dazzling blue-green ray flashed forth, lighting up
rlm@2 74 the wall in a tiny rainbow. Teddy gaped in wonder as Nadeshiko giggled in delight.
rlm@2 75
rlm@2 76 "How, how did you...what is that?" He stared in amazement. At first, the girl had seemed
rlm@2 77 the unlikeliest of Card Captors. Had he not seen the capricious Flower obey her without
rlm@2 78 hesitation, he would never have believed it. No one would pick her out of a crowd as the
rlm@2 79 successor to the fearsome Clow Reed. His memories of the great magician were vague and dark,
rlm@2 80 much like the man himself. He remembered a quiet and reserved figure who could command with a
rlm@2 81 glance, and force submission with the slightest of gestures. One by one, the mightiest of Hong
rlm@2 82 Kong had challenged him, and in the end all had failed. His power seemed without limit, and in
rlm@2 83 the end it twisted his soul and he became fell and frightful. Hazier still were the Beast’s
rlm@2 84 feelings for his master. Sometimes at night he lay awake and the memories took him, memories
rlm@2 85 of fear, love, and awe. And now, bringing him more confusion was this girl.
rlm@2 86
rlm@2 87
rlm@2 88 Guarding the Cards for so long, he had nearly forgotten his purpose, the last command of his
rlm@2 89 Master. Though every sign pointed to her, he still could not shed his doubts that something had
rlm@2 90 gone wrong, and that this girl, though obviously connected to the Cards, was not the one. But
rlm@2 91 he had made his choice, and would stick it out to the bitter end. And bitter it would be should
rlm@2 92 she fail. Shaking off these hidden doubts, the fluttering beast returned to his learned lecture,
rlm@2 93
rlm@2 94 "This magical light is a mystery, and hard to explain. But as you gather more Cards, and
rlm@2 95 more power, it will all become clear to you."
rlm@2 96
rlm@2 97 With wide eyes the girl stared at him, smiling in delight. Suddenly she grabbed him, squeezing
rlm@2 98 the little creature frantically as she sang out,
rlm@2 99
rlm@2 100 Oh, thank you, Teddy-chan! I can’t wait to have more friends. I love Jump and Flower so much!
rlm@2 101 When do you think we can find more Cards? Where do you think they are?
rlm@2 102
rlm@2 103 Squirming away, the blushing, exasperated Beast of the Seal struggled to maintain his cool,
rlm@2 104
rlm@2 105 “I don’t know where they are. They, they have their own minds, and some of them are a bit, well,
rlm@2 106 erratic. But they won't all be as easy to find and capture as Jump.”
rlm@2 107
rlm@2 108 Nadeshiko gazed earnestly at the ruffled Teddy-chan,
rlm@2 109
rlm@2 110 “That’s all right. I know we can find them if we try our hardest.” The girl rose and walked
rlm@2 111 lightly to the window that overlooked the forest encircling the lake. Lost in thought she
rlm@2 112 whispered to herself,
rlm@2 113
rlm@2 114 “I wonder if there are any in there?”
rlm@2 115
rlm@2 116
rlm@2 117 II.
rlm@2 118 Nadeshiko sat on the grass and arranged the folds of her voluminous blue satin dress. It was a
rlm@2 119 gift from her grandfather, and Teddy said that a Card Captor should be properly attired so as to
rlm@2 120 impress the Cards with her grandeur. This was the grandest thing she could think of wearing,
rlm@2 121 though it made walking through the tight undergrowth of the forest a little difficult. Finally
rlm@2 122 satisfied, she unpacked her o-bento. The chef had made it for her, delighted by the oohs and
rlm@2 123 ahhs of his appreciative audience of one. She nibbled the cold, sticky rice with her chopsticks
rlm@2 124 and listened to the distant rumble of a summer thunderstorm. But here it was sunny and bright; a
rlm@2 125 hot, humid, lazy summer day that lulled the senses. Crunching on a pink, pickled radish, she
rlm@2 126 thought of all the cards that might lie in wait inside the woods. So eager to begin looking that
rlm@2 127 she rose before dawn, then slipped out of the summer mansion with only the chef knowing she was
rlm@2 128 awake. Even Teddy-chan snored through it all, she thought with a giggle.
rlm@2 129
rlm@2 130 Nadeshiko yawned and stretched, running her fingers through the green blades of grass in the
rlm@2 131 little dale. All that morning and much of the afternoon she searched the woods with no sign of
rlm@2 132 the cards. The forest was so much larger than she remembered from walks with her mother and
rlm@2 133 grandfather. It was also hard to get one's bearings. There were so many wonderful trees! Each
rlm@2 134 one looked and somehow felt different, and yet it seemed like she was seeing the same trees
rlm@2 135 while walking about. This was an odd puzzle, but it really didn't matter. Here was a beautiful
rlm@2 136 day, and she was eating a yummy lunch on the soft, soft, grass. That she was hopelessly lost
rlm@2 137 never occurred to her, and even if it had, the thought would have left her placidly unconcerned.
rlm@2 138 Full after eating only half of the delicious o-bento, the girl carefully re-wrapped it and then
rlm@2 139 curled up in the shade of a massive oak tree. Sleep came swiftly, and as she drowsed the
rlm@2 140 afternoon away, squirrels and birds peered in silent amazement at the strange little sleeping
rlm@2 141 beauty.
rlm@2 142
rlm@2 143 All was not silent at the Amamiya summer mansion. After the disappearance of little
rlm@2 144 Nadeshiko-sama became known, the household was in chaos. The tearful chef only knew she had
rlm@2 145 taken her o-bento dressed in a beautiful blue outfit that was entirely inappropriate for out of
rlm@2 146 doors. But a thorough search of the massive mansion had turned up nothing, and the searchers
rlm@2 147 reluctantly expanded their scope to include the grounds and lake. With fear and trepedation they
rlm@2 148 phoned Amamiya-sama, who rushed to the mansion. Stepping out of his limousine, he quickly took
rlm@2 149 charge of the frantic servants and organized search parties to find his missing granddaughter.
rlm@2 150 In his wake was a stunned-looking Sonomi, who had insisted on accompanying him when she
rlm@2 151 discovered his reason for leaving the family's long-planned Sunday dinner. As the large bearded
rlm@2 152 man grimly set the gardeners to dragging the lake, Sonomi slipped away and rushed to the room
rlm@2 153 her cousin had been staying. Bursting through the door, she found a nervous Seal Beast peering
rlm@2 154 out the window. Without pause she demanded frantically,
rlm@2 155
rlm@2 156 "Where is she?"
rlm@2 157
rlm@2 158 Teddy-chan spun about in surprise, then slumped to the ground,
rlm@2 159
rlm@2 160 "I don't know."
rlm@2 161
rlm@2 162 Sonomi snapped back angrily,
rlm@2 163
rlm@2 164 "What do you mean, you don't know? I thought you were her guardian or something?"
rlm@2 165
rlm@2 166 Teddy looked to the side, avoiding the ice-blue eyes of the furious child. In a quiet voice he
rlm@2 167 replied,
rlm@2 168
rlm@2 169 "She left while I was asleep. I heard the chef telling them she got her lunch before it was
rlm@2 170 light. But nobody knows where she went. I heard someone say that with the lake she may have..."
rlm@2 171 The words died in his throat.
rlm@2 172
rlm@2 173 Sonomi dropped to the floor, her anger giving way to despair. For several minutes she sat on the
rlm@2 174 floor, trying not to sob. Finally, she blinked her eyes and spoke to the Seal Beast in a
rlm@2 175 carefully measured tone,
rlm@2 176
rlm@2 177 "Nadeshiko-chan would never go swimming all by herself, so she didn’t drown in the lake. She
rlm@2 178 must be somewhere else. Did she give you any clue? Did she say anything at all about where she
rlm@2 179 might be?"
rlm@2 180
rlm@2 181 Looking up in surprise, Teddy chan suddenly grew thoughtful. He spoke slowly, struggling to
rlm@2 182 remember every detail,
rlm@2 183
rlm@2 184 "Last night she was talking about the cards, asking me where they might be. Oh, yes, she said
rlm@2 185 something about wondering where they might be while she was looking out the window."
rlm@2 186
rlm@2 187 Revelation spread across both their faces as they simultaniously sprang up and ran to the
rlm@2 188 massive picture window. The vast forest spread out before them, a fiery red carpet of trees lit
rlm@2 189 by the westering sun. The girl and the diminutive Seal Beast looked at each other and nodded.
rlm@2 190 Sonomi whispered,
rlm@2 191
rlm@2 192 "It’ll be dark soon, so I’ll go find a flashlight. We can't tell them why she went there, so
rlm@2 193 make sure nobody sees us."
rlm@2 194
rlm@2 195 With that, the girl dashed out the door. In a few minutes she returned, flashlight in hand. In
rlm@2 196 stealthy silence, the two slipped out of the house and vanished into the woods.
rlm@2 197
rlm@2 198 III.
rlm@2 199
rlm@2 200 Still as a statue, the little girl sat bathed in moonlight. It helped when her eyes were closed,
rlm@2 201 so she was oblivious to the little cloud of fireflies dancing about her head. There was no doubt
rlm@2 202 that a Clow Card was nearby. It was sort of like being hungry before the big New Year's dinner.
rlm@2 203 Even if you weren’t allowed in the kitchen, you could sense the delicacies being prepared. In
rlm@2 204 the same way she knew the Clow card was nearby, it's scent wafting in from the forest. She could
rlm@2 205 feel it watching her, hesitant but interested. At first, she had pursued it through the
rlm@2 206 impenetrable forest, but the mysterious card always stayed a step ahead. Laughing quietly to
rlm@2 207 herself, she wished she had Sonomi's speed so she could run and catch it. But with all the trees
rlm@2 208 everywhere, such speed probably wouldn't be very useful, anyway. For the same reason, she had
rlm@2 209 rejected the idea of using Jump. So she resolved to simply sit and wait, and let the card come
rlm@2 210 to her when it wanted to. It was like meeting someone new at school. At first, they would be
rlm@2 211 shy and hesitant, even if they wanted to be friends. She was certain the card would like to meet
rlm@2 212 her, but perhaps it was afraid, too. So, instead of chasing and scaring it away, she sat down in
rlm@2 213 the little clearing and waited. She was a surprisingly patient girl, and could be very good at
rlm@2 214 waiting when she wanted to.
rlm@2 215
rlm@2 216 Further away in the forest, Sonomi was also sitting. But unlike her cousin, she was not waiting
rlm@2 217 patiently, but thinking frantically. All that kept a river of tears from flowing was her
rlm@2 218 desperate resolution to find Nadeshiko. She willed herself not to cry. Crying would be an
rlm@2 219 admission of defeat and an acknowledgement that something terrible had happened to her beautiful
rlm@2 220 cousin, and neither possibility was acceptable. So instead, she sat deep in thought, puzzling
rlm@2 221 out the girl’s disappearance. Finally she looked up at the hovering Seal Beast and asked,
rlm@2 222
rlm@2 223 “Where is the Clow Card?”
rlm@2 224
rlm@2 225 The fluttering creature, startled by the sudden break in the silence, gave her a curious look,
rlm@2 226 “Eh?”
rlm@2 227
rlm@2 228 She repeated herself patiently, “Do you know where the Clow Card is that she is looking for?”
rlm@2 229
rlm@2 230 Shaking his head, Teddy-chan scanned the dark woods and answered,
rlm@2 231
rlm@2 232 “My powers are diminished in this form, but it seems to be over there somewhere.” He gestured
rlm@2 233 towards the Northeast with a little paw. “But even if she is following it, she could be
rlm@2 234 anywhere.”
rlm@2 235
rlm@2 236 Sonomi frowned as she stood, dusting off the leaves from her skirt. With a quick breath and a
rlm@2 237 smile, she faced the flying creature and said, “No, she isn’t anywhere. She has to be somewhere.
rlm@2 238 But we’ll never know just where by sitting here. She must be following the card, and if it’s
rlm@2 239 that’s where it is, then she is, too. Let’s go.”
rlm@2 240
rlm@2 241 With that, they plunged into the forest. After a few moments, Teddy-chan stopped and pulled a
rlm@2 242 small strip of blue fabric from a bramble bush. Holding it out to Sonomi he asked, “What’s this?”
rlm@2 243
rlm@2 244 Sonomi took the fabric and turned it over in her hands. It was made of sleek satin, colored a
rlm@2 245 vibrant cobalt-blue. The girl instantly broke out in a broad grin and exclaimed, “That’s
rlm@2 246 Nadeshiko’s! It’s from a dress grandfather gave her for Christmas, I’m sure of it! And this
rlm@2 247 break in the trees looks like some sort trail. She must have gone this way.”
rlm@2 248
rlm@2 249 The Seal Beast smiled and nodded, and they both rushed down the pathway. As they walked,
rlm@2 250 Sonomi’s flashlight illuminated other scraps of Nadeshiko’s dress. Following these inadvertent
rlm@2 251 little signposts, they eventually came to edge of a clearing. There they stopped, both staring
rlm@2 252 open-mouthed at the moonlit scene before them.
rlm@2 253
rlm@2 254 At the other end of the little dale, perhaps a hundred feet away, Nadeshiko sat in her tattered
rlm@2 255 dress. In front of her stood Flower. The strange woman was fidgety, shifting back and forth as
rlm@2 256 if standing still was unbearable. Practically entwined with her was another woman, all clad in
rlm@2 257 green, luminous and shimmering, gently swaying in the breeze that rustled through the branches
rlm@2 258 above them. Nadeshiko’s musical laughter carried over the field like a bell. When the shock of
rlm@2 259 this sight wore off, Sonomi let out a shout mingled with relief and exultation and began to run.
rlm@2 260 The green-tinged woman was startled, and seemed ready to bolt, but Flower hugged her tightly,
rlm@2 261 soothing her with reassuring caresses. Nadeshiko turned about, smiled as she rose, and leapt
rlm@2 262 into the arms of her onrushing cousin.
rlm@2 263
rlm@2 264 The two girls embraced in joy and relief. After several minutes they separated, and Sonomi gazed
rlm@2 265 at her cousin in horror. The pretty face was bruised and scratched, a trickle of blood on her
rlm@2 266 pale, slender neck. The silvery-gray hair was in disarray, entangled with twigs and leaves. Her
rlm@2 267 dress was torn and ripped, and one shoe was missing. Trembling fearfully, Sonomi somehow managed
rlm@2 268 to whisper,
rlm@2 269
rlm@2 270 “Nadeshiko-chan, are, are you all right?”
rlm@2 271
rlm@2 272 Holding her cousin’s hands, the disheveled girl smiled and burst out enthusiastically,
rlm@2 273
rlm@2 274 “Hai! I feel wonderful. I just knew that Wood-sama was here somewhere, and that she was afraid.
rlm@2 275 That’s why I asked Flower-sama to talk with her, to let her know that I just wanted to be
rlm@2 276 friends. Isn’t she beautiful, Sonomi-chan? Oh, I’m so sorry, I haven’t introduced you.
rlm@2 277 Sonomi-chan, this is my wonderful new friend Wood-sama. Wood-sama, this is my very best friend
rlm@2 278 and cousin, Sonomi-chan.”
rlm@2 279
rlm@2 280 The auburn-haired girl looked slightly flustered as she bowed. Flower leaned over and giggled as
rlm@2 281 she whispered something in Wood’s ear. Wood blushed as she bowed, eyeing Sonomi curiously. A
rlm@2 282 little coughing fit interrupted the proceedings, and Nadeshiko quickly added,
rlm@2 283
rlm@2 284 “Oh, and this is Teddy-chan, the Beast of the Seal, who is also my friend.”
rlm@2 285
rlm@2 286 “Long time, no see,” The flying figure announced in a suave voice. Flower curtsied and again
rlm@2 287 whispered into Wood’s ear, reducing them both to giggles as they regarded the diminutive
rlm@2 288 guardian. Teddy ignored this possible affront to his dignity as Sonomi, still looking at the
rlm@2 289 battered Nadeshiko, spoke up,
rlm@2 290
rlm@2 291 “We should get home. Everyone is very worried.”
rlm@2 292
rlm@2 293 Nadeshiko placed her pointer finger to her cheek, trying to figure out just why anyone had cause
rlm@2 294 to worry. Speaking with authority, Teddy addressed the silver-haired girl,
rlm@2 295
rlm@2 296 “Nadeshiko-chan, there is something that still needs to be done. Do you have your staff?”
rlm@2 297
rlm@2 298 The girl brightened, nodding her head enthusiastically as she answered, “Hai.”
rlm@2 299
rlm@2 300 Stepping forward, straightening out the remnants of her cobalt-blue dress, she bowed to the
rlm@2 301 verdant woman and spoke,
rlm@2 302
rlm@2 303 “Wood-sama, if I may?”
rlm@2 304
rlm@2 305 Wood took a tentative step forward. She looked carefully at the little girl and smiled. Crossing
rlm@2 306 her folded hands on her breast and closing her eyes, she waited. Nadeshiko glanced at the Seal
rlm@2 307 Beast, who nodded, and then carefully touched the woman’s forehead with her staff as she spoke
rlm@2 308 the chant,
rlm@2 309
rlm@2 310 “Clow Card, return to your true form.”
rlm@2 311
rlm@2 312 The light burst forth, swirling, and eddying around The Wood. As if she had turned to liquid,
rlm@2 313 she flowed into a shimmering card that appeared out of nowhere. The card dropped to the grass,
rlm@2 314 and Nadeshiko picked it up. As she did, Sonomi heard Teddy mutter to himself,
rlm@2 315
rlm@2 316 “They won’t all be this easy.”
rlm@2 317
rlm@2 318 IV.
rlm@2 319
rlm@2 320 For punishment, the cousins were confined to their room for the weekend. It wasn’t much of a
rlm@2 321 punishment, as the pair chatted and played the days away as if at a slumber party. After a long,
rlm@2 322 soaking bath, Nadeshiko looked as good as new, save for a few scratches and a bruised shoulder.
rlm@2 323 Reassured, Sonomi offered to comb out her tangled hair. Nadeshiko sat on the futon, facing away
rlm@2 324 from Sonomi who sat cross-legged behind her. It was difficult work, with many a tug and pull,
rlm@2 325 despite her gentle care. Through it all, Nadeshiko was silent, without so much as a whimper.
rlm@2 326 Working a particularly stubborn mat with her fingers, the auburn-haired girl said,
rlm@2 327
rlm@2 328 “Nadeshiko-chan, your hair is so fine and so long, this is almost impossible. Please don’t ever,
rlm@2 329 ever do that again.”
rlm@2 330
rlm@2 331 “Do what again, Sonomi-chan?” the girl asked.
rlm@2 332
rlm@2 333 Sonomi considered her answer carefully. She knew she wanted Nadeshiko to give up this crazy card
rlm@2 334 capturing. Never had she been so frightened as yesterday. But even if she wanted to control
rlm@2 335 Nadeshiko, she just couldn’t. It would be like caging a beautiful bird. You could make her safe
rlm@2 336 by taking away her freedom, but you couldn’t make her happy. And nothing meant more to
rlm@2 337 Sonomi-chan than her cousin’s happiness. With a reluctant little sigh, she replied softly,
rlm@2 338
rlm@2 339 “Don’t go running into the woods with your hair all loose. Let me put it up into braids or
rlm@2 340 something.”
rlm@2 341
rlm@2 342 “I’d like that, Sonomi-chan. I love when you do my hair.” The girl snuggled comfortably against
rlm@2 343 Sonomi’s legs as they sat on the futon. Sonomi found herself blushing as she added,
rlm@2 344
rlm@2 345 “And please don’t go after the cards without me. Please tell me before you go, because I want to
rlm@2 346 be with you.”
rlm@2 347
rlm@2 348 In her sweetly musical voice, the little Card Captor answered, “I’d like that. It’s nice to be
rlm@2 349 with Sonomi-chan.”
rlm@2 350
rlm@2 351 “Promise?” Sonomi asked.
rlm@2 352
rlm@2 353 “Hai, I promise.” The lilting voice replied.
rlm@2 354
rlm@2 355 Sonomi placed the comb and brush down and hugged her cousin, laying against her back, closing
rlm@2 356 her eyes and nestling her cheek in the girl’s sparkling, silvery hair. Still as a fawn in a
rlm@2 357 moonlit clearing, Nadeshiko whispered,
rlm@2 358
rlm@2 359 “I love you, Sonomi-chan.”
rlm@2 360
rlm@2 361 Sonomi caught her breath and opened her eyes. Trembling, her heart racing, she hugged the
rlm@2 362 slender form fiercely and closed her eyes. She was ecstatic, relieved, and uncertain. At long
rlm@2 363 last, she could cry.
rlm@2 364
rlm@2 365
rlm@2 366
rlm@2 367
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rlm@2 369
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rlm@2 376