annotate old/stories/CCN7Ieraninclasslatest.txt @ 4:69f0191c9016 moonlitnights tip

added error.log and access.log
author Robert McIntyre <rlm@mit.edu>
date Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:42:35 -0400
parents fc00894c1d4a
children
rev   line source
rlm@2 1 Cardcaptor Nadeshiko
rlm@2 2 Chapter 7
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
rlm@2 11 I.
rlm@2 12 “Nadeshiko?”
rlm@2 13
rlm@2 14 A breeze stirred the branches of the little tree, leaves vibrating merrily, beckoning the young
rlm@2 15 girl’s attention. One day she was nearly frantic with excitement while talking to a classmate
rlm@2 16 about all the different leaves on that very tree. But her friend laughed, saying they all looked
rlm@2 17 the same to her. It seemed incomprehensible to the silver-haired child that someone really
rlm@2 18 couldn’t see how each leaf had a life, a personality, and, as fall crept closer, a death all its
rlm@2 19 own. For Nadeshiko, leaves were like rocks and cats and clouds and people: all thrumming with
rlm@2 20 life, their own little life, yet connected to one another by shimmering threads. Only slowly was
rlm@2 21 she realizing that many people, perhaps most people, did not, or could not, see this.
rlm@2 22
rlm@2 23 “Nadeshiko?”
rlm@2 24
rlm@2 25 It was sort of like numbers, she mused. That thought reminded her of the math homework, and
rlm@2 26 mentally she reconstructed her actions from that morning to ensure the assignment had been placed
rlm@2 27 in her school bag. At first, she had done dreadfully at arithmetic, staring at the paper filled
rlm@2 28 with columns of numbers in utter bafflement. Her father, though patient as always, had nearly
rlm@2 29 despaired of her ever learning even the basics of the subject. One day, he told her earnestly
rlm@2 30 that she wasn’t listening to what the numbers told her. This was intriguing, and she took note.
rlm@2 31 For days she focused with a frightening singularity, skipping meals, conversations, and sleep to
rlm@2 32 gaze at the numbers carefully etched onto paper.
rlm@2 33
rlm@2 34 “Amamiya Nadeshiko.”
rlm@2 35
rlm@2 36 Finally, sitting bleary-eyed at her desk early one morning, she heard a faint whispering. It was
rlm@2 37 3. 3 was the boldest number, the first to break the long silence. Enthralled, excited, but
rlm@2 38 careful not to frighten her new numerical friend, Nadeshiko smiled, listened, and eventually fell
rlm@2 39 into a merry conversation. Her parents found her that morning, chattering excitedly to a piece of
rlm@2 40 paper. In a panic they nearly rushed her to the hospital. But when she came to everything seemed
rlm@2 41 all right, or at least as all right as can be with such an unusual child. From that time on
rlm@2 42 Nadeshiko’s grades in mathematics improved, one might even say soared, and it became her favorite
rlm@2 43 subject. Once she even approached a teacher, asking apprehensively if it was cheating when the
rlm@2 44 numbers told her the answers.
rlm@2 45
rlm@2 46 “Amamiya Na-de-shi-ko.”
rlm@2 47
rlm@2 48 So, maybe other people were like she once was with numbers, and that explained why they could not
rlm@2 49 see that leaves and trees and bugs were all so different. Maybe that explained why most people
rlm@2 50 did not stare at a burning fire for hours, or sit under a starry sky all night and wonder in
rlm@2 51 astonishment why the stars were suddenly extinguished, only to realize it was now dawn. Maybe…
rlm@2 52
rlm@2 53 A light tap on the head from a rolled up workbook caused Nadeshiko to blink in puzzlement. She
rlm@2 54 looked up, and saw the exasperated teacher above her, looking in anticipation for a response.
rlm@2 55 Nadeshiko’s mind raced to put the situation into some sort of order and context. Desperately she
rlm@2 56 glanced over at her cousin for help. Sonomi, blushing for her, silently mouthed the word.
rlm@2 57 Nadeshiko squinted, trying to understand, her own lips moving in a futile attempt to follow. The
rlm@2 58 voice from above spoke evenly,
rlm@2 59
rlm@2 60 “I believe Sonomi chan is trying to tell you the word, ‘present.’”
rlm@2 61
rlm@2 62 Nadeshiko slowly digested this, and then, in a Eureka moment nearly jumped out of her chair with
rlm@2 63 excitement shouting,
rlm@2 64
rlm@2 65 “Oh, gomenesai, present, present!”
rlm@2 66
rlm@2 67 The giggles around the class were quickly suppressed by the teacher’s glare. Unflustered, the
rlm@2 68 instructor continued the roll call with, “Amamiya Sonomi?”
rlm@2 69
rlm@2 70 “Present.” The girl with the strangely cut red hair glanced at her cousin in relief. As the roll
rlm@2 71 call wound through the rest of the class, Nadeshiko smiled at her cousin and formed a silent
rlm@2 72 thank you with her lips. Sonomi rolled her eyes, but couldn’t help smiling back. As the roll call
rlm@2 73 ended, the teacher paused and announced,
rlm@2 74
rlm@2 75 “Today, I am going to introduce you to a new classmate. She is not from Japan, so I want you to
rlm@2 76 treat her with special consideration. Please, enter.”
rlm@2 77
rlm@2 78 A transfer student was big news anytime, but one from abroad was a banner headline. The eyes of
rlm@2 79 the entire class fell on the slowly opening door as their new classmate emerged. The girl walked
rlm@2 80 in steadily, seemingly unaware of the curious, measuring stares that greeted her. She was tall
rlm@2 81 and slender, brown eyes humbly downcast. But what most caught the class’s attention, and even
rlm@2 82 caused a few gasps of surprise, was her hair. Straight, jet-black, and falling loose nearly to
rlm@2 83 her knees, the lustrous hair gave her the look of a Heian-era court beauty, a mysterious visitor
rlm@2 84 from another time and place. She stopped in front of the teacher and bowed low, her long hair
rlm@2 85 trailing on the floor. Writing her name on the chalkboard in a lovely script, the new girl turned
rlm@2 86 to face the class, then bowed and spoke in a feathery, lilting accent,
rlm@2 87
rlm@2 88 “Ohayo Gozaimasu. My name is Li Ieran. I am from Hong Kong. Please help me to be a worthy student
rlm@2 89 at your school.”
rlm@2 90
rlm@2 91 The hush gave way to a universal “Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh” as the class gazed in wonder. Suddenly, a voice
rlm@2 92 rang out,
rlm@2 93
rlm@2 94 “Oh, Hello! You’re the girl from last night! I never had a chance to thank you.”
rlm@2 95
rlm@2 96 All eyes swung towards Nadeshiko, who was out of her seat hopping excitedly. Ieran bowed again,
rlm@2 97 her impassive face giving way to a reluctant smile. “It is utterly improper for me to smile like
rlm@2 98 this,” the Chinese girl thought to herself, “but she commands my smile as the sun commands
rlm@2 99 warmth.” Still bowing she spoke in her whispery voice,
rlm@2 100
rlm@2 101 “It is I who am in your debt, and only my thanks, not yours, are seemly and proper.”
rlm@2 102
rlm@2 103 The bewildered teacher finally restored order and settled Nadeshiko down, placing the new student
rlm@2 104 in a seat behind the excitable Amamiya girl. In this tumultuous storm of curiosity, amidst the
rlm@2 105 whispers, peeks and stolen glances, no one, not even the teacher, got much work done that
rlm@2 106 morning.
rlm@2 107
rlm@2 108 During lunch, after casting glances at the mysterious girl from Hong Kong, the students drifted
rlm@2 109 away to their regular eating spots. All alone now , Ieran unwrapped her obentou. She was curious
rlm@2 110 about the strange Japanese meal prepared by her guardian, Wei. Sensing a presence, she glanced up
rlm@2 111 into the face of the Card Captor leaning over her, staring curiously at the little silk-wrapped
rlm@2 112 package. Startled and speechless, the Chinese girl could only stare back as the pale apparition
rlm@2 113 spoke in a giggly voice,
rlm@2 114
rlm@2 115 “I’m sorry, Ieran-chan. I just wondered what was in there. I’ve never seen a Chinese obentou
rlm@2 116 before. Would you like to eat with us? With Sonomi-chan and me?”
rlm@2 117
rlm@2 118 Ieran spied the girl possessed by The Sword the night before. As if embarrassed by her friend’s
rlm@2 119 eccentricities, the red-haired girl blushed slightly, blue eyes averted. The girl from Hong Kong
rlm@2 120 felt a blush of her own growing, a trickily tickling of the neck and ears. Japan was a much
rlm@2 121 stranger place than she had ever expected, and this situation literally left her at a loss for
rlm@2 122 words.
rlm@2 123
rlm@2 124 Last night was odd enough. The Card Captor was not what she expected: just a silly, pretty little
rlm@2 125 girl. Yet that little girl stopped The Sword with no more than a glance. Ieran forced herself to
rlm@2 126 quickly work through the possibilities. Now she casually approaches me, her rival for the Cards.
rlm@2 127 Surely she knows I wield power? Perhaps she is contemptuous of me? That thought burned a little,
rlm@2 128 but didn’t seem to fit with the Card Captor’s beatific smile. There was no hint of condescension
rlm@2 129 or arrogance on that gentle face. Nor did the girl from Hong Kong, long trained in the subtle
rlm@2 130 arts, sense guile or hidden motive. It was as if the Card Captor was genuinely interested in her.
rlm@2 131 In near desperation, Ieran focused her inner eye on the smiling figure to discern the
rlm@2 132 silvery-haired girl’s true motives. To her surprise, she sensed curiosity, and concern that the
rlm@2 133 new girl might have to eat lunch all alone. Somewhat stunned, she whispered shyly,
rlm@2 134
rlm@2 135 “Yes.Yes, I would like to eat with you. Thank you.”
rlm@2 136
rlm@2 137 Delighted, Nadeshiko took the girl’s hand and walked her out of the building into the dazzling
rlm@2 138 sunlight. Sonomi, frowning, followed the pair to a grassy spot beneath the trees in the
rlm@2 139 schoolyard. Soon they were spread out beneath the gently swaying branches, Nadeshiko merrily
rlm@2 140 chattering away. Finally Sonomi broke in and said quietly,
rlm@2 141
rlm@2 142 “Nadeshiko-chan, I don’t think Ieran-san knows our names yet. We’ve never been properly
rlm@2 143 introduced.”
rlm@2 144
rlm@2 145 Nadeshiko stopped and stared straight ahead, as if she were replaying all the previous morning’s
rlm@2 146 events in her head. With a trilling laugh she quickly arose and bowed, her long, silver gray hair
rlm@2 147 cascading as she did,
rlm@2 148
rlm@2 149 “Gomenesai, Ieran-chan. My name is Amamiya Nadeshiko, and this is my cousin and best friend,
rlm@2 150 Amamiya Sonomi. We are very happy to meet you.”
rlm@2 151
rlm@2 152 Introductions dispensed with, Nadeshiko returned to her running commentary on the weather, lunch,
rlm@2 153 school, and various stars she saw last night. This latter finally gave Ieran an opening, and she
rlm@2 154 asked in a quiet voice,
rlm@2 155
rlm@2 156 “Um, Nadeshiko-san, may I ask you something? Something in private?”
rlm@2 157
rlm@2 158 At this, Sonomi stopped short and looked at the Chinese girl with surprise. She felt a twinge of
rlm@2 159 irritation, but Nadeshiko only laughed and said, “Sonomi knows all of my secrets anyway, because
rlm@2 160 she knows me so well. What did you want to ask?”
rlm@2 161
rlm@2 162 Ieran shifted uncomfortably and spoke in a halting whisper, “About last night. About the, the
rlm@2 163 Card.”
rlm@2 164
rlm@2 165 Nadeshiko brightened, “Oh, you mean the Clow Cards? Do you know about them?”
rlm@2 166
rlm@2 167 Ieran looked open-mouthed at the girls. Nadeshiko casually mentioned the Cards in the same way
rlm@2 168 she talked about rice balls and sunsets. Sonomi seemed equally nonplussed. Barely suppressing a
rlm@2 169 triumphant smile, the red-haired girl said simply, “I already know about them.”
rlm@2 170
rlm@2 171 Ieran’s mind raced for an explanation. How many others knew about the Cards? And just who was
rlm@2 172 this Sonomi to the Card Captor? Judging from last night, she seemed quite close, perhaps a
rlm@2 173 beloved servant? Calling upon all her training, Ieran presented a placid smile as she buzzed
rlm@2 174 inside with questions. Her mind fell on a fact and anchored itself as she spoke,
rlm@2 175
rlm@2 176 “Ah, I see. Nadeshiko-san, you mentioned ‘Cards.’ Do you, I mean, have you encountered more Cards
rlm@2 177 than The Sword?”
rlm@2 178
rlm@2 179 Nadeshiko’s eyes brightened as she gushed, “Oh, yes, I have met Wood, Fly, Jump, and the
rlm@2 180 wonderful Flower! They are all my friends now.”
rlm@2 181
rlm@2 182 Ieran held a frozen smile on her face as she groped for a reply, but no words came. How was it
rlm@2 183 possible that this frail, flighty creature had gathered up so many of the Cards? But had she
rlm@2 184 really? With forced calm Ieran asked, “Nadeshiko-san, when you say they are your friends, does
rlm@2 185 that mean you have captured them? Have you sealed them all?”
rlm@2 186
rlm@2 187 Nadeshiko nibbled thoughtfully on a rice ball as she replied, “Sealing. Well, that’s what
rlm@2 188 Teddychan calls it. But I don’t think I capture them so much as make them my friends.”
rlm@2 189
rlm@2 190 Sonomi sighed as she brushed away a stray rice grain from her cousin’s cheek, “She makes friends
rlm@2 191 with everybody and everything, from the meanest bully in school to the grossest bugs in the
rlm@2 192 woods.”
rlm@2 193
rlm@2 194 Ieran smiled at the gentle figure and believed she could befriend anyone and anything. Suddenly
rlm@2 195 puzzled, she asked, “Who is Teddychan? Does he know about the Cards?”
rlm@2 196
rlm@2 197 At the thought of her funny flying companion, Nadeshiko giggled, “Oh, yes, he knows a lot of
rlm@2 198 things about them. His real name is Kero…Kerobero…Kerobus…his real name is hard to say, so I call
rlm@2 199 him Teddychan, because he looks just like a cute little teddy bear.”
rlm@2 200
rlm@2 201 “Do you mean Kereberous?” Ieran asked in astonishment.
rlm@2 202
rlm@2 203 “Yes, that’s it! Do you know him, too?” Nadeshiko leapt to her feet in excitement.
rlm@2 204
rlm@2 205 “No, no I don’t,” The startled Ieran replied. “I’ve only read of him, and heard of him. But I
rlm@2 206 don’t think he could be the same one. The Kereberous I know of is a large and powerful magical
rlm@2 207 beast.”
rlm@2 208
rlm@2 209 Ieran grew thoughtful again and asked, “Nadeshiko-san, I would very much like to meet your friend
rlm@2 210 Teddy-chan someday.”
rlm@2 211
rlm@2 212 Nadeshiko leaned over and said with a grin, “Would you like to come to my home tonight and meet
rlm@2 213 him? You could stay for dinner. My mother is a very good cook.”
rlm@2 214
rlm@2 215 Ieran looked up, again at an utter loss for what to say. Surely an invitation to the House of a
rlm@2 216 Card Captor could not be made so lightly? Schooled in the ways of duplicity and suspicion that
rlm@2 217 governed the shadow world of Hong Kong, Ieran wondered if all this was some elaborate trap, some
rlm@2 218 great design set in motion to lure her in. But the green eyes that beheld her were empty of
rlm@2 219 artifice or malice. And besides, the Chinese mage thought to herself, I need to know more about
rlm@2 220 her, and how better to know the tiger than visit her den? She stood up and bowed deeply, speaking
rlm@2 221 in a distant and formal tone,
rlm@2 222
rlm@2 223 “Thank you for your kind offer, Nadeshiko-san. It would be an honour beyond my humble worth to be
rlm@2 224 the guest of your illustrious House.”
rlm@2 225
rlm@2 226 Ieran gasped as the girl fell into her arms and hugged her. Her body tensed, and then softened as
rlm@2 227 the silver-haired girl held her. Wrapped in those gentle arms, a burning blush consumed her as
rlm@2 228 her breath fled away. Robbed of speech yet again, she could only stand and tremble in that
rlm@2 229 fragrant embrace. Finally Nadeshiko released her, leaving Ieran delirious and unsteady, her mind
rlm@2 230 awhirl.
rlm@2 231
rlm@2 232
rlm@2 233 II.
rlm@2 234 Ieran worried all the way to the Amamiya residence. Determined to strike a commanding presence,
rlm@2 235 the girl fussed all afternoon to find just the right outfit for this momentous meeting.
rlm@2 236 Contemplating a closet full of garments, she realized how out of her element she was. Nervousness
rlm@2 237 was something she scornfully left to opponents, but this time it infected her. The apprehension
rlm@2 238 made her angry, which only led to further imbalance and blindness. She was even short with Wei
rlm@2 239 when he warned her they would be late, an unforgivable display of weakness on her part. Trained
rlm@2 240 in the shadowy ways of Hong Kong, she knew something of power, and was being groomed for greater
rlm@2 241 things. Staring out at the unfamiliar landscape as Wei drove through the sheets of rain, she
rlm@2 242 recalled overhearing the praise of an illustrious Great Uncle: “She’s young, but a fast
rlm@2 243 learner.” That caused a momentary flush of pride, which she ruthlessly suppressed with a frown.
rlm@2 244 Yes, she thought, there I knew names and rank, powers and flaws, tendencies and the direction of
rlm@2 245 things. Knowledge is power. But here is only this troubling ignorance, ignorance both broad and
rlm@2 246 embarrassingly deep. The people and customs of this island were strange, though none more so than
rlm@2 247 the weird girl whose home she was heading towards.
rlm@2 248
rlm@2 249 Nadeshiko. She spoke the name silently, like a prayer. For countless decades the Cards lay
rlm@2 250 hidden, and now some silly little girl captures five of them. Five! It seemed ridiculous, yet she
rlm@2 251 did not doubt the girl spoke truly. Despite her incredulity, Ieran remembered that most basic
rlm@2 252 lesson of all her magical training: “Things are not as they seem.” So, too, it must be with her.
rlm@2 253 She seemed a pretty, though inconsequential female. Yet, if she had captured so many Clow Cards,
rlm@2 254 she must wield significant power. If this power exists, Ieran thought to herself, it is my
rlm@2 255 weakness not to have seen it. Her fingers tightened imperceptibly into little clenched fists as
rlm@2 256 she vowed, “This time I will see it.” So intent was she on this inner resolution that as soon as
rlm@2 257 the car stopped she leapt out into the storm, leaving her coat and umbrella behind.
rlm@2 258
rlm@2 259 The blast of wet wind slapped her awake. Wei had dashed out with an umbrella, but his efforts
rlm@2 260 were mocked by a gale that blasted her carefully coiffed hair. With a little shriek she ran the
rlm@2 261 long distance from the driveway to the front door, Wei following, the useless umbrella turned
rlm@2 262 inside out. Rapping on the door, the manservant tried his best to shield the girl, but with
rlm@2 263 little success. The door opened, and a startled older servant stared at the pair for a second
rlm@2 264 before bidding them enter. Wei sheparded his young charge into the hallway then entered himself.
rlm@2 265 Uncertain what to do, he bowed and stood motionless, waiting. Ieran, wet and disheveled, looked
rlm@2 266 up expectantly. Flustered, the older servant of the house stared at the pair, finally blurting
rlm@2 267 out, “Let us go to Amamiya-sama.”
rlm@2 268
rlm@2 269 With fuss and concern, the girl was ushered into a warm kitchen, redolent of spices and simmering
rlm@2 270 sauces. A pretty woman glanced at her, put down a mixing bowl, and instructed an assistant to
rlm@2 271 continue with the cooking. Wiping her hands on a white apron, she approached Ieran with a smile,
rlm@2 272 bowing as she spoke,
rlm@2 273
rlm@2 274 “You must be Ieran-chan? My daughter told me that you would be joining us for supper. I am
rlm@2 275 honored to have you as our guest.”
rlm@2 276
rlm@2 277 When Ieran bowed in reply, a little trickle of water spattered onto the floor, and the woman
rlm@2 278 gasped,
rlm@2 279
rlm@2 280 “Oh, you poor thing! I’ve been in the kitchen so long I didn’t know it was raining. Come along;
rlm@2 281 let’s dry you off before you catch yourself a death of a cold.”
rlm@2 282
rlm@2 283 Wrapping the sopping wet girl in a kitchen towel, she bustled the child out through the dinning
rlm@2 284 room down a long hallway. Cooed and comforted, Ieran felt a curious twinge, an inexpressible
rlm@2 285 longing for her own mother so far, far away. Stopping at a door, the woman knocked and spoke
rlm@2 286 rather loudly as she opened it,
rlm@2 287
rlm@2 288 “Nadeshiko-chan? Nadeshiko-chan?”
rlm@2 289
rlm@2 290 To her horror, Ieran saw the Card Captor: her rival, her enemy, who knew what. Far worse, the
rlm@2 291 Card Captor saw her. What an absurd sight I must be, she thought in a panic. Desperately trying
rlm@2 292 to straighten out her sopping wet blue silk cheongsam, she waited with dread for the mocking
rlm@2 293 glance and stinging remark. Instead, she was again wrapped in those gentle arms as the giggling
rlm@2 294 girl embraced her, hugging her tightly. It was the woman’s voice she heard first,
rlm@2 295
rlm@2 296 “Nadeshiko-chan, your friend got wet in the rain. Would you please help her dry off and find some
rlm@2 297 clothes? I’ll have Maid come by in a bit and try to dry out her outfit. Such a shame; it’s a very
rlm@2 298 pretty dress.”
rlm@2 299
rlm@2 300 Ieran looked up, and saw the loving eyes of the woman as she slowly pried away the clinging,
rlm@2 301 still excited silver haired girl. Again, she repeated her instructions, and slow realization
rlm@2 302 crept over Nadeshiko’s fair features. Filled with concern, she hugged Ieran one last time, then
rlm@2 303 skittered out of the room in a frantic search for a blanket or a towel. With a bemused sigh, the
rlm@2 304 woman guided the Chinese girl to an adjacent bathroom and said,
rlm@2 305
rlm@2 306 “You can change in here, dear. There are towels on the rack; I’ll find you something in
rlm@2 307 Nadeshiko’s closet. You’re close to the same size, I think.”
rlm@2 308
rlm@2 309 The door closed, and Ieran saw a bedraggled sight in the mirror. It made her want to cry. She
rlm@2 310 remembered the English phrase from school, “from the sublime to the ridiculous.” Grimacing, she
rlm@2 311 peeled off her clothes, and dried herself with the fluffy pink towels. The room was toasty warm,
rlm@2 312 which made things a little better. Outside, the door opened and shut, and she heard muffled
rlm@2 313 voices. The excited one was Nadeshiko, the calm and reassuring one belonged to her mother.
rlm@2 314 Another was familiar, but she could not place it. Curious, she peeked out of the bathroom.
rlm@2 315
rlm@2 316 “It’s all right, Nadeshiko-chan, your friend is fine now. We already have towels, thank you. Now,
rlm@2 317 let’s see if we can find something nice for her to wear. Sonomi-chan, what do you think of this
rlm@2 318 one?”
rlm@2 319
rlm@2 320 Sonomi, Ieran thought, Sonmi. Oh, yes, the girl with the sword. She watched her solemnly
rlm@2 321 comparing two garments, one mint green with dark pine needles, the other sky blue, dotted with
rlm@2 322 black and white cranes. Looking up, the red-haired girl spoke, “The blue, I think.” Ieran
rlm@2 323 vanished inside as she saw them turning to the door. Wrapped in a long, pink towel, she sat on a
rlm@2 324 chair and waited expectantly. Hearing a knock on the door, she answered, “Come in,” and Nadeshiko
rlm@2 325 bustled in, her face lit with both concern and joy,
rlm@2 326
rlm@2 327 “Hello again! How are you? Are you OK?” The silver-haired girl gushed, staring at the still damp
rlm@2 328 figure.
rlm@2 329
rlm@2 330 Ieran nodded, unable to look away from the curious and concerned Nadeshiko. The girl with the
rlm@2 331 oddly cut red-hair stepped into the room, holding the beautiful blue garment she had selected,
rlm@2 332 and handed it to Ieran,
rlm@2 333
rlm@2 334 “Here, you can wear this. It’s a little thin, so there’s a comforter in the bedroom you can wrap
rlm@2 335 up in while you dry.” Holding it up, she smiled at the Chinese girl’s curious look,
rlm@2 336
rlm@2 337 “It’s called a yukata.”
rlm@2 338
rlm@2 339 Ieran frowned, feeling foolish for not knowing more about Japanese customs,
rlm@2 340
rlm@2 341 “Thank you, Sonomi-san,” she said formally, “when the two of you leave I shall change.”
rlm@2 342
rlm@2 343 Nadeshiko, not catching the hint, was gently dragged away by her cousin. As the door shut, Ieran
rlm@2 344 sat down, gazing at the lovely blue fabric. Shaking her head and smiling ruefully, she dressed
rlm@2 345 herself, tied back her long, wet hair with a red ribbon, and opened the door.
rlm@2 346
rlm@2 347 III.
rlm@2 348 Ieran sat on the bed, huddled in her comforter, listening to rain lash the windows, watching the
rlm@2 349 two cousins carefully. Nadeshiko was bubbly, effervescent, and seemed quite the chatterbox.
rlm@2 350 Later, the Chinese girl would realize that this first impression was only partially on the mark.
rlm@2 351 She certainly was bubbly and effervescent; genki, as the Japanese would say. But though she was
rlm@2 352 merrily chattering away tonight, at other times Nadeshiko could be silent for hours, her
rlm@2 353 attention absorbed by the slightest of trifles: a star, a stone, or a tree. Sonomi, on the other
rlm@2 354 hand, was usually quiet, unless she was mad. But most of all, Ieran watched Sonomi watching
rlm@2 355 Nadeshiko, and smiled at what she saw.
rlm@2 356
rlm@2 357 Eventually, her poise recovered, Ieran subtly steered the conversation towards her true interest:
rlm@2 358 The Cards. As she did, Nadeshiko jumped to her feet, her look serious and concerned,
rlm@2 359
rlm@2 360 “Oh…that…that reminds me…magic…something, someone I was supposed to….” For a long minute she
rlm@2 361 stood still, inwardly seeking the answer to her half-asked question. Then, leaping to the closet
rlm@2 362 door, she blurted out, “Teddy-Chan!” Sliding the door open, she bent down and unclasped the brass
rlm@2 363 lock of a black lacquer chest. As she opened the door, a yellow blur zipped out, gasping and
rlm@2 364 coughing,
rlm@2 365
rlm@2 366 “I thought I was going to die!”
rlm@2 367
rlm@2 368 The tiny creature hovered in the air, wings beating furiously, breathing heavily. Nadeshiko
rlm@2 369 fussed and apologized, while Sonomi looked away in irritation,
rlm@2 370
rlm@2 371 “You can spare us the dramatics. The box isn’t air tight, you know.”
rlm@2 372
rlm@2 373 The little creature glowered at Sonomi, and spluttered, “Well, it was, it was certainly dark, and
rlm@2 374 stuffy, and…well, how would YOU like to be locked in some stupid box, forgotten and abandoned,
rlm@2 375 and…and…”
rlm@2 376
rlm@2 377 The two combatants glared at each other, teeth clenched, growling like cats before a fight.
rlm@2 378 Suddenly, Keroberus noticed the girl wrapped in the comforter staring at him in open-mouthed
rlm@2 379 amazement. The yellow creature looked to the right, then the left, and stared at Ieran with a
rlm@2 380 gulp. Then, as if transforming into a stuffed animal, he fell to the floor with a clatter, and a
rlm@2 381 stifled groan.
rlm@2 382
rlm@2 383 Sonomi stared, and then laughed at the sight, while Nadeshiko rushed up and comforted the
rlm@2 384 stricken warrior,
rlm@2 385
rlm@2 386 “It’s all right, Teddy-chan, she’s a friend!”
rlm@2 387
rlm@2 388 As Kereberous blinked at her, then suspiciously shot a sidelong glance at the bundled up girl,
rlm@2 389 Nadeshiko spoke in a formal voice,
rlm@2 390
rlm@2 391 “Ieran-chan, this is my good friend Teddy-chan. He knows an awful lot about the Cards. When you
rlm@2 392 mentioned them I remembered he was hiding in there.”
rlm@2 393
rlm@2 394 Ieran stared at Teddy-chan, then at Nadeshiko as she blurted out,
rlm@2 395
rlm@2 396 “That is Kereberous?”
rlm@2 397
rlm@2 398 Folding his arms and assuming a dignified pose, he answered, “I am known by many names:
rlm@2 399 Kereberous, The Beast of the Seal, Servant of Clow Reed, and Guardian of the Cards, to name but a
rlm@2 400 few.”
rlm@2 401
rlm@2 402 Ieran pressed the comforter against her mouth as she stifled a giggle. With great control she
rlm@2 403 managed to ask,
rlm@2 404
rlm@2 405 “But are you not rather….diminutive to serve such a fearsome role?”
rlm@2 406
rlm@2 407 Fortunately, the irony was lost on the self-important Beast, “My size is of little concern,
rlm@2 408 though, eh-hem, my powers have waned somewhat since the release of the Cards.”
rlm@2 409
rlm@2 410 This made sense to the Chinese girl. The Guardian’s power would be linked to the Cards, and their
rlm@2 411 unleashing would be his undoing. Still, it was difficult to take such a flighty creature
rlm@2 412 seriously. In a challenging tone she asked him,
rlm@2 413
rlm@2 414 “If you are the Guardian, then shouldn’t you know where all the Cards are?”
rlm@2 415
rlm@2 416 At this, Kereberous seemed rather crestfallen. “Well,” He answered hesitantly, “I can sense when
rlm@2 417 they are close, but…”
rlm@2 418
rlm@2 419 Suddenly, Nadeshiko chirped up, “Oh, Teddy-chan is wonderful about the Cards! He was very helpful
rlm@2 420 with Jump, and Fly. He knows so very much about them.
rlm@2 421
rlm@2 422 “Eeeeehh, truly?” Ieran was having a difficult time with all this, but of course was too polite
rlm@2 423 to say so.
rlm@2 424
rlm@2 425 The conversation wound its way through the recent history of Clow Reed’s magical cards. Like the
rlm@2 426 girl herself, Nadeshiko’s narration was elliptical and eccentric, detouring into peculiar
rlm@2 427 thoughts and speculations before Sonomi gently put her back on track. Teddy-chan, as he was now
rlm@2 428 known, interjected modest (and not so modest) observations about his own contributions. Ieran, on
rlm@2 429 the whole, listened, an art she excelled at. Sonomi watched her with increasing interest, waiting
rlm@2 430 for her cousin to pause for breath before asking,
rlm@2 431
rlm@2 432 “Ieran-san, Nadeshiko has told you all about herself. But what about you? Why do you know about
rlm@2 433 the Cards, and what do you want with them?”
rlm@2 434
rlm@2 435 For a brief instant, this query caught the Chinese girl off guard. As she had been trained, she
rlm@2 436 used that instant well, weighing and calculating all the possibilities and implications of a
rlm@2 437 response. She settled for telling the truth, though not all of it. In a formal tone she made her
rlm@2 438 answer,
rlm@2 439
rlm@2 440 “My family claims descent from Clow Reed, creator of the Cards. As future head of the Li
rlm@2 441 Household, I have been designated to investigate the possibility that they have reemerged. As for
rlm@2 442 what I want, well, that is of little enough importance. As the Cards are the… (She paused, nearly
rlm@2 443 saying “property) responsibility of the Li, I am to ensure they are properly dealt with. As for
rlm@2 444 what I know, knowledge is a thing not lightly given. Some things I know, some I do not. But then,
rlm@2 445 not even having seen these cards, one can say little.”
rlm@2 446
rlm@2 447 Nadeshiko looked baffled at first, but then smiled, thinking to herself, such pretty words!
rlm@2 448 Teddy-chan just looked baffled. Sonomi looked at the two and rolled her eyes. As she had all her
rlm@2 449 life, Sonomi explained the subtleties of human conversation to her cousin,
rlm@2 450
rlm@2 451 “She wants to see the Cards.”
rlm@2 452
rlm@2 453 Ieran looked somewhat taken aback at such bluntness, but did not deny the statement. Nadeshiko,
rlm@2 454 smiling as realization dawned, jumped up and rushed to the drawer of her pink and white dresser.
rlm@2 455 Excitedly she babbled,
rlm@2 456
rlm@2 457 “Teddy-chan says I must always keep them safe, so I put them in my very most special drawer. I
rlm@2 458 used to keep my very most special rocks here, but they seemed so unhappy to be in the dark all
rlm@2 459 the time that I let them play in the garden, with beetle san and cicada san and ant san and, oh,
rlm@2 460 here they are!”
rlm@2 461
rlm@2 462 With a flourish she held them up. Ieran could barely conceal her interest as she gazed at the
rlm@2 463 Cards. Wood, Jump, Fly, Flower, Sword. Catching her breath, she felt their magic pulse and throb.
rlm@2 464 She didn’t need her magical finder to know they were real. Seeing Nadeshiko’s flowery signature
rlm@2 465 inspired her with awe, and not a little jealousy. Still, at least they had been sealed. But aside
rlm@2 466 from Sword, they were among the less aggressive Cards. In a reverent whisper she asked,
rlm@2 467
rlm@2 468 “Are these all?”
rlm@2 469
rlm@2 470 “All that I have, yes. Teddy-chan says there are many more, and that they must be gathered up
rlm@2 471 before they cause everybody problems.” Nadeshiko was all too familiar with causing problems,
rlm@2 472 being for many years a sweet one for family and friends.
rlm@2 473
rlm@2 474 Problems, thought Ieran. What a word for this looming apocalypse. Still entranced by a sight that
rlm@2 475 had lain hidden hundreds of years, the Chinese girl muttered,
rlm@2 476
rlm@2 477 “He’s quite right. They must be gathered and sealed quickly.” She looked up at the newly met trio
rlm@2 478 with analytic eyes. It seemed almost preposterous that these three could have been responsible
rlm@2 479 for sealing five of the legendary Clow Cards. But here they were, unmistakably real, and
rlm@2 480 unmistakably sealed. Her mind sifted through the legends and theories of the mysterious and
rlm@2 481 frightening Clow Reed. Her eyes fixed on the winged creature, hovering by Nadeshiko’s side.
rlm@2 482 Ieran’s voice was sharp and curt,
rlm@2 483
rlm@2 484 “You have chosen her, have you not? This is an irrevocable decision, yes?”
rlm@2 485
rlm@2 486 The hovering figure was taken aback, but managed a grave nod.
rlm@2 487
rlm@2 488 “Have you told her of the dangers involved?”
rlm@2 489
rlm@2 490 Teddy-chan shifted nervously in the air as he answered, “Well, yes, sort of, I mean, I don’t know
rlm@2 491 if she quite understands it all.”
rlm@2 492
rlm@2 493 At this, Sonomi jumped in, aggressively querying the newcomer, “What dangers are you talking
rlm@2 494 about?”
rlm@2 495
rlm@2 496
rlm@2 497 Ieran slyly watched the silver haired girl as she spoke, “The Cards hold incalculable power, and
rlm@2 498 pose dire risks for all who would face them.”
rlm@2 499
rlm@2 500 Nadeshiko’s expression was sweetly blank. Either she’s fearless or a fool, thought the
rlm@2 501 black-haired girl. But Sonomi’s response was short and sharp,
rlm@2 502
rlm@2 503 “What risks? What do you mean?”
rlm@2 504
rlm@2 505 Ieran gazed at the intense blue eyes regarding her with barely concealed hostility. Here was a
rlm@2 506 lever to gauge the Card Captor’s strength. This Sonomi would not allow her beloved one to enter
rlm@2 507 danger lightly. Ieran replied in an even tone,
rlm@2 508
rlm@2 509 “I mean what I say. This is a perilous thing, to capture these Cards. I do not know all there is
rlm@2 510 about them. No one does. But I do know this is a deadly serious business.” Now she turned the
rlm@2 511 tables by asking, “You, Sonomi, you care for her. Will you let her face such dangers?”
rlm@2 512
rlm@2 513 The athletic girl slumped her shoulders and sighed,
rlm@2 514
rlm@2 515 “I don’t like any of this, but I can’t tell her what to do. Nobody can. All I can do is be with
rlm@2 516 her.”
rlm@2 517
rlm@2 518 If this strong-willed girl cannot control her, surely no one can, thought Ieran.
rlm@2 519
rlm@2 520 At that moment, there was a knock on the door. The maid’s voice, “The manservant of Li-san has
rlm@2 521 arrived to take her home”.
rlm@2 522
rlm@2 523 With hugs and goodbyes from Nadeshiko, and a stiff formal bow from a worried Sonomi, Ieran left
rlm@2 524 the Amamiya mansion. The sky was crystal clear after the rain, stars blazing in the newly washed
rlm@2 525 sky. On the way home, Ieran suddenly asked the old servant,
rlm@2 526
rlm@2 527 “Wei, please stop at that little park we passed before, the one with the lake.”
rlm@2 528
rlm@2 529 “Yes, Ieran-sama.” He did not protest that the night was late, since tomorrow was not a school
rlm@2 530 day. He had learned long ago that, even as her appointed guardian, with so strong-willed a child
rlm@2 531 he must pick his battles carefully. As he pulled over to the curb, she asked him to wait, in a
rlm@2 532 tone that meant she wished to be alone.
rlm@2 533
rlm@2 534 Walking through the empty park, leaves laden with fresh rainwater, Ieran delighted in the wetness
rlm@2 535 all around her. She loved parks, the little swath of green in the busy, noisy city. She saw a
rlm@2 536 couple together, close together, sitting on one of the park benches. This caused her to blush.
rlm@2 537 Walking a little faster, clutching the white sweater Nadeshiko’s mother had given her. Finally
rlm@2 538 she came to the lake, spring fed, she sensed, laced with the recent rains, but calm and placid
rlm@2 539 now. It was a very good lake. Slipping off the sweater and hanging it on a nearby tree, she
rlm@2 540 stooped down, gazing at the reflection of a thousand thousand lights. Crossing her arms on her
rlm@2 541 breast, she felt the chill air through the delicate yukata. With a deep breath, she began.
rlm@2 542
rlm@2 543 She willed her mind to stillness, as still as the black sky that held the dancing stars, as still
rlm@2 544 as the lake before her. Kneeling gracefully at the edge of earth, air, and water, she softly
rlm@2 545 chanted a call for Vision. And Vision came, shimmering on the dark water. She opened her eyes and
rlm@2 546 saw three figures, battered, shaken, pressed against a gray stone wall. In the center was
rlm@2 547 Nadeshiko, gripping a magical staff, illuminated by some unearthly light. Shielding the glowing
rlm@2 548 girl was the one with curious hair, Sonomi. Bruised and bloodied, blue eyes defiant, she braced
rlm@2 549 herself for what was to come. And by their side Ieran saw herself, clad in her finest robes, the
rlm@2 550 robes of a water mage passed down through generations uncounted. Her face was dirty, and she saw
rlm@2 551 the dreaded Fear in her eyes as she concentrated on a spell. A teasing little breeze rippled the
rlm@2 552 surface of the waters, and the vision fled.
rlm@2 553
rlm@2 554 She knelt for a long time, eyes fixed on the water. She had learned in her few years not to force
rlm@2 555 the images, not to over analyze or think about them too much. It was like seeing for a brief
rlm@2 556 moment 2 or 3 pieces from a massive jigsaw puzzle, the sort her mother loved to assemble on rainy
rlm@2 557 nights. There was no way to know the entire picture from those few pieces. All you could do was
rlm@2 558 remember the fragments, and hope they would give you some little guidance when the time was
rlm@2 559 right. Ieran rose, and straightened out the delicate summer kimono. It was wet at the knees, but
rlm@2 560 happily not dirty, for she had been careful to kneel on the grass. It would be a shame to ruin
rlm@2 561 such a pretty thing. For a moment she thought of the yukata’s owner, another pretty thing.
rlm@2 562 Flowing, silvery hair, green, green eyes, enchanting smile… Ieran blushed to be so close to her,
rlm@2 563 even in such an indirect manner. Well, the yukata gives me a reason to go back, to see her again,
rlm@2 564 she thought happily. She slipped on the white sweater and began to walk
rlm@2 565
rlm@2 566 Strolling towards the car, she gazed at the stars and begged their blessing. She was grateful for
rlm@2 567 having come so far in so short a time. She had seen the Cards, and the girl who captured them.
rlm@2 568 She had met the Seal Beast, though his diminutive form made her smile even now. And she had been
rlm@2 569 given a glimpse of a future, her future, seemingly entwined with that of the one who had captured
rlm@2 570 five of the legendary Cards. It was a strange vision, in a strange country, but good to have for
rlm@2 571 all that. Approaching the car, the ever vigilant Wei leapt out and opened the door. She bowed and
rlm@2 572 smiled a greeting and then slipped into the back seat. In the warm and cozy car the utterly
rlm@2 573 exhausted Ieran fell asleep, and when they arrived home the old man carried her off to bed.
rlm@2 574 Uncertain what to do with the drowsing girl, he tucked her in, yukata and all. That night she
rlm@2 575 dreamt of three black and white cranes, soaring together through a limitless blue sky. But when
rlm@2 576 she awoke the storm had come again, and the thunder rasped out a warning that all dreams must
rlm@2 577 end.