rlm@0: Cardcaptor Nadeshiko
rlm@0: Chapter 4
rlm@0: by 
rlm@0: Amazoness Duo
rlm@0: and
rlm@0: G.P.
rlm@0: amazonessduo@hotmail.com
rlm@0: pearsong1954@yahoo.com
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: I.
rlm@0: Nadeshiko sat huddled by the windowsill, intent on the rays of sunshine filtering through the
rlm@0: 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@0: fiery rainbow of color. The little girl let out a shrieking squeal of delight at this latest
rlm@0:  display. Fascinated by the morning’s little light show, she remained oblivious to the 
rlm@0: footsteps growing louder on the stairs. Nor did she notice the gentle rapping on the door 
rlm@0: that soon became a frantic pounding. Not even the worried voice of the old man could rouse 
rlm@0: her,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Miss? Little Miss? Are you all right? Please open the door. I’ll have to break it down if...,
rlm@0:  oh, oh, it’s not locked. Forgive me, Miss, but I am opening the door now. Oh, I hope she is 
rlm@0: all right. I hope she is all right."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Through wars, typhoons, and earthquakes, the old man had served three generations of 
rlm@0: Amamiyas, but rarely had he known such fear. Peering into the enormous sunroom of the 
rlm@0: family's summer cottage, he saw the little girl curled up into a ball by the shimmering 
rlm@0: picture window. She was utterly still and motionless, and his heart sank. Tottering over 
rlm@0: as quickly as his ancient legs would go, he reached with a trembling hand and gently touched 
rlm@0: her shoulder. In a halting whisper he asked,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Nadeshiko-sama, are you all right?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Reacting to the tentative touch, the little girl suddenly whirled around, all smiles. In 
rlm@0: a cheery, sing-song voice she replied,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Hai, ojiisan. Look at all the colors! Aren't they beautiful? Where do they come from? Are 
rlm@0: the colors inside the crystal? How do they get out? How do they all fit in? Does the sunlight
rlm@0:  unlock them somehow? I have to ask grandfather, but he won't be back until tomorrow. I know!
rlm@0:  I'll ask Teddy-chan. He knows lots of things." 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Clutching the crystal swan, the girl dashed down the hallway to her room, silvery hair 
rlm@0: trailing like the wisps of a little cloud. The old man slumped to the floor, letting out a 
rlm@0: slow, relieved breath. Smiling at last, he thought, "I hope her imaginary friend has better
rlm@0:  nerves than I."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Except that this particular imaginary friend was anything but. Teddy-chan, or Kereberous, as he
rlm@0:  preferred, spun the top and watched with glee as it zipped across the floor. Hovering in the 
rlm@0: air like a hummingbird, he followed the spinning toy on its journey across the parquet floor.
rlm@0:  When the breathless girl burst through the door, He jumped in surprise, then smiled with
rlm@0:  satisfaction at the thought, "The legendary Cardcaptor. And I found her."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Standing before him, catching her breath after running down the lengthy hallway, the girl
rlm@0:  suddenly burst out,
rlm@0: "Teddy-chan, what makes the colors in my swan?" 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Then, remembering her manners, she suddenly dipped a bow before continuing, "Ohayo, 
rlm@0: Teddy-chan. Do you know what makes the colors happen when the sunlight is on my swan? I was 
rlm@0: going to ask grandfather, but he won't be back until tomorrow. Do you know?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Folding his arms and bowing his head with thoughtful concern, the Seal Beast called upon 
rlm@0: his ageless wisdom to answer his eager pupil,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Colors, yes, of course, of course. The colors happen because, well, it is hard to explain
rlm@0:  exactly why the colors happen the way they do. Perhaps you could show me which colors you 
rlm@0: mean?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The little girl gleefully produced the sparkling crystal, and shifted it in the morning light
rlm@0:  streaming through her window. Suddenly, a dazzling blue-green ray flashed forth, lighting up 
rlm@0: the wall in a tiny rainbow. Teddy gaped in wonder as Nadeshiko giggled in delight.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "How, how did you...what is that?" He stared in amazement. At first, the girl had seemed 
rlm@0: the unlikeliest of Card Captors. Had he not seen the capricious Flower obey her without
rlm@0:  hesitation, he would never have believed it. No one would pick her out of a crowd as the
rlm@0:  successor to the fearsome Clow Reed. His memories of the great magician were vague and dark,
rlm@0:  much like the man himself. He remembered a quiet and reserved figure who could command with a
rlm@0:  glance, and force submission with the slightest of gestures. One by one, the mightiest of Hong
rlm@0:  Kong had challenged him, and in the end all had failed. His power seemed without limit, and in
rlm@0:  the end it twisted his soul and he became fell and frightful. Hazier still were the Beast’s
rlm@0:  feelings for his master. Sometimes at night he lay awake and the memories took him, memories 
rlm@0: of fear, love, and awe. And now, bringing him more confusion was this girl. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Guarding the Cards for so long, he had nearly forgotten his purpose, the last command of his
rlm@0:  Master. Though every sign pointed to her, he still could not shed his doubts that something had
rlm@0:  gone wrong, and that this girl, though obviously connected to the Cards, was not the one. But 
rlm@0: he had made his choice, and would stick it out to the bitter end. And bitter it would be should
rlm@0: she fail. Shaking off these hidden doubts, the fluttering beast returned to his learned lecture,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "This magical light is a mystery, and hard to explain. But as you gather more Cards, and
rlm@0: more power, it will all become clear to you."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: With wide eyes the girl stared at him, smiling in delight. Suddenly she grabbed him, squeezing
rlm@0: the little creature frantically as she sang out,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Oh, thank you, Teddy-chan! I can’t wait to have more friends. I love Jump and Flower so much!
rlm@0: When do you think we can find more Cards? Where do you think they are?
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Squirming away, the blushing, exasperated Beast of the Seal struggled to maintain his cool, 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “I don’t know where they are. They, they have their own minds, and some of them are a bit, well,
rlm@0: erratic. But they won't all be as easy to find and capture as Jump.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Nadeshiko gazed earnestly at the ruffled Teddy-chan, 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “That’s all right. I know we can find them if we try our hardest.” The girl rose and walked
rlm@0: lightly to the window that overlooked the forest encircling the lake. Lost in thought she
rlm@0: whispered to herself,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “I wonder if there are any in there?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: II. 
rlm@0: Nadeshiko sat on the grass and arranged the folds of her voluminous blue satin dress. It was a
rlm@0: gift from her grandfather, and Teddy said that a Card Captor should be properly attired so as to
rlm@0: impress the Cards with her grandeur. This was the grandest thing she could think of wearing,
rlm@0: though it made walking through the tight undergrowth of the forest a little difficult. Finally
rlm@0: satisfied, she unpacked her o-bento. The chef had made it for her, delighted by the oohs and 
rlm@0: ahhs of his appreciative audience of one. She nibbled the cold, sticky rice with her chopsticks
rlm@0: and listened to the distant rumble of a summer thunderstorm. But here it was sunny and bright; a
rlm@0: hot, humid, lazy summer day that lulled the senses. Crunching on a pink, pickled radish, she
rlm@0: thought of all the cards that might lie in wait inside the woods. So eager to begin looking that
rlm@0: she rose before dawn, then slipped out of the summer mansion with only the chef knowing she was
rlm@0: awake. Even Teddy-chan snored through it all, she thought with a giggle.  
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Nadeshiko yawned and stretched, running her fingers through the green blades of grass in the
rlm@0: little dale. All that morning and much of the afternoon she searched the woods with no sign of
rlm@0: the cards. The forest was so much larger than she remembered from walks with her mother and
rlm@0: grandfather. It was also hard to get one's bearings. There were so many wonderful trees! Each 
rlm@0: one looked and somehow felt different, and yet it seemed like she was seeing the same trees 
rlm@0: while walking about. This was an odd puzzle, but it really didn't matter. Here was a beautiful
rlm@0: day, and she was eating a yummy lunch on the soft, soft, grass. That she was hopelessly lost
rlm@0: never occurred to her, and even if it had, the thought would have left her placidly unconcerned.
rlm@0: Full after eating only half of the delicious o-bento,  the girl carefully re-wrapped it and then
rlm@0: curled up in the shade of a massive oak tree. Sleep came swiftly, and as she drowsed the
rlm@0: afternoon away, squirrels and birds peered in silent amazement at the strange little sleeping
rlm@0: beauty.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: All was not silent at the Amamiya summer mansion. After the disappearance of little
rlm@0: Nadeshiko-sama became known, the household was in chaos. The tearful chef only knew she had 
rlm@0: taken her o-bento dressed in a beautiful blue outfit that was entirely inappropriate for out of
rlm@0: doors. But a thorough search of the massive mansion had turned up nothing, and the searchers
rlm@0: reluctantly expanded their scope to include the grounds and lake. With fear and trepedation they
rlm@0: phoned Amamiya-sama, who rushed to the mansion. Stepping out of his limousine, he quickly took
rlm@0: charge of the frantic servants and organized search parties to find his missing granddaughter. 
rlm@0: In his wake was a stunned-looking Sonomi, who had insisted on accompanying him when she
rlm@0: discovered his reason for leaving the family's long-planned Sunday dinner. As the large bearded
rlm@0: man grimly set the gardeners to dragging the lake, Sonomi slipped away and rushed to the room 
rlm@0: her cousin had been staying. Bursting through the door, she found a nervous Seal Beast peering
rlm@0: out the window. Without pause she demanded frantically,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Where is she?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Teddy-chan spun about in surprise, then slumped to the ground,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "I don't know."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi snapped back angrily,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "What do you mean, you don't know? I thought you were her guardian or something?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Teddy looked to the side, avoiding the ice-blue eyes of the furious child. In a quiet voice he
rlm@0: replied,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "She left while I was asleep. I heard the chef telling them she got her lunch before it was
rlm@0: light. But nobody knows where she went. I heard someone say that with the lake she may have..."
rlm@0: The words died in his throat.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi dropped to the floor, her anger giving way to despair. For several minutes she sat on the
rlm@0: floor, trying not to sob. Finally, she blinked her eyes and spoke to the Seal Beast in a
rlm@0: carefully measured tone,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Nadeshiko-chan would never go swimming all by herself, so she didn’t drown in the lake. She 
rlm@0: must be somewhere else. Did she give you any clue? Did she say anything at all about where she
rlm@0: might be?"
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Looking up in surprise, Teddy chan suddenly grew thoughtful. He spoke slowly, struggling to
rlm@0: remember every detail, 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "Last night she was talking about the cards, asking me where they might be. Oh, yes, she said
rlm@0: something about wondering where they might be while she was looking out the window."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Revelation spread across both their faces as they simultaniously sprang up and ran to the 
rlm@0: massive picture window. The vast forest spread out before them, a fiery red carpet of trees lit
rlm@0: by the westering sun. The girl and the diminutive Seal Beast looked at each other and nodded.
rlm@0: Sonomi whispered, 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: "It’ll be dark soon, so I’ll go find a flashlight. We can't tell them why she went there, so 
rlm@0: make sure nobody sees us."
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: With that, the girl dashed out the door. In a few minutes she returned, flashlight in hand. In
rlm@0: stealthy silence, the two slipped out of the house and vanished into the woods.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: III. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Still as a statue, the little girl sat bathed in moonlight. It helped when her eyes were closed,
rlm@0: so she was oblivious to the little cloud of fireflies dancing about her head. There was no doubt
rlm@0: that a Clow Card was nearby. It was sort of like being hungry before the big New Year's dinner.
rlm@0: Even if you weren’t allowed in the kitchen, you could sense the delicacies being prepared. In 
rlm@0: the same way she knew the Clow card was nearby, it's scent wafting in from the forest. She could
rlm@0: feel it watching her, hesitant but interested. At first, she had pursued it through the
rlm@0: impenetrable forest, but the mysterious card always stayed a step ahead. Laughing quietly to
rlm@0: herself, she wished she had Sonomi's speed so she could run and catch it. But with all the trees
rlm@0: everywhere, such speed probably wouldn't be very useful, anyway. For the same reason, she had
rlm@0: rejected the idea of using Jump. So she resolved to simply sit and wait, and let the card come 
rlm@0: to her when it wanted to. It was like meeting someone new at school.  At first, they would be 
rlm@0: shy and hesitant, even if they wanted to be friends. She was certain the card would like to meet
rlm@0: her, but perhaps it was afraid, too. So, instead of chasing and scaring it away, she sat down in
rlm@0: the little clearing and waited. She was a surprisingly patient girl, and could be very good at
rlm@0: waiting when she wanted to.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Further away in the forest, Sonomi was also sitting. But unlike her cousin, she was not waiting
rlm@0: patiently, but thinking frantically. All that kept a river of tears from flowing was her
rlm@0: desperate resolution to find Nadeshiko. She willed herself not to cry. Crying would be an
rlm@0: admission of defeat and an acknowledgement that something terrible had happened to her beautiful
rlm@0: cousin, and neither possibility was acceptable. So instead, she sat deep in thought, puzzling 
rlm@0: out the girl’s disappearance. Finally she looked up at the hovering Seal Beast and asked,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Where is the Clow Card?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The fluttering creature, startled by the sudden break in the silence, gave her a curious look,
rlm@0: “Eh?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: She repeated herself patiently, “Do you know where the Clow Card is that she is looking for?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Shaking his head, Teddy-chan scanned the dark woods and answered, 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “My powers are diminished in this form, but it seems to be over there somewhere.”  He gestured
rlm@0: towards the Northeast with a little paw. “But even if she is following it, she could be
rlm@0: anywhere.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi frowned as she stood, dusting off the leaves from her skirt. With a quick breath and a
rlm@0: smile, she faced the flying creature and said, “No, she isn’t anywhere. She has to be somewhere.
rlm@0: But we’ll never know just where by sitting here. She must be following the card, and if it’s
rlm@0: that’s where it is, then she is, too. Let’s go.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: With that, they plunged into the forest. After a few moments, Teddy-chan stopped and pulled a
rlm@0: small strip of blue fabric from a bramble bush. Holding it out to Sonomi he asked, “What’s this?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi took the fabric and turned it over in her hands. It was made of sleek satin, colored a
rlm@0: vibrant cobalt-blue. The girl instantly broke out in a broad grin and exclaimed, “That’s
rlm@0: Nadeshiko’s! It’s from a dress grandfather gave her for Christmas, I’m sure of it! And this 
rlm@0: break in the trees looks like some sort trail. She must have gone this way.” 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The Seal Beast smiled and nodded, and they both rushed down the pathway. As they walked, 
rlm@0: Sonomi’s flashlight illuminated other scraps of Nadeshiko’s dress. Following these inadvertent
rlm@0: little signposts, they eventually came to edge of a clearing. There they stopped, both staring
rlm@0: open-mouthed at the moonlit scene before them. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: At the other end of the little dale, perhaps a hundred feet away, Nadeshiko sat in her tattered
rlm@0: dress. In front of her stood Flower. The strange woman was fidgety, shifting back and forth as 
rlm@0: if standing still was unbearable. Practically entwined with her was another woman, all clad in
rlm@0: green, luminous and shimmering, gently swaying in the breeze that rustled through the branches
rlm@0: above them. Nadeshiko’s musical laughter carried over the field like a bell. When the shock of
rlm@0: this sight wore off, Sonomi let out a shout mingled with relief and exultation and began to run.
rlm@0: The green-tinged woman was startled, and seemed ready to bolt, but Flower hugged her tightly,
rlm@0: soothing her with reassuring caresses. Nadeshiko turned about, smiled as she rose, and leapt 
rlm@0: into the arms of her onrushing cousin. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The two girls embraced in joy and relief. After several minutes they separated, and Sonomi gazed
rlm@0: at her cousin in horror. The pretty face was bruised and scratched, a trickle of blood on her
rlm@0: pale, slender neck. The silvery-gray hair was in disarray, entangled with twigs and leaves. Her
rlm@0: dress was torn and ripped, and one shoe was missing. Trembling fearfully, Sonomi somehow managed
rlm@0: to whisper, 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Nadeshiko-chan, are, are you all right?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Holding her cousin’s hands, the disheveled girl smiled and burst out enthusiastically,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Hai! I feel wonderful. I just knew that Wood-sama was here somewhere, and that she was afraid.
rlm@0: That’s why I asked Flower-sama to talk with her, to let her know that I just wanted to be
rlm@0: friends. Isn’t she beautiful, Sonomi-chan? Oh, I’m so sorry, I haven’t introduced you.
rlm@0: Sonomi-chan, this is my wonderful new friend Wood-sama. Wood-sama, this is my very best friend
rlm@0: and cousin, Sonomi-chan.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The auburn-haired girl looked slightly flustered as she bowed. Flower leaned over and giggled as
rlm@0: she whispered something in Wood’s ear. Wood blushed as she bowed, eyeing Sonomi curiously. A
rlm@0: little coughing fit interrupted the proceedings, and Nadeshiko quickly added,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Oh, and this is Teddy-chan, the Beast of the Seal, who is also my friend.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Long time, no see,” The flying figure announced in a suave voice. Flower curtsied and again
rlm@0: whispered into Wood’s ear, reducing them both to giggles as they regarded the diminutive
rlm@0: guardian. Teddy ignored this possible affront to his dignity as Sonomi, still looking at the
rlm@0: battered Nadeshiko, spoke up,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “We should get home. Everyone is very worried.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Nadeshiko placed her pointer finger to her cheek, trying to figure out just why anyone had cause
rlm@0: to worry. Speaking with authority, Teddy addressed the silver-haired girl,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Nadeshiko-chan, there is something that still needs to be done. Do you have your staff?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The girl brightened, nodding her head enthusiastically as she answered, “Hai.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Stepping forward, straightening out the remnants of her cobalt-blue dress, she bowed to the
rlm@0: verdant woman and spoke,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Wood-sama, if I may?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Wood took a tentative step forward. She looked carefully at the little girl and smiled. Crossing
rlm@0: her folded hands on her breast and closing her eyes, she waited. Nadeshiko glanced at the Seal
rlm@0: Beast, who nodded, and then carefully touched the woman’s forehead with her staff as she spoke
rlm@0: the chant,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Clow Card, return to your true form.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The light burst forth, swirling, and eddying around The Wood. As if she had turned to liquid, 
rlm@0: she flowed into a shimmering card that appeared out of nowhere. The card dropped to the grass,
rlm@0: and Nadeshiko picked it up. As she did, Sonomi heard Teddy mutter to himself,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “They won’t all be this easy.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: IV.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: For punishment, the cousins were confined to their room for the weekend. It wasn’t much of a
rlm@0: punishment, as the pair chatted and played the days away as if at a slumber party. After a long,
rlm@0: soaking bath, Nadeshiko looked as good as new, save for a few scratches and a bruised shoulder.
rlm@0: Reassured, Sonomi offered to comb out her tangled hair. Nadeshiko sat on the futon, facing away
rlm@0: from Sonomi who sat cross-legged behind her. It was difficult work, with many a tug and pull,
rlm@0: despite her gentle care. Through it all, Nadeshiko was silent, without so much as a whimper.
rlm@0: Working a particularly stubborn mat with her fingers, the auburn-haired girl said,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Nadeshiko-chan, your hair is so fine and so long, this is almost impossible. Please don’t ever,
rlm@0: ever do that again.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Do what again, Sonomi-chan?” the girl asked.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi considered her answer carefully. She knew she wanted Nadeshiko to give up this crazy card
rlm@0: capturing. Never had she been so frightened as yesterday. But even if she wanted to control
rlm@0: Nadeshiko, she just couldn’t. It would be like caging a beautiful bird. You could make her safe
rlm@0: by taking away her freedom, but you couldn’t make her happy. And nothing meant more to
rlm@0: Sonomi-chan than her cousin’s happiness. With a reluctant little sigh, she replied softly,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Don’t go running into the woods with your hair all loose. Let me put it up into braids or
rlm@0: something.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “I’d like that, Sonomi-chan. I love when you do my hair.” The girl snuggled comfortably against
rlm@0: Sonomi’s legs as they sat on the futon. Sonomi found herself blushing as she added,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “And please don’t go after the cards without me. Please tell me before you go, because I want to
rlm@0: be with you.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: In her sweetly musical voice, the little Card Captor answered, “I’d like that. It’s nice to be
rlm@0: with Sonomi-chan.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Promise?” Sonomi asked.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Hai, I promise.” The lilting voice replied.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi placed the comb and brush down and hugged her cousin, laying against her back, closing 
rlm@0: her eyes and nestling her cheek in the girl’s sparkling, silvery hair. Still as a fawn in a
rlm@0: moonlit clearing, Nadeshiko whispered,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “I love you, Sonomi-chan.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi caught her breath and opened her eyes. Trembling, her heart racing, she hugged the 
rlm@0: slender form fiercely and closed her eyes. She was ecstatic, relieved, and uncertain. At long
rlm@0: last, she could cry. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0:  
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
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rlm@0: