rlm@0: Cardcaptor Nadeshiko
rlm@0: Chapter 7
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: 
rlm@0: I.
rlm@0: “Nadeshiko?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: A breeze stirred the branches of the little tree, leaves vibrating merrily, beckoning the young
rlm@0: girl’s attention. One day she was nearly frantic with excitement while talking to a classmate
rlm@0: about all the different leaves on that very tree. But her friend laughed, saying they all looked
rlm@0: the same to her. It seemed incomprehensible to the silver-haired child that someone really
rlm@0: couldn’t see how each leaf had a life, a personality, and, as fall crept closer, a death all its
rlm@0: own. For Nadeshiko, leaves were like rocks and cats and clouds and people: all thrumming with
rlm@0: life, their own little life, yet connected to one another by shimmering threads. Only slowly was
rlm@0: she realizing that many people, perhaps most people, did not, or could not, see this.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Nadeshiko?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: It was sort of like numbers, she mused. That thought reminded her of the math homework, and
rlm@0: mentally she reconstructed her actions from that morning to ensure the assignment had been placed
rlm@0: in her school bag. At first, she had done dreadfully at arithmetic, staring at the paper filled
rlm@0: with columns of numbers in utter bafflement. Her father, though patient as always, had nearly
rlm@0: despaired of her ever learning even the basics of the subject. One day, he told her earnestly
rlm@0: that she wasn’t listening to what the numbers told her. This was intriguing, and she took note.
rlm@0: For days she focused with a frightening singularity, skipping meals, conversations, and sleep to
rlm@0: gaze at the numbers carefully etched onto paper.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Amamiya Nadeshiko.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Finally, sitting bleary-eyed at her desk early one morning, she heard a faint whispering. It was
rlm@0: 3. 3 was the boldest number, the first to break the long silence. Enthralled, excited, but
rlm@0: careful not to frighten her new numerical friend, Nadeshiko smiled, listened, and eventually fell
rlm@0: into a merry conversation. Her parents found her that morning, chattering excitedly to a piece of
rlm@0: paper. In a panic they nearly rushed her to the hospital. But when she came to everything seemed
rlm@0: all right, or at least as all right as can be with such an unusual child. From that time on
rlm@0: Nadeshiko’s grades in mathematics improved, one might even say soared, and it became her favorite
rlm@0: subject. Once she even approached a teacher, asking apprehensively if it was cheating when the
rlm@0: numbers told her the answers. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Amamiya Na-de-shi-ko.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: So, maybe other people were like she once was with numbers, and that explained why they could not
rlm@0: see that leaves and trees and bugs were all so different. Maybe that explained why most people
rlm@0: did not stare at a burning fire for hours, or sit under a starry sky all night and wonder in
rlm@0: astonishment why the stars were suddenly extinguished, only to realize it was now dawn. Maybe…
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: A light tap on the head from a rolled up workbook caused Nadeshiko to blink in puzzlement. She
rlm@0: looked up, and saw the exasperated teacher above her, looking in anticipation for a response.
rlm@0: Nadeshiko’s mind raced to put the situation into some sort of order and context. Desperately she
rlm@0: glanced over at her cousin for help. Sonomi, blushing for her, silently mouthed the word.
rlm@0: Nadeshiko squinted, trying to understand, her own lips moving in a futile attempt to follow. The
rlm@0: voice from above spoke evenly, 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “I believe Sonomi chan is trying to tell you the word, ‘present.’”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Nadeshiko slowly digested this, and then, in a Eureka moment nearly jumped out of her chair with
rlm@0: excitement shouting,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Oh, gomenesai, present, present!”  
rlm@0:   
rlm@0: The giggles around the class were quickly suppressed by the teacher’s glare. Unflustered, the
rlm@0: instructor continued the roll call with, “Amamiya Sonomi?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Present.” The girl with the strangely cut red hair glanced at her cousin in relief. As the roll
rlm@0: call wound through the rest of the class, Nadeshiko smiled at her cousin and formed a silent
rlm@0: thank you with her lips. Sonomi rolled her eyes, but couldn’t help smiling back. As the roll call
rlm@0: ended, the teacher paused and announced,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Today, I am going to introduce you to a new classmate. She is not from Japan, so I want you to
rlm@0: treat her with special consideration. Please, enter.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: A transfer student was big news anytime, but one from abroad was a banner headline. The eyes of
rlm@0: the entire class fell on the slowly opening door as their new classmate emerged. The girl walked
rlm@0: in steadily, seemingly unaware of the curious, measuring stares that greeted her. She was tall
rlm@0: and slender, brown eyes humbly downcast. But what most caught the class’s attention, and even
rlm@0: caused a few gasps of surprise, was her hair. Straight, jet-black, and falling loose nearly to
rlm@0: her knees, the lustrous hair gave her the look of a Heian-era court beauty, a mysterious visitor
rlm@0: from another time and place. She stopped in front of the teacher and bowed low, her long hair
rlm@0: trailing on the floor. Writing her name on the chalkboard in a lovely script, the new girl turned
rlm@0: to face the class, then bowed and spoke in a feathery, lilting accent,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Ohayo Gozaimasu. My name is Li Ieran. I am from Hong Kong. Please help me to be a worthy student
rlm@0: at your school.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The hush gave way to a universal “Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh” as the class gazed in wonder. Suddenly, a voice
rlm@0: rang out,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Oh, Hello! You’re the girl from last night! I never had a chance to thank you.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: All eyes swung towards Nadeshiko, who was out of her seat hopping excitedly. Ieran bowed again,
rlm@0: her impassive face giving way to a reluctant smile. “It is utterly improper for me to smile like
rlm@0: this,” the Chinese girl thought to herself, “but she commands my smile as the sun commands
rlm@0: warmth.” Still bowing she spoke in her whispery voice,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “It is I who am in your debt, and only my thanks, not yours, are seemly and proper.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The bewildered teacher finally restored order and settled Nadeshiko down, placing the new student
rlm@0: in a seat behind the excitable Amamiya girl. In this tumultuous storm of curiosity, amidst the
rlm@0: whispers, peeks and stolen glances, no one, not even the teacher, got much work done that
rlm@0: morning.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: During lunch, after casting glances at the mysterious girl from Hong Kong, the students drifted
rlm@0: away to their regular eating spots. All alone now , Ieran unwrapped her obentou. She was curious
rlm@0: about the strange Japanese meal prepared by her guardian, Wei. Sensing a presence, she glanced up
rlm@0: into the face of the Card Captor leaning over her, staring curiously at the little silk-wrapped
rlm@0: package. Startled and speechless, the Chinese girl could only stare back as the pale apparition
rlm@0: spoke in a giggly voice,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “I’m sorry, Ieran-chan. I just wondered what was in there. I’ve never seen a Chinese obentou
rlm@0: before. Would you like to eat with us? With Sonomi-chan and me?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Ieran spied the girl possessed by The Sword the night before. As if embarrassed by her friend’s
rlm@0: eccentricities, the red-haired girl blushed slightly, blue eyes averted. The girl from Hong Kong
rlm@0: felt a blush of her own growing, a trickily tickling of the neck and ears. Japan was a much
rlm@0: stranger place than she had ever expected, and this situation literally left her at a loss for
rlm@0: words.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Last night was odd enough. The Card Captor was not what she expected: just a silly, pretty little
rlm@0: girl. Yet that little girl stopped The Sword with no more than a glance. Ieran forced herself to
rlm@0: quickly work through the possibilities. Now she casually approaches me, her rival for the Cards.
rlm@0: Surely she knows I wield power? Perhaps she is contemptuous of me? That thought burned a little,
rlm@0: but didn’t seem to fit with the Card Captor’s beatific smile. There was no hint of condescension
rlm@0: or arrogance on that gentle face. Nor did the girl from Hong Kong, long trained in the subtle
rlm@0: arts, sense guile or hidden motive. It was as if the Card Captor was genuinely interested in her.
rlm@0: In near desperation, Ieran focused her inner eye on the smiling figure to discern the
rlm@0: silvery-haired girl’s true motives. To her surprise, she sensed curiosity, and concern that the
rlm@0: new girl might have to eat lunch all alone. Somewhat stunned, she whispered shyly,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Yes.Yes, I would like to eat with you. Thank you.”
rlm@0:  
rlm@0: Delighted, Nadeshiko took the girl’s hand and walked her out of the building into the dazzling
rlm@0: sunlight. Sonomi, frowning, followed the pair to a grassy spot beneath the trees in the
rlm@0: schoolyard. Soon they were spread out beneath the gently swaying branches, Nadeshiko merrily
rlm@0: chattering away. Finally Sonomi broke in and said quietly,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Nadeshiko-chan, I don’t think Ieran-san knows our names yet. We’ve never been properly
rlm@0: introduced.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Nadeshiko stopped and stared straight ahead, as if she were replaying all the previous morning’s
rlm@0: events in her head. With a trilling laugh she quickly arose and bowed, her long, silver gray hair
rlm@0: cascading as she did,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Gomenesai, Ieran-chan. My name is Amamiya Nadeshiko, and this is my cousin and best friend,
rlm@0: Amamiya Sonomi. We are very happy to meet you.”
rlm@0:  
rlm@0: Introductions dispensed with, Nadeshiko returned to her running commentary on the weather, lunch,
rlm@0: school, and various stars she saw last night. This latter finally gave Ieran an opening, and she
rlm@0: asked in a quiet voice,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Um, Nadeshiko-san, may I ask you something? Something in private?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: At this, Sonomi stopped short and looked at the Chinese girl with surprise. She felt a twinge of
rlm@0: irritation, but Nadeshiko only laughed and said, “Sonomi knows all of my secrets anyway, because
rlm@0: she knows me so well. What did you want to ask?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Ieran shifted uncomfortably and spoke in a halting whisper, “About last night. About the, the
rlm@0: Card.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Nadeshiko brightened, “Oh, you mean the Clow Cards? Do you know about them?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Ieran looked open-mouthed at the girls. Nadeshiko casually mentioned the Cards in the same way
rlm@0: she talked about rice balls and sunsets. Sonomi seemed equally nonplussed. Barely suppressing a
rlm@0: triumphant smile, the red-haired girl said simply, “I already know about them.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Ieran’s mind raced for an explanation. How many others knew about the Cards? And just who was
rlm@0: this Sonomi to the Card Captor? Judging from last night, she seemed quite close, perhaps a
rlm@0: beloved servant? Calling upon all her training, Ieran presented a placid smile as she buzzed
rlm@0: inside with questions. Her mind fell on a fact and anchored itself as she spoke,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Ah, I see. Nadeshiko-san, you mentioned ‘Cards.’ Do you, I mean, have you encountered more Cards
rlm@0: than The Sword?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Nadeshiko’s eyes brightened as she gushed, “Oh, yes, I have met Wood, Fly, Jump, and the
rlm@0: wonderful Flower! They are all my friends now.” 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Ieran held a frozen smile on her face as she groped for a reply, but no words came. How was it
rlm@0: possible that this frail, flighty creature had gathered up so many of the Cards? But had she
rlm@0: really? With forced calm Ieran asked, “Nadeshiko-san, when you say they are your friends, does
rlm@0: that mean you have captured them? Have you sealed them all?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Nadeshiko nibbled thoughtfully on a rice ball as she replied, “Sealing. Well, that’s what
rlm@0: Teddychan calls it. But I don’t think I capture them so much as make them my friends.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi sighed as she brushed away a stray rice grain from her cousin’s cheek, “She makes friends
rlm@0: with everybody and everything, from the meanest bully in school to the grossest bugs in the
rlm@0: woods.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Ieran smiled at the gentle figure and believed she could befriend anyone and anything. Suddenly
rlm@0: puzzled, she asked, “Who is Teddychan? Does he know about the Cards?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: At the thought of her funny flying companion, Nadeshiko giggled, “Oh, yes, he knows a lot of
rlm@0: things about them. His real name is Kero…Kerobero…Kerobus…his real name is hard to say, so I call
rlm@0: him Teddychan, because he looks just like a cute little teddy bear.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Do you mean Kereberous?” Ieran asked in astonishment.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Yes, that’s it! Do you know him, too?” Nadeshiko leapt to her feet in excitement.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “No, no I don’t,” The startled Ieran replied. “I’ve only read of him, and heard of him. But I
rlm@0: don’t think he could be the same one. The Kereberous I know of is a large and powerful magical
rlm@0: beast.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Ieran grew thoughtful again and asked, “Nadeshiko-san, I would very much like to meet your friend
rlm@0: Teddy-chan someday.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Nadeshiko leaned over and said with a grin, “Would you like to come to my home tonight and meet
rlm@0: him? You could stay for dinner. My mother is a very good cook.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Ieran looked up, again at an utter loss for what to say. Surely an invitation to the House of a
rlm@0: Card Captor could not be made so lightly? Schooled in the ways of duplicity and suspicion that
rlm@0: governed the shadow world of Hong Kong, Ieran wondered if all this was some elaborate trap, some
rlm@0: great design set in motion to lure her in. But the green eyes that beheld her were empty of
rlm@0: artifice or malice. And besides, the Chinese mage thought to herself, I need to know more about
rlm@0: her, and how better to know the tiger than visit her den? She stood up and bowed deeply, speaking
rlm@0: in a distant and formal tone,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Thank you for your kind offer, Nadeshiko-san. It would be an honour beyond my humble worth to be
rlm@0: the guest of your illustrious House.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Ieran gasped as the girl fell into her arms and hugged her. Her body tensed, and then softened as
rlm@0: the silver-haired girl held her. Wrapped in those gentle arms, a burning blush consumed her as
rlm@0: her breath fled away. Robbed of speech yet again, she could only stand and tremble in that
rlm@0: fragrant embrace. Finally Nadeshiko released her, leaving Ieran delirious and unsteady, her mind
rlm@0: awhirl.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: II.
rlm@0: Ieran worried all the way to the Amamiya residence. Determined to strike a commanding presence,
rlm@0: the girl fussed all afternoon to find just the right outfit for this momentous meeting.
rlm@0: Contemplating a closet full of garments, she realized how out of her element she was. Nervousness
rlm@0: was something she scornfully left to opponents, but this time it infected her. The apprehension
rlm@0: made her angry, which only led to further imbalance and blindness. She was even short with Wei
rlm@0: when he warned her they would be late, an unforgivable display of weakness on her part. Trained
rlm@0: in the shadowy ways of Hong Kong, she knew something of power, and was being groomed for greater
rlm@0: things. Staring out at the unfamiliar landscape as Wei drove through the sheets of rain, she
rlm@0: recalled  overhearing the praise of an illustrious Great Uncle: “She’s young, but a fast
rlm@0: learner.” That caused a momentary flush of pride, which she ruthlessly suppressed with a frown.
rlm@0: Yes, she thought, there I knew names and rank, powers and flaws, tendencies and the direction of
rlm@0: things.  Knowledge is power. But here is only this troubling ignorance, ignorance both broad and
rlm@0: embarrassingly deep. The people and customs of this island were strange, though none more so than
rlm@0: the weird girl whose home she was heading towards. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Nadeshiko. She spoke the name silently, like a prayer. For countless decades the Cards lay
rlm@0: hidden, and now some silly little girl captures five of them. Five! It seemed ridiculous, yet she
rlm@0: did not doubt the girl spoke truly. Despite her incredulity, Ieran remembered that most basic
rlm@0: lesson of all her magical training: “Things are not as they seem.” So, too, it must be with her.
rlm@0: She seemed a pretty, though inconsequential female. Yet, if she had captured so many Clow Cards,
rlm@0: she must wield significant power. If this power exists, Ieran thought to herself, it is my
rlm@0: weakness not to have seen it. Her fingers tightened imperceptibly into little clenched fists as
rlm@0: she vowed, “This time I will see it.” So intent was she on this inner resolution that as soon as
rlm@0: the car stopped she leapt out into the storm, leaving her coat and umbrella behind. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The blast of wet wind slapped her awake. Wei had dashed out with an umbrella, but his efforts
rlm@0: were mocked by a gale that blasted her carefully coiffed hair. With a little shriek she ran the
rlm@0: long distance from the driveway to the front door, Wei following, the useless umbrella turned
rlm@0: inside out. Rapping on the door, the manservant tried his best to shield the girl, but with
rlm@0: little success. The door opened, and a startled older servant stared at the pair for a second
rlm@0: before bidding them enter. Wei sheparded his young charge into the hallway then entered himself.
rlm@0: Uncertain what to do, he bowed and stood motionless, waiting. Ieran, wet and disheveled, looked
rlm@0: up expectantly. Flustered, the older servant of the house stared at the pair, finally blurting
rlm@0: out, “Let us go to Amamiya-sama.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: With fuss and concern, the girl was ushered into a warm kitchen, redolent of spices and simmering
rlm@0: sauces. A pretty woman glanced at her, put down a mixing bowl, and instructed an assistant to
rlm@0: continue with the cooking. Wiping her hands on a white apron, she approached Ieran with a smile,
rlm@0: bowing as she spoke,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “You must be Ieran-chan? My daughter told me that you would be joining us for supper. I am
rlm@0: honored to have you as our guest.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: When Ieran bowed in reply, a little trickle of water spattered onto the floor, and the woman
rlm@0: gasped,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Oh, you poor thing! I’ve been in the kitchen so long I didn’t know it was raining. Come along;
rlm@0: let’s dry you off before you catch yourself a death of a cold.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Wrapping the sopping wet girl in a kitchen towel, she bustled the child out through the dinning
rlm@0: room down a long hallway. Cooed and comforted, Ieran felt a curious twinge, an inexpressible
rlm@0: longing for her own mother so far, far away. Stopping at a door, the woman knocked and spoke
rlm@0: rather loudly as she opened it,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Nadeshiko-chan? Nadeshiko-chan?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: To her horror, Ieran saw the Card Captor: her rival, her enemy, who knew what. Far worse, the
rlm@0: Card Captor saw her. What an absurd sight I must be, she thought in a panic. Desperately trying
rlm@0: to straighten out her sopping wet blue silk cheongsam, she waited with dread for the mocking
rlm@0: glance and stinging remark. Instead, she was again wrapped in those gentle arms as the giggling
rlm@0: girl embraced her, hugging her tightly. It was the woman’s voice she heard first,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Nadeshiko-chan, your friend got wet in the rain. Would you please help her dry off and find some
rlm@0: 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@0: pretty dress.” 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Ieran looked up, and saw the loving eyes of the woman as she slowly pried away the clinging,
rlm@0: still excited silver haired girl. Again, she repeated her instructions, and slow realization
rlm@0: crept over Nadeshiko’s fair features. Filled with concern, she hugged Ieran one last time, then
rlm@0: skittered out of the room in a frantic search for a blanket or a towel. With a bemused sigh, the
rlm@0: woman guided the Chinese girl to an adjacent bathroom and said,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “You can change in here, dear. There are towels on the rack; I’ll find you something in
rlm@0: Nadeshiko’s closet. You’re close to the same size, I think.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The door closed, and Ieran saw a bedraggled sight in the mirror. It made her want to cry. She
rlm@0: remembered the English phrase from school, “from the sublime to the ridiculous.” Grimacing, she
rlm@0: peeled off her clothes, and dried herself with the fluffy pink towels. The room was toasty warm,
rlm@0: which made things a little better. Outside, the door opened and shut, and she heard muffled
rlm@0: voices. The excited one was Nadeshiko, the calm and reassuring one belonged to her mother.
rlm@0: Another was familiar, but she could not place it. Curious, she peeked out of the bathroom.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “It’s all right, Nadeshiko-chan, your friend is fine now. We already have towels, thank you. Now,
rlm@0: let’s see if we can find something nice for her to wear. Sonomi-chan, what do you think of this
rlm@0: one?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi, Ieran thought, Sonmi. Oh, yes, the girl with the sword. She watched her solemnly
rlm@0: comparing two garments, one mint green with dark pine needles, the other sky blue, dotted with
rlm@0: black and white cranes. Looking up, the red-haired girl spoke, “The blue, I think.” Ieran
rlm@0: vanished inside as she saw them turning to the door. Wrapped in a long, pink towel, she sat on a
rlm@0: chair and waited expectantly. Hearing a knock on the door, she answered, “Come in,” and Nadeshiko
rlm@0: bustled in, her face lit with both concern and joy,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Hello again! How are you? Are you OK?” The silver-haired girl gushed, staring at the still damp
rlm@0: figure.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Ieran nodded, unable to look away from the curious and concerned Nadeshiko. The girl with the
rlm@0: oddly cut red-hair stepped into the room, holding the beautiful blue garment she had selected,
rlm@0: and handed it to Ieran,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Here, you can wear this. It’s a little thin, so there’s a comforter in the bedroom you can wrap
rlm@0: up in while you dry.” Holding it up, she smiled at the Chinese girl’s curious look,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “It’s called a yukata.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Ieran frowned, feeling foolish for not knowing more about Japanese customs,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Thank you, Sonomi-san,” she said formally, “when the two of you leave I shall change.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Nadeshiko, not catching the hint, was gently dragged away by her cousin. As the door shut, Ieran
rlm@0: sat down, gazing at the lovely blue fabric. Shaking her head and smiling ruefully, she dressed
rlm@0: herself, tied back her long, wet hair with a red ribbon, and opened the door.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: III. 
rlm@0: Ieran sat on the bed, huddled in her comforter, listening to rain lash the windows, watching the
rlm@0: two cousins carefully. Nadeshiko was bubbly, effervescent, and seemed quite the chatterbox.
rlm@0: Later, the Chinese girl would realize that this first impression was only partially on the mark.
rlm@0: She certainly was bubbly and effervescent; genki, as the Japanese would say. But though she was
rlm@0: merrily chattering away tonight, at other times Nadeshiko could be silent for hours, her
rlm@0: attention absorbed by the slightest of trifles: a star, a stone, or a tree. Sonomi, on the other
rlm@0: hand, was usually quiet, unless she was mad. But most of all, Ieran watched Sonomi watching
rlm@0: Nadeshiko, and smiled at what she saw.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Eventually, her poise recovered, Ieran subtly steered the conversation towards her true interest:
rlm@0: The Cards. As she did, Nadeshiko jumped to her feet, her look serious and concerned,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Oh…that…that reminds me…magic…something, someone I was supposed to….” For a long minute she
rlm@0: stood still, inwardly seeking the answer to her half-asked question. Then, leaping to the closet
rlm@0: door, she blurted out, “Teddy-Chan!” Sliding the door open, she bent down and unclasped the brass
rlm@0: lock of a black lacquer chest. As she opened the door, a yellow blur zipped out, gasping and
rlm@0: coughing,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “I thought I was going to die!”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The tiny creature hovered in the air, wings beating furiously, breathing heavily. Nadeshiko
rlm@0: fussed and apologized, while Sonomi looked away in irritation,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “You can spare us the dramatics. The box isn’t air tight, you know.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The little creature glowered at Sonomi, and spluttered, “Well, it was, it was certainly dark, and
rlm@0: stuffy, and…well, how would YOU like to be locked in some stupid box, forgotten and abandoned,
rlm@0: and…and…”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The two combatants glared at each other, teeth clenched, growling like cats before a fight.
rlm@0: Suddenly, Keroberus noticed the girl wrapped in the comforter staring at him in open-mouthed
rlm@0: amazement. The yellow creature looked to the right, then the left, and stared at Ieran with a
rlm@0: gulp. Then, as if transforming into a stuffed animal, he fell to the floor with a clatter, and a
rlm@0: stifled groan.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Sonomi stared, and then laughed at the sight, while Nadeshiko rushed up and comforted the
rlm@0: stricken warrior,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “It’s all right, Teddy-chan, she’s a friend!”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: As Kereberous blinked at her, then suspiciously shot a sidelong glance at the bundled up girl,
rlm@0: Nadeshiko spoke in a formal voice,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Ieran-chan, this is my good friend Teddy-chan. He knows an awful lot about the Cards. When you
rlm@0: mentioned them I remembered he was hiding in there.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Ieran stared at Teddy-chan, then at Nadeshiko as she blurted out,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “That is Kereberous?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0:  Folding his arms and assuming a dignified pose, he answered, “I am known by many names:
rlm@0: Kereberous, The Beast of the Seal, Servant of Clow Reed, and Guardian of the Cards, to name but a
rlm@0: few.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Ieran pressed the comforter against her mouth as she stifled a giggle. With great control she
rlm@0: managed to ask,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “But are you not rather….diminutive to serve such a fearsome role?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Fortunately, the irony was lost on the self-important Beast, “My size is of little concern,
rlm@0: though, eh-hem, my powers have waned somewhat since the release of the Cards.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: This made sense to the Chinese girl. The Guardian’s power would be linked to the Cards, and their
rlm@0: unleashing would be his undoing. Still, it was difficult to take such a flighty creature
rlm@0: seriously. In a challenging tone she asked him,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “If you are the Guardian, then shouldn’t you know where all the Cards are?” 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: At this, Kereberous seemed rather crestfallen. “Well,” He answered hesitantly, “I can sense when
rlm@0: they are close, but…”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Suddenly, Nadeshiko chirped up, “Oh, Teddy-chan is wonderful about the Cards! He was very helpful
rlm@0: with Jump, and Fly. He knows so very much about them. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Eeeeehh, truly?” Ieran was having a difficult time with all this, but of course was too polite
rlm@0: to say so.  
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The conversation wound its way through the recent history of Clow Reed’s magical cards. Like the
rlm@0: girl herself, Nadeshiko’s narration was elliptical and eccentric, detouring into peculiar
rlm@0: thoughts and speculations before Sonomi gently put her back on track. Teddy-chan, as he was now
rlm@0: known, interjected modest (and not so modest) observations about his own contributions. Ieran, on
rlm@0: the whole, listened, an art she excelled at. Sonomi watched her with increasing interest, waiting
rlm@0: for her cousin to pause for breath before asking,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Ieran-san, Nadeshiko has told you all about herself. But what about you? Why do you know about
rlm@0: the Cards, and what do you want with them?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: For a brief instant, this query caught the Chinese girl off guard. As she had been trained, she
rlm@0: used that instant well, weighing and calculating all the possibilities and implications of a
rlm@0: response. She settled for telling the truth, though not all of it. In a formal tone she made her
rlm@0: answer, 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “My family claims descent from Clow Reed, creator of the Cards. As future head of the Li
rlm@0: Household, I have been designated to investigate the possibility that they have reemerged. As for
rlm@0: what I want, well, that is of little enough importance. As the Cards are the… (She paused, nearly
rlm@0: saying “property) responsibility of the Li, I am to ensure they are properly dealt with. As for
rlm@0: what I know, knowledge is a thing not lightly given. Some things I know, some I do not. But then,
rlm@0: not even having seen these cards, one can say little.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Nadeshiko looked baffled at first, but then smiled, thinking to herself, such pretty words!
rlm@0: Teddy-chan just looked baffled. Sonomi looked at the two and rolled her eyes. As she had all her
rlm@0: life, Sonomi explained the subtleties of human conversation to her cousin,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “She wants to see the Cards.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Ieran looked somewhat taken aback at such bluntness, but did not deny the statement. Nadeshiko,
rlm@0: smiling as realization dawned, jumped up and rushed to the drawer of her pink and white dresser.
rlm@0: Excitedly she babbled,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Teddy-chan says I must always keep them safe, so I put them in my very most special drawer. I
rlm@0: used to keep my very most special rocks here, but they seemed so unhappy to be in the dark all
rlm@0: the time that I let them play in the garden, with beetle san and cicada san and ant san and, oh,
rlm@0: here they are!” 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: With a flourish she held them up. Ieran could barely conceal her interest as she gazed at the
rlm@0: Cards. Wood, Jump, Fly, Flower, Sword. Catching her breath, she felt their magic pulse and throb.
rlm@0: She didn’t need her magical finder to know they were real. Seeing Nadeshiko’s flowery signature
rlm@0: inspired her with awe, and not a little jealousy. Still, at least they had been sealed. But aside
rlm@0: from Sword, they were among the less aggressive Cards. In a reverent whisper she asked,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Are these all?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “All that I have, yes. Teddy-chan says there are many more, and that they must be gathered up
rlm@0: before they cause everybody problems.” Nadeshiko was all too familiar with causing problems,
rlm@0: being for many years a sweet one for family and friends. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Problems, thought Ieran. What a word for this looming apocalypse. Still entranced by a sight that
rlm@0: had lain hidden hundreds of years, the Chinese girl muttered,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “He’s quite right. They must be gathered and sealed quickly.” She looked up at the newly met trio
rlm@0: with analytic eyes. It seemed almost preposterous that these three could have been responsible
rlm@0: for sealing five of the legendary Clow Cards. But here they were, unmistakably real, and
rlm@0: unmistakably sealed. Her mind sifted through the legends and theories of the mysterious and
rlm@0: frightening Clow Reed. Her eyes fixed on the winged creature, hovering by Nadeshiko’s side.
rlm@0: Ieran’s voice was sharp and curt,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “You have chosen her, have you not? This is an irrevocable decision, yes?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The hovering figure was taken aback, but managed a grave nod.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Have you told her of the dangers involved?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Teddy-chan shifted nervously in the air as he answered, “Well, yes, sort of, I mean, I don’t know
rlm@0: if she quite understands it all.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: At this, Sonomi jumped in, aggressively querying the newcomer, “What dangers are you talking
rlm@0: about?”        
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Ieran slyly watched the silver haired girl as she spoke, “The Cards hold incalculable power, and
rlm@0: pose dire risks for all who would face them.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Nadeshiko’s expression was sweetly blank. Either she’s fearless or a fool, thought the
rlm@0: black-haired girl. But Sonomi’s response was short and sharp,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “What risks? What do you mean?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Ieran gazed at the intense blue eyes regarding her with barely concealed hostility. Here was a
rlm@0: lever to gauge the Card Captor’s strength. This Sonomi would not allow her beloved one to enter
rlm@0: danger lightly. Ieran replied in an even tone,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “I mean what I say. This is a perilous thing, to capture these Cards. I do not know all there is
rlm@0: about them. No one does. But I do know this is a deadly serious business.” Now she turned the
rlm@0: tables by asking, “You, Sonomi, you care for her. Will you let her face such dangers?”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: The athletic girl slumped her shoulders and sighed, 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “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@0: her.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: If this strong-willed girl cannot control her, surely no one can, thought Ieran. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: At that moment, there was a knock on the door. The maid’s voice, “The manservant of Li-san has
rlm@0: arrived to take her home”.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: With hugs and goodbyes from Nadeshiko, and a stiff formal bow from a worried Sonomi, Ieran left
rlm@0: the Amamiya mansion. The sky was crystal clear after the rain, stars blazing in the newly washed
rlm@0: sky. On the way home, Ieran suddenly asked the old servant,
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Wei, please stop at that little park we passed before, the one with the lake.”
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: “Yes, Ieran-sama.” He did not protest that the night was late, since tomorrow was not a school
rlm@0: day. He had learned long ago that, even as her appointed guardian, with so strong-willed a child
rlm@0: he must pick his battles carefully.  As he pulled over to the curb, she asked him to wait, in a
rlm@0: tone that meant she wished to be alone. 
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Walking through the empty park, leaves laden with fresh rainwater, Ieran delighted in the wetness
rlm@0: all around her. She loved parks, the little swath of green in the busy, noisy city. She saw a
rlm@0: couple together, close together, sitting on one of the park benches. This caused her to blush.
rlm@0: Walking a little faster, clutching the white sweater Nadeshiko’s mother had given her. Finally
rlm@0: she came to the lake, spring fed, she sensed, laced with the recent rains, but calm and placid
rlm@0: now. It was a very good lake. Slipping off the sweater and hanging it on a nearby tree, she
rlm@0: stooped down, gazing at the reflection of a thousand thousand lights. Crossing her arms on her
rlm@0: breast, she felt the chill air through the delicate yukata. With a deep breath, she began.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: She willed her mind to stillness, as still as the black sky that held the dancing stars, as still
rlm@0: as the lake before her. Kneeling gracefully at the edge of earth, air, and water, she softly
rlm@0: chanted a call for Vision. And Vision came, shimmering on the dark water. She opened her eyes and
rlm@0: saw three figures, battered, shaken, pressed against a gray stone wall. In the center was
rlm@0: Nadeshiko, gripping a magical staff, illuminated by some unearthly light. Shielding the glowing
rlm@0: girl was the one with curious hair, Sonomi. Bruised and bloodied, blue eyes defiant, she braced
rlm@0: herself for what was to come. And by their side Ieran saw herself, clad in her finest robes, the
rlm@0: robes of a water mage passed down through generations uncounted. Her face was dirty, and she saw
rlm@0: the dreaded Fear in her eyes as she concentrated on a spell. A teasing little breeze rippled the
rlm@0: surface of the waters, and the vision fled.
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: She knelt for a long time, eyes fixed on the water. She had learned in her few years not to force
rlm@0: the images, not to over analyze or think about them too much. It was like seeing for a brief
rlm@0: moment 2 or 3 pieces from a massive jigsaw puzzle, the sort her mother loved to assemble on rainy
rlm@0: nights. There was no way to know the entire picture from those few pieces. All you could do was
rlm@0: remember the fragments, and hope they would give you some little guidance when the time was
rlm@0: right. Ieran rose, and straightened out the delicate summer kimono. It was wet at the knees, but
rlm@0: happily not dirty, for she had been careful to kneel on the grass. It would be a shame to ruin
rlm@0: such a pretty thing. For a moment she thought of the yukata’s owner, another pretty thing.
rlm@0: Flowing, silvery hair, green, green eyes, enchanting smile…  Ieran blushed to be so close to her,
rlm@0: even in such an indirect manner. Well, the yukata gives me a reason to go back, to see her again,
rlm@0: she thought happily. She slipped on the white sweater and began to walk
rlm@0: 
rlm@0: Strolling towards the car, she gazed at the stars and begged their blessing. She was grateful for
rlm@0: having come so far in so short a time. She had seen the Cards, and the girl who captured them.
rlm@0: She had met the Seal Beast, though his diminutive form made her smile even now. And she had been
rlm@0: given a glimpse of a future, her future, seemingly entwined with that of the one who had captured
rlm@0: five of the legendary Cards. It was a strange vision, in a strange country, but good to have for
rlm@0: all that. Approaching the car, the ever vigilant Wei leapt out and opened the door. She bowed and
rlm@0: smiled a greeting and then slipped into the back seat. In the warm and cozy car the utterly
rlm@0: exhausted Ieran fell asleep, and when they arrived home the old man carried her off to bed.
rlm@0: Uncertain what to do with the drowsing girl, he tucked her in, yukata and all. That night she
rlm@0: dreamt of three black and white cranes, soaring together through a limitless blue sky. But when
rlm@0: she awoke the storm had come again, and the thunder rasped out a warning that all dreams must
rlm@0: end.