Darkness. For a while, I had been dreaming of nothing but darkness. It could have been a dream of a night sky- but where were the stars? Or maybe it could have been a dream of spilt ink- but where was the ink coming from? No, it was definitely darkness; pure, unadulterated darkness. The dream recurred several times for over a month, until one night, the dream took a turn for the strange.

I found myself lying blind as usual, but this time- I heard something chiming in the distance. Bells. The noise started above me and rippled outwards, father and farther until the black wall began to break and a glowing tower began to fade into view. I was no longer lying in the darkness- I was facing the Toyko Tower as it bathed itself moonlight.

What in the world was I wearing? I could barely make out a pink cape fluttering behind me. And what was it that I was holding? A crimson staff with a decorated ornament at the top; in fact, it almost looked like a bird's head made of pure gold with pearl wings stemming from ruby eyes and a beak of the same color.

I looked up and fluttering all around me were cards, each with an identical back and a unique painting on the front. I grab one, curious as to what it looks like and what it's for. A brief glance- was that a rabbit on the front? Something inaudible escaped my lips and the card shimmered in my hands and then disappeared. Not long after the card faded from my hands did I find myself leaning over the edge of the building and jumping, flying forwards for some feet before descending on another building. I looked up and saw the Tokyo Tower, even closer now. I jumped towards the Tower at an inhuman height and speed.

The Tower grew closer and the bells grew stronger. And louder, and louder! Until, finally, I had no choice but to wake up.

I was no longer jumping from building to building- I was in my bed, staring at my blaring pink alarm clock that read "6:15 AM".

At least I knew where the bells were coming from.

My name is Sakura Kinomoto and this is the story of how my life was changed forever.

It started off as any other day and, as usual, I was already late.