Disclaimer:
I have no affiliation with Cardcaptor Sakura or any other of CLAMP's works. Also any similarities to real life events or people are unintentional unless explicitly stated..
Sakura Kinomoto slept through her alarm again. She quickly changed into her school uniform, grabbed her bag and raced to the dining room. Hopefully there would be enough time for her to eat breakfast and make it before the first bell if she jumped quickly enough.
"Good morning," Sakura called as she entered the sunny dining room. Only her mother, Nadeshiko, was at the table eating.
Her mother was a popular haute couture model and occasionally travelled as part of her job. On the side she taught others to play the organ.
"Are father and brother already at university?"
Her father, Fujitaka, was an archaeology professor at the Lecourt National University and often went on business trips where he would bring back magical items relating to his research.
"Yes, however your father cooked breakfast and left some for you," said Nadeshiko.
Sakura's father was also an excellent good cook.
"Toya had to leave early for football practice."
Sakura was secretly glad that her brother, Toya, wasn't here to tease her about being late again. He'd probably say something along the lines of her magic finally manifesting in the form of a self-inflicting sleeping spell.
If only that were true.
"Aren't you going to be late?"
Sakura looked at the chronometer. "Hoe!" She couldn't believe that it was this late.
Shoving the self-pity aside she wolfed down her breakfast and put on her shoes. She's lived fourteen years of her life never showing signs of magic. She was fine.
"Do you want me to drop you off at school?" asked Sakura's mother, handing Sakura her lunch.
"It's ok. I'll see you later!" Sakura called. The last time Sakura took her up on the offer her mother crashed the flying staff into the large cherry blossom tree in the park.
Besides, her cousin and best friend, Tomoyo Daidouji, enchanted her shoes last year. When activated she could jump great distances. It made her trips more efficient, but, as her brother pointed out, also made her more likely to sleep in.
"Don't forget that we have dinner later at your granduncle's house. We have some guests from Zhonguo coming over."
"I won't forget."
"Take care!" called her mother.
Sakura clicked her heels and took off. If she jumped high enough, it felt like she was flying. But right now she would have to jump low to cover more ground if she wanted to make it to Lecourt Private Academy on time.
At recess, Sakura was sitting with Tomoyo and their friend Meiling Li, at their usual bench at the rooftop gardens eating snacks.
"I heard that you made it in six seconds before the bell. That's a new record," said Meiling, laughing.
She was part of the Li Clan, one of the most powerful and influential clans in all of Zhonguo. Smart, striking and fiercely loyal, Meiling became one of Sakura's closest friends since she immigrated to Lecourt two years ago after a competitive start. Her parents ran a small clinic that used traditional healing techniques from Zhonguo.
"Sakura still looked very cute and refreshing as she came in," added Tomoyo, who was in Sakura's first period science class.
Tomoyo and Sakura's mothers were cousins who were born into the ancient Amamiya Clan. She inherited the clan's strong magical powers and had a beautiful singing voice.
"By the way, Sakura, are you going to the house of my grandfather for dinner tonight?" asked Tomoyo.
Sakura nodded, taking a bite out of the croissant her father baked.
"That is wonderful. Would you like to come over to my place first? I have a new dress for you to wear."
Sakura coughed. She thought that Tomoyo was a little strange at times though; she loved nothing more than getting Sakura to wear the clothes she sewed and then taking photos.
"Meiling is coming to the dinner too," said Tomoyo.
"Really? What's the occasion?"
"Haven't you been listening, Miss Kinomoto?" said Meiling, leaning forward. "I've been telling you all week that my cousin is moving over here from Zhonguo!"
"That's so exciting! What kind of person is your cousin?" Sakura asked.
Meiling had stars in her eyes. "He's amazing. He's really kind and strong. My powers are only second to his in our clan's generation," she explained waving her eating utensils around.
Her magic was indeed strong, if sometimes unpredictable. Last week she broke the windows during music class.
"It's going to be extremely fun having your cousin in your classes." Sakura smiled at Tomoyo.
"Of course I know that! I was in his class before I moved here," Meiling said.
The warning bell for midday class rang.
"I'll see you two later," Meiling said leaving quickly.
"Meiling is always in a rush," commented Tomoyo. Sakura agreed.
"By the way," said Meiling, suddenly appearing before them waving a finger in front of them. "My cousin and I are engaged, so no flirting."
Sakura felt Meiling stare into her eyes.
"See you later." Meiling turned and left, long hair trailing behind her.
Sakura couldn't help but be surprised.
"Miss Kinomoto is acting strange." Meiling said to Miss Daidouji. She had watched Miss Kinomoto pick up and put down the same book on the shelf three times already.
The three of them were in their class in the library researching topics for their yearlong magical research project. The teachers wanted the outline for their proposed subject by the end of the week.
Meiling had chosen to do research comparing eastern and western traditional medicine while Miss Daidouji was working on integrating different magical properties to clothing. Miss Kinomoto was yet to decide on a topic.
Every year the student with the best research project won an award. The past two years, Meiling came second to Miss Daidouji. This year would be different.
"You don't think that what I said earlier about being engaged to my cousin startled her that much? Does it bother you?" said Meiling, absentmindedly tugging on her hair. She used to be judged harshly for her close relationship with her cousin back in Zhonguo.
Miss Daidouji shook her head.
"You love who you love, is my opinion," she said, hand sewing white lace to a red dress. "As for Sakura, I think that she will accept it, even though she might be a little startled now. However, why do you not ask her directly?"
"I haven't spoken to her since recess even though we were in the same literature class after lunch," said Meiling, facedown into the Comprehensive Guide to Mushrooms by Guy Fun. "I think she might be avoiding me."
"But your literature teacher is very strict. It could not be helped," Miss Daidouji laughed. "I have never seen you agonize over our opinions before. You must love your cousin very much."
Meiling lifted her head sharply, cheeks red. Miss Daidouji was smiling serenely as usual.
"It is nothing to be embarrassed about," she said simply.
"I'm not embarrassed!" Meiling stood up.
"You are not," Miss Daidouji agreed.
"I'll go over there and ask Miss Kinomoto what is wrong with being engaged to your cousin!" Meiling spotted girl in question who was reaching for a book on the top shelf.
"You will."
"Watch me!" Meiling marched towards Miss Kinomoto.
Halfway across, she mentally slapped her forehead. Miss Daidouji played her again.
She sighed and called out to Miss Kinomoto was standing on the ladder staring at the spine of the book in her hand.
"Hey, Miss Kinomoto," Meiling said tapping her on the arm. The girl clutched on the rungs of the ladder, dropping the book.
"Hoe, Meiling. You surprised me." Miss Kinomoto stepped down and took the book from Meiling.
"I was calling you for ages. But you were spacing about something." Meiling tried to catch Miss Kinomoto's gaze. "I'm guessing that you were thinking about what I said at lunch."
"Hoe?" Miss Kinomoto's eyes opened in surprise. Meiling was right.
"Nope, you're just easy to read," said Meiling. She had an explanation ready for times such as this. "So is it strange? My parents were surprised. But it's not completely unheard of in the clan, cousins marrying each other to preserve the magic within the fa-"
"No. That's not exactly what I was thinking about," cut in Miss Kinomoto. "I was thinking how admirable it was that you have already decided something so important."
Meiling blinked. "But it's not as if we're married or anything."
"He must like you a great deal to ask you."
"Ah… I asked him." It was kind of an embarrassing memory, if Meiling had to be honest.
"Well, he said yes. That still counts for something," offered Miss Kinomoto, struggling to find the right words.
"Well he didn't say no…"
Syaoran's exact words were "do as you like," if Meiling remembered correctly.
"Well," said Miss Kinomoto earnestly. "He must be a wonderful person if an amazing person like you likes him."
Meiling laughed. It was such a typical Miss Kinomoto response.
Tomoyo was glad that the Sakura and Meiling were acting normally again. On the way back home in her personal butterfly-horse carriage, Sakura chatted animatedly about training session with Meiling in the Bartitsu Club. Meiling and her family would be arriving at the home of her grandfather just before dinner.
"The captain said that the ring staff's activated form will be allowed in the weapons category. Thank you for making it. I love it!" said Sakura. She wore the cherry blossom coloured ring on the middle finger of her right hand.
"I am glad." Seeing the radiant smile on Sakura's face made the effort from last year's research all worth it. She had to thank Cousin Toya for the idea. He cared for his sister's wellbeing as much as she did.
The carriage pulled through the gates passing by the gardens where she and Sakura used to pretend they were faeries as children. The golden foliage floated down like raining sunshine.
They still had plenty of time to get ready, but Tomoyo wanted to get the dresses just fitted perfectly for the dinner.
The outfit she prepared for Sakura had a light green skirt and a deep emerald bodice, matching the colour of her eyes. The sleeve ended above the elbows, closed with a line of four buttons starting from the shoulder puffs, a subtle variation to the current fashion in Lecourt. A similar feature fastened the high neckline close. The fabric of bodice's hem was gathered on the sides to form a bustle.
"You look wonderful, Sakura!" said Tomoyo.
"It's the dress. You're so talented." Sakura admired the garment through the mirror's reflection. She twirled and tripped.
"I believe the hem is a little too long," Tomoyo apologized. "Come stand on the stool and I will correct it."
Sakura gathered the skirt in her hands and carefully stepped on the stool. "It's not your fault. I kept insisting that I'll hit a growth spurt."
"You are only fourteen years old. You still have plenty of time to grow," said Tomoyo as she pinned the hem in several places. "Could you kindly change back into your school uniform while I alter the skirt?"
"Sure thing," said Sakura.
She chatted on while she changed behind the changing screen. "Do you think that Meiling's cousin will be as energetic as she is?"
"It could be the case. Her parents are pretty energetic."
Sakura laughed.
Tomoyo put on her own plum coloured gown and inspected herself in the mirror. It was a one piece dress with the sleeves ending midway down her forearm. After short consideration, she shrunk the shoulder puffs by five percent and scalloped the turtle neckline with her magic.
Sakura came out with the garments in her arms.
"Wow!" she said. "You look absolutely amazing!"
Tomoyo picked up the skirt from her cousin and sat on her second favourite seat by her small table. Sakura sat on the seat beside her, handing Tomoyo her sewing kit.
"Are you weaving in your magic again?" questioned Sakura.
"Of course. The charms don't work as well if I sew them in using magic."
"You don't have to go that far," said Sakura taking a sip of the tea the maids set out for them.
"It is no trouble at all," Tomoyo said. Years of sewing made her very efficient. "My greatest joy is to see you wear the clothes that I've created."
"Thank you again." Sakura grabbed a scone from the basket and added strawberry jam and cream with a blunt knife. "You're always looking out for me, and I can't do anything in return."
"Your smile is more than enough" said Tomoyo. "Everything I do for you is because I love you, Sakura."
"I love you too," said Sakura, innocent as always. "By the way, why do you think Meiling's cousin is moving here?"
"The Li Clan are known for their strong spiritual connections. Maybe they suspect something might happen in Lecourt in the near future."
"Hoe?! Spirits? Does that also mean ghosts?" Sakura's eyes darted around the room as if she would suddenly be able to spot one in the room.
Sakura could jump from great heights and did not react when objects are conjured or float by using magic, however if someone mentioned "ghosts" or even "spirits" around her, she would turn pale and occasionally her eyes would brim with tears. It was all Cousin Toya's fault. He took his teasing too far at times.
"Contrary to what your elder brother has told you when we were children, not all ghosts are evil," said Tomoyo. She held Sakura's hands in her own. "Remember your invincible spell."
Sakura closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. "Everything will definitely be all right!" She smiled.
Author's Notes:
- I haven't written a story for many years, so reviews and constructive criticisms are welcome. =)
- Lecourt is a world that the main characters visited in Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles, another story by CLAMP.
- Sakura's green dress was based on a blue dress that her mother was drawn in for one of the CCS artbooks (the third one, I think).
- Tomoyo's plum dress was based on the dress that Tomoyo wore in TRC in Piffle Country.