The Sealed Pendant
Episode One - A Twist Of Events
Kokkei stood on her bed, bouncing up and down. "Kokkei Lee Akarui!" The bed squeaked one last time as she fell to her knees. Her mom stood in the doorway, her arms crossed. "Young lady. What did you think you were doing? And why isn't your room cleaned?" "Mom," Kokkei whined, "Not now. Right now, I'm... the Magical Girl, Pretty Kokkei!" She did a pose, showing off the outfit she made. Her mother gasped, "And what have you done to your clothes?! You're in big trouble." She took her by the arm. "That's it, young lady, no more animes." "Mom!" Kokkei screamed. "Not even Cardcaptor Sakura?" she added in a whisper, "Because I'm Cardcaptor Kokkei." Her mother groaned and took her all the way downstairs, straight to the basement. She pointed to the two buckets of water and several rags. "No. Don't make me clean the basement. Anything but that." Her mother frowned and walked back up the stairs, turning on the lights and closing the door. Kokkei crossed her arms and looked around. She spotted a jacket and ran for it. She yanked it down and shook off the dust, then put it on. "Might as well keep my clothes clean while I clean."
She grabbed a cloth and bucket and headed for a corner. She got to her knees and splashed water on the floor. "I can't believe she's making me clean the whole basement. By myself." She swiped at a shelf and coughed at the dust that came up. After she had wiped it from her face, she looked down at the object, that had fallen, and picked it up, scowling. "Steven probably did this. I'm gonna get him. Steven how dare you make a mockery of Cardcaptor Sakura and the Windy Card?!" Kokkei gasped as dust blew up around her. She held the arm with the card in the air as she covered her face, to block out the dust and everything. A star in a circle appeared below her and glowed. Kokkei screamed and dropped the cloth. The dust slowly settled back down, but Kokkei was no where to be seen as Steven's head poked through the door. He looked around, then shook his head. "Stupid sister." he mumbled, closing the door back.
When Kokkei opened her eyes, she looked around to see where she was. There were trees everywhere and she was sitting in the middle of a cobblestone path. She looked at her hand to see the card still there. Hearing voices, Kokkei jumped up and ran behind a tree. As the voices, belonging to people, got closer, she heard some of the conversation. "... worried, Madison. Li's not talking to me And Kero and Yue are going to kill me for losing the Windy Card." Kokkei gasped and looked at the card in her hand. "Don't worry, Sakura. Li probably has a reason, and I'm sure Kero won't kill you." "I'm dreaming." Kokkei whispered, pinching herself. "Ow!" she squeaked, pinching a little too hard, then froze. "Did you hear something?" "Yeah. What do you think it could be, Madison?" Kokkei held her breath, but her eyes widened when she heard the crunching of leaves. She pulled the jacket closer around her, right before she started running.
"Hey!" Kokkei turned to see the two girls running after her. Sakura and Madison, both wearing their new school outfits. It was a white shirt with a black vest over it and a slightly red bow on the front of the vest. The scarf around their necks and on their shoulders was a gray color. The skirt was black, and it was just above their knees, and they wore white socks with black shoes. They had a jacket on over the top. And instead of a backpack, they now carried a sort of briefcase. The two were now 14, the same age as Kokkei, and in 9th grade."I'm dreaming and I know it." she said out loud as she ran, "But, why am I running?" She slowed, then stopped completely, turning around to face them. Sakura, followed by Madison, came back into view. "Who are you?" Sakura asked, holding the key in her hand. "I don't think she's a Clow Card, Sakura." Madison said, placing her hands over her friend's, "But I love the outfit." Kokkei looked at herself, noticing that the jacket now hung open, then smiled up at Madison. "Thanks." "Sure." "If you're not a Clow Card, then who are you?" Sakura repeated. "If you have to ask..." The three girls looked up. "... You'll never know."
Li jumped down from a tree branch, landing between the females. He had come back from Hong Kong, getting permission to stay as long as he would like, and he, too, was in the same grade with them and was wearing the new outfit. He wore a white shirt unbuttoned around the neck area. The black tie around his neck hung loosely. He had on black pants, and black shoes. On the shirt was a shield-like design with a gold cross on a blue background. His fall jacket hung open, unlike Sakura's and Madison's. Sakura looked at him, then at the ground. "If you're so smart, Li." Madison said, stepping forward, "Who is she?" Li frowned, making Madison grin. "You don't, do you?" She shook her head, then moved to Kokkei's side and took her hand. "I'm the one, really asking and wanting to know. What's your name?" "Kokkei. Kokkei Akarui." "Cute." Madison giggled, "Nice to meet you. I'm Madison and that's--" "Li and Sakura." Kokkei gasped and covered her mouth, taking a step back, realizing her mistake.
"You know us?" Li took a few steps towards them, but Kokkei copied them, moving back. "I sense something from her." he stated. Kokkei touched the spot where she had hidden the card, "I have no idea what you're talking about." "Li." Sakura said softly. Li turned and looked at her. "Is there a reason you're not talking to me? You haven't been for the last couple of days." "Now is not the time, Sakura." "When is? I hardly see you." "I've just been busy. I'm sorry." Sakura sighed, but smiled a little and stared at Madison and Kokkei. "Can you at least help her find the Windy Card, Li?" Madison said, "She doesn't want to have to deal with Kero and Yue." "He-e-ey! I heard my name!" Kero flew up between the group. Sakura stepped back, a surprised look on her face, along with a small sweatdrop. "Kero! What are you doing here? And where's Yue?" Kero indicated behind her. She turned around and screamed, "You guys gotta stop doing that." Yue floated a few inches off the ground, his arms crossed. Kokkei covered her mouth in a gasp, "It's really him -- Yue." Yue looked at her, his eyes narrowing. Kero floated right in front of her face. "Hey there, little girl. Who are you?"
Kokkei couldn't take anymore. It was all too weird for her. The 14-year old girl took off running, having no idea of where she was going. She held her head down as she ran, but looked up and saw Yue right in front of her. She slowed and turned, only to see Keroberos. She pulled out the Card and held it up. "I didn't steal it, I have no idea why it came to me. Take it back." Sakura gasped and ran up. "The Windy Card!" Kokkei handed it to her and she hugged it close. "I don't know how you got it, but thank you for bringing it back." Kokkei nodded then looked back at Yue. She looked at the ground, blushing slightly. Yue blinked and his frown disappeared a little. "Aren't you guys supposed to be hidden? Anyone could just decide to walk by at this moment." "That's true, but we also want to know why you had an already captured card and where you come from." Yue pointed out.
Kokkei looked up, looking at him, but still past him. "Tori's coming." she said. Yue looked over his shoulder slightly and Kokkei grinned, trying to run off, but was stopped before she got anywhere. Yue had outstretched his wings, blocking her path. She pulled a feather from him before hiding behind Sakura, who grinned sheepishly, sweatdropping. Yue's frown returned. "I'm from California, in the U.S.A., but I have no idea how I got to Reedington. I found Windy in my basement when my mom made me clean, and I thought my brother had played a trick on me, but I'm here, I'm not dreaming. No brotherly trick." Kokkei took deep breaths from saying all that in probably under a minute. "The weird part is, I actually understood." Madison laughed, walking up with Li beside her. Kokkei held her keepsake feather and moved to Madison's side, also next to Keroberos. She petted him softly. "An oversized house pet, with wings. That's all you are."
"Why don't you stay with me?" Madison suggested. Kokkei looked at her. "Until it's time for me to go home, right?" The others looked at each other then nodded. "Yes." Madison said. Kokkei smiled and stuck the feather in her hair. Yue sighed and his wings folded around him and he turned back into Julian, just as Kero did the same thing. Kero floated into Sakura's case. Julian looked at them all and smiled. When his gaze rested on Kokkei, it turned puzzling. "Let the others explain." she sighed. She turned and started to jog away. "I know where your house is. See you there, Madison." She waved to her and the others. Sakura looked at Julian and grinned nervously. "I will explain to you at my house, Julian. Let's go." She took his arm and walked off. "I'll see you guys tomorrow. 'Kay?" Li and Madison nodded, waving back as Sakura and Julian did, then turned to walk the other way.
"I'll walk with you." Li said. "Thanks, Li. At least I'll have someone to talk to." "About Kokkei?" Madison smiled. "No, but if you want to... What's your thoughts about her?" "Well, it seems odd. I know she says she doesn't know how she got here, but she knew all of us, and also Tori and Yue and Kero. She even knew where you lived. And we've never seen her." "You know, Li." Madison giggled, "You're always suspicious of someone. Give Kokkei a chance." Li sighed and looked at the ground. "I guess you're right. But who knows. She could be connected with Ceaira in some way." "You're impossible, Li Showron." He looked back up at her as she stopped. She smiled, tilting her head to the side a little. "This is my stop. I'll see you later." "Yeah. See ya, Madison." She waved as Li ran off, further up the street, then turned and went inside.
Li ran inside his house, taking off his shoes by the door. "Welcome home, Master Li." Wei said, coming into view. "Thanks, Wei." Li dashed up the stairs to his room before Wei could say another word. He opened his door and walked over to his bed, dropping his book bag in a corner, and sat down. "Get off me!" was the muffled yell. Li grabbed the sheet and pulled it away as he jumped up. Kokkei lay curled up on the bed, wearing a long white robe. "Wei invited me in." she said, cutting off Li as he opened his mouth to say something. "He took my outfit and put it with yours and gave me this." Li just stared on. Kokkei sighed and stood up, slipping her feet into some slippers next to the bed. "I'll leave. Go back to Madison's, where I said I would be."
As she headed for the door, Li headed for the phone on his desk. He picked it up and dialed a number. "Hello." he said to the person on the other end, "Yes, I have, Madison. She's over here by me." He waited a moment then spoke again, "Yeah. I guess she can stay if she wants to." Kokkei smiled and stopped, turning back. "Ok. See you, Madison." He hung up the phone turned around, only to have Kokkei hug him tightly. "Thank you, Li. Thank you so much." "Hey. Come on. Take it easy." He pulled away from her. She smiled and turned, her braid swinging out behind her as she ran out of the room. Li sighed and dropped down on his bed. As Kokkei bounded down the stairs, the doorbell rang. "I'll get it, Wei!" she shouted as she ran by the kitchen. "Thank you, Kokkei." "No prob." She pulled open the door, smiling. Seeing the person, she gasped and slammed the door. She ran back upstairs, two at a time. "Li, it's for you!"
Li poked his head out of his door as Kokkei ran into Wei's. He blinked then ran downstairs, to see Wei had opened the door and Eriol now stood inside. Li slowed his pace and stopped right in front of him. "Why are you here?" "Nice to see you, Li." Li crossed his arms as Eriol continued, "Have you forgotten? We're paired together on this project. I just came to see if you had anything ready yet." "Hmm. No. Not yet." "Ok. Just don't forget, it's due Monday." Li nodded. Eriol smiled. "And I'll meet your new visitor tomorrow in school. I have to go work on the project." He looked back at Li, from staring up in the direction of the rooms, then turned to walk outside. "I'll see you later." He left, Wei closing the door behind him.
Li sighed and turned to go back upstairs. "I'll take the young lady to Madison's if you want." Wei suggested. "No, it's ok. But, she does need to be enrolled in school and a uniform and some clothes." Wei nodded. "I'll get right on it, Master Li." Li smiled and ran up to this room. He looked over at Wei's then shook his head, walking into his and shutting the door. As Eriol walked down the street, he was joined by Nakuru and Suppy. "Well," Nakuru said, "What was it?" Eriol kept on smiling. "The young girl is special. Her powers aren't connected to mine, though." "So who are they connected to?" Suppy asked. "Clow Kayo's, but Ceaira left to go to her uncle's, in Hong Kong, so there's something other than Gems to be collected." "This is gonna be fun." Nakuru giggled, bringing her finger to her smiling lips. Eriol nodded and the three disappeared down the street.
Sakura and Madison walked into the classroom the next morning, going to their seats. "Morning, Li." they both said to the young boy at his seat. He looked up at them as they took off their hats and placed their briefcases beside them. "Morning." he said. Madison smiled. "Wei stopped by yesterday. Picked up a few of the clothes that I never wear." "Yeah. I told him. They're for Kokkei." "Shouldn't she be here by now?" Sakura added, turning around to look at Li. He shrugged. The door opened again, but Eriol stepped in. Madison smiled and looked back at Sakura, who giggled. "He came over by me yesterday." Li said, right before Eriol came up.
He sat down and took off his hat, placing it on the desk, then placed his briefcase on the floor. Madison looked at him and smiled sweetly. "Good morning." she chirped. Eriol looked at her. "Good morning, Madison." He looked over at the other two and nodded. "Li. Sakura." Sakura smiled and Li just nodded. They all fixed forward as Mr. Tomido, their new teacher, called the class to attention. "I guess Reedington's popular, because, once again, we have a new student joining us. She's come all the way from America." A series of excited murmurs went through the classroom. "So, let's welcome her and show her how nice we are."
The door slid open and Kokkei walked in slowly, her head held low. She had her briefcase swinging in her hands as she turned to face the class. Her bangs hid her eyes as she stared at the legs of the desk in front of her. "Ms. Akarui, a little shy, are we?" Mr. Tomido chuckled. "Can I just take my seat, please?" Kokkei asked quietly. "Sure. There's a seat... right next to Eriol." She thanked him and hurried to the seat, sitting down, keeping her head bowed. Eriol looked over at her, but she never looked up from staring at her hands, folded on the desk. When lunch came around, Kokkei was the last person to leave the room.
Mr. Tomido looked at her and walked down the aisle. He knelt next to her desk and, for the first time, since being in the class, she looked up. "See. That wasn't so hard." Kokkei smiled a little. "It's just that, I know them all, but being around them makes me a little nervous because none of them know me." Mr. Tomido stood up. "I've known for some time never to question certain things. Now you go out and mingle, and also get something to eat." He tousled her hair and walked back up to his desk. Kokkei fixed her braid back and stood up, putting on her cap and rushing to the door. As she slid it open, a group of people moved back. She stared at Nikki, Chelsea, Rita, who had a slight frown on her face, Zachary, Madison, Li, Sakura, and even Eriol. She smiled and bowed. "I'm sorry about this morning. My name is Kokkei Akarui. It's nice to meet all of you." She giggled and ran off down the hall, her braid swinging behind her.
The door opened again and Mr. Tomino stepped out. The group smiled and straightened up. "Mr. Tomido!" Rita exclaimed. He grinned. "So, Kokkei has her own little fan club. You kids need to get going and enjoy your lunchtime." "Yes, sir." they all said. Eriol turned and started walking down the hall, where Kokkei had disappeared. Sakura and Li stood in the hall as Nikki and the others told her they'd meet her outside. She nodded and looked after Eriol. "You think he knows something we don't?" Li shrugged. "He always knows something we don't." "Maybe he's going after Kokkei." Sakura pointed out. "Let's follow him then." Sakura and Li looked at Madison and smiled. She blushed. "Let's not." Sakura sighed, "He may have reasons for going where he's going. We don't wanna butt into them. C'mon." She turned and headed outside where Rita, Chelsea, Nikki and possibly others were.
Kokkei made her way to the school library, and to an unused section. She sat and pulled the cell phone she'd stolen from Steven out of her pocket. She started putting in numbers then ended it before pressing "Send". She sighed and put the phone away. A faint humming caught her attention. She looked up and saw a dim light further to the back. She got up and walked towards it. "Anyone back there?" she called. She stopped and looked around the corner. She walked some more then stopped by a shelf. She grabbed a book that seemed to glow and held it close. Kokkei turned to leave, but Eriol stood in her way.
She gasped and fell backwards, the book falling from her, falling open. "What are you doing back here?" he asked. "What are you doing back here?" she retorted. "I refuse to get into an arguement with a new student." He held out his arm to help her up. "I don't need your help." She kneeled up and looked behind her. Being in a dark place, she saw two objects on the floor, she grabbed them both and placed them in her pocket. Kokkei got up and looked Eriol dead in the eye. As she brushed past him, something sparked when their shoulders touched. She gasped and looked back at him before running out of the library. Eriol smiled and slowly made his way out of the library also. "Here's where the fun begins." he chuckled.
Kokkei ran back out and looked around, spotting Sakura and the others sitting by a tree. "Sakura!" she giggled. They looked up and waved as she ran over. She bowed then sat next to Madison, smiling. "Kokkei. How are you?" Sakura said. "Great. I'm really sorry about this morning. I probably seemed really rude." "It's ok. Right,guys?" They all nodded, smiling also. "Have you seen Eriol?" Madison asked. "Oh, yeah. He bumped into me while I was in the library. I don't know where he went though." She folded her hands in her lap and smiled. "Are you hungry?" Chelsea asked. Kokkei looked at her. "Not really." Chelsea still offered her a plate of her lunch. Kokkei accepted it and thanked her. She began to eat it slowly, taking in each bite. She then slowly stopped and placed the plate in front of her.
"What's wrong?" Rita asked. "It's like... there's something crawling around in... my pocket." She reached in and pulled out an object. All the other girls, except Nikki and Madison, screamed and backed away. "That is so cool." Nikki laughed, moving closer. "It's cute." Madison giggled, also moving forward. Kokkei held in her hand, a snake, crawling between her fingers. She giggled as it ran up her arm, and the other girls came closer. Zachary came up and looked into the circle of girls. "Wow. Where'd you get the snake from?" he asked, gathering also. "I dunno. It was in my pocket." "Did you know that snakes were--" "Can it, Zachary." Chelsea muttered, slapping her hand over his mouth.
Mr. Tomido and Miss Mackenzie watched from a window in the building. "Popular young girl, isn't she?" Mr. Tomido said. Miss Mackenzie smiled. "Popular... and special." Eriol walked behind them and Miss Mackenzie looked at his reflection as he walked by. He glanced at her out of the corner of her eye and she looked back outside. Back outside, Kokkei had let the snake crawl across her shoulders. "What are you gonna name him?" a boy asked. Kokkei thought for a minute then heard a hissing whisper in her ear, "Rukki." "Rukki?" she repeated. "That sounds cool." someone else murmured. The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. The students slowly started getting up and walking back to class.
Kokkei got up and followed after Sakura and Madison. "Where are the pendants?" asked the hissing voice from before. She stopped. "Pendants?" Madison and Sakura turned to stare at her. "What are you talking about?" Sakura asked. "What pendants?" Madison added. "Nothing." Kokkei said quickly, running to catch up with them, "Where's Li? I haven't seen him since the beginning of lunch." "You're right." "And you're worried, Sakura." Madison giggled as Sakura blushed. Kokkei laughed and ran ahead, into the school. She headed for the classroom and slid open the door. She smiled and walked over to her seat. She looked over and saw Li standing by his desk. She snuck up on him and stuck Rukki in his face.
Li screamed and fell over, sweatdropping. Even Eriol had to laugh at the sight, along with most of the class that were already in. Kokkei kneeled next to him. "So, where were you all lunchtime?" "Library." Li said quietly, standing up back up, "I thought I might have felt something there. Where'd you get the snake?" "Found him in my pocket. His name's Rukki. I guess it went there when I was in... the... library." The two looked at each other, then back at the snake. "Rukki?" Kokkei whispered. "Huh? What?" Li and Kokkei's eyes widened. "Oops." the snake hissed, squeezing his eyes closed, "Well. This is for your own good." Rukki slid down her shoulder and bit Kokkei's arm. "Aaahh!" she screamed, "It bit me!" Rukki grinned, then went back to looking like a snake as Mr. Tomido and other students ran up.
"He bit me!" Kokkei wailed, tears rolling down her cheeks, pointing to the two little holes in her arm. "Li. Take her to the nurse, quickly. The rest of you, please, calm down." Li took Kokkei by the other arm and rushed out as Sakura and Madison walked in. "What happened?" Sakura shouted after them. "Rukki bit her!" Li shouted back. Both girls gasped, but couldn't go after them, because the bell had just rung, and they didn't have the permission. They hurried to their seats and sat as Mr. Tomido tried to cool down the rest of the students. "I hope she's ok." Madison whispered to Sakura. "I do, too." she whispered back. Eriol leaned forward on his hands, smiling. "I'm sure she's fine." he said. They turned to look at him, Madison smiling a little. Sakura blinked and nodded. "I guess you're right."
As Li and Kokkei rushed down the hall, Rukki sat coiled on her head. "Woo-hoo! This is fun!" They stopped and Kokkei reached up, grabbing him. He choked as she brought him to her eye level. "Don't kill the snake. Don't kill the snake." Li stood beside her. "Why shouldn't she?" "Because it's just a snake, not me." Kokkei loosened her grip. "What are you talking about?" Rukki sighed, "The snake crawled into your pocket. I just used it, because, at the moment, it was the best way to communicate, rather than my regular self. The snake glowed and then her pocket. There was a muffled, "Yay! A pendant." A head popped out of her pocket. The head of a unicorn, a white one, its horn silver. "Hi-dee, ho-dee, how-dee!!" he laughed, a big grin spreading across his face.
Kokkei grabbed him by the horn and pulled him out of her pocket. He had wings on his back. "Cool. Just like Kero and Su--" She stopped and looked at Li, then at the snake in her other hand. She screamed and dropped it. Li picked it up and placed it outside a window. "We should still get you to the nurse, you know." Kokkei looked at him. "I guess you're right. Let's go." Kokkei and Li made it to the office, where the nurse told them it was nothing serious, then rubbed some alcohol on it, and put on a Band-Aid. They made their way back to the classroom. Rukki popped back out of her pocket, holding something. "What's that?" Kokkei asked, taking it.
It was a heart, pink, framing the
picture of a female, holding her hair back as the wind seemed to blow it.
On the left side of it was a tiny keyhole, for some sort of key it seemed.
"Who's the girl? She looks like she took the picture on a... windy day."
Kokkei stuck the pendant back in Rukki's hand then grabbed both him and
Li and ran back to class. "Grab the door!" Kokkei instructed as they came
close. Li reached out and grabbed it, but at the speed Kokkei was going,
she wasn't able to stop, so when Li held it door, it slid open, and he
was pulled along with her as they crashed into a wall. The students from
classes came out o see what the noise was. Li and Kokkei lay in a tangled
mess, Rukki stuck between them. After getting inside the class, Kokkei
was now falling asleep there, using a pleading Rukki as a pillow. Kokkei
mumbled as she started to dream.
