A new beginning - chapter 1. Part A
"Where the journey starts."
Coco cookie: Finally . . . chapter 1 is up ^_^. Anyway, I hope new people will read this story - pleeze!!!!
Key: Words in braces are thoughts. The starry things indicate a new setting in the story
* * * * * "My, my, we finally meet."
A tall and well-built man sat casually on a stone throne. His features were impossible to make out because of the huge, dark cloak he wore - only his smile was visible.
Sakura shuddered. She hated his smile - it wasn't one of happiness or cheerful, but more like the hint of an evil thought.
"Who are you? I'm sure I've never seen you before."
"Ah, well you haven't. While I, on the other hand, have been watching you eversince." He broke off in a sudden, cruel laughter.
Unable to hold back her curiosity, Sakura blurted out, "What do you want?"
The man smiled. Then in a swift flick of his cloak, he stood up and walked toward her. Thud. Thud. His footsteps echoed off the bare, stone walls.
Sakura glanced uneasily around her - she didn't like the thought of being alone in a room with him. When she glanced back, she realised with a sudden jump that he was right infront of her.
"Don't be scared cherry blossom - it was all part of fate that we should meet."
"Hoeeee! What do you mean?"
Much to her annoyance, her voice turned out much more shrill and high- pitched then it meant to.
He stroked her soft, rosy cheek with his hand. [He's so cold,] Sakura thought. [His hand is like ice.]
"The magical days are far from over - you shall now face a new force. My evil force."
His mouth broke into an unreadable smile.
"Tomorrow disruptions will occur - new cards you shall face. And if you are strong enough to live, then you shall meet my force of magical gems."
"Why are you telling me this?" squeaked Sakura in reply.
He smiled and looked her over. Sakura shuddered - she hated the way he stared at her body. [I feel like some sort of animal on exhibition] she thought bitterly.
"Why? Because it pities me to see that I have to destroy you. Do you not see how beautiful you are? And I especially, as a woman admirer, find it a great waste of such beauty. So I've decided to be nice and warn you."
With that, he let go of his hold on her and returned to his seat. For a moment there was nothing but silence, as he sat rubbing his chin in thought.
"Ofcourse dear cherry blossom, there is a way to live. You can surrender yourself to me and work as my," he broke off with a mischievous grin. "Fun slave."
Sakura's face paled. [Is this man totally crazy? And what did he mean by fun slave?]
Then the man took one last, long gaze at her. "Now it's time this dream ends - you know all you need to know." He clicked his fingers. "Till we meet again dear cherry blossom."
* * * * *
Sakura sat bolt up right in her bed. Much to her relief, she was not covered in sweat and the sheets of her bed were dry. As she ran her fingers along the soft, cushioning feel of her quilt, she thought, "Could that dream have been real? Maybe it's one of those prophetic ones I used to have - but that was 6 years ago."
She didn't know whether to be excited or scared. [It's like a new beginning - something to look forward to and to dread.]
Averting her gaze to Kero who was sound asleep in her 4th draw, she suddenly got the urge to wake him. [Maybe he will know what the dream was all about - after all, he is the guardian of the seal.]
Getting up slowly toward him, she whispered, "Kero? Keroooo." The only reply was a slight twitch of his paw.
Sakura sighed. [How am I ever going to wake him up?] Suddenly she struck an idea.
In a sweet voice she said, "Kerooo . . . I've baked you something to eat . . . "
Immediately he bolted up from his sleep. Then seeing Sakura, he flew to her for a hug.
"Oh Sakura is soooo nice!" he gazed up at her with starry eyes. "You baked me a midnight snack? You're just too kind-"
"Kero lis-"
Her words were droned out by his gleeful cries. "Gimee, gimee, gimee!"
Sakura sighed, "I'm sorry Kero, but . . . "
Without saying anymore his ears drooped. Then in a choked voice he whimpered, "No food?"
"No food. I'm sorry Kero - but there's something more important I have to tell you."
Flying back to his matchbox bed, he yawned. "Tell me tomorrow o.k?"
Opening her mouth to protest, Sakura decided he was right. "O.k Kero - goodnight."
* * * * *
BBRRIINNGG!!!!!! "Hoeeeeeeee!"
Touya sipped his coffee with a grin on his face. His little sister was late for school again. Shaking his head, he said to himself, "6 years have passed - Sakura's in highschool. But she still can't wake up on time."
Glancing at his watch, he muttered, "5 . . . 4 . . . 3 . . . 2 . . . "
"Ohayo Touya! Am I late for school? Oh good - 5 more minutes."
Sakura hurridly dug into her bowl of cereal and in a few seconds flat, finished it.
"Don't eat so fast kaiju - you may become fat. Hey think about that! A new species of kaiju!"
Sakura stuck out her tongue at him. "Don't you ever change?"
Glancing at the clock he grinned. "You've got 3 minutes lil sis, " was his reply.
"Hoeeeeeeee!"
Immediately, Sakura grabbed her bag and skates. She ran out the door half trying to put them on. "Bye otusan!"
From the kitchen window, Fajitaka waved goodbye. He held back his laughter at Sakura's clumsiness. [She's so much like Nadeshiko - the sweet, innocent but clumsy nature. The beautiful green eyes, the smile. And in many ways, she's even more beautiful.]
Sakura had become a most gorgeous young lady. Her slim, tall and yet athletic build and her silky, wavy honey-brown hair were the changes from her childhood. But she still had the incredible eyes and the breathtaking smile that no one could resist.
Fujitaka could remember the many times boys had rang or visited their place to see Sakura. [We would get 12 phone calls and at least a visitor everyday.] Chuckling, Fujitaka recalled how furious Touya had been.
Touya had cut the phone line (only to see fax messages), deleted Sakura's email address (only to receive her love messages instead) and even sat outside the door scaring away her admirers. But then they started jumping through the windows . . .
* * * * *
Finally being able to spot Tomoyo, Sakura rushed over to her.
"Tomoyo! I need to tell you something!"
[Wow - this is the first time in so many years I've actually ever seen her so excited.] Flashing her beautiful, purple eyes on Sakura, she squealed, "Oh Sakura is it a boy?"
"Hehe . . . no Tomoyo," replied Sakura as she sweatdropped. Then grabbing Tomoyo by the wrist, she led her over to the quiet grassy area where there weren't many people.
"Wait a minute o.k? I'll just take Kero out."
Sakura opened her backpack - immediately a yellow head popped out. He wiped away the last few crumbs on his cheeks and stated, "Wow, Fujitaka sure can make incredible sandwiches - that was delish!"
Sakura glanced inside her bag and realised that more then half of her lunch was gone. She shot an angry glare at him. "Kero!"
"What? You should be happy I didn't eat all of it."
"That was supposed to be my lunch!"
Crossing his arms stubbornly, Kero said, "Well it serves you right after that fake 'midnight snack' trick."
Sakura sighed. "Are you still angry over that?"
Tomoyo glanced confused between them. "What's going on?" Turning to Tomoyo, Sakura told her about last night's event. When she had finished, Tomoyo giggled. "That was pretty smart Sakura."
"Hey! Whose side are you on?" cried Kero angrily.
"It doesn't matter now you guys. The reason for why I brought us here together - and woke you last night," Sakura smiled apologetically at Kero, "Is because I just had another one of those pro-"
"Hello Sakura, hello Tomoyo."
At the sudden newcomer's voice, Kero hurriedly fell into Sakura's bag. Asumi smiled politely at Tomoyo but it was obvious his main attention was on Sakura.
Sakura had been quite startled by the sudden interruption, but seeing that it was one of her close friends, she smiled.
Asumi had become part of her group back in year 6 when she had first met him during the school dance. [He's such a polite and charming person - sort of like a male version of Tomoyo.]
"Sakura, I feel so sorry that you still have to wear skirts in such cold weather. You must be freezing."
[He's always making sure I'm all right,] Sakura thought. [He's just so nice.]
"It's not all that cold to tell you the truth. It's rather nice to feel the breeze against your legs - but what I dislike about the skirt is that it's so stiff. You can never run properly."
From beside her, Tomoyo glanced at her watch. "Oh dear! We're going to be late for class if we don't hurry!"
Sakura glanced at Asumi as she and Tomoyo gathered up their things. "Aren't you coming with us?"
Asumi shook his head. "Nah - coach says he needs to have a quick word with the soccerteam."
[Oh yeah - Asumi's the captain,] Sakura thought. [I just keep forgetting.]
Then Sakura and Tomoyo waved a quick goodbye as they sped off toward 1st period. Asumi watched her figure dim. [I wonder when will she be mine? I told her years ago that I loved her - but she seems to still have feelings for someone else.]
* * * * *
Sakura leaned over to the desk diagonally behind her.
"Tomoyo, about what I was trying to say a moment ago . . . "
She paused seeing Tomoyo making frantic hand gestures. Sakura cocked her head to the side in confusion. [What . . . behind me . . . hoe . . . look behind me?] Absentmindedly, Sakura turned around - only to come face to face with the maths teacher.
"Hoeeee . . . "
In a loud, harsh voice, the teacher said, "Trying to cheat Miss Kinomoto? I told you once and I don't plan on telling you anymore that this is a test - you do your own work! And with your scores, you should be glad that this is only a practice test."
Intimidated and embarrassed, Sakura slid down her seat. She could feel every student's gaze on her. Then finally in a squeak, she said "Gomen Ono sensei, gomen."
Ono sensei took one last menacing glance at her, then left to hand out the test papers. Sakura sighed. [How come I'm always on such a bad tern with my math's teacher?] Her gaze wondered over to Mirano who was gladly showing off her math skills to the teacher. Suddenly their eyes met and Mirano snickered at her. [Hoe.and it doesn't help that Mirano's the teacher's pet.]
Sakura and Mirano had first met in year 6 when they were 12. Sadly, they met on less then friendly terms.
* FLASHBACK *
"It's not fair! Asumi's mine!"
12 year old Mirano glared jealously at Sakura. Her bouncy blonde hair danced crazily around her face. In many ways she was just as pretty as Sakura - but it was the lack of sweet charm and her adoring personality that she didn't have. Her eyes were also just a hazel brown - not a sparkling mass of joy like Sakura's green ones.
Sweatdropping, Sakura backed away.
"What are you talking about? We're not a couple - I don't even like him!"
"But he likes you, " she replied accusingly. "He asked you to dance and not me. You've already got the whole boy population after you - why do you have to have Asumi as well?"
Blushing a bright red, Sakura said, "You can have him o.k? When he stops liking me, I'm sure he'll go after you."
* FLASHBACK ENDS *
Sadly Asumi never stopped liking her - therefore Mirano was still not happy about that. [I wonder what he sees in me - he has a whole choice of girls to pick from, and yet, he chooses me.] Sakura blushed. [Doesn't he feel sad that I can't return his feelings?]
* * * * *
Sakura shook her head in disbelief - she didn't get to tell Tomoyo or Kero about her dream all day. They were always interrupted.
Checking that no one was around, she opened her backpack and immediately Kero flew out - it was obvious he was not happy about being stuck inside the bag all day.
"Sakura! I could have died in there!"
"Sorry Kero but there was no other choice-"
"And there weren't any food in there too!" he wailed.
Sakura sighed. "I'll make you a snack once we get home o.k?"
"Yay! Sakura is the greatest!"
Suddenly a voice cried out. "Sakura! Kero!"
Tomoyo had finally arrived. She glanced at Sakura with the usual, happy smile and said, "So what were you trying to tell us?"
"Let's go to penguin park first and I'll tell you on the way, " Sakura replied. [I have a weird feeling about something, and it seems to come from there.]
* * * * *
"Remember when I used to have those prophetic dreams?"
"Hai."
"Well . . . I just had another one yesterday night."
Tomoyo shrieked in delight. "The cardcaptoring days are back! Now I can videotape and make costumes for you again!" Her eyes formed stars as she got lost in her own la-la land - one where she pictured Sakura wearing all her costumes.
Unlike Tomoyo, Kero was rather worried. He flew infront of Sakura and told her to tell him everything that happened.
"Well . . . " thought Sakura, "First there was a man - in his late 20's perhaps. He was impossible to make out because of the darkness and the cloak he wore. He said to me that I have to face his evil force - a new power of cards and some . . . magical gems or something."
They turned into Penguin Park. Sakura looked at Kero who was deep in thought.
"I think I know what's going on - anyway, continue," instructed Kero. But Sakura had her attention on something else. Her eyes widened.
"Hoee . . . "
Both Kero and Tomoyo looked in her direction. "Woah, what happened here?" muttered Kero.
The whole park looked like it had been graffited - trees were blue with specks of pink and yellow. The penguin slide was bright orange, the swings stripped red and white.
Finally it was Tomoyo who broke the silence. "Noooo! I've forgotten my video camera!" she cried.
Sakura pulled the magical key off her neck. [Thank goodness I bothered to bring this with me. I haven't worn it for so many years - it wasn't until last night's dream that I thought I might need it.]
She looked over to Tomoyo. "I think you should stand over there so you won't get hurt. This is without a doubt the doing of a clow card - hoe!"
From out of no where, a rainbow-like fairy sprang out at Sakura - she dodged just in time. [So this is why I felt something weird was going on]
The fairy was the size of the sleep card. Its hair was short and pink with 2 strips of colour - it made the fairy look like a little punk. (Ooo! I love its hair," commented Tomoyo.) Everywhere it flew, sprinkles of colour followed.
[It's probably the colour card] Sakura thought. Realising the card was about to try another attack, Sakura shouted the spell long unsaid.
"The key that hides the forces of stars, show your true shape to me! I, Sakura, command you under the contract! Release!"
Immediately the tiny key grew into her pink staff. For a moment, Sakura just enjoyed the feel of it in her hand. She smiled excitedly. [It's been so long since I've done this.]
"Watch out!"
Kero hurriedly pushed her out of the way of the card - Sakura had been too pre-occupied with her staff to notice.
"Arigato Kero," Sakura said gratefully as she got back on her feet. Then reaching into her pocket, she drew out.only 3 cards?!
"Hoe! I must have forgotten to bring all of them with me!" Tomoyo and Kero sweatdropped.
The three cards she had randomly chosen were the loop, lock and the wave. [Great, none of them are attacking cards. So . . . I can't use the wave since there is no water here. And the lock won't help either . . . ]
"Sakura!" cried Kero, "Who cares if you can't weaken it - just try to seal it instead!"
Sakura nodded. Suddenly she saw the colour card heading straight for her. [Perfect - I can seal it easily.] Holding up her staff in a ready position, she shouted, "Spirit of the dark forces, I, Sakura command you. Return to a new shape of contract! Sakura card!"
But nothing happened. Sakura managed to duck the card's attack at the last second - her gymnastic skills were definitely paying off.
"Kero! What's going on? Why won't it seal the card?"
Kero gasped. "Oh no! Why didn't I think of this before?"
"Hoe?"
"Sakura, trap the card somehow - we may need a few days till we can seal this card."
His words only confused her further, but she obeyed. Staring at the spirit, she pondered. [Maybe I can bind it up with bark and then use lock to trap it. No - that won't stop people from accidentally going into the park and seeing all this mess.] Suddenly Sakura struck an idea. Dodging the cards attack once more, she took out the loop card.
Hurriedly she grabbed Tomoyo and called Kero to follow her. Together they ran out of the park.
"Running away isn't going to help Sakura!" yelled Kero. Suddenly Sakura halted right outside the entrance. Seeing that the colour card was following them, she smiled triumphantly. [Good - it's heading right for my trap.]
Then in one swift move, she struck the loop card with her staff. "Loop card, release! Bind this park with your powers so no one can get in or out!"
Immediately a pink force wrapped itself around the park boundary. The colour card still tried to fly to them, but once it hit the power of the loop, it suddenly disappeared - only to show up again on the other side of the park. Once more it tried to escape but the same thing happened.
[I did it,] Sakura stared in disbelief at her victory. [I actually did it.] Suddenly Kero and Tomoyo flocked to her for a hug.
"Great job Sakura - you're becoming a real pro!" exclaimed Kero.
"That was really smart Sakura!" Tomoyo clasped her hands in delight - but then her face fell. "And I didn't get to capture the moment . . . "
* * * * *
Coco cookie: Hi! This chapter turned out so long that I had to spilt it into 2 parts - liking it so far? The prologue was rather boring - dramatic actually. I always lurve starting stories with sadness and then fixing it up ^_^. Oh and da hunk Syaoran should arrive in da next chapter! WOO HOO!
Since Asumi and Mirano haven't been clearly explained so far, I'll tell you a bit about how they're supposed to look.
Asumi: A total hunk - maybe just as good as Syaoran. Black hair long and kept in a pony tail. He has stunning blue eyes (you don't see much of them!).
Mirano: Just picture the American beauty Marilyn Monroe - except with brown eyes. Flirtatious and is rather bitchy toward Sakura.
Coco cookie: Finally . . . chapter 1 is up ^_^. Anyway, I hope new people will read this story - pleeze!!!!
Key: Words in braces are thoughts. The starry things indicate a new setting in the story
* * * * * "My, my, we finally meet."
A tall and well-built man sat casually on a stone throne. His features were impossible to make out because of the huge, dark cloak he wore - only his smile was visible.
Sakura shuddered. She hated his smile - it wasn't one of happiness or cheerful, but more like the hint of an evil thought.
"Who are you? I'm sure I've never seen you before."
"Ah, well you haven't. While I, on the other hand, have been watching you eversince." He broke off in a sudden, cruel laughter.
Unable to hold back her curiosity, Sakura blurted out, "What do you want?"
The man smiled. Then in a swift flick of his cloak, he stood up and walked toward her. Thud. Thud. His footsteps echoed off the bare, stone walls.
Sakura glanced uneasily around her - she didn't like the thought of being alone in a room with him. When she glanced back, she realised with a sudden jump that he was right infront of her.
"Don't be scared cherry blossom - it was all part of fate that we should meet."
"Hoeeee! What do you mean?"
Much to her annoyance, her voice turned out much more shrill and high- pitched then it meant to.
He stroked her soft, rosy cheek with his hand. [He's so cold,] Sakura thought. [His hand is like ice.]
"The magical days are far from over - you shall now face a new force. My evil force."
His mouth broke into an unreadable smile.
"Tomorrow disruptions will occur - new cards you shall face. And if you are strong enough to live, then you shall meet my force of magical gems."
"Why are you telling me this?" squeaked Sakura in reply.
He smiled and looked her over. Sakura shuddered - she hated the way he stared at her body. [I feel like some sort of animal on exhibition] she thought bitterly.
"Why? Because it pities me to see that I have to destroy you. Do you not see how beautiful you are? And I especially, as a woman admirer, find it a great waste of such beauty. So I've decided to be nice and warn you."
With that, he let go of his hold on her and returned to his seat. For a moment there was nothing but silence, as he sat rubbing his chin in thought.
"Ofcourse dear cherry blossom, there is a way to live. You can surrender yourself to me and work as my," he broke off with a mischievous grin. "Fun slave."
Sakura's face paled. [Is this man totally crazy? And what did he mean by fun slave?]
Then the man took one last, long gaze at her. "Now it's time this dream ends - you know all you need to know." He clicked his fingers. "Till we meet again dear cherry blossom."
* * * * *
Sakura sat bolt up right in her bed. Much to her relief, she was not covered in sweat and the sheets of her bed were dry. As she ran her fingers along the soft, cushioning feel of her quilt, she thought, "Could that dream have been real? Maybe it's one of those prophetic ones I used to have - but that was 6 years ago."
She didn't know whether to be excited or scared. [It's like a new beginning - something to look forward to and to dread.]
Averting her gaze to Kero who was sound asleep in her 4th draw, she suddenly got the urge to wake him. [Maybe he will know what the dream was all about - after all, he is the guardian of the seal.]
Getting up slowly toward him, she whispered, "Kero? Keroooo." The only reply was a slight twitch of his paw.
Sakura sighed. [How am I ever going to wake him up?] Suddenly she struck an idea.
In a sweet voice she said, "Kerooo . . . I've baked you something to eat . . . "
Immediately he bolted up from his sleep. Then seeing Sakura, he flew to her for a hug.
"Oh Sakura is soooo nice!" he gazed up at her with starry eyes. "You baked me a midnight snack? You're just too kind-"
"Kero lis-"
Her words were droned out by his gleeful cries. "Gimee, gimee, gimee!"
Sakura sighed, "I'm sorry Kero, but . . . "
Without saying anymore his ears drooped. Then in a choked voice he whimpered, "No food?"
"No food. I'm sorry Kero - but there's something more important I have to tell you."
Flying back to his matchbox bed, he yawned. "Tell me tomorrow o.k?"
Opening her mouth to protest, Sakura decided he was right. "O.k Kero - goodnight."
* * * * *
BBRRIINNGG!!!!!! "Hoeeeeeeee!"
Touya sipped his coffee with a grin on his face. His little sister was late for school again. Shaking his head, he said to himself, "6 years have passed - Sakura's in highschool. But she still can't wake up on time."
Glancing at his watch, he muttered, "5 . . . 4 . . . 3 . . . 2 . . . "
"Ohayo Touya! Am I late for school? Oh good - 5 more minutes."
Sakura hurridly dug into her bowl of cereal and in a few seconds flat, finished it.
"Don't eat so fast kaiju - you may become fat. Hey think about that! A new species of kaiju!"
Sakura stuck out her tongue at him. "Don't you ever change?"
Glancing at the clock he grinned. "You've got 3 minutes lil sis, " was his reply.
"Hoeeeeeeee!"
Immediately, Sakura grabbed her bag and skates. She ran out the door half trying to put them on. "Bye otusan!"
From the kitchen window, Fajitaka waved goodbye. He held back his laughter at Sakura's clumsiness. [She's so much like Nadeshiko - the sweet, innocent but clumsy nature. The beautiful green eyes, the smile. And in many ways, she's even more beautiful.]
Sakura had become a most gorgeous young lady. Her slim, tall and yet athletic build and her silky, wavy honey-brown hair were the changes from her childhood. But she still had the incredible eyes and the breathtaking smile that no one could resist.
Fujitaka could remember the many times boys had rang or visited their place to see Sakura. [We would get 12 phone calls and at least a visitor everyday.] Chuckling, Fujitaka recalled how furious Touya had been.
Touya had cut the phone line (only to see fax messages), deleted Sakura's email address (only to receive her love messages instead) and even sat outside the door scaring away her admirers. But then they started jumping through the windows . . .
* * * * *
Finally being able to spot Tomoyo, Sakura rushed over to her.
"Tomoyo! I need to tell you something!"
[Wow - this is the first time in so many years I've actually ever seen her so excited.] Flashing her beautiful, purple eyes on Sakura, she squealed, "Oh Sakura is it a boy?"
"Hehe . . . no Tomoyo," replied Sakura as she sweatdropped. Then grabbing Tomoyo by the wrist, she led her over to the quiet grassy area where there weren't many people.
"Wait a minute o.k? I'll just take Kero out."
Sakura opened her backpack - immediately a yellow head popped out. He wiped away the last few crumbs on his cheeks and stated, "Wow, Fujitaka sure can make incredible sandwiches - that was delish!"
Sakura glanced inside her bag and realised that more then half of her lunch was gone. She shot an angry glare at him. "Kero!"
"What? You should be happy I didn't eat all of it."
"That was supposed to be my lunch!"
Crossing his arms stubbornly, Kero said, "Well it serves you right after that fake 'midnight snack' trick."
Sakura sighed. "Are you still angry over that?"
Tomoyo glanced confused between them. "What's going on?" Turning to Tomoyo, Sakura told her about last night's event. When she had finished, Tomoyo giggled. "That was pretty smart Sakura."
"Hey! Whose side are you on?" cried Kero angrily.
"It doesn't matter now you guys. The reason for why I brought us here together - and woke you last night," Sakura smiled apologetically at Kero, "Is because I just had another one of those pro-"
"Hello Sakura, hello Tomoyo."
At the sudden newcomer's voice, Kero hurriedly fell into Sakura's bag. Asumi smiled politely at Tomoyo but it was obvious his main attention was on Sakura.
Sakura had been quite startled by the sudden interruption, but seeing that it was one of her close friends, she smiled.
Asumi had become part of her group back in year 6 when she had first met him during the school dance. [He's such a polite and charming person - sort of like a male version of Tomoyo.]
"Sakura, I feel so sorry that you still have to wear skirts in such cold weather. You must be freezing."
[He's always making sure I'm all right,] Sakura thought. [He's just so nice.]
"It's not all that cold to tell you the truth. It's rather nice to feel the breeze against your legs - but what I dislike about the skirt is that it's so stiff. You can never run properly."
From beside her, Tomoyo glanced at her watch. "Oh dear! We're going to be late for class if we don't hurry!"
Sakura glanced at Asumi as she and Tomoyo gathered up their things. "Aren't you coming with us?"
Asumi shook his head. "Nah - coach says he needs to have a quick word with the soccerteam."
[Oh yeah - Asumi's the captain,] Sakura thought. [I just keep forgetting.]
Then Sakura and Tomoyo waved a quick goodbye as they sped off toward 1st period. Asumi watched her figure dim. [I wonder when will she be mine? I told her years ago that I loved her - but she seems to still have feelings for someone else.]
* * * * *
Sakura leaned over to the desk diagonally behind her.
"Tomoyo, about what I was trying to say a moment ago . . . "
She paused seeing Tomoyo making frantic hand gestures. Sakura cocked her head to the side in confusion. [What . . . behind me . . . hoe . . . look behind me?] Absentmindedly, Sakura turned around - only to come face to face with the maths teacher.
"Hoeeee . . . "
In a loud, harsh voice, the teacher said, "Trying to cheat Miss Kinomoto? I told you once and I don't plan on telling you anymore that this is a test - you do your own work! And with your scores, you should be glad that this is only a practice test."
Intimidated and embarrassed, Sakura slid down her seat. She could feel every student's gaze on her. Then finally in a squeak, she said "Gomen Ono sensei, gomen."
Ono sensei took one last menacing glance at her, then left to hand out the test papers. Sakura sighed. [How come I'm always on such a bad tern with my math's teacher?] Her gaze wondered over to Mirano who was gladly showing off her math skills to the teacher. Suddenly their eyes met and Mirano snickered at her. [Hoe.and it doesn't help that Mirano's the teacher's pet.]
Sakura and Mirano had first met in year 6 when they were 12. Sadly, they met on less then friendly terms.
* FLASHBACK *
"It's not fair! Asumi's mine!"
12 year old Mirano glared jealously at Sakura. Her bouncy blonde hair danced crazily around her face. In many ways she was just as pretty as Sakura - but it was the lack of sweet charm and her adoring personality that she didn't have. Her eyes were also just a hazel brown - not a sparkling mass of joy like Sakura's green ones.
Sweatdropping, Sakura backed away.
"What are you talking about? We're not a couple - I don't even like him!"
"But he likes you, " she replied accusingly. "He asked you to dance and not me. You've already got the whole boy population after you - why do you have to have Asumi as well?"
Blushing a bright red, Sakura said, "You can have him o.k? When he stops liking me, I'm sure he'll go after you."
* FLASHBACK ENDS *
Sadly Asumi never stopped liking her - therefore Mirano was still not happy about that. [I wonder what he sees in me - he has a whole choice of girls to pick from, and yet, he chooses me.] Sakura blushed. [Doesn't he feel sad that I can't return his feelings?]
* * * * *
Sakura shook her head in disbelief - she didn't get to tell Tomoyo or Kero about her dream all day. They were always interrupted.
Checking that no one was around, she opened her backpack and immediately Kero flew out - it was obvious he was not happy about being stuck inside the bag all day.
"Sakura! I could have died in there!"
"Sorry Kero but there was no other choice-"
"And there weren't any food in there too!" he wailed.
Sakura sighed. "I'll make you a snack once we get home o.k?"
"Yay! Sakura is the greatest!"
Suddenly a voice cried out. "Sakura! Kero!"
Tomoyo had finally arrived. She glanced at Sakura with the usual, happy smile and said, "So what were you trying to tell us?"
"Let's go to penguin park first and I'll tell you on the way, " Sakura replied. [I have a weird feeling about something, and it seems to come from there.]
* * * * *
"Remember when I used to have those prophetic dreams?"
"Hai."
"Well . . . I just had another one yesterday night."
Tomoyo shrieked in delight. "The cardcaptoring days are back! Now I can videotape and make costumes for you again!" Her eyes formed stars as she got lost in her own la-la land - one where she pictured Sakura wearing all her costumes.
Unlike Tomoyo, Kero was rather worried. He flew infront of Sakura and told her to tell him everything that happened.
"Well . . . " thought Sakura, "First there was a man - in his late 20's perhaps. He was impossible to make out because of the darkness and the cloak he wore. He said to me that I have to face his evil force - a new power of cards and some . . . magical gems or something."
They turned into Penguin Park. Sakura looked at Kero who was deep in thought.
"I think I know what's going on - anyway, continue," instructed Kero. But Sakura had her attention on something else. Her eyes widened.
"Hoee . . . "
Both Kero and Tomoyo looked in her direction. "Woah, what happened here?" muttered Kero.
The whole park looked like it had been graffited - trees were blue with specks of pink and yellow. The penguin slide was bright orange, the swings stripped red and white.
Finally it was Tomoyo who broke the silence. "Noooo! I've forgotten my video camera!" she cried.
Sakura pulled the magical key off her neck. [Thank goodness I bothered to bring this with me. I haven't worn it for so many years - it wasn't until last night's dream that I thought I might need it.]
She looked over to Tomoyo. "I think you should stand over there so you won't get hurt. This is without a doubt the doing of a clow card - hoe!"
From out of no where, a rainbow-like fairy sprang out at Sakura - she dodged just in time. [So this is why I felt something weird was going on]
The fairy was the size of the sleep card. Its hair was short and pink with 2 strips of colour - it made the fairy look like a little punk. (Ooo! I love its hair," commented Tomoyo.) Everywhere it flew, sprinkles of colour followed.
[It's probably the colour card] Sakura thought. Realising the card was about to try another attack, Sakura shouted the spell long unsaid.
"The key that hides the forces of stars, show your true shape to me! I, Sakura, command you under the contract! Release!"
Immediately the tiny key grew into her pink staff. For a moment, Sakura just enjoyed the feel of it in her hand. She smiled excitedly. [It's been so long since I've done this.]
"Watch out!"
Kero hurriedly pushed her out of the way of the card - Sakura had been too pre-occupied with her staff to notice.
"Arigato Kero," Sakura said gratefully as she got back on her feet. Then reaching into her pocket, she drew out.only 3 cards?!
"Hoe! I must have forgotten to bring all of them with me!" Tomoyo and Kero sweatdropped.
The three cards she had randomly chosen were the loop, lock and the wave. [Great, none of them are attacking cards. So . . . I can't use the wave since there is no water here. And the lock won't help either . . . ]
"Sakura!" cried Kero, "Who cares if you can't weaken it - just try to seal it instead!"
Sakura nodded. Suddenly she saw the colour card heading straight for her. [Perfect - I can seal it easily.] Holding up her staff in a ready position, she shouted, "Spirit of the dark forces, I, Sakura command you. Return to a new shape of contract! Sakura card!"
But nothing happened. Sakura managed to duck the card's attack at the last second - her gymnastic skills were definitely paying off.
"Kero! What's going on? Why won't it seal the card?"
Kero gasped. "Oh no! Why didn't I think of this before?"
"Hoe?"
"Sakura, trap the card somehow - we may need a few days till we can seal this card."
His words only confused her further, but she obeyed. Staring at the spirit, she pondered. [Maybe I can bind it up with bark and then use lock to trap it. No - that won't stop people from accidentally going into the park and seeing all this mess.] Suddenly Sakura struck an idea. Dodging the cards attack once more, she took out the loop card.
Hurriedly she grabbed Tomoyo and called Kero to follow her. Together they ran out of the park.
"Running away isn't going to help Sakura!" yelled Kero. Suddenly Sakura halted right outside the entrance. Seeing that the colour card was following them, she smiled triumphantly. [Good - it's heading right for my trap.]
Then in one swift move, she struck the loop card with her staff. "Loop card, release! Bind this park with your powers so no one can get in or out!"
Immediately a pink force wrapped itself around the park boundary. The colour card still tried to fly to them, but once it hit the power of the loop, it suddenly disappeared - only to show up again on the other side of the park. Once more it tried to escape but the same thing happened.
[I did it,] Sakura stared in disbelief at her victory. [I actually did it.] Suddenly Kero and Tomoyo flocked to her for a hug.
"Great job Sakura - you're becoming a real pro!" exclaimed Kero.
"That was really smart Sakura!" Tomoyo clasped her hands in delight - but then her face fell. "And I didn't get to capture the moment . . . "
* * * * *
Coco cookie: Hi! This chapter turned out so long that I had to spilt it into 2 parts - liking it so far? The prologue was rather boring - dramatic actually. I always lurve starting stories with sadness and then fixing it up ^_^. Oh and da hunk Syaoran should arrive in da next chapter! WOO HOO!
Since Asumi and Mirano haven't been clearly explained so far, I'll tell you a bit about how they're supposed to look.
Asumi: A total hunk - maybe just as good as Syaoran. Black hair long and kept in a pony tail. He has stunning blue eyes (you don't see much of them!).
Mirano: Just picture the American beauty Marilyn Monroe - except with brown eyes. Flirtatious and is rather bitchy toward Sakura.