A/N: Bear with me… I promise we'll get to see Sakura soon. Promise. Meanwhile, here's some more Syaoran goodness for you to play around with. It carries straight on from the last entry.
Klao!
Syaoran! Your pen is almost ripping the paper, what's happened?
The Cards! The Cards have escaped and we have to get them back and Mother wants me to go to Japan and-
Wait, wait! Slow down. What's escaped? From where?
The Clow Cards!
…
Indeed…
They're tokens of great magical power, created by Clow Reed himself to-
It's alright, Syaoran, I know all about the Clow Cards.
You do? But Surely Clow Reed was after your time…?
Not quite, no. I am fairly familiar with his magic. You say the Cards have escaped from the Book?
Yes. Great-uncle Mu Bai bequeathed journal entries and papers to Mother. He'd written all about how he'd known the Cards had escaped, early last month somewhere in Japan. He'd had planned to tell us, only he became very ill and died before he could.
But how did they escape?
Someone broke the seal and let the Cards out. Can you believe it? I don't understand why that would have happened; the person who opened the book must be a great sorcerer, so why didn't he keep the Cards and use them? Why let them escape?
How very strange. And what of the Guardian Beast, Cerberus?
Nobody knows. He should have protected the Cards, but he didn't, and no-one knows why.
Perhaps he took a nap.
Oh, Klao! Anyhow, you haven't heard the best bit yet. I can't believe it, it's so much responsibility, something I've only ever dreamed of-
Your hand is shaking, Syaoran. Are you all right? What responsibility?
Mother wants me - me - to go to Japan and find the person who broke the seal, and then… and then retrieve the lost Cards. Me, Klao! She wants me to capture the Cards!
A Cardcaptor? Syaoran, that's…
Incredible, I know! I can't stop shaking. I'm so excited and honoured and-
Scared? It's a difficult and dangerous task.
Scared? Klao, I've been waiting for something like this my whole life! A chance to bring honour to my family, to prove myself worthy of the Li Clan. Clow's magic is what I've grown up on, I respect it more than anything else in the world, and now to be given the opportunity to help protect that magic… it's just… I can't describe what I'm feeling right now.
I can imagine some of it. You must be so excited; this is a very great honour.
I start intensive training tomorrow. Mother herself will be mastering me in my magical training, which means it'll be very long and very tough. I'm ready for it, though. I can't wait to start. I leave for Tomoeda, Tokyo in ten days. No school anymore; I'm to have Wei as a home tutor until I go. He's giving me a crash course in Japanese, too. Nothing can get in the way of my training.
Syaoran… I know you're excited and this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but I want you to promise me you won't overdo it. Be careful with your training. Remember what I told you about balance.
I remember, Klao. But I need to train as much as possible. There is no way I'm going to be sloppy; I must do this role justice. It's an ancient responsibility and I won't disrespect it.
You're right, it is an ancient responsibility, But I have the utmost faith that by being as dedicated and serious about it as you are, you'll be doing the role no disrespect at all. Clow Reed would judge only by intentions, not by actions.
Well, I intend to be the best Cardcaptor anyone could ever wish for. Cardcaptor… it feels so strange, writing that down. I am going to be a Cardcaptor. Me. A Cardcaptor. It still hasn't quite sunk in. It's too incredible. I feel like any moment I'll wake up and none of this will have been real.
Pinch yourself.
I'm… I'm almost afraid to. If this is a dream, I don't want to wake up, ever.
I think you're in shock a little, Syaoran. This is a lot to take in. What time is it?
It's a quarter to twelve.
Good grief! You must be exhausted! You ought to get some rest.
I won't sleep tonight.
Try meditation. It always helped me. You must get some rest, Syaoran, if you are to be in any shape for your training. I suspect your mother will be quite demanding.
I suppose so. Alright, I'll try meditation. I feel a bit odd.
I think all this excitement has completely worn you out. Take my advice: rest.
Ok. I do feel kind of tired. I'll go to bed. Goodnight, Klao.
Syaoran?
Yes?
You deserve the honour of helping protect the Cards.
…
Thank you, Klao.
Goodnight, Syaoran.
Wednesday 31st May, 1998
Hi, Klao.
Hello. Syaoran! How are you feeling?
Tired. I'm so tired. I'd forgotten just how demanding Mother is. I know I'm very fit but my whole body aches. She woke me at half past five and we did two hours of Tai Chi to prepare for the day. Then a plain bowl of rice and some jasmine tea for breakfast. Then two hours of Kung Fu sparring, and two and a half hours of revision of Jujitsu and Karate, which I haven't done for almost a year. She says I need to have full mastery of both Chinese and Japanese combat styles, as I don't know what opponents I'll come up against.
Goodness. She's certainly putting you through your paces.
At twelve o' clock, a meagre meal and then three hours of magical training. After that, an hour with the turnstile and another hour of sparring. Lastly, an hour of meditation. We finished at six o' clock. It's half past nine now, and I've just finished my home classes with Wei. Three hours of Japanese…
No wonder you're tired.
Klao? I… can't even think, I'm so tired. I hope you don't mind if I…
Not at all, Syaoran. You've worked incredibly hard today; you deserve some rest. Go to bed.
Thank you. I think I will.
One more thing, quickly, if I may…
Yes Klao?
Have you spoken to Mei Ling at all, since you found out you're leaving for Japan?
I… no. No, I haven't. I saw her once this evening when I came in, but I was so tired I went straight to my room.
I see. Never mind. Get some rest, Syaoran. Goodnight.
Goodnight, Klao.
Monday 4th June, 1998
Hi, Klao.
Hello, stranger!
Klao, I'm so sorry I haven't spoken to you in so long, it was really rude of me I know, and I'm really-
Oh, Syaoran, you needn't worry about that. I don't want you writing in me to end up a chore for you. You write when you feel like it, and I know you're busy.
You're – you're not upset with me?
Goodness, you're hard on yourself, aren't you?
I thought you might be quite lonely.
Well, I love talking to you, Syaoran, but I'm not beaten by a little wait between visits. I've been left unwritten in for a lot longer than five days.
How long? You were in the attic for a long time, I suppose…
What, twenty years? Not the most. The longest was about forty-five, I think. It's difficult keeping track of time, though, I can only really be sure when someone tells me the date. Then I know for certain. If not, it's guesswork.
Forty-five years? I can't imagine that. It must have been awful!
Well, no, not as bad as you'd think. Anyhow, Syaoran, there's something I wanted to ask you; have you spoken to Mei Ling at all these past few days?
Well. I…
…haven't?
No. But I've been so busy! You know that, Klao! I've never been worked so hard. I've seen her a couple of times. But I'm not going to school, remember, so it's not as often as it would be…
And how does she seem?
Quiet. I've only really seen her twice, and both times she was very… subdued.
I take it she knows that you're leaving for Japan.
I suppose she must do. Everyone else does. It's more than likely she knows the reason why, as well. She is family, after all.
I think it would be a very great shame if you were to leave having not sorted out this argument.
I know! Don't you think I know that? I don't want to leave things like this! I just… I don't know. I don't want to think about it right now. Can we talk about something else?
Well, it's your decision. But I'm telling you now, Syaoran, through experience; you'll regret leaving this as an open wound. Anyhow, how are you getting on with your new training programme? Still as exhausting as the first day?
Well… it's got a bit better, now I've had a little time to get used to it. But I won't lie; it's hard. Very hard. It's difficult enough to find time to eat and do schoolwork for Wai; leisure time is non-existent. I'm sitting in bed writing this.
Late again, is it? I better not keep you up, Syaoran. You need all the sleep you can get.
It's ok, I quite feel like talking. There's been so much going on this week that I feel like I haven't had time to stop and talk with anyone.
That's a shame. Talking can be just as beneficial as meditation. So, how are you progressing? Do you feel prepared for Japan?
Yes, I do. I feel like there's nothing I haven't brushed up on. We worked mainly on my magical abilities today, combat magic. It's… well, it's…
Yes?
It's something I can't really describe. To have that power at your command, to use for whatever means you need. It's a weapon that can't be broken or stolen like a sword or a staff. It's untouchable, and it's mine. It's…
A heady experience. But one which also needs much self-control and responsibility to exercise.
I know. I know how important it is not to let it overcome you and to keep a clear head. But at the same time… well, I can understand why there are so many stories of evil sorcerers. I can see how that amount of power at your fingertips would… drive you mad.
Yes. Not everyone is equipped to handle such power. We are only human, after all, and we all have desires and ambitions which are difficult to resist when magic brings them within our reach.
The possibilities it opens up! This power I have; I know that I could manipulate people with it, bend things to my will. I know it will enable me to do those things.
…
That's a dangerous road to go down, Syaoran.
Oh- I know, Klao, I know. I just kind of… warps the mind, thinking about it. It's… a little…
Frightening?
…
Yes.
…
I wouldn't ever say that to anyone else, Klao.
I know. I understand. Magic is like everything else in life. There are two sides to the coin.
But, even though it's a little frightening, I don't think anything will ever compare to that feeling, when you command a force with all your body, all your mind, and it comes to your aid.
Do you use incantations?
Yes. Different incantations, for every power I invoke. Why, Klao? Magic can't be used without incantations, can it?
The words themselves aren't magic; they don't add anything to the spell. They're just a means to channel and focus the energy. Eventually, you may no longer need them.
Really?
Yes. But for now, I think it would be wise to stick with the incantations.
Well, you've given me something to think about, as usual. Oh, and Klao! Mother gave me something else today! Element summons.
Element summons! That's very old magic, one of the oldest in the world, I think.
Mother told me that, too. She said the most basic of all magic comes from the five elements; earth, air, water, metal and fire. She gave me five pieces of paper; the summons. They were coarse, yellowed and covered with symbols and writing. I learnt how to use them today. It's actually really easy.
Yes, element magic is – well, elementary. Simple, like the elements themselves.
You have to use an object which is extremely important to you, something that you can put a little of your spirit into. I chose the ornamental sword Mother passed on to me, that I use in weapons martial arts. It's so simple; all I have to do is touch my sword to the summons and speak the incantation, and the element that particular summons represents is called to my aid. It's wonderful.
Certainly. But I suspect you may have found it a little hard to control? Raw element magic is not as subtle and refined as spellweaving. That's why they're more dangerous than most. Wild magic, some sorcerers used to call it.
I'll probably need more practise controlling it effectively, yes. But that's what we're doing tomorrow, anyway, so I'm sure Mother will have me perfect at it by the end of the day.
Speaking of which, you ought to get some sleep if you want to stay awake during your training.
Not you as well! Oh, I suppose you're right. It's quite late. And I'll regret it at half-past five tomorrow if I've only had four hours sleep.
Four hours? How late is it?
Don't worry, I was exaggerating. It's only half past ten. Hehe, you're pretty easy to wind up, Klao…
You know, every time I start thinking you're all work and no play, Syaoran, out sneaks a bit of humour and slaps me right around the face.
Oh, Klao. 'Night.
Sleep well.
Tuesday 5th June, 1998
Klao?
Hello, Syaoran. How are you today?
I've… got something to tell you that you'll probably be pleased about.
Oh yes? What's that?
I spoke to Mei Ling today.
…
I'm all ears.
I saw her crossing the courtyard at about six, just after I'd finished meditation. She must have been training with Wai. So I called after her, "Mei Ling!"
She turned and for a moment she seemed to hesitate, like she didn't know whether to stop and talk or just carry on like she hadn't heard. I jogged up to her and we stood facing eachother… there was a bit of an awkward moment, you know? Where you're not quite sure whether to launch into a big apology immediately or start with a bit of a light chat… argh. Anyway, after a bit, I said, "Want to go for a walk?"
She shrugged. "Alright, I suppose."
We walked down to the lake in silence and then sat on the grass by the bank. She was fiddling with this piece of stick, breaking bits off it and throwing them in the water. After a little while she said, really quietly, "You must be excited about Japan. It's a big honour."
"Yeah, I know."
"When do you leave?"
"On Saturday."
"Oh." Her voice was even quieter than before. She just kept breaking up this piece of stick. She wouldn't even look at me. So I decided to take the plunge.
"Mei Ling…" I turned so I was sitting facing her. "Look, it was bad that we fought. I know I snap at you sometimes, and I shouldn't, and I'm sorry. I'm sorry I upset you."
She looked up and she had this weird look in her eyes, like she was going to cry or something. I don't get girls at all. I mean, I was apologising! How could I have upset her by doing that?
I don't think she was upset, Syaoran. Not how you're thinking, in any case.
Well, whatever the reason, she smiled slightly and said, "I didn't want to argue with you. I'm sorry I tried to look at your book."
"Oh, don't worry about that," I said, kind of embarrassed. "I… sort of overreacted a bit. Sorry."
She laughed suddenly and said, "Syaoran said sorry… I need a tape recorder!"
I'd normally feel annoyed at something like that, but I just didn't, somehow. I kind of laughed too. And then… it was weird… I realised that I'm not going to see her again, maybe for a long time. And that I'd… I'd…
Miss her?
Well, I don't know about that. It'll just be weird not having her around, that's all. She's always been around.
Anyway, we just sat there, for quite a while. I told her about my training and how hard Mother is, and she told me about what's happened at school. You know, when she's not shrieking or whining or throwing herself on me or pestering me, she's… not bad company.
Well, anyhow. When I came back to the house it was seven, and I'd missed dinner. I thought Mother would be angry, since our timetable has been so rigid so far, but she just looked at me, and then looked out the window where Mei Ling was walking out the gate, and asked Wai to make me some rice. Not a word else. I couldn't believe it.
I'm glad you got the chance to sort things out. You would have regretted leaving all those things unsaid, take it from me.
I suppose so. It's been an odd day. Klao? Do you mind if I just go and… think about things for a while?
Not at all. Speak to you soon, Syaoran.
Bye, Klao.
Friday 8th June, 1998
Well Klao, I've done most of my packing. My stomach's beginning to churn a bit.
How exciting! When do you leave?
The plane takes off at half-past four tomorrow. It should take an hour or so to get to Tokyo, and then we've got to check out, get our luggage and take the metro to Tomoeda. There's a house all ready for us there.
We?
Wei and I. Wei is coming as my guardian. You didn't think I'd be going on my own, Klao?
I suppose it hadn't crossed my mind. Sometimes I forget you're so young. You have an old soul.
An old soul? What do you mean?
Well, sometimes you act older than your years, Syaoran. Then again, it's hard to tell with a boy on the edge of teenager-dom.
Teenager-dom…
But anyway, you were saying. You've got a house ready for you? How did that come about?
I'm not exactly sure. That's the odd thing about Mother; she always seems to be able to get exactly what she needs. I had no idea we owned a house in Japan. If not, then surely she wouldn't have bought one just because Wai and I were going there. And that's another thing. If she did buy the house, it sounds like that means we're staying for a long time. I never thought to ask how long it would take. How long am I going to be away from home for? I've never been away for very long before. A week at the most, I think.
Another thing I'm not sure about is how to actually become a Cardcaptor. I mean, I'm thrilled to be one, but… what is it I'm actually supposed to do? I've read everything there is to know about it and I've been taught about it all my life, but to actually capture the cards and return them to their confined power, I need the sealing staff. The sealing staff is bestowed by Keroberos, the Guardian Beast. And that's the problem; no-one knows where Keroberos is, what's happened to him and why he didn't prevent the cards from escaping.
So to find Keroberos, the logical thing to do is to find the Book of Clow. And where on earth do I start searching for it? It could be anywhere.
Can you sense magic?
Yes. That's what Mother told me – use my magic to sense the Book's presence. It's such a slow, uncertain way to go about it, though. It's frustrating.
And then, of course, there's the matter of the sorcerer who broke the seal, which further muddies the waters. Who is this person? How did he have the means to break the seal? And, having done that, why did he allow the cards to escape? And I'm up against all this; I have to sort it all out, on my own. I'm actually beginning to wonder why on earth Mother chose me to do this. I'm so young. Why doesn't she go? I'm powerful in magic, but she's ten times more so. Twenty times more. So why is she sending me?
At the moment we can only guess, Syaoran, but I'm sure in time the reason will become clear. And she clearly has done this for a reason.
I suppose she must have. And it is quite comforting to know that I've been chosen by someone like Mother; if she trusts my abilities enough to think I can do this, then surely I must be able to.
Well, it's a bit late to be having doubts now, anyway. Practically everything is packed. Earlier today Mother presented me with the Li Clan ceremonial robes, passed down through generations, and the Rashinban: an enchanted compass powered by the elements to help me pinpoint the card's energy. I felt so honoured… oh, and Klao! Mother did something else. It's so amazing! Do you remember when I told you about the element summons, and that I'd chosen my ornamental sword to help me command them?
Yes, I remember.
Well, I was a bit worried about how practical that'd be – I mean, I need to be prepared for every eventuality. A threat may arise at any time. But how am I supposed to carry a great big sword around all the time and still look inconspicuous?
Hm, yes. Bit of a problem, I imagine.
Well, problem solved! It was incredible. Mother put a spell on the sword. Now it's an amulet; it's just the tassel that hung from the end of the hilt. When I need to use my magic, I concentrate my energy on the tassel, and it grows to become to whole sword. It's so amazing! Now I can wear it around my neck all the time, and it's always there when I need it!
That is amazing! And very convenient, too.
I spent about an hour this evening just changing it from sword to amulet to sword to amulet… I've never done that kind of spell before. All my magic is combat based, as you know.
I do indeed. And how much luggage do you plan to take to Japan? Are you a light traveller?
Pretty much. What really fills my luggage out is all the books I want to take. I'll miss the attic here; it's like my own personal library. I went through loads of boxes this morning and found some books that looked interesting. I packed as many as I could physically fit in my suitcase. Other than that, not much. A few changes of clothes; I don't really have a lot of different outfits. A roll of silk depicting some I Ching readings that once belonged to Mother. And you of course, Klao.
Well, this is good news. I was wondering if I'd be accompanying you.
You were wondering? Klao, I think I'd go mad if I couldn't take you. I can't imagine how I'd get on without you; I can't believe it's only been a week since I found you, if that. Just having someone reliable and objective to talk to on a regular basis is very therapeutic.
High praise indeed! Well, I can safely say that I've been enjoying life a lot more since you came across me, too.
I'm glad. Klao…? I was thinking, the other day. You don't really seem… well, you're not how I expected an ancient sorcerer to be.
Hm. Should I be flattered or insulted…?
Oh, not insulted! I don't know, it's just that in all the stories I've heard, ancient and powerful sorcerers were also kind of…
Evil? Mad? Haughty? Impatient? Self-centred? Pompous? Megalomaniacal?
Meg-megalomaniacal?
It means obsessed with power and domination; the belief that you are a being of high supremacy.
Well. Yes. Kind of like that. And, well, you don't seem like that at all. You're… sort of like Wai, actually. I sometimes stop and think why I'm pestering an obviously great and powerful magician with my insignificant day-to-day life, and why you're even choosing to listen in the first place…
Wait! Stop right there, Syaoran. Your life is definitely not insignificant, nor am I in any way above listening to you tell me about it. I enjoy talking to you very much indeed, and I don't want you getting some archaic idea about me being too 'high' for you to associate with. I don't want you to think of me like that. I'm a friend, not a superior.
Ok. I promise I won't think of you like that. I just feel lucky that I found you, and that you're so different than I imagined. It's the language, too; when you think of ancient sorcerers, you imagine them speaking in a really regal, old-fashioned way. And you don't, do you? I suppose the people who wrote in here before me brought you up to date a bit.
Brought me up to date… goodness, you do make me feel old sometimes. But yes, you're right. Many sorcerers talked in a very regal way; I suppose it was a bit too tempting. A lot of them were kings or queens, anyway.
Really?
Well, imagine how easy it would be to take the throne with all that power at your disposal! It's happened all over the world, not just China. Japan. India. Russia. Rome. Britain. Egypt. Greece. History is full of magic; you just have to read between the lines to recognise it.
Klao, you're amazing! It never even crossed my mind before, but now you mention it, I can think of dozens of things I've learnt in history that could have had magic connected to them.
Funny, isn't it? When you know what to look for, it sticks out like a sore thumb.
Yeah, it really does. Strange. Oh- hang on a minute, Klao-
…
Oops, that was Chun telling me I missed the dinner-bell. I better go before I keep everyone waiting. When I write tomorrow I'll be in Japan! Oyasuminasai, Klao!
Konbanwa.
