Wednesday 13th June, 1998
This is becoming a real PAIN, I don't know what's happening but he just makes my mind turn to mush, I HATE the way I act around him, it's so stupid, I'm ALWAYS controlled, why is it that all my control breaks down around him?
Hello to you too… who's this we're talking about?
THAT BOY! I act like an idiot whenever I'm near him! I know I blushed today, all over my face. I bet you could have fried an egg on it. I hate, hate HATE feeling like this!
Poor Syaoran. Do you know his name yet?
Yukito, although I heard Kinomoto's brother calling him 'Yuki'. I… oh, I did something REALLY stupid. What a fool I must have looked… undermining ALL the dignity I have and ever have had…
What did you do?
Well, I saw him sitting in a tree with Kinomoto's brother. Then Kinomoto came running to him, and held out a little parcel of chocolates, to thank him for taking Rika back to her home yesterday-
Ah yes, how is Rika?
Completely normal. I heard her talking to Kinomoto in the library; she doesn't remember anything, she thinks she had a fainting spell and that's it. That's good, at least no OTHER non-magical people know about the cards. Although I don't really mind Tomoyo being in on it; maybe she'll keep Kinomoto on track a bit. She seems sensible enough, I suppose.
She sounds like a good ally.
Hm. Well, Kinomoto was giving these chocolates to Yukito-san, and he was smiling and thanking her, and looking at her like… argh. I just… couldn't STAND it. She cheated me out of the Cards; she's not cheating me out of anything else. So when she'd gone I dug in my pockets and found a little box of Koro-Koro balls I'd bought yesterday… oh, for Chang O's sake, they weren't even full, they were half-gone, what was I thinking?
You gave them to him? That was kind of you.
I could barely hold the packet, my hands were shaking so much. Then – then I just ran. He must think I'm suck a freak… I could hardly breathe… I couldn't even speak to him… I… he… do you have any idea what this is like!
I think I know.
WELL IT'S AWFUL. I'll never be able to face him again.
Courage, my dear boy, courage. Think your Tai Chi.
Tai Chi? Klao, what are you talking about-
Just listen. You remember the calm, cool concentration that flows through you when you're flowing through your Tai Chi manoeuvres in the dawn light?
Well, yes, but-
I haven't finished. Tai Chi is only a way of channelling calm. Remember when you told me about doing difficult Maths, and when you get into the swing of it, it's like Tai Chi for the mind?
Yes…
It's all the same thing. It's a focusing technique. You can remember the feeling, and relive it any time. When you think you're going to blush and stutter, go through those Tai Chi motions in your mind, feel their calming influence, and you'll be much more in control of your actions.
That makes sense. You're better than any mentor, Klao.
Thank you. But wait until you can test it out before you give any praise.
All right. I'll try next time.
School was quite good today. Terada-sensei was telling us about the early Buddhist Monks. They sound cool… I'd like to just live in a small house in the mountains, on my own, wander the countryside and be really good at martial arts… I was talking to Yamazaki about it at recess. It turns out he was just joking with me when he said I had to sing and dance yesterday. But I don't really mind, because he seems nice, and he's been friendly. I sat with him and some other boys from my class outside at lunch.
I'm glad you've made friends.
Me too. It's nice to talk to people who know nothing about magic or the Cards, for a change. I mean, I love my magic, but ever since I came to Japan everything's gone so wrong that I feel sad every time I hear the name 'Clow'. It was just nice… we talked about our class, and they asked me if I wanted to try out for the football team. I liked playing football back in Hong Kong; I even remember kicking a ball around the grounds once with Mei Ling, when we were quite young. It'd be nice to join a team here in Japan. Might take my mind off things.
I think that's an excellent idea. Get to know your classmates a bit better.
Talking of football, I forgot to say - there's a school sports day on Friday! The school is a good one, actually. Strong on sports as well as academics; my school back home wasn't so focused on the physical side.
Back home. It sounds strange saying that. You know, Klao, I've only been here in Tokyo for a few days, but already life back home seems hazy. I haven't even thought about my family, I've been so caught up in the Clow Cards. I feel a bit guilty.
Don't feel guilty, Syaoran. You've been swept up in everything so quickly - a new school, a new country, a new home, new responsibilities and duties... it's natural that you should get caught up and concentrate on other things. And it's not as if you haven't been under stress...
Well, that's certainly true. My back's killing me; I'm tensed up all the time. I think I need to do some Tai Chi. Flexibility exercises, maybe. I need to empty my mind. It feels like a circus.
Go ahead, then. You'll do no good if you end up making yourself ill from stress.
OK. I'll write soon. Bye, Klao.
Friday 15th June, 1998
Another one bites the dust.
Another one...? you mean-
Or, more specifically, the Flower Card bites the dust. By the way, I'm sorry I haven't written for a few days, Klao.
Really, Syaoran, I've been trying to tell you - don't feel you have to write every day. I know you're busy. Anyway, you've given me enough news and information to keep me going for quite a while.
Have I really? I suppose it's a lucky coincidence I found the diary just before I got drawn into the Clow Cards business; my normal is really quite boring. At least it must be compared to what yours was, as a real ancient sorcerer!
Well, I wasn't ancient at the time, obviously... and there are no coincidences, of course. Anyhow, I don't find anything you tell me boring, Syaoran. It has been a delight getting to know you.
Thanks! I have to keep telling myself you're actually a great magician from times of old.. You're pretty cool, Klao.
Well! You seem in a frightfully good mood, especially since, I gather, another Clow Card has been sealed by Sakura...?
Well, you just seem to put me in a good mood. Or a reasonable mood, at least. Anyway yes, you're right, Kinomoto sealed the Flower Card. I wasn't involved at all, this time - but then, the Flower Card isn't exactly what you'd call a malign spirit.
No indeed! An altogether charming character, and such pleasant company-
What, Klao? But how would you kn-
...Or so I've heard. By the way, as I recall,it was the school sports day today?
Yeah. I spent most of the day with Yamazaki, Hiro, Masaharu and Satoshi. I came first in the boy's high jump, long jump, relay and sprint, and second in javelin. It was weird, but I thought about Mei Ling a lot of the time; we always used to be a great team in the mixed relay. No-one could beat us.
Lunchtime was a disaster.
A disaster? Why?
Three guesses.
I don't- oh. ...Yukito?
I think there is actually something chronically wrong with me. I really do.
I wouldn't say chronic. We all have fancies.
I DON'T. There's something else at work here. It's insane. I can't get a word out. All I speak is gibberish. My heart pounds and I feel dizzy. I know I went bright red - it's just so embarrassing! I can hardly even remember what happened.
Anyway, I don't want to talk about it. Anyhow, then the mixed obstacle race started. Me and Kinomoto were both taking part. And Yukito... he was cheering for us. Both of us. For me.
Oh dear. I expect that produced some... tensions.
I remember thinking, 'I would rather die than lose to her'.
Ah.
I was surprised; she's quite athletic. We were neck and neck. I thought she'd be foxed by the ground-net, seeing as she seems so clumsy and uncoordinated. Sadly, no.
So... who won?
Look, can we get on? I thought you wanted to hear about the Flower Card!
But- oh, I see. I'm sorry.
Don't be. I just got distracted. By... someone. If he hadn't been there, it wouldn't have been an issue who would win.
Anyway, the Flower Card. Strange things started happening in the parent's 400m race, petals, pink flower petals. They started falling like snow. It was incredible. I'd felt the aura, of course - I was halfway across the yard and heading for the main building by the time it got bad. But as much as I hate to admit it, I wasn't quick enough. I got - well, snowed up. Petalled up. Whatever. But it was quite an effort to plough through them.
I saw Kinomoto on the roof with Tomoyo. I saw the pink glow from the Card, and saw it diminish as she captured it. So not even you can say I had anything to do with this one. All in all, a day of humiliation all round.
Oh dear. Yet you seem to be not too upset about it this time...?
Well, it's not like the Flower is the most staggeringly devastating of powers. But that's mainly because I formulated a cunning Plan.
Why does that give me the strangest feeling of foreboding...?
There's nothing foreboding about it. Last night I felt calm enough to try and evaluate the situation objectively, and I reasoned thus:
Consider, 1. According to the family tradition and knowledge, there are two guardians of the Clow; Cerberus the Appointer and Yue the Judge, whose final decision will determine which of the candidates is rightful to take the responsibility of keeping and protecting the Cards.
Consider, 2. Note the plural use of the word 'candidate'. Plural equals more than one. Therefore, logic deducts that it is possible for there to be more 'Cardcaptors' than the one that holds the official sealing-staff, and more than one who may, in finality, obtain Cards.
Consider, 3. Therefore, although only the one with the official staff can SEAL Cards, said Cards will not necessarily choose that person as their ultimate owner.
Syaoran...
Consider, finally, 4. Watch your back, Kinomoto. THIS IS WAR.
A good plan, I feel. What do you think, Klao?
Hm, I had a feeling you might. Still, things are looking up. I have a strong feeling that the identity of the person who severely diminishes the Card's power, enabling it to be captured, may effect the identity of the person it actually chooses to belong to. Something to test out. I feel quite a lot better.
Well, Klao, it's tea time and I've got a lot of work to do. Got to keep up with my homework now it's certain I'm not leaving Japan! Got to work at training harder, too; not that Kinomoto would come anywhere CLOSE to me in a test of martial arts skill. Anyway, I need to keep her intact to she can seal my Cards.
Bye, Klao! I'll be sure to fill you in on news. I do hope you're keeping well. Speak to you soon!
A/N: Hellooooo! Lovely people. Guess what? I've managed to wench a box set of four CCS DVDs, uncut and subbed, with about ten episodes on them each! Which means I have the entire second series, and half of the first. Life is good.
However, I still don't have the episodes which I'm trying to write, so it's back to Moonbrat's for a while. Once again, feel free to point out my errors - at some point I shall add in the Silent Card ep and so on. When all my friends have gone back to uni and I have no life again.
I also tried to send an email to everyone who screamed bloody murder for an update. I'm not sure if it worked, or if you found it annoying, or anything. Sorry if you did. Let me know if you want me to carry on.
These people are excellent:
BlueMageChild89
Becki
SSCherryBlossom II
Andiavas
Heather
Peacewish
Lestat
Sylversuicune-88
Syaoran is kawaii
Yami Hoshiko
Wing
Wo Ai Ni16
queenie808
Flameraven
Lady Karina
Nightsister
molten-amber
eternaldarkness
Crystal Star
For their continued support. If I knew you, I'd kiss you on the face, but I don't, so I'll settle for a handshake.
(solemn handshake)
Thankyou very much.
Rums x x x
