I hope you had fun reading this story. This is actually the Card Captor Sakura version of a CardCaptors story I wrote a few years back, titled "Forever". At that point in time, I only knew about the American dub version – so I improvised a bit, based on what I knew from the cartoon. Let's just say that things are a bit misleading… I just knew there was something going on with Syaoran and Meiling. Shows you what I know. Later I learned a little more about the original show, Card Captor Sakura – and was surprised to find just how different the two versions were.
To be honest, my feelings about the original show are mixed. On the whole, the original show was a lot more insightful – but disturbing, at the same time. I tried to emphasize what I felt were its greatest strengths: the importance of family and friends, and the roles they play in the growth and development of individuals. As for some of the more questionable content – they were mostly eliminated from this story; I just didn't feel there was a place for them.
I'll go over the changes scene-by-scene, just for fun. Be sure to have a copy of both stories handy, so you can follow along.
Scene I
Card Captor Sakura version:
We have a cute opening scene with the true star of the show, Sakura Kinomoto. She's thinking about White Day, which is coming up in a couple of days… and wondering what the family will do. As it turns out, Yukito will be spending the day with her, since Touya and her dad will be busy during the day.
However, Syaoran is also on his mind, as she realizes that this will be the only time she will be able to spend White Day with him. She makes up her mind to invite him, as well as Meiling, and share the White Day experience with them.
CardCaptors version:
Gees, what is this? This phone conversation seems to be really out of place. Not to mention the hack job they did on Yelan – and I thought what they did to Tomoyo was unforgivable. In case you want to know, this lengthy phone call is from another episode – in which his mother is reminding him of his mission, and keeping a track of his progress.
The reason Syaoran is upset (in the Card Captor Sakura episode) is because he is frustrated at his mother (she can be rather insistent, after all). He becomes embarrassed because he is ashamed at his lack of progress – he hasn't been exactly forthcoming about the fact that the cards belong to Sakura, and not to him.
Scene II
Card Captor Sakura version:
We start as Sakura rollerblades to school, still on cloud nine following yesterday night's events. She really believes this is going to be a good day – and it is, for the most part. But she never really does get the chance to ask Syaoran and Meiling to spend White Day with her and Yukito. Poor Sakura, everyone misunderstands her true intentions (purposely, perhaps?).
Sakura seems to be rather gullible, but give her some credit – she doesn't believe all of Takashi's stories; most of the time, she just finds them interesting, and likes to listen to them. But this story is a bit more convincing than others…
CardCaptors version:
The scene where Syaoran is looking around is, yes, from another episode – don't you think it's just a little strange for him to treat Meiling like a stalker? In the original, Syaoran was looking around because he sensed a powerful presence – and later, we see the invisible form of a Clow Card.
Look on the bright side. At least Yamazaki's story remains intact from the original.
Scene III
Card Captor Sakura version:
This is my favorite scene in the story. Exhaustion gives way to joy, as Sakura, Touya, and Yukito prepare dinner and talk about the course of the day – as well as plans for the next day. They really seem like a cohesive family unit, and Sakura wishes that Yukito was really a member of her family. Of course, this doesn't come out quite right, and poor Sakura is misunderstood once again… or just plain teased, depending on how you look at it.
It's also apparent from this scene that Sakura's feelings toward Yukito are much deeper than a simple crush. Maybe it's not cannon, but I think it really works in this story.
Cardcaptors version:
The scene with Syaoran and Meiling is part of the story line, though it was a late cut in the Card Captor Sakura version. It would've been perfectly fine in the context of a TV episode, but it would have disturbed the flow of a written story. You can imagine that this really happened in the Card Captor Sakura version – with a few edits, of course. It explains why Syaoran brought cookies to class the next day.
I liked this scene a lot, and wished there was some way I could keep this in the original… oh well.
Scene IV
Card Captor Sakura version:
This scene remains virtually intact in both versions, but you only see it from Sakura's perspective in this version. As a result, she "misses" much of what is going on. She is one of the few people who can empathize with the embarrassment that Takashi and Syaoran is going through, since she went through a similar experience the night before.
Note that Sakura and Syaoran emphasize different portions of the day. Syaoran is really self-conscious, fearful that he will make a fool out of himself in front of Sakura. In the meantime, Sakura is going through a tough day, and only the promise of an afternoon with Yukito keeps her going.
CardCaptors version:
Didn't you think that it was strange when Yukito popped out of nowhere? Well, in the Card Captor Sakura version, this was all explained in Scene I, and reiterated in Scene III. It was a planned meeting – not just something out of the blue.
Another big difference is that you get to see a lot more of what is going on, and get to see a lot more of the Syaoran/Meiling relationship. Probably the most entertaining one, in my opinion… she really knows how to push all of his buttons.
Scene V
Card Captor Sakura version:
In many ways, this scene is a repeat of scene I – and the two function as bookends that hold the middle parts together. Note both scenes starts with Yukito in the foreground and ends with Syaoran. And it doesn't look like much has changed – this story could be seen as one big loop, if you choose.
But one thing keeps the story from going in a complete circle. Syaoran and Meiling will be leaving soon – and Sakura is preparing herself to say goodbye to them, for good. It's inevitable, as far as Sakura is concerned. The last thing she wants to do is to separate Syaoran from his family – and this desire is ultimately stronger than whatever feelings she may harbor for him.
CardCaptors version:
No! Absolutely unforgivable! Just a few minor edits are enough to give you a very misleading impression. Gees, what do they have against the S&S pairing, anyway? Do they really want Syaoran to end up with his cousin? Oh, that's right. They're not cousins in CardCaptors.
Instead of gaining insight on Sakura's big heart, we instead are hit with a huge dose of Syaoran's angst. You tell me, is this a fair trade? Look on the bright side. At least Syaoran ends up with somebody in this version – he seems to get the shaft in the Card Captor Sakura version.