Notes: I get sick of
reading stuff before and after stories, so I'm going to try to leave notes
out if I can. I'll put REALLY important things in before the actual story
but otherwise I'm refraining. If there are repetitive questions, I'll deal
with them in an add-on when I'm finished writing the entire story (in a
bout 6 months...writing by hand first) so you can avoid them if you want.
I'm also refraining from using most Japanese words that other people use:
I don't know the language and would probably get something very wrong.
Reviews are not necessary but certainly welcomed if you want. -- Ella
Disclaimer: If I had
a million dollars, I'd buy CLAMP. Since I don't, I can't and therefore:
I don't own Card Captor Sakura. (sigh)
Past Incarnation
by Ella
A Golden Era
JAPAN
Sakura laughed as she spun around under a cherry blossom tree. This was her favorite time of the year and she was happy. Besides, she had finished her training early for once. Having enjoyed herself for a moment, the young woman stopped in her spot, her almost shoulder-length auburn hair caught up to her, blowing across her face in the wind. Those watching her couldn't tell if it was her looks or her happiness that made her so beautiful. Suddenly, she took off at a full sprint, narrowly avoiding crashing headlong into a young man who had been staring at her.
Anyone who didn't know her would have thought she was insane. Her friends, however, could guess exactly what was going through her head. The young man laughed – something he hadn't done in years. 'She hasn't changed a bit, always skating everywhere. I wonder where she's going?' he thought as he walked back toward an older woman. 'It's late enough in the year that her classes should be finished by now.'
'Oh, no! I'm going to be late!' thought Sakura. 'Today is my father's lecture and I promised him I would be there early.'
****************
Sakura ran into one of the university lecture halls and sat down next to her best friend. Her roller blades became the occupants of the seat to her left.
"Sakura-chan, you're early!" Tomoyo exclaimed. "Well, then again, you've rarely been late since you started training nine years ago. I mean, ever since Li-kun left, it's like you've taken his place in the 'never late' category."
Sakura laughed. "He was quite an inspiration. To think, a person could get so much done, and still show up for class on time! At the time, I had no idea how he could do it, it was so hard to get up that early. But now, I even have time to shower and sit down for breakfast after I train in the morning." She laughed again, "Proof that people can change."
"Well then, I guess Li-kun was good for something after all." Tomoyo replied, thinking once again that something just wasn't quite right. She still couldn't figure out what it was that part of her thought was very wrong, so she gave up the thought and paid attention to her friend.
"Tomoyo-chan! That's not fair! He was – he is – our friend. Besides, he helped us so many times we should be thanking him for our lives…"
"Maybe we will someday," the dark-haired girl replied. "Meiling told me that he is being considered for a Decision Maker position. I guess his mother is thinking about retiring. Everyone is just a little worried about his attitude though. He probably still doesn't warm up to people very easily."
Sakura cocked her head in thought for a second before responding, "Li-kun would make a great Decision Maker! He really is a good-hearted person, even is he does seem to have a cold exterior. He just needs to find more friends in Hong Kong so other people can see his nicer side." Sakura lost herself in memories of her childhood, remembering fondly the times when all her friends were in Japan.
"Look Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo pointed at the platform at the front of the room. "There's your father. I guess the lecture is about to begin."
****************
Kinomoto Fujitaka entered the lecture hall with a bit of apprehension. It had been almost five years since he had given a lecture of any sort – other than the ones given to his children with they fight too much. No matter how much public speaking he had done with his new job, a lecture was different. 'Whatever convinced me to do this?' he asked himself. 'I must have been crazy when I agreed.'
The former professor stepped up to the platform and the room instantly became silent. He paused before speaking. Taking time to look around the room, he saw his daughter sitting near the front with her best friend. She smiled confidently at him, knowing he must be a little nervous, and he relaxed. 'She's just like her mother,' he thought as he shuffled his papers.
"Good morning ladies and gentleman. You all know who I am and why we are here, so I suppose I shall begin." With this opening comment Fujitaka launched into his lecture on the idea behind the creation of the Golden Era.
"As you well know, over a hundred years ago, the world was riddled with wars. People fought over land, religious beliefs, culture, intellectual property and any other cause and angry man could get others to support. It seemed like it was humankind's nature to fight. There was, at the time, a small council of people from all over the world who tried to bring the wars to an end. Unfortunately, nothing they tried succeeded." Here, Fujitaka described the many efforts of the group of men and women.
"As despair of ever finding a solution began to set in, a young woman from a North Western country developed an idea that just might work. She made sure she had a clear plan before she brought the idea to the council. The concept was based on co-operation and kind-heartedness. The main idea was to remove corruption from influential positions by eliminating those positions that offered too much power. From then on, each country would have two leaders called Decision Makers. Their titles were not to have too much importance placed on them so people would not become power hungry.
"The position of a Decision Maker would be a life term unless the person decided to retire or became corrupted and greedy. They were to be respected but in return were to respect all citizens of the their own country and of the world equally. It was a suggestion rooted in the Socialist concept of the time. Everyone would have a job with equal pay all over the world and all debts would be wiped clean to offer a fresh start. There would be less emphasis on money to make it more possible to take care of everybody.
"The idea met with little resistance. The world seemed
ready for a drastic change and it was better than destroying the planet.
People all over the world were actually willing to overthrow their own
government if it meant a chance for peace. The only problem the council
had was in choosing the Decision Makers. If they left that to the current
powers, the new leaders would surely be corrupt. If they left it to the
people, they would fight amongst themselves and push the planet even closer
to the brink of destruction. The history books say that the same girl who
formed the concept had the solution to this problem as well. She was hesitant
to bring it up, but finally she suggested something that seemed insane."
FLASHBACK
A girl of about twenty years stood in front of men
and women from all over the world. They looked at her expectantly as if
waiting for her to say something important. She paused, biting her lower
lip. Finally, she spoke up, "You could enlist the help of a sorcerer."
The room became eerily silent, as the people looked
her with disbelief. She sighed. "There are some people on this planet who
have the power to manipulate things using powers most of us do not understand
and refuse to believe in or accept. They can find the truth inside people
– well, some of them can at least. What I suggest is that we ask one of
these sorcerers or magicians to help us find two people from each country
who are gifted with sagacity and kindness. These people will be the first
Decision Makers. After that, they must agree on their replacements."
END FLASHBACK
Fujitaka paused to take a drink and started again.
"She suggested using magic to find the first candidates. After that the
Decision Makers would have to agree on their replacements before they died
or retired. If one Decision Maker were accused of corruption, a trial would
determine the validity of the accusation. If the defendant was deemed corrupt,
he or she would be forced to step down and one Decision Maker from each
country would help to choose his or her successor.
"The council took a long time to warm up to the
idea of the existence of magic but finally accepted it. They enlisted the
help of the Reed family from England. The family had been rumored to possess
magical abilities for centuries. The family pulled through and the Decision
Makers were finally chosen three years after the young woman made her original
proposition.
"After much searching, the chosen leaders of the
New World were found and given their instructions – make all decisions
jointly and for the good of your people – and sent off to their new jobs
with very little pomp and circumstance.
"This new way of managing things agreed with the
world and sent us into a Golden Era. World scientists have managed to reduce
pollution, find cures for many diseases and generate power in a far more
cost efficient and environmentally friendly manner. By eliminating the
focus on money and status, poverty and hunger have been squashed and more
people can afford higher education.
"The success of this plan causes many people to
hope that the Golden Era of peace will last for centuries to come. Now,
I hope I have not put you to sleep. I will answer any questions you wish
to pose." Fujitaka stopped and looked at his audience, waiting for someone
to speak.
A young man nervously stood up. "Decision Maker
Kinomoto, what do you need to become a candidate for the position?"
Fujitaka looked at the man and smiled. "That's a very good question. We look for people who are not only smart, but know the way of the world; people who know what is inside the hearts and minds of others. We want our replacements to be caring, generous and even affectionate. My partner and I feel that showing affection – whether to our families, a stranger or even just a pet – helps others to know that we are just like them. We look for those who are not proud and who would listen to their consciences no matter what others say. There is no such thing as a perfect Decision Maker; just people who try hard to do their best in order to help their people. Does that answer you question?"
The young man nodded and took his seat thinking that one day even he might get the chance to help shape his country.
A young lady rose to ask, "Were you surprised when you were offered the position?"
This made the man laugh. "Very," he said, his voice shaking while he chuckled. "I had no idea I was even being considered. I spent my time taking care of my children, trying to give them the best life I could. I was unprepared when my predecessor told me I was chosen as her replacement. I told her I'd have to think about it – I have a feeling she was not prepared for that response," Fujitaka said smiling at the memory.
After a few more questions, the lecture finally drew to an end. Sakura and Tomoyo waited until the crowd thinned before approaching the auburn-haired girl's father.
"Will you walk me home daughter?" the man asked, smiling at the two young women before him.
"Of course," Sakura smiled. "Tomoyo-chan, are you coming?"
"I have a few errands to run, I'll meet you at your house in time for dinner." With that, the dark-haired girl turned and left the hall.
****************
THE DISTANT WEST
A man in dark clothing turned a corner to find a youth of about twenty-three exiting a room. "So Evison, your father has…passed away?" he asked as if he knew the answer. The voice had a hint of darkness to it, just enough to scare anyone who overheard it.
The youth smiled darkly and replied, "Yes. He died last night of – natural causes. No one will expect otherwise thanks to your plan and his 'extended illness', Decision Maker."
"I guess then, it is time to tell the public the sad news and then introduce their newest Decision Maker." As the man turned away, he disappeared right before Evison's eyes.