Disclaimer: I do not own Cardcaptor Sakura and all right belong to CLAMP. This work is fanfiction and it's general rights belong to me. I do not have written permission to use Mizuki Kaho, Hiiragizawa Eriol, or any other canon characters. Laurel Seer is the creation of Furuto, whom I've obtained permission to use.
A/N: This story is not a comedy so it will not make you laugh. This story is not a tragedy so it will not make you cry. This story is full of boring details so it will make you sleep. This story is not perfect so corrections are welcomed. What I just said is for you to determine if it's a fact or a lie.
Stolen or Taken?
By: Meaningless colors
Chapter 1: Strange fates of meeting
Kaho just didn't like people knowing her problems; her weaknesses. Yet this WAS only the beginning…
Looking up at the enormous edifice, her light red hair fluttering behind her in the London breeze. She looked at it again and it still did not fit. Normally in classic London, England, nothing was larger than three stories. This building stuck out like a sore thumb. Yet this was the right place; 103 Maple Avenue. This was the main office of the renowned psychologist Laurel Seer.
Laurel Seer was the daughter of the Duke of Newcastle. Once the blonde beauty that every women envied and every man wanted to possess, with impeccable manners and speech that could have been a song. Having every privilege that money, rank, and influence could provide, she was the sheltered and pampered. Her parents adored her. In her entire life never did anything to disobey them except once. That one action cut deeper in them more than if she took a dagger and twisted it in their very hearts. She turned down a marriage proposal by the Crown Prince of England himself. (Enough about her let's get back to Kaho.)
Kaho stepped inside. Out of habit, she straightened her suit and walked into the lobby. As she followed the directions given to her, she felt nervous for the first time. Her palms were damp from clutching her handbag too tightly. Strange as it may seem, she had never felt this way before. She always knew how to remain calm, even through the worst of ordeals...
The polished glass elevator gleamed as though it was not glass, instead silver-backed mirrors. It rose higher and higher until she could see the enormous marble fountain in the center of the circular lobby. Not that Kaho noticed. Her heart was busy speeding at the very thought of the woman.
The elevator speaker emitted a chime. Kaho's steps toward the door were slow as though against her will. She was stalling. One part of her screamed commands to break into a run and continue running as far away from this place as possible. Another told her not to be a coward and continue on. 'This is nothing more than just a session with a crone. I have nothing to lose.' For a second, she knew that she was lying to herself. Even so, she knew she had everything to lose.
A young girl her cheeks flushed, was waiting for Kaho outside the elevator entrance. Her eyes lit up when she saw Kaho. Her violet curls bounced as she gaily welcomed Kaho.
"Mistress! Miss Mizuki is here!" As Kaho stepped into the office, she could feel the woman's aura before she could see her. It was small and a single desk occupied the vast room. A flat screen computer sat on top. The secretary greeted Kaho and pushed the large mahogany double doors open, announcing Kaho.
Gently pushed in, Kaho finally took in her surroundings. This room was more lavish than all
the rest. It was circular like the lobby, yet every bit was more detailed. The walls and ceiling were all painted with the genuine vivid colors of fantasies. Scenes of majestic cities blended into lush meadows,
elven forests, and pruned gardens at the thresholds and anything such as a window, that would discontinue the flow of colors. Three flamboyant pillars stood equidistant of the three glass windows that overlooked the splendor of London. Furniture was lightly splashed here and there in no set order. Yet behind a certain divan was a source of darkness the engulfed all the light, once noticed. It was a simple tapestry whose dominant color was the blue-black of calm water in the deep night, yet in the exact center stood a silver table the seemed so real. It was clear of all ornaments except for the large sapphire star embedded in the heart of the table.
"Mistress? Is everything alright?" the little girl's voice came through the thick wooden doors.
"Yes." The fragment came like a ghost's whisper, barely loud enough to travel through the doors. A woman emerged from behind a pillar, nearly hidden behind velvet curtains. She pulled a silver tassel and the velvet curtains fell into orderly folds to conceal the tapestry. The light returned to the room. "Miss Mizuki. I am sorry to keep you waiting. Please have a seat."
"You are -."
" Yes. I am. You were expecting someone older, more experienced, perhaps?" Kaho fell silent, not wanting to insult the woman with her personal thoughts. This Laurel Seer spoke in whispers as though she feared to raise her voice. She looked at Kaho by angling her head a slight nine degrees. Her gaze sent shivers up Kaho's spine.
"No need to say anything if you do not want to. Allowances are always made for foreigners." Kaho bit back the insult that was thrown so openly at her. "You need not say anything. I know."
"I don't understand..."
"I'm good at 'reading' people, Miss Mizuki, that's all. Please, my chairs don't bite, take a seat." Laurel inwardly smiled as a rather baffled Kaho hurriedly sat down in the nearest chair.
"So what's wrong with you?" Laurel murmured with a tone of casualty, as though she were discussing about the weather. Kaho looked up--startled--her soft amber eyes widened as she stuttered, "I b-beg your p-pardon? Isn't that a bit rude to be so upfront with your clients?"
"Am I? Then would you prefer it if I lied to you and said that you're perfectly fine; that nothing is wrong with you?! That everybody has much more disturbing problems than you? Is that what you want?" Kaho found herself utterly speechless to the woman's sharp words. This strange young woman was right. She hated the truth...because it hurt. But above all, she hated herself for hiding behind her sugar-coated lies.
That everything's okay...
That everything in her world was happy…
That time heals everything...
Lies...
They're all lies...
Because she was scared…
Of everything…
A/N: I thank Nebula Moon who help me edit and from whom has written a portion (not too great, otherwise this would be her story.) I am extremely grateful to her and the others who help me make this within the line of posting. Nebula Moon and Furuto, love you lots. I would like to here opinions to improve this story. Hopefully this did not make you sleep and if it did, let me know. All opinions are welcome. (Though I think you are supposed to judge the story not the author. Unlike my mistake where it can be said that I am a hypocrite.) I might have to exile produce from my house, on the fact that I might get hit. You never know what people who hate your story will do. If you report me, I won't get suicidal, just tell me why. I have given credit where it needs to be given. This story was an original creation and I have the notebooks to prove it!