Disclaimer:

I have no affiliation with Cardcaptor Sakura or any other of CLAMP's works. Also any similarities to real life events or people are unintentional unless explicitly stated.


Dear Miss Kinomoto and Miss Daidouji,

How are you? My family and I have arrived in Heung Gong and it is so HUMID! I just want to stay inside all day where it's cooler. I'm actually glad that my hair is shorter now.

Sorry for not writing separate letters. This weather is perfect for lazing around, but the Elders are making us learn more of the advanced skills of the Li Clan OUTSIDE in the OPRESSIVE HEAT! At the end of every day I fall asleep as soon as I hit the bead.

Syaoran, for some strange reason, stays up even later to study mathematics. He does this even during our off days. But he seems to be coping.

I've been shopping with his sisters, but I think I'll start helping my parents in the clinic. There has been a spike in Ko infections recently.

What have you been doing during your holidays? Are you coming over to Heung Gong for the summer?

Your precious friend,

Meiling Li

P.S. Miss Kinomoto, what was in that package you gave to Syaoran?


To our precious friend Meiling,

Tomoyo and I are well. It's extremely warm here too.

We're happy to know that you and your family made it to Heung Gong safely.

Keep fighting, Meiling! But make sure you all relax properly as well. And don't worry about sending us separate letters. We completely understand how busy you are.

That's terrible about the Ko infections.

My father is researching that book in Central Library. Apparently, it has the ability to show someone the memories of the person who touched the book before them. Tomoyo's mother is working with him to copy the book's magical properties and then commercialize it. They think that they can use it to come up with a better treatment plant for the patients.

Tomoyo commented that it's ironic that the book shows other people's memories. I agree.

If you are interested in running clinical trials for the book, we will send you a copy when a prototype becomes available.

We want nothing more than to visit you in Heung Gong, but Aunt Sonomi planned for the Amamiya Clan to go on a trip to the isles in the Mesogeios Sea. Our royal cousins and our cousins from Heung Gong are also going on the trip. I haven't been there in years and this is the first time going there with our cousins.

We'll send you postcards and souvenirs.

Love,

Sakura Kinomoto and Tomoyo Daidouji


Dear Meiling,

We are in the beautiful city of Vinegia where we met up with our cousins in the Albergo di Angeli. Today we took a tour of the canals in gondolas pushed by a singing gondolier. He even sang a beautiful trio with Tomoyo and one of our cousins.

The mosaic in the local Cathedral was amazing.

We've sent you some flavoured pasta that we thought you might like.

The masks of Vinegia are divine. However they cover Sakura's lovely face. It is such a shame.

Sakura and Tomoyo


Dear Meiling,

We are currently on the Kerkyra Island relaxing. The water is so clear here. The other day we visited the Isle of Delphi, where it is said to be the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. It was filled with ancient ruins, but my brother and your youngest cousin both said that they felt a very strong spiritual force there. Hoe!

While we were on the Isle of Delphi, I had a vision us in Heung Gong. Let us hope and pray that that dream will come true.

We hope you like the small ceramic plate. Do you not agree that the colours and design are splendid?

Sakura and Tomoyo


Dear Meiling,

You would've loved Byzantium's Grand Bazaar. They had so many cheap aromatic spices. We sent you some packets of some that were said to have medicinal properties.

Our cousins from Heung Gong have returned for start of the school year, but the rest of the family will stay here for a couple more days. Then we will fly back to Lecourt via Lutetia next week. When you come back to Lecourt let's take a trip to the City of Lights and eat all the pastries and crepes to our hearts content!

I bought some exquisite brocaded fabrics in the Grand Bazaar that Sakura will look stunning in. I shall send you some photographs of the outcome to show to your family.

Sakura and Tomoyo


Dear Miss Kinomoto and Miss Daidouji,

It seems like you're having fun without me. I'm so jealous. All that cheese and bread… I used to think that cheese was the weirdest thing ever, but now I'm craving it.

Speaking of cravings - thank you for the souvenirs! The pasta was delicious, and the spices helped save a patient's life the other day. The plate is in my room. Thank you!

While you were on your journey I was constantly training. It's still humid. Now that the school year has started again the training has reduced a bit, but I'm still helping out with my mother at the clinic.

Speaking of coincidences, your cousin "Koe" Hanato is in my class. I take it that she's the cousin you said that sings well? "Koe" means "voice" in the language of the Taiyo Isles, right?

She was nearly late the first day and tripped on the way in. I can tell that you are related to her, Miss Kinomoto.

By the way, I can figure out why she refers to Miss Daidouji as "Lady" but why is Miss Kinomoto called "Star"? The Amamiya magic circle? Did you replace your power pendant?

Syaoran meanwhile was placed in another class. The teachers here rotate instead of the students between classes and he's been helping out with the Fung Seoi Committee, so I pretty much see him only at the Li Mansion. He's doing well. Don't worry; he's not talking to any girls here. He keeps mostly to these two guys we've known since childhood.

Thanks to my three years in Lecourt, I seem to be near the top of my class for the language study. It's a nice change considering I that was my worst subject before. There's a lot of competition amongst the girls in physical education class.

Hopefully Miss Daidouji did see a foreseeing dream and you will both come to Heung Gong someday soon.

Until next time,

Meiling Li

P.S. Don't think I didn't notice that you didn't answer my question about what is in Syaoran's letter, Miss Kinomoto.


Dear Meiling!

Are you looking after yourself properly?

Guess what?! Actually, maybe you know. There's an exchange program with your school and Tomoyo and I are applying for it. We'd be staying at the dorms. What are they like?

The morning I found out about it a golden dream balloon floated from the sky and landed in my hand. It must be a good sign!

Also, Lafarga and Caldina are finally a couple!

Presea has been hanging around me and Tomoyo more recently. She asks how you're doing and if you could introduce her to someone.

Physical education class isn't the same without you, Meiling. I've moved to the female physical education class. But the Bartitsu Club is looks very promising this year. We had our first session and there were some really skilled new members. Everyone misses you!

I hope you're not being mean to Koe.

Ahah... Well I WAS given a new power pendant. This time it has ten points, but it works exactly the same way.

But the nickname actually started with my brother. He kept calling me "monster" while they were visiting Lecourt a few years ago, and Koe's younger sister misheard it and started calling me "Star" instead. It's a nice nickname, so I don't mind.

Everyone in Zhonguo usually goes by a nickname don't they. What is yours?

What is the Fung Seoi Committee? And don't be mean. He's allowed to talk to whoever he wants to.

Tomoyo says, "hello," and that she'll send a proper letter when the prototype is ready.

Until we meet again,

Sakura Kinomoto


Dear Tori, Koe and Honey,

How are you? We miss you all dearly.

Tori, have you made anything using the indigo dye from the Grand Bazaar? Lady says that she's been practising the dream exercises you taught her, but she's only been able to tell she's dreaming once.

Koe, did the trip to the Mesogeios improve your health? Apparently you're in Meiling Li's class? How is she settling in?

Honey, are you being a good girl and looking after your elder sisters?

We wish you were with us. Leo and I got into so much trouble for sneaking out to explore the city unaccompanied.

My brother became extra strict after that. But on the bright side, he paid for all of our desserts while we were in Lutetia.

We finished our second day of class here, and guess what?! Tomoyo and I are going to applying for the semester long exchange program with Heung Gong High School that starts after the New Year. Hopefully we get in and we get to see you all again!

Lots of love,

Sakura Kinomoto


Dear STAR,

Yes, yes. I've been looking after myself. Have you been going to school on time?

Are you really coming!? I can't wait! Who else is applying?

I've never been to the dorms. The students that stay there are usually either from the countryside or have parents that go on business trips a lot. But I did ask one of Syaoran's classmates who's staying there what they're like. He is originally from the Taiyo isles and is part of the latter group. Apparently, they're slave camps where they wake up you up in the middle of the night with freezing water and then make you run ten Li once a week, but you don't know which night.

His girlfriend came in at that moment and said that what he said was a lie. They do have a schedule for study, chores and exercise, but they also have free time. You do have to share rooms though. For our grade, there are about six per room.

If it's really as bad as he says, you can always stay with us.

It's about time those two got together. That was going on for ages.

Tell Miss Pharle that the guys here are looking for nice girls.

I am not being mean to Koe! For that accusation, I'm not telling you my nickname here!

The Fung Seoi Committee helps the school's temple make sure that the school's chi, or energy, is in balance. Heung Gong is one of the most spiritually dense cities after all.

And tell the Bartitsu Club that they need to win the championships again this year! Wall sits are the answer!

Have you chosen your research topics yet?

That's all for now,

Meiling Li


Dear Star,

We are all doing well. My healer said that my health has never been better. My elder sister made a really beautiful dyed pattern using the indigo and Honey is a good girl as always.

How are the cousins and aunties and uncles?

Yes I'm in Mei-Li's class! She's really beautiful. She's only been here for a short time and already has a lot of admirers even though she has a boyfriend.

Her cousin, Li, is in the class next to us. He grew taller but he seems like the same hardworking person he was before he went to Lecourt.

That is so exciting! We can't wait for you to come here! We heard about the program in class too, and I was just about to write to you to apply. Hopefully when you and Lady come here you will be in our class.

We miss you,

Kobato Hanato


Dear Mei-Li,

My parents told me that I'm not allowed to go to Heung Gong. They kept saying that they'd prefer that I stay here and we'll go visit Heung Gong as a family, but they really mean that it's because it's too dangerous because I have no powers of my own. They always say, "We will go as a family to Heung Gong" but we've never been. I don't think that I'll ever be allowed to go.

I told Tomoyo to go, but she says that it won't be enjoyable without me.

Fye and Mr Ascot are applying to go though, and a couple of students in the grade above and below us.

I guess that it's all right that I can't go. Presea would be lonely without us.

For my research project I've decided to do a study on the theory of energy flow and Ley lines.

Tomoyo has chosen to research negative and deconstructing magic. Most of the magic systems in Lecourt we learn about here focus on positive magic.

Do you have a boyfriend, Meiling?

Take care,

Sakura Kinomoto


Author Notes:

-Hello! It's been a while. I'll be a little slow to update at first because the story is still in its early drafts and because I have an exam in a couple days(!) Sorry. I'll do my best to get it publish the chapters quickly.

-This chapter was designed to be a teaser to a new story called "Sakura's Zhonguo Chronicles". Although now I think it might be easier for everyone including me to add the new chapters at the end of this story and rename the whole thing to something like "Sakura's Chronicles". What do you think?

-Just before I uploaded this chapter I also edited the previous chapters. The most important change for the later plot is how names are used in this world. If you're too lazy to reread the story the naming conventions are as follows:

Everyone has a "True Name" which includes their first name, last name and how it is written. If you know their True Name and their birthday than you can control another person (e.g. Yue's judgement in CCS, sorta). People only know someone else's True Name (and birthday in Zhonguo) if they're super dooper close. True Names are required for certain situations such as enrollments, advanced healing and contracts etc.

People in Zhonguo get around this by using aliases or nicknames or last names in spoken conversation, and increasing their age by one year on New Years Day (google East Asian Reckoning) instead of celebrating their birthday.

Lecourt doesn't have as many spirits (which can "read" people's words) and have a stronger culture of sharing information so they tend to use first names and birthdays.

In both cultures, it's generally okay to write people's first names (if you also use it during conversations) as long as you don't write their True Name. Also, it's considered crude to talk about someone using their name unless everyone in the conversation has met that person.

-Sorry for the tldr. If you like this story or notice any inconsistencies let me know =)