CardCaptor Sakura Remastered II Episode 10 (10)

CardCaptor Sakura Remastered II Episode 10 (10)
“Well kids it’s December and you know what that means. Now as you all know the Second Annual NamoCatCat Corp. Holiday Spectacular (raising money for Tokyo’s first Toys for Tots branch office) is coming up and the mega fundraiser is featuring this school again as it’s main
entertainment!”

Keiko - “Because your CHEAP!!”

Misho’s fur riles abit as she turns her cat like Neko eyes onto Keiko and scowls at her.

Keiko - “And giving me the “evil eye” won’t cut it either, el cheapo!”

“I’M NOT CHEAP!! I’M TRADITIONAL!!” (Misho huffs her breath) “Lots of businesses feature local schools in their events! IT’S NOT BEING CHEAP!! Last year Sakura’s class partnered up with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra dammit! Is that cheap?”

Keiko - “Didn’t they donate their time for the event and the whole thing was a big tax write off for you---”

“Your just freaking evil, you know that?” (Misho snarls as she turns back to the board) “This year we’re doing a play---” (“Big surprise”) “---and it’s going to be---” (“Sleeping Beauty”) “---DO YOU MIND?!?” (Misho stomps her feet in anger) “You want to prattle off then be my guest!”

Keiko - “No, no, not at all. Go on. Feel free. It’s a free country and all. Excessively free.”

Rebecca - “Speaking of cheap, have you done your shopping yet?”

Keiko - “Yeah, yeah. You know I did so shove off. I happen to like shopping online for bargains! Do you mind you freak of nature you?”

“Yeah I mind---” (Misho turns and regards Mr. Terada) “What?!”

“N-nothing---”

“Then don’t stare! It’s rude!” (clears throat) “Alright. It IS Sleeping Beauty BUT---” (pauses for dramatic effect) “---it’s the Musical version!”

Misho - “Not the Disney we’re going to sing all the songs from the movie version.”

Keiko - “And some new ones. As for the dream counterpart of the House of Mouse? Disney just so happened to had needed a little financial bailout (they always need financial bailout it seems) and I provided the bailout. IN EXCHANGE they gave me the right to produce this musical (and get it airtime on TV Tokyo) to the standards of the original animation! (amongst other things they‘ve given me the rights back to…)”
At that Keiko leans back in her chair, grinning from ear to ear like the cat that ate the proverbial goldfish “Well boys and girls, culture is dying today -- weep for it.”

“OH F---” (Misho stops herself short) “---dry up.”

Keiko - “If only this was a lemon then you could cuss to your heart’s content.”

“If this was a lemon I’d make you my bi---” (Misho sighs) “---let’s just pick the damn roles (I see everyone gawking at me so let’s get this over with). (And I loved the concert last year so up yours!)--- Kaho Mitsuki recommended we play a drop and roll game---”

“Ladder game.” Ms. Mitsuki corrected, only to be glared at by Misho. “I know that!” (Misho growled) “It’s the same as the Neko Drop & Roll game so big deal it’s a Ladder! Hmph. Just come up already and sign the paper so we get this over with. And you two losers sign up too! We‘re short a few roles so we need some filler ins for the roles, and I‘ll sign too.”

As everyone signs their names Keiko watches Sakura sign, then signs the board herself.

Rebecca follows Tomoyo, then turns to Keiko. “Did you do it?” Keiko asked.

“Forge Nina’s name in Winterian? Yeah. You?”

Nina - “Eliza. In Winterian.”

Both take their seats as Sakura walks up to Tomoyo after signing.

“What roles you think we’re going to get---” (stops as Tomoyo hugs her) “I hope you’re the princess this year! I want to make your outfit!! It‘d be so beautiful!!”

“Tomo-chan---”

Tomoyo - “Then we’ll “break it in”! Oh goddess have I got a beautiful Revolutionary Girl Utena sex fantasy to try out! You’d be Utena, I’d be Anthy and GODDESS WHAT JOY!!”

“? ? ?” (Keiko looks on confused as Tomoyo, in her mind‘s eye, slowly drifts off and out of her range to communicate with her) “T-t-tomoyo--chan? Tomoyo? Hello?”

Rebecca, watching the two, leans back in her chair. Casually she glances over at Keiko. “Think she knows that Tomoyo wants to make love to her in her prince outfit like that?”

Keiko - “Uh… no, not a chance. She won’t figure it out until they’re in bed doing it… goddess is this Utena hentai really that fun?” (sighs) “I wanna be Utena too!”

“You two shouldn’t be so wary.” (Kaho)

Rebecca sighs miserably, turning her gaze over at the source of her discontentment. “Oh. It’s YOU. The walking 8-ball. Somebody shake you much today?” (sighs again) “Alright, I’ll bite. Be wary about what? It‘ll all be over soon?”

Kaho - “You’ll see him again soon enough.”

Both Keiko/Rena look at her oddly, then at each other. “Back to your seats.”

Both turn away briefly--- sweatdropping, teeth clenched as one thinks of---

Tomoyo - “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing---” Keiko responds quickly. “Just nothing.”

As the roles are read everyone watches.

Then---

* * * * * *

“Again? Sakura’s the prince AGAIN?!?” Kero sighs, picking up his food again and going back at it with vigor. “You think they got over that one last time, Sakura doing the whole dressing up as a prince thing that probably inspired the creation of Utena and all but---” (voiced in a muffled eating way) “Any difference this time out?”

Tomoyo looked positively radiant about the decision, “I’ve made improvements to the design! I was inspired by Lord of the Rings and Revolutionary Girl Utena combined!! THIS WILL BE SO MUCH FUN!!”

“Well at least one of you is overjoyed.” Nina remarks, poking at her own food. “Is this edible--- ouch! Eliza!”

“Behave. It tastes great, thank you Sakura.” (Eliza eats a bite) “So whose the princess? There’s no Syaoran Li this time so it must be Tomoyo.”

Tomoyo - “No. I’m narrator again.” (sighs) “But I’m going to be the understudy so I’ll have the chance to make my own princess outfit…” (smiles) “…it’ll be so Anthy-like!”

Eliza - “Then who---”

Sakura fiddles with her fingers, looking rather distressed, then finally---

“Eliza.”

Silence.

“Hah hah… for a second there I thought you said MY Eliza is your princess…”

“…yes…”

Nina shakes her head. “Can’t be! We didn’t even sign up for the thing, so how can…”

“Keiko & Rebecca forged your names, and Mr. Terada really needs the roles filled so he didn‘t complain about it.”

Nina faints, tumbling out of her chair with a loud thud.

“Pity Keiko & Rebecca didn’t sign their own names.” Eliza laments.

“Well actually…” Nina muttered from the floor.

* * * * * *

Meanwhile…

“I CAN’T BELIEVE SHE FORGED BOTH OUR NAMES IN NEKOCHANIAN!!!”

Keiko spewed, her face scrunched up, as Eve gave her a backrub. “Didn’t you two forge Nina & Eliza’s names in Winterian on the board?”

“That’s different! At least we didn’t forge it in one sentence! I can’t believe she did it! And she even had the perfect solution for why our names were in one spot, let alone in Neko! The evil thing!!”

“I’m sure.”

“She is evil!” Keiko countered, “She is! She--- your just saying that to make me feel better.”

“----”

“---aw man---”

* * * * * *

“It was decided by a ladder game!” Sakura cried, looking rather distressed.

“IT SHOULDN’T COUNT IF WE DIDN’T SIGN IT!! (IT’S EVIL!!) (And since when do they allow participation signing through absentee representation?!?)”

“Huh?”

“---never mind---” Nina waved off Sakura’s confused glances, “But why Eliza though? Why not Tomoyo? I mean that is such a given it should have been her!”

“It was decided by---”

“A ladder game, yeah, yeah, I got that part---” (Nina collapses onto the table) “---the part I’m NOT getting is how we got shanghaied into this in the first place!”

Tomoyo was not put off by the turn of events, “I’m sure Eliza will be a cute princess! I’m going to make her outfit too! She is Sakura’s partner after all--- what’s that noise?”

Eliza motions at Nina, “That’s Nina’s teeth grinding together, best not mention the “p” word.”

Tomoyo - “Sakura’s partner?”
(the grinding becomes louder)
Eliza - “Yes, that. Please stop it.”

Nina pounded her fists into the floor, “Why couldn’t she have gotten kids from another class to fill vacancies!?”

“They’re all in the program in some capacity, Nina! There was no kids left to pick! And Ms. Mitsuki chose the---”

“Chose the game to hand out the roles. Yeah, yeah, Sakura, I got that part just fine thank you very much… I hate “drop & roll”.”

Sakura sweatdrops, “What‘s Drop & Roll, Nina?”

“Drop and Roll. Drop and Roll. The Nekochanian version of--- oh why the hell do I bother having any form of intelligent conversation with YOU anyway!!” (Nina sighs as she glares at Sakura) “I hate you.” (silence) “But still, fair being fair and all it’s inappropriate for a young woman to be the romantic love partner of an older woman, even in a play, they should have picked someone Sakura’s age. She shouldn’t be here.”

Eliza turns towards Nina confused. “Who shouldn’t be here?”

“Ms. Mitsuki.“ Nina replied, “The last time Ms. Mitsuki came into play when the Cards were
originally loose she ended up being a catalyst for dreadful things to come. I’m just wary that she may be the bearer of similar bad tidings if we’re not careful. I don‘t want the same bad ending to come about as before--- we have to be careful--- besides which I can‘t leave Sakura alone with a mature woman, her hormones will spin out of control!”

Sakura - “WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!?”

“Eliza is a enchanting woman and a beautiful goddess to behold--- and your weak minded.”

Sakura - “It’s JUST A PLAY!! AND I‘M NOT WEAK MINDED!”

“Sakura can’t keep her hands off of Eliza’s curves.”

Sakura - “NO I’M NOT GOING TO DO THAT--- YOU JUST WANT TO FIND NEW WAYS TO TORMENT ME DON’T YOU!!”

“You betcha!” (laughs uncomfortably)

Tomoyo comforts Sakura as Eliza raps Nina across the head again (to get her to behave).

* * * * * *

So, as the days passed everyone rehearsed, and rehearsed, and rehearsed.
Incidents broke out, some people deadpanned their performance (saving their real potential for the stage) and others didn’t show up at all (Keiko had to be dragged to rehearsal by Eve each and every day)).
Finally, the night of the performance came and everyone was ready… almost.
“I wish they did the concert thing again.” Keiko sighed irritably. “I’d even play an instrument if it meant ditching this play idea.”

“Well it’s too late now so you’ll have to bear through it.” Eve whispers, leaning against Keiko’s body as she does. “They’ll be great.”

Keiko - “It’s not them I’m worried about.”

“Sigh.”

* * * * * *

Meanwhile, in the audience.

Gaia - “It’s too cold. Where’s the main central heating?”

Umi - “Probably shut off. You know how cheap Misho is---” (“I’M NOT CHEAP!!”) “---anyway it’s almost time for Mistress Sakura’s performance. Hope it’s heartwarming… mostly since the liquids in my body are freezing into the consistency of jello in here. It‘s like the time she
captured me all over again, I didn‘t like that one bit… don‘t like it now.”

Gaia - “Too bad about Mistress Sonomi. I wish she could have been here.”

Umi - “She gave me one of Mistress Tomoyo’s cameras to film with so I’m ready to go. (she wanted to come too, too bad) Anyway, Mistress Sakura’s class is next.”

Gaia - “What is Mistress doing?”

Umi - “Something about a beauty that sleeps a lot. Sleeping Beauty--- think it’s a case of sleeping sickness but who can say with these misrepresented tales of the good old days.”

Gaia - “They were actually good?”

Umi - “Please don’t push me out of my happy space… goddess, it‘s freezing in here!”

* * * * * *

“It’s almost curtain time!”

Keiko - “Big deal, I ouch! Eve!”

Rebecca - “Whatever.”

“Geez!” Misho growls, walking amongst the group, “You’d think some of you were going to your own funerals the way your moping about!”

Keiko - “Can I go to my own funeral? It’d be better than this. At least it‘d be catered.”

Rebecca - “Bury me now (catering or not), my acting debut is done.”

“CUT IT OUT!!” (sighs) “Just go out there, break a leg (it’d be an improvement for some of you) because we have a VERY LARGE audience to please--- not to put too much stress on you because you know it’s being televised, right?“

“Oh, sure, heaven forbid the pressure get cranked up NOW.“ Keiko scoffs. (Not amusing Misho in the slightest as she gives Keiko a brief dirty stare before going back to her speech, “Just as long as we don’t talk about you know… that. Don‘t talk about it and we‘ll be fine.”

“About what?” Everyone shrugs, confused to what she was talking about.

“Hamlet! Your not supposed to talk about Hamlet before a performance because it’s bad luck! (Don’t any of you know anything about the arts?!?) That’s why nobody before a play talks about Hamlet because talking about Hamlet is bad luck and---” (silence) “---that didn’t
count. That rant about Hamlet didn’t count (or that reminder). Just don’t talk about it after now. OK? OK--- now if nobody needs me for anything I’m going to go drown a puppy or something equally constructive.” (walks off in a huff)

As Sakura enters backstage a lot of wows and oohs follow her.

“Sakura! You look majorly hot!” someone calls out.

“Hmmm--- a cross between a musketeer and Aragorn from LotR--- not bad. Cute actually---” Keiko remarks. “I guess that means the princess is going to look like what’s her name?”

“Where’s the princess?” Rebecca asks, drawing everyone’s attention to look about. As they look, Keiko takes a brief peek behind her and quickly turns around. “What’s wrong, Keiko?”

“I just saw Terada and Rika kissing, Eve.”

“---?---”

“Not just kiss-kiss. I mean romantic, full out tongue action lover’s kiss-kiss. If this wasn‘t already pre-guaranteed that I never have to find out about that kind of action in the merry land of Sakura I‘d swear he was craving a little Rika for after the show! (Sorta like Innocence from Icarus Publishing but hopefully not in the bad way).”

Eve - “They’re married so it’s OK. They‘re allowed to be as lemony as they want.”

Sakura - “Well sure if you put it that way and they‘re---say what---”

“What’s wrong, Rika? You’re all red---”

Sakura, an actress in need of a clue to purchase. Keiko, in need of a sponge to clear the last thought Eve put into her head (and an explanation about what Eve just told her).

“Where’s Princess Eliza?” (Chiharu)

“I’ve been wondering that myself---” (Rebecca)

Keiko - “Tomoyo must have finished her costume by now.”

Eve - “She did. It took her a few days to finish it. She’s putting it on Eliza now.”

“---nNO!! No! No! NO!!”

Silence as everyone turns towards the dressing area. With slight trepidation in her steps, Sakura goes to investigate., peeking behind the curtains. “WOW!!”

Both Tomoyo & Eliza were dressed in identical costumes. “I’m not so sure. I mean, I feel like I’m betraying Nina--- and sure you’ll be my understudy if I collapse or something, and that’s OK and all, but what’s with this wig? It’s uncomfortable and I already have blonde hair. And this costume feels all awkward (snug like a glove but still)--- I don’t know!! Can‘t you take my place now? This is making me sick to my stomach!!”

(Tomoyo’s not listening because she’s entirely satisfied with her work)

“That’s so cute!!”

Eliza scowls at Sakura, “Only Nina can say that about me, Sakura!!” (storms for backstage) “I quit. Tomoyo’s all dressed up so she can be me! (Knew getting her to make that costume was a good idea!)”

Tomoyo - “But it looks good on you.”

Eliza snarled at the thought, “So does a certain brand of gum according to commercials I’ve seen but THAT’S NOT THE POINT! The point is I feel awkward being romantic to Sakura! She’s your lover, you be the princess! The only “prince” I want to kiss won‘t even be near me! Take my place!”

Tomoyo shook her head, “I’m the narrator.”

Eliza - “---” (?) “So I’ll narrate! Let’s swap places! You’re my understudy anyway, and I don’t like wearing this! It’s all fluffy and I’m going to fall on my face walking in this, and it‘s not like talking is such a big deal! Why do I have to wear this?”

Tomoyo - “Because you’re the princess.”

Eliza didn‘t like that answer one bit, “I didn’t ask to be anything in this play! I just quit. Nobody can make me be the princess because I didn’t sign up for this in the first place so being signed in against my will doesn’t count.”

Sakura - “Pwhee?”

Eliza pointed at the door in a rage, “I quit. There. Is that simple enough for you to grasp? Me Quitee Now. Phht.” (with that Eliza turns to walk off (again)), but not before Tomoyo stops her with her one weakness). “Really? That’s too bad. I know Nina is in costume and she wouldn’t do it unless you were in the play. She’d feel rather betrayed if you were to suddenly ditch and leave her in the play all alone and---”

“---your evil---” (with that Eliza turns and walks right back into the play with the others cheering her on) “I hate it when she uses Nina against me.”

* * * * * *

“Is it starting?” Gaia cried out numbly, “(My hands are beginning to go numb from the cold!)”

“Clap often, it’ll keep the blood circulating.” (Umi holds the camera up) “Good thing this unit has a heating device and compensates for vibrations and jitters.”

Gaia - “Heating unit? Really? Let me shove that camera down my top during intermissions, maybe my panties too if it’ll fit--- I’m freezing my pedals off!” (sighs miserably) “How can they do this in such a cold climate!”

* * * * * *

Tomoyo‘s voice boomed loud as the lights dimmed and the narrative began.
“Once upon a time, a King and his Queen lived in a castle…” (musical sting, followed by projected images from the animated movie) “For a long time they had wished for a child…” (another musical sting and more images)
“That’s Mistress Tomoyo.” (Gaia whispers) “I’m going to ask her for a thermal insulation heated formal dress for Christmas, somebody should have put “winter wear“ instead of “formal wear‘ on the invitation! Damn them.”

The curtain opens on royal court (same cast as last time this play was done in same roles with the exception of a bodyguard (played by Rena and one male who used to be a fairy which was now played by Eve, who stood a head/shoulders taller over the other two fairies as they
walked in))

“Finally a princess was born. They named her Princess Aurora. The King and Queen rejoiced her birth and held a great banquet---” (“If this is a banquet where’s the food---” Rena sighed under her breath, stomach rumbling slightly) “---All of the people in the country celebrated the birth of the princess.”

“Look at me! I’m festive!” Keiko whispers, looking rather odd.

Misho sighed irritably, “That’s cute, “Ed”. Will you ever disappoint me?”

“Yes I will…” (?) “…is it me or do the props look ultra real?”

Misho sighed as she lightly motioned about the stage with her free hand, “Holosystem onstage for ultra real effects. It’ll really pay off with the grand finale.”

“What do you---” (Misho walks off before she can question her further). “---whatever.”

Narrator (Tomoyo) - “Not only the people, but the fairies as well, came to with the princess well to celebrate her birth.”

“One obviously playing part time for the WNBA.” Nina remarks from her spot off stage.

Fairy #1 (Chiharu) - “We celebrate the birth of Princess Aurora from the bottom of our hearts.”

Fairy #3 (Naoko) - “We would like to give the princess our gifts.”

Musical Number - The Birth of the Princess.

Nina - “?” (looking at script) “Where did this come from?”

Keiko - “Already? We’re barely out the gate and a musical number kicks in?” (sighs) “I’m going online to play World of Warcraft for awhile, let me know when the singing stops and my ears stop bleeding.”

* * * * * *

A few minutes later---

Fairy #1 (Chiharu) - “I give you beauty worthy of the shimmering northern aurora that gives you your name.”

Fairy #2 (Eve) - (smooth as silk voice) “I give you a beautiful voice to rival the songbirds…”

Fairy #3 (Naoko) - “I give you---”

Laughter, as all eyes turn to the back of the auditorium.
There, in costume and in role, was Yamazaki. Next to him, dressed as a cross between---
“Sailor Saturn & the grim reaper?” (Misho)

“Somebody’s been working Tomoyo overtime it seems.” (Keiko)

---was Nina, holding a menacing weapon similar to Sailor Saturn---

“That’s DeathScyther.” (Keiko)

“What?”

“That’s DeathScyther, Misho, remember? The prop weapon used by Trooper Saturn during the recently revivied Sailor Troopers storyline. It never saw the light of day until recently, but that’s it alright.”

Witch (Yamazaki) - “Such a grand party, but it seems I did not receive an invitation---”

Henchbeing (Nina) - “Most unfortunate… for them.”

Fairy #1 (Chiharu) - “Who would invite an evil witch like yo---?!”
(Nina shoves out DeathScyther menacingly, glaring at Chiharu as she did), “Shut your yap, loud mouthed little pixie!” (Yamazaki reaches out and pulls down the weapon abit as he speak) “An evil witch?” (catches Nina’s attention) “Now who could that be?”
Silence, then the two start walking to the stage, the rhythmic clik-clak of DeathScythe
striking the cold floor as Nina walked forward the only sound to be heard.

Guard 1 (male) (whisper) - “Yamazaki’s really getting into it, isn’t he?”

Guard 2 (Rebecca) (whisper) - “He’s freaking me out… Nina’s freaking me, too.”

Witch (Yamazaki) (the two have now entered the stage, DeathScyther still clacking against the flooring as Nina walks forward one step behind Yamazaki) “I thought my invitation might have been misplaced.”

Queen (Rika) - “We are so sorry. But we had heard that you didn’t like parties---”

Witch (Yamazaki) - “True, oh so very true. I do so hate parties, but… then again… I hate being ignored that much more than I hate parties. Agreed?”

Henchbeing (Nina) - “Of course. It’s as if they don’t respect your power, Mistress.”

Guard 2 (Rebecca) (whisper) - “Nina calling someone “Mistress”, now there’s a twist.”

Guard 1 (male) (whisper) - “Yamazaki’s good at acting like a girl.”

Guard 2 (Rebecca) (whisper) - “Mind your manners.”

Witch (Yamazaki) - “The precious princess finally born to this country. Let me give you a gift too.” (silence as a lone spotlight falls on Yamazaki and the baby‘s resting place, the audience hushes and listens aptly to every word) “You will be beautiful, noble and kind. Loved by the people of the country, you will know happiness--- until you turn 16! ON YOUR SIXTEENTH BIRTHDAY, PRINCESS AURORA WILL PRICK HER FINGER ON A SPINDLE--- AND DIE!!!” (loud thunder, loud strains of music)

Rebecca chuckles softly, nudging the male guard next to her, “Heh, heh, he said “prick”.”

“STAY YOUR PLACE!!” (Nina swings DeathScyther about, inches from Rebecca’s throat, her face filled with a frightening darkness. As the two backed off stage, only Yamazaki’s laughter could be heard). “Sheesh… somebody’s overwound.”

Meanwhile, back in the audience.

“Why was the evil witch a guy? (Nina being his henchbeing was scary too, and Eve is just too big to be a believable fairy).” Umi remarked.

“It was rather interesting though, huh? (the witch was my favorite!)”

Both Eliza (off stage) and Chiharu are in shock, as for Eliza it’s because for all the time she’s been with Nina she’s never seen her like that before. Rebecca takes a deep shaky breath, whispering silently “Good thing I’m wearing protection--- man that was disturbing.”

“HOW COULD SHE?!” (Chiharu, giving Rebecca a second shock nearly sending her backwards into a row of party guests) “Don’t do that!!” Rebecca hisses, “I’m not a well woman right now!”

“Princess Aurora will die---” (Rika)

“Is there no way to remove the witch’s curse?”

Fairy #3 (Naoko) - “I still haven’t given the princess my gift.” (silence at all eyes focus on her) “On her 16th birthday, Princess Aurora may prick her finger on a spindle, but she will not die. She will only sleep. The kiss of true love will break the evil spell, and awaken her from her sleep.”

Curtain closes, act ends.

“That was great… it warmed my nearly frozen heart (and vital organs)” Gaia mumbled half cold, “…but I didn’t see Mistress anywhere. Where was she?”

“She’ll be along soon, Gaia, she said she would be.” Umi assured her, trying to keep her warm.

* * * * * *

“Is there any sanctuary from the musical numbers here?” Keiko said as she stepped into the narrator’s booth, “Not all of them are being sung by someone as good as Tomoyo you know, and my therapist warned me against further trauma this week. She said something about it being bad for my mental health and all that.”

“Come in, come in.” Jack said, motioning for her to sit as they prepared for the next scene, the musical number in the forest was already underway below them. “Eliza didn’t want to do the singing parts so Tomoyo ran down to do the forest musical scene.” (looks on) “She sings beautifully, doesn’t she.”

“Yeah.” Keiko agrees, “I can see why Sakura is so in love with her. A great deal of the things she does she does beautifully.” (sighs as she leans back in her chair) “So how long before we see Eliza step out?”

“Shortly.”

“Tomoyo does a bang up job as announcer, right---” (thoughts) ‘And Kero’s hanging with Tomoyo because Nina said her singing was one of the reasons he came.’ (pauses before she notices Jack watching her) “Keiko--- anything else?”

A long awkward silence follows, until finally he motions for Keiko to say what’s on her mind.

“Why did Catherine show up? I thought you were---”

“I’m not supposed to be involved, remember? No Raven intervention.”

Keiko shook her head, looking at him sternly. “She’s a Raven, and she’s intervening. Is that supposed to be so right while your so wrong?”

“Not the way you think.” (Jack turns away for a second to regard Keiko) “I keep out of everyone’s way and watch from the background. Catherine keeps an eye on things while in the glaring light of scrutiny, and in turn is watched while she keeps the spotlight off me.”

Keiko - “So she’s supposed to be in everyone’s face so you can act with impunity while she gets the attention drawn to her. That your idea?”

Jack - “You know it wasn’t my idea. It was her’s and I’m beginning to suspect the same as you about her involvement in this situation.”

Silence. Then Keiko asks the obvious.

“She’s not over it--- is she?”

Jack shakes his head, “Remember the end battle against him?”

“She’s not over it.”

Keiko leaves after Tomoyo’s stirring performance, Jack leaves two minutes later.

* * * * * *

Downstairs Sakura grabs a brief second to hug Tomoyo, “That was beautiful!”

“Thanks. I worked hard on getting the song just right---” (hugs Sakura back) “I have to go soon, it’s almost time for the next act and I‘m needed upstairs.”
Sakura, however, wouldn‘t let go. “Why couldn’t you be my princess?”

“Oh Sakura-chan.” (the two kiss) “I’ll always be your princess. You know that.”

“Tomo-chan---” (her hands touch Tomoyo’s face) “It won’t be the same.”

“Just think of me and I’ll be there in your heart when you give that special kiss. But just to hold you over until my prince is in my arms again…” (one more kiss, softly and slowly savoring each and every second they’re together) “I have to go. Good luck.”

“Thanks.”

The two reluctantly part, each going their separate ways.

* * * * * *

Tomoyo‘s narrative continued.
“Returning to the kingdom on her sixteenth birthday, and safe in the knowledge that all the spinning wheels in the kingdom was destroyed, the King & Queen were reunited happily with their daughter who was held in hiding as a simple but happy village girl. Their daughter, as
predicted, grew to be both wise and beautiful, noble and kind.” (whispering to Kero) “She’s on.”

King - “Princess Aurora.”

Eliza, being shoved out by her “co-stars”, stumbles onto stage. She spins around to come face to face with Nina (holding DeathScyther) as she smiles at Eliza. “Go on! Your beautiful! Go get them!”

“Then don’t threaten me with that thing if you’re so confident in me.“ Eliza sighs, gritting her teeth she spins on her heels and goes into action, slowly her enthusiasm shoots right through her like rapid fire uppers as she begins to get her momentum as she approached the King and Queen. Quickly she stops, curtsies, and delivers her line perfectly. “What is it father, mother?”

That would have been excellent, perfect pitch, tone and delivery. Everything perfect.
Except she delivered the line in Amazonian, not common, which baffled everyone.
“What is she saying?”

“She’s saying everything in Amazonian.” Nina sighs, “Oh, did I forget to mention she tends to start rattling on in Amazonian if she’s highly strung out on nerves and adrenaline or having a panic attack? She does that, you know, yes she does…”

* * * * * *

“She looks great. Really, she looks great.” Kero noted, eye cocked in a rather vulcan like manner, “I have no idea what she’s saying though, but she does look great.”

Tomoyo nods her head, “I worked hard to make it look right. Nina’s costume was easier, and
Sakura’s was a labour of love. My costume was easiest because I just copied Eliza’s. Eliza’s was the hardest. She is Sakura’s…” (blinks) “…somebody’s going to tell her she’s talking in a non common language soon, won’t they?”

* * * * * *

“Why are your teeth grinding, Nina?”

“I dunno… maybe someone’s saying something about me. or Eliza, or the both of us.”

* * * * * *

King - “Uh… Princess Aurora…? Today is your 16th birthday. Is there anything you want?”

Keiko (off stage/whisper) - “A universal translator, perhaps?”

Nina (off stage/whisper) - “Shh!”

Princess Aurora (Eliza) - (translated from the Amazonian since somebody got the theater‘s translator programming in the speaker systems up and running)
“No! Elder! I want nothing more than for you and Mistress to be healthy and for our land to be at peace!”

Nina (off stage/whisper) - “Oops. Forgot. Amazonians (being one multi-gender) don’t have words for Mother or Father -- ouch.”

Queen (Rika) - “Darling Princess Aurora…? Tonight we will have a birthday party for you. Please change for it.”

Princess Aurora (Eliza) - (Amazonian) - “Yes mistress!!“ (realizing she’s talking in Amazonian she quickly storms off the set to try and calm down)

* * * * * *

“That was rather awkward and odd at the same time. Made me see parenting in a whole new light, oh yeah--- definitely.” Kero mutters, watching Eliza escape to the safety of off stage. “She panicked in the middle of ther performance! What an “ace” she is--- not.”

Narrator (Tomoyo) - “Princess Aurora returned to her room--- where she saw what was thought to be eliminated from the land---”

Princess Aurora (Eliza) - (Amazonian) - (Nina didn’t have enough time to calm her down) - “My! What is that!?“ (she charges forward hand held out)

Narrator (Tomoyo) - “Princess Aurora had never seen a spinning wheel before. Think--”

“OUCH!”

Nina - “ELIZA WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?”

(Eliza looks at her hand, the gush of blood, and faints dead away, hand bleeding)

Nina - “AW DAMN! MEDICO!! DAMN SHE CUT A BLOOD VEIN? GOD THERE’S SO MUCH
BLOOD!! WILL SOMEBODY GET A MEDICO KIT--?”

“Never mind---” (Tomoyo blushes)

* * * * * *

Meanwhile, back in the audience.
Umi - “Uh… is that supposed to happen?”

Gaia - “Did she kill herself? That‘d be a sad ending if she killed herself.”

After the obligatory villain appearance (Nina too distraught to play her role as she mended Eliza’s hand) the curtain fell close (for mending of the actress) and she’s set up for the sleeping scene. Another musical number takes place, everyone is put into a deep sleep,
and the play moves on--- however---

“They’re engaged you know.”

“What?” Rebecca looks over at Keiko as if she just announced that there was actually going to be a real physical sun in the sky and it’d come up tomorrow. “Who?”

“The two handmaidens who slumped on each other at the sleeping scene. They‘re engaged.” Keiko points out as the two went off stage hand in hand.

“How’d you know that (other than the whole hand holding thing)? Spill, Keiko,it’s not just because of---”

Keiko - “Remember the Lunarian festival? I saw those two paired off during an “engagement” ceremony at the temple where they swore their love and exchanged their blessings.”

Rebecca frowns. “That isn’t the mucho kinky Lunarian festival ritual where they strip naked and then do a mass orgy thing, right?”

Keiko - “Yeah. That’s it. I was renewing my vows with Eve when I saw them.”

Rebecca slaps her head on her forehead. “Sheesh. Some of us actually were too busy doing the ceremony to notice who was around us--- (I saw you there though, and it wasn’t hard since you required a clothing mistress AND a weapons master to take your stuff--- at least I left my weapons at home!)”

“First time, eh? Not that it matters since guns aren’t allowed on the temple grounds on normal days let alone festival days, anyway I noticed you were given the first timer speech and---“ (beep beep beep be--) “Is it time? It’s time?” (Keiko stands up) “Duty calls. See ya’.”

“Whatever---” (the two walk by, holding hands and looking cuddly together) “---sheesh, she was right, they do look rather close---” (sighs again) “Now I’m becoming noisy like her. Sheesh. Evil thing.”

* * * * * *

The Drama Continues---

Narrator (Tomoyo) - “The days passed…” (a light shines down on a “countryside” scene with Sakura (Prince) and Keiko (guard) wandering the hills). “…until one day a prince came to this country searching for his destiny.”

“It’s Mistress!” (Gaia) “God now I know what frozen vegetables feel like!”

“She’s beautiful. Heartwarming just to look at her beauty…” (Umi) “Which is good and all, because my blood was freezing up and I needed the warm-up.”

Servant (Keiko) - “My liege, there’s something you should see.” (waits for Sakura, nothing) “There over that hill I noticed a strange sight. A noble castle, covered in thorns, it might be the place you seek…” (nothing) “…and it’s guarded by the touch of evil…” (silence) “And some strange blonde named Nina Sakura stole your look and is prancing around in another series with a red knockoff CardCaptor Sakura outfit doing the whole Harry Potter magical witch thing and… are you home? Hello!!” (taps on head) “Earth to Prince! Am I talking to myself here!? Hello!!”

(Sakura is mesmerized by the real scenery made by the holoprojectors).

Keiko - “I know it’s super realistic and all but snap out of it please… it‘s embarrassing.”

* * * * * *

Kero - “Whoa! She looks good! But she needs to snap out of it though.”

Tomoyo nodded her head, “It took me two whole days to make that, but it was a labor of love so I didn’t mind in the slightest. I remember how long it took to get the measurements because everytime I tried I couldn’t because she was so naked and every touch lead to something else and we ended up having sex for every two measurements and it took the entire day and---” (blushes red) “---uh, never mind.”

* * * * * *

“Is this the strange castle I heard of?”

Keiko spun on Sakura with a blank expression on her face. “No it’s the local Blockbusters and we better hurry or we won’t get a copy of Superman Returns and OF COURSE IT IS!!” (sighs) “Nice to see your back to the world of the living.” (repeats her lines flawlessly and gets the proper responses this time)

Narrator (Tomoyo) - “The brave and noble prince of a faraway country had heard the rumors of a castle covered in thorns.”

Keiko (under her breath) - “The gardener must have the millennium off.”

“We have been waiting for you.”

Sakura - “Who’s there?!” (spins in shock, blade drawn, Keiko also whirls around and almost runs into Eve (fairy) falling backwards onto her rear as she jumps back in shock). “We are the fairies. We have been waiting for you.”

“Sorry about that.” Eve whispers as she pulls Keiko up, “Figured you wouldn’t look very shocked unless I gave you a real fright to help your performance along.”

“Oh, really. Broadway suits you, badly.” Keiko sighs in a slight whisper as she turns her attention back to Sakura, “A beautiful princess sleeps in this castle.”

“A princess?” (Sakura is talking to Chihiru (Fairy #1)) “In this castle covered with thorns?”

“You do know, my liege, we could just move on---” Keiko remarked, shuffling her feet as she did, “I do like being employed very much, sir, and you being dead won‘t look good on the old resume in terms of future employment and all.”

Naoko (Fairy #3) - “She sleeps, cursed by an evil witch.”

Sakura (Prince) - “That’s terrible!”

Keiko - “We could find a village with a cute farmer’s daughter and I’ll teach you the proper way to plow her sweet… ouch!”

Eve (Fairy #2) - (whisper) “Behave.” (normal voice) “If you truly wish to save the princess…” (looks at Keiko who shakes her head (‘I didn’t say anything.’)) “…then proceed.”
The vines withdraw clearing a path to the castle.

* * * * * *

Back in the audience.

“Nice effects,” Umi whistles in admiration, “but some of the casting needed a little work. (Keiko can’t seem to blend in even if her life depended on it).”

* * * * * *

Back to the play.

Fairy #2 (Eve) - “The princess is in the tower room. But be careful, the witch who cast the spell will not stand quietly by.”
(Keiko looks over at Sakura with expectant eyes)
Sakura - “I have this sword and my courage. I promise to break the princess’s curse.”

(with a tired sigh, Keiko trudges up the stairs after her “liege”) “Unemployment, here I come, right back where I started from... Happy, happy, joy, joy.”

* * * * * *

“YAH!!” (Kero) “SHE ROCKS!! YEAH!! (Keiko’s a total killjoy but Sakura rocks!!)”

Tomoyo nods her head, “Sakura’s just perfect at everything she does!”

Suddenly the door slowly opens, as Kero takes cover. “I’m not interrupting, am I?”

“---?---”

“Your singing earlier was quite beautiful. Your narration is excellent too. (the costumes even look excellent). I commend your great work”

“Thank you---Captain Lazarus?”

“Jack. We first met during the Fly incident, remember? Well, sorta met---” (sighs) “---anyway I’m not here to bother you as I am to ask if I can borrow Kerberos for awhile. I want to talk to him.”

Tomoyo - “There’s no one here by---”

“Oops.” (Jack smirks, smacking himself in the head) “My bad. I have gotten so used to it that I do it as a reflex.” (stops for a second) “There, my suppression of my powers is down, and the levels are coming up so even he can feel my power readings now--- as I feel his in turn.”

“Kero?” (Tomoyo whispers in shock as he comes out into plain view, a crossed expression on his face) “Hmph. Can this wait? I‘m a little busy at the moment.”

“I guess, after all I‘m in no hurry---” (points forward) “---oh, the good part’s on.”

* * * * * *

Sakura confronts Yamazaki (good vs. evil)

Sakura - “You’re the witch who cursed the princess!”

“Get him, my lackeys!”

Nina is first out of the starting gate, shocking all the “lackeys” by springing ahead full charge, only to be met by Keiko’s katana blade, the two weapons sounding off as they collide head on (sparks flying).

As Sakura has at it (playwise) against the other students, Keiko & Nina all out go at each other with real gusto and vigor that their weapons send off sparks with each strike as they pace each other and swing for a kill shot. Almost.

“Keep it tight!” Keiko hisses slightly, “I don’t want my head removed by accident!”

“I’m working on it, I’m working on it--- should have gotten Hotaru to do this role! She‘s better at this weapon than I am!” (swings again to once again be met by Keiko’s blade) “And isn’t that completely heartwarming for me to know that you might slip and gut me open
completely by accident due to your lack of skill with that---“ (Keiko stops for a second) “How indestructible is that blade again?”

“Let’s find out.”

With that Keiko jumps back to gain some space as Nina goes on the offensive, only to come charging forward again swinging left and right driving Nina back with each blow)

* * * * * *

Audience

Gaia - “Look at Mistress Sakura and Miss Keiko go! Their blood must be boiling with rage over the witch’s evil deeds!”

Umi - “Please, Gaia, don’t say “boil”--- I’m cold!”

Gaia - “Think warm thoughts--- shouldn‘t we not be---”

Umi - “I’m getting the feed from the TV broadcast for audio. Too much chit-chat around us for a clear audio broadcast.”

Gaia - “Mostly from us, right? Maybe later we can warm up by taking our clothes off and you can ‘water’ my---”

Umi - “Be nice, we‘re in public.”

* * * * * *

“Curse you--- prince---”

Yamazaki stumbles back, all his henchbeings dead, clutching his chest as he falls into the background (and onto a mattress)
Sakura, all smiles, raises her blade into the air, “I did it! I defeated the---”
RRRUUUMMMBBBLLLEEE!!
The stage shakes as the “ground” shudders beneath them.
“Wh-wh-what the-?!? Earthquake???”

“Holographic projector plus live audience plus TV audience plus greedy Neko…” (“I’M NOT GREEDY!!”) “…equals trouble.”
The background shatters as fire rises from the ground, and something beneath the “stage” screams.
“What the!?”

Keiko was besides herself.
“I’m guessing we’re going to do the dragon battle scene from the movie… right about…”
A huge creature spewing flames and darkness leaps from the pit in front of them.
“…or we could be fighting a Balrog and Misho’s gone over the deep end of sanity…”

“THIS DIDN’T HAPPEN LAST TIME!!” (Sakura)

“They didn’t have Misho’s budget (or her sick twisted idea of “entertainment”) last time.”

The two find themselves staring into the huge burning creature’s blazing eyes as it tenses, preparing to attack, Keiko begins to back up only to stop. “Maybe we should leave the stage.” (Sakura)

“Not with that novashield behind us.”

“What shield?!”

Keiko quickly kicks back abit of holographic prop backwards, watching it shatter as it hit a novashield between them and the audience, causing the trademark rippling effect along the shield surface like a stone hitting a calm lake. “That shield.” (Keiko motions for Sakura’s sword) “Switch weapons! I’ll take Nina’s weapon, you take mine…” (throws sword handle first to her which Sakura snatches out of the air with one grab) “…and we’ll go at it full bully.”

“What?!?”

“We’ll… oh, just slash it already!”

The dramatic music kicks in as they go at it with the “witch” in her “final” form.

* * * * * *

“Sakura…” Tomoyo gasps, watching the action below. “…she’s so heroic!”

“Is she going to be OK?” (Kero)

“Oh, sure, it’s only a hologram but what’s with the…” (the Balrog lets loose a torrent of flame as the two dodge, the flames spewing harmlessly against the forcefield) “Oh.”

* * * * * *

“DAMMIT!!” Umi yelled.

“Get it, Mistress! Get it!”

“FIRE!! FIRE!! (I’m freezing! Heat needed over here!! More fire!)”

“----” (Gaia)

* * * * * *

The creature rears back as it’s weapons of flame disintegrate against the weapons wielded by the heroes. Then, with a quick swipe, Sakura hurls Keiko’s sword through the “Balrog”’s head, snapping it back dramatically, sending the foul beast stumbling backwards and into the
same “pit” that Yamazaki fell into (only now it’ll fall into a “bottomless” holographic chasm).

“I was aiming for it’s arm.” Sakura whispered.

“That’s OK, that‘s OK, really that‘s just fine.” (Keiko remarks as she watches it fall away) “Anyway it’s just as well. At least it didn’t…” (Keiko stumbles as she falls towards the pit) “AGH!! IT GOT ME!! IT GOT ME!!”

Sakura panics, leaping forward arm stretched out, “KEIKO! HOLD ON! I---”

“Just kidding! Hold on.” (jumps down into the pit and comes back up with her blade) “It got caught on a rock so it’s fine. Had you going there a second though, didn’t--- ouch!” (turns to Eve) “Eve!”

“(behave).” (motions to the top) “The princess awaits.”

Sakura nods, her stomach twisting in knots and her brow covered in sweat. Slowly, and surely, she mounts the stairs and begins her long climb up. Briefly she thinks back…

* * * * * *

Sakura’s Flashback
Tomoyo, covered in the bedsheets, laughs again, motioning for Sakura. “Come on, I promise I won’t bite! You got to get this right! Mr. Terada wanted you to practice at home since… well…” (After five fumbled attempts at Sakura sheepishly trying to kiss Eliza, Mr. Terada
finally gave up and asked Tomoyo to help Sakura with her kissing scene.) “…you’ll do fine.” (Tomoyo was in a playful mood, but Sakura wasn’t)

“It’s not like before, I felt better then.”

“You didn’t have a significant other like you do now. Come on, your fair princess won’t bite if you kiss nicely.” (Tomoyo pulls the sheets up a little to playfully show Sakura a little skin) “Maybe your fair princess might even warm up abit to your charms.”

“Tomo-chan.” Sakura stammered, leaning forward only to be grabbed by Tomoyo and rolled under the sheets, until Tomoyo came up on top, grinning as she held Sakura down. “Come on. I promise it’ll be alright. Just think of me in your heart and you can do it. Just hold this image, of us kissing, and you’ll be able to do it. No butterflies, no nervousness. As long as you remember our love you’ll be able to pull this off.”

Sakura nods, nudging Tomoyo back down beneath her, and with a slight gasp she (with much anticipation) delivers her kiss, holding Tomoyo in her arms gently as she presses her lips to Tomoyo’s to give the kiss of life. Tomoyo sinks into Sakura’s grasp and sighing pleasantly. “That’s my prince.”

* * * * * *

The image of Tomoyo, smiling, waiting for Sakura’s kiss in her mind’s eye, she walked up the stage to where Eliza was “sleeping” and slowly slipped onto the bed. “Ahh! What a beautiful princess!“ (at this Eliza shudders and turns red) As Sakura beholds the older woman, she
shudders briefly, wishing in her heart that it was her Tomoyo instead of Eliza.

Fairy #1 (Chiharu) - “Only the kiss of true love can awaken the princess.”

Fairy #3 (Naoko) - “If you truly love the princess, then please---”

With that, Sakura shut her eyes, makes one final wish, then reaches out, the stage lighting glaring into her vision even with her eyes shut, making her “world” bright as she felt Eliza in her arms. There’s a tingle, and an electric shock as she draws close--- and touches her
lips to Eliza’s, a tear running down Sakura’s cheek. ‘Forgive me.’ she thinks to herself as she kissed another woman. For brief seconds she holds it, but fells the energy to continue seep in as a warming embrace fills her. Another tear rolls down Sakura’s cheek as she fells
ashamed of herself, reacting to Eliza’s kiss.

As she pulled back she sobs silently, teeth clenched. “Tomo-chan…I…?”

“…Sakura-chan?”

Quickly Sakura’s eyes shoot open, the lights dazzling her for a second, but her gaze (once recovered from the glare) comes down to stare firmly at “Tomo-chan?”

“I… wait a second… I was in the control room and now… but how?”

“I don‘t know…” An infectious smile suddenly warms Sakura’s features as she smothers Tomoyo in another kiss, tears of joy rolling down her face. Tomoyo, at first shocked, embraces Sakura and accepts the kiss and returns it fully back to Sakura. The two fall onto the bed, wrapped in each other’s arms, kissing with great passion and vigor, the audience
and play all but forgotten.

* * * * * *

“Knew having a “understudy” was the way to go.” Eliza sighs, standing up from Tomoyo’s “place” in the control booth. “Nice teleport. Liked the fine detailed control you had over it.”

“Thank you. Figured I had to have a good reason to be up here---” Jack winks, watching Eliza leave the room, turning his attention back to Kero. “Two things, actually.”

“So it was their plan all the time to…”

“Swap places with Tomoyo so Sakura could get to kiss her one and true princess? Yes. Well--- that was Eliza & Nina’s plan. Keiko & Rebecca were kept out of the loop, ditto with Misho.”

“Think the network is having a hissy fit over this?”

“Do we care?” Jack remarks offhandedly. “Now---” (drawing closer) “---about that talk---”

* * * * * *

“I don’t care what the censors do! Pull that plug and kiss a lot of revenues GOODBYE!” Misho yells, slamming her cellphone shut hard. “Damn them, they better keep this going…” (up on stage, Sakura & Tomoyo have already started to sing the “love song” for the prince/princess at the end, comfortably laid out on the bed the two sing as they gaze into each other’s eyes and hold each other close).

“I love remarkably happy (yet kinda expected) happy endings, I even had Tomoyo write the love song because I figured they might do something like this, those hopeless romantics always sabotaging the best laid plans of Nekos. It’s good--- good for ratings that‘ll make
me a mint from happy people wanting to buy Sakura Prince & Tomoyo Princess merchandise! I‘m--- so choked up--- my rating (and revenue) numbers for this event are going to be the best Christmas present ever! I‘m so happy!”

Keiko sighs, putting her katana back in it’s sheathe, “Gee, your all heart aintcha.”

* * * * * *

Meanwhile, back in the control room.
Jack sits down, leaning back in his chair as he stares at Kerberos.
“I know you don’t remember how it ended before… but maybe that should change… just in case.”

“Just in case of what?!” (Kero was a little miffed now) “You have very strong magic, I can see that, but this has something to do with HER doesn’t it? This pickle… pika…”

“Piccadello. Catherine Piccadello,” Jack reminded him, “and yes it has a lot to do with her, which is to say not exclusively does this have anything to do with her, but it has a good deal to do with her.”

Kero - “What does that mean?”

Jack - “There’s more to Piccadello’s role in the events that lead to now than you think, Kerberos.” (silence as Jack thinks for a second) “She’s the one that help make this love possible--- between Sakura & Tomoyo I mean. And though their love is now unbreakable, she still has a role to play, and therein lies a bit of a quandary and possibly even a threat that even myself nor Ms. Mitsuki can yet forsee or even think of countering at this point. Catherine Piccadello--- or what Piccadello did--- may yet have dire consequences.”

“But she’s still allowed to be near Sakura & Tomoyo? That doesn‘t make any sense!” Kero challenges, to which Jack shakes a finger at him in an accusing manner. “Temper, temper. So judgmental are you? You should know better about judging someone guilty before they can even prove their innocence. Mind you, though, Piccadello didn’t do it out of spite or any truly evil intent. She did it out of a desire to do something for the two out of good intentions.” (Jack stops for a second, turning his gaze onto Kerberos) “Then again--- the road to hell is often paved with “good intentions“.”

Kero didn‘t know what that meant, wings fluttering as he regarded Jack with a severe expression, “What is she doing here? Now!?”

“I don’t know.” Jack admits, watching the end of the musical as he talks, “I think it’s because she was assigned here, but even then after her experience the first time she could have easily bowed out and she wouldn’t have been thought the worst of for doing so. Something other than mere duty is keeping her here--- but that is something only Piccadello knows for sure. All I know is she’s here, and her involvement the last time sets up a bit of a sticky wicket to figure out.”

Kero - “Will there be a final judgment after the Clow cards are gathered?”

Jack - “No. And if there is it won’t be aimed at Sakura. She proved herself to be mistress of the cards once, she won’t have to do so twice. But still, maybe there might be a judgment of sorts but what form that judgment will take is something even I can’t predict as this time.”

“Have you told Sakura any of this?”

“No.” Jack shook his head, “I’ve been staying out of her way all this time. It’s best if she doesn’t know more than she needs to at this time. It’s better for her that way.” (smiles) “Anyway you know as well as I do that she’ll figure it out eventually on her own, right Kerberos?”

Silence, then--- “I know. But that doesn’t mean I’m not still worried about her.”

“You wouldn’t be much of a friend to her if you weren’t worried---” (motions for Kero to draw closer) “---and confidentially speaking? I’m a little worried to, but only because as a distant friend I feel obliged to show concern for her safety even if I already convinced
myself that she’ll be OK.”

“---then we’re even---”

“I guess so.” Jack leans back again, watching the final encore song begin. “Is there anything to eat after the show? I’m starved.”

“Amen to that. I could go for food right about now (hungry!)”

* * * * * *

The next day a cast party was going to be held to celebrate the success of the event, but tonight since everything ran late they were just going to head home. Umi & Gaia cuddled and caressed each other in the back of the huge car all the way home. Though---

Nina - “Are you two cuddling or trying to start a fire?”

Umi - “C-c-cold! Must warm up!”

Gaia - “I can’t feel my rear! More heat!”

Nina - “Anymore heat and we’ll start to choke on the hot air---”

As for Sakura & Tomoyo? They cuddled together but more from the warmth of their kissing and cuddling in the play that carried them to the car than any feeling of actually being cold. The two didn’t say a word, and it seemed they didn’t need to as their hugs and kisses did all the talking for them.

Umi & Gaia emulated the two mostly because it looked rather warm.

The ride back to the Daidouji mansion was rather quiet except for the occasional complaint and Kero’s stomach grumbling. They picked up take out on the way home and everyone ate when they got back. Tomoyo & Sakura ate upstairs in Sakura’s private kitchen and they retired early to bed.

* * * * * *

Sakura sighed, she couldn’t sleep.
Over on the chairs, hung neatly, was her and Tomoyo’s costumes from the play.
“Like a dream.”

“What is?” (a sleepy Tomoyo rolls over, nudging Sakura slightly as she asks the question)

“---us--- it’s like a dream. I mean, I never even realized how much such a simple thing like a kiss could mean to me until--- I mean--- well--- you know what I mean--- but I want to say---” (Tomoyo presses two fingers to Sakura’s lips, hushing her) “You’ll find the words when the time is right. Don’t worry.”

“I want to find the words now---”

“It’s late, we better get to sleep for class tomorrow---” Tomoyo kisses Sakura on the forehead in an effort to chase away the brown haired girl’s pouty expression, “You’ll find the words when the time’s right. Trust me--- now is my precious going to sleep or do I have to
get rough?”

“Ok--- Ok---” (smiles) “---good night---”

“Good night.” (Kisses Sakura again, this time deeper and more passionately, rolling her over into her waiting arm to hold Sakura tight as they drifted back to sleep.

* * * * * *

The vision.
A figure in shadows, wearing a cape and sitting on the roof of the Daidouji estates.
He was watching her.
Sakura looks up, noticing for the first time Lunaris in the sky above. “But it’s night---”

“Lunaris sometimes appears in people’s visions regardless of time.”
Sakura looks around, but no one. The voice was coming from everywhere and yet nowhere.
“Sakura--- it’s not time yet---” (the voice calls to her) “---we’ll talk again soon. Sakura--- Sakura--- Sak---” (silence) “Sakura?”

“Who are---”

Sakura’s eyes lazily drift open, coming face to face with a wide eyed and curious Rebecca staring at her from in front of her desk. “ACK!”

“I know the colonization period of the 21st Century is a tad dry and boring but still---” (Rena smiles as she rests her head on Sakura’s desk, looking at her sideways. “Have a nice nap?”

“I-I’M SORRY!!!”

“ACK!” (Keiko jumps back with a start, waking out of her own stupor to come crashing to the floor in an awkward way) “---ouch---”

“Well I’m glad someone over there had worst falls than that in her life--- still---” (a smile creeps across Rena’s face) “---that was worth it. Thanks, Sakura.” (stops) “You have practice today?”

“No---”

“Then cuddle and snooze at home please, thanks.” (walks back to the board) “And that goes double for you, Miss blades!”
“---oh shove it---” Keiko hisses as she pulls herself back into her chair.
The day was nearly done, and they were going to the party for the cast members of the play next.

Misho was holding it at a room in the huge Convention Center she built in downtown Tokyo, and went through a lot of trouble to make it a hot ticket event. Still--- Suddenly Sakura noticed Rebecca was next to her again, “I’m awake!”
Rebecca leans over and whispers to her, “I noticed how beautiful you are when your sleeping. So very very cute--- Nina doesn‘t know anything. Snoozer indeed. Your so very---” (Rebecca reaches a hand out, but stops) “---I’m jealous.” (with that Rebecca retreats without another word said, leaving Sakura confused.)

* * * * * *

“Rebecca said that to you?” Tomoyo asked, her face filled with curiosity. “Why?”

“I don’t know---” (class had dismissed and the two were walking to the party) “---but I have this strange feeling---”
“Uh oh.” Tomoyo stops, looking a little concerned, “When you feel like that something is going to happen. Is there a card nearby?”

“I don’t know--- I can’t explain it but---”

“Give it time then.” (Tomoyo takes Sakura’s hand as she steps past her) “It’ll come to you.”

Suddenly Sakura stops, her head looking upwards, “Rebecca?!”
Sitting perched in a tree, Rebecca watches as the two draws near, dropping down in front of them as they draw close. She reaches into a pocket and withdraws two things, a Seeker, and a wristband with a jewel setting. “Got something for you, Tomoyo. Merry Christmas.”

“Thanks.” Tomoyo accepts gracefully, her expression turning curious as Rebecca pushes the Seeker sphere towards her. “Your Seeker?”

“Yours. It took me awhile but I found another Seeker, it’s yours. Figure it’ll come in handy.”

“---why thank you---” Tomoyo whispers, bowing as she accepts the mystical object. “How do I take it home? In my bag?”

“Tap it to the crystal on the wristband. It’s a storage device, it’ll hold anything you want in it.”

“How practical!” Tomoyo gleefully remarks, tapping the sphere onto the wristband where it’s enveloped in a field of light and swallowed into the jewel setting. “How do I---”

“Tap the jewel and think of what you want, and it’ll come out. Easy as that. And oh, I didn't forget you Sakura.” (draws a Clow Card out and shows it to her) "The Sh---" (Rebecca quickly clamps Sakura's mouth shut) "Shhh!! It's sleeping--- don't say it's name or it's bang-bang-I think I'm dead, Ma'am." (Sakura sheepishly nods as she puts the card away) "See? Even a doofus like me can catch a Clow Card when it's fast asleep." (smirks at her own witty remark) "Well, nuff of that. Let's go, I heard the party is going to feature a hundred kinds of frosted sugary hells to tempt and lord knows I don't want to miss THAT. Let's---" (Sakura’s hand grasps Rebecca’s arm) “---?--- what is it?”

“Rebecca--- about earlier. What did you mean?”

“About what?” Rebecca asked with genuine interest. "What are you---?"

“When you said you thought I was beautiful, and was jealous.”

“But I didn’t say---” (stops, face flushes slightly) “---I was down with Misho preparing for the party so I asked Catherine to sit in my class for me because I knew I wouldn't make it back in time and---” (a slight irked expression passes over Rebecca’s face) “Did she take my
form? That---” (?) “---what was she---”

“Phwee?”

“Uh--- nothing. Never mind. Forget about it.” (Rebecca backs away, waving at the two) “Better hurry before the party starts without us! Come on! Cakes won't wait forever!”

“But Rebe---”

“She’s gone.” Tomoyo notices, watching her speed off. “What was that all about?”

“---I don’t know---”

As the two walk away hand-in-hand, on top of one of the school buildings Catherine watches, her hands clenched together as if she was wringing them, watching as Sakura & Tomoyo walked away.

“---goddess I am jealous--- aw man---” Catherine sighs, wrapping her arms around herself trying to keep the chill out. However, unknown to her, someone else watches her from behind just out of her sensory range---

* * * * * *

Meanwhile--- The Shining Star International Spaceport

(The Dream Continent of Hong Kong)

“I’d have to say I’m a little surprised your going so soon after your promotion.” Xai Shar (the 5th Judgment of the Shining Star) remarked, her long hair cascading down her back as she shook her head back and forth, her Palominian features (animorphic horse/human female
features) sweating slightly as she regarded her companion. “You’re the youngest girl I’ve seen rise to the rank of 11th Judgment. It takes some ages to rise the ranks but you’ve done it remarkably fast for one so young.”

Silence, her companion seemed too intent on her ticket to notice. She only noded her head at Xai Shar’s remarks. “And what of your mentor? The one you told me about? Will she be there?”

“Yes. She‘s always been there--- in Nippon.”

“And this boy--- I mean man you told me about? Isn’t he leaving also for---”

“He is.” She quickly responded, cutting the conversation on him short. Xai nods her head, pushing the topic of “him” aside. “Will you be gone long?”

“Not long. Not until I help Sempai recapture those annoying cards and returned home again.”

“Well, whatever possessed you to do this I wish you the best--- so long, Meilin.”

Meilin smiles, her Judgment uniform feeling very comfortable as she gives her companion a hug goodbye. “Think Sempai will be surprised I’m visiting?”

“Before or after you tell her the good news?”

“She might be a little disagreeable---” (smirks) “---but this time I’m not taking no for an answer! Before next year is out I‘m going to be a married woman and she---” (smiles) “---you know the rest.”

Ten minutes later her flight leaves, destination - Tokyo.
End of Remastered II

Next Week

The start of a brand new Remastered (CardCaptor Sakura Remastered III) and another Azkaban chapter, this coming weekend the first weekend of March. Take care.

CardCaptor Sakura Remastered II Episode 9 (10)

CardCaptor Sakura Remastered II Episode 9 (10)
The stairs were lit well enough, but it still didn’t make Keiko feel any better about the situation. Cursing her bad luck, and carefully (yet quickly) moving down the stairs as fast as she could, her mind thought back to when she first arrived on the Gold Island…

17th Century (Gold Island)
What compelled her to climb the mountain to the castle she still isn’t sure about, even to this day. She had a vague notion of looking for work with the royal family, or maybe just checking out who ruled the island and if she would be welcomed there (kind of a meet and greet the landlords) but what she came to when she reached the top wasn’t too welcoming.

Apparently while everyone in town still thought of the castle’s inhabitant as their monarch, nobody bothered to tell Keiko about her current “status” as cursed. So, when Keiko first ran into her in her bedchamber, she nearly went into shock when she came into the presence of a gigantic snake! Apparently she had been cursed, and to break said curse one had to stay three nights in the castle and suffer the torments of these evil Black Dwarves (dark necromancy counterpart of regular Dwarves who mined into the Earth not for riches, but for forbidden magicks and knowledge buried in the dreamscape that all have forgotten and thought lost forever) in total silence.

But, mind you, this was IF they could in fact speak to each other and she could tell Keiko this. However, after the initial shock wore off, the two found that they could NOT speak to each other, neither knowing how to speak the other’s language. So, writing Keiko off as doomed, the cursed princess left Keiko to her own devices and as night fell the Black Dwarves came upon Keiko in the huge dining room (which she converted into a sort of base camp to stay the night).

They were expecting someone they could torment, instead they found a rather rude, bad tempered Japanese woman in their “domain” who couldn’t be rid of her “visitors” fast enough. With a frustrated yell, the first dwarf that spoke to her tried to cut her head off--- only to find itself being ripped in two by her as she spun out of it’s way and hacked it down with her katana blade. The rest of the dwarves followed suit, and ended up just as dead.

Now the princess never bothered to check on her new “guest” in the morning, so she had no idea what happened that night before. When the second night came, more dwarves came--- and more of their numbers perished. On the third night a small army of Black Dwarves launched an assault on the castle to bring Keiko down and cut her head off--- in the end, the princess was shocked when the last of their numbers stumbled into her presence and gasped “The curse is broken--- but did you have to find somebody--- so frisky---” (dies in her presence much to her dismay and shock).

Now she was supposed to have taken the Water of Life to Keiko next and restored her to full health, but obviously as she returned to human form (and started running through the halls looking for her) she only found dead Black Dwarves and nothing more. In the castle’s chapel she found Keiko, alive and unharmed, and fell upon her kissing her madly. Keiko, already worn from the fight, only looked on in disbelief,
“Awfully friendly people in this kingdom---” she noted with a slight bit of confusion.

* * * * * *

Suddenly Keiko reaches the bottom of the stairs and nearly plows right into Sakura/Tomoyo, her flashback getting in the way of her train of thought to the point that she nearly ran over the two while walking. After brief apologies she got the story about what happened from them--- or, just what they knew. In short it went something like this---

“Well, Sakura was already a little nervous when we started down the stairs---”

‘Nervous must mean ‘scared out of her mind’ in Tomoyo-speak.’ Keiko thinks to herself.

“---well, before we knew it something came up and gave Sakura a slight fright---”

‘Probably threw her right into Tomoyo’s arms screaming like a little baby---’ Keiko thinks, a slight smile etching across her features. “What?” (Sakura blinks) “Nothing, Sakura, nothing… so you were saying, Tomo-chan?”

Tomoyo - “What are you smiling at?”

“Nothing. Nothing nothing nothing. Now go on.” (‘I’m really not all that dumb enough to tease you in front of Tomoyo like SOME people’--- somewhere out there Nina‘s sneezing right now) Tomoyo started talking again, “Well, it was just Mr. Terada dressed up like a ghost to scare us and…”

Keiko - “Ok. That’s enough. I know what’s going on now---” (pulls out cellphone) “Dammit. Hello? Rebecca? I can barely hear you--- yeah, the defense system is trying to jam us--- listen! The self defense system is on “Serenity Mode”! Repeat, it’s sweeping everyone out in “Serenity Mode”! I’m going to the shrine to shut the mode down and trigger the end result, you better come down here--- yeah, yeah--- there’s a manual switch--- hello? Hello?” (closes phone) “Let’s go, and we better go quickly.”

As the three head deeper into the shrine, Sakura asks the obvious.
“What’s “Serenity Mode”?”

Keiko - “It puts the holy back in holy ground around here, in a sense if you think quiet empty spaces equals holy and all.” (stops) “As much “fun” the idea of a test of courage was, why did they have to pick sacred ground on which to go around playing pranks on everyone? Lord knows I preached that to them from the moment the trip was planned to an hour before we came up here but did they listen? Nooooo!” (starts walking again) “The shrine’s systems automatically took the teachers horseplay (and all the screaming no doubt) as disturbing the shrine’s serenity, so it began scooping everyone up with teleporters and storing them in the shrine‘s teleporter buffers. We just have to go down, and advance trigger the end result (free everyone) to make everything status quo again.”

Tomoyo - “So is there a catch?”

Keiko shrugs, “How so, Tomoyo?”

Tomoyo - “Any problems?”

Keiko stops for a second, thinks, then quickly says “No.” (‘unless you count the fact that maybe the system is malfunctioning and it might start purging everyone into cybernetic oblivion while in suspension as a problem, then otherwise no.’) “Nothing at all.”

Finally, after a minute, they reached the inner chamber. The chamber was a huge circular room. The entire lower half was taken up by a gigantic pool of water. Hovering over that pool, connected by a bridge, was a floating shrine dotted with lights. The shrine was a distance away so the three couldn’t see any details of the shrine from where they were standing. All around them, carved into the ceilings, were hieroglyphic type images. “What are those?” Sakura asked. “Dragon history written in visual form,” Keiko answered, one hand sweeping in a wide arc noting the huge panels set into the ceilings. “Depicted on all these panels is the long history of the Dragon culture. It goes from the beginning to the date this shrine was put into the sky.”

“The shrine must have gotten nearly everyone. We haven’t passed anyone on the way here.”

“I know, Tomoyo, I know…” (a chill passes down Keiko’s spine) “…that’s not a good sign.”
A loud scream turns everyone’s attention to the shrine. “CHIHARU!” Before Keiko can react, they’re already running across to the shrine. “Damn!” ------ The two run into Chiharu, Rika & Naoko on the huge shrine platform in the center of the chamber. It was lit in an errie manner by the light spheres students dropped off, but that seemed strange--- the girls were in an awful panic and it took a little bit of effort to try to get them to speak. “Everyone disappeared!”

“We know! We know--- where’s Keiko?” Sakura thinks out loud, trying to comfort Chiharu. “Everyone’s disappearing!!” In a flash of light, two discs (above and below) form around Naoko and close, teleporting her away in a whoosh of sound and light. “---oh no--- Rika! We have to get you two out of here before---” (another flash and teleporter effect later and she’s gone, seconds later light envelopes Sakura/Chiharu but only Chiharu vanishes. “They’re--- gone?”

“KEIKO!!” Sakura screams, only to realize--- “She’s gone too! They’re all gone!” (she grabs Tomoyo and runs back the way they came) “We have to get Rebecca! Let’s go back the way we came!”

“Ok!”

Seconds later another light and teleporter flash.

* * * * * *

Rebecca hits the bottom of the stairs running full out, heading straight for the shrine.
As she makes a turn she runs right into someone, barely avoiding colliding into them. “!!” (catches her footing and spins about) “Sakura, I--- TOMOYO!?!”

Tomoyo was crying, distraught. “Sakura! Everyone’s gone!!”

“Uh boy.” Rebecca mutters in distain.

* * * * * *

Meanwhile, back topside…
“Do you like to watch?”
With a slight ‘hmph’, Ms. Mitsuki directs her attention upwards on the shrine’s façade towards the voice. “Your watching too, aren’t you.”

“I’d only make things worst if I was in there.” Catherine admits, jumping down to Mitsuki’s level, “The shrine will see my presence as a threat and go into a worst defense mode than the one it‘s in now.”

Ms. Mitsuki - “Even if you’re a Raven?”

Catherine - “It doesn’t differentiate between rank and status, it just knows when a “hostile” power has made an appearance, and I won’t be any good to them if I go in with powers nulled out by the defense spells.” (she mutters in disgust as she leans against wall near doorway) “That is why I‘m just standing out here cooling my hells with you, I’m just here to wait for the results of the situation and see if I have to “Save” them or not.” (looks at doorway, and the remains of the door) “Nice. You always blow holes into grave doors for fun romps in dimly lit tombs, or is today ancient burial desecration day?”

“Actually…”

* * * * * *

“Sakura’s gone! Sakura-chan---” Tomoyo gasps, tears flowing as she finishes her story. “Calm down. You have to calm down---” (sighs) “---do you have the key?”
Dimly Tomoyo nods, holding it out, “But I can’t use it---!”

“It doesn‘t matter, don‘t worry.” (Rebecca notes) “You don’t need to use it. Still, it’d be nice to have it just in case.” (her eyes dart about the room taking everything in as she looks about) “Let’s go. We can trigger the result by directly linking into the teleporter buffers on the shrine itself.”

As the two begin walking they talk.
Rebecca - “I don’t suppose if this is an appropriate question or not, but do you feel anything? A Clow card perhaps?”

Tomoyo shakes her head, “Sakura’s the sensitive one. I’m just in the way at times, like now.”

“Don’t beat yourself up over it. Just tell me what you feel---”

“Funny.” (Tomoyo sighs irritably) “That’s exactly what Mr. Lazarus told me when…“ (falls silent as she focuses her thoughts) “I feel as if something’s out there, but it’s more like the feeling I get when Sakura feels a card than the feeling of the card itself. I’m just too nervous and scared to say for certain whether it‘s a card or not.”

Rebecca pats Tomoyo on the back, “Don’t worry about it. We’ll get her back.” she whispers, her hand checking her guns in their sheathe as she stops just short of the shrine entrance. “Ok, where’s the bridge?”

“Sakura dropped her sphere. It shattered and the spark started a fire that destroyed the bridge just a few minutes ago.”

Rebecca - “And the bridge is several hundred years old of dry wood so it went up like kindling. Yeah. Well we don’t have to worry about being snatched up at least because I’m wearing a teleporter inhibitor (I usually carry these just because they’re shaped like--- well, they’re multi-taskers, and we’ll leave it at that)…” (blushes) “…as long as your near me it’ll provide some protection for us from the teleporters because they give off a good sized “bubble” of defense against teleporter locks.”

“You’re sweet.” Tomoyo whispers. To that Rebecca blushes a little, “Heh. Trinny says that a lot, but I can‘t believe that…” (blinks, shaking off the thought) “Never mind. Let’s see what my Seeker says about what’s going on up there.” (as she speaks she draws her Seeker out of it’s tesseract pocket and holds it forward). “Alright, old friend, show me what lies hidden in plain sight.”

A powerful beam shoots out of the sphere, and another into Rebecca’s forehead as it scans the shrine. Long seconds pass before the truth is revealed. “Thought so. The shrine is set up with a built in teleporter platform in the center of the shrine. That’s where the girls were standing when they were teleported away, right?”

“But Sakura---”

“It has long range teleporters too but they take longer to charge than the platform teleporter. It should be easy to access the buffer and trigger the end results. Wish we had more light---” (stops) “---we do!” (holds out sphere) “All this needs is a strong light charge and it’ll glow like a high wattage light bulb!” (looks at Tomoyo) “Alright, charge it up.”

“?”

“Nina put in her files that you have a “light” ring! Charge this up.”

“---I---” Tomoyo stammers, fidgetting under Rebecca‘s gaze. “Did you leave it back in the shrine?”

Tomoyo - “N-n-no… I left it home…”

“Your kidding.” (Rebecca sighs) “…your NOT kidding…”

“Sorry.”

Rena holds the sphere up and taps the Seeker against it, “Alright, old friend, power boost.” (in a few seconds the sphere is filled with enough energy to glow strongly) “OK. Let’s go.”

“How’d---”

“The Seeker just used it’s energy to power it’s light absorbing ability so it’d glow stronger.”

“That’s so cool!”

Rebecca only nods her head, thoughts already rolling, ‘Must be worried out of her mind to start rambling like that. If she even thinks about Sakura right now she’s probably going to go catatonic so I better keep her thoughts off of Sakura.’
“Let’s go.” (with that she jumps down to the water) “WAIT! Re---?”

“There’s a barrier between us and the water, remember? That means---” (Rebecca taps her foot on the barrier) “---we can walk on water. Let’s go.”
As they begin crossing to the platform, a question arises. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure, Tomoyo.” (’Anything to keep your mind off of Sakura’)

“Why do you keep calling your Seeker “old friend”?”

“Easy.“ Rebecca moves her Seeker so Tomoyo can look at it closer, “Seekers are partially sentient. Not enough to qualify as a life form, mind you, but they have rudimentary sentience all the same. Enough, for instance, to know who’s holding it, and if the person is supposed to be using it or not. It can actively choose what to scan to be of the best use to the user, as well as not work at all if the person it senses is not the regular “user” it’s used to serving. As for me? I‘m just used to calling it “old friend“ because it‘s a damn sight better than “Hey, you!” don‘t you think?”

Once they’re across, Rena pops open a hatch and begins to work on the systems beneath, she quickly takes something out and tosses it to Tomoyo. “Here. One of my teleporter jammers. It’ll keep you from being whisked away.”

“---” (Tomoyo smiles as she holds the long, tube shaped object with two curved in just such a way ends in her hand) “It’s vibrating.”

“That means it’s working and not it‘s attracted to you in anyway…” Rebecca says, “Don’t say it! I know you know what it looks like and… well skip it.”

Tomoyo - “Why do you want to take Fly from Sakura?”

“Because it hurt Trinity. Nothing nifty or fancy to my reasoning there, mind you. It’s all for vengeance, and nothing more. Shallowest reasoning ever, yes, but that’s it for me.“
Silence. For long seconds only the sound of the clik-clik of Rebecca working could be heard, and the soft humming of the teleporter jammers, then--- “A week before I showed up at your school, I was called into a meeting with the Goddess of Judgments. She told me I couldn’t let my bitterness eat away at me, that they needed me to shelf my illwill towards Fly because they needed me to watch over Sakura because there was an--- anomaly concerning the Clow cards running rampant. She wanted someone to investigate, and Keiko already said no, so I was picked.”

Tomoyo - “What kind of anomaly?”

Rebecca - “You’ve already heard the story no doubt from Mirra, right? The one where Mimic accused her of stealing Clow Reed from her, right? Nina filed that into a report after she heard the story from her.”

Tomoyo - “Right.”

Rebecca - “What if I told you there’s a historical book in the Central Hub’s Dimensional Linear History archives with TWO conflicting entries which concerns Clow Reed and the dimension your from?”

“Two?”

Rebecca - “And in one of those entries not only is Mimic mentioned often, but she’s also listed as the mother of Clow Reed’s children?”

Tomoyo gasps, “But that’d mean…”

Rebecca - “Mimic’s claims might not be as crazy as they seem at first. I know, I know, of course bitter me I was more concerned with savaging Fly so I agreed to anything just as long as I could get near that card… only now, upon reflection, I’m beginning to see why everyone is so worried about this “anamoly”.“ (brief silence as she regathers her thoughts) “According to the histories there’s a second “history” very few people know about (an alternate reality if you will) where Clow Reed made mad love with Mimic often, and bred lots of children with her (passing his lineage onto them while neutralizing the “event” from ever happening at the same time).”

Tomoyo - “What event?”

Rebecca stops, and realizes she said “it“ out loud. “Er… nothing… it doesn’t matter since it‘s already neutralized and a “non-event“ as it were. Nothing concerning Mimic that’s for sure. Anyway the point is that I was sent to “check” on this, and see if I could catch up with Mimic and--- negotiate with her. Of course I botched it, yeah, because I stuck to Sakura more than attempted to find Mimic until it was too late and she tried to harm Mirra. Long story short…“ (sighs) “…I know, I know, too late. According to our records Clow Reed is a rather eccentric bird. So for him to suddenly shack up and fall in love with one of his own “creations”, and start making babies with her? Something unnatural must have compelled that, we’re thinking Darke Raven influence, or something worst…” (sighs as she continues to work) “Mimic’s powers are awesome, but the grief and rage of being betrayed by the one she thought of as her lifemate is worst, hence her unending rage and violent behavior towards you three. If it worked out it would have been beautiful, but it didn‘t and the bitter fruit of their coupling is going to haunt us for awhle I bet.”

Tomoyo - “It must have hurt her so deeply… just wanting to be loved by Clow Reed only to be betrayed like that.”

Rebecca - “When it comes to the fractured love lives of the rich and powerful (be it movie stars or mystical powerhouses) it’s best for us normal people to stay out of the way and only read about it in tabloid newspapers.“ (looks at Tomoyo briefly and blushes) “Present company excluded of course since you are making love to the most powerful sorceress from your universe and all (and what a coup to get to nail such a hottie in bed night after night just so that loser Syao)…“ (hisses) “Maybe I better wipe your memory before we leave here.” Suddenly teleporter disc appear around her. “What’s going on?”

“The shrine must have found a way to lock in, Tomoyo! Here!” (pointing at a circular device) “Come here and pull this!”

“---but---”

Rebecca - “NOW OR WE MIGHT NEVER COME BACK!!”
Quickly Tomoyo jumps forward, grabbing the device, and wrestles with it. “TOMOYO!!”

“I’m trying! I---” With a final tug the device comes free and the teleporter effect stops, sending the shrine into silence. Suddenly, from all around, a voice booms out.
“Oh. How nice. Company. And me without my welcoming committee---” (the computer sighs irritably) “---what can I do for you?”

Tomoyo - “Where’s Sakura?”

“Sakura--- oh, you mean the strange girl with the micro mini pom-poms on her head.” (Tomoyo giggles at the thought of Sakura’s hairstyle) “She’s fine. In fact she’s giving me indigestion from all the worrying she’s doing about a girl named Tomoyo--- guess that’s you because I sure as heck hope it’s not that old woman next to you--- she has cold hands!”

Rebecca - “Who’re you calling an “old woman”?!?”

“No need to get all testy, you should really try to foster a sense of humor.” (sighs) “There, I sent them all back downside to the cabins. All you need to do is go downside, and give her the kiss of true love and she’ll wake from her slumber and into your loving arms--- I’m thinking of becoming a romance writer in my spare time, and I have a lot of that these days considering, what do you think of my first book being about a young couple like you and micro pom-pom head girl?”

“It’s nice.” Tomoyo remarks with a smile. “I’m sure she’ll be tickled pink by the compliment.”
Rebecca sighs, “You sound like that computer from Courage the Cowardly Dog, you know that?”

“Hmph. Everyone’s a critic. Well, as much fun as THAT was next time have your class go screaming through someone else’s holy ground. You don’t see dragons running through a Shinto shrine screaming their heads off--- do you?”

“---no---” (Tomoyo)

“Then there you go. I’m going to write my book, you won’t feel too bad if I just teleport you all away and call it a day, will you? Now there‘s a couple of good lasses, so off with you.” (teleporter effects envelope the two) “And it’s as if I can’t counter those little gizmos. Give me some credit why dontcha---” (the room is empty again) “---and people wonder why I try to cloak myself everytime one of those annoying classes comes to visit--- I wonder if Heroes is on yet?”

* * * * * *

“So what was the purpose of that story again? I seem to have missed the point.” Keiko was not in a terribly happy mood, lying out on the beach sunbathing as everyone sits around and takes notes of what happened. As before (with Erase and the last test of courage) nobody remembered what happened (the shrine purged short term memory as it sent everyone back), and Keiko/Rena didn’t like being one of those who “forgot” everything.

It kinda irked them especially since each one was certain she said more than she should have last night. In fact the only two who had any fun that night was Sakura/Tomoyo (after she went to Sakura’s side and kissed her, they lovingly cuddled then went into the woods and--- well, I guess that’s the subject of a lemon story one of these days, but for now---)
“Yeah, what was the point of that story anyway?” (Rebecca)

Naoko - “In the end they found the shrine’s old teleporter system and used it to get back to camp, but I can’t remember if we did that or not--- guess we did. It’s just like the shrine and the hidden exit.”

Keiko - “Hidden Christians.”

“What?” (everyone turns to look at Keiko who elaborated) “The shrine where you had your previous test of courage? I read up on the site. Apparently there was a hidden “box” beneath the shrine used to hold Christian artifacts for religious ceremonies and the “secret entrance” was used to foil those who tried to catch them during their secret ceremonies. The entrance caved in years ago during a reality quake, and during a sea quake in reality so both the secret exit in reality/here are no more.”

“So once again it wasn’t a ghost story, Keiko?” (Tomoyo)

“No. I thought it would have been fun to use the teleporter system, but I wish I remember what happened.”

“What a relief!” (Sakura, who also didn’t remember a thing from last night EXCEPT the heavenly lovemaking between herself and Tomoyo, which was the highlight of the whole trip). “But I know some really good ghost stories I can tell tonight!”

“That’s alright---” (Sakura pushes Naoko on to a game of beach volleyball while Keiko watches) “Never mind.” (with a sigh she leans back into the sand and stares at the sky) “What are you thinking about, Keiko?”

“Nothing anymore, Eve… just admiring the clouds.”

Eve - “You told me about how you came here, and saving the princess, and one day you left--- but why? Why did you leave? Weren’t you happy with the princess of the Gold Island?”

“I’ll tell you that story one day.” Keiko whispers, rolling over to gaze at Eve, “I’m happy enough with my princess lying next to me here.”

Eve - “Flattery gets you out of everything.”

“I guess.” With that Keiko rolls over, up onto a sitting position, and right up to her feet. “Enough lounging! Let’s see if we can get in on the game!” And, with that, she drags Eve to her feet and pushes her to the beach volleyball game that was just about to start up.

* * * * * *

Gold Island (17th Century)
Lying in bed, Keiko rolls over and cuddles herself into her blankets, feeling their soft warmth hold her tight as she falls slowly into “rest“. Her beloved laid next to her, dreaming, as the sound of lovers in the distance rocked Keiko to slumber thinking of her own lovemaking with her beloved only a short while ago.

In her bed, in the royal chamber, she was happy, and content with her “bride” and her life. And in the distance, above in the tower bedchamber, the Prince of the city of Judgment was making love to the Queen of the Gold Island--- Keiko’s wife--- while another woman slept unknown to Keiko disguised as her beloved--- the two sworn to betray Keiko’s faith when the time was right---

---and that time was only a few days away--- But that is a past Keiko doesn’t want to think of--- yet. “I’m happy enough with my princess lying next to me here.” Keiko Yamanaka

To Be Concluded

New Schedule (aka So Much For Getting Back To Normal... sigh)

New schedule (shorter one) starting Friday.
Two postings a week, Friday and Sunday. I'll get things started on Friday (tomorrow). Sorry for the long delay... again. Sigh.

Weekends Only?

Now that we're coming down to all new material that needs to be written, we may slow our pace abit from three updates a week to two (Friday and Sunday). I'll be thinking about that this week and we'll see what happens next week.

CardCaptor Sakura Remastered II Episode 8 (10)

Today, Sakura’s class was on a field trip to the Gold Island, just off the coast of the Grimmlands (the island continent born of the dreams and writings of the Brothers’ Grimm) for a field trip.

But for Keiko Yamanaka, being one of the chaperones on this field trip was the last thing she ever wanted. It meant a return to memories of when she first came to the Grimmlands--- as she pushed her memories back into her head she watched everyone frollick and play on the
beautiful golden sand of the huge beach. In the background behind her was the camp, and a small forest. Above that forest was the reason they came here for the field trip---

“You want to play some volleyball with us?”

Keiko is brought out of her thoughts by Rika, who stands nearby looking at her waiting for a reply. “Uh--- sure. OK.” (‘Anything to get my mind off the past.’ Keiko thinks glumly to herself while keeping a smiling face as she joins the others.)

As Sakura joins them, Rena takes a look around cautiously, “Anyone see Yama the Liar?”

“Don’t jinx us.” Keiko sighs, “One less reality bending lie from him a day is all I ask out of life. Is that too much? I don‘t think so.”

“OK, then---” Sakura cheerfully broke in, “Let’s do---”

“Do you know about Beach Volley---” (at this point Keiko is already upon him like a flash holding his mouth shut) “Enough of that already!! (Can’t you say one truthful thing in your life you bastard you?!?)”

“I’m bored enough that even a reality bending lie from him sounds too good to pass.” Rebecca muttered in boredom.

“Your evil, you know that Rebecca? Evil.” (finally Keiko relents and allows him to start talking as she begins to drift back abit, looking upwards at the mountain---)

* * * * * *

Gold Town
In the 17th Century---

The Japanese trading vessel had dropped her off at the dock, making it’s drop as it did.

The island was huge, and like all of Edenina it touched into a lot of times old and yet to come. Middle Age shops and stores stood next to technology yet to be made in the waking world, while aliens from all points of call walked amongst the humans and “mythical” beings of
dreams and races no longer living in the mortal coil.

After a little searching about, Keiko met a couple of Galerians (huge reptilian beings with hyper intelligence) who lead her to a huge castle on the hill, where the ruling family once stood. There, within the now empty halls, she met a cursed princess, and---

* * * * * *

“Story’s done.”

“---?---”

Tomoyo smiled as she pointed at the game getting underway. “Story’s done.”

“Oh. Right---” (Keiko stretches abit) “---do I really want to know what he said?”

Tomoyo shook her head, “Maybe not.”

“That bad, huh?”

“Are you going to play Beach Volleyball?”

Sakura - “Ms. Mitsuki!”

At this Keiko groaned inwardly, while Rebecca shuffled her feet. “Why did she have to come along anyway?”

Ms. Kaho Mitsuki. Gifted with the paranormal ability to see into the future. Born with the paranormal ability to annoy certain members of the female species (Keiko & Rena included).

Ms. Mitsuki - “Can I play too?”

Everyone nods their heads and cries out yes.

Everyone that is, except Keiko & Rebecca who just stand there not saying much. At that she stops next to them and says “You two don’t like me much, do you.”

Both women exchange glances, then look back at her. “Gee, were we being that obvious?”

“I feel guilty already! I‘m such a bad, bad chaperone.” Keiko sighs, “(note the obvious sarcasm in that statement, folks.)”

“Yawn!” (Rebecca turns and walks off into the water) “I’m going to go drown myself. Anyone else wants to follow? It‘s painless that way.”

Keiko - “Take Yama the Liar with you. He deserves a good drowning.”

Mr. Terada - “COME ON IN!!”

Keiko - “Aw damn.”

“Too bad, free time’s over.” Ms. Mitsuki announces in a matter of fact way.

“Oh, really.” (Keiko shuffles her feet in turn as Rebecca walks back onto the shore) “No kidding.”

Ms. Mitsuki - “We’ll play later.”

Keiko - “Sure, whatever---” (everyone heads in) “---what did he say the Ancient Hawaiian’s used again to “play“ Beach Volleyball? I missed that part.”

Rebecca - “Coconuts.”

Keiko - “Oh.“ (pauses for dramatic effect) “I’m all for skipping the play part and going straight to the senseless blunt force trauma strike to Mitsuki‘s head.”

Mr. Terada - “Ladies?”

Keiko - “WE’RE COMING! WE’RE COMING!” (Keiko sighs) “I hate my life.”

Rebecca - “The way your screaming you’d think you really were com…”

“Shut up.”

* * * * * *

Meanwhile back at the Daidouji Estates (Nippon)
"And Eliza's more than my friend!” Nina argued back at her opponent down in the Holochamber, “I like to think of her more like my husband…"

"Wonder why."
Nina turns around, her face lighting up, "ELIZA!"
"Took you long enough to notice me. Now does the--- ahem--- "man" of your life need to duel for you or can you take him yourself?"

"I'm doing fine. Don't worry about me." (smiles) "NOW it's your move. (don't jump ahead until I'm done!)"

Her opponent blushes and smiles sheepishly, "Sorry. You didnt specify if it was my turn or not. Well fine. Now I play Tribute to the Doomed and discard a card from my hand to destroy your imp---"

"And once again my card is mummified and destroyed--- yeah, yeah, what else is new."

"Then I lay a continuous card, Messenger of Peace. I pay 100 LP a turn and no monster with 1500 or more attack can attack. If I decide not to pay the card is destroyed. So I lose 100 LP and its your turn.”

"Fine." Nina relents, looking at her cards.

Nina - 4600LP (Arena)
Andrew - 5250LP (Arena)

"Didn't know peace could be so dangerous for your health, Nina."

Nina - "It's not. I still have this nice little face down card, but I'm not familiar with the card he played so I'll have to ask--- what did you play, anyway? Trap or Magic---" (alarm goes off once again) “---he did it again.”

Eliza - “Kero?”

Nina - “He must have dropped the books from Sakura’s shelf onto himself again. Go take him to the store to get some new games, just keep him from killing himself why dontcha!”

Eliza - “Right. I’ll be back later.”

Nina - “Fine. So let‘s take a break while we wait for her to come back--- I‘ll call down for drinks and food from the upstairs---” (Nina sighs as Eliza leaves) “I miss her already.”

Andrew - “Keiko?”

Nina - “Hell no, nobody misses her. I meant Eliza… why the hell would I miss Keiko for.”

* * * * * *

Back on the Gold Island (Grimmlands)
Eve finds Keiko pouting off to one side beneath a tree, not even attempting to help cook.
“Don’t want to learn how to cook fish?”

“Fish isn’t one of my strong suits---” (looks up as Eve sits down next to her) “---about Cath…”

“It’s nothing.” Eve deflects sullenly, “It’s just that when we were younger I thought she was coming on to me, silly me… but I’d never do anything to betray…”

Keiko - “It’s not that. I’m not…”

Eve - “I know.”

“No! No! No! I just---” (Keiko leans back, looking over at Eve) “---why?”

“Keiko.”

Keiko - “?”

Eve - “I-I…I don’t know--- I’m sorry.”

Keiko - “Why fish? Why not a bar-b-q? Rabbits are all over the place and…”
Eve smiles, resting her head against Keiko‘s shoulder, knowing she changed the subject just to spare Eve‘s feelings. “We’re in a National Reserve, that means rabbit poaching is illegal and in the same category as… ahem… “Owl Huggers” (as you put it) that’s been after your neck for the past 100+ years for eating that rare owl… remember?”

“Yeah, I remember that one Eve.” (a thin smile etches across her face) “I also remember the song Grethel’s dad would sing everytime he thought of killing one of those disgusting flying fleabags that those fricking Owl Huggers love so much---” (suddenly Keiko starts to sing
“Disco Inferno” while making “bursting into flame” motions w/ her hands).

Eve - “Is that any way to really remember the Striped Owl?”

Keiko - “Is it extinct, Eve?”

Eve - “No.”

Keiko - “Then screw the Striped Owl. Burn, baby, burn--- disco inferno--- burn, baby, burn--- yahh!!”

Eve - “*sigh*”

* * * * * *

Rebecca sighs discontentedly as she watches Sakura keep up with her pace by pace in cutting her potatoes flawlessly. “Iron Chef Sakura--- phht.”

Trinity - “Iron Chef Japanese Vs. Iron Chef American in a fight to the---” (stops) “---sorry.”

Rebecca - “Even think of doing your William Shatner improv in front of me again at a moment like this, Trinny, and I won’t sleep with you for a month!”

Trinity - “Your glaring at Sakura too much, and the rice is done.”

“Why---” (stops) “---oh. We’re trying to avoid the glazed over fright look on Sakura. Right.” (sighs) “Never mind.” (takes rice, and grabs a handful of aromatics from Trinity‘s pouch) “I’ll take that to Sakura.” (as she heads over, a strange feeling comes over her as if Tomoyo would jump in front of Sakura if she got too close). “Here, Sakura. Your rice is done. And
here---” (palms off handful of herbs) “---Tomoyo’ll know what to do with these.”

“Thanks---” (stops Rebecca) “---I didn’t have a chance to ask you---”

“For what?”

Sakura - “About what you said when we first met.”

“Ah, forget about it Sakura.” (Rebecca stretches as she speaks) “I’ll have to get over it I suppose, as Trinity said. Nothing to get your hair up about.”

Sakura - “Do you know Ms. Mit---”

“Only abit.” (smiles as she looks over at Sakura) “She gave me a bad bit of mojo once by telling me more than I needed to hear. Unlike her, I’d rather not know what’s coming at me in the future if it’s all the same to her.” (stops) “Sakura--- would you have wanted---”

Sakura turns, listening.

Rebecca shakes her head, “Never mind. Forget it. I’m just rambling.” (sighs) “You better get that to Tomoyo so she can make the fish.”

This leaves Sakura in a confused state.

Trinity - “You confused her aga---”

Rebecca - “Thanks for the blow-by-blow reporting, Trinny. Now are you going to make our rice or---”

Trinity holds up the pot, “Done.”

“---oh--- never mind then.”

* * * * * *

Chop. Chop. Chop. Chop. Chop. Chop.

Tomoyo - “Done chopping yet?”

Sakura - “Yes.”

Tomoyo - “Alright, I need your help with the aromatics. Here, I’ll show you how to use them.”

Tomoyo’s arms snake around Sakura, her hands grasping onto Sakura’s, leading the other girl’s hands as she shows her how to prepare the fish with the herbs, wrapping it in aluminum foil before putting it down for cooking. Gently, as Sakura finishes the task, Tomoyo pulls
her arms together and squeezes her tightly, her head rested comfortably on Sakura‘s strong shoulder as she holds the smaller young woman tightly. “Your going to be a beautiful chef one day if you keep this up, Sakura.”

“Tomo-chan?”

“Hmm?”

“Would you--- I mean would you have wanted to know--- I mean, about us--- if you---I mean--I mean our futures together?”

Tomoyo - “Our futures before it happened? Would I have wanted to know?”

Sakura bites her lip nervously, “Yeah.”

For the longest time Tomoyo held her, and thought about it. Silence reigned as she waited, until finally--- “Once maybe, but not anymore.”

“Why?” Sakura asked.

Tomoyo - “It’d break my heart if you were gone from my life and there was nothing I could do about it.”

“But Tomo-chan---”

“Hush---” (Tomoyon presses her fingers onto Sakura’s lips) “---I’m just saying I wouldn’t want to know if one day I wouldn’t have you in my arms anymore--- like now. I’d rather treasure each and every day of our love, and not worry about tomorrow because--- well--- tomorrow will always be tomorrow.”

“Eh?” (confused)

Tomoyo - “It’ll always be out of our reach. We have to focus on today, Sakura-chan, and not worry about what might come, or what has yet to come. It’ll come, soon enough, but for now this is all that matters to me.” (hugs Sakura tighter)

“Tomo-chan.”

Tomoyo - “Now check the fish to make sure it’s cooking.”

Sakura - “pwweeh?”

“Come on, I’ll help---” (Tomoyo’s hands reaches out again to grasp Sakura’s, bringing a slight whimper from Sakura as she lets go) “---cook first, soft hugs in a minute---”

Sakura smiles as she focuses back on cooking again. Checking the fish---

Sakura stops, “It’s staring at me. It looks kinda sad---”

Tomoyo - “---I’ll cut it’s head off later---”

Sakura - “---whimper---”

Tomoyo sighs as she realizes she should have cut the head off before Sakura got a good look at the fish’s sad gaze. (She’ll be mourning the fish for a few hours at least.)

* * * * * *

Later that night.

“So tell me again why we’re the only two who didn’t think of getting a private accommodations?” Keiko sighs irritably as she rolls over to stare at Eve. “Sorry, Keiko--- it’s our bad luck the camping store sold out of private tents before we went on the trip?”

“Sigh.”

The night wasn’t going very well. Sakura felt completely restless and despite Tomoyo’s assurances that they’d sleep together in each other’s arms that night, she still felt uncertain about it.

Rika nearly blushed herself to death when she was praised for dinner, and kept fidgeting with her ring all night (probably the mention of her being a good wife that did it--- again).

“Is it me or is Rika dodging the whole marriage thing?” Keiko remarks in a hushed whisper.

“Maybe she got married during vacation?” Eve said innocently.

“At that age? What kind of girl gets married at that young…” (stops, looks, sighs) “Oh, right, Nadeshiko. Right. My bad.“

Of course, there’s the lights out incident to speak of.

As the lights went off, and Sakura cuddled into Tomoyo’s loving embrace to fall asleep, Tomoyo had to bring up--- “Are we having another test of courage? Like the cliff? I saw a cave---”

Sakura tensed up, “HUH?!”

“Oh, no.” Keiko responded, calming Sakura down for a second. “Not in the cave. We’re going to the nearby Dragon’s mound for the test of courage.”

Sakura - “PWEEHH?!?”

Tomoyo - “What Dragon’s Mound? I didn’t see---”

“Eve?”

Eve rolls over, drawing a circle into the floor in the middle of the grouping, chanting as she does. Seconds later a burst of smoke and a small pillar of light forms. Inside that pillar an image of a floating mound above the forests. While everyone’s attention is focused on Eve,
Tomoyo brings the CardCaptor’s head to rest against her nude breasts.

Eve - “Normally the Mound is hidden by ShadowCloak magic, but tomorrow it’ll appear for a short amount of time during it’s monthly visible cycle which lasts several days.”

“Speaking of the mound---” (Naoko) “---have you heard this story?”

Sakura begins to cry, Eve turns to look on in interest, Keiko sighs, “Fuji TV hires you to consult every Halloween for their scary specials don’t they.”

Naoko - “Actually---”

Keiko - “Never mind, never mind, forget I said anything---” (sighs) “---go on.”

(Sakura begins to cry abit more, holding Tomoyo tight as she cradles Sakura against her breasts)

Naoko - “A long, long time ago--- a student group just like us came here on a field trip just like us---”

“I think I heard this---” (everyone shushes Keiko)

Naoko - “On the first day, they swam and made fish, and had a generally fun day.”

“Then you started this story and---” (everyone shushes Keiko again)

Naoko - “On the next day they too had a test of courage---”

“Aren’t you all too old for such childish---” (again everyone shushes Keiko)

Naoko - “---at that very same Dragon Mound.”

“What kind of dragons are buried there?” (someone asked, bringing silence to the group)

Eve - “Water dragons. It‘s only perched above the forests of the island because it was grounded over the forest after the hurricane of ‘27.” (everyone turns to Keiko and looks, to which she only shrugs) “She’s right. Go on.”

“I did quite abit of checking on it.” Eve remarks as she points at the image, “According to records, a shrine like this has one long stairway that leads from the platform top to the center shrine.”

“That leads to the Central Prayer Chamber, surrounded by a reflecting pool where one can speak to the spirits of the dragons entombed in the mound. The shrine itself is very complex and huge. The stairs is the dragon culture representation of the path to the next “life” past the Dreaming. One must walk the bridge to get to the shrine. The test of courage is to rotate a light sphere on the shrine and say a prayer.”

Sakura looked like she was going to explode from the fear if Tomoyo wasn’t holding her.

Naoko - “The students paired off and each traveled the stairs to the shrine, carrying their sphere of light. The stairs is very long, representing a long journey to the next “world”. But, eventually, it was clear none of the students were coming back up the stairs. Not one---”

“Uh-huh.” (Keiko already felt Sakura’s hypertension)

Naoko - “No matter how long the stairs to the shrine was, or how beautiful the shrine, this was too strange a thing to be happening. So the teachers and remaining students went looking for them--- and they were nowhere to be found.”

If Sakura grew anymore pale, she’d have found work on CSI-Tokyo as one of the corpses.

“So what happened next? A tormented water dragon spirit ate them all?”
(Sakura shrieks in a soft voice causing Eve to give Keiko a stern glance) “Sorry.”

Naoko - “The truth is--- in that shrine---”

“TEACHER!!” Keiko hurriedly whispers, motioning outside. Quickly everyone falls silent.

“I thought you put sound dampeners---” Eve begins to whisper, “---I did, but she doesn’t need to know that nobody outside can hear us. At least it killed that story pretty fast---”

A few seconds later Eve gives the all clear.

By now Tomoyo noticed Sakura’s horrid disposition, and begs off the rest of the story so they could go to “sleep”.
Naoko - “I’ll finish the story tomorrow.”

Keiko sighs. “Wonderful.” (looks over at Sakura) “Now she’ll never fall asleep.” (with a tired grunt, Keiko rolls over, whacks Sakura with 10cc of sleepy drugs, and rolls back towards Eve as Sakura falls into Tomoyo, consciousness slipping fast but her mind screaming to be awake. Her fears gripping her).

* * * * * *

“Sakura? SAKURA!!”

Tomoyo’s arms wraps around Sakura, her voice straining as she screams.

“It’s alright! It’s alright--- don’t scream--- I’m here---”

As Sakura looks into Tomoyo’s face she notices the room was gone.

In it’s place they were sitting on a grassy hill overlooking the forest of the island, and the ocean beyond said forest. In the background, the mound was floating as they saw it in Eve’s hologram.

Tomoyo - “We’re dreaming, Sakura, we’re dreaming--- don’t be afraid---”

Sakura - “I’m too scared. I shouldn’t be asleep! I‘m scared!”

Tomoyo - “I think it’s safe to say Keiko drugged you. She warned me she might do that if you were about to start wandering around in the dark because you couldn’t sleep.”

Sakura - “I don’t want to sleep. I’m too scared!”

“I’m here--- please don’t be scared---” (Tomoyo holds her tight) “---there’s nothing to be---”

“HEY!”

“ACCKK!!!” (Sakura nearly jumps out of her night clothes, spinning about as she does) “REBECCA?”

“DON’T DO THAT!!” (sighs) “What are you doing in my dreams anyway you two?”

“Your in my dreams! And you scared me!” Sakura countered.

“You scared ME!! And we’re in my dreams!” Rebecca countered in turn.

“I think your both in my dreams.” Tomoyo points out.

Rebecca frowned, “Whatever--- you really didn’t have to scare me like that though sheesh.”

Eventually the topic shifts from who’s dreams they were in to---

Sakura - “Why are you in my dreams?”

Rebecca - “It’s my dreams, Sakura, and you tell me first--- or did Keiko really go through with it and hit you up with sleepy time juice?”

“W-well---”

“She did.” Tomoyo finishes, cuddling Sakura as she spoke. “Why are you---”

Rebecca - “My Dream Familyar felt something and came to tell me about it, so here I am.”

Sakura - “A CLOW CARD?!?”

“----” (Rebecca looks about slightly miffed) “---well I don’t see the dead rising just yet so please be sure to SCREAM a little louder next time! (I still have the ability to hear).” (avoids Sakura’s hurt expression, and Tomoyo’s understanding gaze) “My Familyar didn’t know.”

Sakura - “M-m-may-maybe it’s a gh-- gh--?”

Tomoyo - “Ghost? Dragon ghost?”

Sakura - “Don’t say that!!”

Rebecca - “Then why bring it up.”

“Rena!”

“Sigh.” (Rebecca lays back on the “grass” of the hill and sighs) “How should I know? You’re the Card Captor, you tell me. All I know is that the feeling is coming from the mound.”

“How old is the mound?” (Tomoyo)

“Thousands of years old. It used to be a submerged shrine but it was destroyed in the 7th Century (Waking world timeology) by some sort of undersea “event”. It was replaced with an airborne shrine that’s been in place ever since.” (sighs) “Seems the minerals in the anti-grav
rocks that floats the shrine acts as a powerful conduit for psychic energy and amplifies spirit activity in the shrine---”

“PHWEEEE!!” (Sakura shivers and sweat drops coldly in Tomoyo’s loving grasp)

“---and I probably shouldn’t have said that---” (sighs again)

Sakura - “Let’s talk about something else! Ok? Ok?”

Rebecca tried to talk again, “It’s a benevolent shrine of peaceful spirits and---”

Sakura - “Ok??”

“Ok. Ok. Whatever---” (Rebecca changes the subject) “---I was debating before I
fell asleep whether to ask the walking 8-ball if she knew what was going to happen tomorrow or not but I couldn‘t resolve my feelings before sleep.”

Tomoyo - “Ms. Mitsuki?”

“Any other creepy future seeing former math teachers on this field trip?”

“But---” (Sakura fidgets) “---she used to make me feel all floaty---”

“Then you discovered Tomoyo and after sex you never stopped float---” (Rebecca looks at Sakura’s askew expression) “---and there’s another topic I probably should have steered clear of. Look. In any case she’s an enigma. She can seemingly see the future, but she doesn’t seem capable of Minority Report-ing her ability.”

Sakura - “Huh?”

Rebecca - “She doesn’t seem to be able to see the “two side of the coin” her power could offer up and see the alternate choices the future might hold. In fact, I dare say her powers drags her along by the nose because once she sees it she’s dead certain it’ll happen even if it
doesn’t have to happen the way she sees it.”

“Doesn’t she know this? Maybe she already has made her choices and we’re just hearing the end result of those choices?” (Tomoyo)

“Maybe. But still it’s very odd.” (Rebecca looks up at the sky) “Yeah, it’s my dreams.”

Sakura - “How do you know?”

Rebecca - “I just do. Just like I know her powers creep me out. She shouldn’t have come back, yet for some reason here she is--- what’s her angle this time?”

Sakura - “She’s not a bad person, she doesn’t have an “angle”! She’s just trying to help!”

“Sakura---” (Rebecca looks at her sternly) “---we don’t know what she really wants, and her “involvement” at the end a few years ago is still a mystery to those who studied the event, forget you who allows her feelings to cloud her judgment.”

Sakura shakes her head no.

Rebecca - “You do remember when you realized how much Tomoyo meant to you though, right? You remember that.”

Sakura - “I knew--- when I was so close to losing her--- as a friend--- how much she truly meant to me.”
Tomoyo smiles, leaning her head against Sakura as she hears Sakura speak of their love.
“Well, I felt the same with Trinny when---” (stops to notice both Sakura/Tomoyo staring at her, blushing, causing her to blush in turn) “WHAT?!?” (stands up) “I gotta go! Go crash in your own---”

“WAIT!” (Sakura) “What about you--- when did you--- I- I mean-I-I---”

Blushing from ear to ear, Rebecca plops herself back down in a huff. “During our first little adventure together to free a village from under a spell of darkness. She was attached to me for sometime before that, firmly set in this belief that I was her intended love after
I--- well--- got drunk and sorta--- made all these promises that even now I don’t remember. When she took a shot meant for me I thought I’d go crazy because she--- she was always by my side, I thought she was a pest but--- she only wanted to be loved---” (silence endures after this, Rena refusing to speak anymore). “When she was raped and then vanished (absorbed by Fly) I thought I would go insane. It hurt me so much that she was gone.”

Silence reigns for a few minutes before Tomoyo speaks
“You and Sakura are so much alike.”
Both look at Tomoyo in their own way, Sakura with understanding and Rena in confusion.
“You can’t help living, feeling and loving without restraints. You wear your hearts on
your sleeves and are all out in your emotions, not accepting anything less in yourselves or others. You two are just like sisters---”

“Oh I really have to go now!!” Rebecca spits, jumping up to move off without waiting to be called back. Sakura sighs, leaning into Tomoyo as she does, “I love you.”
“I love you too--- forever---” (Tomoyo reaches a hand up to touch Sakura’s cheek)

* * * * * *

With a slight sigh, she drops out of her hiding spot and wanders off, only to find herself face to face with Rebecca. “Voyeurism seemingly suits you, doesn’t it Piccadello.”

Catherine waves Rebecca off, “I felt something in the sublayer and investigated. Is it my fault that Sakura has a very strong “vision” self that reads off like a beacon when she’s in “dream” mode?”

Rebecca grabs the Raven, “Don’t give me that self indulgent “It’s all for the job” thing! Your
still mourning over her---”

“Don’t psychoanalyze me.” (Catherine pushes past Rena in a huff) “I’m really not in the mood.”

Rebecca - “It’s still sticking in your craw, isn’t it. Even after all this time it’s still---”

“Give me a break!” (Catherine spins about, face tight and narrowed, “I don’t need to listen to you preach to me about my shortcomings! It has NOTHING to do with that! NOTHING!” (And, with that, she “vanishes” from the forest).

“So you say.”

With that Rebecca heads off to find Trinity in her dreams.

* * * * * *

Sakura woke up the next morning in Tomoyo’s loving arms, the other girl sleeping as she stirred in her grasp. For several minutes before Tomoyo woke she relished the comfort of being so lovingly cradled, then they got up (dressed) and were outside washing up. In the
backdrop, over the forest, was the mound, but as of yet Sakura had not noticed it (while the others were just becoming aware of it’s presence).

Sakura finished washing up, only to feel a towel pressed into her face, and two familiar hands slowly drying her off. “Is that OK?”

“Thanks.” (muffled abit as she spoke, smiling at how attentive Tomoyo was to her this morning) “Sorry about last night. I guess I should have warned you.”

“That’s OK---” (start laughing abit)

“What’s so funny, Sakura?”

“I sorta liked the dream we shared though. I guess it was worth it just for that.” Sakura remarked.

Tomoyo - “You were rather frisky and energetic once you got over your fears! I almost thought I had to change my panties this morning from all the orgasms we had last night!”
Sakura suddenly blushes and drops her head on Tomoyo’s shoulder.
“Oh, right. Your still shy about talking about sex in public.” (Tomoyo looks about smiling abit as the others walk around them, some obviously hearing about their “nocturnal fun”.)

* * * * * *

While the others swam, Sakura/Tomoyo soaked in the sun and relaxed. The golden sand feeling so warm against their bodies as they laid in the sun and soaked in the morning warmth before taking a swim.

“Last night was beautiful, Tomo-chan--- thank you.”

“No problem. That’s what lovers are for. Hey, look---”

Behind them they could see the mound. Suddenly it shimmered abit.

“Huh? Did anyone see that?” Sakura asked.

Tomoyo - “What’s wrong?”

“The mound just looked kinda--- odd for a second.” (she grabs Rebecca as she passes her by) “Did you see that?”

Rebecca shakes herself abit trying to dry herself, “I just got out of the water. Let me dry first---” (?) “---see what?”

After a hurried explanation, Rebecca retrieves her Seeker from her gear and comes back with it, then gives the mound a once over. “That’s odd---”

“What is?” (Tomoyo)

“Even from this distance my Seeker is sensing something. It’s telling me the shrine tried to dry start it’s ShadowCloak spell again.”

Sakura - “Is that strange?”

Rebecca - “Very strange, Sakura. The mound’s ShadowCloak is made specifically to go dormant once a month for visitors to have access to the shrine to pray and stuff, but somehow the shrine itself tried to go back into ShadowCloak. At least, that’s what my Seeker is telling me.” (blinks) “Weird. It’s as if the shrine doesn’t want to be visible right now--- I don’t know why though. After all tonight’s the big Test of Courage thing and it’s as if something in there doesn’t want anyone in it. Probably going to go through a great deal to defend itself and keep out intruders too, maybe even go so far as---”

“WAAAHHHH!!!” (Sakura)

“---and why can’t I learn to stop talking after two minutes---” Rebecca sighs irritably.

“Come with me! Tomo-chan COME WITH ME!!”

“Get a room you two!” (Keiko walks by drying herself off as she does) “One game of water tag and it gets out of hand--- can’t hear straight--- have to remove the squid from my hair--- too much water---”

Silence.

“Well---” (Rebecca) “---that was weird.” (walks off)

“Want to go back to the room? Maybe a little sex will make you heroic---” (Tomoyo smiles)

Sakura takes her hand and lets her lead her back to their empty bunkhouse, a wide smile on her lips as she shivers in anticipation of what was to come.

* * * * * *

That night

One short teleport through a platform set to link to the shrine and everyone was on the entrance platform, the stairs heading into the mound lying before them. Close up what once looked like a flying rock now resembled a proper temple, shaped perfectly to look like a hill
but obviously made by humanoids. The rock walls and floors were all smooth to the touch, and grass grew on the mound in spots but was well maintained and trimmed. Inside the stairs were well lit by spell lights.

All in all, Naoko was dying to get in. Sakura was dying to leave. Tomoyo was intrigued by the mound, while Rena was just really interested in getting the whole thing over with.

A clear case of opposites in a small confined area of people.

Rena stretched her muscles, looking up at the early night sky at the “stars” above (it would be three more hours before the rotation of the world faced them towards the Central Hub so they had a good view of the other “dream moons” which glittered like stars in the “sky”. “Knew I should have feigned illness and stood home like Nina. Me and my big un-helpful mouth.”

“AND NOW---” (‘EEK!’ Rebecca jumps at the sudden burst of noise) “---WHAT YOU’VE ALL BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO! THE TEST OF---” (Rebecca yanks the megaphone out of the teacher’s hand and aims it right back at her) “WAKE THE DEAD WHY DONTCHA!!” (in a huff she tosses the megaphone back at her and snarls) “What’s next? We’re going to traipse the class through the Hollow Vatican next week?”

“?” (Sakura)

Keiko - “Because places that have a strong tie to either heaven or hell has no place in dreams (religions here are mostly to comfort and soothe, but have no real fierce ties to either “philosophy” of heaven/hell) certain places of religious power is nothing more than hollow shells in Edenina. Hence Vatican City is pretty much an empty shell of buildings, rooms, and so forth that nobody feels comfortable stepping into.” (Keiko, as everyone turns to regard her) “Hence the name “Hollow Vatican”.”

Eve - “Rumor has it Vatican City (or to be more precise, it’s dream self) is in fact alive, well, and teeming with angels and devils that walk the halls of the Hollow Vatican using it as a sort of “neutral territory“ to thrash out differences amongst the sides. Certain large religious
areas like the “Hollow Vatican” and cities like Jerusalem are a “open door” to the opposing sides of light/dark and they tend to gather there in great numbers, so the Goddesses sealed those areas off and made them “No Dream Land” because of the fear of contamination from
either side of the religious spectrum.”

Everyone begins to nod, whisper, and talk about the stories. Naoko no doubt would have a ton of Hollow Vatican stories to tell that night--- unfortunately. ‘Wonder if the Teacher trick will work again?’ Keiko laments to herself as everyone gets their instructions about the
shrine.

Basically it goes like this.

There’s a huge shrine with many light spheres lining it’s walls surrounded by a huge reflecting pool which can be gazed into from the shrine. Over time these spheres die out and need to be replaced, hence the Test of Courage. Students must go down the stairs and into the Shrine chamber, swap a dead sphere for a live one, then say a prayer for the spirits within the shrine (any prayer will do, the shrine is multi-culturally sensitive). The students then exit back out up the stairs and put the spheres (dark) into the recharge nitches along the platform’s railing to recharge them with sunlight, and that’s that.

“ARE YOU READY?!?” (teacher)

“YEAH!!”

Rebecca grabs the megaphone again and this time doesn’t give it back. (Somehow the one with the megaphone ended up standing next to Rebecca)

Sakura wasn’t too happy with the idea already, shaking as Tomoyo held her hands tightly to try and comfort her frightened lover. Keiko was overtly bored with the idea, (she’s done this before), and Rebecca couldn’t care less (she didn’t care one way or the other).

“Alright. Remember to divide yourself into groups of 2 or 3.” (Keko was talking now) “The stairs is the only way in, or out, so don’t worry about becoming confused and taking the wrong route out. The “reflecting pool” is protected by a perpetual barrier shield so
there’s no chance of anyone drowning in the shrine. Additionally, the pool does reflect the spirits in the shrine, but it’s common knowledge that the spirits only want to come out for relatives so unless your part dragon and know someone in this shrine whose buried there it’s a safe bet nobody’s seeing any spirits no matter how hard they glare at the pool. Once you swapped your spheres and said a quick prayer, just head back up the stairs and place it in on the the recharge nitches and that’s that. Nuff said, let’s go. First group come up and get
their sphere---”

As the groups began to go in, Keiko took a brief moment to speak to Ms. Mitsuki---

“What is she saying?” Tomoyo asks, looking on as the two converse.

“I can’t hear--- too much noise.” (For a few brief seconds, the desire to know what Keiko was saying to Ms. Mitsuki (and vice versa) swallowed up Sakura’s fears. But as the groups go in one at a time, Sakura’s fears return quickly and with a vengeance). “It’s almost our turn!”

“It’s alright. You brought the cards, right? And your rings?” Sakura nods her head quickly. “They’ll keep us safe if there’s anything to fear. Trust me.”

“It’s our turn now!”

Rebecca didn’t need to turn around to know she was being glared at behind her back by Sakura, who had an expression like she was being asked to step through a wood chipper (or worst). “Oy vey.”

As the last group before Sakura’s enters, Keiko sighs and nudges Rebecca in the arm, “Think she’ll buck up and---”

“WE’RE NEXT!!!”

“Forget about it.”

“----” (sighs as Sakura/Tomoyo walk up). “Here’s your sphere. Good luck. I’ll be praying---”

“FOR US???”

“For the spirits in there. Pity the first dragon spirit that’s curious about YOU! Re---” (stops) “Oh, sure, walk away! Hey, nice walk Sakura! Too much starch in your diet?” (sighs, turning her gaze on Ms. Mitsuki now) “What?! Go stare at somebody else with your creepy eyes, you bug me!”

“Think they can do this without something going wrong?”

“What do you think, Rena?”

“----aw damn---”

Slowly the last of the students enter the stairs, and time passes.

"Want to go in?"

"Been there, done it, big deal." Keiko sighs, "I don't think there's anything that could possibly make me want to take the trip all over---" (a soft repetitive sound, like someone banging on a huge drum, could be heard) "---aw damn."

"What?"

"That means the Auto Defense system just came on--- but what---"

Before Keiko can say anymore she's already in motion, scurrying through the opening and into the stairs before the shrine's defense barrier drops into place, leaving the few remaining teachers on the platform.

"What the---?"

To Be Continued