Disclaimer: This story is based on Card Captor Sakura characters created for the manga books and anime series, which I do not own in any way. I hold no claim on any commercial brands and models mentioned in this story. The mention of names and facts of the United Kingdom's Royalty is not intended to ridicule or offend. I am not making any kind of profit from this story. Please note that this disclaimer applies to all of the chapters of this story and therefore will not be rewritten.
Chapter I : Getting Acquainted
"Dear journal;
My name is Daidouji Tomoyo. A seventeen year old teen currently living in the gray, chilly but aristocratic and refined London.
The reason?
Mom needed to move here for a year to settle up a branch of Daidouji Toys and I decided to follow her.
Why?
It's just that things in Tomoeda are not that good for me anymore.
Family members?
Well there's just Daidouji Sonomi (my mom) and tons of maids and bodyguards who are already part of the family. I also have a grandfather but I don't see him that much… I don't know why, though I love him dearly. Mom said that he has secluded himself inside that summer-house since Nadesiko-san (mom's cousin) died, it was a terrible loss for him… And for dear mom as well.
The reason of all this?
I decided to start a journal and write down my memories so my elder-self can laugh her head off reading this pathetic nonsense… No offence dear diary since you know as well as I do that my life kind of sucks right now." With my chin resting on my palm I play with the purple-ink pen trying to think something else to write. "Tomorrow is my first day of my last year as a school girl in a whole new school with a different language and a different school system. I bet this is going to be a pretty busy one. We have lots of things to do and my extra-curricular activities are included. No matter what I just can't live without music and arts.
One of the reasons that I've decided to move here with mom is to try different things and set up new goals and challenges. I've lived all my life (or at least the past seventeen years) in the beautiful town of Tomoeda. Of course I had a happy childhood but things are no longer what they used to be. You'll see, many years ago when I was eleven, I used to tape Sakura-chan in her card capturing days using the costumes I designed exclusively for her. People could say that I was, in someway, obsessed with her… Perhaps in love. After years of thinking and analyzing I've concluded that I love her, yes, but as a dear sister (in fact we are second cousins) and my infatuation was all about because she was the one who truly cared for me (besides okaa-san) not for my social status but for who I am.
We shared beautiful days, weeks, months, years together and I'm very thankful to her. One day, a boy with chestnut hair and fiery brown-reddish eyes came into our lives (more precisely hers) to claim the Clow Cards she had under her will, and I knew at that mere instant that she wouldn't need me as much as before anymore." I write, blinking quickly to prevent cold tears from falling, unconsciously, "and I felt alone. I played matchmaker with them and succeeded since now they're the favorite couple in Tomoeda High… That made me incredibly happy but still alone." Glancing at my wristwatch I realize it's time to sleep.
"So, no matter what I'll try to enjoy this year in Europe, meet new people and have new friends… That's my resolution!
Yours,
Daidouji Tomoyo."
I turn off the silver-plated desk lamp with a click and head towards the comfy and inviting bed nicely covered with soft-lilac cotton bedspread and white sheets with a plum blossoms pattern on it. Wrapping myself with the duvet and lying in a comfortable position I gaze at the moon, perfectly viewed through the ceiling to floor window and can't help but smile at the beauty mother nature created. Staring so deeply at the glowing sphere, my eyelids become heavy and I can no longer keep my eyes open. Giving in into tiredness I lose consciousness and get transported to dreamland, surrendering myself to Morpheo's charm.
Namida ga ato kara afuredashite
Saigo no egao ga nijinde mienai
no
Ikanaide ikanaide koko ni ite
Sora e hikari
kakenukete-yuku...
In the background, I hear Yubiwa sung by Sakamoto Maaya being played by my Hi-fi stereo system signaling it's time to get up. With lazy movements I manage to get out of bed and rubbing my half-closed eyes I make my way to the bathroom. I take a hot shower for there's nothing better than to wake up early in the morning and be greeted by warm water on your bare skin. I'm done after fifteen minutes and walk across the big bedroom in our two-floor penthouse. In the walk-in closet I search for my new uniform and start getting dressed. A white blouse covers my upper-body while black and burgundy scotch fabric (like a tartan) covers my lower-body from the waist to some inches above the knees. I also have a tie made of the same fabric of the skirt. Tight, black socks and a black jacket with the school's coat of arms neatly embroidered on its left, frontal and only pocket; gives the last touches to the elegant school uniform.
Looking at my reflection in the body-length mirror I decide to tie my hair into two pigtails with black hair ribbon. Applying lip-gloss with extra E-vitamin (my lips tend to get flaky from the cold) and grabbing my deep-purple Outdoor backpack I head towards the kitchen. Going down the stairs I realize how tired my legs are because of too much shopping, unpacking and all the things that come along with it. The first thing I see when I enter the kitchen is okaa-san's head slightly hidden behind the newspaper.
"Ohayo kaa-san!" I say and give her a peck on the cheek.
She stops reading and smiles at me saying, "Good morning Tomoyo-chan, how did you sleep?"
I drop the backpack on the floor and have a seat at the breakfast counter. "Like a baby." Giggling all along, taking a toast while a maid fills my glass with fresh orange juice.
"I'm glad honey… Are you nervous about your first day at school?"
I can feel a light tone of concern in her voice. "Just a little… I shouldn't have problems with the language but European people are far much different than Asian people so…"
Mom doesn't let me finish but understands what I'm trying to say. "Don't worry baby, you're such a lovely young lady… I'm sure everybody will like you." She smiles tenderly at me, pride in her blue-purple eyes.
I smile back, biting the toast to then take a sip at the juice. "Arigato, kaa-san."
"There's nothing to thank me for…" She gives me a last smile and resumes reading whatever article that got her attention.
I eat my bacons, toast and eggs; drink my juice and take some sips of my coffee to then declare breakfast done. Looking at the clock in the wall I realize it's time to go if I want to be early and ask for some info and stuff such as schedule, teachers' names, available clubs, special rules (if they have any), etc.
"I must get going," lifting the rich-purple backpack, "have a nice day kaa-san!" Giving her a quick kiss on her stylish hair right before exiting the kitchen.
"Good luck sweetie!" I hear her say from the kitchen when I'm halfway across the lounge.
Mr. Smith greets me at the condominium entrance with a kind smile on his handsome face. He does a curt neck-bow and proceeds to open the car door for me with a white gloved hand.
"Good morning Lady, are we going to school?" He asks with a deep British accent.
"Morning!… Yes, you're right," I say cheerfully with my own acquired British entonation which I picked up from my English private teacher who was an old lady native from England.
"Right away…" He says and closes the door of the black Maybach 62 after I got in.
Bright green foliage and dark-brown trunks gets my attention during the ride. Some gray clouds are moved by the wind and mix with the pure white fluffy ones, creating an interesting contrast with the baby-blue sky. One can smell some humidity in the air and it's quite cold outside. The pavement is damp and the drivers are conducing their vehicles carefully.
My eyes wanders from one side to side and I realize there's a traffic jam further ahead. Mr. Smith sighs bothered because I'm going to be late, and so will he to pick mom up. I just find a more comforting way to sit and relax my muscles while smiling comfortingly so he can see me through the rear-view mirror.
"Would you like me to put some music?" He asks kindly. He knows my liking of music.
"That would be lovely!… Thanks!" I say contently. Did I mention that I love this man? Music fills the interior of the vehicle trough the speakers and I can't help myself but sing along with the artist. I can see the smiling reflection of Mr. Smith.
It took us half an hour to get out of that traffic jam. I sigh in relief and glance at my wristwatch. Horror fills my eyes… I'm late. The school lies within a mile of the M4 and not far from the M40 and M25 aproximately some twenty miles west of Central London and near Windsor right on the Thames river. However, there is no direct access for vehicles over the Thames from Windsor so those using rides must disembark from the vehicle in Windsor coach park and walk over the bridge and up Eton High Street (a distance of about half a mile) or to get the driver to drop them outside the main entrance to the College but still they have to walk down Eton High Street.
"I'll be here at 1600, is that well Lady?" I hear kind Mr. Smith's voice.
"I'll be waiting for you!" Swinging the semi-heavy bag on my right shoulder. "Do you know mom's schedule for the afternoon?" I want to pay her a visit at the office.
"Ma'am Daidouji has an spare hour at 1700" He replies smiling mischievously.
"Oh, that's just great!" Smirking all the way, "as I said, I'll be anxiously waiting for you!"
"Have a nice day Miss." The old man says and bows.
"You too!" I wave him good bye and watch the car drive away.
Now let me tell you about my school. Eton College was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI. The College originally had 70 King's Scholars or Collegers who lived in the College and were educated free, and a small number of Oppidans who lived in the town of Eton and paid for their education. Today it is a secondary school (the equivalent to an American High School) for approximately 1,290 pupils between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, some of whom are boarders.
In Eton there are twenty-five houses, each one holding up to fifty pupils. About half of the Houses have breakfast, lunch and supper at Bekynton, a large central dining complex; the others have their own chef and their own House dinning-rooms. Every house (whether Berkynton or not) provides also a mid-morning Chambers (short break of twenty-five minutes) snack and mid-afternoon's Tea.
A day at Eton is as follows: 1st school from nine to nine-forty, 2nd school from nine-fifty to ten-thirty, 3rd school from ten-forty to eleven-twenty, chambers at eleven twenty, 4th school from eleven-forty-five to twelve-twenty-five and fifth school from twelve-thirty-five to one-fifteen followed by lunch at one-twenty-five.
There are also a chapel, a library, tennis courts, soccer and many other sport-oriented fields.
Finally I made it to the Principal's Office. I knock thrice and enter the spacious room after I got permission. A middle aged woman is seated in a tall, leather chair behind a beautifully carved mahogany desk. She's a blonde woman with the sharpest and wisest blue eyes I've ever seen. Her eyes literally pierces your soul. Students here might be very frightened of her I suppose.
"Good morning Ms. Lawton, I'm Daidouji Tomoyo." Doing a small respectful bow for I can't forget my Japanese education.
"It's a pleasure," she says in an aristocratic demeanor and gestures me to sit down in the also leather chair in front of her desk. I do as ordered, very lady-like. "You are the new transfer student from Japan, am I right?" Looking up from the papers I guess are my profile.
"That's correct." I say looking at her straight in the eyes to show her I'm not afraid.
"Well Miss Daidouji, given your excellent grades, domain of the English language and high recommendations; there's nothing else for me to say than welcome to Eton College." The blue eyes are no longer piercing and frightening but calm and soft. She's smiling!. "Here's your schedule along with your teacher's names, a social events calendar, information about our clubs and an instructive CD-ROM with everything about Eton, FAQ's and code of conduct." Handing me all the material inside of a white manila envelope with the letterhead of the school.
"Thank you very much." Taking the package with a sweet smile.
"You're welcome dear," she smiled a tad bit mischievously, "you must be going now… The bell is about to ring."
"Thank you Ms. Lawton!" I smile and after gathering my things I stand up to exit the room.
Closing the door carefully behind, I fix the strap of my backpack that menaced to fall down at any moment. On my way to the first schoolroom, using as a guide the numbers at the top of each door, I bump into someone. Fortunately nothing escaped from my grasp.
"I'm so sorry! I wasn't paying attention…" I say masking my embarrassment behind a polite smile, lifting my face to meet the person I had bumped into, only to discover a young man with blond hair and sky-blue eyes. Something tells me I had seen this guy before somewhere. I also become aware of some gasps, horrified looks and merciless glares thrown at my direction.
"It's alright Miss… I can notice you're new here, right?" He asks me in an aristocratic melodious voice. I just smile back at him. What a nice young man!.
"You're right Sir, this is my first day here," I glance at my surroundings where more people is gathering like something big was going on. Maybe it has something to do with the youth in front of me, "would you be so kind as to tell me where room 102 is located?" I decided to ask for I'm getting late.
"I can escort you there… That is if you accept." He offered smiling, with a hand towards me and the other one behind his back, his body slightly bowed like an old fashioned gentleman. A prince in fact.
Okay, now envious and venomous glares are thrown at me like daggers. What is so special about this guy anyway? Glancing at my wristwatch and realizing that otherwise I'll probably get lost and be even more late I decide to take his offer. "I trust my life in your hands, kind Sir." Taking his outstretched hand and letting him lead the way. I trust my life in your hands? Where did that came from?… I must have read it in a novel, this language is so much fun to play with!.
Well, if looks could kill, I'll be lying lifeless in a pool of my own blood on the stone-floor. "May I ask for your name Miss?" The boy interrupts my inner thoughts.
"Oh dear! Where are my manners? My name's Daidouji Tomoyo," I say looking at him and then at the perplexed faces in the corridor. I was getting slightly annoyed about the faces I've been getting since I met this man. It's time I decide to know who he is, "may I ask for yours?"
His sky-blue eyes look at me in both amusement and amazement. "I'm William Wales." He replied calmly, almost whispering the last couple of words as if afraid of scaring me or something.
Then I got the hint! Prince William Arthur Philip Louis. So he's a prince!
No wonder why everyone acted so weird.
"It's a pleasure William." I said smiling at him like there was nothing out of the ordinary. Yes, I have to be respectful (mostly because all I know besides his name are things I've read from magazines and some books) but there's no need to suddenly become a mindless girl who kisses the land he walks on, says yes to whatever he says and treats him like a God or something. He's only a human being who had the luck (whether it is good or bad is not my business to determinate) to be born in a Royal Family with Royal Blood.
"The pleasure is all mine," he replies gentlemanly, "can I ask you something?"
"Of course!" I reply looking at the door numbers, noticing we're close to our, or at least, my destination.
"What brings you to London?"
"Mainly business." I answer him, a short and polite reply to fill in his lack of information about me, without letting out too much. This is my first day here and I want to be careful and study my surroundings first. I don't want to be distant or cold though; but I'm like in a reserved state for now. I look again at the labels on top of the doors and read 102. "We're here! Thank you very much for your help, I think I can manage myself from now."
"You're welcome, hope to see you around." He said glancing at his wristwatch, a bothered expression on his face.
I just smile and say bye before he's gone.
Entering the room, I sense nineteen pairs of eyes looking at me full of curiosity. As I said, I'm getting quite annoyed but can't do anything to change that. I'm the new girl after all and to talk and walk with the prince wasn't of much help. I explore the spacious and comfortable room seeking for a un-occupied desk, finding one right in the middle.
Now everybody is murmuring around me so to distract myself I proceed to open the envelope Ms. Lawton gave me, and take out the schedule. I have Mathematics & Further Mathematics for 1st school, Ancient History for 2nd school, Physics for 3rd school, English Literature for 4th school and Psychology for the 5th school.
While I'm sitting there, I feel piercing eyes staring at my back and suddenly chills are up and down my spine. Geez! This person must be very mind powered. I feel the urge to know who this boy or girl is and then turn around to meet the gaze of deep-sapphire eyes that have a uncharacteristic tint of silver in them… Like steel or something. I also can see his lips, because it's a young man, curve into a smirk and those rare eyes smile at me in a way that reminds me of somebody I met many years ago. The boy in question is seated across from me and since we've been submerged in unpolite silence for quite a long time I decide to speak first. "Good morning Sir… Do I know you?" I can't help myself but ask, I have a strong feeling about this guy.
He looks slightly puzzled but smiles nontheless. "Morning Miss… How rude to forget an old friend of yours!" He says with mock horror in his eyes and voice.
Suddenly that selection of words rings a bell in my mind and I'm truly shocked. "Hiiragizawa-kun?" I wonder out loud trying to find in the handsome young men some traces of the mischievous child I knew as Hiiragizawa Eriol-kun.
"Ah, I see you do remember me after all, Daidouji-san!" He replies with a satisfied smile and I smile back. "It's been a while since the last time we saw each other… How's everything in Tomoeda?"
I put all the papers inside the envelope and turn around in my seat to face him more comfortably. "Just great!… Did you know that the cherry blossom and the little wolf are finally a couple?" I hear myself say with lot of enthusiasm, not finding the issue painful anymore. "They've been like that for almost two years. They were labeled most likely to get married by the student body in Tomoeda High."
He looks content and smiles wonderfully showing flaweless white teeth. "Oh I'm so glad for my cute little descendant and Sakura-chan," he paused and added, "and how are you doing Daidouji-san?"
Okay, I could have prevented that but still took me out off-guard. "I'm doing fine Hiiragizawa-kun," I say putting on my brightest smile and he gives me a stern look to then nod, "and you?" This time I can see him stiffen a bit.
"Better than ever…" He says and just then the teacher comes in and asks for our attention.
"Good morning ladies and gentlemen, today we have a new transfer student among us, could you please stand up and do a brief introduction about yourself so we can get to know you better?" Says the chest-nut haired woman in her later-forties looking at me.
I nod and proceed to stand up, people turning around to see me in total silence, looking expectantly. "Hello to all of you, I'm Tomoyo Daidouji, age seventeen from Japan. I moved here due to mother's work and would like to become friends with you!" I speak fluently with a pleasant smile on my lips, looking and memorizing the faces that are in my line of sight.
"Very well then… I hope that you fit in quickly here, is there any volunteer to help Miss Daidouji on her first week here?" The teacher asks eyeing the crew.
"That would be a pleasure, Ms. Browning." I hear Hiiragizawa-kun say and turn around to face him, thanking him with a sweet smile.
"Thank you Mr. Hiiragizawa, you may sit now Miss Daidouji," she pauses and smiles to then take a small clipboard from the table. "Before we start, let me tell you that the registering process for the different clubs are open starting tomorrow morning, please talk to your councelors if you are uncertain about something… Now let's take the attendance."
"Can you show me your schedule Daidouji-san?" Asks Hiiragizawa-kun from behind. I hand him the nicely printed paper and he looks at it for seconds. "Fine, we have the same classes." He says giving it back.
At Chamber time we are seated in one of the many tables in Benkynton Dining House with two tuna-sandwiches and iced lemon-tea.
"I was wondering, would you like to go out sometime?… I can show you around." He breaks the silence and then sips his Nestea® looking at me.
"That would be lovely Hiiragizawa-kun, I would like to go to the movies you know? I want to see Harry Potter so much!" I say, excitement taking over me.
He lifts an eyebrow at me gracefully and smirks. "Sure, what about tomorrow evening?" He asks before taking a bite to his sandwich.
"Settled!" I say and procced to eat my untouched meal.
At 1600 sharp I find Mr. Smith already waiting for me at Windsor coach park.
"How was your day, Miss?" He asks behing the steering-wheel smiling at me through the rear-view mirror.
"Great, I met and old acquaintance who's going to help me this first week." I say placing the backpack on the floor and stretching my body in the comfortable leather seat.
"I'm glad. Are we going to see the Ma'am?" He said, more of a statement than a question.
"Yes," I reply lying my head backwards to have some rest, "please wake me when we're there."
"As the Lady wishes." He says before turning on the stereo and placing a CD with soothing tunes.
I close my eyes and fall into a light slumber for almost forty minutes before we reach mother's office located in London's business district. I get out from the car (leaving the deep-purple burden inside) and walk through the automatic glass doors heading towards the lifts area.
"Good afternoon Miss., how may I help you?" Asks a woman who I presume is kaa-san's personal assistant. She has a look of what is it you lost here?
"Hello! Could you please tell Mrs. Daidouji that her daughter is here?" I ask with a smile addressing my own mother as any other customer or business associate would do and I see her quiver under my gaze.
"Of course!" She replies looking at an agenda. "She has a spare hour right now, you can get in."
"Thanks!" And I leave. "Ohayo kaa-san! How are you doing?... Lots of work?" I say inside the big office with a wonderful view of the busy city below.
"Hello sweetie! How was your first day?… Yeah, lots of work!" Taking her eyes off the computer screen to see me and I give her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"It was wonderful!… I met and old friend from elementary school and he volunteered to guide me and show me around." I explain, noticing a glint in kaa-san's blue-purple eyes… I know what she's up to.
"A he? That sure is fast!… How gentlemany of him, I would like to meet this young man some day." She says with a smirk.
"Maybe I can invite him over for dinner or something to thank him for what he's doing for me." Thinking that it is actually a nice idea.
"That would be so nice!… Please inform me with enough time in advance to make sure I'll be there," she says resting her chin on her hands, "are you going to wait for me?" Looking at the clock in the wall.
"If I'm not disturbing…" Thinking about leaving instead.
"Of course not honey!… But I think you'll get bored." Her eyes fixed on mine.
"No, actually I was planning on helping you so we could have supper together!" Taking a seat on a stylish chair in front of her, looking at the accounting books on the opaque-glass top of her desk.
"That's not a bad idea." She gives in, making some space in the filled up desk for me to work.
"So let's get to work!" I declare taking off my blazer and placing it on a chair. She explains everything to me and I pay attention, wanting to be her best helper ever!
I wasn't wrong when decided to come here instead of being alone in Tomoeda. I'm sure I'll have a great time.
Tsutsuku