Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ Shadow of the Dragon ❯ Sakura's Thoughts on the Future ( Chapter 22 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Lord Archive 
Due to an assignment, Sakura and her friends think of what they will do as adults.
Anime/Manga: Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Romance / Drama | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 01.16.2011 | Pages: 8 | Words: 7.6K | Visits: 405 | Status: Completed
Due to an assignment, Sakura and her friends think of what they will do as adults.
Anime/Manga: Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Romance / Drama | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 01.16.2011 | Pages: 8 | Words: 7.6K | Visits: 405 | Status: Completed
With the chime of a bell, the students instantly fell silent.
Takashi called out, "Stand. Bow. Sit."
The class followed the commands and homeroom began for the day.
"Good morning class," Fukino intoned. He lifted a stack of papers and began to walk down the rows placing one at each desk. "This may not be a test, but in many ways it is more important. You need to take this seriously. How you answer the question will decide what classes you take in senior high. I know that it may be tempting to place similar answers as your friends, yet this is too important. This is about your future. Whether science or social studies will be your focus in the years to come."
There were some low mumblings from the students. Some looked at the paper with confusion, others quickly jotted down their answers.
"Starting next week, you will each be assigned a time to meet with your guidance councilors," Fukino told them. "Missing your appointment will not be tolerated and will be punished." He then smirked ruefully. "You may discuss this with your friends, though I would also suggest talking to your family as well. Keep your discussions to a dull roar."
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Card Captor Sakura: Shadow of the Dragon
Chapter 22: Sakura's Thoughts on the Future
Card Captor Sakura belongs to the fine ladies of CLAMP. Used without consent, all rights reserved.
By: Lord Archive
Author's Warnings:
This contains mature themes not intended for children under thirteen.
This series contains:
Adult situations.
Sexual situations withOUT detailed description of sex nor the naked human body.
Brief moments of violence, some cases involving people getting severely injured and possibly death.
Occasional use of vulgar language.
Japanese humor: which include bathroom jokes, panty fetish and shocking situations.
Depictions of criminal activity committed by fictional characters.
References of homosexuality.
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Sakura pouted at the paper she was holding. It asked a simple question and asked for three answers yet she was clueless as to how to answer it. "What career do you see yourself having as an adult?"
"I guess 'witch' isn't one you can use," Takashi joked.
"Yeah." Sakura looked at her friends as they were eating lunch underneath a tree at school. "What did you guys pick?"
"Housewife, waitress and cashier," Chiharu groused. She spun a finger in the air. "Yay, I'll be rich."
Takashi chuckled. "Wish I was so certain. I need a good job so she only has to worry about the first one."
Chiharu stuck her tongue out at him.
Rika started writing in the third box. "I guess waitress would work for me. First two choices are housewife and teacher."
Syaoran frowned at his. "I put down corporate president and archaeologist. I can't think of a third choice.
Sakura looked at him in thought.
Tomoyo smiled. "Corporate president, fashion designer, and movie director for me."
"For most people those would be impossible goals," Meiling groused.
Naoko laughed. "I said it before, Tomoyo-chan is liable to do all three."
"What did you pick?" Meiling asked.
"Professional writer, of course," Naoko replied. "Not quite decided on the other two. 'Housewife' just seems a little bit of a cop out for me. Yeah, I got a boyfriend, but I'm not as sure as Chiharu-chan and Rika-chan with their beloveds."
Meiling nodded. "I sure as hell don't want to be a trophy wife."
"What do you want to be?" Tomoyo wondered.
"Mine is as blank as Kinomoto's." Meiling held up her paper. "I'm not sure what I want to do."
Sakura giggled sheepishly. She did have one box filled in as 'housewife.'
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Sakura sat at her kitchen table tapping her pen next to her assignment.
"What are you working on?" Fujitaka asked.
"Need to come up with three career choices to help decide our future classes," Sakura muttered out her answer. "I don't know how to answer it."
Fujitaka laughed. "Your mother also had issues with that. Even in senior high she kept returning it blank."
"I could do that?" Sakura wondered.
"It's best that you don't," Fujitaka advised. "It is important and needs to be taken seriously."
Sakura pouted as she nodded. "Wasn't Mom a model at the time?"
Fujitaka nodded. "She was a freelance model and did it as a hobby. She certainly got enough work from it to help us in the early days of our marriage, however it wasn't something she wanted to do as a living. The life of a professional model is a cut throat business of attitude." He frowned. "More than once she came home crying from the other models calling her names."
Sakura's eyes widened. "Really?!"
Fujitaka nodded. "All jobs have good and bad points. It's kind of like dating and finding a person who is right for you. Life is also about finding the job you enjoy the most."
"So what are the good and bad points of teaching and archeology?" Sakura wondered.
Fujitaka smirked. "You never stop going to school. In both you are constantly learning. Things change and even the history I was taught as a kid is different from what you learn today. With archeology you get to learn and discover those changes first. However, it is an exacting and cautious science. You need patience to uncover the past and have to strip away myth and theory to learn the truth. Even after years of tedious research, you can end up with the wrong conclusion."
Sakura pouted. "That would suck."
"It certainly does." Fujitaka agreed. "However, there is a certain joy to brush away the years and hold up a relic that no one has seen in thousand of years."
Sakura nodded. "What about teaching?"
"Teaching is a lot like being a parent. You get dozens of students and you get to tell them things they need to know." Fujitaka smiled ruefully. "The problem is they don't always listen. Seeing your students accomplish something makes you very proud. When they fail, you feel it's your fault." He sighed. "That the students change is also good and bad. You get a fresh set of students to teach, yet after time you lose track of your students. Even the ones you're currently teaching sometimes blend with students you taught before."
Sakura frowned at her paper. "Dad, it's not like I'm afraid to work on becoming a teacher..."
"You're concerned that you might put all your effort into becoming something you don't enjoy," Fujitaka surmised.
"Yeah." Sakura sighed. "This all feels so... _big_ that I don't know what to make of it."
"I'll let you in on a secret." Fujitaka grinned. "Chances are only one or two students end up doing what they write on that. This is more about taking a step closer to where you will find your future."
"What about 'housewife?'" Sakura asked in confusion
Fujitaka shook his head. "That may have been something encouraged in the past for girls, and many still believe that's the best future a woman can have, but it's not truly a career. If something happens and you end up alone, how will you make a living for yourself?"
Sakura was left to ponder his words. Why wouldn't she end up growing old with Syaoran as his wife? Yet Misora and Gotoh breaking up and the death of Chiharu's father flashed through her head. She didn't want to admit it to herself, but in life there was no certainty. Reluctantly she erased the one answer she had.
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Meiling glanced irritably at her the time on her cell phone. "If this delay keeps up, we'll have to walk out mid-performance."
Sakura pouted. "I hope not."
"Have you come up with anything for your future careers?" Meiling questioned.
Sakura curled up a little into her chair. "No. The one thing I had put down, Dad pointed out it's not a paying career."
"I don't think you have anything to worry about being a housewife. With Syaoran, you'll be set for life," Meiling pointed out.
"What do you have?" Sakura wondered.
"Martial arts champion," Meiling groused. "I would've put down Olympic athlete but I would've already needed to be training in a specific sport. Not to mention it'd be hard to break into China's Olympic program."
Naoko leaned forward from her seat behind them. "I've managed to get two by splitting the one I had into novelist and playwright Still no clue on the third. If I can't figure out anything better, I'll use 'housewife.' Though I don't want to rely on my ability to have kids to be my future worth."
"Still more than I have. I don't like how we're supposed to have our future summed up into one title," Sakura complained.
"Who is that with Tomoyo-chan?!" Rika called out.
Sakura blinked at the tall man her best friend was leading toward them. She then jumped out of her seat. "You must be Kurogane-san!"
The darkly dressed man nodded. "Yes. You're Kinomoto?"
Sakura nodded. "It's nice to meet you."
"Same," Kurogane grunted.
Tomoyo motioned with her hand to the others still in their seats. "Kurogane-kun, I'd also like you to meet Li Meiling, Sasaki Rika, and Yanagizawa Naoko."
Meiling merely stared at him while the other two girls waved at him in turn.
"Wish I could stay to talk, but they should be just about done repairing the set," Tomoyo told them before dashing away.
"See you on stage." Sakura shook a little as she tried to think of something to say. "Tomoyo-chan hasn't
said much about you. Um, what do you do?"
"I run my family's private investigation firm," Kurogane replied simply.
Rika pouted. "You research whether people are cheating or have bad backgrounds?"
"That's for my employees," Kurogane answered.
"You don't look like someone who'd push papers," Meiling noted.
Kurogane nodded. "I take the fun cases: body guard, rescuing kidnapped children or bounty hunting."
Sakura blinked. "Really?"
"You can make a living off that?" Meiling wondered.
"The normal investigation stuff is what pays the bills. The big cases is where the profit lies," Kurogane replied.
Meiling's hand twitched in excitement. "Wish I had my paper with me, that's definitely a career choice for me."
Naoko held a finger to her cheek. "You know, being a researcher wouldn't be a bad fall back plan for me. Not sure if I'd research people as a private investigator, but a fact checker or something similar could work."
Rika nodded. "It could be good for you."
The auditorium lights dimmed and a hush fell over everyone. Sakura and Kurogane quickly moved to sit down as the curtain opened.
Sakura wished she could pay more attention to Tomoyo's singing, but a nagging feeling would not go away. She felt magic coming from her best friend's boyfriend. She didn't want to be suspicious of him, but was afraid he was using Tomoyo to be able to strike at her.
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Tomoyo smiled at her elderly guidance councilor as he looked over her career goals. She had volunteered to go first, having an easy time knowing what she hoped to accomplish.
"Why do you see yourself as a corporate president?" he questioned.
"I am the primary heir to the Amamiya family fortune, which upon my marriage or my mother's death, I will be the controlling shareholder in dozens of businesses," Tomoyo replied. "The other two are more hobbies that the former would allow me to accomplish, assuming I can find people I trust to run my businesses for me."
He nodded thoughtfully. "And there in may lay a problem. Put too much trust in others and they may take your wealth from you."
Tomoyo pouted. "That is true."
"I'd like you to consider an option your wealth doesn't afford you," the councilor suggested.
Tomoyo looked at him thoughtfully. "I would then focus on fashion designing. I have already sold a few designs that I've made in my free time, which have sold well in stores. I would be working as a designer now if the school would allow for me to have a job. Though I see the wisdom of making me wait as I have been busy enough with school, choir, and life in general. If all else failed for me, I would be content to run a clothing store."
He frowned, remembering some of the issues this girl had. He was rather surprised that her grades had not gone down despite being sexually attacked. "That is good. You have a reasonable outlook on your future."
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Naoko frowned at her homeroom teacher. Apparently he was her guidance councilor.
"You do realize being a professional writer is by far one of the most difficult careers to break into. You just can't write a book and have it published. You'll need an agent, and few will look at anything that isn't written by a published author," Fukino noted. "It's simply not a realistic goal."
Naoko glared slightly. "Oh, really."
"Really," Fukino barked back. "Researcher is certainly a more feasible job, however you will find the pay of such a job to be underwhelming. It's one of the few jobs that can pay less than a teacher."
"What would you suggest? Being a writer is my dream job. I want to entertain people with my words," Naoko insisted.
Fukino appraised the girl. "It's true that you have some skill, but becoming a professional writing is the intellectual equivalent to becoming a major sports star. Few writers ever see their work published, and only a handful of them make any significant income. If you really want to pursue writing, don't let any writing contest pass you by. Winning one of those will get your foot in the door. And don't limit yourself to just novelist or playwright You may even want to work on drawing or teaming up with an artist to try your hand at manga."
Naoko blinked. She had never thought of that. While her drawings still left much to be desired, a few had been used with published story. She was nowhere fast enough to do a manga by herself, but with a good artist, Bloody Sword Detective could come more to life.
"Unless you have some sort of success by the time you start college, I suggest you come up with a better alternative than writer or researcher. Both careers would only do well for you if land a working husband," Fukino advised.
"Stress on the 'working' part." Naoko shook her head. "Asaba has had a lot of ideas, but most are too far fetched, like 'game designer,' or a money hole, like running an 'anime store.'"
Fukino palmed his forehead. "You may want to keep all your options open, not just your future careers." He then muttered, "And I'll have to see his choices tomorrow."
Naoko couldn't help but giggle.
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Sakura entered her room and quickly set to pull out her school books from her bag. A photo fell away, which caught the attention of her diminutive guardian.
"Who's this with Tomoyo?" Kero questioned.
Sakura pouted slightly as she took the photo. "That's her boyfriend, Kurogane-san."
Kero frowned. "What kind of guy is he?"
"Hard to say, when I met him he didn't talk much." Sakura looked away. "He works as a private investigator, taking the dangerous jobs that likely will involve fighting of some sort. And he has some magic to him."
"He might be a threat," Kero surmised.
"I'm afraid of that too. Syaoran-kun promised to keep an eye on him. Meiling-chan thinks Tomoyo-chan is dating him just to gain another protector for me," Sakura groused. "Tomoyo-chan needs someone but if you look at it like that, one of them isn't being serious about it."
Kero laughed. "Even if Tomoyo-chan is using him, things can still happen. After all, the brat was supposed to be your rival."
"He's not a brat," Sakura retorted. "I guess there's hope that way. Still..."
"If you're really concerned with him, ask the cards," Kero suggested.
Sakura pouted. "You know that no one can accurately predict love."
"Love that hasn't formed yet," Kero corrected. "Besides, you're not looking at whether they're in love, but if he's a threat."
Sakura gazed at her guardian. "Fine." She sat down at her desk and summoned her magical cards to her hand without grabbing them from their resting place in her desk. "Too bad I can't put down fortune-teller as a career."
"You'd be able to make serious money once you become famous for being right." Kero crossed its arms. "The big issue is the 'famous' part. Doubt you want the sort of attention Nostradamus still gets."
Sakura nodded. "Oh, Sakura cards show me the answer to my question." She dealt out the cards and looked upon the result with confusion "Shadow... The cards are uncertain. The trouble is Fight, Change, and Libra." Her hand shook slightly as she reached for the final card. "Maze... The answer is lost. Can't be sure if the cards don't know, or if it really plays into the situation that involves Kurogane-san."
"Doesn't really help us, does it?" Kero observed.
"He is, or at least will be involved," Sakura noted. "There is a secret involved around him, yet something will not stay the same."
"But is he a threat to you?" Kero pressed.
Sakura gathered up the cards. "I suppose I could be more specific about that." She dealt out her next reading. She blinked at the first card. "Illusion... The question has been obscured." She flipped over the next three cards. "Shadow, Shield, Change." She wasn't sure what to make of that. Flipping the final card didn't surprise her though. "Maze again."
"Looks like you can trust him for now," Kero guessed.
Sakura nodded slowly. "Yet somehow he'll become lost which will change things." She sighed. "But with the cards' uncertainty, this may not be how things play out. His future is in doubt." She waved her hand over her desk and the cards vanished back into her book. "Well, that was only slightly more useful than trying to find my future career choices."
Kero smirked. "Too bad you can't write the truth."
Sakura let out a forced laugh. "Yeah, 'all powerful sorceress' hardly works. Don't know how I'd make a living off it."
"Doing odds and ends for people, whether it's fortune telling or casting a spell they want," Kero replied.
Sakura cocked her head. "I'd be one hell of a stage magician."
"That's a waste of your talent," Kero growled.
"I'd certainly make money, but I'd certainly get too much attention." Sakura sighed. "Meiling-chan joked I could be a super-hero. I'm afraid Tomoyo-chan is already making some sort of battle costume based off that."
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Yukito smiled in amusement as a young boy tried to pull away from his mother to wander around the bank. It helped pass the time while he waited to deposit his last paycheck.
It happened so fast, Yukito couldn't believe it. That young boy was now being held by a masked man with a knife to his throat.
Another masked man rushed to the teller. "Give me all the money or the kid dies."
Yukito shook impotently as the robbery took place in front of him. He had to suppress Yueh, who was ready to fight, despite knowing this would be the worst possible place to change as cameras were all over the place. "Let the boy go, I'll be your hostage."
The man waiting for the teller to fill the bag backhanded Yukito. "Say another word and I'll carve you up."
Yukito nodded slightly holding his now bloodied lip defensively.
The guy grabbed the bag and the pair ran out of the bank, still holding the young boy.
"Give me back my baby!" the mother screeched.
Yukito ran out of the bank and saw the robbers racing down the street, turning into an alleyway. He turned and ran the opposite way, ducking between a different set of buildings. With a flash of light, Yueh took to the air. "You did not have to bleed to mark him."
"Stab the kid already so the police will be distracted with him," the man with the bag ordered.
Yueh float down next to them. "Do that and die."
The guy holding the kid took a step back and loosen his hold. The boy dropped to the ground and ran away.
The other robber slashed his knife blindly.
Yueh's hand glowed blue as he swatted the blade away, leaving only the hilt in the man's hand.
"Are you nuts? That's an angel!" The kidnapper dropped to his knees. "Forgive me! I'll repent. Honest I will!"
"Surrender yourself to the police and speak not of my appearance," Yueh intoned. "Or ye may yet feel my true wrath." He held his hand out, producing sharp crystals floating above his palm.
The two men turned and ran out of the alleyway, right into a pair of police officers. They immediately held their hands up.
Yueh flew away and landed a few blocks away before changing back to his false form. "You actually enjoyed that." He then laughed as a voice in his head yelled, 'Shut up!'
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"Shouldn't be surprised you put 'housewife' as a choice, Yamazaki-chan," the elderly guidance councilor intoned.
Chiharu nodded. "Considering that's already my 'job.' Doubt I'll finish senior high."
"Oh?" the man wondered.
"I'll probably be a mother before then," Chiharu explained.
He blinked. "You haven't been using protection?"
Chiharu looked away. "The reason we married was to secure both our families' estates. It's best I have a couple kids so we can split our properties between them."
"I know it's part of your duty." He frowned. "But you still have to look at your own future. Many marriages end in divorce, particularly the ones between young couples."
Chiharu pouted. "I know. Takashi could also die on me, which is part of the reason we don't use any protection. I want to have his child."
"I can understand that, but you do realize that being a housewife won't pay any bills if you don't have a husband with a job." He gazed at her paper. "It's good that you realize that even with him, you may still have to work. However, why settle as waitress or cashier? Think beyond that. Those are starting jobs, but they aren't necessarily dead-ends. You can reach above that and be a manager of a store, or even be able to manage several stores. Just because you've already tied your life to another doesn't mean you can't have any career goals."
"I hadn't thought about that," Chiharu admitted.
"There is another option to consider: a for profit hobby," he suggested.
Chiharu looked confused. "Huh?"
"Knitting, pottery, sculpting, painting are all types of hobbies that can be used to earn extra money. True, it's unlikely to make you rich, but it can help to cover costs and can be done at home while watching children," he related.
Chiharu nodded thoughtfully. "I'm not sure what sort of hobby I'd be good at."
The guidance councilor smiled. "That's part of why we have art classes and all the clubs for you to join. You should have time to figure out something you enjoy making."
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Rika sat in front of her homeroom teacher uncomfortably as he looked over her career choices.
"When I was your age, every girl was expected to have housewife as their career of choice," Fukino related gruffly. "Some would say it's a nonpaying career, but if you're willing to settle for any man with means, a girl can live just fine. Even if she has to remarry a few time."
Rika cocked her head. Not exactly the 'encouragement' she expected.
"Teacher is a fine occupation, and certainly one you'd be capable of having," Fukino added. "Waitress is certainly a last resort type of job."
Rika nodded.
"These goals are certainly doable for you. If you're just willing to settle for a normal life, there is no problem with this." Fukino gazed at the girl. "Isn't there anything you wish to aspire to be? Something that would take a lot of work and effort to achieve?"
"My fondest wish is to have a family with the man I love," Rika asserted.
Fukino nodded absentmindedly. "Having a family will be easier part. Finding love that will last your whole life may be impossible." He then shook his head. "Don't let this paper limit you, nor your desire for family. You can be more if you try."
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"Do any of you have ideas for a job that would be good for me?" Takashi asked as he took the bento Chiharu made for him.
"You haven't figured it out either?" Sakura questioned.
"Yeah, and I'm scheduled for after school." Yamazaki poked at his food. "I want a job that won't take up so much time that I only see Chiharu Sundays and holidays, if that."
"I always figured you'd make a good lawyer," Tomoyo suggested.
"He certainly lies well enough," Meiling added.
Takashi grinned. "Did you know that the first lawyers were in ancient Sumeria, and were picked for their job by their ability to tell tall tales. The winners were able to relate impossible stories yet got the audience to believe it was true."
All eyes moved to Meiling.
"I seriously doubt that's true." Meiling shrugged.
"I could see it happen on an individual basis, but not as a practice of a government," Syaoran agreed.
Naoko smirked. "So you don't know if it's true or not."
"Yep." Meiling nodded.
"And he's not going to tell us," Chiharu groused.
Takashi merely grinned at them.
"Still, it's not a bad career choice for Yamazaki-kun," Tomoyo defended. "While many lawyers have been consumed by their work, it is possible to moderate the job."
Takashi wrote it down. "Better than nothing. I don't want to be some office clerk."
Naoko laughed. "Yeah. That would eat your time just as bad, if not worse."
Sakura tilted her head. "You know, he could try writing his tall tales for a living. They'd make great children's stories."
"Think Dad would kill me if I tried to do that professionally," Takashi retorted.
Chiharu gazed at him. "It could still work as a money making hobby. I was told I should try my hand at finding a productive hobby as a back-up job."
"Really? I thought you had the most realistic outlook," Meiling commented.
"I believe they'll make suggestions for everyone," Tomoyo commented. "Even though my future is largely set for me, I was still told to think about what I might do if I was to lose my inheritance."
"I guess I'll get to look forward to that," Syaoran groused.
Takashi coughed to get attention back to him. "What other jobs would be good for me?"
"Used car salesman," Meiling joked. "You could sell saunas in Egypt."
Takashi looked at her in thought. "Salesman wouldn't be a bad choice. May just be doing that as a part-time job once we get to senior high."
"Politician could work as well. You'd have to sell yourself to people," Tomoyo added.
"Yes!" Takashi wrote down the suggestions. "I'm done."
Sakura pouted. "Wish I was."
"There are lots of things you could be." Tomoyo clapped her hands together. "Model, idol, or movie star!"
Sakura shook her head. "I don't want a job that would attract attention. It'd be bad if people learn I can do magic."
Tomoyo pouted. "True."
"I'm sure you'd be a good teacher," Rika praised.
Sakura shrugged weakly. "I'm not sure it's something I want to do every day."
"You could do Kurogane-san's style of private investigation," Naoko added. "You'd certainly be able to find missing persons."
"Maybe..." Sakura shook her head. "I'd have a hard time explaining why I'd want that kind of job."
"You could always go the simple route with waitress," Chiharu mentioned.
"Well, it's a fall back option." Sakura pouted. "I just don't know."
Syaoran stroked Sakura's back. "It's okay to be uncertain what kind of job you'd want. You can be anything you want."
Sakura blushed. There really was only one 'job' she wanted: to be the mother of Syaoran's children.
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Teikei gazed at the boy in his room. Having transferred into the school, the Li cousins had not been assigned a guidance councilor, so he took the role despite it was not his job to do so. "I assume your family owns the corporation you'd be president of."
"They own and have shares in several different corporations," Syaoran replied.
"And I take archeology and explorer would be hobbies," Teikei added.
Syaoran nodded.
"I'm aware that you're from Hong Kong and that China's government is still having issues with bringing the city back into the country. What would you do if they decide to take your family fortune from you?" Teikei questioned.
"Not likely to happen." Syaoran frowned. "If I was to lose my inheritance, I'd still like to work in archeology, maybe as a teacher, like Sakura's father. I like discovering things, seeing things few had ever seen before."
"That would be a reasonable job for that, however it is a low paying job. You would not enjoy the quality of life you do now," Fukino pointed out.
"I would be happy living in a shack as long as Sakura is with me," Syaoran asserted.
"And would she be happy with living like that?" Teikei returned. "As a man, you can't just think of yourself, but of your wife and children as well. It would be best to think of a job that would best support them that you can enjoy, else you may find yourself in a job you hate just to pay the bills."
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Yamazaki shifted a little uneasily as the elderly man looked over the paper.
"Turning your ability to tell stories into careers, eh?" the guidance councilor chuckled. "Each of these could be a reasonable career."
Yamazaki smirked. "My friends even suggested writing down my stories to publish as a book."
He nodded. "That would not be a bad idea. Doubtful it'd make enough to live off of, but it could certainly help make ends meet so your wife doesn't have to worry about work."
"I'm supposed to give you additional options for you to consider," he related. "Lawyer and politician can certainly be difficult career that you could achieve. Your young marriage could cause some issues in getting an elected position, but I could see you spinning that to a selling point."
"And salesman might not be a glamorous job, but it'll likely be my part-time job leading up through college. I may just be good enough at it that I don't have to move beyond it," Yamazaki added.
He laughed. "Exactly. Do keep an open mind and not limit yourself. If you find something you want to accomplish, go for it."
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In Tai Chi Sakura hit the wall, literally. She rubbed her nose as she turned to look at her female opponent. She may have advanced beyond the beginners, but now she was learning with the more experienced students at the dojo. These were the students working to become masters in the art, but had yet to achieve that rank. As such, her opponents were far more skilled and dedicated than what she had been used to.
"Kinomoto, your nose is bleeding," the sensei intoned.
"Ack!" Sakura rushed and grabbed a towel to press under her nose.
"Sorry," her opponent sheepishly giggled.
"It's okay, it doesn't hurt much," Sakura assured her. She then looked down at her pure white gi. "That will be a problem to get out."
"At least there isn't too much," the girl tried to put down the blood stain.
"Kinomoto, you are down for the day. Shiratori, make sure none of the blood stains the floor." the sensei told them. He then motioned to a spot next to him. "Watch the other matches so you may learn from them."
Sakura knelt beside him.
"You don't seem concerned about your injury," the sensei noted.
Sakura flustered a little. "I'm rather active. I'm always getting bruised one way or another. Though I'm afraid Meiling-chan will want to spar with me sometime."
The aged martial arts master gave a reserved laugh. "I don't particularly want to fight her again either. She could be a good opponent if she takes it easy."
Sakura pouted. "She doesn't know limits. We're supposed to list career options for school, and she discounted teaching martial arts."
"Well, at least she knows there are some limits if she feels she can't teach well." The teacher glanced at the girl. "And what careers have you listed?"
Sakura sighed. "I haven't listed any yet. I'm not sure what I want to do."
"Your friend may have issues with teaching, but you certainly have the patience needed. Given time, you could become a master and teach Tai Chi," he praised her.
Sakura looked at him in surprise. "I could?" He gave her a slight nod, making her think it over. "Maybe I could. I don't know. Has anyone ever used what you taught to hurt others?"
The sensei frowned. "Regrettably, yes."
"I don't know if I could take that risk. I'd feel responsible," Sakura regretfully declined the suggestion.
He smiled. "Which would mean you would be all the better at teaching the true art."
-----------------------------
"Not surprised at your first choice," Teikei groused. "Though you would find it difficult to make a living off legal martial arts competitions. Tournaments for women do not pay as well as the ones for men."
"It's not like I need to make a living. Baring a complete economy collapse and the failure of my family's corporations, I don't need to work even if I don't find a sugar daddy of a husband," Meiling groused.
Teikei smirked. "That may become an issue. What would happen if you lost your inheritance?"
"Private investigator certainly works for that. It may not keep my standard of living, at least until I become firmly established, but even in a trashed economy it would still be a needed job," Meiling pointed out.
Teikei nodded. "It's certainly more feasible than 'movie star.' Even though there are fewer professional martial arts champions, it's clear you have the talent to succeed at that."
Meiling nodded confidently. "I could still make it as action movie star. How many girls can do their own fights and stunts?"
Teikei paused in thought. "You do have a point there. You might be able to get a start in a few low budget martial arts films. If you are serious about it, you can't pass up any offer to act. Even school plays will be of help to you. You may even want to consider voice acting. There are classes available to help hone acting talent."
Meiling smiled that even her reach job hadn't been discounted out of hand.
"Still, you may want to consider a more normal occupation. As an heiress, you may be called to run one of your family's businesses," Teikei pointed out. "Even if you were to lose your family fortune, having business knowledge could help you find a good paying job."
"Yeah, I think that went without saying." Meiling pouted. "Though I hate the idea of pushing papers."
-----------------------------
"You didn't list any specific jobs," Fukino intoned.
Sakura nodded sheepishly. "I couldn't think of a job I really wanted."
Fukino gazed at the paper. "Something to do with children, helping others, and preferably physical. That certainly narrows down the list. Yet it leaves many options. Gym teacher, physical therapy, pediatrician, housewife, and day care to name a few."
Sakura blinked. "I thought 'housewife' wasn't a paying career."
"Technically it's not, but if you're willing to settle for any man who can afford you, you wouldn't need to work. You might have to go through a few husbands, but a girl can live as a housewife," Fukino told her.
"I only want Syaoran-kun!" Sakura protested.
"That may be the case now, and you may be able to make it work. However, things can sadly change in life," Fukino noted.
Sakura pouted at him.
"It is good that you have some general ideas and not limiting yourself, you should try to focus yourself in which routes you want to pursue, being it education, medical or social services," Fukino advised. "I'd suggest education or social."
Sakura frowned. "Yeah... my maths scores would be an issue with medicine."
"You may want to consider something to do languages, as your scores in English is among the best in school. You could find work as an English teacher or as a translator," Fukino suggested.
Sakura nodded. "I know I have a lot of options. That I'm not limited as some of my friends are."
"True. And that may be a greater problem than having it decided for you," Fukino intoned.
-----------------------------
Coming Next:
Chapter 23 - Sakura and the Camping Trip of Marriage
A school trip to the woods has students paired off to learn lessons of married life.
Yay! This didn't take me months to write.
I would greatly appreciate it if I can get some prereaders, especially in regards to grammar help. I haven't had anyone do a full go over of the last few chapters before posting. My writing is not perfect, and I really could use some help.
Omake!
A television show gave way to commercials.
"Do you need special help and don't know where to turn? Has someone you love gone missing? Need a bodyguard to protect you? Want to see a criminal behind bars?" Takashi asked with flare as the screen showed examples of his questions. "Then come down to Beyond The Stars Investigation Services!"
Rika answered phones while Chiharu filed papers and Naoko read over papers.
"Our helpful staff will work on all your needs," Takashi intoned. "No foe is to strong..."
Meiling leapt into a flying kick that knocked out a man three times her size.
"No object too small..."
Sakura pulled a diamond ring from the sands on a beach.
"No task too tedious..."
Syaoran stood steadfast, keeping a watchful eye as Takashi stood at a podium speaking to people.
"To stop us from fulfilling your wish!" Takashi cheered.
Syaoran, Sakura and Meiling stood together, smiling as a young child raced to her parents. A tied up and beaten man was visible in the back of their logo emblazoned van. A phone number flashed on the screen.
"We're ready to serve you!" Sakura and all her friends called out.
Takashi called out, "Stand. Bow. Sit."
The class followed the commands and homeroom began for the day.
"Good morning class," Fukino intoned. He lifted a stack of papers and began to walk down the rows placing one at each desk. "This may not be a test, but in many ways it is more important. You need to take this seriously. How you answer the question will decide what classes you take in senior high. I know that it may be tempting to place similar answers as your friends, yet this is too important. This is about your future. Whether science or social studies will be your focus in the years to come."
There were some low mumblings from the students. Some looked at the paper with confusion, others quickly jotted down their answers.
"Starting next week, you will each be assigned a time to meet with your guidance councilors," Fukino told them. "Missing your appointment will not be tolerated and will be punished." He then smirked ruefully. "You may discuss this with your friends, though I would also suggest talking to your family as well. Keep your discussions to a dull roar."
-----------------------------
Card Captor Sakura: Shadow of the Dragon
Chapter 22: Sakura's Thoughts on the Future
Card Captor Sakura belongs to the fine ladies of CLAMP. Used without consent, all rights reserved.
By: Lord Archive
Author's Warnings:
This contains mature themes not intended for children under thirteen.
This series contains:
Adult situations.
Sexual situations withOUT detailed description of sex nor the naked human body.
Brief moments of violence, some cases involving people getting severely injured and possibly death.
Occasional use of vulgar language.
Japanese humor: which include bathroom jokes, panty fetish and shocking situations.
Depictions of criminal activity committed by fictional characters.
References of homosexuality.
-----------------------------
Sakura pouted at the paper she was holding. It asked a simple question and asked for three answers yet she was clueless as to how to answer it. "What career do you see yourself having as an adult?"
"I guess 'witch' isn't one you can use," Takashi joked.
"Yeah." Sakura looked at her friends as they were eating lunch underneath a tree at school. "What did you guys pick?"
"Housewife, waitress and cashier," Chiharu groused. She spun a finger in the air. "Yay, I'll be rich."
Takashi chuckled. "Wish I was so certain. I need a good job so she only has to worry about the first one."
Chiharu stuck her tongue out at him.
Rika started writing in the third box. "I guess waitress would work for me. First two choices are housewife and teacher."
Syaoran frowned at his. "I put down corporate president and archaeologist. I can't think of a third choice.
Sakura looked at him in thought.
Tomoyo smiled. "Corporate president, fashion designer, and movie director for me."
"For most people those would be impossible goals," Meiling groused.
Naoko laughed. "I said it before, Tomoyo-chan is liable to do all three."
"What did you pick?" Meiling asked.
"Professional writer, of course," Naoko replied. "Not quite decided on the other two. 'Housewife' just seems a little bit of a cop out for me. Yeah, I got a boyfriend, but I'm not as sure as Chiharu-chan and Rika-chan with their beloveds."
Meiling nodded. "I sure as hell don't want to be a trophy wife."
"What do you want to be?" Tomoyo wondered.
"Mine is as blank as Kinomoto's." Meiling held up her paper. "I'm not sure what I want to do."
Sakura giggled sheepishly. She did have one box filled in as 'housewife.'
-----------------------------
Sakura sat at her kitchen table tapping her pen next to her assignment.
"What are you working on?" Fujitaka asked.
"Need to come up with three career choices to help decide our future classes," Sakura muttered out her answer. "I don't know how to answer it."
Fujitaka laughed. "Your mother also had issues with that. Even in senior high she kept returning it blank."
"I could do that?" Sakura wondered.
"It's best that you don't," Fujitaka advised. "It is important and needs to be taken seriously."
Sakura pouted as she nodded. "Wasn't Mom a model at the time?"
Fujitaka nodded. "She was a freelance model and did it as a hobby. She certainly got enough work from it to help us in the early days of our marriage, however it wasn't something she wanted to do as a living. The life of a professional model is a cut throat business of attitude." He frowned. "More than once she came home crying from the other models calling her names."
Sakura's eyes widened. "Really?!"
Fujitaka nodded. "All jobs have good and bad points. It's kind of like dating and finding a person who is right for you. Life is also about finding the job you enjoy the most."
"So what are the good and bad points of teaching and archeology?" Sakura wondered.
Fujitaka smirked. "You never stop going to school. In both you are constantly learning. Things change and even the history I was taught as a kid is different from what you learn today. With archeology you get to learn and discover those changes first. However, it is an exacting and cautious science. You need patience to uncover the past and have to strip away myth and theory to learn the truth. Even after years of tedious research, you can end up with the wrong conclusion."
Sakura pouted. "That would suck."
"It certainly does." Fujitaka agreed. "However, there is a certain joy to brush away the years and hold up a relic that no one has seen in thousand of years."
Sakura nodded. "What about teaching?"
"Teaching is a lot like being a parent. You get dozens of students and you get to tell them things they need to know." Fujitaka smiled ruefully. "The problem is they don't always listen. Seeing your students accomplish something makes you very proud. When they fail, you feel it's your fault." He sighed. "That the students change is also good and bad. You get a fresh set of students to teach, yet after time you lose track of your students. Even the ones you're currently teaching sometimes blend with students you taught before."
Sakura frowned at her paper. "Dad, it's not like I'm afraid to work on becoming a teacher..."
"You're concerned that you might put all your effort into becoming something you don't enjoy," Fujitaka surmised.
"Yeah." Sakura sighed. "This all feels so... _big_ that I don't know what to make of it."
"I'll let you in on a secret." Fujitaka grinned. "Chances are only one or two students end up doing what they write on that. This is more about taking a step closer to where you will find your future."
"What about 'housewife?'" Sakura asked in confusion
Fujitaka shook his head. "That may have been something encouraged in the past for girls, and many still believe that's the best future a woman can have, but it's not truly a career. If something happens and you end up alone, how will you make a living for yourself?"
Sakura was left to ponder his words. Why wouldn't she end up growing old with Syaoran as his wife? Yet Misora and Gotoh breaking up and the death of Chiharu's father flashed through her head. She didn't want to admit it to herself, but in life there was no certainty. Reluctantly she erased the one answer she had.
-----------------------------
Meiling glanced irritably at her the time on her cell phone. "If this delay keeps up, we'll have to walk out mid-performance."
Sakura pouted. "I hope not."
"Have you come up with anything for your future careers?" Meiling questioned.
Sakura curled up a little into her chair. "No. The one thing I had put down, Dad pointed out it's not a paying career."
"I don't think you have anything to worry about being a housewife. With Syaoran, you'll be set for life," Meiling pointed out.
"What do you have?" Sakura wondered.
"Martial arts champion," Meiling groused. "I would've put down Olympic athlete but I would've already needed to be training in a specific sport. Not to mention it'd be hard to break into China's Olympic program."
Naoko leaned forward from her seat behind them. "I've managed to get two by splitting the one I had into novelist and playwright Still no clue on the third. If I can't figure out anything better, I'll use 'housewife.' Though I don't want to rely on my ability to have kids to be my future worth."
"Still more than I have. I don't like how we're supposed to have our future summed up into one title," Sakura complained.
"Who is that with Tomoyo-chan?!" Rika called out.
Sakura blinked at the tall man her best friend was leading toward them. She then jumped out of her seat. "You must be Kurogane-san!"
The darkly dressed man nodded. "Yes. You're Kinomoto?"
Sakura nodded. "It's nice to meet you."
"Same," Kurogane grunted.
Tomoyo motioned with her hand to the others still in their seats. "Kurogane-kun, I'd also like you to meet Li Meiling, Sasaki Rika, and Yanagizawa Naoko."
Meiling merely stared at him while the other two girls waved at him in turn.
"Wish I could stay to talk, but they should be just about done repairing the set," Tomoyo told them before dashing away.
"See you on stage." Sakura shook a little as she tried to think of something to say. "Tomoyo-chan hasn't
said much about you. Um, what do you do?"
"I run my family's private investigation firm," Kurogane replied simply.
Rika pouted. "You research whether people are cheating or have bad backgrounds?"
"That's for my employees," Kurogane answered.
"You don't look like someone who'd push papers," Meiling noted.
Kurogane nodded. "I take the fun cases: body guard, rescuing kidnapped children or bounty hunting."
Sakura blinked. "Really?"
"You can make a living off that?" Meiling wondered.
"The normal investigation stuff is what pays the bills. The big cases is where the profit lies," Kurogane replied.
Meiling's hand twitched in excitement. "Wish I had my paper with me, that's definitely a career choice for me."
Naoko held a finger to her cheek. "You know, being a researcher wouldn't be a bad fall back plan for me. Not sure if I'd research people as a private investigator, but a fact checker or something similar could work."
Rika nodded. "It could be good for you."
The auditorium lights dimmed and a hush fell over everyone. Sakura and Kurogane quickly moved to sit down as the curtain opened.
Sakura wished she could pay more attention to Tomoyo's singing, but a nagging feeling would not go away. She felt magic coming from her best friend's boyfriend. She didn't want to be suspicious of him, but was afraid he was using Tomoyo to be able to strike at her.
-----------------------------
Tomoyo smiled at her elderly guidance councilor as he looked over her career goals. She had volunteered to go first, having an easy time knowing what she hoped to accomplish.
"Why do you see yourself as a corporate president?" he questioned.
"I am the primary heir to the Amamiya family fortune, which upon my marriage or my mother's death, I will be the controlling shareholder in dozens of businesses," Tomoyo replied. "The other two are more hobbies that the former would allow me to accomplish, assuming I can find people I trust to run my businesses for me."
He nodded thoughtfully. "And there in may lay a problem. Put too much trust in others and they may take your wealth from you."
Tomoyo pouted. "That is true."
"I'd like you to consider an option your wealth doesn't afford you," the councilor suggested.
Tomoyo looked at him thoughtfully. "I would then focus on fashion designing. I have already sold a few designs that I've made in my free time, which have sold well in stores. I would be working as a designer now if the school would allow for me to have a job. Though I see the wisdom of making me wait as I have been busy enough with school, choir, and life in general. If all else failed for me, I would be content to run a clothing store."
He frowned, remembering some of the issues this girl had. He was rather surprised that her grades had not gone down despite being sexually attacked. "That is good. You have a reasonable outlook on your future."
-----------------------------
Naoko frowned at her homeroom teacher. Apparently he was her guidance councilor.
"You do realize being a professional writer is by far one of the most difficult careers to break into. You just can't write a book and have it published. You'll need an agent, and few will look at anything that isn't written by a published author," Fukino noted. "It's simply not a realistic goal."
Naoko glared slightly. "Oh, really."
"Really," Fukino barked back. "Researcher is certainly a more feasible job, however you will find the pay of such a job to be underwhelming. It's one of the few jobs that can pay less than a teacher."
"What would you suggest? Being a writer is my dream job. I want to entertain people with my words," Naoko insisted.
Fukino appraised the girl. "It's true that you have some skill, but becoming a professional writing is the intellectual equivalent to becoming a major sports star. Few writers ever see their work published, and only a handful of them make any significant income. If you really want to pursue writing, don't let any writing contest pass you by. Winning one of those will get your foot in the door. And don't limit yourself to just novelist or playwright You may even want to work on drawing or teaming up with an artist to try your hand at manga."
Naoko blinked. She had never thought of that. While her drawings still left much to be desired, a few had been used with published story. She was nowhere fast enough to do a manga by herself, but with a good artist, Bloody Sword Detective could come more to life.
"Unless you have some sort of success by the time you start college, I suggest you come up with a better alternative than writer or researcher. Both careers would only do well for you if land a working husband," Fukino advised.
"Stress on the 'working' part." Naoko shook her head. "Asaba has had a lot of ideas, but most are too far fetched, like 'game designer,' or a money hole, like running an 'anime store.'"
Fukino palmed his forehead. "You may want to keep all your options open, not just your future careers." He then muttered, "And I'll have to see his choices tomorrow."
Naoko couldn't help but giggle.
-----------------------------
Sakura entered her room and quickly set to pull out her school books from her bag. A photo fell away, which caught the attention of her diminutive guardian.
"Who's this with Tomoyo?" Kero questioned.
Sakura pouted slightly as she took the photo. "That's her boyfriend, Kurogane-san."
Kero frowned. "What kind of guy is he?"
"Hard to say, when I met him he didn't talk much." Sakura looked away. "He works as a private investigator, taking the dangerous jobs that likely will involve fighting of some sort. And he has some magic to him."
"He might be a threat," Kero surmised.
"I'm afraid of that too. Syaoran-kun promised to keep an eye on him. Meiling-chan thinks Tomoyo-chan is dating him just to gain another protector for me," Sakura groused. "Tomoyo-chan needs someone but if you look at it like that, one of them isn't being serious about it."
Kero laughed. "Even if Tomoyo-chan is using him, things can still happen. After all, the brat was supposed to be your rival."
"He's not a brat," Sakura retorted. "I guess there's hope that way. Still..."
"If you're really concerned with him, ask the cards," Kero suggested.
Sakura pouted. "You know that no one can accurately predict love."
"Love that hasn't formed yet," Kero corrected. "Besides, you're not looking at whether they're in love, but if he's a threat."
Sakura gazed at her guardian. "Fine." She sat down at her desk and summoned her magical cards to her hand without grabbing them from their resting place in her desk. "Too bad I can't put down fortune-teller as a career."
"You'd be able to make serious money once you become famous for being right." Kero crossed its arms. "The big issue is the 'famous' part. Doubt you want the sort of attention Nostradamus still gets."
Sakura nodded. "Oh, Sakura cards show me the answer to my question." She dealt out the cards and looked upon the result with confusion "Shadow... The cards are uncertain. The trouble is Fight, Change, and Libra." Her hand shook slightly as she reached for the final card. "Maze... The answer is lost. Can't be sure if the cards don't know, or if it really plays into the situation that involves Kurogane-san."
"Doesn't really help us, does it?" Kero observed.
"He is, or at least will be involved," Sakura noted. "There is a secret involved around him, yet something will not stay the same."
"But is he a threat to you?" Kero pressed.
Sakura gathered up the cards. "I suppose I could be more specific about that." She dealt out her next reading. She blinked at the first card. "Illusion... The question has been obscured." She flipped over the next three cards. "Shadow, Shield, Change." She wasn't sure what to make of that. Flipping the final card didn't surprise her though. "Maze again."
"Looks like you can trust him for now," Kero guessed.
Sakura nodded slowly. "Yet somehow he'll become lost which will change things." She sighed. "But with the cards' uncertainty, this may not be how things play out. His future is in doubt." She waved her hand over her desk and the cards vanished back into her book. "Well, that was only slightly more useful than trying to find my future career choices."
Kero smirked. "Too bad you can't write the truth."
Sakura let out a forced laugh. "Yeah, 'all powerful sorceress' hardly works. Don't know how I'd make a living off it."
"Doing odds and ends for people, whether it's fortune telling or casting a spell they want," Kero replied.
Sakura cocked her head. "I'd be one hell of a stage magician."
"That's a waste of your talent," Kero growled.
"I'd certainly make money, but I'd certainly get too much attention." Sakura sighed. "Meiling-chan joked I could be a super-hero. I'm afraid Tomoyo-chan is already making some sort of battle costume based off that."
-----------------------------
Yukito smiled in amusement as a young boy tried to pull away from his mother to wander around the bank. It helped pass the time while he waited to deposit his last paycheck.
It happened so fast, Yukito couldn't believe it. That young boy was now being held by a masked man with a knife to his throat.
Another masked man rushed to the teller. "Give me all the money or the kid dies."
Yukito shook impotently as the robbery took place in front of him. He had to suppress Yueh, who was ready to fight, despite knowing this would be the worst possible place to change as cameras were all over the place. "Let the boy go, I'll be your hostage."
The man waiting for the teller to fill the bag backhanded Yukito. "Say another word and I'll carve you up."
Yukito nodded slightly holding his now bloodied lip defensively.
The guy grabbed the bag and the pair ran out of the bank, still holding the young boy.
"Give me back my baby!" the mother screeched.
Yukito ran out of the bank and saw the robbers racing down the street, turning into an alleyway. He turned and ran the opposite way, ducking between a different set of buildings. With a flash of light, Yueh took to the air. "You did not have to bleed to mark him."
"Stab the kid already so the police will be distracted with him," the man with the bag ordered.
Yueh float down next to them. "Do that and die."
The guy holding the kid took a step back and loosen his hold. The boy dropped to the ground and ran away.
The other robber slashed his knife blindly.
Yueh's hand glowed blue as he swatted the blade away, leaving only the hilt in the man's hand.
"Are you nuts? That's an angel!" The kidnapper dropped to his knees. "Forgive me! I'll repent. Honest I will!"
"Surrender yourself to the police and speak not of my appearance," Yueh intoned. "Or ye may yet feel my true wrath." He held his hand out, producing sharp crystals floating above his palm.
The two men turned and ran out of the alleyway, right into a pair of police officers. They immediately held their hands up.
Yueh flew away and landed a few blocks away before changing back to his false form. "You actually enjoyed that." He then laughed as a voice in his head yelled, 'Shut up!'
-----------------------------
"Shouldn't be surprised you put 'housewife' as a choice, Yamazaki-chan," the elderly guidance councilor intoned.
Chiharu nodded. "Considering that's already my 'job.' Doubt I'll finish senior high."
"Oh?" the man wondered.
"I'll probably be a mother before then," Chiharu explained.
He blinked. "You haven't been using protection?"
Chiharu looked away. "The reason we married was to secure both our families' estates. It's best I have a couple kids so we can split our properties between them."
"I know it's part of your duty." He frowned. "But you still have to look at your own future. Many marriages end in divorce, particularly the ones between young couples."
Chiharu pouted. "I know. Takashi could also die on me, which is part of the reason we don't use any protection. I want to have his child."
"I can understand that, but you do realize that being a housewife won't pay any bills if you don't have a husband with a job." He gazed at her paper. "It's good that you realize that even with him, you may still have to work. However, why settle as waitress or cashier? Think beyond that. Those are starting jobs, but they aren't necessarily dead-ends. You can reach above that and be a manager of a store, or even be able to manage several stores. Just because you've already tied your life to another doesn't mean you can't have any career goals."
"I hadn't thought about that," Chiharu admitted.
"There is another option to consider: a for profit hobby," he suggested.
Chiharu looked confused. "Huh?"
"Knitting, pottery, sculpting, painting are all types of hobbies that can be used to earn extra money. True, it's unlikely to make you rich, but it can help to cover costs and can be done at home while watching children," he related.
Chiharu nodded thoughtfully. "I'm not sure what sort of hobby I'd be good at."
The guidance councilor smiled. "That's part of why we have art classes and all the clubs for you to join. You should have time to figure out something you enjoy making."
-----------------------------
Rika sat in front of her homeroom teacher uncomfortably as he looked over her career choices.
"When I was your age, every girl was expected to have housewife as their career of choice," Fukino related gruffly. "Some would say it's a nonpaying career, but if you're willing to settle for any man with means, a girl can live just fine. Even if she has to remarry a few time."
Rika cocked her head. Not exactly the 'encouragement' she expected.
"Teacher is a fine occupation, and certainly one you'd be capable of having," Fukino added. "Waitress is certainly a last resort type of job."
Rika nodded.
"These goals are certainly doable for you. If you're just willing to settle for a normal life, there is no problem with this." Fukino gazed at the girl. "Isn't there anything you wish to aspire to be? Something that would take a lot of work and effort to achieve?"
"My fondest wish is to have a family with the man I love," Rika asserted.
Fukino nodded absentmindedly. "Having a family will be easier part. Finding love that will last your whole life may be impossible." He then shook his head. "Don't let this paper limit you, nor your desire for family. You can be more if you try."
-----------------------------
"Do any of you have ideas for a job that would be good for me?" Takashi asked as he took the bento Chiharu made for him.
"You haven't figured it out either?" Sakura questioned.
"Yeah, and I'm scheduled for after school." Yamazaki poked at his food. "I want a job that won't take up so much time that I only see Chiharu Sundays and holidays, if that."
"I always figured you'd make a good lawyer," Tomoyo suggested.
"He certainly lies well enough," Meiling added.
Takashi grinned. "Did you know that the first lawyers were in ancient Sumeria, and were picked for their job by their ability to tell tall tales. The winners were able to relate impossible stories yet got the audience to believe it was true."
All eyes moved to Meiling.
"I seriously doubt that's true." Meiling shrugged.
"I could see it happen on an individual basis, but not as a practice of a government," Syaoran agreed.
Naoko smirked. "So you don't know if it's true or not."
"Yep." Meiling nodded.
"And he's not going to tell us," Chiharu groused.
Takashi merely grinned at them.
"Still, it's not a bad career choice for Yamazaki-kun," Tomoyo defended. "While many lawyers have been consumed by their work, it is possible to moderate the job."
Takashi wrote it down. "Better than nothing. I don't want to be some office clerk."
Naoko laughed. "Yeah. That would eat your time just as bad, if not worse."
Sakura tilted her head. "You know, he could try writing his tall tales for a living. They'd make great children's stories."
"Think Dad would kill me if I tried to do that professionally," Takashi retorted.
Chiharu gazed at him. "It could still work as a money making hobby. I was told I should try my hand at finding a productive hobby as a back-up job."
"Really? I thought you had the most realistic outlook," Meiling commented.
"I believe they'll make suggestions for everyone," Tomoyo commented. "Even though my future is largely set for me, I was still told to think about what I might do if I was to lose my inheritance."
"I guess I'll get to look forward to that," Syaoran groused.
Takashi coughed to get attention back to him. "What other jobs would be good for me?"
"Used car salesman," Meiling joked. "You could sell saunas in Egypt."
Takashi looked at her in thought. "Salesman wouldn't be a bad choice. May just be doing that as a part-time job once we get to senior high."
"Politician could work as well. You'd have to sell yourself to people," Tomoyo added.
"Yes!" Takashi wrote down the suggestions. "I'm done."
Sakura pouted. "Wish I was."
"There are lots of things you could be." Tomoyo clapped her hands together. "Model, idol, or movie star!"
Sakura shook her head. "I don't want a job that would attract attention. It'd be bad if people learn I can do magic."
Tomoyo pouted. "True."
"I'm sure you'd be a good teacher," Rika praised.
Sakura shrugged weakly. "I'm not sure it's something I want to do every day."
"You could do Kurogane-san's style of private investigation," Naoko added. "You'd certainly be able to find missing persons."
"Maybe..." Sakura shook her head. "I'd have a hard time explaining why I'd want that kind of job."
"You could always go the simple route with waitress," Chiharu mentioned.
"Well, it's a fall back option." Sakura pouted. "I just don't know."
Syaoran stroked Sakura's back. "It's okay to be uncertain what kind of job you'd want. You can be anything you want."
Sakura blushed. There really was only one 'job' she wanted: to be the mother of Syaoran's children.
-----------------------------
Teikei gazed at the boy in his room. Having transferred into the school, the Li cousins had not been assigned a guidance councilor, so he took the role despite it was not his job to do so. "I assume your family owns the corporation you'd be president of."
"They own and have shares in several different corporations," Syaoran replied.
"And I take archeology and explorer would be hobbies," Teikei added.
Syaoran nodded.
"I'm aware that you're from Hong Kong and that China's government is still having issues with bringing the city back into the country. What would you do if they decide to take your family fortune from you?" Teikei questioned.
"Not likely to happen." Syaoran frowned. "If I was to lose my inheritance, I'd still like to work in archeology, maybe as a teacher, like Sakura's father. I like discovering things, seeing things few had ever seen before."
"That would be a reasonable job for that, however it is a low paying job. You would not enjoy the quality of life you do now," Fukino pointed out.
"I would be happy living in a shack as long as Sakura is with me," Syaoran asserted.
"And would she be happy with living like that?" Teikei returned. "As a man, you can't just think of yourself, but of your wife and children as well. It would be best to think of a job that would best support them that you can enjoy, else you may find yourself in a job you hate just to pay the bills."
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Yamazaki shifted a little uneasily as the elderly man looked over the paper.
"Turning your ability to tell stories into careers, eh?" the guidance councilor chuckled. "Each of these could be a reasonable career."
Yamazaki smirked. "My friends even suggested writing down my stories to publish as a book."
He nodded. "That would not be a bad idea. Doubtful it'd make enough to live off of, but it could certainly help make ends meet so your wife doesn't have to worry about work."
"I'm supposed to give you additional options for you to consider," he related. "Lawyer and politician can certainly be difficult career that you could achieve. Your young marriage could cause some issues in getting an elected position, but I could see you spinning that to a selling point."
"And salesman might not be a glamorous job, but it'll likely be my part-time job leading up through college. I may just be good enough at it that I don't have to move beyond it," Yamazaki added.
He laughed. "Exactly. Do keep an open mind and not limit yourself. If you find something you want to accomplish, go for it."
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In Tai Chi Sakura hit the wall, literally. She rubbed her nose as she turned to look at her female opponent. She may have advanced beyond the beginners, but now she was learning with the more experienced students at the dojo. These were the students working to become masters in the art, but had yet to achieve that rank. As such, her opponents were far more skilled and dedicated than what she had been used to.
"Kinomoto, your nose is bleeding," the sensei intoned.
"Ack!" Sakura rushed and grabbed a towel to press under her nose.
"Sorry," her opponent sheepishly giggled.
"It's okay, it doesn't hurt much," Sakura assured her. She then looked down at her pure white gi. "That will be a problem to get out."
"At least there isn't too much," the girl tried to put down the blood stain.
"Kinomoto, you are down for the day. Shiratori, make sure none of the blood stains the floor." the sensei told them. He then motioned to a spot next to him. "Watch the other matches so you may learn from them."
Sakura knelt beside him.
"You don't seem concerned about your injury," the sensei noted.
Sakura flustered a little. "I'm rather active. I'm always getting bruised one way or another. Though I'm afraid Meiling-chan will want to spar with me sometime."
The aged martial arts master gave a reserved laugh. "I don't particularly want to fight her again either. She could be a good opponent if she takes it easy."
Sakura pouted. "She doesn't know limits. We're supposed to list career options for school, and she discounted teaching martial arts."
"Well, at least she knows there are some limits if she feels she can't teach well." The teacher glanced at the girl. "And what careers have you listed?"
Sakura sighed. "I haven't listed any yet. I'm not sure what I want to do."
"Your friend may have issues with teaching, but you certainly have the patience needed. Given time, you could become a master and teach Tai Chi," he praised her.
Sakura looked at him in surprise. "I could?" He gave her a slight nod, making her think it over. "Maybe I could. I don't know. Has anyone ever used what you taught to hurt others?"
The sensei frowned. "Regrettably, yes."
"I don't know if I could take that risk. I'd feel responsible," Sakura regretfully declined the suggestion.
He smiled. "Which would mean you would be all the better at teaching the true art."
-----------------------------
"Not surprised at your first choice," Teikei groused. "Though you would find it difficult to make a living off legal martial arts competitions. Tournaments for women do not pay as well as the ones for men."
"It's not like I need to make a living. Baring a complete economy collapse and the failure of my family's corporations, I don't need to work even if I don't find a sugar daddy of a husband," Meiling groused.
Teikei smirked. "That may become an issue. What would happen if you lost your inheritance?"
"Private investigator certainly works for that. It may not keep my standard of living, at least until I become firmly established, but even in a trashed economy it would still be a needed job," Meiling pointed out.
Teikei nodded. "It's certainly more feasible than 'movie star.' Even though there are fewer professional martial arts champions, it's clear you have the talent to succeed at that."
Meiling nodded confidently. "I could still make it as action movie star. How many girls can do their own fights and stunts?"
Teikei paused in thought. "You do have a point there. You might be able to get a start in a few low budget martial arts films. If you are serious about it, you can't pass up any offer to act. Even school plays will be of help to you. You may even want to consider voice acting. There are classes available to help hone acting talent."
Meiling smiled that even her reach job hadn't been discounted out of hand.
"Still, you may want to consider a more normal occupation. As an heiress, you may be called to run one of your family's businesses," Teikei pointed out. "Even if you were to lose your family fortune, having business knowledge could help you find a good paying job."
"Yeah, I think that went without saying." Meiling pouted. "Though I hate the idea of pushing papers."
-----------------------------
"You didn't list any specific jobs," Fukino intoned.
Sakura nodded sheepishly. "I couldn't think of a job I really wanted."
Fukino gazed at the paper. "Something to do with children, helping others, and preferably physical. That certainly narrows down the list. Yet it leaves many options. Gym teacher, physical therapy, pediatrician, housewife, and day care to name a few."
Sakura blinked. "I thought 'housewife' wasn't a paying career."
"Technically it's not, but if you're willing to settle for any man who can afford you, you wouldn't need to work. You might have to go through a few husbands, but a girl can live as a housewife," Fukino told her.
"I only want Syaoran-kun!" Sakura protested.
"That may be the case now, and you may be able to make it work. However, things can sadly change in life," Fukino noted.
Sakura pouted at him.
"It is good that you have some general ideas and not limiting yourself, you should try to focus yourself in which routes you want to pursue, being it education, medical or social services," Fukino advised. "I'd suggest education or social."
Sakura frowned. "Yeah... my maths scores would be an issue with medicine."
"You may want to consider something to do languages, as your scores in English is among the best in school. You could find work as an English teacher or as a translator," Fukino suggested.
Sakura nodded. "I know I have a lot of options. That I'm not limited as some of my friends are."
"True. And that may be a greater problem than having it decided for you," Fukino intoned.
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Coming Next:
Chapter 23 - Sakura and the Camping Trip of Marriage
A school trip to the woods has students paired off to learn lessons of married life.
Yay! This didn't take me months to write.
I would greatly appreciate it if I can get some prereaders, especially in regards to grammar help. I haven't had anyone do a full go over of the last few chapters before posting. My writing is not perfect, and I really could use some help.
Omake!
A television show gave way to commercials.
"Do you need special help and don't know where to turn? Has someone you love gone missing? Need a bodyguard to protect you? Want to see a criminal behind bars?" Takashi asked with flare as the screen showed examples of his questions. "Then come down to Beyond The Stars Investigation Services!"
Rika answered phones while Chiharu filed papers and Naoko read over papers.
"Our helpful staff will work on all your needs," Takashi intoned. "No foe is to strong..."
Meiling leapt into a flying kick that knocked out a man three times her size.
"No object too small..."
Sakura pulled a diamond ring from the sands on a beach.
"No task too tedious..."
Syaoran stood steadfast, keeping a watchful eye as Takashi stood at a podium speaking to people.
"To stop us from fulfilling your wish!" Takashi cheered.
Syaoran, Sakura and Meiling stood together, smiling as a young child raced to her parents. A tied up and beaten man was visible in the back of their logo emblazoned van. A phone number flashed on the screen.
"We're ready to serve you!" Sakura and all her friends called out.