Dislaimer: Don't own it. The strawberry-pumpkin theory, however... that I own. I mean seriously. Pumpkins. For Tanja and Eina. Because I have no other people to dedicate these stories too. And partly because I can't finish editting Bite Me and Sunshine.

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Once Upon A Time Redux

Prompt Number One: The Stage Is Set

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I. The Better Fruit

This sucked. Just because she couldn't turn a pumpkin into a stupid carriage didn't mean she couldn't be a proper fairy godmother. Pumpkins were overrated anyway. They were orange. Nakuru was thinking of something along the lines of... strawberries. They were a pretty red color, tasted better than pumpkins and they were much more handy.

Hmph. She was going to show them. All of them! She was going to make someone's life a living fairy tale and become a proper fairy godmother. With a license. And the best, damned sparkling wand ever.

But before that—

—Nakuru thoughtfully patted her tummy in assurance.

She was going to get some breakfast to start the day. She was so angry at Yue (that smug idiot! So he could turn a vegetable into mode of transportations! Bid deal...) that she had forgone dinner the night before.

With dessert of course.

Preferably something with strawberries.

Because they were so much better than pumpkins.

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II. Good Morning, Sunshine!

"Syaoran-kun you look positively adorable in that PINK, FRILLY apron! Why, I would love to pinch your cute, little cheek."

"Die, Eriol. Die."

Straightening the glasses that somehow managed to slip off the bridge of his nose, the dark-haired boy smiled a smile that was both smug and annoying.

"Hush, now," Syaoran barely contained himself when his older cousin ruffled (ruffled!) his hair, "you wouldn't want to scare away our lovely, prospective costumers with that frown on your face."

Frown was an understatement. Syaoran was sporting a full-on scowl.

Eriol was saved from having his fingers bitten off by a rabid Syaoran when a huge gust of wind threw the door of their shop open.

Eriol beamed. "Our first costumer! Syaoran get the tea!"

Syaoran sulked and headed for the kitchens.

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III. Eat And Run

After two servings of waffles with strawberries and whipped cream (pumpkin wouldn't taste good with whipped cream, much less on a waffle) and the greatest tea she had ever tasted Nakuru was ready to conquer the world (well, not really, because that would be evil, and evil was so passé).

"Good morning. I hope you are enjoying your breakfast, ma'am. Is there anything else you require?"

Nakuru positively swooned, when the bespectacled young man came to her table. She always hated paying service tax but this one would be worth it. He was so nice and sincere. The fact that he had pretty hair didn't hurt.

"No thank you. I'm quite done. I'll have my bill now please." She smiled at him charmingly.

He smiled back at her. "I'll be right back with it. Would you like some more water?" He motioned at the pitcher he was holding and then at her empty glass.

"Please and thank you." Nakuru loved their water. They had added a few slices of lemon to the water and it tasted heavenly against her throat. Lemon was better than pumpkins. But not quite as good as strawberries though.

As she fumbled for her silk purse with red butterfly details (she got it on a bargain deal by fluttering her eyes prettily at the merchant. If that wasn't fairy god mother material, she didn't know what was) Nakuru happily thought to herself that she was going to come back here for lunch.

"Here's your bill. A total of ------" The waiter smiled at her. How she loved his smile.

She opened her purse with an almost flourish (because too much dramatics was quite pathetic) to be greated by the sight of, well, nothing.

She blinked softly.

Nakuru only strated panicking when she finally remembered that she spent the last of her money on the beautiful dangling, glass earrings she bought last Tuesday.

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IV. Hugs And Fluffy Animals

Eriol tilted his head at her expectantly, noticing his costumer's dilemma.

Contrary to his younger cousin's belief, he was not a heartless, two-faced jerk. He was rather kind. And he loved hugs and fluffy animals. Surely, someone who loved hugs and fluffy animals couldn't be heartless.

Eriol simply took money seriously.

Very seriously.

And as the lady with the lovely dangling glass earrings (he simply had to ask her where he got those, he was thinking of getting Syaoran a pair for his birthday... nothing would annoy him more) smiled up at him nervously, Eriol's mind was racing.

Syaoran would be pleased to hear that he wouldn't be doing the dishes.

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V. Bargaining Chip

"I'M A FAIRY GOD MOTHER!"

Those were the first words that Nakuru blurted out when she noticed that the bespectacled boy's smile started to turn, well, slightly creepy.

Nakuru was expecting awe, and maybe even falling into the ground and worshipping her being but all she got was an eyebrow arched her way.

"I can make your wishes come true."

No reaction.

"I can help you find true love."

Still none.

"I can, erm, turn pumpkins into carriages."

An outright lie.

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VI. Break Down

"..." Eriol stared at her blankly.

"May I see your license?"

The girl in front of him blanched.

And promptly burst into tears.

He ended up comforting her with a pot of jasmine tea.

Hmm... Maybe he could charge her by offering comfort and heartfelt compassion.

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VII. Sob Story

"And that arrogant bastard didn't have to, but he DID! He's such an insensitive jerk! Just because he has prettier hair doesn't mean he's the better fairy god mother."

Eriol kept his mouth shut and didn't point out to Nakuru-chan (she had introduced herself after her third cup of tea) that the Pretty Moon Jerk (and other demeaning names she could possibly think of) was probably better than her based on her account.

Nakuru sniffled.

Eriol handed her another tissue.

"Thanks for listening."

He patted her arm reassuringly. "Don't worry. One who smiles rather than rages is always the stronger. So do smile, Nakuru-chan."

She finally managed a watery smile after gulping down the last of her tea.

He was so charging her for that proverb.

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VIII. Can I Start A Tab?

He was still charging her. Nakuru could hardly believe it. She had shared her life story with a complete stranger (well not really anymore) and he was still charging her!

She blinked up at him slowly.

"He he he... "

Eriol was not amused (well maybe slightly) when she sheepishly smiled up at him.

"Maybe I can do something for you in return with magic instead?"

Eriol was reluctant. Very reluctant. He had just heard her life story. And as wonderful and cute Nakuru was, her skill in magic wasn't very, well, reassuring.

"Oy, Eriol, what's taking you so long out here?"

It was then that epiphany struck, and poor, unfortunate Syaoran sealed his fate.

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To be continued...?