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Author's Notes:

Before you say anything, bash me or throw things at me...let me say two words: GOMEN NASAI!!!!!!! I have been very very busy and I haven't got the time to finish the fic...especially since my comp caught some kind of virus *sigh*. Hehehe...well..lack of inspiration is also one reason..^^;;; I hope you aren't angry at me or anything. ^^`

Many thakies to CHeRRybLoSSoM361, BluBerryAngel, Kyte-chan ^^, Chrisie B, Aurelia Elfthryth, and Polgara-C, the first 6 reviewers of my fic. Chrisie B, I hope you're feeling better now and Kyte, well...as I promised, ne? *ohohohohoho*

Anyway, please be reminded that this is an AU fic, Eriol is older than Tomoyo, and Tomoyo's manners are like non-existent ^^. Please enjoy this second chapter and do not forget to write in your review of how I am faring. Jaa na!

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Caress of Venus

by: nikki hiiragizawa

Chapter 2: A Request

Tomoyo trudged around the park, her normally happy spirit fading away. It's been eight hours since she started searching for a new job. Lunch time was long past, and her hunger added to her confusion. No one wanted to admit her. Most of the restaurants and bars here in town want popular, flashy singers to apply. Of course no one would accept a singer who wears baggy jeans, an old t-shirt, a slightly clean cap and worn sneakers. They need fame and fortune, not another mouth to feed.

"Maa, if I can't find a job within 24 hours, I'm dead," Tomoyo winced, remembering the rent payment in her apartment that she promised the landlady. "I'll have to sleep here...shit..."

"Tomoyo 'nee-san!" A boy of seven came running towards her lithe body sitting on the grass.

She recognized him as one of the children of her neightbor. Straightening, she smiled at the boy. "Takeshi! Is everything all right?" She placed a hand on Takeshi's head and let the boy catch his breath. The boy then looked up, tears streming down his cheeks. "What's wrong?" the amethyst-eyed girl gently asked.

"Chiru-chan...she wouldn't stop crying!" Chiru was Takeshi's five year-old sister, an energetic, adventurous girl. Apparently, Chiru went to one of her escapades again and ended her little curious travel with tears.

Tomoyo smoothed the boy's shirt and smiled reassuringly at him. "Is that so? Very well, tell her to go here and I'll sing for her."

"Un." Takeshi quickly ran from where he came from and came back at once, trudging behind him the crying little girl.

Tomoyo quickly brought the little girl to her lap. "Poor Chiru-chan must've been hurt, ne?" Chiru quickly showed her a wounded knee, making the young woman cluck like a mother. "Maa, we must treat that right away..."

"Chiru-chan not want med-ee-sine!" Chiru exclaimed, squirming on Tomoyo's lap. "They hurt, they hurt!"

The long-haired girl gently ran a hand down the little girl's long hair. "Well...it has to be treated, ne?" Seeing the tears threatening to fall from Chiru's eyes, she stopped. "Hmm...let's see. Do you want me to sing for you so that the pain will go away?"

Chiru grasped Tomoyo's free hand. "Hai, Tomoyo 'nee-chan!" Tomoyo smiled as resolved to make the little girl feel better, even if she's not feeling well herself.

She found her voice even though she was feeling very miserable. If only she could be as carefree as these children. However, that seems to be a far-fetched sanctuary she had always dreamt of. Amidst her singing, loss was felt.

In the middle of a field of deep-red strawberries (she sang)

There is a white strawberry.

Though everyone's happily playing,

They do not go near it.

A couple of other kids decided to sit down with the first two and hummed softly in time with Tomoyo's singing. Tomoyo had always sung this song about friendship, and they learnt it by heart.

One time, the mischievous sun

Was looking at the white strawberry,

Suddenly, the strawberry became very ticklish

And it felt warmth.

Tomoyo subconsciously congratulated herself. Chiru and Takeshi had stopped sobbing and were now listening intently to the song. Maybe I should be a teacher, she thought. Since I am good with children...

If you laugh heartily all red in the face,

You'll quickly gain lots of friends.

She heard scuffling behind them and thought there were more children coming. Smiling to herself, she continued to sing, tilting her head in time with her song.

In the middle of the field of deep-red strawberries,

A fair maiden plays.

Looking at a strawberry that turned red.

That time, the strawberry got surprised,

And it hid behind the leaves.

It thought the maiden said,

"I wonder if it's good to eat?"

But the maiden said

"Let's grow up together."

The song ended and she slightly bowed, enjoying the attention that the children brought her. "Sugoi, 'nee-chan. You sing so well!" Chiru gushed.

"Hontou?" Tomoyo reached out to caress the girl's hair. "If you put your heart to it, you'll become a good singer as well." The girl smiled back and hugged her arm tightly.

Shouts were then heard from the distance. It seemed that the children's parents were looking for them. Tomoyo playfully shooed them away, reminding them not to get scolded. Each of the youngsters gave her a good bye wave before running off into the thicket.

The girl sat back once more. "Matta ku," she said. "I totally forgot about looking for a job." Sighing, she reluctantly stood up and brushed dirt off her pants. Suddenly, she felt that she was being watched. She turned around and met blue eyes intently staring at her. "Anou..."

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Eriol woke up from his trance and graciously bowed. "Sumimasen. I just heard your singing and I...uh...well..."

He gave a jump as the girl named Tomoyo laughed, her voice tinkling. "Arigatou," she solemnly said. "You have made my day, you know that?"

"Eh?"

The girl laughed again. "You don't know what kind of day I've had..." She sighed slowly and gazed towards the sounds of children playing. "Well, I really thank you for making my day, mister." She turned around and started to walk away.

"It's Hiiragizawa Eriol."

Tomoyo stopped on her tracks and deliberately slowed down in turning around. "Did you just tell me your name?" she said unbelievingly.

"Hai, it seems that I did," Eriol calmly said.

The girl rolled her purple eyes and pointed a finger at Eriol's chest. "Now, why the hell would someone tell his name to a complete stranger? Aren't you afraid I might mug your or something, rich boy?" Tomoyo looked down at her companion to verify her statement. True enough, he looked rich. After all, wearing shiny shoes and nice shits in autumn could be very tiresome...and this guy sure wears them all plainly well. "I mean....you are not in a very innocent society."

"I don't think a girl with a beautiful voice such as yours would do that to me." Eriol charmingly smiled. He adjusted his glasses a little, smiling silently as the girl's utter astonishment.

Tomoyo raised her hands. "I give up."

"It seems that you have, Tomoyo...-san."

The purple -eyed girl was now standing nose-to-nose with the person she considered a complete stranger. "How did you know my name? Are you stalking me? Are you one of boss's..."

"The little girl a while ago mentioned your name, Tomoyo-san."

"You're a strange creature." Tomoyo flipped a lock of hair behind her shoulder. "Chie. I wasted too much time here." She bowed to Eriol and smiled her sweetest. "Thank you and I have to go now. See you sometime, Errol." She ran off towards the road, leaving Eriol hanging with still more questions to ask.

"It's Eriol..." he just managed to mutter as he watched the girl break into a run. He thought Tomoyo was a funny person, and yet very innocent at times. If it was some other girl, they would say he was flirting with them, but this girl merely takes in everything without malice or anything. This, however quizzical, makes her attractive in a way.

Shimatta, I mustn't be thinking of girls...Kaho...

Slowly, he turned back, thankful that he had met such an angelic creature in the midst of the city ramblings. Right now, he must go back to think about his family...and Kaho. Tomoyo would never see the face of Hiiragizawa Eriol again.

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Tomoyo briskly climbed the steps towards her apartment. Errol...whoever he is...such a funny creature... She turned right to her apartment and tried to open the door, but she can't.

Why.,..I haven't even locked this when... The door slowly slid open and a burly man came out. "What is it? Do you know what godamn time it is?"

Tomoyo planted a hand on either side of her hips. "Well, gomen nasai, Mister. But I have to ask what you are doing in MY apartment."

"YOUR apartment?" The man gave a throaty laugh. "Looks like you're on the losing side, babe. This was rented open a while ago." He gestured towards the other wall of the corridor. "That must be your things...the little lady forgot to pay the rent eh?" He closed the door before Tomoyo could say anything.

The girl crouched before her boxed things. she never expected something like this to happen. They just threw in everything without even arranging them. She pulled out a stuffed bunny out of the jumble. "Matta ku," she whispered. "Looks like I've got no place to stay too..."

She picked up the box and a bag and went down the stairs with effort. Maybe it wouldn't be so cold outside. Maybe the park wouldn't be so crowded...Maybe...maybe...

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"Shimatta! Gomen ne, Joshohime-san!" Eriol slapped a hand to his forehead as he talked on the phone. "I totally forgot about the singer...don't worry...I..." An idea flashed in his head. "Oh matte. I tihnk I've got the singer for you. I'll just bring her in next week. It would be enough time to brief her before the party right?"

"Naa, Hiiragizawa-san, you are so weird," Joshohime said over the line. "Anyway, I'll trust your judgment on this, and make sure she is in formal attiure. Arigatou!" She dropped the phone without even letting Eriol speak once more.

The sapphire-eyed man sighed. "Women likes talking too much..." His eyes wandered towards the unfinished painting on his right. Sighing, he stood up and covered the painting with the white cloth once more. "Sumanu, Kaho. It seems that I won't be able to keep our promise after all..."

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It was eight in the morning, yet Eriol was already in the park, searching for that familiar face he saw the day before. She should be here somewhere...he thought, totally forgetting what he said about not seeing her again. He walked on and on aimlessly, wanting to see that familiar face once more. Suddenly, he saw a sleeping bundle on a bench nearby. He approached it, and was surprised to see...

"Tomoyo-san?"

The girl opened her eyes with effort and rubbed her fist against them. :What the heck..is it morning al...Errol-san?"

"It's Eriol."

Tomoyo nodded absently, then looked around. "Where am I? Oh in the park..." She turned to Eriol and made a face. "I told you yesterday that maybe I shall meet you soon again. I never thought it would be this soon..."

The young man smiled briefly and looked at the girl lying on a pile on the bench. "What are you doing here? Why are you sleeping here?"

"Oh..." Tomoyo deeply sighed. "Long story. Got thrown out of the apartment I was in..." She looked around to see if all her belongings are still intact. "I really should go look for a job."

Eriol shifted his footing. "I...uh..."

"Ara?"

The young man kicked a pebble. "Well, I have a job for you."

Tomoyo instantly sat up straight. "Oh, excuse me for my appearance..." she apologetically said, blushing slightly at the sight she was. When Eriol told her not to mind, she continued. "So what's the job?"

"Maybe we should talk it over at my house."

The girl squinted at Eriol. "You are trying to bait me, aren't you?"

Eriol, taken by surprise at such bold words, took a step back. "Me? No...I was just..."

Tomoyo crossed her arms over her chest. "Just as I thought. You were like those other guys who practically worship a girl and then when they had their way with her they just leave..." She let out a huff, sending her bangs twitching in all directions.

"No. No. I never meant it like that," Eriol quickly said. How could a nice proposition turn out to be something like this?

The girl looked at him warily. "I could punch really hard you know."

Eriol sighed exasperatedly. "I sewar, Tomoyo-san. I won't do anything. This is whilly business."

Tomoyo seemed contented ith Eriol's promise and decided to agree, much to the young man's utter comfort. "It's a deal then, Eriol-san." She took Eriol's hand in hers and shook it hard.

She then took a look at her belongings. "So, where's your house?"

Eriol smiled and offered to help her with her things.

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Author's Notes:

Maa, how was it? Bad? Evil? Stupid? Somebody tell me!!!

Anyway, the song Tomoyo sang was "Shiro Ichigo" a tracK in the Rurouni Kenshin Song Collections. In case you're interested, Suzume and Ayame (The kids) sang the song and it's so kawaii ^^.

Hope you like this chap. I promise to work hard from now on. Sore jaa! Nikki will see you next time!

Please do not forget to hit that review button, onegai?

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The characters here were from the anime CCS. Card Captor Sakura belongs to CLAMP. The setting and story, however, is all mine and I will not permit republishing of this fic to public sites without my knowledge.

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