Author's Notes:

Chapter 4 is up at last! I'm sorry to keep you waiting. I had my exam in Trigonometry and I had to study really hard for that. ^^ Also, I had my Bishounen Cult to take care of so I got a lot of things to do in a short while. Still, please enjoy this chappie!

And for my thanks and responses to the reviewers ^^:

KyteAura: Okay, so you defied my logical reasoning…I give up. ^^

Polgara-C: Yep, Tomoyo is staying for sure, but we can never know what will happen next right?

lye-chan: Thanks so much for reading another story of mine. I'll try my best to make this fic really good. ^^ Don't worry about the hyperness…I'm allergic to sugar too…LOL

Sailor Star Sakura: I'm glad you like my fic. LOL….I'll just have to update a little faster right? *sigh* Gomen gomen…

Bunnyluvr, Moon*Blossom, witty-sun, and Sakura Angel: My newest fic reviewers! Thanks for reading my fic and I hope you'll really like it. ^^

Saa, enough of the thankies. Please go on and enjoy this next chapter for all of you. ^^

Caress of Venus

By: nikki hiiragizawa

Chapter 4: Fitting in…and Twelve Courses

"Is this really going to be my room?" Tomoyo gushed as she practically gaped at the room. Nakuru smiled and decided to point the important places to the guest.

"Over there's the bathroom. It has a bathtub just like the one you used a while ago. Next to it is the dressing room…"

"Dressing room?" Tomoyo asked, unbelieving. "You have a dressing room?"

Nakuru nodded. "It's a walk-in closet, actually….just a bigger one." She let out a laugh. "My mistress who used to stay here loves clothes so…"

"Your mistress?" Nakuru instantly covered her mouth. Tomoyo looked at her, boring to her very soul. "You have a mistress. You mean, Eriol-san is married, right?"

The servant nodded. "Please don't tell him that I told you. He'll be very angry. See, he doesn't want anyone intruding to his life, including me so…"

Tomoyo nodded. "Your mistress used to stay in this room," she repeated. "Where is she now?" When Nakuru did not answer, she immediately understood and asked for an apology for prying. Nakuru waved away her apology and told her that it was alright.

"Anyway," Nakuru continued as she changed the sheets and the blankets. "Feel free to use anything. You can use virtually everything in here, including the clothes. It seems that you and Mistress Kaho have the same body contours and measurements so they will fit you right. You can also use the soaps and the cosmetics if you like." The pink-haired girl gave her a half-smile. "To be frank, I do not want you to wear any of your own clothes when you're here, even thought I washed them already."

"Eh?" Tomoyo curiously looked at her. "Why is that?"

Nakuru shook a finger at her. "Because you're so pretty and you wouldn't look good in your old clothes. Dressing you up will be so much fun!" She giggled and opened the door. "Please let me know if you need anything. I'll be downstairs."

"Hai, thank you."

As soon as Nakuru closed the door, Tomoyo flopped down the bed. She yelped a little as she sank down the feather mattress. Good Heavens, this felt so much better than her mat in her flat. This was so soft and comforting and warm…

She sat up abruptly as she remembered that she had to change clothes. She walked to the dressing room and slowly opened its door, taking a peek at what marvel could be seen inside. She was not disappointed. Inside the closet were numerous clothing for every occasion. Every hue was possibly in there. She walked around and felt the clothes as she walked past them. Every thing was of fine material. There were even clothes for housework only, and flannel pajamas too. Gasping with delight, she unbuttoned her dress and steeped into the flannel pajamas. The warmth and smoothness of the fabric made her almost ask herself if it was real. Aside from the dresses from the club that she wore before and her daily clothes, there was nothing for her to wear, and yet now, she was enjoying herself as if she was a rich person.

After brushing her teeth and looking at herself in the full-length mirror, Tomoyo climbed back to bed. This was as good as any dream, and as temporary too. She decided to enjoy her stay here while she can, for in a few days, she'll be back in the slums once more.

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"Eriol-sama, is it really alright to let Tomoyo-san use Mistress Kaho's room?" Nakuru warily asked as she served tea to her master sitting on his favorite armchair.

The young man nodded. "I believe Kaho would be too glad to share her belongings with somebody like Tomoyo-san. Tomoyo-san is such a gentle and kind person and I think they'll be good friends if only they met before…"

Nakuru watched the young master. "But…not that I am interfering, but isn't she a club singer? She has probably learned all the ways of the world and would probably behaved badly during the party you were talking about, don't you think?" Placing a mock pout on her face she added, "Why did you pick her anyway?"

Eriol stared into the flames. "I don't know."

"You don't know?!" Nakuru exclaimed. "I really don't think you would answer that kind of answer, Eriol-sama. You always have an explanation for everything!"

The young man sighed. "I don't know. Maybe there was something about her eyes…"

Eyes…cliché! Nakuru thought, crossing her arms over her chest as she went out to leave Eriol in his thoughts. Why doesn't he just say that he's attracted to her? She pressed a finger on her temple. She knew her master did not want to admit that he liked the new girl because he swore that he would love only Kaho. Still, she, Nakuru, cannot just sit there and watch her master pine away in grief! Something must be done! Tomoyo seemed to be a nice girl and the way she described her before was just what everyone calls reverse psychology. Unfortunately, it didn't work for her master. But then again, there are other ways…

Giggling once more, Nakuru formed her series of plots to get the new girl and Eriol together.

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"Anou, Nakuru-san, why do we have to wake up so early in the morning?" Tomoyo rubbed her eyes and shied away as Nakuru parted the curtains to let in some sunlight.

"Because, Tomoyo-san," Nakuru said as she pushed the young woman out of bed. "We have to prepare for your singing next week."

"What does it have to do with waking up early?" Tomoyo complained, climbing out of the bed and heading to the bathroom.

Nakuru winked. "Today, I'll teach you how to perk yourself up."

"Nani?" The other young woman looked back with wide-awake surprise. "You're going to teach me what? Where's Eriol-san? Isn't he going to want breakfast?"

"Eriol-sama is out today to attend a meeting. He had breakfast already to tell you. And I'm going to teach you how to arrange yourself. You know, you are pretty and you need to show it."

Sighing as she cannot understand fully what the pink-haired girl was saying, Tomoyo shrugged and took the early morning bath.

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"You know, I can really take care of myself," Tomoyo said as Nakuru herded her towards the dresser. "I used to sing in public remember."

"Okay then," Nakuru challenged. "Show me what you have got."

The gray-haired girl looked at all the cosmetics before her. This is going top be a long morning…

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Eriol half-heartedly listened to the speaker. Even though this meeting is important to him, especially since he's planning to put up an art center, he cannot withhold daydreaming and yawning.

He wasn't able to sleep fully last night. He was not used to having a stranger to the house, a pretty stranger even. To top that, Nakuru was bugging him like crazy. What in the world is that girl up to?

Still, he cannot deny the fact that Tomoyo was really pretty, just as what Nakuru had said. There were no apparent flaws in her body contours and face, and her smile is always amiable and charming. Her manners are not that delicate but rather flighty and light-hearted. She was not much of a good conversationalist regarding certain topics too but she can tail on initial discussions. Eriol concluded that she was satisfactorily a common girl with a great voice.

A common girl she is, and no matter how hard Nakuru hints about Eriol and her together, it cannot be. She belongs to another world, and he belongs to another one. Besides, no one, absolutely no one can replace Kaho. Even if it takes a hundred years, no one like Kaho can appear. She was an angel, a fairy gifted to Eriol from the heavens, and was soon taken away.

Yes, Kaho is Kaho. But however hard he tried to think, he cannot explain himself as to why he chose Tomoyo to be the singer for the party.

She was pretty.

She was amusingly clever.

She was charming.

Ah heck! Eriol slammed a fist on the table. Why does he have to go through all these morals and loyalty reflections?!

"Hiiragizawa-san, is something wrong?" Eriol suddenly realized that he was still in the meeting and he created such a noise. Now, everyone's staring at him like he was the son of the Devil or something. His speaker glared at him from the platform.

"Ah…no. I just…uh…dropped my pencil?"

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Eriol's trustworthy servant winced as she beheld the sight before her. "Uh, Tomoyo-san," she tried to ask very politely. "Who taught you how to apply make-up?"

"No one. I just followed what my co-workers did." Tomoyo suddenly looked frantic as she turned back to the mirror. "Does it look that bad?"

Nakuru crossed her fingers behind her back. "Uh no, of course not. It just…uh…it just doesn't seem to suit you."

"Hontou?" Tomoyo studied her face at the mirror. There was really nothing unusual with what she did. She usually comes at the bar with this make-up on. What could have possibly gone wrong?

Nakuru winced once more. Whoever was the person who taught this girl how to apply make-up must be killed. Everything the girl applied to herself was totally dark. Black mascara, Blue eye shadow, almost red blush on, black eye liner, and red violet lipstick were on very white foundation. If Nakuru hadn't seen Tomoyo without make-up, she'll think of the girl as a goth or something. Fisting her hands beneath her apron, Nakuru sighed, taking care not to let the other girl hear her. This type of maek-up doesn't suit Tomoyo. It made her almost lose her innocent look. Taking her seat beside the worrying Tomoyo, the pink-haired girl took a moist piece of tissue paper.

"I want to show you a new way to apply make-up. Is that okay?" When the other girl nodded, almost unsure of herself, Nakuru smiled and rolled up her sleeves. When I'm finished with you, she thought. Eriol-sama won't be able to sleep soundly. An inner laugh added to her thoughts as she erased Tomoyo's make-up.

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"Tadaima!" Eriol announced as he entered the hallway. Nobody answered. "Nakuru? Tomoyo-san?" he called once more. He took off his coat and settled on his favorite armchair. Where did the girls go?

In a short while, Nakuru was running towards him. "About time you get here, Eriol-sama!" She said, vexed, as she arranged his coat and shoes.

Eriol raised his eyebrows. His servant was somehow scolding him again. "Why, Nakuru. I've come home later than this hour."

"Well," Nakuru said, placing her hands in her hips. "You are supposed to teach Tomoyo-san the proper party etiquette right? The poor girl was so intent on learning and yet you came home late! What time is it?"

"It's six o' clock," Eriol replied with a sheepish grin. He forgot about the training. Making a mental note to apologize to Tomoyo, he asked for the girl. "Where is Tomoyo-san, anyway?"

Nakuru answered him as she walked away. "She is in the dining hal, trying to eat a full course meal with six pairs of cutlery by herself."

The young man frowned. He had been too negligent. The poor girl was trying so hard not to make Eriol embarrassed in the party and this was what he did. Sighing, he took a peek in the dining hall. Tomoyo was there, sitting on the chair with the back facing Eriol. He couldn't see what she was doing since the backrest of the seat was on the way, but he could hear her talking loudly to herself.

"Let's see now," Tomoyo was saying out loud. "Page 334. Place the knife at the upper edge of the plate when you eat your meat. Take in little pieces one by one and chew it well. Do not make noises when you chew. Hmm…now let me try…" A clang hinted Eriol that Tomoyo failed using one of the cutlery and hit the plate in the process. "Oh for Kami's sake!" Tomoyo exclaimed. "How am I to eat little pieces of this if it cannot be cut?"

Eriol chuckled to himself and walked to the seat across Tomoyo. He looked at the girl who had her head bowed as she read from the book on her lap. "May I join you in this course?" Tomoyo's shoulder's raised a bit because of surprise and looked up immediately.

Nakuru was already by the door when Tomoyo looked up, smiling with mischievous glee when she saw Eriol's eyes widen with surprise. She certainly did a good job with Tomoyo, and she congratulated herself as she went to the kitchen to take out Eriol's dinner.

"Oh, welcome home, Eriol-san. I…well… Nakuru gave me this book since you were coming home late, and I was trying to practice eating with forks and spoons by myself. I thought it was very easy but…" Tomoyo looked up curiously at her host. "Is something wrong? Did I do something bad?"

Eriol's face was pink with a slight blush. Tomoyo looked entirely different from the dinner last night. Her hair was pinned away from her face with small silver barrettes. Her purple eyes complemented the lavender eye shadow she was wearing and countered the dark purple mascara that she was wearing under the eye shadow. Her cheeks were almost devoid of pink; it's as if she was only blushing slightly. Her lips were glossed without any lipstick. She looked so innocent with the make-up and yet she also looked so pretty. Eriol wondered how he will describe her.

"Oh, I know," Tomoyo cried, covering her face. "It's the make-up right? I knew I must have looked horrible…"

"No! No!" Eriol stood up from his seat to approach her and whisk gently her hands away from her face. "You look really pretty. The make-up suits you really well." He suddenly paused, scolding himself silently for not thinking about what to say before blurting out. Still, whatever he said looked successful as Tomoyo smiled a little.

Tomoyo pressed her palms to her face. "Really? Nakuru-san told me this type of get-up suits me well so…"

Eriol looked at her dress. She was wearing a light pink dress to match the color of her make-up. If she was to come like this to the party, no doubt everyone would stare at her in amazement.

He coughed and settled back to his seat as Nakuru came in. He thought he saw a shadow of a smirk on Nakuru's face but he didn't bother asking the servant. "Eriol-sama," Nakuru said as she placed the dishes on the table. "Tomoyo-san was hoping that you could show her how to eat with Western food. She hasn't eaten one before, and believe me, the soup and salad course were unsuccessfully eaten." She gently smiled at Tomoyo, who slid deeper to her seat with shame.

"Is that so," Eriol repled when he gathered his thoughts once more. "Then we should start with the soup course again, Tomoyo-san?"

Tomoyo seemed worried, as she had always looked ever since they talk about the party. "I…well…but it would be improper for me to eat the whole course again, right?"

"Like you ate all the courses. I think two-thirds of dinner went to your dress and under that table and that's the third time you changed your dress." Tomoyo blushed deeply at Nakuru's reply.

"I'm sorry. I really suck at this and well… I have never eaten Western food before." Tomoy bowed her head. Luckily her hair was pinned away or the strand would be dipping themselves on the steak plate. "I would really learn, I promise. I really love to learn…even if I have to eat twelve courses or whatever." She looked with full hope on her host.

Eriol raised his red wine glass. "Until twelve courses, Tomoyo."

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Author's Post Notes:

Hah, short chapter I know. That's because the next one is a bit longer since I'm gonna shorten Tomoyo's training so that you'll get to the party at once. Or would you rather have me lengthen the training part? LOL. You tell me and then I'll see what I can do, okay?

I'll be posting the next chapter as soon as I get over my final exams ^^

Oh and by the way, I'll be removing some of my fics and parts of them since ffnet won't tolerate NC-17 fics anymore. I'll be removing the lemon CCS fic as well as the lemon chapter of Tanjoubi Omedetou, Eriol-kun. My other Slam Dunk fics also have to go.

Please see my profile for other details. You could visit my homepage at http://www.geocities.com/soliloquy_5/ in case you want to read the mentioned removed fics.

Thank you for reading!

Jaa ne~

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Card Captor Sakura is owned by Clamp. This fic is only made by a fan for fans. Please do not sue.