Author's Notes:

I promised KyteAura I would be posting a new chapter tonight. And so I did. I do not want to feel the wrath of an angry reader. ^^;;;

KyteAura: Gomen nasai! I got disconnected while we were talking on messenger and I cannot go back. Sorry! ^^ Anyway, here's what I promised. ^^

Polgara-C: Thanks! Oh well, I am glad you people read my fics so it's only proper that I answer your questions ^^.

raven: Did I ruin your reading and left you hanging? ^^ Dun worry, I'll make that up here and next chapter ^^

Fuu: They will kiss soon, I promise ^^

crystal~heart: It's only right that I answer my reviewers who spent time reviewing me, ne? Thanks!

arashi009: LOL…yeah…I figured it's time no one would bother these Eriol and Tomoyo anymore. ^^

Athar_Luna: Kaho flashbacks? Hmm…very very soon. Ehehehehe……and I don't eat snails too . Damn hard to eat.

KasumiDestruction: LOL. At least your teacher ate the French ones and not the garden snail…Ewww…Hmm..I wonder if garden snails are edible ^^'''

Sakura Angel: I am not mean ^^;;; I was just a bit happy back when I made that chappie. The kiss wasn't supposed to be there. ^^ I promise I'll make them kiss…once….in the end. LOL…kidding!

summer girl: Hey, thanks for reviewing. Well, I answered your request for more and here it is!

Oh well. Thanks for reviewing and hope you enjoyed the party as much as I did! Sore jaa~

Caress of Venus

By: nikki hiiragizawa

Chapter 8: The Party

Tomoyo gave the man across her a suspicious glare as they quietly ate breakfast. From the meeting at the staircase to the walk to the garden to the breakfast table held at the veranda opposite the manor, Eriol had been avoiding her. He answered her in simple, straight replies and just shook his head when asked if something was wrong.

Under her mask of smiles and lively chatter, Tomoyo was fuming. Why was Eriol treating her like this? He was the only one she could depend on and now he's completely ignoring her! She looked at the bowed head in front of her. Eriol was eating quietly, once in a while straightening his hair that was continuously being ruffled by the autumn wind. He never laid a glance on the girl across him, and did not even ask how she slept, like he always does.

Oh no! she suddenly thought as she stuffed a piece of toast on her mouth. What of he's angry about what happened last night? She stole a glance at Eriol once more, who seemed to find his scrambled eggs rather interesting and kept his head down. Tomoyo thoughtfully munched on her toast. Maybe Eriol was shy about that event. They almost kissed, if only Sakura and Syaoran didn't come up.

Screw that couple! One part of her mind said.

No! Eriol must love only his wife. For goodness' sake she died only months ago! another part inside her replied.

So what? the other part of her thought. He deserves to have some fun after wasting away in such sorrow! He likes me! By the way he looks at me…he…

No! You must stick to business only! Remember your motto? Money! Money! Money?

Tomoyo could feel blood pounding on her head. Why is she even thinking about this? It's impossible she's attracted to a rich, arrogant man like Hiiragizawa Eriol!

But I am, she silently admitted, furious with herself. Enormously affected by all the thoughts running in her head, she banged her fist holding her buttering knife at the wooden table.

"To…Tomoyo-san?"

Suddenly realizing where she was, she quickly placed a smile on her face and looked up. "Um….yes?"

"Is breakfast really that bad?" her host was looking at her.

The purple-eyed girl raised her brows. "Uh…"

Sakura, who was fortunately sitting beside her, leaned over and whispered. "He just asked you if the breakfast tasted good and you kinda banged your fist on the table. You do not like it?"

"Oh, it was good!" Tomoyo suddenly interjected. "Really. I just felt a sudden pain in my…uh…" Everyone was looking at her. "Uh…leg ligament." She gave them their widest smile as even Eriol looked up. "I tripped on a rock this morning and there was this sudden surge of pain through my left leg."

The women in the groups gave their utmost sympathy for Tomoyo, which were welcomed thankfully by the girl. Tomoyo winced inwardly. As someone who knew the pain of wearing high heels all day long, she really made a remarkable excuse.

"I hope you will be feeling better for the party, Tomoyo-san," Ishikawa-sensei sincerely said. "Now, let's have a little fun dessert." As he bade the servers forward, the guests sat at the edge of their seat with curiosity. The servers came over and served them each with a covered plate.

Eriol thanked the server who served him and opened the cover. His eyes were filled with horror as he looked at Tomoyo, who was not paying attention to him. The dessert was a slice of pie topped with meringue. He studied the food. He never thought that Ishikawa-sensei would serve something like this to the guests. The pie was not difficult to eat, but the meringue as topping proved to be otherwise. It's like hardened icing made form stiffly beaten egg whites and sugar, and afterwards browned in the oven. It would be hard, and impossible to eat in one bite.

He panicked as he watched Tomoyo. Either Tomoyo would sink her spoon on the food and make the meringue jump, or she would just resolve to using her hands. Silently, he prayed that Tomoyo would look at him and watch what he is doing, as they planned before.

But it was not possible.

Tomoyo still fumed as dessert was served. She almost blew it! If only she did not worry so much about that Eriol, all would have gotten well. She absently thanked the man who served her dish and opened the dish, her mind elsewhere. What would Eriol be thinking of now? I bet he is now making me look at him after that incident a while ago. Well, he could look all he wanted. I'll never look at him. She stared at the pie beneath her nose, muttering, "Eye for an eye. Tooth for a tooth. Ignore for ignore!"

She sank her teaspoon a little beneath the meringue and pulled it up delicately, before slicing through it with her knife. She took the meringue in little bites, its sweetness cheering her a bit. For some time, she talked with Sakura and Syaoran, and completely ignored the other man staring at her.

Eriol adjusted her glasses. She actually knew the technique of eating the meringue! The teaspoon beneath it was necessary to detach the sweet from the pie so that it would not bounce off the pie when it was sliced. He really thought they did not take it up. Still, Tomoyo looked so comfortable, so he deduced Nakuru must have taught her how to eat pies.

+++

"Did you enjoy breakfast, Tomoyo-san?" Syaoran asked as they left their seat. Tomoyo did not wait for Eriol to move her chair for her and got up immediately after everyone started to leave.

"Oh yes," Tomoyo breathlessly said. "I just love cherry pies! You know, those with the white plain icing with the cherries inside the dough, It was simply fantastic." She suddenly remembered that she was supposed to go with the orchestra to talk about her song and excused herself from Syaoran and Sakura. Eriol, who was watching her, moved away and went to the garden.

He knew Tomoyo would be puzzled about his actions a while ago. But it seems nothing can make him talk to her. She…maybe she was expecting something that Eriol cannot give.

I do not love her.

Yet when she looked at his eyes last night, she seemed to convey her feelings, her innermost feelings, of trust, loyalty and admiration to him. It was more than enough to take.

He, Hiiragizawa Eriol, cannot love again. Definitely not. His life was shaped only for one person, and he can never forget that. Daidouji Tomoyo was just another pretty girl that attracted his attention. He shouldn't have tried to kiss her. Now she will think he likes her!

He rubbed his head in annoyance. He was such a fool. If only he didn't bring that girl with him…

You like her. You just do not want to admit it, his mind breathed.

Eriol shook his head. He cannot possibly love somebody other than Kaho. He could not. He cannot. He must not.

"Are you alright?" He turned around and saw Sakura walking towards him. "Eriol-kun? You seemed to be distressed a while ago."

The young man forced a smile. "Where's Li-kun?"

"He's out there, calling his mom." The girl looked curiously at him. "Is something wrong?"

"No, I just…uh…"

"Tomoyo-chan tells me that she's very worried about you." Sakura stopped walking as she faced him. "I was wondering…"

"She doesn't need to be worried with me," Eriol snapped. "I can take care of myself."

Sakura looked away from him. "I don't think you could tell your girlfriend that."

"She is not my girlfriend!" Eriol suddenly blurted. He looked away from Sakura's gaze. "I…We…I do not have anything to do with her. The only reason why we came here together was because I recruited her as a singer for this party. Nothing else!"

The girl beside him shook her head. "You like her."

"What?"

Sakura reached out to pick a flower. "You like her. And when people like each other, they turn panicky….somewhat like you."

"I do not like her," Eriol replied defensively. "You know I would love only one person, and she is gone." He quietly sat down on the bench nearby and sank to his hands.

"Oh Eriol-kun," Sakura said as she sat beside him. "You have to let go of Kaho-san. It was in the past after all. You need someone to be with you, to comfort you, to…"

Eriol shook his head. "No." He threw up his hands and look at his friend. "Why does she have to leave so soon. I mean, we swore we'd be with each other forever."

"Eriol-kun…" She lightly placed her arms around the young man. "You really need to take a break."

"I love her, Sakura-san," Eriol whispered as he laid his head on Sakura's shoulder. "I love –only– her."

Sakura was silent. Eriol erased his memories of happy days with Kaho and was lost entirely for a long time, not hearing the fast footsteps that ran away from them.

+++

Tomoyo closed the door of her bedroom and sank on her bed. It was true, what she thought about before. Eriol did not and will never have feelings for her. Those fast heartbeats, glazed eyes, and warmth she felt were just works of her own mind. She was the one attracted to Eriol.

She buried her face on her pillow, trying to control her tears. All along, she had lived in a fantasy that Eriol seemed to like her, blushing when Eriol speaks with her, and being annoyed when he doesn't say anything. All of those were just her own emotions, cuddled up inside her. But, Eriol would love only Kaho, no one else.

But, isn't he pitiful, being so sad like that? She thought as she settled on her back, staring at the ceiling decorated with cherry blossoms. Sakura was right, he needs somebody.

Me.

Tomoyo sat up and looked at her reflection at the dresser mirror. Is she fit enough to be Kaho's counterpart that Eriol needs? Will she be able to give whatever Kaho gave him. Does she really love him, or this was more of sympathy?

She shook her head and smoothed her hair. Whatever question she has now, it can only be answered after the party. After she had made sure of her feelings for Hiiragizawa Eriol.

"Tonight," she told her reflection. "Will be the night."

+++

Eriol stood by a window, nonplussed. Tomoyo did not come down the stairs at the time of the party with Sakura. Sakura said she left earlier. But she was nowhere to be found.

Eriol checked his timepiece and sighed. Where could she be? He started to walk towards Ishikawa-sensei to ask the organizer where Tomoyo could possibly be when a thought hit her.

She wouldn't think of running away, would she?

He clenched his fists and waited. Guests started piling in the ballroom.

First dance – a waltz – started. He did not invite anyone to dance.

Second dance – a polonaise – began. He did not budge from where he stood.

Few people came and greeted him, but they all went away because Eriol didn't seem to be in the mood for conversation. Soon, he was the only person standing by the wall.

He looked in and out of the crowd. Where could Tomoyo be? Is she crazy enough to run away? Thinking the worst, he decided to go up and check her room.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Ishikawa-sensei was saying. Eriol froze. No, they cannot start that now! "As you enjoy our buffet dinner, I would like to introduce our brief entertainment for tonight. She is a very talented girl Hiiragizawa Eriol found himself," a warm applause followed, "let us all applaud for Miss Daidouji Tomoyo."

"No! Please…" Eriol was starting towards the stage, not caring if he was stepping on someone's foot or brushing someone's hair into disarray. "Tomoyo-san is…"

"Tomoyo-chan is here!" Sakura squealed.

Eriol frantically looked towards the stage, and was relieved and surprised at the same time.

He never checked on the gown the tailor brought to Tomoyo, but it fitted rather magnificently. It was a long lavender gown, with plum blossoms decorating one shoulder and one edge of the slit, which was reaching to her thigh. She had her side facing the crowd, and Eriol was amazed Tomoyo had the liver to wear a gown that was held only by a thick strap from her shoulder to her back and other thin little straps which ran in crosses down her fair back. She had her hair down, with only a black clip studded with opals pinning her hair in place. Her face looked the same as that time when he first taught her about dinner, the way Eriol loved her face best. She smiled nervously at the crowd and spoke to the conductor of the orchestra.

Eriol almost melted to the floor with relief. He tried to catch Tomoyo's eyes and smile at her, but she didn't look his way. Maybe she's still angry with me for ignoring her, he thought. Nevertheless, he was glad she did not run away.

"A pleasant evening, ladies and gentlemen," Tomoyo greeted as she was handed the microphone. "Please enjoy yourselves with the dinner as I sing." At last, she threw her glance at Eriol, who was standing at the middle of the dance floor, dazed. "I would like to dedicate this song to Eriol-san, for giving me this opportunity to sing in this festivity. Without a smile, she bowed to Eriol. The guests moved towards the buffet table set in the ballroom for quick access, and Eriol moved with them, making way for the orchestra.

Sakura's eyes were shining as Tomoyo began to sing.

Tomoyo raised the microphone near her lips and waited for the orchestra to start. She closed her eyes. This will be the moment, she thought. Hearing her cue, she sang.

Eriol stared at her, transfixed with both her voice and her song.

No more talk of darkness

Forget these wide-eyed fears

I'm here, nothing can harm you

My words will warm and calm you…

What is this I am feeling? Eriol thought. Why does her song affect me so much? He could feel his heart making a little dance in his chest as he continued to her song. The wine offered to him a while ago was now forgotten in his hand.

Let me be your freedom

Let daylight dry your tears

I'm here with you, beside you

To guard you and to guide you…

Eriol, Tomoyo thought as she sang. I don't know what made me sing this song, but you know I like you. I do not want your answer. I just want to make sure about my feelings for you. She glanced at Eriol, and at last, smiled her best.

Then say you love me every winter morning

Turn my head with talk of summertime

Say you need me with you now and always

Promise me that all you say is true

That's all I ask of you.

Sakura glanced at Eriol and then at Tomoyo, and smiled at her fiancé. "Did you talk to Tomoyo-san?" Syaoran wanted to know.

"No," Sakura answered as she shook her head. "She did this on her own."

Let me be your shelter

Let me be your light

You're safe, no one will find you

Your fears are far behind you

Tomoyo realized that the guests stopped going to the table and were just standing there, listening to her every word as she implicitly told Eriol how she feels. Anyway, she thought, this would be over in an hour. I won't see Eriol anymore. It's alright.

All we need is freedom

A world that's warm and bright

And you always beside me

To hold me and to hide me

Tomoyo reflected on the surface of Eriol's glasses. He had actually heard her sing better than the first time they met. It's as if she was the sound of the waves in the sea, luring sailors and making them forget that the sea is a treacherous place. Like a sailor, he was drawn to the voice, to the girl. What kinds of siren is Tomoyo?

Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime

Let me lead you from your solitude

Say you need me with you here beside you

Anywhere you go, let me go too

That's all I ask of you.

A figure in the corner of the room was watching Tomoyo and Eriol silently, a feral smile on its lips. Slowly, the figure walked away, leaving the party and the house, as Tomoyo reached the highest part of her song with the orchestra in full swing.

Say the word and I will follow you

Share each day with me, each night each morning

Say you feel the way I do

The lights dimmed a bit and Tomoyo was bathed in the yellow, dimming light of the chandeliers.

That's all I ask of you.

A slight pause ensued before the audience applauded Tomoyo. Smiling, she bowed to the audience and prepared to go down the stage, but Ishikawa-sensei requested for another song. Gamely, she said yes and briefly talked with the orchestra.

Eriol sat down, dazed. How come Tomoyo had affected him this much. It's as if he was intoxicated, drunk. He cannot comprehend what's going on around him, and his attention was unwavering towards Tomoyo alone, who was chatting with the orchestra members.

"Tomoyo-chan is fantastic, isn't she?" Sakura said as she went to Eriol, offering the young man a wine glass.

"Aa." Eriol muttered. Sakura looked at him, puzzled, and went on chatting about her and Syaoran and her brother. He wasn't able to listen to Sakura and the incident where Touya, her brother, accidentally set Syaoran's gift on fire. He wasn't able to listen to Tomoyo's song either. He was just intent on thinking what he felt. Kaho…Tomoyo… Eriol held his forehead and sighed. Of all the times to be confused.

+++

Tomoyo's second song ended and she was brightly applauded. Smiling gratefully, she sat down and fanned herself, trying to get some air onto her warm face.

"You are such a wonderful singer, Daidouji-san," a man said as he approached her.

Tomoyo looked up and met a young man about Eriol's age with blonde hair and blue eyes. "Oh, thank you so much."

The blonde man extended her hand. "That is why, I would like to ask you for a dance."

"Rea…really?" Tomoyo asked. When the young man nodded, she gave him her arm and allowed herself to be led in the middle of the dance floor, just in time for the next piece to be played. "Tales from the Vienna Woods," Tomoyo breathlessly whispered as she heard the song.

"I see you are quite a fan of Johann Strauss?" the blonde man asked.

Tomoyo shook her head as she laid a hand on the young man's shoulder. "No, I just, well, I just remembered it from somewhere." She smiled at the man as they started waltzing around the room.

"I forgot to introduce myself," the young man said as he twirled Tomoyo around. "I'm Seguchi Tohma. I own a music company in Tokyo."

The young woman stared at him. "Really? You must be a very …umm…" she mustn't slip that she admires the rich, "very prosperous with your business."

Seguchi nodded. "Yes. I am currently looking for a talent. Someone who can sing well, is smart, and charming. And I have found you, Daidouji-san."

"Me?" Tomoyo squeaked as she felt a light pressure on her gloved hand held by the blonde man.

"Yes. Would you like to be a professional singer?" Seguchi asked as they danced the next dance. "I understood you haven't been found by other companies yet, and I am quite amazed by that fact. You are a very good singer, and if you set your heart to it, you could be one of the greatest singers in Japan."

All these words made Tomoyo breathless. Just by singing, she would be the best in Japan? She smiled a little. Eriol told her offers like these would come, and she was advised not to appear very interested. "I am not very interested at the moment, but I could give it a bit of thinking."

"Very well then. Here's my card." Seguchi replied. "You can give me a call if ever you make up your mind. I will always wait." He produced a card from his waist pocket and offered it to Tomoyo, who gingerly took it. "Anyway, I would like to request for another dance. The next one is by Bach and I would love to dance it with you."

"Oh, with all my pleasure."

+++

Eriol grew tired of thinking about Kaho and Tomoyo alternately so he just gave up and kept his thinking for next time. After all, this was a time to be sociable and not to be sulky. He decided to ask Tomoyo for a dance. However, as he neared Tomoyo's seat, a young man beat him to her.

Seguchi Tohma, one of Ishikawa's associates was the man. Tomoyo gladly agreed to dance with him. Aggravated. Eriol went back to his seat and frowned. Why would he dance with Tomoyo anyway. Maybe he saw Tomoyo as potential talent and decided to make her one of his employees. Then he would make even lots of more money and grow richer again.

The bespectacled man grabbed his wineglass left on the table and whisked it empty in one gulp. He watched Tomoyo laugh with that man, and felt his ears growing warmer. Seguchi was definitely toying with Tomoyo, and he cannot take it! He took another drink from the servers and gulped it down.

Why am I so annoyed anyway? He found himself asking. However, the more he looked at the dancing pair and the longer Tomoyo stayed at the dance floor, the more Eriol forgot his reasons.

He also drank the more wine.

+++

"That was such a spirited dance," Tomoyo said as they retired to the sides, laughing.

Seguchi returned with her and offered her a drink. "In our place, the whole dance was just a gavotte, and we would end up exhausted and sound asleep after the party."

"Really?" the young woman asked in disbelief as she let out an amused laugh. She paused as she regained her breath and looked around for Sakura to introduce her new friend. What she found, however, was more of an emergency than Sakura. "If you will excuse me," Tomoyo said to her partner as she moved away. "I just have somebody to talk with."

Seguchi waved his hand. "Oh by all means. I should thank you for dancing with me tonight." He bowed and retreated from Tomoyo, who was glowing with admiration and fascination with the young man.

Suddenly, Tomoyo remembered the one she was supposed to be approaching. She hurriedly walked towards a certain young man who was slumped on a chair.

"Eriol-san?" she asked as she pressed a hand on Eriol's back. "Is everything alright?"

"No. Nothing's all right!" Eriol suddenly exclaimed, sending Tomoyo reeling back. "You," Eriol told her. "You ask me what is wrong after you flirted with some guy from the music company?"

Tomoyo looked around. Some of the people were starting to notice them. She looked at the table where Eriol's chair was placed beside to. Eight wine glasses were standing empty near the edge. "You are drunk, Eriol-san. We must get you home instantly and have Nakuru attend to you."

"No!" Eriol waved her away. "I am all right! Kaho will take care of me."

Tomoyo produced a handkerchief from a hidden pocket in her gown and wiped Eriol's perspiring forehead with it. "Eriol-san, Kaho is…"

"I do not want you!" Eriol exclaimed, now getting most of the visitors' attention, including Sakura's and Syaoran's. "I want Kaho to come here. Make her come here!"

Tomoyo removed her hands from Eriol's shoulders and stopped trying to pull him away from the chair. "Fine then." She stood up straight and looked away from the young man. "Go call Kaho. You don't need me anymore anyway." She whisked her handkerchief away and walked out of the room.

Sakura approached Eriol. Stomps could be heard outside as Tomoyo ran up the stairs. "Eriol-kun," she softly said. "We better get you to your room." Calling for Syaoran and Yamazaki, she supervised on taking care of Eriol.

The visitors resumed their happy gathering, not caring about what happened earlier. As Sakura passed her room with Tomoyo, she peered inside, wanting to comfort Tomoyo in her demise. She slowly opened the door and peered inside.

"Tomoyo-chan? I am really sorry about what happened," she started. She looked towards Tomoyo's bed near the window.

The bed was neatly done as the afternoon before and the room was arranged as before.

Tomoyo was nowhere to be found.

TBC…

Author's Notes:

OK, so the princess of cliffhangers has attacked again. Sue me ^^;;; It wouldn't be interesting without a cliffhanger!!! .

Anyway, here are a few notes on what you had just read:

# The eating of the pie thing was just invented by me. But there are really pies with meringue on top of them. I just do not know how you eat it. That is why, do not try the narrated manner of eating meringue at home. ^^

# The sentences "Eye for an Eye. Tooth for a Tooth. Ignore for Ignore," was quoted in the animé Kareshi Kanojo no Jijyo (His and Her Circumstances), also one of the most hilarious animé I have ever seen.

# The song Tomoyo sang was "All I Ask Of You" from "The Phantom of the Opera." I wanted them to sing together, with Eriol on piano and Tomoyo singing, but it seemed to cliché, since I sued it already on one of my fics. Now, guess which fic it is ^^;;;

# Seguchi Tohma is a real animé character from a yaoi animé named "Gravitation." He is 32 years old (married in the animé though) and owns a music company. He is also a member of the band (on keyboards) called Nittle Grasper. I just love their lead singer. Now, whoever guesses the lead singer of Nittle Grasper will have the next chapter dedicated to him/her ^^.

Next chapter will be kawaii! I promise! I really do! And I keep promises! ^^;;; If you are happy with the fic, please review. If you are not, please review too. Even though you just read it for nothing really, just please review! Make me happy and make me write quickly ^^

Oh, and wait for my first ever SakuraXSyaoran fic…It's called "Yuuwaku." Jaa, mata ashita ne!

~nikki hiiragizawa

Disclaimer: CCS is owned by CLAMP. "All I Ask Of You" is sung by Barbara Streisand for CBS.