Story Title: Portrait of a Cherry Blossom

Author: CCSakura

Other: Thanks to all the people that reviewed…Due to a review, I think that I'll change the ending of what I originally planned for this story. So please don't think it's so like all the other S+S fics…You may be surprised.

Chapter Two: Venom

"You'll get up before Master and Mistress. Your assignment is the dining room, the corridor that leads right in front of you when you enter. You will dust the furniture and sweep the ground…And after that, you will help me and Aya clean up after Master and Mistress. That is, their bedrooms." Tomoyo glanced at Sakura to see if she was paying attention.

"Don't worry, Tomoyo, I got it all in…But…I've never had to obey someone so strictly! I'm so used to being so loose of mouth that sometimes it gets me somewhere I don't want to…But I guess I'll just get used to that, won't I?" Sakura shook her head.

Tomoyo had seen from Sakura's stubborn face a few moments ago that she would not be an easy person to break in. "It'll be hard…but sometimes you've got to get used to it. And I think you will. You look like a hard worker."

Sakura smiled, trying to seem pleased, but she didn't want to be broken in, like a horse. I'm never going to bow down to those two. I won't give up…I'll stay the way I am until the day I die!

"Oh, and by the way, I almost forgot. Here's your uniform. You have two sets so one can be hanging in the laundry and you can wear another. Laundry is every Sunday, but you'll get used to this schedule. It's rather strict."

Sakura nodded and shuffled to the door that Tomoyo had pointed her two. There was a little window that streamed with the golden light and Sakura paused to bask in its warmth. But she sighed and changed into her new clothes. Wincing, she tried to accommodate the roughness of the starched cloth.

When she walked out, Tomoyo gasped. "Sakura, you look adorable!" Embarrassed, she watched as her friend fawned over the uniform. "Really, Tomoyo…We all wear the same thing…there's no difference between any of us…"

But there were steady footsteps resounding in front of them. Sakura knew by instinct who it was. That nasty brat: Meiling. There wasn't even a knock as the door was flung open and Meiling stood before them: she the queen, they the servants. Sakura twitched at the impudence that was thrown at her and refused to be humble.

Tomoyo had bowed her head and Meiling obviously approved. But she seemed shocked and angered to find that Sakura herself hadn't. In her full height, Sakura knew she couldn't back down, couldn't stand the shame of loss if she gave in. So she eyed her mistress with a cool contempt and waited.

And then there was the slap. It was too quick for the eye to catch and Sakura barely knew anything had happened when she first felt it. There was only the impact, at first, a blow that knocked her back and sent her against the wall. And then the pain came. But in her anger, she refused to show anything.

Meiling snorted and threw back a loose strand of hair. "Pathetic maid. Do anything like that again and you'll be gone." With that, she strode out.

Sakura bit her lip and felt the saltiness of blood flood over her mouth. But she ignored the pain. Tomoyo hurriedly ran over and helped her friend up. "You shouldn't have done that, Sakura," she told her sympathetically, "It's no good if you anger her!"

But Sakura ignored her. She had lost twice. Twice to that little excuse for a human. I'm not going to let her get me a third time. When she tries anything…I'll have the last laugh.

--Upstairs--

"Syaroan!" Meiling threw herself across his lap. "Syaoran…you must do something about that girl!" She began to squeeze out several droplets of tears and waited in eagerness.

"What's wrong now, Mei Mei?" He asked impatiently. He had been sketching…until he had been interrupted. Meiling raised and lowered her shoulders, feigning huge sobs.

"That…that girl you hired! She's a monster! Why, I tried to go into the maids' quarters…and she almost tossed me right out! She's so strong…and I hate her eyes…they remind me so much of evil…" she choked out.

Syaoran sighed and patted her head. "Let her get accustomed to here. It is not easy leaving the place you love and be lowered in a place you don't know."

Meiling forgot her sobs and raised her head. "What! You don't believe me…Ge Ge…you don't believe me? She almost killed me!"

Syaoran knew too well his cousin's ability to lie and firmly grasped her by the shoulders. "Just let her get used to here…and don't push her too much. I know you, Meiling." He had not used his pet name for her and she knew that he was growing irritated.

"Very well! But don't blame me when some of our best silver goes missing or we lose money!" With that, she stormed out of the room.

Syaroan didn't even blink. It's such a wonderful beginning for a face…but whose shall I put in it? He stared intently at his sketch, unaware of the chaos around him.

[A/N] I guess you can tell from that chapter that I think Meiling is EVIL! Sure she helps get Sakura and Syaoran together…but she's very inferior. Sorry to all those Meiling fans…but I just don't like her…

So what did you think? Personally, I don't think it's too bad, but please don't send flames! ^^''