Encounter 1 - Boredom

summary: Yuko receives a visit from a very bad actor.

disclaimer: I do not own xxxHOLIC. But maybe in another world...

AN: R&R. If your gonna criticize/flame me of whatever, get your own facts straight. I don't appreciate people giving me...'advice' on things they don't even know. Thanks

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"Ahahah. Sorry, I don't know what brought me here." He had laughed, scratching the back of his head in an embarrassed manner.

It was a humid summer day when I first saw you. It had just finished raining, and the thickness of the air was almost suffocating. You must have been burning up, wearing such a thick dark cloak. But it didn't seem to bother you.

"I just touched your fence and my feet carried me in..." He explained.

I knew you knew...what had brought you here. But you insisted on pretending you knew nothing at all...

"You probably don't believe me..." He continued to apologize.

I was just about to open a bottle of Plum Wine, when you first arrived. Looking up, seeing your mysterious smile and wise eyes...your jet black hair...I knew you and I had much in common. The way you spoke that day, you were able to fool me though. I thought you were a quiet, soft-spoken person. But now that I know... I'm only left to wonder...

How I ever found someone like you charming.

-

Yuko sighed, tucking away her prized bottle of wine. It had been given to her by her last customer, a young wine collector. "Its perfectly fine." She replied, sitting up in front of the stranger. Strange. She hadn't predicted on having another customer today. But she shrugged the thought away, watching the young man with sharp, violet eyes.

The young man's smile grew a bit more. "Ah, good." He said simply, relaxing quite a bit. He looked around, as if taking in his surroundings, but his gaze kept on shifting to her.

Terrible acting. Yuko thought to herself, making a mental note of his behavior.

"Its a beautiful shop.." He complimented, taking off his glasses and wiping them clean with his sleeve. He smiled warmly at her. "But the location is a bit...different?" He asked.

"Are you suggesting I should move elsewhere for you?" Yuko replied cynically. The smallest traces of a smile formed on her lips. Yes...He was a terrible actor. She thought once more.

He put his glasses back on, now taking this chance to see who he was talking too..not that he hadn't done so already. He acted as though he was adjusting his glasses. After all, it was rude to stare...especially at women, no matter how lovely they are.

"By coming here, you must have a wish." Yuko continued, curious to know why he was here. Her? Curious? The feeling was strange to her. She hadn't been this curious in quite a while. But...she wanted to know who he was...

He looked up, trying to look confused...but a strange twinkle was in his eye. Yuko knew this look all too well, the look of interest. "That is exactly why I came here." He replied. "But it has been granted."

Yuko raised a brow. "Oh?" She asked, leaning forward a bit, eager to know why.

"I wanted to see you." He replied, smiling playfully at her, a mischievous spark in his eye.

"You're a terrible actor." Yuko pointed out flatly. She didn't like that answer.

"Ah, well...even the greatest actor has his critics." He answered, shrugging his shoulders a bit. "Well, I guess I should be going." He added, waving good bye.

"So, your wish was granted by coming here?" Yuko asked.

He paused, turning back. "Yes. It has." He replied, smiling warmly at her.

"Then you will have to pay the price."

"Price?" He asked, tilting his head a bit. Ah..yes...the price he had heard so much about...But he wanted her to explain. How did she run her business?

"Something of equal value, for making your wish come true." She explained. "What is your name? And aliases are not acceptable."

"My name?" He asked, thinking about it for a bit. "Clow...Clow Reed." He replied. "Why would you want to know my name?"

Yuko's tiny smile grew. "It was your price." She replied simply, leaning back against her plush sofa and taking out her bottle of wine. He was leaving. She couldn't say she was happy for him to leave..She had..afterall, been bored. And his arrival had been...eventful in its own way.

Clow Reed smiled. "Heh. Do you want to know why I really came here?" He asked. It was his turn to ask questions.

"Do I have a choice?" She asked.

"I would say it anyways." He laughed.

"I won't listen." She smirked.

"I was...bored too." He admitted, his smile growing into one of cunning.

Yuko watched the young man make his leave. A magic circle appeared beneath him. Feh. He had to make a dramatic leave... "We'll meet again, I suppose." She said dryly, spinning the bottle so its contents swished around and splashed against the glass.

"Of course." He smirked. Yes, his wish had been granted. Many of his wishes, to be exact. He had come to the shop. Met the famed Space Time Witch, Yuko. Had gotten rid of his boredom. And had made an impression on her that would make her wait for his next visit. And had all of his wishes granted for the price of one. Knowing that, Clow Reed departed for his own world.

------------------------------------------/Window Shopping/------------------------------------------

Plum Wine - #.# Has anyone ever tried this stuff? Its so good! Its like...sweet and mad-crazy addicting. heart Don't ask how a fourteen year old would know this. -laugh- I can't wait until I'm at the legal drinking age.

Yuko's eyes: What color are Yuko's eyes? They're like...orange in one picture, red in some, and violet in another. I mean...she has no distinct eye color! This has to be one of xxxHOLIC's greatest mysteries... I chose to stick with violet because that's the color I've seen in most other xxxHOLIC 'fics.