Disclaimer; I don't own CCS or CLAMP

(*...* )thoughts, ("...") speech

Chapter Fourteen

Denial

It was still the height of summer and so Sakura decided to take her time and walk home after cheerleading practice. This gave Sakura time to lose herself in her thoughts about all that had happened over the last few days.

"SAKURA!" A young female voice shouted, trying to get her friend's attention from half a block away. seeing that she didn't get a response, the girl broke into a run to catch up.

"Sakura." The girl called again, while grabbing hold of her friend's arm.

"Tomoyo. What's wrong?" Sakura asked, looking at the worried expression on her face.

"Have you forgotten that we were ment to head to mine today, straight after practice?" Tomoyo asked, still holding onto Sakura.

"I'm sorry Tomoyo. It completely slipped my mind." Sakura admitted, feeling bad that she had forgotten about their plans.

"That's okay Sakura, don't worry about it. Let's just head over there now, we will take the car this time, It would be much faster." Tomoyo said, leading her friend back the opposite way and towards where a long black car was waiting.

Now holding Tomoyo's hand, Sakura saw the long black limousine parked up with two female bodyguards dressed all in black business suits, standing next to it. As the two school girls approached the limousine, Tomoyo bowed deeply, apologizing for keeping them waiting for so long. The young girl then informed the two women that Sakura would be accompanying her back to the house. The Two bodyguards looked at Sakura, giving a quick nod before opening the back passenger door allowing the girls to climb in.

As the limousine pulled up outside a very high black fence, that stretched across out with no end in sight. Sakura stayed seated staring in awe at Tomoyo's family home. Suddenly the black divider which separated the passengers from the driver began to lower.

"We have arrived Miss Daidouji." The driver announced, alerting both girls to her presence.

The doors on either side of the limousine opened and one of the bodyguards walked around to where Sakura was sitting and opened her door.

Slowly getting out, Sakura took a few steps forward taking in the view that stood before her.

"WOW! Tomoyo I completely forgot just how big and beautiful your place really is." Sakura exclaimed excitedly, looking at the huge garden space that you had to walk through in order to reach the front door.

Tomoyo gigged at the comment. It was just like Sakura to forget such details, after all it isn't everyday that your best friend who attends a public school also lives a lavish lifestyle in a mansion. The two girls began the long walk up the garden path that had neatly cut hedges on either side, with freshly mowed grass and a big water fountain as its main center piece. The mansion itself was three stories high with it's own brick wall which acted as a divider for the immediate grounds of the mansion. Both the first floor and second floor had its very own balcony that overlooked the whole grounds.

Finally after walking through the gardens, Sakura and Tomoyo reached the steps that led up to the front double doors. Still smiling Tomoyo slowly opened the doors and ushered Sakura inside.

Walking down the long hallway, a maid greeted them and asked if they would care for anything.

"I would like a pot of tea for two brought to my room and please inform my mother that Sakura is here. Thank you." Tomoyo instructed kindly to the maid. The maid nodded, before heading off back down the hallway. Squeezing Sakura's hand, Tomoyo led her down the rest of the hallways and up a flight of stairs which in the end let them to another set of double doors. Sakura waited quietly and watched as Tomoyo opened them with a single key.

Once inside the two girls entered, what appeared to be a living room.

"Please make yourself at home Sakura, I'm just going to change." Tomoyo informed her friend, as she disappeared off into another room. Sakura nodded in responce, then placed her school bag and hat carefully on a coat rack behind the door.

Looking around the large space, Sakura noticed that Tomoyo's living room reflected her taste very well. Sakura was able to tell as the room was being designed, Tomoyo took a long time in planning and working out every little detail and where exactly everything should go before giving permission for work to start. The whole room looked perfect, like out of one of them classic catalogues that you would spend months paying off. No piece of the living room suite was out of place, damaged or missing in the room. The artwork that hung on the walls complimented the room's design well, leaving no part looking out of place.

Walking over to the balcony, Sakura decided that allowing some fresh air into the room would be a good idea to help clear her head and that Tomoyo wouldn't object to it. Taking the bay door with both hands Sakura pulled the door open just enough for the rush of cool summer air to blow through her bangs and wash over her face. Closing her eyes Sakura stood still allowing the breeze to pass right through her, as if it was clearing her head of all her inner worries.

"Sakura...Are you alright?" Tomoyo asked, after watching her for a number of minutes from her bedroom door.

Opening her eyes again, Sakura turned her head round to look at Tomoyo and smiled a little before answering her question.

"Yeah. I'm alright." Sakura replied slowly, turning her head back towards the open balcony doors.

Walking towards her. Tomoyo put a hand on Sakura's shoulder, letting her know that she was there.

"You know, if you ever want to talk about anything I'm always here to listen. Please promise me Sakura, that you will talk to me when you're ready to talk." Tomoyo whispered quietly into Sakura's ear. Sakura nodded, keeping her head facing forward.

Tomoyo was Sakura's oldest friend and in that time Tomoyo had gotten to know her extremely well. Tomoyo knew before anyone if Sakura was upset, even if she said that she was fine and smiled brightly. Tomoyo could see just a hint of something in her eyes, that would tell her otherwise. Tomoyo was saddened by the fact Sakura would keep things from her but at the same time would never pressure her into telling her what's wrong. Instead she settled for reassuring her that she was there for her when she felt ready to talk.

Taking in one last breath of the cool fresh air, Sakura finally turned around to face Tomoyo.

"I'm sorry Tomoyo. I guess my mind is somewhere else theses days." Sakura spoke up, pushing out any negative feelings that she was currently feeling.

"Understandable. You miss Li, but you know he won't be gone for long and in that time you shouldn't let that get you down. You don't want to make yourself sick over something you have no control over." Tomoyo explained, staring directly at Sakura.

Biting her lower lip, Sakura didn't want to accept any truths from anyone, even if that person was Tomoyo.

"Please Sakura, try to understand. I don't want to see you miserable. If you're sad then i'm sad." Tomoyo pleaded, this time with a little more force in her voice.

"STOP!" Sakura shouted, alarming herself and Tomoyo by her sudden outburst.

"JUST STOP IT OKAY. I DON'T WANT YOU TELL ME THAT YOU FEEL MY PAIN. YOU CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE WHAT I'M GOING THROUGH!" Sakura continued, on the verge of tears.

Before been given the chance to reply, Sakura had already took off running. Leaving a dejected Tomoyo standing alone in the now empty room.

A/N;

Oh dear, looks like Sakura isn't handling things too well, i do hope she manages to sort things out soon.