Sonomi sighed in frustration. She felt helpless, keeping secrets that hurt her only daughter. "I'm sorry, Sakura-chan, but Tomoyo isn't here right now."
"Not...here? She's out somewhere?" Sakura frowned, picnic basket swaying gently in her grasp.
"If anyone asks...just say I'm...I don't know, getting my masters degree in Italy. And, if Sakura-chan asks...tell her I'm on vacation."
"Yes..." Sonomi recalled, "she's...on vacation."
"Oh, darn...do you know when she'll be back?"
"I really can't say, Sakura-chan, dear." Sonomi explained, then went a little too far. "Something seems to have upset her...I think she just needs some time alone."
"Why's she upset?" Sakura asked in earnest.
"Oh, great, I said too much." Sonomi grimaced inwardly. "I honestly don't know, Sakura-chan...I just think she needs time alone to sort out her feelings."
"Yeah...I guess I saw that too, at least at my wedding...she seemed so sad for a moment." Sakura remembered sadly. "I...just wanted to talk to her...to see if there's any way I could help."
Sonomi put her hand on the younger woman's shoulder. "I'd give her some time, Sakura-chan. Sometimes, these things have a way of working themselves out in time..."
"Hai, if you say so, Ms. Sonomi." Sakura managed a small smile, before turning and walking back down the brick path, shoulders slightly slumped in defeat. Turning briefly, she added, "Um, if you do happen to talk to her, please give her my love, and that I'm thinking of her."
"I will...Sakura-chan, I will." Sonomi promised, watching the young woman leave the premises. She turned, noticing the two pictures on the hallway table. Pictures of the two most important women in her life. Looking all too similar.
"...but, usually, these things don't work themselves out." She thought, tearing up. She touched the picture of Nadeshiko. "We can't all be happy. Ne, Nadeshiko-chan?" Then, she touched the picture of her lavender haired daughter. "We can't all hide our true feelings forever..."
Sakura kicked a few pebbles on the sidewalk as she waited for the bus to arrive. "Where could she have gone? She'd always tell me if she was going away somewhere...why not now?"
"You weren't paying any attention to her...why should she pay any to you?" the little voice in her head prodded.
"I was too! It's just, the wedding had me so busy!" Sakura countered.
"Just admit it...you were used to it."
"I..."
"You were used to it, so when it wasn't there at your beck and call, you panicked."
"Best friends...are always there for each other." Sakura reminded herself gently. "Does she not want me to be there for her now...?"
"Sakura-chan, you're too kawaii!"
"This dress would look absolutely beautiful on you, Sakura-chan! You have to let me dress you!"
"Sometimes we all have to cry, Sakura-chan. Even if it hurts."
"You know I'll always be here for you if you need me, Sakura-chan. Always."
Sakura sighed, putting a hand to her cheek. "If someone as truly wonderful as Tomoyo-chan is hurting, then it IS up to me to make her feel better. Because she's been so very important to me."
Just then, the bus pulled up to the curb. Sakura stepped into the doorway with a bounce. She reminded herself to give herself more pep talks; they always seemed to quiet the nagging voice in her head when she talked about how wonderful her best friend was.
Turning her thoughts to other matters, namely her and Syaoran's new apartment in the city, Sakura grimaced. Boxes upon boxes of belongings were piled high in every room, and she had taken it upon herself to have everything unpacked and put away by the time her husband returned, so that they could go on their honeymoon worry-free. "I didn't realize I had so many things!!!" Sakura giggled. "I guess I am kind of a pack rat."
However, all work and no play made for a very dull (and sometimes dangerous) Sakura. Pulling out her cell phone in an attempt to get her social life kick started, at least until she found a teaching position, Sakura dialed the phone number of a dear, brown eyed friend, who had also recently moved into the area.