Chapter Two: New Worlds

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Author's Note: Yay! Thanks everyone that reviewed. I was so scared people were going to hate it, and it was going to be a flop. Read on!

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"Girls we have a new arrival today,"

The whisperings of the new arrival traveled fast through the building, as some were anxious to meet the new girl who was unfortunate enough to be working here, wanting to learn her tragic sob story, some wanting to know if she would be extra competition and others who couldn't care less.

Sakura had heard through the grapevine that the new girl was just another runaway. Many of them here were runaways, from their family, husband, or just from their problems.

"Make way, make way." Madame Gisella pushed through the crowd of girls eager to catch a glimpse of the new girl. "Aside!" She ordered.

Determined to see the girl, Sakura and her friends worked together to get themselves to the front the crowd.

It was another typical runaway. The girl was shivering from fright at being at such a place, she had long flowing black hair, almost tinted a shade of navy. Her skin was hidden beneath layers of fine clothes. The girl wasn't poor.

"Family issues?" said the girl beside her, breaking Sakura from her train of thought.

"Looks like it."

The crowd slowly dispersed as they watched the new girl enter Madame Gisella's office to discuss paperwork, and her legal status.

"That girl won't last," came a cool voice from behind them, as Sakura turned around to see a familiar face.

"That's what they said about you Sapphire, but look where you're at now." retorted Sakura, as the older girl laughed.

"The girl's too pure; you can see it in the way she walks. She's scared."

"For some men, fear is the ultimate aphrodisiac Sapphire."

The voice that came after wasn't one they were all too familiar with but they both knew who it was. As much as Sakura disliked Sapphire, there was one girl everyone hated. The star of their little freak show, Meilin, or as she was better known as, Crimson.

"Nice to see you out of your little hotel suite Meilin," said Sapphire, sarcastically.

The girl in front of them laughed.

"Still bitter Anna?" Meilin teased.

It hit the right spot, as Anna lunged forward hands wrapped around Meilin's delicate neck as she tried to strangle her. Sakura watched the two girls fight with each other, knowing that it would end in only a few scratches.

Not bothering to intervene, she watched both girls attempt to clean their appearance as Madame Gisella approached them, the new girl scuttling closely behind her.

"Meilin," said Gisella, ignoring Sakura and Anna who were next to her. Meilin smiled boastingly at them. "Get yourself cleaned up, you look pitiful."

Meilin nodded dumbly, as she walked off. One thing she wasn't used to being called was ugly. As much as she loved being Gisella's favourite, that woman could be a bitch.

Sakura stole a sideways glance at Sapphire who was smiling inwardly to herself, that put Crimson in her place.

"McArthur's coming back tonight, plan something special for him." continued Gisella, whilst filing some papers into the cabinet in the corridor. Sapphire cringed, as she realized who it was directed to.

"He may as well buy me if I have to get into his bed every night." She whispered under her breath, too loudly as Gisella caught her words.

"That's assuming you won't bore him soon, or if he stops seeing you. Then we can talk about you being sold." She replied coldly, motioning for the blonde girl to get out of her sight. "Sakura this is Tomoyo."

The girl that had been hiding behind Gisella, smiled shyly towards her as she returned the gesture.

"She's signed all the papers and will be working here now."

Sakura almost wanted to laugh out loud at the euphemism. Signing all the papers meant that Tomoyo had signed her life over to Gisella, the fine print that no one read. Technically Gisella would own all her profits, and also be her legal "guardian". No loopholes.

"Welcome to Madame Gisella's Young Ladies Tomoyo." Introduced Sakura, with a hint of sarcasm in her tone.

"Sakura will be your mentor for the first few weeks to see you settled in, good luck." said Gisella as she whisked herself back into her office, closing the door behind her.

"So, what'd you run away from?" asked Sakura, when they were finally alone.

"Run away?"

"Oh come on, look at the clothes you're wearing. A girl like that just doesn't come to a place like this for the fun of it Tomoyo."

Sakura stopped as she saw Tomoyo trail behind her. The girl seemed depressed, but hey they all were.

"Come on, I'll show you the sleeping headquarters." continued Sakura, as she turned around a sharp corner making her way down the dimly lit corridor to a tiny room.

"It's not much, but it fits everything you need. Beside most nights you won't be sleeping here anyway."

An awkward silence filled the room around them, as Tomoyo started unpacking.

"My father forced me to marry some guy that I didn't even know." Tomoyo said out of the blue.

"Arranged marriage hey? Tough."

"One day you'll see that option wouldn't have been so bad."

"Tomoyo this is Anna," Sakura introduced. "Shouldn't you be working on that something special for McArthur Sapphire?"

"Oh please, he comes back no matter what I do."

"Maybe he's in love with you."

Sakura and Anna stood surprised at what Tomoyo said.

"Girl, he's in love with my body. Don't be stupid."

Sakura almost felt sorry for the girl's naivety. She didn't know how someone who couldn't tell he difference between lust and love could stand living or working in a place like Madame Gisella's Young Girls.

"P-Please, I can pay you! How much do you want?"

A loud thundering noise came from downstairs, as all the girls that were awake ran to the stairs to look down to try and see who the stranger was.

"No, I don't want your money." came the more familiar voice of Gisella.

"I'll give you anything, how much do you want? Please miss!"

"Stand up," ordered Gisella, "If you want to see her again you will need to come tonight. I do not sell my girls sir."

"Just this once, I have money. You've got lots of other girls!"

Madame Gisella remained silent.

"I love her; please I'll take good care of her."

"And so do we all," replied Gisella, her words calculated and cold, as she closed the door in front of the desperate man.

"What was that about," Sakura whispered to the girl next to her, as they all quickly ran back to their rooms before Madame Gisella would notice they had been listening in.

"He wanted to buy Rika," said the girl beside her, as she pointed to another girl that looked as if she would break down into tears.

"Looks like she wanted to go with him."

"She does, they're both in love, and he wants to marry her."

"For the moment anyway." Said Sakura, as both girls laughed. Men moved on, soon enough the man would forget all about Rika and find another beautiful girl to be the object of his affection.

RRRIING

The sound of a bell rang through the building, echoing down the corridor as girls pushed past each other running down area they all called the living room. Last week Anna had warned them about Gisella considering cuts and the week was up.

Sakura slid into one of the chairs at the back of the room, where most of them were seated. Those that had arrived late would have to sit at the front near Gisella, which meant that she could pick on them more easily.

She beckoned for Tomoyo to sit next to her; chances were she wasn't going to get rid of the new girl.

"Meilin's here." said Sapphire on her right, as Sakura glanced to the tall figure leaning casually against the door as she watched other girls file in.

"Why does she even bother turning up?"

Gisella would never get rid of Crimson; it was almost an unspoken rule. Sakura saw the sparks that flew across the room, as Sapphire and Meilin caught each others eyes. Meilin had tried to get Sapphire cut before, but Gisella had held her ground, Sapphire was still bringing in the money.

"Hey, ease up." She nudged the blonde girl.

"You won't get cut today." Replied Anna, as she slouched back into her chair. "She looks scared." She continued, nodding towards Tomoyo.

"She'll get used to it," said Sakura, Anna gave her a surprised look.

"That's new."

"What is?"

Anna didn't get a chance to answer as a young woman in her early 30's, walked into the room, her large platinum curls that were newly set, stayed stiff in their position.

There were around twenty girls that were currently living here, and one of them was going to get tossed into the streets. All eyes, different shades from many foreign countries were glued onto the woman's neatly manicured fingers as she sat down at her desk in front of them, going through the week's budget.

"Jeanette."

Her words were cool and precise, and at the same the time a small whimper came from the girl whose name had been called out.

They all remained seated as they waited for Gisella to walk out, taking a quick glance at Meilin who was still leaning on the doorway, her delicate face still unreadable and flawless as she followed behind her.

The whole room let out a deep breath, with Madame Gisella's retreating back. The tiny girl in the front row stood up, her whole body shaking as she ran to the window to watch the cold weather outside. Her friends ignored her. Rather her than me.

"Shouldn't we say something to her?" said Tomoyo, when most of the party had left the room. Sakura and Anna had stayed back to light the fireplace, the central source of warmth in this deserted place.

"Don't bother."

The ebony-haired girl looked hesitantly at the shivering figure crouched down under the window, her pale skin clutching at her thin dress. Most likely one of the few possessions she had left in this world.

"What's that?" asked Tomoyo as she pointed towards a shiny piece of jewellery around Sakura's neck. Aware, Sakura quickly pushed the necklace back under her clothes.

"We all ran away from something, Sakura was dumped here. She's been here longer than most of us," said Anna when she saw Sakura wasn't going to answer.

"So the necklace is?"

"Her little family heirloom she likes to think."

"Not funny Anna," snapped Sakura, getting off the couch. "I'm off, Night."

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A young man with amber eyes, and copper locks that ran all over the place looked up at the foreboding mansion that had been past down through the Astley Generation.

"One moment Mr. Li," said the butler of the house, as he gestured for the tall man to take a seat and make himself comfortable while he would inform his mistress of the arrival.

"Aimee."

A woman with long flowing golden hair, descended the marble steps to the living room where a young soldier was waiting for her.

"Syaoran, what are you doing here?" she asked, toying with a flower in her hand.

He stood breathless at the beautiful woman in front of him. He still couldn't believe how amazing she looked; her hair was done in a simple bun that had loose curls that had been let free. The gown she was wearing was a complete contrast to her appearance; her pale complexion was covered by the make-up that went with magnificent gown that had been designed specifically for her.

"I…" he trailed off, unable to pry his eyes off her.

"Come, I want to show you something." She continued, taking his hand as she pulled him along playfully. He had no choice but to follow. "It's not much, but I planted it myself." She said, pointing towards a tiny shrub.

"It's not looking too bad," commented Syaoran. Bending down at the plant, he saw tiny shoots start to appear. It was growing. "Maybe this might help." He said, as he started patting the dirt around it, smoothing out the ground.

"Yeah, wasn't too keen on that part." She giggled, but stopped when she saw the serious look in Syaoran's eyes as he turned to her.

"There's something I want to ask you."

"What?"

"Aimee, from the first day I met you, you took my breath away. And I…"

"Tell me," she urged, entwining her fingers in his.

"Will you marry me Aimee?" he asked, getting down on his knee as he took out the magnificent diamond ring.

"Oh," she let out a gasp of surprise, "Yes!"

Syaoran smiled at her reply, as he got back up, slipping the enormous rock onto her tiny finger.

"There's something else…" he started off hesitantly.

"Anything, you know you can tell me."

"I'm being transferred." He stated bluntly, he knew she wouldn't take it well.

"You're what?" she blurted out. What was this, some cruel joke? She had finally got him to propose to her and now he was going away?

"The General transferred me to train the new soldiers, your father knows about this."

"But you can't. You can't, not now."

Syaoran smiled. He knew she would say that.

"I've got something for you," he said, as he took out a small piece of paper out of his coat pocket. It was crinkled, but when Aimee saw what it was, she didn't mind, pressing it against her chest.

"Wait, I've got one for you too."

She ran back inside, running up the stairs she quickly slammed the door behind her. Where was it? Rummaging through her closet doors she grew more frustrated when finally she found the picture hidden under others on her bedside table.

Running back downstairs, she caught him staring at her family picture at the fireplace.

"Here," she said, giving him the piece of paper with a picture of herself on it. "It's not that recent, but it's the only one I could find."

"I'm sorry to do this to you."

"Well hurry up, and then we can get married."

Syaoran looked at the sincere expression in her brown eyes. God he loved her.

"I'll come back for you."

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Author's Note: I know, I know. SS haven't even met yet. I'm so sorry! But that's why I will update faster till the section where they do meet. Hopefully before Christmas, but that all depends on how the reviews pick up. I'm hoping! Please review, it really motivates me to write and I want to finish this before my holidays finish (February).