Chapter 10: Building Walls

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Author's Note: Again sorry! I'm so scared that there's this massive change in writing style and characterisation b/w chapter 8 and 9 because of how long I took to update. If there's anything really obvious, i.e. if you notice any continuity errors tell me okay? Anyway, on with the story…

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He hadn't said a word to her since they left the Duke's manor. She found it irritating but was too tired to push it. An hour had past and it was though he had created an artificial gap between them in the carriage. What was there so interesting about green grass?

She was still wearing the pale blue gown the duke had given her as a present. It wasn't what she would call demure being in the latest fashion style. He was sitting opposite her, but had moved to the other side of the carriage as if to avoid her. He wouldn't even look at her.

She saw a quick flash of light, he had been toying with the ring but before she could say anything he slipped it back into his pocket.

"Are you going to say something?" she said, having enough of the gulf he had set up between them.

He didn't answer her, but she saw from the way his eyes glanced in her direction he had heard.

God, she wasn't use to waiting. Men lapped up the attention she gave them.

A flash of regret shot through her, she hadn't even had the chance to say goodbye to Tomoyo or Anna. Would they be alright without her? She knew Anna was a fighter, but Gisella could trample over anyone she didn't like. God, the closest mother figure she had known in her life had sold her for money. A weird sensation over came her, it was so like Gisella she laughed to herself, it was a bitter laugh but it surprised Syaoran who finally turned to look at her.

When Sakura noticed, she dropped her smile and turned towards the window. If he wanted to play games, she would oblige him.

She drew in her breath when the carriage suddenly stopped.

"The driver's taking a break." He stated, before she could question what was happening.

There was a convenience store outside where they were parked. Sakura didn't need to think again, she got out of the carriage before he could say anything and walked into the store where she was met with a gush of cold air.

Approaching the refrigerator, she grabbed a drink before turning to the counter where a plump man was sitting. He was reading his newspaper, bored as the news headlines ran in the background.

When she approached the counter, she noticed the change in his expression.

"How much?" it came out softer than she expected.

He told her the amount and she threw a few coins onto the desk. He smiled deviously at her, telling all that she needed to know. She knew what he was thinking, but she smiled back anyway. Whether for reasons she liked or not, it was the first genuine smile she had seen for a while.

Feeling a bit like her old self despite what she was wearing, she flashed him a wink before walking out.

She was surprised they hadn't run off without her. The carriage was where she had left it. Getting back in, she settled into the cushioned seat. Her hair was a tangled mess, but she just tossed it back.

"You should have run off." She commented, opening the drink.

He took it from her.

Her hand flashed up to take it back, but he had already taken a sip.

"What was that for? I paid for that!" she shot at him angrily.

"You would've spilt it."

"Oh, you can't be serious." Surprising him, she snatched it back. He caught her wrist, and when she tried to shake it off his grasp tightened.

"You're hurting me," she stated, staring right back into his eyes. It was a lie, but he believed it, as his grip on her wrist loosened. Taken aback, she let her own grip on the bottle slip, but before it dropped to the floor he caught it.

"I couldn't have," he said. Sakura felt her heart speed up.

"What?"

"Run off." His head jerked towards the driver out the window who was approaching the carriage.

"Ready to go sir?" he nodded slightly, handing him the bottle to throw away.

Her eyes narrowed, furious. But she wouldn't let him know it.

"I can't have you drunk."

"I don't get drunk," she snapped, crossing her arms over in defiance. She jolted when the carriage started moving again. The wall was back up.

Sakura wouldn't look at him; it took all the willpower in her to concentrate her thoughts elsewhere. She was so into her thoughts; she didn't even notice the shift when houses started to appear from under all the greenery.

There was a part of the neighborhood that reminded her of the place where she had grown up, but the carriage rode on past. The houses were getter grander, inhaling deeply when they past the most beautiful house she had ever seen. Gautier's manor would never have been able to compare.

"Listen -" he said abruptly, taking her by surprise as she glanced in his direction.

Sakura settled back into the seat, she had known that he had to bring up the issue sooner or later. "So what's the story then?"

His expression turned confused, before catching on. "I found someone to help around the house."

Sakura arched an eyebrow. "A maid?"

"Housekeeper, maid."

Sakura was silent, thinking. "Do you really think she would buy that?"

"She'll trust me."

Sakura gave him an incredulous laugh, Aimee was a foolish girl.

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Conversation died when she walked into the foyer. Whether it was from her appearance or shock, Sakura couldn't tell. She could tell from Syaoran's cold expression that the visitors weren't meant to be there.

Former Lieutenant General Astley had a particular knack for getting what he wanted, especially when his daughter was involved.

"Welcome back Colonel," he said, with all the dignitaries that signified he had once been in a commanding position.

"I didn't expect you to be waiting," replied Syaoran, matching his tone.

"Aimee was eager to be here when you arrived."

They were both standing apart, still in the foyer. Sakura almost wanted to nudge Syaoran to tell him to invite the man to sit, when she recognized what it was. A battle of wills.

General Astley eyed the honey brown haired girl beside him, frowning. There was something off about the situation. The Colonel had never blatantly disrespected his authority before.

"Let's sit inside." The voice was definitely female. Sakura wasn't sure how she had missed the blonde haired girl standing behind the large frame of her father. She was pretty in the conventional way, delicate figure, and pale skin. Sakura was reminded of some of the more popular girls back at Madame Gisella's… but there was something else in the way she had spoken. Gentle, soft yet purposeful. She had breeding.

It was then Sakura realized who it must be. Aimee. The girl he had been on the phone with, the reason why he had tried to turn her down the first time.

The blonde haired girl shifted her hand to the side, it was a small gesture that Sakura might have almost missed but Syaoran saw it and took her hand. Leading the four of them into the main room he had Aimee by his side.

Her arrival to his house and meeting strangers had been large enough a shock that she hadn't been able to take in the beauty of his house. It wasn't as grand as the earlier manor that captured her breath, but it was comparable.

"Colonel, I have matters to attend to. I'll send a carriage for Aimee this afternoon." It was sudden, as though the Former Lieutenant had taken into account the best move to make. The couple in front of her turned around, acknowledging before the doorman led the Lieutenant to the door.

Sakura was left to follow them into the main room. Seated, they waited as drinks were served. Surprise etched across the face of the maid who was serving them when she noticed the brown haired girl. Knowing her place she didn't comment, busying herself to exit the room.

"I missed you."

A smile tugged at his mouth.

There was something natural about the way they talked to each other. Courteous, respectful … polite. There was something constraining about it all, which she just wanted out of.

Sweet… it was yellow.

"I forgot something in the carriage" she lamely interrupted their conversation. It was the first idea she could come up with to be excused.

Aimee's head turned, as though to notice her for the first time. Syaoran kept his eyes on the blonde haired girl, as though she had never said anything. She didn't need to wait for his invitation to leave.

Getting up, she was surprised when the both of them got up with her.

"Um, I'll go then…" she started nervously. What were they expecting her to do sitting there?

Syaoran lifted his indifferent gaze. "I'll go."

And with those two words, she was forced to sit back down. Aimee sat down opposite her as they both watched Syaoran walk out of the room.

God she wanted to drown herself. She didn't know whether she wanted him to realize that she had lied to try and get out of the room; she didn't want him searching for some imaginary object in the carriage and thinking of her a bigger fool. Which did she want more?

The girl in front of her wasn't making any attempt at conversation. Her painted face looking patiently at ornate objects around the room.

"I'm Sakura," it came out before she could stop herself, she couldn't take the silence.

The girl opposite her nodded "Aimee."

"Syaoran's fiancée?"

The girl eyed her warily.

"I didn't catch who you were…" It was subtle, but it was in there. Years of reading under the layers, she saw the malicious intent behind Aimee's words.

She was trying to place her, decide if it was worth her time getting acquainted.

Sakura was going to leave Syaoran to answer. It was his story. "Congratulations."

Aimee was taken aback. It was only a second, but then the veil washed over her. "Thank you, he asked me before he left to train the soldiers. Take a look." She quickly pocketed the picture he had given her just before he left.

Sakura leaned over to take a better look. The artist didn't do him justice, but his confidence no one could hide.

"I gave him one too. Perhaps you've seen it?"

She shook her head.

"Oh, that's a pity. I was told it had a remarkable likeness." Her hand flew to her mouth, as though to demonstrate how she was feeling. The diamond ring flashed in the light.

And finally Sakura got it; behind all the niceties the girl thought she was a threat to her relationship.

Their conversation was interrupted by a polite cough.

"Lady Aimee, your bags have arrived."

"Oh, father must have sent them. Place them in my room would you?"

The servant nodded, calling another to place the bags in the room Syaoran had prepared for her.

"If I may show the new housekeeper her room?"

It was said in all politeness, but Aimee's eyes flashed towards Sakura when she heard the word housekeeper.

"You're the new maid?"

Sakura replied, proud that her voice didn't tremble. Ignoring convention, she got up to follow the servant to her room.

"No wait there, I'll show her." Aimee interjected, getting up. The servant was forced to bow, and back off. "Follow me," she smiled.

Sakura followed her, past numerous hallways, turning and circling around. Aimee was trying to get her a room as far away as possible. She was confirmed in her suspicions when she stopped in what could only be called a dump. It was worst than the room she shared with the other girls at Gisella's.

"I'll leave you to unpack then," she said, eyeing the small bag the girl had bought with her.

Sakura waited until the blonde haired girl was out of sight before collapsing against the wall. Damn it, she wasn't weak. That girl wanted a fight.

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Author's Note: Sakura and Aimee finally meet. Oh, tricky position ) Don't worry Anna and co. haven't completely disappeared from the story. Tell me what you think! On another note, do you guys want review replies?