Sooo my life is kinda spinning out of control a bit (not drugs or anything haha) and ive been really distracted along with busy. But here is an extra long chapter enjoy :) Let me know what you think!

Ch.4

After the party, they were all at Sakura's house to really talk. They always spent time together after parties to catch up with their secret lives at each other's houses. Though they were all best friends, they could only talk about their secret lives in private. They know that if their lives were revealed it would mean big trouble for everyone. This time the place was Sakura's house. Unlike the others, Sakura lives in a normal home with no servants, for she was raised as a normal girl until Yukito came into her life. They all loved her house the best because there were no servants, the girls felt normal there.

"Soooooo whose turn is it to talk about their lives," Sakura inquired excitedly.

"Hold your horses girl, someone seems really enthusiastic today," Rika laughed.

"Well we are in the usual cycle you, me, Tomoyo, and then Rika," Meiling replied, "since you was first last time, it's my turn, Tomoyo's, then Rika's and you're last."

"Well then Miss Dongle, please do begin your tale of forbidden romance, " Tomoyo added as she put her hands on her face to lean on. Meiling rolled her eyes at her. They were all in their usual positions in whatever room they were in, Sakura and Meiling sharing bed, Tomoyo on the ground on her stomach and Rika sitting cross legged along side her.

"Well, Mother made me do wedding preparations this week," Meiling began with a sigh, "and it's not the fact I have to plan for the wedding that's stressful, it's just I don't know how to. I haven't met my so called husband to incorporate him into the wedding too. If he even wants to…."

"You still haven't met him yet?" Rika replied incredulously.

"Nope," Meiling sighed, "I met him once when I was little remember? But looking back at it I don't well, and he could look completely different for all I know. I don't even know his name… I just can't recollect any of it…"

"You still don't remember it? I thought you guys were going to meet each other before the wedding?" Sakura asked confused.

"No, they decided that we could back out even more if mystery man and I met We are going to meet each other like any other arranged marriage would. At the alter….." Meiling replied looking down, "I was really young when it happened; the only reason I know that I've met his is this." She took out a picture from her bag. There was a little girl with short black odangos making a sand castle smiling. Meiling was one of those people that looked the same in every picture, the only difference was she looked more mature. While a little boy running to the right with his eyes closed holding a pail of sand. From what the picture looked like, they were no older than one or two. The picture was worn and faded with a few color stains, though the images were still despicable.

"I just want to marry Sora…." Meiling trailed off still looking down.

"Well we were all born into this," Tomoyo sighed, "and no matter what. We can never escape it."

There was a awkward silence with all the girls. They all knew and understood what was unfolding in their lives. Deep into their soul they wanted to change the cards the hands of fate gave them but they couldn't.

"Man Tomoyo you really know how to dampen the mood," Meiling joked, "I know. But Friday night I spent time with Sora. I was…..nice..." She smiled reminiscing on the moment, "We went on our usual date near the lake. We ate, talked and sat under the stars…." Meiling told with a smile clearly shown on her face.

"Well has your parents found out or even suspected anything yet?" Sakura questioned curiously.

"Nope, I doubt it. But Sora wants to talk to my parents so we can go out in public without worrying about the paparazzi," Meiling explained, "It really would be a load off. On top of learning the ropes of being the owner of Sun & Moon; it's just stressful." She sighed while looking up at the ceiling. "I just want to be with Sora. That is all I want. Did you know that he told me that he would walk a thousand miles just to spend a minute longer with you?"

"Now that's a little overkill," Rika laughed, "he needs to get better lines. But one thing's for sure that boy would do anything for you."

"I know," Meiling grinned, "it's only been a week so I don't have too much news for you guys but what about Tomoyo? How has the bookkeeper been; keeping you busy?" She slyly winked at Tomoyo as she blushed profusely thinking of her inamorata.

"Eriol has been…..simply amazing," Tomoyo smiled with a large grin, "Yue doesn't suspect anything. He knows that I read so much and I love to spend hours in a bookstore so he doesn't mind. Though we almost got caught."

"No way!" Rika shrieked.

"How?" Meiling shouted shocked.

"You guys are always so careful," Sakura commented, "Even more careful than, Miss I like to have dates out in public," She added while pointing with her thumb to Meiling.

"Hey! We are careful about that!" Meiling retorted.

"Anyywwaaayy," Rika interjected, "tell us what happened!"

"Well I guess I was there an extra long time at the store I guess and Yue got worried. He didn't want to send the our private police out for a silly reason so he just went himself…Eriol and I were kinda in the middle of a...um…long..…talk in the back room when Yue rang the bell at the front des-," Tomoyo explained trying to stifle an obvious grin on her face.

"You liar! You guys were making out!" Sakura shrieked.

"No!..." Tomoyo replied trying to do anything but look at her emerald eyed companion.

"You are a terrible liar Tomoyo," Rika replied.

"Yeah you suck at it," Meiling affirmed.

"No I am….well…eh yeah…I know," Tomoyo sighed in defeat.

"So continue with no sugar coats," Sakura winked.

"Okay…so we were making out. We were kinda in the moment so we didn't hear the bell ring for a while. Our clothes were a little haphazard so Eriol had to straighten up a bit. It happens sometimes and Eriol usually is gone for about five minutes to help the customer. But this time he was right back to me in a matter of seconds. When I saw him his face was ashen and in a panic. He told me that Yue was out there and we had to think of something quick."

"Wow. Talk about bad timing," Meiling commented.

"I know. So I had I was freaking out while my mind was going a mile a minute. I had to get out of the back room without Yue noticing me and pretend to be reading somewhere. The book store is so big that Eriol told Yue to look around and since I visited there so often he trusted me not to steal anything while he was in the back room. So I had to sneak out past Yue, and pretend I was somewhere in the store where Yue didn't look. I was freaking out that he would find me somewhere strange!"

"Yikes. How in the hell did you do it!" Sakura asked.

"I don't even know. My adrenaline was pumping so hard I don't know how I got out of it. But it just barely worked and Yue didn't suspect anything. We were both really scared," Tomoyo replied with a sign of relief.

"I think I probably would have shit my pants," Rika stated bluntly.

There was silence for a moment. Then all the girls burst out laughing over the comment Rika made.

"Oh gosh Rika, I love you," Meiling laughed with tears forming in her eyes.

"We know another person who loves Rika or should I say Sapphire?," Tomoyo winked.

"I'm guessing it's my turn to talk now…" Rika said blushing slowly thinking of the words she was going to say.

"Well…my double life has been doing great I guess….It's so hard to keep everyone in my lives organized and secret. But Ruby hasn't suspected anything yet. Then again we still don't know what we look like yet…."

"And that is possible how…..?" Rika questioned puzzled.

"Well I've do live in a way a "wild life" but I go to different clubs a lot and I met Ruby at this one club where you wear masks."

"So….its like a masquerade place? That sounds a little weird people wearing normal clothes with masks on…..? That kinda sounds sketch…." Tomoyo commented skeptical.

"Well….gosh how do I explain this…we wear I guess nice clothes. Clothes you wear out clubbing? Like sparkly tops and big skirts? It's hard to explain but I'll show you what I wear to the club one day. Pretty much you can do whatever you want but everything is anonymous. It's fun to let loose a little and not care what people think of you. Kinda like a release from all the pressures we have in our class. No one is judging but all they was is just to have a good time and do whatever the hell they want. You guys should really come with me one time." Rikka grew up with strict parents that were never around. She was raised by multiply nannies, some of which would scold and beat her if she stepped out of line. When Tomoyo and Meiling were first introduced into society at ten, they met Rikka. Though back then, she was just an empty surrogate with no life inside, no emotion crossed her face. She was a doll that moved an acted like a human, but did only the littlest work to interact with others and always made sure to behave. Slowly as the girls became friends, the true Rikka began to come out. But Rikka was still afraid of her actions and what others would think of them. So Tomoyo took her to a club and Rikka's confidence shot up along with her happiness even more.

"Hmm….maybe Sora and I could go one time. I mean no one will recognize us and it's in the city part of Hong Kong," Meiling said thinking how this idea of Rika's could work for her advantage, "but I am willing to try it!"

"Ruby wants to spend time with me outside of the club but it's just that we have never seen each other's faces before. It's a little nerve wracking to be so into a guy whose face I haven't even seen. I mean even when we make out or fool around we wear our mask."

"Wouldn't that get annoying? It would bother the crap out of me to not see this guys face," Tomoyo questioned.

"You get used to it after a while. But I think I could really be into this guy,….and maybe he is into me too….," Rika said excited.

"Just be careful! We don't want anything to happen to you!" Sakura said motherly.

"Of course you would say that Sakura. Always the grounded, don't do anything wrong Sakura. Safe Sakura," Meiling teased.

"I just don't want one of my best friend's getting hurt!" Sakura interjected defensively.

"We know, we just love teasing you," Tomoyo replied with a smile

"Yeah pretty much. I mean you guys already know that Ruby and I have done stuff and where we meet. All that really happened is that he wants to see me without my mask. It will be…..scary I guess in a way….."Rika explained.

"Don't worry. I will be fine. You like him and that's all that really counts." Tomoyo replied comforting.

"It's just a strange feeling I guess," Rika laughed, "but besides me how is your life Sakura? You said you were going to tell us something when we got to your house."

"Oh yeah I did say I was going to do that," Sakura replied remembering her words. She thought for a second trying to rack all of her memories of her love over the past week. He seemed to be a bigger hassle this week that usual; getting jealous and overprotective more that usual.

"Well he's been interesting lately. More…..gosh how do I say it…paranoid?" Sakura explained, "he seems to think I'm always checking out some other guy."

"Well that a little odd," Tomoyo said.

"Well the company has been getting some big deals with companies and everyone is on edge hoping that they will go through," Meiling agreed.

"Yeah….he …has I guess, though he got very jealous today," Sakura answered with a confused look on her face and a sigh, "he thought that I have flirting with Takuma tonight."

"And Takuma is….." Tomoyo questioned.

"The guy I ran into at the party. You know that guy I spilled the drink on?"

"Oh got it. Well I may not know who he is but he was hot!" Rika added.

"Yes but he got really defensive and then just shut down on me. Nothing happened! He has just been so crazy lately. I've been with him since I was sixteen. You'd think that if I was going to leave him I would have done it already. I am freaking getting married to him in five months! Gosh, I think I'm having second thoughts about this…" Sakura admitted running her hands through her hair and face.

"I'm sure it's not as bad as it seems," Rika spoke comforting Sakura.

"No," Sakura shook her head, "it is. I am always watching what I am doing and nervous of my own shadow. The way he is acting is just getting me really uncomfortable and self conscious of myself. This high society is just stressing me out enough and now I have him to worry about now. Like tonight! Now I am going to be the talk of the town for months. They already don't accept me because I'm not like you." Sakura struggled to say the last sentence as a large lump in her throat formed. She knew that it was the truth and that's is what hurt her the most.

There was silence. It was true that Sakura was not like them and it has been hard for her to adjust. Sakura was a down to earth girl who worked all her life. The adjustment to the high class is new and strange for her. Maids and butlers doing what she could do on her own was a weird feeling for her. She could remember the first time she went to a high society party with Yukito. Sakura never went to a party until their 'official' engagement was announced when she was eighteen. Tomoyo was a wealthy Japanese by blood already and was engaged to marry Yue the following summer so she would be present. Though Tomoyo was Japanese, Sakura was her best friend. Their mothers were best friends, for they went to the same school growing up. They never cared about their racial background and so neither did Sakura or Tomoyo.

Three Years Ago….

Sakura walked into the ballroom with her arm around Yukito's arm. She was very nervous and obviously corybantic. Though Tomoyo was there, she couldn't shake off the sense of anxiety within her. Her reputation was already a topic of controversy. Why a middle class Chinese girl become engaged to a rich and powerful man, especially a Japanese one. It was the scandal of the century. Their relationship baffled many people and there were many stories floating around on how they become a couple let alone engaged. As they walked down the stairs with all eyes on them as they were being announced. Sakura began to panic in her mind; she felt all of the eyes were engorged on her burning holes through her clothes and her whole entire being. The eyes looking at her; judging her and different ideas streamed through the minds of the nobles as they plotted to tear her down. Yukito was a man of great prestige and many girls were head over heels about him. He was handsome, rich, and was a powerful man in the world of business. A couple of hours had passed by and Yukito left Sakura to get her a drink when a girl approached Sakura with a smile plastered on her face. She was very beautiful no doubt, with dark luscious auburn hair, deep blue eyes and creamy white skin. Her blood red dress flowed from her body flawlessly on her slim physique. Sakura felt as if she was an ugly duck next to her, not meant to be in the prescience of a goddess like her.

"You're Sakura Kinomoto right?" the red beauty inquired, her words were like honey off her lips.

"Ye-yes," Sakura replied stammering. She was flustered; she has had no encounters with upscale people and was unsure how to act. Her mind ran a mile a minute going through the etiquette classes Yukito had her do. She was on her own, Yukito wasn't there and Tomoyo was nowhere to be found.

"Nice to meet you," she replied putting out her hand. Sakura looked at it confused. She didn't remember any of the etiquette classes mentioning women giving handshakes to people. The woman obviously saw her confusing and put it down. She looked Sakura up and down as if sizing her up to herself. Sakura shifted uncomfortably as she was being examined under a microscope.

"Oh I'm sorry how rude of me," jumped the blue eyed lady, "I'm Tsubaki!"

"Oh its very nice to meet you," Sakura replied politely.

"You know…" Tsubaki trailed off, "its very interesting to have someone like you here at the party." Her words followed one after the other smoothly as they fell of her lips.

"I'm sorry I didn't catch you," Sakura asked puzzled. She was well aware of what Tsubaki said to her but kept her façade of confusion and ignorance up. Though she gave Tsubaki a change to reiterate and save herself. Tsubaki looked around and leaned closer to her as if she was telling her a secret.

Lowering her voice she said comforting like a mother would to their crying child, "You know with your 'condition'. I'm surprise that you seem like a refined girl."

Sakura then became confused at what this woman was trying to get at and asked yet again, "I apologize what exactly do you mean?"

"With your social standings and all. It's not every day a commoner comes to these grand events. Why I thought you would be a downright whore or slut," Tsubaki replied smug.

Sakura became angry and clenched her fists. Yet her mask of calmness was not broken from the comment. As calmly as she could she was about to reply when.

"SAKURA!"

Sakura whipped her head to the direction of the voice. It was Tomoyo. She was waving her arm up carelessly as she signaled her over. There were two other people that Sakura didn't recognize but she went over quickly anyway. Anywhere but being with Tsubaki would be better. Tomoyo was wearing a deep navy dress with diamond bodice. Her amethyst hair flowed down her dress in soft curls. The two girls behind her were smiling at Sakura. One had piercing ruby eyes with jet black odangos flowing down her back. She wore a silk strapless indigo dress that accented her skin creamy white skin and curves. Next to ruby was a girl with short light brown hair to her chin and dark eyes. She was beautiful as well as the other one with flawless white skin with a deep green dress like Sakura's except Sakura's was a halter while hers was strapless.

"Hello," Sakura said coyly to the two strangers.

"Sakura this is Rika," Tomoyo said cheerfully pointing to the short haired girl.

"Hiya!" the brown haired girl replied happily waving to her.

"And Meiling," pointing to the one with dangerous eyes.

"Hi," red eyed girl replied curt and smug.

"Um….hello. It's nice to meet you all," Sakura replied uncomfortably while shifting side to side. It was very awkward moment. Rika looking anywhere but at Sakura, Meiling stared Sakura down trying to scare her way, and Tomoyo smiling with a wide grin oblivious to everything going on.

"Oh there's Yukito!" Tomoyo squealed pulling Sakura to Yukito. Sakura looked back and her new acquaintances continued talking amongst themselves and each other.

Well it was nice to meet them I guess….

Present Day

As the Sakura thought of the day that made her life in the society better, there was a silence. The girls all pondered on the predicament their "common" friend was in. Some of them had been in similar situations, while some of them didn't. The girls just simply ended the relationship when warning flags occurred, but none of them were ever engaged to them. Then a sound broke the silence.

"Just leave," Tomoyo said bluntly.

"What?" Sakura exclaimed incredulously.

"Just leave. Go find yourself and relax. Be off on your own without us or Yukito. You never grew up with this like we did," Tomoyo replied with a shrug, while looking at the others for support. She was the closest one to Sakura of all of them, they were like sisters who knew each other like the back of their hand.

"It sounds like a good idea to me," Meiling shook her head in agreement.

"Yeah but the problem is where would she go?" Rika questioned putting on her thinking face.

"Hmm….well I have family in Europe, how about you go live there. You will be on your, own feel relaxed and still have someone you know help you if you get into a situations," Tomoyo suggested.

"Yes but ….how will I get Yukito to agree to this….?" Sakura replied skeptically.

"Who said anything about Yukito knowing?" Tomoyo smiled.

And from that day the plan was set into motion; how Sakura was going off on her own to find herself before her whole life is changed forever.