Hazard

Chapter I – This Night Begins

By silverymare

Disclaimer: This story is retaliation to those atrocious mistake-ridden, OOC gang stories out there. As for CCS, it's one of CLAMP's best works and I own nothing except my plot and new characters. Please forgive me for discrepancies in this story; I've tried to research as much as possible so just tell me and I'll change what's needed. Thanks go to Kaori-chan for being my beta and my editor!

Enjoy.

Kowloon, Hong Kong.

28th of May. 12:00 pm.

The largest office in the eighteen-storeyed Organized Crime and Triad Bureau Headquarters was packed, stifling warm with body heat. Turned into a makeshift lecture room with a portable lectern and rows of chairs, people were huddled together in little groups. Coffee cups were balanced on scalded knees and papers moved aside so others could sit on the computer tables at the back. Before ten this morning, the room was a centre of flurried calls from problematic areas within Hong Kong. Now it had been reduced to a low murmuring; officers greeting their desk partners and takeaway food was being passed over shoulders and under legs. No one wanted to miss this briefing.

From the lectern, the Inspector coughed, his cheeks red with excitement. Some officers looked up, pausing. When the man said nothing, they returned to their conversations. The overall noise had only lessened for a moment before rising up again. The short man was used to being ignored, and unable to see very well without his glasses he gave up and settled for glaring at the crowd. Nevertheless his whiskers twitched with amusement at his inferiors. It was strange to see so many gathered at once. This was almost the whole sector, nearly a fifth of all the Hong Kong Police. Officers not on duty were still showing up, laughing at the lack of space. They were the ones lingering at the doorways, pinching takeaway containers and getting in everyone's way. The humidity of the outside air left a sheen of sweat on those coming in. Someone nearly tripped over a carelessly placed bag.

From the only free doorway, Kaho Mizuki smiled, comfortable in foreign surroundings. The people around her weren't very different from her department back in Tokyo. No one had spotted her yet and she enjoyed her last seconds of anonymity to see how her Chinese police counterparts acted when they were off duty. Someone bumped into her shoulder, and there was an apology as she was thrown off balance before the man disappeared into the throng. She straightened herself up. Amused at the casual rudeness, she looked at her watch.

It's time.

She stepped away from the doorway, red hair sweeping after her. Kaho held the suitcase firmly in her grip as she cut herself away from the hallway, exposing every step to the scrutiny to all. The sharp clicking of heels quietened the room down. Slowly, line upon line settled down, curious as to who she was. She was different: an outsider, Japanese. Her attire, slim and neutral colours, presented a sharp look to the rough and tumble officers in the room; Kaho was someone to take notice of.

Those tired, worn faces that turned to her only saw the pale skin, the waist-length hair, the thoughtful smile; they didn't see the twenty years of research that followed her name. She ignored the appreciative glances that the front rows were making and politely nodded to the Inspector when she reached the lectern, bowing.

The Inspector smiled kindly at her. He hadn't expected such a pretty woman. Kaho stood to his side as he took up the position on the wooden stand. As his subordinates quietened, he waved his hand. People at the back of the room closed the doors.

Red-faced at the sudden attention, the Inspector tapped on the microphone. "Eh. Is this working?"

It shrieked to life, making the audience hold their ears in pain and the short man back away. He glared to his left at the sound station. Behind a wooden table with speakers, the attendants tried not to laugh. The Inspector looked rather red and ridiculous. Cheerfully, one of them gave thumbs up to their Head. Grunting to himself, the Inspector returned to the mike, coughing once to see if the microphone was working. When it was at a normal volume, he glared at his audience. Someone tittered with laughter, but was quickly silenced.

"Good. Good. Ahem. Yes. I assembled all of you today for one particular reason. All of you know what I'm talking about. The recent lack of disturbances around Hong Kong is startling, but I know this isn't because of our doings. We haven't had a mass arrest for months. While we know that the citizens of Hong Kong feel as if the organised crime rate has fallen lower then expected, I believe that there is something different going on. This is the quiet before the storm." He paused, making sure to ground his point in.

"We, the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau, can't just wait for this storm to come down upon us. I've checked up with many of you. Your sources aren't very useful. We have the usual small dealings of drug trafficking and the odd case of prostitution. But for Hong Kong to settle down, we need information on some of the heads of these Triad gangs. Don't worry about small fry. Our aim: to eliminate one of the Heads of a major Triad society. This will help us cripple problems." He turned to Kaho, motioning her to step forward. "This is the representative from Tokyo's Organised Crime Control Bureau, Kaho Mizuki. She will be joining our cause and she'll be assigned a team to work with her. I hope you make her feel welcome."

Someone raised a hand.

Inspector Chiu pointed at the woman. "Speak to me after, Nina." Pulling out a handkerchief to blot his forehead, the Inspector relinquished the wooden stand, glaring down at his officers.

When Kaho stepped up, carefully tapping the microphone to test the volume, she gave the room her first warm smile. Making sure her suitcase wasn't in her way, she stared down at all the curious faces. This is the beginning. We should get started. There's a lot up ahead.

"As Inspector Chiu would have told you, my name is Kaho Mizuki. Thank you for having me here today. The room is really full; I didn't expect to see so many people." She spoke fluent Cantonese, as if she was a local.

Upon hearing her speak, Inspector Chiu nodded to himself. She's Japanese isn't she? I'm impressed. For someone still in their late twenties, Mizuki Kaho was highly qualified. I'm glad I was able to get her to agree to visit the Headquarters. The advice had come from the Superintendent of the Hong Kong Police. The recent lack of results from the OCTB called for specialist help. There was hushed gossip that President Hu Jintao of the People's Republic of China was business partners with the White Lotus gang.

"As you all know, the crime rate is getting higher in Hong Kong, ever since the Handover. Since 1997 passed, Hong Kong is once again recognised as part of China. Due to your improving relations between the mainland, you, the OCTB, are seeing a larger spread of Triad activity in the area. " Kaho paused, holding the gaze of the people listening to her. They must accept this. Otherwise there is no point of me being here and I'll have wasted a trip.

Her tone was mesmerising. "I'm not here to give you answers. I am just a researcher here to assist you. I can give you their history, their beginnings, but I can't point a gang member out from another just on the street. It isn't so easy these days. Some of you will recall the Dover case with human trafficking in the United Kingdom in 2000? These crimes are the ones we constantly have to deal with in a global community. No longer are crimes just centred within a specific area. Gangs are cooperating with each other and using their contacts against us. A disturbing rise in technology and globalisation has made this world very small. No longer can you just rely on looking at common tattoos or the rowdy individuals of the society. Organised crime doesn't work this way."

Kaho turned to the Inspector, who nodded, asking her to continue. "Some of you are working with technology to crack down on money laundering and illegal financial accounts. You in the room understand how the internet doesn't respect local jurisdictions. We can't forcefully arrest them for something that hasn't been defined. The internet is a safe haven for criminals. Therefore think twice about trusting everything to machinery. Improvements in technology and science are also seen in the many variations of ice and weed. Drugs are created daily, new and more dangerous then their predecessors.

"I know that there is a lot to do and we only have limited manpower. I know you're wondering why I'm here, telling you common truths that most of you instinctively know. You find my presence here unnerving. I only hope we can work together in peace. As it is, I'm not here for glory. I'm just here to help. I was asked by the Superintendent that we collaborate with Tokyo's police force." She stepped off the raised platform, bowing once to her audience.

Hesitantly, the police force clapped. Some were looking a bit shaken at her words and some were staring at Kaho with a look of judgement. It was true. Hong Kong and the rest of the world couldn't stay secluded within their own jurisdiction. Now was the time to unite and help each other. Put aside age-old differences and arguments to defeat a common enemy.

The Inspector, watching his force with cunning eyes, liked what he saw.Yes, it looks like we're going to get along well.

He took the mike again, giving a grimace to his people. "You idiots better make sure this doesn't leak out, especially to your sources. If we alert the gangs, Hong Kong will shut down. Mark my words; we won't be able to nail them. Some of you are stupid if you think that these men work like the lower gang leaders you've busted. The people we're dealing with are the elite of Hong Kong society. They are the ones creating public works, adding tourism and industry. They are the ones who are friends with Jackie Chan. Naivety will not save you. Corruption is even in this system. Never let your guard down.

"Now Heng, I want you to assemble a team of seven. All those you choose, meet in my office at two. Ah, Kaho and Nina, my office now."

He stepped off the improvised podium, and glared at people until they started moving. Chairs scraped the floor as people slowly moved out, and someone at the back opened the doors again, letting in a bit of air. The Inspector pulled his handkerchief out again, pressing the cloth to his forehead. May weather in Hong Kong always gave him a sore headache.

From his side, still clutching her suitcase, Kaho smiled a secret smile.

Kowloon, Hong Kong.

28th of May. 5:00am.

Opening his amber eyes and blinking once to clear sleep away, Syaoran woke, refreshed and comfortable. Briefly giving in to the languid feeling of lying in bed, he gave himself a self-satisfied smirk. Running a hand through his long cocoa-brown hair and stretching his arms, the tension in his back was gone. It felt good; all his muscles were relaxed like after a good massage. The coolness of the sheets on his naked skin was pleasant too. He wasn't cold. Beside him, a warm body shifted. A lithe woman, who'd managed last night to twist in ways Syaoran hadn't experienced before, was still coiled in sleep. The shortness of her black hair reminded him of a man, but it was her cheery smile the night before that made her distracting.

I remember. Someone invited all the new recruits. Syaoran's mind turned to last night's events. Freshly initiated and eager to show off her new tattoo, the woman he slept with had been grinning at the private party. Syaoran's hand reached across the sheets to run his fingers through her black hair. She was cute, even when she was stuttering. The woman, after stammering a little and blushing constantly, spent the night in his bed, a bit awed that Li would choose someone so low in the hierarchy to sleep with. Still smirking, Syaoran rubbed a piece of her hair against her cheek, seeing if it would tickle her. It would be easy to wake his companion up for another round of play. It was almost worth it. Her shyness with him was amusing. Unfortunately, she wasn't important enough to disregard his training.

I need to get up. Otherwise that four-eyed guy is going to come barging in. Syaoran turned his head to check the time. Through the crack of his curtains, the dim sunshine was shining in. It was early in the morning and Syaoran doubted anyone else in the building was awake. He liked the peace and quiet the morning offered; his body was already stirring, used to a early martial arts routine.

Ah. I want to get some warm ups in. Then some work with my sword. It's been a while since I've taken it down. Syaoran usually set aside two hours for training. He needed to be in constant fitness; in his line of work mistakes costed money and lives. Syaoran moved away from the warmth of the woman's body. Ignoring the discarded pieces of clothing around the master bedroom, Syaoran flicked the covers off and got out of his bed, walking unabashedly to his closet. Grabbing a change of clothes, he walked into the en-suite bathroom, deciding on a shower.

The sound of water turning on roused the occupant in Syaoran's bed. No longer in deep slumber, the young woman tossed, a hand reaching out for a warm body to hold onto. When she found nothing in her grasp, she turned her body to regard the empty space with confusion. Li was gone and in her bleary state of mind, she suspected the sounds of water were caused by him. Taking a tiny glance at the sunshine streaming into the modern apartment, she groaned when she realised the sun was just rising. Hiding her face in the pillows, the young woman blocked out as much light as possible, wishing to get back to her good dream. She pursed her lips together. This was an ungodly hour and she admired Li for getting up this early. Then, reminded of the fun of last night, she smiled into the pillow. He was great in bed, careful to please his partner and only then taking his own pleasure. A tiny shiver ran down her spine as she remembered how he went down, paying special attention to where she was sensitive and what pleased her.

He has such a talented tongue.

The young woman grinned, feeling her nakedness beneath the sheets. Remembering how every time she gasped and pleaded, he was ruthless in his actions. How those golden eyes were always on her, watching. Always watching. Oh, he was good. She placed a hand on her cheeks, feeling the warmth growing from her perverted thoughts.

The door of the bathroom opened and Syaoran walked out, a white towel around his lower body. Towelling his messy, damp waves with another towel, he glanced at the young woman still in his bed. A bit self-consciously, she pulled the sheets up to her neck, hiding her assets from his view. Finding her smiling at him, Syaoran gave the woman a smug smirk. Oh, she'd made a pleasant change from the other numerous girls that begged his attention. I chose well last night. Such a difference from the normal types of girls who're giving me trouble. Having breasts constantly shoved in your view was something that his inferiors would find exciting, but after the thirteenth time the previous night, he was fed up. Most of the time they're off their faces. No matter. He liked her, but it was time she left. He threw his wet hair towel onto a chair, before regarding her with calm eyes.

She'll have to go now. Too bad. She was different. Maybe if I remember, I'll call her up again.

She gave him a hesitant greeting. Syaoran didn't bother answering. Instead, he chose to smirk, running his cruel eyes down the length of his rumpled bed sheets, following every line and curve of her body that was hidden. Blushing at his intent gaze, the young woman tried to hide herself better. It was like he could see straight through the bed sheets and at her nakedness. Once he'd given her a thorough once-over, to savour what he tasted last night, he turned away. She had been fun but she'd leave soon. If she had hopes of Syaoran doing her favours, she'd realise almost immediately that he wasn't like that. He never kept the same woman for more than a one night stand. He couldn't take the chance; either them finding out too much or just getting in his way. I'm not going to fall.

Staring down at his table, Syaoran opened a well-worn drawer. From a glass bottle that was always topped up, he selected one pill. Seeing the customary glass of water left in his room after bringing in a girl, Syaoran blankly brought both the pill and water towards the woman still in his bed. She was curiously watching him, still shy. He sat down, ignoring the wet mess he was making on his bed.As he opened his palm and watched her mixed reactions of surprise, hurt and regret, he was vigilant. Gently, he pressed the pill to her lips, stroking the softness of her sad frown. As he passed her the cup of water, he checked to see whether she would try and struggle. She didn't, unlike some others. She swallowed the water and the pill. Making sure she swallowed properly, he kissed her mouth, thoroughly raiding her with his talented tongue and swallowing her surprised moan. In the back of his mind he was checking if she'd downed the pill.

He didn't need any bastard children at the moment.

Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong.

28th of May. 4:00pm.

Sent to fetch coffee for Asuna, Ryuichi walked out of his small bedroom, offended at being kicked out. So what if Asuna and Aki were changing? He'd seen them before.

What's the use of being modest now? We were all naked in the forest ruins last year. And in that onsen this April. Ah. Asuna-chan ended up finishing a bottle of sake herself. Ryuichi blushed a bit, remembering all the things the woman promised him with a slurred accent. When he mentioned it the day after, she didn't remember any of it. He was slapped, thanks to his efforts to remind her. Not to mention when we huddled up together that time in Alaska.

He mentally shrugged. Women were strange. Professor Kinomoto seemed immune to them though; they flirted with the older man but never went beyond a certain range. He supposed it was because Fujitaka-sensei was a widow and even Asuna knew not to push too much. Ah well. Maybe the professor would like some coffee.

He yawned, stretching his arms out wide. Still sleepy from the all-nighter of revision researching and collapsing into bed at three, Ryuichi decided to grab a cup for himself. This trip in Hong Kong was lovely; they were to spend a month there, attending a week-long convention about the recent excavations in Mongolia. He scratched his scalp, the short black hair all messy. On this particular trip there was time to go out and see the sights, plenty of shopping the girls loved to squeal about, and the Professor still managed to go out once in while for some food and a drink. Ryuichi liked his job as Professor Kinomoto's assistant. In a specially selected team of three, compared to him and the two loud girls, the quiet nature of Fujitaka was very nice. He wasn't a very eccentric man, unlike most archaeologists.

He never asks us to do much, always overworking himself instead. Touya-san is right, he would forget to even eat if we weren't around. No wonder he's always worried when Kinomoto-sensei goes off on a solo trip. On top of doing the preparation for his lectures at the Mongolian convention, I know he's working on his own separate research. He is relentless.

Lumbering into the modern kitchen, Ryuichi grabbed three cups and a tray, and started making coffee.

Ah well. We're here for his convenience. And this lovely house too. It's even better than my apartment back home. I think Fujitaka-sensei said that our sponsors were really wealthy. They would have to be; we're not even paying rent. Everything was provided for and they were well within walking range of any shops they might need. Just as he was waiting for the hot water to boil the young man glanced at the clock on the wall before staring at it in disbelief. It's already four? We've slept in so late! Startled, he stared down at the coffee. Did they really need it anymore?

The water is almost ready. It would be a waste not to have some. Ryuichi was all for getting some caffeine into his system. He smiled to himself, before cradling his tired head with one hand. He was still feeling sluggish and no doubt he'd get his ass kicked if he returned to the bedroom without some sort of offering. He grabbed the kettle when it began to whistle.

He quickly added hot water, coffee, milk and sugar to several mugs, grimacing when he burnt a finger from the water. He placed everything back into their places: the milk in the fridge, and the coffee powder and sugar back in the cupboard.

Sticking his burnt finger in his mouth, a strange thought floated into his head. He suddenly remembered the weird dream he dreamt last night. Pondering it, the young Japanese man hefted the tray of coffee cups and walked back to their assistants' shared bedroom.

What was it about again? I remember hearing something. Loud noises.

Giving a knock once, the door opened slightly. Ryuichi couldn't see inside because the blinds were drawn, so he stuck out a hand, one with a cup of steaming coffee. He didn't dare walk in, just in case the girls weren't done changing. He learnt that lesson years ago. The cup he held out was immediately snatched out of his hands without a word of gratitude. From inside, he heard laughter and cooing sounds. He shrugged, still carefully holding onto the tray.

Ryuichi was used to Asuna's abuse. Both girls loved teasing him, but Asuna was always the instigator. He turned around and headed down the other corridor of the small house. The professor was bound to need a cup too. In fact, I think I need some first. Placing the tray on a table in the hallway, he grabbed his own cup and took a sip, sighing in bliss at the warm liquid. The tiles on the floor were cold, and his feet were bare. I need to invest in some slippers. The weather was predictably wet and sticky in May, but it still got cold in Hong Kong at times. He shook his head to concentrate.

But the dream, half tucked away, nagged at him.

What was it again?

There… there was screeching sounds. And knocking. Oh. That's strange. And I could have sworn I heard voices. But maybe that was Aki talking in her sleep again.

Visitors early in the morning?

As Ryuichi approached the study room, he called to the Professor. Fujitaka-sensei spent most of his sleep on the couch in the study room. Ryuichi knew that the older man could hear him from inside his study. "Kinomoto-sensei, did anything happen last night?" It always surprised him how Kinomoto-sensei was always willing to listen to whatever came out of his mouth. Most of the time it was rubbish, but the man always listened. Maybe it was something to do with having children.

Ah, Touya-san. He's such a serious guy. And his little sister is a very cute girl. Such a shame she's quite a bit younger than me. Ryuichi smiled. He was friends with the Professor's kids. I'd be killed if Touya-san ever found out I had a crush on her. I've seen that killer glare inflicted too many times on some poor guy. Ah. It's not like Fujitaka-sensei does anything about it either. He just continues to smile. As a young man suffering from too much female influence, Ryuichi often spent time talking the older man. Fujitaka habitually kept strange hours, he wondered if the older man could confirm whether or not his assistant was dreaming.

…I hope I haven't woken him up. I think he was napping as we headed off to bed. He might still be sleeping.

Ryuichi paused, intently listening for a groan of disapproval. When only silence reached his ears, he continued on talking. I'm sure the Fujitaka-sensei doesn't mind. "The funny thing was I could have sworn I heard a car drive up to the house. I mean, did you hear anything?" There was silence from the study room.

Strange.

As he approached the study door, Ryuichi noticed it was half closed. He blinked at it. Usually the professor liked to keep the door ajar. Something about circulating air. He shrugged. Using his back to push open the door, he was careful about the cups on the tray. He didn't want any to fall onto the Professor's neat piles of paper. Aki did that yesterday, thus causing the all-nighter. As neat and tidy as Fujitaka liked to be, one of them, be it Aki or himself, someone always left something on the floor. He couldn't help but wonder if Fujitaka-sensei was still sleeping. He was being so quiet. Ryuichi turned.

The tray and two cups clattered on the floor, spilling hot coffee liquid all over the floor. Some of it splattered on his feet, but Ryuichi didn't even notice the stinging pain.

This was all wrong.

Fujitaka's computer chair was angrily tipped on the floor. The neat piles of paper, painfully sorted and alphabetically arranged, were scattered everywhere. Files were missing and the drawers were all haphazardly opened. The research books, the thesis, the diagrams, so carefully placed in chronological order were thrown this way and that, some peeking out from under the computer table and some on the couch. Some were completely destroyed, shredded. It looked like a hurricane entered without knocking and decided to create a mess. Staring at the room of papers that were fluttering still, the blinking computer screen and the scuffle that the scene seemed to explain, Ryuichi couldn't help but feel terrified.

The professor was gone.

Tomoeda, Tokyo.

7th of June. 6:00pm.

Standing outside on her house balcony in just a skirt and a buttoned shirt, Kinomoto Sakura savoured the cool chill on her skin. The laundry was almost in its last cycle. She could hear the rumble of the washing machine from down the hallway. She sighed happily. Her laundry for the week was done. There was hardly any, especially since her father was in Hong Kong for an archaeology convention. All that was left to do tonight was go through some university applications and to finish the scarf she was knitting for Yukito. The white scarf, which was lying in her room on the bed, had to be finished before her brother and Yukito returned from Okinawa. Then she could easily present it as a birthday gift to her brother's best friend.

It's not fair. After spending all year studying his Masters, her obnoxious brother left her to do what she wanted. I don't mind that. His presence was too confining at times! But he'd taken Yukito too.

Now there was no one to keep her grounded.

Her hand clutched the railing. She didn't bother to look down. Looking out to the little lights all around her hometown, the rooftops of familiar houses, the Tokyo Tower in the distance, Sakura wanted to grow wings and fly. Tonight was beautiful, and the moon was so large. If she could fly towards the moon, then maybe she wouldn't have to think about the future. Then I wouldn't have to think about what I want to be. What job I'll have. I- I don't know what to do with my life yet. High school was finished, and this gap year was ending soon too. I wish I could find something I loved doing. Like Tomoyo-chan. Or Rika and her baking. Even otou-san and onii-chan have their passions.

Sakura didn't want to think about what was waiting for her in her room. She could easily picture it; her messy study table, books almost spilling over. She'd gotten her brother to pass her his old application books before he left. Those were topped onto other important things that Sakura meant to get around to doing. But it was too sticky to be in the house, and sometimes Tomoeda managed to get a cool breeze towards the night time. Sakura savoured the sight of the twinkling house lights, smiling at them. I should get started on those applications. Especially to Towa University where Otou-san works. My future is waiting too.

She let go of the balcony railing, spinning around. Sliding the glass door open, Sakura entered the uncomfortable warmness of the house. She didn't bother with the air conditioner; there was a glass of ice water on her table. Locking the glass door and padding down the corridor in her white socks, Sakura tried to remember what else there was on her table. Some of the items on the desk were well-meaning books, given by Rika. They were supposed to help a high school student direct their life down a path. An artist, a pilot, a vet, a CEO. Just some of the many job choices in the ability quizzes. But they hadn't been touched yet. Hoeee. I forgot all about them. And she passed them to me two weeks ago!Entering into her well-lit room, Sakura appreciatively sniffed the air.

She beamed, seeing the warm plate of maple syrup pancakes freshly made that she'd left. They were balanced precariously on top of a set of papers on the carpeted floor. Underneath was a copy of Naoko's new manuscript. On the other side of the room on Sakura's mirror, there was a sticky note reminder from Tomoyo to see her this weekend. The bright soft toys of her childhood were stacked on the windowsill of her room. Sakura went over to the window, opening it in the hopes of getting a tiny breeze. The room was in different stages of mess; the table was piled with clothing and books and papers, while the bed itself was clear of everything except a pillow and the doona. Walking over to read Tomoyo's note, Sakura made sure to remember it, but left the note where it was. Sakura was Tomoyo's on and off model; the camera friendly girl couldn't resist using Sakura's smile to offset her clothing. Settling herself on the rug-covered wooden floor, Sakura picked up the forgotten fork. She cut a piece of maple pancake off before popping it into her mouth. As the sweetness entered her mouth, Sakura grinned, licking her lips at the maple residue.

That was all that Sakura did these days. She spent most of her time at home or working. Tomoeda was familiar and, unlike all her other high school friends, she hadn't settled down into a secure job or travelled away to make a living or study. She'd lived here all her life. She didn't really feel the need to travel or see the world. While she didn't know every street and every person who lived in her town, there were places that she was always welcome.

In a strange way, Sakura ended up like her brother when he was still in Seijuu High. The town turned to her to do odd jobs. She often went to see the children at Tomoeda Elementary School. She helped Rika out at the family bakery, was Naoko's beta reader for her horror stories (those kept her up all night talking to Tomoyo, as every sound in the house sounded like a ghost or a murderer), and she was always ready to dress up as a mascot for the numerous festivals that Tomoeda held.It's fun to do things for others. I like seeing everyone smiling and happy with their family and friends. It just cheers me up. Some days she was up at the Tsukimine Shrine, handing out fortunes. On late afternoons, she was selling ice-creams for school children, much like the ones she'd eaten a long time ago with her brother and Yukito.

But I can't do this forever. I know onii-chan and otou-san haven't asked what I'm going to do as my job, but I'm not sure where I fit in. Surely there is something out there, I can feel it. Something is going to happen.

She placed the fork back down on the plate. A soft, sweet melody—her ring tone—filtered through her tranquil night. Scrabbling to find it among the leftover cups of honey milk, papers and files on her desk, Sakura quickly retrieved the small device. Before answering, she quickly licked off the last of the maple syrup on her fork. Placing it down on the plate of cooling pancakes, Sakura held the phone to her ear and answered.

"Moshi moshi? Sakura desu."

From the other side, a soft familiar voice sounded. "Ah! Konbanwa, Sakura-chan. I'm sorry to bother you. Are you busy tonight?"

Sakura knew exactly who this was; kind Maki, the owner of the Twin Bells gift shop in the Tomoeda Shopping District. Looking at the blue penguin and her pink-bowed alligator toys, Sakura smiled. I have so many good afternoon memories at her shop. The bear I made for Yukito-san, I bought the kit from there. Now that Sakura was older, Maki's Twin Bells was another of Sakura's odd jobs. Sakura turned back to her table, smiling. She grabbed a slice of pancake, cutting another piece. Happily, she replied to the older woman.

"Maki-san! Iie. No, I'm free. Did you need help at Twin Bells again?"

The soft voice of Maki's was worried. Sakura could easily picture the kind shopkeeper in her dress and apron. "Hai. And I also wanted to thank you for helping last night. We've been so busy lately!" The store owner paused.

"Would you be able to take care of Bellstomorrow night too? It won't be too long. One of my girls called in sick and I'm supposed go to the airport to pick up an old friend. The girl who was going to help me only told me an hour ago, and I've been looking for someone to fill the spot. If it's okay, are you able to help me? I'll be back from Narita airport by nine and we'll close up early. I'll pay you your usual rate if you want."

Sakura mused for a moment, going over her things to do. When nothing important came up, she smiled cheerfully, though the shopkeeper couldn't see her. Nonetheless, Sakura's smile made its way into her joyful voice. "Mm. Hai! Of course I'll come around. Do I need to bring my apron?"

There was a pause as Maki considered Sakura's words. Then there was a thud on Maki's side of the phone, the sound of laughter, before the older woman continued as if nothing happened. Sakura assumed that the children were playing around, or Maki accidentally pushed something over. She was rather accident-prone like Nadeshiko, Sakura's mother.

"No. It's fine. We've got enough over here. Thank you Sakura-chan, I'm so grateful. You're always so helpful! I don't know how you manage to juggle everything around. Everyone is always asking something from you. I was talking to Terada-san the other day; he says you're always helping Rika-chan with her cooking. Ah. Well I should be going, thanks again, Sakura-chan!"

The call ended and Sakura carefully placed her phone back down on the table, making a mental note to herself to about the appointment. She rubbed her arms, feeling a trace of goose bumps. The temperature in her room was finally dropping. She glanced at the open window. If onii-chan was here, he would tell me to close the window before I get a cold.But I think I'll leave it out a bit longer. It's still a bit too warm inside. There were also jumpers and a doona in easy reach. She happily reached for the fork again, polishing off another pancake. A thoughtful look came onto her face. Sakura missed her father's pancake recipe. It was never the same as when he made it. Or her brother's coconut style either.

Sliding into the chair alongside her table, Sakura looked back down on the university applications. Remembering Yukito's voice just before her brother and Yukito left, that calming and kind voice that she loved to listen to, all she could remember was him mentioning something about university entry. Blushing slightly, Sakura flicked a page.

I have to look through these.

Yukito and her brother had been discussing university fees the week before they left. All Sakura could remember was Yukito smiling at her when she asked about what they were talking about. That evening after dinner, they spent most of the night telling Sakura how university life was. Remembering that pleasant evening rather wistfully, Sakura lightly ran a finger along the edge of an application. I don't even know what I want to do in university. And I don't have a talent like Tomoyo-chan, Rika-chan or Naoko-chan. I wish I could do something like they can. Something that just feels right. Sakura shook her head. This was silly, worrying. Her future would come, she knew it.

Nibbling on some pancake while leaning on her study desk, Sakura glumly looked at the mess of papers she had to sort through. Just as she was about to gingerly push papers into a pile, she heard a noise coming from downstairs. Listening to the faint sound, Sakura realised she could hear the dim ring of the house landline.

In mid munch, Sakura dropped her maple syruped pancake back down on the plate and scraped back her chair in a hurry. Rushing out of her room, she ran, her socked feet sliding a bit, down the hallway. Stomping down the stairs in a way that would have caused much teasing from her brother, Sakura turned the corner of the familiar yellow walls and quickly grabbed the phone. She wasn't expecting any calls, but Tomoyo often decided to call late at night. Sonomi liked to invite her over to have late dinners when she returned from work, and Tomoyo just loved any excuse to see her second cousin. Pressing a button, Sakura cradled the phone to her ear.

"Moshi-moshi? Kinomoto Sakura speaking."

From the other side, she heard a voice she didn't recognise. It was a huskier, deeper voice than the one she expected. "Ah, Kinomoto-san. This is Officer Noboru from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department."

No, not Tomoyo-chan. Stuttering a bit because she felt embarrassed that it wasn't Tomoyo-chanlike expected, Sakura hesitantly replied, "A-ah, hai?"

The policeman coughed, as if a bit hesitant to continue.

The title of the policeman slowly filtered through her thought trail. Worry clouded Sakura's thoughts.

Officer? There was no need for the police to call her house. A small frown lingered on her lips as she turned around to regard the family photo on the yellow wall. The eternally smiling face of her father greeted her while her brother smirked down on her puzzled frown. She blinked at them, silently trying to remember something significant that she might have done. Bit by bit she came to the conclusion that she'd done nothing wrong. What's happened? Is it Onii-chan? Otou-san?

"Are you the daughter of Kinomoto Fujitaka?" Slowly, she gave the affirmative. Her fingers clutched the phone tighter.

Otou… is something wrong?

Thoughts that her father was hurt or sick crowded into her mind. They were the same little worries that always nagged at her when Fujitaka went on a trip though she always bravely smiled and waved as he left. The same thoughts that wandered in when Touya called to check on their father, or when the Kinomoto siblings spent weeks waiting for their father to call. Unfortunately Fujitaka was the forgetful type. A call weeks later than scheduled was normal, if not dependable.

"Ah. I'm sorry. I have bad news."

The man heard a soft gasp on the other side, but continued on. It wasn't pleasant, but it was his job. Feeling unsteady, Sakura sank down on to the floor. The phone was pressed firmly into her ear as she concentrated very hard at staring at the wall. The wooden floors were cold but she didn't notice. Everything didn't feel real.

"Your father is missing."

Her breath froze. In her ear, the voice of the officer continued. Sakura only heard little pieces of what he said.

"…disappeared from his Hong Kong Island…news of his disappearance yesterday…Hong Kong…try as best as they can to find him." She was numb from shock.

Otou-san is missing. He's missing.

"Kinomoto-san. Are you still there?" Sakura didn't reply. She stared the wall where the family portrait was hung. At seeing her father's smile locked away behind glass, Sakura's demeanour crumpled. Her knuckles were white from holding the phone too tightly. As if just realising it, Sakura placed the phone onto the hard floor. If she could distance the news from her, maybe it wouldn't be real. Looking at her empty hand, Sakura was startled to see it shake slightly. The muffled sounds of the detective didn't register in her ears.

"Kinomoto-san? Kinomoto-san!"

'Tou-san. Where are you?