Author's Note:  Phew! Finals are done…that means more time to write, or so I'd like to think. =P.  Not much to introduce in this chapter, a few more characters…some fun stuff.  Hardly seems serious…considering Sakura's kidnapped and all…maybe I just needed a break from drama.  I wanted this chapter to be longer, but I guess this series will be a lot of smaller chapters.  Thank you Smabbi-chan: it's an honor to have my little fic hosted.  *bows humbly* And to pokey: thanks for reading my stories, Angeldreamz: glad you like this, Syaoran's Blossom: I know, I know, but snookums was the only thing I could think of; in fact, I'm proud of it, ~~~~~~: thanks for the review.  Red Rose: and arigatou for reading my stories too, Purple Tomoyo: hmmm...still debating on myself how kawaii to make it, but it'll probably be very mushy, after the whole who's the kidnapper denouncement, Mabel: I know about the cursing, but he's not doing I much in the last two chapters; I think it's mostly the coffee. hehe, Love your story: what a vote of confidence.  Arigatou. mya: I rather agree; there's not enough AU stories, and I think CCS characters have the potential for all kinds of situations.

Disclaimer:  If CLAMP is a painfully thin college student with bags under his eyes, living on microwave delicacies, then I own CCS.

The Hunt for a Cherry Blossom

Chapter 3:  Photographs

I look up at the number, 5B; this must be the place.  I knock loudly, hearing my thuds echo from inside.  No sounds come closer, Daidouji's probably out.  I turn around to suddenly find myself face to face with a young woman, gray black hair streaming around her, intense violet eyes; she'd almost be beautiful if she didn't have a haggard look about her. 

Her voice sounds the way she looks, hoarse and exhausted.  "Who are you?

I thought the answer was pretty obvious, but upon looking down at myself I realized I'm not in uniform.  Something good from my recent promotion.  "I'm Li…from the Police."

She inhaled a quick breath, bottom lip quivering.   "Is it Sakura?  Did you something happen to her?"  She had her trembling hands gripped tightly on my shoulders.

"Yes, it's about her, but it's not…very bad."  As if being kidnapped wasn't bad; but Daidouji was standing there ready to die from grief any second. 

She took her hands from my shoulders and hastily wiped them across her eyes.  The key fitting into the lock, she seemed to compose herself.  "I'm sorry, I really shouldn't be jumping to conclusions.  What would Eriol say?"  Who was Eriol now?  I just nod sympathetically.  "Come in."

The apartment was spotless, the kitchen on my right, linoleum floor shining, the counter tidy and organized.  Following her into the living room, I couldn't but feel shame.  It was immaculate, the couches at right angles to each other, coffee table with a fanned array of magazines, a strategically placed potted palm.  It was like some setup you'd see in a magazine; thinking about my own apartment which was a war zone compared to this, a few books flung here and there, some scattered clothes, dusty shelves.  "Um…nice apartment."

Daidouji looked around, her mouth curving up slightly.  "Yes, I had a good cleaning yesterday, you wouldn't believe what a slob Sakura is."  She shook her head in exasperation but suddenly coming back to the reason why I came.  "What is it about Sakura?"

Where to start?  "I got a phone call from her; she said she'd been kidnapped."  Maybe not the best approach, being direct and all, but there's nothing you can do to soften the blow.  Watching Daidouji however, I wished I found another approach.

Daidouji sat there shocked for quite a long time, emotions playing across her face, horror, anger, fear, all before she was finally able to ask.  "Is she okay?"

"Yes, she says she's fine; you didn't hear from her?" 

She shook her head with a frown.  "I was out with her family looking for her all day today.  If she called…"  She abruptly stood up and ran across the room, pushing a button on the phone.  There was a loud beep and a voice, familiar but different.

Sakura's voice drifted through the apartment, both me and Daidouji hanging on every word.  There was no hushed excitement, only a gentle soothing wave, collected and steady.  "I guess you're not in either; I tried home too, but they're not there.  Tomoyo, I know I have you worried, but I'm okay, really.  Please don't freak out, but I've been kidnapped.  I'm fine; he hasn't done anything to me.  It's dark here and I don't' know where I am, but everything will be fine.  I know it.  I'm going to call the police soon; I'll be back by the end of the week.  I promise."

Daidouji was staring at the machine, something like a cross between laughter and being horrified.  In the end, a small laugh came from her.  She must have caught my confused stare because she stopped suddenly.  "Sorry, I know it's really inappropriate, but did it sound she was kidnapped?  She's always like that in emergencies. Saying, 'Everything will be fine.'  How am I supposed to be that calm?"  She watched me expectantly, boring a hole into me.  "Do you know where she is?"

The answer was definitely no; I had no clue where she was.  But I couldn't disappoint her can I, and admit defeat?  Of course not.  So I muster up that police business-like tone and set about on an investigation of which I have no fucking idea where to start.  "No, but I'm in charge of the case now.  I'd like to see her room and have you answer a few questions."

She seemed to respond to my brisk tone, nodding immediately and leading me down the hallway to a door.  I paused on the threshold, suddenly self-conscious, as if my presence was ruining the atmosphere of the room, an intruder in a bright sunny bedroom.  My presence seemed to inhibit the joy that abounded from the walls, the dull yellow wallpaper, the flood of stuffed animals arching from the bed to the shelves to her desk, the warm sunlight filtering through sheer pink curtains.  Every now and then the childish atmosphere would be dispersed, something interestingly adult scattered among her old possessions, her diploma hung proudly on the wall, empty coffee mugs, very personal clothes, some that caused the heat to reach into my face.

Daidouji scowled, something off in her opinion.  "I told you she was a slob."  In fact, I appreciated the messiness, something homey and grounded about it.  Before I could stem my thoughts, she had already an armful of clothes, brushing crumbs off Sakura's desk into a wastepaper basket.  She hastily picked out a brown banana peel. "Ugh…how many times have I told her not to eat in her room?  What does she think a kitchen's for?"

I finally snapped back to my senses, the officialness seeping into my actions.  With a restraining hand, I cautioned, "Please, Ms. Daidouji; her room may hold clues to who kidnapped her."

Daidouji dropped the heap of clothes in her hands immediately, something remnant of displeasure in her face.  "I know but…"  She sighed in resignation; distracted suddenly by the ring of the doorbell.  "That must be…"  She left the sentence trail off as she headed toward the door, leaving me alone in Sakura's bedroom.

I looked about, seriously doubting that fingerprint analysis would yield anything; how would you get a good set of fingerprints from stuffed animals.  I scanned the pictures, trying to find possible associations.  There was one of her as a young girl, maybe ten years old, hair twisting into bangs, smiling as if there were no tomorrow.  Then there was one of her older, decked in cap and gown, smiling again.  It was like Yamakazi; how does she do that without straining some muscle?  She stood beside two males, one very similar and older, a protective arm draped on her shoulder.  Her Otou-san?  The other man was slightly older, smirking at the camera.  Who was this?  Black hair, dark eyes, very different.  Boyfriend?  I peered into the frame scrutinizing the unknown man; I could beat him up.  I picked up the next photo, obscured by the first two, a posed photo unlike any I've ever seen before.  She was on a hill facing far off into the distance, the wind scattering petals through the air like a fragrant snow, wisps of her feathery hair dancing about her face, wound around her neck, her dress fluttering in the wind, her bare arms placed softly above her heart.  She must've looked directly at the camera, a coy smile on her lips, her intense green eyes making me uncomfortable, stirring feelings that were wholly foreign to me.  She almost pleaded with me in her gaze, 'find me.'

I looked up when Daidouji returned to the doorway arm in arm with some guy; Eriol I'm guessing?  She beamed as she announced him, as if her best friend hadn't been kidnapped at all.  "This is Eriol."

He smiled, but there was something behind it.  I couldn't put my finger on it, like he was planning something.  Maybe I'm just paranoid.  He addressed me familiarly as if I had been just another random acquaintance stopping by to chat at his girlfriend's house.  He noticed me with the frame still in my hand, something akin to a small smile on my face; I think.  "So I see you've developed a nice infatuation with Sakura?"

I didn't know how to respond, my face starting to heat up.  This just didn't happen.  Li Syaoran did not blush, and yet I was as red faced as a tomato, at least that was what the nearby mirror told me.  And just like that, one sentence out of his mouth, I hated him and his smug complacency.  "No; of course not.  I'm looking for possible suspects."  It sounded convincing enough, to me anyway, but apparently not to the couple standing in the doorway.

They exchanged a look before smiling identical sly smirks at me.  It was something out of a horror movie, where the monsters' eyes would glow red before they tear into you.  Daidouji spoke first.  "You wouldn't be the first you know.  I've known at least five men who've fallen in love with her at first sight.  She's rejected them all, but then again…"  The toothy smile showed itself again.  "you're cuter than all of them combined."

Hiragizawa widened his grin.  "Just like some modern fairy tale ne?  A prince to rescue the princess?"

By this point, I'm nuclear, much to the joy of those two…things.  "Do I need to remind you that Sakura's been kidnapped?"  That flipped her smile upside down; it even shut that self-satisfied boyfriend of hers up too.  And yet I felt bad, damn conscience.  "I assure you I'll try my best to keep her promise.  You will have her back home by the end of the week."  Something about this case, however, told me that would not happen.

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Author's Note:  Please review and tell me if I should do a chapter in Sakura's point of view.  Or would prefer I keep Syaoran's point of view.  Personally, I think I'd like to vary the points of view.  Heh heh, I know the dialogue sucks, but I just can't do it very well.  The next chapter's gonna come a little late, with the other series to write for…but it'll involve the different interviews.  You know what that means…Syaoran's first meeting with Touya.  *evil cackling, rubbing hands together*  this will be fun…