Author's Notes:   Hi all!   I'm really sorry about not updating for a while; I was held up this week from writing by various tests and labs and papers…sometimes I swear if school is worth it…oh well, I'll just have to put up with it, until I win the lottery and bathe in my own self-indulgence…one can dream can't one?

Arigato to Final Fantasy Princess (I'm so, so sorry I forgot you; it'll never happen again), Someone (thanks for the kind words…) Blue Phoenix (I kept the cursing at a minimum…heh heh), chibicherry (you've been quiet lately…), mookie (I'll try to give him a clue; maybe he'll understand it, maybe not), Silver Blossom, Sakuya, bronwyn (Jyung's in this chapter), mya (he'll be slowing down very soon), Silex (thanks for sticking with the fic), Diane (the ends far off…very far off), Ami*Thest (it's been um…seven months?), FlameSolo (I love detective stories too…I just suck at writing them…*sweatdrop*), Kavi-chan, Shadow Princess (thanks, I would update more, but I'm really busy with school), CreatiStar aka Chibipunker (I'll do that, but that's a far way off…)

Dedicated to Caoilfhionn: Sorry about the no updating, this week was hell…with a side of purgatory…  You're words really did inflate my ego (lucking I had a chem prelim to bring me back down…).  I agree that Sakura could've attacked her abductor, but she doesn't have a violent nature; it probably never occurs to her.

The Hunt for a Cherry Blossom

Chapter 7:  The First Suspect

I grip my gun tightly, feeling some of the stress relieving itself as my fingers strive to break through stainless steel.  My teeth grit as the doorbell rings echoingly through the apartment.  A set of footfalls approached the door, my false hope rising, only to be dashed to pieces as a second, barely discernable muffled, but still present pattern of footsteps sound behind the original.  If Daidouji had known the thoughts circulating through my head, she wouldn't have been as surprised at she was at the fierceness of my glare.  But it wasn't at her, but rather through her, burrowing my heated look at her boyfriend, him smiling composedly like some fucking store display mannequin.  "Daidouji?  I'd like to ask you some questions."

Daidouji blinks before rapidly nodding and shuffling her feet backward, gesturing me in.  "Of course, come in."  I enter the museum like apartment, certain that nothing would be out of place in sight.  I blink despite myself at the state of the living room, clothes scattered about, magazines ravaged and left on the floor, papers flung every which direction.  Daidouji's voice comes forlornly from behind me, an apologetic note in her tone.  "It's a mess isn't it?  We've been scouring through Sakura's things in case there's something important."

Her quiet boyfriend pipes up, grinning like the Cheshire cat.  "It isn't a problem is it?  You didn't need her room to be dusted for fingerprints or anything?"

A little too late anyway.  "No, she was abducted somewhere on the street.  We won't need to test her room.  I have a few questions to ask."

Daidjouji nods in understanding, throwing a stack of papers and files off the couch and signaling me to sit.  "Please sit; would you like something to drink?"

My stomach objects as I remember swallowing that shot of double espresso outside the café.  "No, that's okay."  I sink deeper into the padded sofa, glad to be off my feet.  "I was interviewing Sakura's coworkers down at Tsukimine Café.  I thought you might be able to answer some questions I have."

Hiragizawa looks innocently upward, a faint smirk tracing his mouth.  "Already on the scent?  Haven't we been busy?"

My brows automatically furrow, face darkening over.  I ignore his comment, but feeling inwardly victorious as Daidouji shoots her boyfriend a venomous glare.  "I'm trying to gather possible suspects into who could have abducted Sakura.  Did she have any boyfriends or suitors?"

Daidouji's blank stare gives way to mischievousness for an instant, her flippant remark catching me off guard.  "Is this a professional or personal question?"

I choke on my own words, coughing and struggling for air.  I gasp out, "professional," futilely clearing my throat.  She smiles indulgently, like a mother to a lying child.  "It is professional," I defend. 

"Sure it is."  I grind my teeth; it hurts but it still feels so good.  I keep my gaze on Daidouji, my back to her boyfriend lest he come up with another witty remark.

"She had no boyfriend."  Daidouji picks up a frame from the cluttered coffee table, showing me the picture.  "She had a lot of guys after her.  Most of these guys were suitors, but she never went out with them."  I scrutinize the picture, obviously of years past, a group of girls and boys in high school cap and gown. 

I scribble illegibly across my notepad.  "Does she still talk to any of them?"

"No; we've all gone our separate ways.  I haven't seen anyone in this picture besides Sakura for years."

Well, this is getting me nowhere.  "Were there any suitors recently; anyone you think may have wanted to kidnap Sakura?"

"Recently?  She's turned a few guys down in the past couple of months.  She went on a few dates too, but nothing's ever come of them.  I really don't know who would want to hurt her."

"Do you know these guys' names?"

"No clue; they came and went; Sakura never talked about them."

I scan my interview notes, carefully placing emphasis on the next name.  "Did she ever mention a guy named Jyung?"

Daidouji blinks a few times, before assuming a puzzled expression.  "That waiter?  Sakura said he was bothering her for a date or something like that.  But that was a month ago; she said later everything was fine between them."

"Oh."  Saying I'm disappointed would be a grievous understatement.  "Did she ever say if Jyung hurt her in any way?"

"No, but Sakura's not really one to tell you if she's hurt.  She's too head strong sometimes, thinking she can do everything herself.  If only she'd let herself be helped or opened up more…"  Daidouji drifts off, staring into my face, seemingly focused on something behind my eyes.  "She did come back from work a few weeks ago with a nasty bruise on her arm.  She said she slammed into a table, but now that you think about it, it doesn't quite make sense.  I mean if she hit a table, she'd have a bruise on her leg or hip right?"

I nod quietly, a million thoughts running across my mind.  "Are you sure this was after work?"

Daidouji wavers hesitantly.  "It was weeks ago; I'm not sure.  I think so; I asked what happened, and she told me about the table and went to her room.  It must've been after work, I think."  She stopped abruptly.  "But you can't think that he…  He couldn't have…"

I get up, straightening stray wrinkles.  "That's what I'm going to find out.  Thank you for your time; contact me if you think of anything more definite."  I turn to go but find a pair of gleaming glasses blocking my way.

"Why don't you stay for lunch, Syaoran is it?"  Hiragizawa smiles engagingly, looking extremely casual and aloof.

"I'd rather not inconvenience you."  Like fucking hell that was the answer; I'd rather be stranded in the middle of a stampede than to have to sit and have lunch with those two.

"Oh, it's not a bother, is it Tomoyo?" 

Daidouji screws up her eyes thoughtfully, lips twitching with subdued merriment.  "Of course not; I'd like to find out how the case is going.  We could invite Touya too; he'd like to know how the case is going."

The lunatic brother?  Now I'm definitely going to pass.  "I'm very sorry, but I've still got other people to interview."  I detour around Hiragizawa's form, walking hurriedly to the door.  The knob gives a satisfying click as the door shuts behind me, a metal gate portioning me from potential disaster.  I sign in relief; I'm alone in the hall.  The truth is now I'm lost, not knowing what to do.  Each question leads me back to the starting point.  Where do I go next?

_____________________________________

I find myself looking at the many scribblings I've amassed, the original report thin and peeking out from underneath countless squares of paper.  I take another bite of a sandwich in front of me, grimacing as the bologna fills my mouth.  I link each page together, Sakura in the middle.  Branching outward, her family, her coworkers and Daidouji flanking her card.   Who are the suspects?  Jyung for one, old unknown dates, past classmates?  A whistling interrupts my thoughts.  I look up to see two half moon eyes.  "Yes?"

Yamakazi sits on the corner of my desk, his sudden weight throwing the papers into disarray.  He smiles pointlessly.  "Ready to work a double shift tonight?"

My promise comes crashing down on me.  "I can't take your shift tonight; I've got a suspect to interview tonight."

"A promise is a promise; besides, I'm going to need you to do some undercover work tonight.  I'm supposed to be getting information from the local drug dealers; seems the millionaire's kid was mixed up with drugs."

Fuck, fuck, fuck!  "I can't.  I have my own case to handle without having to go around in the dead of the night trying to look like some doped up addict."

Yamakazi grins.  "Why not?  You look like hell already."

Why did I ever think I could get any work done at the precinct?  "Fine!  I'll do your little job; if you'll stop bothering me!"

"Thanks.  We're almost done with the case, just a few loose ends to tie up and some arrests to make.  Did you know…"

"Yamakazi, Yanagisawa!"  A roar erupts from the chief's office, his florid face jutting from the doorframe.  "Get in here now!"

"Coming sir."  Yamakazi gives me a 'help me' look as he trudges into the office; I can't help myself.  I smirk gladly, my triumph ebbing away as I bend my head back down to the nasty sandwich and the displaced notes.

__________________________

I watch the man's figure closely, eyes skimming over my raised water glass.  Is this him?  A few tables murmur with hushed conversation, the candlelight throwing seductive shadows across the walls.  Mihara eyes me knowingly as she passes with plates of steaming food; she jerks her head slightly at the waiter, confirming my guess.  So it is him.  I appraise him, informally dressed, walking with some kind of self-assurance.  He's bending over a table talking to the woman, his smile accompanied with sickeningly exaggerated arm gestures.  I mental roll my eyes; no wonder Sakura rejected him.  Mihara bumps into him deliberately as she passes him, interrupting his conversation to point me out.  He reluctantly pulls out his pad, leaving the woman behind as he approaches to take my order.

"What would you like this evening sir?"  His voice is edged with slight resentment; I smile smugly, putting down my menu and extracting my badge.

"I'm with the police; I'd like a few minutes of your time to answer some questions."

He stands uncertain for an instant before his face is hidden behind his casual smile again.  "Anything for the police."

Is it just me or am I destined to meet people I hate today?  I smile back, a bit too toothy for naturalness.  "I wanted to talk about Sakura."  Jyung starts slightly, quickly recovering himself.

"Yes?"

I think I'll take a different approach this time.  "Did you have an argument a few weeks ago that ended in you hurting her?"

Jyung's face loses its colour momentarily, but then darkening in anger.  "So that's what this is about.  I didn't touch the bitch!"

I ball my fist, the looming consequence of disciplinary action guiding my actions.  I grind out my commands through clenched teeth, careful to give nothing away to the staring customers.  "Sit down so you can answer my questions calmly."

He obeys, unwillingly dropping himself into the seat across from me.  He hisses vehemently.  "I swear I never touched her."

Like I believe him; where'd that bruise come from?  I pull out my pad.  "This is official; please state your full name."

"Tandori Jyung."

"I'm officer Li; I am currently investigating the kidnapping of Ms. Kinomoto."  Jyung stares incredulously back at me as if I'd grown some second head.  "I have gathered that you were seeking a relationship with her."

Jyung's face resumes its indifference.  "So what if I was.  She said no; I left it at that."  The conceit in his voice is evident, as if Sakura lost some great opportunity by turning him down. 

"I have someone who says that you kept pursuing her, that you got into an argument with her a few weeks ago."

"I may have; what's that got to do with your investigation?"

"Did you harm her?"

"No!  Wait a minute.  You think…"  He suddenly laughed, without humour, ridiculing the thought that he could be involved.  "I didn't kidnap her; I can't believe the city pays you to bother innocent people."

I urge to put my fist through his head; instead, I grip the pencil tighter, the thin wooden rod, snapping in two.  "Where were you the night before last?"

He rolls his eyes at my question.  "I was out with friends; from eight to morning.  You can just go ask them and get off my back."  He lists some people's names, getting up abruptly and looking condescendingly down at me.  "I'm actually working right now, so if that's all…"

I merely glare as he retreats back to the kitchen disappearing behind the swinging doors.  I sigh, vowing to arrest him somehow, fingering the bag at my feet unconsciously.

________________________________

My reflection in the mirrors tells me I do look like hell, hair everywhere, exhaustion pulling at the corners of my eyes.  Still, I don't look enough like hell.  I run the water, matting my hair together into my head, changing into the torn rags of clothes from my bag, stuffing my casual clothes into the now empty bag.  The fluorescent bathroom lights glower down at me, shadowing my features grimly.  I look like a desperate junkie, perfect.  I rub my eyes; next time I'm going to be more careful of making promises.

________________________________

Author's Notes:  I forestalled studying for midterms for this chapter…I gotta go study now.  Next chapter:  Syaoran's little interlude dealing with drug dealers…and a little surprise.