Author's Notes:  I've been apologizing left and right, so let's get this over with.  Gomen nasai.  I've been really busy and other stories keep popping up into my head.  Let's hope I can get back on track with this fic.  Review, won't you?

Thanks to mya, starquestor, The Great One (Um…okay, sure), chibicherry (enjoy the convention, unless it already passed, heh), The Dark Shadow Mystress (have an answer?), Final Fantasy Princess, KanbiAme, nightshadow, japanfan (apparently as soon as possible is um..two months), Kitty Neko, Lera, Isa-chan (Syaoran's telling the story to Yamakazi; I'll pick up from the present in a couple of chapters I think), Superbookworm (sorry, phone's out of batteries.  Chiharu's the waitress…If there's C+Y, it'll be very slight), KayJuli (btw, where is 'power…'?), Pink Cherry Blossom, Aurora, Ophelia Winters (*drools* chocolate…), Silly*Niecy, Ti'ana (hmm…no pressure here), kawaiipup, cutie kero (take a number), FlameSolo, lil' wolf, d (hmm…just thought the old 'f-off' seemed appropriate), Rosie, lilyflower, Miss Suspense, Summer Rain, cherry-princess, ice, reveileb maerdyad (yeah, took long enough didn't it?), The Star Angel (hopefully I can get to dark fantasy by Thanksgiving).

Disclaimer:  Don't own CCS, not one drop of ink.

The Hunt For A Cherry Blossom

Chapter 13:  The Conservatory

I push through a throng of reporters, all choking the emergency entrance of Tomodea hospital.  The ambulance has gone silent now, but the red lights still flash and flicker around the developing crowd.  The television cameras and microphones don't help much as I try to get to the door without getting impaled on some audiovisual equipment.  The sliding doors are guarded by a few security guards and orderlies.  They stand there apathetic, letting the reporters flood past them into the lobby.

I keep pushing, prying elbows out of the way.  The lobby has been cornered off by police tape, little good that does.  Naoko stands guard, glaring at the crowd; two suited government agents behind her lean against the counter of the nurse's station.  Chief Mizuki is talking heatedly into a cell phone, wearing a long pacing pattern across the tiled floor.  And not surprisingly, Yamakazi's smiling and chatting to some nurse, obviously getting nowhere as the poor girl keeps glancing up at the clock over his head.

The end of the mob approaches, and I hurtle toward the free space, getting myself jammed between two competing news reporters with their professional grave faces.  Quickly, I duck underneath the yellow tape, and breathe in relief.  Yanagisawa spares me a glance.  "A little late…"

I scowl.  "Yeah, well I couldn't get through this crowd.  Doesn't the hospital need this space for emergency cases?"

She snorts.  "Yeah; we've sent for some extra officers to help expel the reporters, but they're not here yet."

"Great, the longer they're in here, the more crap they'll make up.  The last thing we need is some paper announcing that we've made an arrest tomorrow morning and then find out we didn't and then write some editorial on how we're not doing our jobs right."

"Cynical in the morning aren't we?"  She almost smiles, but it fades.  "So, the government bastards want to talk to you."  She hooks a thumb to the two at the nurse's station.

I smirk. "Endearing, aren't they?"  I leave Naoko behind fuming and glaring death at some of the reporters.  I think I see a few of them shrinking away.  Any trace of amusement leaves me as I approach the two men.  "How'd this happen?"

One of them shifts so he's leaning to face me.  "Ah, Detective Li, how nice of you to make it.  We were wondering if you were stuck in traffic."

I give an annoyed glance to the receding mob.  "Something like that.  What happened exactly?"

"Another letter bomb.  Regular package.  Some guy got it this morning. It wasn't mailed, just left on his doorstep, no name, no return address.  So he called up the police.  Unfortunately, the thing exploded in his hands while he one the phone."

I nod curtly, jotting this down.  "The victim?"

"Still in OR, probably won't be able to get a statement of him."

"The bomb?"

"Our agents are still going over it.  Looks pretty much blown to bits.  Doesn't look like we'll get anything important off it."

"What about suspects?"

The one the right glances over my shoulder and straightens, as does other agent.  "Actually, we should be discussing this in private; there's a conference room down the hall."

The conference room stinks of antiseptic and there's a picture of a, I think, diseased kidney still taped to the dry erase board.  "Well?"

"Our agents are still going through the lists.  There have been a lot of people fired from government positions in the past 10 years."  One of them slides an evidence bag over to me.  "We wanted to ask you about this."

It's the napkin from the Tomoeda fair.  "What about it?"

"It seems that you found it, correct?  At the Tomoeda fair."

"So what?"

"But you were stationed at the Fourth Avenue Café.  So you left your post because you knew where it would be, didn't you?  Probably knew for days.  And you didn't bother to inform us."  One of them smiles crookedly, derisively.  "Now what kind of a partnership is that?"

"It slipped my mind; besides you never bother to tell me what you're doing.  I recall last week, you detained a suspect without informing me."

The man smirks harder, answering off handedly.  "It slipped our minds."

I stand up ready to get the hell out of here.  "If there's nothing more…"

"If you would wait Officer Li, we were wondering if you had any brilliant ideas what this clue means?  Mrs. Peacock in the conservatory?"

"The opera house," I say curtly. 

They have this horrible look of superiority on their faces.  The one on the left almost drips condescension.  "You can hardly believe that; the deadline's only two weeks away.  I'm sure that you must be aware that a conservatory is a greenhouse."

I stop my answer in my throat and instead smile sourly, twisting open the door.  "Oh, yes, my mistake."  As I leave I can hear one of them saying something with the word 'fluke.'  But they'll be the ones groveling when their supervisor finds they've been outwitted by some no name local police precinct.  They'll learn it pays to do some research before jumping to conclusions.

When I get back into the lobby, it's practically empty, the groups of reporters watching from behind the sliding doors.  Naoko stands nonchalantly near a potted plant, her eyes shifting to notice me before pinning them back in front of her.  I take it as her way to saying she wouldn't mind talking to me.  "What'd they think of your idea?"

"Brushed it off."

She snorts.  "Figures.  If it's worth anything, I think you're on the right track."  She flicks a strand of hair out of her face.  "Even if Mizuki won't authorize the expenditure."

I nod along, knowing full well the amount of manpower I would need would be virtually impossible to get.  It's one thing to ask for some backup but to put a whole precinct on duty at one place in all of Tomoeda…

___________________________________________

Mizuki stalks across her office, hair slipping out of its ponytail.  "What you're asking for is impossible; we're already stretched thin and I just can't authorize this.  Besides, the mayor would have a fit, and I'm not in the mood to take time out of my job to deal with the red faced bastard."

I follow her across the room again with my eyes.  "I realize it's a lot to ask.  I'm just saying that I have a very strong hunch he'll be there.  It makes sense.  It's a play on conservatory, and what better place than an opera with thousands of people.  And he loves the attention; what better than at the last performance of the biggest opera Tomoeda ever had?"

She pins her gaze on me.  "I understand, but hundreds of places make sense, Syaoran.  Anything from public gardens to ballet schools.  You have to realize I can't make this decision based on your hunch, no matter how good it is.  It's probability that he's as likely to be at the opera as he would be at the botanical gardens."

I nod again.  "I know, but even if you can't spare me the amount of people that I want, I could do with a few more officers."

"Syaoran, I'm already letting you be stationed there, and I've already talked to federal offices.  They're willing to put one agent there, but like I said, we're all overextended.  They just can't spare the men."

"I'm only asking for a few more, five more."

She finally sits back down at her desk.  "I can't.  The most I could possibly do is to give you one more person.  And you realize that one person means one less place we'd be covering."

"Of course, but I can't explain it.  The opera seems right.  I know it."

She taps her pen, scowling into air.  "I trust your instincts Syaoran, we're all trained that way.  And I think it would be a good place, but this is a girl's life.  We can't leave holes here and there because we think we're right.  So take or leave it, Syaoran.  One more officer."

I sigh.  "Fine, but I get to choose who."

"Sure, but I'm warning you Syaoran, I know how you work.  One officer, period.  No recruiting others away from their posts.  I let you off the hook last time when you left your post without permission, but it won't turn my eyes away if you disobey orders this time.  The end does not always justify the means, and I intend to uphold the importance of discipline in this precinct.  If I find you did anything to change the posts and shifts, believe me, you will dislike me very quickly.  Is that understood Officer Li?"

I say a 'yes, ma'am' and stalk out the office, my other plans dashed to pieces.  Naoko will have to remain where they posted her.  But that leaves the entire opera house with three guards.  Three people to monitor thousands of people?  Unacceptable.  And almost at the same time, the most ridiculous idea pops into my head.  An idea so against my training, against my common sense, so impossible that I almost collapse laughing.

And yet…I'm desperate.  It's only three days away; there're no other alternatives.  And something in my bones knows he'll be there, slipping into the dark.  So easy for him to come in, leave, escape three officers.  But the idea's still so impossible; I'd be doing phone duty forever if Mizuki ever found out. 

And they'd be in danger; I'd be deliberately putting them in danger.  I couldn't protect them if they got into trouble.  But the temptation's dangling in front of my eyes.  Another four pairs of eyes would be invaluable.  My phone is already lifted off the cradle.  It's insane and irresponsible. Sakura's voice whispers somewhere in my head.  The dial tone is barely heard against my ear as I punch in the number.

It rings a few times.  My eyes are focused somewhere ahead of me, my lips moving without my permission.  This goes against everything, every code.  "Yes, this is Detective Li."  I know I've gotten too attached to the case; my words betrayal to my oath.  "No, nothing.  I was wondering if I could stop by tonight."  Mizuki leaves her office and meets my eyes, and I turn away lest she see the shame on my face.  "Ten, yes, okay."

The receiver drops into the cradle and I can't believe that I just did what I did.  There's movement to my left and I turn to find Yamakazi trying to sneak up on me.  I glare at him.  He has that stupid fake innocent caught with your hand in the cookie jar look.  "Surprise?"

I don't smile.  "Right.  Actually, what's your post for Thursday?"

"Karaoke bar down on Fifty Three."

"Well, you're now officially on duty at the opera." 

He looks horrified.  "Well, who the hell did that?  I mean the opera?  The only women there are fat and in horns!  And those stuffy rich people!"

I turn a deaf ear to his complaints and roll my eyes.  "Shut up, will you?  I think the kidnapper will be there so I got Mizuki to let me pick another officer to help me."

He stops.  "You mean…you mean of all the people out there, you chose me?"  He ducks his head, hiding his face and for a moment I don't know what's going on.  Then he suddenly launches himself at me, his arms around my neck.  He hugs me and sniffles.  "Why Syaoran, if you liked me, you could've just told me, instead of this little plan.  Or maybe flowers, oh or candy.  Never mind it all.  I love you too!"

Always a joke with him.  I grab him and shove him away forcefully knowing my face is already seeping in red.  "Get the hell off, Yamakazi."

He looks at my face and cracks off into laughter, gasping and clutching his sides.  "Oh Kami-sama, you should see your face Syaoran."

I swallow a curse and stalk off.  Halfway to the front door, someone wolf whistles and I turn around to glare.  Naoko takes my glare and returns a 'you want to try' look.  I burn more and stomp outside, hoping a quick walk to take away the edge.

___________________________________________________

The light bulb is dim overhead, and the little porch seems blows a cool breeze.  The door opens up to the same yellow walls and the smell of food and warmth.  Fujitaka greets me politely and shows me into the living room.  Yukito's there, and strangely enough, Touya is sleeping in his lap.  Yukito smiles disarmingly and takes his hands out of Touya's hair and gently shakes the other man.  "Sorry, he's been so exhausted lately, with Sakura and all."

I nod and take a seat as Yukito shakes Touya awake.  He finally stirs and sits up, looking around the room hazily.  I almost think he isn't fully awake, but then he snaps back to me.  "Why are you here?  Is it Sakura?"  I start to point out that I already told him over the phone that I was coming tonight, but he just continues yelling.  "Well, answer me brat!"

Yukito restrains him.  "Remember Touya, Detective Li said he wanted to talk to us."

Touya only grunts in acknowledgement and sits back into the couch.  "Well, what did you want talk to us about?"

I smile forcedly.  Might as well get straight to the point, less time I've have to spend being glared at.  "I'm sure you realize that Thursday is the day kidnapper indicated.  The police and federal authorities are stationing officers and agents anywhere that has something to do with plants and music.  Unfortunately, we don't have nearly enough people and I have an instinct that he'll choose the opera house."

"So?"

I scowl back at Touya.  "As much as it pains to do this, I have to ask everyone here if you would help with surveillance at the opera."

It's quiet, so quiet I'm sure you could hear a fly sneeze.  "And we won't be interfering with your investigation?"

"Listen Touya, you may not like me, and I don't like you, and you can not believe, but I'm committed to finding Sakura.  That's why I need all the help I can get."

He considers it for a moment and I can hope I sounded sincere enough.  "Fine, we're in.  What do we do?"

"Keep an eye out for unusual behaviour and contact me or the other officers if you think someone is suspicious.  And before I continue, you have to realize I'm doing this without permission.  You'll be in danger and I can't protect you all.  So I don't want anyone being a hero.  If you see something, get someone who's trained to handle the situation."

They nod slowly.  Fujitaka smiles determinedly.  "What exactly do we do?"

I nod curtly and descend into carefully laid plans.  By the end, we've got most of the opera house covered.  And as formal as I can muster, I tell them 'thank you for your cooperation.;

Yukito shakes his head in disagreement.  "No, it's us who should be grateful.  It's been horrible just sitting on our hands and worrying; it means everything to me that I can help find Sakura."

I almost smile, he's so sincere.  "Either way, be careful and don't put yourselves in danger."  I open the door and the night air floods my senses, the perfume of grass and crisp pre-summer flowers.

"Detective Li."  Someone calls my name and turn to see Touya walking up to me.

I expect some kind of threat and ready my scowl.  But instead he rigidly sticks out his hand.  "I believe that you want to help Sakura.  Thank you."

I clumsily shake his hand, too far gone surprised to think straight.  Turning around I hastily make my way to the car, temporarily believing fully in miracles.  I turn around to get a last glance at the house.  Fujitaka stands behind Touya and smiles, Yukito waving from behind them.  And my last thought before I'm in the car is that Sakura's very lucky to have so many who care about her.

____________________________________________

Author's Note:  Okay, I'm going to say that I will have the next chapter out by Thanksgiving Sunday.  To make up for the three month gap.  It'll be action.  Don't be surprised if there are a few guest characters. =)  I wish I could promise a more regular schedule for this fic, but time really isn't my friend these days.  Nor is sleep…could be the caffeine pills, but who knows.