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#AN: I am so sorry for taking a long time with this chapter. I know my usual updating schedule is one chapter every week and a half, or something like that. My only excuse for being late with this chapter is the fact that last week was my last week of school for the first semester, and for the last three days of last week, I had finals, and those finals really take a lot out of you.

But, enough about school and excuses. Thank you so much for your reviews! But you guys must understand that I am a Perfectionist, that's why I am always hard on myself.

Oh, and to those who wondered about Olivia's husband: Nope, Hiro is not Olivia's husband. Seeing that Olivia's husband won't appear in the story, I might as well tell you where he is. Right now he is in Hong Kong in an apartment he shares with his wife. I don't have a name for him right now because I wasn't even going to write Olivia a husband. He appeared on his own. ^_~

Things you should know:

"Someone talking"

Someone's thoughts

~*~*~ Changing to someone else's Point of View (You will be told whose point of view). When I am changing the setting of the story and that doesn't appear, it means it is still the same point of view from the previous setting.

[Author's Notes]

Disclaimer: Cardcaptor Sakura doesn't belong to me, it belongs to Clamp but the plot is mine and any new characters are mine

Murdering Angel

Chapter Ten

(Sakura's P.O.V)

I watched Melinda sleep in her bed, a little smile on her face. I glance at the clock inside her cubicle. 10:30 AM. I came here just a few minutes ago, wanting to see the little girl. Seeing that Chiharu is leaving today (she is excited at that fact, since she was here in the hospital for over two weeks), I had to come and take her home. Yamazaki had begged me to be the driver because he is busy doing a little surprise party for her.

But I had decided to come to the children's hall and say hello to Melinda like I had been doing for the past two weeks since I met her, only to find her asleep. She looked so innocent in her sleep that I just wanted to pick her up and hold her, to protect her from the horrors in the world.

I look at the door when a knock sounded, and I frown.

"What do you want?" I growl.

Lang leaned against the doorframe. "Aren't you going to take Mihara home?" She asked.

"Yes, I am."

"Then why are you in here?"

"She has to sign some release papers and other things."

Lang looked at Melinda. "I have noticed you coming here to this cubicle quite often. Isn't it dangerous for you to get attached?"

I growl. "What do you want?" I snap.

She raised her hands. "Nothing, nothing. Just saying that you better not get too attached to the girl. After looking at records, it states that her parents are dead."

"Just like you to look into other people's records without their permission, even little girls."

"Kinomoto, there was no one to ask permission. But, anyways, after reading, it seems that she is going to an orphanage the day after tomorrow."

My eyes widened. "W-what?"

"She is healed, and no longer needs to stay, so the doctor is going to release her the day after tomorrow. They are calling orphanages to see which one is best."

I look at Melinda. My god, I would never see her again! They will never tell me which orphanage she will be sent to, and she might even be sent to one in the country she was born!

"You are attached" Lang drawled.

"Shut up!"

I heard Lang chuckle before leaving the room. I can tell she is ecstatic at my sadness. How much I hate her!

I close my eyes. I had planned to keep on visiting Melinda even after Chiharu was out of the hospital. It had totally slip my mind that Melinda isn't going to be in this hospital forever. As much as I hate to admit it, Lang is right. I am attached to Melinda. I have grown to care for her like a mother. And to never see her again just hurts. It's as if she really is my daughter and now they are going to take her away.

Not unless I adopt her . . .

I open my eyes as the thought crosses my mind. I know it isn't the best time to even think of adopting a child but Melinda is special. I have never met another little girl as talented and sweet as her. And I just can't let her go. I love her the only way a mother can love her child.

And I swear that she will be my child.

But seeing that she is going to an orphanage, I have to get ready. I know that the hospital had gotten her a social worker. I must find her, and convince her to let me adopt Melinda. And then I'll be able to take her home and-

I freeze. When I take her home, I am going to have to take her to the house me and Li are staying at.

Another thought crosses my mind. I am single. I have no husband. My chances of getting Melinda are slim if I am not married. It is better if the child is being brought into a home where there will be both a father and a mother.

"Kinomoto."

I look at the door and see Li. His face held the look of concern.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

I nod my head as he enters the room.

"Mihara is finishing up. She'll be done in a few minutes" he states.

"That's . . . good" is all I say. I stare at him as he walks to the bed and he slightly smiles at the sleeping child. He looks like he adores her. Maybe . . .

"She is being sent to an orphanage the day after tomorrow" I blurt out.

He blinks. "She is?"

I nod my head. "Once there, people are going to be looking at her and deciding if they want her as a child and then she might get adoptive parents."

"That's good . . . isn't it?"

I knew I had a look of complete anguish, so his questioning look didn't surprise me.

"No, it's not good. Li . . . I want to adopt her!"

He looked taken aback. "Adopt her?"

I nod my head.

"Did you think about this?"

I nod my head again.

"Are you sure? Right now you are working on a very important and time-consuming case. For you to adopt a child-"

"I know that we are working on a case but I don't want to lose Melinda! If she is sent there, she might get adopted, but I want her. Li, she is a special child, someone who has a beautiful personality. I don't want to lose her."

Li was silent for a moment. "But you aren't married-"

"I know, but maybe . . ." I looked at him hopefully. He looked wary.

"Maybe . . . what?"

"Maybe you can pretend to be my husband?"

Now he looked shock. "Pretend to be your husband? Me?"

I roll my eyes. "No, I mean the clerk across the street."

He ignored my sarcasm. "Kinomoto, we already pretended to be husband and wife once before, remember?"

"Of course I remember. I had hated doing it."

"Then you must also remember how it blew up in our faces." He paused. "It won't work" he said flatly.

"Didn't have to put it that blunt" I murmured as I look at Melinda again.

"Well I have to, because I know that look in your eye. That means you are going to do anything, even lie to the government, just to get her. That look in your eye is going to bring nothing but trouble."

I bit my lip. "But Li . . ."

I am not from Japan; I was born in America . . .

I blinked. She is from America.

"Li, do you know if she is living in Japan, or if this was just a trip."

He frowned. "If I can remember . . . Trip. This was a family vacation. They were suppose to return to the States next week."

"Then that means she is going to be sent to an orphanage in America, right?"

He nodded, and my eyes brightened.

"Li, no one knows what we did here in America, even the government. They don't know that we had pretended to be husband and wife."

It took a moment, but realization dawned on him as his eyes widened slightly.

"We can't-"

"Yes, we can."

"Overseas adoption is a little complicated-"

"And? They won't know that we aren't really married."

"Kinomoto, you are talking about fooling two different governments! If we get caught-"

"We won't" I insisted. "Please, Li. I feel like Melinda is my daughter. Can't you help me make it known to Japan and to the world?"

~*~*~(Syaoran's P.O.V)

Why me? Why do difficult decisions like this always happen to me? Why not to Hiiragazawa? His life seems pretty simple, he needs difficult things to happen to him.

But no, it is happening to me. I am standing right here, in front of the woman I love, and she is begging me to pretend to be her husband once again. I would be happy with this, if it wasn't for the fact that this involves a child's future. And also if it wasn't for the fact that she plans to fool not only Japan's government, but America's government as well.

My God, Sakura looked so desperate. I have never seen her this way. She must really love that little girl . . . But this is still wrong. If we pretend to be married, then I must sign papers that state me as the father of the little girl. No matter what, I'll be her father.

Dear God, I'll become a father.

The thought of being a father reminded me of the baby Ling had aborted. I'm not so sure if I'm ready to even sign myself up as a father now. Sakura doesn't seem to realize that if I agree, I'll become Melinda's father, and even if we 'divorced', Melinda will always be my daughter.

"I'm still married to Ling, Kinomoto" I finally say. "Maybe I would have budged if I was divorced, but I am still married."

She blinked. "Oh crap, I forgot about her."

"Kinomoto, Ling would never, ever let you get away with this."

She frowned. "Get away with what?"

I knew it, she didn't realize it. "If I agree, I'll sign myself up as Melinda's father. And once I sign those papers, I'll legally be her father. Ling had aborted my child, do you really think she'll be happy to know that you gave me something that she hadn't given me?"

"I'm not giving you a baby, Li."

"In a way, yes, you are. You want Melinda, but it would be almost impossible for you to adopt her if you are single. But you are now asking me to become her father so you can become her mother. You are giving me a child, a daughter."

"I . . . didn't see it that way."

I shake my head. "Not only that, but we are working on John Doe." I give her a stern look. "You have to keep your priorities straight, and as a PI, John Doe comes first."

She remained silent. "You're right" She finally said. "I . . . I am being selfish." She glanced at Melinda. "John Doe before my own feelings, right?"

I nodded.

She bit her lip. "But what if she gets adopted by abusive people? That sometimes happens."

"Her mother had a sister, Melinda's aunt. She will most likely get guardianship."

Her face fell. "Oh. Now I definitely can't have her." She was disappointed; I can tell. "I guess it's for the best. I need my full attention on the case, anyways." She sighed before leaving the room. I sighed too, sorry at the fact that I had to disappoint her.

"I wouldn't have minded" came a small voice. I blink before looking at Melinda. Her eyes were open, and she was staring at me as she sat up in bed. "As long as she was my mommy, I wouldn't have cared if she worked." She had a little frown. "Why don't you want me?"

"It's not that" I was quick to say. I didn't want her to think that she was unwanted. "It's just that . . . that . . ."

"That you don't want me" she half-whispered.

"No, no. It's just that I'm not ready to become a father after . . ."

"After this woman aborted your child?"

I frown. "Do you know what aborted means?"

She nods. "That's when a female goes to a doctor so that he may take the undeveloped baby out before it can grow, and then the woman isn't preg- . . . preg-" She frowned. "Pregnant anymore."

Damn, how old is she? "And how old are you?"

She smiled. "I'm eight!"

"Then how can you know what aborted means?"

Her smile widened. "I know a lot more than what other people my age knows." She scrunched up her nose cutely. "But I can never say preg- . . . preg- . . ."

"Pregnant?"

She nodded. "I can't say that word until after two or three tries." Then her smile disappeared. "But is that your reason why you don't want me? Because the lady had aborted your child?"

I sighed. "It's not that I don't want you, Melinda. It's just that I am unprepared to take a child in. And I don't see myself as father material."

She smiled slightly. "You'll be a good daddy, I can tell."

I cocked my head to the side. "How do you know?"

"Because I know!" She stated cheerfully. "And because you'll never want to disappoint a child so long as Sakura is happy."

I blink, and her smile widened. "What do you . . . mean?"

"You love Sakura!"

I gaped.

"I probably would have been able to tell sooner if you weren't always hiding in the hallways. The only way I knew about you was because Sakura would talk about you." She giggled. "Actually, she would complain about you. But, how do you know about me?"

"Umm . . . Kinomoto would talk about you, and every time I came, you were always asleep."

She tilted her head, as if studying me. She remained quiet for a few minutes before pulling the covers completely off her and then kneeling on her bed. She reached over to her nightstand and took a pad of paper and a pencil out of a drawer before laying back into her papers.

"I hardly get to do this around here" she mumbled. "Don't move" she practically ordered, her eyes telling me to obey.

She's really amazing, for an eight year old. And she was able to tell that I love Sakura. She's really observant, and as I watched her do whatever it is she is doing, the thought of having her as a daughter didn't shake me. But I still don't see myself as being a father.

"There!" She exclaimed after almost twenty minutes. She flipped the pad around and my eyes widened as I saw myself on paper. It was like looking into a mirror; my posture, my jeans, my white collar shirt, even my long brown coat --it was all the same.

"You are one unique little girl" was all I said.

"Is that enough for you to want me?" She asked quickly.

I sighed. I needed to make her understand. Even though I don't see myself as a father right now, there is another reason why I am hesitant in bringing her into our home. I walk forward and sit on her bed. "Melinda, I wouldn't mind taking you into our home-"

"Then why won't you? I promise I'll do anything! My Auntie hates children, and she would never want me, and I don't want to go to a place where there are people who I don't know."

"Melinda, it's just that-" I pause, not sure if I should say what I'm about to say. As an eight year old, she might become frightened and may not understand. But she seems to know and understand things as if she is already in her teens.

I sigh again. "Melinda, me and Kinomoto are trying to catch a bad guy, and this bad guy is trying to get Kinomoto. If he finds out that Kinomoto is attached to you, he might hurt you to hurt her. You won't be safe with us."

She remained quiet, processing the information.

"I don't want Sakura to be hurt in any way because of me . . ." She finally stated, and I marveled at the fact that she cares more about Sakura's feelings than her own life.

She sighed. "Okay, I understand. But I still don't want to go to a place where there are people who I don't know."

I look at her for a few minutes before an idea runs through my head. Although it might take all day, it just might work.

"Melinda, would you mind staying with a friend of mine?" I ask.

Melinda blinked. "Is it a good friend?"

Well, Sakura seems to think Hiiragazawa is a good friend, so I nod.

"I suppose" she answers, and I grin.

"Okay, I am going to convince someone to allow me to take you to the friend's house so you can stay with him for a few days until it is safe for you to be with Kinomoto."

"And you, right?" She asked.

I hesitated to answer. I may be in love with Sakura, but she is just too scared to allow herself to be with anyone ever again. Her heart is surrounded by so many barriers that it won't take a simple 'I love you' to tear them down. She needs to be shown that she won't be betrayed again.

"I truly do not know" I answer. Her face fell a little. "But at least know that you'll be with Kinomoto."

She suddenly giggled. "You don't have to say 'Kinomoto' around me. I promise I won't tell that you are calling her Sakura."

I smiled.

(Few Hours later: Party at Yamazaki's house)

I looked at the clock, waiting for my cell to ring. I had to talk to a lot of people about Melinda and whether I can take her to Hiiragazawa's house.

Actually, I need to tell Hiiragazawa himself that he is about to become a babysitter for me.

I was pouring myself some punch when he all of a sudden popped up next to me. "You finally figured it out?" He asked.

I frown, knowing that he was asking whether I figured out that I am in love with Sakura. "Yeah, no thanks to you."

Hiiragazawa shrugged. "Even if I told you, you wouldn't have believed me, so what was the point?"

I ignore the sentence as I decide to tell him that he is going to take in Melinda. "Hiiragazawa, how would you feel about having a girl in your home?"

He blinked. "A girl? You mean a child?"

I nod.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. I suppose I wouldn't mind so long as she doesn't wake up in the middle of the night crying."

"Are you working on any cases?"

"No, I am taking a break before I take on a new case."

"Good! Tomorrow, you are going to start babysitting for me!"

He blinked again before his jaw dropped. "What are you talking about?!"

I look around the room filled with people and leaned closer to him so that he may hear me. "There is this little girl in the hospital named Melinda whose parents died. Sakura wanted to adopt her but she can't because not only is she single, but Melinda might be in danger of John Doe. So I made a few calls, and I am waiting for an affirmation that would allow me to bring Melinda into your home to stay with you until this case is solved."

His eyes had grown bigger and bigger when I told him. "Li!" He said in an outraged growl. "I can't take a child in! I don't know the first thing about taking care of children!"

"She's really mature for her age. All you have to do is feed her and clothe her. I'll give you the money for all that."

"But-"

"Hiiragazawa, I am doing this for Sakura. Don't make me disappoint both Melinda and Sakura."

He looked torn between knocking me out or knocking himself out. He finally growled a 'fine' before glaring at me.

"Next time, ask first" he growled, and I smile at him. Well, it was more of a satisfied smirk, but either way, I was glad he would take Melinda in.

"And don't think I'll forget you calling Sakura by her first name" he snapped, and I blink as I realize that I did call her by her first name. I guess it's getting harder and harder to stop myself. "I can easily blackmail you" he continued.

But I knew he wouldn't. I have this distinct feeling that he wouldn't. So I shrugged, and he grew angrier at the fact that his threat didn't affect me.

In response to his growing anger, I gave him another smirk.

~*~*~ (Sakura's P.O.V)

I sigh, getting bored of hearing this woman talk about her life. I scan the room, hoping to find Chiharu, or Tomoyo, but instead my eyes land on Li and Eriol. Eriol seemed angry while Li picked up his cell phone and began listening to the other line. He broke out into a smile before looking at Eriol and telling him something. Eriol replied something in return before leaving Li by himself.

I sigh again as I sit down on the couch after that woman left, wondering how Melinda is coping. Losing her parents must have been dreadful (must have? Had been!), but to learn that she is going to live with someone new must scare her.

I turn my head as I feel someone sit next to me. I frown. I can be very blunt with how I feel when it concerns two people- Lang Amanda, and Tokumatsu Lin. Well, three if you include Li Syaoran.

"Yes?" I ask, not too politely as Tokumatsu shifted so she could face me. She knew I didn't like her, hell, her half-sister, my friends, the whole town knows. So my reply wasn't a surprise.

"Have you figured out who John Doe is?"

I blink. She had never asked about John Doe; this is very odd. Especially since her face has a mask of fear. Does she know something?

"No, why?"

"Oh, just . . . curious . . ."

I waited for her to continue, but she didn't. She just stared intently at her cup of water.

"Tokumatsu, what's wrong?"

"John Doe is a guy, right?"

I tilt my head. "Yes, I believe so."

"Do you have suspects?"

"We had three, but one we are now not so sure of. I am trying to locate the other two."

"What are their names? The ones you are trying to locate?"

"Tatsumi Kodai and Kobyashi Ryuji. Both had moved from their previous houses."

She closed her eyes as she placed a hand to her forehead. "Damn it" she muttered. She then looked at me. "I knew I heard his name before, or at least I saw it somewhere. It was on the reports Daidouji was writing a few days ago when I went over to talk to her about . . . my half-sister." She took a deep breath as she placed both hands on the cup and stared into the water. "I believe I can tell you where Ryuji is." She gave me a serious look. "He lives in my building now. He had asked me out yesterday, and I thought he was cute so I asked him his name. When he told me, it sounded familiar, and when I saw Daidouji, that's when I realized that it was the same name I had seen on the report."

"Where do you live?" I ask seriously. If this guy is where she lives, then he is a danger to her.

I may not like her but it doesn't mean that I don't care about her safety.

"Across the mall; the apartment complex" she answered. "He is in apartment 24, second floor, just a few doors away from mine."

I nodded, processing the information. I glance around the room and find Li, who is now talking to Yamazaki. From the way Yamazaki was pointing his index finger upwards, I knew he was telling a lie. And from Li's expression, he wasn't buying it. I wonder for a moment if I should tell Li about what Tokumatsu said, before deciding against it. He has done so much, I think it's time that I put in my two cents in this case.

Then Lang appeared next to Li, and began to talk to him. I glared at her. She was flirting with him, I am sure, and I think she is doing it to annoy me because she kept glancing at my direction.

Not that it annoys me in the first place.

Ignoring her, I look back at Tokumatsu.

"After the party I'll go, okay?" I tell her, and she nodded.

"Be careful" she whispered before standing up and leaving.

I stare blankly as she retreated. For someone who knows I dislike her, she sure acts nice. I'm even surprised she hasn't asked for a reason on why I dislike her. Actually, why do I dislike her? She never did anything bad to me, not like Lang. And she has never insulted me.

I frown. Is it a feeling that she isn't to be trusted? No, that isn't it. Then why do I dislike her?

There is something different about her . . .

That was it. I don't know what, but there is just something a little odd about Tokumatsu, as if she has a sixth sense or something. I frown at myself. How dare I judge her for something I am not even sure of! I have no right to dislike and disrespect her just because there is something odd about her. Disappointed in myself, I get up from my seat and begin to look for Tokumatsu to apologize, but I couldn't find her anywhere. Did she leave the party?

I wasn't sure, but I knew for certain that tonight I would go and apologize after getting Kobyashi.

"Now why on earth are you looking for my half-sister?" Came a voice and I rolled my eyes, knowing who it is.

"None of your concern" I reply as I turn to face Lang.

She smirked. "You aren't trying to locate her so you can kill her, are you?"

"What do you want?" I growled.

She raised her hands in defense. "Hey, just asking. After all, everyone knows how you hate me and my half-sister, although I have no idea why."

I was going to bitch at her when I realized something. She always says 'half-sister'; Tokumatsu does the same. They never say Lin or Amanda or even sister. It's always 'my half-sister.' It's as if they want people to know that they are only half related, that they only share one parent and that is all they have in common.

"Aww, nothing to say?" She asked. "That's new. You were always a smart-ass, snapping at everyone, thinking that you are the only one right and everyone else is wrong." She smiled. "I don't know what exactly Kiyo had seen in you."

I clenched my fists. She is bringing him up on purpose. Being the nosy one, she found out about what Kiyo did to me, and she brings it up as much as she can to anger me.

"You want to know why I hate you?" I growl. "It's because you think that you are the only woman out here with looks, that every single man deserves you. And you know damn well that you started this hatred between us by stealing my evidence and lying to Bennett about who actually did the work on our last case."

She shrugged. "Hey, I thanked you for solving the case, didn't I?'

"You know, you and me could have actually been friends if you hadn't lied to Bennett."

"We could have never been friends. You were Little Miss Perfect. Everyone paid attention to you, you always solved cases on time. People came to you to help them out. I was always in the background, no one coming to me for help or anything. I was ignored. I hated you; I hate all Little Miss Perfects. That's why I lied to Bennett, so for once I can solve a case and you could be ignored. It was my turn to be in the spotlight." She smirked. "I would have never thought I would have gotten a promotion." She sighed. "But I suppose it was useless for even doing what I did, seeing that I quit and joined the police department to become the chief." She shrugged. "Oh well."

"You bitch" I growl.

She smiled before walking away. I looked around, and was thankful that she had decided to talk to me while no one was looking. One day, Lang will wish she had never met me, that's a promise.

(Evening: Apartment Complex)

I knock on the door of Kobyashi's apartment before stepping back and waiting for it to open. I check my watch. 7:30 PM. Not so late that I couldn't come over and 'chat' with Kobyashi.

But my definition for 'chat' is a whole lot different than what others are used to.

I frown when the door doesn't open. I knock again, a little harder this time just in case he didn't hear me the first time. After a few minutes of no one answering the door (and after a few more knocks) I began pounding on the door, the option that he might not be home not occurring to me.

I growl and take out my gun as I step back, preparing to knock down the door. I then run forward and lift my left leg. Putting all my strength and weight on the leg, my foot hits the door and it bangs open, the back of the door hitting the wall as it almost swings off its hinges.

I may be a woman, but it does not mean I can't open a locked door.

"Okay, Kobyashi. Where are ya?" I whisper, my gun in my hand. I walk slowly into the dark apartment. Seeing that I have never been in here, I had no idea where to go and where things are at. I would turn on the light, but I had no idea where the light switch is at and I didn't feel like wasting time looking for a little switch.

I look left and right as I enter to what looked like the living room. There were pictures on the walls, two couches, a TV . . . everything a single man has. That was no surprise. I reach a little hallway and pause at the entrance. There were three doors; one at the end of the hallway, one to my left, and the other on my right.

Unsure of which door to choose, I silently debate for a few moments before going for the one on my right. I stand upright on the wall next to the door, and reach for the knob. I turn it and let the door open a bit. I breathe in deeply, wishing that I hadn't come here alone and that someone was here watching my back. But, unfortunately, I made the stupid mistake of coming here alone.

I breathe again before swiftly moving away from the wall and into the room, the door swinging until it hit the wall. I point my gun at every direction, waiting for someone to pop up and begin shooting.

But the room was empty. I glance around, realizing that it is a bedroom. Seeing no one, I turn back around and walk out of the room. I stare at the door across from the bedroom, and then do same procedure I did with the bedroom. I stood up against the wall, grabbed the knob, turned, and barged into the room, pointing my gun.

I lower my gun, shock appearing in my features.

"What the hell?" I whisper as I walk into the center of the room.

This was definitely not a bedroom or a living room.

Pictures. Nothing but pictures. And these weren't like the pictures that are usually on walls, like painted scenery (which are the pictures he has in the living room). No, these pictures are of people. Human people. And they were taken by an ordinary camera.

Kobyashi was using this room to develop pictures that he had taken!

I walk forward to the other side of the room as I stare at the bins of water, unfinished pictures laying in them. I look up and slowly look at the already-finished pictures which were hanging to dry on a thin rope from one side of the room to the other. I begin to glance at every picture, noticing that each picture featured the same woman.

It didn't take a genius to know that this guy is stalking her. Well, if he isn't John Doe, we can still book him for stalking.

I back away from the room and close the door as soon as I reached the hall. I turn and look at the last door. I see that the door is already open, but only a bit. For some unknown reason, I don't do the same procedures I had done before, but rather I just walk forward and open the door.

My eyes widened at the sight. I gulp and take my cell phone out. I take my eyes away for a few seconds as I dial a number.

"I need policemen here" I spoke into the phone and I then rattled off the address. "And bring the CSI here . . . I have a body, DOA." I hang up the phone and sigh. Kobyashi's lifeless body lay on the floor, blood pouring out of what looked like multiple stab wounds.

Then I remembered Tokumatsu, and immediately ran out of the apartment. When I reached her door, I knock on it once before it swung open. Apparently, the door was unlocked and wasn't completely closed. Tokumatsu isn't the type to not lock her door after finding out a suspect lives a few doors away from her. Something wasn't right. I only walked a few steps before tripping over something and landing flat on my face. I groan and slowly get up on my elbows. I look behind me to see what I tripped over.

"Oh, Damn" I whisper.

Tokumatsu was also lying on the floor.

And dead.

~*~*~(Li's P.O.V: An hour later)

"You should have told me" I told Sakura. "Something could have happened to you, or-"

"I know Li, I know."

I sigh and run a hand through my hair. I was scared as hell when I drove over here after Bennett called me, saying that Sakura just called from an apartment complex to report about the two bodies. For a moment I had thought she was injured, and that's what made me rush into a car, nearly run over a dog, run red lights, and almost jump a curb.

The things my feelings make me do.

"I know you know" I continue softly, "but please, next time, don't go in alone."

She sighed as she tightened the blanket around her shoulders. "I can't promise that" she answered. "I mean, if you somewhere else, and I somehow stumble into a situation where I can't wait for anyone and I have to go in alone-"

"Okay, okay. I get the message."

Bennett came up to us, shaking his head. "The ME estimates that the killer killed Kobyashi first, Tokumatsu was killed probably twenty minutes to half an hour later."

"But why?" Sakura asked. "What is their connection?"

Bennett shrugged. "We're trying to figure that out." He nodded over to a police car where Lang and a cop were talking. Lang looked upset. "We are talking to the sister, seeing if Tokumatsu had any enemies."

Sakura snorted and I looked at her. "I don't think Lang knows anything about Tokumatsu's life; they weren't that close."

"Actually, truth be told, I don't think talking to Lang would help much anyways." Bennett held up his hand, a strip of paper between his index and middle finger. "John Doe killed Kobyashi and Tokumatsu." He outstretched his arm and held his hand out for Sakura. "And he left a message for you."

Sakura glanced at it. "I don't want to read it." She turned her head to look at me. "You read it for me."

I slightly nodded and took the paper. I opened it up and read the writing:

Kinomoto, don't you just hate it when you realize something a little too late? JD

I didn't really get this message, but when I read it to Sakura, she seemed to understand it fully.

"Stupid bastard" she muttered. I knew I had a baffled expression, so it didn't surprise me when she started to explain. "I disliked Tokumatsu, acted towards her with nothing but rudeness. During the party, I realized that I should apologized for acting the way I was, seeing that the only reason I disliked her was because there was something a little different about her. I couldn't find her at the party after talking to her, so I decided to come here and apologize after I chat with our suspect." She bowed her head. "But it was a little too late."

I wanted to wrap my arms around her and comfort her, kiss her face all over. But I knew I couldn't. Not until I tell her I love her, and I can't even do that until Ling and I divorce. Ling better sign those papers.

I opened my mouth to say something when my phone rang. I muttered a curse as I took out my cell and answered it.

"Yeah?"

"Melinda is here."

I raised my hand and pointed my index finger, telling them that I'll be back in a minute. I walk away as I talk to Hiiragazawa.

"Is she okay?"

"A little nervous. She came here with a social worker about half an hour ago. The social worker then began asking questions, and then when she was leaving, she mentioned a little piece of information."

I frown. "What?"

"She began saying how there are very few gay guys who choose to adopt a child."

I blink . . . and then I laugh. "She t-thinks you're g-gay?!"

"Li! What exactly did you tell her about me?!?"

I reduced myself to a chuckle before speaking. "All I told her was everything a social worker wants to hear. I told her how you are responsible, have a steady job, have a nice apartment, and that you are a-" I pause, and then begin laughing again.

"What?! Li, tell me!!"

"S-she misunderstood m-me. I had said you are a very gay person; but I meant that you are a very happy person when I said that. I guess she thought I meant that you swing that way."
"Thanks a lot, Li. Next time, say 'happy' instead of 'gay' so no one can-" I hear mumbling for a few seconds. "Oh . . . well, yes Melinda, Li was gay before he had fallen for Sakura."

"Hiiragazawa!" I exclaimed, outraged.

I can practically hear the smirk that was on his face as he spoke. "Oh, I'm sorry to reveal that secret, but Melinda asked."

"I am going to hurt you" I growl before hanging up.

"Li!" I turn around and see Sakura telling me to go to her. I jog up to her, who was standing next to Bennett and now Lang.

"What's wrong?"

"Kobyashi's camera! They found it in his tub. The CSI thinks that when John Doe went in, he pushed Kobyashi to the ground and the camera flew out of his hands. But we believe that he took a picture of John Doe before he was pushed!"

My eyes widened, and I felt hopeful at the fact that this case might be over.

"Funny how a stalker ends up helping us, huh?" Sakura grinned. "They are going to take the camera to their lab and develop the pictures."

"Hopefully, John Doe is there" Bennett added.

"I hope so" Lang said and she hugged herself in order to keep warm.

I hope so too . . .

~*~*~ (Third P.O.V: Ling and Kiyo)

"This is your entire fault, Ling" Kiyo said as he paced. "If you hadn't blurted that out, then maybe he wouldn't have figured out his feelings this soon."

Ling crossed her arms. "Well, at least you don't have money being taken away from you." She pouted. "I need Syaoran back."

Kiyo sat on his couch. "We need to speed things up." He looked at her. "Be around him all the time, even if Kinomoto is around him; put him in situations where it looks as if he is in love with you. Trip or something in front of him so he can catch you, and when Kinomoto walks in, she'll think he is hugging you."

Ling nodded her head. "Okay; trip. Got it." She looked at him. "But then you have to do the same. Be around Kinomoto a lot. Put her in those types of situations so Li can think she is in love with you."

Kiyo grinned. "Piece of cake."

AN: I am going to try to see if I can go back to my usual updating schedule. I'm not so sure if I'll be able to, but I'll try. And I hope this chapter was worth the wait. Please review; I'll be eternally grateful to you!