AN: Here is chapter twelve! I love your reviews! This story has been a great joy to write. And I'm thinking of writing a one-shot. It was suppose to be the beginning of a story that I am going to write, but I decided to make it a one shot. Think of it as a prologue to the story, but you'll have to wait for the actual story to come out for a while mainly because I am going to work on Eyewitness News (only) after I finish Murdering Angel. And when Eyewitness News is over, I'm going to write the two stories that have been running in my head for a while now.

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 Twelve

(Sakura's P.O.V: Monday morning)

I massaged my neck, which was very stiff. I was so tired, but I refused to leave my desk at the office. I had the dream again, and it was getting worse. I can now feel the emotions running through me- well, the dream version of me. It was so unbearable. But that is nothing compared to the frustration I feel after I wake up: I don't know who I'm holding! At first, I thought it was Syaoran, but I have a feeling it isn't him.

Syaoran . . .

I sighed. Ever since I stopped denying how I feel about him a few days ago, it's difficult to keep him out of my mind. An image of him pops out in my mind almost every minute. It was both heaven and hell at the same time.

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.

"Come in."

The door opens to reveal Totsuda Shiro, another PI in my building. I tensed up and put up my guard. I usually don't do this when a man walks through my door, but ever since we realized that John Doe is in law enforcement, I am now suspicious of every male PI I work with.

A lot of PI's here know about my friends and stuff. I could very well be in the same building with John Doe, I think bitterly.

"Kinomoto, CSI called about fingerprints in the apartment."

I sat up straight. "Which one?"

"Kobyashi's. The CSI ran the prints through the computer. There is no match."

I slumped. "Damn it."

"Don't pout, Kinomoto. This doesn't mean that you and Li are doomed. It just means that this killer doesn't live here in Japan, or that John Doe hasn't killed before until he decided to go on a little killing spree."

"I know that. But I am getting extremely frustrated with this case. Me and Syaoran have personal problems with our pasts and all and I'm worried about a few other things."

Totsuda nodded. "I know how it is when a case has gone to long and we get frustrated with it. Will this become a cold case?"

I was about to answer, but somebody else beat me to it. "No way, John Doe has killed too many people."

I slightly smiled as Syaoran walked into the office. He looked at me. "Sorry to interrupt, Sakura."

I was taken aback at the fact that he said my first name, and I was confused at the fact that he put emphasis on it.

"I guess I should leave you two alone." There was a hint of amusement in his voice as Totsuda spoke. "See you later" Totsuda said as he left, but not before grinning at me. I scowled at him.

With a raised eyebrow, Syaoran closed the door and crossed his arms. "Since when have you started calling me Syaoran?"

I groaned, remembering that I had said Syaoran rather than Li when talking to Totsuda. "I slipped. That's all" I explained as I stood up and carried a file to one of the file cabinets.

"Yeah, right."

"I did!" I defended myself as he rolled his eyes.

"Okay, then. Was this your only slip-up?" He asked as he walked forward and sat on one of the chairs in front of the desk.

"Yes" I answered as I placed the file in the drawer.

"Okay then- what about yesterday?"

I closed the drawer and turned around to look at him. "What about yesterday?"

"When you were talking to Daidouji over the phone."

I tilted my head, indicating I still had no clue about what he was talking about.

He cleared his throat. " 'Oh, Tomoyo, Syaoran is here with me. Of course I'm not in danger.'"

My jaw dropped. "You eavesdropped on my phone conversation!"

He chuckled as he shook his head. "No. I was walking into the kitchen and saw you on the counter talking on the phone. Your back was towards me so you didn't see me go in, or go out."

I stuttered at being caught saying his name. "T-that was a slip-up too!"

"You just said that today was your only slip-up."

"Yeah, well, I forgot about yesterday."

"Okay. So does this mean you forgot about the day before yesterday?"

I threw my hands up in the air, defeated. "Alright, so these aren't slip-ups!" I crossed my hands and glared at him. "But don't get cocky about it. The only reason why I say Syaoran rather than Li is because we are partners and I think it's about time we just say our first names."

He leaned back in the chair. "I'm not getting cocky about it. In fact, I agree. We are partners, and have been for about four months." He cocked his head to the side. "But what I can't understand is why all of a sudden, you think it's about time we say our first names. I mean, even though we are partners, maybe even friends, you are the one who likes yelling at me, glaring at me, etc. Why do you all of a sudden want us to call each other by our first names?"

I crossed my arms, and slowly walked over to my chair, trying to formulate an answer. I couldn't exactly tell him I love him, especially after promising that I wouldn't say a word of it.

I take a deep sigh as I sit down and fold my hands together.

I am going to have to twist the truth a little to avoid telling him how I really feel, I think to myself.

"For the last couple of days" I start out slowly "I have been doing a lot of thinking. I realized that we don't argue like we used to, and that I now . . ." I wave my hand around "well, I trust you. I didn't realize it until a few days ago, . . . and I also think we are friends, we just didn't say it out loud."

He blinked. "You . . . trust me?"

I nodded. "And considering that you are my partner, and I have for years resented having any partner, I'd say that that is a big improvement. You showed me that not every partner will betray me. I thank you for that."

He blinked again. "This isn't a trick to bring my guard down just so you can kill me or anything, is it?"

I glared at him. "No!"

Silence. "That's . . . unexpected." More silence. "I guess I really did comfort you."

My eyebrows burrowed together. "Comfort me?"

He shook his head. "I'll explain later." He was silent for a few more moments, as if debating over something, but then he slightly shook his head, as if telling himself to forget it. "Umm . . ." He frowned as he looked at me. "I came in here . . . to tell you something . . ." He snapped his fingers. "I came here to warn you. I should have told you a few days ago, but I haven't seen Ling, and you've haven't been alone, so I thought you were safe. But now I think I should tell you. Remember when Mihara came by on Thursday last week?"

How can I forget? That's the day I figured out my love for him.

"Yes" I answer.

"Well, Mihara came by to warn me. On Wednesday, when you called me about Totsuda, Ling came over. I was busy talking to Mihara when she came, and I was trapped by Ling until you called, and I told Ling to leave after I left. Apparently she didn't really understand, because Mihara told me that she overheard her talk to Tsuchida."

My eyes widened. "What?! How does Numi know him?!"

He shrugged. "They probably met somewhere several weeks ago. But that's not important. What's important is what Mihara told me: Tsuchida and Ling were working together to get us."

Shocked at that, I fall back into my chair. "What?"

He nodded. "From what Mihara had overheard, Ling told Tsuchida that she was getting impatient with something and that she was going to this her way now." He frowned. "I wasn't surprise at what Mihara told me was Ling's 'way'."

I had a feeling I wouldn't be surprise either. "What was her 'way'?"

He sighed. "To drug me and get into bed with me so you can see us together and then when you are vulnerable Tsuchida would come after you." He looked confused. "Why would you be vulnerable if you saw us together?"

Because I'm in love with you and the last thing I want to do is see you in bed with that witch, is what I wanted to say. But instead I settled for a shrug.

"Did you confront her about it?" I asked.

He grinned. "Nah; Mihara already took care of it." But then he lost the grin. "But, I still have to convince her to sign the damn divorce papers. Not even the action of taken money away from her is convincing her."

I gave him a reassuring smile. "I'm sure she'll realize that you don't want to be with her sooner or later."

"I hope so."

We both looked towards my office door as it opened. I frowned and crossed my arms.

"What do you want?" I growled.

Lang raised her arms in defense. "I didn't come here for a fight, Kinomoto. I just came from my half-sister's funeral."

I couldn't believe that she actually went to Tokumatsu's funeral, but she was wearing all black, so I believed her. She walked forward and sat on my other chair next to Syaoran, and sighed. If she expected me to feel sympathetic towards her, she better have someone else to be sympathetic towards her because I won't. Yes, I was sorry for Tokumatsu and her mother and father, but definitely not for Lang. I knew Lang was only pretending to be all sad, probably thinking that this will get her attention and that everyone will treat her kind.

Too bad for her.

"It was . . . terrible" she said, as if I had asked how the funeral was. "My mother was sobbing, my step-dad was silent and dazed; I was the only one there to comfort these two, until my step-dad finally snapped out of his daze and began to comfort my mom. So I was just standing there, watching everyone hug each other and stuff . . ."

Syaoran and I remained silent, and I saw her hand clench a little.

Ahh, so she is seeking sympathy.

She sighed. "The only thing that comforted me was the thought that I am now in a good relationship with someone."

I raised an eyebrow. "Relationship?"

"Yes" she smiled. "With Kiyo."

My eyes widened. "K-Kiyo?"

She leaned back in her chair. "Yeah, got together last week. Why didn't you tell me he was in town?"

I glared, refusing to answer.

"He told me about how you arrested him, and he also told me about Numi. I must say, I don't like the woman. But I do have a question for you, Kinomoto: Why didn't you tell me he is such an excellent lover?"

I clenched my fists as she continued with a smile on her lips.

"I mean, our first time was hot, but then it got hotter and hotter; I'm surprised we didn't set the sheets on fire! Was this how it was with you two? Oh, wait, you guys had sex only once, right? He told me how you guys were playing around and then you guys ended up on the bed and how you made no movement to move away. You waited for him to make a move and when he did-"

I had enough. I roughly stood up from my chair and went around my desk to attack her while she stood up, smiling and all, and backed away from me.

"I hate you!" I half-screamed as I lunged at her, but Syaoran grabbed me by the waist and pulled me back.

"I know you do" she stated. "And I hate you too, that's why I like to mention Kiyo as much as I can."

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

"Lang, leave the office" I ordered as I held onto Sakura's waist while she held onto my forearms, at the same time glaring at Lang. I hated the way Lang was talking about Tsuchida to upset Sakura, and was very tempted to just let Sakura hurt her.

Lang crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at me.

"Why? All I was doing was telling the truth." She glared at Sakura. "You didn't move away from him. You just gazed into his eyes and when he finally did make his move, that's when you decided to struggle against him."

"It doesn't matter whether I moved or not. I told him no, and he continued to rape me" Sakura snapped. She was digging her nails into my arm, and I tried very hard not to wince, but it was getting more difficult to do so.

The door opened, and this time it was Daidouji. She blinked at us.

"I'm not even going to ask" she said before walking into the office and closing the door behind her. "Sakura, Li, Bennett just called me on his cell phone. A maid had called him on his cell on his way here. According to the maid, she saw a man running away from her employer's house when she arrived. When she walked in, she saw her employer on the ground, dead. Bennett thinks it was John Doe, especially when the maid mentioned a slip of paper she found next to the body. Here's the address." She extended her hand, a piece of paper in her palm.

"Great, another victim" Sakura grumbled as she grabbed the paper. She glared at Lang again. "You're lucky Syaoran was here" she growled as she walked out of my arms and stomped out of the office.

"Lang, next time, I won't stop her from hurting you" I warned as I walked out of the office. I only walked a few steps before she came up next to me.

"Li, I was just stating a few truthful facts" Land stated.

"Truthful, or hurtful?" I stopped walking and turned to look at her. "You want to hurt her."

"Of course I do! She almost ruined my career a year ago when she accused me of killing her maid!"

My eyebrows rose. "Maid?"

She tilted her head. "Yeah, maid. No one knows who killed her maid, and it's known at the Perfect Crime."

I blinked. I thought Sakura told me everything about the people in her life and the people she lost. Why didn't she tell me about this maid?

"I'm surprised she hasn't mentioned anything. Look, I would very much like to tell you about the situation with the maid, but if I tell you then Kinomoto will kill me. As much as I wish to cause her pain, even I know that this isn't the way to hurt her. The maid is a touchy subject for her. You want to know about it, ask her." She turned around and walked away as I looked at her.

Sakura, what aren't you telling me?

(Victim's House)

"What do you think?" Sakura asked as we stared at the body.

Matsumono Ken, rich man, divorced, two kids, and now dead.

"John Doe left the usual killings" I answer. I looked at her. "First off, he is a retired cop, he isn't in bed like all the other male victims, and he wasn't killed during the night. Instead, he is killed in broad daylight."

Leaving a message hasn't changed, though. Running out of time, Kinomoto. One by one they'll die. JD

The message was also a little different. It wasn't typed, like usual. It was written with a pencil, in neat writing.

"One by one" I repeat. "One by one of what?"

"He's talking about our suspects from the list that the waitress from Crystal Star gave us" Sakura answered with a frown. "First, Kobyashi, then Tokumatsu, and now him. What is up with John Doe?!"

I didn't answer that question. I was a concentrating on the writing.

"I've seen this writing before" I say.

Sakura looked at me, and then at the writing. "Hey- I've seen it too . . . But from where?"

Yeah, from where?, I think to myself.

Then it hit me. It was on my very first day as a PI that I first saw this writing.

~~Flashback~~

"The John Doe case?" Kinomoto asks. "Who are you asking questions? Is it someone new?"

I merely look at her and narrow my eyes. "None of your concern, we aren't partners, remember?" I turn on my heels and walk away, quickly as possible so I wouldn't have to bump to any of the people here, and walk over to the PI building. When I enter it, I see people rushing around like chickens with their heads chopped off.

The boss comes to me through the crowd, face covered with a serious look.

"Problem, a new body has just been discovered, a female, another officer" he told me. "Since you and Kinomoto are working together on this, get her and go to this address." He hands me a slip of paper, the address written in nice, neat writing.

Before I can say about how me and Kinomoto are not working together, he leaves me in a blink of an eye.

~~End of Flashback~~

"It's Bennett" I state as I look at Sakura.

She looked at me, eyes wide. "Are you sure?"

"I told you, I have excellent memory, and this is Bennett's writing."

"We have fingerprints here!" A CSI called out, and we looked in that direction. "It's a little smudged, but I think we can make do."

I nod. "Run it through the database of Criminals, and also through the database of officers of the law, including PI's."

"That might take a while" The CSI personal stated.

"Doesn't matter. Just do it."

"Oh, Li" Sakura sighed as she crossed her arms. "It just wouldn't make sense if Bennett is John Doe."

"I'm not saying he is" I say to reassure her. "Call Daidouji up and tell her to make a report on every PI, including staff and bosses, who didn't come to the building this morning, or left the building before this murder occur."

She nodded and took out her cell, and when she turned around, I grabbed hold of her elbow. She looked surprised as she looked at me.

"Um, Sakura, we need to talk."

"About what?"

"About . . . last year . . . and your maid."

She tensed and stared at me with shock eyes. "How . . . do you know about her?"

"It doesn't matter. I just think you need to tell me about her."

"I think you need to mind your own damn business." She yanked her elbow from my gripped and walked away. I sigh, regretting that I ever brought up the maid. The last thing I wanted to do was upset her.

(Lunch: Café)

I took another sip of coffee, looking over the report made about our newest victim, and wondering if Bennett really is John Doe. If the prints match up, then we finally caught our killer, but then many more questions would arise. Sakura's right: it wouldn't make sense.

Sakura . . .

I groan as I placed my forehead in my hand. I haven't seen her since I mentioned her maid. When I tried to find her, wondering if she made the call to Daidouji, an officer told me she left, and that she didn't say where she was going.

"Xiao-Lang?" I look up and frowned.

"Mihara told me what you were planning to do, Ling, and I have no reason to talk to you. Leave me alone."

"Xiao-Lang, that woman was mistaken! She is just trying to make me look like a bad person. I mean, she pulled me by my hair, for Heavens' sake!"

"Mihara isn't the type to make a person look bad just for the hell of it. Ling, I am telling you this last time, sign the divorce papers now while you still have money or I will see you in court and reduce your pride, reputation, and status to nothing."

Ling clasped her hands together as I glared at her.

"Xiao-Lang just let me explain and I know you'll-"

"Go" I ordered.

She opened her mouth, but then closed it when I pointed in the direction of the door.

"Ling, you know I won't listen. I said everything that needed to be said. If you really love me the way you say you do, leave me alone. Let me go."

She bit her lip. "I'm . . . sorry, Xiao-Lang." She took a couple of steps before turning around and walking away.

I blinked at her retreating form. I expected a comeback, I was prepared for it. Could it be that she is actually going to . . . let me go?

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

I took a deep breath as I sat on the bench, knowing that it was Lang who told Syaoran about my maid. I didn't mean to act so harsh towards him, but talking about Kita is kinda hard, harder than talking about my father.

"Why so glum?"

I opened my eyes to look at whoever spoke.

"Kiyo!" I gasped. The last time I saw him was . . "How long were you looking through my window?" I snapped.

"Not long." He smirked. "But I did get to see your beautiful body."

"You perverted, backstabbing jerk!" I raised my hand to slap him but he took hold of my wrist before I was able to hit him.

"Kinomoto, Kinomoto. Don't slap me. It wouldn't do you any good."

"The hell it won't. You killed my father, and believe me, slapping you would do a lot of good. Killing you would do much more."

He squeezed my wrist, and I winced. "Don't threaten me."

"I hate you" I hissed, but he only squeezed harder and began to twist it. I couldn't help the whimper that escaped my throat. "Let go of me" I ordered, but it sounded more like begging.

"Beautiful" he whispered, ignoring my plea. "You are so beautiful. I did love you, you know. I know I'm a little older than you, but believe me, my age didn't stop my heart from beating when you were near and it didn't stop me from falling for you."

"Ouch" I growled in pain and outrage. "Let go of-"

"The same way nothing stopped you from falling in love with that bastard you're living with."

I stopped trying to pull my wrist free and stared at him.

"And I bet you would do anything to make sure he is okay."

I eyed him. "What are you getting at, Kiyo?"

He smiled. "If you get back with me, I won't kill him."

"No!" I tugged my wrist, hard, and he let go. I held onto my wrist as I glared at me. "You won't kill him, and I won't get back together with you. I'll die first."

"That can be arranged" he growled and took hold of my upper arms.

"Let go!"

"No!"

"She said to let go of her!"

I watched with amazement as Kiyo was grabbed by the collar of his shirt and yanked away from me.

"Syaoran" I nearly cried with relief, glad that Kiyo was a few feet away from me. Kiyo is the only one who can make me turn into a damsel in distress wanting someone to save her. But that was because I still fear him, even though I hate to admit it.

Syaoran stopped glaring at Kiyo, who was now on the ground, and looked at me, eyes filled with concern.

"Did he hurt you?" He asked as he grabbed me by the waist and gently pulled me up so I can stand on the grass.

I shake my head and hugged him. "He threatened to kill you" I whisper.

"It's okay. He won't kill me."

I lifted my head from his shoulder and looked at Kiyo, who was now standing up and glaring at us.

"I'm assuming Ling went to talk to you" he snarled. "And from the way you are now here holding onto Kinomoto, it didn't go the way she hoped."

"Leave Sakura alone, Tsuchida. Or believe me, someone will be buried six feet underground, and it won't be me. It'll be you."

Kiyo growled. "It doesn't matter how much you try to push me away. I will always be a part of Kinomoto's life. A piece of me will always be with her, no matter how much you try to protect her from me, Li. I was the first to have her, and that is something that she won't forget." He turned around and walked away.

"He's right" I say softly. "A piece of him will always be with me, no matter how much I try to get him out of my life."

"Listen" he spoke as he tilted my chin up. "I wish I can just make this all go away for you, but I know I can't. All I can tell you is that you should be proud that you didn't let this rape control your life. You overcame it; you lived on with life and came out a winner. And I'm proud of you."

"Yeah, but I didn't overcome everything horrible in my life" I sighed. "Like Kita's death."

He burrowed his eyebrows together. "Kita?"

"My maid, Hatayama Kita" I took another sigh, knowing that it's time for me to talk about it. "She was like a second mother to me. I mean, she was the only mother figure I had, since my real mom died when I was three. She took care of me, she helped me with my studies, she prepared me for my very first date, and she even gave me advice about sex and stuff. She even warned me about Kiyo, telling me how I shouldn't trust him. And she was right. After my father died, Kita was there for me. She was the only person I had left. A year ago, I came home from work, and called her name. She wasn't there, and I grew worried because she is always there, and when she does go out, she leaves a note. I called around, asked questions, but still, nothing. She was missing for a month, and I did everything to figure out where she was, what happened that day." I looked down. "I found her body in the woods in a shallow grave."

"Oh God, Sakura I'm so sorry."

"I know. I bet you're wondering why it's so touchy with me. I mean, you would understand if it was my Father, he blew up in a building. The reason why it's so touchy when it comes to Kita is because I don't know who did it. My Mother died of a disease, my Father died because of Kiyo, but Kita? Who killed her and why? There was a reason for my parents dying, but there was no reason for Kita. That's why her case is known as the Perfect Crime, because there are no clues, and I got no closure. That's why I refuse to give up on John Doe. The husbands and wives who lost their love can only be comforted if the killer is caught. They deserve closure."

He nodded, understanding what I went through and why I am determined to get John Doe. "But why not tell me?" Was all he asked.

I shrugged. "I don't know. Talking about Kita and the killer who got away isn't something I like announcing to the whole world."

"I bet it isn't."

I looked up at him and he looked down at me.

"You've had so many losses, Sakura. Why have you had so many losses?"

I didn't know whether he was asking me, or himself. Either way, I gave him an answer: "I think its punishment."

Syaoran gave me a look of disbelief. "Punishment? For what?!"

"For not validating their time here. I never told Kita that she was like a mother to me, and I never told Father a thank you for being both mommy and daddy and raising me. I was selfish, caring about my future career rather than spending more time with my father. And I was selfish in burying my whole life into my career rather than spend time with Kita."

"You didn't know they were going to die. It's not like you sensed it. After what you've been through Ling aborting my baby doesn't seem that hurtful."

I backed up a bit to look at him. "What we lost is different. You produced a human being; you produced a person who you can teach things to, whether it was a boy who you wanted to teach how to flirt, or a girl who you wanted to warn boys away from. And that human being was taken away before you even knew it existed. That is different than what I lost. I lost two people who were in their forties, two people who knew about life. Yes, they died all too soon, but they at least got to live. Ling aborting your baby isn't more or less hurtful. It's just . . . different."

He peered at my face. "For someone who I had thought was a cold-hearted woman, you pour a lot of emotion into what you say when we talk about what we lost."

I blinked at him. It was true, I realized. Before, you would have never seen me give talks like these to anybody. But now, I put so much emotion into what I say when talking to him.

Syaoran chuckled. "This makes you sound more human, rather than a machine." I glared at him, but he continued. "You comfort me a lot more than what I comfort you, and I must say, I very much needed that comfort."

We stayed quiet for a moment before I raised an eyebrow. "I wasn't the only one who acted like a machine. You're now human too" I stated, referring to his earlier statement.

He blinked. But then he smiled at me. "At least we understand now why we acted tough and cold towards everybody."

I nod, giving him a little smile. "Yup, now we understand."

Before I can stop myself, I stood up on my toes and kissed him. It took only a second for me to realize what I was doing, and I pulled back, blushing like mad. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't think to do that. I mean, I was just in the moment and you were holding me and-"

My mind literally went blank when he decided to shut my babbling by kissing me. He pulled back a little.

"Just shut up, Sakura" he murmured. "Just . . . shut up" he murmured again before placing his lips on mine once more.

We shouldn't be doing this!, I told myself, but I couldn't help myself when he parted my lips. I was sick of doing what's right, and I was sick of being afraid. There is only one thing I want, and that's Syaoran. I wanted him so bad that it hurt. I sound like a woman in lust, but I know that's not it. I'm a woman in love with a married man, and I told myself that I shouldn't get close to him, no matter if he's trying to divorce Ling. A part of me told me that after what I have gone through, I deserved kissing the man I fell in love with. But another part told me that he is still taboo. All in all, it was my heart verses my mind, and now, I don't really know which part to follow.

We jumped away from each other when my cell began to ring.

Syaoran cursed. "God damn it! Why is it that when we kiss it ends by someone, or something, interrupting us?" He glared at me. "This kiss isn't over. We both want it and by God it will end after we run out of oxygen!"

I blink at him. Wow. He never did something like that. We usually just accept the interruption and pretend the kiss never happened. Now he is making it clear that we will kiss again. Since I know he is attracted to me that must be the thing that is making him act this way.

I grab my cell and answer it.

"Hello?"

"I have the list of all the people who left the building or who didn't show at all until after the murder."

"Thanks Tomoyo."

"Umm . . . Sakura? I know I should just wait until you come to read the list, but I just wanted you to know that one of the people who didn't come this morning until after the murder was Bennett."

"Okay, thanks Tomoyo." I hanged up the phone and looked at Syaoran.

"Problem?" He asked.

"Tomoyo got the list of the PI's who left this morning or who didn't come until after the murder. One of them is Bennett."

He was silent.

"Everything is pointing to him, Syaoran. He had access to the list of suspects, he is in law enforcement, and he didn't come to the building until after the murder was already done. But there are still so many things that don't make sense."

"We'll wait until we get the fingerprints" he said. "If they match, we have to arrest him, no matter if he is our boss or not."

I nod.

~*~*~ (Third Person P.O.V: PI Building)

Tomoyo put down the phone and glared at Eriol's door. He hasn't been coming in for the past few days, and every time she called him at his house to make sure he is okay, he says everything is alright and then hangs up abruptly.

I am your girlfriend, Eriol, and I deserve an answer.

She stood up and walked out of the building. She went to her car, got in, and drove off to Eriol's apartment building.

And he better have a good excuse for not being honest, She thought angrily. When she reached the building, she got out of her car and walked up the stairs to enter the building. She ignored the people she passed as she walked to Eriol's apartment door. She didn't care if they stared at her. Let them stare at her red face which had a scowl!

When she reached the door, she banged on it. She crossed her arms and waited.

She raised an eyebrow when the door opened to reveal a little girl with red ringlets and light brown eyes. Tomoyo blinked.

"Umm . . . hello, I must have the wrong apartment." She knew she had the wrong apartment because she knows that Eriol doesn't have children.

"Are you Tomoyo?" She asked.

Now Tomoyo was confused. "Yes. May I ask who you are?"

"My name is Melinda, and you have the right apartment. Eriol is in the shower right now. You may come in and wait for him, though. I'm sure he wouldn't mind." Tomoyo blinked some more before deciding to enter the apartment. She walked over to the couch and sat down, watching as Melinda walked to the kitchen. A couple of minutes later, she brought over a glass of water for Tomoyo to drink.

"Thank you" Tomoyo said with a little smile.

"You're welcome. Eriol will be out in a bit. He doesn't shower long. You're Sakura's best friend, right?"

Tomoyo nodded.

"Then you must know that Sakura and Syaoran are in love, right?"

Tomoyo nodded again. "Good, then that means you can help me put them together. They look like the type of people who needs a little pushing to be together" Melinda said with a smile.

"You know what, Melinda? You are absolutely right" Tomoyo answered. She has never met a little girl so polite and so cute! "Sakura and Li do need a little push. I believe I found my new partner in crime!" Tomoyo smiled when Melinda giggled. "I'm sure with our help, they'll be a couple."

Melinda nodded. "Yup!"

Tomoyo turned to the little hallway, and crossed her arms when Eriol entered the living room.

Eriol was using his T-shirt to clean his glasses when he walked into the living room, so he didn't see Tomoyo in the room. "Melinda, where is my watch?"

"On the counter" Melinda answered as Eriol put on his glasses.

"I thought I-" Eriol froze when he saw Tomoyo. "T-Tomoyo! What are you doing here?!"

"Eriol, why didn't you tell me about Melinda?"

"Melinda?" Eriol asked, as if he didn't have a clue on who she is.

"Yes, Melinda. This little girl sitting next to me?"

Eriol put his hands on his hips. "Melinda, didn't I tell you not to open the door to anybody?"

Melinda blinked cutely. "I'm sorry, it's just that Tomoyo had banged on the door, but I knew it was a female because the bang wasn't as hard as what a knock should be when a man knocks on the door."

"Still . . . You shouldn't have opened it."

"Why, Eriol, I take that as an insult!" Tomoyo said.

"No, Tomoyo, that isn't what I meant. It's just that-" Eriol stopped talking and sighed, knowing that he should just explain to Tomoyo the whole story.

"And you couldn't tell me this before?" Tomoyo asked after Eriol told the story.

"I wasn't sure if I was suppose to or not. Li comes in here quite a lot -I don't think he trusts me with Melinda- but he never mentions anything about telling you about Melinda."

"The descent thing you could have done was tell me that you were babysitting. I wouldn't have asked anything more."

Eriol could have told her that she was one of the most curious girls he knows, but refrained from doing so. Rather, he sat himself on the couch (he didn't sit down this entire time) and gave Tomoyo a kiss. It was short, but sweet.

Then they both pulled back, eyes wide. In unison, they both turned to look at Melinda. She was staring at them with a smile, which disappeared once she saw their faces.

"What's wrong?" She asked, alarmed.

"Melinda, go to your room, please?"

Melinda blinked at Eriol's request, but nonetheless did as told. Tomoyo and Eriol watched her leave the living room. Once they heard the door close, Tomoyo stood up and looked at Eriol, eyes wide with fear.

"What was that?" She asked, knowing Eriol had heard –and felt- the same thing she did.

Eriol ran a hand through his hair. "I . . . don't know."

"Well, whatever it was, I never want to hear it again."

But her wish to never hear it again went unheard, for once again, a voice that was awfully familiar to them, spoke. Even though it was in their minds, it was as if the voice was speaking from the room. As if a presence was there, and neither Eriol nor Tomoyo could see it, only feel it.

And hear it.

Protect her . . . or she will die . . .

AN: I Know! I know! I'm evil for making Sakura talk about losing yet another person from her life! I didn't mean to, but, like Olivia's husband, Kita came out of no where. Oh well, maybe subconsciously I wrote about Kita because she somehow relates to John Doe. I guess I'll have to think it over. Who knows? Maybe Kita does relate somehow to JD.

Please review! Today (Dec. 7) is my birthday (I'm sixteen!) and a great birthday present from you guys would be a review! So please review and this will truly be a happy birthday for me!