MISPER

Police Work

A few months ago...

''What do you mean you'll stop searching?'' Mikan Sakura screamed hysterically, her hair a mess, her eyes swollen. ''You've been looking for less than a month and you're already giving up?'' She was furious with the way the police worked, but the buzzing and phone ringing station, filled with talking police officers and handcuffed criminals around her were aware that most of her anger came from her hormonal state she was in. Her subtle belly under her late-spring dress was proof enough.

''I'm sorry Miss Sakura. We did everything we could, but we found no indications of where your mother could be. Most of the evidence point to the white trade… I'm sorry…'' The black haired inspector apologized to the poor woman sitting in front of his office table. He seriously did not want to tell her that, but her mother had vanished and they suspected woman trade was involved. Asian females were in fact a very profitable 'product' around the world, and inspector Natsume Hyuuga was sure this was the case here. Glancing at the photo of a gorgeous Yuka Azumi Sakura, smiling brightly into the camera showed an obvious feautre that most probably attracted her abductor's attention. And looking back up at her daughter, the inspector wanted to suggest she receives a 24 hour protection too. She was a younger version of Azumi and… She was beautiful…

Although right now she resembled a furious witch more than anything else.

''W-white trade? You mean prostitution? If you know that then why aren't you doing anything?! You're the investigators who know this business net the best!'' she yelled, her arms flying around.

Inspector Natsume showed her a huge pile of papers and stared at her pointedly. ''Miss Sakura. I know this is a hard time for you, but you have to understand that without evidence we can't accuse anyone of anything. If we go to trial with just a reason of suspicion, you'll waste your money for nothing. These papers are all data of missing women, suspects, and places that might be the hiding place. Just names, nothing else, nothing concrete – we can't afford to go search for all these without a concrete clue.''

''So why aren't you gathering any clues? You know, sending there an undercover agent like they do in the movies; organize an ambush; or I don't know follow the suspect?'' she asked loudly, yet her shoulders were falling.

Inspector Natsume sighed. ''Quite honestly, miss… We don't have the financial means. With years, this black business grew a lot, both in size and power; and an unimportant police station meddling in mafia affairs would cause many problems for officials.'' He explained honestly, taking pity in her.

The young woman with big brown eyes looked at him pleadingly. ''So, you'll just let it be? For the safety of your job?''

''There are many… other cases that also have to be solved… are easier to solve… And we have to be here to do that…'' he pressed his lips together at the cruel truth coming from his mouth and felt ashamed. Such was the state of modern times. No, such had been the state since forever. As they say You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours… Crime and law – they had always walked hand in hand; side by side. One small person cannot do anything about it.

The young girl was silent after that, staring at her hands in her lap. She had calmed down. She did not look up right away when she spoke once more. ''So… If you received concrete evidence or any kind of clues…'' she looked up. ''You could continue with the search?'' she asked carefully.

Natsume slowly blinked, looking at her seriously. ''If the evidence were gathered or obtained without any illegal actions… Then yes. We could continue…''

They stared blankly at each other, not saying a word. Around them the police station was still buzzing, still running, swearing, talking, writing, working. Around them the world moved on. But for the young Mikan Sakura, the world just stopped and focused on one thing.

She slowly stood up, gathering her bag. Inspector Natsume Hyuuga stood up too. They bowed slightly in respect. ''Thank you, inspector.'' She walked out of the buzzing room and Natsume watched her disappear.

She was about to do the nasty work that the police should be doing but cannot. She was about to get her hands dirty.

And Inspector Natsume Hyuuga should not have let her do that.

Not with that baby in her belly.

AN: My internet crashed yesterday, so I'm sorry I couldn't post the new chapter xD