InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Closing the Case ❯ Chapter 15 ( Chapter 15 )

Closing the Case

Chapter 15

Tired but happy, Inuyasha walked into his apartment. It had taken the better part of the day to tag and bag everything. He'd used two memory cards on his camera to take all the pictures they needed before the evidence could be moved. Then they had talked to the neighbors.

The task had been about as easy as talking to the landlord. The lady on the right had looked down her nose at them. She actually chastised them about privacy in the home and how they were only targeting 'poor Mister Arachna' because he was on the upper crust and they wanted to make a name for themselves. They simply reminded her of the importance of responding to a subpoena. She huffed in response.

The man on the left had been even less helpful. He was an eccentric, elderly man who obviously did not know night from day. After a few minutes of going in circles with him, his daughter - or maybe granddaughter; it was hard to tell - came to see what was going on. She was, in fact, very helpful and answered all their questions to the best of her ability. After thanking her, they reminded her that she might be subpoenaed to testify in court.

Now he was finally home, and Naraku was being held at the precinct. Tomorrow, Sesshoumaru would go before a judge to set bail, and then it was only a matter of getting everything together for the trial. He'd have to testify, so would Miroku, Sango, Shippou, Kirara, and - if she was able - Kanna. He doubted they would call on Kanna. Even if her physical body healed, her therapist said she had regressed psychologically. The little girl would not speak to anyone but Miroku and then it was just 'yes' and 'no.'

He had also found out that Miroku had been spending all his spare time at the hospital with his niece. While it did not come as a surprise, it did explain the bags that were forming under his eyes. Hospital chairs just did not make good beds.

Inuyasha was thankful, however, that there was little chance of Kagome being called to the stand. While she was kin to the first victim, she had not seen anything and could provide little in the way of evidence. On the other hand, the defense might call her to cast reasonable doubt. Inuyasha made a mental note to have Sesshoumaru prep her just in case.

"Kag?" he called through the house.

"In here," her voice called back from the kitchen. He inhaled deeply, taking in the aroma of meat, rice, and vegetables. Kagome was cooking. She had not cooked anything since the night their date was… interrupted, maybe she was feeling better.

Inuyasha found her in the kitchen spooning rice onto three plates. Each already had a large helping of roast beef and broccoli on them. He frowned slightly.

"Are we expecting company?"

"Huh?"

"There are only two of us and you have three plates," Inuyasha provided. She looked down at the plates for a moment before a sad look came over her face. Damn! One step forward, two steps back. She took a deep breath and smiled up at him, even as a few fresh tears formed in the corners of her eyes.

"It's going to take some getting used to, isn't it?"

"Kagome…" He took a step forward and placed his hands on her shoulders.

"No, no, I'm good." She looked up at him and smiled slightly. "I just don't know how I can live in that apartment again. It will be so quiet now."

"Then don't." Inuyasha said suddenly, turning her in his arms so he could look into her eyes. "Stay. Here, with me. We can spend more time together, but you'll have to put up with my grumpy ass when I don't get enough sleep."

"I don't know…" She looked to the side thoughtfully.

"You can have the spare room to make into an office, or anything else you want. Just, stay." He took the plate from her hands, set it aside, and pulled her close.

"It's a big decision, Inuyasha."

"Then think about it." He gently kissed her forehead. When he pulled away, there was a mischievous smile on his lips. "Now what did you make me for dinner?"

&&&

Sesshoumaru carefully stacked and arranged his papers as he waited for the judge to appear. The task was harder then one might have thought. Three feet away sat Naraku, handcuffed to his chair. Naraku was not saying anything, just staring, his dark eyes boring their way into the side of his head. It made him want to bristle, but he showed no outward signs. It would do no good to let the man know he was getting under his skin.

Sesshoumaru chanced a look at the defense lawyer, his name was Hakudoushi Entei. He was small, with shoulder-length lavender hair, and a mischievous smile. He was the kind of lawyer that gave lawyers a bad name. Hakudoushi was known to use underhanded methods to get his clients off on technicalities. Of course, he was also known for turning on his own clients if it was to his benefit. Sesshoumaru could only pray his brother had done his job thoroughly.   

"All rise for the honorable Judge Toutousai," the bailiff called. Everyone, with the exception of Naraku, rose collectively from their seats. Toutousai tottered from the back room, struggled up the few steps to his bench, and finally took his seat on the overstuffed chair. Everyone else sat down as well. Toutousai took his thin glasses, out of his pocket and studied the paper before him. After a minute, he looked up, switched to his thick glasses and looked down on the room.

"Do you understand the charges against you, Mr. Arachna?" Naraku looked away from Sesshoumaru and up at the judge, but showed no other sign that he had heard what was said.

"My client does not wish to speak in the courtroom," Hakudoushi replied.

"I see. Councilor West?"

"The people remand bail, your honor."

"That's ridiculous," Hakudoushi countered. "My client is a respected member of the community."

"Your client is accused of three murders, attempted murder, rape, child endangerment, and that is just the beginning." Sesshoumaru snorted at his opponent, before turning back to the judge, "We also believe him to be a flight risk and a continued threat to the community."

"And why is that?" Toutousai prompted.

"Mr. Arachna seems to harbor a delusion that the justice system will allow guilty parties to go free. He has also exhibited stalking behavior towards several different people."

"My client has yet to be proven guilty." Hakudoushi countered. Sesshoumaru opened his mouth to retort, but Toutousai cut him off.

"Save it for trial, gentlemen. Bail is remanded and trial date is set for three weeks from today." He banged his gavel to signal the finality of the decision. Both lawyers stood and packed their briefcases as the judge rose from his chair and tottered off. Hakudoushi looked up and gave Sesshoumaru a cool smile.

"Do you really think you can win?"

"With the evidence I have against your client? I doubt it is possible for me to lose. Besides, this Sesshoumaru never loses."

"What about the case of the late Miss Kikyou Arrow?" Hakudoushi said with a nasty smile.

"There was insufficient evidence. That was not my fault." Sesshoumaru responded.

"Right. Whatever helps you sleep at night," Hakudoushi answered. Sesshoumaru simply gave him a cold glare before walking away. He found his brother leaning against the wall just outside the door. Without a word, the two fell into step with each other as they made their way out of the courthouse.

"Well?" Inuyasha finally asked.

"Bail was remanded, but he got Hakudoushi as a lawyer. Don't cut any corners in compiling the evidence." With that, he ducked into his car and drove off. Inuyasha huffed and grumbled to himself as he walked back to his own car.