InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Closing the Case ❯ Chapter 20

Closing the Case

Chapter 20

 

“The defense calls Kagome Higurashi to the stand.” Kagome's head, which had been resting against Inuyasha's shoulder in a light doze, snapped up. She looked around; scanning the room in hopes there was another `Kagome Higurashi' in the room that she did not know about. Finding nothing, she turned to Inuyasha for help. Inuyasha shot her a look of disbelief, only to be met with wide, confused blue eyes.

 

“Objection!” Sesshoumaru was on his feet. “The prosecution was not informed that Miss Higurashi would be called to the stand. We are not prepared.” Toutousai sat up in his chair, switching his glasses again.

 

“This court is recessed until 10 am tomorrow morning.” The gavel banged to signal the finality of the decision. Both sides gathered up their things. The gallery emptied around them, but Inuyasha and Kagome remained seated. Sesshoumaru swept down the aisle, only giving them a glance as he passed, but Inuyasha knew they were expected to follow.

 

Gently taking Kagome by the elbow and pulling her to her feet, they trailed after Sesshoumaru without a word. Kagome felt like a small child being led to her room after breaking something expensive. No one spoke until the lawyer stopped outside a door, unlocked it, and directed them inside. The room was really a very small office, or a large broom closet dressed as an office. There was a nice desk and leather chairs, but they did little to take away from the bare white walls. Kagome could only assume that the room was Sesshoumaru's office away from the office.

 

The door shut with an echoing snap that did not seem possible in such a small space, and Kagome felt both sets of gold eyes fall on her. She turned around to meet the brothers, realizing for the first time how much they really looked alike. Sesshoumaru had a more sophisticated, refined air and was a bit taller, but that was about it. And right now they both wore the same expression of… she was not sure, but it made the bottom drop out of her stomach.

 

“Did you know?” Inuyasha's voice was low, but his eyes met hers without wavering.

 

“No.” She shook her head, but under the twin piercing gazes still felt ashamed as if it was somehow her fault.

 

“Can he call a surprise witness without the witness knowing?” Inuyasha turned his gaze to his brother. Sesshoumaru frowned.

 

“Technically, yes, but it is considered bad form. Sit down, Miss Higurashi.” Kagome dropped into the closest chair without protest.

 

Inuyasha raised an eyebrow. “Can you teach me to do that?” Kagome glared at him.

 

“Just sign her paychecks, little brother,” Sesshoumaru replied casually, setting his briefcase on the desk. He opened it with a snap and began searching through his papers. “So far, Hakudoushi has hedged his case on an insanity defense and trying to create reasonable doubt. If I know Hakudoushi, he is going to try and make you look like a pushy, whiny girlfriend, who forced my brother to find a person to blame to meet your needs for revenge.”

 

“But, I-”

 

“I do not need to know about your personal life, Miss Higurashi,” he cut her off, “I simply need you to not blow this case out of the water by giving him exactly what he wants. Get comfortable. Inuyasha, keep your mouth shut.”

 

&&&

 

Kagome let her hand drop to her lap as she took her seat in the witness stand. The room looked so much more intimidating from this angle. Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango, and Shippou all sat in the gallery watching her closely. Sesshoumaru maintained his cool exterior while looking over some papers. Hakudoushi and Naraku both had her fixed with icy stares. She swallowed thickly, trying get rid of the lump that was forming in her throat.

 

The defense lawyer slowly rose from his chair and straightened his jacket. With a confidant air, he sauntered across the room. Remembering what Sesshoumaru had said, she met his eyes without wavering. After two years with Inuyasha and working for Sesshoumaru, it was easy.

 

“Please state your name for the court.”

 

“Kagome Higurashi.”

 

“Miss. Higurashi, when you found out that your brother had… passed on, would you say you were… in distress?”

 

“One could say that. But what would you have me be in under the circumstances?”

 

“I am asking the questions here.” Hakudoushi admonished, “Would you say your distress made you unreasonable?” Kagome fixed him with an almost withering glare.

 

“I am probably not the person you should be asking that question. But at the time, I feel any of the requests I made were perfectly within reason.”

 

“So, you are saying you let your grief rule your life?”

 

“No. I just did not see wanting space or attention on demand as unreasonable,” Kagome replied, fighting hard to keep her composure. In the gallery, Inuyasha seemed to be gripping the bench.

 

“Attention and space? That was all you wanted? Surely, there was something more you asked for?”

 

“Objection!” Sesshoumaru's voice cut off Kagome's answer, “Leading the witness.”

 

“She's my witness,” Hakudoushi protested. Toutousai looked between the two lawyers for a moment.

 

“Sustained, but watch your step, Councilor Entei.” Hakudoushi nodded and turned back to Kagome.

 

“I understand you moved in with your boyfriend, Detective West, the very night you found out about your brother's death. Is that right?”

 

“Yes.” Kagome kept her answer to just what he asked for, not giving anything else as Sesshoumaru had instructed her.

 

“So anytime he was at home, you were there? I'm sure it was awkward at best, both of you under so much stress.”

 

“I don't understand the question.” Kagome watched him as he paced slowly in front of her.

 

“You got into fights, correct?”

 

“Inuyasha and I have had our share of disagreements, but no relationship is perfect.” Kagome carefully folded her hands in her lap, trying not to fidget with her skirt hem. Right now, she wanted nothing more than to crawl under a rock and die. She had always believed that a relationship was between only the people involved. Now, her most personal relationship was on display for the world to see.

 

“And what disagreements have you had recently?”

 

“Last night we disagreed on what to watch on TV.”

 

“I meant significant disagreements, Miss Higurashi.” Hakudoushi did not look amused with her answer.

 

Kagome sighed. “The last major disagreement we had was when he came home with blood on his clothes. I thought he was hurt, but the blood belonged to someone else. I jumped to conclusions and it ended in us yelling at each other.” Hakudoushi nodded.

 

“I'm sure with all the stress you were under; you had lots of little fights too. Do you feel that maybe you, inadvertently, pressured Detective West?”

 

“If I did, it was unintentional.” Kagome shifted uneasily and gripped the hem of her skirt, not liking how this was going. Hakudoushi nodded, walking slowly but purposefully towards the jury box. He took his time to lean against the rail so he could look back across the room at her.

 

“If you could say anything to the man who killed your little brother, right now, what would you say?” Kagome visibly started, her eyes going wide. The question had completely blindsided her, and was unlike anything Sesshoumaru had prepped her for. A quick glance told her Sesshoumaru had been thrown off kilter too, even if he only let his surprise show for the briefest of moments. Inuyasha, on the other hand, was wide-eyed and looked more than a little shocked.

 

Kagome took a deep breath and looked down at her hands, feeling very unsure. It was obvious that the defense lawyer had not asked an inappropriate question, because Sesshoumaru had not objected. A thousand thoughts raced through her brain, each desperate to be the first out of her mouth. She wanted to scream and cry, she wanted to be angry, she wanted justice. But even as she stared at her hands, trying hard to come up with an honest answer, something else swept over her.

 

Unlike the other thoughts, this one did not demand her attention or shout to be heard. This thought came in like a lamb, but it brought with it an overwhelming sense of peace. The noise in her head quieted, her shoulders relaxed, her fists unclenched, and calm swept through her like a wave. Her head came up and her eyes met Naraku's hard, expressionless gaze.

 

“You must have loved her very much.” Kagome's voice was so calm she even surprised herself, “I'm sorry someone took her away from you before you had the chance to truly live. I know when I found out my brother was murdered, it was like I lost a part of myself and I could never get it back. I imagine that's what you feel like too. I'm sorry for your loss, I only wish you could have found peace and not taken my brother from me.

 

“They say one should always forgive and forget. Forgiving is the easy part. So, Mr. Arachna, I forgive you for what you did, even if I don't understand it. But I will never forget that you took my baby brother from me. I only hope you can live with what you have done.”

 

The room was completely silent. Hakudoushi had lost his smug smirk in favor of a slack jawed, wide-eyed expression. Sesshoumaru had both fine eyebrows raised until they disappeared into his hairline. Even Naraku looked at her as if she might have lost her mind. Of all the people in the room, only Inuyasha had a look other than shock. He looked amused.

 

“N-no further questions.” Hakudoushi stumbled over the familiar statement as he returned to his chair. Sesshoumaru rose to his feet, opened his mouth, closed it, and opened it again.

 

“No questions, Your Honor,” Sesshoumaru finally managed and sat back down. Toutousai turned to her and simply motioned for her to step down. Kagome rose from the hard wooden chair, straightened her skirt, and stepped out of the box. Inuyasha stood and held the gallery door open for her as she passed through.

 

“C-Counsilor Entei, you may call your next witness.” Toutousai ordered, trying to get things moving again. Hakudoushi stood up, seeming to have regained his composure.

 

“The Defense calls…” But Kagome was no longer listening. She reached out and took Inuyasha's hand.

 

“Can we go home now?”

 

“Sure, Kagome.” His smile spoke volumes as he led her out of the courtroom.