InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Closing the Case ❯ Chapter 21 ( Chapter 21 )

Closing the Case

Chapter 21

 

Once they were in the car, Inuyasha finally let out the laughter he had been holding in. Kagome gave him a wary look, but it only made him laugh harder. She crossed her arms and huffed, but it still took him several minutes to regain control of himself.

 

“What's so funny?” She groused. The day had left her tired and her nerves frayed; she just was not in the mood to deal with him.

 

“What's so funny?” He repeated. “You just left two overpaid lawyers speechless. That what's so funny! If I'd known you could shut my brother up so completely I would have hung around his office more, just to watch.”

 

Kagome blushed. “I didn't mean to. I was just being honest.” Inuyasha leaned over and kissed her cheek softly.

 

“That's what makes it all the better. You were just being you. Only you.” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her as close as the awkwardness of the car would allow. The laughter had died and now his eyes held something else. “Only you could forgive such a monster for what he did. I'll never understand how you can do such things.” He kissed her gently on the lips. She gave him a weak smile and tucked her head under his chin.

 

“It still hurts.” Her voice cracked slightly and he squeezed her closer.

 

“I know. It still hurts to think about my parents, but it gets better. You just have to give it time.” She nodded against his chest and he released her. The car roared to life and Inuyasha pulled away from the courthouse.

 

&&&

 

The rest of the week passed without incident before fading into the next. Kagome decided that she had had her fill of the court case and opted to keep tabs of it on the news. Inuyasha and Miroku moved on to other cases, but nothing too big because they had both put in for time off at the beginning of next month. Sesshoumaru had, in his ever-mysterious way, told her she would be taking a vacation next month under the articles of bereavement. She was sure Inuyasha had something to do with it.

 

Kanna was released from the hospital, but was back to being home-schooled and having daily sessions with her therapist. Miroku planned on taking her to an amusement park in the next city on the therapist's recommendation. It was to help her relax and associate being in public with having fun.

 

Sango had also put in for some time off and would be accompanying her parents on a trip to the town where every member of her family was buried. After the funeral, they were going to spend some time as a family to reconnect.

 

Of everyone, Rin and Kirara had come out the best. Neither seemed overly traumatized by the events, but lapped up the extra affection their respective guardians were pouring on them. Kagome had laughed when Inuyasha come home with a brand-new light blue, stuffed unicorn for his niece. The toy was almost as big as the little girl was. She later found out that Sesshoumaru had given his daughter a stuffed white dog and Inuyasha was just trying to outdo his brother, again.

 

Just as the month was drawing to a close, so did Naraku's trial. The jury was out for five days and requested to see several bits of evidence again. The waiting was nerve-racking. Finally, they made their decision.

 

It was hard walking back into the courtroom again. Kagome was a little surprised at the wave of emotion that hit her as she passed through the doorway. The room still looked the same, except the jury box was empty. Both the prosecution and the defense were already seated, but Judge Toutousai had yet to arrive.

 

The room held an air about it, as if the very walls were holding their breath. The gallery was as full as it had been at the beginning of the trial. But the room did not hum with chatter; instead, it was as if everyone were afraid to speak. Inuyasha looked down at Kagome's slight hesitation and she saw the question in his eyes before it formed on his lips. Shaking her head, she stepped fully into the room and made her way to where Sango was seated with Miroku. She did not miss the fact they were holding hands, but did not comment.

 

The room was silent for several more tense minutes before the bailiff called for them to stand. The noise was almost deafening as feet scraped against the hard floor. Toutousai tottered up to his chair and took his seat, the room following suit. Kagome remained silent as the jury made its way into the room and filed into their chairs. Finally, everyone was seated.

 

Kagome's stomach churned. She felt uneasy and more than a little frightened. It confused her more than anything. Inuyasha had said the verdict was like a finality, and it would bring her a bit of closure. In fact, it was the only part of the trial he had wanted her to attend. But she was not so sure. How could ruining another life bring her peace?

 

She felt Inuyasha's fingers twine with her own, and she looked up. He tilted his head forward and she followed his gaze. The defense had risen to its feet as well as the jury foreman. She swallowed the lump in her throat.

 

“On the three charges of murder in the first degree, we find the defendant… guilty. On the charge of attempted murder in the first degree, we find the defendant… guilty. On the charge of kidnapping, we find the defendant… guilty.” As the jury foreman spoke Naraku stood silently, his hands cuffed in front of him and his eyes forward. As each of the charges and their verdicts were read, he seemed uninterested. As if the fact that they would rule the rest of his life was of no concern to him. He just did not seem to care.

 

“On the two charges of attempted kidnapping, we find the Defendant… guilty. On the three counts of rape in the first degree, we find the Defendant… guilty.” Kagome realized it suddenly, and her body went cold. He doesn't care. Her heart sank. As far as he's concerned his life ended the day she died. He loved her. He really, truly loved her! Kagome did not realize she was crying until Inuyasha's arm came around her shoulders and he pulled her close.

 

“It's ok, Kagome. He can't hurt you anymore. He won't hurt anyone anymore.” Kagome could only bury her head in his chest. Inuyasha did not understand, not yet.

 

“On the four charges of child abuse, we find the Defendant… guilty. On the charge of child endangerment, we find the Defendant… guilty. On the charges of breaking and entering, assault, forgery, assault of an officer, and resisting arrest, we find the Defendant… guilty. We would like to add that we questioned the Defendant's mental stability, but could not agree whether or not he was truly insane by the state standard.”

 

“Thank you, foreman. The jury is dismissed.” Toutousai turned back to the room. “Sentencing will be scheduled for next week.” The elderly judge banged his gavel, the sound ringing through the large room. The silence that seemed to be unanimous, suddenly broke. People chattered and cheered, some congratulating Sesshoumaru on his victory, others giving their condolences to the families of the victims. Kagome watched as two bailiffs led Naraku away. Inuyasha wrapped her completely in his arms and squeezed, before placing a kiss on her temple.

 

“I told you everything would be alright,” he whispered in her ear. Kagome nodded against his chest. It was odd. Part of her wanted to rejoice, to be glad. Perhaps glad that it was over, or perhaps, the more selfish part of her, was glad that the monster who took her brother was getting what he deserved. But the other part of her still hurt for him and all he had lost.

 

“I want to go home.” Her voice cracked, but she knew he heard her. He kissed the top of her head and led her out of the room.

 

&&&

 

“Kagome?” Inuyasha lifted himself up on one elbow in the dark bedroom. He had taken her out for a celebration dinner and even rented her favorite movie. The night was hers for the taking, and yet, she had seemed distracted the whole time. Even his plans to treat her to the best sex of her life had fallen flat because she just did not seem interested.

 

“Hmm?” She rolled over so she could face him.

 

“Is something wrong? You seem… distant.” For a long time she did not answer, but instead curled more into his chest as if seeking some sort of comfort. Inuyasha lay back down and wrapped his arms around her, enjoying the feel of her blanket-warmed skin against his own.

 

“How can you stand it?”

 

“What?”

 

“How can you stand it? Day in and day out, how can you stand it?” He felt the hot tears begin to roll down his bare chest and pulled her closer.

 

“I… I just do. After a while, you just don't think about it.” His hand came up to stroke her hair. The very reason he kept the details of his work from her had nothing to do with rules and confidentiality, but because he knew how sensitive she was. It was no surprise she was taking this so hard.

 

“It-it's just so sad.” She hiccupped.

 

“I know. I know. But now, one more madman is off the streets. It's not much, but it's a start. Right?” He tried to cheer her up. Kagome looked up at him; her eyes wet and confused, and her cheeks puffy and pink even in the dim moonlight coming through the window.

 

“You don't get it, do you?” She pulled away from his embrace and moved to sit on the edge of the bed, not caring that she had no clothes on or if he saw anything. After all, he'd seen it all before, many times.

 

“What the fuck?” He sat up, letting the blankets fall down around his waist. “Kagome, you aren't making any sense.” He wanted to reach out to her, but her odd behavior left him at a loss.

 

“Do you love me?”

 

“Kagome…”

 

“Do you love me, Inuyasha?!” Her voice cracked slightly.

 

“Yes, Kag.” He answered gently, crawling across the bed and placing his hands on her shoulders. “I love you. Why are you asking these things?”

 

“What would you do if something happened to me?” Inuyasha's heart clenched and began to bang against his ribs. Gently, he turned her around so he could see her face. Fresh tears were making their way down her cheeks and he hurried to wipe them away.

 

“I… I don't know. I don't even want to think about it.” Unbidden images began to flash through his mind. The bloody, maimed bodies he had seen over the years suddenly had the face of the woman he loved. The very thought of his Kagome meeting such a horrible end made his stomach churn. Kagome's eyes dropped to the bed, where her hand was gripping the sheets so tight her knuckles were white.

 

“I feel so sorry for him. He must have loved her very much.” Inuyasha had no answer for that. Instead, he pulled her into his lap and held her. The tears had stopped, but she was still sniffling and hiccupping. He was sure they were more from frustration and confusion than anything else, but he still hated to see her cry. For a long time neither one said anything, just sat in the dark and enjoyed each other's company. Slowly, Kagome lifted her head and placed a tender kiss on his jaw. “Thank you. For everything, thank you.”

 

“No problem, Kag. It's all in a day's work for your average super sleuth.” She laughed softly and kissed him. He returned the favor with equal passion as he pulled her to lie on the bed once again.