InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Well La De Frickin' Da ❯ The Trial ( Chapter 14 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Kagome woke up the next morning with a feeling of dread. This was the morning of the trial. The day she would either be put back under her father’s care or see him being dragged off to prison. She couldn’t say see wanted to see either happen. He was her father after all and no matter how badly he had treated her, she would always love him.

A knock on her bedroom door, had Kagome leaping out of bed. She rushed to the door, hoping to prevent the person from barging in and seeing her in her nightgown. She opened the door a crack and peeked outside. There stood Rin with a warm smile on her face. “Thought you’d like some breakfast before you head off to the courthouse.”

Kagome’s stomach did a back flip at the mention of the courthouse. She wasn’t ready for this. Who was she kidding? There was no way she could send her father to prison. Not only would she have to do that, but she’d also have to testify. Her testimony would send her father away for a long time if all went well.

Though there wouldn’t be a jury. It would all be up to the judge . . . and her testimony. She had to ask herself. Did she really want her father in prison? He wasn’t always so cruel. There was a time when he really did love and care about her. Was she a fool to believe that maybe things might return to normal?

“I think breakfast would be a good idea.” she replied, “I’ll be down in a minute.”

Rin smiled and winked. “Don’t take too long, I know a certain someone who’s dieing to see you.” With that said she turned around made her way down the hallway.

As Kagome closed the door she could feel her face flush. Yet she couldn’t stop the smile that formed. The night before was wonderful. She still couldn’t believe what happened. Her first kiss. The one thing she never even hoped for and it was from the most generous person. What had she done to deserve him? He’d been nothing but kind to her since the day she met him.

Kagome couldn’t keep the smile off of her face as she got dressed. She still was comfortable with her healing body so she wore a nice navy blue long sleeved shirt with khakis. After covering up the fading bruises on her face she made her way down to the kitchen area.

InuYasha looked up as Kagome entered the room and instantly caught her eye. They stared at each other, with a mix of not knowing how and not wanting to look away, until Rin pulled Kagome to her seat right across the table from InuYasha.

“So Kagome, did you sleep well?” Rin asked as she placed a plate full of biscuits and gravy in front of her.

Kagome’s mouth salivated at the sight and smell of her breakfast. She quickly picked up her fork and said, “Fine thanks.” She cut a piece of her biscuit off and made sure it was thoroughly covered with gravy before taking a bite. “This is wonderful.”

Rin laughed as she took her seat next to her. “I know isn’t it. It’s not very often InuYasha makes breakfast and I have to say his biscuits and gravy are my favorite.”

Kagome heard InuYasha groan as she looked over at him in surprise. “You made this?” She had never pegged InuYasha as the cooking sort of person.

InuYasha rolled his eyes instead of answering and then continued eating. It was Rin who answered her question. “Uh huh. It’s amazing isn’t it? He rarely ever does though. Must of wanted to impress someone this morning.”

Rin winked at Kagome as InuYasha told her to shut her mouth. Kagome could feel her face heat up for the second time that day. She glanced over at InuYasha and noticed that his face was just as red as hers was. She smiled contently knowing that InuYasha was just as shy as she was about their relationship.

There was the sound of someone thudding down the stairs in the next room followed by Shippo making his entrance. “Momma, what smells so good?” he asked as he sat down in the seat on the other side of Kagome.

“InuYasha made biscuits and gravy.” Rin answered as she got up to make her son a plate.

InuYasha sulked as he stirred the remaining of his gravy as grumbled, “You don’t have to keep advertising it.” Kagome tried her best to stifle the giggle, but InuYasha shot a playful glare her way making her struggling to catch her breath. He smirked as he looked back down at his plate. “So, where’s Sesshomaru at anyway? Shouldn’t he be here preparing his client?”

After serving Shippo his breakfast, she walked around the table and picked up InuYasha empty plate. “He’s at the courthouse. Making sure everything is going to go perfectly. You know how Sesshomaru is.”

As Rin made her way to the kitchen sink, Kagome was starting to get cold feet. She couldn’t do this. He was her father. All she would have to do is say that he didn’t touch her. Her bruises were healing nicely. She could just pass them off as her own clumsiness. Things could back to the way they were.

Yet she couldn’t do that to InuYasha. She knew he cared about her and she cared about him, but . . . this was her father they were sentencing.

InuYasha looked over at Kagome and noticed that she was deep in thought. He knew there could only be one thing on her mind giving what he had just discussed with Rin. He got up and walked over to her, then he grabbed her hand and pulled her into the living room. Leaving Shippo to complain about eating alone.

“InuYasha?” He pulled her over to the couch and made her sit down beside him.

He still held her hand in his and she was looking anywhere but at him. “Kagome, I know you’re nervous about what’s going to happen today, but I’m gonna be by your side every step of the way.”

Kagome finally shifted her gaze over to him and he was surprised by the tears pooled in her eyes. “But Sesshomaru said that it would just be him in there with me . . . and a social worker. I don’t think you’re allowed in there with me.”

InuYasha brought his free hand up to caress her cheek. “Don’t you worry about that. I promise I’ll be there with you.”

Kagome attempted a smile, but it was a miserable effort. “I want you there.” she whispered. “I don’t think I can do this without you.”

InuYasha continued to caress her cheek, trying to calm her down. He leaned toward her as he replied, “Then I’ll be there.” He gave her a chaste kiss on her lips.

Kagome couldn’t help the small watery smile, knowing that he was doing his best to comfort her, but she still couldn’t swallow the lump in her throat. A frown easily took the place of the smile. “I’m scared about seeing him again.”

InuYasha felt his heart wrench at how vulnerable she looked. He pulled her into a tight embrace wanting to protect her from the world. “He won’t hurt you ever again. I promise.”

She nodded against his shoulder. “Thank you.” she whispered as she returned his embrace. She felt safe, like she always did in his arms. It was going to be a big day. One she felt like crying over. Could she really lock her father away?

“Sorry to interrupt, but I’m afraid we should be heading that way.” Kagome pulled out of the embrace and saw Rin standing in the doorway. Shippo was standing slightly behind her with his face, that was tinted red, hidden against his mother’s leg in embarrassment.

Kagome’s stomach did a back-flip, but, before she could make herself sick with anxiety, InuYasha took her by the hand and stood up. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll take her.” InuYasha said, “Besides, you won’t be allowed inside and it won’t be over until around noon. You might as well come around then. There’s no use you just sitting outside the courtroom.”

Rin considered it then replied, “But I couldn’t just not go. Kagome needs my support.”

“She knows you support her, but it won’t matter if you’re sitting here or outside a courtroom. As long as you’re there when it’s over who cares where you were.” Rin sighed knowing he was right. She had a million and one things to do around the house, not to mention getting Shippo enrolled in kindergarten., but she didn’t want to abandon Kagome.

Kagome sensed that she was having trouble making up her mind and she didn’t want her worrying over something that she didn’t even need to be at in the first place. “It’s alright Rin. You shouldn’t have to sit on a hard bench when you could be sitting on your own couch.”

Rin rushed over and hugged Kagome. “If you’re sure?” Kagome nodded against her. “Alright, but don’t you fret. I’ll be there to hug you as soon as you walk out of those doors!”

InuYasha rolled his eyes as he waited for Rin to let go of Kagome. When she finally did, InuYasha announced that it was time to leave. Kagome nodded, said her goodbyes to Rin and Shippo, and then walked out the front door wondering if she was ever going to return.

Kagome sat on a hard wood bench tapping her foot and nervously chewing her lip. InuYasha took her hand and squeezed it tightly. “Don’t worry so much.” he smiled down at her. “Sesshomaru is the best lawyer around.”

“I’m not worried about that.” she sighed heavily. She wasn’t sure if she was doing the right thing. “I’m just not sure I should be doing this.”

“Doing what?” InuYasha quirked an eyebrow looking at her questionably.

“Doing this, taking him to court.” Kagome sounded more unsure of herself than InuYasha had ever heard her before.

“Kagome he beat you, burned you, neglected you, and worst of all blamed you for your own mother and brother’s deaths.” InuYasha said his voice unintentionally rising. “He deserves this, Kagome. You have to do this.”

“I guess you’re right.” Kagome wanted to believe he was right, but her stomach was all knotted up and she just didn’t fell right.

“Kagome you have to do this. You didn’t deserve anything he did to you.” InuYasha took her other hand. “He had no right to treat you like he did. You’re his daughter and he should have been there for you when you needed him. Yet he wasn’t.”

“Yeah.” She agreed seeing truth in his words. “But--” She didn’t get to finish because at that moment Sesshomaru walked through the double doors.

“I’d like to speak with my client for a moment.” he said pointedly at InuYasha, but he didn’t seem to get the idea. “Alone.”

Comprehension dawned on him as he let go of Kagome’s hands. “Well . . . I guess I’ll go to the bathroom.” he said, “I’ll right back.”

When Sesshomaru was sure that InuYasha was out of hearing range he began. “We’re almost ready for you. We need to go over a few things before we go in though.”

“Okay.”

“The judge is going to call you up, okay?” She nodded and he continued, “You will tell her the charges. Tell her how your father abused and neglected you. Basically your testimony.” He paused making she was keeping up. “Also she’ll need proof. She’s been briefed, but physical proof is always great way to seal your case. Can you handle that?”

“I think so.” she nodded looking unsure.

“Good.”

At that moment, InuYasha walked up to them. He eyed Sesshomaru before saying, “Sesshomaru we need to talk.” He took his brother by the arm and pulled him away.

Kagome walked out to the other hall to see if Miroku and Sango had arrived yet. They weren’t allowed in the courtroom, but they could wait and be supportive.

“I’m going in there with her one way or another.” InuYasha warned when Sesshomaru yanked his arm out of his grip.

“You’re not allowed, you’re not family.” Sesshomaru said simply as he straightened the coat of his suit.

“Have you seen her?” InuYasha asked waving an arm in the direction Kagome had wandered. “She’s a wreck!”

Sesshomaru glared at him for his stubbornness. “She seemed fine to me.”

“She’s having second thoughts!” InuYasha countered. He wasn’t going to give up. He’d force his way into that courtroom if he had to. He wasn’t going to let Kagome go through this alone. “She needs someone there to support her.”

Sesshomaru’s glare didn’t lift. “I am her lawyer. If she needs support than she can seek it out from me.”

“She’s scared. She doesn’t want to face him.” InuYasha pressed. “She needs me.”

Sesshomaru sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. The judge wouldn’t like it. If she even went for it. “Let me talk to the judge.” He was about to walk away, but quickly stopped. “You’re sure she’ll do as I tell her if you’re there?”

“Yeah.” InuYasha said with determination.

He nodded. “Very well. Let me see what I can do. Meanwhile, you go and get Kagome. Tell her it’s time.” Sesshomaru turned and started to walk away.

Sango was the first one to notice Kagome walking towards her and Miroku. They had been sitting in the lobby waiting. “Kagome! I thought you’d be in court by now.”

“Not yet, but I will be soon.” Kagome glance over at the clock. A quarter til ten. It should start any time now. The thought made Kagome’s stomach jump.

Sango brought Kagome into a gentle hug. “Don’t worry. You just go in there and tell the judge wheat happened.” Sango instructed. She saw the uncertainty in Kagome’s eyes. “Kagome you’re doing the right thing.”

“So everyone tells me,” Kagome sighed, “but I’m not sure I can face him.”

“Kagome, if you’re worried about him hurting you, you don’t have to be.” Miroku told her as Sango took her by the shoulders. “He can’t hurt you anymore.” she said.

“It’s not that--” but Kagome didn’t get the chance to tell them what was really bothering her because at that moment InuYasha walked through the door and told her it was time.


Sesshomaru reentered the courtroom and the judge looked up at him in surprise. “Where is you’re the defendant?” she asked, her tone troubled.

“She has a favor to ask of you, your honor.” Sesshomaru replied coolly.

“Hmm.” the judge replied. She wasn’t very keen on clients asking favors of her. “Very well, what does she want?” The judge leaned up in her seat waiting.

“She wishes to have a peer present during the session.” Sesshomaru stated keeping eye contact with the judge.

The judge narrowed her eyes at him. “Is this peer of kin?” she asked.

“No your honor,” Sesshomaru went to continue but was interrupted.

“That is not allowed.” she said abiding by the law. “You as a lawyer should know that. If this peer is not part of her family then it simply can’t be done.”

Sesshomaru let out a deep breath. “My client has no one your honor. She’s been abused and she’s scared. I don’t want her backing down because she has no friendly face in the room.” This time he continued. “You don’t want the charges to be dropped and this girl to go back into her abusive father’s custody, do you?”

The judge closed her eyes to let the new argument settle in her mind and Sesshomaru noticed that she was starting to give in. “Very well, she may have one and only one peer present during the time of the session.” she offered.

Sesshomaru nodded. “Thank you, your honor.” Sesshomaru turned and left the room to gather his client.

“Are you ready?” InuYasha asked her as they waited for Sesshomaru to return. Kagome had been nervously tapping her foot and InuYasha was beginning to worry about her.

“I’m not sure . . .” Kagome trailed off.

InuYasha put his arm around her shoulders. “You can do this. Just go in there and tell the judge what he’s done to you. Tell the truth and everything will be fine, okay?” He smiled at her and she nodded hesitantly.

Everyone was telling her the same thing and it all sounded easy enough, but she could see herself betraying her father. He was an alcoholic. Before the accident Kagome could never recall him every touching the stuff. Maybe if he just stopped drinking everything would go back to the way things were before the accident. Well as normal as they possibly could get.

InuYasha pulled her into a hug and smiled as she remembered how a simple hug used to be a big thing to her mother. She missed her so much. Kagome couldn’t help but think of how different her life would be if she were still alive.

She wouldn’t be with InuYasha. She would have had different friends, gone to a different school, dated different boys . . . everything would have been different.

The clearing of someone’s throat had the couple pulling away from each other. InuYasha looked over at his brother with an anxious look. Sesshomaru nodded, “You’re in.”

“Good,” He looked down at Kagome’s confused face. “I get to go in with you. Just like I promised.” He grinned when a smile graced her face.

Kagome looked over at Sesshomaru. “Thank you. Both of you. I really appreciate this.”

Sesshomaru didn’t show any sign that he even heard her thank you. “Just don’t forget what you have to do.”

“I won’t.” Kagome was serious again. She felt butterflies in her stomach as the door opened, her hands began to sweat and she bit down on her lip cruelly. This would be the first time in over a week that she would see her father.

She saw him enter through a side door, he was wearing a suit and tie that Kagome didn’t even know he owned or had the money for, with his attorney. They all took their seats. InuYasha sat on the bench behind Kagome offering her as much support as he could.

They rose as the as the judge was introduced and then were asked to be seated. “Okay Mr. Takahashi and Mr. Minato, I believe we’ve been over all the basics at your arraignment, is there anything either of you would like to add before we begin?” she asked.

“No your honor.” Sesshomaru answered. She looked over to the other attorney and when he shook his head, she moved on.

“Okay then, Ms Higurashi would you please approach the bar for your testimony.” Kagome looked back at InuYasha and he gave her a reassuring smile. She then glanced over to Sesshomaru who gave her a quick nod. She took a deep breath and got ready to do what she knew in the pit of her stomach was right. She went and stood next to the judge. An officer came forward and swore her in.

“Okay Ms. Higurashi, let me start by asking a few questions, you need to answer honestly in order for me to make my decision.” The judge looked down at her and when she nodded in compliance, the judge continued. “Did your father, Naraku Higurashi, ever beat you?” The question was harsh and straight forward which let Kagome stuttering.

“Y-yes, he did.” she answered after thinking for a moment.

“Did he ever burn you?” the judge asked next. Kagome felt herself grow unsure, she didn’t want her father to go to prison, but she knew that she’d be charged for perjury if she lied.

“Yes.” she eventually answered, she looked over at Naraku who was sitting pitifully in his seat. He looked as pained as he had the day he found out her mother and brother had died.

“Is there any evidence of this?” Kagome looked up at the judge who was staring intently back. She knew that now was the time to show her the burn on her arm. Kagome nodded as she slowly brought up the sleeve on her arm. The burn was almost healed, but there was no avoiding the scar it left behind.

The judge nodded then continued as Kagome pulled her sleeve back down. “Ms. Higurashi would you say your father neglected you?”

Neglected? He didn’t necessarily neglect her. He paid for her schooling, her clothes, her food. The only thing he neglected to give her was his love. “Yeah . . . But . . .” Kagome stopped uncertainty in her eyes.

InuYasha saw that she was wavering. He gripped his seat harder, his nails digging into the bench. “Come on Kagome, you can do this.” he whispered in hopes that she feel his support.

“Is there something you’d like to add?” the judge asked eyeing her curiously.

There was a long pause. “. . . Yes, there is.” Kagome nodded, knowing she could never send her father to prison.

“Go on.” the judge prompted.

“ . . . Even though he’s done everything that you’ve asked, I don’t think he deserves to go to prison.” Kagome said meekly, hoping InuYasha would understand.

“And why is that?”

Kagome took a deep breath to steady herself. “Because I deserve what I got. If it weren’t for me my family would still be here. He wouldn’t have to punish me if I had just listened to my mother.” Kagome went on to tell the judge about the night at the train tracks. “It was also the night he started drinking. . . . It’s gotten worse over the years and . . . I think if he stopped, that maybe . . . he could get better.”

“And you think that your father, whom harmed you because he blames you fro the death of his wife and son, can change?” the judge asked with curiosity.

Kagome nodded as she looked at the surprised look on her father’s face. “Yes I do.”

“Well Mr. Higurashi, it seems that despite of what you put this child through, she’s still able to love you.” The judge stopped for a moment. “I’ll need to take a short recess before I make my decision.” She stood up and gathered her papers, before walking door behind her.

InuYasha rushed over to Kagome, who couldn’t look him in the eye. He took her by the shoulders and looked made her look at him directly. “What were you thinking?”

“I couldn’t do it.” Kagome looked away.

“Why not?” InuYasha was quick to reply.

Kagome cast a glance in her father’s direction. He was still sitting with the shocked expression stuck on his face. “He’s my father.”

“What about the things he’s done to you Kagome?” InuYasha asked incredulously.

“I believe that he can change.”

Sesshomaru came up to join in on the conversation. “Are you sure this is what you want?” he asked, his voice cool and his face showing no emotion.

Kagome nodded. “I’m sure.”

“Alright. InuYasha leave her be and return to your seat.” Sesshomaru commanded. “I wont’ have you badgering my client.” InuYasha gave his brother a long hard glare before he huffed back over to his seat. Sesshomaru, after making sure InuYasha was in his seat, made his way over to talk to the officer who was overseeing the trial.

Kagome put her face in her hands. She was still in shock. Had she really just told the judge everything? About what happened to her mother and brother? How it was her fault they were dead?

“Kagome?”

She snapped her gaze to the person who had called her name. InuYasha stood before her with his hands in his pockets. “He really does have you brainwashed, doesn’t he?”

Kagome stared at him for a moment before looking away. She was ashamed of herself. InuYasha had done everything in his power to help her and she had gone and ruined everything. She hated to think what he thought of her at that moment.”

She felt him sit down next to her and she shot her gaze up at him in surprise. “I’m sorry about how I acted before. I can only imagine what it must have been like to sit in front of the man you were testifying against. I wish I could’ve sat up here with you. It must have been hard. I’m proud of you.”

“Proud of me?” Kagome looked at him like her was crazy. “I ruined the whole thing! I wasted you and Sesshomaru’s time!”

“Says who?” InuYasha asked in astonishment. “Kagome, you told the judge what you went through. You did exactly what you were supposed to do. Granted you had me worried there at the end, but in the over all effect I think it really helped your case.”

“How could me telling the judge that I deserved what I got going to help me?” Kagome asked feeling even more depressed.

InuYasha sighed. “Kagome by telling the judge that you believed that what he did to you is what you deserve just proved that he actually beat you. You didn’t ruin anything.”

Kagome looked at him wearily. She still wasn’t completely convinced, but who was she to bring his spirits down. “If you say so.”

“I don’t say so, I know so. You wait and see. You’ll be out of his reach for good after today.” InuYasha told her as he intertwined their fingers. “You’re gonna be safe.”

Kagome nodded and squeezed his hand. A big part of her wanted him to be right, but she couldn’t keep the small nagging side of her that knew what would happen if he wasn’t.

Sesshomaru walked back over to them and told InuYasha again to go back to his seat. InuYasha smirked as he leaned over and whispered “You’ll see.” to Kagome before finally doing what his brother asked.

Kagome didn’t have time to dwell on her feelings because the judge came back into the room with the verdict.

“In the case of Higurashi vs. Higurashi I sentence Mr. Higurashi to eight months of rehabilitation where he will get over his alcohol addiction and be put through therapy to help him grieve for the death of his loved ones properly. Then I will see him back again and I will decide if he’s a fit enough parent to father his daughter again.” The judge finished then with the pound of the mallet said, “Case dismissed.”

Kagome looked over to her father who being led out of the side door. Kagome didn’t get the chance to say goodbye but she figured she’d be better off.

As soon as InuYasha led Kagome out of the courtroom she was engulfed in hugs from Rin, Shippo, Sango, and Miroku. Kagome told them what happened with the help of InuYasha. When they were through once again hugging Kagome in congratulations, a social worker interrupted them.

“Excuse me, but Ms. Higurashi we need to discuss the issue of a place for you to stay. Seeing as you are under age and have not living relatives there will be a chance that you’ll be placed into foster homes.” she told her sternly. “Providing that you have no where else to go, it would be your only option.”

“No.” Rin stepped in, taking the social worker by surprise. “Kagome will be living with me and my husband.” Sesshomaru gave his wife a sharp look, but with the glares coming for the rest of the group he nodded in agreement.

“Send the paperwork to my office.” he said as he handed her his work card.

“It seems like this would be the perfect time from a celebration.” Miroku said as he placed his arm around Sango’s shoulders. “How about we all meet up at the Laud?”

“Sounds perfect to me.” Rin chimed in. “What do you say Kagome? Up for a party?”

Kagome smiled shyly at her friends. “Why not.”

“Well, then let’s blow this popsicle stand.” Sango grabbed Miroku’s hand and started leading him out of the court house with Rin, Sesshomaru, and Shippo following.

Kagome was just about to follow as well, but InuYasha tugged her against him. He place his mouth near her ear and said, “Looks like we’re gonna be room mates.”

Kagome smiled and wrapped her arms around him. “Looks that way huh.”

“Uh huh and seeing as how I can’t seem let go of you this might me the best solution for everyone.” Kagome giggled, but was cut off when she felt his lips capture hers. She couldn’t believe how much her life had changed. From the moment she met him she couldn’t help but feel that he was going to be a big part of her life. And as far as she could tell, she was right.

She couldn’t keep the grin off her face as they made there way out to his car. To celebrate with their friends one day at a time.