A/N: Fast update! Like I said, I write while I play…and I've been in the mood to play. 7th Installment! Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or the Ace Attorney series nor am I affiliated with them. This is purely for fun and is non-profit.


Previously on Ace Attorney: Kagome Higurashi

Shippo nodded; his boyish smirk back in place. "As soon as we got the phone call, I rushed to the scene!" He paused, and looked at Kagome in the defense stand and Rin behind her. "There were two people there already: the defendant, Ms. Nakamura Rin and the lawyer, Ms. Higurashi Kagome." His confident smirk returned as he talked. "I immediately arrested Ms. Nakamura Rin! Why? We had a witness account describing her! She said she saw Ms. Nakamura Rin at the very moment of the murder!"

"Hmm… The very moment, you say." The Judge glanced at Kagome, sizing her up. "Very well, Ms. Higurashi, you may begin your cross-examination." Ok. Here we go. Sesshomaru, you're not getting the best of me this time!


SECOND TURNABOUT: Fraud

Kagome was prepared, she had done her investigation thoroughly, caught things the detective had missed and believed exclusively in Rin's innocence. Game on, Carrothead. I might need to press you for answers, but soon enough your perfect testimony is going to be dismantled…piece by piece. Kagome smirked leaned into the stand.

"Got it! Ah, Carrothead. Nice to see you again too." She crossed her arms and leaned back, mentally preparing her question.

"So…Detective Fox," Kagome drawled out, "You said you had a witness account that saw the murder…and that's your hard evidence?" Shippo was flabbergasted.

"Did…did I say that? Me?" Shippo pointed at himself, causing the Judge to sigh and Sesshomaru to imagine himself strangling the stupid upstart.

"I heard you say it."

"Well, boy you did say it."

"You said it, whelp."

"Alright Carrothead, exactly what about this suspicious woman with huge asset's claim was 'hard evidence'?" Kagome gloated internally, nothing to say, Mr. Fox?

"Wh-what?! Hey lady, Ms. Hair isn't suspicious and, well she does have- not the point!" Shippo's facial expression was frightful, but Sesshomaru's was worse.

"That's enough, Detective Fox. Do you have this so called 'hard evidence'?" The judge used air quotations, getting tired of the Detective's shenanigans.

"Umm…" Shippo looked at Sesshomaru for help and immediately looked away once he saw the frigid stare aimed at him. Think, Shippo, think! Taisho's going to kill you!

"Y-yes!" G-gah! He's going to talk about the note, isn't he. Kagome started to sweat profusely; if Sesshomaru saw her like this…She glanced at him and noticed him smirking at her. Smirking! T-that asshole, he's enjoying this!

Shippo rubbed the back of his head and apologized. "Err, sorry Judge I got mixed up! I should've told you something else first! My mistake heh."

"Very well, Detective. Let's hear your testimony again."

Shippo prepared himself, clearing his throat for good measure. "After securing the suspect, I examined the scene of the crime with my own eyes. I found a memo written on a piece of paper next to the victim's body!" Kagome started chewing her nails and began to sweat. Shit, he means the bloody note with Rin's name on it. "On it, the word 'Rin' was written…clearly in blood." Here he smirked right at Kagome. "Lab test results showed that the blood was the victim's! Also, there was blood found on the victim's finger!" Shippo gave a dramatic pause and slammed his hands on the witness stand. "This is proof that, before she died, the victim wrote the killer's name!"

The court was in an uproar, unsettling Kagome. Ugh, if this keeps up…wait. "Before she died?" Oh…you silly Carrothead, you. Kagome kept her calm, tilting her head at the Detective with an arrogant smile plastered on her face.

"How do you like that, lady? That's my hard evidence!" The judge contemplated the testimony and accepted it.

"Before we continue, I'd like to ask you a question, Detective."

"Yes sir?"

"Why didn't you testify about this vital piece of evidence the first time!?" The judge was not impressed.

Shippo rubbed the back of his head, feeling chastised. "Urk! I know. I'm real embarrassed I forgot about it, Your Honor…" Shippo kept his gaze down, looking like a kicked puppy.

"Try to be more careful!" The Judge grounded out and later looked at the defense. "Please, begin the cross-examination." Kagome languidly nodded, facing Shippo who was giving her a furious stare.

Heh, annoyed with me, carrot boy? I haven't even started yet.

"So, Detective…the victim wrote the name of the killer before she died" Kagome drawled out, sarcastically. "Isn't there anything wrong there?"

"Well that's why you're cross-examining, lady." Shippo leered at her.

"Well…Didn't her autopsy say she died immediately? First I've heard that the dead could write bloody notes." Kagome tapped her chin curiously. "Sounds like a lame old horror movie." This time Sesshomaru interrupted her, tutting at her.

"Ms. Higurashi, might I ask as to when you got that autopsy?" Sesshomaru's smirk did not bode well for her.

"W-when? The next day…September 6th." Sesshomaru closed his eyes as his smirk widened.

"You see, Ms. Higurashi. I'm afraid to inform you that the autopsy you have is, unfortunately for you, outdated." Kagome raged, what did he mean outdated? He couldn't have…Sesshomaru I really thought you better than that. Kagome couldn't believe he was throwing such a low trick. So…the forging and everything else that's been said about him might be true? How the mighty have fallen. She felt disgusted; here she thought he might still be the Sesshomaru she had known years ago.

"A second autopsy was performed yesterday, at my request! 'Death was almost immediate due to a blow from a blunt object…' Ergo, the victim clearly had time to write the note."

"N-no way!" Kagome started sweating again; Sesshomaru really had it out for her.

"I see!" The Judge's eyes widened, looking at the note in a new light. Damn you, Sesshomaru.

Kagome was not pleased at all; her cross-examination hadn't yielded any sort of positive results except the blundering of the Detective. I need to think of something, fast!

"Ms. Higurashi, you look shocked! Something you want to say?" Sesshomaru goaded her none too subtly and Kagome fell for it.

"Something I want to say? Really, Sesshomaru! I've heard there's nothing you won't do to get your verdict…" Kagome slammed her manicured hands on the defense stand, visibly outraged. "What reason could you possibly have had to request a second autopsy report?" She pointed at him as she shouted.

"M-Ms. Higurashi! The defense will refrain from personal attacks on the prosecution!" The Judge chastised her even though Sesshomaru's lips thinned as he gave her an intimidating glare. What would she know about any of this! She's just a naïve upstart, thinking everyone in the world is innocent. Sesshomaru clenched his fists and calmed himself.

"No matter, Your Honor…Ms. Higurashi." He directed his words towards her, trying his best not to lose his cool façade. "Say what you will, the evidence in this report is undeniable. I will submit this report to the court."

"U-understood. The court accepts the evidence."

Shit, Sesshomaru. This can't end like this!

"The prosecution would like to call its next witness." Sesshomaru crossed his arms and spoke. "This poor, innocent girl saw the murder with her own eyes!" Kagome looked dubiously at Sesshomaru, knowing a bluff when she saw one. Exactly what part of her is 'innocent'…? Oh yeah, probably her innocent ass, her innocent breasts and her innocent small waistline. Men, they're all the same. Kagome felt jealous for an instant before she reprimanded herself. Why am I even thinking this right now? She shook her head and paid attention to the Judge.

"Very well, please call Ms. Hair Yura to the stand."

In a matter of time, the bailiff had brought the seductress to the stand. She wore her usual little black dress with her raven hair styled like a bob, bright red lipstick and smoky eyes. Oh yeah, she sure looks innocent. More like a stripper Kagome thought with distaste.

"Witness, your name."

Yura licked her lips as she stared at Sesshomaru, unsettling Kagome even further. "Hair Yura! At your service!" She winked at him, knowing the effect she had on both women and men.

She aroused the jury's interest with her clear insinuation. The Judge was annoyed; how could a witness's introduction rouse the crowd like this?

"Order! An introduction should not require any reaction from the crowd!" He chastised and looked at the witness. "You, witness! Please refrain from wonton winking!" Yura pouted a bit and acquiesced. Thank you, Your Honor. Nice to know you're actually a decent old man. Kagome sighed, feeling a migraine coming on.

"Aww…Yes, Your Honor." Yura pouted, putting on her most innocent face. What a fraud, I bet she's a witch inside, Kagome couldn't help but grumble to herself. Either way, this doesn't bode well. She's already captured the heart of every man and possibly quite a few women in the court! She looked at Sesshomaru for a moment, seeing him staring at the witness. Ugh, even him. She coughed, garnering the attention of all parties present. She frowned at Sesshomaru, urging him to begin the cross-examination.

Sesshomaru could see Kagome was mad at him even though he had no idea why. He found Yura distasteful, but her testimony was enough to put Kagome's client in jail and so he put up with her antics. He was curious as to Kagome's hostility, however; she can't be jealous…can she? That's ridiculous; the girl probably hates me right now. Sesshomaru was not the type to show emotions, and even less to the person who brought most of them out of him. Sesshomaru scowled and began his cross-examination.

"Ms. Hair" he redirected everyone's attention to himself as he started, "Tell us, where were you on the night of September 5th, when the murder occurred?"

"Um…gee…" Yura pretending to think on it for a bit, tapping her chin with her index finger. "I was, like, in my hotel room?" She giggled a bit, sending Sesshomaru a sultry glare. "I checked in right after lunch."

Sesshomaru maintained his posture, not letting Yura know of his real thoughts on her 'playfulness'. "And this hotel is directly across from the Soul & Co. Law Offices?"

"Mm…that's right, big boy." Alright, I've had it with this tramp. Kagome nearly growled; Yura was really getting under her skin. The Judge saw Kagome's expression and decided to intervene.

"A-ah very well. Witness, please testify to the court about what you saw!" Yura looked at him and winked.

"Sure thing, Judge." Yura once again pretended to think on it, tapping her chin while she talked. "It was, like, 9:00 at night. I looked out the window, y'know! And then…" Yura paused to create a dramatic effect and then continued, "Ooh! I saw a woman with long hair being attacked! The one attacking her was, guess who?" Yura smirked and send a wink to Kagome. "It was the mousey girl with pretty hair sitting in the defendant's chair! Then the woman, like, dodged to one side and ran away!" Kagome frowned; this seemed like something out of a movie. "But that girl, she caught up to her and…and…"Yura teared up for good measure, causing Kagome to roll her eyes. "She hit her! Then the woman with the long hair…She kinda…slumped." Yura smiled and fluttered her eyelashes. "The end. That's all I saw. Every little bitsy witsy!" She winked for good measure, once again rallying the court.

"Well…it is a remarkably solid testimony." Kagome was shocked, was the Judge going to accept her testimony as it was?

"Wait! Judge, I have a right to cross-examine her!" Kagome defended, glaring at Yura.

"Well…you are right. Please refrain from badgering the witness, however." Kagome sweat-dropped. And here I thought the Judge wasn't fooled by this tramp's tricks.

"Ms. Higurashi…you were Soul Kikyo's apprentice, were you not?" Kagome nodded, confused as to where Sesshomaru was taking his question.

"She did have a knack of delaying due process with her intent of finding any kind of flaw on a perfect testimony." Kagome growled at him; furious at his insinuation.

"Hey, how dare you! You're the one being accused of-" Kagome was stopped by the Judge's intervention.

"Order! Ms. Higurashi, start your cross-examination." The Judge sat down and looked her straight in the eye. "Now."

"R-right." Sesshomaru…resorting to low tricks, are we? I'm going to cross-examine her, if only because I have a feeling you don't want me to! Kagome calmed herself as she recalled Yura's testimony.

"Alright, Ms. Hair…why did you even look out the window precisely at 9:00 PM?" Kagome doubted her testimony. She displayed suspicious behavior from the moment she met the woman. "Were you expecting to see something?" Yura didn't know what to say, so she tried to divert the attention from Kagome's question by acting cute.

"Hmm…Oh, gee!" Yura's eyes widened while she tapped her chin.

What? That's it? She can't get out of this question that easily! Kagome thought, preparing her counterattack. "I sort of, y'know…just looked. I had a feeling!" Yura bounced her breasts, distracting every man in court while her tongue poked out. Yeah, lady, that trick won't work on me. I'm pressing you till you answer!

"Alright, Ms. Hair. Surely you must have had a reason to look out of your window at that precise time of night!" Yura's facial expression changed and Kagome was reminded of the maniacal face she had put one when she caught Kagome investigating her drawer. Now we're starting to know the real Yura.

"Objection!" Came from the prosecution's side. She looked at Sesshomaru while he pointed at her accusingly.

"Ms. Higurashi, I will not have you badgering my witness!" Kagome growled at him, annoyed at his antics. I'm sure you'd like to badger her privately- Kagome stop this! He's going to catch on and you're going to lose your edge! Kagome shook herself out of her stupor and glared at him.

"Badgering, really? It was a simple question that she just refuses to answer."

"It was a frivolous question the poor girl doesn't need to answer, Ms. Higurashi." Sesshomaru smirked at her, receiving the support of the crowd.

"Order in the court!" the Judge slammed his gavel against a sound block. "Ms. Higurashi, I did warn you beforehand."

Poor girl!? What about poor me!? Kagome was visibly upset, now she had the judge against her!

"Continue your cross-examination, Ms. Higurashi."

"Alright." Kagome had another question ready to be fired. "How did you know it was the defendant who attacked her? What made her stand out from any other person?" Yura was visibly startled and answered as fast as she could.

"S-she had a girlish physique! Women know these things." She began to wave it off but was interrupted by Kagome's insistence.

"I'm a woman, Ms. Hair and I don't know these things. I'm curious as to why you'd mention her physique and not the particular way she ties her hair; a lopsided tail while the rest of her hair flowed down her back and the fact that she wears acolyte robes." Kagome pressed her on, seeing Yura's façade crack.

"Your Honor, the witness is lying! This testimony is bogus!" Yura put on her best puppy eyed face and stared at the Judge.

"But…but!"

"Still, Ms. Higurashi…was she dressed like that the day of the murder bec-" He was interrupted by Kagome, who sighed.

"Your Honor, she was. I was also there and if you don't believe me, you can ask the Detective to testify as to her attire during the night of the murder." Kagome redirected her attention from the Judge to Yura.

"What do you have to say to that, Ms. Hair!" You tramp! Kagome's statements had angered Yura; her innocent mask falling for a few seconds.

Yura growled and gripped the witness stand as her left eye twitched in irritation. "What are you trying to say, you mean lawyer!" Yura calmed herself, noting the confused glances thrown her way. "I-I saw what I saw. I just didn't think all the trifling little details were necessary, darling." Mean lawyer and now darling? Where's your innocent façade now you little- Kagome's thoughts were interrupted by the Judge's intervention.

"Ms. Hair, the court would like to remind you to please omit nothing in your testimony. You may continue, Ms. Hair."

"Gladly, your honor." Damn, I almost had her.

Yura continued on with a distressed look on her face. "I did see everything! I did! Um…that clock! The mini grandfather clock? That was the weapon used!" Yura stared at Kagome, winking at her for good measure. "Well? That good enough for you, sweetie?"

Kagome clenched her fists; enough was enough. Wait, how'd she know it was a mini grandfather clock? I mean, it was dark…how could she have known it was even a clock? Kagome started to piece together all the evidence she had…I found a wiretap…She was listening in on Kikyo's phone!

"Ms. Hair!" Kagome called out, staring directly at her. "I'm surprised at your knowledge of the murder weapon. From that distance, it was only identified as a blunt object." Kagome smirked suddenly, pointing at Yura. "How then, did you know it was a clock!"

"Urp!" Yura's countenance changed, her eye once again began to twitch.

"Objection! The witness saw the murder with her own eyes, Higurashi. That's all that matters." Sesshomaru closed his eyes briefly and stared at her. "Is this one of your shady tactics? Your Honor, the defense is trying to confuse the issue with trivial concerns!" Sesshomaru tossed his braid to the side, smirking at her.

"Please withdraw your question, Ms. Higurashi." What?! You've got to be kidding me!

"No, your Honor, this is important! Cross-examination is all about questions! I've caught murderers with these types of questions!" Sesshomaru almost balked at her; was she playing to the Judge's favor?

It resulted, as the Judge acquiesced. That was close, Kagome started to sweat, realizing the gravity of the situation. If he stopped me there, the trial would be over!

"Ms. Hair, tick tock, just like the clock!" Kagome pointed at her, sending an intense glare Yura's way. "Answer the question! How did you know it was a clock!"

Yura was visibly startled and looked at Sesshomaru for guidance. Sesshomaru, who was already frustrated at Kagome's line of questioning didn't notice the inquisitive gaze and kept his eyes on Kagome. It's been a while since I've seen her this…passionate. Sesshomaru thought, grudgingly impressed with the woman Kagome had become.

"I…um…I-I heard it! I heard it say the time!" Yura composed herself and winked at the defense lawyer. "I heard it from my hotel room!"

"The law offices of Soul & Co., where the murder took place, are very close to the hotel." Sesshomaru paused for a second, and continued, a well-placed smirk on his face. "Ergo, it's entirely possible for the witness to have heard the clock."

"Well…" The judge started, not entirely convinced with the witness' testimony. "Are you satisfied, Ms. Higurashi?"

"No, of course I'm not Your Honor. See, the clock couldn't have sounded…" Kagome smirked at Yura. "Because there was no clockwork in it! It's supposed to ring every 3 hours, but without the clockwork, it wouldn't do anything! I have here a recorded conversation in the defendant's phone that proves this!" The recording was played and demonstrated to the court.

Sesshomaru's expression visibly changed; his eyes widened and his lips thinned. He leaned into the prosecutor's stand, slamming both of his hands on the desk. "The defendant's cell phone!? This wasn't brought to my attention!"

"Isn't proof everything in a case, Mr. Taisho? I seem to recall you mentioning that to me once or twice. It seems as if Detective Fox overlooked that tiny, small detail." Kagome winked at him, gloating at her personal victory. "I was listening."

The good detective better remember he's up for evaluation soon… Sesshomaru thought furiously, trying to regain his composure.

My heart goes out to you, Taisho. Not.

"Do you want to explain this to the court, Ms. Hair? Or, um, like…I don't know, look for explanations in the garbage?" Kagome imitated Yura, using her words against her.

"W-what's it to you, porcupine bangs! I'm telling the truth!" Yura's complexion changed entirely; from being a seductive flirt she changed into an irritated hag. Haha, small victories Kagome, take them as they come. Even if she looks like the devil himself and I'm slightly afraid of what she might do.

"I-I saw it in a store! That miniature grandfather clock; that's how I knew what it was by the outline!" Kagome tutted at her, glad she was able to catch Yura red-handed.

"No, I don't think so. See, it was made as a gift, and the design looks nothing like an ordinary grandfather clock."

in fact, there are no miniature grandfather clocks that sound the time every 3 hours, so I'm surprised as to how you knew this unless…" Kagome paused, gathering her thoughts. Ok Kagome, time to bring out the big guns.

"Unless dear Ms. Hair was listening into the victim's conversation with the defendant!" The accusation rattled the court, obligating the Judge to ask her for evidence.

"Take a look at this wiretap, Your Honor. Guess where I found it?" Kagome smiled precariously at Yura, sending a wink her way. "In Ms. Hair's room, no less!"

"Objection!" I should've known Sesshomaru would intervene, Kagome grumbled to herself as she let him talk. "Your Honor, this is irrelevant." Sesshomaru slammed a hand on the prosecution's stand for good measure, capturing everyone's attention. "Even if it was the case which it is not, you still have to prove one thing! Wiretapping and being an accomplice at a murder are two different things, Ms. Higurashi." Here, Sesshomaru calmed himself and sent a glare. "It's elementary, defense attorney."

"Y-yeah, he's right!" Yura finally intervened, regaining her composure once more. "The killing happened around 9:00 PM, right? Why, that's just when I was getting room service from that sweet bellboy…"Kagome face-palmed. This can't be happening to me. Sesshomaru noticed her situation and smiled.

"R-room service?"

"Oh yes, Iced coffee if I recall…just ask the bellboy…tee hee." She giggled, a fierce look on her face as she watched Kagome on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

No, I almost had her!

Sesshomaru bowed, continuing with Yura's train of thought. "Ergo, the witness was not on the scene at the time of the murder." Sesshomaru crossed his arms and shook his head. "It is my great displeasure to inform you…that the witness appears to have been tapping the victim's telephone. However," and with this, Sesshomaru turned his attention towards Kagome, "that is a separate crime with no bearing whatsoever on the current case! Her testimony stands."

No! They're going to let her just walk away! Kagome needed to think, fast. If the judge accepted Yura's testimony, Rin was as good as dead. "Y-your Honor! I'd like to cross-examine the bellboy!"

"Ms. Higurashi…"

"Please, Your Honor!" Kagome knew the Judge was wary of wasting any more time during this trial but sighed once she saw the Judge agreed to her motion.

"I object to calling the bellboy, Your Honor." Sesshomaru intervened, putting his plan in motion. "If you, however, agree to one condition Miss. Higurashi, I'll consent to calling this witness."

"Oh?" Sesshomaru's up to something, I know it.

"If Ms. Yura's alibi is not called into question after you examine the bellboy…Then you will recognize that Ms. Hair was not the killer, thus she is innocent. And if she is not the killer, then you must accept the verdict of 'guilty' for Ms. Nakamura Rin!"

What…!? Is…is he crazy! If I don't do this though…it's game over. Fine Taisho, this is my last stand; if I fall…I'm sorry Rin.

"Condition accepted!" Sesshomaru tsked at her, chuckling inwardly at her naïveté.

"Hn." Ah, Higurashi you fool. You fell right into my trap.

"Very well!" declared the judge. "The court calls the hotel bellboy to the stand!"

TO BE CONTINUED.