A/N: 10th installment! Better late than never, right? Hope you enjoy!
JJ: Thank you! I update when I play, which is daily. Sometimes, like now, I might have too many things on my plate and it takes me a while to publish the chapter. The spiritual powers I mentioned, if you remember, are those of channeling the dead. Unfortunately spiritual powers in the Ace Attorney universe only delve into the spirit world; the souls and its inner workings. I'm afraid there aren't any demons; Sesshomaru is as human as it gets.
Guest: There will be, but with time! Trust me I love the romance between the two but Sesshomaru has some unresolved issues that are haunting him and preventing his relationship with Kagome to flourish. Kagome, however, will be the one to help him out of those problems ;). He'll be making some cameo appearances in between the cases, as well as his beloved half-brother; Inuyasha.
Leila Walker: Haha, yes. Like I said to Guest in the above note, there will be with time and his hatred will be explained as well! They were 10; I try to follow up the chronological order of events during the game, haha. It was just a peck on the cheek, but y'know; kids. They're impressionable.
Also, thank you for pointing that little detail out! It has been fixed; I try to proofread everything but some things can escape from my attention, like this. As I told JJ, I try to update daily but sometimes I'm met with a few inconveniences that delay the update. Not to worry though, the updates are coming.
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
"Fine, Yura. Settle down; I might be a lawyer, but I'm not about to make your deathbed. I'll just ask him myself. Where's his company located?" Yura looked at Kagome dubiously, but decided on telling her.
Mr. Yokai Magatsuhi, at last! Finally, a lead on this guy! I'm 100% sure Yura didn't do it…so that leaves him. I'm coming for you, Magatsuhi!
SECOND TURNABOUT: Crime
September 7, 5:37 PM
Demoncorp Inc.
CEO's Office
Kagome began to look around the office, noting the extremely expensive furnishings that adorned it. There was a huge fisherman painting that oddly seemed familiar to her. Wasn't this the painting I saw in MoMo's office?
"Welcome!" Kagome tensed, the voice coming from behind her. "Please furnish me with the title of your personage." Kagome turned around and lifted an eyebrow. What the heck is this guy saying? She gave him a once over; wild white hair cascading behind his back, menacing red eyes that gleamed at her and a fake smile showing his pearly whites. This was the man; Yokai Magatsuhi. He had an elegant green suit with a diamond buttons and an extravagant tie.
"I believe I asked for your name, girl. What is your name? I was just inquirably asking the title that you go by" Magatsuhi kept smiling at her, his eyes unblinking. Inquirably? For such a fancy guy he uses some ridiculously made up words.
Kagome was beyond creeped out; no wonder Yura didn't want to testify against him. The bellboy's right, too. This guy's dangerous; I better be careful.
"Uh…Kagome. Higurashi Kagome." She saw him think a bit and then smirk at her.
"Ms. Higurashi, is it? Right, I see…Splendiferous." What the hell is this guy talking about? Magatsuhi noticed the confused glance and chuckled in a demeaning way.
"Perhaps," he started coming closer to Kagome. "I have intimidated you with my gigantesque vocabulary…?" He got even closer to her; enough to whisper in her ear. She felt goosebumps run along her back feeling his breath on her ear. What is this guy's problem!
"Listen closely, girl. My name is Yokai Magatsuhi; CEO of Demoncorp. My business dealings bring me into contact with the elite of the elite." She felt more than saw his wicked smile. "So I'm afraid I am not used to conversing with the wordily-challenged." This time he grabbed her arms, preventing her from moving. He languidly took out his tongue and gave her ear a lick. Kagome's eyes widened in disgust and nearly snarled. She was too nervous to do anything, for the man had a firm grip on her. "I know who you are, Ms. Higurashi; an attorney, fresh out of law school. Be wary of your betters." With that he loosened his grip enough for her to back away from him.
"No matter." He smiled at her and Kagome had half a mind to turn tail and leave. "So, what business does a mighty lawyer have with a man such as myself?" The only business a lawyer might have with you, you creep, is to sue you for sexual harassment! Kagome didn't want to imagine all the things he had done to Yura; while she was a floosy, she didn't think Yura would appreciate that type of demonstration that the man did with her.
"Ms. Hair Yura is an employee of Demoncorp, is she not?" Kagome masked her features, not wanting him to know how nervous she truly was.
"Ah, that's correct. She was my secretariat." He shrugged and shook his head disappointingly, still with the same fake smile on his face. "What a shock it was to hear what she had done!" Kagome frowned a bit and crossed her arms.
"You mean the wiretap?" The man nodded and settled down.
"Indeed! She is paid to answer phones. Tapping them is not in her job description!" The man chuckled to himself while Kagome glanced nervously at him. He's planning to use Yura as a scapegoat and the poor girl can't even testify against him. She sighed and kept asking him questions.
"On the night of the murder…" She paused, waiting for a reaction. "Were you in Hair Yura's hotel room?" He shrugged at her, keeping his poker face intact.
"Who can say? I seldom pay attention to mundane details such as time and place." Comes with being an arrogant prick, I guess. "My motto is: 'Don't worry, be happy'!" You're joking. Kagome sweat-dropped.
"Still, Mr. Yokai…The hotel bellboy has stated on the record that he does remember you very clearly." She got a reaction, but she wasn't sure she wanted it anymore. The man tensed; his pretentious smile freezing in place.
"No matter," he gritted out. "The bellboy can say what he pleases. I still won't talk to you." His eyes gleamed with malice, making Kagome take a step backwards. "If you want me to speak, girl, put me on the witness stand." He chuckled menacingly at her, as if he knew the very notion of it was impossible. "I doubt you'd be capable of doing that."
He raises a good question, actually…Why didn't Sesshomaru call him as a witness? He should have seen the same thing as Yura if he really was at the hotel during the time of the murder. Kagome was extremely nervous; this man seemed dangerous. What if he had intimidated Sesshomaru as well? Kagome thought about it and scoffed to herself, disregarding that train of thought. Can't be. Sesshomaru, intimidated? I don't think so. It'd had to be something big for him to keep shut.
Magatsuhi laughed at her and winked. "The police…the courts…To me they are mere toys; playthings, if you will, for my amusement!" Kagome gritted her teeth; the man's arrogance was off the charts.
"Alright, Mr. Yokai…can you tell me about your company?"
"Ah, an excellent question!" Magatsuhi exclaimed; licking his lips. "We buy and sell various kinds of information." You mean like an Information broker? "We are a company of the future! You might say we are the future!" Kagome knew what kind of business shadow brokers delved on; shadowy pasts and blackmail. "In just ten years, I've built this business up into the grand office you see now! Before that, though, I was also very solicited." Magatsuhi nodded to himself and continued. "In case you were wondering," I was not "Demoncorp was named after my last name, Yokai. In Japan, I suppose it means demon. Fitting, isn't it?" His fangs gleamed in the light of his office while his red eyes stared right into her soul. Kagome knew that if Magatsuhi told her he was an actual demon, she wouldn't think twice on believing him. This guy is beyond disturbing. "Fantabulistic, is it not?" Kagome didn't dare deign him with an answer.
Kagome chewed her lip, breaking her façade. She was very curious as to how that fisherman painting ended up in the hands of this guy. "Mr. Yokai…there's something that's been bothering me," Besides the man himself. Magatsuhi nodded at her, urging her to finish her inquiry. "That big painting on the wall over there…" Kagome pointed and continued, "I've seen it before." Magatsuhi, like before, tensed; his smile perfectly in place. This time though, his fists began to clench, indicating rage. Kagome ignored this and continued. "Just yesterday, actually."
Magatsuhi didn't even appear to be breathing; he just smiled and shook his head at her, his red eyes unblinking. "Your point being…?"
"My point is simple. Err, rather, my question is simple:" Kagome began, not noticing the warning signs Magatsuhi was giving off. "Why is that painting hanging on your wall?" There was silence before Magatsuhi spoke.
"Ms. Wrong, was it?" Kagome rolled her eyes and corrected him.
"Higurashi"
"Right. It appears you do not fully grasp your position here. I ask again; who are you?" Kagome was starting to get nervous; she could feel the menacing aura coming off of him rolling out in waves.
"Um…huh? A lawyer?" Magatsuhi tutted at her.
"No, my feeble friend. A mere lawyer. Worth nothing. Zilch, zippo, nada! Just like that sorry excuse for an attorney, Totosai!" W-what?! Kagome couldn't have seen it coming; in the blink of an eye, Magatsuhi was close enough to her to land a bruising punch on her cheek, sending her tumbling down to the floor. Kagome couldn't help but cry in agony; her left cheek pulsating with pain. He…he punched me! Kagome finally understood what type of man Magatsuhi was, and why no one ever meddled with him.
"Well Ms. Lawyer, what will you do, eh? Charge me with assault? You may be a woman, but trust me, girl. I've done worse. Charge away, I welcome it! For it is you who will be found guilty." Magatsuhi laughed at her ominously, shaking his head quickly, his hair swishing with the movement.
"W-what…?" Speaking was painful because of the bruise. Kagome stood up as fast as she could, intent on leaving the office as soon as possible.
"Heed my exposition! The police, the courts, they all do my bidding." So you say you nasty asshole. Is that kind of control really possible? Is everyone blackmailed?
"I don't expect you to understand," He said depreciatingly. "It is a world beyond your comprehension. You came here from Totosai's, I presume?" Kagome glanced at him and nodded, afraid to speak lest he punch her again.
"Go ask him, girl. Why is it that this painting of his hangs here? Perhaps then he will tell you?" He continued, chuckling. "Perhaps he will explain how a man can live life purely for personal profit!" He shooed her away with condescending remarks. "Go now, skedaddle! There is nothing more to discuss! Unless of course," Magatsuhi started to walk towards her, scaring Kagome. "You'd like a repeat of what happened earlier?" That was enough; Kagome took a brief glance at the intimidating man and left.
This man…thank God I'm made of tougher stuff because if it were someone else they would've bolted out of there from the moment they felt the pain. Kagome winced, remembering the incident. I need to go get ice…after that, Totosai has a lot to speak up for.
September 7, 6:15 PM
Alma Pharmacy
Kagome stopped in a pharmacy near Demoncorp and was surprised to see Sesshomaru there. She had thought to hide; Kagome didn't want Sesshomaru to see the all-too-recent bruise. Unfortunately for her, Sesshomaru saw her just as she was about to turn around and stopped her. As he walked towards her, Kagome refused to turn towards him.
"Higurashi, what are you doin-" He grabbed her shoulder to turn her around gently, only to be surprised by the nasty purple bruise on her left cheek. "Who." Sesshomaru growled out, this time grabbing both her arms. "Who did this to you?!" Kagome scoffed and removed herself from his grip.
"It doesn't matt-" She was interrupted by Sesshomaru's menacing glare. Kagome sighed and gently touched her injured cheek.
"A very dangerous man, Sesshomaru. I have no idea why you didn't call him as a witness…but I'm assuming it has to do with his scare tactics." Sesshomaru knew immediately who it was that beat her; Yokai Magatsuhi. That bastard, he said he wouldn't mess with her if I kept quiet! Kagome met Sesshomaru's furious gaze with her own.
"Listen up, Taisho. If this man thinks he's got me scared then he has another thing coming!" Kagome smirked as best she could with her injured cheek. Sesshomaru was worried for her, even if he didn't show it. He knew what type of man Magatsuhi was, knew how his business dealings went. I'd never forgive myself if I put her in danger… He knew what he had to do; he would confront the man himself. Kagome noticed his determined looked and stopped him.
"Don't go looking for him; please. I just want justice served." Sesshomaru's eyes softened and in a rare show of weakness he let his inhibitions go and hugged her.
"Don't be reckless, Kagome." The embrace ended as quickly as it began. Sesshomaru took it upon himself to buy her an ice-pad for her bruise and the medicine he selected for himself. Kagome could only catch the name of one of them. Zoloft? Why would he be buying that…?
"Here." Sesshomaru gave her the ice-pad and acted as if nothing had happened; his stoic mask firmly in place.
"Sessh-"
"I'll see you in trial, Higurashi." Sesshomaru hesitated on leaving for a moment, but strengthened his resolve and walked out, intent on speaking to Yokai Magatsuhi. Kagome was then left alone with an ice-pad and her disordered thoughts.
"Hah," She sighed, pressing the ice-pad to her cheek. I knew he still cared. She walked away from the pharmacy, this time intent on speaking with Totosai before the day ended.
September 7, 2006 6:30 PM
MoMo Law Offices
Kagome stepped into the office, almost bumping into Totosai's frail form. It seemed he was waiting for her. Silence reigned until Kagome finally decided to clear her throat.
"Jumping Jehosephats!" Totosai was startled by Kagome. Guess he wasn't expecting me after all.
"Oh, it's you, girlie!" Totosai exclaimed, his eyes getting bigger. I didn't even know that was possible…
"Hey…" Kagome patted his back, brows furrowed. "What's wrong? You looked so pensive…like an old man at the end of his days." Totosai heaved a heavy sigh, as if agreeing with her.
"I was just thinking about this whole mess…" He sighed once again and Kagome grunted. Something's really bothering him, that much is clear.
"So you came to see the trial?" Totosai's eyes gleamed with excitement as he nodded.
"Oh yes, girlie. I-uh, I owe you my thanks, really. For y'know, doing what you could for Kikyo's cousin." Totosai had a somber look on his face as he remembered why he refused to defend her.
"Yeah, speaking of. Why did you refuse her request for defense?" Totosai grunted and turned around, not letting Kagome see how nervous he was getting.
"Sorry, girlie. I ain't telling you that; need to think on it." Kagome scoffed, shaking her head at the senile old man. He does seem troubled about something… Kagome sighed and let it go. I'm starting to have a feeling I know what it is, anyway. Yokai Magatsuhi, that bastard.
"Alright. Listen Mr. MoMo, I paid Demoncorp a visit. Want to know what I found?" Kagome crossed her arms, giving him a steady stare.
"O-oh really, girlie. What'd ya find?" Totosai paled; could it be possible for her to have seen…?
"Mr. MoMo…" Totosai interrupted her, waving his hands.
"Enough of that, girlie! Just call me Totosai."
"Alright…Totosai. You know I noticed something strange since I entered the office." Totosai grew paler and started sweating bullets.
"Totosai…that painting that used to be here…why is it in Demoncorp?" Totosai slumped down on the sofa and sighed.
"So you noticed." Well, duh. It's a pretty big painting.
"Totosai…that scum…Yokai Magatsuhi of course…he's blackmailing you, isn't he." Totosai didn't dare move an inch.
"…yes." Was his whispered response, causing Kagome to sit next to him.
"Tell me what happened?" Totosai barely looked at her before he started.
"Oy girlie, I think it's time I get this off my chest so I can finally sleep without pills." Totosai closed his eyes as he recalled how Magatsuhi and he met.
"Yokai Magatsuhi is a man who makes his living through intimidation." Kagome scoffed and let him continue. Trust me, I know that already. She touched her swollen cheek as she listened. "Demoncorp is a company that makes a living out of people's weaknesses. I've been paying them for 15 years now…or more precisely, him." Kagome gasped. That long? "All because of the 'DL-6 Incident', as you may have guessed." The pictures… "You've got the gist of it now? It's why I couldn't defend poor, little Rin. He would've destroyed me if I did." There we go, that's what ties him with Magatsuhi! Kagome growled and yelped in pain; she had briefly forgotten she had a nasty bruise on her cheek. Totosai noticed and was alarmed.
"G-girlie, what happened to you?" Kagome sighed, calming the man down.
"Who else but your friend Magatsuhi? I did pay him a visit after all." Totosai sighed, fretting over her.
"I'm sorry girlie…I should've warned you about him." Yeah, no worries. I see Yura's fear is well-founded.
"I'm sorry to say so girlie, but…arresting Yokai Magatsuhi is gonna be an issue." Kagome glanced at him wearily.
"Even when he did this to me?" Totosai nodded at her, leaving her silent.
"He has information on everyone, young'un. Makes him invincible." Right, lawyers…policemen…court officials. Kagome looked worriedly towards Totosai, who noticed and sighed.
"Don't look at me like that, girlie. I've been supporting this weight for many years." Kagome decided to keep on questioning him; she had to know more.
"What's the DL-6 incident?"
"It's just a sorting code the police gave the case, girlie. A case 15 years ago…It was a case with a spirit medium-" Kagome stood suddenly from the sofa and shouted at him.
"You?! It was you?!" Totosai was confused, what was the girl going on about?
"You were the snitch! The one who told the press the police used a spirit medium! Kikyo and Rin's mothers!" Kagome was outraged; Kikyo's own boss was the one who sold her mother out.
"N-no girlie, don't misunderstand! I-I sold it to…to Yokai Magatsuhi. He gave me riches! But…I've had to pay for that mistake ever since." That bastard! Kikyo knew though, didn't she? She did tell Rin the person responsible for the fall of their families was Yokai Magatsuhi.
"Girlie, if you would challenge him…Go look at Kikyo's office; she's bound to have information." Kagome sighed, taking everything in. She glanced at Totosai; it wasn't her he had to ask for forgiveness, it was Kikyo and Rin. Kikyo being dead and Rin being almost committed for a murder she didn't do.
"Fine…goodbye, Totosai." Totosai called out to her, offering her apologies.
"No use apologizing to me. Apologize to them. After this is over, I might even help channel Kikyo's body so you can ask for her forgiveness." With that, Kagome closed the office's doors and left.
September 7, 2006 7:00 PM
Soul & Co. Law Offices
It's funny, looking at this room, it seems…so normal. Hard to imagine a murder took place here. Kagome sighed and started looking around. She thought on the last time she was here and remembered thinking that there were some missing files. I should check that out. As she went to the bookcase, she started skimming case files until she found Kikyo and Rin's mother. "Nakamura and Soul." Kagome started to read out loud. "'I have tarnished the Soul name, along with the Nakamura legacy'. Leaving only these words, my mother and my aunt vanished. I was determined to find the ones who made them blame themselves in this way. Using my spiritual powers, I held an audience with the dead. Finally, the names of two men surfaced; MoMo Totosai, a lawyer who sold my mother's information for riches and the other, the one who sold said information to the press. This parasite, who makes his fortune on threats and coercion…" Kagome stopped suddenly; it seems like the name was ripped off. "She doesn't need to tell me; I already know. Yokai Magatsuhi." So Kikyo knew Totosai had betrayed her without even meeting her…
Kagome kept looking at the case files and read those under suicide. "Suicide? This is a collection of suicide reports. There's politicians…policemen…!" Kagome gasped, it seemed like Kikyo made notes on these files. "Yokai? Kikyo must've thought he was involved in these suicides…Did Magatsuhi drive them all to…" She stopped; she knew fully well what the man was capable of; her throbbing cheek wouldn't let her forget. She took the most disturbing case and saved it; she might need to use it if she decided on taking on the man. "One last thing, though…I'm going to check on the 'Y' files…" What the, the entire 'Y' section is missing! Was it taken? She sighed; the case taking its toll on her.
"Time to go visit that bastard again."
September 7, 2006 7:15 PM
Demoncorp Inc.
CEO's Office
"My, my, woman. Aren't you persistent?" Kagome kept her distance; she definitely didn't want his hands on her again.
"Sorry," she said sarcastically and continued. "There's something I have to ask you."
"Ms. Lawyer, I really hate having to repeat myself…But it seems the message has not yet penetrated your thick skull!" Magatsuhi took a menacing glance towards her, making her eyes widen. "Stop bothering me! If you persist, I fear a nasty accident may occur." That sent shivers up her spine. "Am I clear?" Transparent you parasite.
Kagome chewed her lip; was she really going to risk herself for Rin? Was it even for Rin? I just barely met the girl…
I trust you, so you have to trust me, ok kid?
Ok. Thank you…Kagome.
Kagome sighed and smiled slightly; she had made a promise to help, and she was never one to break her promises. She dared a glance towards Magatsuhi, seeing him smile at her with his pearly whites. This creep is going down, even if I have to die for it. Kikyo certainly did.
Kagome prepared herself and showed him the newspaper clipping. "Mr. Yokai…see this? It's an article describing the suicide of a politician." Magatsuhi was silent, his red eyes glowing. "He was embezzling secret government funds. Then, one day, word go leaked to the press. The very next day he took his own life."
"And this concerns me how…?"
"I found this article in Kikyo's office." She saw him tense; so he was involved. "She had a file filled with articles like this. Every one of them was labeled with a single word…Yokai. I know what you did, Mr. Yokai."
"Really?" Magatsuhi gritted, never losing his smile.
"You were blackmailing him, of course, as you and your company have always done; threatening and coercing hundreds of others!" Kagome kept her stance, even though she saw Magatsuhi's aura grow more menacing by the minute. "You were involved in all of the suicide cases that Kikyo investigated! I'm right, aren't I? About you, about your company…" She was interrupted by Magatsuhi's condescending tutting.
"What a bizarre accusation…Ms. Wrong…What is it that you should be doing now? Investigating me?" He shook his head, continuing his laughter. "No, no. I think not! You should be searching for the one who killed Miss Kikyo!" But it was you, you bastard! He took out his cellphone and called his secretary.
"Secretary's Office, hello?"
"Ms. Wrong will be leaving now."
"Yes, sir. I'll send someone right away."
"Wait a second, Mr. Yokai…" Kagome attempted to stop him; what should she do now? She took a deep breath and spoke.
"You know what? You're absolutely right. I should be searching for the one who killed Kikyo. You know what though?" Kagome's eyes showed her fury. "I think I've done better than that. I've found him, right in front of me." Magatsuhi reached for her, but failed as Kagome sidestepped him.
"Just what are you insinuating…?"
"Kikyo was on to you, you creep. She knew what you were. That's why Yura was tapping her phone and why you had to make all the evidence disappear. Seems fitting, because when Kikyo was murdered, her files suddenly poofed." Kagome glared at him menacingly. "Into thin air. So…who do you think the killer is, Mr.Demon?"
Magatsuhi looked at her and smirked; taking out his phone.
"Secretary's Office, hello?"
"We won't need an escort for Ms. Wrong. Instead, please connect me to the public prosecutor's office." Isn't that where Sesshomaru works? No…so it was true! He was blackmailed as well!
"Of course, sir. One moment please…"
"Yokai? That you? What are you doing calling me at a time like this?"
"Hello, Chief Prosecutor? I've changed my mind. I want to testify tomorrow."
"What's this about?"
"The Soul Kikyo case. I witnessed the murder, you see." WHAT?! "And, thus, as a very important witness, I would like to testify."
"What? Why now? I thought you said you didn't want to go to court?" Magatsuhi chuckled and looked at Kagome.
"I seem to have changed my mind. Oh…and one other thing. Send the police over here right away." What the hell…?
"There's a woman standing in front of me. She looks dazed but I think she's armed!"
"What? What woman?"
"Well, the killer of course!" Excuse me, WHAT?!
Kagome was almost having a heart attack at that point. Her head was spinning and her hands felt clammy. W-what's happening? What's going to happen now?!
"Did I not tell you, Ms. Wrong? You are a mere lawyer." Here he approached her and whispered in her ear. "Just like Miss Kikyo."
"No one is going to defend you; No lawyer of any worth will, at least. You'll go to jail, your precious client will also go to jail and I'll be here, laughing all the while." I…I feel faint.
A door was slammed, and low and behold, Carrothead appeared.
No way…
"Detective Fox Shippo, reporting, sir!" He glanced at her and did a double-take. "H-hey, it's you, lady!"
"Detective Fox, I present to you, the woman who killed Miss Soul." Magatsuhi smiled at her frighteningly.
"W-what?" Shippo was confused; he was certain she wasn't even involved in the case. She didn't seem the type.
"Take this despicable human being into custody." Kagome fell to the floor; she couldn't believe what was happening.
"Farewell, Ms. Wrong."
TO BE CONTINUED.