wwwdotfictionpressdotcom/s/3000460/1/Deep_Sea

Don't forget to leave your thanks for my new beta, Angel of Love and Fluffy Stuff. It's with her aide that I shall now be presenting you these chapters.

Thank You

"Thank you, your honor." Naraku stood as Bengoshi sat back down.

"First," she said, "are dog demons even capable of possession?"

"That was very first point, your honor." Naraku said. "Dog demons have minimal abilities to possess anything. It's not a matter of strength, it's just that they can't do it. Dog demons aren't the most...subtle of creatures."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes but otherwise didn't react.

"Besides that, my client is clearly a half demon." he continued. "That mean's he's half human. There's never been any record, ever, of a half demon possessing anything much less anyone. They simply lack the ability."

"Your honor," Bengoshi spoke up, "I'd like to point out that just because it's never happened doesn't mean it couldn't. And possession is an ability demons don't ever admit to. You'll recal a few years ago we discovered that weasel demons, formerly thought to not be able to possess anything or anyone could, in fact, do both."

"Noted." the judge said. "Continue, Naraku."

Naraku turned his glare away from Bengoshi and smiled back at the judge. "Anyway, it's long been known and accepted that dog demons were the most trusted of the demons."

"And why is that?" Bengoshi asked. "Because they're dogs? Just because the domesticated breed has been human's companion since there have been humans doesn't mean we should trust demons modeled after them."

"Boys!" The judge snapped because it looked like another arguement was about to start. "Bengoshi, please keep your inurruptions to a minimum. Naraku, get to the point."

"Yes, your honor." both men said.

"Well, my collegue's idea that this possession is what happened, is completely foolish." Naraku continued. "Just because Mr. Imaki got dumped, he shouldn't try and ruin my clients' lives. Every 'symptom' of this alleged possession can easily be explained."

"Than please, do so." The judge sighed. Naraku always gave her a headache.

"He says that my clients moved entirely too fast in their relationship." Naraku started. "I would like to point out that Mr. Imaki and Ms. Higurashi, in their entire relationship which lasted over two years, never had sex once."

The crowd flinched.

"Poor Ms. Higurashi." Naraku pouted a bit. "So when she saw a real man, ready to treat her like a real woman...well, who wouldn't take that option."

"Objection." Bengoshi looked appalled.

"Overruled." the judge said in monotone. "Continue."

"He says proof of a severe personality shift was that her style changed." Naraku did so. "But, I can tell you, when you're dumped a woman feels the need ot rub salt in the wound in every way possible. Dressing up, showing him what he's missing, is something every female in the world would do."

The judge didn't protest.

"True, she quit to work for Mr. Takahashi," Naraku kept going, "but she was unhappy where she had been working. Repressed you could say. And like a little butterfly, she's pushed her way out of her caccoon and is stretching her wings."

"Gag me." Bengoshi said. "Don't try to make demonic possession pretty Naraku."

Naraku ignored him and instead proceeded to tell the judge what had happened from Inuyasha's perspective from the moment he picked up Kagome in the park after she had left his apartment complex, glossing over the more...intimate details. He made sure to mention that Kagome came from a long line of priests and priestesses and was periodically blessed by her grandfather, one such priest. After that, her mother stood and testified that she had, in fact, known about the marriage leaving out how long she had known about it, and that she approved completely and wanted an actual ceremony when all this was done.

When Naraku finished, Bengoshi having made numerous inturruptions, Her Honor Shoheki's patience was gone.

"All right." she said, resisting the urge to message her temple. "We'll have a thirty minute recess while I think all this over."

"All rise." the ballif called out.

Everyone did so as the judge left her chair and left the courtroom to go into the smaller room just beyond it to think.

"Well, I've done all the damage I can do for now." Naraku said, packing his breifcase. "The rest is up to the judge."

Kagome and Inuyasha embraced, taking comfort in each others presence, enjoying a quiet moment together.

In the audience, Sango sat back in her seat and sighed.

Miroku, right next to her, didn't have his usual chearful face on. "I just don't know which way the judge'll swing." he confessed at last.

"I'm pregnant." Sango said calmly.

Silence.

"What!" Miroku looked at her in shock.

"You better shape up 'cause you're the father." she told him without looking at him. "And if you don't marry me you'll be in the grave."

Miroku blinked, confused. "Are those my only options?"

"Yep." Sango said. "We get married, raise it together. And if, after it's 18 and able to live on its own without our support, we can get a divorce."

"What if I don't want a divorce?" Miroku asked, just as calmly.

Sango shrugged but smiled a bit. "We'll see. So? I'm waiting."

Miroku was only confused for a moment. Then he smiled as asked, "Sango, will you marry me?"

"Of course." Sango beamed at him. "But we'll have to put off the ceremony until after the baby is born. I don't want to look fat in my wedding dress.

"Whatever you want, dear." Miroku smirked, putting his arm around his fiancee and pulling her close.

Kagome sighed, trying to remain calm. It was easier done when Inuyasha was holding her like he was. His warmth surrounding her, the gentle thud of his heartbeat in her ear, and his scent wrapping around her.

Hojo being only a few feet away dimmed the moment though.

The lawyers were talking, their whispers unheard but judging by the sour look on their faces, Kagome was sure neither was enjoying the conversation.

"I love you." Inuyasha told her, kissing the top of her head.

Kagome tilted her head back and looked up at him. "I love you."

"Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?" he asked, pushing her hair out of her face.

"You've mentioned it." Kagome smiled a bit. "Have I ever told you that Sango can make face documents in case we need to leave the country?"

Inuyasha laughed. "Really, can she?"

"Well, she made a realy good drivers liscence for me once." Kagome admitted. "But I don't mind swimming to China if I can do it with you."

"I'll keep that in mind if I need to escape." he kissed her forhead.

"Hey, guys!" Miroku called suddenly from the benches making them turn. "I'm getting married with possibility of parole in the -Umph!"

"We're getting married." Sango smiled, having just elbowed Miroku in the ribs.

"Congratulations." Kagome called back, her smile true for her friend.

"Told you you would get attached." Inuyasha told Miroku who was grinning at Sango.

"She's pregnant." Kagome told him making Inuyasah choke on his own tongue and causing all four of them to laugh.

Happy to get their mind's off their own impending doom, Kagome and Inuyasha spend the last few minutes of the judge's recess talking about wedding plans, baby plans, and how if Miroku wanted a raise to help his new wife and child, he better start working harder.

It was easy, it was lighthearted, and for just a moment, Kagome could smile without worry.

Then the ballif asked everyone to rise for Her Honor, Justice Shoheki.

The white haired, elderly woman returned to the room and took her seat, her face unreadable.

"Alright," she said clearly. "I've made my decision.