Rescue Me
By: ShadowQueenGalactica
Disclaimer: I do not own anything affiliated with Sailor Moon. I do not own the rights to any of the songs related/affiliated to Sailor Moon.
::::PLEASE READ::::
Author's Notes: Hello, all! Thanks so much for reading Rescue Me. This story is going to contain MATURE CONTENT, so I highly advise if the following makes you uncomfortable, please do not read Rescue Me. I have been sitting on this one for a couple of years and hesitated on writing it due to the nature of the topic. That is why I am advising readers of the Mature Content, if you are uncomfortable in any way reading this, DON'T read this story.
*- Chapter 9 Note/Warnings: There will be a RAPE scene in this chapter, not brutal, but you've been warned.-*
-There is going to be rape/mention of rape throughout this story (some graphic scenes, abuse, and torture) I will try to make these scenes as short and brief as possible. These topics are not suitable for younger readers. You've been warned. I will try to warn the readers ahead of time if there will be graphic scenes.
If you're alright with this, then happy reading, if not, no worries, I will see you in the next story! This chapter isn't very long, my apologies in advance.
Review Replies: THANKS AGAIN! :)
THANK YOU so much for reviewing and all the well wishes, feeling much better! I appreciate you all so much for taking the time to leave a review! :)
-Guest- Thanks so much, glad you're enjoying the story! :)
-Oracle Sybil- I'm so sorry! Thank you for not abandoning me! XD I'm sorry there will be no sei/usa happy ending in this one. Don't worry, as soon as this one is complete, we will see some Demande/Usa love in Desired Future. ;) Happy New Year!
-Astraearose-silvermoon- Not much Usa/Mamo this chapter, we will be seeing Ren and Kazan's fates in this chapter.
-SaphireShimmer- Lol, it's rare to find the sei/usa shippers. Don't get me wrong I still like Mamo/Usa pairings, but with the 90's anime, I ship Sei/Usa 100%, since Mamoru was such an ass throughout most of the 90's anime. Now, Sailor Moon Crystal, that has helped redeem Mamoru for me, he's so sweet and just SO perfect in SM Crystal. Why couldn't 90's Mamoru be more like him! XD I'm so anxious/excited to see how they portray Seiya in SM Crystal.
-tommygirl226- Thanks so much! :) Yes, it was a struggle trying to convey all the emotions Usagi and Mamoru were struggling with during their reunion at the face. Yes, feeling much better, thank you!
-Ilonanoda- Thanks so much! Your welcome for the suggestions! Happy New Year!
-Jsanyaz- Aww...thank you so much for your kind review. Sorry for the need for tissues in the previous chapter. Yes, I felt so bad for Seiya! This has been a rough story to write since I have placed her/him in the story lol.
Rescue Me
:: Chapter 9: Judgement::
(One Month Later)
Walking down the hall, Azumi paused her steps when hearing soft murmurs followed by giggles coming from her niece's room. Peeking through the small crack where the door was ajar, she smiled seeing Mamoru lying on the bed beside Usagi. Both were lying on their sides, Usagi pressed against Mamoru, her head lying on his arm which was outstretched holding up a literature book as he silently read, his other arm wrapped around her, his hand resting gently over her rounded belly.
"He's kicking me again, Usako." Mamoru murmured, prompting another giggle from Usagi as she repositioned his hand elsewhere on his stomach once more. "I don't think he likes me touching you." He teased, planting a series of gentle kisses along her jaw.
"Mamo-chan." Usagi softly sighed, her stomach fluttering with each gentle kiss.
"Yes, Usako." Mamoru murmured into her ear before gently nipping at her ear lobe. Hearing a soft hitch in her breath, he quickly blushed abruptly pulling from her. "Sorry." He immediately apologized, embarrassed by the sudden bold move on his part. "I- I don't know what overcame me." He stammered in his sudden nervousness.
Carefully repositioning herself, Usagi turned onto her opposite side until she faced Mamoru. Seeing he was still embarrassed from the soft nips against her ear, she smiled before tenderly caressing his cheek. "It's alright, Mamo-chan." She gently soothed before pressing her lips against his to help ease him. "I kind of liked it." She murmured her cheeks turning a bright red as she averted her gaze for a brief shameful moment
Gently chuckling at her response, Mamoru gently pressed his lips against her forehead, tucking some stray locks behind her ear. "I love you, Usako."
"I love you too, Mamo-chan." Usagi responded, closing her eyes as his lips gently met hers once more.
"Usagi, Mamoru-san." Azumi gently stated while pushing the door the remaining way open. Watching the couple immediately pull from one another, their cheeks bright red from being caught, she contained her smile as she watched Mamoru raise and nervously clear his throat. "It's ten-thirty, it's time for you two to say goodnight." She said, watching Usagi pout and Mamoru chuckle in response to the pout.
"I'll be on the couch, Usako." Mamoru stated, pressing his lips against hers one final time before getting off the bed. "I'll see you in the morning." He murmured as their lips slowly parted. "Good night, my love."
"Good night, Mamo-chan." Usagi softly stated, watching her boyfriend lift his literature book from her bed before making his way towards the door. Watching her aunt raise her brow up at her, Usagi felt her cheeks grow red as she nervously bit her lip. "What did you see?" She asked, her voice low and nervous.
"Should I be asking, what you two do behind this closed door?" Azumi teased, gently laughing as her niece turned a darker shade of red.
"Nothing!" Usagi incredulously stated, grabbing onto a pillow and burying her face to hide her embarrassment. "We were just kissing, that's all, Azumi-oba!" Her muffled cry of embarrassment soon responded.
"Don't worry, sweetheart." Azumi responded before laughing in amusement. "I know Mamoru-san is a gentleman and would never force you into anything." She reassured her niece, smiling more as Mamoru blushed at the comment as he quietly walked past her, retreating in the direction of the living room.
Turning her attention towards her niece once more, she noticed Usagi gradually lowering the pillow to look at her. "It's so good to see you smiling and back to your old self." She happily stated, happy tears shining in her eyes. 'He's helped bring back some more of her spark this past month.' She gratefully thought, knowing Usagi would soon be forced to face her rapists once more as soon as the trials began. 'I only hope they are quick to sentencing, I don't think she could handle them postponing this case any longer.' She worriedly thought grateful Usagi would have Mamoru and all her friends as support throughout all the upcoming trials.
"Get some rest, you have to work in the morning since it's the weekend. I don't get to see you all as much now, since school has started. Nao-san and Tomio-san have expressed how much they miss greeting you and Minako-san behind the counter and having Seiya-san as their server." Azumi stated with a gentle smile.
"They're such pervs." Usagi muttered, with a snicker.
"Usagi." Azumi snapped, watching her niece blush slightly. "They're still my customers and you will be kind and respectful."
"I'm always nice to them, Azumi-oba." Usagi muttered with a slight pout.
"I know how they are dear, those two can be a bit of a handful at times." Azumi said with a gentle laugh, thinking of the two elderly men who had been frequenting her cafe for as long as she had been opened.
"Can Mamo-chan stay another night?" Usagi nervously asked. "He was wanting to take me to the-"
"You know I don't mind him staying the night." Azumi interrupted with a small smile. "He is always welcomed here as long as he treats you and my rules with respect." She reminded her niece, watching Usagi happily smile in response.
"Thank you, Azumi-oba." Usagi happily stated, watching her aunt smile as she quietly pulled the door shut with a wink. Lying back on her bed, she turned on her side, caressing her stomach when feeling an abrupt, sharp kick. "You're so feisty tonight." She giggled, rubbing her rounded belly. "You need to be nicer to Mamo-chan." She teased, smiling more when there was another sharp kick in response to her request. "Don't worry I will always love you both." She responded in a soothing voice. Glancing at her alarm clock, she softly sighed, raising to click the lamp off.
(:: Tokyo Correctional Facility::)
Restlessly stirring in his bed, Kazan abruptly awoke with a start. Running a hand through his shaggy hair, he shakily exhaled nervously glancing up at his cellmate whose arm was hanging over his bunk positioned above his. Rolling his eyes in annoyance at his cellmates' loud obnoxious snores, he looked down at his shaking hands, the side of his face still throbbing and bruised from his altercation earlier in the laundry room. "Damn him." He angrily cursed, still shaken from the event.
(Flashback)
"Zankokuna-san, go to the back and see if the towels are done." An inmate stated with a motion of his head.
"Why don't you go check." Kazan sneered, as he folded one of the towels in his pile. Glancing at the other two prisoners who were positioned at the tables behind him folding sheets, he glanced forwards once more, noticing the older teen he was paired with was giving him a cold stare in response. "Fine." He muttered, tossing the towel down onto the table in a huff. Trudging towards the back of the laundry room, he looked at the line of metal shelves adorned with uniforms, sheets, and towels that acted as a wall shielding him from the guard's view momentarily.
"Zankokuna, make it fast!" The guard gruffly ordered not wanting to get up from the seat he was currently occupying. Feeling his phone vibrate, he removed the device from his pocket and noticed his superior was calling him. "I'm stepping out for a moment, I don't want any incidents." He sternly stated, watching the three remaining inmates standing at their tables nod as he stepped out of the laundry room.
Watching the door shut, one of the prisoners smirked as he tossed his sheet onto the table, quickly making his way towards the other inmate who was currently at the back of the laundry room. Glancing over his shoulder he noticed the other two inmates had their attention on their pile of laundry, both silently folding and minding their own business.
Running a hand through his shaggy brownish-blonde hair, his gaze lustfully roamed over the unsuspecting kneeling teen. In one swift motion, he brought his fist forward striking the teen across the face as he turned to glance at him, hearing his sharp gasp, he caught Kazan in time before he could collapse onto the floor. Seeing Kazan was near a state of unconsciousness, he smirked as he pinned the brunette against the dryer. "I told you, you're mine, Zankokuna-san." He jeered, smirking as he quickly lowered the teen's pants. Knowing he didn't have much time, he lowered the front of his pants and groaned out in pleasure as he forced himself into the teen. Feeling Kazan immediately tense upon entry he chuckled as he began to pump and thrust deeper into the teen.
"Get the fuck off me, Fiore!" Kazan howled out in shock and fear. Pinned against the dryer, he tried attacking the older teen, with a sharp blow of his elbow but quickly failed to make an impact on his attacker. Crying out in pain as the thrusts became more forceful, he was forced to endure the assault, unable to break free from the position Fiore had him pinned in.
Tightly closing his eyes, Kazan felt his rage soon melt to shame and embarrassment from the position he'd found himself in. Crying out in shock as Fiore's hand caressed his length, he tightly shut his eyes, trying to fight back his tears, not wanting to look or appear any weaker than he felt at that moment. Tensing as Fiore pressed himself closer against him, he felt his attacker's breath against his ear as he huskily spoke into his ear.
"You are mine now." Fiore sneered, smirking as Kazan submissively nodded his head. "I see anyone else touching you, I will make you both pay." He warned, his voice laced with malice. "Who do you belong to?" He sneered, feeling Kazan tense more under his harsh tone. "Who?!"
"Y-You." Kazan softly stated, his breath hitching as Fiore's length soon slid from him.
"That's right." Fiore stated with an amused chuckle. "Meet me in the showers in the morning, I'm not done with you." He stated, quickly lifting his pants as he heard the door open. "Goodbye, my pet." He said, caressing his hand along Kazan's exposed waist.
Standing in shock as Fiore walked away from him, Kazan felt a stray tear streak his cheek feeling lower than he'd ever felt in his life. Shakily exhaling, he ignored the throbbing pain where Fiore had forced himself into him from behind. Pulling his pants up, he could feel his hands shake, his mind in a fog from the shock of what had just occurred. 'Why me?' He thought, fresh tears welling in his eyes.
"Kazan-san!" The guard gruffly stated, watching the inmate jump in fear at his gruff statement. "What the hell are you doing back here, get your towels, and go back to your station." He sternly ordered.
Silently nodding, Kazan tightly shut his eyes from the pain as he bent down to retrieve the towels from the dryer. Keeping his gaze down as he returned to his station, he noticed the inmate at his station look at him with a smirk, knowing what had occurred while the guard was out of the room. Feeling more ashamed and embarrassed, he lowered his gaze back onto the pile of towels refusing to look up the remaining time he was in the room. 'I want to go home.' He bitterly thought, regretting all the actions that had led him to his newfound hell.
(End of Flashback)
"I won't let him touch me again. I'll fucking kill him the next time he comes near me." Kazan quietly swore, tears streaking his cheeks as he tightly closed his eyes. 'I'll be ready next time, he won't touch me again.' He thought, fists tightly clenching.
(Three Days Later)
Walking along the sidewalk, Usagi smiled as she listened to Yaten and Taiki exchange banter about whose club was better. Stifling her laugh as Minako began to gush over how much better the drama club was, she glanced over at Seiya seeing she was also trying to contain her laughter. "How are your sports clubs going?" She curiously asked.
"I'm enjoying them all." Seiya boasted, a smug smirk quickly replacing the amused smile. "I wish you would consider joining the baseball team this spring." She pouted slightly, watching her friend smile more before giggling.
"What and ruin this fabulous figure I've developed?" Usagi sarcastically stated, motioning towards her rounded belly which prompted a chuckle from her friend.
"I'm sure you had a lovely figure before the baby." Seiya responded, smiling more when her friend immediately blushed at her comment. "Don't worry, you're still going to be beautiful no matter what the baby does to your figure." She teased, bursting out in laughter when Usagi immediately smacked her arm with a scowl. "I- I'm only teasing Odango." She said through her laughter.
"You baka." Usagi pouted, quickly turning her head away from her friend. Blushing when Seiya gently took her hand into hers, she felt her cheeks grow redder as Seiya planted a gentle kiss on the back of her hand.
"Forgive me for my comment, I was only teasing." Seiya sincerely stated, smiling more as her friend blushed from the gentle kiss against her hand. "Will you forgive me, Odango?"
"I suppose." Usagi quickly huffed, her cheeks still red from the intimate gesture.
"How about you, Odango? Are you enjoying the manga club?" Seiya curiously asked, reluctantly releasing her hold on her friend's hand as she watched her friend immediately brighten at the mention of the club.
"Yes, everyone is so nice!" Usagi responded with an excited smile. "I'm actually considering majoring in art, after high school." She shyly admitted.
"You would be great at it." Seiya stated, watching her friend smile more at the compliment. Seeing they were nearing the intersection, she softly sighed wishing she was working that evening so she could continue to walk her friend home. "I'll see you tomorrow, Odango."
"Bye, Sei-chan." Usagi stated, waving to her friend as she and Yaten soon crossed the street walking in the direction of Yaten's home. Smiling over as Makoto stepped beside her, she smiled over at her friend as she lifted a baggie of leftover treats she'd made in her baking club.
"Want a cookie, Usagi-chan?" Makoto asked with a smile, watching her friend excitedly beam at the offered treat.
"You spoil me, Mako-chan." She stated, removing a couple of cookies from the bag. "I just hope he will let me enjoy them." She worriedly stated, knowing her stomach was always nauseated after eating something sweet.
"When is the date of the trial again?" Minako asked, glancing back at her friend to see her tense slightly.
"In a week." Usagi softly stated, averting her gaze in time to not see Taiki immediately elbow Minako and glare at Minako for the insensitive question.
"I'm sorry, Usagi-chan." Minako immediately apologized, wishing she had kept her mouth shut when seeing how quiet her friend had suddenly become.
"It- it's alright, Minako-chan." Usagi softly stated, forcing a smile as she turned her gaze towards her friend. "I know it can't be avoided." She nervously stated, wrapping an arm around her waist. "I just wish I didn't have to testify, I- I don't want them to know about the baby." She tearfully stated, tears shining in her eyes.
"You have nothing to worry about." Makoto reassured her friend, wrapping her arm around her friend's shoulder and pulling her into a hug. "They can't touch you or your son, Usagi-chan. They'll still be in prison when the baby is born." She tried to reassure her friend. "You and the baby are safe, I promise."
(Meanwhile in Tokyo)
Sliding a cup of coffee over to his friend, Motoki watched his friend smile his thanks as he kept his focus on the college algebra book that was opened as he took notes in the notebook in front of him, his gaze shifting from the book then the notebook. Noticing his friend seemed much happier, he patiently waited until Mamoru lowered his pencil before speaking. "Is Usagi-chan still angry with me?" He curiously asked, watching his friend smile before lifting the cup of coffee to his lips. "You told her I'm sorry, right?"
"Yes, I told her." Mamoru responded with an amused chuckle. "She's not angry anymore, but she's still hurt that you kept the note from me for so long." He said, abruptly raising his hand to silence his friend before he tried to apologize yet again. "Usako's going to be in town next week, she'll be back home with her parents for the trial."
"How long will she be here?" Motoki asked, hoping to see the blonde and apologize to her in person.
"She'll be in Tokyo for only a few days before returning to Kyoto. I'm going to be driving her to her parent's home for Azumi-san this weekend, then she'll be driving down to pick Usako up at the end of the trial." Mamoru explained, resting his cup back onto the counter.
"Do you regret transferring out of Harvard?" Motoki asked, already knowing his friend's answer.
"No, not one bit. It would have been a mistake leaving Tokyo." Mamoru stated, looking up at his best friend. "I'm grateful you showed me the note, and I understand your reasons for waiting. That note was the final push I needed and I owe you a great debt for helping me realize the mistake I was going to make leaving Usako behind."
"How is she?" Motoki asked, watching his friend smile more at the question.
"She's happy, in fact, I think this is the happiest I have seen her in a long time" Mamoru stated, watching Motoki genuinely smile. "The friends she's made in Kyoto, they're all so close." He said, pausing a moment to try to explain the relationship between the six girls. "It almost reminds me of the bond you share with Unazuki-san, they have a sisterly bond amongst them." He said with a small smile. "They all look out for each other and I know I don't have to worry, because I know she's in good hands with them."
Smiling at his friends' words, Motoki felt his smile grow more, seeing how truly happy his best friend looked at that moment as he spoke of Usagi so fondly. 'It's good to see him happy, I don't think I've ever seen this level of happiness with Mamoru-chan.' He thought, knowing his best friend had always relished in being a loner and not opening up to others as easily as he wished his friend would have in the past. 'To think all it took was for Usagi's bubbly presence to be the one to finally tear down the wall his friend had built around his heart.' Smiling at the thought, he glanced over as the doors opened and watched as Naru and Umino entered the arcade. Watching them both smile over at him, he smiled back at the couple, watching as they quietly walked towards their usual booth where they would usually study while enjoying a shake.
(Meanwhile at Tokyo Correctional Facility)
"When did this happen? How did this happen?" Investigator Keisa angrily asked, his voice sharp and curt. "His trial was in a week!" He angrily snapped.
"It- it happened so fast." The guard stated, looking down at the lifeless body still covered in a sheet.
"We have the one responsible in isolation." The warden stated, watching the investigator look at him in anger and irritation.
"I was told this facility was safe, that there would be no incidents until the trial." Investigator Kesia snapped, watching the warden anger slightly. 'This isn't right, she deserved justice. This is too easy of a way out.' He angrily thought, looking down at the lifeless body of Zankokuna Kazan his nude body covered by a sheet, the shower floor still stained with his blood where he'd been viciously attacked by another inmate while in the shower.
"We-" The warden stated before he was abruptly interrupted.
"What provoked the attack?" Investigator Keisa demanded, watching the warden grow uncomfortable for a moment.
"One of our inmates, he was recently transferred from a psychiatric ward. They assured me he was safe to be around the other inmates. He had not had an episode in months, he-" The warden nervously stated, pausing a moment before he continued. "Fiore, he has a tendency of being possessive, he was known to suffer an obsessive personality."
"Possessive, how?" Hiro demanded, watching the warden shift slightly knowing he was not going to like his response.
"Fiore murdered his boyfriend in a jealous rage when he caught his partner speaking with a female classmate during a school trip to a botanical garden." The warden nervously stated. "He was immediately placed in the custody of the New Horizon Mental Institution. He- he was showing progress of being stable around the other patients, the institution assured me he would not be a danger around the other inmates in my facility."
"Why, Kazan?" Hiro demanded. "Why did Fiore seek out Kazan?"
"I don't know." The warden bluntly stated, still not understanding the other inmates' motive for the attack.
"There- there was an incident." The guard nervously stated, his gaze shifted towards the floor as he nervously exhaled. "We found out from some of the other inmates, Kazan was assaulted by Fiore in the laundry room."
"What?!" The warden angrily exclaimed, watching his guard jump at the outburst. "Why was I not informed of the incident?!"
"Zankokuna-san never reported the attack, the other inmates who were present didn't report the assault or mention it until after the attack in the shower. By then it was too late, the kid was dead and-"
"Enough." The warden angrily interrupted. "Find out which guard was supposed to be watching the laundry room. There will be an investigation and whoever is responsible for this escalating will be reprimanded." He angrily stated, watching the guard quickly nod and exit the silent shower room.
Stepping aside as one of the Crime Scene Investigators stepped forward, Hiro silently stood and watched as the CSI removed the sheet from the teen's body. Feeling himself grow tense at the sight of the teen, he noticed Kazan's neck had been grotesquely snapped, his eyes still open staring at the wall in fear. His body was marred with painful bruises, scrapes, and cuts from the struggle that had taken place in the shower. Shaking his head at the sight of the teen, a part of him wondered if he had arrived late that day in the woods if he would have found Usagi in a similar state knowing full well Kazan had been capable of torture and inflicting pain.
Tearing his gaze from the sight of the slain teen, Hiro silently shook his head knowing he had no other choice. "I want Kashikoi Ren placed in isolation until his trial is over. I can't have both my suspects dying before their trial." He angrily snapped, before silently turning and exiting the room.
(Later That Evening)
"How was school today?" Ikuko asked, noticing her son was picking at his meal.
"It was alright, I guess." Shingo muttered with a shrug. "We had a math test and-"
"How did you do?" Ikuko interrupted, noticing her son nervously shift his food around more. "Shingo." She sternly stated, with an exasperated sigh. "Do we need to limit the time you go to the arcade and see your friends?"
"No mama, I just- I forgot to study, that's all." Shingo quickly stammered, blushing slightly. "I promise, I will do better on my next exam."
"See to it, or you will be limited to your leisure time." Ikuko sternly stated, watching her son pout slightly before nodding his head.
"Yes, mama." Shingo sighed, then glanced up at the sound of the doorbell.
::DING DONG::
"I'll get it." Ikuko responded with a smile. "It's probably your papa." She said with a smile, knowing her husband was bad about placing his keys in his pocket and filling his hands with his briefcase and files from work.
Opening the door with a mischievous smile, Ikuko felt her smile falter when seeing Investigator Keisa standing at the door. "Hiro-san." She stated with surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm sorry for bothering your Tsukino-san." Hiro apologized, watching the woman step back and usher him inside like she had so many times before. Stepping inside the doorway, she could see something was clearly bothering him. "What is it?" She worriedly asked.
"There was an incident at the correctional facility today." Hiro stated with a frustrated sigh. "One of the suspects was killed in an altercation with another inmate." He calmly explained, watching Ikuko look at him with surprise.
"I- I don't understand." Ikuko stated with confusion. "I'm not trying to be heartless, but why should I care?" She callously asked. "Both of those monsters hurt my baby, why should I show any remorse towards them?"
"I'm not telling you this, so you can show the victim pity or remorse." Hiro quickly responded. "I'm telling you because there's a chance there will not be a trial now."
"What?!" Ikuko angrily demanded, tears shining in her eyes as her stomach nervously lurched. "The other one is being released?"
"No." Hiro immediately responded. "He's already pleaded guilty, and his lawyer has a plea deal in place since he assisted in the recovery of Usagi-san." He calmly explained. "Since there is no need for him to testify now, he will automatically go before the judge and he will be issued his sentence without the need of a jury."
"No." Ikuko angrily stated. "That's not fair!" She angrily shouted, tears streaking her cheeks. "She deserves to tell her side of the story, to-"
"She doesn't need to go through that." Hiro immediately argued. "It's not necessary."
"How long?" Ikuko snapped, trying to keep the waver from her voice. "How long will he serve?"
"I don't know, that's entirely up to the judge now." Hiro calmly stated, already knowing the plea deal was going to spare Ren the time he deserved to face behind bars. "I wanted to tell you in person, you deserved to find out in person and not over the phone." He explained watching Ikuko tearfully nod. "I would like to speak with Usagi-san, she deserves to know as well."
"She's in Kyoto with my sister." Ikuko tearfully explained. "She's living with my sister until she has the baby."
"May I visit her tomorrow?" Hiro asked, watching Mrs. Tsukino hesitate for a moment before silently nodding.
"Yes." Ikuko stated, with a defeated sigh, knowing her daughter deserved to know. "I will contact Azumi-onee and let her know."
"Thank you, Tsukino-san." Hiro graciously stated, relieved Ikuko was allowing him to speak with the teen.
"Let me write down her address and phone number for you." Ikuko stated, watching Hiro nod his thanks as she went in search of a pen and sheet of paper.
Watching her leave the entryway, Hiro glanced around the quiet home wondering why they had allowed their daughter to leave home and have the baby in secret. 'Will this not pose more of a problem, when she returns to Tokyo with the baby?' He worriedly thought, then snapped from his thoughts when he noticed Ikuko returning with a small slip of paper. "Thank you, Tsukino-san." He responded with a bow of his head. Turning to leave, he glanced back and smiled at the mother once more trying to ease her worry and uncertainties. "It's going to be alright." He said, trying to reassure the mother.
"I hope so." Ikuko softly stated, watching Hiro give her one more smile before silently leaving the house. Watching the door quietly click shut, she softly sighed going to the direction of the kitchen where her cell phone was still sitting on the counter.
Giving Shingo a small smile as she entered the kitchen, Ikuko silently lifted the phone and dialed her sister's number. After a few rings, she felt her stomach nervously flutter when hearing her sister answer the phone. "Zumi-onee, it's me. I need to talk with you."
(::Hometown Cafe: Kyoto::)
Sitting at the small table in the kitchen, Azumi smiled as she heard Taiki and Makoto gossip as they cooked. Keeping her focus on the expense reports, her fingers furiously tapped against the keys of the calculator as she added the expenses making sure her totals matched the totals on the papers. Glancing from the reports to the calculator, she smiled as both totals matched. Gathering the reports, she neatly stacked them into a pile, before lifting the next group of expenses.
::Buzz...Buzz...Buzz...::
Lifting her phone where it was vibrating on the table, she was surprised to see her sister was calling her. "Kuko-onee." She happily greeted her sister.
"Zumi-onee, it's me. I need to talk with you." Ikuko grimly responded with a soft sigh.
"What is it?" Azumi worriedly asked, not noticing Makoto and Taiki immediately stop their talking, and curiously begin to eavesdrop on the conversation.
"Something happened today." Ikuko began with a soft sigh. "The investigator involved with Usagi's case stopped by today."
"What happened?" Azumi immediately asked, her stomach nervously fluttering. Gasping as Ikuko explained the incident at the prison and what it meant for the other suspect, Azumi tightly shut her eyes to block back the tears that wanted to fall. "This isn't fair, Ikuko-onee." She angrily stated. "They can't do this to her."
"I know, I feel the same way." Ikuko responded with a defeated sigh. "There's nothing we can do." She sadly admitted.
"There has to be!" Azumi urged, tears shining in her eyes. "There has to be something!" She angrily stated.
"There isn't." Ikuko snapped. "The reason why I'm calling is, Investigator Keisa is wanting to break the news to Usagi. I gave him your address and phone number so he can arrange a time and place to speak with her." She explained, growing worried after a long pause of silence. "Zumi-onee?"
"Alright." Azumi tearfully responded. "When- when is he coming to Kyoto?"
"Sometime tomorrow." Ikuko responded, hearing her sister's soft sniffle.
"Thank you, Ikuko-onee." Azumi responded, sniffling as she wiped the tears from her cheeks. "I'll keep her home tomorrow." She said, not knowing her sister's immediate flinch to her comment. "I want her to be home, so I can-"
"Alright, I've got to go." Ikuko snapped, tears welling in her own eyes. Tears of anger and frustration, angry that it was her sister that would be consoling her child, and frustration with herself knowing she was the reason for the sudden strain between her and her daughter. "Thank you Azumi-onee." She stated before quickly ending the call before her sister could respond.
Lowering the phone onto the table, Azumi snapped from her thoughts when feeling a hand on her shoulder. Looking up she noticed both Makoto and Taiki were standing beside her with a look of worry. "I need to make some schedule changes." She tearfully stated. "Usagi-chan is going to need some of you tomorrow."
"She's more open with Minako-chan and Seiya-chan." Taiki gently stated, watching Azumi nod and walk towards the schedule board.
"Taiki-san how do you feel about being a hostess?" Azumi asked, watching the teen look at her with surprise. "I'll have you fill in for Minako-san and Makoto-san, you will fill in for Seiya-san." She stated watching the two teens silently nod. "I'll call in another cook, and fill in myself in the kitchen when needed."
"Azumi-san, what's wrong?" Taiki immediately asked.
"Usagi-chan is going to be getting some bad news tomorrow and I want her to have the day off so she can process the news in private." She calmly explained, watching the two teens immediately exchange worried looks.
"Is it about the trial?" Makoto worriedly asked, noticing Azumi immediately tense.
"There's not going to be a trial." Azumi quietly stated, watching the two look at her in shock. "Don't say anything to Usagi-san or the others. I know they mean well, but Seiya-san and Minako-san will both let it slip." She sternly stated, watching the two immediately nod in agreement.
"We won't say anything." Makoto responded, watching Azumi smile her thanks.
"Thank you, girls." Azumi tearfully responded. "I can't thank you enough for all that you do for Usagi-san." She stated, wiping a few stray tears from her cheeks.
"She's one of our best friends." Taiki responded with a smile watching Makoto nod as she spoke.
"We'll always look out for each other." Makoto promised, watching Azumi tearfully smile at her words.
(The Following Afternoon)
"How did we luck out and get the day off?" Minako excitedly asked as she, Usagi, and Seiya made their way upstairs to Azumi's home above the cafe.
"Who cares, let's enjoy it." Seiya immediately responded with a chuckle. "We can take advantage of the free time and work on our biology project, Odango." She suggested, smiling when her friend made a scowl at the suggestion.
"Really, Sei-chan?" Usagi immediately pouted at the suggestion of homework, as they reached the stairway door. "We have two weeks to work on the project, we'll start it tomorrow in class." She said with a laugh. Turning the doorknob, she entered her Aunt's home and immediately froze, shocked to see Investigator Keisa sitting on the couch. "Hiro-san?" She said with a furrowed brow of confusion. "What are you doing here?" She worriedly asked.
"Usagi-san, I need to speak with you." Hiro responded as he stood, watching the teen look at her friends then silently nod. "Can we have a moment alone?" He requested, watching the two teens silently nod.
"No." Usagi sternly stated, shaking her head. "It's alright, they can be here." She said with a smile towards her friends. "I'll end up telling them anyway." She said with a gentle laugh, watching Hiro smile and nod as he stood and motioned the group to follow him to the small dining table in the kitchen.
Silently sitting in a chair, Hiro watched Usagi sit next to him, then the raven-haired teen sitting next to Usagi, then the other blonde with a red bow took the final seat where she was between him and the raven-haired teen. "Usagi-san, I have some good news and some bad news." He calmly spoke, watching the teen nervously look at him.
"What's the good news?" Usagi nervously asked, watching Hiro hesitate a moment before speaking.
"There's not going to be a trial." Hiro calmly spoke, watching the teen immediately ease a soft sigh of relief escaping her lips.
"Thank goodness." Usagi muttered, with a deep sigh of relief. "I didn't want to testify." She shamefully admitted, tears shining in her eyes as she looked at Hiro in shame. Wiping a few stray tears from her cheeks, she eased when feeling Seiya lace her fingers with hers, giving her hand a gentle squeeze of encouragement. Smiling over at her friend, she appreciated the strength her friend provided with the gentle squeeze.
"What's the bad news?" Minako worriedly asked, watching the investigator politely look over at her before turning his attention back towards Usagi.
"There was an incident at the correctional facility where the suspects have been detained." Hiro calmly began, watching Usagi look at him with the same look her mother had given him the day before. "Zankokuna Kazan was killed in an incident with another inmate." He carefully explained. "Since there is no need for you or Kashikoi Ren to testify against him, the trial has been canceled."
"What about the other one?" Seiya angrily demanded, when feeling Usagi tense under the man's words, her grip on her hand tightening seeking comfort. "Why is there not going to be a trial? Is he getting released?"
"No, not exactly." Hiro quickly responded, trying to ease the raven-haired teen's worry and anger.
"Not exactly?" Minako demanded, glaring at the investigator. "What does that mean?"
"Minako-chan, let him speak." Usagi tearfully pleaded, tears streaking her cheeks.
Pursing her lips, Minako silently nodded, crossing her arms across her chest with a soft huff. "Fine." She muttered, motioning the investigator to continue.
Nodding his thanks, Hiro gently cleared his throat wondering how he should proceed with the rest of the news. "There will be a trial, but Kashikoi-san will not require a trial by jury." He calmly stated, raising his hand before either teen could angrily respond. "He assisted in the case, if it wasn't for his assistance, there's a chance Usagi-san would not be sitting here with you today." He said watching Usagi tearfully nod in understanding. "Since he assisted, he was granted a plea deal. What this means, is his sentence will not be as long since he cooperated in the case."
"How long?" Usagi tearfully asked, her voice wavering as she spoke. "How long will he serve?" She angrily asked, tears streaking her cheeks.
"That depends on the judge his case is assigned to." Hiro responded with a soft sigh. "I'm going to the trial, I want to know what the judge decides on his sentence."
"I want to be there." Usagi pleaded, then slumped with defeat as Hiro silently shook his head in response.
"You can't be there, Usagi-san. This will be a private trial, only his family will be permitted to attend." Hiro calmly explained. "As soon as I know the judgment I will let you know." He promised, watching the teen deflate more at his response. "I'm sorry sweetie, I wish I could bring you better news."
"It's alright." Usagi softly stated her voice above a whisper. "There's nothing more we can do." She said with a defeated shrug of her shoulder.
"There has to be." Minako urged, turning her desperate gaze towards the man seated next to her.
"I'm sorry, but there isn't." Hiro regretfully responded, his heart tearing when seeing how much Usagi was struggling to keep her emotions at bay. "I wish there had been better news, but I thought you deserved to be told in person and not over the phone." He gently responded, watching Usagi's tearful gaze meet his gaze for a brief moment before she averted her gaze towards the table once more.
"Thank you Hiro-san." Usagi softly stated, tearfully exhaling as she averted her gaze back towards the table.
Not wanting to leave the teen dwelling on the news of the trial, Hiro gently cleared his throat, hoping to sidetrack her mind onto something else she would be willing to speak with him about. "How have you been feeling?" He asked, noticing her school uniform top accentuating her rounded belly. "Have you learned the gender yet?" He curiously asked, watching a brief smile replace the sullen look on her face as she lifted her gaze towards him once more.
"Yes." Usagi shyly responded, unlacing her fingers with Seiya's as she silently stood and walked to the fridge where her son's ultrasound photo had been placed by her aunt. Removing the picture, she nervously handed Hiro the picture watching him smile down at the photo. "I'm having a boy." She said, resting her hand on her belly. Feeling a small thump against her hand, she nervously bit her lip as she hesitated to speak for a moment.
"Do you have a name picked out yet?" Hiro curiously asked, glancing up to see the teen blush slightly before nervously shifting at the question.
"Yes, it's the cutest name ever." Minako immediately gushed with an excited smile, giving her friend an encouraging smile. "Tell him, Usagi-chan." She encouraged, seeing how nervous and unsure her friend had become around the investigator.
"I-I'm naming him, Hiro Katashi Tsukino." Usagi shyly stated, quickly ducking her head down. "I- I hope you don't mind." She nervously stammered, suddenly worried Hiro would not be comfortable with her naming her child after him. "I- I wanted to honor you and the firefighter who saved our lives." She nervously stammered as she quickly explained her reason. "If-"
"I'm honored, Usagi-san." Hiro stated, reaching out resting his hand on the teen's arm. "I'm so honored that you would consider me to name your child after. I don't deserve such-"
"You do though." Usagi quickly interrupted. "If it wasn't for you or Katashi-san, I wouldn't be standing here right now." She urged. "You both saved me, I owe you both a great debt. A debt I will never be able to repay." She said as tears streaked her cheeks. Watching Hiro stand, she tensed slightly as he pulled her into his embrace. Tightly clinging to him, she burst out into heart-wrenching sobs as she clung to him and released her pain and fear that still dwelled deep within her. "You saved me, Hiro-san." She whimpered, clinging tighter to him. "I- I thought he was going to k-kill me and y-you rescued me." She sputtered through her sobs.
Pulling the teen tighter into his embrace, Hiro gently rubbed her back as he tried to soothe her from her tears. "It's almost over, I promise." He tried to reassure the teen. "You're safe now, I promise." He reassured the teen, feeling her nod her head against his chest.
Silently exchanging looks, Seiya and Minako sat in stunned silence never seeing their friend so vulnerable and heartbroken like they were witnessing at that very moment. Watching how the investigator was able to soothe their friend and ease her from her sobs, they watched as Usagi eventually pulled from his embrace, tearfully smiling up at him in silent thanks.
"Are you going to be alright?" Hiro worriedly asked, watching the teen tearfully nod as she stepped back from his embrace.
"Yes." Usagi tearfully responded, sniffling before forcing a small smile.
"I'll let you know what I find out about the trial." Hiro promised, watching Usagi tearfully nod her thanks. "It was good seeing you sweetie, you look like you're much happier here."
"I am." Usagi happily responded, smiling over at her friends who were silently sitting at the table. "I'm glad I came to Kyoto, they've helped me so much." She said, watching Seiya and Minako tearfully smile at her. "They're my best friends."
"I'm happy for you." Hiro said, with a proud smile. Resting his hand against her arm, he watched her tearfully smile at him. "I want to know when your son is born, I would like to meet him." He requested, watching Usagi smile more as she happily nodded her head.
"I would like that." Usagi agreed, watching Hiro smile and nod. "Thank you, Hiro-san. Thank you for coming here in person and telling me about the trial."
"You're welcome." Hiro responded with a sincere smile. Feeling his phone vibrate, he quickly removed his phone from his pocket and frowned at the message. "I should be going, looks like I have another case."
"Of course." Usagi softly stated, before abruptly embracing him once more. "It was good to see you again." She stated, watching the man warmly smile down at her.
"It was good to see you too, sweetie." Hiro gently responded, with a soft chuckle.
Feeling him pull her into another hug, Usagi felt him give her hand a gentle squeeze of encouragement before quickly leaving. Watching Hiro leave, Usagi jumped when feeling a hand gently rest against her back. Turning her head, she saw Seiya quietly standing beside her, worry shining in her eyes.
"Odango?" Seiya worriedly asked, then smiled as Usagi tearfully embraced her, seeking her comfort. "It's alright, we're here for you." She gently stated, watching Minako tearfully nod her head as she silently stood and embraced their friend, offering Usagi the comfort she desperately needed at that moment.
(::Later That Afternoon: Tokyo Correctional Facility::)
Opening the mess hall door for his prisoner, the prison guard watched the teen stop at the door and patiently wait for him to motion him forwards. "Go, you have twenty minutes." He sternly stated, watching the prisoner silently nod before walking forwards, the slight 'tink' of the chains around his ankles tapping the floor with each step.
"Kashikoi-san, please have a seat." The lawyer greeted with a polite smile.
"What are you doing here?" Ren curiously asked, watching his lawyer smile before opening his briefcase and lifting a manilla envelope.
"I have some good news, Ren-san" The lawyer smirked, watching the teen curiously raise his brow.
"Well?" Ren impatiently asked. "What is it?"
"Since Kazan-san met his unfortunate fate." The lawyer began watching the teen immediately tense at his comment. "This means your trial has been moved up, you will be due to appear before the judge tomorrow morning."
"Really? That soon?" Ren responded in surprise. Tearfully chuckling, he sighed a deep breath of relief as he ran a hand through his shaggy hair. "Thank you." He humbly stated. "I- I've needed some good news."
"Don't worry, Ren-san. I'm going to do everything I can to ensure you're out of here in no time." The lawyer stated, with a glint in his eyes as he smirked. "This case has been stalled for too long. I'm familiar with the judge, I was able to persuade him to agree to have you appear in court on such short notice."
"Be honest." Ren nervously stated. "What are my chances for a short sentence?" He worriedly asked.
"Very good." The lawyer said with a chuckle. "Don't worry, Ren-san." He said, patting the teen's shoulder. "I'm one of the best that money can buy. Your mother has spared no expense, she wants you out just as badly as you want out." He assured the nervous teen. "I want you to clean up, Ren-san. Shower and shave in the morning, I need you to look presentable before the judge." He advised watching the teen silently nod.
"Alright." Ren responded with a nervous exhale. Feeling the lawyer give him a friendly clap against the back, he hid his annoyance as he forced a smile. Watching his lawyer gather his things, Ren silently watched the man soon stand and look at him once more.
"Don't worry, Kashikoi-san." The lawyer stated with a genuine smile. "You're in good hands." He reassured the teen, watching Ren nervously nod before speaking.
"Is- is she going to be there?" Ren curiously asked, hoping to catch a glimpse of his little rabbit.
"No, only your family will be present. Since there is no need for you or the plaintiff to testify, her presence is not required." He explained, watching the teen silently nod.
"Thank you." Ren curtly responded with a nod of his head, watching the lawyer smile and nod before turning and exiting the mess hall. 'Damn.' He angrily thought, his jaw clenching slightly. 'I was hoping to see her again.' Snapping from his thoughts when noticing the guard was quietly walking forward, he silently stood once motioned. 'I wonder how far along she is by now?' He curiously thought, nervously anticipating to find out the results of the paternity test. 'I've screwed up everything. I've messed up my entire life.' He thought with guilt. 'No woman will ever want me after what I've done. This baby is the only chance I will ever have to experience being a parent.' He desperately thought, his stomach nervously twisting at the thought of possibly becoming a father.
(::Later That Evening: Kyoto::)
Tiredly sighing as she shut the door to the stairway, Azumi looked in surprise seeing Seiya was sitting on the couch, Usagi lying back against her, her head resting against Seiya's shoulder where both girls had fallen asleep watching television. Noticing Seiya had her arm snaked around Usagi's waist, Azumi smiled and shook her head with amusement at the boldness of the raven-haired teen.
'My poor Usa, you're so oblivious to how much Seiya-san really cares for you.' Asumi thought with a sad smile, her heart breaking for the raven-haired teen who was bravely and silently enduring the unrequited love. 'Your other half is out there somewhere, Seiya-san.' She thought while quietly walking towards the small closet in the hall, removing a blanket.
Not wanting to disturb either girl's slumber, Azumi carefully draped a blanket over the two teens before turning off the television. Glancing at them once more, she smiled as she clicked the lamp off quietly making her way towards her bedroom.
Passing her niece's room, she stopped when noticing the light was on and was surprised to find another form lying on the bed. "They both stayed." She stated with surprise, seeing Minako was lying on Usagi's bed, her face resting on a textbook from where she'd fallen asleep studying. Smiling at the sound of a soft snore from the blonde, she shook her head as she removed a blanket from her niece's closet. Draping a blanket over the blonde, she smiled as she watched Minako slightly begin to stir before waking with a start.
"Oh no, I fell asleep." Minako gasped, looking at the clock with wide eyes. "It's past my curfew." She panicked, quickly scurrying to gather her things then calmed when feeling Azumi gently touched her arm to soothe her.
"Go back to sleep, sweetie. I'll call your mother and tell her you're staying the night." Azumi assured the teen, watching Minako glance around the room for the others. "Seiya and Usagi are both asleep on the couch." She said with an amused smile, watching the teen smile before giggling. "Get some rest, I'll wake you all so you three will have time to get ready for school." She said, watching the teen smile her thanks before lying down once more.
"Thank you, Azumi-san." Minako tiredly stated, watching Azumi smile and nod before clicking the lamp off. "Good night."
"Good night." Azumi responded with a motherly smile, before turning and exiting the bedroom.
Pushing her book onto the floor with a thud, Minako tiredly yawned as she cuddled into the warm blanket, her eyes growing heavy once more. 'Usagi-chan is so lucky to have Azumi-san.' She thought, before succumbing to her slumber.
Walking into her bedroom, Azumi glanced over at her cell phone that she had left on her nightstand to charge. Noticing her phone was blinking with a notification, she lifted her phone seeing she had a text message from the investigator. Unlocking her phone, she clicked on the message and felt her heart immediately drop when seeing the message.
Keisa Hiro: The trial is tomorrow, I just found out. I will call you with the verdict, if you need me there to break the news to Usagi-san, I'll be there. Please let me know. -Hiro
Lowering her phone back onto the nightstand, Azumi blinked back her tears as she tearfully exhaled from the sudden and unexpected news. Resting her hands in her lap, she silently sat wondering how she should break the news to her niece. 'Please.' She desperately thought, tightly closing her eyes as she fought back her tears. 'Please make him serve a fair and just sentence. He needs to pay for what he did to her, for hurting her.' She heartbrokenly thought, brushing the stray tears from her cheeks as she lifted her phone and wrote out her reply to the message.
Azumi: Hiro-san, thank you. It won't be necessary to make another trip here, I will tell her the verdict tomorrow after her shift. Between myself and her friends, she will have all the necessary support. Thank you for all that you have done for my niece. -Azumi
(The Following Morning)
Feeling his stomach nervously twisting, Ren shifted his tie as he nervously glanced back toward his mother who was seated behind him. Watching her tearfully smile at him, he smiled back before curiously glancing over at the investigator who was sitting closer towards the back.
Averting his gaze when the investigator gave him a stoic look, Ren immediately turned his gaze forward when his lawyer gently leaned in to speak with him.
"Your mother's agreed to take temporary custody if the child should be yours." The lawyer stated, watching the teen look at him with surprise before turning his head to look back at his mother once more. Tearfully smiling, he watched her tearfully smile back at him before nodding her head in understanding to their silent exchange. "What do I need to do?" He quietly asked, turning back to his lawyer.
"Sign a few forms giving your mother guardianship and she will be able to start the process of gaining full guardianship of the child if that is what you want." The lawyer stated with a smug smile.
"You mean I can take the baby away from her entirely?" Ren asked in shock, watching the lawyer cock his brow before smugly speaking.
"Yes, in fact, I can have it where she will be paying you child support if that is the route you wish to take." The lawyer boasted, with a chuckle.
"I- I don't know if I-" Ren responded, then jumped as the Judge's Chamber door opened, the middle-aged man silently exiting and taking his seat once more. Feeling his stomach tightly twist and heart hammer in his chest, he immediately noticed the judge and his lawyer exchange a subtle look between one another.
"Don't worry, Ren-san." The lawyer quietly stated, leaning in closer to the teen. "The judge and I have known each other since college. I have a good feeling you'll be getting good news today." Chuckling at the teen's surprised look, he turned his gaze forward as the judge began to speak.
"Kashikoi-san." The judge stated, watching the teen immediately straighten and give him his full attention. "I am sorry to hear about the loss of your friend." He began, watching the teen silently nod in response, noticing the teen did not show any kind of remorse. "I've looked over all the documentation submitted by the Police Department, as well, the plea deal submitted by your lawyer." He stated, pausing for a moment to open a file before speaking once more.
"I have taken into full consideration the lack of regard and safety of the inmates placed under the care of the Tokyo Correctional Facility, where you're currently serving time." The judge began, briefly glancing towards the investigator seated at the back of the courtroom. "I feel that the death of Zankokuna Kazan could have been prevented if the proper channels of communication had been served. This death is not only due to negligence but lack of communication." Turning his attention back towards the older teen seated before him, the judge noticed the teen was failing to hide his nervousness as he tried to keep an impassive expression.
Gently clearing his throat, the judge watched the teen rub his palms against his pants as he fidgeted slightly under his stern gaze. "I've looked over all the documents from your plea deal while in my chambers, Kashikoi-san. I'm impressed at how much you were willing to assist in the recovery of the plaintiff and the arrest of the late Zankokuna-san." The judge stated, leaning forwards and putting his full attention onto the nervous teen. "Without your assistance in the investigation, I feel that the plaintiff would not have survived her abduction. You not only saved one life but also the life of her unborn child." He added, pausing for a moment. "I've contacted the warden of the facility and he has informed me you are a model inmate. You stay to yourself, you do as you're told by the guards, and you have not shown any signs of aggression towards the other inmates." The judge explained, watching the teen nervously nod. "Is there anything else you would like to add before I issue your sentence?"
"No your honor." Ren nervously responded, rubbing his sweaty palms against his pants once again.
"Council, do you have anything you wish to add?" The judge asked, turning his attention towards the lawyer seated next to the teen.
"No your honor." The lawyer responded with a sly smile.
"Very well." The judge stated, motioning the teen to rise. Watching the teen and his lawyer silently stand, the judge placed his full attention on the teen before speaking once more. "The court would have sentenced you to a minimum of sixty-five months of imprisonment. However, I have put into consideration all the admirable deeds you've shown to right your wrongs that were presented in your plea deal, presented by your lawyer. With careful consideration, I have decided to reduce this sentence by half." He announced watching the teen tearfully drop his head, a sigh of relief escaping his lips. "Kashikoi Ren, the courts hereby sentence you to serve thirty-months or two years and eight months in Tokyo Correctional Facility. With no further business to present before the court, I hereby declare court adjourned." He announced banging the gavel down.
"This isn't right, your honor!" Hiro immediately objected, standing and turning his angry gaze towards the teen before angrily walking forwards. "How can you call this justice?!" He angrily demanded. "Did you not look at the hospital photos of the victim, did you not read what state she was found in when she was recovered from the fire, did you not-"
"Enough, Keisa-san! I will not be spoken to with such contempt in my own courtroom." The judge angrily responded, standing and glaring down at the investigator. "I have made my decision, Kashikoi-san will serve time that has been sentenced."
"What time?" Hiro angrily scoffed. "He's getting a swat on the wrist, this is not a punishment! This is a joke!"
"Stop it!" Mrs. Kashikoi angrily stated, tears welling in her eyes as she glared at the investigator who stood only a few feet from her. "My son is regretful for what he did to that girl, but she is not innocent either!" She angrily spat. "If she had not been there enticing my son and his friend, none of this would have ever happened."
"Your son and his friend raped a fifteen-year-old!" Hiro angrily spat watching the woman angrily glare back at him, her cold icy gaze cutting into him as she angrily spat back.
"That little bitch is-" Mrs. Kashikoi angrily sneered before she was abruptly interrupted by the judge.
"ENOUGH!" The judge roared, watching both the woman and investigator abruptly look at him. "If either of you says one more thing, I will have both of you locked up for contempt of court." He angrily warned. "You." He angrily stated, pointing towards the investigator. "I will not have any more of this disrespect Investigator Keisa-san, I allowed you to stay as a courtesy, just as I allowed you to stay as a courtesy, Mrs. Kashikoi-san." He angrily stated. "Now both of you leave my courtroom." He ordered, pointing towards the door.
"Ren-san, I love you, sweetie. Don't worry, I'll find out the truth." Mrs. Kashikoi stated, watching her son smile and nod at the meaning of her words.
"Thank you." Ren gratefully stated, tearfully watching his mother turn and walk towards the exit of the courtroom. "Mama, wait!" He called, watching her immediately turn and look at him with tear-filled eyes. "I'm sorry." He tearfully stated, tears streaking his cheeks. "I'm so sorry for what I did, I don't know why I did it." He shamefully admitted.
"It's alright, Ren-san." Mrs. Kashikoi stated, tears streaking her own cheeks. "I promise everything is going to be alright, sweetheart, I love you."
"I love you too." Ren tearfully stated, then turned his gaze forwards seeing the guards walking forwards to escort him out of the courtroom. Glancing back one final time, he noticed his mother tearfully exiting the courtroom, his gaze soon meeting the investigator's cold, hard gaze glaring back at him before pulling the door shut with a sharp slam.
(::Later That Afternoon: Kyoto::)
Working on her homework, Usagi glanced up at the sound of the cafe door opening and smiled watching Nao and Tomio enter the cafe. "Do you want them?" She asked, glancing over to see Minako was already lifting some menus for another family who had entered before the two elderly men. "Ugh, thanks." She muttered, watching her friend wink at her before leading the family to their table. "Don't you guys get tired of seeing me?" She teased, watching the two men smile and chuckle at her question.
"Oh, darling, we could never get tired of looking at such a pretty face." Nao responded with a playful wink, watching the blonde smile and blush.
"You're such a flirt, Nao-san." Usagi laughed, removing two menus from under the counter. "This way, gentlemen, I'm sure you want Sei-chan as your server?" She asked, watching the two men smile and nod in confirmation. "Alright, follow me." She said, with a motion of her hand.
Walking through the crowded cafe, Usagi smiled as she passed a couple of servers before stopping at an empty table near the wall. "Will this table be alright?" She asked, watching Nao and Tomio nod and smile there thanks as they sat. Noticing Seiya was busy taking an order from another table, she placed their menu on the table with a smile. "She'll be with you soon, what do you guys want to drink and I'll get it started for you?"
"Coffee for me, darling." Nao responded with a smile.
"I'll have the same, thank you, dear." Tomio responded with a nod.
"Alright, I'll be right back." Usagi said, turning and walking in the direction of the coffee maker near the front counter. When reaching the drink station, she lifted two coffee cups, linking the handles of the glass mugs with her thumb as she removed the coffee pot from the machine. Making her way back towards the table, she glanced back noticing Seiya was entering the kitchen.
Setting the coffee cups down, she poured the men each a cup of coffee. "Seiya-chan should be with you shortly." She said watching the two men smile their thanks.
"Thank you, sweetheart." Tomio stated with a gracious smile. "Your aunt told us you're having a little boy." He said watching the teen smile and rest her hand against her round belly.
"Yes, I'm nervous about raising a boy." Usagi responded with a nervous laugh.
"Oh darling, you'll do fine." Nao replied with a wave of his hand. "I raised three boys and ended up with all grandsons, and great-grandsons. You have nothing to worry about." He said, pausing as his smile widened before he continued. "That is, until they start noticing the ladies, and start chasing after them." He teased, not noticing her smile slightly falter.
"Yes, well, it's a good thing I still have a while to wait for that." Usagi politely responded, watching Nao chuckle and smile at her response. Noticing a couple standing at the counter, she frowned seeing Minako was already busy leading another small group towards a booth, leaving the couple to wait on her. "I've got to go, you two enjoy your meal." She quickly stated as she made her way towards the counter once more.
Watching the blonde quickly walk away, Nao smiled as he lifted his cup of coffee to his lips taking a small sip of the hot beverage. "It took a while, but she's finally warmed up to us." He chuckled, watching his friend smile before chuckling.
"I was starting to think she wasn't capable of being friendly." Tomio responded as they both shared an amused chuckle. "What did you hear about your great-grandson, Nao-chan?" He curiously asked, taking a sip of his coffee. "Is there going to be an investigation?" He worriedly asked, noticing his friend's demeanor grow somber as he sadly shook his head.
"No, there's not going to be an investigation, they know who killed him." Nao softly stated, brushing a few stray tears from his cheeks. "I don't know what happened to him, Tomio-chan. That boy had so much potential when he was younger, he was such a happy child growing up. He would have had a bright future ahead of him, then he and his foolish friend went and hurt that poor girl in Tokyo." He said with heavy-heartedness while shaking his head in disappointment. "I wish I could meet that poor girl and tell her how sorry I am. That she didn't deserve to go through anything Kazan-san put her through."
"Do you know when the funeral is?" Tomio gently asked, wanting to try to ease his friend and change the subject. "I would like to pay my respect to his parents, I remember how we would take him fishing with my great-grandchildren when they were small children." He said, thinking back to the happy little boy he had once considered one of his own.
"The funeral is in two days." Nao answered with a sad smile. "His parents are going to have a closed casket, due to his cause of death." He explained, pausing for a moment as he cleared his throat to hide the waver from his voice. "No one should ever have to go through what he did, Tomio-chan." He finally spoke, remembering the brief glimpse he had been granted to see of his great-grandson the night of the family viewing at the funeral home. "My great-grandson suffered a violent death." He sadly stated, his voice almost a whisper.
"I'm sorry my friend." Tomio softly stated, resting his hand on his friend's arm in an attempt to comfort his grieving friend. "He's in a better place, he's not going to suffer anymore." He said watching his friend sadly nod in agreement.
'Yes, he won't be able to hurt anyone else's daughter either.' Nao sadly thought, tearfully smiling up at his best friend. "Thank you, Tomio-chan."
(Meanwhile in Tokyo)
"No!" Ikuko shouted, her frame shaking as cried into her hands. "That isn't fair, tell me how two years is a fair sentence?" She angrily demanded, watching Hiro lower his gaze and silently shake his head.
"It's not, Tsukino-san." Hiro stated, a defeated sigh escaping his lips. "I feel like this is my fault, if I had not offered him a deal, there's a chance-"
"No, if you had not made the deal, my baby would have been killed." Ikuko immediately interrupted the investigator. "You did what had to be done to save my little girl. You saved her life Hiro-san. I will always be grateful for what you've done for this family, for my daughter." She tearfully urged, watching the investigator only nod with a defeated sigh, sitting silently for a few moments longer before speaking.
"I just wish the verdict would have been harsher." Hiro stated, pounding his fist against the table in his frustration. "I don't understand why the judge would reduce the sentence below the minimum. I've never in my years seen this happen." He angrily stated.
"Does she know yet?" Ikuko tearfully asked, watching Hiro shake his head. "I'm not sure, I messaged her aunt this morning after the trial. She told me she would speak with Usagi-san this evening."
"I need to be there for her." Ikuko tearfully stated, brushing a few stray tears from her cheeks. Noticing her son walking past the kitchen, she softly sighed, tightly closing her eyes at the realization Shingo had heard everything she and Hiro had been discussing. Hearing the door slam shut moments later, she quickly stood and walked towards the window looking out to see her son walk down the driveway and disappear around the corner.
"Tsukino-san." Hiro gently stated, watching the mother immediately turn and look at him with tear-filled eyes. "I know I can't change the verdict, but I want you to know that I am sincerely sorry for the outcome." He said, watching Ikuko tearfully smile and nod her head.
"There's nothing more we can do, we can only hope that the short time he will serve will be enough for him to see the error of his ways." Ikuko tearfully stated, brushing a few stray tears from her cheeks. "How can I keep her safe afterward?"
"A restraining order, that would be my suggestion." Hiro stated, knowing there was not much more they could do to offer the teen protection. "When the sentence draws closer to an end, you'll need to request a restraining order. If he breaks or goes against the order, I will personally toss his sorry existence back into lockup."
"Thank you, Investigator Keisa-san. Thank you so much for everything you've done for my baby." Ikuko responded, wiping away her stray tears.
"I was only doing my job, you don't have to thank me." Hiro responded, gently smiling at the distraught mother. Shaking her hand, he watched her tearfully smile at him as she brushed away more stray tears from her cheeks. "Goodbye, Tsukino-san."
"Goodbye, Keisa-san." Ikuko tearfully stated, watching the investigator politely nod before quietly exiting the kitchen. Hearing the front door close moments later, she felt all her strength leave her as she abruptly dropped to her knees and cried for the unfair ruling. 'My baby doesn't deserve this, this isn't fair!' She heartbrokenly thought as she burst into fresh tears once more.
"How are your classes going, Mamoru-chan?" Motoki asked, watching his friend smile as he glanced up from his English grammar book.
"I have four exams tomorrow, so I'm trying to get as much studying in as I can." Mamoru replied, watching his friend smile and chuckle.
"Then why are you not at the library or at home where it's quiet?" Motoki chuckled, watching his friend smile more before shrugging.
"I've been coming here for years, Motoki-chan. I've learned to block out all the background noise." Mamoru responded with a nonchalant shrug before chuckling. "Besides, I like the coffee here, it's better than what I have at home." He sheepishly admitted, smiling more as his friend burst out into laughter at his comment before speaking.
"Well, I-" Motoki stated, abruptly growing silent as Shingo entered the arcade. "Shingo-chan, what is it?" He worriedly asked, seeing the boy had tear-streaked cheeks. Quickly walking around the counter, he watched the boy angrily clench his fists as fresh tears welled in his eyes. "Shingo-chan?"
"It- It's not fair." Shingo tearfully stated, his voice wavering as his tears streaked his cheeks. "The- the judge only gave him thirty months."
"What?" Motoki demanded, looking at the boy in shock. "Did they have the trial already?" He asked, immediately looking over at Mamoru, who was already walking towards them.
"Shingo-san, what's going on?" Mamoru worriedly asked, watching the boy tearfully look at him.
"Keisa-san stopped by the house." Shingo tearfully explained, pausing when feeling Motoki wrap his arm around his shoulder and usher him towards the counter.
"Let's go sit down." Motoki ushered the boy, watching him silently nod as they walked back towards the counter.
Silently sitting down, Shingo scrubbed the tears from his cheeks before shakily exhaling watching as Mamoru took his seat and Motoki returned to stand across from him at the counter.
"Take your time." Motoki urged, watching the boy silently nod before shakily speaking after a brief moment of silence.
"Keisa-san spoke with mama." Shingo tearfully stated, his voice wavering once more. "They didn't know I was listening." He explained, shaking his head as he buried his face in his hands as he shakily exhaled out in frustration. "They moved the trial to today since the other one was killed."
"Wait, who was killed?" Motoki asked in shock as he and Mamoru looked at one another in disbelief.
"The one that shot the officer and took onee-chan." Shingo stated, not seeing Motoki immediately lean against the counter in shock and Mamoru sit in stunned silence.
"Zankokuna Kazan?" Motoki asked, his voice shaky for a moment, shocked by the unexpected news of his former classmate's demise. "How? When was he killed?"
"I don't know, something involving another inmate." Shingo stated, lowering his hands from his face as he softly exhaled. "I overheard papa and mama talking about it the other night." He said, softly exhaling.
"So that means the trial was for Kashikoi-san." Mamoru stated, watching Shingo shrug.
"I guess." Shingo snapped, tears welling in his eyes. "The judge gave him thirty months."
"Two years!" Motoki angrily demanded, his hands clenching as he tried to control his anger. "This can't be correct, this- this has to be a mistake." He stammered in his shock, shaking his head with disbelief.
"It's not a mistake." Shingo spat, as more tears welled in his eyes. "I-"
"Does Usako know yet?" Mamoru worriedly asked, his stomach nervously knotting at the thought of her being alone when getting the news.
"I don't think so." Shingo stated, watching Mamoru abruptly look down at his watch. "Are you going to Kyoto?" He asked in shock.
"She's going to need me." Mamoru stated, quickly gathering his things.
"Mamoru-chan, you have exams tomorrow." Motoki stated in shock, watching his friend immediately shrug as he spoke.
"I can make them up, Motoki-chan." Mamoru responded with a shrug. "I should be there by ten." He explained as he gathered his books. "I'll spend the night and leave in the morning if I need to." He said as he lifted his phone from his pocket to message Azumi. "Shingo-san, go home. I'm sure this news came as a shock to your mother." He stated, watching the boy tearfully nod. "Go be with her, I'm going to go to your sister." He instructed, resting his hand on the boy's shoulder before quickly hurrying out of the arcade.
Turning in his seat, Shingo watched as Mamoru soon tossed his things into his car before quickly driving away moments later. "He-he's skipping his exams for onee-chan." He stated in shock.
"He loves her." Motoki said with a small smile. "He'd do anything for your sister, Shingo-san." He explained, watching the boy look at him with shock. "Go home, I'm sure your mama needs support right now." He urged, watching the boy tearfully nod before sliding off the stool. "Shingo-chan." He called watching the boy stop and turn before he reached the door. "It's going to be alright, she'll be alright, your sister is a lot stronger than you think." He reassured the boy, hoping to ease his worry.
"I hope so." Shingo responded with a defeated sigh, before quietly turning and exiting the arcade.
(Later That Evening)
Silently watching from the front door of the cafe, Seiya clenched her jaw as she awaited Mamoru to arrive. "I should be up there with Odango" She muttered, then sighed in relief watching a black car park behind Azumi's SUV.
Unlocking the door, as Mamoru abruptly exited the car, she pushed the door open, watching him quickly walk past her, worry clear on his face as he walked past her. "Mamoru-san." She said, pulling the door shut and locking it once more.
"Where is she, Seiya-san?" Mamoru worriedly asked. "How is she?"
"What do you think?" Seiya angrily snapped. "Thirty months, that's all they gave the bastard for raping her." She angrily seethed.
"Whose all here?" Mamoru asked, watching Seiya tighten her jaw.
"Just me and Azumi-san." Seiya responded after a moment. "She asked me to stay with Usagi-chan, so I did."
"I'm here now if you need to go home." Mamoru stated, not noticing Seiya's hurt and angered look from the comment.
"I'm her friend, I'm not leaving her." Seiya stubbornly stated.
"I'm her boyfriend." Mamoru snapped, not wanting to waste time arguing with the stubborn teen.
"Will you be with her all day tomorrow, or do you have class?" Seiya cockily asked, smirking when Mamoru glared at her. "That's what I thought." She smirked, walking past Mamoru. "Face it, I will always be here for Odango. You're not always going to be here." She spat, then gasped as Mamoru abruptly grabbed her by the wrist stopping her.
"Seiya-san, listen to me, and listen well." Mamoru warned, glaring at the raven-haired teen. "I am in love with Usako. I may not be in Kyoto, but that isn't going to stop me from being here when she needs me. I'm here, aren't I?" He asked, then continued to speak before Seiya responded.
"I'm going to be here as much as I can for Usako. I'll be here when she has the baby, and I will be in the baby's life as much as I'm able to." Mamoru snapped, watching tears shine in Seiya's eyes. "I know you love her, Seiya-san. I need you to accept she doesn't feel the same way about you. You two will only be friends, the sooner you accept this the sooner you will be able to move past this petty jealousy."
"Get your hands off me." Seiya snapped, wrenching her wrist free from his grasp. "How dare you talk to me like that." She sneered, tears shining in her eyes. "I don't care if she doesn't reciprocate my love, I will always love her, Mamoru-san." She tearfully stated, quickly wiping a few stray tears from her cheeks before she angrily spoke. "Just remember that I have been here for her these past three months, Mamoru-san. I have consoled her, comforted her when she needed someone, I have been here when you haven't." She jeered before abruptly turning as she angrily walked towards the kitchen. 'That man is so infuriating! What does Odango even see in that baka!' She angrily thought as she forced herself to walk away from the older teen.
Watching Seiya angrily walk away, Mamoru sighed out in frustration running a hand through his hair before quickly walking forwards to catch up with the younger teen. 'She's going to be the bane of my existence, I just know it!' He thought with irritation as he quickly hurried to catch up with the retreating teen. 'What does Usako see in that pain in the ass?!' He thought with frustration.
"It's not fair!" Usagi heartbrokenly whimpered through her sobs. "Why? Why is he not-"
"I know, sweetie, it isn't fair." Azumi tearfully interrupted, gently rubbing her nieces back in a soothing motion where she lay on her side, her back turned towards the door.
"Where's Sei-chan?" Usagi sniffled, feeling her aunt pause her soothing strokes against her back as she spoke.
"Mamoru-san arrived, she's downstairs letting him in." Azumi explained, watching her niece silently nod as fresh tears welled in her eyes. "I know it hurts sweetheart, it's not fair, this- this isn't-"
"I don't want to talk about it anymore, please." Usagi pleaded, tightly shutting her eyes as tears began to streak her cheeks once more. Feeling another sob escape her lips, she buried her face in her pillow once more, her small form shaking as she released her pain into the pillow once more.
"Odango." Seiya worriedly stated as soon as she entered her friend's bedroom. Immediately sitting on the edge of the bed, she rested her hand against her friend's back, worriedly looking down at her best friend as her heartbroken sobs were muffled by her pillow. "It's alright." She gently soothed. "Mamoru-san is here." She said, cutting her gaze towards the older teen as he silently stood in the doorway, looking at Usagi with worry. Noticing Azumi quietly standing moments later, Seiya watched as she motioned for Mamoru to follow her out in the hall to privately speak.
"Why are you here, Mamoru-san?" Azumi worriedly asked, watching Mamoru look at her with surprise and hurt. "I mean, you have classes during the week." She quickly explained. "Shouldn't you be in Tokyo, I have Seiya-san here with Usagi, she-"
"I wanted to be here." Mamoru abruptly interrupted. "Shingo-san told my friend and me about the verdict, I knew I needed to be here for her."
Smiling at his response, Azumi softly exhaled before resting her hand against his arm. "I will allow you to stay the night in her room if she's alright and comfortable with the arrangement. If not, I will have Seiya-san stay in her room and you will have the couch." She explained, noticing the older teen instantly tense at the suggestion of Seiya and Usagi sharing a room. "You don't like Seiya-san?" She carefully asked, watching Mamou nervously shift under the question for a moment.
"She-" Mamoru stated before he was abruptly interrupted.
"She's harmless, I assure you. My dear niece is blissfully unaware of how much Seiya-san really cares for her." Azumi said with a small laugh. "Don't feel threatened or insecure, Mamoru-san, my niece loves you and only you." She said with a motherly smile as she rested her hand against Mamoru's arm. "You have nothing to worry about." She assured the older teen. "Now go, she needs you. Seiya-san and I have failed miserably at trying to cheer her up."
Watching him nod his head, Azumi leaned against the wall watching Mamoru quietly enter the bedroom. After a few moments, she watched Seiya step out of the room, worry still etched on her face. "It's alright sweetie, she's going to get through this." She assured the raven-haired teen. "Come on, let's go get some tea, then I'll get the couch prepped for you." She suggested, watching Seiya glance back towards the open bedroom door one final time before silently following beside her.
Turning her attention back to her friend, Seiya tearfully exhaled as tears shone in her eyes, her heart breaking for her dear friend. "Odango." She gently stated. "I know you're feeling betrayed right now." She soothed, shakily exhaling as tears streaked her cheeks. "It's alright to feel angry and hurt, you have every right to be feeling like this." She tearfully stated, shakily exhaling as she wiped some tears from her cheeks.
Glancing back as she heard someone enter the room, Seiya softly sighed as she leaned down and gently tucked some stray strands of hair behind her friend's ear as she quietly spoke in her friend's ear. "I'll be here if you need me, Odango. I'll skip school if you need me tomorrow, you know I'll always be here for you." She assured her friend, watching the blonde silently nod her head in response.
"Thank you, Sei-chan." Usagi tearfully stated, her voice muffled by her pillow. Feeling her friend gently rest her hand against her back, she felt movement as Seiya stood and left her. Keeping her face buried against her pillow, she felt a sense of warmth throughout her when feeling Mamoru gently rest his hand against her back as he sat on the bed. "Mamo-chan." She tearfully stated, turning her head from the pillow.
"Usako, I'm here." Mamoru gently stated, his heart breaking as she raised to look at him, tear-stained cheeks, her eyes puffy from endless crying. Feeling her throw herself against his embrace, he instantly drew her closer holding her as she tightly clung to him, her face buried against his chest as she started to cry once more. "I'm not going anywhere, I'll stay here as long as you need me to." He assured her, feeling her nod against his chest.
Gently kissing the top of her head, Mamoru gently lowered them against the bed, drawing her closer until her back was pressed against him like so many times before. Wrapping his arms around her, he held her close against him as he gently spoke, trying to ease her and soothe her from her tears. "I heard about the verdict, Usako." He gently began. "It's not fair, my love. I know there are really no words I can give you to help you ease this pain, but I will be right here all night, even all day tomorrow if you need me here." He reassured her. Feeling her lace her fingers through his, he felt her snuggle closer against his embrace, soft sniffles occasionally breaking the silence.
"Your exams?" Usagi tearfully asked, keeping her gaze on the small bassinet in the corner of her room. "I thought you had exams this week."
"I can easily make them up." Mamoru assured her, gently kissing the top of her head. "You're more important than my studies, I've told you this, Usako." He said, with a soft chuckle.
Tearfully smiling at his words, Usagi silently nodded her head, not having the strength to argue with him, to tell him to go back to Tokyo to focus on his dream. Instead, she chose to selfishly keep their hands entwined, drawing in the comfort his presence provided her. Closing her eyes, she felt herself relax for the first time that evening as she quickly succumbed to her exhaustion. "I love you, Mamo-chan." She murmured before drifting to sleep.
Feeling Usagi's tense form gradually ease, Mamoru carefully raised his head and smiled seeing she'd succumbed to sleep. Gently placing a soft kiss against her head, he drew her closer as he closed his own eyes, exhausted from the long drive from Kyoto to Japan. 'I need to figure out a way to be closer.' He thought, knowing the distance between them was posing to be a problem. 'I don't want to put a strain on our relationship, I don't want to lose her.' He worriedly thought, soon easing into slumber, his arms protectively wrapped around the one he loved.
To Be Continued...
I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, I wanted karma to partake in Kazan's fate, and please don't hate me about Ren's verdict. I've done some research and I was shocked to learn that in some states, the minimum sentence for rape, was sixty-five months. So I decided since Ren's lawyer was sleazy, then the lawyer's friend/judge was probably just as sleazy as him.
If you enjoyed the chapter, let me know! This one was difficult to write! Next chapter, we are going to see a bit of a time jump. Thanks for reading, and thank you all for the feedback/reviews/favorites/and follows! I appreciate you all so much!
If you liked the chapter, leave me a review! I always enjoy and look forward to reading your feedback and responses. :)
-ShadowQueenGalactica