New Author's Notes: In honor of the one year anniversary of the 'Confessions Trilogy', I'm performing a massive editing session on all three stories. As you know by now, I've already finished editing the first, and am now posting this one, and will eventually be getting to the third as well, time permitting. I'm immensely proud of all three of these stories, and am contemplating turning this into a yearly tradition so that they can always be improving. The only thing that hasn't changed are the original author's notes, which I didn't have the heart to part with. I hope you enjoy!


Though not described in detail, this story does deal with rape, so be forewarned if that sort of topic bothers you.
Original Author's Notes: Hello again, everyone! As usual, I'm having a blast writing this story and receiving all your reviews. Updates may start being a little slower then usual because I'm actually taking the time to read some other stories as well, so just be forewarned. I feel bad because you all have asked me to read and review your stories, and I want to, but I've been so busy writing my own stories and I haven't had the time. So now I'm going to try and catch up on my own reading a little, but hopefully I can still continue to update frequently.

In this chapter we learn a little more about Ms. White, and from your reviews I'm happy to see that you all like her. To be honest, she's kind of like me in the sense that neither of us takes any crap from anyone, but at the same time we're still confident and kind. So, in a way I guess you could say this is how I put myself into the story. Sort of…

I'll be honest when I say I'm not an expert about the court of law, so if you are an expert because you're a lawyer, or law student, or have parents or friends who are, I apologize in advance. I don't think it's too far out there, but there are some minor details that could be off, so fee free to correct me. Other then that, all I can say is, as always, enjoy!


Title: The Realistic Happily Ever After

Author: dolphingirl0113

Chapter: Six

Rating: PG-13 (rated for violence, language, and implied sexual situations)

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.


The wooden chair was hard and flat, offering no comfort or encouragement to relax, and Kagome found herself fidgeting, mercilessly twisting her hands in her lap. For at least the thousandth time she found herself glancing towards the large windows on the far wall, giving her a view of downtown Tokyo, which was already wide awake and ready for the day.

She sighed. This was going to be a day that would move like molasses, she could tell already since she had checked her watch officially four times and yet it was still only 10:30 am.

For his part, Inuyasha wasn't helping her relax any more then the despicably unforgiving wooden chair. The hanyou had taken to pacing the room in large circles, dressed in new khaki slacks and a sharp burgundy dress shirt. Unfortunately, the black baseball cap on his head took away from the professional look she had been going for when she picked the outfit at the mall the day before, but Kagome could think of no other way to hide his ears. Hopefully the judge and jury wouldn't see him as disrespectful or ignorant of etiquette, but rather, simply revolutionary and with a style all his own.

It could have been worse, after all. She could have engaged herself to a man who enjoyed wearing pants that hung around his knees and painted his fingernails black. She giggled at the thought, thinking that perhaps, on Inuyasha, not even that would look bad. It would instead only further his sexual appeal.

Kagome giggled again.

"Where is she?" The hanyou muttered suddenly, breaking Kagome's train of thought as she turned and watched him start back across the small room they had been put in when they'd first arrived at the courthouse.

She just sighed. "Will you please calm down Inuyasha? Ms. White will be here. After all," She glanced at the clock again, wishing she hadn't. Only two minutes had gone by. "She's not even late yet. Besides," Kagome grinned and winked, "Shouldn't it be your job to calm me down, and not the other way around?"

Inuyasha just huffed in reply and crossed his arms, leaning against the wall and tapping his foot impatiently, reminding Kagome of a spoiled girl she knew at school. "When were your mother and the others going to get here?"

Kagome opened her eyes in surprise. "You actually want to have them here? I thought you said they were getting on your nerves."

"Keh, at least they'll keep my mind off the fact that I have to sit for an entire day in the same room as the bastard who hurt you." His eyes glazed over in anger, and Kagome was reminded of the fact that Mrs. Higurashi would be bringing the tetsusaiga with her later, which meant they didn't have it at that moment. "I want to wring his sorry little neck."

She couldn't help but smile in appreciation at his protective nature. He did always make her feel so safe. "You can't hurt him, Inuyasha, because then he'd get off and you'd be in trouble."

He shrugged. "I'd just go back to my time. They couldn't get to me there."

"And then we couldn't get married here."

Inuyasha gave her a hard stare. "This wedding really means that much to you? I mean, we're already mates, after all…"

She gave him an imploring gaze. "You know it means a lot to me, and to my family as well. Please Inuyasha, just try to have a little more patience."

"Hn," he growled, but she saw his eyes soften. "So when are they going to get here then?"

"At about 11:30, when the hearing actually starts. Ms. White said only one person could be in the debriefing room with me now, so I chose you, naturally," she winked, "But remember that when we go into the court room you'll still have to go back and sit with the others."

"And explain that to me again…why do I have to leave you unprotected?" That was the part he liked the least about this whole scenario.

She sighed patiently, already having had this conversation several times. "Because you're not the one involved in this case. It's a rule of the court that you can't sit with me."

"Keh, it's a stupid rule. Who would make a rule like that anyway? And what if you get hurt? I swear, if you do, I'll…"

"I won't get hurt," She interrupted with a roll of her eyes, "So just calm down, alright? Really," She chuckled, "I'm the one who should be nervous here, not you. And yet you're the one acting like the sky is going to fall."

"You're nervous too," he retorted, "I can smell it."

Before Kagome could reply to that, the door suddenly opened and Ms. White appeared carrying a large paper sack in one hand while balancing her coat and briefcase in the other. She looked just as intimidating as before, with a matching grey short skirt and coat with a pink blouse underneath, her black pumps and tan nylons accenting her slim legs. Her glasses were falling off her nose casually, and her hair was still pulled back into its tight, restrictive bun.

"Good morning," she called cheerfully with a smile, setting everything that she was carrying down on the small mahogany table in the middle of the room with a loud thud. "Here," she reached in and pulled out three small bags from the paper sack, "I brought croissants for everyone from my favorite deli." She proceeded to hand one over to both Kagome and Inuyasha while also keeping one for herself.

Inuyasha had to admit that whatever was in the bag smelled wonderful, but he wasn't sure what to do with it. What was a deli? Did a deli make food, or just something that smelled good?

Raising an eyebrow at Kagome questioningly, she responded by taking a huge bite out of her own pastry with a smile, nodding at him to do the same. He obeyed, and after that the croissant vanished within all of five seconds.

"I like your outfit, Kagome. You could almost pass for a lawyer." Ms. White took dainty little bites out of her breakfast as she spoke, resting one rounded hip on the table in a relaxed pose.

Kagome blushed and looked down at the suit she had purchased while at the mall shopping for Inuyasha. She had wanted to look professional, and clearly, judging by Ms. White's reaction, she had succeeded. "Thanks," she mumbled in reply.

Ms. White smiled and cocked her head. "You seem to have a sharp mind. Have you ever thought about law school?" She winked. "You'd fit the part perfectly."

She blushed again. "Oh…not really…"

"Well, you should." She finished her pastry by popping the last bite into her mouth. "Anyway, are you ready for today?"

"I guess…but what exactly will happen in there?"

Ms. White shrugged. "Basically evidence will be presented, and then the judge will decide if this case needs to go to court or if it can be decided without a jury."

Kagome sighed and felt her shoulders slump. "I wish I knew how it would go, so I could be prepared and react appropriately."

Ms. White chuckled at that and walked over to throw away her now empty bag, taking Kagome's and Inuyasha's as well and chucking them in the trash can near the door. "There's no need to fret about that…I know exactly how things will go today." She brushed her hands together to get rid of the crumbs and wiped her hands on a napkin. "The case will go to court, as I told you before, simply because it is a rape case. So honestly I'm barely even thinking about the hearing today. What I'm preparing for is to kick Bruce's ass during the actual trial."

Kagome blinked and felt her thoughts stutter slightly as she was taken aback by the excited tone in the blonde woman's voice, as though she were a predator anticipating the hunt of its prey. Ms. White lived for this, Kagome realized; she loved what she did more then anything else in the world.

Ms. White noticed Kagome staring at her with a wide-eyed expression and giggled slightly, for the first time sounding somewhat less then professional. "Sorry," she chuckled, "But you see, women in this working world are always eager to prove themselves against men, especially when this particular man is the best lawyer in the city."

That got her attention, and Kagome gulped, her face paling. She hadn't known that piece of information before now. "He is?"

Ms. White just laughed again. "Yeah, but that's because he's never met me in the courtroom before!" She cracked her knuckles and faked an intimidating look. "He thinks I'm just one of those young women fresh out of law school with too much vigor and naiveté for the job." She grimaced at the thought, but then cocked her head proudly. "Well, he'll soon see how wrong he is. Heaven help the man who thinks he can get away with rape and not be punished."

The last comment had a certain bitterness to it, which took Kagome by surprise. And what was more, the lawyer's eyes glazed over as though she were lost in thought, far away in a place Kagome and Inuyasha could not go.

After a few minutes of silence, Kagome grew worried, and touched the woman's arm, causing her to jolt. "Are you okay?"

Ms. White smiled sheepishly at that. "Yeah, sorry about that" she touched her hair, pulled back into its tight bun, and sighed, seeming to make a decision in that moment. "I guess you might as well know, so you don't worry if I space out like that again."

Kagome cocked an eyebrow while Inuyasha, who she had forgotten about, shifted where he had taken a seat on the table. "Know what?"

The blonde looked sullen once more, and very serious to boot. "When I was eighteen years old, pretty much your age, actually, and just starting college, my older sister was raped. She wasn't a very strong person to begin with, but was more the shy type, though she was still sweet and kind and had a lot going for her. She wanted to be a teacher. But her delicate constitution was shattered after her rape, and she was never the same again. The bastard got her pregnant, which of course ruined her chances of moving on and just having a normal life. She would always be reminded of what happened. But what was worse, the bastard got off, and she was terrified of even leaving her house, so eventually she ended up moving to the United States. She still lives there today, raising her daughter, and I only get to see her and my niece once a year." Ms. White frowned. "That day in court, when the jury announced its verdict and I saw the horror on my sister's face, I decided I would go to law school and work on murder and rape cases so that I could make sure that such injustice never happens on my watch."

There was a long silence in the room, in which time Kagome and Inuyasha tried to comprehend what they had just heard. It had been a totally unexpected confession from someone they hardly knew, but at the same time it was fitting, because it explained a lot about Ms. White and her confident, almost obsessive attitude when it came to her job.

Finally, the lawyer rubbed her forehead and pinched the bridge of her nose as she coughed slightly to break the tension, smiling once more when she looked up, her face once more relaxed and casual. "Anyway, I know that wasn't the best time to tell you all of that, but at the same time I figured you had a right to know, being a rape victim yourself. I don't want you to end up like her. But more then that, now you can understand why I'm such a workaholic." She chuckled at that, and the mood instantly changed.

But Kagome continued to stare at the woman in shock anyway, not quite catching the mood swing. She never would have guessed in a million years that such a horrific experience would be the reason behind everything, and yet, now that she knew, it all made sense; her obsession with putting Ted Wilkins away, her reluctance to pull Inuyasha away that day when he attacked the man, all of it.

The pieces of the puzzle fit together perfectly.

"I'm sorry," Kagome finally whispered, still feeling much more somber then Ms. White was at the moment. She didn't know what else she could say.

But Ms. White just waved it aside with a large, general sweep of her hand. "Don't worry about it, Kagome. It happened almost eight years ago, and it does a person no good to dwell on such things forever. However," she raised her finger and pointed it meaningfully at Kagome, "You should always take the emotions from such an experience and use them to do something with your life."

Her words were so wise, and so confident, and Kagome couldn't help the smile that broke out across her face, breaking the final strands of tension. Is that a subtle advertisement about the virtues of law school?"

The blonde woman returned the smile. "You catch on pretty quick, Kagome. You'd make one hell of a lawyer, I can feel it already."

"Keh!" Both women turned to see Inuyasha standing with his arms crossed and muttering something along the lines of the fact that Kagome would be staying with him and not wasting her life on more school. But when he noticed them staring at him, he blushed and looked away. "What?"

Kagome just chuckled and shook her head with a grin.


The hearing room was smaller then Kagome had been expecting, with only three rows of seats behind the chairs of the prosecution and defense for spectators to sit, and before her was the judges seat, beside which was a smaller desk for the secretary of the judge as well as a chair for the recorder. And, most obvious of all was the absence of the jury box. After all, in a hearing, only a judge was needed.

It was definitely different then she had seen on all the law television shows.

Her mother, brother, grandfather, Sango, Miroku, and Inuyasha were all sitting directly behind her, and she could hear them softly murmuring to one another, causing her to silently wish she was back with them rather then on the other side of the fence, literally. As of yet, however, the defendant, Ted Wilkins, was not there, for which she was grateful.

Ms. White giggled, and Kagome glanced at the blonde who was seated beside her, and raised an eyebrow in question. "What?"

"Tell me," she giggled again, "Is your fiancé, Inuyasha, an extremely possessive man?"

Kagome glanced over her shoulder at Inuyasha before back at Ms. White, who had a ridiculous grin on her face. She acquired a puzzled look. "He has his moments, why do you ask?"

The blonde lawyer smiled again. "I ask because, if I'm not mistaken, I think he's growling right now at something, or rather, someone."

Kagome's eyes flew open in surprise, but then, when she paid attention, did notice the familiar low, rumbling sound. Whirling around, she saw Inuyasha glaring at Hojo, who had just arrived along with Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi. She wanted to smack him, but was preoccupied with trying to figure out why her classmates were even there. weren't they supposed to be in school?

But before she could say anything to anyone, all three of her friends rushed her at the table, ignoring the small fence which separated the visitors from the participants in the trial, bombarding her with questions.

"Oh god, Kagome, are you doing okay?"

"Yeah, you look so pale!"

"We decided to skip school today to come to the trial and support you."

"Um…thanks, you guys," Kagome blushed, but they kept rambling anyway, not having seemed to hear her.

"I think that's pretty obvious, Eri."

"I know that, I just wanted to tell her why we're here anyway."

"Hojo brought us in his car, isn't that nice?" Ayumi could always be counted upon to make such a naïve, simple comment.

"Yeah, he came becuas ehe was worried about you like we are. Can you believe it? Kagome, think about it! The perfect student is missing school for you!"

Hearing Hojo's name, Inuyasha began to growl again, not liking at all the fact that every time Kagome's friends were around, they seemed to try and talk her into going back to dating the annoying kid. Didn't they see the mark on her neck? She was his!

Hearing the growling start up again, Kagome realized that she needed to put an end to this conversation before her jealous hanyou transformed into a raging monster…and in a court of law of all places. She could just see him, red eyes and all, chasing Hojo around the room like some possessed killing machine. That would be a sight, to be sure.

Thankfully, fate saved her the trouble of having to intervene when the judge appeared through the door near his desk, his secretary, a young man, telling everyone to rise to their feet as the elderly man dressed in black robes took his seat. His wise grey eyes took note of the three girls, who had gone rigid, and frowned. "Young ladies, unless you are a part of this hearing, I must ask that you move back to your seats please."

His voice wasn't cruel, but it was gravelly with age and commanded respect, much like Kaede's, and Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi all moved quickly and silently back behind the fence and took a seat behind Kagome's family, where Hojo was already seated and watching everything transpire with a neutral expression. The judge then turned to confer with his secretary, in which time Kagome turned back to Inuyasha, and pulled his hair to get him to face her.

"I swear, Inuyasha," She warned, "If you pull any more stupid nonsense I will not hesitate to say the word, and then I cannot guarantee that you won't lose your hat. And if that happens, I will not explain to these people why you have ears." Her voice was soft, but was full of meaning, and the hanyou frowned, crossing his arms, but Kagome didn't miss the way he gulped slightly, which caused her tosmile. At least he took her seriously. She would not allow him to make a fool of himself, or her, because of his ridiculous insecurities and his stupid prideful temper.

At last, after several silent minutes, the judge turned back to face the crowd of people before him, and Kagome realized that in her haste to settle Inuyasha, Ted Wilkins and his lawyer had both arrived and taken their seats. Mr. Cromwell was dressed in another sharp suit, and his client was, for once, dressed crisply as well in a black suit of his own, though Kagome thought he still looked like a dirty criminal. She sighed in relief knowing that she hadn't been forced to make eye contact with him yet.

"Ms. White, Mr. Cromwell, please approach the bench," the judge commanded, his voice still heavy with that sense of command and respect, and both lawyer rose from their chairs obediently.

The absence of Ms. White left Kagome feeling somewhat vulnerable without the security blanket of the blonde woman's presence, and it didn't help that she felt the stare of the man beside her in the defendant's chair…the man she hated more then life itself…but she refused to turn and meet his gaze. Instead, she lifted her chin just a little higher in the air, proudly staring past the judge at a large painting on the wall of a farm and fields. It reminded her of the Feudal Era, and thinking of that peaceful place calmed her nerves somewhat.

The three law officials at the front of the room conferred with one another softly for several minutes, and Kagome strained to hear what was being said, wishing Inuyasha was beside her to tell her. She knew, with his sharp ears, that he could hear exactly what was going on.

When the lawyers were finally dismissed, Kagome did notice that Ms. White didn't look at all pleased, and the thought didn't make her feel very confident about what was going on. She watched as the blonde walked back to her seat shaking her head and hissing something foul under her breath. Kagome raised an eyebrow in question. "What's happening? Is something wrong?"

Ms. White rolled her eyes and huffed loudly, making no effort to hide her frustration. "The judge," She spat out, "Has determined, after hearing from our dear friend Mr. Cromwell," She turned and stared pointedly at the middle-aged man, who was currently packing up his briefcase, "That a hearing is not necessary to determine whether or not this case should go to court. The judge is confident that it should."

Kagome blinked in confusion, feeling like she had missed something as she tired to understand. "So that's it? We can go home now?"

"Yes," Ms. White didn't sound too happy about it either, which Kagome couldn't understand.

She reached over and touched the woman's arm gently. "But I don't understand. I thought you told me earlier that this would go to trial no matter what, and that the hearing was nothing more then a formality."

The blonde sighed and slumped her shoulders with a half-smile. "I did say that, didn't I?"

Kagome nodded. "So why are you so upset?"

Ms. White turned to face Kagome, and the younger woman could see past the confident, crisp blue eyes that made up the lawyer to the sadness beyond; the sadness that would always linger with the memory of what had happened to her sister. "Formality though it may be, the hearing is still a part of the process of the law, and I don't like the fact that Mr. Wilkins gets to avoid it." She clenched her fist tightly. "He should have to undergo every step and every turn of the court system, and not just some brief overview." Ms. White looked away as she rose to pack up her briefcase, and muttered so low that Kagome barely heard her final comment. "If he manages to skate by this, what else will he avoid?"

With that comment, Kagome finally understood what was troubling the usually confident blonde lawyer. She didn't want another rapist to get off without paying for his crimes.

Rising to her feet, Kagome placed a kind hand on the older woman's shoulder, for a moment reversing their roles and being the comforting one. Ms. White looked over and was greeted by one of the most beautiful, pure smiles she had ever seen.

"It'll be alright in the end," Kagome stated with a confidence she didn't really have. "I know it, because I've got you for a lawyer. Whether it's a battle on the field, a battle of wits, or a battle in court, I've learned that the person with the most to fight for is the person who always wins because that person has the most motivation and the drive to win." Her smile widened, if that was even possible. "Trust me…I know this from experience."

As she spoke, Kagome thought of Naraku, and how he had been defeated when she had finally had enough of being weak and helpless. She had used her heart and soul to defeat him, and that was why she believed what she was telling Ms. White at that moment.

The blonde woman regarded Kagome for a moment in silence before finally returning the smile. "You're a special young woman, Kagome," she said kindly, and Kagome blushed, breaking out of her trance and returning once more to her regular role as the younger, inexperienced client.

Shrugging, she giggled lightheartedly. "I have my moments," she replied, and the two women continued to smile at one another for a few more minutes.

"Hey Kagome, are you wanting to go home or what?" Kagome turned to find Inuyasha staring at her, his eyes softer then his tone would lead a person to believe, and she knew he'd heard everything she'd just said.

Nodding, she hopped over the fence, rather then using the gate, and took his arm when he offered it, leaning into his body as she waved goodbye to Ms. White and headed for the door. But she stopped suddenly as a thought occurred to her, the sudden loss of momentum nearly sending Inuyasha into the door. She turned back around and faced Ms. White, who had donned her coat and reached the door as well.

"Um, Ms. White, as your client would it be out of line to ask if you'd like to go out for lunch or something sometime…just as friends?"

"What?" The lawyer seemed surprised by the question, and for a moment she stared at Kagome in shock, causing Kagome to feel uncomfortable, fearing she'd overstepped her bounds as a client. But then the blonde smiled warmly, and nodded. "I'd love to Kagome. Just give me a call when you want to."

Kagome smiled again and nodded, turning around to walk out of the courtroom with Inuyasha, once more taking his arm, but they were stopped yet again when she saw Hojo and her other friends waiting by the door. Hojo looked at her with concern, and something else, seeming uncomfortable, and he moved his hand towards her before stopping, unsure of what he should do. "Higurashi, I…"

He couldn't finish his sentence, his voice cracking, and Kagome gave him one of her warmest smiles to break the tension and set the poor boy at ease again. He wore confidence so much better then nervousness, after all. "Thanks for coming today, Hojo. And you three too. I really appreciate the support."

All four blushed, and Kagome pulled Inuyasha by them, trying to avoid any more conflict then was necessary. After all, world war three was already a possibility whenever Inuyasha and Hojo were in the same room, and she didn't need that happening in the court room.

The car trip home was quiet, but not in a bad way, the silence allowing everyone to get lost in their own thoughts about the trial, the wedding, and life in general. That was a nice luxury once in a while.

For her part, Kagome was happily resting her head against Inuyasha's chest, her eyes closed in total relaxation with his arm protectively around her shoulders. When she opened her eyes and looked over she saw Miroku and Sango asleep, their heads together, and she could see that they had obviously made up since the little episode with Kagome's friends in her living room. She smiled at the thought.

"Kagome?"

She looked up lazily to see her mother glancing over her shoulder as she drove. "Yes?"

"Your trial date isn't for another three weeks. I was thinking maybe you should go back to Inuyasha's time for a while and just relax. How does that sound?"

Kagome blinked in surprise. "But…what about school?" Her mother never allowed her to miss just because.

Mrs. Higurashi smiled at her daughter through the rear view mirror, her eyes warm. "Sweetheart, it's your senior year, and the fact that you've made it this far without flunking means I think that you can handle being away for a few more days. Besides," She looked pointedly at Kagome's grandfather, who was also fast asleep in the passenger seat beside her, "This time we have a legitimate excuse."

Kagome giggled at the memory of all the ridiculous stories her grandfather had told to excuse her from school, and relished the thought of spending a few days in the Feudal Era which, now that Naraku was gone, had become a pleasant place where one could find peace. She nodded. "I'd like that, mama, and what's more," she winked, "I think Inuyasha would like that too."

He just grunted, but she knew he was happy, and her mother nodded. "Good, then I think you and your friends should go tonight after dinner."

Nodding back, Kagome began to relax once more, but then remembered one final important detail that put a wrench in her plans. "The wedding! What about the wedding? Oh mama, I can't just leave…the wedding is in less then two months!"

"Kagome, sweetheart, I didn't say go away for the entire three weeks, just for a few days to get some needed mental rest. I can handle the invitations while you're gone since you've already picked out the cards and given me your list of addresses. And then, when you get back, we can work together on the brides' maids' dresses and your own dress too."

Kagome wasn't assured yet. "But what about arranging for the cake? Or the wedding photographer? Oh, and I still have to hire the entertainment and plan for the decorations! There's still so much to do!"

Mrs. Higurashi sighed and stared meaningfully into her daughter's eyes through the rearview mirror. "Kagome, do you honestly think the bride plans a wedding all by herself? My mother, to be honest, did more of the planning for me then I did when I married your father." She smiled. "That's a mother's job, honey; to plan her daughter's wedding. All you have to worry about is finding the right dress and tell me what you want. After that, I can do the rest."

Kagome felt more grateful in that moment for her mother then she had ever felt before in her entire life. It was true that on first appearance Mrs. Higurashi didn't seem like anything special, but once you got to know her one discovered layers to the woman that were not obvious for just anyone to see.

After all, she had managed to accept that her daughter could travel through a well and five hundred years into the past, and that Kagome had fallen in love with, and was going to marry, a young man who was half demon, all before she graduated from high school. Not many mothers could accept so much and still be so supportive.

"Thank you, mama," Kagome whispered, her voice full of warmth, "For everything." Mrs. Higurashi simply nodded and returned to her driving, but there was an understanding between the two women, and the rest of the drive home was peaceful and silent.