Chapter Twenty-Two: The Trial
Kaoru bit her lower lip as she sat in her seat beside Kenshin at the head of the table, directly across from Hiko.
"It's about time you got here baka deshi," said Hiko, annoyance in his baritone voice.
"We were busy. Now where are Mr. White and Katsura?" Questioned Kenshin as he looked around the room and noticed that the two people that needed to be here weren't here.
"They shall be here shortly. Now we need to go over this deal so we can get going," said Hiko obviously annoyed for some reason.
Kaoru and Kenshin nodded as they each got a copy of the contract and began to read it over.
"What do you think so far?" Asked Saitou as he watched their eyes scan the paper.
"Sounds good to me," said Kenshin as he read on.
"I wasn't talking to you, I was talking to that smart lawyer of yours," said Saitou, and his eyes never left its place in watching Kaoru's facial expressions change as she read on.
Kenshin looked up and rolled his eyes, but looked a bit worry as he saw Kaoru's face pale as she read on the second page.
"Is something wrong?" Asked Kenshin concerned; something wasn't right.
"Read something that you don't like?" Suggested Shishio as he raised an eyebrow at Kaoru; she didn't look too well.
"I don't think that you read the second or third page Mr. Seijiro," said Kaoru, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Why would you say that Kamiya?" Questioned Hiko as he looked at her a bit perplexed.
"Well if you did, then I don't think that you would have wanted to join the company," said Kaoru as she finally looked up from her reading.
The men all looked at her confused.
"Mr. White has had dealings with some of the best corporations out there," said Kaoru.
"Isn't that a good thing?" Asked Kenshin.
"Well they were the best; each one has gone bankrupt," said Kaoru as she looked at Hiko seriously.
The other four men only stared at her.
"And he has a partnership with Takeda and Akira. Meaning that since Akira died; one third of his company's profit has gone to Mr. White, the other to Mr. Kanryu, and the other to his family," said Kaoru; her voice had a spark of darkness to it as she mentioned Kanryu.
Hiko exchanged a glance to his nephew and then at the other men, who obviously didn't know about that extra detail.
~*~*~*~*~
Yahiko raced out of the elevator once it opened; relief washing over him once he got out of the high tensioned closed elevator.
Misao walked out as she could in front of Shougo, whom seemed to have grown a dark aura. She didn't like how his eyes darkened after she had fallen into Aoshi's arms.
But before she got to her desk, the door to the conference room swung open and Shishio and Saitoh came out scowling as they moved to their own offices.
Aoshi followed behind them and as he met Misao's emerald eyes he stopped.
"Do you need anything Mr. Shinomori?" Asked Misao, out of respect for him having caught her before she fell, she bowed to him.
"Take my calls and get me a cup of dark coffee. Bring it to my office," said Aoshi as he walked passed Shougo, but he seemed to stop a bit and look at the other man before continuing his way to his office.
Misao quickly went toward the lounge, anything was better than being around an angry ex-boyfriend. But she couldn't figure out why the guy was angry. She kept her distance as she raced toward the lounge to do as she was told.
Shougo walked over to his office, which was close by to the conference, he looked up when Kenshin came storming out with a silent Kaoru behind him.
"Someone call Katsura and tell him he's not needed. I want Mr. White in my office once he gets here," Ordered Kenshin; the way he was scowling warned the others not to bother him.
"What happened?" Asked Soujiro when Kenshin passed him. He had just arrived from the elevator and was greeted by an outraged voice.
Kenshin ignored him though, apparently busy muttering every incoherent word he knew, under his breath as he moved into his office.
Kaoru shot him an apologetic look and signaled to him that she'd explain later, as she raced into the room and closed it behind her.
Soujiro only blinked and smiled when he saw Shougo.
"Where's Shura?" Asked Soujiro suddenly.
Shougo only shrugged as he moved into his office.
"Is it I, or are people angry today?" Questioned the employee to himself as he looked perplexed at what just happened.
Sighing, Soujiro went to Shishio's office to get to work, hoping to find out why most of the people were angry. In fact, it seemed that everyone was acting strange today.
~*~*~*~
Trembling from the experience, she grabbed the side of the elevator and began to rub her temples. She could still hear that threatening laugh ringing in her ears. Shutting her eyes, she straightened herself up. She couldn't allow the others to be suspicious, but the laughing wouldn't stop.
Pull yourself together, Shura! You were just imagining things back there. That letter was from an admirer. Yeah, that's it! From a harmless crush. How was he to know that I'd go early? No one knows me. Heck, not even my own sister knows me. Just calm down, and everything will be all right. Thought Shura. But who was she kidding, the man sounded too familiar and he knew her phone number and where she worked too!
Slowly stepping out of the elevator, she placed a smile on her face as she walked over to her seat and sat down. Taking in a deep breath, she took out the letter and reread it word for word. Her eyes began to look at the letters and how the person wrote. Maybe she could recognize the way the person wrote, to someone she knew.
"What are you reading Miss Shura?" Came a familiar voice from behind her; turning she was greeted by a smile.
"Oh! Hello Sou! Shouldn't you be helping Mr. Shishio?" Questioned Shura as she smiled at him and hid the letter behind her back.
Soujiro only sighed and shook his head before he strolled to the front of her desk.
"He's not happy at the moment, apparently something happened at the conference," said Soujiro, though the smile never left his face.
Does this guy ever frown? Thought Shura as she smiled back at him weakly.
"Are you okay?" Questioned Soujiro looking past her barrier of smiles; he knew that something was troubling her.
"I'm fine, why do you ask?" Questioned Shura, plastering on a fake smile, but she knew that he knew better.
"You don't look too well," Replied Soujiro as he looked at her pale expression despite the smile on her lips.
"I just... I mean... It's been a rough week, you know? With all that happened," said Shura as she bowed her head, not wanting to be seen by his piercing sapphire depths.
"It has," Agreed Soujiro; his face solemn as he remembered what had happened.
Shura let out a relieved sigh.
"Well I better get the files Mr. Shishio wanted," said Soujiro as he straightened up.
"Okay," said Shura; inwardly smiling that he was leaving her alone.
Smiling one last time at her, Soujiro left to the filing room.
~*~*~*~
Kenshin's eyes were burning amber once Mr. White left the office with a polite bow and an apologetic look towards Kaoru, who smiled weakly at him.
Yamagata had apologized, saying that he didn't know that M.R.S. and Takeda/Akira Corp. were enemies and was only doing business. Kaoru nodded in understanding, but Kenshin wasn't like that, the man was pissed off at the remembrance of what the death of Akira had caused his friend. It was only natural that he was mad that Mr. White had gained so much money from the downfall of other corporations, and angry that he probably wanted M.R.S. to fall so he could get more money.
Kaoru placed a hand on Kenshin left shoulder from behind and applied a bit of pressure until Kenshin's breathing became calm.
Kenshin moved and hand over her own and squeezed in silent gesture of thanks.
"The man was only trying to do business. How was he to know that the corporations would all fall?" Pointed out Kaoru.
"Then again he could have been the cause of it," Lashed out Kenshin angrily.
"Kenshin, you've known the guy since high school, and you two were great friends. I'm sure that he wouldn't do anything like that to you," stated Kaoru.
Her boss only sighed as he stood up.
"I know, but with everything happening... I just don't know anymore. Akira's death has made me realize that plenty of people would want me dead; some would gain money, and others lose a large threat," said Kenshin gravely.
"Don't think like that!" said Kaoru angrily; she couldn't believe her ears. Kenshin was always on the bright side and never thought this darkly about his own death.
Kenshin looked at her and smiled warily, before walking toward the window and looking down at Tokyo.
"When's the case?" Questioned Kenshin; his eyes never leaving Tokyo.
"Next week at 9:30 in the morning," said Kaoru.
"You're going to be Sano's lawyer until the case is over," said Kenshin, his voice left no room for argument.
"I know that," answered Kaoru, she would have been even if he didn't ask.
"You should go home and get ready for the case," said Kenshin; he never turned to face her.
Kaoru only bowed before exiting the office. She turned to face Kenshin once last time, concern on her face, before shutting the door closed.
"What would you do Anji?" Questioned Kenshin as he looked into the clouds.
Shutting his eyes he forced himself to forget about the past and move on. There was only one direction that a person to go, and that was straightforward.
~*~*~*~*~
Kaoru began to fidget as she walked into the courtroom. She was even more nervous than Sano was, and the man was the one that was on the trial.
The courtroom was just like any other courtroom. When you just walked in you'd see: stands to the right for the jury, a large wooden chair towards the front for the judge, a smaller one closer to the jury for the testimonies, two tables a few meters from the judge for the lawyers, and two rows of benches behind them for those who were connected to the defendant or the other side.
Upon walking in, you'd see Sano and Kaoru sat on the left and Kanryu and his lawyer to right.
Get yourself together Kaoru! You've done this before, just breathe in and out and calm yourself down. You can do this, just believe in yourself. Thought Kaoru as she tapped the papers on the table so that they were even.
Sano sat at the end of the table, Misao in the center, and Kaoru at the other end. Misao had decided to be Kaoru's assistant and was going to help her friend out of this mess. She had been working nonstop with Kaoru for the past week to get ready, and she was going to make sure that they get Sano out this mess.
"Please rise," said a guard once everyone had arrived and the judge walked out.
Everyone stood up in respect and only sat down when the judge sat down and slammed down his hammer and telling them that they may all sit.
The judge was short and had a long graybeard and was in black robes, he was bald and seemed in his sixties and had piercing charcoal eyes that demanded respect.
"The case of the murder of Akira Kiyosota is now in session," said the judge as he slammed his hammer down again.
"Mr. Kanryu wants to place Sanosuke Sagara into custody for the murder of Akira Kiyosota," said the guard out loud so everyone would hear.
"You may go first," said the judge as he looked at Kanryu's lawyer.
Kanryu's lawyer had short black hair that was neatly combed back, his eyes a deep hue of green that was behind glasses with golden rims, and the man was wearing a black suit. He was taller than Kanryu and had a most respectful appearance, proving to others that he was very experienced in this line of work. Though no one was surprised that Kanryu would hire one of the best lawyers in Tokyo so he could get rid of Sano and ruin M.R.S.'s name in public.
"I am Derek Cora, and I am here to make sure that Mr. Sagara is placed in jail so that he should not be allowed in public killing other respectable men," said the lawyer as he stood and looked at Sano who would have pounded his face in if Misao hadn't taken a hold of his shoulder.
"Go on," said the judge.
"We have many witnesses that can prove that Mr. Sagara was before Mr. Kiyosota's body at the Sakura Ball on the 25th of August. There were also witnesses there that saw a dagger in his hand with the blood of Akira on it, and Mr. Kiyosota's body was clearly investigated that he was lashed at the stomach and other parts of his body with a dagger. It was also clear that Mr. Sagara had blood on most of his suit," said Derek Cora as he faced the jury before grinning toward Kanryu.
"I object your honor," said Kaoru as she stood up a bit angrily.
"Proceed," said the judge as Mr. Cora sat down.
Kaoru straightened up as her co-workers all looked at her hopefully.
"There was indeed blood on Mr. Sagara's suit, but only on his knees. The witnesses that were there and prove that Mr. Sagara had fallen to his knees in shock, and it is a known fact that after slashing at a human then the blood would splatter all over the place. It was also too dark that night to be able to see if the blade had blood on it before it had fallen into a puddle of Mr. Kiyosota's body," Corrected Kaoru as she looked at the jury and the judge who was agreeing with her.
Sano was nodding in agreement as Derek glared at Kaoru.
"There was also the fact of the gun that was found near the scene of the crime. It had a diamond made hilt that was that scratched. From logical reasoning, diamond is the hardest crystal on Earth and can only be scratched by other diamonds. There are witnesses that can prove that Mr. Sagara wasn't wearing anything that had diamonds on it. That night there was only one person who wore diamond made gloves, and that was Mr. Kanryu," said Kaoru as she narrowed her eyes at Takeda.
The courtroom was filled with whispers and the jury began to nod and shake their heads.
"Order in the court," shouted the judge as he banged the hammer on the stand.
Kaoru smiled as she sat down, gaining approving smiles from the others.
"Though what you say is correct, but keep in mind that this is about Mr. Sagara being the killer not my client. Yes, the gun was made of diamond and scratched, but it was found on a very tall wall, and Mr. Sagara if he wanted to hide it then he wouldn't have had enough to time to stash it up there. I am trying to say that this gun wasn't the one that was used to kill Mr. Kiyosota," said Derek as he stood up.
"But..." Began Misao.
"Silence! Go on Mr. Cora," said the judge as he nodded to Derek.
Misao slowly sat down angrily.
"Therefore this had to be a trap so that people would think that my client was the killer. But we all know that he was with the soon to be Mrs. Kiyosota. To prove this, I would like Mrs. Kiyosota to come to the stand," said Mr. Cora as Takeda nodded to him.
The courtroom waited for Tomoe to enter, but she never did. There was a bustle of whispers as Derek began to shift nervously. Kaoru, Sano, and Misao exchanged odd glances. Tomoe was Akira's future wife, she should be here to see that his death was justified.
"Since Mrs. Kiyosota is not here, I would like to make another statement," said Kaoru as she stood up, more confident than before.
"Continue," said the judge as he nodded to her, and Derek sat down whispering to Kanryu.
"It's known from the police that Mr. Kiyosota had lots nearly half of his blood. Mr. Sagara was had come out at 8:30 that night, and Mr. Kiyosota had lost three liters of blood at 8:45; it takes about 30 minutes for that much blood to flow out of one's body. The difference between these two times don't allow enough time for Mr. Kiyosota to lose that much blood. Concluding to me that Mr. Sagara was indeed framed," said Kaoru as she looked seriously at the jury who began to nod in approval at the statement.
"But, Miss Kamiya, blood can flow faster depending on the circumstances," said Derek as he stood up again.
The man was given raised eyes brows and perplexed stares.
"What do you mean Mr. Cora?" Questioned the judge.
"Mr. Kiyosota's body had lost most of his internal organs and those carried blood. Meaning that when they were slashed at, the blood within the organs didn't flow out slowly from the body, it had gashed out quickly. Also that night, it was at least 75 degrees Fahrenheit or more and when the temperature is warm liquids tend to flow more quickly. Blood being a liquid, would flow faster. So due to the veins that were cut, organs that were slashed, also the shot to the head, and the temperature, it's quite possible that three liters of blood would flow out in half the time it was suppose to. There were also two shots found in Mr. Kiyosota's body, one in the chest and the head, so that would cause the blood to flow quicker.
"Also, it took the police a while to get there so even more blood could have streamed out when investigators said that three liters of blood was found. Also there is no one to witness that Mr. Sagara had indeed came out of the Sakura Ball at 8:30," stated Derek.
More whispers were heard, and the people on Sano's side were growing angry.
Damn him! Thought Misao and a few others. The man was just too smart for his own good.
Kaoru calmly faced Derek before continuing her own analysis about this case.
"You are correct about that Mr. Cora, but why would Mr. Sagara have a dagger in the first place, or a gun for that matter? There was strict security at the Sakura Ball, meaning that there were no weapons found on anyone by the guards there. What I am trying to say is, that someone had to have placed that dagger on the ground and have Sano pick it up when he heard a cry so that he would be framed. Mr. Sagara is a kind man, and it wouldn't be odd that he should want to go and help someone or investigate should he hear something was wrong.
"Another thing is, whoever heard of a killer stabbing himself in the knee? There was obviously a fight there, because investigators have found more than two pairs of footprints there due to the spreading of Mr. Kiyosota's blood. Meaning that the killer had gotten away after Mr. Kiyosota was shot in the head. A killer wouldn't leave a weapon behind, so it is possible that the killer had taken the gun and explains why there was no gun near Mr. Sagara or the scene of the crime.
"But, then again there could have been two people working together to kill Mr. Kiyosota. The gun with the diamond handle was placed as you said Mr. Derek, on a high wall of a building near the alley. So it is possible that the partner of the killer could have shot Mr. Kiyosota as well from his position and have people go toward the alley on which the body was found, since both places were close. Another piece of evidence is that the gun was indeed fired in a short period before it was found," said Kaoru calmly as she looked at the jury who were taking all the information in.
Kaoru bowed to the judge before sitting down.
"Way to go Missy," said Sano as he clapped her on the back.
"We're not out of it yet," said Kaoru as she looked at him solemnly, causing her friend to frown.
"The first half of the trial will now come to an end," said the judge as he hammered on the stand and got up.
There was a ruffle of chairs as people stood up and walked out for a little break.
~*~*~*~
"Next time they're going to ask you questions Sano. You're going to have to tell the truth of what happened, and all will go well," said Misao as they walked into a room for themselves.
"I know," said Sano as he sighed and relaxed into a chair.
"If all goes well then we'll be able to get you off the hook and place the real killer in jail," said Kaoru darkly as she sat in front of the two.
"You think that Kanryu did it too?" Asked Misao.
"It's a possibility," said Kaoru.
There was knock at the door and in walked Hiko and Kenshin.
"We want to talk to Sano alone," said Kenshin; his expression emotionless.
Kaoru and Misao nodded before getting up and leaving.
"I'm going to get a coke, want one?" Asked Misao once they left.
Kaoru only nodded as she walked over to a payphone.
Grandpa would want to know how I was doing. Thought Kaoru as she placed money in the slot and was about to push in a few digits when she saw Shura walking toward the exit.
She raised an eyebrow when she noticed a person cloaked in black pull at her arm harshly and whisper something into her ear. Straining to hear, Kaoru listened as closely as she could.
"Your sister is going through with his plan, she's going through mine. Make sure that you keep your trap shut," hissed a dark voice, though Kaoru could barely hear it.
She saw nod her head, and was about to go over and question them when a hand went toward her shoulder. Jumping from shock, she turned and saw Misao with two cokes in her hand.
"Thank you," said Kaoru as she looked back toward Shura, but she and the cloaked figure were gone.
"Something wrong?" Questioned Misao as she opened her coke and gulped down her soft drink.
"Uh... It was nothing," said Kaoru as she walked back toward the room where Sano was, but she couldn't help but feel suspicious about that conversation that she heard, or more like the sentence she overheard.
Knocking on the door, she only frowned when she saw that Kenshin and Hiko were looking grim as they passed her. She wanted to ask Kenshin what happened but the signal for the second half of the trial was beginning made her go back to the courtroom and help Sano.
Misao ordered the papers as Kaoru finished her pop and Sano began to fidget more than ever.
"What is it?" Asked Kaoru once his movements became annoying, she placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him.
"You need to win this case for me Kaoru," said Sano almost pleading.
"Of course I will! What are friends for?" Questioned Kaoru, she thought that he'd already known that she wouldn't back down until his name was cleared.
"Good, because if you don't... I'm going to lose my job," said Sano in a whisper as he looked down at his hands and clenched them into fists.
Kaoru looked at him shocked. Kenshin would actually fire his friend just so that his corporation wouldn't fall? She began to boil in rage at the thought, but Sano placed a hand on her trembling shoulder.
"I'm going to quit if you lose," explained Sano.
"What?" Questioned Kaoru bewildered, but she didn't get her answer for the judge had signaled the room to go into silence.
"I call the defendant to the stand," said Derek as he stood up.
Sano moved a hand toward Kaoru's shoulder before walking limply up to the stand and raising his right hand.
"Do you swear to the tell the truth and nothing but the truth or so help you God?" Questioned the guard.
"I do," said Sano as he sat down.
"All right Mr. Sagara. Can you tell the court what happened at 8:30 on Saturday, August 25th?" Asked Derek as he walked up to Sano calmly.
"Well I was with Megumi at 8:30, and then I decided to go outside as I waited for my escort to find her friend. I had finished two cigars by the time that I heard a scream from the alley. Not wanting to go unprepared should a killer meet me, I saw a dagger on the ground and picked it up.
"When I arrived I had saw a man in all black behind a ski mask. He was standing over a body that I learned was Akira's, and was grinning as he pulled out a gun. I attacked the man before he could aim the gun at me, and as we fought he pulled out his own dagger and managed to stab me in the knee. He then shot Akira in the chest and raced off as I was done, and I had fallen to my knees in shock when I realized that another shot had been shot at the exact same time. I don't know if the other shot was going for the killer or not, but it ended up hitting Akira's skull. I couldn't see, it was too dark. In my shock of realizing that I was before a dead body, I sank to my knees, and it was also because my wound wouldn't allow me to stand," said Sano as he tried to recall what had happened that night.
"I see. So do you remember if there was blood already around Akira by the time that you saw him?" Questioned Derek.
"Yes, there was already a lot but more came out as he was shot twice," said Sano.
"So he was still alive by the time he was shot?" Asked Derek again.
"I'm not sure," said Sano truthfully as he looked at the man right in the eyes seriously.
"The jury, I advice you to listen and remember this well. Blood does not flow out unless the person is alive. Meaning that Akira had died right on the spot once he was hit in the chest and the bullet had most likely hit his lungs, stopping him from breathing. So that would conclude that the blood had stopped flowing right when he had died, and it means that only bits of blood had flowed out of Akira's body due to the heat of the night. So unless you have a witness to prove that you were indeed inside the Sakura Ball at 8:30, then it is possible that you had been outside longer than that to allow Akira to die slowly so that the blood would come out; once the shots were fired then he would die and the blood would seize. Making it seem that there was no time between your made up time to the time Akira died to kill him, and getting you off the hook.
"But you have failed to realize that we know that 15 minutes can allow three liters of blood to flow out of one's body. What I am trying to say my dear jury members, is that this was all planned out by Mr. Sagara so that he would seemed to be framed and get off the hook, but he had really killed Mr. Kiyosota to begin with," said Derek.
Almost everyone's head was spinning, and they hadn't really gotten what Derek had meant but the fact that he thought that Sano was trying to get off the hook from being the real killer, when he really was the murderer.
"Mr. Derek, are you trying to say that unless someone can be a witness that Mr. Sagara was indeed inside at 8:30, then he was the killer, and that even if there were then he's still the killer because the three liters of blood can come out in 15 minutes?" Asked Kaoru as she stood up calmly, yet she was boiling with rage. This man was trying to block all her escape routes, and he was doing a damn good job too.
"Exactly," said Derek with a mock-grin on his face.
"You left one detail out Mr. Cora," said Kaoru with her own grin.
"What is that?" Asked the judge curiously.
"Mr. Sagara had smoked two cigars while he was there, and through evidence and time looking at the scene of the crime, we had found ashes on the floor near the only exit near the Sakura Ball. There is indeed enough to last two cigars with. Each one was older than the next by a few minutes, meaning that if Sano had indeed came out at 8:30 to kill Akira, then it would be less than 15 minutes, it would have been around five to seven minutes, and the police arrived and gave the statistic on how much blood had come out in five minutes. So if we add the seven minutes that Sano had to fight the killer after he smoked, and the five it took the police to come, that leads to 12 minutes. You said it took 15 for that much blood to come out, so what about the three minutes missing Mr. Cora?
"It would be more reasonable if the killer had begun at 8:15," said Kaoru in her lawyer tone of seriousness.
The people in the courtroom began to nod and agree with her reasoning.
"But this man has no proof that he was out at 8:30," said Derek smoothly.
"Oh but he does," came a masculine voice from outside.
The doors opened and in walked Dr. Katsu, he was pushing a wheelchair with a smiling Megumi in the courtroom.
"We're sorry for being late, but I just woke up from my marrow transplant for my leukemia," said Megumi with her usual fox-like smile on.
Kaoru smiled as Megumi was strolled toward the front. Sano and Misao let out a relieved sigh as they looked at her.
"I've never been so glad to see you kitsune," said Sano as he walked down from the bench and walked toward her.
Megumi only rolled her eyes as she was about to get out of her wheelchair and take Sano's place.
"Stay there, you are still weak," said the judge when he saw Megumi's strained face when she was about to move.
"Thank you, your honor," said Megumi with a slight bow.
"Do you sweat to tell the truth and nothing but the truth, or so help you God?" Questioned the guard to Megumi.
"I do," said Megumi with a nod.
"Miss Takani, can you prove that Mr. Sagara was with you at 8:30 on the night of the Sakura Ball?" Questioned Kaoru with a smile as she walked over to her long old friend.
"Yes I can. I was waiting for my date to come back from the restroom when Mr. Sagara walked over to me. I had asked what time it was because I wasn't really enjoying myself there. He told me that it was 8:30 and I sighed because it was still a long time before the ball would end. I left to find my date when I saw that Mr. Sagara leave the ballroom a few minutes later," said Megumi truthfully.
"A few minutes after he said 8:30?" Asked Kaoru.
"Yes," said Megumi.
"Now if we delete another two minutes from the 12 minutes that we had concluded before, it would be 10 minutes total, and that is not enough time for three liters of blood to leave a person's body. Since Mr. Sagara didn't wear diamonds that night, he couldn't have scratched the handle of the gun; concluding that someone else had to have killed Mr. Kiyosota and he had to have been working for someone else. This person had to have worn diamond gloves, and as I said earlier Mr. Kanryu was the only one wearing diamond gloves," said Kaoru with a smile as she walked over to her seat and sat down coolly.
"I would like to call Tomoe Kiyosota to the stand before you conclude anything to prove to you all that my client was not the killer of Mr. Kiyosota," said Derek.
Tomoe suddenly walked into the room, her stomach had grown a ways, but was still small enough so that she would be able to wear a white silk dress that wasn't too different from the dress she wore to the Sakura Ball.
She had said I do to the guard once he had asked her the same question that all witnesses had to when called upon.
Katsu moved Megumi toward the others once Tomoe had entered.
"I'm sorry that I wasn't here earlier, I had other businesses to take care of," said Tomoe with a polite bow.
The judge nodded in understanding.
"Mrs. Kiyosota, can you tell the court that Mr. Kanryu was with you the whole time between 8:15 and 8:45, on Saturday at the Sakura Ball," said Derek calmly.
"No I can not," said Tomoe.
Kanryu glared at her as Derek looked at her puzzling.
"Why not?" Asked Kaoru for her stricken opponent.
"For I was neither with him or Akira at that time. The two had left to talk business, and I had gone outside for fresh air at around 8:44, and he had come toward me after I heard a loud sound. I had thought that it were fireworks since that's what always happened at the Sakura Ball each year. So we talked calmly and I screamed when I saw my beloved's body on the ground when I turned the corner," said Tomoe as tears began to come to her eyes and she sniffled as the judge handed her a tissue to wipe her eyes and blow her nose.
Kanryu glared at her with the deepest loathing.
"I knew that you didn't like my future husband, but you didn't have to kill him!" Shouted Tomoe toward Kanryu angrily.
"You little lying wench..." Began Kanryu as he stood up angrily.
"I should have known that you'd kill him, so that you could get to me! You've been looking at me since the day that we met at the last Sakura Ball," said Tomoe as she pointed an accusing finger at Takeda who was growing red with rage now.
The entire courtroom gasped and stared.
"You traitor! I should have killed you when I knew that you were to have my child," Roared Kanryu before he could stop himself.
"I knew you that you were the one that raped me!" Shouted Tomoe as she began to cry harder as she moved her face to her hands.
Everyone stared in shock at the scene.
"Guards take this mad man and rapist away," ordered the judge.
The guards began to rush in and struggled to get Kanryu behind bars as he kicked and scream.
"I didn't kill the bastard! I didn't kill him! Kamiya you know that I didn't. Look at the contract! Look at my damn gloves. I didn't kill the fool! You're smart, I know that you can help me! Just look at the damn wench, she doesn't have my child! Damn it! I didn't kill him! Look at my gloves!" Yelled Kanryu as he looked at Kaoru as they dragged him out.
But his words were lost to the whispering crowd, but Kaoru heard his words and her face became serious as her brain began to try and piece things together.
"Order in the court! The jury needs to come to a decision," said the judge as he pounded his hammer on the stand and the jury scurried to the next room to decide Sano's fate.
~*~*~*~*~
The courtroom fell silent as they waited for the jury to decide.
Derek was pale as he began to drink jug after jug of water. He couldn't believe that his client had done such a thing, though he refused to believe that the man had killed Akira. Kanryu had no reason, he had made more money than Akira, and the man could have had any woman that he wanted, why would he go for a woman that was already engaged?
Sano was still nervous, even though he knew that they had to say he was innocent. Though with the fight that Derek gave, and the wavering thought that Kanryu could have or could not have killed Akira still lingered. After all Takeda only went to jail for raping Tomoe, not killing Akira. There was always a possibility that he could still go to prison.
Kaoru was the quietest and she kept her head down as her brain tried to sort things out. Her past and present were mixing, she wasn't sure which was which.
The door opened and the jury came out of the room.
She looked up and suddenly her eyes met Shura, and something came back to her. Her thoughts were coming together. There were only a few things that were a bit fuzzy, but that would be cleared once she got the evidence that she needed. Her brain began to work faster and she was sure that Shura knew something that she didn't and needed to know.
Her eyes met Shura's blank ones, the eyes of a guilty conscience. She would have rushed over and asked her something, but she couldn't for the jury's spokesman had stood up and Sano was holding her hand and Misao's in hopes that he would get freed.
"The jury has come to a conclusion. We find the defendant...."
~*~*~*~
A/N: That's it! Whew! I thought that this would never come. Well can anyone guess who the real killer is after all the information you got?