Rika tied her hair back and looked in the mirror, the black pants, jacket and white blouse complimented her hair and didn't make the bruises stand out so much. She was nervous, scared, upset, she didn't want to leave Seto and go to another home, she didn't want to go back to her father. She wanted to stay in the same city, attend the same school and live her life with Seto and Mokuba. She shook with fear, she was going to have to leave them she could feel it. There was a knock on her door, she took a minute to compose herself and answered simply "Yes?"

Seto peered in "You ready?"

Rika nodded slowly and walked to Seto.

"Everything will be fine" he took her hand and lead her downstairs to the limo "I have my best lawyer on this case"

Rika just nodded again and sat in the limo next to Mokuba and Seto on the other side.

They entered the courthouse, there were a few reporters about asking Seto questions, of course he didn't answer just kept walking. Mokuba had to run a little to keep up with his brothers quick pace and Rika stayed silent, she wished she couldn't talk, she wished she didn't have to do this. Seto hugged his kitten and turned her head to the blonde she enjoyed being around so much.

"Hey you looked tired..." he lifted her chin up

"Couldn't sleep...which kept Seto awake"

Joey looked at Seto and nodded, Seto nodded back. They weren't gonna fight not here.

"Yug and the gang are here and my mom and sister are here for support, my mom's also one of the families you could end up going to"

Seto frowned. He didn't want his kitten worrying about a foster home.

"Time to go in..." Joey looked to a room

Rika nodded "Nervous?" she grinned

"Very!" Joey laughed

The trial was long and nail biting. Seto, Yugi, Joey and Mokuba were called to the stand separately to be questioned. Rika was then called, she walked to the stand and sat down. The jury took note of the visible bruises.

"Miss. Mitsune" the lawyer began "You father Talas Mitsune repeatedly beats you, correct?"

"Yes..."

"How often is that?"

"Only when he's drunk"

"How often is that?" the lawyer repeated

"Nearly everyday..." Rika admitted

"And how many times has he beaten you in the 6 weeks you lived with him?"

Rika sighed "14 times..."

The people in the courtroom muttered. Rika looked at Seto.

"Miss. Mitsune" the lawyer began again "How many of those do you remember?"

Rika thought for a moment "about 5-6"

"What would you father tell you?"

"I was jumped on the way home..."

The lawyer nodded triumphant "Now who have you been living with?"

"Seto Kaiba"

"And he takes good care of you?"

Rika nodded "Very"

"I have no other questions" he sat back down

The judge looked at the other lawyer "Does the defendant have any questions?"

"No your honor"

"There will be a 5 minute break for the jury to decide a verdict"

The courtroom emptied. Seto waited with the lawyer for Rika "You don't ever take that tone with her again"

"Yes sir"

"We gonna win Seto?" Rika said holding his hand

"Of course kitten"

"And I can stay with you?"

"Hopefully"

The court began session again. Rika stood nervously and looked back at Seto, then back at the judge.

"Has the jury got a verdict?"

"Yes your honor" A woman stood "We find the defendant..."

It seemed like time had stopped still for Rika as she watched the woman, she crossed her fingers hoping for the best.

"Guilty of child abuse"

Rika sighed in relief but there was more to come.

"Rika Mitsune will be kept in the care of Seto Kaiba, case dismissed!"

Rika hugged Seto tight with the biggest smile Seto's has seen on her since he met her "I can stay with you!"

Seto hugged his kitten tightly "And I wouldn't have it any other way"