A/n: Short chapter here just because it's the end of the trial, next chappie will be longer. Ja!
Forever in Darkness: Trial part three, the verdict is in.
'.'...'.'...'.'...'.'
Almost as soon as Anzu, Ryou, and Yugi entered the room, the trial began and she found herself on the witness stand yet again.
Seto slinked up to her like he had the night he'd kidnapped her and she shuddered as flashes of that smirk ran through her mind.
He spoke to her softly; knowing that at any moment if he was too rough with her she might faint...and that would only damn him more.
He could see the intense fear in her eyes as she watched his every step.
''
''
"Miss Mazaki, since you were unable to give testimony yesterday due to my lawyers inability to perform properly, please tell the court in detail what happened Friday night two weeks ago."
" I was late coming home because of an argument I had with Yugi. As I reached into my purse to get my key out, you approached."
"What did I do after you asked me what I wanted?"
"You pushed me up against the door and took the key from my hand. Then you came in close to my neck and whispered 'You'."
"Did I at any time actually hurt you?"
"No."
"Not even the needle?"
"No."
"Why didn't the needle hurt?"
"Because you kissed my neck."
"Did you know that I had a numbing agent on my lips?"
"No."
"Now, let's talk about the first charge. When was the first time I tried to force myself on you?"
"When you woke me in your bed."
"What did I do that make you think I was going to do that?"
"You held me so tightly against you that I could hardly breath. You kissed me for so long that I was becoming dizzy."
"Did I ever try to take your clothes off?"
"No."
"Did I ever lay on top of you?"
"No, not then."
"I want you to think very hard about this answer before you give it to me. In the entire time you were with me I never actually touched you anywhere other than the face, hands, and shoulders. Thinking back on exactly what happened, did it really seem like I was going to hurt you that way?"
''
She stared at him, thinking carefully, remembering every time he kissed her and where he had touched her and slowly shook her head.
''
"No."
"Would you like to drop that charge Miss Mazaki?"
"Yes. I'm sorry."
"I'm afraid my greed has gotten me into this mess...there's nothing for you to be sorry about."
"Thank you."
"I don't deny that I kidnapped you from your doorstep. I don't deny that I kissed you. I don't even deny that I said things that I shouldn't have...however I do deny attempting to force myself on you for the second time as well. Explain to me what happened that night."
"Bakura Ryou called you and told you he'd make a trade. The sennen eye that you possessed and in exchange he would give me to you. You did make advances on me that night, you did start to unbutton my shirt and you did sit on top of me. If that's not what you were trying to do, than please by all means tell me what you were doing!"
"I was trying to knock you out. To get to the right place on your neck I had to unbutton your shirt. I didn't want to chance being arrested over a fantasy."
"Something that I wrote when I was fifteen years old in a book that had been stolen from me right after. I never said that it was you and I never said I wanted you to knock me out!"
"No, you're boyfriend gave me those specifics!"
"Yugi would never do anything like that and he didn't even know about the journal so how did it come into your possession! You who keep tabs on everyone that calls in or out of your office and home!"
"I told you he didn't use a return address and his phone number was untraceable!"
"If that's so than why did you do it! I don't believe that it was over a gaming title that you lost over four years ago! Don't stand there and tell me that you were just doing that to get the title! What else did he offer you!"
''
Seto was suddenly silent. ' I've got to calm down. If I explode at her now I'll lose for sure. I know she's partly right but damn it, I can't risk going to jail for fifteen years just because her boyfriend screwed up!'
''
"No Anzu, he offered me nothing else. If you'd like to keep that charge, it's fine by me. I know it really looks like that's what was going on, but I swear to you it's not. "
"Black mail."
''
Seto's head snapped up.
"What!"
"He black mailed you didn't he?"
"There's nothing to black mail me with."
"Than what was it? I don't believe you'd waste your time."
''
His eyes became dark as he glared at her.
''
"Fine Mazaki, if you really want to open that door. He threatened to kill Mokuba if I didn't go through with it!"
''
He dropped to his knees, breaking down into tears.
''
"With that damn journal he sent pictures of Mokuba. He'd sent an assassin to America to kill Mokuba on his command while I was on the phone. What else was I supposed to do?"
For this she had no answer.
He waved his hand in the air as he stood and returned to his seat.
"No more questions."
The jury was called to deliberate and in the mean time court was called into recess.
Anzu sat with Ryou on the very same bench that she and Bakura had sat the day before.
She took in many deep breaths, trying to keep herself calm.
She shook all over and not even Ryou's warm arms seemed to help.
Seto had made a very good case and now with the secret out that Mokuba had been in danger the jury was sure to see things his way.
Still she hoped that they would find him guilty.
One way or another she just wanted it to be over and go home.
She knew that he would at least leave her alone now, even if he were acquitted.
They were called back into the courtroom and with each step she took her head spun faster.
Her heart raced in her chest and Ryou had to hold onto her so she could walk.
"All rise for the verdict."
Ryou and Yugi both wrapped their arms around her as they stood there together.
"On the second count of attempted rape we find the defendant…not guilty. On kidnapping, we find the defendant…not guilty. On attempted kidnapping, we find the defendant…not guilty."
As Seto passed he glared at her and stopped.
"You didn't really think they'd buy that did you? I'm the most powerful man in this country. Nothing can hurt me. I just want you to know that I did not want to do that to you by any stretch of the imagination."
He walked away, never looking back as Anzu finally gave in and fell into Ryou's arms with a moan.
Yugi ran after Seto as Ryou picked her up.
He stared into her face as he carried her out.
'It's over now...please don't dream of him, I won't let go of you until you wake.'