Summery; Warning; Disclaimer: See First Chapter.

One more chapter after this - an epilogue, just to let you guys know what's going on! The story with the most reviews is my LOTR one, at 60, and my goal is to beat it! I need 6 more reviews - probably by the time the next two are done being reviewed, I'll reach my goal. I also just wanted to say that I don't know anything about how court proceedings are in Japan, so I used it from America, just so everyone knows.

Please review if you read. Comments, ideas, suggestions, and ideas are welcome. Also, since this is the last main chapter, it'd be nice to know what you guys all like SPECIFICALLY about this story!

Well, it's the day of the hearing – it's basically the day my fate will be decided, however dramatic that sounds. Hatori forbade anyone except Shigure and Hatsuharu to come with us, which I'm sure is for the best as well.

"This judge should be sympathetic," Hatori murmured, as he led the others into the courthouse. Shigure and Hatori, both in their suits, looked immaculate, while Haru, in black jeans and a dark shirt, looked passable. Rayne wore a black pants suit, cut to fit her, and a white shirt.

"I hope so," Shigure commented, as they followed him around the building. "I think this is it, isn't it?" he pointed out eventually, as they passed one of the courtrooms.

"Nervous?" Haru whispered, as he wheeled Rayne after the two men. She hadn't spoken the whole morning, and was rather pale. She nodded, and he smiled down at her.

"There's nothing to be nervous about," Hatori said shortly, overhearing Haru. Without glancing back, the doctor motioned for Haru to wheel Rayne next to him.

"You and I have to sit in the benches," Shigure told Haru, and grabbed his arm to keep him from causing a scene. Shooting a dirty look Hatori's way, Haru followed Shigure without further protest.

'Since I'm the one that filed for custody, I have to be the one with you," Hatori told her quietly, as he pushed her toward the front of the room. Rayne looked at him in surprise, but his face betrayed no emotions.

"I guess I just never thought who had filed for it," she mused inwardly, as Hatori sat down in a chair next to her. "I suppose I thought of the Sohmas as a group, and thought they all had custody, or something like that."

"As a doctor, and as the one who treated you, I was the obvious choice," Hatori continued suddenly, causing her to glance at him. "Akito decided to allow you to stay – to keep our secret safe."

"Or you convinced him," she corrected mentally, reading into Hatori's tone and unspoken words. She leaned closer to him unconsciously as her parents and their lawyer arrived, and took their seats across the aisle.

After the judge arrived, the usual court proceedings followed, and Hatori did much of the talking. Rayne listened to him in amazement, still trying to figure out how he was able to find so much information about her and her family. To be honest, it was a bit disturbing.

"As a doctor, I guess Hatori has a lot of privileges, and access," she told herself, and then listened as the lawyer began to argue for her parents. She tried to ignore the looks her father gave her, but was unable to keep the chills out of her spine.

"It seems fairly easy enough to realize that as her parents and legal guardians, Mr. and Mrs. Helton should receive full custody of Rayne Helton," the judge said, peering at Hatori. "I'd like to know, Dr. Sohma, why you feel the need to oppose this."

"Because of several severe injuries that were inflicted on Rayne's person when she first entered our custody, and the injuries she has received while in her parent's care," Hatori said, and began to recount the medical history surrounding Rayne.

"Are you able to explain these injuries to my satisfaction?" the judge asked, gazing sharply at Rayne's parents and the lawyer, who stammered momentarily.

"Also, your honor, I have further evidence that Rayne, and her younger brother, is in danger in that house," Hatori continued, obviously on a roll. Shigure resisted the urge to clap, and Haru practically danced on the seat in early triumph.

The judge examined the medical records Hatori then handed the bailiff, and sat silent for a few moments with a frown on his face as he read the papers. Looking up, he fixed Rayne's parents with a stern gaze.

"I'd like to hear your explanations about how your daughter sustained these injuries, but that can wait. I understand you wished Miss Helton to give testimony to a certain matter pertaining to this case, Dr. Sohma?" he asked, and Hatori nodded. Pushing a very nervous Rayne beside the usual witness stand, Hatori turned to the judge with a nod."Now, Miss Helton, I have been informed by Dr. Sohma of your medical history, and know about the medication you had been taking," the judge began. Her parents jumped in surprise, and began to whisper urgently to their lawyer. "I have also been told that you have regained most of your memory regarding a certain incident here in Japan when you were younger that pertains to case. I must ask – has Dr. Sohma or anyone else influenced your memory in any way?"

"No, your Honor," Rayne shook her head, and the judge nodded in satisfaction, gesturing for her to proceed. "I was only about four when I first came to Japan," she began, "My father was an experimental scientist, and apparently needed funds for his ventures. After getting hold of a certain expensive – and illegal – drug in America, they came over here to sell it in the Black Market. My father became involved in a drug ring, whose payments provided the money he needed to perform his experiments – which later became the ones he used on me."

Haru gazed at her reassuringly as Rayne winced slightly at the memory. Looking at him and the other two Sohmas, she took comfort and strength from them, and continued.

"Because the experiments didn't work the way my father though they would, he was unable to pay back certain loans. He left the country soon after my brother was born, and my mother took us to live in Europe to escape the drug ring."

"Is that all?" the judge asked, when she paused. She nodded, and he looked at Hatori. "You can remove her from the stand, Dr. Sohma," he ordered, and Hatori quickly returned Rayne to his side.

"In light of these revelations, I am able to piece together what could have happened – thanks to Miss Helton's testimony, and certain records provided to me by Dr. Sohma and the Helton's lawyer put together," the judge began, folding his fingers together. "Mr. Helton fled the country, and so did his family. Miss Helton's memory was suppressed until her father became in more danger of the illegal gang. When that happened, she was moved back to Japan and taken off the drug, in order to bring back her memories. Apparently, her parents wished to implicate their accomplices – and debtors – in order to escape their retribution."

"Your Honor!" the lawyer began to object, but was silenced by a glare from the judge.

"Unfortunately for the Heltons, Rayne came in contact with the Sohmas, and following events removed her from their care. Desperate to put the men they owed money in jail before anything happened, they attempted to regain custody of their daughter, and everything happened leading up to this court date today," the judge continued. Looking at her parents, his face became devoid of emotion. "Your daughter is returned to the custody of the Sohmas indefinitely, and your son is to be put in a foster home until further notice. You will both be detained in the court's custody until you name your accomplices, and will then be returned for trial for your crimes. Meanwhile, you are both charged with child abuse, torture of a minor, illegal drug use, and neglect of a minor."

Slamming his gravel down, the judge ordered the bailiff to take the Heltons away. Rayne sat in shock, amazed that she was free. She was snapped out of her stunned state when Haru embraced her tightly, swinging her out of the chair and into his arms.

Grasping his shoulders, Rayne realized they were outside, and her eyes found Hatori's.

"Thank you, Hatori," she said, and he nodded with a smile. Haru continued to hold her, and Shigure patted her back briefly.

"Let's get home before the others get worried," Shigure said finally, and Haru returned Rayne to her chair.

"Good idea," Hatori said shortly, and led the others to his car.

Several days passed, and Rayne relaxed in complete happiness with her new family. Hatori decided not to legally adopt her, due to vehement objections by Hatsuharu. One evening, Rayne was out for a stroll, and had asked Hatori to take her.

"What did you want to talk about?" he asked, once they were out of earshot of the house – namely, Shigure.

Rayne blinked in surprise, and Hatori laughed.

"I didn't think you dragged me out tonight just for a walk. What is it, Rayne?" he repeated, and she grinned weakly.

"Yeah, you're right," she admitted, and then paused. "Where's Leo?"

"He's in a foster home," Hatori said quietly, and Rayne realized that there was something he wasn't telling her.

"Where?"

"He's living with Momiji and myself."

"What?"

The two remained silent for several long moments, while Rayne tried to puzzle out the doctor's motives. After a bit, she turned back to look at him.

"Yes?"

"Hatori…why are you doing so much for me?" she asked finally, half-hoping he would reveal some dark secret. He looked at her in surprise, and then gazed back at the lake. Sighing, he leaned back slightly, appearing more at ease than he usually was.

"I only helped you first because you reminded me of Tohru," he said finally, "But after I began to know you, I realized that you were – of course – a separate person. I saw how much Hatsuharu cared for you. You're the only person after Rin that he's learned to care about like that."

Rayne remained quiet, having been told by both Shigure and Haru the story.

"I swore that I would never let Akito hurt any of the Zodiac like I was," Hatori continued, avoiding her gaze, "And that promise included you."

"Why Leo?"

"He's your brother – would you rather he be placed in a foster home?" Hatori asked suddenly, and she shook her head vigorously.

"No, but…"

"He and Momiji are good friends, apparently, even through their age difference," he told her, "I was planning on legally adopting him into the Sohma family, unless you have any objections, of course? You're almost eighteen, after all."

Rayne considered this for a moment, and Hatori waited patiently as he sensed her inner struggle. Rayne had never been especially close to her brother, due to circumstances and their age difference, but a part of her naturally wanted him to stay with her.

On the other hand, she reasoned, Hatori and the other Sohmas could provide Leo with things that she couldn't, like a stable family life – well, stable compared to their previous life.

"I'd appreciate it, Hatori," she said finally, and he nodded his approval. Seeing the emotions on her face, Hatori suddenly put his arm around her, and held her close.

"You'll still be family," he assured her, "But this way, you'll both be free to continue your lives as you wish."

Rayne nodded against him, still feeling partly guilty, but more glad that Leo would have a family that she had been deprived of.

You now know the story of my life with the Sohmas – well, the start of it, anyway. So many things have happened since that crazy year…but that's another part, isn't it?

Okay, Rin is a character only in the manga. I won't spoil anything for you, so go Google info or something!

KinokeGurl; Fan 101; chocolateriku; lovergal1227: Glad you like it! No, I don't think you'd need tissues for this one, and not the other one, either.
SasukeBlade: Glad that chapter made some sense! I hope this one does as well. I actually toyed with the idea of making Hatori be Rayne's father, explaining the interest he has in her, but I thought it'd be WAY too complicated. And I don't care for the idea of cousins - no matter how seperated - falling in love and stuff. So I didn't. Instead, I relied on the idea that he merely wants to protect the other Zodiac family from the heartbreak he had to suffer.
Aki-Shi-Ksitsune's: I know he's a sweetie. I love 'em!

Last one is up next...you'll only need tissues, I THINK, if you're so sad it's over, not for anything else...