Author's Note: SO SORRY that I haven't been able to update sooner, but thank you ALL for being so understanding and I WILL finish this story. Because of my lack of time, I will have to start rushing some things so I can finish this up and have less chapters to write. Now onto the story!

Chapter 20

--Prelims to the Case—

The next morning, everyone in Ayame's shop overslept. By overslept, they slept 'til 11:15. Pedestrians walking by could hear shouts and scrambling coming from the inside, wondering what was going on.

"D---it! How did we oversleep?" Uo swore, scratching her head and looking at the clock.

"We're going to be late!" Tohru panicked, running back and forth, unsure as to what to do. "Plus, we don't have any of our regular clothes here."

Hana looked at Tohru and Uo. The ex-singer was right. Hana was the only one dressed properly to go outside since she went to Yuki's, but Uo and Tohru were still in their pajamas.

"Never fear, Ayame is here!" the snake appeared, laughing like a psychopath.

"Boss…don't you think you're wasting more time by not giving their clothes?" Miine remarked. In her arms were three pairs of fresh clothes, one for the each of them to change into.

"Right, right. My dear--- I mean, the lawyer will be very testy with me if you guys are late. I'm sure he'll want to spend every second on his lunch break with you guys," Ayame added, handing the women their outfit to change in and left.

An eyebrow shot up when Hana saw what Ayame had handed her. "I refuse to wear this!" she hissed with disgust, showing her friends what Ayame had given her to wear.

Any other woman would have been delight to wear what Hana had, but her taste in black clothing was a lot stronger than something with bright colors for the whole outfit consists of pinks and yellows and whites.

"I think it looks cute!" Tohru piped up cheerfully, unbuttoning her nightgown.

"I would too…if it were in black. You know I don't like wearing any other color except black," Hana argued, thrusting the outfit on the floor.

"You don't really even need to change," Uo added, putting on a pair of jeans.

"You're right. I'll just wait for you two. I should probably give Ayame back the clothes." Hana gathered up the clothes that she threw on the ground and went to give it back to Ayame. Of course she didn't let him off the hook that easily. She scolded him and threatened him with her waves, which made Ayame beg on his knees, acting like Ritsu.

During the time Hana threatened Ayame, Tohru and Uo had finished changing and were running down the stairs.

"Come on, let's go!" Uo ordered as her friends followed her lead.

"Not so fast! Since it was my fault that you slept in, let Miine and me walk you down to Summer Sun!" Ayame said brightly, locking the store when all five of them were in the streets.

Uo grumbled through her clenched teeth, "It's OK…really," hoping to get rid of the maniac as soon as possibly but failed.

They barely made it on time to Summer Sun. Ayame was looking franticly for Yuki. He wanted to surprise him as much as he could, and he found him in a corner table in the back.

Beaming with delight, Ayame turned around to the others. "I found him. Just follow me!"

The snake led the way to Yuki's table, but a few tables, Ayame yelled, "My glorious little brother!" and waved his hand in the air, getting his attention/embarrassed him.

Yuki's hand clenched when he heard his brother. "Why is he here?" Yuki said under his breath, turning his head at Ayame, but instead of his eyes landing on the snake, he saw a familiar set of eyes.

"To—Honda-san?" Yuki choked out. His purple orbs grew bigger as she came nearer. The rat couldn't believe that right in front of him was…well…the woman of his life. She hadn't change a bit; same eyes, same height, everything was the same.

"Yu—Sohma-kun…" Tohru whispered as her turquoise eyes were captured in his. Yuki's bangs grew out a bit longer, but other than that, he looked handsome as ever.

"Hey, well will you look at that, it's Yuki," Uo shouted. "You set this up, didn't you? He's not really a lawyer, is he?" Uo gave Ayame a suspicious look.

Ayame gasped dramatically. "How could you say that? Moi, lie to you? I would never do such a thing! Go on Yuki, show them your master's degree," the snake interrupted the two lovebirds.

"Onii-chan, would you like to explain this?" the rat grunted coldly to Ayame.

"Explain what?" the snake asked nonchalantly, playing with his long, silver hair.

"Explain why you set us up without our consent," Yuki clarified firmly.

"Oh, I just thought since you guys knew each other, then it wouldn't hurt for you to work with them on a case. Besides, it was about time for you two to have a little reunion." Ayame winked at the last statement, grinning broadly at Yuki.

"How ironic," Hana commented with a mysterious twinkle in her eyes.

Yuki's eyes landed on Hana and Uo, now noticing them along with Miine. "Ah…Hanajima-san, this is rather unexpected." Yuki rubbed the back of his neck, wondering what exactly the case he had to deal with if it involved Tohru since he sort of saved Tohru's life.

The others had befuddled expressions on their faces. 'What were they talking about?' they wondered.

After the group started plopping down on a seat and ordering, Hana explained to the others that it was over Yuki who provided the evidence.

Even though that mystery was explained, another one aroused in Ayame's mind. "How were you able to get that taped?" Ayame asked with a bit of curiosity.

"Haru," Yuki answered with one word before changing the subject. "Now, why don't we get down to business. What exactly is the case that I'm supposed to help you with?"

"Oh, that's easy. It already seems as if you know what the case is already," Uo commented, slouching back in her seat.

"And that is…?" Yuki asked once more, confused as to what she meant by him knowing what the case was.

"Isn't it obvious? We're suing Akito and Yamato for attempted murder and almost kidnapping Tohru," Uo replied.

"I can understand the attempted murder part since I can confirm that but almost kidnapping To-Honda-san?" the rat emphasized the three words and registering the fact that he was going to have to go against Akito.

"Yeah…I got kidnapped last night by these men, and Uo-chan saved me!" Tohru said cheerfully.

Yuki's eyes widen as he heard this. 'Thank goodness she's OK,' he thought. He wouldn't know what he would do if she fell into Akito's hands.

"I see…" Yuki tried to act as cool as a cucumber so he wouldn't alarm anyone. "I have another case I'm working on, and the trial's tomorrow. If you three can wait for a few more days, I can work with you and do all of the procedures I have to do and tell…" Yuki sighed, "Akito that he's getting sued. My lunch break is almost over, but I'll call you three ladies later."

Yuki stood up and was about to leave, but he turned his attention to Ayame who was looking at himself through the reflection of the napkin container. "Onii-chan, if you don't mind, I'd like a word with you."

Ayame giddily jumped up and followed Yuki outside. "Yuki, you don't have to be so embarrassed. You could've thanked me in there," Ayame spoke before Yuki could say whatever he was going to say. "It's a duty for me, as your big brother, to do things like this for you. Since we're out here, you might as well praise me for setting you two up and for giving you another case."

"Onii-chan…" Yuki said sharply as blood boiled in his veins.

But of course Ayame didn't hear. "You're too kind Yuki. No need to th-Hey! Why aren't you down on your knees, thanking me?" the snake noticed.

"Maybe it's the fact that I didn't want to drag you here to give you appreciation? I wanted to know what were you on when you gave me that case?" the silver hair man hissed, sending glares of annoyance to the snake.

"Me? I wasn't on anything. How could you think so poorly of your brother, Yuki?" the gold-eyed man pretended to cry. "It hurts to no that your one and only brother that of you like that."

"Will you stop that?" Yuki shouted, trying to ignore the looks and whispers that the pedestrians were giving the two. "Why did you give me that case? That'll mean that I have to go against Akito! Are you nuts? He'll think it was my idea. He'll make T-Honda's life, not to mention mine, a living h---!" Yuki bellowed and muttered, "Some older brother you are. You haven't change and aren't trying to."

Those last sentences hit Ayame hard. His carefree nature suddenly changed to hurt and was being serious.

"I was only thinking of you…Don't you want us to be free? We would be able to do whatever we want," Ayame whimpered like a dog, begging for food. "That would mean that you'll get your chance with Tohru. You still love her just like four years ago. Your feelings for her haven't changed, and I really am trying to make amends for my past," he added.

Yuki couldn't believe what he just heard from Ayame. It wasn't the words that astonished him, but his sincere and honest tone for once instead of being conceited. The rat let out a deep breath.

"Fine, Itrustyou," Yuki said hastily, "but what am I supposed to tell Akito? 'Hello? Akito? Honda-san and her friends are going to sue you, and I'm their lawyer?'"

"That's a thought…"

"Baka (idiot)!" Yuki snapped. 'Oh well, I have a few days to figure it out,' he thought.

XXXXX

Those few days flew by quickly then he had expected. True he was victorious in the trial, but no still had no clue how to tell Akito that Tohru, Uo, and Hana were suing him and Yamato.

Today was another day of work. Tsukishima-san was a little annoyed when he discovered that the purple-eyed man had a new case without confronting him. Being one of the best, Tsukishima-san let it slide this time.

Now, the rat found himself in his office, unsure as what to do, but somehow he unconsciously started dialing Hana's number. It was only when Hana answered it that he realized what he was doing.

"Uh…Hello Hanajima-san," Yuki stumbled. "Just like I said, I can meet up with Honda-san, Uotani-san, and you today. If you're not doing anything, drop by so we can get started."

"Very well. I'll go tell the others." The black hair woman was about to hang up when a question slipped out. "You wouldn't have happened to won your case yesterday, did you?"

Yuki was a little taken back by the sudden question but remained a professional. "If you are asking me this because you are doubtful of my ability because I can assure you that I won, and I promise you that I don't plan on losing to your case."

Hana grinned. She researched him and knew that he hadn't lost a single case yet, and this time, it'll be the same. "I'll see you soon then."

The three women arrived at Tsukishima and Son in about half an hour later. This was a huge surprise to everyone who saw them entering and walking down to Yuki's office.

The male lawyers were envious of whomever she hired; wishing that she would have picked one of them instead. The females were either surprised that she was here and was willing to help her or jealous of her fame and fortune.

Whispers and rumors quickly spread because the public knew about Tohru's retirement, but why did she need a lawyer?

"Maybe we should ask someone…" Tohru said to her friends, getting uneasy by the stares and whispers around her.

"We've past this hallway for the fifth time," Hana added, scaring off some of the people around her with her waves.

"Alright," Uo sighed in defeat, "but let's do it quick before I change my mind."

The trio went up to the nearest person that didn't seem much of a threat or annoyance.

"Excuse me, but do you know where Yuki Sohma's office is?" Tohru politely asked a woman around her age, getting coffee.

"Oh of course! Who in this building doesn't know where his office is?" she commented, turning around. "Every woman here, even married ones, tries to get as close as she can with him, but he just politely asks us to leave or changes the subject. As far as I know, he's single and everything, and I sure he doesn't like anyone. Such a pity." She shook her head.

"Listen, we asked where Yuki Sohma's office was, not who his was or what's his status among the women," Uo grabbed the woman's arm, scowling at her.

"Last I check, this was a business place, not a place where you can flirt with men like Yuki Sohma," Hana added. "I'll have you know that we're close friends with him, and I guarantee that he isn't single, or not yet at least. BTW, there is a woman that he's interested," Hana muttered so that Tohru wouldn't hear what she just said, and giving the woman a little sample of her waves.

That did it. The woman shut up, didn't say anything, and quietly led them to Yuki's office without a fuss.

"It's straight down there to your right. You might have to tell his secretary who you are first." With that, the woman hurried back to her office.

"Great, probably another crazy lunatic he hired but just didn't no it," Uo muttered as they knocked on the secretary's door.

"Who is it?" a feminine voice asked in a robotic way.

"Um…Tohru Honda, Ari--," but Tohru immediately got interrupted for the door shot open. All three women peered into the room to see a grinning Yuki and no one else.

"Glad you could make it."

Uo grunted an 'uh-huh'. "Didn't we just hear a woman's voice?" she emphasized, an eyebrow shot up in cynicism.

"You did," Yuki answered bluntly.

"Then…?"

"The knock sounding transmit into this computer, and it is voice activated to ask that question or say something else," he explained. "Now, let's get down to business, shall we?"

He ushered them in his office, sitting himself behind his desk; the others sat in front of him. The rat asked them to explain their side of the story, making sure every detail he knew was true, nodding his head along, indicating that he understood.

"…And that's pretty much it," Tohru ended the long story, nervous on the whole case and the fact that Yuki was right in front of her.

"OK, let me make a call to Akito then," Yuki said with confidence even though he wasn't confident. The women watched him profoundly as he picked up his phone and punched in Akito's office number, setting it on speaker so that the others could hear.

"Hello, Akito Sohma, music dealer," his eerie voice picked up the phone.

Yuki shuddered and cough. "Hello, Akito," he said icily.

"Ah, Yuki, and to what do I owe the pleasure of you calling me…so willingly?" Akito smirked from the other end.

"Please Akito, I'm not calling for pleasure, but in a matter of business," Yuki commented coldly.

"Business?" Akito repeated curiously.

"Yes. I'm sorry to inform you, Akito, but the reason that I'm calling you is to—to tell you that Honda-san, Uotani-san, and Hanajima-san wants to sue you and Yamato for attempted murder." Yuki paused, waiting to hear him yelling, threatening him once more.

Maybe Akito thought he was being recorded for he calmly replied, "I see, but I don't understand why?" he acted innocently. "I never tried to kill Tohru-chan."

"Cut the c---, Akito. We have evidence so I suggest if you want to defend yourself, then get a lawyer."

Akito's smirked turned grim. How in the world did they get proof…unless they were bluffing…

"You're lying."

"No I'm not. If you think we are, why don't you listen to this." Yuki played the tape and turned up the volume for him to hear.

"She would be, but I'm sure they managed to figure out a way to get her alone. They're going to bring her here."

"Really?" Yamato's face lightened up. "I hope they hurry already. I can't wait to have some fun with her."

"How long will you have fun with her? I can't let you have her alive for too long," Akito grimaced.

"Don't worry. A couple of days will do. I think my longest girlfriend latest a week."

"Very well. I just tell them to come back in two days to dispose the evidence just like four years ago." Akito gave a malicious laugh.

"How come no one figured out that it was the thugs you hired that killed Motoko?" Yamato asked. "I mean, they did find one of the thugs, but he didn't say a word so he got executed."

"Exactly. These men were trained to keep everything a secret and not to spill. That's why they cost so much more than other men."

"You really have this plan out, don't you?" Yamato said, impressed.

Yuki stopped the tape there. "I'm sure you heard that," he smirked.

They heard Akito curse on the other end. "Fine. I'll hire I lawyer. I want to hire you, Yuki."

"Akito," Yuki said exasperatedly, "I can't be your lawyer for you because I'm on a case, and you need a defense attorney. I'm on the prosecution side."

Akito hissed on the other end, "Alright, I'll get a lawyer, but at the end, you are mine."

Akito hung up, leaving the four grinning widely.

XXXXX

Author's Note: It's short, but at least it's getting exciting, ne?

Next chapter: Skipping to AFTER the case and something exciting will happen, but it is for the good? (like I said before, I'm trying to finish it up)

R&R PLEASE!