When Past Meets Present
Chapter 17: The Lawyer Is More Powerful Than The Fist
Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Naruto
A/N: Ahem ok there is going to be a lot of legal mumbo jumbo in here which I know nothing about, and I mean nothing I mean you could say that I'm legally retarded
Neji was helping a little boy with his pitch, showing him how to hold the baseball correctly and all that, when suddenly the little kid tugged on Neji's sleeve and pointed. Neji turned around and saw Kintaro, who was walking with a huge burly bodyguard and a man in a crisp expensive suit, who was probably a lawyer.
Lawyer: Sir, you are being sued in a court of law, on charges of assault and adultery. (Can you get sued for adultery? I don't know anything about law so bear with me)
Neji: I'm being sued?
Lawyer: Yes, I've received information that you punched Mr. Tsu in the chin, causing the loss of five permanent teeth, only after you committed adultery with Mrs. Tsu.
Neji: what?
Lawyer: We'll be seeing you in a court of law on the 18th Mr. Hyuuga.
Kintaro sneered snugly and walked off with his bodyguard and lawyer, and when he sneered Usagi noticed that he had gotten fake replacement teeth, because they were different colors from his real ones.
Neji: Idiot.
Usagi: What the hell? Kintaro sued you?
Neji: Yeah.
Usagi: You didn't even do anything though.
Neji: I did knock out some of his teeth one day. But I didn't have an affair with you.
Usagi: That's what he's suing you about? Assault and adultery? You'll need a good lawyer then.
Neji: I don't have the money for a lawyer.
Usagi: Yeah, but Ren and I do.
Ren: WHAT? Kintaro sued you? What a bitch!
Shikamaru: Troublesome man…
Ren: Any ideas for lawyers yet?
Usagi: Yeah, but they're all taken.
Ren: Hmm…
Usagi: Well?
Ren: You can try calling Kozue Kyoko.
Usagi: You mean the huge big shot lawyer that has billboards all over Tokyo?
Ren: Yeah her.
Usagi: Well we'll have to get a lot of dough to get her to help…
Ren: Well actually she does have a weakness that you can use to your advantage…
Usagi: And what is that?
Ren: She's getting married soon and she needs someone to cater her wedding, most importantly make her cake and desserts.
Usagi: And?
Ren: She loves chocolate, so maybe you can trade a chocolate wedding cake, and some truffles for her wedding along with me helping her cater the food, in exchange for her services.
Usagi: Hmm well it can't hurt to try right?
xoxoxo
Kozue: Wait, ask me again?
Usagi: Do you think that you can get on the case, if Dreams Chocolatiers and Cutting Edge Catering Company agree to help you with your wedding?
Kozue: Hmm, well it's a good effort, but I'll still need some cash funds.
Usagi: How much?
Kozue: Well I won't charge you full price of course, maybe I'll give you a 50 discount…
Usagi: Only 50? How about 65?
Kozue: Nope, 50 firm.
Usagi: 55?
Kozue: Sorry kitten, 50 take it or leave it.
Usagi: Then I'll take it.
Kozue: Ok, that'll be $75,000.
Neji: S-seventy five thousand! That means on average her services go for about…$150,000!
Usagi: Do I pay monthly or do you want it upfront?
Kozue: Your call.
Usagi: Can I pay it monthly then?
Kozue: If you want.
So Usagi handed Kozue the first payment and left.
Neji: Are you sure you can afford it?
Usagi: Since I'll be paying monthly I'll have to really work hard.
Neji: Forget it; let's just get an attorney or something.
Usagi: No, an attorney couldn't possibly beat Kintaro's lawyer, because I know that he paid top dollar for his lawyer, so we might as well do that same.
Neji: Why would you pay $75,000 for MY lawyer anyway?
Usagi: B-because, I don't want you to lose this case, you'd ruin your reputation and I don't want that happening to you.
Neji: Oh…
Usagi: And on top of that, I'd hate for you to lose to a guy like Kintaro.
Neji: Thanks; I'll repay you for that someday.
Meanwhile Shikamaru had been acting strangely since last night. He had come over to Ren's house because she was bored and wanted some company. But he seemed awkward today.
Ren: Shikamaru, are you ok?
Shikamaru: Yeah.
Ren: You sure?
Shikamaru: Yeah.
Ren: Something's wrong…what if he heard me last night? Uh what time did you wake up?
Shikamaru: Really late, taking care of a troublesome woman like you wore me out.
Ren: Nice.
So neither of them said anything else and it was a long awkward silence…Ren looked around the room, avoiding looking at Shikamaru and he did the same. Ren almost shouted for joy when her cell phone rang.
Ren: Hello?
Usagi: Hey, I'm heading back home ok?
Ren: Ok, did you get her?
Usagi: Yeah, but I have to pay seventy-five grand for it.
Ren: Damn, oh well I'll help you out if you need it…
Usagi: Nah, I don't need it.
Ren: Ok so bye.
Usagi: Bye.
Ren was disappointed that the conversation as so short, because now she had to continue sitting in silence.
Ren: So Shikamaru, do you want to go to the case with me?
Shikamaru: Fine.
Ren: You don't have to go if you don't want to…
Shikamaru: Do you want me to go?
Ren: I wouldn't mind.
Shikamaru: Then I'll go.
Ren: Ok cool…ugh! So awkward!
Shikamaru: Troublesome…I wonder if she misread what I did for her last night, she said that she barely knew how she got home. But what if she knows I'm falling back in love with her…
Ren: Uh, what do you want to do?
Shikamaru: I don't know, anything.
Ren: Well do you want to…?
Shikamaru: Want to what? Make out?
Ren: Oh my gosh, that's so old fashioned. (Sarcastically) Yeah let's go to a drive thru movie and make out while watching The Omen.
Shikamaru: Ha.
Ren: Heh.
(Awkward Silence)
Almost as if it was a gift from God, Usagi and Neji walked in. They both sat down on the couch and silently fumed.
Ren: Uh oh, was Kozue a bitch?
Usagi: Not really, we just found out that the court date was TOMORROW! Fucking Kintaro.
Ren: Oh my god, he did that so you wouldn't have time to prepare?
Usagi: Probably.
Ren: Geez.
Usagi: I know! Damn, well I might as well go to bed.
Ren: Ok same here.
So they all went home and went to bed preparing for the next day. They all woke up and went to the courthouse where Kintaro was already waiting, the judge sat down and all the legal stuff. Anyway Kintaro was called to the stand by Kozue.
Kozue: Kintaro…you accuse my client of adultery am I correct?
Kintaro: Yes.
Kozue: Yes, and did you have any definite evidence of this?
Kintaro: No, but—
Kozue: So you accused him without having any witness testimony or physical evidence?
Kintaro: No, I do have a witness.
Kozue: Oh really? You do? Who.
Kintaro: Kaede Chiba.
Kozue: Really? Then defense rests, and I call Kaede Chiba to the stand.
Kozue: Kaede, you say that you saw with your own eyes Mr. Hyuuga and Mrs. Tsu committing adultery?
Kaede: Yes, I saw them out together and getting very cozy…
Kozue: Define "cozy".
Kaede: Well they were keeping strong eye contact and sitting close together.
Kozue: Eye contact and close sitting arrangements does not an affair make.
Kaede: Well…maybe not, but she doesn't really love Kintaro!
Kozue: Explain.
Kaede: She doesn't love him; she's in love with that Hyuuga guy.
Kozue: This isn't a matter of love she didn't commit adultery.
Kaede: She committed emotional adultery.
Kozue: Mrs. Chiba, we are talking about physically committing adultery!
Kaede: Young woman, don't talk to me like that!
Kozue: Whatever, defense rests.
Kintaro's lawyer was watching the whole thing amusedly his name was Akio Kuo. He stood up and looked at Usagi with disgust.
Akio: I call Kintaro Tsu to the stand.
Akio: Kintaro, please explain the nature of your encounter with Hyuuga Neji.
Kintaro: One day I was getting off from work, and suddenly Mr. Hyuuga walked up and started lecturing me about my relationship with Mrs. Tsu. I argued back calmly and suddenly he slammed his fist into my chin knocking out five of my teeth.
Akio: I see. Did he seem at all apologetic?
Kintaro: No, he seemed satisfied and didn't try to help me at all.
Akio: I see. The next person I will call up to the stand will be, Neji Hyuuga.
Akio: Neji, you have known Usagi for a long time am I correct?
Neji: Yes.
Akio: And please tell everyone what your relations with her were, not only at this time but back then as well.
Neji: I dated her in high school, but now we are just close friends.
Akio: Yes, and do you "love" Usagi?
Neji: …
Akio: You are under oath, now please answer.
Neji: …yes.
Courtroom: (Gasp)
Ren: (Squishes Shikamaru) OH MY GOD!
Shikamaru: Can't…breathe…
Akio: So you admit that you love Mrs. Tsu. I repeat MRS. Tsu.
Neji: Yes.
Akio: Now I will call my final witness to the stand. Usagi Tsu, please approach the stand.
Akio: So Usagi, have you ever committed adultery?
Usagi: No.
Akio: Right, Usagi, do you love Kintaro?
Usagi: Right now? No.
Kintaro: (Clenches Fists)
Akio: Uhuh, so do you instead love someone else…such as Hyuuga Neji?
Usagi only hesitated for a split second before replying
Usagi: Yes.
Ren: Oh no! Oh no!
Shikamaru: What!
Ren: She's going to lose everything she has, if she separates from Kintaro, she'll lose the house, the cars, everything!
Shikamaru: Oh my.
Akio: I rest.
So Usagi stepped off the stand and went back to her seat next to Ren.
Usagi: Ren stop reacting so much.
Ren: Ok I'll stop.
(Silence)
Usagi: Seriously Ren! I can feel you reacting!
Ren: Sorry, but now you'll lose everything.
Usagi: I know.
Ren: Ok.
So the judge deliberated for a while then he came back with his answer.
Judge: I find defendant Neji Hyuuga to be…guilty, on the charge of assault. I also find him to be…not guilty, on the charge of adultery, so therefore I sentence him to 8 months of community service.
Usagi: Hey Neji…
Neji: Yeah.
Usagi: I can't believe she still gave you community service…
Ren: Well it's better than jail…
Usagi: Good job at making things better.
Ren: (Shrugs) Eh, I tried. But seriously dude, like you need to find somewhere to stay, I mean I doubt that Kintaro is going to let you come back after…you know…
Neji: Usagi can stay with me…
Ren: Really?
Neji: Yeah…any girl who would sacrifice her luxurious lifestyle to be with me can stay with me anytime…
Usagi: Aw! Neji! That's SOOOO SUH-WEET! (Me: She's imitating Ren)
Usagi hugged Neji cutely in a chibi-ish way and Neji actually laughed and kissed Usagi on the forehead.
Ren: AW! SO KUH-YOOT! Shikamaru would it kill you to treat me like that? Lol. So you two kids go play, but don't have too much fun, I'm going to go meet up with my lawyer. Shikamaru wanna come along?
Shikamaru: Fine.
(Awkward Silence)
Usagi: You know that every time there's an awkward silence God kills a kitty.
Ren: Lol, hear that Shikamaru? You're killing kitties, and I'm an accomplice…(Fake Gasp)
Shikamaru: (Grunt)
Ren: Whatever, Shikamaru just go with me to my lawyer's office, my HOT MALE lawyer.
Shikamaru: A "hot male lawyer" wow, my masculinity is so threatened (Sarcasm)
Usagi: Um ok you guys go play too…
Usagi and Neji walked away wondering what was up with Ren and Shikamaru. Ren was wondering the same thing.
Ren: What's up with you?
Shikamaru: Nothing…
Ren: Yeah right.
Shikamaru: Seriously.
Ren: Fine.
Shikamaru: Damn, is she mad that I still have feelings for her or something?
Ren: What the hell, maybe he's mad that I break his heart then start to have feelings for him again…damn it must seem like I'm toying with him or something…
So they went silently to the office of Ren's lawyer and hundreds of kitties probably died along the way, so Ren was let into her lawyer's office. And he was indeed a "hot male lawyer". His name was Daisuke Akita. And man oh man he was fine, he had black hair that slightly covered his eyes, a perfect white smile, clear sparkling forest green eyes, with a athletic body. He smiled at Ren and shook her hand politely.
Daisuke: So Ren, I understand that you are in need of a divorce lawyer?
Ren: Yes.
Daisuke: I'm just wondering…what would make a guy want to spoil a marriage with a woman like you?
Ren: Haha, well actually he cheated on me.
Daisuke: I see, so before marrying did you sign a pre-nup?
Ren: No.
Daisuke: I see, so pretty much you'll end up getting half.
Ren: Not if you're as good a lawyer as people say…
Daisuke: Haha, so how much DO you want?
Ren: Everything, but that's not realistic is it?
Daisuke: Not very. But I can ensure custody of your house and your cars, and I could probably get you a nice settlement as well. But this isn't going to come cheap…
Ren: Oh boy, how much is this going to cost me?
Daisuke: Oh about $3,000 and dinner with me tonight…
Ren: Thanks, but I think we should keep out relationship business only.
Daisuke: That's ok, I'll still let you have your discount, even without the dinner
So Ren and Daisuke talked a while longer, then it was time to go.
Shikamaru: Why didn't you accept the date? You were totally digging him.
Ren: I was only digging his looks, and besides he's my divorce lawyer, going out with him would just be plain wrong. Besides I already like someone else…
Shikamaru: A crush eh? I've got one too…
Ren: Oh really? Haha.
So Ren and Shikamaru loosened up a little on their walk home so by the time they arrived home things between them were just like before. The same could be said for Neji and Usagi now that they were going to be living together things were just as they were before, Usagi moved her few stuff in, and then settled in, she sat down next to Neji on the couch. He put his arm around her and things were just like back in the olden days, Neji leaned in close and gave Usagi a tidy, but nice kiss on the lips. Usagi was about to give Neji a kiss back on the cheek when suddenly she felt her cell phone vibrating; she picked it up and found out that it was Ren.
Ren: Hey, do Neji and you wanna go out to dinner with Shikamaru and me?
Usagi: Sorry but we aren't exactly in the mood, so can we get a rain check?
Ren: Can WE get a rain check? You guys are on a WE basis now?
Usagi: Yes we are.
Ren: Fine, then me and Shikamaru are going to have to go out to eat alone like losers.
Usagi: Aw, I feel so sorry for you guys, you get to go on a romantic dinner all alone.
Ren:…
Usagi: (Smirk)
Ren: Shut up.
Usagi: Suit yourself.
Ren hung up the phone and yelled for Shikamaru. They went into Ren's favorite restaurant, and got a table and ordered.
Shikamaru: Troublesome, so Neji and Usagi aren't going to come at all?
Ren: Nope, they are officially a couple.
Shikamaru: Just like the good old days.
Ren: Yeah, except you and me aren't dating haha.
Shikamaru: Yeah.
(Awkward Silence)
Ren: Shikamaru, about this crush…could you tell me who it is?
Shikamaru: No.
Ren: You suck then.
Shikamaru: I know, but you aren't spilling your guts about who YOUR crush is.
Ren: Fine, how about we say it at the same time?
Shikamaru: Troublesome, but how?
Ren: We can write it down on out napkins then quickly trade napkins.
Shikamaru: Fine.
So they both wrote something down on their napkins then quickly traded. Both of them opened their napkins carefully and both of them were shocked by the single word that was written on the napkins, on the napkin was written the word YOU. Ren looked up at Shikamaru shyly, and he cutely avoided her stare. Ren put her napkin down and smiled at Shikamaru and he smirked back.
Ren: So now what?
Shikamaru: I don't know but I'm done eating.
Ren: So am I, so do you want to go back to your place?
Ren: And do what?
Shikamaru: Play video games?