Chibisensei: Hi again ^o^ I was really surprised & delighted that I actually got reviews. Your kind words flattered me so much, that I got this chapter out quicker. There is a Haruhi's Legislation Notes section at the end of the chapter which contains the laws for Envy, Sloth, Wrath, & Gluttony. The full penal law for Greed will be revealed in a later chapter. Thank you again for your kind words & I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Disclaimer: I own nothing besides the plot
Fun Facts: Kasanoda started smoking after his incarceration to help mold the appearance of emotional detachment to his sentence. The prison guards are intimated enough by him to allow him to receive cigarettes & smoke in his cell.
Chapter 5: Before the Trial Part 2
Kyoya continued to stare at the ground. He hadn't even been there a day and already he had been violated by a childhood rival and housed with a criminal. It wasn't long ago that his only worries revolved around paperwork and meetings and now… He frowned slightly. If he had committed Greed, what had he done to do so? He had given himself no bonuses.
"You know, there's really no point in stewing over whatever it is you're stewing over," stated Kasanoda, breaking Kyoya's train of thought. "All it does is annoy the shit out of the rest of us."
Kyoya looked up. "What annoys you is not my problem."
Kasanoda reached into his pocket & pulled out a cigarette and lighter. "You know, that attitude of yours is not going to fly here." He lit the cigarette & took a drag, his face thoughtful as he exhaled. "I shared a cell with a guy named Hikaru for a few days & his bad attitude got him sent to death row."
Kyoya coughed as the plume of white smoke hit his face & waved his hand to disperse it. "Can you not smoke while I'm here?"
Kasanoda put the cigarette back into his mouth with a laugh. "You actually think you're going to get out of here? I hate to burst your bubble, but the system is rigged." Gray ash fell from the cigarette tip as it dangled from the corner of his mouth. "Take me for instance. Some bastard from another syndicate beat the shit out of my old man's friend last year so he might have ordered a hit on him. Now, I'm stuck in this cell for life for the crime of Wrath because I might have known about it."
"Somehow, I doubt you had no knowledge of it," stated Kyoya flatly.
Kasanoda took another drag from his cigarette. "I knew after the fact. It was guilt by association merely because I'm my old man's son. My defense clearly proved my innocence, but the judge tanked it before I could even have it presented to the jury." Kyoya found his interest piqued with the last statement.
"What, may I ask, was your defense?"
Kasanoda stood up & brushed by the black haired man, tossing his cigarette into the toilet. He looked back at him. "I was in Kyoto the entire 3 months that shit went down. I didn't have any words with my old man during that time nor did any of his people bother to come by. I had phone records, witnesses, video- the works-to prove it."
"Why were you in Kyoto?"
"I was indulging a hobby of mine."
"Mmmm lkkk fwwers," stated the young-looking blonde haired boy in the other cell.
Kyoya frowned slightly as he tried to interpret the statement. "Flowers?"
Kasanoda threw an icy glare at Honey that caused the boy to back up a few feet and clutch his bunny. He looked back to Kyoya. "Nevermind that. The point is that I was innocent, they knew, & they still railroaded me; and if it happened to me, it can easily happen to you. Ask Mori."
Kyoya looked at the tall man next to Honey. "Yeah," the tall man affirmed.
"Mori, here, was actually a police officer," continued Kasanoda. "He refused to arrest Honey & was convicted of Sloth for it. They're currently investigating his record for other possible charges which is why he hasn't been punished yet. Honey just liked to eat sweets."
A slight frown began to mar Kyoya's face. Coupled with what Tamaki told him, Kasanoda might actually be telling the truth. If that was true, he vastly underestimated the situation he was in. The sound of approaching footsteps got the attention of all four prisoners. A young woman with short brown hair and professional dress was walking towards his cell. Kyoya watched her approach, a question as to who she was in his eyes.
"Haruhi," greeted Mori.
Hikaru's eyes were dull as he stared blankly at his cell wall. Memories of the execution continuously assaulted his mind with blood and guilt. He couldn't have killed someone. He just couldn't have. Everything was his fault. If hadn't been so immature back then, none of this would have happened. A new wave if guilt crashed over him like a vengeful wave. He was guilty. He was. Kaoru sat next to his twin helplessly. He had been trying for the past hour to get his brother to move, much less say anything. Hikaru would sit silently for hours after an execution, but he always acknowledged his presence, usually by burying his face into his shoulder for comfort. But, right now, Hikaru wouldn't even do that. It was like his soul had been sucked out of his body. Kaoru looked at his brother's mangled right hand. He could only assume that Hikaru had taken frustration out on something…or someone. He clearly had broken something, but it was almost like pain didn't register to him anymore. When Kaoru had returned from Haruhi's office, he had found his brother in the same place he currently was, a stream of red dripping from his hand. On the concrete in front of him, Hikaru had painted the day's date with his blood.
"Hikaru," he pleaded. "We need to get your hand treated." No response. Tears welled in the corners of Kaoru's eyes. "Please…talk to me." He lowered his head, gritting his teeth tightly. Maybe if he had been here…
"Ah illed em," Hikaru stated softly, interrupting Kaoru's train of thought.
Kaoru looked up at his brother. "What?"
"Ah illed em," he repeated.
Kaoru frowned slightly his mind translated the barely formed words. His eyes widened. "Hikaru…" he began in a whisper. Hikaru turned to him. The look on his face broke Kaoru's heart. Hikaru's dull eyes were stormy with anguish as tears began to form in the corner of his eyes.
"Ahm ah urderer…" Hikaru's voice cracked. "Ahm ah urderer…"
Kaoru pulled his brother into a hug as he kept sobbing the same line over and over again. Holding back a scream of pain from his broken hand, Hikaru gripped Kaoru like a lifeline. He didn't want his brother to leave. He couldn't bear for his brother to hate him. But…who could still care for a murderer? "You're not a murderer, Hikaru," said Kaoru, holding his brother equally as tight. "You're not." And he cried as well. Hikaru closed his eyes. 'Would it be selfish of me to ask for your help, Kaoru?'
Tamaki ran his hand through his hair as he looked at the file copies in front of him. Takashi Morinozuka. Honey Hanninozuka. Hikaru & Kaoru Hitachiin. Haruhi Fujioka. And now, Kyoya Ootori. Mori & Honey were cousins from a family very active in the martial arts. Hikaru & Kaoru's father was the CEO of a computer company and their mother a well-known fashion designer. His beloved "daughter" was Ouran's prosecutor. Finally, Kyoya was a highly influential businessman in the medical industry. He flipped to yet another profile. Kasanoda's father was currently on the run, leaving Kasanoda himself the leader of his father's yakuza syndicate. He shuffled the pages together & threw them into the trash can. He lit a match and threw it onto the files, the flames licking the rim of the can as they slowly burned to ash. There was a slight chance that this could work, but how could he get them all together? His eyes widened as an excited smile spread across his face. A committee! He could form a committee! For what, he had no clue yet, but it was a start. He looked up. But first things, first; he had a trial to prepare for.
Haruhi smiled in Mori & Honey's direction. "Hello," she greeted. "How are you two holding up?"
"oood," said Honey. Mori nodded.
Haruhi looked at Honey. "You're release is scheduled two hours from now. The wires will be removed next week." She paused. "Please be careful. You know what the penalty will be if you end up here again for the same Sin." Honey looked at Mori in question.
"You get gutted by that psychopath execution," stated Kasanoda, butting into the conversation.
Honey's eyes widened in panic as Haruhi closed her eyes. "I understand that you're still upset, Kasanoda, but must you phrase things that way?"
Kasanoda shrugged. "I'm just stating the truth. You know it & I know it."
Haruhi ignored the comment & turned to Kyoya. "Anyway, I'm Haruhi Fujioka. I'll be prosecuting your case." She paused awkwardly. "And I apologize for earlier. The situation is being handled to the full force of the law."
Kyoya pushed his glasses further up the bridge of his nose. "If that is the case, I suppose I cannot complain," he stated.
Haruhi smiled apologetically. "Still, I'm sorry."
"It's fine." That was a total lie, of course. Kyoya was already planning legal retaliation for after he was found innocent.
A prison guard walked up to Haruhi with a giant ring of keys. "Ootori, huh?" he confirmed.
Haruhi nodded. "Yes." She turned her attention back to Kyoya. "Let's find somewhere more private to discuss your charges."
Within 10 minutes, Kyoya & Haruhi were seated in an equally depressing interview room. There were no windows & the overhead light flickered weakly.
"I'll make this brief," stated Haruhi. "You are charged with 5 counts of Greed. They extend from the following:
Count 1- massive lay-offs without severance pay
Count 2- inability to allow employees to add nuclear family to health insurance
Count 3- not paying employees for overtime hours
Count 4- allows retaliation against employees who protest for higher wages
Count 5- charging ex-cons of the Seven Sins legislation twice the normal amount for treatment & out of pocket." She paused. "Any questions so far?"
Kyoya frowned. These practices weren't uncommon in the business world. Sometimes a company had to take such measures to ensure its survival. How was this Greed? Then again, hearing them read this way did make it sound bad. "How do these practices equate to Greed?"
"The statute defines Greed as 'the inordinate desire to possess wealth, goods, or objects of abstract value with the intention to keep it for one's self, far beyond the dictates of basic survival and comfort'. In your case, it would be wealth. Your company is very well off financially & cannot take such actions. The one of most benefit of these measures is you. There have been reports that your employees actually fear you; that annoying you the slightest meant almost certain termination."
"It is better to be feared than loved," stated Kyoya.
Haruhi sighed. "Clearly, you don't realize how much of an impact these things have on people's lives."
"Then, by all means, educate me."
"A young son of one of your employees became ill a month ago. His family could not afford the separate insurance needed for their child & the employee received no extra money for the hours he worked overtime in an attempt to pay for the insurance out of pocket. The illness was completely curable, but they simply did not have the money they needed." Haruhi paused. "The boy passed away 2 days ago. Counts 2 & 3 are primarily why you are here. The other 3 counts is a result of investigating some anonymous complaints."
Kyoya stared down at the ground. He understood now. Did others really see him as that much of a monster? The thought actually stung him. He wasn't like that. Then again, when was the last time he showed otherwise? He ran the family company, sure, but he hadn't made the company's policies. He just… Kyoya closed his eyes. Tamaki had been right after all.
Haruhi sighed as she walked towards the train station. It had been a long day & she was not looking forward to this trial. She glanced to the side to see a familiar red head sitting outside a McDonalds, a beverage straw dangling from his mouth & a drink in his left hand. A lost look clouded his face. She closed her eyes briefly before walking towards him.
The Hitachiin twin was surprised, to say the least, to see Haruhi in front of him. She stared at him for a second before shaking her head.
"What you're doing is very dangerous," she said. "You know what the consequences are." The red head looked down at the ground despondently. Haruhi sighed. "I suppose there is one more thing I can do for you & your brother." The red head looked up in curiosity. A small, knowing smile graced her features. "I'm going to let this go. Both of you be very careful."
Hikaru blinked as he watched Haruhi disappear around the corner. She knew. She knew & she wasn't going to tattle. Hikaru smiled sadly. At least his brother hadn't broken his own hand for nothing.
Haruhi's Legislation Notes
Ouran Penal Law 139:1 Wrath
The crime of wrath shall be defined as "retributory punishment for an offense or a crime". 139:1 can be charged in any incident of violence.
Ouran Penal Law 139:2 Penalties
The punishment for the crime of Wrath shall be no more or less than proportionate to the severity of the crime.
1. In incidents involving no permanent harm, imprisonment is mandatory
2. In incidents involving minor to moderate permanent damage, both direct or indirect, the offender shall be given a life sentence
3. In incidents involving serious bodily harm or death, execution is mandatory
Ouran Penal Law 139:3 Restrictions
1. The charge of Wrath cannot apply to anyone under the age of 6
2. Only 139:2:1 may apply to the mentally disabled
3. The charge of Wrath shall be dismissed if the state fails to meet the burden of proof
Ouran Penal Law 134:1 Sloth
The crime of Sloth shall be defined as extreme laziness or lack of effort in daily life. 134:1 can be charged by the state when such behavior is exhibited in any area outside of the individual's property including schools, places of work, and public areas.
Ouran Penal Law 134:2 Penalties
The penalty for Sloth shall be no more or less than proportionate to the severity of the crime.
1. Should an individual fail to participate in an activity which requires multiple people by neglect, a warning shall first be given. If the offense is repeated, punishment of a broken bone and a term of imprisonment is mandatory.
2. Should an individual refuse to participate in aforementioned activity intentionally or with malice, the removal of the limb which would most be used in that activity is permissible
3. Should 134:2:2 be repeated on than once on a single individual or in combination with the sin of Pride, execution is mandatory
Ouran Penal Law 134:3 Restrictions
1. In the case of individuals under the age of 14, 134:2:1 may only apply
2. The charge of Sloth cannot be applied to individuals under the age of 6 or over the age of 65
3. The charge of Sloth cannot be applied to the physically and/or mentally disabled
4. The charge of Sloth cannot be applied to those ill enough to require bed rest as prescribed by a physician
5. The charge of Sloth will be dismissed if the state cannot meet the burden of proof
Ouran Penal Law 138:1 Gluttony
The crime of Gluttony shall be defined as habitual eating in excess. 138:1 may be charged if the excessive eating habit is an almost daily occurrence
Ouran Penal Law 138:2 Penalties
1. Should an individual be charged with Gluttony, he/she will first receive 1 warning.
2. Should the individual repeat his/her behavior after 138:2:1 has been carried out; the offender will receive one metal wire stich through the lips for every snack/meal outside of their dietary requirements.
3. Should the individual continue to indulge after 138:2:2, disemboweled by the executioner is permitted
Ouran Penal Law 138:3 Restrictions
1. The charge of Gluttony cannot apply to anyone under the age of 12, however can be placed upon their guardians
2. The charge of Gluttony shall be dismissed if the state fails to meet the burden of proof
Ouran Penal Law 135:1 Envy
The crime of envy shall be defined as discontented or resentful longing of what belongs to another. 135:1 can be charged by the state when such behavior is exhibited in any area including schools, places of work, public areas, and the individual's property.
Ouran Penal Law 135:2 Penalties
The penalty for Envy shall be no more and no less than proportionate to the severity of the crime.
1. Any act of jealousy shall be punished with a scarring burn
2. Should an individual intimidate and/or demean another individual out of jealousy, the removal of the offenders tongue is permissible
3. If the aforementioned behavior includes violence, the offender shall be deafened and imprisoned for no less than 15 years
4. Should 135:2:1 or 135:2:2 be repeated more than once or in combination with the sin of Pride, execution is mandatory. Execution is permissible if135:2:1 is repeated more than four times.
Ouran Penal Law 135:3 Restrictions
1. The charge of Envy cannot be applied to children under the age of 6
2. Execution is not applicable for the charge of Envy for offenders under the age of 14
3. The charge of Envy cannot be applied to the mentally disabled
4. The charge of Envy will be dismissed if the state cannot meet the burden of proof