Usagi Tsukino: Ace Attorney

Part 7: Turnabout Crossover (3; Investigation part 2)

It was a tense mood in the Tendo household. Ranma fidgeted nervously, his secret exposed. Soun Tendo was reading a newspaper, trying his hardest to ignore reality. Kasumi frowned sadly, not bothering to look at the former young man in the eyes. Nabiki was not home, and had gone out on a date, apparently.

Usagi and Rei were downcast, blaming themselves for the current situation. If it hadn't been for them, Ranma's secret wouldn't have gotten out like it did. But, on the other hand, if they hadn't, the trial would've ended quickly and he'd be locked up and charged with murder.

Ryoga slammed his fists on the table. "Ranma! How...How dare you lie to us like this! How dare you...toy with our...with MY feelings!"

Ranma looked away ashamedly. "I...I'm sorry Ryoga...but I didn't do it to hurt anyone...I just wanted to save Akane..."

Ryoga turned away huffily. "Yeah, so you say. But I'll bet you were just up to something. You're always up to something perverted."

Ranma flinched from the accusation, frowning sadly. Usagi glared at the accusatory young man angrily.

"I think you should find somewhere else to hang, Ranma." Nabiki said drly. "Just until we get over this, naturally."

Ranma nodded and got up, smiling at Usagi and Rei. "How would you guys like to go have some great ramen?"

Usagi brightened up at the mention of food, and Rei shrugged non-committedly.

Ranma had taken the two girls to a small, chinese style ramen restaurant, where a cheerful, well-endowed chinese girl with long, purple hair leapt at Ranma and hugged her tightly.

"Hey Shampoo..." the red-head said nervously. "How's things?"

"Things very good!" Shampoo exclaimed excitedly. "Now Ranma date Shampoo yes?"

"Ah, so this must be the girl you mentioned yesterday." Rei ascertained, and smiled at the chinese girl. "Hi, I'm Rei Hino and the blonde is Usagi Tsukino. It is a pleasure to meet you, Shampoo-san." She bowed politely, pushing Usagi down to do the same.

Shampoo frowned, glaring warily. "You no have Ranma. He Shampoo husband."

Usagi giggled. "Oh, we're not after her. We're acting as Akane Tendo's defence."

Shampoo's glare hardened and her frown deepened. "Shampoo see. Well, what Shampoo do? You want ramen?"

Usagi and Ranma grinned hungrily, nodding furiously. Rei blushed, grinning embarrassedly. "I...suppose you can get us a few bowls..." the black haired girl replied.

Shampoo nodded, and left them to make their orders. The three girls took a seat near the counter.

"So," Usagi began, "care to explain some things to us? Like, how you're legally male?"

Ranma fidgeted nervously. "Th-that's...a little...complicated...you...you might not believe me..."

Usagi smiled reassuringly. "Oh please, you can trust us. We have very broad minds, so you know."

"D-do you...believe in magic?"

Usagi hmmed to herself, frowning. "I'm not sure how to answer that...why, is it important?"

The red-head looked down. "Yeah...well...you see...I have a...curse..."

"What kind of curse?" Rei asked calmly.

"Y-you believe me?"

Rei smirked. "let's just say we've had some...experience with magic in the past."

Ranma nodded. "Anyway...I fell in a cursed spring in China. It...makes whoever falls in transform into whatever drowned there last when splashed in cold water."

Usagi frowned. "Really? Is that really the truth? Seems a little far-fetched to me."

"USAGI!" Rei yelled out, whacking the blonde across the head. "How can you say that? We've seen enough in our lives to know that you can't just ignore something magic related. Besides, what would be the point of such an outlandish lie?"

Usagi nodded, rubbing the back of her head. "You're right, Rei-chan." She turned back to Ranma. "Sorry about that."

"it's ok." The red-head replied, smiling. "I'm just glad you believe me. I wouldn't have believed it myself, if I hadn't been living with it for some time now."

"Does anyone else know?" Rei asked.

Ranma nodded. "most everyone around here knows, except for a few people."

Usagi nodded. "I see...it must have been hard, keeping up the act."

"It was at first...but...it became easier...over time..."

Shampoo walked over to them, carrying three bowls of ramen and placed them in front of the three girls. "If want any more, just ask Shampoo. But it cost blonde girl and raven girl." She walked away, swinging her hips imperiously.

Usagi thought she ahd noticed a sense of...animosity in the girl's behaviour. She shrugged and just put it up to her imagination. At that moment, she unconsciously looked down at the ground, and noticed something near their table.

She compared the weird splotch to the vial of Strange Residue. Of course, without a proper forensic test, she couldn't be 100% certain, but judging from the look alone, it appeared to be the same substance.

(Strange Residue updated in the Court Record)

Now, Ukyo had said that the residue was found near the crime scene. So, what was it doing here as well? What IS this residue, anyway? Usagi didn't recognise it, and neither did Rei. And what did this have to do with the case? Probably nothing, but her gut was telling her that it was very important.

The door opened, and they all turned to see Shampoo walk over, smiling, towards Nabiki.

Nabiki looked at the lavender-haired girl, smiling back, and then she fronwed, her mood souring, upon seeing the other customers. Namely, Ranma, rei and Usagi.

"What are THEY doing here?" Nabiki asked.

"S-sorry Nabiki..." Ranma replied. "I...I just wanted somethin' to eat, and didn't want to bother you or everyone else...not while things are still...tense..."

Nabiki glared. "Fine. I have business to conduct anyway, in the back room. Shampoo, come along."

They walked off into the room behind the counter, out of sight.

Usagi frowned. What kind of 'business' was Nabiki conducting? And what did Shampoo have to do with it?

She was getting a weird feeling that this was important, somehow.

After they had finished their meal, someone else walked over to them. Well, pogoed was the more apt description. Usagi stared at the little old woman; about the same size as a young child; hop over to them on top of a wooden cane.

"It's been a long time, Son-in-law." The old woman greeted. "And who are these young ladies?" she glared suspiciously at Usagi and Rei.

"Oh, these are Usagi Tsukino and Rei Hino, and they're Akane's defence for her trial."

The old woman nodded in understanding. "Hmm, perhaps you could help me with something." She handed Usagi a piece of paper with some complicated writing on it.

(Transcript added to Court Record)

Usagi looked at it, uncomprehending. "Um...what is this?" she asked the old woman.

"That is a transcript stating that it has been delivering something from this establishment. However, I know for a fact that we haven't exported anything from here, hence my puzzlement. Even curiouser is the fact that, as you can see, it is written in Chinese. There are only two people here apart from myself who could've done this, but I doubt they have the ability, the capacity and the will to do any such thing like this."

"Why?" Rei asked.

"Because what has been delivered, I think, is contraband. I don't wish to give the details, but it is a dangerous narcotic that has destroyed the lives. It is written plainly on the transcript." She glared, and then sighed. "However, few people around here even UNDERSTAND Chinese, let alone know how to write in it. And my two...employees, who do understand and speak and write fluently, wouldn't be a part of this. There are many reasons, but the biggest one is...they don't even know that this drug exists, or even how to make it!"

Rei stared at the transcript intently, rubbing her chon with her fingers. "Hmmm, quite a conundrum. However, I don't think it is connected to our case."

Usagi shook her head. "We don't know that. Besides, even if it isn't, it's our duty to try and figure it out." She bowed to the old lady. "We'll try and see what we can do, miss..."

"Call me Cologne." She bowed back. "And I thank you for your help."

As they were walking out, they bumped into Nabiki, who apparently has finished with her business. The girl turned to them, scowling.

"I think you kids should stop your investigation." She said threateningly. "If not, I cannot guarantee your...safety. Just staw out of it and let the trial decide everything."

Ranma looked down sadly. "So...you don't believe in Akane's innocence..."

Nabiki chuckled. "Of course not. She's the only one who could've done it."

Rei glared. "What makes you so sure of that?"

Nabiki shrugged, smirking. "You'll see at tomorrow's trial. Until then, just sit and wait...like good little girls."

She chuckled softly as she walked away. Usagi frowned, the gears in her head turning.

Rei looked through all their evidence in the Court record, frowning.

"We don't have a lot of evidence, and they don't really seem to be connected to the case at all...we didn't even find anything helpful today at all..."

Usagi shook her head. "We didn't find anything new because I don't think there's nothing to be found. All we have is everything we'll find, I think. Besides, I have a feeling that it's all connected somehow. Drug smuggling and a murder...something's up, and it's far too coincidental to be unrelated. Plus...I think I've figured out who the true killer is."

"The 'true killer'?" Rei asked.

Usagi nodded. "Exactly. If Akane didn't do it, then someone else must've."

"and you think you've figured out who it is?"

"Exactly. Tomorrow at court, I am sure the truth will be revealed, and everything will make sense."

I apologise if this seems a little short, but I couldn't think of anything else to use here. Now, the stage is set for the final act. Who is the true killer, and what does drug smuggling have to do with this? Just wait and find out the shocking truth...

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and please comment! I also apologise for the wait!