Author's Note: Sam, I sent your book with my dad to give to Heidi next time she sees you. Peoples, this is probably the last chapter I'll get up, it'll be long just for you!
"In there, Sohma!" The guard yelled, throwing Ayame and Haru into the cell beside Kyo's. Shigure's ears perked up and he waited until the guard went away, then rushed to the bars between their cells.
"Aya!"
"Gure!" Ayame gasped and rushed to him, grabbing a hold of his hands. The two did their little greeting, then Haru groaned and rubbed his head. Yuki came over and gave his brother a look, then looked to Haru.
"Why the hell are you in there?"
"Long story. Hatori and Kazuma are too."
---
And so, Haru confessed it all. By the time he finished the story, Shigure was cracking up and Yuki was just staring at Ayame. Haru rubbed his head, feeling a bandage, smiling faintly. Hatori must have taken care of him.
"Black Haru came out on the police?" Kyo said faintly.
"Yeah, they'll probably press charges for that." Haru sighed, sitting on a cot. "Hatori tried to warn them that I have that condition."
"Infact, the whole reason we're in here is to monitor you. We could transform easily in here, then our entire secret would be out." Ayame nodded.
Two months later, the hearing…
"Kyo, calm down." Hatori said to him quietly, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm going to wring her freaking neck!" Kyo growled, glaring at the office where his ex-wife sat. "She won't get Marleo away from me, that bitch."
"We won't let her." Haru said from the corner of the room, his arms crossed. "Marleo is like a son to all of us."
"The entire family is helping, Kyo. She won't win this trial." Yuki said, who was currently helping Ayame braid his hair. Kyo nodded and leaned back in his chair uneasily, his arms crossed. Thank God he was out of those handcuffs. Of course, he was still having trouble believing that Hatori, Ayame, and Haru had got into prison somehow. Their trial was going to be about the same time as his, he guessed the court wanted to be done with the Sohma family.
"Kyo, Marleo is my grandson. I won't let that woman have him." Kazuma said from the back, standing and walking to Kyo. "I am your father, whether the court likes it or not. They will not have either of you." He stated and kneeled beside Kyo's chair. Yuki watched this all, watched as Kyo got that vulnerable look on his face he used to have as a child. Yuki stood and dragged Ayame with him, motioning Haru and Hatori to follow him. The trio walked from the room, standing outside quietly.
"Marleo is in good hands now, Kyo, I promise." Kazuma said quietly, watching as emotions played on Kyo's face. "We gave him a name too. Kyoichi, son of Kyo. But, he wanted to stay as Marleo until he saw you." Kyo just stared at Kazuma, his eyes shining brightly. Kazuma smiled gently and drew Kyo to him, Kyo limply letting his head rest on Kazuma's shoulder.
"I'm acting like a did when I was a child." Kazuma heard Kyo mutter into his shirt.
"We all do, Kyo." Kazuma said, feeling Kyo tighten his hands on his coat's arms. "We will win this case. The Sohma family is fairly formidable."
Meanwhile, outside the boardroom, Yuki and Shigure reunited with everyone else. With the guards nearby, of course. Yuki hugged Machi and shook Ritsu's hand, then talked with others who were gathered there. Soon, the guards herded everyone into the boardroom.
---
"We are gathered here today to--" Kiari's (Kyo's ex-wife) lawyer was saying somberly.
"Hurry up! We aren't at a wedding, dammit!" Arisa Uotani yelled from the end of the table beside Kureno.
"She's right," The judge said, his look telling Arisa to sit down. It was a typical setting in the room, the judge at the head of the table, the parties on either side of him. The Sohma family and friends sat on the judge's right, while Kiari's on the left. Kiari sat by her lawyer, her face smug, her chubby son in her arms.
"Today is the hearing between the Sohma family and Mrs. Kiari Hamina's family for possession of the child, Marleo." The judge read, looking around at everyone. "Where is the child?"
"He's…um… Not here yet." The judge's assistant said, looking around.
"We're here!" Tohru suddenly burst into the room, Marleo in her arms. She stumbled a bit, righting herself, causing Kiari's side of the table to start snickering. The Sohma side threw them all looks, then Kyo stood and took Marleo from her, hugging the boy tightly. Tohru sat between Hana and Arisa, smiling weakly at the judge who smiled and nodded. Kyo sat down, Marleo holding onto his neck and looking about curiously.
"Marleo Sohma, is that right?" The judge looked at Marleo with those penetrating eyes, the boy nodded. "Quite a smart boy, Mr. Sohma." He said, looking to Kyo, then shuffling his papers. He read what both parties said, then leaned back. "The trial of that doctor was held, he is serving life in prison. That has been taken care of."
"Thank you, Judge Kabuki." Machi said, bowing her head to him.
"We take child abusement quite seriously, Mrs. Sohma. What are you to Marleo?"
"His aunt." She said, nodding her head. "My husband is Kyo's first cousin and Marleo's godfather."
"I see." He said, looking to Kiari. "From what I am getting from the Sohma side of the story, you dumped Marleo on Kyo without any warning, Mrs. Hamina."
"Kiari, please, Your Grace. And no, that is not true. I had every intention of coming to get him back."
"Your Honor," Kyo said, handing Marleo to Kazuma. "I object. My cousins were there the day it happened, they can prove it."
"Who was there, Kyo?"
"My cousin Shigure, and my cousin Hatsuharu was in the house at the time, taking a nap." Kyo nodded and sat back down, patting Marleo's head.
"That I was, Your Honor." Shigure said from beside Ayame. "Hatsuharu was indeed upstairs, taking a short rest in Kyo's room."
"I see. And, there were bruises on the child and the words exchanged were?"
"Kiari told me that she didn't want Marleo anymore, and that his name's meaning was just like his father," Kyo said, looking to Kiari and then back to the judge.
"Are there any pictures from the time he was given to you?" The judge asked, eyeing Kyo over his glasses.
"No, sir. Marleo was skittish and would not take any pictures." He said, Marleo nodded enthusiastically.
"I see." The judge said, looking over his papers. His assistance whispered something to him, then the two nodded. "Kyo, I cannot charge you with mal intent on Dr. Yamamato. Those charges are dropped. As for child abuse, I cannot be sure. From what witnesses saw, you were merely angry that the doctor harmed your son, besides, the doctor was not seriously injured."
Kyo grinned at Marleo and looked to Kazuma, the Sohma side of the table murmuring and talking a bit. The judge began whispering more with his assistant, Kiari's lawyer trying to get into the conversation. Marleo climbed over Kazuma and to Kyo, hugging his father and sitting on his lap. The judge watched this exchange, then asked Marleo if he wanted to see his mother.
"Me mamma is her," Marleo said, pointing to Tohru, who blushed profusely. "No her." He said, turning his gaze to Kiari. The judge looked to Tohru.
"Miss Honda, am I correct?"
"Yes, Your Honor." Tohru stuttered out, Kiari's side of the table all glaring at her.
"What are you to the Sohma family?"
"A very close family friend," Shigure said as Tohru was about to speak. "Her mother was Kyoko Honda. Tohru has been with us since she was fifteen, then went to school in America after she graduated."
"Kyoko's daughter?" The judge smiled fondly. "I dealt with Kyoko many times, Miss Honda, when she was in her little gang. The Red Butterflies, if I remember correctly. I assisted her with finding a job once her hang broke up, she was a good woman. Even know she caused my courtroom much grief, I wouldn't wish anything on her."
"Thank you, sir." Tohru smiled weakly.
"I can see Kyoko in you. She passed on her love of children to you, apparently." The judge said, then looked to see Kiari fixing a death look on Tohru. "Mrs. Hamina, I will not have any violence in this case. Miss Honda will continue to be Marleo's keeper until a final decision is decided. Kyo, Shigure, and Yuki, you are free to go until a court date is established. You three are on probation, and will live with Miss Honda until I see it fit further." The judge nodded firmly. "Now, I have heard the story of you three Sohma's…" Judge Kabuki said, signing some papers.
"I, quite frankly, was astounded by the loyalty in your family when I heard of this case." Kabuki said, gazing at the Sohma family. "These three put themselves in danger to be with the other three, I find that amazing indeed. I am aware that Mr. Hatori Sohma attempted to tell the police of Hatsuharu's medical condition, and that the officers did not listen."
"Yes, Your Honor." Machi said, taking out medical records. "Hatsuharu has diagnosed split personalities. Also, Kyo, Yuki, and Shigure also have a rare medical condition."
"Which is?"
"We do not know, Your Honor." Hatori said quietly. "The Sohma family is very esteemed, as you know, and I am the only doctor for the family. I came up with the entire scheme of robbing the bank, just to be near my cousins and monitor them."
"I understand, Hatori, thank you." The judge said.
"Your Honor!" Kiari stood. "Excuse me for this, but they are telling you bullshit!" She said, the judge narrowing his eyes.
"Excuse me, Mrs. Hamina?"
"That family is cursed! They change into animals when they are hugged by the opposite sex, or when they're bodies are under too much stress! They're the freaking Chinese Zodiac!"
That's it! All of you read it, leave lots of reviews, and write me while i'm gone. Come up with ideas for it and mail them to me, I love advice. Write me please! No one else does...
Tory Hargroder
Camp Mystic
Idiot's Delight
2389 Highway 39
Hunt TX, 78024