Here is chapter 22! I'm just skipping to the court date. Also, I have a POLL going on my profile, and would gladly appreciate it if you voted!

Also, I was going to update on Monday, but I was busy. So I said, I'll update on Tuesday and just my luck, the internet isn't working. So you get it today! Sorry about that.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gakuen Alice.

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One Week Later…

Mikan fidgeted nervously in the front seat of Natsume's car, picking at the sleeve of her white blouse. Ryuu had been strapped into the back, sitting in his car seat. Normally he would have been kicking the back of the chair because of the long ride, but his legs were un-operable. His wheelchair was folded up in the trunk.

"Calm down." Natsume muttered, gaze flickering to her face before returning to the road. His knuckles were tight on the steering wheel, whiter with each passing second. Mikan could tell he was just as nervous as her.

"Mommy, my arm itches!" Ryuu whined from the backseat, pointing to his left arm. Mikan had doodled on the cast, trying to cheer him up.

"Just try to ignore it baby." Mikan turned to face him, stretching back to rub his leg, even though he couldn't feel it. The leg that was in a cast made his pant leg look lumpy.

He made an agonized noise, pouting, "It's not fair."

"I know, Ryuu, I know." She smiled sadly, cursing the men who took away her son's future in sports. She'd known ever since he first kicked a soccer ball that he'd be an amazing soccer player. Now…

Natsume's jaw clicked and the court house grew closer. The car rolled to a stop at a red light, and Mikan returned her attention back to the road.

"Aoi-chan will win the case for us, right?" Mikan inquired quietly, her fingers curling into the edges of her skirt.

Natsume nodded, "I know she will. She isn't the type to give up, especially if they're family." He was nearing the parking lot, and Mikan swallowed thickly. Natsume parked, and sighed. "Everything will be alright."

"I hope so." Mikan muttered to herself, and uncurled her fingers from her skirt. She straightened and got of the car, Natsume following, going to get Ryuu's wheelchair.

Mikan closed her door and opened Ryuu's, reaching in to undo his seatbelt. Carefully, she peeled him out of the seat and held him protectively in her arms until Natsume rounded the back end of the car with the chair set up and ready to go.

"It won't come apart, will it?" Mikan asked hesitantly, staring at the black chair. He nodded, patting the seat.

"No. Put him in the chair. Do you want to push?" Natsume inquired quietly, watching as Mikan strapped Ryuu in the chair, double checking the belt.

"Yes." Mikan turned the chair around so she could push, and Natsume locked the car. He stood next to her, his fingers on her lower back sending shocks of support through her. The trek to the front of the court house seemed endless, and once they managed to get Ryuu's chair up the ramp to the building, Aoi was there, dressed in a pinstriped grey suit, the skirt at a moderate length.

Aoi clicked off her cellphone call once she saw them, putting it into her purse. Aoi shuffled through the papers in her arms.

"Onii-chan, I hope you won't be mad, but…" Aoi trailed off, gesturing to the people behind her. A stunning woman with pinned up raven black hair and ruby eyes, the same as the Hyuuga siblings. She must have been their mother. The man had light hair and gentle eyes, and was holding hands with the woman. He was their father.

"Mother, Father?" Natsume was speechless, not believing his parents were actually in front of him.

Their mother ignored him, setting her sights on Mikan and Ryuu. She strutted up to them, dropping her husband's hand, "I'm Kaoru, Kaoru Hyuuga. And you must be Mikan Yukihira and your son, Ryuu…" Kaoru trailed off, not knowing what Mikan had given him as a last name.

"Hyuuga, Ryuu Hyuuga." Mikan had signed his birth certificate with that last name, and she was glad she did. A smile crossed Kaoru's face, as she touched Ryuu's cheek.

"And a Hyuuga he is." She turned to Natsume, giving him a pointed look, "You could have told us."

Natsume frowned, "You haven't really talked to me since I left the family to get married."

Kaoru sighed, exasperated, "Natsume…"

Aoi, attempting to defuse the situation, glared, "We don't have time for this petty fighting. I have a court case to win, and it starts soon. Let's go." The group nodded and Aoi faced Mikan, "Just tell the truth and everything will be fine."

She nodded, swallowing, curling her fingers around the handles. Natsume's fingers never left the small of Mikan's back and she was appreciative for his fingertips.

Their footsteps echoed down the halls of the surprisingly empty corridors, probably because of all the sessions going. Aoi shuffled her papers, getting everything prepared.

A man in a black suit walked up to them, two men dressed in shabby suits behind him. His hair was thinning, and his gold eyes were red rimmed.

"Cai Shen…" Aoi narrowed her eyes dangerously, spitting his name like poison.

A smirk curled over his mouth, "Hyuuga Aoi, what a pleasant surprise." Shen eyed Ryuu, which Ryuu sneered at him. "A spiteful little brat."

Mikan bit back an insult, and Natsume's face was mask. Aoi's lip twitched, a hateful look settled on her face.

"Your clients will lose. Do you honestly think the jury will be so forgiving for a drunk driver that took away a two year olds ability to walk?" Aoi smoothed out her skirt, changing her expression to a more passive one.

Shen's smirk deepened, "What about the fact this two year olds parents were reckless enough to allow their son to wonder about a parking lot?" Mikan's jaw tightened at his words, her nails dug into the fabric of the handles on the chair.

Before anyone could speak, the doors to the courtroom opened. A man in a security uniform stood there, stoic and stiff. Aoi held her chin high, holding her hand out to the open doors.

Mikan swallowed thickly at the sight of all the people, the jury and the empty judge podium. She pushed Ryuu into the room, Natsume faithfully by her side, his parents slipping away to find seats. Gazes all around proved Mikan's thoughts. They all pitied her son. The guard let them into the front, were smaller podiums on a longish table waited for them.

Aoi led them to one side, seating Mikan, Natsume and Ryuu behind the table. She stood in front of them, a professional smile on her face. Shen and his clients were on the opposite side of them.

"All rise for Judge Yu." The audience as well as jury stood as the Judge Yu walked in, posed and ready for business. Her robe was loose around her and she settled into her seat.

"Hyuuga Aoi, you may proceed with your opening statements." Yu nodded towards Aoi, and she walked to the middle of the room, back straight and ready to speak.

"We are here, not for a simple case of DUI. This DUI case affects the life of a two year child." Aoi gestured to Ryuu, "Because of the arrogance of these men, this boy has lost his ability to walk. Isn't it just for these men to atone for taking away his freedom to walk, run and play by paying for his surgery bills as well as pain and suffering? Thank you." Aoi walked back to the table, and flashed Natsume, Mikan and Ryuu a reassuring smile.

"The jury and I would like to hear your opening statements, Cai Shen." Yu said, shifting some hidden papers behind the podium.

Shen smirked, standing up and walking up towards the jury, "Can you blame my clients for this incident?" What was he playing at? "They had been at a party, only having a few drinks. Was it their fault they decided to take a turn into a family restaurant, trying to have some fun, that they hit the child in question?" A murmur rippled through the audience, and the jury exchanged looks. "Shouldn't we be blaming the irresponsible parents who allowed their two year old to wonder across the parking lot? Thank you." He went back to his original spot.

Yu nodded, "Hyuuga Ryuu, I would like to speak with you." She pointed to the podium next to her. The guard walked up, and gave Mikan a small smile, before he pushed Ryuu over to the podium, helping him into the seat. "How are you today, Ryuu?"

Ryuu gazed at the women for a moment, "I've been better. I feel better today because this morning mommy drew on my cast for me." Mikan held back a laugh, but she smiled anyway. She felt Natsume lace their fingers together under the table. She squeezed him back, hoping everything would work out for the best.

Yu smiled kindly, "What's your favourite thing in the world, Ryuu?"

Mikan's eye brow's furrowed in confusion. Mikan whispered, "What's she doing?"

"She's trying to make him comfortable." Aoi muttered back to Mikan, taking a small sip of water.

Ryuu smiled cheerfully, "Lots of things. I like soccer, my toys and my friends. My favourite things ever are my mommy and daddy." Mikan's heart melted.

Yu's eyes softened a touch, if that was possible, "Ryuu, can you remember that night? The evening that this happened?"

Ryuu nodded, "I was having dinner with mommy and daddy. When we got outside to go home, dad was discussing something with mom and I went over to a shiny green or maybe blue car, and I saw a really cool rock!" He frowned a little, "It's kinda messy from there."

The judge nodded, and gestured to the guard to take him back. The man helped Ryuu back in his chair, which he then brought back to his parents.

Yu pursed her lips, "I'd like to call Cho Kenji to the stand." Kenji stood up, walking to the stand, sitting. "Can you explain to me the details of what happened that evening?"

Kenji nodded, "We're at a party, right? And we were drinking a little. On our drive home, we're roommates, we decided to get some dinner. While driving calmly through the parking lot, this little tyke came out of nowhere. It wasn't our fault."

"Objection your honour!" Aoi kept her face calm. Yu motioned for her to continue. Aoi grabbed the police report and held it up for proof, "According to the police report, these men were going at least 60mph in a 20mph speed limit. If they were going the speed limit, Mr. Hyuuga's injuries wouldn't have been as terrible as they are."

Yu took the police report, reading it over thoroughly. Kenji started to sweat a little. "You have a very valid point, Miss. Hyuuga."

Shen was on his feet, "Your honour, can you honestly believe anything this woman says? She is the aunt of the child, what's stopping her from fabricating the truth?"

Aoi shot Shen a glare, as did Mikan and Natsume.

"Mr. Chen, I've known Miss. Hyuuga's style for a long time, and she is not one to lie." Yu said, and Aoi nodded, not needing her position to be defended but it was still nice.

The balding man sneered, turning back to his client. Yu dismissed Kenji, and he hurried back to his table. "I would like to obtain any extra information before I make my final decisions with the jury." Aoi handed the guard the rest of her papers and walked back to her side, smiling secretly at the couple. Yu left the room to deliberate with the jury.

"I know we've won this case." Aoi reached over to give Ryuu a positive rub on his uninjured arm. "You did a good job on the stand, Ryuu."

Ryuu beamed, but that didn't stop him from sucking on his thumb. Mikan stared at Aoi for a minute, "And if we lose?"

Natsume answered her, "Then I re-join the family and get money from them." Aoi gave her brother a stern look.

"As much as I want you back, onii-chan, do you think mom and dad will let you return to easily?" Aoi pursed her lips, standing up straight once the jury and judge walked back in.

Yu let the jury speak the verdict. A woman stood, with straight blue hair and sharp violet eyes. "We have decided in favour of the plaintiff for the amount of 624737.7 Yuan and 32088.12Yuan for pain and suffering."

"Court is dismissed, have a great day." Yu said, standing up to walk away.

Mikan was on her feet, hugging Aoi, Natsume and Ryuu. "I can't believe this is happening!" Natsume cupped her face, preparing to kiss her.

"Neither can I." Shen snarled, yanking Mikan away from Natsume. A loud gasp flittered through the room, and Natsume moved to help before the deranged man whipped out a blade and held it to Mikan's throat, gripping her hands behind her back.

The court room that was in total chaos froze at the sight of the small dribble of blood dripping down Mikan's throat.

"Mikan!" Natsume snarled, trying to be threatening to the man but his face shone with concern. Shen barked a laugh, pressing a little harder, causing Mikan to wince.

"So… who won this court case again?" Shen smirked threateningly.

As I wrote this, I was like, how much longer do I want this? Half way through, I thought only one more plus an epilogue. I wasn't sure how to make it longer until I got to the verdict where I decided I'd make Shen go a little bat shit. So now you'll either have one or two more chapters plus the epilogue before the end! 32088.12Yuan is equal to 5000 Canadian dollars. Time to answer reviews!

Vegie-1526~ Tis been updated :D I hope you liked this chapter.

Sunny February23~ I wish there was a way to cure Natsume : ( but nope, he's stuck like that forever.

LilDaydreamer06~ . .gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001325/ here and Wikipedia lol. Oh jeez, probably 24ish if I had to guess. No! Never! You're not annoying! And I did update, soo there you go! If the link doesn't work or isn't there it's . okay?

moonacre99~ *Facepalm* You're right. Dumb typos : ( anyway yes, DUI means driving under the influence. They did get justice… and a knife threat…

kookiie~ aww, that part was sweet. When has a Hyuuga lost? He's a great kid. And updated : )

tuggabeloved15~ Thank you! I'm glad you love it! I just love student/teacher relationships too!

pinkpocket23~ You praise me too much! But, none the less, thank you so much! I have to say that if I hadn't let Ryuu stay alive, a lot of people would be after my head. This chapter is longer in comparison to the last one!

Once again, if you would spare like ten seconds or something, would you please check out my poll? Thanks again!

~Emerald~