Here we are, the court case. I know a lot of people have been looking forward to seeing Sakura's Father get what's coming to him but you have no idea how much he's going to get it! I'd seriously doubt if anyone had any clue of the twist coming in this chapter but feel free to correct me lol. Thanks for everyone who's voted on my poll as well. Enjoy chapter 30.
My heart was hammering as I sat uneasily on the sofa in the Hida's living room. I was dressed for the court with a smart red top and black skirt ensemble with flats that were suitable for running encase I needed to bolt. Mrs Hida was just finishing discussing with Cody brushing his hair. I reached up to adjust the red hair clip I wore but Ken caught my hands easily. 'Hey, easy angel.' He said softly. I nodded trying to stop myself shaking but failing miserably.
'Oh Ken, I'm terrified.' I admitted quietly so Cassidy wouldn't hear. She'd been welcomed easily into the Hida home and Mira had got her a nice dress to wear to the courts. I could see that she was nervous enough about seeing her mum without knowing I was anxious.
'Of course you are. I'd be more concerned if you weren't. This isn't going to be easy but you can do it. We all believe in you and you've never steered us wrong yet.' Ken told me calmly moving so he lowered my hands onto my lap and he sat next to me still holding my hands. He barely left my side though out the preparations as he tried to provide as much comfort as he could.
'Yeah, still. This is going to be major news isn't it.' I noted wincing. I could of stopped the press from appearing but as a presenter myself I didn't believe that was fair to them and I was fully capable of handling the added pressure. Cassidy wouldn't need to worry, as it would be focused on me and she had the protection of her young age.
'Yes, it's probably going to be the case of the year.' He agreed not bothering to tell a lie that we'd both see though in a heartbeat. That was one of the things I loved about him, he knew when I needed the truth and when I needed comforting lies.
'Hold me.' I begged quietly. He nodded and pulled me into an embrace not overly concerned about his suit. I gulped and held him tightly seeking all the comfort he could give.
'Well, it's time.' Mira said coming into the room. I tensed but let Ken guide me to the limo we were taking. Ken said that showing off would be appropriate as it would make people believe that Mira was more suited as a carer and gain favour for us otherwise I'd never of agreed. I didn't move far away from Ken seeking his reassurance that it would be okay. I needed it, I needed him more that ever.
They were ready for battle, I noted taking in the Digidestined. I was stunned by the appearance of Mimi only to be told she'd taken the first flight available to be here for this. I was truly grateful for her going to the trouble. Davis came up instantly leading the others as they made a protective huddle with me in the centre. I could here the mutters as people took in the famous members of the group with a kind of shock. I heard a fury of activity and watched as a plain average car pulled up. My Aunt Meredith strode out haughtily barely glancing at us but she couldn't hide her surprise at my gathering. I saw her purse her lips, obviously remembering with distaste her comment about me ruining my life back in the graveyard. I lent closer to Ken as my father stepped out. Karl Tenshi was an average looking man. You wouldn't look twice at him on the street and he could work anywhere from a bank to a garage without any questions being raised about his look. The only give away as to his character was the menacing look he shot my way. I gulped as he marched over brushing away the security that was keeping the cameras off him. The others moved as one shielding me easily. He paused and glowered at them.
'Let me talk to that lying trash of a daughter now!' He shouted loudly. Several eyes widened and every reporter had their cameras taping the action in full detail. I looked at them only for their determined eyes to meet mine. I knew that they would be more than willing for their tapes to enter the evidence. Despite the competition for the best stories we looked out for our own.
'How dare you talk to our friend like that! I've known her since she was three and I doubt she was lying about her scars then.' Davis hissed furiously. I knew that he'd probably have punched my father but it was far to public for such actions. I heard Mira and Diana gasp and realised they hadn't known just how long the abuse had been going on for. My dad ignored him trying to look at me but unable to move around the others.
'Fine, you better come to your senses and call this off or else you and your friends are going to get hurt.' He hissed. I felt my anger rise to a boil as he threaten my friends and family. Enough! This time I'd show him! I wasn't weak Sakura Tenshi anymore. I was Sakura, holder of the Crest of Possibility and the most experienced Digidestined here when it came to the Digital World. I'd battled against Devimon, Myotismon, the Dark Masters, Apocalymon and Millenniummon. Was I really going to be scared by a mere human?
'I have come to my senses, and I'm sure my colleagues would agree and be more that willing to provide last minute evidence with their tapes, any particular preference for the TV station?' I retorted taking a risk. This could just anger him and make him hurt someone but I doubted he'd take such a chance right now. His eyes widened as he looked to the smile journalists who were nodding. He sulked into the courthouse before he could make his position worse obviously knowing he was going to lose, badly. I let out a sigh and Ken grasped my waist moving closer.
'Let's go.' Ken muttered looking at the others. They nodded and we marched in trusting in our solidity as a group to see us though. I smirked as I saw Cassidy was shadowing Cody who was holding her hand easily. Cute, I thought to myself but not going to embarrass the pair by actually saying it.
'All rise.' We stood up as the judge entered the courtroom. The Digidestined filled the seats behind me that were for family and friends of the accuser, Cassidy and me. My father was on the opposite side of the room with Meredith and his lawyer, who really looked like he wanted to be anywhere else. 'Please be seated.' The judge said sitting down. We resumed our chairs making a lot of scrapping in the room.
'State the case.' The judge said for the benefit of the jury more than anything. An official stood up and picked up a long list that made me frown. Where had all the accusations come from? 'Your honour the primary hearing is for the alleged abuse towards Sakura and Cassidy Tenshi by both defendants. However in the interest of costs the state wishes to add in several other crimes that have been mysteriously dropped over the years towards Mr Tenshi.' He stated looking up. That explained that, I thought glancing at Ken. He wasn't pleased by the development knowing it would only add stress but nodded in reassurance so I turned back to the front.
'We have limited time, please state the main crimes and the Jury can look over the list while conferring.' The judge ordered.
'Yes your honour. The most significant crime is actually particularly related to the child abuse case.' There were several gasps from the room. I was just confused. How could it be related? 'You see Miss Sakura Tenshi has been under the guardianship of Mrs Mira Hida who's husband is the late Hiroki Hida, a police officer murdered while protecting an important political figure. You may well remember the case and how the only informant suddenly went silent. Well the informant is now willing to reveal, while remaining anonymous, that it was Karl Tenshi that pulled the trigger killing Hiroki Hida. The evidence was already acknowledged as valid in the previous hearing but the witness was silenced by threats from Mr Tenshi before the conviction could occur making the prosecutors wish to wait and work on the informant.' I spun round to see Cody and Mira were white as sheets looking at my dad like he was something they couldn't comprehend. The other Digidestined looked like it hadn't sunk in yet. I didn't blame them; I was having trouble myself. Of all the families to take me in it would be the one he nearly destroyed. Suddenly Mira rose. The entire court was silent as we watched her.
'Your honour, I am Mira Hida and I would like to address the court on this matter.' Mira's voice was strong and the judge nodded. She strode to the front and looked at the crowd. 'I lost my husband several years ago when he was killed in the line of duty. He left me with a son and his aging father to care for, which I have done to the best of my ability. My father in law stayed on running his dojo rather than retiring and helped me take care of Cody by looking after him when I worked. Then Cody moved up to middle school and started spending large amounts of time with the computer club there. I was starting to be concerned about just how much time he was devoting to a subject he never seemed to show much interest in when I met someone special. Sakura Tenshi. She didn't attend the school, though I didn't know that at the time, but she was welcome in the computer club due to her friendship with the members. Talking to her when she walked Cody home made me realise that it wasn't the computers he was there for. He'd made good friends and was enjoying their company. Yet I was suspicious, Sakura ate very little when invited to dinner and was hesitant with her actions. Thanks to my husband I knew the signs of child abuse when I saw them. Sure enough my suspicions were proven and so I let Sakura into my home. She became the daughter I never got and the sibling Cody needed. I wanted her to press charges against her, father, but I never even mentioned it wanting her to be comfortable in my home. Now she has come forward and I find she's given me the chance that I lost so many years ago, a chance to see my husband's killer put behind bars. I can only say thank you, I am so glad you are my daughter.' She smiled at me and walked over giving me a warm hug before going to join her son. Cody had come out of his shell shock to listen and nodded giving me a smile and mouthing thank you. I smiled at them, maybe this was fated. All I knew was that I was glad I could help them find this bit of peace. It was a small way of paying them back for giving me mine.
The rest of the trial was fairly easy and it was a unanimous decision to place both Meredith and Karl behind bars. Meredith would be out in a couple of decades but Karl had so many life sentences a vampire would die before they were completed. The court had taken a turn of events no one expected and this was sure to be the main news for at least a month. Everyone would have something to say about the trial, most of it negative for my father. 'Nothing's simple with you is it?' Ken noted as he sat on my bed holding Wormmon. I was looking though my wardrobe for my nightgown, it was to hot for my usual full-length pyjamas. I chuckled as I finally found the silk nightgown. It was full length and had no sleeves, only two satin straps with some eyelet lace round the collar and hem.
'I guess not.' I agreed as I stepped out across the hall to the bathroom. I changed quickly knowing people would want to use it and returned to my room. Ken's eyes widened as he took in my unusual sleeping attire.
'Are you trying to kill me?' He demanded his voice low. I shook my head smiling.
'No, it's just hot.' I explained fanning myself dramatically.
'The weather's not the only thing.' He muttered. I smirked and he blushed realising I'd heard. I went onto my bed and laid down on top my head resting on Ken's chest. He sighed contently and put his arm round my shoulders moving me closer. I let my hand grab his waist holding him tightly. 'Um, definitely nice.' He said kissing my head lightly. I smiled turning my eyes to the sleeping Wormmon and Lalamon who were resting at the bottom of the bed on a pillow. I looked up when I heard a knock on the door and Cody entered.
'Sakura, oh…I'll leave.' Cody said turning. For a smart kid he had his moments of stupidity. He needed comfort after today; I'd been expecting him to come actually.
'Cody, come here.' I said rolling my eyes. He blushed but came onto the bed slipping beside me. I looked to the door narrowing my eyes. 'Cassidy you too.' I instructed my cousin who was now living with the Hida's. Ken and Cody frowned surprised as she rushed over and climbed onto the bed joining us in the heap. They always forgot that I had lived in the Digital World for a while, which did allow you to improve some skills. Upaamon snuck up and joined Lalamon and Wormmon in the group of Digimon. Ken and I exchanged small smiles before chuckling as we settled down to sleep. Mira was quite startled the next morning when she found us all curled up together like a family but ended up just laughing about it and taking a picture, as Ken found out later from his mum.
Like I said, major twist! Hope you all enjoyed.
Can Ken and Sakura get a moment's peace? And what has Arukenimon been up to while this was happening? Find out, on the next The Possibility of Kindness!