Betrayal In Its Most Simplest Form

Chapter 21

"Objection!" Liam called out firmly. "As we were informed specifically my defendant's court summons, one charge has been charged against her. According to policy and law, the defendant has the right to be informed of why she is being charged. No new charges can be brought up against the defendant in the same trial."

Rin ran a hand through her hair and spoke more fluently, "Objection, Your Honor. We are not pressing any charges for the new case we have brought up. This is strictly used for evidence to prove the defendant is guilty as charged with abuse. We the prosecutors are not pressing for penalties toward illegal immigrants. As our right, we are allowed to provide as much valid evidence we can to prove the defendant guilty."

The judge kept a straight face. "The objection of the defendant's is overruled. The evidence the prosecutors shall bring up will be held against the defendant as the present charge. Any future charges will be noted for another case."

Ibuki cursed under her breath.

Rin smirked and continued her case. She stood confidently with her fiery hair tossed to one side of her shoulder. "The defendant, Kuroko Ibuki, is, as of right now, an illegal immigrant in Japan. Ah, my mistake, should I call the defendant . . . Sevaine Ibakmi?"

The teal-haired woman's eyes widened so wide, Aomine thought her eyeballs were going to pop out. Her muscles tensed, and she clenched her fists abruptly under the table. Akashi seemed satisfied by her reaction.

"The way the English people say it," Rin continued. "The defendant's first name is Ibakmi; the family name is Sevaine. Ibakmi Sevaine. The defendant has three identities in Japan: Kuroko Ibuki, Suzuki Akihiko, and Abe Miku. Your Honor, I'd like to have this recorded: If you put the defendant's first names in the order I previously stated, take the first two letters, you will receive the name: Ibakmi."

The judge asked the court reporter to state Rin's lines, again. She pushed up her glasses and looked at the dialogue she has been typing on her typewriter: "The prosecution attorney said: 'The defendant has three identities in Japan: Kuroko Ibuki, Suzuki Akihiko, and Abe Miku. English spelling: I-B-U-K-I; A-K-I-H-I-K-O; M-I-K-U."

One of the recorders of the trial nodded to confirm Rin's statement to be true. It did spell out Ibakmi.

"I'd like this to be admitted as evidence, Your Honor."

"Does the defendant have any objections?"

"We do not, Your Honor." To be honest, Liam was completely confused. He hadn't been informed of this.

"The statements shall be admitted into evidence."

"I'd also like to submit these surface records of each identity I have mentioned. Abe Miku, Kuroko Ibuki, and Suzuki Akihiko, as stated in their personal files, all own the same three businesses. All three of the defendant's identities seem to be known for the same title."

The judge quickly skimmed through the records. "The exhibits will be admitted through evidence."

Rin flexed her hands. She was on a roll, and it felt good to have everything go her way. "The prosecution calls a worker of the Rasa Corps."

The bailiff brought a young, nervous man to the witness stand. The red-head started questioning as soon as the clerk got his information. "Where do you work?"

"Rasa Corps, down south in the first branch."

"What is Rasa Corps., exactly?"

"It's one of the three biggest corporations in Japan." The man sounded proud to be working for it.

"Rasa Corps. is owned by how many people?"

He scrunched his eyebrows. "One, of course."

"By whom?"

"You don't know? By Abe Miku-san."

"Who is Abe Miku?"

"The most powerful woman in Japan; she owns all three of the biggest corporations."

Rin pointed straight at Kuroko Ibuki. "Then tell me, who is that?"

He blinked. "Abe Miku-san."

The crowd gasped. Akashi looked bored, as he already knew what was happening. He did, on the other hand, enjoy Ibuki's expressions.

"The Prosection now calls the worker from the Atari Corps."

It was the same process with the other witness. Same questions, different company and owner names. When Rin asked who Ibuki was, again, she answered with 'Suzuki Akihiko'. Again, the crowd started to murmur quietly. It was obvious the teal-haired woman was recognized by three names.

"As I've said, Your Honor and ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the defendant goes by three identities. However, the name she was legally registered with at birth was Sevaine Ibakmi." Rin handed over many articles to the officer who passed it onto the judge. "Many years ago, two entertainers that went by the name of Liam Sevaine—" The blonde attorney shot up at his name, but then composed himself when he realized it wasn't him, "and Julie Sevaine both lived in America. As stated in many of those articles as proof, the two had a child, later named Ibakmi Sevaine. News in ensuing years showed the two mysteriously stopping their career and flying all the way to Japan. The child was left behind. Your Honor, do the articles state this?"

"They do."

"Then I would like to also submit the first article as evidence. Please keep the second and third for future reference."

"Does the defendant have any objections?"

"We . . . do not, Your Honor," Liam faintly said. He was getting sick.

Once the judge passed it as yet another piece of evidence, Rin continued, "Who is Sevaine Ibakmi? From American news just reported two to three weeks ago, she is a wanted criminal. To be more specific, a wanted murderer and abuser. Even missing for more than three years, American officers are investigating in this cold case to this day. On the article, it reads Sevaine Ibakmi disappeared in the year of 19XX. In the same year, a mysterious woman appeared in Japan, and started three, small businesses: The Atari, Rasa Corps, and Ibuki Corporation."

Many shocked murmurs spread throughout the room, and even Haru looked stricken at the news.

"Some new activity spurted from the two entertainers at the same time, and it was predicted Sevaine Liam and Sevaine Julie helped smuggle her daughter into Japan, using their influencing background to help their only daughter escape from American officers. Two years later, the two died, leaving their adult daughter alone. Just a few months after, the three businesses she had built up suddenly boomed up in business." Rin looked fiercely at the jury.

"Is it just coincidental that these events took place at the same time of Sevaine Ibakmi's disappearance, and after? My people have been looking for Kuroko Ibuki's transfer and legal immigration paperworks, but they do not exist. Nevertheless, on her birth certificate, her birthplace confirms New York City, New York, America. If not a born citizen of Japan, where are her transfer files? Where is her certified citizen certificate? Also," Akashi's mother emphasized to show she wasn't done, "the picture shown of Sevaine Ibakmi does not resemble the defendant as much as it would allow us to determine them as the same person. Though there are records of the defendant's plastic surgery documents early in her years. This picture I will present will show the similarities through editing to show plastic surgery was gone to rid of her unending crimes."

She handed the picture Aomine and Kise edited. It was also passed onto the judge. His eyebrow twitched at the similarities. "I would like the many articles and picture admitted as evidence."

They were admitted.

"As said, the prosecution is not pressing charges for these said crimes in this trial and case. This is only presented as evidence toward the present charge."

Rin swallowed and re-ran all the notes through her head. Had she stated everything? Nothing was left out? Usually, she would be confident and rest her case the minute she finished, but Ibuki was a complicated one, and they couldn't afford to make mistakes. " . . . The prosecution rests our case, Your Honor."

Haru let the tension in his shoulders flow out. They were now done. It was only up to the defendant's side and the jury if they would win or not. Kuroko's father stole a glance toward Ibuki's attorney and frowned when he saw the pale face. "Didn't you tell me he's the best attorney who studied in America, Hayato-san?" Haru asked quietly. "Why is he not objecting to any of the evidence?"

"He is the best attorney," Hayato murmured back. "Look at this face, though. He looks shocked. It is obvious Ibuki didn't inform him any of this information. As a person who is hiring an attorney, it is your job to inform your attorney or lawyer any charges the other side can press against you. Ibuki kept information from him. . . . If he had known beforehand, he would most likely have information that would counter ours." Hayato ran a hand over his face. "Ultimately, it is Ibuki's fault. We are lucky."

"The defendant may now present their case and evidence."

Liam stayed quiet and stared at the desk with a small glare. "May I request a break, Your Honor?"

"You may."

"The defendant requests a short break to recollect her thoughts."

"Allowed. The court session will take a break for approximately half an hour. During that time, the jury may look over the admitted evidence. The jury may not allow to come in contact in any way or form with the prosection nor the defendant. Please have the jury exit out, first."

Rin, upset at the break, impatiently waited as the jury filed out of the back exit. Once they all exited, the prosecution was allowed to go, and Akashi headed out the front exit. Everybody followed after him.

The cool, refreshing air definitely felt good against their skins. It had been stuffy and tense in the court room, so it wasn't that bad to take a breather. Hayato was more concerned at how much information Liam could get in the short period of time.

"Akashi-kun!" Kuroko easily slipped through the crowd of people and stumbled in front of the red-head. They had to wait a little for the others to join up, and once they did, the audience had mostly left the area. Akashi studied the small teen in front of him with scrutinizing eyes. Kuroko had been allowed to wash his face during the trial, so he was cleaned up after his break down in court.

When the red-head deemed Kuroko well, Akashi quickly pulled the small teenager against his body. Kuroko stumbled a bit before clumsily fitting into his partner's lean figure. A dominating hand rested onto his teal locks. "Are you well?"

"Hai," he replied. He struggled a bit to step back from the small embrace, and Akashi let him go. Kuroko took a few steps backward and stared at the large crowd before him:

Kagami, Murasakibara, Midorima, Akashi, Kise, Aomine, his father, Hayato, Rin, Catherine, Hiroshi, and Jun.

All of them had come to defend the small teen from any more unwanted abuse. The thought made Kuroko feel weak.

He surprised everybody—maybe not Haru, as he was the one who taught Kuroko his polite behavior—by bowing extremely low and formally. Akashi crossed his arms. "Thank you very much, everybody," Kuroko announced softly. He stared at the ground. "You went through much trouble for me. I am sorry for an inconvenience I have caused. Thank you."

"Aw, come on, Tetsu," Aomine complained. "You made this awkward. Stop apologizing and bowing!"

"I'll have to agree with Ahomine," Kagami added. "Seriously, stop bowing."

"Kuro-chin, if you bow too low, I can't feed you snacks . . ."

"Kurokocchi is so cute! But I can't see his face!"

"How foolish . . ."

Catherine smiled at the teens' antics and stepped up before the bowing teen. She bent down, her golden hair flowing with her, and pressed a gentle hand onto Kuroko's head. The teal-head slowly lifted his body to meet her gaze. "You're a good boy, Tetsu-kun."

He blinked. "Thank you."

"He's too polite," Rin scoffed and casted a glare toward Haru. "I do wonder from where he inherited it."

Haru ignored the glare and walked up to Kuroko to replace Catherine. Suddenly, he pulled his son into a hard hug. "I'm proud of you," he whispered near Kuroko's ear and pressed a kiss to his forehead. "You did your best, Tetsuya."

He let go of his son and moved out of his way to give him space. Akashi stood by Kuroko and placed a hand on his shoulder. Kise eyed the hand suspiciously.

"Akashicchi, you've been touching Kurokocchi too much! You even hugged him! Don't . . . don't tell me," Kise's face turned horrified. "Akashicchi is in a relationship with Kurokocchi? No! Aominecchi; we need to save Kurokocchi, he's going to be eaten!"

Kuroko stayed quiet and didn't answer the unneeded question.

Akashi only raised his eyebrows.

~Setting Skip~

Kuroko Ibuki stormed out of the court building by the side exit. There were three exits in the court room: the back exit for the jury, the front for the prosecution, and the side fo the defendant. This was to avoid as much contact as possible. She had tried to follow her son out the front exit, but officers stopped her, further fouling her mood.

She strode furiously all the way to where they parked. Liam followed behind closely. "What the hell are you doing?" Ibuki screeched as they reached their car. She whirled around to face the taller blonde. "You should be the best lawyer here! Didn't you study in America? The Akashi family should be nothing to you with the knowledge you have! I paid you for nothing; wasted my cash! You're worthless to me!"

"Be quiet," Liam countered severely. He was speaking in his natural language; English. "You hid information from me, so it is your fault I had to request for a break in order to shuffle the evidence. If you had told me beforehand you were an illegal immigrant—"

"I am not an illegal immigrant!" Ibuki shouted, speaking in English as well.

"Don't deny it," Liam said harshly. "You are extremely lucky I am your lawyer. All evidence has been put against you; you can no longer simply plead innocence." He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. After taking a few deep breaths, he returned to Japan's standard language, "We have thirty minutes. It's enough time with my research. Is there a library near here?"

"There's one two blocks down," she answered tersely. "What are you going to do?"

"I'll explain on the way there. Give me the directions to the library."

~Setting Skip~

"Of course we will be okay," Rin said defiantly. "We brought over-the-top evidence. It will bring damage to Kuroko Ibuki."

"Yes, but thirty minutes is more than enough to recollect themselves," Hayato countered. "Think about it. Did you not recognize the attorney with her?"

"I did."

Rin and Hayato were quietly discussing in front of their car. Aomine, Kagami, and Kise had both decided to walk to a nearby fast-food restaurant for lunch as all of them were starving. Murasakibara started to complain to Akashi about running out of snacks, so he ordered Midorima to take the purple-head to a convenience store for more. Haru drove his colleagues back to the train station, since their job was done. Akashi and Kuroko simply . . . disappeared to somewhere.

Rin sighed and leaned against their sleek car. She took off her formal jacket. "We attacked with all we have, Hayato. We've run out. There's no more evidence we can find, even with this time we're being given now. If Ibuki and her attorney are able to find information that counters ours, we can't attack back."

Hayato nodded in agreement and pursed his lips. "We can only hope for the best. Knowing our son, he will not stop until he wins."

~Setting Skip~

Akashi and Kuroko walked down a secluded path surrounded by leaveless trees and dead grass. It was off to the side of the court building, where there was a slight view of the parking lot and a view down to the street. Akashi had dragged the smaller teen here, not that the teen resisted, to take a short, relaxing stroll to ease Kuroko's nerves.

The two walked quietly down the path. They didn't speak nor make a move towards each other. Kuroko kept taking glances at his partner, wondering what was wrong, or if he had done something wrong. Akashi didn't acknowledge him, even when he was aware of the glances and knew the teal-head was getting anxious by the minute.

Finally, Kuroko couldn't take the silence anymore. Even though he was usually the silent one, the silence between them was somewhat eery and brought him on his toes. "Ano . . .Akashi-kun?" He stopped walking.

Akashi paused at the call and turned his body halfway to meet Kuroko's gaze. He had one eyebrow quirked to show that he was listening. Kuroko bowed. "Thank you for everything you have done for me, Akashi-kun." He quickly straightened, though, since he knew the red-head didn't like him bowing too long.

The taller teen narrowed his eyes and crooked a finger toward himself. Kuroko, confused, walked up slowly until he was in arms' reach. A hand cupped his pale cheek, and Akashi bent down just a little for their height to be equal. "I did nothing to be thanked," the teen murmured, staring into the blank, blue eyes. "When will you realize we are doing this because it is by our choice?"

"Whether if it is your choice or not, everybody is still inconveniencing themselves because of me," Kuroko said monotonously. "I am thinking of repaying them."

"Hm." Akashi snaked an arm around Kuroko's waist and pulled him closer. The teal-head didn't protest. "They will not accept the gifts."

"Then I will not give them a gift."

"They will disapprove of you repaying them."

"Otou-san will help me."

Akashi shook his head. He spotted a bench a few feet away and pushed Kuroko toward it. "Sit."

He did. His former captain followed after and sat close to Kuroko's right side. Instantly, Kuroko tiredly leaned his body against Akashi's shoulder. The captain said nothing and only secured his hold onto the smaller's waist. "It's almost over," Akashi said. "We have won."

"You don't know that yet, Akashi-kun."

"I do. I know everything." He smirked and ducked his head to stare at the sleepy teenager. "Or have you forgotten that, Tetsuya?"

Kuroko frowned, but didn't lift his head from the masculine shoulder. "You're too cocky—" A pair of cold lips met his, promptly interrupting his sentence. It was forceful, and the lips were smooth and experienced. He was at first shocked and still, his brain still in the middle of processing what was on his mouth. From their past few kisses, Akashi had always asked first. Maybe because Kuroko had already experienced the many levels of kissing, the red-head found no need to ask this time. It did take longer for Kuroko to respond, though.

His arms slowly wrapped around Akashi's neck. It wasn't their first time, but Kuroko still didn't know how to position his body for a kiss. Where did he put his hands? Should he tilt his head? Should he turn his body? Was it acceptable to lean in?

Akashi, feeling the passer's worries, turned his own body to hold Kuroko by the waist. This way, the only position Kuroko could be in would be his body turned toward the red-head, arms around his neck, and his head tilted slightly for comfort. Kuroko hesitantly moved his lips with Akashi's once he realized his former captain was doing all the work.

It was a chaste kiss that involved no tongue. A simple, long, and soft kiss. Akashi pulled back for the short teen to breathe. Kuroko still kept his arms wrapped around the red-head's cold neck and took heavy breaths to replace the ones Akashi stole. He stared into the hetero-colored eyes that held dancing amusement. A faint blush appeared on his pale cheeks. He buried his face into Akashi's shoulder.

"That was mean of you, Akashi-kun," he mumbled into his shirt.

A deep vibration was felt by Kuroko, signalling the captain had just let out a small chuckle. A hand ran through his teal hair before setting it onto the back of his head. "I only wanted to observe your reaction."

"You should have asked, first."

"Then there would not be any reaction to observe."

Kuroko didn't answer and buried himself deeper into Akashi's body. He was glad no one was around to see them. When Kise had asked the forbidden question, he couldn't think of a proper answer.

They stayed like that for a few minutes before a large gust came flying in, effectively chilling the frail bluenette. Kuroko freed himself of the embrace and stood up from the bench. Akashi followed suit. "I am going to get a warm drink," the passer said and zipped up his jacket. "I have money for two. What do you want, Akashi-kun?"

Akashi gave him a wry glance. "I am coming with you, Tetsuya."

"I want to go alone," Kuroko countered but said in a more softer voice for an explanation, "I want to think by myself. With Akashi-kun there, I can't. Okaa-san is probably collecting information about Rin-san and Akashi-kun right now . . . and about me, too. I—want to be prepared for that, so I," Kuroko looked away from the intense eyes. "I won't make such an incident again."

Akashi surveyed the boy in front of him and shook his head. "It is much too dangerous to let you go alone. It does not matter if it is only a few minutes away, or that you want to be alone. Do you think I would actually let you go after what your mother has done to you? It's for your safety, Tetsuya."

Kuroko uncharacteristically grabbed onto Akashi's hand. "Please, Akashi-kun," he asked in a whisper. "I will take exactly four minutes. Most likely even less than that. My phone is with me. I only want to think alone."

The red-head internally fought a battle against the pleading eyes that were turned against him. He lost. "Exactly four minutes. You know I mean four," Akashi said seriously. "Any more than that, I will immediately assume you are hurt and call for the others."

Kuroko enthusiastically bowed. "Hai. Thank you, Akashi-kun."

Akashi watched as the teal-head walked swiftly up the path and turned, disappearing from his sight. He closed his eyes and sat down on the steel, green bench. The vending machine is approximately two minutes away at a slow walk. By the speed he is walking now, he should get there at one minute and twenty to thirty seconds. It takes about thirty seconds to select two drinks and grab them. The walk back should be the same time if he walks the same speed. In all, it should only take about three minutes and forty-five seconds. Kuroko Ibuki went out the side exit that leads to the parking lot. If Tetsuya's statement is correct, and if she was smart, she should be heading down to the library soon in order to receive information. They surely cannot cross paths . . .

He put a hand over his face. His mind could turn situations into extremely complicated ones if he wanted it to.

~Setting Skip~

The driver open the car door of the luxurious car for Ibuki to slide inside. Liam was already sitting up front, concentrating on the files he already had in his briefcase. She sighed and straightened her skirt, prepared to go into the car.

However, something caught her attention from the corner of her eye. A teen. A small teen. A familiar teen. A familiar teen with teal hair. A familiar teen with teal hair alone.

Ibuki's face distorted into something disgusting. "Actually, Liam," she poked her head into the car. "You go on ahead. I will stay behind."

"What are you going to do?"

"I need to take care of some business." She nodded toward the driver who got into the driver's seat and slowly backed out to go to the library. Ibuki waited for the limo to turn a corner, all the while keeping a sly eye on the teen.

She started to follow him.

~Setting Skip~

Akashi looked at his golden watch. Three minutes. Three minutes had passed. It should take another forty five seconds for him to get here. Maybe thirty seconds if he walked faster.

He leaned back and turned his head to look at the parking lot. At this time, it was mostly empty except for a few cars, including their groups'. Ibuki's car was also gone, too, but it didn't put the red-head at ease for some reason. He looked at his watch. It's been fifty seconds. Something is wrong. A flash of short, teal-hair caught his extremely observant eye. The event went by slow, and Akashi didn't even have to turn around to confirm the silky, strange-colored hair.

He scrambled up and checked his watch. Forty-five seconds since four minutes. Kuroko would never push time on him. Something was wrong. Something is wrong, Akashi clenched his teeth. That hair—it belongs to Ibuki.

Ibuki.

Ibuki.

Suddenly, the feared, level-headed Akashi Seijuro took off sprinting. The wind rushed against his hair, and his legs moved faster than it had ever moved, which said much as he did extreme training everyday. A phone was clutched tightly with one hand. He gritted his teeth.

Tetsuya.

I feel like this chapter was really bleh in the middle I: But it was more interesting and fun to write, and all these reviews motivated me! I have so many new reviewers, and it makes me happy! Also, a little information on Ibuki's real name:

Ibakmi. Yes, that is a real name. The idea of the name for Ibuki actually comes from my friend who is actually named Ibakmi. The 'k' is silent. It is pronounced: "IB-AW-MI." I don't know what's the language, but I found it unique and strange-sounding. It also kind of sounded evil to my ears, so there goes the name for Ibuki for my story xD

I know many of you hate cliff hangers (which is why I am already starting the next chapter so you guys won't be too mad I:) but I have to end the chapter like this. If I don't, the next event I'll be writing would be really long, making the chapter too long, and I can't end it in the middle of an important event or else it would lose all its effect. I can't have a chapter too-too long, either, as it doesn't separate my story in an organized fashion I:

I'm sorry! The story is coming to an end, but I am going to start writing many one-shots and two long stories. Would you guys read them if I wrote them? :)

Tell me of mistakes!

~Virelei