Chapter Three: A Special Request
The blonde novelist never opened his eyes the entire time that his friend came to visit. Before his arrest, the world knew him as the charming romance novelist, Eiri Yuki. His smart suits and exotic looks were an epitome of a modern day prince charming. He appeared to be in a happy relationship with singing sensation Shuichi Shindou. To the ones that were close to him, he was Eiri Uesugi, a vulnerable man with a dark past.
As his brother-in-law and best friend since childhood, Tohma Seguichi knew and understood more about Eiri's past more than anyone else. Tohma held himself responsible for the devastating events in his past. Now that Eiri has been arrested, Tohma felt that it was his duty to protect him and to hire a lawyer.
"You're wasting your time," Eiri told Tohma. "This is my karma. I deserve to be here."
"Eiri... What happened all those years ago is not your fault," Tohma whispered.
"I killed them all," Eiri moaned.
"No you didn't," Tohma responded. "You should know by now that I'm not too proud to beg. I will hire a lawyer and clear your name in any way possible."
May's first case had been successful. Even though her client, Sakura bowed her head in shame, she could tell that she was happy deep down. Both of Naruto's little ones glared at him like he was a murderer. They may have been young, but they were old enough to understand what was going on.
In the corner of a room, May saw the transparent figure of a tall beautiful brunette with large breasts and long hair. The figure was wearing the same black skirt and jacket as May. The lady smiled and waved, but nobody seemed to notice her. By the time May blinked, the woman had vanished. It reminded May of the dreams she had had since she left her hometown at the age of ten. The mysterious figure she saw resembled the comforting ghost of her dreams. The one that told her not to cry and to laugh at her worst times.
"Thanks a lot," Sakura muttered. She blushed, but she still lowered her head in shame.
"Miss Haruno," May patted Sakura's back and smiled at her. "You don't need to feel guilty anymore. You're free." When May saw the tears roll down on her client's face, she hugged her. Prosecutor Payne made May's blood boil with his sexist remarks against Sakura. Besides, lots of people cheat on their partners, so May felt that Sakura had nothing to worry about. "At least now, you can start your future with Mr. Uzumaki and the kids."
May could understand why the affair happened. Their actions were not justified, but May could see that none of them were bad people. The affair shouldn't dent the amazing services that Naruto and Sakura gave to their village. With Sasuke being away all the time and with Hinata distancing herself to hide her illness it left Naruto and Sakura to spend more time together. It allowed them to do things that they hadn't done with their partners in a while. She could also see why Hinata hid her illness for so long, she didn't want to become a burden to her family.
"I should have known something was up," Sakura admitted. "I wonder if she knew..."
"I don't know if she knew," May replied. "But if she was as kind and as sweet as others described her, then it's safe to say that she's forgiven you, already."
Sakura lips had curled slightly. "I guess you're right."
"S-Sakura..." Naruto mumbled with his chin to his neck. "I'm sorry for making you go through this."
"I guess it can't be helped." Sakura told Naruto as she squeezed his hands.
"I think a lot of people in the village hate me at the moment..."
"I'm sure you can easily regain the village's trust again."
"You know what?" Naruto rubbed his stomach. "I'm hungry. Let's go and grab some ramen."
"Okay then."
"Dad!" Himawari cried out bursting into tears as she stood by her brother. "IS FOOD ALL YOU EVER THINK ABOUT? I SEE WHAT BORUTO MEANS WHEN HE SAYS YOU DON'T GIVE CARE ABOUT US!"
"Himawari?" Naruto ran towards his daughter and tried to pick her up, but she stepped back behind her brother. "What are you talking about? Of course I care about you both."
"Then why would you cheat on Mom?" Himawari roared. "You should have known she was sick!"
Visiting Neji's grave suddenly became a daily task for Hinata. Whenever somebody wanted to look for Hinata, they would always find her in the cemetery, sitting by Neji's grave. Himawari found her mother and ran towards her.
"You should go to a doctor," Himawari told Hinata. She knelt by her mother and grabbed onto her skirt. "This isn't right!"
"I will see him tomorrow," Hinata promised her daughter. She patted her head and smiled. "Don't worry, I will be just fine."
"Mom!" Himawari yelled. "You're not okay! You never eat. You're always coughing up blood and you're always here. We never do family things anymore."
"I'm having lunch with Sakura tomorrow," Hinata informed her daughter. "I think it will be good."
"You should go out more often instead of sitting here all way," Himawari suggested. "You can't stay here all day when it's raining or if it starts snowing."
There was nothing Hinata could say. All she did was hug Himawari as if her life depended on it. She really wanted to tell Himawari the truth, but she just couldn't bring herself to say it. She didn't want to add any stress to her and her family. She saw the doctor the next day just as she promised. There was nothing the doctors could do for Hinata now.
"She was facing cancer all by herself," Himawari sobbed in her brother's arms. "If everybody had done more to help her, then she might still be here right now."
"Himawari," May approached her. "I don't think your mother was ever truly alone."
"Why is that?" Himawari asked. Hot stream of tears rolled down her face. "Show me proof that she wasn't alone."
May presented a picture of Neji, Hinata's beloved cousin. "Hinata kept you all in her heart. She was ready to die knowing that she would be reunited with her best friend soon."
"Oh mom..." Himawari continued to weep. "She was always so selfless and kind. Thinking of others before herself."
"Why don't you two go with your father?" May suggested. "It's been a long day. I'm sure you're both hungry."
Sakura and Naruto left the courtroom, holding hands. Naruto's kids quickly followed them. They all waved at May and she waved back. May hoped from the bottom of her heart that Naruto and Sakura could get their relationship to work.
"Congratulations," a voice spoke from behind them. It was Phoenix's voice. "That was a truly great turnabout."
"Thanks, Mr. Wright!" May looked over and smiled at Trucy. "But I wouldn't have been able to have done it without Trucy."
"Me?" Trucy giggled. "Sure I was there for support... But you did most of the work on your own."
"Anyway May," Phoenix said. "I've got a new case for you."
"A new case?" May then noticed that there was another man behind Phoenix. The man had white hair partially concealed in a fluffy black hat and a blue coat the same shade as Phoenix's suit. Both his coat and hat were equally fluffy. The man resembled a keyboard player that May remembered seeing on her mother's wall once. May thought that the man was Tohma Seguchi from Nittle Grasper. The band did occasional reunions, but Tohma had been busy running his own major music label.
"Pleased to meet you, Miss Maple," The man said. There was pride in his broad shoulders, but the tone of his voice resembled a beggar man. "My name is Tohma Seguchi. I'm the president of N-G Records. I'm in desperate need of your assistance."
"I thought it was you," May smiled. She shook Tohma's hand. "What can I help you with?"
"I need you to defend my friend," Tohma whispered. "My wife's brother... Has been framed for murder."
"It's been all over the news," Trucy told May. "That novelist Eiri Yuki has been arrested for the murder of Taki Aizawa."
"Why don't we discuss this over lunch?" Tohma suggested.
"Sounds like a good idea," May nodded. Then she lowered her head when she remembered her nearly empty purse. "I haven't got a lot of money though..."
"Not to worry, Miss Maple," Tohma responded with a warm smile. "It will be my treat."
"Oh!" May felt a huge wave of relief had been lifted from her shoulders. "Thank you very much."
May never expected her morning would end with a trip to Kozue restaurant, one of the finest restaurants in the Shinjuku District of Tokyo. It was a perfect summer's day, so Mt. Fuji could be seen from the window. Tohma was even paying for her, Phoenix and Trucy. May was starving, but she didn't want to take advantage of Tohma's good will. She reminded herself that this was still a business venture.
They all mingled on fresh sushi, hearty miso soup and yummy yakitoris. If May's mum had known where she was right now, she would have been very jealous. Her mother was a big fan of the bands that were signed to N-G Records and had a great admiration for Tohma's talents. She was surprised at how Tohma was just as sweet and polite as he was on the camera.
"You really care for Mr. Yuki don't you?" Phoenix asked Tohma.
"Yes," Tohma announced. "More than anything in this world."
"Can you tell us more about Mr. Yuki?" May asked.
"Of course," Tohma nodded. "Eiri Yuki and I have been friends since childhood. I'm married to his sister, and his boyfriend's band is signed to my label."
"That's Bad Luck isn't it?" Trucy asked. "Klavier joined the band two years ago."
"Indeed," Tohma responded. "Two of the members left the band. Leaving only Shuichi, so I hired Mr. Gavin and Mr. Ishida. The Chief Prosecutor has assigned Mr. Gavin as the prosecutor of Eiri's trial. I've failed Eiri once," Tohma admitted. "I would never live with myself if I failed him again."
"Mr. Seguchi," May said curiously. "What do you mean when you've said you've failed Eiri once?"
"Eiri was gang-raped by our tutor and other paedophiles," Tohma whispered. "A tutor that we both highly looked up to. It's all my fault."
"Why is it your fault?" May asked.
Tohma lowered his head. "I was the one that hired him."
"That's not your fault," May shook her head as she spoke. "You were tricked."
"Wasn't this already resolved?" Phoenix asked. "Eiri was arrested for killing his tutor, Yuki Kitazawa and his accomplices. But he was found not guilty for numerous reasons."
"Eiri was very young when it happened," Tohma mumbled. "Then they discovered the statue of limitations had expired. They were able to see the truth and deliver a Not Guilty verdict. So the court ruled in his favour once, but I fear the prosecution will use this against him."
"That sounds so sad," May thought. "Don't you worry Mr. Seguichi. I will do everything in my power to clear his name."
May's words had turned Tohma's frown upside down.
"After lunch, I think it would be a good idea to go to the detention centre," Phoenix told May. "And after that, go to the crime scene to gather some clues."