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Gender: Female
Location: UK
Rank: Ace Attorney
Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2009 11:33 pm
Posts: 3478
Chapter Two: The State VS. Sakura Haruno
The heavenly light began to fade beneath the dull clouds. It was too light to be called night and too dark to be called day. Beneath grey clouds laid the final resting place of Neji Hyuga. His cousin, Hinata sat in front of his tombstone and planted more sunflowers in the pot. She took a deep sigh and snatched her purple phone from her pocket. The phone greeted her with a screenshot of her with her husband and two kids.
She couldn't help but laughed for a few moments, flicked her dark hair behind her ear and called Hanabi, her younger sister. Tears rolled down her face as her heartbeat pounded in time with the beeps of the phone.
"Hey Hinata," Hanabi said through the telephone. "I thought you were going to see Fiddler On The Roof tonight?"
"No," Hinata shook her head. "I'm not feeling very well."
"Where are you?" Hanabi asked. Hinata could only just about hear her through the sound of the whirling wind. "I can barely make out what you're saying."
"Hanabi... can you meet me by Neji's grave?"
"Sure," Hanabi replied. "But... why there?"
"It's where I feel safe. I've found something...terrible." Hinata couldn't tell who was crying harder, herself or the sky. "I don't know how to tell Naruto or the children..."
"What is it, sis?" Hanabi yelled through the phone.
"Ah!" Hinata couldn't stop coughing up red droplets on the grass. She felt pain all over her body as blood dribbled all over her body. She felt as if someone had stabbed her a dozen times in the stomach. She clutched onto the phone with all her might as she slowly grasped for air. She muttered, "I don't know how long I've got left...If you see father, tell him I love him too."
The phone slipped out of Hinata's fingers as her body imploded against Neji's grave.
"Hinata!" Hanabi screamed. "What's going on? Say something."
The sky roared as thunderous rain continued to shower the land. Hinata's body lied lifeless in the cemetery.
"HINATA!" Hanabi squealed. "What have they done to you?"
"Hello?" A lady passing by had ran across to check if Hinata was alright and heard Hanabi's pleas as she approached Hinata.
"Hinata?" Hanabi sobbed through the phone. "Is that you?"
"No... it's Sakura."
"What have you done to Hinata?" Hanabi yelled. She yelled so loud it was as if Hanabi was right by the grave.
"I'I've only just got here," Sakura responded. She rolled Hinata over and could feel no sign of life in her. No pulse, no heartbeat. "Hanabi...Hinata's dead."
"Sakura... what have you done? YOU MURDERER!"
"No..." Sakura muttered as she shook her head. "Hanabi...It's not what you think."
***
May had arrived half an hour earlier than planned. She hoped being early would be beneficial to her case. She was greeted by both Phoenix and his daughter, Trucy. "Good morning, Mr. Wright," May said. "Good morning, Trucy."
"Nice to see you up so early," Phoenix stated. "It means more time to look at the court records."
"Of course," May responded. Phoenix presented May with a picture of a young woman with bright pink hair and green eyes. "Wow, she's really pretty."
"That is Sakura Haruno," Phoenix explained. "She's will be your client today." Phoenix also presented a photo of another woman. "She is accused of murdering her friend Hinata Uzumaki." Phoenix continued speaking as he passed over sheets of paper. "They have been unable to determine how the victim died. Since they don't know how she died, they can't determine the murder weapon. It's not going to be an easy case, but I'm sure we can turn things around."
"Why was the defendant arrested?" May asked.
The defendant was the last person to see Mrs. Uzumaki alive, but also the first person to find her body."
"Really?"
"According to the court record, the victim wanted her sister to meet her at the cemetery."
"Why a cemetery of all places?" May asked.
"That's for you to find out," Phoenix responded. He flicked through May's papers and brought out a picture of the murder scene. Hinata's head laid next to her cousin's name on the tombstone. If it weren't for the blood, she would look as if she was only sleeping. May noticed that Hinata's hand was open as if she was holding something important.
"She looks like she was holding onto something," May said to Phoenix.
"The victim was ringing her sister and died during the call."
"That's so sad."
"The prosecution and Detective Looker believe that Miss Haruno killed Mrs. Uzumaki, so that she could marry her husband."
May browsed through the profiles and a paragraph stood out to her. According to the report, Sakura and Hinata were very good friends. "Why would Sakura want to kill her friend?"
"Who knows," Phoenix said. "But hopefully today we can reveal the truth."
"Where do we go from here?" May asked her mentor.
"I think we should visit Miss Haruno," Phoenix suggested. "Her trial is today. Apollo and Athena managed to grab as much information as they could about the case, but they've got another trial on today. So it will just be you today."
"That's alright," May responded with her fists clenched. "I can do this."
May followed Phoenix and Trucy out of the office as they rode to court with their bicycles. After the somewhat short ride, they parked their bikes and made a longer walk to defence lobby 7 where the defendant, Sakura Haruno was waiting for them. The guards who stood as still as ever watched as May approached Sakura. "Are you Miss Haruno?"
"I am, the lady replied.
May opened her arm and shook hands with her client. "Pleased to meet you, Miss Haruno. I'm May Maple, and I'll be your lawyer."
"You're my lawyer?" Sakura gasped. "No offence, but you look really young."
"Miss Haruno..." May admitted that she was young and inexperienced, but she still had a good shot. "I don't have a lot of experience. But I truly believe that you're innocent. I'm going to find out what happened and clear your name."
"Thank you, Miss Maple."
"I have to go," Phoenix said. He looked at his daughter and smiled. "You'll look after May, won't you Trucy?"
Trucy lifted her thumb up. "I sure will."
Phoenix left the lobby, but May had a feeling that he would be watching the trial and keeping a close eye on her. As Phoenix left, May took a seat next to her client. She asked Sakura, "Miss Haruno, can you tell me more about yourself?"
"I'm a Ninja medic from Konoha," Sakura replied. "I live with my daughter, Sarada."
"What were you doing on the day of Mrs. Uzumaki's death?"
Sakura lowered her head. "Hinata and I went out for lunch that day. The academy that our children go in were hosting their own production of Fiddler On The Roof. We were both looking forward to it as it had been the first time that the academy had done a musical production before. On the day of the show, I couldn't see Hinata so I went searching for her. I missed the show, but I found her at the cemetery. There was nothing I could do, she was already dead."
"So you and the victim were great friends?"
Sakura nodded. "We went to the same academy and I was on the same team as her husband. We were all really close."
May wanted to cry with her, but there was someone or something in her mind telling her that it was no time to cry. She shook her head. Of course, it was the wrong time to cry. May felt stupid for a few minutes. "Where is Sarada now?" May asked.
"She's got an exam coming up," Sakura replied. "I told her not to worry about me."
"The trial is about to start," Trucy announced. "Are you both ready."
May nodded at Trucy and then turned to Sakura. "You don't need to be scared," May insisted, feeling the great pressure herself. "All you need to do is tell the truth and you'll be fine."
Sakura nodded and then stood up. May liked her red floral dress and white tight jeans, but she wanted to wait until after the trail to complement her client's clothing. In fact, she wasn't even sure if she should say it at all.
"Focus May..." May said to herself in her head. "You have to concentrate to save this innocent woman."
May was overwhelmed by the grand exterior of the courtroom. The smooth wooden decor was so polished, May could see mirror-like reflections of herself and it's surroundings. From the golden bars to the leather seats, everything in the courtroom appeared to be luxurious. Apart from the simple plastic chair where Sakura was sitting on.
Everybody took to their place in the court. Everyone rose when the presiding judge slowly made his way up the stairs. He was a bold man with a beard like Santa Claus. He must have been at least in his eighties. As soon as he took his seat, Everybody in the audience sat down too. The Judge banged his gavel against his stand and said, "The court is now in session for the trial of Sakura Haruno!"
"The prosecution is ready, Your Honour," the man in the prosecution bench said. May recognized the arrogant man with slick black hair and sunglasses as Gaspen Payne. His older brother was also a prosecutor. Gaspen Payne did a speech for the law school she went in once. She always thought of him as a creep with the way he rubbed his hair like a puppy.
"The defence was born ready," May said, flicking her fist against the bench.
The Honourable Judge squinted at May. "That's nice." He glanced over to Mr. Payne. "Would the prosecution please give their opening statement to the court."
"With great pleasure," Mr. Payne hissed. "The murder took place on 18th July this year." Mr. Payne began his statement. His voice oozing with arrogance with each word he spoke. "The victim was Hinata Uzumaki. Mrs. Uzumaki was a beloved mother, sister, daughter and wife. The prosecution believes that the defendant killed her out of jealousy. Her cause of death is unknown and the first autopsy was inconclusive. She had lost a lot of blood and was believed to have choked. There were also many bruises and bumps on her stomach. A second autopsy report is underway."
"Can the prosecution please explain why Sakura was arrested?" The Judge requested.
"Detective Looker shall take the stand and reveal all." Mr. Payne announced. Detective Looker was a tall handsome man with a large trench coat. "Please state your name and profession."
"Detective Looker," he said. "I'm in charge of this investigation."
"Please give your testimony."
"As stated, the murder took place on the 18th July. Which was two weeks ago. The victim and defendant were seen having lunch together. The defendant's husband filed for divorce last year and it was finalized this year. The defendant is the only person with a motive for murder. She was also the last person to see her alive. Whilst the victim was on the phone to her sister, the defendant made her move."
"A flawless testimony," Mr. Payne announced with such pride. "If I do say so myself. It makes everything fall into place. The defendant is a ninja after all."
"I've had parrots and orcas in this court," The Judge retorted. "Ninjas aren't that shocking. Miss Maple, your cross examination if you please?"
"So Detective Looker," May started. "You said in your testimony that believe that my client was having an affair with the victim's husband?"
Detective Looker nodded. "That is correct."
"Do you have any evidence to support your claims?"
"I do indeed," Detective Looker announced as he submitted a picture of Sakura with a tall man with blonde hair and distinctive face marks. "This man is Naruto Uzumaki, the victim's husband. He is the Seventh Hokage of the village."
"And on planet earth what does that mean?" The Judge asked curiously.
"He's what you would consider the town hero and leader. As you can see in this picture they look very close "
"Objection!" May roared. She inspected the picture of Naruto with his arms around Sakura and with both their tongues out. "I don't see what makes this picture so suspicious."
"You should have gone to Specsavers," Mr. Payne yelled at May. His sharp voice made her jump. "It's a very sexual picture."
"Mr. Payne is right," The Judge said as he nodded his head. "This picture certainly looks suggestive. Look how close their cheeks are."
"They look like best friends on a night out," May explained to the court. "I make selfies like these with my friends all the time."
'Selfie?" The Judge muttered. His eyes widened.
"To be fair Miss Maple," Mr. Payne snorted. "You're not exactly a woman of grace."
"Please continue with your cross-examination," The Judge ordered.
"How is my client's divorce related to this case?' May asked.
"Keep going May," Trucy whispered. "You're doing a grand job."
Detective Looker took out a piece of paper from his notebook. "Here I have the divorce papers of the defendant. Sakura and Sasuke had been married for fourteen years. They have a fourteen-year-old daughter, Sarada. I believe that the defendant wanted to kill Mrs. Uzumaki to marry her husband. It makes sense."
"OBJECTION!" May roared at the top of her voice.
Trucy clapped and smiled. "That was an awesome objection."
"Miss Maple," The Judge sighed. "There is no need to shout. I might behold but I've still got my marbles."
"The prosecution's argument is based on assumptions," May announced. "The defence demands hardcore facts."
"Quiet you!" Mr. Payne hissed at May. "You're just a rookie."
Trucy growled and clenched her fists together. "Oh he makes me so mad. Just ignore him, May."
"You don't know the murder weapon, you don't know how she died and the autopsy was inconclusive. ..." May raised her left arm and pointed at him. "YOU HAVE NO CASE AGAINST MY CLIENT!"
"YES I DO!" Mr. Payne shrieked. "The prosecution would like to bring it's next witness. The victim's sister, Hanabi Hyuga."
Detective Looker left the stand and returned to his seat. May was amazed at how much Hanabi had in common with her late sister. Her long hair and unique lilac eyes. May looked up and noticed in the front rows above Mr. Payne, a lot of men with the same eyes as Hanabi. May assumed that they were all related to the victim.
"Name and occupation please, Miss."
"Hanabi Hyuga, I'm ninja and heiress to my clan."
May had never seen a young girl so distraught. Hanabi's pale face and lilac eyes were a face of sorrow.
"So Miss Hyuga, you're the victim's sister?"
"That's right."
"You were on the phone to your sister at the exact time she died."
Tears rolled down Hanabi's face. "It still haunts me."
"Miss Hyuga," The Judge gulped. "When you're ready please give your versions of events." Tears were beginning to roll down his face.
"I received a phone call from Hinata the night she died. She said she had something to tell me and asked me to meet her by our cousin's grave. Then suddenly..." Hanabi paused. "I heard her making these sounds. Her last words were: Tell Father I love him." She buried her hands and burst into tears.
"How incredibly sad," The Judge croaked. "Can someone please give the witness a tissue." Within five minutes a bailiff gave Hanabi a box of tissues. "I urge both the defence to be sensitive in the cross-examination."
"Miss Hyuga..." May wanted to start her cross-examination, but there was something about the glares all around her that made her feel intimidated. "Why did she ask you to meet you in the cemetery?"
"Neji and Hinata were really close," Hanabi replied, wiping her tears with the tissues. "He gave up his life to save Hinata during the war."
"The war?"
"17 years ago," Mr. Payne butted in. "Konoha was involved in the 4th Shinobi War. The defendant and victim played a very important role in stopping the war and bringing peace to their nation."
"What a remarkable woman," The Judge cried in amazement.
"Hinata visited Neji's grave in a regular basis," Hanabi added. "But recently she had been visiting Neji's grace everyday and would hours sitting near Neji and talking to him. She felt safe around Neji."
"Can you describe what sort of sounds she was making?" May asked Hanabi.
"It was hard to tell at first because of the weather," Hanabi sobbed. "Then when the thunder stopped I could hear choking noises as if she was being strangled. She sounded like she was struggling to breathe." Hanabi gulped.
"The autopsy report showed that the victim had vomited and that there was lots of blood," Mr. Payne added. "A rather terrible way to go if you ask me."
"Did you ever find out what the news was?" May asked Hanabi. "Did your sister leave any clues?"
Hanabi spoke, but May couldn't fathom the words through the sounds of her crying.
"Your Honour, if I may," Mr. Payne said. He brought out an old tape player from behind his bench and brought it to the court. "We have the witness' final call with her sister on tape."
"Then play the tape," The Judge demanded. Mr. Payne did as he was told and listened to the tape with a big huge grin on his face.
"Hey Hinata, I thought you were going to see Fiddler On The Roof tonight?"
"No. I'm not feeling very well."
"Where are you... I can barely make out what you're saying."
"Hanabi... can you meet me by Neji's grave?"
"Sure. But... why there?"
"It's where I feel safe. I've found something...terrible. I don't know how to tell Naruto or the children..."Payne stopped the tape and pressed the rewind button. "Let me play this part again."
Hanabi... can you meet me by Neji's grave?"
"Sure. But... why there?"
"It's where I feel safe. I've found something...terrible. I don't know how to tell Naruto or the children..."Payne stopped the tape again. "The victim says that she doesn't know how to tell Naruto or the children. This statement from the victim clearly supports Detective Looker's theory that Miss Haruno had a sexual relationship with Mr. Uzumaki.
"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!" May shouted. "That statement proves nothing."
"OBJECTION!" Payne screamed right back. "This tape is definitive proof that Miss Haruno is guilty. I shall continue playing the tape."
"What is it, Sis?"
The audience gasped in horror at the sounds of excessive coughing and coarse breathing coming through the tape. May could even hear sounds of vomiting. On her left, May saw Trucy with her eyes welling up.
"Ah! I don't know how long I've got left...If you see father, tell him I love him too."
"Hinata! What's going on? Say something."
"HINATA! What have they done to you?"Mr. Payne stopped the tape. "This is the part where the victim tragically dies. And where the defendant pretends to be a person passing by with her Oscar-winning acting."
"Hello?"
"Hinata? Is that you?"
"No... it's Sakura."
"What have you done to Hinata?"
"I-I've only just got here. Hanabi...Hinata's dead."
"Sakura... what have you done? YOU MURDERER!"
"No...Hanabi...It's not what you think.""STOP THE TAPE," The Judge demanded. "I think we've put Miss Hyuga through quite enough now. This cross-examination is over."
"I think we can end the trial now," Mr. Payne announced as he placed his hands in his pocket. "I believe that we've come to the end of the road."
"Yes," The Judge nodded. "You're quite right. Should I deliver my verdict now?"
"NO!" May cried out. She slammed her desk against the bench. "This trial is nowhere near finished. We still haven't determined her cause of death."
"Weren't you listening?" Mr. Payne giggled. "Mrs. Uzumaki was strangled. You could hear it in the tape."
"That's not enough," May pressed herself against the edge of the bench.
"Alright then," The Judge squawked. "I shall allow the defence to call upon one more witness. Make your choice wisely, Miss Maple."
It was only Sakura and Hinata that were in the cemetery at the time of the murder. What if there was a possibility of another person being there? What if Hinata was poisoned by somebody else before meeting Sakura? May had so many questions in her mind, that she was finding it hard to make the right choice. Could she bring Detective Looker or Hanabi back onto the stand?
"If I were in your shoes," Trucy whispered. "I would bring Mr. Uzumaki up to the stand."
A bright light sparked in May's mind. "That's it!" May muttered. "Thanks a lot Trucy."
"Has the defence made their decision?" The Judge asked as he lifted his hand and was ready to slam his gavel.
May nodded. "I would like to bring the victim's husband, Mr. Naruto Uzumaki to the witness box please."
"Very well," The Judge said. "Can Mr. Uzumaki please step forward."
"This is a huge waste of time," Mr. Payne moaned as he rubbed his hair.
Naruto marched to the witness box as if he was walking to a scaffold towards his execution. His eyes never left the floor as his chin was firmly attached to his neck. May took one look at him and decided that he was a guilty man. Perhaps he's the one that killed Hinata.
"Please confirm your name and occupation," May asked as soon as Naruto halted behind the stand.
"I'm Naruto Uzumaki. I'm the the Seventh Hokage. I never thought I would be standing here."
"Mr. Uzumaki," May sighed and took a deep breath before she continued speaking. "I'm going to ask you very straight forward question."
"Go ahead."
"Oh my goodness," Mr. Payne muttered.
"Have you ever passionately kissed or made sexual contact with Miss Haruno?"
"Huh?" Naruto gasped. He folded his arms and pursed his lips. His cheeks were a strong shade of pink. "I withhold my right to remain silent."
"This is serious," May yelled at Naruto. "If you don't co-operate with me then Sakura is going to jail. You need to understand that if Sakura is found guilty then she'll be sent to death row."
"OBJECTION!" Mr. Payne wailed. "Miss Maple, Mr. Uzumaki has the right to decline your questions. Perhaps Mr. Uzumaki can testify where he was last night?"
"That sounds like a good idea." The Judge coughed to clear his throat. "Mr. Uzumaki, please tell the court where you were at the time of your wife's death testimony."
"I was at the academy watching Rumble In The Bronx." Naruto announced. "It was a great show with lots of full of action. During the interval, I noticed that Hinata wasn't at the academy. I used my Shadow Clone Technique to help Sakura look for Hinata whilst I enjoyed the rest of the show."
"Hmm..." The Judge pondered. "What does the prosecution think of this."
"Once again," Mr. Payne mouthed. "Another flawless testimony."
"We've yet to have any flawless testimonies," May muttered beneath her breath.
"Miss Maple, can we please have the final cross-examination."
"There's bound to be contradictions here," Trucy told May. "You gotta catch 'em all!"
"Mr. Uzumaki can you explain to the court what this Shadow Clone Technique is?" May requested.
"It's one of my specialities," Naruto explained. "I'm a very busy man nowadays. So I often clone myself so I can do all the things that I want to do."
"I see," May replied. She raised her hand in the air with her index finger pointing at Naruto. "But hold it right there, are you sure that musical you watched was called Rumble In The Bronx?"
Naruto shrugged his shoulders. "Of course. What's wrong? I have a solid alibi."
"I want to believe you," May admitted. "You seem to be a very nice guy, but you have a very big contradiction in your testimony."
"WHAT!" Naruto blared. "Where is my contradiction?"
"Can the prosecution please play the first five seconds of the tape," May announced.
"Hey Hinata, I thought you were going to see Fiddler On The Roof tonight?"
"You did it, May!" Trucy said at the top of her voice. "Now finish him!"
"It's a little too early to celebrate," May responded. "Just got to hang in there a little bit longer."
"What's just happened?" Mr. Payne yipped with his mouth wide open.
"Mr. Uzumaki has testified that he saw Rumble In The Bronx in theatre," May repeated. "Though in the tape and previous testimonies the play at the academy was Fiddler On The Roof. Mr. Uzumaki cloned himself to make it look like his real self was watching the play. Also when the tape was played out in full, there was not a single dry eye in the courtroom. Except for one..." May's finger sharply pointed at Naruto.
"Are you trying to pin Hinata's death on me?" Naruto snarled at May.
"If that is the truth, then yes," May replied. "I am close to pinning it on you. I know you still have an alibi... but's not the one you've submitted to the court."
"May," Trucy cried out. "What are you doing? We're so close to finishing this case."
May sighed. "Please trust me, Trucy."
"Miss Maple," The Judge banged his gavel to promote order in his court. "I must confess that I am really confused right now. I don't know what you're trying to achieve."
"I'm going to get to the bottom of all of this," May replied. "But first I want to get down to why Fiddler On The Roof and Rumble In The Bronx got mixed up."
"What's the difference?" Naruto asked.
"Fiddler On The Roof is a musical about a Jewish guy with five daughters," May replied. "Whilst Rumble In The Bronx is an action movie with Jackie Chan in it."
"Daddy loves Rumble In The Bronx," Trucy added. "Coincidently the film was on air on the night of Hinata's death."
"So Mr. Uzumaki," May said. "Can you tell us where you really were last night."
Naruto gulped. "No comment."
"Alright then!" May snapped with her arms folded. "I'll tell them for you. On the night of your wife died, You were on your rooftop, having sex with my client."
"You can't prove that," Naruto yelled.
May grinned. "Yes I can! May I please have a look at my client's divorce papers." Detective Looker passed May the divorce papers and May flicked through all the pages until she found what she was looking for. "I got it. My client's late husband has listed 'infidelity with my best friend' as one of his reasons for divorce."
"I don't like where this is going?" Mr. Payne admitted.
"Mr. Uzumaki was having sex with my client," May announced. "That gives them both a solid alibi. Not only does it give them a solid alibi, but it also proves that my client did not kill Mrs. Uzumaki."
"Then who killed Mrs. Uzumaki?" The Judge asked.
"Nobody," May declared to the court. "Mrs. Uzumaki's death was a tragic accident."
"But the defendant is clearly guilty," Mr. Payne gulped.
"No Mr. Payne," May shook her head. "Mrs. Uzumaki died of natural causes. And when the updated autopsy report comes back, it will tell us the same thing."
"You have no proof," Mr. Payne sneered at May as she shook his head. "She was covered in blood. There was no way she could have lost that much blood through natural causes alone. The defendant now has a solid motive for crime. The defence is digging a very big hole for herself."
"And the prosecution has yet to determine the murder weapon."
"She's a ninja," Mr. Payne retaliated. "She strangled Mrs. Uzumaki with her bare fights of course."
"The reason we have failed to determine the murder weapon is because it doesn't exist," May confirmed. She looked up to the Judge. "Your Honour..."
"Yes, Miss Maple."
"I would like to bring one more person to the stand."
"Not another one," Mr. Payne groaned.
"Alright then," The Judge said. "Just one."
"The court would like to bring Himawari Uzumaki to the court," May announced.
"MY DAUGHTER!" Naruto said. A small girl with blue hair and with Naruto's cheeks ran towards the witness box next to her father.
"I'm Himawari Uzumaki," Himawari said. "And my father is not a killer."
"I no longer consider your father a suspect," May admitted. "I wanted to ask you a couple of questions."
"Oh..." Himawari seemed nervous. She held onto her father's hand. "Go ahead."
"Have you ever noticed anything strange with your mother before she died?"
Naruto shook his head in disbelief.
"Actually... I have," Himawari admitted.
"Can you be more specific?" May pressed.
"When Daddy was away she would cough lots and lots," Himawari explained. "Sometimes she would cough so much, blood would come out. She was burping more often, worse than Daddy and Boruto combined. Three months ago, she wasn't eating, drinking or sleeping that much. She kept giving most of the food and drink away to us. She would only have a fraction of her meal, and then say she was full."
"How did I miss this?" Naruto asked himself.
"Suddenly," Himawari continued. "She wouldn't go out anymore. Only to buy flowers for Uncle Neji's grave. If I ever wanted to find my mom, she would either be at home or at my mom's grave."
"Does the prosecution have any medical history on the victim?" May asked.
Mr. Payne closed his eyes and ignored May.
"Mr. Payne, I'm asking you a question."
"No, I don't!" Mr. Payne snapped.
"Then you won't mind if I have a look at your records for myself then," May snorted. She marched over to the other side of the court and browsed through all of Mr. Payne's paperwork.
"OBJECTION! Mr. Payne yelled, but it was too late. May had waved a piece of paper in the air. Mr. Payne tried to snatch it off May, but she passed it over to a bailiff, who then went on to pass it on The Judge.
"What's this then?" The Judge asked curiously. "Hmmm... Medical Records for Hinata Hyuga." The Judge skimmed through the medical records out and opened his eyes wider in shock. "It all makes sense now," The Judge announced. "Mrs. Uzumaki was diagnosed with stomach cancer on the 18th February. Exactly six months before her death. Her last appointment was on the 18th July... the actual date of her death. Cancer: what a terrible disease."
"We'll never know what Hinata knew about her husband's affair," May announced. "But she we know that she didn't want her family and friends to worry about her, that's why she never told anybody. Let's play the tape again."
"Hey Hinata, I thought you were going to see Fiddler On The Roof tonight?"
"No. I'm not feeling very well."
"Where are you... I can barely make out what you're saying."
Hanabi... can you meet me by Neji's grave?"
"Sure. But... why there?"
"It's where I feel safe. I've found something...terrible. I don't know how to tell Naruto or the children..."
"What is it, Sis?"
"Ah! I don't know how long I've got left...If you see father, tell him I love him too."
"Hinata! What's going on? Say something."
"HINATA! What have they done to you?"
"Hello?"
"Hinata? Is that you?"
"No... it's Sakura."
"What have you done to Hinata?"
"I-I've only just got here. Hanabi...Hinata's dead."
"Sakura... what have you done? YOU MURDERER!""When she was told she didn't have long left to live, she would seek confident in Neji. She distanced herself away from the family as she didn't want to become a burden. Meanwhile, Mr. Uzumaki becomes close to my client, Miss Haruno. The two became so close... that they made love not just once, but many times. Mr. Uzumaki and Sakura did not look for Hinata straight away, it wasn't until after she had sex, did they try to find her."
The courtroom doors swung open as another bailiff came in with a piece of paper to hand to The Judge. "Your Honour, Mrs. Uzumaki's 2nd Autopsy is back."
The Judge opens the envelopes and skims through the letter. "You're right, Miss Maple," The Judge said. "The autopsy confirms that Mrs. Uzumaki's cause of death was indeed natural causes. The cancer in her stomach had spread all over her body.
"Having sex with a married man as his wife dies of cancer..." Mr. Payne spat. "It's disgraceful."
"Making love isn't a crime," May reminded Mr. Payne. "Withholding evidence is."
"You are right there," The Judge heartfully agreed. "The court finds Sakura Haruna... NOT GUILTY!" The judge announced. He slammed his gavel and confetti and a round of applause poured over Sakura like cherry blossoms across the courtroom. "That is all, this cause is adjourned." The judge stands up and leaves the court. May was pleased to have won her first case, but even happier for Sakura to be found innocent. The way that Sakura smiled at Naruto after her verdict made May well up in tears.