Gathering the Falling Stars

hey everyone here is the next chapter!

A/N

Babby - lol your defenatly interesting... but you will have to see who killed him...


*~*~*~*~*~*~Enjoy*~*~*~*~*~*~


Chapter 41


An hour passes before Hoshi and Jacklon walk out from a row of cells into a waitting room. Jacklon runs to Youji and hugs him tight while Hoshi pulls Junko close. Junko wraps his arms around Hoshi tightly, far more frightened than he thinks he should be. Youji, on the other hand, pulls Jacklon into a deep kiss- relieved to be with him again. Jacklon cradles Youji's head before breaking the kiss. Hoshi looks down at Junko.

"Are you alright love?" Junko nods jerkily.

"I...yeah. Yeah, I'm okay." Youji pipes up, leaning his forehead on Jacklon's chest. "We're just worried about you two." Hoshi nods and shakes Malcom's hand.

"Come on lets get back to the office so you can tell me what your hiding." Hoshi and Jacklon both glare at the man.

"I didnt do it. So that's all you need to know." Jacklon nods in unison with his brother.

Junko bites his lip, watching Jacklon closely. He doesn't want to believe the boy would do something like this....but he'd met Maximous himself and... Malcom looks at them.

"Hoshi this isnt like when you were divorcing your mother and adopting Jacklon. This is serious you two are being accused of murder!" Hoshi growls slightly.

"Listen to me Malcom you can win this without knowing our alibis. Since we wont be going back to your office i would rather go home." Junko and Youji share a look.

They both wonder exactly what the two brothers are hiding, but determine to wait until they're alone to bring it up. Hoshi walks out of the jail with Junko attached to his side. He needed his angel there to make sure he was not in the prison again. Youji follows the two of them, Jacklon's hand firmly held in his. Junko hands Hoshi the keys to the Benz.

"I don't think I can drive right now. We need to pick up the kids from Heaven's Gate." Hoshi takes the keys and nods.

He climbs into the drives seat as Jacklon gets into the back while Candi stands by Malcom at the prison.

"You know they wouldnt kill that son of a bitch." Malcom sighs.

"You and i both know that... but that judge doesnt know them like you and i do." Junko buckles up as Youji slips in beside Jacklon, huddling close and stroking his lover's thigh reassuringly.

As they make their way to Heaven's Gate, Junko can't help but go over and over in his head the day he brought Jacklon to that mansion. How long was he there? Was it enough time to kill someone? And what about that woman... Hoshi looks at Junko.

"Do you want to go get the twins? One can sit up here the other in the back." Junko nods.

"Yes..." he bites his thumbnail and seems rather distracted. Youji's eyes narrow on Junko, but he doesn't say anything.

Hoshi snaps his fingers in front of Junko's eyes.

"Go on." Junko blinks rapidly before turning to Hoshi.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Go get the twins."

"Yes...we need to pick them up..." Junko says, seeming to come to himself. Hoshi gestures to the fact they are already there. Junko jumps as he notices the building and the fact that the car is parked. He blushes heavily and gets out of the car mumbling something about distractions and his own idiocy. Inside, he pauses to take a deep cleansing breath. Ella and the twins were in the waiting room playing with a series of toys. Ella's face was that of serenity. Being with her youngest children made her feel young again. Junko stood in the half-opened doorway, watching with a small smile. After several minutes, he finally spoke up. "Hey, you three." Kaouri and Hiroki smile and run over hugging his legs as Ella slowly gets up.

"How is everything? The twins said something about a murder?" Junko bites his lip and crouches down.

"Hey, Hoshi and Jacklon are out in the car. Why don't you go tell them I'll be just a minute, okay?" They nod before hugging their mother and running outside.

"This has somethign to do with Hoshi doesnt it?" Junko steps in and shuts the door behind him.

He drops down beside his mother, running a hand through his hair.

"Jacklon and Hoshi's dad was killed. They think the boys did it..." Ella gasps slightly then rests her arm around his neck.

"Do you think they did it?" Junko bites his lip again, wincing when he tastes blood.

"I...I don't think so..." he says, sounding unsure. "I mean...I drove Jacklon to the man's house the day he was killed...I just...I don't know." Ella pets his hair.

"Dont worry Jun... i have a feeling everything will be alright." Junko nods but doesn't seem entirely convinced.

He hugs his mother tightly, kissing her hair before he rises and goes to the door.

"We should be back later this week for a visit, alright? I love you.." Ella nods.

"Oh if you come Saturday i wont be here." Junko pauses, frowning.

"Why not?" Ella blushes slightly and stands up.

"I have a date." Junko blinks stupidly at her for several seconds.

"Date?" he asks uncomprehendingly. "With who?" Ella smiles softly.

"Edwin Hop. My psychitrist." Junko scrunches up his nose as he tries to remember.

"Oh! The man who...right. I remember him. He seemed..nice." Junko runs everything he knows about the man through his head, looking for anything that might make him unsuitable.

Finding nothing he sighs. He supposes he'll have to get used to this kind of thing, what with his mother being single and all... Ella walks over and hugs him.

"He's a good man. Much like your father... but i cant be alone forever. Go on with your sister and brothers." Junko nods and kisses his mother's forehead.

"Alright. We'll come by Sunday and you can tell me how it went then." He hugs his mother and quickly makes his way back to the car. Kaouri had won the small fight to sit up front with Hoshi and Junko. She was cuddled up to Hoshi who gently petted her hair. Junko gets in and buckles up, patting Kaouri, head and winking at Hiroki through the rear-view mirror. "Mama has a date." Youji sits up abruptly.

"What?! She can't date!" Hoshi smiles softly.

"Who is her date?" Junko can't help but smile at his brother's reaction.

"The doctor who did the experiment with us." Youji growls.

"Not good enough."

"Docter Hops? I thought he was married?" Hoshi blinked as Kaouri shakes her blonde head.

"No mama said that he is a... dicorsey!" Junko and Youji both snicker.

"Divorce, sweetheart." Junko corrects her.

Kaouri pouts and sits in Hoshi's lap.

"Mine!" Hoshi chuckles.

"Oh so im your boyfriend now Kaouri?" KAouri nods. Hoshi looks at Junko. "You just lost your fiaunce to your 6 year old sister." Junko laughs lightly.

"That's alright. I know how to get him back." He winks roguishly to Hoshi.

Youji groans and drops his head onto Jacklon's shoulder.

"Ew." he mumbles in mock-disgust.

Hoshi chuckles then sits Kaouri in her seat and buckles her in.

"Dont worry Kaouri ill play your first boyfriend til you find a guy your own age." Kaouri giggles and nods.

Junko grins, buckling his own belt.

"You better find a good one too. With the five of us looking out for you, any boy who looks at you sideways is either incredibly confident or incredibly stupid. Maybe both." Kaouri giggles as Hoshi drives them back to the mansion. Kaouri looks up at Junko. "I saw the postman! Can we get the mail?" Junko shrugs.

"Sure." Kaouri jumps out of the car grabbing Hiroki's arms pulling him towards the mail box.

Jacklon looks at them.

"Do they always get the mail with Kaouri being picked up by him?" Junko shrugs again. "They get excited over the oddest things." Kaouri grabs the mail and runs over.

"Junko! You and Youji got letters!" Junko frowns, but takes the two letters, handing one to Youji.

They were supenas for Junko and Youji to testify as witnesses for the procustion. Junko crushed his in his hand with a growl.

"Shit." Youji nodded, his own look dark.

"Agreed." Hoshi sighs.

"How did i know that bastard would try something like that." Jacklon sighs.

Junko resists the urge to shred the papers with his bare hands. He stalks toward the house, his briefly good mood all but forgotten. Everyone walks into the house. Kaouri and Hiroki run up the stairs as Hoshi follows Junko to try and salvage the good mood Junko had. He knew this was just the beginning of something that could get very VERY ugly. Junko stops as everyone but Hoshi proceed into the house. He pulls the door quietly shut, dropping his forhead against it. He heaves a heavy sigh. Hoshi holds him close.

"Dont worry everythign will be fine."

"Hoshi..." Junko swallows hard. "Where...where were you?" he asks quietly, unsure if he really wants the answer.

"I cant tell you Junko. But i swear to you on my love for you that i didnt kill that waste of human flesh." Hoshi holds him tight.

Junko chuckles, but there's no real humor in it. He turns, leaning against the door with a sad smile on his face.

"You want to know something, Hoshi? I don't even care. I...would completely understand if you'd killed him...but I can't let them put you away. I...." his eyes go distant and dark. "I won't allow it." Hoshi holds him tight.

"Dont feel that way. I promise you they wont put me away." Junko's dark eyes turn bleak.

"What if they do?" Hoshi cups his cheek.

"They wont." Junko nods slowly.

When he speaks, his voice is a fervent whisper.

"If you're wrong...if they take you from me...I don't know what I'll do." Hoshi pets his hair.

"Dont think about the end result. Just look to tomorrow." Junko nods.

"What about Jacklon? Are...are you sure he didn't do it?" Hoshi nods.

"I know he wouldnt do it." Hoshi nods.

Junko doesn't quite seem reasured, but nods anyway.

Soon the court date came when Hoshi and Jacklon had to appear for the trial. Malcom had prepped Junko and Youji since he would get the chance to be the defence's first witnesses. Youji fidgeted nervously in his suit, unused to wearing such things and certainly not under these circumstances. Junko patted his brother's hair into submission, more than a little nervous himself. The judge steps in as Malcom stands up.

"The defences first witness we would like to call is Junko Collins." The judge turns and looks to Junko to sit in the witness's box.

Junko swallows hard, but takes the seat. He keeps his eyes facing straight ahead, refusing to look to the jury. The balif walks over and holds out the Bible for him to put his hand on.

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you god?" Junko places his hand on the bible and nods.

"I swear." Malcom walks over.

"Mr. Collin's how long have you known the defendants?"

"About eight months now..." Junko states slowly.

"And what is your relationship with the defendants?" Junko shifted.

"Hoshi is my fiance. Jacklon is a close friend." Malcom nods.

"Why dont you tell me how my client's helpped out your family?" Junko nods and recites a list of the things Hoshi and Jacklon had done for the Collins family.

Malcom nods.

"Nothing further." He sits down as Ryan the Prosecutor stands up.

"Mr. Collin's you have testified that you have known the defendants for more than half a year correct?" Junko nods, his eyes narrowing on the man. This, he thought, was the one trying to put Hosh and Jacklon in jail... "So that would mean you would know the defendants rather well. Tell me have you ever known Defendant Hoshi or Defendant Jacklon to ever be violent?" Junko swallowed hard.

"Violent? Not...not really..." Ryan turned and grabbed a file.

"Really because in my hand is an affidavid from your former manager from the Pizza place that Hoshi was rather violent and threatening towards one Caleb Grant now..." Malcom stand sup.

"Objection! This piece of evidence only implicates that Hoshi has some level of anger but doesnt make him violent and nothing Mr. Collins has seen has shown Jacklon to be violent." The Judge nods.

"Sustained. Move along counseler." Junko grips his hands together, the knuckles going white.

This...wasn't good, right? Ryans nods slowly before turning back.

"Mr. Collins... do you know of the relationship between Remington and his only sons?"

"I...know a little."

"Care to explain then?" Ryan leans back against the table.

Junko raise a brow.

"No." Ryan glares.

"Let me rephrase. Explain the relationship between the boys and their father." Junko grinds his teeth before speaking.

"From what little I know, they were estranged and less than friendly with one another."

"When was the first time you met the defendants father?" A chill goes down Junko's spine as he remembers.

"At a restaurant. He...approached me when Hoshi was away from the table."

"And what was your impression of the victim." Junko shifted uncomfortably.

"I...he seemed...arrogant. Cruel."

"So you didnt care for him right on sight. What happened when Hoshi returned to the table?"

"The two of them argued." Junko admitted slowly.

"Did they go beyond just words?" Junko clenches his jaw.

"They didn't fight, if that's what you're asking."

"Do you think Hoshi is a violent person?" Junko glared at the man.

"I think he's an emotional person, but not a particularly violent one, no."

"Did he not hold Caleb Grant at knife point?" Junko nods but doesn't answer verbally.

"Why did Hoshi threaten Caleb's life?"

"Caleb had expressed an overt interest in me." Junko answered carefully.

"Didnt you allow his interest to grow?"

"Caleb is an old friend. I had hoped to renew our friendship." Junko said, swallowing.

"and kissing did that for you?" Malcom stands up.

"Objection! Mr. Collins isnt on trial here!" Ryan turns to Malcom.

"No he isnt but Hoshi has been violent when it comes to protecting his own correct. So this line of question is fine." The judge nods.

"Overruled." Junko's face went white.

"That was...a mistake on my part."

"So you admit that Hoshi is a violent person. And if you were threatened by Remington then Hoshi would be pushed to violence. Correct?" Junko sneered at the man.

"I do not agree that Hoshi is a violent person. However, I think if he genuinely believed I was in danger, he would do what he could to protect me and my family."

"Then that means he can be a violent person. Thank you Mr. Collins nothign further." Malcom glares at Ryan while Hoshi looks at Junko his eye pained by the sight of his lover on the stand.

"Mr. Collins you may step down." Junko growls as he returns to his seat, his hands ticking nervously.


*~*~*~*~*~*~End of Chapter 41*~*~*~*~*~*~