DISCLAIMER: I do not own Death Note. *cries* I wish I did. Z is mine though ^^

Another L

Kira.

I chewed on my thumb nail as I pondered the killings, how he was murdering these criminals, and who he was. Raye Penber had obviously died facing the subway train, so Kira had to have been in the train. Kira's message rang in my ears. L, do you know gods of death love apples? He was taunting me! What new information did that give me? Obviously, nothing.

"Watari," I called to him, a question ringing in my mind. He walked over to me, a gleam in his eyes as he did. "Yes?" the old man answered. I looked up from my hands at him, still trying to think. "Is there anything new on the killings?" I asked, hoping for SOMETHING. "I'm sorry to say, but no." Darn it. I was quite disappointed at this. There is a 76.3 percent chance that Kira wouldn't stop now. "What about another L working on the case?" I asked, knowing there was a slim 21 percent there really was another one.

"Actually," I silenced Watari with my hand, calculating again. There was a 73.48 percent chance he would say the other L was, in fact, real. I motioned for him to go on. "I have found that the other L is, in fact, a woman. She calls herself Z," I bobbed my head stiffly at him. "Have you pinpointed her exact location yet, dear Watari?" I asked. Watari's mustache bounced slightly as he replied to me, "Yes, she is working out of room 1313 at the Grand Tokyo Hotel."

Grand Tokyo Hotel? I'd previously worked with a woman named Naomi Misora on a case involving B. The last of four crime scenes had taken place there. Only, the last hadn't been a murder… or succeeded. B had tried to kill himself, however, Misora had been a very intelligent FBI agent. She discovered that the Wara Ningyo were more important than the murderer originally let on to.

They were nailed to the wall, and at least two nails were required for the string-through-the-doorknob trick that B had been orchestrating in the last three homicides. The Wara Ningyo's numbers were dwindling…

Four at the first scene.

Three at the second.

Two at the third.

One was needed to complete the string of murders. However, the murderer needed at least two nails to perform it, so it would be a suicide. Misora concluded this.

Back on the topic subject…

"Might I get a link up to her computer?" I asked him. "Yes, go ahead. I've already hooked you up," he grinned. "Very well, thank you Watari."

I hooked up the microphone and enabled the program that would alter my voice. As soon as I did, I recognized a high-pitched synthetic voice. "Greetings all, is there any new information regarding the Kira case?" she was checking in on the NPA, it seemed. I was a bit shocked, to be honest. A sounded so… formal. Just like I usually did. Perhaps she was exactly like me. Oh, my mistake.

"I'm sorry," I started. This was one of the first times I'd ever forgotten something. Perhaps I was just stunned. "It seems I have forgotten an introduction. I am L," I revealed my identity without fear. I imagined Z calculating if that statement was actually true. The thought made me smile.

There was a long pause before she replied to me. "I am Z. What have you found on this case? Do you have any suspects yet?" I had to quickly think of a way to dodge her question.

"I already know who you are, Z. I have heard many excellent things about you, but also some bad things. 10.47 percent are very negative comments. Does this bother you at all?" This was true. Many had said she'd give me a run for my money, but I'd also heard that she could NEVER be L's successor. But, I had read that she'd solved every case she worked on, including quite a few unsolved cases. Just as I had.

Her false voice rang back to me, echoing slightly. "No, L. I do what is right. If some dislike my work, that is their problem."

My thumb drifted up to my lips and I chewed the nail as I pondered her question. She had given a well thought out reply. Like something I would've said. Something I still say. Maybe she is like me, I thought to myself.

"Wise answer," I nodded slightly as I spoke, not caring that nobody but Watari could see me. "I will speak with you again soon." I ended the call afterwards and set the laptop down on the small table in front of my chair.

She sounded so… clever. She would definitely have some vital insight on the Kira killings. Maybe she could even help me work it all out and catch Kira.

"Watari?" I asked, still chewing on my thumbnail.

"Yes, dear boy?" he answered, the soft glow of my laptop glaring off his small glasses.

"Which room is she in?"

"Room number 1313. Would you like me to book a room in the Grand Tokyo Hotel?"

Room 1313. The same room Misora suspected the last murder to be in. "Yes. In fact, book the room next to it, please," I replied to his question, my eyes boring into his soft gaze.

"Oh, by the way, do we have any strawberries? And possibly some melted chocolate?" I asked another question. My mouth watered at the thought of the succulent red fruit. "Perhaps…" Watari walked into the kitchen and I heard him lifting something off the stove. He walked back into the room I was in and set a pot on the coffee table. A package of strawberries was set down next to it. "Be careful, young master. It is still very hot."

I sucked on my thumb before dipping it into the pot. Watari was correct; the chocolate was smoldering. I barely winced as I pulled my thumb back and began to suck on it like a young child.

The warm liquid floated down my throat and tickled my wind pipe, much like a feather on sensitive skin. I smiled as I looked up at the old man, "Thank you, Watari." He nodded and walked away, his faint footsteps fading after a while.

I began to rapidly devour the fruit as I dipped it into the scorching chocolate. I was very fortunate to have Watari to care for me. I knew I'd never be alone in this. Not if I had Watari… or Z.

She would be joining me soon in the investigation… Finally, one of my own kind, one that hadn't gone to Wammy's House. Watari's home for L's successors.