AN: I haven't written in a while, so I'm a bit out of practice. Lately I've gotten back into reading FanFiction stories and have been pretty disappointed to not find one that I either haven't already read or don't like the way the story goes. So I decided I should write one myself and make it happen the way I like. So here goes nothing. It begins as Watari's name is being written by Rem and variates from there.

Remaining Lifespan

L stared in shock as all of the computer monitors flashed ALL DATA DELETION. His heart ached as he realized what it meant; Watari was dead. There was panic in the room as the team searched for the Shinigami. L did not move from his crouched position as memories flashed in his mind: Watari holding his hand as a small child, hearing the church bells in the cold winter air as snow swirled in front of the stained glass windows.

The seconds ticked by. He was almost one hundred percent sure that he was next, that his heart would stop and he would die. He was very surprised when moments turned to minutes, and he didn't seem to be the only one. Light was looking very suspicious, staring at him in an almost expectant way. Like he had been waiting for it as well and seemed almost… disappointed. The percentage of him being Kira rose back up to ninety nine percent.

The room was eerily quiet as the team was searching the building for the Shinigami. Light had also left the room, leaving L in the same crouched position he couldn't move from. Finally, he stretched his legs as he stood and walked slowly towards the door. Light's voice could be heard shouting "Everyone, come here, I found something!"

In the electrical room he entered, there was a pile of some sort of dust on the floor. It almost sparkled in the dim lighting of the computers. Light had been the first one there, making L a bit suspicious and wished he had followed Light instead of staying frozen to his chair. The team arrived, confused and terrified at what they saw.

"Is this the Shinigami?" Matsuda asked in a shaky voice.

"I am one hundred percent sure, yes. It is over." L replied in monotone.

-Two Hours Later-

The smoke from the burning Death Note was an odd color, almost iridescent. L swore he could hear screams, maybe the screams of all whose name was written, but maybe it was all in his head. The team had unanimously decided to discard the remaining Death Note, so no one could ever lay hands on it again. Light stared at L from behind.

'What the hell, Rem? L was supposed to die too…' Light could only assume that Rem had begun to die after writing Watari's name in her Note, which he had thankfully gotten his hands on from the pile of ash before the team entered the room. It was tucked safely in the back of his pants, unknown to L. He felt disappointment in Rem, but success in that everyone thought it was over by destroying the Note in their possession. He held back his laughter, better save it for later.

"Everyone is dismissed for the night. Report back tomorrow morning to write up your accounts of the events tonight." L told the team as he walked back to his desk and crouched in front of the blank monitors. What to do now? Somehow, he felt it wasn't over. The original Death Note was destroyed, but what did Rem write Watari's name in? Everyone assumed it had disappeared with her body, but he wasn't so sure. He wanted to keep an eye on Light.

"Light Yagami, please stay for a moment." Light looked almost surprised, but had expected it. L was not stupid, not like the rest of the team members who assumed it was over. He had entered that room before L, and knew that it seemed suspicious.

He took a seat next to L as the rest of the team left with heavy hearts. L continued to stare at the blank white screen in front of him, chewing on his thumb until it bled. He spoke so softly Light almost didn't hear him. "Watari is dead… The Shinigami killed him. Where do you think her Note is…Light?" He almost called him Kira, being very sure that he was at his point.

"I can't be sure. It wasn't with her ashes, so it must have disappeared when she died." Light said in a sure tone, trying so hard to keep back his smile as he felt the Note pressing into his back. He shifted in his chair to be more comfortable. L watched his movements with wary eyes, finally looking away from his computer.

"Are you certain?"

"I just said I can't be sure. It's just my best guess, do you have a better idea?"

"I do, actually. I believe you have it."

Light looked genuinely shocked, mostly acting but somewhat surprised L would be so forward in his assumptions.

"What…what makes you say that, Ryuuzaki?" His voice wavered in its innocent tone and Light flinched inwardly, gaining his control back.

"I did not enter the room until you had. You had ample time to acquire her Note before anyone saw you. I would like to take you into custody and monitor you for an indefinite amount of time." L did not blink as he stared directly into Light's eyes.

"Wha-…What? Why? I didn't do anything! I don't have the Death Note!" He was scared now, almost reaching his hand back to touch the Note digging into his spine. No one was here but him and L. Maybe he could take him in a fight and get away, but then what? The entire police force would be after him, he would have nowhere to go, nowhere to hide.

"Please stand, Light Yagami." L pulled handcuffs from his pocket as he stood, slouching like usual but somehow coming across intimidating as he stood over Light, having a few inches on him as Light stood, face to face with his nemesis.

L reached out to grab Light's arm, but in a quick motion Light did not expect he reached into the back of his shirt and pulled out the Death Note. Light instinctively reached for it as it was pulled away from him. "No! NO!" L leaped backwards away from his grasp, a small smile hanging as his lips as his suspicions were confirmed.

A million thoughts and scenarios ran through Light's head, but he opted to stay put and say nothing.

"Now now, Light, what is this doing here?" L teased him, dangling the Note between two fingers like a sugar cube, swaying it back and forth tauntingly.

"I…I don't know! I don't know how that got there! Rem must have planted it on me before she died!" Light tried to reason with himself, he knew he was caught but couldn't help playing innocent to the end.

L's smile dropped, he placed the handcuffs back into his pocket and slowly walked towards the glass box the previous Note was kept in. He spoke gently as he placed it inside and closed the lock. "The entire building is on lockdown, you cannot escape. The Note is locked up and I do not have the key, no one may access it now. You can try to run all you like, but there is nowhere to go."

Light couldn't move, trying to think of a way out, but knew it was over for him. Heartache filled him and he slumped back into his chair. "I am not confessing, I will say nothing. You have no other proof." He stared at the floor, not meeting L's gaze.

"I have all the proof I need." L turned and walked out of the door, in the direction of the kitchen, leaving Light frozen in his seat. L pulled a cake from the refrigerator, slicing it all the while thinking of Watari. A sadness had filled him, but he did not show it outwardly. Sadness was a weakness, and he showed no weakness to Kira. He ate his strawberry and icing covered cake slowly, contemplating all that had happened. From here it would get very interesting. He hoped Light wouldn't kill him with his own hands, but somehow he was sure he wouldn't. He heard a scream of desperation and defeat from the other room and smiled as he took the last bite of cake.

-TBC-

AN: So, I know this chapter was short, but it was just the prequel and there is much more to come. I promise to make the rest longer, I just felt this was an appropriate place to end here. Please review and favorite, it encourages me to write faster. Thank you for reading.