Avery

Sometimes it's hard to get through every day without biting someone's head off. It's even harder when you can't see that person's head, or any of that person for that matter. But, I seem to be able to get by somehow. I generally don't snap at people. That's just how I am. But today, I've made an exception. Arkem Briz needed to take a hint and leave me alone. "This is the last time I am going to say this, Briz. Piss off!"

"Damn. Avery's getting angry." I could hear Arkem move closer to me. "You're hot when you're mad."

"That's it! I'm going to kill him! Point me in the right direction! I'm going to kill him!" I shouted, flailing my hands around wildly. I stopped as someone grabbed my arms. "Whoever's holding on to me, let go! I'm going to kill him!"

"Avery. Calm down." My brother whispered in my ear, tightening his hold on me. "It's okay. We'll handle this. Right, Ryuzaki?"

"Yes." I could hear L's computer chair rolling across the room, stopping slightly in front of me. "Arkem. If you cannot restrain yourself, I will have to ask you to leave this investigation."

"That's it? Ask him to leave?" I asked, appalled. "Oh, come on! At least let me hit him a couple times! Please?"

"I'm sorry, Avery." Ryuzaki said. "But we cannot have any violence here."

I looked to where my best friend's voice was coming from. "That's bull shit! What about the other day when you and Light were going at it?"

"That's different." Light spoke up. "We were chained together. We got frustrated with each other."

My eyes lit up. "So, are you saying if I was chained to Arkem, you'd let me kick his ass?"

"No." Light responded, sounding slightly irritated by the idea.

"What the hell?!"

"Avery. Don't worry about it." My best friend, Calla, said. "My brother's not worth it. And if he doesn't leave you alone, I'll kick his ass myself."

I smiled. My friends were always there for me. I knew that, even though I couldn't see any of them. I was never left alone, even though I have ways of getting around. Calla shares a room with me here at Headquarters. She's always placing clothes out for me every day, claiming that I always look great in what she picks out for me. I take her word for it, but sometimes I'm not too sure.

My brother barely ever leaves my side. Ever since our parents were killed about a year ago, Raden has had to take care of me. He's quite overprotective, but I'm used to it. He's not very strict with me. The only rule he really has is that he doesn't want me left alone with a guy.

Ryuzaki and I became friends a couple months ago when he told me he was L and wanted me to help with the Kira case. I accepted. I want to catch Kira. I want him to pay for all of the evil he has brought into the world.

Near and I became friends shortly after I joined the investigation. I had accidently stepped on a jigsaw puzzle he was working on. I apologized and offered to help him finish it. He was confused, but he accepted. He soon realized that even blind people can work on puzzles.

Mello was okay, but he was more of an acquaintance than a friend. He usually kept to himself and stayed in his room unless the others absolutely needed him. But he had helped me get around Headquarters a few times when the others weren't around, and he never complained about it. At least, not out loud. So I decided he wasn't such a bad guy, and if I ever needed his help, I wouldn't hesitate to ask.

All of my friends are great, but the one who I really love is Light Yagami. I've been friends with Light for about three years, and I've been crushing on him for longer. He sees me as his best friend. But I can't help but think that there may be hope. But, then again, he is dating that super model, Misa Amane. I guess he and I just aren't meant to be.

"Ryuzaki. 24 more criminals were reported to have died yesterday."

I could hear the others gasp as Deputy Director Chief Yagami told them the news. "24? That's one per hour." Raden stated. "But… I thought Kira was a student."

"I guess we can rule that out." Light said.

"Well, not necessarily." I stated. "Any student can skip class for a day. Though, it does still seem unlikely."

"No. That's just what Kira wants." L told me. "I wonder. Is it possible for Kira to determine the date and time of his victim's deaths?"

"Do you really think that's possible Ryuzaki?" I asked. "Do you really think Kira has that much power?"

"I'm not sure. But we have to put it into consideration. We can't rule anything out just yet. I still believe that Kira is in fact a student."

"That's crazy L, I mean Ryuzaki." Matsuda said. "Why would a student go through so much trouble just to kill criminals?"

"Maybe Kira feels that he is bringing justice to this world?" Light offered.

"No matter what his reasons are, he's a murderer." I said. "And I will not rest until he is caught, and executed."

"None of you think he's justice in any way?" Arkem asked. "I mean, crime rates have dropped immensely."

"Who cares? Leave the apprehending to the police." I said coldly. "Or maybe Kira can help. I don't know. But you can't kill people. It makes him no better than the people he's killing."

"Wow Avery. A lot of people disagree with Kira's way of bringing justice." Light stated. "But you seem to hate him with all your heart."

I was silent for a moment, trying to regain my composure. "I do. I hate Kira. I want him caught and killed."

"Avery…" Light hesitated. "You seem much more passionate about this than most other people. I can't help but think there's more to it than just the fact that he's a murderer."

I looked down, trying to keep my tears back. "Kira killed my father, and his fiancée. My father was working on the case undercover, and was killed by Kira. His fiancée tried to get to the task force with important information, but Kira got to her first." I looked up, hoping I was looking in the right direction. Everyone was silent, letting me vent. "That's why I hate Kira. My parents were not bad people. They were just doing their jobs. He got rid of them for his own sake. Kira is evil, and I will not rest until he is dead."

I couldn't hold it in any longer. I started to cry. I felt a hand rest on my shoulder. "Avery," Near whispered in my ear. "Come with me to the other room. Let's get your mind off of this."

I nodded and let Near lead me out of the room. Just before the door closed, I could hear Light whisper, "I'm sorry."

Light

I watched as Near escorted Avery out of the room. I tried to keep my reaction to myself, but I felt horrible. I had no idea Avery and Raden were related to Raye Penber… God, I was stupid. Of course it wasn't a coincidence they had the same last name! But I had never met her parents the whole time we knew each other. I had only met her brother a couple months before we joined the investigation.

Dammit, this was bad. I was finally going to tell Avery that I was Kira. I hated keeping the secret from her for so long, but I wasn't sure how she'd react. But knowing that I killed her parents, I can never tell her now. She can never find out.

I excused myself and headed to my room. I needed to be alone to think. I had to figure out what I was going to do about Avery. This was the only time I had felt guilty about causing someone's death. Before now, Raye Penber and Naomi Misora were just two bystanders getting in my way. They had to be eliminated. But if I had known they were her parents, I would have spared them. I would have figured something else out. I would have done… something. Anything, so she wouldn't hate me as much as she does now. Maybe she would have even agreed with what I was doing. No, no, probably not.

I sighed as I sat on my bed. My stomach felt sick, and my hands were shaking slightly. I took a deep breath. I had to regain my composure. We had to do more research soon, and I couldn't show that this situation had affected me.

I sat up and was about to head towards the main room when I heard Avery's voice. She sounded angry. It sounded like she was yelling at Ryuzaki. I pressed my ear against the wall. I hated eavesdropping, but I was curious to know what L had done to upset her. And then I heard my name, and Avery defending me. My eyes widened.

They were arguing about my innocence in the Kira investigation.