Author's Note-
Let's start off with a hello, and nice to meet you fellow Death Note lovers of the world! This is the first fanfic to be written on the joint account of California and Coral, so we hope you like it.
Just so there aren't any nasty suprises for anyone later, this story will contain yaoi, or homosexual themes. While the rating is 'T' for the moment, we reserve the right to change that if need be (read: if someone makes us).
Also! If you are unfamiliar with Deathnote's Another Note, the Los Angeles BB Murder Case, or the character Beyond Birthday himself, this story might be a little confusing. If that's the case, you should really go read it because it's amazing you'll love it DO IT NOOOOW. XD
Not much else to say, but I'm sure one of us will think of something later. Until then, please enjoy!
Disclaimer- Fanfiction: the fictional or make-believe stories written by fans, as in not the owners.
Summary- One decision made different alters the course of fate, and no one is quite sure what to do about it. Throw in an escaped serial killer with a vendetta, add a house full of child prodigies, and chaos will ensue. L/Light
Chapter One- Changing Fate
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"If you make this note unusable by cutting it or burning it, all the humans
who have touched the note till then will die."
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L was nothing if not a logical man. It was his driving force, the reason behind his rationality. He refused to think, at this particular point in time, that his infallible judgment might be clouded by panic.
Needless to say, L was nervous. Quite possibly because he was about to do something very stupid. Particularly stupid for someone of his caliber.
Not that anyone in the Investigation Headquarters noticed. The adrenaline from catching Kyosuke Higuchi and successfully ending the Yotsuba Kira was still wearing off. L's nimble fingers lined up the cups of coffee creamer placed before him, considering everything that had just been discovered; the existence of shinigami, the existence of killer notebooks, everything. And yet his mind was still able to untangle the facts and construct a basic assembling of thought, much as his hands were doing with his creamer.
It was all just too convenient. A much abused fingernail was toyed with as he considered. Rules. . . . this is all about the rules, isn't it? And isn't it convenient that the last two rules, which happen to be written on a separate page, completely clear the two highest up on the suspect list?
Too convenient. Too planned.
He glanced over at the boy he was currently attached to, in more ways than one.
The smooth faced eighteen year old looked lost in thought at a glance, maybe even determined upon second inspection. L knew better. He'd spent the last several months of his life analyzing the face in front of him, and could sense the manic glee it radiated. How no one else sensed it remained a mystery.
Higuchi had died less than four hours before, and now that they were back in the relative sanity of Headquarters. L was faced with a new puzzle.
"Aaah. . . . I shouldn't have said 'I want to see the reaper too' and touched it-"
L truly wished Matsuda would shut up. The voice of the elder Yagami admonishing him was heard, as where the plans for securing the Death Note. The only problem was, L didn't think it was the only Death Note they had to worry about.
Scratch that, he was positive it wasn't the only Death Note they had to worry about.
There was a second Kira, it makes sense that there are at least two Death Notes in the human world. How else would they have worked in tandem?
"Rem-san. . . "L paused in his train of thought, wanting to be absolutely sure of what was said. This had to be played just right.
"There are other notebooks in the human world, correct?" Another coffee creamer was added to an already impressive tower.
Rem turned to him with an interested (he assumed) look on her face.
"I wonder? There may or may not be. The only notebook that I have to keep track of is the one here."
Light's face twitched slightly. L could only guess at his thoughts.
"If there were to be other notebooks, would the rules for all of the notebooks be the same?"
Rem's answer didn't really matter, so he didn't listen. No, he was thinking too hard on what was about to unfold.
What successfully jarred his focus where the sudden and excited exclamations regarding Light's innocence.
There was a choice to be made, one that would ultimately win or lose him this twisted little game.
Should he believe in logic, as he had always done, or should he, for once in his life, trust instinct alone? He closed his eyes for no more than a second, his gut wrenching at the thought.
His eyes opened, wider than before. His decision was made.
"I understand. Sorry for everything up until now. . . "
A genuine sigh of relief was heard from the former chief of police at these words, along with, "I'm glad,"
"Yeah," Light agreed, turning to face his father.
L decided to finish his sentence.
"I am sorry, but the notebook must be destroyed."
Dead silence for a solid thirty seconds. Then-
"Ryuzaki, are you kidding?!"
"Why can't we just lock it up?!"
"Don't you think that's a little extreme?"
The hand hovering over the creamer cup tower paused, then brought itself back down to the table.
"No, it is not too extreme." His eyes flicked to Light, the only one in the room who had yet to make a sound. Well, Mogi hadn't either, but then Mogi rarely made noise.
Light's face was shocked, but something moved beneath the surface, shifting at his words.
What are you planning?
L motioned for the Death Note, and it was placed in his hands.
"If these rules are true, then Light-kun and Misa-san are cleared."
"Yeah, we got that part! Why can't we just lock it up?"
"Matsuda-san, please refrain from interrupting." The pale, dexterous fingers flipped the book open, tilting it until only the back cover was between his fingers, allowing the rest to hang free. He tilted his head to match the script he held sideways and considered aloud, "'If you make this note unusable by cutting it or burning it, all the humans who have touched the note till then will die'. . . an unfortunate consequence, but a noble cause nonetheless."
He turned to face the task force, eyes shining with his words. They must believe him, if he was to win this.
"Think a moment please. While, yes, we may lose our lives isn't it worth ultimately ending the Kira case and ridding the world of this abomination?" He held the notebook higher, as if for emphasis. "We were all already prepared to stake our lives for this case. Is this not essentially the same result? Do any of you disagree that this finality for us is worth ending Kira's reign?" Hmm. A bit wordy. Perhaps they will see it as a grandiose last speech.
Not for a second did L believe the two rules written on the back cover. It made everything too clean cut. Giving his assumptions were correct, destroying this notebook wouldn't kill them, and it left Light and Misa under the same amount of suspicion and surveillance, if not more so than before. That would still give L ample time to search for the second notebook.
The only thing he truly wasn't sure of was Light's reaction to his words. Would he go along with it? There was a definite change between the Light that woke up this morning and the Light in front of him now.
Gone were the doe eyes, the soft smiles. It could be partly blamed on the discovery of the supernatural, but L felt that there was a deeper meaning to it.
Yes, Kira. I see you. What do you have planned? How will you respond, now that I've-
"I think Ryuuzaki is right."
Oh. Like that.
"Light-kun, what are you saying? I still don't get why we can't just lock it up!" Matsuda looked on the verge of a panic attack. A gentle, yet demeaning smile was sent his way.
"Matsuda-san, didn't you know you'd be risking your life when you got involved in this case? And isn't this the best way? To know you're taking down something truly evil with you? Ryuuzaki is right. Let's do it."
His eyes ended on L, that smile hardening. No, L thought, this isn't Light-kun. Not anymore. This is Kira, and he knows this won't kill him. But what does he hope to gain from it?
Light's mind was going haywire. Was agreeing with L the right thing to do? Did it make him seem more suspicious?
"Also, there is the highly likely chance that the last two rules are fake." Light's eyes widened as he spun to face the detective, trying to mask his shock with confusion.
"Fake? Ryuuzaki, how so?"
He 'hmmed', placing the Death Note down. "It's simple really. All of the other rules are written out for a human's use, yes. But none of the other rules are based with a human in mind. Interesting. Also, why are they on a separate page? It seems like more thought would have gone into writing the rules to save space, so it makes sense that these ones were added after."
Spinning his chair around, he stood. Well, as much as his odd crouch could be considered standing, anyway.
"I understand that this isn't the most favored course of action," -he was a master of understatement- "But my mind is made up. Now, come."
The others were left to gape at his retreating back, exchanging panicked looks before following the eclectic detective who had obviously skipped happily off the deep end. Even Rem followed, seemingly curious, but not entirely troubled, about the fate of the notebook.
"R-Ryuuzaki! Wait up!" Light snatched the notebook off the desk and jogged to catch up with his 'friend', who had already reached the elevators. "Are you really sure this is the best course of action? I mean, what if you're wrong? Surely you've realized that there has to be a second Death Note-" He trailed off, giving his best 'I'm an innocent young man concerned for my friend's mental state' look. Regardless, he handed the notebook to L, snatching his hand away when he took it, as if he couldn't wait to get it out of his hands.
L shifted his weight to one side, large, sleepless eyes peering up at the pristine boy. "I agree, there is a second Death Note. Just as surely as there were two Kira's, I believe they must have worked separately. However, as I have already said, I don't think this endeavor will harm us. If I am correct, it will rid us of one note, and leave us ample time to search for the second. I'm positive it's been squirreled away somewhere. Is there a reason Light-kun is doubting my logic? Or is the thought of impending death just unnerving to the point of losing rationality?"
Light sputtered. By this point, the rest of the team had caught up, and they all stepped forward as the elevator dinged, shuffling in to the tiny space. Slightly akward, when one took into account the seven foot tall shinigami.
L pulled a tiny silver key out of a pocket of his jeans, inserting it into the emergency slot and twisting, hitting the button for 2B. They began to descend.
"Ryuuzaki, if you really think this is the best way, couldn't we have a little time to come to terms with this? Maybe wait a day? I'd at least like to see my wife, my little girl, explain some things, y'know?'' Aizawa was trying desperately not to shake. Mogi still hadn't said a word, and the Chief looked. . . . resigned? Matsuda was white faced, gripping a handrail so tight his knuckles impressed upon his skin. He seemed close to fainting, or a panic attack. Or both.
"I think waiting would only make it worse. The fear would build, right? We've trusted him this far, maybe he knows something we don't." Light's eyes were narrowed, focused on that pale face. He'd play along as the righteous little martyr, it didn't matter. It seemed L's mind was made up on destroying this notebook, but there was still another. If worst came to worst, he'd retrieve the second himself, after figuring out a way to clear his name. There would be no point to giving Misa back her memories. He could be rid of her, and Rem would have to leave him in peace. L's eyes slid to meet his.
"I find it very unlikely that I know something Light-kun doesn't involving this matter."
Light sighed heavily but let the thinly veiled 'you are Kira' insinuation drop. He couldn't start a petty argument right now, he was trying to pretend to be determined, with a side of nervousness.
The elevator halted, and they filed out, looking around at the cavernous space. L had already wandered over to what seemed to be a large furnace, surrounded by an unorthodox amount of medical equipment, lying on examination tables and in cabinets. He hadn't bothered to turn on the floodlights, so very little was actually seen, illuminated by the light from the still open elevator doors.
"Um, Ryuuzaki? Where are we?"
"The second basement, Matsuda san. It's where the incinerator is."
That got him a few looks. Surprisingly, it was Mogi who spoke up.
"Why does this building have an incinerator, Ryuuzaki? What could you possibly need it for?"
As he spoke, he approached the smaller man, helping to swing back the heavy door. The grate behind it was unlit and shadowed; ominous. L placed the notebook gently inside, then motioned for Mogi to close the door, answering, "I could quite possible need it for something like this. I did make an attempt to plan for anything during construction."
They stepped back, and he swung to face them, looking at each in turn.
"Yet again, I will reiterate. I am seventy two percent sure, that in five minutes, we will all be unharmed. If, for any reason I am proven wrong, rest assured that there are many more capable personages that will be ready and willing to take up this fight. Watari?"
A crackle was heard over the PA, drowing out Matsuda's, "Only seventy two?"
"Yes, Ryuuzaki?'
L looked up, as if the ceiling overhead was where the man was, and said "If my theory is wrong and Misa Amane is still alive, please release her, along with our apologies. It will mean that the thirteen day rule is also true, and she will be cleared of all charges."
The crackle was heard again. Apparently not as much time or money had gone into the systems down here compared to the rest of the building. "Understood, sir."
Silence. L removed his eyes from the ceiling, and gave that odd, close lipped smile of his. It was disconcerting, to be sure. "Well, then, I assume this is goodbye, Rem-san. I trust this won't affect your wellbeing?"
She inclined her head, "No, it will not affect me. You, however, will no longer be aware of my presence."
"Ah, well, that will probably be for the best."
He turned back to the furnace, fiddling with some controls, and distantly, a roar could be heard building. Gas, slowly but sure, being pumped into that dark space.
A small window was built into the door, and every pair of eyes was fixed on it, riveted to the small rectangle of black that could barely be made out against the dark.
No one moved. No one breathed. And then, a popping sound- the spark. The dull roar became a crushing one, followed instantly by a blinding blaze and flaring heat, felt even through the several inches of steel. All the ashen faces were illuminated, casting an even eerier glow to the room, which could now be seen, if anyone cared to look. Mostly empty space- except for one wall. Opposite the furnace, kiddy cornered to the elevator, was row upon row of small metal doors set into the wall. The very same that could be found in any hospital morgue. L had quite effectively set up his own space for autopsies, including body storage and an effective method of destroying the remains.
It might have been a good thing that nobody cared to look.
Eyes never left the dark smudge, which seemed to resist the fire for almost a solid minute. Impressive, considering the several thousand degrees of heat circulating the tiny space. Ever so slightly, the edges began to curl. L's nose was as close to the glass door as possible without burning it off.
"Fascinating, " He mumbled around a finger.
Matsuda let out a terrified whimper.
Light fought his instinct to roll his eyes, but even as he did so, he felt a slight sweat break out. Out of the corner of his vision, he noticed that Rem seemed to be. . . . shimmering, almost? No, wavering. As if slowly becoming a heat wave herself.
The flames licked the edges of the paper now, snapping it up slowly.
L watched the notebook, but in his peripheral, he noticed something strange. Everyone seemed to be fine, except for the younger Yagami. Light stumbled, his father catching his arm. "Light! Are you alright?"
He was shaking now, everyone 's attention redirected. Rem's now transparent form took a step closer, acting interested herself.
"Dad? Dad, I-?" He cast about, trying to support his own weight and stumbling. The room was spinning. He watched as the fire finally took interest in the notebook, quickly starting what should have already been finished. The glow grew impossibly intense. One figure stood out in sharp relief, surrounded by that glow. His hazy mind picked out the glossy black hair.
"Ryuuzaki. . . . L. . . ." The words came out as a harsh whisper.
The ground trembled beneath Light's feet. How had no one else felt that? His body was wracked with shivers, and his mind reeled. He couldn't breath.
What's with this feeling?
What's going on?
It hit him then, with all the subtlety of a bullet between the eyes.
What. . . . have I done?
Darkness.
A/N- We hope you enjoyed the first chapter, the next one should be up sometime next week!