The pair of detectives sat next to each other with identical poses and simular facial features, one would almost mistake them for brothers. When they worked together like this, they were both referred to as L, the world's greatest detective. There were times they worked alone as well. The older of the two was the original L. He was known as L Lawiet, Lost, Law, and many other names. The other, Beyond Birthday, was known by B, Backup, Brother, and Gemini among others. B had settled down and married, retiring from being an international detective to just a localized one...Until his wife was murdered six months before, killed by a serial killer the two of them were tracking. Beyond had known when his wife would die because of his special eyes, but he had not known the method of how. The killer was deranged, he had a blood fetish, one might even say blood turned him on. He'd killed over 20 men, women, and children, raping them as they bled to death under him. Of course the man did nothing to reveal himself. The only things linking the same man to each crime were the fact that he used one well placed stab to a vital place for a quick bleed out, and the killer takes something from his victim and leaves it at the next crime-scene. He had taken his wife's wedding ring, and he'd bet his life that it would turn up soon. He tried to forget that night he came home to see Calpurnia's body in a pool of blood, a dead thirteen year old's most prized Bratz doll drenched in blood beside her.
"Let's review, B. The killer murders people from ages 10-40 and targets mostly females between 15 and 36, and he began five years ago. What do you think of it? What's next?" L asked.
"Victim 27 will come soon, in a few weeks I'd say. The victim will probably be male in his 20's, probability 40%." B announced after a little thought.
"Very good job, but I've done better. The location will be north east Los Angeles" L answered.

Bakura looked into the newspaper set in front of him. How boring, they were benefiting from the heart ache of other people again. This time there had been a fire and children had been killed. It made no sense, why did there always have to be a big deal made of tragic things? Why can't there be good news reported in the papers, why couldn't the local talent show be front page material? Death loomed over him always it seemed.

He usually admired his mentor to no end, was considered the Watson to L's Sherlock Holmes, but the idea didn't sit well with him that day. The thought of his wife's murderer not moving out of the city, was probably a large part of it. Another part being that since the murder six months previously, he didn't get around much, only seeing the same people and same rooms. He needed air and out of that place just for a short time.
"L, I'm getting out for a bit, you want me to get you any pastries or anything while I'm out?" Beyond asked.
"Hmmm... A dozen doughnuts would be nice, thank you B."

He tossed the paper aside, he was sick of looking at the disgusting garbage they passed off as news. He was no longer interested in the half finished food, he needed to move, he was restless. He ordered a to go box, slapped down a tip, payed and left the restaurant/bakery, trying to clear his head.

L sure had a way of making him feel like a meager personal assistant sometimes. He was sure this had been how Matsuda Touta must have felt when they worked on the Kira investigation together, that case had been open and shut when L asked him to get involved, it was even the first time he could place a name for his unique eyes that could see names and lifespans. The Shinigami who had dropped their notebooks were long gone as were the killer notebooks. He strolled along, his mood growing lighter in the sun's brightness. He came to a place that was like a bakery and restaurant in one, and placed an order for some food and snacks.

Just as he was about to leave the restaurant, he saw a strange man. The thing that was strange about him was not his looks, the man was handsome to him, but the strange thing about him was that there were no numbers under his name. Bakura, himself, was the only person he'd known like that. Was this the same work afoot? Was the same creature, whatever it was, that brought him these unique eyes, bestowed this power upon another? He would have to keep an eye on this guy. Bakura watched as the man, Beyond Birthday, received his order, payed, and left. He followed after the man at a safe distance.

Beyond could swear he felt eyes one him the whole way back to the building that was used as just a regular hotel as a front. The realty was, just like the Kira Task Force Head Quarters, it was little more than a glorified building where agents spent their days and nights both in work and play, trying to solve various notorious crimes of vital importance.

Following him to the building did not discourage Bakura's curiosity one bit, he'd stand by until the man left the building again. He had to meet this guy, had to find out more, maybe even teach him the true purpose behind their unique eyes. He ate when he was hungry, and continued to wait. When he arranged for the two of them to meet, it would seem like sheer chance.

It was back to work, back to looking at statisics and looking for paterns, trying to find answers. That by no means was boring, but he seriously wasn't feeling up to it, so after a few hours, he asked to be excused. After getting through all of the security, he left for a walk. Little did he know that it would be a walk into a whole new world.

He watched, as Beyond stepped out. He studied him, and when he was sure that he knew which way Beyond was headed, Bakura went around a building to make it appear that he was just out a walk too, appearing in front of the detective when he turned the corner.

There was that feeling that he was being watched again! But there were still people walking about so he didn't worry too much, and he could defend himself too. As Beyond continued on his walk, he looked at people as he went. He had no choice but to see when they would die by looking at them, but he had learned to accept the reality and finality of it when his parents died. He did this until at last his eyes fell on a stranger that only had his name visible, this sent him on edge. In all of his life, he had only met the two Kiras with hidden lifespans like his, he could only assume that this was a new Kira, there was no other born like him...That he was aware of. Bakura Helket he read, he was going to talk to this guy rather than just assume anything. Just then, Bakura turned and seemed to notice him with a shocked look on his face.

He played everything perfectly and acted shocked. "This is a new one to me, I've never known anyone who can see as I do." Bakura said, "You do see names and lifespans don't you?" As he waited for a response, he acted nervous or at the very least, uncomfortable to be speaking to him right there.

"What? Were you born with Shinigami Eyes? I'm sorry, are you uncomfortable talking out in the open? I can understand. Where would you like to go?" There were just too many things he wanted to ask, so many things he needed to know about this stranger.

"Y-yes, I know a place around here. We'll be able to talk in relative privacy." he stammered in fake nervousness. Everything was falling into place. From the moment he'd heard Beyond speak, he knew it was love, and not just mere fascination in him. Bakura was ashamed that he had to act, lying from the start, but telling Beyond he had stalked him wasn't going to make him like Bakura any better. It would probably in truth, drive him away, but he would eventually share everything with him.

At first he trusted everything Bakura told him, but now he wasn't so sure. He didn't know what was setting off alarms, whether it was the fact a part of him still suspected the other of something, or that he was just mixed up because he'd never met another like himself. His curiosity for the other more than made up for it though, and soon they were seated in a 24/7 diner, ordering food.

"You may feel free to ask me anything you wish, but first, That thing you called our rare gift, what was it again? Tell me what you know of them." he said before turning to the menu, trying to decide what to order. If he played everything right, he would earn the other's trust that night.

Beyond looked at his menu as well. This was the type of place where you could get breakfast or anything at any hour. He was still trying to decide what he was going to eat when Bakura's words reached him. He had to admit the other's voice was intoxicating in its deep and enchanting way, which was weird to him, he'd never really found anyone of the same gender as attractive before, except a few boys when he was a confused teen in Whammy's House. It was C's love for him and her constant affection that eventually settled him into his marriage with her.
He sipped on his pasty sugar coffee, before answering to the question, "Well... I am a detective, as one of the best, I was asked to help out on the Kira case. During this case, I was lead to the discovery that gods of death do exist. That our specialized eyes, are like thiers, and not even the Shinigami I've spoken to know how I, or I should say, we, came to possess this ability.

"Fascinating! You're a detective? One of the best at that you say, what sorts of crimes besides Kira have you investigated? Weren't you afraid for your life?" He exclaimed. This was a twist he did not foresee, it was a thrill! No doubt if he was one of the best, he was after this serial killer that was thought to be very sick and tortured.

"Yes, I am a detective. I wasn't too terribly afraid for my life. I was only called in to confirm a few things and find the evidence, and well, usually I work whatever case comes my way or I'm asked to do. Often they are crimes I find challenging, but I've made it a personal mission to find a certain serial killer. I lost my wife six months ago, the killer murdered her and even though it was her time, murder is an unforgivable act!"

Yes, he should have guessed it, with the fact they both had the same last name. Birthday wasn't too common of a last name, either so he shouldn't have been surprised. Bakura was taken a little aback nonetheless.
"Really? The madman on the loose now? What's sorts of leads do you have?"

"It's top secret. You said I could ask you anything... Hm... Oh yes, how did you discover what the numbers above people's heads meant? The first time I understood was when my father died, I didn't have any concept of it before. All I knew is that I saw names and the numbers made no sense, they were just there." Just as Beyond finished speaking, the waiter came to take their orders. He ordered a strawberry jam sandwhich.
"No, I'm not trying to be unreasonable here! Normally I would just ask for a jar of jam and people know me here and would do it. All I'm asking since you're new here, is for a jam sandwhich, are you going to do this for me? Or do we have to take our business elsewhere?" he yelled.

Bakura couldn't help laughing at the situation between the waiter and Beyond. When things calmed down with them, he was able to place his order of steak, potatoes, and veggies. When they were left alone again, he began his tale, "Much like you, I'm afraid. It was a sort of accident, I happened to be there when an uncle of mine was on his death bed. I was there when his name and lifespan faded and disappeared. It hit me then what those numbers meant, but for a long time I was either too scared or just plain not interested in figuring those numbers out any further. Another event later changed my mind about that, but that's a story for later."

They spoke and ate a while longer before Beyond payed the bill. It appeared this would be the last they saw of each other for the rest of the night, and that this would be the extent of their 'getting to know each other', but Bakura surprised him by asking if he would like to visit a while longer at his place. This seemed like a totally innocent visit, he didn't think there was any alterior motive, but he would soon find out he was wrong.