Summary: Suppose L didn't die but his disappearance and death were planned in cooperation with Light? Nine years later L's sister Sudara, returns to Japan to uncover what truly happened. Light, having given up the Death Note after L's death remembers nothing of his past as Kira. Their paths cross and Sudara comes to suspect Light is Kira, just as she grows to love him. Light is forced to recall his past, submitting to his conscience and feelings to confess all to Sudara. But will she forgive him, can Light forgive himself? Misa of course, does all she can to destroy the fledgling relationship. AND is L truly dead?
Coincidences
Her brother had died? Right?
And now…there was no one left for her really, was there?
"Killer doesn't exist. I don't want to sound insensitive, but Genjiko, you of all people should know better than to believe urban legends like that."
The pale woman's lids dropped half-mast, stainless steel tapped lightly against the porcelain cup as she stirred her silent emotions into the chai tea. The gold rim glinted as shafts of sunlight broke through the café's windowpane making her wish she was outside, rather than in the overcrowded and smoke congested café. Why do they still let people smoke indoors?!
"It's 'Kira' Sudara. How many times do I have to tell you that?" Genjiko winked at her friend across the table, smiling mischievously.
"CHRIST! Why do people have to make killer into 'Kira'? It's killer! Kil-ler! GOD I hate Jap-lish!" But it wasn't the Japanese English she loathed and her friend knew it.
"Why romanticise a cold-blooded sociopath? A common murderer." Her last word chilled the air. "For all you know, the ijiot is probably a knuckle dragging Neanderthal!" quipped Sudara, clanking the teaspoon onto the saucer. "If he exists…"
Genjiko sighed sympathetically. "Nine years Sudara, let him go. L's gone and no matter what you do, it won't change the fact," Genjiko's voice softened. But this was L, the famous enigma wasn't it? Were you truly Kira's last victim? Or did you just fall off the face of the earth to hide from your only failed case?
"Have those years in England taken the Japanese out of you?" Genjiko grinned, sticking out her tongue in jest. "You've missed out on some damn h-o-t made in Japan products Dara-chan," Genjiko continued, eyes widening catching sight of the striking tower of an ivory man entering the café behind Sudara.
Sudara's eyes followed the caramel liquid swirl in the cup, oblivious to the world. "You know why I came back Genjiko."
A shadow cast across her meanderings and fell across the table. Only her eyes glinted her displeasure at who ever it was standing by their table, blocking her precious sun light.
"Chief Inspector Yagami! What a surprise to see you in this kind of place?" Genjiko's eyes brightened peering upwards in flagrant admiration of her boss.
That name. Yagami. Eru used to mention the name, some kind of modern day brainiac? Just a coincidence. Who cares. Genjiko. Just flatter the guy. Tell him to get so we can have some privacy will you?
"Yamane-san, good morning. Even bosses need coffee right?" came a honeyed voice. "There's no better coffee than Thimbles of Shinjuku," his voice laced with an unseen smile. "It's my morning fix."
Get lost you sod, please. Can't I have some peace with your secretary? If I ignore him, he should get the message. Especially when I find my chai more…Sudara narrated to herself.
"Oh! Chief Inspector Yagami. I've forgotten my manners. Let me introduce Lawliet, Sudara. She's…" Genjiko's introduction was cut off.
"Eh? Lawliet?" There's no way this girl could be related to L? A mere coincidence, isn't it my old friend? What tech'ed up super fortress are you in now? Enough. Nothing worth staying here for but the coffee. Light's arrogant yet nonchalant smile appeared, bidding Genjiko and her faceless friend obsessed with her drink, good day. Coffee ranked far higher on his mind than these two girls. "I must go Yamane-san," and he strode off.
"Ne, Dara-chan, why didn't you tell my boss you're L's sister? He can help you!" Genjiko whispered, stooping her head trying to catch her friends lowered gaze. "Are you listening to me?" she hissed hoping to wake Sudara from her customary barrier of quietude.
"I don't need anyone's help. I can find Eru on my own, Genjiko." Sudara replied casually, not caring if the honey voiced stranger heard or not. It wasn't any of his business why she was back in Japan.
"B-but…"
"Let's go. I'm tired and have a deadline to meet." Sudara pushed back her chair and headed for the door.
Genjiko wedged the money for their high-tea under a plate and hurried after Sudara. "Oi! Hold your horses Dara-chan!"
"Wait, let me get the door for you," Light brushed past Genjiko eager to open the door for L's sister? Did I hear correctly? His hand went to the door handle on the glass door. "Dara-chan?" His curiosity was a little piqued.
"I'm perfectly capable of opening the door myself, but thank you for the chivalry," Sudara's monotone voice replied, her back still to this Chief Inspector Yagami, before pulling the door open with a soft whoosh, walking out of the café nonplussed at the stranger. "And my name is Lawliet, Sudara. Only my friend's are allowed to call me Dara-chan," were her introductory and parting words to him.
She heard nothing after that but the clipping of her heels on the concrete path. The rush of traffic, nor the Shinjuku human peak hour on the footpath distracted her from her thoughts. Her objective for returning to Japan, to solve the mystery of her brother's disappearance, to find this supposed 'killer'. And she didn't need anyones help.
"Why were you so rude? You didn't even look at him!" Genjiko scolded. "He's my boss you know!" panting after the sprint catching up to her friend.
"So? His your boss, not mine. If he gives you grief because I wouldn't let him open the door for me, then he's a prick not worth working for."
"GOD! No wonder why you're still single!" Genjiko huffed in disbelief, shaking her head in irritation. "You're too damn difficult!"
"So what's your point? That I should regret not being some ones live-in maid? That I should regret not turning into a whining machine who can't breathe unless a man is beside me, or pay for my own way in life? Or the fact I don't die if some arse-hole doesn't call me when he's supposed to?" Sudara clipped acerbically.
Genjiko fell into a silent gait beside her friend, swallowing a hard lump in her throat at Sudara's untoward, cynical observations. "There's nothing wrong with getting a free meal…," she whimpered bracing herself for a quiet walk home.
-o-
Light stood outside the cafe watching the two girls melt into the crowd, leisurely sipping his extra strong, black coffee. He smiled as his almond shaped eyes followed the raven-haired girl over the rim of his cup. "Are you truly L's sister? And you're looking for my old friend? What a happy coincidence, ne. I too want to find L."
TBC.
A/N: This is my first Death Note fic since I became obsessed with the anime. I really didn't like the fact L died. T.T and needed to create an alternate premise for the anime. I created Sudara as Light's potential honey bunch because for me, Misa and Takada aren't intelligent, self driven characters. I know L's first name is L, so I've used Eru -the Japanese pronunciation of L- in this fic because I think his sister wouldn't refer to her brother as L. :D In later chapters you'll see Misa, Matsuda, Near, Mello, Matt and L(?). I'd appreciate any comments or suggestions on this fic. I'll see if it's worth continuing with this story. All my chapters will be no longer than 1,100 words (MS Word count) minus the A/Ns. I'm trying to discipline my word usage.
Disclaimer: I didn't create Death Note and do not own any rights to the characters, anime, comics and anything else related to Death Note. I only own the rights and plot to this story. This disclaimer extends to all future chapters for this story.
