NOTE ADDED JUNE 17, 2012:
This fanfic is now on the AO3 archive and I prefer you read that copy, since the AO3 software hasn't done any harm to it that I know of, but the fanfiction dot net software has messed up all my scene changes in this copy. I may try to fix this issue here by hand later, but for now please read the AO3 copy instead. The link to my AO3 account is on my profile page, or simply Google "sashocirrione" to find it.
Title: "Deeper Thoughts"
Author: Sashocirrione
Spoilers: MAJOR Spoilers for everything up to chapter 58 of the manga and episode 25 of the anime. Minor spoilers for later in the series (meaning, the Wammy's House stuff).
Summary: This is meant to be an alternate ending to the entire series, with all the canon anime/manga events happening up to a certain point, and then the plot diverging from there. A few minor things from later in the series do pop up, so you'll understand this best if you've completed reading/watching the entirety of "Death Note". However, you really only need to be caught up to the point of divergence. In this case, the point of divergence occurs slightly before the point where, in the original, L would have decided to test the 13-day rule. Instead, something different happens. The idea is that if L thought a bit more instead of jumping into action, nearly everything would have unfolded differently.
Warnings: Extremely minor swearing, some violence. Extremely minor sexual groping at one point.
Pairings: None really, except for an extremely minor LightxMisa.
Additional Notes: This is written in second person, present tense because I imagined it as a graphic novel, not as a story. I actually wrote all this out as a description to be used for a fan comic or manga I hope to create someday (a.k.a. a doujinshi). I do not know when/if I'll create the doujinshi, but of course I hope as soon as possible. Please do not ask me when the doujinshi will appear. Instead, use google with the pen name Sashocirrione and the title "Deeper Thoughts". If the doujinshi has been created, it will appear somewhere on the Internet. If not, then it isn't done yet. You can encourage me to create it in reviews, but that probably won't speed the process much.
The first few lines of dialogue at the very beginning is taken mostly from volume 55 of the original manga, but it quickly diverges to my own plot. These lines are only included so you can tell exactly where in the series you are.
You pick up a graphic novel that has all the Death Note characters on the front cover. The title says, "Deeper Thoughts" and underneath that, in bold red lettering, it says, "An Unauthorized Alternate Ending to the Death Note Series."
You open the book and look at the first page, where you see the main room of the Kira investigation headquarters that has all the monitors.
L thinks "When Higuchi wrote Officer Shirobai's name in the notebook, he couldn't have known the officer's name just from his actions or conversation. That much is clear from the cameras and listening devices that we'd planted in his car."
L thinks "But Higuchi went to the Sakura TV station in order to see Matsuda's face, whom he'd seen many times before... and that was after he told Rem 'Time for the deal'..."
L says, "Rem, the video that the second Kira sent to the TV station, there was something about Kira not having the eyes, but... those eyes are eyes that can see a person's name just by looking at them, right?"
Light thinks "Riyuzaki, I already calculated that you would come to that conclusion."
L says, "Am I right? Are you unable to tell humans about that, Rem?"
Light says, "Riyuzaki, that thought shouldn't be wrong. It's eyes that will let you know the name of the person if you see their face after making a deal with the shinigami. You can easily figure that out from the second Kira's statements, the incident with Officer Shirobai, and the fact that Higuchi went to the Sakura TV Station."
Matsuda says, "No, you can't easily figure that out... at least I can't."
Rem says, "You two are pretty sharp. I'm not supposed to tell anyone other than the one who uses the notebook, but if you've seen that far, then I won't deny it."
Rem thinks "I didn't think I would say anything that would cast suspicion on Misa but, if Light Yagami reveals it, then it means that he is okay with it being known. And, right now, Misa's freedom is guaranteed..."
L says, "And the 'deal' is?"
Rem says, "Concerning that, I cannot tell anyone other than the person who uses the notebook."
Light thinks "Good job, Rem, that's the way it should be."
L thinks "If the shinigami were human, I would say she is a liar. For any question that would actually be useful in the investigation, she claims not to know or that she is restricted from saying anything except to the notebook's owner."
L thinks "However, when I question Rem, Light sometimes prompts her and she either says more or seems to change course from what she was going to say. Is Light the notebook owner?"
You see L dropping marshmallows into his tea.
L thinks "Rem reacted intensely both the first and second times she saw Misa on the monitors as Misa stood outside the entrance waiting for Light."
You see L with tea-soaked marshmallows on his spoon.
L thinks "Has Rem already met Misa and Light? Or does she know something about them?"
L says, "Rem, are we harming you in any way?"
Light thinks "What is L trying to do?"
Rem says, "What do you mean?"
L says, "Are you angry at Higuchi or the people here for trapping you in the human world? Does it hurt you? Do you need or wish to go home?"
L thinks "After Light and Misa were both incarcerated, there was a two-week gap before criminals started being killed again, and at that time the pattern of deaths changed from that of the original Kira to Higuchi's pattern, and now after Higuchi's death there has been a four-day gap in the murders."
Rem says, "No, one place is as good as another. Everything I need is here."
You see L looking into his tea.
L thinks "Did this notebook travel from Light to Higuchi or from Misa to Higuchi? If so, how? I can't find any connection between Light or Misa and Higuchi, so did the shinigami do it? Rem says she just happened to drop the notebook in front of Higuchi. Could there really be so much coincidence involved?"
You see L drinking tea.
L thinks "This notebook here was not transported to a new user. The second notebook, was it not being used until after Higuchi's death? For there to be a four-day gap just at that time, the Kira who is killing now would know about Higuchi's death, or was unable to act until after Higuchi's death."
L thinks "There is a distinct possibility that Rem may act in Kira's interest, yet if Rem was willing to do anything for Kira, the case would probably show different patterns. Also, everyone here should already be dead. Is there something restricting Rem's actions?"
L says, "Since you don't eat, what does a god of death need?"
Rem says, "I need to kill humans. That is all. I use my other death note for it, since the one you are holding is now attached to the human world and I can't use it."
L thinks "If Light was Kira, his god of death probably saw the entire investigation team some time ago, yet didn't kill them. Was Rem Light's shinigami then?"
You see everyone looking upset.
L says, "How many people did you kill while attached to Higuchi? Did you kill any of his criminals for him?"
Rem says, "I do not care about Kira's mission or humans killing each other."
Matsuda says, "Are you likely to kill again soon?"
Light says, "How do you decide who to kill? Or aren't you allowed to tell us?"
Rem says, "I cannot say."
L says, "Does that mean you might kill anyone here at any time?"
Rem says, "Perhaps."
Light thinks "Very good questions, L. Now when Rem kills you, it won't seem to have anything to do with me."
L thinks "Light feeds Rem leading questions, and she responds. If the shinigami might mislead us, destroy evidence or kill at his signal, the entire investigation has already been infiltrated and compromised. We must be careful what we say and do in front of her."
Mogi says, "We might die?"
L says, "Nobody associated with Higuchi died except Hatori who was explicitly threatened by Kira, so I presume if Rem killed during that time, it was by looking at photographs or selecting random people in the street. Perhaps Rem is like the reapers of folklore and only kills those who are already approaching death."
L says, "Rem, is there any way we could convince you to never kill one of us? If there is something you want, we will do our best to get it for you."
Rem says, "I will think about it."
You see Light looking angry.
Light thinks "No, Rem, you know Misa will never be happy without me and they would never make a deal to let both Kiras go. Leave it the way it is."
L thinks "If the 13-day rule is false, Light is almost certainly Kira. But then Rem lied for Light when she said the rule was true. How much will Rem do for Light? If she is willing to kill us all, why hasn't she done so yet? Why doesn't she at least kill me?"
You see L stirring his tea with his spoon.
L thinks "Either Light is having trouble communicating his wish in front of us, or the shinigami is reluctant or operating under some kind of restriction, or Light is waiting for some plan to fall into place first."
You see L starting to line up marshmallows in a row.
L thinks "If Light has already made 'the deal' he could kill us himself or leak our names. If Misa is the new Kira, she might know everyone's names except Watari's, and she might have standing orders to kill if she notices surveillance or Light fails to contact her for a certain period of time. Rem is an unknown factor but she could kill us too. I should assume that any move I make against Light or Misa could trigger a slaughter."
You see L having created a long line of marshmallows.
L thinks "If Light is deliberately keeping us alive, it could be because he wants to always be part of the Kira investigation, so he can influence it. If everyone here died except for Light, another Kira investigation team would eventually form, and Light wouldn't be in it."
L thinks "Is that what you want, Light? A sham investigation? Can I fool you with that? Or is the shinigami the only one I need to fool?"
L says, "We have a lead on Kira."
Aizawa says, "What?"
L says, "Rem says she did not kill Higuchi, Higuchi never wrote his own name in the notebook, and a heart attack at that time is too coincidental. Kira killed Higuchi."
Soichiro says, "How could Kira know?"
L says, "Kira, or Kira's leak, knew of Higuchi's arrest as soon as we made it. Even the police didn't know who we were chasing until the last moment, only that it was Kira. We need the names of everyone who participated in the police blockade. Also, the remaining six members of the Yotsuba group should be investigated, along with all of Higuchi's acquaintances. There could be a second Kira among them."
Soichiro says, "We're investigating the police again?"
Light says, "Dad, it only makes sense. Kira had a leak within the police before."
L says, "Light, you are the one who promised the Yotsuba group we wouldn't question them. I need you to come up with a plan that won't make them feel betrayed. We need their full cooperation."
L thinks "Now, for the real plan. I should assume there is only a small chance I'll survive."
L says, "We are moving headquarters."
Matsuda says, "Oh man, I just got settled into my rooms here!"
L says, "If Kira or Kira's leak was at the scene of Higuchi's arrest, then we may have been trailed back to headquarters. Kira possibly knows we are stationed here. This is incredibly dangerous because Kira could attack this place or send a security expert to break in and expose our faces."
Aizawa says, "But moving from hotel to hotel doesn't allow us the kind of security equipment we have here.
Mogi says, "It's too dangerous. If we move, there would be a greater chance of someone taking pictures or even stealing the notebook."
L says, "I thought about this possibility a long time ago. I have already built another facility with security as good as here. It is much smaller, but there is still space for all of us to live there if needed."
L says, "Light, I cannot allow any outsiders, including Misa, to know the new location. If she shows up there, I'll assume you slipped up. Moving should take a couple of days, so tell her within that time."
You see Light looking freaked out.
Light thinks "He's going to cut off my access to Misa. I can't go out to meet her, or everyone will notice Rem follows me instead of the death note. And, if I can no longer whisper in her ear outside the entrance to headquarters, I can't send her any new plans unless I step outside to use my cellphone, which is probably bugged."
You see Light and Rem looking at each other defiantly.
Light thinks "Even worse, L is steering the investigation away from Misa. Rem needs to be quite sure Misa is in danger, or she won't be willing to kill herself."
L says, "I need to consult privately with Watari about the best way to move our data. I'll be in his room if anyone needs me, but the cameras will be turned off there."
Light thinks "I either need to find a way to push Rem even harder, or I need to invest in a different plan."
L thinks "Why won't Light leave headquarters? Is it to keep an eye on me, or so that constant surveillance will prove him innocent when I die, or some other reason?"
Light thinks "But, if Rem sees me working on some other plan, she'll lose the motivation to kill L and herself. I must secretly set up something to kill L if Rem fails."
You see Watari's room, with various computers and large monitors.
You see L entering the room, carrying the death note, talking on his cell phone.
L (on phone) says, "Mogi, I need you to watch the shinigami. If it leaves your sight or does anything strange, call me immediately. Don't say anything to the others about this, they won't be able to look unsuspicious like you can."
L says, "Watari, if I am right, we could die at any moment."
Watari says, "Then you don't think Kira is within Yotsuba or the police?"
L says, "I'm almost completely certain Light is Kira, that he is planning something, and that the shinigami is at least partially on his side. The Kira that started killing when Misa was released is either Misa or someone that Light set up with a notebook by giving orders to Misa."
Watari says, "So, from now on we'll need to be extremely secretive even in headquarters?"
L says, "Yes, but we must appear not to be. I need to keep everyone busy with the move and useless leads. I'll send you text messages from the secure line on my cellphone with any secret instructions. I'll hide it from the cameras each time I do it. We'll need to conduct our own investigation behind their backs."
L says, "I'm going to update a report about the entire case on my laptop and also download the most important data files to it. Get me an identical-looking laptop. Then I'll have you mail my laptop to Roger."
Watari says, "You expect us to die, then?"
L says, "We are at the riskiest stage of this investigation. We can no longer choose to hide our faces. If things are really as bad as I think they are, we'll be killed at a distance if we try to isolate ourselves from Kira."
L says, "Wedy is the biggest threat if she gets controlled. Send Wedy back to America immediately, and make sure she's put in protective custody there, in a high security facility even she can't escape from. Explain to her that it's for her own protection from Kira. Tell nobody of this. If she dies of a heart attack there, it will show Kira tried to control her into an impossible action."
L says, "I need you to contact Rene and Estelle. Tell me the instant you get them so I can send instructions. If I'm right, I can use them to solve the entire case within hours."
Watari says, "If this is our last chance to talk, I want to say that I've always been proud of you."
L says, "I feel the same about you. If you hadn't channeled my hacking into better purposes, I would perhaps be a criminal now."
You see L sitting on the floor and working on his laptop, while Watari works on his computer.
You see the main room of the Kira investigation headquarters that has all the monitors.
You see L entering the room.
Light thinks "L is up to something, and Rem is too stupid to notice. Why can't she just kill him now, while myself and Misa still seem entirely innocent."
Light says, "That took a long time. You know, I could have helped."
L says, "The separate computer system that only myself and Watari can access contains a few clues to my real identity. Of course I couldn't let anyone else move it. But you can help with all the rest of the data."
Light thinks "Is that true, or is he trying to tempt me into breaking into that system so I'll give myself away?"
L thinks "If Light already has an attack or infiltration planned, it is for this place, not the new headquarters. I need to go there as soon as possible if I want to live. But, he wants to either watch me or for me to keep him under constant surveillance, so I should allow him to always stay with me."
You see Light looking angry.
Light thinks "Rem, kill L now, before things get dangerous."
L says, "Watari is just now taking the remaining computer hard drives and physical data to the new headquarters. I'm going to go there in a few hours, taking the notebook with me. We should divide into two teams at that time, one to continue to move out of here and another to help organize things at the new place."
Matsuda says, "Most of my things are still here. It's going to take me all day to load it up. I'll stay."
L says, "Light, when I leave, do you want to come with me? I'd like us to start working immediately on the new Yotsuba plans."
Light thinks "He knows I'm trying to stay with him all the time. Well, this works for me too. I'll push Rem into killing and I'll have an alibi."
Light says, "Yes. Right now, I'll need to go outside and call Misa so she doesn't get worried if she comes here and it's deserted."
L says, "Your cellphone is in the security locker on the way out, as always."
L thinks "It's the first time he's actually called Misa since coming here. Will I get something? No, Light's too sharp about surveillance. Surely he knows his phone is bugged. Too bad I can't bug his clothing to get around that whispering trick they use."
You see the outside of the headquarters building, where there are some stone steps.
You see Light standing with a cellphone to his ear.
Light (on phone) says, "Misa, drop everything and come to headquarters right now. I'll be waiting out front."
Misa says, "Light, I'm in an interview right now for possibly getting a lead role in another movie! It should only be another 15 minutes and my whole career could depend on it."
Light thinks "I'm sure L is listening. It'll be suspicious if I push her too hard."
Light (on phone) says, "Headquarters is moving, Misa, and you won't be able to meet with me outside the new place. This could be our last chance to see each other for a while. It is very important for me to see you. Finish your interview, but you must get here within an hour."
Misa says, "Why can't you just date me? Is it still because of you-know-who?"
Light thinks "Is Misa insane, to hint about Rem like that over the phone? She is going to get me killed yet."
Light (on phone) says, "Misa, I don't like anyone else. You are the only girl for me. Just calm down and don't bring it up ever again."
Misa says, "No, I mean..."
Light (on phone) says, "Misa, just shut up and come here."
You see Light having ended the conversation, looking exhausted.
Light thinks "L thinks he'll be safe at the new place. But, if Rem fails, there will be additional traps set."
You see a spacious room, with a bed, computer desk, couches, and coffee table.
You see L crouched in a chair in front of a computer desk, with a plate of cookies in front of him. The monitor he is watching shows Light and Misa talking outside the entrance to the building.
L thinks "Still using their whispering trick. I wish I'd had the foresight to install bugs in Misa's earrings."
You see the monitor showing Light having pushed Misa against the wall, passionately kissing her and groping her.
L thinks "He disliked her before Higuchi was caught, then he's suddenly in love but won't date her because he's too busy with work. And, until today, he wouldn't make out with her. There's no way she isn't mixed up in his plan."
You see the outside of the building, on some stone steps.
You see Light groping Misa pretty intensely, while whispering in her ear.
Light says, "Keep holding this position. I'll reach in and get it."
Misa says, "Oh, Light! Please come home with me so we can do more of this."
You see Light reaching into the front of Misa's shirt.
Light says, "I want to, but we have to wait until L is dead. It'll be soon. He can't avoid all my plans."
Misa says, "Misa doesn't entirely understand."
Light says, "You're just part of my plan. Do what I told you and don't try anything else. Be extra careful of surveillance. I've taught Ryuk how to search rooms for those things and for people following you, so just keep using apples each time you need his help."
You see, inside Misa's shirt, Light pulling a folded piece of paper into his sleeve
Misa says, "Yes, I've been doing that."
Light says, "Don't even once mess with a scrap of death note unless you're sure you're unwatched, and especially never go to where you've buried the whole thing unless you're safe."
Misa says, "Misa will do everything perfectly."
Light says, "Do everything I tell you, and we'll never get caught."