Silent Dagger: First off I would like to thank L from myspace whom I roleplay with for inspiring the idea
Silent Dagger: I am not sure if there are going to be any real pairings in this story, we'll have to see as the story goes on whether or not I decide to throw some in there. This story is AU in the sense that some things from the actual story has been changed, luckily fanfictions give you the option to do whatever you want.
Chapter One: Interruption
L gazed at the computer screen, expression unfathomable as dark eyes hardly moved though they took in everything intently. It was no wonder that something like this would eventually occur, L had just been hoping that it wouldn't. Dead ends were troublesome after all and that was what he'd finally run into while working on the Kira Case. It all seemed so confusing. He was sure, absolutely sure that the youth handcuffed to him was Kira, had been the very person he was looking for. Not only had his instincts been screaming at him that this was the case, but there had been evidence as well. Of course, Light Yagami and the rest of the investigation team, had been under the belief that L's suspicions had never gotten over ten percent, truth of the matter was that L had lied to them. His suspicions were actually much higher, more accurately calculated at seventy percent, though he hadn't wanted to frighten Light too badly. Not out of concern or anything of the sort, more that he did not want Light to feel backed into a corner and thus put him more on guard.
That had been before though, and now whenever L looked six feet away from himself to the youth, that certainty he had held wavered for the first time. Light had volunteered to be locked up in a cell in order to prove his innocence because he believed that he was Kira. L had not hesitated during that moment, that confession. He clearly recalled Light asking whether this offer would lower his percentage when they had first met, but he had not made such a bold move as to say he was Kira. However, the entire task force had been there to bear witness to the boy's concerns and L had no choice but to acquiesce to Light's ardent desire to be locked up and under constant surveillance.
That arrogant look never left Light's face. He was much the way Misa Amane had been, silent and brooding. However, Misa's attitude changed randomly at some point and she became her usual talkative self without rhyme or reason. Something very similar happened with Light as well. It was after he admitted defeat, after he decided to cast aside his pride in order to catch Kira. He'd fallen unconscious then and when he awoke, L was observing a different person. It was still Light Yagami, but his morals had changed. He was more like his father, he was a good person.
However, Kira hadn't struck at all, even after this change and L was more concerned about this fact then the fact that Light was different. It was when Kira began killing again that L was subject to an almost foreign emotion; frustration. He was always calm and collected about a case, there was no reason not to be because he knew in the end he would piece together the information and he would win, figure it all out and solve the case. Now though, he felt as if he'd hit a brick wall.
Of course he had to free the younger male because the task force, regrettably, took note of Kira's return. Fifteen long days had passed and finally Light was allowed his freedom, from the cell in any case. L had to make sure, and therefore he'd handcuffed Light to his side so that he could always keep him under his constant watch. Misa Amane had also been freed with limitations. She was kept in headquarters, given her own apartment so that she would not complain too much about it though she was almost useless in her current state. L knew for a fact that she was the Second Kira, or had been in any case. He wondered if that was possible, for these supernatural powers of Kira to be passed from one to the other. But how was such a transfer possible?
"Ryuuzaki?" Light asked, breaking the detective from his meticulous train of thought.
L blinked slowly as he was pulled into the present. He slowly slid his gaze from his computer and allowed them to rest upon Light. The youth was brushing a stray lock of auburn hair from his eyes, unable to let even one immaculate detail disturb his perfect appearance before he continued with whatever it was he wanted to say. Amber eyes locked onto L's without flinching, he was the only person who had ever been able to do that.
"You seem to be deeply troubled by something…is everything all right?" Light finished.
Of course he was deeply troubled. One day he was sure he was speaking with a murderer and now Light was asking what was wrong and the difference between then and now was that Light sounded truly sincere with the detective's well being. There was no longer a spark of animosity between them whenever they laid eyes on the other, a spark unable to be hidden despite both of their obvious control.
"I am fine, Light-kun, as long as Kira continues I will most likely be deeply troubled," L answered truthfully.
In all honesty, he was worse than he appeared. This case was the hardest one he'd ever worked on. Not only that, it was the only one in which he was in any real danger. Previously, L would never get this involved. He would remain hidden away, using proxies and the like to do his work for him because self preservation was the only thing he cared for. He was important to this world and he knew it. A conceited thought perhaps, but L had never tried to deny that he was arrogant.
"Well as long as you are sure…" Light trailed off, the bored expression crossing his features again as he clicked idly at another webpage trying to discern something new. He sighed heavily and looked up at the ceiling. "I almost forgot, I have to go and visit Misa soon. I promised that I would today and you know how she is…if I didn't go she'd never let me hear the end of it. I'd rather just get it out of the way so I can continue working."
L frowned inwardly. Misa Amane was becoming more bothersome than she was worth. Light being forced to see her meant that L too would have to suffer through two hours of mindless ranting as Misa went on and on about the most trivial of things. Why did she think that either of them wanted to know the latest news in the modeling world? Neither of them cared for that sort of thing.
"Very well, shall we get this over with now?" L asked, deciding that he would just get lost in thought for the next couple of hours while Misa swooned over Light.
Light grimaced as if facing his death and nodded and slowly stood up, stretching briefly and waiting for L to stand as well. The detective stood and led the way out of the main room and up the stairs.
"…Misa Misa is so jealous of Kasumi right now! She just got cast into a major role that was supposed to be for Misa but Misa can't do it because someone won't let her leave long enough to stay on the set!" Misa complained, throwing L a nasty look that he did not take note of.
Light was only nodding and adding noncommittal 'yeahs' and 'mmhmms' whenever Misa took in a breath of air. Meanwhile, though the detective sat on the couch next to Light he was far away. He was considering things from all angles. Did he miss something? Was there any mistakes made? He frowned to himself. Yes, probably many, more than he'd like to know about, but he could work around mistakes. Eventually a new lead would be picked up and he would be able to find Kira, though his heart wasn't in it as much as before.
"Ryuuuuuuzaki!" Misa said loudly.
L let the frown show on his face as he finally lifted his eyes to meet Misa's. "Yes?" he asked, voice still controlled and emotionless.
"I saaaaid, don't you think it would be all right if you uncuffed my boyfriend and let us have a little alone time?" Misa asked, batting her eyelashes as if this would persuade the stoic detective.
"No it would not," L answered simply.
"Why?" Misa whined.
"Misa, please," Light sighed. "You know he cannot do that. The only way we will be cleared of suspicion completely is if we just follow Ryuuzaki's plan. I am sure he will release us when he is sure."
L could hear some of the resentment in Light's voice at the statement, but he could not blame the youth. It must be very irritating to be watched daily, especially by someone like himself, cold and uncaring of any discomfort he was causing. Misa sighed dejectedly and sat back in her chair, crossing one leg over the other and she pouted at them both.
"It's no fun with an audience," she complained.
"Please be quiet, Amane-san," L replied.
"Why should I? This is my apartment isn't it and it's our date," she said throwing Light a significant look that he promptly ignored. "It's natural for me to want to be alone with him and not have a….well, you sitting here too."
"I'd still be watching even if I wasn't in the room," L replied dully indicating the camera in the room.
Misa muttered something that distinctly sounded like 'pervert' before looking away from them both with an annoyed expression on her pretty face. An awkward silence fell over the three of them and Light passed the time by glancing at his watch.
"Well, it's been fun Misa," he said. "But I really think we should go back to work now, there is a lot to do."
Misa looked back at him instantly. "Light is leaving his Misa?" she wailed. "But it's only been an hour!"
"Yes well, Kira is still out there," Light pointed out, standing up and inadvertently tugging on the chain that bound him to the detective. He glanced at L and looked at him meaningfully, obviously keen on escaping the blonde's presence. "Right, Ryuuzaki?"
"Unfortunately," L agreed, also standing and making his way to the door.
"Wait!" Misa cried, flinging herself into Light's arms and giving him an overly dramatic hug as if she would never see him again. Light sighed and wrapped his arms about her briefly before L saved him by dragging him out of the room.
They were silent until they reached the elevator that would bring them back downstairs to the investigation room. Light broke the silence by sighing loudly and running a hand through his neat hair.
"Those 'dates' are always a nightmare," he said.
"Why do you date Amane-san if you do not care for her?" L asked.
"Well, like I said, it's more one-sided, love at first sight for her, but I just don't feel the same way," Light explained.
"Again, why do you date her?" L repeated.
"I guess I'd feel a bit guilty if I just dumped her out of nowhere, Ryuuzaki, breaking up with her is going to have to be a long drawn out affair, I'm sure."
"Huh, I guess I am just inexperienced when it comes to that sort of thing," L admitted.
"Well if I was like you I wouldn't think twice about telling her how I really feel," Light said, his tone inflected to show that he was simply teasing the detective now.
"I suppose," L mused.
The remainder of the day passed uneventfully. It put L in less than a good mood, his expression darkening slightly at the unchanged status of the case. They were no closer to catching Kira than when he first started. He sent the investigation home and then trudged up the stairs to the bedroom he shared with Light. He could tell the teenager was exhausted, but he was determined to find something so that the day would not be a total waste. He had his laptop, Light had long learned to sleep through the clacking of his keys as he worked so he was not worried about disturbing the boy, a thought that hardly crossed his mind anyway as solving the case was more a priority than Light's sleep.
It was late, past two in the morning when a soft beep informed L that he had a new email. He figured that it was probably Watari, hopefully with some new information though he wouldn't be surprised if the elderly man had nothing interesting to write about. He blinked when he realized it was not Watari at all, but rather it was Roger from Wammy's. He frowned, what could have happened there? He hoped nothing had happened to his successors, he had high hopes for three of them, two in particular.
He opened the email and read through it three times before his mind was willing to accept it. It was to do with his successors, or to be more exact, his ex-successor. Before the others had started coming in there had been two. A and B. A had broken under the strain of it all and claimed his own life while B, B had become something much different. A criminal, a murderer. His desperate plea for L's attention had led L on a case two years prior to the Kira Case in Los Angeles. The man had attempted to end his life by fire, killing himself without L knowing and leaving the detective chasing a phantom long after B was gone.
B, Ryuuzaki, Backup. It had to be him, or someone working under his influence. The email from Roger described similar crimes happening back in America, in the same area in which B had been confined for life in a high level security prison. All the people being murdered carried a similar trait; their initials were either B.B. or Q.Q. just like the original case involving B. So then, had B somehow managed to escape jail and resumed his killing in order to catch L's attention again? Or was some sick, new serial killer hoping to gain fame by continuing where B left off?
It was highly disturbing and it could not have come at a worse time. Roger expressed knowledge that he knew how busy L must have been with the current case but asked him to look into this matter if he had time. Well, Kira seemed to be out of his reach for now, but it would be foolish to simply pack up and work on a new case. L was known for working on several cases at once, but it would be risky to take two that were in such different locations globally. Besides, the Kira Case was his biggest by far and if this wasn't B, but some mere copycat, he'd hate to waste the time on him. However, if the police were unable to track this murderer, he was either being extremely careful or it was his ex-successor reemerging.
L closed his eyes for a moment, hoping to gather his thoughts before they brought him in endless circles. The decision was simple, either pursue this new case along with the Kira Case or forget it all together. L only took cases that interested him, and despite himself he was interested in what was happening in Arizona at the present time. He frowned, looking back on the memories stored away of his successor. B had always been different, not the ideal person for a successor. He'd always been dark and it was clear to see he was disturbed mentally, but that had been bypassed by his amazing potential.
L had seen B a grand total of three times in his life. He saw him when the younger man had been brought into Wammy's, he saw him three years before he left the orphanage, when it was clear that B's obsession with him had taken over because he'd caught B mussing up his hair to copy L's and the third time he saw him was when he returned to Wammy's briefly. He knew that time that B had been a mistake and he was ashamed of such a failure. After that, B had disappeared and resurfaced in Los Angeles, but L hadn't seen him at all during that case, he only had Naomi Misora's descriptions of him to know how he had turned out.
And now B might have been back and it was all L could do to contain the warring emotions within him. He wanted to take on this case, but he could not avert his attention from Kira, not for one second, and yet Kira seemed different in the same sense that Light seemed different, his morals seemed to have changed slightly, and his pattern of killing was far different, leaving L wondering if it was the same person or not. Maybe Light had been Kira and wasn't anymore, but L could not be sure if such a thing was possible or not.
L opened his eyes staring at the email for an immeasurable amount of time before he finally responded that he would look into it. The best thing to do was to be sure whether it was B behind things or not and in order to do that, he would have to go to him. He could take the time to fly to Arizona and just speak with him. If it turned out B had nothing to do with it, L would probably leave it up to the police in the near vicinity. His major concern was Light. He did not want to expose the boy to B, that would put his life in jeopardy, nor could he leave him here or else all this surveillance was for nothing. He sighed. He would have to bring Light with him and simply tell him to stay behind when they neared the actual cell, he was sure the guards would be capable of keeping an eye out during the brief visit for L did not intend to stay there long.
Decision made, L shut down his laptop and placed it on the bed-side table next to him before sighing heavily and sitting in the dark, mulling things over in his mind. He hated interruptions, but he knew if he had left this alone, he would be berating himself endlessly over it. It was too important to pass by.
"Light-kun, I must speak to you about something before we head down to the others," L said when Light opened his eyes.
The teenager yawned and rubbed the sleep from his eyes before sitting up, giving L a rather flat stare. Clearly he didn't appreciate such serious tones this early in the morning, but he was silent, waiting for L to continue.
"Something important has come up, it is vital that I don't overlook this," L continued evasively.
"Something about the Kira Case?" Light prompted.
"Well, no, actually it has nothing to do with the Kira Case," L admitted.
Light lofted a slender brow, clearly interested now. L could not blame him, he had never expressed interest in anything but Kira in the time he had known Light. He sighed, he knew this would not go over well. "Unfortunately I cannot give you all the details, however, it does require our presence somewhere else for a few days."
A muscle tightened in Light's jaw at being left clueless, but he controlled his obvious irritation and managed to keep his voice polite. "Where would that be?" he asked.
"Arizona," L answered.
Silence…
"You…want to go to Arizona at a time like this?" Light asked incredulously.
"I do not want to go at all, however, as I said it is an important matter and it must be done," L said.
"Why are you telling me this?" Light asked, though it was clear by his tone that he knew exactly why he was being informed.
L held up his right hand, raising the chain of the handcuffs. "Where I go, you go," he reminded him. "Unfortunately I cannot risk leaving you behind and so you shall just have to bear with me and come along."
Light's face flushed in obvious anger. "I can't go to Arizona right now, Ryuuzaki!" he exclaimed. "You're asking for too much. I want to remain here and capture Kira, not go off on some random adventure with you."
"I would hardly classify it as an 'adventure', Light-kun," L frowned.
"I don't care what you want to call it, I refuse to go," Light snapped, folding his arms across his chest.
"You do not really have a choice, Light-kun," L said, his voice remaining calm in the face of Light's aggravation. "I was simply keeping you informed."
"What about the Kira Case?" Light demanded.
"I have faith that Watari and Yagami-san can handle things for a few days," L answered easily.
"And you won't give me any idea on why we're going across the world?" Light grumbled.
"You do not need to know," L said. "Just think of it as a break."
"Oh that is just what I want, to take a vacation with you to America," Light said, rolling his eyes.
"Please do not make this any more difficult than it already is, as I mentioned previously, I do not want to do this either," L said.
Light gave him an acidic look but he did not argue further. L sighed to himself. Well that was one down, he still had to tell the entire task force and he was sure they would try and convince him to let Light stay and that they would watch over him with vigilance, but L knew better. Half the task force believed Light was innocent, they would not be watching nearly as closely as he could. He was right to believe they would put up a fight about it. However, he used all the authority his title gave him and in the end they were forced to accept what was going to happen no matter what and the day passed much as it had yesterday with them all working diligently, hoping to find something of use.
Because he was L they were able to get a plane the following day. It was an expensive plane, large and able to commute a lot of people across the sea, but L had requested that only he and Light be the passengers for this flight and so they had the entire thing to themselves. Light grumbled and complained the whole way to the airport and even as they boarded the empty plane. He sat by the window and stared out of the tiny, circular pane as they lifted off from the ground. L concentrated on keeping his breathing even, he really detested flying, he much preferred his feet to be on firm ground and he was almost relieved that Light's sullen attitude kept the youth from noticing his disquiet.
It took them many hours to reach Phoenix. Light had fallen asleep twice, jerking awake both times and looking around before falling into his bad mood at realizing he hadn't been dreaming the entire thing. L ignored his irritation and simply led the way out of the plane, ignoring the looks the pilots gave him as he exited with Light in tow. When they arrived, a car was waiting for them. L knew that it would be someone trusted by both Roger and Watari, though that did not mean that L would put all his faith in him right away.
The driver was a young man, no older than thirty, with strawberry blonde hair that was combed back neatly and a light, shadowy beard covering his lower face. He was wearing a clean-cut business suit and when he spotted them he walked over to them briskly, not wasting any time. L had to admit that he was pleased with that in any case.
"My name is William Dunn," he said. "I have been working with Roger for five years now and I will be the one taking you to your desired location."
"Thank you," L said simply, though it was not entirely sincere but apparently William had been expecting his rudeness for he only nodded and opened the door for L and Light.
"Are you always so rude?" Light asked, sounding slightly horrified.
"I find no reason to be overly polite," L answered softly.
"Ever tried just being polite?" Light muttered. "It may not hurt you know, a little kindness is always more appreciated than rudeness."
"I do not believe I need a lesson in manners from you, Light-kun," L replied.
Light decided to just ignore the detective for the remainder of the ride. L could tell the youth was burning with curiosity on where they were going as they left the city behind them and headed out into the open. L was not sure how the boy was going to handle being taken to such a place. The prison was the highest security prison; the people inhabiting it were the worse of the worse. Would he think that L was simply trying another means to get him to admit to being Kira? The idea was actually one that hadn't crossed his mind before now but since he had thought of it, he decided to keep it in mind.
"Ryuuzaki…why are we going here?" Light asked, too shocked to remember that he was ignoring the detective.
"Because I have business with one of the inmates," L replied.
"You're not going to tell me anything, are you?" Light groaned.
"Not yet," L agreed.
Light was fidgety when they entered the prison. L did not add this to his percentage of being Kira; he knew that the boy would not be comfortable. The guards all looked menacing and they were all armed and tense, as if ready to grab their gun at a moment's notice. William had already spoken with the warden and they were heading to his office now, being led by a silent sentinel of a guard who had not spoken a word since they had arrived.
The warden's office was large but it was not well furnished. There was a simple oak desk where the warden was seated. On one wall was a towering bookcase but only the first two shelves held books while the others were cluttered with random items that L did not find the need to identify. He slouched up to the desk and looked at the warden, who stood from his chair when they entered. He was a big man, his gut protruded past his belt and the buttons of his shirt strained to keep the fabric closed around his barrel-like chest.
"Ryuuzaki?" he asked, looking L up and down, disapproval coloring his expression.
"Yes," L answered, switching from Japanese to English without a moment's pause. He indicated Light. "This is Eric Mae, I believe Mr. Dunn has already explained the circumstances…"
"Yes he did," the warden said coolly. "We'll keep an eye on him."
"Wait, Ryuuzaki!" Light protested, catching on quickly and speaking in English, his voice clearly accented with his native language. "You're just going to leave me here?"
"It is for your safety, Eric," L replied.
Light glanced at the menacing guards and the warden. "I do not wish to be left in the dark," he growled. "I have to endure this trip; I should know the reason why."
"I will tell you later perhaps," L said. "If you do not hound me about it."
Light narrowed his eyes but said no more. L was satisfied that he had won this round and he unlocked the cold metal cuff from his wrist and handed it to William. The man nodded uneasily and clapped it around his own wrist, obviously not too comfortable being handcuffed to a total stranger who was almost half his age.
"Come with me," the warden said gruffly, pushing past them all and leaving his office.
L followed him alone, heading down long, dark corridors lined with heavy doors, the only visible look into the cells was a narrow slit in the door and most of them were locked shut. There were a few open and as they passed, overly bright eyes flitted to the opening, following the two of them hungrily as they continued onward.
"He's in the highest security cell, as requested," the warden explained. "However, since there is absolutely no way to speak to him there we moved him to the visitor's cell. He is properly detained; the glass is bullet-proof."
"I understand," L replied. "Did Mr. Dunn describe my prerequisites?"
"No cameras, no bugs, nothing, you need this completely confidential," the warden mumbled. He did not like the idea; L could read this in both his expression and his voice.
"Correct," he said.
"It's foolish," the warden said. "He's unpredictable…though, I suppose it's obvious that you two know each other…" he looked again at L's appearance and L realized that even now B must be imitating him.
They reached the end of a long hallway and stopped a few feet away from where L could see light reflecting off of glass.
"There's an emergency button on the wall opposite the cell…in case anything bad happens, he's been informed that he has a visitor, you're the only one he's ever had, so maybe that will put him on his best behavior…" the warden explained.
"Thank you," L said, more as a dismissal than anything else. The warden said nothing, he only started making his way back the way they came. L already knew that B would be waiting for him, he knew that B was aware of who his visitor was. Who else knew of him? Naomi of course, but she had disappeared thanks to Kira and so the only person who would ever come to see B was L, and indeed, here he stood, a few feet away from his ex-successor.
L was never nervous, but now that he was here he felt the pace of his heart increase slightly and he balled his hands into fists unconsciously for a moment, taking a few deep breaths and steadying his nerves, knowing that no matter how long he stood here, the shock of seeing B would fill him initially and no amount of mental preparation would dissipate it.
He walked the rest of the way down the hall until he was standing in view of the glass. A chair had been placed for his convenience, and he noticed that it was quite far away from the actual glass. He frowned, he knew B would not get pass the glass, he was safe, though he hated putting his life in any danger and just being near this madman was doing that.
He was right, of course, about B knowing it was him. As his eyes adjusted to the poor light, he saw him, sitting on a chair in the same perch that he himself resumed whenever seated. A thumb had been idling by his mouth, teeth gnawing absently at it as he waited. When he saw him, red eyes seemed to light up in hellish fire and a twisted smile stretch the faint scars on his face, the only sign of his attempted suicide.
"Hello."
L was shocked at how polite his voice was, how measured and controlled, he was sure that his voice would be hoarse, rough and menacing. It sounded playful and almost joyous, as if B was truly happy to have a visitor, but L knew there was so much more lurking under that tone, so much more hidden behind that frozen grin. He said nothing, he wasn't sure what to say, now that he was here, he was unsure. If B was in here, then he wasn't the one killing people and now L was stuck. He could always walk away then and there, but he still had to know whether B was involved or not and negotiating that information from this man would be a tedious job.
A disturbingly loud crack filled the air and L realized that B had just cracked his neck. He was now working on his back, twisting in his chair until it too cracked loudly in the still air. L frowned to himself. B had always been like this, he'd always been able to disturb the detective greatly.
"It's good to see you again," B added when L said nothing. He canted his head to the side. "Though you are being exceptionally rude, I am not an animal in a zoo exhibit, Lawliet, I believe you came here for something since I know you didn't come to just visit."
The shock of hearing his name so candidly made L's shoulders stiffen and he regarded his doppelganger disapprovingly. He had always suspected that B somehow knew his name, though it was never a sure thing. In one of their brief interactions at Wammy's he had thought he heard the other muttering 'Lawli' under his breath but he had pushed it to the back of his mind, deciding that he had been hearing things and that B was muttering something else. Now faced with the obvious truth, L found curiosity sinking into him. How did B know his name? L had certainly never given it to him and there were no files in Wammy's with his actual name printed on them. The only other person who knew it was Watari, not even Roger was aware of it. He almost wanted to ask, but he could not let B lead this discussion, he could not show his interest otherwise B would just play with him and nothing would be done.
"Do not speak my name," he said coldly.
"Still so paranoid," B sighed wistfully. "I already heard about what you asked for. There are no cameras; no one will hear me say it anyway. And you've such a pretty name, it's a pity you never liked hearing it."
"Regardless, I would rather not hear you say it," L replied. He pulled the chair closer to the glass, to show that he wasn't afraid. Truth be told, it was not fear that he felt when he was with B. He was aware of the danger this other man represented, but he also knew that he was B's greatest weakness. He could probably stop the other with words alone if he so chose, could break the other with one cold thought, but he would not unless it was absolutely necessary.
He settled himself on the chair in his usual fashion, though he kept his hands resting on his knees though he longed to fill the stretching silence by nibbling at his thumb, but B still had his raised and he refused to add to their similarities. As if sensing this, B smirked and lowered his hands, placing them on his knees as well in perfect imitation of his predecessor. L frowned at the obvious taunt, but said nothing on it.
"I believe you know why I am here," L said.
"Not a clue," B teased.
"I need to know about the murders happening around here," L continued as if B had not spoken.
"Hmmm," was all B replied.
"Whoever is doing it is copying you," L prompted, feeling slightly annoyed with B's lack of participation though he hid this emotion flawlessly.
"That is where you are wrong," B whispered. He grinned, leaning forward in his chair slightly, the dim lights illuminating his pale complexion. "They can't copy me; no one can…except maybe Kira."
L blinked. He had not expected B to bring up Kira. If he knew B as well as he thought he did, then B would hate Kira for gaining L's attention so fully. To hear him speak of him with no venom in his voice came as a surprise. Not only that, it filled L with the desire to know more. What could B possibly know about Kira that L did not? The possibilities of this visit came bearing down on him. If B did know, if he was capable of finding Kira and stopping him…would L really go so far as to recruit him to his cause?
"You believe it is impossible for another to simply find people with the initials B.B. or Q.Q. and kill them?" L asked, being pointedly oblivious so that he could learn more without specifically asking.
B scoffed and shook his head. "Give me more credit than that, L," he spat the alias. "I did not simply grab a phone book and check off these names, which is probably what this bastard is doing."
Well that was one question answered. B had nothing to do with this copycat, it was obvious that he was not impressed by him and even felt vindictive towards him. L could not sympathize; B was being hypocritical if he was annoyed with the fact that someone was mimicking him. After all, B had spent his life attaining the appearance and personality of his predecessor. Now that he knew that he would make no mention of ever associating B with these murders, he knew B was incredibly smart; he could twist such a situation into his favor. But there were still several things that L needed to know.
"Well, there are other means to finding names," L said vaguely.
B smirked. "Yes, and I did not use any of the ones you are thinking about," he said, catching on to his advantage. "You have no idea how I chose those people, but you are dying to know, your disinterest tells me that more than if you had simply asked."
L frowned, he hated situations like this. "Maybe so," was all he said.
B cackled wildly and leaned back in his chair, blood red eyes traveling peculiarly to the spot above L's head. He seemed to see something he did not like and L had to resist looking up as well. When B's eyes focused on him again, they were almost filled with regret, though he said nothing about his odd behavior.
"Will you tell me?" L asked, hating the fact that he had to rely on this failure.
"Why should I?" B replied smugly.
"I am sure I can arrange some benefits for you if you cooperate," L said.
"Benefits…the only benefit you could possibly give me, L, is freedom," B said.
L's expression hardened. "You know that is impossible, B," he replied. "I can not trade one killer for another, especially when I know that you are more dangerous."
"Was that a compliment?" B snickered.
L frowned, not in the mood to play this game at all. "Request something more reasonable and I am sure it can be done."
"How about a transfer?" B asked. "This place bores me. I thought it was filled with the worst people in America, but they are all afraid of me, it is no fun when everyone stays away from you."
Which made B the most dangerous person in the United States, but somehow this revelation did not surprise L. He had seen signs of this ever since he had met B and though he could never predict that B would turn out this way, he knew that he had fallen completely and there was nothing that would stop him and he would never feel remorse for his actions.
"I could work on getting you a transfer then, though it would be another high security prison," L said.
"That is fine, how about England?" B asked.
He was taunting L again. Of course he would request England, the country in which they met for the first time, the country in which all of this had started. L wasn't sure where B came from exactly, he'd been found wandering the streets before he was brought back to Wammy's and the boy could not remember where it was he came from. Therefore, his beginning, his roots, where in England. If he had never been found, this probably would never have happened. B would have been better off if he had never met L, if he had been taken in to a good foster home where his dark intentions could be watched over with love and kindness and not oppressed by such an arduous task of becoming the world's greatest detective.
"If that is what you wish, then it shall be so," L said simply, keeping the irritation out of his voice.
"Excellent, I am looking forward to that," B said thoughtfully.
"Understand that this transfer is only going to be done if you cooperate," L pointed out. B gave him a wry stare which clearly stated that he knew this already. "How did you choose your victims?"
"By their initials," B said doggedly.
"How did you find them if you did not use the conventional methods?" L continued without pause.
"Because I have something that no one else has," B said.
"And what would that be?" L asked, unconsciously leaning a bit closer in his chair. B was drawing this out as long as he could, but L had expected such behavior so he tried not to let it irk him too much.
"It's a secret," B finished lazily.
L frowned heavily. "This is not helping your cause," he glowered.
"I know," B said simply, smiling innocently at the detective.
"Very well," L replied, standing up. "This is useless; I cannot waste any more time with you."
That had the effect that he had been hoping for, though he was not expecting it to be of such magnitude. B had stood with him and in response to L's cold comment, he had picked up the chair he'd previously been sitting on and threw it at the glass. The glass shook in protest but held strong. L froze in his footsteps. He'd been wondering when this would happen, when B's composure would finally crack and he'd react violently. B was, despite his cleverness, predictable in many ways.
"Do not call me useless," B snarled. "Do not associate me to something so pitiful!"
L remained calm. "Then answer my questions and I will take back that comment," he replied.
B stalked up the glass, kicking the chair out of his way and pressing his palms up against it like a caged animal. He smirked, though it was clear by his eyes that he was still very angry.
"Look at us, Lawliet," he said, subtly going back to L's real name, no doubt looking to even the score. "I may be locked away, but in reality, you're no better off than I am…at least I'm going to live longer than you."
L blinked and looked at him with unmasked puzzlement upon his features. What on earth did that mean? No, he would not let B get under his skin. The other was probably just trying to get a rise out of him, or threatening him. Either way, L would not fall for his tricks. Then again, B was doing that curious thing again where his eyes were locked above L's head rather than on his face. He quickly composed his face as those red eyes traveled back to his charcoal black ones.
"What do you have that no one else does, B?" L asked.
B did not answer, a slow smile simply lifted his lips and he continued to stare directly into L's eyes. So then, it appeared as though Light was not the only one capable of holding his discernable gaze.
"If you refuse to tell me then I will leave immediately," L frowned.
B sighed and walked away from the glass, righting his chair and sitting in it again, looking completely calm again. His endless mood swings were what made him so dangerous. At times he could be more civil than L, more loquacious than any scholar, deeper than any philosopher, but it could quickly change into something more like a feral animal, a deranged killer, and words were unnecessary as he let his actions control him. L said nothing, he was not going to continue asking B, he would give him three minutes and then he would just walk away.
B said nothing until two minutes and fifty three seconds had passed. "Ask me something else first," he said.
L sighed. Well, if that was what it took to get what he wanted he would do so. He refused to let B get the better of him, and though he hated having to give in to B's requests, he decided upon a different question.
"You mentioned Kira before," he began, "why?"
"Clever, clever L," B chuckled. "Leave it to you to inadvertently ask the question connected to your first."
L tilted his head to the side, curious now. What could possibly connect B with Kira? He was sure the two were completely unrelated.
B sighed. "Kira and I are alike…well no, that is generalizing," he spoke slowly, lazily. "I am more alike to the Second Kira…fortunately for me; the guards do not deny me news anymore as I tend to be a bit…difficult when I do not receive what I want."
L decided not to ask what B did in order to get his news. Prisons like these, well, B must have done something very bad if the guards gave in to his demands. But he would think on that later, if at all, he had to really consider what B had just told him. He was like the second Kira? The only thing he could connect was that the Second Kira could kill with just a face…just a face. He looked back on what the Second Kira had said on the television.
Shinigami, something about Shinigami…but L did not believe that that was possible and Light had concluded that this Kira must have been speaking of what the Kiras were using to kill people, some sort of code. But then how was B aware of this code? His brow furrowed as he tried to think things through.
"Careful L, I've never seen you look so frustrated before," B whispered and his voice was filled with delight, clearly enjoying L's puzzled expression.
"Do not interrupt me," L chastised.
"Very well, but you'll never guess it," B shrugged.
L sighed heavily, B was probably correct about that. He allowed his gaze to fall about his failed successor. "Tell me," he said softly.
"I have conditions," B replied.
L frowned. "What are they?" he asked.
"First I want to help catch this idiot copying me and kill him…second, I want to go back to Japan with you and catch Kira and punish him for taking up so much of your time," B sneered.
L blinked. He couldn't be serious. "No," he said quickly.
B held up a finger in an infuriating gesture to silence L. The nerve of him! L wanted to storm off then and there, but he was anxious to know what B knew. "Think it through carefully Lawli," he said. "You give me this and I'll give you everything you need to capture Kira. You've been working on this case for months with nothing to show for it. With me there, you'll be finished in no time."
"Why do you want to help me?" L asked.
B's expression darkened. "It is not to help you; I just want to be there when Kira is caught. It's not that I hate what he is doing, I just hate that you're involved. You're mine to toy with after all."
L glared at him for that one but B only smiled. "You honestly think I can trust you enough to have you work by my side?" he snapped.
"Well no, obviously not," B chuckled. "I imagine you can take precautions."
"And what of the person here in Arizona?" L asked. "You really want me to spend the time here capturing him with you?"
B considered this. "Hmm, no, I imagine that he'll make a mistake soon. He's not doing it the same way I am after all so it's much more difficult for him. He's not as smart as he appears either. I would guess he has an accomplice who will undoubtedly ruin him before long. Leave it to the police; I can live without murdering this idiot."
L narrowed his eyes. "You will not be killing anyone," he said coldly.
B shrugged as if this did not irk him and smiled again. "Do we have a deal?" he asked.
"As soon as this case is over you will be detained properly again," L said.
"Obviously."
"You will be kept under constant surveillance and you'll not be given the freedom to move about."
"I figured as much, dear L."
L frowned inwardly. He did not want to do this, but maybe this was what he had needed for this case. He did not think B was lying to him about this connection he shared with Kira, something about the way in which he spoke made him feel that he was being honest. However, the fact remained that if he agreed to this, B would be close to him. He could keep him in the cell where Light had remained, but it wasn't as secure as the cells here. He would be handcuffed naturally, but even without his hands, B was deadly. Doing this was putting everyone in severe danger, but at the same time, if B was able to locate Kira quickly, Kira could be arrested and B could be sent away, getting rid of both dangers at once. He did not like this idea, but he could see the positive aspects of it as well.
"Very well, you may help with the Kira Case," he said heavily.