"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy." –Anne Frank
I sit with my knees curled up to my chin lost in thought. The sound of motorcycles beating outside on the street echoes through the closed windows. I watch her half asleep in the steaming bath tub, her short black hair cut around her jaw falling back with the slope of her neck as she leans her head back. Anne Manchester. I met her in the UK when we were barely teenagers, and somehow she just never left me. She tolerates my passion for justice and the amount of travel we do. I wouldn't necessarily say I love her. Do I find her pretty? Yes. Do I think she's charming? Yes. Do I sleep with her? Quite often. I'm a man though, human at the end of the day, and I have my needs. She fulfills them in exchange for a chance to see the world, what's left of it anyways. The last world war left things in quite a disarray.
We now find ourselves in Japan, one of the few dominating countries still left standing. There are a few small handfuls of countries still recognized as powers, everything having been swallowed up by said countries in the aftermath of the war not even 70 years past. I study Anne's figure, short and lithe in stature, but strong and like a goddess. As I said, I do find her pretty. It's hard not to. Despite her tattoos, the most prominent being the pagan pentagram symbolizing the five elements on her right shoulder blade, she is beautiful. She has sharp big brown eyes and naturally redder lips than most. She's intelligent too, almost on par with me, not to sound too arrogant. However, I am the greatest detective in the world, and I do believe that merits some pride on my part.
"You're thinking about it again," Anne sighs, shifting her body in the water. Damn it, I was enjoying my view. I want to trace my finger on the lines of the dragon tattoo on her left side, curving its neck and head across her ribs to rest right below her sternum. It's a Chinese dragon, a tattoo she begged me for when I was investigating a string of robberies in the country. That was a quite exciting night in exchange. "You told me and Watari you'd give it at least a day to enjoy the country before you thought about it," Anne groans, opening her eyes and looking over at me. She lets the water begin to drain and grabs a red towel. I hand her the silk robe she acquired in Paris last year.
"I am here to work," I mutter. A couple dozen men, all criminals, suddenly died of heart attacks. That was why I was called in. It's quite a puzzle.
"I still think you should listen to my ideas," Anne asserts, putting on her robe. I stand, wrapping my arms around her waist.
"Yes, I should let the devout pagan tell me about gods of death. We've been over this, Anne, you're my companion, not my partner. I play my cards on logic, not fantasy," I remind her. She pouts, and I tie the belt of the robe for her. "Now, go eat your dinner and I'll see you in my room in an hour." I start to walk away, but Anne grabs my wrist.
"L, I know you think you're above everything, but just this once be careful," Anne begs. I sigh, studying her face. She lets go of my wrist and I walk away. I grab my tablet that sits on my bed and pull up the files. I hear her and Watari chatting in the hall. I lean back. I have to speak to Yagami, head of the police division I plan on working closest with, tomorrow morning. I almost dread it this time. This is a case I'm trying my hardest to understand, but the idea of a killer using heart attacks to kill their victims is beyond anything science or logic has given mankind. It doesn't make sense, not entirely. Still, I need to focus on a profile otherwise. I have my plans for a broadcast, one that Anne was worried about.
"What if he kills you too?" Anne had cried when she finally got me to tell her my plan. I sigh, rubbing my temples. I need sugar. I need Anne, if only to distract myself. She'll take her time though. She hates me taking this case. I might not love her, but I think she may love me. At first things between us was purely business, but I think she's changed. I cannot describe how I know, just that I do know.
An hour later, the door opens. Anne, still in her robe, carries a tray of sweets. "You're tense," Anne remarks. She sits on the bed next to me, taking the tablet out of my hands. I try and protest, but she puts a finger to my lips and rubs my shoulders. "I know, L, I know I was out of line earlier. I know how you are. I'm your personal whore, and that's it," Anne sighs.
"You make it seem like I keep you around just for the bedroom," I point out. She laughs.
"Isn't that it, though?" she whispers in my ear. I rest my hand on hers.
"You are my companion, yes, but I would not call you a whore. I think you have too much self respect for that," I compliment. I turn my head towards her. "You are intelligent, Anne. I do appreciate the conversations we have." Anne wraps her arms around my neck.
"L, I feel like I need to tell you, before tomorrow. I don't care what the hell you think of me, but I've grown quite fond you," Anne tells me. I slip out of her embrace and lightly push her back on the bed, swiftly undoing the belt of her robe. I push it open and study her.
"I know you love me, but I am not a man of emotions," I reply, nipping at her neck. She sighs.
"I'd bet a whole lot against that," Anne sighs, and takes me into her embrace. As always, she makes it as though tomorrow is nothing. In this moment, tomorrow never comes. She drifts off to sleep when we finish, and I trace her pentagram tattoo, taking a few sweets off the tray. Spirit, water, fire, earth, and air are represented in that star. I know Anne believes in the power of every one. She's not like me. She actually believes in things such as gods and love. I don't know what I think of about the latter. Could I love? Could I be a man of emotions? I get up and walk to the window. The city sleeps around me, except for the homeless and restless who ride their motorcycles. I see a few fires lit to keep the homeless warm. Even in the higher end of town poverty still shows itself. Justice. The one idea I believe in mocks me. Where is justice here? Kira, you will be the pinnacle of my triumphs. I will take you down, if only for your utter disregard of human life. Even the most corrupt man still deserves some chance at mercy. Bring it on. Let the game begin.
A/N: Yay! New stories! I actually went back and forth with an idea for this AU. I kept going back to a historical type of AU kind of like my House, MD, fan fiction, but I didn't want to reuse that idea. So, I decided to put the plot of Death Note (more or less) in the future! This will in fact be told by L, which should be interesting. I think this will be fun. Also, yes each chapter will open with a quote. It's a style of writing I always loved as it is sort of different. I hope you all enjoy it. I'm a big fan of quotes so that'll be fun. I do have my overall sort of plan for this. I actually am about to type all that out. So, I hope you like this chapter, and let's dive into the story, shall we? Please leave a review and tell me what your first impressions are!