AfterLife

Prologue

----K----

November 16th, 2007

The pain in his heart was shocking. He hadn't expected this… this… whatever this was. He was a god and gods did not die. He was justice and justice was eternal.

He held the blood red fountain pen in his hand, the winged death god crouching in the shadows behind him like some grotesque angel. The sky was black, cloudy, and the wind was fierce at the top of L's nearly abandoned skyscraper. After all, L Lawliet, his greatest rival and the world's greatest detective had been dead for eleven days.

Even now, Light could barely believe his victory had come. Of course, that had been inevitable; as clever as Ryuuzaki might have been, Light always had more information, more options, more power. Ryuuzaki and the investigation team had been forced to work inside the bounds of the law like average mortals… Light, however, was different.

"So, you've completely settled the score with L, eh?"

Ryuk's rumbling voice snatched Light out of his thoughts and back to the present. The chill night wind rippled through his shirt and ruffled his hair. His right hand still held the pen. He had bought it earlier that day after having lunch with Misa. He would be Kira again, and L could no longer stop him. It seemed fitting that he could indulge himself in a new pen.

"Yeah."

"Guess I won't have much fun to look forward to then." The death god sounded annoyed at his future prospects. Light held back an arrogant laugh, remembering to always treat his larger and stupider associate with respect.

"That's not true at all, Ryuk," Light began easily, catching the death god's attention with his soft tones. He took a breath, and began speaking resolutely. "From here on… I'm going to show you the reincarnation of a new world."

"Oh?" came the death god's surprised, gravelly voice. He sat up and leaned forward in anticipation.

Lightning flashed suddenly, the thunder ricocheting off the multitude of buildings. Light smiled, and adjusted his grip on the red pen.

Indeed the pen was mightier than the sword. From here, he could eliminate every criminal known, discover those who lurked hidden in dark alleys, punish them for their misdeeds, and even prevent others through fear of Kira from following in those wicked footsteps. Standing above the festering city, he would judge from on high, smiting like the god he was so close to becoming. No one could stop him now.

Lightning streaked across the cloud-stricken sky again. The intensity of the earth's natural elements fit Light's overpowering mood and the dramatic nature of his actions. There before him was the Death Note. He had placed it on a black matte music stand, something he had found earlier in the day in one of the plethora of rooms of L's building. Now that Ryuuzaki was not there to watch him, he helped himself freely to the secretive detective's personal spaces. And the rest of the investigation team was a joke; none of them found it odd that Light would give them all the day off so he could wander the empty building alone, searching every nook and cranny for hints of Ryuuzaki's true identity. After taking Rem's Death Note, he had discovered Ryuuzaki's name and of course he knew the man's face, but how little that seemed to reflect the genuine man. The few items he had found that he would bring to his new apartment were currently sitting in a single box near the front doors and were all related to the Kira case, except a small, plush, black cat. He had no idea what it signified, but planned on deciphering its importance at his leisure.

Right now, however, it was time to get to work.

Light lifted the fountain pen in a graceful arc, admiring the beauty of his perfection and that of the new world he was creating. Lightning burst across the November sky, thundering out a symphony of the gods in accompaniment. Pen raised, the brilliant youth was its conductor. Light was in his element; Judgment Day had come.

He bent over the music stand, flicking back the cover and flipping to a blank page almost instantly. He had memorized a dozen names and faces of recent criminals, those guilty of some of the most heinous crimes: manslaughter and rape, usually tied in with robbery. He began with the first one: Polline de Merringuet, for killing her boyfriend and their two-year-old son. Next, Prosciuff Kleane, for stabbing a couple to death. Ziri—

"Light."

At the mention of his name, Light paused in his writing, the names and faces whirling through his mind chaotically. That voice had belonged to Ryuuzaki. The feeling of someone other than Ryuk watching him sunk into his spine. Dare he acknowledge this feeling and turn to face Ryuuzaki's ghost?

No. He put the pen back to the paper. Ziri Pa—

"Light Yagami." Footsteps echoed from directly behind him, now along with his full name. Ryuk chuckled. Light stiffened in horror. There was someone behind him, otherwise Ryuk would not have found the situation so amusing. Light had no choice; he turned around.

The ghost stood not two meters from him, just as Light remembered him. Light wore his mask carefully, watching the slight detective and giving away no hints of sudden surprise. The wind ruffling the unruly black hair, billowing the white shirt, pressing the oversized jeans against the side of bent legs. Ryuuzaki looked the same as always, a slightly dazed expression on his face, but eyes like black holes. Those eyes held Light transfixed for a moment, but then movement from the darkness near the door to the stairs caught his attention. Four men in suits stood there, the instantly recognizable forms of the remaining members of the investigation team. He looked back to Ryuuzaki.

If the team really was here and if Ryuuzaki was still alive, he had to act quickly. No time to ponder how and why his rival was standing there before him; he needed a plausible lie for having the Death Note.

"Ryuuzaki… is it really you?" Light let his voice tremble, as if he could hardly believe that his 'friend' was truly alive. Let them converse a little, give himself time to think. His mind shifted into high gear, the possible solutions swirling. Testing it? No, too obvious and he had not asked permission from the rest of the investigation. Wait, they did not know whether it was a Death Note or not. After all, his own father had hidden the only one that belonged to the team. Best to say it was something else if asked and focus on Ryuuzaki's reappearance.

"Yes," Ryuuzaki replied carefully. Silence reigned as the older man tried to pierce through the back of Light's skull. Light gave nothing away, and yet, Ryuuzaki broke the quiet with a single word, "…Kira."

Ryuuzaki began moving forward. Light knew Ryuuzaki had supposed what was lying on the music stand, and that he must prevent the detective from verifying it.

"Kira?" Light asked, placing a befuddled look on his face, watching Ryuuzaki. He allowed a look of small surprise to show on his face a moment later. "Oh, I see how you could become confused: this is a black notebook, but it's not a Death Note."

Light gestured to the open notebook behind him, and knocked it off the edge of the building, as if by accident. He could recover it later, but he could not let it fall into the Ryuuzaki's hands or he would be condemned immediately, no matter what excuse he could spring.

"Shit!" Light yelled, making a futile grasp for the music stand. He caught himself just in time so that he did not overbalance and fall off the building himself, making it seem like he had not been aware of just how near he was to the edge. Stopping with one knee on the ground and a hand outstretched over the open air, Light noticed Ryuuzaki had dashed forward, but stopped short, presumably realizing the hopelessness of the situation. The music stand and notebook were now far below and out of sight. Light peered over the edge in seeming desperation for his fallen belongings.

"Mogi, please go fetch the notebook. I would like the rest of you to remain here so we may apprehend Light now," came the low monotone from the detective. Light heard Ryuuzaki's soft thwacks of his bare feet as he backed a few steps away from Light. Was it fear that made him retreat?

"Oh no, Mogi, don't bother yourself with it. It's just my personal journal. I'll get it myself," Light said, standing and turning around. He kept an easy smile on his face, assuring everyone of his good nature. "After all, I'm the one who was clumsy enough to—"

"It is a Death Note. Get it now, Mogi," Ryuuzaki cut him off, his voice commanding. Mogi turned abruptly, practically throwing himself through the door. Light opened his mouth, but before he could get in a word in his defense, Ryuuzaki continued, still backing away. "Yagami, Matsuda, Aizawa, please attempt to arrest Light now."

"Surely that's not necessary, Ryuuzaki," Light tried, still smiling. "I know nothing I do will make you stop suspecting me, but you've already said you can no longer keep me as your prisoner. I've passed all your tests. We all know I can't be Kira. Why don't we celebrate the fact that you are alive instead, Ryuuzaki?" Light took a step towards the detective, and softened his expression and tones. "I can still hardly believe my eyes."

"I have disproved the thirteen day rule," Ryuuzaki said. Light blinked. "In moments, Mogi will return with the proof."

"Proof? What kind of proof would he have?" Light was still acting casual, as if this whole experience was not his worst nightmare coming true. There had to be a way out of this.

"You and I both know that it was another Death Note," Ryuuzaki stated simply, his black eyes daring him to argue.

"Looks like he's caught you there, Light." Ryuk's following guffaw irritated Light. He would not be cornered like this. All the obstacles had been removed, Ryuuzaki had been dead….

Ryuuzaki continued speaking. "Yagami," he began and Light realized he was addressing his father, "I am sorry. However…."

"Yes, I understand," Souichiro said, sighing heavily.

"I can't believe it!" Matsuda's anguished voice flew across the rooftop. "Light is Kira?!"

"Don't be silly; of course I'm not Kira," Light attempted, but then turned towards the ex chief of police wearing an expression of hurt. "Father, after everything I've done to help with this case, you certainly don't believe Ryuuzaki either, do you?"

The man looked away, unable to meet his son's eyes. Ryuk laughed again, his whole misshapen form writhing and shuddering.

"Father?" Light's voice trembled uncertainly. Damn, everyone seemed to be wrapped around Ryuuzaki's little finger. How had this happened? Weren't they working for him? Wasn't he supposed to be L now? He could only hope that someone had already taken the notebook when it fell. Then a new race would begin, he and Ryuuzaki would both want to be first to find it, but Light's world would have to wait. Damn, he needed Ryuuzaki to die.

"I am sorry, Yagami," L stated. It sounded exactly the opposite. He needed Ryuuzaki to die. It didn't matter too much now how it happened. A strong gust of wind to push him off the roof? Light turned around, bringing his hands up to his chest, as if he couldn't understand that his friend and father both believed him to be a murderer.

A phone rang. From the sound, Light guessed it was from Ryuuzaki's pocket.

The rustle of clothes, the click of a flipping open a phone, and then Ryuuzaki's voice.

"Yes?"

Perfect, just the kind of distraction he needed. Quickly and with as little movement from his shoulders as possible, he opened the secret compartment within his watch. He pricked himself carefully with the needle, and began writing, 'L Lawliet, falls from building.' He dipped the needle again into the small drop of blood on his finger. '16-11-07. 10:47pm.' He closed the compartment, satisfied. One minute until Ryuuzaki's death…

"Yes. Please inform Yagami of this. I am handing the phone to him now," Ryuuzaki finished. Light turned back around, curious now as to who was calling and how exactly Ryuuzaki would die. It would take him several seconds of actual falling, so he would have to begin the long drop shortly.

Ryuk laughed again. Light ignored him, as always. "Hey, Light, have you forgotten the rules already?"

Rules? Which one? Light thought frantically as his father took the phone from Ryuuzaki and answered it. The sinking realization hit Light like someone had gutted him with a knife. The name 'L Lawliet' had already been written down by Rem and to no effect. As a god of death, Rem would have known Ryuuzaki's real name, so the only way he could have survived would be if his name had already been written down… which would also mean that Ryuuzaki would not fall off the building.

"Mogi?" his father questioned into the phone, as if afraid of the truth. Shit! The truth… Mogi must have found the Death Note by now. Light felt Ryuuzaki's trap closing around him like a noose tightening. He tried to shake the unfamiliar feeling, remembering that he still couldn't show any emotion that might reveal he was Kira; he had to keep calm. There was still the possibility that Mogi had not necessarily found the Death Note… like when he was under surveillance, Ryuuzaki may report something false in order to gauge Light's reactions. This was the time to tread most carefully.

His father took a large intake of air, looking overcome by shock. Souichiro's eyes were still staring blankly ahead, but focused inward as he handed the phone blindly to Matsuda. Hesitantly, the young police officer put the phone to his ear, his eyes looking innocently straight at Light's face. Light watched it happen, the widening of his eyes, the gasp, the moment the phone he dropped the silver cell as if it burned him. It hit the concrete with a clatter and was followed shortly by Matsuda's knees. His gaze finally lowered from Light's face, his head hanging.

"Light…" Matsuda's broken voice was wretched in agony. "…why?"

"Oi, what's…" Aizawa began, reaching for the fallen phone. He stooped and picked it up, setting it to his ear. "Mogi?"

Aizawa's reaction was a muted form of Matsuda's. He did not fall or drop Ryuuzaki's phone, but his eyes, that's where Light could see into their souls. None of them wanted to believe that Light was Kira, and that's where perhaps he could find a way out. It was up to whether they trusted him or Ryuuzaki more... Light cursed silently. He could not play that card. After all, he had said that he trusted Ryuuzaki's judgement; he could not pretend that it didn't matter. And then there was the evidence that Mogi was bringing, if indeed the Death Note had not been already picked up a random stranger.

The wind rustled through Light's hair, cold and unforgiving. Thunder echoed angrily from the stormy heavens. Ryuuzaki had not fallen off the building… what were the options left? If Mogi returned with the note, he would be forced to kill everyone there, even if it meant overpowering Ryuuzaki and pushing him off with his own hands. Would Ryuk help him kill them all? No, he couldn't count on the Death God, unless it was directly for the red-eyed monster's benefit. Persuasion with apples and amusement?

Light took in the faces of the people he'd been working with over the last year. Besides Ryuuzaki, all of their faces were full of betrayal and anger. They believed Ryuuzaki's claims, because of what Mogi had told them. Could he kill them? His own father who had taught him about justice in the first place?

If things went any further, he would have no other choice. No other options. It was really their fault for trying to prevent Kira from his purpose.

His father's face suddenly softened dramatically, as if he had come to some kind of understanding. Light was suddenly hopeful; his father would be on his side. His father would never believe that his loving son would be Kira. The older man walked forward, coming to a halt right directly in front of Light's pained, yet hopeful expression. Light looked up at him, revealing a tentative smile. His father looked back, his smile saddened, as he put a comforting hand on Light's shoulder.

"Light… I'm sorry," he said. In his other hand, he lifted up a pair of handcuffs, attempting to place it on Light's wrist.

Light jerked back before the cold steel came into contact with his skin.

"F-father?" he tried, the words sticking in his throat. His own father would believe Ryuuzaki instead of him? There was no evidence yet. Just Ryuuzaki's constant suspicions and Mogi's agreement. There was no evidence.

"Looks like you've lost, Light," Ryuk said. The Death God sounded almost sad, but the hint of delight was still noticeable. Damn him, the beast was enjoying this. "Too bad, huh. But you've sure shown me some interesting times."

Light ignored the god, intent on his father. The man's eyes held tears, and his hands were trembling. Combined with the force of the wind, the metal links of the handcuffs clinked together in a perverse invitation.

The door opened. Light's eyes went wide… it was all over.

Mogi stood there, one hand clutching the Death Note as if he were afraid the wind would snatch it away. He moved forward urgently, the notebook held tightly to his chest. He glanced around wildly, focusing on Ryuk's massive form twitching with sudden laughter, then found Ryuuzaki's smaller hunched figure.

"Ryuuzaki…" he began tentatively. His eyes darted to Light, then back to Ryuuzaki who held out a hand, his dark eyes boring into Light. Souichiro turned around at the sound, startled by the intrusion.

Light couldn't move. He knew he had lost his mask, and this emotion he felt restricting his control was fear.

He had lost….

The notebook was passed off easily to Ryuuzaki as lightning flashed. The thunder pealed in its wake, the timpanis of a celestial orchestra. The detective looked carefully around with his large eyes, head tilting more than turning. They focused on Ryuk, who had the audacity to give the man a short wave.

He had lost….

"I have found the Death God," Ryuuzaki stated without real surprise, his ebony orbs still fixated on the grinning fiend to Light's left. Ryuuzaki shifted the Death Note to his other hand, still holding it in the peculiar way of his, and used his right to point in Ryuk's direction. His eyes, however, stayed locked onto Light's face, reading every bit of Light's emotions like an open book.

His father took a tentative step towards Ryuuzaki and the Death Note, but then rushed the remaining few steps. He pulled the note from Ryuuzaki's two-fingered hold wildly, then stared in horror at the malevolent grin of the Death God.

Ryuk turned his toothy smile to Light, his hulking body twisting. "Too bad, huh? It looks like our partnership is over."

His father gasped at the open admission of Light's guilt from the Death God and returned the note to Ryuuzaki's unusual grip, slowly sinking to his knees. His face held true agony, a portrait of utter incomprehension. The wind howled, chilling Light to the bone.

He had lost….

"What is it, chief?" Matsuda shouted over the wind. He pulled himself to his feet while simultaneously reaching for the note. As soon as his fingers brushed the black note, he stumbled backwards, a short intelligible cry of fear escaping from his lips. Aizawa came up patiently behind Matsuda, steadying the younger man's shoulders and then reached forward, pressing his palm against the smooth surface of Death Note. His eyes found Ryuk and then he pulled his hand back, a demonstration of orderly conduct after Matsuda.

One by one, the investigation team dragged their eyes from Ryuk, and followed Ryuuzaki's gaze to Light. Lightning cracked across the sky behind him, illuminating the familiar faces in stark relief, thunder cascading around them, making speech impossible for a moment. Light's symphony was reaching a crescendo and he realized suddenly that he was still conducting. So these five men knew he was Kira? Did they expect him to cower in fear forever? No, he was a shining leader of justice, supported by millions of people all over the world. He did not have to worry about five people who believed they could stop him. He was invincible; he was God.

Light relaxed, feeling his confidence and control return. He let his voice reflect his conviction and power. He looked his rival directly in the eyes, issuing the challenge.

"That's right. I am Kira."

Light felt a rush of exhilaration from his confession. What would L do now that they both knew who the other was without a doubt? L and Kira, standing not more than three meters apart, confronting each other. Neither would wish a physical fight, but Light was confident that if it came down to that, he could best the smaller detective. No, they would argue for their beliefs, argue for the correct view of justice. Ryuuzaki's face showed the hint of a smile and Light let his own smile grow wider; he would begin first, as he always had. He may not be able to change L's mind, but he could convince the rest of the investigation team to follow him if he played this correctly.

Light suddenly turned to face the darkness of the city behind him, looking out over the edge. He spoke clearly and levelly, letting the wind carry his words behind him.

"So… what will you do?" Light asked. He looked over his shoulder, making eye contact with L, "Kill me here?"

It was a dare, a challenge, and both of them knew that L could not simply do that. He watched for a reaction, but found nothing besides a glint of eager anticipation for what Kira would say next. Light turned back to the glimmer of the city below him.

"Listen…" he said quietly, letting the cacophony of thunder play around him before turning fully around again. "I am Kira… the God of the new world."

He let his words sink in before continuing, knowing the words would come perfectly as they always did. His logic and persuasion was always flawless; soon they would come to understand that he had done everything for the worthy people of the world.

"In the world we live in today, Kira is law and protects order. Soon I will be justice, the hope of all mankind," Light intoned, spreading his arms wide and standing perfectly upright, as if he were vulnerable and inviting them to shoot, or accepting a gift from the heavens. "Are you going to kill me? Is that really okay?"

Light could see indecision working its way across the faces of his father, Matsuda, Aizawa, and even Mogi. He was creating believers simply with the force of his words. Now to seal them carefully so that they not only believed his words, but could justify his actions. The results were important, especially to the strong-minded police officers. It was time to show them the proof of the new world he was creating. He lowered his arms gracefully to his sides, fixing them all with a face full of earnesty.

"During the time Kira has existed, wars have ended and violence has nearly vanished," Light began giving them the evidence of Kira's promise for a better world, "but this world still needs help. There are still so many immoral people. Someone had to do something!"

Light paused, letting the ex-policemen identify with his feelings. After all, didn't they have the same goal as Kira? Stopping crime, finding the wicked and punishing them as required. Matsuda nodded cautiously, and Light was careful not to let a triumphant smile show on his face. Now to permit them to understand how and why he had behaved, and judge for themselves what their own actions would have been had they been selected.

"When I was given the notebook," Light began, still in earnest, letting his voice reach out, growing louder to persuade them of Kira's cause, "I realized it had to be me. Only I could do it. Even though I know killing people is a crime, there was no other way to make the world safer. That was the purpose given to me. Only I could do it… who else could have come this far?"

Light paused, calming himself a little, stepping back into his true persona of total power, total control. Ryuuzaki was still smiling, but Light had known from the start that he could not change L's mind. However, the other members of the investigation team were watching him with a sense of awe, almost wonderment. Matsuda looked ready to throw himself off the building if Kira were only to ask. Light was ready to wrap up his speech, throw them the last appealing words, secure his victory over L. He could hardly believe moments ago he had been so frightened by the stooped genius that he had frozen up. Nothing like that would ever happen again. Yes, he would use everyone here to lock up L and they would protect his secret to the grave, helping to create his ideal world. Light looked upon his people, and fixed an expression that asked for their understanding onto his flawless face. He let the temptation of perfection ring through his voice, the tragic beauty of what he tirelessly worked for gleam into the dark night and cut through the wind's harmony.

"To create a beautiful new world… only I could do it."

He had won….

"No, you are just a murderer." Ryuuzaki's voice was merciless and cut brutally through the enticing spell Light had woven. Matsuda gasped, looking stricken. His father looked down at the concrete as L completed his argument. "You are mistaken to think that you have become a God."

Light felt cheated. His ideals had left the team in awe, and now… L was twisting them around his finger again. Matsuda staggered back a step, and let out a yell of frustration and betrayal as Ryuk began cackling, raspy and rumbling. The youngest ex-officer pulled out his gun, and aiming desperately at the Death God, fired a shot off before Aizawa could stop him. The gunshot echoed like thunder on the rooftop and passed through the creature's left shoulder. Light watched, suddenly cautious, as Ryuk only laughed harder at the psychosis Matsuda was displaying. That instability was dangerous; there was no telling what he would do next. Perhaps he should have asked Matsuda to throw himself from the roof.

Matsuda's arm was quickly forced down by Aizawa who held the quivering man tightly. For the first time in several minutes, Ryuuzaki was not facing Light. Now was his chance to act, when all the attention was on Matsuda and his gun. Light turned to the edge, shielding his hands from view, and went for his watch again. There was still plenty of room on the piece of paper, easy for the point of a needle to write a few names. Matsuda would be first, as he was the most dangerous at this point. He opened the compartment and pricked his finger.

"His hands!" Ryuuzaki shouted suddenly from behind Light. Light didn't turn, now was his chance as they were subduing the crying youngest team member. Needle ready, Light began: Matsuda Tou—

Thunder cracked once, and Light felt his leg give out. He fell sideways, hitting the concrete and rolling onto his back. Somehow, he found himself staring straight into Ryuk's yellow and red eyes. The Death God was rapt with attention at the scene unfolding before him. Light snapped his gaze away as white-hot pain flooded into his right thigh. Unable to help himself, Light loosed a tortured howl and clutched at his leg, watching in shock as the blood began flowing out, staining his clothes, spattering on the concrete.

Anger and adrenaline flooded his system, stamping out the pain to a dull throb, and he jerked his head to focus on where Matsuda was standing behind Ryuuzaki's blocking hand, gun shaking. The rest of the team was rushing forward. His father reached his side first and he moved instantly to cradle his head protectively. Mogi and Aizawa reached him a second later, obstructing his view of Matsuda and Ryuuzaki and looking awkward after rushing over so quickly. Light shifted and sat forward to get a clearer view, bringing his bloodied left hand away from his leg and steadying himself on his father's arm.

"It's his watch!" Mogi yelled suddenly, yanking his arm up. Light cursed himself inwardly as his father cried out in parental concern. Jerking his arm back, Light discovered that Mogi was much stronger. The man succeeded in unclasping and wrenching the bloodied silver timepiece off his flexed wrist, the torn out paper from the Death Note catching in the wind. Light's hope fluttered for a moment—maybe the wind would take it away?—but a shoed foot from Aizawa killed Light's short-lived optimism.

Then Ryuuzaki was striding forward, and Light felt a spasm of fear penetrate his heart. For as long as he had worked with the detective, he had never seen him so calm and deadly. Terror tried to take hold, and Light found he couldn't fight it off. He was surrounded by L's investigation team formed specifically to capture him, a madman intent upon his destruction, and nowhere to run even if his leg would allow it. He had only one option left….

A deep, rolling thunder permeated the clouded night.

"Ryuk!" He shouted desperately, struggling to break free of the ex-policemen who held him firmly. The Death God was already watching him, a grin stretched across the entirety of his face, and he stood carefully before swooping down. Mogi dropped Light's arm in fear, backing away quickly from the beast. Light used the diversion to break from his father's grasp and rise to his feet, stooping nearly as much as Ryuuzaki in an effort to spare his leg.

"Write their names down!" he yelled, no longer caring about how he was perceived, staggering awkwardly to Ryuk's side. If this didn't work… he would be… he would have completely lost to L. He looked up into Ryuk's round eyes, pleading, ignoring the gasps that came from everyone around him. The wind howled, and Light did not move, waiting for Ryuk's reply.

The Death God reached slowly around and into a small bag attached to his belt. Time seemed to stand still as he withdrew another notebook, and a bone-colored pen that seems almost too small for his long claw-like fingers. Light's eyes widened. He would win!

Ryuk opened the Death Note and began scratching down words. Uncontrollable laughter billowed up and erupted from Light's lips, dark and enjoyable. He had won! Even if L Lawliet could not be killed by Ryuk's Death Note, Light could do it with his bare hands… or perhaps Ryuuzaki did not have much time left. It had to have been before Rem's death, so at most Ryuuzaki would have twelve days left to live. Maybe Ryuuzaki appeared today because it was his last day. Light would win and he would rule his perfect world.

Refusing to acknowledge the mortals around him, Light kept his eyes on the god, watching him finish. The pen withdrew from the paper slowly, deliberately, and Light felt himself trembling. All the obstacles were removed….

Ryuk looked up, straight at Light, but his usual demeanor was absent. He was not smiling anymore.

"You've lost, Light."

Ryuk turned the notebook over, presenting his work to Kira. Shock flooded Light's system as he gazed at his own name, the thin black lines of kanji spelling out his death. Light heard nothing, felt nothing, saw nothing, but those words. He was… dying? No, that couldn't be happening. He had forty seconds… he knew that. After all this time, of course he knew how long he would have. Suddenly, Light understood that Kira no longer mattered to him. He was going to die, no matter how many criminals he could take down with him in these final moments. But what should he do with his last forty seconds? The seconds ticked by, surreal, too that he didn't even have his watch to figure his remaining time. What could he possibly….

"Didn't I tell you that when you die," Ryuk's low voice was soft enough to shake Light from his calm torment, "the one who'll write your name down in a notebook will be me? That is the deal between Death Gods and the first human to get their hands on the note in the human world."

Light nodded woodenly. Yes, he had known. The seconds ticked by. What could he possibly do…?

"Well, it was good while it lasted and we killed some boredom, didn't we? We did some pretty interesting things, huh, Light," Ryuk continued. He looked almost sad, but perhaps that was only because he knew the apples would no longer be tossed his direction, no clever and interesting humans to tag along after. Perhaps if he'd given Ryuk an apple before asking for the deaths of the investigation team? But it was useless, really, to ponder that now. He was still going to die… what could he possibly do in these…?

What could he possibly do in these last seconds?

The answer came quietly from the depths of his mind, still a tranquil center of calm. He could leave this world. Yes, he would leave this lonely world behind him… and he would depart with his dignity intact. He would not fight Ryuk, not after it had been the Death God who had given him the opportunity to fix even a small piece of the broken world. Given this last opportunity, he would not be a sore loser.

"Ryuuzaki," he said, turning to face the detective. All trace of fear or anger had left the man, replaced with a slight downward curve to his lips and a flash of sorrow in his large dark eyes. Light realized suddenly that Ryuuzaki looked alone. Light gave him a small smile, understanding that they shared the same fate. It suddenly didn't matter that they were rivals. L would die within the next twelve days of a heart attack. Ryuuzaki mirrored Light's smile, but the slight detective still looked utterly abandoned.

"I only wish you could believe as I do. I would have you as my successor as I was nearly yours." The words were hard to say, and Light realized that he truly meant them. They were so similar, in almost every way… Ryuuzaki's sense of justice was so close to his own, his intelligence nearly identical, the way they understood each other, how they both loved the challenge, the chase, and had almost known from the very start each other's true identities of Kira and L.

"Ryuuza—wait, L Lawliet," Light said, deciding to speak to the actual man, not the fake pseudonym or the title. He looked deeply into the eyes of the detective, willing him to understand. "We are justice."

How much time did he have left? His father… he needed to tell his father—

Ryuk's voice rasped lazily from Light's side, and it sounded like the monochrome Death God's humor was back. Light turned to the massive figure as he spoke.

"And don't forget… a human who uses the Death Note cannot go to Heaven or Hell. After you die, you'll see… nothing."

Light's heart jumped erratically, and his body convulsed momentarily. His hand automatically went to his chest. No, this couldn't happen already. He didn't want to die, gasped as he felt his mind receding, the pain from somewhere in his body flaring, then diminishing. He had accepted that it would happen, but no, forty seconds was surely longer… he needed to talk to his father, sinking to his knees, not feeling the cold of the November air, the edges of his vision fading black, Ryuk's wings stretching and beating as he disappeared, voices shouting distantly, something warm holding his shoulders….

"Dad…" Light muttered, but when he brought his weary gaze up, he only saw more darkness.

L's eyes… filled with tears… he was crying….

Light sank deeper down into the darkness, the nothingness, allowed it to gently pull him under, and closed his eyes.

The pain in his heart was shocking. He hadn't expected this… this… whatever this was. He was a god and gods did not die. He was justice and justice was eternal….

Weren't they?

----K----

Author's Note: Wondering how L managed to surprise Light on the top of the building? If you enjoyed this story, please read Tobi Tortue's fanfiction of the same title (that's AfterLife). It follows the same plot, but from L's point of view.

Please review if you like it, and especially if you did NOT like it. Thanks for reading and I hope to hear from you again after gasp the next chapter is posted...