Ace: Ryūku has the Death Note... Wonder how it got to the Human World, and how this will affect Ryūku.

Also, Ryūku is under a bunch of stress. His father's dead, he killed a bandit with a mythical item, his brother is now in charge, and now he has to run a teashop. It's a miracle that he's walking and talking.

Disclaimer: I do not own Death Note.

Chapter 2: Show me that item, Ryūku!

It had begun to rain after Ryūku's family buried their patriarch. Haru and her husband came over upon hearing the news, and was now busy comforting Ryūku's mother. Kiyomi and Akira were hugging each other and wailing, while Ryūku sat on his knees, staring at his father's grave in shock. Masahiko tried his best to look strong, but deep down, he was shattered. No one was expecting this to happen, and Masahiro blamed himself for not stopping the thief from entering the teahouse, although he couldn't have known that this would happen.

As the rain came down harder, most of the family went inside to avoid the downpour. Ryūku lingered, not wanting to leave his father's grave. Masahiko came back out and laid a hand on Ryūku's shoulder. "It's best that we go inside, ."

"Are you sure that Chichi would be okay with that?" Ryūku countered.

"He wouldn't want you to get sick," Masahiko's voice was firm, so Ryūku relented and followed his brother into the house. After shutting the door, Ryūku went to his room and closed the sliding door behind him.

Hands shaking, Ryūku pulled the Death Note out of his kimono. Seeing that it wasn't wet, relief washed over him. If it were destroyed, then he would lose his newfound power.

Wait, he thought to himself. Didn't Chichi say that I should use this to protect our family? Then this can't really be my own power...

"Ryūku-kun."

Ryūku whipped around. "M-Masahiko-san! How-How-What are you doing here?!"

"I'm here to check on you."

"I'm fine," Ryūku replied quickly.

Masahiko raised an eyebrow. "You're holding some paper protectively. Something you failed to tell me?"

In that moment, Ryūku saw his father looking at him, but he blinked and saw Masahiko standing there, realizing that Masahiko was the head of the household now. And thus, he must do as he is commanded.

Ryūku sighed. "You won't believe this... But I have Death Note that allows me to kill people just be writing their names down and can decide how it happens."

Masahiko blinked. "No way. Only the Shinigami have powers like that."

"But I killed Kano Iwao the bandit with this!"

Masahiko looked thunderstruck. "Impossible. He committed suicide. I saw that."

"I wrote it in the Death Note," Ryūku admitted.

"That's not possible!"

"It is!" Ryūku hissed.

"It cannot!"

"Yes, it can!"

"No, it can't!"

"I'm not a liar!"

"You can't make someone kill themselves!'

"The authorities say that to traitors and unfaithful samurai! Or did you forget that Chichi taught us thought?"

Masahiko blinked and took a deep breath in. "Alright then. Prove it."

"I can't kill an innocent person!" Ryūku wailed.

Masahiko glared at his younger brother. "I'm not in the mood for nonsense, Ryūku. So you either show me how you manage that, I burn the Death Note, or I will use it myself."

Ryūku ran all the options in his head and weighed them. After a while, he bowed his head down. "I'll show you how to use the Death Note..."

Masahiko smiled. "Okay then. Let's go out and test it."

"It's raining," Ryūku pointed out.

Masahiko began to swear. "Of all the luck... We'll go out the next time it's not raining, then." With that, Ryūku's older brother walked out of the room.

Ryūku collapsed to his knees and began to cry. He didn't want to kill anyone. He understood that his brother was curious about it, but is it necessary to go out and kill someone?

What now? Ryūku thought to himself. Should I burn it? I won't see it or use it anymore... But then again, Masahiko will find out...

Ryūku took the Death Note and hid it underneath his chest. As he lay down in his bed, the door cracked open a little.

"Ryūku-kun?"

Ryūku turned his head. "Akira-kun. Enter"

Akira, two years younger than Ryūku, walked in and sat down. "All you alright?"

"I'm not sure..." Ryūku admitted. "With Chichi gone, life is stressful."

"Want to talk about it right now?"

"No."

"Akira!" Kiyomi yelled. "Haru needs you now!"

Akira blinked twice after hearing Kiyomi yell for him. "If you do, come find me. I will listen." With that, Akira got up and left.

Ryūku sighed. Out of all of his siblings, he was the closest to Akira. They had played together; spent time with their father together, and Ryūku helped Akira with his schoolwork. Masahiko, on the other hand, was difficult to be around. He always wanted to make as much money as possible, and didn't mind use authority to get the supplies he needs. Masahiko was Ryūku's least favorite sibling. As much as Ryūku wanted to admit this secret of his to his beloved brother Akira, he decided against it.

After seeing Masahiko act near the Death Note, I better keep it a secret to avoid any more problems, although I doubt that Akira would do anything upon seeing this. Maybe I'll tell Akira later...

But… Why do I have this? I know I found it, but was on purpose or an accident? And for that matter, who made this monstrosity? And who owned it? Did they drop it near my house? Gah! I have so many unanswered questions… Maybe tomorrow will bring my much-needed questions answers so that I can worry less…

With that, Ryūku fell asleep to the soft pitter-patter of the rain, blissfully unaware of the bloody day that he will awake to in a few hours...

Ace: And so begins Ryūku's questioning. If the next day is clear skies, how do you think it will go?

That's all for now! Until next time!

Ace