Chapter 1: Rebirth

Light arrived in front of Ryuzaki's house and it was a huge of a place. The place looked more European with its high brick walls and hedges. The arching massive metal gate itself looked intimidating and only Light's strong self belief makes him not to care about it.

An elderly man that he knew was named 'Watari' greeted him politely. Light greeted back with his impeccable manners and the older man led him inside the complex.

L was living with his grandfather. His parents were away in the name of business and it left L, their only son, with his grandfather. The young man seemed to be so ill-equipped to live with its own that he might die wide eyed. Light had always wondered what Watari was to L exactly. Was the elderly gentleman a butler, grandfather or a caretaker since the younger man sometimes orders him around, especially fetching his sweets. The old grandfather didn't seem to mind his bossy behavior which actually contrasts to Japanese norms regarding the elderly. The Lawliet's hailed in England after all so maybe their treatment to their only heir and son was like a prince - an awkward sitting, sweet tooth, enigmatic prince at that.

Watari led Light to a corridor with classical designs. It was more of a castle with dark wood architraves, iron wrought fixtures and thick red carpeting. Somerooms he passed have sturdy wooden doors and their function was lost on Light since he didn't know who ever occupy those rooms. The corridor actually looked creepy given it was late afternoon now and the vertical windows gives a haunted house feel. Still, Light wasn't afraid of any unnatural beings of darkness like vampires, werewolves, ghosts or... gods of death.

At last, Watari led Light to a double door that Light knew to be L's room. Watari left him in front of the door as he will prepare their beverages. Light thanked him and then opened the door.

L's room was very large for a man to inhabit it. This isn't actually his room but more of a den. There was a arched passage way that leads to his actual room that hosts his bed and personal belongings. The couches that half surround a large flat LED TV fitted to the wall have a Victorian design that screams 'fancy' and 'expensive' to anyone who sees it. He always likened this room as a gamer's dream set-up. The lighting ambience was good and there were surround sound system that secretly littered all around. The Lawliet's were filthy rich with their patented inventions and they're not afraid to showcase it. The only thing that destroys this pristine image was the man who lives in here. Light wouldn't be surprised if L was sleeping here instead of his own bed.

Light walked inside and saw L sitting in that awkward position again. The man turned around and raised a hand.

"Hello, Light!" L greeted and then shifted tone. "How's it going."

"We're watching that weird anime of yours, right?"

"Yes. As for courtesy I haven't watch it. It seems to me it would be more interesting watching it alongside you."

"Then let's go on with it." Light said irritated. He went to a nearby chair adjacent to Ryuzaki's and sat on it. It was very comfortable and fluffy and still looking very majestic, unlike Sayu's obnoxiously pink large papasan.

L moved to grab the remote from the table. The way he did it was odd since he would lean for it, precariously balancing himself from his perch. Still, he didn't nose dive which Light had been secretly hoping for. "For our viewing pleasure we would only be watching one episode per day."

"So you want me to come here every day?" Light said with a little stress at the last word.

"Not exactly." L answered. "We'll watch it at different venues for a new environment. I already have a copy of it in my PC, tablet, and cellphone for convenience sake."

"I'm thinking the same thing. Why not let me copy it so I could watch it at home?"

L made a 'tsk' sound twice. "We will watch it together, Light. As I said earlier, it would be more interesting if we'll both comment on it. You may become biased to your character and it may apply to me as well. One episode at a time so we can analyze it clearly."

Light simply grunted. L was right though. He wouldn't be surprised if L would handcuff him to his own hand while watching it. "Okay okay. My mom wouldn't like it if I went home late or try watching those 'cartoons' so it makes sense."

"We're set then." L motioned to the table. "Feel free to pick any food you like."

Light eyed the table full of sweets. There was one particular food that was skewered with bunch of candies and he took it. "What did you do to this?" he asked.

"That's a candy kebab, Light. It's plain obvious." Light put back the childish invention.

"Right." He took a cup of coffee. Watari might have slipped it while they're talking. He took a sip and calming waves flooded through him. He sighed in relief. Yes, caffeine.

"If you're comfortable, then let's get this started." L said, and he pressed the remote.

As every anime known to man, a song played at the beginning of the anime. It was actually catchy and Light instantly liked it. The animation was also very well done. There were some vague pictures that started flashing around but he assumed it was integral for the story.

There was this well done swirling animation where he was standing atop of a building looking badass. Ryuzaki was in another building but it implied they're enemies. So he was right. This stars them but was pitted against each other.

The 'Deathnote' title emblazoned a few seconds later. At this point, Light was already impressed at it. It may be because of the song or animation... or he was seeing himself.

What plucked him out of his thoughts was when he saw an image involving his father and his co-workers.

What the hell?

Then it dawn on him. Well, it stars him so it wasn't weird if some people they knew would be starring also. This gave Light a reprieve. It won't be realistic enough if they were excluded.

As the intro played, Light decided to break the silence and remarked, "There're so many religious undertones here."

"Don't tell me you're one of those folks who got offended by it." L quickly said. Light indignantly stared at him in the corners of his eyes, and remained silent.

As the song ended, Light looked rather horrified at what he saw. He was... posing like a model of some sorts. If that wasn't enough, there was this Godlike figure at his back. "Oh, no, they didn't. Look at that! That's blatantly objectifies me!"

"Don't tell me you're one of those folks-"

"Shut up, Ryuzaki."

-/-

A Shinigami that was bored, Light thought. That's not a good sign. If gods were bored, they always try to ruin someone's life for the fun of it.

Then again, his character was looking bored too. His character was living a dull life and has a nihilistic outlook that was quite similar to his.

This world... is rotten.

"Light."

"Yeah?"

"Did you really mean it?"

"I... don't know. Sometimes."

"You have issues."

"Look who's talking."

-/-

"So the notebook should have fallen earlier, not this DVD." Light said under his breath.

"You got it first instead of me. My first impression of the anime was like you, until I've opened it."

"By the way, where are you in this?"

"Let the anime do the talking, Light."

"Fine."

-/-

"That hostage taker. Wasn't that showed in the news a few days back?"

"Yes." L answered.

"Didn't he get his ass handed to him when they realized he brought a fake gun?"

"That is true."

Light shrugged, "People these days."

"In here, you killed him."

"Don't be hypocritical. You'll do the same if you were in my shoes."

"I don't wear shoes."

"..."

-/-

"So, Ryuzaki, what would you have done if that happened in front of you?"

"You know I don't like watching those things. Or do you, Light?"

"Quit changing the subject."

"I would completely kick their collective asses."

"I doubt that."

"I'm a simple man. You asked, I answered."

-/-

"You sure have a demented laugh, Light."

"..."

"Whoa. Is that how you reacted when you played the game I suggested?"

"...I don't know what you're talking about."

"What was that game again? Slenderman? Outlast? Or the Maze game?"

"Please, Ryuzaki, I'm watching."

-/-

"Nice recovery there, Light."

"I wasn't scared in the first place. I knew it would happen."

"Sure you do."

-/-

"You sure killed a lot of people with no drawbacks whatsoever."

"..."

"Who's the first celebrity you killed?"

"What?! How should I know?"

"Pity."

"We have a freaking Shinigami now and that's what you're asking?"

"As the other you said, it there's a killer notebook then it's possible those creatures exists."

"At least it's not cliche like 'sell your soul' or something."

-/-

I will become the God of this new world.

"Illuminati and Light, confirmed."

"What the hell are you blabbering about?"

"Think about it: Light illuminates. That's just proves it."

"It proves nothing."

"You definitely have some issues."

"Laugh now until we see your character. I bet he's weirder than you are."

"I hope he is."

-/-

L pressed the remote and the TV turned off. "That was very enlightening."

"It is very interesting. I liked it."

"Unfortunately, we will end this for the meantime." L said as he tossed the remote in the table. "Your mom might be worried if we go for another one."

Light stood up. "Fair enough. It's getting dark now I suppose."

"Yes. Watari will escort you outside."

"You won't do it yourself?"

"Don't tell me you already miss me?"

"Fine then. Also, what if you will watch this all overnight?"

"I give you my word and I swear on my cheesecake I will not watch it in advance."

"Where will we watch it tomorrow?"

"Still here until we thought of those places."

"Sounds good. By the way, thanks for the time, Ryuzaki. And see you tomorrow." Light left the room as he was escorted by the elderly gentleman.

"Me, too, Light."

Now that's an anime, Light thought. Even how ridiculous its premise, as long as it was executed perfectly then it was alright. Besides, he gets the chance to see his immaculate face. He would have to return tomorrow to check up on this. For the first time of his existence, he was actually looking forward for tomorrow. He pondered what would happen if the actual notebook is the one that fell instead of that anime. Still, it was good enough on what they discovered.

As Light walked away, L took his phone and plugged in his earphones. He searched for a particular file in the internet and was satisfied it exists. He quickly downloaded it in a few seconds and then put it to his favorite playlist.

He grabbed a bunch of pocky and proceeded to munch on them as he listened to his now favorite anime OST.

Sorry for the long wait. I actually needed to watch the episode first for me to have a feel for it. Well, reviews are always appreciated. It's the fuel that speeds up my writing and updates!