Judgment

"So where do we start?" asked Rain the next morning as he sat his desk.

"Why are you asking me? Did you think you I'd just tell you?" I laughed sarcastically.

"Ryuk, if you want to find the Death Notes, you're going to have to give me a few hints to where they might be. You do want to find the notebooks after all, don't you?"

"Very well, I suppose I can contribute a little to the search. As far as I know, they're probably still in the hands of the same guys who beat the last Kira."
"And let me guess…" Rain said with a sigh. "You aren't going to tell me their names so that maybe I can manipulate them to bring me the notebook before I kill them."

Hmm… he's smart… "How do you know the notebook works like that?"

"Come on Ryuk." He said as he took an apple out of his backpack. "I stayed up all night reading these rules and becoming acquainted with the Death Note. It's safe to say I know quite a bit about the Death Note now. So are you going to tell me their names or not?"

"Of course not… Not that I don't like you. But I have this thing about helping humans… I don't do it… Now about that apple in your hand…?"

"Ah very well then…" Raiden said as he paced back and forth in his room. "I suppose the only way we can get to the other books is if we draw out the enemy…"

"But if you draw attention to yourself, you'll find yourself in the same intense situation the original was in. I'm not sure that's smart. But then again, maybe you know better…"

"Ryuk, you underestimate me… Of course it is a risk. But they won't know it is me. All they will know is that Kira is back… All I have to do is prove it to them. Should be simple enough…"

"What do you mean?" I asked the boy as he tossed me an apple. "... Oh thanks, you're too nice to me, really you are…" I wonder why he's so calm around me… I hate when people aren't scared of me. I'm a shinigami after all… oh well…

"Well my father happens to be an investigator for the ICPO. So it is safe to assume he probably has some files on some of the most notorious criminals in his study. All I have to do is kill those criminals, and soon enough they'll show their face."
"Just because… you draw them out," I replied as I munched on the apple happily, "doesn't mean you'll know where the other books are…"

"True… but it is the first step. And since you've established that you're not here to help me, I'm going to have to do this my way. And I've never been one to run away from a fight."

I followed Rain into his father's study and watched him as he went through some files. He found files on twelve criminals. With each file he looked at, a big grin came over him as if he was finding long lost treasure. It was interesting to watching him pile up the files until he had sufficient amount of profiles he needed. And then he took the files and walked to his own room as I closely followed behind.

"Hmm twelve criminals… two of which are in jail… the other ten are still at large but have been identified but have escaped custody… The other two will be out of prison in eight years. Strange, both were tried with murder charges. How they managed eight years is beyond me."

"Maybe they're innocent…" I said to him.

"No I'm pretty sure they're guilty. And even if they are not, they will serve a purpose."

"You'll kill them even if they might be innocent?"

"It is all for the greater good." Raiden said as he began to write down the names of the twelve criminals in the Death Note, an eerie smirk spread across his face. "Guilty or innocent, I will rid the world of those who do not deserve to live… I am the dark angel, the server of true justice… And these are the first to experience my judgment…"

With their names written, the twelve men profiled in the files before him became Raiden's first victims, thus transforming him in that moment into the new Kira. Across the world, twelve men in different places had heart attacks and collapsed to the floor. They died instantly…

It was not enough. Raiden knew it. And so without hesitation, he turned on the television and began writing down the names of criminals he saw on the news. Before long he had thirty-two names written on the Death Note. But he did not stop there. With greedy fingers and a crazed happy look on his face, he flipped through the channels and started writing down the names of people who had spoken out against Kira over the years. Corrupted officials who had escaped prosecution… and others that were rumored to have ties with the KLG but because they were in the spotlight and had political ties had been untouched by law enforcement and government agencies… Thus, within an hour Raiden had killed seventy-six people. This would not go unnoticed... As I watched him sit back on his chair and relax with a confident grin on his face, a simple thought came across me. This kid… is fun…

Two weeks passed. The deaths rose in that first week to three hundred. By the end of the second week, there were five hundred… And as the world began to suspect the return of Kira, so did the super detective known as N. He was older now. Laying on his bed in the dark, he watched the news as it seemed to exploit the possibility of Kira's return. People were calling into late night TV specials to discuss the recent climb in death tolls of criminals and more. Some praising him and asking him for his return to power, others cursing him and denying the very possibility of Kira even existing any more…

Suddenly the lights turned on. The bright lamps revealed Near's body on the bed attached to a respirator. A young man, looking perhaps in his late twenties, stood in the door with two cups of warm tea in his hands.

"My friend… you startled to me." N spoke through his breathing mask as he sat up. "Come in."

"It's him isn't it?" the young man replied as he walked over and handed N a cup of tea.

"Well… It is someone yes…" N replied as he took the cup of tea and pulled off his mask for a moment to take a sip. "As you know, Light Yagami is dead. This individual is particularly different from Light Yagami. He is overconfident… Overconfidence… is the only explanation… for this obvious attack on the criminals… as well as some of the more innocent victims… It is safe to say… that Kira has returned… or at least someone who wants to be him…"

"Frankly I thought of this already, Near." The young man said as he took a sip of his own tea. He helped N put his mask back on and placed N's tea cup next to his own on the night table next to the bed. "If this is indeed the work of a new Kira, it is safe to say that he must have a different view on what constitutes guilty. His victims especially the last week have not only been criminals but those have abused drugs, those on trial for accidents involving alcohol. Some of the more rich individuals who are known for their lack of charity… This man has quite a twisted sense of justice. In fact he might find himself to be the pathway to justice, a dark guardian angel…"

"You are wise beyond…your years… my young friend…" N said as he rested his head on his pillow. "Whoever he is… one thing is for certain… he is very immature in the way he thinks…"

"Perhaps… You may very well be correct. I have come to suspect the same. It seems we are looking for a young individual most likely. Much of this mentality comes from those who are young and feel that their life has been filled with injustice. And that true justice is what they make of it. It will most likely be someone who has had some sort of tragedy in their home. If it was someone who simply worshipped Kira, I doubt they would be so quick to alter the word of their 'God'. Yes, this person is quite immature and perhaps thinks he will be able to accomplish what Kira could not. He wants to be change the world… for the better… We will not allow this."

"My young friend… You are a much better detective… than I can ever hope to be... I shall assist you as best as I can in this investigation… but sincerely I think you have the intellect and skill to catch this Kira even if I were not helping…"

"Nonsense, Near… what I know I've learned from you and at Wammy's house. Even if what you say is true about your beliefs in my skills as an investigator, I don't think I would have ever been able to come this far had it not been for your teachings all these years. You are the real mind behind my intellect. Your legacy and that of L's is the reason for my being. That is the truth of my existence. Let us work together on this case, Near…"

Near coughed through his mask as he sat up and took his cup of tea. Once more he pulled the mask off to take a sip and then placed it back on the table. He turned to his young pupil and smiled. "Very well… O."

Raiden Ozaku had written over five hundred names in the first couple weeks. He had already made an interesting impression on the world. Everywhere rumors had begun to spread of the return of Kira. People were beginning to march the streets in celebration of the return of their God while others came out to voice their anger at Kira for killing people… Raiden's Kira had caused more turmoil in those first couple weeks.

"Ah a free day from school… what a relief… why you humans put yourself through that torture is beyond me."

"Today is my birthday Ryuk…" Raiden said with a grin as he stood up from bed. He was wearing blue jeans with no t-shirt on. His hair was a mess, although I suppose it would have looked attractive to a human girl considering Raiden was in quite good shape for his age. "Sixteen years of life… Starting today, I will begin the creation of a new world Ryuk…"

"Yeah okay, I'm going through withdrawal symptoms here…" I said as I flipped upside and twisted my legs. "Please Raiden… I was patient enough to wait till you woke up. Least you can do is help a guy out…"

"What is with you and apples?"

"I have a love hate relationship with them… I love to eat human apples. I hate the apples in the shinigami realm. Now if you're done interrogating me, will ya' give me a break? I haven't had a human apple in twenty-five years! No surprise I'm going crazy!"

"Fine," Rain replied, "come with me downstairs and I'll get you a damn apple!"

"Good. Now we're getting somewhere."

We walked downstairs. The two kids were watching television in the living room. Kyoko was in the kitchen. Damn it… Now I have to wait till we get back in the room. Raiden took a bowl of apples from the counter in the kitchen and turned to walk away. Unfortunately, my wait for Rain to get back to his room was prolonged when Kyoko noticed him.

"Good morning, Tiger. You're up before one o'clock on a day with no school. I'm shocked!"

"Kyoko… Not now. I'm tired." Raiden replied as he turned to walk away. "I may not be in school but I have very important exam tomorrow. I will be studying for most of the day. I expect you are going to be watching over the children until my father arrives today. He will arrive early today. So I suggest you do your job, leave me alone, and get on your way when he gets here."

"Well, I wanted to wish you happy birthday handsome." She said with a sarcastic tone in her voice. "Be nice and you might get a kiss ha! That or I can go wake Grandma Nataka, HAHA!"

As appealing as that kiss from you might be, Kyoko, I'm quite tempted to write your name in my notebook instead right now… he thought to himself as he started up the stairs. We had just reached the top of the stairs when Kyoko called out to him again this time with a sense of excitement in her tone.

"Rain, come down here quick! Look at this! Hurry! Raiden! It's your dad! He's holding a press conference! It is something about Kira!"

Raiden ran down, but not before tossing an apple that fell straight into my mouth. I munched on it happily before following him down the stairs into the living room where Kyoko and the kids sat watching on the couch.

"Doesn't your dad look so distinguished on television, guys?"

"Yeah!" said Rei and Juno together.

"What is this?" Raiden whispered to me.

"How should I know?" I said with a chuckle. I guess we drew them out… not bad…

Hmm… father… Raiden thought, trying to hide the smirk on his face… if he's part of the investigation, then this might work to my advantage…

"Is this the work of Kira, Senior Agent Ozaku?"

"Do you currently have any suspects?"

Is this the work of Kira? Is the ICPO looking into any leads?"

"Is Kira really back?"

"Please… As my friend Chief Taiko Fujimoto of the NPA has already explained, we are opening up a new investigation on the recently confirmed deaths of what we are now reporting to be around five hundred and twenty-two individuals around the world. We have reason to believe the culprit is acting in the name of one known as Kira and is considered extremely dangerous. I, Raito Ozaku, Senior Agent representing Japan have been chosen to work as a liaison for ICPO to assist the Japanese police in the investigation.
Once again, we have reason to believe that the culprit is acting in the name of one known as Kira… We also have started searching in other countries but we feel certain that he may be hiding here in Japan. I know perhaps some are wondering how we came to this conclusion. Simply put, the first fifty or so individuals were all from Japan. That is all I can say for now. More details may come to the public ear in time. To those watching at home, we ask that if you have any information you contact the Kira Investigation Unit here using the number provided on the bottom of the screen before you. Thank you."

"Sir, over here… Please, Agent Ozaku? Is the one known as N being sought out to assist in this investigation?"

"I can't answer that at this time… All I can say is that Kira will not return under my watch or anyone working beside me in this investigation... We will find you Kira… We will catch you… Your only hope is to turn yourself in before it is too late…"

"Where are you going, Rain?" asked Kyoko as she watched Raiden walk back up the stairs.

When we entered the room he closed the door, placed the bowl of apples on the bed, and walked to his desk by the window. He sat down and looked out the window, pausing for what seemed like forever. Of course, I simply helped myself to the apples. And then he started to chuckle menacingly, until finally the laugh became a crazy laughter.

"The ICPO are fools…" He laughed as he opened up the Death Note and turned on the television. He changed the channels with one hand while with the other he wrote down names of criminals and individuals who were speaking out against Kira on the news. "They're all idiots! No one will ever be able to catch me! No one will ever stop me! And I'll prove it to them!"

"What are you doing?" I asked as I rested on his bed. "There's no need to kill all these people…"

"It's fine Ryuk… I'm no fool. I know exactly what I'm doing! Let them squirm as they witness my judgment! The judgment of Kira! HAHA HA HA! None can stop me! None will dare!"

After a half hour of writing names, Raiden turned to me with an evil smile.

"So Ryuk… Tell me about N…?"

"What do you want to know?" I managed to say as I swallowed the last of the apples.

"Who is he?" Raiden asked as he took the empty bowl away from me. "Should I be concerned about him? Seeing as the reporter felt the need to ask about him, it is clear that he is perhaps someone I should deal with. Give me his name."

"Raiden, I like you kid. But no way am I doing that. I can, however, tell you yes. He is someone to be concerned about. After all, he did in a sense beat the other Kira at his own game… Course, needless to say, he was by that time very overly confident in himself. Then again, you don't have that problem at all. So I'm sure you'll be fine."

"So N was the one that caught Kira the last time… Good to know. Most likely he'll find himself in the investigation once more. I find it hard to believe he would pass up the opportunity to hunt down Kira again... Oh this is good, Ryuk. This is real good. He probably knows the location of the other notebooks. If I can just find out his name, I could manipulate him into bringing me… I mean us… the books… and then committing suicide afterwards. Hmm but how can I do that? I really can't count on your help can I?"

"Nope… I'm on the sidelines watching the first half with a box of popcorn… well, in this case apples… Like I said before, I just don't do the whole helping a human thing… it's just not me…"

"So I'm guessing if you see him, you aren't going to tell me it's him?"

"You are correct."

"Very well, I'll think of something... Damn, one o'clock! I told Aiyaka I'd take her shopping!"

"Oh your birthday? How generous of you Raiden…" I said to him as he quickly put on a black t-shirt and a black leather jacket on and grab a set of keys from his desk. "Aw… Girlfriend?"

We headed out his room and walked downstairs and out the door without as much as a glance at the children or Kyoko. When we got outside, he opened his garage and jumped on a black motorbike with flames on the sides and silver handles. I gotta say… I like this kid…