Author's Note: People have been asking me what the opening song to this fanfic would be. I believe it has to be Magenta Rain by Nanase Aikawa but the lyrics would be used in a sad, ironic manner.
Disclaimer: What You Never Know belongs to Sarah Brightman.
What you never know won't hurt you
What you never know won't lie
What you never know won't desert you
What you never know won't say goodbye...
from "What You Never Know" by Sarah Brightman.
Name 03: What She Never Knew
The Misora Household -One Year Ago-
"Goodness, Naomi-chan, you sure like to reinvent your life every few years."
"It really seems that way mother. I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize, I think as long as you're happy it's alright."
Naomi and her mother sat in the living room of her parents apartment on one sunny Friday afternoon. Naomi's mother prepared some green tea at the kitchenette for just the two of them to enjoy. Even though the apartment was woefully small, the furnishings were nice, clean and put away properly and the place was cozy and inviting. Naomi, for the most part, seemed a bit uneasy after announcing her engagement and intent to leave the FBI to her mother. It seemed like only yesterday she announced she was leaving for Quantico to be an agent in this very spot. "So tell me about him, what's he like?" her mother asked as she put the cups of hot tea on the table. She sat beside her daughter as she took a picture out of her purse. It's a picture that was taken when her and Raye were at a pier side market they liked to visit on weekends. He didn't want his picture taken but Naomi insisted it was high time to have a couples photo. It went on to become Raye's favorite picture.
"You did well for yourself, dear."
"Oh mother, please." Naomi sported a goofy grin as she brushed a long strand of hair from her face.
"I'm assuming you both are planning on having a family."
"The whole leaving the FBI thing gave me away?" Naomi sighed as she stirred her tea.
"His kind face looks like the type who would want to support his family well." which Naomi read as 'He looks like a traditional alpha male'.
"I met him through work, and he's considering asking for a department transfer."
"That's good to hear. Whenever I'm playing pachinko with my girlfriends we talk about men all time especially when someone re-marries. It's a little strange to have a discussion about this in my own house." Naomi's mother laughed a little while Naomi just gave a small grin.
"Go ahead and ask me then."
"Oh, what?"
"Anything."
"Tell me about his favorite things. That's a good way to see if you really know him."
"Ah, the old green card test. Let's see. He's a big fan of Queen though he'll never tell his fellow co-workers that. Innuendo and Who Wants To Live Forever are his favorite songs. I personally bought three Greatest Hits CD's for him and all I ever hear when he's working at home is Bohemian Rhapsody. His favorite dish is sweet and sour chicken and even when we go out to a five star Chinese restaurant he'll order that like it was going out of style."
"Sounds like your father and his preoccupation with salmon."
"Exactly. Raye's says when you've found something good you stick with it." Both women laughed softly. Naomi's mother drank her tea and waited for her daughter to continue. "Hmm, what else? Oh! When it gets around winter time or when we're in a cold climate area he has these very loud sweaters he likes to wear. Lime green, construction orange, sometimes plaid and purple. He says it's in case of a blizzard or something it's so people can find him. I tried buying new ones at Sears--that's a department store--' she added at her mother's questioning look 'and he wears them for a little bit then he goes back to those awful colored ones."
"Maybe they have special significance to him?"
"They must because he dresses just fine the rest of time. His favorite sports he likes watching are lacrosse and soccer and I have a satellite in my apartment just so he can watch the extra games they won't put on cable. When we were still dating he joked that he would someday try to find a way to combine soccer and lacrosse into one sport." And by 'dating' she meant 'lying naked in bed after an all day sex marathon', but she discreetly left that part out. Naomi took a sip of her tea. "I hope Raye and father get along well."
"I think you passed the hardest hurdle so far. Your father is rather laid back as far as relationships go." She then gave a smirk. "Of course, your father also wanted to ship you off to a convent." Naomi gave a rough, un-ladylike snort.
"I don't see the reason why. I was a good girl all throughout school."
"He called it a preemptive strike."Naomi broke out in a fit of giggles. Her mother smiled at seeing her normally tense daughter relax.
-Present Day-
Flammende Rose presented itself more like a trendy nightclub than an upscale restaurant. The lighting had a soft dark blue tint to it and there was this metallic theme that ran throughout the place. A small crowd of twenty-somethings congregated at the bar laughing and flirting. Edward amused himself by looking at an aquarium with his ghostly presence unnoticed by everyone except for Light. Light, in spite his age, actually did not look out of place thanks to his clothing decisions made earlier that afternoon. Raye had a regular businessman look to him and when the drinks were poured and menus taken, they started in earnest.
"So Mr. Penber, how may I help you?" Light spoke in perfect English. He brimmed with straight forward confidence and this thew Raye's perception a little bit.
"Let me start by saying I never expected to see Chief Yagami's son in an issue of 51 Report while waiting on an airplane."
"Father would have to agree with that statement."
"Are your alleged abilities a sore spot with your family?"
"You could say that. My father doesn't want to believe it even though the proof is overwhelming in my favor. My mother pretends nothing is wrong and my sister is scared of me. All of them saw my...talent...on many different occasions."
"I don't really want to believe this metaphysical stuff myself, but I'm at wits end about a situation I'm in right now. If you could do even a cold reading..."
"If you wanted a cold reading, why not ask a profiler then?" Light thought he should be offended by the con artist implication but he was curious in what personal problems a foreign government agent could want his power for. Professional problems were something he could understand as the Kanto region's cold case files began to be solved at an astounding rate thanks to his behind the scenes efforts. Dead men tell the best tales, after all. Ryuk didn't think so, but Light never put much stock in what Ryuk (or anyone else) thought. After some quiet thought by both men Penber gently brought Light to the here and now.
"Certain members of my extended family may be in some kind of distress."
"Distress? As in paranormal distress?" Light asked. Raye sighed and looked hesitant to say more.
"I...guess. I don't know what to believe any more. This situation is so fouled up, it's just..."
"Wait. Why don't we back up and start your story from the beginning, shall we? Don't worry about sounding strange or foolish. I'll help even if it's a totally normal situation that develops. Not everything has to be supernaturally related, sometimes the strangest situations can be resolved by ordinary means." Light's personal charisma made him seem ten times more mature than many adults Raye worked with on a daily basis. This set off a warning bell in Raye's mind, but as to what he was afraid of, it was some unknown quality he couldn't articulate. It only felt as if Light Yagami was on a completely different mental level than he was comfortable with and that really bothered him. Genius notwithstanding.
"Such maturity! Your father should be happy with you."
"Sometimes he is."
"Very well, Mr. Yagami. The problem I have is..."
"I believe Yagami and Penber have a meeting together in the restaurant and it's not of an illicit nature. Correction. Probability of a clandestine, illicit rendezvous is at five percent." L stated. Naomi just rolled her eyes.
"Okay, I believe the non-illicit part of this but what could Raye possibly want from an alleged psychic medium?"
"Mediumship is only a part of Yagami's life, there is also the genius factor to consider, and the law enforcement factor to consider as well." L said while still staking out the front door of the restaurant from his van. However, it might very well be the spiritual mediumship that is the primary factor. My sincerest hope is to be wrong about this factor though because...
"I think we should go in." Naomi said interrupting L's thoughts.
"We don't have reservations." L replied. Naomi could tell he was stalling but she didn't understand why.
"We'll just say we're with Raye, Ryuzaki-san." L bit the flat side of his palm for a brief while then looked directly at Naomi.
"As you wish." L said as he opened up the back door and let Naomi out first. "Please wait for us around the corner." L said to the driver.
"Sure thing."
"Would you be so kind as to set up the DVD player while I'm gone?"
"No problem...um, mister?" The driver asked.
"Yes?" L replied not even sparing a glance up front.
"Never mind, everything will be set up in a few minutes."
"Thank you." I think I know what you were going to ask. I don't have an answer yet. L thought as he hopped out of the van and shuffled along the sidewalk in his usual manner, getting all kinds of strange looks from ordinary people.
"May I present a roasted rack of lamb with rosemary along with the sweet and sour chicken." The waiter announced proudly as he took the lid off the steaming hot dishes.
"Ah, the chicken is mine." Raye said as he and Light immediately put their linen napkins on their laps. The waiter placed a large plate of sweet and sour chicken on a bed of rice in front of Raye.
"This looks splendid!" Light exclaimed as the waiter put a rack of lamb in front of Light. The scent of the meat made Light very hungry. As he began to eat his gourmet meal, a secret, childish part of his mind he kept hidden from public view made him feel very much like an a adult. A full grown adult instead of a high schooler constantly trying to pass himself off as a mature, serious person. Which is when Edward stood beside their table as the waiter took his leave.
"I haven't ate in about a month. Does that taste good?" Edward asked. Light ignored him as he began to cut into his lamb with a knife. "I'm bored. I'm not hungry or thirsty anymore and no one talks to me."
"Pass the salt please."
"Sure thing, Mr. Yagami."
"Hey! I'm RIGHT HERE!" But Light kept on ignoring the little boy. "Oh, I get it. You don't want to sound crazy in front of your sugar daddy. Why did you ask me to come along if you were just going on a subsidized date?" Light was sorely tempted to ask Edward where he heard those adult (and to Light, offensive) terms from but otherwise held his tongue. A couple of minutes passed and Light was buttering some fresh bread rolls. "You're no fun! I'm gonna mess with both of you now!" Edward huffed. Here we go. Light thought as Edward leaned over and blew out the candle that was on the side of the table.
"That's strange." Raye said as he saw the candle snuffed out for no reason.
"Edward, knock it off." Light mildly rebuked.
"Excuse me?" Raye asked. Edward then saw a spare napkin folded in a peacock design on the table. He promptly batted it off with his hand sending it falling to the floor.
"Edward, that's enough. I'm sorry, there was this lost child on the train and I said it was alright to come with me." Light said. Raye was quietly calming himself so not to get up and run.
"As in a ghost?"
"I belive the term is "earthbound spirit". I had been using the term "revenant" for a bit, but I found out that usually applies to a corpse that comes out of its grave. Disgusting, huh?"
"I..I'm sure." Of course, Raye couldn't see Edward but both displays Edward did were visible.
"Hey, my body is still in its same place so there's no 'Biohazard' business going on!" Edward sounded like he was going to go into a tantrum.
"Now that I'm paying attention to you, is there anything you wanted to say?" Light deliberately talked down to Edward. This was a ploy. Earthbound Spirits by their very nature are restless creatures holding on to an emotional attachment on the material plane. Light knew from experience if a spirit got angry enough they could affect people and objects on the material plane but couldn't otherwise if they were content. As a matter of fact, if a spirit got content enough it would be free to cross over to the other side on its own power. What Light hoped to accomplish is to present solid proof of his abilities so Agent Penber would believe the things he was saying and not just follow him around with guarded scepticism.
"Yeah! Pay attention to me!" Edward crossed his arms.
"Why not entertain us?" Light asked hoping that whatever Edward would do wouldn't cause too big of scene. Raye looked uncomfortable. Light smirked. Even if they couldn't see earthbound spirits on a regular basis many people could certainly feel their presence. For the most part it felt like being blindfolded in a room with a stranger. The same fear, unease and quiet panic.
"Hmph, don't want to."
"Don't be that way, I'm sorry I ignored you."
"Fine. I'll juggle!" Edward declared as he snatched one of Light's bread rolls. Light panicked a bit as that was too outrageous for a public display. Raye saw the roll yanked into the air and Light pulling it back just as quickly and now he was feeling really uncomfortable. As if the floor wasn't a floor anymore and in its place was a glass bottom over a pit of spikes.
"I'm sorry, we're probably scaring you right now." Light tried to calm himself down as the situation was fast becoming uncontrollable. None of the other patrons were paying attention to them yet. Unfortunately at that very moment Light received a sign. On the table appeared a single raven that started to peck at their eaten food and squawked around making a general ruckus.
"Are you okay, kid?" Raye asked. When Light took a second look the table was normal again.
"Yeah. Did I freak you out?"
"Random flying objects always scare me in my line of work."
"Hey, that's true!" both men then started to laugh. That's right, let's ease the tension up, give him the "everything will be okay" look...Light then flashed a warm smile seemingly on command. "You're taking this quite calmly. I thought you'd bolt out of here faster than a shinkansen if you saw any paranormal activity."
"Can't say I'm too comfortable, but if we are to resolve my family situation I guess I'll have to get comfortable." Raye drank his wine down a little faster.
Naomi and L then very abruptly arrived at the table, with Edward moving aside.
"There you are! Look, I'm not really mad or a least as mad as I should be. You haven't called me or anything over the past few weeks. Just tell me what's going on so we can work this out." Naomi said sternly and with restraint as she tried not to call too much attention to themselves on a private matter. Raye had a look of unvarnished horror on his face when he saw Naomi. Light had a rattled expression on his face too. Neither one noticed L as of yet. "You shouldn't try and hide things from me, you know. I was in the FBI, once." Naomi said. To Raye, it felt as if all the sound in the place escaped and the two of them existed in some kind of vacuum. Only Light's voice reached him.
"I take it that this is Naomi, then?"
"Y-yes..."
"Oh, hello. You're Light Yagami, correct?" Naomi asked.
"How did you know?"
"Er...well, you see..."
"I'm a writer for OMNI magazine. I heard that you specialize in contacting paranormal entities." L stated. Both Raye and Light just now noticed L's presence.
"How do you know Naomi then?" Raye asked curiosity overriding his fears.
"Oh! This is Ryuzaki, he and I worked together on a case once, remember?" Naomi said introducing L.
"I thought you worked on that case with some guy named L?"
"Ah..."
"No, this was a case involving ritualistic suicides." L interrupted covering for Naomi.
"I see." Raye viewed L with a mistrust and hostility that, quite frankly, L was used to.
"But what I want to know is why do you need to talk with a medium and why would you keep it a secret? I mean, America has no shortage of that type of person."
"Forgive me for interrupting you, but I just want to say at this time both of us were discussing you." Light said. Raye then broke out in a cold sweat.
"That's...that's right." Penber looked like he was ready to vomit. L went right beside Light and sat feet up over in the chair with horrendous posture. L then helped himself to a jar of honey that was brought with Light's bread basket. Light noticed all of this but chose not to say anything. Disgusting. This person is some kind of joke. People like him don't exist outside a bad teen 'issues' novel or something. Light honestly thought L was abusing cocaine or something similar and that he wore his long sweatshirt to cover the track marks. White sweatshirt?? Wait...
"Me? Why would you two discuss me for? Come on Raye, what's going on?" Raye looked away from Naomi. "Hey, it can't that bad! I'm here now so fess up!" Now Raye, Light and L weren't looking at Naomi. "Ryuzaki-san, do you know what's going on?"
"At least they're talking to you now lady! Those two were trying to ignore me for a while there." Edward spoke up.
"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't see you!" Naomi said looking at Edward. "Why are you at such a grown up place?"
"Bored. Nothing else to do."
"Aren't your parents worried about you?"
"Don't know yet."
"Naomi, who are you talking to?" Raye asked.
"Who am I talking to? Isn't it obvious?" Naomi asked. Light had a pained look.
"Misora-san, it appears that you are talking to yourself." L said not even looking up from his honey bear.
"Don't be silly, Ryuzaki-san there is a little boy right beside me."
"Lady, don't you know..." Edward started.
"Ah! I think Mr. Penber should be the one tell her!" Light cut in.
"Tell me what? You guys are scaring me a little right now. Like you're all part of some vast conspiracy that just formed two seconds ago."
The minutes ticked by slowly. Some people at the bar laughed. Another couple at a different table had a baked Alaska brought to them. L now saw little tubs of grape jelly off to the side and began eating them and the jar of honey. Light carefully moved his seat away from L but L noticed the movement. A few more moments ticked by slow and painfully. Light likened it to blood flowing in the veins of a human body.
"Damn it! What's this about?" Naomi demanded letting her anger finally show. Raye took another shot of wine and was hoping the waiter would interrupt them. No such luck.
"Naomi...don't you know that..." A sign which arrived as the sound of a man screaming in agony interrupted him. Light, Naomi and Edward got startled.
"Is there some kind of problem?" L asked while pouring a packet of sugar in the mini tub of jelly on top of the honey that was already in there, hoping this situation with his Naomi would resolve soon. The whole affair profoundly disturbed him on many levels.
"Did you hear that?" Naomi asked going on alert.
"Hear what?" Raye asked.
"I did!" Light said. "It sounded like a man screaming."
"I heard nothing." L stated plainly.
"No one asked you." Light replied already rather agitated with this outsider.
"That was my dad! Gosh, they must of told him what happened! Listen, it was good talking to you Yagami-san but I need to see if he needs me or not."
"What are you talking about?" Naomi asked bewildered.
"They found my body, I guess." Edward then floated up through the ceiling much to Naomi's astonishment. Light put his hand over his face as he felt downcast while Raye and L didn't know what the hell was going on since Naomi and Light seemed to be having a one-sided conversation. Unfortunately, the current situation got exacerbated when Edward accidently passed through the sprinkler system as he left the building, triggering it.
So Light's party was, at this moment, moody, tense and soaking wet.
Edward saw his father in an absolute mortified hysteria with the police officers trying to restrain him and offer comfort. Edward didn't know what to do about it since his father couldn't see or hear him. He never saw his father like this before. Not even when he was angry at Edward for something bad he did. It was a side of him he didn't know.
At approximately 9:00 PM in the back of a white van, an engaged couple confronted a stark reality. A reality which meant a life that could not be shared together. L is very meticulous about his daily life which almost borders on paranoia. That meant his hotel room was constantly under 24 hour video surveillance. The recorded disc showed L talking to himself along with a vase falling over and breaking by itself, and a door opening and closing by itself. Magazines floating in the air, laptops being used and reports printed out by themselves could also be seen on the disc.
No one else could hear Naomi's screaming and cursing at the other three men in the van with her.
What the outside world did take notice of is the fact that all of the street lamps and car windows in the surrounding area shattered spontaneously coupled with the sound of many, many car alarms being set off at once.
Later, the news would go on to report this as a terrorist act. L simply thought of it as grief.
