Ryuk was enjoying his decision to hang around Misa. Not at that exact moment, as she was shopping and he'd gone through his stash of apples already, but in general.
The little blonde woman wasn't as stupid as a first impression might give you, he was learning. Stubborn ignorance described it better. He thought it was even more interesting that Rem, of all people -well, not people, but you know- was caught up in everything too.
Most of the time she followed Misa like a shadow, the exception being when the girl was talking to other squealing human girls and when she was being purposely annoying.
Which she seems to be perfect at, he thought, wondering if Misa actually ever did anything purposely after all. Buying apples, he concluded, answering his own question with a raspy breath of a laugh.
That brought him back to the situation. Misa had explained that she needed something more modest to wear to the funeral.
"All of my clothes are too revealing for the... event," she'd admitted with chagrin. That had made Ryuk laugh too. Why dress up to put someone in a hole? It sounded ridiculous to him. Then again, that's why humans are so interesting. They do the strangest, most ridiculous things...
His thoughts flashed to Light. Even with Misa talking about him almost every chance she got, Ryuk didn't think of him much. Just a clip in the past, already. But for a second, the shinigami thought about him again.
It would have been fun to watch L try to get enough evidence to catch Light. Especially since Light thought he was so tricky. Misa's turn now, I guess. He chuckled again at the memory of the teenager's eyes nearly glowing when he thought he'd won against L, when in reality the game hadn't even started. That was more interesting than this part, at least, he told himself, watching Misa pay for a black thing she had slung over her arm and a pair of black shoes dangling from her hand.
He'd have to remind her to get apples on the way home. That would annoy Rem. He grinned at the scowling shinigami who stood only three feet away from their human attachment.
Watari opened the door and Matsuda burst in, panting like he'd run to the hotel. "Ryuzaki!"
Probably did, L realized. "Yes?"
"Have you seen the news? It's about-" the flustered younger detective blushed when he saw the four small televisions, all turned to some news station, although each was talking about the same thing.
The killings. Kira was killing twice as many criminals as before, two to every hour instead of one. The media was speculating all over it.
"Kira. Yes, I've been watching for a while," L confirmed. He continued, "You may join me if you like. Watari, please get Matsuda something to drink before he passes out."
The most dreadful part of L's bad mood had passed, even though a disturbing new piece had added itself to the case. Matsuda sat down on a chair gratefully, mopping his hand across his forehead.
"Do you have any idea why?" he asked. "Why Kira, or the Second Kira, would double the number of criminals he's killing?"
I was hoping he'd have figured it out too. Or maybe at least have some theory, rather than rely on me, L thought this with a taint of bitterness, but answered calmly. "I believe we're now dealing with yet another Kira."
Matsuda sat in silence. Watari set a glass of ice water on the arm of his chair and disappeared.
"It would support the theory of the Second taking out the First. Now, it seems that maybe the Second has shared his or her powers and extened the entire business. Two Kiras, twice the number of criminals, but less thought behind the decisions. It's also the pattern I don't think the original Kira would have broken," he explained, putting his thumb to his mouth and looking at the younger man.
Matsuda pursed his lips. "I can see why that would make sense..." he began slowly.
L waited.
"But I still don't see why the Second would have killed the First. I thought he was in love with Kira. Are you sure he's not just trying to trick us?" he took a long gulp of the water.
In love with Kira... when you put it that way... I think the Second is almost surely female, L's lips twiched. I knew you could be useful, Matsuda.
Matsuda's eyes narrowed. I know I'm not as smart as him, but is he really laughing at me? he thought, not missing the hinted smile on the other detective's face.
"You're right. It's possible it's a trick... but what trick would it be? All that's changed is the amount of death," L mused.
"Could be a threat," Matsuda murmured. "Kira's definitely not above that."
L nearly smiled again. "I've considered that as well. Thank you, Mister Matsuda. You've been more helpful than you must realize. I'll... I'll see you tomorrow." He swallowed thickly.
Matsuda nodded and stood up. "Have a nice evening, Ryuzaki," he hesitated, then went on, "Maybe you should try to get a little more sleep tonight." He also waved at Watari, who closed the door behind him.
L considered that for a moment then nodded to himself. Sleep would be nice if my body would cooperate. Do I really look that bad? He sighed and went back to watching the repetitive stories swirling around the different channels, the anchors never leaving the startling subject of Kira's new tactic for more than a few minutes.
A/N: Now, I really hope the story will pick up the pace. Most of what's happened so far has been slow-going becuase I've been trying to establish the little things, but the next chapter will be the funeral, where L and Misa meet. I'm also trying to give Soirchiro a bigger part in the story; working to prove Light's innocence. Well, ciao for now, my darling readers. Reviewers get cookies~!
