Itsumo eyes open with a snap and she quickly looks around. She sighs in relief when she finds that she can breathe.

'It's starting to get uncomfortable living here. He tried to kill me. Then he asked me out. What is going on?'

"Itsumo?"

She jumps and quickly turns around.

"Naraku, you startled me." she says breathlessly.

"I apologize." He says sincerely.

"There is no need for an apology."

Itsumo walks out of the room and Naraku follows.

"Could you not follow me? I'm going to go get a shower and I'd prefer you staying here." Itsumo requests in firm tone.

"Alright."

Ryuk floats over to Naraku.

"I can't stand Light." Naraku says as if Light isn't there.

"Just floating here watching him is boring." Naraku says gloomily.

"It's better than sitting in the Shinigami Realm."

"That's true. At least Sidoh isn't here."

Light wakes up after a dreamless and rejuvenating slumber.

An hour later, Itsumo walks in and begins combing her unruly hair. Light notices the bruise that has formed on her throat.

'Is she just ignoring what happened yesterday?'

"Light, did anyone ever tell you that you are peculiar?" she asks when she notices that Light is awake.

'That's an odd question.' Light thinks.

"No. Why do you ask?"

"You are different than most people."

"How so?" Light masks his annoyance well.

"You just are. Maybe you're deeper than they are. Perhaps it's because you're the prime suspect of the Kira case. Is it possible that you are odd simply because you actually are Kira?" she wonders aloud.

Itsumo checks her watch. It's 7:45 now. She stands up.

"I'm going for a walk. Will you join me?" Itsumo asks suddenly.

'It's all about the plan. Once I get close enough, I'll be able to stop him.'

Light agrees.

'I'll get Itsumo's trust and murder her when the time is right.'

"Where are we going?"

"Bakura's grave."

"Why do you want me to come with you?" He asks coolly.

"I want you to."

Itsumo is bending the truth, but she isn't completely lying.

Light smirks to himself. He feels that he has moved a few steps closer in achieving his ultimate goal. He notes that Itsumo is wearing all black today.

On the way to Bakura's grave site, Itsumo buys six black and six yellow roses.

"Black and yellow were his favorite colors. Roses were his favorite and are my favorite flower."

Light chooses not to respond. He can see through Itsumo's mask of carelessness and can tell that she still grieves over the death.

They reach the grave and Itsumo kneels in front of it. She bows her head in prayer and does not speak.

The two stay there in silence. Light is unaffected by her air of sadness.

"Did you specify Bakura's time of death?"

"Why does it matter?"

"Please, just tell me." She murmurs.

"I just wrote his name down, why?"

Itsumo sighs.

"He had a heart-attack during my birthday party. He was like a second brother to me. I told him everything. Bakura even knew things about me that I never told anyone else, not even L. Light, his eyes glazed over and closed for the last time when I was holding him. Have you ever seen a dead body? Have you ever checked for a pulse in vain? That is what Kira put me through. Is that an example of what this so-called perfect world will be like for me?" Her voice wavers and she bites her lip.

Itsumo is being far more open than she usually would. Light wonders why he even cares about what she has to say or why he feels even the slightest bit of pity for his worst enemy's best ally.

"I miss him so much."

"Stop crying. You shouldn't cry over Bakura." Light says coldly.

Itsumo remains kneeling and silent. New questions fill her mind.

She sees Light kneel next to her from the corner of her eye.

"Don't be so depressed." His voice is cold but his eyes seem warm.

Perhaps it is only an illusion.

"You still don't care about his death." Her voice is quiet.

Her dark eyes are closed tightly. Light looks down at her and wonders what else she keeps locked away in her mind.

'What I'm about to do will definitely be to my advantage.' He thinks.

Light puts an arm around Itsumo's shoulders.

Itsumo hesitates momentarily then leans into Light. To anyone walking by, it would appear that Light and Itsumo are a caring couple. However, they are both adept at deceiving and manipulating emotions.

'He's so cold. If I couldn't hear his heartbeat, I'd think he was a walking corpse. Even if it beats, his heart must be as icy his body. As Kira, he should be acting this way to gain my trust and murder me. However, I mustn't forget that Light has emotions and that I need to get him to trust me so he won't be able to kill. I want to find out if he is acting as Kira or Light at this moment.'

Want is not a word that should be in Itsumo's mind at this moment. No, Itsumo should be thinking about what she needs to do and how it is imperative that she keeps her own life, her own secrets and emotions, as far away from Kira as possible. She needs to wear a cloak of mystery around Light, whether she wants to or not.

'The last time he was this close I almost died. If I move away, he'll know what I'm thinking. I need to keep my plan for his downfall as my top priority. I can't allow myself to fail.'

"You're shaking." Light notes.

"I'm cold." She lies.

Light realizes that Itsumo always seems to be shivering. She always appears to be anxious.

"You're scared, aren't you?"

Itsumo closes her eyes and he inhales shakily. She hopes the tremor goes unnoticed. Unfortunately, it does not.

"Why are you frightened?"

Light is getting an unholy high from Itsumo's fear.

"I told you, I'm cold. I have nothing to be afraid of." Her voice is low and deceitful, but it does not quiver.

Itsumo stands up briskly. Light rises to his feet as well.

'If I continue being kind, how will she respond? Gratitude? Malice? Confusion?'

"If you're cold, why don't you wear my jacket?" He says while extending said article of clothing.

It's the same jacket he wore on the day he killed Naomi Misora.

'I don't want to wear it.'

She puts on the jacket and blinks when the sleeves pass her hands. Light suppresses an amused laugh at how small Itsumo is compared to him.

'I'm much more powerful than her.'

"This jacket is warm. I appreciate it." Her tone holds no trace of gratitude.

'This jacket smells like vanilla cologne. Why is he being like this?'

"You are also peculiar, Itsumo."

Itsumo tilts her head slightly and wonders why Light chose to say that now.

"Why do you think that?"

"You never try to fit in. It isn't normal."

"People can be infuriating and I have come to find that I prefer being alone." She says coldly.

"If you prefer solitude, then why are you always with me?" Light portrays no emotion.

"You don't seem to mind. Truth be told, your body language suggests that you enjoy my company." Itsumo says.

Even though her voice is blank, her eyes flash with what could be interpreted as a mischievous or playful glint. Whatever that glint was, it quickly disappears before being noticed.

"If that's the case, then you enjoy spending time with me." His voice is emotionless and calm.

A silence envelopes the two young adults and Itsumo peers at Light with bottomless eyes.

'He seems relaxed with me now. Knowing his personality, Light is probably very tense. His exterior display usually contradicts what is actually going through his mind.'

"This cemetery is very cold. I'm going to go buy some coffee. I haven't had one yet this morning." She says abruptly.

Itsumo turns on her heel and begins to walk away.

'Every time I mention something that may be uncomfortable for her, she walks away. What would happen if she was put in such a situation and she couldn't escape the question? What if it happened while she and I were with the rest of the task force?'

Light smirks as he hatches a plan. He walks back to his house to get another jacket.

Itsumo continues decides to walk aimlessly instead of getting coffee. She wanders into an unfamiliar park.

"Naraku?" She asks when she is sure that Light is out of earshot.

"Hn?"

"You've always been so nice to me and you always help me. Why is that, Naraku?"

Itsumo keeps her voice low so nobody can hear her.

"The previous owner of your Death Note would have wanted me to. He cared about you very much. Besides, you've been nice to me so I might as well return the favor."

He tugs on his collar.

"Who owned the notebook before me?"

"I can't tell you because I promised him that I wouldn't mention his name."

Unlike some shinigami, Naraku tries not to break promises. However, he will break rules if it is necessary.

"I see. I wonder what it would be like if you were a human."

Naraku, who has never thought of that scenario, runs his fingers through his hair as he thinks.

"It would definitely be an interesting time." He says with an amused chortle.

Itsumo smiles slightly.

'That's what I thought he would say.'

"Sometimes, I wish I could be a shinigami."

"Why would you want to do that?"

"I could always protect the ones that I care about."

"No. You couldn't. Even shinigami can't protect loved ones."

Naraku looks at the sky with an unreadable expression.

"Why couldn't I? I would be able to kill anyone who put them in danger."

"It isn't like that, Itsumo! Shinigami have rules too. One of those rules forbids us from extending a human's lifespan. If a god of death were to break that rule, that shinigami would turn to dust."

"So, they would die?"

Naraku nods solemnly.

"That's so sad. How can you live without loving anyone?" She asks quietly.

"There isn't anything in the rules against a shinigami caring about someone."

Itsumo look at the ground and then up at Naraku.

"That must be unbearable to see a loved one being hurt and not being able to help."

"You would know."

"What?"

Itsumo hears him well enough, but she doesn't quite understand what he means.

"The people you love are being torn apart. I know that you see it. This Kira issue is hurting both L and Kira himself. It's ripping them in half because they both risk something important. They try to suffer in silence, but I know that you hear it. You can hear their mute screaming even if they wear stoic masks. I know that it tears you apart that you can't do anything right now.

If you eliminate Kira, you would have to tell L about the Death Note and your involvement with it. To eliminate L, you would have to kill him and I know that you would never do that. You want to alleviate their suffering. You accept both of them and all of the baggage that will come along with it.

Both Kira and L will need someone to hold them close in their time of dying when their masks are cracking. You know that you're the only one who really cares about what happens to either of them. The task force only cares about L because of his prestige. They don't know L Lawliet. The Kira supporters only care about Kira because of his murders. They don't know Light Yagami. You know L and Kira. You know who they really are, and you really care about their fate.

Despite what you tell others, you want to be the person they run to in their times of need. You want to be the person they call out to when their stoic masks, their lives, and their worlds are shattering. You may not be in love with them, but you do care for them. You don't want them to hurt anymore."

Naraku's voice is filled with understanding. He knows what it's like to love someone and not be able to help. When Bakura died, Naraku vowed to never let rules get in his way again.

Itsumo's eyes widen then close.

"Are you upset?" Naraku asks quietly.

Itsumo sits on a swing and softly drags her foot through the dirt.

"I haven't been sleeping well. Last night, I had a dream that a man with brownish hair and silken black wings was bleeding to death from gunshot wounds. I was holding him and he was crying. We were on a stairway and his breathing became more ragged than it already was. In his last moments, the black wings disintegrated and I heard him sob. I couldn't see his face because he had his head resting on my chest. After he died, my brother walked toward the stairway. He told me that it was over and thanked me for always being there. Then, the dead man literally turned into ashes and was whisked away by a sudden gust of wind." Itsumo murmurs.

Although she portrays no outward expression, her eyes seem laced with perturbation and her face is unusually pallid.

She sighs and walks over a set monkey bars.

"I wonder if I can still do this." She muses aloud.

Itsumo grasps a bar and pulls herself up. She slowly climbs onto top of the bars and hooks her legs around one. She slowly drops down and hangs upside down from the equipment.

"I guess I haven't lost this trivial ability. I remember that L never liked it when I did this while I was in Wammy's House. He always said that I should be more productive with my time." She says to no one in particular.

Naraku scratches the back of his head.

"I thought you were a young child there."

"I was."

"Aren't young children supposed to play on playgrounds?"

"Not at Wammy's. They wanted us to be just like L, so we never had time. I never wanted to be his clone. Near and Mello are the ones who wanted to be like L. I wanted to be an author and write about nonfiction cases, like the one in L.A with the Wara Ningyo. However, that is not what I was raised to do."

"How do you really feel about Light?" Naraku asks suddenly.

"I don't feel like talking about him."

A woman passing by the park gives Itsumo a strange look and is promptly ignored.

'The blood is rushing to my head. I need to get off of these monkey bars.'

Itsumo slowly turns herself upright and drops to the ground. She notices Misa walking her way and decides to greet her.

"Misa! How have you been? I haven't talked with you in while." She says while faking a smile.

"I've been doing great! I just went shopping the other day and brought this outfit. Does it look okay?"

"Of course it does."

'I hate people who fish for compliments.' Itsumo thinks.

"Is that Light's jacket?"

"He let me borrow it. Misa, do you want to go get some coffee? It's my treat."

'I should strike a friendship with her as well. If I don't, she might kill me. After all, she is the second Kira and she has the eyes.'

"Sure." Misa says with a smile.

The two young women begin walking to the nearest cafe.

"Misa, do you believe in God?" Itsumo asks quietly.

"Of course I believe in Kira. Don't you?"

"God would never take away a human's life. Anyone who does so will go to Hell."

"People who use the note can't go to Heaven or Hell." Misa says.

"I believe that's a lie. I have a firm belief in my religion and according to the commandments, I will burn in Hell for eternity unless I apologize for my sins."

Itsumo is not sorry about the people she has killed. She only has pity for their relatives.

"Then just pretend to be sorry."

"It doesn't work like that. God always knows whether or not a person regrets their transgressions."

"So you're saying that if you do wrong, God will know and punish you?"

"In a way, yes."

"That's what Kira is doing. He is taking the evil people away to make a better world."

'I need to be careful about insulting Kira in front of her. Even if she is dimwitted, she can still end my life.'

"I suppose you're right." Itsumo lies.

"Why did Light let you wear his jacket anyway? It's not like you're his girlfriend or anything."

No one thought to inform Misa.

"Light and I are going out, but I'm not his, nor is he mine. People are not items that can be possessed."

Itsumo's slight bitterness goes undetected.

"Why didn't either of you tell me?" Misa whines.

"It isn't important and it has nothing to do with Kira, so I didn't think that you would care to know."

'I'm glad that I can spin lies quickly. That's one thing Wammy's House taught me.'

The two walk into a building called Yuki's Cafe and take a seat farthest from the counter. They both order.

"Misa, who's your favorite band or singer?"

'Music can tell a lot about a person. If she likes violent music, her true personality will probably be violent as well.' Itsumo thinks.

"I like Gackt. How about you?"

"My favorite band is The All-American Rejects."

"I've never heard of them."

Itsumo takes her Mp3 player from her purse.

"Listen to this. It's called Move Along."

Misa takes the player and listens to the song.

So a day when you've lost yourself completely
Could be a night when your life ends
Such a heart that will lead you to deceiving
All the pain held in your
Hands are shaking cold
Your hands are mine to hold

Misa hands the player back to Itsumo.

"I don't understand what they're saying." Misa says with a pout.

"They're an English speaking band."

"You can speak English?"

"I can speak Japanese, English, and French. My brother taught me French and I learned English in school." Itsumo says quietly.

She isn't bragging. Itsumo assumed that Misa would ask how many languages she spoke and decided to answer her before it was asked.

"Have you ever been to France?"

"No, but I would love to move there if the opportunity should arise."

'That's definitely a lie. I actually prefer Japan to anywhere else. Besides, people I knew are buried here.' Itsumo thinks.

"Why don't you just go for a vacation there?"

'Damn her nosiness! I didn't think she would be this inquisitive. I underestimated her. I'll need to be more aware of what I say and gage her reactions better.'

"I don't have the money for that."

"Here's your order." The waitress says.

The waitress, having detected that she has interrupted a conversation, gives a meek smile and walks away.

"Why don't you jut ask your parents?" Misa asks.

"My parents are away on business in Germany. They won't be back for a while." Itsumo lies.

'It would be ironic if my parents actually were in Germany.'

"Oh. Why do you drink your coffee black?"

"Sugar is the reincarnation of an edible Satan."

Misa laughs.

"Seriously, why don't you like sugar?"

"I don't like getting hyper. Sugar and most other sweets usually have that effect on me."

'The last time I ate a sweet, Mello and I got into a fistfight over a chocolate bar. He won.'

"I can't picture you on a sugar high." Misa says through a giggle.

"You never will." Itsumo says with a forced smile.

Itsumo sips her coffee and tries to pay attention to Misa. Her mind begins wandering elsewhere.

'Bakura, L, Near, and Watari are the people that I would die for. They would all be so disappointed in me if they knew about my lost innocence. I wish that I could go back to being pure.'

"...Ryuga?"

"What were you saying, Misa?"

"I said, what do you think about the popstar Hideki Ryuga?"

"I don't listen to him."

Itsumo is clearly bored.

"Do you think he's cute?"

'I wish I could find a way to get her to be quiet.'

"No. I've seen cuter." Itsumo says evenly.

"Like Light?"

Itsumo takes a sip of coffee.

'He's way too neat. A little disorder never hurt anyone. I have to answer like Misa would expect his girlfriend to.'

"Of course I do. Do you?"

"Well..."

"Go on."

"Yes. I do." Misa says with a small blush.

"I guess we have something in common then." Itsumo says with another forced smile.

"You aren't mad?"

"Of course I'm not. I don't get upset over small things like that. So, how's you're acting going for you?"

Itsumo takes a large swig of her coffee.

'An actress is skilled at playing many roles, so, if Misa is the great actress most believe her to be, she should also be adept at fooling people. She will not fool me.'

"It's so fun!" Misa exclaims happily.

"I've seen a movie you were in you're good at it."

'I don't even know the name of any of the movies she's been in.'

Misa smiles.

"Thanks."

Naraku and Rem float around the cafe. Naraku contemplates what will happen if he throws a menu at a random, unsuspecting person. He chortles to himself but decides against doing it.

Itsumo tries to sip more of her coffee. She frowns slightly when she realizes that there is none left. Her phone rings and Itsumo checks the ID.

"Hello?"

"Are you alone?"

"I'm at the cafe with Misa."

"Who are you talking to?" Misa asks.

'I don't like her at all. She's so nosy.'

"My brother."

"Ryuuga?" Misa asks.

"Yes."

"Itsumo, is this line secure?"

"The line itself is, but..." Itsumo trails off.

"I understand. Just listen. A man has contacted Eraldo Coil and is trying to track you down. You aren't in any immediate danger. However, it may be possible that this man will track you down himself or has already begun following you."

Itsumo thinks back to the cemetery.

'When they tried to mug me, were they actually trying to get rid of me? What reason would they have? What have I done to them? What if I killed their family member? That would be a motive.' Itsumo thinks worriedly.

"The man's name is Haji Yamada. I'll send you a picture of him. You mustn't let anyone know about what I've just told you or see his picture. Understand?"

"Yes."

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

A minute or so later, Itsumo's phone vibrates. She flips it open and sees a picture of a man she has never seen before. She can tell that this is the man L was speaking about with her shinigami eyes.

Meanwhile L and Watari are conversing.

"Ryuzaki, are you sure that was necessary? She'll be frightened."

L's grip on his knees tighten.

"She's been more secretive than she usually is. It arouses my suspicions. As L, I must investigate anyone that could be guilty, no matter who they are or how small the percentage is."

"Ryuzaki, you think that Itsumo is Kira?" Watari asks in a slightly surprised tone.

"One criminal died before the street slasher's death. It wasn't a heart-attack that killed him, so I believed it to be unrelated. Now that we know that Kira can kill in more than one way, it has become a possibility that my sister is a murderer."

L drinks his sugar laden tea.

"Why Itsumo? Wasn't the criminal's name broad casted?"

"The media broad casted his alias, not his name. The percent that she is Kira is just under five percent because other people may have figured out his true identity. If Haji Yamada dies within the next day or two, I will have the necessary proof. I will have to sentence her to death. I won't have a choice if she is Kira." He refrains from leaking any feeling into his voice.

L's grip on his knees becomes so strong that his knuckles turn bone white. Watari places a hand on his shoulder.

"Ryuzaki, I don't think that Itsumo is Kira."

"She has a motive."

"She also has a conscience." Watari says as an attempt to comfort a disquieted L.

L, of course, doesn't portray his emotions. However, Watari can tell from the vice grip L has on his knees that he is upset.

"If Itsumo is Kira, will you really sentence her to death?" Watari asks.

"I will. Kira is a murderer and needs to be brought down, no matter who it is or what it takes. My personal thoughts won't impede my decision."

Watari nods solemnly.

Back at the cafe, Itsumo is pondering about her supposed stalker.

'I don't even know this Haji man. Why would he want to track me? Unless, L suspects me and is using Haji to keep tabs on me. No, if he was doing that, L wouldn't tell me. Would he? Either way, I might be a suspect now. I have make certain that nobody, especially Light or Misa, sees this picture. They could kill him and L would suspect me.'

"Hey, Misa, what time is it?"

"Why?"

"I have to go somewhere later and I want to see how much time I have left before I have to go."

"It's 6:45. Where do you have to go?"

"I have to visit someone I know."

"Who?"

'He probably won't tell me what I want to know, but, L is always good with helping me feel better. Hopefully he doesn't begin suspecting me or suspect me even more.'

"I have to go, but here's my cell number. Give me a call sometime." Itsumo says as she fakes a smile and scribbles her number on a piece of paper.

She hands Misa her half of the tab and walks out of the cafe and to headquarters. She hopes that only L and Watari are there. Itsumo passes the security measures and enters the main room of headquarters.

"L?"

"What is it?"

"Did that man tell you why he wanted to follow me?"

"Why do you want to know?"

Itsumo bites her lip. L takes notice.

"Why are you nervous? You don't have be nervous around me. Also, I'm curious as to why you're wearing Light's jacket." His voice is distant.

"I'm not nervous. It's unsettling to have someone following me. I'm wearing the jacket because I was cold and he offered it."

"Why does the follower bother you? It's not like you have anything to hide, right?"

"I don't hide anything form you. You know that."

"I wonder..." L mutters to himself.

"What was that?" She asks with her head tilted.

"It's nothing. If you had to choose between your life and Light's, who would you want to live?"

'What kind of question is that?! I don't want him to die and I don't want to die either. I need an answer though.'

"Me. I still think that he's Kira."

"Why do you think that?"

"He doesn't trust anyone at all."

"Neither do you."

"That isn't true. I trust you."

"Would you trust me with your life?"

'Why is he asking me these questions now?'

"I trust you with everything."

"Why?"

"You've always been there for me when nobody else was."

"...Do you trust Light?"

Itsumo can't detect any emotion behind L's voice.

"No. Why are you asking me."

L pauses a moment.

"I suspect that you may an affiliate with or that you are Kira."

"How the hell could you suspect me?! Why would you think that?" She asks as a tears slowly fall.

'I knew it. I knew it. I knew it. He does suspect me.'

"It's just a possibility that I have to look into." L says with a detached voice.

"Why?! Is it because I'm close with Light?! Huh?! Is that it?!"

"Please calm yourself."

"How would you feel if your brother, your only family, and your closest friend suspected you of being a murdering monster? Would you feel calm?"

"Perhaps not, but I would be able to control myself."

"Well I'm not you, L! Despite what people wanted, I am not like you!"

"The less like me you are, the more like Kira you seem."

"I hope Kira rots in Hell!"

"But flames don't suit you." L jabs in a calm tone.

He isn't happy about his suspicions either, but, in his mind, it's nothing to throw a tantrum over. Itsumo sobs and storms out of the building. She walks down the street and wipes her tears on her arm.

'I guess I've got two choices. Go back to L or go to Light's house.'

Neither choice seems very appealing, but in light of the fit she threw at L, she decides not to go back to him. By the time she reaches the Yagami house, it's seven o'clock.

'I'll just lay down and bury my head in a pillow.'

She does just that and feigns sleep when Light walks into the room.

"I know you're awake, Itsumo."

"Leave me the hell alone, Light. I've had a bad day."

"You've had a bad day? At least L never accuses you of being Kira."

Apparently Light wasn't in the greatest of moods either.

"Shut your damn mouth and leave me alone."

"If you're in such a bad mood, why don't you go run and tell L all about your woes?"

"Because he thinks I'm you! Are you happy now Kira? Just let me be!"

Light was shocked into silence. Although, he would never admit to the shocked part.

'I never expected that L would suspect his own sister.'

Itsumo fell asleep early like she had planned and Light sat on his bed and began to mull over everything.

'Why would L suspect Itsumo? If I was L, I would never suspect Sayu even if she was going out with my prime suspect. I didn't think L would actually tell her he suspected her. This could work out to my advantage. If she isolates herself from L. I'll eventually get closer to her.'

Hours later, he too fell asleep. Neither people had nice dreams.


I was on vacation so sorry for not updating. I know how and when this story will end now. I'm also starting school on September fourth so my updates will be less frequent after that date.