Disclaimer: Yeah, no. I don't own Death Note. But the weirdo OCs? Yeah, yes. I do own then.

Warning(s): Embarrassing my characters because I am cruel.


Chapter 9

Declaration of Involvement

December 4th, 2007

"I see. If that means what I think it does, then it makes sense to set up the investigation headquarters in Japan. I assume that L plans to engage in a direct confrontation with the suspect, which should be what proves the need to organize everything with the Japanese Task Force."

Sheri laughed, sliding Justin back his laptop. "And we're in!" she announced. "It's go time." It seemed as though her skills regarding technology were only increasing, and she's likely yet to reach her limit. Justin had immediately requested that she break into the ICPO's server so they could make a formal announcement of their interest in the heart attack case, and she wasted no time getting them all set up within the hour. Now all that was left to do was wait until L disrupted the signals, alerting them of the meeting so that they could actively participate. There was just one problem.

"So..," Justin spoke slowly and softly, drawing out the word. "I'm going to need to actually speak for this, aren't I?" He ran his fingers over the cheap microphone installed in his earbuds' cord, trying to plot a way out of this. Sheri giggled as if that were the silliest question she'd heard. She snatched the buds out of his fidgeting hands and plugged them in, likely working on a voice distorting program.

"Yes, you're going to need to use your words." Seeing her friend's face fall, she sighed. "What other option do we have?" Justin thought about this for a moment. It was what L would be doing, yet L was by far more charismatic than he, plus had done it numerous times before. Justin shook his head.

"Why can't we just have text pop up on our screen?" he grumbled, annoyed that she was right; there really was no other way that was as effective as talking through the mic. Pleased that Justin had finally realized this, Sheri resumed her work, hands moving across the keyboard. "Why can't you do it? We both know you're the better actor."

Sheri paused mid-type. "I can't do it, Justin," she complained, rolling her eyes. Noticing Justin's confusion, she elaborated. "They wouldn't hear me. I speak too quietly." Her answer was forced, but his complete and total faith in her allowed for the spineless explanation to be accepted. "If it makes you feel any better, I can help you figure out what to say."

Nodding at her offer, Justin leaned back against the pillows, chewing on his pen. A beep buzzed from the small computer, and he sprung immediately back up. Sheri withheld the laptop from him for several more moments before handing it over, a smile making its way onto her anxious face.

The screen lit up to provide them with a view of the entire ICPO meeting room. All eyes were focused on the direction of the camera, which was likely where L's iconic backdrop was being displayed for all to see. The detective in question was busying addressing the delegates, explaining the difficulty of the case.

"Here," Sheri pointed to the space bar, "is the key you push down on to unmute the mic. Unless you're actively holding it down, nothing we say will be broadcasted to those funny looking guys in suits." She giggled and Justin smiled, thankful for her explanation.

"In any case, I will need the full cooperation of every organization being represented in the ICPO, including, but not limited to, the Japanese Task Force," L's distorted voice explained through the speaker. Justin turned to look at Sheri, both equally curious.

"L must be in Japan right now. Last night...er, today's early morning... he said he had moved locations for a case, and since he's insisting for things to be set up in Japan, that's probably where he moved to," Justin explained randomly. Sheri nodded in understanding, continuing to watch the delegates' interactions with L. "But why Japan in the first place?" Thankfully, they weren't the only ones who didn't understand this, as one of the men spoke up.

"Why Japan?" the Chief of the NPA questioned, standing up from his chair. Justin thought about this for a moment, and Sheri rested her head on her knees. That was a good question; L seemed to be set with the investigation headquarters being organized in Japan, and had even moved there for some reason.

Sheri thought about it, then declared, "Wasn't the first heart attack victim here in Japan? I think I remember seeing it on the news here..." She pulled over the laptop and minimized the current screen, opening up a search engine. "Kurou Otoharada. Hostage situation. Suddenly collapsed in the building, allowing the hostages to escape and authorities to move in. Died from a heart attack. News of his crime was only broadcasted in Japan." She smiled as she noticed the wheels turning in her friend's head and handed him back the laptop, reaching a finger over to push down the spacebar.

"I see. It does make sense to set up the investigation headquarters in Japan. I assume that L plans to engage in a direct confrontation with the suspect, which should be what proves the need to organize everything with the Japanese Task Force," Justin pieced together. Sheri lifted her finger off the key and leaned back, arms folded and a huge grin shaping her face. "What?" he asked, confused.

"Aw, you did it! I'm so proud of you!" she exclaimed, pulling him into a huge bear hug. Confusion lined his expression before it slowly melted away into revelation, and he flushed.

"Sheri!" he shouted, embarrassed. "I-I wasn't ready!" She huffed and released him from her grasp, pouting. The meeting room was in uproar over the new distorted voice, and L had gone completely silent, likely letting things settle down. Justin stuffed his head against a pillow, hiding. Sheri laughed at his actions.

"C'mon, you did so well! See, it's not hard," she encouraged. "Now, go on! Introduce yourself. Only L knows that you accepted his challenge to participate in this case; none of the representatives know who you are or what's going on." She nudged him, poking at his shoulder. He sighed in defeat, swallowing hard, and pushed down on the key.

"I apologize for not making myself known before now; I was so engrossed within the conversation that I forgot to make my declaration of involvement. I am the detective known as Bluejay, and I plan to work on this case as well," he explained softly, voice shaky. Releasing his finger from the spacebar he returned to slamming his head with the pillow.

"Interesting," L finally spoke up, but that was all he bothered to say.


A/N: Yay for a chapter with fairly decent pacing to it! This has turned into somewhat of a get-away; something I write in whenever I have nothing better to do, so, as per usual, typos are likely. Again, I have to thank everyone for their continued support and positive feedback. If you haven't learned yet, I've taken on working on another fic ("Before He Falls"), so I will be updating both fics, one update for one of the two every 2-4 days.