A/N: Hello all! I managed to write another chapter for everyone...Mostly because of my surgery on Monday, and I'm not sure when I'll be able to update again. So, I wrote an extra long chapter to hopefully tide everyone over for a while! I hope you enjoy : )
Disclaimer: Don't own Death Note. Never did. Never will.
Chapter Ten:
"The humans whose name is written in this note...shall die?" Ellie said, looking down at the notebook on her bed in her room.
'This has to be a prank...' she thought to herself, looking down at the notebook with a disgusted expression as she continued to read the, 'rules.'
"This note will not take effect unless the writer has the person's face in their mind when writing his/her name. Therefore, people sharing the same name will not be affected..." Ellie said out-loud, frowning. For a prank, it was awfully elaborate and detailed.
"If the cause of death is written within the next 40 seconds of writing the person's name, it will happen." Ellie scoffed, staring at it. Who the hell would make a notebook like this? She was sure it was a prank, but she wouldn't dare write a name in it – on the off chance that someone did die, that would make her a...murderer. There was no one in the world she hated enough to take their lives away from them. Not even Peterson – even though he was already dead. She felt as though she hated L, but there was no way she'd ever...kill him. Hell, she wouldn't even do him serious harm. If you care about somebody, you care about them. You can't change that by hurting them.
"If the cause of death is not specified, the person will simply die of a heart attack." Ellie frowned. Peterson had died of a heart attack...
'Don't be stupid, Ellie.' she scoffed to herself as her mind started to wander to ridiculous places. That was merely a coincidence. It was a natural cause! Besides, even if it was somehow murder, the chances this...notebook killed him – well, there wasn't because it was absolutely absurd!
"After writing the cause of death, details of the death should be written in the next six minutes and forty seconds," Ellie's eye twitched in irritation. Six minutes and forty seconds? Really? Why not just seven minutes – this thing was ridiculous.
Ellie shook her head, passing through the instructions to see if anything was written inside it. She saw that the book consisted of white, lined paper. She skimmed through it, and she noticed that near the middle, there was something written in pen.
Turning to it, she tried to make out the words, as they were sloppily written – as though whoever was writing it, was in a hurry.
"What does that say?" she said out loud, squinting towards the pages.
Ellie's heart sunk when she was finally able to make out the words.
'No...i-it can't be! It's impossible!' she thought, horrified as she flung the notebook on her bed as though it was poisoned. She leaped up, staring down at the words that seemed to throb inside her head.
James Peterson. Drops his gun, and dies.
'Even if this was a coincidence...how could whoever wrote this know he dropped his gun first?!' she thought hysterically to herself.
She stared down at the notebook, adrenaline pumping through her veins. No, this couldn't be happening. Perhaps she should give this to her brother? But...what if he thought she had made it? What if he threw it away, and someone else got their hands on it? If it was real, and they started killing people...then it would be her fault!
What's worse, what if they discovered it worked, and they thought she had written Peterson's name down? After all, she was the only one there when he died...it would be the logical conclusion. But, she didn't kill anybody! She'd never do something like that!
"This can't be real...what do I do?" she said, grabbing her hair and thinking hard.
"I assure you, it is quite real."
Ellie looked up, and let out of piercing scream as she saw a figure standing in the corner of her room. Her whole body shook in terror, and she opened her mouth to scream again, but she was so petrified, that she couldn't even make a sound. It was like she was in a nightmare – one of those where you see something terrifying, but you can't scream or even move. It was like that, only much worse.
She waited for Johnny's foot steps to come rushing down the hall, but none came. The only thing she could hear was the sound of her hyperventilating. She hated in that moment more than ever that he slept like the dead.
"You have no reason to fear me, human girl," the raspy voice said. "I will not harm you. My name is Osamu, and I am a God of death."
"G-God of d-death?" she managed to choke out, looking at the creature in absolute terror.
The creature had vivid crimson eyes, and skin paler than snow. It had straight, long hair hanging to its massive shoulders. It's lips were darker than blood, and it was gigantic in size. If she had to guess, it was around eight feet tall, and it was thin. A black trench coat covered its massive body, its legs covered in black cloth, and large black boots were on its large feet. Its hands were hanging at its sides, and they were paler than snow. Long and thin, looking much like spiders legs.
"Yes, that is what I said," it said in a raspy voice. "You have picked up my Death Note." it said, pointing a spider finger to the book on her bed.
"Y-You killed Peterson?" she said, shaking in fear at the creature.
The creature studied her, as though it was contemplating telling her or not.
"As I stand before you, it is apparent it was not me."
Ellie stared in fear and confusion—What?
"Let's just say I recently acquired this notebook, and I simply passed it to a human."
"What if I don't want it?" she squeaked, trying to stand on her feet.
"Then relinquish ownership," Osamu said. "But, I will be forced to erase all your memories of the Death Note, and it was pass to another human."
'And give it to someone that would use it...' Ellie thought, knowing she couldn't allow that to happen.
"Can I destroy it?" she asked timidly, standing and keeping herself pressed into the wall – still afraid of the sinister looking creature.
"I am bound to you until you until the Death Note is complete, or you die," he said. "Whichever happens first. If you destroy it, I may be forced to write your name in my Death Note-" he said, lifting his coat and pointing to the notebook attached to his side. "You see, I don't want to make a trip for nothing. If you destroy it, I will have to return to my realm. I will kill you out of spite."
"You don't even know my name!" Ellie hissed, staring at it with wide eyes.
She shrunk when it began cackling.
"Ellora Layla Lafleur." it cackled.
Ellie's heart thumped heavily. "How do y-you know that?"
"I can see your name above your head with my eyes," it said, smiling and revealing white, razor sharp teeth. "That it what makes us different from humans. We never have to worry about not being able to kill a person because of not knowing their names. I can give you the eyes of the Shinigami...for a price."
Ellie raised her eyebrows. Of course, she would never even consider killing someone...but being able to know someone's name by just looking at them? That would be kind of cool. Her thoughts went to L. If she had the Shinigami eyes then, she could have seen his real name. But, at what price? Her soul?
"What price?" Ellie asked hesitantly.
"If you give me half of your remaining lifespan, I will give you the eyes," Osamu said. "I can see your life span, but I'd never tell you how many years you have left. It is against our rules. Lets just say you had sixty years left – if you made the deal, you would have thirty years left. You will not be able to see your own lifespan, but you will be able to see all others...unless they are another owner of a Death Note."
Half of her life? There was no way she'd ever give that up! Even so, seeing when everyone around her was going to die...that would be depressing. She didn't want to look at everyone, and know exactly how much time they had left.
"My answer is no," she said, her voice cracking.
"Pity," the 'Shinigami' said. "But, you should know...that a human that uses the Death Note can go to neither heaven or hell—That is all."
"What if I never use it?" Ellie asked, hesitantly walking towards her bed. She needed to sit down, because she felt somewhat faint.
"That would be boring," Osamu said. "But, I will not kill you, if that's what you are asking."
"Good..." Ellie said, frowning and looking down at the notebook. "Because I don't intend to use it."
"I figured as much," Osamu said, making her jump as it sprouted large, white wings and floated across her room.
"Then why did you drop it for me to find?" she asked hesitantly, her heart still thumping in fear of the creature.
"I believed this Death Note should belong to you," Osamu responded, his red eyes glowing.
"Why?" Ellie asked. Why would it think something like that? How should it belong to her? She'd never use it, so that doesn't even make sense.
"If I told you, I'd be giving you knowledge on how to kill a Shinigami," Osamu said. "And I do not believe I'll divulge that information to you."
Ellie frowned and looked at her clock, seeing it was almost midnight. Her blood was pumping, but she felt exhaustion running through her veins.
"Um, I know you said you're bound to me..." Ellie shifted nervously. "But...can you leave so I can sleep?"
"No, I cannot leave," Osamu said. "I have already told you, I will not harm you, unless you burn the Death Note. Feel free to sleep. I shall wait here until you awake."
"I can't sleep with you in here!" Ellie said, staring at the monster. She felt that she was taking this far too well, but her exhaustion and already crazy day probably had something to do with it.
"Not my problem, human. You'll sleep if you're tired enough."
Ellie groaned, crawling under the covers and staring at the death God. How could she possibly sleep with its creepy red eyes staring at her?
"Can anyone else see you?" she asked sleepily.
"No, only you can see me and hear me," Osamu said, floating around her room. "If another human being touches the Death Note, they'll be able to see me." he pointed to the book on her bed. "I'd take care in hiding it if I were you."
Ellie froze. That wouldn't be good. She sighed and picked up the notebook, getting up from bed. She lifted her mattress, shoving it in between the mattresses along with her diary. There was no way Johnny would look between her mattresses. He never even came in her room, and she always changed her bedding herself.
She crawled back in bed. She yawned as the God of death watched her, and she just felt physically and mentally drained. She'd think about what she was going to do tomorrow. If she had to contemplate anything else highly complicated, she was sure her brain would explode.
"Are you sure you're not going to kill me?" Ellie asked in a sleepy voice.
"You have my word." the Shinigami said, watching her with crimson eyes.
She didn't really believe him, but what choice did she have? She couldn't make it leave, and there was nothing else to do.
Her eyes started to get droopy, and she forced them back open, staring at the God of death. It was still watching her, its eyes glowing in the darkness. She fought to stay conscious, but in the end, she succumbed to sleep. Her body was too exhausted to fight consciousness anymore.
((O))
"I'm sorry for everything I did to you, Ellie," L said, walking up to her, raising a long fingered hand and tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.
"Why would you do that?" Ellie said, tears rolling down her cheeks as she turned her head away. How could he think he could make it right so easily?
She felt his cool, long fingers wrap around her chin, pulling her face up to look at his dark eyes.
"I was wrong," he said quietly, coming closer. "I lied. I do have feelings for you – I suppose I was just too stubborn to admit it. But, I can admit it now."
Ellie gasped when he wrapped his other arm around her waist, pulling her firm to him. He leaned forward, burying his face into her hair and inhaling deeply.
"You smell like sweets," he murmured, trailing his cold fingers lightly down her throat. "I love that about you..."
"L...I-I don't think-" Ellie started, her heart hammering away a million miles a minute at his sudden boldness.
"Shhh, baby..." L said quietly, trailing his hand back up to her lips. He moved his head back from her hair to look at her face.
She gasped in surprise when he put his forehead against hers, staring unblinking into her eyes.
"You're so beautiful..." he murmured darkly, putting his fingers under her chin once again.
Ellie flushed, and cast her eyes down as her heart felt like it was going to burst from her chest in happiness.
"I like it when I make you blush," he chuckled deeply, making her breath catch in her throat at the sensuous baritone. She had never heard him laugh, and it was very pleasing sound to her ears. She smiled, and looked up at him – looking into his intense grey orbs.
"I'm going to kiss you now..." he said lowly, barely moving his lips as his eyes flicked down to her mouth.
She held her breath as his steel eyes closed halfway, his lips ghosting over hers. Her blood pumped harshly through her veins as his breath washed over her face – smelling of coffee and strawberries.
His lips pressed lightly against hers, warm and inviting. She immediately closed her eyes, fireworks exploding behind her lids as she took a sharp intake of breath—wrapping her arms around his neck and shoving her fingers in his messy, raven locks. It felt smooth against her fingertips, and she ran her fingers through it as he pressed his lips more firmly against hers—taking her breath away.
She felt his mouth part slightly, his tongue coming out to run across her bottom lip, asking for entrance. She immediately opened her mouth, meeting his tongue with her own. His taste of strawberries and coffee entered her mouth, and she sighed contentedly.
He groaned deeply into her mouth, making fire suddenly run through her veins as he grabbed her hips harshly, clutching her against him.
He broke away from her mouth, kissing down her jaw and she tilted her head, giving him access as he trailed soft kisses down her neck—making her moan lightly.
"Ellie..." he breathed raggedly against her neck, making her shiver as goosebumps erupted on her skin.
He bit down lightly on her pulse point, making her gasp in shock before he darted his tongue out, licking the spot lightly with tenderness.
"L..." she gasped, pulling tightly at his hair as her breathing became ragged like his.
Ellie awoke with a start, darting straight up in bed and breathing heavily.
'It was just a dream...' she realized, falling back onto her pillows and groaning as she covered her face. She found herself angry at her brain for waking her up—finding she would have very much liked that dream to continue...even if L was an asshole; it had still been a very nice dream.
Feeling a little hot, she kicked the covers off and reluctantly sat up in bed, staring at her lap.
"About time you woke up."
Ellie's head snapped up to the voice, seeing Osamu standing in the corner of her room. She screamed in fright again, shuffling away and falling in the floor.
"Urgh, human women," Osamu said in a raspy, annoyed voice. "Always screaming and making noise – so very annoying."
"Ellie?" Johnny's voice sounded as she lay in the floor, cursing under her breath as her brother burst in the room in his suit.
His frantic eyes saw her in the floor, and he immediately ran up to her, helping her up.
"What happened? Are you okay?" he asked in a worried voice, putting his hand on her face.
"I-I'm fine...I-" she thought for a minute, looking off to the side at Osamu. "I had a nightmare, and it startled me."
"I wouldn't have guessed you had a nightmare," Osamu chuckled. "As a witness, I would have guessed your dream was quite pleasant..."
Ellie's mouth fell open slightly, but she snapped it shut. She couldn't stop her face from turning red as Osamu cackled in the corner.
Johnny raised his eyebrows. "Well, be careful not to hurt yourself. I have to go to work...We'll get your car this afternoon. Are you sure you're feeling up to being alone? If not, I can stay here and-"
"No...no, that won't be necessary," Ellie smiled. "I'll be fine"
"Are you sure?"
"Positive!" she said, giving him a smile.
'I'll have plenty to do...trying to figure out this Death Note situation...and that creepy ass God of death...' she thought, glaring over to where Osamu was floating.
"Alright, sweetie," Johnny said, smiling and quickly kissing her on the forehead before exiting her room.
"So, L?" Osamu said, laughing as she glared. "Still hung up on him, are you?"
Ellie gaped at the God of death. How did he know about her crush on L?
"How do you know about that?" she asked in a low voice, eyeing him suspiciously.
Osamu cackled. "I have seen your tears over that human. To be frank, he is lucky to be alive-"
"What's that supposed to mean?" she snapped, her heart thumping. "Were you going to kill him?"
"No, it wasn't me."
"Then who?" she asked, panic starting to creep into her skin.
"...He is not alive anymore – the one that would have liked to harm L." Osamu said in a raspy voice. "And that is all I will say."
Ellie let a little tension leave her shoulders. Not that she'd trust a God of death in a million years – she just had to accept his words. It wasn't as if she had any other option.
"I need to think of a way out of this..." Ellie murmured, while Osamu watched her with an amused expression.
"By all means, do just that." he replied sarcastically, cackling.
Two years later
"More mysterious heart attacks occurred today in the United States, following the heart attacks of criminals around the world."
"Hey, Mu!" Ellie called out, sitting on her couch and watching TV in her living room.
"What is it now, girl?" Osamu said, hovering out of the kitchen with his arms full of snack cakes.
"I think someone has a Death Note..." Ellie said quietly, watching the news. "I've been keeping tabs on the heart attacks, and it has crossed my mind that another Death Note has come to the human world," she frowned. "I didn't want to believe it at first, but nothing else makes sense. Someone is getting rid of criminals and playing God."
Osamu watched for moments, shoving the cakes in his mouth, wrapper and all.
"Yes, I would agree with that statement." Osamu concluded, finishing up his last cake.
Suddenly, the commercial that was on went off, and a news reporter popped onto the screen.
"We'd like to apologize for the interruption, but we're bringing you a worldwide broadcast from the ICPO..."
"What's this?" Ellie said, suddenly very interested as she pulled her legs under her and leaned towards the TV.
"We now take you live to the ICPO."
Ellie bit her lip as a dark haired man came on the screen.
"Lind L. Tailor?" she said, racking her head for famous policemen or detectives with that name – but none came to mind.
"I head up an international police task force, which includes all member nations," Tailor said, making Ellie gaze in skepticism. "I am Lind L. Tailor...otherwise known as – L."
"WHAT?!" Ellie screeched, jumping off the couch and startling Osamu. "He's a fake! That isn't L!" she said, flabbergasted.
"Criminals around the world are being murdered by a serial killer," the fake L continued. "I consider this crime to be the most atrocious act of murder in history. I will not rest until the person, or person's responsible are brought to justice."
Ellie gaped. That certainly sounded like something L would say...it screamed him—basically. Perhaps L had put this man up to it? It was a definite possibility.
"Killer, I will hunt you down – I will find you," the imposter continued. "I've got a pretty good idea what your motivation might be, and I can guess what you hope to achieve...However, what you're doing right now – is evil."
Ellie nodded, agreeing with the imposter whole heartedly. Suddenly, the man gasped, clutching his chest in what appeared to be extreme pain. Ellie clutched her mouth, horrified, as the scene with Peterson from almost two years ago played through her mind...she had to remind herself repeatedly this man wasn't L, as she watched him die on television.
Suddenly, a picture from her past lit up her screen. Her heart thumped repeatedly, as she stared at the Gothic style, 'L' on the center on the TV.
"L..." she whispered in a quiet voice, watching intently as the electronic voiced gasped.
"I had to test this just in case, but I-I never thought it would actually happen..." the electronic voice from her past said. "Killer...it seems you can kill people without being there in person."
Ellie couldn't help it when a smile erupted on her face.
'God, he's so smart...' she thought excitedly, feeling like a fan girl as she hopped back on the couch.
"I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't just witnessed it."
Ellie smirked.
"Listen to me, Killer, if you did indeed kill Lind L. Tailor – the man you just saw die on live television-" Ellie bit her lip. "I should tell you that he was an inmate, whose execution was scheduled for today...that, was not me."
"He's done it!" Ellie gasped, jumping up and down on the couch at his absolute brilliance. Of course, she frowned a little when she realized he had sacrificed someone's life to prove that there was a killer...even if he was scheduled to die today, it wasn't right to her. L, apparently, hadn't changed at all. Not that she'd actually expected him to.
"The police arrested him in absolute secrecy, so you wouldn't have heard about him on TV, or through the internet," L continued as Ellie's heart raced. "It appears that not even you have access to this type of information about these types of criminals."
Ellie couldn't tear her eyes away, even though the screen remained the same. Her eyes were even beginning to water she she stared without blinking.
"But, I assure you, L is real. I do exist..." Ellie's mouth twitched with a small smile, but it didn't last long.
"Now, try to kill me!"
"What are you doing, L! Are you crazy?!" Ellie gasped, staring a the TV in horror.
"What's wrong? Come on, kill me!" L continued, clearly taunting the killer. "Can't you do it? Come on!"
Ellie's heart was racing in sheer panic. She was 99 percent sure the killer was an owner of the Death Note, and even if they had the Shinigami eyes, they would have had to have seen L before, or at least a picture. She was also 99 percent sure that the killer probably never had, but it made her skin crawl at even the small possibility.
"Well, Killer, it seems that you can't kill me after all," L continued, but Ellie didn't miss the mocking quality in his electronic voice. "So, there are some people you can't kill...you've given me a useful hint."
Ellie let a nervous smile grow on her face. Of course, she thought this was completely insane...yet, completely genius at the same time.
"Let me return the favor..." Ellie raised her eyebrows. "I'll tell you something that I think you'll find interesting...Although this was announced as a world wide broadcast, the truth is...we are only broadcasting in Los Angeles, California..."
Ellie's mouth fell open in shock. How could he possibly know know that was where the killer was located? After all, the heart attacks were happening all around the world...
"I had planned to broadcast this message around the world until we found you – but it looks like that won't be necessary; I now know where you are..."
Ellie was beyond stunned. L had gotten smarter...if that was even possible.
"The LAPD treated your first killing as an unrelated incident, but in actuality, the first of your victims was a suspect in Long Beach...Of all the criminals that have recently died of heart attacks, this ones crime was by far the least serious. Furthermore, his crime was only ever reported inside California..."
Ellie watched as a wanted man flashed on the screen, and she was amazed that L had been able to figure out his very first victim. Even she had not figured that out, nor had it occurred to her to even try.
"I used that information to deduce this much: You are in California, and your first victim was little more than an experiment – which mean that you haven't been killing for very long..."
"Of course..." Ellie said, biting her lip. "They got the Death Note – probably assuming that it was a prank, much like I did. But, they actually tested it...they picked a criminal, and when they died...I'm sure they tested it again on another criminal..." she mused, thinking hard. "And by that time, I'm sure they discovered it worked and they began to form a plan...A plan to rid the world from evil, when in actuality...they are the one that is evil and corrupted."
"We decided to broadcast in the Los Angeles area first because of its large population, and luckily, we found you," Ellie beamed at his brilliance. "To be completely honest with you, I never expected things would go this well...but, it won't be too long now before I am able to sentence you – to death."
Ellie frowned, thinking L shouldn't goad the killer like this...not when the killer had a Death Note.
"Naturally, I'm very interested to know how you are able to commit these murders without being present...but, I don't mind waiting a little bit longer. You can answer all of my questions when I catch you..."
"He's still a pompous ass, I see..." Ellie said, sighing to herself as Osamu cackled in the background.
"Let us meet again soon – Killer." L finished, before the screen went back to commercials.
"Mu!" Ellie said, turning sharply towards the God of death.
"You know I despise that nickname-"
"Is there anyway for you to find out who has the other notebook?" Ellie asked, ignoring his comment.
"Only if I saw another God of Death following a specific human around," Osamu answered. "But, I haven't seen such a thing. It would have been very interesting...I'm curious myself as to who it is. Whoever the God of Death is bound to, must have found a way to sneak another notebook past the Shinigami King – and he is not easily fooled."
"Couldn't they have come across another notebook, as you did?" Ellie asked. Osamu had still yet to tell her exactly how he'd come across the notebook...and why he had chosen to give it to her.
"I suppose it is possible," Osamu admitted. "But it is not likely. How I came across the notebook...well, lets just say that it doesn't happen very often. I am probably the only one of my kind that has the knowledge on how to kill a Shinigami, simply because I was present when he died."
"...How do you kill a Shinigami?" Ellie asked hesitantly, for the millionth time.
Osamu stared at her, and she held her breath. This was the first time he hadn't out-right refused to to tell her.
"I suppose I can tell you," Osamu said. "You cannot use this to kill me. So, I suppose you can know."
Ellie frowned. She hated to admit it, but she had grown somewhat fond her her constant companion. At first, she had resented him – searching in vain for a way to get rid of him. But, even though Osamu probably didn't care about her...she had grown accustomed to him, and probably would not harm him, even if she got the chance. She was too soft.
"The only way to kill a Shinigami is if they fall in love with a human."
Ellie's mouth dropped. She definitely hadn't been expecting that. She thought deeply...Clearly, a Shinigami had written Peterson's name in the Death Note – and Osamu had told her that since he was standing before her, that it couldn't have been him. That hinted that the God of death that had written his name had died, obviously. He had also always said he believed that the extra notebook should belong to her...It wasn't because she was a good candidate to use it, obviously...but now that Osamu was telling her this – she had an idea of what happened.
"A God of death..." she whispered, looking at Osamu with big eyes. "Loved me?"
Osamu raised his almost non-existent eyebrows. "Clever. I should have known." he cackled. "But yes, a God of death loved you."
Ellie was astounded. She could understand a God of death falling in love with someone like...Britney Spears or something – but her?
"Why?" Ellie asked, interested.
"I don't know!" Osamu exclaimed. "I'm a God of death, and he was weird. What can I say?"
Ellie frowned. A God of death had saved her life...therefore ending his?
"Saving me killed him?" she asked, tilting her head.
"You're too smart," Osamu grunted. "I knew I shouldn't have told you. But yes, it did. Shinigami are meant to end human life, not save it. He violated a huge rule, and it killed him. That is all I'm telling you, you persistent girl."
Ellie couldn't help but to chuckle. Of course, she still had time to figure out the rest of the details, in the mean time...she needed to figure out what she was going to do. One thing was obvious, though.
She had to speak to L again.
"Mu, are there any rules about many people knowing about the Death Note?" she asked, just to make sure.
"The world could know and it wouldn't matter," Osamu said. "After all, we Shinigami are in our own realm, and there is nothing humans could do to stop us from taking their lives when we needed too. Unless they hid indoors for all eternity."
"I see," Ellie said, biting her lip. "I doubt L would announce it to the world. After all, proof of the Shinigami realm...that would cause a panic. Kind of like how the Government covers up all unexplained events...this would be no different."
"They would take the Death Note from you?" Osamu asked, suddenly looking uncomfortable.
"Yes, that is likely..." Ellie confirmed. "But I would still be the owner, and you would be bound to me...correct?"
"Yes," Osamu said. "But, another person could kill you with it, making themselves the owner of the Death Note...it is not a good idea, Ellora."
"I don't have a choice," Ellie sighed. "I can't let this mad man continue – especially when I have the knowledge on how he's committing murder. So many more people will die if I could keep quiet...L could die..." she frowned.
"Who cares?" Osamu said. "Besides, didn't he lure you into a trap that almost got you killed?"
"I'm not sure," Ellie snapped, the old wound reopening again. "I never got to ask him." she had long since stopped being infuriated, but she was still curious as to why or even if he did that. She figured he did, but she wasn't going to say it was concrete until she spoke with him – however she was going to manage that.
"I don't like this," Osamu said after a moments pause.
"Since when do you have an opinion about anything, other than food?" Ellie asked, walking into her bedroom at her two bedroom apartment. She had to get dressed and get down to the station.
She had spent the past year in training, and now was an officer of the LAPD. After all, she was still at a very low rank, only having gotten her badge a few months ago. She was a detective, but she didn't have much power there. She mostly did desk work, and it reminded her much of when she worked with her brother when she was in high school. Her brother, however, was now Chief of police. She knew that had something to do with her getting her badge so quickly, but she wasn't concerned. She had already solved a number of cases, most of which she didn't even need help with.
She pulled on some skinny jeans, throwing on a white halter top with them. She slipped her feet in knee-high boots, thinking of how she was going to even get into contact with L. Her brother, even as Chief of Police...probably couldn't make that happen. Not to mention, her brother hated the man with ever fiber of his being.
She sighed, brushing her hair and putting on light makeup. Since she'd been working at the LAPD, she had finally started wearing the stuff. It seemed like a professional thing to do.
She pulled the Death Note from under her mattress, tearing off a small piece and shoving it in her pocket. She had to do something to make L believe her, and when she established the fact that Shinigami's did exist by showing him Osamu, then she would bring him the Death Note.
"Where are we going?" Osamu asked as she stuffed the Death Note back, and grabbed her keys.
"To talk to Johnny," she answered, leaving her apartment. "I need to find a way to contact L."
"I still don't think that is good idea," Osamu said as they exited the building and entered her car. He floated above the back, seat. "Whose to say L won't think you're the killer..."
Ellie paused, turning on her engine. That was a definite possibility. But, L was a genius...he'd know that it couldn't possibly be her. Of course, he'd probably question the hell out of her...but she'd know that there was no way she'd be accused in the end. Besides, if she was the killer, why in hell would she go to him and tell him everything about the Death Note? No, it didn't matter what way you chose to look at it – that didn't make sense.
"L is a genius," Ellie said under her breath, in case people in cars nearby saw her lips moving. "He will know its not me."
Osamu grunted in the back seat, clearly displeased.
Ellie frowned. Since when did he care about anything like this? She sighed and pulled into the station, hurriedly running inside with Osamu floating behind her.
"Oh, hey there, Ellie!" Evans said, seeing her hauling it towards him as he exited her brothers office.
"I need to talk to Johnny!" she exclaimed, running past him and into her brothers office, closing the door. She heard Evans chuckle outside.
Johnny, who was sitting in his chair with his head in his hands, looked up at her with an exasperated expression.
"L is asking for help from the LAPD," he said immediately. "I don't know if I can do this. I know this case needs to be solved, but I hate him too much-"
"I need to be on this case!" Ellie said, putting her hands on his desk.
His face darkened. "Absolutely not. Not with him, not again."
"You don't understand!" Ellie exclaimed. "I have to talk to L, its very important!"
Johnny looked at her suspiciously. "What is it? I'll report it to him myself-"
"No, only I can do it," she said instantly, feeling exasperated. "You can be there too...but its extremely important. You trust me, don't you? Would I lie about this?"
"No, I trust you with every fiber of my being-"
"Then believe me when I say this is how it has to be," Ellie whispered, her heart pumping. "I beg you."
Johnny stared at her, his eyes slowing admitting defeat. "Fine. There's a meeting in five minutes with L."
Ellie looked at him, startled. She hadn't expected it to be that soon...
"O-oh?" she stuttered, her voice slightly high pitched.
"Yes, we better go..." Johnny said, standing. "But you had better explain yourself." he said seriously.
"I promise, I will." she smiled, following him out the door.
A long gone feeling entered her stomach, and she felt the butterflies she had long forgotten enter her stomach. She knew she had dreams about L every now and then, but surely, she didn't still have a crush on him? No, it wasn't likely. After all, she still had dreams about Eric every now and then...Granted, they weren't as...erm, graphic as her dreams about L...but still.
Her heart felt like it was going to explode from her chest as she approached the door.
Johnny stopped in front of it, sighing heavily as he glanced at her, and opened the door. Ellie raised her eyebrows when she saw about fifteen other people in the room, and near the front, she saw a hooded man and a blank laptop set up.
Her heart fluttered in happiness. She almost ran up to Watari, wrapping her arms around him. But, she knew it wasn't a good idea to let the other detectives in on the fact that she knew him. That would be unsafe for her, even though she trusted most of the people in the room.
With shaky legs, she quickly took her seat, crossing her legs and shaking her foot rapidly. She couldn't tell him in front of all these detectives...this wasn't something that needed to be spread around. That, and she didn't want all of her colleagues to think she was insane. Surely, she would sound insane. Also, she didn't want to reveal Osamu to all these people...some may faint, or even God forbid...have a heart attack.
Suddenly, the screen lit up with the Gothic, 'L', making Ellie taking a deep breath and will her nerves to stop herself from shaking.
"Hello, detectives of the LAPD," the electronic voice said. "I, am L."
Ellie glanced over at her brother, seeing him glare at the screen. She elbowed him, making him glance at her warning stare, his features softening and he sighed.
'How the hell can let him know I need to speak with him without the others noticing?' Ellie thought desperately.
"I have a request," L said, not bothering any further with instructions. "I need you to coordinate the times that all the deaths were taken place.
The detectives nodded, taking notes. Her brother cleared his throat, standing.
"L, as Chief of police, after this meeting, I must discuss a few words with you in private," he said, keeping his voice neutral. "Is that alright with you?"
There was a long pause from the screen. Clearly, L was thinking that Johnny was going to bombard him with accusations about his sister, who was sitting right next to him. Ellie shifted her eyes, looking at the wall.
"It concerns the case." Johnny said, clearly coming to the same conclusion as she.
"Ah, yes, that will be permitted then," L answered, going back to business as Johnny took his seat again.
Ellie sat through the meeting, listening to detectives throw around ideas on how the killer could kill without being present...but none of them were accurate.
One man even said that maybe it was a Spiderman type person, making Ellie let out a giggle in spite of herself.
But mostly, L shot down all of their ideas with a simple, 'Mmm, no.'
Finally, after an eternity, the meeting ended and she stood as the other detectives walked out the door. She didn't want them know that she was actually staying behind. She walked behind the last detective, but instead of walking out, she shut the door, turning around to look at Johnny.
"I was under the impression that Mister Lafleur was the one that wanted to speak with me," the electronic voice said, but Ellie could tell that he wasn't under that impression at all. He had known this would happen.
"You never change, do you?" Ellie chuckled, tossing her hair over her shoulder and walking up to the laptop.
"Watari!" she said, beaming and leaped towards him, wrapping her arms around the older man, making him chuckle.
She pulled away, smiling at the old man that had been so good to her.
"Sorry, had to do that before I get all serious..." she chuckled nervously, twisting her hands.
Johnny was still near the back, glaring up front at the computer.
"I...well, I'm not sure how to say this..." Ellie admitted, trying to think of a way to word herself without sounding insane. Was it possible?
"What is it, Miss Lafleur?" L asked, making her look at the laptop in thought.
"I know how the killer is murdering people," she blurted. "Well, I'm 99 percent sure-"
"WHAT?!" Johnny roared, coming towards the front and staring at her.
"How?" L said instantly, cutting Johnny off and sounding very interested.
"I..." she frowned. "I'll have to ask you to keep an open mind here, L. Can you do that?"
The computer was quiet for moments. "Yes, I suppose I can. Now, what is it?"
"He has a Death Note," she said in a low voice. Osamu groaned behind her.
The computer was quiet, and she flushed – thinking he must think shes insane.
"He got it from a Shinigami," she said, trying to look confident.
"Oh God..." Johnny groaned. "My sister has lost her mind-"
"I beg your pardon?!" Ellie snapped at her brother. "How dare you?! I can prove it!"
"Please, do." L's voice sounded suddenly, very quietly.
"Well, I can't prove it to you, L, because you aren't present physically," she smirked. "But I can prove it to Watari and my brother. Will that suffice?"
"Yes."
She reached in her pocket, pulling out a piece of paper, biting her lip and deciding to show Watari first.
"Watari, he is very scary looking..." Ellie warned. "Please don't go into shock or..." she was terrified he'd have a heart attack or something. God knew that would make her look guilty.
"No worries." Watari replied, taking off his hat.
"Your hand." Ellie said, watching as Watari hesitantly held out his hand towards her.
"I don't like this..." Osamu said from behind her, again.
Taking a deep breath, she touched the notebook to Watari's fingers.
Watari's eyes looked behind her, and complete horror took over his features.
"Watari, its okay!" Ellie exclaimed, but her warning fell on deaf ears. Clearly, he didn't believe anything would happen as he shuffled backwards, losing his balance and falling to the ground.
"Watari!" L's voice sounded from the laptop. "Are you alright?"
"I-It can't b-be..." Watari muttered, staring at Osamu. "A G-God of d-death!"
Johnny walked up to her, snatching the paper out of her hand. He instantly looked behind her, seeing Osamu also. His face paled, and he let out a terrified yelp, shuffling backwards as Watari did.
"Everyone, its okay!" she exclaimed, walking to Osamu. "He's been around me for almost two years now. He has never hurt me-"
"ELLIE GET AWAY FROM IT!" Johnny roared, pulling out his gun and pointing it at Osamu.
"Human, I will not harm Ellora," Osamu said in an exasperated voice. "Besides, that gun will not kill me. I am a Shinigami."
"Watari?!" L's voice sounded again. "Talk to me, now!"
Watari shook his head, and shakily stood and walked around the laptop.
"Master L," he said in a croaky voice. "It is as Miss Lafleur said...There, indeed, is a God of death in this room with us...I can see it." he finished, turning to stare at Osamu with wide eyes.
"Bring them both to me," L commanded instantly. "Now."
The laptop went blank, and Watari closed it.
"Ellie...what...two years?!" Johnny said, flabbergasted. "And you didn't tell me?!"
"I-I didn't know how..." Ellie admitted. "I didn't want you to have to deal with this-"
"I'm your brother!" he exclaimed, shoving his hand in his hair. "Fucking Christ...Ellie..."
"We must go." Watari said, amazingly sounding completely unruffled.
"Okay, lets go." Ellie said, nodding as her stomach fluttered.
Johnny shakily walked out after her, and her mind was reeling. She already knew she was going to be bombarded with questioning, and she tried to ready herself for that during the ride. Johnny looked extremely uncomfortable at the Shinigami flying beside the car, and he kept staring at it. She saw Watari watching it as well.
Finally, they pulled up to a hotel, and Ellie frowned as she saw it was the Huntley hotel, once again. Memories swarmed her, and she looked over at the parking lot, smiling as she remembered L round house kicking Eric there.
Watari pulled out front and they stepped out of the car.
"I'm tired," Osamu said, making Johnny jump. "I hate it when you get in vehicles I can't ride in." he grumbled.
Watari, Johnny and Ellie...and of course, Osamu went through the lobby, getting on the elevator.
As they rode up, Ellie fidgeted with her hair, and twisted her hands in front of her nervously.
The elevator dinged, and they emerged on the same floor as before. Ellie assumed it would be the same room as well.
Walking up to the door, she felt like her heart was going to burst from her chest. She couldn't believe it...she was going to see L again – she had given up on that happening long ago.
Watari opened the door, holding it open for them.
Ellie took a shaky breath, entering the room first and looking at the ground. Osamu cut in front of her brother, walking behind her.
"Show me the Shinigami." A deep voice said, directly in front of her. Her head whipped up, and she stared at L, who was standing near the door, looking as impassive as he ever did.
She noticed a few changes...but not many. His hair was slightly longer, coming to the nape of his long neck. The bags under his eyes seemed to be even larger, making his intelligent gaze even more intense. He wore the same clothes – his long white shirt, along with his baggy jeans, and of course, no shoes.
Ellie swallowed as her heart hammered and her stomach fluttered. She pulled out the piece of paper, seeing L's eyes zero in on it.
"Give me your hand." she said quietly, and his eyes snapped up to hers for moments.
Surprisingly, he pulled his long fingered hand from his pocket, holding it out towards her. Slowly, she walked up to him with his gaze watching her every move.
Stopping in front of his hand, she gently took the paper and touched it to his pointer finger.
His eyes snapped from hers, instantly looking behind her. His eyes bugged, widening even bigger than usual. She wasn't even sure it was possible until now.
"Hello, L," Osamu said in a raspy voice. "I am Osamu, the Shinigami."
L stared with large eyes, clearly at a loss for the first time in his life.
"He has been around you for almost two years, correct?" L asked in a surprisingly steady voice after a long silence, his eyes snapping to hers.
"Yes..." she trailed off, knowing he would make the connection.
"I see," he said, turning and walking to the main area. "Come."
Ellie hesitantly followed him, followed by Watari and Johnny.
Her mouth twitched as she saw him leap on his chair, taking his same crouched position.
"I have many questions." he said darkly, laying his hands on his knees.
"I thought you would." Ellie said, sitting on the couch nearest to him.
"Am I to assume you have a...'Death Note.'" L asked, staring at her intently.
"Yes, but I have never used it," Ellie said instantly, trying to make her eyes seem as honest as possible. "Mu is bound to me until the Death Note is complete...or, until I die. Whichever comes first."
"I can vouch for that." Osamu chuckled, hovering behind her.
"How did you come across this note?" L asked, glancing up towards Osamu.
"It was in my backyard...on my eighteenth birthday," Ellie responded, flushing in memory at that day. "I read the rules, thinking it was a joke. But then, I flipped through it and towards the middle, it said, 'James Peterson. Drops his gun and dies.' I was astounded. How could anyone know that happened when they weren't present? It was then that Osamu appeared to me."
"Are you saying that Peterson was killed by a Shinigami?" Johnny interrupted from beside her as L put his thumb to his mouth.
"Yes," Ellie said, nodding. "A God of death killed Peterson to save me. But it wasn't Osamu."
"Why would a God of death save a human being?" L interrupted, looking at her intensely.
"He loved her," Osamu interrupted, snapping L's attention to him. "He loved her so much, he gave up his eternal life to save her mortal one."
Ellie flushed as everyone's eyes fell on her.
"He would watch her from our realm," Osamu continued, surprising Ellie and making her listen in. "Everyday, he would watch her. The others laughed at him for watching one human so much. But, there was nothing more he wanted than to look upon her face everyday as she carried on with her life."
Ellie flushed even deeper, feeling a sudden gratitude towards this unknown Shinigami.
"And he hated you, L," Osamu said, lifting a spider finger towards him. "He saw her tears, and he wanted nothing more than to end your life. The only reason he didn't, was that he only wanted Ellora's happiness – and your death, would have undoubtedly caused her despair."
Ellie's mouth fell open as she stared at Osamu, then to L who was watching her intently.
"The day of her death," Osamu continued. "He was distraught. He didn't understand – it was her birthday, and she seemed so healthy. He assumed it was a car accident, or something similar. But, when he saw that man pull the gun on her and saw how utterly terrified she was - he did something we should never do." Osamu's voice darkened. "Without a second thought, he pulled out his Death Note, writing her attackers name."
Ellie swallowed, tears coming into her eyes. That Shinigami was the reason she was alive. He had loved her so much...he had died for her.
"I tried to stop him, but it was no use—he was truly in love with her," Osamu said. "Shinigami are only meant to take life away, not give it. By writing her killers name, he extended her life. He died, right in front of me. He turned to dust as I watched, as all the years from his life and her attackers...transferred to her – extending it way beyond normal years."
Ellie's head shot to look at him, stunned. The Shinigami had added years to her life?
"Why didn't you tell me this?" Ellie exclaimed, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Keevell loved you more than life itself," Osamu said, ignoring her question. "I, then, was left with two notebooks. The only evidence he ever even existed. It was then that I decided to make a trip to the human world, giving his notebook to the human girl that he loved so much. It was what Keevell would have wanted – even though he knew that she was too kind to ever take a life. He would want his only possession to belong to her. I honored that."
Ellie couldn't believe this. It was so beautiful...yet, so incredibly tragic at the same time.
"I see..." L said lowly, looking at her. "Where is the notebook?"
"A-at my apartment-"
"Watari, retrieve the notebook from her apartment and bring it to me." L cut in as Watari nodded, leaving the room.
"Miss Lafleur," L said, looking back to her. "I am afraid I must put you under a sort of arrest until I can be certain that you aren't the killer-"
"I DON'T THINK SO!" Johnny roared, speaking for the first time. "YOU ALMOST GET HER KILLED, AND THEN YOU WANT TO IMPRISON HER?! FUCK YOU!"
"I did not trap her." L said quietly, looking at L with a calm expression.
"What?!" Ellie said, staring at him in shock.
"I was informed that Peterson was in the area," L said, biting his nail. "I did not want to concern you, so I said he was captured as I was certain he would be apprehended soon." he stared. "However, you left and I was looking out the window, I saw you walk down the street. I couldn't reveal myself, not with Peterson close by, and Watari was on an errand—so I called in the police to follow you to make sure you were not harmed."
Ellie stared, feeling like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
"They were idiotic," L said, biting his thumb. "They lost track of you when you turned a corner, and they didn't send as many officers as I requested. That was when Peterson grabbed you, and they were hunting for you."
"So...this whole time..." a tear rolled down her cheek. "Y-You didn't set me up?"
"No, but I see how that conclusion was made," L said blandly. "However, I should have ordered that the police bring you back, not just follow you. I did that in conclusion that if he did see you, he would attempt to approach you and be arrested—but I didn't not send you away with such intentions. The police officers should have not lost track of you."
Ellie stared in shock. It wasn't completely honorable...but he didn't plan it. Even so, a huge weight lifted from her shoulders and she felt happiness and relief fill her up.
"I considered the idea of sending you a message, explaining the situation," L said, staring blankly. "But, considering your attachment, I assumed it would be much better if you hated me. I never thought we would be seeing each other again, and now, I am forced to explain what truly happened."
"You should have!" Ellie screeched, glaring. "You have no idea how much I..." she trailed off, huffing angrily and looked away, remembering her brother was in the room.
"What attachment?" Johnny spoke up, looking at her as her face turned red.
"Your sister was infatuated with me for a period of time." L answered instantly, picking up his tea cup and dropping his ungodly amount of sugar in.
"WHAT?!"
"That was a long time ago!" Ellie blubbered, her face turning red as she glared at L.
"Ellie...God," he groaned. "Don't you tell me anything anymore?!"
"Like you tell me about every girl you had a crush on!" Ellie exclaimed, pretty mortified.
"Touche," Johnny said, sighing. "But...its gone now, right?"
"Yes!" Ellie hissed, turning red.
L brought his head up to stare at her as he sipped at his tea.
"Now, addressing this matter," he said in a calm voice. "I will not imprison you, basically because I feel that is quite unnecessary as long as you cooperate. I do not want you leaving my sight, though, until I can be of a 100 percent certainty you are not involved in the killings."
Be with L all the time?
"Very well..." Ellie sighed, looking over at Osamu who was looking at her knowingly. She glared.
"Ellie, you don't have to agree to this!" Johnny snapped, glaring at L. "He's a liar and I'm not sure I even believe that he didn't set you up."
Ellie frowned. Her brother did have a point...It was true, L was a liar and a cheat. He said before, as long as it came down to him solving a case...he was a dishonest human being who hated to lose. But, his story fit so well – even more so than what she previously believed.
"I knew he would suspect me," Ellie said, looking at Johnny's shocked face. "It was only natural. But, I had to go to him with this information. I'm not the killer, and time will reveal that. I'm not worried at all. I know he will not wrongly accuse me of crimes I've not committed."
"You trust him?!" Johnny exclaimed, pointing towards L.
Ellie looked over to him, contemplating her answer as he stared at her.
"In this sense, yes, I do."
Johnny stared hard at her, before turning towards L. "If anything happens to my sister..." he trailed off, looking at him harshly. But, it was obvious, Johnny was threatening L.
"Look, Johnny, its fine!" Ellie said, cutting in. "I'm an adult, and at least moderately intelligent-" she smirked. "I know what I'm doing, and I'm telling you that its alright."
"I wish I could lock you in your room still..." Johnny grumbled, and she laughed, hugging him.
"I'll be fine with him, I promise," Ellie said, not really believing her words. But, she had to comfort her brother.
L pulled out his phone, hitting a number quickly.
"Watari? Bring Miss Lafleurs belongings." he said quickly and then hung up.
"When you said I can't leave your sight..." Ellie smirked, joking. "You aren't gonna like, watch me sleep, are you?"
L just stared at her. Her stomach dropped. She talked in her sleep sometimes...Osamu had told her.
"You're going to watch me sleep?!" she exclaimed, horrified.
"I said you couldn't leave my sight," he said, tilting his head down. "I can join you in the bedroom, or you may sleep on the couch. Whichever you prefer."
"But...what about when I shower and...stuff?" Ellie said, shaking her head.
He continued to stare at her.
"OH, hell no!" Johnny yelled. "I put my foot down!"
"Yeah, absolutely not!" Ellie said, her face red as a beet. L was absolutely not watching her shower...God, she'd rather die!
"Very well," he said quietly. "I may make an exception in that circumstance...but you are only allowed a certain amount of time. Is that agreeable?"
"Yes!" Ellie exclaimed, grateful she had dodged that bullet.
Ellie inwardly smiled, sitting down on the sofa as her brother paced. She felt insane, but she was actually excited...she had a second chance to get to know L, and it was as if Christmas had come early. She kept telling herself not to let her crush resurface, seeing as it could only cause problems...but, she wasn't she was going to have any control of it.
A/N: Okay, I had to include that scene from the series...Why? Because it was the most awesome burn...EVER! And I wanted it in my story :) Don't worry, this won't follow Death Note, but some things are going to be similar. I'm sure you can tell. I wanted Death Notes to be in my story, though, because it just didn't feel right without them! I'm sure most of you are relieved Ellie didn't turn into a murderer, and actually, I was surprised that anyone thought she would! But, I'm the author, so I'm sure its way different from my view. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the update my friends!