Chapter 9
"Priests say that god created our souls, and that just puts us under the control of another puppeteer. If god created our will, then he is responsible for every choice we make" –Orson Scott Card
A/N: This quote fits the chapter. Although I don't necessarily agree with the implications (I do not mean to offend anyone; I am just stating my beliefs on how it is impossible for anyone to know that anything is real, much less an omnipotent god, due to the fact that while Solipsism is not a particularly healthy belief, it is true that there is no way to confirm anything outside of your own existence) I feel that I needed to put in a quote about a puppeteer. Because if anything, Light is the puppeteer controlling the strings of the criminals minds and he does have an enormous god complex.
Chief Yagami stood abruptly from his chair at the head of the room. The officers in front of him repeating what he had just said to them in disbelief.
WHAT? There were another 23 heart attack victims yesterday?!
I sighed. Honestly I was beyond bored. There was no need of them to repeat what he had just said. Yes, more criminals were dying while we were otherwise occupied. Was it really that hard to believe? Killers don't stop killing for your convenience. If they did we could all go home.
Yes, and the day before there were another 23 victims. One at every hour.
Forty-Six criminals. It has been two days since Kira began to kill a criminal at every hour, only stopping at the twenty fourth hour just to begin again. It is December 12th, the rest of the task force seems to be starting to panic. You can see the stress in their bloodshot eyes. Some of them looked as if sleep had been eluding them. I took note of the most disheveled ones. Coffee stains on their shirts. Tie's loosened and at a seemingly slight and crooked angle. They had an overall haphazard appearance.
My train of thought was interrupted as they began talking again.
The fact that this had continued for two weekdays straight…
The other man looked towards his companion
Means our sketch of the culprit has become more doubtful.
No, anyone can skip school for two days.
Idiots, the lot of them are idiots. Can't they see that this only confirms their theories? As soon as they filed in the report of the last meeting the pattern changed. We had begun to suspect a student. As soon as the information was put in the change to contradict that theory not only tells you that it is what they think it is, but that they have access to the files. I began to shake my head in frustration. You would think that even though they are supposed to be trained in the skills of deduction that they could come to a better conclusion than to completely dismiss their previous theories.
The computerized voice spoke up from behind me.
That is not it! It does appear less likely now that the culprit is a student…But that is not the message Kira is trying to send. Why one every hour? And why are all of the victims in prisons, where they can easily be found?
I found myself nodding with what he was saying. At least I know he isn't an idiot. Assuming he is a he. The masculine sound of the voice changer insinuates that he could possibly be a he, but otherwise there is no way to know.
Kira is trying to say that he can freely control the time of death.
The whole task force, except for myself. Was staring at the luminescent L glaring back at them in shock. Turning around, I did not look at the L, but at the webcam itself.
"So I see that my deduction was correct." I stated. The other members looked back and forth between my face and the computer screen.
"What was your deduction, Miss Saito?" L asked. I could hear a faint curiosity in his scrambled voice.
"First, and probably the most important thing that I see here is, the culprit has access to police files. The culprit is most likely a student due to the sudden change as soon as the report from the last meeting was computerized, the culprit is highly intelligent and extremely childish. The culprit has a god complex and is most likely working alone. These traits, other than the first, were deduced at the las meeting but I felt there needed to be a repeat of the information. The culprit was using prisoners as tests of his/her abilities. The culprit, and pardon my language, is a sarcastic asshole."
"I agree with your deduction Miss Saito, aside from the last part maybe; This is obviously a direct challenge from him."
Light's POV
I was walking down the sidewalk on my way home from classes. Ryuk floated silently beside me as I began to speak to him.
L is probably panicking by now. I said, absentmindedly.
I still have fifty criminals left, especially for times like this. Now, L should be starting to suspect someone involved with the police.
Ryuk spoke up in reply.
But I don't get it. Surely showing that you have connections to the police makes it easier for them to find you. Just like when they began to suspect you were a student.
Well… My real agenda is… To get close to L. So I can eliminate him.
And how are you going to do that?
You still don't understand human beings. In this world, there are very few people who actually trust each other, and it is no different for the police, Ryuk. What's especially important is that L and the investigators don't trust each other at all. Think about it, could you trust someone whose name and face you don't even know? When L discovers that I'm somehow getting confidential information, he will be obligated to start investigating the police to find the source of the leak. When that happens, it will only be a matter of time before the police start resenting L. On the surface, it will appear as if L and the investigation team are working together to try and catch me, when in reality, L will investigate the police, and they will be investigating L. I'm not the one who is going to find L; I can let the police do that for me, and when they do, that is when I am going to eliminate him.
Kagome's POV
It was after our small break when I noticed that multiple people were in groups just outside the door. They were speaking in hushed tones and some of them had neatly folded pieces of paper in their hands. The three of them had a look of determination on their face when they walked to the front of the room to present the papers to the chief.
What's this about?! He demanded. His voice sounded harsher than usual. The rough sound wasn't very pleasant.
With all due respect Chief, we're resigning. We demand that you assign us to a different case; otherwise, you can have our badges right here and now.
But why?! You're good cops!
Isn't it clear? It is because we value our lives, Sir.
If what L says is true, Kira has some type of ESP ability that allows him to kill anyone for anywhere.
Well if I were Kira sir, I would probably want to get rid of the people trying to catch me.
We all sat here and watched when L decided to pull that media stunt and challenge Kira to kill him. Well, it was all very impressive at the time, but then again, L never had to show his face or reveal his name for that matter. I'm sure you recall L's last request, he asked that we take a closer look at how all of these victims' identities were made public and specifically to determine whether photos of the victims were made available to the public prior to their deaths. Well it turns out he was right! Every single one of those victims' names and photos were broadcasted to the Japanese public and then they died! Unlike someone we know, we are out there investigating this case wearing police I.D.'s with our names and photo's on them! Anybody with a computer can find out who we are! We don't hide our faces, we're out in the open!
Sir… The truth is we could be killed by Kira at any moment.
For these reasons we refuse to continue working this case.
Excuse us, Chief.
With a bow, the men at the front of the room began to walk away. It was no surprise really. A lot of the case workers were bound to get cold feet after finding out they could die at any moment.
HEY! STOP! ALL OF YOU! Hold it right there!
The trio left the room, the door shutting with a soft, but firm 'click'.
Kaiya's POV
This eternal façade was exhausting. I'm not sure I could do it much longer. How did people keep an eternal happy go lucky look on their face all the time? Why would I need to put up a façade around L anyway? It's not like he wouldn't find out eventually. I scowled. Pondering what I should do, I began to chew on the excess skin around my thumb nail, moving to the next finger once I had chewed off the skin. Making a decision, I stood abruptly. I was tired of this. I was going to confront him. Turning to the nearest camera, I pointed my finger accusingly.
"L, I am sick of playacting, I know you are watching and I know you hear me. Honestly, keeping an upbeat attitude is exhausting and I see no logical reason to continue as I am now. I am sure you had already deduced I was acting anyways. I am sure we are both curious about one another. If you would, access my system on my laptop and we shall converse."
L's POV
I was immensely amused as the woman pointing through my screen spoke directly to me. Her short slender frame was covered in what seemed to be a baggy t-shirt that was made to hang off of the shoulder. Her hair was thrown up haphazardly atop her head, her bangs held back by a headband. Skintight black fabric clung to her lower extremities. Her face was determined and confident but completely serious and stoic at the same time. As soon as her little speech was over, she walked over to the dining room table where her laptop was perched on a placemat. She flipped it on and then walked over to her kitchen, returning when she had a cup of tea. I wrinkled my nose as I saw she had no additives in it. Absolutely no sugar. I typed a few commands on my keyboard and soon enough, my logo appeared on her screen.
Kaiya's POV
"First of all" I began, only stopping to sip my Earl Grey, "It is a pleasure to finally speak to you and not have to act like an airhead."
"Likewise, however, now that you have dropped your façade, what should I call you?" He asked.
Pursing my lips, I thought. Saito Kagome does seem to be a mouth full.
"Call me Ayano"
"Another Alias, I presume?" he said, switching to English.
"Why of course" I replied, also in English. I rarely spoke the language due to the fact that my accent, even though barely detectable, was still faintly there.
"I feel that I must say this even though we do not know each other well, but your tea habits disturb me"
My eyes narrowed, "what do you mean 'my tea habits disturb you'?"
"There are no additives. Just plain black."
"The Earl does not need additives, L" I replied. For some reason it was easy speaking with him. Although it was odd, his way of speaking had altered from its usual dialect.
I switched positions to how I would normally be seated. One foot in the chair, another tucked just behind it to keep it in place, leaned forward some and with my arm tucked behind my leg and clutched to my chest.
"What is it that you wanted to speak about?" he inquired.
"I realize that your voice modification is a deeper tone, implying that you are male, but I would like to confirm this."
"Yes, I am male. Why did you join the task force?"
"To catch Kira, have you began to investigate the police?"
"No"
"Hmm short and simple. You are trying to keep it short so that you don't confirm that you will in fact be investigating them"
"What makes you think that?"
"Because you would be required to do so, there is a leak, which means you must plug it. When do you start?"
"Hmmmm, are you Kira?"
"Me? That's preposterous, while I may have the intellect, and actually joining the task force would be advantageous, it would have been even more advantageous if he or she had simply ignored the media entirely."
"Excuse me" I heard some muffled talking, I think it was "Watari, would you mind getting me some cake?"
"Did you just ask Watari for cake?"
"Hmm yes, I did. Why?"
"What kind of cake?" I was curious, I'll admit.
"Strawberry shortcake"
"Your tastes for cake is quite impeccable, if you would excuse me, I think I may grab a bowl of strawberries to munch on while we converse"
I knew he was watching as I grabbed a plate and two bowls from my cabinets. I placed the bowls on the plate. Filling one bowl about half way with sugar, and the other overflowing with strawberries.
"You do not eat your strawberries plain?" He asked.
"Hmm, no, I prefer to add sugar to them. Chocolate is good as well, however I do not currently have any due to the fact that I rarely eat it. I suppose I will buy some on my next shopping trip. Only for the strawberries though."
"I need to inform you of something" he said after a few minutes of silence. Both of us silently and thoughtfully chewing on our newfound snacks.
"Go ahead"
"But first, I must ask you a few questions."
Something felt off. I felt an odd sense of dread. "Okay" I said, the caution and alert in my tone was obvious.
"You are from England, Yes?"
"…Yes"
"Your early days were spent living in a church, in Winchester"
I immediately grew tense. He knew. He knew everything. How he knew, I have no idea.
"…yes…"
"You would spend your time outside the gate of a nearby orphanage, barely speaking to any of the children, just watching, you gave one of those children, a chess piece"
My breath hitched. I felt the burn of tears behind my eyes. Something I had not felt for a very long time.
"…You're him aren't you?"
His silence only confirmed my suspicions. None of the other children payed that much attention to me. He wasn't the type to talk to others. He would not have told them of what happened. My shoulders were so taught that a dull ache began to spread through them. I glared at the camera facing me.
"Show me your face" I demanded.
"No"
"I have already seen it before, show it to me!" I could hear the tremor in my own voice.
I heard some more muffled speaking in the back ground, I was to overwhelmed to pay it any attention. It went on for about a minute or so before I heard some typing and then the screen changed.
He was sitting on the floor of what appeared to be a darkened hotel room. His attire was a long sleeved white shirt and baggy jeans. His feet were bare. His skin was a shade or two lighter than my own, his dark shaggy hair stuck out in multiple places, but I barely paid any attention to that. Familiar dark eyes stared back at me as I sat there speechless. My first reactions were shock, apprehension, anger; then it proceeded to fear, confliction, and then finally acceptance.
"So… This is what you have been doing since I left?" I asked.
"Yes"
"Thank you"
"For what?"
"Not waiting to show me who you are until you showed some of the others"
"I am not going to show all of them"
"I know, you're going to thin the ranks, right? Find the ones who are trustworthy?"
"Yes"
"I see" I was still staring at his features. His eyes had gotten darker over the years, giving him a perpetually tired look, his jaw was more predominate and sharper… He was quite handsome actually. I flushed slightly, hoping he didn't notice. Why was I acting this way around him? I was having a hard time speaking. I suppose it is the shock and also the fact that neither of us were much in the way of conversation.
"What have you been doing all of these years, Ayano?"
"…Ella"
"What?"
"…Call me Ella… it is not my full name of course, but I know your main alias and have seen your face… You should know what I call myself"
"I see, Ella. Why does it sound familiar even though you have never provided your name and I have not heard it until now?"
I flushed, this time I was sure it was noticeable. "…The doll… the one you gave me… I… I named it Stella." My face was almost completely red from embarrassment by this point.
He made an odd noise, looking up, he seemed to be shocked at himself. He continued to make the odd grunts until he actually let himself chuckle.
"It's not funny!" My face was now fully red. The gall of that man!
"You are correct, I apologize" He still had an amused look in his eyes.
"…Bastard…" I muttered.
December 18th
Light's POV
Hey Light, you got a sec'?
I already told you Ryuk! You can't talk to me in public. How many times do I have to tell you?
In that case, I'll talk, you just listen. If you don't wanna hear me, then plug your ears or somethin'. First of all, I don't have anything against you, Light. I actually think the notebook couldn't have been picked up by a better person. I'm here because I have to stick around 'til the death note is finished, or I see you die; whichevercomesfirst. But make no mistake Light, I'm not on your side OR L's side.
Yeah Ryuk, I knew that much already. I mumbled. What was this stupid Shinigami getting at?
You'll never hear me say anything about whether anything that you're doing is right or wrong. I'm not here to support you or give you my opinion, I'm just a spectator; but as your roommate, I might have a few things to say now and then.
I was beginning to lose my patients. What's this about Ryuk? Why are you telling me all this stuff now anyway? It's really not like you.
It's just that I'm no ally of yours or Kira's if you prefer. The only reason I'm telling you this is because personally it's really starting to creep me out.
Ugh, get to the point already!
Ryuk chuckled nervously. You're being followed by another human, he's watching you right now!
I immediately stopped in my tracks. What? I was being followed? How long has this been going on? Did he hear me muttering to Ryuk? No, calm down. Act normal. Keep walking. I forced myself to take a few steps forward.
It's really starting to get on my nerves. I realize there is no way he can see me, but because I am always following behind you wherever you go, I feel like I'm constantly being watched.
I tuned Ryuk out. That's a problem. I'll have to get rid of him as soon as possible.
A/N: I hadn't planned on introducing them to each other so soon but it seemed that it was the best course of action, seeing as I wouldn't want her having a complete mental shock and be put on the spot in front of the task force members. I wouldn't like being put on the spot either. Plus there is a six day gap in the events that I have ended with and when the next events conspire so I decided I will fill those days up with more Ella. Also, I decided to go ahead and put in her nickname. It isn't her real name but it is close. Ryuk is also meant to speak to light about the Shinigami eyes, however I feel that imputing that conversation is tedious due to the fact that he does not accept the deal.