Still the Killers do not Answer

As he flipped open a random page, another name caught Ryuuk's eye. "Light Yagami" was etched into the cursed parchment. His sickening laughter filled the room as he pressed his pen into the paper and…

"DON'T YOU DARE, RYUUK!"

The caught Shinigami whirled around, his eyes mixed with the pigments of shock, amusement, and fear. But his creepy, trademark smile still appeared and widened at every syllable, "It's been a while… L Lawliet."

L's eyes widened, I did not expect that to happen. He took a long, deep breath and began to speak calmly and clearly, "Yes it has been, Shinigami-san."

"Guess he never really killed ya, eh?" the Shinigami cackled, "I would've told him sooner, but it was too fun to watch this go unnoticed!"

"You mean… you knew?" he raised a bushy, black eyebrow.

"Rem didn't want to kill you, but she knew it would leave Light angry and Misa upset because Light was upset." he smiled maniacally. "Besides, when am I the one to spill information as soon as it comes?"

"But for fifty years?!" L pressed his fingertips at his temples, trying to numb the anguish rising inside him. "Strike that- fifty-five years."

"Again: When am I the one to spill information as soon as it comes?" he raised a deformed eyebrow to match L's calm façade, "Besides, you humans are too interesting." he chuckled to himself.

"Apparently Shinigamis do not have compassion, nor give any."

"Compassion?" Ryuuk asked, "What's that?"

"Something that neither you nor Kira-kun have, obviously." L said through partially gritted teeth, obviously not thrilled with Ryuuk's stupid questions.

"Well if you say so, then I guess it's true." he shrugged as he sat at the foot of Antigone's bed, tracing the embroidered pattern with a claw.

"Stay away from her." L demanded, "It's my job to protect her, and I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe."

"Strong words for such a weak person." Ryuuk quipped, "Just imagine what Light will say about this when he wakes up." he snickered. "Will he think I'm telling the truth? Or will I have to force little Antigone out her peaceful slumber to clear the air and all doubts?"

He knows that Light is unaware of me. L tried not to complain, but it would be hard to keep his identity a secret with Ryuuk around at all hours. This time Ryuuk was also player in this little game of cat and mouse. And this time: It was tag-teamed. L and A vs. Snafu and Ryuuk. We won't win, twenty percent chance we'll - she'll -get killed.

"Eh-L…" Antigone whimpered, her body shivering as she pulled her comforter closer to her. "N-no…"

L's obsidian eyes widen, while Ryuuk's canary-colored eyes crinkled in anticipation, "Let's see how you handle this, eh Lawliet? Oh and look!" he chuckled, pointing at the infamous lounging chair, "Light seems to be stirring a little bit too!"

Do I leave her completely vulnerable? Or try to coax her back to sleep? his eyes darted around the room, looking for anything to keep her quiet.

Then he saw it: A music box, it had a mahogany finish to it, sitting on one of the various shelves attached to her walls. He grabbed it off the shelf, nearly knocking over a few dusty, and thick, black books in the process.

Ryuuk chuckled; "Better hurry, Light's a light sleeper." his chuckle became a booming laughter, "No pun intended!"

"Your laughter isn't helping." L muttered as he opened the lid very carefully.

A small ballerina, or what he thought was a ballerina, popped out and spun on her ruby red pointes as a simple red and black leotard and tutu made her attire. The girl was ghostly white, like L and her owner, and her black hair was tied up in a bun by a simple red ribbon. He wound up the little key in stage's side and waited anxiously for the song to begin.

A soft and dream-like, but chilling, symphony filled the room.

L stared at it like he could see the notes and measures flying out of the box and wrapping around the room. They flocked around Antigone's bed as the chorus began, as it lulled her back to the safety of her subconscious.

Hi miss Alice
Anata garasu no me de
Donna yume wo
Mirareru no?
Miirareru no?

Antigone breathed softly and snuggled the covers closer to her body. The Guardian breathed a sigh of relief. Then the notes disappeared from her side and began to respite Snafu.

Mata atashi
Kokoro ga sakete
Nagare deru
Tsukurotta
Sukima ni sasaru
Kioku tachi

Snafu smiled softly, a look of pure innocence. He looked like… the person L had met and put under suspicion.

If only he was. L sighed sadly.

Even though L knew Light Yagami was Kira, he wished that the young man wasn't. He had a friend, a real friend, for once with him. It pained him in his final seconds of life to know Light lied to him and everyone else they had come to work with. But it was inevitable now: If Light knew that L wasn't dead, let alone looking after the mistress of his Death Note, he'd kill Antigone in a heartbeat. He would be thinking she made him happy, that she was the only reason to live as much as he could, and he would take that away from the poor man to think it'd finally kill him off. Body and soul.

It unfortunately woke the former first Kira from his slumber and blinked repeatedly, "Ryuuk," he yawned. "Why are you still up?"

"Thinking is all," the older Shinigami shrugged. "I looked around the girl's room and found this-"

"Snooping around a person's room isn't a good idea." he rolled his eyes, "What's that?" he pointed to the music box lazily.

"Antigone's music box, I took it down to see what it was." he shrugged again.

"Still Doll?" Snafu's voice went from his second language to his native tongue, "Naze kanojo ha jibun gaarimasuka?"

"Darega, nin no kurou wo shitte iru. Watashi ha, Raito, kini natteita."

L heard them clearly, a frown appearing on his face. Seems he's always in the mood to do some crazy scheme.

Snafu continued on, his face locked with disdain, "Watashi ha, anatahakonoyouni kosokoso shiteirunante shinji rarenai."

"Nande are, watashi haikutsukashiyouto suimin wo toru tsumorida." Ryuuk chuckled as he made himself comfortable on the floor, "Yoru raitoguddo!"

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair as he muttered, "Watashi ha asa ni ai mashou." he curled up into a ball and fell asleep, again, in the soft beanbag.

"Voi guardare, questo è tutt'altro che finita." L hissed as he lay next to Antigone's bed, like a loyal servant to his master- or mistress in his case.

Because that is what I truly am. he smiled a little at the irony, A loyal servant… A Princess and a Pauper, their perfect Cinderella Story. Although I do not wear shoes, he pressed a finger to his lips. Perhaps I'd wear a mask and it'd be ripped off as I run away from the beautiful Princess Antigone.

His thoughts drew to a close as the music came to bless his tired soul. His eyes drooped and his lips parted slightly, trying to draw in one more breath before he slept for the night.

Still you do not answer.

...

L opened his eyes to find Antigone awake and breathing heavily, "A-another Sh-Shinigami…" she pointed in Ryuuk's direction.

"Oh yes!" he grinned as Snafu sent a pleading look in her direction. "Name's Ryuuk!"

"Another genius." she muttered as she pushed herself out of bed, "Now why can I see you, I don't have your Death Note."

"Snafu's Death Note is originally mine, I have Rem's former Death Note."

"Rem?"

"She died before your time, enough said." he cut her off.

"He'll be staying with me, I promise you that he won't be a pain." Snafu insisted with a small smile, until his face contorted in agitation, "Right, Ryuuk?"

"Yeah." he shrugged, "Hey you got any apples, Antigone-"

"What am I? A food pantry?!" she screeched, "You want apples, Snafu wants coffee-!" she cut herself off in case she shouted L wants candy. "Go buy it yourself, or better yet, steal it! Your dead. So what that people will see a floating apple or a floating cup of coffee! I've seen worse! I've seen men swallow swords, I've seen carnies with forked tongues! Besides, people would be in denial that they saw it! So if you want your damn apples go get them yourself, damn freeloader." she grumbled as she stormed into the bathroom, a string of curses hanging in the air as she went.

That left Snafu, Ryuuk, and L in the room.

Snafu crossed his arms across his chest, "Alright Ryuuk, spit it out. Why are you really here?"

"I'm not the one to tell." he smirked, "If I told you," he looked around carelessly until he eyes were fixed on L's, "it'd spoil all the fun."

He gave up his Death Note. the other two concluded. Snafu's thoughts were more of a question, unlike L's simple and demanding statement.

"So it's gonna be like a game?" the younger Shinigami raised an eyebrow.

"Oh yes indeed. I suspect this game to be even better than the one between you and L!" Ryuuk cried gleefully, "And, of course, every game has rules."

"And those rules would be?" the two asked in unison, causing L to glare at the former Kira.

"You vs. me," Ryuuk stated, "I've given another human my Death Note. It will definitely be interesting to see them fight against each other. You can help Antigone in any way possible, and that includes you can spy on me and my Death Note's new master. As can I with you and her."

"Anything else?"

"You can call on other people to aid as your assistance." Ryuuk's grin widened, "L would make a fine choice, too bad he's dead."

Snafu's eyes narrowed to slits, as did L's, "I can't believe you'd bring him up!"

"Believe me, if I didn't you'd be more lost than you already are Light."

"What, are you trying to say L's alive?!" he fumed.

"Maybe." the other Shinigami teased, he rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet, "You'll just have to figure that out for yourself."

"I'm going to get a drink." Snafu concluded as he pressed his fingers to his temples.

Once he walked away, Ryuuk looked over at L, "So, Lawliet, you gonna play?"

He smiled wryly and spoke causally, "I suppose I accept your challenge. But," he pressed a finger to his lips, "I'm the Shinigami in this game, meaning I'm favoring for either side. I'm neutral, and I'll help either player to keep the game moving." he lied, I favor Antigone will win, instead of this other master.

Ryuuk placed a black bracelet on his wrist, a small smirk appearing, "Then let the games begin."

Translations - in chronological order -

Why does she have this? -Snafu

Who cares? I was in the mood, Light. -Ryuuk

I can't believe you'd sneak around. -Snafu

Whatever, I'm going to try to get some sleep. Good night, Light! -Ryuuk

I'll see you in the morning. -Snafu

You just wait, this is far from over. -L