Chapter 10

A Scare

The next day on campus I followed them to the tennis courts. Today I wasn't wearing my disguise. L was to face Light in tennis. As usual I kept my eye on that shadow.

"I've got to admit that I was rather surprised Ryuuga. To be invited to play tennis with you so we could get to know each other better." Light said.

I narrowed my eyes.

"Has this caused a problem for you?" L asked.

"Not at all…"

They started to walk off. I followed the fence line pretending to read a book.

"Were you aware of how skilled I am when you asked me to play?" Light asked.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

He is the kind of guy I used to beat up in high school.

"That's okay Yagami-kun. I used to be the junior champion of England."

I smiled and turned the page.

"Were you raised in England?" Light asked.

"I lived in England for five years. But I wouldn't worry about it, there's nothing about it that will compromise my identity as L."

I smiled, thankful my hair was hiding my face.

You're such a smartass.

They went to their places and I put the book away. Acting as though I were interested in the tennis game.

Kick his ass L. Kick his ass into next week!

I could see the shadow and I could feel excitement this time. L was first to serve. At first he was just bouncing the ball. When he suddenly looked up I smirked. He hit the ball and it went flying between Light's legs. The shadow jumped, as if it was trying to avoid being hit.

Shinigami!

As the game went on a serious crowd began to gather. There was a large gap where I stood though. I guess people didn't want to stand too close. I didn't care. I was only interested in the game. I knew what L was doing. L may have been childish and hted to lose, but so did Kira. He was testing Light.

You're brilliant sometimes.

I knew L was counting on me to read the bastard's feelings but I still couldn't. That shadow was blocking it. I saw L dive but he missed.

"Game set: won by Yagami Light."

"Damn." I hissed.

I walked away and followed them. They down a row of cherry trees. I walked ahead and stopped towards the end. I leaned against the tree and pulled out my book.

"Hey I'm thirsty and I have a favor to ask you. Shall we stop for a drink after this?"

"Well since I lost the game ask away."

My eyes widened.

L what the hell are you doing?!

"There's just one thing I've got to mention first…."

Oh god no! Please don't do it!

"I suspect you may be Kira."

I sighed in frustration and snapped the book shut. I moved around the tree again. The shadow was now right in front of me.

"I know you're there. I see your shadow. I think I know what you're capable of. Yes I'm afraid of you, but if your going to kill someone then kill me. Don't kill L. You want my life take it. But spare his." I whispered.

I could feel confusion and a bit of understanding. If it was talking I couldn't tell, nor could I hear it.

"I know human lives mean nothing to you. And I'm not afraid to die. Just let me tell him how I feel first. That's all I ask…..Shinigami. And I doubt you'll do this….but don't tell Yagami Light I can sense you." I whispered.

It just floated there. I took a deep breath and left. I followed them to the café and so did the shadow. I sat down far enough away but I could still hear them. The shadow was between myself and Light. I took out my sketch pad. I'd always wanted to go to art school, but it was never a possibility. I drew the scene before me. I drew L and Light at the table and I drew the shadow. As I drew L I smiled. L was going to test Light's ability of deduction. He showed him the photos and I listened closely. It was highly difficult to make out what he said. For a moment I felt a tiny flicker of frustration, and it wasn't from the shadow.

Yagami Light!

I heard him say L might be Kira and I stood up quickly. I had to calm down! I took a deep breath and gathered my things. As I past I looked L in the eye and nodded. I'd barely gotten out of the café when someone grabbed me. I elbowed them and then threw them to the ground with their arm twisted behind their back.

"Nyamo its me!"

I gasped and immediately dropped down.

"Ryuuzaki I'm so sorry!"

"Never mind that now! Yagami-san has had a heart attack!"

My eyes went wide and we rushed to the hospital. Naturally Light was with us but I had to hide my discomfort. We ran up to his room and that was when Light blocked me.

"Who're you?"

I narrowed my eyes.

"She's my girlfriend." L said.

Light's eyes widened and I pushed passed him. I bowed and looked at Yagami-san with concern.

"Are you alright Yagami-san? Can I do anything?"

"No but thank you."

When his wife left I put my hands on L's shoulders.

"Are you sure you're just overworked?" Light asked.

"Yeah…when I first went down I thought it might be Kira, but its alright. I've probably been overdoing it recently."

"Then you'll need Nyamo's tea. It's all natural and good for the heart."

I laughed a bit.

"All the more because you knew your son was being suspected as Kira."

Light turned to him angrily.

"You even told my father that!?" He snapped.

I narrowed my eyes.

"Watch your tone." I hissed.

"Nyamo its alright. He's worried about his father. And yes, I've told him everything. Even the fact that I'm L and Nyamo is my girlfriend."

Every time he said girlfriend I felt warm inside. Light looked to his father for a confirmation.

"He's right. He's L. We call him 'Ryuuzaki' so that outsiders don't realize, but without a doubt he's L."

When Light looked at L I didn't like it. There was a hint of malice in his eyes.

"So, Ryuuzaki, Nyamo, have your suspicions about my son lessened now that you've had a chance to talk to him?" Yagami-san asked.

I didn't want to say no. He was in a fragile condition. L however was of a different mind.

"You say 'suspicion' but it was only a minute amount. Let me say it once more…"

Don't you dare!

"Kira has killed twelve FBI agents that were sent to this country. They were all investigation people connected with the Japanese police force. Out of all of them, Raye Penber's death stood out as being suspicious."

I closed my eyes and looked down.

"And I was one of the ones he was investigating…I guess it can't be helped that I'm a suspect then. No it's as Ryuuga says, there's no one else to suspect."

I squeezed L's shoulders a bit.

"Your reasoning is quite something. It's always fast and precise."

Too fast and too precise.

"Ryuuga, I'll cooperate with the investigation. After all my father's proved that you're L. I'll catch Kira and prove to you I'm not Kira. Both of you."

I just looked at him.

"Light, right now you should be focusing on your studies to get into the police force. You can start investigating after that."

"I agree. I dropped out of art school and I regret it to this day. Don't do what I did Yagami Light." I said.

He looked at me and then back to his father.

"What're you saying father? Nobody know how many years that would take."

If I have my way it won't take long at all.

"In any case I've already promised that…if anything happens to you, I'll sentence Kira to death."

The chief felt very happy. He didn't think his son was Kira at all. I shared L's feelings on it.

"Listen Light, Kira is evil! That's the truth. But recently I've been wondering what's really to blame…and it's the power to kill others. Any human that comes across that power will be unhappy. No matter how one uses that power, you can never build true happiness on the deaths of others." said Yagami-san.

I nodded.

"Yagami-san is correct. If Kira is an ordinary person who has simply acquired these powers, they're indeed misfortunate." L said.

"Ryuuzaki, sorry to trouble you like this."

I stepped forward and smiled.

"You haven't troubled anyone. If anything this is god sentencing you to bed rest." I said.

He smiled and chuckled.

"Umm….visiting hours are now over." said a nurse.

I bowed in respect before leaving the room. I walked down to the car with L and Light. The shadow was still with us.

"Ryuuga, Nyamo…."

We both turned.

"Is there any way I can prove to you that I'm not Kira?"

Nope.

"If you're not Kira then there's no need for you to do that." L said.

Light took a step forward and so did I.

"Come off it! Try thinking about how you would feel to be the one being accused of being Kira."

L looked to the sky for a minute.

"I feel awful."

"For example you could lock me up for a month without TV or anything and keep me under supervision."

Sounds like a good idea to me.

"No, I wouldn't do something that would infringe your basic human rights like that. And most importantly, it would be nonsense for me to accept the suggestion of someone whose a suspect."

L ushered me into the car and I looked back at Light.

"It'll be alright. If you're not Kira I'll find out sooner or later. Plus having witnessed your reaction with your father today, I thought that you might not be Kira. Please take care of your father."

"O-One last thing. I said I'd cooperate with the investigation but, until my father gets better I don't think that I can do much."

I looked at him carefully and at the shadow behind him.

"I know. Goodbye."

The car took off and I looked out the other window. Why hadn't the shadow killed me? Why hadn't Light found out about my ability? Nothing made sense.