A/N: This story is set in an alternate timeline. The Kira case was ended in 2001, and the date is now 2011.

I apologize for not updating in a while, my muse took a vacation in the Caribbean, and only recently returned. And then I had to reread this whole thing, so I didn't make any information mistakes. I edited chapter 4 as well, to make the information in it match up with this one. The next updates will also probably be sporadic, as Harry Potter fanfiction has taken over my mind, and I feel the urge to write HP fanfiction, not Death Note. :P

Disclaimer: I still don't own Death Note.

Chapter 9- Blood Message

L's POV

What is Kira planning? I wondered as I followed one of Near's assistants to the room where the many Kira worshippers were being held. Katherine followed doggedly behind me, worry on her face. It was most likely her parents she was worried about. After all, they were Kira worshippers too, if only new ones. And she didn't know that they were most likely not going to die, as one of them was probably Kira. And it would be awfully strange if just one or two of the family died, at the rate the followers are going.

"Wait out here," I said to Katherine, gesturing to the hallway we were standing in. "I should be out shortly. I then turned to the door to the security room of Near's headquarters, tapped out the password on the keypad, then entered.

"Give me the details," I said in my typical monotone to Near, who was looking through the monitors with the room on them.

"They've all started to suicide," said Near, "It's most likely Kira controlling them."

"Didn't you remove everything that could be used as a weapon before you put them in the room?" I asked, my eyes narrowed. "What's the chance this is not actually Kira, and just the followers themselves showing their devotion to their 'Lord' by not wanting to give up any information about other Kira churches and their practices?"

"Very low," Near replied, "As most of these followers are rather spineless. Even the Head Priest. They're all very fond of their own lives. Well, the ones that have been interviewed so far were. And yes, all objects that could be used as weapons were removed. They got creative."

I thought about this for a second before answering, "They're biting their own tongues?"

Near just nodded in reply. He then tapped his headset, signaling to me that he was receiving a message. He frowned slightly, and then turned to one of the screens. "Well, the deaths have stopped. Around half of the followers are dead now."

"And?" I asked, knowing that what Near had said wasn't all. Something like that wouldn't cause Near to frown.

"One of the followers wrote a message on the ground using his blood. But there's a body blocking the camera."

"Do we need to go down there?"

"Not really," Near shrugged. "An assistant can do that. Though we may need to assist in helping move the followers. I don't have as many men as usual, as Kira returning, though something people like to imagine, is not actually a very believable threat. Even though the FBI are reporting suspicious murders to me, they don't actually believe that Kira will come back until they have proof."

"So let's go then, we can save time. Finding Kira is extremely important."

Near nodded, and then got up from his chair. I followed behind him as he exited the room. I turned to Katherine who, as expected, was still waiting outside. As her father and mother had been returned to the room that was holding the followers after their interrogation had finished, I decided that she could follow. "Follow us."

As we walked into the room, I wrinkled my nose slightly at the smell. Even though most of the bodies had been cleared out already, there was still that stench of blood and death that was left behind. Most of the followers were huddled into a corner, though a few were walking around or leaning against the walls rather unconcernedly. Most notably, the Head Priest. I looked away from him. Even though I had my mask on still, and he most likely wouldn't recognize me, I still didn't want to face the man. My second childhood had left its mark, even when my old memories were returned to me.

"Here's the message," Near stated as he stopped right in front of the writing on the floor. I read it over quickly, and then swallowed nervously. This message… Could I take it as proof that Light was still alive and fighting? That his soul hadn't been swallowed up by Kira's? Or was this just a taunt, something to provoke me into doing something rash. A jibe by my sociopathic enemy about my own feelings. I also wondered why he had not written a message in code as he did usually.

L, RYUUZAKI, RYUUGA- HOW WONDERFUL IT IS TO SEE YOU ALIVE AGAIN.

LIGHT CERTAINTLY THINKS THIS IS TRUE AS WELL.

IS THIS ALL YOU CAN DO? YOU'RE PITIFUL L. NOT TOO MANY HEIRS LEFT.

HERE I AM AGAIN, AND I AM ALREADY AHEAD IN THIS WAR.

IN THIS WORLD, I WAS BORN WITH THE ADVANTAGE.

HER DEAL WAS QUITE NICE, WASN'T IT?

"Her?" Near said, turning to me.

"As I said earlier, the Shinigami King is not a gender specific title. He's most likely referring to where she placed him in a body. He thinks he has the better hand." I said, and then grimaced, "and he's most likely right."

"L, Light is in here in her." Near said, eyeing the hidden message. "It doesn't really make any sense. Why would Kira be trying to help us find him?"

"He probably isn't." I smiled slightly, hoping what I was saying was true, "Light is probably trying to help us. He can probably try and alter Kira's thoughts slightly, as in making his wording slightly different."

"That's good then."

I nodded in agreement; things were looking up.

"You!" A too familiar voice snarled, and I whirled around, as did Near. "You, it's you isn't it?" The raspy voice of the Head Priest was grating my ears. The man was standing right in front of me, staring at me with wide, slightly bulging black eyes. "You! Teru…. TERU." He snarled, reaching out for me.

I stiffened and stepped back, freezing up slightly. Wave after wave of repressed memories from this second childhood were hitting at me, pounding from inside my skull. I barely noticed as Near ordered an assistant to restrain the man and remove him, not even listening to the yelling of "I KNEW IT! MY FAILURE OF A SON! I KNEW IT! BETRAYER OF MY CAUSE!" I didn't even see Katherine's face light up in an insane grin that quickly disappeared not even a second later.