[I hope I can make up for the late post with this-- It's longer than most chapters.]

[Chapter Twenty-five]

Near walked back into the room.

"I just got off the phone with L. L still wants to interrogate you because of... certain circumstances that you left him with."

"Please don't let them interrogate me. I know that you think that Light is Kira, but you have it wrong. Please let me explain the situation to you."

You told him everything that you had told L—that Light was being controlled by a shinigami that no one but you and him could see. You explained that Light had only done what the shinigami had ordered him to. And you told him that you had only found out when you had accidentally touched his death note. That was what made you save Light, and help him. You told Near that Light had lost all memory of being Kira and the shinigami since his near death experience.

Near looked skeptical.

"So you're the only one that can see this shinigami? And it has no idea that you can see it?"

"That's right."

"And how do you know that? Shinigami might have the power to make themselves invisible..."

"They don't. Light and I secretly interviewed a few when we were working for L. L detained Light under the suspicion that he was still Kira. When I heard about it, I went to where L was and broke Light out... only because L was going to kill us both. I should have let him. I think it might have been a test to determine if either Light or I were Kira. The shinigami we had interviewed... he helped us break out. To L, that was the only confirmation he needed. Really... all it confirmed was that we had a shinigami—not that we were Kira. Why else would I have a shinigami though? L thinks that there is no other reason. It is a god of death. That's the thing though. This god of death that is controlling Kira... Other gods of death find it despicable.... Helping the humans. And yet, other gods of death find it amusing. Like Ryuk, the shinigami that you met. He had been sympathetic to Light just for his own amusement. That is why other gods of death are stepping in to catch Kira and Kira's shinigami...." You paused to think of a good name. "Riku is Kira's true name. Riku is the shinigami behind Kira."

Near was processing all of this.

"So Light is... innocent?"

"Yes. I witnessed Riku telling him what to do. Light.... Light has actually saved lives. He's reasoned with the shinigami quite a bit."

"What's the shinigami's motivation, though? You said that this... Riku.... was helping the humans create a perfect world. Why is the shinigami using other humans to kill his victims?"

"I'm note completely sure myself. My only guess is based off of him using Light—Light is smart, and—"

"Yes, I know. So you think that it's because Riku wanted to wipe out all that opposed him? He obviously must have known that some of his opposition would be smart enough to keep their identities secret... maybe gods of death have their limits too. Maybe using a human was the only way to find out their identities.... But that doesn't make very much sense. L and I aren't dead. Only Mello is dead, and I don't think that Riku was responsible for that."

"Well—to some extent, I think that he uses humans for his own amusement. I've been told that the shinigami realm is boring these days. All they do is sleep and gamble. Living forever in a desolate world could get rather boring..."

"So what do you suggest we do? We can't catch it."

"I have been told... That a shinigami dies when it uses it's death note to save a human's life. And with the help of other shinigami... I believe we could accomplish that."

"Perhaps." He paused. "I'm going to go inform L of your findings."

You nodded, and Near got up to walk to the door.

"Let him know that I'm sorry about his helicopter."

Near stopped, and turned around.

"Was Light Yagami in that helicopter, Mrs. Bourne?"

"Yes."

"Okay."

He left the room.

You had just successfully faked Light's death. That would buy you some time. Of course, Light would eventually have to show himself again, but until then...

Near re-entered the room.

"Miss Bourne... I have bad news. Light Yagami is dead." You looked at him, waiting for him to explain. You had anticipated this. "The helicopter exploded over the ocean a few hours ago."

"Light isn't dead. I know that he isn't. He told me that whatever happened, he would be alive."

"There were 27 witnesses. There is no way he could have survived if he was in that helicopter."

"He's still out there."

"I understand. Time will tell. In the meantime, L is on his way here. I'm not planning on showing my face to him, and I'm sure that he's not planning to show his face to me either. We met once... a long time ago, but with all this chaos... I don't think showing our faces is an option. I'm not sure how it will play out just yet." You nodded with understanding. Near paused to look at you. "He's going to want to question you."

"I don't see why you two don't work together. Riku suspects that L is dead, and isn't even aware of my existence. I have 24 shinigami that have agreed to help me, and the last one that I spoke to told me that Riku wasn't interested in you after stealing Ryuk's death note back. He's doesn't care about you because he thinks that Light and L are dead. He's moved onto more fun things. New opposition. He'll only worry about you if somehow you manage to pose a threat to his new human." Near said nothing. "I can't work together with you and L. I think that you should work with L though. I can see the benefits of working alone, but right now you're both in the same place. You both have the same information."

"You said that you believed that Light was still alive?"

"Yes."

"So he faked his own death... and left you behind?"

"He will come back for me. He knew that he was putting me in more danger by staying with me. He still has his own problems to work out, you know. He was crazy when I first found him... We had a fight about it just before he left."

"Do you have a romantic relationship with Light Yagami?"

"Yes—a recent development. Before that... Well, I was too busy taking care of him to see him in a romantic way. He has trouble around me because of the way that he was forced to use Misa Amane and Kiyome Takada. He wouldn't accept it when I told him. He had no memory of it."

"I see. I can't fully believe you until I have solid proof. The killings stopped after he was shot."

"That's because the shinigami had to find a new human."

"It makes sense. But my theory also makes sense."

You stood up.

"If I had the power to kill you—or if Light did, you would already be dead."

"I'll see what I think after I speak with L."

He stood up, and held a hand out. You shook his hand.

"I'm glad that you've decided to work with L."

"I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to keep you under constant surveillance."

You hated how he constantly changed the subject, and avoided acknowledging what you said.

"I understand."

"You will be provided with a room."

"May I request paper and a pen? I don't have my diary, and I would like to record the past week's events."

"I suppose that it's okay... as long as you're under surveillance." He paused. "In fact, recording everything would be quite helpful."

He had walked right into that one. As long as you had a way of writing, you could communicate with Isamu through indirect statements... and it was only a matter of time until Isamu came back for you.

Near stood up.

"Layla will be with you from now on. I'll have her show you to your room."

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