A/N: Mmm. Went to the beach today after work. Was nice to sit in the sun and run around like a little kid and chase my roommate through knee-high waves. Anywho~
Shoutout to Guest, cygnusx10a, Fanfictionlurker1,Nagareboshi-chan, Mithari, and trigonita for making last chapter the most reviewed chapter yet!
Fanfictionlurker1: Karma rolls around, even for L.
Mithari: Thank you for your review. It made me smile when I read it. To be honest, I'm a sucker for a happy ending, but I also know that sometimes tales close on a sad note and that is far more fulfilling at times. If you are a romantic, stick around for House of Cards. I hope to see another review from you again, and even if not, I hope you continue to enjoy what remains of this story and others I may come to tell in the future.
Onto the show peeps! Second to last chappie~
Fool's Gambit
By Catsitta
29.
"Please, let me go! I didn't do anything. I'm not Kira!"
L watched Light's face flicker through a thousand emotions, then drain of all color. He wondered what she thought of this turn of events. He wondered if she knew that it was her fault he was suffering this weakness. A good man would have executed them both before things got this far, but L had come to realize that he was not a good man. A Just one, but even that judgement faltered when love tangled its way into his brain.
There was no logic in this ploy, just feeling and prayer. He was not a gambling man. But here he laid his hopes in a final roll of God's dice. Black eyes shifted from Light to the madly laughing shinigami. He read the Death Note's rules, he knew that the user of the book could go to neither heaven nor hell, their final breath stolen away by the shinigami whom held dominion over the Death Note they used. Black wings fluttered in a nonexistent breeze. Was this an omen?
No. Not if everything went to plan.
L looked up at the monitor. He could see Misa struggling, heard her begging. She wasn't going to live much longer anyway. Her death would not matter. He recalled the doctor's report before he pulled her from the hospital. People did not do well after having their insides scrambled. This would be a quicker, gentler end than what awaited Miss Amane.
But Light did not know that.
She did not know many things.
He frowned when he saw a white shape move between the camera and Miss Amane. Ah, Rem. The keeper of Misa's Death Note, the one he was going to burn once this whole disaster was over. L watched as Rem passed a monstrous hand over Misa's body, calming her. She quieted, her lips barely moving as she spoke with the death god. It did not matter if she gave up the book now.
"Are...are you going to kill Misa instead of me?" Light whispered, drawing L's attention back to her.
"No," it was the truth. "I'm killing Kira."
"Kira..."
L walked over to where he'd placed Light's Death Note. The foul thing radiated dark power, utterly oozed pride. This was the thing warping her beyond saving. But when she did not have her memories...she was good. Prideful and arrogant, yes, but innocent. He wanted that innocence back. He wanted to save her, but only she could take that final, fateful step.
He picked the note up and came to stand in front of Light, one hand in his back pocket, two fingers holding the Death Note, his whole body slouched forwards. Light's eyes brightened with something akin to insanity. This creature before him was broken.
"If Light gives up his Death Note, then Kira will die with Miss Amane."
Light stared at him with disbelief, "That is your ultimatum? That simple?"
"Not quite. Light, as far as the records are concerned, is dead. If he gives up the Death Note, I will take him someplace safe, allow him to start a new life away from this country. The details of government have a way of sorting themselves out."
"I have nothing to lose..."
"Misa takes the full blame," L said. "No guilt?"
Light pursed her lips, "I never wanted her involved in the first place."
"Hm...so what will it be Light? Will you give up your divine quest or will you die for your cause?"
She glanced between the screen and the Death Note, stoic, but he knew she was torn.
"Why? Why give me this choice?"
"Because I love you. And love makes men fools."
Hyuk. Hyuk. Hyuk. Ryuk's laughter was becoming overbearing now, it was hard to hear himself think. What was making the shinigami laugh so loudly? L clenched the Death Note tightly.
"Give it up, Light."
"I..."
She was faltering; he was going to win. He could save her!
"Aaaaaaah! I can't take this anymore!"
Both L and Light jerked their head's towards the monitor. Misa was thrashing convulsively now, blood trickling from her wrists. Two men came to stand at either side to hold her down. She would be reviving lethal injection once L gave the word.
Rem stood behind her head and that single yellow eye stared into the camera.
Her hands came to rest over Misa's shoulders.
"Now, Misa. Please. Don't foolishly sacrifice yourself for Kira."
Misa nodded.
"Light! I know you can hear me. I know his name..."
"No!"
"...it's L..."
"Cut the feed!"
"Lawliet."
The screen went dark. L turned to face Light. Her head was bowed and she was chuckling softly.
"So. Your name really is L."
Letter's never become the hero of the romance novels.
The shinigami's mad laughter became howls.
.
L Lawliet.
A name. She had a name. But she also had a chance to escape. All she had to do was give up the Death Note. Ha. L had proven himself a liar. Would the obsessive man ever let her go?
Tawny eyes met black.
SNAP!
-tbc-
A/N: (Heh. What is happening there at the end. -shifty eyes- Did y'all really think Misa was the twist? Gotta finish big folks. So, what does everyone think is going to happen? Thoughts? Comments? Crazy predictions for the next chapter, epilogue or even the alternate ending for your hopeless romantics? Like it, love it, hate it- please review. Your feedback is important, even this late in the game. One more chapter folks. Then the 30 day challenge is over and I'll post the epilogue and the first chapter of House of Cards. )
