"Good evening. It is my honor to be appointed by Kira as his spokesperson. This is not a hoax, it's the absolute truth. I realize there'll be many people who might try to have me killed now, but I'm prepared to risk my life for Kira and Kira's wishes so that the world can hear Kira's voice. Trying to capture Kira is an unforgivable crime…"
Beyond glared at the television screen. Kira's Kingdom, the program was called. A whole steaming pile of shit.
"If anyone deserves to be killed by Kira, it's this guy." Grunted Aizawa.
Beyond looked down at the slice of strawberry shortcake in front of him, placing a small strawberry on top.
"Switch it back to the press conference, the president's about to start." Said Matsuda.
The channel was changed.
"I wonder what it's about… All they said was that it was gonna be some sort of international announcement." Matsuda stated, tossing an apple back behind him for Ryuk.
"You don't do anything but watch TV, do you?" Ryuk smirked.
"Huh?"
Matsuda glared and snatched the apple back just as Ryuk was about to take a bite, eating it himself.
Beyond emitted a small chuckle.
"Good morning… I'm gonna try to keep this brief."
The president started.
"The United States… Will no longer oppose Kira."
This, of course, caused an outrage. Many reporters bolted up from their seats, snapping pictures and shouting questions angrily at their president. Microphones were being shoved in his face from all different directions, as his security guards stepped up to do their job. Light pounded his fists down on the desk.
"Those cowards!"
"What the hell is he talking about…? Are they being threatened or something?" Wondered Ide.
"Are you saying Kira is justice?" A reporter asked.
"Justice? No, I never said that. But because of Kira, war and conflict have ceased to exist. Criminal organizations are in a state of ruin - not only in the United States but in all free nations. Anyone who defies Kira head on will be killed, that's a fact. We are not acknowledging Kira as a symbol of justice. We are simply saying that, as a country, we will not be taking any actions against him."
With that, the press conference was over.
"I can't believe it! This is America! How can their government do something so cowardly like this?" Exclaimed Aizawa.
"I am not surprised." Sighed Beyond. "Of course the president does not want his country to be targeted by Kira… And it's no surprise that he fears for his own life the most. Who do you think Kira might go for first if America, as a country, fought against him?"
He shoveled a spoonful of cake into his mouth.
"Um… Do you guys mind if I ask a serious question?" Started Matsuda.
"Oh boy, what is it this time?"
"Are you telling us you're not always serious?"
Matsuda ignored Aizawa and Ide.
"Have you ever started to think that maybe Kira isn't completely evil?"
"What?!"
"What kinda question is that, Matsuda?!"
"I-I've been thinking about it, and… part of me just doesn't believe that he is." Matsuda said.
"So now you think Kira is justice too?" Aizawa glared.
"I don't really know… But I think Kira's trying to fight evil, and change the world in his own way. And, well, the world's become a good place for people who live honest lives. So.. maybe.." Matsuda trailed off.
"You're wrong, Matsuda."
Beyond interrupted.
"People are only afraid for their lives. That's not real peace. The justice system is flawed, anyone can see that. But it isn't up to one guy to decide who should die and who should live. Some crimes are justifiable."
He met Matsuda's gaze. It was strange, but… Beyond almost felt bad for going against him like this.
Matsuda turned his gaze to the floorboards.
"Believe me, I understand that… It's just that I can also see the other side. I can see why these people think of Kira as their savior. I'm not like you… When it comes down to it, I've always been a weak person. But I'm also a detective. I can't accept Kira. I know it's my duty to catch him… No, I want to catch him. It's just that I can't completely hate him, either. I guess… I must be crazy or something, huh?"
Light sighed, "No, you're not crazy. You're normal."
"Huh? You too, Light? What are you talking about?" Aizawa questioned.
"I'm sure that, on some level, Kira probably knows that what he's doing is evil… But he'll try, even as a martyr, to change the world. Even at the cost of his soul. That's his brand of justice. I bet that's what's going through Kira's mind…
Anyway, we shouldn't be arguing about it. Good or evil, it's not our call. All we have to think about is catching him.
If Kira gets caught, then that makes him evil. But if he wins and rules the world, then I guess he's justice."
The room was silent after that.
A world where Kira ruled…
Was not a world Beyond wanted to live in.
And then there was the question that had been burning in his mind ever since L's death…
Why was he still alive?
He suddenly stood.
Beyond exited the room without any excuse, leaving his, for once, only half eaten cake behind.
oOo
"Ichigo…?"
Beyond heard Light's voice behind the door.
He sighed but allowed him to come in anyway, not bothering to move from his spot on the bed with his laptop.
Light placed a cup of coffee down on the side table beside the bed, as well as a cup only full of sugar cubes.
"I still don't know how sweet you like your coffee… So I thought you might want to drop a lot more than what I already put in." Light offered a small smile.
Beyond shrugged his shoulders and thanked the brunette, setting the computer off to the side so he could enjoy a much needed cup of hot coffee.
"So… Ichigo…"
"What?"
"I noticed you and Matsuda have become sort of… friends?"
Beyond's eyes narrowed.
"He's the only one on this investigation team I have been able to chat with – so I can now actually stand to be around him and hold up a decent conversation. What's your point?"
"Well, how come we haven't been able to become friends?" Light questioned.
Beyond almost dropped his cup.
"Are you serious?"
He was met with an innocent shoulder shrug by Light.
"We have never gotten off to a good start, Yagami. And what with Ryuzaki's death, you know everything that happened before…"
"I know that you loved him." Light stated.
Beyond tensed up.
"He loved you too… And… I'll admit, I didn't know what it was at first, but… I started to catch feelings for him towards the end. You were right. I never thought I'd admit it, but you were right. And that's why you've never liked me."
Beyond waited for Light to finish before clearing his throat to answer.
"Well, Light, I'll never admit you're right about anything either, but this is an exception. You got everything spot on. But Ryuzaki was always mine. You'll never know just how special we were to each other, just what exactly our history and relationship was, and how I felt when he was ripped away from me by Kira. The pain I go through day to day is nothing like what you'll ever experience with anyone. So don't try and compare yourself to me. Don't try and understand."
Light frowned.
"I know…
I just thought you could try and start over with me. That we could try and have a clean slate."
"Why would I ever want a clean slate with you, Kira?" Beyond challenged.
Light glared, "I'm not. Kira. Stop accusing me like that."
"You will never have me fooled."
Things started to get a little heated.
"I've got no hidden agenda, Ichigo! I'm just trying to help—"
Beyond stood.
"Why would I need your help? Why would I need anyone's help?" He glared.
"Well, you don't seem to mind Matsuda's help…"
"I appreciate Matsuda. I appreciate no one else here."
"So what, have you betrayed L? Do you like Matsuda now?" Light raised his voice.
Big mistake.
Crimson red eyes widened before Beyond brought his fist back, delivering a flying punch of anger right into Light's face. This sent the brunette back into the opposite wall, where he remained as an angry ravenhaired male charged up towards him.
"Don't ever fucking say that again, Yagami. You piece of—"
Light punched back.
They hadn't fought like this in awhile. All that pent up anger and emotions were unleashed on each other, slammed against walls and leaving as many marks or bruises as they could on each other before someone in the main room finally heard and came to break it up. Although, both serial killers hoped that wouldn't happen. Because in this moment, they really just wanted each other murdered.
"I hate you, Yagami, I really do! Fucking liar—"
Light pinned him down with a surprising amount of strength to the floor, digging his nails into the pale white skin of his opponent.
"I've got nothing to hide, unlike you!"
They panted, trying to build up some more strength to fight.
And then… the weirdest thing ever happened, quite possibly in Beyond's entire life.
He was kissed.
By Light.