Chapter 36
Getting the next chapter to you guys a bit sooner this time I don't know what prompted me to hurry up with this one but here you go. ;) enjoy.
April 18th
Things have been relatively normal since my birthday; Ryuzaki hasn't acted any different around me, except he looks at me more…I keep catching him, and then he'll quickly glance away and pretend that I didn't catch him. It's fuckin' adorable. Matsuda hasn't acted any different either now that I think about it, you'd think that with him finding out about Ryuzaki and I that he would tease me or us or something…but he doesn't, maybe we got so drunk that night that he forgot about it…wouldn't that be something? I guess the only thing that had really changed is that now, with the Chief in the hospital; we have to do his work too. I also try to visit him every few days; he seems to enjoy my visits. I normally tell him what's been going on the case 'cause he really feels like he's missing out and like he let us down a little…Sometimes while I'm there Sachiko will show up and when she's there it's funny to watch her get excited over me. The Chief was annoyed at first but I explained to him how I've never had a mother figure like her before so it's nice to be made a fuss out of….it's different and took taking used to but it's…nice I guess…
Right now we're in a meeting trying to figure out what out next move is and going over the case notes, but I didn't eat much today and I've hardly slept and the closer it gets to dinner the more sleepy I seem to be getting. I've got my elbow on the couches arm rest and my head in my hand, it's the only thing keeping me from falling asleep…cause…without it…I could just pass out…any…minute….
"What about Naomi Misora?" At the sound of Ukita's voice and Naomi's name I tune back in and lazily roll my head toward him.
Naomi Misora? It's been months since anyone has even mentioned her…wonder what brought this up…
"Shouldn't we open and investigation regarding her disappearance? I know that the only real lead we have is that the hotel employees haven't seen her since December 27th…but I also know that there's only so much we can do by casually asking around…if we were to open an official investigation then-"
"If we do that then we need to make sure that it is completely separate from the Kira Case." I roll my head over to Ryuzaki as he interrupts poor Ukita. "If she is in fact still alive and we go around with her photo and using her real name there is a chance that Kira might actually kill her…so let's avoid photographs and only use police sketches while keeping quiet that she might be connected to Kira in any way." Ukita sighs, defeated.
"This is gonna be hard…if we don't tie her disappearance to the case, people won't be interested enough to help, but if we do, they'll be interested but too scared of Kira to even help at all…"
"We're talking about someone who's been missing for four months already; chances are she's probably dead." I turn to Aizawa in shock at his bluntness.
Aizawa…what the hell…?
"If you think she's already dead then is there any real point in searching? It's not like she can tell up anything if she's dead anyway…"
Matsuda! What is wrong with you guys? This is a human being we're talking about…not that I want to be the one to hunt for a potential stiff, but her family definitely deserves closure, even if we just find her body…actually come to think of it that should have already shown up somewhere…
"Even if you are right about that, it's odd that we haven't found her body yet. If we did that might provide some much needed physical evidence.
There goes Ryuzaki saying exactly what I'm thinking again…
The door behind us opens and closes rather loudly, I move out of my position and crane my head back so I can see what's up. It's Watari, and he looks concerned.
"Ryuzaki. Quickly turn the TV to Sakura TV, something seems to be happening." I'm the closest to the remote so I snatch it up and turn on the TV, turning it to channel 48. The newscaster is low so I crank up the volume until we can hear him fully.
"In other words, all of the reporters and staff here at Sakura TV are Kira's hostages, aside from that we have a professional obligation to share this message with you. I assure you that this is not a hoax and that Sakura TV is not airing this tape for the purposes of sensationalism."
I stare at the TV. "What…?"
"Kira's hostages?" Aizawa scoffs, unconvinced.
"What is this?" We all stand up and get closer to the TV; Ryuzaki turns his chair around before climbing back into it. I take my spot behind him with Matsuda to my right; he bends forward to try to read the screen.
"Four days ago, our program director here at Sakura TV received four tapes. After a thorough examination there can be no doubt that they are from Kira himself." The reporter pauses as the camera pans over a tape marked with the number one. "The first tape received predicted the time and death of two suspected criminal who'd recently been arrested, and as predicted, at the same time that Kira has specified, both men died suddenly of heart attacks yesterday." My blood begins to boil as the reporter pauses again.
What the hell is wrong with these people?! They had this information and didn't contact us?! Wait…this doesn't make sense…if Kira is Light, his assumed goal would be to get to Ryuzaki and kill him, destroying the obstacle in his way…why would he pull a media stunt right after we give him permission to join us? He got his wish to be close to Ryuzaki and the team, why all this? Something isn't right here…and I don't think it's that we're wrong about Light…but…what if there is another Kira…that would explain the strange behavior…
The camera pans over to another tape with the number two on it. "Kira instructed us to air this tape at exactly 5:59 pm and we intend to comply with his demand. This tape should offer proof of his powers by predicting yet another death, beyond that we understand that it contains yet another message to all of the people of the world from Kira." The whole room fills with disbelief.
"This has got to be a fake, don't you think?!" Ukita…
"I doubt it…even Sakura TV wouldn't stoop this low…" Matsuda…
"And now the video." The screen goes white, blinding us momentarily, but once my eyes adjust I read the word written on the screen…Kira…
A voice comes over the TV and clears its throat before it begins, it's clearly coming through a voice modifier like the one Ryuzaki uses. As it speaks a shiver runs through me.
"I am Kira. If this video is being aired on April 18th at exactly 5:59 pm as I requested, then the time now is 5:59…47…48…49…please change the channel to Taiyo TV. The news anchor Mr. Kazuhiko Hibima will die of a heart attack at exactly 6:00pm."
What? A news anchor?
"Change it!" Ryuzaki's sudden outburst startles me and I fumble the remote nearly dropping it.
"What channel?!"
"36!"
I hit the buttons and as the channel changes the screen fills with a man at a desk slumped back in his chair with his neck exposed…dead.
"It can't be…" I barely hear Matsuda's voice as everything fades away and all I can see is the man at the desk. The remote falls from my hands and bounces off the floor as the stations crew rush to try and resuscitate him.
"How could he?!" Ukita's outraged voice pulls me out and everything comes back into focus. There's motion to my right as Watari bends down to retrieve the remote. As he comes back up he places a hand on my shoulder and looks at me with an expression that easily translates into him asking me if I'm alright; I nod slowly.
"Change it back." Ryuzaki's tone has hints of anger. "And I need you to bring us another TV Watari-no, make it two." I watch as Watari hands the remote to Aizawa then as he leaves to get the TV's I trail after him to help.
. . .
I'm not sure what happens while we're not in the room, or what this 'Kira' says, but as I come out of the room and into the hallway carrying a rather small, but heavy TV monitor I almost get run over by Ukita.
"Hey! Ukita! Where are you going?!" I call after him as I struggle with the monitor. When he reaches the door he turns to face me.
"To stop this broadcast!"
"Ukita! No!" I try to go after him, but the TV is beginning to hurt my hands.
Should I go after him?!
"Watari! Suzuki! We need those TVs in here!" Ryuzaki calls at us from the other room as my fingers begin to cramp.
Will Ukita be okay? Should I go after him?!
"Shit!" I tear my eyes away from the door and bring the monitor into the living room and set it on the entertainment center next to Watari's, who plugs both of them in.
Ukita will be fine…
As I return back to my position near Ryuzaki Kira begins to talk once more. "The last thing I want to do is kill the innocent. I hate evil and love justice. I've always thought of the police as allies and not as enemies. I intend to create a new world, a new world that is free from evil. If you agree to join me on my mission I know that we can make it happen." Watari gets both of the TVs working and turns them to two different channels, one looks like Taiyo TV. "As long as no one ties to catch me I promise that the innocent will not die. Even if you don't agree with me, all I ask is that you not publicize your views in the media. If you can do that then you will be spared. All you have to do now is be patient; I will create a better world that we can all enjoy. Say goodbye to the world as you know it, soon we will have a new world ruled by benevolence and inhabited by kind hearted, honest people."
What is he going on about? This can't be out Kira! Why kill innocent people at all? Why kill reporters and people of the media?! Lights goal was a child's ideology of a utopia and he was only focusing on the criminals he didn't seem to give a damn about the media unless Ryuzaki was involved. So why all this? This doesn't make any damn sense.
We interrupt this program to bring you live footage from outside the Sakura TV studio." All of our heads turn to the smaller TV, it's now that I notice Matsuda and Aizawa actually left to make phone calls, I assume to their contacts within the station. The camera pans out over the stations front doors and as it does my heart stops.
"As you can see, someone has just collapsed right outside the door. Again, we are coming to you live from the Sakura TV Station."
Everything melts away as I stare at the lifeless body on the pavement…that is Ukita.
Ukita…is dead? That's not possible…he-he was just here…
"Ukita! Damn it…Kira did this…" I can hear Aizawa in the background but nothing seems real, not even the image of my teammate on the screen.
Ukita…
"Mr. Aizawa!" Ryuzaki's voice startles me and I turn to see that Aizawa had been heading toward the door. "Where are you going?" Reality hits me and my vision begins to blur as I hold back the tears, Aizawa is still facing the door.
"Where do you think?!" To Ukita of course!"
"You can't! Please, think about this rationally." Ryuzaki turns slightly so he can see Aizawa.
"What do you want me to do, just sit here and watch TV?!" He yells at us and I want to run to him, beg him to stay, just like I should have Ukita…but my body won't move.
"If this is truly the work of Kira then you'll just meet the same fate if you go there." Aizawa dramatically turns toward us, his face full of hot anger mixed with despair.
"You told us that Kira couldn't kill without a name! So how could this happen?!"
Matsuda walks over to us; fear in his eyes. "The aliases and fake ID's were worthless. What are we gonna do L? You don't think that Kira has all our names already do you?" The fact that he calls Ryuzaki 'L' throws me off, but I continue to stand by Ryuzaki's side, purposely avoiding the image of Ukita.
"That's a definite possibility. However, if that's the case then you'd think it'd be easier for him to kill off the entire task force before making a move. Initially we deduced that Kira needed a name and a face to kill, but from what we've just seen…I'd say it's not entirely impossible that Kira can kill with only a face. All I know for sure is that Kira is either in that TV station or hiding somewhere near by…watching."
"If Kira is in the area then isn't that why we should get down there!?" Aizawa is shouting as us now.
"For all we know, he could just have surveillance cameras in the area. If we rush down there unprepared all of us will be killed." In a flash Aizawa rushes at Ryuzaki, I try to get in the way, to stop him, but he shoves me out of the way. I stumble back and trip an as I try to adjust my fall I smack my face on the couch arm. I turn over and sit against the couch as I feel the blood begin to pool in my nose. I wipe it with my hand and leave a smear of blood. Matsuda saw the whole thing happen and is already rushing to get me tissues, but the other two are oblivious.
"Wasn't it you who said we'd have to risk our lives to catch Kira?!" Aizawa has a tight hold of Ryuzaki's shoulders and I want to stand up, to rip him away, but with my nose this way I can't.
Ugh…son of a bitch this hurts…
Matsuda returns with tissues and kneels beside me as I try to stop the bleeding. My eyes are glues to Ryuzaki who is trembling slightly, but from fear, anger, or sadness I'm not sure.
"I meant what I said, but…risking my life to catch Kira and doing something I know will cost me my life is completely separate things." I try to stand up, but I fall back down in pain.
Jeez, what did I do, hit the table?
"Oh yeah?!" Aizawa's response is lackluster and it's clear that he's just angry and sad and has nothing more to say to Ryuzaki, but he doesn't release him.
"Please control yourself…we lost Ukita…I understand you want to go there, but if something was to happen to you as well…" Ryuzaki's voice breaks slightly making my heart pang and anger flood my body. However I'm the only one who senses it and Aizawa still doesn't let go.
I have to do something, break this up, get him off Ryuzaki.
"Aizawa!" My voice is nasally but it booms angrily across the room, causing both men to turn their heads toward me. "Let Ryuzaki go or I'll return the bloody nose…only this time it'll be intentional…" Matsuda puts a waste basket in front of me and I drop in a used tissue and exchange it for a new one. He moves the basket away and helps me to stand, Aizawa angrily lets go of Ryuzaki and storms off into a corner of the room. I glance to Ryuzaki and the look on his face shatters my heart. His eyes are wide for a second as he registers the face that I got hurt, then then go sad and I can see his hands tightening their grip around his legs like he's trying to physically hold himself together.
Oh Ryuzaki…I'm alright…
I give him a gently smile to try and console him, but he averts my eyes as the TV speaks again-er, Kira speaks again.
"I want a response from the police. They must decide whether or not they'll help me create a better world for all of us. Please announce your decision on the six o'clock news in four days; I have prepared two videos, one to be aired if the answer is yes and another if the answer is no…"
I make my way over to Ryuzaki and stand beside him, placing a hand on his back so he knows I'm there. He tenses up a bit at first but then I feel a small tug on my pant leg and I look down to see him white knuckling it.
Oh Ryuzaki…it's like he's trying so hard not to fall apart. Does he blame himself for Ukita? I know I do…at least a little…I could have at least tried to stop him…I had the opportunity to and did nothing…It'll haunt me forever…
"This just in! A vehicle has just crashed through the front doors of the station!" I tap Ryuzaki's shoulder with my hand.
"Well that's one way to get into the building…" I try to lighten the mood but it fails.
"But who would…?"
My phone starts to buzz in my pocket as the TV show a police cruiser arriving at the scene. I pull the phone out and check the number, but it's unfamiliar. I try to walk away to answer it but Ryuzaki's grip moves to my wrist and he pulls me back. I give him a look before shrugging and answering it.
"Hello?"
"Suzuki?! It's Light's mom, Sachiko!" I turn to look at the TV as the seed of panic begins to grow in my stomach and all the color drains from my face.
I think I know why she's calling…
"Yeah Mrs. Yagami it's me, what's wrong." I say her name and the team looks at me from all corners of the room and then to the TV as if they're beginning to make the connection.
"It's my husband! He's missing! I came back to the room after taking a little break and the bed was empty! Have you any idea where he is?! He's not well, he'll upset his condition!" I continue to stare at the TV as the seed of panic continues to grow.
"I think we just found him…" The men look to me and I lower the phone and place it against my chest to cover the receiver. "The person driving the police bus who just crashed into the building…is probably the Chief…his wife says he's missing." Each of their faces loses color and their expressions are horrorstruck. Ryuzaki is the first to shake from it and immediately starts giving orders to Aizawa, but I don't hear what they are because Sachiko starts asking if I'm still there and I life the phone back up to my ear. "Yeah, I'm still here, don't worry we'll get him back safe and sound, I gotta go now bye." I quickly hang up on her. I feel bad for doing so, but if I didn't I'd never be able to get off the phone with her.
Aizawa brings Ryuzaki a phone and I see him look at Ryuzaki's hand which is still attached to my wrist before he gives me a weird look.
Maybe Matsuda did forget, it's like he didn't tell anyone and that's not like him…
"There's something I need you to do for me." I look back to Ryuzaki as he talks on the phone. "There may be police officers who see this broadcast and wish to stop it. If you don't take control of this situation quickly there will likely be a disaster."
Two officers emerge from the cruiser that pulled up before and immediately fall to the ground. Ryuzaki's grip on my wrist increases as the reporters who are filming quickly get to a safer distance.
A phone rings and I turn my head to follow the sound, it's Watari's. He looks at it and the up at us. "It's Detective Superintendent Yagami." Ryuzaki lets go of my wrist and extends his hand out to Watari.
"Call him back immediately and give me the phone." The whole exchange feels like it takes a couple of seconds and as the Chief answers the phone I can hear him yell something. "Yes it's me, so you're the one driving the police van…..but what about your condition? Are you alright?...Please hold the line a moment." Ryuzaki still has the original phone in his left hand and he brings it to his ear.
Chief must have used the spy belt to contact us…ugh he better not die from this…I'll kick his ass…
"Deputy Director Kitamura; it was Chief Yagami who just drove into the building. Are your preparations complete?" Ryuzaki, after hearing Kitamura's answer, changes back to the Yagami line. "Mr. Yagami, listen carefully, in exactly five minutes I want you to come out the front entrance." Ryuzaki hangs up both phones and we watch the TV as the minutes tick by. With each minute that passes more and more cruisers line themselves up in front of the building followed by a few police buses, until they create an impenetrable wall. They all have riot helmets and shields and some are holding black blankets to cover any cracks that Kira might be able to see through. We continue to watch as a car pulls away from the scene, then one by one the cruisers and officers depart.
The door opens behind us and I snap around to see Watari under the Chiefs arm as he struggles to help him walk. My heart nearly implodes and I run over and stick myself under the Chiefs other arm, he's carrying a paper bag with him so I take it and hand it to Matsuda before Watari and I lead the Chief over to the couch. I feel so angry with the Chief, but then at the same time, I'm just glad he's alive.
"I should kick your ass for pulling a stunt like that and making us all worry…" He chuckles slightly.
"Ryuzaki, I'm sorry for taking matters into my own hands, it seems I got emotional and got a little carried away." Everyone walks over to make sure he's alright, including Ryuzaki.
"A little? Yeah okay…" I scoff as Watari and I gently drop the Chief on the couch.
"Everything is in the bag, all the tapes and an envelope." As he sits down he slides to the arm of the couch. He looks up at me noticing the blood that probably is on my face. "What happened?"
I shrug. "Tell ya later, rest now."
"Mr. Aizawa, please take this to the crime lab right away." I turn to see Ryuzaki hand the bag to Aizawa.
Hmm, Matsuda must have given it to Ryuzaki after I took it from the Chief.
Ryuzaki says something else to Aizawa but I only catch something about how he's going to watch the two tapes. I'm still standing in front of the couch with my arms crossed as Ryuzaki turns to us, tapes in hand.
"Chief Yagami…are you alright?"
"Yes…just a bit tired…" Ryuzaki nods then turns to me.
"And you Suzuki? How is your nose?" He's worries about me…even under that cool façade…
"Ryuzaki I'm fine…the bleeding seems to have stopped." I sigh as I look up at him.
"That's good. Perhaps you should go clean yourself up or get Watari to look at you."
Clean myself up? I look down at the dried blood spatter on my shirt. Shit! I extend the shirt so I can see it better.
"Son of a…" I sigh and run a hand through my hair. "Alright…I'll be right back."
. . .
It doesn't take me long to wash my face and change my clothes and soon I'm heading back out, but just as I reach for the door knob someone knocks from the other side. It startles me but I open it to reveal Ryuzaki, who just waltzes in and shuts the door behind him. I take a step back in surprise of his behavior.
"I thought you were gonna watch the tapes." He stands and stares at me with sad, sullen eyes. "Ryuzaki…are you alright?" He looks at the floor for a second before quickly running up to me and hugging me. His long arms wrap around my own as he buries his face in my shoulder, I can feel him trembling a little. Slowly I wrap my own arms around him and rub his back with one while the other reaches up and into his mess of raven hair. "Heeeyyy….shhh…" I make my voice as soothing as I can. "You're alright, Ryuzaki…everything will be okay."
I feel him clench my shirt as he buries his face deeper into my neck. "Please don't do anything like that again…" His voice breaks and with it, my heart.
Is he crying?
"Ryuzaki, it was just a bloody nose…I'm fine, I promise." I try to pull away from him but he holds me tight.
"But it could have been worse….and…Ukita…"
Ohh so that's what this is about…
I pull away and hold his head in my hands so he'll look at me. "Ryuzaki, none of this is your fault. We all had an opportunity to stop Ukita…even me…If you wanna blame someone then blame Kira."
Even though I'll continue to blame myself until the end of time…I should have stopped him…ran after him…he was such a nice guy…
Ryuzaki stares down at me with those same sad eyes, he isn't crying, but his eyes are red and puffy like he's ready to. He seems angry and sad all at the same time. I smile gently at him.
"You'll be alright, I promise." Even though I pushed him away, it was only our top halves, and he still has his arms wrapped around me and is holding onto my shirt. "How about this…why don't you go watch the tapes while I help Watari with dinner and if you still feel bad afterward we can come back in here and sit on the bed and I'll hold you again…how does that sound?" He loosens his grip, but the look on his face tears me apart.
I don't want him to think I'm sending him away, but I know that if he goes and does a little bit of work, it'll get his mind off of things…and the videos and dinner shouldn't take too long…
"Well…having you hold me like that just now did make me feel a bit better…I think I can go and watch the tapes now…" His arms fall to the side and he awkwardly steps back. "Thank you Suzuki…for everything. I've never experienced anything like this before and…when you left the room I attempted to watch them, but everything just became too much and I didn't know what to do with myself…before I knew what was happening I was here in your arms….I'm sorry."
"Ryuzaki…" I put my hand on his cheek and he melts into my touch. "You don't have to apologize for every single thing you do. Despite everything, you are in fact human and all these new things, all these new feelings are normal. There's no need to apologize for them…If you actually end up doing something wrong, I'll letcha know." I take my hand away as he seems to be doing better. "Now, go watch those tapes, then we'll eat and then after we can do whatever you want okay?" He nods and turns to leave, but as he reaches the door he stops and turns to me.
"Thank you Suzuki…again."
"You're welcome Ryuzaki."
UGH I'M FINALLY DONE! This chapter felt like it never friggin' ended uuugghghhhh….I been up since like 6 and it's almost 1….uughhh bed…but first lemme check stuff….
Reviews on Chapter 35- looks like hateme, Mr-Frog-Man, MegaAnime FanGirl, and hpfan59, hmm that's a new face….Welcome ^^. OK…hateme- XD "and we got really really drunk" yeah I liked that too. But that's how I imagine Matsu partying just utterly wasted with his tie tied around his head and stuff. Mr-Frog-Man- omfg I know, he's so hot it's hard to adequately describe him, but I did do a drawing to help too so ^^ Mega- Awe thank you XD they're so cute together, I hope you enjoyed this little last minute part, Ryuzaki basically felt vulnerable and ran to her so they're pacing themselves I guess. Hpfan ^^ Thanks ^^ I appreciate it. Aannnnddd it looks like the only new follower is hpfan. Sorry if I missed anyone, I'm exhausted….well see you again in the next chapter….poor Ukita T-T