Chapter 22: Development

June 15, 2004; 14 00

"What the hell is going on?!" Matsuda burst into the office, causing Rui to trip over the vacuum cleaner in surprise. Thankfully, no one took notice of that gaffe. "Yesterday, two weeks' worth of criminals were killed all at once."

"Yeah, Kira is back," Aizawa agreed, looking up from the crime section on the newspaper he was scrutinizing.

"Have you told my father?" Light asked eagerly, jumping up.

"No, not yet." Before Aizawa or anyone else could say anything more, Matsuda reached out to press one of the buttons in front of Ryuzaki, who appeared rather taken aback. "Chief! Kira has started killing again!"

"What?!" boomed the Chief, looking really worse for wear. "Are you sure, Matsuda?! Then my son… I know I shouldn't be happy when people are being killed but… my son…"

It was then that Ryuzaki cut in. "He's currently in the grey."

"Did you hear that, Chief?!" Matsuda rejoined exuberantly. "He's probably one shade from being cleared!"

"It's true that it's looking less likely that Light is Kira, but we cannot let personal matters influence our decisions," Ryuzaki said, rather sternly. "There is much we may not have uncovered on the case. Besides this particular situation, all else fits in accordance with Light being Kira. We cannot fully rule this out yet."

Light appeared particularly upset by this. "Ryuzaki, you're wrong. I can understand how you concluded that I was Kira. But this is a trap! I'm not Kira!" he cried. "Look into my eyes! Are these the eyes of someone who's lying?! Release me and let me help with the case!"

Aizawa, who had been the most silent, decided to speak up. "Much as I support the Chief, Ryuzaki has a point. We haven't seen Light do anything, but we know nothing about the murder weapon. It can determine the time and manner of death, it kills without a trace, what else do we not know about it? This is not sufficient to definitively absolve Light of suspicion."

Rui wanted to applaud ole' Punch Perm. She was definitely not letting Ryuzaki get rid of Aizawa, if he were still going to.

"Be that as it may, we do not seem to be getting anywhere with this," Ryuzaki replied. "I propose that we continue on with this arrangement for at least a month before we draw any conclusions." Matsuda deflated visibly, but it seemed a reasonable compromise that appealed to their sense of duty, both to the Chief and to their roles as law enforcers.

June 19, 2004; 15 00

That was all well and good, of course, but apparently Yagami Sr. hadn't been communicating much with the rest of his family. Rui, on one of her trips to liaise with Watari at the station, saw a schoolgirl in her early teens pacing back and forth, clutching a huge paper bag that obscured her torso and her chin. This was an odd sight given where they were – shouldn't she be in school or-or somewhere else, doing schoolgirl things?

Rui had only seen that half-up hairstyle and puppy-like eyes on paper, and again, only in black and white, so it took her a bit to match the brown hair and eyes to the girl's identity. What was Light's baby sister doing at the police station? She was looking at every policeman that came and went, and with each new person, her expression appeared more and more downcast.

Rui took a deep breath. "Excuse me," she spoke up, surprising the girl. "By chance, are you looking for the Chief?"

Sayu stared openly at her. Rui coughed, and the girl seemed to catch herself. "Oh, excuse me, I haven't seen you before. You know my father, Chief Yagami Soichiro?"

"Yes," Rui replied gently, wanting to reassure the nervous girl. This timidity did not at all fit what she remembered of Sayu in canon, but then again, perhaps she was shy with strangers. "I work for someone on your dad's team-"

"A-are you a police officer, too?" Sayu suddenly questioned excitedly. "I haven't seen many women in law enforcement. That's so cool! Maybe-maybe if I were a little better at studying, I could see my d-"

Rui liked Sayu. There was something so earnest about her, a far cry from Light. No, actually, she resembled Light when he'd lost his memories. And Rui hated to break it to her. "No, regrettably, I'm not," she laughed gently. "I'm just working for someone else who is."

"Oh…" Sayu looked down, a little embarrassed. Rui cast about for something else to say to break the awkward air between them.

"Did you bring that for the Chief?" Rui asked offhandedly.

"Ah, yes! Mother told me to. There are spare clothes, toiletries, bento, a-and some other things!" Sayu replied, getting a little bashful at the end, and removing a white envelope hurriedly. "S-say, would you mind finding a way to pass these things to him?" She moved to pass Rui the bag, clutching the envelope in her other hand so tightly that it crinkled.

"I'd be glad to," Rui replied. "But what about that? Is that for him, too?" She pointed at the envelope.

"It's-well, it's…" Sayu stuttered, then sighed. "I thought it might be easier for me to communicate through a letter. As expected, I still couldn't give it to him." Sayu seemed to be an open book, unlike Light's. Rui watched as shame, resentment, regret, resignation, and sadness warred on her young face, before it was plastered over with a wry smile that did not reach her eyes.

Rui knew that well. The feeling of having so much to say to a parent, but feeling like a burden, or feeling like words spoken might be taken out of context and others' feelings upset. The fear of not being taken seriously and appearing childish since it was obvious they didn't do it on purpose, of forgetting to say everything you wanted to say, because you had tried to bury it for far too long. Why weren't you there when I needed you most? Why couldn't I be as important as your work? Why did you bother starting a family if you weren't going to act like a parent? Why can't I relate to you as easily as my brother could, even though I caused less trouble than him? Or perhaps Rui was simply projecting.

"I think it's a very common situation, for people in our generation to have parents who are always busy working," Rui ventured. "I kind of understand it now, but before I started working, it was a little lonely."

"I just… I-" Sayu stumbled back, unprepared for Rui's direct honesty. Had she come on too strong? They were strangers, after all.

"It's okay," Rui said, gently. "It really is." And it was. It was okay if Sayu was feeling those emotions, or if she wasn't ready to talk about them. It was also okay if Rui had inadvertently opened a can of worms and Sayu wanted to talk to a stranger about it. They were right where they were supposed to be at that point in time. For a long minute, she simply watched as Sayu clenched her fists at her side, breathing heavily.

Just as Rui began to think that that was the end of it, Sayu spoke. "I know I shouldn't be complaining. My father is doing a very important job and society needs him. But… but he hasn't contacted us at all, not since the argument with Light. Previously, he would at least phone Mom once every two weeks. Mom, she never shows it. She's always strong. But she's been losing a lot of hair and she doesn't smile much anymore. She's begun to stare into space and doesn't hear me."

"Today is Father's Day, isn't it? At the start of the year, I'd vowed to make things different. Do you know, I've been planning for Father's Day since the start of this year. I just thought perhaps I could try to take the first step to bring our family together. I talked to Light about it, and he agreed that he would help, too. Light was going to find a way to get Dad to take a day off from work, and I was in charge of the gifts and Mom would make Dad's favorite foods. But now, Mom won't hear a word about Dad or Light and even Light is not at home. The first step towards getting closer to someone is by listening to them. At least, that's what the books say. But how can I? And how could I complain when I know that Dad's life might be in danger?"

This seemed like a matter that had been eating at Sayu for a while. Yagami Sr. clearly wasn't close to his family at all, except maybe Light. As the youngest, she likely felt bad about saying anything that would rock the boat. With both her father and brother gone, her mother was preoccupied with her own worries and Sayu likely felt alone. And now, they had even forgotten the plans she'd initiated, making her feel like nothing would change no matter what she did. Sayu was evidently already trying to take charge of her problems by searching up relationship advice. The girl certainly had the right to her frustration. Had she felt like this even in canon? Rui racked her brain, trying to recall if Sayu had any contact with her family after this arc. Light moved in with Misa, Yagami Sr. continued working. But sure, there should've been more opportunities for her to bring them closer. At least, before she was kidnapped.

But it wasn't as if Rui had the answers, either.

"It must be really lonely having to be strong by yourself, Sayu," Rui began. "And frustrating, given that you've been planning this by yourself. I think… I think you are doing the best you can, but that the timing doesn't line up at this point in time. I really shouldn't be saying much about this at all, but the case appears to be at a bit of an impasse, which is why everyone is so stressed out. To be honest, this probably won't let up until Kira is brought to justice. But what I can do is remind Y- the Chief to call home every now and then. Maybe that will help alleviate your mother's stress."

Yeah, Rui wasn't good at things like this. But Sayu's face brightened with hope.

"Are you in direct contact with my father?" she asked hurriedly.

Rui hesitated, not knowing where this was going. "N-not exactly. It's… complicated. But I can certainly find a way to send reminders his way."

"How is he?"

"Um… He's…" Stressed. Worried about Light. Not taking care of himself. Voluntarily confined. "He's fine. Enough that I should be able to send reminders to him without it hampering his work too much. And I think it would do him good to be in touch with people he loves. Even if he gets too busy to respond, he'll read your emails."

This time, Sayu's smile, though small, began from her eyes. "There are some presents in there for Dad as well. Mom worked hard on his kabayaki unagi, and I helped with the wagashi! B-brother would say they look like badly formed dominoes, but they're goldfish! Goldfish! And I did my best on them!" Wagashi? Nobody would've suspected someone like Yagami Sr. to have a sweet tooth.

Rui laughed. "Got it! Nobody will think they're anything but goldfish!" She saluted exaggeratedly and Sayu giggled.

June 20, 2004; 01 00

"What do you mean, 'the Chief should avoid too many reminders of home'?" Rui demanded frostily, trying to catch Ryuzaki's gaze.

"Exactly what I said," Ryuzaki deadpanned, keeping his back to her as much as he could, eyes on the screen in front of him where Light was sleeping. Rui wasn't having it.

Catching both arms of his chair and caging him in, she applied all her strength to turn the chair towards her so that Ryuzaki had no choice but to face her. He wasn't able to actively resist as he was still trapped in the chair with his folded legs in between them. He wouldn't dare kick her. Would he? Rui was past caring as she leaned in, resting her weight on the arms of his chair. He didn't like that? Too bad. She didn't like his decision.

"You already allowed Yagami Sr. to have contact with the outside world. Was that mere lip service?" she continued, in between catching her breath. Ryuzaki was surprisingly heavy. "Please tell me why exactly the Chief is not allowed to receive homemade food boxes and Father's Day gifts from his family, when these are his only reminders of home. Did you have a hand in why he's kept contact with the rest of his family minimal? The Chief is already facing a difficult situation where he's forced to wait for judgment to be passed on his son, and is torn between his duties as a father and as Police Chief. Please allow him to at least fulfill his duty to the rest of his family and set part of his worries to rest."

"Do-"

"Besides," Rui cut in before Ryuzaki could speak, "I know it is no fault of yours, nor any concern, but his family already has to contend with one of their pillars of support being a criminal, even if they don't know it yet. Why shouldn't we extend some empathy and allow them some opportunity to bond at this point in time? The Chief's daughter, Sayu, is now left without the family member closest to her, Light. Add to that the worries the family faces about the Chief's safety and the 'soured relations between father and son'… I think it is far too heavy an emotional burden for a young teen to bear. I think the least that could be done is to allow the Chief to receive the sentiments they wish to convey to him, and to allow him to contact them more often."

Only when she had finished her tirade did she truly register the warmth of the air near his skin. They were so close that she noticed, for the first time, the delicate lashes on his eyes. They were currently stretched wide in shock, pupils so dilated that they made his gaze seem bottomless, and his mouth was slightly agape. For a terrifying moment, her heart stuttered as the warm, comforting scent of him invaded her nostrils, but then she set her jaw and it became easier to ignore. In defiance of that weakness, she glared back into his wide eyes, and then the feeling was gone. Mostly. In its place was annoyance. Annoyance at her weakness and a little resentment that Ryuzaki probably didn't feel anything similar. It wasn't fair that she was the only one feeling… whatever this was.

"I think we should allow the Chief to receive his gifts, and to contact the rest of his family, Ryuzaki," she repeated. Having said her piece, and now feeling (rightly so) that she was being rather out of line, she made to pull back when Ryuzaki opened his big, fat mouth.

"I think you should allow me my personal space, and to leave the rest of the decisions to me, Rui," Ryuzaki quipped. Wrong answer. Most things she could let slide, but the image of a resigned Sayu was already seared into her mind's eye. No high school student should be looking like that. Defiantly, she made to move even closer to annoy him.

Rui was a little too close to actually see his expression and it all happened so fast, but it seemed as if there was a sharp intake of breath before he abruptly shoved her away from him, causing her to fly back and hit the wall before she crumpled to the carpet.

What the hell! Did he have to be so violent when things didn't go his way? That jerk!

"Ouch…" she muttered, looking up at him with her best accusatory expression and rubbing her back.

The bastard still hadn't moved from his chair, looking so unruffled that Rui saw redder. With some difficulty, she got up and moved around to the back of his chair to shake it. That made her already-throbbing back hurt more, angering her even more, and without thinking, she kicked with all her remaining strength.

Now, it is a fact that Rui didn't have much practice in kicking. Team sports just weren't her thing, and Rui didn't usually indulge in her inclination to be violent. It is another fact that every force applied has an equal and opposite reaction. Both those facts combined meant that Rui's foot missed the chair completely and her right shin, having caught the bottom of the heavy armchair, bore the brunt of her rage-fueled attack.

It. Hurt. Rui wasn't the most articulate person in the room, and she didn't have the presence of mind to register anything more than the pain, anyway. The world was pain. There was nothing but pain. It was so painful that Rui forgot to cry out. It radiated from the bone of her right shin, but she was beginning to get a headache as well. It was times like these that reminded her why she didn't' like indulging in anger. It never helped her situation. What had gotten into her, anyway?

He was looking down at her in mild curiosity. "Are you quite finished?" he asked. Rui remained sullenly silent, huffing.

Wisely not waiting for a response, he pressed a button. "Watari?" he called. "Please help Rui to her room and get her an ice pack. Thank you."

June 20, 2004; 04 00

Rui tossed and turned, exhausted but unable to sleep. She had acted rather childishly, hadn't she? What had gotten into her? And she was still mad! At herself, though.

"While I daresay being stood up to does Ryuzaki some good, that was rather out of character for you, Rui. I gather this disagreement was the result of a difference in opinion with regard to Mr. Yagami's permitted contact with his family?" Watari questioned directly, as he princess-carried her to her room. Like his irksome charge, the old man was stronger than he looked.

"Ryuzaki… he's like a rock. He always ignores my questions and treats me like I'm nothing! I guess this time, I let myself get more bothered by it than I usually do…" Rui replied, still rather incensed from the confrontation.

Watari stopped. "Whatever gave you the impression that Ryuzaki holds little regard for you?" He sounded astonished.

Rui frowned. "The way he talks to me, or rather, the way he doesn't," she replied rather petulantly. Thinking about the way Ryuzaki averted his eyes annoyed her all over again. She wasn't in the mood to dwell on why that was, though.

"Rui, Ryuzaki is… He…" Watari began, but seemed to think better of it. "Ryuzaki is not used to interacting with those closer to his age. Moreover, he is single-minded when it comes to pursuing his cases. I hope you will find it in yourself to look past his interpersonal failings."

That did make Rui feel a little bad. After all, Ryuzaki was like that with everyone. And that wasn't actually why she was mad at him.

"Have a good rest, Rui."

So maybe Rui had a crush. A very small, slight crush on Ryuzaki. It galled her just thinking about it. That was so lame. That's what you called a situation where one let another occupy all their thoughts, where one found themselves drawn to the sliver of skin at the other's waistband on the rare occasions they stretched. That's what you called a situation when one felt a private thrill at being in close proximity to another, when one found themselves wanting the other to notice them.

Rui didn't do well with crushes. In her experience, they brought nothing but pain and humiliation. They knocked her off balance and made her feel like a preteen all over again, with all of the self-consciousness and none of the fun and youthful exuberance. They made her do stupid things like project her rage outward and get into immature spats. And couldn't she find someone better to crush on than an atypical dude younger than her who probably didn't even know how to treat women right?

Ryuzaki's opinion of her had probably lowered into the negatives. Maybe he would change his mind about wanting to work with her. Rui huffed. Well, whatever. If he told her to leave, she wouldn't have to deal with this internal turmoil anymore, and she didn't have to face the fact that the one she was angry at was herself, not him.

AN: Haha, Rui isn't perfect at all. But it's some progress? Haha. Honestly, I'm not sure how I feel about this chapter. I don't think normal Japanese would have opened up to strangers on the street. But, uh, Sayu was feeling emotionally vulnerable and completely alone, and Rui was coincidentally the big sister figure she needed? I don't know, I just wanted to explore how the rest of the Yagami family might have felt during the confinement of the Yagami men.

As for Rui's resentment at having a crush, I don't know if it's a common reaction at all. But it does arise from a place of emotional wounding. It's not the most mature, obviously. ^_^""

And yes, I did rehearse kicking a chair for this scene. (No shins were harmed in the process, thankfully.)