Chapter 8

The next day I didn't see Kira at any of the classes again. At lunch, I had prepared to go over to her place and take her out somewhere but L had stopped me and asked for a tennis match to get to know each other better. So changing my plans I had to run home for my racket and a change of clothes. I just hope Kira remembers to eat. It seems that when she isn't eating with my family she doesn't eat at all. One of the times I was over at her place and she asked me to stay for dinner she had to actually run to the store to pick up something to make for dinner proving she wasn't keeping food in her house. Sighing as classes finish I change in the men's locker room into my tennis outfit and walk out towards the tennis court. L was already out there holding his tennis racket waiting for me in his usual outfit. Setting my bag on the bench I begin digging through it and removing the cover of my tennis racket before pulling it out. "I have to admit Ryuga I never thought you'd ask me to play tennis as a way to get to know each other." smiling happily at him I play as Soichiro Yagami's innocent son.

"Is it a problem for you?" he asks his expression never changing.

"Not at all, but when you first invited me to play. Did you know how good I was?" I ask as we walk to an open court.

"Yes, I'll be fine though. It's been a while but at one time I was actually the British junior champion."

If I ask him if he's British would he think I'm trying to find out more about him because I'm Kira? Oh well, can't hurt to try. "Ryuga, were you raised in the U.K?"

"I lived in England for about five years when I was younger, but save your breath nothing in that story will reveal L's true identity I promise you." Oh is that so? I ask myself as I look away from him and at the courts. "Well since it's our first match how about we just play a single set. First one to 6?"

"That's fine by me." I tell him to let him have the ball first. I watch as he bounces it ten times leaning forward with my knees slightly bent and my racket at the ready I wait for him. When he throws the ball up I narrow my eyes ready to move any way I have to, but when he hits the ball it suddenly zooms past me. I hear Ryuk make a startling sound of shock as if the ball nearly hit him. My eyes widen at the speed he had sent the ball at me. Was he actually trying to hit me? "15 love." He says blankly as I stand straight to retrieve the ball. How could he hit the ball so hard?

"Wow Ryuga, you sure don't mess around." I say with a smile, a friendly pep in my voice.

He just stands semi-straight still not a single expression showing. "He who strikes first wins." Retrieving the ball I bounce it as I wonder what he could get out of this match. Playing along I throw the ball and strike it back at him.

*Kira*

Looking at my watch I walk onto campus and to the tennis courts. At this time it should be when Ryuga, I mean L, invites Light to a tennis match. The truth behind my disappearance wasn't because I felt like I needed to stay home to watch the cameras, as I can always pull out my iPad where I have routed all of them to at any time I wish. But I felt my lack of appearance at school would let the actions take place that was necessary for events to continue going as they should. Sitting on the slope outside of the tennis area I watch as they tennis the ball back and forth.

Personally, I don't understand the game. And still don't know it well enough to be able to use proper terminology. I just know if it hits outside of the backline it's a point. I also think if the ball hits inside the line twice it's a point but I'm not completely sure on that. Watching them I see them focused on the game as they silently speak to each other with each hit. Working out the same train of thought as the other. Only like-minded people can do that. Which, I remember from what my mom and dad told me once, that when you are fighting an opponent as strong as you that you can actually talk when you are fighting. As if each blow sends a particular word or word phrase almost like messages. I'm guessing what they are doing now is the not-so-violent way of doing the same thing.

Again something I've never understood. Fighting in itself didn't make sense to me. Why compete when you can just outmaneuver your opponent with your brains and make them admit defeat before the fight even begins? But in this case, two people are fighting with their brains so that wouldn't work. As people gather around the tennis courts I stand so I can see over them. I knew right now they were figuring that there is no way this one little tennis match could be used to prove innocence or guilt. L knows that Kira hates to lose as I proved to him during the entrance ceremony. If I would have kept quiet it would have admitted defeat to his attack. And when Light wins this game it would show him that Light hates to lose as well, but it's human nature to hate losing. Light figures L is also planning to see if he will purposefully throw the match to try and avoid suspicion, which would enhance even more suspicion. Two men who need to get close to each other to try and learn each other's secrets that not even I can figure out from watching videos or listening to audio. Need confirmation from a third party to prove he is in fact L rather than just a stand-in. They both will come to the conclusion of how they need to go to task force headquarters by the end of this match. But even knowing that I still came for one reason.

To watch Light in his shorts. My cheeks darken as I watch Light's swift and agile movements, seeing the sweat begin to drip from him. His shirt not exactly moving with each of his movements causing it to cling to his form at times. Causes my mouth to go dry and that familiar burning stabbing to throb, further reminding me how long it has been since I last fed from him. Yes, I've already figured out that I hunger only for Light like this. Another reason why I've been trying to stay away from him. The night he moved in on me and touched me as he had. Caused a great pain in my throat as if my soul itself was on fire. But I still had wanted more. My feelings for him made me thirst for his blood. In truth, I'm afraid to get too close to him now. Watching him I imagine his body damp with sweat and completely spent with my hands running along his bare chest... Shaking my head I try to remove those damn thoughts of how much my body craves him so. Seeing Light score the winning point I straighten out my skirt and walk away from the tennis courts. Finding myself beneath the cherry blossom trees and looking up at the pretty pink petals. Closing my eyes I try to clear my thoughts. "Just as I expected. You beat me." I hear L's voice so I move behind a tree.

"It's been a while since I had to play that hard. I'm feeling kind of thirsty plus there is something I wanted to ask you about. Do you want to go somewhere for a drink?"

"You humored me with a tennis match the least I can do is answer some of your questions. But before this conversation goes any further there is something I must tell you."

"What's that?"

"I suspect that you Light Yagami are in fact Kira or at least help your girlfriend who I also suspect to be Kira. Now if you still want to ask me something please go ahead." From their voices starting to get quiet, I move down a couple of trees to better hear them.

Chuckling Light responds to him. "You think that I'm Kira?"

L pauses a moment and I nearly smack my forehead with my hand. Did Light purposefully leave me out of his response? That is something L won't ignore. "Well when I say I suspect you it's only a 1% possibility but that aside I don't mind telling you that once I'm sure you aren't Kira and I can verify your deductive skills are as strong as I think they are, I'd like nothing more than to have you work with me on this investigation." I peek around the tree to see L turn away from Light and start walking again. "Also you should know that I suspect your girlfriend being Thee Kira is at a much higher percentage than your own."

*Light*

Walking behind Ryuga I hear him say that about Kira and it raises the question. I ponder it for a bit trying to put together my own idea of how much he really suspects her. Truly she does fit quite well into the suspicion rate. "How much do you think that percentage is?"

"Right now, I would have to say about a 20% chance."

Walking into my favorite Café I lead him to my favorite table that is off to the side and pretty well hidden by the dividers and plants. Setting down I watch as he does as well. Everything had fallen silent between us until the waitress comes up to us and asks what we would like. We both order coffee and when we receive them I couldn't help but think about how Kira likes her coffee. I wonder if how she drinks it if it would taste like chocolate rather than coffee. I wonder what she is doing right now. Silly thought, she is probably sitting in front of her computer tracking my father and listening in on the task force members again today. Finally, I look at L with my right arm on the table.

"This coffee shop is one of my favorites in the area and if we set here there is no chance of anyone overhearing us."

"Thanks for showing me this place I can see why you like it."

"Not to mention we are so out of the way here no one is going to give you a hard time about the way you sit."

I watch as he puts his thumb against his bottom lip. "I don't sit like this because I want to. I have to sit like this. You see if I were to sit normally my deductive skills would immediately be reduced by roughly 40%" Is that the same with Kira and her Indian style sitting? I wonder. I should ask her about it later. "So what is it that you wanted to ask?"

"Right, I'm sure that can wait until you're convinced that I'm not Kira." I tell him as I pick up my cup of coffee and look at him. "So please let's talk about whatever you want to." I bring my cup up to my mouth and take a small drink of it with my eyes closed. Showing I am relaxed around him.

*L*

I watch as he puts up his front of being relaxed. Really who would be relaxed when they are sitting in front of an investigator who openly admitted that they suspect him of being Kira? "You are under no obligation to do that, but would you agree to submit to a test of your deductive reasoning skills?"

Light pulls the cup away from his face and looks at me. "Sure why not, it sounds like fun." Fun?

"Alright then." I dig into my back pocket for the photos I brought along with me for just in case I got this chance with Light or even Kira. "We can begin by taking a look at these." I say as I set them face up in front of him. "Photographs of three notes written by prison inmates while under Kira's control just prior to their deaths, none of this information has been made public." I watch as he reaches out to pick up the photographs. "You can take as long as you want to look them over. Please let me know what you think."

Light looks at them carefully. "Very interesting." He says even though he shows no sign of this in fact being interesting or even surprising. He takes a bit looking at them as if he was truly thinking about what the pictures say. "It would be quite amazing to learn that not only can Kira kill others but also control his victims' actions. I think Kira wrote these and it seems he's encoded a message as well almost as if he's mocking you." He sets the pictures down. Why mention, Kira controlling his victims as if I hadn't just mentioned it? "If you line these notes up side by side and take a look at the first letter of every line it reveals a message rearranging it like this." He moves the pictures around as I watch him waiting for him to finish his thought. "Gives you L do you know, gods of death love apples but there are obvious print numbers on the back of all these photographs, arrange it in that order we get..." He moves the pictures around again. "L do you know, love apples, gods of death." He chuckles. "That doesn't sound right and based on that it's hard to believe that Kira wanted you to read it this way." So either he figured it out or he already knew.

"That is incorrect." He makes a sound of confusion as I reach into my pocket again and pull out a fake picture. "The thing is there were actually four photographs." I set it on the table with the others. I know this is why I chose Light. As his girlfriend made it obvious at the entrance ceremony she isn't as easily fooled as Light himself is. "When we add this one it reads. L do you know, gods of death, who love apples, have red hands."

I watch as Light puffs out his chest. "But seeing as I had only three photographs to work with my deduction was perfect." Yes, getting irritated because I fooled you. Another characteristic of one who hates to lose.

"No, it wasn't. The truth is there were four of them if you'd figured that out it would have been perfect. Even though you knew the message was incomplete you decided there were only three notes. You never even considered there might be a fourth. What do you make of that?" Because Kira did only right three. He just glares at me a moment or two before he finally smiles.

"Well you got me there I didn't think of that. In any case, the likelihood that this message will lead you to Kira is not very great. Besides, we all know that gods of death don't exist."

"If you were me faced with someone who might be Kira, how would you go about establishing this person's innocence or guilt? You need to be absolutely sure." Light picks up his coffee as I am speaking and raises it back up to take a drink as he listens to me.

"I would probably try to get him to say something that was never made public in any way. Something that only Kira could know." He pulls his cup away from his face. "Kind of like what you were doing just now."

"Truly amazing, it's incredible. That I've asked countless detectives that same question and it took most of them minutes to come up with an answer but you. You immediately thought of a scenario in which Kira is speaking directly with the investigator. I'm impressed, you'll make a fine detective Light."

He chuckles still holding his coffee cup. "But it's a bit of a double-edged sword though, the more impressive my answers the more of a suspect I become." He finally takes a drink of his coffee.

"Yes, it's about three percent now. However, it has made me that much more determined to work with you on this investigation. You see I'm in a position where even if you are Kira it would still be to my benefit to have you working alongside us. Do you know why I'd say that?"

"If I cooperate with you there is a chance I could help the investigation to move forward, and if I am Kira I might reveal myself." Setting his cup down he never breaks eye contact with me. "In other words whether I'm Kira or not you stand to gain either way. It's a very smart move on your part. But I think you might be getting the wrong idea. It is true that I do have an interest in the Kira case and yes detective work is a hobby of mine, but I know that I'm not Kira and I certainly don't want to be killed by him. What proof have you been able to give me that you yourself aren't Kira?" So he's taking a similar turn as his girlfriend did. "I mean it hardly seems fair for only one of us to be investigated wouldn't you say? At this point, neither of us can prove that we're not Kira. However, if you are in fact L. I don't imagine it would be that hard for you to prove it to me. I think I'd be convinced if say my father or someone else from the task force headquarters was able to confirm your identity. If you can't do that then I'm afraid I just won't be able to help you."

You sure talk a lot don't you Light? Typical for someone who hates losing. Make that 7%. Could it really be him and not his girlfriend? "I don't remember saying that you couldn't meet someone from Task Force Headquarters to verify my identity." He looks shocked. "I am currently working alongside your father as well as other senior detectives of the NPA. Now if I understand you correctly and I take you to Task Force Headquarters you'll help us with the investigation. Am I safe in making this assumption?" His shocked look continues as if he is thinking about something. Could it really be him after all? My phone begins to ring causing him to finally snap out of it. "Excuse me." I reach in my back pocket and pull out my cell phone.

"Oh there goes mine." He says as his starts ringing as well. Answering my cell I hold it up to my ear by the top of it.

"Yes?"

"Ryuzaki I have some bad news. Mr. Yagami had a heart attack."

Is Light not really Kira? "Light it's your.."

He looks at me with utter horror striking his eyes. "My father... He had a heart attack..."

"Watari, meet me out front." I close my phone and stand as Light does as well. "I'll give you a ride Light."

"Thank you." He walks out with me, Watari was already out front holding the back door of the car open for us. I crawl in first and Light gets in after me. Setting next to each other in utter silence, at least until he opens his phone again and dials a number. I could faintly hear the sound of ringing from here.

"Kira." He says that same look still on his face as his voice shakes a little.

"I know Light, I'm already on my way there." I hear her voice over the phone. She already knows? Could Mrs. Yagami have called her? But Light had just got off the phone with her. For her to already be on her way that would mean she had to of received word before Light? But Yagami is his father would she really find out before him?

"Alright. I'll see you there then."

"See you there... Oh and Light?"

"Yeah?" He seems to be calming down the more he talks to her. Strange or is that really what love does to someone?

"Hang in there k. Everything will be fine."

How could she say such a thing without actually knowing for sure? Or is she just trying to comfort him? He closes his eyes accepting what she says. "Thank you, I needed to hear that. Are you sure the murderer Kira didn't get to him?" Is this a ploy?

"Just have faith Light." There was the sound of a blaring horn and the call cut off. What could have happened?

"How's she handling it?" I ask him as he just seems to close his phone and return it to his pocket.

"She's worried but she's always optimistic. She believes my dad will be alright." He says with a smile. Always optimistic? According to Yagami whenever her parents are brought up she believes the worst in their feelings for her and starts crying.

"I see, well that's good. Faith helps I hear." After pulling up to the hospital Watari opens the door for us. Light getting out first since he is on that side then I follow seeing Kira in person standing outside the hospital waiting for us. If she walked or even ran all the way here she had to of gotten a much more length of notice. Is this coincidence?

"Light." She says her voice soft and kind. Warm just as I remember it but it is only ever this warming when she speaks to Light.

"Kira." He says before walking up to her and pulling her into a hug. I watch as she gives a brief wince as she returns his hug. Before stepping out of his hold and giving him a smile hiding the small flicker of pain that had slipped when she looks up to Light. What had happened to cause that horn to blare before the call had been cut off?

"Go up to your dad, he needs to see you."

"What are you talking about? He would want to see you as well." I watch as her eyes seem to widen as if she was just realizing this then she smiles taking his hand and walking into the hospital with him. What am I? Chopped liver? From the second we had pulled up I wasn't even acknowledged by either one of them, as if no one else exists but them. Is this another semblance of love? As we walk into Yagami's hospital room Kira automatically leans against the wall next to the window and Light takes the seat nearest the head of his bed. I of course set next to him. His mom was just on her way out.

"Have them call home if you need me to bring you anything. Light, you take care of him okay?"

"Sure." I glance at Kira who was looking out the window as if she was in her own little world her teeth biting away at her bottom lip. She didn't seem the least bit phased that Mrs. Yagami didn't speak to her. As I hear the door close stating her departure I look back to Yagami and Light. "So the doctors think stress was the only cause?"

"Yeah to be honest I thought it was the murderer Kira when I was collapsed but I'll be alright." I see so he refers to Kira as the murderer Kira when in front of Light's girlfriend Kira, only polite I guess. "It seems I've been pushing myself a bit too hard lately."

"Indeed, it must have added to your stress knowing that Light is a suspect in this investigation."

"You actually told my father that?"

"Yes, in fact, I've told him everything including that I suspect your girlfriend more than I suspect you. It's true he even knows that I am L."

"That's correct this man is L, to protect his identity we on the task force refer to him as Ryuzaki. But make no mistake it's him." Glancing back over to Kira she was still looking disinterested out of the window as if either she already knew that I'm actually L or that none of this has to do with her, that she is simply here for Light. Light on the other hand was looking surprised as if this information was complete news to him. Is his girlfriend really the Kira we are looking for and Light really is just a pawn for her? I just seem to watch her as if waiting for her to finally give away some emotion. "So Ryuzaki now that you had the chance to talk to my son is he cleared as a suspect?"

Looking back to Yagami I take in his words. "When I say I suspect him you should know it's very minor." I look to Light. "We've gone over this but I'll say it again, not long ago Kira killed 12 FBI agents who had come to Japan to assist us. They were instructed to follow those connected to the Japanese police. One of these agents. Ray Pember exhibited unusual behavior before he died." I watch as Light sits back, crossing his arms looking towards the window at Kira.

"I understand, and I was one of the people Ray Pember was investigating before he died." He glances at his father. "It only makes sense I'd be a suspect." He looks straight at me, as he finishes his thought. "Nope to be precise there is no one else you could suspect. And Kira being with me so much she sort of just adds into the equation. That and to top off what you already stated about her unusual blank past."

"I find Light's deductive powers quite impressive. He's always quick and to the point." But why hasn't Kira said anything? Is she trying to pass off not as quick-witted as Light? As if she is more naive?

"Ryuga I'd like to help with the investigation. My father has erased any doubts I had regarding your true identity. Also, I'd like nothing else than to catch Kira so I can prove once and for all I'm not him." Sure add the male sex to the end of that sentence as if to alleviate any suspicion that is on your girlfriend.

"No Light, this is a time in your life you should be studying to become a police officer. It won't be too late to join us once you are done." Light sits up looking at his father as if he almost couldn't believe what he was saying.

"Come on dad what are you talking about? Who knows how many years that'll take." He seems to gather himself. "Besides don't you remember my promise? That if something ever happened to you I would find Kira and make sure he gets executed." This doesn't seem like an act to me or if it is, it's too cheesy.

*Kira*

"Light listen to me." I watch their reflections in the window and notice there are points in time when L looks straight at me. "Kira is pure evil. We can all agree on that but recently I've started thinking of this whole situation in a different way. What is truly evil is the power to kill people and any person who has come to possess this kind of power is cursed no matter how you use it. No true happiness can ever be obtained like that. Not by killing other people." As Dad talks I see L looking my way as if waiting to see if I'll show a reaction. Yes, the power to kill people is evil but, even though I feel cursed... I refuse to believe that nothing good could ever come of it.

"I think that you're absolutely right." He looks back towards Light. "If Kira is just a normal person who somehow obtained this awful power I would say that they are cursed."

"Ryuzaki, I'm sorry for all of this trouble but, I'll be back at work as soon as the doctors will let me out of here." The room door suddenly opens.

"Excuse me, visiting hours were over ten minutes ago." A nurse says as she comes in. Watching Light and L stand, Light tells Dad goodbye. Turning I walk over to his bed and lean over placing a gentle kiss on his head.

"Get well soon Dad." I tell him gently giving him a soft smile before following the two boys out. Walking up to Light I take his hand in mine and smile up to him as he looks down at me. "See I told you he'd be fine."

Walking out of the hospital I look up at the full moon in the night sky with a giggle. "Ryuga, what would it take to get you to believe that I'm not Kira, please isn't there something?"

"If you aren't Kira it won't be necessary, let things run their course and the truth will be revealed." Giving a gentle squeeze to Light's hand he looks down at me before he speaks again from my silently telling him to change what he is about to say.

"I understand thank you Ryuga."

I look at L and glare at him. "Just put yourself in our position. Can't you possibly understand how it feels to be accused of something that you haven't done?" I ask him in a tone as if I were stating a simple fact.

He looks at me as if surprised I even spoke, then he glances up for a moment before looking back at me. "It was one of the worst feelings ever." I give Light another gentle squeeze of my hand before I let go and walk up to L.

"Then think about things a little more before deciding to suspect people without any proof. At this point, all you are doing is childishly pointing fingers in hopes that one of these times you will be right, I suggest you step back from the case for a minute before taking a new look with a clear head as if you were completing a crossword puzzle."

"It is complete nonsense for the investigator to take advice from a suspect. But thank you for trying." He turns and gets into his car. Light takes a hold of my hand again as he steps up to the car when the door closes. "Be patient it will become apparent to us if either of you are not Kira, and Light listening to that conversation between you and your father I'm almost convinced that you might not be the Kira we are after. Light please take good care of Mr. Yagami." Light bends down closer to the window to better hear him. He worded that well. It means his suspicion of Light has dropped but he still suspects him. And leaving me out of it means that my position has not changed.

"Oh, and one more thing I know I agreed to help with the investigation, but I don't think I'll be able to do much until my father is healthy again."

"Yes, of course." The car pulls away as Light stands up straight again watching it leave.

"Ryuk." He says quietly.

"Huh?"

"I never once felt cursed since I picked up the death note, in fact, the thought never even crossed my mind. I'm happier than I've ever been all thanks to this power." He looks up at the moon bringing my eyes back to the sky. The moon, it looks even more beautiful now since I've met Light. "I am going to create a perfect world."

"Honestly I could care less whether you feel cursed or happy to have a notebook. I leave that sentimental crap to you humans, but normally, humans who come into contact with a shinigami have nothing but misfortune." I hear Light begin to walk away.

"That's interesting, but I have no intentions of repeating that pattern. And I won't." I hear his steps stop bringing me to look away from the sky. I peer at Light as he glances back at me holding his hand out towards me. "Especially not since I have you at my side." Smiling I jog to catch up to him taking his offered hand in my own. Ryuk laughs.

"Well, I hope you are right about that." He says. Yes as long as he has me. I will keep the misfortune away especially the one that is coming next.