Chapter 46

*Light*

Ryuzaki was sending someone else to help us. Still refusing to pick his job back up and take on the name of L. Being unable to solve the case must have really gotten to him. It isn't like him to just give up. Closing my eyes briefly I settle my thoughts. No, he hasn't completely given up at all. He was still paying attention to the case and even sending someone to help us. The Taskforce was excited to hear from L and the fact he was sending someone in to join us. As for me. It's just another person for me to worry about. Without Misa and Kira, I am on my own. I will have to be extra careful from now on. Within the space of a couple of hours, the doorbell sounded throughout the apartment signifying the arrival of Ryuzaki's helper. Everyone stood as if they were ready to go and retrieve her at the same time but it was I who made it to the door first. "I'll show her in." I tell them causing them to all sit back down.

Even though they were excited about the help. It was evident that they were all nervous. Wondering who this person was. Making my way through the apartment, the doorbell rang again before I could even reach the door. Opening it and seeing who was standing outside I found myself freeze as I take in the sight of her. Her long blond hair was left down this time except for two thin braids that contained her bangs to keep them out of her eyes. Her deep green eyes stared up at me with emotions that were hard to catch beyond her tense nerves. This night, she was wearing a white button-up sleeveless shirt with black and white arm sleeves that stopped halfway up her arms with a clasp. A black-tie draping around her neck and over her white shirt making the look seem at the very least somewhat professional. Black cotton shorts that stopped near the top of her thighs about an inch from the beginning of black and white stockings which looked similar to the sleeves on her arms leading to the sight of two white sneakers containing a black cross on the top of each one.

I watched as she rummaged in a shoulder bag for something. Initially passing it off as her phone again before she actually pulled out her ID. Taking it from her I look first at the photo of her before skimming to her name. Alessia Giosetta… what kind of name is that? Oh... It's Italian. Wait... She's from Italy? Never thought that was even a possibility. I had more figured she was English or American. Knowing L though, this is an Alias. He wouldn't really send someone into the heart of the Kira investigation without an alias. Handing her back her ID I give her a smile. "Welcome, Alessia. I will show you to the room we hold as our Headquarters." I speak to her as I step back from the door to allow her in. She slips past me nearly walking completely into my apartment before backtracking and removing her sneakers. Well, she's trying to be polite. Had I really thought she was being rude last time before she explained her inability to speak? She's a nice girl. Coming up beside her I look down at her momentarily. I couldn't tell if I looked down to make sure she was understanding me or if I just wanted to look into her deep green eyes. "It's this way." I spoke softly confused with my own warring emotions as I walk in front of her guiding her to the room the others were in.

As I opened the door I heard her rustling in her bag again behind me even before I stepped into the room where everyone was already standing again to be polite. "Everyone. This is Alessia Giosetta" I speak to them hearing her come up beside me. Now, how polite are you Alessia? I found myself wondering before I saw her hold something behind her back and give a bow of greeting. She really is a good girl. "Alessia, this is my dad, Chief Soichiro Yagami, this is Shuichi Aizawa, Touta Matsuda, and Kanzo Mogi." I speak to her as I motion towards each and every one of them as I say their names. I can hear a soft clicking next to me as everyone takes in a breath. Looking down I see her holding one of the new touchpads in her hands letting her fingers skit away over the screen before finally turning it around for them to see.

-It is a pleasure to meet all of you. And thank you for letting me join in your investigation.-

They seem to look from her note then towards me where I find myself silently cursing myself in my thoughts. "I forgot to tell you, she's mute."

"I see." My dad says before stepping up to her. "Welcome to the task force Alessia." I watch as she gives him a smile before looking back down at her pad and letting her fingers zoom over the screen again. She is seriously fast at that!

-Mr. Yagami, I have arrived here under the request of L but... He did not clue me in on what has been found so far in the case. I am sorry for not being properly prepared as I apologize for making a request so soon after meeting you. Will you please get me up to speed, I will need to know all the information you have and view all the evidence you have gathered over the entire investigation.-

"He really didn't tell you?"

-No, then again this may be a test of how advanced my skills actually are.-

"I see, he is good at conducting tests. I understand. If you will sit then we will begin your briefing."

-Thank you, Mr. Yagami.- With that, she sets down on one of the couches. Her pad resting in her lap. Probably so she can ask questions when she needs to. I find a spot across the coffee table from her so I may more easily read what she types. As the others that have no place on the couch when it is full pull up chairs so they may see her as well.

*

The night ticked passed as she attentively listened to my father speak and even read what information we have gathered including the files we had built while Ryuzaki was helping us. The only question she had these past several hours was requesting coffee. Possibly so she wouldn't fall asleep. Seriously, this girl just gets off of a long plane ride only to come here and sit for hours learning all she can about the investigation. Her actions alone remind me of Ryuzaki. Though this does explain the sleep deprivation that has slowly built on her facial features as if almost mimicking Ryuzaki himself.

Mogi had just returned from yet another coffee run and was handing her another steaming cup. She looked up to him as he handed her the Styrofoam cup and gave him a warm smile. Silently thanking him for the drink before returning her gaze to my father as she makes notes on her pad every now and then. Almost as if she is highlighting specific details of the investigation.

Finally, my father comes to a close around four a.m. in the morning giving a long extended sigh as he sets back. He was beyond exhausted whereas Alessia was typing away on her pad. The soft rapid succession of clicking drew the attention of those of us who had not fallen asleep. Such as myself, dad, and Aizawa. Finally turning her screen towards us she gives us time for our tired eyes to read her words. -According to you the investigation into Yotsuba leading to the suspicion of one Kyosuke Higuchi you obtained a notebook in his briefcase. This particular notebook as you say is a notebook of death where you write a person's name in it while thinking of their face and that person dies.-

"Yes, we believe it is how Kira kills." My father answers her only to see her typing rapidly again.

-May I view this notebook so I am familiar with the evidence?- View the notebook?! What is this girl playing at? She doesn't need to see it. All she needs to know is we have it and that we have been keeping it a secret away from the rest of the police.

"I do not see why not. You need to know as much as the rest of us do about this case." My dad condones her request before he stands. "Aizawa, Mogi. Retrieve the Death Note for Miss Giosetta."

"Well... Okay if you say so." Aizawa speaks before I could hear them rummaging behind me. Getting into the secret chamber just inside the bookshelf on the wall. It requires two keys simultaneously to be turned along with a pin code. Closing my eyes I cross my arms. I don't like this at all. Wait... What is this feeling I'm having. Opening my eyes I look at her as she brings her left foot up onto the couch so her knee was near her chest. She was leaning forward scrolling through her pad paying no attention to Mogi and Aizawa. With a spaced-out almost empty look in her eyes. The emotions she had been showing before the briefing began were gone. It really was... Almost as if L himself was looming over me again.

"Alessia, you had said when we met before that you only knew L because your mom had worked under him. Right?" Without even looking away from her pad she gives a nod as an answer. "Then how is it you have come to be trusted enough by L to not only bring us Kira's belongings but also... Recommend you to help us with the investigation?" With this question, she finally looked up from her pad briefly. Her fingers moved around on the screen showing she was switching windows before typing furiously on the device. It wasn't long before she picks it up and turns the screen towards me.

-I have received cases from L in the past. You may consider me. The true successor to L- True successor? What the hell?

"What do you mean by that? When L retired he gave me his name so I may succeed him." Try that one Alessia.

-He gave you his name temporarily for this particular case. When the case is solved. I will be taking over.- What? She will be succeeding L once Kira is caught? Well isn't that interesting. I'm Sorry Alessia, but I don't plan on my reign ever coming to an end.

"Here it is Alessia." Aizawa says as he comes around to her couch laying the Death note in front of her. Without any delay, she sets her pad down and uses her right hand to open the notebook. Taking her time as she reads the rules on the inside of the front cover. It was then the computer beeped twice catching my attention. Standing I walk over to it and set at the computer chair just as the screen flashed grey with the annoying S. "Greetings Japan's Kira Task Force." His annoying filtered voice echoes through the room from the speakers now fully catching everyone else's attention as they began to form in front of the computer again. Even Matsuda who had previously fallen asleep made his way sleepily with the others.

"Greetings S. I had been wondering how long it would be this time until we heard from you again."

"Worrying is, unnecessary. I contact you when I feel I have information you would like to know." information?

"So you have new information for us?"

"Yes, I have already figured out how Kira kills. I am one step closer to solving this case thanks to your help L number 2. I have deduced this much for you. During the investigation when the second Kira first made contact using Sakura television, the Kira whom responded was designed by L. However the script was written by none other than Kira himself. How have I come up with this you ask? Surely Kira would want to prevent the police from speaking with the second Kira. Just from the first broadcast, his follower had become a liability. A loose end that could get him caught as well as the obvious fact that their sympathizer saw his ideals but was making a mockery of them. Judging by Kira's personality that we all know by now there would have been no way for him to just let the imposter roam free to continue tarnishing the Kira name. Yet, he had made no outwardly attempts to contact the second Kira and instead sat idly by watching the contact between his two enemies. It is a rather difficult possibility to believe. Which would only lead me to suspect that Kira had found a way to make contact with the help of the police. Think this through Taskforce members and decide for yourselves if you believe me."

What the hell?! He said he had information. Instead, he said all that? This had already been discussed when it happened. Even L believed that Kira had wanted to see it play out because The Second Kira had wanted L to show his face so that he could watch L die. S was just spouting off words to bring more suspicion onto me! "Well, that was pointless." I say leaning back in my chair when S had clicked off the communication.

"Yeah, didn't Ryuzaki already discuss this with us at the time? What is S thinking?"

"It's almost as if he was bored and decided to mock us." Aizawa agrees behind me before a sudden silence followed by a pad being shoved in front of my face.

-I don't think all of his words are irrelevant. By the way, could you tell me where the bathroom is?- Why is she asking me when there are others in the room? And what does she mean by not all of his words are irrelevant? Did I miss something she caught?

"The restroom is downstairs, first door as you enter the apartment… Do you need someone to show you?" I decide to ask as I turn in my seat to look at her.

-I'll manage on my own. Thank you.- Even though her message was gently worded it seemed as though she was annoyed. At least that is what I thought until I noticed she was blushing.