A/N... I don't own Death Note and only take credit for Everest.
We sat and waited, right where Light was most likely to pass by. L perched on his side of the bench, and I sat comfortably on my end, weaving my fingers through a rubber band. It was the epitome of casual. L began the play as soon as the sound of nearing footsteps halted.
Looking up, L waved enthusiastically, "Hey, Light!" His dark eyes widened, giving the impression of excitement. But then, his voice and expression dropped, "How's it going?"
Light regarded us guardedly for a moment before turning to Takada. I ignored the satisfaction of seeing her perfect face both confused and suppressing displeasure and focused on Light as he approached.
"I hope she's not upset," L stated innocently.
"Speak for yourself," I grumbled.
"Never mind that," Light began in a slightly hushed tone. "Is it okay to be here? Didn't you say you were afraid to appear in public?"
"I did," L confirmed, sounding slightly annoyed at having to respond to that question. "But then I realized that as long as you're not Kira, I should be safe. The fact is you're the only one on the outside who knows me as L. In the unlikely event that I die in the next few days, I've instructed your father, E, and everyone else at headquarters to assume that you are Kira."
Light drew a shaky breath, narrowing his eyes ever so slightly at the detective. "It's not healthy for him to stay inside all the time, anyway," I pointed out reasonably, "and I've been with him the whole time. Everything's fine."
"Besides, you told me yourself that you missed having me around at school. So, I figured, 'why not come back for a little change of pace?'" L continued with ease, his voice dropped as he added, "As long as it doesn't kill me, college is a lot of fun."
"I have to admit, without you around, and other than Reika, intelligent conversation is hard to come by," Light admitted. Catching himself, he turned to me with a nervous laugh,
"Huh, I see, luckily Kiyomi's there to fill the void," L's passive tone just barely hinted at sarcasm and humor. I bristled at the remark. As a person, completely separate from the investigation, I could honestly say that I was not fond of Kiyomi Takada.
"Well, something like that," Light responded.
"I still don't see why it has to be her of all people," I remarked as Ryuk snickered behind Light's shoulder.
"I don't see why you don't like her," L mused.
"Would you like the long list or the short list?"
"If this is about looks, I can assure you that she isn't prettier than you."
"Why do you always think that the problems I have with girls are about appearance?" I questioned with mild irritation.
"Well, it's a common observation. Hey, Light, do you want to have some cake with us in the cafeteria?" L asked, sliding his feet into his sneakers and rising from the bench.
"Sure, I have a break now anyway," Light accepted without missing a beat.
"That's perfect! I'm kinda craving shortcake right now," L stated.
"You're always craving shortcake," I sighed.
"Well, let's hope they have it," Light said without looking back at us.
"Light! There you are!" A higher pitched, feminine voice gleefully called out. "I had a photo shoot nearby, so I thought I'd come by to see you."
Perfect. Everything was going according to plan. I quickly glanced over the blond girl and shot a look over to L to gloat. The giggle she made between sentences proved that Misa Amane exactly matched the image she presented to the public. Maybe she was like me and didn't have to lie.
"Oh, this must be a friend of yours," she said cheerfully, advancing on L. "You look so different, unique."
Now, I wasn't sure if she was ignoring me on purpose or if L's appearance caused her to overlook me entirely. It was entirely possible that Amane was only ignoring me because she recognized me from Aoyama, but I needed to be certain.
If she was so surprised that day, was it because she couldn't read my name? I didn't have any proof that my name was invisible to those bearing the Shinigami eyes, and I only had the word of a dead serial killer. Regardless, if that was the case, then perhaps she was avoiding me so that she wouldn't give herself away.
"Hi there," she greeted cheerfully, "I'm Light's girlfriend, Misa Amane, nice to meet you." I took note of the way she introduced herself. Light had her wrapped around his little finger, and everything about the way she acted around him revealed that.
"I'm Hideki Ryuga, and this is my girlfriend, Reika Endo."
I bit back my retaliation. As uncalled for as that declaration was, L only said it for my benefit. I wasn't certain if Amane realized who I was or if she cared at all that my name wasn't visible. The only thing I knew for certain was that any other woman around Light would threaten her. At least this way, L not only eliminated that threat to her and introduced me to the conversation.
"Huh? Hideki Ryuga?" Amane repeated uncertainly. I noticed how her eyes slid to the top of L's head, right before Light moved between us and her to put his hands on her shoulders.
"Yeah," Light interjected, "he has the exact same first and last name as the famous idol. Pretty bizarre, huh."
The model's mouth formed a perfect o shape as she stared at L, and when her eyes moved to me, they widened with recognition before returning to the same surprised and confused expression she donned when observing L.
I knew exactly what she was seeing. A man whose name didn't match the one he claimed to have, and a girl whose true name wasn't there. Well, and the slightly creepy expression on L's face as he stared at her, index finger on his lips, chuckling.
"Light," he said suddenly, laughter dying away, "you're a lucky guy." The startled reactions from the two Kiras were incredibly sincere. It was almost strange to see Light with his guard down, even for less than a second. "I have been a huge fan of yours ever since the August issue of Eighteen."
Amane's eyes lit up and she delicately clapped her hands together, "Really? That's so sweet of you!"
"Hey, isn't that girl Misa Misa?" Kiyoko called out, drawing the attention of everyone in the quad. It didn't take long for a crowd to form around us.
"Oh, wow, I should've guessed I'd be spotted with all these kids around," Misa said. As everyone complimented her and pushed to be closer to her, I tried to avoid being pushed around by her fans. "No way! Someone just touched my butt!" she yelped.
From right behind her, L lowered his hand from where it was in front of his face, looking to the entire world like a child who had just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar, "This is an outrage! Uh, taking advantage of this situation is unforgivable! I will find whoever is responsible for this."
Misa laughed into her hand, and even I have to admit that it was cute, "Oh, Ryuga, you're so funny." L patted down the back of his hair and looked down sheepishly. Everyone laughed and the sound of scuffling returned.
"Misa," a stern voice spoke above the crowd, "it's time. Or, were you planning to be late again?"
"N-no," Misa responded, sounding like a chastised child, "I'm sorry, Yoshi."
"Let's go."
"O-okay." As her manager led her away by the hand, Misa turned back to wave at Light, "Bye, Light, I'll see you again when I'm done with work. Miss you already!"
I wouldn't count on it, I thought, moving closer to L. With Misa gone, the crowd dispersed, and it was just the three of us again. "Now then, perhaps we should get going," L suggested.
"Yeah," Light responded, drawing out the word. "Actually, could you two go on ahead? I have to go use the restroom."
"Oh, okay, then. I'll see you there," L said.
"Later," I waved and followed the senior detective. "Next time, don't play the boyfriend."
"Hmm? Why not? It was very effective."
I scoffed, "A child could have seen through that lie. Traditionally, boyfriends don't touch other girls' butts in front of their girlfriends."
"I never said we were a traditional couple," he retorted, "and I only did that for professional reasons."
"Fine, but just do the role right next time," I sighed. This was too much of a risk to have something as minor as a cover story be out of place. Then, the phone L swiped from Misa began to sound with a pop song.
"Now, who could this be?" A knowing smirk played on his lips as he answered the phone, "Yes? Hello?" Turning my shoulders, I saw Light glaring at L's back as he spoke into his phone. "Oh, is that you, Light?" L responded innocently. "I guess someone must have dropped this phone in all of the commotion earlier on."
I sighed and fiddled with the rubber bands on my wrist. He's having too much fun, I thought as L so obviously baited Light. I wondered if L was being sloppy on purpose. After all, his façade as my boyfriend had been near pitiful, and he had allowed himself to be caught touching Amane's rear end. It was very possible that L was growing overconfident.
No, my mind objected. Not overconfident. Excited.
"Uh, hello?" L chirped questioningly.
"That's Misa's cellphone you have," Light responded, his voice growing louder as he neared us. "I can give it back to her."
"Oh, I see," L answered casually. "That makes sense." Ending the call, L turned and handed the phone to Light. The detective immediately continued on his way, and I followed a moment after. "Do you think he knows?" L drawled as we strolled.
"Not at all," I replied. Light had no reason to even suspect that we knew about the second phone. His phone began to ring shortly after we lapsed into silence.
"Oh," L voiced, morphing into a mutter, "this time it's actually my cellphone. Yes?" His eyes darted to me as the person on the end of the line spoke, "Yes, I see. So, it's done then? I understand."
He nodded to me and turned to face Light in a single motion. "I'm not exactly sure how you'll take this," he began, "but regarding Misa Amane, there's something you should know. We've taken her into custody under suspicion of being the second Kira."
Ryuk's throaty laughter picked up as soon as L left off, and Light's eyes relayed shock and fear. For all his talk of godhood, Light displayed such human foibles.
"We gathered physical evidence from the envelopes that were sent by the second Kira. In particular, we recovered hair and fibers from the masking tape used to seal them. They matched what we found in Misa's room. There would be a public uproar if it gets out that she's been apprehended as the second Kira, so officially, we've charged her manager with drug possession, and she's a voluntary witness. But I doubt any of this will get out. Right? E?"
Keeping my eyes carefully trained on Light's face, I sounded my agreement, "If anything ever does manage to leak to the web, I'd have it cleaned up before anyone else even sees it."
I watched Light and L in their silent battle of intellects. Light was backed into a corner. L and I had managed to take away his queen in this match of life and death. I could see Light spiraling as he realized the position he was in.
And then… I saw a shift.
"What are you planning, Light?" E mused as L took his leave. Light cast her a cold glare, critical and full of blame. "Don't look at me like that," she requested in a cool tone, "I told you from the beginning that I hated you."
"You've made this very difficult for me, E," he informed her, irritation gnawing at him as the detective twirled the ends of her wig around her finger. She had just taken away a very useful pawn from him. He had been within a hair's breadth of watching L die.
Did she not realize that? Light wondered furiously, We could have watched him die.
Their goal could have become a reality. Light had come to believe that E would want L dead as much as he did, and that blinded him to the possibility that the woman didn't actually want anyone to die. Maybe she did, or maybe she didn't. Who was to know?
"I suppose I have," she acknowledged. "But you aren't defeated yet, are you, Light?"
She was right. She was often right. Light hated it. He had begun to hate many things, and many of them had to do with E. He loathed how he never seemed to have a grasp on who she was. He despised how the thought of L as her boyfriend infuriated and disgusted him. He hated how betrayed he felt when it became clear that she had played a part in hindering his success.
"You really think I'm going to trust you?" he sneered.
"Not at all," she stated. Irritation bit at him again. There was no reaction from her. She was like L, cool and factual, and even the comparison upset him. "After what just happened, I don't expect you to trust me ever again. But keep in mind, Light, that I haven't turned you in to the police. I've kept L off your trail enough, and if I hadn't figured out something so obvious as Misa Amane's position as the second Kira, I'd have been under suspicion myself."
"I see," Light said, processing her statement. She was good at what she did, and the fact remained, she was a threat. She would have to be eliminated, and moments ago, he had had the means to do just that.
"Do you want to kill me, Light?" her voice sounded different. The melancholy playfulness in her tone startled him. That, and how it seemed as if she was reading his mind. Ryuk laughed from over his shoulder. "I'd understand why you would," her voice quieted to a soft whisper.
Damn her, Light thought. "I don't think I'd be able to kill you."
She smiled, a slight upturn of her lips, "No, I don't think you'd be able to either. But, that's not the question I asked, Light."
His eyes narrowed. Is she mocking me? He thought derisively.
No, he realized, taking in the small smile still playing on her features. She's hiding something. She can't know, can she? That can't possibly be it. Light discarded the theory. It was impossible for her to know. It had to be something else. She must think she's untouchable, Light concluded. For some reason, she thought she wouldn't die at his hand.
"Yes," he answered honestly. Light thought it would be beneficial to tell the truth to this one question. After all, there was no way for it to harm him at this point. He wanted to kill her. He wanted to write her name in the Death Note and let her die. It would save him so much trouble, but she could be so useful.
"I'm sorry to hear that," she said regretfully. "I hope you would allow me one thing, though."
"Really?" he questioned with incredulity, "Are you asking for a favor?"
The blue-eyed woman didn't even seem abashed. In fact, she seemed to be radiating determination. "I'd like to speak to Ryuk. Alone. It's… a personal matter. You don't have to answer me right now, but when you've made your decision, you know how to contact me. Please, remember what I told you about the side I'm on. I hope you understand all of this, Light. I really, honestly do." With that said, she left.
Damn it all, Light thought in frustration.
"Watari, has she said anything yet?" L questioned, seating himself into the chair in front of the microphone.
"No. She hasn't spoken a word," Watari responded.
"Get me a visual of her, will you?"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, and quickly."
The screen lit up, and the men, excluding L, gasped at the image. Misa Amane was secured with the utmost precautionary measures. I had ensured it myself. The girl's limbs were bound in a straightjacket, fastened with straps. An opaque visor covered her eyes. Her breaths came unsteadily and every so often she would whimper.
"Ryuzaki," Mr. Yagami said sharply, outrage coloring his voice, "what's the meaning of this?"
"I've apprehended her on the suspicion of being the second Kira. I'm afraid this is necessary."
"I apologize, Mr. Yagami," I added. "The truth is that I'm the one who arranged this. This is the most effective way to ensure that nobody else comes into harm's way. You understand that, don't you?"
I knew that it was excessive. Especially since I knew the truth about how the Kiras killed, but L didn't know that I had become privy to that information. Under normal circumstances, this is exactly how I would have contained Kira.
"Chances are Amane is guilty," Mr. Yagami stated, regaining his composure. "There seems to be enough evidence to convict her, all the same."
"Yes, there cannot be any mistake. Now, we need a confession out of her. We need to know how she kills, whether she knows Kira, and, if so, who he really is. Watari, take the necessary precautions, but beyond that, you're free to do whatever has to be done. Okay? Just make her speak." The Task Force members watched on in silence as I rolled a sea foam green bouncy ball between my hands.
"Very well."
"Oh, and Mr. Yagami, Light has now become our prime suspect. I'm probably going to bring him in for interrogation as well. Please be prepared for that." I watched Mr. Yagami's face twist into a scowl.
I stole away from the others for a moment, going to the kitchen as I usually did. And, as seemed to be customary, L followed me in. "Let me do it," I urged, picking up a cupcake on Watari's rack of ready desserts.
"No."
"At least let me try."
"I have allowed you a reasonable degree of independence on this investigation, Everest," L reminded me sternly. "This is where I draw the line."
I frowned into my cupcake. I was displeased that L wouldn't allow me to do more. It was his investigation, and for the most part, I respected that, but I could do more. Most Wammy's kids were adept at interrogation, and I had all of the pressure points that I needed. "Artists draw lines, L, not detectives," I drawled before returning to the Task Force.
It was boring.
Misa Amane wouldn't speak, and Watari was making no progress. He had done almost everything he could that was considered humane. Despite his occupation as L's handler, Watari didn't have it in his nature to be cruel. He was a father or grandfather figure to those of us who let him be. He would do what he had to do, yes, but never, never, could Mr. Wammy be cruel.
I had taken to bouncing the ball onto the floor and off the wall as we sat in wait. Minutes turned to hours, and the hours seemed to never end.
The first day passed, but nobody dared to leave in case the captive woman broke at any given moment. L and I were, once again, not on the best of terms. I wasn't very happy that he refused to let me interrogate Amane, and he was just as unpleasant as me.
We were like children in the way that we stubbornly treated the other with silence. Our tantrums weren't frequent, but they weren't exactly uncommon. I'm certain that the others didn't appreciate our behavior. Everyone was growing frustrated at Amane's lack of cooperation, and I imagine it was tiresome to deal with that and the two of us.
On the second day, L approached me as I was solving minor cases on my laptop to pass the time. "You have thirty minutes."
"Why the sudden change of heart?" I questioned with faux suspicion lacing my tone.
"I'm hungry. I want Watari to bake something," L replied easily. "Do what you have to do, but don't get too close to her. I'll have video and audio on you the whole time. Be careful."
L watched the brunette enter the room with the model, cradling a box of assorted chocolate in the crook of her arm. E's movements were graceful and languid, almost cat-like. He had been uncomfortable sending her to the cell, but he knew that he had to use every advantage in his arsenal.
"I'm very sorry about your accommodations," Everest started, the apology sounded sincere. Knowing her, it probably was. "I'd offer you a chocolate, but I doubt you'd eat it. I'm E, by the way."
Amane's silence continued.
"I don't understand you," the woman continued. "We're very similar, Misa, but I don't think I'd ever be able to do what you're doing. I'm an orphan, like you. I've lost someone I cared for deeply because of a murderer, like you. Maybe it's fate that you and I are here, in this room, together."
L bit on the pad of his thumb as E took a seat on the floor in her favored position across from Amane. She was establishing trust with the captive, even going so far as to expose what could be considered similarities.
"My parents died when I was very young. I barely remember them, so I suppose we're different in that respect. I didn't know them enough to miss them the way you miss your parents. Although, there is one person. Can you guess who it is?" She paused, but L knew she wasn't even expecting a response.
"I wouldn't tell you even if you guessed right," Everest admitted. "Kira killed him. The very person you love so dearly killed the one person I had left. I'm sure you think it was justice. After all, it was justice that the man who killed your parents suffered the same fate, right?
I can understand that. It must have been very difficult for you to wait so damn long for the trial to conclude. Is it really better this way, Misa? The bastard who killed your family may have died, but doesn't a part of you wish that he had been able to suffer a long, meaningless existence? Perhaps you simply didn't love them enough to take it into your own hands."
"What is she doing?" Aizawa demanded. The entire Task Force seemed stunned by the usually good-natured woman's complete conversion of character. L had steeled himself against any sympathy. He knew Everest well enough to know that she was only saying what had to be said to rouse some sort of response from Amane.
"I believe she's trying to antagonize Misa Amane," L replied. E was targeting the most emotional events of Misa Amane's life, trying to incite enough passion in the other woman to provoke speech. Perhaps it was cruel, but L knew how effective this method could be.
"Maybe you're just not as angry as me," E mused. "I'd never be able to forgive Kira for taking the right to revenge away from me. Or… maybe you just aren't as strong as me. I must admit, though, I am impressed. You've managed to hold out for this long, not many people can do that. So, maybe you're a bit stronger than I think. Still, Kira…" The woman trailed off, as if allowing the word to settle in the room.
"Do you love him? Enough to do anything for him? That's the way that it sounds to me. It makes sense to love the person who answered all of your prayers. Maybe even to worship them. That isn't real love, Misa. That's obsession, a sick and twisted obsession masquerading as love, and maybe you know. You know that he'll never be able to love you back because, to him, you're just a pawn.
And what about Light? Do you have any feelings for him? Or is he just someone to draw the police away from Kira? Perhaps they're even one and the same. If so, does it bother you to know that you aren't the only woman in his life? What if I told you that Light Yagami was far more suited for someone like me than somebody like you?"
L watched as Everest rose to her feet and moved closer to Misa Amane, moving her mouth close to the blonde's ear. L couldn't make out what she said due to how her hair fell in the way of the camera and the quiet tone she adopted. L's suspicions flared, but he kept them in check as Everest drew back from the suspect and watched for some sort of response.
"I'm truly sorry for everything, Misa," Everest stated before leaving the cell. L noted the way Misa Amane bit on her quivering lip and the thin trails that streaked her face.
When I returned to the room after my attempt at cracking Amane, I was met with horrified stares and a heavy, uncomfortable atmosphere. "Please don't think poorly of me," I implored my comrades before retreating to my room.
I had been exceptionally hard on Misa, and I said what I believed in the harshest manner for the sake of results. I wanted her to contradict me, but it never happened. She wasn't going to shatter like I expected her to.
I felt bad for her.
Despite everything that she had done and would continue to do if given the opportunity, I felt bad for her and terrible for what I had just put her through. I knew I had to try, though. For the sake of progress, I had to do something.
She was a victim. A deluded one, but one nonetheless. She was on Kira's side, and I was on mine. Therefore, I couldn't hold back. Maybe, if things had been different, this never would have happened.
Misa tried her hardest not to say anything. E said things that hurt Misa. Some of it was true, but hearing them in that voice made Misa want to yell and scream at her that she was wrong. The last thing E said to her before apologizing had infuriated and crushed Misa. Still, the other woman apologized, and Misa couldn't tell if E was really that horrible, or if she was honestly sorry for Misa.
Light kissed me, the sound of E's voice replayed in Misa's head, and the model bit her lip harder just to keep herself from lashing out.
A/N... I'm so sorry for taking so long! I'm very busy, but I do plan on continuing this story! I hope you enjoyed this chapter ^.^ Everything's about to get more fun! Thanks for reading, and please let me know what you think!
