A large television set sat on and abandoned in a high rise apartment, bustling from the city streets could be heard from the open window. Baby toys sat scattered on a black leather couch. Sayu typed feverishly on a laptop at the bar that adjoined the the dining room. White walls with vibrant paintings spilled through the home. Mahogany wood and brown marble tabletops and counter tops ran through the home. Modern styled black iron light fixtures elegantly placed through the home.

The sounds of a baby crying faintly from the back of the apartment, with the sound of a crystal clear voice lulling the child to calm herself.

Sayu sighed heavily and turned the television on from the bar. A couple of anchors sat and talked cheerfully. The blonde woman smiled happily at the camera. "One year after Misa Amane's safe return home we are able to enjoy her new career outlet. As a musician and a producer, she's given us hours of lovely songs to listen to." She grinned at her brunette coanchor. "I'd say that's one way to invest the money you won in a lawsuit. For those of you not fully up to date. Misa Amane had gone missing, and in that time she had been shoved off of a entertainment vessel by former modeling rival Lenne McCory. Where she sustained a severe head injury."

The brunette woman chuckled and continued the story. "After returning she was highly reclusive, saying that she wasn't ready to face the public with any statements. Well. We know what that meant! About six and a half months later she emerged with a music producing studio, a lawsuit under her belt and a baby at her hip!" Both anchors chuckled and swooned over a picture of the infant, that appeared on the screens behind them.

A picture of the baby flashed on the news. A head full of cascading blonde hair to her tiny ear lobes and to her neck. In the photo the baby was happily looking at the camera while grabbing her toes. Piercing scarlet eyes lit up with joy. Both news anchors filled the air with awes. The blonde continued. "This happy little bundle of joy's name finally hit the press along with her adorable smile. Her name is Lula. Which if I'm not mistaken means pearl in Arabic! How sweet is that?"

The brunette anchor stared at her coanchor with a raised eyebrow. "Why do you know that?"

The blonde let out a breathy laugh. "I know things! Like, how I know, they both live happily in Tokyo, Japan! But, what we don't know, and we're all dying to know, who is the father to this bouncing happy baby?"

Sayu groaned and turned the television off.

After the news report ended a different television from across the world turned off. Dark stormy eyes darted around the dimly lit office from behind obsidian tresses. And elderly man sighed and set a tray of tea down on the desk in front of the oddly crouched man. "Will we be keeping this from him as well?"

L bit at his thumb nervously before drawing in a deep breath. "Eventually, it will come to light. But, I need him at his peak performance. But, it cannot be ignored that Misa Amane now fits our perpetrator's MO. She's a celebrity, single, with a child, and thanks to the news, he would know where to start looking for her. If the identity of the father ever came to surface, if Beyond is indeed the father, it would only serve to make the child more of a target.

The elderly man chuckled. "The proof is in the smile and the eyes."

-x-

A door creaked open to a pitch dark room. A timid voice called to the occupant. "Hey. Beyond?" A young man with pure white hair stepped fully into the room. "I have what you asked for… I'm going to turn the light on now, alright?"

"Go ahead."

The snowy haired detective sighed and flipped the light on. A pale blue room came into view, with a single oak dresser and a simple oak bed with navy blue covers. Deep navy curtains that were drawn to cover the window, swayed slightly at the breeze coming in. Deep grey eyes fell onto a wall of photos and news clippings. "At first, I thought you were still just obsessive. And, a little weird… but, the news this morning, may have proved me wrong."

As the timid detective approached the previous serial murderer, the pictures came into view. Every article that Misa was ever quoted in or had her photo in it. Crestfallen ruby eyes landed on him as he handed him a manilla folder. The younger male continued. "Her writing career seems to have taken off as well as her music career." He also handed Beyond a book that titled, 'How I found the pearl.' With a subtitle of, 'But now I can't find the ocean.'

A shuddered breath was heard as spindly hands trembled as the folder was opened as the book was set down. The first document pulled was a facial recognition. Beyond stared at Near with a confused stare before digging further into the folder before stumbling on a photo of an infant with Misa as well as the photo released to the press. Pressing a pale hand to his mouth Beyond bit his bottom lip from behind it and lifted the facial recognition. The compared person was himself.

Near twirled a lock of hair around his index finger. "It's only 71%. But… For an infant? With almost zero defining features other than well… baby, that's almost a guarantee that the child in that photo, is yours." Near shifted his eyes around quickly before dropping another envelope next to his now predecessor. "I'm not supposed to give you this, but if our assumption is correct, it will take L forever to act… He won't move until something happens. You will. Protect her."

Beyond opened the envelop, inside it was a large wad of untraced bills and a one way ticket to Tokyo. Near shifted uncomfortably before continuing. "If she's yours, she's ours too. Protect my niece. Your daughter. You should leave in an hour. I slipped a sedative in his tea, Roger and him will be down for the count soon."

Misa sat silently in her living room painting as Sayu tapped against her keyboard loudly. "I think it's time we discussed your next album, or at the very least some sort of fundraiser. Perhaps for struggling new artists?" The brunette tapped a pen against her chin before smiling and happily typing once again.

Golden eyes fell onto the canvas. "Misa?" Her eyes landed on a solitary figure with ravened hair with an endearing scarlet gaze.

"Whatever you think would be best." Misa's voice was strained slightly. "You haven't steered me wrong yet." Tear drops fell onto her lap. "The one time I did something on my own…" Her voice shuddered as she gently set her paintbrush down to wipe her eyes.

The brunette bit her lip and continued to type a little more solemnly.

Misa stood and walked towards her office. "I've been writing another set of songs… I'll be able to start recording by tomorrow. I'll head to the studio and start my rough recordings."

Sayu stared at the painting longer and sighed sorrowfully. 'That's what? The hundredth painting of him you've done? Where ever this bastard is… I'll make him pay for making you cry.' Honeyed eyes glanced back to her computer with a steeled resolve as she hacked into the NPA's computer base looking for anyone matching his description.