The following spring came with no new leads on the Kira case, and the Japanese Task Force found themselves growing weary. Many of them- Matsuda, Aizawa, and even Chief Yagami at one point or another- had contemplated disbanding the task force, returning to their usual jobs, but working the case in their spare time. The lack of consistent leadership as well as leads to follow was making their work increasingly difficult, as most supposed leads got them to dead ends.
Light, still having an in with the task force through his father, was secretly delighted at the news. Less people hunting Kira would always be a good thing. Outwardly, he maintained an understanding façade, but inwardly, he cheered.
Over a period of a month, the Task Force made the group decision to officially disband but unofficially meet on the weekends to work on the case in their spare time. Chief Yagami resumed his post as head of the NPA, and everyone came back to work under him. On the weekends, they still met at the headquarters L made for them to attempt to work the Kira case and go over any new leads.
Light, meanwhile, was doing fantastically. His daughter was happy and healthy, his wife was gorgeous as ever, and Kira was still raining justice upon the world. He often times wondered what he had done to deserve such a blessed life. A good answer was never given to him, but that was alright. He enjoyed it anyway.
Misa was thriving in her role as a mother. Taking care of her daughter was one of the most fulfilling things she had ever done, and she was so grateful for every moment she spent with her family. Her husband was happy, her daughter was healthy, and she couldn't have been more pleased. Occasionally she still helped her husband write names in the death note, but more often than not she devoted herself to her family.
Ryuk had appointed himself guardian and protector over Heiwa Yagami. By the time she turned two, she played with him constantly at home. For appearances sake, Light and Misa told her that he was an imaginary friend, vowing to tell her the truth when she was old enough to keep their secret. Ryuk went along with it, if only to stay close to her. By her fourth birthday, Ryuk had lovingly been dubbed "Uncle Ry-Ry" by the child, and he took an undisguised pleasure in that fact.
Heiwa herself was growing up quickly. Years seemed to fly by the way pages of a book did. She had loving parents, a fun uncle, and her ebullient personality attracted scores of friends. By the time she entered school, she had been well-instructed in the ways of Kira. She did not yet know the reason why her parents supported Kira. Misa had told Light that she didn't want to tell Heiwa about her parents until she was at least ten so that she wouldn't be scarred by it as Misa herself had been. A few days after her tenth birthday, Misa explained to her daughter what had happened to her parents, and how Kira had passed judgement on their murderer. This new understanding shed some light on why her parents felt the way they did about Kira.
It wasn't until she was fourteen that she finally got the whole truth.
Both of her parents had sat her down on the couch, each one holding one of her hands.
"Heiwa, your father and I have something to tell you." Said Misa.
"What is it?"
Light pulled out the Death Note from behind his back. "When you were a little girl, we told you Uncle Ryuk was an imaginary friend, but that wasn't exactly true. He's a shinigami."
"Shinigami? Like Gods of death?"
Light nodded. "He came to this world because I picked up this notebook and began writing names in it. And on the day he did, I became Kira."
Heiwa's eyes widened. "Daddy… You're…?"
Light nodded. "Your mother also has a Death Note. She found me because she has Shinigami Eyes, that can see a person's name and lifespan. It's how we met. I promised her that she would be the goddess of the new world, and she is. And you… You're our princess. And someday, when Uncle Ryuk writes my name in his death note, this Death Note will be passed on to you, so that you can continue our work. Someday, you will take on Kira's title, and afterward you will pass it on to your children."
"But wait… Grandpa… Isn't he hunting you?"
"Not as actively as he used to. I used to work with him to try and "catch" Kira. The task force created for Kira only meets on the weekends. I've gone to a few of their meetings over the years. They don't have anything on me."
"So you want me to take over as Kira?"
"Yes, princess. No one in the world will be more capable at it than you, nor more well protected. Uncle Ryuk will never let anyone hurt you, nor will we. As long as we're alive, you won't have to take on the mantle. But when our time comes, it will be your duty to pick up where we left off. Uncle Ryuk will stay by your side through it all, though. You won't ever be doing it alone. Maybe he'll even help you- which would be a miracle considering he never helped me." Light smirked at Ryuk.
"Hey! What about that time when I told you you were being followed."
"Alright, so you helped me once. Still, my point remains. Someday, this kingdom will be yours." He said, and handed his daughter the Death Note.
Heiwa held it in her hands, stroking the smooth black notebook cover, before flipping through it. Thousands of names were there, all victims of Kira's righteous judgement. Someday, she would be penning names in this notebook, just as her parents had. Setting it in her lap, she looked at them both determinedly.
"I won't let you down."
They both hugged her.
"You never do." Misa said gently.
"You never could." Light added.
The three of them held one another that way for a long time. It was the beginning of their family dynasty, and a kingdom not meant to end.