Chapter 2: L And A Need For Justice
"Remember, an eye for an eye. I'm fairly strong you know..."
-L-
Akane sat up in a better mood now as she began to get ready for her date with Satoru and turned on her TV mostly for back ground noise. Again it was news report about the heart attack victims they where sweeping over the world like a plague and most of the killings where in Japan. Apparently it seemed like to many had happened to be deemed a coincidence. "So someone does have a Death Note...as I had expected." Akane thought aloud with a bit of pity as she shook her head. "I should stop that person... even if the people he's murdering are just criminals. It's just not right."
When she said that it was the first time she saw 'L' pop up on the TV screen... a broadcast by the ICPO. There was a handsome man by the name Lind L. Tailor in a crisp clean navy business suit and his expression was all business. Tailor was talking about the mass murderer known as 'Kira' and so Akane stopped what she was doing and watched. She was curious of what the police and her father had to say about it.
"I'm the head of an International Police Task Force, which includes all member nations. I am Lind L. Tailor. Otherwise known as L. Criminals around the world are being murdered by a serial killer. I consider this crime to be the most atrocious act of murder in history. I will not rest until the person or persons responsible are brought to justice. Kira I will hunt you down and I will find you. Kira I've got a pretty good idea what your motivations might be and I can guess what you hope to achieve. However, what you're doing right now is... evil." He said through her small TV.
She was inclined to agree with him. Murder was evil period. If you are defending yourself and accidentally kill the aggressor that was self defense and not murder. If you where protecting someone who was currently in danger... she wouldn't think that was murder either, but what Kira was doing was sickening. This broadcast seems to be trying to provoke him, Akane thought to herself. If fact I'm sure of it.
….
Kira was provoked. He was glaring at the television and knew he couldn't let someone challenge him on international TV. People would start to question his power after he just started to gain a following. Also what right did he have to stop him? These men and women needed to be put down like the dogs they were. This was justice and if this Tailor guy was going to get in the of that... then this man was just as guilty. Plus he couldn't let this man get in the way of his master plans.
His Shinigami Ryuk stood behind him with a slight smile on his face. Humans are so interesting, Ryuk thought as he watched him flip open his death note and wrote Lind L. Tailor large enough to cover one entire page. Looking at the way he wrote the name showed anger and defiance in his hand writing, but all they need to do was wait for this man to die. There was only 26 seconds left.
….
Wait, Akane sudden thought as she realized something.
"No you idiot don't show your face and name!" She found herself growling as she stood "You will die if he sees this! What the hell are you doing?"
Only seconds later he died right in front of her just like those criminals did the day she was attacked. It brought back the memory like punch to the stomach. None should have the power to do this, She thought to herself slightly sick at the look of pain on Tailor's lifeless face.
She slammed her fist on her desk, "Dammit! This Kira is childish killing him like that! What the hell is wrong with him?! He's insane that's what he is!" She yelled, but then the screen change revealing an English letter of 'L'. "What the...?"
The scrambled voice gave a surprised breath before speaking, "I had to test this just in case, but I never thought it'd actually happen. Kira it seems you can kill people without actually being there in person. I wouldn't have believed it if I happen just witnessed it. Listen to me Kira. If you did indeed kill Lind L. Tailor the man you just saw die on television. I should tell you that he was an inmate whose execution was secluded for today. That was not me. The police arrested him in absolute secrecy so you wouldn't of heard about him on the TV or through the internet. It appears not even you have access to information about these type of criminals, but I assure you 'L' is real."
Akane stared then she laughed, "This is rich..." she said with an amused smirk on her face. That other guy was going to die anyway, but something about this 'L' actions pleased her. "This 'L'... he's clever I'll give him that."
"I do exist. Now try to kill me! What's wrong? Hurry up! Come on! Take me down! Kill me! What's wrong? What are you waiting for? You better do it! Come on! Kill me! What's the matter?! Can't you do it?" L taunted on the TV screen before there was a pause and Akane watched in anticipation knowing this Kira couldn't do it. She was a hundred percent sure that this Kira possessed a Death Note of his own after seeing this broadcast, but what was this Kira trying to accomplish? What was his motives? Justice? Ridding the world of scum or being a God in a new world order? What is he or she planning?
"Well Kira... it seems you can't kill me after all. So there are some people you can't kill. You've given me a useful hint. Let me return the favor. I'll tell you something I think you will find interesting. Although this was announced as a world wide broad-cast. The truth is we are only broad-casting in the Kanto region of Japan. I had plans to broadcast this around the world until we found you, but it looks like that won't be necessary. I now know where you are."
"Kanto region... Kira is near me?" she said to herself in astonishment and surprise he found Kira's location so quickly. It told her this man's intelligence was far beyond the norm.
"Is it really so surprising, my lady?" Donovan asked as he walked through her wall.
"I... well now that I think about it no. We both have one so it wouldn't seem so odd for others to have one too. Though that is to many to be a coincidence if you ask me. Did another Shinigami come with you, Donovan?" Akane asked.
"Yes, his name is Ryuk. I can only tell you that he came because he was bored and dropped his Death Note here in the human world, but I know he was planning something. Seems boredom is a dangerous commodity," Donovan explained with a scuff, "However, I can not tell you where he is or what else he is doing. It is in the rules, my lady. I am sorry that I can not."
"It's okay, Donovan. I was just curious is all. Boredom on this level is dangerous indeed giving a Death Note of all things to some one who's killing so many people." Akane groaned pinching the bridge of her nose, "A least that explains a lot. It's not like he's on the same street or anything though it is a bit scary now that I think about it." She shivered.
"Do not be, I am here. I will not allow this Kira to harm you." He told her confidently as he placed a cold clawed hand on her shoulder. His touch sent goosebumps down her arm and perhaps that was due to what he was, but his touch was comforting nevertheless.
"Thank you, Donovan. That means a lot." Akane smiled placing her hand on his before turning back to the TV. It took only a month for us to become friends. He said once that I remind him a lot of Ciaran and someone he cared about long ago. Maybe that is the reason that Shinigami loved me. I wonder what their story is.
L continued, "To be completely honest with you. I never expected things to go this well, but it won't be to long now before I'm able sentence you to death. Naturally I'm very interested in knowing how you commit these murders without being present, but I don't mind waiting a little bit longer. You can answer all of my questions when I catch you. Let's meet again soon, Kira." L said in a taunting voice before going away.
….
Kira threw the something across the room while Ryuk laughed at the human, "He got you there."
He sighed, "That he did. Now he likely knows I'm in Tokyo and even worse he figured out I can't kill him... yet. This man will be a problem for me, but it's only a minor said back and one that I have foresaw to happen eventually, but he is to late. The preparations for someone of his caliber have been made. I will not be found and he will be the one to die. Justice will be mine," Kira smiled.
….
To say she was impressed with 'L' was an understatement. She never seen something like this done before. It was fascinating to watch him go against Kira like that. He was likely male, intelligent, and she was sure he had much experience with hunting murderers, kidnappers, and the like. However he had no idea what he was actually up against. This was a world of Death Gods and if he didn't have help he would surely die.
Akane sighed, "I should talk to dad when he gets home. I have to join the task force and if I don't Kira will whip them out, but should I tell this 'L' about the Death Note?"
"That is up to you, my lady." Donovan informed her. "I can follow your father around until he meets L if you wish."
"No that would make it look to suspicious if I suddenly show up at his front door one day. This will require a slower and calm approach. Even if that isn't my style." Akane sighed before she looked at her clock on the night stand and yelped. "Oh no! I don't have time to think about that right now! I'm going to be late!"
….
Walking through the park laughter came from a male's voice, "What's got you into such a good mood lately?" Satoru asked as he smiled at his date for the evening. "I'm not complaining its just you've been down since Kira killed those guys that attack you and Toshi."
"No reason really I just am and that murderer Kira didn't kill those men," Akane said then realized she had said it aloud then quickly added, "or at least I don't think he did."
"What do you mean? Of course he did." he said pulling her closer to him. "He saved your life and I'm grateful for that."
"He didn't save me and I'm not suppose to talk about it. The one you should be grateful to died to save me, Satoru. Let's not talk anymore about this. I want to focus on us. It's been so long since we hand any free time alone together. I should have more time when I start college, but I just want to enjoy this time with you without talking about depressing things." She informed him as she sighed with Donovan not far behind them though he kept a good distance away in a book store... freaking of the customers with 'flying books'. He wanted to give the two of them privacy for a while even if he didn't like to do so.
She looked up at Satoru and a thought came unwillingly to her, One day I'm going to have to watch him die. I'll have to watch him grow old without me and maybe any future kids we have too. It's sad.
He obviously wanted to push her for more information, but decided against it and changed the subject. "I'm sorry... you're right." he said threw his arm around her possessively letting his warmth spread through Akane as she smiled at him. "So how is school?"
"Boring and the only thing I can think about is you as usual." she said as she wrapped her arm around his waist her head resting on his shoulder while they walked farther into the park together. "Why? You only ever ask me about school when you're nervous about something."
"Ha...You're right," he smiled sheepishly as he pointed to a spot that held a picnic on top a flannel blanket underneath.
Akane gasped, "Wow! Candles and everything too. You're such a cheesy romantic!" Akane said before kissing his cheek before bolting toward the picnic a huge smile on her face.
Satoru slowly sat down next to her and the two enjoyed the small lunch boxes he had made... well at least she did, but he was just playing with his salad and nibbled at it every once in a while. She knew quite well this was a tell of his when he was anxious and now that she looked him over he was better dressed than usual as if he put a great effort into his groomed today. He never wears button up shirts and it looks as if he ironed it too. What more could their be? What is he planning? He is so strange sometimes. "Satoru is something wrong? You're still so queasy tonight." Akane informed him a gentle smile on her face as she place a hand over his own.
"I never thought I'd be this nervous about tonight." He informed her as she cocked her head at him. "I don't know how to put this. Though I've practiced at least a hundred times is the mirror and went over it so much in my head too. It seems silly now."
She slowly chuckled, "Whatever it is. It'll be okay so just tell me, Satoru."
He scratched his chin a bit tense, "Could you close your eyes for a sec?"
"Um... okay," She said closing her eyes and she could hear him moving around as if trying to find something.
"Hold out your hand too," he said and she did what he asked.
She felt something soft, small, and square lay in her hand. When she opened her eyes what laid within it was a ring. She gasped as she stood in shock, "Satoru you couldn't mean to..." Akane looked up at him and he was already in one knee.
"Akane Yagami, will you do the honor of being my wife?" He asked as confidently, but a woman like Akane made him nervous or was it this situation. "It doesn't have to be now or ten years from now. Just one day is all I ask. I love you Akane and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. There is no one I could love more than I do you. I know your family would never approve of me as your husband because of what I did three years ago, but all I want is your approval. It's all I'd ever need."
That was right. Three years ago Satoru had gotten himself into trouble. He was part of a gang that he joined to take care of his brother because he couldn't find a job at the time and he was too young to work at a host club. Satoru did what he had to, but one day things went to far and several kids where put in the hospital. He was arrested and her father was the one that put Satoru straight. Her father also helped him get a real job, but she knew her father would never approve and she didn't care if he ever did either.
"Satoru..." she began to say, but he suddenly grabbed at his chest and crashed to the ground. "Satoru! What's wrong?! Oh... no... it can't be! Not Satoru!" She realized that Kira had done something to him as she wrapped her arms around him laying his head gently onto her lap. "Please, Satoru... don't go. Don't leave... please."
"Akane... what's happening? It hurts," he whispered back as his hooded eyes looked up at her.
"Satoru... my answer is yes just don't go... please." she pleaded holding him tighter. Tears running down her face blinding her slightly. "I love you. I... don't want to loose you."
"Akane... I love you..." he told her as he took his last breath.
"No, don't go," she cried as she buried her face into his shoulder rocking back and forth. Satoru was gone and there was nothing she could do other than cry. She had seen Kira's work to well for it to have been anything else. "I'm so sorry... please forgive me... Satoru."
She didn't know how long she cried for, but when she lifted her head she screamed out in agony as she swore she would have vengeance for Satoru or she'll die trying.