Chapter 13: Loose Ends and a Reminder

"Taking a break from something can give one time to recover and a give one a moment to breath. So that you can look back at things from a new perspective that would help more that one could imagine."

-Akane Yagami-

"In the pass few days I've listened to all of our audio recordings and viewed the video footage we've captured. I've gone over them many times and I've come to a conclusion. Our surveillance of Kitamura, Satobayashi, and Yagami households has revealed... nothing." L said to a group of anxious policemen before he placed a piece chocolate into his mouth, but that didn't seem to notice the dissatisfaction in his voice as he said they had found nothing. "We'll remove the cameras and wiretaps."

Naomi looked away relieved, Akane must feel so bad right now. Hopefully the cameras will be removed today and... L is actually quite a gentleman. He looked away while the women bathed. That will be a relief for Akane to hear, I'm sure. Donovan spent most of his times secluded in a separate room reading books and only perked up for progress reports to give Akane about Ms. Yuka, but that turned up nothing. What her theory wrong about her? What's our next move?

"All that and we still don't have any suspects," Matsuda said disappointed as well.

Souichiro perked up fixing his glasses again, "It's okay Matsuda well have to pursue other leads, but we'll get him."

"Please don't get the wrong idea. I only said we were unable to reveal anything suspicious based on our surveillance. Even if Kira was among them I'm sure he wouldn't make it obvious. No, in fact he was able to continue kill with outwardly suspicious." L said not liking being wrong, but he knew it was not the Yagami family, but something didn't feel right about this like he was missing a major piece of his little puzzle. He was sure Yuka was a piece of this missing factor, but the surveillance had shown nothing at all. She seemed completely normal and something else was bugging him as well. However he couldn't put his finger on it just yet.

"Well then," The chief said, "You believe Kira is among one of those families."

"As I've said... there's a five percent chance," L said as he stirred his tea thinking, Kira never stopped killing even while under surveillance cameras were in place. I still have no idea how he was able to comment these murders, but let's say he could kill someone by simply wishing death upon them and think any human being would of shown some emotion... some sigh they where knowingly committing an act of murder. So the obvious conclusion is Kira couldn't be one of them. However... what if it is one of these people we've been watching. If he is we'd have to assume his psyche has reached God like proportions. Punishing evil doers without the slightest change of expression. It almost makes me believe Kira doesn't exist that this is just the wrath of a vengeful God. That idea is completely absurd to think that God would need a person's face and name to kill. No these aren't acts of God, but someone very childish and immature who wants to pretend they're God, that's what's going on here. A mass murderer, who calls himself Kira that exist somewhere. I'm sure of it and I'll catch him, but I can't count on Kira making any mistakes. Doesn't matter how long we watch him. He's not going to expose himself to us. So what should I do? Ideally I'd like to get to know him well enough that he'd admit he was Kira and show me how he kills, but would that even be possible?

L sighed, Then there is that feeling that I'm missing a major piece. Something isn't right it's like Kira wants us going around in circles. My theory is Kira is using others to do his bidding like Yuka Satobayashi then throws them away on a later date. He had no regard for human life at all. He is childish, obsessed, and selfish, but what is his plan against me? What is his next move? And why does this investigation keep circling so close to Akane? It's... as if Kira is someone Akane knows, but is it a friend or family? Perhaps that is not it at all. It could be someone obsessed with her and Akane can't seem to find him either. Who is the one in the shadows stalking her and killing hundreds? Whoever he is... he's likely a male if my theory on him is correct. Then I have no choice. I must get closer to Akane herself.

….

The entrance examines where that day. The wiretaps and camera's where removed to Akane's relief. "You there! Hurry up the exam will be starting in ten minutes! So you better hurry up!" a man called to her as she approached.

"I will! Thank you for telling me," Akane said giving a grateful smile she didn't mean one bit. Damn I'm early... I really hate waiting. This is completely tedious.

….

She took her seat quietly not bothering to look around at the other students that where also taking the test. Everything was already in place for her and so she simply looked toward her Shinigami who smiled at her and said rather kindly, "Good luck, my lady. You've studied hard. You should do rather well."

She gave a cocky smirked at him before turning toward her test, 'Rather well' my ass, Donovan! I could ace this test blind folded.

"And began!" A man called out as a bell rang in the distance.

She placed her pencil in her hand and began as slowly as possible already bored. The test was too easy for her from the very beginning while a adviser passed her saying, "You there... student number 162... sit properly in your chair!"

'...Sit properly in your chair!' Her mind quested immediately picturing L and she quickly turned her eyes behind her finding him staring at her a few rows behind herself. He was sitting in his odd little way that she had seen as cute ever since she met him. What the devil is he doing here?! Why is he exposing himself like this?! You damn moron! What the hell is the point of this?!

She looked away quick and blushed as the memory suddenly struck her of him seeing her naked several times during the surveillance. How modifying! Stop blushing and get to work you can ask him later! Don't look like a fool and focus!

….

It didn't take her long to complete her test and she forced herself ignore L the entire time. Then he disappeared after the test. Why was he there? What was he doing? When she asked on the phone about what he was doing at the exam... he refused to answer. She was getting annoyed, but with her cases piling up she had no time to give him a piece of her mind. It was like someone was trying to distract her away from the Kira case.

….

Yuka died a week later after the examine and they found nothing. She knew they wouldn't find anything. Kira wasn't the type to leave loose ends. That was what that girl was to him... a loose end that had ran it's course or that what Akane thought Kira saw in her. Damn you Kira! Yuka was such a nice gentle girl! You have no absolutely value for human life, you monster!

"I start collage very soon, but I really don't want to be home right now." Akane said as she sat at the cafe.

"You know Ryuzaki never saw you naked, right?" Naomi told her. "I was there. He always looked away. That includes for your sister and mom as well."

"Seriously? Oh thank God!" Akane said placing her hands over her face and sighing in relief. I was freaking out for nothing! Thank you L! I've been humiliated for weeks!

Naomi giggled at her dramatic reaction, "Yeah he's very gentlemanly... when he puts his mind to it."

"I guess he is," she smiled back truly grateful, "Did the investigation reveal anything yet? I haven't have the time to go see how things are going with all the work I've been doing lately."

"Not really. Yuka acted normally like any other girl her age even with her illness... before she died. Ryuzaki said he was going to try a different angle, but hasn't told us what he's planning yet." Naomi explained.

Akane thought of telling her about him being at her entrance exam, but after a moment she decided to keep it to herself. She was still so curious as to what he was planning. Akane could wait even if she hated being patient. For now she's focus on work and paying bills at... what she guess now was Toshi and her house. She had already finished paying off the mortgage... well what little there was left to pay on it and the house was in her name according to the will Satoru left behind. At the moment she focused on saying money for Toshi going to college in a few years and now that she thought about it they haven't spent anytime together in at least a month. She had been so busy with everything and Toshi must feel so lonely in that house all by himself. In the back of her mind she noted she was going to take the night off and go to the arcade with Toshi and maybe a movie and dinner too.

"I see," Akane said not sound at all surprised. "Kira is a smart one and he covers his tracks all to well. We just need one slip up and we'd have him. Just one piece of evidence."

And hopefully what L has in mind will help up find the piece we are looking for, she thought to herself. Though I have a feeling he may be putting himself in danger with whatever has in mind. Akane sighed, I'm worried about him and I... don't like it.

….

"Akane!" Toshi waved toward her as she met in front of the movie theater.

"Hey, Toshi, how have you been?" Akane asked a huge smile on her face.

"Better now that we're together and you have some time off from school and work," he replied with a smile as he hugged in a way she knew he had missed her and she hugged him back just as much.

Akane missed this kid. She hadn't realized how much until just now with him in her arms. Akane noted to her self that she needed to spend more time with him and she was determined to make that time. Kira case or not. She was juggling her life and time for years so why not juggle one more thing? Toshi was important to her and he was one of the last connection she had to Satoru beside the ring around her neck. "Come on, we'll talk and catch up after the movie okay?"

"Sure," he replied leading the way into the movie theater thrilled he could spend time with his sister for once in what seemed like forever.

….

Akane sipped at her vanilla shake as she sat across from the boy she saw as her brother. She had an amused look about her as she looked at him. "When I said you could pick anywhere you wanted to eat... I didn't mean Mac Donald's. I meant an expensive restaurant."

"What can I say? I'm a man with simple taste." He said shrugging his shoulders causing her to laugh.

"Simple taste, indeed, little brother." Akane replied a smirk on his face.

"Hey that sounds like an insult," he told her playfully as he poked her arm.

"Only if you take it that way," she smiled and giggled as his pout. "It's been a while since we could have fun together. I'll make sure to do this more often. You're the closest thing I have to a brother after all and I really should make more time for you or you'll get lonely."

"Akane..." he said his voice turn from playful to serious in an instant. Toshi had a way of doing that. He could be cute and playful, but he had a way to turn serious unlike anyone else she had ever known. Satoru was never like that and she was appreciative of that. He was a gentle soul that cared deeply for others, but he was a lonely kid. Toshi sometimes pretended everything was fine and dandy, but in actually he was depressed. He just had a way to feel more than most people and he was a good kid. Toshi just need someone at his side.

Perhaps her sister Sayu could help her. They where in the same class after all. Akane made a note in her mind to ask her to keep an eye on Toshi for her. It truly would ease her mind if they started spending time with one another.

"What is it, Toshi?" she inquired a bit worried.

"Are you really trying to find Kira to avenge my brother?" he asked.

"Yes, I am," she said slowly her voice taking a earnest tone as well. "Is something wrong?

"Kira... is a really bad guy. I'm worried about you, Akane." he said a sincere note to voice as he spoke softly. "I don't want you to get hurt and I... don't want to die."

"..." she was quiet for a moment. "Toshi, I know what I'm doing is dangerous, but I must bring Kira to justice. I promise you I won't take any unnecessary risk, okay? I have you to look out for. I'm not going to do something stupid and get myself killed. I swear, your stuck with me for life." She told him as she patted his arm. "I love you, little brother. You know that right?"

"Yeah I know, sis. I'm sorry I brought that up and dampened the mood." Toshi told her a bit bummed out.

"No it needed to be said, Toshi. We both know that," She told him with a smile. "I understand you're worried. Truth is... I am too. I have others who are working with me that I'm worried about, too. I understand how you feel, little brother. No matter what. I plan to win."

….

Returning home Akane felt more energized than ever before, but before she when to go back to work she need to speak with her sister. She knocked on Sayu's door, "Who is it?" her voice came a bit muffled through the door.

"Akane, I need to talk with you for a second, it's really important. Can I come it?" Akane asked.

"I... um sure come in," Sayu said. She was surprised. Akane never come to talk to her about anything important. This was a first.

Akane opened the door and closed it behind her. She watched as her sister straightened and cleared her throat. Sayu was nervous that much was obvious, "Relax, little sister. I just need to ask you a favor."

"What favor?" She asked.

"I'm worried about Toshi," Akane began. "Is everything okay with him at school."

"Well yeah, he's the most popular guy in my grade," Sayu told her.

"Just because he's popular doesn't mean something isn't wrong, Sayu. Think about that closely." Akane informed her sister.

She blinked a bit taken back by that and she did thinking about it, "We'll try, but what is this about?"

"Akane sat next to her, "As I said I need a favor. I'm going to be going to college and I will be extremely busy." She sighed, "I need to befriend him and keep an eye on him for me. He may not look it, but he's hurting and he's all alone. Toshi just has a way of hiding it."

She looked down and she understood, "I've noticed once. He thought he was by himself. I've need seen him said before. I'll do it, Akane. I may not get as good grades like you, but being a good friend is something easy. You can count on me."

Akane smiled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders giving her a hug, "Thank you, Sayu."

"You're welcome," Sayu you said, "can you let me go now getting hugged by you is weird."

She laughed, "Of course."

….

Akane was ready as she had her lap top on her lap to work. This day of rest reminded her what she was actually fighting for and made her realize she was missing out on a few things. Her brother, justice, and getting her life back. The right way by the rules of the law and not the way Kira played his game with his dirty tricks and the way he used people to get his way.

She glared at her window determined, I will win, Kira for unlike you I have people willing to stand at my side that I can count on... where as you have to force them to follow you. Even if you do manage to kill me more will take my place and finish you off once and for all.

EDITED!