Note: Hello to everyone who has been reading and waiting for this chapter. All of your favorites and reviews helped me to finally be motivated enough to write this chapter. I was working on a much longer fic's chapter so that took me a while and this one felt really short comparatively, but I want to change perspectives next. This story isn't over! (And hopefully I will get the next one published much faster.) Enjoy!
Light~
Finally. We were going to catch Kira. I had barely gotten a good night sleep in weeks— maybe even months. I had lost track of how many days I had slept poorly.
I remembered when I used to keep track of how many times I slept poorly… then how many times I had slept well. I remembered keeping track of how many times Ryuzaki had to subtly redirect my attention away from the blade of a knife or the edge of a building.
Even just the idea of being rid of Kira lightened my spirits.
You know you will never be rid of me.
I closed my eyes and tried to get the words out of my head. I hated hearing his commentary on everything I did. I hoped that by catching Kira I might be able to rid my mind of his wretched voice.
I felt the sudden cool touch of Ryuzaki's hand on my arm. I looked into his eyes as he stared directly at me. He didn't say a word, only let his touch and the knowledge of what he would normally say, if Watari was not behind us, echo in my mind.
I blinked and let his soothing comfort wash over me. It helped and I was able to focus on the whirring of the helicopter blades and the streaking lights from the city below. Ryuzaki flew the helicopter expertly into position.
Adrenaline coursed through my veins as the helicopter glided into a smooth decent. I knew that Ryzaki was feeling the same nerves I was.
"Light-kun," Ryuzaki had whispered. The night before we set our plan to catch Higuchi in motion, Ryuzaki and I had held each other close as we drifted in and out of sleep, him whispering comfortingly into my ear as we stared into the darkness. "I'm worried."
"About what?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
"I'm worried that Kira planned for this." Not me, but Kira. "That Kira planned for Higuchi to be caught and… and maybe you will get your powers back." I had grown used to hearing the subtle emotion that was hidden in his dull tone— Ryuzaki was thoroughly worried. I remained silent. I didn't know what I could say. I was afraid he was right. If I was the one to have given up Kira's powers, then I could have arranged it so that I would get the powers back. But there was no way I wanted the powers back. Not now.
Yes you do. You always want more power. You can't deny that I've been getting to you.
I had wanted to scream out— tell him to stop, but I had to bite my tongue and remain silent to Kira and to L.
"Light-kun?"
"Yes? Ryuzaki?"
"Light-kun, I- I don't think that Kira will give you a choice, but if he does, what will you choose?"
I hesitated for less than a heartbeat before answering, "I would choose you. I haven't been this happy in years. In fact, I don't remember the last time I was this happy."
In the darkness I could see the faint smile that played on Ryuzaki's lips. I leaned over and pressed my lips to his, gently, caringly. Ryuzaki melted into me, his arms wrapped around my torso and our legs intertwined. I pulled my head back and hugged Ryuzaki to me, his head resting on my chest and my chin resting on the top of his head. "I wouldn't still be here if it weren't for your repeated attempts to keep me alive." I brushed some of Ryuzaki's hair off of his forehead and gently kissed his forehead. "Thank you, Ryuzaki."
"Light-kun?"
"Yeah?" I said nervously.
"What if… what if Kira chooses?"
I didn't answer. I held Ryuzaki silently in the dark, letting my silence be answer enough.
"Light-kun, are you ready?"
I turned to see Ryuzaki peering at me in concern. I stared at the bright lights of police cars outside of the helicopter, all of them trained on a wrecked car that was crashed against the side wall. A police blockade was on the other side of the highway from us.
I looked back to Ryuzaki. I knew that Higuchi was in that car. Kira.
Yep! I'll get to formally make your acquaintance, once again, in just a bit.
I still hadn't told Ryuzaki about Kira's voice. I was still too afraid to. Now, I was also afraid of all of the ways tonight could go wrong.
Ryuzaki glanced behind him at Watari. He clearly had something he wanted to say but not in front of the old caretaker. I couldn't help but wonder if Watari had pieced our relationship together. I was sure I had heard him a few times during the night when I couldn't sleep.
Ryuzaki squeezed my hand and whispered quietly, "Light, are you okay?"
I wondered which answer would be better. I decided to be honest, "No. I'm terrified."
I knew there was nothing that Ryuzaki could do, but I was still scared out of my mind.
"I'll be right here, if…" Ryuzaki left his sentence opened, trailing off as he stared out at the police officers approaching Higuchi's car.
"I know," I said, moving my hand away from his.
Oh, yes. I'll be right here too. If you'd like.
I resisted the urge to cry.
If he came, if Kira tried to reclaim me, I would fight. I just didn't know if could win.
"Ryuzaki," I said tentatively, "Can you promise me something?"
He looked at me, his huge owlish eyes boring into my own.
"Promise me that you will catch and imprison Kira. No matter what. Kira needs to die." I stared at him intently as I spoke. Judging from the sharp, intelligent, yet pained look in Ryuzaki's eye, I was sure that he understood my meaning.
A loud crack caused me to jump away from Ryuzaki. I looked around at where Watari had shot his sniper rifle. He had hit Higuchi's hand. He had been holding a gun to his head.
Mogi and Soichiro moved in to apprehend Higuchi. I watched the events play out like a horrific movie. They pulled him out of the car, my dad looked into the car, came out with a notebook, and fell to the ground, screaming in terror. Mogi grabbed the small black notebook and fell beside him, also screaming.
Ryuzaki was crying out orders. The notebook was brought over to the helicopter.
Yes! Yes, there it is! I've been waiting to be reunited for forever.
I shivered. I wanted to run away. I wanted to get as far away as I could. I glanced at the chain wrapped around my wrist. By being attached to Ryuzaki, he had saved my life numerous times but I wondered if now, by holding me here, he was leading me to my death.
The small black book that my father was holding was confirmed to be the instrument of death. Ryuzaki requested it was brought over.
NOOO! I wanted to cry out. I wanted to stop him.
Yes. Let it come. Here I come.
I whimpered slightly as Mogi handed the book to Ryuzaki who pinched it between his fingers and then stared out the window.
Suddenly, the book was in my hands.
No!
Yes!
I was hit by a tidal wave of emotions and shattered thoughts.
Naomi Misora.
Ryuk.
My watch.
Snow.
Fear.
Power.
The scratch of graphite.
L.
Lind L. Taylor.
Kurou Otoharada.
Death Note.
Rem.
Misa Amane.
Criminals.
I was vaguely aware of my own voice screaming.
One in triumph.
One in anguish.
No. Get it away from me.
Finally.
Ryuzaki. Ryuzaki, help me!
Now, you only have to use your watch and kill Higuchi.
NO! Stop! Drop the notebook!
You are Kira.
I need Ryuzaki. I need to catch Kira.
And die yourself? No, now you have the power.
Power.
Your watch.
Ryuzaki…
L, your enemy.
My love.
"Are you okay Light-kun?"
"Yeah" I heard myself say. "I'm going to check the names with the people who have died."
"Oh. Good idea."
Ryuzaki! Take it!
The watch! Use it!
There was a soft click. The back of my watch was open. Inside, there was a piece of paper and a needle.
No!
I picked up the needle.
My finger had a thump of pain as a drop of red appeared.
And then, I was writing.
And then, it was over.
Yes! I thought as I smiled maliciously. Finally. We've won.
…
I was silent.
What could I say?
Higuchi was already on the ground, and I was holding back laughter.
And it was over.
