You made it back to the hotel and quickly disconnected the camera loop and the speakers before changing into a blue cotton dress with a hood. Stepping out of your room, the world suddenly felt like it was spinning. You leant against the wall, trying to focus your eyes. Then, just as quickly as it had happened, the dizziness disappeared. 'I hope that I don't actually get sick…although I recognise the irony…'
Straightening up, you slowly made your way to HQ and entered the room. Only Yagami Sochirou and L were present, and you quickly waved a greeting to the both of them before seating yourself in your usual chair in front of your computer. "Are you feeling well now?" asked Yagami's deep voice.
"Yes. Thank you for asking, Mr. Yagami," you lied.
You sat silently working on your wristband computer, handling a screwdriver in one hand when another bout of dizziness came over you. A hand raised to your forehead, you waited it out. Only this time, it did not cease and you found yourself feeling faint. "Miss Ahiru? Are you alright?" Mr. Yagami asked, concern tingeing his voice.
Thump!
"Miss Ahiru!"
"Watari, Please bring the hotel medic to Ahiru's room. It appears she is still unwell," L said, picking up your unconscious form off the floor and carrying you away.
You felt something being placed on your forehead and your eyes fluttered open to stare straight into an old man's face. The face slowly moved away and he muttered to someone standing at the foot of the bed. The man was wearing a formal suit and a stethoscope dangled loosely around his neck. 'A doctor? Oh no…I must have fainted…damn! I can't get sick…I've got so much to do!'
A face hovered over you and as it came into focus, you recognised the familiar blue eyes (I'm pretty sure they're blue…I mean I've seen them and there's little blue rings around the pupils yet in some pictures he looks like he has brown eyes…) and midnight hair. "Ryu?" you whispered, weakly.
"Yes?" he answered, his eyes betraying his concern for you.
"What's wrong with me?"
"Just a cold. You've overworked yourself so you just need to have a lot of rest and drink lots of fluids," he said, turning over the damp cloth on your forehead.
"Oh. Thank god it's just a cold…" you said, exhaling loudly in relief.
"Just make sure you don't overdo it," the doctor said, putting his stethoscope inside his black leather suitcase before nodding to L and leaving the room.
"I'll call a maid to look after you until you feel well again," L said, moving to the doorway.
"No, don't be silly. I don't need a maid. I can look after myself," you said, sitting up and crossing your arms.
"Yes, I can see that you look after yourself very well," L replied, silhouetted in the doorway.
"You know what I mean. How about I just call you if I need something?" you suggested.
"That wouldn't be very efficient. I would lose a lot of time traveling between rooms."
You sighed in exasperation before pulling the sheets up to your chin. "Suit yourself. Good night."
You awoke to the sound of keys tapping. Blinking the sleep out of your eyes, you looked over to your left and were surprised to see L sitting at a small table with a computer perched atop of it. "Did I wake you? I apologise…I shall be more careful in future," he said, glancing at your startled face.
"What? No. I mean…what are you doing in here?!"
"By completing my investigation while at the same time observing you, I can reduce the amount of wasted time," L said.
You spluttered, "But…but…you're in my room!"
"Is that a problem? I am…how do you say, invading your privacy?" he asked, his eyes watching you curiously.
"No…it's no problem," you replied, a faint blush crossing your cheeks.
"Very well then," he said, turning back to his computer.
You hugged your knees and looked down at your intertwined hands. "Have you heard back from the police and Light-kun?"
"Aizawa, Mochi and Yagami are all working on the case in the main headquarters," he said, and as you opened your mouth to speak, he continued, "No. They did not find any mention of the second Kira."
You closed your mouth and looked back down at your hands. "No word from Matsuda-san and Light-kun?" you questioned, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Not as yet. Do you have a special interest in Aoyama?" he replied, his voice a little too innocent for your liking.
"I am just merely curious about the investigation's progress. I am a member of the investigation, so I deserve to be aware of all the information which is discovered," you retorted, feeling defensive.
"Yes. I should be telling you the same thing."
"W-what do you mean?" you asked, nervously.
"You hide your thoughts and theories behind carefully worded phrases and vague answers. Tell me…is it us you're really working for?"
Your panic levels rose even higher, and all of a sudden you became deathly cold. "I don't know what you're implying, sir, but I assure you that I am dedicated to your cause one hundred percent."
"I see," he said, not trusting your words at all.
'So she is working for someone else…her eyes are lying to me… I will find out why she evades the question of her loyalty with meaningless words…Ren Aoyama…I will find out your secret.'
"Ahiru-chan…if you can give me an honest answer…tell me, why didn't you tell them where your money really goes?"
You allowed yourself a small humourless smile before answering, "Along with a multi-billion dollar company, I help fund a world-wide charity which gives money to families or individuals requiring it. Whether they are in need of food, education, accommodation, our charity provides it for no cost…I'm not trying to be humble or anything, but I don't like dealing with admiration…it's a useless emotion…"
"You don't want to receive approval for your actions? That's unusual, as humans we generally crave approval," L said.
"Being admired does not bring profit to anyone, it only leads to an increase in ego which is something I have no use for."
L glanced at you, surprised by the conviction in your words. 'She's not lying about this…'
Your ring tone pierced the tense atmosphere and you jumped slightly in shock. Tentatively, you reached out and looked at the caller I.D. You swallowed and said quietly, "Ryu-kun, could you get me a glass of water, please?"
He nodded at you, and walked slowly out of the door and down the hallway. You heard his receding footsteps and sighed in relief. "Yes?"
"Hello Ren. What have you got for us?" asked a shrewd woman's voice.
Lowering your voice to barely above a whisper, you said, "Meet you tomorrow, the usual time and place."
"Affirmative," said the voice, and the phone line went dead.
L walked back into the room with your glass of water in hand; frustrated that it had taken almost half an hour to locate the kitchen in this large hotel. "I have your water, Ahiru-chan."
Alarmed by your lack of response, he walked over to your bed and was exasperated to see that you were in a deep slumber. He sighed and set the glass of water on your bedside table next to your phone. Glancing swiftly at you to assure that you were still sleeping, he delicately picked up your phone and carried it over to his table before typing furiously on his keyboard.
"You're still here?" you asked, incredulously.
"Until you are well…" he replied.
Sighing, you said, "That is no longer necessary. I am feeling completely refreshed."
L gaze drifted dubiously over you, his doubt evident. "I shall call the doctor-"
"There's no need for that! I swear that I'm just as healthy as anybody else!" you said, cutting him off.
His orbs remained on you a fraction longer before returning to his screen. Taking your chance, you quickly exited the room with all materials you required.
"You have information for us, yes?" her voice drawled, drifting to the row in front.
"Of course," you said, concealing the hate in your voice directed towards the woman sitting in the cinema row behind you.
You slipped a folder through the seats beside you and you saw the manicured tips of fingers as the file was snatched away. "Arigato, Ren. It's a pleasure doing business with you."
"You as well," you sneered, unable to hide the contempt.
The atmosphere behind you hardened, and your muscles tensed in panic. "Watch your mouth, girl. Wouldn't want your little kiddies to go hungry now, would we?"
Although the remark came across casually, you felt the hidden menace in the words. A wave of air washed over you as her heavy fur coat breezed past behind you. You grated your teeth in an attempt not to scream obscenities at her retreating back, and instead tried to appear interested in the film. Eyes burned as you thought about the betrayal you had just conducted. "Forgive me, Ryu-kun…I never wanted this to happen…"