To Catch a Killer
By: KitKat411
Author's Notes: 'Ello, ya'll. First of all, I HAVE EAGER READERS. I never really got that before…Cool, no? Your reviews make me happy.
IF ONLY THERE WERE MORE OF THEM. REVIEW, DAMNNIT.
And KittyBella? As promised, subtle subliminal messages.
PS. Light might be a tiny OOC in this chapter. I like making him nicer than he is.
And making fun of him.
Mumble That stupid, selfish bastard Mumble
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
The world of the Shinigami was cold and cruel. It was dark, bleak, and devoid completely of happiness. The world was blank, without color, light, or cheer. It was barren, barren of anything resembling a decent life.
Which is why it was surprising to see what appeared to be an old woman roaming through the world. At least, the other Shinigami thought it to be an old woman. In the dark, with a cloak covering its head, it resembled an old woman, besnt over with age. This could be true especially if the outside world was clouded, or blurry from rain.
The woman entered a grand, magnificent palace and bowed before the Shinigami King, the one who ruled over this world and the human world below.
"I have done as you asked," the "woman" said to the King. "The locket has been delivered to the right girl."
The Shinigami King smiled his wolfish grin, a telling sign he was pleased. "Well done, Shidoh. Now please, return to your usual state. It pains me to look at such a frail woman. The urge to kill you," he patted his Death Note lovingly, "is too tempting."
Shidoh nodded. He wordlessly threw off the cloak and stood at his full height. "Anyway," he said, "I have done as you asked. The locket was delivered to 'the only one who is able to balance the teeter-totter of justice,' just as you asked. I've also given her instructions as to how to work it." He paused. "Did you complete your task, King?"
The Shinigami King frowned at his subject. Shidoh dare ask HIM that? Was Shidoh implying that the king himself was not up to performing his own duties?
"Of course I have Shidoh," he said silkily. The king opened his Death Note and showed Shidoh. "You see, Shidoh? Just as required. Maria Fey. Death Day: April 17th. Cause of death: Shot and stabbed by a burglar. The burglar leaves no traces; the police can not track him down. The burglar dies two days later, of "natural causes.""
The Shinigami King nodded. "Yes, that should have gotten the girl riled up enough. The death of one's mother…I've heard it to not be pleasing in the least." He laughed, a quiet, almost frightening, laugh.
"Do you have someone watching over her, Shidoh? We can't have this little plan fall apart, can we?"
Shidoh nodded. "A young Shinigami, Quaffle, is watching over her."
"Good, Shidoh. Make sure this Quaffle is prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure her safety."
"Yes, King. And what of my reward? Shall Ryuk be punished?"
The Shinigami King looked up sharply. "Your reward, Shidoh?" He thought for a moment. "Yes, yes, then. I shall come up with a plan for you to get your notebook back.
Now leave me. I have work to do."
Shidoh left, bowing once more in respect. The Shinigami King watched him go, purely for the purpose of having something to do. When Shidoh had left and his footsteps were no longer heard, the king looked down, thoughtful. This should be exactly what he wanted, of course. The locket was delivered with success, Shidoh was content, and Ryuk was sure to be punished for his idiocy.
So why was he not happy? Why was the King of the Death Gods not jumping around, joyful?
He could feel something stirring in the human world below him. Even though he could not fly down to Earth-for who would mind the other Death Gods?-he could sense something. He could tell there was danger brewing for the girl with the locket.
Hilary Fey. Yes, that was her name. Hilary.
The king looked out at the barren and bleak world over which he ruled. "Hilary Fey," he spoke aloud, "be safe. Your life, however guarded by a Shinigami, is in mortal peril."
WE INTERRUPT THIS STORY FOR A SPECIAL BULLITEN:
AFTER READING AND REVIEWING THIS CHAPTER,
READ "NEW OPPENENT" BY KITTY BELLA.
IT KICKS ASS, YO.
WE NOW RETURN TO THE STORY.
Hilary Fey stared at the large set of buildings before her. They were large and ominous. They seemed to be ready to eat her, to swallow her up at any moment. If she was honest with herself, she would admit that she was slightly afraid.
"Light," she said hesitantly, "we really don't have to do this."
Light Yagami stared at her. "But Miko," he said, slightly puzzled, "it was on your list, yes?"
"Light, we really don't have to do this."
Light took her hand, and Hilary winced slightly at the gesture. "Miko," he told her, "it's just a mall."
"I know. But we don't have to go in, do we?"
Light pulled her into the entrance. "Come on, Miko. It was on your list."
Goddamn L and his stupid list, Hilary thought savagely. If you're so smart you can figure out that 'such a girl as I would not wear such a locket,' WHY COULDN'T YOU TELL I CAN'T STAND SHOPPING?!!?!?!?
Hilary entered the mall and stared around. She looked at the vast expanse of capitalistic and materialist merchandise around her. It made her slightly ill. Her wardrobe of baggy jeans, a long-sleeved shirt, and a sweatshirt seemed as far away from this mall as Pluto. Here, with the skinny jeans and tank-tops, she felt like a visitor from Alpha Centuri. She flushed red with embarrassment and tried to flee. It was only the pressure of Light's hand on hers that kept her bolted to the floor, only able to look, not run for her life.
"Miko. Miko? MIKO?" Light frowned, annoyed. "Where do you want to go?"
Hilary frowned. She wanted to leave. Instead of saying that, though, she pointed at the nearest department store. She heard, rather than felt, herself saying, "Over there, Light. I need a skirt."
Light looked surprised, then amused. "You wear skirts, Miko?"
Fuck. Now I have to pretend to like stupid skirts. "Of course I wear skirts." If Hilary was nothing else, she was stubborn and prideful. "They are a staple of my wardrobe."
Light said nothing, only raising his eyebrows in amusement. "To the skirts, then."
They entered the store and headed for the "teen" section of clothing. Hilary, still humiliated, noted that Light did not seem at all uncomfortable. On the contrary, he seemed quite pleased. Often, he would feel a piece of clothing, muttering "Nice fabric," "This is in style," or "What an excellent color."
They reached the area with the skirts. Hilary stared around, looking at the array of skirts before her. They all looked evil to her. Evil poisonous things hell-bent on showing off more skin than she was comfortable with.
Light looked at her. "Which skirt would you like, Miko?"
Hilary shrugged. "Err…"
"What style, then? Skinny, pencil, mini, micro-mini?"
"Err…"
"Any color? Navy? Charcoal? Violet?"
"Err…"
Light stared at her. "Are you completely sure you are, in fact, a girl?"
Hilary felt her temper rising. "Are you completely sure you are, in fact, heterosexual?"
Light's face darkened. He threw Hilary a knee-length skirt, saying, "Here, Miko. Go try this on. I'll bring you more clothes, as it is obvious you have no capabilities in the "dressing oneself" department."
Hilary took the skirt, indignant at the insult. She found a dressing room, and pulled the stupid thing over her hips. She was about to turn around and look at herself when…
RING. RING RING. RING RING RING.
Hilary picked up the phone, trying to talk and zip a skirt. "Hello? This is Hil…Miko."
"Hello, Hilary."
Hilary felt a warm rush of relief despite herself. "Ryuuzaki! How are you?"
"I'm doing well. I have finished my call with the Director of the CIA and I am now eating a delicious chocolate cake."
Hilary smiled.
"But enough with myself, Hilary-san. How is Raito-kun?"
"He's all right, L. He's bringing me a skirt."
"You wear skirts?"
"…" Hilary paused. "Yes, L. I have worn a skirt before."
'Huh. I knew there was a seventy-three percent chance you'd never worn anything a "normal" girl would wear. That's why I sent you shopping with Raito-kun, you know."
"…" Hilary stayed silent, wanting to strangle L.
"At any rate, have you kissed him yet?"
"No, Ryuuzaki!"
"Why not, Hilary? My job is to catch Kira, yours is to kiss him. I'm doing my job. What's the matter with you?"
"I don't particularly care for kissing boys, L." Hilary opened the changing room door to get a better look at the skirt she was wearing.
"Well, Hilary, I don't particularly care for kissing a common harlot. Yet I did it anyway, didn't I?"
"A 'HARLOT'? ARE YOU CALLING ME A WHORE?"
Light suddenly walked over to Hilary, his arms covered in skirts. "A whore? Who is talking about Misa?"
Hilary smiled, trying to look nice in front of Light. She hung up the phone. "No one is talking about Misa, Light."
"Oh." He looked somewhat saddened.
Hilary continued to smile. "But, you know, what, Light? I don't really need a skirt. How about we just get some coffee? We can talk."
Light smiled back at her. "All right, then."
Hilary changed back into her skirt and left the store with Light. She had finally gotten out of that store; Hilary was the happiest she'd been since they'd entered the store.
The two of them walked around, trying to find a store that sold coffee. They were making small talk when Hilary noticed something, something that could shatter her world, her perfect illusion, into smithereens.
Skye. Skye was walking with another girl whom Hilary had never seen and didn't care to know.
Hilary's blood ran cold. Skye knew her real name. Skye knew all about Hilary's past. Skye could ruin everything. Skye's big mouth could kill Hilary.
She had to get out of there before Skye saw her.
"HILARY!!!!!!! HEY, HILARY, WAIT UP!!!!! IT'S ME!! SKYE!! REMEMBER???"
Oh my God. Hilary's face went white. She seemed to me immobilized. Turning to Light, Hilary mumbled, "LightI'mreallysorrybutIhavetogonow. Goodbye."
And with that, Hilary fled. She ran as fast as she could, shoving people out of the way.
Skye and the girl approached Light and the place Hilary had been only seconds before.
"Excuse me, but have you seen Hilary?"
Light Yagami stared at the girl with long black hair before him. He looked at her quizzically. "Excuse me?"
"Hilary, silly!" When Skye realized this boy was still confused, she tried again. "That girl who was next to you. Hilary. We go to the same school, you see. Well, until she left, anyway." Skye paused to take a breath. "She's your girlfriend, right?"
"Miko?"
Skye giggled. "That's a strange name. That girl's name is Hilary, not Miko."
Light stared at this girl, dumbfounded. Why would Miko lie to me? Miko-or Hilary? Is she working with L? Did L tell her to give me a fake name? Or is she another spy, sent from another country to bring down Kira? She said she was from America…
Light gasped, realizing what must be done. What he had to do. She's too dangerous. I slipped up about the subways, remember? What if she tells L? She's too dangerous to live…
I'm so sorry, Miko-Hilary-chan. But this needs to be done.
Skye watched as the pretty boy took out a piece of paper and a pen. She giggled again.
"What did you say her name was?" The boy asked her, his hand gripping the pen, his hands poised to write Skye's next words down on the paper.
Forgive me, Hilary.
Hilary Fey was running for her life, running as fast as she could, as if she could run away from her future.
Light would find her real name.
He would know she'd lied to him.
Light Yagami could kill anyone with a name and a face.
He would know she was working with L. He would suspect she was on the team to catch Kira, too.
Light Yagami could kill her.
Hilary whipped out her phone and dialed as fast as she could. She ducked into a small, abandoned store. She heard the phone ring once, twice, three times.
Voicemail. The greatest detective in the world had a voicemail? If she wasn't terrified, she might've laughed. Instead…"L!" She screamed into the phone. "Help me! L, help. Oh, please, help. He knows my real name, L. Kira. Light Yagami. Whatever. He knows my real name. L, he's going to kill me. HE'S GOING TO KILL ME, L. Help me. Oh, please help me." She stopped talking, trying to wipe the tears now running down her face. "Oh, L, I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry for what I said. I'm sorry for hanging up on you. You know I don't really like him, right? I don't, L. I really like…"
But her message was cut off as she collapsed, her chest burning as if it was on fire, onto the floor.