Chapter Six – God, Let Me Die.

Slinking carefully and fox-like along the rooftops of the alleyways, I prepared for my latest killing, a young delinquent who was close to professional at stealing. The boy walked nonchalantly past the alleyway, seeming to be holding nothing.

Seemingly was the key word.

I knew for a fact that he had stolen a small diamond ring. So small, he could stuff it down into his ass and keep it there, should the police come and strip search him for it. Somehow, though, I doubted he'd done that. It seemed to me that the action would be very uncomfortable and disgusting.

I drew an arrow and fitted it to the string, pulling the cord back. The fletching itched, but it was necessary for a true flight. I released, the cord slapping the silver and producing a harsh sound.

His head snapped back to the source of sound. The delinquent's eyes widened as the arrow punctured his heart, killing him almost instantly. Blood began to pool. I winced as I lighted down to pull my arrow out.

I had seen more of this since my exploits as Artemis. But every time, more guilt heaved onto my back. I gave a silent mourning, as I always did, to ensure the soul good judgement. Well, better than the one I would be facing when I died.

I turned after mourning properly, deciding from which angle and which route I should go home to, and when. If I came home every day at the same time, then someone would notice my continuous arrival at the house, causing suspicion on the owner. If not suspicion of being Artemis, then suspicion of being the next target. Rain would pick that up, L would hold me hostage (but under surveillance), then, after weeks of being under surveillance and no Artemis attacks, L and Rain would have no choice but to deduct that I'm Artemis.

Sometimes I wonder if my brain will die from all the thinking I've done lately.

I decided the best time for me to go home was at three in the morning. I pulled out the wireless remote for my hologram, programming it to stop pretending to read (or whatever it was currently doing; its activity has escaped my mind) and telling instead telling it to go to sleep. After all, it was midnight.

The question now lay as is: Where should I go to kill three hours' worth of time without getting caught?

Sighing, I decided my best bet was to stray far from home, then relax at the beach or something. Only crazy people would be at the beach at midnight, during high tide. I guess insomniacs were included. It didn't really matter.

I made my way to the beach through the less-populated areas. I traveled swiftly to the sand and ocean waters, bathing in a pale white glow. I lighted down carefully from the rooftops, careful not to injure my ankle in any way, for even the slightest bit of limping would prick a sensor in Rain and L's minds. Walking slowly across the beach, the wind began to blow, gently at first. Somehow, it comforted me but condemned me at the same time.

Wrinkling my nose, I sat down in the middle of the pale white sand. It was cold, and the wind seemed to wrap around me like a blanket. It also strangled me with guilt. I felt the pressure of my killings in full force as the wind gave me comfort I didn't deserve.

God, I don't deserve this. God, let me die.

A thought crossed my mind: did Kira ever feel this way? This thought led to many others. Who was Kira, anyway? Did Yagami Raito really die by Kira, or was he killed by some other supernatural force?

I sat there in the sand for two hours before I finally stood up, deciding it was time to go home.

As I walked towards the streets, nearly empty now, I saw a figure I didn't want to see at the moment: Raito. Keeping my face calm and attempting to hide my face, I turned to leave in a different direction.

"Artemis."

His voice stopped me cold.

"I know who you are. L doesn't know my suspicions yet, but I'm sure he has come to the same conclusion by now."

I drew a shaky breath. My traitor voice asked, "Do you know my motive…?"

Goddamn it. I just let him know he was right.

I didn't know he had come up behind me until he grabbed my wrist. Not liking the contact, I lashed out with a roundhouse to the right. Rain had sidestepped, avoiding the kick completely. He pulled me in closer to whisper in my ear.

"Soryu, why? Of all people, why did you have to do something like this, you idiot? I thought you were smart. Nothing good comes from killing criminals. No matter how godlike you feel, you're only a mortal." His voice was hoarse, maybe a bit from anger.

My eyes widened. So he knew that it was me. Despite myself, I grinned. "Sorry, Rain, you've got my motive all wrong." Using an unexpected aikido move, I got him to let go of my wrist. I left him on the sand, not wanting to look back and see his disappointed face.

Once home, I shut off my hologram and turned on the shower. It was three in the morning, so I decided that, after pulling an all-nighter, I needed whatever I could to wake me up.

Following that train of thought, I continued to drink five cups of pure, black coffee and three times that amount in tea. What can I say? I'm a tea addict.

As I sat there, waiting for my bladder to act up (I didn't feel like having to struggle to keep it under control in the car), I analyzed my final movements.

Of course, this would continue for a few more weeks, or days, at least. L and Rain have already deducted that Artemis lived in the southern California area, for the killings never strayed further than outside the surrounding cities. They were currently searching through all the young-looking women currently residing in our area. It was a matter of time before L discovered who I was, if Rain didn't tell him. Or maybe he knew. It didn't really matter.

But somehow, I felt as if I had too many supporters to be downed. I truly felt, for a few seconds, like a godly being… like Kira. That feeling ripped away as I reminded myself of Rain's discovery. I didn't want to be caught. I'd rather be killed after revealing myself.

Well, if I do, how should I go about it?

… I'll get back to myself on that.

During my recent, random surveillances of Rain and L, they had it going strong now. It startled me for a bit, how sudden they were going at it, but it didn't really matter. At least my plan was working. I just hope they wouldn't start screwing themselves in front of me. It's one thing to see it on camera, and another thing to see it in real life. At least with a camera, I can turn off the signal. Live… well, you just can't turn it off unless you make them.

"Courage! Do not fall back." That was my motto, inspired by Joan of Arc, my role model. I doubt that she went through an ordeal as conflicting as this, but I'm pretty sure her trial, and her punishment, was about as bad as what I could go through if I get caught, if not worse.

I sighed. Might as well come up with an idea to reveal myself now.

Well, it would have to be discreet. Secluded, away from the public, where only Raito and L would see… That way, the public would not be astonished.

Actually, that may be the best answer.

I could hijack the airways. By hijacking under the alias Soryu, I could reveal Artemis as the detective Soryu, who no one but Rain and L have knowingly had personal contact with. Perfect.

Now the problem is when. When to execute my brilliant plan, of course.

The brilliant plan that will get me killed, anyway. But I think it's worth it. After all, it is my logic and my idea; my motivation is questionable. But I hardly think the judge will even look at my motivation before he calls in the prosecutor.

So basically, it doesn't really matter.

Well, considering the timing of my—Whoops. Nature calls.

Haha! First update of this story since spring break! xD Kinda sad, since spring break ends today. But whatev.

My dad gave me a flash drive. oo;; I just asked, and then he gave me this incredibly cute one that's like, not even three inches long. It's green 3

I'd like to thank you guys for waiting so long without flaming me... Since, after all, I get really mad when a story isn't updated in forever. Thanks, you guys ;D

Sora Pwns x3