Hey guys! I made this a really short chapter but I hope you like it just as well. I'll probably upload again tonight if I don't fall aslepp at the computer. XD Thank Youz to the epically amazing: MickyMcMuffinx3, Azura Soul Reaver, xXGoody Not-So-Great MeXx, DarkFlame Alchemist, XxCrimsonXXAngelxX and taylorxtorniquet.

She felt as if the whole world was moving in slow motion. Everybody that passed her seemed to stare at her curiously as Katsuko robotically walked to Light's dead house, seeing not only the memories she had with him whirl before her eyes, but the thoughts of Near, Matt, Matsuda and Mello all being Beyond Birthday's hostages. It made her sick, and she fumbled with her keys when she reached the front door, dropping them twice. Her heart was pounding in her ears, the sound of her blood rushing through her veins echoing, her palms sweaty and stomach flipping, knotting and churning.

Matty...Mello...Matsuda...Near...how could I get you tied into this...why did you have to get all the heat for this...being trapped in there with a serial killer and then your lives all resting on me...but if I die, how do I confirm that BB won't really harm them? She turned the key and then it snapped with her. A triumphant smile curled the ends of Katsu's lips as she let herself into Light's house and headed up the stairs to his deserted bedroom.

At the Headquarters...

Matt sat with his back towards Beyond Birthday, blindfolded and his hands and feet both bound by ropes. A gag was tied over his mouth and he couldn't tell if Beyond was behind him or not. The only thoughts running through Matt's mind was A. Was Katsu really going to kill herself for his sake and B. How, if possible, could he escape and free Mello, Near and Matsuda?

He heard BB begin to pace around quietly, almost silent, and Matt attempted to rub his hands together to loosen the rope. There was a cold slam against the back of his head and he stopped, dull pain punching on his head.

"You make another move and I'll blow out your brain," Beyond Birthday hissed in the copper haired man's ear.

Katsu, he prayed, please, please don't kill yourself for our sake...this guy is totally insane...please...if you come here please think of some alternative. Don't die...not you...

The door creaked open and Matt heard Katsuko's high heels clicking across the floor to where BB was crouching next to Matt. He felt his heart freeze in his chest and cold beads of perspiration formed under his copper bangs. He didn't want Katsuko to sacrifice herself for them...he didn't care if he died...just don't kill Katsuko...he didn't want to go on living without his red-headed, perky friend next to him...she was practically his older sister...she took care of him...and he took care of her...not Katsu...spare Katsuko...don't cause her anymore pain...

"I see you brought it, Hirota-san," Beyond's voice was like a serpent's, hissing everything he said, a dark monotone, icy, cunning, it made a shiver run up and down Katsuko's spine.

"As you wished. I wrote my name down, in my own blood, and I specified my death," Katsuko said coolly, as if she were perfectly fine with the fact she was about to die.

"Excellent, but to make sure you didn't try to pull anything on me, allow me to test this," Beyond's ebony eyes slid from Katsuko's blank stare to the Death Note and he opened carefully, his pale, slender finger gliding down each page, patiently searching for her name. "Ah, here we are. Katsuko Hirota dies of heart attack at 3 pm. Why, that's in five minutes, how convenient."

Katsu...there's no way...you had to have come up with another plan...please Katsu...use your head!

"You have what you want Beyond, now let my friends go," Katsu said calmly and Beyond peered at her through his black bangs.

"Not until after I see you die. This was all to easy, actually, just merely asking you to commit suicide for the sake of sparing your friends' lives wasn't really all that fun. You made this too easy," Beyond rejoiced with a boyish smile and Katsuko bit her lip, preventing herself from bursting out at him.

"How do I know you'll actually let everyone go?" she asked in a death-like whisper.

"Oh, you'll know if I did or did not kill them, depending if you see them at the pearly gates with you," BB replied and Katsu's hand twitched.

"You're a sick, twisted individual," she growled and her fingers snaked over the pistol in her pocket, "you'll unbind Matt, Near, Matsuda and Mello and free them. You'll do it now."

Beyond just laughed gleefully and waved the Death Note in her face.

"I think not, Katsuko. You only have one more minute to live, any final words?"

There was a ten second pause and Katsuko only smiled softly.

"Matty, I love you. You're like my little brother, and I really cherish you. Near, thank you for standing by me and always being a huge help to me. Mello, you're my protector and you really gave me the kick I needed to get through my depression. Matusda, you're always making me laugh and showing me the sunny side of life. I love you guys and--" Katsu felt her heart jolt and she backed away. Beyond smirked and kept his eyes locked on hers, not taking notice of her hand reaching into her pocket.

Katsuko-onee...I love you too...

Don't end it here...do something...

You had to have thought of something else...there's no way you'd ever be this calm an inch from death...Katsuko...think of something and quick...

Damn it...that Beyond is going to get his ass tortured when I get free...he isn't going to take Katsuko away from us...

"Beyond, one final statement before I go," Katsuko said. Sixteen seconds...

"Mm? What's that?"

Fifteen seconds...fourteen seconds...thirteen...

Katsu mirrored BB's repulsive smirk...

Twelve seconds...eleven...

She reached into her pocket...

Ten...

Beyond caught onto what she was doing and yanked out a pocket knife...

Nine...

She aimed...

Eight...

He lunged...

Seven...

Not Katsuko...not her...please no...!!

Six...Five...

"PLEASE LIVE KATSUKO!"

Four...

She pulled the trigger and his ebony eyes were wide...

Three...

No...Katsuko...Katsu...don't pass away!

Two...

She lowered her gun and sank to the floor, her hand over her eyes...tears soaked Matt's blindfold...

No...Kat...Katsuko...NO!!

One...

Katsuko was silent. The whole room was. The Earth seemed to stand still and Matt strained his ears to just catch the faintest breath...

Time was up. There was a peaceful exhale and everything was left in a deafening silence.

And, the cliffhanger strikes again. The more I leave you hanging the more reviews I get so...XD yeah...only about 1 or 2 reviews if I'm lucky cause I'm gonna upload again soon. Sorry I'm being so slow. My Code Geass and Vampire Knight stories...plus school and being grounded for a few days didn't help much either. XD Review!! (if I give you enough time that is! XDD)

~SilverNightRain08