Shinigami Yagami Raito
Summary: The moment Yagami Raito killed his first victim with the Death Note, he died. Only problem; he never noticed that.
Pairing/s: None.
Warnings: Totally different story. Raito out of character, Ryuuku different, many things different.
Disclaimer: Don't own Death Note. If I had owned Death Note, L would never have died, and neither would Raito.
-
Chapter Four
L gnawed at his nail as he watched the screen.
"Are you playing with me or what, Kira?" he asked quietly. "What do you mean?"
At the screen were three images with three suicide letters, which gave L the full message from Kira.
L, did you know Shinigami only eat apples?
L was not aware of the blood that came from the wound he had made on his finger as he thought about the message over and over again.
"What do you mean?" His voice echoed in the room.
-
A few days later
A group of men moved through the hallway, nervously following the aging man called Watari. Yagami Soichiro walked first, and wondered how the meeting would be. They were going to meet L in own person. Just a small group of his rather large team. The others were afraid. Too afraid to continue. He could not blame them; he was terrified of getting killed by Kira, but he was not going to give up. He was going to bring the killer down so his two children could grow up in a safe world. Sayu was so young, so full of life and Raito… Raito was going to have a great life and it was not going to be destroyed by the shadow of a mass-murderer.
He would never let Kira live as long as he could fight back.
-
Raito had found a new interest, much to Ryuuku's delight: music. He had listened to a CD Sayu ordered him to listen on, and found he liked the artist. The next day he and Ryuuku went to a music store after school. This time, the Shinigami decided to show himself and fixed some other clothes to Raito. So they entered the store and melted in with the crowd perfectly.
Ryuuku made round eyes at the many racks of CDs but Raito just smiled at his expression and went to check some music out from the artist he had heard before.
"Ne, can I follow you home like a friend?" Ryuuku asked, letting his arms rest on Raito's shoulders casually as he looked over the teen's left shoulder.
"Why?" Raito asked, glancing into the Shinigami's face.
"That would be interesting and probably make Sayu jealous."
"My mother would get worried because you look older."
"Come on, let her worry. You're a teenager; give her some gray hairs!"
Raito chuckled at the man's excitement and decided to let him come.
-
"Welcome back, Rai--! Ara, who's that?!" Sayu pointed at the black-haired one with wide eyes.
"Sayu," Raito said, a vein ticking in his forehead. "That wasn't nice. This is Harumi Ryuuku, a friend."
"Nice to see you," Ryuuku said, raising a hand in greeting with a grin firmly in place. "Must be the adorable little sister he talks about."
"Ryuuku!" the teen said. "Don't say that!"
"What? It's true."
Sachiko came to see what the noise was, and saw a man in a trench-coat, black hair and brown eyes grin at her two children. He had to be over 20 at the very least. Raito took off his shoes and the man followed. Sayu was almost jumping on the place as she asked:
"How long have you been Raito-niichan's friend, Ryuuku-san?"
"For a few months. We met in a music store and talked for a bit."
"You never said you went to music stores, brother!"
"I normally don't," Raito said. "I did then, and it happens I do it. Here, bought this for you."
Sayu took the CD from the offering hand and jumped in delight. She threw her arms around her brother and said:
"That's the CD I wanted to buy! Oh, thanks brother! You're the best!"
"I take it you like it," the teen said while trying to pry her arms from his neck so he could 'breathe'.
"You bet!" she said and finally stepped back. "I'm gonna call Yuki and tell her I got it before her!"
She ran up the stairs and Ryuuku said:
"Man, your sister is one of a kind."
"You should see her with her friends," Raito said and readjusted his bag. "You want to stay for dinner?"
"After hearing about your mother's cooking? Would love to!"
Sachiko blushed at hearing that and now her son noticed her.
"Hi mother," Raito said. "This is Ryuuku. Can he stay for dinner?"
"Of course he can," the woman said. "Welcome to our home, Ryuuku-san."
"Thank you," the man replied and made a small bow.
"Dinner shouldn't be ready for a while yet," she said. "You can go up and relax until I call."
Raito nodded and went upstairs with the man close behind. Sachiko waited until she heard the door to her son's room close before she dialled her husband's phone number.
-
Ryuuku and Raito fought viciously in the video-game, their laughter and bantering reaching Sachiko from her spot in the kitchen. She looked up and felt a smile coming up on her face. She had never heard her son laugh in that kind of way; so carefree and in the company of someone else. She should not have worried so much about the man. Whoever Ryuuku was, he was good for her son.
-
Ryuuku battled the teen onto the bed, their match in the game forgotten. Raito went underneath him and kicked with his legs without the older man letting go. His trench-coat lay forgotten on the floor and he was now dressed in a white shirt and black jeans.
The teen's laughter made the Shinigami grin and they stopped fighting for the moment. Ryuuku rolled off the bed and succeeded sitting down before falling down head-first and the teen laid stretched out on the bed.
"What were we fighting over again?" Raito asked.
"Can't remember…"
"Funny; neither can I."
-
30 minutes earlier
Soichiro shut the phone and L looked at him.
"My wife," the older man said as an explanation.
"She sounded worried," the black-haired male said, having heard Sachiko's voice when it had risen.
"My son had a friend with him when he came home and it made Sachiko a bit nervous. She said he looked to be over 20. Raito has never been home with a friend before, so she's probably overreacting."
"Never been home with a friend before?" the detective asked, tilting his head.
"He was never much for friends," Soichiro admitted. "He was and still is above everyone in his class, and it made friendship harder for him."
L looked at the older man and then turned back to his computer with a thoughtful look.
-
"Delicious!" Ryuuku said as he took another bite. Sachiko blushed while the two children laughed a bit. "What? It is delicious!"
"Soon you will make mum run into the bathroom or something with the way she is blushing!" Sayu said with another laugh.
"I can't help I like it!" the Shinigami objected, and Raito shook his head at him.
-
The two said 'goodbye' later that evening and Sayu said:
"You better come back soon, Ryuuku-san!"
"I definitely will!" Ryuuku said with a grin. "See ya later, Raito!"
"Later," the teen said and waved as the black-haired man walked out to the street. He then shut the door and found Sayu looking at him. "What is it?"
"He was really cool," the girl said with a dreamy look. "Yuki didn't want to believe me when I mentioned brother's friend, so can I send her a picture I took of you two?"
"If you want to," Raito said. "I'm going to do homework."
"Okay!"
-
"Your sister totally loves me."
Raito looked up at Ryuuku's comment and the Shinigami grinned. He jumped down from the window-sill and fell down onto the bed. He shrugged off the trench-coat as Raito sat down onto the bed as well.
"My sister loves anyone who looks cool," the teen pointed out.
"She loves you too, and you look plain boring."
"She says I am cool in my own special way."
"Whatever…"
-
"You want Raito to come here?"
Soichiro looked at L in confusion.
"Yes," L said. "He's rather smart, right?"
"Yes but… why him?"
"I need as many theories as I can get," the detective said. "We don't have much."
"He's only seventeen, Ryuuzaki," Soichiro said. "He's not like us."
"I will not involve him that much, Yagami-san," the younger man said. "I would just like him to watch what we have and give his own opinion about it."
Soichiro did not like it but he did not have a real choice with the way the detective was looking at him. With a deep sigh, he got the phone out and opened it to dial his son's number.
-
Raito looked up at the hotel with his head cocked to the side like a curious child. Ryuuku hovered just behind him, pulling faces at Watari just for the heck of it. Raito had to control his smile or else the man might think the teen was crazy.
"Let's go, Yagami-kun," the man said and went inside. Ever-curious Raito followed, looking around as he did. Ryuuku went upside down, letting his legs kick in the air and arms dangling, and said to the teen:
"You know, this could be good and could be bad. So if I suddenly lift you into the air and we go zooming outta a window, you know I'm taking you away. Screw the consequences, ne?"
Raito nodded absently, showing he understood. Yes, this was dangerous. L could be onto him, or not. They just had to wait and see.
-
"Yagami Raito-kun?"
Raito looked at the young man and nodded. L took a sip of… whatever he was drinking that reeked of sweetness, and motioned to a chair. Raito shrugged and sat down.
"My dad said it was urgent," the teen said as he looked around, "but I'm not sure if I can help you with anything."
"Your father says you are at the top of your every class," L said and tilted his head. "Is that true?"
"Not too good in sports I'm afraid, but the other subjects… I guess he's right."
"What's your favourite subject then?" the detective said as he rose up. "This way, Yagami-kun."
Raito followed the man to the computers as he spoke:
"I don't have a favourite subject."
"You don't?" the older one asked and looked at the teen. They had been left alone in the room as the others continued working. "Why not?"
"Will my father hear this?"
"Not if you don't want to. Now… why don't you have a favourite subject?"
"Because I hate school."
L looked at the teen, surprised, who only gave him a chilly smile.
"Why do you hate school?"
"Does everything with you have to have a reason?" Raito asked back. "And I never caught your name."
"You can call me Ryuuzaki," L said. "Everyone else does."
"Alright. What am I here for, Ryuuzaki? I can't imagine I'm here for chatting."
The detective watched the teen, but the stony face did not reveal anything. His eyes narrowed; this child… was cold. Did Soichiro know about his son's rather frightening behaviour?
"You know we are working on the Kira case," L said and cocked his head, trying to make the teen relax. "Since you are rather bright, and we walking in blind, any help would be nice."
"You want me to help you?"
"Only if you want to. What are your dreams for the future, Yagami-kun?"
Raito was honestly getting sick of all the questions, but knew L was only trying to be friendly. And the man himself was not so bad. He had to give L points to being able to act polite.
"Raito is fine," the teen said. "And I don't know what the future holds for me. I'm hoping something fun."
"And what is fun to you, Raito?" L asked as he began working with the computer.
"Something that isn't boring," Raito replied. Then he had to ask something he was curious about, "Did you always know you wanted to become a detective?"
"Actually not," L said and scratched his head before reaching over and grabbing a chocolate-piece. "Want one?"
"No, I don't like sweets."
"Pity. Is there anything we can get you?"
"I just ate lunch, so no thank you."
"You might be here for a while."
"That's alright too," Raito said. "I don't get hungry easily. Maybe some water; I'm a bit thirsty right now actually."
L looked at the teen and then back at the screen. If the teen got hungry, he would probably tell them. He called on Watari though to bring in water for the teen. And an extra slice strawberry cake with extra frosting for himself. Yum.
"Now, Raito," the detective said and pointed at the computer screen, "I have looked at these without making any sense of them."
Raito leaned forward, over L's shoulder, to read. He nearly wanted to laugh when he saw the suicide notes, but instead he cocked his head to the side, and said after a little while of silence:
"L, did you know… Shinigami… only eat apples?"
"You saw it as well?" That was quick. L looked at the teen that frowned and replied:
"Yes, when you really look after something suspicious which was what I did, but… is it from Kira?"
"We suspect so. Thank you Watari." The old man put down the cake in front of L and put the water at the side. Raito poured up a glass and took a sip before speaking again:
"Then either he must be crazy or being bored. Who the hell would write this otherwise?"
"What do you think?"
Raito sat down and looked at the notes for a little while, the glass of water cradled safely in his hand. Then he looked at L and said:
"Bored I can imagine."
"Why bored?"
"Why else making people write suicide notes when together they give a strange message?"
The detective looked at him but Raito had already gone back to look at the screen.
Ryuuku popped up behind the screen and stuck his tongue out at L. The teen pretended to cough to hide his giggle. The Shinigami proceeded with rolling his eyes and flying up so he was hanging upside down over the detective. He continued to pull faces at the man and Raito bit his lip to not start laughing. The older Shinigami would make Raito blow his cover sooner or later… Ryuuku probably wanted it to happen as he always whined the teen wanted him dead with all the surprises Raito did. No matter; might as well kill some boredom and work out a few theories for L just to make the detective happy.
They worked silently for a few hours with Ryuuku hovering around and complaining to the teen. Raito nearly snapped twice but managed to control it at the very last minute. When it was dinner-time, the agents moved inside the room only to find Raito sitting by one of the computers typing away and L watching some tapes. The water pitch was empty and so was L's plate with the cake.
"We were going to have some dinner," Soichiro said. "Are you two hungry?"
Raito shook his head at his father and continued. L looked at the man and said:
"Raito-kun is quite hard-working, but order some dinner for him anyway. He might get hungry soon."
Raito did not bother listening to them. He was busy thinking up a new game. A new game of 'Guess who Kira is' and he was going to make it fun. Therefore he had to hack some things into the computer that would pop up at a specific date. He just had to complete it at home, easily fixed. He began doing a list in his head of what he needed to do, thanking his good memory and his ability to memorize things. He felt Ryuuku behind him, the man's head slowly leaning onto his shoulder and the Shinigami said:
"You should eat, or else they are going to start wondering."
Raito frowned; he did not feel hungry at all.
"I know you aren't hungry," the man continued, seeing Raito's frown, "but refraining from eating will just make them more worried. Pretend."
The teen nearly sighed but stopped himself in time. Fine, he would pretend. The teen nodded, almost invisible to show he was going to do as the Shinigami said. Ryuuku slipped his arms around the teen's shoulders, embracing him lightly as he always did and said:
"Good. Now, dinner."
Raito nearly rolled his eyes and then looked back. His father had just finished ordering, and he asked softly:
"What did you order, father?"
"I took some noodles and fried pork for you, since I know you aren't that hungry at night," Soichiro said.
"Thank you," Raito replied and turned back to the screen. He thought for a while about his new game, words forming in his head, a sort of story he realized, and he came up with the complete plan. He hid his wide smile behind his hand. Ryuuku chuckled at him.
-
"Your son is really a genius," L said as Raito had left for the night. Soichiro looked up and said:
"Yes, I guess you could say that."
"You disagree with me?" the detective asked and tilted his head to the side.
"No, it's not that," the man hurriedly explained. "It's just… all since this chaos with Kira started, he's been different."
"The deaths affect everyone," L pointed out before he sucked in a chocolate into his mouth.
"He never had any friends at the beginning," Soichiro said and wrung his hands. "He always said it was alright to be without friends. But lately he's been looking… ill. Pale and weak. He insists he's fine, but with all that's happened… I don't think he's near fine."
"I don't know what to do, but I suggest you give him some time," L said carefully, treading into unknown ground. He wanted to know more about Raito. He liked the teen already, although the teen had freaked him out in the beginning. "He doesn't have any friends at all?"
"Until recently," the man said and looked at the detective. "Ryuuku as you know. That's his only friend since a couple of months back. I can't actually tell when they became friends; Raito has never told us anything of it. And the only thing Sayu can talk about is how handsome this Ryuuku is."
"You never met him?" L asked, surprised.
"Never had the time," Soichiro admitted. "I think Raito is not too happy about how I've been working all his life. He barely sees me as it is, and now this case… he never sees me, Sayu never sees me… Sachiko understands, but is worried that the kids will grow more distant to me."
L did not really know how his comment led to this, but he was not about to back off. He wanted to know more about the Yagami family as well. They seemed interesting, all of them in their own way.
"Raito seems to do fine as it is."
"Yes, and I'm happy life goes good for him," the police man said and leaned back into the couch. "I just wish he would be more open about things."
-
Several days later
Raito sat by the computer as usual, occasionally typing in one of the commands to his new game (of course when L was not watching, Raito was not stupid) when Matsuda ran inside.
"Matsuda?" Soichiro asked, frowning.
"Put on the TV! Sakura Channel, now please!"
They did so, just in time to hear:
"… We have yet to confirm if these tapes sent to us really come from Kira. We will start the first one in five minutes according to the instructions we have been given."
"What?!" Soichiro shouted. "Stop it!"
"We're already trying!" Matsuda said. "As soon as I heard it I told them to stop but the telephone lines to Sakura Channel are all busy… we can't get through!"
Raito watched the chaos with confusion. Another Kira? Ryuuku scratched his head and said:
"Seems like an idiot-Shinigami has gone down to here and given someone a note."
The teen glanced over at the Shinigami before returning his attention to the TV as the message from 'Kira' began.
-
"How will we find this other person?" Raito asked as he looked at Ryuuku. They were on their way home for the night. L had figured out immediately it was not the real Kira but a second one, causing them all to panic a bit. The detective had offered to fix Raito a ride home but the teen had politely declined, saying walking was the best way to sort out his thoughts and clear his mind.
"Mjeh, dunno," the Shinigami replied. "We hafta meet him… or her. Could be anyone."
"Maybe someone who admires Kira," Raito said. "A victim from one of the criminals?"
"Could be," Ryuuku admitted. "Can try feeling if there are any Shinigamis here but it will take some time."
"Please… we don't have to rush."
-
People stopped to look at the girl walking down the street. She really stood out, in every way. Chains on her short skirt jingled as she walked on, her blonde hair moved with each step, her T-shirt was bright pink and her legs hidden underneath black-white knee socks. She almost skipped down the street, necklaces and earrings bouncing with her steps. A small bag bounced along with her steps, its contents unknown for everyone except herself.
"Is this really wise, Misa?"
The voice drifted from somewhere behind this Misa, a voice no one but the girl could hear. The blonde girl turned around and looked, unafraid, into the skeleton-like Shinigami's face and smiled. Her actions seemed weird on the street, but Misa knew better than to speak out loud. She had done so a few days prior and it had earned her some funny looks. She continued to skip on, to the mall where she had 'told' Kira-san to go to. Really, she did not want to say it in television but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.
She would find him. With the help of her new eyes she would find Kira-san.
-
Raito knew they had put out a bait and had not allowed him to go considering he was so young, but he and Ryuuku had decided to try finding the second Kira on that day. So it was sliding into a disguise (Ryuuku had to help Raito with that) and then they were off.
The mall was crowded as usual, full of youngsters talking happily to each other. Ryuuku walked behind Raito, both of them given odd or appreciating looks. The teen currently had long brown hair, fitting very well in it, blue eyes and dressed in red clothes. Raito had been extremely uncomfortable with them, as they were rather tight, but Ryuuku had insisted. Ryuuku himself looked almost like he usually did only he had short hair and brown eyes.
"Maybe we will be the suspects," Raito said as he saw the group of policemen not too far away.
"Let them think so, they won't recognize us," Ryuuku said. "I can feel a Shinigami in here."
"Will the second Kira be able to see I'm the real one?" the teen whispered.
"Nah, not when you're a Shinigami. The second Kira will only see us as two people without names and random numbers if he or she has the Shinigami eyes."
"Isn't that going to be a bit suspicious for that second Kira?"
"Maybe," Ryuuku said. "Oh, there is the Shinigami. Look to where I'm looking, pretending to read what's on the commercial just to the right of her."
Her? Raito looked obediently though and fought to keep a gasp inside.
It looked like a living skeleton with huge wings and sharp eyes. The arms could easily be passed off as spines, hands long and claw-like.
"That's a normal Shinigami," Ryuuku said quietly into Raito's ear. "They look… a bit special all of them. In my normal Shinigami disguise, I appear a bit like her."
"Her? How do you know that?"
"Because I've spoken to her before. Her name is Rem, and she's okay."
"Then where is the one she gave the note to?"
"Hm, probably is the girl sitting on the table just next to her. See her?"
"She with an obvious fake costume?"
"Yeah," Ryuuku said with a bit of laugh. "She probably hasn't had much experience with undercover."
The girl, Amane Misa from what Raito could read above her head, did not look too bad in her undercover gear, if you could call it that. She was dressed in a school uniform and a black-haired wig. A few strands of her real hair, blonde, stuck out but would only be discovered if you looked at her more than once. She had glasses and was drinking some juice.
"She has the eyes," Ryuuku said. "So she's gonna see we don't have names unless we mix into the crowd."
"Let's go," Raito said. "We know enough anyway; we can send a private message to her later."
Ryuuku grinned and followed as the teen disappeared into the crowds.
-
Misa looked at the elegant letter, addressed to her as 'Miss Amane Misa' and no return-address. Plus nothing that indicated it was sent through normal post.
"What's wrong, Misa?" Rem asked.
"I got a weird letter," she said as she sat down by her desk. She opened it and peeked inside. It was only a folded paper in it. She pulled it out and unfolded it.
Hello Amane Misa-san,
Or should I say Second Kira-san? Misa gasped as she read that, and Rem came floating over to see what was written. The girl continued reading, Either some, I would be very glad to meet you, you who seem intent on seeing me. As you must have figured out, I am Kira. To be able to understand each other's wishes, it would be wise for us to meet as soon as possible.
In two days, which is a very nice Saturday, I usually sit and relax at the Blue Café, a lovely small place by the nearby mall where you live. By the way, you must have a lovely view on the sixth floor; I myself am not blessed with such wonders yet. Look for our common companion, and ask if the place next to me is free.
With all regards,
Kira
"Common companion?" Misa asked.
"A Shinigami," Rem supplied. "There is another piece of paper in the letter."
The Shinigami was right. Misa pulled it out and frowned.
"It's just a slip of paper."
"Yes," Rem said, "but it must have been a slip of paper from the Death Note. That allows you to see Kira's Shinigami."
-
Misa looked around Blue Café, and it was rather crowded. She bit her lip a bit and swept her Shinigami eyes over the place, then bit back a gasp.
A Shinigami stood behind a young man, a teen rather, with white hair, the teen sipping some tea.
"Kira-san," she whispered and walked forward. As she came to a stop next to the teen and he looked up at her she said, "Is this place free?" She pointed at the chair next to him.
"Most certainly, Misa-san," Raito said and she sank down on it, staring at him. He smiled a charming smile and continued, "Cat got your tongue?"
"No, no!" she insisted. "I just… I never thought Kira-san would be so young… but Kira-san doesn't have a name…"
"Dead people bear no names, neither do Shinigami," Raito said. "Which one would you guess I am?"
He noticed Rem was staring at him.
"The… the latter," Misa said softly.
"And why is that?" the teen asked.
"Because Kira-san doesn't look dead."
Ryuuku grinned.
"Yo, Rem!" he said and saluted at the white Shinigami.
"You…" Rem replied and frowned.
"Name's Ryuuku," the black-clothed Shinigami said with another grin. "So whatcha ya doing dropping notebooks all of a sudden, Rem?"
"I gave it to Misa, that's all," Rem replied. "Why did you let your notebook drop?"
"Was an accident but ain't complaining now. I got a few friend and partner," Ryuuku said and flopped upside down. "Ne, Raito, I wanna change back and I wanna have apple-pie!"
"You and your apple-pies," Raito muttered but smiled. "Then go and change back. I'll order your pie."
"Yay!" And then Ryuuku was off to the… bathroom? Raito caught a waiter and ordered said pie before settling back on the chair and sipping his tea.
"Your Shinigami is kinda weird," Misa said to the teen. "So… your real name is Raito-san?"
"Yes," Raito said. "Do you believe I am the way the media describes me to be, Misa-san?"
"No… you're much kinder, and you don't seem to want to kill everyone."
"It's a game," Raito said. "This thing I do. Gradually I have been trapping down on the murders, as my time is going to run to an end here. I know you want to help me, Misa-san, but I don't want anyone to get hurt for my sake. I would like to get to know you better, but I don't want you to become a mindless killer who follows me."
"I wouldn't want to become one," Misa said, "but… I wanted to become your friend and I had no idea how to contact you until Rem came with the notebook."
Suddenly Ryuuku plopped down on the chair next to Raito, his grin the only thing that allowed Rem and Misa to recognize him as the Shinigami.
"Yo!" he said, raising a hand. "Where's my pie?"
"I ordered it not even a minute ago," Raito said, his eyebrow twitching. "Besides, you ate an hour ago!"
"But it wasn't apple-pie," Ryuuku whined.
Raito sighed in misery and said to Misa:
"Be glad you have such a kind Shinigami, Misa-san."
"Oi!" Ryuuku exclaimed while Misa giggled.
Tbc…
Phew, finally finished that chapter!
Chapter five: Kira-fanatics are beginning to show up, declaring they're helping Kira with his cause. However, they take innocent people and threaten to kill them. What will Raito and Misa do about that? Plus Raito is beginning to finish the game, and now he only have wait until L solves it…
Until later,
Ja,
Tiro