Chapter 2

Partners

L

"It's a good thing you came in early," Sid said airily towards Raito, who stood there, still somewhat confused over the entire ordeal, holding the chalk which had been previously used on the board. L continued staring at him, as it was exactly the way it had been with him. Raito was sent out, and came back, as a new student.

"Now all we gotta do is-" Sid sprinkled pink powder over Raito, and a familiar shape took place.

It was the same shape as L's weapon. But instead of staying in that position, Raito emerged, frowning.

"Ah, same as Rue over there! Well, why don't you go sit down next to him, it would be interesting if you turned out to be partners!" Sid exclaimed.

You used Misa. How cruel of you.

Raito stared back at him as he took a seat next to L.

They stared at each other, as though gathering the fact they were fully in front of each other.

Raito loses his memories when he loses the Death Note, he loses the Death Note when he dies. Does this mean he has no memory of the Death Note, or is it different if he dies? However, if he is, at the moment, Kira, he is completely powerless, for the Death Note hopefully, stayed in our world.

If at the moment, he isn't Kira, he should find himself wondering why I'm staring at him. But even if he isn't Kira it'd still be understandble why I'm staring at him, for the chances of us meeting were astronomical in the first place.

"Why don't we ask our new student, Raito Yagami, read this line for me..." Raito stood up and began reading.

Should he be Kira, there is a one percent chance he would try to kill me. If he has the Death Note still, however, he would first have to find out my name. As long as he did not read my name in Rem's Death Note, which there is a ninety nine percent chance he did read it, he could kill me now, and no one would know.

If he is still Kira, he would approach me, and ask for allaince like we had before he became Kira again. Ninety five percent chance he would pretend as though he did not remember the Death Note anyways, so I would not be able to tell until later.

If he did indeed lose his memories, it is the same problem, I could not tell if he would be lying or not as if he didn't lose his memories, he would pretend he had lost them. If I do accept to be his ally, it would mean we could stay close, where I could figure out. But if he does not have the Death Note, regardless of whether he is Kira or not, I would not have to be cautious.

There is absolutely no proof he has the Death Note, and the idea he kept it with him would be rather rediculous. But as there are supernatural factors I don't know of in the world, there is a fifty percent possibility where the Death Note is with him.

Raito sat back down, and Sid seemed amazed. L looked away from Raito, and stared at the board, trying to be as unsuspicious as possible.

If I pretend I don't remember anything, it would be easier to find out whether or not Raito was still playing the role of Kira or not. But he could either play along, actually not remembering anything, or remembering everything.

I could also act like someone else, as I'm ten years old, my appearance has changed, but it would be enormously difficult, as I have practically revealed I know who he is when I stared at him.

However, I can also say, "You looked familiar," and pretend as though nothing happened. Would he fall for the act? Maybe he would. It's very believable after seeing many things. That is the best way to approach him, with amnesia. If he is Kira, he would think the Death Note kept him from losing memories and play along. If he isn't Kira, he'll try to convince me we've met in another world. But if he is Kira there is still the posibility he would try to convince me we've met in another world because he would have already seen through that move. Finally, if he has no memory of the Death Note or the previous world, he would still 'play along,' but it wouldn't really be playing along.

However if he does 'play along,' it would be a much higher chance he would be Kira.

Class was finally over, and lunch break occured.

"Hello Raito-kun,"

"Hello Rue-kun,"

That told me absolutely nothing. Originally I was planning to be a lone weapon, as I work best alone, but I have worked well with Raito as well. It's the easiest way to get closer to him.

"I would like to try to be your partner, are you okay with this?" L asked.

"Partner?" asked Raito.

Still not enough conversation.

"As you know, you are a weapon, however, there is no problem if we become each other's weapons and, or meisters. I have read about it inside of books. No one is able to resonate with me properly, so, I'm asking you to try,"

"I understand," Raito replied. Does he really see? Or is he feigning intelligence?

"Would you like to try after lunch break?" L asked, persisting conversation.

"Thank you, that would be wonderful," Raito finished.

L made his way to the cafeteria, as Sid asked Raito to stay behind.

Raito

"You need to find a partner by the end of the day or you'll get put into a dorm room with a pair of random people in your class. There's only one person in the current class without a partner, and that's Rue. So if you two don't resonate we'll have a problem,"

"Excuse me, Sid-sensei-"

"Oh just call me Sid,"

"Alright, Sid, what does it mean to resonate?"

"Right, I forgot, you missed the first month of class for a moment there even though I was just talking about it!"

What an idiot.

"That's okay,"

"Souls emit something called wave length, and to resonate, is to have a partner that matches your wave lengths. There are different types of resonation, I recommend you go to our library, you'll find it on the map on the bulletin board, to find out more about it," Sid explained.

"Alright thank you," Raito replied politely, exiting to the hall.

L was practically inviting me to lunch. A good thing I didn't have to approach him. He'll probably watching my actions the entire time to decide which one I am. Too bad his worst fears will come true...

He felt the bag the notebook was inside, hidden in a pouch of his shirt.

For now I'll pretend I don't remember anything. How the Death Note came with me to this world, I don't know, however, I'll have to wait a while before I start killing more criminals. I'll cleanse this world, since I cannot go back to the last one.

The foolish human that claimed themselves as Lord Death probably hasn't ever seen a Death Note in his life.

Raito made his way to the cafeteria, and sat down across from L, who was eating cake as usual.

Does he remember anything? Maybe the Death Note protected my memories. But I don't remember taking the Death Note with me when I died. Ryuk had it...

"Hello," Raito sat down, "I don't have money..."

"Fear not, Raito-kun," L replied, almost cheerily, pulling out five dollars "you can borrow. I need a job as well,"

"Thank you, Ryuuza," shit, why'd he have to change his name? "-Rue-kun."

Raito bit his lip, as he walked towards the lunch counter.

If he remembers me, he'll know I've retained my memories because of my slip. If he doesn't remember me, all the better. I won't have to kill him. But maybe I will, at the start. I shouldn't kill him just yet, it'd be suspicious. I have his name, I really do want to just kill him and end it once and for all.

The line went quicker than he wanted, as he wanted to stay away from the man he killed as much as he could. But he was a boy, they were all boys now, stuck in a class of ten-year-olds.

He could also pretend to lose his memories to know how I react to him too, though. But L isn't a good actor, is he? He was staring at me, that was practically a complete give away though. But... what if he really doesn't remember me and is just curious about the new kid in class?

Raito honestly had no idea, as L had always shared his opinions. The only thing L hid from Raito was his thoughts on how Raito would be or was Kira.

He bought lunch, and sat down across from L, handing him the change. Things were different in the land, it was similar to America. Maybe they were in the parallel world of America. Raito honestly didn't know. But the food seemed more greasy than what he was used to.

L was eating cake like always, sitting across from him, "You know Raito, I was originally planning to be an autonomous weapon, but it's said that it's really difficult, and only one person in the school has succeeded and he's already graduated."

"And who might that be, Ryuuza- I mean, Rue-kun?" Another slip, he knows I've been in the previous world for sure. But I could still try to cover it up. I think he's too smart for that.

"My idol, Justin Law," What the hell is he saying, L doesn't act like this, he doesn't admire. He is... the one I have admired.

"Do you have anyone you admire, Raito-kun?" What on earth... does he actually not remember? That is clearly L sitting in front of me. Look at his position, look at his cake!

"No one in particular. But there was this man that I used to look up to, before he passed away,"

"Who was that?" L leaned closer, his chin was almost touching the tip of the whip cream on his cake.

It's too late, if L retained memories, he knows it's me. Let me test this, "My father,"

L leaned backwards, back to his crouched position onto the chair. He began chewing on his cake. "I'm sorry to hear about his death, Raito-kun," but L didn't even look sorry at all.

"It's okay, he died a while ago," still thinking I was innocent. A tinge of regret sparked through him.

"My father died before I knew him," am I honestly hearing about L's past? My used to be idol?

"I'm sorry,"

The conversation lapsed to an awkward silence, as Raito's curiosity grew until he had to ask more about L's past, since he seemed somewhat willing to share.

"So how were you raised?" Raito ate another piece of meat.

L glanced up, his black eyes widened. He blinked, and sighed. "I was raised in an orphanage, by the church,"

Is this real? Am I honestly hearing this? Is this all just a set up? Raito's head was spinning. As in the previous world, he had never heard anything about L's past, they had a very businesslike relationship.

But what else was he supposed to ask? He wanted to ask so badly, as his curiosity was growing. But L broke the silence before he could.

"How did your father die?"

"It was a heart attack..." L stared at him, unable to say much else.

Finally, Raito gave up, he could find out more about his past later. Raito honestly was very, very, curious. Curiosity killed the cat.

The lunch bell rang, and Raito hadn't realized how time had passed so quickly.

"After lunch is partner training, would you like to try?"

"Yes, we can try," Raito said. Together, they walked down to the training grounds. It felt like the tennis match all over again, the air felt heavy and humid. It was mostly an outdoor courtyard, but there was a gym, a basketball court, but no tennis court as far as Raito could see.

"So," Raito began, when L stopped in the middle of nowhere, "what do I do?"

"It's just a simple test, if you can carry me, or you don't get burnt, or whatever, we can be partners," and unexpectedly, in a flash of light, L turned into half a scythe. It looked like a scythe, but the handle was only half the length.

"Is that you, Rue?" his name stopped slipping at the wrong time.

Raito bent down to pick up the scythe, and he found it surprisingly light.

"You've succeeded," a voice echoed in his mind, "I'm surprised." It was L's voice.

L's head came out of the sickle, and his entire body turned back into a human in a white light.

"Oh," Raito replied, "I have?"

"Great, now we can be like... the Thompson Sisters!"

"What..." Raito didn't know who he was talking about.

"Before they met Shinigami's son, Death the Kidd, they worked together as two weapons," L actually seemed excited over this, which confused Raito. L didn't get excited like that. "But you don't know how to turn into a weapon, we'll have to fix that. You look exactly like me. So close your eyes, and imagine me as a weapon, but as you. The general shape at least,"

"Oh, okay," Raito felt as idiotic as when the two of them had dressed up as firemen to catch Matsuda from a falling building.

"You did it, Raito-kun!" Raito was confused, as he opened his eyes, but he found himself looking through a glass like material. How interesting. Was he a weapon? He closed his eyes, feeling the shape he was within. Yes, he was most definitely a weapon

Raito swam in the darkness, towards a doorway. He entered through the doorway, curiously to see what was inside. What he heard was a bunch of clocks. He also noticed, his entire attire had changed to some sort of a... what was it called, steam punk style? A very formal outfit made of leather, in a room full of bronze, silver, and gold watches, pocket watches, hanging clocks, grandfather clocks... was that it?

"Raito-kun are you okay? You can speak, you know,"

He said aloud, "Yes, Ryuuza- I mean, Rue-kun. I'm fine, it's just weird getting used to this. Do you see anything in your weapon form, Rue-kun?"

L was quiet for a moment, Raito could feel him grip around the handle harder.

"Yes, I can, Raito-kun. It's said that what you see is the inside of your soul,"

It makes me uncomfortable... the ticking sounds were really quite loud.

"That's great and all, but how do you return to human form?"

"Simply envision your body, imagine the transformation,"

Raito closed his eyes, imagining just that. But he found himself collapsing rapidly to the ground, as he landed on top of L's fallen body.

L grunted in pain, as a loud crack echoed.

"Oh, I'm sorry, you don't have very good position do you," Raito asked, getting up quickly, offering a hand to help him up.

"Yes..." L said slowly, as he took the offered hand, getting up. "Anyways, since you're the only one who can resonate with me, I'll have to help you catch up with the rest of class,"

"Thank you, Rue-kun," Raito replied. I don't think he remembers... maybe I won't have to kill him. Somewhere within him, Raito honestly disliked the idea.

"Now, Raito-kun, you must practice transforming quickly, and partial transformations, you took a full two minuets to transform both times,"

"It didn't feel like it..." Raito muttered.

"Yeah, that's the first time," L replied.

Raito regretfully stayed with L, practicing transformations.

L

Raito was improving quickly. L was completely sure Raito retained his memories, as he was still sometimes tempted to say Ryuuzaki instead of Rue. What a good choice of name. He marveled at his own brilliance, not even having planned to meet Raito in the next world.

The chances that Raito was still in the phase of Kira was ninety five percent. The other five percent would be the good part of Raito that didn't want to bother the new L. But ninety five percent was enough.

L would have to watch him very closely. He had no charges of arrest, he had nothing. The only thing there was, would be the Death Note.

He is Kira, and he is powerless without the Death Note.

How many percent chance? Fifty. But he needed to notify someone he could trust. He barely knew the Maka girl. Lord Death? But how would he get the shinigami to...

He was the protector of the town. But L didn't trust easily.

Raito came up to him, inside of the building, "Hey, Rue, I'm moving in with you and your roommates, and sleeping on the ground until we move upstairs to the bigger complex,"

"Oh, that's cool. Got anything packed that you need?"

"No," Raito replied, looking down at his only wear, a formal wear of a beige tuxedo, white button down, and red tie.

"Nothing at all?" L tried to seem a bit surprised, when really in fact, he wasn't.

"No," Raito replied once more, "I was wandering in the desert with these clothes, and I saw a building, that was here. And after getting halfway up the steps, I fainted, and some kid named Black Star took me to the hospital, where I escaped shortly after,"

"Black Star saved me too, same situation, but I made it to the top," L said in an almost smug manner.

"Oh," Raito didn't react, but L could see the Kira in him, fuming over how frustrating it was to be beaten in stamina.

"Well I'm sure we'll have some extra blankets and stuff. You'll meet your two other roommates, Maka and Soul. I don't know why they didn't transfer us out, probably lack of space, so we're simply going to reside with them, until we graduate..."

"Alright," replied Raito.

It was strange, he knew Raito felt trapped, like they were handcuffed all over again, but this time Raito knew what he did.

L led the way to the dorms, trusting Raito still didn't know that L remembered everything. He was glad about that, if Raito were to ever reveal his Death Note, L would be the first to know. Was there any news? The first question. Was he still intent upon being the god of the new world? The second question.

As far as he had seen, there wasn't any of the present technology they had seen in their original lives. So, newspapers, perhaps? Newspaper stands? L would have to travel to the city, as he hadn't done before. There were only two places he went to after school, Shibusen's enormous library, and his dorm room.

"And here we are," L opened the door quietly, thinking the other two were sleeping.

"Oh, this is nice," Raito replied, there were couches around a table, there was a kitchen, two bedrooms and a bathroom, even a balcony leading outside.

"I... sleep on the couch, but... you can have it, until we get a bigger room..." L offered hesitantly. It wasn't like he slept much at all.

"Really?" replied Raito, genuinely surprised.

The L he knew wasn't like me at all. L was tempted to smile, but kept his face serious.

"Yeah, go ahead, there are blankets in the closet I can use,"

"Thank you," Raito collapsed on the couch, already snoring. L thought it funny, it was unlike his personality to snore, but while handcuffed to him, he knew Raito already snored. As a ten year old, he wasn't sure, but there he was, snoring away. But it was more cute than annoying when he's ten.

And now for some research, L picked up Soul's jacket strewn on the table, and zipped it over himself. He headed out into the city.

It was mostly asleep, illuminated by few street lights. The shops were numerous, and interesting, but closed. Newspaper stands... bingo.

There were newspapers in the world. It was a good thing, but it wasn't a good thing in the situation he was in. Front page: serial killer.

"And there goes my hopes and dreams," L said rather loudly.

To head back to the dorm room... after a night in the library... He headed back to the enormous tower of Shibusen.

Raito

"Good morning! Oh you were able to partner with Rue-kun! Congratulations!" she said.

"Thank you," Raito replied, getting up, feeling extraordinarily groggy. He rubbed his auburn hair, messing it up more than it already was.

Where did L sleep? If L had no memory, he felt bad to have kicked the boy out of his sleeping couch. L doesn't sleep though, does he? He's an insomniac.

"I'm making breakfast, would you mind calling Soul from the other room?" she pointed.

"Sure," Raito stood up, feeling dizzy from the incredibly quick events that were occurring. First, he was a weapon. Next, L didn't remember a single thing. Third, he would have to establish his rule in the world, but there didn't seem to be any televisions, which was very bad. He'd have to see if there were newspapers. Then, he could create a criminal free world. Finally, if L reawakened memories or already remembered, then Raito was surely going to be arrested.

So, find out about the world first.

He opened Soul's door uneventfully, waking up the albino kid instantly.

"Good morning,"

"Good morning," Soul's expression of coming out of bed looked very much how Raito felt. "Congratulations on finding your partner..." Soul fell asleep sitting up.

"Yeah, wake up," Raito poked Soul's cheek.

"Gyah! I'm awake, that is a totally not cool way to wake up..."

"Maka's finished breakfast judging by the smell..."

"Yeah, okay,"

Raito dragged Soul out of bed, and together they went to the kitchen, sitting down at the counter.

"Where's Rue-kun?"

At that moment, the door opened, and L came in, wearing Soul's jacket, with a stack of books in his hands.

"I'm home,"

"You wake up insanely early, Rue," Soul groaned, as Maka dumped an egg in front of his plate, as well as Raito's.

"That is incorrect, I never woke up Soul, because I never slept,"

"He's mental, that one," Soul whispered to Raito.

"Are you sure he isn't drunk?" Raito asked Maka. She sighed, dumping an egg in the plate for L as well as herself.

L sat down at the counter, and stared at the egg. Maka sat next to him, already eating.

But L continued staring at the egg, as though it were his worst enemy. Unexpectedly, he got up, and walked over to the pantry, pulling out a jar of white powder.

"Rue!" Maka yelled, "put that sugar down!"

"But Maka..."

"You need to learn to eat normally!"

L sat back down, leaving the sugar where it was, and slowly, took a small bit of the egg, and put it into his mouth. He was cringing the entire time.

"Something's wrong with him," Soul said again.

"Is it like this every morning?" Raito asked.

"He used to eat cake, until Maka started chopping him."

"Chopping him?"

"Using her deadly Maka chop. If you're lucky, you'll never experience it," Soul shuddered, as he told Raito his greatest fears.

Seven thirty came, and it was time to walk a block to the school. Raito walked with the three people, listening to the argument between Maka and Soul, noticing the enormous silence himself and L were having.

He noticed something, L was slowly spitting out the egg that had been in his mouth moments ago.

He sighed, and looked at the sun, it was going to be a good day- L was an innocent ten year old, he was going to be the god of the new world, and L was eating normal food.

He looked at the sun again.

"What?!" he yelled.

"What?" asked L, curiously.

Raito simply pointed at the sun, in all it's glamour of a giant, strange, face.

"Ahh?!" L exclaimed.

Oh so he does remember his past life, otherwise he would not have yelled in surprised. Judging by Maka and Soul, they seem to have been raised in that sun, unlike someone that came from a different world. There goes his cover. As well as his life.

The sun only laughed.