A/N: Hey! Oh, look, new chapter.
Chapter 2: Preparation
Light took off his wristwatch and placed it on the nightstand. His other wrist was still shackled, chaining him to L. Hours have passed since Rem's death. It was two o'clock in the morning and the rest of the task force had gone home. Light was alone with L again. Back in the same bedroom they had shared during the Yotsuba investigation. After their screaming match in the workroom, Light and L have barely spoken to each other. Light's father had continued to argue with L, but Light knew it was pointless. The chain would stay for now. L wouldn't budge on the issue. The detective knew his life depended on it.
Light sat down, then he felt the mattress shake slightly when L perched on the opposite side of the bed. Refusing to face L, Light gazed at his wristwatch on the nightstand, lost in thought. He needed a new plan to kill L. Inside the watch, Light still had a hidden piece of death note paper. Higuchi's name was already written on it with blood. If Light wrote small enough, there was enough space for another name. Maybe even two names. If he learned L's name, he could kill the detective himself.
Misa had seen L's name before, but she has forgotten it. A lot of time has passed since she's seen his face at To-Oh University. But, after regaining her memories, she had made the deal for shinigami eyes again. If she saw L's face again, she could tell Light his name. Then Light could finally kill L.
Unfortunately, Light couldn't rush into this plan. Since L had announced that Light was his main suspect again, Light would have to take the time to reestablish his innocence. He needed to provide more proof that he wasn't Kira. If faced with enough evidence, L would be forced to remove the chain. And then, with the chain gone, Light could write down his name and end this once and for all.
Light leaned back against the headboard of the bed and glanced at L. The pale dark-haired man was crouched on top of the blankets, staring at a laptop. The world renowned detective never stopped working, not even to sleep. L noticed Light staring and gazed up from his laptop screen.
"What is it, Light-kun?"
"I want to see Misa tomorrow."
"Why?"
Light raised an eyebrow. "Why? Because she was almost killed. I'm worried about her. I need to make sure she's okay."
L looked unconvinced. "We both know her life wasn't truly in danger. The shinigami protected her as you expected."
Light gritted his teeth angrily. "I didn't expect any of that to happen."
"You did not expect the sudden threat to Misa's safety, but you were well aware of Rem's loyalty. You were planning to exploit it. The shinigami was meant to kill me." L sneered. "This must be a terrible disappointment for you, Kira."
"I'm not Kira," Light growled. "There was no plan to kill you, and I have no idea why Rem saved Misa."
L titled his head to the side, studying the teen for a moment. "What happened to you, Light-kun?"
Light frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Before we caught Higuchi, your lies were much more convincing. You reeked of innocence as if you truly believed you aren't Kira. And perhaps, for a time, you weren't. But something happened, and now you are different."
Light tensed anxiously but said nothing. His heart raced as he stared at the detective, hanging on his every word.
"There are two distinct sides to you. The Yagami Light I knew during the Yotsuba investigation is not the same person I'm speaking to now… Before you were my friend, but now, you are my enemy once again." L lowered his gaze solemnly. "There is a good person inside of you, Light-kun, and I miss him."
"L, I…" Light hesitated, unsure of how to respond. L actually missed him, or the way he used to be? Light felt a dull ache in his chest, but chose to ignore it. "I really don't understand what you're saying."
L smiled bitterly. "Yes, you do."
They both sat in silence for a moment, before Light asked, "Can I see Misa or not?"
"Yes, you may visit her in the morning. Watari brought her back to the Headquarters. She is in a room under constant surveillance."
"All right." Light sighed and laid down on his side, facing away from L.
While L continued typing on his laptop, Light stared the nightstand next to the bed, unable to fall asleep. His thoughts were racing as memory after memory came to the surface. The last time he was chained to L, he didn't remember being Kira. He could deny all of L's accusations and believe that he was telling the truth. It made dealing with L so much easier…
But now Light remembered everything. His memories of being Kira and the brief interlude when he wasn't Kira. During the Yotsuba investigation, Light remembered getting along with L fairly well. They had moments when they fought. They argued several times and they even had a real fist fight when they attacked each other while flying across the room together, connected by the chain. But there were also times when they hadn't fought. Times when they were alone at the Headquarters together… Once in a while, they would take breaks from work. They would play games like chess, or talk about something unrelated to the investigation. In those moments, they simply enjoyed each other's company like they were truly friends.
L had called Light his "first ever friend". And now, Light was beginning to realize that perhaps the same was true for him in a way. In his childhood, Light had plenty of friends, but he was never exceptionally close to anyone. He didn't consider any of them equals. They were all far beneath him and Light would manipulate them whenever it suited him. Instead of friends, they were more like pawns… L was way too smart to be anyone's pawn. In Light's entire life, no one has ever challenged him as much as L. The world renowned detective may be Kira's enemy, but he also had Light's respect. As Kira, Light would become a God to a new perfect world and Gods had no equals. Although L may be the only exception. If anyone was Light's equal, it was L and only L. No one else even came close.
L was his first ever equal. Light respected the man, and in a strange way, valued him.
"There is a good person inside of you, Light-kun, and I miss him."
Light considered the detective's words. He understood what L meant. L missed the version of Light who isn't Kira. L missed those times when he and Light were simply two friends, two equals…
Even though L must die, a part of Light would miss it, too.
###
In the morning, L and Light ate breakfast together in the workroom. Light had a piece of toast and some coffee while L consumed various pastries. Soon, the other members of the task force arrived and they had some coffee as well. Light's father barely spoke, obviously still irritated about the chain. The workroom was relatively quiet except for Matsuda, who was babbling about something. Light wasn't listening. He hardly slept at all last night and his mind was still racing as he contemplated his new plan to kill L. He needed Misa to see the detective's face.
By 9 AM, L finally announced that it was time to see Misa. Light followed him out of the workroom, and they took the elevator to a lower floor. Then L led the way down a hall, the chain rattling as they walked. When they reached the door to Misa's room, L stopped and reached inside his pocket. He pulled out a ridiculous-looking pink mask, then put it on, covering his face.
"What the hell is that?" Light glared at him.
"Just a safety precaution, Light-kun." L unlocked the door and entered.
Dammit. Of course, L is wearing a fucking mask. Nothing is ever easy with him. Light angrily clenched his fists as he followed L inside.
As soon as Misa spotted him, she rushed toward Light and flung her arms around him. "Oh, Light! Thank you for warning Misa about the stalker! You're Misa's hero!"
Light fought the urge to roll his eyes. "You don't have to thank me, Misa. I didn't do anything."
"Light-kun is correct." L claimed, "Rem is far more deserving of your gratitude."
"Rem?" Misa released Light with a worried expression on her face, then she quickly lied, "Who's Rem? Misa doesn't know any Rem."
Shit. That was obvious. Maybe bringing L to Misa was a mistake. She had all of her memories now. If she slipped up, she could ruin everything.
"Rem is a shinigami," Light explained. "Of course, you wouldn't know-"
L cut him off, "Rem wrote your attacker's name in a death note, then died. I believe the shinigami sacrificed its life to save you."
"What?" Misa shook her head, acting confused. "Misa has no idea what you're talking about. Why are you wearing that mask?"
L tilted his head to the side. "For protection, obviously."
Misa huffed. "You think Misa is Kira again? Misa isn't Kira, and neither is Light! Take it off." She reached toward the pink mask.
L quickly snatched Misa's wrist, stopping her. "Touch the mask and I'll have you blindfolded and strapped to the gurney again."
Her eyes widened fearfully as Misa tugged her hand free. Then she stepped closer Light like she was seeking protection.
Light sighed. "Don't threaten her."
Misa stuck her tongue out at L. "Your mask is stupid anyway. Misa has already seen your face."
"And yet you haven't written my name in a death note," L mused aloud. "Why is that, Misa? Is it possible that you've forgotten?"
"Wh-What do you mean?" She looked scared again. Her emotions were so easy to read.
"Did you know my name and forget it?" L asked.
"Ryuzaki, you aren't making any sense," Light snapped, tensing anxiously.
"Much like Light-kun, Misa also changed considerably during her captivity. She experienced a time when she was not Kira. Can the death note effect your memory?"
Misa cowered away from the detective. "M-Misa doesn't understand."
L asked, "How did you meet Light-kun, Misa?"
"Uh…" She looked at Light for guidance.
"Don't answer for her, Light-kun," L ordered, before interrogating the girl further, "Misa, how did you two meet?"
"W-We met at a coffee shop," she said.
"Which one?" L pried.
"Uh, Misa can't remember."
"Was it the one near To-oh University? Light spent a lot of time there."
"Y-Yeah. I remember now. It was that one."
"The one on 5th Avenue by the bakery?"
"Yeah!" She nodded confidently. "That one. I'm sure of it."
"There is no coffee shop at that location," L revealed.
"Oh. Well, uh…I, um…" Misa faltered with a panic-stricken look on her face.
"How did you meet Light-kun?" L asked again.
Misa trembled nervously, biting her bottom lip. Mentally, she was no match for L. Manipulating her is like child's play.
"Ryuzaki, that's enough," Light intervened. "Stop confusing her. We've been over this. I don't remember when I met Misa, and she doesn't remember either. She's just trying to fill in the gaps. She really doesn't remember."
"The first time I asked, she didn't remember. But you remember now, don't you, Misa? Your memories have returned."
"Light…" Misa looked at Light, silently pleading for help.
"Don't mind him, Misa. He's just being paranoid," Light claimed.
L scoffed. "It's not paranoia when someone is planning to kill you."
"There's no plan!" Light yelled in frustration. "How many times do I have to say it? I'm not Kira. We're friends, Ryuzaki. I would never try to kill you."
"Light-kun is my friend, but Kira is not. And unfortunately, Kira has returned." L turned his head back towards Misa. "Both Kiras."
Misa fidgeted with her black lace gloves.
"I'm done listening to this. Let's get back to work and find the real Kira." Light stormed out of the room while yanking on the chain, forcing L to follow.
###
In the workroom, Light sat in front of a computer next to L. The detective was perched on his chair, balancing sugar cubes while periodically staring up at his own computer screen. Even though he was playing with sugar cubes, he was obviously focused on something. He was planning something… Light glanced at L, then looked away while crossing his arms.
He needed to figure out what L was planning. And more importantly, he still needed to find out L's name. Light's original plan to involve Misa had backfired. L wasn't going to show his face to her, and talking to her only gave L more information. With her memories intact, it was dangerous to let L near Misa. He could trick her easily. Light needed to keep the detective away from her.
But if he couldn't use Misa, then how was he supposed to learn L's name? Light considered his options. He could make the deal with Ryuk… He could get the shinigami eyes, and kill L as soon as possible. But that victory would come at a steep cost. Light would lose half of his lifespan. As God of a new prefect world, he wanted to rule for a long time. He didn't want to throw any precious years away. The world needed Kira. Light had a duty to perform.
There had to be another way. Another way to kill L. Another way to reveal the detective's name. But how?
"Light-kun, what is your opinion of the Thirteen Day Rule?" L held up Rem's old death note between his thumb and index finger.
Light glanced at the death note, keeping his face placid. The Thirteen Day Rule was a fake rule Light had written in order to fabricate his own innocence. According to the rule, one must write in the death note at least once every thirteen days or they would die. Since Light had been in captivity 24/7 for months, the fake rule proved that he wasn't Kira.
For a moment, he met L's gaze. Those black eyes were analyzing him, waiting for his next move.
Light shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, we know Higuchi followed that rule, so the current Kira probably follows it, too. Perhaps the Kira before Higuchi died because he didn't follow that rule. There was a fairly long period of time when Kira didn't have any new victims. We could be dealing with someone completely new."
L set down the death note. "Light-kun's assessment would be correct, if the rule was authentic."
Fuck. Light felt a sudden jolt of anxiety. The implications of what L just said was painfully clear.
"What do you mean if it's authentic?" Mr. Yagami stood and walked toward L's desk.
The other members of the task force were all listening now, waiting for an explanation.
"I believe the Thirteen Day Rule is fake, and I intend to test it," L announced.
Matsuda blinked in confusion. "How? Wouldn't that kill someone?"
Light's father grumbled, "We can't write in the death note. We're not murderers."
"We won't write in it. I already found a volunteer," L explained.
"What?" Light gaped at him in horror.
L smirked. "I found a volunteer. A man who is already on death row. He agreed to write down the name of another death row inmate at the time of his scheduled execution."
Mr. Yagami and Matsuda both looked disturbed.
"A death note is going to be used to execute someone?" Mr. Yagami asked incredulously. "The government approved this?"
"The American government approved it," L clarified. "They thought it was an excellent idea."
The normally silent Mogi commented, "Why am I not surprised?"
"Ryuzaki, we can't do this." Light protested. "We can't experiment on people with a death note. It's wrong."
"Light-kun is right!" Matsuda quickly agreed.
"If we use the death note like this, then we're no better than Kira," Mr. Yagami said solemnly.
Light felt a bit calmer after hearing the support from the rest of the task force. He had the moral high ground.
Unfortunately, L seemed indifferent. "A piece of death note paper is already being sent to the United States. The Thirteen Day Rule will be tested tomorrow."
Light swallowed nervously. "Ryuzaki… You can't-"
"I can, and I will." L glared at the teen. "Don't pretend to have a moral objection, Light-kun. I know you better than that. You don't want me to test the fake rule because you know it will incriminate you."
The workroom fell silent. L and Light glared at each other while the rest of the task force said nothing.
No one spoke until Mr. Yagami asked seriously, "Ryuzaki, if the Thirteen Day Rule passes the test will you stop accusing my son?"
"Yes, and I'll remove the chain," L answered.
"Fine. Do it then. Do the damn test." Mr. Yagami turned and stomped out of the workroom.
"Mr. Yagami!" Matsuda hurried after the police chief.
Soon, Mogi followed the others out, too. Outside the room, Light could hear his father yelling, venting his frustrations.
Amid all the chaos, L began stacking sugar cubes again.