Disclaimer: Still don't own Death Note.

It was at least two days with only six hours of sleep later that I was down to the time frame of when the thing might've actually occurred. I had spent two full days eating little and doing practically nothing but reading newspapers, and now I get a phone call.

"I'm kinda busy, can I call you back?" I asked irritably, though I had no idea who was on the phone.

"You haven't been bothering me for two days. Everything alright?"

"Ah, Light, sorry." I said, sighing and pinching the bridge of my nose. "Some things came up and, honestly, I don't think we should hang out anymore."

"Why?"

"I'm dangerous."

"You're not the only one, you know."

"Well, yeah, but I mean, I don't even know what kind of dangerous I am." I argued, crossing my free arm over my chest.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means I forgot a huge part of my life and now I have no idea who I was before I fell into that stupid coma!"

"That's pretty normal for head injuries." He sounded like he was shrugging.

I groaned, flopping onto my back on the floor, some papers crinkling under my back. "I'm serious. It's way too important and potentially dangerous to leave it alone."

"How do you even know about something you forgot?"

"I found a weird video. Oh, and my dad apparently calls me from pay phones to give me terrible advice on how to deal with wounds."

"What are you even talking about anymore?" He was obviously exasperated.

"Exactly!" I sat up and threw my free arm up and flailed it a bit. "I don't know what's going on, I have no clue what I'm talking about, and I have the constant feeling of someone watching me in my house now, so I am pretty damn close to going back to the hospital. And that won't be for the stupid stab wound!"

"Maybe someone is watching you." He sounded joking, but I could hear the underlying hint.

"That's not funny." I commented indifferently. "Some creep watching me through the window or something is insanely weird and…" I trailed off, glancing at the window and then smiled a bit. "Actually, that would be pretty impressive. We're on the fifth floor and peeking in my window all the time would be quite a feat."

Light laughed. "Yeah, you're probably right. No one's doing that. Who would want to watch you anyway?"

"Hey! Uncalled for!" I pouted.

"Okay, okay. Sorry." He was still laughing though.

I wondered if it was because the cameras weren't gone yet. When did he even tell me about them? Three or four days ago? And I went there one day before, so that must be at least five days that they've been there if they still are. I can't tell if he's still keeping up an act for them or not right now.

"Rin? Is everything alright?" Light's voice from the phone made me jump slightly.

"Y-Yeah! I'm fine!" I said, a bit too loudly and quickly. I coughed and tried to focus. I couldn't let anything slip, so I needed to be careful with my words in case his phone calls were being monitored. "I mean, I just have a lot on my mind right now. Sorry."

"It's okay. You still have to go back to high school, right? Studying for entrance exams?"

"Oh no! No, no, no!" I cried, remembering that my mom had set up a time for me to write an entrance exam and it was tomorrow. "I haven't studied at all! I've been going through all these stupid newspapers and I have to go write an entrance exam tomorrow!" I scrambled up to go over to my old backpack and pull out the textbooks.

"You really do need to be reminded of important things, huh?"

"Yeah, thanks."

"What was that about newspapers though?"

"Huh? Oh, well, I was just looking for a particular report and had a very poor timeframe so I got stuck with around four hundred of the things." I dismissed, trying to decide what I needed to study first.

"You're very inefficient."

"Shut up. Just because you're Mr Perfect and we're kinda friends, it doesn't mean you get to criticize me."

"It kind of does."

"Okay, it does, but seriously. Unless you're gonna help me study or something, I really need to go."

"Okay. Good luck." He hung up.

I tossed my phone onto my bed and tried to study a lot at once, which really didn't work out and just ended up with me passing out on the floor with a bunch of papers scattered about. My mom had to wake me up in the morning to make sure I wasn't late, so I was rushed then too. I was so nervous I could hardly finish the tests, but when I did, I felt so much better. I went straight home and picked up where I left off with the newspapers. It was around eight in the evening when I finally found what I was looking for. A series of four or five newspapers covering the story on the fourth page were the only ones I found, but they were enough.

The first report told of a terrible scene of dismembered and mauled corpses being found in a warehouse and that it was unclear how many there were. The second report told of the victims. Hina Watanabe, Yuu Takashi, Miki Arakaki, Yuki Hamada, and Mikoto Yoshida. It told about their activity in gangs and gambling, particularly with fighting children and teenagers. The third article talked about how the police were saying it looks like an animal attack, but there were no rabid or violent animals reported in the area as well as the fact no one really knows where an animal that could do that to five experienced street fighters came from. It also mentioned the Task Force's involvement in the case. The forth article reported that the case had been dropped with no reasoning given. It also stated that police were close to identifying a suspect with DNA samples gathered from the gashes of victims, but didn't mention any actual results other than it was definitely human DNA and blood mixed in at the scene and on victims that was unidentified and may be a person the culprit took with them.

"No." I said weakly, dropping the last article and just staring wide-eyed at the wall in shock. "There's no way…It has to be a coincidence, right? Come on. This doesn't make any sense..."

I mumbled to myself for a good five or ten minutes before I got a grip, wiped my eyes, sniffled, and collected myself. I got my laptop and closed the video, instead going to work on a different program. I didn't do it often, but I knew the process by heart for some reason and it only took me an hour to get in and find the information I needed. The Task Force's file for the case I was looking for was empty aside from one report dated a week after the last newspaper article was written. It read,

"Any files pertaining to this case have been lost. They cannot be recovered. The DNA tests have confirmed the last link to the case as Rin Kobayashi. Sixteen years old and currently in an unresponsive condition. Found at front doors of a hospital after sustaining multiple lacerations, a heart injury, and a broken arm, leg, and ribs. Was treated before arrived at hospital. Potential evidence was not found on victim's body. I visited the hospital and tried to ask her some questions, but there was no response despite the brainwave activity that is not common among comatose patients. Case has been dropped due to lack of evidence and witnesses."

I didn't notice the name at the bottom, since I just got off of their system as quickly as possible before anyone noticed I'd been messing with a closed case. I turned off my laptop and went over to flop down onto my bed. I stared at the ceiling, then lifted my hand and inspected the back of it as it reached for the ordinary sight.

"So, you really are dangerous, huh?" I muttered to myself, a bitter edge to my voice. "But that still doesn't explain what happened to you that night. They were treating you as a victim in the case, but that's not exactly true, is it? Now, three years later and you're awake? Is anyone gonna remember the case? No, probably not. The Task Force is busy with the Kira case, aren't they?"

I sighed and sat up. It wasn't fun to mope, but I felt awful. I was even starting to get used to this stuff. I shook my head and rubbed my eyes.

"Why would they even care though? Kira just kills criminals, don't they? What's the big deal when they're the ones that put them there? People don't make sense sometimes." I sighed heavily, then straightened up again. "Oh! But it's still human life and Kira takes out the ones that commit petty crimes just as much as they do with the really terrible ones. You know, that's actually not that far off from those asylums they had all over the states and Europe that they crammed everyone that was criminally insane to just kids that didn't listen to their parents in. So, I guess it's still kind of terrible isn't it?"

I took a moment to think about the fact that I was arguing with myself. I already felt like I was being watched all the time, but now I'm having a verbal debate by myself? Am I really losing it again? I shook off that train of thought and focused on Kira again.

"Well, you know, I guess I can agree that the murderers and rapists can die for all I care, since they get life in jail anyway, but the thieves and other petty criminals really don't deserve that. Heart attacks would be painful, wouldn't they? I mean, that guy might've been gambling and stealing because he needed to support his family." I paused. "Okay, I'm just sympathizing with them because I've stolen food from other people, like that one time that mom was too sick to work and I was worried about her since we didn't have any food. And, according to the video, I think I was involved in the gambling and fighting ring that the articles mentioned, so I guess I better be careful in case Kira runs out of major criminals and comes after me." I shook my head. "Okay, that's enough monologue. You don't need to do that. It's helpful to organize thoughts, but it's still talking to yourself."

I stood up and went into the kitchen, making myself something to eat before I go to bed. I heard my mom come in late at night, but just went back to sleep instead of getting up to greet her.

I woke up the next morning to my mom excitedly shaking me awake to tell me I'd be starting school again soon. Her excitement got a groan and complaint about how early in the morning it was, but it didn't discourage her at all. She made me get up and eat her special breakfast, then spent all of the morning of her day off with me. She talked so much when she was excited that I don't think she noticed how often I was yawning. Then again, I was trying to hide it so I wouldn't offend her. I did doze off once or twice though. She just shook my shoulder, scolded me, then continued on talking about that funny thing someone did while she was at work. It wasn't really that funny, but I tried to force a small laugh anyway. She decided to go shopping in the afternoon and finally left me by myself. Don't get me wrong, I like spending time with her sometimes, but I really wasn't in the mood for seeing anyone today. I ended up falling asleep on the couch after she left anyway.

I woke with a start at the sound of a doorbell. It startled me so much I actually flopped off the couch and onto my stomach before I could even register that I had been woken up. I groaned and curled up, holding my elbow that had hit the floor, but the doorbell went off again and I forced myself to get up and see who it was. I opened the door just slightly and saw a somewhat familiar man, but I couldn't place where I knew him from, especially since he was at least two and a half times my age. Oddly enough, he was glancing around nervously and pulling up the collar of his jacket to hide his face as he did so. If that didn't scream suspicious, I don't know what does.

I narrowed my eyes and got ready to slam the door if he tried anything. "Can I help you?"

His eyes snapped to my face and he seemed to relax considerably. "Rin? You look healthy." He sighed out in what sounded like relief.

Shocked, I tensed up and my mouth opened slightly, but snapped shut when I collected my thoughts. "Who are you?"

"I'm your father, Rin." He gave a soft smile and it suddenly hit me. This was definitely the face of the man that left us a long time ago. "I know I have no right to show up like this, but I need to talk to you."

I glared at him, but let go of the door to cross my arms. "You're right. Tell me what you want. Mom's not here."

"That's probably for the best. I need to talk to you about the…" He hesitated, glancing around and lowering his voice. "Wolf."

I dropped the glare and replaced it with a look of surprise mixed with curiosity. "What about it?"

"Can I come in?"

I bit my lip, but sighed and opened the door wider. "Fine, but you need to be gone by the time Mom gets home."

"I will." He nodded, stepping in, taking off his shoes, and then following me into the kitchen.

"So, first question, you were the one that gave those people that message to relay to me back then?"

He nodded grimly. "I'm sorry. I didn't know what else to do. They were planning to kill your mother if you didn't win more."

"So, did I know what you meant and did it of my own accord, or did that phrase force me?"

He gave me a sad look. "You can't remember, can you?"

I paused, confused, but shook my head.

He sighed. "When I taught you the language, I also taught you about channeling the spirit animals."

"Spirit animals? That sounds like some weird religion's belief system." I scrunched up my face out of both skepticism and a tinge of dread.

"It's not a religion, it's what my family has done for generations." He said, almost defensively. "Anyway, it's the reason why you went into a coma and wandered as a spirit."

I gasped. "H-How did you…?"

"I saw you." He stated simply, then continued. "Besides, it's usually what happens if the spirit takes up too much space in your body and pushes you out."

"But why a wolf then? You knew it would do that to me, didn't you?"

He shook his head. "We don't have a choice over which ones we can channel. The thing is, I told you only to do it in emergencies, since you got that one. Usually we have two or three, but you only got one."

"Which one? The Golden-eyed Wolf?"

"Yes. One of the more dangerous ones. The first time you channeled it, it forced you out in spirit form, then attacked me. When it left, it had done a number on your heart because the spirit is hard to contain and was straining your very young body. That's the second reason you shouldn't call on it. The third is the fact it is just bloodthirsty and you've always hated it even before you channeled it the first time."

"I…Hated it?" I tilted my head and frowned. I couldn't remember that.

He nodded and sighed. "Because the first time you talked to it, you claimed it had said horrible things to you. You couldn't have been more than four at the time."

I considered this, but I couldn't remember anything. It might be a repressed memory, or a factor of my apparent amnesia. Either way, as soon as I felt a headache coming on, I abandoned the attempt.

"I should probably go before your mother comes home." He said, standing up.

"Wait," I followed suit and stood up as well. "Do you know the wolf's name?"

He seemed confused, but shook his head. "No, I don't."

I could tell he wanted to ask why, but I just quickly ushered him out and locked the door behind him. I pressed my ear against it and listened for his footsteps to leave, then let out the breath I had unknowingly been holding and slid my back down the door until I was sitting on the floor.

"This is too weird." I said to myself in disbelief. "I know. It's all a dream and I'll wake up soon. Just a very odd, slightly scary dream." I tried to reassure myself with a shaky smile, but it slid off my face just as quickly as it came and I hung my head in defeat. "I'm not dreaming. I would've woken up by now. Likely after getting stabbed." I touched the spot I could feel the patch of gauze under my shirt and grimaced.

It wasn't like I could just ignore what that guy said. If he was right, and I did know all these things about the Spirit Animals at some point, I needed to try and remember it. There was no way I could have completely forgotten it. It must still be there, but something is trying to make me forget it. Now the problem isn't what that is, but rather how I'm supposed to remember. The longer I stay ignorant of these things, the longer I stay as a potential threat to everyone. The other thing I'm wondering is how I talk to the wolf again. Maybe I should try meditation and focus on reaching out to it. But will that even work?

"Okay, enough sitting and doing nothing! You are going to seek this damn thing out and sort out what the hell's going on!" I said in angry determination, standing up and going to sit down on the floor in my room.

I took a few deep breaths and closed my eyes to concentrate on the mysterious wolf. I felt like an image of something green was starting to form, but something made me jerk and the image was replaced with the wall of my room. I had to blink a few times before it registered that my phone was ringing. Feeling irritated, I grabbed the cellphone from my bed and checked who was calling. I answered by flipping the phone open a bit too harshly and shoving it to my ear.

"Light, you jerk! Why do you have the worst timing in the world?!" I shouted into it before he could even tell me why he was calling.

"What are you talking about?" He sounded annoyed as well.

"I'm talking about you interrupting-You know what? Never mind. What did you want?"

"Are you with someone or something?" He asked suggestively.

I rolled my eyes. "No, I'm not. Get to the point."

"I was just going to ask if you were alright. You've been odd lately."

I tensed up, but ended up snapping out a, "Like you care." I cringed when I realized I was taking out my frustration on him when he hadn't done anything wrong.

"Fine. I'll call tomorrow. Obviously you're in an awful mood." He hung up.

I sighed, tossing my phone back on my bed and going back to trying to contact the wolf. Unfortunately, that blurry green image didn't show up again. I gave up eventually, deciding I was probably too frustrated. I went to sleep early instead of eating or anything.