A/N: I hope this is enjoyable so far! I feel as though this is slightly rushed in the time slot of events that are occurring, but please take it in stride. While my chapters are not tremendously long, they are a bit lengthy so I do attempt to squeeze a good amount of material into them. Speaking from personal experience, I hate pointless chapters in Fanfiction. Once again, reviews are always helpful! If you have any advice, I am entirely open to it! I love criticism because without it I'd never grow in my ability to write and create more content. I hope you understand! Once again, thank you for reading my work. There is nothing I love more than doing what I am truly passionate about and knowing that other people enjoy it in return.

I trotted towards the entrance of the cafe as I checked my watch. 12:01 P.M. I was a minute late but I had a great doubt that Ryuzaki was already there. Pushing the door open, I scanned the large, noisy room and immediately caught his eye. I continued to walk over, getting settled across from the disheveled boy. "Good afternoon, I'm sorry if I kept you waiting," I spoke up as I set my bag down. "Don't worry about it, I'm terribly punctual and it's much of a habit. Don't let me worry you too much," he said, tapping his fingers on his knees.

"May I ask why you wanted to talk to me personally? I mean, maybe that is a dumb question. I am a suspect, after all," I silently scolded myself in stupidity. "No, actually, it isn't a dumb question. While you are technically a suspect, I strongly believe you are not Kira. I do not believe someone like you has the capability to be Kira. You seem… emotional. Now, please don't take offense to that. You are much like your uncle, and it makes you human. Sometimes I wish I possessed the same trait as you, especially if I weren't L," he answered quickly. I didn't know how to reply, and when it took me more than a couple seconds, he continued. "In every single case I've ever handled, I have never been wrong. More than I'd like to admit, I use my gut instinct, as well. To be quite honest, Mei, my gut instinct is telling me to ask you if you would like to join the task force."

My eyes widened in shock. "With all due respect, Ryuzaki, I am just Mei. Please, don't mistake that, though. I would absolutely love to be a part of the Kira investigation, more than anything, actually. It's been my dream to help with such an interesting case. But, I am not like Light by any means. I hope you haven't mistaken me for someone far above my intelligence level. I don't believe I could be much of a help, or aid you in any way that others could. I simply do not think I deserve a place in such a task force," I admitted with great sadness. Ryuzaki's emotion never changed. "Strange. I actually did not expect you to say that. No, I didn't know what to expect." He tilted his head in inquisition. "Mei, the people on this task force are not few and far between. They are entirely average in intelligence, if not, some are even below," he rolled his eyes, obviously thinking of someone in particular, "The only unique thing about them is that they had the drive to take down Kira. It's been brought to my knowledge by your uncle that you take personal interest in many famous cases around the world. You followed the Los Angeles BB Murder Cases, yes?" I nodded. "I believe I am not wrong in saying that your deducting skills must be impeccable, but then I am only getting this information from Ukita. He is very proud of you, and as one of the people I am working with, I take everything he says with respect. He talks about you endlessly and his love for you is unconditional. I simply cannot ignore such a compliment." Ryuzaki was right, I was entirely emotional. Mostly because, at that moment, it took everything inside of me to not cry. I had loved my uncle more than anything, and him saying that he was proud of me was more than I ever needed.

"You know, I actually avoided the Kira case as much as possible. I haven't looked at any publicly released information on him in my free time, while I would've died for it a couple months ago. Kira terrified me to death, actually, he still does. If I join, then I will have something to truly be afraid of, I suppose," I pondered for a moment. "However, I would risk my life to be on the task force, Ryuzaki. While I know I am not the brightest, I'd try to aid you in any way possible. I have to take this offer, simply because if I didn't, I know I would regret it for the rest of my life. I would gladly join you, Ryuzaki," I stated with determination. It didn't take much for someone like Ryuzaki to change my mind so drastically in such a short time. He, once more, had a hint of a smile on his face. "Great, I only need a form of identification to assign you to the task force," he completed. A nervousness built in my chest.

"Not to be rude, Ryuzaki, but… I don't know. Kira is extremely intelligent, I… How do I know that you are not Kira? He needs a name and a face; you could be leading me to my death right now," I worried. Ryuzaki nodded in approval. "You are entirely right, however, I know your full name. If I were Kira and had wanted to kill you, I think I would have."

"I suppose you're right, but I am still, to say the least, suspicious," I slumped my shoulders from slight embarrassment. "You have every right to be, after all. Do you think that if I took you to headquarters, with approval from your own uncle, then would you believe me?" he asked coyly. "Of course I would," I quickly responded. With a nod, Ryuzaki fished out his phone and had called someone to pick us both up. "Watari will be here shortly," he finished as he closed his phone and put it back in his pocket.

Momentarily, a limousine had pulled up around the curb near the cafe. At first, I didn't believe it was for us, until Ryuzaki began walking towards it. Following suit, I sat in the back of the car next to him. For the first time in awhile, I felt awkward around Ryuzaki. Maybe it was the silence after Watari and I introduced ourselves to each other, but I felt my cheeks becoming warmer as I wrung my hands next to him. I didn't want to break the silence, but I hated the silent. As I turned my head to instead look outside the driver's view window, I could see Ryuzaki gazing at me through his onyx eyes. I assumed he was deducting something, clearly deep in thought as he stared at me. I turned back to the window next to me to avoid noticing his eyes plastered on me. I couldn't help but feel hotter. His gaze was something entirely indifferent. Especially if he was L, knowing that someone like him wanted me to be on his case. It truly is one of the best compliments one could receive. But, his presence made me nervous. I really wished I didn't have that terrible social anxiety.

Soon enough, we pulled up outside of a hotel. Looking up at it, I wondered if that is where their headquarters was actually stationed. As if he'd read my mind, Ryuzaki interrupted my thoughts. "We stay here and I switch hotels every couple of days to avoid suspicion. We work the case in hotels most of the time," he explained as we exited the fanciful car and began to make our way to their room. One of my traits was analyzing everything around me, especially people. Normally when I wasn't talking, I was watching. I took into account every single stride Ryuzaki made. The way he carried himself, in such a slouched manner and the lazy clothes he chose to wear. I assumed it didn't draw much attention to the true genius he really was. It was a clever disguise, on his part. I wondered if that was the point of it, or maybe he just wanted to be comfortable. Whether or not that was the case, I strangely believed he was guiltlessly cute.

Dismissing the rather odd thoughts, the three of us had all reached the room together. Entering it, I first noticed Aizawa, who I've known from my uncle. He noticed me, too. As I put my hand up to wave, my uncle Ukita immediately threw a fit at the sight of me, aimed towards Ryuzaki. Within moments they were in a heated discussion.

"I told you, I didn't want her in this investigation. It's not safe for her. She has school, she has her whole life ahead of her. How dare you rip this out from under her, Ryuzaki? You manipulated her and took advantage of her only passion!" Ukita clenched his fists. "I simply offered her the position. It was and still is, entirely her choice. I explained to you that she would be a tremendous help and I've explained it to her as well. To my knowledge, she is a fully capable woman and is able to make her own decisions. She knows her life is on the line, Ukita. Everyone here also knows that I am willing to protect them at all costs, and she is no exception to that rule. While there are no promises, I believe she will be the most sheltered out of all of us. I entirely understand your declaration of her innocence and youth, but please take into consideration how Yagami handled his son's entrance to our task force. He eventually succumbed to it and I very much hope you will, too. If she is as capable and bright as you say, there will be no lack in her responsibility or preciseness to lead her to any impending death. I strongly believe she will be just fine," Ryuzaki fired out the words in such a fit that my brain could barely follow. I never knew that my desire to join would cause such drama. My head spun with an oncoming headache. My uncle knew he shouldn't respond, or better yet, he didn't know how to. The room went silent.

"Now, Mei, I hope this has proved that I am indeed L," he finally spoke, turning towards me. "Oh… Yes, of course," I confirmed, fishing out my student iD to lend to him. Taking a look at it, he furrowed his brow. "I thought your name was spelled M-e-i, not M-a-y," he wondered aloud. "I prefer Mei, I spelled it like that since I came to Japan," I yawned, already tired from what had occurred today. As he began to write my name down on a miniature notepad, he said, "If it means anything, I much favor the way it is really spelled. Every time I pronounce your name from now on, assume I am saying M-a-y," he said in complete seriousness. I assumed it was another quirk he had, along with sitting in the odd way that he does. I naturally submissed to his statement.

With a lack of the Yagami, I turned to Ryuzaki in confusion. "Where is Light?" I wondered aloud. "He is with his father, I believe. He's the chief of our investigation, and he recently suffered from a heart attack," Ryuzaki explained, sitting in his unusual way whilst he flipped through files. "A heart attack? Did he die?" I panicked. "No, he will be just fine. It happened about four days ago, and he claimed it was just from stress. He is resting in a hospital as we speak," he explained with such calmness that it gave me a sense of relief. I sat next to Ryuzaki because, besides my uncle, he was the only friendly familiarity I had in the same room. That, and I felt my uncle was agitated with my last minute decision to join. Ryuzaki dropped a heavy load of files and records on my lap. "You said you haven't followed any of it, so please, indulge yourself in all of these. Naturally, they are classified and I won't permit you to leave with any of these. Take as long as you would like."

After awkwardly introducing myself to the task force members, I felt entirely out of place. I was young and inexperienced; I still had no real hint as to why Ryuzaki really wanted me on the team. With a heaviness growing from my eyelids, I turned back to the files and sorted through them, reading and soaking up as much information as I could. While the murders were atrocious, they were also endlessly fascinating. Pausing, more than halfway through the records, a strange thought had crossed my mind. "Ryuzaki?" I called for his attention. "What is it?" he asked. "It says that Kira himself can control one's actions before their death. Do you think that means that he can also control other ways in which someone dies, besides a heart attack? I mean, he could control them to walk in front of a bus, along the lines of that. What if heart attacks are not the only way he's killing them off, but many accidental deaths and suicides are going unnoticed simply because it isn't entirely apparent to the police that he could very well be murdering people in more than one way?" the words fell out of my mouth. Maybe I sounded stupid, but what I said scared me more than anything. The thing that scared me more, though, was that everyone stared at me dumbfoundingly. Ryuzaki's mouth hung slightly open, as if I had beat him to the punch.

As if it were perfect timing, Watari burst through the suite door. "Ryuzaki, something seems to be happening on Sakura T.V."