V.
To Judge The Living...
Misa ran up the stairs in her apartment building without even trying the elevator; she had to be moving, or she thought she was going to explode. She had run all the way from the television studio, ignoring the strange looks she was getting from people on the street. Not as strange as usual - the numbers of white-robed and white-dressed Kira followers were enormous, and still growing - but then most of those people were not sprinting at top speed across the crowded sidewalks.
At the top of the stairs, Misa was still running; it was only when she got to the apartment door that she stopped, her fingers trembling again as she reached out for the door handle. It did not turn.
Locked. But when I left, I didn't lock the door - I didn't even close it. So - so - he really must be -
With a stabbing, twisting motion that almost broke the key off in the lock, she got the door open and took three steps in. She could hear a voice, a familiar, wonderful voice, speaking quietly.
"So, will you let me use it, Ryuk? The Eraser?"
"Yes, I'll buy more apples...Thanks, Ryuk. You won't regret this."
In one movement, Misa shed her shoes and shut the door behind her, but before she could take another step she heard abrupt rustling, and then footsteps behind her...and her name.
"Misa."
She wanted to turn and run into his arms but she couldn't move; her new knowledge filled her suddenly, and she wondered what she should say - what she could say. He was - Kira!
But Light felt no need to be reticent; he thought her shock was only because he was standing in front of her, alive.
"Aren't you surprised, Misa? Aren't you glad? I thought you would be - happy."
He did his best to sound sad, and was therefore surprised when, rather than running to him or bursting into tears, Misa turned and cast herself on the floor in front of him, pressing her face against his knees.
"Kira-sama, Lord Kira!"
Light was startled into taking a step backwards, and Misa fell forward, her face at his feet. She looked up quickly, smiling more brightly than he had seen in a long time.
"Kira-sama is my Light - my Light is Kira-sama! Misa is so happy -"
It was not the first time Misa had managed to totally shock him, but this went beyond anything in his prior experience. How could she know? Was Kanzuka already broadcasting his identity; or could he have said something just to Misa?
"Misa – Misa, how -"
"I heard on the phone, Light, I heard you talking to Kanzuka and I had to come right away and see you! Light -"
His own questioned already answered, Light knew what she would ask next - it was the question that everyone would be asking, but looking at her now, he knew that he would tell her the truth. She was the only one he could trust with it; the only one he could trust at all.
Only Misa, faithful, loving, devoted Misa.
"You want to know why I am alive, Misa?"
"Yes! I saw you, Light, I saw your body – they didn't want to let me but I wouldn't believe that – that – but you were dead!"
He nodded.
"Yes, Misa. Come sit down now."
He reached down and pulled her up from the floor, and she followed him complacently, though her grip on his hand was rather tight. When she was seated and as relaxed as he could reasonably expect, he picked up the Death Note from where he had left it on the coffee table and looked at her seriously.
"I considered not telling anyone the truth of who I was, not telling you who I was, Misa, and continuing somewhat as I had before...from the shadows."
Misa wiped happy tears from under her eyes with both hands.
"But...but Light - "
"I decided against it, when I saw you on the television, Misa. You were perfect, a vision, so devoted to Kira even though you had been told he was responsible for my death...even without knowing exactly what was going on, even without a complete memory, you did exactly what I asked. And I want to give it back to you, Misa, the memory that you have lost."
A little white lie. With or without her, Kira was destined to come forward into the light. But...
Misa smiled suddenly.
"Misa knew it! I've met you as Kira before, haven't I? I have this memory...I remember all the words of a conversation that I had with somebody, but I can't remember the somebody! It makes my head hurt..."
Light looked back over his shoulder for a moment, as if there was someone behind him; she gave him an odd look, but he ignored her for a moment, spoke into the silence.
"Ryuk, is that possible?"
She heard no answer - but he had been speaking to someone named Ryuk when she came in.
I thought Light was on the phone, but - if he wasn't, then who...what is Ryuk?
Light, however, was more than aware of Ryuk's answer; he had been laughing under his breath ever since Misa first arrived.
"You know, losing the Death Note only erases memories of the Death Note itself. So, anything else -"
Light smiled, and knowing exactly what the effect on her would be, he leaned intimately close and whispered against the curve of Misa's ear.
"Thank you, Misa. You've given Kira the perfect stage for his introduction to the world. I love you..."
Her eyes were still red from the crying she had already done, but the promise of future tears was completely washed away by his words; he felt her shaking, and allowed her to kiss him, barely more than a brush of her trembling lips against his.
Surprisingly, he felt a momentary flush of desire.
Interesting. She's beautiful enough but I've never really wanted her before. Why now? What is it that has changed?
He allowed himself a moment to contemplate; perhaps it was just that he had been dead, and now, being alive, his body was...eager to prove that fact? Or maybe it was just her devotion, her commitment to him, which was now more obvious than ever.
I was dead, and still, she supported me more than any of the others. It has always been that way; even when she had her own Death Note and her own shinigami she was only intent on meeting Kira, and being of service to him...me.
Light smiled, crafting a gentle expression for Misa, something to give his words of love meaning; she deserved something of a reward, after all. She had done well, and the effort was worth it, too. There was always a special brightness to Misa when he was with her, and now there was a glow of devotion in her eyes that he found tremendously arousing.
It clicked then.
I want her because she is totally mine. No one else will ever be for me what she is; the ultimate disciple. I wonder, did I have to die to see this? She always seemed like a burden before, but I wanted her with me at the end -
The glow of her eyes was the glow of a perfect love, the catharsis that had belonged to the ancient Priestesses of all religions. He knew then that he had made the right decision.
"Touch this Death Note, Misa, and everything you have lost will be restored to you."
"Death Note?"
"Yes. A notebook that can kill...the weapon of Kira. You have written in this notebook before, Misa - am I right, Ryuk?"
"Hmm...yea, I think so. But you switched them all up, Light, so -"
"I know; but now Misa can touch this Note and regain her memory."
"I guess so. But you know, if she loses contact with it, she'll forget again. And there's a limit to how many times you can regain your memory, you know, Light."
Light froze; he had not known that! Misa heard nothing for a second time, but she was beginning to suspect a presence was with them.
"Um...Light? Are you talking to someone Misa can't see?"
Light shook his head; there would be time enough to try and pry information out of Ryuk later...
"Yes, Misa. Ryuk, the shinigami attached to the Death Note. Take it, Misa."
"Death...Note..."
The words felt oddly familiar on her tongue; her hands reached out and took hold of the notebook, and then clutched it convulsively. Her eyes opened wide, and then her mouth, and Light flinched backwards, as if expecting a scream...but nothing happened. Misa didn't make a sound, just sat completely still with an expression on her face that gave a clue to the turmoil in her thoughts. He could imagine perfectly what she was going through; he had felt it himself in the helicopter.
And then:
"Light! Light, I was so afraid, but you won! You beat L, and Near...Light!"
And she turned a little and bowed to the shinigami she could see behind him.
"Hello, Ryuk! Misa won't hug you this time!"
"Uh..thanks, I guess."
Ryuk scratched his head in confusion. Misa didn't seem to mind his lukewarm response; her delighted smile was positively blinding, and Light, too, smiled.
"Misa, Kira still needs your help. But first, take a page from that Death Note and keep it somewhere on you at all times; inside your clothes, where it is touching your skin but no one else can touch it. If you lose contact with it even for an instant, you will lose all your memories again. You'll need to keep this piece of Death Note on you until we retrieve the other notes - and we'll have to act quickly to do that."
"Yes, Light!"
Immediately, Misa tore a careful square from the corner of one page, and tucked it down into the cup of her bra.
"It will be safe, now, Light, but you can take it if you want to!"
She dimpled; Light allowed himself a sigh. There was this side of Misa, too, even when she was being her most helpful. It just would not do to forget how utterly impulsive she could be.
However...following my instructions, she has always done well. I almost killed her so many times; wanted to even more, but now – she really is indispensable, and she became so without even trying.
"Misa, I want to apologize to you."
The thought came to him spontaneously, but a single moment of further reflection was enough to assure him that it was an excellent idea.
"A-apologize?"
He pulled her suddenly close, as if he couldn't help himself, and held her tightly.
"Misa, in the days leading up to my death I was frustrated, angry, and I took that frustration out on you. Can you forgive me, Misa?"
Her face changed; she had been looking at him strangely, pleased but confused. Now her features were soft, very gently smiling. It was an almost angelic expression.
Yes, Misa! Just that face will win the world for Kira.
"Light, Misa loves you more than anyone else! How can you ask that? Light does not need forgiving; I understand that it is hard work, being Kira and trying to save the world."
That glow - the awe in her face, the worship, the love - !
In a rare moment of real feeling, he crushed her against his chest.
"Misa, you are my perfect woman - my perfect woman -"
"Light -"
She whispered his name faintly, completely overcome, and Light smiled his darkest, most possessive smile into her hair.
Yes, Misa; perfect for me, smart enough to do exactly what I tell you and nothing else; you have no ambition, no desire except to please me...and you are not just a Priestess, but a devotee, a true believer.
Light allowed Misa a few minutes of holding onto him, and then carefully disengaged her, one hand, one arm at a time. She pouted, but did not complain; he restrained an irritated sigh and leaned back against the couch, patting her hand reassuringly.
"Misa, we will have time later to catch up, and be glad that we are alive, together, and that the world is finally changing. But right now, I need your help. A man is going to be here shortly; he was the one who helped me when I returned to life - so be nice to him, Misa. Then you must bring him back to the TV station; Kanzuka will have missed you, and he's waiting for this man - Takari."
She nodded vigorously, wiping her eyes again.
"Yes, Light, Misa can do that! But does that mean that the vigil is cancelled, since you're here, now-"
"No, Misa, and that 's what I need your help with the most."
She clasped her hands together tightly and looked up at him.
"What should I do, Light? Just say it, anything, and Misa will do it!"
"Then listen very carefully, Misa. We're going to answer the prayers of the people, and show them the true power of Kira. "
"The true power of Kira? More than just the Death Note, Light?"
He nodded slowly. The events of his death had been a real test of her faith, but Light had no doubt in Misa now; her words proved that he was right to place his trust in her. But before he had a chance to really answer her question, there was a buzz from the intercom, and Light crossed the room, pressed the button.
"Yes?"
"K-Kira-dono? It's Takari, Lin Takari - I've come as you asked."
"Yes. Come up to the fifth floor. My High Priestess will meet you at the top of the stairs."
Light released the intercom button and turned back to Misa, smiled at her.
"Are you ready to go to work, Misa?"
She nodded.
"Yes, Light - I mean, Kira-sama."
She grinned.
"Should I be serious and scary, or gentle and kind, or - "
"All of them at once, Misa. This Takari is a doctor who worked in the morgue where I re-awakened; he has a personality like Matsuda's but he is extremely dedicated to his Lord. I had intended to use him to get in contact with Sakura TV, but you've done more than I could have hoped, so instead I have a different purpose for him."
"A different purpose?"
"You'll see soon enough, Misa - get going now, and don't forget - you are Kira's High Priestess."
She nodded and slipped out the door with a last smile thrown in his direction.
At the top of the stairs, Misa stood and waited; she could hear a man's footsteps approaching, but Light hadn't told her to hold doors, just to receive him.
Anyway, High Priestesses don't open doors for people! Misa must do a good job, her best acting ever, especially for Light!
The door pulled inward in front of her, and Misa took a step back. The man who came through the door did, indeed, remind her of Matsuda; he had Matsuda's eyes, and Matsuda's nervous expression. When he spoke she almost laughed; he sounded like Matsuda, too!
"High Priestess, I am Lin Takari, a servant of Kira-dono. He summoned me; will you take me to him?"
"I was sent to do so. Follow me, Lin Takari."
Misa was proud of her words and her steady voice, and she made a sharp about-face. With even, careful steps Misa made her way back down the hallway to the apartment she shared with Light. The door was open and waiting, even though she had shut it behind her, and she half-expected Light to be waiting in the doorway. Instead, when she stepped inside she saw that the apartment had been darkened, and Light was standing on the other side of the living room, his features highlighted by a single ray of light that snuck through the blinds. It illuminated only the angles of his face and the movement of his lips, leaving his eyes in shadow.
"Welcome, Takari."
"Kira-dono -"
Takari approached to within five paces, and then dropped to his knees and pressed his forehead to the floor.
"Instruct me, and I will obey."
Light smiled; this was even better than he had hoped.
Then again, this man saw me return to life. I killed a man before his eyes; he believes that I have determined the length of his life.
"Obey? You will die, Lin Takari. Tonight, before a thousand believers, you will die. And perhaps...if your faith is strong enough, you will live again. Do you truly believe in the power of your lord?"
Light could see the man's body shivering with suppressed adoration.
"Yes! Kira-dono - whatever is my fate, I accept it! And if I should live - live - again - "
He dared to look up for a moment but he could not bear the gleam of Light's eyes directed down at him over a benevolent smile that was only the mask of terrible power.
"Then go, Lin Takari. Go with my Priestess to the television studio; you brought the documents I asked of you?"
"Of course, Kira-dono! I have them in my jacket - "
"Excellent. Bring them with you, and work with the man you will meet there - Production Manager Kanzuka. He will help you and the High Priestess; you are going to reveal my true name, Lin Takari. Do you understand your responsibility?"
"Kira-dono! Yes, Kira-dono!"
Light turned sharply and faced Misa; she was smiling at him pridefully, and her gaze on Takari was questioning, almost disdainful.
"Priestess, are you ready for your work? Sunset is in less than an hour."
"Kira-sama."
Misa bowed prettily; Light was impressed.
"Your servant is ready."
Wonderful, Misa!
"You are proving my faith in you, Misa. Go now; take Takari with you."
He watched them go with a smile on his face, Misa almost stern, Takari almost trembling. When he had closed the door behind them, he turned to face Ryuk's laughter.
"Good work, Light! So, you want the eraser now?"
"Yes, Ryuk, if you don't mind."
"Nah. Here, take it - but don't forget my apples!"
Light snatched it out of the air and felt a tingle of something go up his arm. It looked innocuous, pretty much like a normal eraser, but it felt like nothing belonging to this world.
"Thanks. And Ryuk - there was something else I wanted from you...another deal I wanted to make."
"Hu! How...interesting!"
It was suddenly Ryuk's eyes that were gleaming.
A/N: Light, possessing the power of death...and now the power of resurrection! He can be even more evil now, oh joy! Also presenting, for the first time, Misa doing Something Useful! Much thanks to ZeroPanda and meddmaLyd for reviews! For some reason, the equation seems to work something like this: reviews=faster. haven't quite figured out the math yet! Coming Soon: Kira, Revealed to the World! (And A Q&A Session With Ryuk!)