Author's Note- Phew. It's been a pain getting this chapter completed. Nothing but distractions! . Anyway, I might be starting another story shortly. But do not worry, this shall be my main focus until it is finished (Which won't be for a while!) And I MAY continue in a sequel because I don't want this to drag on too long.

I do mull over any request if you wish for me to do a story for you. But, like I said, this is my main priority. So it either won't be updated too quickly, not be as long, etc.

I hope you enjoy this chapter. Criticism is welcome because I know I'm not the best writer.

[Seven Years Ago]

L's P.O.V

I nibbled thoughtfully on my nail follicles, over-looking the case documents. The Los Angeles B.B Murder Cases. The Wara Ningyo Murders. Also known as the Serial Locked Room Killings.

Also known as my case. And did not belong to any other

However, no one was aware of this.

Choosing to keep this cases swept under the rug, I told no one. Other than my fellow colleague, my eyes, my arms, and my legs. Her name? Naomi Misora. An FBI agent taking a leave of absent. Why? It was irrelevant. But nonetheless, convenient. She was strong, independent, along with being very capable of searching for what I needed. What he wanted us to find. And, at this present moment, I was expecting a call from her. From where we had predicted the next murder to take place. A collection of small apartments in Pasadena, a few blocks down from a hotel. That, of course, I was currently staying at.

Shadow, on the other hand, was located elsewhere. Her involvement could have directly jeopardise the outcome of the case. "The killer is B." I mumbled, confidently. B. A psychotic man unfortunately intertwined in a in a thorny relationship with her.

"Why don't we bring S with us?" Watari had suggested.

"If she proves helpful to the cases. I do not wish to involve too many people." I had not thought much of the girl. But the security at Wammy's she held only decreased the more B bonded himself to her.

Keeping her away from Wammy's for good, I had made a proposition. Marriage. Ecstatic, she agreed, occupying her mind for the time being. Which ceased her from interrupting the case. And kept her way out of harm's way.

Sitting around a table for an evening meal, Shadow looked distressed. "What is wrong, Shadow?"

"There's this case that might interest you." she proclaimed chivalrously. Publicity was a problem. The 'Wara Ningyo Murder' were being portrayed all over local news and sprawled out in various newspapers and magazines. Hiding the very fact that this case was existing was impossible. I declined. But Shadow insisted I took the case on board.

Oh how she was a stubborn one.

"You confuse me, L. You will take on a challenging case, but only if there's being 10 victims? Or if there's over a million dollars at stake? Why?"

"If the killer has not managed to complete 10 murders successfully, then that means the police are able of solving the case themselves."

"But I know you've taken on cases under 10 victims before. What's different here? From basic knowledge, there has been one less Wara Ningyo doll with each murder. Any person with a brain can see that a sensible end for this case would be one doll. Or perhaps even none. There was only four to begin with."

"The case hasn't even reached FBI standards yet. So no."

"But I'm sure this is as equally difficult to all the other cases! I mean- a locked room? A locked room is to make the murder look like suicide. But they want us to know it's a murder. So what's the significance of the locked room?"

"I'm sure the police will find out for themselves."

"But they won't!"

"Let us wait and see, S."

"Sure, I'm fine with that…"

"Oh? Then it's settled."

I banged away on the keyboard contently, awaiting some sort of signal of a disturbance. Shadow, although a hard person to read, was not one to back down. She was a child, as am I. Will not go defeated in a fight.

Proving my theory right, Watari bugged the laptop we had used for communication with her. "L," he called, briefly pausing to listen to him "Shadow's laptop is under use, It seems she is hacking into the LAPD's documents."

"…I see. Thank you, Watari."

"Shall I stop her?"

"There's no need." I tackled her advanced hacking ability. Quickly, a blank screen spread across her monitor. Nothing but a calligraphy 'L' was present on the screen. "Hello Shadow. Would you care to explain why you are hacking the LAPD's files?"

"-I just wanted to see what this case was about…-" A blatant lie, the panic in her voice emerging from the surface. "-L- I am begging you, take on the case!-"

"No, Shadow." I said. "'The killer is obviously B. And provoking him shall make matters worse." Expertly lying, I had provoked her in the process. Yes- B was the killer.

But this was a competition nonetheless. A battle of the wits. And the outcome of the case was resting on Naomi Misora's shoulders. A mere slip up could have proven vital unless I was to devote my time to it. However, the war of sorts began to involve innocent bystanders. Misora and Shadow being those bystanders. So, furthermore, the case needed to be done swiftly and with as less hassle possible. But provoking our devious little murderer was he only way we could lure him out…

However, friendly fire wasn't an option. I did not wish for this case to become personal to myself and Shadow in particular. But she was reluctant. A stubborn girl.

"-Fine- let me take on the case-" Feeling my eyes narrow, I straightforwardly replied.

"It's too risky- I want no harm to come of you. Promise me you will stay away from this case."

"-Right.-" she said. "Goodbye, L.-"

"Goodbye, Shadow." I shut down her system, not easing my mind in the slightest. Now, I was set on abetting Naomi Misora. "Watari, contact Aiber and Wedy and se if they have flown in yet. We need to take precautions." He nodded, leaving my side under order. Promptly, the voice filtered phone began to ring. "L." I answered, somewhat secretly relieved.

"Misora. Nothing happening here. I spoke to Ryuzaki earlier,"

B.

"But nothing has happened to his end either."

Of course.

"No sign of anything out of the ordinary. I'm starting to feel like we're in it for the long haul."

"I see. Don't let your guard down. As I said before, your backup is in position around the condominium, but if anything happens, they aren't close enough to respond immediately."

"I know."

"Additionally, a few minutes ago I dispatched two people to the condo itself. I wasn't sure if they could be there in time," Watari confirmed what I was about to say with a brief nod. "but it seems the weather was on our side. We were lucky."

"Eh?" she questioned. "But… that means"

"Don't worry. There is no chance the killer will notice. One of them is a professional infiltrator , and the other is a profession trickster…" Misora responded with a confused silence. "I can't tell you more, since you are an FBI agent, but basically a thief and a con-man."

"A thief…and a con-man?"

So, Naomi Misora…" I ignored her, bringing our conversation to an end.

"Um, er, L… You know the killer right?" she asked.

"Yes, as I said. He is B."

"I don't mean like that… I mean, he's someone you know personally?" I thought, Misora waiting on the line I was wary to comment, however, Misora seemed nerved. And was proving to be a trusting co-worker. Leading to my blunt reply, "Yes."

"…"

"But Naomi Misora, please keep that in the strictest confidence. The backup I have stationed near the condo, and the thief and the con-man inside it have not been told what case they are working on. They are better off not knowing. Since you asked, I don't mind telling you, but generally speaking, it was also something you were better off not knowing."

"I know." she said. "Either way, whoever B is, he is a dangerous criminal who has claimed the lives of three people for no good reason. But there are two more things I need to ask…"

"What?"

"You know the killer, but you have nothing to with him?"

"I have nothing to do with him. To be completely accurate, I do not even know B. He is simply someone I am aware of. But none of this affects my judgement. Certainly, I was interested in this case, and began to investigate it because I knew who the killer was. But it did not alter the way I investigated it, or the manner in which my investigation proceeded."

I was going along I would have originally gone along. L's way. My way. Otherwise, I wouldn't be beating B the way he desired. As the original and no other. I continued, "Naomi Misora, I cannot overlook evil. I cannot forgive it. It does not matter if I know the person who commits evil or not. I am only interested in justice."

Justice. Her soul ambition.

"Only…in…justice." she gasped in amazement. "Then… nothing else matters?"

"I wouldn't say that, but it's a priority."

"You wouldn't forgive any evil, no matter how evil it is?"

"I wouldn't say that, but it's a priority." I repeated. Feeling wary eyes set upon me, I glanced in Watari's direction. He furrowed his brows, seeming tense.

"L…" he whispered.

"But…" I continued on. "There are people who justice cannot save. And there are people who evil can save." Watari's eyes grew panicked, causing concern. "There are, but even so…" Scolding Misora lightly with suggestive words, but yet easing her worries, "Justice has more power than anything else"

"Power? By power… you mean strength?"

Power. What was power? Was it the ability to overcome others? To lead? Strength? No. Power- to influence. But to influence what? From years of experience, and knowledge, I found justice revolving around one variable in particular.

"Kindness." I mumbled.

"…"

"Naomi Misora?"

"…I misunderstood you L."

"Did you? Well I'm glad we got that out the way then. Quickly, what was the other thing you wished to speak to me about?"

"You just answered me then."

"Really now? How?"

"Well, the woman who came in pretty much said the same thing."

"Woman?" I gripped the phone tighter with my long fingers.

"You don't know her?" she was dumbfounded. "But she said the killer was B-"

"She's not answering her phone, L." Watari cut in.

"Stay on guard, Naomi Misora!" I yelled, cutting my end loose. "Watari, take me to the scene."

"As you wish…" Alerted I cupped the keys in my hand and ran aside Watari. Across the crowded corridors and flowing into the streets below.

There was one thing I avoided telling Naomi Misora. Although my involvement with the killer was irrelevant to the outcome of the case, Shadow was the exception. Learning that the boy she had spent most of her childhood with was the killer…

Learning that her first admirer was a cold-blooded murderer, a disturbance in her dream of a pure world, could she be trusted to pass a wise judgement? A friend over justice? The fifty-fifty chance she could pick B over L. That was what he was really fighting for. Her approval. Alas, my own conclusion had been made upon following events.

The tremors that shook the ground violently, bringing his castle down.

Beyond's P.O.V

"The poor sod," I giggled, turning the thumb lock on the door slowly behind me. Looking around thoroughly, I smirked. Alone. "Just as I planned." I purred sliding an arm under the davenport opposite. Pulling out a Wara Ningyo and nailing it firmly to the wall opposite the door. It was a plain room, astonishingly. There was no abnormal décor, no abnormal fetishes the owner had, which, funnily enough, made the room abnormal. An anomaly, in fact. The deceased victims beforehand, stuffed animals mounded up to the ceiling in an orderly manner, many useless books tightly stacked into shelves, untouched, and a small , but extremely messy, apartment.

Then again, I did make them that way to begin with. I mean- stuffed animals? No. What average woman in her mid-twenties carries such a strange burden on her back? Can you imagine cleaning day? All the moving of the furniture, all the random bits of fluff embedded into the carpets, who would put up with that? And manga series? For a man in his forties? Surely the police couldn't miss that.

I'm sorry? They did? Oh. My mistake!

Upon nailing the Wara Ningyo successfully to the wall, I checked for alignment. "Perfectly in line with the thumb locks…" I mumbled, smiling that little bit more. Everything was perfect.

Now for a little spring cleaning. Dusting every possible placement of a fingerprint, every inch of muck, everything down to cleaning the insides of a plug socket. But don't worry- I was careful. Now, there was only one thing left to do:

Douse my clothes in a rich, and extremely flammable, gasoline.

Hneh Hneh… I know what you're thinking. Why clean your house then mess it up again! Just kidding, you're wondering why… Why had I made myself the final victim? Well why not? My initials are B.B correct? Then I fit the agenda perfectly. Also, who's going to suspect the victim actually being the murderer? It's the perfect way to go out… Each victim killed brutally, but with a different method, then the last one, burnt to a crisp. Beyond recognition. Beyond the point that not even L himself would be able to identify my body? And then I win. Knowing that L can never solve the case. He'd continue searching for B… And never catching him. There were some other reasons, but they aren't important.

I picked the large container of gasoline up rising it high above me. My knees shook as I progressed to tip a small amount of the gasoline over the base of my head. As the weight became easier to handle, I gladly poured more onto my shoulders and down my back and onto my legs. A burning sensation rested gently on my skin as I put the remaining liquid down. I sighed, grabbing my wash cloth and wiping the top and the sides of the container. No fingerprints. "A fitting end for the greatest serial killer in the world." I chuckled, half-heartedly. Don't judge- I'm about to kill myself for God's sake. It's distressing, no matter what the circumstances.

And what makes it worse it that I wasn't entirely confident that I was going to die.

You see, I have a gift of sorts… Shinigami eyes. I can see the names, and their remaining life span by just glancing above their oblivious heads. Marvellous, isn't it? Well, unfortunately, there is one fault. I have yet to see my own. It makes sense, after all, why would a god of death wish to see their own life span? When theirs most likely won't end? Which is what worries me… Can I actually die? I had been awarded this gift free of charge. So there's a slight (I'd say roughly 60%) chance that I may not be human. But I'd have to improvise around that disadvantage, wouldn't I? But, do not fear. I am aware that even a superior being such as a Shinigami can die.

But only if it learns to love. Something I'm not capable of doing. Well…That's not important either. In fact- no. I take that back. It is important.

Shadow.

I know her name, when she'll die, I know everything about her. Although she is the one I hold dearest to my heart, I wouldn't say it was 'love'. Rather, I've had her a while, I care about her,

And she belongs to me. No other.

And now you're thinking: "Awwww he loves her! That's so kawaii!" Well, SHUT UP. My personal life has nothing to do with nitwits like you.

Now, onto my personal life…

A few weeks prior, I happened to staying at Wammy's still. Within those few weeks, my acquaintance, A, had died. But that wasn't why I left. No.

I left because the original had take something that wasn't originally his.

I was lounging around in the kitchen, feasting upon a jar or two of Hartley's Strawberry jam. When I came upon overhearing the current arrangements, "We're all invited to the wedding of L and S! WOW! L has a girlfriend! And we're all invited!"

You have no idea how pissed I was.

I had not seen my friend, Shadow, S, whatever, for roughly four months. She was one of the 'lucky' children to be selected to work with L on an upcoming case. I grimaced at the thought of her leaving my side, leaving me alone with not a person to talk to. She smiled gracefully and stroke my face gently: "I won't be gone that long, B. And it's not like I'm going to forget about you!"

"But the chances of you even returning are slim. Quillish didn't."

"Shhh, B. I'm not sure how you know his name but spouting it out in public is not a good thing. Papa's worked hard for us…"

"Right."

She sighed, kissing the tip of my nose lightly. "Just be good. And if I don't come back, then come find me!"

"I will."

So, four months later, she hasn't returned. And I find out through our caretaker's letter that she us to be married. And that is when I decided to leave. I had nothing to stay for.

And I was going to keep my promise. So I hovered outside her window, several stories up above the concrete ground below. I kicked my feet as far back as I could, gripping onto the ridges the wall. And I peered in, the old man in view. His face glowed with happiness, putting a hand out welcomingly. And small, slender hand connected with his. Followed by a porcelain figure in a snow dress, long strands of black ribbon tied tightly around her chest, flattering her large bust just that little bit more. And flames of crimson locks dripped over ebony hair. A true definition of beauty on one's wedding day…

But that ceremonial day, in question, would never see daylight. For the numbers shrouding over her naïve self were decreasing rapidly…

A matter of hours until her last breath. A matter of blinks before she shuts her eyes forevermore. And a matter of beats before her heart stops pounding warm blood to any vital organs, gradually shutting down her body. And I was expected to speculate. And not act upon it.

A half hour would pass, and her 'father' would leave. Leaving the girl alone to die. A victim of time, only her clock may have ticked for years to come.

Until, of course, the clockwork was removed. All the cogs, operating in sync inside of her, and yet- removing one small, but vital, piece of the mechanism could drastically changing the way the clock works. And let's just face it- they won't have time to rust. Somebody must be responsible for her just to shut down like so…

Oh don't be sick. I'm not going to premeditate her murder! It would cause suspicion, for one. Have I not told what I'm about to do? But the urge to take a look inside…To see how she ticked… Was unbearable. Of course, I mean it figuratively.

Eventually, I introduced myself. And, after a long winding conversation, I decided to part my ways with her. Why? Because she was blinded by a false hopes of love. Bringing her to the decision, nonetheless, to side with my nemesis. And- I won't lie- it broke me.

Imagine you were Batman. As a child, your parent's died, orphaning you and leaving behind their infinite riches, and no one to spend it on but yourself and your butler… No family, no friends, nothing but the vision to change the world. Become a superhero.

Well, I'd hate to burst your pathetic little bubble, but Batman is not a superhero. Rather a child pretending to be what he is not. Child's play. Running around the place thinking he has these incredible mind-blowing powers that could inevitably change the world as we know it. He's smug, and can have any girl he wants by clicking his fingers.

Now lets bind to marvel comics together, Superman. In reference to his weakness. His kryptonite. Put under it's power, he become's an average civilian. Powerless against any of Lex Luthor's forces. And then, there's Lois Lane. The love of his life, the one he holds so dearly.

Now, merge those two together. Just follow my theory: Without his Lois Lane, Batman becomes weak. Defeated. Already powerless, Batman becomes unable to perform any heroic deed in mind. Leaving him alone, no friends, no family, and hated by others. And eventually, his butler shall decay away…

This is how I view L. A blend of Batman and Superman. And without his Lois Lane, he becomes worthless. His butler, the only thing he had that resembled a father, dying shortly after. So alas, the villain defeats him. And all is well. You don't need it spelling out to you who I am referring to his 'Lois Lane', do you? Good. This is how I wish for him to turn out. Defeated and broken.

The minor problem in my plot being, I'm Superman. Only my power, is my weakness. And, without my Lois Lane, I am no one. The problem being, how can I make him weak, without taking away my Lois Lane in the process? Get her to join forces. That's how.

It didn't work.

Hence, why I am to let her die. Shadow. After I defeat him individually, he will deal another blow, the death of his fiancée. His Lois Lane. Reducing him to a pile of rubble. Making my victory visible to the public eye. And if I was to die anyhow, I would no longer need my Lois Lane to maintain my sanity. To keep me strong. Yet, another reason as to why I am my last victim.

So I kept my fingers crossed, hoping for the best.

Taking a moment's silence for myself, I took my bag out in front of me. Creeping a hand inside and pulling out the Zippo lighter and resting it on the table. And, finally, emptying the last of my stuff onto the floor in a small huddle. Containing a few jars of jam, a gun, and a knife. I leaned down, picked the knife up loosely in my left hand, and held it to my right elbow. Proceeding to break the skin slightly.

That's right, I'm cutting off my arm. Freaky, huh? Well, what I was planning to do was cut off a random chunk of me, burning that first having being covered in oil beforehand, and then expertly dispose of the knife via toilet. It wasn't a chunky, butcher's knife. Just a small, but deadly sharp, cheese knife previously used in my other murders. Could easily be flushed down the toilet. Why am I putting myself through more pain than I need to? Because I wanted to prevent the murder looking like suicide by matching the level of gore in other murders. As for the weapon disposal, tests could easily be run on the murder weapon, such as license checks, and they could instantly find me. Making my sacrifice a bit…pointless.

Hot tears welded in my dark eyes, as I sliced the knife smoothly across my arm withholding my cries of pain. I heaved in slowly, holding the knife to the wound, and slicing across the trail. "Ack…!" I yelped biting my lip in urgency. A few more cuts until the joint was completely severed. "Hneh…Hneh… Looks like I'm in the lead, L"

*Click*

I gasped. Squeezing my heavily bleeding arm and staring darts into the opened thumb lock. The one I locked behind me. Quickly, a shadow whooshed passed me and grabbed the gun on the floor. "Nice try, Misora." I grumbled, tightening my grip, I gashed my weapon across her chest. Blood splattered the beige wallpaper. I swiped the Zippo and lit the tip of my finger. The flame sparked violently up my arm, crossing along to the next arm and covering my body. "Ryuzaki!" I heard a muffled voice from the other side of the door.

*BANG*

A blurred figure with a fire extinguisher busted through the door, dousing me in a cool relieving foam. Regardless, I collapsed. My body singed and charred beyond recognition. "Ryuzaki! Can you hear me!" Naomi's word slurred, as I floated in and out of consciousness. My heart pounded out of my chest. Naomi grabbed my limp arm searching eagerly for a pulse.

"Ahh…. Uhn.."

"Ryuzaki!" Relieved, she dropped my wrist to the bloody floor. "…Rue Ryuzaki."

"…"

"I arrest you on suspicion o f the murders of Believe Bridesmaid, Quarter Queen, and Backyard Bottomslash. You do not have the right to remain silent, you do not have the right to an attorney, and you do not have the right to a fair trial."

"…"

I was done for. Beaten. And if it hadn't had been for the intruder moments before, my life would have been swiftly taken.

"…!"

I stiffened, a bitter taste forming in my mouth.

Naomi, entering moments before, was unharmed. Entering moments before.

Moments before the intruder.

Who had I just slashed across the chest?

"Where…?" I shook violently. "Woma…"

"?" Naomi sternly glared at me, grabbing my legs and dragging me out of the smoke filled room.

"Wom…an!" I screeched. Pointing an arm back to the room.

"There's no one in there…" she confirmed, wafting away the black clouds forming in front of her.

"…" What? Surely the woman in there could have not escaped. The windows were tightly shut, and there was no other way to enter the apartment. Surely Naomi must have caught a glimpse of her. Where else could she have…

The bathroom!

"Ba-" I stopped. My body froze. My eyes narrowed.

And the ground shook.

"Aiieeee!" A shrill scream from inside the apartment. Naomi instantly was alerted.

"Miss! Hang in there!"

"B-Beyond!"

My heart stopped.

Beyond.

The walls crumbled, the floors cracked, and the rumbling continued. The whole story, collapsing in on itself.

And then the screams stopped.

L.A. Located near the San Andreas Fault. Very prone to Earthquakes. August 22nd, an earthquake occurred, hitting the magnitude of 5.9 on the Richter Scale. Many were injured severely, but there were no reported deaths.

But one.

A young woman in her late teens was found under the rubble of a condominium in Pasadena. Autopsy reports show that this woman fell a few stories up, but before the earthquake occurred, the woman was gashed across the chest by your average household cheese knife showing signs of assault. Burns were located on the entire left side of the woman's body. But the main cause of death was from loss of blood. The killer is unknown, as is the woman's identity.

To everyone but me.

S.

Shadow.

I'm sorry…

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