Sayu flew by her brother being quiet. She felt like a feather, being a spirit did not seem so bad.
***
Soichiro stood next to Near hours later. He sighed, "The river carried the Death Note and its not able to be found. They are still searching..."
"Make sure they keep looking," Near said. "The Death Note is far too dangerous to be left in just anyone's hands. We need to find it and destroy it."
Soichiro nodded, "They will keep their search, but as for us perhaps a small break should take place. Come on, Near...I'll take us to the nearest place and get us something to go."
He was tired, and Near must had been as well. They had been working and traveling all night. Soichiro left with Near to the closest gas station to get something to nibble on and a small drink.
As Soichiro went down the aisles, he saw the clerk speaking to another customer in the candy aisle. He raised a slight brow hearing a familiar voice.
"Hmm...you think you have any Pocky?" came the soothing voice as he asked his question.
Soichiro blinked, "It can't be..." he went over to Near. "Look over there. I think I'm losing it, but to make sure..."
As Near glanced over, he caught a man standing slouched over, both hands in their baggy jean pockets. His white long sleeved shirt just as baggy, and his black hair a mess. But...as Near caught his sight a ring that was cracked in places went over his head.
"L..." Near muttered, unable to hide the shock from his normally stoic face.
L looked up from the candy aisle, he smirked, "Why hello." he waved very briefly. "Its been a while, yes?"
Soichiro stood there in shock as well. His jaw was dropped.
L tilted his head, "Hmm...you might want to close your mouth before drool drops out. That would be rather embarrassing don't you think?"
"You're...this is not possible..." Near said, regaining his normal composure, but the shock was still visible in his eyes. "You were killed..."
"Hmm...why don't we go to a more private location where we may discuss myself. All right?" L looked back down at the candy picking one out.
Soichiro got everyone drinks and carefully they all got into the vehicle driving. "We're in a hotel tonight."
"Just you two working on the case?" L blinked, "I'm rather surprised...what happened to everyone else?"
"They've all moved on...Some have retired...others don't know that the case has been re-opened..." Near answered slowly, as though he still couldn't believe L was there.
"L...its been over a year since...the events. How are you here?" Soichiro asked still driving. He looked up in the mirror catching L's image lounge in the back seat.
L sat there, "Well...in death I found myself stuck in nothingness, until I opened my eyes to my surroundings. It was Earth's Realm. I went no where according to the Death Note. As I watched I noticed the case being re-opened. I was merely a spirit...until a little while ago. I figure when the girls did their little ritual I might have been too close and well here I stand."
"Then how is it we can see you? We could only see light when he was reflected in the water..."
"I am solid aren't I?" L asked, he looked down at himself. "Perhaps the demons are wanting a show, or someone of that nature. Only a deity could grant me life once more...and if so for how long? It confuses me as well. I'm merely guessing."
Soichiro sighed, "This is so weird...and if you are to help us we cannot call you L...or even Ryusaki..."
L shrugged, "You are correct, but I will assist you all as much as I can."
"We need to find the Death Note. I think that is the only course of action we can take right now," Near said thoughtfully.
Soichiro nodded, he stopped the car at the hotel they resided in. "The police are on a search right now. It fell in some waters...and it might of gone down stream..."
L sighed, "Sounds about right. We are always a beat off, aren't we?" he stood. "This is your hotel?" he noticed the atmosphere was mediocre
"All I can afford...for the moment." Soichiro huffed.
L saw Near, "I'm sorry you had to get involved with this."
Near shook his head. "I'm happy to work with you on this case. It is one of the trickiest by far that we've done. Light has put up a good fight. But in the end, we must win for the good of the people."
"Yes, like you said. We must get a hold of the Death Note. I remember destroying one..." L thought.
"Every Shinigami has at least one..." Soichiro commented
L nodded, "True. And Ryuk sounds like the tricky type to steal others. The Shinigami you have encountered Near..."
"I have not seen the shinigami..." Near replied.
L tilted his head, "I see...how interesting. But you saw Light's reflection? Hmm...that is all right I suppose. Ryuk is a bit much to handle for most anyway."
"I would imagine most shinigami would be. I do not think a death god would look anything remotely human, though as I haven't seen one I have no idea what to imagine one looking like."
L chewed on a piece of pocky and smirked, "I miss human pleasures such as this. Since my death I could not have things like candy..."
Soichiro laughed slightly.
"Death is supposed to be peaceful...though I suppose in your situation there would not be much peace...would there..." Near said, making it seem like more of a statement than a question.
L nodded, "Yes, being stuck in this plane unable to help anyone I had to do something. So when this case was re-opened I kept watch of the villains...it seems that Sayu wants her brother back so badly she be willing to give up her soul for his..."
"It doesn't seem so surprising considering they are siblings. Sayu must lover her brother very much."
"Hmm...but it still is strange. She is very different from Light...so caring and concern...for her family."
"You do not think her capable of these kinds of actions?" Near asked thoughtfully.
"No...its not that. She is too caring...she just wishes everything back to normal despite in knowing the truth she will not accept it. Sayu has always looked up to her brother..." L sighed
Soichiro looked down sadly as he spoke those words to be true
"yes...it can be difficult to accept such a harsh truth about someone we love..."
L blinked, he tilted his head over looking Soichiro. "...it will be all right, detective..."
Soichiro nodded, "All right...well good night. I'm going across the hall." he turned leaving the two to their thoughts.
L turned to Near, "...do you think he could do this? Last time if I remember correctly it almost killed him."
"I do not know. But it will be very hard for him. I don't know if he will survive if anything happens to his daughter," Near said thoughtfully.
****
Entering the Shinigami realm, the three souls stood by Ryuk and all the other Shinigami blinked a bit surprised.
"Ah! Mortal Souls..." one screamed running away, while others all seem to tilt their heads in confusion.
One rather looking nasty Shinigami went to Ryuk wheezing slightly, his voice annoying, "So...you finally decided to bring back my note book." he pointed to Misa holding onto it.
"Hey, its ours..." Misa huffed, she looked at Ryuk. "Who is this lame guy?"
"I don't see how you have any claim over it," Ryuk said, not acknowledging Misa. "It was given to me by the Old Man."