Chapter Seventeen
Returning Love
The sun was setting, and Light was relaxed back in a bench, his eyes closed and his head back, so if his eyes were open he'd be staring at the roof of the buildings. From the outside he looked like a completely at peace young adult, in ruffled clothes, probably napping after a long day at work.
At least that what everyone around him thought, if they thought about him at all. The bench was in the middle of a shopping district, surrounded by stores and hundreds upon hundreds of shoppers, tourists, policemen, and so on. Light was just another face in many, so those who did note his presence soon forgot about him. It was a perfect hiding place.
Light was not sure how long he had been sitting there but hours had gone by. Things had gotten overwhelming so he went to the one place he could think of to escape it all.
This was where he Shiori and Mikami would sit when Shiori led them out on day excursions to go shopping. Light came back here on his own back then and now just to sit and watch people go by.
After leaving the hotel Light started thinking. His mind raced a million miles a minute and he just couldn't take it.
At first he was anger. Really, really anger. Just pissed off.
He hated L with a fiery passion. He had once looked up to that man as L, as savior of the world, as justice. But L was just another human like him. Full of flaws. Imperfect.
All this time L had been someone just a few years older than him, yet he had accomplished so much more.
What did this mean of Kira?
Kira protected the weak, yet was limited to Japan, and L's reach covered the entire world. But L was wrong. He accused Light of being the murderer, but he was innocent.
Light never killed anyone.
At least not with his own hands. He had never held the knife… he had never held the gun…
Why did L let him go? Was Light being watched? Did L want to see his next move? If Light tried to runaway, would it make L assume he was guilty?
But what if…. What if when L let him go, he did it for another reason… that their time together actually meant something…
It didn't matter… if he did or didn't feel anything.
They did not have a future. They never did. And L made his choice. L was, if one thing, true to his symbol. Light could no longer expect anything from him. Ryuzaki was dead to him. L was no one to him.
What was important now was figuring out the next step.
Light Akino could be no more. He was once just a nice face on an otherwise invisible man, with a small job, no family, no connections; one that could easily melt away from existence. Now he was a suspect in a murder. If he stayed it wouldn't take L too long to discover the truth.
The truth that Light Akino was fake. His name a weak key to his past. That all his files were falsified. That he was connected the Kira. No, that he was Kira. That Light Akino was actually Light Yagami, the poor pathetic orphan who everyone he ever cared about left him and it was all his fault.
His fault.
Light had to move on. He had to leave and disappear again. If he did that, where would he go and what would he do? Would Kira live on? Could he be Kira if he left?
Who would he be now?
What did it mean when L let him go?
How did Shiori come back?
Who was that girl?
Did he kill those people?
L said he was connected to the case…
He was, wasn't he?
The first death happened on the anniversary of his parent's death. The night he can hardly remember through the fever.
The boy he had seen. He was just a teen. Sixteen or seventeen. A tennis player…
The blood…
Was Shiori back?
What would he do now?
Why did L let him go?
Kira?
It was all too much. Hence why he was slumped over on a bench for the past hours. This turmoil had been buzzing around in his head the whole time.
He would probably have stayed like that indefinitely if not for a chance hearing of a girl's particularly sharp voice.
"What do you think the Kitchen Killer is going to announce tonight? Do you think he's going to turn himself in?" She chatted to some unseen friend.
Light opened his eyes and sat up, looking for the source of that voice. He spotted a girl four feet away wrapped up in a pink fluffy coat with a mousy friend beside her. Light jumped up and rushed to her, only barely trying to make his desperate action seem normal.
He tapped the girl on the shoulder and straightened up, running his hand through his hair and trying to get rid of the wrinkles on his shirt to hide the fact that he has been wearing these clothes for close to 48 hours. He slipped on his casual smile, the one he knew that would make a girl like her swoon.
"Hi! My name is Jiro. Sorry to bother you, but did you say the Kitchen Killer was going to announce something?" /light asked.
The girl giggled and flipped her hair as she spoke, "Yes. I did. My name's Mami. Didn't you hear about it?"
Light, annoyed at a delayed answer, widened his smile and hung his head playfully to the side. "No. I got off work not to long ago and have been sleeping ever since. On that bench over there, you might have seen me."
"No I didn't. The Killer is suppose to send a message to SakuraTV tonight at ten. They are going to broadcast reading it for the entire world to see. Well, all of Japan at least. Exciting, right? I think he's going to turn himself in because he fears Kira."
Light kept his smile and gave her a bow. "Thank you Mami. I have to get going now."
As he left he heard her calling after him. "What about getting a cup of coffee later? Jiro? What do you say? JIRO!"
xXxXxXxXxXx
It was almost ten and Light was sitting in a bar. He had changed into a fresh pair of clothes at his apartment.
It was not wise to go back but he had to. He decommissioned all of his computers and destroyed anything that might be of any use, though nothing he had ever allowed to stay in his apartment was.
He changed into a new pair of clothes, but reluctantly gave up the shower, not wanting to stay too long. He left the kitchen a mess like it had been; only taking the time to go in and pick up the charms he had dropped. He had fished his emergency money out of the vent, too, and put on a new pair of shoes. He spent only a minute or less looking at the wound on the back of his head. His hair covered it for the most part, but when he moved it he saw that it had stopped bleeding but still looked fresh. He debated bandaging it but decided it would be too noticeable, so he left it be, ignoring the dull pain it still provided. At least the dizziness had subsided…
He left, knowing he would never go back, leaving behind his wallet and phone. He was used to leaving homes and possessions behind. What was it but being transferred from one foster home to another? If L did go looking for him he'd see this and know he wouldn't find Light Akino as Light Akino anymore.
He then decided to watch the SakuraTV broadcast from a bar which was sure to be playing this for all its patrons.
He drank a beer to not look out of place, but sipped it slowly to make it last and have no need to order another.
Light knew he probably should be on the move now, but he had to hear the announcement. L was on the case, but if Kira could do anything to solve the case and clear Light's name… the people of Tokyo believed in Kira. If that girl had proven anything, it was that Tokyo would not easily forget Kira. If Light did solve this case then Kira could leave with one final good act. He couldn't keep being Kira… The fact that he even thought about abandoning his post meant he was not the person everyone believed Kira to be.
When the broadcast began he watched and waited for 10pm to roll around. The tv station built up to it, driving up ratings and making it's viewers heavy with anticipation. When 10 finally came around, Light set down his beer an gave his full attention.
That was when Takada read the message.
Light felt his blood turn cold instantly.
It was meant for him.
"Kira walks into the light.
An unsung god must claim his right.
A dark haired girl who should be dead,
Waits where she last saw fire before she bled red."
Someone knew who he was. Someone knew his name was Ligth and that he was Kira. And they knew about Shiori.
Shiori.
Shiori was alive? Shiori was real? Was Shiori in danger or was she the killer?
Shiori would never be the killer. She was not that kind of person. But the Shiori he had seen. He hadn't slept since and he still remembers her cold expression as he chased after her.
Waits where she last saw fire before she bled red…
This was a message soley for Light, and if the Killer really knew Light then he would know he last saw Shiori the day she died.
They had gone to the amusement park with Mikami. He had left early and they stayed behind to watch… to watch the fireworks.
The fireworks!
Shiori was at the amusement park!
Light immediately stood up and ran out of the bar, ignoring the angry shouts of the bartender about the tab he hadn't paid. No one put up a chase, all entranced by the riddle.
The streets were more empty then Light had ever seen them, but as he ran he saw crowds of people gathered around TV sets. He heard cheers for Kira, encouraging him to take the Kitchen Killer down, and concern, warning Kira to be safe. If only they knew who Kira was, and how weak he really was.
It was a trap. The Kitchen Killer wanted to lure Light somewhere no one would be, not this late in the middle of the winter. He wanted Light alone. He wanted Light there, now. Other wise he would have put a time. He knew Light would come right away. He knew Light stood alone.
Shiori must be in danger. She must. She was not the killer. Light was not the killer. The Kitchen Killer had he hostage, and Light only could save her.
xXxXxXxXxXx
The amusement park was all the way on the other side of Tokyo, so Light ran to the nearest train and got on. Sadly, since there was nothing else he could do, Light had to just stand there and pace as he waited for the long journey to come to an end.
As he passed all the facts of the case flew through his mind.
L had said he knew it was somehow connected to Light, and he was right, just wrong in the how.
All the faces and names of the dead flashed through his head and that's when he realized it.
He felt sick, and finally sat down, unable to control his shaking.
The first names. The first letters of all the first names. Put in chronological order they spelled out his name.
Luke Adams. Izaya Monoke. Gouki Anahara. Hana Wagu. Toshi Souji. Yoko Hari. Ari Inoue. Gill Deux. Akiko Tanaka. Migumi Nakamura. Ichiro Tamashita.
Lke. Izaya. Gouki. Hana. Toshi. Yoko. Ari. Gill. Akiko. Migumi. Ichiro.
I
This was not a coincidence. They were killed for him.
They were all killed because of him.
Shiori was about to be killed because of him.
Shiori was already dead.
But he was waiting for him at the park.
"I'm waiting for you right here, Light." Shiori said. She was back, sitting across him on the train. The car Light was in was empty, besides him and Shiori. Why, Light didn't know or care.
"No. You are in danger." Light explained.
"I was in danger. You are in danger now." She replied.
"All those people…" Light said hopelessly.
"What is a few more drops of blood on a bloody ledger?" Shiori asked.
Light stared at her, his heart sinking.
"This is not you, Shiori. You were so kind…"
"I am not really Shiori. She is dead. I don't know who you are rushing to save now, Light. But I hope you save someone. I hope you save yourself."
Light stared at her, hurt.
"I don't need saving. I need nothing."
"You are lost." She said.
Light wanted to say no, but he couldn't. He looked away for a second to glance out the window into the dark world outside, but when he looked back Shiori was gone.
xXxXxXxXxXx
Eventually the train stopped at the stop for the amusement park, but Light's journey was not over. Normally a shuttle would pick up park-goers from here and drive them to the park entrance, but they did not run in the winter.
Light was able to flag down a taxi to take him the final distance.
"Where would you like to go?" The driver asked. It was an old man with hair that had already turned gray.
"The amusement park entrance, please." Light told.
"You know it's closed, don't you?"
"Yes. I know. But drive me there. Don't ask anymore questions. I'll pay you double the fair."
"Yes, sir." The driver nodded.
The rest of the ride was silent, but when they arrived as Light went to pay the driver waved him off.
"I know this may not be my place, but you look very upset right now. I don't feel right charging you. Do you have anyone you could call right now? I have a phone if you don't have one."
"Thank you for your concern, sir, but I assure I'm just fine." Light replied with a curt nod.
As he closed the door the driver called out to him before driving off. "You know, boy, someone cares about you. Don't forget about them!"
No one did. Light waved the driver off with a sad smile.
To get in the park was supposed to be a difficult task, but the first door he tested was unlocked.
The Killer was waiting for him. He didn't want Light to have any difficulties.
Taking a deep breath he went inside and found himself in a world of darkness. No lights were on to illuminate the park. The dark buildings of the main area loomed before him. In the distance he could see the tall rides outlines by the stars of the clear night sky. The cobble street was clean and cold.
Light knew where he was, having memorized the layout of the park from the one time he had been here.
She was somewhere in here. They had watched the fireworks while walking around the park, and left before they finished. But they had watched most of them in here. Light retraced him path the best he could remember through the night, keeping an eye open for any sign of anything. Minutes went by, and the only thing he could hear was the sounds of his own footsteps and breathing.
Finally, he reached an area that resembled more a Japanese garden the an amusement park. Traditional stone paths wove through fauna and flora, making tiny bridges over water and leading to traditional half-moon bridges, whose reflections could not be seen in the black water below.
But what was really important was there was light ahead. In a red traditional-styled gazebo there were candles arranged out on the railings. And in the middle of the gazebo sat a shadowed woman with long hair upon a chair, her back turned to Light.
Shiori.
Light started running again, tripping over roots and splashing in streams. Everything he had learned about stealth was forgotten as he rushed to save her.
"Shiori!" He called out, but got no answer.
"Shiori!"He called out again. Still nothing. He finally reached her and circled the chair to face her and saw something he had not expected.
No Shiori sat in that chair, real or fake, dead or alive. Instead Misa in a dark wig stared up at him, tears in her eyes and a gag in her mouth.
Light stared at her in shock, but as she began to squirm he snapped out of it and went to undo her gag.
As soon as she did she exclaimed.
"Kira-kun! Run! He's after you! He wants you, not me! It's a trap! Leave before he gets back!"
Before Light could react he heard a cough. Misa immediately fell silent and stared at horror at something behind Light. Light slowly turned around to the sound of the noise and the direction of Misa's horror.
That was when he saw Mikami standing in front of him, knife in one hand, gun in the other, both pointed to Light's heart.
xXxXxXXXXXxxxxXxxXXxxx
Chapter End.