Case of Chaos Chapter 10: Over, a death note fanfic

At last, the final chapter of 'Case of Chaos' is here! I'd like to warmly thank the wonderful Reviewers of the last chapter:

Violet Masen-Clearwater, Aki.X596, Scarlet-Red-Wings, XxMichyBabyxX, Ray-nee-chan, MissMomo11 and mrsLlawliet162.

I'd also like to express my appreciation to people who've added the story to their Favorite or Alert (or both!) Lists.

But most of all, the biggest THANK YOU dedicated to the people who have stuck with me to the end, both Reviewers and Silent Readers alike. So, thank you all and have fun with the last chapter of this case!

And, yes, Kaosu's real surname is a reference to the protagonist of the movie The Ninth Gate. That's in case anyone would've asked. :)

Over

(epilogue)

A week had passed.

The news reports were silent about the serial killer that had murdered so many people merely a few days before. The young female reporter on Sakura TV stated that the criminal known as Kaosu had been surrounded by the police and had jumped off the East 21 Hotel's rooftop, but was very vague when it came to details. Kaosu's death was never sated for a fact, but it was the only option, after hearing that she had fallen off the East 21 Hotel.

In a way, Kaosu was never caught.

Just like she had promised.

Even though her body was not found, the hotel was searched thoroughly and all visitors and staff questioned. The blood collected from the ground was tested and the results were satisfying enough; the DNA did not match any of the three men that had fallen down after the bomb exploded. It had to be Kaosu's blood.

The case was considered closed.

L was sitting on the couch in his usual manner, eating ice cream from a glass bowl, when his cell phone rang. It didn't ring since Inspector Ichigawa had called to tell him what had happened. L had found it strange that the man could not tell him any more than he had already figured out on his own, plus the things the TV had aired shortly after the 'tragic incident atop the East 21 Hotel'.

"L," the Inspector spoke as soon as the detective picked up. He sounded exhausted, gloomy and… guilty.

"What is it?" L asked, but he already had an idea.

Ichigawa was silent for a short while before a sharp intake of breath could be heard. What he said next both confirmed L's suspicions and still managed to surprise him at the same time.

"I know where she is."

Inspector Ichigawa was leaning against one of the trees, waiting. L had agreed to meet him (meet him! The greatest detective was about to come personally!) outside the forest, a few hours away from Tokyo. His eyes scanned the empty road, but his mind was somewhere else.

The evening Kaosu had visited him so boldly was clear, as if it happened yesterday. She had managed to climb through the open window in his own bedroom, that fact will probably never cease to horrify and amaze him. She had acted recklessly, to say the least, not only letting him see her face, but also engaging into a conversation. That was the shortest way possible to being arrested.

And yet, she came.

But she had a trump card, a very good one, too.

After she had left, the same way she'd come in, Ichigawa walked up to his wife and asked her about the flowers he had just noticed in the hallway.

"Oh, aren't they lovely?" she had smiled. "I bought them from a lady this afternoon. It was really strange, because Chiyo had suggested putting some flowers there, claiming it looked too plain, too 'unadorned'. I never heard her use that word before! And then, the next minute, this pretty young woman shows up at our doorstep, asking if I'd like to buy those roses. They were beautiful and cheap, so I didn't think twice about it. She suggested she would help, so I asked her to put the flowers in the vase on the bureau, right next to the phone."

After that, Ichigawa had gone up to his youngest daughter's room. He had asked her if the woman from the funeral was the same who brought flowers.

Her face had brightened up immediately.

"Yes! It was her, it was miss Su-chan!"

"Su…chan?"

"Uh huh! I asked her about her name the second time we've bumped into each other."

"Second? Chiyo-chan, how many times have you seen this woman?"

The little girl had thought for a while before smiling again "A few, maybe four. One, two… yes, four! First," she had brought up her index finger. "was at the funeral. She was all mysterious and stuff, but very nice, too. Second," her middle finger had gone up. "when I was walking home from school. I tripped and fell, and Su-chan helped me! It hurt and I wanted to cry, but she hugged me and told me it's okay, so I didn't. She asked for my name and I said I'm Chiyo, and asked her for hers. She said to call her Su-chan and walked with me for a bit."

"What did she talk about?"

"Uh, nothing much. She asked a lot. About my school, my grades. But then I asked if she knew you, and she said yes, she does. I thought she's working with you or something, but she laughed. She had a nice laugh. She said she only plays the game with you. I asked her what kind of game." Chiyo had looked at her father with big, excited eyes. "She said you two are playing catch."

Chiyo had also revealed that she'd seen 'Su-chan' twice after that - again while the girl was walking home from school and at the park, where Chiyo had been attacked by an older boy, because she had supposedly 'walked into his territory'. Chiyo had told him about how 'Su-chan' walked up to them and defended the girl. "She said he won't bother me or anyone else anymore," his daughter had uttered. "And I never saw him again."

Ichigawa had checked the database and found a 12-year-old boy found dead near the shore of Lake Okutama. There was a suicide note under a rock, and his body held no signs of fight, no bruises, no cuts. The police had classified it as suicide and the matter was closed. He had shown Chiyo the boy's picture - the one when he was alive, naturally - and she had confirmed it was the bully who attacked her.

The suicide note was either fake, or the boy was forced to write it. Kaosu had killed a kid, who had threatened his daughter.

Just then had Ichigawa realized that she could kill his whole family if she wished. But she hadn't, and there was only one reason why. She needed him to do something for her.

After thinking it over several times, he had agreed. Mainly because of his family, the way Kaosu had threatened then without letting them know. She had befriended his youngest daughter, giving herself numerous opportunities to take the life of the Inspector's child. Bud she hadn't. And he decided to honor that by agreeing to her request. She was insane, yes, but being in her debt, however bizarre that sounded, was unthinkable. So, when he agreed, he meant it.

He would never admit it before himself or anyone else at that matter, but, under all the disgust and hate he had felt towards the serial killer, there was a small spark of something akin to respect for her skills. The planning, the manipulation, the deception. It was a long time since Ichigawa had faced such a worthy opponent. She had been within reach all that time, being so obvious they all had missed her.

And, in the end, Ichigawa did not manage to catch her. Moreover, she had made him help her escape, so to speak.

The look in her eyes when she almost pleaded him to do it… He'd never think a person like her would -

"Inspector?"

Ichigawa snapped out to see a strange figure before him. The voice was definitely male, but the person was hidden beneath a long, knee-length coat with wrinkled jeans and worn sneakers peaking out. The high collar was up and his face was concealed with a white tanuki mask. Ichigawa could make out a few raven black stands of hair, but other than that, everything about the person was perfectly covered. The person's hands were stuffed into the pockets and the silhouette was hunched slightly. He lifted his head a notch, hidden eyes flashing.

During that second, Ichigawa felt oddly intimidated. "Are you-"

"Yes." The person replied quickly, not letting him finish. 'So, this is L…' Ichigawa mused, eyeing the masked man up and down. Of course, self-preservation was only natural.

"Please take me there." L spoke, making Ichigawa focus again. The older man nodded solemnly and entered the forest, with L close behind. They walked for more or less 15 minutes in complete silence before Ichigawa stopped in front of a fallen tree, turning around to face L.

"She had asked me to give you," he fished an A6 format notebook from the inside pocket of his coat. "This."

L took the notebook, looking at it with curiosity. He had been expecting a final note from Kaosu, but a whole notebook? Interesting.

"She wanted you to know everything before you face her." The Inspector paused briefly as the detective eyed the item intently. "Please don't ask me why have I done what I've done. She's…" he gestured behind himself. "Right there. But I… I have to go." The man extended his hand with a small smile. "It was an honor to work with you, L."

The great detective did not take his hand; he didn't even look at it. Ichigawa's lips quirked and he lowered his hand. With one last curt nod, he walked away, leaving L alone in the forest with the notebook.

L sat down on top of the fallen tree's trunk and stared at the plain cover of the small notebook, trying to figure out what could be inside. Some photos, by the looks of it, and more than likely that last note L was waiting for. 'If she wants me to know,' he mused. 'Then it must be at least a part of her history.'

He opened the notebook.

The first few pages had photos glued to them. All of them were of Kaosu, but had been taken before she became Kaosu, or even Nameless Girl. They had been taken when she was just a regular girl from a regular world, with regular hobbies.

The first one was a family photo - a little girl in the middle, green-eyed, brown-haired and not smiling. At her sides, two adults figures of parents. The top of the photo was ripped off, making the image stop at the beginning of their necks. L estimated her age to be between 10 and 12. He turned the page. Another photo, Kaosu sitting on a swing. There was a small, subtle smile this time, but other than that, she still looked bored and detached. Another picture - a little older Kaosu, around 15 years old, with her school uniform covered with mud and dirt, a soccer ball in her hands. Another one - standing with her back against a tree, arms crossed, slight make up; she must've been around 17 years old. On the next page, Kaosu was smiling at him with a glass of an amber liquid in her hand and a smirk on her face. This time L knew full well where that photo had been taken - Rowland's bar had not lasted too long after that picture. Kaosu had dropped by there again and murdered 34 people. L flipped the page and stared at the last photo. It was dark, already after sunset by the looks of the background. Kaosu's silhouette was barely visible among the trees, where she was standing.

The pictures were not picked accidentally, L was sure of it. It wouldn't be like her to do something meaningless. He flipped through two blank pages and found the reason behind the photos. Articles cut out from different newspapers, from local ones to the more known. The important lines were marked with a pink highlighter.

'A dog found in the woods just outside Trenton, New Jersey. It's throat wounds might have had been caused by a bigger wild animal.'

'15-year-old Stacy Ward declared missing'

'8 boys (age 11-16) disappear after a soccer match.'

'After their son vanished a week ago, his parents commit suicide.'

'The child had vanished while playing hide-and-seek. He was found dead 4 days later.'

'The massacre at Rowland's bar. 34 people found dead, no witnesses.'

'A family of 6 attacked in their own home. No signs of a break-in, no witnesses.'

'Inspector Sanderson and his wife attacked in public. After receiving multiple stab wounds, both died of blood loss.'

L flipped the page. More articles.

'The female monster caught right after her last act!'

'The Nameless Girl in justice's hands.'

'After killing 4 police officers, the Nameless Girl escapes!'

'NAMELESS GIRL ON THE LOOSE'

On the last page of the notebook, L found an envelope glued to it. A big, vibrant red 'L' was written on it. L fingered the letter and discovered that she had used a lipstick, the same shade she'd had on during their conversations over the Internet. He opened the envelope and took out the paper from inside. He unfolded it and began to read.

Dearest Detective,

I am so happy you're reading this! The Inspector (I couldn't remember his name to the very end!) promised he'd give you this after the game ends. After all, that's the only way to pay off his debt.

The stuff you're holding are the last piece of the puzzle - just put it where it should be and solve the case properly. See, I didn't want to leave you hanging, but then again, I'm not so sure you would not do anything that is within your power to complete the pieces by yourself. So, think of it as a gift, in exchange for the most fun game I've ever played. The thrill was actually comparable to the one I get when I 'do my thing', you know? I never knew running was so much fun.

Alas, all games come to a stop, just as all puzzles are solved at one point. This game appears to be finished, and the letter you're reading is the finish line.

I hope you realize that I have kept my promise.

I did not get caught.

Now, turn the page for the last time. Solve the puzzle. End the game.

Forever yours and yours only,

Kaosu.

Chaos.

The white piece of paper swayed in the wind. L tightened his grip a little to prevent it from flying away. His hand felt cold. He folded the letter after a while and put it back into the envelope which was glued to the page of the notebook. After neatly closing it, he flipped the page, for the last time, as Kaosu had put it.

It was a photo, but it was different from the rest. It was a picture of a vast graveyard, with the image focused on one particular, ornamented gravestone. The names engraved on it belonged to Detective Ken Anders' parents. The other graves were artistically blurred out. Below the picture, something was written in a pink highlighter.

'The real beginning'

Inspector Ichigawa was sitting on his bed, twirling the small piece of paper in his hands. He had meant to throw it away, tear into pieces and burn it, but…

Inspector,

For everything you have agreed on doing for me, thank you.

I have to say it is quite surprising that, although my aim was to make you feel threatened by my presence around those close to you, I have grown fond of your youngest daughter. I cannot remember the last time I've felt attached to another human being, other than the ones that died soon after my visit. Truth be told, I've had my eyes set on your family as soon as I heard you're on my case. But I chose not to kill them - do not mistake it as 'compassion'. Everything I've done around your family had only one goal - to make you help me.

And you did. For that, I thank you.

I will not ask you to give little Chiyo my regards. But, if she asks about me one day, please answer. Tell her our game had ended. That I had won.

Sincerely,

Ichigawa crumpled the letter once again in his fist. The wind whipped at his back, making him turn around. The window was opened yet again, just like it had been during that memorable encounter with the criminal Ichigawa decided to help.

He had helped a criminal, one of the most dangerous criminals he ever encountered. He helped her, because she spared his family. If it weren't for the fact that Ichigawa was retiring in two weeks, he'd probably have to quit.

The door opened and his youngest daughter peeked inside.

"Daddy?" Chiyo called out shyly, seeing her father's expression.

Ichigawa lifted his gaze from the crumpled paper to the little girls' eyes, but said nothing. The girl walked up to him, her curious stare traveling all over his face. "What's wrong, daddy?"

He did not reply; instead, he pulled her closer and hugged tightly.

With the notebook tucked securely under his arm, L stared down at the simple round, light gray stone. Anyone else would've passed it without the slightest ounce of interest, but that was because they would not have any idea what the stone really was.

It was the gravestone of one of the most dangerous human beings of the century. The girl without a name and past, recently known as Kaosu, Chaos.

"You had been a formidable opponent," L spoke quietly towards the lifeless stone before turning and walking off.

Within the next few hours, L had everything put together. He had deduced that Kaosu had done something, probably involving Ichigawa's close family, to force him to help her. The Inspector had not been at the East 21 hotel nor anywhere near, according to the records. He must've been there unofficially. After all, someone had to collect the body. Her body.

With the photo of Anders' parents' grave in hand, L accessed the Internet and soon connected everything that was not yet together.

It was quite a chilly afternoon. Ken Detective Anders stood before his parents' grave after cleaning it up and putting fresh flowers. Beside him, there was only one person at the graveyard, a young female whose back was facing him. The graves she was facing were obviously unattended, covered with fallen leaves, dirt and a withered bouquet. She made no movement to change it. She just stood there. It was her business whether to clean the graves or not, of course, but something about her was… off. Anders could not name it, but he kept glancing at her back from time to time.

It was when she moved slightly, revealing the profile of her face, did the detective recognize her from the newspapers' photographs. She looked older and slightly different, but Anders had an outstanding photographic memory.

"Nameless…" he whispered, too stunned to think about his actions. In a flash her head turned to look straight at him, her green eyes wide. Both of them stood as still as the statues before, in the exact same time, the woman bolted towards the exit gate, the man hot on her tail.

Two elderly people appeared at the entrance, making the woman change directions suddenly. She seemed to have absolutely no problem in jumping from grave to grave, stepping on flowers and kicking the candles. Anders followed her, choosing to stay on the path, but she was fast. She headed straight for the tall wall which surrounded the graveyard. The woman jumped onto another grave and climbed on the big stone cross that loomed over it, Anders had to pause as he watched her climb on the cross and jumped at the wall, landing safely on top of it. She threw one last look at the detective a few meters below her and jumped down, vanishing from sight.

Anders could swear the last look she gave him was analytical, as if she wanted to memorize every detail of his face. There was also something else, something Anders later realized to be mockery.

The feeling of defeat dissolved as soon as he remembered something. He turned and walked briskly towards the unattended graves - where she used to stand mere minutes ago.

With the names engraved in his brain just as they were engraved in the stone, Anders entered his apartment and turned the computer on. He had the 'Nameless Girl's complete biography some time later, and dialed a number he was given a long time ago. He thought he'd never use it, but he knew he had no other choice. His own life was on the line now.

"L, I need your help. I have discovered something..."

Kaosu had started killing at the age of 12. Until her death at 24, she had killed 66 people, and a dog. A clever monster.

A clever monster that, in the end, had managed to escape justice, slipping right through its' fingers.

L whispered her real name. He repeated it, louder, so that it echoed through the empty, spacious room.

Deep down inside, he too wished he had met her face to face.

He had visited Kaosu's grave only once more, about a month later after the 'case of chaos' had ended. It was the last time he'd been there, before criminals started dying of heart attacks all over the world, making L throw himself into another interesting case.

It was 'Kira's turn to be chased by the number one detective.

CASE OF CHAOS

END

PS. I had been toying with the idea of adding one last paragraph that would describe a certain green-eyed woman boarding a plane, but the situation is already pretty uncertain. If you wish to believe that Kaosu had died and that her last wish was to be buried by Ichigawa, by all means do so. But remember I have not stated that clearly. So, you are free to interpret whatever you want.

I guess that intensifies the mystery, right?