Chapter 30: Justice

'Here they come,' Miya thought to herself as the doors to the Yellow Box Warehouse opened and the members of the task force she had once known so well stepped inside. Among them was Matsuda, whom Miya had come to miss in the past five years, Aizawa, Ide, and Light Yagami, a face Miya could barely bring herself to look at. Nearly six years of killing, and he was still roaming free. Six years of lies, deceit, and murder. As Miya glanced down to the boy crouched on the ground, his white hair visible from beneath the L mask that so poorly represented the great detective, she hoped that after all this time this case was finally coming to a close.

Miya had helped with Wammy's house for a few years, teaching many children that all seemed to somehow remind her of L. But of course, no one could remind her more of the great detective than his own son, Oxford L Lawliet. Now of course, Miya had been completely opposed to that name when L had suggested it, but after his death, and after seeing the face of her son who so greatly resembled him, she couldn't think of a more fitting title. He was so much like his father; Miya could see so much of L in him. He had raven hair and those big panda eyes, and Miya was fairly certain he was already smarter than her, even if he was only four. And it turned out a little brother had been exactly what Noah needed to bring him back out of the shell he'd built for himself upon L's death. He was so protective of Oxford, and the two were attached at the hip despite the fact that they were total opposites.

Miya missed L terribly, though she found that she was able to concentrate on being happy at Wammy's house. It was a safe place for her and her children, and she managed to make a few friends while she was there. Among them was Mello, whom she'd come to look at as a sort of little brother before he'd left, refusing to work with Near on the investigation. Miya, on the other hand, had somehow ended up on Near's side.

Mello had asked Miya, tried to convince her, to come with him and try to bring Kira down. Miya so desperately wanted to bring Light Yagami's reign as Kira to a close, but she knew that Mello's way was not the way to go. She absolutely could not risk her family's safety by working with the Mafia, and so Mello left on his own, and her contact with him was lost.

Miya had actually considered, for a long time, letting the Kira investigation be taken care of by the useless police force that was getting absolutely no where. She was feeling so defeated with the whole situation, and it just seemed easier to hope that one day the task force she had left behind would wake up and realize their new "L" was actually Kira. She also had hope that Mello would be able to succeed with his goal, but she knew his emotions and competitive feelings with Near would probably get in the way. Miya was just beginning to face the possibility of a Kira run world when Near, along with the United States government, created the SPK.

Miya was weary of joining this team of FBI and CIA agents, but they did seem to be the best bet in catching Kira. And when Near came to the conclusion that Light Yagami was Kira, Miya knew that she had to help. Miya couldn't say she was particularly fond of Near and his indifference toward the world, but she knew that with him on the case, Light Yagami might finally be brought down.

Once she had agreed to work with Near, Miya found herself completely engulfed yet again in the world of detective work. She was caught up on the situations with the task force, and reluctantly stood beside Near as he collaborated with the fake "L" on a few situations, as well as witnessed Mello's crazy kidnapping of the notebook. Miya found that Light was worse than ever, now seemingly uncaring of his own family members if they interfered with his goal. She was also questioning, yet again, how she did not die. She'd been sure when she left the task force that Light would have killed her, and was surprised again to be standing after Near's team was completely wiped out. The only thing she could assume was that either Light was unaware of her involvement, or he simply did not view her as any sort of threat to him.

Miya did see Mello once more, when he came to Near to retrieve his picture. Miya didn't get to speak to him, though she was shocked to see the scar that graced his face. She was even more surprised to hear the confirmation of the fake rule in the notebook. She'd cried herself to sleep that night, remembering how L had suspected that very thing. However, Miya soon found that she didn't have time to stop and think, as events got crazier if it were possible. After having to escape the headquarters of the SPK during a riot, along with hearing that Near had been contacted by Aizawa, who finally suspected the new "L", Miya realized that things were completely falling into chaos.

Soon, Miya found herself back in Japan, and was finally able to see her parents again. She filled in her mother, who offered to watch Noah and the grandson she'd never met, Oxford, whenever Miya needed her. Miya was so grateful for this, as finally things seemed to be pulling together. Near had a plan to bring down both Kira and the Kira working for him, and Miya was certain that this time it would work. So Miya waited anxiously for January 28th, 2013 to arrive, a date that would hopefully mark the end of Kira's reign, and the end of Light Yagami.

"Well Near, looks like I win." Light announced in a near whisper as Mikami counted down the seconds to everyone's deaths. It had been a long meeting already, with the thirty minutes of waiting Near had insisted upon before he would remove his mask, though it appeared it would end much sooner than anyone had thought. Despite the fact that near insisted that no one was going to die, Miya couldn't help but be doubtful. She knew the plan, she knew what was happing, but Light was obviously confident. He had basically confessed his guilt to the team, and Miya could feel her heart beating as the seconds turned over to forty.

Miya found herself covering her head in fear, along with the others in the room. Slowly, however, she raised it up to see that everyone was still standing. She didn't know why she had reacted that way, but she found herself sighing in relief.

"We're still alive…" Matsuda said in surprise, looking around at the other members of the force. "It's been over a minute and…we haven't died."

"Didn't I already tell you all that no one was gonna die?" Near said with no emotion. Miya noticed how surprised Light looked, and suddenly how afraid.

"But why?" Mikami wondered. "Why won't they die?!" He scribbled uselessly in his notebook, apparently still trying to wipe out the group. Miya was feeling more confident suddenly, and she stood up just a bit straighter, preparing herself for Light's downfall. "God, I did everything you told me!" Mikami yelled, right at Light.

"Raster, Gevanni, take him now!" Near commanded. The two men ran up to Mikami and seized him, throwing on the handcuffs as the notebook in his hands fell to the floor. "Gevanni," Near said, holding his hand out. "The notebook please." Gevanni handed it to him as he continued. "If you didn't believe me earlier than see for yourselves. I can confirm that the first five names are definitely the names of the SPK members." Miya gulped. Her name was on that list, and it so easily could have been the real notebook. The thought was just scary, but she shook it away as Near continued. "The second four are the names of your team. The only name that hasn't been written down is Light Yagami. If that weren't enough, Mikami also addressed you as God, and said he did what you asked him to. It's settled." Light stood in silence for a moment, and Miya could see the fear cross his eyes. She simply couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corner of her lips.

"It's a trap!" Light finally screamed, pointing his finger at Near. "This whole thing is a setup! This is all part of Near's plan to frame me! Isn't it a little odd that no one died after having their name written in the notebook?! This proves it's a trap!"

"I believe I already told you that no one would die," Near responded, "Because I modified the notebook."

"No…you…" Light sputtered in disbelief. "That can't be. This is a setup," he said, now looking to Mikami. "I don't know this guy!" Mikami was obviously upset by his words as Aizawa placed a hand on Light's shoulder.

"Light, it's too late to deny it," he said calmly. "You know Near has won. Just a moment ago you were saying 'it looks like I win'. How much more of a confession do we need?"

"Light," Matsuda sighed, falling to his knees. "Why?" Miya felt a slight stab of pain. Matsuda was always so trusting, so optimistic, he really didn't deserve this. Light just stood there looking defeated until the handcuffs touched his wrist.

"Hh…stop it!" he cried, shoving everyone away before the cuff was in place. Miya gasped as he literally threw himself across the room, leaning against the wall like a mouse trapped in a cage. He was breathing heavily and looking around wildly as Near continued.

"Light Yagami," he said. "L, Kira. It's over. You've lost the game." Miya felt slight resentment that Near had called Light L, but the fact that Kira had lost overshadowed any of that. "Just a moment ago you proclaimed your victory, expecting us all to die," the white haired boy continued. "And to tell the truth, you might have actually won, and I would have lost. We ended up doing exactly what you expected us to, and altered the fake notebook in Mikami's possession. However, when I said before that we had modified the notebook, I was in fact referring to the real notebook as well as the fake. We only switched part of the fake notebook, but as for the real one, we replaced the entire thing. This notebook here is actually the real one," Near said, pulling it from his shirt.

"No! Impossible!" Light yelled in desperation. Miya kept her eyes locked on him as Near continued.

"We used the same kind of pen that Mikami used and copied his handwriting perfectly and made both the inside and the outside of our fake look exactly like the original. Gevanni was able to do it in a single night." Miya still couldn't believe that, though she'd witnessed it herself. "Of course, since I had touched the real notebook before coming," Near continued, "I've been able to see the Shinigami as well. It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Shinigami. I'm Near." Miya couldn't see the Shinigami this time, and she was thankful for that. The situation was creepy enough without a death god hovering over her head.

"Some of the edges of this notebook's pages are torn," Near continued. "Tell me, if someone's name was written on a ripped of piece of paper would they still die? I thought so." Near added after an obvious confirmation. "I bet you were able to use that to your advantage. I wonder how many times you deceived us with this, and how many people you killed. Light Yagami, you are Kira." Miya was so glad to hear someone say those words. She couldn't believe the fight was almost over.

"You're mistaken," Near said after a moment, apparently to the otherwise silent Light. "This was all thanks to Mello." That caught Miya off guard. She turned her attention from Light to Near to listen. "I believe if I explain this much you'll begin to understand. Please take a look at this page of the notebook." Miya glanced down to see Takada's name, and then up again to see Light gasp in surprise.

"God…" Mikami said. "You told me you couldn't move freely! I had to make sure Takada was taken care of! Wasn't that my duty to you?!"

"You idiot!" Light screamed. "I gave you strict orders not to make any unnecessary movements until today!"

"It's all true," Near went on. "On the 26th, right after Takada's kidnapping, it was broadcast on the news. Mikami went to the bank."

"I'd been trailing him," Gevanni added. "I knew he went to the bank every month on the 25th. So it was odd, for someone so methodical, to go to the bank twice in two days. I followed Mikami to the bank as he headed for the safety deposit boxes. It was only at this time that he seemed concerned whether someone was following him or not. I got into his safe deposit box. Inside was the real notebook. Sure enough, Takada's name had already been written inside it."

"Do you understand now, Light Yagami?" Near asked. "You didn't realize that Mikami made a move on his own and wrote Takada's name in his notebook, because you had already killed her using a notebook clipping yourself. This was the event that made me consider the possibility of a fake notebook. We were able to stop you thanks to the efforts of one person. It was Mello who did it all. I bet Mello knew in his heart that working by ourselves, neither of us would be able to attain our goal and surpass our mentor, L. But, together, together we can stand with L! Together we can surpass L! And now, standing as one, we face the Kira who defeated L and with solid evidence beat him at his own game! Let's see you try and talk your way out of this one, if you can." Miya knew by the way Near was talking that Mello had died, and she found herself quite upset. But she kept it together and focused on Light, as now was no time to get upset.

Miya felt the hair on her neck rise up as Light began laughing. Slow and quiet at first, and then completely insane. "That's right," he breathed. "I am Kira. And what can you do? Kill me right here? Hear this; I'm not only Kira, but I am also, God of the new World! Kira has become law in the world we now live. He's the one who's maintaining order. I have become justice. The only hope for mankind. Kill me? Is that really the right thing to do?" Miya felt her stomach turn. He actually thought he was justice? That he was doing the right thing? "Since Kira's appearance six years ago wars have stopped," Light went on, "And global crime rates have been reduced by over seventy percent. But, it's not enough, this world is still rotten! With too many rotten people, somebody has to do this! When I first got that notebook all those years ago, I knew I had to do it! No, I was the only one who could! I understood that killing people was a crime. There was no other way. The world had to be fixed! A purpose given to me. Only I could do it. Who else could have done it and come this far? Would they have kept going?! The only one who can create a new world is me." The room was silent as everyone took in his insane words. Finally, Near spoke.

"No. You're just a murderer, Light Yagami. And this notebook is the deadliest weapon of mass murder in the history of mankind. You yielded to the power of the Shinigami and the notebook, and you have confused yourself with a God. In the end, you're nothing more than a crazy serial killer. That's all you are. Nothing more and nothing less." Miya nodded as Near said these words, all the while playing with the Kira puppet he had in his fingers.

"Near," Light said casually after some silence. "Here's some food for thought. That notebook you have, and the one that Aizawa brought from the Japanese task force headquarters. Are they both real?" Miya was confused. What was he getting at? "At the moment, only I know where the real notebook is." He began pacing away and Miya grew suspicious. "If you truly want to defeat Kira, as well as test the notebook that Aizawa's carrying, I guess you're gonna have to write down either my name, or Mikami's. It's the only way to see if it's real…or fake!" Light screamed, pulling out a pen. Miya gasped as someone yelled about a hidden piece of the notebook. She closed her eyes at the sound of a gunshot, and opened them again to see Matsuda standing before Light with a gun, Light clutching his wounded arm.

"Matsuda…" someone breathed as Miya tried to take in what had happened.

"Matsuda, you idiot!" Light screamed. "Who the hell do you think you're shooting at? Don't screw with me!"

"What was it all for then?" Matsuda wondered in tears. Miya felt her heart break for him as he continued. "What about your dad? What the hell did he die for?"

"My dad…you mean Soichiro Yagami? That's right Matsuda. In this world, all those earnest people like him who fight for justice, they always lose. You want a world where people like that are made to be fools? I know you understand so kill the others! Shoot them!" Miya was almost in tears watching Matsuda's face.

"You led your own father to his death," he choked out. "And now he's gone and you call him a fool?!" Blood was now dripping off Light's hand to the floor, and in a final effort he brought his hand up and tried to finish writing in his own blood.

"His blood!" Aizawa yelled as Matsuda screamed and let loose the shots in his gun. Miya didn't look away this time as Light fell to the ground.

"I'll kill him…" Matsuda breathed, storming over to him. "I'll kill him! He has to die!" Miya ran up to Matsuda as the others held him back, sending the shot into the ground beside Light's head.

"Damn you…" Light said as he struggled to get up. "What the hell is this? Mikami, what are you waiting for? Write down their names! Write them down!" He reached to Mikami as he yelled, "Kill them now!" He then rolled over as his breath became shallow and quick. Miya leaned over him as he spoke.

"Where are you Misa?" he wondered. "Where's Takada? Someone….what do I do now…?" The last part was barely audible, but Miya heard it.

"You die," she answered simply. "How's it feel?" Suddenly, from behind her, Mikami stabbed himself with his pen, adding more blood to the already bloody scene. Miya turned her eyes away from Light at the sound of his scream and the commotion that followed, turning them back to see Light heading for the door, somehow managing to drag himself through the pain.

"Wait, Light!" Matsuda yelled after him.

"He's getting away!" Aizawa yelled. "Light!"

"Mr. Aizawa!" Near said. "It's unlikely he has any more pieces of the notebook, and with those wounds, he's not going to go far. He'll stop running soon, even if we leave him alone."

"Near, I'm not gonna follow your orders," Aizawa said simply. Near gasped and looked up at him before twirling his hair.

"Very well then. I'll leave it up to you," he replied. And with that, everyone fled the room after Light. Miya stayed behind, tears now staining her cheeks.

"Did you see that L?" she whispered. "It's finally over."

"Almost there," Miya told her two boys as they walked along the path in the graveyard, tombstones scattered randomly around them. It was a quiet, hazy morning, with a slight wind that nipped at their cheeks. It was the day after Light's death, and Miya was still in shock. They'd found his body on a staircase, and found Misa's at the foot of a building, having apparently been unable to live without Light. Miya found this notion sad, but the idea that Kira was gone was a relief.

Miya had decided, with the case finally being over, that it was time to come see L. She knew that for the first time, she would be able to talk to the man she loved without Kira looming over them. For the first time, they would be able to share just the feeling of love between them, even if Miya couldn't physically feel his arms around her. Even so, she knew he was there, whenever she needed him, just like he'd promised.

"So mom, are we going to stay in Japan now then?" Noah asked curiously. He was so tall now, nearly reaching Miya's shoulder. His light brown hair hung messily just above his green eyes as he looked toward his mother expectantly.

"Yeah I think so," Miya answered with a nod. "We'll find a house near grandma and grandpa. You two would like that right?"

"Yeah," Noah answered. "What do you think Oxford?" He looked down at the small boy holding his hand who was roughly the same size Noah had been when L met him. He stood up straight as he walked, one difference he had from his father, looking around at his surroundings with a curiosity he always held in his eyes.

"I think that sounds nice," he answered in a much more thought out tone than the normal four year old. He looked around Noah toward his mother, gazing at her with his big eyes. "Are we almost there momma?" Miya looked forward and caught sight of the large stone cross that marked L's resting place.

"We're here," she said softly. The three approached the grave and stood there silently for a moment. Miya then turned toward Noah.

"Do you remember him sweetie?" she wondered. Noah looked back to the grave and nodded.

"I do," he said. "He used to tuck me in and let me eat ice cream with him. How could I forget Mr. Panda? The best dad ever." Miya smiled slightly before looking to Oxford, who was looking to the grave with obvious sadness.

"I don't remember momma," he said sadly. Miya moved around Noah and took his hand.

"You know he died before you were born baby," she said. "But I can tell you one thing. You are just like him."

"Really?" Oxford wondered, placing his tiny thumb to his lip.

"Yes," Miya chuckled slightly. "Do you boys mind if I have a minute alone here?" Noah nodded.

"Sure mom," he said, taking Oxford's hand. "Just one more thing." Noah dug into his jacket and retrieved a small panda that he'd gotten so many years ago at the zoo.

"Rocky," he said as he pulled it out. "Well, Ryuzaki I think is what I meant." Noah leaned down and placed the panda in the same place he had put the first panda at the funeral five years previous. He looked back up to see his mother's eyes glistening with tears.

"You okay mom?" he wondered. Miya nodded with a smile.

"Let's go Noah," Oxford said, tugging his hand. "Momma wants to talk to our daddy." Noah nodded and walked off toward a bench with Oxford as Miya kneeled down and brushed her fingers across the smooth stone.

"Sorry I haven't been here to visit," she said softly. "But, it's over. The case I mean. And you were right all along. Light Yagami was Kira." She sighed for a moment before looking over at Noah and Oxford, who were sitting on the bench and talking. "You'd be so proud of them," she continued, looking back to the grave. "Noah is so grown up, and Oxford is just like you." Miya smiled slightly. "Yes, I said Oxford, you win," she laughed. Her smile faded, slightly, as her eyes filled with tears.

"I miss you so much," she whispered. "I think about you every day, right when I wake up and just before I go to sleep. And you were right, you are here. I can feel it." She took a deep breath before placing a kiss on her fingertips and moving her hand to the stone, pressing her fingers to it gently. "I love you." She closed her eyes as the image of L's face filled her mind. It was as clear as if he was standing right in front of her, his deep eyes locked on hers. A gust of wind swirled around her, blowing her hair with it, and Miya could have sworn in the soft rustle of its path she could hear L telling her that he loved her too. She took a moment more and then stood up, looking down at the grave as she wiped her cheek.

"I'll come back soon," she said. "Noah and Oxford too." She turned and headed back for her two sons who were waiting patiently for her. She paused after a few steps, however, and turned back around. "I'll see you soon," she said simply. And she would, she knew that much. In her dreams tonight, and in her every thought. He was there. And as Miya turned back around and headed back to the family she and L had built, she knew that he was watching over them, watching over her. And she knew, above everything else, that he would always be there.

The End

A/N: And so now, Out of His Element is officially over. We hoped you guys enjoyed reading this as much as we enjoyed writing it. Seriously, this is our favorite story that we have ever written together and we were sad it was done too. Thanks for all the support! We appreciate it! It inspires us to write more Death Note fanfiction!

So what we have planned out is Miya's time at Wammy's where she got to know Mello and Noah's difficult time, because as you read above, there was a major gap where lots of things happened. Although I want your opinion on it bacause if you guys aren't going to read it, I don't want to waste my time writing it. Also we have another one shot in the works called A Gift From L and it's about Oxford's birth. Lastly is a Mello story similar to Out of His Element with a whole new OC. So what do you guys think?