A/N: You know, guys, this has been nearly a week since DEALTHY first came out, and I STILL can't believe how popular it is! I could give all you readers and reviewers free candy if I could (but shipping and handling is waaaaay too steep these days). XD

Disclaimer: I don't own Death Note. I am only using some quotes off it, but not too many--this is only a fan-made fic!

Chapter 5: Risk

I had resided in the Kanto region of Tokyo, Japan for two months. When I first departed my flight from London to this industrious city, I didn't know what to expect. Sure, I had seen pictures of Tokyo in textbooks, but I had never actually seen the real thing in person. I was in for a shock when that day came, though, no matter how much I studied up on one of the most populous cities in the world. I had scarcely glimpsed upon so much humanity in my life before the moment I exited the airport building. Winchester, the city where Wammy's House called home, boasted of a modest population. Here in Tokyo, it was as if the residents of Winchester had increased tenfold. I was so stunned, impatient people shoved me out of their ways to hail taxi cabs or rush to their destinations. I had landed in a different world than the one in which I had grown up.

Normally, newcomers like me would have felt challenged as to selecting the ideal hotel or any source of shelter. My dearest brother, however, had sent me extensive amounts of money over the years; I had no worries about converting my pounds to Japanese yen. And I wound up receiving numerous yen. With this, I selected a steeply priced hotel in which to live during my time here. I had also decided to go under the alias Utako Miyazawa due to privacy reasons. Truthfully, I am a rather paranoid person who remains ever watchful of others. Besides, I couldn't risk someone from Wammy's recognizing me and taking me back to England forcefully.

Anxieties aside, I felt relatively happy and comfortable to be in the one place I had wished to visit for so long. Being in Japan gave me thrills, for I looked forward to partaking in the cuisine, which I liked due to its creativity and deliciousness. I still stuck to my ice cream for the main component of my diet, despite the sushi. After all, eating the frozen dessert had been a habit with me since I was a tot. As they say, old habits never die. This excellence that this fine country had to offer didn't stop me from missing my friends either. At night, I pondered over whether they thought about me or had moved on to more intriguing ventures. Did Mello still obsess over his dream of obtaining the number one spot in test scores? Did Matt remain as carefree as ever?

After my restless thoughts about my friends would temporarily cease, I would remove my photograph of the three of us from a pouch in my suitcase and stare at it for minutes on end. I traced the smiles on our faces in an almost daydreaming sort of state, my black eyes clouding over from the memories flashing in my mind. Even then, I would hardly sleep a wink, though I suppose that aspect came from L, too. That would make me wonder if we were fraternal twins or not. Of course, that was impossible but still... I shared too many qualities with my brother. Lack of sleep that caused the bags under my eyes just served as one of those many quirks.

I often thought of him as well, asking myself questions as to how he came along with his work. The last time I had ever had direct contact with him was three years ago.

Three endless years without L talking to me via computer. I missed our conversations so dreadfully; I idiotically would pick up my telephone only to remember he had concealed himself in mystery. Therefore, it was virtually impossible to even speak with him unless he willed it himself. A contrary man, if I do say so myself.

A certain event occurred that late summer in Tokyo, one that would alter the course of my life forever. So the stars deemed it, and so it passed. The day dawned like any other, with me rising from bed (after another pitiful attempt at sleep), eating my ice cream, and turning my mind into pure rubbish by watching television. Normally, I remained indoors every day, considering my dislike for possible threats that lay beyond the comforts of shelter. As aforementioned, I have an extremely paranoid streak in me.

With the remote, I switched the channels constantly in the hopes of unearthing an interesting program. Disappointment swept over me, compelling me to turn off the television and retrieve more ice cream from my mini fridge. Roger, from the actual kindness of his heart, had discovered my whereabouts to send me my dessert source. I selected a pint with fudge marble flavor and permitted the day to drift away. As long as I relaxed, nothing could perturb me. I felt composed, and, for once, satisfied with my life. A peace, unfortunately, that was inevitably doomed to shatter.

By happenstance, at approximately 4:00 P.M., I dully switched the TV on again to seek refuge from, admittedly, boredom. Suddenly, a news bulletin interrupted the game show I had been avidly watching.

"The answer is Winston Churchill. I knew that!" I shouted out of frustration before calming myself down. The tediousness had eaten away at me more than I thought. But, the news reporter narrating the bulletin spoke of a global telecast sent by Interpol.

"Globally, huh?" I murmured as I studied the face of the man featured, Lind L. Tailor. "I find that rather difficult to comprehend."

What piqued my attention still further, however, was when this thirty-something-year-old man started to speak. The words that escaped his lips were mere lies.

"I am Lind L. Tailor, more commonly known as 'L'...."

Tilting my head slightly to the left, I snorted disbelievingly. "L? You, sir, are not my brother...unless this is just an elaborate scheme devised by him. I wonder what all this is about anyway."

I soon received my answers in the form of Mr. Tailor informing the general public of a case of mass murdering going on in Japan. This, of course, made me somewhat uncomfortable.

Commencing to think on how terrible a time it was for me to vacation in this specific area, I listened as the man reached the conclusion that the killer lived in or temporarily stayed in this beautiful country. Why would anyone disturb its peace? Then again, such peace served as a rare find in any location. Presumably, Japan was no different. I sighed, cursing my misfortune and longing to catch the first flight to England as soon as possible.

But, no...I wanted to delve more into this, unveil more clues—I couldn't turn my back now. Despite my lack of deducing expertise, I knew enough psychological traits to aid me if I ever resolved to take this case alongside my brother. My idea strengthened when Mr. Tailor announced that he planned to engage in a "direct confrontation with the killer." That could only end tragically—that is, if it happened at all. For, these serial killers or serial killer sounded vastly intelligent; else the police would have apprehended him (or them) by now.

Sure enough, my suspicions proved correct when Lind L. Tailor addressed the killer himself by uttering words that would cause him to act viciously as well as defensively.

"Kira, I think I've got a pretty good idea of why you're doing this. But, what you are doing...is evil!"

Kira. An accursed Japanese name meaning "killer" when translated to English. How appropriate. I wondered why no murderer in this country had ever adopted that name before. Just those two syllables sounded bone-chilling when spoken.

And, yes, this killer's—Kira's—wrath had stirred, for forty seconds later...

Lind L. Tailor collapsed on the table he sat behind, dead of a heart attack.

Unsurprised that that man had died due to his bold yet utterly foolish move of informing Kira of his vile cruelty, I quickly made myself a cup of tea. Sitting back down on my couch, I took ladylike slurps (if that makes sense) and muttered to myself. "So...Kira, is it? Apparently, you need a name and face to kill. After all, I saw no bullets strike Mr. Tailor—no. This is highly advanced murdering...and it's disgusting. Very much appalling; I hope my brother does come after you."

A garbled voice, obviously concealing its true owner, came onto the TV just then.

"I...I don't believe it. This was an experiment to test a hunch I had, but I never really thought... Kira...you can actually kill people without direct contact..."

My eyes dilated ever so slightly; even L hadn't been prepared for this. But, at least he could voice his ideas on the whole subject via satellite. Knowing him, he probably had more extensive knowledge than I possessed. In fact, he did as he told Kira how Lind L. Tailor was, in reality, a convicted criminal already set for execution, a secret from the usually nosy media.

"But, I, L, do in fact exist," he summed up for the moment. "So, come on! Kill me if you can!"

Due to a possible dark sense of humor, I proceeded to laugh softly, barely a whisper. L, an ever diligent man, kept his face hidden while only his symbol showed on the television; thus, Kira had the inability to kill him due to lack of a proper name and face. It was ingenious!

My giggles increased upon hearing my brother taunt Kira for an almost incessant period of time. They died down once I heard him say, "I'm still here. Can't do it, Kira? Evidently, you aren't able to kill me."

L proceeded to reveal what his plan had consisted of to his now mortal enemy and explained that everything was broadcast here in this region of Japan. By a stroke of luck, he had managed to pinpoint Kira's location due to this idea. At that moment, my pride for L went up tenfold. He could do no wrong in my eyes, for he was the genius with the highest IQ in the family. His words to Kira assured all viewers that he would endeavor to stop that madman at all costs. Toward the finale of his speech, these words rang loud and clear.

Determination, fierce determination, embedded itself within his voice when he declared, "Kira...I will hunt you down and eliminate you. I am justice!" With these last two sentences ringing in my ears, I discovered that normal programming had been restored. Of course, my interest for the game show had faded, and I pondered over what I should do in the future. Surely, my brother had enlisted help for this case, which sounded complicated in itself. This scenario of killing with a name and face in mind practically sounded like paranormal circumstance. How else would Kira be able to conduct the murders? And, yet another burning question, why would he even possess the motive to do such crazed acts?

I sighed as I sipped the last of my tea. I had to assist L in this case; there truly was no other way around it. For, I couldn't exactly stand on the sidelines and nervously await my brother's victory...or defeat. I knew his anger toward me if I settled on doing this would be immense, considering the last thing he ever wished to do was put my life on the line. Hopefully, once he comprehended my philosophy behind my decision, he would warm up to it.

He had to, whether he liked it or not. Besides that, the alias I had used while in Japan thus far served as the perfect cover in the event that L decided to work with others. At this rate, he would have to rely on the police or some other agency to solve this case. But, luckily, if I acted according to my own plan, no one would ever learn of V Lawliet's existence. Instead, the people involved in this case would merely know Utako Miyazawa.

I waited a few days and maintained a wary eye on the news to receive any updates on Kira or L. As it turned out, L had indeed enlisted the help in the form of twelve FBI agents. I assumed he had them track Kira's whereabouts...or something to that effect. Consider I lived in seclusion, I couldn't know for sure the events of these few days. But, by the time that week had passed, I learned that Kira had killed all twelve FBI agents hired on for the case. In a murderer's standpoint, a smart move; he did this to turn the American detective agencies against L. I was sure of it. And all the while Kira still persisted in his slaughtering. A more diabolical man (what other gender could he be?) of whom I had never heard the existence.

With this fiery conviction, I took out a phone book and flipped through its pages.

I had to guess as to L's location, for I couldn't help but wish to work with him now. This was the case of a lifetime for him, one of which I would prevent him from failing and one of which I would ensure his triumph. Every time he had thrown himself into a case, I would worry over his survival. But, no more did I want to fret. No more did I want to stand on the sidelines. So, when my finger landed on the words "Imperial Hotel", a ritzy hotel which only the richest people could afford, instinct told me I would find L there. In the past, he would divulge his locations only to me, and they would consist of hotels that he could stay in without having to reveal his face. Of course, they had to be expensive.

Resolving to abandon my luggage for the time being (I refused to look conspicuous), I left my hotel room after eating yet another pint of ice cream. I hailed a taxi cab upon my exit, requesting to go to the Imperial Hotel. I wasn't one hundred percent confident that L would stay there, but I had utilized the process of elimination. Hopefully, that would be enough. Naturally wasting no time upon admiring the architectural beauty of the hotel, I entered through the elaborate glass doors. I felt surprised from my luck when I glimpsed a group of five men stepping into an elevator. Surely, these men were the ones that L decided to work with, or else they wouldn't be in grouped together like they were. Sneakily moving past the reception desk (again thanks to luck), I took the stairs two at a time, my heart beating incessantly the whole time. I saw the men enter a room door, and I made myself hidden behind a corridor corner. Once the door closed behind the last man, I tiptoed up to it.

I usually looked condescendingly down upon eavesdropping; however, an exception had to be made due to my desire to inadvertently receive some background information. Only then would I reveal myself to L and the group of men who worked under him now. Through the wooden door that separated me from them, I listened to L make his introduction and insistence that the men call him Ryuzaki, yet another alias. He had more aliases than I would ever bother with, truthfully. Also, he seemed to possess the same assumptions as I had when it came to Kira's murdering techniques—needing a mere name and face. L moved on to discuss what he thought the serial killer's thought processes were, which turned out to be the always human fear of losing. Yet, what Kira did was inhuman, an irony in itself.

At the point when L stated that Kira might have had access to task force information, I opened the door.

It seemed like such a drawn-out action for me, honestly, to open the door and see five pairs of shocked eyes glued to me. Who knew what ran through their minds? As for my brother, he maintained a guarded expression on his face, though he looked as though he wished to yell at me on the spot.

"I know what you're thinking, everyone," I calmly addressed them, "but I will, of course, keep this meeting a secret. My name is Utako Miyazawa. I am a colleague of L's."

The still shocked men turned their eyes to L, who nodded.

"Yes, I know her well. I have worked with her in the past."

Thankfully, the conversation reverted back to the task at hand, the Kira case. The oldest man on the task force spoke to L after listening intently to him like all the rest.

"Ryuzaki, by showing your face to us, are you saying you have lost? Are you admitting defeat to Kira?" he inquired, his wizened face showing in intensity.

"Yes, by sacrificing the lives of twelve FBI agents, I have lost the battle," L conceded before appearing even more determined, "but I'm not gonna lose the war."

He went on to make a little speech that had me even more proud of him. And what really surprised me was his last comment...or at least what came after it.

"And that justice will prevail no matter what." He smiled a rare smile that I had only seen one other time.

The rest of us returned his smile, with mine being the most sincere. Maybe he would keep his fury toward me down to a minimum. However, after each of the men introduced himself to me once the meeting concluded, L asked me to stay behind. I tapped my fingers against the inside of my sweatshirt pocket nervously, aware of what would come next.

"What were you thinking, V?" L practically hissed, as if he could barely hold back his rage. Yet, in order to keep up appearances, he never yelled. He did, however, reprimand.

"L, as your sister, I am concerned for your well-being," I told him in a frigidly placid tone of voice, since he would never see me erupt into anger.

He proceeded to pace back and forth, though managed to do it in a calm, sensible fashion. "I told you that I couldn't afford to risk your life. This entirely defeats the purpose of you being twentieth in the lineage."

Nodding to concede that this fact was true, I still had much to discuss with my brother. Didn't he realize I had taken precautions? Did he know that I had matured?

I took a more gentle approach by walking toward L, who stood looking outside one of the windows. "Please just hear me out. I'm not the baby any more. I have grown over the past nine years—I think I can look after myself. Besides," I then grinned slightly, "I guess orphaned siblings tend to be overprotective of one another."

He heaved a great sigh, almost as if it pained him to look upon me as a young adult instead of the eager young girl from a long time ago. Meticulously, he returned my grin with a barely visible smile.

The realization had hit him that I was no longer a little girl who felt helpless when alone. On the contrary, being alone hardly affected me now in a negative way.

"I suppose you're right. And you did manage to come up with an alias. Very well. I shall contact the hotel where you've been staying and retrieve your belongings."

Inwardly, I screamed, "Yes!" but instead of shouting that aloud, I told him, "You know, I would hug you if not for the fact I'm too old. I don't believe in incest either."

L struggled to suppress an appalled expression, which he managed to do splendidly. I still laughed at him, though.

Before he called the receptionist to proclaim my arrival, he muttered, "Keep in mind that only your grand speech convinced me that you should work with me."

A/N: A little background info on V's alias: I did some research and found out that U is the equivalent of V in Japan. I kind of thought it'd be cool if her alias was similar to L's in just that respect. Also, this chapter was to demonstrate that yes, V does have a humerous side. The last sentence that L says in response to this is, admittedly, my favorite. I just thought it would be very L-ish of him to say that! XD

So, V is now on the task force. How will things progress? Review to find out!