Disclaimer: I keep forgetting to do this. I do not own Death Note or any of its characters. I only own my OCs.

Chapter 3 Confrontations

I was right. The word echoed through my head, as horror and nausea threatened to overtake me. I was right, the smug confidence of only a few days ago was completely gone, erased by the desperate need for someone to point out an obvious flaw in all my theories and calculations. For someone to say, "I'm sorry, but this is clearly impossible because…", but that wasn't happening. I was right.

Managing to keep a neutral expression, one that hid my inner turmoil, I asked, "Did he say anything else?" Hopefully, I was the picture of calm and decorum. Matsuda always claimed to be stupid, but he was a lot more intelligent than he gave himself credit for. Matsuda just tended to believe the best of people and was easily dissuaded from his own opinions and conclusions, even when he was later proved right.

"No." Matsuda's expression was a mixture of surprise and curiosity. I nodded, he knew something was up, but obviously didn't suspect me. Now I just had to keep him distracted until the meeting.

"Well I've got time to drop my stuff off at my desk. And this," I held up the bag that contained the pie, "at the break room." His expression changed from confusion to delight as he snatched the bag from me.

"You brought pie?" I couldn't help but smile, all the worry and concern was gone from his face and replaced with a childlike innocence. He eagerly removed the box and opened the top flap, peering inside. "Apple, of course, with one piece missing." He made a scolding sound. "What would your dad say?" I laughed.

"He'd want to know why you would be so rude to steal the first piece of pie I kindly brought in, before I even had any." Matsuda snickered under his breath. If we weren't at work, I was sure he would have mussed my hair.

Quickly we both fell back into the tension of before, our moment of fun over. After depositing my things in the proper areas, I made my way to the meeting room, steeling myself for what was to come. Dad would announce who he was taking to the ICPO meeting to discuss Kira. No one would blink an eye when he announced Matsuda, but my name would bring out all sorts of arguments. Especially from Momiji Minagawa and his lackey Kakeru Kinoshita. I hated them with a passion. Minagawa was a greasy smooth talker, more interested in power than actually helping anyone and Kinoshita was no better, he was just willing to grovel to get what he wanted. I wouldn't mind if Kira killed them off…but if I started thinking like that I might actually agree with Kira…

No. I wouldn't ever agree with Kira. Killing was wrong. Especially killing people who haven't been declared guilty or judged formally by the government. What if new evidence came to light proving the person's innocence? I could almost hear the man from my dream in my head,

"They were all worthy sacrifices needed to purify the world…"

I shuddered. No I definitely can't start thinking like that. What about people like Tai who were imprisoned for crimes they did commit, but for good reasons?

I thought fondly of Tai, the man who had kept me alive and somewhat intact. He had protected me. He had gone along with a crime to keep the hostage, me, alive. And unlike his "associates" he hadn't resisted arrest. He thought himself guilty even though his cause had been noble and I was alive as a result. Guilt swept over me, I hadn't been able to visit Tai in the last week, and was most likely going to miss today's appointment too. Maybe I could get him a present. Something special to make up for my absence…

My train of thought was disturbed as I arrived in the meeting room. The usually cluttered and stuffy room was clean and full of my anxious colleagues. I took a seat near the back. I wouldn't be able to watch their faces, but I could still read their body language.

My father was at the front of the room, his expression identical to the anxious looks I had witnessed earlier. But there was a hint of something else, too…he looked weighed down somehow. Was his knowledge about the case that heavy a burden? Yes, yes it was. I could feel the weight of it too, though it seemed to be troubling me less than him, something that would probably be remedied with time. His eyes met mine from across the room. I gave him a curt nod, indicating Matsuda had delivered his message.

Matsuda wandered in moments later, taking an empty seat beside me, his tension, and everyone else's in the room for that matter, palpable. I gave his hand a light squeeze along with a smile to try and calm him. He briefly smiled back and seemed to relax slightly. His utter faith in me was endearing.

Noticing everyone was assembled, Dad cleared his throat, stood up, and began, "As many of you may be aware, criminals around the world have been dying of heat attacks. Due to the number of deaths, we have been led to believe that an individual or organization may be responsible for these deaths." He paused, most likely stalling so I could read everyone's reactions. Hmmm…mostly shock, except for a few of the better trained agents, ones I had worked with actually. Mogi and Aizawa. I had helped them find a pair of hackers who were messing with a school's mainframe. My old high school actually and as a result I created a new security system and gained a couple thousand bucks. It was win win, but back to the matter at hand.

I continued to scan the room, my eyes stopping on Minagawa. My lips pursed in irritation. There wasn't any sign of surprise from the vile man, but he seemed to be radiating a smug sense of superiority. He also must have reached this conclusion and judging by the way he was holding himself, he had brought the information to my Dad's attention and now expected to be placed in charge of whatever task force was created for the case. I had to stop myself from smiling. I couldn't wait to see his look of horror when he realized I had made a move first.

Then Kinoshita caught my attention. The small man was twitching nervously and kept looking at Minagawa like he was the only thing keeping him from bolting out of the room. And looking over past experiences, he probably was. Kinoshita was cowardly and always liked having big friends to look after him

No one else was revealing anything unusual so I gave Dad a "go ahead" look. To everyone else it might seem like dad was the one running the meeting, but I was the one pulling the strings…and it sickened me. Having this kind of control over anyone while they were afraid, made me feel like I was taking advantage of them. Under normal circumstances I could have brushed the guilt off, but now it stayed with me, like a predator that had sank its claws into a meal. I shuddered at the imagery.

Maybe I am twisted enough to have come up with that dream on my own…

Dad began to speak again and I snapped to attention. "Due to the gravity of the situation, the ICPO has decided to hold a meeting to discuss the best course of action towards this case. Our department is allowed three representatives, including myself. The other two candidates have been chosen, in one case, to gain experience and the other because they were the first to consider the possibility of murder." Everyone betrayed their shock, except Minagawa, if anything he grew more proud. Kinoshita was looking at Minagawa with his mouth agape. Apparently Minagawa hadn't bothered to tell him the details, just that something good was going to happen.

"The first representative I've chosen is Touta Matsuda. He needs the experience and I believe will provide a good input on how the general population will react to the murders." Nice, Dad! The reasoning was perfect, no one would question the decision. Me on the other hand…

Matsuda stood up, slightly dazed, and made his way to my father's side. Some people even applauded. Now it was my turn. I tensed up in anticipation for what was to come, my eyes locked on Minagawa. Dad continued after clasping Matsuda's shoulder in a fatherly gesture.

"The other representative I have chosen came to me personally, mere days after the supposed murders began. I invite that person to come forward now," he paused. Minagawa began to stand, a smirk surely on his pointed rat like face. "My daughter, Rei Yagami."

Minagawa whirled around to face me, his face a mixture of surprise, loathing, and a trace of his earlier superiority. I ignored him and followed the path Matsuda had just taken, stopping at my Dad's side. Gazing out at the stunned officers, I hoped I managed a calm and confident atmosphere. Their expressions were almost too easy to read now, the challenge was taken out of it.

The room seemed to be divided in half. Those who thought I was up to the task and those who thought I was a brat who had whined at "Daddy" until he had given in. This seemed to be a safe assumption because I had only worked with about half of the force in my time here and once I actually explained my thought process, they respected me pretty quickly.

"May I say something?" I asked, snapping the police men out of their reverie. Dad nodded. "I understand I am not what many of you expected and in any other circumstances I would not be standing up here, but none the less, I was the one who theorized these 'coincidences' were murder." I paused letting the words sink in. "Before you protest my involvement on the case, I would like to ask you if anyone else in this room was in my place would you still object?" Several members of my audience shifted uncomfortably. "Yes, I realize my age and gender make me a slightly unusual choice, but I believe my intelligence overshadows the complications caused by them. Thank you." I waited for the inevitable act of defiance from Minagawa and he didn't disappoint.

"What do you mean 'intelligence'?" he spat out, obviously furious. "Are you trying to tell us that you, a seventeen year old girl, is smarter than us, a room filled with government trained police officers?" I didn't flinch or even blink at his outburst.

"You misunderstand me. I was not demeaning anyone's intelligence and I was not claiming intellectual superiority. I merely meant my own intelligence made my age and gender a miniscule issue," I replied calmly, but he wasn't done yet, not by far.

"You claimed to have considered the possibility of murder mere days after the deaths began. I too began to suspect foul play. How do I know you didn't hack into my computer, find the information and then go to your father with the theory before I did?" He was trying to use my previous success with designing a security system as a basis that I could have stolen the information. I could have, of course, but I didn't. People had started whispering to each other, arguing whether or not I would perform this act. Judging from the outraged expression on Aizawa and Mogi's faces they had side with me. I was pleasantly surprised, but then they were extremely loyal to my father. It would make sense that some of that was extended to me.

"Quiet," my father commanded, the chatter died down, but the mistrust was still clearly in the air. Minagawa was smirking, sure he had driven me into a corner, further proof that he was an idiot. "How could you ever consider that my daughter wou-"

"Dad." I cut him off, he looked at me, clearly intent on defending my honor. "Minagawa's suspicions are justified, how can we be sure I did not hack his computer?" I turned to face the vile man in front of me.

"Minagawa-kun?" I asked sweetly, his expression suddenly turned wary, I NEVER used honorifics. If I did it meant I was extremely pissed. "Could you please tell me when you first considered the possibility of murder?"

Unsure of what I was planning he answered. "Four days after the deaths began."

"And when did you approach my father with this information?"

"Four days after the deaths began. Why?" I smiled at him so simperingly bubblegum sweet, he took a step back.

"Because, Minagawa-kun," I said caressing his name lightly. "I came forward with this theory two days after the deaths began." I stopped myself from laughing hysterically, having to content myself with a small vindictive smile. Enraged he stormed towards me, oblivious to the disapproving glances being sent towards him by his colleagues. Kinoshita merely peered at me nervously, unsure if he should switch sides.

Minagawa stopped a few feet away from me, his teeth bared and fists clenched. "How the hell could you assume that with that little evidence? A pattern of a few days isn't enough basis to claim murder," he spat, venom dripped from his words as if he hoped by saying them I would succumb to their poison.

"You are quite right of course." He blinked, derailed by my lack of argument. "I only had a feeling the deaths were murders, and I simply brought the information to my father's attention, so if my theory was correct he wouldn't be taken completely by surprise and could employ counter measures." I paused, leaning closer to whisper in his ear. "At least that's my official reason. I really didn't want anyone else to take credit for my discovery. If I had been wrong, no harm would have been done. I'm really quite childish aren't I?" Growling angrily he roughly grabbed my shoulders and began shaking me.

"You little bitch!" My shoulders started aching as his fingers dug into my skin.

"Restrain him!" my father ordered. Two men came forward attempting to pull Minagawa away from me as his shaking grew more violent. "I'm going to kill you!" Minagawa was practically frothing at the mouth now, as he turned on the officers behind him. They lunged hoping to knock him down, but he dodged instead landing an effective blow in one of their stomachs. As the first man doubled over in pain, the second managed to get behind Minagawa and pull his arms behind him, driving him to his knees. Handcuffs locked into place and the wildly thrashing man was removed from the room, his screams echoing in the halls. Kinoshita slunk out behind him, looking like a kicked puppy or a slave about to be whipped. Again with the disturbing imagery…

I blinked. I hadn't expected him to become that violent. It was a miscalculation, one that would require an apology. Not to Minagawa, but our assembled audience. I turned to address them, the dumbfounded looks on their faces almost comical.

"I apologize. I did not believe this would get so out of hand. I understand if you know longer want me representing the NPA. I await your judgment." I bowed my head, trying to appear humble. Dad clasped my shoulder comfortingly, and I bit back a hiss of pain. Minagawa was stronger than he looked. I was definitely going to have to ice my shoulders later.

Dad spoke up, "Are there any objections to Rei representing the NPA." I waited with baited breath, lifting my head slightly to observe their reactions. No one said anything. My little interaction with Minagawa had acted in my favor. "All right then you are dismissed." I concentrated on keeping only relief on my face. It wouldn't due for them to think I had manipulated them.

Once the room cleared leaving Dad, Matsuda, and I alone, I let it wash over me. I was doing this. My first real case. No stapling papers or grunt work or coffee runs. I was playing the game now.

A sudden grin appeared on my face as I resisted the urge to jump up and down, all professionalism gone. I turned to look at Dad his expression trying for stern.

"Rei-"

"Don't start in with the lecture now, Dad. I already know everything you're going to say." He seemed to deflate slightly, but continued anyway.

"Rei that was extremely unnecessary. You didn't have to-" he struggled for the right word, "play with him like that. I didn't agree with his opinions, but that doesn't mean you have the right to-" I cut him off, slipping back into the defensive part of me that was stubborn and childish, but also could effectively diffuse any argument against me.

"It was completely necessary in order for you to keep your promise. Minagawa was attempting to rally support against me. Upsetting him was the quickest way to have both Matsuda and myself attend the meeting with little resistance from the other officers."

Up until this point, Matsuda had been nervously watching the exchange. He disliked conflict and that the two people he admired most in the NPA were arguing was distressing for him. Upon hearing his name, Matsuda broke in, "You were the one who wanted me to go?" His look of surprise was extremely amusing. I gave him an 'are you stupid' look.

"Of course, Matsu. Do you really think I'm taking my first real case without you?" A smile made its way onto his face.

"THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!" I chuckled as he pulled me into a hug, going as far as to pick me up and spin me around. "Come on! Let's go! I don't want to be late!" Eagerly he took my hand and dragged me towards the exit. I glanced sheepishly at Dad, who sent me a look that clearly said, "This isn't over, young lady." Which I translated as, "Off the hook for now."

Then the reality of the situation washed over me again. This was actually happening. My first case, my first chance to prove myself, and I wasn't going to fail. I would capture Kira, at whatever the cost.

~Watari's POV~

Carefully, I put on the last piece of my disguise, a wide brimmed hat that through my already unrecognizable face into deep shadow. I scrutinized my reflection, searching for any sign that would link my disguised appearance with my normal one. A small noise of approval escaped me, when I found nothing.

I was going to have to leave soon in order to be L's, no Ryuzaki's, eyes and ears once more. But that didn't mean I couldn't check on my young ward one more time, before my departure.

Not so young anymore.

I smiled briefly. Ryuzaki had recently turned 24, with no formal acknowledgement of the date of course, Ryuzaki thought birthdays were one experience he didn't need. How could a man without a face have a birthday? He had asked me. Besides, he was far more interested in the excuse to eat more sweets. Even in the womb it seemed Ryuzaki had been planning ahead, to be born on Halloween, a day when it was considered normal to eat half of one's body weight in candy. It seemed far too beneficial to him for it too be coincidence.

Of course when I had pointed this out to him, I was rewarded with an extremely detailed description of the origins of the holiday, and how it had nothing to do with candy. I still hadn't decided if Ryuzaki had been merely correcting me or was trying to distract me from monitoring his sugar intake. He had mentioned nothing about the impossibility of him planning out what day to born on.

I approached the room Ryuzaki was currently residing in, most likely in the dark. I opened the door without knocking, there was no need. We were the only ones in the spacious hotel rooms.

I had been half right. The room was dark, but light was coming from the computer screens and laptops that littered the floor. My protégée was sitting on the ground in the 'normal' way, that is, with his knees drawn up to his chest, his skin made even paler by the slightly eerie glow of the monitors. His thumb was by his mouth in his classic thinking pose, his dark hair unruly and wild. I felt a rush of affection toward the first of many orphans I had trained, he seemed so childish. At least until he opened his mouth and theories and observations rivaling Einstein's came pouring out.

I broke the silence, "Ryuzaki, I will be departing to attend the ICPO meeting shortly, do you require my assistance with anything before I leave?"

"No, Watari," he replied, his voice low and monotonous. He was in detective mode right now and was assuming the master and servant role that went along with it.

I gave a small nod preparing to leave the room, stopping when he spoke again, "But could you bring me a slice of cake?" I smiled beneath my disguise.

"Of course, Ryuzaki." I left, leaving the world's greatest detective alone with his work.

~Author's Note~

Did you guys get the Fruitsbasket names I stole? I used the last names of two of Yuki's most rabid fangirls and Momiji and Kakeru's first names. It's funny because Momiji is in no way evil and Kakeru is not a whimpering obedient lackey. Just a little joke on my part. I also based Minagawa loosely on Lucius Malfoy and Kinoshita on Peter Pettigrew. I also made up a word for that scene, or at least one Microsoft word didn't recognize. It was simperingly.

Did you enjoy the Matsudaness? This chapter was kinda meant to explain why he went to the ICPO meeting. I mean I love Matsuda, but he would not be my first choice as a delegate about the Kira case. Especially since there were only two representatives per organization.

What about Watari and L's little scene? I kinda feel like Watari was slightly senile in it, but I wanted to get his doting father/grandfather persona in. How many of you lost the game when Rei said, "I was playing the game now." How many of you have lost the game now? And who is this Tai person? Don't worry, all will be explained….eventually.

I'm surprised by the number of OCs I created, even if they are minor OCs, but still….

L is coming. Just not face to face for a while. I need to set it up so Rei makes a certain type of impression on Watari, before meeting L. Cause face it, without his approval, no one is even getting close to L. I finally know what chapter L shows up in and you're all gonna hate me for it…It's seven. I make you wait for more chapters before he and Rei meet face to face. I'm evil aren't I?

And about the title of this chapter, I totally forgot that episode two was called Confrontation. I just figured that it fit in with Minagawa and Rei's little tousle.

I'd like to thank gnarley-, snowXgem, and Lt. Sarcasm for reviewing. You guys rock.