Disclaimer:*Cue Sarcasm* Yeah I totally own Death Note. That's why I killed off all my favorite characters. Because that's what all loyal fangirls do. *End Sarcasm* I do NOT own Death Note.

Chapter 5 Human

~Rei's POV~

Six o'clock. Almost quitting time, which meant it was time for the final reports of the day. And surprisingly a large number of leads had been found. Nothing that would seem extremely relevant to anyone, but L or myself…but still. It was progress. Everyone in the cramped overcrowded room of a headquarters had been strangely efficient today. Most likely because of our visitors, or to be more specific, Watari and L. Not that L was here in person, he was far too paranoid for that. Once again he was just a letter on a screen, seeing us unfit to grace with his presence, as some of my more arrogant colleagues put it. When they weren't following leads they were shooting distrustful looks at the legendary pair or muttering to themselves angrily. For the majority of the day I had been tuning them out. Actually, I was still tuning them out.

It wasn't like I needed to pay attention. I already knew the results of all their research. When I was younger, I had created a program that allowed me to simultaneously monitor the use of several computers. With my father's permission, I had been using this program to go through all the findings throughout the day to look for patterns and possible information we could use to profile Kira. I was also supposed to examining the data from every angle to find any conclusions that L might have missed. Like that would ever happen. I was starting to feel obsolete and that bothered me.

If I had wanted to, I could join the current discussion at any time, but I didn't want to draw unnecessary attention to myself to both L and the other investigators. In regard to L, I had chosen my seat in the corner because it kept me out of his line of sight. Despite the fact my colleagues supported my involvement of the case did not ensure my permanent place on it. And if L found me too young or inexperienced for the case I would have no choice in leaving if he ordered me to. In regards to the other officers, let's just say the Minagawa incident was still fresh in their minds and I had no desire to get an "insufferable know-it-all" reputation. It didn't help that last I'd heard Minagawa had a three month suspension and had to attend anger management classes. I probably shouldn't have been proud of my ability to make a grown man behave like a wild animal, but I couldn't help it. I snapped out of my mental ramblings and tried to focus, L was addressing us.

"That information is extremely relevant for us." Well, crap, I had just missed out on the relay of today's information. It's not like I didn't know what had been said, but it made me feel highly unprofessional. "It suggests, that given the times of death, our suspect could very well be a student." Everyone turned to face the monitor now. Instead I lay my head down on my desk. Screw professionalism, I had just been reminded why I felt depressed and obsolete. There had been no need for me to point out this theory. I sighed quietly as a small tingling sensation took place on the back of my neck. Someone was watching me. It wasn't the threatening kind of feeling you get late at night, more like when someone across the room wanted your attention. Perfectly harmless. I pretended to look around the room, acting like I was bored, something that to the untrained eye, would blend in with my earlier actions.

Watari?

He was looking straight ahead, but his body was angled slightly in my direction. I blinked in surprise before closing my eyes, while also making sure to listen to L.

"Based on the fact that Kira has only killed criminals, I think it's safe to assume that he's driven by a very idealistic notion of justice. It's highly possible he may even aspire to be some sort of godlike figure. We're dealing with an individual who has a very childish concept of right and wrong. Of course this is mere speculation at this point, but still I recommend you reexamine any assumptions you've made as to whether or not our suspect could be a student. We must consider every possibility. I believe that is the shortest route to catching Kira. Please continue with your report."

I was planning on ignoring the rest of the meeting, until Matsuda started speaking. I sat up, ready to back him up if anyone dismissed him without hearing his reasoning first. If Matsu thought it was important, we were damn well going to discuss it. Instead, Matsuda surprised me. He pointed out the decrease in crime across the world. It was actually quite brave of him to point out a good side effect of the killings, something no one else had dared to do in front of L. I felt a surge of pride which quickly turned to anger as the men around Matsuda acted like his observations didn't mean anything. I growled slightly under my breath, and felt Watari's eyes on me once again.

The meeting was then dismissed after L requested that we investigate how criminal's (who had been killed) identities had been made public and if there had been photos along with the names. Watari then shut the laptop before preparing things for the officers on the night shift. I stood up stiffly and stretched, keeping an eye on Watari the whole time.

That was bizarre.

Why had he been so focused on me? It's possible he recognized me from the ICPO meeting; Dad had certainly drawn enough attention to us that my face may have stuck in his memory…but that wasn't it. He had started watching me after I acted depressed and angry. Emotion? Was that it? I was certainly getting warmer.

Besides Dad, I was the only person he paid any special attention to. My behavior must have been different…

I compared my small outbursts to the stoic, almost robotic expressions of the other officers. They were angry of course, but suppressing it in a way that wasn't quite natural for humans. Human. I pondered the word. I could almost hear a faint click in my head as I made the connection. I was acting human, not even bothering to imitate L's blithe mechanical attitude towards the case.

I felt a small pang in my chest, accompanied by guilt. When was the last time anyone treated L or Watari as humans? During the course of the day Watari hadn't left his post once, and no one had thought to offer him anything either. He hadn't complained though. Didn't voice any dissatisfaction with his treatment. I could only assume it was worse for L. He just didn't strike me as the type of guy who would willingly participate in the outside world, even anonymously. He was far too paranoid for that. It made me wonder if he lived in a padded cell of his own creation.

A plan then began to formulate in my head. The break room should still have some coffee and pie…

I approached Watari slowly, a thermos of coffee in one hand, the box of pie in another. He was facing away from me, almost finished packing up. When he slipped L's laptop into its case, I decided to go for it.

"Hello," I said softly, not wanting to startle the man. He turned to face me.

"Hello," he replied, copying my low tone like he was somehow thought our conversation was forbidden or against the rules. I bowed.

"I'm Rei, uh Rei Yagami." He bowed in response.

"It is nice to meet you, Rei-san. I am Watari."

"Yeah I know," I muttered. Did I hear him chuckle? He seemed strangely adept at dealing with young people. Though I suppose to work with L you have to be adept with dealing with anybody. "And just Rei please, No need to be so formal."

"All right, Rei. What can I do for you?" I grinned, all apprehension gone now. He was extremely polite for such an imposing figure. Almost servant-like in his mannerisms.

"It's actually more of what I can do for you. I noticed you didn't have the chance to eat or drink anything today and I figured you might like these." I held out the thermos and pie box. He accepted them and began looking through their contents. "The coffee is just for you, but the pie is for you and L to share." He looked at me, blankly I supposed, I couldn't be sure due to his disguise. "If you feel uncomfortable about accepting it, you don't have to." I shifted slightly nervously now. He just stood there. "Of course you don't want it, how do you know it isn't some assassination attempt or truth ser-"

"You misunderstood me. I was merely surprised." Finally, a reply. "It's just been a long time since I was treated so…" he trailed off, uncertain how to continue

"Human," I finished for him, feeling slightly embarrassed for suggesting people didn't treat him human. He nodded.

"Yes, that is the right word isn't it?" I was surprised by his cheerful tone. I was sure if I could have seen his eyes they would have been twinkling. Was he…was he teasing me?

"Well, I've got to go; I'll see you tomorrow I guess." It felt weird to give him such a normal farewell.

"Yes, I suppose you will." Then I, for lack of a better word, scurried away, quite sure he was laughing behind me.

"Please state your name and purpose," a large burly man demanded, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. I grinned at him.

"Sir, yes sir!" He smiled at my overenthusiastic greeting, before dropping the serious pretense.

"Always nice to see you, Rei."

"The pleasures all mine, Shou." He smiled again.

"All righty then, back to protocol. Name and purpose?" he inquired, a pen poised over a clipboard, ready to mark the time I visited the prison.

"Rei Yagami to see Taichi Todo." He begin filling in the data. "And I come," I paused for dramatic effect, "with pie." I held up the bag containing the fresh pie I had bought on my way to the prison. He whistled appreciatively.

"Damn," he said, drawing out the syllables. "Do I get a piece?" He flashed me another cheeky grin. I liked that about Shou. He was a freaking prison guard, but always had a smile.

"That's up to Tai. Besides you can get pie whenever you want." He looked at me mournfully before sighing softly.

"True…" He looked so distraught, gazing off into the distance like the protagonist in some sappy movie. I raised a hand to my mouth to muffle my laughter, which was of course his desired effect. "OK! Let's run this baby through the x-ray, and you, and then off we'll go!"

I obligingly removed my loose articles and placed them in a container before walking through the huge metal detector. It didn't go off of course. This was second nature to me after the many visits I'd made. None of the usual intimidation factors of the prison that had worked on me when I was twelve had any effect any more. The bleak concrete, barred rooms, and various guards and check points no longer unnerved me. It also helped I had become friends with Shou who was mysteriously always on duty whenever I made a visit.

Shou handed me my belongings and began to escort me inside to where Tai would be waiting. Shou was whistling cheerfully, playfully saluting any other guards he passed by. I snorted softly after his third salute. He was so concerned with making me smile. Hearing me, he caught my eye and winked.

"Ah! Here we are!" He threw open the double doors with far too much enthusiasm. The spacious room we entered looked a lot like a basic cafeteria. Except for the walls and floors that all had the same dreary gray shade and the convicts in their bright orange jumpsuits, the only splash of color in the room. Oh and did I mention that all the tables and benches were bolted down to prevent prisoners from using the furnishings as weapons? Lovely, right?

"Your man is over there," Shou informed me, gesturing to a small table in the corner of the room, one of the more private spots. I turned to thank him, but he held his hand up, not wanting me to speak. "No thanks necessary, we both know you two are the only ones we can leave alone without trying to plan an escape or smuggle something in or out." I nodded, but continued with my earlier thought anyway.

"Still…thank you." The twenty-seven year old then adopted an "Aw shucks" expression and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

"Stop it. You're making me blush." He dropped the embarrassed act. "Go on now. Before visiting hours are over." I gave him on last grateful look before making my way over to Tai.

"Hey," I said softly, sitting down on an uncomfortable plastic bench. Tai glanced up, his eyes wide and unfocused.

"Rei? Is that you?" he asked, as he continued to stare unblinkingly in my direction. I snorted loudly.

"Trying to make me feel guilty about missing last week's meeting by feigning blindness? Really, I would have expected better than that from you." The back haired man across from me snickered.

"Actually I was just emphasizing my steadily increasing age. Do you realize I'll be forty-three in a few months?"

"How many times do I have to tell you, you're not old?" This had become a tradition ever since he had mentioned how old he felt when I turned seventeen

"That depends. How many times are you going to visit in the next month?"

"Four, and-" I paused, "wait, what?" Tai gave a small smile.

"They're releasing us in a month." I blinked repeatedly, my mouth gaping like a goldfish. He gazed at me patiently, waiting for me to require my powers of speech.

"That's great! When's the exact da-" My eyes narrowed. "You said we."

"And, just for the record I know I'm not old I just like hearing you tell me I'm not," he said attempting to stall.

"Tai. You said we." He might my eyes with a sad look. He lowered his head.

"Yeah, I said we."

"They're actually going to release them?" Fury was pumping through me. After everything they had done, they were just going to go free? "Why?"

"Good behavior. Someone pulled some strings I guess."

"Tai. They tortured me. They filmed it. Sent it to my father."

"I know. I was there remember." His distress was showing now, he was also upset that these monsters were going to walk free.

"I know you were there. You protected me, I wouldn't forget something like that." I ran my fingers through my hair also distraught. "But how much more damning could the evidence be?" I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. I stared down at the table. "I'm sorry. I am happy you're getting out. You shouldn't have even been in here in the first place. Maybe if I had been out of the hospital for the trial I could have done something. Maybe if I had been at that trial those bastards wouldn't be getting out now."

"Rei," he said softly. I looked up him, guilt in my eyes. "I went along with it. It's me who should have done something. Maybe I should tell them to keep me locked up."

"NO!" I nearly shouted panic audible in my voice. "I'm not going to ask you to do that. You deserve it Tai. You deserve to have a life again. You deserve to be human," I said, thinking of my earlier conversation with Watari. "It just kills me that those monsters are going to get the chance again too." We sat in silence for while.

"It's going to be in the newspaper too," he said randomly.

"What?" I asked, confused by the sudden outburst.

"Some people want to interview us. Have them tell our side of the story. How prison 'rehabilitated' us and all that." I froze. "I think they're going to have a photographer come in a few days." I slammed my hand down on the table. Tai looked at me alarmed.

"Did you agree?"

"What?" he questioned. "Rei what's wrong?"

"Answer the damn question." The words were harsh, but came out as a whisper.

"I haven't given them an answer, yet." I sank down in relief, my head hitting the table with a dull thud.

"Thank God," I murmured softly. He had been so close, so close to being a possible victim.

"What is it Rei?" He looked genuinely concerned now.

"Kira," I said my voice filled with disgust.

"The guy who can kill with a heart attack?" I looked up at him in surprise. Usually the prisoners were cut off from the world. "Shou," he explained with a shrug. "He smuggles me newspapers from time to time. A lot of the guards talk about him too."

"Yeah. The guy who can kill with a heart attack. We have reason to believe he can kill with just a name and a face. You would have definitely fit his MO. He would have seen you as another criminal escaping the justice system."

"Should you really be telling me this? Isn't this supposed to be classified?"

"Yeah, but if it means saving another victim…" I trailed off.

"We should tell the others," he said firmly. "I know you want to see them pay, b-" I cut him off.

"Tai, even I wouldn't wish that upon them. You can tell them if you want. Just don't expect them to believe you." He nodded.

"I will. And Rei?" I glanced up at him. "You're a good person, and if it meant keeping them in here," he swallowed audibly, "I would stay too."

"I know you would Tai. But I can't let you." The next pause was somewhat awkward. "Umm, I brought pie." He laughed under his breath.

"Same old Rei. Thinks pie will fix every thing."

"Not all pie," I said defensively. "Just apple pie." He smiled again.

"You should go, it's getting late." I got up to leave.

"Be careful alright?"

"Always," he said softly. Then Shou escorted me back to the entrance.

~Watari's POV~

I placed a piece of the pie Rei had given me in the microwave for Ryuzaki, chuckling slightly at the memory of it. That girl was something else. She had been concerned for us; had been the only one to notice the schism between L and myself and the other investigators. And if that hadn't been surprising enough, she had actually felt guilty about how we were treated. It hadn't bothered me how I had been ignored, treated more like a piece of furniture than a person, but she evidently had cared enough. The pie had been a nice gesture and unbeknownst to her, extremely appropriate. If she wanted to show L she cared at all this had been the way to do it. I was looking forward to being able to speak to her again, curious to compare her lifestyle to the other gifted children at Wammy's house.

The microwave dinged loudly, and I opened it removing the pie. I then proceeded to cover the piece in caramel topping and whipped cream, along with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Then I made my way to the room Ryuzaki resided in. Still completely dark with little or no furnishings. I placed the pie on the floor next to his hunched form and he promptly scooped it up, a forkful halfway up to his mouth before asking,

"Watari? What is this?" I know he meant where it had came from. It was a mystery to me how he could tell the difference between what I prepared and bought.

"A gift from a fellow investigator." He brought the fork under his nose, trying to detect anything wrong with it. "I already and it tested for any type of poison or drug. It's clean."

"I see," he muttered in his usual monotone, before placing the plate back on the floor. "That will be all Watari."

~L's POV~

Watari left the room, and I turned back to the task at hand, my pale fingers moving swiftly over the familiar keyboard. I was planning on eating the piece of apple pie, if I was identifying the aroma correctly. I just didn't want to do so while Watari was present. It was rather juvenile actually, like a child holding their breath or hiding in a tree until they got what they wanted. My paranoid side was also kicking in (and by paranoid side, I mean all of me). I couldn't remember the last time I had eaten something that hadn't been prepared by Watari, and I was slightly reluctant to stop now.

I brought my thumb to my mouth. My classic thinking gesture. This brought me back to the question, who had chosen to give it to me. It wasn't a particularly pressing problem, just a bit of a surprise. The probability of this happening, now that I thought to plug the numbers in, had been less than two percent. Almost absently my free hand reached down to bring the fork I had previously filled to my mouth. And the pie…it tasted good.

~Author's Note~

So now ya'll know who Tai is. What exactly happened will be explained later. Who thought Rei and Watari meeting was cute? Who thought Shou was just five levels of awesome? And this is the first time I used L's POV! GASP!

I really didn't think this story would become so pie-centric. It really wasn't supposed to be mentioned this many times, but it feels like very other word I wrote was pie. Pie is a weird word, anyone notice that? Or is it just me?

Anyways thanks to all the lovely people who reviewed: Lt. Sarcasm, gnarley-, snowXgem, RenKun-Sensei, .Booth., and . You guys rock. I would give you the cookies I'm making today, which are the best in the world, but unfortunately I knowith not where any of you live. So instead I'll give you these virtual cookies, which aren't as good because they're just a tribute.

Does anyone get that joke? If not go look up the song Tribute by Tenacious D. Really a random song and it reminds me of Jack Black for some reason…