Disclaimer: Thursday is gonna suuuuuuuuuuuck! Oh and I don't own Death Note…probably should have said that first….
Chapter 16 Mind Games
~Rei's POV~
I squinted as sunlight streamed across the tennis courts. I felt a bit like a third wheel; after all this was L's attempt to befriend Light, not mine. But L had assured me that my presence would cause Light to relax and make more mistakes. I hadn't necessarily agreed, but really there was no arguing when it came to what L wanted. Speaking of what L wanted….no. Not now. I could think about L's weird and possible attempts at flirting later. I needed to focus on the present. Light was currently rummaging through his tennis bag and brought out a racket.
"I have to admit I was surprised, Ryuuga," he began straightening to his full height, possibly trying to intimidate L. "I never thought you'd ask me play tennis as a way to get to know each other." He said it flatteringly, like he really did admire everything L suggested. He made it so easy to believe him. L slouched there passively, as wide eyed as ever.
"Is that a problem for you?" L asked with barely a hint of a challenge in his voice. It was enough to earn a quick response from Light.
"Not at all," Light answered, quickly backtracking. "But when you first invited me to play, did you know how good I was?" He returned L's challenge with a boast while still managing to have a teasing mood, like he and L really were friends.
"Yes. I'll be fine though. It's been a while but at one time I was actually the British Jr. Champion," he peered at me from behind his bangs, a cue for me to involve myself in the conversation.
"Of course you were. Are bad at anything?" I questioned pretending to be put out with his success. His eyes gleamed. He was enjoying this.
"I could ask the same of you."
"Tennis and art," I said immediately. "I'm lucky if I can draw stick people that don't look like trees." I suddenly noticed Light's calculating expression. I see. L wanted to distract me slightly so Light wouldn't see how intent I was on watching him.
"Ryuuga," He started with a curious air that he probably hoped would pass off as just trying to get to know L better, "were you raised in the U.K.?"
"I lived in England for about five years when I was younger, but save your breath. Nothing in that story would reveal L's true identity, I promise you," L deflected. It was like the tennis match had already started and Light, it seemed, was falling behind. That would be remedied quickly, Light hated to lose. I knew L did as well, but Light was going to play with vengeance in his heart. "Well since it's our first match, why don't you we play a single set. First one to six?"
"That's fine by me, "Light responded. "Oh and Rei, I would prefer it that you were behind the fence. Last time you were on a court you got a bloody nose." I crossed my arms.
"You should know. You gave it to me," I grumbled.
"It's not my fault you're a ball magnet. Besides, I told you to duck."
"Fine, fine." I waved at them dismissively before going behind the protection of the chain linked fence. I wrapped my fingers around the cool metal and watched with anticipation. No serious profiling could be done with just a tennis match. Kira exhibited personality traits far too common to suspect someone with something so trivial ….but this was the excuse L and Kira had been waiting for. To go head to head in anything. And I was quite sure neither of them would go down without a fight.
L bounced the ball with an eerie precision. Even from my spot behind Light I could still see that in hit the ground and his hand in the exact same place every time. Without warning, the ball was airborne and L's racket whistled as it connected with the small projectile. The ball sped towards Light before going between his legs finally coming to hit the fence at exactly where I was standing. I let out a small yelp and brought my hand to my mouth in embarrassment.
"Fifteen love," L called out, smugness radiating off him.
"Whoa, Ryuuga. You sure don't mess around," Light said "impressed."
"He who strikes first wins," L answered easily. He sent me a look that didn't escape Light's notice. His knuckles tightened around his racket and when L sent another serve his way, he returned it with equal ferocity.
The game after that was a blur. L and Light were constantly in motion. The both radiated grace and power that I could never match. I felt a shiver run through me. The fate of the world rested in one of their hands. I bit my lip as the game progressed finally climaxing. Light sent a particularly well aimed hit towards L and I couldn't help but cry out.
"Go, Ryuuga!" I covered my mouth, astounded. I had chosen L. Did that mean…did that mean I accepted Light as Kira? I shook my head; I can't dwell on this now. Then when was I going to? I had shoved the topic aside so many times before. If not now then when? Later, I told myself firmly. Yeah, when Light is locked behind bars…
Light's intensity suddenly went up another level. Though my encouragement had been aimed towards L, Light had taken it in his stride and was using it as further motivation. His arm slammed the racket into the ball which was sent spiraling back towards L. L dived, just missing the green blur.
"Game and set! Won by Light Yagami! Six games to four!" a man who had declared himself referee had shouted out. I felt a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I really hope this wasn't some form of foreshadowing. I made my way over to the panting pair and offered congratulations that sounded false even to my ears.
About ten minutes later, Light had changed back out of his tennis clothes and was heavily drinking water while we made our way down the walkway off the school. It was beautiful, I had to admit. The way the sakura blossoms drifted to the ground on an unseen breeze. Too bad I couldn't really appreciate it. I slipped my hand into my pocket and pulled out a Jolly Rancher. This was another new habit of L's. I found candy constantly on my person, though I had no recollection of him placing it there. I delved into my other pocket finding another Jolly Rancher, this one cherry flavored. I offered it to L who took it and immediately placed it in his mouth.
"Just as I expected, you beat me," L commented, seemingly at ease with his defeat.
"It's been a while since I had to play that hard. I'm feeling kind of thirsty, plus there's something I wanted to ask you about. You wanna go somewhere for a drink?" Light asked far too innocently, though he very deliberately made it clear I wasn't invited.
"You humored me with a tennis match. The least I can do is answer some of your questions. But before this conversation goes any further, there's something I must tell you." Uh-oh. I had a feeling my cover was going to be blown soon.
"What's that," Light asked clearly still pleased with his victory over L.
"I suspect that you, Light Yagami, are in fact Kira. Now if you still want to ask me something, please go ahead." Light stopped walking and his eye flickered to me in panic before he forced out a laugh.
"Heh you think I'm Kira? Ryuuga you really shouldn't joke like that in front of my sister."
"On the contrary Light, she is already fully aware of my identity and investigation. She knows any suspicions I have are completely serious. And when I say I suspect you, it's only a one percent possibility. That aside, I don't mind telling you that once I'm sure you're not Kira and I can verify your deductive skills are as strong as I think they are, I'd like nothing more than to have you work with me on this investigation." Shit.
"Rei," Light said turning towards me, "is this true." Shit. Shit. Shit. What do I do?
"Yeah," I said apologetically turning my face to the ground. L came to my rescue.
"You must understand Light, I required her to keep her knowledge of my identity a complete secret in order to participate in the investigation and prove your innocence." Thank you, L. I'm buying you any sort of candy you want for the next three months.
"I wanted to tell you," I pleaded, "but I also wanted to prove to L you weren't Kira."
"I understand," Light said. "But Ryuuga, you really need to learn to reveal this things a bit less dramatically. You're lucky I didn't suspect you of using Rei to get to me." Touché, Light. Exchanging one lie for another. On this note, we all made our way to a small coffee shop to further discuss the case.
"This coffee shop is one of my favorites in the area. And if we sit here, there's no chance in anyone overhearing us," Light explained as he sat in a chair on one side of the table. L took the chair on the over side leaving me to choose again. Hesitating slightly, I sat next to L.
"Thanks for showing me this place. I can see why you like it," L commented, his attempt at making small talk.
"Not to mention we're so out of the way here, no one will give you a hard time about the way you sit."
"I don't sit like this because I want to, I have to sit like this," L said. Oh really? "You see if I were to sit normally then my deductive skills would immediately be reduced by roughly forty percent." There was a slightly awkward pause while Light processed this. Typical L, turn everything into a percent. Most likely he simply felt less vulnerable in that position, allowing his thoughts to flow more easily. "So what was it you wanted to ask me?" Light blinked, brought back to the subject.
"Right, I'm sure that can wait until you're convinced I'm not Kira. So please let's talk about whatever you want to," Light said graciously, like he was doing L a favor.
"You're under no obligation to do this, but would you mind submitting yourself to a test of your deductive reasoning skills?" L questioned. Light sipped his coffee.
"Sure. Why not? It sounds like fun." Only Light or I would find that fun.
"Alright then," L answered flatly. He ruffled in his pocket bringing out the same three photographs L had used to test me all those weeks ago. "We can begin by taking a look at these; photographs of three notes written by prison inmates while under Kira's control just prior to their deaths. None of this information had been made public." L slid the photos across the table. "You can take as long as you'd like to look them over. Please let me know what you think."
Light picked up the pictures and flicked through them. L reached for his cup only to find it empty. He frowned, his brow furrowing. He probably needed to refuel on sugar after all the energy he had expended during the match. I shoved my untouched cup towards him as well as several packets of sugar and cream. He murmured his thanks before happily pouring in the diabetic mess.
"Very interesting," Light said, bringing L out of his sugar obsessed moment. "It would be quite amazing to learn that not only could Kira kill others, but also control his victims' reactions." I noticed he was speaking mostly to L and I relaxed a bit. "I think Kira wrote these and it seems he encoded a message for you as well, almost as if he's mocking you. If you line these notes up side by side and take a look at the first character of every line it reveals a message. Rearranging it like this gives you, 'L do you know? Gods of Death love apples.' But there are obvious print numbers on the back of all these photographs. Arrange them in that order and you get, 'L do you know? Love apples Gods of Death.' That doesn't sound right and based on that it's hard to believe Kira would have wanted you to read it this way."
L glanced my way while I suppressed any reaction. Light was proving yet again how often we were on the same wave level. However, he hadn't decided to take it any farther unlike me. He wasn't expecting L to pull a trick.
"That's incorrect," L deadpanned, not even pretending to be disappointed with the outcome. Light let out a noise of surprise. "The thing is there were actually four photographs." L dug in his pocket drawing out another photograph and laying it next to the previous three. "When you add this one it reads, 'L do you know? Gods of Death who love apples have red hands.'" Light sat up defensively.
"But seeing as I only had three photographs to work with, my deduction was perfect!" Light argued back, fuming.
"No it wasn't," L answered, stirring up the fire to get a greater and possibly more revealing reaction. "The truth is, there were four of them. If you had managed to deduce that then your deduction would have been perfect. Even though you knew the message was incomplete you decide there were only three notes, you never even considered there might have been a fourth. What do you make of that?" Light stiffened, his nostrils flaring slightly, before all signs of agitation drifted off his face. He even added a fake laugh.
"Well you got me there, I didn't think about that. In any case the likelihood that this message will lead you back to Kira isn't very great. Besides we all know gods of death don't exist," Light said dismissively.
"Actually," I interrupted unthinkingly, "I'm beginning to wonder if Kira is somehow referring to his power to kill when he mentions Death Gods." Light stared at me.
"How so?" L asked, once again absorbed in his coffee.
"Well he could be comparing himself to a Death God with how easily he can end people's lives or he could be attempting to suggest that his power somehow derived from a Death God," I explained.
"That's an interesting theory," L mused. "I'll have Watari look into it."
"But then Rei," Light commented, "wouldn't that make you a God of Death then?" he smiled falsely at me and I tried not to wince. The insult had just enough of sting behind it to hurt.
"Yeah, that's me," I joked weakly, "a God of Death and serial killer." L frowned.
"Please do not joke about such matters. I have already ascertained you are not Kira. It is an insult to even consider that you are any form of a criminal. Do not say things like that lightly," L criticized coming to my defense. Of course Light's calculating eyes and ears didn't miss this. We were silent for a moment before L restarted the conversation.
"If you were me faced with someone who might be Kira, how would you go about establishing this person's innocence or guilt? You need to be absolutely sure," L instructed. Light considered this while sipping his drink.
"I would probably want to get them to say something that was never made public. Something only Kira would know." Light's eyes narrowed. "Kinda like what you were doing just now." L shamelessly stared back at Light.
"Truly amazing. What's incredible is that I've asked countless detectives that same question and it took most of them minutes to come up with an answer. But you, you immediately though of a scenario in which Kira is speaking directly to the investigator. I'm impressed. You'll make a fine detective Light." I could almost see the vein throbbing in Light's head. L had just thrown back an equally armed compliment his way in retaliation to his insult towards me.
"But it's a bit of a double edged sword," light pointed out. "The more impressive my answers are the more of a suspect I become."
"Yes, it's about three percent now." Light's expression soured. "However, it's made me that much more determined to work with you on this investigation. You see, I'm in a position where even if you are Kira it would still be to my benefit to have you working alongside us. Do you know why I'd say that?"
I blinked. I hadn't considered that before, but this would give L an opportunity to watch Light and study his reactions to evidence and theories L suggests. And if Light isn't Kira, then he's added another able bodied mind to the team.
"If I cooperate with you, there's a chance I could help the investigation move forward and if I'm Kira I might reveal myself. In other words whether I'm Kira or not you stand to gain either way. It's a very smart move on your part, but I think you may be getting the wrong idea. It's true that I do have an interest in the Kira case and yes detective work is a hobby of mine but I know that I'm not Kira and I certainly don't want to be killed by him. Besides what proof have you been able to give me that you yourself aren't Kira?" I felt my own eyes flash in response. I balled my hands into fists and bit my lip suppressing my anger. That was a low blow. "I mean it hardly seems fair for just one of us to be investigated wouldn't you say?" Light argued, referring to the trust between L and I. "At this point neither of us can prove we are not Kira. However if you are in fact L, I don't imagine it would be that hard for you to prove it to me." And so the truth behind the monologue is revealed. "I think I'd be convinced if say, my father or someone else from the task force was able to confirm your identify. If you can't do that, then I'm afraid that I just won't be able to help you," Light finished.
"I don't remember saying you couldn't meet anyone from task force headquarters to verify my identity," L contradicted. "I am currently working alongside your father as well as several other senior detectives from the NPA." Yeah and one under qualified rookie. And I didn't mean Matsuda. "Now if I understand you correctly, I take you to task force headquarters, you'll help us with the investigation. Am I safe in making this assumption?" the way of L worded this made it sound like he was making a deal with the devil, though in his eyes he probably was. Suddenly L's phone rang. "Excuse me." Light's began to ring as well.
"Oh there goes mine," he said lamely.
"Yes? Light, Rei, its your-" Light's eyes widened.
"My father, he had a heart attack," Light said in shock.
"What?" I screeched throwing my hands down on the table. No. No. No. No. No. No. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO!
"Rei, please calm yourself," L pleaded taking my face and turning it towards him. It was only then I released I had said no out loud.
"It's happening again," I muttered. And if Light wouldn't hesitate to kill our own father…then what was in store for me?
"It is not happening again," L assured me. "Your father will recover. The heart attack was not fatal. I can call Watari to bring us to the hospital immediately." I nodded weakly. Light watched our interaction curiously.
"What do you mean it-"
"Watari is on his way," L interrupted loudly snapping his phone shut.
Mom had just left the hospital room, leaving Light, L and I alone with Dad. The room was far too sterile and everything seemed too loud, from the crackling of the hospital sheets to the heart monitor that would warn us if Dad was going to have a relapse. I was a mess, clutching my father's hand tightly in mine. Dad wasn't faring much better. He was gaunt, his cheekbones hollow and his eyes were red. His breathing was shallow and it seemed to be an immense effort to stay awake.
"So the doctors think stress is the only cause?" Light asked. I resisted the urge to glare at him. I didn't want Dad to waste energy by talking.
"Yeah. To be honest, I thought it was Kira when I first collapsed, but I'll be alright. It seems I've been pushing myself a bit too hard lately," Dad explained. A bit? A bit! He had barely slept or eaten in the past three weeks. His body couldn't take the constant pressure he was putting himself under.
"Indeed," L added. "It must have added to your stress knowing that Light is a suspect in the investigation."
"You actually told my father that?" Light exclaimed in shock.
"Yes," L answered unperturbed. "In fact I told him everything; it's true that he even knows I am L." Light's eyes widened as hid head whipped towards Dad for confirmation.
"That is correct. This man is L," Dad answered breathing heavily with his eyes closed. "To protect his identity, we on the task force refer to him as Ryuzaki, but make no mistake. It's him. So Ryuzaki, now that you've had the chance to talk to my son, is he cleared as a suspect?"
"When I say I suspect him you should know it is very minor," L clarified. "We've gone over this, but I'll explain it again. Not long ago Kira killed twelve FBI agents who had come to Japan to assist us. They were instructed to follow people connected to the Japanese police. One of these agents, Ray Penber, exhibited unusual behavior before he died." Light crossed his arms.
"I understand. And I was one of the people Raye Penber was investigating before he died," Light said. I froze. Did L ever explicitly state Raye Penber was the one following Light? "It only makes sense that I'd be a suspect. No to be more precise there's no one else you could suspect."
"Light," I began. "Ryuuga never said anything about Penber following you." The room grew scarily silent before Light brushed the comment off.
"It was clear from how Ryuuga reached the conclusion I was a suspect that Penber had been the one following me. Besides why else would he only mention Penber?" Light argued. I nodded, not completely convinced. L continued the conversation.
"I find Light's deductive powers quite impressive. He's always quick and to the point." Really? I found Light's deductions long, evasive, and left up to the interpretation of the listener.
"Ryuuga, I'd like to be able to help with the investigation. My father has erased any doubts I might have had regarding your true identity. Also I'd like nothing more to catch Kira so I can prove once and for all I'm not him," L said.
"No, Light," Dad disagreed. "This is a time in your life you should be studying to be a police officer. It won't be too late to join us once you are done. That goes for you as well Rei."
"Come on Dad," Light argued. "What are you talkin about? Who knows how many years that will take? Besides don't you remember my promise? That if something ever happened to you, I would find Kira and make sure he gets executed." Light promised that? And it didn't seem like he was lying. He was being sincere.
"Light, listen to me. Kira is pure evil, we can all agree on that. But recently I've started thinking of this whole situation in a different way. What is truly evil is the power to kill people. And any person who has come to posses such a power is cursed no matter how you use it. No true happiness can be achieved like that. Not by killing other people," Dad said passionately. Though from Light's expression it appeared it was falling on deaf ears.
"I think you're absolutely right," L agreed. "If Kira is just a normal person who somehow obtained this awful power, I would say that he's cursed."
"Ryuzaki I'm sorry for all-"
"If you apologize then I will call the nurse in to sedate you," I said menacingly. At this moment, a nurse chose to walk in to kick us out. We apparently had over stayed visiting hours. We showed ourselves out and were in the process of walking out the entrance when Light chose to spoke again.
"Ryuuga…what would it take for you to believe I'm not Kira? Please isn't there something?" he pleaded somewhat desperately.
"If you're not Kira it won't be necessary. Let things run there course and the truth will be revealed." This only wound Light up even more.
"I can't take this anymore! Put yourself in my position. How do you think it feels to be accused of being Kira?" L pondered this staring into space. When he answered his voice was despondent.
"It was one of the worst feelings ever." I felt my breath hitch at this. I suddenly wanted to comfort him, like he had done for me. Light's voice was wild now.
"What if you were to lock me up for a month in a place with no TV or any kind of access to the outside world and keep a constant watch over me?" Any regret in l's voice dissipated.
"That's no good. I can't do anything that deprives you of basic human rights, and furthermore its complete nonsense for the investigator to take suggestions from the suspect."
"I understand," Light finally said defeatedly. "We should probably head home, Rei." He extended his hand toward me and I couldn't help, but flinch. Light frowned.
"I am afraid that is impossible Light," L contradicted. "I requested Rei's presence at headquarters tonight. I need her help with analyzing some data." Light's stare hardened and his mouth turned to a thin line.
"Of course," he answered. Watari opened the door and I climbed in. I hadn't been aware of this plan. But I didn't exactly disapprove either. L followed closely at my heels and rolled his window down.
"Don't worry so much," he told Light. "Be patient and it will become apparent to us that you're not Kira. And after listening to that conversation with your father I was almost convinced you might not be him. Light, please take care of Yagami-san."
"Oh and one more thing," light added. "I know I agreed to help with the investigation, but I don't think I'll be able to do much until my father is feeling healthy again."
"Yes, of course. Well then," L trailed off as Watari pulled away.
I pressed my cheek against the cool window of the car, watching street lights pass by. I felt positively sick. I had been so sure that my father was going to be taken a way from me, and by my brother no less. The idea that Light could have killed him….I had to hold back vomit. And if he could kill Dad, what did that mean for me? Or Sayu? Or Mom? Were we all one tiny step away from being murdered in cold blood? I shuddered.
I blinked when I felt pressure on my hand. It was curled around a small chocolate. I smiled softy and I pressed the small candy across my heart, comforted to know there was someone who cared.
~Author's Note~
Well that wasn't nearly as fluffy as usual. This chapter is mostly set up anyway. Now I'm sure you're all wondering, why is Thursday gonna suck? Well it's because I'm having all four of my wisdom teeth removed. Because of this, I'm going to do two things I don't normally do.
1.) Ask for reviews.
I never really ask for reviews mainly because I find it annoying when authors constantly ask for them. But today is an exception because I want some sort of comfort when I can't eat sold food and I'm spontaneously bleeding from my mouth.
2.) Advertise.
I want ya'll to look at two things I've written recently. One is a bonding one-shot between Matt, Near, and Mello called the Bonds of Brotherhood. The second is one of nine drabbles I'm writing about characters of death note called 9 Masks. So please check those out and review too.
Oh and if I answer any reviews after this is posted strangely, it's because I'm high off pain meds.
Thanks for reviewing!
princesscay: Miss you too.