L: Please remind me what I am doing this.
TCLA: Just say it.
L: Fine. TCLA-san would like me to explain to you, rather superfluously in my opinion, that she owns none of the characters or the premise of Death Note. She also wishes me to convey that her disclaimer is being done in this format because she can no longer come up with witty ways to state what I have just explained. I feel this is a great insult to her intelligence and she should feel more upset with me instead of gazing at me in such a frightening matter.
TCLA: I can't help it. You're adorable.
L: Please begin the story before I am subjected to any more unwanted attention from one of my rabid fans.
TCLA: Fine. And I no longer have rabies. I was cured.
Chapter Eighteen Tactical Errors
~Rei's POV~
The sun was just beginning to set, bathing the room we currently resided in with colors that only the most talented of artists could duplicate onto a blank canvas. Why was I treating my observation of the hotel room with such delicate precision? You could blame the man sitting in the large comfortable armchair for that. Romance, contrary to my earlier beliefs, did indeed provide a bit of a distraction. However, I had not sunken low enough to shamelessly stare at him with my mouth agape. My thoughts were merely a bit scattered, making serious concentration difficult. Especially when faced with such poetic elements of the perfect sunset occurring outside. I shook my head in an attempt to clear my mind and focus.
"Regarding Naomi Misora's disappearance," Ukita began, only furthering my proof that I was distracted. I had no recollection of the conversation leading to this topic. Damn sunsets. Wait, I was being irrational. It would be more prudent to simply damn L for causing the sunset to affect me so intently. Wait…wasn't I supposed to be focused? Oh damn it all. Sunsets and quirky super detectives included. "Shouldn't we open an investigation into this matter?"
That was right; we still hadn't managed to locate her. It was possible she was merely in hiding, but judging L's faith in her need to help; even if she was forced to go into hiding she would have devised some sort of way to alert L to her location. However, as she had been missing for four months, the likelihood of her somehow being dead whether by her own hand or Kira's was only growing more likely everyday.
"If we do it should be coordinated separately from the Kira case," L mused. "Also we'll have to use police sketches instead of actual photos." I see, because we are unsure how far Kira's infiltration into the police has progressed, we can't risk using photos on the off chance she was still alive. Kira could discover L's attempts to locate her and decide she would be better off dead.
"We're talking about someone who's been missing for four months already. Chances are she's probably dead," Aizawa commented cynically. My lip twitched in agitation. I normally got along with Aizawa, but his negativity was grating.
"If you're right about that, I find it odd we haven't found her body yet," L countered in a tone that made it clear he also disliked Aizawa's skepticism on the matter. I was beginning to find L's confidence in Misora a bit annoying. Yes, I was jealous. Can you blame me? A highly attractive young woman who had a promising career with the FBI and previously worked with L on a case that warranted his respect. Name someone who wouldn't feel intimidated. "If we did," L continued, "it might provide us with some much needed physical evidence."
I sighed. That was a valid point to consider. Even if we somehow managed to catch Kira, there's no guarantee we'd be able to convict him if no physical evidence was left behind in order to kill. Who was to say Kira simply didn't kill with nothing other than his mind without giving any outward sides he had committed the act?
The door creaked open, making Watari's presence known. We turned towards him expectantly. Watari only used sound to announce his presence when he had something to contribute to the case.
"Ryuzaki, something seems to be happening on Sakura TV," Watari explained. My curiosity was instantly peaked. Sakura TV was the televised equivalent to the magazines in grocery stores that described how the president of the United States and Bigfoot were lovers, and somehow Bigfoot had been impregnated. So basically, it was complete drivel. But if Watari had deemed something on the station to be important then perhaps Kira had chosen to target them over the outrageous lies they called stories. Or maybe the station, fed up with the police's lack of answers had created their own theories that would hinder the investigation. Whatever it was, it was sure to be interesting enough to break me out of my almost delirious state.
The officers stood and followed Watari to the room decked out in all methods of observation. The television sat in the center of the room in front of one of the many armchairs L favored sitting in. Watari switched the TV on and Ryuzaki settled into the single chair while the remainder of the force crowded around the TV in the remaining space. The reporter in the center of the trio on the screen began to speak.
"In other words, all the reporters and staff here are Kira's hostages. Aside from that we have a professional obligation to share this message with you. I assure you that this is not a hoax and Sakura TV is not airing this for the purpose of sensationalism." I repressed a snort. Of course they were airing this for sensationalism; however their information could still be valid.
"Kira's hostages?" Aizawa asked.
"What is this?" Matsuda said echoing Aizawa's disbelief. I shushed them when the reporter spoke again.
"Four days ago, our program director here at Sakura TV received four tapes. After a thorough examination there could be no doubt they are from Kira himself." No doubt huh? Almost unconsciously I dropped to my knees next to L in order to get closer to him. L's eyes flickered to me and back to the TV. "The first tape we received contained a prediction regarding the time of death of two suspected criminals who had recently been arrested and as predicted, at the exact time Kira specified, both men died suddenly of heart attacks yesterday. Kira has instructed us to air the second tape today at exactly five fifty-nine PM and we do intend to comply with his demands. This tape should offer proof of his powers by predicting yet another death. Beyond that we understand that it contains a message to all of the people of the world from Kira."
A message from Kira? That just screamed of disaster. People were obviously going to panic when addressed by a mass murder who declared himself justice. I bit my lip. This could possibly fuel riots between Kira supporters and anti-Kira supporters. I t was much easier to keep order when Kira was an anonymous killer without a face or voice.
"This has to be another fake don't you think?" Ukita asked desperately.
"I doubt it," Matsuda answered, his normal care free voice serious, while his eyebrows furrowed. "I'm pretty sure even Sakura TV wouldn't stoop that low."
"And now the video," the reporter continued, most likely oblivious to chaos he was causing. The screen was then changed to a white background with the word Kira crudely written in the same style as L's trademark insignia. I frowned, he had the audacity to mock L. He most likely felt his position at the moment allowed him to safely retaliate against L's past tricks aimed at him. We were then greeted by a voice masked in a ridiculous deep frequency, another attempt on Kira's part to further humiliate L.
"I am Kira. If this video is being aired on exactly April eighteenth at exactly five fifty-nine Pm as I requested then the time now is five fifty-nine forty-seven, forty-eight, forty-nine." We were then instructed to change the channel to another network to watch the death of a news anchor who had publicly spoken out against Kira.
"What?" Ukita asked in shock.
"Change it!" L ordered, and I resisted the urge to flinch at his harsh tone. Watari obeyed and the screen changed to a man slumped in his chair, obviously Kira's handiwork.
"It can't be! How could he!" Ukita cried out.
"Change the channel back! And I need you to bring another TV Watari. No make it two." L's voice was a bit gentler now, but it was still harsher then I had ever heard from him before. This was the voice that continually pursued justice, not allowing emotions or personal opinions to allow him to deviate from the laws laid down by the world.
"Yes," Watari answered, hastening to obey his employer. Kira continued.
"I will present you with another claim. My target is NHN TV commentator Seto Koizumi who is scheduled to appear in a live broadcast. He too dared to defy Kira."
"Ryuzaki," Matsuda said awaiting instruction.
"Change it to channel twenty-four," L commanded and Matsuda fumbled with the remote while the image on the television changed to that of another man collapsed in his seat while employees swarmed around him. "Please change it back," L said wearily.
"Now that you've seen proof of my powers, you should have no trouble believing I'm Kira." I felt my stomach twist into knots. Kira had transcended from a simple anonymous entity. It was clear from this message that Kira was indeed a very real person who was capable of ending anyone's life regardless if they had committed a crime. L seemed to be reaching a conclusion of another sort as he nibbled apprehensively on his thumb.
"Stop this broadcast! We can't let them finish!" L suddenly blurted out. Strangely, Matsuda was the first to react, while I remained motionless.
"Get Sakura TV on the line!" Matsuda shouted. He and Aizawa immediately began calling the station. Matsuda tried the official number while Aizawa attempted to call his informants who worked there.
"It's no good," the irate elder of the two said. "I'm trying, but none of my contacts at the station have their phones on!"
"Nobody's picking up at reception either," Matsuda said in devastation. I stayed on my position on the floor overcome by the feeling of helplessness. I had no power here. No amount of deductive reasoning or mind games could be used here. It was a situation that required some sort of action that I found myself unable to perform.
"Damn it," Ukita said through gritted teeth, eyes closed in anger. His eyes suddenly opened and he stormed towards the door of the suite.
"Ukita!" Matsuda called out from his place by the room's phone.
"I'll stop this broad cast myself if that's what it takes!" The door slammed heavily behind him and I winced at the sound. Kira began to speak again and I stared transfixed.
"People of the world, please listen to me. The last thing I want to do is kill anyone." At this a strangled laugh escaped my throat and tears appeared on the corners of my eyes. Somewhere in the back of mind I realized I was hysterical. More laughter broke free from my throat which quickly turned to breathless gasps. My vision began to swim. L turned my face towards him.
"Breathe," he commanded. I struggled to inhale and push the panic and fear I was experiencing to the back of my mind. "Breathe," he said again. "If you're not careful you'll go into shock." This time I managed to obey and my lungs were filled with sweet oxygen. His long tapered fingers brushed the tears from my eyes. "I understand your internal conflicts, but I require you to be strong in order to analyze the situation rationally." I nodded and his hand lightly squeezed mine. "Good girl." I smiled weakly at his reference to our past interaction.
"Hello? Damn it! I'm still not getting through!" Aizawa complained.
"Aizawa look!" Matsuda yelled pointing at the screen. I directed my attention towards the three TV's Watari had assembled. Matsuda was gesturing to the screen displaying the broadcast occurring outside Sakura TV.
"As you can see someone has collapsed just outside the door," a woman narrated. "Again, we're coming to you live from the front of the Sakura TV building."
"Ukita!" Matsuda cried out in horror. "Damn it! Kira did this!" Nausea threatened to overcome me and I monitored my breathing careful not to hyperventilate. Ukita was dead and Kira had no way of knowing his name. Was the task force compromised? Were we all as good as dead? I was brought back to attention when Aizawa started for the door.
"Aizawa-san. Where are you going?" L's tone was commanding again, though I could detect an undertone of fear.
"Where do you think?" Aizawa answered scathingly. "I've got to go there!"
"You can't. Please think about this rationally," L…pleaded? I've never heard L speak to anyone that way before.
"What you just want me to sit her and watch TV?" Aizawa thundered dangerously. L almost seemed to shrink back from the anger in Aizawa's voice. He curled up into an even smaller ball.
"If this truly is the work of Kira, you'll just meet the same fate if you go there," L said.
"You told us that Kira couldn't kill without a name! So how did this happen?" Aizawa demanded while coming even closer.
"The aliases and fake police IDs were worthless," Matsuda despaired. "What are we going to do L?" he asked forgetting to call L Ryuzaki. "You don't think Kira has all our names already?"
"That's a definite possibility," L admitted and Matsuda tensed. "However if that was the case you'd think it would be easier to kill off the entire task force before making a move." Matsuda relaxed. "Initially I deduced that Kira needed both a name and a face to kill. But from what we've just seen, I'd say that it not entirely impossible for Kira to kill without a face. All I know for sure is that Kira is either outside the TV station or somewhere close by in a place where he can watch everyone who enters the building. Perhaps he's," L was cut off by Aizawa.
"If Kira is in the area then isn't that why we should go down there?" Aizawa asked desperately grasping on an option that would allow him to retrieve Ukita.
"For all we know he could have just placed surveillance cameras in the area. If we rush down there unprepared all of us will be killed," L attempted to explain to the enraged officer.
"Wasn't it you who said we'd have to risk our lives to catch Kira?" Aizawa nearly screamed. I got to my feet suddenly determined to get between L and Aizawa's deranged advances.
"I meant what I said, but risking my life to catch Kira and doing something I know will cost me my life are two different things." Aizawa stampeded forward pushing me back as he gripped L's shoulder.
"Oh yeah?" he sneered.
"Aizawa!" I said sharply shoving him back though he kept his hold on L.
"Please control yourself. We lost Ukita. I understand you want to go there, but if something were to happen to you as well…" L trailed off, his voice laced with regret. It was then I noticed him shaking. I pried Aizawa off him and dropped back onto my knees and took his hand in mine. Aizawa had the decency to look ashamed and retreated several feet away from us.
"It's not your fault," I murmured softly, repeating the words he had once said to me. "Only Kira is to blame." L nodded and I squeezed his hand reassuringly. Then with our hands firmly intertwined we faced the rest of the broad cast which detailed Kira's demands and giving the police the option of complying with his demands or refusing. A loud crash on the television showing the entrance of Sakura TV diverted our attention. An armored vehicle burst through the glass doors of the station. My mouth dropped open in surprise.
"A vehicle has just driven through the front doors of the station!" the newswoman shouted.
"Well that's one way to get into the building without being seen by Kira," L commented in a detached tone. I laughed a bit nervously.
"But who would…"Aizawa began.
"We're still outside Sakura TV," the newswoman continued. "As you can see a police car just arrived."
"We're not alone," Matsuda said in awe. "There are still other officers out there who are willing to stand up to Kira."
"Aizawa-san," L said. The specified man turned to face L. "You know Deputy Director Kitamura's cell phone number right?" Aizawa nodded and dialed the number before handing the cell phone off to L. L paused while the person on the other end spoke. "This is L. there's something I need you to do for me. There may be other officers who see this broadcast and may feel moved to take action in the name of justice. If we don't take control of the situation quickly there will be a disaster." L's eyes flickered back to the television when another announcement was made.
"Two police officers have just collapsed on the sidewalk! I think we may be in danger. We're moving away to be sure," the newswoman said.
At that moment Watari's phone rang. The elderly man pulled the phone out.
"It's Director Superintendent Yagami," Watari informed us. I pulled my hand free from L's and hastily stood. Dad? My heart pounded. Dad was in the hospital. Even if he had seen the broadcast, he knew better than to call us while the task force was attempting to handle the situation. Unless…I blanched. No way. Please don't tell me Dad was in Sakura TV right now. The man just had a heart attack for Christ's sake!
"Call him back immediately and give me the phone," L ordered. Watari complied and handed the cellular device to L.
"Yes it's me Yagami-san." L paused as my father spoke back. "So you're the one driving the police van." I approached L, a question on the tip of my tongue my face showing my worry. "What about your condition? Are you all right?" L asked for my benefit. Dad answered again and L gave me a curt nod to convey he was fine. I nearly sagged to the floor again in relief. "Please hold the phone for a second," L requested before pressing the other phone to his ear. "Deputy Director Kitamura it was Chief Yagami who drove into the building. Are your preparations complete?" L nodded to himself before switching phones again. "Yagami-san. Listen carefully. In exactly five minutes I want you to come out the front entrance." L then bid my father goodbye.
"Well?" I asked anxiously.
"Your father is fine. He is in possession of the tapes and will be able to exit the building safely," L assured me.
"Thank God," I murmured, sinking to the floor for what seemed to be the twelfth time that day. The next twenty minutes were tension filled as we watched the entrance become completely covered and Dad drove away, seemingly alright. When a knock sounded at the hotel door, I sprang to my feet and threw the door open to help support Dad who was leaning heavily on Watari.
"Chief Yagami!" Matsuda said.
"Welcome back Chief," Aizawa added.
"Ryuzaki," Dad started, "I apologize for taking matters into my own hands. I have to admit I got a little carried away there." he held out a paper bag which L took. "These are all the tapes in the envelope. Everything that Kira sent into the station is in here."
"I can't thank you enough," L said with sincerity.
"I better rest for a minute," Dad sighed tiredly and Watari and I helped him hobble to the couch where he promptly collapsed.
"Aizawa-san, could you please take these to the crime lab right away," L requested while handing the bag off to Aizawa.
"I've still got a couple of friends down there. I'll make sure they go over every inch if this," Aizawa promised.
"That's good please do so. While you're doing that I'm going to watch these tapes and see if they can tell us anything." He turned to begin playing the tapes.
"Wait!" I found myself saying. L turned curiously back towards me and I threw my arms around his neck, drawing him close. Almost instinctually he responded and embraced me as well. I could hear Aizawa and my father's sharp gasps from behind me, while Matsuda awwwwed and Watari chuckled. "Thank you," I whispered softly. "Because of you he got to come back." I pressed my lips to his cheek and pulled away, heading back to Dad's side.
Surprisingly, Dad didn't look angry. Instead he was strangely resigned. Matsuda was nearly hopping from joy.
"So you and Ryuzaki are dating," Dad began. I smiled and held up a hand stopping him.
"Look. I'm sure all you want to do right now is sleep and any lecture you can come up will be weak and riddled with loop holes. This talk can wait until you're healed," I said.
"Alright," Dad allowed as exhaustion overtook him and he fell asleep. Now I had to face Matsuda who promptly threw his arms around me as I just did to L, though I doubted I was capable of making the squealing noise emitting from his throat.
"It worked!" he said proudly.
"And exactly what worked?" I asked in amusement.
"My plan of Ryuzaki sweeping you off your feet of course!" he exclaimed indignantly.
"Right….now if you'll excuse me, I should help Ryuzaki." I left to follow L and smiled when I found him curled up in a chair waiting for me. I promptly sat down next to him and his hand found mine once again giving me comfort in a cruel and unfair world.
~Author's Note~
I did it! I managed to update before I leave! So this chapter is up early because I'm going to be gone on Wednesday, when I normally update.
I hope all of my American readers have a very Happy Thanksgiving!