Aizawa: My hair is telling you that TCLA-san does not own Death Note
TCLA: Bwahahaha I've been wanting to do that for forever!
Aizawa: My hair would also like to tell you TCLA-san isn't clever enough to come up with her own jokes, so she rips LK's.
TCLA: Shut up angry fro man.
Chapter 27 Taken
"This has got to be the lamest date Misa has ever been on," Misa complained.
Well, it's not like I disagreed. Light was sitting there with his arms behind his head looking disinterested. L was stuffing his face with cake, which in itself was endearing, but the rattle of chains that accompanied it was anything but. It sounded like a particularly active prison ghost who had been killed in this building while eating cake and was now trying to scare anyone off doing the same. That was the worst analogy I've ever come up with.
"No, just pretend I'm not here," L ordered. He pressed the fork into his mouth slightly mangling his words much like a two year old with a lisp. "By the way, are you going to eat that piece of cake?" L asked with a tilt of the head.
"Cake makes you fat. Misa isn't gonna eat any!" She said this with what she thought was a surreptitious glance in my direction as I was eating my second piece of cake. Well, subtlety had never been Misa's specialty.
"Actually, I've found that you don't gain weight as long as you burn calories by using your brain." I smirked at the jab L had retaliated with, hiding the smile with a bite of cake.
"Hmph! And now you're calling Misa stupid? Fine, Misa will give you the piece of cake as long as you agree to leave Light and Misa alone!"
"Even if I leave you two alone, I'll still be watching on surveillance cameras. It wouldn't make any difference," L explained dully, the fork still on his mouth.
"You pervert! Would you stop it with your creepy hobby!" I winced as Misa's voice went up an octave.
"You can call me whatever you like. Last chance for cake," L offered not waiting to hear the result as he was already reaching for the cake. Light moved his arm to create less tension in the chain as L moved.
They, it seems, had already gotten the hang of the coordinated movements required to work efficiently with the chain, despite the fact it had been on for less than twenty-four hours. But I had to factor in the fact they already thought in synchronization, it wouldn't be difficult for that same smooth process to translate to movement.
"Ok then…Misa will just close all the curtains and turn off all the lights," Misa argued. Just barely avoiding making an innuendo about turning off the lights, I sighed loudly; already sick of the childish debate. L was almost egging her on.
"We have infrared cameras in here as well," L added eating more cake. Something was slightly off about L…
"What's wrong with you?" Light asked, finally participating in the conversation. "I thought moving here was supposed to help us catch Kira, but since you've been here you don't seem that motivated to me," Light observed. So Light caught it too.
"Not motivated…you're right. Actually I'm depressed," L admitted with a frown, digging his fork into his cake.
"Depressed? What for?" Light and I asked in unison. Light sent me a small smile of surprise, before turning back to L.
"Well," L began taking a bite of cake and continuing to speak with the obstruction, "truthfully, all this time I thought you were Kira, and the entire Kira case hinged on that fact. I guess I can't get the past the fact my deduction was wrong." L frowned and sent Light a look. "Although, having said that, I'm still suspicious of you. That's why we're wearing these," L stated jangling his wrist. "Then we also know that Kira can control people's actions. Which means it's highly likely Kira was controlling your actions so I would suspect you."
I felt my heart pound. That option was almost too good to be true. But everything the first Kira had done just screamed Light to me. The precision of the plans and deaths was just too…perfect, I suppose. Far too similar to brush Light off as being the victim. And If Light had been controlled, that would hint there was someone even more intelligent then both L and Light who had the ability to manipulate factors in such a way it would seem like that he didn't even exist. That was hard to imagine. L and Light just were…the highest of anyone They towered everyone else. I doubt anyone could have overturned either of them from their pedestals.
"If I assume both you and Misa we're being controlled by him," L continued, "then everything we've observed makes a lot more sense to me."
"If that's what you think, then Misa and I were both Kira during the time we were both being controlled right?" Light concluded.
"Yes," L agreed. "I don't think I could have been wrong about that. The two of you are Kira," l said quietly. Light and Misa sent a glare towards L. I felt a shiver at remembering Light's previous blood curdling stare. "I don't believe it was coincidence as soon as you were imprisoned all the killing stopped. Until then everything pointed to you being Kira. But after two weeks criminals actually began dying again. Based on that evidence, I can only conclude Kira's power passes between people."
"That's an interesting idea. If it's true then it will be nearly impossible for us to catch Kira," light added.
"It would certainly explain the personality change," I muttered. Light shot me a strange look.
"Precisely," L said nodding to me. "And yes Light. That's why I'm overwhelmed. Even if we catch someone under his control, then they're likely to lose their powers or any memory of their crimes. In the end pursuing becomes futile," L finished bitterly.
"But at this point we have no way of knowing if that's the case. Cheer up Ryuzaki," Light suggested with an encouraging smile.
"Cheer up?" L asked like the idea was absurd. "No…I'm sorry. I can't. It's probably better if I stop trying so hard." L hooked a finger in his lip as it jutted out like a pouting child's. He was just…going to give up? "By chasing Kira so desperately, we're just putting our lives at risk for nothing." L sighed. "Yes. It's just a waste of time," he mused.
I could feel myself starting to shake in anger. A waste of time? Was everything here really just a waste of time? The confinement, the deaths, all panic and hysteria caused. Was that all just a waste of time? What about me? Was I a waste of time? All these questions ran through my mind, begging to be released as I clamped my mouth shut, chanting my mantra. Trust. Trust. Trust… I was so preoccupied I didn't see Light also shaking in anger.
"Ryuzaki…" Light said his eyes tilted downward as he stood.
"Hm?" L asked. And then he was airborne form the impact of Light's fist against his jaw. I watched in astonishment, my anger derailed as L was thrown backwards, his body attempting to protect itself by curling into a ball; resulting in his legs almost going above his head. And then Light was following, the chain that connected the pair unceremoniously taking him along for the ride.
They hit the wall with a sickening crash, knocking over a nearby plant with the fore of their impact. L sat up, his expression dazed. I found myself standing and moving towards him only to find Light blocking my path with his body.
"You know that really hurt," L commented blankly betraying no discomfort in his voice.
"Light," I said in a warning voice reaching for his shoulder. He roughly shrugged me off and stormed towards L.
"That's enough!" Light yelled. "You don't feel like doing anything? Just because your genius deduction was wrong and I'm not Kira?" Light demanded. L wiped at his mouth, still on the floor. Misa tittered nervously in the background. We ignored her.
"Perhaps I phrased it the wrong way," L conceded. "I meant it would be pointless for us to make a move at the moment so we shouldn't bother," he clarified.
"If we don't chase Kira, he'll never be caught! Is that what you want? If you were just going to give up, why did you involve all those innocent people?" Light seized L's collar. "More importantly, what was the point of putting Misa and me behind bars?"
"Light, you need to calm down," I said. "You need to stop."
"Aren't you the least bit angry Rei? Think of everything he put us through!" Light asked not looking away from L. I exhaled sharply, balling my hands into fists, my nails digging into my palms.
"Yes. I'm angry, Light. But you can't just attack him like that!" I responded my eyes flashing.
"I understand," L murmured. "But still whatever the reason…" My eyes widened as I saw l lean back and I only had moments to dodge out of the way before Light was flying backwards from a kick to the jaw. Before L was yanked after Light, I swear I heard him mutter, "An eye for an eye my friend."
They were launched into the couch, knocking it to the floor. L groaned under his breath, and resumed a crouch, though this looked like a hunter pursuing its prey rather than his normal bird like perch.
"It's not my deduction that was wrong," L disagreed, his voice breathy from the constant jarring. "The fact is, I can say that Light Yagami is Kira and Misa Amane is the second Kira, but it won't be enough to solve the case and that's why I'm a little depressed. Is that unreasonable?"
No it wasn't. When he explained it, it made complete sense. How must it feel to know that you are right, but have no one believe you? To have to watch that person walk free and continue murdering. Up until this point, L had been showing enormous amounts of restraint. Apparently, in his incensed state, Light hadn't reached the same conclusion.
"Yes. Yes it is," Light answered haughtily. "Besides, you should hear yourself! It's like you won't be satisfied unless I am Kira!" L paused, considering this.
"…I won't be satisfied unless you're Kira," L questioned flatly, mulling it over. "Well, there may be some truth to that. In fact, now that you mention it, you're right. I think I wanted you to be Kira." I winced at the callous remark as well as the punch L received in exchange.
Another groan of pain escaped L's lips, though it was muffled, as were his next words. "I said before, an eye for an eye. I'm a lot stronger than I look you know," L informed returning Light's punch with a powerful kick in the face.
They exchanged a flurry of blows, moving in whenever the other had just delivered a hit. They used the chain as a way of keeping themselves centered, tugging on it to get closer range attacks.
"Enough!" I yelled trying to stand in between the pair. "You both need t-" the phrase I was about to say died as Light's fist came towards me in attempt to get to L. My eyes shut and I inhaled in preparation of the pain. That incidentally never came.
I opened my eyes in confusion to see L's body twisted around mine in order to block the hit. L took advantage of my disorientation to knock my feet out from under me and maneuver the fight in a different direction. I landed on my butt with a squeak of surprise. L and Light were still going at it, each seizing a handful of the other's shirt as they prepared to simultaneously punch the other. But interrupting that genius plan, was the ringing of a phone.
Immediately, they released each other and L bent down to answer the phone that had fallen to the floor in the midst of the struggle. He was crouching in some sort of stance reminiscent of a badly dubbed martial arts movie. I would if laughed if I hadn't seen him attempting to knock my brother unconscious a few moments ago.
"Yes?...Oh I see…." L unceremoniously hung up on the caller.
"What was that?" Light asked not betraying any sign he had been flustered and out of breath merely seconds before.
"Matsuda's acting stupid again," L said in means of an explanation. Light sighed wearily.
"Well that is his specialty."
Seeing me still on the floor, Light and L both offered me a hand. I scowled at them, but accepted. Once I was on my feet, I dusted myself off and started cleaning Misa's apartment. Misa herself stood off to the side making no move to do anything.
"Judging by your silence, I assume you are angry at us," L commented casually.
"No not at all. I thoroughly enjoyed watching you two try to kill each other," I said airily.
"I sense you are being highly sarcastic."
"No shit, Sherlock," I muttered under my breath. Light grinned at this, but sobered after a shot him a glare.
"L your cheek is swelling," I pointed out back in the main lobby. L briefly touched his cheek before resuming typing.
"I suppose it is." I rolled my eyes.
"Don't you want ice or anything?" I prompted hoping he would get the hint.
"I do not believe ice would help further this investigation."
Growling under my breath about socially awkward detectives who wouldn't even treat their own injuries, I left the room only to return a few minutes later with a bag of ice, which I slapped down on the desk. He briefly glanced at it, but returned his attention to the monitor in front of him. Sighing, I picked up the ice and gently pressed it to his cheek.
"Thank you," he murmured softly.
"No problem," I answered. I could feel Light's eyes on me, but I turned away.
"Ryuzaki, for the moment, headquarters has no supplies. A delivery truck will be a long later this week, but until that time would you like me to purchase provisions?" Watari asked, entering the lobby.
"Ah yes. Thank you Watari." Pausing for a moment, he pressed his thumb to his lip, thinking. "Rei should go along as well. Since the confinement began she has spent very little time outside. I suppose Matsuda should also accompany you as well."
"I get to come? Yes! Thank you Ryuzaki!" Matsuda cheered happily.
"I merely foresee Watari purchasing more supplies then he can carry. I believe the proper term for you in this assignment would be, 'cheap labor,'" L added. Matsuda wilted and I flicked L's head.
"Don't be rude," I chastised. L rubbed his head, sending me a look.
"Matsuda I value your contribution to this case, therefore I am rewarding you with an excursion into the outside world. Is that satisfactory?" L asked the sarcasm in his voice just detectable.
"Close enough," I said with a shrug.
"Aren't you excited to be outside?" Matsuda asked upon entering the store.
"It is nice to see normal people," I admitted, holding the list Watari had given me. "Wow. It looks like we got L's sugar demand. Strawberries, cherries, chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, red velvet, and spice cake and a bunch of other sweets." Matsuda squinted over my shoulder and made a sound of awe.
"How can he eat all of that?"
"You get used to it after a couple weeks," I informed him heading to where all the major sugar confections would be.
"Did you really eat that stuff with him?" Matsuda asked trailing by my side like a puppy.
"Mm-hm. Unless Watari brought me something else. I don't recall eating much to tell you the truth."
Matsuda took this as a cue to stop speaking. He wasn't unaware of how hard those fifty days had been. We finished shopping relatively quickly and met up with Watari at the checkout.
"He wasn't kidding when he said we were gonna need cheap labor to carry all these," I observed at seeing the immense pile of food and other supplies. "It's gonna take at least several trips." Matsuda groaned. Even with all of us taking enormous load, it took three trips, leaving only one bag behind.
"I'll get it," I offered at seeing Matsuda's pained expression. He brightened immediately.
Coming out of the store holding the final bag, I heard a cry coming from a nearby alley.
"Help!" a male voice shouted. Without thinking, I went into the alley. "Help!"
"Sir?" I called back. "Hello?"
The alley was empty, with the exception of some newspapers that had blown in. It felt strangely ominous, despite the daylight and presence of people nearby. "Hello?" I called again feeling nervous. Suddenly, feeling sick to my stomach, I turned to leave only to have a rag reeking of some foreign chemical pressed against my face.
Déjà vu ran through me and I struggled aware of what would happen next. I dropped the bag, hearing glass break as it hit the pavement. My thrashing was short lived though as the chemical took effect on my body. Sluggishly, I felt myself collapse.
My last conscious memory was of feeling a man's breath against my ear.
"Caught you, Kira."
~Author's Note~
Yes. I am evil. I simply couldn't leave Rei's past alone. It's much more fun to twist the knife in deeper. So. Because there is about a two month gap between the fight and Light finding out the deaths are connected to Yotsuba, this is my way of filling the gap without a time skip. Is it cliché? Yes. But will it be fun to the max for me? The answer again is yes.
I now have a facebook page for my author persona. I'm Tcla san on there. I also have a page for Survivor. I believe it's called, "Survivor: A Death Note Fanfic." Sorta narcissistic of me, but whatever. I wanted to do it.
OVER 400 REVIEWS! YOU GUYZ! Best early birthday present ever. Which is Friday by the way. If you wondering. I'll be 15. Along with my mermaid twin Jayne Foyer. I LOVE YOU LUCILLE.
(anon reviewer with no name): I have discussed this with WhiteLadyDragon and neither of us feel there is a problem with her reviewers on my story. I accept reviews of all kinds and I appreciate every single one. Flames and criticisms alike. However I do appreciate the concern you showed for me and my story. It's heartwarming to know you want me to stick to my guns and not let anyone tell me how to write my story. I seriously love that you cared enough to leave me that piece of advice. Thank you much for the review. :)
SweetHearts4L: 13 kids? Woah. I'm naming them L, Matt, Mail, Mello, Mihael, Ryuzaki, Beyond, Lawliet, Nate, Near, Toby, Victoria, and Ryan. Ahaha I'm such a nerd. And while a lemon per say may not be coming, a suggestion of one will.
K: Why thank you K-san. K is a bad ass letter. It reminds me of a sword.
Nicole: Nicole is my middle name ^_^ Thank you for being a fan!
Gwen: This is probably gonna sound really creepy…but I was obsessed with your name for the longest time… Thanks for reviewing!