A/N: Pretty much the same, not really anything new. Just cleaned it up.
I think I would like Light's character a lot more if he wasn't such an egotist or a pretty boy (not into that stuff). Hell, I don't even disagree with Light. I'm really cynical.
Anyone watch Dexter?
Chapter Fourteen - Curse
White smile in the dark.
Evil eyes stare through your soul.
Death and destruction.
"What do you mean 'there's a Tennis match going on between Light and Ryuzaki'?!" I stutter, looking at Makoto with a horrified expression. It's two days after school officially started, and I have been dodging Light's attempts to corner me on campus.
Kakushin stares at her friend with wide eyes, eyebrows raised.
"I mean exactly what it sounds like! They're down at the courts attacking each other with Tennis balls!" Makoto gesticulates wildly. "Come on, let's go!
"Why didn't you say so earlier?" I shout, jumping up.
What on earth are you trying to accomplish, L?
When we arrive both of them are in the heat of the moment. Ryuzaki isn't half bad either. The two of them are indeed attacking each other, because it's intense enough to be a war. I can practically see their minds working.
Seriously, you guys are trying to dissect each other through a freaking Tennis match? Now I've seen everything.
The match ends spectacularly, with great flourish. They've attracted a crowd. Cheers go up as Light is pronounced the winner of the match. I can't say that I didn't expect that. L spends a lot of time sitting in his chair, and don't even get me started on his eating and sleeping patterns.
That is the moment Kakushin decides to express a realization. I glance over at her, raising my eyebrows. She's staring right at Light, her mouth open in a grimace. It's like she knows him or something.
"I knew it!" she shouts suddenly, catching everyone's attention. She stalks up to the two players, who had just shook hands, looking enraged. Getting up close and personal in his space she shouts: "Light Yagami, I challenge you to a rematch!"
… Rematch? Was there something important that I missed there?
It seems my thoughts are reflected throughout the people around us, including L. On the other hand, Makoto looks like he's come to a similar conclusion, as though he just remembered something key.
"I remember now!" he says, palming his fist.
"Remember what?" I am thoroughly confused now.
"Kakushin used to play Tennis. She was nearly the junior champion, but lost to Light. She claims that it was a fluke, but it was never proven," Makoto explains to me with actions and everything.
I did not know that.
Embarrassed, I look over back at Light, L and Kakushin. Light just as perplexed as I am, but then he seems to remember too. I send an apologetic expression over to Ryuzaki before Makoto and I melt into the crowd.
"I accept," Light agrees, a determined grin spreading across his face.
Kakushin doesn't bother to change out; she just yanks the racket from Ryuzaki's hand and heads over to the other side of the court. Ryuzaki joins us, and Makoto summarizes the story.
"A rematch …" L says to himself with a tiny, amused smile on his face.
After a moment, "How'd you get that good?" I lean over and whisper.
"I was British junior champion at one point," he murmurs quietly in return.
"Really, that's fascinating," I say, but don't push the matter.
The match between Kakushin and Light quickly progresses into a fierce fight between the two of them. The ball is never on one side for more than one or two seconds, and is flying around at lightning-fast speeds. I gaze in awe. I never thought that she was this good at sports!
Maybe that's because I'm mostly oblivious when I want to.
"Come on Light, you've gotten soft!" Kakushin taunts him, which again fuels his drive to win. He's taking this seriously. To both of them, this is for their previous title. It's kind of funny actually.
"I can still hold my own though!" Light yells back at her, and makes a back-handed strike at her side of the court. Kakushin does a dive and narrowly catches it.
They take turns trying to best each other. It slowly goes on until Light is up by two points, and his next will be his victory.
He shoots …
Kakushin strikes, and lands a point. And then another. Light scores. Back to even. They haven't set a number of matches, whoever has three points above the other wins.
The table turns. Kakushin's next is her victory.
"What's wrong Light? You have to fight!" she shouts, and smacks the ball as hard as she can.
He dives …
And misses!
"Kakushin Lee wins!" The line judge announces.
Makoto and I burst out in congratulations and run up to her. In my glee, it's my turn to tackle her. She just laughs and bats at me playfully. I can feel Light burning holes into my skin again.
He walks up to us. "That was a good match. You won fair and square," he says, and extends his hand. Kakushin takes it, ignoring the fact that he's Kira. I glare at him, a little, and make it not too obvious to anyone else that I am. His gaze flicks to me, but shoots back to Kakushin. He just smiles warmly.
"Come on, we should go," I cough, catching Makoto and Kakushin's attention.
"Yeah, great match Light," she says, gives a small wave and leaves with the two of us.
That was interesting.
And … fun.
It's been a good day, I decide.
I'm in a good mood for the rest of the day, and when I get home I'm just beaming. When I drop off my bag in our room, Yae just smiles at me.
"Good day?"
"Yeah," I smile.
Apparently joy is contagious. My Aunt and Uncle also seem to be in a better mood. Dinner is actually bearable for once. We even have some fun and have the kind of conversations that leave your stomach hurting from laughter.
My thoughts turn to Ryuzaki and Light. They must have finished their talk, and L must have already presented Light with the test he had me take right before the entrance exams. The corners of my mouth upturn slightly in an amused smirk when I think of the surprised expression that was probably on his face as he learned of the fourth note.
We got you!
So when my work phone starts beeping from my pocket, I expect good news. I'm in the middle of dinner, so I excuse myself and go into the hall.
"Yeah?"
"… Something has happened," Ryuzaki answers. I frown at his tone – it sounds like something bad happened.
"What is it?" I ask.
"Mr. Yagami has had a heart attack."
My fingers go numb and I drop the phone in shock. My mouth opens and closes like a fish gasping for air. My relatives pause and see my reaction. Their expression's sober as I pick up the phone and speak into it desperately.
"Is he alright?!" I cry. I don't even bother to be quiet. It doesn't matter if I'm overheard.
"He survived. The doctors say he collapsed due to shock. You can come here if you would like."
"Of course I would! Where are you?!" He quickly tells me, and I'm already slipping on my jacket.
"Kurai, where are you going?" My Uncle asks.
"Someone had a heart attack! No time to explain!" I shout back at them, and take off running. I take the fastest mode of transportation that I can think of, and am there within ten minutes.
My thoughts are whirling the entire time, but I am very grateful that Mr. Yagami is alive. I mean, what would happen if he did die?
And, the most frightening thought: what if Light had killed him?
By the time that I get there, I just want to make sure he's okay.
While we've been working the relations between all of us have loosened a bit. We've gotten to know each other. I think they've finally come to see me as part of the team. I've had some pretty interesting conversations with Mr. Yagami.
The stress of the knowledge that Light is a prime suspect must have gotten to him.
Oh, people are wonderful, but sometimes it hurts them beyond repair.
"N-Niiro, there you are," Matsuda greets me as I enter the lobby.
"Where is he?" I ask him.
Matsuda grimaces and the lines under his eyes tell me that he's worried too. He leads me to the room, where he stands in the doorway. I slowly enter the room, eyes widening in shock.
I can only manage a few, weak words. "Are you alright?"
He's lying down on the bed, and gives me a small, sad smile. His face is ghostly pale, and his hair shows signs of quick aging. Tubes are plugged into his arm, and the machine next to him is displaying his steady heartbeat. God, the sight makes me want to cry.
"I'm fine, thank you," he says, and gives another reassuring smile. My whole body relaxes in relief.
"Thank god it wasn't Kira," I say, and give a small chuckle. That's when I notice the other two occupants of the room.
"What's she doing here?" Light asks. He has a perfect 'what the fuck is going on' face, and it's hilarious, but I force myself not to laugh.
"Oh, hello Light," I say, and then nod to Ryuzaki. Matsuda leaves the room, muttering something about needing sleep, and I take a seat on the opposite side of Mr. Yagami's bed.
"This is the other person who I mentioned," Ryuzaki explains to Light, "she too knows of my identity as L."
"She's a detective?" Light blinks in surprise.
"It's more like … a hobby," I say with a small smile. I can tell that Light is beyond pissed. So I'm going to pretend that nothing is wrong.
"She has been a tremendous help with the case. Her deductive skills are some of the best I have ever seen," L says. I give a small chuckle.
"Now you're just blowing smoke up my ass."
I can see that Light realizes the full implications of this, and I give him a wry smile.
Kurai three, Light zero.
"So, Ryuzaki, now that you've had the chance to talk to my son, is he cleared as a suspect?" Mr. Yagami starts up a new conversation.
"When I say I suspect him you should know it's very minor." You're lying through your teeth! "We've gone over this but I'll explain it again. Not long ago, Kira killed twelve FBI agents that came to Japan to assist us. They were instructed to follow the people connected to the Japanese police. One of these police, Raye Penbar, exhibited unusual behavior before he died."
I want to bring up Naomi Misora, but I decide against it. That conversation wouldn't go anywhere. The only purpose I have for it is provoking Light.
"I understand, and I was one of the people Raye Penbar was investigating before he died. It only makes sense that I'd be a suspect. Nope, to be more precise, there's no one else you could suspect," Light says. I want to roll my eyes; great job for stating the obvious.
"I find Light's deductive powers to be quite impressive. He's always quick and to the point," L notes.
"I'd like to help with the investigation. My father has erased any doubts I may have had regarding your identity. Also, I'd like nothing more than to catch Kira so that I can prove once and for all that I'm not him."
I have to admit, he's good at this whole 'fake identity' thing. He must have had loads of practice. Unfortunately it's not very convincing to someone like me. I know that he's Kira, but when I step back from that it's still a little bit off.
Mr. Yagami turns to look at his son, "Light, this is the time of your life where you should be studying to become a police officer. It won't be too late to join us when you are done."
"Come on dad, what are you talking about? Who knows how many years that'll 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."
Oh, he didn't use that did he?
Still, Light is lucky. He has both his parents. I lost both of mine. Even though I have a simmering rage for the crimes my father committed, I still miss him. I even miss the talks he had to give me advice, just like what Mr. Yagami was doing.
He is a good father.
L looks rather pensive. His gaze seems to slowly go around to room, to me, to Light, to Mr. Yagami. I wonder what he was thinking about.
"Light, listen to me. Kira is pure evil, we can all agree on that, but recently I've started thinking about this whole situation in a different way. What is truly evil is the power to kill people. And any person who possesses this power is cursed. No matter how you use it. No true happiness can be obtained like that. Not by killing other people."
"I couldn't agree with you more," I say, looking down at the floor, "It's a horrible thing." I see L nod.
"If Kira really was just a normal person, who somehow obtained this awful power, I would say that he's cursed."
Cursed …
I have that power.
"Excuse me, visiting hours ended ten minutes ago," a mousy nurse interrupts us.
Light, Ryuzaki and I leave quickly. We exit the building to find that L's limousine is parked outside. I want to roll my eyes, but instead I opt for just ignoring the fact that he's showing off.
"Ryuzaki, what would it take for you to believe that I'm not Kira? Please, isn't there something?"
"You could stop digging your own grave," I say off-handed, earning a frown from Light.
"If you aren't Kira, that won't be necessary. Let things run their course and let the truth be revealed," Ryuzaki clarifies.
"I can't take this anymore! Put yourself in my position, how do you think it feels to be accused of being Kira?"
"Let me tell you something," I interrupt and both of them look over at me, "If you can't stand one day of suspicion, then wait a while. I have a feeling that it's going to get worse … If you are innocent then I will apologize. In the meantime, my money's on you."
They are silent for a moment before …
"But I'm not Kira!" Light exclaims. I look him in the eye with a grin.
"I don't see it," I shrug, and I can tell that Light knew what I had really meant: 'I can't see your lifespan, therefore you own a Death Note. You don't fool me.'
"Be patient. It will become clear to us whether you are Kira or not," L says as Watari opens the door for him. "Coming?" he asks me.
"Uh, sure," I blink, and get in. L enters after me, Watari closing the door behind us. He slides down the window to talk to Raito.
"Listening to that conversation between you and your father, I was almost convinced that you might not be him. Light, please take good care of Mr. Yagami," L says solemnly, making me smile.
"Oh, and one more thing, 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 healthy again," Light informs us.
"Yes, of course," L agrees, and then rolls up the window. The car starts with a rattle.
We rode in silence for a few minutes before:
"What do you think?" L looks over at me. He seems to be trying to gauge my answer.
"I don't believe Light for a moment," I say quietly, and then mutter 'cursed' under my breath. I'm not sure if Ryuzaki heard me or not, but if he did he hid it well.