A/N: I actually really like this chapter! I get to mess around with the plot. You know that scene where L freaks out at the mention of Shinigami? I thought that was a little lame and even out of character. I mean, really? So I changed it, and gave myself a plot device for later!

- DW

Chapter Sixteen - Countdown

Tick, Tock.
The strike of a bell.
Time slips away,
Like sand through your fingers.
Never enough, or too much.
Time waits for no-one,
Yet we wait for time.

I frown. L and I just finished watching (more like listening) to the second tape, and I am not impressed.

L is busy processing the victims of this Kira on his laptop, "Hmm … this is quite odd."

"What is it?" I ask, and lean over to get a look at the screen.

"The two criminals that died yesterday are only minor criminals. They were only mentioned in tabloids and day-time talk shows."

"From what we know so far, Kira has only used small-time criminals like those to manipulate them. Yet in this situation, he simply ignores all subtly. Why would he use them instead of criminals whose death would be known by everyone?"

"And then there was the matter of the innocents that died … Kira has only killed innocent people that were after him. This isn't like him at all. In fact it's like-"

"-a second Kira," I finish for him. I've already come to that conclusion, but he doesn't need to know that.

"Yes, in fact now that it's mentioned the probability is roughly over 70% …" he calculates immediately.

The conversation to a normal person would seem hopelessly incomplete. The two of us, however, know the reasoning behind these things immediately, without it having to be explained.

You see, if there was in fact a second Kira, this could be proved many ways. Firstly, they used minor criminals. Just as I had asked: why would he use them? L and I answered these questions in our heads. The Second Kira would need to be able to prove their powers, but couldn't risk having the original Kira kill their victims before the set time. The TV hosts would simply brush the matter aside.

The innocents probably weren't so innocent in the eyes of the Second Kira. These people probably said something about Kira that they didn't like. To further back this point up, the Second Kira mentioned something about not making your opinions public in the second video. It's a case of hero/god worship.

So was the point of this? If this was in fact a Second Kira (I really doubt that Light would do anything of the sort) then what was he trying to accomplish? Surely this would be noticed by the original Kira, and then all hell would break lose. This person also has the eyes though, making them incredibly dangerous. Kira would want someone like that underneath his control, not running amok.

The Second Kira wanted to be noticed by the first.

We watch the third and fourth tapes, which are frighteningly similar. The Second Kira demands that L appears on TV (the real L this time). If the answer's yes, they would use his life like an assurance so that the police would not step a toe out of line and obediently follow Kira's orders. No, on the other hand, demands that L appear on TV to be killed as punishment for defying Kira.

The answer they were going to reply was obviously, without a shadow of a doubt, NO. Capital N, O.

So what would happen to L?

"Ryuzaki, what if the UN demands that you appear on television?" I ask quietly. He thinks for a moment.

"The answer should be obvious, if this situation was to arise."

"Oh?" I ask, taking a sip of the coffee that had been keeping me awake all night.

He turns to look at me pointedly, "You would succeed me as L." I sputter and end up spitting out the coffee in my mouth back into the cup, and even then some of it dribbles down my chin. I hastily wipe it away before turning to him with a horrified expression.

"Me?!"

"Yes."

"But, why?!"

"I thought that too would be obvious." He has that 'really, are you serious?' expression plastered on his face.

"I'm practically a kid though!" I protest. I do not like this idea. L is world renowned. He has so much pressure on him that his very lifestyle is molded to his job. Even if this has its own privileges, I just don't want it. I want to return to a normal life (as normal as it possibly can) after the Kira case. That is to say if I don't die first.

"You can refuse, and if that is the case there are two people that could take my position," he pauses, "Unfortunately, it could be years before they are ready." There isn't much choice in this, is there?

"Fine … but if you die I will only take over the Kira case, then those people can have the title by all means."

Does he really think that I would be able to pull something like that off? A comment like that from someone like him … If L were to die, I could become the world's next greatest detective. Hell, if he didn't die I could still become a world famous detective.

I don't want that life though. I don't want to be the best. I want to stay out of the spotlight.

Things aren't looking so good.

April 22, and the Second Kira's refusal video goes public.

Later the very same day, heads of state demand that L appear on television.

"Mr. Yagami, I'd like your permission to ask your son to cooperate with us on this investigation."

The task force exchange confused glances.

Here we are, April 23. Ryuzaki and I have just finished explaining our theory on the Second Kira (obligatory super-long explanation included) and while they are mulling it over we spring them with something new.

We want Light on the team.

I wish to keep an eye on him. Light, being Kira, will probably be very happy to know that he's on the team. He will have access to classified information and will get the chance to find the Second Kira before we do.

L suggested to me that we show him the tapes and wait for his response before telling him about our own theory. If Light's deductive skills are up to par with L and I, then he should have no problem telling if this is a Second Kira, regardless of being Kira or not.

If he is Kira (which we all know is true, even if the other members of the taskforce deny it) and he pretends that this is the same Kira as every other killing, he would suspect that L would appear on TV and be killed shortly later. This wouldn't do much besides up our suspicions.

If he realizes that it's a test, and tells us that he thought there was a Second Kira, the suspicion would remain the same. Nothing would change.

Ryuzaki said that there is a 5% chance that Light was Kira. He's lying though his teeth. He has that look in his eyes when you know he's just blowing sunshine up their asses so that they won't freak out. In private conversations, L confided in me that he highly suspected Light, and the 5% came from the amount of evidence we had (all circumstantial).

So basically we have no evidence, only suspicions.

L quickly explains the plans to the Task Force. Mr. Yagami agrees to let us ask Light if he wants to join us, albeit grudgingly, but doesn't make any comments.

Here we go.

Mr. Yagami just called his son, who should be on his way here.

Over the past few days I've spent the entire time in this hotel room, except for the two minuets where I went home to grab a change of clothes (I expect to be here for a while). I've been bunking in the main suite, because L doesn't sleep often, and when he does it's in chair.

My Aunt and Uncle were furious when I just up and left. I don't tell them anything. When I exclaimed that someone had had a heart attack, they had badgered me until I told them that the father of a friend of mine had collapsed due to stress. Light is no friend of mine, but I could put up with a charade like that.

So as soon as I had been gone for more than 24 hours, they called repeatedly until I snapped and answered. This had been followed up by a yelling match and me hanging up with an 'I'm very busy and it's none of your business!' I understand that they're concerned and all, but I have more important things to worry about.

K and D also hammered me for questions, which I spent a few hours explaining everything to them and my hypothesis on the subject. They seemed to agree that they should stay clear of headquarters for a while. I will send them updates.

Now Light is coming to take his test.

He enters the room, glancing about at the people assembled. His gaze lingers on me longer than the others, but his attention focuses directly on Ryuzaki.

"Thank you Light," L says, holding out his hand for the younger boy to shake it.

"Not at all, after all, I want to catch Kira as much as you do," Light says, returning the favor.

"Yes, well, I'm sure you've met, but this is Matsuda, Aizawa and Niiro," L introduces us, motioning to me last where I am leaning against the fall. I give a short wave and return my arm to its place crossed over my chest.

"Niiro?" Light raises an eyebrow at me.

"An alias," I say shortly, "I am also referred to as Red."

"I see," he says, still looking a little confused.

"Okay, let's get down to work. You can start by overlooking all the information we've collected. I'd also like you to look at these videos. They were sent to the TV station but were never aired," L leads the brunette to a chair in front of the TV they had set up. "For security reasons you're not permitted to take notes and all materials must remain here."

"I understand."

"You may begin now." For some reason, it reminds me of the entrance exams. It certainly had that whole 'this is a huge test' feel.

Light goes through the video without freaking or doing anything remotely Kira-like. Damn, I was kind of hoping for him to jump up and say 'I do not accept this!' When he finishes going over the material, L approaches him with his head turned to the side, finger in mouth and other hand in pocket.

"So, what do you make of this Light? Have you come to any conclusions?" L asks, watching Light like a bird of prey.

Even from here I can see Light's eyes narrowing slightly as he stands. He's realized that this is a test. Well fuck-a-doodle-do.

"It's hard to say for sure, but there might be another person out there with Kira's power," he begins.

"With Kira's power?!" Mr. Yagami exclaims. Ding, Ding! Give the man a prize … "But what do you mean by that Light?"

Light motions at the screen, "At the very least I'd say that this was not created by the Kira we're familiar with. It's extremely out of character for him to use these kinds of victims for his killings, and since we've established that he needs a name and face to kill, it makes you wonder how he was able to kill that detective and those two officers right outside the television station like that."

"It's the same."

"That's exactly the same way they put it."

The three other detectives in the room share the same awe and wonder.

"I think you're exactly right about that. We also believe that this is the work of a Second Kira," Ryuzaki reveals.

"So you knew about this all along Ryuzaki?" Light looks rather annoyed and crosses his arms over his chest. "Which means this was just another one of your tests?"

"It was not my intention to test you. The truth is, if Niiro and I were the only ones who came to that conclusion it wouldn't be too convincing. But the fact that you also came to the same conclusion makes the theory that much more believable. As expected, you did not disappoint us. You've been a great help."

"Great! Let's get this party started," I say, getting off the wall and clapping my hands together. "My turn to tell the plan," I grin at Ryuzaki, who doesn't look too impressed but otherwise doesn't make any arguments.

"Our first and foremost objective is stopping the Second Kira. All evidence points to him sympathizing with Kira, to the point of actually trying to impersonate him – this Kira quite obviously lacks his sophistication though. He may even be willing to obey the original.

'Using this, we can snag the Second Kira into a trap by making them believe that we are Kira. We do this by sending a reply to them," I say proudly. Finally, I get to explain something and not just let Ryuzaki do it and be left looking like a dolt.

Light chuckles and scratched the back of his head, "You took the words right from my mouth …"

"Oh, and guess who's playing the part of Kira?" I say with a devious smirk.

"Who?"

"You!"

"Me, as Kira?" Light says disbelievingly. Bah, he's acting. He's a liar just like Ryuzaki and I.

"You're the only one I can think of that could pull this off Light. Do you think you could script a message in time for it to be aired on this evening's national news?" Ryuzaki asks.

If looks could kill.

"Does this look okay? I think I made it sound believable," Light says, relaxing in one of the armchairs. I'm lying on my back upside down in another chair, playing a game of Tetris on my phone.

"Damn strait block …" I mumble as Ryuzaki takes the page from Light and reads it.

"Mhmm … I think you've done an excellent job with this. However if we don't omit the part that says 'you're free to kill L', then I'm going to end up dead," Ryuzaki says with a trace of humor in his voice. Light laughs and I give a small smile. I look up (down?) at them and hold out my hand for the page. L hands it to me.

"Sorry, I guess I got carried away while playing the part. I figured if I was him I would demand that you'd be killed," Light leans back in his chair. "I was improvising. Feel free to change it to whatever you like." You would get carried away, wouldn't you Light? Reading the script increases my dislike for him, but it is good quality and would most likely fool the Second Kira.

"Sounds good."

"Alright Aizawa, I'll leave the script to you," L says and I hand the script to the detective before I refocus on my Tetris game.

Finally, the reply has arrived.

"I'll be bringing over the envelope and tape that we received, but in the meantime I'll be streaming a copy of the video so that you can view it on your end," Watari's voice tells us and we all gather around the laptop. The screen that the Second Kira used last time appears.

"Kira, thank you for your reply, please do not worry, I will follow orders and do as you say," the synthetic voice states proudly.

"Whoa," Matsuda says with wide eyes.

"It worked," Mr. Yagami breathes.

I'm standing right beside Light, and I can tell something's irking him. I smile faintly. Sickening, isn't it Light? This Kira is a fool and you don't like that.

"I really want to meet you. I don't think you have the eyes."

Well shit.

Both Light and I tense up. I have the eyes, and it's pretty obvious that Light doesn't. It seems that it's been proven that the Second Kira also has the Shinigami eyes. Light gives a small, muffled gasp that he passes off for confusion.

"But you don't have to worry; I would never try to kill you. That's a promise." Light glances around him: at his father, then at me, then at the others in the room. I can see the familiar starting of panic in his eyes.

"What's this 'having the eyes' deal, is it some sort of code?" Aizawa wonders out loud.

From my spot, I can also see that L has tensed up too. He seems almost … out of it, which is rather concerning. Normally he oozes an air of confidence.

"Please tell me how I can meet you without the police knowing. You'll think of something. And when we meet, we can confirm our identities by showing our Shinigami to each other."

Everybody goes silent. Even I am clenching my fists and my face has gone pale. That idiot!

"Shinigami?!" Matsuda and Aizawa blurt at the same time.

Ryuzaki quickly stands up and leaves the room. I stare after him, and then immediately follow. His posture gives off the fact that he's troubled.

"Hey, where are you goin-" I disappear before I notice who asked the question.

I find L pacing in the next room. He has one arm hugging himself and the other up to his face. He doesn't even notice me enter the room. Incoherent nonsense rolls off his tongue as he shuffles back and forth across the room. I half expect him to walk into the wall at this rate.

"Ryuzaki?" I ask. He comes out of his stupor, takes his hand from his face and looks at me.

"…"

"Are you alright? You just kind of … left."

"Shinigami, Niiro, Shinigami," he says, on the brink of hyperventilation. I fight the urge to smack him on the side of the head. Actually, no, I give in to the urge and stalk up to him to give him a nice good cuff.

"Snap out of it!" I command, "Stop working yourself up over nothing. This could be some sort of code for all we know," I lie. It's actually a huge deal, but he doesn't need to know that yet.

I've got to keep him ignorant. It's what keeps him and the Task Force safe.

"The notes referred to the Shinigami," he says stubbornly, rubbing the side of his head and glaring at me.

"Like I said, it could be some sort of code. Pull yourself together man, before you fall apart!" I shout, and then poke him in the chest, hard.

"Ow … you're right," he lets out a breath.

"Now, do Shinigami exist?" I ask.

"… No."

"Good," I smile, and then pat him on the shoulder. His breathing returns to normal and he pinches the bridge of his nose.

I lead him back into the room, and everyone is just buzzing with questions and speculations. Ryuzaki settles himself down in that chair of his and goes off into a brainstorming session which leaves the rest of us feeling better. Things are looking good for us.

Because no matter what we do (or don't do), this will turn out better on our end.

At least we hope.