As you stepped cautiously into the lair, all remained quiet and dormant - which had been expected since all of the names that were originally on the hit list for the hideout were terminated as of now. Secretly, you always took pleasure in crossing off their individual names after missions - because it meant you completed task after task. Sometimes you even pondered if you should take more time with your kills, and let the "villains" have their monologues so they could have their final moments, but the few times you had - they weren't very amusing speeches and they only caused the lines across their identities to become unpleasant scores.

Well you have to admit, I WAS pretty cool ;D (Y)

I was a total bad-a**! XD (Z)

^ We gotta bad girl ova here~! (X)

I don't think the methods I used were very practical…(Z)

^ But they were effective ^.^ (Y)

I'm still concerned about the fact that they knew I was coming. How would they get that kind of information? (X)

You crossed over into what must have been their common room, after spying a few awfully patterned couches, then continued searching the other spaces in the building. Vivid, flashing lights drifted out from under a doorway and lead you to the wire-littered control room. Taking a seat in the black swivel chair near the main computer, you immediately began hacking into its database by rapidly pressing on keys to create entire streams of codes, hoping to find the data you were instructed to prepare for the agency.

Let's put these skills I learned to the test, shall we? (X)

Hacking, hacking, hacking~ (Z)

I wonder what kinds of things are on here *accidentally opens an "inappropriate" picture* O.O (Y)

^ Ha, that's nothing. *closes pic and continues searching* (Z)

Hmm where are the files...ah! Found them! 8D (Y)

After ravaging through several files, you finally came upon the pending information you needed; they had plans to export a deadly virus into the U.S. from overseas, and were scheming to use it as extortion against the government to further their drug foothold across the nation. Slipping out a USB drive from your pocket, you quickly jerked it into the system.

Using it against the government? Ha, we found out before they could even get it over here! (Y)

Imagine how many lives they might have taken if I hadn't come along…(X)

^ I suddenly don't care about killing those guy anymore. They deserved it. (Z)

^ It's still human life! We should have just put them in jail...where they might receive a death penalty. (X)

Just let the people have their narcotics, it doesn't affect me. (Z)

^ It does affect the national treasury and amount of money being lost toward imports though. (Y)

Downloading proper computer files had become a cinch since your last mission, involving a cyber stalking serial killer and, after returning the small device to your pocket, you whipped out another thumb drive. This time the entire hard drive crashed – showing a now blue screen that would undoubtedly turn black within minutes.

Heh, try and top that you stupid goons! (Z)

^ How pathetic, you only mock them once they are dead. (X)

^ Some people have no respect for the departed. (Y)

I'm such a great hacker T^T *brimming with pride* (Y)

...so many computers have been used for illegal purposes in this series. (X)

^ O.O You're right! Poor misused technology. (Y)

Feeling once again confident in your abilities, you marched out of the room with beaming pride and located the kitchen.

Now is not the time for a snack! (Y)

^ I think it is - can't work with an empty stomach. (X)

*walks over to fridge and pulls out strawberry jam* (Z)

*skips to fridge and pulls out some random sweet* (X)

^ You people are digging out of the fridge of dead men. Despicable. (Y)

^ I call it recycling ;D (Z)

….food...(X)

You grabbed a pair of tawny gloves, a paint bucket brimming with water, and a scrubbing brush, before heading back outside into the daylight. You began to scrub the excess blood off the stained concrete, hoping to dowse the murky scent with lemon-scented products, so you would have a least a little more time before the authorities took notice.

When readjusting your medical mask to fit comfortably over your ears, you glanced over at the bodies that were decorating the wall, having sensed movement.

O.O Are the dead bodies moving? (Y)

^ The zombie apocalypse is upon us! (X)

^ Idiot. (Z)

"Decorating" heh…(Z)

I think I look sexy in this medical mask *wiggles eyebrows* (Z)

I was sure that I killed them all...but wait, what's-(Y)

You dropped the wooden brush and dawdled slowly over to the corpses. There was one body that had caught your eye in particular. He had a knife at his feet, but you did not recall ever facing this man – especially killing him. The lanky adult wore a dark grey hoodie, simple sneakers, and his jet black hair veiled his eyes to the point where you couldn't recognize the presence of coins or not. Your hand had ghosted lightly over the pistol in your pocket as you had drawn nearer.

O.O That can not be a good sign. (Y)

He doesn't look built enough to be working with them. (X)

^ He's rather scrawny...and just my type...how sad that he's lying with corpses. (Z)

I surely did not kill this man, I would have remembered. (X)

I shot 5 bullets and threw 2 knives - not 3. (Z)

^ That's 7 people in all that I killed! DX Lives wasted because of me! (Y)

As you pulled your mask down to rest below your chin, you began to inspect the body more closely; his onyx eyes popped open within seconds.

Holy Shnikes! (Y)

Sh**! Sh**! Sh**! (Z)

Ah ha! I was right! Wait, that's not a good thing ^.^" (X)

I'm so dead -_- (Z)

I swear I didn't kill these men! They were dead when I got here! DX (Y)

^ You're such a bad liar. (X)

Please DON'T KILL MEH! DX (Y)

You have pretty eyes...*begins to stare* (Z)

A Cheshire grin danced upon his lips and he gazed at you with apparent mischief. Your own eyes widened as you recognized the posing corpse, but before you could back away and lift your gun - he pounced on you. A flurry of appendages whirled in the air as the two of you wrestled, but you knew the man had won once he grasped ahold of the mocking extra blade.

Ahhhh someone help me! Rape! (X)

^ Who's gonna hear us? There's a reason there's concrete around this place. (Z)

Very stereotypical, Author. (Me:...it'll be a bit different...) (X)

I don't think he would rape me here, I mean honestly. (Z)

^ Blood, corpses, knives; why wouldn't he? (Me: It's daylight, it burns.) (Y)

Can we get on with the story, please? (X)

He pressed the knife to your neck and forced you to inhale chloroform as he forced a cloth over your airways. When your kicking and thrashing had ceased, he grinned even wider. The last thing you remembered was that laugh – Beyond must have rehearsed it.

{FF} When you awoke next, your head was pulsating in pain and anguish. Weary but functional, you were somehow able to find the strength to push yourself from up off the ground, settling into a sitting position, and began to analyze the situation; you had no idea where you were. From behind a planter, you could see people bustling about the streets and cars whizzing by in an array of noises and obnoxious colors; you quickly remembered what had taken place, seemingly moments before, and concluded that Beyond had dropped you off somewhere. You took notice of the number of leaves that had settled upon your form, from the neighboring bush, and deduced that B was probably long gone.

Where am I? (X)

WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE?! AND WHERE ARE MY BUTTERED RAISINS?! (Y)

^ Ew, gross. Raisins are like shriveled up old people. (Z)

^ The elderly are so adorable ^.^ (Y)

^ Why would you butter raisins? O.o (Y)

I'm gonna kill that Beyond, set his body on fire, and toss him over a cliff. (Z)

^ You, my friend, have a very vivid imagination. (X)

People just pass by? How rude! (Y)

You brought yourself to your feet, dusted off the leaves with awakening muscles in your hands, and concentrated solely on the people. They were speaking a different language, "Japanese," you recognized. You took not that you were also within the shadow cast off of a towering building, a posh hotel in fact, and decided you go there for further answers about your location.

*blinks several times* Oh! I get it! I know where we are! (Z)

I do too! No, not really. Though, I'll probably find out anyway :P (Y)

Well I rather be in Japan than locked in B's basement. (X)

^ I would rather be in Japan than any other place on Earth! (Z)

A hotel? Maybe I was raped. (Y)

^ I think you would be able to tell if you were or not -_- (X)

As you were about to take a step toward the building, however, a gentleman in a sharp suit approached you; it was Watari. "Hart, is that you?" You simply nodded in surprise to see the elder, feeling that your throat had become unbearably dry, and he peered up at the skyscraper in wonderment. "Well although I don't know why you're here so early, let us go alert the detective, shall we?" His eyes closed as he smiled sincerely through his wrinkles. Your heart seemed to pause in your chest at his casual words.

L? I get to SEE L?! HAPPY DAY! XD (Y)

Today has been very unexpected - though since I was in LA last time I checked, maybe it has been several days. (X)

Watari! Long time no see! (Y)

^ Yes, the last time we met you had me shipped to another country. *irritated* (Z)

L? L's here...? *light bulb* I'm in Tokyo then. (X)

L stays in hotels? How very kinky. (Z)

I wonder what L is like…(X)

You both had just journeyed into the hotel when Watari paused to gaze up at the TV screen hanging overhead in the lobby; streaming across it was a broadcast from Sakura TV that seemed to startle him immensely. It was something about the new fellow, "Kira", holding the anchors hostage - and it made the older gentleman stand with the straightest posture.

Watari? What's wrong? (X)

Does someone need to go pee? ;D (Y)

^ Wow, just wow. (Z)

Oooo TV! I love this channel of bogus! XD (Z)

Kira? Where? *looks around excitedly* (X)

Kira, yuck, he's pathetic. He kills from a safe distance when he should be should be like us – who are at the scene to see the damage caused up close. (Z)

^ You are one twisted chick. (Y)

He signaled for you to hold on while he reversed his steps and strode back to the front desk. When he returned to your side, he handed over a gleaming card key with delicate care. "I'm sorry, unexpectedly there will be a delay; you will have to meet Him after we wrap up a couple of loose strings that have sprung up." You nodded your head in understanding toward his soft words, and he expressed his thanks for your tolerance.

I refuse to accept that! You're just trying to keep him to yourself! DX (Y)

^ What's wrong with you exactly? Just curious. (X)

Oh, I get a room key? My parents never trust me with those~! (Me: *swipes key* I'll hold onto that then.) O.o (Z)

L is quite the busy person after all - of course it wouldn't be that easy. (X)

^ It usually is that easy in most fanfiction. (Z)

Once the elevator had come to a halt on your floor, you both stepped out of the sliding, dinging doors. Watari bid you a swift farewell and briskly sped through the hall and into one of the adjacent rooms calling, "Ryuzaki!" You assumed it to be the room L must personally be staying in, and opened the door next to it – your room.

L is in the next room? *stares at the wall towards his room and drools* (Z)

^ O.o That's just plain creepy. (Me: But accurate.) (Y)

*throws self on bed* Ah, I wish for sleep. (X)

Watari just left me...WATARI! DX (Y)

Finally some privacy! I deserve a break after being dumped on the street! (Y)

^ By a murderer no less. (X)

Is there any food in this place? *checks mini fridge* (Z)

Curious as to knowing exactly why your guardian was concerned, you picked the remote up off the small wooden table beside the bed and watched the TV flicker on. The message from Kira was still being broadcast live as the anchors of the news cast almost quivered in fear.

You had known of the killer for a few months now, having followed the case because L had publicly become involved, and were impressed the murderer could last this long against the prized man. Though, you were also equally amazed that the detective took on cases such as this for a career. What you did as an agent was child's play in comparison to him.

The door of the next room opened and closed, signaling that most likely Mr. Wammy had been ordered to do some preparations as L continued to watch the exact same content you viewing in the very next room. It was exciting, no thrilling, to think you were in such close proximity, after all this time of only following after the curious character.

You only continued to watch the broadcast as the neighboring door was given attention by now numerous people, you assumed, and listened in on the low voice drifting through the speakers - who spoke of "justice" and a "new world".

L's so cool! T^T (Y)

No wonder an entire orphanage of children aspire to be like him. (X)

L is pretty awesome, I gotta admit. (Z)

I wonder if I'll be able to do anything like this in the future. (Z)

^ I doubt it, so don't hold your breath. (X)

Heh, TV...*zones out* . (Y)

The television had been all but blank except for the named "Kira" scrawled poorly across the screen, when suddenly the view shifted from the death threat message to the footage of a man, fitted into a grey suit, having just died at the scene.

"Mr. Aizawa!" you were suddenly startled, almost falling off the bed, when you began to hear now yelling from the room next to you as well.

"You told us Kira couldn't kill without a name, so how could this happen?!" another voice sounded. You concluded that one must have been L's co-worker, since you highly doubted he would raise his voice so many decibels that people from adjoining rooms could hear an entire sentence that linked them to the case. "If Kira is in the area," the male voice continued loudly, "then isn't that why we should get down there?"

"Accurate deduction," you thought to yourself, not daring to voice a word.

*yells back through wall* STOP YELLING AT L! (Y)

^ Although it may not be necessary to yell, I do agree that someone like him should not have to deal with people like that. (X)

^ So what if the guy shares his emotions? I heard that L is pretty inconsiderate. Keep on yelling dude! (Z)

That man is going to disturb the entire hotel if he doesn't lower his voice. (Z)

^ Not to mention ruin the entire case and give away the Task Force's whereabouts. (X)

"Wasn't it you who said we'd have to risk ours lives to catch Kira?!" You now understood why the detective had worked mainly alone up until this point. However, once the panicked screaming had ceased, your full attention was once again brought back to the television set.

Finally, some peace and quiet. (X)

Good thing that guy stopped hollering, I was about to kick down their door just to shut him up. (Z)

^ Something tells me he would just yell even more. (Y)

*smiles blissfully while being engulfed by the media* (Y)

Now, back to the important things in life - TV. (Z)

Bleh, this channel is so boring. (X)

You observed the channel as a van haphazardly crashed through the building, shattering the glass of the news station into a fragmented, shimmering rain. Soon after, two unintelligible police officers who had just arrived on the scene also suffered unseen casualties, freely falling to the pavement below.

You carefully strained your hearing as more raised tones came through the wall, and learned that the man who used the vehicle to ram the glass worked for L, and under his order, a perplexing number of specialized officers also appeared on the screen shortly after. You just tilted your head in awe at the power the world's greatest detective possessed.

When the anchor then droned on about fighting against Kira, you clicked off the TV. "A new Kira has become known," you finally spoke aloud, understanding that at first Kira had been unable to kill with just a face - and never would have killed innocent people. You didn't bother alerting the unseen group you shared a wall with, because you figured they would arrive at the same conclusion shortly, if they hadn't already.

Oo death and a car crashing into a building! This channel just got exciting! XD (Y)

Aw, shows over; how sad. (Z)

L has so much power - if I were him I would have misused it long ago. (Y)

^ We never trust you. (X)

^ But she's still inside your head - just remember that ;P (Z)

Stop making so much noise over there! Other people are trying to sleep! (Y)

^ You don't help either. (X)

A politely quiet knock then rasped against your door, but before you could make a movement to get up from the bed you were resting on, Mr. Wammy entered through the passageway.

"L is busy with his current case at the moment and can not afford to lose any spare time. I'm afraid you will not be able to meet him for a few days, for there are several things he must address first due to this new issue," pain and concern were obvious on the old man's worn, troubled features, "I am very sorry, Hart."

Awww DX (Y)

Psh jerk. I came all the way here to see him and this is the thanks I get? (Z)

^ You didn't come here of your own free will; your butt was dumped here. (X)

Watari don't be sad! D: It's okay, I pwomise! DX (Y)

Is it just me, or does Watari always show up with bad news every time I see him? (Z)

^ Y'know, you're right O.o Never thought of him that way till now. (Y)

You simply thanked him before giving the older gentleman a hug, which always surprised him no matter how many times you did it when he visited. You chalked it up that he had spent too much time with the well-known prodigy, and had become accustomed to the lack of touch. Nevertheless, he bent down and hugged you as well before retreating back to the other room - where he could be beside his "son" once more in his time of need.

Continued in Chp. 6!

Results:

(X) L:

After having just sent Watari out on an errand, I did not expect the news he had brought back with him. He briefly informed me that we had a guest arrive, but also that I should direct my attention toward Sakura TV. I can only imagine what might have happened if he had not been passing through the lobby at the beginning of the program. Some of the international forces may have thought I lost my "edge" - and that would have been problematic to say the least. I haven't had time, since discovering this Kira phony, to question Watari as to who our guest might be, but I have a probable guess; my only remaining question on the subject would be how she managed to find us.

I have been informed that her skills are indeed impressive, but no one, not even my possible right hand, should have been able to track the signal I sent through her computer to contact her. Which makes it all the more troubling, for the only other way she could be here - is if someone has tracked my movements, despite my sporadic habits. Throughout the midst of this new case I will admit my thoughts have become engrossed, but it is unnerving to think that it has affected me to quite this extent. The event is both comforting that she is here, but disconcerting because she was early to the point where I had yet to even mail the tickets for a flight.

(Y) Watari (Quillish Wammy):

While approaching the hotel, having just returned from gathering more information for one of Ryuzaki's side cases, I noticed movement from behind one of the planters. Peering through the bushes, I recognized Hart - who I had not seen for several months. She was disheveled and covered with grime as I called out her name, but I was happy to see that she had arrived here, for it is the safest place she can be at the moment.

While we trudged through the lobby I began to think up the questions I might ask her, for instance how she found us, but the mention of the name "Kira" caught my attention and I was surprised to see Sakura TV's broadcast. I knew Hart would have to wait, for the most important task at that moment was to warn Ryuzaki. I felt guilty for leaving the girl in her room as the voices in the room next to her grew louder, but there was nothing I could do. Though I do hope this mattered is settled soon, and then I will introduce Hart to her, hopefully, future partner. I doubt the case she's assigned to will be the Kira case, for I'm sure L has had enough of outside opinions on it already. He's more stressed than I have ever seen him throughout the years, and any burdens she can take away from him - I would be certainly grateful for.

(Z) Beyond Birthday:

I surveyed the scene as "Hart" waltzed into the criminals' hideout, while carefully slipping into the few shadows of the day and making my way over to the lined corpses. I thought she might have heard the skidding noises that the hems of jeans had made as I crossed the concrete, but she was more cautious as to what she might find in front of her, not behind - which was in my absolute favor.

Once she had disappeared into the menacing building, I dug into the gleaming, forgotten, silver case that she had left. From inside, I plucked out an identical knife, similar to the others she had already thrown, and neared the bodies. After scooching one of the heftier ones to the side, I calmly sat beside the dead and placed the blade at my feet. I had left the extra coins in the strewn container, for I felt they were only going to hinder my coming assault.

When she returned to the outside world, she carried with her an array of cleaning supplies, looking rather pleased with herself. I could hardly suppress a chuckle, for she shared the same knack for cleaning up a crime scene that I did; I understood in that moment that we were more alike than I had previously believed. However, she made one single error. After spotting the extra body that leaned against the wall, she drew closer for inspection. If I had been in her position, I would have shot the body on sight - just to make sure it was indeed inanimate; unfortunately for her, she did not. I could not hold the smile back any longer, and my elated features finally came to light as I pounced upon the foolish girl.