The Chess Match

4

--L/L--

For now, Lelouch's plan was simple: find out every bit of information available on Light Yagami. Especially anything relating the other student to the monster C.C. had told him about. This meant researching Light's whereabouts and activities before he had joined Ashford and before he had become an honorary Britannian citizen. Considering the bombings of most of the government buildings during the invasion, records of before it were arbitrarily difficult to come by.

Still, it was the information age, and Lelouch began with a search on , his preferred search engine. It couldn't hurt to try the simplest technique first.

Ra-i-to Ya-kami, his long fingers flew over the keys, the first name in katakana, the last name with it's two kanji characters. Lelouch still found it odd that for many Japanese words, he needed to spell the pronunciation wrong in order to find the right kanji. Even English wasn't that confusing. He clicked 'search.'

A moment later, possibilities flashed up onto the screen. His lavender eyes glanced over the list quickly and efficiently, not terribly surprised to find little of value. Light bulbs, lamps, Right-on clothing brand, a computer networking system called Right, and several comedy sites with lots of English comprised the majority of the listing, complete with a single hit on the Wright brothers. Apparently, it was more common for the katakana word to be transliterated into English as "right" rather than "light." And Yagami was not as rare a last name as Lelouch could have hoped.

Undeterred by the lack of results, Lelouch changed his search, thinking carefully. If he were looking for information about Light before the invasion, then he needed to search as if it was before Britannia's attack. He deleted the name from the search bar, before beginning again.

"Ya-kami Tsuki." Last name first was traditionally Japanese and again, Light's name was another fine example of Japanese writing not making any sense. Lelouch somehow found it more irritating than it had a right to be. Taking a deep breath and blinking the frustration from his purple eyes, he clicked the search button.

This time, as his eyes flew over the mixed letters and characters, the results shocked him.

"Chyuugaku no tenisu no senshuken YagamiTsuki wa..."

"Junior high tennis champion Yagami Light is…"

"…Yagami-shuchyou no musuko-san Yagami Tsuki mo te wo…."

"…Chief Yagami's son Yagami Light also gave a hand…."

"…Toukyou keisatsu no Yagami-shuchyou ga 'KIRA wo kanarazu taiho shimasu' to itte… …musuko-san Tsuki…."

"We will definitely arrest Kira," Chief Yagami of the Tokyo police said… … his son Light…."

Fear tingled through Lelouch's mind, sliding down to his fingertips, leaving the cold imprint of danger to resonate through his blood. The few words revealed in the search engine listing burst into tangents like fireworks, leaving thousands of falling trails of suspicion. For a long moment, Lelouch couldn't move, almost afraid of what he would discover, but something—instinct, probably—forced his hand on the mouse to continue moving. Logic told him the more information he had, the better off he would be. A few more clicks in the right places and a more complete picture of Light Yagami formed in Lelouch's mind merging into the one that was only slightly more than a classmate. His first reaction of immediate fear gone almost as quickly as it had arrived, Lelouch began to realize exactly who he was dealing with. His fear was now slowly being replaced with a kind of dread mixed with a decidedly unhealthy fascination. The more he read, the more the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end and the more he couldn't stop researching.

Light Yagami was the son of Tokyo's once esteemed police chief, Souichirou Yagami, now fallen before the eyes of the Elevens for supporting Britannia's entry to Japan. One of the lucky ones to be actually remembered by Britannia after the war, the entire Yagami family had been lifted into honorable citizenry. More importantly, Souichirou's singular goal had been his pursuit of Kira, and it seemed his son had shared his passion for justice.

It was disturbing to realize that he was being stalked by an unnaturally intelligent student with some experience as a detective. It was even more unnerving to realize that he didn't know Yagami's goals and that the other teenager had worked on the most difficult police case ever presented. He felt trapped because he had already promised Nunnally to introduce Yagami to her, but now his instincts were warning him to stay far, far away. If anyone were likely to discover their royal secret, it would be someone with Yagami's talents. Best not to get involved with the honorary Britannian, and yet… it was too late. It seemed he had been too late the moment he had accepted the chess match.

Lelouch shuddered, his mind reaching up to the monster and the lurking possibilities it could represent. Invisible to all but a witch, the monster stalked Yagami around Lelouch's room. Before the ex-prince could leap to any conclusions, he needed to know whether the monster was consistently a part of Yagami's environment. If C.C. never saw the monster again… well, that would be best. It meant that such a beast had nothing to do with Yagami, and certainly had no business with Lelouch. Unless it watched and waited around the Student Council building? No, he thought, passing over the thought quickly. C.C. would have seen the monster before if that were truly the case. And if it were connected with the Geass, he was sure C.C. would have known more about it. It led to the conclusion that perhaps the world was full of the supernatural. However, if the creature consistently followed Yagami around….

Lelouch exhaled sharply. There would be no way around the truth; the only serious conclusion that was left was that the monster was Kira. It obviously already held supernatural characteristics; who was to say it couldn't kill any of them on the spot? C.C. had only said that she was positive the monster was dangerous and after explaining how it had laughed, Lelouch believed her. He felt queasy suddenly, realizing that if his deductions were correct, Yagami Light would likely die. Probably soon if he were still looking into the Kira case. The memory of Lind L. Taylor's public television execution was something no one could easily forget. He swallowed against his own restricting throat and the unpleasantness of the thought.

Lelouch glanced at the clock in the corner of his screen. It was still early in the morning and yet he already had a headache. In his mind, Yagami had gone from evil mastermind intent on destroying him and Nunnally to a pitiable boy soon to be slaughtered. Lelouch nearly laughed aloud at himself—what if the monster wasn't Kira? He was still short on information about the beast, and he was basing his attitude towards Yagami on it. He still didn't know what identity was true, or whether there was some variation in between on a shifting scale between friend and foe.

Wait, since when had Yagami ever been considered a friend?

It was suddenly so very tempting to use the Geass on the student just to get it all over with. He could ask him what his purpose was, perhaps why he was so interested in Lelouch, and then command the former Eleven to perform some idiotic task for amusement. Lelouch could look down on him and laugh to his black heart's content, but as much as the thought appealed to his darker desires, Lelouch couldn't help but feel it would be wasting the Geass. What if it was more useful to apply it in a different way? There was still too much about Yagami that he didn't know.

That would have to change.

Lelouch sighed, and the sheets on his bed rustled in response as C.C. rolled over. No matter how he looked at it, his promise to Nunnally came first and he figured he might as well use the encounter to his advantage.

--L/L--

Light was bored and the world was still rotten.

He sighed. Certainly, it had been getting better—crime rates in Japan were now the lowest in easily recordable history—but then the sudden influx of foreigners and the discontent they bred had washed away most of Kira's good work. The worst part was that these aforementioned foreigners had such convoluted family histories that hid their true names. Of course that hadn't prevented Light from an incredible amount of research that had allowed a good number of the corrupt Britannian nobility to serve the death penalty, but after the first several weeks… there was no new information and even some of the data that had previously been attainable had vanished. As much as Light hated to admit it, the Britannians were intelligent and had quickly become adept at hiding themselves.

And yet Kira wasn't finished. It was to this end, that Light had created careful friendships with his classmates and continued to cultivate their good regards. And as such, he knew exactly to whom he should talk to about secret information that applied to Lelouch to attain his revenge.

"Milly Ashford?" Light began, a little hesitant in his poise to give off the impression he wasn't sure he should consult her. But off course, with such bait, the right intonation, there was no chance the school president wouldn't pounce.

"Did you need something, Light?" Her voice tinkled sweetly, but held some air of authority. Milly looked him directly in the face, a bright smile plastered onto her visage.

"I was just wondering… do you know who this student is?" Still giving off the air of a simple questioning student, Light held up his cell phone, the picture of C.C. on it's little screen. "She seems pretty distinctive, but I haven't seen her anywhere else…."

Milly leaned in immediately, peering at the image. "Hmm? No, she's not from Ashford." Well, that was what Light had suspected immediately. Suddenly, the president moved in closer to Light, a cat-like smile sprouting like vines across her face. "Were you hoping to go. On. A. Date?"

She punctuated her last four words with a mildly seductive tone and an index finger into Light's shoulder. He tried not to sigh; of course he wasn't interested in her, but then realized quickly it would be easy to play it up. He tried to blush, even though he knew his acting skills in that area had never been up to par with the rest of his abilities. Ryuk's barking laugh echoed behind him, making Light silently curse his hulking shadow.

"N-No. I just thought… well, I wondered if she was dating Lelouch already."

An immediate change went over Milly, from sultry teasing to barely contained excitement. She forcible snatched the phone from Light's hand, staring intently at the picture with manic intent. "Lelouch? Is that Lelouch's room?! Aha!"

She looked up to Light for confirmation, and he obliged her with a somewhat shaky nod. That in turn elicited another shout of glee. This girl suddenly seemed far too powerful to be contained in a tiny private high school… she was a little too domineering.

"When was this? Do you know anything about her? I had no idea this was Lelouch's type!" Milly had returned her gaze to the tiny screen as if her questions could be easily answered there. "I knew he was up to something, but I never would have pegged him to be that kind of man! This is the best scoop on him since he began living here, Light!"

Milly proceeded to give the Honorary Britannian a hug around his shoulders, seemingly unable to keep her excitement to a more normal level. She continued to prance around vivaciously for several more moments until coming to an abrupt stop. Her look to Light said her next words were important, as did her slow even voice. "Do you suppose Shirley knows?"

Light easily grasped the meaning behind her words, Milly's knowledge becoming his own. Using it wisely meant the next person he would ask about the mysterious girl would be Shirley. Hiding his inner smile of delight, Light shook his head in response to Milly's question. "I don't know."

The president was quietly pensive, as if her earlier exuberance had never occurred, and just as Light was considering asking for his cell phone back, Milly held it out to him. As she did so, she somehow managed to revert back to her former self that was normally seen on campus, more demure than excited, but encouragingly friendly nonetheless.

"You'll probably want this back."

Light took his phone, and pocketed it, smiling back. A healthy relationship with Milly could only benefit him in the best ways. "Yes, thanks."

Light turned to go, but she caught him by the shoulder, peering into his eyes with the same catty expression... although there was a certain seriousness that hadn't been present before. "Thanks for the tip, Light. Whenever you find anything about Lelouch, be sure to let me know, okay?"

Interesting. He was now presented with possibilities, but all of them seemed to point to Lelouch hiding something. Either Milly knew what it was and would protect Lelouch, or she was also gathering information about the Student Council Vice President. So was Milly a potential ally or enemy in his quest to uncover the teenager?

He smiled again, reassuring Milly of his friendly nature and willingness to share. "Of course."

"I'll catch you later, then, okay?" Milly shouted as she bubbled off down the hallway in the opposite direction. It seemed she was heading for the Student Council room.

Light turned towards the swim hall. He knew Shirley was on the swim team—what male didn't?—but also knew it wasn't entirely proper to watch them practice. He would have to wait around until she was done before asking questions.

He continued on down the hallway, turning a corner and then almost wishing he hadn't. Despite how he had been carefully avoiding Suzaku Kururugi, the other student still hadn't managed to figure it out.

"Light!" Suzaku called out, giving a friendly wave. Holding back a sigh, Light ventured over, Suzaku meeting him halfway.

"Do you know if Lelouch ran off to go play chess again? I can't find Rivalz either, and…." Suzaku trailed off, his expression somewhat helpless.

Again, Lelouch. It was nearly uncanny how the purple-eyed Britannian was everyone's focus, including Light's own at the moment. How could the object of such focus be so clearly enigmatic though? Where was Lelouch?

"I'm really not sure, but I did see Rivalz heading to the Student Council room after class, so hopefully he isn't gambling, right?" Light didn't see the purpose in lying to Suzaku, as much as he wanted to send the former Japanese on a wild goose chase.

"Oh. So maybe he's already in there?" Suzaku asked, more to himself than to Light. Ever the analyst, Light's mind produced questions from the information in front of him. Why was Suzaku so concerned about Lelouch? This also seemed to point to some kind of hidden aspect of Lelouch's life, but did Suzaku know what it was? Did he know that Milly was also curious in who knew what information?

He pulled out his phone, looking down to open the picture menu while he spoke. "Maybe. Do you know if Lelouch has a girlfriend?"

"Huh? Lelouch?" Suzaku looked genuinely surprised, his green eyes clouding over with thought. "He hasn't ever told me…." Suzaku's eyes narrowed slightly in suspicion at Light, although Light supposed it was really meant for Lelouch. "Why? You don't think he does, do you?"

Light used his thumb to scroll down and selected the picture of the green-haired woman. "Well, I saw this girl—"

"Yagami," came a smooth voice, and both the once-Elevens turned, forgetting the picture. Lelouch stood there, his black uniform only serving to make his hair look silkier in contrast. A smile graced his face, and he nodded to Suzaku with his greeting, "And Suzaku."

"Lelouch! I thought you went out gambling or something," Suzaku began happily, but ending up nearly muttering in embarrassment by the end. Apparently, he was ashamed of himself for thinking poorly of his friend.

"Well, it wouldn't be the first time, but I'm afraid you're out of luck, Suzaku," Lelouch told him calmly, the hint of a smirk playing across his features. It was as he turned towards Light that the atmosphere between them discharged into invisible lines of lightning. At that moment, Light knew without out a doubt that their game was still on, crackling through the air somewhere above Suzaku's head. His heart thudded in anticipation. This was what he had been craving without knowing… another rematch with Lelouch.

"Yagami, my sister has expressed an interest in meeting you. Apparently, Milly has told her quite a bit about our…exploits. Would you join us for dinner tomorrow evening?" It seemed like a simple enough request, and yet Light noticed something in the set of the other youth's shoulders. It wasn't quite a tenseness; more like a preparedness, as if Lelouch was expecting something more than a simple acceptance of the invitation.

There was no way in the world Light wouldn't give him more than what he was expecting. His opponent had just invited him into his home, across the threshold. Did Lelouch even realize the opening he was giving Light? Warring with excitement and the stimulating environment, he schooled his handsome features into a courteous and gentile smile. "Of course, I'd be honored in meeting your sister, Lelouch."

"Then I'll see you outside the Student Council building at six o'clock?" Lelouch's voice was saturated with his usual cool tones, his body position casual, but his eyes… his purple orbs held the expression Light remembered from their chess match.

A hint of fear, thinly veiled under the cover of conceit.

A shot of adrenaline rocketed through Light's body. This was the game he loved to play, and Lelouch seemed to be transforming into a worthy opponent.

"You'll see me there."

--L/L--

While L hadn't assumed infiltrating the Order of the Black Knights would be easy, he didn't like how much time it would take. He'd already been living alone in the ghetto for two weeks and the inhabitants were just beginning to lose the marked suspicion in their eyes. And those were only his neighbors. He considered Zero to be nearly as paranoid as he was himself, which meant even if he managed to get into the Order, getting close to Zero would be another, longer process.

Still, L had been out and about as Rue Ryuuzaki, an intelligent, if a bit gung-ho supporter of Zero. His neighbors were aware of how he came from a ghetto in Nara with the intent of joining the Black Knights, and while quietly supportive, they hadn't given out any directions or names that might help him.

At this rate, it seemed like months would pass before the Black Knights noticed Rue Ryuuzaki and allowed him to enter their militia. L didn't have months, and even if he did, he certainly didn't intend to spend that long on this case.

But one's enemy's enemy was one's friend. And Zero's enemy was quite obviously Britannia. L brought his thumb to his lip and chewed on it thoughtfully. His other plan might assure his entrance into the Order much sooner and he had already begun the preparations anyway. He had made his presence and objectives known in the ghetto long enough for no one to be utterly surprised when….

L's cell phone began to vibrate, buzzing slightly sideways across the small table. The detective picked it up in his peculiar fashion, checking the screen. The gothic W of Watari. He sighed before flipping open the phone. Watari wouldn't like what L was about to tell him.

"This is L."

"Good day, L," Watari began as he usually did with some kind of pleasantries, despite how L had never reciprocated his manners. "I hope you're doing well."

"I am," L replied succinctly. He heard Watari sigh through the receiver, and his lips turned upwards slightly at another failed attempt by his caretaker at pulling some kind of dignified response out of him.

"I had the information you requested sent to your Wammy account, but… L, I'm not sure if what you may be planning is… safe." Watari's voice was heavy, yet careful. Obviously, he was worried.

"You aren't aware of my plan, Watari," L reminded him.

"I know you well enough that I have a good guess, and the information you wanted certainly pointed me in the right direction. But if you insist I am unaware, then you may tell me." It was at times like these that L remembered Watari was like a father to him, and he supposed the old man had remembered it as well. The tones in his voice were sharp and unassailable, leaving no room for argument. L hesitated.

"I… need to do this, and the risk is not as great as you seem to think," L hedged, his monotone careful.

"You plan on showing your face, L, on nothing less than international television," Watari countered harshly. "In your haste to pursue Zero, it seems you may be forgetting Kira."

"I have certainly not forgotten him," L replied sulkily, "I simply need to convince Britannia that I am doing something worth their money."

"In my professional opinion, this plan is not worth it, L."

"And your profession would be an inventor. I, however, am a detective, so we shall assume I know the field better," L argued insistently, knowing that Watari would likely end his complaints. He had never been able to hold out an argument for long against his young charge.

"L…." The detective smiled, hearing the resignation spoken aloud in his own name.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Watari," L spoke over whatever the man would have followed with, and moved on. "I will not be in contact for several days, so I must ask you to watch the Kira case and monitor any deaths among criminals or nobility. When you hear from me again, perhaps I will have Zero's name and face among my own records."

"You really don't think the two are the same, do you," Watari said, the onerous acceptance of L's latest plan still plain in his voice. It was a heavy statement, hardly resembling a question.

"I still can't rule out the possibility, but their methods are rather different. Unlike Kira, Zero shows himself off everywhere he goes. Kira only goes by a name, one that he didn't even choose himself. He sees himself as a god, above most mundane issues, but Zero sees himself as a hero. He is very showy, and uses the media and information better than anyone I've come across... he's also rather underhanded," L mused, trying not to smile at his last statement.

"Like someone else I know?" Watari asked dryly.

"Perhaps I am more like Zero than I am like Kira?" L asked, the delicate lilt of his words indicating his humor.

"Just be careful out there, L," Watari replied gravely. "This is an extremely dangerous maneuver. Are you sure Zero will even come?"

Lips curved upwards into a rare and slender smile, L glanced out the dirty little window into the Shinjuku ghetto. Scattered Elevens wandered around, picking at the dirt and junk on the ground. It was noble of Zero to try to protect these people.

"Yes. This is an opportunity Zero can't afford to miss."

--L/L--

Oh my gosh! I posted! Anyway, thanks to all my reviewers (I can't believe there are so many of you!):

Infinite Freedom, RuByMoOn17, Elladan, Azul Luna, darky, Tobi Tortue, X6shinX, Sungerson, Serena the Hikari of Love, Yuudai Arai, Anime-StarWars-fan-zach, Princess of Oblivion, labyrinth of chaos, gillstewart, Unkown, KuroAngelique, limes-eye, RVD, deathnoteno1fan, RandomReview-er, Chao, HayashiOkami, cherryi, and ??.

A round of applause goes to Bolinoak (cheer for this dude, dear readers) who agreed to do some beta word for me. Thank you! Your comments were really helpful and hopefully I made Lelouch's line of reasoning a little clearer.

And special thanks to whoever was the Anon person who wrote only 'Sux,' I wanted to say that that made my day because I laughed my ass off at said Anon's attempt at making me feel bad. Sorry, but my self-esteem is still greater than yours. I'm also counting it as my first flame.