Chapter 43

April 25th

It's been two days since we released Light's Kira message to the public; Ryuzaki had also asked T.V stations to reserve a 10-minute block each hour for the message. So, after two days there's no way Kira 2.0 hasn't seen it.

The past two days haven't brought much change in out case other than Light becoming a part of our team. He comes by after school and has been looking through our notes and each victims case file. At this point he hasn't commented on much of anything and seems content with just familiarization. Mogi's over at Sakura T.V going through their Kira fan mail to see if 2.0 has made a move while the rest of us just work idly by and wait. Occasionally Light asks me a question about a certain victim, since today I'm sitting across from him, but normally he's silent and I just flip through my book of case notes or the occasional magazine.

A familiar static fills the air as the laptop hums to life and Ryuzaki's symbolic 'L' pops up on the display. It takes all of my self-control not to jump up in excitement because this means that 2.0 has made a move and the more moves that are made the closer we are to winning.

"Ryuzaki!" Watari's voice comes through the laptop and we all stop and stare. "We've received a reply from the second Kira."

Matsuda drops the stack of papers he was carrying on the table and turns to the computer. "No way."

"Judging by the envelope, tape, the way it was sealed, handwriting, and visual quality, there's little doubt it's from the same person. It has to be, in Miss Matsui's terms, 'Kira 2.0's work'." Everyone looks to me and I can feel the embarrassment on my face.

Thanks, Watari…

"The materials are on the way to you but…I will send you a copy of what's on the tape."

The 'L' blinks to a black screen as I get up and walk over to stand at Ryuzaki's side, he's pulled a small chair over to the laptop for himself and the rest of the taskforce, including Light, gather around him. As I reach where I wanted to be I place a hand on his shoulder, he flinches at first, startled, but then he turns and see's it's only me and I can see the beginning of a smile appear.

"Kira, thank you for responding," The screen goes to life with Kira 2.0's chilling fake voice modulator and logo. "I will do as you say." There's a chorus of 'whoops' and 'yes's' and no one can believe out plan actually worked. I glance to Light to gauge his reaction and his face is sour as if he's angry at the result.

Can't get rid of Ryuzaki that easily, ya bastard.

"I want to meet you Kira." The screen comes to life again and we all quiet down. "I don't think you have the eyes, but I won't kill you, don't worry."

Eyes? What eyes? What the hell is he talking about?

Everyone seems to have the same reaction as me, but Kira continues on and Ryuzaki, although confused, is paying close attention.

"Please think of a way we can meet without the police knowing. We can confirm each other when we meet by showing Shinigami."

So, there are more than one Shinigami here…which means two death notes, but do the Shinigami write names for Kira? Do the Shinigami act alone? Or is it possible that Kira has a death note and can somehow use the same power as a Shinigami?

Suddenly Ryuzaki throws his hands up and screams, I jump back as he falls toward me in his chair, reminiscent of when I saw Ryuk for the first time.

I quickly kneel down with him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Ryuzaki are you okay?" I life my hand up slowly as I realize he's shaking.

"Shinigami…" His voice is so quiet. "Are we actually meant to believe that they exist?" He looks at me with terror filled eyes, but underneath the terror I see acknowledgement that I was telling the truth. He sits up slowly and places his hand on top of mine that I've placed on his shoulder and I nod.

"Shinigami? There's no way." I turn slightly and even though Matsuda was the one who said it, my eyes land on Light. His face is twisted in horror and worry, but then as if flipping a switch, he's calm.

"You're right, Shinigami can't possibly exist." Ryuzaki turns to look at Light as I can't help my face from dead panning and looking at Ryuk who waves with a smile, luckily though, he's standing behind Light as usual so Light doesn't see it.

"Remember though Light," I turn back to Ryuzaki. "Kira already made a reference to the existence of Shinigami with that suicide note he made that prisoner write." The Chief looks slightly confused.

"Then are we to assume that it's the same person since they used the same word?" I'm about to correct him but Light beats me to it.

"That's not possible, Dad."

Cause you're Kira 1.0?

"If this was the same Kira or the first Kira, then there's no way he'd reply to our video tape. Why would Kira go along with our plan and stop L from going on T.V?" At Light's pseudo-explanation everyone begins to understand.

"So then have the real Kira and second Kira joined forces and are just using the word Shinigami to confuse us?" Aizawa asks, but once again before I can explain, someone, being Ryuzaki this time, beats me to it. I move around him and pick up his chair as he explains.

"That's also not possible; as Light pointed out, if they were working together then they wouldn't stop their plan to kill me." Ryuzaki nods at ne as he notices I've fixed his chair. "The second Kira, Kira 2.0, is acting from his own feelings, and not Kira's ideals. It's not related to Kira 1.0's goals of 'Punishing criminals to change the world and killing anyone who get's in my way'. The second Kira's own feelings…" He pauses as he sits back in the chair and I return to my spot next to him. "are based on the desire to meet Kira 1.0 and that alone propels their actions."

Everyone seems to absorb what Ryuzaki says an I just stand and watch their expressions.

"That's right…Kira 2.0 isn't acting with a sense of justice and doesn't seem to have a desire to change the world. He's merely interested in Kira 1.0" Light folds his arms and looks serious. "Maybe this 'Shinigami' term is describing the ability to kill? 'Confirming each other by showing our Shinigami'; we could think of that as meaning that they will show each other their ability to kill…maybe even in a demonstration."

I wish I could tell everyone about Ryuk…I mean nothing is really stopping me, but he does know my real name…if I out him there's a possibility that he's kill me…

I can feel the irritation wash over me, the fact that I can see him and no one else but Light can, driving me crazy. I stare at Light because him and I both know what's going on, but he's the enemy and I can't tell anyone…Murdering bastard…

Ryuzaki clears his throat and I realize that I'm actually glaring. I fold my arms and adjust my weight and mumble 'sorry'.

"Anyway, we can, at the very least, say that the word 'Shinigami' has some kind of meaning between the two of them. We can try to set things up in order to learn more about it." Ryuzaki puts his hand to his mouth, thinking.

"Then we send another message?" I sigh lightly and shake my head 'no' at the Chief

"No…if we meddle too much we'll reveal that we're not really Kira…to be honest, I feel like we've set a perfect trap…the Kira2.0 is probably feeling pretty please with themselves right about now because they managed to get Kira's attention. So maybe we should just let the two Kira's battle it out for now…" They all look at me and Ryuzaki mulls it over.

"You may be onto something…Kira 1.0 must have seen our back and forth with 2.0 and at this point I'm sure 1.0 would do anything to avoid 2.0's capture by police…1.0 may start to worry about what will happen if he doesn't interfere…It's possible that 1.0 may send a reply next time and with these circumstances, he'd have to send it to Sakura T.V…anything else would be thrown out as just another false claim…" Ryuzaki pauses and by his eyes I can tell he's in the zone. "I've also been thinking about what 2.0 might do if no reply comes…most likely they'll be annoyed, and if we're lucky, release more information to the police and media in an attempt to flush 1.0 out. If 1.0 is smart he might reply with an order of silence or a meeting place…if they go back and forth, we might be able to gain some physical evidence against either one…" A smile creeps across his face as we're all listening intently. "Closely examine every piece of mail sent to any television station. If they end up receiving something from Kira or the second Kira, I will decide whether they can broadcast it or not. For now, we need to gather all the evidence we can on the second Kira." Ryuzaki finishes and everyone nods. "We'll run this reply tonight on Sakura T.V during the 6 o'clock news, everyone, you're dismissed." Ryuzaki stands from his chair as everyone goes their respective ways. I stand beside him but watch Ryuk and Light walk away.

"Ryuzaki…" He looks at me and nods.

"I know…" We split off and head toward my room again to have a 'secret meeting'.

As we reach my room I hold the door open and wait for him to come in before shutting it behind us.

"We need to figure out what these 'eyes' are…" I say it as Ryuzaki sits in one of the chairs by my coffee table with my basket of apples on top. One is missing from the last time I was in here. He nods and takes a lollipop from the other bowl on the table and pops it in his mouth.

"Yes, I know…but is it safe to ask the Shinigami that? Will it even answer you? Because if it's dangerous then you should wait." I take the opposite chair, but I'm starting to feel annoyed again.

"Dangerous?! Ryuzaki this whole case is dangerous!" I start to rise and point toward the door as I get angrier. "We make one wrong move, they find out our real names, and we're dead! Hell, if Ryuk feels like it he could kill anyone of us with the brush of a pen! He can do that because he can see all of our fucking names above our heads with his Shinigami eyes!" As soon as I say it, it all clicks into place and judging by the look on Ryuzaki's face he does too. "Son of a bitch…you don't think…"

"Normally I'd say that it's impossible, but in this case, rationality might have to take a back seat…" I look at him stunned and sink down into my chair.

What if Shinigami can give their vision to humans and that's what Kira 2.0 meant when he said Light didn't have the eyes…

Woo, it's been a long time hasn't it? ^^' I'm real sorry about that, I work a 40 hr job on top of trying to write 3 fics and drawing and I need to read my book sometimes, so I can remember how to write in this style. No one has seemed to comment in a long time, so I guess I'll just keep on keepin on.

Actually wait-I have new favs! I wanna say hi to the people after rebelturtle, who are Kiralawliet1, FoxyCarry, and OnceUponAShipLover *waves* *looks at follows* Holy crap! People are reading my shit! Hey sirensorrow, Kiralawliet1, MountainRiver, OnceUponAShipLover, and Yumi88855! Thanks to everyone who supports my book and puts up with my shit :D

If you've been reading my other fic I told them I'd be gone for a bit because I wanted to work on getting to Chapter 50 of this before I leave again! Woo so you'll be seeing more of me! 44 is still in development but the first draft is almost done, I also already started 2nd drafting so once it's done I'll type it up! (Or after this I'll type up what I have…don't do what I do kids you'll go crazy) Well…comment, like, follow, favorite, find me on deviantart, twitter, Tumblr, Ko-fi…and whatever else pops up when you type in my User lol. See ya.