Chapter 68

August 2nd

Moving headquarters wasn't hard at all, we just packed everything up and hauled it in a truck and when we got to the new building all we had to do was put it away. Watari orchestrated most of the move and even hired a few moving guys. Light and Ryuzaki were chained together so they hid up in one of the rooms working as to not give the impression that they were some weird couple with a strange kink…I also was not the one to point that out…Misa was, much to my dismay. Why Ryuzaki wouldn't wait to chain them together 'till after we moved in is beyond me, but at the same time I know that it's safe right now. Ryuk is nowhere to be seen and Light and Misa are 100% not Kira right now, but Ryuzaki doesn't have the ability to see the Shinigami and well…seeing is believing. I know Light was Kira and technically Ryuzaki's deductions weren't wrong but…I just wish he could grasp the exchange of power, so we could get on with this.

Misa's been pretty happy with her new room, she loves having a floor to herself; it looks like an apartment up there. Ryuzaki decided to give me one as well, which I thought was strange, but whatever, I'm not complaining. When all this is over at least we'll have somewhere to be alone; maybe he was thinking ahead.

What I am complaining about is Light and Ryuzaki being cuffed together 24/7 which means I can't spend any time with him alone. What I am complaining about is being stuck up in Misa's suite right now on a double date where Light and Ryuzaki are sharing a couch because of the damn chain and that means I'm stuck sitting next to Misa.

I sip my drink with a sigh. No ones happy here; well except Ryuzaki, he seems pretty happy, but that's because he has cake. Misa's miserable, I'm miserable, Light's…well, Light actually looks indifferent, but I'm not in the mood for sweets…I just want some time to myself with Ryuzaki, we haven't been alone since Watari interrupted us and I'm dying over here.

"This doesn't feel like a double date at all." Misa huffs and I 'hmm' in agreement as I set my drink back on the coffee table. Ryuzaki stuffs the strawberry from his cake in his mouth.

"Well, what does one do on a double date? By the way, are you gonna eat that piece of cake?" He talks with the fork he used to pick up the strawberry in his mouth and I roll my eyes. The cake is Misa's and she crosses her legs and bounces her foot.

"No, cake makes you fat, I'm not gonna eat any."

"Actually, I found that you don't gain weight as long as you burn calories by using your brain." The frog sitting across from me points at his head with his fork and I burst out laughing; Misa, does not.

"Now you're calling me stupid?! Fine, I'll give you the piece of cake if you give Light and I some time alone." I try to stifle my laughter, but I just wasn't prepared for that.

I second that appeal for some alone time, but with Ryuzaki.

"Even if we left you alone, we'd still be watching on surveillance cameras, so it wouldn't make any difference." His voice is monotone and for the first time I notice that he's just a little bit miserable too, even with the cake.

"You pervert! Suzuki, make him stop being a pervert!" I shrug making her even more upset.

"Call me whatever you want, but I'm still taking your cake." Ryuzaki stands and reaches across the table, like a monkey.

"Fine, once you leave us alone, I'll just close the curtains and turn off the lights." She looks happy with herself as if she thinks she's outsmarted us and is winning.

"We have infrared cameras too." Misa growls at him but she's ignored as Light turns to Ryuzaki.

"What's wrong with you? I thought you'd be happy with the new facility, I thought it would help us catch Kira, but since we got here you haven't seemed motivated at all." Realization slaps me in the face.

"He's right Ryuzaki, you don't seem like yourself today…" He sighs, holding his stolen cake.

"You're right, actually, I'm kinda depressed."

Depressed? Why?

"Depressed?" Light asks the questions as Ryuzaki eats a bite of his cake.

"Well, all this time I thought you were Kira and the case I put together hinged on that fact…I guess I just can't get past the fact that I was wrong. That being said I'm obviously still suspicious of you, hence the cuffs." He lifts his arm with the fork and the cuffs jingle on command. "We also know that Kira can control peoples' actions, meaning it's highly likely Kira controlled your actions to make me think you were Kira, but you're not dead, so that probably isn't the case. We first thought Kira could control people's actions before they died, he practically threw it in our faces…and I was sure you were Kira, but now that you're not…my case is falling apart."

"So, are you saying when you thought we were Kira, we were actually being controlled by the true Kira?"

"Yes, but you weren't killed so…"

"Ryuzaki, with that line of thinking that would make Misa and I Kira anyway."

"Yes, I don't think I was wrong about that. The two of you are Kira…I just can't prove it…"

Why is he saying all of this? Is he trying to throw them off their game? It doesn't make any sense…why wouldn't he just keep this between us? Is he actually depressed and he's not thinking clearly? If that's the case how can I help him?

"The way I see it, when you were first confined, you were Kira…and while confined the killings stopped…until two weeks later, when it started back up again. It's perplexing, how could you kill anyone with so much surveillance? Up until that point all evidence pointed to you being Kira, but once the killing resumed…The only thing I can say is that based on everything we've witnessed, and the fact that you're both not dead…well maybe it's time we assumed that Kira's power can pass between people. The second Kira once mentioned the power could be shared as well…" Ryuzaki trails off.

Ryuzaki is this really what you're thinking? You know that's only partially true. While it's true they were both Kira, they gave up the power and from then on weren't. I don't know who has the power now, but one book, one power, is buried, and the other is being used to commit murder right now, we have to focus on finding it, and Kira.

Light looks at me as he processes, catching my attention. "Suzuki, what do you think of Ryuzaki's theory? Before I share my opinion, I want to know yours."

Fuck…

"Well…" I take a breath as I was not prepared for this. "I don't think you were controlled by Kira. I think you both were Kira; something happened during your confinement, and now you're not." I glance at Ryuzaki who nods, making me realize that they have no memories of being Kira or the power, so the truth won't hurt. They're both completely powerless, that's why Ryuzaki said what he did and maybe we can take advantage of Pure Light. If we play our cards right maybe he can help…

"What do you mean 'something happened'?" I fold my arms, getting comfortable.

"Well, let's start with Misa. She was quiet for days, barely even asking for a drink or to use the bathroom, then suddenly she's asking us to kill her, practically begging us to. She's lucky I was in the room when it happened. When we obviously refused, she was going to bite off her tongue, I had just enough time and thought to put my hand in her mouth to keep her from doing it." I glance at her as she puts her index and middle fingers to her mouth as if feeling her lips. I find myself uncrossing my arms to feel the side of my hand, by my pinky where she bit me, a phantom feeling coming over it. "You'd think something serious would had to have happened to her to spark that, but the next day…she was fine. She started calling Ryuzaki 'Mr. Stalker' like she had forgotten where she was and why she was there. It was like someone flipped a switch inside, one minute she was Kira; a dark, murdering, monster. The next she was bubbly, talkative; pure Misa." Through my whole story Misa looks more and more surprised.

"Oh my god, I bit you? I don't remember any of that. I'm so sorry Suzuki." I make a hand gesture toward her like, 'see what I mean'.

"Honestly it was like Jekyll and Hyde…especially with you Light." I steal a glance at Ryuzaki to see if it's still okay to talk about, but he looks like he's watching the others, gauging their reactions. Probably trying to judge how real they are.

"Was I really that bad? All I remember is thinking that I might actually be Kira subconsciously, because I aligned with his ideals a little and I was the closest civilian to the case…Well Ryuzaki made me think it was possible and the more I thought about it…"

"You thought you might have been Kira because you thought the world would be better off without criminals? If they all just died?" He nods his head shamefully.

"I found myself thinking that maybe the world would be better off without those people, yes. That and the evidence Ryuzaki had…"

"Light, everyone thinks like that sometimes, even me…I know one or two people who I wish were dead, but that doesn't make me Kira." He starts to say something, but I put my hand up to stop him, thinking I know what it might be. "And no, in this world, there's no way you could kill someone just by thinking about killing them or thinking that you want them dead." I sigh, deciding to lay it all on the table since Ryuzaki hasn't stopped me yet. "Let me simplify it for you…You both were Kira when you were brought to confinement, just as Ryuzaki said despite what you remember. Light, you were so sure that you were Kira, even went so far as to tell us not to let you out no matter what you said, not until we were sure that you weren't Kira…you said you were doing it to help the case…but at the one week mark, you suddenly changed, claiming that you were without a doubt not Kira and that you'd somehow been framed." A shocked look comes over his face. "You even asked us to look at your eyes and see for ourselves if we thought you had the eyes of a killer. We did and y'know what I saw? Your eyes had changed, but they'd become softer, more innocent, almost pure…but we all have to face the facts even if you have to go through all our evidence, retrace our steps so you can come to the same conclusion as we did. You both were Kira, and now, for some reason, you're not. And maybe Ryuzaki is right, maybe that power, Kira's power, can be passed between people…I don't know."

She lied, knowing full well what was going on.

Ryuzaki takes another bite of his cake, Misa looks both amazed and confused, and Light mulls it over. He looks up at me after a second. "Wow, that's crazy…And the theory about Kira's power being transferable is interesting…but if that really is the case…then catching Kira…is gonna be really difficult." I nod at Light, though he still seems to be having trouble grasping the idea.

"You're right, Light, it will be nearly impossible…but what about this…You and Misa prove your innocence…and walk away." Everyone looks at me like I'm insane, but I keep going. "Hear me out…you're both free of control or Kira's power or whatever it was that made us suspect you of killing all those people; and yes you probably did kill hundreds of people and that's unforgivable, but the reality is, we can't prove it right now-"

"Suzuki!" Ryuzaki objects.

"Just a sec. Ryuzaki won't like it, but I would rather you two walk away and live normal lives while we continue this wild goose chase for the Third Kira, than have you continue with us and possibly fall under Kira's control again…" A quick glance at Ryuzaki tells me he's upset with me, but if we can remove Light from the playing field early on, then there's no chance he'll get his hands on the Death Note when we find it and any plans Kira Light had would end here and now. We could catch the Third Kira and tell the Shinigami's to leave…If what Ryuk said was true and they are Gods of Death, then they don't need humans to do their dirty work anyway. If I have to give up on bringing Light and Misa to justice right now so they can leave, and we can catch the Third Kira and end this farce…I'll gladly watch them walk out the door. Ukita's killer would be free, but it would be over…and Ryuzaki and I could be together.

"That's an interesting offer, but I wouldn't be able to walk away. After all Kira has put my family, Misa, and I through, he deserves to be brought to justice, and I intend to help you do it."

I thought you might say something like that…but it was worth a try…

"Even if we'd only be catching ghosts of Kira? You'd never know which was the real one if we go on Ryuzaki's theory of control. We could catch one, start a trial, then Kira passes the power to someone else and we're left with an empty shell asking why they've been imprisoned." I ask him seriously.

"You see now why I'm a little depressed? Like Suzuki said, even if we catch someone under Kira's control or even someone who's possesses Kira's power, what's stopping them from passing it on and losing their memories? In the end there's no point." Ryuzaki sounds hopeless and I don't know if he's acting anymore…

"Yeah, but at this point we don't even know if that's true. There are still so many things we don't know about Kira's power. Cheer up Ryuzaki, we'll catch them." Light folds his arms but looks optimistic.

"Cheer up? No, I don't think I can. It's probably for the best if I just stop trying so hard. By chasing Kira so hard, we're only putting ourselves in danger…I thought I was going to die so many times already…maybe in the end it's a waste of time…" My jaw drops.

What the fuck? This isn't the Ryuzaki I know…he's been fine as far as I could tell…is this the real him or is this all an act and he's just baiting Light?

Light stands up abruptly as I pick up my drink. "Ryuzaki…" His tone is even and calm, but something doesn't feel right, Ryuzaki glances up at him.

Before I can take a drink Light punches Ryuzaki in the face, sending him flying. Misa and I jump to our feet, startled, as Light gets pulled by the chain and follows Ryuzaki's flight pattern. The table gets caught in the crossfire and flips over, sending precious cake to the floor and I'm glad I wanted to take a sip when I did, or my drink would have suffered the same fate. Misa gasps and takes a cautious step back and I hear her disgust as she steps in the fallen cake, but I'm more concerned with Light and Ryuzaki.

Ryuzaki sits up from where he landed on the floor, he looks disheveled, a bruise already forming on his pale face. Anger bubbles up inside me and I want nothing more than to punch Light myself. "Yknow, Light, that really hurt…" Ryuzaki lulls his head a little as Light gets his footing and stands.

"Ryuzaki that's enough! You don't want to do anything just because you were wrong and I'm not Kira?! You're just gonna sit here and sulk?!" Light yells at him and I hate to say it, but he has a point…although he didn't have to punch him.

Ryuzaki wipes a little blood from his mouth, the chain rattles. "Fine, maybe I phrased it the wrong way. I meant; it would be pointless to make a move so we shouldn't even bother…" This just adds fuel to Light's fire, and he takes a step forward. I'm not even sure what to do at this point, I know Ryuzaki can take care of himself, but at the same time, Light's practically begging me to punch him.

"We shouldn't even bother?! What are you even talking about? If we don't chase Kira, he'll never be caught! Is that what you want?! You swore you were going to send Kira to his execution, but if you were just going to give up, then why bother involving all those innocent people?! More importantly, what was the point of locking Misa and I up?!" Light grabs Ryuzaki by his collar and I take a step to stop him.

"I understand all that…but whatever the reason…" In a flash Ryuzaki gets his feet under him and kicks Light right in the face. It's the same move he used on me during our sparring session. "An eye for an eye my friend…" The kick sends Light stumbling back and he trips over the arm of the couch falling over and bouncing across the cushions, Ryuzaki obviously is dragged by the chain and follows the same path, the momentum of the two of them flips the couch backwards. Misa stands beside me, mouth hung open like a dead fish. I quickly put my drink on the windowsill and come back to the guys trying to stand up.

"It's not just that my deduction was wrong, I can go around saying 'Light Yagami is Kira and Misa Amane is the Second Kira', but it won't be enough to solve the case. And that's why I'm a little depressed, is that so unreasonable?" Light stands but it takes Ryuzaki a second.

"Yes, yes it is. Besides you should hear yourself. It's like you won't be satisfied unless I am Kira."

"I won't be satisfied unless you're Kira? There might be some truth to that. Actually, you made me realize something…I think I wanted you to be Kira."

I can't believe what I'm hearing. Light punches Ryuzaki in the face again, but he stands his ground like a brick wall, probably causing more damage to his eye than letting the punch rock him back. Ryuzaki grunts in pain, his body shakes slightly. "As I said before; and eye for an eye." He grunts again, but Light hasn't moved his fist. "I'm a lot stronger than I look y'know." Ryuzaki rotates his body, letting Light's fist slide off and bends down, kicking him in the face again.

Is this what we looked like when we were sparring? How do I stop this?

Light pulls on the chain bringing Ryuzaki around so he can punch him in the face again, then they grab each other's shirt collars and get ready to punch again. I run up and place a hand on each's shoulder getting ready to pull them apart when the phone suddenly rings. We look between us and since Ryuzaki's the closest, he frog walks over to it. It comes to my attention that Misa's disappeared, but I peek behind the other couch to find her there, cowering.

"Yes? Oh, I see…" He drops the phone back on the receiver, hanging up. I bend down to try to right the couch they knocked over.

"Who was that?" Light walks over and helps me pick up the couch, completely conscious of how far the chain reaches, which is surprisingly pretty far.

"Just Matsuda being stupid again." Ryuzaki stands and they both sit on the couch as I focus on cleaning the coffee table and food all over the floor.

"Yeah, well that is his specialty." I laugh at Light's burn as they sit down, remembering that the camera's have audio and he's nosey so he's probably watching…which explains the phone call that separated the fight.

Misa comes out of hiding and brings me the trash can from the corner and I start to clean up, our double date officially ruined.