Meanwhile, Matsuda was going into Misa's cell, he accidentally stepped on L. L looked at him.

"Matsuda?"

"Sorry, L"

"What are you doing here?"

"The judge told me to make Kiras lose their strength. If they don't have enough strength, they won't resist and it will be easy to transfer them. They're supposed to be killed with the death note, you know"

"Yes, but what do you mean?"

"I'll shoot them"

L didn't reply to Matsuda's statement. He just stood up there thinking. His thoughts were passing by fast like waves. He didn't know how to describe the feeling. He just felt nauseous and ready to throw up. He must have eaten something. Maybe three cups of coffee and four plates of strawberry shortcake with chocolate were too much for his stomach.

As Matsuda approached Misa's cell, he locked it up and held Misa tightly. She was crying, but she wasn't sobbing. Tears were just falling down her cheeks.

"Am glad you chose me first. I wouldn't bear seeing my Light dying..."

"Shut up, you bitch! I was a big fan of yours... Yet I was stupid enough not to guess you supported Kira!"

He then pulled off the gun from his shirt.

"But it's never too late for you to die!"

L ran into the policeman and protected Misa with his body. He tried to pull her, but he didn't have enough time to think about it. He stretched his hands in front of the girl.

"Matsuda, stop!"

The young policeman lost his target and accidentally the bullet entered the detective's shoulder. Drops of blood fell on the floor.

"L, what are you-"

"L!"

Both of them got surprised by L's actions. L ignored their reactions and grabbed Misa's hand. Misa looked at him confused.

"W-Where are you taking me?"

L watched carefully his feet while trying to control where he was going. The bloody drops were dropping into the floor from his shoulder. He didn't possess much strength but he had to take Misa out of the court. She had to be free. He didn't care about Kira but she had to be free.

Fortunately, he found a backdoor that led to the garden of the court. The garden seemed pretty quiet and no cars were passing by, so nobody could notice them. He held Misa's hand tightly into his own hand. It was trembling.

"What's the matter, L? Why did you do this?"

L sighed deeply. His shoulder was hurting him. The blood wouldn't stop running.

"Return home, Misa. I will be dealing with the others by myself"

"I... I don't understand"

"You don't have to. Just listen to me"

"But... Your wound-"

"I'll be fine. Just take a taxi and return to your apartment" L answered calmly

Misa couldn't understand L's words but his actions too. Why did he do this? What about her execution? And what about Light? Has it changed something? Did the judge decide to cancel her execution?

Despite all her questions, she did what L told her to do so. She immediately called a taxi to pick her up, while L entered the building without greeting her. He looked at the clock on the wall. It was half-past nine in the evening. It was November 16th of 2004. He had expected for the case to get late, but to his surprise, it finished fast. Most of the cases he took in the past lasted for three to four years. There was definitely something wrong with both Kiras. Things couldn't be that easy.

Holding his left shoulder, he was walking with pressure. He was looking for something his hand can hold. His breathing was slow as if he was in the desert. He desperately wanted to drink water or anything that's liquid. Nevertheless, he had to think about how to deal with the case.

Suddenly, he heard somebody calling him by his nickname. It was Matsuda and Aizawa. The two men ran towards him.

"Ryuzaki, are you okay?"

"How did this happen?"

"Why did it happened?"

"Why did you do that?"

Both of them were asking him at the same time. And this made him feel even dizzier.

"I...I'll explain. How's the condition going?"

"The judge asserted by saying that both Kiras managed to escape and if we don't hurry to find them, he'll cancel their execution" Aizawa explained

"Did... Light managed to escape?" L questioned exhausted. He felt like his voice would fade.

"Yes but we don't know where did he go" Matsuda said

"Are we supposed to? He just left from our field of view" Aizawa added

"You... You don't have to... To apologize. You should go to... The secret base and find him by... The... Screens"

"L, you're bleeding!"

"It's not my fault! It just happened by accident!" Matsuda protested

"Let's... Not talk about that... I can... Take care of myself by... My own"

"You can't do this on your own! We can see it clearly, you can barely speak. You're seriously injured! I'll call an ambulance immediately!" Matsuda stated and picked up his phone

"But... What about Light and Misa?" Aizawa asked

"The two Kiras can wait. Someone's health is more important!"

L tried to keep his body upright on the wall only to slip on the floor. His forces abandoned him and his shoulder hurt more than before. He moaned softly.

"Matsuda... I highly appreciate your actions, but honestly... I will be fine"

"It's too late now to stop me. I already called the nearest hospital. They're coming right away. I'll be coming with you"

"But-"

"Someone has to look after you"

"Am glad you thought of this, Matsuda. Although everyone calls you an idiot, in the end, you seem to be good-hearted and smart" Aizawa said

"Really Aizawa? Seriously?" Matsuda smiled with his mouth wide open. He couldn't believe what he just heard.

"Happy April fools, you idiot! It's not what you thought! Am glad because you'll leave, not because you'll take care of L. Now get out of my face" Aizawa answered sarcastically

"It's November, Aizawa..." Matsuda tried to stop his mocking.

**

A few minutes passed and they suddenly heard a siren coming out of the court. It was the ambulance service. The two policemen held the detective from his arms and let the nurses lay him down on the mattress of the ambulance. Aizawa told Matsuda he'll go home, while the youngest policeman was entering the vehicle. They greeted each other and the older policeman left for his car.

"He's shot, but it seems the bullet isn't stuck in any sensitive spot" one of the nurses explained.

"Do you think so?" Matsuda asked

"I spoke to you approximately. Nothing can be sure, sir"

"I see..."

"Please don't worry, dear gentlemen. I am certain the case isn't that serious. We have seen much worse cases of shooting in previous situations"

"I believe you, mademoiselle. Shooting can cost one's life and many other people's lives..." L added

The nurse looked at him and smiled.

"Sir, I suggest you relax. That is until we reach the hospital"