CHAPTER 11: Pursuit

GOLDELUXE

Light and Lawliette were once again inside their favorite bakery, actually going through that impromptu agreement they had due to Light's dislike of Rokko. Frankly, he was surprised that Lawliette went along. Then again, this was a chance for her to interrogate him without having to initiate anything herself. He did her a large favor and, in retrospect, he wasn't sure anymore if it had been so wise.

His lips formed a thin line at yet another reminder of how many loopholes he made himself, every time he did something related to this woman.

They sat there in the most isolated part of the store to ensure privacy – both for the sensitive topic as well as Lawliette's sitting position. "Now let's get to it, Yagami," she said and, internally, he frowned. "You're really going to interrogate me?" He asked, jokingly, albeit knowing full-well she was serious.

"I wasn't supposed to?" She asked, tilting her head in question. "You couldn't have said that just to keep me from going with Rokko right? That would be very unlike you."

His brain froze somewhere during the last second. Damn, his brain juggled around with just a few words. He was shaken. But whatever the reason he did what he did, he erased it inside his head. He formulated the answer that would lead him to his goals.

"I'm surprised you figured that out," He told her, keeping up his cool façade. He almost lost it when a faint tint of red climbed up her cheek but she shook her head. "Well, if you must interrogate me than I'm fine." He smiled. "I was thinking of proving my innocence quickly, anyway."

Lawliette nodded awkwardly and went on with the questions. She gave him the messages Kira sent her and, of course, Light answered correctly. Lawliette added a little trick though—she said there was a fourth picture when there wasn't. First it was to see just how he would try to defend himself – she knew very well how much pride Light had, otherwise he wouldn't be looking at most people as if he could crush them easily with his eyes closed.

The second was that there would be a natural bias. Of course, this would hold true for any average person, but Light was in no way average. Having a presupposition that there were only 3 despite it actually lacking some sense led her to think that he was the one who sent the message – that he was, indeed, Kira.

She didn't like the idea to the point that she wanted to punch herself, but it was a lead she couldn't ignore. In any case, she decided to keep the conversation as casual as possible. "That's all, Light-kun. Thank you for your time."

"That's it?" He smiled. "How did I fare?"

"The chances of you being Kira have increased."

"…what?" Light asked in genuine surprise although she could tell how much effort he was pulling out to appear as composed as possible. "Did I say anything that only Kira might say?"

"Not necessarily." She said and revealed the supposed "fourth" picture. He stared at her in befuddlement.

"How was I supposed to know there was a fourth one?" he said.

"Because you have an exceptional deductive ability, Light-kun," was all she said. "But, no need to fret; the percentage only increased by a percent or so."

"But still—what about the other suspects?"

"There aren't any."

"What?" Light raised his tone but kept the acceptable volume. Lawliette was impressed at his equanimity but was also guilty at how she's making him feel.

"Calm down, Light-kun. If you're not Kira I can assure you nothing will happen to you." Lawliette said, but inside she was wondering if it wouldn't be different if he did turn out to be Kira. At this Light smiled sadly before placing his palm over his head as if to keep it from exploding. "I'm sorry. Being suspected as the person I despise most is just…" He paused and looked at her. "…and by you, as well."

"Light…" she said and frowned. She looked away like that time she turned around the first time she rejected his feelings. Light couldn't tell what was on her mind—and at the moment, the uncertainties regarding this issue disconcerted him more than her proximity to the belief of him being Kira.

"Do you truly see me only as a friend?"

"You are a precious friend to me."

"But is that only it?" He asked, looking at her. "I'm sorry to ask this of you during my interrogation… but did you not feel anything but disgust when we kiss?"

She looked away. "Shall we have some dessert?" She said firmly and he sighed.

"I'll buy them."

"No, I'll—"

He raised his hand to stop her from standing up. He smiled under her stare.

"Anything for the girl I love."

...

He wanted to puke.

Light walked to the cashier and a few thoughts ran through his head. Should he vomit?, he asked himself. He was acting, of course, and it was beyond troublesome. But it was something he had to do to shake her. He decided to make her fall for him and make her trust him completely before killing her. That was the plan.

He was impressed by how sincere he sounded. It was almost like he meant it.

"Hey watch it!" Some guy said and he apologized. He seemed to have halted his steps without realizing it. He wiped his sweat and cleaned his throat, immediately clearing his mind of troublesome thoughts. As he told of his order and waited, half of his mind started wandering again.

Of course he had to sound like he meant it, otherwise there was no point in doing it in the first place. He had to admit she interested him beyond the intellectual level. He had always been a lover of challenges, and perhaps it was the same when it came to women.

And he, Light Yagami, could have anything he wanted. Perhaps he didn't have her yet but if he did she wouldn't be a challenge in the first place. It was time to prove his abilities again, but this was the first time he tried seducing anyone. In any case, nothing would change in his plans; he was still going to have his fun of crushing her…

…And these feelings.

"Apples~" His eyes twitched, mentally shooting Ryuk in the head. 'Shut up you damned death go—'

"Here're your orders, Sir!"

"Arigatou," he said, flashing a smile, and as usual—the girl cashier melted. He heard Ryuk cackle from behind.

"Such a lady-killer."

"Uh-huh." He shrugged and as he went past a divider signalling he was near their table. "Watch me kill the hardest 'lady' to kill." He said and right on cue he caught side of her and the table.

At the sight of her, his feet stopped. Again.

Her elbow was resting on the cold surface and her palm covering half of her face. Her eyes were far, she was thinking of something, and her face was wearing such a beautiful shade of red.

"How long are you going to stare like that, Light-o? She'll notice you sooner or later you know." It was followed by his trademark cackle.

I wonder what she's thinking about…

It was difficult to pinpoint the exact feelings he felt when he considered that—perhaps—she was thinking of his last words to her. But he couldn't let his guard down. She could just be thinking of cake, or something. He had not yet won.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked and she quickly sterned-up just after that instantaneous expression of surprise. Light narrowed his eyes but pretended to shrug. Why would she try to hide it so well? He mused…

Unless his initial assumption was correct.

His heart started throbbing, obviously due to the excitement that he might be winning this 'game' of theirs. "Here's my pay." She said and extended her hand. He shook his head and said it was his treat. She, in turn, shook her head as well. "That won't do, Light-kun."

"I was the one who invited you here, remember? It's customary whoever invited the other pay for the other's order." He smiled and he knew she wouldn't be able to make a comeback without 'offending' him, etiquette-wise. So she just looked down at her food and started eating her cake.

He caught her looking at his order. "Are you not going to eat?" He shook his head and pushed it to her. "It's for you."

She stared but didn't say anything anymore. He was partly surprised. She must be tired of replying to him. That, or she was shy. He really would like to believe it was the latter.

As they ate, they entered a companionable silence. It was broken by the loud ringing of phones.

He flinched and he looked for his phone. He realized that both their phones rang, simultaneously. They looked at each other, eyes wide with a mix of surprise and fear, before finally finding the mobile devices.

It was his mother that called him. And to his surprise, her eyes constricted in shock the same time his did. He would soon realize it was because they received the exact same news.

His father had a heart attack.

...

SHIBUYA GENERAL HOSPITAL

For a moment, Lawliette really thought that the Chief was killed by Kira – by which case she would have doubted Light less, naturally, since he was his father. But the seeing the Light that he was lately, it was starting to become easier for her to imagine him as a person who can kill a family member.

It was so disconcerting, the increasing coldness in his eyes—especially when he was looking at other people. She was lucky that she was his rival; the intensity of his dark stare appeared to be weaker with her…

She forced herself not to think of his confessions.

"I'm sorry Mukahi-san, my son dragged you here." The chief smiled and she smiled back.

"Oh, no. I came here by myself." She said and let out a deep breath. She had a lot of explaining to do. "Watari called me."

Light flinched while the chief squint his eyes. "R-Ryuzaki?" he asked and almost flinched up. Lawlitte held his shoulder to keep him stable. Light on the other hand was very surprised.

"Father?" He asked and the chief started panicking for an excuse.

"Ah. I—"

"It's fine, Buchou." She said, getting him stable before returning to her seat. "I already told him I'm L."

The two Yagami's whipped their heads to stare at her, befuddled, and she sighed as she remained under them for a while. L looked sadly at the chief. "I'm sorry for hiding my true appearance. It's a safety precaution since you know my real name."

The old man's face lightened up. "Does that mean he's clear of suspicion?"

"No." she stated bluntly. "I just think him knowing and his deductive skills would prove useful for the investigation."

"I don't understand. Doesn't it mean that you trust him completely now? I mean, he knows your face and name. If my son is Kira then you should be dead by now."

It was only then that Light managed to pull himself out of shock—she really is L, he thinks—and answered the question for her. "If she did die, though, that will only prove that I'm Kira."

"Light…" the chief whispered, evidently terrified for his son.

L, meanwhile, held out her hand—pointing to him—as if to make her point. "See? Impressive deduction skills."

"Don't worry, Tou-san. I'm sure it will be proven that I'm not Kira." He smiled at his father reassuringly. "Besides, remember what I told you before? It is I who will personally take Kira to his execution."

Somehow, though, the statement meant something a little different to him now. Light winced when he felt Lawliette's hand on his. She smiled at him, too. "Yes. We will make sure of that."

"A-Aa." He uttered and she returned to her usual expression and looked at them alternatively.

"Besides… I think it is the power to kill that is truly evil. This man we know as Kira was just an unfortunate soul who just happened to be given a curse. And for that, I feel very sorry for him."

His father nodded, while Light pretended to agree. Internally though, veins were popping all over the place. She was really making it easier for him to want to put her name in the note. And now that he was sure she's L was just one reason why.

They had short conversations afterwards that ended with the Chief being told to rest as much as he could before returning to the headquarters. Light sweetly gave him a peck on the forehead while Lawliette found an odd mix of happiness and envy in the scene.

"Did you mean it? Me—assisting in the investigation?" Light asked when they reached the exterior of the hospital.

"Of course." She said. "I don't lie about those kind of things."

"I will have to wait as my father is still unwell." He said. It was a natural thing to do; after all, he was a caring and perfect son. And then he smiled. "Thank you for giving me a chance." He said even when he knew she just wanted to increase the time she could watch his movements. He even added a crack in his voice to feign pain.

But to his surprise her eyes widened and they were immediately filled with the kind worry he knew too well. His eyes dilated but he kept any further expressions back. That beautiful tint of red was there again. He wanted it to remain there.

Suddenly, he wanted to push her a little. "What were you thinking when I bought the orders?"

"What do you mean?"

"You were blushing."

"I wasn't."

"You can't be thinking of another man."

"No."

"You can blush like that for a cake?"

"…" She looked away. He swore to make her succumb to him soon, and he could barely control his chest anymore. She must be holding back because he was a suspect. But before he could utter anything else, the car arrived.

"Good bye, Light-kun." She said firmly and got inside without even saying anything else.

...

Light watched her enter the limousine with Watari. He stared at the shinigami blankly, hiding his irritation behind his strong cold orbs. "Remind me to kill that old man someday," he said, and Ryuk only laughed.

Eventually, he relaxed… somewhat recalling those faces she gave out—as well as the thought that he could be the reason behind them. "So… what is that smug look in your face now?" Ryuk asked, wiping the smile off his face and turned away to ignore the shinigami's rants.

One question pulled his attention back, though. "Have you ever considered giving up ownership of the death note, Light?"

"Have you ever considered giving up apples altogether?"

"No."

"Then you have my answer."

He sighed and walked home. As he stared at the straight walk way dimly lit by light posts and defined by the tall fences of the houses, he recalled her words from that bland hospital room. "You know, Ryuk. I never thought that obtaining the death note was a misfortune."

"Really?"

He frowned. "What's with that tone?" Ryuk shrugged.

"One of the rules in the shinigami realm stated that any human who gets a hold of the death note will encounter nothing but misfortune."

Light only smirked. A lot of challenges were at him lately, huh? But he was certain he could overcome every each one of the, in his own pace.

"Then you'll get to see an exception then." Ryuk cackled quietly at the answer as he followed Light. He turned his head around to the direction they came from and laughed even more.

"Maybe I will."

...

Lawliette stared blankly at the window as she imagined an invisible man running and avoiding the obstacles on the sidewalk. She pushed away those fluffy feelings in her gut that was only getting stronger and stronger when she was with Light.

Don't get her wrong, she had heard and read about this from books and now understood what it was. At first, she knew he was getting too close so she blocked his attempts—telling herself there was no way Light would see her that way. He must have misinterpreted the feeling. And yet… she started doubting it herself.

However, it was too much of a distraction. She couldn't have it—but she couldn't avoid him either. It would go against what would be the practical plan if she was being objective and… he might get hurt. Especially since she still doubted him.

And so, she willed herself to go back to the case. To be objective about this and prove for sure Light was not Kira, despite remaining open of the possibility of it being otherwise. First off, the interaction between the two Yagami's gave her hope that Light may not be Kira. That scene was touching yet… kitsch: that it was a bit trite especially when it came to Light.

In any case, the investigation would start moving, and her feelings—those she could let pass before as it was only friendship—for a suspect were not something she would entertain. Especially when it was not just placing guilt inside of her.

It was also distracting her to no end.

"Watari… Let's call the meeting." She paused. "On Nispedana."

"B-But. Isn't that—"

"It's fine." She said with finality. She figured it was time for the team to recognize fully that she trusted them. Besides, the Yagamis who knew about her already would be in the team soon so there was no point in hiding her true identity and her home.

Furthermore… seeing Light and the Chief, along with the images of Sachiko and Sayu… she wanted to make further connections with her own family. "If all goes wrong…. I can always move to mother's house, anyway." She said and she could see Watari's prying eye on the rear view mirror, and it was understandable.

They bought the house that had been unoccupied for a decade since her grandparent's death. It was some sort of sanctuary, and Watari thought they were paying for the maintenance to keep it clean and function solely as a symbolical place for her.

"I don't want to just know more about them." She said answering her unvoiced question. "I studied in their university, so I don't see why I shouldn't try to live in her old home as well." Lawliette suddenly wanted to wake up and see the ceiling that her mother once stared at, look at the window where she once watched the rain, and climb up the stairs where she probably slipped on least once in her life.

Seeing just how lucky Light was to have his family, just made her want to experience that more.

...

NISPEDANA

Lawliette let out a very heavy sigh at her companions' reaction. She was wearing her normal clothing and, at the moment, was standing there subject to their shameless gapes. They all had their mouths wide open effectively making them look like utter idiots.

It all started a few minutes prior.

Lawliette walked casually to the living room where everyone had been waiting. When she turned the knob slightly, she overheard them speaking. Something about how tiring it had been, how sad that they have yet to find another lead, and… the how freaking amazing her room was.

"Mann~!" Matsuda mumbled enthusiastically. "This is one epic room—"

"Hello, everyone."

They all blinked, but it was Matsuda who couldn't hold his tongue. "Who are you?"

"I'm L."

Silence

"I'm fairly sure L's a He."

"Ryuzaki and I am the same person."

Silence

Matsuda looked closer. "Now that I think about it… you do look alike!"

L nodded. "I dressed up as a man to avoid the chief's recognition. I am one of his son's acquaintances, after all."

Nobody spoke, so she continued on. "But now that he had already seen me with Light, and I already told Light I'm L. Then there's no longer any reason for me to remain in disguise. It's not particularly comfortable, anyway."

After that, she waited for them to absorb her words. It was taking quite some time now, though, and was getting quite offending. She had already stated her explanation and didn't see the need to be bothered anymore. But they didn't exactly have all the time in the world, either.

"I assure you, my deductive skills had not diminished after dressing up as a woman."

"We d-didn't mean that! This is just a bit… weird. You act completely different from that person." Matsuda stuttered while she shrugged.

"I had a good role model." She answered and lazily walked to her chair. She sat at the comfortable couch in Seiza and browsed the papers in the coffee table as if no one was staring at her. She slightly smirked to herself when she eavesdropped on their conversation, apparently they thought she was out of earshot. Slightly.

"She's so tall now that she's not crouching." Ukita whispered grimly to Matsuda. He felt smaller than ever.

"A-Ah."

"Ukita-san. Really, now, why do you care so much about height?"

"Ah, I—"

"You should be very careful, Ukita-san, I can easily hear your conversation. It may prove a fatal flaw for you in the future."

"I-I'm sorry."

"Well, that was embarrassing…" Matsuda commented quietly, stifling a laugh. Ukita pouted. "Shut up," the small policeman muttered back so embarrassedly that it placed a smile on L's face. She liked times like these. They did not take the case any less seriously, but comic relief really did give a heavy weight on maintaining sanity—especially theirs.

She was about to make a snide comment when her phone rang. She held it up. "Lawliette!" It was Watari, and he sounded extremely urgent. "Emergency. Turn on the television channel 5."

She gestured for Ukita to turn on the television and turn to the aforementioned channel. The first thing they saw was the face of a reporter muttering something about how they are being held hostage by Kira if they didn't show his message. A moment later the screen went blank and the name 'Kira' appeared in a similar way she did her cyber appearances.

L frowned at how poorly made it was and she wondered how Kira could make something so idiotic. She was just watching it passively for a second until he suddenly went to prove his powers – by killing two innocent reporters that he alleged as bluntly 'speaking against him'.

She yelled for Watari to bring in two television sets and she gripped her arm chair. She ordered the others to force the studio to stop airing but no one had their phones on. Two more innocent lives were taken in front of her eyes.

Blood started boiling inside of her—frustration, despair, and hopelessness she had always been terrified with suddenly surrounded her whole being.

KIRA. That bastard.

She winced when she heard Ukita curse and ran to the door. She yelled for the others to stay put, thinking that since Ukita could no longer be stopped she needed the remaining two there so she could get to them easily when she had already planned out the course of action.

Nothing bad should happen to Ukita, anyway, that's what what she told herself to keep her remaining composure. They took the necessary precautions. He should be able to do it.

And in less than five minutes? She had been proven wrong. And in an incredibly painful way.

"Oh my god!"

"Ukita-san!"

"NO!"

She could barely hear everyone through her own frantic heartbeats, be they the reporters or her companions. Time slowed down as she blankly stared at the screen as Ukita clench his chest for air and drop on the floor, gasping for life and begging his body to halt its end. She heard Aizawa curse and head for the door when she ordered him to stop.

"Oi, Ryuzaki!" Aizawa yelled but backed off when he realized she was also pulling herself back. There was also the fact that they were shocked that Kira seemed to have evolved somehow. Whatever was running through her head, calculative or emotional, she couldn't quite follow their flow.

"Calm down, Aizawa-san." She said, and at that moment they all knew she was also telling that to herself. "Ukita-san is gone. You will die too if you go there like that." She paused as if she was struggling for air, even when her monotonous voice betrayed no struggle. "We can't lose you, too, Aizawa-san."

The man frowned in agony and faced the wall only to hit his head with it. He didn't even feel any pain. Matsuda, on the other hand, approached her. During the past few interactions he had with her, he had come to realize that she was much more caring than any of them would realize. It was easier to see now that she wasn't acting as someone else.

Matsuda knew she was probably be blaming herself at the moment. And he wanted to help, somehow, so he approached her to tell her in his own little way that the team was there for her. But his eyes widened and he froze instantaneously as soon as he saw her face. She was glaring at the television—incessant tears flowing out of her anger-filled eyes. She stayed like that, unmoving, as if she didn't even notice him there.

It was a surprising sight to say the least but he forced himself to shake his stammered state away and held her hand tightly. She barely flinched at his gesture, and she shifted her deep softening gaze to him. She smiled at him, making him feel all warm inside. It was a weak smile, but a smile nevertheless.

"It's interesting to see that you actually have excellent timing to man-up." She uttered and he blushed immediately. He turned away and gave her his clean handkerchief. He nodded at her quiet thank you.

A moment later, a police car parked in front and Lawliette immediately took out her phone. She called the superintendent and asked for a coordinated action. The weak man immediately told her they were not cooperating, but changed immediately when he watched two of his subordinates die at the scene.

She really wanted to punch him, but right now he was convinced and he was going to cooperate. She mentally sighed and gave him the instructions.

However, before she could finish, a bus suddenly ran to the building shattering the glass.

Everyone panicked in shock while she forced herself to be analytical at least, for whoever was driving. It was pretty obvious who it was. Well, that's certainly one way to get in without seeing their faces, she mused. She quickly gave the head the slightly modified instructions and the other two gave out breath of relief when she told them afterwards.

...

"Buchou!" Matsuda yelled in relief as the chief entered the hotel relatively unscathed, well after an hour later. With that tired look on his face, she could so easily imagine how he threatened those ratings-hungry producers in the studio. Light inherited that determination, after all.

She thanked all of them for the good job and asked them to rest as he re-watched the videos as well as the contents of the two other tapes. They offered to watch it with her saying that they may be able to see something that she didn't, albeit they knew that was next to impossible. She politely refused, saying that after her briefing the next day, they would go to Ukita's wake. That meant they should look decent and without hangovers. Besides, she added bluntly that she wanted to be alone and they probably wouldn't be able to help anyway.

And the others only nodded for as rude as it sounded, it was all true.

...

Light had watched the poorly-made televised speech his supporter made on his small room television. It seemed like his father won't be going home today, either. Ukita-san just died too, they must have been devastated.

She must have been devastated, and he realized that the memory of her sobs—after he killed those FBI agents—still clear inside his head.

He frowned. He should be glad about this. If only the sad faces of that girl as well as his father's didn't go appearing in his head randomly. He put the thoughts aside and returned to analyzing the second Kira. He obviously took the eye deal… but more importantly this person was not very smart.

He wouldn't be useful, that was for certain. He would be more of a threat than be of help. He would need a way to find this idiot first before the police or else the death note's existence may be revealed.

He'd find this idiot. One way or another.

...

There were three tapes and one of the other two would be aired depending on the Police's answer to the first one. Since they answered no, the tape applicable would be the one that demanded that she would die in 4 days as there was no way the superintendent would die in her stead. It was an either-or deal. She watched the whole thing for the whole night over and over again as to ensure her gut feeling, especially since she was still shaken by past events.

As time passed she became certain: there was someone pretending to be Kira. And this person was more powerful than him, too. Less cunning, definitely, but clearly more powerful.

"Are you sure about this, L? You'll get killed!" Matsuda said, stating the obvious, when he watched the tape. She shrugged.

"I would hate to be killed by someone pretending to be Kira." Everyone stared at her at that. The chief immediately asked her what she meant. L looked at the screen and laid out her premise so they could understand. The conclusion was: the person they're after need only the face to kill; was most probably a woman; and was not very smart.

She asked Aizawa to air one of the tapes later that night – the one stating their refusal, and hence the announcement of her imminent death. She didn't really want to, of course, but it was a step she needed to take. The second Kira held hostages after all, and by airing the tape then at least one of the two Kiras should make a move.

And as a final point in that meeting, Lawliette told the chief to ask his son to finally join their investigation. She made it clear that he was not fully free of suspicion, and she just wanted to make use of his deductive skills. She also added that they were not to say a word about the second Kira, until he deduced it himself. She had to ensure him, though, that whether or not he answers correctly – her suspicions of him would remain at 5%.

She then adjourned the meeting and they went to their companion's wake.

Lawliette mentally sighed as she got out of the car and walked to their destination. She walked next to Matsuda, who was staring at her anxiously, and whispered "Matsuda-san. Stop worrying, I don't cry about the same thing twice."

He pushed his blush and embarrassment away and uttered something incoherent. She smiled lightly. "You can cry too, you know. Just don't make a mess."

"I-I won't!" he yelled, but he somehow managed to lower his voice when their teammates turned an inquisitive stare at them. "B-besides… Ukita and his death are not things."

She smiled. "Good point." She nodded and closed her eyes. "But I think I already shed enough tears."

And considering this new pace? They were getting closer to knowing more about this Kira, paradoxically, even when there now appeared two.

She wouldn't have time to cry anymore.