CHAPTER 18: Segregation

The following days were the spent heavily on planning, planting of traps, and speaking with the needed people and chess pieces. Lawliette and everyone were busy with their own respective assignments, and everyone was pumped up with nervousness and thrill.

This is it. That was a predominant thought inside everyone's minds during those days.

And the moment when their plans would finally commence came in no time.

It started with the TV station with 'Matsuda' attempting to tell everyone the truth behind Kira and who he was. Of course, no one would actually be in the station during the approximate time Higuchi would arrive. L watched and counted the number of seconds before—

BAM!

Screams were heard over the television, and the safety wall cover 'accidentally' toppled over revealing a very shocked Matsuda—Misa's supposedly dead ex-manager.

As the people acted frantic as they hurried to hide Matsuda, so to 'protect' him, L tried to think in Higuchi's shoes. Higuchi would probably try to kill him and soon realize it wasn't a real name. Her ears perked as a phone behind her rang.

She looked behind and saw Misa, knowingly ignoring the phone, and she nodded. He'd call Misa incessantly for atleast a few minutes. Once more, Misa clicked the 'busy' button and L turned back to her computer. Now, Higuchi would have to figure out Matsuda's real name by himself.

Lawliette knew he would bring the notebook with him… she mused that whether or not she knew about the notebook, she'd had to wait for him to reach the station. He was going much too quickly, after all. Even Weddy couldn't keep up.

They looked intently at the screen. Why was she having such a bad feeling about this—

"Rem!"

Her eyes widened and her head lowered a little by instinct. "He's talking to somebody." Light mumbled, eyes glued to the monitors. L, on the other hand, paled as the death god appeared in view. Higuchi was driving roughly and she found herself gulping. What was he planning to do?

"I will t-take that deal!" He said and her heart stopped. She couldn't even hear the puzzled questions of everyone around her. The moment Rem's eyes turned red, she stood up so abruptly that she almost lost her balance.

"NO!" She yelled at the top of her lungs, causing everyone to flinch. "Contact everyone! No one is to go near him!"

"L, what are you—"

"Just do it!"

"Halt! You're overspeeding sir!" She whipped her head back to the screen at the unfamiliar voice that momentarily cut her off her orders.

She was too late.

"No…" She was frozen those long seconds he reached out to his bag to 'get his license'. She knew all too well what he was going to do. And she couldn't do anything to save that cop.

"Lawliette…" She heard Light call in the back of her head, albeit nothing was really processing the way she wanted to. She vaguely felt him touching her shoulder. But a second later, his hold disappeared as they watched the poor man fall over, face on asphalt, lifeless.

"WHAT!?"

"Oh my god!"

"H-How did he—"

And similar shouts were heard around the room. They didn't matter. Another man died because of her incompetence. Sometimes she wished BB was still there, doing this job—perhaps a lot few people would have died, if any at all.

"Lawliette! Snap out of it!" Light yelled, only an inch away from her, eyes full of that vehemence of his that she always admired. Her eyes widened.

She had no time for insecurities.

She kissed Light on the cheek and he stepped back in shock before she whipped her head to everybody else. "No one is to approach him with exposed faces. Tell this to everyone: Kira has levelled up."

Considering what she just did, they took a little longer to adjust. However, that determined stare on her eyes pulled them up to seriousness.

"Hai!"

...

Light and Lawliette, with Watari on the controls, climbed up the helicopter. Everyone else went ahead to the station, and in the phones they could already hear gunshots along with the noise the propellers created. Their chests constricted in nervousness and prayed no one in their side would get hurt.

He held her hand the whole way and she only smiled. But still, the moment this could all truly end—or continue—would come. It was crucial. She knew how ambitious Light could be and she could absolutely never risk him touching that note again. She didn't know for sure, but her instincts told her—the monster Light will return if he did so.

"Lawliette?"

"Hmn?"

"How did you know?"

"Know what?"

"What Higuchi was doing?" He asked, and she frowned. "I could tell you had an idea on how he powered up."

"I just had a gut feeling." She lied, but her hand freed from his nevertheless. But he let out a mixture of pained and confused expression and she recovered by placing her hand over his. "You should focus on the task at hand."

Light didn't respond for a moment and only stared at her, trying to gauge how much she wasn't willing to say. Finally, he sighed, knowing he would not win.

It was then when a final gunshot was heard. They both flinched and turned to Watari. "W-What happened?!"

"Wedy and a few others got shot by Higuchi." Watari said and suddenly changed directions. "Change of plans."

…

They caught up to him in a highway and were gaining up, albeit slowly, in its seemingly endless length. But then, to her surprise, a fleet of police cars made a blockade—effectively creating a dead end. Watari and her eyes met the moment Higuchi's car showed odd movements and the switched positions immediately.

"I didn't know you could control a helicopter." Light uttered, looking at her hands on the control, as he listened to Watari coolly setting up his rifle.

Lawliette, then, shook her head in disagreement. "I can't."

"What?"

"I can keep it stable at most. Sorry." She shrugged and gestured for him to seat somewhere comfortable so she could move. "More than 10 minutes of this and we'll probably be drowning on a nearby river."

And Light didn't say a word and just gulped and watched Watari take his shot.

BANG!

And albeit he missed, or maybe he didn't, Higuchi's car lost control effectively hitting the wall. He didn't move anymore, obviously losing hope. That moment, she called Watari to land the helicopter and they switched places. Light didn't even realize she already unlocked the chains and jumped down a meter before the helicopter was stable on ground.

Light ran to the window to try and follow her. She was heading, un-guarded, to Higuchi's direction and he could only shout her name in panic before jumping down himself.

"No one touch that notebook!" He heard her yell but it was too late, Matsuda already took it. He turned his head and his eyes widened in terror. He was so scared he lost his footing. For some reason, before his father could touch the notebook, Lawliette kicked him away and grabbed it.

"How many times do I have to say no one touches this notebook?!"

Matsuda, losing blood, could only scream in terror for a reason Lawliette would understand. "W-What is that thing?!"

"W-What are you talking about?" The chief said touching his pained face. (Lawliette didn't know how strong her kicks were, maybe), and Matsuda pointed at a direction where everything seemed normal.

But then, to Light's surprise and annoyance, Lawliette quickly sat to his level and touched his cheek. She was whispering him something and whatever it was… it was getting on Light's nerves. He frowned and ran to them, apparently to check on the situation.

"Flirting in such a situation, shame on you L." But she didn't let Matsuda's cheek go. For goodness sakes, Light wanted to take it off himself. "So, Matsuda, what's happening?"

"I-I-I…." He stopped and looked at Lawliette, as if asking for rescue. The ebony-haired man relaxed as he looked at her and his eyes softened up considerably, soon facing down in an attempt to compose himself.

Lawliette patted the man's shoulder and looked up to him. "We'll explain later."

...

They returned to the headquarters along with Aizawa as Lawliette instructed, saying she would explain everything. Matsuda was silent the whole time and kept looking at Lawliette, as if for signs, and when he looked at certain directions he flinched in fear. Lawliette, in turn, only smiled back encouragingly, which caused Light a great deal of annoyance.

But putting aside his jealous rage, he tried to make a hypothesis. That notebook triggered something to whoever touched it. Perhaps they were able to see something? That was insane, but considering the circumstances not impossible.

For some reason, the answer would lie with L, Matsuda, and Misa. Misa. He almost forgot about her, and he looked at her. She was looking at Matsuda as well, and Light found himself cringing. What was it with women and helpless men, anyway?

But, more importantly, what was surprising was that he caught her looking at that spot that terrified Matsuda. So that meant there was something in there? But what?

And then he recalled some terms that didn't mean anything before, and found a resonating one: A Death God.

"This is a death note." Lawliette said and read through the rules and explained what it could do. Write a name and they will die? It all sounded blasphemous and impossible—yet so…familiar.

"T-hat's ridiculous!"

"I-It's not!" Matsuda yelled before going back to the corner before meeting eyes with the invisible being.

"Now that you mention it, why are you—"

"Touching the note will let you see… a death god." She paused and looked at that spot in the air again. "Rem." Lawliette then shifted back her gaze to everyone else and frowned empathically. "And as I have read, everyone who touches the note will die if it is destroyed."

Silence

"So to be safe, we'd like to keep everyone who makes contact with it as limited as possible."

"I see."

Everyone looked at each other in understanding, eyes filled with both relief and fear. "But what about you two?"

"We'll deal with this. No need to worry." She said dismissively. "That is all. Meeting adjourned. Congratulations and we'll meet tomorrow night for a small banquet."

"Eh?"

"We just finished one of the largest cases in history, do we need not celebrate?"

"Now that you mention it…"

"After everyone rests." Lawliette corrected, and with a smile that made everyone else do the same. "So I repeat—meeting adjourned."

"Hai!"

…

"Watari? Where are you going?" L asked the old man when he, too, gestured to leave.

"I'll need to make arrangements for the party and some other things." He smiled. "And yes, at this time of night."

Lawliette stared at her father-figure for a while before nodding. "Be careful."

"Of course." He laughed and went ahead.

The two Yagamis, on the other hand, were slowly walking to the door, before the younger one halted his steps. "Please go one ahead, dad." He said coolly. "I'd like to speak with Lawliette a little more."

The Chief stared at his son and stole a glance on the girl who was now sitting on the swivel chair, watching them all go. "I'm confused, Light." His father said, clearing his throat in obvious embarrassment. "Who is you girlfriend?"

"Lawliette. Hopefully." Light answered immediately. "And she'll be the last one." He even added, and the chief sighed in response and smiled by reflex.

"Good."

…

The first thing L did after everyone else left was supposedly to look for a certain blonde (after thinking what to say in her lovely swivel chair), but she had to dismiss Light first for being so stubborn. He was planning to stay and force her to tell him everything, as he could tell she was withholding quite a bit of information. She sighed.

"Buchou." She called on the chief and he turned around to look at her. "Please take your son with you."

"Oi, oi."

She held on his back and pretty much pushed him to his father. "See you in the party, Light." She said and finally understanding she would not say anything else to him, Light too sighed.

"Fine."

...

Later, Lawliette arrived outside Misa's room, and hoped she was still there. She knocked and called her name softly, but there wasn't an answer. Lawliette stayed, standing still, in front of the door. Something was telling her Misa was there. Soon enough, Rem appeared behind her implying to her that indeed, Misa was still inside.

"What are you planning to do, L?" The death god asked monotonously, but a person like her could sense the genuine care behind those words.

"Something that Misa deserves." She smiled, and Rem looked at her to try and fully understand what she meant. When she did, Rem nodded, and turned around.

"I'm counting on you."

…

Light was walking out the building with his father when he caught glimpse of Matsuda, walking slowly, and soon enough entering the elevator up. Light reflexively halted his steps, and frowned.

Yagami Suichiro only sighed in understanding, and walked away, knowing full well the green-eyed monster than ran through their veins. "See you at the house, Light." And Light nodded.

"Yes, dad."

...

"Misa?" L entered, since the door was conveniently open, and looked around. "I know you're here." She paused, and lied a bit. "Rem told me so."

There was no answer, however she ended up in the air-filled balcony and saw Misa just staring below. "Don't tell me you're musing on jumping down."

Not flinching, Misa turned around and looked at her. "I'm considering it."

"Why?"

She frowned. "You should know."

L stared, and Misa glared at her. Tears started to line up, and L couldn't say anything. "I love Light—so much. We were… destined to be together. But you just had to take his heart."

There was a painful length of silence afterwards and L walked closer. Misa stepped back by instinct and her back touched the railing, making L feel worried for the worse. However, she knew better… for Misa was a kind, considerate, girl who tended to give everything to the person she loved. Misa-Misa would understand.

"I know that." L said, and wore a small smile. "But are you truly crying because of that?"

Misa's eyes widened and the tears she was holding back flowed incessantly from her pretty eyes. "I hate you."

L smiled. "Do you?"

"YES!" Misa yelled dismissively. "It's unfair. You were my friend." She sobbed and L smiled and walked closer to hold her cheek.

"What's with the past tense?"

"…" Her friend stared at her in the eyes and tried to think coherently.

"And are we fighting over a guy here?" L said. "Is that really what made you think our friendship is over?"

Misa's eyes widened even further, and a sudden jolt of fear in Misa's eyes that L instantaneously panicked. This was truly one of the reasons why she was crying, and understandably so.

But… L also knew Misa was more scared for Light than she was for herself. Misa was caring, and she loved Light more than herself. She, Lawliette, just happened to be in the way. But nothing happened to her yet, despite Misa's threats. And she doubted Misa would do anything to her.

L embraced Misa and the other could only stand there in shock.

"Tell me." L said. "We're still friends. At least I believe so."

"I…" Misa sobbed and could only bury her face on her shoulders. "I… we…"

And she sobbed again, this time Lawliette could feel the remorse. Misa told her she hated her, because she didn't want her to know who she really hated. And Lawliette didn't want Misa to feel that way.

"It was all a lie… what Rem said." L said, and stared at the wall behind Misa. She wouldn't be able to lie if she stared at her directly. Rem appeared there and watched them passively. "You aren't the second Kira."

"Y-You know?!"

"I'm sorry, but we knew of your admiration for Kira. We need to use you to hasten would hasten Kira's demise." L smiled reassuredly. "I hope you'll find a way forgive us soon."

"E-Eh?" Misa said finally parting with her, and as if feeling the stare behind her turned. "R-Rem?"

"It is true." The death god added. "I came to L to help me catch Higuchi. He had overused the power I lent to him."

Misa stared at them in alteration in a wave of disbelief and awe. But everything dawned to her and her whole body shivered, unable to truly process everything but the emotions flowed nevertheless. She couldn't help but bawl.

The last time Misa-misa sobbed like that was when she lost her parents. But this time? They were not tears of despair. And she couldn't be even more thankful.

…

Light caught up with Matsuda, who was standing outside L's door with that ever so pitiful stance of his. Light cursed his helplessness and women's instincts to help helpless creatures. But there was no answer to the other man's knock, and he mused it was either L was asleep (he'd love to watch that) or she was somewhere else.

He waited there for a few more seconds, before looking at the elevator to think where she could be. In some line-of-thought, and knowing that one oddball of a girl…

He went in and headed to the floor below.

...

Misa-misa knew that L was lying. And because of this she was scared, relieved, guilty, but she used all of her acting skills to make sure it didn't show. A huge part of her wanted to point it out to L… that she wants to pay for her crimes, if it meant Light's innocence. But then she understood L wanted to protect both of them, and she realized that the best thing she could do for everyone around her was to follow L's plans. For now.

"Misa?" Lawliette asked and then she gave her a tight hug. She was asked never to reveal to anyone she could see Rem, and it was something she was more than willing to do. She had already packed her things and readied to go home, despite the fact that she never felt at home anywhere else.

Lawliette proposed to walk with her to the cab, but Misa-Misa could see how tired she was. Her energy was all used up, and the lethargy, after the case was solved, was creeping up on her. So she refused and kissed her in the cheek.

"You should rest now. I'll just see you tomorrow, ne?" She said, and headed out without waiting for the latter's goodbye.

Somewhere in the corridor though, she did not expect to meet Light.

"Light~" She called, and a part of her wanted to hug him—bad. But that would be improper… and she could not afford to be selfish this time. She was too happy they both got to live. She stayed in place, afraid of what she'd do if she moved.

"I came to say a proper goodnight."Light said passively, and it hurt that he was so guarded. She didn't want him to be guarded around her. She knew she would not have him now, but...

"Same." She only smiled, and wanted him to like her again… at least as a person. "Uhm, Light?" She said and walked closer to him. She dismissed the twinge in her chest when he had to stop himself from stepping back, but he certainly wanted so.

"I'm officially dumping you now!" She yelled and his eyes widened. She took the chance to give him one last kiss on the cheeks. "Ja!"

And she ran away.

…

Light blinked and absorbed everything. That kiss would be their last one right? Misa's officially no longer a problem? That would leave Takada, but she had Rokko so maybe she wouldn't be a problem either.

He didn't know what came to her but perhaps Misa, unexpectedly, put more importance to her friendship with Lawliette. He didn't have any idea how she was so 'deeply in love' with him in the first place.

Interestingly, the other elevator opened revealing a nervous Matsuda. The man's eyes widened when he saw him. "L-Light-kun? What are you—"

"Misa just want down." Light said immediately. "I'll speak with Lawliette. And perhaps…"

"I-I'll take her home!" Matsuda yelled and Light blinked.

And with that, the other just ran away to catch up with the blonde. Light nodded in assent. Misa wouldn't be a problem anymore, indeed, and then proceeded on looking at the door.

Light entered Misa's now unoccupied room carefully and opened the lights. At first it felt as if it was the hotel room someone had yet to occupy. However, the moment his eyes ended up on the floor—his eyes widened.

"LAWLIETTE!" He yelled and ran to her figure lying head-first on the carpeted surface.

A wave of relief, however, flew through him when he realized she was breathing evenly. He exhaled the tension that attacked his senses, before lifting her up and placed her comfortably on the couch.

He wiped the hair that covered her face so she could be a hundred percent comfortable. Misa must have said her goodbye, and L must have fallen down due to tiredness the moment the other girl closed the door. He could see it happening all-too clearly that he ended up chuckling.

"You look like a maniac, Light."

He widened his eyes and looked at her. "You were awake?"

"Just now." She smiled weakly. "You have a loud laugh."

He wasn't even laughing, but it didn't matter. He loved to see her smile. "Shall I carry you to your room?"

She sat up immediately at the offer. "No." Light could tell she was wide awake now, thanks to his offer.

"Are you shy?"

"Perhaps." He raised an eyebrow.

"Or are you hiding something in your room?"

"…"

"Let me guess…" he whispered and relaxed his seat to perhaps, give her room to do the same. "It's the death note, isn't it?"

She didn't answer and, instead, only nodded. He sighed and stood up to sit beside her on the couch. "Will you let me touch it?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No." she frowned. "Didn't I tell you already? The rule…"

"You touched it, why can't I? Matsuda did as well."

"Stop being a martyr Light, I don't see any logic in what you're proposing." She said and looked at him in the eye, her frowned replaced by a small smirk…, and frankly it made his heart skip a beat. "Is that the green-eyed monster I see?"

"…what of it?"

She light-heartedly shook her head before sliding nearer him. "Please. Just leave this to me." She smiled, ever so closer, and as always—it wasn't difficult to do as he was told. "Trust me, Light." She said giving him a short peck on the cheek.

And he could only sigh in defeat. Before moving his face so her lips didn't just land on his cheek. Lawliette sure was getting good at distracting him, he mused (not that he was complaining), before his hand found its way on her neck and he changed the angle of his head to get better access.

L mused how good Light was with this, but eventually pushed him away gently (she dismissed the disappointment in her gut with a strong internal 'not yet'), recalling she still had much to do before she could deserve such relieving, and sensual, feelings with this person. "You should really go to rest Light."

"Way to put 'leave me alone, now', Lawliette."

"Hmn." She said bluntly.

"Seriously?"

"Yes."

And Light sighed and the muttered a very begrudging "Fine", before giving one last peck on the lips.

"We'll continue this tomorrow."

...

Early the next day, Lawliette—along with Rem—went to a well-hidden forest where the death god admitted Light hid another notebook. It was nearing dawn, she noted, and the travel to the spot felt longer than it actually was.

As she walked, she mused the feeling of the notebook… so enticingly smooth and rough at the same time. She shook her head and moved her mind to the item in her pocket that was—a lighter, and looked at Rem, who only stared back as she floated.

"Rem-san…" She said, halting her steps, and raised the notebook. "What will happen if I destroy this?" she asked the supposedly rhetoric question. "Will we die?"

"There's a rule behind it. The last one." The death god said, with a tone saying that 'she was supposed to know this already.' But in fact, Lawliette felt unsure of the last two rules. One of them, if the user didn't use the note for 13 days—death will come. She knew Light and Misa were Kira… so it led her to think it was part of Light's plans.

It made her doubt some of the rules, especially the last one. "I want to destroy it and free those two." She added at looked at Rem in the eyes. "Now I will ask again—what will happen if I destroy this notebook?"

"Nothing."

And with that, L smiled.

"Thank you."

…

The strong red-tinted light the fire emitted reflected oh-so mysteriously against L's cerulean orbs, the only thing occupying her hearing was the sound of burning. L was oblivious to the other death god that just arrived, and placed himself behind a tree, and watched her with interest.

Rem looked at the darker figure a few meters away and sighed, wondering what he was thinking… and hoping he wasn't bored to get in the way of their plans. Eternal creatures like them—temporal beings like humans naturally wouldn't mean much. This girl's sense of morality didn't matter with most of them.

This girl… a human being that was, to Rem, like a transcendental creature herself. And she saved Misa, and for that Rem would be eternally grateful.

The fire continued to burn, the wind gladly aiding it in its mission, and L watched it the whole time it was alive. And when it faded, and as if sensing her stare, Lawliette turned and looked at her passively. "This is something all death gods own?"

"Yes."

L did not speak further, nor did Rem. However, a silent understanding passed by both of them.

Rem knew too well what she was thinking. And too often, Rem wondered the same thing.

They were wondering why death gods existed in the first place.

The human's eyes softened and she looked at the formerly burning notebooks, now demoted to mere ash. "Odd aren't they?" She said as soon as she could touch the dark powder. "So… tangible… yet they could change so many lives, if not take them away."

"Indeed." Rem nodded in agreement, and the girl turned to her once more. Rem wondered what she was thinking then. Rem, in all of her years musing in the midst of nothingness, was still unsure how a person like her could make such decisions.

However, it was not her place to dwell on that. She ought only to have one concern. "Can I count on you with Misa?"

L nodded and she did, too.

"Very good." She said, and as if on cue her wings expanded, immediately changing the pressure of the immediate space. "Good bye… L."

"Yes." The human agreed, and maintained her deadpanned facade. "And I hope never to see a death god here again.

"Can I count on you, on this?"

Rem nodded. She would rather watch behind the curtains of their portal—just as they should be.

"Of course."

…

Rem felt the gust of wind flew by her, especially liking the feeling of relief. It was a rare feeling she liked to maintain, for if one had nothing else to do but watch passively—the emptiness was the norm, and it was what defined her species.

Soon, she felt another presence beside her and she turned to him.

Rem stared at the unreadable Ryuk, and mused of the rest of the Shinigami populace and their minds—twisted by the barrenness of immortality, before instantaneously recalling the promise she made with L.

Rem sighed in the end...

For one could never be truly certain with Death Gods.

…

Lawliette watched as Rem flapped her wings, and floated so gracefully with the newly-lit heavens as her backdrop… noting how the sunrise felt especially beautiful that morning. She wondered what it felt like to fly, but something so beautiful always came with a price.

Just as her justice, and the new burdens she was all-too willing to carry all by herself.

Her eyes never left the paradoxically majestic creature that was the root of everything. And soon, a new creature appeared beside Rem…, and her eyes narrowed slightly.

And then the new death god, for one instant, turned to her and sent her what she made up to be a dark smirk, before turning his head back to the skies. He must have been the owner of Light's death note… and she couldn't read him at all.

Lawliette closed her eyes, and yet that smirk seemed to have engraved itself on her mind.

She opened her eyes again, and the two gods of death were gone.

She heaved a sigh. Inhaled, exhaled, and her eyes ended up on the ashes that slowly—but surely—carried by the wind to different places, its particles perhaps corresponding to the number of lives it changed… maybe even helping the soils bear good fruit in the future.

As she watched, L recalled all that happened—the comrades that were lost, and the family members that would be missed. And then the faces of the two people that started it all.

She, once again, closed her eyes and felt the heaviness of her newfound burden occupying all her senses.

She wasn't certain if this was 'justice', for its definition still debatable, but she would not regret her decisions. The choices she made would define her, and her future—as well as those she chose to spare, given she even had the right to judge…a right she doubted she truly ever had.

All that she was certain was that she chose to take this path… and carrying the burden of changing people's fate merely with her own will was something she would not regret.

Because she was, after all, L.