LOCATION: Remote FBI HQ somewhere in America o_O
Once again another day had ended. I felt bored out of my mind. The computer screen infront of me fickered in the dim light. So much for the possible 'patterns in killings'. I should have known not to get so excited about it - after all there had only been two. It could have been a freak acciendent, just as the news had said. How boring.
I absent-mindedly flicked through various files in my recycle bin. Some of them seemed to date back to long before I became head of deparment. Some title. No-one gave me any respect - they treated me like any old teenager, regardless of wether I was above them or not. It really infuriated me. Sometimes I could just kill them.
I looked at the dates on the deleted cases. 2008. 2007. 2006. 2005. 2004. 2003. 2002. 2001. 1999. The list went on.
Just for fun I chose a random number. The number 26.
Divide that by 11. That makes 2.3636363636363. Add 320.23. That makes 322.593636. Round it up to three significant figures. 323. Multiply it by 221. You get 71383. Minus 65386. Get 5997. Divide by 3. You end up with 1999.
I decided to check out that file, headed 'The light'. I clicked on it, cursing my computer for being so slow. The screen flashed red. PASSWORD REQUIRED. That was strange. With my level of cleareance I shouldnt need to enter a password. Nevertheless I couldnt back down from a challenge. It took me five minutes to hack into the file. It was an old case bursting with information that didn't seem to fit the date. It seemed to have happened sometime around 2013. I greedily absorbed all the information. Light Yagami. L. Kira. Death Note. Murderous. It was all there, a humongous case covered up years ago, scarring the world. I couldnt let something like this go. It was too good. A pattern started forming in the back of my mind but I kept it there, leaving as much space as I could to store all the new information.
I leant back in my chair. I had spent the past five hours checking all the old files I could that were related to the case. It was a truly complex case. I felt a thrill going through my body as I imagined getting inside that guy's head, finding out what made him tick. I couldnt pinpoint an exact location as there werent many files left on the system - most had been wiped completely. I needed more information. I needed more evidence. I smiled. Things were finally starting to get interesting.
~~
Hope its okay...the last post made Shi-chan miss the train 
I sat back off the table. An hour or so of calculus was good for the soul. That homework was done....on English. I sighed and picked up the book entitled Hamlet. I seriously couldn't understand this Shakespeare guy. It was like someone smashed him over the head with a string of random words stick.
As I started to read, someone pushed the door in. I walked out of my room to see Kaori and Mizawa walking in. Kaori was holding a bag of groceries, I stared at them. It had been AGES since I had good things to work with!
"Sis!" I said somewhat excitedly. "You actually got food!"
"Wow Rem, you and cooking," Mizawa laughed.
"Well Kaori-nee can't cook," I answered.
Kaori gave me a look that pretty much screamed Not in front of guests or I'll kill you. I just laughed and took the groceries.
"Oh! You have stuff for ohagi! I'll scrounge up some other stuff and we can have ohagi and onigiri," I said running to the kitchen.
As I got things up and running, I sliced up some vegetables as well. In the mean time Mizawa and Kaori moved towards the table. I sliced and dissed and cut and trimmed. As the sound of the rice sizzling hit my ears, I started banging the pots and pans to the beat. I set the cups up with green tea each a bit more full than the last, and started drumming on them with a few spoons.
"Rem, I seriously can't get why you want to be a doctor when you could make great money as a chef," Mizawa said. She had rested her head on her hand and watched me work.
"Cooking and medicine are the same thing," I answered. "You have to cut and crimp and use knives and scalpels and have precise measurements and a lot more things."
The food was done soon, and I plated it all on three equal plates. Kaori looked even more tired than usual, and I suddenly felt worried that she was going to get sick.
"You ok Sis?" I asked setting the food down and sitting down myself.
Kaori gave me a sudden shocked look, and then calmed down.
"I'm fine," she answered.
"OMG Remu you wouldn't guess what was on T.V. when I got home!" Mizawa started.
"What?" I asked. "It better be happier than what Sis brought up earlier about dead people."
"An Cafe! He's coming to the Shinjiku district!" Mizawa nearly shouted.
"Are you serious!" I said slamming my hands on the table. "An Cafe!"
"You two," Kaori said rolling her eyes and sipping the green tea.
"Sis!" I nearly shouted. "An Cafe is awesome! Wait when is the concert?"
"In a few months," Mizawa said quickly.
"Ack....." I said quickly.
"What are you acking about?" Mizawa asked.
"In May?" I asked.
"Yes," Mizawa answered.
"I can't...." I said looking down. "I have college entrance exams to study for....."
"Remu!" Mizawa nearly shouted.
"Sorry...." I answered.
"Remu, I don't think missing one day of studying will kill your entrance exams," Kaori said starting at her ohagi.
"I have to study, and I have to do the best," I answered. "I can't afford to stop. I need a scholarship to get in. I have to make a perfect score."
"Ah my Remu-chan," Mizawa said hugging me. "What are you going to do all your life?"
"I'm sorry Mi-chan," I said quietly.
"It's alright. I know about the whole scholarship thing. Don't worry one bit you hear?" Mizawa laughed. "Oh where is the soy sauce?"
I stood up and went to the cabinet and looked in. Suddenly out of nowhere one of the larger pans came crashing down straight on me.
"Remu!" both Kaori and Mizawa said standing up.
"Owww..." I answered.
I moved the pot away, and in that second I noticed Kaori glaring at something. I looked around, but there was no one else there.
"Kaori?" I asked.
Sis quickly turned her head back to me. I stood up still wondering just what Kaori was glaring at.
"I wonder who the pot fell from all the way up there...." Mizawa said looking up where teh pot had been situated just fine on a shelf.
"No clue," I answered. "Ow...I think I'm going to have a bruise on my knee....coach is going to kill me if I don't do well at the next Meet..."
Kaori seemed to flinch at the word kill. I sighed and put the pan back up. Again from the corner of my eye I caught Kaori glaring at something......
As Remu headed to her room, I couldn't believe what she'd just said. 'People die everywhere everyday...' I laughed a bit. "Yes...but WE aren't the ones killing them...everything is different when you are..." I wondered if the Savior Kira had ever felt this way...even once... Maybe he realized that was the price...for the good of the world you would have to stain your hands with blood...and become a devil...
That thought made me feel a little better, made it make some sort of sense. I wondered how many people had been thrown off by that news broadcast. It wasn't exactly a "normal" death...but they couldn't think it was KIRA either...I mean...it was NO heart-attack. That was for sure.
"Remu! I'm gonna get some air! Keep the doors locked!" I shouted grabbing my coat and bag. I didn't wait for her to try and stop me, I just took off.
I walked to the convenience store down the street. Taking a deep breath I looked around at all the people. There were both wholesome and unsavory folks...but overall they seemed to get along as long as they minded their own business. I kept walking down the street to the small produce market arcade. Figuring I should pick up a few things for our fridge (Remu always got ticked off since I didn't get enough groceries) I began perusing the stands for bargains.
I got some good deals, bought some stuff for takoyaki, sashimi, and ohagi, as well as essentials for a proper bento, and some fruits and vegetables. I was quite proud of myself as I exited the area. I almost slipped on a mess though...a fruit bin had tipped...there were squashed fruits everywhere. I sighed with relief...having just missed it.
"What a waste of good apples...." I heard a deep voice state beside me.
"Yeah, and oranges and lemons and bananas...geez such a mess." I replied. I started to walk again.
"So you tried it right? Come on...you did. That guy at the courthouse right? Man are you twisted..." The same voice spoke. My eyes widened suddenly and I turned to face it.
THE MONSTER! I wanted to scream...or....something...but he was just hovering there. Waiting for an answer. Watching me...
"I know! So I said she needed to GET A LIFE!" A young girl spoke loudly on her cell-phone...she walked right next to the monster...practically bumped into him...yet....nothing.
I stood awestruck.
"That's right, only YOU can see and hear me." He laughed menacingly, with almost a wheeze. "So come on already...just tell me the truth...you used the Death Note right? Well...you liked it didn't you?"
I looked around...there wasn't anyone in the vicinity...but talking to myself would be bad. I pulled out my cell-phone, flipped it open and pretended to be using it. "No, I didn't LIKE it...it was just a test."
"Well then...give it back."
"No." I denied quickly...I didn't know why...I just did.
He laughed. "You DID like it. What? Feel powerful now? Huh?"
I looked at him seriously then turned and started walking. He hovered close by. "It's not that. I don't WANT power...I just want to DO something about this world. Make it a better place by ridding it of evil."
"Heard that one before...let me guess...then you'll be GOD of the new world...right, yadda yadda yadda..."
"No. I don't desire that position at all. Mortals are not God's. If we were...then we would be able to punish the wrong doers properly. If there were any at all...for God's are symbols of perfection...are they not?" I contemplated. "No...I am FAR from perfect...but if I have the power...I would like to do something, no matter what..."
The creatures eyes seemed to light up. "You are very interesting." He cooed. "Oh! Name's Ryuk, and I'm a..."
"Shinigami." I finished. "I figured that out already. Not only your appearance, but the fact no one can see you...as well as this "notebook" you possessed. It's your 'reaper' then, is it?"
"Heh...reaper! Now that's a bit out-dated, even by my standards!" He laughed loudly. His cackle was so...nerve-wracking for some reason. My spine tingled hearing it. "But I should tell you now...since you used the book already...a human who writes in the Death Note can neither go to heaven nor hell for eternity. So yeah, now you know."
I stopped in my tracks. My soul had been damned...with that one action. My fate was now set... "Very well...then there's no turning back now is there? Since I'm already going to be punished, I may as well push it as far as it'll go, right?" I resolved aloud.
Ryuk laughed once more. "Yes...this should be interesting. Good thing too...I was starting to get bored."
I didn't understand what he was talking about...I mean, how could shinigami's "get bored." Didn't they have a job to do? Oh well, it didn't matter...it seemed like since I had his notebook he was permanently attached to my hip and I'd just have to get used to it. I hoped Remu wouldn't notice anything...this shinigami had better behave. Just in case, I thought I'd warn him. "Look. I have a little sister so...if you insist on hanging around...don't talk to me when she's home. I don't need her suspecting anything..." I stopped...what about the DEATH NOTE?! I couldn't let her find that...I would have to think of somewhere to put it...until then I'd just keep it close to me at all times.
"Whatever you say...but...I have a condition."
"Huh?"
"Apples. You give me apples and I keep quiet. Deal?"
"Fine." I agreed. Apples were simple enough to get...I had some in my bag right now. "Here's one...for today." I threw it to him and he swallowed it in a single bite. He smiled and mumbled something
about missing them...guess that meant it was a deal.
I put my phone away just as a breeze blew my hair everywhere. Something stuck to my leg, a napkin. I grabbed it and was about to cast it aside when, I noticed writing.
It read:
My lord,
I am but your humble follower, but I wish to aid you in any way possible. I realize your need for secrecy so I'll try to do this as best as I can. If this note somehow has reached you, my name is Ren, I want to help you bring down the hammer of god. I understand that your followers have a high mortality rate...I accept that as my fate, I understand that this is my death warrant, but still I plead with you.
~HAGAREN
What in the world is that supposed to mean? It didn't make any sense I mean...who was this letter even to? Guess that's what I get picking up things from the street...
"Kaori-chan?!" Someone shouted across from me. It was Mizawa. She was waving and running over to me. I shoved the napkin in my pocket quickly...reflex.
"Mizawa-chan? What are you doing out here...it's dangerous to walk alone around here now. There's a..."
"I know, but Remu called and said she couldn't come to the mall because you weren't feeling well. So I thought I'd drop by cause I'm SO BORED. What are YOU doing outside all alone?" She rebuked.
"Heh...just getting some air. And groceries!" I smiled, holding up my good deed. "Remu's gonna be so happy huh? Come on, you hungry? I'll make her fix us some Ohagi...I think that's what she was going to make!"
Mizawa laughed and we walked back to the apartment. While I would have to figure everything out eventually, why couldn't I just continue trying to be myself? If not for my own sanity...than for Remu.
~Kaori
*********************************************************
Sorry it was so long...heh...got a little caught up with Ryuk there. ^^
Hikari didn't bother stopping me when I finally made it home, I must've been a sight, eyes wide, grinning like a fool, probably scared the poor girl. I headed off the my room, no time for anything else, I just felt the need to sift through my thoughts, my hopes were up as high as possible, I didn't want them to come crashing back down. That would truly kill me.
As I lay on my bed, staring at at my BLEACH the movie poster, I couldn't help it, I tried to remember a day I'd been this happy before. It came to me slowly, I saw flames in Ichigo's hair, no.... the sun, I remembered all too clearly.
~
I felt so small, so insignificant as I clutched the knife, laying on the floor curled up like a dog that's been kicked. The monster stood over me, eyes wide with fury, mouth twisted into an angry scowl. He bent down, grinned, and kicked me in the face. I hated this monster, no longer my father- what father does this to his child?-, he killed my mother in cold blood three months prior, he got off scott free! I couldn't , wouldn't allow him to draw anymore breath! To pollute this world any further with his life! I aimed to kill! I didn't care what happened after, if I spent my life in prison, be content, I'd take death with a smile, take it and be grateful. I didn't fear KIRA's judgment as others did, I was good, an innocent, KIRA didn't kill innocents, and my father's death was just more proof of that, a righteous thing it would be!
Writhing in pain I managed to think more about KIRA, a smile spread across my face, a thought had occurred to me. KIRA WOULD BE PROUD! KIRA would praise me! Accept me! I would deliver this justice in the name of the Lord Kira! So, shaken, I stood, hunger in my eyes, a wild smile consuming my face. I must have appeared as a demon, the monster backed away in fear, no one had ever dared stand up again after he struck them, not mother, not me, not Mao, but this time was different, I was acting as KIRA's disciple!
From the corner of my eye I could see Mao, watching me, I looked her full in the face and smiled, my lips parted, the words came out, “I will protect you!” I lunged at the monster that use to be Haguro Soujiro.
So many things happened at once. Blood trickled from his mouth and he fell to the ground, but not before wrestling the knife away from me, he fell on it. My jaw trembled, my smile widened, Lord Kira had...passed judgment before I could...happiness washed over me, KIRA was watching over me just like everyone else. A benevolent king.
I looked back at Mao, she too was smiling, I've never been more proud of her than when she said those words, “KIRA!” I called the police and a the investigation began. The police ignored the knife wound because he'd died of a heart attack, a sure sign of KIRA's judgment.
Most of the events after that are blurred, I just remember the happiness.
~
I thought about calling Mao, but she was living in America now, I didn't want to bother her if she was out with friends or something. The smile returned, I had offered KIRA my help today, if he...or she accepted me my life would most certainly be cut short, none of the direct disciples survive for very long, but I'd be fine with that, if KIRA killed me, what an honor, such mercy. If I ended up in prison on KIRA's behalf, I'd be killed, but KIRA would make it painless, in my sleep maybe, such a merciful being, so full of good and love for this world that they take up the role of the devil to keep us safe. A tears escaped from my eyes as I thought these things, how much I appreciated KIRA.
The smile vanished. My eyes drifted to a large canvas I'd glued to the wall, a huge old english L crossed out in red. My eyes widened, “No....please don't let that person interfere! This is good! The world is finally going to be good again! The light can return to this world! Don't let it happen! Please...I beg of you, god, satan, whoever is listening to me!,” I cried, the tears became a thing of sadness. L was the harbinger of ruin!
From somewhere in the tangled mess of blankets on my bed came the familiar music that was the ring tone I set for my sister. I quickly flipped open my phone and pressed it to my ear, “Mao!?,” I snapped. “Onii-chan! I saw it! You did too right?!,” she gushed, only one thing could make her risk interrupting my sleep. “Of course I did, I told you didn't I? If we wish hard enough, a miracle will surely come true, our lord has returned to this corrupt world,” I said, trying to fight off sleep.
I was on the phone with Mao for hours, talking about what was going to happen next, I told her everything, including my note to KIRA, she too was sure it would reach KIRA. Afterwards, I closed my eyes and let the night have its way with me.
"Katari, its late. Go to bed already!"
I slammed my hand on the desk - how was I meant to concentrate when everyone around me was going on about the stupid week-end? It was pointless. The only reason I chose to work in the FBI was that I would be able to work 24/7 - but not even that happens.
"Get a life!" I shouted down the corridoor, my eyes never leaving the computer, my fingers searching over the keys for the right code to allow unlimited access to the Swedish Intelligience site.
Again the screen flashed red.
"Damn you!" I screamed. I buried my head in my hands. Nothing was the same now that there were no good cases around. Every day it was always the same, trying to get into the heads of super criminals - finding out why they killed, if there was a pattern in the killings - but there had never been a good case. It got so repetitive.
"Matsuri, I need another coffee!"
I leaned back in my chair and flicked on the television. The news was on - something I never really bothered to listen to. I was about to change chanels when something caught my eye.
TAKAMURA KILLED ON LIVE TELEVISION BY FREAK ACCIDENT.
This seemed familiar - another such case had been reported a short while ago with almost exactly the same cause of death. This seemed interesting - well, it gave me something else to do other than hack into foreign sites. I opened up a new screen and began to type.
Date: 12/3/09
Assignment: Possible murder pattern
....
