I could tell the walk up the stairs was hard for him...but there was really nothing I could do. It was hard enough for ME to get up...my feet literally felt as though they'd fall off at any second now. He stumbled with the keys...and I wondered if he would pass out here in the hallway...I grabbed the keys from him hastily and got the door open. We walked in and he told me to make myself at home before stumbling towards what appeared to be the kitchen. I looked around a bit...it seemed normal enough. Everything was in it's proper place and clean...he seemed to be very organized in this respect. I nearly collapsed on the sofa when I found it entirely TOO QUIET from where he'd gone. I went to investigate.
"Are you alright?" I asked, walking into the kitchen. I could tell I'd scared him...he jumped a bit.
" Damn It... Yes Miss Kaori I'm Fine... Just A little Tired... " He answered sliding down to the floor.
He preceded to try and get the bullet out of his arm himself...with a KITCHEN KNIFE! Who does he think he is? RAMBO?! I thought to myself. I tried to stop him...and insisted he go to a hospital...but he refused me outright. Honestly...I hated doctors too...but I didn't want him to make his wound any worse... Even with my fighting though...somehow he managed to get it out...and the bullet plopped down right before me...clanging on the kitchen floor with a thud. I looked at him, ready to smack him for something so reckless...but his health was more important. I got a rag from the counter and rinsed it off, kneeled before him and handed it to him.
"You should at least clean yourself up..." I spoke gently. Yet...he was in a daze for some reason...he was just looking into my eyes. So deep...it felt like he could see straight through...straight into my very soul. I don't know why...but I found myself lost in that gaze. His eyes seemed black...but the closer you looked...the more you could see the green in them...hypnotizing and mysterious. I blinked as I felt the water from the rag running down my arm. And then I realized he was sitting there without a shirt on...I felt my face get red, so I shoved the rag forward again...turning my head to the side. As soon as he took it, I stood up.
" Thanks... " He commented. "Tell Me Something Kaori... What Do You Know About..." He paused at this...making me look at him once more. He looked very serious. "...KIRA "
I froze....I didn't know what to say. So I thought to question him. "What Are You Getting At? "
" Hmph " He Smiled " Surely You Know SOMETHING About KIRA... "
" I Don't Know What You're Talking About... Of Course I Know About KIRA... Who Doesn't? " I dismissed...just WHAT was he getting at? He couldn't KNOW anything....why was this guy PLAYING with me?!
" Well I'm Sure You Of All People Would Know More Then Others... Wouldn't You...? " He continued. It was starting to freak me out...I found myself backing up towards the exit...ready to run any second.
" What Are You Implying SK? " I demanded.
" I'm Not Implying Anything I'm Simply Stating A Fact... "
" What Fact Might That Be? "
" I'm Simply Stating The Fact That... You Are KIRA... "
As he said those words I felt every pore in my body close. My muscles went frigid and a slight fear began to course through my veins. If he knew such a thing...what action would he take? Turn me in? Kill me himself?? I mean...he said he'd KILLED those men...and just HOW had he figured it out? I threw Ryuk a deadly gaze...he was the only one that knew....he just sat there smiling. " You're Insane!" I called out rushing for the door...I had to get out....
" The Human Whose Name Is Written In This Note Shall Die!! " He called out loudly. I Stopped Dead In My Tracks...frozen in place and unable to move." This Note Will Not Take Effect Unless The Writer Has The Subject's Face In Mind When Writing His Or Her Name... " Slowly I turned around...to see where he was getting this from...and he finished the first rule... "This Is To Prevent People Who Share The Same Name From Being Affected... "
" Where Did You Hear That? " I quietly managed.
" I Didn't Hear It Anywhere I Simply Know... "
" Stop Playing Games... " I felt myself say aloud...it wasn't possible.
" You Want To Know How It Is I Know The Rules? " He Smiled And Got Up... I stepped back from him reflexively as he walked past me And Reached Into A Bag nearby, Pulling Out a Red Notebook. " I Know Because.... I Too Have The Note... "
"Oh I see...he has one of THOSE..." I heard Ryuk mumble from the corner. I felt myself getting light-headed from his reaction to it.
Quickly regaining my composure, I realized this could be a trick. Just a game...I had to throw him off." You Have A Note Book... So What? Anybody Can Buy One Of Those... "
" True But You Know What This Is Don't You... And Don't Lie To Me.. " He dismissed seriously. " I Know The Rules Because I Am Also A Bearer Of The Death Note... I Wasn't Kidding When I Said I Was The One Responsible For What Happened Back There To Those Men... The Two Bodies You Saw There... That Was All My Handy Work As Was The Body In The Alley By The Store... " He looked at me waiting for some sort of response...but I couldn't speak...the words wouldn't come. He continued. " My Name Is SK... It's A Shorter Version Of... Second KIRA... "
My eyes widened. This can't be possible...another notebook? SECOND KIRA?! It can't be...but if it is....can I trust him? IS this man an ally...or an enemy? I felt so many questions coming...I didn't have the capacity for this right now...so much at once. No...I couldn't reveal that I knew ANYTHING about the Death Note...
"Death Note? You really ARE insane...seriously...did you name that yourself?" I tried to laugh him off. My laugh was so transparent...but I had to try. "And as for KIRA...he was a Savior, his power wouldn't have come from...a NOTEBOOK..."
I couldn't explain the expression on his face. He seemed stunned...yet not surprised at all. He sat down on the couch and laughed...loudly....
"Look...I'm outta here!" I called out turning around.
"So...where's your Shinigami? Don't you even want to show him to me?" Were his next words. "I've never seen one before...that would be an experience..."
I turned with a huff. "Look You!"
"What? You just confirmed it...now I KNOW you're the New KIRA." He smirked.
I was speechless...I found myself pacing around nervously.
"The way you denied it so quickly...but calmly...like you'd prepared for a question like that. It's too bad you couldn't deny something like that...not the way you froze hearing me recite the first rule. Seriously...someone who'd never HEARD of a Death Note would've just kept walking." He explained bluntly. He was right...I'd let my emotions show...he KNEW I had a notebook...there was no escape. I was caught... "But don't worry Kaori...I'm not trying to corner you...You have no idea...how much I wanted to find you....." His voice was trailing off. "This new KIRA....I want to help you...to be....your SECOND...."
He was quiet then...his breathing becoming relaxed and heavy. I approached him slowly. He was asleep...out cold. I took a seat in the recliner across from him...never taking my eyes from him for a moment.
"Ryuk, tell me...you knew KIRA didn't you?" I spoke calmly, cupping my face in my hands.
"You could say that." Ryuk snickered.
"So then...did HE have a partner? A Second KIRA?"
"Kind of..." He answered, laughing to himself. "But that one was NOTHING like this guy..."
"So what do I do?" I asked aloud...more to myself...I knew Ryuk would be of NO assistance.
If I were to put my trust in someone...I wouldn't be alone...maybe... though, with AID came the possibility of BETRAYAL....I didn't know what to do...
I saw a notepad on the table. Taking a pen from my purse I wrote out a short note.
Sk,
Meet me tomorrow at noon for lunch...I'll bring bento, just meet me at the clock in the central square. There is much to discuss...
Kaori
I walked back over to him on the couch. He looked incredibly uncomfortable so I gently got him to lay down. I don't know...I wasn't REALLY afraid of him...just taken back by him. Laying the blanket from the couch over him, I walked towards the door, flicked off the lights and locked the door behind me.
I don't know how My feet managed to survive...but I made it home somehow...though, I had to be escorted by an officer...since the area was now a crime scene. Turning just before going inside the door I caught a glimpse of the message on the truck. It surprised me a bit...but not much after the scene at SK's. And I didn't let it show at all.
I opened my door to find Remu in the living room passed out on the couch. She'd made me dinner...it was still sitting on the table. I felt horrible coming home so late...but Remu was used to it...besides...her coming lecture for letting dinner go cold was the LEAST of my problems right now...
~Kaori
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Collaborative post with Snatcher-chan! It was a pleasure working with ya!!! teehee.
Sorry it's so long guys...hope it was at least Enjoyable. ^^
