L’s POV:

“L,” Watari’s voice came through the screen, “you have an incoming call from the director of the FBI.”

“Understood,” L replied, hitting a button on his keyboard and letting the call come through.

“L, it’s me. I’ve got a report in front of me right now stating that all of our agents in Japan are dead. All twelve of them died of heart attacks. I can only assume that Kira is behind this. Look, I’m sorry but it’s already been decided. We are calling off our investigation.”

L leaned forward in his chair, letting the words sink in, “I understand,” he replied, and simply hung up. He didn’t see a point in any further conversation. The FBI had made their decision, which would mean that now the NPA probably knew that he had let the FBI investigate them. It was now time for damage control, and to put the next part of his plan into action.

“L, another call, from Mr. Yagami this time,” Watari informed him, and again L let the call come on through. He had been expecting this, especially after hearing the first call.

“L, I just got off the phone with the director of the FBI. According to him, it seems like you arranged for the FBI to come to Japan and investigate everyone here associated with the Task Force,” Mr. Yagami said, clearly a little aggravated.

“Yes, yes. I did,” L admitted.

“So how do you explain this? Are we now suspects in our own investigation?”

“I felt that it was necessary to uncover Kira’s identity,” L said simply.

“I cannot accept that! I find it unbelievable that you would spy on us! The very people working with you on this case!”

L could hear as the police members in the background cursed him. However, it was necessary in order to weed out those that were weak and those that would stay in order to help with the Kira investigation. The less members, the faster and more effectively he could work with the rest of the Task Force. While the situation with the FBI agents dying wasn’t ideal, it certainly was a good way to sort people out. He figured on something like this happening, Kira had gotten to the FBI agents, meaning that he had to be someone that he was investigating. That meant that L’s hunch was right. He took a bite of his strawberry cake, and watched the scene at the NPA unfold before him, his thoughts focused on the investigation.

/timeskip/

After an hour and a half had passed, there were only a few regular policemen left, and Chief Yagami. L decided that his waiting was over, “the fact that you have chosen to stay proves that you all have a strong sense of justice here. I trust all of you.”

“Look, L, all of us have agreed to put our lives at risk in order to help further the Kira investigation. Do you get what that means?” one of the officers called out, “at this point, your trust means nothing.”

“We’re out here like sitting ducks, names and faces available, while you’re protected behind a computer screen! What reason have you given us so far to trust you? I don’t see how you can expect us to work alongside you in those conditions,” another one chipped in.

“L, if all of us are going to work together on this investigation,” Mr. Yagami started, “and if you truly meant what you said about trusting the six of us, why don’t you come here, so that we can all meet in person?”

L smiled, “you see, the thought had already crossed my mind. After all, I did say that I trusted all of you. I realize that, at this point, I have to now earn your trust. I am about to send you an email, once you receive it, please follow the instructions accordingly. Also, from now on, please call me Ryuzaki, just to be safe.”

He sent Mr. Yagami an email, with all the details of when and where to meet him. Things were about to get even more interesting. He was now one step closer to catching Kira.

Keiko’s POV:

A week had passed since Keiko’s almost date with Light. While the two had briefly talked at school, she hadn’t had any real meaningful interaction with him since. She wasn’t quite sure what to make of things in the romance department.

Her investigation with the Kira case wasn’t doing too well either. By herself, there wasn’t much she could do. She was certain that if the FBI were investigating in Japan without the National Police Association's knowledge then Kira himself must be Japanese, or at least residing in Japan.

Keiko had taken quite a large interest in the case, especially since it seemed there were almost constant new developments. Criminals were dying every single day, and she kept note of them all.

She wanted to be on a proper investigation force but she knew that she wouldn’t be taken seriously, being a girl and only a high school student.

Keiko yearned to prove her worth, and it was one her dreams now to work alongside L, but she didn’t know how to make it happen. It was honestly so frustrating to Keiko. She considered going to Mr. Yagami himself, but if she did, she would also have to tell Mr. Yagami that there were FBI agents in Japan and about her date with his son. There was no way Keiko could do that, as she had told Light and that agent that she wouldn’t tell anyone about his existence in Japan.

Keiko sighed in frustration, she was on her way home from her cram school, lost in thought. She kicked a pebble that was in her path and watched as it hit the ground in front of her. There was no way that she could talk to Mr. Yagami, not right now at least. She didn’t want to be the cause of tensions breaking out between Japanese police and the FBI.

While Keiko was crossing one of the streets near her house, she caught sight of Light Yagami himself. She quickly noticed that he wasn’t alone, in front of him she recognized one of her classmates from their school, Yuri Takahashi.

Keiko, not wanting to be caught, hid behind one of the bushes behind where Light was standing, hoping that Yuri hadn’t caught sight of her as she did so.

I should be safe here to watch them, right? As much as I hate to admit it, I’m way too curious to not listen in. But the chance of getting caught...

There was no way that she wanted to run into them, it would make things more awkward than they already were. She crouched, trying to get as low to the ground as she possibly could while watching the scene play out in front of her.

“Light-kun, I was hoping that I would run into you,” she heard Yuri saying, a shy smile playing out on her lips.

She could see Light shift his weight ever so slightly, “oh yeah? Why’s that?”

Yuri looked at the ground, a blush forming on her face, “I-I was wondering if you would like to go out on a date with me this weekend. That is, if you’re not too busy…”

Keiko gulped, she had a feeling that Yuri was going to ask Light out. However, if Light said yes, what would that mean for her? Her date with Light was over before it was ever able to begin, it really wasn’t fair.

Light asked me for a date and, due to what happened, he never got properly repaid for helping me out.

That bus jacking ruined everything, she could still see the guy’s face clear in her mind. She could hear him screaming as he talked about the imaginary monster in the back of the bus. She could hear the sound of the car as it ran him over. Keiko shuddered, trying to force the image away from her mind.

Luckily for her, Light’s voice brought her back to reality, “oh...I’m sorry, Yuri-chan. I can’t go on a date with you.”

Keiko covered her mouth with her hands in shock. She hadn’t expected Light to turn her down so bluntly, however, she was glad that he did. It wasn’t that she wanted to date Light Yagami exactly, but after what had happened, she felt that she at least deserved to have a proper date with him without a bus jacking and vehicular manslaughter.

“Why? Could it be...do you already have a girlfriend?” Yuri asked, and Keiko could see the disappointment written all over her face. Yuri must have really liked Light, which wasn’t that much of a surprise. Basically all of the girls at school did.

“Y-yeah, I do. Sorry again,” she heard Light reply and Keiko had to stop herself from gasping.

If I make a sound, they might look over here! But, what does Light mean exactly? Does he mean me? Or was he trying to just make some sort of excuse? Ugh there’s no way I can ask him, not without him finding out I was spying on him!

“No, I’m sorry for bothering you. However, may I ask who?” Keiko heard the curiosity in her voice, Yuri wanted to know what sort of girl that Light Yagami was into.

“Ah, I’m sorry, but that’s a secret,” Light said, and even though Keiko was behind him, she could easily bet that he was smirking as he said that, “now if you’ll excuse me, I really should get going.”

With that, they said their goodbyes, and Keiko watched as Yuri started walking along again. She waited a few moments for Light to start walking as well. Much to her dismay, Light didn’t move an inch.

Come on...I can’t wait here all day! What’s he waiting for? Move already.

“You know, you really shouldn’t spy on other people’s conversations. It’s not polite,” she heard him say and she froze.

How the hell did Light Yagami know that she was there? She had been behind him the whole time, and to top it all off, she was also hiding behind a freaking bush! What was with this guy? Did he happen to have some magical powers or something?

There’s no more use in hiding now. He’s caught onto me somehow...

Slowly, Keiko stood up, stretching her back as she did so. Crouching in a bush was hard work, and now she had an aching back to show for it.

“How did you know?” she heard herself asking as she caught up to Light, now standing right beside him.

“I have my ways, you aren’t that slick, you know,” Light responded, looking up at her, “but anyway, I suspect you have other, more important questions, not just how I knew you were hiding behind me.”

Keiko swallowed, “well, you told her that we were together. Er, not me specifically, but that you had a girlfriend...”

Light gave a little laugh, “I said that I had a girlfriend so that she would leave me alone in the future. If I had told her that I was busy, she would figure that she could ask me out again at another time. You didn’t actually think…? Don’t look so disappointed, Keiko-chan.”

Keiko lightly punched Light on the shoulder, “hey! I’m not disappointed! I guess I was sort of hoping...well, I guess I was hoping that we could have a proper date after what happened last time. That’s all.”

Light looked thoughtfully into the distance, “I suppose it’s only right that we have a second chance at a date, but entrance exams are right around the corner now...hmm, I know this maybe wouldn’t count as a proper date, but perhaps you’d like to come over to study with me sometime? I mean, I was the one who asked you out originally, so that you could repay me. I think a study date sounds like a good way to do that, and there’s no way someone could try and hijack my house.”

Of course, Light would be the person to suggest a study date as another way to repay him...

“S-sure, who could turn down studying with the Light Yagami?” Keiko replied, laughing a little at his attempt at a joke, “anyway, I suppose we should really be heading home now.”

Light agreed, and the two said their goodbyes, both of them had a grin on their face as they walked. However, they were both smiling for different reasons, but Keiko didn’t know that.

Light’s POV:

“Hyuk, hyuk, aren’t you glad I told you she was there, hiding behind the bushes?” Ryuk said once Keiko was safely out of earshot.

Light smirked, “yeah, for once you were helpful, Ryuk. I have to admit, when I first met her I didn’t think that she was going to be this useful, especially once I got tangled up in the mess with her ex boyfriend. However, the fact that it put me in a position to call upon her for a favor was extremely useful. I’m sure that I’ll need her help once more. I wouldn’t put it past L to start monitoring the families of the Task Force again. Now if that ever happens, I know I have someone I can call to come over. A high school guy having a girl from school coming over for a study date? What’s more normal than that?”

“Oh, so is that what you were thinking?” Ryuk replied, “wow you’re really thinking ahead, Light.”

“Of course I am, I have to be,” Light laughed, “this is the perfect set up. Looks like yet again I will be able to provide you with some more entertainment.”