Friday night: Ut incepit fidelis sic permanet

[firm_detective]

As they approach the door of their room, Misa clings to L. There's something odd in his expression.

[Thread is private to firm_detective and misamisal; continues from here. Translation: As loyal as she began, so she remains.]

Comments

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

Collusion with Rem is the only reason I am here now: I thought that my best chance for survival would be to make an ally out of her. After Higuchi was captured, I approached her privately with my plan -- if the alternative was that she might kill me, I had nothing to lose.

*His mouth quirks to the side as he decides how to answer the question about the other Misa.*

Misa believes I have abducted and murdered him, despite the fact that he returned there for some time after my own departure.

*With a surreptitious movement, he reaches for her hand.*

[misamisal.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing she cooperated then. Did you show anyone pictures, or talk about this place at all?

That's awful. You wouldn't do that.

Ah, yes, that's right. I remember that.

::She notices the hand reaching for hers and she nudges her's closer::

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*He takes her hand, curling his fingers over hers, the tips touching her palm.*

I showed her the pictures. It was -- helpful. I also showed them to Watari; I had to explain --

*An abrupt sigh.*

His brief return is the only reason that I am not under suspicion, or too much of it, anyway.

To continue with the story, Rem and I made certain agreements; for one thing, she revealed the location of the hidden notebook to me.

[misamisal.livejournal.com]

::she's quiet for a moment as she gently curls her fingers as well so they are delicate touching his::
...how did Watari react?

::her eyes light up slightly and there's a soft smile that plays over her lips::
She did? I'm so glad. Where was it? ...what became of them?

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*He chuckles, with such little humor that it sounds almost like a cough.*

Reluctant belief. There is a balance between trusting me and being the person who has to decide when I can no longer be trusted. I have no doubt that it was tested -- for the time being, he seems to be satisfied.

*Looking away, down, at the floor, he pauses, takes a few breaths, gives her hand the smallest of squeezes.*

I burned them both, when it was all over. In the interim, I had Ryuk to deal with, but it was only necessary to keep him appeased.

[misamisal.livejournal.com]

::Gently, she squeezes his hand in return, remembering briefly how her and Nori used to squeeze quickly three times, meaning "I love you."::

I'm sorry it was that way. I wish it could have been easier.

::at the mention of Ryuk, she chuckles softly, quickly, a smile smile tugging at the corner of her lips::

Oh dear, how on earth dd you do that? A year supply of apples?

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*He responds with a small shrug, something almost more like a roll of his shoulder.*

It could never have been easier, under the circumstances -- I am lucky everything went as well as it did.

To begin with, as I said, we were able to capture Higuchi. It went more or less as you had described it to me; that put me in contact with Rem. I was able to approach her with the knowledge that the thirteen-day rule was fake, and that I required her help if your double was to be spared.

The official line is now that Light and Misa acted as Kira, but Higuchi had a passive control over them -- that is, even if he were to die, they might still feel compelled to act as Kira in the future if they came in any contact with paper from the Death Note.

*He feels that in mentioning Ryuk, he's gotten ahead of himself -- that happened later, much later in the story.*

I would not call it a full year, but yes, a number of apples were involved. I was unaware of how expensive apples are in Japan until then, Misa.

[misamisal.livejournal.com]

You said Higuchi died...how? And, what will happen to the Light and Misa in your world?

::chuckling, she sighs contentedly::

Yes, they are rather expensive, aren't they? That was a great idea, by the way. Ryuk would do pretty much anything for an apple. He's like Scooby Doo with Scooby Snacks.

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

My only goal was to keep Ryuk quiet and occupied.

*He sighs, and when he speaks again, he sounds hesitant, uncomfortable.*

Higuchi was executed by Rem as part of the plan to save Amane from prosecution.

The trouble was that since Amane killed those police officers, I could not acquire any immunity for her through normal channels.

Rem -- threatened the lives of the Prime Minister and several cabinet members. As proof that she was capable of carrying out the threat, and as a demonstration, she executed Higuchi. She insisted to them that he had controlled Light and Misa. Furthermore, she insisted that she would continue to watch over Amane's well-being for the remainder of her natural life. The threat will not be lifted anytime soon.

Rem does not like to lie, Misa. I'm not sure that she believed me about this place, but I think she left me alive because of the photographs of us.

She told me where to find the other notebook before we put this plan into action. I don't think the Japanese government was aware that I had it.

[misamisal.livejournal.com]

::nodding every so often, she takes in the information::

That's a really good plan, L. I'm glad it was able to go through smoothly. Tell me, does Misa know she's being watched? Is she aware of Rem? A little piece of the notebook is all it takes to be able to see a Shinigami, but it's not enough to bring memories back, which is good.

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

She knew. She seems to have forgotten.

It was much more complex than that. There was the question of Light; the question of his not being there, also.

His father is devastated. His mother and sister do not know. I bought them a new house; the old one has been razed.

When Light's belongings were moved, everything he owned was checked over, most of it replaced with identical items. I've left instructions that if he returns, anything he wears or carries is to be taken from him and destroyed. Soichiro Yagami understands that this is important -- I have told him that Death Note paper has been circulated here.

*He has sagged against her while telling the story so far, so much that he is now pressed to her, his head on her shoulder.*

Misa? I think I would like some tea, now. If you will heat the water, I will tell you more of what happened.

[misamisal.livejournal.com]

That's a good idea. Perhaps having all those articles gone, he won't be able to come back here. I know his family must miss him dearly.

::she smiles now, giving his hand a soft squeeze::
Of course.

::she waits a moment, not wanting to let him fall over since he is leaning against her, then stands and moves toward the kitchen area::

Do you think, if we make it back to your world; do you think the Rem there might visit me sometime? I know she's not the Rem I knew, but, it would still be nice to see her from time to time.

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

More to the point, it is my hope that he will not be able to kill me, and strand you alone in that world. It wasn't out of concern for his well-being that I took those steps.

*He stands to follow her over to the kitchen area, leaning against the table to talk to her while she makes the preparations for tea.*

It is possible, but Misa, she would have to want to talk to you. I have burned both Death Notes; after a certain point, I could no longer see her. She assured me that she would be -- looking in on me from time to time.

*The discomfort in his tone makes his meaning clear.*

[misamisal.livejournal.com]

::she smiles at this. The fact that it wasn't for Light's safety is kind of comical, but more importantly, he did it for them.::

::As she fills the kettle and listens, she notices teh discomfort in his voice and she makes a bit of a grimace. She knows how Rem works. Setting the kettles on the stove and lighting the burner, she turns, leaning against the counter, standng in her thinking stance with her left arm under her breasts, right arm resting against her chest with her thumb against her lip, right leg swung behind the other.::

That worrys me a bit. I don't think she would hurt you because you helped get her Misa out of most of the trouble she was in. It's a bit disappointing that you were unable to see her after a certain period of, time, though.

I heard something about Death God's being able to get replacement Death Note's in the Shinigami Realm, but, I don't know how valid that is. Then again, in my world, Rem gave me Gelus's notebook. She still had her own. I don't know if that's the case for the Rem of your world, though.

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

I think she intends to learn whether or not my claims of your existence were a ruse, before making up her mind.

*He dips his head to the side, thinking, then comments,*

No. She had her own -- she used her own to kill Higuchi. She said it was her place to kill him, because he had used the Death Note. Ryuk also had his own; he wore it in a sort of holder on his belt. The two I burned -- one must have been the one belonging to Gelus, and the other -- I do not know.

*He hesitates, seeming to deflate, hunching over onto himself.*

At any rate, it has been over for a few months, for the most part.

[misamisal.livejournal.com]

::she nods, concentrating on what he's saying::

I see...Well, It seems we'll just have to deal with it as it comes. Though, since it's Rem, and she'll see how we are together...I don't think she'll harm you. If she makes herself visible to me, I'll make sure of it.

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*He stands with his arms crossed, looking at the floor, and takes a long moment to reply.*

I had a few months after all that, as I said. I wanted to keep busy. That means --

* -- there's a slight, uncomfortable shift in his position -- *

The days seemed long, Misa, and I could never decide whether or not I wanted to sleep much. I did not think I would be seeing you again. I did not know whether or not I should hope for it.

*He can't begin, just now, to put together the words to explain it -- how he took every case that came to hand just to have something to do, how he would stay awake as long as he could to avoid the dreams of her, a bout with the flu during which he worked as long as possible and wound up hospitalized. When he was released, he immediately resumed his former schedule. He still feels more tired than usual. The work has been profoundly unsatisfying -- nothing is as challenging as the Kira case, and he is aware that he did not solve it on his own power. All of this is embarrassing; work should have been a comfort to him, the one constant in his life.*

[misamisal.livejournal.com]

::softly, slightly hesitently, she steps forward until she's standing in front of him, a bit close, gazing up into his face. Gently, she reaches up and lightly presses the tips of her fingers to his cheek, just below his eyes::

You look so tired...You must have been working so hard.

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*He closes his eyes, taking deep inhalations of her scent; he seems to relax against her hand.*

I wanted to be busy --

* -- he repeats, sounding a little broken -- *

-- But yes, I am tired, and --

*Wrapping his arms around her, he drops his head to her shoulder.*

[misamisal.livejournal.com]

::In turn, she wraps her arms around his back and shoulders, holding him to her, snuggling her head against his warm shoulder.::

I felt as if I was missing a part of myself, and it was only five days.

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*He whispers against her neck,*

I didn't want to have time to think about you. I thought there was no point, when there was nothing I could do. I carried your camera in my pocket for weeks.

[misamisal.livejournal.com]

It's awful, when there isn't anything to do about a situation. Usually there is at least something that can be done to make the situation better, but, in this case...
...why do they play with us, L? Do they want to see how much we can take before we break?

::She knows he won't be able to answer, but she's been thinking about it and can't help saying it out loud. It comes out in a tone that screams of a deep ache.::

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

*A soft snort; he feels the air coming out warm against her neck.*

Maybe they wanted to see if you would make a deal -- but you didn't, you didn't, yes?

*His arms tighten around her.*

Misa, I was in the hospital for a few days last month. There was no serious danger, just pneumonia, but -- I was sick, and I did not pace myself. It was foolish. If I was going to die that way, I might as well have let myself be killed by Kira.

[misamisal.livejournal.com]

::she gives her head a short shake::
No, I didn't. And I kept eating, too. Mel and I made ourselves eat, made sure we took care of each other.

::her eyes widen, eyebrows shoot up, then lower into a worried fashion::
Pneumonia...that's not just something, that's dangerous.

::her small arms tighten around him at the mention of being killed by Kira.::
No, no, don't say that. I'd never want you to die that way. Or anyway. If you have to die, I want to be right there with you.

[firm-detective.livejournal.com]

Good. I am glad the two of you took care of each other. Please understand -- I do not want you to make deals like that for me, unless -- unless it's a matter of your life and death -- a last resort.

*He breathes against her neck for a few seconds, then shrugs about the dangerousness of his illness.*

It was simple. I had the flu, and I attempted to continue to work -- then I couldn't work for a few days.

Misa, please don't worry. I would not want to leave you alone.