Knowing the Truth (Part 1) Meeting L

I shut the drawer where I kept the death note and shut off my computer. Ryuk was busy munching on an apple on my bed. As always.

"I think I'll go for a walk through the city. I get cooped up in this house after a while, you know. I may be god of the new world, but I'm still human." I boasted and smirked at the shinigami before heading to the door.

"That doesn't make any sense." Ryuk complained, following me. "But whatever. Don't you want to keep on writing names in the death note?"

"I've already written enough deaths to last me for at least the rest of the day, Ryuk. And what do I have to worry about, anyway? L and the police task force are probably already in some heated arguments right about now. Soon, L will start investigating the police families. I won't get any freedom when that happens, so I might as well get out as much as I can right now." I rationalized on my way down the stairs.

"So you're taking a break from being Kira?" Ryuk asked.

I didn't answer, considering that I was walking through the kitchen where Sayu and my mom were both cooking dinner.

"Hey, Raito! Help us make curry for dad. He says he's coming home tonight." Sayu prompted.

"I'd love to help, but you know I'm not the best chef out there. And I think the two of you can handle it." I smiled sweetly at them. "Besides, I'm going to go and get some fresh air. I'll be home before dinner."

"Are you going to go see a girlfriend?" Sayu teased, playfully.

"I might." I laughed at her.

"Aw, my little boy is growing up so fast." Mom sighed.

She had no idea.

I went outside and strolled the streets silently, despite Ryuk's fruitless efforts to make conversation. I wasn't going to take any chances.

We went into the city, where the streets were crowded and people lined the sidewalks. The air was so claustrophobic, but so excited at the same time. Almost everywhere I turned, I heard people talking about Kira. Kira supporters roamed freely here. I even caught pieces of people getting converted to Kira believers. Yes... This was what being a god was all about. Worshippers... All worshipping me for the good that I was doing to the world.

But as of that moment, I was just Light Yagami and I was just relaxing after a hard day of executing criminals.

I walked into a park, where there were a few less people. An Asian ice stand stood a little ways from the bench where I chose to sit, a line of people in front of it. At the front of the line was a woman with long blond hair, searching her pockets for money. She was holding up the line, but she refused to stop searching for money, no matter how many times she found her pockets empty.

"Make that two." I slid the yen onto the counter and flashed my perfect smile at her.

"Here you go." We were handed our ice cream and both walked away from the stand.

"Thanks... But I could have sworn..." She started and began to search her pockets again.

"No problem. I had money to spare, anyway." We sat down on the bench.

"Well, it sure is nice to find a good hearted person every once in a while." She crossed her legs and grinned brightly at me.

"I understand your pain." I laughed. The statement was almost ironic.

"So, who are you and why are you out here tonight, kid?" She asked.

I winced at the word, 'kid.' Granted, this woman was obviously a few years older than me, but the notion reminded me of Lind L. Tailor for some reason. Talking to me like a child. Kira was no child...

"My name's Light Yagami. And to be honest, I came out here to relax. What about you?" I asked.

"Sabishi Zaki. I came out here to get away from everything, you know? Life can be pretty exhausting when you're trying to make the world a better place."

Ryuk was laughing. I nodded, even though I was dumbstruck. Did she know? No... That wasn't possible. If L and the japanese task force couldn't figure out that I was Kira, there was no way some stranger could figure it out. She must have been referring to her line of work. Maybe she was a police officer or a fireman or doctor or something. Yeah, probably a doctor.

"Yeah. I understand that. My dad's a detective." I said, carefully. "I'm planning on becoming one as well some day."

"Oh really? You know, most detectives are pretty worried about Kira right now. I heard that police officers are resigning from duty everywhere. It makes sense. Wouldn't Kira want to kill the ones that might pose a threat to him?" She shrugged and took a deep bite of her ice cream. It seemed that she contemplated this frequently.

"Kira is the topic of conversation right now." I agreed. "What do you think about his actions?"

The question seemed to catch her off guard. She gave me a careful look, as though she were weighing options in her head, and then she shrugged again.

"I can understand what he's attempting to do. It's in human flesh to believe that criminals should be punished like that. Now, whether I'm prone to supporting Kira or not, I'm not sure. It seems to me that he's got powers... Powers that normal people don't possess. Given, if I had such powers, I doubt I'd use them in the way that he does. But then again... Power can be a very tempting thing in the hands of the wrong person."

I felt a fresh wave of anger crawl up my skin. Was she implying that the death note was in the wrong hands? No... She was only voicing her opinions. It had nothing to do with me. I needed to stop getting so worked up. This wasn't about Kira. This was just me and a stranger having a discussion. Nothing more.

"You're right. I wouldn't do what Kira does either. I believe that what Kira is doing is wrong. Despite what opinions he might have. Death is murder. Murder is not justice." I practiced my superb acting skill.

She smiled and stood up, finished with her treat.

"Thanks for the ice cream. And for the interesting conversation." She took a half step forward, and then seemed to change her mind. "Actually... Can I ask you a question, Light?"

"Um... Sure, why not?" I blinked, shocked.

"Do you believe in things like that? Powers, I mean. Do you think they actually exist. And do you think that Kira was just the lucky person who got them first?"

Ryuk laughed, even louder. I blinked, frustrated by both the question, and Ryuk's chuckle.

"It seems irrational, doesn't it?" I said. "But at the same time, how else can he achieve so much?" I picked my words very carefully.

"That's exactly what I think." she sighed with relief, almost as though I had just justified something she'd been thinking about. "So Light, when's the next time you're planning to relax again?" She asked.

"I hadn't really thought about it."

"How about Saturday. There's going to be a parade here. They're making origami cranes to put in the lake. Sunset. How about it?"

Was she asking me on a date? Or just to hang out again? It seemed harmless. Why not, it could actually be fun.

"Sure. I'll be here." I smiled, charmingly at her.

"Great! It's a date." She laughed. "But do me a favor next time, okay?"

I nodded.

"Don't talk about Kira. Ever again. Got it?"

I blinked.

Ryuk broke down into laughter...