This is how it ends; this is how it begins.

A game of cat and mouse. (Who is which?) A game of detective and mass murderer who both believe in their justice.

A game of L and Kira.

Disappointment was a bitter thing; like dark chocolate L mused. Anyone who knew L knew he liked sweet things. Sweet to point of being sickening sweet.

Yet as L watched the footage on his laptop L couldn't suppress a smile against his finger he had been thoughtless and habitually nibbling on.

'L, did you know it's another life?' is the message Lind. L Tailor had written. After he he ripped off a chuck of his palm so he could write the message in his own blood before he had collapsed from a heart attack. So not only was Kira childish but he could be dramatic as well.

Disappointment was bitter thing to endure but L knew disappointment was something everyone had to face in life even him. Yet...it isn't bitter thing for him right now.

The Kira case (and yes it was a case despite Interpol slow - but should he have expected anything else after all these years of working for them - realization it was so) was now more...interesting. Yes that was the word.

Kira managed not be ensnared into the trap of immediately murdering Lind. L Tailor on live tv therefore confirming that Kira was indeed behind these mass murdering of criminals to the world. Which meant Kira could somewhat control his childish nature.

Yes, Kira was indeed childish. He had still murdered Lind. L Tailor after it had been several hours since the video had been aired in all eight regions of Japan (including the Kanto region) when he hadn't known this man was a criminal.

Not only that but Kira had known Lind. L Tailor had not been L himself despite the man's claims.

How?

L wondered as he started back on nibbling on his finger. Only a small circle could know for certain. Not even his three successors knew what he looked like - L had learnt from A and B.

The only people who had known the truth of Lind. L Tailor were Watari, Wendy, and himself.

Wendy, the one who kidnapped the Lind. L Tailor, while a master thief wasn't a mass murderer of criminals. Perhaps if the criminals were all high respected thieves but even then it still didn't fit.

It didn't make sense. Instead of being frustrated L couldn't help but be intrigued at the case before him.

L leaned forward and pressed a button to contact his caretaker. "Watari please bring me the strawberry cake you purchased yesterday." He leaned back and wiggled his bare toes in thought on the cold barren floor of the room he was staying in.

What had Kira meant by another life? L wondered as he waited for Watari to arrive with L's cake. Was Kira just getting back at him for the broadcast? Or did Kira truly believe that this was another life?

Once Watari arrived L would order him to tell the police to closely watch the prison population the next few days. Specifically in the Kanto region. While L hadn't been able to trick Kira into revealing the region in Japan L was sure Kira's first victim was the Shinjuku killer.

There he was. Just standing there, watching over Light with a hunch and those owlish eyes of his.

"Hello Light-kun," L greeted in his usual monotone.

"L," Light simply acknowledged back as his eyes drank in the sight of the detective before him.

"It was indeed lonely for you after you forced my departure wasn't it?" L asked him even though they both knew the answer.

"So this is hell. I'd never have believed it. You remember all we were told about the torture-chambers, the fire and brimstone, the "burning marl." Old wives' tales! There's no need for red-hot pokers. Hell is - loneliness and boredom," was the only reply Light, prideful Light, gave his friend.

If L's hair wasn't a mess Light would have seen an eyebrow raised. "And yet when you have a chance to never become Kira and befall this misfortune that comes with Death Note you still choose it."

Light's laugh was as insanity filled as the day in the warehouse.

"You - only you not your pitiful successors have ever been my equal. And you shouldn't ask questions you know the answer to, it's not polite," Light berated the panda looking man.

L gave Light a curious glance though not many could see the curiosity on L's face if they didn't know the detective.

"Jean Paul Sartre's works I can see you being familiar with but American McGee's works?"

Light rolled his eyes despite the fact not even five minutes ago he had been berating L about being rude. "I bought the game to distract Misa."

There was silence for a minute. It was neither awkward nor comforting for the detective and mass murder.

"I don't regret being Kira," Light confessed to L yet wouldn't repent. It didn't surprise the greatest detective in the world. "I don't regret killing twelve FBI agents or Naomi. They were collateral damage for a new, good world. I regretted killing you. You were..." Light paused. He couldn't think of the word. Before Light could he woke up to the sound of his alarm going off.

His eyes flickered opened and he quickly turned off his alarm before Light crawled back into his bed. He should be getting ready for the day yet Light remained in the comfort of his bed. Light blankly stared at his ceiling as he tried to think of the word to explain L. A word to describe why he regretted killing the man.

He couldn't and it was frustrating as L himself.

That day Light started feeding Ryuk apples.

A/N: 1.) For those confused on the how I handled Lind. L Tailor in this chapter go watch Anime Theory: L's DARK SECRET! (Death Note Theory). I honestly don't see L kidnapping a death row inmate as ooc for him since while L does care for the law he has no problem what so ever breaking it.

2.) Did L ever meet his successors personally besides via a laptop? Considering what I've learnt of B it isn't surprising if he didn't...

3.) I'm at episode twenty-eight of the anime. I don't hate Mello and Near but I need a break and I get why people stop watching at episode twenty-five. Turns out knowing L's fate before I even watched the anime did not at all help me with dealing with that episode.

4.) How did I do writing L?