Disclaimer - I don't own Deathnote or Naruto.

Re-edited - 4/21/09

Deathnote/Naruto

Pairing - L/Sakura

Words - 4,404

Influence for this chapter - Three Days Grace - Time of Dying

In which there is a hole in Tokyo

'On the ground I lay
Motionless in pain
I can see my life flashing before my eyes
Did I fall asleep
Is this all a dream
Wake me up, I'm living a nightmare'

Chapter 1

She could feel herself falling. Falling and falling, but to where?

Why were the stars distancing themselves from her? Why where there monstrous metal towers placed randomly, so tall they seemed to touch the sky? Sounds? The sounds of what? What where all these new noises? The smells? Nothing like she was used to. Smells that burned her senses, smoke, smog?

Falling and falling. Faster and faster.

Lights blurring passed. A cold wind.

Her eyes glanced down from her free falling. Black pavement with odd yellow lines painted on them were about to meet her. Her eyes closed.

'Is this the end?'

And crash.

There was a silence in the limo, a natural silence that was both comfortable and odd.

A young man no older then twenty-four sat lamely in his seat, hungrily nibbling on chocolate cheesecake squares. The shadows under his eyes seemed darker in the limo, while he watched the mindless television hanging down from the roof of the car.

"And now we return to, Taijutsu: The tournament of the East."

He had always been interested in Karate and Kung Fu, watching programs of trained warriors who seemed to be disciplined in the past art of the ninja, fighting one another grabbed his attention constantly.

His black eyes followed the two men on the screen like a child hypnotized with their punches and kick and most of all, their agility.

"Watch how Kitaro waits for his opponent to strike and—Wow did you see that fantastic skill? Kitaro seemed to effectively take down Sumoto in one quick movement!"

"That Kitaro is one of a kind, despite his small frame; he really knows how to fight. His master must be proud."

"I must agree. How long do you think it took him to learn so much?"

"Years I'd say. Kitaro must have started when he was only a child, his speed is incredible."

"I'd say so. Not many can match it. I sure know I can't though it would be great to try, not that I don't love my job anyway; keeping up with the play by play of these magnificent fights for the folks at home, it's incredible!"

"Well who doesn't like a good fight, am I right?"

"Yes you are. Now let's head to our e-mail, remember folks, if you have any questions or comments, you can email us live on the show, and if you're lucky we might even say your question or comment on the air."

"Now let's see, hears a good question from a Mr. Magami Suroto. 'I've kept up with the tournament since preliminaries and my question is; how come there are no female contestants and do you think if there were, would they beat anyone?' – That is a good question, Suroto-san."

"Well it's simple really, women are strictly prohibited from joining this tournament in the first place. So that is why we don't see any, but if they were aloud I don't see many of them making it past the first round. Lets face it, woman are not exactly fit physically or mentally to be professionals in this sort of thing."

"Now I wouldn't say that, some women are great, I've seen women who could do some serious damage in my wife's self defense class."

"That's because it is a woman's class, put a female in an all man Kung Fu class and I doubt she will last. Plus most women don't care for violence."

"I suppose, but I'm sure a woman could beat you up."

"Haha, No that's true, especially if they have a bad temper like my sister, as kids she killed me! In all seriousness though, have you ever seen a woman match Kitaro's standards?"

"Can't say I have, but hey you never know right?"

"I suppose, well enough about that, let's get back to the next round. Kitaro against Totosan."

He took another nibble off the tray of pastries and cakes that where it lay next to him. Eyes shinning from the lighting of the television.

Subconsciously he could hear the tinted window slide down that separated the driver from himself, but he ignored it.

A small, full hearted laugh came from up front, "You know, I tell you to go to sleep and you just stay up to unheard of hours of the night watching pointless programs."

An older man, probably in his late 70's glanced through the rear view mirror at the younger man. His white, perfectly combed mustache covered his mouth as he talked. Bushy matching eye brows heavily coated his failing vision.

"It is only 12:36 p.m., and I know I should listen, but this show interests me." the younger answered, black eyes not separating from the screen.

Another muffled laugh came from the old man as he turned his eyes back to the road.

"You and your feudal obsession…It's almost as bad as you and your sweets."

The young man inwardly smiled, "I don't think any amount of television can out rank my love for sweets Watari."

"Yes, I must agree with you there. I remember ever since you where a little boy, you refused to eat anything that wasn't smothered with icing."

"But you must admit, I have grown to eat more fruit. Strawberries sometimes top the whip cream drowned brownies."

The car paused, stopping at a red light. No one was on the road.

"I acknowledge your apatite changes; after all, I do bring you your food."

Shadowed eyes lightened, "True, and if my memory serves; you were the one who introduced me to the world of produce."

"And to this day I continue to take pride in that accomplishment."

Red turned to green. The limo zoomed again.

"You take pride in such a thing?"

"Of course, it shows me that I can do the impossible. Sometimes I wonder how you function with hardly any nutrients."

The younger male's eyes glanced at the empty road, but far off to the next intersection, something was off. The street itself seemed shaken, dust and dirt surrounded the flaw in the pavement.

"Watari…what is that?"

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The older man quickly turned forward, slowing down right before the breakage. "I am not sure."

A complete stop was made. And still no one was around.

Both men looked wearily out the windshield, analyzing the situation.

Out of curiosity the younger of the two, unlocked his door, lightly setting a bare foot on the cold ground, eyes still fishing for answers out the front window.

Watari quickly turned around, hearing the door un-click itself. "Ryuuzaki! Close the door, before someone sees you!"

Ryuuzaki slowly pushed himself from the seat and stood wearily behind his open car door, pale skin illuminated by the street lights above.

Shoeless feet stepped forward to the distraught road.

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"Ryuuzaki!"

The black haired man glanced back at the older, "Calm down Watari, no one is around which I find odd, stay calm, I just want to see what it is or what made it."

"I insist that you return at once." Watari strode closely behind him.

Ryuuzaki cautiously took more steps forward, eyes observing the broken ground that looked like it imploded. 'What could have done this and why is no one here? Surely something like this would have made some sort of commotion.'

His coal orbs met the base of the crater like impression finding nothing. Like a vulture, he circled it until his eyes did catch a glimpse of something deep and hidden under the gravel. It shined, though dully. Raising a brow, his eyes strained but it seemed his own vision was failing as well. At a snail's pace he made his way down the cavity, not noticing the light pain of the sharp rocks beneath him.

Watari growled at Ryuuzaki's trance like state, "What is it that captures your attention?"

The young man said nothing, only moving farther down the hole. At it's base he crouched down to the objected hidden and wiping away the dirt from it.

His slender pale fingers wrapped around the dirty entity leaving dusty residue on his palm. It was somewhat heavy, but small. Shaped like a four cornered star. 'Is this a shuriken…? It looks brand new.'

Black eyes drank in the detail of the small weapon. Tiny vines and flowers where carved into its sides, such perfection in such a small object. His fingers slid across the metal, memorizing the indentions. 'How odd for a weapon to be found like this…' he noticed something after holding it for a moment, "It's warm…as though someone had recently held it.'

"What did you find down there?" he could hear Watari ask.

Shaking his head he pocketed the item quickly, he turned, standing up. "Nothing. I think we should probably go. We will let the proper authorities take care of this mess." He murmured, hoping up from the crater.

Watari coughed in reply, "Yes, I think it's time to go home, that's enough excitement for one night. Though I will admit, I am interested for find what created that hole."

Ryuuzaki nodded, slowly walking back to the door of the limo that he left open, but glancing back at the break.

The old man glanced at him in wonder, "What is it now?"

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"Nothing. Let's go back to the hotel."

The younger entered the car without second thought, followed by the elder.

They would be taking a different route home tonight.

Ryuuzaki sat uncomfortably on his bed, fingering the shuriken.

He remembered the morning after he found it, the news was covering in vague details of the crater that 'seemed to appear without a sound' so they put it. Conspiracy theories were already circulating through the internet and television. No true reason was found as to what happened, but because the road was destroyed the case had been closed and the street redone.

It had been days since he had found the small weapon in the crater that night, and ever since then he had been noticing changes in it.

The first night he brought it home, the blades were sharp to the touch and the details were perfectly shaped.

On the second day, he noticed the metal was starting to loose its shine despite how many times he brutally buffed it. The tips of the corners were lightly chipping off as well.

When the third day came, a drastic change happened. A hairline crack seemed to travel through the middle of the weapon, weakening it. Rust was building up and the smoothness was growing rigid.

Today, as he eyes it, the blades are dulled and the flowers carved into it seemed to morph into ugly imperfect circles. A light coating of brown mold was growing; it was like it was decomposing with each passing day.

But why? How?

As smart as Ryuuzaki was, an explanation couldn't be identified. If he had to take a guess, he would say it was slowly dieing. Though, that was not plausible since it was not alive.

Using his thumb nail, he scratched away the fungus and twirled it faintly on his index finger in an attempt to keep his nerves at bay.

There was one thing he noticed that never changed about the small object.

It was always warm.

It truly made no sense to him. Then he sighed.

Watari slowly made his way around the main kitchen, placing many little cakes and sweets on his trolley to take up to Ryuuzaki. He had noticed the boy's odd behavior for the last few days, but thought nothing of it; geniuses were odd in his opinion. One moment extremely curious and then next helplessly lazy, but maybe that was just Ryuuzaki.

Watari had a frown on his face, memories of Ryuuzaki as a child, never playing with the other kids in the orphanage and always doing puzzles. The boy wished to learn more then to have a normal childhood. He had kept to him self, lonely really. He never understood why, despite the fact that Ryuuzaki was a smart boy; he just never seemed to be social.

The old man sighed, wishing he could turn back time, pushing the boy to have more friends. Maybe then he would be less secluded.

Or maybe family was what he needed.

Though Watari never bothered with family, he did consider Ryuuzaki like a grandson more then anything, 'And yet, with the way he is going, I'll never see any great grandkids.'

He laughed at the thought of little Ryuuzaki clones running around, tugging at their father's pants leg for more vanilla cake and ice cream.

But that was only a dream Watari had, he knew full well that the boy had a passion for being a detective, the world's greatest actually…but he noticed Ryuuzaki never seemed to show any interest in women. The idea of Ryuuzaki falling in love was nothing but a fairy tale.

Watari finished placing the dozens of plates on the double shelved cart then walking it slowly out of the kitchen and toward the elevator.

Ryuuzaki tumbled off the bed, shuriken in hand. The wood under his toes was oddly cold in his opinion, but he let the thought pass.

He shuffled over to a desk were a pocket sized chest was opened, blue crush velvet inside it. His fingers placed the weapon inside of it and closed it delicately. He took the key next to the chest, locked it, and hid it in his back pocket.

His mind was on a lone track, traveling toward the shuriken once more. Determining its origin and why it was wasting away was an issue that needed solving. But where to begin?

He had no information to go off of and any fingerprints that may have been on it were long gone by then. He kicked himself for not attempting a quick fingerprint dust as soon as he returned the first night. It irked him that he was a Class A detective, only taking on the most difficult of difficult cases, and here he was, clueless to the mystery of the shuriken.

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There was a cool breeze in there room. Ryuuzaki faintly wondered if Watari turned the air conditioning on, though it didn't seem likely but it would explain why the floor was chilly.

A sliding sound caught his attention, and turned it.

'Speak of the devil.'

Watari entered room happily rolling the cart of junk food toward another of Ryuuzaki's tables, "Dinner is served."

The boy smiled childish at the trolley of food, "It looks delicious as usual."

"You should thank the chef downstairs for making these special." The older man chuckled.

Ryuuzaki sat down in the chair to the desk, and greedily chewing the Carmel candies. He noticed Watari seemed to have a questioning look on his face. An incredibly awkward silence came.

"Ah, is there something on your mind Watari?" he inquired, still stuffing his face.

Watari said nothing; he wasn't paying attention to the boy. His gaze was set in an almost scared pose toward a window of the room. Eyes widened, dilated and mouth agape.

Ryuuzaki raised a brow to him, noticing Watari bringing a clenching fist to his chest, breathing heavily.

"Watari…?"

The old man fell onto a knee, hyperventilating. At this Ryuuzaki ran to his side, eyes wide, "Watari! What's wrong?"

The white haired man's eyes were still set upon the window, Ryuuzaki could tell, on instinct, he turned to it, thinking Watari was trying to tell him something.

Black eyes widened at the sight before him.

A girl, younger them himself he would guess, kneeled shakily on the sill of his window. In any other situation, it would look like she had just jumped in, but he realized that it would be impossible because of the floor they where on.

Ryuuzaki was at a loss for words, "What…How…?"

She soundlessly jumped off the sill, onto the wooden floor, stepping forward slowly.

He gained his composure back for the moment, "Stay back." Not really caring at all of how she came to be there at that point.

She stepped forward again, "I'm sorry that I scared you but…" she paused, swallowing her guilt "He is going into a panic attack. Please let me help him." her expression was filled with worry.

The girl continued to move toward both males, inching herself closer, the boy seemed dazed.

She knelt down to Watari, putting her hand over his heart, her eyes gazing into Ryuuzaki's. No words left her mouth.

A light green glow covered her hand, making Ryuuzaki jump, "What are you…doing…!" He began to panic.

"Shhh…don't worry, I'm not hurting him…look at his face, does it look like he is in any discomfort?" she questioned almost silently. Eyes drowned in serenity.

Sure enough, Watari's face was peaceful and no more scared then he was just moments ago.

Ryuuzaki bent down to them, laying a reassuring hand on the older man's shoulder, though his own heart beat quickened. He gazed upon her nervously.

Watari was becoming sleepy and began to fall on the girl, but she strongly held him in place, "He needs rest, here, help me get him to the bed." Her voice seemed stronger now then it did moments ago.

Unknowingly Ryuuzaki followed the strange girl's instructions without a second thought. Helping her carry the man to his bed, and placing him carefully.

The black haired young man turned to the girl, "Who are you…?" his heart raced faster.

Her eyes lowered to the old man, then rose to Ryuuzaki's question, "Are you talking to me?" she blinked.

He gazed at her as though she were crazy, "Of course I'm talking to you. H-how did you get in here…what did you do to Watari…?"

"I…well…" gulping, her thoughts went back to the old man, "I didn't think this would happen when I first entered." Looking up again, "He will be fine now, all he needs is rest."

Ryuuzaki frowned, not getting the answers he wanted, "I will ask once more. How did you get in here?" he asked coldly.

She winced at his tone, "I'm sorry, this must be confusing for you, but believe me, its just as confusing for me." she said quickly, "I came through the window…I'm sorry for all of this."

He sighed; just by looking at her he could see she was distressed. "Who are you…what is your name?"

"My name is Sakura…"

He raised a brow, not exactly expecting a truthful answer, at least not so quickly. "Sakura…?"

She nodded numbly, "Yes, I'm sorry for scaring your friend here, but I couldn't understand how to enter this place."

"How did you get here then…you didn't seriously come through the window…did you?" he question, his stomach falling.

Sakura made a face as though saying 'Is it so surprising?' "I didn't understand how to enter, everything here is so odd…I'm sorry. I was running through the halls for some time, but there are so many elevators I couldn't find the correct one to come up this far." She bowed.

Ryuuzaki stepped around the bed, toward her, 'What does she mean everything here is so odd?' "What was that green illumination coming from your hand when you helped Watari?"

Her eyes grew wide, "That was my chakra, don't you know what chakra is?"

"Chakra…? Should I know what that is?"

Gasping she tried to speak. "Of course you should! Everyone knows what chakra is, isn't this a shinobi village?"

"No…I-I don't know what you are talking about…you are in Tokyo, Japan…"

The room grew silent as Sakura took in the new information. Her bottom lip trembled, "T-tokyo Japan…you say? I don't know where that is…what country is it in?"

His eyes met the floor, 'This isn't good.' "Japan is the country."

She shook her head, tears meeting at the corners of her eyes, but her voice attempted to stay strong, "I'm…not familiar with that country…"

Ryuuzaki felt a remorse for the girl 'Is it possible she has amnesia? Why would she come here of all places though?' "Sakura…was it?"

She nodded.

"Can you tell me the last thing you remember?" He asked cautiously.

Sakura held a hand to her chest, a questioning gaze consumed her, "Do you mean up until I fell?"

The boy nodded, 'So she fell? That would explain her memory loss.' "What do you remember?"

"I don't remember much, I just remember falling and suddenly I woke up." Whimpering she took step forward, just feet away from him now, "It was dark and I heard these weird noises, it was like screaming…so I ran. I kept running and hiding for days." Her body was still.

His eyes softened, she seemed to be genuine. "Where did you come from?"

"I don't remember anymore…I knew a few days ago, but now I can't, it's like the memories have been washed away."

"I see…" Ryuuzaki grimaced, 'This won't due. She doesn't remember where she came from or where she is. I'm sure if she remembered anyone she would have attempted to locate them by now…it may also mean no one is looking for her. Police reports of missing persons come through my data base, but I haven't seen any for a woman named Sakura.'

"I know this is asking much…but you are the only person I've come into contact with for days…please…can you help me find my way back home?" she bowed with respect to him.

Ryuuzaki was stunned, "Don't bow, it's unnecessary. I…" he trailed, 'She did help Watari…' "I will try to help you, where is it you are staying?"

Fumbling with her fingers in an embarrassed way she mumbled, "Well I've been running around so much that I don't really stay anywhere. The past few days I've been sleeping in a park around this area… I believe it's called Ueno Park."

His eyes widened, "You mean you've been sleeping outside?"

She shrugged, "It's not so bad, I do it on mission all the time."

Raising a brow, he now seemed very interested, "What sort of missions?"

Sakura looked at him, smirking a little, all hints of sadness gone, "You know assassination missions, seductive missions, transport missions, surveillance missions…seek and destroy…just missions."

Ryuuzaki stepped back, a pang of fear taking over him, 'Assassination missions…? She can't be here to kill me and Watari…there is no way anyone could trace who I am, let alone find me…I know many people would pay large sums of cash to see me dead but she can't be…she helped Watari, why would she do that if she was just going to kill us…?'

She gasped seeing his scared expression, "Ano…no I'm not going to hurt you! I promise, please don't be afraid of me…"

"Then…why are you here of all places?"

Emerald eyes blinked, "Don't you have my shuriken?" she questioned innocently.

"Your shuriken…? Yes I do but…how did you know it was here?" He calmed.

"I infused my chakra into the shuriken, so I could track it; I do it to all my shuriken."

"What is this chakra you keep mentioning?" he ruffled his hair.

"It's my essence…that's all I can describe it as…."

"Your essence?"

"It's me…my power, what I am and what I do. It's my source of living the life I've always dreamt of."

"You said before that everyone knew of chakra…does that mean everyone has chakra?"

Thinking a moment, she put a finger to her lips, "Well yes, everyone does, but usually those who have some sort of bloodline limit are used as shinobi, regular civilians aren't really able to access their chakra points as easily as compared to a person who comes from a shinobi family."

Ryuuzaki blinked and kept quiet, 'She keeps talking about shinobi…ninja. It's probably better that she didn't interact with anyone else or she would have a one way ticket to a mental institution, people wouldn't take well to a girl carrying around weapons and saying she is a paid assassin that can hardly remember anything but her name. Though on the other hand, what am I to do with her? I certainly can't be of much use to her if she knows nothing of herself.' He turned his gaze to Watari, 'I wish you where awake to aid me in this decision…she seems trust worthy enough but looks can be deceiving. I hope you awaken soon my old friend because, I have a feeling I'm going to regret what I'm about to do…'

He noticed Sakura followed his eyes to the old man in worry, he found it odd she was considerably concerned with Watari's well being though she probably felt guilty for putting him in such a state. "Sakura."

She turned to him expectantly, "Yes?"

"I-I don't think that someone in your…" he thought a moment, 'State of insanity?' "…situation, that it would be in your best interest to stay here while be make proper arrangements for you to live elsewhere or we locate your family."

Her eyes widened, "I don't want to impose…especially since what I have put you and your friend through tonight. It would be absolutely out of the question, I couldn't…"

Ryuuzaki wrinkled his nose, "Though I agree you caused Watari to go into an attack, you also helped him, so though I am skeptical about your intentions, it can't go unnoticed that you saved someone very important to me. Also, I wouldn't feel comfortable sending you to sleep under a tree in the park when you can sleep in one of our extra bedrooms."

What she wouldn't give to sleep on a nice cushy bed again, snuggling into a fluffy pillow and curled up in the warmth of blanket. "Thank you…I promise I won't be to much trouble…I'll stay out of your hair and I won't bother you…and I'll do what ever you need me to do. I'll help with the cleaning, cooking, laundry, and I'll even heal you or your friend if either gets hurt."

The black haired boy raised a brow, "Just remember your stay here isn't permanent, this arrangement is just until we can find your family or you remember where you live."

"O-of course!" she smiled, "Thank you…sir."

"L."

She gave him a questioning look.

"Sir isn't my name, it's L."

Sakura put out her hand to shake his, as she grinned happily. 'L…I didn't think people had one letter names…'

'I will not die, I'll wait here for you
In my time of dying'