OH MY GOD!!!! It's been over a month since I updated! I'm so sorry! TT TT All the characters where running away from me...I couldn't write any of my stories, which is really saying something.

And then the dreams started. First Cauliflower-phobic zombies, then insane clowns, and then one of those freaky puppet-things from Devil May Cry 1 appeared in my room when I woke up. It was scary *sniff* *sniff* TT TT

And I'm sorry again. Esper does not have schizophrenia. As was pointed out to me by jj, he probably has Dissociative Identity Disorder (or DID. Don't wanna be mean, but that acronym makes me giggle..."I DID him..."). Hehe...Sorry 'bout that! The whole DID thing is really interesting, and it's fun to read about. You should go see ^^

Also! As I told Racherae, it has been decided that Matt and Mello are 17, and Near is 16. Now that that's out of the way...

I want to take this time to identify my official smut-er. Evil and Loving It is now part of my writing circle (well, it's really a line...), and is in charge of helping with any smut-y scenes to occur in the future.

Now I must thank my gorgeous (or, uh, handsome? Are any of you guys?) reviewers: jjwitdaheydiddydiddy, Black-Dranzer-1119, Racharae, and meh new friend archangelraphaelsdaughter!

Oh, and by the way, I own NOTHING! There is not a single Death Note object in my house--sad, but true.

Enjoy the chapter!

Music mood: Walking on Sunshine (weird--I listen to this, and other miscellaneous happy 80s songs while writing a Death Note fanfic. . .)

Chapter 8: False God—Part One

- - - - - - -

Raito sat in the crowd, listening as the speaker droned on and on about the school and the college students entering it. He couldn't help but let his mind wander. The past month had been very dull for the genius, and yet somehow interesting.

To say that Raito had been surprised to see Ryuuzaki at the entrance ceremony would be an understatement. Ryuuzaki should have been dead; once Misa had left Raito had promptly written down Ryuuzaki's name in the Death Note--though he had given him a rather painless death since the other had provided interesting company. Seeing the strange teenager perch on the seat next to Raito had been quite the shock, especially after thinking him dead for nearly a month. And speaking of shocks....

Who would have guessed that Misa had a Death Note? And she had written a few names down as well, though certainly not as much as Raito. She seemed dumb enough to be useful, and she was offering herself

"Misa-Misa will kill for Raito whenever he needs her to."

"I don't need anyone to do my job for me"

"Raito doesn't know everything! A time will come when he'll need Misa-Misa's help, just wait and see. When you need me, Misa-Misa will find you. Just remember: with a new year comes new opportunity, and with opportunity comes choices and decisions!"

It disturbed Raito that Misa had known about him being Kira. She had to have done the eye-exchange to know...though that could be helpful. The low number of names in her Death Note proved that she lacked initiative or confidence to pull off something by herself, so she needed Raito. She could be the perfect tool.

Raito had thought that perhaps by killing Ryuuzaki he had lost her, but now that he turned out to still be alive, Raito had that option. No, Ryuuzaki's continued existence wasn't a complete loss. Though, part of Raito was pleased that the strange teen had survived. He just had yet to figure out why...

As well as disturbing him, it pissed him off that Misa seemed to know something the brunette didn't. Pissed him off even more that she had right out said he didn't know everything. She had refused to elaborate on what she'd said. She wouldn't even talk about anything else; she just left after that. He just knew that he was going to hate working with her.

Too bad she hadn't been the one kidnapped by those--what would you call them? Terrorists? They certainly weren't anything close to Kira. The bastards had serious confidence to use Kira's name for their petty games. They didn't even get anything out of it; there was no ransom for the hostages' safety. Maybe they were thrill-killers...

Raito blinked. Had Ryuuzaki...? He could have sworn that the teen had just shot a guilty look at the brunette. But why would he be...?

"And now a few words from our freshman representatives: Yagami Raito, and Hideki Ryuuga" the audience broke out in murmurs; two representatives? When was the last time that happened? Raito had only heard of two people delivering a speech together before. But wait. Ryuuga Hideki? Wasn't that that idol his sister was crazy about?

As the brunette started towards the stage, Ryuuzaki stood and followed him up. So that was what the look was for. Did Ryuuzaki think that Raito would be...angry at him? Because he gave him a fake name? Maybe Raito should have been angry--after all, the other had lied so easily to him, and dodged the brunette's attack on his life. But...Raito couldn't bring himself to be angry. It kind of made sense that one shouldn't give out your real name, especially with Kira's existence. Perhaps Ryuuzaki was more aware of Kira than he had seemed to be.

But then, Ryuuzaki shouldn't know about names' relevance to Kira.

Raito watched Ryuuzaki out of the corner of his eye as the hunched teen read to the audience. When he finished the crowd clapped, Raito bowed, and Ryuuzaki rubbed the back of his neck in what would have looked like shyness on anyone else. The two then left the stage, Raito once again leading.

"Raito-kun..." Ryuuzaki spoke behind Raito, and hesitated "I know that you are son of the police chief Yagami Soichiro. Your sense of justice is very great like your father's is. I've heard that you've made numerous critical contributions to help solve crimes in the past, and that you're now interested in the Kira case. I trust in your sense of justice and your investigative skills, so if you can promise me not to tell anyone else, I'm willing to tell you something rather critical relating to the case"

Raito paused and looked over his shoulder at the weird teen. What is this? Something critical to the Kira case? He closed his eyes for a moment, collecting thoughts, and then started back towards the seats "I promise. You can tell me"

"I work for L"

Raito's eyes widened minisculy. Worked for...L...

He had been right. How close had he been dancing with death?

"Is Raito-kun angry with me?"

Raito stopped again and turned, half-facing Ryuuzaki. The other had a worried look on his face "No...no, of course not. Why would I be angry?"

"I lied to you"

"If you work for L, then it would make sense for you to not tell your real name to anyone. It's alright, really"

The worried look cleared and he smiled. So cute...whoa! Weird thought! "Thank you. I'm telling you because I want you to help on the case and...I've been able to convince L to let you. You'd have to do something first, but he will let you in"

Raito put on a mask of innocent surprise, while inside real surprise reigned; Ryuuzaki could convince L of something? "Y-you want me to help?"

"Yes. You don't have to decide right now; just think about it"

"...alright. I'll think about it" Ryuuzaki--ah, but he's 'Ryuuga', isn't he?--smiled again, and the two returned to their seats.

Raito didn't let his body show how tense he was. Ryuk laughed behind him, and the human didn't have to look to see the creature's pleased grin "If he is who he says he is, this will be fun..."

Irritation nagged at the brunette's very being. Ryuuzaki just sat there--watching the rest of the ceremony with bored eyes--and Raito couldn't do anything to him! ......okay, that sounded a little dirty. Damnit! What's wrong with my mind?! I meant kill him; I meant I couldn't kill him! Not...anything else...

Raito strangled a sigh. Damn. He couldn't lay a finger on...he couldn't harm Ryuuza--Ryuug--oh fuck it his name was Ryuuzaki! The name Hideki Ryuga was obviously fake. L--if Ryuuzaki himself was not L--had assigned that name to Ryuuzaki as a safeguard: if Raito wrote 'Hideki Ryuuga' into the Death Note, the idol would jump into his mind and likely be killed instead. That would make Raito a prime suspect to L, to entire investigation team for that matter.

If--again, if. Irritating word--Ryuuzaki was on the investigation then he must know Raito's father. That would make sense; Soichiro had acted strangely calm when Ryuuzaki had appeared late at night at their home. His father was a rational person, but when something like the pale teen showed up on his doorstep even he would have been a bit surprised. He had also been oddly...smug. Grr. Raito didn't like that his father had something over him. Raito was finding a lot of things he didn't like lately, like how his eyes kept looking over at the dark-eyed teen crouched next to him.

Okay, he needed to stop thinking about this. If Ryuuzaki was L, and even if he wasn't, L was most likely trying to get Raito to make a mistake.

Raito just had to act naturally....

L's eyes watched the new college students flow from the Touou doors. He had gotten out before Raito, and now he was waiting for the teen to exit the ceremony hall so the detective could finish the event, and repeat what had happened last time. He ignored the stares his car, driver, and himself were getting.

His eyes finally caught the coppery-brown of the evil-genius' hair, and L called out to him "Raito-kun" The teen paused at the call, and L saw Ryuk speaking behind the teen. That Shinigami had better not say anything that would hint to L's game "Raito-kun" the brunette turned and headed towards him, and L faced him completely "Thanks for today"

"No, thank you" same response as last time.

L turned towards the open door of the car "I'll see you around campus?"

"Yes...nice seeing you again"

"You as well"

L was driven off, leaving behind the minor crowd of students. Raito heard them talking

"He's got a car and driver. I wonder what family that guy is from..."

"And he got a perfect score...I'm a little jealous"

Raito watched the car fade away as the cherry blossoms swirled around in its wake. Really...

Who was Ryuuzaki?

- - - - - - -

So.

They were together again.

Not unexpected.

They were at Touou.

Not that weird.

They were playing tennis.

. . .

How the hell did that happen?

Raito sighed inwardly at his seemingly redundant habit of ending up in places without knowing how he got there. Or why. It wasn't like he didn't like tennis though, and he had been wanting to play someone who would last against the genius. However, for some reason Raito didn't think Ryuuzaki would be that someone.

Really; Raito had met with the guy--what, four times?--and he already knew: L lived off sugar. He had no posture (of the healthy sort anyway). He likely didn't exercise much, for he was white as a geisha, and as skinny as a starved dog.

Meh. He had to stop thinking about Ryuuzaki's (yes, he would continue to use that name. Ryuuga would just be weird) tennis abilities and more on how to act around him. Raito really should treat Ryuuzaki like he would L, since anything done or said around the worker of L would no doubt end up being known to L. Like an ant poison, the ant, and the queen.

Except, the one who died wouldn't be the queen.

Raito decided to start a conversation "Just a friendly match, Ryuuzaki? I should warn you I have some tennis experience"

Ryuuzaki shifted his loose grip on his tennis racket "No worries Raito-kun. I placed first in England's junior championships"

They reached a court and Raito let the tennis bag slide from his grip. As he pulled out a racket he vaguely registered Ryuk floating over to the side-lines. That was a bit strange; it wasn't like the Shinigami had any fear of being hit by the ball since he could only be touched by Raito. Well, unless Raito hit it at him (which he wouldn't) or messed up the hit and sent it towards him (which he wouldn't). Ryuk had nothing to fear....ah well. He was a Shinigami; he got withdrawal pains from lack of apples. What more need be said?

Okay, so the athletic assumption on Ryuuzaki had been wrong. Way wrong. And while it pained Raito to accept that, he sucked it up and went on with things.

But would L get suspicious if I asked Ryuuzaki whether or not he's an English citizen? Regardless. . .it was worth a try "You spent your childhood in England?"

"Lived there for about five years" the dark-eyed teen looked at Raito "Don't worry. This bit of information is useless as far as L's or my own identity is concerned"

I see...

Ryuuzaki started towards the other end of the court "Play to six?"

"No problem"
Raito waited as Ryuuzaki approached his end of the court, and thought back on how this had come about. It had been Ryuuzaki who had contacted Raito (as Raito still didn't have any way to contact the--was Ryuuzaki really a detective? Or just a double for L?), and challenged him to a game. But why did he challenge me? Does L hope to investigate me? To match me to the personality he associate's with Kira? Ryuuzaki has made his stand-point on the whole thing a bit vague, but then, everything with him is vague. And he had convinced L to let me help with the investigation. . .which I still haven't decided to do yet. It would be more difficult if I did; my information and what I could and couldn't do would be restricted some. If I had someone else to help. . .

Wait. Was this what Misa had been referring to?

That bitch.

How did she know this would happen? Was she in on things with L? Damn, that girl was so difficult to read. Such was the way with extraordinarily stupid people.

Po-k Po-k

Raito focused his attention on Ryuuzaki as the teen tossed the ball into the air, his back straightening more than Raito had ever seen it. It isn't as if any conclusive evidence can be drawn from a friendly match. . .Kira, though, doesn't lose.

Fwip--thok!

Raito blinked as the ball shot past him, and stared wide-eyed at his opponent.

Po-k Po-k "Fifteen, love"

Raito grinned at Ryuuzaki, rather pissed off inside "Oi oi, isn't it a bit early to bare your fangs, Ryuuzaki?"

Ryuuzaki laughed "Just catching you unawares, that's all"

Ah. Is that so.

Ryuk cackled off in the sidelines, and Raito sent him a subtle glare. He could have sworn Ryuuzaki had shot the Shinigami an amused look. That had to have been his imagination though. . .

Ryuk's cackling increased in volume, and Ryuuzaki sent the second ball into the air.

hadpasseditwouldbeliketomorrowO.O

Fwip--thok!

The two teens ran across the courts over and over, chasing the ball and beating it viciously to the other side. Students had congregated outside the fence in the space of three minutes, word of the two highest scores playing each other spreading across the campus like wildfire. They stared, awe-struck, and quickly-developed fangirls squealed.

Po-k--fwip!

Neither of the players noticed the teacher who had been called over (the two were using the court without permission), who had pushed to the front of the crowd and stopped wide-eyed to stare at the two "Are these guys really amateurs. . . ?"

Fwip--thok!

Relax, Raito-kun. Though it's true that Kira isn't someone willing to take a loss in a competition, the will to win does not belong to him alone.

Po-k P-ok

If I got at this at full strength, will he see me for who I am? If I lose on purpose it'll seem unnatural. Either way. . .

Thok

It's all the same.

Fwip-fwip po-k

There are too many unknowns involved for a match like this to be of any use to the investigation. In other words, Ryuuzaki has some other purpose in mind. No reason to throw the game.

The brunette hit across, and the pale teen narrowly missed the ball.

See? I'm winning.

The two stood panting for a moment, and Ryuk floated at an angle to the side and up a ways off the ground "Kukuku. We've even got a linesman and referee. This is more fun as last time; much more tense. . .perhaps 'Ryuuzaki' will succeed"

Raito ignored the Shinigami's rambling, and tossed the ball into the air to serve.

"Kukuku~. But then, maybe he'll die again"

As Raito swung down in his serve, he noticed something like irritation flicker across Ryuuzaki's features. The ball spun towards the raven-haired teen, and he shifted his grip and hit the ball underhand. But the ball went too high, and veered off to the side.

And hit Ryuk right in his open, laughing mouth.

The Shinigami jerked and started choking.

Raito gaped at the Shinigami, only brought back to the moment by Ryuuzaki speaking "Raito-kun? Did you see where the ball went?"

The brunette looked at the insomniac, who wasn't paying any attention to the suffocating Shinigami "Huh? Oh. No, no I didn't"

"Hm" Ryuuzaki cocked his head "How odd. I suppose we'll just need another ball. . ." he looked off to the side, and watched for a moment as the linesman went off to get a ball from the basket in the corner of the court. He looked to Raito again, his gaze slightly apologetic "I'm sorry. That was a quite badly laid hit. I haven't played so hard in a long time; I must have been getting rusty"

Raito smiled kindly "It's fine. I haven't played like this in a while either. It's kind of nice, really"

"Yes. . ." the linesman tossed the ball to Ryuuzaki, and he nodded his thanks. He bounced the ball once "Shall I serve?"

"Sure" Raito settled into position, and started thinking again.

Between us, there's been no mention of the Kira case. To be frank, the purpose of this so-called friendly match has very little to do with building our friendship. It's an act meant to give the impression of a strong friendship where nothing of the sort exists.

Fwip--thok

Should any mention be made upon the subject of the investigation, it would be reasonable for me to demand proof of Ryuuzaki's identity. Should I become part of the investigation, Kira gains an edge against L. Knowledge of L's progress also covers the leakage of information identifiable only by Kira. I know L's next move. He wishes to confirm my identity by using a third party.

Po-k

Regardless of the situation, defense is never the best offence. If one wants to win, he must strike first.

Ryuk finally managed to swallow the fuzzy green ball whole, and he gasped and clutched his neck "Ugh! I seriously thought I was gonna die!"

Raito glanced over at the Shinigami, biting back the urge to smirk at the creature's expression. But that was his mistake.

Fwip--thok

Po-k!

The ball flew past Raito, and bounced out of the court.

Ryuuzaki had won.

- - - - - - -

I'm so sorry about the parts thing! I hit the length limit for IAJ (cause of the way my IAJ pages are formatted on OneNote) but the next part will be up soon!

Mission for Readers: Tell me. . .your favorite pairing of all time! Yaoi or otherwise.

Bonus Mission: Vote on my new poll, and guess what the series it refers to will be about.