In the Kira Investigation Headquaters, L sat alone in his usual position on a sofa while playing chess against himself. It has been twenty three days since the Kira Case closed. Light Yagami has finally been caught, and died the night he did when Ryuk wrote his name in the Death Note.

"This is it then, huh?"

L recognized the voice immediately. " How did you get in?" he asked. " I hacked into the secerity system." Beyond Bithday said simply. L nodded, showing no hint of suprise. " So I guess you know then?" he asked, making another move on the chess board. Beyond Birthday nodded. " Why, L?" he asked. " Why did you write your name in the Death Note?" L shrugged. " That question will remain to be answered." he said.

Beyond tried to ignore this. " So who wins?" he asked. L looked up from the chess board thoughtfully. " As long as you are still alive, B, then the war will stay sustained." Beyond Birthday stared at L for a moment without saying anything. Then he understood. " The Whammy kids." he said. L smiled. "One in particular." he explained. "His name is Near."

"Near...?" Beyond Birthday asked, trying to remember where he heard that name before, " Isn't he that annoying, snot-nosed, albino kid that likes playing with toys all the time?" Beyond guessed. " I wouldn't describe him in that particular way, but yes. That's him." L responded.

"So until that guy dies, or until I die, the war is still on?".

"Correct."

"So," Beyond started. " I get to...play with him?" Beyond Birthday enjoyed the idea.

"On one condition."

Beyond Birthday glared at L. " Ah, of course. So, what is it?" he asked. There was a long silence. " There is a child," L finally said," that I've gotten to know over the past twenty-three days. She has recently become an orphan, you see, and she needs a home." Beyond Birthday looked bewildered." So, you want me to adopt her?" he asked. L shook his head. " I want you to take her to Whammy's House."

Beyond Birthday was shocked by the sudden request. " I'm sorry, but the answer is no." he said firmly. "Why not?" L asked in a dazed voice, slightly tilting his head sideways.

" You know why not. You're the one who band me from ever laying a foot at Whammy's. And even if you never did such a thing, I still wouldn't go back. There are too many grusome memories back there and I would prefer them to be forgotten." Beyond Birthday snarled. Then he turned and started to walk away. L actually looked dissapointed.

" That's too bad. Kimiko would've wanted to know that Maki was in good hands."

Beyond Birthday stopped in his tracks. He hasn't heard that name in years. Kimiko Kujo. " She's still alive?" Beyond whispered, . " After all these years? That's impossible." L made another move on the chess board. " No, she is very much alive. She's currently being held in prison, but I'm sure that if Maki attends Kimiko's trial, then all will be well." Beyond Birthday took a few deep breaths. " Fine. I'll go." he decided. "Good." L said. But then, he heard a quiet sobb. He looked up. " Are you...crying?" L asked, astonished. "No." Beyond lied, wiping his tears on his shirt sleeve. " If you say so." L said, returning to his game.

" You're a fool, you know."

Beyond Birthday, back still turned to L, let his tears flow down his face. " Do you know how many lives you've saved? How many people are still living because of you? The children at Whammy's want to be just like you. They want to succeed you. You are the world's greatest detective of all time, and you're throwing life away just like that. Very foolish behavior, L." Beyond Birthday cried for a moment, but then he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned. L had left his chess game to comfort Beyond Birthday.

" Do remember," L asked. " That time at Whammy's? When Kimiko ran away? You were devestated. No one else care for you, and you were crying, alone in a room. Everyone heard the cries, the sobbs, and yet none came to see why you were crying. I, on the other hand, walked passed the door, which was open ajar at the moment, and noticed this."

" You were my best friend, L." Beyond Birthday said. " You would come visit me whenever you came to Whammy's. Even though you knew that I bullied the smaller children, when you knew that I was the kid with no friends. Why L? Why were you my friend? Did you feel some kind of mercy for me?"

" I was your friend because I knew you needed one. You could have been a great succecor." L replied.

" But I can't anymore. I remember those last words after I came to Whammy's House late one night, the night I commited my first murder. You were waiting for me at the backdoor, and saw blood whiped on my shirt, along my knife fresh with blood. ' L!' I said. I was not expecting you to be there. ' What are you doing here?' I stared at me. ' You have blood all over your shirt, B' you observed. ' Oh. It seems I do' I replied. ' Who's blood is it?' you asked. I hesitated to tell you. I knew I couldn't keep it a secret from you. 'A's' I replied. You shook your head in dissapointment. ' A murderer could never succeed me, and you are nothing but a are nothing to me.' you said. And with that, you entered through the backdoor and closed it on me. Forever."

" It is true that you cannot succeed me anymore. But with Maki, do you think...that maybe... you can pretend to be me? Just with her though. If you decide yes, then go by the name Ryuzaki. You have experience, correct?"

"What are you saying L?" Beyond Birthday asked. " I'm saying," L said," that this is the only time that you can truley be the new L." Beyond nodded. "L...? Do you think, that I can stay with you until...you know..." Beyond stammered. "I'm sorry B. It would be better if you leave now." Beyond Birthday sighed. " You want to die alone?" he asked. " Oh, I am not alone. Watari is with me. As you may have noticed, Watari and I were playing chess." L returned to his chair and started playing again. Beyond nodded again. " Alright then. I'll leave you two alone." And with that, Beyond Birthday headed for the door.

" Goodbye, Beyond Birthday."

That was the first time that L has addressed Beyond by his name, by something other than "B". Beyond Birthday smiled. " Goodbye, L. Lawleit."

When his hand reached the door, he heard L speak. " Light, I'll see you on the other side. Let us explore the world of nothingness together." Then he heard him nibble on something; a chocolate bar. Then he spoke again." Watari, it's been a while since we played chess." Then a pause. "Since I was a child, I have never beaten you at chess." Then another pause. " Watari," he said, sounding worried. " have I fulfilled your expectations?" Another pause. But this was not a pause. This was the end. L would never speak again.

A single tear rolled down Beyond Birthday's face. " Like I said L, you're a fool." Beyond said to L's body. Then a warm smile came across his face. " And that is why you are, and always will be, the world's greatest detective."

Beyond Birthday exited the building to find it was raining. Rain. he thought. My mother once told me, right after my father was murdered, that if it rains right after a person has died, then it means that they do not want to leave the Earth yet. That they still want to live. He walked away, not caring if he got wet. For him, it was like walking in L's tears. Before he came to far from the headquarters, he noticed something on the concrete. He picked it up out of curiousity. It was a strange thing, even stranger that it did not get wet. There was a label on it. He read the two words that were printed on it carefully, with a smile on his face. Death Eraser...?