Epistemology   von bootred
                            (the third death note)
================================================================================
                            Kapitel 1: Third Player
                            -----------------------


Chapter 1 – Third Player
 
2 years later
 
Misa-Misa was now certainly more accustomed to the Shinigami eyes she had traded
for half of her life span. She couldn’t even remember how it had been without
them. So when she went out to get some shopping done (a girl never had enough
fashion articles and accessories) it was pretty weird when she saw someone with
a name but without the life span written over their head. Curiously she put the
dress back on the hanger and followed that person without a lifespan. It was a
long name and without fail a non-Japanese at that. Strange. But that could mean
only one thing. A third Death Note. Determination flowed through her like a hot
wave and she tried to follow that person with her eyes. It would be trouble if
she would lose her. No, she couldn’t allow that. She needed to know who that
person was.
“Misa-Misa!”, someone screamed and for a moment she was distracted... and
she lost the lifespan-less person. Damn. Her fans started to swarm around her
like moths being attracted by light.
And she smiled and laughed with them, took some photos, gave some autographs,
answered some questions. And when she was finally left alone she wasn’t able
to find the lifespan-less person anymore. Fear clenched at her heart and she
couldn’t help but worry.
And even worse was that she couldn’t remember how the name was. It had been
long, and weirdly written, and how was it even pronounced?! Way too much S’s
and Z’s and Cs!
 
_____
 
The King observed her, his head turning slowly around and listening to her
breathing. The human girl was sleeping now, her hair disheveled and her
heartbeat even. She was a mystery to him. She had the power to bend to world to
her will, but she did nothing. Nothing at all! And it had been two year now. Two
fucking years!
She was probably even more powerful than Ryuks human (at that the King snickered
triumphantly) and that meant something, right? But well, he had nothing to truly
complain about. She brought all kind of fruits. He had nothing against apples,
those were awesome but thanks to her he had been able to get a taste of
strawberries and bananas and peaches. Oh, peaches were his favorites and she
always had some for him. Even more important was maybe that it was never boring
with her. She was so interesting. It was not that she was that intelligent.
Nonono, she was not stupid either, but what was so special about her was that
she was so damn honest. And she had this contradiction of naivety and love,
kindness and forgiveness and hate and distrust, sadness and rage. It was
fascinating. He had never met a human like this!
It was just… she was so emotional. She was feeling with everything she was,
everything she had. It was exciting to look how she was immersed in some movie
and crying one moment, laughing hysterically the next.
Still absorbed in thought he got a peach out of the food bowl and bit into it.
The juice ran down his chin and a drop of it fell down to the floor. Maybe he
should add some spice? He was anyhow the one Shinigami who knew all the rules,
every little dirty trick up his sleeve. Great, now he had to think about this
stupid Ryuk again. How could he be so stupid to be tricked by another Shinigami?
Ah, sometime he would get the ass kicking he deserved. Literally. Of that, the
King would make sure.
 
When Małgorza woke the next day and stretched like a cat, she had the feeling
that this would be good day. She had slept wonderfully, for once there was no
headache or Migraine pounding in her head and it was still early. It was always
great when she woke without needing the alarm clock. She turned in her bed and
looked at the time. Her alarm clock was set for 9 a.m. and it was now 7.43 a.m.
A content smile graced her lips. With recharged energy she left her bed and went
to the bathroom. Curiously she had glanced around but King was nowhere to be
seen. (He still hadn’t told her his name, so she only called him by his
title.) She just shrugged it off and went to relieve herself. After that she
went to the kitchen to eat some breakfast. A small breakfast its content only
being some fruits and freshly brewed tea.
After she ate she went to brush her teeth and took a quick shower.
Today she had planned to visit a friend at To-Oh University. Her friend Yukari
studied medicine there and Małgorza had promised to pick her up and to eat
dinner together. Yukari was great and a helpful friend and the polish girl loved
her without doubt. Without the medicine student she would be still drowning in
depression. Well, she still had some problems with that, and those problems
would never leave her, but Yukari had helped a great deal. Who was she kidding?
It was not only Yukari but her dog as well. Momo had been so cute, and such a
wonderful source of comfort. The polish female laughed at the fond memories.
Another thing was, Małgorza still struggled a little with the Japanese language
and Yukari had helped her a lot in that aspect of her life as well. Thanks to
her she was now able to talk and listen properly. The writing though, still
confused the shit out of her. Hiragana, Katakana and what-not.
She looked forward to see Yukari again; they had not seen each other for some
time now. But she still had time until they would meet up and so she decided to
go take a walk and stroll through the city until then. Maybe she would visit her
adoptive mother. She hasn’t seen her family for a while now and she missed
them.
Currently she lived alone in a small apartment, she moved one year ago, because
of her problems with her brother, who wasn’t her brother by blood at all. A
shiver ran down her spine as she remembered what he had nearly done. He was
partly the reason why she moved away. Thank god her family had enough money to
help her. She was stills studying after all, and her small job couldn’t help
her keeping the apartment and buying food.
 
Sometime later Małgorza packed her stuff, shoes on her feet, jacket on and bag
on her shoulder, she hesitated. Then she went and got her Death Note. She
wasn’t sure why she took it, but she felt it was safer that it was with her.
What if some petty thief decided to rob her apartment and got the notebook in
his hands? That would be horrible. Better safe than sorry.  
 
_____
 
Misa was visiting Light on campus and she couldn’t wait to finally see him.
She giggled at the thought of meeting him. She loved him a lot and he was
perfect. He was Kira after all. Kira was Misas hero and she would do nearly
everything for him. Her love was something he would never lose, she had made
this promise the day she met him and found out that he was Kira. Ah, how
wonderful. Not only was he a beautiful specimen, but he was intelligent as well,
and sometimes he showed her his love as well.
As she waited, these thoughts and memories in her mind, something caught her
eye. She turned her head to the left and spotted a girl. She wasn’t Asian,
hair in a ponytail, black thick glasses and a name floating over her head. But
no life span.
The idol was flabbergasted. Wasn’t that the name she had seen that one time
while on a shopping trip? She couldn’t believe that she had found her! It was
without a doubt the same name!
“Misa?”, Lights voice brought her back to reality. “Light!”, she called
and ran to him, embracing him “I- there!...” She looked up at him, her
glossy lips made for kissing, but ignored by him.
He looked at her, confused by her antics and wondering what the hell her problem
was, again. He knew she was a weird one, but he knew exactly how to use her. So
he only produced a smile on his face: “What is it Misa? You know, that you can
tell me everything.”
The bubbly blonde nodded, convinced that his words to be true, even if she lied
a little to herself: “Yes… yes I know. Do you remember when I told you
about… the third one? You know?” They were in public and talking open about
their part-time doings was not something that was doable or tolerable.
He nodded. Of course, he remembered. After that he had talked to Ryuk about it
but the blasted Shinigami had only laughed and laughed and screeched about how
interesting and funny everything was at the moment. Light had no chance of
getting something out of Ryuk. And there had been no new killings, nothing
strange, so Light has deduced that the third person with a Death Note only had
killed very little or not at all. There was the possibility of this person
having Shinigami Eyes as well.
He had been terrified.
The reason why it frightened him so much was that he knew nothing. With L he at
least had met him, his father was part of the police squad on the Kira case and
he knew what he could expect to a certain degree. But now… with this third
player in the game everything was uncertain. Was she or he pro-Kira or
anti-Kira? Did she or he have the eyes? Had she or he killed someone? What would
she or he do?
This uncertainty gnawed at his sanity and left him with nothing but fear.
“She’s here.”, Misa whispered alarmed.
Light’s eyes widened for a short second and he opened his mouth to say
something. He lifted his head and looked around, but quickly a mask of
indifference covered his emotions which were in turmoil. He followed Misas gaze
and he spotted the girl. She didn’t seem to be special.
Was she a student? He had never seen her. And a foreigner was spotted easily on
this university. He observed her closely. The girl looked at her wrist and
sighed. She seemed to get impatient. Moments later someone approached her and
called a name. The girl looked up and a broad smile grew on her face within
seconds. A Japanese girl, a girl he knew was named Yukari stepped to her and the
girls embraced each other. They talked for some time and then stepped out of
school grounds talking to each other about mundane things, which held no
interest for him – of that he was sure.
Rem and Ryuk meanwhile were floating high in the air and looking down to the
girl. Ryuk laughed and Rem remained stoic, both wondering what the future would
hold for them. They were Shinigami but they had by no means knowledge about the
future. The King beside the girl had looked up and discovered them.
Then: “Shouldn’t you hide, Ryuk?”
Immediately the laughter stopped: “Oh shit, you’re right!” He laughed
again while he flew away, as fast as possible. The King remained on the spot,
expressionless, and turned around to finally follow the girl who had his Death
Note. It was not the right time to kick Ryuk. A little waiting would do no one
any harm.
Light focused on the girls, had to find out more about her. He wouldn’t allow
any inconveniences, even if the possibility of such an inconvenience was a small
one.
 
_____
 
Małgorza had delicious dinner with Yukari and they had much fun together. As it
seemed Yukari was doing well with her studies although she couldn’t get much
sleep. She told Małgorza the news that she finally found out on what she wanted
to specialize. Neurology.
At that the polish girl was surprised and asked for the reason.
“Actually it’s thanks to you Rosha.”, Yuakri began and called Małgorza by
her nickname, “When you told me about your Migraines, and that your doctors
couldn’t really find out what was wrong, I started to think about it. About
the mysteries of the brain and its inner workings. And then I realized: A brain
is a person’s whole life. Your emotions, your … everything originates from
there. And that is just fascinating. Why does it function like it does? Why are
some people more intelligent than others? Why are some people more creative than
others? And then the migraines and head ache’s. There are so many different
causes, so many different types. The brain is not even fully explored and
scientists still are working on it. And that is just so overwhelming and I want
to learn so much about it!”
It was obvious how tired Yukari was, but she was smiling so brightly and there
was this spark in her eyes, Rosha could only feel happiness for her friend and
she told the medicine student how she supported her, how she was proud of her
and that she was happy for her. But not without feeling envy, which had turned
into a little spark of hate – and for that she hated herself as well. Yukari
was her friend. There was no reason to be envious.
Yukari had her life figured out, had something she wanted to strive for and more
importantly had a goal.
Rosha had no goal. She was a creative person and she knew that she was talented,
but should she do music? Write books? Draw and illustrate? She didn’t know.
They had talked long after that, about god and other important or unimportant
things. They never talked about Kira though. This topic was not something both
of them wanted to pursue. Yukari was as a soon-to-be-doctor, someone who
treasured life, it didn’t matter what the person has done or who the person
was. A patient was a patient and as a doctor it was her duty to try everything
in her power to save those that suffer from illness and pain. She was a healer
through and through.
And for Małgorza – Rosha – it was a rather uncomfortable topic. She knew
about the Death Notes, knew about Death Gods and knew about the rules. It was
strange to know, how she held this power that Kira probably held as well and to
know how he killed, but not being able to go to the police. They would tell her
she was crazy. They would bring her to an asylum and to doctors and pump her
blood full with medication and depressants. It would be no surprise to her if
this would truly happen, with her case history…
 
_____ 
 
Yukari was strolling through the university’s library some days later,
searching for materials for her course. Her hand was hovering above book backs
on one of the many bookshelves that represented the library. Her eyes flew over
the books backs; searching for the one book she needed the most. A triumphant
smile was on her lips the second she found it and happily she left the aisle.
Someone was coming in her direction, and naturally as she didn’t want to bump
into that person she went to the right trying to get passed him. But the person
stumbled and books flew out of his arms, flying all over the floor.
Instinctively she avoided the mess and stepped back.
“Oh no, are you alright?” she asked worried and held her hand to help him
get up. He took her hand and stood up, answering: “Sorry, today is not really
my day. I hope you weren’t shot with one of the books missiles?” Last he
said jokingly.
“Don’t worry, I’m alright. The library war didn’t affect me much.”,
she said answering him jokingly as well, humor in her eyes.
Only now she got a clear look on his face. She knew him! That was Yagami Light,
he had been on first place of the entrance exams, together with this weird
Ryuzaki Hideki.
When he started to gather the books he dropped she heard him sigh and mutter
something about having a bad day. She smiled again. So he was just a normal
student like everyone else, didn’t matter if he was a genius or not. Yukari
didn’t expect him not being a stuck up son of a bitch.
“Ah, I’ll help you.”, she stated and kneeled down to gather other books.
She glanced at the titles. Law and criminology. So he wanted to be one of the
good guys, huh? No, not a bad guy at all.
He looked up, a thankful smile on his handsome face: “Thank you, but you
really don’t have to.”
“Balderdash! Of course I’ll help!”, she answered.
Together they stood up and she gave him the books she had gathered.
“So, you want to be a police men or agent after college?”, curiosity getting
the best of her.
He nodded shyly: “Yeah. My dad is a police chief after all. Watching him made
me realize what a great job that can be. Saving people, being there for the
weak… it makes me happy to think about it.”
Yukari smiled softly: “That sounds wonderful. I think you’ll be an amazing
cop.”
“Thank you.”, he answered and started to turn around, “So then… see ya
later.”
She watched him go, and then she got an idea: “Wait!” The medic student ran
up to him.
“By the way, my name is Yukari Tadashi. Some friends and I are going out
tonight, so if you want we could meet up? Because you know… you said you had a
bad day and maybe some drinks would increase your mood? What do you think about
that?”
Lights back still turned to her he smirked. Perfect. When he turned to her his
smirk wasn’t there anymore but a surprised look. “Really?”, he asked,
“And your friends wouldn’t mind?”
She laughed: “Haha, no. To be honest, only one friend, but she wouldn’t mind
at all! You can bring others as well. We are going to meet up at this pub.
It’s called ‘Green Rose’.”
Light laughed lightly as well: “I would be really happy. I can give you my
number, and you can just call or message me, so that I’ll know at what time
and where the pub is.”
She nodded enthusiastically: “Sure!”
Together they talked and went to a table where he put down the books. After they
had exchanged numbers they talked a little bit more. But then she had to go and
he watched her leaving the library. He smirked.
If he was able to befriend her, he could find the owner of the third Death Note.
He only had to wait how things would progress. Behind him Ryuk snickered:
“Sneaky, Light, very sneaky.”
 
_____ 
 
Light was at Head Quarters of the Kira Investigation Team. He sat beside L when
his mobile phone let out his ring tone. He picked it up and looked at the
message. Yukari. He read the message and then wrote one to Misa. It was time to
go.
He stood up when L asked: “You are leaving already Light?”
Light looked at his nemesis and smiled, leaving the hate out of his eyes: “Ah,
Ryuzaki. I’m going out with friends from colle-“ His ringtone sounded again.
Misa had answered.
She apologized. She wasn’t able to attend because some photoshoot took too
long and it was not possible to rearrange it. He sighed.
“Oh well…”, he looked back to L from his phone, “I am going to meet a
friend from University. She asked if I could come and she only wrote me now
where and at what time.” He looked at his wrist on the clock that resided
there: “And I have to get a change of clothes and a quick shower if I want to
get there on time.”
L looked at him with his onyx eyes. Nothing betrayed his emotions and he wiped
his thumb along his lips: “Hmm…”
“Well then, see you tomorrow.”, Light said to the others. Matsuda sat tired
in his chair: “Haha, have fun Light. At least you get to chill out
sometime.” His colleagues shot him an angry look and Matsuda apologized:
“Ah, sorry sorry, it wasn’t meant like that.”
“Ah, just shut it, Matsuda. We are all tired…”, said Aizawa and rubbed his
blood shot eyes.
“Watari.”, L called out and within seconds the old man appeared and asked:
“Yes, L?”
“I think I am going out. That is, if Light doesn’t mind if I go with
him.”, explained the master detective and Light looked for the first time
since long ago genuinely surprised.
Light smiled at L: “I don’t mind at all, Ryuzaki.”
L nodded and stood up, while talking to Watari: “Tell me when there is some
change.” The answer came immediately: “Of course.”
Light was cursing at the thought that Misa couldn’t be there at a time like
this. She would have been able to see his true name… damn, just his luck.
 
_____
 
They stood before the pub for a few seconds before stepping into it. It was a
hidden bar, not well known but it seemed cozy and it looked rather nice. The
light was dim, and it smelled like cigars and food. Two barkeepers where
standing behind the bar while one waitress was going around bringing drinks and
getting orders. Light looked around and he found what he was looking rather
quickly. In a quiet corner sat Yukari with another person. He instantly
recognized her as the owner of the third Death Note. Maybe he wasn’t as
unlucky as he though? He did not expect to meet that person so quickly. He went
to them, L following him and observing his surroundings, even more Lights
reactions. The detective suspected Light to be Kira to some degree after all.
Light approached the table in the far corner; the girl spotted him instantly and
smiled when she saw that he was directly going towards them. She said something
to Yukari and she turned her head to look at them.
“Hey Light!”, the medic student greeted him when he finally arrived at their
table. “Hey, Yukari. I brought my friend with me. His name is Ryuzaki.”, he
nodded toward the black haired detective. Ryuzaki lifted his hand as a greeting
and merely said: “Yo.”
“Sit down, sit down you two. The more the merrier.”, Yukari tabbed on the
table to sign them, they should sit down, underlining her words. Both male
students sat down, L of course being his usual self with his feet up. Yukari
finally introduced her friend: “This is Rosha. At least I call her so. Her
name is impossible to pronounce!”
“It’s not!”, replied Rosha with a quiet and timid voice but loud enough to
be heard, a small humorous smile on her lips, “It’s just you can’t speak
my native language.”
“Yeah, because not being able to speak polish is something to be ashamed
about.”, Yukari smiled amused and rolled her eyes at Rosha.
Light smiled, but really, being a little nerved about not knowing her full name.
What could he do with a nickname? If Misa was only here… but he smiled and
turned to the polish female: “So, I have never seen you on campus. You
aren’t a student?”
“Mhm…”, she shook her head, “I not really cut out for To-Oh. I heard
only people with amazing skills are able to study there. And, I am not
interested in any of the courses.”, she answered. Light nodded: “I see… so
what are you doing then?”
Yukari answered instead of Rosha: “Oh, she is an amazing artist! She is able
to draw two eyes and they look identical! That is amazing.”
Rosha cheeks got a red hue and she couldn’t help but giggle, the giggle
chaning into a loud laugh.
L in the meantime was listening to the topic and observed everything with his
eagle eyes. Nothing would escape his gaze, he wouldn’t allow that. He had
analyzed Yukari. He knew her from university. Only recently she had gained some
prestige on her studies and she was a pretty girl as well. Black short hair,
hazel eyes, small nose, timid and slightly darker skin than most Asian woman.
She studied medicine and had decided this semester to direct her studies to
neurology. Why was Light interested in her? Light had never spoken to her but
what had picked his interest now? His mind was clearly working on solutions. He
would come back to his deductions later.
Then his gaze turned to the foreigner. Rosha. A nickname. Clearly polish
heritage, it was mentioned after all, and speaking Japanese with a strong
accent, still making some mistakes in the Asian language. Blue round eyes, black
glasses, brown hair that was held in a bun. Her figure dedicated more bodily
curves than Asian women’s. Paint on her fingers and on her neck, freckles
adoring her skin. His gaze was unyielding, not blinking even ones.
Rosha didn’t know what to think of that.
“Ryuzaki!”, called Light out and immediately got the detectives attention,
“Could you please not do that… gaze thing? You are making them
uncomfortable.”
“Oh, is that so?”, was the answer from the detective his head turning back
to the artistic female: “I apologize. I hope I did not make you too
uncomfortable.”
“N-no… It’s ok.”, she answered, blood still in her cheeks, a forgiving
bright smile adoring her face. Truth to be told, when he had looked at her with
those eyes, yes it had made her very uncomfortable. He had been looking at her
with all his attention, concentrating on her. Heat had risen to her cheeks, her
heart rate increasing. Małgorza didn’t know what to think of him. And why was
he sitting like that? Wasn’t that uncomfortable? And he had dark circles
around his eyes - was he ok?
Behind her, King stood, arms crossed over his chest and chains rattling now and
then, even though no movement was being made.
“Girl.”, King said, knowing he wouldn’t get an answer, “Be careful. That
one brown haired human is in the possession of a Death Note.” King had
struggled if he should tell her or not. But there was the possibility of her
getting killed and King didn’t want that. He was way too much fascinated by
her, that he could give her up. Giving her up meant, returning to the Shinigami
Realm, which meant returning to the boredom and whining of Shinigami.
 

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