Caught in the Crossfire (Life Note / Death Note)

Chapter 11

For the next few days, the six of us pulled all nighters. My father had Matsuda drive me to school every morning and picked me up every afternoon. Right after school, I started the homework in the car. Traffic slowed us down, by the time we reached the hotel, I was usually finished when unbuckled our seatbelts. The rest of time outside of school was helping the men on the case.

The last time we were at home before we started spending every night, I moved several boxes under my bed and over the floorboard so the Life Note was even move hidden. But then again, no one has a reason to go under my bed in the first place.

"I apologize for questioning you all like that, but I am afraid I had no other choice. I've determined that Kira is not among us." L sat the chair in his usual crouching style.

"Ryuzaki, how can you be certain that all of us are innocent?" My father asked sitting to next me.

"Well to be honest, from the beginning I said a number of traps that would reveal if any of you were Kira," Ryuzaki responded nonchalant, "after talking to you one-on-one, I don't feel the need."

Ryuzaki's blue cell phone started to ring. He pulled it out and the top with his left thumb and index finger, "Excuse me... Understood. I'm just about finished here anyway. You've got the key so let yourself in." He ended the call, "Watari is on his way."

The contact walked in the door and stood next to Ryuzaki. He took off his hat, revealing his face, "Gentlemen, Miss Yagami, it's an honor to meet all of you."

"This person is Watari?" Aizawa mumbled.

"What about your usual outfit?" Matsuda asked.

"If I dressed like that, I would be announcing to the world, 'I am Watari.'" The older man simply responded, "That's all it takes to give away the location of our headquarters and Ryuzaki."

"Oh, I see." Matsuda nodded his head.

"Ordinarily, I would never show my face to any of you," Watari continued, "the fact that I am here, is proof that you have won Ryuzaki's trust."

"Now that you mention it, I do feel honored." Matsuda scratched the back of his head and let out a shaky chuckle, causing Kaito to laugh. I looked over at L and saw the mental rolling of his eyes.

"Well then, I brought those items you requested," Watari leaned forward, holding a metal briefcase, "it's all here."

"Could you please pass them out to everyone?" L requested.

"Yes," Watari opened the case, revealing 6 police badges, along with one school ID, "gentlemen, these are your new police IDs. Miss Yagami, one has been made for you incase if you need it, along with a new school ID."

"What for?" Aizawa asked hesitantly.

"Our names and ranks are false." My father muttered, looking at his new ID.

"Why did you give us fake IDs?" Matsuda asked.

I rolled my eyes at his question, "Kira requires a name and a face to kill. We, more specifically, you and the other men, will most likely confront him with that premise in mind, and I think it should be obvious why."

I looked over at Ryuzaki who was staring at me while drinking his sugar with a splash of tea, "Sorry." I muttered.

"Don't be, that's correct." The corners of his mouth turned the slightest bit upwards, only if you were paying attention would you notice.

"Yes, but of all people, the police shouldn't use fake IDs." Ukita stared at the fake information in his hand.

"Enough, what choice do we really have, giving the capabilities of our enemy?" My father responded, "As long as we're working this case, I think we should use all the protection one can get. It would be foolish not to use them."

"Yeah," Matsuda agreed, "you got a good point."

"Uh-huh." Aizawa nodded.

"Remember, anytime where you have to give your name out to a stranger, make sure to use the name from your fake ID. Understood?" Ryuzaki lifted the tea cup, "Right, and be careful not to pull them out in the presence of other police officers, other students for you Miss Yagami, I'm sure I don't need to tell you, that could cause problems for us."

"I understand." Aizawa said while the rest of us nodded our heads.

"Very well then," Watari turned around and opened another metal case, "I would like to request that you wear these at all times."

"Uh, belts?" Matsuda stood up.

"Each one has a transmitter hidden in the buckle. This way Ryuzaki can monitor your whereabouts. And, when you press the buckle twice like this," Watari pulled a belt out and pressed the button, seconds later his cellphone rang from his pocket, "my cellphone will ring, displaying your name. And, I'll call you back immediately, without my number displayed. In the morning all of you will go to the police station as usual, then later on in the day, we will you use this method to confirm Ryuzaki's hotel and room number. Please, use this for emergencies as well."

Ryuzaki walked over to me and handed me a silver watch, "You can't wear belts at the academy, right? There's a little opening between the glass and the metal here. You lift it open, causing the glass and clock to lift up, then you will press the inside down twice, similar to the belts. After school tomorrow, we will send someone to pick you at the second corner, east of the school entrance."

"Snazzy." Kaito walked over and looked at it as I fastened it to my left wrist. I lifted the glass and saw the metal button underneath. I closed the top and looked up to see Ryuzaki staring at me.

"Is it okay?" He asked, a tiny trace of worry in his voice.

"Yes, thank you." I smiled softly at the man, a slight hint of relief washed over his face.

"Wow, this is so cool! I feel like some secret agent going after Kira!" Matsuda exclaimed, causing our eye contact to break as both our heads snapped in his direction.

"Matsuda! Now, is not the time to be fooling around!" My father snapped at him, "Knock it off!"

"Yes, sir." He said quietly and hung his head low. I walked over towards him.

"I wouldn't worry about it, these are pretty cool." I whispered to him, making him cheer up a little.