By Any Other Name

C.24

We arrived in Japan and went to the prison where they held Light and Misa, and met with the rest of the task force outside, my scarf back on my face. L also had a mask for the bottom half of his face for the press outside. He also had a black jacket on and black shoes. I had my black beanie on, some of my hair tucked up in it. Watari was there with us, all of him disguised.

"It's good to see you three, even under these circumstances." Mogi said as we greeted them.

"They are quite unfortunate." L hummed and I kept myself quiet.

"Ryuzaki. Rosie." Mr Yagami greeted us as he walked up. He looks like he's seen some better days. Then again, can't blame him. His son is being put to death today.

"Aurora." I said and he looked at me. "I thought you should know. My name is Aurora." I looked away, down at the ground.

"Aurora." He said gruffly, and I tried not to make my wince noticeable.

We were soon lead inside, to a room beside the two tables, a wall separating us, but a window letting us see, and them see us.

After a minute or so, Light and Misa were wheeled in together. Light's eyes latched onto L and I, and my left hand went to hold onto his arm. Light looked at my ring, then back at my face.

"Congratulations." He said and I broke the eye contact to look at the floor, not able to stop the tears coming from my eyes.

They strapped the two to the tables and put IVs in them, and hooked them up. "Anything you would like to say to the two?" The executioner asked.

No one said anything, but I raised my head, looking at Light and Misa. "I'm going to remember you as Light and Misa, not Kira and the second Kira." I said and Misa smiled.

"Thank you, Rosie." She said and I saw tears in her eyes.

"Any last words, you two?" The executioner asked them.

Misa's lips parted a little. "No words seem to fit." She said.

Light looked over at L and I, especially me. "Won't you show your face for my last moments?" He asked, and I guess I could give him that.

I reached up and peeled my scarf down, and I saw their eyes widen when they saw my true face, no paint underneath.

"Briar." Misa said, her eyes now glowing red as she stared at my face. L gave me a look, then went back as the executioner gave them the lethal injection.

They lied back and closed their eyes, and in a moment, stop moving and breathing all together. The executioner checked their pulses and pronounced them dead.

I choked back a sob, and my tears seemed to fall faster now as I pulled my scarf back up, L pulling his mask on. We went to go outside and the press wanted a statement. I took L's hand and went up to the podium.

I cleared my throat and adjusted the mic, leaning forward to speak into it. "The two Kiras are dead." I said and looked down as more tears fell. "I wish I could say I'm happy with this outcome, but I am truthfully not."

I saw some confusion, so I took a breath. "Yes, many people died in the two Kira's path of destruction, and yes, the death sentence was the only way to be sure these killings would finally cease. But, let it be known, killers are not made overnight."

The crowd silenced as I said it. "Both Light Yagami and Misa Amane had bad pasts with criminals, leading them to want to take revenge on those who wronged them in the criminal aspect. I, as anyone, can understand the need for revenge, to try and right wrongs. Sadly, they didn't realise killing criminals was not the way to achieve this. That unfortunately cost them their lives." I said and looked away for a moment, then wiped my cheeks.

"To those who knew Light and Misa, I beg you to try to remember them for the people they were, not as the two Kiras. Light, a bright honour student, popular, handsome, enjoyable to be around. And Misa, the bubbly blonde who lit up a room with her presence. I considered these two individuals friends as I worked the case with them and L." I said and took his hand. "I cannot express how sad I am to learn these two were responsible for all the murders, and I urge for everyone to remember them as the people they truly were, not the killers." I said and nodded, then stepped away from the podium with L in tow.

"Ready to go back home?" He asked, rubbing my back as we walked to the car with Watari.

"Absolutely. I'm going to sleep for a week." I sighed, exhausted and hurt.