The True Genius (Death Note fanfiction)

Convincing Rem

Me again. Sorry I haven't updated in a while but here is the next chapter so enjoy!

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L had to convince Rem to play along. He was aware of how difficult it will be, seeing how she only cared about Misa's safety. For all that mattered to her, the rest of the world could go down in flames just so long Misa was okay.

L approached the shimigami cautiously that same night he revealed to Mogi-san his plan. Rem was hovering over Misa's bed, watching the model sleep, as the detective entered the room. Rem jerked her head up in alarm, then narrowed her eyes. "Ryuukzaki," she said darkly. "What do you want?"

L held up his hands to show he had no weapons—or death note. "I came to speak to you."

"What could you say to possibly catch my interest?" Rem asked bluntly.

L paused, considering his word choice, then said finally, "I know how to keep Misa safe. But the only way for it to work is for you to play along."

That caught the shimigami's attention. "Keep Misa safe?"

"Yes," L replied with slightly more confidence. "As you know, she's under high suspicion for being the second Kira. If she's found guilty, she will be executed." He paused again and held up a finger. "However, we can prevent this. I am the one with the evidence to condemn her. If I'm dead, then there will be no sense to hold a trial and they'll drop her case."

Rem stared at L as if he had gone insane. "You want me to kill you?"

"No," L said. "I want you to pretend to kill me."

"I'm not following you."

"I plan to fake my death along with Watari. Once everyone's convinced we're dead, then Misa wouldn't matter anymore. They'll be too wrapped up with our funerals and wondering how they'll replace me as the next L. Misa will be safe and you will continue to visit her."

Rem shook her head. "No. As a rule, if us shimigami use our death note to expand a human's lifespan—like sparing Misa from her execution—then we will die. Misa knows this rule, and she'll know I didn't really kill you or Watari."

L bit on his thumbnail, deep in thought. He was surprised that Rem would tell him something as significant as that; it was evidence that she was paying attention. "Then we'll just have to fake your death as well," he said finally. "What are the traits of a shimigami corpse?"

"Ashes,"

"Will the death note become ashes as well?"

"No, it will remain intact."

"So," L's dark eyes bore into Rem's blue eyes. "You are telling me this because you are agreeing to play along in the act, am I correct to assume such?"

Rem stared back into L's eyes with matching intensity. "If it keeps Misa safe, then I will be willing to work with you."

L turned away, satisfied, and was about to walk away when he stopped abruptly. Without turning, he asked, "For the people killed using the death note with only a face, how do you do it?"

Rem hesitated, unsure whether or not she should tell the detective about the eye deal, but she figured it wouldn't work against her or Misa. "Shimigami can see the name and lifespan of a human above their heads. They can make a deal with a human possessing a death note, giving them this ability in return for half of their life span."

"I see," L replied. "And you can see my true name?"

"Yes," Rem said. "You're L Lawliet."

L didn't reply to the sound of his real name. No one ever used it anymore, except for Watari in the rare moments where L was still a child and Watari his mentor. The fact that an indifferent shimigami threw his one vulnerability haphazardously unnerved him.

Without saying anything more, L left Misa's room.

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Gasp! Now you know L's true name (and yes, that really is his true name)! Vote and comment for the next chapter (I'll reveal the plan to you guys in that one) and hang tight!