LABB

Chapter 3: Cornered

Beyond crept to the Yagami Ryokan, a rather unimpressive building consisting of old wood that was perched on a hill. A decaying fence was in the back surrounding a body of hot water, and a sign peeling off in the front of the building read "HISTORIC YAGAMI RYOKAN" with what looked like was stamped in red ink read below "Condemned". He hid in the densely bushed outside waiting for Misa to come, and then to confront her.

Beyond suddenly heard rustling next to him. He looked to the side and saw a lady in a blue suit, with short black hair, and a notepad crouching a few feet away. Saeko Nishiyami- 60 years left. Beyond quickly walked over to her.

"Hello." he said, noticeably startling her.

After regaining her composure she asked in a hushed tone. "Why are you here?"

"I could ask you the same question." he said, staring at her blankly with his gray contacted eyes.

"Fair enough. I'm a reporter from Sakura Magazine, offshoot of Sakura TV. We had hacked Misa's e-mail account and know she is coming. I'll let you be on TV or something if you just keep me a secret. Why are you here?"

"I'm here-" Beyond leaned in to whisper to her, slowly putting his hand in his pocket. "here because-" He wiped out a knife and stabbed Saeko in the throat, kicked her down , pulled off her vest and covered his torso with it to catch the ensuring blood spatter, then repeatedly stabbed her all over until she stopped trying unsuccessfully to breathe.

What a nuisance, almost compromised the plan. He gave another reassuring stab in her much torn up chest.

Beyond checked his watch. 6:00 PM, no one should be here. Beyond put her dead body in the front hallway of the old Ryokan, put the bloody vest on her, and then crept out to hide back in the bushes.

Misa laid on her fluffy bed in the sparse hotel room. She swung her legs back and forth as she played on the computer.

"Why do you guys have to be with Misa?" said Misa, looking up at a group of people sitting around a low table with stacks of paper.

"You were attacked March 12, and your manager Ryotaro Sakajo requested police protection." said a young man with shoulder length black hair in a blue suit, with a red tie dangling on the table.

"It was necessary measures, Misa-Misa. I as you manager cannot allow you to get hurt. Which is why I called officer Matsuda." said Ryotaro Sakajo, a balding, pudgy man in a black suit with fancy detailing.

"Who are the other people?" said Misa, looking at the people across from them.

"I'm your criminal prosecutor for the case against your deleted stalker's accomplice." said in a deep, commanding tone by a man with long black hair, wearing triangular frame glasses. "My name is Teru Mikami."

"And my name is Shiroi Akino, I'm studying law with mentor Mikami-sama as part of my course in To-Oh." said a petite girl with dyed red hair in a school uniform.

"Misa got an interesting e-mail!" said Misa excitedly, turning her laptop to the group. "Dear Misa Amane-sama, (that's me!) Come to the Yagami Ryokan to commemorate its re-opening. From the City Staff."

Mikami made a small sound of disapproval. "Shiroi, pass me the third binder."

Shiori nodded and gave Mikami a black binder.

Mikami quickly flipped through until stopping at a page and showing it to the group. "The Yagami Ryokan is condemned and yet to be demolished. This is a trap." he said, pointing to his square, compact writing that looked more like computer printed word than hand-written.

"Ah." said Misa, nodding. "That's disappointing, I thought I was gonna do somethin' fun for a change..."

"Well we should check it out anyway." said Matsuda, sipping more tea.

"ARE YOU INSANE?" shouted her manager Ryotaro to Matsuda.

"No, he might have a point. If we can find the accomplice there at the scene, it might be enough incriminating evidence to finally slam him with charges." said Mikami calmly, pushing up his glasses with a few fingers.

"Misa would love to do that!" said Misa, jumping off her bed, quickly packing a few things in a pink briefcase adorned with stars, hearts, and small doodles.

The rest of her team followed suit, before filing out and leaving the luxury hotel.

Beyond watched for Misa, crouching and waiting. It had been two hours since he had killed the reporter Saeko but he was a patient man with a lot of time.

There she is!

Beyond saw the silhouette of a short girl walking towards the building. He crept out of the bushes, and came out behind her.

To Beyond's surprise and horror, it was not Misa, but a young school girl with red-tinted black hair. Sayu Yagami, eighty years to live.

"Hey there mister need some help?" said the girl, spinning around to him.

Beyond slumped forward and chewed his thumb nail.

"No...I was just called here by a mysterious e-mail. I found it suspicious so I came here to investigate." Beyond chewed his thumbnail more before continuing. "I packed some stuff for the trip, but there is a 75% chance I won't need to use it. So why are you here?"

The girl smiled at him. "My name is Sayu, and my class gave me some homework to fix up a spot in the community with money given to us by the school. I thought this place was kinda cool because it was owned by my family way back hundreds of years ago. So far I've spruced the inside up, laid out some futons, fixed up some baths, and even installed a working toilet!"

Beyond just stared at her with half open, dead looking gray eyes.

Sayu nervously laughed and backed away in fear.

Suddenly a large group of people approached them.

Misa! Beyond thought, turning around.

Misa Amane (no lifespan at all!), Teru Mikami (February 7, 2010 ), Touta Matsuda (lot of life left) , Ryotaro Sakajo (not as many years left), Shiroi Akino (the most life left of the whole group).

"Hello! I wasn't expecting this many guests!" said Sayu, waving to the oncoming crowd.

"Nor did I..." mumbled Beyond, glowering at the group.

"Why are you here?" said Mikami, looking over Beyond.

"I got a weird e-mail, decided to investigate." said Beyond calmly, not looking up at Mikami's face.

"Misa got that too!" said Misa, walking over to Beyond.

Matsuda stifled a gasp and thought L er, Ryuzaki? What is he doing here? Can't blow his cover, I won't mention it.

"What is your name?" said manager Ryotaro holding out a hand for shaking.

Beyond ignored it and said in a bored tone. "My name is Rue Ryuzaki. It'd be a lie if I said it was a pleasure to meet you all."

"He's friendly." Shiroi sarcastically whispered into Mikami's ear.

So it is L..... thought Matsuda, looking at Beyond.

Sayu skipped to the run down old inn and slid the entrance door open.

"Welcome to the Yagami RyukAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Sayu shrieked.

The crown ran in, and gasped at the sight of the much damaged corpse of Saeko sprawled in the entrance.