Lady fanfic is called: The TinderBox
I don't own Death Note
--
Once upon time in a far away kingdom there lived a prince. The prince was rarely seen outside he castle, for his father the king hated him. The king had never like his son from the moment the you prince at the age of two started sitting funny, chewed on his small thumb, ate nothing but sweets and had dark circles under his eyes from only a hour a sleep at nighttime.
The prince was often locked away in his tower for days at a time, with nothing but books and sweets to keep him company. The prince knew his father hated him and also knew that if he didn't someday find away to get out of his home he could be killed.
So one night when everyone was a sleep the prince tied a small scroll onto the bird in his room. Carefully he took the bird over to the window. Opening the window he whispered to the bird to find the person he had know years before when he used to be able to sneak out to the training grounds, to find he one and only friend in the whole world and the only who could help him. The small bird then flew off into the night.
--
It was right after the war that the famous solider named, Light Yagami, returned alive to the kingdom he lived in. Since they had won the war he had decided that he would take his time getting to his home, so he walked the streets of the city getting praises from the villagers for a job well done.
It was there that he spotted a young woman asking everyone that passed her way if they would help her. They all continued on their away not paying her any attention. Wondering what the woman could possibly want he walked up to her asking her what she needed help for.
"I have dropped my Tinder Box on my way down the mountain, and it has fallen into a hollow tree." She said sadly. "And not only has it fallen into that tree, but it fell into a magical hollow tree that is said to have treasure in it."
Light thought she might have been mad but then he had read about the magic tree. It had been an old legend that was now a common fairy tale that no one takes notice in. Still, it was only a fairy tale, nothing more. As he started to walk away she called to him.
"Wait!" she said running up to him. "If you help me I will give you all the gold you can carry.
Now that was something Light couldn't pass up. Even as a solider he didn't make much money even if saved the kingdom and went to war it only pays so much because most likely you'd get killed. Beside all he had to do was climb a tree, go into the center and get the box. Simple.
"Alright, I'll help you." Light said and the two headed off to the mountains.
Once there the woman pulled out a soft dark purple circle sheet, handing it to him with a smile. Then she also gave him three pieces of bread and a jug of water.
"What is this for?" he asked.
"When you get to the bottom of the tree there be a long hallway that's lit with dim lamps. At the end of that hallway there will be three doors and each will be locked, but the keys will be hanging on the side of the doors so you can get in. in the first room will be one of the small demons sitting on a chest fill with copper coins. Lay the sheet on the floor at the side of the chest, then pick up the demon and place him on the sheet. You must do this for every room. And once you done with that, my Tinder Box will most likely be hidden in one of those rooms by the demons." She finished.
Light was going to call her a mad woman, but only nodded and thought he would just stay in the tree for about twenty minutes and just come out again and pretend that he saw the demons and such. Climbing to the top of the tree Light was about to jump when noticed that she hadn't said anything about the bread and water.
"What do I do with these?" Light asked not really caring.
"You eat each piece of the bread and the water in front of them be for you leave their room."
"Why?"
"Because they will think your going to eat them if they move to stop you and they will stay in their rooms until you are gone." The look on her face was a smirk.
Shrugging Light hopped down the hollow tree and he had expected to hit the ground soon, but to his shock he continued to fall. It seemed that the tree never ended and finally he saw the glow from the lights below, so he pulled out his sword and drove it into the side of the tree to avoid serious injury, when he landed.
Setting himself to rights and slightly shocked that the woman had been right, he walked down the dim-lit hall. After a half-hour walk he came to the three doors. As she said the keys where hanging on the sides of the doors.
Walking to the first door he took the key and unlocked the door. Inside it was pitch black that he had to take one of the touches from the wall. Walking in he had his sword in case the demon attacked. What he got was a surprise.
A pale small boy sat upon the chest twirling his hair looking at him. Was this some kind of joke? What was child doing in a room like this? Lowering his weapon Light walked up to him.
"How long have you been down here?" Light asked picking him up. He was not going to leave the child down here.
"I've been here for a hundred years now." The boy said simply.
"What?!" Light almost dropped him.
"I am Near." Then the boy said quietly as if it hurt to say, "I am a demon…"
Light sat him on the chest again and looked him over. He didn't look like a demon and he certainly didn't acted like one. Well, one does have to be careful so he spread out the sheet as he was told to do and set the boy on it. Walking over to the chest he opened it and inside was copper coins.
"You can take them." Near said watching.
Light looked back him. It was really bothering him that the child was a demon and yet Light felt no demon presence around the small boy. Pulling out a small pouch he filled it up with copper coins. Then he shut the chest, picked up the boy, placing he back on the chest.
Pulling out the food and water he was about to take a bite when the boy's stomach growled. Near quickly hid his face by ducking his head. Light paused and remembered that the woman smirked when she said to eat the food in front of them. And the boy did say he was there for a hundred years.
Walking over to Near, Light handed him the piece of bread. The small hands took it and Near chewed on it easily gobbling it all down rather quickly and drank a third of the large jug of water, happily.
"Thank you." Near said as he handed the jug back. "Since I'm a demon I can't die but I do get very hungry."
"Why are you down here?" Light asked.
"I am here to sit and wait for my master." Near replied, really happy he had gotten food.
"Who is your master?" Light asked looking around the room. He didn't want anything to come flying out of nowhere and eat him.
"I don't know. We have to wait for our new master to call us."
"I see…"
Light thought about this and then realized he had to hurry and find the Tinder Box and get out of there before whoever master was got back. Patting the boy's head he bid him a farewell and left for the next room.
The next room was only a few feet away. Taking the key off the side he unlocked the door and pushed open the door. Walking in he held out the light so he could see the next demon and once again he was facing a boy.
"Hi!" the red head boy said waving.
This demon had was on the chest and seemed happy to see him, because he asked for Light's name, where he came from, was it day or night, does he have any friends and if so where are they?
"My name is Light."
"I'm Matt."
"You're a demon too?" Light said and watched as the red head flinched.
"Yeah…"
Then Matt remained quite as if afraid to say anything else. This was strange to Light but still he had to get his job done, so he picked up Matt who stayed quite. Opening the chest he saw it was filled with sliver.
"You can have them." Matt said.
Light nodded and pulled out another small pouch and filled it with sliver before closing it and putting Matt back on. Then he took out the bread and jug.
"Here eat this." Light said.
Light had seen people eat fast but never had he seen a child eat bread in only three bites, and nearly choked on it. Helping the other he patted his back before offering some water, which once again Matt choked on because he drank it too fast.
"Thank you!" Matt said after he got his breath back.
"Your welcome. I live in the kingdom north of here, it's mid day and all my friends are at their homes."
"Really?" Matt then covered his mouth with his hands as if he had done something wrong.
"Yeah." Light stood and walked to the door. "Don't choke on anything."
"Okay,"
The last room was the same as the last two only this time when he walked in he saw the demon holding the Tinder Box. This boy had blonde hair and was glaring at him.
"Names Mello."
"Light. So you're the last demon?"
"You got it." Mello let himself be placed on the sheet keeping a good grip on the box.
Light, as he had done to the last two chests opened and once again pulled out a pouch and filled it with gold coins. Then handed bread to the blonde.
Mello ate it as had the others and finished off the water. They sat in silence for a short while before Mello handed over the small box.
"Thank you." Light said as he set Mello back on the chest.
"Thank you…" Mello mumbled.
"Your welcome."
Light left the room and head back the way he came with three bags fill with, copper, silver and gold, and with the Tinder Box. He had to admit that this had turned out to be rather fun. Making his way to the entrance he started his long climb up the hallow tree. Half way up he felt a pang of guilt for leaving the three children down in the cave.
There was nothing he could do about it if they had a master. If he took them it would be stealing and not only that but to steal from, what could have been another powerful demon, would add to the chaos of the whole idea.
After what seemed like hours he made his way to the very top jumping out of the tree to land next to the woman who had been waiting excitedly.
"My Tinder Box!" she yelled with glee. "Thank you!"
She reached out to take it but Light held it out of her reach. A look of confusion over took her face for a moment.
"What does the Tinder Box do?" He asked.
"Nothing…" she said. "It's just a normal box."
Light didn't buy it. "If you don't tell me I won't give it to you."
As soon as he said that she changed. Her beautiful skin turned to a sick gray and her eyes glowed red as she screeched out very painful shout.
"Give me the box!"
In one quick move Light drew his sword and shoved into her heart. The monster froze and the let out a dying cry as light pulled out his sword and hopped off her head. Letting out a held breath he cleaned his sword.
Walking away from the corpse Light went home, in need of rest. Back at his home however he found a a bird on his table. Walking over he saw the small scroll on the birds let. Taking it off he read the small letter.
Dear friend,
It been about five years since we've seen each other and have spoken. I had hoped that I could talk to you in person but Father has locked me in my room. The only times I am allowed out is when Father is in an good mood. I don't expect you to remember me… after all I am a freak as my parents and sister say. But still if you do remember me will you help me? As of late father has been looking at me rather strange and when he gives that look to someone I never see them again. I am afraid. I do truly hope you can help me.
Your friend,
Prince L.
If Light had been drinking anything he would have spit it out. L had sent this note! He had remembered L from his years in training to become a solider. Yes, prince L would hide in the shadows and wait for him to get done with his training and then they would play together.
So L was in trouble and it was the king who wanted him gone? A spark of anger lit in his eyes. He had to save L but how? First he decided to write a reply and then start thinking of a plan. After he sent the bird off Light sat on his bed and started to think of what he could do to get L out of the castle.
The hours passed long into the night when he finally got mad enough and threw the Tinder Box across the room. It hit the wall with a whack and landed. Suddenly soft white smoke appeared and when it lifted a moment later there stood the first little demon.
"I am here to full fill your orders Master." Near bowed his head.
--
Love
Lady Kitara
