Author's Note: I've always loved the idea of daemons, I'm a big fan of metaphors so the possibilities of a whole entity which exists purely to express a character's personality in an anthropomorphic fashion is an appealing one! And of course the idea of a manifestation of our souls, a companion, is one that tugs at most people's hearts.

So I couldn't help but start this fic where I set daemons in the Death Note universe. All is exactly as it is in the world of the anime however all the characters have daemons. I'll be following the story somewhat canon but using the daemons to twist events.

Oh yes and another thanks to Isobelanis for help and interest in this one!

I hope you enjoy it!


Meeting

Light glanced around the room, his eyes passing over the men and women that filled the building, absorbed in their own work. His father was not among them, he brought his eyes down once more, turning his head away slightly from the bright sunlight that shone in through the high glass windows. Leaning against the wall, a discreet position in the corner, he contemplated his father's absence following this invitation.

"Are we too early?" The soft voice of his daemon reached Light's ears only. He sighed softly, an uncertain, non-committal gesture. Sayuri lowered her head as she continued to regard the crowd, her bright eyes flickering. Her ears pricked up at the sudden sound of Light's phone ringing, a soft artificial chiming. Light flicked his amber eyes down as he took out his slim mobile and flipped it open. The screen registered the incoming call as an 'unknown caller.' He frowned and flicking a button raised the phone to ear, to answer in a smooth polite tone. A male voice replied to his greeting,

"Is this Light Yagami?"

"Yes." There was no hesitation on the other end of the line. The other man replied smoothly;

"I am L." Light's eyes widened slightly and he drew in a quick breath, beside him Sayuri sat up, pushing up her body on her paws and staring upward at the slim black mobile phone.

"I wanted to have the opportunity to discuss the Kira case with you," the voice continued, "that is why I asked your father to bring you here. Sorry to disturb you, I know you are busy."

"No," Light answered, a low reassurance, "not really." He reached down to run his hand over his daemon's neck, smoothing down the fur and pressing firmly down across the head and neckline. Sayuri remained still, her yellow eyes upon the phone.

"If you give your name at the reception they'll give you the key card to my suite," L told him, "It's room 1308, you should be able to find it easily…"


Light walked on through the building, in accordance with L's directions, Sayuri in sync with his stride, her broad paws padding softly upon the floor in time with the sound of his footsteps. At last Light found himself outside the right room and swiped the card in the reader. The light flashed green and Light pushed the door, gaining access to L's current suite.


Light stared at the man stood before him. He stood with a hunch, his limbs lumbered over awkwardly. His black eyes stared out from pale skin, shining like glass with dark circles underneath etched into the sallow flesh. Curled around his shoulders was his daemon; a ring tailed lemur who stared out at Light with small round yellow eyes and then shifted about, clutching with it's little fingers and hiding in the man's mass of black untidy hair. L tilted his head to one side slightly and reached up to rub his neck, his daemon shifting once again around his fingers. He gave a slight smile and said,

"I am L, It is nice to meet you, Light Yagami." He held out his hand to Light slowly while running his eyes over the boy once more. L knew Light's features fairly well by this point; the boy's golden-brown hair and amber eyes, his smooth skin and charming smile. He brought his attention down to where his own daemon's gaze was fixed, trained between strands of black hair, Light's daemon. It was a Lynx, with golden fur and sharp, inclined ears. She was every bit as beautiful as Light, her golden yellow eyes staring back at the detective with a mature intelligent gaze.

Light smiled and took the other man's hand with his own. The lemur crept out at this, from behind L's hair and started to climb down L's arm at such an exuberant speed that Light, alarmed, almost drew his hand away for fear of his fingers accidentally brushing against the daemon's fur. However L's daemon continued his way down to the ground dexterously, leaping at a distance easily at odds with the awkward handshake, coming down to skit close to Sayuri, eyes wide and intent. Sayuri leant back slightly, her gaze firm and apprehensive. The lemur however simply proceeded forward, reaching out a paw to touch, resting the leather fingers upon the golden fur, moving inquisitively.

Light felt distinctly uncomfortable. It was clear that L did not have much regard for social convention or personal space and he did not control his daemon at all. Light remained impassive and polite however and even brought his lips to a smile,

"It's an honour to meet you," he said pleasantly, Sayuri accepting the Lemur's touch and bowing her head to the delicate fingers, "you're a man whom I respect greatly."

L released him from the handshake and leant back to smile and then gestured to the group of chairs and small table,

"Please take a seat." They walked over to the seats, L moving in his shuffling gait and Light striding comfortably. The Lemur ran about Sayuri while she made her way across the room, twitching and staring at her while she settled down before scampering across to jump up onto L's shoulders and curl up there, staring out watchfully.

L settled himself in his seat and started to stir his tea,

"There are a number of matters concerning this case which I'd like your opinion on, I've heard nothing but glowing recommendations upon your detective abilities." The Lemur watched Sayuri curiously while L stared into Light's eyes.


"Yes, that's the same conclusion I came to, upon every account," L commented, his words clear and polite while his black eyes bored into Lights. Light smiled at L, his sweet polite smile that was almost perfect. His mouth twitched only ever so slightly as a certain bristling on his nerves affected him. To the left of him Sayuri was lying across the floor while The Lemur chattered and played and stroked with her fur.

"I am quite impressed with your abilities," L told him, the compliment delivered in his low constant tone, his daemon turned its head to gently bite at Sayuri's ear. Sayuri responded by tossing her head, her golden fur flexing and giving a soft growl. Light hid his eyes by lowering his head as he dropped the files and papers with which the detective had 'tested' him.

He licked his lips and then raised his head again,

"I really appreciate your interest in me, and I'm very glad for any opportunity to work on this case," he paused while L nodded, "I'm only sorry I couldn't have been of more help…I'm afraid I really should get going now."

"Of course." He rose to see Light out while his daemon circled around Light's Lynx until they reached the door.


Light lay in bed, his fingers curling tight around his daemon's fur. His eyes were half-lidded and a mild tone, his calm features showed nothing of the anger that had been expressed more immediately after his meeting with L. Sayuri stared into Light's eyes while he she lay against him, both curled up underneath the covers. Light's anger earlier had been absolute, his frustration at the contrived meeting with L, his tests and traps, how the other man held all the cards.

"He is impressive though," Sayuri whispered. She immediately felt a strong wave of emotion from Light, not at all pleasant, though he stayed silent and still. He held his daemon close to him, tightly, and ran his fingers over and over the golden brown fur. Sayuri buried her head in his neck, her pointed ears tickling Light's skin and licked at the flesh and purred lovingly.


L sat with his legs hitched up in front of his laptop, a small chocolate biscuit in his hand from which he was taking dainty bites from as he worked. He felt the tiny paws of his daemon as she climbed up onto his shoulder and into her favoured position. She burrowed her head into his hair and then shifted to poke her nose into his ear where she whispered to him for a few moments.

L reached up to scratch at the warm furry body across his neck. Lustitia rarely actually spoke, only ever directly to L and even then sometimes she merely chattered and squeaked while her meaning filtered through to her human. She was L's wild little heart, as much of a careless animal as he without the need for any restraint or decorum. L smiled to hear his daemon speak excitedly to him in that whisper which was very much for his ears only. He scratched the little creature's head so that she tilted and squeaked.

While she gave a low rumbling noise L finished off the biscuit and licked his fingers.


Author's Note: I based this opening on the Director's Cut first meeting of L and Light, although I then based the actual meeting on L's introduction the investigation team. I suppose as such its not really very cannon although I tried to keep it quite close to the original series.

So Light's daemon is a Lynx and L's is a ring-tailed lemur. I chose those and thought they fitted them best as serious animals, so please don't actually have a go at me saying L's shoulda been a panda or a koala or whatever! I'm all for the cuteness animal versions of L but it wouldn't fit the tone of this fanfic at all!

Oh and the name of L's daemon is based on the classical goddess of justice, it's not meant to be a name based on the word 'lust' in case you were wondering.

I've got some of the other character's daemons already worked out but others are not so feel free to give suggestions in reviews!

I don't know what to give Misa or Light's dad so those would be a start! Also Matsuda's important LOL!

In any case review review review!!