L rarely sleeps. L doesn't show emotion. L never gets sick. These are the rules. They have always been that way, and will always be that way. Watari knew it, Aizawa knew it, even Matsuada knew it. So when they walked into the "living room" of their Investigative Headquarters to find L asleep on the couch, curled into a ball, they should have known something was wrong. L's mouth was barely open, and he was gently snoring, making him seem ever so slightly like a kitten or some other cuddly animal. But they brushed it off, wandering out instead of waking the detective. Well, Watari walked out, and Aizawa, catching on, followed. Matsuda, on the other hand, stood staring, wide eyed.
"Impossible." he murmured, before looking up. "Guys, hey, wait!" he called, following them out at an almost run, nearly slamming the door. He stopped it just in time, leaving L asleep, and he was able to hear Aizawa say
"But he NEVER sleeps. Anyways, we have an important lead. We should wake him up."
"But... L never sleeps... he might need it" Matsuda argued, causing everyone in the room, Watari and Aizawa, to turn to face him. Aizawa looking like he thought Matsuda was crazy, Watari's expression agreeing with Matsuda.
"I mean- He's never asleep when we get here... He wouldn't be asleep if he didn't desperately need it. He's more polite than to just fall asleep on us."
"Yes. Even when he was in Wammy's care he was never asleep when he was wanted or unwell." Watari added, nodding slightly. Aizawa relented, allowing an
"Well, can we come back in about an hour?"
"Easily. Now, could we attempt to make more sense of the data coming in?" Watari asked, tactfully changing the subject, getting agreement quickly.
"So... If we accept the fact that Kira needs a name and face to kill, a pattern emerges." Forty-Five minutes later, Matsuda was apparently excited, typing away, making connections between killings. There weren't many.
"Easily recognizable once enough data has been gathered" Aizawa put in.
"Very good, gentlemen." Came a hoarse voice from behind the three, causing them to turn. L was standing behind them, hands in pockets as usual. But the usual pretty much stopped there. His hair was a complete and utter mess, and his eyes were almost closed. His clothing was more rumpled then usual, and his head was drooping to his chest, giving an overall exhausted and slightly defeated appearance.
"Whoa, Ryuzaki, are you alright?" Matzuda blurted out, immediately clapping a hand over his own mouth.
"Well, Matzuda, I appear to have caught something." He responded, eyes drooping closed.
"Like, you're sick?" Matzuda asked, still confused.
"Exactly. Now, what did you all find?"
"Kira needs a name and a face to kill. The victims all had their names and faces put on national or international TV or on the internet. Easy to find."
"Hmmm…"L responded, taking his seat in front of the computer, knees pulled up to chest, balancing on his feet.
