After L's death, nobody could ever find Raito within the building during a downpour.

It was as if storms were connected with his disappearance.

But just as soon as the clouds separated, he would be back. Always freshly changed, so careful to dispose of incriminating evidence.

He stayed out much, much longer when the storms were particularly fierce. When they were like on L's final day; wind forceful, droplets harsh and biting. The mist whipping around everything in sight. Raito barely held a candle to that chaos but still he would stay and stand, dripping wet.

And then, one day, it stopped.

No more sudden absences and unexplained behavior. The other task force members could only speculate wildly, and speculate they did. Maybe he had let go, maybe he had given up, maybe he had given in. Maybe he had just outgrown all the things that he once loathed.

Or maybe he had just outgrown all the things that he once loved.

Eventually, the speculating stopped too, as everything and every heart stops eventually.

They never would know.

_________________________

A/N; This chapter is a passing nod to ep. 25's 'Rain scene' or 'Bell scene' or whatever.

review, please. while it will not deterr me from writing, I'm self conscious over this. Crap? Great? Nonsensical? In between? Do tell. :]