A/N: Hello all! This is going to be an L/Kagome pairing. I promise L will come soon! I have most of the plot already worked out. I started this because of a crazy dream I had about Beyond and L. It was horrifying! I hope you enjoy, and please leave comments. I would love to have a second opinion! This will probably be a long fan fiction, we will see: D Enjoy!
*Updated 2/13/11

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or Death Note.

Summary: Kagome stands in between L and Kira. Only she knows their true identities. While fighting to find a way to save Light and protect L from a loose Beyond Birthday, she's confronted by demons she never thought she'd encounter in life, or within herself.

Thoughts are italicized.

A Strawberry for Your Secret

Chapter One

Kagome had slept through another class. She sighed as the bell rang and everyone filed out of the classroom. Her friends kept shooting her concerned looks as they left school grounds. Sure, they were already used to her being 'sick' all the time, but they still worried. They were losing their friend, and they could not seem to help her.

Kagome spaced out, ignoring the endless chatter from her friends. She walked in a haze now, never aware of what was going on around her. I need a nice bath and a good night's rest, she thought to herself. She heard her friends gasp, and murmur excitedly to themselves. Kagome laughed at their antics and turned to see who had sparked their attention. She should have known…

Light.

He was the heartthrob of the school, and Kagome was the only girl who didn't care. She had known Light since she was in grade school. Their mothers became fast friends and their fathers as well, until Kagome's passed. Light had always been around, he was like a brother to her. His sister, Sayu, was a bundle of joy, and Kagome couldn't ever keep up with her. Isn't she 14 now? She couldn't believe how fast time was going by. And I'm spending it all 500 years in the past, on a wild goose chase to save the world from a crazed half-demon. She sighed inwardly as Light approached her small group.

She could see how everyone fell for him. He was tall, pale; his body was in good shape. Light had the highest scores in the school, along with the prettiest face. His shaggy, light brown hair constantly fell into his eyes. His hair masked the constant, far-off look in his brown eyes. She knew he was bored with life. She wished they could trade places for once. Kagome was exhausted.

She smiled at him, her smile not reaching her eyes, but she couldn't hide much from Light anyway. He nodded at the small group that had stopped as he approached. His eyes flicked to Kagome's, "Let me walk you home," he said softly. "Mom wanted me to give this recipe to your mom on the way home from school."

He waved the piece of paper in his hand in front of her. She smiled at him and turned to her friends, who quickly waved and skittered off, leaving giggles in their wake. It was late into fall, you could feel winter approaching on the wind. Kagome wrapped her arms around her as they made their way to the shrine.

The school semester would end soon, and so would Kagome's pathetic attempt to catch up with her studies. Inuyasha was longing to finish Naraku off, and she had to forget about her own era for a while to collect any remaining shards that they could find. Naraku had most of them, and he was going to be difficult to beat. Her mind wandered off into the past again, never remaining in the present long enough to enjoy being home.

Light watched Kagome's face as they walked. He saw her eyes glaze over, and a small frown form on her pretty face.

"You know," he started, his voice snapping Kagome out of her reverie, "frowning gives you wrinkles. Most girls hate the thought of looking old and pruned." His voice sounded bored, but the way he looked at Kagome with humor in his eyes, she knew he was trying to lighten the mood. He could tell a lot was on her mind. She had been missing a lot of school again. If he ever brought it up, she would just brush him off and change the subject. He knew she was hiding something, even her family covered for her. Light wanted to know her secret.

"So how long are you going to be around in school this time?" Kagome's face blanched at his question. She kept her gaze ahead as she thought of an answer.

She tossed him a glance and a playful thump on his arm, "Oh hush." Her voice was soft, "It all depends on how I feel, and you know that." Pictures of Kagome flashed through his mind as he remembered better times. Her face always wore a smile, big and bright, shining for the whole world. Even after her father had passed away, Kagome was quick to bounce back and be strong for her family. She was the most stubborn, hardheaded girl he had ever met, but that's what made her Kagome. Something happened, Light thought to himself. It was about 2 years ago when he noticed her flame dulling. She began to miss more and more school, and he missed the old Kagome.

She attempted a smile again, and tucked her anxieties away into the recesses of her mind to enjoy some time with Light. They reached her house, and Kagome's mom was thrilled to see Light. Souta scrambled to the door to see his idol. Besides Inuyasha, who became her brothers hero, Light was the only other person he admired. Her mother pulled Light into a familiar hug, which he returned with a smile, attempting to match her enthusiasm. He patted Souta on the shoulder as he was swarmed with questions from an eager brother. Kagome softly smiled as she watched them attack Light and dropped her over-used, yellow bag by the door, plopping into one of the kitchen chairs with a sigh.

"I'll throw on some tea!" Her mother happily shuffled around the kitchen, humming to herself. Light sat down gracefully, earning a playful scowl from Kagome, "Could you please stop being all 'mister-perfect', you're making me look bad." She stared at him, watching the little spark in his eyes as he glared her way, his eyebrows pinched. He huffed and prepared to make a nasty remark back. They bantered playfully, but Kagome's mom butted in, "Oh stop it you two!" Her mother put tea on the table. She looked at them fondly as they talked about school and graduation in the spring. They grew up so fast, she sighed to herself.

Kagome went through another week in school. She was starting to get the feeling that Light was all too curious about her illnesses and chronic absences. He was over after school almost every day that week. While battling her math homework, with Light's help, after school one day, her mother insisted that she visit Light's family.

Light agreed with a grin; he knew his sister would be thrilled to have Kagome over. Sayu adored her. Well, she loved the old Kagome. While she looked better and better each day he saw her, he knew she would disappear again soon. It had been so long since she was at school for 2 weeks straight. There was some life back in her russet brown eyes, and she was actually smiling again.

Kagome easily gave in to her mother's pleas for her to visit with a defeated sigh. She stared at the blur of numbers on the page and decided she needed a break from homework anyway. They left for Light's house soon after, stepping out into the cool, fall evening. Their steps echoed throughout the empty shrine, bouncing off the pale gray stone beneath them and the dark buildings around them. The tree stood proud by the shrine steps, still holding onto its leaves of gold and red. The sun dusted the top of the tree, making the leaves glow with the last rays of sunlight. As they reached the never-ending expanse of steps to exit the shrine, Kagome heard a voice that made her stop dead in her tracks.

Inuyasha…

She figured he would pop in eventually since she had left in a huff again after another spat. Inuyasha was extremely impatient, but ended up waiting 2 weeks before he swallowed his pride to retrieve his shard detector. She smiled inwardly knowing she won the little battle, although she could not remember what the fight was even over. Kagome needed this break from the past anyway. She slid her eyes shut, sighed, and turned around; she figured running away to Light's house would only piss him off more. He was so stupid and irrational when he was angry. She watched him dart out her window, his silver hair catching the light, red haori a blur as he bolted from her room.

"KAGOME!" he yelled, squinting his golden eyes as he scanned the shrine for her form.

He stopped on a couple gazing at him from the entrance of the shrine. He noticed Kagome immediately. Her black hair danced around her face with each cool breeze, shifting around her pale, slender frame. He blinked and shifted his gaze to the other figure. Who is the other person, he questioned to himself, is that a guy? This just irked him more, his ear twitched in irritation as he watched her. She had been gone for so long. He was sick of waiting. His claws itched for Naraku's death, and Kagome needed to come back with him to finish the job. He saw her shift and say something to the person she was with and dart back towards the house. Her eyes held a fire in them as she glared his way, and walked into her home. Inuyasha remained perched on the roof, glaring like an idiot at the stranger who stood at the shrine steps.

Kagome grabbed the cloth on his back and yanked him inside her room. He yelped in surprise, his back hit the floor with a loud bang. She bustled around her room, throwing a hat on him and tossing some shoes onto his stomach. He hurled the hat back at her, hopping back onto his feet and into Kagome's face. His voice thundered around her, "Just what the hell do you think I'm doing, staying for supper? Staying for another week?" His murky, yellow eyes pierced hers.

She met his glare with equal force. "I have a life here too, Inuyasha!" she couldn't help but shriek back. "You can't just come back when it's convenient for you and suppose I'll disappear for another month!" Her eyes misted with unshed tears. She stepped back from him and clenched the hat in her hand tightly at her side. Inuyasha said nothing, only staring at the fragile girl in front of him. The silence made her shoulders sag in defeat, "Just put the hat on at least, we have company, he's a family friend." She held the hat towards him in one of her small hands, her eyes remaining at her feet. "I'll come back tonight after supper if you just behave for a while." Her voice was controlled and stiff. She was still angry, but sick of fighting with her half-demon friend. She felt like her bargain was fair.

Inuyasha bit his tongue, fearing Kagome would burst into unwanted tears. Their anger died as quickly as it began. He slipped the hat on, flattening his ears to his head. Relief washed over his apprehensive form with her smile at his cooperation. He was tired of hurting her. He didn't want to see that same hopeless look on her face, as she hopped over the lip of the well 2 weeks ago. With a grunt, he grabbed the shoes, and made a big show of putting them on his feet. She giggled taking that as a silent agreement. What the hell am I going to tell Light? She frantically searched for an excuse for Inuyasha just showing up out of nowhere as she tugged him out of the door. "Hey…!" Inuyasha's loud voice began to protest. Kagome dropped his hand and shot him a look that he had seen many times; usually before she proceeded to 'sit' him. He shrunk back behind her, silently pouting as they approached the shrine entry.

Light watched them banter back and forth. So this must be the reason she is so upset all the time, he thought to himself. He smirked as she threw him and apologetic smile and he looked at the man standing next to her. He had long, straight silver hair, causing Light to gape at the odd appearance of the man. He had never seen anything like it. He noticed his odd clothing and began to think he was a cosplayer or just an all around creep. Light's eyes were finally met with this strange person's golden eyes. Light gave a small bow as he heard Kagome introduce them.

"Light, this is Inuyasha, he's…uh, and he's a … a friend..." She stammered. Her eyes were dancing all over the place with nerves. "Inuyasha, this is Light, who is a long-time family friend." Light was thinking over his unusual, old-fashioned name, furthering his overall confusion. The man standing in front of him was peculiar to say the least. Light couldn't figure it out.

Inuyasha huffed a bit, stuffing his hands into his sleeves, "Yeah, yeah nice to meet you, whatever…" This got a stiff smack from Kagome.

"Kami! You are so rude! You burst into my house and expect me to drop everything so I can go with you. Baka!" she couldn't contain her anger, the words burst from her lips before she could bite her tongue. Kagome was livid, her body tensed and her breath came in small, irate puffs. She forgot that Light stood right in front of them, his eyes absorbing every detail. This is not good. Kagome's brow twitched with aggravation. She was going to harm Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha, stay here and wait for me, I'm going to visit Lights family for a while. I promised Mom I would so don't even start to argue with me," Kagome's eyes snapped shut, her voice quiet and controlled.

Shit, he thought, today is not the day to piss her off. He knew if he said anything, further he would receive a few hundred 'sits' from Kagome. He sighed and quickly dashed off to the Sacred Tree, settling on his favorite limb, his eyes never leaving hers. The tree matched his golden eyes; the leaves were slowly falling, dying. He watched the couple as they left the shrine and sighed as he shifted his gaze into the old tree. If she isn't back by nightfall, I'm going to after her…

Kagome grabbed Light's hand and dashed down the steps. The walk to Light's house was not very far, and the silence was killing Kagome. She couldn't stand it. "I'm really sorry about him, he's an idiot and he ne….."

She was cut short by Light's smooth inquisition, "He's the reason you are always upset isn't he? May even be the reason you miss so much school…" Her eyes widened slightly, he knew he was right. His eyes narrowed as he continued walking, "Mind telling me why he was dressed like that, and why he hadn't cut his fingernails in months?"

Kagome was screaming at Inuyasha in her head. Sitting him just won't do, she chuckled darkly. Light was still waiting for her reply, his eyes were so accusing, and it pissed Kagome off.

"Yeah, he's a little weird sometimes. You'd think he would have grown out of dressing up," she laughed, trying to sound convincing. Light could always see past her. She frowned at this; she was going to have to try harder. Make up a better story, baka!

"I'll admit, I did fall for him but soon realized he was a big jerk. He's still in love with his ex!" Kagome threw her hands up in exasperation, furthering the deception, "He strung me along for a while, but once I learned about his ex, I stopped caring." Her voice fell as she admitted this to Light. Did I really stop caring?

Light stopped in front of his house, confused. Either she learned how to lie or this Inuyasha really did break her heart. Kagome was not a fragile girl. She was strong-willed and extremely stubborn. If it was true, Inuyasha must have hurt her badly. This pissed Light off, he proceeded to open the gate and walk up the short sidewalk to the door. Before he pushed the door open, he mumbled an apology to the now quiet Kagome.

His family was glad to see Kagome. She did a good job putting on a show of forced happiness and laughter. He watched her, feeling guilty for forcing a confession out of her. Sayu was hanging onto Kagome's every word, her eyes never leaving the smiling girl next to him. Light rolled his eyes sighing to himself; girls can be so annoying.Kagome stayed for a while, nothing but tea and conversation.

She insisted on walking herself home, fearing another encounter with Inuyasha. She wanted to avoid that possibility at all costs, figuring she could make it home by sunset. Light agreed to walk her halfway and she breathed a sigh of relief.

Nevertheless, who did they see, on all fours, sniffing the ground, halfway between their houses?

"INUYASHA!"

Inuyasha looked up, eyes wide and full of shock, knowing the wrath that was about to be unleashed upon him.

"Are those dog ears?"

Ryuk was bored. He ventured into the human world in search of some entertainment. Dropping your Death Note in the human world always ended in bloodshed. He grinned, swooping up an apple from a stand in the busy market. Oh! I love apples! As he flew over the city, his twisted, black wings flapping behind him, he saw something he hadn't seen in a while.

"Is that a half-demon?" he said aloud to himself as he felt a demonic aura from below.

The shinigami hovered over the odd group, decided to drop the notebook behind them. Demons are always fun to play with. A tall, raven-haired girl was pointing at the half-demon, her face red and twisted with anger, as she screamed 'sit' repeatedly. The half-demon, in an all red outdated haori, plummeted to the ground with each 'sit' that left her lips. The tall boy behind her stared, unblinkingly, an impious grin on his face.

This is going to get interesting…

Light had a hard time registering what he just saw. Without a word, Kagome fled the scene, stomping off and leaving a crumbled Inuyasha and an extremely curious Light.

"What are you looking at?" The boy with dog-ears yelled at him as he struggled back onto his feet with a groan. Light just stared, and this pissed Inuyasha off more. He left in a hurry, stringing along some very colorful curses and Light finally moved. He blinked and headed down the sidewalk, attempting to register what happened. He saw something lying on the sidewalk. He approached he saw it was a black notebook. He bent over and scooped it into his hands.

"Death Note," he read aloud. A laugh bubbled from his lips. He opened the cover, reading what someone had scribbled behind it. If I write someone's name in here, they will die. Laughing even harder, he began to walk towards his house, notebook in hand and a slow grin on his face.

Beyond sat in front of his television like a giddy school kid, and listened to L question Kira. His black hair fanned in every direction, and wild, red eyes gleamed out from underneath his unkempt mane of hair adding to his already insane guise.

So, Kira is in Japan, B thought to himself. That means he knows where L is going to be.

"Time to go to Japan," a depraved smile on his lips and a laugh to match, Beyond stretched. He knew this was his time to make a move.

"Watari…" came a soft, quiet voice.

The man turned to look at the mighty L, who sat with his knees to his chest and played with a cup sugar cubes in front of him. Watari already knew what L was going to say.

"We are moving this investigation to Japan," L looked up at him, the dark circles under his eyes indicating he had not had any sleep in a week or two. L's dark eyes flicked to the map of Tokyo on his computer screen, "Please make the necessary arrangements." Watari nodded, bowed, and left L alone to his thoughts.

Kira, I will find you. The curious man went back to stacking sugar cubes, thinking about the long task ahead of him.