(A/N) Hi all!
A new story. I really, really, really shouldn't be starting a new story. Oh well. This is going to be a four -shot about L, the most awesome character on the planet. Don't ask where this came from, it was some random bolt of inspiration that I can't even begin to guess at (don't you love those?). It takes place during the Kira case.
T for slightly disturbing themes. Nothing more. To clear things up sexual themes or anything like that.
I do not own Death Note. Sadly, I do not own a horse, either. TT^TT
I crouched in headquarters, at my computer, as usual. But the case had reached a dead end, and I had lost some of my energy. Most of my attention was not on the computer screen, but on the cake I was eating. I suspected that Watari had noticed my apathy, as had Light-kun, I thought. Still, I couldn't find it in me to keep going. There didn't seem a point anymore.
My mind kept wandering to my past, of all things. It was as though the memories were angry at me, suppressing them for so long, and were now attacking me as I fell into this lull. I wondered if it was time to visit Wammy's House, just to see how everyone there was doing.
Of course that was when things started to go way, way wrong.
Askew.
Yes, that was the proper word. Things when askew.
A little red light in the corner of the room started to flash, and my head whipped to look at it, out of sheer reflex, though there was no purpose to the motion. I knew it was going off already, so there was no need to waste a precious moment looking at it. Still, I looked, as did everyone else in the room.
Watari came rushing in, naturally, to tell us the nature of this emergency.
"There are Kira supporters," he panted, "right outside the building. They know who's here!"
I felt a prickle of apprehension, but it was not fear. There was no reason to feel fear.
"We're all going to die!"
I barely stopped from rolling my eyes. Matsuda was… oh, what was that word?
"We need to evacuate!" Light said.
"Yes," I agreed calmly.
"Everyone, follow me," commanded Watari, and we all followed, for I trusted the older man to get us out of this situation.
We reached the bottom floor of the building without incident; I could now see the said Kira supporters, silhouetted against the windows.
Frenzied. To be in a frenzy.
Yes, Matsuda was frenzied.
We all piled in Watari's car easily, though Light-kun grumbled quite a bit about the fact that this car was designed to hold no more than five people, and we were now attempting to cram eight in it. I saw no problem with the present solution; Watari would have no problem getting the car out the back exit, and the… somewhat cramped conditions would soon be remedied.
Watari's driving, on the other hand, left something to be desired. We were all jolted around more than was strictly necessary, and I lost count of how many times I or someone else banged their head against a window or other human. It was quite an unpleasant experience, to say the least.
When we pulled into the driveway of Wammy's House, my day started to spiral downwards more violently than ever before. Strange how a lazy day could take such a drastic and unpleasant turn.
There were almost immediately about a dozen kids crowding around the car, and I winced as I heard cries of "L's here!" "It's L!" "Oh my gosh he's here!"
"Watari!" I said, sharper than I intended. "What is the meaning of this? Why did you bring us here?"
"L, I think you know the answer."
Of course I knew the answer. It was only the most logical and by far the safest place he could have brought us; why would he have taken us anywhere else when such an obvious option existed? I saw the two most promising children, young Mello and Near, hanging a bit back from the others, watching carefully.
"They're so cute!" Matsuda exclaimed, as we all clambered out of the car.
Indeed, they were. Some of the younger ones were only about five years or less. Some of the older ones were twelve, thirteen, even. They all seemed excited, and crowded around the rest of the taskforce, Watari and I. I picked my way through the ever-growing crowd of grasping hands and excited squeals; if I made it to where Near and Mello were standing, I might at least have a decent conversation to help me get though this whole mess. Perhaps Near would like to play some chess.
Where did I accumulate so very much bad karma?
Before I got more than a yard though the children, Watari grabbed my arm and pulled me aside, back into the car. He closed the door abruptly, and locked the doors.
"L," he said, "I just wanted to warn you about something."
"What is it?" I asked, intrigued by his somber expression and dark eyes. What could possibly hold danger, here of all places? Well, aside from tripping over a small child, perhaps.
"Well, after you left…" Watari began, and I saw guilt and uncertainly play in his eyes. "After you left the orphanage, I saw no reason… I saw no reason not to resume teaching horse-back riding to the children."
I felt the blood drain from my face.
"So… you see, L… I re-built the stables, and took in some new horses. It's not unlikely that you'll have occasion to… come in contact with one."
I seemed quite unable to move, or even speak.
I had felt apprehension earlier, but this was not apprehension. This was fear; cold hard fear was worming though my insides, settling in my heart where it could effectively turn me to stone.
"T-that is alright, Watari," I finally managed, with only a slight quaver in my voice. "It will be quite alright."
I hoped.
(A/N) So… L has a fear of horses. I wonder why…
Please review! Next chapter is coming soon, and L's past will be revealed! Reviewers get cookies!
