A/N: I hope this story makes you crrryy!! I'm joking. I'll be evil and wait for at least 3 reviews to come in before I post the next chapter. :D SO EVIL! I've actually finished it. 4 chappies in all. You guys better review or I WON'T POST THE REST!

Myouu has no say in this even though this fic is dedicated to her because she left our school. I sent her the entire thing through email already. It's mega short.

Summary: L's childhood, he was adopted. Before Wammy's of course.

Disclaimer: I own nothing and especially not Death Note, but I do own this character.

The Bronze Bells

He closed his eyes and listened, standing as the rain's drumming rhythmic beat slowly faded away and was replaced by bells. Church bells ringing like there was no tomorrow. The everlasting sound of brass against brass echoing through the darkness in clear simultaneous clangs. He was so enraptured by the ringing that he almost failed to notice the presence of the 3 year old child prodigy.

He tilted his head to the direction of his assistant and gave him an empty stare. The child seemed to be talking to him yet he could not catch what he was saying. The ringing was just too loud. There was a blinding flash of light in the distance as he mind slowly registered it as positive and negative particles in the sky colliding with each brush of rain.

There was a small flash of black, something he could only describe as unruly hair, and suddenly, he found the small child latched onto him. He was jolted out of his daze as his attention turned back to comforting this frail child.

Running his pale slender fingers through the boy's hair, he wondered briefly if he knew what was going on. His thoughts were interrupted once more by said boy.

"Karu-niisan…"

"What is it, Ru-chan?"

"You're not gonna be alive after this are you?" Sharp, as he had always been.

"Yeah."

"I'm going to that orphanage for those smart kids right?"

"Yeah."

"…Are you sure this plan will work?"

"Which? You mean yours? Or mine?"

"Yours."

"Oh. Well, I'm about 99.999 sure. The remainder is up to fate." Heh. It always annoyed the kid when he mentioned fate. Yup, there was the reaction, a faint glimmer in those owlish panda eyes.

"Did you hear them again?" Changing the subject are we? The young man thought wryly.

"Yeah…"

"They sound lovely but ominous."

"Uh huh, probably for a funeral. Or maybe it's a joyous occasion, like a wedding."

"I don't think so…"

Silence fell over them like a thick heavy blanket; the rain rang in their ears, the consistent pattering of the droplets against the cement.

He knew Ru-chan understood his plan and would not get in his way. There was no other way to stop them after all. Justice always came first; even Ru-chan knew that in order to stop the bad guys, a sacrifice would have to be made. Usually it would be brainpower, brain cells and hours and hours of sleep. Other times, it would be sanity. The most rare, yet most common, would be lives.

These would be one of those rare times.

It would be alright though, because Ru-chan was practically 5 already. Besides, he could move into an orphanage he knew of for smart kids. He'd fit right in. It wasn't like Ru-chan suffered from separation anxiety.

It comforted him, the fact that Ru-chan would not ask anything impossible of him. Ru-chan was exceptionally bright for his age and would understand something at even the slightest hint. It would be simple for his parting. He'd already explained the procedure to Ru-chan with the knowledge that he memorized it by heart the first time.

He glanced down at the boy and gave a small, sad smile. The child looked up with wide eyes and blinked.

"Now, I don't have anyone." He wasn't expecting that.

"…not really. You still have me. Only, I'll be here until," he checked his watch before replying again. "I'd say about 7:34:21 p.m. today." He grinned.

Ru-chan blinked before answering, "That means I have only 30 minutes and 41 seconds to enjoy your time here, right?"

"Yup, so enjoy while you can, kiddo." He allowed a bitter laugh to escape his chapped lips. "Now, let's go inside so we can dry you off. You'll catch a cold."

The small boy complied and he led him by the hand into the cold grey building.

To Be Continued…

A/N: MWA HAHA, I'm so evil. So press da review button and unless I see at least 3 reviews, I'll not post the next chapter. And yes, I like Ru-chan because it's Eru, in short form. Cute right?