this is my second DN fic, third story... this was an idea that just wouldn't go away so i hope you guys like it

Disclaimer: don't own DN at all (only doing this once cuz it should be obvious)

Pairing: Light/L

"Run, Near!"

Two children ran through the dark alleys of Shinjuku trying to escape their predators. Both were eerily similar the only thing setting them apart were their hair color. One had jet-black hair, that was now matted with sweat and the other was smaller and had pure white hair that was now flecked with blood. Their breaths were now coming out in pants; they could not even remember how long they had been running. Each of them was carrying a package assigned for them to take. They ran through the grime and filth that littered the alleys, occasionally slipping on something that was better left unidentified.

"L! Wait!" the younger shouted. L turned around quickly, his brother was slowing down, the wound on his arm that had been given to him by a well-aimed knife throw was getting to him and carrying the package was not helping. L quickly grabbed the package and hefted it onto his shoulder along with the other one. He then pulled a gun out of his pocket, it was a thing could save a life out on the streets, whether it was yours, well, that was a chance many had to take.

"Hurry," he urged his brother, "we have to make it." The other child nodded and rushed forward. Their assailants were now gaining on them and their voices were becoming more distinct. These men had been chasing them for a long time and had already called reinforcements.

"Stupid brats! Get back here!" one of them shouted.

That only caused the two children to run faster through the darkened empty streets. A few more blocks and they could be lost in the rush of people of the downtown area. They ran for their lives never looking back. They were small and their bodies easily blended into bushes, cars, and the occasional garbage can until they reached the main hub. Both children quickly went down to the subway trying to not catch anyone's attention, which proved to be difficult since they were covered in blood. However, in this city and this time, this type of thing had become more normal.

The two children silently slid through the subway looking for their target. They were tired and wanted to end this quickly. The subway as always was crowded with people of all types. The subway was a place where people of all types met. It provided outlets to escape and made sure people saw what happened but wouldn't ever remember it. Near then poked his brother, "there he is." L looked toward where Near was pointing and there was a man who was staring pointedly at them. They moved cautiously to him until they were about two feet apart. Neither side showed anything on their faces. People rushed madly around them but seemed to ignore them completely now.

"Good you got the packages," he said looking down at them. L nodded, "So same deal right?" The man paused for a moment then said, "No, this time the boss wants to see you guys. He wants to see how his two greatest agents have survived so far. Then you'll get your pay."

The two children frowned, slightly dismayed at the turn of events. They liked their secret lives. One never tried to show your face to too many people, the more secretive the better, especially when no one cared whether you lived or died. The world was dangerous and everyone knew it.

"But my brother has to get his arm checked though," L said. The man glanced at Near for a moment then raised his cell phone to his ear and barked a few commands. "Will he be alright if we wait until we get there?"

L turned toward Near who looked impassively back and nodded. L looked back to the man, his face schooled back into a blank slate. "So how are we going to get there?"

"I have a car waiting outside for us. So if you'll follow me." He turned and began to tread his way through the mass of people in the subway. No one would ever remember their faces in the crowd. Waiting for them right outside the subway was a sleek black limousine. L could tell there was a driver already in there and the thought that had been floating in his mind came back, what if they were being set up? After all no one would miss them, but it was too late to back off now. Letting Near enter in front of him L clambered in awkwardly since he still held the packages. There was an awkward silence as they all sat there. The man made no move to start a conversation so L busied himself with examining Near's arm. The wound was shallow but long. It had stopped bleed profusely so L was a little more relieved. Both he and Near didn't say anything, both satisfied with looking out the window. L stared out into the city, the pale lights flashing by and he thought back to a time before all this.

Things had not always been like this. L had been old enough to remember his parents. It had been seven years ago when they were all still a happy family. He had been seven and Near had been five. Their family hadn't been poor but they hadn't been rich either. L and Near had already proven themselves to prodigies so their parents hadn't been overly concerned about them. They always had fun. Then a worldwide economic depression had struck. While the rest of the world made sure attempts to recover, Japan went through one crisis after another. The depression and crisis for the average people had not truly escalated until the government fell to a military coup. After that, the country fell into chaos causing L's father had gone further, and further to find work and so had their mother. One day they received the news that their father had been killed out on the streets. L later discovered he had robbed first by people he had been working for then their mother who had not been very strong to begin with soon followed their father. During the beginning years of the depression it was not uncommon for people to commit suicide or have parents abandon children.

That was when L had taken things into his own hand. He decided that it was best not to depend on anyone else and had seen how dependence could lead to something terrible. Therefore, he and his brother worked for the various crime syndicates that littered the downtrodden streets. It was a harsh life but it was better than some of the other ways to survive and besides L had learned long ago that the world was lawless hellhole anyways. Many children joined the ranks of the yakuzas and other crime syndicates and even now after so long; children and adults were still joining. Japan had found itself struggling to rebuild its economy so everyone had to fend for himself or herself. L sometimes wished someone would do something but people were only concerned with themselves.

L was taken out of his musings when Near's head fell slightly against his shoulder. L smiled down at him and gently smoothed back his hair. Near had only been on a couple of L's operations before but L had never felt comfortable bringing him along especially right now. L had no idea what was going on but he felt slightly fearful. He pressed a hand to his gun that offered slight comfort but not enough. He did not know why the boss decided to see him, he had only taken one or two jobs from him so it wasn't that big a deal so L was confused.

L saw the car pull up to a bright nightclub. 'What the hell,' he thought. He sighed as they moved out of the car. Near stumbled a little and L caught him. "Can we get some bandages now or something?" he asked. The man nodded and led them into the crowded nightclub. This was a strange experience for both L and Near. The loud music and flickering lights kept throwing them off as they tried to follow the man ahead of them. He led them into a dimly lit room where a few scantily clad women lounged around with some well dressed looking men. Near was handed some bandages. Then a man stood up.

"Hello L," he said his voice was a low timbre that echoed in the room, "my name is Ryuk. I run these parts. I thank you for taking up my jobs and not asking any questions."

"Why did you want to see us," L asked his voice displaying none of his fears.

"I wanted to see if you would work for us permanently. I've heard about many of your escapades and I think a kid like you would do wonders for our team even if you're a little young." L stared impassively at the man even though inside he was in shock. The man continued, "you've proven yourself worthy even if your other jobs occasionally encroach on our territory. That is why I'm offering a chance to work for us because it would a shame to someday have to kill you and your little brother." A shiver went down L's spine. He had to be careful now and not say anything to jeopardize their current state. This man was dangerous.

"I thank you for your offer but I would like some time to consider it." L deposited the two packages, "if you don't mind we would like our payments and to return home." From the corner of his eye, he saw some of the men stir. He took a cautionary step back and reached out for Near. "Don't be so afraid," the man jovially although the smile never quite reached his eyes, "you won't be harmed. I understand your fears about trusting anyone. So I'll give you a couple days." He gave a slight wave to one of the men behind him and he came forward with a suitcase. The boss then took out three wads of cash, "This is the payment for your job. Three thousand dollars as per requested."

L nodded as he backed out the door, taking Near and the money with him. They exited the club inconspicuously, neither of them speaking to each other. They moved down the city blocks into the quieter part of the city. Every so often L would turn back to make sure no one was following them. They reached a small apartment complex nestled far from prying eyes. Not many people lived in it and it would have been unusual for Yakuzas, gangs and the likes to show up around the area.

Suddenly Near spoke. "Can I go spend the night at Matt and Mello's?" Matt and Mello were neighbors of the boys and lived in the apartment a floor above theirs; they were the older brothers that L could not quite be for Near. L gave a nod and leaned on the railing outside his apartment. He let out a sigh, tonight had been far too dangerous, it would be best not to let Near on any more of the jobs. Besides Near should be focused on school and having a life. L slid down onto the ground a sat down, he placed his face in his hands. The night's activities finally were catching up to him. He was exhausted and needed sleep. As he got up, he heard footsteps coming closer.

"I was wondering when you'd come back."

L looked up to see one of his other neighbors. It was a boy named Light who lived across the street in another apartment complex. Light was about two years older than L and his parents were both part of the reform movement going on that was trying to help bring Japan back to its former power. Light's father was also one of the few police officers left who were still honest.

"How was the job?" Light asked, his voice snide.

L suddenly felt his headache getting worse, he could not deal with Light's high and mighty, 'be perfect' bullshit right now.

"Shut up Light!" he snarled, "I don't have the energy for you bullshit right now."

"I'm really tempted to tell my father about you two," was the only reply L received. L felt his mind go numb for a moment.

"You wouldn't and it's not like he can do anything. The police don't have power anymore and you promised me you wouldn't." L looked up at Light who stared down at him. Unexpectedly Light reached down to brush back L's bangs. "You have a cut," he murmured, gently tracing the wound on L's forehead. L closed his eyes and Light carefully pulled L up. L opened the door to his apartment and Light followed. He went to get bandages and alcohol for the cut. He briefly wondered how Near was doing but he knew Matt would take care of it. Matt and Mello loved Near almost as much as they were wary of L. L gave that impression to people-a person that no one could get close to-a hidden secret that was untouchable. Everyone who knew L did not trust him just as if he didn't trust anyone else. The only person that had returned time and time again to bother L was Light.

At first it bothered L that Light always came around to check on him like some mother hen but the more he talked with Light he realized he found someone similar to him. Light was the only one who matched his intellect and no matter what they spoke about there was always the underlying hint of the desire to change the world.

Now as L patched himself up, he could feel Light in the background watching him. "Is there something you wanted Light?"

There was a very poignant pause that made L very uncomfortable. "My father can't stand it here anymore. He hates the government with the way it won't even help its own people and the corruption and sedition that is going on everywhere," Light paused, "that's why he wants to leave. He plans on taking my family to America."

L turned around quickly and faced Light. The cloth that he had been using slipped from his fingers. "I'm sorry," Light murmured as he moved to pick up the cloth. L didn't reply, he was shocked. It wasn't until Light's arms slipped around that he realized he was trembling. "You always asked why I came back to visit you, well it was because you always seemed like you needed someone. I don't really want to go either but this place is terrible. I want to stay but I can't do anything here not the way everything is."

L hadn't realized it but he had always trusted Light more than anyone and it now horrified him that he was about to lose his only friend. Nevertheless, he understood why, "I know that you always wanted to change everything and help people. You want a utopia," L whispered, "I hope you find it wherever you're going." He then pulled away from Light and looked up at him. "You were my only friend you know that?"

Light smiled down at him, "I know L." Then he reached a hand out to L and cupped his face. "I will come back and change everything. I'll make sure future generations won't have to go through what you're going through."

L nodded and they both moved to the door.

"Goodbye."

"It's not really goodbye, I said I'd come back."

L paused, "don't come back." Light looked shocked for a moment but L continued, "there's nothing here for you or people like you, you're too good for this kind of place."

Light looked as though he wanted to say something but refrained; instead, he turned around and walked away.

L went back inside feeling an overwhelming sadness he had not felt since his mother died. L went into his room to lie down and as he stared up at his ceiling, he thought to himself, 'Light if you're going to try and change the world, I'll do the same thing.'

so what did you guys think? good or bad? i like this plot better than my other story soooo...

hopefully i'll update soon although with my schedule probably not

plus i get the occasional writer's block lol and i'm not even a writer :(