Thank you to all people who review! So this chapter is kind of short but I promise the next ones are longer.

Disclaimer: I don't own Death Note


Chapter 2

A friendly tennis match. A ploy, no doubt, but Light couldn't figure out of what kind. But there had been no reason to refuse. Not that he wanted to so badly.

"I do hope you know what you're getting yourself into with this match," Light said, eyeing the possible L's rumpled clothing and the hunch stance.

"I was junior-champion in England," L informed him, straight faced and bland, almost daring him to make something of the information. Should he ask? Or could that be taken as an indication that he was Kira? What the hell, he would try it. It shouldn't be too suspicious, normal people had interests in other people too.

"Did you grow up in England?" He tried to make his voice noncommittal as if it was just a passing thought and not what it really was: fishing for information.

"I lived there for five years," L, or rather, the person that might be L, raised his eyes, the dark circles, bruising shadows, were still there, "But don't worry, that piece of information won't help anyone who's looking for L's real identity."

Light ground his teeth. This asshole. Seriously, couldn't he let a simple question be a simple question? But at the same time he felt the spark inside him again, happy somehow that this wasn't going to be easy for him. Happy also, that L was careful, that he didn't reveal anything. Here was someone who wasn't likely to underestimate him and, as well, to be able to see his own true worth.

"First to win the set with six games is the victor?"

"Yeah, sure," Light agreed absently, taking his place on the other side. Was L going to use this tennis match to check if he was Kira? And if so, how should he act? It wasn't like a friendly match was going to deliver any conclusive evidence.

WHAM! L had served, so fast that Light, unprepared for it, had almost missed it completely. He blinked slightly and for a moment the lines of his face seemed softer and more childish, eyes wide.

"It's only a game, Ryuga," he laughed lightly.

"Maybe for you."

And the lines hardened again, all traces of surprise disappearing and in its place was…a fierce determination not to be bested, pride and fury. Oh it was a game, but a much deeper one than a simple game of tennis. But that didn't mean he was going to lose here, he wasn't, couldn't lose. His pride was still smarting from their last meeting, sore and bruised and tender.

L couldn't make an accusation from the simple fact that he wanted to win a match, Light thought as he beat the ball back aggressively, and even if he did lose on purpose L could think he was merely doing it so that it wouldn't seem like he was Kira so the result would be the same. He might as well go for the win, the way he instinctively wanted too.

And the ball flew back and forth as the game grew more and more intense. They were good. They were good, both of them, something Light wouldn't have thought of the other person. But he was good, evenly matched and when he moved, in the depth of the tennis match…it was totally different than the hunched, shuffling gait when he walked. The smooth flowing lines of his body, taunt and flying. The movements were fluid and sharp, every turn, every swing executed with precision. It was beautiful, in its own way.

But this only registered in Light's subconscious. Every conscious part of his mind was occupied. What did L want with this match? This wasn't really a tennis match…that's just what it looked like. This is part of the game, a preliminary move that needed to made. It was laying the groundwork. Then they could pretend that they'd befriended one another…L would pretend that he actually want Light to help with the Kira case and Light would pretend he was really just interested in helping you solve it…but that's just the surface.

L would be trying to catch him unaware and make him say something that only Kira could know…but if L wanted him help then he, Light, wanted to be sure that L was really who he said he was and that meant conformation from a third party. If L wanted him to help, he would have to show him what they had on Kira until now. After all, attack was the best defense. If he stayed defensive there was no way he would be win. Only if he attacked did he have a chance.

Dom!

The ball hit the net.

"6-4! Yagami wins!" someone called out and for the first time the crowd around the tennis court registered with Light. Not that he hadn't noticed them but they hadn't really registered. But now he was hit with the full force of the buzzing around them, the whispering and the staring. Not that it bothered him but…didn't they have anything better to do?

"You actually beat me," the possible L looked surprised as he said, even more in disarray than usual, hair sticking up in all directions. He looked slightly less pale, though, the exercise had brought a little color to his cheeks and it looked good on him.

Light was still breathing heavily as he grasped L's hand over the net. The adrenaline was still coursing through him, making him aware, once again, of the presence of the other young man, the texture of his hand and the way he looked.

"I haven't had an opponent like you in a long time, Ryuga," Light told him as him as they shook.

They began walking off the court, ignoring the crowd that was still hanging around the edges.

"Should we get something to drink?" Light asked, "There's something I wanted to ask you anyway…"

"Sure." the L was walking slightly behind and to the right, heat still streaming off his body, "You beat me so I owe you one anyway. But there's something you should know first…"

"Yeah?" Light forced himself to remain calm but on the inside his ears pricked, "What, then?"

"I suspect you could be Kira."


Okay, yeah dramatic finish and all. But you'll get the next part soon, I promise.