L took notice as he saw Tari looked out the limousine window in awe. The small American girl had never been outside her home country, let alone to a country where the people use calligraphy to make characters, rather than just writing down letters.

"See, there are places other than America."

"Shush it, L! Not everyone gets to travel to another country. I've never been outside Maryland until I started learning from you…" Tari started to get quiet. L knew talking about back home was difficult for her. Her parents were shot right in front of her. The killer was her best friend, Cassandra Moriarty. Once she was brought into Wammy's house, Watari noticed she was different from the other residents. She had anger that rivaled Mellow's. Come to think of it, the blonde's alias was rather ironic for his temper.

"Well, at least with me you'll get to see the world. I know what it's like not to have many friends, to be different. If you embrace it, everything will be fine."

"That is what you always say, Lawliet. But you said it yourself, I'm different. Even different when compared to you, and not because you're weird."

"Yes, but hey, think of it this way."

"What way?"

"If you don't pass me some damn sugar cubes there will be a reason to feel weird next to me."

"Is that a rape threat?!"

"No, I am just going to tickle you."

"For the love of… when are we going to arrive at the coffee shop?"

"Soon. Very, very soon, young one."

"Would you stop that?"

"What? Being so irresistibly attractive?"

"I hate you!" Tari yelled. L knew he needed to be careful, she was a risky one. He knew she didn't mean it though, she couldn't. They were tied together in this intricate web of events that only some higher being could design. They were meant to know each other, work together. They were not allowed to hate each other.

"Tari… we're here. They'll be waiting for us, so come young one."

"Fine…"

They entered the small, quaint coffee shop, the smell of the bitter yet sweet beverage causing a tingling sensation in L's nose.

"L… could I… can I get the hot chocolate please?" Tari asked, sounding a bit childish.

"Of course, I don't see why not." L knew Tari's thing with sugary hot chocolate was not all that different from his thing with coffee. They both liked it extra sweet. L knew they might both suffer from diabetes if they kept it up, but with this case there was no telling what would happen. They could die any day now.

"L, I think I see them… let's go." Tari walked over to the nearly full table filled completely with men.

"Hello, are you lost? Do you need to call your mother or something?" Matsuda, the ever oblivious protégé questioned.

"No, I know where I am. And I know you better treat me with respect, because I work for L."

"Do you really?" Detective Yagami asked, "I highly doubt that L, the greatest detective of all time would hire a mere teenager as young as you are to assist him."

"Then you clearly don't know L as well as you think," The monotonous detective remarked, "Is there anyone else we need here, Detective Yagami?"

"Well… my son, Light, should be here soon."

"Ah, yes… Light." L began pondering. Light seemed helpful… yet, there was something off, something strange. Maybe he could, no, maybe Tari could figure out what Light was hiding.

"Ah, there you are dad." Someone called, heading briskly for their table.

"So, would anyone like to play a game?" L asked, trying to hide his smirk. It was play time.