Detached: Here again. Another chapter. I feel like a large nerd at the moment and Happy New year! I don't know how many people are in 2008 just yet, but Happy New Year all the same! So, the story continues.
L: And it continues to further itself from the original idea.
Detached: Hey, you know most of my ideas do become stranger in the early hours of the morning!
L: Of course.
Detached: You know I think you're making fun of me.
Raito: You just figured that out?
Detached: I…uh…no. I may not own the originals, but I created you two! Sort of.
L: But we are based heavily upon the originals.
Detached: …shut up…
Raito: It's true, she doesn't own us. Now the story will continue.
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It was quiet, too quiet. There was no noise, not the clack of a keyboard or the small comments that had become routine. He heard a slight noise that sounded like a fork hitting a plate. He must have been eating again. It didn't matter what the sound was, Raito was glad for any sound. It was unlike the detective to be so quiet. He was doing it on purpose, to mess with him, to tease him. He may have said he hated the noises, but he needed them now to work properly, to think properly.
Raito looked at the computer behind him, half expecting someone to be there, incessantly typing away at the computer, but he wasn't.
Why? Raito asked himself, Why aren't you there?
He looked down at his wrist, the mark had faded completely. Where are you? he asked again. Oh, that's right. You're dead. I killed you. Raito placed his head in his hands for a moment before pulling away, focusing on his work once again. He had no time to waste. But time had never been wasted when Raito had spent time with him, not really.
"I'm sorry, Ryuu."
Raito sat up quickly, breathing heavily and gripping the sheets tightly.
"Why can't I remember?" he whispered as he tried to recall the dream. "I'm sorry," he said again and again, desperately trying to remember what he was sorry for.
After a considerable amount of time, Raito stood, getting ready for work. As he dressed, he thought to himself. "Twice in one month, that hasn't happened in years."
It had been a few weeks and he had still not heard from L, and as much as he hated to admit it, he wanted to talk with the detective again. It had been far too long since he had had a conversation that he had thoroughly enjoyed with another. He handed his current patient's data over to a nurse, his day was over. He decided to cook himself something, since he knew that Sayu wouldn't be staying over. It was always easier to cook when she didn't hover around him, or decide to make unique additions to the food.
He stepped off the platform and walked toward his house. After stepping inside he saw a group of bags on the floor. L's bags. His first thought was that he was glad that L had decided to return but that was quickly replaced with thoughts of how L got into his house.
L came out of the kitchen, a plate of cake in hand. Raito noticed that L's limp was minimal.
"Good afternoon, Raito-kun," he said as he pulled out a spare key out of his pocket. "Hiding in plain sight, very clever Raito-kun." Well, Raito thought, if anyone would figure out where the key was it would have been him. Not that Raito would ever forget his key, but it was a precautionary measure for Sayu.
"So you have work in the area then?" he asked.
"Correct, but if you no longer wish me to stay…" L let his statement go unfinished.
"No, there is no problem." They returned to the kitchen. "How has your work been?"
"In one case, the ghost had fully formed hands. It was quite interesting." Raito had not been one to study ghosts or the paranormal in general, but during the past few weeks he had looked and read several hundred articles, books and documentaries involving ghosts and apparitions. He also had a number of questions for L.
"So how come you can actually speak with her?" he was referring to his great-grandmother.
"Well," L said slowly, "She is not currently here with us, but spirits who have passed from one plane to the next and merely return for short periods choose to be fully formed or not. It is their own choice. I have met a variety of spirits that choose different degrees of appearance.
Raito was intrigued. L talked of ghosts as people, something a vast majority of writers had ignored or poorly addressed. But, then again, L had firsthand experience. Students could operate all they wanted on human replicas, but actually having a pulse, a tangible thread of life beneath you, within your hands was something else entirely.
"So she just chooses to watch us then?"
"Apparently. I have yet to have a serious conversation with her Raito-kun."
They talked for hours about everything and anything. Well, everything except themselves, but neither of them really minded. L had much more paranormal knowledge than Raito and Raito knew much more about how a human body worked than strictly necessary. They also determined that in addition to Spanish, French, and English, they could also both speak Russian, Portuguese, and Chinese. They also knew Latin, which was still, unfortunately, L thought, a dead language.
"I'm surprised Raito-kun knows so many languages."
"I'd rather talk to my patients directly than through another."
L knew that there was some truth to what Raito had said, but it wasn't because he wanted to be closer to his patients, he just didn't like to rely on others. Besides, every new language was a challenge for him. It would have also undoubtedly helped him receive better position since the majority of countries now had such high mixtures of foreigners along with the native speakers, especially large cities such as Tokyo, with even larger hospitals.
Throughout their conversation L had been using two terms whenever he referred to apparitions. Raito knew that L wasn't using then interchangeably but he did not know what the two terms exactly meant to L.
"What is the difference between a ghost and a spirit to you?" he asked when he had poured them both teas.
L stared at him thoughtfully for a moment. "In my opinion," he started as he dropped a sugar cube into his tea, "is that a spirit is a form that has passed" he added a second, "from on plane to another, whereas," he added two more, "a ghost is the remainder of a spirit that continues to remain attached to someone," he paused for a moment as he added another. "To someone…or something and therefore," he placed a sugar cube directly onto his tongue, "they cannot ascend to the next plane." He picked up his spoon and began to stir his tea. "They are stuck and cannot move on without assistance." He removed the spoon and placed the cup to his lips.
"And that assistance is you?"
"Occasionally, Raito-kun, I help when I can, with both the living and the dead. I however do not delude myself into believing I can save everyone, living or dead. I merely do what I can.
"By passing on do you mean reincarnation?" L nodded silently.
"Have you ever-? Raito was interrupted by his cell phone ringing. He stood up and grabbed his jacket and pulled out his phone after he had put on the jacket.
"Can you come in?" the voice was so loud L could hear it from where he was. Or maybe his hearing was just that good. It was a little of both, he decided as Raito pulled the phone slightly away from his ear. "We've got two X-children. Female. One needs immediate-"
"I'll be there. Prep a room for me if it's necessary." he snapped the phone shut, before turning to L.
"I have to go."
L nodded before saying. "I am coming also." Normally L would have avoided the hospital, but the chance of seeing other X-children was too great to give up. If they could be helped he would arrange for them to be sent to a proper facility. He was also thinking about Raito's behavior. You started to put on your jacket before you even answered the phone. What are you hiding Raito-kun?
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As he walked in, L, who was trailing behind him saw the brunette's whole demeanor change, L supposed that the last time he had been here Raito had been in extensive surgery with the boy, so he had been less…like he was at the moment. He knew that Raito appreciated intelligence and he knew that the Raito he knew did not act like this. Raito was wearing a mask. L supposed he had to be if he was to survive in the medical world, considering his age. L had looked up the background and had been impressed.
Raito Yagami. Age twenty-three. Born on March second. Graduated from a prestigious university with a major in crime and the judicial system, and then finished a six year medical program in three years after changing his major. That also surprised L; Raito didn't seem the type to make rash decisions, especially with his career. Became a surgeon almost immediately out of college and moved through hospital ranks almost monthly. He had very recently obtained his own wing of the hospital to run and was currently doing a tremendous job with it, according to the monthly budget spending statistics.
Raito was now basically an emotionless doll. A man there handed Raito an amount of paperwork, currently not noticing L. Raito looked over the papers quickly.
"Is the room prepped?"
"Yes, Yagami-san."
"Good. Give the younger one a drink, anything she wants, with a sedative. I cannot perform surgery on one while the other is behaving erratically." The man nodded before looking at L.
"Who's this?"
"An acquaintance of mine. He was visiting me and decided to come along. He will be assisting me for this procedure." Raito would have much preferred L to any of the other doctors currently on staff. L nodded quickly.
"But Yagami-san-"
"Enough. Do what I said and tell which room she is in." the man did and Raito walked away. L followed.
As they were getting dressed, L looked over at Raito.
"Do you want to question my proficiency with medical tools?"
"Not really. Your information from earlier conversations is proof enough that you've dealt with such things previously. Besides, it's afterwards that your help will be most appreciated." L nodded.
In the room, L glanced at Raito. Even in such an outfit, Raito made it look like he had chosen to wear the outfit, not the other way around. Raito took a quick look at L as he walked over to the girl. L's hair looked as if it was trying to rebel against the hair cap he was wearing.
Then he looked at the girl and his mind focused. Wandering thoughts resulted in failure. Innumerable bruises covered the parts of her body that he could see and more than likely the parts that he couldn't also. He grabbed a scalpel.
"Let's begin."
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Several hours later, Raito finished. As they walked out, someone came up to him. The way he carried himself, he was important. L had actually seen this man in articles before.
"Good afternoon, Yagami-san."
"You also, Hikawa-san." Yes, L had heard of this man before.
"Why did you come in? I was here."
"You knew I'd be here anyway, so why ask? I have someone else to deal with at the moment." Raito dismissed the man as he started to walk away.
"Why did you pull an unlicensed doctor into the room?"
"I am not unlicensed Hikawa-san." L stated plainly as he followed Raito. "Raito-kun would not place an innocent life in danger."
The man was walking alongside them now.
"Even if he was an unlicensed doctor, he is far more proficient than some of the licensed doctors we have on staff. I know you watched the procedure, as undoubtedly many others will also see. And I do not remember seeing your face in the prep room. Now if you'll excuse me." Raito stepped into a room and L followed. The man stayed behind, silently fuming.
"Hello, Tojo-san." Raito's whole demeanor had changed again. He was not hiding anything, or trying to at any rate.
The girl remained silent. So Raito tried again. "You're sister will be fine Tojo-san. We just came out of surgery with her."
The girl glanced up at L, then Raito before she whispered. "Don't call me that."
"Tojo-san." she nodded. "Than what would you like to be called, miss?" Raito was on his knees, eye level with the girl.
"Akari." She whispered even lower than before looking down again.
"You don't have to worry; I am the doctor in charge of this unit. I won't let anyone bother you. Or your sister, Akari-chan." The girl hiccupped, before starting to cry uncontrollably. Raito, without a second thought, scooped the girl up into his arms as she clung to him sobbing. He whispered to her softly, soothingly as he stoked her hair. Eventually she fell asleep and Raito placed her back into bed.
Raito looked at L.
"You're not afraid to touch an X-child?"
"No, that would be stupid. That's why they have such tragic lives, because they are exploited and unloved. Especially those two. They called me in for a reason."
Again, Raito's stance on this made L think to himself. It could be possible…especially if he himself was…well it would make sense…but no one treated Raito differently…but his father did police work…I'll have to look into it L decided.
"You don't look so well." Raito noted.
"Some spirits are not friendly, not to mention those who insist on having me feel their pain." Raito nodded.
"We'll I'm going to remain here until the other sister wakes up."
"I shall as well. You are quite good with children."
"Children are not like people." he stated, "Being anything less than open to them is an insult to their intelligence."
L didn't think Raito would ever stop surprising him.
"However, when they grow up, it is a different story. X-children are human also, whether people want to believe it or not."
"…" L did not think that Raito could feel so strongly about something.
"Are you actually licensed L?"
L was slightly hurt at the fact that Raito hadn't believed him, that the brunette had thought he had lied.
"In several countries. I did say I was licensed. I do not lie unless it is completely necessary." Yet my whole life is built on "lies".
Even though L's face and voice had remained impassive, his words were sharper somehow.
"I didn't forget, just the probability of you being truly licensed was-"
"Greater than the chance of me lying." Raito raised an eyebrow. So L doesn't like being called a liar?
"What about your name?"
"Hiding and lying outright are two different things."
"I suppose so."
Another doctor stopped him.
"Raito-san, the girl has woken up."
"Than you, Imai-san."
"Who's this?"
"I am called Law, Imai-san." He gave a slight bow. She was a few inches shorter than Raito with short black hair and a small figure, but the way she acted towards Raito was…annoying. It just was, she wasn't throwing herself at him, but he didn't like her. And from the way she was glaring at him she didn't really like him either.
"How do you know Law-san?"
"We met at a hospital. He is a licensed doctor, Imai-san."
"I've told you time and time again, you can call me Takada." Ah, so that's who he was talking to, a previous lover of Raito's. Taka-chan, as Sayu liked to call her.
'Well, if you'll excuse me, Imai-san."
"So that was the girl you were going to marry? She seems intelligent."
"I did date her, but I didn't intend to marry her."
"So was the sex that bad?" Raito spun around, surprised.
"You have no need to know."
"So it was then? She does act as if you were the best sexual being in the world."
"Any girl I've kissed will say that I am, even if I didn't." This was a majority of them. Even out of those he slept with, Raito had never slept with any of them more than a couple of times. He felt no enjoyment from being with them, it was merely for appearances. "We're here." He opened the door, ending all future questions from L.
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"Hello, Tojo-san." The girl smiled weakly at him.
"Hello doctor. Are you the one who fixed me?"
"Yes, Tojo-san. You can call me Raito. Do you feel alright?" Raito had sat down in a chair next to her bed. L sat in the other. Well crouched in it, but Raito didn't mind.
"I'm fine. What about Akari?"
"I saw her a little while ago. She will be fine." The girl smiled weakly again.
"That's good." She reached for his hand instinctively and when Raito gave it, she was surprised, and then she flinched and released it.
"I'm sorry."
"Why, Tojo-san?"
"I was making sure that you were telling the truth about Akari and…" she looked away.
"It's alright. I wouldn't have believed myself either Tojo-san."
"Ayaha."
"Well then Ayaha-san. I just want you to know that you and your sister are under my care and that I won't let others bother you." She smiled again.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Now you should rest." L had stood up.
"Who are you?"
L leaned down next to the girl and whispered something Raito couldn't catch. She smiled wider.
"I think I understand now." she said as she looking at Raito.
When they walked out Raito looked over at L. "So what did you tell her?"
"An answer to her question, Raito-kun." Raito knew that L wasn't going to tell him anymore so he asked something else.
"What is your stance on X-children?"
"An X-child is a child whose genes have arranged themselves into patterns opening different cognitive abilities of the brain, such as the ability to see the past, future, or telekinesis. There are also empaths; he added who can feel a person's true emotions. In essence, psychics." This is why Raito keeps his mind clean when talking to them. L thought to himself.
"That's not what I asked and no, as I stated before, children can read people far easier than adults, I treat all children the same."
"I think they are human and deserve to be treated as such and not as abominations or abnormalities. People are afraid of what they do not understand and so these children suffer."
"Do you know any X-children?"
"Perhaps I do, Raito-kun."
Raito would have to ask further about the abilities of X-children in his spare time. Raito knew that X-children often had those abilities but he wondered what other abilities could be attributed to being an X-child. Such as seeing ghosts. But he wasn't sure if he really wanted to know, because if L really was an X-child, which would mean that L's scars would have come from other people and not some kind of accident.
L hunched over and started to walk down the hall.
"I'm hungry, Raito-kun."
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The next few months passed quickly. L had spent only a day or two at first, but that had slowly increased over time. L now spent a week or more over the entire month, and he had finally started leaving unmistakable signs of his presence. A cake plate here or a piece of equipment or clothing that he had forgotten about. L didn't pay Raito money, even though he had offered. Usually they would talk when they had time.
Raito quite enjoyed talking with the detective, about cases, whether they were about the living or dead, about Raito's work and how the girls were doing, about just about anything actually. If they had time they would play chess or even tennis and fight against each other head on with nothing except their fierce personalities and desire to win. They often didn't have much time for either of those, due to Raito's frequent calls to the hospital or Sayu's frequent interruptions.
L had realized that Raito spent at least sixty hours within the hospital a week itself, not to mention the number of calls he'd get for precision operations. L would tag along occasionally, but hospitals were not his favorite places to be.
Raito walked though the door, dinner for him and cake for L. It was clearly unhealthy for L to consume so much cake daily, but if it worked for L he wasn't one to argue against it. He had bought strawberry shortcake for L which was the detective's favorite. L looked up from the television. He had been watching news report. The television was rarely on in Raito's house, it was on for either the news or weather. And Sayu's shows, which often involved a limited plot and even further limited characters.
L's eyes lit up as he saw the cake box. "Good evening, Raito-kun."
"So what's happening?"
"The Wimbledon tennis courts have been removed of all threats and the criminals captured. Also, the man responsible for the current strangled deaths has been arrested." Those had both been cases L had dealt with and Raito knew it. He had not known the importance of the cases L took. From what he knew L had many aliases ranging through all types of proficiency, from elite to minor investigations and he solved them all effortlessly.
Raito handed L the cake box which the detective took a little too quickly and opened it. Raito saw a slight smile cross the usually stoic face. Amazing what sugar can do. He thought to himself.
"Thank you, Raito-kun." The brunette nodded as he sat to eat his own dinner as they watched the news and talked with one another. How normal this is, Raito thought to himself. It's almost as if we're-
"Raito-kun is my first friend." L said suddenly.
Raito felt a jolt run through him, and not just because they had been thinking along the same lines, but because those words meant something to him, but he wasn't sure what. Or why. He felt something stir within his mind. Do I remember those words? He closed his eyes trying to remember.
L was watching the brunette for his reaction, he had first looked surprised, then confused, his statement ad been out of the blue. Then he had closed his eyes for a moment. When Raito opened his eyes again, they were darker and strangely familiar.
They were staring at him intently, but L had the feeling as if the eyes were penetrating him, yet he wasn't afraid because he knew that look. Raito placed his food down and moved closer to L who backed away slightly, purely out of reflex. The look Raito gave him then made him wish he hadn't moved.
Those eyes looked conflicted. Disappointed, sad, yet still understanding. Raito reached and picked up one of L's hands and slid the long shirt up several inches.
"Did you think I wouldn't notice these." he said stroking his fingers along the length of L's forearm. He was talking about the many burns that traveled along the length of L's forearm and if he had continued sliding the shirt upward, he would have seen rather different scars continue, a pattern across the majority of L's body.
"Even after everything I did to you still had to suffer. You still had to suffer again. The hand had move from the arm to cup L's face gently. L looked into those eyes again for several moments. Or it could have been hours, L wasn't sure, before Raito pulled the hand away.
"You're so cold," he said as he leaned backwards again. "You still don't remember." He sighed slightly before continuing. "You are my first and only friend. Never forget that."
Raito blinked and L saw the eyes change back to normal, the lighter shade L was accustomed to.
"Yeah, you're my friend too, L."
L blinked. Did Raito not remember? But the way he had spoken, the way he had acted, and his mannerisms, had been the same. The way Raito was acting…could he have been…no that's not possible…I would have sensed it…so what was it?
"Raito-kun?" the brunette looked over. "Why haven't you asked me about these?" he proffered his arm. Raito glanced at the burns before looking at L again.
"Everyone has things they wouldn't want others to know. Did you want me to ask?"
Raito was being sincere, which meant he didn't remember, which could mean…L stood up suddenly "Thank you again for the cake, but I have work to do. The detective walked away quickly.
Raito knew how L could be if he made connection with a case while they talked so he picked up the remains of their dinner. He felt slightly dazed, but he wasn't sure why. I've been working too much again.
Detached: So, the plot thickens! Maybe…this is going somewhere, just so everyone knows. I hope I'll be able to update quickly, but once school starts again…
L: she just wants to prepare excuses for herself. She should be studying.
Raito: Yes, Mendel's properties of genetics are quite interesting.
Detached: I'm not sure why I'm in advanced bio. I will get an A in that class though if it kills me!
L: Then you should be studying!
Detached: Stop talking! Or you won't get any cake. So review please.
