AN: I had to actually go back and reread Death Note for this. xD
Beyond disappears.
It is so sudden that Light wonders if something could have happened.
But, then, Light realizes that he is being ridiculous. Beyond is older than him, stronger than him. (He has killed three people easily, in cold blood, after all.) Beyond could take care of himself.
Light does not go look for him, does not even worry about him, after that. He knows that Beyond will return when the time comes. Besides, Light had his own problems to worry about.
Without Beyond around, Light is much more vulnerable. With Beyond, all Light needs is a face, but now he needs a name too. (He had not realized until now that he had become so spoiled by Beyond.)
But, after Light thinks up a plan, it is so easy that it is almost laughable.
He easily takes care of Raye Penber, the FBI agents, even that damn Naomi Misora. None of them are a match for him. But, everything is too easy, and he starts to get anxious.
(Has he left a vital clue? Has he messed up anywhere?)
When the cameras and bugs are placed in Light's room, he is more relieved than worried because everything is still going the way he expected it to. Of course, Light doesn't plan on becoming overconfident, doesn't plan on slipping in his disguise of a model student (and nothing more). Already, he forms a plan, while talking to Ryuk about finding the monitors.
It is only then that Beyond appears again.
It is not sudden. It is not unexpected. It is almost as if Beyond has always been there.
"Hey, Light. I suppose it's long time no see, isn't it?"
"Where have you been, Beyond?"
He smiles, having anticipated the question. "I've been preparing."
"For what?"
"For L." It is an automatic response, one said without any emotion. "I'll tell you all about it later, when we have the time. And, you can tell me all about what's been happening for you since I've been gone. Listening to the news isn't the same as hearing about it from a firsthand perspective."
"It hasn't been that interesting." Because, really, it hasn't. Everything had been just too easy.
"But, this is just the beginning, Light," Beyond laughed. "L's going to get serious soon, and he's dangerous when he gets serious."
Light notices the tone of familiarity that Beyond uses when talking about the detective. "What is your relationship with L? It doesn't sound like the normal criminal and detective one."
"You should know by now that I'm not a normal criminal, Light." His grin is almost cat-like. "And, like I said, it's a discussion for later. Now, let's go back to your house. The ones monitoring you might be getting suspicious, considering how long you're taking."
"If you already know about the cameras, isn't it better for you not to come over? Hanging out with a felon will only raise suspicions more, you know, Beyond."
Beyond laughs. "Of course I've thought of it, but it would be more suspicious if I don't come over. Your dad has seen me on numerous occasions, so this wouldn't be out of the ordinary for him. He would be expecting it, actually." A pause. "Besides, it's more accurate to say that I'm an ex-felon. I got out early on good behavior, remember?"
Light is still obviously not convinced.
"Just trust me on this, Light."
"You already know I'll never trust you, Beyond." Like you won't trust me.
A laugh. "I meant my judgment, Light. Trust my judgment."
It has been a while since Beyond has been in Light's house, and he purposely acts like it, making random small talk.
"Hm, so no one is home? I wonder if little Sayu is on a date?" He chuckles.
Light plays along. (He finds that it is much easier to act normal with someone else around.) "Nah, probably not. I doubt anyone would date someone like Sayu. She's so lazy and stubborn sometimes."
"That's a pretty cruel thing to say, Light. And, aren't you stubborn as well?"
"She's my sister. I can say whatever I want. Besides, I'm not that stubborn."
Beyond snickers. "Sure you aren't." The sarcasm is clearly evident. "Anyway, your mom is probably out buying groceries or something, huh? And, your dad is still at work, right?"
"Yeah, probably. Dad has a hard case this time around, so he probably won't be home anytime soon." Light doesn't mention that the case is about Kira. It would be much too suspicious. (Beyond probably already knows, anyway.) "You have something you want to tell them?"
"Nothing really. I just want to wish them a happy new year, since I wasn't around and all." A shrug. "Well, when you see your dad next, wish him luck on his investigation for me."
"Yeah, sure." Light is once again reminded of how amazing an actor Beyond can be when he puts his mind to it. It almost disconcerts Light. (But, he knows that he himself is a good actor too, so he isn't as surprised as he should be.)
"Ah, it's been a long time since I've been in your room, Light," Beyond exclaims, once they reach it. He immediately jumps on the bed and buries his face into the pillows. "Your bed is as good as always."
"Seriously, Beyond, is the reason you're coming over all the time because you're in love with my bed or something?" Light jokes, laughing.
"Hey, I'm poor, you know. I can't have an actual bed at home, only a futon. Your bed is like heaven."
"Okay, okay, whatever you say. I won't disturb while you're making love with my bed, so don't disturb me while I'm doing my homework, okay?"
"Always a model student, eh?" A pause. Then, as if he just realized what Light had said, "Hey! I'm not making love with your bed!"
"Oh, are you staying for dinner, Beyond?" Sayu asks, when she sees him.
"Well, if it's too much trouble..."
"Of course it's no trouble at all," Light's mother interrupts. "You're practically like our own son now. Feel free to stay."
"I'm glad you think of me that way, Mrs. Yagami. Thank you very much." Light does not know whether Beyond's gratitude was sincere or not, and Beyond himself does not seem to know either.
"I wish you were my real brother," Sayu says, teasing. "You're a much nicer brother than Light."
"Hey, that was uncalled for, Sayu," Light protests.
Beyond grins. "I think it was very called for, Light. Weren't you saying just this afternoon how lazy and stubborn Sayu was?"
"What? You said that, brother?"
"Hey, Beyond! Why'd you tell her?"
He laughs. "I thought it would be fun to see your reaction."
"Brother's so mean."
"I think Beyond's meaner."
The normal family-like atmosphere is interrupted by a special news broadcast stating that one thousand five hundred investigators had been sent to Japan to investigate the Kira case. Light immediately sees it as the bluff it really is and calls out on it.
"Since even the FBI agents who were undercover were killed, if they actually wanted to investigate, they would do so secretly. Declaring it like this is a stupid move. Only more people would die because of it. So, this is definitely a simple bluff. The police are just trying to scare Kira."
Although Sayu is impressed by Light's deductions, Beyond is not.
"You're such a show-off, Light," Beyond states, chuckling.
While Sayu and his mother marks it off as friendly teasing, Light sees it as what it really is: a warning.
(If you continue being stubborn and immature like this, you will lose.)
Light is annoyed by it, mainly because he knows Beyond is right.
AN: Boring chapter. Loved writing the dialogue, though. (I was actually going to make this chapter longer, but figured that the next part would make more sense as the next chapter.)