Yosh, well i did start this chapter rather early in the month but it took me some time to actually complete it sadly so it's only really been complete for a few days. However i was already planning on submitting this on Halloween as per the chapter's subject, sooo it really doesn't matter.. (why i went and explained that just now, i have no idea. Ha!) As a side note, i plan on going as the master detective L this year! -smile- It's quite fun!
Anyways it is not very easy for me to get up the enthusiam to write this story, which sucks cause that happens to me quite frequently. I'll be all gung-ho and excited with so many fantastic ideas for a fic and then the moment will pass and somehow it becomes a tedious task instead of joyful, like it should be...Bad author, bad!
Le sigh. In any event this might be the last chapter i add to this fic, at least for a while or until i get up the motivation to write more on it; cause i still know what to do with this and where it was gonna go. It's just a matter of doing it and right now it seems Bleach holds my attention better (at least it's men do) -wink-
So enjoy and i realize it's kinda short compared to the first chapter but again i had difficulties... Sorry for the long ass note.
10/5/10
"Okay seriously, why do you eat so much candy?" The girl Sophie Sweet was positively curious about this unusual perk of his, among many and she found it could not go unanswered any longer.
After the man who kidnapped her had been found and consequently arrested Sophie had begged for them to allow her to stay. She pleaded nearly on hands and knees with her hands clasped together in perfect pleading position as the young man of the household, so to speak, sucked away at his giant lollipop.
"Please, I have nowhere else to go; I'm in a strange foreign land away from my home with millions of miles and a freakin' ocean separating me! Even IF I were to go back, I have no one to stay with…" As it stood she had been hopping from person to person, finding room and board wherever she could.
If she had not been kidnapped when she was then she was positive the next place to go was living on the street. Of course that had not been the case and now there was only one option; bribery.
The old man she now knew as Watari had looked at her then back to his charge. When he said nothing she implored "Please, I realize you already helped me and I do appreciate that, but this—"
Suddenly an idea struck her. "I know! What if I helped around the place? Y'know I could clean or organize?" her brows furrowed further. "Or I could help bring you food-"
The slim man tilted his head slightly, still enjoying his treat, one hand in his pocket. He appeared to be thinking about it.
"-for when you're working on a case?" she questioned, seeing the look of contemplation.
Finally he had relented. "I suppose" he stated, turning to head for his computer resting on the desk. Sophie had sprung up with a cheer but Watari seemed less thrilled.
"Are you certain this is an acceptable choice?" he wondered. "After all she is still relatively unknown-""It'll be fine."
"Everything will be alright; she will be no threat to either myself or any investigations in the future."
"Very well" the old man bowed and Sophie leapt over to the bizarre youth, intending to hug him but he stopped her with a warning. "As long as she does not get in the way needlessly or disrupt my obligations."
She had done what was requested of her so far and lived up to her end of the bargain, cleaning up what was needed and delivering the guy his precious sweets but now she wanted to know why.
"Why only sweets?" she held a confused look while the young man called Ryuzaki made use of her offerings, devouring the treats with gusto.
He scarfed down the cookies and pastries, licking his slim gnarled fingers with a slurp. "Mm, because—sugar provides the necessary nutrients for proper brain function" was his quick response.
"Huh?" she stared at him while he had moved on to the wrapped candy beside him.
Clearly she didn't understand.
"So you're telling me that sugar is actually GOOD for you?" she thought this over and Ryuzaki popped a caramel into his mouth. "Indeed it is"
"Okay, well, that certainly is cool but wait—you eat nothing but candy and sugary things…that can't be healthy for the rest of you, even if it's good for the mind."
Obviously he was a smart guy, ranking right up there with the likes of Einstein and Sherlock Holmes but there was no way all that candy wasn't affecting him in a negative way; it was impossible!
Still he sat in that awkward position, happily munching away appearing none the better for it. Well, he hadn't kicked the bucket yet right?
The girl soon sighed, giving up. She was never going to figure him out Sophie decided. That was probably for the best.
She turned to go but couldn't help herself. "So why do you sit like that then?" She pointed to his bad posture and made a face with one eyebrow set high.
He was not in the least bit perturbed however. "If I were to sit normally, my reasoning skills would decrease by at least forty percent."
"Ah, right…" should have known… She thought briefly about asking why he never seemed to blink or was always barefoot but thought better of it.
Best just to leave it be and with that left.
Two weeks later Sophie was fishing around in the expansive kitchen they had; she was attempting to find something for Ryuzaki's ever growing sweet tooth but it seemed as if a trip to the store was needed. He had practically cleaned out the cupboards and the only things remaining in the fridge were sadly nutritious, not in the least bit sweet.
Then she spied sitting on the counter what was possibly the greatest and most delicious looking strawberry shortcake the girl had ever seen; it was huge, caked with frosting and covered in juicy red berries.
"Oh he'll love this!" she cheered making a grab for the cake but Watari stopped her before she could touch it.
"That cake is for Ryuzaki"
"We'll yah I was just going to give it to him now" Sophie didn't understand why he was being so difficult. Then he elaborated further.
"The cake is for Ryuzaki's birthday" he informed. "I was hoping to save it until that time."
Her eyes grew wide. "Oh! Why didn't you just say that from the start?"
"I apologize." confirming it with a bow out of courtesy.
"Wow, so Ryuzaki's gonna be another year older huh? When is it?"
"Approximately three days from now"; Sophie gasped in astonishment.
"Are you serious! Eee!" she squealed high in excitement. In three days it would be the girl's favorite holiday of all: Halloween. She couldn't believe it!
"Aah, why didn't you tell me your birthday was on Halloween? That's so Awesome!" She had run into the other room where Ryuzaki was seated as usual at his computer staring at the screen and the girl began her little dance of joy, jumping up and down.
When he continued to ignore her, she ceased jumping but a huge smile was plastered on her face, lifting the corners of her mouth into a near cat like grin. "It's pretty fitting, having your birthday on Halloween of all things…"
"So, when are we gonna go trick or treating?" she asked him hopeful glee in her voice. Sophie absolutely LOVED Halloween.
Sadly her dreams were crushed. "There will be no such event taking place-"calmly spoken and followed up by a hearty sip of his sugar enhanced tea.
Unfortunately for him, the girl was not so peaceful. "WHAT!" she exploded, her eyes huge and round. "Why aren't we going trick or treating!"
She grabbed him by his baggy shirt, yanking with emphasis. "How can there NOT be trick or treating! Do you even know what Halloween is!" Ryuzaki shook like he was made of jell-o wobbling back and forth with each forceful tug the girl made.
She released him and breathed a deep sigh, attempting to calm herself. "Seriously, I would have thought YOU of all people would appreciate this…"
"Halloween is a day where children of ALL ages go door to door and people give them candy; it's a day of celebration!" Sophie eyed him with a pointed stare, seeing no change in his demeanor.
"Are you not getting this? People GIVE you candy!"
"I am aware of the tradition known as Halloween" he replied quite even. Still his eyes were glued to his work.
"Well then, why don't you want to go?" her shoulders were lowered in near defeat.
"Because" taking another slurp from his drink "I have perfectly good candy right here."
A sweat drop formed on the back of her head. Is that why…
Suddenly a thought occurred and she smirked like the Cheshire cat. "Actually, we're all out of candy…"
That got Ryuzaki's attention as he peeled his eyes from the laptop long enough to allow Sophie a chance to explain.
"Okay there are three days till Halloween. That gives us enough time to teach you the basics of trick or treating and find you a proper costume to wear!" She rejoiced in her magnificent plan while Ryuzaki nibbled at his thumb quite curious.
He turned from her back to the computer. "Very well, I will agree to go on one condition"; Sophie nodded enthusiastic, urging him to continue.
After a slight pause; "Could you get me some more tea?" Sophie lurched comically forward like a weight had been dropped upon her.
Three days passed and after torturously teaching the unflappable and impossible man called Ryuzaki, Halloween finally arrived. Sophie was excited as ever dressed in wolfish ears and accompanying tail, she grinned much like the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood after swallowing the grandmother.
"Come on Ryuzaki! I want to go!" she whined but giggled shortly remembering what costume she had picked out for him. Going through several options, all of which failed on such a strange person as he, the girl had the ingenious idea to make him a zombie. After all, who wouldn't think he wasn't already one upon first seeing him. When Ryuzaki came out however, he was back in the usual attire, his hands deep in his pockets with the typical slouch she knew him for.
"What? Why aren't you dressed up?" her face held deep lines from her scowling.
"Oh? I believed I was already dressed?" He tugged at his loose white shirt. "Unless I am mistaken…"
Sophie sighed; she should have known better… "Okay fine, whatever. Just let's go, please?"
Several houses and more than a few curious stares later, the pair returned more or less the same as they had left. Sophie was exhausted while her companion was sucking on a lollipop, appearing far better off at the moment.
She slumped onto the couch, her bag of goodies scattered beside it as she heaved a sigh.
"Japan is different when it comes to Halloween…some people didn't even know what the hell we were talking about—"
"Halloween is not a traditional Japanese holiday. It has only recently begun to be celebrated and accepted by the Japanese people" Ryuzaki explained and crunched a chunk off his treat while Sophie glared as best as she could.
"Well a certain someone could have told me that beforehand!"
She slid up the couch, sitting up more. "Also it probably would have been better if you actually wore a costume and said 'trick or treat' instead of just standing there with that blank look on your face expecting everyone to just give it to you."
Every time she rang the doorbell and someone answered, Ryuzaki only stared at them with a creepy look on his face; he never once tried to do it the right way, like they had practiced.
All that time, wasted she grimaced. "I actually thought that one guy was gonna call the cops" she groused. Things had definitely not gone as well as hoped sadly for the girl who was beginning to feel a bit homesick.
"I wish my mom were alive to see this" she said an edge of sarcasm. Her eyes drooped and her head was down as she stroked the fluffy tail at her side. "At least she could have seen how cute I looked."
Ryuzaki had finished munching and eyed the girl inquisitively. He realized she was upset about the death of her parents but there was little to be done currently. Even stranger was the fact that there was candy present yet she still chose to be sad rather than enjoy the luscious bounty scattered before her.
Before he could contemplate further a message popped up on his screen, requesting his detective services. As he read, his thumb rested between his slightly parted lips and he nibbled from time to time.
"Hmm, how very interesting…"
"What is?" Sophie had been curious when she heard the ping of the message, noting his transfixed state. She stood close to him, able to read over his shoulder though that was futile; the only thing she could make out was the letter L in a font she had seen rarely used nowadays.
"It seems I have yet another case to solve" he responded quite somber though she knew this was the type of thing he lived for.
"Oh, well that's great isn't it?" He did not respond further but Sophie hadn't expected as much, too caught up in whatever this new case was. Instead she suddenly remembered she had gotten something for the detective for his birthday and had yet to give it to him.
"Oh, that's right; I forgot! Ryuzaki!" She ran out of the room and snatched her gift, returning to him quickly. "I made you something—er well, technically…"
Ryuzaki slowly shifted his focus back on the girl, waiting for her. She had her hands behind her back but he could smell something sweet. Without delay she produced a cupcake, chocolate with frosting and sprinkles on top.
"Here" she gave it to the youth who took it gladly, his eyes a sparkle. "I realize you already have a cake but I figured a cupcake couldn't hurt."
"Plus it was the only thing I could make—even then I had to have some help" she blushed embarrassed at her lack of ability to cook anything but watched as he eyed it like a prize before biting into it, a sound of approval as he chewed. He went about licking the icing from the top and stuffing the rest in his mouth and then licking each affected finger of its substance.
"Mmm, yes that was good; thank you." He quickly turned back to his monitor to start work on the case.
Sophie smiled with the received compliment.
"Happy birthday, Ryuzaki" Sophie said.