Lady fanfic is called: The TinderBox

I don't own Death Note

--

Prince L looked over at his window when he had heard the pecking. Walking over he opened it to find his little blue bird had a reply. Quickly opening the note it read:

Dear L

Yes, I remember you. I could never forget you after all you're my best friend. Don't worry, I'll find away to get out of the castle, but for now we'll keep sending messages to each other. That way I'll know your safe.

Your friend,

Light

L smiled holding the note close to him, happy that Light hadn't forgotten him at all. Putting the bird back in it's cage, then sitting down to write a reply. Once that was done L went to get the bird when the door banged open. Hiding the note he watched as his father stomped into the room. Fear raced through his body.

"L," the king said trying to keep his voice kind.

L had caught the tone and lowered his eyes to the floor, knowing better then to say anything. Anyway judging by the next ten people who entered the room something was going on and he didn't like it.

"These are the finest teachers in the land," Sai the King. "Ant they will help you act as prince should."

With that the king left and L let out a gasp as two men forced him into a chair strapping his legs to the chair with ropes. Then his wrist where strapped down and another rope was pulling him up so he was sitting like a normal person should. It was painful.

"This is for your own good." Said one of them.

"Release me." L ordered, struggling.

"King's orders." Another man said. "We bid you a good night prince L."

"What? You're going to leave me here all night like this?" L eyes were wide.

"Of course."

With that they blew out the light and closed the door leaving poor L all alone in the dark tied to a chair.

--

Near sat on the floor of his new master's room waiting for orders, but his master seemed to just stare at him for a while as if trying to figure out how he had gotten here. Near would have answered but there was rules and one of them was do not speak unless spoken to, so he stayed quite hoping that Light would say something soon.

On the other side of the room Light was in his own thoughts and started to put it all together. The woman he had met had been a witch and the tinderbox was what she was after. What was the whole story about though? He tried to remember about the fairy tale. Looking up he spoke.

"Near, do have something to explain about the tinderbox and you?"

"Yes, master." Near stood waiting.

Light knew what the small boy was waiting for. "Bring it to me." He ordered.

In another puff of smoke Near was gone and returned within moments of leaving with a thin book in his hands. Walking over to him the boy handed it over before sitting back on the floor, twirling his hair.

Opening the small thin book he began to read out loud, the rules and what the demons where for, and how they would serve their master.

"The tinderbox can summon your demons when you need them." Light read. "Strike it once for the first demon, twice for the second demon, three times for the third demon, and four times for all three."

Picking up the tinderbox Light stared at it before he struck it twice. The red haired demon appeared in a puff of smoke just as the other had. Matt looked around before bowing and asking what his orders where.

"Just sit there." Light then truck it three times.

Mello appeared before him. The boy nodded, asking what his orders where, so Light just had them sit there as he continued to read the small book.

He read the part explaining how they had special powers and that he had to give the order first so they could follow them. Next he found a list and they read:

Call demons whatever names you like.

Demons will speak when spoken to.

Ask for anything and they will get it for you.

Demons cannot die.

If they disobey lock them away in the dark.

Show no kindness for demons.

Use them as you see fit.

Flipping the page he was shocked to see that a few pages where missing. Closing the book he looked at them. They sat perfectly still, it almost seemed as if they had turned in to statues. Standing he walked over to the window. It was about two hours till dawn.

"You three can stay here." Light said.

Light was not going to send them back to the dark rooms. There was no demon sense around them and he was sure it was cures a witch might of put on them years and years ago. No, they would stay with him.

"Yes, master." They said.

"I'm going to sleep. You three find something to do if your not going to sleep."

They blinked and looked at each other. Light could tell they wanted to ask why but since he knew the rules they probably didn't want to risk it. They way they acted he had a pretty good idea that their last master wasn't at all kind.

"Anything you want to ask me, you can."

At that Matt stopped biting his lip. "Can we have something to eat?"

Light nodded and they head off to the kitchen. Laying down Light slipped into a deep sleep. It was around noon when he woke up. Stretching he headed down the stairs to get something to eat. Just as he was at the last step he tripped over something…well, someone.

"I'm sorry!" Matt said rubbing his side where his master foot had hit him.

Light sat up rubbing his head. "What were you doing sleeping on the stairs?"

"They looked comfy…"

Frowning Light got up and looked around for the other two. He saw Mello sitting asleep leaning against the bookshelf. Walking over he woke him up. He looked around for Near but couldn't find him. That is until he walked into the kitchen and found the small boy a sleep on the table.

"Where did you three sleep before?" Light asked.

"On the ground." Mello answered.

Light sighed. Pulling a piece of paper to him he scribbled down some things he had to do that day. Looking at the window he wondered when the little bird would return with L's message. Standing he grabbed his coat and headed out the door, only to come back again for the three.

--

"Good Morning Prince L."

L looked up at the door. He glared at the men who had tied him in the chair. It had been a painful night and he hadn't sleep at all. Feeling the binds loosen he was able to pull himself into his usual sitting style, which was when something slapped his hand.

"Sit right." Said a man with a ruler.

"Leave my room at once." L growled.

"King's orders. Now then let us began your training."

L was forced up and dressed in his finest clothes. They had trouble getting him in them because he kept struggling to get free. Then he was lead to an empty room where they put a bunch of books on his head. Of course they fell off of L's head but that was because he didn't want to dance. He received more smacks on the hands and his arms.

After hours of practicing fins dinning, dancing, and other such things a prince needs to know, L began to grow tired. Since he was always locked away in his tower all this was too much for his body to handle. Stopping to catch his breath he was pushed.

"A prince doesn't and lean against the wall."

How L hated these people. How he wished he could return to this room and send the little bird back to Light. Gritting his teeth he stood again and walked down the hall, as he would be doing for the next five hours.

When L had gotten to his room that night he collapsed on the giant bed. Everything hurt, from his head to his toes. His hands and arms had bruises from being smacked with the ruler. There was no time to rest and he had to send out the message before he was strapped to the chair again.

Writing down what had been going in a small note L sent the bird off and not a moment to soon because his door opened and once again he was strapped down in the chair and would be there till morning came around again.

--

The market place was filled with what seemed like everyone in the village as Light and the three little children followed close behind. Light had no problem getting around the many people but when they had reached a housing trade he noted that he was one short of kid.

"Where's Near?" Light asked.

He had expected the other two to know where Near was and almost had a heart attack as they looked around suddenly aware he was missing.

"Split up and find him."

Mello and Matt took off searching for their friend. Mello jumped onto the roof of one house and scanned the market for anything white. After seeing nothing but geese he hopped down and looked into shop windows.

After an half hour of looking he ran into Matt who said he had checked all the shops on the other side so they went to look at shops located in the middle of the market. They looked in to one large window to a carpet shop. Nothing. Suddenly they felt the tingling that meant they where being summoned. In a puff of smoke they stood in front of their master who was holding a sobbing Near.

Mello and Matt saw that the small boy was crying and master looked angry.

"What happened, master?" Mello asked.

"Someone was trying to take Near out of the city. It's over with now. Come, we going home."

However calm their master seemed to act they could tell he was really mad about whoever had tried to kidnap the small albino.

--

Near had been walking close behind his mater when something had pulled him back into the crowed. He had tried to call out but a hand was over his mouth. All he could do was watch as both Mello and Matt, and his master walked on.

Near fought back and was slapped rather hared in the mouth. He could tell he was bleeding from his lip. Whoever had him was dragging him into the other direction of where his master was. Luckily he had managed to bite the man on the wrist and get away for a short time, however he was pulled back and hit again, this time on his side.

Still Near looked for a chance, so when he saw his master calling his name and looking around for him Near kicked the man in the shine and ran towards his master. The man recovered and grabbed n to this arm lifting him up.

"Master!" Near cried as loud as his little lugs could muster. "Master, help me!"

Light whirled around just in time to see Near being taken away in the crowed by someone. Running after him he knocked down the man and soon they where fight as Near sat a few feet away. Light managed to fight off the man and thought of going after him but didn't. Walking over to Near he could see that the boy had been frightened. Before Light could saying anything the little albino cried out.

"I'm sorry! Please don't hit me…" Near sobbed.

Light looked at him. So the master before him was cruel. Picking up the small sobbing boy Light assured him that he had done nothing wrong and that Light would never hit him.

"Let's find the others and go home alright?"

Near nodded and held tight to his master. Soon Mello and Matt where there and they went home. There was a small blue bird sitting in the table at home.

--

Love

Lady Kitara