Disclaimer: Don't own – so don't sue. Hell, I'm a law student; I can't possibly defend myself…
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Mind Games: Chapter 3
A New Circle of Hell
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I am the son,
And the heir,
Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar.
You shut your mouth,
How dare you say,
I go about things the wrong way.
Yagami Raito was still annoyed about the trick that L had played on him by the time the next morning had rolled around. And to make matters even worse, L had already been awake when Raito had roused from slumber. There were few things quite as creepy as waking up to the sight of Ryuuzaki's unblinking features fixed upon your own, without blinking, as he sat crouched on the edge of the bed carefully out of reach of any fist that might come sailing out in rebuttal. Not that Raito would ever stoop so low…again. Maybe.
It wasn't that he held grudges, oh no; he simply took a great dislike to anyone who bested him. Which was more or less the same thing, however, as it took longer to say, it was therefore something else entirely different. Somehow that made sense. Raito's brain was still a little strained courtesy of its lack of sleep, privacy and food that did not contain less than 30 percent sugar.
Maybe this really was a type of torture. It was certainly working in grinding down his resolve.
It was all Ryuuzaki's fault.
At the moment, Raito was sitting, once again, in front of his computer. The friendly neighbourhood insomniac that was L was typing away haphazardly next to him. It fascinated Raito that L was capable of typing at such a prodigious rate with his fingers so impossibly steepled. It almost looked as if the keys were coated with some horrible substance that Ryuuzaki was trying not to make contact with. Only the barest tip of each brittle, pale finger tacked the smooth grooves of the keys. Raito found himself staring at L's fingers, mesmerized by their rapid-fire movements, flitting across the keyboard as though possessed. Although admittedly possessed by a scruffy genius with Asberger's syndrome.
Oops. He was staring. Blinking, Raito shook himself mentally and returned his gaze to something less controversial. Namely his computer, where the internet site he was browsing had just erupted into an explosion of pornographic pop-up windows. Gods damn it. He couldn't suppress the growl of frustration at the bright, lurid and most definitely sordid sight that was now splashed all over his screen.
"What have you found, Yagami-kun?"
Ryuuzaki suddenly craned his head over to examine Raito's screen, attention caught by the sudden flashing of lights… in dodgy places. There were photographs with spinning stars in certain places to serve as censorship, but the damage was well and truly done. After all, there is only so much that one small spinning star can cover.
Oh good lord. Raito coloured and shut off the windows hurriedly, shaking his head in disgust. "Another trick site. Too many of these people who claim to be Kira link up their sites to… similarly unwholesome material." How many of these nutjobs' sites did he have to visit before L finally let him off the hook? Today L had suggested that they trawl the assorted websites of people claiming to be Kira to see if there were any sane cases within the morons. Not that this was proving fruitful.
Ryuuzaki continued to stare at the screen, dark eyes round with perplexion. "Do you have a theory as to why they all believe that Kira is a pervert, Yagami-kun?"
Raito very slowly, and very carefully, clenched both fists in his lap and thought happy thoughts. Namely pounding both of those fists into L's unwitting skull.
"I can't imagine why," he replied, voice carefully level. "I can only think that most of the makers of these sites are only teenagers, so they link these sites to other ones that interest them. The teenaged hormone drive would account for these… unconventional images." Oh good grief…what on earth were those people doing in that one? Raito could hardly bear looking at the icon for long enough to find the little 'x' button to close it with.
"Hm," said L by way of response. His eyes were still fixed, unblinking on the screen, even as Raito had averted his own eyes with a blush. He was silent for a moment or two, then pointed at the flashing computer. "Is that even physically possible?"
Raito coughed in shock, eyes flying back to the screen. What the hell had Ryuuzaki just asked him?!
His gaze returned to the website. Oh. Another pop-up add. For anti-aging cream.
"Wouldn't know," he replied through gritted teeth. "I've never used the stuff." Why had his heart rate just gone screaming through the roof just then? Was it in horror at the fact that Ryuuzaki might have actually just demonstrated the possibility of having a sexuality? Raito's brain halted, refusing to even consider the words 'Ryuuzaki' and 'sexuality' in the same sentence. He needed a break. He really, really did.
"Hm," said L again. His face was perfectly devoid of emotion. Raito was suspicious, even as his heart slowly returned to its normal pace. Surely L had meant to get some kind of reaction out of him. Was he being manipulated by the other youth? He wished that he could think straight. Lack of sleep was really getting to him.
But then again, he kept telling himself to play the friend role. Maybe it would work. If he could just play along to Ryuuzaki's game, then perhaps suspicion would be taken off him. After all, L didn't have any friends other than Raito; he'd admitted it. Today could actually work out according to plan. If Raito knew Misa, then she should be arriving in three, two, one-
"Raito-kun!"
Right on time, the miniature Gothic princess came hurtling into the room and flung herself around Raito's shoulders. He detached her in a dispassionately accustomed way and placed her at an arm's length from himself. "Good morning, Misa. You were let in?"
"Hai! Misa was let in by the nice people in the other room. They knew that Misa was coming specially to see Raito-kun."
But of course they would. Every couple of days, just like clockwork, Misa would break her self-imposed distancing from Raito just to satiate her desire to see him again. Not that Raito told her off for it. It was a source of distraction from Ryuuzaki's aggravating company. Not to mention it was nice to see someone who didn't believe that he was a murderer… or at least didn't believe it in a bad way. Not that he'd ever mention this to Misa. Heavens, the last thing that girl needed was encouragement in her obsession.
Today was going to be the first move on Raito's behalf, he decided. It was time that Ryuuzaki either started to drop his guard and stop suspecting that Raito was Kira, or that he grew so sick of the other boy's company that he took off the handcuffs anyway.
"So… what does Raito-kun want to do today?" Misa's eyes were the same size and brightness as Catherine wheel fireworks, shining with delight at being in such close proximity to her stoic idol. "Does Raito-kun want to come to Misa's room for a while, and help her to try on some new-"
"Ahem."
Misa stopped, staring over at the source of the very forced cough. She frowned, pouting in annoyance. "What is Ryuuzaki doing still chained to you, Raito-kun? Misa wants to be with Raito-kun only!" There was a positive whine to her voice, although Raito would have to admit that Misa wasn't the only one upset with the current situation.
"I understand, Amane-san," conceded Ryuuzaki. "However at the moment I am unable to allow such a thing to happen."
Misa's teeth pinched her lower lip, thickly painted with crimson lipstick. She was in serious danger of ingesting copious amounts of the stuff, thought Raito idly. Not that this was his problem. "Why can't Ryuuzaki let Misa have just a little time alone with Raito-kun? Misa is lonely and sad without Raito-kun…" She trailed off miserably, affixing Ryuuzaki with her most pathetic and appealing stare.
L, for once, looked perturbed. Raito was surprised to feel amusement at this new expression across his rival's face. It seemed that for once the great detective was stumped as to how to avoid this problem that was Misa.
"You can see Yagami-kun on a regular basis, Amane-san," replied L resolutely, "but time alone with him is out of the question. I cannot let Yagami out of my sight." He didn't explain further. Misa cocked an eyebrow at him with an air of irritation. Then she turned pleadingly to Raito, "say something Raito-kun!"
In what language would she like him to say 'something'? Never mind. "What do you want me to say, Misa?" he responded, with a touch of frustration in his voice. "This is Ryuuzaki's decision, not mine."
Time to put evil scheme number one (give or take) into action. Raito blinked suddenly, as if struck with unexpected inspiration. L noticed it instantly, attention flickering to Raito's face. "What is it, Yagami-kun?" the tone in Ryuuzaki's voice was demure as ever.
Oh how he was going to regret those words.
"I believe that I may have found a solution to our problem, Ryuuzaki," Raito flashed L a confident grin. Roil in your downfall, my foolish adversary. "Why don't you come out on an excursion with Misa and I for a while? That way Misa will be happy enough to promise to leave us in peace." Raito sent a very level stare in Misa's direction, as if daring her to disagree. But of course, there was never any danger of that.
"Yippee! I'm going out with Raito-kun! Let's go, Raito-kun!" Without even bothering to hear L's flat-out rejection of the idea, Misa lunged towards Raito, locking him in a delighted hug. The chain snapped at the new force, pulling L off balance and stumbling from his chair. Raito mentally sighed and fought the urge to pry Misa from himself like toffee from a saucepan. He turned and looked at L, mock innocence plastered all over his face. "Well Ryuuzaki? It won't be that bad. Just a couple of hours in the fresh air and she'll leave us in peace. Plus it'd be a welcome break for our minds from the Kira case. Who knows; it might even bring fresh light on the case, if we take a brief step back and consider what we have learned from a distance."
Hah. The pseudo-psychological basis had never failed yet. Raito could see an inner struggle guardedly fight itself out behind L's eyes.
And then Matsuda chipped in. "Don't worry, Ryuuzaki. Nothing bad'll happen if you go out for a little while. We can spare you and Raito at least for a couple of hours. Go and relax. You two work so hard as it is."
And there it was. The final nail on the coffin of L's rebuttal. Ah the sweet taste of victory… if this little trip didn't result in L taking the handcuffs off, then nothing would.
……….
All in all, this plan was not proceeding as, oddly enough, according to plan. Raito was presently cursing the foul run of luck that he was experiencing. There were several sections to this luck, and all of them ranked in their respective levels of foulness.
One; he was still attached to Ryuuzaki. Two; he was also attached to Misa. Three; he was in a shopping centre. Four; he was in a girl's department of the shopping centre.
Misa was currently modeling a variety of cute denim skirts and bright, though very scant blouses, flitting in and out of the changing-rooms like a hyperactive fairy during Halloween. Since neither Raito nor L had voiced any preference for destination on their little expedition, Misa had taken the initiative and decided that before things went any further, she needed some new outfits. Raito couldn't have cared less about what she went around dressed like. Apparently neither could L.
Speaking of which, Raito shot a glance over to the lanky detective. Ryuuzaki was loafing around on the end of the chain, looking more than a little bored. Funny; he didn't seem even slightly embarrassed to be standing in a sea of fluff and glitter, admittedly interspersed by the odd bit of Gothic paraphernalia. There were clusters of teenaged girls cruising the store at the same time, occasionally stopping and staring at the two boys. Raito realized with a sinking feeling just how weird they must look. One neatly dressed business-like youth handcuffed next to the scruffy insomniac who was currently examining a mini-skirt, plucking at the fluffy pink trim with a fascinated expression writ across his face. What the -!
"Ryuuzaki, what are you doing?" hissed Raito. He strode over to the display where L was lurking and snatched the garment out of his hands. "This is not the time or place to be investigating the quality of the fabric!" He could hear the whispers from here, and could only assume the worst. Two men handcuffed together in a ladies' clothing department could only mean one thing, and Raito most certainly did not like that idea.
"What's wrong Raito-kun?" queried Ryuuzaki blandly, blinking slowly at Raito. "I was merely examining a skirt that I believe Amane-san will try next, based on the nature of the other garments that she has been experimenting with. I don't believe that she will purchase it. I was simply getting ready to hand it to her for the inevitable trial and decision that she still prefers the Goth look." He affixed Raito with a patronizing stare. "Why, Raito-kun, what did you think I was doing?"
Raito gritted his teeth. "I don't know, Ryuuzaki." Ouch. He couldn't wait to leave the shop.
As soon as Misa reappeared from the changing-rooms, with a pile of garments rejected and one small black and silver singlet chosen, Raito hurried her through the cash register and back into the relatively more neutral and less embarrassing territory of the shopping mall itself. Ryuuzaki trailed along behind them, hands in pockets and a vaguely amused expression on his face. Raito rolled his eyes. It was like he and Misa were a married couple taking their scruffy dog for a walk.
"Do you want to go and see a movie, Raito-kun?" chirped Misa suddenly. She spun around to look Raito in the eye, releasing his arm from where she was walking along, leaning on him and hugging his arm to her ample chest. "There's a thriller on! You'd love it!" She then proceeded to rattle off a list of celebrities making their highly predictable appearances, as if this could in some way possibly entice Raito into feeling anything more than contempt for the film-making industry.
Oh well. It'd make her shut up for a while at least.
"If you say so Misa," Raito nodded nonchalantly. He turned to L, forcing the wicked grin that kept trying to surface to stay put. "Do you want to see a film too, Ryuuzaki?"
L stared blankly back at him. "How many varieties of the word 'no' would you like, Yagami-kun?"
How amusing. L had just echoed one of Raito's own thoughts.
Hang on. That wasn't amusing. That was disturbing.
Raito shook his head to clear himself from that nasty thought that had just arisen. "Come on Ryuuzaki-kun. It'll keep Misa happy at least."
"I should think that we have been 'keeping Misa happy' for long enough already," replied L icily. "It would appear that you do not seem interested in returning to the task that we have at hand, Yagami-kun. This is more than a little suspicious on your behalf." The glare that he was sending at Raito was positively acidic. Even though he was more than a little annoyed to here the indirect reference to his chances of being Kira rise, he knew that now was no time to back down. If Ryuuzaki wanted to get out of the movie, or go back to the office, then he would have to take the handcuffs off. There was no way that Raito was going to give up now.
Time for plan: "living hell" to be enacted.
"Surely we can wait a little longer, Ryuuzaki-kun", frowned Raito. "Poor Misa has been stuck indoors for so long as it is. Let's all go to whatever film she wants, and that'll make up for it at least a little." He shot L a reproachful look, and smiled with inner delight as he saw a temporary shade of guilt cross the detective's face. After all, L had kept Misa in captivity for quite a while. Even if he constantly justified his actions with ease, somewhere inside the detective would still feel even a little remorseful for his actions. That much was proven when L stared back at Raito sullenly and refused to answer.
Raito nodded as if Ryuuzaki had just agreed with him. He then turned to look down at Misa, smiling at her genially. "What film do you really want to see Misa? We'll sit through anything you want. Anything at all."
And that 'anything at all' turned out to be just the sappily romantic comedy branch of horror that Raito had been hoping for.
It really was remarkable, he had to admit it. Despite staring at the massive screen with a look of utter distaste etched on his pallid features, L still hadn't caved into temptation and severed the handcuffs in order to bolt for the nearest exit. And it couldn't be that he was waiting for the torture to end, oh no. Misa had chosen well. This film was actually a trilogy scheduled to run for most of the night and emotionally scar every self-respecting member of the audience for years to come. Raito himself had broken out in a cold sweat just when the theme music had started.
Not a good start to an already foreseeably hellish evening.
Misa was snuggled up next to him, latched onto his arm contentedly and eyes glazed with pleasure as she stared, fixated on the monotonously predictable manifestation of every bad romance novel ever printed. The steady rise and fall of her breathing however, made Raito suspicious that the bubbly Gothic princess had in fact fallen asleep with her eyes open. An experimental shuffle of his arm confirmed it. Oh well. That was one of the sources of annoyance in his life temporarily suspended. Now there was only the matter of L.
Trying to look as if he were engrossed in the movie (though actually staring instead at a small light on the ceiling and wishing it would explode and remove him from this misery) Raito shot a sidelong glance at his eternally bored rival. Ryuuzaki however, was staring right back at him. Damn. Caught.
"Are you not enjoying the film, Yagami-kun?" whispered Ryuuzaki, mindful of the gaggle of preteens sitting behind him enraptured in the sickeningly sweet storyline.
Raito shook his head ever so slightly. "Misa's enjoying it though," he lied smoothly. "Otherwise I'd suggest that we leave."
"Actually I like it." Raito could have sworn that his eyes just dilated to four times their normal size. "You what?" He could barely keep his voice down to a dull roar.
"I like it," mused L, crouched like a spider on his squishy chair. He scrunched his long toes against the plush fabric. "It's a fantastical impression of what some people believe that reality truly is. The fact that they are able to express such a fantasy in real life is certainly a wonderful achievement."
Raito stared. "What about the fact that they are resurrecting every bad stereotype in existence and proceeding to contrive to somehow make them worse?"
L shrugged. "Self-expression, Yagami-kun. I am neutral in virtually everything that is not of great importance. If that is how they choose to express themselves, then that is their business." Raito shook his head, chuckling despite himself. "I can't believe you sometimes Ryuuzaki. You don't react like a normal person to these things."
And perhaps that had been the problem. Raito had been assuming that Ryuuzaki would react like any teenaged male dragged into a female clothing shop and sickeningly sappy movie. Instead of fleeing like a scalded cat, Ryuuzaki had simply acted like a tourist in a foreign land. That foreign land being the real world.
"Why ever would I do that?" There was a new look on L's face that Raito had never seen before. It was a look of relaxed amusement, as if Raito had said something intensely simple and obvious to all concerned. "I react like myself to these situations. And I most certainly am not normal."
"I agree," recovered Raito. "Most people wear shoes."
L glanced down at his feet as if in surprise. "I'm not? Oh dear. I was meaning to put some on today to make a good impression. Ah well." He returned his stare to the movie. "Why did you think that I would cave in and take off the handcuffs if I were subjected to this?"
Hm. Not so easy to manipulate after all.
"What was that, Ryuuzaki?" asked Raito innocently. "The thought never even crossed my mind. I just wanted Misa to have a bit of fun for once. That and I quite enjoy the fresh air every so often." He let a note of wistfulness pervade his voice. Ryuuzaki caught it, glance flickering back to Raito.
"I cannot take off the handcuffs, Yagami-kun. Not until I am certain that you are not Kira. How many times do I have to tell you this?"
"I know, Ryuuzaki. I know. It's just that… I miss being able to go home and see my family. I can't even go outdoors. It's like I'm still a prisoner." He fixed Ryuuzaki with a stare that contained as much false misery as he could muster. "What do I have to do to prove myself?"
"I don't know," murmured L, heavy-lidded eyes expressionless. "But it's still not enough to be sure that you aren't just trying to wind your way out of my sight."
"Then why not just put me back in the cell if I'm going to remain as good as a prisoner?" retorted Raito angrily. "Why taunt me with this false freedom? Do you get off on having me chained to you or something?"
L paled visibly. "There's no need for you to be put back in the cell, Raito-kun. That much I do know. As for your 'false freedom', you are working on the case with me; the best way to prove your innocence is by helping me to capture Kira."
"And what about the last point?" sneered Raito.
L just stared at him, something akin to disbelief across his face. Oh good lords, had Raito actually struck a nerve? The prospect was too horrible to even contemplate. He'd been chained to someone who actually did like that kind of thing! He suddenly felt intensely unclean. The desire to go and throw himself into a river was near overpowering.
Finally L spoke. "What does 'get off on' mean?"
Raito blinked. Then e flushed a vivid scarlet that was thankfully unnoticeable in the dark cinema. "I'm not explaining it to you," he muttered, turning back to look without seeing at the film. "Go look it up on the internet. But warn me before you do. I don't want to glance at your screen at the wrong time."