Summary: He thrived in a realm where decay and sloth ruled. He became something much more terrifying and refined. Yagami Light became a Prince among the Shinigami and what's more…he's given the gift to live again. LxLight

Rating: T - Rating may change

Chapters completed: 4/14


The Prince of Death

By K. Kotone

Chapter Three: Mortality's grasp

"Brother you're looking a little rough." Light blinked and looked over his shoulder at Sayu. His sister had been watching television but now apparently had found him to be more interesting. Light closed the cupboard behind him and turned to stare at her.

"I didn't sleep well last night." He admitted and for the first time caught a glimpse of his reflection in the toaster. His hair looked as though someone had ran their fingers through it before ruffling it up as much as possible to the point where it didn't fall neatly back into place. He had slight bags under his eyes but in comparison with L's they could hardly count. His skin was slightly paler and his eyes seemed heavy as if from exhaustion. He looked ill.

"What are you looking for?" Sayu asked her attention now completely away from her show.

"Headache pills." Light sighed running a tired hand over his face. Sayu laughed and he stared at her.

"What?"

"I dunno." Sayu said smiling and shrugging. "I just love seeing you like this I suppose."

"You mean you like seeing me all… icky."

"Icky." Sayu repeated getting to her feet. "That's a word I'd never thought you'd use." She walked to him and gently pushed him aside to open the cupboard he'd been pawing through moments before. She pulled out the headache pills and pushed them into his hand. "You're just as bad as Dad when it comes to finding things." Sayu teased with a smile and Light muttered a quiet 'thanks' before going to pour himself a glass of water. "You sick?" Sayu asked her voice now concerned.

"No." Light denied. "I just didn't get any sleep." He pulled a clean glass out of another cupboard and went to the sink.

"Why?" Sayu asked speaking over the running facet as Light filled his glass. Shutting it off he turned away from the sink and stared at his sister resisting the smile that nearly found its way on his lips. His sister was one of the few people he actually got along with and for some reason in his previous life. He'd forgotten that.

"My mind won't shut down." Light responded throwing two pills in his mouth and swallowing them with the aid of water.

"So you have insomnia then? When's the last time you've slept?" Sayu stared at him expectantly and Light had been about to answer 'a day ago' but no… that was wrong. Thinking back at it he found himself slightly taken back.

"It's going on three days." He found himself saying aloud and Sayu whispered.

"You need to sleep you know."

"Obviously…"

"Why can't you sleep?"

"I told you my-

"Yeah, Yeah." Sayu said waving away his words. "I get the whole 'my mind won't shut down' thing. But what is it?"

"Huh?"

"Nightmares? Stress?" Sayu offered and Light stared at her knowing his current expression must've been the look of stupidity.

"I've always handled stress well." Light said offhandedly now moving to look for some food.

"So nightmares then?" Sayu chirped seeming excited at piecing together the small puzzle laid before her. Light didn't say anything going to a bowl of apples on the kitchen table. His hand hovered over them as he decided which he wanted. Picking one out he took a bite and was pleased enough to grab another one.

"I'm going to try and get some sleep." Light said suppressing a yawn and walking around his sister making his way to the stairs. Sayu nodded but seemed to remember something and gasped gaining his attention.

"Oh! I forgot! You were studying and we didn't want to bother you but someone named Malam phoned yesterday." Light froze his foot actually hovering an inch away from a step.

"What?"

"Yeah. It was weird though. He simply asked if you were okay and then hung up apologizing for bothering us."

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Shinigami Realm

The King watched as Roast struggled to lift the scythe off the ground.

"This is heavy!" Roast growled and the King snorted not pleased but not becoming angry. He'd been expecting this.

"You just need to be able to bring it down once." He grumbled scratching his one hand with the other. "That is if you kill him with the first blow."

"I'm trying!" The Shinigami grunted lifting it and resting it against his shoulder only to stumble back several steps in order to try and maintain balance. The King watched his struggle for a moment before speaking.

"There are three things you must know about the scythes. One. The scythes upon being held will make you visible to all eyes." Roast nodded to show that he understood and the King continued. "Two. Any wounds you receive or inflict with the scythe will never heal. For the Prince... That is a painful scar." Roast nodded hanging his head as though afraid. "Three. The scythe is loyal to its owner. For Wrath it is me and for Avarice it is the Prince. Now listen carefully Roast… If you should die the scythe will return to me but if Kira was to die…do not allow the bracelet to fall in another's hands. A human can't wield Avarice but if they were to touch it they'd own it."

"I'm not going to be able to kill him." Roast whispered and the King snorted.

"He is a living creature. His limits have lowered. He is mortal." Roast looked up at him with helpless eyes and the King glared. "Don't worry I'll create an opening for you. Just make sure you take it."

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The dream he'd been having was an odd one. It always started with him standing high on top of the tallest building with the wind tearing at his clothes and hair. He could see everything beneath him and judged all crimes committed.

He was God and he was content…

Buildings were erected to worship him and people bowed in thanks and devotion every morning. There was no rot. No crime. No fear. No hate or pain…people could live free from misery.

He was God and he was loved…

And yet though he was loved, though the world was a paradise cleansed from criminals. He himself was somehow in pain. He wept often despite being happy. He'd scream curses down at the people who bowed for him despite loving their worship. He'd fall to all fours clenching the clothing over his chest in sheer agony. He'd scream and cry while wearing a smile and he'd tremble at the lonesome tower he'd isolated himself on.

He was God and he was suffering…

And he'd always wake at the moment he threw himself off his tower understanding why mankind had been abandoned in the first place.

He watched as he fell from the tower and blinked as his body descended down towards the earth. He looked up to the tower and tilted his head realizing that he was no longer reflecting on this dream from a wakeful state "I'm dreaming again." He whispered to himself. That meant that he must've, somehow, fallen asleep. Suddenly as if someone was trying to reach him he was pulled from his dream by cool, delicate frail hands and somehow he knew that this was the power of a Death Note. It was protecting him.

Light opened his eyes and blinked startled to see that it was night outside. He'd slept through the whole day? Sitting up and checking his watch he was unsettled by the confirmation that yes he'd slept his whole day away. That was when he smelt it. Smoke. Glancing to his desk drawer he half expected to see smoke billowing out with a fire climbing the wall but he already knew that it couldn't be the cause of such a smell. This was strong as if the house was on fire. Wait. His eyes widened and he looked out his window in time to see Malam, illuminated by a street light, racing away laughing madly. He also saw a lick of flame from the floor below dance out a window. Light raced to the door tested the doorknob and opened it his eyes widening as he saw the fire downstairs. Why wasn't the fire alarm going off? Did Malam break into the house and- He didn't have time to wonder. He almost raced off towards his parents and Sayu's bedrooms but hesitated and raced back inside his room going to his desk drawer. The Death Note was his duty to take care of. He was its protector and besides if something happened to it…

As the Prince of Death severe pain will befall upon you for a seven day period if a Death Note is destroyed. This is due to an attachment the Death Notes afflict upon a Prince of Death in acknowledgement of his position.

Taking it out with little difficulty he went to his closet grabbing a coat, slipping it on and tucking the Death Note inside then went to wake his family. Sayu woke with some difficulty but once he got her up and told her that the house was on fire she jumped to her feet and they both hastened to their parent's room…His father hadn't come home today and so it was only their mother they had to worry about. They raced downstairs and Light guided them outside through the front door where both clung to him shaking.

"What do you think started the fire?" Sayu asked her eyes wide and Lights eyes drifted down the road.

Malam would not live to see dawn.

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Shinano Hotel

L watched warily as Soichiro answered his phone his face immediately losing all colour. Obviously this call bore no good news. Trying to eavesdrop, a habit that developed early in his life, he could only note the elegant intelligence voice over the phone but not the words spoken. It seemed to be masculine but L couldn't be sure; phones used a frequency that altered the voice of an individual. Soichiro nodded said an 'I'll be right there' and hung up. He stood there for a moment before regaining his composure and immediately racing to the door.

"Yagami." L called. "May I inquire as to your sudden leave?"

"I'm sorry L." Soichiro said putting on his coat. "My house was nearly burnt to the ground."

"Is everyone alright?" Matsuda asked alarmed.

"Yeah, my son got everyone out safely."

"Your oldest?" L asked putting a finger to his lips. "Was he the one that phoned you?" The man nodded and L thought for a moment before speaking once again. "I would very much like to meet this son of yours. He's helped the police in the past has he not?"

"Yeah." Soichiro answered pausing by the door his face showing a mixture of pride and worry.

"Bring your family here tonight." L announced turning his attention to his deserts. "I'll have Watari prepare some rooms below, as well you can introduce me to your son…but do not tell him who I am."

"I-I will and thank you Ruzaki."

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He was nervous. The Death Note pressed against his chest hidden inside his coat was weighing heavily. Not only did it have the names of the FBI agents he'd killed but worse yet it had Barsh's message to him. He'd be laid bare before anyone who read this book. For some reason, as odd as it may sound, the book felt feminine while the one he'd buried in the park felt masculine. Was he loosing it or did the books actually have a character to them... Looking out the window of the car he watched the scenery going by wondering where the hell they were going. Glancing at his father in the driver's seat their eyes met in the rearview mirror and Light closed his eyes breaking eye contact. His father would be crushed upon learning who he was. He sighed and glanced at his mother and sister who were both looking horribly strained and worn. He couldn't blame them.

"Where are we going?" Light asked for once not hiding his exhaustion.

"The Shinano hotel." His father replied glancing at him in the rearview mirror.

"That hotel?" Light repeated leaning his head back against the seat and smiling slightly. "I have a funny feeling about this…honestly I do."

"Funny?" His father whispered.

"Yeah…It seems too organized and prearranged almost as if…" Light trailed off and shrugged closing his eyes and allowing his smile to drop. His sister and mother were both giving him questioning gazes.

"Almost as if…" His father edged him on.

"I'm biting my tongue on this one." Light whispered though he already knew and he kept his sudden fright hidden deep within.

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Shinano Hotel

The expense of the hotel and knowing that this was one of L's preferred locations due to their availability of deserts made it easy for him to reach the conclusion that L had organized this. They were led to their hotel room but his father had laid a hand on his shoulder and told him that he had someone he wanted to introduce him to. Sayu and his mother had nodded upon hearing this and had gone into the hotel room wondering how they could get such good rooms on such short notice. Light closed the door staring at it a moment before following his father to the elevator. They went to the top floor and then the room with the number 553 on the door. Light knew that beyond here was probably L himself. His father glanced at him took a deep breath before knocking.

"Come in." A voice he easily recognized as L's announced inside. His father opened the door and held it open for Light who entered first. He was ever so aware of the Death Note against his chest now. His eyes didn't drift to the other detectives but instead locked onto L's who stood and stared at him. Lights eyes instantly read the name and lifespan hovering over the detective and he contained a smirk.

L. Lawliet

"It's nice to meet you L." L's eyes widened slightly and a finger came to rest in his mouth.

"I find it interesting that you know who I am Light." L's dark eyes briefly went to his father who'd stiffen upon hearing Light easily naming the detective in the room.

"How could I not know you?" Light whispered not shifting his gaze away from the insomniac. L's eyes came back to lock onto him and they stared at each other the silence now dominating the entire room with the other men on the sidelines glancing between them. Light was the first to take an action as he bowed his head and said as politely as he could.

"Thank you. I appreciate, as I'm sure the rest of my family does as well, the rooms you've provided."

"Ah, you're welcome." L said flatly and Light straightened to his full height wondering why L would show his face to him. "Light…" L said after a moment. "Allow me to tell you what I've gathered of your behavior in the last few moments."

"Please do." Light said in response though deep down he found himself wondering where this was heading.

"You're well composed and aware of your actions and words. You're intelligent and know how to manipulate and know how to do so most efficiently. You're self-confident to a degree of arrogance." L looked like he was about to say more but paused and then added as a conclusion. "You are a deceiving person."

"I see." Light said not surprised to hear L speak so accurately. "Then what, may I ask, do you want of me?"

"Whatever do you mean Light?"

"You are the type of individual that only speaks to others in order to gain information. Or new perspectives… Which do you want from me?"

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Shinigami Realm

Roast glanced at the bracelet with wide eyes and then looked back up at the king before him in horror.

"Now?" He whispered so softly that it might've been mistaken as an exhale of breath.

"That is what I said was it not?" The king said nearly mocking and pointing a finger to the Shinigami. "Go!"

"B-But he's the prince. I cannot match him! I won't be able to slay him!"

"I told you not to worry. I told you that I'd create an opening for you."

"How?"

"Pain." The king grinned while Roast swallowed and closed his eyes with a moan.

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Sato Akane's house

The doorbell rang over and over and over… Sato threw her covers aside and got up anger heating her eyes. People could be so god damn inconsiderate! She was trying to sleep! Glancing at her clock before heading downstairs she flicked on the lights as she went and rubbed her eyes trying to rid of her exhaustion and put on her angry face. The doorbell still went and she shouted at whomever it was to stop it and that she was coming. She opened it with every intention of chewing out the visitor but had to jump back and out of the way when Malam Norio entered vibrating. His eyes were huge and he was wringing his hands nervoulsy to which she noted where bruised and blood red.

"Norio…" she whispered closing the door before returning her attention to her boyfriend whom was gulping and breathing heavily as though he'd ran to her house from the other side of town...perhaps he had.

"I feel the fingers of death tightening around my throat." He whispered. His eyes darted to all corners of her house and he swallowed before a sever tremble shook his entire body. "I feel it and I know that I cannot escape it."

"Norio what the-" He interrupted her by putting his fingers to her lips and pulling out a book from his jacket.

"T-This book can kill. Please listen to me. Imagine anyone, anyone at all, and write their name in this book and they'll die…" Malam gave her the book which she numbly took her eyes going wide upon spotting the monster standing behind him. Malam forcibly pressed his hand to her mouth as she went to scream. "I'm Kira and I don't have long to live….so I beg of you, replace me. Live as Kira after I've passed. Judge and kill…Will you do that?"

She nodded not knowing what else to do and he smiled before kissing her with tears of thankfulness and love flowing down his face. She was numb to it all her eyes locked onto the monster that grinned down at her.

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Shinano Hotel-Room 553

Light had forgotten how enjoyable playing these mind games with L had been. The pleasure of finally needing to use his mind to speak to an individual was beautiful. He leaned further back into his seat crossing his one leg over the other entirely comfortable in a situation that would have most sweating.

"My connection with Sato Akane?" He repeated tilting his head to appear as innocent as he could.

"Yes." L said with a nod going to the chair across from him and Light wasn't surprised to see the young detective take up that knees-to-chest position in his chair. Light averted his eyes after watching L stick his finger in his mouth.

"My connection with her is as the same with all girls." Light said choosing his words carefully and focusing on his reflection in his cup of coffee. Did he ever look ill and haggard.

"Care to elaborate?" L said after a moment of silence and Light sighed.

"Girls see me as reliable and someone to confide in. I get many requests for advice and to lend an ear to problems."

"And what of Miss. Sato's problem?"

"People were stalking her and her boyfriend was 'changing the world.'" Light felt the air chill and his eyes narrowed at his drink as a shadow flickered across it warping his reflection.

"What did you tell her?" L asked and Light said offhandedly.

"That the men meant her no harm. That they were from the FBI and protecting her from something dangerous."

"You knew that the men were from the FBI?" L asked his eyes widening and Light would've said more had he not pieced together that what was appearing behind him was a Shinigami.

"I'm sorry my Prince. I love you...I love you but I have to kill you." Light cursed and jumped just as a scythe appeared in the Shinigami's hands to which was brought down destroying the chair he'd been comfortably sitting on moments before. L gasped his body going rigid his eyes widening to unbelievable proportions. The police screamed and pulled out their guns firing but doing no harm to the monster that had suddenly appeared before them. Light glanced at the cops and L. They could see the Shinigami?

"You can't kill me you humans!" The Shinigami screamed raising himself up to its full height though the scythe seemed to weigh him down as he never lifted its blade from the ground. "I'm a Shinigami!"

"Shinigami?" L whispered seeming to be in shock. "They exist."

"Of course we do…Isn't that right my Prince." The Shinigami had turned its eyes away from everyone else and had directed them on him. Light made sure not to flinch as he read the name appearing above the Shinigami's head. A privilege only Light had.

Roast

"Roast what are you doing?" He said calmly feeling all too well the eyes of the men in the room

"My Prince…I've come to slay you." Roast lifted the scythe with a grunt and Light narrowed his eyes and extended his arm preparing to call forth Avarice.

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Shinigami Realm

The King grinned as he stared at the fire before him. It was mostly white with a flicker of a darker colour that would quickly disappear from time to time. Fire in the Shinigami realm was avoided for it didn't bring heat and only brought the risk of burning and accidentally destroying a Death Note. Just the thought of being in the company of white fire made some Shinigami howl and race away. Fire was rare in the Shinigami realm for this reason alone but there were certain locations where a fire always burnned... one place being here. It was believed to be the place where Avarice and Pride had been forged. The King grinned and held up the Death Note he'd taken from Roast and after savoring the moment threw it on the fire watching as the cover curled a hissing sound accompanying it as the pages began to darken. The fire around the book turned black and the King didn't have to stretch his imagination to image the hissing sound as screaming. He turned his back from the fire and walked away his smile breaking slightly. He really hated destroying Death Notes.

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Shinano Hotel-Room 553

It started out as a weird feeling of loss that panged so harshly it actually hurt. It was as though he'd lost a close lover. It made his arm that had been outstretched and ready to grasp and wield the deadly scythe fall to his side limp. He stared numbly ahead of him barely registering his name being screamed as the Shinigami bore down upon him. The feeling of loss soon transformed into pain. Hot white pain. It was an agony so consuming that his body went stiff and his hands began to shake. His knees gave out and he blindly extended his arm to grab at something, anything to keep him off the ground but there was nothing and he soon fell to his side his head colliding roughly with the ground. He couldn't move…the pain…the pain… He could feel his heart struggle to beat and his eyes fluttered in shock at the sudden torture. Was he dying? If so how? How could he be dying? He breathing had become staggered and he felt his eyes close. What was this? Light weakly opened his eyes and through the pain looked up to see the Shinigami raise the scythe above him…He closed his eyes not wanting to see his approaching death and released a low moan heavy with pain.

He didn't want to die…

Not again…


Next Chapter: Lonely Soul

Preview:

The pain will always be there but he can tolerate it. He will always bleed but that's what bandages are for. His existence is something however that cannot be replaced…

"I take pleasure in killing…in death. This is appropriate is it not?"


Note from Author:

This chapter was a bit choppy. Maybe that's just my overcritical eye but what do you think? It was also done in one sitting during a gap of freetime I found after midnight...GAH! Exhasution! This is the first time I've written a story while half asleep and living off coffee so it's likely to be a bit...rough.

I actually shortened this chapter cutting off the last couple hundred or so words and putting them in the next chapter. This decision made sense and perhaps you'll see why in a week (Sat or Sun). So L and Light finally meet and…what will happen next? Only I know…hahaha!

Forgive me, if you can, for the crappy errors in this chapter...

-K. Kotone