Disclaimer: I do not own Death Note

When I got back home Aunt Sachiko was frantic.

"Seraphine, are you all right? Its dark out already. I was so worried." She said. I smiled warmly at her.

"I'm fine. I was just… studying after school in the library with one of my friends. Sorry." I said.

"Studying. More like arguing with the guy that looks like a panda from class."Layla snorted. I resisted the urge to elbow her.

Aunt Sachiko sighed with relief and Sayu decided to pop in at this moment.

"Sera, Sera! Was you friend a boy?" Sayu asked. Layla burst into laughter.

"Sayu!" Aunt Sachiko scolded.

"Its fine, Aunt Sachiko. Yes, it was a guy, but we were just reviewing algebra, language arts and chemistry in the library." I explained.

"Oh! Sera, has a boyfriend!" Sayu yelled, content with the answer. I mentally face-palmed. Light was going to give me hell for this later.

"N… NO! It's not like that, Sayu. Really. The guy practically hates me. It's not like that at all!" I said as Layla cracked up.

"Oh. My. God. Sera. Way to be. "More snickering from Layla. "Obvious." At this point Layla fell onto the floor, clutching her stomach in laughter.

Sayu ran off and Aunt Sachiko just stood there laughing. I blushed red. Don't get me wrong. I didn't have a huge crush on Ryuuzaki or anything. It was a blush of anger. Out of fury. But leave it to Layla to take it the wrong way.

"Sera's got a crush! Sera's got a crush." Layla chanted running up stairs.

"Please come home earlier next time though." Aunt Sachiko requested.

"I'm sorry I was late and I will" I said. Aunt Sachiko sighed of relief.

"I was so worried." She said, pulling me into a huge. The gesture surprised me. I was so… warm and caring. As if someone cared that I was here. I was caught off guard first, but eventually hugged Aunt Sachiko back.

"I'm sorry." I told her, genuinely meaning it when I pulled away.

"Good, now come on, dinners about to start." She said.

L pieced it together after he had some cake.

Layla. Wasn't that the name she'd given in the park, when he asked her what her name was? Layla… Layla Ericson, that was the name she had given out. There had to be a connection – L was sure.

He switched on the Missing Peron's Database, deciding that most likely it was the name of someone that had been enslaved with her. He quickly typed in the name and was satisfied with the results.

Name: Layla Ericson

Status: Missing. Rumored to be dead. Kidnapped in 2000 from her home village in northern Russia. Adopted daughter of Viktor Novak. Dissapeared in 2000. Was not recovered when police stormed the place where they had kept the slaves. No body was found. Rumored to have escaped.

L wondered what the connection was. It was possible that Layla's name was thrown around a lot by there captors. It left a mark on Seraphine, so subconsciously that's what the voice named itself. It seemed to make sense. But it didn't really click… His instincts were telling him he was wrong. Then the most ridiculous idea popped into his head.

What if Layla was dead and Seraphine could see her?

He shook his head. The idea was impossible. L wanted to discard it, but once he had thought it, it was like he couldn't take it back. He sighed. He couldn't just not consider it. He had seen many strange thinks like this wile working as a detective; he had to at least consider this.

Just as he thought this a knock sounded at the door, it was probably the officers working on the Kira Case with him. L quickly exited out of the screen and got up.

Layla watched Ryuuzaki over her shoulder. So he was finally catching on, was he? But, she had one question…. Who was he? He didn't seem like a normal high school student. Not if all normal high school students completed homework in five minutes, had a butler, sat weird, and hung out with guys older than him to investigate the Kira case. Sera needed to see this, but how? Layla got the idea instantly as it crossed her mind.

Layla wasn't dead. Not really. Her soul had left her body, yes, but she wasn't dead. Her soul had left her body at her will. And by that she meant that, she had done astral projection before she died.

She knew that they were going to kill her and just left her body before they could. Providing a temporary escape. Layla planned to return to her body later, but they dumped it off somewhere and she had no idea. She could still become, well, real-life again. All she needed to do was enter a vacated body. It was harder than it sounded, but still.

Sera would soon see everything Ryuuzaki was up to… Layla smiled a bit, proud of herself.

"Layla, its three a.m. What could possibly be wrong at this hour?" I said as Layla shook me awake.

"Believe me, I'd rather be asleep right now. But. You. Need. To Come. With. Me. Now!" Layla shouted. I groaned.

"Fine, but let me make this clear. You are not to wake me at 3 a.m. ever again. Okay?"

"No promises…"

After I got up, Layla could hardly contain herself.

"OH MY GOD! ,

WELLHE'. , . NOLAYDOWNAND…" Layla said in a rush.

"Layla, its 3 a.m. in the morning. Slow down. Now say that again, but this time, breathe." I said. Layla took a deep breath.

"Okay, so I couldn't sleep and got curious about the Kira investigation. Then you uncle got up from his sleeping and left. So I followed him, but went ahead a bit. And you know who's leading the Kira investigation… I think? Ryu…"

"L" I answered, turning to go back to bed. Seriously, how stupid did Layla think I was? Yeah, I just got back from being enslaved for three years, but that doesn't mean I can't watch the news, for crying out loud.

"No, no, Sera listen. Ryuuzaki was there before any of the cops." Layla said. I stopped and turned.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Exactly that. He was on a computer, typing my name. Looking me up." Layla explained. I gaped.

"He's figuring it out?" Layla nodded.

"Yes. He is. No, you have to come with me so that I can show you." Layla said, grabbing my arm.

"Whoa, Layla they'll be able to see me!" I borderline-shouted.

"Oh yeah, but not if I teach you… this thing." Layla said.

"What thing?"

"Astral Projection." Layla said.

"What the hell is that?" I asked.

"Its when your soul leaves your body at your will." Layla explained. I cocked my head to the side.

"What?"

"Listen. I learned it when I was like, eight in a night. So I am going to teach you how t do it in three days…. Starting tomorrow." Layla told me.

"No offense Layla, but most of your ideas seem to backfire… a lot. And I don't know if I should just…"

"Don't worry. This whole 'astral projection' things is someone else's creation I just know how to do it. Pretty well… actually. I'll teach it to you and then… BAM! You'll see what I mean." Layla explained. I smiled at her and nodded.

"Oh and Layla?"

"Yes."

"You do realize you could've waited until morning to do this, right?"

"Yeah, but this was more fun…"

Layla stared out the window, the astral projection thing taking her back. Her adopted father- Viktor had taught her how to do astral projection. He was the only one that really treated her fairly. Even if she was the Death Child…

Before Layla could stop it, the memories came flooding back. Oh her time at the village, of her grandfathers death, of being the Death Child. All before she could stop it…

In the next chapter we get to find out about Layla's past. I LOVED writing that because I am an evil person. Heh heh heh… Anyways, could you guys PLEASE review, so that I know people are reading this.

OH and many thanks to Astreich689 again! Now I've got to go. Still review. –puppy eyes-