SO! Uhm, I don't know anything about tennis! Just to let everyone know that! I was thinking of just going onto wikipedia and looking the rules up, and I did, but it was confusing, and I don't feel like making a huge idiot out of myself XD So, there's going to be a tennis match, but not really. More of "Let's knock the ball around". Also, sorry for the lag in updating, lots of stuff is coming up really fast, so it's hard to get around to it. Not to mention I'm lazy! Anyway, onwards!
Disclaimer: Don't own don't sue. Do I really need to do this every chapter?
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Light was flabbergasted.
Seriously.
The moment he got into his stance to begin, a green flurry rushed past his ear to make a loud "CLANG!" noise against the gate behind him.
If L's serve had hit him in the face, it probably would have broken his nose.
"Um… That was crazy. Should that even count?" Brown eyes turned, opened all the way, towards the little felt covered ball behind him. He was surprised it hadn't split in two.
"Actually, Riato-kun, I typically prefer to not count anything. Since I play by myself, there is no competition to be had, and therefore I would like our game to be the same. Just a way to get some sleep." The black haired tennis monster watched a bit impatiently as Light went to retrieve their ball. The rusty headed teenager had yet again intruded into his world. His peace had once again been ruined because of this random kid who won't leave him alone.
Well, he didn't want Light to leave him alone exactly, he was curious about him.
He just has bad timing.
The serve came, and went. L returned it with enough force to make Light flat out dodge it instead of try to return it.
"Raito-kun, I thought you were going to be my partner, not help me with target practice." The scowl he got made him smile. As he thought, Light had a superiority complex.
Well, L did too.
He was secretly keeping score.
As he was sure Light was.
"Well, if you would stop trying to rip a hole through the fence, then maybe I could actually play without fearing for my life." As another serve came, L's smile broadened. This one had a good deal more force behind it. He was getting on Light's nerves, but the boy still remained out here with him. Usually, he would either excuse himself or throw an insult to get out of the presence of his annoyance. So far, neither had really occurred. It was peculiar. He returned the serve, this time with some sort of civility behind his swing. Light easily bounced it back over the net this time.
Perhaps they simply had some sort of innate chemistry?
"So, why couldn't you sleep?" POCK.
"I'm not sure. I have a lot on my mind." POCK.
"Like what?" POCK.
Clank.
Light had missed again.
He looked a bit distracted.
"Well, my studies are taking up a lot of my time, so I go over a lot of it in my head without meaning to. My brain just won't turn off!" He went to retrieve the ball yet again. L was a little frustrated. He was sure that Light would have been a better match than this. He should have at least gotten one ball past him by now. Perhaps it was the fatigue?
"It has nothing to do with our meeting today?"
Light paused for a moment before going through with his next serve. It was like L's first one, severe and brutal.
CLANG.
L stared. So, this dough eyed boy did have it in him.
"No. Us meeting was just another event in another boring day. It only made it slightly more interesting." L smiled again, letting the line of his lips crack his china doll face. Light was purposely trying to make L feel unimportant. That by default said that he was.
"Of course, Light-kun." This time, when L served, instead of going over head and straight forwards like his first serve, he did an odd underhanded serve, sending it high. Light jumped for it, missing it by at least a foot.
"That wasn't fair." He was already turning to get it from the corner it rolled into.
"This isn't really a game, so it doesn't really matter." The serve came.
"If you don't really play games, then why do you play at all?" L missed by about three feet. He had a lag in reaction time from Light's question. L wasn't too fond of explaining his inner workings to anyone. Especially not to someone he just met today.
"It's a way for me to turn my studies into practice. The same way a doctor first studies, and then goes into surgery." Another serve from L, this time faster, more like his original style.
"Well, why don't you practice with others, instead of by yourself?" L slammed into the return shot, pushing his muscles into the move, feeling the burn from straining them. Light was getting too close too fast.
"I simply prefer it this way, Raito-kun. It's more efficient." Another "POCK" from Light's side, and a louder one from L's.
"How is practicing against yourself more efficient?" At Light's return swing, L ran forwards. Taking the offensive would be a good way to end this conversation before it went spiraling out of control. The next "POCK" and the resounding clang of the fence announced the end of their game.
"It lets me study the aerodynamics of the ball and which way is the best way to hit it." Light glared at him, now only two feet away, standing resolutely in front of his competition, refusing to drop this.
"That doesn't explain much. How would that really effect your game if you don't see the ways your moves can be countered?" That auburn head had a suspicious brain in it. It knew that L was tip toeing around something, and his insatiable curiosity would not let it slide.
"It just does." L began walking away. Light was furious.
"Why are you always alone?!"
The pale skeleton of a boy paused in it's frumpy advancement towards the school. He stood there silently for a moment, seeming to be in a strange mix of contemplation and annoyance. Light's outburst had pretty much come out of nowhere, and was a surprise to both of them. They both knew that Light was straight forwards, but not by this much. It was a decidedly out of character move for him.
"I…" L turned his head towards his new half friend. If Light could be out of character for a moment, then he could be too.
"The world is tainted and dirty. I'm tired of it."
With that, L walked inside, leaving Light to stand in the stillness of the night.
He stayed there until golden light glared into his eyes.
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Whoo! I was wondering if maybe I had too much L development in this chapter, but I like it. Hope the tennis wasn't horribly boring! By the way, I read the Death Note novel, and I have to say it was FRIGGIN AMAZING! I'm hoping to somehow either work B into this story, or write another one with him in it. He's neat. Like an insane L. Well, L's insane anyway, but not like, REALLY insane. But anyway, please review! Thankyou for reading!
