Pairing: L/Raito

Warnings: slight AU, yaoi, possible OOC, possible spoilers, violence, character death.

Disclaimers: I do not own Death Note, nor do I own the idea for this story. -thanks Nilahxapiel profusely-

Rating: T

A/N: And so we've come to chapter four. And we're no where. Damn. Sorry ladies. If any one is interested, I'll be posting a Mikami/Raito series, Nylon Wave, once this, or one of my other series is complete. But that's such a sad thought. The story ending, and still rated T. ::sigh:: I suppose it's for the best. I've noticed there isn't that much romance at all. Sorry. I'll try to make up for that after the next few chapters. Right now it's plot.

No, neither L, nor Raito will die. Well, I can't really say that's the truth. Just read, is all I can really say.

For Valentine's Day my lover bought me this movie I've been eying for three years, called Perhaps Love. And we snuggled up together and watched it. Ugh, Takashi Kaneshiro is the best::Jin in House of Flying Daggers::

-Buried Future-

Raito took a seat at a corner table hidden cleverly behind black lace draping. The notebook was settled in his bag tucked between his calves as he held his hands in his lap. Would Misa develop some sort of intellect and decide not to come after all? That would be the safer route, considering that yes, she knew nothing about him. Unless she did her homework with Rem.

Ryuuku hid between Raito and the wall, an apple in his clutches as he gnawed away at the poor fruit. Raito grimaced before delicately sipping at his chilled coffee, his fingers wrapped protectively around the white slim mug. For the pass three weeks he had allowed Misa to call his cell.

At first it was small talk; questions about the current weather, the odd string of deaths, what school Raito went to. All things he allowed to be said. When she tried to bring up more about Raito, himself, he would steer the discussion back to the media and about how he was looking forward to Misa's movie.

She was rather vain, after all. She always took the bait and held tightly. As far as Raito was concerned, she was as good as his.

"Say Raito, didn't ya say she would be here by three? It's almost ten past. Ya think she stood ya up?"

Raito smirked as one hand patted playfully at the shinigami's head, his fingers drumming softly on the table as he watched the door. There was no way she would. He had sent her one picture via cellular phone, and she continued to rave about how hot he is. She cared about looks, not motives.

The tiny chime of the bell that hung overhead made Raito look back at the door in time to see Misa smiling as she looked around for him. Raito couldn't hold back his smirk as he stood, making enough noise to catch her attention, his smirk only growing when she stared above his head. She still made the eye deal, the teen thought as he made his way over.

"Amane-san, I'm so glad you could make it."

Her eyes widened as a pink hue flushed her cheeks, her lower lip quivering slightly. That was easier than I thought, Raito chimed to himself as he led the stunned girl to the table he was occupying. His eyes glinted childishly as the girl slowly realized herself.

"Yagami-kun, you...you have a notebook too?"

Raito smiled as he nodded, his fingers weaved and his hands settled on the table.

"You're using yours too openly, and now a world famous detective is on your case. I'm helping him out in discretion, so if you don't want to get caught, I'll cut to the case; give me your notebook."

Misa's eyes widened briefly before she pouted at the teen, her arms crossed over her chest as she looked away rebelliously. Raito's eyes hardened immediately as he leaned in.

"He will catch you, with or without my help. I know your shinigami is protective of you and will be sorely disappointed in me if I allowed you to die, so trust me and listen."

The young woman gasped and covered her mouth, her eyes glancing up to where Rem would be standing. He had obviously hit the right spot so he decided to lean back, his arms now crossed around his waist. Misa muttered to Rem as quietly as she could, her thin brows pulled in worry as she looked back.

"What do I have to do?"

Raito forced another smile as he took a sip of his drink, his tongue running quickly across his lips before disappearing. She had been watching the muscle with interest, which made Raito internally chuckle.

"Have the notebook hidden, but keep a few pages to continue with the murders. Once you've used up those pages, L will probably hit a dead end, or he'll have found you. In the likely event that he does find you, give up ownership a few weeks after you've been imprisoned. I'll find your notebook and return it to your shinigami, and you'll more or less be released."

Misa nodded intently throughout the teen's explanation before she rustled in her purse. A tiny piece of paper was produced and handed to Raito, who calmly accepted it before looking up to see the shinigami, Rem. Her torso bowed so low her fingers grazed the floor. Her yellow eyes were fixated on him.

"What will you gain from this?"

Raito shrugged as he pulled a piece of his own notebook to hand to Misa, who gladly accepted and giggled when she saw Ryuuku in the corner.

"I don't want the existence of Death Notes to be made. Misa, do you agree to what I've suggested?"

The girl nodded vigorously, her eyes flickering with something akin to attraction as Raito once more, leaned in. A lone finger motioned for the girl to come closer, which she did, and their lips touch in a soft kiss.

"Speak low when addressing Rem. Call me once you've found a suitable hiding place for the notebook."

And so, Misa was left at Note Blue in a daze as Raito strolled casually down the streets of Aoyama. This had been easy enough, but how do I get L closer to her, without Misa getting caught immediately?

"Watari, could you hand me that magazine?"

The manservant gave a bow as he grabbed Eighteen's Issue fourteen; Volume 3. The cover was of a woman with milky skin and red eyes, her cockatrice outfit standing out vibrantly against the white backdrop. Slowly, the man gently handed the magazine to Raito, who smiled with appreciation before flipping through the contents.

It had been a week since the meeting at Note Blue, and still no contact from Misa. Had L already found her? There was no way, the teen thought as he glanced over to the man who nibbled delicately at his chocolate creme parfait. L's forefinger and thumb held at a page in another issue of Eighteen, his wide ink orbs scrawling about the text for some clue.

Raito hid the urge to tease the man as Matsuda bounded over, his youthful face bright and as cheerful as ever.

"Ryuuzaki-san, can I help you with any thing?"

The older man blinked as he looked up at Matsuda, some creme dribbling from the corner of his lips. His brow quirked as he thought of what the young man could do for him. After a few moments of silence L nodded.

"Matsuda-san, I need you to run to all the stores in the area and purchase the recent volumes of Eighteen that we need, as well as all of the local papers and magazines."

The man gave a sigh of defeat as Watari handed him a disposable credit card for purchasing all of the necessary volumes. Raito almost felt sorry for the young man as he gave a tiny wave before leaving the hotel room.

"Raito-kun seems unfocused."

The teen startled as he looked over his shoulder, his nose brushing against L's cheek. That's too close, the teen thought as he turned his body around so that L was now perched on his lap.

"Why do you say that, Ryuuzaki-san?"

The older pressed his thumb to his lips as he stared intently at Raito, his free hand settled on the teen's thigh while he inched back. Raito was all for personal space at this point in the game, as he gave a disarming smile to show he didn't mind the close contact, but that L did need to give him some room.

"Raito-kun as been staring at this page," L leaned closer to draw the magazine Raito had been going through, the page revealing an interview on Misa-Misa, "for some time now. Do you like her too?"

Raito took the magazine in his hands as he scrolled through the words once more before giving a laugh and setting the magazine down. Hell no he didn't like her. She was too bubbly for him.

"I'm a little interested in her. She's been climbing the charts as a small time model and is now getting a roll in a movie with Ryuuga Hideki. What about you?"

L shrugged as he retreated and grabbed for a lollipop Watari held out to him. The sugar pop was immediately stuffed in his mouth as L hobbled over to his chair, his hand motioning Raito to join him. The teen did so, taking a seat next to the older's laptop on the table.

"I was noticing the drastic rise in Misa-Misa's fame as well. I think she may be the murderer. Would Raito-kun think I'm wrong in deciding this right away?"

L glanced over to the teen, his tongue rolled the pop his mouth as he leaned closer, a sign that this was to be private. Raito wanted to shout to the heavens that L couldn't be more right, but refrained from doing so as he feigned thoughtfulness.

"It wouldn't seem off, but, what about any of the other actors and models?"

A tiny grin fell over the older's features as he stirred his spoon in his parfait.

"She once dated sEeK, but was soon dumped when he claimed he wanted a woman, not a child with no high upbringing. Misa-Misa was also at the auditions for B.O.D.Y., thought Masori Kimi easily crushed her and landed the lead role. Yamaguchi was a high fashion designer that loved the Gothic and Lolita style, but rejected Misa-Misa's contract for his new line. There are more, shall I list them?"

Raito shook his head as he crossed his arms over his chest. He knew L was good, he was the teen's equal after all, but this was too amazing. All eyes were on the teen as his phone went off with a buzz and the standard ringtone he didn't feel like changing. He apologized softly before leaving to the restroom and answering.

"Hello?"

"Ah! Misa did exactly as you said! It's hidden at Yotsuba Corps! There's a brick in the alleyway that can pull out and hold the notebook easily! Can we go out now?"

Raito smacked his forehead as he turned into the corner, his hand over his mouth. This girl, he thought as he sighed at the girl's constant rambling.

"Listen, I may be under watch, so I'll make this quick; Do not call me again. I'll be the one who contacts you from now on."

"Wa..Why?! I thought we would dat-"

Raito growled as he shook his phone before returning it to his ear.

"You're a suspect, Misa. You're in danger and if you call me any old time like you just did, it could mean danger for us."

He heard Misa sniffle on the other end, but paid more attention to the knocking on the door and the concerned voice of his father. Damnit, the teen thought as he sighed once again, his free hand rubbing at his forehead.

"Don't cry. Listen, I'll call you the second I get home, and tomorrow we'll go out for ice cream, okay?"

After this the teen hung up and returned to the room, his smile taking an embarrassed look as he took his seat near the window. L looked curiously at the teen but said nothing more as he jotted down notes here and there on the table. Some thing is amiss, the man thought as he eyed Raito carefully.

Raito shifted his weight once more as Misa clung to his arm like he was a lifeline. He was regretting this date already, and wanted nothing more than to return to the magazines and scandals. Misa bounced as they pass by a Haunted House, her eyes shining happily.

"Oh Raito-kun! I want to go there! Can we?!"

The teen shrugged as he pulled his wallet out, paying the fox ghost at the entrance before beginning his long walk though the maze of undead and homicidal maniacs. Occasionally, Misa would give a fake scream to boost the morale of the costumed monsters, but otherwise, she would talk about how she wanted all the 'wicked artwork this place has.'

"Oh my, I didn't know Raito-kun knew Misa-Misa," was the statement that the couple were greeted with once they left the House. L sat on a nearby bench, a triple scoop ice cream in his hand as he smiled and waved with his free hand. Raito's heart nearly stopped. Did L think there was any thing big between--No. Calm down.

If worse comes to, Raito could always say it was a way of getting closer to the girl, to see if those motives were enough to take innocent lives. He knew L would continuously question his logic with this, but he knew the man would believe him. L trusted him, in some sense, as Raito returned the minute affections with his own.

Misa looked back and forth, trying to decide if this was a good thing or not. Raito snapped from his little stupor though, moving the girl along to meet the man he held great respect for.

"Ah, Ryuuzaki-san, I didn't know you'd be here."

L shrugged as he poked at the gelatin that infested the middle scoop of ice cream, his finger curling in the cold substance, then receding to his mouth. Misa looked confused, her mind obviously trying to process why Raito would call L a different name than the one she saw.

"Raito-kun didn't give me an answer."

The teen laughed shakily as he wrapped his arm begrudgingly around the girl's shoulders, easily noticing how absolutely thrilled she was to have such a handsome man hold her.

"Amane-san, this is a friend of mine, Ryuuzaki-san."

The girl stared questioningly at Raito before nodding and giving her brightest smile. L returned it with a quirk of lips before he stood, dumping the melting cream into the trashcan that sat next to the bench. Licking his fingers clean once more, the man held his hand out, his eyes on Raito.

The teen nudged Misa softly, laughing inside as she grimaced and shook hands with the eccentric man, her eyes too, on Raito. Once they ceased contact, L stepped closer to Raito, his head slumping to rest on the teen's shoulder.

"I think I ate too much ice cream, Raito-kun. Amane-san, you wouldn't mind if I stole him from you, right?"

Raito gave a sorrowful glance at Misa before helping the detective hobble away, and out of site. As soon as the older knew the girl would not follow, L removed himself. His eyes looked everywhere but at Raito, which made the teen nervous.

"You said she was your top suspect. I-I thought if I got close, I could hel--"

"What you're doing in dangerous, Yagami-san. If she knew I was the detective working her case, and that you were involved, you could be killed. What were you thinking, or were you even thinking at all?"

Raito flinched, his arms shaking as he watched his feet move him along. He knew that in L's eyes, this approach would seem risky, but he was completely safe. He knew Misa wouldn't dare hurt him, but L...The teen glanced cautiously at the slumped man, his ink eyes narrowed as he chewed vigorously at his thumb.

"Would you...Would you cry at my funeral? Would you even bother to remember me?"

L blinked, his eyes resuming their doe state as he stared bewilderedly at the teen. Raito regretted saying some thing that could give his true feelings, whatever they were, but he would never say, 'Oh no! I didn't mean it. Sorry.' As much as he would regret those words, he would never take them back. He wouldn't try to cover them up.

And at this, he believed this a test to L. How would he respond? Would he say the teen was being melodramatic and that he needed to rethink such logic? Would he shower the teen with words as sweet as his infatuation with sugar?

"I would feel guilty for letting you join this case. I'm sure your father would hold it against me, and not permit me to attend your funeral, but, I think it would be hard to forget some one like you."

Raito blinked. Was this a confession of sorts? The teen nodded, his hands stuffing into the beige coat pockets to warm themselves.

"I would cry if you died, Ryuuzaki-san. Because...you're the only person who has ever given me a challenge. Sure, you're insufferable some times, but, it's nothing compared to how hard you work, no matter the impossibilities. It's admirable, really."

He felt calmer now, as he stared into the slate darkness of the older's eyes. He knew L was taller than him by at most a head, and always felt awkward when he had to look down. But for once, L was at equal height, his fingers reaching out to brush the auburn bangs from Raito's eyes.

They had long since stopped moving, but the teen wouldn't have noticed much as he struggled for breath. His eyes were wide and filled with apprehension as the older stepped forward, his fingers tracing along the teen's jaw. All too soon L moved back and nodded before pulling out his cell phone and calling for Watari to pick them up.

A month and three days after the date and encounter, Raito found himself in a new hotel room filled with monitors, files, and sweaty men. Not the best atmosphere, but it was manageable as he lifted the nearest file and took a seat by the window. Every day, at exactly five pass eleven a.m. another victim would succumb to Misa and her wrath.

It was rather clever of the girl, but soon her pages of the notebook would be filled. She needed to be caught soon. But since that day, L had pointedly ignored any advice the younger Yagami might have. It wasn't fair at all, especially when it could help L land the case sooner.

Raito was at his end with the man, any one could tell. He went on more dates with Misa, he studied more on his finals and showed a lack of interest in the case. And it seemed that for once, Matsuda was the first to notice and comment the teen's strange behavior. Raito denied it, simply stating that he didn't need his life to revolve around work that really didn't concern him.

But it was the same today; L staring at the monitors and files, Raito wishing L would talk to him again. If Raito were any old teen, he'd rush into the situation and beg the man to give him the attention he longed for, but, this is Raito. He's methodical, and obsessive compulsive. If some thing doesn't go his way, he breaks down completely and gives up.

The jingle of his phone alerted every one, save for himself and he gave a tiny bow before leaving the room altogether.

"Hello?"

"Yagami-san, it's Mikami. Takada-san and I were wondering if you would like to go out with us today?"

Raito smiled brightly, although fake, as he affirmed the acquiesce. Takada and Mikami. He had first made contact with Mikami, knowing he would be easier to use for this. He told the man how much he admired his work, and then told the man about his tragic past; about how he was constantly bullied and begged for the older men that hurt him to die.

He said that Mikami had brought him justice when he prosecuted one of the men. Mikami had been touched, and easily fell.

Next was Takada, who needed more persuasion than Misa or Mikami. He started by 'accidentally' bumping into her. When she, in turn, bumped into a gang of punks, Raito took the beating for her. She was immediately grateful, as well as smitten.

"Mikami-san, do you think later, it can be...just the two of us?"

Raito glanced shyly at the camera positioned across the hall to watch for visitors, knowing full well that L was watching.

"Oh, we can? Great. So we'll meet at the usual place then? I have to go change out of my uniform and pick up my wallet. Is that okay?"

Raito smiled sadly as he listened to the other's voice, wishing so much that it was L making plan to meet up at a lover's hotel. Mikami wasn't bad. No, he was far from it, it was simply that L was the first that the teen saw. L was the one Raito wanted to do those things with.

"You'll pick me up? Shouldn't you go get Takada-san though? She does have a way with getting into trouble."

The teen looked down the hall before he nodded and grinned, his laugh soft and childish.

"Alright then. See you soon. Love you."

Things weren't going smoothly at all, but they would even out sooner or later. As the teen discarded his phone in his pocket, Matsuda burst through the door, his eyes wide in excitement.

"We've caught her! The camera! She was writing Soramimi and then Soramimi died but she--it! Raito-kun?!"

Raito growled low in his throat as he stomped down the hall, ignoring the soft padding of bare feet following closely behind. Damnit! I wanted to be the one to find her! I wanted him to recognize me! Hot tears stung at his eyes as he rounded the corner to the elevator, his finger jamming angrily into the down button. It ended too soon, and now he had to disappear.

"Where is Raito-kun going?"

-TBC-

W-woo! This is like, the most I've written. Ever. And it's a cliffhanger. I had to add Mikami and Takada, and while they have tiny parts now, their roles will be of importance later on.

Did anyone notice how Raito reverted to his egotistical behavior? I thought he needed to be that way. Or well, more like that, than as a giggling schoolgirl.

I wish I didn't stop it here. I-I wanted the chapter to be longer, but it's too late. ::sigh::