I lack patience so I'm updating again. I just really want to reach the next chapter, because I so enjoyed writing it. Also the only reason I'm updating this quickly is because its spring break and I just got my wisdom teeth out. I have nothing better to do with my life.
And I still don't own death note.
OOO
"Dad? We're you denied fashion dolls in your youth?" Hikari was sitting on his bed in the room he shared with his sister watching as Light picked out various dresses and forced Rem to put them on. It was an amusing spectacle to say the least, as the little girl's patience was growing thin and she was starting to squirm.
"I do not like this one it itches!"
"Oh, but you look so cute. Tell her she looks cute, Hikari."
"You didn't answer my question," the teenager pointed out, and he took a bite of the apple he was eating.
"I never wanted fashion dolls," Light said with an angry sigh. Taking the dress off his daughter and handing her another one. "Try that one."
Rem stood holding the little dress, and frowning. "I want to wear something comfortable."
"How can you possibly be comfortable with that thing on?" Hikari gestured towards Rem where she stood in her under clothes. She had on a stiff back brace, over her under shirt, and when her attention was drawn to it she plucked at it miserably.
"It is most uncomfortable as well. When can I stop wearing this?"
"When you stop slouching whenever it's not on. Young ladies don't slouch."
"Father slouches…" Rem protested half-heartedly.
"L isn't a young lady. And besides the pediatrician is with me on this; its best we break the habit now, before it becomes set in stone," Light told his daughter. "Now try this on."
Rem sighed and complied, letting him slip a pink dress over her head. Light smiled as he stepped back and admired her.
"That's perfect. Now Hikari, I want to you to throw on something nice as well." He scooped Rem up in his arms, and left the room so that his son could change. At the bottom of the stairs, Light ran into L who was putting on a pair of shoes over his bare feet.
"Remember, meet us at my parents after your done."
"Light-kun doubts my memory skills?" L asked, with a smirk, but his smile faded when he noticed Rem. "Rem-chan looks uncomfortable."
"I am. Daddy said we had to dress nicely for Grandma and Grandpa, but I do not see why. I do not think they would be offended if we were casually dressed."
"Must you torture the poor girl?" L asked looking over at his husband.
"For God's sake, it is not torture; Hikari is fine with it. Besides I'm not making you dress nicely; you should be thankful," Light said. Before L could respond the group was distracted by a loud wail from the top of the stairs.
"I hate my fucking hair!"
"I think I shall be taking my leave now," L announced, and he left Light to deal with their temperamental teenage son.
OOO
It was raining when L got out of the cab and hurried into the building that had once been used for the Kira case. It was an odd feeling, being there on a night so like that one long ago, and he wished that he could be with his family at that moment. Standing alone the rain only reminded him of how close he'd come to dieing, with them at least he could see what he had got out of it.
He entered the building with little difficulty, but instead of pushing onward through the more strenuous security, he waited in the lobby for Watari to come to him. There were cameras everywhere, and the old gentleman was bound to notice him eventually; L passed the time by dripping on the tile.
The sound of shuffling eventually met his ears, and he glanced up to see Watari enter the lobby carrying a large bag. The old man's wrinkles crinkled into a smile when he saw L, and he moved all the more quickly.
"Is this it?" L asked walking over and taking the bag. He peered inside it briefly before looking back to await his answer.
"Yes, yes. That's all I want you to bring to England. I still don't see why you won't let me bring it over myself. I'm less hunched that you are," he laughed, causing L to smile.
"It's a bit of an excuse actually. I want to visit, and I need to do it alone."
"You should go back again sometime and bring your family. The children have never left Japan, have they?"
"No, I suppose they haven't," L opened the bag again and began to move things around in curiosity. "What is all of this, anyway."
"Oh, it's an assortment of things. Evidence and records mainly; things that are too dangerous to get rid of, and too dangerous to keep. I figure the old orphanage is the best place to keep a secret."
"Considering the place itself is a secret, that would make sense." There was silence for a moment, as both men remembered the days of L's childhood. "Are you really alright here by yourself? I worry."
"There's no need for that; I get other visitors. Matt and Mello mainly, they keep abandoning one another with their son. He's a charming boy, but I think he gets to them."
"Does Near ever visit?"
"No, he doesn't," Watari said sadly, " I think, perhaps, he is somewhat angry at the orphanage, but I can't put my finger on precisely why. Well, you'll tell him I said 'hello' the next time you see him, won't you?"
"I'm just about to go see him, actually. We're having dinner with the extended family," L said, with a look of mild concern on his face. He was still continuously surprised that he had such a normal life; Watari laughed.
"I won't keep you then. Goodbye, L. I shall see you when you return from your trip." The old man hugged L, who returned the gesture awkwardly. "Have fun catching a cab in this weather. I'm much too old to drive you."
Watari laughed and left.
OOO
The sight that now met L's eyes was exponentially more welcoming than the one he had left. The building, tall and imposing, had seemed all the colder drenched as it was in the rain. The Yagami house, however, just seemed cozy. The lights were on and he could hear laughter even before he entered. He smiled to himself and knocked.
"Oh, L dear, we were worried we were going to have to start without you. Come on in!" Yagami Sachiko opened the door and beckoned L inside.
"I apologize, Sachiko-san. The weather is dreadful, and the cab driver was slow. I hope I didn't keep everyone waiting," L said. He stepped into the house and in a moment his bag was whisked away and a towel was placed in his hand.
"There's nothing to worry about. If we had been in a hurry we would have started. The only thing we'd hold off on for your sake is dessert."
L smiled at her genuinely; he was honestly fond of the woman. It was because of her, really, that they were all able to get together like this. She had been the one to bridge the growing gap that had appeared between her husband and her son after their falling out over Light's decision to date L. After a sleep deprived Near had mentioned that he couldn't sleep because of the baby, neither hell nor high water could keep Sachiko from meeting her grandchild. The little feud hadn't been mentioned since.
L was hurried into the living room to wait with the rest of the family while Sachiko set the table. It was a pleasant sight that met his eyes. Light and Sayu were sitting together on the floor talking about something and laughing together. Sayu was laughing so hard that she slopped her drink on the carpet, which only caused them to laugh harder as she tried to wipe it up without being noticed. Hikari was playing a heated game of chess with Near, that was made all the more dramatic by the boy's over dramatics. He was insisting that if Near took his pawn than the rest of his chess pieces would grow depressed. Thanks to his fondness for toys, Near seemed almost convinced.
On the couch, completing the homey picture, Soichiro sat reading a book to his two younger grandchildren. Chiro and Rem sat on either side of him looking at the book very seriously and asking occasional questions. They were very good children to humor their grandfather so; both of them could undoubtedly read better than he could.
L took a place on the carpet next to Light and was greeted by giggles, ferocious shushing, and complex gestures towards the carpet.
"It's nice to see you as well, Sayu," L said. Having drawn attention to himself, L was met with various welcomes including one 'hello, Ryuzaki' from Soichiro who couldn't seem to break the habit. Unsure of whom to respond to, L allowed himself to speak to the person who most caught his interest.
"Near, when did you get those clothes?"
"Sayu bought them." Near seemed uncomfortable with the sudden attention that was being paid to his attire. Apparently, everyone else had politely ignored it, knowing how shy Near could be. But L was never good with social cues anyway.
Near was dressed in a white sweater and light kaki pants. It wasn't extraordinarily different from his usual outfit, but it was different nonetheless, and that in its self was shocking. Near's face was slowly turning a deeper and deeper shade of red, when he was saved by Sachiko.
"Dinner's ready! Everybody wash up and get to the table." There was a hurried exodus led by Hikari and Chiro who raced to the bathroom to fight over the sink.
OOO
"Having sampled desserts from all over the world, I can say with utter confidence that Sachiko-san makes the greatest cakes on earth," L announced as he finished up his slice of cake. The evening was nearly over and they were all enjoying the meal's sweet end. Sachiko blushed and mumbled words of false modesty only to have the rest of the table add their support to L's pronouncement.
"A toast to excellent cake!" Hikari cried holding aloft a glass of milk. The boy was practically drunk on sugar as he was always allowed to eat his fill at his grandparents. His toast was met with tired, but happy half raised glasses, and he grinned as he reached towards the plate of cookies at the center of the table.
"That one's mine! You already had a whole bunch!" Chiro shouted standing up on his chair so that he could reach the center plate.
"Should have gotten to it first then," Hikari told him taking the cookie out of the child's reach. Chiro burst into tears.
"I think that's our cue to leave," Sayu said standing up from the table, "It's the hour of breakdowns"
Glumly, Hikari handed the cookie over to his cousin, but the floodgates were open and there was no closing them now. "I'm sorry Chiro-chan. You can have it."
"It's no use Hikari-kun. He's just tired," Sayu reassured her nephew. She picked up her son and carried him toward the door, "Come on, Nate."
"Goodbye, dear," Sachiko called, "We'll see you next Sunday, won't we?"
"Of course, Mom!" Sayu shouted, and after the a minute of wrestling with raincoats she and her family had left.
"We should probably get going as well," Light said glancing at his watch, "Rem-chan here is practically asleep."
"I'm not tired. Really, I'm not," Rem protested sleepily. She made no resistance, however, when she was picked up by grandfather.
"Come on, Rem, let's go get your coat," Soichiro said to the little girl and he carried her out of the room as the rest of the group stood up and Sachiko ran off to fetch jackets. The entire household congregated at the front door to say goodbyes and prepare for the weather. They were practically out the door when L realized he was missing something.
"Sachiko-san, where is that bag I came in with?" he asked.
"Oh, I left in the hall closet. Give me a moment," She hurried away and came back with the large bag. L thanked her, and the family filed out the door unaware of the single videotape that was now nestled in with the shoes at the bottom of the Yagamis' closet.
OOO
It's a cliffhanger! Mystery videotape! I hope you enjoyed the chapter.