Warnings: Language, and your present at the end, sexual content.

Author Notes: My apologies for taking so long to get this one done. And my thanks to those of you that have reviewed and stayed with me. Hope this makes up for the wait.

Disclaimer: See chapter 2.

Light looked up from where his head was rested against L's shoulder. It looked as though Tobi and Matsuda were having a very serious discussion. In his opinion, the conversation couldn't have happened at a better time. There was a lot of tension building between the two of them, causing them to snap at each other and get mad over the smallest and most stupid things. Light knew what that kind of tension could do to a relationship. Friendship or otherwise. It made a strain, a distance, between the two people until it got to where they didn't notice they were on the same planet, much less the same room. That or they got to where they couldn't stand to be in the same room together. Light hadn't known Matsuda for long, but his friend trusted and cared for him, and Light didn't want to see anything bad happen to the bond they shared.

"Light? Are you okay?"

Light shook his head at the sound of L's voice. "Yeah, just watching Tobi and Matsuda. I've never seen Tobi looking so serious."

L turned around to where he could see them and nodded. "It's about time they've had a little heart-to-heart talk. I've noticed they've seemed, I don't know, tense around each other."

"I have, too. And I don't like it."

"Nor do I. Even if they aren't romantically involved, they make each other happy. I don't want to see that gone."

Light grinned. "Aw, that's so sweet."

L scrunched his nose some. "Shut it."

Light laughed softly, and turned his attention back to Tobi. It seemed the talk was over. Tobi had laid his head against the chair and his eyes were closed. Sleep. That sounded like a great idea. Light felt a weight on his shoulder, and noticed that L had laid his head against Light's shoulder. His eyes were closed, but Light didn't think the vampire was asleep.

Light ran a hand through L's unruly hair. "What's our game plan?"

"To see a friend of mine," L said, eyes still closed. "From there, I don't know. I thought I could keep you safe. It seems I might have been wrong."

"Don't say that. He hasn't even touched me, yet. Nothing's gonna happen to me.

"I want to believe that as well, Light, but I can't help but think that if I hadn't told you all this, you wouldn't be in danger."

Light pulled L closer and placed a kiss to his lips. "No matter. I would've figured it out anyway. You know that. I'm with you until the end, wherever that takes us and no matter what that means. I won't quit on you now. I swear."

L smiled and rested his head against Light's shoulder again. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. As if I wouldn't." Light heard L groan softly and caught a slightly pained look on the vampire's face. "What is it?"

"As soon as we get to London," L whispered, "I need to...feed."

A relaxed breath told Light that L was asleep. He turned and noticed the sun coming up and pulled a blanket from the compartment above them. As he spread the blanket over the exposed areas of L's body, he saw that Tobi was doing the same for Matsuda, then went back to sleep himself. Light laid his head against L's and soon, his tired mind allowed him sleep.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOo

L rubbed his temples as the four of them made their way through the airport, having already picked up their luggage. His head was pounding and he swore even his hair hurt. It was night again and his body was urging him to feed. Really, he wished it wouldn't. Not like he didn't know. Wasn't it enough that the humans surrounding them were making his gums throb? His head and body had to hurt as well? L sighed for what seemed like the tenth time within five minutes and cautiously looked around them, scanning for any potential threats. Seeing as how his Childe was too busy dealing with his human to pay much attention.

"Damn it, Matsuda! Leave my fuckin' hair alone!"

"You look like a slob, you idiot! I'm trying to fix it!"

"Well, hand me a mirror or something! I can do it myself! I'm not a kid! Don't go fixing my hair like some snooty parent!"

He watched as Light sat the stuff he was holding on the floor and crossed his arms over his chest, one brow raised as he rolled his eyes. "If it's not one thing with you two, it's another. We are in public, in case you haven't noticed. Do you think you two could at least act like you have some sense until we get to where we're going? I promise that once we aren't around a bunch of strangers who are all staring at us, you can both act like idiots all you like!"

L smirked some as he realized he didn't have to be the voice of reason this time. "I quite agree. My headache is worsening every time I hear you bicker. I'll be sure that you both have the same room and on the other side of the house from Light and I. That way, we don't have to hear it."

Matsuda grinned. "That means I can kill you, and no one will hear you screaming."

Tobi, who was staring at his reflection in the window, combed his fingers through his hair, his other hand rising to flip Matsuda off. "You like me too much to kill me." Light chuckled, making Tobi look over at him. "What?"

Light raised his hands. "I will only say that I choose not to comment on the screaming bit."

L snorted at the looks on their companions faces. "I do believe Light has been around Tobi for far too long." He sighed rather dramatically and looked out the darkened window. "We must go. I'm sure our ride is waiting for us."

Light nodded as he picked up his things and began to follow L outside, Tobi and Matsuda following behind him. "Who's taking us wherever we're going?"

L smiled some. "I won't really know until we get to the car. Sometimes it's Rayen, and sometimes it's Mari."

Light grinned. "So, this is a friend you see often then?"

"Not in the past few years. I've been in Japan, remember?"

His human nodded and shrugged. "So, they're drivers then? Your friend must be wealthy."

"He co-runs his orphanage with a long-time friend of his. But to answer your question, yes, they are his drivers and housekeepers, if you will. And yes, he is wealthy." L raised his voice some. "He is also elderly, so I would appreciate you knock off your antics for a while, instead of giving him a heart attack as I mentioned earlier." He paused half a second then sighed softly. "It's Rayen this time."

All eyes turned to the woman standing a few feet away from L. She was kind of short, petite. Light was sure she was no more big around than his pinky finger. She had ink black hair, and as they approached her, Light noticed her eyes were also a very dark color. Light's eyes traveled behind her and grew wide. However, before he could get anything out--

"Holy shit! L, I thought you said we were getting in a car. That's not a car, man! Th-that's a freakin' limo!"

L shook his head. "Yes, I realize you like the shiny, but please refrain from kissing it. I would rather not explain why there are impressions of your lips on the vehicle, okay?"

Tobi stuck his tongue out at him. "I wasn't planning on it."

"I'm glad, because that would have been an awkward conversation."

Everyone looked to the girl standing in front of the limo, and Rayen smiled, opening the door. "If you please. We have a bit of a ways to go."

Without thinking, L placed a friendly peck to the female's cheek, as he usually did. It wasn't until after he'd done it that he realized he didn't know how Light would feel about that. However, Light didn't say anything, and L proceeded to climb into the back seat. Light followed after him, then Tobi and Matsuda. After that, Rayen shut the door and climbed into the driver's seat, and they were off. The windows were tinted dark, and with it being night, L could hardly see anything out the window.

They were quiet for the most part. Only every now and then Tobi or Light would stir around, trying not to fidget so much. L could imagine that neither of them had ever ridden in a limo, and he figured it would make them restless with curiosity, but the two of them almost looked like two tigers in cages. They were anxious, he realized. He supposed that Tobi might have a slight clue as to where they were going, but he didn't think Matsuda had actually brought him here. His Childe wasn't one for keeping his mouth shut. It's why L had suggested he make Tobi his Confidant. Matsuda told him everything anyhow. Light, on the other hand, had just been forced into their world. He didn't have a clue where they were going, and he was very jumpy about it. L realized that it wasn't really fair to him. In the beginning, Light hadn't even believed in vampires, and now here he was, sucked into their lives suddenly enough to make his head spin.

Light had come a long way, L thought. He'd seemed to be able to ask all the right questions, and even some things, he figured out on his own. Light was a smart cookie, like himself, and that was just one thing that L adored about him. Light was logical, as he was, and could reason just as well. Then, the things that he didn't get on his own, L explained, and he took it in...just like that. Which usually brought on more questions. L smiled as he looked at the darkened window. His human would make a fine vampire someday. That is, if L was ever able to do it.

The smile vanished suddenly as L thought about the recent events. It would be one thing to turn Light if he wanted to be turned, but what if--what if he had no choice? What if it came down to letting Light die or turning him? What if Light was unable to make the decision on his own? Did that mean that L would have to choose to let Light die because it would be the right thing? But then, if he did that, who's to say that Light would've wanted to be turned and not die? The vampire shook his head of all his doubts and sneaked a glance at Light. One thing he was certain of was that Light had accepted his world far easier than he'd thought possible for a normal human college student. And if that wasn't a sign that perhaps Fate had more in store for Light than the average human, then L didn't know what was. However, L would rather Light be in a situation where he could choose, and L not have to make that life-changing choice for him. The vampire sighed and made a mental note to talk to Light about it later, once everyone was settled in.

"We are here," Rayen's voice floated back to them.

Tobi and Light both set their attentions to the outside, trying to maybe guess where they were. L noticed a small smile on Matsuda's face, and shook his head. Matsuda hadn't been here for a while, like L, but Matsuda missed these trips the most. He and L had always come by while Matsuda was still a Fledgling. But since they had both gone back to Japan, Matsuda hadn't been back. L hadn't even been.

Rayen drove the limo up the driveway and turned the key, pulling it out. Not too long after, the door was open once again, and they began to file out. Rayen led them into the house in front of them, after Mari came out and helped with the bags. Light chose to grab the suitcase, because it did have most of their stuff in it, and it was as though L had packed a small elephant in it. L hid a smile at this, as Light had no way of knowing that both females were vampires. His human was quite the gentleman.

Rayen and Mari seated them in the dining room, along with their luggage, and both smiled as Rayen spoke again. "He knew you were coming, and will be in shortly." And with that, they both left the room.

Tobi put his arms up on the table and assumed a bored expression as he propped up on one. "So, you guys wanna tell us just where the hell we are?"

Matsuda grinned. "You don't remember? Sure, you've never been here, but I've spoken of it before."

"It?"

"This place, duh."

L looked over at Light, who had his eyes on one of the various paintings scattered through the house. "Light, I hadn't realized you liked art."

Light jumped slightly and smiled. "I do. I may not understand it, but I appreciate it anyhow. You don't have to understand something to like it, right?"

L shook his head, wondering if his human knew just how true his words were. "That is very true, Light. And as for your question, Tobi. You will find out soon enough."

The blond grumbled, making Light snicker, then they were quiet again. Too quiet. L watched as Light and Tobi exchanged a rather mischievous look, and wondered what the two of them were plotting. He was sure that he and Matsuda were on the receiving end and would find out soon enough.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Light finally became calm enough that he sat down at the table with L and Matsuda. Tobi soon followed after, making sure to flick Matsuda on the ear, making the younger vampire yelp loudly. Of course, the door decided to swing open at that moment, making sure they all knew that whoever was on the other side heard Matsuda yell.

The first person that came through was Rayen, who was wearing a small grin. She held the door, and through it came and elderly looking man. Light knew from what L had said before that this was the person they were coming to see. He wore a suit and was very quiet as he came into the room and sat down at the end of the table, closest to them. Light saw L shift and suddenly became very anxious.

He gently nudged the vampire, who jumped slightly, bringing a shocked look to Light's face. "Who is that?" he whispered.

L shook his head. "In a minute," he whispered back.

"It's been a while, Lawliet."

All eyes turned to the man sitting at the end. Light frowned as L chuckled. "Yes, well, I've been preoccupied. You of course, know Matsuda."

The man smiled and nodded. "How could I forget?"

Matsuda pouted and L went on. "The human beside him is Tobi Donnoven, his Confidant, and the one with me is Light Yagami. Gentlemen, this is Quillish Wammy, also known as Watari. He is a very close friend of mine, and has helped me with Mikami many times."

Watari frowned at L. "Is he what this is all about? I know you sounded upset when you called me, but I thought that you had gotten away from him for good."

L shook his head. "I didn't. I never will. And right now, I can't do anything about it. He is after my human, but he hasn't put his hands on him, yet. You've always had good advice for me."

"So, this is the human that made L flip in mid-flight," he replied. "How do you know that he's after him?"

Matsuda rolled his eyes. "Grandsire had been killing males about the same age as B and L said they all looked exactly like him. Up until the most recent murder. He looked like Light. Why the change? He knows, Watari. That's the only explanation."

Watari shook his head. "You always seem to get yourself into all kinds of trouble. So, if he's in so much trouble, why don't you leave? I'm sure the trouble would pass should you leave him be."

A low growl rumbled through the room, and Light kicked L under the table. He shook his head. "That isn't an option anymore."

Tobi yawned. "Can I ask a question? It's been bugging me."

Matsuda raised a brow. "Unless it's inappropriate."

"Are you a vampire or what? I've gotten to where I can tell. I mean, I think the girls are, but you, I'm not sure about."

Matsuda groaned, but to everyone's surprise, Watari let out a laugh. "Actually, I'm quite human. Lawliet asked only once if I would consider it. That way, he would always have somewhere to go. However, I will be dead and gone by the time he has no need of me. That is, unless Mikami hasn't been killed by that time."

Tobi sighed. "Which can't be done right now. It's not right though. Considering L and B were Mated. I don't understand."

"It wasn't Law then, Tobi," L replied. "However, now it is. But because it happened before, it doesn't count."

Light frowned. "Hello? The new human is lost."

Tobi chuckled. "May I?" L and Matsuda nodded and Tobi began to explain. "Vampire Code number 67, Chapter 43, Section 5 states: 'Should a Childe fight against their Sire to the death when the Sire has committed no crime against the Childe, that Childe shall be sentenced to death. However, if the Sire has taken something equal to life, i.e. the Childe's Mate, blood sibling, or Sired sibling, the death of the Sire is justifiable by law, and the Childe shall receive no punishment.' It's bullshit, if you ask me."

"So," Light said, trying to understand, "basically, as long as he doesn't do anything to you directly, you can't touch him?"

Matsuda nodded. "Not without being punished by the Regulators, no."

"Well, Tobi's right, that's bullshit," Light answered, surprising them all. "With that, it means that Mikami can torture L all he wants, but can't do anything about it. However, I can also see the reason behind that. It keeps the Childe from taking their anger out on their Sire for turning them."

"And? In some cases, I can see why they would. Like if they were turned against their will."

Matsuda snorted. "That is highly frowned upon."

Tobi shrugged. "But it's not against the Laws. There's a big hole in the Regulators' logic. There are also no Laws protecting a Childe from their Sire. The Sire is free to do as they please, so long as it doesn't cross the Code 67 line."

Light sighed. "No sense in just killing because you don't like the decision. Once you're a vampire, it's done. You can't go back to being human, no matter whether you kill the person that made you or not. And that's why they have that Law, Tobi. Killing your Sire just because you can won't make you human again. If they have a problem with being a vampire, then there are ways to get around it. Walk out into the sunlight or stake yourself. What the hell ever. But they won't do that, which only makes them cowards. They just want a reason to complain."

No one said anything for a few seconds after Light's short speech. Light began to wonder if maybe he shouldn't have said anything at all when L nodded. "I agree. With most of it. Only because I believe there should be more Laws to protect a Childe. The only reason, I believe, that they're aren't, is because a Sire is supposed to be responsible for their Childe. It should be all the protection they need. The Regulators don't make exceptions, and it's because of that, that you're so angry."

Matsuda nodded. "I was fortunate enough to have a Sire that actually cared for my well-being and thought enough to teach me what could and couldn't do."

Watari smiled. "Which is something that neither Light nor Tobi will have to worry about when they are turned; because I'm sure that you'll both take care of them."

Tobi shook his head. "Matsuda won't turn me. I'm doomed to run around with him as a human the rest of my life. I'm his Confidant, so he has no reason to turn me. When I die, he'll find another." He shrugged.

Matsuda smacked him on the back of his head. "Don't talk like that. Even though you aggravate the piss out of me, I'd miss you. And did we not make the agreement to turn you if your life was in danger?"

"Yeah, but with you hovering over me like a hawk, that's likely to never happen. And then I'll be gone before you know it."

Watari raised a brow and looked over at L and Light. "Are you sure that's not his human?"

L nodded and Light grinned. See? Even Watari can see it. When will the two of you figure it out? "They deny it, but we wonder."

Watari nodded. "So, when will you be turning your human, Lawliet?"

Light coughed some, making L chuckle. "I can't answer that for fear Light will tell me to turn him now. But when I decide he's ready, then I will do so. I don't want to make the same mistake twice."

"B was still human, Lawliet."

"And proving that I waited too long."

"Excuse me," Light said. "Why does he keep calling you that?"

"That's my name, Light. Well, it was before I started going by L. It was a ditch attempt to keep Mikami from finding me; however, you now know that it didn't work." He smiled slightly. "You may start calling me that, if you like, but I'd prefer only if we're alone."

Light kissed his cheek. "Thank you. I'd like that."

"I know that it may seem stupid now that Mikami knows who I am, but there are others that I'd rather not know who I am either. And if they did know, your life wouldn't be the only one in danger. They would be after Tobi and Matsuda as well, and possibly even Watari."

Light gasped. "Why?"

"To sever every connection I have. As you may have noticed, I'm not exactly the same as my Sire. And nor is Matsuda. While we have Laws that prevent us from just throwing dead humans about, there are no Laws saying that we can't dispose of them discretely. Neither Matsuda nor I kill the humans we feed from. We still have a conscience, I suppose you could say. There are vampires that would just love to corrupt that. To make us nothing more than monsters. Because we value life."

"You know, I just had a thought," Tobi said, coming back into the conversation.

"Let me mark the calendar," Matsuda replied, grinning.

Tobi stuck his tongue out at him and continued. "Have the other vampires not realized that if they keep killing off the humans, that eventually, there won't be anymore? What'll they do then? Feed off cows."

L and Matsuda both shivered, making faces of disgust, before L answered. "I don't think that they care. They think that there will always be humans on the Earth, so they don't care. Every five seconds of the day, somewhere one human is being born, another is dying, and one is being brought across as a vampire."

Light sighed. "That's a terrible kind of logic, L."

"But it's true. It very well may be a terrible way to think, but so long as they think like that, they have the idea that there will always be humans to feed from. It doesn't matter if they kill a few here or kill a few there. There will always be enough to replace the ones lost."

"It's amazing that the vampires haven't over populated the planet."

Tobi nodded. "That thought has crossed my mind before, but I guess with the Regulators taking out all the wild ones, it all works out somehow." He yawned and shook his head. "Damn..."

Matsuda patted his head and Tobi laid his head over onto the vampire's shoulder. "You'll be okay."

Watari smiled. "I'll be happy to show you where you'll be sleeping. It is getting late...even for someone living a vampire's hours."

L shook his head. "Would it be okay for Rayen to? I-uh...need to do something before I settle in."

Light raised a brow. "Don't bother, I've cracked your code. And I can take care of that."

"Light, you are--"

"Ah! Don't argue with me, L. It's not going to work this time."

Matsuda groaned. "Is there any way we could get a room across the house from them?"

Tobi laughed. "Yeah, because I'd like to actually get some sleep."

"Hush, you," Light said, then turned his attention back to L.

L shook his head again. "I'm not going to argue, Light. The decision is made. I am not going to feed from you."

Light stood as Watari did and narrowed his eyes. "We'll see about that when we get there, hmm?"

Tobi grinned. "Oooh, you know, I think I might wanna see this. Light's gonna win. Watch."

Rayen raised a brow at L and walked to the door, opening it. "L finally has his hands full."

L growled. "That's right, you all laugh it up now."

Light and Tobi exchanged a look and began to push L out the door. "Rayen," Light said, "show me to mine and L's room first, please?"

Matsuda started laughing, causing Tobi to smirk at him. "You're next."

OoOoOoOoOoOoOo

After L was manhandled into his and Light's room, he leaned against the bedroom wall, his arms crossed over his chest. Light hadn't said anything, and L could sense the nervousness coming off him. He wondered how Light thought he was going to be able to feed him in that condition.

"Well, Light, what now?"

Light waved a hand at him. "You act like I thought this through."

L sighed softly. "May I show you something?"

His human frowned but came to him with trust in his eyes. "Yeah, sure."

When he got close enough, L nuzzled his neck, taking in the scent of the blood flowing under his skin. He felt his fangs lengthen and he gently scraped them over the pulse in Light's neck, feeling it speed up. Light's blood began to call to him and L let out low growl as he gently sank his fangs into the skin in front of him. Light let out a gasp that quickly turned into a moan. L turned them and pressed Light against the wall, getting as close to him as he could, not once pulling his fangs from his human's neck. Light's blood was like fire running down his throat and he wanted to feed from him forever.

L whimpered and snaked a hand into Light's hair, gripping it and pulling his head back more as his fangs slid deeper. Light groaned and started to squirm against him. He knew what being fed from felt like, and with Light having pure veins, he could only imagine what Light was feeling. L was feeling something similar to euphoria and he wanted nothing more than to hold onto the feeling as long as he could. However, the logical side of him knew that he couldn't for fear of killing his human. Light's body began to relax against him, and L pulled his fangs from his neck, lightly sliding his tongue along the marks, sealing them.

Light shook his head and groaned, leaning fully against the wall. "Oh, wow. I feel...a little dizzy."

"You look like crap."

His human laughed tiredly. "Gee, thanks, L. See if you get this again. No sex for you, ever."

"That's not even close to funny." L slipped one of Light's arms around his shoulders. "Here, let me help you to the bed."

"Who said I was joking? Yes, the bed would be good."

L helped him walk and gently laid him down, climbing in beside him. Light turned and laid his head on L's chest.

"Hang on..." Light frowned and put his hand against L's chest. "You have a heartbeat."

"Well, yes. I just fed, after all. It's why feeding is so closely related to sex."

L smirked some as Light blushed. "Wh-what?"

"Well, Light," L replied, struggling to keep a straight face, "what causes a man to have an erection? It's because of the blood flow to--"

Light clamped his hand over L's mouth. "I know what causes it. What's your point?"

"No heartbeat, no blood flow."

"We are not having this conversation. This is what I get for being curious."

L raised a brow. "And of course if there's no blood flow, there's no--"

Light groaned. "Goodnight, L."

"Morning, Light. It's morning."

"Ugh!"

TBC... of course.

I had a bit of a time getting this chapter out. I lost my muse for a while, then gained it back. I'm working on the next chapter now. Hope you enjoyed. See you next time!