Happy Christmas


"LIGHT?" Misa couldn't help the surprised scream that tore out from her prone mouth. The deranged teen smirked and stepped forwards into the light.

"Yes Misa, surprised?" Misa took a brief moment to survey him, he wore the white pyjamas that were customary of all their 'guests', his once sleek hair now fell about his face like dry straw. His eyes were as cold as ever but seemed to be far more shrunken into his face making his already sharp feature look practically razor like. All in all he looked every bit as evil as he was but any fear that might have been rising in Misa was quickly abated when she saw the blinking collar around his neck.

"Not particularly Light, I knew they would probably bring you here although why you are in my room is a mystery to me. Why are you in here?" Light chuckled sinisterly; somehow it didn't have the same effect as it once would. "Do you honestly think these people could stop me going where I want to?" "Light, no-one is trying to stop you going anywhere. This facility has thousands of underground cells that we could keep you in if we wanted to stop you going anywhere. The fact of the matter is that your hands are tied behind your back in a straight jacket and you're wearing a shock collar to stop you going outside or hurting anyone." Light's confident expression faltered at this, "Don't be stupid, I'm here because I got out of the holding cell." Misa nodded, "Yes Light, the 'holding cell' with an automatic door. Let me guess, and by guess I hope you understand that I'm not guessing at all I can tell from your current state, that you slammed against the door which magically sprung open and you wandered out unheeded by anyone. However if you had just stood in front of the door as the sign next to it suggests it would have come open automatically without you possibly dislocating your shoulder. Oh and by the way, its rude coming into someone's room without permission."

Light's mouth fell open in a manner that would have been highly comical had it not been for the absurdity of the situation. With a frustrated snarl Light dove forward with the intent to knock Misa off of the balcony for her 'crimes' against him.

He never made it to Misa, a sudden intense pain shot through his prone body starting at his neck.

"Light, I did just say the collar was to stop you from hurting anyone, was that really smart. Honestly to be frank you're lucky the British won the bid, if we had let the French or Americans win you'd already be very, very dead. I'm pretty sure rehabilitation is better than the lynch mob waiting for you if this doesn't work."

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Misa sighed as she bent down to help the twitching boy to sit up. How was she going to explain this?


/-/-/


With L

Three hours after they had met this crazy, brilliant woman they were sat on a jet plane headed for England. Mello had been exhausted and had dozed off almost instantly. The only difference between him and a corpse being the occasional snorting snore. Near sat with L, Watari and Belle but, although he tried to be interested in the conversation they were having, he found the call of his toys to be far too strong.

"So, what you're saying madam is that you have an institute similar to my own." Watari inquired over a steaming cup of tea.

"Actually, you have an institute similar to my own. I know it seems silly to correct you but I am quite proud of having the first existing home for gifted youngsters. Although one large difference between yourself and I is that I don't limit it to the gifted. I take any lost child and give them a better start in life that I can." Watari nodded in understanding whilst L gnawed at his thumb.

'Will Misa even want to see me, it's been months. What if she has moved on or never truly liked me at all. I don't want to make her uncomfortable but I have to see her. I need her. She may be like me, the only other one like me, I'm not alone.'

L's head was in shambles, everything had moved so quickly that he couldn't think, he needed time to plan what he would say to her, if he said anything at all.

He was so wrapped up in his own confusion that he hadn't realised that Belle had moved till he felt her gloved hand on his own, pushing his hand away from his gnashing teeth. "Careful now sweetheart, you keep that up and there won't be any of you for Misa to see." She giggled at his shocked expression as she fished in her purse. With a gratified "Ahha." She pulled out a large bag of lollipops. "You're just as bad as Misa, the number of times I've had to pull that girls thumb out of her mouth because she's made herself bleed is enormous. It's why I always keep at least one bag of these on me, the sugar is good food for the brain and by giving her something to suck that she can't hurt it saves her poor thumb."

Smiling she handed him three of the prettiest lollies he had ever seen, all vividly contrasting with the whiteness of her glove. After a moment he un-wrapped the red one and popped it in his mouth. The sweet cherry flavour filled his mouth pleasantly and he couldn't help but hum his approval. "I knew you would like that one, the cherry one's are Misa's favourite too." His dark eyes flickered to her briefly as he sucked it with renewed appreciation. Misa like this flavour too, in a convoluted way it was like he felt a connection to the far off girl even though the logical part of his brain knew that it was quite... what's the expression? Stalkerish, that's the one. Even though it made him seem quite stalkerish it didn't matter, it soothed the ache in his chest that had been consuming him for weeks.

"So, Misa does what I do." With a kindly smile Belle nodded as she stirred her tea, "although I must say pet Misa is in far greater physical fitness than you are. Even when she was at her biggest she was in excellent shape." The image of a plumper Misa was oddly pleasing to the pale detective but at the same time he felt the urge to defend himself to the older woman.

"I am not unfit, running is not my strong suit but that doesn't mean I am unfit." He felt Belle's eyes trail over him as he spoke and he found it hard to fight a blush of embarrassment.

"Kicking?" L blinked away his shock, "I beg your pardon." "Is kicking your strong suit, kick boxing perhaps?" "Kind of." She nodded and turned away from him to again fish in her hand bag.

She produced a faded photo and handed it to him. He gazed at the image of a younger Belle with her arms around three adolescents, a tall brunette boy holding a belt. It appeared to be some sort of trophy and given the state of his attire L could only conclude that the boy was a kick boxer. However L had no interest in him, on either side of the boy was two girls. One girl with long brown hair and wide brown eyes that fit her freckled face perfectly but the girl that captured L's attention was the girl to the right of the boy.

Even with shorter brown hair he could recognise her, she was pressed closely into the boy and her arm was in front of him so she could hold the hand of the other girl. She looked extremely happy as she smiled at the camera. The other girl, however, looked very uncomfortable. Sure she was smiling but it didn't reach her eyes.

"Who are the other two?" Belle took the photo back smiling at it fondly.

"The boy is my son, David. He was 16 when this was taken I think. Misa, as you know, is on his right. On his left is Misa's little sister Melo, or Melody. Although, she has been prone to biting people for calling her that." Watari held out his hand so he too could look at the photo as well.

"Your son looks very like you." "Thank you, I personally think he's more his father's boy but in this picture he does look a lot like me. Are you all right Near?" The pale boy nodded before shyly enquiring if he could look at the picture too. Belle laughed at the polite boy and handed it to him too.

L watched curiously as he saw his young protégé brush a cautious finger over the image of Melo. For an instant L thought he saw a faint blush blossom on the younger boy's cheeks before it disappeared into his alabaster skin.

"She is very pretty."

"Melo? Yes she is, isn't she? When we find her you should tell her that, she thinks she is ugly. Heck with a sister as beautiful as Misa I think anyone would feel a little doubt at their own appeal but honestly she has to be one of the most unconfident people I have ever met. She thinks, just because she's a little bigger than average girls that she is ugly. It doesn't matter how many times Misa and I have told her she's wrong she can't believe us. She thinks that we're just saying that because we're obliged to, as her family. In all honesty that's why I didn't act quicker when she went missing." The woman placed a gloved hand over her mouth as tears formed in the corners of her eyes.

L turned to face her more fully; taking the diminished lolly out of his mouth so he could talk properly. "What do you mean?"

"Melo used to go missing for days on end to try and exercise, to lose weight. You see she was very self conscious. She used to think whenever she went to the gym in the institute or the tracks around that people were staring at her, laughing at her. Of course that wasn't the case but that's how she felt. It never really worked because she was completely without support so she would lose maybe one or two pounds and come back feeling worse than when she left. At first, when she'd gone, that's what I thought it was. After a week went by I tried getting in touch with our contacts on the outside and they hadn't heard anything from her. Next I know Misa is ringing me telling me that she has been kidnapped and that they hadn't been in touch with ransom details or anything. If she is dead it will be my fault."

Her speech was broken by a choked sob; she faced the window to hide her tears. Near looked away so she could have her moment, Watari passed her a pristine handkerchief which she accepted gratefully.

L, on the other hand, was not interested in the tears; this was the time for action. "Have there been any leads." "L." Watari warned him gently with a shake of his hand but Belle had had her moment.

"No, it's fine. I believe Misa had found some possible leads. There are a couple of possibilities, for example the girl may have simply run off. She never liked the secrecy of our lifestyle. She hated not being able to contact Misa, they were so close. Before she disappeared and before Misa had been put on the Kira case they hadn't spoken in two years and it was killing Melo. After a series of accidents Melo lost the ability to contact Misa all together. But, I think, she found a number, Misa by that point had gone underground so that when she emerged as the model Misa Amane no-one from her previous 'life' questioned whether it was the same girl. Melo told me she had text Misa to see if it was her."

"But you knew that the model was her sister, why didn't you just tell her."

"I couldn't, going underground means no contact from anyone so that you can completely remake yourself. It's why Melo struggled to recognise Misa at first. The last Melo had seen Misa she had had a short, brown bob and was at least twenty pounds heavier. Add the makeup and the only similar thing was her eyes. The only reason I let the contact happen was because of how ill Melo had gotten, that and... Well I don't know if I should say."

L was absorbing everything that was being told of him. Trying to make a mental picture of the missing girl's character; there was no way she had just disappeared, at least not willingly.

"You should tell us anything that you know. Anything could be the key to why she went missing."

Belle sighed and shifted in her seat, "Melo told me... she said she had some information about hive that she couldn't tell me, she needed to tell Misa. When Melo works on a case she can go one of two ways, either be really open and tell anyone in the house who will listen about it or become highly secretive and almost feverish with it. That's what she was like, I couldn't get a word out of her, she needed Misa so, as their handler I allowed it."

"Then what happened?" Near chipped in, still he held the photograph, looking at the girl as though she were an old friend.

"Then she disappeared. She was working her own case, a murderer in the London area killing women with dark hair and olive skin, not very complicated but still important to be solved before a ball that the Italian embassy were throwing. She finished that and then she was gone."

"And there was no word, nothing?"

"Nothing."

L stood and walked to the back of the jet as the others continued talking, he had all he needed for now. Things were both clear and confused however one thing stood out to him, whatever the girl had found out, whatever it was that was so terrible she couldn't trust her handler with that she needed her sister for. Yes whatever secret she had learned, that was what had caused her disappearance. L could only hope it hand caused her death.


/-/-/-/-/-/-/


Unknown Pov

Cold.

It's so cold. I can't see, I can't... I can't breathe.

"Hello. Is- Is anyone out there?"

There is no response, there never is.

I can feel the tears rolling down my face, I must look a sight, bruised, bleeding and crying.

How could he do this to us? How could he betray us all like this?

"David you bastard!" It doesn't matter how many times I scream it no-one comes. Only, something's different this time. In the air, I can feel it. A change, another person is there.

"I know you're there. Answer me damn it!" A foot, a steel toed boot, in my ribs. My throat is so raw I can't even cry out. I curl up as more tears force their way out of my bound eyes.

"Now now Melo. That isn't any kind of language for a young lady to be using."

"Who says I'm a lady you cunt!" The same foot slams down into my spine this time. I can't help screaming as the burning pain radiates throughout my body.

"And here, young David has been telling me how nice and polite you are. Has he lied to me, my love, or are you not happy with your current living arrangements. We can change it if you'd like. We can put you into a lovely room, with a bed and a window and a computer and anything else you'd need."

"And all I need to do is sell my soul to the Devil and it's all mine."

His laugh grates on my ears, it makes me wince, it's too loud and tinny. I can feel his hands sliding down my side, caressing me. I feel sick.

"Get off me."

"I think not, my love. And no, we don't want your soul, just your cooperation. Work for us and we will give you anything you desire. Your talents will not play second fiddle to your sisters any longer."

"Go to hell." The hand grips tighter on my waist, fingertips digging in painfully.

"I've already been."

I feel the blindfold being pulled off and the man hauls me up by my hair so I'm sat instead of sprawled out on the cold, metal floor as I have been for the past week. To keep me disorientated they kept moving me, never in the same place for too long but never before have they taken the blindfold off.

After being so long in the dark my eyes are stinging at the sudden burst of light. I can't stop blinking, trying desperately to get my eyes to accustom themselves to their surroundings. Bit by bit the blurry picture comes into focus, I can see the padded walls with questionable stains on them. Some look like dried blood, some look like. My gag reflex kicks in; don't think about it, think about anything else.

The man caresses my head, smoothing my hair gently. As if I don't know what he's doing. As if I'm too stupid to know when someone is trying to inspire Stockholm, I've seen it often enough. But I know, he can't trick me. He can't play me off against Misa. If he had ever had any chance at fooling me had lost it the second he mentioned her... play along. Don't let him know he's lost me or he may finish what the others started.

"I knew, from the first moment I saw you that I had to have you for my collection. Years of recruiting from Belle and finally I found my missing piece. I didn't care that young David told me Misa had more talent; you were all I could think about. Do you have any idea how long I have been planning this?"

"Do you have any idea how sick you make me?"

So much for hiding it from him, oh well it would seem odd if I just changed suddenly.

Again he laughed but this time I knew he didn't mean it... if his grip on my hair was any indication.

"You're very funny poppet. So very funny."

"I want to see you. Let me see you." I felt his shuddering breath on my ear and it sickened me. His lips stroked my ear as he spoke. "As you wish, my princess."

Slowly I felt him stand and move around into my line of sight. The only way I could think of describing him was like a cross between Lucius Malfoy and Hannibal Lecter.

Pale skin, aristocratic features. Piercing blue eyes that seemed to look straight through me. Broad shoulders and chest lead down to long legs. Everything about him screamed luxury except for him boots, worn out and steel toed contrasting with his three piece suit. He slipped the charcoal jacket over his shoulders and dropped it to the floor. His long, blonde hair fell forward into his face. If I didn't know he was a vile, disgusting excuse for a human being she would have thought he was beautiful. But she did know, and now she had a face to hate.

"Like what you see princess?"

"Not particularly."

He flung himself forward startling me. He gripped me tightly and pulled me to his face, "Now then sweetheart. I've had just about enough of this attitude. Why are you trying to hurt me? I have kept you safe, I have cherished you, I have-"

"Kidnapped me, beaten me. Yes you're right, how can I be so angry at you?" He actually looks like I've slapped him, his eyes are filling up with tears. Crocodile tears no doubt. I almost feel bad for him but that's what he wants. Ignore him, he's trying to get you to doubt yourself. Don't let him win.'

"I only want what's best for you Melody. Why can't you see that? I didn't want to hurt you but I couldn't let you continue as you were. You would have ruined everything. I need David to remain undiscovered so that he can keep saving the children. Save them from what you have suffered from, save them from living in Misa's shadow as you have been forced to."

"You're mad."

He shook his head and picked up his jacket, he brushed it off carefully before putting it back on carefully. He raised his hand and I couldn't help the wince, expecting him to strike me again. He pulled a face to show his displeasure at my fear before crouching back down. He looked at me for a long moment before softly tilting my chin and brushing his thin, cold lips against my sore, chapped ones. I fought the urge to vomit as he rubbed his cheek along my own.

"You will understand sparrow, you will see it as clearly as I do and then, maybe you will try and return my feelings. Until then, little girl, I will have to leave you here. Please, please try for me."

And with that he left, slipped out the door that slammed shut behind him. The tears came back then, I hate crying. I hate feeling so weak. I need to get out, I need to tell Misa. I need to die.

The darkness is flooding my vision, I can feel unconsciousness slipping in, it's better that way. If I'm not conscious they can't hurt me. I'm free in my dreams.


Unknown Pov

"David, come here."

"Yes sir."

The snivelling little brat practically runs over to me, I'm surprised he can hear me over the screams coming from the various cells around the room.

"Go back to your mother's institute and do what I pay you for. Scout out anymore talent and... Go to Melo's room, bring anything you like, just something so that she has the comforts of home here. Nothing about her sister though. No photos. I need to break her spirit and I can't do that if the 'good old days' are filling her mind with doubts."

"Sir I don't understand why it's her you want. Misa, for one, is far more talented and, if I may say so she is far prettier."

The sound of my slap echoes around the room. Even the screaming children shut up at it. Blood pools in the corner of David's mouth and it only validates my rage.

"How dare you, HOW DARE YOU QUESTION ME! I know that Misa is considered to be the fairer of the two but my orchid is the true beauty. There is something in her eyes, I can see it in every picture and even in person. She has touched the darkness and come out pure. She is mine and mine alone and if I ever hear you say that she is anything other than the beauty she is I will not hesitate to kill you. Am I clear? AM I CLEAR?"

He nods furiously as he crawls backwards away from me before running out into the night.

I press a shaking hand to my lips to try and remember the feeling of her sweet lips on mine, she is warming up to me I can feel it. No one will stand in our way, nothing will stop us once she submits to me. We will rule the world, HIVE will be stronger than ever and it is within my grasp.

It's so close I can feel it.


/-/-


And that's your lot.

First off I am soooooo so so very sorry it's been so long since my last update. I just lost all my drive for this story. I couldn't work out where I needed to go and I felt so bad that I was letting everyone who liked this story down and then I got caught up in another story I was writing.

But today the plot bunnies have returned, so YAY, let's hope they stay this time. =)

Thank you as always to me wonderful reviewers and everyone who's added me to lists.


Thank you to IthinkIthinktoomuch for your constructive criticism. I will say I know my punctuation is terrible, I get caught up in writing and it's like I forget to add any so I'll look back and I won't be able to work out where to break it up. My poor beta reader Lucy has a hell of a job with me and sometimes mistakes reappear after she's sent me stuff back which never ceases to surprise and annoy us both. The to and too thing is also not my fault, I've just recently worked out that there was an issue with my spell check that I've managed to fix as in I would put the right one and it would change it. So it's my fault for not checking better but it was a technical difficulty that I wouldn't have picked up on if you hadn't mentioned it. Soooo yeah thank you sweetie, hope you like this chapter, you'll have to let me know if you're still reading that is. If you are still reading please don't ever feel bad about telling me where i'm messing up =) constructive critisism is good =D.

Rin Sessys Girl- thank you as always... oh no, your psychic powers have waned my friend it was light in her room not David... oh well a win is a win ;) I hope your still reading and I am sorry for the long wait. Please let me know what you think =) xx

Natsu 18 – I hope you're still reading too, I'm sorry about the long wait. Thank you for taking the time to review I hope this chapter doesn't let you down.

L and Misa for eternity – Thank you, I hope you like this chapter. Thank you for reviewing. =)

AnjuHime- haha don't be scared by Belle, she's like a nutty grandma =P haha I hope you like this chapter, thank you for reviewing.


So again, thank you to everyone and sorry about the wait.

Merry Christmas to everyone =)

Wp2 xx