A/N: I'm sorry for changing the tense on you guys half way through the story. I'm having a really hard time sticking to present tense so I'm switching over to the easiest way for me to write, which is in past tense.

Also, um. Before you read this chapter I want you to know that things are going to get better for Light soon. Don't lose hope!

-=-0-=-

A door slammed. Light jerked awake in his chair. He could hear the lock jangling and a shiver made its way down his spine. He'd heard that lock open dozens of times and Mikami was always precise- never wasting time. A click and then he'd be in.

There was the sound of keys clattering against each other and his apprehension grew. It continued for a couple more moments, Light's eyes locked on the door.

Finally, it creaked open. Mikami stumbled in. He was messy and something seemed… wrong somehow. It looked like someone had spilled their drink on him and he hadn't cleaned himself up before coming back in. There were also… chunks of something spattered on his jacket. He stepped into the light of the room.

It took a moment for Light's sleep muddled brain to understand what it was that dirtied his clothes and face. He shivered and pressed his back hard against the chair when he realized, trying to get as far from the man as possible. Mikami didn't seem to notice, too absorbed in his mission to consider what Light was feeling.

"God. God," Mikami said, reaching out a shaking hand and stumbling closer, "I did your work today. I killed those heathens, just like I knew you would want."

Light shivered as a hand ran through his hair, smearing blood and god knew what else in it. The smell of copper invaded Light's senses as fingers trailed down to stroke his face gently.

"Kira, tell me you're proud of me." He tugged the gag down, looming over the teen as his fingers pressed into his cheek. "Tell me you want me."

Light struggled to breathe, to keep tears from escaping his watering eyes- he couldn't afford to break down. He didn't know what Mikami would do if he didn't give him what he wanted. He pulled on his mask- the face he wore every day, no matter where he went. He struggled for a moment before he managed a smile.

"Mikami," he murmured, "You're perfect."

"Really?" Mikami's voice shook.

"Do you think I would lie to you?"

"No, God. I promise- I wasn't- I didn't-"

"Mikami."

Mikami's teeth clicked as he snapped his mouth shut.

"You were wonderful. You did everything I could've asked for."

Mikami's hand moved lower, his palm pressing against Light's throat for a moment. His other hand was still hidden from view. Light shivered at the quiet threat. Mikami's eyes were locked on his, looking for something. Light didn't know what. He swallowed dryly and, terrified, he decided to try again.

"I'm so proud of you Mikami. You did so well for me."

Something seemed to break and Mikami sunk to his knees, his head hanging and his hands pressing against Light's thighs. He felt the press of a knife in the hand that had been hidden from him before. He froze in terror.

It was hard to think. He didn't know what to do. He shook quietly, trying not to let Mikami realize exactly how panicked he was.

"God, help me." Mikami whispered. His hands were burning hot on Light's legs.

"What…" Light had to stop and start again, fighting down the feeling of horror at what was happening to him, "What do you need?"

"Help me," Mikami repeated, "I need, I need to get this heathen's blood off of my skin."

Mikami pushed himself up, arms shaking from the effort. He reached around Light, body pressing against his and breath brushing against the teen's throat. He first cut through the ropes around his ankles, and then to the one tying his cuffed wrists to the chair.

Light shivered as the knife brushed past his skin and Mikami pressed closer against him, but didn't react otherwise, still holding on to his composure (even if only by his fingertips at this point).

"Of course, Mikami," he said, trying hard not to think of the implications of what he was agreeing to, "I'll help you get cleaned up."

Mikami sighed with relief and Light heard the jangling of keys. He heard the cuffs clatter to the ground and couldn't breathe for a moment- overwhelmed with sudden optimism. Mikami was completely letting him loose- he could run, he could get out of here, he could-

He couldn't do anything, he was reminded as Mikami wrapped his arms around his shoulders. The man had a knife. There was no way that Light could get the keys away from him and still live to run. He choked on a quiet sob. He fought the tears back. He was a proud person- there was no way he was going to let himself break down here.

Finally, Mikami let him go and got to his feet. He grabbed Light's hand from where it'd been hanging at his side and pulled him to his feet. Light could only follow listlessly as he was led to the room with the bath, Mikami whispering sweet praises into his ear as they went.

There was nothing else he could do, after all.

-=-1-=-

L grinned. Kira had finally made a mistake- one which he was going to exploit to the fullest.

He'd had theories about Kira which had needed testing, and he now had good data to go on. He'd had a broadcast of three criminals who were already on death row to test Kira's capabilities- and all of them had done crimes which would no doubt push the killer into action.

The first one, Haru Ito, had both his name and face displayed on the broadcast. He was dead so soon as these were on the TV, meaning that Kira could kill people instantly given the right information. Ryota Kato was next. Only his face was on the screen, no name. He still died not long after, but it took significantly more time. Lastly, Sota Saito's face and name were displayed- except that his actual name was Kenta Saito. He was the only one out of the three who had not died.

This meant that names were somehow meaningful for Kira's process. L didn't know how these murders were being committed, but now he had a solid lead to follow.

Kira was on limited time.

-=-2-=-

Misa smiled prettily across the table at Hirokazu as he talked about his day. Ryuk wasn't with them this time, which was sort of a relief. Misa loved the shinagami, but it was always awkward when there was a third person along for a date (even if only one person could see them).

"How's work going?" she asked, voice low.

"It's been going really well, actually," Hirokazu said, "We might actually have a solid lead on Kira for once."

Misa pointedly did not freak out. She went still for a moment, trying to figure out a response that wouldn't make her sound suspicious.

"Do you think…" she trailed off, unsure.

"What?" he asked, concern obvious. It wasn't like Misa to be hesitant or quiet.

"Do you think catching Kira is really a good thing?"

Hirokazu's eyes widened. "What?"

Misa fiddled with her hands nervously. "Well," she said, "Kira's only been hurting criminals right? Is that such a bad thing?"

"Someone can't just go around murdering criminals," said Hirokazu, but he didn't look sure of his statement. "We should let the justice system decide who deserves the death penalty."

"Yeah, but… think of how many criminals get out of prison early, or just don't go to prison at all. Misa Misa doesn't know, it just seems like… like Kira is trying to make the world safer for everyone."

"I think so too," he said, "but we can't just let him keep doing this."

"Why not?"

Hirokazu looked at a loss for words. "We just can't! It's not right."

Misa nodded along, letting it slide. She didn't want to make a big scene when they were out on a date. She liked Hirokazu, and she needed him for information- she didn't want to get in a fight that would make him break up with her.

She just hoped he would put some thought into what she'd said.

-=-3-=-

A/N: I went ahead and made a banner for the fic as I'm sure you've noticed. If you want to check out the full sized version you can find it on my deviantart- I'm bunny500 over there too.

Also, thank you all for the reviews! You guys keep this fic going. (An especially big thanks to cheeseandhamburger, it was really sweet that you left a comment on every chapter! You seriously lifted my spirits)