"Must we go through this?" L asked sleepily.

"You promised me you would, so yes." Watari answered as he the procedure began.

"I suppose I did, it was not as if you would let me say no. Between the two of you, I have never witnessed such-"

"Just lie still, you will need to rest, this procedure will take four or so hours, if you feel differently, let me know immediately." L turned his attention to the small tube that was slowly removing his blood. Watari had explained that cleaning his blood, though it was a long shot, was something he wanted to try. His hope was that at the end of the procedure, L would have better test results, Watari had taken to testing him frequently.

"May I sleep then?" L asked impatiently.

"If you like. " L closed his eyes but found it difficult to sleep.

"Watari, can we stop this?"

"Why, what is it?"

"I am feeling as if I am going to be ill, my stomach is starting to hurt and my head is-"

"Alright, I can't stop, but I can adjust it." Light shook his head, something would have to work.

"Are you sure about this Watari?" Light asked.

"No, Watari is reaching for a solution that does not exist." L answered.

"Don't say that, just because you're giving up doesn't mean I have to let you." The old man said sternly.

"Did you not say I was able to choose for myself?"

"I did, then I decided to revoke that decision."

"On what grounds?" L asked weakly.

"Temporary insanity." L was clearly upset by the comment.

"That is not true and you know it, just because I do not agree-"

"It's find to disagree Ryuzaki, but you refused medication." Watari explained.

"I knew exactly what I was saying, you know I did. Unless you have a legal document to prove your "

"I would suggest that you don't provoke me into getting one, you know I can." Watari warned. Light could hardly believe what he was witnessing, L and Watari were...arguing.

"You should think very carefully about what you say to me Watari, I do not want you to regret it after I-"

"You're not going to, I won't allow it."

"You have no way to stop it, it happens to everyone eventually. Medical treatment is just a way to delay the inevitable. When it is time, there is nothing that can be done. I am sorry that it worries you but it is a fact that we all have to accept." Watari lowered himself into his chair.

"If you know how hard it is for me, why must you continue, how much pain will you inflict on an old man's heart?" L sighed it was clear that he was ashamed of himself. Light was amazed by the confrontation though he himself was not proud of himself, he couldn't help but wonder, both Watari and L were very intelligent people, light found himself wondering who would win the argument and looked forward to finding the answer. What he didn't expect was for L to give in. He watched the old man who it seemed was pained by his own words. He reached out to the detective only for him to pull away.

"I am...sorry, it seems I have been hurting you almost constantly Watari. You do not deserve this treatment, you have always been good to me and I am deeply ashamed by my inexcusable behavior, I will not as your forgiveness, I am not worthy of it."

"Ryuzaki, if I made you feel this terrible, I'm s-"

"No, you do not need to be sorry, you are doing what you believe is best for me. Please understand that I appreciate your effort, my illness however is difficult for me, it causes constant pain and I am struggling with it. I know that you are as well, I am being selfish and there is no excuse for it. I do not want you to feel guilty when I can no long stay with you."

"Ryuzaki, I've never heard those things from you. I suppose I never realized the extent of your suffering, I have been blinded by my own pain and fear." He reach out once more to stroke L's hair lovingly.

"Please Watari, do not do that, I do not deserve such kindness." Watari sighed and began to do it anyway.

"You most certainly do.I can't begin to imagine how hard this must be for you. The fact is, since the day you came to me, you have been nothing less than a son to me and I have always wanted to protect you.I-"

"You cannot protect me from everything, you cannot control this illness, please don't be so upset Watari, it hurts me." L said staring into the old man's eyes. Light could feel tears in his own eyes and excused himself from the room.

"Since you're going to be out there, get some supplies for another blood test, I'll be check that later. Could you also bring the heating pad back on?" Light nodded, he didn't trust his voice. He began his journey to the supply closet passing by empty rooms feeling a sense of dread in his heart.

"I must be losing my mind." He whisper to himself. " L'sickness shouldn't be making me feel like this. This is crazy.' A few tears fell as he entered the supply closet and grabbed the requested items. He began his walk back but instead of going right to L's room, light decided to calm himself in the room beside it. He laid down on the bed and took in a deep breath. He soon realized that he could faintly hear Watari and L through the vent beside the bed. He listened carefully, maybe they were just doing this to try to make him confess to being Kira, he had to admit it was a pretty elaborate plan, but L was the best detective in the world so light couldn't dismiss the idea just yet.

"Watari, I feel so...weak" L moaned softly.

"It's going to be alright. Just rest, things will get better, we'll get through this."

"I do not want to go through this again, I cannot do it, please Watari, just something to make me comfortable, I do not want to feel this way anymore."

"L, I-I don't want you to hurt either, but I-"

"If you love me Watari, please." The feeble voice pleaded. There was a long silence followed.

"I do love you, that's why I'm trying so hard to make you better, but if you're really that bad, I will make you as comfortable as possible. Are you sure I can't talk you out of this?"

"I am certain yes."

"Very well L, just know that I love you.

"You are a good man Watari, I believe I will still have some time to spend with you, in return for all you have done for me, I will try to make it as pleasant as possible." Light couldn't believe it, after all they had gone through, the legendary L was giving up. More tears flowed as he thought of Watari, how devastated he would be, light himself felt bad for L, even with his plan, Light didn't want L to die, not like this.