Disclaimer: I do not own Death Note, crossword puzzles, or Sudoku.

Characters: Roger, L, Wammy Boys

Genre: General

All schools go through fads, whether they revolve around Livestrong bracelets, Rubix cubes, "yo mama" jokes, or chocolate-covered cherries. Wammy's House, although consisting of undeniably extraordinary students, was no exception.

When Matt, Mello, and Near were students, the thing was crossword puzzles. (Except for Near, who preferred numbers to letters and was always doing Sudoku.)

Roger sighed. It was almost impossible to find a crossword puzzle that was even close to difficult enough for his geniuses. He started them at college-level puzzles, but Mello kept stealing the book before they could be distributed and solving all the puzzles with the help of Matt.

He had tried harder and harder puzzles with harder and more obscure clues, but it was what the children were made to do- they were simply too good at figuring out the answer to any question offered to them.

So Roger had finally decided.

Who were all the children trying to be?

L.

Who was the only person who could even hope to create something the kids would at least struggle with?

L.

Of course.

So Roger contacted Watari, who told him their location, and now L and Roger were sitting in a hotel room in stiff armchairs, facing each other and drinking tea.

"So like I said," Roger continued. "Not only is it the 'thing' at the orphanage, but I also believe it is beneficial to their intellectual and social development. That being said, could you be convinced to create a puzzle that they would not be able to complete so readily?"

L considered, but only for a very short moment.

"Very well. I will email you the puzzle in an attachment when I am done."

Roger cringed. "Please don't. If you email me, you'll ask me to destroy my computer again."

L nodded, the ghost of a smile present on his blank features. "It is true. I will have Watari contact you."

Roger presented the puzzle a few days later with a feeling of very deep satisfaction.

Even Near hadn't been able to solve that one.