Wow I have actually updated. Didn't think it would happen did you? Anyway I have the next chapter written too and I will working on the final one soon. I have also edited all the previous chapters. So hopefully they are better. I would say I am sorry for taking so long to update, but I was just really struggling to get myself to even look at this.

Anyway Merry Christmas!

Summary: What would have happened if Light decided that he wanted L to truly be his friend? How far will he go to gain that friendship?

Italics: Thoughts

***

It was a few days before any activity arose again and so Light was more than a little surprised when L was sent to fetch him. During that time Light continued to stay at the headquarters as if by some unspoken agreement. L also seemed to be near constant presence, never speaking, just… there. If Light hadn't been so used to having the detective around so much it would have driven him crazy. Strangely enough though, the knowledge continued to be a comfit rather than a disturbance.

"Light, Watari has just told me that a news segment just aired that he thinks you would be interested in," L murmured as re-entered the room and Light frowned. 'Why would Watari ask after me specifically? It couldn't possibly have anything to do with Kira, or L would have sent Matsuda to tell me about it while he studied it multiple times. So what could Watari have seen that would make him think of me?' Too curious to waste any more time pondering, Light nodded and left the room to find Watari.

The elderly gentleman spotted Light the instant he walked into the room and motioned for Light to close the door behind him. 'What's going on? Could this really be just a casual meeting…? No, if it was then L would have told me what it was about. Unless he doesn't know…' Walking across the room he joined Watari.

"Thank you for coming so quickly Light. Now, I would like you to keep this just between us for the moment, but I believe L's life may still be in danger…" Watari said gravely and Light froze eyes. 'Wait…WHAT!'

"…But I thought Kira had stopped," Light said cutting off Watari.

"You're right, it's not Kira. I will let you watch this recording to explain," Watari said and stood up to push in the tape. "I have been taping the news ever since Kira's final broadcast in case he were to start up again when I found this." Leaning forward in his chair Light saw Watari settle down in a chair and pick up a remote out of the corner of his eye and press a button before returning his attention to the tv. Immediately it lit up and the opening for the Golden News played across the screen. 'The news?'

"Hello and welcome to tonight's late night broadcast of NHN Golden News, I am your host Koki Tanakabara. As of three days ago a new website known as '' has been circling the internet as the news of Kira's disappearance begins to spread through the general public. Already the website has had an astounding, five million subscribers from around the world. On this site you can also find a list of Kira's victims as well as hundreds of news articles from newspapers world wide. The most disturbing aspect about this website is however, not its hunt for the elusive L, who is renowned as being the world's greatest detective, but the kill list users of the site have created which lists names and photographs of hundreds of thousands of people. The followers of Kira remain strong in their belief that Kira has not yet abandoned them and is only testing their faith in their one true lord and saviour. Will they find L? Only time will tell…"

Watari stopped the video walked over to fetch the tape; meanwhile Light was frozen in shock. '…Wha-at… Why…?' Turning to face Watari, Light blurted out the first thing that came to mind…

"Why are you keeping this from L?" 'None of this makes any sense. L needs to know this, why hasn't he been told?' Moving to stand up in front of Light, Watari looked at Light steadily before speaking.

"Because there is nothing he can do. If he were to find out now he would most likely do something reckless as he has no time to plan for anything else…"

"What do you mean by 'we have no time'?" Light said panic edging his voice. 'No, this can't be happening. I should have expected that considering how crazy Kira's followers are that they might try something like this, but L… L!'

"Only an hour ago I received a message from the group stating that unless we surrender L when they come to collect him they will kill everyone on the taskforce as well as their families. They seem to believe that by doing so they will be able to bring back Kira," Watari explained and Light felt a cold dread creep into his stomach. 'What will they do to him? Will L be a sacrifice? Why is Watari telling me this…? Hang on why haven't the task force come in today? There are too many questions. This doesn't make sense, unless…' "I see you are you realising the gravity of the situation you're in." 'More than that,' Light thought as his body was consumed in helpless anger. "They will be here in just under ten minutes." '…Even if I do get to L in time…'

Hanging his head Light said, "What do you want me to do?"

***

Light wrists stung as the rope ground against the skin. He had barely left the building when he was seized a cacophony of voices demanding answers. A single world fell from Light's lips and the world spun once more, hands gabbing and pulling as a blindfold was roughly pulled around his eyes and he was shoved into the back seat of a car, the door slamming behind him. Light heard the driver being signalled to head to the base now. The car started reluctantly and Light kept his ears open for any sounds that could give him an indication as to where he was. When no sound was immediately recognisable Light's mind quickly began to drift back to what Watari had said back in the hotel room.

(Flashback)

"We have a common interest, you and I but in order for us to keep them safe we will need someone who is clever enough to fool others into believe that person is L…" Light paled, another shudder running through him.

"And you want that person to be me," Light cut in, voicing his thoughts.

"Why shouldn't it be you? You certainly are capable enough," Watari said. "Besides why should L die for your mistakes?" Light's head snapped up and he glared at Watari furiously, stung.

"I was controlled, it was hardly my fault either," Light whispered standing up only for Watari to shove him back down. 'I was controlled wasn't I? Why is Watari acting like this? Unless Kira has…'

"Do you really think L cares about that?" Watari replied smoothly cutting through Lights thoughts. "I have seen the way you look at him and the way he looks at you. He was the purest form of justice the world had ever seen and you have corrupted that. He will be angry at first, but when his mind clears he will see this is all for the best. He will be able to rebuild his reputation without distraction, of course that will mean he will have to change alias, but I doubt that will matter."

"What about my family?" Light said weakly. 'What am I supposed to do? My hands are tied, Watari will do whatever it takes to keep me here and I can't bring myself to hurt him. He's only protecting L even if it isn't the right way to go about it. How do I stand in the way of that? Besides it would be futile.'

"I will tell them I was unaware of your plan until it is too late. I will tell them that you did this to protect L and clear your name and that it was a very noble sacrifice. They will believe that you intercepted the message from the Kira organisation and requested me to get L to let you know when a news was over and you could watch the tape," Watari said in a calm voice and Light felt ill at how simple and effective Watari's plan was. 'I doubt even L will be able to see through this.' "It's time. If you aren't down within a few minutes the people positioned near your house and the houses of the other task force members will open fire." Light nodded and stood up swaying heavily. Walking towards the elevator Light felt numb and though part of him knew he should be trying to think of something… anything to get him out of this mess his mind was sluggishly blank. When he reached the door he could hear screams for L to come out and he froze for barely a moment before pushing the door open to face his fate.

"Hey, you little shit it's time to get the fuck out of my car. I just can't wait to watch you die," This small woman yelled as Light was dragged from the car. "You and Kira claimed to be justice, well you can't just act whenever you feel like it and call that justice." Light grunted as she kicked him where it hurt. "If I had it my way you would be getting far worse than what these Kira lovers plan. Get that fucker out of my sight."

***

'I'm not sure what's worse, the fact that I'm a prisoner and going to die in a few hours or the food. I wonder where they got this cage from anyway.' With a disgusted expression Light shoved the bowl of… he really didn't want to think what. He let out a wince as sharp pain ran across his chest, but tried to push it down, not wanting to give the satisfaction of showing he was in pain.

"Not hungry princess?" His guard taunted him. The man was probably in his late twenties though it was hard for Light to tell with the ugly expression on the man's face.

"Of course I am, just give me something that is recognisably food," Light said, trying to hide his growing panic with boredom.

"Ha-ha. Isn't that cute, little Elly thinks he can boss us around." The man laughed again, a cruel sound, 'I wonder if he's type who used to torture animals growing up.' "Well Elly needs to learn that if he expects to eat then he will have to learn to accept whatever crap we choose to give him… or are you a her?" The man laughed at his pathetic joke.

"Would you eat it?" Light said turning his head to look at the bleak wall beside him and sighed. 'This place isn't much for scenery, ugliness and blandness on all sides.'

"Of course not, but then again I'm not the one with the limited options," the man said, but Light was distracted when the large door to the room was opened.

"Hey, you Nico? You're late. You were meant to be here half an hour ago," The guard demanded as a young red headed man stepped into the room. 'What is this kid, sixteen? How did he get to be guarding me? At least it should be better than dealing with this guy for a few more hours…'

"It's Nee-co not Nic-o, Christ get my name right," Nico said in the frustrated manner people adopt once they have been correcting people for a long time. '… Then again do I really want to spend my last few hours dealing with a brat?'

"Ohhhh, so you're touchy like princess Elly is?" Light snorted, 'I thought that his names for me couldn't get any worse and then he combines the two.'

"Whatever, just get the fuck out of here," Nico said and slowly the other guard complied, but not without first taking a long exaggerated look at his watch.

"Only six more hours' princess," The man said and made sure to slam the door behind him. 'And he just had to remind me.'

***

Sorry it's a bit short. The next one will be too… oh well at least I am updating now. I hope you liked it. Reviews are appreciated and thanks for reading.