Chapter 11

"L, I got a hit!" Near called out as L watched Light direct the deliverymen as to where he wanted the new couch. He slid over to Near's computer and read the screen.

"Kenji Hikaroshi, age 28. Priors include assault and battery…I don 't believe anyone will be surprised about that…petty theft. Nothing even close to murder or prostitution. So either he's never been caught at it, or this is a new business for him. I would send this information to Light, but Matsuda is working on this and I don't want to do his job for him. I will, however, send it to Mello with instructions to watch him when he's around Light. Thank you, Near." He slid back over to his computer when something crossed his mind.

"Have you called Sayu to let her know you are in town?" he asked and Near nodded.

"I did let her know I was coming via email before we left Whammy's, but she is in college and quite busy these days, involved in many things at school and I do not wish to interfere."

L appraised Near as he spoke, and he could hear the undercurrent of unhappiness in that statement. They had continued their contact from when they had first met 2 years earlier, getting together whenever the boys visited and she herself traveling with Light and L when they visited for Christmas. He had known the contact had diminished when she began college, but that was to be expected she had also managed to get into To-Oh University where her brother had attended and he knew just how difficult that school was.

"You should call her when you break for lunch, just to make sure." L told him as he watched Light move things around in the apartment, then appeared to decide that he needed another shower as he headed for the bathroom, peeling off clothes as he did. Near stopped typing long enough to look at L and allow a small smile to grace his pale features.

"Thank you, I will do so," he said and went back to work. L glanced back down at the screen, hearing the water run in Light's shower and back up at Near.

"We both share the burden of caring for a Yagami, both of whom can be rather high maintenance at times but I doubt either of us would change the situation, so I understand how you feel." He said and they shared an all-knowing grin before going back to work.

After his second shower, Light decided it was time to go out. He'd decided he would fill his apartment with the things a party person would have; lots of alcohol, snacks...anything that would need to be there in case he brought friends home, which would be something his type would do. He knew it would probably be a while before he heard from Matsuda, so he decided this would be the best time. He also knew this neighborhood, with as many bars as it had, was still relatively small, the gay community wasn't huge, and eventually everyone would pretty much know everyone else and he needed to get out and about. He had to meet others; he had to make sure he was known. He grabbed another one of his purchases from before, a leather jacket, and left.

"He's left the apartment, Near do you have him?" Near switched screens and watched as the flashing light moved across the screen.

"Yes, I have him." L nodded and reached for his phone.

Mello's phone went off at the same time he was stopping at a traffic light. Matt reached into his pocket and pulled it out.

"Hey L," he said after seeing "Private" on the screen.

"Matt, Light has just left his apartment and we have him on screen. Near will keep you appraised as to what direction he's going in, please keep an eye on him as Matsuda is off getting fingerprints read."

"Okay, I'll make sure the headsets are on."

"Good. Please let me know if anything comes up."

"Of course, no problem." L hung up so he put the phone back and leaned against Mello, his mouth at his ear.

"Apparently Light decided to go out of the apartment so he wants us to keep up with him, Near will be on the headset letting us know what direction so make sure it's on," he told him above the roar of the cycle. Mello nodded and flipped the switch on his earpiece.

"Alright Near I'm online," he said into the microphone and after a bit of crackling he finally heard the soft voice in his ear.

"Okay, he's just left his building and is heading east. He's on foot so you should catch up with him in no time."

"On my way," Mello told him and turned the bike at the next corner.

Within ten minutes they had caught up with Light who was just about to turn into a liquor store. He pulled the bike up to the curb across the street, cut the engine and then reached into his jacket and pulled out a chocolate bar.

"Hey, you're not supposed to have that!" Matt said smacking his shoulder as he got off the bike and Mello shrugged.

"He's not looking, and besides even if he was he would never know it was me the way we look now." He said snapping a piece off. Matt sighed and reached for a cigarette.

"You're probably right," he said lighting up and taking a deep drag, "I hope this case doesn't last very long, I don't like how L looks." He said and Mello nodded.

"Yea, I know. You should have seen him last night, this is killing him." Mello told him and then spoke into the headset, "Near, we have visual of Light, he just walked into a liquor store and we're right outside."

"Understood," Near answered and relayed the information to L, who nodded and got up to get more coffee.

Light picked up several bottles of alcohol and more beer, along with several bags of snacks. While paying for them he happened to look out of the door and saw Miyano walking by. He still needed to get Miyano's fingerprints; perhaps this would be the opportunity. He quickly gathered his things and went out after him.

"Miyano!" He called causing the young man to turn around. Matt and Mello watched as the attractive young man turned and walked quickly back to Light.

"Near, I'm going to be sending you a picture in a moment, apparently it's someone Light has met already." Mello said into the mike as Matt prepared to take to the picture.

"Light, what are you doing out and about?" he asked and then looked at the bags, "Ah, I see, planning a party?" Light shrugged.

"Well, like I told you I'm new at all of this and the best way I know to meet people is to throw a party!" he said smiling and Miyano nodded, excitement on his attractive features.

"That's an excellent idea and I can help you. Here's what we'll do, let me help you get these bags home, I'll make a few phone calls and I can guarantee you a full house. When are you planning to have it?" Light thought for a moment.

"Why not tonight?" He said giving Miyano one of the bags and turning back towards his building and Miyano nodded.

"Besides, it will give us a chance to get to know each other better, and I even have a little business proposition for you." Miyano added as they started walking. Light thought back on his earlier conversation with Matsuda. Could it have been Miyano that Kenji had been talking to this morning?

"Really? Business?" he asked as they turned the corner towards his building, "What kind of business?"

"Not now, later." Miyano said, "First we have a party to plan."

"Tell L that whoever that person is, he appears to be going home with Light right now," Mello told near as he and Matt climbed back onto the motorcycle. Near looked over at L as he walked back to his computer with fresh coffee.

"Mello has sent me a picture of someone Light has met and apparently is going home with him." He told him and L stopped stirring his coffee and looked up at him.

"Going home with him?" he asked and sat down in front of his computer putting his coffee on the desk. It didn't take them long to arrive at the building and he watched as Light came into his apartment and became slightly alarmed as he saw his companion. He was tall, extremely attractive with long dark hair, dark eyes and a sensuous mouth. He tried to ignore all of his jealousy alarms as they went off and calmed himself down.

"Put the bag on the counter," Light was saying as he closed the door behind Miyano, "and make yourself at home." Miyano did as he was asked and then looked around the small apartment.

"It's kinda cute, Light," he said as he looked around, "I like your taste in furniture," he said sitting on the new leather couch, "Although the décor could use a little help."

"Thanks," Light said sarcastically as he began to put things away, "This place came furnished, I've yet to make it my own, except for the couch and a few other items I just purchased." He pulled out one of the bottles of wine and began to open it. "I appreciate your help with the party, I hope I haven't interrupted your day." He added.

"Not at all. I had brunch with Kenji, ran a few errands and was on my way home," Miyano laughed, "Speaking of Kenji, I understand you had a problem with an ex?" It was Light's turn to laugh as he poured a glass of wine for each of them.

"Yea, well he's having a hard time letting me go, but I think he's gotten the message," he said handing Miyano one of the glasses.

"I think it was for the best, Kenji can be a beast sometimes," Miyano told him taking the glass and taking a sip.

"So, you said something about a business proposition?" Light asked sitting next to him on the couch.

"Yes, but pleasure before business. About how many people do you want tonight?" Light shrugged.

"How about ten to fifteen? This isn't a very big apartment." Miyano nodded and pulled out his phone.

"Ten to fifteen it is!" he said and began to dial.

L watched Light's amused expression as he listened to Miyano make the calls and he frowned. He couldn't tell just how much amusement was real and how much was his role and that made him nervous. As he looked at the two of them on the couch he couldn't help be but struck at how good they looked together, each one's good looks complimenting the other. He stood up and walked away from the screen and away from the desk.

"Near, tell them to return." He said and walked out of the office. Near did so and then looked at L's screen. He could see why L was disturbed; this guy with Light was really good looking and Light appeared to like him.

L walked into the living room and then out of the door, going directly to Watari's apartment. He opened the door and walked in, startling the older man slightly as he was sitting as his desk talking with one of L's contacts. L walked directly into their room and sat on the floor by Watari's chair, his arms wrapped around his knees. Watari finished his conversation and followed L into their room and sat in the chair beside him. He waited until L was ready to speak.

"Has Light ever said anything about…how I look?" L asked suddenly, his head resting on his knees.

"No, not to me, but I know he's told you what he thinks of your looks," Watari answered, a small frown forming on his face

"He has always said he liked my looks, however, he has not had the opportunity to be with others who are more attractive than I, really." L answered still not moving.

"Am I to understand that he is currently with someone who you consider more attractive than yourself?" Watari ventured and knew he had it correct when he heard a shuddering sigh come from his ward.

"I know he loves me, Watari, I have no doubt in that. But I worry that he may find interest in what he has not had before."

"L, don't you think that Light has had more opportunities than you know of for that kind of thing? No, he didn't flaunt his sexuality early in life, but he did have experiences and yet you are whom he chose to spend his life with. You've been together almost five years, why are you concerned about this now?"

"Because I am experiencing true jealousy for the first time and I am wondering if I am justified." L answered and Watari chuckled.

"Of course you are justified, you love Light and seeing him with anyone else is going to make you jealous L that's just natural. But you and I both know that there is no real reason for it because he is coming back to you when this is over." L nodded and began to stand up.

"Yes, I do know that, I have no doubt that he will come back to me when this is over," he looked at Watari and smiled, "I suppose I just needed to hear it again." Watari smiled back at him and also stood.

"I understand. Just try to give yourself a break and not pay that much attention to what he is doing, remember he is just doing what he has to not what he wants." L nodded again and began to walk out of their room, then stopped for a moment.

"Thank you, Watari," he said without turning around and continued out and back to his own apartment. Watari sighed and went back to his desk.

Miyano finally put his phone away and smiled at Light.

"Tada! Instant party!" he said and Light applauded him.

"Impressive. I thought I would have had to go back out to the bar and pass out flyers or something," he said laughing and got up to refill their glasses and was surprised when Miyano followed him. He poured them both more wine and smiled at him.

"So, you going to tell me about this business proposition now?" he asked and Miyano frowned and looked away for a moment.

"Well, now that you're so happy with me I'm not sure I want to talk to you about it," Miyano said and reached out and caressed Light's face, "You are beautiful, you know that?" He said and Light shrugged.

"Thanks, I get by," he said, "Now tell me what you have in mind."

"You also have a one track mind, don't you? Alright, Kenji and I have a little side line," Miyano told him walking away from him, "Just a few people are involved but it does bring in good money because of the…clientele. We are very picky about whom we work with and who our client's are. It makes it safer for everyone that way and keeps everything neat."

"Sideline?" Light asked and sipped his wine, "We're not talking drugs are we because I'm not getting involved in that kind of thing. I mean I like to party but..." Miyano shook his head and laughed

"No, nothing so vulgar as drugs. We have a kind of...Escort Service." Light raised an eyebrow and went back to the couch and leaned back, laughing.

"Escort service? Are you serious, Miyano? I'm sure we're talking more than just escorting guys around town." He said and the young man came back to the couch and sat next to Light.

"Well, yes of course there would be more if it's paid for. As I said the clients are top notch, not just some boozy animal you get picked up by on the corner. Rich clients, well known clients, who pay top dollar for top people, and that's where you come in."

"Oh, I see. You think I might do well?" Light asked, as he seemed to mull it over in his mind.

"Someone who looks like you could easily command $800.00 and up per gig, Light. That could work into thousands a week for you."

"And how much do you guys get as pimps?" Light asked and Miyano looked embarrassed.

"That's such a bad word to use, we are business administrators, not…pimps. Of course we get a cut for doing the work of getting you the best possible arrangements, but that can be worked out later. You just have to be willing to broaden your experiences, but you being the party boy I know you are, that shouldn't be a problem for you. Besides, why give it away when you can charge handsomely for it?" he added, his hand reaching Light's hair and carding through it.

"I'll think about it," Light said finishing his wine, "Do you just manage or do you work it as well? You are just as attractive as you say I am," he asked and was surprised to see a cloud pass over Miyano's features.

"I used to work it and manage," he said, "But someone Kenji brought in turned out to be a bit more violent than we suspected. I dated him for a while, but he was deeply into bondage, S and M. One night he got carried away with a cock ring and didn't remove it from me until all circulation had stopped, it caused permanent damage. I can't really…I don't get…" Light nodded his understanding.

"It's okay you don't have to say it, I understand," he said noting the tears that were forming in Miyano's eyes, "I'm so sorry that happened." He said quietly, ""Somehow I think you can still offer quite a bit to the right person," he added and Miyano smiled gratefully.

"Thanks for saying that, but so far there have been no takers once they find out I'm broken. I used to bring in quite a bit, but that all dried up so now I just manage and try to find new ones to take over." Light leaned forward and caressed the young man's face.

"Then that's their loss because I think you'd be worth it, especially if I was looking for someone long term," he said and gently touched Miyano's mouth softly and quickly with his, "but after my last boyfriend the last thing I want is any kind of relationship, I'm all done with that." He stood up and walked back to the bottle, how touched Miyano was with that soft kiss not being lost on him. It had been quite a while since he had received any such tenderness from anyone. The dark haired man reached up and touched his lips with his fingers and then watched Light walk away.

He suddenly began to wonder if he was doing the right thing, getting Light involved with this business. His main worry was Kenji and how brutal he could be, he knew first hand how bad he could get, and then recently there were the killings…but Kenji had to get rid of them, they were trying to squeeze more money out of them, threatening to start their own service and take some of their best clients. They had asked for what happened to them, perhaps not so brutally as it ended up being, but Kenji liked to teach lessons. He couldn't see Light being that stupid; Light was different. He stood up and walked over to the auburn haired beauty, grabbed his shirt and pulled him against him, kissing him hard, his tongue demanding entrance to his mouth. Light was startled by the kiss and at first tried to fight it, but then thought better of it. He believed Miyano could be a very good ally in this, perhaps lead him to what else he needed to find out if he played along. Besides, it would be impossible for him to have sex so he wasn't a threat that way; a kiss was nothing. He opened his mouth and allowed Miyano entrance, his eyes narrowing before he closed them.

L stared at the screen, his face never changing it's expression as he watched them kiss, once again noting the slight change in Light's eyes as he allowed the other man entrance into his mouth. He felt a hand on his arm and turned to face Near, who saw what was going on.

"I am fine, Near. My concern is Light's state of mind more than anything else." He stated and turned his eyes back to the screen. Miyano had released Light and was smiling at him, once again caressing his face.

"Perhaps in time I can change your mind," he said and Light shook his head as he backed away from him.

"Sorry, not possible. First, I want to stay unattached; second, I like you, but we've only just met and third, if you're going to be my boss, that just doesn't mix for me." Miyano stared at his glass for a moment and sighed.

"Then perhaps I should take back my work offer." He said and Light laughed.

"No, I really want to think about it. It might be something I may wish to try, at least for a while."

"Ok, I will let you make a decision before I make another attempt," Miyano said smiling and then looked around the room again, "But first if we're having a party we need to decorate. I'll go get some decorations; you get some ice and maybe some extra glasses. Here, let's exchange numbers and call me if you come up with any other ideas." He said pulling his phone out again, Light pulling out his. They exchanged numbers and Miyano put his glass down, closing in on Light.

"I'll call you when I'm on my way back," he leaned forward and captured Light's mouth again, "Talk to you later, beautiful." He said and walked out of the door. Light sighed and picked up Miyano's glass and placed it in a plastic bag.

"Just as planned," he said aloud smiling and put it aside for Matsuda.

He really hoped escort services was the most Miyano was into, he really liked him and felt bad for his situation. He couldn't imagine what it would be like to be injured so badly you could no longer have sex, and especially when he was as young and as attractive as Miyano was. Light sighed, he would obviously be a good way to meet more people, and perhaps tell him more about the victims, and he would work on that tonight. He dialed Matsuda's number and heard his partner's breathless response.

"Sorry it's taking me so long Light, the Director cornered me." He said the minute he had answered.

"I see. I take it he wanted some kind of report?"

"Well at least an idea of what was going on. I'm on my way now, I got a sheet on Kenji." Light nodded.

"Good and I have another glass for you to take in."

"Okay, I'll be there soon." Matsuda answered and hung up. Light stared at the phone for a moment; he really wanted to talk to L, but he was afraid he might sound a little off after what he'd just done so he decided against it and put his phone away.

"I'll call you after the party," he said out loud, "I'm sure I'll need it much more after that craziness," he added and retrieved his lap top, sitting down on the couch to wait for Matsuda.

L watched the screen, smiling at Light's trademark cockiness when he'd retrieved the glass, which also reassured him about Light's intentions with the attractive Miyano. He looked up towards the door of his office as Matt and Mello came in, and smiled.

"Excellent work," he said standing up, "Near's running priors on the picture you sent."

"I hope it gets more exciting than this," Mello said reaching for another bar, "I got all gorgeous and nowhere to show it!" he said and Matt rolled his eyes beside him.

"Well, then I guess what I'm going to have you do next will make you quite happy," L told him, "You have a party to attend."