Ewiituntmay: Hey everybody! This is dedicated to Sen Saruwatari, cheyjeevas, happy-smiling-cookie, and Rizu. All of whom are awesome even if you didn't guess right! I wasn't sure if anyone would or not, but it woud have been really weird and awesome if they could have...Anyway, I hope everyone likes and a small warning, some characters may be OOC in this story...I apologize in advance if you think they are, this is just my version of how they are... Well, Enjoy! ^-^

Disclaimer: I only own OCs, plot, and this warm almost empty Moutain Dew bottle! Not Death Note or the characters!

Recap: This time I know I felt L stiffen next to me, that made me wonder...Does L know of Wammy's...because of a personal history? That would make sense...then, it's possible he knows who, or at least of, my cousin.

I decided not to say anything just yet, however I would ask him about it at a later time. Aunt Karin nodded slowly, "He's a prodigy then? Just like you and Suki?"

I nodded, "As far as I know." I now paid very close attention to L's reactions to what we were talking about, though I made sure not to be obvious about it, "His name is…Nate River…right?" I felt L stiffen again, though it was almost imperceptible, aunt Karin nodded, I nodded again, I was definitely going to ask L about this as soon as we were in the car.

"So, you'll find him for me…even if he isn't at the orphanage anymore?" I looked at my aunt, I had never seen her look so desperate before. I nodded.

"I'll try." She nodded again, clearly accepting that I would try my best but could not completely guarantee any specific results. It felt like the tension was mostly relieved, or at least to me it felt that way, I wasn't sure about the others.

"Ryuuga, Sana, why don't you stay for dinner? I'm making your favorite! Strawberry shortcake!" I blinked in surprise, and I could tell L perked up at the mention of cake, especially strawberry shortcake, or at least that's what I was guessing. I found this a bit hard to believe, my mom hardly ever said that she was making my favorite, for dinner, it was always 'Sana I made your favorite dessert' not that that's what we were having for dinner.

That might have been what made me realize that something in my mom had changed somewhat. I looked at her, and I mean I really looked at her. Suddenly I could see the resolve, that she'd come to the conclusion that I was not, nor should she treat me, like I was my dad. I could also see the inner strength she harbored and the slightly renewed spirit she had. It was almost like she was a new person, and yet at the same time she was still the same mom I'd known for all my life.

She looked right back at me, and then as though we'd been talking and come to the same conclusion, we smiled at each, at the same time. I was quite happy about this, because my mom was getting better, she didn't need me to 'protect' her anymore, she knew she couldn't live in the past and was going to start living again, now. I was very glad and felt like a huge weight had lifted from my shoulders.

I looked over at L, little doubt in my mind that he would disagree to having strawberry shortcake for dinner. He nodded once and I smiled at him, then smiled back at my mom, she returned it again. Suki tugged on my arm, I knew that my mom was already 'getting better', and my aunt seemed better after I told her I'd try to find her son, but I still hadn't fully talked to Suki yet. I glance at her and she gave a small smile motioning the room we'd shared since our birth, I nodded and we stood, when L made no motion to follow and Suki noticed she turned to him, "Ryuuga…aren't you coming?"

L blinked, seemingly surprised by the offer, I was afraid he'd say no, but he only nodded and stood to follow us. I fought the urge to smile and turned to follow Suki, who was all but dragging me to our room, L was right behind us. After we'd gotten into our room and sat down, Suki on her bed, me and L on mine, Suki was about to start talking, and from the look she was giving me, it was probably going to be an apology of some sort. I shook my head to stop her apologies before they started.

"Sa_na! I'm trying to apologize for being a total ass! You're making it even harder than it already is! Especially because you don't want me to apologize, do you have any idea how bad that makes me feel?!" Suki pouted, crossing her arms over her chest, I couldn't help but think of Misa and the fact that she had pouted the exact same way. The thought was completely absurd, not because it wasn't true, but rather because it was, Misa and Suki are so alike it's almost scary…and yet, I don't dislike or mind Suki for the way she acts…maybe it's only because I know Misa is a mass murderer that needs to be caught? Hmm…

I only shook my head at the thoughts, inevitably causing Suki to think I was shaking my head at her, I look up at her, "Suki…you don't need to apologize for anything, just as you never let me apologize to you for other stuff. It's a mutual understanding kind of thing. Right?" This caused Suki to brighten up immediately, because for some reason or other, Suki hated when I apologized to her, I obviously felt the same way. Therefore we never really apologized unless it was so monumental that we wouldn't get over it unless one or the other did apologize, but that had never really happened of course.

"Right! Well, I'm really glad that you were able to get to me in time. And…I'm sorry that I made you be my protector all those times…I never really realized that you ever only acted like an adult because mom and I made you…without meaning to of course." she gave a smile, I nearly frowned, We just agreed not to apologize to each other for stuff and she goes and apologizes. Then she has the nerve to smile because she knows she did it!

I sighed and gave her a very sweet smile, her face dropped almost immediately, causing me to giggle slightly. Amazing, Suki is the only one I know that can actually make me giggle…and make me act my own age, or a few years younger on occasion. I glanced over at L, he seemed curious, but not altogether mad or anything about being left out of the conversation. Or maybe he'd glad to learn a little bit more about my life and how I act with my family… …No that can't be it, L probably doesn't even think that way, I should just stop while I'm ahead.

I gave a small smile and turned back to Suki, "Well…what should we do? I think the cake is almost done, but we still got about ten minutes or so."

I shrugged, "Is there anything you want to do? Or you, Ryuuga?" I glanced at him again, I had almost wanted to call him Ryuuzaki, or even L, but my mouth thankfully said the right name for the time being. L only blinked, I looked back at Suki, she shrugged, finally after a few seconds Suki jumped up.

"I know, we can reminisce!" I blinked, then groaned audibly, that isn't a good idea at all Suki! I'm sure L doesn't want to hear about our past!

"Suki…Ryuuga probably doesn't want to hear about our past adventures-"

"I'd like that." I blinked, frozen in surprise for all of three whole seconds, then turned to look at L, my eyebrow raised in question. L only blinked at me, then turned to Suki, I blinked again, slowly turning my head back toward Suki as well, then I shrugged. Suki then began immediately telling L all about our past escapades, the few times, or rather the numerous times, Suki had managed to get me to revert to a young 'heathen' of a child.

(Unknown person's point of view)

Impossible! The fact that Siolfor isn't even a man, and that she was with my Matt! It's impossible and unforgivable! I frowned, the young red-headed woman, who couldn't be more than five feet at the most left the store, got back into a taxi and headed elsewhere. She's the same height as him.

"What are we waiting for Mello?" I scowled and turned to the five foot tall, white-haired nuisance that was crouching behind me, playing with a robot on the floor. When I didn't answer he turned his blank dark eyes up to me.

"We're going back to the hotel!" I snapped, chomping down on my chocolate bar. I grabbed the collar of his white shirt and started dragging him with me out of the store and down the sidewalk in the direction of the hotel we were staying at.

"What exactly is my purpose here Mello?" He wasn't even affected by the fact that I was now pulling him down the sidewalk. I stopped and turned to him almost angrily.

"You're here, Near, because we are looking for Matt! To take him back to Wammy's House!" I glared at the child staring blankly at me.

"We have found Matt, that means we were supposed to go back to Wammy's two days ago. Correct?" I fought the urge to punch the little brat in the stomach, I should've just left him at the fucking hotel! I took another bite from my chocolate bar and continued to glare at the white child.

"No! We have to find out why Matt left Wammy's to come to Japan. If he has no reason to come to Japan then he won't run away again!" I turned and continued toward the hotel we were staying in, Plus L is here too…maybe we can find him and…maybe he'd let us help on the case, then I can finally show Near up! But…there's also a problem with this Siolfor. I can't let her have Matt! Matt is mine!

(Near's point of view)

Mello is so childish…if he would just tell Matt how he feels, Matt could accept or reject him, then there would be no need for all this pointless chasing and sneaking around. I fought the humanistic urge to sigh or roll my eyes at Mello. I didn't see what the whole point to liking someone was, it just brought up emotions and emotions only got in the way of more important things. Of course growing up in Wammy's can certainly make one feel that way.

I followed Mello silently, I hated walking, it was annoying and a waste of energy. Though I didn't complain about it to Mello, that would just give him more reason to complain about my presence, though it was his fault for even talking Roger into chasing Matt down.

Of course we'd found Matt two days ago, but that just wasn't good enough for the jealous and overprotective Mello. He was too melodramatic, I think that may be why he was given the name 'Mello', a shorter less obvious version of 'melodramatic'.

The thought seemed accurate enough so I left it at that.

(L's point of view)

I watched as Suki animatedly told me about some of her and Sana's 'adventures'. I found it quite surprising that Sana was something of a delinquent, in her younger years anyway, Though if she really is Siolfor, it would make that statement more accurate.

"So then we had to stay cooped up in the house for three whole months!" Suki laughed and Sana chuckled nervously. Apparently Suki was quite an instigator, constantly convincing Sana to help her on many different, almost impossible, 'missions'. I enjoyed learning more about Sana, and stuff she did, what she seemed interested in, I couldn't help taking in every detail with an interest I usually reserve for the most alluring cases I took.

Perhaps Sana will be the most alluring case yet… I nearly choked on that thought, I could not think of Sana in this manner and still hope to solve the Kira case as soon as possible. Perhaps if I knew what she felt about me…it would make it easier for me to focus on the Kira case…perhaps….

(Sana's point of view)

I chuckled, I hadn't thought of some of our adventures for quite awhile, but I found that now, especially with Suki recounting them so animatedly, they seemed hilarious and I almost couldn't believe some of the stuff we'd done. After a while though I began to worry what exactly L thought of our adventures and glanced at him every now and then.

The way he looked almost made me blush, he seems so intent, almost as though he wants to know every single detail. I turned back to Suki, the thought that L would be so caught up or even remotely interested in stunts Suki and I had pulled in the past, made my cheeks feel warm and gave my stomach butterflies. Great, this is just great! I can't keep thinking of L this way, it's just embarrassing and it's starting to get out of hand.

Suki finished catching her breath, the last stunt had been quite amusing, suddenly she seemed more focused though, I was immediately on guard, "So…Ryuuga, Sana…how long have you two been together anyway?"

I froze, glad that my reaction hadn't been anything else, I can't believe Suki would bring that up… … okay I can believe she would, but not when we were in the same room! Honestly! Without missing a beat L replied easily, "Five days." I blinked and glanced over at L, Does that mean that he still considers us together? …I could practically feel my face growing hotter, Then…if he does consider us together…then that means I've all but cheated on him…right? But…I was acting as Siolfor so…does that still count, because if I didn't do that, people would begin to wonder about me even more…Of course L doesn't ever need to know!

The thought of keeping something like my encounter with T.D./Matt a complete secret from L forever really grated on me, though I couldn't say why, I mean it could still just be for my family's benefit, but at the same time, he'd told me that he did consider us together, right after our second 'date'. Of course that was also before he told me he was L…So…does that mean we're together…or not?

I mean, we could be and we might not be. After all he did kiss me one or two times since then… I tried to shake the thoughts from my head and was very glad that mom knocked on the door and poked her head in, "Girls, Ryuuga. The cake is done!" she smiled and quickly shut the door, I nearly let out a sigh of relief, but held it in. Suki slumped over, her face showing her great disappointment in not learning anymore than she already had, which wasn't much. L didn't seem affected at all, I wondered what exactly he thought of 'us'.

(L's point of view)

"So…Ryuuga, Sana…how long have you two been together anyway?" I felt Sana freeze next to me, I felt my heart speed up quickly, I felt warm at the reminder that Sana and I were considered 'together' even if it was only a charade, mostly for her family. I did tell her that later though, then I told her that I was L. I almost was unsure I would be able to answer, luckily my mouth happened to supply the answer of its own accord.

"Five days." I noticed Sana's look of surprise, I almost thought I seen disappointment, or maybe a bit of fear… I was immediately unsure of whether I should have answered so quickly, after all I didn't want to put Sana in any kind of stressful situations, especially not so soon after she just got out of one.

I thought more about that second 'date', I had told Sana that I supposed I considered us together, of course then it was mostly to keep her cooperation, I hadn't really been sure what to think of Sana. Now however, I would gladly tell her in all honesty that I would greatly enjoy us being 'together' in more then one sense of the word.

I could feel my face heat up, very slightly, at the thoughts that began to run through my mind containing images of things Sana and I could do if we were actually a couple. Luckily her mother happened to knock, informing us that the cake was done, I immediately felt better, cake would be greatly appreciated right now.

I made a note to ask Sana about her surprise at being asked if we were a couple. I found myself hoping she wanted to continue to be my 'girlfriend', I wasn't sure how it would feel if she suddenly told me she didn't. Though if that came to pass, I had a feeling that I would actually work to change that at the soonest opportune moment.

I stood and followed Suki and Sana out of the room, to the dining room, it seemed quite cozy, lived in, might be more appropriate. It was slightly messy, but clean at the same time, giving the appearance that this room was used often and was a great place for conversations and 'family meetings'.

(Sana's point of view)

I sat down, L sat on one side and Suki the other, again. I raised an eyebrow at the fact that L could sit in his usual crouch in an armless chair, Ooh, he's good. The thought was so random, I of course was used to seeing L sit that way, besides it had never really registered that other people might think it was weird, probably because everyone considered me weird for being 'too' smart, or at least smart enough to have been in college more than once before I was seventeen.

This changed however, when I seen the looks my mom and aunt Karin gave him, being that he had stood up after my mom turned to acknowledge him on our first 'date', and that aunt Karin had been outside, so probably didn't fully see the way he'd been sitting. Suki had never really said anything, though I know she'd noticed it before now.

They both looked at me, I only shook my head, they gave me a sort of disappointed look, I rolled my eyes at them and that was that. The cake, or rather cakes were set in the middle of the table, I blinked and then smiled over at my mom, again, "I know that one usually isn't good enough, and if Ryuuga likes as much as you do, then it won't last half as long."

I blushed a bit but nodded anyway, noting that my family members had 'real food'. L and I were the only ones eating cake. The thought didn't really bother me, I actually didn't mind sharing stuff with L, unless it was embarrassing, like the stories a few minutes ago.

We stayed at the house for another half an hour or so, talking idly after we finished eating, then L finally said that we should get going. I agreed and we were getting ready to leave. Suki glomped me again, as did my mom, I let my aunt give me a hug and was about to walk out the door when Suki touched my shoulder gently, I turned and blinked at her, tilting my head slightly, "I'm sorry that I withdrew my blessings yesterday. I didn't really mean it…I was just scared that you wouldn't come back to protect me anymore…but you have them again!" She beamed as though she hadn't just apologized.

I nearly slumped where I was standing, she's apologizing again…and then said that I have her blessings again. Brat anyway! I shook my head, "You're hopeless Suki…Have good night!" I knew they caught onto that sentence, I hadn't said I'd see or call them as soon as I could, there might not even be a 'next time'. That wouldn't be the best parting line though, so we all left it at that and pretended that I might not be going to my possible death.

Watari opened the car door for me and L, L got in first and I climbed in after. As soon as we were in the car and the after glow of seeing my family had faded a bit I turned to L, my face completely serious, his was blank, as usual.

"L…do you know of my cousin?" he blinked, I was a bit afraid that he would deny it, or that he would be upset at me, because it may deal with his past, and he might not like me prying into his past, I didn't want him to be upset at me, but this was definitely something I needed to know very much.

"Yes…I do." I blinked, he isn't denying it…that's a good thing…right?

"I see…" I wasn't sure what to say now, he'd admitted he knew of my cousin, probably even knew him personally…but what did that mean? Should I just ask him straight out if he can have my cousin come here, at least for a few days? What would he think then? That I was just trying to use him? I frowned, I wasn't sure what to do know that I knew.

"I'll talk to the manager of the orphanage as soon as I can." I blinked and looked up at L, this was a huge surprise to me. I mean I hadn't been sure what to expect from L, but that definitely wasn't something I'd been expecting. Then again when does L even do anything that I expect? … and since when do I have expectations for him?! I pushed the thoughts away roughly and focused on L.

"You…will?" I blinked, still slightly trying to understand why L was doing this, "Why?" L blinked at me this time, and for a few seconds we stared blankly at each other.

"Why not?" I frowned at him, shook my head and turned to the window, watching the passing scenery, it was just about noon or so, and it was a Sunday, In two days…I'll be eighteen…I felt a strange melancholy settle over me, though I wasn't sure why, "I know what it feels like to be an orphan…if one of the kids at Wammy's has a chance to at least meet one of their parents…they should take it."

I blinked and looked back at L, he was staring at the floor of the car, his thumb was at his mouth., 'You were an orphan?" he didn't respond for a few seconds, but when he did, he looked at me and nodded, I wasn't sure what to say after that, I figured L wasn't the type to want sympathy, of any sort. I sighed gently, I wasn't sure what to do around L anymore, it was like we were close and far apart at the same time.

I scooted closer and wrapped my arms around L, he stiffened for a few seconds, then finally relaxed and hesitantly put his arms around me as well. We stayed that way for several minutes, then L shifted slightly, and I figured he was getting uncomfortable, so I pulled away just a bit, and thought he seemed reluctant, L let go of me too. I sat back against the seat and closed my eyes for a few seconds, though they snapped open when I felt L grab my hand in his gently, almost as though he were afraid to do so. I blinked at him, smiled and held his hand as well. He seemed to relax a bit after that.

We were quiet again, for another few minutes when L broke the silence with the very question I had thought about asking him earlier, "Sana…do you still consider us…together?"

I stared at him like a deer caught in headlights for all of two seconds, then blinked slowly, "Do you?" I watched him carefully and might not have seen the faint blush if I hadn't been watching. He seemed reluctant to answer at first, then finally nodded slowly.

"I would like to..." I blinked again, "but not if you do not want to." I blushed slightly this time.

"Oh…" I looked down a bit, my blush deepening just a little bit more, "Well…I'd like that too." L stared at me this time, I could sense it, then I felt his finger under my chin, bringing my face to look up at him, just as he leaned down and pressed his lips gently to mine. I felt my eyes widen slightly, then slid closed slowly as I kissed back.

(L's point of view)

She gave me that look again, like she was afraid, maybe she was, of her own feelings…but I can not be certain that that was what it was. I was almost afraid that she wouldn't. Of course she turned the tables on me, asking me the question that I myself dreaded slightly, "Do you?"

Of course I do! Why would I ask if I didn't want to us to be together, and not just as a charade for your family! I didn't want to blurt these things out to her of course, because admitting this to her could possibly scare her away and I had to avoid that as much as possible. I finally nodded, "I would like to…but not if you do not want to." I watched as she blinked, then a lovely little blush appeared, allaying a small layer of my fear.

"Oh…" I was unsure if that was disappointment or not, until she looked down and her blush deepened, "Well…I'd like that too." I stared at her, it was almost like she'd completely obliterated all my pointless fears with that one sentence, as though she'd given me all I'd wanted and more. I couldn't help it, but I found myself reaching out to her, needing to have some kind of physical contact with her, and what better way then to prove that we were together…than with a kiss?

I pulled her to look up at me and slowly leaned down to kiss her gently, she seemed surprised at first, but after that she seemed to melt into me, I loved the way it felt. I even loved the way she tasted so sweet, making her special strawberries, and any other sweets I had tried, taste bland. I can't believe how she affected me when I kissed her, I do believe that every kiss we shared, except maybe one or two, was instigated by me, without my consent, though I could not ever apologize for doing so.

I remember the first time I kissed her, because of the strawberry juice that I hadn't even noticed trailing down my chin…she'd wiped it off with her finger, but instead of wiping it on her pants or a towel or something, she'd licked it off! I had been so mesmerized, and before I could register what I was doing, I had leaned forward and kissed her. She had been surprised but then began to kiss back then too, I hadn't fully realized what I had done until I seen her blushing heavily, staring at the floor, then of course I blushed, I hadn't fully meant to do that, but I didn't apologize because I didn't see anything wrong with it, Sana didn't seem to mind it either.

Then when she came out to give me another container of strawberries…I'd kissed her again, simply because I couldn't help myself in such a situation. She had blushed after that too.

Sana moved closer, almost unconsciously, unless she'd meant to, I was a bit too preoccupied to differentiate it. I hesitantly licked her bottom lip, again, this time, trying to remember what I'd done the first time I kissed her…mostly because she'd seemed to like it then. I really had been trying to taste more of her, because she tasted sweet.

Her mouth parted and suddenly I tasted bliss, she was even sweeter than before, then again I'd only kissed her about three, maybe four, other times before now. After a few more seconds my lungs were protesting, so I pulled away from her slowly, she was flushed and her pupils were dilated and she was panting slightly.

I can't say I was any less affected, but that pleased me in a way.

A/N: Okay, so in this story, Near is about fifteen/sixteen, Mello is about seventeen/eighteen, and Matt as I've said is about sixteen/seventeen. Just to get that out of the way! Plus you now know why the three of them aren't at Wammy's right now! ^-^ I wasn't really sure how I was going to keep them in-character, but I did the best I could...for now anyway. I hope you liked the chapter and hopefully you'll review/message and tell me what you think! Especially about Sana and Near being related! There is also a very special surprise for Mello in store, but that's not to discuss now...well ta'c leeheyn! ('member? Means 'good day' in Nez Perce and I hope you do have a good day ^-^ especially if the story helps with that!)