A/N; I was worried when I posted the last chapter as to what your reaction would be to such a strange punishment, but I worried needlessly it seems from my reviews. So I hope you enjoy!

If any of you would like to read an Ancient Egyptian folktale, feel free to wander over to my journal on Deviantart, it is also Dragonrider4000.

If any of you would be interested in this, I may start my journal on there as a running commentary on how work on my other stories is progressing and other little details, such as back stories of certain OC's (Lucan from Eternal Justice perhaps), other ideas I have in the works and general nonsense about me etc. That is if you want such things, so feel free to leave a message and I will do so.

Please read and review!


Chapter 53

The trio were in shock. Needless to say this wasn't quite what they had been expecting; this had not been what they had been expecting at all.

"Hell no," Mello said glowering at Light, "there is no way I am letting you indulge one of your fetishes on me."

Light stared at him, he looked rather confused.

"Fetishes?" Light murmured, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Mello, "why would I do that? I have L for that, why would I share any of that with you? This way though, I expect you will understand the pain and embarrassment you have caused through your observation of what were meant to be private events. So don't insult me by calling it that Mello, I have no interest in doing any such thing with you at any time, so don't think so highly of yourself."

Mello swallowed hurriedly, he had never thought anyone could scare him, but Light did now. Somehow it was worse that Light hadn't raised his voice, it was almost as if he was much more disappointed with trio than angry, this made it much harder to cope with.

"Matt," Light said suddenly, his voice sounding much more like his normal self, "take down all the cameras would you?"

Light sat staring down at the two remaining hunched figures as Matt disconnected the cameras in the living room. He held out one hand as Matt passed and examined the camera he was given, his frown returned immediately, he definitely was not happy.

Matt was grateful to leave the living room, he had felt he was gradually being squashed under the weight of Light's displeasure. To walk into the guest room now, after all they had seen, any curiosity or interest he may have had to begin with was quashed under his still remaining fear; part of him wondered if he should have just refused to put the cameras up, but he knew he never would have managed it.

Matt glanced over at the chain as he disconnected the camera, he felt eternally grateful that Light had picked the punishment he had. To know what else Light was capable of made it seem, to Matt at least, as a rather easy ride. He smiled slightly; Mello definitely wasn't going to enjoy it and Near was probably going to freak out to be in anything except his white pyjamas.

Matt hopped down from the chair feeling in much better spirits than before, the worst for him appeared to be over, and now he could focus on the task in hand; protecting L. He wondered what Light would want him to do with the laptop; with a sinking feeling Matt realised he was going to lose it.

"When will our punishment start?" Near murmured, finally speaking once more; to Light's surprise he actually looked panicked. Light wasn't about to change his mind though, this was the only way they were truly going to learn; if he let them off they would just think they could get away with something like this in the future.

"Tomorrow morning, bright and early; I am sure you know when L and I have breakfast," Light said smiling, "I would appreciate it if you aren't late; I wouldn't want you to be late for lessons."

Silence once more descended, neither Mello or Near seemed willing to look up at Light again. Mello had lost all of his usual exuberance and was doing his best, it appeared, to burn a hole through the carpet with his stare; Near just looked resigned to his fate. It seemed the knowledge of having to go to their lessons in dresses had taken all the fight out of them.

"Tell me more about this plan of yours then," Light added finally, "Or have you told me the entire plan already?"

"Told you everything," Mello sighed, "Unless my guards have a better idea."

"That would be unlikely," Near said quietly, his almost compliment not unnoticed by Mello, who only knew he had made it because Near had also somewhat complimented himself.

"In regards to this plan, I am grateful for such an offer of help," Light said calmly, "but it is up to L if it goes through or not."

"You're going to tell him?" Mello gasped, he seemed horrified.

"What sort of person would I be if I didn't tell him?" Light sighed, "I have done all the withholding of information from L that I wish to."

"We told you because we didn't want him finding out," Near said quietly.

"How extremely stupid of you then to not realise I would tell him," Light replied, his voice betrayed no malice or hint of sarcasm; it seemed he really was just 'pointing it out' as it were, "would either of you withhold such information from each other?"

Mello and Near glanced at each other before shaking their heads; it was true, as long as they weren't competing over the final outcome they shared all their information. It seemed they had… miscalculated. As Light glanced in the direction Matt was working it seemed the worst was not over for the two genii.

"Do you know how badly you have hurt him as well?" Light murmured, "He does everything you ask of him, but you just don't see it. He gives up more for you both than you could imagine I am sure."

Light looked back at Mello and Near to find them both staring at him, mouths agape. They didn't get the answers they so wanted however as Matt finally re-entered, his arms full of small cameras and their battery packs.

"Just think on what I have said," Light sighed, his frown momentarily reappearing as he saw the sheer number of camera's that had been planted; he was extremely grateful L wasn't here to see this, "now go away and don't annoy me with your presence again until your lesson this afternoon. I want the laptop then as well Matt."

Matt nodded; and a moment later Light was left in peace to ponder all he had been told. In the, now hopefully private, sanctum of his rooms Light finally let all the anger he had been feeling show. He was livid, it had taken all his strength not to lean forward and strangle the wretched brats. Only two things had made him stop; the knowledge that L would have been angry with him if he did and that, well, he would have done the same in their position.

He had to admit the thing that bothered him the most was that he now had to tell L. He felt L had been through enough emotional strain lately without adding to it, part of him felt he should protect L and not tell him; but Light knew without a doubt that L would never forgive him for such protection.

L had taken it rather better than Light had expected all told, after the ashen stage where L realised just how much he had been compromised and how close the source was, he seemed rather unconcerned. It probably helped that Light had already dealt with the situation so effectively; and currently had the only laptop with such documentation sat on the table in front of them.

Then Light reluctantly added to L's problems by telling him of the trio's plan, the three teenagers had insisted that he didn't tell him, but Light knew L well enough to know that the detective would somehow find out. Again Light was surprised, L seemed almost completely unperturbed about Light's revelations about Mello.

"I know," L said calmly, "he is the orphan child of a mafia boss, who had already brought here after passing the test for children to enrol here at Wammy's House, by the time the group managed to trace him after he disappeared from the orphanage he had originally been placed in. As, for some strange reason, the leadership is hereditary, he is entitled to become a mafia boss whenever he should wish it. Because of the extreme level of loyalty shown to the memory of his parents, Mello has been protected here since they found him. The mafia approving of me is no great shock; they are a good source of information, and the only reason Mello was allowed to stay here was because of the connections to me. I think they like the standard of education provided here."

L blinked at Light who was gaping at him.

"Why? Did they think I didn't know?" L said quietly, "the mafia asked me if they could tail him, I agreed because of Mello's impetuous behaviour. This mafia group are not your usual mafia organisation anyway, hardly anything criminal in their activities anymore; they are just very good in the stock market these days. They still have the illusion of being a somewhat criminal organisation."

L couldn't help smiling; Light was still gaping at him. He wondered if this truly had been that much of a shock. Then Light seemed to come to his senses, much to L's relief, it was unnerving seeing Light so shocked.

"You knew," Light commented, he definitely was shocked, "I was sure you were going to be quite upset about all this, but you knew most of it. Then why did you not ask the mafia to do what the trio have suggested?"

"It makes them a criminal organisation once more," L replied, "and, this is the important point; just how would it look if the world's greatest detective, namely me, had to go ask the criminal underworld for protection and support?"

Light nodded in understanding, it would have been impossible for L to make such a move; he had a reputation to maintain that ranked far above protecting himself from Beyond. To think of it logically, despite the threat Beyond was to L, L himself had to focus on all his other cases first. It was the only way L was going to have a future after Beyond was dealt with, and if it failed now would only be handing Beyond all he wanted.

"Now though," L added smiling, "they will go about this in such a way that all involved will know I have to be kept in the dark, at least as it starts. They will all think I am not involved."

"Almost makes me wonder if you thought the cameras were there now," Light commented.

"Now that I didn't know," L sighed, "just how are you going to punish them, I know you must have something planned."

"It's a surprise, Wammy is helping me with the arrangements," Light laughed, "rest assured they won't be repeating their mistakes."

L was trying desperately not to laugh, he knew Light could be creative if he wanted to be. However not even L's great intellect would have thought of something so ingenious. It was a perfect punishment, the trio already looked embarrassed in their new regalia and they hadn't even stepped out into the more public areas of Wammy's house.

It seemed Light knew just who to blame the most for what had occurred; Mello was in a powder blue dress with the slightest hint of lace. It definitely didn't seem long enough for his liking, it was only knee length, and much to his annoyance held nowhere for him to stash his ever present chocolate, so he was forced to use the matching small handbag if he wanted to have any chocolate throughout the day. His embarrassment and outfit were completed by a quaint little headband, also in blue, to go in his blonde hair. It was unlikely Mello liked the white buckle shoes and lacy socks either.

Near however must have also incurred a great deal of Light's wrath as he too was being taken outside of his comfort zone. Light had decided Near definitely shouldn't wear white. Near was in yellow, with the same matching accessories as Mello, he seemed to be in a daze to have to wear such things. His hand kept reaching for the sleeve that wasn't there; it seemed he too was well outside his comfort zone.

L turned his attention to Matt and was surprised to find a kindred spirit; the teenager seemed to be trying in vain to hold back his laughter. The distress of his two friends seemed to have completely overshadowed any distress he was feeling about his attire. The horror of being dressed in Barbie pink didn't seem to bother him in the least, but then it seemed very little seemed to bother Matt.

"No matter how much you glare at me Mello I am not changing my mind," Light said laughing, "you brought this on yourself you realise."

"I hate you," Mello growled through gritted teeth.

"No you don't," Light sighed, "you just can't stand being this embarrassed. This is the best way I could find to demonstrate how much you embarrassed L and I."

Mello's angry glare faded and he glanced sheepishly at L before staring at the floor.

"Don't you have lessons this morning?" L inquired, "you will be late if you stay here much longer."

Mello and Near looked horror struck, and followed a still laughing Matt out of the room as if they were being taken to a firing squad. L wondered if they would have preferred a firing squad instead of the dresses.

"That was an incredibly cruel thing to do to them Light," L commented, smiling happily as he turned back to his cooling toast.

"It was the best thing my mind could come up with at short notice," Light sighed turning back to his own breakfast. He was really looking forward to his maths class today, he wondered if they would try and argue with him in the lesson; he doubted it, they were far too embarrassed and worried about incurring more of his wrath. If they argued he would simply extend the time of this punishment.

Mello was shaking, whether with rage or embarrassment he couldn't tell. He felt totally exposed in the dress, and what was worse was that all the older teenagers at Wammy's were giving them far too much attention. People who only yesterday would have cleared the corridor at his presence were actually laughing at him. Part of him actually wanted to curl up in a corner and not come out again; he forced himself to stay strong though. If he did that Light would have won and he would have lost, he never lost.

Matt wondered if Mello truly knew how provocative his walking style was now he was wearing a dress. He knew they would be drawing much less attention if Mello wasn't walking to their first lesson like some sort of catwalk model… Matt would never say it out loud but Mello had far too feminine a face for him not to pull off what he was wearing well. Mello actually looked good in the dress, Matt felt his face flush; he knew that he always thought Mello looked good in whatever he wore, but today Matt just wanted to jump him.

He started then as a hand suddenly gripped his, he looked down to see Near leaning in to him for support; the shy, reclusive Near was definitely not taking it very well. Matt squeezed Near's hand slightly and gave him a small smile. The shaky smile he received in return reassured him a great deal, he didn't think he could cope with both an angry Mello and a distraught Near right now.

Surprisingly the morning went mostly comment and problem free, Mello and Near seemed to wound up to take advantage of the chance at hitting back at Light in his lesson and too busy glowering in their own private gloom to notice most of the comments. Something for which Matt was very thankful, he could tell by the look in Light's eyes as the lesson progressed that any talk back would have landed Mello and Near in further problems.

It was at lunch that the real trouble started.

They had been followed at every break time by the oldest lads at Wammy's, and now at lunch they had been found once more. The trio did their best to ignore them; it wasn't that difficult the trio were used to ignoring everyone. Stalwartly they ate their way through their lunch, Near having to sit normally for once because if he crouched the dress would reveal far too much.

"Come on," Mello sighed as they finished, "let's go back to our room and escape this for a while."

Matt and Near trailed after Mello as they headed out of the main dining room and along the brightly lit old-fashioned corridor. Much to their chagrin they were followed by the ever growing crowd.

Then one of the sniggering lads wolf-whistled.

Matt flinched as Mello halted and his face became a picture of pure loathing.

"Mello don't," Matt whispered as Mello sneered and began to turn. Matt nearly whimpered as he saw Mello suddenly look back at the crowd with a charming smile; even his eyes seemed to glow with warmth; he forced himself not to though, it would only direct Mello's wrath onto him.

Matt and Near watched helplessly as Mello sauntered back to the group that had been following them.

"Which one of you lovely boys whistled, don't be shy," Mello said, still smiling, he didn't even sound like Mello as he talked.

D and everyone else immediately pointed at E; E gave Mello a rather hopeful smile as if he hoped to live beyond the next few moments. What Mello did next though probably surprised everyone.

Mello leaned forward slightly still smiling sweetly, and raised a hand to pull E's head closer, before his lips touched E's. E was helpless under Mello's ministrations as Mello used everything he had seen Light do to L. The crowd took a worried step back as Mello deepened the kiss and held E close.

When he finally released E his legs were shaking and much to his embarrassment his face was flushed as he stared at Mello. His slightly glazed eyes widened then as Mello suddenly smirked and his eyes darkened evilly.

"Ugh," E groaned as Mello's knee rose sharply to connect with his crotch. A second later E fell to the floor his face a picture of pain, it hadn't helped that he had been deeply affected by Mello kissing him; more than he would care to admit actually.

"You shouldn't do something so derogatory as wolf-whistle at someone Earl," Mello said still smirking, crouching down to pat him on the head, "or fantasize about teenage girls at your age," Mello sniggered then, "or was it us you were thinking of? How sweet."

Mello straightened up and brush imaginary dirt off his dress as he did so.

"Does anyone else have anything to say?" Mello growled, glaring round at the crowd. His words were met by hushed silence. "Good."

Mello strode off, followed hurriedly by a grinning Near and Matt; the look on E's face had been priceless.


A/N; Does anyone have dress preferences, or things they would really like to see the trio in while I am at it?