STANDARD DISCLAIMERS APPLIED
2˚TWO˚2: Blossoming Hearts
Night was drawing near. Streaks of golden red rays started to fade into the background of beautiful dark violet. In a few minutes, the eyes-striking sunlight would shy away for the day. Sunsets had always been so wonderful, yet so brief. Rain closed her eyes, feeling the gentle breeze on her face. She loved the smell of nature- the scent of trees and grass. The sweet melody of the natural environment everyone took for granted. It was those tiny little things that inspired her music score composing. At that very moment, she finally recognized the sensation known as 'bliss'. Worries concerning her recitals and academic educations escaped her mind. Best of all, L was with her, alone.
"So, what brings the world's best detective back here this time?" she asked teasingly as she slowly stopped the swaying swing she was sitting on. Looking at L, she couldn't help but laugh. He was sitting on the swing, with his usual sitting style. A while ago, she was watching in amusement as he tried to balance himself. It was a wonder how he managed, but he was already there, both his feet sharing the small rectangle of the swing with his buttocks. To her amazement, he was also swaying in motion with the gentle wind with his hands on his knees.
He looked at her, and as if he did not notice her laughing her head off, he simply replied, "Is there a rule against me returning home?"
Rain jumped off the swing, landing both feet on the barren ground below the swing. She shook her head, slowly approaching him.
"No, of course not. I'm just surprised, since you suddenly decided to visit all of a sudden…" She waited quietly for his response. He remained silent, as if trying to think of the best reply.
"I miss you…" he slowly began.
"Yeah, right. I miss you too. So what's the big event here that attracts your attention?" she interrupted sarcastically.
"No, I'm serious. I just wanted to see you again, so here I am," he insisted. Slowly, he added, "I may never see you again after today." She raised her eyebrows upon hearing it, disbelieving.
"I'm sure you miss my baking more than me," she joked.
"Rain, please." He had his eyes focused on her. His stern expression showed no sign of his usual playfulness. She wisely chose not to speak another word. "For an orphan like me, you are the closest I have to a family member. I… I've always wanted to tell you this."
The awkward sensation was beginning to make her uncomfortable. She hated it when he was serious. She never knew what to say. This time, she could not understand the reasons behind his weird behavior. She stopped walking when she realized she was already right behind him.
"L…"
"Yes?"
Before he could turn to look at her, she pushed him off the swing. She was known for her unpredictable actions. Losing his balance, poor L fell down, face flat on the ground. She half expected him to jump up and bark at her. She was wrong. He stopped moving, completely. She waited, and waited. Still, no response. Panic inflicted her. She approached him slowly, cautiously. She kneeled down, and patted his shoulder. No response.
"L, don't scare me," she muttered. She started to shake him lightly. No response.
"L!"
Suddenly, he raised his head, startling her. He quickly grabbed her hands and pushed her to the ground, him being on top of her.
"Gotcha!"
"You tricked me!" She accused, laughing.
"That really hurt," he complained, and started laughing as well. "I'll have you pay for that."
She stopped laughing as she realized the close distant behind them. Her heartbeat started to increase.
"How?" She challenged, trying to sound menacing. He smirked, sensing the fear in her tone. He brought himself closer to her.
"For once, listen to me," he scolded. "I came all the way back to see you. At least welcome me with some nice cookies." Closer.
"You should inform me earlier," she shot back. Closer.
"I forgive you then. I just wanted to see you again. I miss you, honest." Closer. She could feel his chest on hers. His heartbeat was clearly audible, thumping as loud as hers.
"I miss you, too," she confessed softly, "You were always running around, never telling me anything. You just never fail to make me worried!" Their faces were only inches apart. She could no longer feel her rapid heartbeat. The following events somehow took places naturally.
"Rain?"
"Yes?"
"The match with Mello this afternoon… I won." He closed the gap between them, brushing his lips against hers.
"Tell us what happened!" Lynda urged as soon as Rain came out from the shower room. Valerie and Mandy nodded curiously. Rain blushed, not intending to release any information, even to her best friends.
"It's okay if she refuses to say anything. We'll just put the pieces together and come out with our own conclusion," Mandy, a thirteen years ago talented pianist suggested. The other two cheered. As Rain ignored them, the trio started making up stories, one more ridiculous than another. Soon, the four roommates were chasing around their 'usually-neat' room, throwing pillows against each other.
Just as Rain was about to give up the chase as she started gasping for air, they heard knocks on the door. All four girls quickly tidied their room as much as possible. They wouldn't want Mr. Roger or Sister Jane to see their room in such a mess!
"Who's there?" Valerie asked.
"It's me, L. Is Rain there?" a voice from the other side of the door asked.
All three girls looked at Rain with knowing smiles on their faces as they tried to push her out of the room. "Don't let your lover boy wait too long!"
"Well, at least let me dress up first!" the half-naked girl yelled pleadingly, loud enough to be heard even a few blocks away. The girls burst into laughter as they realized she was still wrapped in her favorite pink towel.
For a long time, the two teenagers sat on the ground outside Wammy's House, none said a word. It was L who broke the silence.
"I heard you started playing with the piccolo these days," he voiced.
"Yes, just for fun though. I won't have any time to master it…" she replied regretfully. Although she was especially talented in the field of music, she was already a full-time pianist as well as violinist.
He took out a box, and gave it to her. "Here, for you."
Even without holding it, she knew it was a piccolo container. Unable to control her smile, she thanked him with a wide beam across her face as she accepted it. Without saying anything, she started to assemble the parts. After she was done, she took up and started blowing it. Not of professional level, but it was enough to serenade the night.
"I'll be leaving England tomorrow," L announced suddenly, after almost half an hour of listening to her performance.
She stopped blowing, holding her newly received gift as tightly as she could. "Another case?" she asked, trying to hold her voice together.
"I'll be investigating a mass murderer whom the public regard as 'Kira'," he explained. "I'm not sure how long it'll take. Perhaps a month, or it could be years."
"Can I be of any help?" she offered hopefully, though she knew he would never allow her to have any part in his investigation.
"No, thanks." Just as she expected.
"Must you go?"
"My sense of justice tells me I must," he replied without a sense of hesitance.
She knew nothing she said could change his mind. With tears rolling down her cheeks, she continued to play the piccolo.
"Rain… You are the most important person to me. I treasure you a lot," he told her silently.
She did not reply, but continued blowing into the piccolo. He could tell she was starting to cry from the tune. "Can you please keep me company this whole night?" The only reply he received was her nodding her head.
I will even accompany you to hell… because I love you…
Coming up next:
3˚Three˚3: The Chase
L and Kira began their cat and mouse chase, each standing for their own believes. Rain wondered if she should have faith in L's ability; or to go against L's will and 'smuggle herself' to Japan.
Author's Note:
At first, I was rather upset since nobody seems to like my writings. Thanks to RX-san and Arcer-san, I decided to continue writing. As a writer, I ought to devote myself to finish any materials that I started on, even if I'm my only reader. But since there are at least two people out there who are reading it, I believe I hold even more responsibility to continue this piece of work.
Okay, enough rambling. Another chapter completed (though a short one), with thanks to RX-san (let me know if you prefer me to call you a different name ). Next up, less sappiness and more actions. Reviews please!
RX-san: Okie, after listening to (reading :P) your opinion, I decided it might really be a good idea not to expose too much about my OC. Who knows I might need to change her profile in future chapters? wink Thanks for all help in beta-reading my fics!
Arcer-san: Thanks for your comment. I've read through the chapter, and tried altering some parts where I think it might be too un-L-like. Other than that, let's just assume he's just a different person in front of his childhood friends, compared to when he's working with police officers or politicians, etc, as the world's greatest detective. And erm… the names are in bold since the characters have (in my opinion) names that can be defined in other ways- L, Near, Mello(w), Rain… it's just an attempt to avoid confusion