Vendetta 6
Light rolled his eyes as he reached down and helped L to his feet. "Are you hurt anywhere?" he asked looking him over quickly.
"No, I'm fine," L said before another explosion went off outside, knocking them both to the floor and covering them with shards of broken glass as several windows shattered from the force. They helped each other up and backed away as flames began pouring through the windows.
"We need to get to the safe room before it's completely engulfed," L said and Light nodded his agreement, picking up his laptop and moving quickly – only to stop suddenly as they heard crashing from the back of the house and gunfire.
"Obviously whoever's left is not happy with us," L said moving quickly again towards the safe room, "they won't be able to get in and it will protect us from the fire until the others get here." Light followed and watched as L leaned forward to the retina scan which then slid the door open. They both ran in, the door sliding shut behind them. Light looked at the surveillance cameras that were still working, the ones in the front were gone, but the ones on the side and in the back were still operating.
"There can't be that many left, we both shot several and then several of them caught on fire, which they deserved for blowing up my helicopter, so how many do you see?"
"I can see at least four…and there's at least one in a car that they 're using to try and break down the back door." L looked over his shoulder at the screen.
"That's not going to last much longer," he said and looked at his gun, "I don't have much ammunition left."
"Hopefully we won't need too much…" Light said as his phone went off again.
"Light! Are you alright? We're coming up now…there's something burning in front of the house…and it looks like the house is on fire…wait…is that Ryuzaki's helicopter? Is he alright?" Matsuda sounded nearly distraught on the other end.
"Yea it is...but he's okay, he's with me. This building has a safe room…we're okay for now but I don't know how long that will last. They're trying to get to us from the back of the house…be careful." Light warned them.
"Thanks, we're pulling up now, we'll go right to the back…" Matsuda cut off the call and they could hear the sound of more gunfire. At the same time there was banging on the door of the safe room.
"I doubt they can get in; the door is metal for just that reason." L stated.
Light nodded. "But just in case…" he turned the table on its side and pulled L down behind it with him, making sure his gun was ready.
From outside the door the banging stopped and there was an explosion of gunfire and yelling; and another bang at the door. "Light? You still in there? You okay?" it was Matsuda.
"Yea, we're good," Light shouted back standing up. L got up and went to the door to open it, finding Matsuda and several officers in the hallway, some moving out the wounded and probable dead out through the back. Behind them there was smoke and flame coming from the front of the house.
"Your timing was impeccable Matsuda," L said as they moved out of the house, "I don't know how much longer we had in that room." Light turned and stared at L.
"I thought you said we would be safe from the fire," Light said.
"From the fire yes, but after a time the heat becoming too intense would have probably cooked us," he answered and then chuckled at the look of horror on Light's face.
"You guys get in the car, I'll have someone drive you home," Matsuda said once they were outside, "I'll stay here and clear this up." He stopped as the sounds of more sirens filled the air. "Fire department is on its way now, I guess. Took them long enough."
"Thanks Matsuda," Light said gratefully, "I have to get back to Aki."
"Be careful going home Light, they know where you live, they'll be looking for you." Matsuda reminded him.
"But Aki…"
"He's safe with Watari right now, they can't get to him in our apartment," L reminded him, "We'll have the officer take us to our building via the garage, no one can get in there without the access numbers. They'll be looking for Watari's car, and he's already there," he looked at Light, "I don't suppose you'll let me use your suit jacket until we get home, you did tear my shirt off." Matsuda laughed.
"I didn't want to ask but I wondered…"
"He was on fire when he jumped out of the helicopter," Light said taking off his jacket and handing it to L, "I don't know what was going on in your mind…" Matsuda help up his hands.
"I wasn't thinking anything in particular, I just wondered…" More police cars, ambulances and fire engines began to arrive as Light and L climbed into an unmarked car. "Let me know when you get home," Matsuda told them, "I want to know you guys are safe." Light nodded and then remembered something.
"When you get back, make sure you tell them while they're charging his father that he was planning to sell Aki to them to save himself. They were planning to sell him off to satisfy the debt."
"Oh my God are you serious?" Matsuda said thoroughly horrified. "Don't worry I'll make sure they know that." Light nodded and the car took off. L reached for his phone and cursed when he pulled it out and saw the screen was cracked.
"Add the destruction of my phone to their list of charges," he told Light who rolled his eyes as he reached for his phone and called Watari.
"I wanted to let you know that we're both fine and on the way home," he told him immediately, "How is Aki?"
"Quite concerned about you," Watari answered, "Shall I tell him you're on your way?"
"Yea, tell him we're on our way. Once we get there we'll have to discuss what to do until this case is over, they know where we are and even though they can't get to us, perhaps it's not the best place to be right now. It could put the other residents in danger."
"Understood; I'll see what I can come up with," Watari answered and turned to Aki, "They're on their way." The boy nodded and ran to the door to wait.
The moment they were in the garage they ran from the car and into the elevator and expressed it to their top floor. The moment Light opened the door Aki was on him, once again nearly knocking him to the ground.
"Light you came back!" he cried hugging him tightly, "I woke up and you were gone." Light returned his hug.
"I'm sorry I had to leave while you were sleeping, but it was really important." Aki nodded.
"And then Ryuzaki went to help you," he looked over at the detective and then began giggling.
"What happened to your shirt? You look silly!"
"Yes, well I had an accident and lost my shirt…" Aki walked over to him.
"I had an accident once, but I had to change my pants," he looked at L seriously, "How did you peepee on your shirt?" Light burst into laughter as L removed Light's jacket in a huff.
"I did no such thing, that's not what I meant when I said accident," he frowned at Light who was still laughing as he handed him back his suit jacket, "You're not helping," he said before going to his room to get another shirt. Light smirked at him before looking back at Aki.
"We'll keep his little accident a secret, okay? We don't want to upset him." Aki nodded with a very serious expression on his face
"I believe I've come up with safe haven for us," Watari said coming into the room.
"What have you got?" Light asked as L walked back in pulling on his shirt.
"I'll reopen Task Force Headquarters. It would be even more secure than here." Light nodded then turned to L.
"I think that would work well," he said, "The only problem will be getting everyone there safely and without being followed."
"They know the Mercedes and will most likely be watching all exits once they regroup," Light said, "And they'll be looking for him." He added nodding towards Aki.
"We could again use an unmarked police car and keep him hidden. We could go in separate cars – they wouldn't look for him with Watari." L suggested. Light felt tugging on his pants and he looked down at Aki.
"I want to go with you, Light," he said simply his eyes shining, "I don't know where papa is and mama…" he looked down at his shoes. "Can Papa find me if we go?"
Light's eyes narrowed at the mention of the boy's father but he managed to smile at him. "Don't you worry about your Papa, everything will work out." he assured him. Aki smiled up at him and Light felt a familiar pull at the back of his mind as he thought about what he'd like to do to Aki's father; but he ignored it.
"Why don't we do this," L suggested, "I'll go with Watari and draw them away from here. You call Matsuda and have him come and get you and Aki with an unmarked car. He knows the code to get into the garage and the two of you hide in the car when he pulls out," he frowned, "If they hadn't destroyed my helicopter we could have just flown." Light turned and looked at him.
"About that," he said walking closer to him, "Thank you for coming for me, I'm sorry you lost the helicopter." L shrugged.
"I'll get another one," he said with a smile, "I had to make sure you were okay, I couldn't just sit here." Light leaned forward and kissed him quickly, ignoring the noises coming from Aki as he covered his eyes.
"I'll call Matsuda now, you get going and just be careful," he warned and L smiled at him.
"Of course, you do the same. I'm going to get some more ammunition just in case," he added heading for his office. Light nodded, then looked up in surprise as Watari handed him Aki's clothes.
"I cleaned them last night. While L's shirt is quite becoming I believe he'll be more comfortable in his clothes going outside." Light smiled gratefully and handed the clothes to Aki.
"Can you get dressed by yourself?" he asked him. Aki looked insulted at the question as he took the clothes from him.
"I'm not a baby," he announced as he walked toward the bedroom. Light watched him with a smile and then reached for his phone, sending a message to Matsuda as L came out of his office.
"What's the plan to shake them if they follow you?" Light asked and L smiled at Watari.
"Watari is quite good at getting rid of people on his tail, and I'm sure there's a change of cars in his plan as well." He looked at Watari who nodded with a smile.
"We'll get going now. I'll take the laptops with me and have everything set up by the time you get there," he looked at Aki when he came back into the room fully dressed and smiling proudly as he held out his shoes.
"You see, I told you," he said and Light nodded with a smile as he got down to the boy's level.
"Let me help you with your shoes," he said as the boy sat on the floor, "When we go out Aki, I need you to stay behind me and do exactly what I say, okay?" Aki nodded as Light tied his sneakers. "And when we get in the car, we have to stay down on the floor and you have to be very still and quiet until I tell you that you can get up."
"Are we hiding from those bad men that hurt Mama?" Aki asked and Light nodded.
"That's right and we can't let them see us until we're somewhere safe. Are you ready?" Aki nodded then hugged Light's neck before he stood up.
L watched the moment, concerned about the amount of affection he could see on Light's face as he returned the hug. He had no idea how this was all going to play out and worried about Light's reaction should things not work out the way they hoped it would. He touched Light's shoulder to get his attention.
"We're leaving now, call me when you're nearing the building so I can look out for you."
"I will…just be careful," Light reminded him when he stood up. L smiled and nodded at him as he went to the door with Watari. "See you in a little while, Aki," he said as he went out of the door.
Light stared after them for a few moments then looked down when he felt Aki's hand reaching into his, as he stared up at him. Light squeezed it and smiled at him.
"Don't worry Aki, we'll be there and safe very soon," he assured him and the boy nodded and smiled. Light felt his phone vibrate and saw that Matsuda had arrived. "We're going now, Aki. You remember what I said?" Aki nodded again, clutching Light's hand tighter.
Light gave him a reassuring smile and then led him out of the door and to the elevator. Once inside, he set it to bypass every floor until they reached the garage. Once down he stepped out of the elevator and looked around, his hand on his gun and making sure Aki was behind him. The garage door began to open and Light moved back against the wall in the shadows, still keeping Aki behind him.
The car came in slowly, pulling up to the elevator. Light didn't move until he saw the car door open and Matsuda lean out of the door looking around. He then moved quickly to the car opening up the back door and sliding Aki in before he jumped in himself.
"Thanks Matsuda," he said and lay on the floor, pulling Aki to him and moving him so his body shielded him, just in case.
"No problem Light, you know that. You guys settled down there?"
"Yea we're good," Light said smiling at Aki, "I bet you never rode in a car this way before?" Aki giggled and shook his head. "We have to stay like this until we get to the new place, but it shouldn't be too long."
"It's okay Light, this is fun!" the boy said from beside him and he had to smile.
"Light—stay down. There's a couple more cars pulling up alongside the garage. When we get out of the area I'm going to call in a detail to pick these guys up." Matsuda reached down and turned on the car radio, and began to sing along as they moved out of the garage and towards the street. He watched out of the corner of his eye as the drivers of the cars he was suspicious of got out and began to look towards him. He wanted to floor it and get away but he knew that would only go badly so he kept moving at a normal pace, as if he didn't have a care in the world. The driver closest to him moved towards the car, trying to see inside as Matsuda drove by.
Light pushed Aki as far under the front seat as he could, then pressed his body against Aki's to keep him in place and well hidden. He made mental images of what he would do if they were discovered, how he would protect Aki. He had one arm around the boy and he placed his free hand on his gun, just in case.
Matsuda continued to sing with the radio until he passed the driver staring into the car, and got onto the street. As he began to leave the building behind him, he heard sirens and was glad to see police cars pulling up to the building. He waited until he had turned the corner before talking to Light.
"We got out of the building but don't get up yet," he told him, "Just in case we're being followed or they have others planted along the street. Wait until we get close to the task force building."
"Makes sense, Matsuda," Light answered and continued to hold on to Aki.
"It seems they're short on manpower," Watari remarked as he continued thru traffic, "The ones that were following seem to have fallen away."
"I would hope so, between Light and myself and the police we must have wiped out more than a dozen of them. I would suggest that we still switch cars in case they relay the type of car we're in."
Watari nodded. "I intended to," he said. "Our switching station is up ahead." L nodded and prepared to jump from one car to another as they pulled into a public garage, and a parking space next to a flaming red car.
"A bit much isn't it Watari?" L asked with a smirk and his guardian shrugged.
"I call it hiding in plain sight," he said, "Let's go." The other car was already running as he and L moved quickly from one car to another. Watari drove thru the garage, exiting from another area and then headed into traffic. "We should be there in ten." L nodded and kept an eye on the surrounding traffic.
Matsuda had been keeping one eye on traffic and the other on the cars around him and as they got closer to the building he began to relax.
"How are you guys doing?" he asked and received a groan in response quickly followed by a giggled apology.
"I moved my feet and I kicked Light in his…" Aki started and Light interrupted him.
"That's fine Aki, you don't have to…explain," Light said in a pained voice, 'Just…try to keep your feet still."
Matsuda heard another giggle covered apology and he couldn't help laughing himself.
"We'll be there in a few minutes," he told them, "then you can wiggle your feet all you want, Aki." He said then burst into laughter when he heard another pained groan from Light and more giggles.
L and Watari got to the building garage, Watari going back to his old office, resetting the security as soon as they were inside and turning on the monitors. L set up their laptops and waited to hear that Light and Aki had arrived.
When Matsuda pulled up to the building he reached for his phone to call L to let him know they were there and was surprised when the garage door slid open on its own. Once inside and the door closed behind them he finally relaxed.
"Okay guys, we're here," he said parking the car.
Light got up first, looking around the garage before letting Aki slide from under the seat. The little boy looked out of the window.
"Where are we?" he asked.
"Some place very safe," Light answered as he opened the door and got out, stretching as he did. Aki followed him out and immediate reached for his hand. Matsuda got out and followed them to the door that lead to the building.
"Wow it's been a long time since we've been here," he said looking around.
"Yes it has," Light agreed as he pulled his phone, "Never thought I'd see it again. We're here," he said into the phone a few seconds before the door opened.
"Watari has you on the monitors," L's voice told him, "Come on in." Light hung up and walked through the door that slammed shut behind them. As soon as they were inside Aki spotted L and ran over to him.
"Hi Ryuzaki, we had a fun ride over here!" Light looked pained.
"Some of us did," he said as he walked over to a chair to sit down.
"Did you run into trouble?" L asked and Aki burst into giggles.
"No…I kicked Light in his privates!" he said trying to whisper, "Two times…I didn't mean to…" he added.
L looked over at Light with a wide smile. "I see, I do hope there was no permanent damage, it would be so disappointing."
"Don't be an ass," Light growled at him and he laughed just as Matsuda's phone rang. He answered it and looked over at Light as he listened.
"Are you kidding?" he asked in disbelief and then listened again. "Alright, I'll tell him…we'll set it up later." He said and then put his phone away and sighed.
"Something wrong?" Light asked standing up. Matsuda nodded then looked down at Aki.
"It's about our prisoner," he said. Light frowned and then looked at Aki, realizing Matsuda meant his father.
"What about him?" he asked. L knew something was wrong and took the boy's hand.
"Aki…let me show you around and you can pick out what room you want to sleep in," he said moving the boy out of the room. Once they left Matsuda began to explain.
"It seems that after questioning his father they seem to think he's more of a victim that anything else," he began, "they'll charge him for the money he skimmed off the top, but you know as well as I do that he'll get a slap on the wrist and probation; especially after losing his wife."
Light shook his head in disbelief, he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"And now they want to set up a time and place that we can give Aki to him, and then they'll both be put in protective custody until we've cleared this up. Light..I'm sorry." He said beginning to get concerned as he watched Light's face.
"Give him back? Matsuda he was planning to sell his son in order to save his own ass, how can they give him back to him?"
"I know, I gave them that information but they think he only said that so he could get back to his family. He said he was planning to leave the country but they caught his wife before he finalized the plans. They believed him." Light's hands clenched into fists as he thought about Aki being sold and being abused and treated like an animal. His anger burned in his chest and he turned away from Matsuda in pure fury.
"No…that can't happen, I won't let him take Aki…" he began.
"Light our hands are tied. All we can do is keep an eye on him while in protective custody. If he tries to do anything to the boy we'll stop him."
"And if we don't catch him soon enough? And Aki is shipped out somewhere? No…" he had to think of a way to stop this, he couldn't let this happen. He'd kill Aki's father before he let him take him. He shook his head, he couldn't do that…he couldn't kill the boy's father…suddenly he felt that familiar push from the back of his mind…no he couldn't do it…but…he closed his eyes and welcomed the one who could.