Vendetta – 10

"R…Ryuk! What are you doing here?" L managed after a few moments to get over his shock.

"I was checking out the human world, haven't done it in a while, and the notebook kind of called out to me. I thought Light was back on his game." He answered as he landed in front of L. "Imagine my surprise at finding you about to use it instead."

"I'm not going to use it and neither is Light. He's going to give up ownership or I'm destroying it, so you can go back to where you come from." L told him as he walked out of the door and back to the elevator.

"Where's the fun in that?" Ryuk asked walking thru the door to follow him.

"None. I want it and you out of his life for good," L told him as the elevator moved. "And I'd appreciate it if you'd go away." He added as the doors opened and others entered the elevator.

"How can I do that now that the notebook is out?" Ryuk asked with a laugh. L ignored him as they weren't alone. When the elevator finally stopped at the main floor, L moved quickly thru the lobby taking note of a few suspicious men walking towards the elevators. He moved at a quick pace, but not running, that would be too obvious. He had stuck the notebook under his hoodie, his hands thrust deeply into his pockets as he moved. He could feel Ryuk floating near him, chuckling as he moved.

"Trying not to be seen?" he asked. "This should be interesting," he laughed as he moved thru the wall outside. L walked out of the door and continued to walk away from the building towards the subway, trying not to run. He looked around from inside the hood, sighing deeply when no one seemed to be following him.

"Looks like you made it so far," Ryuk said from above him, "But it was definitely interesting to see if you would or not."

"Why are you still here?" L hissed quietly.

"I'm going where the notebook goes," the Shinigami answered, "Now that I've found it again.'

"Don't get used to it," L told him as he boarded the train. "It's not going to be around for very much longer." Ryuk laughed again.

"I don't know, Light was really into his notebook. Who knows what will happen when he gets it again. That was part of the reason I allowed him to live, that he might start using it again. Like he was before you two started doing weird things together, I mean." he laughed again, "once that started happening Light wasn't any fun anymore."

L looked over at the giggling Shinigami and shook his head. This was definitely what he didn't need right now. His phone vibrated in his pocket and he pulled it out and saw it was Watari.

"I take it all went well?" he asked.

"Yes, on the train now back. But as you're tracing me you know that already," he answered more tersely than he meant to.

"While that may be true I'd rather that I hear it from you," Watari answered, "I have also found where our target is residing at the moment."

"Excellent, " L answered, "Make sure you keep that information away from Light." Watari chuckled in his ear.

"That isn't a concern, Light won't find out and even if he did I have assured that he won't leave the bedroom." L frowned.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"You'll see when you return. I am stepping out to fulfill Aki's wish list when you return, I wanted to make sure Light would be...safe. Also, the Deputy Director has called to say he has set up commincations with the target."

"I'm not surprised, I didn't leave him any alternative," he said and then sighed heavily as he watched Ryuk flit around the subway car. "I'll be there soon." He said before hanging up the phone and worked on ignoring the Shinigami.

Light had drifted off to sleep after Aki had left him, and opened his eyes again slowly. For some reason he was feeling slightly confused. "L? " he called as he tried to remember exactly what was happening…and discovered he couldn't move the hand not in the sling. He pulled at it again then turned to look at it, then stared in horror which quickly turned to fury….he was handcuffed to the bed. He quickly remember what was going on and it made him even more furious.

"L!" he yelled, as he tugged at the handcuff. The door to the bedroom opened and Watari walked in shaking his head.

"Stop the yelling before you frighten the boy," he said sternly.

"Why am I handcuffed to the bed? Why did he do this?" Light yelled angrily.

"He didn't, I did," Watari answered. "As to why, I'm afraid I don't trust you, Kira," he said with a sigh, "When L returns I have to run a few errands and I don't trust you to not try something against him while I'm gone, especially once you realize where he's gone and why. " Light stopped tugging long enough to face the older man.

"Why?Where did he go?" he asked. "Did he find Aki's father?" Watari nodded.

"Yes, we know where he's being held, but that isn't where he went, Just relax he'll be here soon and you'll understand. " Light pulled at the handcuff again.

"How can I relax like this? This is ridiculous Watari, what could I do wounded like this?" he demanded.

"Oh Kira, I remember you well," Watari said sitting in the chair L had been sitting in. You are amazingly clever, and you'd figure out some way of making L do something he really shouldn't do. So until you've gone, this is how it has to be." Light growled as he continued to tug on the cuffs.

"I'm not going anywhere you old bastard," he seethed thru clenched teeth, "Its alright, L won't let me stay like this."

"Yes, I'm sure you'd manage to work around his defenses which is why I have the only key, and it will stay with me at all times," he chuckled, "And L knows better than to try and cross me, even for you." He stood up and sighed. "Light, I love you like a son when you're yourself, but as Kira, you're a creature I barely recognize. I only hope L has made the correct decision so you both can be released from this nightmare." Light fought to sit up, glaring at Watari.

"The only nightmare is that I'm surrounded by idiots," Light answered as he lay down again, "Idiots who don't understand I'm trying to save Aki, that's all I'm trying to do, why can't you understand?"

"Light, we all understand but you're going about it the wrong way and if we let you do this it will ruin you as well as your career and everything else involved, Try to think rationally, you're not a spoiled teenager any longer, this Kira thing is getting old. Your affection for the boy is admirable, don't destroy it by doing something ridiculous." He moved away and to the door of the bedroom.

"In any event, you need your rest and if you keep behaving badly I'll have to knock you out again," he smiled and left the room, leaving Light to rage against the cuffs.

Ryuk laughed when he saw where they were headed. "We're going here again? Light must love being stuck back in this building again." L ignored him as he passed the security and Watari let him in. He couldn't remember if Watari had actually handled the notebook at all, so he wasn't sure if he could see Ryuk. He'd find out soon enough.

He immediately walked to the security office where Watari sat waiting for him. He threw the notebook on the desk in front of him. "You need to touch it if you haven't already," he said, "We have a guest." Watari raised an eyebrow then touched the notebook, starting slightly when Ryuk appeared in front of him.

"I'm not sure which one of them is the more…alarming," he said referring to Rem, "how did this happen?"

"Apparently when I took the notebook out of the safe he was able to hone in on it as he was visiting again," L said in disgust, "how's Light?" he asked. Watari turned on the monitor to the room which showed Light tugging on the cuff for a few moments before falling back against the bed.

"You handcuffed him?" L asked in surprise. "Why? Did he try something?"

"No, not yet, but I suspect he will try everything he can once he sees that notebook again," Watari answered, "And I don't trust that he'll try to use you in any way he can." L stared at the monitor, his hand reaching up as if he could touch Light thru it.

"Oh ho so Kira's back?" Ryuk laughed as he watched the monitor. "Time to pay a visit, then." He said disappearing thru the ceiling.

L picked up the note book again. "This ends now!" he nearly yelled and headed for Light.

Light had been tugging on the handcuff so much his wrist had become sore which only made him more angry. He looked up when he the door opened and L walked in.

"It's about time!" he told him, "Get these off…" he stopped as Ryuk floated into the room. He stared in surprise then laughed. "Well…look who's back."

"Not for long," L said as he walked toward him holding out the notebook. "Light…you need to give up ownership, right now."

Light stared at the notebook, his hand in the cuff trying to reach for it. "Give up ownership? Are you out of your mind? Not until that man is dead, after I write his name, then I'll give it up. Give it to me, L!" he tried to lunge forward and L stepped away.

"That's not going to happen, I can't let you kill what could be an innocent man. I'll find out the truth and then act accordingly. Now please, give it up Light, please," he moved closer to him, reaching out to touch Light's face. "If you love me, you'll do this, for us." Light stared at him then burst into laughter.

"If I love you? Really, you're going to use that?" he laughed again. "No." Ryuk laughed as well.

"So now what, L? He can't lose ownership unless he wants to."

"If you don't give it up voluntarily then I'll destroy it Light, I want this over!" L told him. For a moment Light looked panicked, but then he smiled.

"Destroy it? And possibly destroy all of my memories of our relationship? I doubt that," he smirked.

"No…no you said that wouldn't happen," L said, "You told me it would be like Misa, she never lost her feelings for you…" Light laughed again.

"How do we know that wasn't something special Rem did just for her? You destroy that notebook and that could be the end of the past ten years we've had. It could happen if I give up ownership too, but at least I could always touch the book and get the memories back. But if you destroy it, that's it, end of our story, You want to risk that?"

"You've never said that before," L said as his heart beat wildly in his chest, "When we've discussed this before you said that wouldn't happen!"

"And yet you still didn't let me give up ownership or destroy it did you?" Light smiled at him, "Because you were afraid I was wrong weren't you? Is that man's life worth more than my love for you? Our relationship? Everything we've had together?" he softened his voice and eyes as he looked at L. "Please, I don't want to forget how much I love you." L shook his head as fear and doubt began to overtake him.

"Ryuk…did Rem do something special to Misa so she would still love Light? " the Shinigami shrugged.

"Who knows? All I know is he'll forget everthing that has to do with his owning the notebook, everything he did with it. Does that include you? Couldn't tell you. He'll know who you are of course, but being in love with you, who knows if that has anything to do with the notebook."

L clutched the notebook, his greatest fear paralyzing him from making a decision. The door opened and Watari came in, taking L by the arm.

"Come with me L, we need to talk," he said softly. He had been watching on the monitor and could see L was near the breaking point. L looked up at him, his eyes shining with fear.

"What do I do?" he whispered as Watari led him out of the room.

"I love you, L," Light called after him, "I want to always love you…" Watari slammed the door behind him, but could still hear Light's laughter.

"I don't know what to do," L said softly as they walked back to the security room. "I can't lose him, Watari, I can't…I can't…." Watari sat him down and sat next to him.

"Listen to me, L. As he is now, you've already lost him, he's not your Light and never will be again as long as he's under the influence of that notebook. You know what you have to do."

"But if he's right," L looked up at him, his eyes filling with tears, "Everything we have will be gone, everything we fought so hard for. He might not love me."

"If the worst happens, all the reasons why he loved you in the first place are still there, and he will love you again, without the guilt and worry of Kira. L-what are your options in reality, this can't continue as it is. He wont willingly give it up, this is your only option." L nodded slowly and handed him the notebook. He took a deep, shaky breath and stood up.

"I need you to call the Deputy Director and tell him I wish to speak to Katagi Fujimoto immediately. Get one of your operatives to pick up the things for Aki, I need you here. I need you to print out some forms I'm going to send to you, and call Matsuda to come here as soon as possible. I'm going to my desk." He began to walk away then stopped. "Don't destroy it until I say to, please." He added.

"Yes, of course. I'll wait for your word." L nodded and walked back to the main room. He sat in his chair, drew his knees up to his chest and wrapping his arms around them. "Light, why did you do this?" he whispered before crying against his arms.

L…I have the Deputy Director on the line," L's computer came alive with Watari's W swirling on the screen minutes later.

L wiped his eyes and sat up. "Thank you, Watari," he said dropping his legs and turning to his computer. "I'm sending you the links to the forms I wish for you to print out. Let me know when they're done."

"Of course, L." he said before switching the call.

'Deputy Director?" L asked.

"Yes, L, I'm here." Came the reply.

"I wish to speak to him now," he said simply.

"He's here, go ahead."

"Katagi Fujimoto? This is L," he introduced himself.

"Do you have my son?" the man asked, "I want to see my son."

"I do not have your son, baby sitting would be a waste of my time," L told him harshly, "However, I am aware of his location and those who are protecting him. I have heard worrying rumours about your future plans for your son's well being."

"I only said those things to get them off my scent," the man explained, "I would never hurt my son. They had told me that there were families that were childless, that wanted a son and that he would be taken to one. "

"And you're a bigger fool than I suspected if you believed any of that," L nearly spat, "I am having a detective bring you some paper work. One of them I want all of your information on this group you are hiding from, I want names, I want locations and I want descriptions. The second form is a form that relinquishes your parental rights to your son." There was silence for a few moments.

"What do you mean?" the man asked.

"It means when you sign that paper you will no longer have any rights to Aki." L told him simply.

"He's my son, why would I give up my rights to him? He is all I have left…"

"Because I'm not sure I believe you have his best interests are heart Mr. Fujimoto, and I'm not sure that the information you are giving me will be correct. You sign those papers, you fill out those forms and if everything you tell me is true, and we end this gang, I will tear up the form and return your son to you. Until that time he will remain the responsibility of those who now protect him. Do you understand?" There was silemce for a few moments until Yagami came on line.

"L…I'm not sure you have the authority to…"

"My authority supercedes all others, since this case directly relates to my current case. Is that a problem Deputy Director?" Silence again.

"No, there's no problem, L." Yagami answered quietly.

"Fine. The detective will be there shortly. He will wait for the paperwork to be filled out and then he will return it. Are there any questions?"

"He's my son, you can't take him away from me," Fujimoto said.

"I can, but I won't have to if you do what you're supposed to do. If I find you were in fact planning to sell him, your rights to your son aren't all you will lose. Watari…" The connection was cut and L pushed away from the desk. He walked back to the security office and Watari turned to face him.

"The forms you asked for are printed and ready," he said as L walked in.

"Give them to Matsuda when he arrives and have him take them to the safe house for Fujimoto to fill out and bring back to me," he looked at the monitors trying to avoid Light. "What's Aki doing?"

"At the moment watching television. His things should be arriving soon."

"Good. It's getting late, I'll have dinner with him, then let him see Light for a little while. You'll have to uncuff him while Aki is there,"

"Of course, and I'll stay with them while Aki visits. What will you be doing?"

"Hopefully the paperwork will be back by then and I'll be going over it, sending operatives to pick up the names on the list. Once that's done, and Aki's in bed, we'll destroy the notebook."

"Understood. I'll let you know when everything arrives," Watari told him. L nodded and left the room heading for the room Aki was in. He stopped by Light's room and stepped in, Ryuk still in the room.

"You haven't destroyed it," Light said, "I'm glad I mean more to you than Fujimoto."

"I haven't destroyed it yet, but I will," L said softly, "I would rather not but if you won't give it up I have no choice. I won't lose you to the notebook Light, not now, not ever again."

"You haven't lost me L, but you might if you destroy the notebook, you know that."

"I do, but then I'll just have to get you back again won't I?" he smiled, "My Light will come back to me eventually." Light pulled at the cuff.

"Don't destroy it, it's mine!" he said angrily, "I'll hate you if you destroy it, I promise you I'll hate you!"

"Kira has always hated me," L said, "That's nothing new. Watari will bring you food soon. I'm having dinner with Aki and then he'll come visit again before bedtime. Enjoy your last night, Kira." L turned with a wide smile and left the bedroom to Ryuk's cackle and headed to Aki's room.

Light watched him leave then smiled at Ryuk. "I do love him, Ryuk, but he's in my way. We have to get rid of him before he destroys the notebook." Ryuk laughed again and disappeared thru the ceiling.