Vendetta –
Chapter 11
Ryuk followed L as he walked down the hallway heading for Aki's room. He looked behind him, feeling that he was being followed, and sighed.
"Don't you have anything better to do?" he asked irritably.
"He wants to kill you, you know," Ryuk laughed, "Just like old times." L stopped walking and turned to glare at the Shinigami.
"He doesn't realize what he's saying, he doesn't mean it. This isn't like it was before, Light loves me!" He turned away, angry at himself for letting the Shinigami bait him.
"Sure, but Kira could care less. It will be interesting to see how it works out this time." Ryuk said. "especially since you've got him cuffed and he's injured; doesn't have a lot of options that way."
"And I intend to keep it that way until I've destroyed that notebook and get him back. You should go sit with him while you can." L told him before knocking on Aki's door. "Aki? Are you awake?"
The little boy opened the door, a wide grin on his face. "Are my games here?" he asked looking past L.
"Not yet, should be any minute now," L answered walking into the room. "But dinner's coming and I'm sure you're hungry by now." Aki nodded and jumped back on the bed.
"Do I have to keep staying in this room? Can we eat in the kitchen?" he asked. L sighed and nodded.
"Sure, we can; I guess you're getting tired staring at these walls and I can't blame you," he reached out his hand, "Come on."
Aki took his hand and walked with him out of the room and to the elevator. "Can Light come with us?" he asked.
"Not right now, he really should stay in bed for the day. You can see him after dinner, before you go to bed. Tomorrow I'm sure he'll be better and he can join us." L explained, ignoring the chuckling he could hear before Ryuk disappeared thru the floor.
"Ryuzaki, is my daddy okay?" Aki asked suddenly as they entered the elevator.
"He's fine, Aki, why do you ask?" L answered.
"I'm just wondering why he hasn't come for me," the boy shrugged, "I thought maybe he was sick or maybe those bad men got him." L stopped the elevator and knelt in front of the boy.
"Aki, I can assure you that your father is well and has been asking about you. But the situation is still very dangerous and right now we simply cannot let him come here for you. As soon as it is possible, as soon as we know that you will be safe, we will…work something out for both of you." He moved hair from in front of the boy's eyes. "Until then, being with us isn't too bad, is it?" he asked standing back up to restart the elevator.
"No…except when you guys get smoochie," he answered screwing up his face. L smiled sadly as the doors opened.
"Well, I don't think you have to worry about that for a while." He answered taking his hand and leading him to the main room.
Within a few minutes of their arriving, Watari came in with a trolley full of food.
"I hope you're hungry," he said to the little boy as he stopped in front of him, "And if you eat everything there's ice cream for dessert."
"Ice cream!" Aki said happily as he began to see what was for dinner.
"Your paperwork has been picked up," he said to L, "I impressed on him the importance of getting it back as quickly as possible." L nodded.
"Good, thank you, Watari," he smiled as he watched Aki eat. "I was right, you are hungry," he said before looking back at Watari. "Is Light resting or is he awake?" he asked.
"He's quite awake," he answered, "I'm going to go back and keep an eye on him while waiting for the paperwork to return. Enjoy your dinner," he put a hand on L's shoulder. "I'll let you know when I have the papers." Light nodded with a small smile then turned his attention back to Aki.
"Can I still see Light again after dinner?" he asked around the food in his mouth.
"Yes, of course," L answered handing him a napkin, "Before you go to bed you can spend time with him and…maybe tomorrow he'll…feel better and come down here and join us." he looked down when he felt Aki's hand on his.
"You said he was going to be okay, so you don't have to look so worried," the boy said with a smile. L stared at him, and forced a smile.
"You're absolutely right," he said, "Finish up so you can have your ice cream." He added then cringed when he heard Ryuk's laughter.
"Funny, I never imagined you as a babysitter," he laughed as he hung in the air then moved closer to the boy, making L suddenly move in front of him. "Cute kid, he's what all this fuss is about? Doesn't seem worth it, does it?" Aki stopped chewing when L stood in front of him and stared up at him.
"Is something on the ceiling?" he asked looking up and around. "Is it like a big spider?" he asked hopefully.
"Yea," L said staring at the Shinigami, "It's like a big, ugly spider, but it ran away." Ryuk laughed again.
"With him cuffed, this is going to get boring soon," he said, "If something doesn't happen soon, I can still write his name down…" he began. L tried not to react to the threat, putting his plate down.
"Aki, I'll be right back." He said standing up.
"Okay, you think my games are here?" the boy asked and L smiled.
"Maybe, I want to look. I'll be right back you just keep eating." He said and looked up at Ryuk moving out of the room, knowing he'd follow.
"Stop threatening, you will not harm Light!" he told the Shingami when they were away from Aki, and the Shinigami shrugged.
"You're lucky I haven't already killed him," he reminded him, "I'm not waiting too much longer." He warned him and disappeared thru the ceiling. L felt he was beginning to reach his breaking point; this was all too much for him to deal with. He thrust his hands deeply into his pockets and concentrated on breathing. He couldn't seem upset in front of Aki, the boy also had more than enough on his plate.
"Almost finished?" he asked as he walked back into the room.
"Yea, I want some ice cream!" Aki said as he sucked up the last of his noodles.
"Very good," L said as he sat back down next to him, "You've done very well." Aki smiled proudly as L took his dishes and put them back on the trolley. "I'll take these and get your ice cream," he said pushing the trolley towards the kitchen. As he went to the freezer, Watari walked into the kitchen.
"L…we have a problem with getting our paperwork signed properly," he said.
"What do you mean? What's the problem?"
"It appears he wishes to speak to you again, before he signs." L sighed and nodded.
"Fine, get me connected and I'll talk to him. Have Aki's games arrived?"
"Yes, I was setting them up when I received the call," Watari answered.
"Good, then after he gets his ice cream I'll let him talk to Light, then he can go back to his room and he can play while I talk to his father and get this straightened out. Thank you, Watari." He said as he got a bowl to put Aki's ice cream in.
"What about the notebook, L? Should I get it ready to burn? I think with that monster here it's even more imperative that we get rid of it." L stopped moving and sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair, nodding slowly.
"Yes, I know…especially since he's making threats about writing Light's name in his notebook if he gets bored. After I speak to Aki's father, after Aki has seen Light, I'll go in and see if I can get Light to give it up once more. If he doesn't, I'll tell you to destroy it, you'll be watching and listening, I'm sure."
"Of course. It's already in a metal box by my station, ready to be burned at your word," Watari said. L sighed again after filling the bowl with ice cream.
"Go release Light from his handcuffs and I'll bring Aki up to talk to him while he has his ice cream. At least his feelings for the boy haven't changed as they have for me." He said sadly.
"L…Kira sees you as an obstacle to what he wants to do for the boy, it's not a matter of feelings, but the sooner we burn this thing the better. I'll go release him now." L nodded and walked back out to the main room to Aki.
"Hey, would you like to talk to Light while you're having your ice cream?" he asked with a smile.
"Can I?" Aki asked with a wide smile.
"Of course," L said reaching to take his hand. "Come on, he's going to be very glad to see you."
"I want to see him too, I miss him when he's not here," Aki said as they walked to the elevator.
"I miss Light when he's not here too," L said softly as they got in.
"I'm taking these off because Aki wants to see you," Watari said as he unlocked them. "I don't have to remind you to behave yourself, do I?" Light sneered at him.
"I'd appreciate it if you'd stop talking to me as if I were a child, Watari," he said as he rubbed his wrist.
"When you come back to your senses I'll be glad to," Watari said checking his wound. "You seem to be healing quite nicely. We can probably remove the bandages in a day or two."
"You probably wish you would have killed me," Light said as he sat up, "Except L would have never forgiven you."
"If you try to hurt him again, I may risk that possibility," Watari told him as he stared him down, "So I suggest you not try, nor have anyone or anything try for you," he added staring at Ryuk who hovered in the corner. Before Light could answer the door opened and Aki ran in and directly to him.
"Light! I'm so glad to see you," he said sitting next to him on the bed. "Does your arm hurt much?" Light shook his head as he ruffled the boy's hair.
"No, not much at all. What have you been doing?" As Aki began to tell him what he'd been doing Watari walked over to L.
"I'll go set up the link to talk to his father," he told him. "Once that is done, I'll come back and you can take Aki to his room, then have your conversation." L nodded and sat down in a chair, watching as Aki and Light talked, trying to ignore the near constant chuckling from Ryuk.
"Alright Aki, I think it's time for bed," L said after a while, "Come on, I'll tuck you in."
"Maybe I could stay here with you and Light?" Aki asked and L shook his head.
"I'm sorry, but Light needs to heal first, and then we'll see," L answered reaching for his hand.
"But what if my daddy picks me up tomorrow?" he asked.
"Yes, what if his daddy comes to pick him up tomorrow?" Light asked with a smirk, "Then it would be too late." L frowned, knowing what he was trying to do.
"Then we'll set up a date for a sleepover, but it's not possible right now, come with me Aki."
"I'm sorry Aki, but Ryuzaki says no. You know I'd let you if I could, but he's in control;" Light apologized with a shrug, "It's too bad." L reached down and picked the boy up, holding him tightly as he squirmed in his arms.
"No..I want to stay with Light, please let me stay with you and Light, Ryuzaki."
"Maybe if we both ask," Light grinned, "Please Ryuzaki, let him spend the night with us. You never know what tomorrow will bring."
"Stop it," L hissed, "I know what you're trying to do and it won't work!" He turned as Watari came back into the room.
"Aki, your games are all set up and ready to go,' he told the boy.S
"Did they all come? Can I play them all before I got to bed?" Aki asked as they left the room.
"We'll see," Watari laughed then looked back at L. "You're connected on your computer and they're waiting," he said as he closed the door behind him. L nodded and then turned on Light, pure fury in his eyes.
"How dare you try to use that boy against me, use his feelings for you…" he started and Light laughed.
"Stop acting as if you care anything about Aki," he spat back, "If you did you'd let me have my notebook and save his life! You're a hypocrite and a liar, but then you always have been." L was surprised how much those words hurt and angered him. He took a deep breath and moved closer to him.
"I won't ask again, Kira. Give up ownership of the notebook. That way we can keep it in case anything…goes wrong. Either give it up or I'll be forced to destroy it, despite the possible consequences." Light shook his head and laughed,
"You won't destroy it L, I know you won't because you're afraid to and don't want to take the risk. You'll find I'm right and when you do, when you realize what a disgusting lowlife Katagi Fujimoto really is, you'll hold the book while I write in it. I'll give it up then, I promise, and everything will be just fine."
"You're so wrong, I'm not afraid. If my choice is to lose what I had with Light to destroy you completely, I'll take that risk. I can win Light back once you're gone, I know I can. Especially when you're no longer a threat." He looked up when Watari came back in.
"I'm going to talk to Fujimoto now, but I'll be back. And when I'm done, I'm destroying the notebook." Watari came over and returned the handcuff. "And when I do, you can finally get out of that." L walked out with Watari as Light began yelling at him.
"You know you won't, you're doing what you do best L, lying through your teeth, because you're afraid!" L slammed the door behind him, trying to drown out Light's words and Ryuk's laughter, moving quickly with Watari to the elevator.
"I wonder how much of that Light really thinks," L said softly as they walked.
"None of it," Watari said, "But Kira knows your vulnerabilities because Light does, and while Light would never exploit them, Kira would." L nodded as they entered the elevator.
"How's Aki now that his games have arrived?" he asked as they got out.
"As you can imagine, he's quite happy and I don't believe bed time will be happening any time soon." Watari laughed.
"He's earned it, he's been handling the complete upheaval of his life very well for a child."
"I know another child who handled it quite well also," Watari said with a smile, "And rose above it quite admirably." L smiled slightly then turned to his father figure.
"I wish I could find that child's strength again right now, I don't think I'm handling this upheaval very well at all."
"I disagree," Watari told him as they walked into the command center, "You're doing very well especially under these circumstances," he sat down in front of the monitors. "I'll keep an eye on Light while you talk to Fujimoto." L nodded and sat down in front of Watari's computer, turning on the voice synthesizer.
"This is L. What is the problem?"
"Hey, L, this is Matsuda…but you probably know that. Anyway, Mr. Fujimoto says he won't sign the custody paper until he talks to his son." L frowned at the screen.
"Not tonight, I'm sure the boy is asleep and I cannot make the arrangements to get him here now. Assure Mr. Fujimoto, that his son is being well cared for and protected. If he wishes, I can set up something in the morning, but he must fill out that paper now or that won't happen."
"Okay, I'll tell him, hold on." Matsuda said, and after a few moments, he returned.
"He agrees but he says if he doesn't talk to his son first thing in the morning, he will take it to court and say he was forced to sign it under duress."
"Tell him I don't care what he does, just make sure he signs it and fills out the other pages with names and any locations he knows and get them back here tonight. Remind him that if I find he's lied about any of that information I will make sure he never sees his son again." He broke off the connection in aggravation.
"That might have been a bit harsh," Watari said as he stood up.
"I know, but I meant it," L answered rubbing his eyes, "He offered his son to those people and whether he meant it or not it was a heinous thing to do, I have no sympathy."
"Why don't you keep an eye on Light; I'll make us some coffee, I think we could both use some." L nodded and moved to his chair, looking up at the screens.
"That was cold," Ryuk laughed after L had left, "You hate him, you love him and now it seems you hate him again." he laughed again. Light stared at him and then turned away.
"I don't…there are things more important than that right now. I have to get my notebook from him, you have to help me do it." Light said and that made Ryuk laugh even harder.
"I told you before I'm not on your side or on L's side and that hasn't changed. What has changed is that if you're in those handcuffs nothing's going to happen and that's just boring," he reached for his own notebook. "I broke the rules before by not staying near the Death Note and you, but I could do that because I didn't know the location of the notebook. I know where it is now, and it sounds like it might be destroyed. I think it's time I closed this relationship for good, just in case L listens to you and chickens out."
Light stared at him. "What do you mean?" he asked. "I won't be like this for much longer, then we can put a plan in motion. I'll get those keys from L…" Ryuk shook his head as he took his pen.
"You'll never get those keys out of Watari or L, and I should have done this years ago," Ryuk said, without a trace of mirth,
"No…no please, Ryuk…you can't, not now, not when I'm so close to gaining what I need…please…don't…I can't die now!" Light pleaded, struggling to get up despite the handcuffs.
"Oh yes, you certainly can," Ryuk said, "It's something all humans share."
"No... you can't…" Light pleaded, getting louder as Ryuk opened the notebook... Ryuk…no!
L stared at the screen when he saw Light struggling to get up. He hit the volume on the panel, as he could see pure fear on Light's face. "…please…don't…I can't die now…" he heard and jumped up running out of the room.
"Watari! Burn the notebook, burn it now!" he nearly screamed as he ran for the stairs.
Watari moved quickly out of the kitchen back towards the security office, seeing L running towards the stairs. He quickly retrieved the metal box with the Death Note in it.
L burst thru the door of the bedroom, hearing Light pleading for his life and seeing Ryuk beginning to write.
"Ryuk no! We had a deal!" he yelled running to Light. "You said you wouldn't hurt him!"
"And I didn't, for ten years. But this is boring, and I need to finish our contract…" L threw himself on top of Light, knowing it wouldn't help but not knowing what else to do.
"The notebook's being destroyed, you don't have to do this, please, Ryuk…you don't have to kill him!"
"You told me before you'd be destroying the notebook, and yet it's still here. Maybe I don't believe you'll destroy it this time either," Ryuk laughed and started writing again.
L leapt at the Shinigami who stopped writing long enough to laugh at him as he flew up and away from him. From behind him, Light suddenly made a noise and fell back on the bed. L screamed Light's name and ran back to him, holding him in his arms.
"Light! Light!" he turned on the Shinigami. "Why couldn't you just wait…why…" he cried, as tears began to fall. Ryuk shook his head and turned his notebook around.
"I didn't finish writing his name," he said, "You can't blame me for this."
L stared at the notebook and read, 'Light Yagam…'. He hadn't finished his last name.
"The notebook must have been destroyed," the Shinigami said then laughed as he disappeared thru the ceiling. "Whatever, I'm free of him either way." He said
Watari came into the room and stopped at the sight of L holding what seemed to be a lifeless Light in his arms.
"L…" he started and L shook his head as he felt for a pulse.
"He's not dead, get these handcuffs off him!" he demanded and Watari immediately got the key out of his pocket and opened them. "Light…can you hear me? Light…" L called to him. Light's eyes fluttered open slowly and L sobbed in relief. Light stared up at L in surprise.
"L? What's…what's wrong?" Light asked in confusion.
"Nothing's wrong now," L said wiping his eyes, "How do you feel?"
"I feel okay, kind of hazy and maybe a little woozy, but other than that…" he stopped when he looked at his arm in a sling. "What the hell…" he looked at Watari and blinked. "You shot me, why would you do that?"
"Calm down Light, and I'll try to explain but first, how do you feel…about me?" he asked slowly. Light stared at him, his confusion complete.
"How do I feel about you? What the hell is going on?" he demanded.
"Please…just answer the question." L pleaded softly.
"L…I love you, you know I love you. Why are you asking me?" L couldn't answer, as he continued to cry, holding Light against him. "L? What's wrong?" Light asked. Watari walked over to them and smiled down at Light.
"I promise everything will be explained to you in the morning. For now, you need to rest, and L definitely needs to rest; he's been very concerned about you. Try to relax until then." Light stared at them both and then finally nodded.
"Okay, I guess I can wait until tomorrow, but I just don't understand," he looked up at L, "L..it's okay, I'm okay." He said reaching up to caress his face.
Watari put a hand on L's shoulder. "Why don't you get ready for bed, I'll check on Aki and tuck him in later." L nodded and finally let go of Light.
"Thank you," he said and stood up, wiping his eyes and beginning to slip out of his clothes as Watari left the room.
"I love you, Light," L said softly as he slid into bed next to him.
"I love you too," Light answered, "Obviously I must have done something to make you doubt that I did, but I do. I could never stop loving you." Light kissed him softly, L moaning into the kiss he had been afraid he'd never feel again.
"It's okay, it doesn't matter, and it never will again," L said as he turned off the light. He put his arm around him as he lay his head on his chest.
"Promise me you'll explain what happened tomorrow, I know I was handcuffed to the bed and I can't imagine why…"
"Tomorrow," L said as he closed his eyes, "Yes."
Light sighed and then kissed him again. "Okay, tomorrow," he agreed and closed his eye as he snuggled against L.