Chapter 24: The Words Left Unsaid

"Learn to treasure your life because unfortunately, it can be taken away from you anytime."

-L-

"What does he see in her?" Kiyomi asked herself as she sat down on the bed in her room that she share with Hanami. Why does Kira have such an interest in her? What is so appealing about that girl? She's even dating someone else, that really strange looking guy. So what the point?

"You mean Hideki Ryuga and Akane Yagami, right?" Hanami asked curiously from her chair next to her desk and high powered laptop with some game called 'Guild Wars 2' was playing on it. Not that Kiyomi really cared. She wasn't the gamer type.

"Uh... yeah," Kiyomi replied quickly not realizing she had said some aloud.

"Your not jealous are you? I think they are good for each other." She said being completely honest.

"I'm not!" Kiyomi replied in earnest then she looked away an expression that was hard to describe took place one that attractive face of hers. One might describe is as worried. "But do you think Akane is a bit of a fake and what do you mean they are perfect for each other?"

"Fake? No I don't think that at all. Akane just hides her pain and tries not to burden others. I've known her since grade school. She always puts a smile one her face even when she's hurting. Like our last year at high school. Most didn't notice it, but I did. She lost someone she really cared about. She seemed so lost and sad, but she wouldn't share what happened with anyone. I think someone like a boyfriend or something died. She was mournful for a long while until she met Ryuga. She seems happier now and he seems to be warm with her more than any of us." Hanami said with a happy smile. "It takes a while and you'll miss it if you don't pay attention, but Akane is the kind of person who places many burdens on her shoulders for others' sake and she will always stand up for what's right no matter how much it hurts. I think Ryuga is the same way in some areas. He seems to be the only one I have met that she really opens up to. He's good for her and she him. So no she's not fake. Akane is just more reserved than the others."

Kiyomi's eyes widen, Is this what Kira sees in her? How could of I over looked any of that? I need to pay closer attention to them. I can't have my own feelings blinding me from my goal or my mission. I must observe them and if possible eliminate this so called Hideki Ryuga for my lord Kira!

….

"Hey, Ryuga," Akane said as she entered their room a towel in her wet hair, "I'm done now. So you can take your shower now."

"Thank you," he replied from the bed and was on his way to stand, but when his eyes turned to look at her. He froze in place half way up. She was only wearing a spaghetti strap tank top and a par of comfy mini pajama shorts. He had never seen her in such little clothing before. She wasn't wearing a bra either.

"Ryuga... you're staring," Akane said as she pulled the towel out of her hair and letting it fall in soft damp curls. "Something wrong?"

"No," He said tearing his gaze away his face flushed.

She smirked, she just couldn't help it. L was always so passive and possessed on expression of boredom. It was good to him otherwise. She couldn't understand why she thought he was so cute, but she did. In fact she yearned to see such on embarrassed expression on his face. There was no resisting such an adorable face as she lifted up his chin with this seductive look in her eye, "If you keep make such cute faces I'll be forced to kiss you again."

His dark silver eyes peered into her own as if he was trying to figure something out about her and this fast heart beat in his own chest he couldn't understand, "Do you enjoy teasing me?"

She giggled as she let go, "I do. You're too fun not to. Why do you ask? After all you do seem to enjoy it yourself or am I wrong?"

That was it, his heart skipped a beat and his face redden further. He never had a woman give him this sort of attention before. Usually people thought he was weird and kept their distance from him, but not this woman. Why did she like to tease him and why did he secretly enjoy her attention like this? He wanted her to touch him... hold him if only once, but he didn't understand why. Apart of him knew she didn't even know why she wanted to tease him in such a way either. "I... don't know."

Akane smiled at him and kissed his cheek again. Then whispered in his ear, "Go take you shower already, L."

For the corner of her eye she watched him retreat and sighed. Why do I enjoy teasing him so much? She asked herself as she fell into bed her arm shielding her eyes from the light and a troubled expression took hold. L... has become important to me. I want to be at his side, I want to tease him again, and see all the expression that face of his can make, and most importantly I want to see him smile. I must sound rather strange. No I do sound strange. What the hell is wrong with me? Why do I want any of that? Even with everything that's going on... I'm still hopeful for something, but I don't know what.

Akane didn't quite like being confused. She loved Satoru, but someone else had taken place there in the empty place he left behind. She didn't understand and she knew she didn't want to either. It hurt to much. It hadn't even been a year yet and so quickly it seemed that this L had... had...

"Akane? You there?" A knock came from the door.

"Neko is that you?" She asked as she sat up from the bed. Why is he here?

"Yeah, can I come in?" He asked.

"Yeah, door's unlocked." She told him through the door and waited for him to enter the room before saying anything else. "Is there something I can help you with? Is something wrong?"

"I could ask you the same. You look pestered. Trouble in paradise?" he asked as he sat next to her in a motion so smooth it was like water. It was a grace achieved through much practice. He must of done this a hundred times. Disguising his true intentions though a seemingly worried composure, that would fool most women into thinking that he was just concerned for them.

However, she saw right through that little ploy of his for she knew him as more than just 'Akane' or 'Tenshi'. Akane was not some naive child anymore and knew what Miguel wanted from her. He wasn't the first guy to try this, but she decided to play along for a bit. Miguel played around with many women so maybe he had something useful to say for once. Maybe something to clear up all this confusion in her mind and heart. What's the harm in it? I might as well ask, Akane thought to herself.

"Whoever said it was paradise? We are working together to catch Kira, but," Akane said letting her confusion appear on her face, "why does it feel like more than that?"

"More?" he asked surprised. "Are you saying you like him?"

"Like him? Now that is a childish way of saying it." Akane said. "I've come to be... attached, sure, but I don't understand this attachment to him at all. Ever time we are alone I end up teasing him until he blushes for my amusement and finding myself enjoy just being near him. Sometime it just... hurts. It's gotten me so... so puzzling."

Miguel watched as she pinched the bridge of her nose in her confusion. She always did this when she was frustrated about something. Hmm... she really is thick sometimes. Apparently even a so called genius gets confused, he thought to himself amused. She hasn't even realized what she really feels. Kind of funny actually.

"You can be really stupid," He lifted her chin, Let's play with these feeling a little.

"What are you-mph!"

His lips touched hers gently. Akane froze in shock. She had miscalculated. I was wrong! There is harm in asking! How dare he?!

For a moment he almost thought she was enjoying it until her fist said 'hello' to his right eye and he crashed onto the floor. "What the hell is wrong with you?! I'm with Ryuga, you bastard!" She yelled.

"There you go," he said laughing through the pain of his face as he stood straightening his clothes as he did so. "Now your getting it! Yes, you're with him."

She blinked, Does this guy have a screw loose or did I say something funny? What does he even mean? "Just leave before I seriously injure your ass! I should check you into a mental clinic for the critically insane!" She said kicking him out.

"Aw I didn't know you cared," He told Akane as he was push out her door.

"Shut up, pervert," She command before shutting the door to her room. Akane was even more confused now. Why did he do that? What was the point? Was he trying to show me something or just mess with my head? That guy is a serious ass! I don't get him sometimes!

….

"I'll take the chair. You can sleep on the bed," L said.

"What are you talking about?" Akane asked as she looked up from a book Donovan had recommended. It was one of his favorites called 'Pride and Prejudice' that she had bought for him when they first met. She sometimes wondered why he connected so well with this book and one day she knew she should really asked him about that.

"Our sleeping arrangements," He replied hanging the towel he has used on the shower next to Akane's on the door's coat hanger, That could hold many things hats, jackets, keys, or whatever one would please. He probably hung his towel there for Akane had done so. She could tell he wasn't use to this sort of thing with her, but Akane hoped he would become a bit more comfortable over time.

"Don't be silly," she replied. "We are both adults and can share the same bed or are you afraid I might try and take advantage over you?"

"You? Your not worried about me? I may seem weak, but I'm still a man." he told her.

"I'm not worried at all. I trust you, Ryuga. I don't think there is a person I trust more than you." She told him honestly.

He was touched by that, but wouldn't let it show, "If you are sure then." he said crawling into bed next to her. Of course he was still in a pair of jeans and that long sleeved white t-shirt. It didn't seem all to comfortable in her opinion.

Maybe I should buy him some pajamas one day. Something soft and comfortable and matches those eyes of his. Dark silvery-gray pajamas. Yeah that would work perfectly and he would look so cute in them to. She thought to herself a wistful look on her face as she placed the book on her nightstand and having the lamp click off.

Yeah, maybe I'll buy them soon, It was time for a long sleep as her eyes closed with that last thought in mind. Neither knowing one of them was in grave danger.

….

"Oh my..." Hanami gasped in surprised as she blushed. She had snicked into their room that morning to look in on the couple laying in the bed. Hanami wanted to know if they where really as close as she thought. She had seen the way Akane looked at him when she thought no one was looking and the same with that strange man, but she didn't expect something like this.

Akane laid on her back as L rested his head just under her chin. The two were intertwined with their arms around one another in a gentle embrace. Akane was the larger spoon and L the smaller almost like he was in his normal sitting position, but this was a bit more opened as his legs entangled with Akane's. The sun coming from the window showered gently down on them in a halo like glow. It was a beautiful and likely a very rare sight.

"I am so taking a picture of this," Hanami whispered her cell phone in hand and setting the camera on. "They are so cute!"

Click! Hanami's camera went off and she giggled before she bolted out the room as quietly as she could. This was not something she had expected to see, but she was happy to have witnessed it. She never seen any couple coddle the way they did. It was beautiful and sweet. Also it was something to envy and something someone could stop themselves from wanting that as well.

Those two are defiantly dating, Hanami thought to herself as she looked at the picture she had snapped of them. Why did dad want to know this? What has he gotten himself into? He hasn't been the same since mom was murdered. Nothing is like it use to be. Everyone is worried if Kira is going to kill them or not and everyone is just so scared. What are we going to do? Kira is a tyrant and has killed so many people including members of the police. He's a liar too. If Kira stood for the good of the world, then why did he kill those FBI agents? I hope whoever this L guy is going to catch Kira.

"She took a picture of us didn't she?" L whispered against her enjoy the warmth he felt. He didn't know how they had ended up this way, but is was so comfortable that it nearly lured him back to sleep. He never thought he could feel the warm embrace of someone like this. Though it was a bit embarrassing being so close to her like this. It was a first for him.

Akane sighed, "Yeah," she whispered, "I'll have to ask her for a copy later."

"Why?" he asked.

"Because you're adorable when your asleep," she said smirking as she looked down at him. He had rolled on top of her in the middle of the night. Not that she really mind. His weight was actually rather comfortable against her and the warmth of him as he wrapped his arms around her was... she didn't know how to describe it perhaps magical. It was as if something divine had given her a small moment of happiness... something to fill the hollowness she felt in her soul. She didn't what to ever move from this spot again.

L's eyes widen and he blushed hiding his face in the crook of her neck. "I'm not adorable."

Akane just laughed before she kissed the side of his forehead and tightened her arms around. Yes, yes you are, She thought to herself as she smiled gently while running her fingers through his hair. Hmm, even his hair smells of strawberries.

….

Their was a cliff that over looked the ocean. It was a spot chosen to go picnicking because of that cool breeze to seem to not fit with the summer weather, but is was nice and not so strong that it would blow the food away and the wind would make the kite flying later easy and fun. The view from the top wasn't bad either. "Hey, Hanami can you seen me a copy of that picture you took of me and Ryuga this morning?" Akane whispered to her as she helped set up.

Hanami blushed, "Eh! You know know about that?!"

Akane gave her a smile, "Yeah, I was awake enough to know you where there. So can you? I want to set it as my phone's background," she said and blushed about she just admitted, "and don't tell Ryuga I said that!"

She laughed, "I won't. I'm just glad to finally see you happy. I'll send it after where done here."

"Okay, but what do you mean by that?" Akane asked.

"I'm not blind Akane. I notice things. I know you lost someone and didn't tell anyone about it. I saw you look so sad at school when you thought no one was looking, too. We've been friends for a long time. I wouldn't be your real friend if I didn't notice something was wrong with you." Hanami told her. "Ryuga makes you happy and that's all that matters to me. I want you happy, Akane."

Akane blinked in surprise and a real smile appeared as she wrapped her arm around her shoulder, "Thank you Hanami. I want the same for you too. I don't want to see you hurting either so listen close. Neko is just a dirty man slut. He just likes playing with girls feelings. So just be careful around that jerk."

She giggled, "He's not the one I'm interested in though. I was trying to make Dai jealous, but he only worried about his cousin Genta. Though Genta is so cute like a girl so I can see why. I would too if he was my cousin or sibling."

"I get it," Akane told her. "I'll help if I can."

"Thanks," She replied.

"Anytime, we're friends, remember?" Akane told her.

"Right!"

"Good, now lets finish up." She said before the two went back to work.

….

Once everything was finally ready and everyone was sitting around. Everything seemed normal. Unlikely friends enjoying a meal together, but for some reason Akane felt uneasy about all of it. Something wasn't right and she could figure out what it was or who it was that was making her uneasy. Anyone here could be working for Kira, but she couldn't reveal her ability to see if any of them were being controlled by Kira. She couldn't risk her red Shinigami eyes being exposed and apart of her was regretting coming here. She and L where exposed here. This place was a high risk for the both of them, but it was for the sake of the investigation. However she didn't regret the moment L was in her arms. The world could burn and she wouldn't regret it.

"So... you two met at the entrance ceremony?" Kiyomi asked curiously.

"Yeah, we did." Akane replied. "It was the first time I met someone as intelligent as me, but he might be more so. Either way was a first for me."

"Did you start liking him then?" She said continuing her inquiry.

Why do I feel like I'm being interrogated suddenly? Akane thought to herself feeling rather uncomfortable with Kiyomi questioning her. "Yeah, from the moment I saw him I thought he was adorable. Different, but cute sort of way. I've never met anyone like Ryuga and I like that he is different. He is a good man and has his own way of doing things. I really enjoy getting to know him more everyday and I just want to be at his side." She allowed a blush to show on her cheeks as she scratched the back of her head.

"Oh that is sweet. What about you, Ryuga?" Kiyomi asked wanting to see what they would say.

"Why the investigation? I don't see how any of these answers could be any of your business." L replied not wanting to answer this nosy woman.

Kiyomi's fist tightened, If you knew who I served. You would be terrified you freak. "Oh my," She said in a teasing manner, "why do defensive? I was just curious."

Bullshit, Akane thought to herself.

"Maybe he just doesn't like people prying on his private life like that. That's not his thing or he could be shy," Hanami said not wanting anyone to start a fight. "Come on. Let's fly those kites, okay?"

….

A cute baby dragon kite string and handle laid in Akane's hand. She wouldn't be flying one if Genta hadn't offered her one in such an adorable shy manner that she couldn't say no. What an annoyance. I am really just too nice when it comes to the cute, she thought to herself then she glanced at L who was glancing down at the cliff. Then she glared annoyed, This is all his fault. He's the one who infected me this weakness of cute. Dammit.

"Akane, you don't really look like you're having much fun." Dai said.

"Truthfully, not really. Is it that obvious?" Akane asked kind of embarrassed that someone noticed that she was so bored. He must of saw me glaring at L. My bad.

"I'll take over then," he told her extending his large rough hand towards her while casting a rather large shadow over her.

"Thanks for taking this off my hands." She said handing it over. "You know Hanami likes you, right?"

"She... does?" he asked then blushed, "I didn't know that. I thought she liked that Neko guy."

Did this big fighting badass just blush? Akane thought to herself. Huh... weird world, but boys can be so thick too. He really didn't notice. L doesn't notice either... wait what am I saying? I think I'm loosing a screw too. Akane sighed, "Well now you know. Have fun I'm going to check on Ryuga. See you," She said waving to him.

Akane sat quietly next to L and she looked at him without turning her face from the ocean view and of course he was eating something sweet. This time it was chocolate filled panda cookies call 'Hello Panda'. He was just staring outward with those dark eyes of his lost in his own thoughts. Even though she could tell he was worried about something. His shoulders and back where tense rather than his usual relaxed state.

What is he so worried about? It is the situation we're in or the investigation? Akane wondered as he thoughtlessly ate his Hello Panda cookies and as he was doing so crumbs feel around his mouth. This is giving me a really bad feeling.

She slowly reached out and wiped away the crumbs from his cheek. He suddenly tensed even more and turned his eyes toward her, "There were crumbs on your face. You can't do much with yourself can you?" she said and smiled while giving him a curt giggle.

"Akane," he said and he found her placing her forehead against his causing him to blush and to look up to met her soft golden gaze. "I really don't get you sometimes."

"We have that in common," she replied with a smile.

"Man you two are just so cute," Lieko said walking over to them with Junko holding her hand. "Oh did we just ruin a moment? I'm sorry."

"No you're not," Junko said. "You wanted to chill with them cause they are the only couple here besides us that are here yet at least."

"He he," she laugh sheepishly, "you caught me. Though they would of figured that out on their own. They are the geniuses of our college remember?"

"Yeah I know, but just because they are intelligent on paper that doesn't mean they are relationship geniuses. Now lets sit down," Junko said sitting next to Akane. "So you guys been dating for months right?"

"Yes," Akane replied slowly sounding suspicious that she was after something. Someone always was.

"How you ever been in other relationships before?" Junk asked.

"I have," she replied. "Why are you asking that?"

Lieko answered, "Well, Junko never dated anyone other than my sexy self. So she wants advice and she won't listen to me about it."

"Sounds fine to me." she told them. "What do you want to know, Junko?"

"It's kind of embarrassing, but how do you go about your first time? You know being intimated with someone." She asked.

Akane considered that question carefully and L seemed curious even if he was pretending not to be. "Your first time is a special sort of occasion it's true. Some plan it out and others just let it happen naturally, but you shouldn't do it if it makes you uncomfortable and don't force yourself to do anything. When it feels right you'll just know."

"Does it really hurt?" she asked nervously.

"Depend on who you are with, but I'm sure Lieko will be gentle. It might be uncomfortable at first though, but Lieko is experienced, right?" Akane inquired of her.

"Yeah, I am," Lieko told them not embarrassed at all.

"Good, so then you'll be fine. Lieko knows what to do so it should be enjoyable. There is nothing to worry about, but the most important thing is that you love each other. The experience is just a way to become closer." Akane reassured her.

Junko nodded, "Thanks, Akane. That does take a weight off my shoulders."

"I'm glad," she said as she stood as Kiyomi was suddenly there as well.

"Kiyomi," Lieko greeted with a sour look on her face.

"Lieko," she said with the same display of dislike before turning to everyone else. "It's getting late. Hanami said we should get going."

"Right," Akane replied and as rest of them went to stand L fell forward off the steep cliff. "Ryuga!"

He was falling. Someone had pushed him. One of these girls had pushed him. He knew he wasn't going to be able to grab onto anything. Akane's face was covered in horror. Akane...

Her heart had stopped as she saw him fall. He was going to die. He was going to... No! Not again! I won't loose you too! Her mind screamed and she rushed forward...

EDITED!