I'm sorry for taking so long. School got in the way and I couldn't get back in the swing of things. Then life got in the way and now I have new commitments. I want to apologize to OdiousMachine for inadvertently lying about when the next update was to come. Dx I want to thank all of you for sticking around. It means the world to me.
I will dedicate this chapter to the Universe. My life has been on a roll these past few months and I can't comprehend being happier. It is also the reason for this new chapter. So I guess what I'm saying is appreciate all the small things in life. A hundred of them can build up to be better than one big thing.
So now I guess I will get to the new chapter.

I awoke the next morning to the sun shining and birds singing. I didn't feel as happy as the morning suggested; it was quite the opposite. I wanted to skip today altogether. Last night was the prelude to something stressful and agonizing. My father, sometime today, would pull me aside to talk. If that were to happen sooner than later, we could get it over with, but then I would have to go the rest of the day with his words. If he were to come to me later than sooner, my anxiety level would have time to go through the roof. Neither option was better than the other. It wasn't as if I could change the outcome anyway. If lying were an option, I would clearly choose it, but with what he had seen last night that was far from viable. This was something, try as I might, I couldn't get out of.

Ryuzaki shifted in bed next to me. "Did Light-kun sleep well," he asked.

"Not at all," I replied quietly. How in the world could I be expected to with the knowledge that a life changing event was about to occur? It was only hours away and maybe I wouldn't even be given that much time. Everything will change after today regardless of what my father says to me. That might be what worries me the most; the fact that something is going to change and that I have to plan the rest of my life accordingly.

I've already changed in little ways. A few weeks ago I would never have budged an inch in response to any question or challenge. I would have let nothing bother me. Now I act less like a borderline sociopath and more like a human being. The problem with letting one wall down is that more are guaranteed to follow. I gave Ryuzaki an inch into the box that surrounds me and he took that first wall down like it was his job. Now he's knocking down whatever he can get his hands on. I don't want to lose all that I am to him. I know that I need enough of those walls to keep my structure.

"Just don't think about it," he deadpanned. He made it sound as if that simple solution could solve my problem.

"It's not just going to go away if I don't think about it, Ryuzaki." Even if I could…

"Maybe you just aren't trying hard enough. If the encounter with your father is inevitable, then there is no point in worrying about it."

"Like I said, it's not that easy."

Ryuzaki rolled his eyes at me. I guess I shouldn't expect him to understand. He doesn't have any parents to have these kinds of conversations with. Watari sort of counts, but at times it just seems like he'll go along with whatever Ryuzaki says.

I sighed and got out of bed to start the day. The last thing I wanted was to be late and have my father assume something.

Walking into the workroom held a personal air of tension for me. If my expressionless face could be deciphered, anyone's first guess would have been that a substantial amount of proof was found to convict me of being Kira. Thankfully that was not the case. I don't think my father could take that on top of everything else.

In the eyes of everyone else, it was just another day. Greetings were exchanged in the tone that suggested that no headway was made in the case and that we weren't going anywhere any time soon. Matsuda was the only one with a consistent smile from day to day. It's a mystery how he does it. For once it actually lifted my mood… if only slightly.

"Good morning, Light! You too, Ryuzaki!"

"Yes, yes, good morning, Matsuda-san," Ryuzaki said, waving him off emotionlessly.

We'd sat in our seats on the opposite side of the room. Ryuzaki, some time ago, had said it was because he needed to concentrate and he didn't want anyone's messes getting in his way. I recalled rolling my eyes at this. It was his messes that were often in my way.

I glanced over to my father. He wasn't looking at me, but seemed forcefully attentive to whatever he was working on. Maybe he was working up the nerve to confront me. I tried not to let my mind wander to how long it could be until then.

Turns out he only let the tension build for about fifteen minutes before he asked to talk to me.

"Light, may I speak to you?" I cautiously rose out of my seat and took notice of how he was avoiding eye contact with me. Ryuzaki also got out of his chair. "If you don't mind," he looked at Ryuzaki, "I'd prefer to talk to him alone."

He just sighed and slowly unlocked the chain. It's like he knew there was no arguing. Any resistance would have just made it worse for me.

My father turned and walked away. Without saying anything, I followed him out of the room. When I got close to the door I heard Matsuda ask in hushed tones, "Ooohhh, is Light in trouble?"

I didn't expect to hear a response from anyone, but then Ryuzaki, visibly agitated, yelled across the room. "Get back to work!" It was taken as an order and no one paid us any more attention.

Once out of the room, we walked a reasonable distance away from the door.

He sighed before saying, "I never thought I would be having this conversation with you."

I took a deep breath and looked him in the eyes and told him, "Believe me, neither did I."

"So does this mean you're…," he asked quietly.

"Gay? Yeah…" I'd better let him know now that there is no chance for a woman to ever come into my life. There's no point in getting his hopes up.

"What about all of those nice girls? What about Misa? Are you honestly telling me that you felt nothing for them?"

"I tried to feel something for them." I remembered coming to the realization a few years ago, thinking if maybe I could just find the right girl… I was never attracted to any of them on a deeper level though. "I tried so many times, but I could never connect to any of them." Forgetting their looks for a moment, they didn't even have the mental capacity to relate to me, the same could be said for most men though as well. "I feel the worst about Misa," I told him. So what if I told him a little lie? At this point it couldn't hurt. I honestly would have felt bad if she hadn't been so clingy, loud, and overall obnoxious. I had been using her for appearances. That was the only explanation I had for her presence. Maybe there was another reason buried deep inside my head, but by that point I think I had pretty much accepted what I was.

"Light… do you really care about him? This isn't just some ruse," he asked, the look on his face was clearly concerned.

"As hard as it is to believe, I do. I'm not using him for anything. I… I'm not Kira." As many times as I had said it before, I wonder if he could finally believe me with confidence. He always denied that I could be Kira, but he always had that look that told me he wasn't completely sure.

"Considering the, uh, circumstances, how did this happen?" Like it or not, that was going to be the one question on everyone's mind. "It seemed like you barely tolerated each other before."

"The events of these past couple weeks have put us into positions that sort of opened our eyes," I explained. "I guess we found out that there was more to each other than what we put out for people to see. Well…maybe not Ryuzaki. He basically acted worse than he usually does when it comes to my space. He demonstrated a new level of persistence."

My father took on an expression that said he probably didn't want me to elaborate. In all honesty, that was the last thing I wanted to do.

"So you are happy with this," he asked. I could see where his skeptical approach was coming from.

"In a sort of dysfunctional way, I guess I am." I wasn't going to pretend that this was normal when it was anything but. It was plain to see if we could last, we wouldn't have a traditional relationship. I was fine with it though. Obviously what I had been doing before hadn't been working. It was time to try something different.

He sighed. "Then I guess that is all I can ask for."

My expression must have looked boarder line shocked, because then he said, "Did you actually think I would shun you for the choice you've made? Of course I was shocked at first, but you're my son. If this is what you want then I have no right to stop you or try to change your mind. I might be old fashioned, but I'm fairly liberal." Then he added, but more quietly, "And there are worse roads you could have taken…"

"What was I supposed to think? It was practically expected of me to marry a beautiful girl and have brilliant children to carry on the family name. I like being the good and tolerable teenage son, but I've always had the thought in the back of my mind that I was obligated to do some things. I never thought there was an alternative," I explained.

"We never meant to give you that impression, Light. We just never thought you could feel this way. You should know that we won't force you to do something you don't want to do. It was just so easy to fall into the belief that you enjoyed doing everything. It never seemed like you had any problems."

It wasn't exactly that I didn't like being depended on, praised for being the best, smartest, most attractive, most physically adept… I enjoyed the appearance I had created for myself. That was what this was about. I didn't want to lose all I had worked for just because of one thing couldn't change. Sure, I could put on a straight face and continue to date girls like the majority wanted. Before Ryuzaki I would have done that. I didn't care about the feelings that came with a relationship. I had never felt them, so it didn't matter who I had dated. Now that I had felt what so many people sought for, I didn't have any desire to change it. As much as I could just tell people to fuck themselves or ignore them, it would ruin what I had worked for. Call me selfish or egotistical, but I wanted a solution that could give me both.

It was just an assumption but, "Things will get worse before they get better."

He was silent for a moment before he said, "What makes you say that?"

"It's the natural course of things. Take my presence here for example. I was a normal high school student, and then I got accused of being Kira. Now for the first time I've found someone who I can actually relate with. He never reacts with confusion or bewilderment to anything I talk about. What I consider to be small talk is vastly different than nearly everyone my age. He can keep up with what I say without any extra explanation. And more often than not, he can add something insightful to the discussion." Then after a pause I added. "Normal, awful, better. As much as we aggravate each other, it isn't always as bad as it seems."

It seemed as if he agreed with me at least a little bit. "You can never be too sure though…" He was silent for a minute before saying, "But on that note," He paused again, looking slightly uncomfortable. "You'll have to tell your mother."

I blanched uncharacteristically.

"She should know, Light. I know it's been a while since you've seen each other and this won't be the most ideal conversation, but she is your mother. She'd want to know."

I could tell by the undertone of his voice that this was happening regardless of what I wanted. At this point it would be easier for everyone if I just came quietly. It never was my style, but you've got to pick your battles. Though, if my dad is ok with this I don't see why she wouldn't be. She was generally more open minded than most people I had met anyway.

I didn't mind her finding out; it was just strange knowing that things would change. It felt like I would be leaving my lies behind. With the rest of my family knowing it, my relationship would be out in the open. I wouldn't have to hide anything from them anymore; I could finally get some closure in the acceptance of myself. I would be free to have this relationship with Ryuzaki. I couldn't deny that this was something I looked forward to.

"We should probably talk to Ryuzaki about this now," he suggested. "I'll wait right here if you would go get him."

I nodded in agreement and walked down the hall back to the work room. I was ready for what he had to say to us. The hard part was out of the way.

Upon opening the door I was assaulted by Matsuda. "How did it go, Light? Did you get grounded," he asked enthusiastically.

Walking up behind him was Ryuzaki and for the first time, he looked beyond pissed. "Matsuda-san, if you don't shut the hell up, I will fire you," he informed him darkly. Judging by the look on his face, Matsuda had been running his mouth since I had left. It had worked though. He spoke not another word.

I walked casually, so as not to give hint to the others of the trying conversation that was taking place, over to Ryuzaki and offered him my wrist.

He raised the handcuffs and I asked, "Do you really have to?" This tactic was no longer so accepted.

"You are still a suspect, I can't give special treatment because of the current situation," he deadpanned.

I sighed as he snapped it around my wrist. Now being secured to him again, it was time to return to my father. I turned to Ryuzaki, "Your presence is required in the hallway."

"I expected as much," he said leading the way to the door.

Matsuda looked like he wanted to say something, but wisely kept his mouth shut.

We walked into the hallway and rounded the corner to where my father was waiting for us.

He didn't beat around the bush and got right to the point. "Ryuzaki, what feelings do you have for my son?"

I turned my head to hide my blush. Yeah, he was a blunt man, but for our sakes couldn't he be a little less forward? I looked at Ryuzaki and waited for his answer.

"I care for him regardless of his suspect status," he said impassively. "If you're wondering if the investigation has anything to do with this then you would be wrong. I would not prove his guilt or innocence by those means. In case you haven't noticed, I don't have quite the ability to fake the necessary emotions for that."

He nodded his head in agreement. "I've asked you here because you should know that Light needs to tell his mother of these… developments."

"That is understandable. It would not be right to keep from her. We should do this as soon as possible as to not waste any time. Now would be acceptable," he added.

"Now," I asked. "Don't we have an investigation to run?"

"You know very well that we haven't had any head way for the past three weeks and one day," he deadpanned. "I'm sure we won't be missed for a couple hours."

I crossed my arms. "So this is happening right now," I asked in an unamused fashion.

"Of course," Ryuzaki replied making eye contact with me. "We shall be leaving right now."

I let a small groan pass through my lips. Was it really such a big deal that it had to be dealt with immediately? My next thoughts were drenched in sarcasm. Of course it was.

Ryuzaki had never been to my house. Seen the inside, yes, but he had never actually entered its threshold.

Thankfully he had removed the handcuffs before leaving headquarters. They would find out I was gay, but finding out that your son is a Kira suspect would be too much. Nothing could be worse. Correction; finding out your son is Kira would be the absolute worst thing. I feel for that guy's parents. That discovery is something you could never overlook. Unless maybe they were also supporters…

I decided to take my thoughts away from that particular subject. No need to knock on the door with a solemn look on my face. They'll feel like they're in for bad news from the beginning.

Standing behind me Ryuzaki said, "Knock on the door, Light-kun, we don't have all day."

I stepped up closer and did so. Sayu was the one who opened up the door. As soon as she saw me, her body flew forward and she latched her arms around me.

"Light! I can't believe it's you!"

I chuckled. "Hello to you too, Sayu." I haven't been gone that long have I? Now that I've thought about it, it's been nearly three months since the last time I've seen them. If not for today, I may not have seen them until my graduation ceremony. Time sure flies when you're hunting the most notorious killer in the world.

She pulled herself away from me and her gaze shifted a little to my right. "Dad, you're here too!" She happily hugged him as well. Detaching herself she said, "The family's all back together again. This is so great!" She paused for a moment before saying, "But who's that?" She pointed at Ryuzaki.

"That's why we're here," I mentioned. "Why don't you let us in so that we can explain."

"You got it!" She gave me a thumbs up. "I'll go get mom."

We were all sitting down on the couch when Sayu returned with my mother.

"It's so nice to finally get a visit. You've both been working too much," She started. "And I hear you've brought a guest." She looked in Ryuzaki direction.

I swallowed. This was it. His existence was out in the open. I couldn't take him away now. It was time for everything to be explained.

He stood up and reached to shake her hand. "Hello," he said, putting on a smile I'm sure was fake to some degree. "I am Ryuzaki. It's nice to meet you."

She smiled and took his hand. "You may call me Sachiko. This is Sayu." She gestured to the over excited girl next to her.

"Yup, that's me!"

"So that means you must be Light-kun's little sister. I've heard a fair bit about you," he told her.

"All about how awesome I am right?"

I cut in before Ryuzaki could answer. "More like how I always have to help you with your math homework," I snickered.

"That is so not funny! And I've gotten loads better at it since you left," she protested.

"Somehow I find that a little hard to believe," I teased her. It was weird doing this again. It was like I had been gone for the weekend instead of three months. Sayu and I were picking this up quicker than I would have thought. Before Ryuzaki, she was the only one I could really let loose with. Some might say that I was just humoring her because I was her older brother- that this was how I was obligated to act. Helping her with what she needed included. In truth though, I don't mind being the brother she hopes for. I actually like it. This was something I didn't have to try to be perfect at.

"So now that the pleasantries have been taken care of, to what do we owe this visit," my mom asked, effectively ending our little 'dispute'.

"Light has something that he wants to say," my father announced.

And just like that all the attention was onto me. My mother and sister looked at me expectantly. Thanks dad.

I took a deep breath, trying my best not to make it noticeable. "Mom, Sayu…. I uh…"

It must have been weird. I'd never had a problem saying anything before. This was evident when Sayu said, "C'mon Light, we don't have all day. I've got things to do, people to see. And possibly studying to do, but probably not."

I gave her my best intimidating look to shut her up. It worked, but she lovingly glared at me. "As I was saying-"

"Wait, Light, does your father already know," my mom asked.

"Yes, he does. Today was his idea actually," I explained. "So like I was saying-"

"Does Ryuzaki know," Sayu added.

"I would sure hope so, but you never know. He can be unusually dense." I spared a look at him and he stuck his tongue out at me. "Now to get back to what I-"

"Why do they get to know before us," Sayu interjected.

"Because that's how it worked out. Can I just say what I came here to say?" I was not being interrupted again. I will sit here in silence until they get it all out of their systems if I have to.

They nodded in agreement, but then Ryuzaki said, "I don't know, Light-kun, can you? Or maybe the proper word you sought to use was 'may'." Will his urge to tease me will never die?

"I'll use whatever word I want to Ryuzaki. Now I will kindly ask you to shut up."

The room once again fell silent. "What I have been trying to say is that," I paused for a moment to take a breath. "I'm gay." There, I had said it. "And Ryuzaki is here because we're dating," I added.

Sayu was the first to respond. "That's your news? I've known that forever."

My eye twitched. "Do enlighten me Sayu. How is it that you could have known?"

"You did put on a good show whenever you brought a girl home. You went through the motions of having feelings for her, but you never really seemed into it. It was like you would drop her the moment something better or more convenient came up. I could see in your eyes that they were never important to you," she explained. "That and you're too pretty to be straight."

"I'm not sure how I should take that last part, but you're right. It's hard to fake something like that," I confessed.

My mother, who until now had been silent, spoke up. "I don't really know what to say, Light."

"You're not angry though, are you," I asked. I just wanted to know that one thing.

"No, of course not. I'm just surprised. I never expected this. I always thought you had liked all of those girls. I guess now it does seem like you went through them too quickly to have deeper feelings for them."

"So you're not disappointed either are you?"

"Not at all. It wasn't exactly a choice you made and you can't help who you are attracted to. As long as you are happy, I will support you."

The only thing I could say to that was, "Thank you." I smiled knowing that she was on my side. It was like the weight was finally gone from my shoulders. It wasn't hard to hide who I was before, but now I didn't even have to worry.

"I have never seen you this sentimental, Light-kun. I have to admit, it is a nice change of pace," Ryuzaki mused.

"You will mention this to no one," I told him strictly. The last thing I needed were people telling me how 'adorable' or 'cute' I was because I chose to express my emotions instead of being my usual serious and collected self.

"I will mention this to everyone," he confirmed.

"No. You will not," I told him again.

"It is my civic duty, Light-kun. I must give the public what it wants," He explained.

"What about what I want? Isn't that supposed to come first?"

"I always knew you were self-centered. There is more to life than yourself, you know."

I glared at him for twisting my words. "If you have something to say, why don't you just go ahead and say it."

He seemed pleased that he was getting under my skin. "I agree with your sister. You are very pretty," he smirked.

I blushed angrily and growled, "Shut up."

"Well you aren't exactly proving stereotypes wrong…"

I looked around at my family who was staring intently at our conversation. My eye twitched as I stood up and took Ryuzaki by the sleeve of his shirt. "If you'll excuse us for just a couple minutes," I said to everyone else. I then commenced in dragging Ryuzaki out of the room, up the stairs and into mine.

"Could you refrain from trying to embarrass me in front of my family," I asked after closing the door.

"I suppose. Though since you would be depriving me of that fun, to make up for it, I would have to take extra time in humiliating you when we are alone," he told me while observing the layout of my room.

"You will do no such thing. Why can't you just treat me like a regular person?"

"Because you aren't a regular person, Light-kun," he explained. "Regular people could not hold my attention for as long as you have. You never cease to amuse me. I am always learning new stuff about you. Albeit some things are strange and don't add up, I am trying to put you together piece by piece."

"Good luck with that. No one has me the least bit figured out yet." A part of me hoped that he would take that as a sort of challenge.

"I wouldn't say that. I know for a fact that while you enjoy being complemented by people, it only really means something when done by someone you care about. You don't hold too many others in high standing," he explained walking over to my bookshelf. He looked contemplative as he pulled a book out and assessed its cover and contents. It was like he was expecting something else.

"Not many people deserve to be held in high regard to me. Most everyone is of comparably lesser intelligence. They can't appreciate my abilities," I construed. "Why take them seriously if they don't know much of what they complement me for?"

He replaced the book on the shelf and walked over to me. "That would be the humble thing to do," he said, taking my tie in one hand.

"I can play the part well enough at least. That is for their sake," I said solemnly. I wanted to appreciate what people said about me, but like I said, I just had a hard time taking people seriously.

With his free hand he dragged his fingers down my chest. "Maybe it's not that they don't know enough, but that you know too much."

I raised an eyebrow. "This is all so sudden," I said, my voice dripping in amusement. "Is this how you try to seduce me, Ryuzaki?"

"No, but you looked like you needed your spirits lifted." He gripped my shirt with his hand and tilted his head to kiss my nose. "Like me… you just need to open yourself to more emotional connections… We need to learn to appreciate what we have. Learn to be human…"

"You're turning into quite the philosophical sap, aren't you?" I paused, "But I do agree with you."

He leaned in to kiss me, but like all moments we had together, they had to be interrupted. At least this time it was by a loud knocking on the door.

He chuckled lightly and went to open the door. Thankfully it was only Sayu standing there.

"For the sake of my curiosity, I have to ask this," she started. "Light is the girl right?"

This stopped me in my tracks. What did she just ask?

As I had remained silent, Ryuzaki had taken it upon himself to answer. "That would be correct." By some cruel twist of fate this was the role that had been chosen for me.

My eyes widened. As if that question hadn't been bad enough, she then went on to ask, "So do you guys know all about yaoi then?" Did my ears deceive me? Was my innocent younger sister into that sort of thing? There could be no doubt that her devious friends were to blame. There was no way she had stumbled upon this herself.

"We know of it, but that doesn't mean we live it. If I'm correct, it is only a term used for characters of a manga or series, but does not pertain to real life."

And the questions kept coming. "So do you kiss?" I couldn't believe that she would even ask these questions. They were personal and hardly any of her business. How could I even answer this?

Or course I didn't have to. Ryuzaki obviously had this conversation covered. "Of course we do. Isn't it customary for people who date?"

"Are you going to prom together," she asked innocently. I couldn't tell if these questions were from pure curiosity or something more. I was hoping she didn't know the extent to what she was asking.

"Yes, I actually asked him not to long ago," he confirmed. "He was quite eager to accept my request."

Sayu looked back at me and said, "Oh, yeah, Light. You're definitely the girl."

"That's just a little bit offensive you know. Our relationship doesn't have to mirror a heterosexual one," I informed them. I knocked my head lightly against the doorframe. Was this really happening? I was starting to think that she had been put up to this.

"Don't do that, Light-kun," Ryuzaki scolded me. "You'll mess up your hair."

"Yes, master," I murmured, rolling my eyes. Under my breath I said, "Like you're one to talk."

Sayu gasped. "No way! So it's like that, huh? Dang, Light, Where's the handcuffs and rope," she asked in her over excited fashion.

The innocent images of my adorable younger sister were replaced with those of a dirty minded school girl. The mental tears flowed all over the inside of my mind like an endless rain of sorrow. My poor corrupted sister…

"They're back at the building," Ryuzaki stated simply, as if there were no implications to his words.

The look on her face clearly said that everything she knew about life had just changed. Next she would ask about leather and ball gags… How could he say that in front of her? My eyes narrowed slightly as I glanced over to him. And what if by extension my father found out about the so called goings on of my relationship? That can never be allowed to happen. Sayu was one thing, he was another entirely.

"Ryuzaki," I groaned. "I think you have filled her head with enough images for the day."

He rolled his eyes and sighed. "I suppose we should be leaving any way. Matsuda is doubtlessly causing some form of damage."

I snickered at the believability of the statement.

As we were walking back down the stairs we met back up with my father. I could tell that he wasn't so happy to leave, but that he knew there were things he had to get done. Kira couldn't be caught without a little bit of effort.

Sayu hugged he and I goodbye. I really would miss her. As we were walking down the path towards the car she shouted, "Bye, Ryuzaki! Keep my brother in line!"

If that wasn't bad enough, he just had to reply, "It's already like a second job to me."

On the way back while my father was busy driving, I decided to ask Ryuzaki the burning question, "How could you say that stuff to her back there?"

"Well she did ask, Light-kun," He said chewing on his thumb nail.

"But you didn't have to answer like that. She has an impressionable young mind," I explained. I was still determined to think of her as innocent and naive.

"Well it doesn't matter now. What's done is done. It's better just to go on with your life."

"Thank you for those words of wisdom, but what if my father finds out," I whispered.

"We shall deal with him if and when that happens," he deadpanned.

"Must all of your solutions be simple yet moderately to severely uncomfortable," I asked, pointing the trend out to him.

He looked out the window and proceeded to breathe all over the glass. "We are gay, Light-kun. It will always be moderately painful in the least…" He took his index finger and began to slide it over the glass absentmindedly.

I blushed. "I hope you know that's not what I meant. I was basically referring to everything else…" For someone who didn't do jokes, he certainly made enough of them. I looked over to see what he was doodling on the window.

"I know," he concluded. Just then his finger stopped moving and he separated it from the glass. It hovered over what seemed to be the point of a heart.