Lalala... Please review. It's greatly appreciated and very motivating. The story procession is a bit slow in this chapter, but I feel for the end result it will be more worth it.
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"I'm tired..." Misa sighed as she reclined back into the couch. It was late into the afternoon and she had been rehearsing with Aber ever since she got back from her morning movie shoot.
L and Raito stood behind the couch, L with megaphone in hand.
"I assure you this is entirely necessary." L frowned slightly. It didn't seem as if anybody was having as much fun as he was.
"She's been acting all day. Don't you think we ought to give the girl a break." Aber leaned forward to grab the glass of water which was placed on the coffee table before him. "If you don't mind me saying so, Ryuuzaki." He swirled the liquid in the glass lightly with subtle movements of his wrist, tipping it in L's direction before taking a sip.
L glanced over towards Raito, as if seeking his opinion on the matter.
However, while everybody debated as to whether or not Misa was entitled to a break, her mind was busy elsewhere. She hadn't spoken much to Ryuuzaki since the events of the prior night. It was very difficult to have such a sensitive discussion with him when Raito was around. Despite the fact that something inside of her just wanted to scream it out loud, to tell Raito what Ryuuzaki had said, she figured it was best to get the facts straight first. She could only imagine how elated Raito would be to hear the news, and how they would then be able to start real lives together, outside of Ryuuzaki's prison. However, despite her immense emotions towards Raito, she didn't feel completely willing to turn against Ryuuzaki as well.
"You want to take a break, Misa?" Light chimed in.
Misa, unable to finish her thoughts, was caught off guard. Quickly, she blinked herself into reality and sighed lightly as she raised the back of her hand to her forehead. "..Yeah. I could really use one about now." She turned her gaze in the direction of Ryuuzaki, who was hunched over as usual and staring intently in her direction. Is he smiling? God. Normally she could forgive his odd observational habits, but today they were wracking her nerves.
Ryuuzaki, met by the protest, decided it was in his best interest to concede this argument. "I guess a break wouldn't hurt." His eyes took a moment to scan about the room before resting on Misa. "We may adjourn for the rest of the evening." She wanted to talk to him and he could read it off her expression. If he didn't allow her to do so soon, she may talk to Raito instead, causing his plan to backfire. However, he needed to remedy the presence of Raito without allowing him out of his supervision. Sedative? It would most likely upset Yagami and the rest of the task force. L's cameras had turned against him in this instance. He would need to think of something, and fast.
"Well, I'll be heading out then." Aber placed his glass down upon the table as he stood up. "Same time tomorrow, Ryuuzaki?"
L nodded in response. "Thanks."
"No problem." He smoothly dusted of his shirt before offering everybody a slight wave. "See you then. Don't work them too hard, okay?" He vaunted a playful grin as he left.
L already felt that time was running out. He had already briefed Yagami and the others on the current state of affairs, in order to prevent any suspicion involving his person. The last thing he needed was the "L is Kira" theory which originated within the NPA to prop back up again.
"Raito."
Raito turned his attention towards L for a moment. "Yeah?"
"Are you in total support of my plan?" Of course he isn't. Since he doesn't want Misa to be endangered, it's only natural if he would rather take his dad's side on the matter. He probably doesn't yet know that their plan has reached a stalemate by now.
"Of course not." Raito took a moment to scan over L's face. What is he up to?
"I will give you an opportunity."
"Opportunity?"
Misa peeked over the edge of the couch at the two, unsure of the deal which was transpiring between the two.
"You have three days to beat my plan. You may work in conjunction with your father. If you are able to successfully devise a plan which ups mine, we will not need to use Misa as bait." L swayed a finger back and forth, one hand placed behind him on the small of his hunched back. An eerie smile graced his lips as he made the suggestion to Raito. You'll probably be suspicious of me.
As tempting as the offer sounded, Raito couldn't help but wonder what driving ulterior motive L had behind his actions. "Why are you suggesting this all of a sudden?"
"Raito is very bright indeed." He lifted the tip of his thumb to his lips. "It's quite disheartening for a man roughly seven years my junior to be my competitive equal."
"A competition?" Raito's expression was stern.
"Of sorts." L let the hand behind his back drop down, and hang lazily before him as he leaned in a bit towards Raito.
"I don't believe you." Raito scoffed as he averted his gaze.
"That's what I'm talking about." L grinned. "However..."
"-However... I will take it." Raito clenched his teeth lightly. "I'll beat you to apprehending Kira, and prove to you my innocence. And we'll succeed without putting Misa's life at risk. I don't know what you have planned, Ryuuzaki, but rest assured I won't fail."
L's smile widened even more. "I knew you would, Raito.. And you'll be happy to hear that this arrangement comes with a perk."
"What are you getting at Ryuuzaki?"
L's eyes lit up for a moment as his gaze shifted from Raito to Misa, and then back again. "You will be chained to your father for the next three days, rather than myself."
"My father!?"
"Yes. Did I not say so clearly?"
"..."
Despite the fact that Raito is his son, Souichiro Yagami's sense of justice is uncompromising and unwaivering. Though I'm reluctant to entrust this duty to anybody except myself, I am positive Yagami is the most trustworthy of the force. L waited patiently for Raito's reply.
"Fine. But I know you're up to something, Ryuuzaki."
"I'm fully aware of that." Ryuuzaki peered intently at Raito.
"Wait! Does this mean---!?" Misa interrupted, nearly spilling over the side of the couch as she lent over the edge to join into their conversation.
L quickly turned about to face Misa, tilting his head to the side lightly as a vacuous and silly expression played itself upon his face. "That means it's just me and you, Misa-Misa."
"No way! I didn't agree to this!" She shouted in protest.
"Misa!" Raito cut in. His eyes were shrouded by his hair so that the expression on his face was barely visible, give for his lips which were curled in frustration. One clenched fist visible at his side. The looming presence of his frustration thickened the atmosphere, and hinted to Misa the seriousness of his words. "You'll do it Misa. I will to. I promise that I will succeed." He lifted his head up so that his gaze met hers. "I'll see to it that you will not be put into danger, and that both our names be cleared."
"Oh... Raito." She pushed herself over the side of the couch, slightly stumbling as she landed on the ground and clumsily ran towards Raito. Slightly teary eyed, she leaped onto his form. "That's more than Misa could ever ask for."
Ryuuzaki simply looked on at the spectacle. "Perhaps we should proceed with the arrangements, Raito?"
"Of course." Raito offered Misa a pat on the shoulder before separating her from his form. I don't know what you're planning, Ryuuzaki, but I will find out.
Misa waved the two off as they headed for the main room. Ryuuzaki had informed her that he would return shortly. Her emotions on the situation were mixed. Although she had hoped to speak with Ryuuzaki privately, she wasn't thrilled about the idea of being separated from Raito. The fact the arrangements would last for only three days was slightly comforting.
She wandered back over to the couch and let herself fall limply into the pillows and cushions which awaited her. With a heavy sigh, she let her eyes flutter shut as she waited.
Meanwhile, in the common room, L explained the new arrangements to the rest of the team. They of course had overheard the entire thing on the monitors, which made explanations rather short and simple.
"But.. Ryuuzaki.." Souichiro choked lightly. "Why me?"
"Because I trust your sense of judgment. I trust you'd rather it be yourself than anybody else, Yagami?"
"...Yeah."
Nobody else said a word. Not even Matsuda had a comment to make on the situation. All watched on as Watari soon arrived, key in hand, and unlocked the cuff which was around L's wrist before planting it around Yagami's. L didn't keep the key to his cuffs on hand, just in case.
"As I stated before. This arrangement will last three days. Raito will be allowed to aid you in your plans. If you are able to successfully come up with an alternative plan, I will cede my own." L was already fully aware that Yagami's plan could not successfully progress any further. However, Raito was not aware of this yet, and even faced with that fact L was betting Raito had too much pride to give up. Whether or not Raito succeeded in presenting a better plan was of little importance to him. All that mattered was that they apprehend the current Kira, not how they did it. As long as this scheme could buy him some time to work alone with Amane, the so called "contest of wits" didn't matter.
L rubbed the wrist where the cuff was previously placed. "Ah. That feels much better. Thank you, Watari. Now, if you'll excuse me. I must see Misa about our arrangements. I wish the best of luck to all of you."
With a weak gesture of a wave, L made his way towards Misa's room. Raito watched him for mere moments before turning to his father.
"Let's get to work on this, father."
Souichiro Yagami simply nodded in reply. My son can't be Kira.
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Okay, so I'm trying to round out the story a bit more. I think it'll be longer than I originally anticipated, but thats okay. Not much Misa/L interaction in this chapter--- But as you can see, you can look forward to some! I just needed Light out of the way. Btw, I know his name is Light, but I'm so used to hearing Raito. :3 Just a preference for typing.