To Catch a Killer
By: KitKat411
Author's Notes: Well, I feel less guilty about not updating. YOU ALL SUCK. You make me cry. No one reads my Author's Notes except for KittyBella, who WINS. You can have whatever you want, KittyBella. A car? A story? ONE MILLION DOLLARS:D :D :D
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Light's vocabulary was constantly praised at his school. His English translations were "perfect," "splendid," and "wonderful." He had the mind of a brilliant genius, the reasoning abilities second to nine, and a witty retort for every Kira accusation.
Yet Light's vocabulary failed him now. There simply were no words for the-hypothetical-love of his life kissing the –hypothetical- love of hers. Yes, "love" was a strong word, but his vocabulary was failing him.
"Miko…?"
Hilary turned to stare at Light. "Hi" She cried, in a voice an octave higher than normal.
"Miko…?"
Hilary looked down, her face still burning with the taste of L's lips. Light looked away.
After a long, awkward silence, the third member of the room spoke. "Raito-kun?"
Light looked up. "Yes, Ryuuzaki?"
"You do understand the concept of a 'date,' right?"
"What?"
"A date, Raito-kun. An activity two people who are 'more than friends' engage in. You are popular with the females, Raito-kun. You've been on dates before, no? Don't you remember your trip to Spaceland? That incident with a certain FBI agent?"
Light scowled at Ryuuzaki and tried to restrain himself for emitting highly offensive profanity. He instead turned to Miko.
"Miko," he said, "I have a girlfriend. You've met Misa, remember? And you have," he looked pointedly at L and didn't finish his sentence.
Hilary followed Light's gaze and locked eyes with L. She looked at him with a pleading look in her eyes.
Please help me. I don't want to do this.
His eyes were blank and unresponsive.
I do not care, Hilary-san. This is what you must do; go.
Hilary turned to Light and swallowed both saliva and her remaining pride. She would rather stick her foot in a paper shredder. In fact, this just proved how much she wanted to catch Kira. Why the hell else would she be here, in this room, doing this? She opened her mouth and tried to sound flirtatious, as if she truly liked Light.
"Oh, silly Light!" She told him, horrified at how girlish and stupid she sounded. "L isn't my boyfriend!" She swallowed, hating herself for the words about to come out of her mouth.
"He means nothing to me."
For a moment, no one moved. Light's face lit up slightly, in an amused delight. Was this true? Miko certainly sounded strange-different from normal, somehow-but…he meant nothing to her?
L's eyes and posture did not change; they did not show the rush of emotions flowing through him. If L bothered to examine his conscience every now and then, he would have realized this feeling. As of right now, there was a twenty-four percent change he was feeling…Pain. Sadness. Gloom. She had been so convincing to L. He stuck his thumb in his mouth.
He means nothing to me.
Hilary felt as though she might throw up. She felt as though the wind had been knocked out of her, as if a large steel block had just slammed into her heart and lungs. She knew that this was a part of L's plan, but she never knew how hard it was to actually say something like that…Something of that caliber. She never had any real friends before; she had no idea how much it hurt her to hurt someone's feelings.
But she wiped away her feelings and put on a bright smile. "So, Light, now that that little mess has been cleared up, how about our date?"
Light stared at her and shrugged-very un-Light-like. "Yes, Miko, I would love to go on a date. Where are we going?"
Hilary froze. Fuck. She'd been so concerned about getting Light to say yes, she'd completely forgotten about where to take him.
Luckily L chose at that moment to speak. He handed Hilary a sheet of paper. Speaking to Light, L said, "Miko's made an itinerary of your date."
If there was a table next to her, Hilary decided, she would be smacking her head against it. Instead, she laughed to Light while glaring at L. "Right, Light. Because I always make a detailed list of what to do before every prospective date." She tried to keep the sarcasm to a minimum.
Ryuuzaki smiled, a rarity. "You must have been very excited to go on a date with Raito-kun."
Goddamn you, L. "Yes, I suppose so." Fine, so l was pissed over the 'he means nothing to me' comment? So was she. She didn't want to say it. Get over it, L. It was a part of YOUR plan, remember? If he wanted to piss her off then she could annoy him. It takes two to tango, L.
Hilary walked over to Light wand took his hand in hers. "I'm just delighted to go on a date with you, Light." She glared at L. "Why would I want to go out with a hygiene-deficient loser when I could go out with you?"
Light stood still, watching Miko and Ryuuzaki play verbal Ping-Pong. He understood about sixty five percent-damn percentages-of what was going on, but was still enjoying watching Ryuuzaki getting his wits tested.
Ryuuzaki stared at Hilary and Light's intertwined hands. "Kiss him, then, Miko." He told her. "Since you like him so much."
Hilary blanched. This wasn't like L at al. L was not this…well, spiteful.
"What, Miko?" He taunted her. "You could kiss a 'hygiene-deficient loser' but you won't kiss the-supposed-love of your life?"
L, stop it! Stop…just STOP. I don't even like him, you know that. I like…I like…I like…
"L." Hilary's face colored. "I mean, Light, we'd better go to the," she checked the paper, as if it would reveal to her the secrets of the world, "outside. There's a small café nearby. We can get a sandwich and some privacy." She walked away, not looking back at either boy. Light wordlessly followed her, leaving L alone in front of the computers.
That scene was a success, really. L thought to himself as he watched the match-made-in-hell leave. Light was gone; L could investigate and plan to catch Kira. And he had 'won' the 'battle of wits' with Hilary.
So why did L feel as though he'd lost something very important?
He took his thumb out of his mouth and stared at it. It took a moment for his to realize that it was covered in blood.
Hilary was outside with Light, standing next to him awkwardly. She noted that this was the first time in a long time-nearly a week-that she'd been outside for a concentrated period of time. She stood there, feeling the warm Japanese sun wash over herself and felt its warmth on her face.
However, her basking was soon interrupted by a dark shadow. Opening her eyes, Hilary stared at Light's slightly imposing form above her. He looked down at her, slightly impatient.
"Sorry." Hilary told him, even though she wasn't really sorry. "It's a nice day out and I haven't been outside for nearly ten days. It's nice to soak up some Vitamin D."
Light, instead of replying, looked up. "You know," he said, thoughtful, "I haven't been outside much, either." He frowned. "I've been so busy creating a new world that I guess I've missed out enjoying its good parts."
Hilary stared at him. "What do you mean, Light? 'Creating a new world'?"
His face colored. "I meant that I'm creating a new world without Kira."
Hilary didn't need to touch her locket. Light's colored face and sweaty palms were enough confirmation for Hilary that he was lying to her.
For L's sake, however, Hilary chose to stop questioning him. After all, Light might get angry and leave. She needed him for twenty-four hours; she needed to be nice. At least for now, anyway. So instead, she stared up at the sky again and said nothing.
Light cursed himself. Way to slip up, Light! You never slip up. You can't slip up. You will not slip up. Did she notice? Could this girl tell I was lying? Does Miko know? How much does she know? Is she working for L? How do I get her on my side? Can I do that? Will she fall for it?
They stood in silence for another moment, both staring at the clouds. Hilary finally started walking in the general direction of the small restaurant. She walked in silence, not thinking anything, still enjoying the bright summer light.
Light followed her. "So, Hilary," he asked her, "where are we going?"
Hilary turned to look at him and pointed at a small café across the street from where they were. "Right there."
Light followed Hilary's finger. He saw a small, nondescript café. It looked like something a person would walk by a thousand times and forget another thousand times. It was made of red brick, matching the buildings around it. There were several flowerboxes on the windows of the café and Light could see small sign hanging from one of the flowerboxes. The sign was swinging gently in the breeze. The entire thing reminded Light of a stereotypical French bistro, but Miko seemed happy enough to eat here.
As Hilary entered the small cafe, Light held the door open for her. Hilary smiled as a set of wind chimes tinkled merrily. She didn't need to be in love with Light to appreciate the small gesture of kindness. She knew enough to know that a boy who held the door open for a girl was a true rarity, indeed.
She went up to the front counter. "A table for two, please." She told the waitress. "And if we could have a table by the window…? I need the sun."
The waitress smiled. "Sure thing, honey." The waitress cracked her gum loudly. "Give me a minute."
Hilary turned to look at Light, who was watching the waitress in amusement. "What?" She asked him.
He looked at her. "She reminds me of an American, Miko."
Hilary crossed her arms over her chest, but before she could say anything, a new waitress approached them. This waitress, Hilary thought, needed to take advantage of the employee's discount. She was about five feet tall-finally, someone shorter than Hilary!-and eighty five pounds. This waitress looked like a ten-year-old boy. Hilary shuddered, slightly afraid. She was afraid that if she accidentally bumped into this girl, she would break in half.
"Hello. My name is Naomi Pembarini and I will be serving you today." Light paled slightly, but Hilary didn't know if he was surprised at her name or her appearance.
Naomi seated Light and Hilary at a table right next to a flowerbox filled with white roses. Handing them both a menu, Naomi excused herself and left, mumbling about returning in a moment for their drink orders.
Hilary stared at her menu and realized a problem immediately. This menu was in Japanese. Oh, hellfire. Yes, she'd lived in Japan for a while now, but this language was still vastly unknown to her. She was only able to recognize the most basic of characteristics. This menu was far beyond her reasoning g abilities. Even her school had spoken English; she'd lived in an Americanized Japan. Did Japanese people eat sushi? Dogs? Or was that Korea? Yes, that was Korea. So what did people in Japan eat?
Hilary frowned. She closed her menu and stared at Light. "Light," she said, trying to sound sweet, "why don't you order for me?"
Light raised his eyebrows. "Order for you?"
"What?" She asked him, "You don't normally order for the girl? I thought you were a gentleman."
He stared at her. "You can't read Japanese." He said this as a question, so she didn't answer.
Light sighed. "All right, then." And so, when Naomi returned, Light spoke a few words of Japanese to her. Naomi nodded happily and ran back into the kitchen.
Hilary raised her eyebrows at Light. "What did you say to that girl?"
Light smiled. "I ordered an American classic. She was so happy to see it being made. I don't think she's ever seen one of these in real life."
"What did you order, Light?"
"A peanut butter and jelly sandwich."
Hilary and Light emerged from the resteraunt an hour later, full and happy. Their PB&Js had been a roaring success and were equally delicious. They'd had a delightfully normal conversation also, with minimal talk about L, Kira, and the investigation. Hilary was surprised Light could act so…normal. He didn't seem like the type of person who could be Kira. He seemed too nice to be a serial killer. Still, as a part of L's plan, she kept her suspicions high and her expectations low.
Standing outside the café, Light turned and stared at Hilary. "Where next, Miko-chan?"
Hilary frowned. She still wasn't comfortable with being called 'Miko,' but was even less comfortable with 'chan.' 'Chan' was supposed to be used for cute perky people like Misa. Not Hilary.
She pulled L's list out of her pocket and read aloud.
My Date With Raito-Kun
11:30-12:30: Lunch at a Café
12:45-1:50: Shopping at the Mall
1:50-4:00-Movie
4:30-6:00-Having Fun at the Park
6:15-8:30: Dinner on the Beach
9:00: Reservations at the Hotel
Hilary inhaled a large gulp of air. "Reservations at the Hotel." L WAS MAKING HER TAKE LIGHT TO A HOTEL? A HOTEL?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?! What the fuck was L thinking? A hotel meant…A room all to themselves…With closed doors…No one there…WHAT THE FUCK WAS L THINKING? Why the hell would she take Light to a hotel? What would they do at a hotel?
L, Hilary thought, when I see you next, you are so dead. Dead, damn it. She stared at Light and took a deep breath.
"Err…Yes…" She was grasping at straws and it was humiliating. "To the mall, then. Want to take the subway. Light?"
Light turned the shade of cigarette smoke, a pale, ashen grey. "No. Not the subway."
"Why?" She asked, genuinely curious. "Afraid of being recognized or something?" She laughed at the ridiculousness of it.
Light's face grew even whiter. "No." He said flatly.
"Why, then?"
"My cousin nearly died on the subway when I was eight, Miko. I don't ride subways."
Hilary nodded, unconvinced. He seemed so unresponsive to his cousin's "death." Also, that statement was just too rehearsed. She grasped her locket and held tightly.
The familiar white light washed over her and images poured into her mind. She saw Light speaking into an earpiece, a manila envelope, and Light…Staring out of the subway car, riding away and looking superior. Finally, and for the first time, she heard a voice. She immediately recognized it as Light's.
"Good bye, Ray Pembar."
Hilary blinked sharply and the images vanished. Ray Pembar? Who was that? And why was he on a subway train with an envelope? And why was Light hiding such a small detail from her? Why did this matter? Did it matter? She would mention it to L later, even if it wasn't important.
Now, however, she smiled at Light. "No subway, Light. We can take a taxi. Your treat."
She had no idea what she was going to do about Light, this subway, going to a mall, or-God forbid-the hotel. However, the sun was warm on her face, the taxi had just pulled over, and-Hilary decided as Light held open the door for her-she was in good company.
Yes, her past sucked and the future looked scary, but, to Hilary, the present was just fine with her.