Light walked by the door after L had left, something was bothering him about Matsuda's reaction to the unusual man. Oh well. He didn't have time to worry. he bowed his head waiting for Kira to enter the room, everyone had gone quite, but there was a level of quivering excitement all around. Light personally couldn't understand the appeal his brother had on these people.

When Kira finally did step into the room, his little wifey still on his arm, the entire place exploded into cheers. Only Light did not share in the boisterous cheering that echoed through the room. Even when Kira came up to him, wearing his charismatic public face. "Welcome to the party Kira. This is quite a surprise."

Kira smiled at his twin. His smile was stunning to everyone around him. Everyone except Light that is. To him it was a false smile. A serpent's smile. "Thank you Light. Having a good time?"

"Yeah, I'm having pretty good time." Light lied. "Did your meeting get over early?" he asked.

He nodded. "Everyone was pleased with the building project idea that I proposed, so there really was no reason to stick around."

Light nodded, though deep down he scowled. Everyone was pleased? More like everyone was too afraid of what Kira would do to them if they objected to his idea. Too many stories of people vanishing without a trace after voicing some opposition. People turning up dead in unfortunate 'accidents'. "I understand. well I'm sure everyone is glad your here." everyone except him.

Kira opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted by a high-pitched voice. An ear-splitting, female voice."Liiiight!" Misa Amane came bounding over after the young starlet finished signing some autographs and posing for photos. The blonde and bubbly actress-turned-empress kissed her brother-in-law on the cheek. "I'm so happy to see that you're feeling well today." She said with a brilliant smile.

"Thank you Misa." Light smiled a bit. His brother's wife was pretty crazy, but she could be sweet when she decided she liked someone. "Have a nice time at the party." Light almost felt sorry for her, knowing his brother didn't really love her.

She giggled. "Silly, you know I always have fun at parties. I'll leave you boys to bond. Just don't overdo it Light. I'd hate to see you get sick again." She kissed light on the cheek once more, then kissed Kira on the lips before going to mingle with some girlfriends.

Light watched her go, then looked to Kira. "Such a sweet wife you have."

Kira nodded disinterestedly. "She's very devoted."

The younger twin nodded, "Yeah." She really was. Misa was head-over-heels in love with Kira. It was common knowledge that she would gladly take an assassin's bullet to save his life. Light couldn't say the same for his brother. Both Misa and the public thought that Kira was every bit as in love with her as she was with him, but in truth he didn't give a rat's ass about her other than as a pretty trophy to wear on his arm. Light was also pretty damn sure that Kira had slept with just about everyone in the castle behind his wife's back.

"Come, lets have a drink." Kira interrupted Light's thoughts by putting a hand across his shoulders.

Light tensed all over being touched but kept a straight face. "Sure. Let's go."

The older twin flagged down a server and ordered some champaign for himself and his twin, "So, you look as though you're a little better today?"

He nodded in reply "A bit, enough that I can be up and about without issue."

"Good, good. I'm happy to hear that." Kira replied with his ever-convincing, but still false smile.

"I'm glad to hear your plans went over well at the meeting." He continued the casual small talk with ease, but putting on the public face of getting along well with Kira was beyond awkward.

Kira smiled. "Yes. Though it was to be expected."

"Yes. Of course." Light replied as the pair waited for their drinks, feeling rather awkward. casting his eyes around.

When their drinks arrived, Kira raised his glass and smiled at the younger twin. "Cheers little brother."

"Cheers." Light raised his own glass and sipped at the champaign slowly. 'I can't wait until we can stop playing these stupid games.'

A few days later Light woke up feeling nothing short of horrible. He sat up straight and started coughing hard into his hand. He looked at his palm, sighing when he saw the blood flecks mixed in with the spittle.

Matsuda, who had been posted outside the door, came into the room when he heard Light coughing. "Hey, are you okay?" He said in concern, his brow furrowing.

Light closed his hand and nodded, "Yeah. Fine." he was trembling softly from chills. He reached over and pumped some of the hand sanitizer from the despenser on the bedside table.

"Do you want me to get the doctor?" Matsuda asked.

The prince shook his head. "No. I'm fine." He got up slowly. In all honesty, he didn't like the castle doctor. He started to get changed for breakfast before his legs gave out. Matsuda rushed forward and caught him before he hit the ground. "Hey, take it easy Light."

Damn it. He couldn't afford to be bedridden. He had something important to do. He remembered L, and the note that had been in his pocket after that night. He nodded, "Thanks Matsuda." he gained his balance back and finished getting dressed. "Am I scheduled for any doctor's appointments soon?" he asked, relenting he'd get one if he didn't have any lined up.

"Not until next Thursday." Matsuda made it a point to know Light's schedule by heart.

"Can you set me one for later today while I am at breakfast?" he asked of his guard and best friend.

Matsuda nodded. "Certainly." He turned to leave, but at the last second looked back at light with a worried frown. "Light... Um..."

Light looked at him, "Yes Matsuda?" he tilted his head a bit, coughing a little but still standing strong.

"That man talking to you on the balcony the other day... what did he want?"

"Nothing of importance. Why?" Light asked, there was no way Matsuda could know who that was. No way...

Matsuda bit his lip. Just having asked that question would have roused suspicions. Why didn't he think of that?

Light blinked a few times, "Matsuda? what's wrong?"

The guard sighed, trying to keep calm. His voice dropped to a whisper. "L doesn't approach people for no reason."

Light stared at hi. How? how had he known? he dropped his voice as well, "Please, don't tell anyone else you saw me with him Matsuda."

"Light, what did he want? What did he ask you to do?" He persisted. His voice sounded close to panicky, but still whispering.

"He wanted me to spy on Kira for him." Light said very softly

Matsuda's brow furrowed, but he visibly relaxed, letting out a breath. That wasn't nearly as worrisome as what he was expecting.

The Prince loosened up a bit as well, but now he had a question or two. "How do you know about L?" Light asked.

The man tensed up "I... I was..." he clammed up and swallowed.

Light tensed up again, afraid he was about to hear something he wouldn't like. He sat down on his bed and patiently looked up at the slightly older man as he waited for him to explain.

He found his voice and let out a deep sigh "I used to be... Part of the rebellion.."

Light looked at him, "Why did you leave it?" The only emotions his expression betrayed was slight surprise and wrapped curiosity. He didn't seem upset about it at all.

"I was ordered to infiltrate the castle... and kill you.."

The prince's eyes widened "Me? Why didn't you?" he asked. Matsuda had never seemed like he could kill anyone. But he still had to ask.

"The faction of the resistance I was in believes that you're as bad as Kira. They sent me because I was the least suspicious, and can blend in easily with any group. When I saw that you were nothing like him, I coudln't do it. But I couldn't go back to the resistance either because they branded me a traitor after I backed out. But I couldn't. You're nothing like him. I couldn't murder you.." there were tears streaming down his face now.

Light reached out and took the other's hand, "Thanks Matsuda." he smiled softly. Matsuda was all he really had in the castle. His best, and only hand. "Let's go to breakfast." He got up and started coughing again.

Matsuda stared at him in bewilderment. "You... You're not mad?"

"Of course not. You're my friend Matsuda, no matter what your past is. Besides, you learned. I know there are people out there who think just because I am his twin that I am just like him. I'm glad you saw the truth."

Matsuda stepped forward hugged him tightly. "I'm so sorry..." he burried his face in the younger man's shoulder

Light hugged him back, rubbing his back gently, "It's alright Matsuda." He was just happy to have someone who cared about him.

The guard finally whipped the tears away. "I felt that I had to look after you. That you needed a friend. So I stayed."

Light remembered the day Matsuda came to the castle. He'd been scared, hurt, and alone. "I did. I needed a friend more than anything. I couldn't of gotten a better one."

A smile graced the man's lips. "Thank you Light."

"You're welcome Touta." Light smiled, "Let's go."

The pair started off to breakfast, Matsuda keeping a hand on Light's elbow just incase he got dizzy again. And infact, the prince did have a spell or two in the hallway. It was going to be a bad day. That much was easy to see.

When the pair arrived in the dining room, Kira was already sitting, along with his wife Misa, his spokeswoman/mistress Kiyomi Takada and his cheif adviser Teru Mikami.

"Good morning Light." Kira said when his twin entered the room.

"Good morning Kira." Light nodded to his his seat at the table.

Within moments, an extravagant breakfast was brought out to them. Kira and Mikami were already in deep conversation. Light was listening carefully as he ate, hoping to garner something useful.

"Teru, I want you to make a public announcement about the new building project." Kira was saying.

"You do? Alright. I could set up a time in town square as early as noon time tomorrow."

"Good. Excellent. The slums will be made into high-rise apartments. Proper housing for proper people.

Light made note of it. Noon, the next day. This was something he could use. First opportunity he got, he'd get word to the resistance.

Sam: Sorry it's been so long since we last posted. Real life kinda came out of nowhere and gave me a swift kick in the ass.

Tara: And I don't do the editing soooooo *taps away innocently at video games* Blame that on.e -thumbs at Sam-

Sam: eh-HEM! *glares* But we're back now with a new chapter for all you crazy fangirls... and boys. This chapter focused primarily on the dynamic of the twin brothers, as well as on adorable Matsuda. I know it wasn't very exciting, but things are about to pick up. REALLY pick up.

Tara: Matsuda is such a sweetie, I could hug him all day long.

Sam: And once again, a cliff hanger ending to piss you all off! When Light makes the decision to contact the resistance, who knows what will be in store?

Tara: you'll have to find out in the next chapter

Sam Chase: Sam: *doing Toby Turner impression* Bless your face. If you sneezed durring this chapter, bless you. Peace off.

Tara: peace! -runs off-