punkish furball—Sorry for the wait!

Words to Ponder:

Thank you, eloquent dreams, WhiteDemoness11, LeafeKnight7, Bishonen'sFoxyMiko, Shiroi no Yume, Natsumi Tsuchi-Ookami, Maantje, The Amazing Sakumachan, StarlitBaby, Spastic Freak, DeathNoteMaker, Evil RULZ, Shin Wal-New Moon-, honey-senpai, Ice-Cold-Bunni, Raine44354, Watashi No Sukinahito, enchanted nightingale, and LM Kitsune for reviewing.

WhiteDemoness11—Awesome Words of Wisdom! Never considered that!

Honestly, this chapter is somewhat filler material. A nice transition to what's to come later.

Also, a run-off poll is displayed in my profile. PLEASE VISIT IT AND VOTE TO HELP ME DO STUFF!

Normal transition: -O0o0O-

Flashback transition: -O0o0O-

Chapter 6: Subitus Congressus

When dinner was finished by the three teens, Sayu returned to the living room and resumed watching her soap opera. Kagome gathered the dirty dishes and walked towards the sink to wash them. Light removed his books from beside his chair and set them on the table, but he did not open them to study. Instead, Light stood up from his seat and made his way over to the sink to stand behind Kagome. It had already been decided that it would be best for her to stay the night at their house for the night.

"Do you want something, Light?" Kagome asked without looking up from the dishes. She turned on the hot water causing foamy bubbles to form in the sink. She hoped Light would go back upstairs; she didn't feel comfortable with him hovering around her. The longer she stayed here, the more aware of the surveillance cameras she became. The thought of being watched by L made Kagome tense and think of someone with a similar hobby although he was much more sinister than the detective.

"I thought you could use some help," Light suggested, "It's the least I could do. You prepared dinner for us after all." Kagome looked as though she was going to protest, but she faltered with Light's close proximity.

"Okay," Kagome answered and moved to the side so Light could stand beside her. She held a wet washcloth in her hand and handed Light the water nozzle.

"I'll wash and you rinse," Kagome instructed and began to scrub one of the plates clean. She handed the plate to Light and he began to rinse the suds off. After the duo washed the first few dishes, small sprays of water from the nozzle Light held managed to hit Kagome in the face. She pouted when she felt the moisture and looked accusingly at Light.

"Watch it with that thing," Kagome said and splashed Light with some sudsy water that landed onto the front of his shirt.

"Hey," Light said and stopped rinsing, "You got me soaked!"

"Serves you right you, meanie," Kagome said stuck her tongue out at Light. She squealed when she felt a stream of cold water hit her in the face.

"I just slipped," Light said jokily, "Not my fault."

"Oh really," Kagome said and filled a large cup that was soaking in the sink with soapy water.

"Kagome," Light began, "This was fun, but we have to be serious right now. We need to finish this so we can start studying a—" Light stopped speaking when Kagome stood on the tips of her toes and poured the lukewarm mix of water and soap on top of his head. Light stared at Kagome for a moment as she stood before him with a triumphant grin on her face.

"That's what you get for messing with—" Kagome began and shrieked when Light aimed the nozzle at Kagome and fired. Light stopped the flow of water when he was satisfied with the wetness of Kagome's body. Kagome quickly retaliated by throwing the drenched wash cloth at Light's face. Kagome began laughing wildly with her eyes closed at the shocked expression that Light wore on his face. Light quickly recovered and grabbed Kagome around her waist to attack her sides. Kagome's laughter grew even wilder as Light tickled her mercilessly.

"Okay, I give!" Kagome shouted, "Sorry! I was my fault! Just give me a break! I'll study! I'll study!"

-O0o0O-

"Light certainly is…playful," Ryuzaki commented on the scenes displayed on the monitors connected to the cameras in the kitchen. Light continued to tickle Kagome long after she apologized and pulled her closely to his chest. Ryuzaki could tell Soichiro was growing more and more uncomfortable watching his son act so casually with a female.

"This is very confusing," Soichiro said, "I have never seen Light behave this way, but I suppose it goes with what you were saying about the lack of parental supervision."

"I imagine so," Ryuzaki said, "Kagome does seem a lot more comfortable now. No doubt Light purposely behaved in such a way to achieve that result."

Ryuzaki watched in rapt attention as Light ceased his assault on Kagome's sides, but his arms remained around her and he rested his head on top of hers despite the state of their clothing. Both teens were breathing heavily to inhale much needed oxygen.

"Let's call a truce," Light suggested to Kagome who nodded in agreement.

"How about you go and take a shower and I'll do the clean up down here," Light said.

"Interesting," Ryuzaki thought; he knew that surveillance in the bathroom was tight. There was little chance of the bathroom being a safe place to have a private moment if that was Light's intention.

"Are you sure?" Kagome asked, "You could use the bathroom first or I could stay down here and help you clean up. It is partly my fault." Light immediately shook his head at the option.

"I can handle it," Light said, "The bathroom will be the last door on your left upstairs. The extra towels are in the cabinets under the sink and I'll send Sayu upstairs with a change of clothes for you."

"If you insist, Light," Kagome said. Before he let Kagome go, Light placed a small kiss on Kagome's forehead. Kagome blushed before she quickly headed upstairs.

"Yagami-san," Ryuzaki began when he noticed Soichiro's uneasiness, "I understand it will be difficult for you to watch a young woman whom you don't know in the shower. Therefore, as a courtesy to you, I made it possible for you to go into the adjourning room to watch the remainder of the house while I maintain surveillance of the bathroom in here. The same procedure will be repeated when your wife and daughter are using the bathroom allowing you to maintain surveillance of the bathroom."

"Thank you," Soichiro said; he was relieved. The bathroom had been his main concern from the beginning, but he was surprised Ryuzaki would think of a solution to his problem.

"Watari," Ryuzaki said and the old man was ready for his instructions.

"Connect all of the monitors in this room to the bathroom surveillance equipment and forward the others to the adjourning room," Ryuzaki said and Watari quickly set to work. Soichiro left to the other room to watch his son and daughter. The monitors in the room where Ryuzaki remained quickly changed from the images of the living room and kitchen to the pristine white tiles of the bathroom. Kagome had entered the room moments after the switch. Ryuzaki watched as Kagome took a look are her wet appearance and shook her head at her reflection. She reached towards the cabinet under the sink and pulled out a small wash cloth to bathe and a large towel the dry off. Kagome placed both towels on the sink and turned on the water in the shower. Ryuzaki could tell that Kagome was still somewhat nervous; her moments were jerky and she continued to make glances in the direction of the door.

'It is almost as if she knows she was being watched,' Ryuzaki thought but knew that scenario was unlikely.

Kagome stuck her hand into the stream of water and smiled; Ryuzaki assumed it was at her temperature of choice. Kagome removed her hand and immediately pulled her school top over her head. The action was so quick Ryuzaki didn't have time to prepare for it. He hadn't been paying much attention to Kagome's figure; it was irrelevant to the Kira case. Now without Light taking up most of his attention, he could focus solely on her. As quickly as she removed her top, Kagome stepped out of her skirt and took off her socks.

Watari smirked when he heard Ryuzaki make a strange noise in the back of his throat. He couldn't blame him for his reaction; what man couldn't resist such a small, vivacious form composed of bright, beautiful eyes; a sweet, luscious mouth; perfectly rounded breasts; and smooth long legs when it was practically bared to him! However, being 'L' didn't leave time for social encounters with the opposite sex. Even though Ryuzaki did appreciate the female form like any other man, Watari knew he hasn't even held hands with a girl.

Ryuzaki couldn't help but admire Kagome's body; he had seen many women before but never like this. When Kagome reached behind her back to unclasp her bra, he began to bite his lip and felt his face begin to heat. Finally, Kagome stepped out of her panties and into the shower. However, the images didn't end there; Watari had set up a camera inside the shower itself near the shower head. Ryuzaki had a perfect frontal view of Kagome standing underneath the shower head wetting her body and her hair on a monitor towards the right. There was a wistful smile on her face as the water ran down her body. After a few minutes of soaking, Kagome reached for the wash cloth and soap to create a foamy lather to cleanse her body. The sound of her pleased moans added deliciously to the image she created. Ryuzaki almost felt bad for his shameless observance of Kagome's body, but it had to be done. For this surveillance to have any merit, it had to be executed thoroughly.

A knock on the door caused Kagome to jump. Ryuzaki expected it to be Light's sister bringing clean clothes to Kagome; however, the image on the monitor betrayed that belief.

-O0o0O-

"I don't see what the point in all this is," Ryuk asked Light as the boy made his way towards the bathroom with a pair of his boxers and one of his T-shirts in his hands.

'Ryuk just doesn't get it,' Light thought. When he reached the bathroom, he knocked on the door knowing Kagome was expecting his sister. Light fought the urge to smirk when he heard Kagome invite him in. He opened the door and immediately felt the steam from the shower.

"Kagome," he called out and had to laugh to himself when he heard her shriek in surprise.

"Light?" Kagome shouted, "What do you want?"

"Relax," Light said with a smile, "Sayu didn't have anything that would fit you so I brought some of my clothes that were too small for me."

"Okay," Kagome replied in a shaking voice. Light could tell she had stopped moving by her silhouette cast on the shower curtain. He had to admit he was curious to see what Kagome's body looked like, but it would make Kagome uncomfortable again and Light needed her to be lucid and relaxed for what he planned for later.

Kagome sighed in relief when she heard Light close the door behind him. She resumed her washing intent on finishing quickly.

'It's bad enough he told me there were cameras in the house,' Kagome thought, 'I don't need Light lurking around trying to sneak a peak.' She wouldn't put it passed him with the way he had been acting.

"So confusing," Kagome groaned and turned off the water when she was free of all soap. She grabbed the large towel and began to towel off. Kagome quickly changed into the clothes Light had left her. There were slightly big but would keep covered throughout the night. They also smelled of Light, a soft scent but masculine all the same.

Kagome gathered her soiled clothing and walked out of the bathroom towards Light's room. She was sure Light was waiting for her in there. She walked into the room to see Light throwing away a bag of potato chips and Ryuk on top of his bed doing some odd contortions with his body.

'No doubt part of his symptoms,' Kagome thought with a slight smile.

"Oh, you done?" Light asked.

Kagome nodded and replied, "Yep. All yours, Light."

"Great," Light said while standing up and stretching, "While I'm gone, look over some more of those formulas in the textbook. I'll quiz you on them when I get back." Light chuckled when he heard Kagome's groan of protest after he closed the door

-O0o0O-

Soichiro rejoined Ryuzaki once he had seen Kagome walk into his son's room after Light concluded his studying for the night, but not before he took a look at some suggestive magazines. Sayu had gone to bed after watching more T.V. and told Light she would shower in the morning.

"Is there is a chance Light knows about the surveillance, Yagami-san?" Ryuzaki asked abruptly after Soichiro sat down by his side.

"Not at all," Soichiro said sounding slightly offended, "I haven't spoken to any member of my family a few days after you informed us of your plan to use the surveillance cameras other than the phone call to my wife." Soichiro paused before speaking to Ryuzaki again.

"Why would you suggest such a thing?" Soichiro asked.

"Kagome," Ryuzaki said. Soichiro stared at him with a blank expression until he began to clarify his reasoning.

"My suspicions started with his behavior around the girl," Ryuzaki began, "At first I dismissed it as irrelevant behavior until Light came to Kagome in the shower. He had brought her his clothes to change into."

"And what importance does that have?" Soichiro asked while mentally reminding himself to have a discussion with Light about proper conduct around young women.

"If Light knows nothing of the surveillance, the gesture has no importance whatsoever," Ryuzaki said, "but should Light have knowledge that the house is being watched and is Kira; he is sending a message to L in response to this new challenge much like Kira has done many times before."

"What kind of message is it?" Soichiro asked.

"Various elements of Kira and his crimes are unknown," Ryuzaki explained, "Assume Light is Kira and knows of the surveillance cameras. He would naturally assume they were put into place by L. Kagome becomes another unknown element whether she is active in the Kira murders or not. By giving Kagome his clothes to wear, Kira is blatantly sending L a message; 'Kagome is mine and there is nothing you can do about'. This would justify his earlier behavior perfectly; they were subtle ways to send the same message and to mark her as his. Truthfully, I will have to say the Kagome's appearance has puzzled me from the very beginning. I do believe Kagome is aiding Light somehow, but I have no proof the base this claim on. It's very depressing."

"I see," Soichiro said to himself. He turned his attention back the monitors. On one, Light was in the shower, and on another, Kagome laid on Light's bed with her face resting on an opened textbook.

-O0o0O-

Kagome really wished L or whoever was in charge of this investigation would give up on Light already. Ryuk was so annoyingly in need of attention that he wasn't given her any peace! She couldn't review these math formulas even if she wanted to with the commotion Ryuk was making. The shinigami continued to convulse wildly like he had when Kagome had first arrived in Light's room and to talk animatedly.

"This surveillance is going to be the death of me!" he shouted, "I should kill Light for denying me apples and L for inducing the situation on me in the first place!"

'I don't know whether to laugh or to scold him,' Kagome thought with her head hidden in the book. She didn't want to risk bursting into laughter while being watched; while annoying, Ryuk was rather funny in his agitated state.

When Kagome heard the door click open, she sat up to greet Light eager to have someone other than Ryuk for company. She immediately screamed and covered her face with the textbook.

"And here I thought I was good looking," Light said in an amused tone.

"Light, you know that is not what that was about," Kagome said with her voice muffled by the textbook.

Light chuckled and tightened his hold on the towel around his waist with one hand while ran the other through his damp hair. Even thought Kagome had only seen him in such a state for a few seconds, he was sure she had gotten an eyeful of him.

'He did that on purpose!' Kagome thought. Light's image continued to plague her thoughts especially now that he could hear him getting dressed. Light was obviously very athletic; his chest and legs were definitely toned and hard. The water droplets on his chest were begging to be licked off one by one and had she not been here against her will and Light had not been Kira, Kagome would have considered doing such.

'Hard…argh…not the best word to choose right now,' Kagome thought, 'All of this has to do with something.

"It's safe now," Light said and sighed when Kagome shook her head and refused to let down the textbook. He sat down in front of Kagome on his bed and took the book in his hands and pulled it away from the flustered girl. Light had to admit that riling Kagome up was amusing; Kagome was very innocent and naïve.

'L should have already been informed about the deaths of those two criminals I wrote down using that trick with the mini T.V. and the bag of chips while I was studying,' Light thought, 'There's also no doubt he is at least curious about Kagome. With all of the cameras in the bathroom Ryuk told me about, I'm sure he got a good view of her,' Light paused, 'L is witnessing my alibi himself; Light Yagami is nothing more than a studious and hard-working high school senior working towards college entrance exams who is also tutoring Kagome Higurashi, a girl who he is romantically interested in.' However, Light could tell he was only scratching the surface and more work was to come; Kagome may seem relaxed and at ease for now, but whenever she looked at him, there was something in her bright blue eyes demanded an explanation he couldn't give right at the moment.

"Told ya," Light said, purposely lowering his tone which did little to relieve Kagome's blush. Ryuk began to laugh at the two teens.

"With 64 cameras in this room, L sure isn't going to miss a thing," Ryuk said causing Kagome to gasp, but it seemed like the action was caused by Light's closeness.

'L has that many cameras in Light's room alone?' Kagome thought.

"Let's get to bed; I'll drill you tomorrow after school," Light said causing Kagome to tense again.

"What's wrong?" Light asked.

"I wasn't exactly prepared to stay the night," Kagome said, "and I doubt I'll be able to go to school in this."

"Don't worry about it," Light said, "We'll deal with it in the morning." To add to Kagome's agitation, Light patted the top of her head as if she were a small child. Satisfied with her glare in his direction, Light took an entirely different approach and planted a small kiss on Kagome's lips. He could feel the softness of her skin and the heat of her blush his lips. Before he was tempted to go any further, Light pulled away and stood to his feet.

"You can stay in here," Light said, "I'll take the couch." Kagome said nothing and only nodded. Light sent a smile her direction before softly telling Kagome good night and left his room with waiting for a response.

Kagome sighed when Light left the room and fell onto his bed on her back.

"So confusing," Kagome said and closed her eyes before falling in a fitful slumber all most instantly. After the events of today, she was mentally exhausted.

-O0o0O-

Mayaru sighed as she continued to look through the window of Kagome's room at the grounds of the shrine. Kagome's scent clung to the room and soothed the worries of the demon. She marveled at the understanding of Kagome's mother; when Mimirou had returned from her "mission" and informed the woman that Kagome would be remaining at the Yagami household, she accepted the situation without only a slight amount of worry or suspicion.

'She must be so accustomed to InuYasha that a boy from this era presents no danger to her. Light's request must seem somewhat normal,' Mayaru thought and frowned. She and her sister were out of their minds with worry; Yagami was unpredictable and out of their reach. It was well past mid-day the day after her tutoring session and Kagome hadn't returned.

"Maya-chan," Souta called from a small crack in the doorway with a game controller in his hand. Mayaru did not move her body but shifted her sharp feline eyes to his position. She had come to like the small boy; his devotion and understanding was something to be admired as well.

"Do you want to play Mario Kart ™ with Mimi-chan and me?" he asked, "You're waiting up here all alone."

Mayaru closed her eyes and smirked slightly; she knew it was far too quiet. Mimirou needed constant stimuli or she became reckless.

"Playing the game will make it seem like Kagome will come home faster," Souta said, trying to sway the youkai. He presented a similar argument to the hanyou.

"Very well," Mayaru said and descended the staircase behind the boy. She saw her sister holding the game controller with fingers tipped with blunt humanoid nails; Mimirou was in her illusion just as she was. It was never known when a human should abruptly arrive.

"Nice to see you still alive," Mimirou said and tossed the third controller into Mayaru's waiting hand without looking up.

"How do you guys do that?" Souta asked excitedly, "Are you connected through some mental link or something?"

Mimirou chuckled slightly and answered, "You dwell to much on the world of myth and fiction. Your clouded head makes it so easy to beat you."

"We'll see about that!" Souta shouted and reset the game the course selection menu, "Let's see who you do in the Star Cup! Maya-chan, you in?"

"Sure," the demon answered after taking a closer look at her sister. Mimirou's blank eyes were unfocused; she was only doing this to please the boy. Her whole stance was shifted towards the door; any moment made outside would be caught by Mimirou's senses.

-O0o0O-

"I'm so glad to be out of that house," Kagome said, stretching her arms above her head as she walked to school with Light at her side. Light's solution to her school problem was washing her uniform and her underclothes before they left for school.

"I know what you mean," Light said and rested his hand on Kagome's shoulder. He insisted that he walk her to school this morning and gave her no time to argue.

"Why don't we go to your house today so we can have a break?" Light asked, "We will be able to act more freely there."

"I see," Kagome said tentatively, "Well, my school's up ahead. You can head back now."

"Alright," Light said, "I'll skip cram school today so I can see you after right your school lets out."

Kagome ran towards the school and turned to wave in Light's direction before going into the building; he and Ryuk were standing a few feet in front of the school gates. She could feel Light and Ryuk watch her move away from them until she disappeared behind the school doors; in the back of her mind she knew they would be in the same spot after school let out.

-O0o0O-

"So, Kagome, who was that friend of yours who walked you to school?" Yuka, one of Kagome's friends, asked Kagome after the bell rang to end the school day.

"You mean Light?" Kagome said and inwardly cringed. She didn't want any of her friends to see him.

"Light?" Ayumi asked, "As in Yagami Light?"

"Yes," Kagome answered hesitantly.

"You know him?" Yuka asked.

"He's only the smartest guy in Japan!" Ayumi exclaimed, "He scored the top score on the national practice college entrance exam and is number one on all the other standardized tests! He's practically a genius!"

"Really?" Kagome said, "I didn't know at all."

"How could you not know that?" Eri asked.

"It didn't really come up," Kagome answered, "but I should have suspected something like that. He is my tutor after all."

"Tutor?" Yuka asked, "Hojo could have tutored you!"

"He wouldn't do as good as Light!" Ayumi protested, "No one can compete with him."

"Does that mean you are dating him?" Eri asked.

"No of course not!" Kagome said, while shaking her head furiously.

"Not officially anyway," a voice said causing the four girls to jump.

"I'm Light Yagami," Light said, "You must be Kagome's friends."

"Yes," Eri said, "I'm Eri. That's Yuka and that's Ayumi."

"Nice to meet you," Light said, "If you don't mind, Kagome and I have a lot of work before entrance exams. We can get better acquainted later."

"Right!" Kagome said and grabbed Light's hand to lead him away from her friends. Once they were a few feet away, Kagome sighed deeply in relief.

"You have the best rhetoric skills," Kagome said to Light, "I don't think anyone has ever left them without saying so much."

"Girls like them are easy to handle," Light said. Before Kagome could remark on the comment Light just made he spoke again.

"Is your family home?" Light asked.

"Should be," Kagome answered, "Why?"

"No reason," Light said, "I was just looking forward to meeting your family."

-O0o0O-

Kagome sighed as she turned another page in the book Light made her read. Their studying sessions over the past few weeks had quickly become routine: Light would skip cram school and pick Kagome up from school, they would alternate between his house and hers, they would review literature and science first, they would take a short break, and then they would finish out the night with mathematics. All during their routine, Light continued to write down names on slips of the death note he had hidden and relied on the names he wrote in advance. Once or twice within this routine, Light would make some sort of advance on Kagome in the form of an embrace, a kiss, or another action. Kagome steadily became accustomed to the contact and her nerves gradually began to fade away.

"They're all gone!" Ryuk shouted suddenly causing Kagome to fall onto the floor from her spot on the bed.

"Every single one of the cameras was removed from the house," Ryuk continued.

'No more cameras,' Kagome thought, 'Looks like Light won this round.' She looked over to Light who continued to study quickly and showed no signs of hearing Ryuk at all.

"That's right!" Ryuk shouted, "There still could be wire taps in place."

Kagome got on the bed and continued to read the passage Light assigned to her. Looking out of the corner of her eye, Kagome noticed Light smirking slightly obviously basking in his victory. However, Kagome felt that it would be short lived.

'I have a feeling L has something else planned,' Kagome thought.

-O0o0O-

"After careful consideration of all of the video tapes and voice recordings of both households," Ryuzaki began, "We have found both families guilty of absolutely nothing. The surveillance equipment has already been removed."

"So we're back at square one?" Matsuda said in an exasperated tone, "We have no suspects at all."

"I wouldn't say that," Ryuzaki continued, "I still have one suspect in mind. But there is only a five percent possibility of him being Kira"

"But you said that none of the families were found guilty!" Soichiro shouted, "How can you still suspect one of them?"

"If my assumptions are correct," Ryuzaki began, "then the fact that none of the family members showed any suspicious behavior confirms them. We know that Kira needs to someone's name and face to kill someone. Let's say all it takes is a thought. The absence of a visible response shows that Kira's mental state has elevated to that of a god. Kira believes that his judgment on the lives of criminals is justice." Ryuzaki paused and put one of his fingers to his lips. "However, a person like that isn't a god at all, only a childish person playing pretend."

-O0o0O-

"Light, don't you think we should have gotten here earlier?" Kagome asked the boy at her side. They had only ten minutes to arrive at the testing site for the To-Oh University entrance exams. She was already nervous enough with Ryuk hanging over her; she hoped he shadowed Light during the test!

"Don't worry about it," Light said, "We'll have just enough time to sit down before the test. I don't like to arrive with too much time before the test."

Just as Light said, he and Kagome arrived with enough time to be seated. Light was assigned to a seat in the front of the room and Kagome was seated towards the back of the room. One of the test takers near Kagome caught her attention. His skin was pale that contrasted greatly with the dark bags under his eyes. His hair was black in color and wild as though he just woke up. His clothes were also in disarray. He was sitting oddly in his seat; his legs were drawn into his chest with his feet resting on the desk. Kagome had to admit that his disheveled state looked absolutely adorable.

One of the test moderators told the man to put his legs down causing Light to look back in his direction. Their eyes immediately met and they held each other's gaze for a few seconds before Light turned his head forward.

-O0o0O-

Light stood in front of the building where the To-Oh Entrance Ceremony being held. It was no surprise that he and Kagome passed the exam. He scored a perfect score making him the freshmen representative and Kagome was in the top ten percent of the incoming freshman.

"I'm so proud of you both," Ryuk said, "Kagome even scored above average on the math section."

'Yes,' Light thought, 'everything fell perfectly into place. Now that L has given up his suspicion on me and, now that Kagome and I are in university, I can begin to use her to her full potential.'

However, Light had to admit his current uses for Kagome were very pleasing. After putting on the show for L, Light had grown to like the blush that would light up Kagome's face whenever he would give her a compliment and the heat of flesh whenever he kissed or touched her skin. Before that, Light immediately found Kagome's personality and intellect attractive and it drew him in. She was the kind of person he wanted to create his new world for.

Light walked into the building towards the front podium to give the opening speech. Walking in, Light could see Kagome's mother, brother, and grandfather sitting in the third row behind the freshman near the aisle; his own family couldn't attend. They were understandably ecstatic when Kagome was accepted and thanked him for his efforts to tutor her. Mayaru was sitting with them; her eyes trained on Light's form like the predator she was. Mimirou was absent from the ceremony; Light didn't see her as a person comfortable with large crowds. Kagome managed to get the seat in the front row next to empty seats for the freshman representatives; there was no specialized seating for any of the other freshmen.

'There is supposed to be a second freshman representative, another student who scored one hundred percent on the exam,' Light thought. He took his place in the front when the man who sat oddly in his chair during the examination approached the front as well. He was wearing the same clothes he did during the test.

'Is he supposed to be the other representative?' Light thought and immediately thought his appearance was out of place. Looking to the crowd, he could see that Kagome was also confused. After the two of them read from the script, Light and the strange man, Hideki Ryuga, took their seats. Light sat next to Kagome and held onto one of her hands that were resting in her lap. Ryuga took the seat on the aisle; he sat in the same odd way as he did during the exam.

"Yagami," Light heard someone address him and realized it was Ryuga. He didn't say anything in response; he only shifted his head slightly in his direction to indicate he had heard him.

"You're the son of Detective Superintendent Yagami Soichiro of the NPA. Your respect for your father is only matched be your sense of justice," Ryuga whispered, "You aim to reach a leadership position in the NPA yourself and have provided insight that led to the solution of several cases in the past. Right now you're showing a great deal of interest in the Kira case."

'Just who is this guy?' Light thought. Ryuga continued to speak.

"So if you will swear to me that you will not tell anybody, I shall place my faith in your ability and your sense of justice and tell you something of vital importance to the Kira case," Ryuga finished.

'What should I say?' Light thought while Ryuga waited for a response from him, 'I should ignore him, but part of me is curious to what he will say.'

"I won't tell," Light replied, "What is it?"

"I just wanted to tell you I am L," Ryuga whispered. Light had to fight the instinct t to lose his control. Ryuk began laughing loudly at the revelation but didn't say anything about Ryuga being L out loud.

'What the hell is this guy saying?' Light thought frantically, 'L would never say that he was L out in the open. This has to be an imposter. But what if he really is L? I have to remain calm. Light Yagami would have no reason to be reacting suspiciously of L.'

"If you really are L," Light began, "then you have my respect and admiration."

"Thank," Ryuga replied, "I was hoping to have your assistance on the Kira case."

"I look forward to it," Light said and returned his attention to the speaker.

When the ceremony finished, Light stood up and pulled Kagome behind him. He led her in the direction of her family.

"Light?" Kagome asked, "Is there something wrong?" She had noticed Light tense for a split second during the ceremony and his whispered conversation with Ryuga, even though she didn't hear what they said.

"Nothing at all," Light answered and let Kagome's hand go when she was a few feet in front of her family, "Catch up with your family. I'll come see you later today."

"Alright," Kagome said and left Light's side to rejoin her family. Light hastily left the building eager to return home. He paused momentarily in his journey home when Ryuga stopped him to say his farewell before departing himself.

-O0o0O-

Mimirou sighed in contentment as she held the brown paper bag to her chest keeping her precious cargo close to her. She was glad she decided to forgo attending the entrance ceremony; as proud as she was of Kagome, she didn't like large gatherings in the least. Instead, Mimirou made a small trip to the closet corner store to be a pint of strawberry ice cream; the delicious confection had her since day one. Luckily, she arrived just in time to purchase the last available carton. She had also gotten a spoon as well so she could begin eating her treat on the way back if she wanted.

"Hey," someone behind Mimirou said. She turned to see a man with pale skin and dark circles under his eyes who stood oddly.

"Yes?" Mimirou answered knowing that the odd man was no threat to her.

"You bought something sweet," he stated with his black gaze on Mimirou's bag.

"Strawberry ice cream," Mimirou clarified and began to walk a little faster towards the shrine. The man followed her, matching her quickened pace.

"May I have it?" the man asked causing Mimirou to stumble.

"No," Mimirou answered and her eyes began to harden. This ice cream was to be her mid-afternoon creamy treat and no one else's and Mimirou would gladly rake her claws through this man's pale flesh to ensure that it remained that way!

"Please?" the man persisted and Mimirou groaned in frustration. Examining at the man more closely, she had to admit his was rather cute. His large dark eyes reminded her of a small child like Shippo or Souta; she could not deny such a familiar face.

"Here," Mimirou relented and shoved the bag at the young man. The funds Kagome's mother gave her were exhausted on the ice cream and she could purchase no more. Luckily, there was a wide assortment of sweets prepared at the house for Kagome's congratulatory dinner like strawberry shortcake, anmitsu-, shu cream-, and daifuku-. Mimirou would just have to wait until she returned home.

When Mimirou began walking again, the man continued to follow her despite having what he requested and beginning to eat it. She ignored him and continued her way back; she was already going to be late returning and Kun-loon-san wasn't one to deny an extra dinner guest.

'I just hope he enjoys cat hair on his strawberry short cake!' Mimirou thought with a sinister smirk.

-O0o0O-

Kagome sighed as she sat on the couch waiting for Mimirou and Light to arrive. The one she worried the most about was the latter; she knew Light was highly distressed during the entrance ceremony and wouldn't tell her why.

Before she could ponder that thought further, Kagome heard the door open and Mimirou scold someone.

"Don't just open the door and walk in," Mimirou said in a hard voice. Kagome got up to see Mimirou standing behind the same man from the entrance ceremony that scored a perfect score with Light.

"Ryuga-san?" Kagome asked causing Mimirou to eye her strangely.

"You know him?" the hanyou asked.

"Not really," Ryuga answered for Kagome, "I'm Hideki Ryuga. You were sitting next to Yagami-kun at the ceremony, correct?"

"Yes," Kagome answered shakily. Ryuga's piercing black eyes seemed to analyze her entire form making her feel vulnerable; it was very similar to her first meeting with Light. Just like before, she took a deep breath and returned Ryuga's gaze full force. Ryuga wasn't going to intimidate her.

'Hmm…' Ryuga thought when Kagome returned his look, 'How interesting.'

Ryuga could tell that Kagome and his new acquaintance, Mimirou, were very defensive and wary of his sudden appearance.

'There is no way in the short amount of time that I revealed myself to Light that he could have informed Kagome or this girl,' Ryuga thought, 'Light made no move to tell Kagome at the ceremony and she gave no indication that she heard our conversation.

The knock at the door disrupted the stare down between Ryuga and Kagome. Mimirou took a hesitant sniff of the new scent that wafted inside under the crack in the door.

'Yagami-san.'

-O0o0O-

punkish furball—Dun dun da!

- a cool dessert with fruits, kanten jelly, and sweet azuki beans.

- Japanese-style cream puff.

- kind of Japanese mochi, sticky rice, cake with fillings like anko paste and strawberries

-Subitus Congressus – "Sudden Encounter"

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(edited 08.06.2010)