Chapter 9

Light found himself in a room that looked familiar, and as he began to look around he immediately knew where he was. It was the main room of L's old building, where they had worked together to find Kira with the Task Force. The room was bathed in an eerie red glow and he could see L sitting in his chair at the console, the Task Force around him and…himself standing to the side. He recognized the glow as coming from the generator assisted lights so he assumed the power had somehow been compromised. Confusion nearly made him dizzy as he took in what was going on around him, and he moved closer so he could hear what was being said.

L was staring forlornly at the many screens in front of him, which all read "All Data Deletion." He heard the detective's soft voice explaining that he had told Watari that if anything were to happen to him, to make sure all data was deleted. Light started at the words just as the other detectives did, realizing that must mean that Watari was dead. He shook his head in disbelief and horror at the thought of the old man's death. He started to reach out and touch the slightly trembling shoulders.

"L…" he started and suddenly L's head jerked around.

"Where is the shinigami?" he asked and even Light looked around just as the other task force members did the same, his heart beginning to pound inside his chest. He looked to his other self, and knew immediately he was looking at Kira and he shook his head in horror knowing what was playing out in front of him. This is what he had originally planned back then, to set it up so that Rem would have no choice but to kill both Watari and L. If Watari was already dead then…

"Gentlemen, the shinigami…" L began and suddenly stopped, his eyes wide in shock.

"Noooo!" Light screamed and ran forward reaching for L just as he saw him begin to fall from his chair, the spoon he was holding falling from his fingers as he headed for the floor. Kira ran in front of him, sliding to the floor and catching the stricken detective before he could hit the floor and holding him in his arms.

"Get away from him!" Light screamed but no one heard him and he fell to the ground as he tried to pull L from his other self, but his arms and his hands just went through L's body. He watched in horror as L stared up at Kira in silence, his eyes reflecting the pain and betrayal. They had been in their relationship full blown by the time he had regained his memories, and what he was watching was obviously what would have happened after that fateful helicopter ride had L not stopped him. He could feel tears running down his face, his chest heaving as the sobs escaped. He continued to watch as L's eyes began to close and he saw the spark of life simply go out, his L had died right in front of his eyes. He screamed again trying to hold L again and once again having his hands pass through the now dead detective. He turned and stared at his Kira self, saw the self-satisfied smirk on his face and screamed again.

"No…no..L…L… please…no!' he kept screaming realizing no one could hear him…except for his Kira self who turned and stared at him. Suddenly the room went black except for the red light bathing L's body and Kira. Kira let L's body fall to the floor and stood up, his reddened eyes never leaving Light's. Kira grabbed his shirt and pulled him up to his feet, his sneer even wider now. Light pushed him away moving away from him and trying to go back to where L lay.

"This is the way it should have been," he heard Kira whisper to him almost lovingly, "The way we had it planned before you allowed him to take you over." Light shook his head, still trying to touch L.

"No…I didn't want this, I don't want this…I love him!" he cried and Kira laughed at him, and reached towards him, something glowing in his hand. Light stared at the glow and saw it become a globe, very much like the one they had watched at Epcot and like that one it was spinning above Kira's outstretched hand.

"The entire world could have been ours, can still be ours if you do what you know you should do. Watari knows where the Death Note is, once L is dead he'll be so distraught you could easily get it from him. And then we can do exactly as planned." He then laughed, the most frightening, insane laugh Light had ever heard and could not believe it was coming out of him. The globe opened just as the other had, but instead of flame and fireworks, blood poured from the center of the globe, running down the sides and over Kira's hand. He crawled away from the globe, the laughter, from the red eyes, from the body of his L lying in front of him that he couldn't touch and screamed again, closing his eyes against the horror all around him hoping when they opened again it would be gone.

His eyes flew open and he frantically looked around, being glad there was no red glow in the darkness of the room. He sat up gasping for breath, his body covered in sweat. He immediately looked to his left and when he saw L was lying on his side and could hear his gentle snoring he nearly burst into tears in relief. He ran a trembling hand through his hair and fought to control himself; surprised he hadn't awakened L in the first place. He softly ran his hand through the wild sleep tossed dark hair, smiling when L moved against his hand in his sleep. He removed his hand for fear of waking him, and got out of bed, needing something to drink and to steady himself.

Why was he dreaming of Kira killing L? There was no trace of Kira in his mind, where did this come from? He got a glass of water and sat down on the couch as he drank it down, and then holding the cool glass against his forehead. Now that he was getting himself under control he realized that he had been so focused on L and his reaction to what had happened, that he never thought that he might have some issues to it as well.

His worst nightmare had come true; he had tried to kill L both physically with his own hands and then emotionally by running to Miyano. He had completely lost control over his own body, his own mind and it definitely left a scar. He leaned back against the couch and concentrated on breathing deeply to calm his heart, which was still beating rapidly. He closed his eyes and then opened them again quickly as all he could see was L's eyes slowly closing, the betrayal and pain being hidden by the lids as they dropped.

He looked at the ornate clock on the wall and even though it was only 4:45 in the morning he knew he would never get back to sleep now, he didn't want to close his eyes again and see a dying L. He got up and took a quick shower, careful not to wake L, dressed and ordered coffee from room service. Once it arrived he made a cup and walked out onto the balcony with it watching the sun as it rose over the grounds.

He would have to work on his own issues once he was sure L been stronger. He was pleased with the raven's progress but as he'd demonstrated earlier he still needed some more work. If all his own issues gave him were nightmares he could handle that until he was sure L was fine.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" he heard from behind him and turned to see L walking towards him, yawning. Light's response inside his head was "Yes, you are," as he was so happy to see him moving, but he merely smiled and nodded as L reached him and kissed him. When their lips parted L's head cocked to one side and he stared up into Light's eyes.

"Something's wrong," he said reaching up and touching Light's face, studying the honey eyes that he could now see were troubled.

"It's nothing for you to worry about," Light told him and L shook his head.

"You wouldn't allow me to get away with that statement and neither will I allow you to. You are clearly upset about something and I can tell you've been up for a while as you've showered and ordered coffee at this early hour which is not like you." Light sighed and smiled sadly at his perceptive lover.

"Sometimes being in love with the world's greatest detective can be a pain in the ass," he said making L chuckle.

"Don't change the subject," L told him making it quite clear he was waiting for him to tell him what was wrong.

"It appears you are not the only one suffering from the effects of what happened," Light began and L nodded.

"I admit I was wondering if perhaps Kira's reappearance had affected you as well. How has it manifested itself for you?"

"So far, only in a nightmare." Light answered and L shook his head.

"If it was anything like mine it certainly cannot be called "only" a nightmare. Do you wish to tell me about it?"

"You might want to have some coffee before listening to this," Light suggested and L took his hand.

"Tell me, Light," he said gently and Light sighed again and squeezed his hand.

"I need to sit down if I'm going to go over that again," he said and L walked with him to the couch and sat down.

"I found myself back in the building we worked out of during the Kira case," he began, "And I was watching everything play out before me. The task force, you and…myself but as Kira." L's thumb went to his mouth and he nodded.

"I see, and what was happening?"

"Apparently the power had been blown and the auxiliary power was on, the red lights were on and you were talking about telling Watari to delete all information if something were to happen to him." L's eyes grew wide for a moment.

"That is true, I had given Watari those specific instructions, but how could you know that?" Light shook his head.

"I don't know, L I have no idea. But it was clear that at that moment Watari had…had died and you were explaining it to the task force. Then you began to look for the shinigami..for Rem…and then it happened…" he stopped, the moment playing out in front of his eyes again as if in slow motion. He swallowed, his mouth suddenly very dry.

"Did I die, Light?" L asked quietly and Light shook his head.

"It was exactly as I had planned it, Rem killed Watari and then you in order to save Misa from being arrested again. I watched as the heart attack happened, watched you fall from your chair and Kira….Kira caught you before you hit the ground, holding you in his arms as you…and I couldn't stop it. L I screamed to stop it…I tried to get to you and my hands just passed right through you. But the worst part was the look on your face, you stared up into my…into Kira's face and the look of betrayal and pain…I couldn't stand that look…and then you just…slipped away." L reached up with his fingers and wiped the tears that were beginning to slide down Light's face.

"It's alright. I am fine, a dream only" L assured him and Light looked at him, anger beginning to rise in him.

"But it was based on what I had originally planned, and Kira taunted me with that, after you had died he told me that this was what we had planned to happen until I let my love for you change everything and he offered me the world again telling me it could still happen the way we planned. L why am I thinking of this, there is no Kira anymore why is he still torturing me?" he asked and L took his face in his hands.

"It's just as you said Light. We both have issues to deal with because of what happened, that's all. I know Kira is gone and I'm not afraid anymore. You still have guilt issues to resolve, issues of allowing Kira to take you again. We both have things to work on." He leaned forward and kissed Light again, and was not surprised when Light's arms wrapped around him and kissed him back desperately, as if trying to block out that dream with it.

"Now, I shall shower and I expect you to find someplace interesting for breakfast," L told him standing up when Light finally released him.

"Oh I've already made reservations, I know where we're having breakfast," Light said with a big grin that immediately made L wary.

"Should I be concerned?" L asked and Light laughed.

"No, not at all. Hopefully someone you recently became acquainted with be there as well," he teased making L stare at him in confusion. He waited but Light offered no further explanation so he sighed and headed for the shower.

"L…" the detective stopped when he heard his name and turned around. Light stood up and walked over to him, staring down into his large eyes, which at the moment reflected confusion. "I just…I love you and you have to promise me that you're never going to die." He said and L shook his head with a sigh, a sad smile on his face.

"Light, you know I can't promise something like that," he answered and then smiled, "However I can promise you that I will do everything in my power not to do it anytime soon, but you must promise the same." Light grinned and nodded.

"I guess I can accept that," he said and gathered the detective in his arms for another kiss.

"Now I have to get dressed, my curiosity over breakfast is beginning to get to me," he said and pulled away. Light let him go reluctantly and retrieved his coffee cup for a refill to wait.

When he heard the shower stop, he put some of L's new biscuits on a plate and poured him coffee. Their reservations weren't until 7:30; there was time for L to have a morning snack and coffee on the balcony he adored. He held the coffee and plate out to him as L walked back into the room, loving the glowing smile he received from it.

"We have time for you to have coffee and a snack on the balcony," he said and L nodded happily grabbing a biscuit and the cup, immediately heading for the balcony. He stood and watched as the animals strolled lazily across the grounds, heading for the places where their food had been stored.

"This is the most peaceful place I can imagine being," L told him later as he finished his coffee, "One would never know we were in the middle of a chaotic amusement area." Light nodded and finished off his own coffee.

"Speaking of which, we need to get going if we're going to make our reservations," he said and turned to examine L, "Did you put sun screen on?" L sighed and nodded.

"Yes, on my face and neck, does that meet with your approval?" Light laughed as he walked towards the door.

"Don't give me attitude, don't put it on if you don't want to and when you're red and burned and miserable don't complain to me."

"You're beginning to sound like my mother," L complained under his breath as he reached into the cabinet for a bag of jelly babies before following Light out of the door.

L looked around the transportation area they had arrived in via the bus after they disembarked. They were in the Magic Kingdom and he marveled at the monorail as it flew past them overhead.

"Where do they go?" he asked Light pointing to them.

"I guess they travel around certain areas of the resort," Light answered looking at them.

"I wish to ride one," L stated and Light nodded.

"I don't see why not, I'll find out where they go and we'll try one out," he looked down at his watch, "Come on we have a date at the castle." He said with a grin and picked up the pace, L following behind with a confused look on his face.

After going through the gates they found themselves on a street that looked like it had been dropped from the 19th century. A horse drawn trolley went past, there were shops and restaurants; a few feet ahead of them were four brightly clad men in straw hats who began singing in four-part harmony. Light watched as L's thumb went to his lips as he surveyed the entire area, his eyes wide with amusement.

"This is interesting isn't it, Ryuzaki?" Light asked looking around. When he didn't get an answer he looked back in the direction he'd left L and was surprised when he wasn't there.

"Ryuzaki? Where…" he stopped and burst into laughter. He saw L making a beeline to a large corner shop called the Main Street Confectionery, "Unbelievable!" he said and sprinted to catch up with him.

He reached him just as they walked into the shop and L stopped, his eyes looking in all directions. Every possible candy that could be imagined was all around them, including stations where you could put together your own bag of candies with all kinds of types to choose from which is where L went first. The shop fit the theme of the turn of the century idea of the street, it looked like an old time candy shop. There were stands filled with cotton candy, taffy, packaged candies of all types, lollipops of all shapes and sizes, and...

"Candy apples! Light they have candy apples!" he heard and inwardly groaned. L had finished filling his bag and had noticed the rows of candy apples behind the counter. There were the traditional red, caramel, some rolled in nuts. Light had also noticed a counter devoted completely to fudge and hoped L wouldn't see it but he knew he would eventually.

"I'm going to have some delivered to the hotel," L told him excitedly, "But right now I want a caramel one to have while we're walking!"

"But Ryuzaki we're on our way to breakfast…" Light protested and was faced with an enormous pout and he sighed, "Fine, I'm sure you'll finish it before we get there anyway." He said and prepared to have whatever L wanted delivered and charged to the room.

Fifteen minutes later they were finally back outside, L clutching a bag of candy in one hand and happily munching on the candy apple he held in the other.

"So which restaurant are we having breakfast in?" L asked in between bites and Light stopped walking and pointed ahead of him.

"We're eating in there," he said and L stared ahead and back at him.

"Inside the castle? There's really something inside of it?" he asked and Light nodded as they got closer, a smile on his face that L didn't like.

"Yes, definitely. It's a restaurant of medieval design," he said as they walked into what turned out to be a beautifully decorated hall, "dedicated to the princesses." He finished and L stopped and stared at him.

"Princesses? What princesses?" he asked and Light started to laugh.

"Oh, princesses like Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Cinderella," he said pointing ahead of them and L turned to see a beautiful young woman in a blue flouncy dress, currently bending down to hug a little girl.

"Light…no…"

"We're having breakfast with the princesses," Light said laughing at the almost horrified look on L's face, which got worse when the woman in blue gestured toward them.

"Would you like a picture with Cinderella?" a man with a camera asked them and as rapidly as L was shaking his head, Light was nodding.

"Of course. It's not often one can get a picture with a princess," he said dragging L with him to where she was standing. He placed L on one side of her, then went on the other and he reached behind her and grabbed L's hand to keep him from running until after the picture was snapped. He endured the hateful look he received from L after the picture, knowing being able to see how the picture turned out would be worth it.

Once he gave his name to the person at the front door, they were allowed to go upstairs into the dining room, L complaining the entire trip upstairs.

"I hope you realize retaliation is in order for that humiliation," he was being told as they ascended the stairs.

"What humiliation? You merely took a picture with a beautiful princess, what's wrong with that?" he asked trying not to laugh.

"I don't take pictures and I especially don't take pictures with fantasy characters!" L grumbled and this time Light did laugh.

"Stop grumbling, we're here to have a good time and do things we've never done before. I think a picture with Cinderella is in that category. Besides, we have to show the boys what we did!" L shuddered at the thought of what Mello would make of the picture of the great L standing with a Disney princess.

"Next you'll want a picture with the rodent!" he complained and Light stopped and looked at him, a grin spreading across his handsome features.

"That will never happen Light Yagami, do not make me contemplate violence." L told him making Light laugh as they were shown to their table.

The first thing L was aware of was exactly how many children there were. Other than seeing them walking along the park, he had never really paid attention to them but there was no way of avoiding them here. Many little girls were dressed as their favorite princesses, waving wands with a star on them while the boys were waving swords. Strangely enough they were not the only adults there without children and he couldn't imagine adults coming here without being tricked into as he was.

He then took in the décor of the room, and had to admit that once again the illusion created was well done, he could easily believe they were in some imaginary castle. There were high arches, leaded-glass windows, grand light fixtures and medieval flags.

"Good morning my lords," he heard a cheery voice greet him and looked up to see an appropriately costumed waitress smiling down at him. He looked over at Light who was trying to hide his amusement and rolled his eyes.

After taking their order for coffee she explained about the all you can eat breakfast and then suddenly frowned.

"Wait…neither one of you have your swords, I'll take care of that right away, my lords." She added and walked away. When she returned she brought a basket full of pastries, a fruit bowl, their drinks and two swords. Light waited until the waitress walked away before he commented on the plastic swords.

"Don't you want to try out your sword, my lord?" he asked L who's eyes slowly rose from his pastry to stare into Light's, a dangerous glow to them.

"You don't wish me to do that because where I may place it after I pick it up could prove uncomfortable for you," he said quietly nearly making Light choke on his coffee.

"Such violent thoughts, what would Snow White do?" Light said laughing and before L could tell him exactly what Snow White could do, the lady herself suddenly appeared at the table next to them. L watched as she interacted with the children, bringing squeals of delight and taking pictures. He had to admit she was a perfect recreation of the animated character, every body movement exactly as he remembered it from the movie, from the way she spoke to the way her hands moved. He looked around the room and could see several other princesses visiting tables around the room.

"They won't come to this table as there are no children?" he asked and Light shrugged.

"I don't know Ryuzaki, you should get yourself ready just in case." He said grinning and L huffed at him, then turning his attention to his fruit.

Just as the waitress returned and placed their breakfasts in front of them, Snow White made her way to their table causing L's eyes to widen and Light to try and hide his amusement behind his hand.

"Are you enjoying your breakfasts?" she asked sweetly and L stared directly at Light like a deer in headlights.

"Yes, we are thank you," Light answered for him and reached into his pocket, "I hope you won't mind if my partner takes a picture with you?" he added pulling out a camera and trying not to laugh and how impossibly wide L's eyes suddenly became.

"Oh no I wouldn't mind at all," she answered and stood next to L as Light raised his camera. She looked at L's expression and laughed, her hands going to her hips. "Oh my you remind me of Grumpy," she told him, "But I'm sure you can put a smile on that face!" L stared at Light and then looked toward the princess about to tell her he didn't want a picture but when he looked at her up close all he could see was the movie he'd watched the night before and as she smiled at him he couldn't control the small smile that began to appear on his face. Light took that opportunity to snap the picture and then thanked her as she excused herself to go to another table.

"Well, it seems fair maiden charmed the savage beast," Light said with a grin as he put the camera away. L scowled at him and jammed more fruit into his mouth before answering.

"I am beginning to understand the effect that these characters seem to have on people. They disarm you with their characterizations, and they make you forget they are simply make believe for a short amount of time. In short they use your own mind and emotions against you, hardly fair." L explained after they had received visitations from the other princesses.

"But obviously quite fruitful," Light answered finishing his muesli.

"I take it this is where we're spending the day?" L asked and Light nodded.

"Yes, this is Fantasyland where most of the characters reside, the rides that are themed to the various characters and movies. This is where you have to let your logical mind rest and rely on your imagination."

Just as L was about to come up with an answer, the light's lowered in the room and a character that Light recognized as Cinderella's fairy godmother enter the room, waving her wand and speaking to the children about making a wish and seeing what happens. Their server returned and gave them both "wishing star" wands making Light nearly choke again watching L's face as the fairy godmother told them to wave their wands and make a wish and if they wished hard enough special magic would happen.

They watched as all the children and a good deal of the adults in the room closed their eyes, waving their wands in the air, all looking as if they were seriously working on a special wish. Light reached under the table and grabbed L's hand, making L turn his attention to him in question.

"Aren't you going to make a wish?" he asked and L snorted at him.

"Don't be ridiculous, this is for children," he said and Light squeezed his hand.

"Oh, I don't know, I can think of a wish or two." He said and L smiled at him.

"I'm sure you can, you've always had a problem with that romantic side of you," he said and watched as Light closed his eyes as if in concentration, "What are you doing?" he asked and Light shushed him.

"I'm wishing, what does it look like?" he asked and as if on cue, lights suddenly began to twinkle on the ceiling like stars as the music in the background got louder with a tinkling sound and the room got darker. The fairy godmother congratulated them on their wishing power and the room erupted into ooos and ahhs as they watched the light show. L squeezed Light's hand back as he watched the little show and the reflection of the twinkling lights on the children and adults around them, their faces awash in excitement and awe. When it was over the room erupted into applause and whistles as the lights came up again, then there was the busy bustle as everyone began to get up from their tables and head for the exit.

Light finally released L's hand and they stood up, making their way to the exit themselves.

"Are you going to tell me what you wished for?" L asked as they started down the grand staircase.

"I don't think so, at least not now," Light said and L shrugged as he pulled his bag of candy out of his pocket.

"Now that we have survived that breakfast, I believe something on the scale of a roller coaster would be in order. What does Fantasyland have to offer?" he asked and Light looked at his map.

"I'm glad all I had was muesli if you want to get on a roller coaster so soon after breakfast," he said as he studied the paper.

"I would imagine ingesting pellets would be difficult on the digestion no matter what you do afterwards," L commented on Light's choice of breakfast which Light chose to ignore.

"OK…Tomorrow Land is our next destination and a coaster called Space Mountain." L was about to comment when there was yelling behind him and various voices yelling "Mickey..Mickey it's Mickey!" L put a hand to his forehead and looked up at Light who was staring behind him with a large grin on his face.

"Please do not tell me that…that…rodent is behind me," L said quietly and in answer Light grabbed his shoulder and turned him around. To L's horror Mickey Mouse was only a few feet in front of him quickly being surrounded by children and adults alike.

"Come on, don't you want to tell him how much you're enjoying his park?" Light asked and then nearly melted with the look that L gave him.

"I wish to go as far away from it as possible, I have had more than enough character interaction for the day," L said and Light laughed.

"Alright come on, maybe you'll be in a better mood after you get your adrenalin kick," he said and led the way to Space Mountain.

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