Fear is The Enemy
By: .Cute
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Disclaimer: Hello again all my faithful readers! I have some news for you guys! It can be bad news or good news, which ever one you like. In an effort to make my chapters longer and better, I've decided that I'm going to update a little slower than usual while we get closer and closer to Aziz's plan being set into motion. Normally, all I can think about it updating, but now I will focus more on bettering my chapters rather than getting them out at super fast speed. ^_^ So yeah, sorry. But I want these next few chapters to be perfect. But enough of that, on with the fanfic! I do not own Death Note, even though I wish I did. That would be fun. OOCness, if you hadn't already guessed. ^_^ Enjoy!
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L felt his heart pounding in his chest and he could feel his anxiety growing with each passing minute. His onyx eyes were fixed onto his computer, the glow from it's screen making his skin seem even more unhealthy than it already was. His grip on his knees grew tighter. Behind him, Soichiro was pacing restlessly, like a agitated cat trapped in a cage. Aizawa and Matsuda were still in their chairs, but both were just as restless as Soichiro. L tried to keep his attention on his computer. He didn't want his Team to notice how worried he actually was. Light had yet to call them to say that his meeting with the Coffee Break employee was finished. It had been over an half an hour.
L felt his chest tighten with more anxiety and in an attempt to calm himself down, he reached for the cake Watari had brought him and started eating. Sugar had always calmed him down before so it came as a surprise to the detective when instead of calming his worries, the sugar seemed to increase it. With a frown, L put the cake back and pushed it away from him. He found that he had no desire for sugar at all and this surprised him even more. He was craving something, he knew that for sure. The gnawing in his chest and stomach proved as much. But if he wasn't craving sugar, then what was he craving?
L knew the answer almost immediately and his heart skipped a beat when it came to him: Light. He was craving Light. L felt a small blush reach his face and he immediately shook it away. He wasn't craving Light in a physical manner. Well, actually he was but he refused to acknowledge his physical desire at the moment. Besides, what he was really craving was just Light's company. He wanted Light to come back from the Coffee Break. He wanted to make sure that the man was alright. He wanted Light to ease away his anxiety and his fears. He wanted Light.
Behind him, Soichiro let out a loud sigh and continued pacing. "Why hasn't he called back yet? He should have called back by now." L was silent but Matsuda made a feeble attempt at calming down the agitated father. "Don't worry Chief, I'm sure Light's fine. He's probably taking a longer time because the employee probably wanted to get to know him better. She is a girl after all." If Socihiro heard Matsuda's advise then he didn't show it. He just continued to pace up and down the Kira Investigation Headquarters. Aizawa remained quiet, though every once and awhile he would scowl at his computer or at his papers.
L felt a small shiver run down his spine at Soichiro's harsh tones but stayed quiet as well. If he tried to comfort the man, he might lash out at the detective with anger. He was probably angry with him for putting his son on to the task of questioning the employee without asking him first. L shivered again and then cursed mentally. He was getting frustrated at his inability to address anger and his inability to be alone. He could remember at time when he could be alone. He could remember facing down dangerous criminals and their rage towards him for catching them. But that was in the past. Now, L would shiver in fear at even the possibility of being alone. He would retreat at even the slightest hint of anger. L sighed softly and rested his head on his knees.
Though not one to dwell in self-pity, L couldn't help but question his ability to fight his phobias. It was clear to him that Dr. Nakamura's treatment wasn't helping as much as he had hoped. Or maybe he just wanted to think that so he wouldn't have to be alone again. He couldn't tell which. He was so confussed. The only thing he knew for certain was that when Light came back, everything would be okay. 'Light,' he pleaded silently as he continued to shiver from Soichiro's harsh words and tones. 'Please call. I need to know that you're alright. I...want you to come back soon.'
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Aziz smiled at Light proudly as he circled around his puppet, like a predator stalking his prey while Light remained motionless and silent. His dull auburn eyes fixed onto the floor, he waited for Aziz's instructions. He'd just told Aziz everything. His feelings for L, his greatest fears, his knowledge from the book that Misa had left for L. Everything. Aziz let out a excited giggle and he reached out a hand to pet Light's smooth caramel hair. This time however, the man didn't flinch with disgust. "Oh, Light my puppet! I had the most perfect plan for L's death! You had no idea! It was so perfect!" He giggled again, unable to hold in his excitement. "But you and L? The famous detective? Tell me Light, if you're actually in love with L. I need to make sure I heard you correctly." Without hesitation, Light answered, "That's correct. I love L."
Aziz laughed out loud and pulled his hand away from Light's head. "This is amazing! It really must be Fate! How else could one explained it?" He turned to Light. "I mean, my original plan was for you to simply kill L. A single shot to the head. Simple yes, but just imagine the pain L would have felt if the last thing he saw was his only friend about to kill him?" Light didn't respond. Aziz continued to talk. "The pain of his only friend killing him would have been enough for me. I would have taken my death without remorse, as long as I knew that L had been hurt and killed by my puppet, by my own will. But now, you tell me that you're in love with L! And L apparently loves you back! What kind of a person would I be if I didn't take advantage of that?"
Aziz was pacing around the break room, excited and hyper about his new discovery. "I'd be a fool not to take advantage of it! I'd be an idiot!" He turned to Light, who was still silent, his eyes glazed over. "My puppet." His heart filling with love and pride, Aziz walked back to Light and ran a loving hand through his hair. "You've given me the most wonderful idea! To be honest, it's even better than my original plan." Aziz leaned in forward and let his lips brush over Light's cheek softly. "We're going to break him," he whispered. "We'll crush him. Together, my puppet."
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L bit his lip softly, his gaze switching on and off from his computer to Socihiro. The man was still pacing, his anger and worry growing. L raised a shaky hand and started to chew softly on his thumb. 'Pull yourself together,' he mentally ordered himself. 'You're not alone and Yagami-san's anger isn't even directed at you. Stop acting like a coward!' But L couldn't stop his heart from racing every time Light's father came near him. He couldn't help it. And his own helplessness made him even more afraid. 'Raito-kun, please call.' L lowered his gaze to his feet and sighed softly. 'Raito-kun.'
The room was full of silence. Then, suddenly, Matsuda's cell phone let out a single ring. But that single ring was all L needed. Within a mere second, L was out of his chair and across the room while Matsuda pulled out his phone. But before he could even see who it was, L snatched the phone out of his hands and answered it, putting it to his ear. "Raito-kun?" Matsuda and Socihiro were a little stunned at L's sudden movements but they didn't mention it. They were too concerned about Light. "Is it Light?" Aizawa was still silent, but he looked up from his papers to stare at L. A second passed as L waited for an answer. Then... "Hey Ryuzaki." L let out the air he was holding in. 'Raito-kun.' It was Light.
He was on the phone and he sounded okay. Relief flooded through L and he let out a sigh. He looked over to Socihiro. "It's Raito-kun." Light's father also let out a sigh and his shoulders sagged down with relief. L turned back to the phone. "Raito-kun, are you alright? Did you question the employee?" 'Are you coming back now?' L could hear a small chuckle from Light's end of the phone and his heart soared. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just finished talking to the employee but it turns out that she didn't know much. All she knew was that someone named Aziz had entered the shop and that he came in there almost every day." L felt his anxiety start to slip away as he listened to the sound of Light's voice. He was feeling much better now.
"So that's all she knew?" "Yep. The rest of the time she was talking about herself. What her favorite foods were, what her favorite colors were. It was annoying." L felt a strange jolt of pleasure from that statement. He was happy that Light found the employee annoying. 'Strange.' But L quickly shook off that thought. He had other things to worry about. "I'll send Watari to come get you Raito-kun." "Alright Ryuzaki. I'll see you when I get back." L nodded though Light couldn't tell and hung up, handing the cell phone back to Matsuda.
Socihiro gave him a questioning look. "Is he alright? What did he say?" L started for his computer, his confidence growing steadly now that he knew that Light was okay. "He's fine. I'm sending Watari over right now to pick him up. He can brief you about the employee when he arrives." L could feel the eyes of his Team on his back but he paid them no mind. Light was coming back. He had no reason to fear anymore. He was safe around Light. That's what L thought. And L was always right. But not this time.
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A/N: Yay! I'm done! Sorry about the wait. So, how'd you guys like it? Did you see Aziz's plan coming? Do you have guesses on to what he's planning now? Did you enjoy Chapter Twenty-Four? Tell me by reviewing! Reviewers get cookies. And pie. Mmmm, pie. Anywho, Chapter Twenty-Five coming out soon! See ya till then! Bye!