AN: Sorry for the delay. I am busy right now but I'm trying to squeeze this one into my schedule. Thanks for patiently waiting!

Chapter 14: Superbia III

"Hello. Yagami Light."

Light narrowed his eyes at the man. He heard L asking him what was wrong, but he ignored him, and instead focused his gaze on the queer form of the weird man before him. Mikami was still frozen to his spot, and Light inwardly rolled his eyes. He could practically feel Mikami's stress, and that wasn't really helping him at all.

"Who are you?" Light finally asked, and he just earned a cheeky grin from the man.

The man scratched his head, perhaps trying to find the right words to say to him. Light eyed him suspiciously, trying to find something that could give him clues about the man's personality, as well as his motives for visiting him.

"Aren't you going to let me inside first?" the man finally replied, surprising Light. First impressions do last after all, at least for this man. When he first saw him, he was strange as ever, and the surprise meeting today wasn't really changing Light's perception of him.

Light stepped aside to let the man inside, and saw Mikami do the same. Mikami's color was back to normal, and he must admit it was pretty impressive, the way the prosecutor could calm himself quickly.

He watched carefully as the man approached the couch and stood before it. He guessed the man was probably deciding whether to sit down or not.

"Uh, can I sit here?" The man finally asked, earning a blink from Mikami.

Light inwardly rolled his eyes. He wasn't sure what this person was up to, but he was surely the strangest guy.

"For a creepy guy, you are really polite. Too polite in fact."

Light said as he closed the door behind him and walked towards the man. Mikami followed, and soon enough all three of them were facing each other. Light could feel the tense atmosphere, mainly due to Mikami watching carefully the man before them.

"Are you going to let me sit or what? Man, I'm tired of all the walking you know."

Light shrugged and gestured for the man to sit down. He and Mikami sat down as well, not taking their eyes off the man's form.

"So? Who are you and what brought you here?" Light started, earning a loud chuckle from the man. Light raised his eyebrows, but waited for the man to speak.

"I'm Ryuk." The man, still grinning stupidly, waited for their reaction. Getting none, he continued, "And before we continue this talk, I suggest you remove the mini-earpiece, from your ear, Yagami Light."

Light was taken aback. How the hell did this Ryuk know he had a mini-earpiece? Who is this man? Mikami sent him curious glances but said nothing. He sighed. He would have to explain this to Mikami. There was no way he could deny the earpiece. It would be best to admit it, and just give Mikami some excuse or whatever.

"Oh? Based from your reactions, I sense that Mikami Teru didn't know about it. Hmm, and I thought you two were partners." Ryuk said, laughing a little.

Light sent a glare towards Ryuk's direction and the man suddenly stopped laughing. He glanced at Mikami, who was waiting for his explanation. He sighed.

"I wasn't actually keeping it from you. I just thought it was unnecessary to mention, since it's only for precautionary measures." He said, and Mikami nodded. He focused his attention on Ryuk once more, who was grinning from ear to ear.

"So who's on the receiving end?" Mikami asked, earning a chuckle from Ryuk. Light sent another glare, and the man stopped chuckling. He turned his attention to the prosecutor again, who was curiously waiting for his answer.

Light contemplated on what to answer. Should he tell the truth or make up some lies? If he chose the latter, would Ryuk react? He seemed to know a lot of things, and he wouldn't be surprised if he also knew about his contact with L.

He sighed.

"I'm working with… L." He finally blurted out hearing a loud gasp from Mikami, and a chuckle from Ryuk. So he really did know.

"Does my name sound really strange, Light-kun?" He heard L say through the earpiece. He wasn't sure what L was up to, but he was sure the detective was already making plans. He could practically feel the calculations and plans in the detective's brain.

"What did you expect, L? Your name's like a taboo." Light replied, not bothering to hide the conversation from the two men in front of him.

He heard L chuckle.

"Hmm. I want to sulk right now, but I can't, can I?" L said, earning a chuckle from him.
"Yes, and I suggest you start moving now." He simply said, and he felt the room tense again. He almost laughed at that.

"Yes, I suggest that too, Mr. Detective. I'll be taking your beauty away for a while." Ryuk suddenly butted in, not surprising Light. He anticipated the interruption. The man was easy to read, although he knew it would be best to not underestimate him. "Yagami Light, I suggest you remove that earpiece now." The man continued, sensing that the man was a little serious now.

He stared at Ryuk, who was still smiling.

"L." A pause. "I want apples when I get back. And I don't want to be raped." He whispered faintly, that he wasn't sure whether L actually heard it. It would be better if L hadn't. It sounded like he was begging. He heard some shuffling sounds, indicating a shift in L's sitting position. He waited for L's response. Getting none, he raised his hand to remove the earpiece.

"Light-kun." His hand stopped midway. "My things are mine alone." He heard L whisper as well.

Light felt his brow twitch in irritation. Even at a time like this, this man--!

"Egoistic bastard." He replied, and without waiting for L's retort, he finally removed the earpiece from his ear, and placed it on top of the coffee table. Ryuk snatched it from the table and crushed it. Light shrugged. He glanced at Mikami, who was still in shock.

"What? You find it strange that I work with L?" He asked, failing to mask the irritation in his voice.

Mikami finally went back to his senses, and shook his head.

"Not really. But I never considered the possibility. You never told me either." Mikami replied.

Light sensed the faint accusing tone in the prosecutor's voice. He crossed his arms, and looked straight in Mikami's eyes.

"Does it matter?" He asked, sternly. Mikami stared at him for a while, then shrugged. The prosecutor adjusted his glasses, and turned his attention to Ryuk once again, who was just watching them with interest.

He sighed inwardly. It was a good thing Mikami wasn't persistent. Unlike someone I know. He sighed again. This was not the time to compare and contrast. He knew Ryuk was danger, and he should think of something to get Mikami and him out of this situation, but he had a feeling the situation wasn't that bad. Although he sensed that if provoked, this man could be very dangerous. It would be better if he observe the man first.

"You know, it's better if you won't give me a hard time, and try to escape and all. It would be troublesome to play hide and seek you know. Haha!" Ryuk suddenly said, breaking through Light's thoughts. "Oh, and I assure you. You won't even get a chance to get out of this house." Ryuk continued, and Light knew the man was serious.

For seconds the room was engulfed in silence. Light and Mikami stared intently at Ryuk's grinning face, trying to know what this was all about. No one dared to speak, no one dared to break the silence. It was deafening.

Finally, Light slumped in his seat. Mikami glanced at him, but Light just ignored him and sighed, finally breaking the silence. He heard Mikami shift in his seat.

"What is it that you want from us?" Mikami asked, bluntly. Light remained silent, watching Ryuk's actions.

Ryuk's grin widened, and straightened in his seat. He glanced at Mikami for a while, then turned his gaze towards Light, meeting his chocolate orbs.

"I'm afraid my master wants to see you both so badly?" Ryuk replied.

And the silence reigned once more.

---

"I'm Ryuk." A pause. "And before we continue this talk, I suggest you remove the mini earpiece from your ear Yagami Light."

L's face did not change its expression but inside, he was alarmed. The man knew about the earpiece and it was a little disconcerting. He knew Light was in danger somehow, and he wasn't there for him. He wanted to go there, but he knew he had to stay here and plan. He gestured for Ukita and Mogi, and the two walked hurriedly towards him.

"Please go to Light-kun's house now, and report the situation to me immediately." The two nodded, and hurried out of the room.

He heard no response from Light, and he could sense the surprise from his brunette. He knew Light would not deny it. It was the most logical thing to do, and Light was, well… Light.

He heard the Ryuk say something about Mikami not knowing his affiliation with Light. There was a pause, and he assumed Ryuk and Mikami was waiting for Light's reply.

"I wasn't actually keeping it from you. I just thought it was unnecessary to mention, since it's only for precautionary measures." He heard Light finally say. He smiled. As expected from his Light. No denial. He heard Mikami ask who was on the receiving end, and somehow L felt irritation build inside him. He wasn't sure why.

"I'm working with…L." L smiled, and chuckled to himself when he heard the expected gasp from Mikami. He heard Ryuk chuckle, and it sent another warning to his system. First he need to find out about the man named Ryuk, and his possible connections to other people. He knew the man wasn't an ordinary one. He could be Kira or anyone working for Kira. That would mean danger for Light. He bit his thumb, while thinking of other possibilities.

"Does my name sound really strange, Light-kun?" He finally said. As if on cue, Watari walked inside the room. The other team members watched him curiously waiting for his orders. Watari walked towards him.

"Ryuk. Everything." He told Watari, and the old man bowed before getting out of the room again. He ignored the others.

"What did you expect, L. Your name's like a taboo." Light replied, earning a chuckle from him.

"Hmm. I want to sulk right now, but I can't, can I?" He said.

"Yes, and I suggest you start moving now." Light said. He felt a faint trace of anxiety in Light's voice, but he wasn't sure. This was Light, after all. Very complex in every aspect.

"Yes, I suggest that too, Mr. Detective. I'll be taking your beauty away for a while." Ryuk suddenly said, sending another alarm to his system. He felt a surge of anxiety in his veins, although as usual, his poker face did not betray him. "Yagami Light, I suggest you remove that earpiece now."

"L." Light started, startling him. "I want apples when I get back. And I don't want to be raped." Light whispered, sending shivers down L's spine. The last word made his blood pulse in unexplainable fear, and it felt strange. Light's whisper somehow scared him. Light sounded helpless, although he knew Light would rather die first before sounding that way. It was as if something was really going to happen to Light, to his Light, and it scared him.

Ignoring the weird feeling in his system he started,

"Light-kun." Light said nothing. Switching to his whispering voice, he continued. "My things are mine alone."

"Egoistic bastard."

That reply made him feel a ton better. He waited for Light to continue speaking, but only silence followed. He turned to the team members.

"I want the list of all individuals named Ryuk registered here in Japan. I want it now." The remaining team members nodded in understanding and immediately scurried off to do what they were told.

L turned to the intercom.

"Watari?"

"Found some profiles with Ryuk as their name. Some have Ryuk as alias." Watari immediately replied. L chewed on his thumb. He badly wanted some sweets now, but he wondered whether he could eat them in his state now. "Sweets, L?" Watari asked, and he stopped chewing his thumb.

"It's alright. No need, Watari." He answered, then started chewing again.

"It's amazing how much control Light Yagami has on you."

"True." L simply replied.

"It's quite perplexing that you yourself are aware of it, yet you allowed it."

"I did. Did it make me a lesser person?" L said, thanking Watari for starting the talk. It somehow calmed him a bit.

"No, of course not. I think you're better now. I prefer this L." Watari replied, and L smiled genuinely.

"Yes. I thought you'd say that."

"It kind of scares me yet it makes me happy that you are not that bothered with the effect Light Yagami has on you. You really love him that much?"

L chuckled. Then with a serious tone he said,

"Yes. And I don't want to lose him."

"Very well. You'll get your information in a few minutes, then." Watari replied, ending the conversation.

He turned to his laptop and started working again. Kira, Ryuk or whoever bastard may come, but nothing could take his Light away from him. He wasn't L for nothing, after all.

Resisting the urge to sigh, he decided to focus all his attention on the screen in front of him.

--

"Master?" Light asked. If Ryuk's master wanted to see them so badly, then this would be related to the Kira case. There were only two possibilities. Either the master's an ally, or the enemy himself. He had a feeling it is the latter.

"Oh? Didn't I mention it? My master's Kira." Ryuk replied, scratching his head. Light wasn't surprised to hear that, although he knew he should be alarmed since Kira seems to be eager to know him. For what reason, he had no idea. He felt the expected surge of anger within him. Finally. He was going to meet Kira. The nightmares would finally stop haunting him. He would make sure of that.

Ryuk and Mikami did not seem to notice the change in his expression, and he congratulated his perfectly controlled facial muscles for that. He glanced at Mikami, and he almost laughed at the visible change in Mikami's expression, but he restrained himself. Really. He should be anxious right now, but it seemed like the situation here wasn't giving him any stress at all. Of course, he would be lying if he were to deny that he's really eager to know Kira's identity. In fact, he's more than eager. Kira killed his family, after all. He would finally be able to meet the bastard. But Kira seemed so… boring. Well, his previous moves may have been unpredictable before, but sending a Ryuk to fetch his enemy was so… cliché. And frankly, he was so disappointed and frustrated. He expected more from the man who killed his family.

"Let us not waste our time here, Yagami Light and Mikami Teru. I'm sure L should have sent someone to scout here. It would be less trouble for me if we leave now." Ryuk suddenly said, breaking through his thoughts.

Light was sure now that Ryuk wasn't just your ordinary messenger. He seemed dull and smart at the same time.

"Didn't it occur to you that I may retaliate since I hate your master so much?" Light asked. He was trying to stall some time so that the ones sent by L, probably Mogi or Ukita, he assumed, would have the chance to know what was happening and report the situation to L immediately.

"Hmm? Your delaying tactics won't work on me, so I suggest you stop it. Haha!"

Light was surprised, although he did not show it. It was a bad move; still, he wanted to try it to test the capabilities of the man.

"You really are interesting and dull at the same time." Light replied, earning a chuckle from Ryuk.

"I get that a lot." Ryuk said, grinning. Ryuk stood up, forcing Light and Mikami to do the same. They heard a car stop in front of the house, and Light was certain it wasn't Ukita or Mogi. "Shall we go now?" Ryuk finally said, his wider grin suddenly giving Light a faint feeling of fear.

Ryuk led the way to the car. When they got inside the vehicle, Light was surprised to only see the driver. There were no other men inside the vehicle. Is Ryuk really that capable of handling both of them?

"Don't worry, he's not Kira." Ryuk said, laughing a little.

Light glared at Ryuk.

"You think I didn't notice?" He said, and the man raised his hands in defense.

"My bad, my bad. I forgot you're the Light Yagami who has superior brains." Ryuk said, chuckling.

Light sent another glare, effectively making the man stop chuckling.

"I have a question, Yagami Light." Ryuk said, and Light raised an eyebrow in response. Mikami stared at Ryuk as well, and they both waited for the question. Ryuk gestured for the driver to start driving then faced Light again.

"Who's the bottom?" Ryuk finally asked, still grinning.

--

The boring default ring tone of his cell phone shook L out of his thinking. He fished the gadget out of his pocket, saw it was Mogi and immediately pressed the answer key. Matsuda and Aizawa nervously and curiously watched him.

"Mogi-san." L started.

"They already left. They're already gone when we arrived." Mogi answered, and felt himself deflate.

"And the state of the living room?" He replied, biting his thumb.

"Clean. No traces of anything that could indicate some resistance from Yagami-san and Teru-san."

"Alright, look around again, and call me if you find anything. I'll be there in a few minutes." L said, ending the call. He bit his thumb hard. So Light willingly went with Ryuk. So the situation's less worse than he assumed. He turned to his laptop and composed an email to a friend then turned to Matsuda and Aizawa.

"We will be meeting a friend of mine who will help us in sketching the face of Ryuk. Matsuda-san will be the one asking for information about Ryuk."

"Face? You already have an idea who the man is?" Aizawa asked.

L nodded.

"Yes, Aizawa-san. Light-kun is not a genius for nothing." He simply replied, then turned to his laptop once more. "And continue gathering information about people named Ryuk, just in case."

He checked his inbox, and finding the message he was waiting for, he finally felt a little relieved.

--

Light was surprised. Shocked, in fact. He felt his face grow hot.

"Excuse me?" He replied, and Ryuk just chuckled.

"I said—

"I heard you." Light immediately said, and glared at the man. Mikami glanced at him, asking him silently what it was but he ignored him. "I'm not sleeping with L. I'm straight."

Mikami turned to face him, and Ryuk laughed at the prosecutor's expression.

"Really? Then you're with Mikami then?"

Light's glare tripled, and he was sure Mikami was more than eager to hear his answer.

"I'm not. And I told you I'm straight." Light replied, and he didn't miss the faint expression of hurt in Mikami's eyes. He inwardly rolled his eyes. Dammit! Does he really look gay? And a bottom on top of that?!

"Oh. My bad. Haha" Ryuk simply, replied, and Light knew the man didn't believe his words. He was about to open his mouth to reply, but the car suddenly stopped in front of a tall building.

Ryuk turned to glance at Mikami, then at him.

"We're here. Welcome to hell."

--

AN: Reviews please. I hope you liked the chapter. I was planning to make it longer, but I ran out of words. Sorry. ^_^' I will try to update sooner. Thanks for reading again!