FrappeG: *huff huff*
Yume: You really were getting busy on updating this fanfic of yours eh?
FrappeG: My hands are having spasms… from too much typing…
Response to Yumeri: I know the previous chapter's title phrase seem to come from some movie. I admit, there may be some influence from some movie but I don't recall. The 'stick of a panda' is something I came up with referring to L. Because Pandas are supposed to be fat and L is a stick, the title was intentionally insulting L.
Ayame: Yumeri, DID YOU JUST CALL ME EMO!!!!??? I'M NOT EMO!!!
Alan M: You little #$#$! I AM MADONNA!!!
Yume: *eyes rolling* Right…
Yume: By the way, FrappeG, you should thank that reader over there. She's one of the persons responsible for increasing your reviews.
*points at animegirl665*
FrappeG: I can imagine! She must've read everything in one day! Thanks animegirl665 for giving me so many reviews ^^
Yume: Also, let's not forget to thank DaAmazingMeepers for betareading this story!
FrappeG: I did not receive your review for this chapter, so I proceeded and published it.
L: Should I really be wearing this tux?
FrappG: fan service for Xxloves his golden eyesxX
L: *groans*
FrappeG: Hey, someone made a guest appearance!
Matsuda: Hi, fans! Do you miss me?
FrappeG: Trust me, they don't and they won't. You're appearance is way too brief.
Matsuda: :'-(
FrappeG: Remember, I categorized this fanfic as anime x-overs, meaning there are characters from other anime that will eventually appear. Read on :)
Chapter 21
"You're hiding something!"
An enjoyable game of 'Tap Tap Revenge' preoccupied Ayame and Ryuuzaki after their meaningless discussion regarding Ryuuzaki's gender enigma. At first, Ayame was glad she won the first round of the Tap Tap challenge but then Ryuuzaki, as always, quickly caught up and won the next succeeding battles over her iPod.
Sick of being beaten at her game, Ayame and kicked Ryuuzaki's leg in frustration. She'd have to be accustomed to losing since her friend, Ryuuzaki, is so damn gifted.
They have been staying at the table for two straight hours, concentrating only on the games from the Ipod until the gadget's battery ran out. They did not care nor even took effort in conversing with the other visitors of the party. Not until one peculiar little girl approached their table.
"Hi, you guys! Remember me?"
The petite lass with huge brown eyes asked them while placing the tray of dessert on their table, expectation intense in her expression. Her black chiffon short dress, which was a uniform for the waitresses of the party, indicated that she works for the catering Alan M hired for the occasion.
"Eris?" Ayame responded with a doubtful tone.
"YOU DO REMEMBER!!!!" The hyperactive girl launched herself at Ayame hugging her tightly. Ayame found the deed overrated since they weren't that close to begin with though she appreciated the girl's openness. Unable to display the same level of affection, Ayame merely stiffened in between the girl's arms. Ayame looked over the girl's shoulder and met Killua's eyes.
"Eris, you're bugging her." Killua scolded.
Eris released the asphyxiated Ayame and turned to face Killua. "NO! I'm not! We're friends!"
Killua shook his head in disagreement. He grabbed Eris by her shoulders to restrict the manic lass' movements.
Eris protested. "Don't touch me!"
"You'd have to excuse her, Ayame. She is a fan of yours." Killua said, ignoring Eris struggle to shake off his grope on her shoulders.
"Oh?" Having fans surprised Ayame.
A boy of about Killua's age, with hair that stood at their ends and large oval eyes loomed next to Killua. But before he spoke to Killua he greeted Ayame and Ryuuzaki first with a curt bow.
"Hi! I'm Gon! It's nice to meet you, again!" Done with his brief introduction, he turned to Killua and whispered something in his ear. Killua nodded after he was done whispering and excused himself and Eris.
"Please enjoy this mango float." Eris said to Ayame before they left, pointing to the dessert tray she put on their table previously. With a smile, she added. "I made it especially for you!"
Ryuuzaki did not speak throughout the interaction but only carried out suspicious glances at Eris, Killua and Gon. He sensed an enthralling aura from that these young attendants. Killua was most inexplicable of the three. There was something dark about him.
Nibbling on the tip of his thumb, Ryuuzaki bore his eyes on the backs of the three suspected teenagers as they went away.
"Ryuuzaki! This mango float is heavenly!!!!" A gratified Ayame exclaimed. Ryuuzaki looked in her direction. "Here have some!"
His suspicions were forgotten the next instant Ayame forced a slice of mango float into his mouth.
"Isn't it, sweet?" Ayame questioned, expecting yes for an answer.
"Sweet indeed... in more ways than one…" Ryuuzaki mumbled quietly, chewing and savoring the taste of the food.
She blinked. "I beg your pardon?"
"Nothing" He said dismissingly.
Ayame narrowed her eyes at him. She dragged her chair nearer to his. Putting her self right beside him, she demandingly nudged him on the side.
"You're hiding something!" She accused.
"Would that matter to you?"
"Well…" Ayame bit her lip and thought for a moment. He had a point for asking that. "I'm just curious! Cut me some slack, Ryuuzaki, and crack up already! I can't stand it when you're being so secretive!"
"My thoughts are my own. We are new friends, but I am not bound to share any of such. "
Ryuuzaki almost regretted having ever said it after seeing a look of hurt in Ayame's countenance. She distanced her self slightly, her motion weakening with apparent disappointment.
"… You do have some point…" Ayame pouted comically, masking her distress.
Ryuuzaki wanted to remain adamant about his belief on being strict about his privacy and that only friends (as if he have much of them) that has gained his trust deserved such answers. Ayame was not to be trusted yet. It's too soon. But when he looked at how upset Ayame was, his tenacity nearly dithered with indecision.
Ayame finished what remained of her mango float. Its aftertaste left her tongue bitter. Her taste perceptions altered due to her dismay.
Well, what do you expect? Stupid Ayame! Of course, Ryuuzaki, a sociopathic shut-in, would refuse my ominous demand!
"…Jerk" Ayame murmured sullenly.
Ryuuzaki heard the brief comment that was intentionally addressed to him. He did not look at her. He sat motionless on his seat in silence.
Isn't this what she deserved for being so nosy? I shouldn't be feeling any regret. I did what I had to do in order to keep myself from unnecessary relationships.
He glanced at her sideways. He wanted to tell her.
Ayame, you might as well leave me well enough alone…
Cruel, it's true. Ryuuzaki had always kept in mind the importance of keeping his real identity. He knew that being confidential to someone that doesn't belong to the task force or anyone for that matter would be a major risk. Ayame was too curious; chary beyond measure.
Even if he situated himself in To-Oh Academy in order to expand his perspective of the world, it doesn't mean that he has to reveal himself as the renowned detective L. Only a select few, such as Light and some of the chosen task force members, are reasonably allowed to know who he truly was.
Though throughout, he realized that his presence in this place was contradictory to his motive of maintaining his status as a social recluse. What was it that brought him here? He did not understand it fully, either.
TOINK!
A strand of Ryuuzaki's lock bobbed up separating itself from the remaining gelled hair. Ryuuzaki quickly reached on top of his head to pin the rebellious strand down. Then more strands sprouted from the other sides and he had to use both of his massive hands to tame the dark sprouts.
What's happening? The hair product's effects are wearing off…?
Sensing a change in Ryuuzaki's composure, Ayame asked. "Ryuuzaki are you alright?"
"No, I'm fine…"
"Are you sure?" She peered at him. "You look pale…well, paler than usual…"
The once straight stature of Ryuuzaki has now been bent. He clutched at his temples and wipe beads of sweat. The metallic brace on his back was losing its effect in assisting with his posture. He heard the metal squeak on his back, losing its strength in holding him upright.
Ayame thought, that's odd…, the hall's air conditioner was set to full blast. What was his problem?
"Is your stomach in crisis?" Ayame questioned, growing more concerned.
"No…no..it's…" Ryuuzaki immediately stood from his seat and rushed away.
"HEY! Ryuuzaki!" Ayame called after him. He did not look back; he only stopped to ask the waiter where the bathroom was.
"Wait!!! Ryuuzaki!!!"
Ayame dabbed a napkin to her lips to remove chunks of sweets away. She abandoned the table and chased Ryuuzaki, bumped into people as she did.
What was wrong with him? Ryuuzaki had entered the men's comfort room; his posture crouched more than ever. Is his stomach aching that much?
****
In the men's room, a man in his middle twenties named Matsuda was whistling while peeing on the urinal. He watched his reflection in the mirror admiring his good looks. He had all the time he needed to worship his reflection in private with the comfort room deserted until a crouched tall pale figure busted open the door and went straight for one of the cubicle. He thought the guy was funny for having diarrhea.
Surprisingly a woman followed after the dude. She yelled. "RYUUZAKI!"
"What the *$%#!!!" Matsuda gasped.
Matsuda's eyes turned to wide UFO saucers; he hurriedly fixed his fly and turned his back at the indignant woman who had less respect for men attending to their physiologic needs. She seemed not to notice him there. Matsuda scooted out of the men's room leaving only Ryuuzaki and Ayame in the comfort room.
"Ryuuzaki! Open up! Tell me what's wrong!?"
"Ayame, this is the men's room!"
"I don't care!"
"I- I can't let myself be seen like this…" she heard him mumble from inside the cubicle.
"What do you mean?"
No answer.
"If you don't answer me, I'll crawl under the cubicle door!"
Does she really have to be like this? Forcing people to open themselves up to her just to satiate her curiosity? Ryuuzaki made no effort in answering her, praying that she would leave him alone. He knew it was wrong to be in this place to begin with. It was Light who forced him to have that hellish make-over and brought him here.
Somewhere in the middle of all this mess, Ryuuzaki had thought that it wasn't as bad as he thought it would be. But because of Ayame's overwhelmingly inquisitive disposition, he found it rather annoying. She is fun but the fun ends when she starts to interrupt his privacy.
"DAMN IT!" Ayame crawled under, sprawling her hands on the cold tile. Good thing, it wasn't that dirty, since the comfort room was relatively unused.
With strain, she passed under the gap under the cubicle and angled her head to look at Ryuuzaki. His back on her, his position in his usual crouched with his feet set atop on the covered toilet. He turned to her gradually, unable to believe that she would actually crawl there.
Ryuuzaki stared with equal fright at her. He remembered the image of Samara from the movie; the Ring. This was because of Ayame's long hair getting all tangled. Ryuuzaki's wicked stare of fright scared her as well, she jerked her head in surprise causing her head to bump on the cubicle door above and then hit her forehead on the floor.
"Ayame!!"
That was so stupid! Ryuuzaki thought as he opened the cubicle door. He kneeled down next to and adjusted the seemingly unconscious Ayame. He turned her slowly so that she would lay in supine. While supporting her shoulders and her back, he was able to observe that she was shaken, but there was a shrewd smile on her face.
What is she thinking?
"Ryuuzaki…" She mumbled like a drunk. "Gotcha out, didn't I…?"
Like a proud wounded soldier, she smirked at the knowledge of her victory.
A/N: The TOINK above is meant to be the special sound effects of Ryuuzaki's hair standing out. :D
As you noticed, this fanfic does not have an antagonist. I merely focused on the characters' personality and thoughts, especially Ayame and Ryuuzaki's. That's why I have two POVs. (points of view) But I am sorry if the story confuses you. I will try to improve my writing style. I figured since this is a deathnote fanfic, more character thoughts are to be incorporated since deathnote is, in a sense, a psychological anime. Not much action. More human interaction but no fighting. In this fanfic, it is the new girl Ayame (my OC) I am trying to develop and also Ryuuzaki. I am trying to make Ryuuzaki as non-OOC as much as I can. You see in this chapter that Ryuuzaki is getting quite annoyed by Ayame's attitude.I think he's more himself now that he is in the previous chapters.
What do you think? Does this work out? I know there are those who find Ryuuzaki's OOCness funny, but I want Ryuuzaki to be himself, as well. But not in a way that will completely separate him from Ayame and the rest of the characters. :)
Well... Gotta go!