FrappeG: Ah! This ought to be good!
Yume: And why would it be?
FrappeG: -grins- just read on!
Yume: -reads- oh crap...romance!!!
FrappeG: PRUDE!
FrappeG: Hi again! Well, I updated as soon as I can! So here you go! Thanks DaAmazingMeepers for betareading this chap, and to all the readers who favorited, author alerted, story alerted and reviewed, I thank you!
To everyone else, thank you!!! And I warn you might get confused with my mixture of POVs here. :P
DISCLAIMER: I don't own death note, obviously, and I don't own Christina Aguilera's Lady Marmalade! Sigh...
Chapter 23
"Incubus"
Ryuuzaki and Ayame rode the elevator down in the ground floor, determined to get away from the place. Since the party hall where Ryan's birthday was celebrated was on this floor too, they had to sneak quietly passed them. Ayame lead the way and Ryuuzaki trailed after her. She clearly had much experience in sneaking out of parties such as this.
Just then, Alan M began another performance and Ryuuzaki couldn't help but watch for a minute as to what Alan L's next number is going to be.
Alan M changed costume this time. Now, he looked like a cross between an obese flamingo and a pig. Alan M's costume was tight fitting swimsuit that only homos and showgirls can dare themselves to wear.
Alan M wore fishnet stockings, magenta high-heeled sandals and a matching large magenta colored feather stuck on his head dress. What a revolting sight. Alan M's rather plump shape made him look worse. But he stood on stage full of vigor and confidence.
He was the all time host and now the star of the party.
Wasn't this supposed to a formal party? What happened here?
Then a upbeat music started and everyone danced to the rhythm, including Ryan. Probably the champagne got to them. The place looked more like a gay bar now. Not a very good place to stay unless you want to be raped by some random homo who'd willingly do it with you on the serving table. Gross…
Then Alan M started to sing.
Gitchi Gitchi ya ya da da
Gitchi Gitchi ya ya hee
Mocha chocolate ya ya
CREOLE LADY MARMALADE!!!!!!
He danced wildly on the stage, his face red from too much wine.
Oh my God…The City of SIN right before my very eyes!
"Ryuuzaki stop gaping there!" Ayame grabbed hold of Ryuuzaki's arm and led him out of the hall. Ryuuzaki looked about searching for Misa and Light but he did not find them.
When they got outside the building, a light drizzle began to fall and people were busy seeking shelter. As for them two, they would rather walk along the side walks than go back inside. Who knows what was happening at the party now that Alan M was losing control? Ryuuzaki did not want to know, he was certain he wouldn't like it.
Ayame stretched her arms up the air, smiling to herself. She was very glad to have gotten out. So was Ryuuzaki.
"Race ya up to that lamppost blocks away!" Ayame challenged him.
"So this is what you meant by adventure?"
She galloped ahead and he followed. She was almost winning but then her heels snapped. Lucky she was that Ryuuzaki caught her for surely she would have landed on her face and knees.
"Darn!!!"
Ryuuzaki smirked. "You lose."
"Not that I allow!"
Ayame removed her cursed platinum sandals and carried it with her. Barefoot, she continued the race. As fast as she could she leapt on one powerful leg .And by the time she reached the lamppost she leapt with joy on one foot since the other one was sprained.
"I WON!!! I WON!!! Ryuuzaki, you're the LOSER!!!" She stuck out a tongue at him. Ryuuzaki was appalled by her actions.
"You'd rather get sprain your ankle than lose against me? You really are something, aren't you, Ayame?"
"You should've known that beforehand. Never take me lightly!" She winked. And as usual, Ryuuzaki felt a thrill brought about by that girlish wink gesture of hers. It was provoking.
At last the sky could no longer hold on to the heavy weight of water vapor.
The rain had come so suddenly and profusely, that it only took a few seconds to completely drench the two. They found shelter inside an antique shop nearby. Its door was left open contrary to the sign posted on the door which said 'closed'. The need to avoid the cold eluded their judgment.
They disobeyed the sign and entered the ghastly confines of the shop. The shop itself looked antique with its cobwebs and dusty carpets on the floor. It would seem the owner did not even bother to clean and patch up the place. Thick velvet draping loomed over the walls excluding only the shop's front window.
"ATCHOOOOO!" sneezed Ayame after engulfing dust. The parsimonious allergens were mean to her lungs but she would have to bear with the place. It was all the shelter they've got as of the moment. Ayame paced the room slowly.
Noticing Ayame was limping, Ryuuzaki insisted that he assist her to the antique chair to sit down.
"You don't have to be so protective. I can do it myself." She took a few steps and felt a sharp pain on her feet.
Ryuuzaki grew impatient with her slow progress. "If you can't move any faster than that. then I guess I have to carry you."
"What?"
"Princess-style."
"ACK!!! Don't you dare- GASP!!!"
Ryuuzaki swooped his hands around her to pick her up and as he said, carry her princess-style.
"LET me go!!! LET ME GO!!! PUT ME DOWN!!!! I CAN'T STAND THIS!!!" She jabbed lightly at his chest then later found it futile. Instead she buried her face on to his shirt, to prevent him seeing how red her face was.
Shy she was with the intimate gesture Ryuuzaki ensued. He demanded her to let her have a look at her feet. Ayame meekly complied. He held the unaffected foot first, studying it closely.
"Your feet are extremely small Ayame. What's your shoe size?"
"It's 5."
"Ohhh…." Ryuuzaki made a funny face, tickling Ayame's toes. It made Ayame giggle. With keen interest, Ryuuzaki massaged her foot.
Damn, he's good! Maybe I should hire him to be my foot massager. He's way better than the women from the spa.
When Ryuuzaki stopped the massage, he took a closer look at her foot, tugging it near his face. Ayame had to struggle from falling off the edge of the bench amid holding her short dress to make sure Ryuuzaki wouldn't be able to see her underwear.
Sardonically, she asked him. "What?!!!"
"Have you ever heard of 'Lotus feet?"
"Can't say I have... Does that have something to do with feet smelling like flowers?"
Ryuuzaki chuckled. "No."
The sarcasm of Ryuuzaki's dark laugh made Ayame pout her lips and cross her arms.
"Well, forgive my lack of knowledge, Mr. Know-it-all!"
He went on to explain.
"Lotus feet refer to small feet. People of ancient China, specifically during the Song dynasty, believed women who have small feet are attractive. So they use foot binders and such. It's cute considering the shoe size they had to fit their feet in but, really, when they take them off, it's gruesome. The nails and the feet are bent and grotesque, a dreadful result from deprivation of space for growth. "
Arching her eyebrows, she can't deny the fact she was flattered and impressed by Ryuuzaki's comment and wisdom. Just how much was he able to put inside in that brain of his?
"Are you trying to tell me I'm attractive for having such small feet, Ryuuzaki?", said Ayame playfully, without meaning it.
"Is it that obvious?" he replied, staring back at her through mysterious eyes. Ayame had been taken aback by his blunt return question. No way! He's teasing her again! He knew the comment will embarrass her! It's all part of his plan! The guy's an expert liar. Unable to bear his eyes, she glanced away, diverted the conversation to another topic and said,
"I think I sprained my other ankle."
"Let me see" Ryuuzaki put the well foot down and took the other. Ayame winced slightly as he held on to her sprained limb.
"Look at what your carelessness has brought you. Your ankle is starting to swell."
"You really do sound like my dad!" Ayame said. Ryuuzaki ignored it.
"I'd have to call in Watari." Ryuuzaki said as he gently put her foot down. "We'll take you to your hotel room."
"No way! We just went out the Mille building! I don't want to go back!"
Going back would mean seeing Alan M and the others again. And questions would be raised due to their sudden disappearance from the party. That would be bothersome.
Ryuuzaki couldn't blame Ayame, so instead he offered his place for a momentary sanctuary. Besides, Watari will be available there to help treat her sprained ankle. Also, the Whammy kids will be a much better company for her.
"Fine. Let's go to my suite then. The kids would be thrilled to see you again." Ryuuzaki decided as he dialed on his phone. Somehow that device remained functional even after it got rained on.
Ayame grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, that's a better idea."
Ayame sat on the floor, leaning comfortably against a wall while watching Ryuuzaki poke one antique material after another. She preferred sitting flat than stay seated on the dusty antique chair despite knowing that the floor was more likely to be more accumulated with dust.
Preoccupied, she dazed at the sparkling gems which were sealed inside a glass confinement across her. Patiently they waited for Watari's arrival. Watching the gems was better than following the movements of the grandfather's clock pendulum bob.
Moments passed quietly. Eventually, Ryuuzaki had gotten bored and sat next to her.
"How long will this rain last?" Ayame stared past the window. The weather is not good. Rain poured harder than ever, the wind grew harsh and lightning flashes become more frequent followed by the disturbing sound of thunder.
Ryuuzaki answered. "Not as soon as you'd hope."
"How reassuring…" Ayame whined depressed.
"But I can assure you, Watari will arrive in a few minutes. He's a very punctual man." Said Ryuuzaki.
Ayame wondered how Watari was able to gain so much of Ryuuzaki's trust. She envied Watari in that area. But then again, it is to be expected since Watari was a very nice and loyal man. And also, the considerable length of time that Watari was with Ryuuzaki surely must have built a strong bond between the two.
How could she even compare the level of trust Ryuuzaki had given to Watari and the level of trust he gave her? No… actually, he did not trust her at all.
How thick. Maybe Ryuuzaki was right. She is too full of herself.
Her mind reeled on this and it took her a few moments before she said anything.
"Okay. I have faith in Watari, too. Wake me up when he gets here…"
Ryuuzaki watched her tuck herself into a ball, bracing her knees and legs. The hem of her skirt threatened to fall back to her thighs. Not that it makes much difference. Her peacock blue dress was wet, it attached to her thighs and other curves tightly making them definite. And her underwear outlined through the now semi-transparent cloth. See what wonders rain can do to a woman's clothing.
Ryuuzaki swallowed. He can't possibly be thinking doing something to her now. Ayame could've made a morally stable man turn into a rapist. He fought the intense sensation and looked away.
He felt Ayame move toward him to lean on him. He snapped his head to her, his body turned stiff. She breathed unsteadily, her eyes closed and her lips trembled. Ryuuzaki saw the bump on her forehead and actually felt the urge to kiss it, heal it. What a stupid random idea. When she shivered next to him, he placed his dorsal hand against her forehead.
She's having a fever!
"Ayame" he shook her.
She didn't respond.
"Ayame" She shook her again her head fell back helplessly. She let out a vague groan, her mind fuzzy. The fever made her out of sorts.
Swallowing again, he couldn't help but admire her smooth porcelain neck down to her clavicles, shoulders and the area above her breasts. He blinked. He leaned closer to her face, her pale lips quivering from the cold.
A soft warm kiss might do the trick to warm the ice princess. He looked around to make sure nobody would see. It wouldn't hurt anybody would it?
Perhaps…this would be payback time…
Last time, she was the one who kissed him when he was unconscious. Ryuuzaki briefly recalled Ayame's CPR procedures and with it he recalled the sweet taste of ambrosia; her lips. And now, he wanted to taste those plummy little lips of hers again.
Breathing in, he gathered all his guts to steal a kiss from her.
But unfortunately...
"ATCHOO!!!!!"
Ayame sneezed. Oh, great… Droplets of microorganisms and saliva were sprayed on Ryuuzaki's face.
Darn, the moment's gone…
Ryuuzaki mutely cursed himself. Despite knowing that it was ignominious to make advances to an unconscious lady, he behaved like a maniac. Well, he almost succeeded.
Maybe there will be a next time…?
………
Crap! What am I thinking!!??? This is completely wrong!! What's happening to me??!!
FrappeG: That's it, L! DO your thing!!
Fans: YES! YES! YES! They're going to kiss!!!
-L about to kiss, but it was hindered by Ayame's defense mechanism-
-Soon after-
FrappeG: OUCH!!! *gets hit by vegetables and stones, etc.*
Fans: BOOOO!!!!!!! *Keeps stoning FrappeG*
FrappeG: (^0^) LOL! I love giving people the cliffhangers!
Yume: Would you agree to be hanging off from a cliff, then? Wouldn't you agree readers?
Fans: -loved Yume's idea-
FrappeG: YUME, YOU TRAITOR!!!
A/N:
Hehehe, now L's about to make his move but sorry i had to spoil that 'cuz i still think it is too soon. ^^ Now, we will expecting the Whammy boys in the next chapter which I think readers would really like. Those kids got tons of fans! And they make this story more fun! I wish I could update soon though, sigh...
In this chapter: Little by little, Ayame attempts to gain L's trust. Now, L doesn't want this, he fears that Ayame will discover his long protected identity. Sigh...how complicated. Why can't he just sweep her off her feet and get it over and done with? Geez, this L guy is annoying! I'll explain more in the later chapters, as of now, I want you readers to think about it a little. Tee-hee :P
Oh and If you're wandering why I had the title incubus: I really hoped that title fit!
An incubus (plural incubi) is a demon in male form supposed to lie upon sleepers, especially women, in order to have sexual intercourse with them, according to a number of mythological and legendary traditions. (from wikipedia LOL)
The 'lotus feet' is another interesting topic we came across in our history class. Ah! It's good that we learn a little bit of something in a fanfic, eh?
So...who do you think is the incubus I'm referring to? ;) (nope, I'm not referring about the band. Virtual cookies for those who get it right! AHHA! Though it is quite obvious already.)