Chapter 17: No Turning Back
Wow…I haven't written in quite a while, sorry guys! I still love you! Anyways after this I have three other chapters planned and then an epilogue. These will be longer chapters, or so I'll try. So yea…..on to the story….
L and Luna slowly made their way to the stairs and proceeded down to the others. Luna was actually hiding her sadness. Finally, she had a chance with L. They were both old enough and now she knew L loved her too, and she had to leave. She didn't want to leave, but Candice needed her. Either way she probably couldn't protect L anyway. Half shinigami or not she couldn't fight a full shinigami. Luna didn't know how, but she had a feeling Light would use Rem to do it. That was why Misa was here, other than protecting his secret; he could use Rem, even more so since Light held her death note. She could do nothing, and she hated it. She hated herself. If she were stronger then L would live, Wammy would live, and Ace and Beyond would still be alive. She was useless. Then again, why hadn't Ryuk turned her over to the other shinigami? Why had Rem mentioned nothing? Was Ryuk protecting her? Come to think of it she hadn't seen any other shinigami since being here. Usually she would see plenty and have to flee. Why did Ryuk want her to live? Sure, he said she was just his entertainment, but somehow it seemed that wasn't it. And now she was about to leave. How many shinigami would she see then? Could she still protect herself? Her eyes narrowed a bit, now she was sure she had to leave. She was letting herself become spoiled. She was safe here, meaning she hadn't had to fight off or hide from other shinigami. She was becoming soft and less guarded. Luna looked to L who was beside her. He seemed to be off in his mind too. Soon they both made it to the door they needed and L opened it. "Are you feeling better?" Matsuda asked Luna as soon as she walked in.
"Yes, no need to worry" she responded
"Good"
L went to his computer. Before he went upstairs he told them she wasn't feeling well. Now she just had to tell them about leaving, but she would tell them when she was ready. Light merely glanced at her then back at his computer screen. Mr. Yagami smiled at her then continued his work. The others said nothing. "However I must excuse myself to make a phone call" Luna told them and walked out going down the stairs and outside.
"Phone call? Since when did she have a phone?" Matsuda asked
"She's always had one" L told him
"Oh, I guess she just never uses it"
"Exactly, she uses it for important things only"
"Doesn't sound like any woman I know, most seem to talk on the phone for hours" Mr. Yagami stated with a chuckle
"Luna's always been different" L responded typing something
Mr. Yagami nodded in understanding. No one else seemed to notice the tone L used. Yes, it was still monotone, but it held a certain vibe to it. Mr. Yagami knew that tone. He used it whenever he spoke of his wife. He drew a conclusion from that. L loved Luna; however, the tone also seemed sad. He thought of asking about it, then decided against it. This was not his business. Light rubbed his eyes. The computer screen was getting on his nerves. He was also annoyed because Misa was clingier than ever and it was very annoying. Thankfully she was at a photo shoot. Also, every time he thought about killing L, and got closer to doing it he began to feel guilty. He didn't want to feel guilty. He was God! How could just one person make him doubt? And Luna she knew he was Kira and said nothing, why? She didn't have evidence, but there was something about her too. She was intriguing and infuriating at the same time. His list of enemies kept growing. They had to be eliminated. He needed to forget about feelings for them. All feelings toward them had to be negative; he couldn't lose his drive now. A god never would.
~meanwhile~
Luna made it outside, it was already getting dark, and flipped open her phone hitting the "4" button. Putting the phone to her ear she waited for ring. Then someone picked up "Hello?"
"Riley, it's me"
"Lu-Luna! I haven't heard from you in a while missy"
"Yea, sorry about that, but I need you to do some things for me"
"I'm listening"
"Good, I need you to get me the fastest transportation you know to get me to Loire Valley, France in two days. I then need a semiautomatic pistol, maybe two. Also, I need you to set me up with a car once I get there, unless I'm able to take my bike with."
"You sure are asking a lot, Lun"
"You saying you can't do it?" Luna replied
"Are you kidding? Of course I can!"
"Then get it done"
"Alright, it'll be done in two days. I'll message you when ready. Oh, and Happy Birthday"
"Thanks"
"Yea, yea go do whatever else you need to do. I have work to do you know" Riley teased
Luna closed her phone and smiled. 'Two days' she thought smile wavering as she turned and walked back inside. Entering back into the room only a few looked at her; that being L, Matsuda, Mr. Yagami, and Light. She cleared her throat and the others looked up. "Well, it's been nice working with you guys, buy my services are needed elsewhere"
"How so?" Light asked
"A friend of mine who is working on the Shadow Thief case called and has asked for my help. I know this case is important; however, we have a large team and one less probably won't hurt much. They need more people, and as the Shadow Thief made herself connected to Kira I can help with both, but my primary focus will now be the Shadow Thief."
"So, you're leaving?" Matsuda asked sadly
"You are beneficial here" Mr. Yagami stated
"Yes I am leaving, and thank you, but I can see you all can handle yourselves" Luna told them calmly
"When do you leave?" Light asked
Luna saw the flash of mischief in his eyes that he tried to hide "I leave in two days" then she added "Don't worry though Light, I can always keep some contact."
L smirked slightly, but it went unnoticed. Light forced a smile "Good, it'd be a pity to waste such an opportunity."
"Yea, it's like catching two birds with one stone" Matsuda said
Luna smiled "That's exactly what it is."
"It's a shame to see you go, but good opportunities should not be passed up." Mr. Yagami told her
Luna nodded in agreement and picked up her laptop "Yes and there is work to be done, so let's focus on that"
Failing to focus she stared at the computer screen. 'Why am I so upset I knew all of this is temporary?' She wondered to herself. Luna's violet eyes saw Rem's reflection on the computer screen. She looked sad. Watari soon came in with L's usual treats and Luna couldn't help looking above their heads. 'So soon?' Luna thought to herself. The numbers were smaller now. So, Rem didn't want to do this. Luna's eyes shifted to Light who was slightly glaring at his computer screen. 'I don't even want to know what he's thinking'. She tried to focus again after wasting time looking around. Soon people started leaving and Misa arrived. Her and Light went to their room. Eventually Luna and L were alone. Luna closed her laptop and stood up. L looked at her when she was beside him. "Who did you call?"
"Does it matter?"
"It might"
"Well it doesn't" Luna told him then added "You should call them"
"That's probably not a good idea"
"Come on, we both know you're not going to bed any time soon and since it's 1AM here it'd be 4PM there, which is about an hour after they get to go outside and two hours before dinner."
"Or is it just you don't want to talk to them?" Luna added after
"I'll call them tomorrow. I have work to do"
"Lawli, just call them"
"I think it's a good idea as well" Watari added making both jump in surprise
L sighed "Put me through then"
~If you people were wondering yes this is basically just like the part it shows when the kids were gathered in a room asking L questions in both the anime and manga~
After two hours of chatting with said young Wammy kids L closed the chat window(it only produces sound) and looked at Watari and Luna "That wasn't as bad as I thought."
"Told you" Luna said with a snicker
Watari stood up from where he was sitting and left leaving the two alone. L just shook his head at Luna's previous antics. Luna giggled and walked over hugging him from behind. "I think they just like knowing you care."
"I do care."
"Make sure they remember that, even if you do play favorites."
"It's not like I meant for that to happen."
"But it did happen."
"Yes, even Watari feels the same."
"Well, we were the smartest."
"And strangest" L pointed out
"And now there's only three left there"
"Everyone made their own decisions"
"True, have you decided between Near and Mello?"
"No, and I haven't chosen any others either"
"I pointed those two because they are the top two, and I know Matt's too lazy to do it. Plus, he'd rather be a hacker" Luna told him
"I know" L replied
"Though it would be best to just forget about it all" commented making L look at her
"None of us realized how deep the consequences went" Luna added after thinking a minute
"Roger told you what was expected"
"Yea, but it went much further than all that. I think the only two who ever wanted to be the next "L" were, well are, Near and Mello"
"Things change all the time, even you tell me that" L responded
"I know, but not the way we ever thought. I mean BB killed people and all of it was for nothing. Just a little game he made up in his head and all for a false happiness for all of us. He hated you, and couldn't let it go until the end. The pressure can break a person." She told him
"It did break people" L agreed
"And it probably still will"
"Yes, it probably will"
"Though not all broken things are bad, I think I turned out okay" Luna said with a smirk
"You're not broken" L urged
Luna stood up now releasing L from her hug. "Not as bad as some of the others maybe, but I'm definitely not I don't know the word, whole, I guess"
L stood looking her in her eyes, well the visible one anyway. He slowly pushed the hair out of her other eye. "You're wrong" he assured
Luna blushed lightly he was very close to her, plus she had never been told something like that before. They stood silent for a moment before L slowly leaned down and kissed her. Watari, who was in his bat cave, happened to look up at this moment. Smiling slightly he flipped off the camera to their area. Luna kissed back immediately and subconsciously moved closer. L's hands wrapped around her hips bringing her closer, and her hands made their way around his neck. They split apart for air after a moment, their breathing heavy. "You're perfect" L whispered in her ear.
"Not true"
"To me you are at least"
"Lawli, I don't know how this will turn out. I…I think I love you, but I'm scared." Luna admitted
"There is no definite way to tell what happens next; however, it is up to us what happens now. A leap of faith is perhaps in order." L told her
"We don't have much time" Luna reminded 'Man why does all this have to happen now? I want more time with him' she was looking down and her eyes narrowed 'I can't be selfish. I can't become spoiled'
"I know"
"I wasn't meant to be happy"
"You weren't meant to be a lot of things. It doesn't mean you are incapable"
"It's late"
"You're changing the subject" L pointed out
"Well, it is four in the morning. I'm tired" Luna retorted
"You're also a liar then"
"Me?!" Luna said in mock shock (ha that rhymed….yea I'm lame I know)
"Or are you just trying to get me in your room?" L questioned
Luna blushed slightly 'I wasn't thinking that way'. "That's not what I was saying at all, but sure" Luna said with a smirk appearing.
L was only kidding, but now the idea seemed promising. So, when Luna turned and began walking he followed. They again took the stairs and ended up in front of Luna's door, which shut tightly behind them.
~A few hours later~ Whatever happened within here is up to your imagination~
They returned downstairs and as usual were the first awake. Soon the others came down, or arrived and work began again. Luna excused herself to pack her things and as she climbed the steps her phone rang.
She had received a text: 25-15-21-18 16-12-1-14-5 23-9-12-12 1-18-18-9-22-5 1-20 13-9-4-14-9-7-8-20 and a GSP location.
'Your plane will arrive at midnight, how original Riley, use the alphabet letter number. That's like one of the oldest tricks ever' She thought and memorizing the location deleted the text. Luna began packing her clothes and extra things into her duffle bag and then something fell out of a book she had. They were pictures. Luna sat on the edge of her bed and picked them up. She smiled looking at the first one. In this picture she was sitting on Ace with a big grin and BB and Mello off slightly to the side were laughing. Ace looked like he couldn't breathe, but she knew he was faking it. The next photo was of her and Nova they had toy guns and were standing back to back with guns pointed out. She sat it on top of the other. The next one was all of them asleep in the lounge. Nova, Mello and Matt all used Luna as a pillow. She was using Beyond as a pillow and Near was curled up beside Ace who was beside Luna. The final photo was of her, L, and Watari. Luna looked like she was about to attack the photographer in this photo and L was smiling slightly. Watari had a hand on both of their shoulders. She then realized her cheeks were wet. Wiping away her tears she stood up, she didn't remember when she began crying. Luna gently placed the photos back in the book and placed the book in her bag. She sighed and walked into the bathroom taking a shower. Luna then made her way back downstairs. She stopped at the door with her hand on the door knob. 'Last time I'll probably see any of these people' she thought turning the handle and walking in. She was confused when in front of her sat a table with food and a cake in the middle. She was then assaulted with confetti. Brushing it off violet eyes scanned the faces of everyone. "We wanted to throw you a going away party" Matsuda told her
"Very thoughtful, but I'm not a party person" she replied
"Well, we've thrown a party anyway so let's enjoy it" Mr. Yagami said to her
Luna smiled a little "Fine, it'd be a shame to waste such good looking food"
A few hours later after cleaning up, and some goodbyes Luna found herself on the roof with L. "So, you leave tonight." L stated more than questioned
"Yea" Luna responded quietly taking a deep breath and staring at the sky where the stars were beginning to come out.
"It really has been nice having you help"
Luna turned and looked at him "Would you quit being so formal? I've known you my whole life yet you don't act that way"
"Not your whole life"
"I had no life before going to Wammy's. Not one I care, nor want to remember anyway."
"That part of your life still existed"
"I'm aware of that. I actually cannot forget it, though I would like to."
"Was it really that bad?"
"Yea, watching my parents get slaughtered by shinigami, and then being passed from place to place through the system. That was great, having to watch as people's lives come closer and closer to their end. Not understanding why I've had to hide from both shinigami and humans for the longest time, also great."
"Okay, so bad"
"Until I met people who gave my life meaning, who give my life meaning. I guess even then it's turned out bad too." Luna told him
"Would you do it all again even if the outcomes were the same?" L questioned
"Without a doubt" Luna answered then added "Plus, the story is not over yet"
"When is it over then?" L inquired
Luna smirked "When I'm six feet under"
"Then hopefully the story is a lot longer"
"It won't be. Besides I have to go out with a bang. So, first I'll need to do something worthwhile"
"Catching Kira isn't worthwhile?"
"That's exactly what I plan"
"How exactly?"
"That's the part I'm still figuring out, Lawli"
L nodded in understanding as Luna looked at her phone. "It's getting late"
"You should probably get going then" L hesitantly told her
Luna took a couple steps toward him until she was in front of him. "This might be the last time we see each other"
"I know" L admitted
Luna gently cupped his cheek and brought him closer to her. She then herself leaned up and their lips touched gently. Luna then took a step further bringing their bodies closer and adding pressure to the kiss. L responded by pulling her closer. They parted for breath and touched foreheads. "I have to go now" Luna reminded.
L slowly followed her back inside and they descended the stairs. Once they reached the first floor Luna finally let go of L's hand and grabbed her duffle bag. With one last look at him she turned and walked back out going to the lobby. L watched on a monitor as she waved at the camera one last time and left out the door. Climbing onto her motorcycle Luna looked at the building on last time. The engine roared to life and she faced forward once more "Goodbye Lawli".
As she rode away she was very aware that she would never see L or Watari again. She was also aware that all she could do was move forward. There was no turning back. So, off into the night she rode her mind focusing on what she needed to do now.