Disclaimer: Sadly all I own are my OCs, L plushie, and a ginormous pile of Halloween candy.

Chapter 15 Outings

"Now for the freshman address," a voice boomed out over the speakers. "Freshman representative Light Yagami." Light was greeted by thunderous applause as he made his way to the small stage. "And freshman representative, Hideki Ryuuga." L also stood, though the crowd's clapping was a bit distracted and off due to his appearance. I mouthed a, "good luck," in their general direction.

We were then treated to a boring, obviously scripted speech that went on about how we were embarking on some new chapter in our lives and that university was only the first step. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I tuned most of it out, instead deciding to listen to the gossip that flowed freely in the hall.

Most of it concerned L's looks, name, or intelligence though a few people went even farther to compare L to his counterpart on stage. A girl mentioned how she preferred L over Light and I found myself agreeing with her. Though I could have been slightly biased. One was not keen to go after one's brother.

L's version of the speech was hysterical. He held the paper in his typical delicate way causing his voice to be slightly muffled on the microphone. Couple that with his off key reading and strange speaking cadence and I was nearly rolling on the floor. Finally, the terrible ordeal was over. Light was bowing and Ryuzaki stood awkwardly next to him, waiting to get off stage. It was on the stairs that L made his move.

L was saying something to Light. I couldn't hear what they were saying and was not a talented lip reader so I could only catch bits and pieces of the conversation. I kept my eyes on L's mouth as he formed words.

Hmmm…Light…Chief….justice…cases.

So he was buttering Light up. Preparing him for L's most dangerous reveal yet. I faced forward, using my peripheral vision for all its worth when they finally sat down near me again. L's voice was suddenly audible to me.

"…I'm impressed by your abilities and your sense of justice. If you promise not to tell anyone about this, I have important information concerning the Kira investigation that I'd like to share with you," L finished. Light gave me a side glance before focusing on L again.

"I won't tell anyone," Light answered. "What is it?"

"I want to tell you," L twisted towards him so he could get a clear view of Light's face and his voice dropped to a whisper. I had to strain to hear his next words. "I'm L." Light stiffened, his jaw locked in shock. L openly watched his expression for any changes. Light's eyes closed briefly and he relaxed. When he answered it was his perfect son voice.

"If you are who you say you are, then I have nothing but respect and admiration for you." His tone was perfect. Just the right amount of awe and submissive shock.

"Thank you," L responded his tone nonchalant. "The reason I chose to reveal my identity to you was because I think you could be some help to us on the Kira investigation." I almost snorted. Yeah, some help. Meaning it would be extremely helpful if you simply confessed and came quietly.

I thought this in a joking matter, but in truth the idea made me sick. The idea of Light behind bars, never to see daylight again or the thought of him cold and buried in the earth was nauseating. I needed to get a grip. We were moving in now. I couldn't afford my judgment being clouded.

During my disturbing trip of what was likely to happen in the near future, the assembly ended and we were released outside. I lost both L and Light in the crowd when I finally did emerge in the sunlight. I shivered despite the warmth of its rays. I was only reminded of what Light may never see again. I spotted Light and L at the edge of the throng of people and I decided to put our alibi into effect.

"Ryu!" I yelled throwing my arms around L from behind. Light started and blinked in recognition.

"Rei?" he asked in evident confusion before frowning. "Wait, Ryu? You two," his gaze flickered between the two of us, "know each other?" I put on my best innocent face. L saved me from answering.

"Your sister and I became acquainted after the exam. I was quite hopelessly lost and she kindly offered to give me directions and then treated me to lunch." Light's expression was still skeptical. I decided to intervene.

"Of course you two would gravitate towards each other immediately," I groaned in false disappointment. "And here I thought I would have a friend who Light didn't sink his claws into." Light's eyes narrowed in displeasure at the comparison, but shrugged it off.

"I assure you Rei, I doubt Light-kun will be able to sink his claws, teeth or anything else into me." Light frowned again, sure now L was referring to Light's schemes to kill L.

"By the way Ryuuga," Light said not even bothering with niceties. "I'm curious if you extended the same invitation you gave me to Rei." Light carefully monitored my reactions. I turned to L in "puzzlement."

"What offer?"

"To play tennis," L answered smoothly. I laughed.

"Why would you bother asking me that? I believe I already I admitted I fail miserably at tennis," I grinned, acting proud of my failure.

"Perhaps you simply didn't have the right teacher," L retorted.

"Light's tried to teach me dozens of times," I argued. L flashed me a quick smile.

"Exactly." Light bristled at the implied insult and L turned to face him like he had forgotten he was there. "Light-kun, it was nice meeting you." Light's responding smile was strained.

"No the pleasure was mine," he lied easily.

"I'm sure I'll see you on campus."

"Yeah take care." Light waited for me to detach myself from L.

"Oh. Right," I said pretending that a minor detail had just slipped my mind. "Ryuuga and I are going out to lunch." Light sent me a look that screamed quiet fury and betrayal. It made my blood run cold.

"I see," he answered slowly. "Then I'll see you at home."

"Sure," I nodded numbly. Light walked off and I sagged in relief from being released from his stare. L gave me a concerned look. I smiled weakly at him.

"If you are unsure about proceeding with the plan I have no objections if you wish to remove yourself from the operation," L murmured softly. I shook my head fiercely.

"I'm fine," I said. And because I liked how it sounded I said it again. "I'm fine." L accepted this and led me over to where Watari was waiting. I whistled appreciatively.

"Yes?" L asked amused at my reaction.

"It's just for someone who likes to remain out of the public eye; you sure do attract a lot of attention. If you're not careful you may end up being targeted by the Mafia," I commented referring to the expensive car Watari was currently waiting by.

"I believe it is the Yakuza," at this I oohed appreciatively, "and Watari is perfectly capable at fending off any unwanted pursuers." I decided to believe L.

Watari opened the door and L climbed in, immediately ducking down into his crouch and ignoring the seatbelt. I proceeded to copy his example, though I wore the seatbelt. Just as I was closing the door, a voice from outside drifted in and I had to hurriedly close the door before laughter overtook me.

I convulsed in my seat, giggling like a mental patient trying to muffle the nearly hysterical laughter that came from me. Tears began to course down my cheeks and I felt extremely grateful for the soundproof and tinted windows. After a few minutes of this I realized that emotional stress was most likely the cause of my outpour of emotion, though the comment I had heard was quite funny.

L had waited patiently throughout the entire ordeal and I found him looking at me expectantly while I wiped away my tears.

"May I ask what you found so amusing?"

"It's just that, one of the boys ogling the car commented on how unfair it was that you had money and intelligence," I explained vaguely. L raised an eyebrow.

"And?"

"Then he said 'where's the justice.' Which I found ironic, because you were right there." L considered this for a moment and slowly a smile spread across his face. I blinked in confusion. "What?"

"You think I'm justice," he said slowly. I felt my face heat up.

"I never said that," I answered quickly.

"No," L consented, "but you implied it and my profession requires me to make conclusions based on such."

"Ryuzaki," I began. "I don't think you're justice."

"That contradicts your earlier sta-"

"You're better," I interrupted, my face heating up even more. L adding to my embarrassment asked,

"How so?" I fiddled with my seat belt.

"Well…you're kind, I guess. You leave room for redemption, or second chances. You influence decisions so that the real criminals are shut away while their confused or misguided accomplices are reintroduced into society. You value the worth of even those you lock up, letting them assist officers by explaining their motives or thought process. I don't know how to really put it but…" I paused, my tone mournful. "Real justice doesn't see that worth. People are simply executed with no regard for what they could have done to better the world."

"You are speaking about Light," L deduced with eerie ability of reading my thoughts. "You don't believe he deserves to die."

"He doesn't," I whispered. "It's Kira who deserves to die." L let a flicker of grief touch his face. It was an emotion I had never seen from him before. It sharpened his features dramatically.

"I am afraid they are the same person," he said softly.

"I know," I answered. We remained silent for the next few moments and I directed my gaze out the window. Wait….wasn't the hotel the other way? "Ryuzaki…where are we going?"

"I thought that would be obvious," he answered. I simply stared, not in the mood for guessing games. "We are going to lunch." I leaned back in my seat.

"I see…."

"Do you object?"

"No," I assured him, "I just didn't expect for you to really follow up on my story."

"I had no desire to make you a liar. Besides it is crucial that you are as truthful as possible while around Light, though you must conceal anything important." Typical L. Give me impossible instructions while worrying about my state of morals. Watari stopped outside of the café I had gone to all those days ago, the same one I had bought L's pie from.

L, in an uncharacteristically gentlemanly move, opened the door to the shop for me. I nodded at him in thanks. The moment we stepped inside we were assaulted by a range of smells from coffee to peppermint. L's eyes widened and he inhaled deeply like he could consume the store's contents just by breathing. The lady behind the counter recognized me and was about to wave when she saw L standing next to me in all his scruffy glory.

To her credit, she only gaped for a second before snapping her mouth shut with an audible sound. I tugged L over to the counter where he ogled everything beneath the glass panes. His breath practically fogged up the glass.

"What can I get for you today?" the woman asked, eying L in interest. It was at that moment I realized I was starving. To prove my point, my stomach suddenly rumbled loudly. The situation was made only more embarrassing because L was at eye level with my stomach and proceeded to stare at it and prod it a few times to see if it would duplicate the sound.

"Ryuzaki?" I asked slightly bemused. He straightened then, for his full height for once and glanced at the menu up on the walls before ordering like he came here every day. I blinked in surprise before the poor woman behind the counter scrambled to write down everything he had said. Hell, I hadn't even caught half of it.

When she came back, her arms were laden with a variety of sweets and cakes as well as a coffee, two teas, and a hot chocolate. I reached for my wallet but L gripped my arm, preventing me as he reached for a wad of cash tucked in his pocket. The woman's jaw dropped when L simply dropped the pile onto to the counter muttering that she could keep the change before scooping up the buffet he had ordered and searching for a free table.

A few minutes later, L had already demolished half of everything he had ordered while I simply sat there sipping at my hot chocolate. L suddenly noticed I wasn't eating.

"Would you like anything?" he asked gesturing to the still considerably large pile of what had avoided consumption so far. I shook my head, not wanting to eat what he had paid for when my stomach growled again betraying me. L smirked and pushed a plate of what appeared to be chocolate cake towards me. Sighing, I admitted defeat and began to eat.

"Thanks," I answered awkwardly, enjoying the moist texture of the cake. We continued to eat in silence and L's supply of diabetes inducing food substances was slowly dwindling.

"Your hair is up," he suddenly commented. I blinked reaching towards the knot on the back of my head.

"Um, yeah it is," I responded struck dumb by the random nature of the comment. "Sayu suggested I wear it up for the ceremony. Why?" He shrugged.

"I simply prefer it down." He gestured towards me. "May I?

"Um, sure?" I hated how that came out as a question. His fingers ghosted over my scalp as they removed the offending hair clip. I shivered.

"I apologize. My hands are cold." He withdrew his touch and my hair fell back on my shoulders.

"No problem."

"It matches your eyes," he observed calmly. I chocked on my hot chocolate.

"Excuse me?" I sputtered. He looked at me like it was the most natural thing in the world to say. His response was slow, like I was young child he was explaining a difficult concept to.

"Your hair, is the same caramel colors of your eyes. Though perhaps syrup would give better credit for the red tint in your hair." My face was slowly heating up. Underneath the embarrassment I was slightly amused. Trust L to give someone a compliment that related to sugar.

"Thanks…" I trailed off.

"You're welcome," he answered serenely, like he had no idea what effect he was causing in me. "Are you ready to leave?" I suddenly noticed that during the strange exchange he had somehow managed to finish his food. I gulped down the rest of my hot chocolate, hastily rubbing a napkin across my mouth.

"Sure," I stood up knocking the table in the process. Why was I so clumsy today? We stepped outside the warm shop and waited on the curb for Watari to bring the car around. It was then I caught L staring at me. Hesitantly, just like the first night we had met, he reached toward my face. I stayed still, curious about what he was doing. He extended a single finger and brushed my face lightly. When he pulled back I saw a small amount of whipped cream on his finger. He stared at it a moment, before popping it in his mouth. When Watari showed up, my face was still scarlet.

~L's POV~

I chuckled under my breath as she stumbled drunkenly into the car, narrowly avoiding contact with the ceiling. It appeared my attempts at subtle advances had been too obvious. Or at least because they were so obvious she felt I had no idea what my actions meant. I had spoken again with Matsuda after the party and he had advised "sweeping her off her feet." Hmm…perhaps I had swept a bit too hard.

She was staring off into space, obviously unaware of how I was staring at her. I smiled to myself and grabbed a lollipop from my pocket and transferring it to her pocket. I had a feeling she would enjoy the gesture. I pulled out another lollipop and unwrapped it, placing it in my mouth while gazing contentedly out the window. Watari sighed in the front seat and I could see a smile on his face from the mirror. I ignored him, instead reveling in the days successes.

~Author's Note~

I literally wrote all of this in one day. I've never done that before. So I apologize for any typos or weird sentences. Because you all responded to last chapters fluff so well, I decided to throw you all another bone. So I apologize if this seems a bit too out there for L, but I just wanted to see this happen.

So…Halloween was awesome. I was L and nobody knew who I was XD. Well my friends knew and a random old lady knew I was an anime character. Who were you guys for Halloween? I seriously wanna know. Double points for a Death Note character.

So…I'd say more but it's late, I'm tired and you guys probably wanna read this.

Special thanks to WhiteLadyDragon for her awesome constructive criticism and just for being an awesome writer. I suggest you read her LXOC story, "Story of the Century." It rocks. You can find the link to her profile on my profile.

Thanks for reviewing!

xKyo: Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you like it! And is that a Fruitsbasket inspired name I see?

Ailia Sparrowhawk: This is kinda OOC L. I'm sorry, but I really wanted this to happen so….I"M SORRY! And that sounds interesting…maybe as the tension increases Rei will be a bit more manipulative and sneaky? Maybe she'll give Light all the crud he's throwing at the world and then some. Thanks for the suggestion!