Penguin: Awww yeah.
I'm glad to have made you happy~ Ah, and you made me happy in recognizing it, so now it's double the happiness!

Bella Birthday: Why, thank you! At least, I hope that was a good wow. ^^;

B: Aw, thank you so much! Wah, I'm glad I made you grin with it~ I love MCR. ouo Hmm, I know the story mentions in...ah...It Is What It Is, I think, that L mentioned his father was stabbed to death, and he watched. But I think that was the only time it was brought up, so... yeah. Aw, yeah, it's gonna be nice going back to the actual story line. And gosh, I hope you had an amazing Christmas yourself!

Ohhh my. Well, I'm here to tell you that I am, in fact, alive. Sorry for not updating in two weeks. ^^; Things got...busy. A happy new year to all of you, though! It's 2014; yeahh!

...Yeahhh...

Well I'm hoping to be able to actually reply to all of your messages and reviews soon. =7=; Ahh...

In any case, let's get back to the main story line, shall we? Let's see,

Recap: So, Natalie is finally out of Mello's grasp, though Light is still being held by Near. Mello's ticked because he lost Natalie, and B's doing unknown stuff in the background, thought to be dead by everyone else. Mikami, meanwhile, has been taken in by the Shizu family.

There we are.

Now let's start out with some fluff!

Enjoy?

Their eyes flickered open to sunlight shining through the wall of windows. It had been the first night that L had been able to sleep through the entire dream. One of the reasons he never slept: he would always relive his past. These dreams are why he got up so early the morning after the first night Sierra and I had gotten him to sleep. The reason why he had wanted to sleep that night in America during the cases with BB involving L's past. He'd actually wanted to go back, if only for a night. Other nights it was only nightmares; of Uncle and of lost loved ones. There were multiple other reasons he did not sleep much, but that most certainly was one of these reasons. Then, he felt exposed during sleep; he thought that it wasted time; he was always too busy; he had insomnia…. You get the point.

Sam, who was on the side of the bed closest to the window, could feel his bare arms around her, and as the past that wasn't hers faded away into reality, she began to remember exactly what had happened the night before. She stared at the window, not sure she believed it. L's memories matched hers, sure, and she was perfectly aware of the fact both of them were naked under the sheets, but there was a sense of denial there, too.

"L," she asked hesitantly, her voice quiet, "what happened last night?"

"Well, Samantha," L replied plainly, "we had se—"

"Well, don't be so blunt about it!" she snapped before he could finish, her face flushing a deep red.

"Don't be so surprised. Both of us were perfectly aware of what we were doing."

"But you're surprised too," Sam shot back, and it was silent as they waited for their minds to quiet. Thoughts were sorted out, and things were slowly accepted.

"I do love you," L said in a low voice, and Sam closed her eyes and fought the blush. Did he really need to say that again?

"I—I love you too."

L rolled onto his back, and his chest was no longer pressed against Sam's own back. His arm left her. It seemed a little colder without him there, and Sam gave a small squeak in protest. L only stared at the ceiling. "I think," said L matter-of-factly, "that I may want to marry you."

Sam turned her head and stuffed her face in the pillow. " 'I do,' " she replied, her voice muffled.

"Ohoho," Matt chuckled, completely and utterly unaware of how Sam had awoken that morning. He was walking with Sierra and Mello back to the skyscraper after some grocery shopping. They needed to eat, after all. "Did you see the way those guys looked at you, Sierra?" he asked. He made a low whistle. "Mello's got some competition," he sang.

"I don't have any," Mello said flatly. "She's mine."

"Excuse me?" Sierra snapped. "I am not!"

"Yeees," said Mello, raising what would be an eyebrow at her before putting his arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer, pressing her head to his side.

Sierra muttered something under her breath, but did not protest.

"See? You guys are cute together!" Matt beamed, earning glares from both of them simultaneously. "What; what? You two are perfect for each other, and that's that. You could connect with each other even before this final step or whatever, and plus… just; both of you liked each other. It was perfect. Now, I'm no matchmaker, but I could go on and on about how—Ow!" He rubbed where Mello had rapped him over the head. "What was that for?"

"Being annoying," Mello replied.

"Well, gee. Thanks."

"What are friends for?"

Matt chuckled. "True; true."

"Matt," said Sierra flatly, "you really need to learn to shut up."

"Oh, come on; it's like my job to tease you. But it's a job I don't get lazy with, so it works! And besides, I'm your big brother, right, Sierra?" he sang.

Sierra rolled her eyes. "Yep."

"Exactly. What are big brothers for?"

"Evidently for annoying the crap out of both their little sisters and their best friends," said Mello, and Matt laughed.

"Near, you're going to let Light out soon, right?" asked Anna, leaning down with her hands on her knees so she was closer to his level on the ground.

"I suppose that depends," Near responded, adding die to his structure of dice.

"Near, we've got Aunt Natalie back, and that was kinda the reason he's stuck here in the first place, right? It's been two days since Aunt Natalie was freed, and nothing has happened…. It's not that I don't want him here, it's just that I think he can be let go now."

"Anna, it's more than that…. I need to have Mikami caught. The moment Mikami is caught, Light can be free."

"But that could take months!"

"Light chose this willingly, therefore, he will be okay with the wait."

Anna frowned. "But doesn't that deprive him of basic human rights in some way?"

"Yes," Near replied easily, "but he agreed to it."

"But L said that he wouldn't deprive suspects of basic human rights, and I like Light, Near. Can't we let him go? Please?"

Near paused to consider this. It had been two days since I'd been released, and Light hadn't done anything in relation to Kira. Think. If we had forfeited, then Light would have told Ryuk the shinigami to give the Note back upon my release, not his. Light may not have foreseen his own captivity. However, he may have also made it so he would find the Note at just the right time…. Maybe hidden in a place where he only went when it was with me, or something along those lines…. Near frowned slightly. Of course, it was also possible that both of us did have our memories, but that we were hiding it. That was also a very good possibility. Kira was still judging…. It wasn't Light or I doing it; it was Mikami. But he hadn't been caught yet…. And now I was free….

Yes, that was the problem. He knew that Mikami was still killing, not Light or I, and for that he had to catch Mikami before he could release Light. It was not illegal for him to keep Light there because he stayed willingly, and had even suggested it himself…. Did I fall for a trap there? he wondered. No, that couldn't have been…. No, he had to keep Light here. Mello had helped Near in what he did, just as he always seemed to. He had captured one of the only three Kiras, and in doing that had given Near the excuse to take Light himself in. This, in turn, gave Near the perfect opportunity to make Mikami's escape public, placing him in a tight spot at the moment he was needed most and relied on. The only Kira left. And if he were caught, then Kira would be over. (Unless, of course, Light had a backup plan, which was perfectly possible.) I had been freed, and so it was possible that I was judging too…. However…. Mikami still hadn't been caught, and Near wanted to keep Light here until that had been accomplished. The timing was too perfect. Yet….

Something was wrong. Something was nagging at him to let him go. It wasn't the doubt caused by the possibility of me judging now, because that wouldn't matter in the long run. If Mikami were caught, he'd be caught. It was as simple as that. And Light wouldn't be able to help him. It wasn't for Light, because to be honest he could care less, and Light was willing to stay anyhow. It wasn't for himself, either, because there was absolutely no reason he would want Light out of here. It wasn't like he irritated him. Things rarely irritated him at all, in fact. So no… it was none of that… but…. He supposed he simply didn't want to upset Anna. Which was completely irrational, because feelings didn't matter and he didn't mind hurting them if it meant getting to whatever goal he was meaning to accomplish.

Yet he didn't want to upset her.

He tried backtracking; finding reasoning for that. Well, with or without Light in custody, they would be able to catch Mikami either way. I might be judging, so there was less of an advantage now in the fact it was possible that the plan of ending Kira wouldn't work. Not only that, but… Mello had a notebook. Near didn't know what part that played yet, but he still had yet to find out. He could still keep an eye on Light if he were to let him go. So….

"Yes," he said. "We can release him." He was furrowing his brow slightly, as though surprised by his own words even as he said them.

He felt an odd sense of satisfaction when her face lit up. "Really?" she asked brightly.

"Yes," he said flatly, looking to Light, who was currently talking with Gevanni. "Light Yagami," he said, and he turned to him.

"Yes, Near?" he asked, smiling charmingly.

"You may be released as of today," Near responded, removing his gaze from him and setting it back onto his dice.

Halle and Gevanni glanced at one another, and Rester turned in his seat to look at Near.

Light's smile faded. "Really?"

"Yes, really."

"I mean, it's just…." He paused. "Are you absolutely positive that I'm safe to go without becoming Kira?"

"Well, no. However, Natalie is back home, and there is no reason to keep you here."

"Yes there is," he said seriously. "Keep me here until Mikami is caught, or something. I don't want to become Kira. If you let me go and I start acting as Kira, then what? Near, I can stay here…."

"I can assure you that we will catch Kira, whether it's you or not," Near told him flatly.

"You don't get it!" Light snapped. "I don't want to be the one causing all this! I don't want to be the one killing all these people, and I don't want to be the one putting all of your lives in danger! I feel guilty about it all, you know…. And my father; I don't want to betray him and my family again like I had…." He clenched his hands into fists. "And I don't want to fall as low as I know I did, those years I was Kira. I don't want to fall into corruption and hatred and murderous intent. I don't want to lose my soul, if not for myself, but for Natalie…. Because if I fall, she falls with me. I don't want to destroy her and myself, I don't want to ruin my family, and I don't want to hurt people…."

There was silence in the HQ as his rant sunk in. Anna stared at him blankly. She guessed she hadn't thought of it like that; maybe because she still didn't believe that her aunt could possibly be Kira….

"…Understood," said Near. "However, Light, I cannot deprive you of basic human rights when I technically have no evidence against you…. Let us compromise, if you are really that upset. In all honesty, I would actually rather keep you here myself…. As I must release you, however… let's say I let you go tomorrow, the first of July. So long as nothing makes you suspicious, you will be let out. How does that sound?"

Light gazed at Near for a moment. Not all of that added up. Near was the type to keep him here anyway. But…. "That's fine," he agreed, even though he would have much rather been kept on watch. He feared that we would get our memories back soon after he was released, if, in fact, we were acting as Kira. Which was most likely to be so.

Near nodded. "Tomorrow, then," he said.

"Light is being released tomorrow, and there has been no moves on Mello's part," said Near's scrambled voice on the speaker. "Mikami has not been found. Why?"

"I must wrap up the Sinful Murder Cases," said L, "but I am planning to place my full attention on the Kira case afterwards. I just wanted to be caught up on what I need to know."

"Of course…."

"Near, I understand that I irritate you sometimes." L smiled at the screen even though he knew only Sam could see his smile. "I'd like to let you know that you irritate me as well, Near. Just know we'll be working together again soon. Goodbye," he said, and disconnected.

Sam was giggling from the table in the kitchen. L stood and walked to her before stealing the cherry off of her cake and dropping it into his mouth. "Hey…," she protested, and he gazed at her blankly as she muttered something under her breath. It seemed to be a good day thus far.

Roger would come over later, and L would always have to compare him to Watari, but that was just something that was practically inevitable. And they would miss Watari, but they would say nothing and they would move on. L would just eat his cake, and Sam would steal his cherry to pay him back from the morning.

Roger would be irritated by the gesture.

Things would move on, and they would move on, and the day would end. L would actually sleep, if not until four in the morning. They were coming to find there was a solace in being together, much like the peace he'd had with Daddy that had allowed him to sleep. (Of course, he still didn't like sleeping. He likely wouldn't sleep the next night, or the next, or the next….)

But the sun would rise, and it was a new day. The bitter had faded, and things were sweet. For now.

"I will have to have Aizawa keep an eye on you," said Near to Light as Anna dragged his things into the main room.

"Anna, I could have gotten that…," he said, then looked at Near. "That's fine. Great, in fact. It makes me feel a little better, now, really…."

"You will not be reporting to NPA headquarters today, however," Near added. "You may report tomorrow if you'd like, although you do not need to work until next Monday. It would be preferable that you go tomorrow, so Aizawa can begin making sure you don't do anything."

"It's Thursday," Anna added.

Light nodded absently as he lifted his bag and slung it over his shoulder. There wasn't much in it; just the necessities. "Alright," he said.

"Gevanni will drive you to your house. From there, you may do what you'd like."

"Just don't pick up any mysterious notebooks you might find lying around," said Gevanni with a good-natured smile, and they left. The ride was quiet, and there was no conversation between the two as they drove, save for the moment Gevanni spoke to him soon before they reached his home. "You know, Light," he said, "I think you're a good guy."

Light looked at him. "Well… thank you. I respect you, so… I guess the feeling's mutual," he smiled.

"I guess… well, I guess it would really be a shame if you became Kira – or actually are Kira right now. Maybe it's inevitable, but I kinda like you. I hope it doesn't come to that."

"I hope it doesn't come to that either…," Light responded, gazing at the dashboard.

"Sorry for shooting you at SPK headquarters back in late March, by the way."

Light shrugged, then paused in the movement and raised an eyebrow at him. "I'm sorry for killing Near," he replied.

"Well then, I guess we're even."

"I guess so."

Gevanni pulled up to the side of the road near Light's apartment, and Light unbuckled and began getting out. As Light rounded to the driver's side, Gevanni rolled down the car window and said to him, "I was serious, you know. Don't go picking up random unidentifiable notebooks."

Light forced a smile at him. "I won't," he answered, and he began to drive away. Light watched him go, then pulled out his keys and unlocked the door before going into his home. It was a dull, silent thing; putting away his clothes and whatnot. Everything was neat and put away in his house….

After he had resettled, there was a moment where he just stood in his room, thinking about nothing in particular. Then he headed downstairs again to get on his shoes and walk out the door.

I was currently just getting ready for the day. I was off of work the whole week due to the whole 'Mello kidnapping' thing, so I decided to sleep in as much as possible. I did like sleep, and I felt like I hadn't truly slept peacefully in months…. Not to mention how uncomfortable it had been sleeping in that chair. Goodness.

Thanks a lot, Mello.

In any case, I was all ready to take on the day by the time Light came knocking on the door about fifteen minutes later. Not that he needed to knock. I was on my way to the door before he'd even reached it, and so could open the door for him just after he knocked. He was allowed in without a word, and I immediately headed to the kitchen to get him some coffee. He didn't necessarily ask for it, but I knew he'd like having it; therefore, I got it for him anyway as he sat on the couch and leaned back with his arms curled behind him to cradle his head. Absently, he tugged at the knot of his tie to loosen it as I brought his mug back.

"I really do hope Mikami doesn't act to bring our memories back," Light spoke aloud, gazing at the ceiling, and I nodded.

"I wish the Kira case could just end…," I added, and he sat up to grab his coffee from the coffee table as I sat down.

"Mm," he answered in agreement as he took a sip of his coffee. He set it back down, leaning with his elbows resting on his knees. He straightened up again and leaned back. There was no real reason to be here. It wasn't like he'd be any safer here than in his own home, but at least here neither of us were alone. And with the Bond in place, it was always a nice thing to be together. And to be honest, we kinda liked being together anyway.

His hand went to mine. "I'm glad we're not Kira right now," he said, and I wordlessly agreed. There was a pause.

"Your house is so neat," I stated. "I'm Bonded to you and I still don't get how you do it."

He laughed slightly, and I smiled. The tension lifted slightly. Conversation held no purpose other than to fill the silence at the final stage, but it was still nice. Familiar. "Perhaps I should move in. Maybe then your house will be clean," he teased, and I put my hand to my face.

"Sam would just die."

"So you would you, judging by how red your face is," he grinned.

"Oh, shush! That's your fault!" But I was smiling as I spoke, and he laughed again.

For a moment there was silence. He broke it again. The silence wasn't very comfortable. "Do you remember that waitress we had, at the restaurant we went to with Matsuda? What was her name? Kamiko?"

I grimaced. "The one that thought you were proposing to me?"

He laughed lightly. "Yes, that's the one."

"Why do you have to remind me of such things?"

"Because…." He paused, and thought a moment. "…Because… I like making you blush."

"Why?"

He laughed. "If you don't know, I don't know."

"Well feh," I responded. There was a pause. "You know," I said, "for the record, I feel like an idiot having only said those three words while I was drunk."

Light chuckled at that. "I know."

"It's true, though, drunk or not."

"I know," he repeated, smiling pleasantly.

"I know you know."

"And I know you know I know, but we could go on forever with that."

"True," I smiled.

He gazed at the ground, then actually looked at me. "If I really was the one that dragged you into this whole Kira thing, I'm sorry."

"I know," I said, and his mouth twitched into a smile.

His hand gripped mine a little tighter as he leaned in closer. "I sure hope so," he said in a softer voice, no longer smiling. He looked almost sad. Regretful, maybe. And he leaned in closer. There was a brush of the lips, then he pulled back slightly for a moment and looked at me. He smiled. You're blushing again, he thought, and closed the space again. He didn't pull back this time.

Apple cinnamon flooded my mouth as he held me closer and deepened the kiss, his hands on my back. I awkwardly wrapped my arms around him, and I could feel his amusement at the awkwardness I still had, despite everything. I just realized something, he thought to me.

I didn't need to respond, though I did know exactly what he was going to say.

That night, when you told me you loved me… – the way he put that just killed me – …I just noticed… I never responded in kind.

I could feel myself getting even warmer, if that was possible, but you know… I didn't mind it so much.

Natalie…, he thought to me as the apple cinnamon taste continued to flood my senses. …I lo—

There was a flash of something then nothing, and we were ripped apart as we pulled away as far as we could. We were breathing hard. Between us was a notebook. Both of us got to our feet without touching it, staring at it with our eyes wide. The sentence was not finished.

Our gazes shifted to the shinigami that was now visible in the room. "Ryuk," Light greeted coldly.

"Hey, guys," said Ryuk, giving a little wave of his spindly-fingered hand. "I thought I'd at least receive a warmer greeting than that." He smiled at us with his evergrin. "Is that what you guys do when I'm not around? Make out like that? I guess I'm glad I'm not there…."

My face flushed as both of us glared at him. "You can leave," said Light to the shinigami. "We don't want that notebook."

"Sure you do," said the shinigami. "You two are the ones who planned for me to give it back to you in the first place."

Light swallowed. "That was different. We were corrupt and… different people. We don't want the Death Note now. So just leave."

"Uh… I'm not leaving until you pick up that notebook," said Ryuk.

"I could call NPA headquarters right now and contact Aizawa to tell him you're here," said Light coolly. "I would never have to touch the Note, and we wouldn't become Kira. How's that sound, Ryuk?"

"It doesn't sound very fun…."

I scoffed. "Ryuk. I'm sorry, but we don't want that notebook. Please leave."

"…But I dropped it. It belongs to your world now," he said. He was still grinning. "Someone has to pick it up."

"That person won't be us," said Light.

"But…." Ryuk seemed to think for a moment. Light was considering ending the conversation there and taking out his cell phone to call Aizawa. "Light, come on," the shinigami said. "What if you picked it up, then forfeited? If you really don't want it, then…." His shoulders rolled in a shrug. "Humor me, at least. I am a very bored shinigami."

Light looked at the Note. If he were to pick up the Note and immediately say 'I forfeit' before the corruption had fully taken effect, then it would get rid of Ryuk and no one would have to be told Ryuk had been here. Then no one would have to watch over us anymore, and we wouldn't be involved with Kira. We could catch the current Kira, then, and everything would be made right….

He stepped forward, and I tensed. If this didn't go right and he ended up refusing to forfeit, we would be doomed to be stuck in this never-ending circle of corruption. He, too, was doubtful, but he was already beginning to say the words 'I forfeit' as he lifted the notebook to Ryuk. "I f—" was all he got out, though. Typically. Then the memories came back in a rush, as did the corruption. And it hurt. But he didn't scream. Not this time.

I could feel his memories flood my mind, too, and the corruption was like a poison that began to seep into my own mind. Pieces of my own memories came back too. Anything from the moment we reached the last stage, I could remember. Before that I still pulled a blank. And without the memory of how I started, there was still doubt. "Say it," I choked out. My arms were crossed over my chest. "Say—say you forfeit."

But he was smiling as he looked at me. "It's alright, Natalie," he said, and his voice was slightly different. Not to mention that look in his eyes. "Ryuk, drop this note so that Natalie can gain ownership."

Ryuk cackled as he took the Note. "I knew you'd come around, Light."

The notebook was dropped in front of me, but I was, at first, afraid to pick it up. But my memories and Light's memories and Light's thoughts allowed me to pick it up. I gasped as the memories rushed back, and we were Kira again.

Thus the circle continued.

Ha. Ha. Hahaha.

Fun Fact: I do believe that scene with Matt, Mello, and Sierra was Real-Life Sierra's favorite scene.

Review? Um...for...triangles, because they're better than this stupid never-ending circle!