A/N: This isn't the most exciting chapter, heh. But, as always, necessary.
Read, review, and enjoy!
The rest of the task force arrived a few days after Light and L's encounter. Even Matt tagged along. It was a solemn reunion, for they had to debate their friend's son's future. The evidence prominently marked Light as Kira: The confession, the timing, Matt's witness. Even his temporary insanity linked him. However, they had to decide whether he went on a murderous rampage cause by the insanity, or if he was just a murderer.
The governor would soon come to choose Light's fate.
On the arrival of the task force, L was locked in his room. He already knew the outcome before the debate started: Light would be hanged. The governor didn't tolerate any sort of crime, even those against criminals. If Light actually was crazy, which L doubted, he would still be killed.
"L?" Soichiro knocked on his door.
"Come in."
Soichiro stepped into the room. Matt trailed behind him. A cigarette hung from the corner of his mouth. He nodded at L, who smiled at the boy's presence. He'd grown fond of Matt at Beyond's house, mainly because Matt understood how disgusting and sick Beyond was. L never mentioned he knew Beyond, but he spoke as if he'd learned much about him. Matt would spill information about him, all which L already knew, but he was grateful for the effort.
"The rest of the task force is here, in case you wanna come down." Besides the grief that lurked in his eyes, Soichiro's expression was unreadable.
L stood up, suddenly dreading the conversation that would happen downstairs. "I'll be there in a moment. Please give me a moment alone with Matt."
Soichiro nodded and left the two alone. Matt pulled the cigarette from his lips and tapped it onto the ashtray he held. "Good to see you again," he grinned.
"If given the chance, would you bring Mello to justice? If given the chance, would you judge that Mello should receive the death penalty?"
"Are you askin' me if I'd kill Mello?"
"Not kill-"
"And use justice as a smokescreen?" Matt snorted, taking a long drag from his cigarette. "In my eyes, there ain't no difference between murder and the 'justifiable' death penalty. If you're tryin' to decide whether to kill Light or not, you shouldn't be askin' me. It makes no difference to me whether he dies or not, as long as I don't gotta be the one to decide. But, consider this while you're debatin' whether or not you should take his life: He wondered the same thing 'bout all his victims."
L gazed at Matt, surprised by the honest answer. "You would never kill Mello? No matter what the situation was?
"Hell no I wouldn't. Goes against my morals. 'Sides, I love the sorry bastard," Matt suddenly became quiet. He shifted his gaze from L to the floor. The cigarette perched between his lips burned slowly. "There ain't nothin' beneficial 'bout killin' someone. It'll only destroy your conscience."
"I suppose so. That's a very interesting point, Matt. Thank you for you're honest outlook."
L walked pass Matt, more conflicted than before. Murder was against his morals, as well, but he had done it before. Besides, L didn't love Light like Matt loved Mello. L knew if Matt was given the chance, he would throw everything away for Mello's happiness. His choice to give Mello's name was not out of spite, but rather hope. Matt had told L that he wanted to save Mello from the destructive path awaiting him. He sacrificed his relationship with Mello to make sure Mello's soul was saved. Once Mello had been caught, Matt vowed to fight for Mello's case and make sure he wouldn't be hanged. His loyalty never failed to surprise L.
Downstairs, no one looked up when L walked into the room. He sunk into a chair, cradling his knees to his chest. Almost immediately, Watari brought a slice of cake to L. He took it gratefully and shoveled it down his throat. Whispered words were exchanged between those around him. Still, no one seemed to notice his presence. At least, until Soichiro looked up from the floor and smiled solemnly.
"When did you say the governor was going to get here, Ryuzaki?" he asked.
Suddenly, the crowd's attention turned to L. "The earliest is tomorrow.."
"And is that when we'll know what's gonna happen with Light?"
"There's a 36% chance, if we can come to an agreement. If not, the governor will stay until the decision is settled."
"Why 36% chance?" Matsuda blurted out.
L began to explain the dynamics that involved in the decision. There were several things to consider: biases, sense of justice, moral views, personal attachments. Reaching a verdict would be much more difficult, since it affected several of the members on a personal level. The members nodded in agreement, and decided to view Light's case on an impersonal level. Soichiro left the room without another word.
The next few days came and passed. L revealed that his name wasn't actually Ryuzaki, but in fact he was L. Most rolled of the members rolled their eyes, claiming they already knew. Only Sheriff Matsuda was (openly) suprised.
Soichiro no longer voiced his opinion and instead stayed close to his wife. When the argument whether Light should be hanged or not was mentioned, Sachiko would flee the room with tears in her eyes. After a while, she stopped listening to the conversations.
Day three of the discussion, there was a knock on the door. Sachiko opened it to a tall, lean man with a sharp gaze and feathered black hair. His boots were polished and the hat perched on his head was made of black leather. The expression on his face was grave, laced with sincerity. He was poised and held himself with a certainty that had been lacking in the Yagami household recently.
"Hello, ma'am. I'm assuming you're the keeper of this house, Sachiko Yagami? My name is Teru Mikami. May I come in?" his dialect was fluid and his educational background was obvious.
"Yes, come in. It's nice to meet you Governor Mikami," she bowed deeply and opened the door wider. He stepped in, followed by his complete opposite.
The little boy was about ten years old, maybe younger. His hair was paper white, matching his pasty skin. He slouched when he walked and, unlike his father's obvious determination, he seemed indifferent to his surroundings. He twiddled his hair around his index finger. He looked up, his eyes immediately falling on L.
"And what's his name?" Sachiko asked, trying to force a smile.
"This is Nate," the governor tousled his son's hair, immediately receiving a glare. He ignored his son's spite and smiled at L. "It's good to see you again, L."
L remained planted in his chair, but nodded towards the governor. Nate crossed the room and tapped L's leg.
"Yes, Nate?" L peered down at the boy.
"Dad says you're gonna kill Kira. Want to see my new toys?"
L nodded and allowed the child to drag him from the house to his trunk filled with toys. He introduced each toy to L, giving him a brief background before he placed it neatly into the line of toys he'd already showed. L found his attention wandering from the strange boy to the barn across the ranch. A light flickered in the window. A shadow passed by. For a moment, he caught a glimpse of Light's haggard face. A pit rose in his stomach.
"Why do you keep looking over there?" Nate asked as he began to pack his toys away.
"Kira's in there."
Nate gazed at the barn. "Bring me to him."
"Nate, I don't think your father would like that."
Disregarding L's comment, Nate headed towards the barn. L never dealt with children, especially not kids like Near. He followed Nate and, once they reached the door, placed his hand on Nate's shoulder. "This isn't a good idea, Nate."
Nate ignored him again. He yanked the barn door open. Light was leaning against the wall, staring blankly out the window. "Kira," Nate said. "What are you looking at?"
Light shifted his eyes from the window, to Nate, and then to L. After a moment of silence, he answered, "The moon." His eyes never left L's. From what L perceived, Light felt no resentment towards him. In fact, there was a distinct longing in his gaze that sent L's stomach into a fit of fury.
"So you're admitting you're Kira?"
"I've been branded as him, so yes, I'm Kira. Do you know my real name, kid?"
"No," Nate shook is head. "I don't want to know it. You are Kira, and that's all."
Light's gaze fell to the floor. Moon light circled around his body, engulfing him in a pasty ring. It was the first time L had contact with him since the incident. His body twinged, begged, twisted, calling for Light's touch. Screaming for it. L clutched the door, desperately trying to contain the rising anguish.
Light suddenly stood up and rattled his chains. "L, could you take these off for me? I ain't gonna go anywhere, and they've been diggin' into my wrist. If you're gonna kill me, can I at least live the rest of my days in some sort of comfort?"
"I can't do that, Light."
Light shrugged. "It was worth a try. Did you reach a verdict?"
L backed to the door, unable to stand the tension struggling in his body. "No. Good night, Light."
"Wait, L," Light called, sinking back to the floor. "Sit with me."
Against his better judgment, L took Nate's hand and led the boy to Light. Nate walked right up to Light and leaned close, examining his face. "You don't seem like a murderer. But, father always taught me looks are deceiving."
"Yes," Light sighed. "Like an annoyingly frigid man trapped in a little kid's body, tryin' to hide behind the innocent face. Too bad the eyes tell all."
Nate stiffened, but immediately shrugged and turned his back from Light. "I'm going to go back to the house, L. I will see you there."
And they were alone again. L crouched on the floor, pressing his thumb on his lips. They stared at each other for a long time, studying the real results of the four year time lapse that passed. That night, the excitement of their reunion sent L's brain into an intoxicating state. Now, he expected it and subdued the feelings. Light's eyes had grown weary from the constant destruction surrounding his every day life. His lips were chapped and his fingers were long and skeletal.
"When was the last time you ate?" he said as his eyes wandered to L's body.
"Eighteen minutes ago."
"What did you eat, a leaf?"
"A slice of cake. Why, are you hungry?"
"You're emaciated. Christ, Lawli, have you looked at yourself in the mirror?"
L winced as the name passed Light's lips. It was no longer who he was, and the fact that Light referred to him continuously in an endearing way made everything quite frustrating. He demanded Light refer to him as L, instead of Lawliet. All Light responded was, "But Lawliet's your name."
"Good bye, Light," L stood up.
A hand immediately seized his wrist, sending his body into another spasm. He turned to face Light, who was now standing besides him. Without another word, Light wrapped his arms around L's waist and kissed the detective. L buckled at the touch. His lips trembled, desperately yearning to kiss him back. His reason fought his desires and finally, he broke the kiss and left the barn.
Inside the house, Soichiro greeted L's entrance. L didn't respond as he headed towards the room the task force and the governor were located. Silently, he took a seat and listened intently to the conversation. He spoke up only when it was necessary, pointing out some of their logical errors, or throwing down points that would help the decision. All the while, Light gnawed at the back of his mind.
Even after L betrayed him, Light still seemed to love him. Unless it was an act. L's head buzzed as he tried to decipher the kiss, the sex, and the emotions that had been produced from the both. How could Light still feel anything toward him after L revealed his identity? He was the detective trying to catch and stop Kira. The last kiss must have been a trick. Lawliet rested his lips on his thumb, unaware of the question directed his way.
"L?" someone said. "What is your final conclusion?"
L looked up, catching the governor's eye. "Hm?"
"What do you propose we should do?"
The contemplating had to end. He couldn't stand the conflicting thoughts and feelings any longer. He took a deep breath, suppressed the anger building up for the decision, and said, "Since we know Light is Kira, and we know what Kira has done, the only logical thing to do would be to condemn him to death."
Sachiko, who had come in just to bring a tray for tea, cried out in anguish and fell to her knees. Soichiro immediately ran to her, wrapping his arms around his wife's shoulder. She sobbed and looked straight at L. "Who do you think you are comin' into my house? You raised the boy you're 'bout to kill. He loved you, he trusted you and you're just gonna let him die! I just got him back. I just got my Light back...you want to take him from me again? You did nothing. You ran off and broke my son to pieces. He's not in his right mind, but you're still gonna kill him? You're a disgustin' human, you're worse than Kira! At least he didn't follow justice like a damn blind dog. If you're gonna kill him, I never want you back in my house again."
With that, she stood up, composing herself. Her eyes scanned the room. The members bowed their heads, staring solemnly at the floor. She turned on her heels and fled from the room, Soichiro close by her side.
"You knew Light since he was a baby?" Matsuda suddenly broke the silence.
L didn't respond, too stunned by Sachiko's words to think properly. Matt stood up from his chair and left the room.
The announcement's drama didn't phase Governor Mikami as he pulled papers from his breast pocket. "Alright, each of you will need to sign a contract of silence to protect the name, 'Yagami', at Soichiro Yagami's request. Light's name will not be released to the public, nor will it be known that Kira was caught. He will simply vanish. Kira will be hanged tomorrow after sunset, as to avoid any spectators. Does anyone have any questions? No? Perfect, then please sign the papers and I will take my leave."