A/N: Anyone know any really good Death Note (or even Yu Yu Hakusho...) stories? I can't find any that I haven't read already Dx. (You can recommend your own too, of course). Is that a strange request in an authors note? Whatever.
Read, review, and enjoy!
Something happened. Although Matt couldn't exactly tell what, it was apparent something went wrong. Matt only knew L for a few weeks, and Light for a bit longer, but he recognized their dedication and integrity; neither would delay this meeting.
After only an hour, Matt interviewed the entire town. Some folks recognized their description, but others seemed too wrapped up in their own business. If only they'd known the importance of the two. The only person who legitimately cared about the boys' appearances was the bakery shop owner.
"They stayed in a room upstairs," she had said. Her chin bounced as she spoke. "The scraggly one, with the black hair, he loved my cakes. Kept eating 'til I thought he was gonna explode. Didn't though. Then, they just left without paying. I didn't even see 'em leave."
Matt leaned against the outside of the bakery, lighting a cigarette. His mind raced with reasons for their unexpected absence, but only one made sense: Beyond discovered their location. Even when he lived with Beyond, Matt noticed how his eyes lit up when anyone mentioned L. The obsession was clear, but Matt couldn't figure out why-insanity fogs up reason.
And Beyond was a bit more than insane.
As Matt headed out of Old Town to inform the governor of the news, a strange man gripped his arm. Matt stared at the man before sliding his arm away. "Can I help you?" he asked with his cigarette perched between his lips.
In a raspy voice, the old man replied, "I saw 'em boys you been askin' 'bout. These bandits came in the middle of the night and took 'em right out of their beds."
Just as Matt suspected. "What'd the bandits look like?"
"Hell, I couldn't describe all of 'em to you. But I got a good look at the leader. He's sort of a short fella, but mighty skinny. He got blonde hair and from the looks of it, a scar on the left side of his face."
Matt's stomach dropped. He carefully spoke each syllable, masking his emotions from the man. "Did ya see anythin' else?"
The old man shook his head. "But, boy," he said as Matt began to turn away. "Is it true what they're sayin' 'bout the bandits? How they're spreadin' to each town and takin' over?"
"It's not my place to reveal any information," Matt shrugged. "Sorry. Have a good day, sir."
With that, Matt headed to the post office. First mail, then the governor. The post office stank of wet wood. He leaned on the counter and crushed his cigarette onto the surface. The post master handed him a small stack of letters. The top one immediately caught his attention.
Written in messy script, only two words were on the envelope: For You. Matt ripped open the seal, swallowing the hardening bubble in his throat.
L's head drooped on his shoulders. Exhaustion tore at his conscious and, if he didn't escape soon, he was sure he would die. Beyond never made an empty threat. He rarely had a moment of peace. Even when he was alone, his head pounded with the venomous words that poured from Beyond's mouth. But his concern didn't lie with his mind; he could barely move his fingers from the immense pain.
Beyond's persistence to obtain the secret of the fountain began to get to L. The thought frightened L, but barely surprised him; Beyond knew what he was doing. He constantly held steady control over every situation, including this one.
But L wasn't about to give in.
He breathed softly, trying desperately not to cough. Beyond jabbed him in the windpipe earlier, promising a day's worth of pain. L wheezed; his throat burned.
But he wouldn't give up.
Beyond pushed the door open and leaned against the frame, admiring his work. "I just spoke to Light," he purred. L suddenly became nauseous. "It turns out there truly is a secret you're keeping from me, but what is it?"
L immediately recognized Beyond was trying to trick him. "What are you talking about?" he answered hoarsely.
"Why are you resisting me?" Beyond cackled. For a moment, though, L thought he spotted a twinkle of frustration in Beyond's eye. Maybe he was winning.
"The Yagami boy is askin' to see his father," Mello yawned from the hallway. He stepped into view, glancing at L. His eyes widened at the sight, but he immediately controlled himself. "And L. And you, again. In fact, he's askin' too much. He just keeps whinin' like a little brat. I'm gonna to kill him now, aw'right?
"No," L suddenly coughed.
He immediately regretted the outburst as Beyond shot him a fascinated gaze. "You're a bit sensitive about the matter," Beyond noted. "Why's that?"
Before L could slither out of his mistake, Mello blurted out, "'cause they fucked."
Beyond's normally calm expression suddenly contorted. His eyes nearly bulged from his head and his upper lip curled into a frightful snarl. Anger iced over each word he spoke. "What did you just say?"
"They fucked. Christ, Beyond, where have you been?" Mello smirked, obviously amused by Beyond's reaction.
Instead of lashing out against the messenger, like L hoped he would, Beyond turned his attention toward L. His eyes became a sickly, pale gray as he raised his fist and brought it on L's shoulder. L's quiet whimper masked the unbearable pain that pounded from his shoulder. Beyond's fist collided with L's cheek, next. Any hopes L had for escaping dissolved as Beyond continued to beat on him over and over.
While he was still able to talk, L muttered, "And he was much better than you."
L opened his eyes, still quite hazy from the beating. A giant mass stood before him. It's fiery crimson eyes glowed as it examined L. L tried to speak, only to find his tongue was too swollen for his mouth. Instead, the strange beast stepped into the shadows. Light pouring from the window made the shadow recognizable. With a frightening grin plastered on it's face, Ryuk spoke: "You really know how to get yourself into trouble."
L's only reply was a soft groan.
"Human's are so fragile," Ryuk chuckled harshly. "And you all have an odd obsession with blood."
Wasn't it supposed to be somewhere else? After it's encasement in the fountain's walls, L figured Ryuk would want to be as far from Earth as possible. Apparently, there was more he needed to do. L wished he could ask the ex-Shinigami questions, but until then, he could only listen to it's taunts.
"If I'm here, and you're in the chair, then where is Light?" L raised an eyebrow quizzically. "Ah, there he is, hehe," Ryuk glanced toward the wall. Suddenly, Light's body blurred into view. Like L, he, too, was strapped in a chair.
L was dreaming-it was the only logical reason for Light's strange appearance. And if he was dreaming...
"Ryuk," he spoke, finally relieved of pain. "why are you here?"
"Because according to the gods, you all need a bit more assistance."
"For what?"
Ryuk shrugged, "I just receive instructions, not answers. If it were up to me, I'd be exploring different worlds and dimensions right about now. But, it's not. So, I'm stuck here watching humans play with each other." He laughed callously. "Just do what needs to be done so I can get out of here."
"Lawliet," Light called blindly; his head rolled from side to side. Blade wounds swept across the left side of his face. Blood cascaded down his body.
"I'm right here," L murmured, trying to soothe the broken boy. Although death seemed to be at their heels, something more needed to be done. L's thoughts drifted to the letter he'd wrote in Old Town as his grip on his dream slipped.