Chapter thirty-three- Mr. Coil, Mrs. Ryuuzaki.

Total silence ensued. A few people had restarted their conversations and gossip, completely ignoring the couple's dirty teasing. Near's accusation led to a total stop.

"You are L," The thirteen year old boy stated again.

A slow smile rose to L's face. He'd never liked it when people danced around the truth and minced their words to soften the blows of criticism. He couldn't help but be proud of Near. Near had certainly taken his advice...

L brought a gentle finger to his lips, chewing on the tips thoughtfully for a moment. "I'm afraid not, Near. As I've said before, I'm his second-in-command, only next to Watari himself."

Misa stepped forward. "I can attest to that," she claimed protectively. "I know L's identity, in any case. As childhood friend, I grown up seeing every one of his faces, whether prepubescent or going through puberty. And it's not that."

L knew better than to be sarcastic with her after she'd stood up for him. But even he cringed at the last part. "See? Utter and disgusted hate. It's what she radiates. Towards me, anyway."

She nodded just to prove his point correct. "Like heat from a flame. Or moths to a light bulb."

The cold expression on Near's face told his disbelief. However, he didn't push the matter any further.

L turned his attention back over to Misa. "Will you be spending the night here, miss?"

Misa did not miss the flirtation in his tone.

Misa stared down at her naked form with a slight frown. She was still in a mixture of shock and awe. How had L managed to talk her into this again?

The water felt heavenly against her skin. Her hair was soaking wet and slicked to her back. Her thoughts were wild and raging.

Why had she agreed?! Spending the night with L? Well, not SLEEPING with him, but spending the night under the same roof as him. Crazy...

Her fists clenched painfully. Her knuckles were bright white. "L, I'm going to break your pretty-boy neck when I get my hands on you!" She promised mid-seethe.

Turning the water off, she stepped out of the shower and grabbed her towel, wrapping it around herself. She took a deep breathe before opening the door.

Clean clothes lay fresh on her bed. Misa cast a glare at the perverted camera- was this camera paparazzi incognito.

"I don't like you, Mr. Stalker," she decided aloud to the spy device.

Something about this setup was so familiar...

Her thoughts of camera-extinction were interrupted by a knock a the door. "Misa, are you done changing?" Came L's low voice.

"No!" She cried hurriedly. "Give me a second!"

She shot the camera another rueful glance before shedding her towel and grabbing the clothes. As she did so, Misa desperately hoped the camera wasn't recording her, or there was anyone there, for that matter.

"I hate you," she hissed, pulling her pants up, storming over to the door, and opening it. She despised the way he looked her shape up and down. "Like what you see?!" She spat.

He shrugged after another moment's observation. "Yes, I do. I figured it would suit your body quite nicely."

Misa furrowed her eyebrows at him. "Shut up, L. You don't get to check me out like that."

L brought a soft finger to his lips in a thoughtful way. "Like what, Love? I was simply enjoying the scenery until you so rudely interrupted."

Her face became one of disgust. "You are a pervert!" She growled, whacking him in the chest.

He took the small impact with a frown. "You have tiny fists," he noted aloud. "Is this your first time punching someone?"

She withdrew her hand with a scowl. "As if you could do any better!" She countered.

He simply shrugged. "Yes, actually. Light and I get into fights all the time."

Misa cringed in horror at his words. "And who wins?"

L took a minute to think it over. He gradually responded, "Actually it's pretty even, give or take a few bruises."

The second Kira groaned and rubbed her face in absolute exasperation. "Children. That's what you are! You two remind me of fighting siblings."

Ryuuzaki scratched his chin before answering. "Do we? I guess I've never really thought of our relationship before... Brothers with Light, huh? Soichiro wouldn't be so lucky, what with one of his sons being Kira and the other one tracking Kira down."

Misa nose scrunched up in distaste. "Light's not Kira, L! If he were, I'd know."

That statement alone perked some very important questions. It made L even a little excited. "Misa, are you confessing to being the second Kira? Wow, I feel a little betrayed."

She scowled at him. "I think I'd know if I were Kira. I can assure you I am not."

L played with her a little. "Assure me then. How, Misa Amane, are you not Kira?"

She thought it over for a moment before answering. "I know because I don't remember being a murderer. Also, my alibi would check out as I've been under deep surveillance by Ryuuzaki."

"How is your husband doing?" A hint of jealousy was apparent in his tone.

Misa frowned as she caught it. "Ryuuzaki's quite well, thanks."

"Hm."

"Hm?"

He sighed. "It's nothing. I came to escort you to dinner, Misa."

He outstretched his hand towards her. She hesitantly took it. She offered him a small, awkward smile. "Thank you," she murmured as they began walking.

L didn't respond, but instead, kept walking. Even he couldn't pretend that he had a young model's hand in his own. He was a normal guy, after all...

The dining room was more of a mansion that anything else. Large, classic chandeliers loomed above what had to be twenty tables.

Children sat and spoke to each other. Misa heard two boys discussing quantum physics as two girls laughed over string theory.

The dark haired boy from before caught her eye as she passed, his eyes seemingly piercing into her very soul. He knew something, that much was obvious.

B sat with the same boy he'd been talking to a few hours previous. Something was wrong with the latter. He avoided gazes and spoke in a small voice.

"A," L said, briefly stopping to explain to her, "has a troubled past. It's very often that he gets depressed."

Misa frowned sympathetically at the news. "That's sad," she whispered back to him. "Everyone has a reason to live. No one deserves to die."

L inwardly scowled. Such thoughts and opinions were not the mindset of a classified serial killer. Was he wrong about Misa, after all? Was she just a unless Kira supporter?

The girl in question noticed the baffled expression. "Is something wrong?" She queried, her voice soft, but conveying concern, all the same.

He forced a firm smile to his face. "No, Nothing's wrong. I was just deep in thought, that's all."

Misa wasn't buying it, but she knew better than to press the subject. "So, where are we going to sit?" She changed the topic and L was glad of it.

He gestured lazily to the same table B and A sat. Near was sitting a few chairs away while the same pigtailed girl from earlier talked to him. Misa wasn't sure if he was even listening. Mello and Matt sat right next to each other on the other side of the bench, the primary pointing out attractive girls while the latter casually looked up and nodded his approval every now and then.

Misa allowed L to lead her to the end of the table, where he sat down at the head, placing her strategically next to him. A king with his queen.

"Mr. Coil," a head-bobbing butler spoke suddenly, offering L some delicious looking desserts, "My regards to your health. It's a pleasure that you're home, master."

Misa cocked her head at the odd individual. Was this man actually excited that L was home? Was L actually loved?

Suddenly L was speaking.

"Thank you, Percy. You've outdone yourself," he complimented, eyeing the dish hungrily. It was not without perfection.

Misa got the feeling someone was watching her, and scanned the room for the spy. Her eyes slowly met Near's and were held. She briefly wondered if he'd make another accusation like he had that morning.

"Hey, are you listening?" Linda asked her friend sadly.

Near slowly turned his attention back to her- or so it seemed.

Misa could feel his prying, curious eyes looking at her. A Million questions danced through his head.

How can this girl be the second Kira? Why hasn't L arrested her yet? Why was she with us, in the first place?

Misa had likewise thoughts. Her's, however, ran more in the direction of L. Why don't these kids get to know who he is? Does his butler know? Should I tell Near if he asked me? He could likely get it out of me anyway.

She was chased out of her thoughts by a friendly call from Mello, "Hey, Misa!"

She gasped and looked his way with a bewildered look on her face. He simpered at her playfully. "Are you daydreaming about me, or what?" He teased.

L. Something about it sounded distinctly like L. That's where he got it from...

Misa shot him a scowl. "You wish. My mind is filled with one guy and one guy only."

"Yes, I daresay, she's correct," a inwardly seething L broke in, jealousy evident in his tone, "And that one is me."

Mello chuckled aloud jestingly. "I'm joshing, E. I wouldn't dream of takin' your girl from you."

Misa's mind wondered further from reality to fantasy. E's girl? Did Mello really think she was L's girlfriend? Weird...

"Not my boyfriend. Friend," she corrected him.

Mello gave her a strange look. An expression of doubt mixed with puzzlement. He didn't believe her. A slow smirk rose to his face as he responded, "Sure, he isn't. And I assume that ring on your left ring finger wasn't a gift from him?"

Misa scowled at him, much in the way of how a child would. "No. I got it from my husband: who is, in no way, him. I think I've lost my appetite."

Mello chortled and Matt looked up in interest. Something more exciting the Mario Smash Bros?! Never before... He tuned his ears carefully and listened.

"On the contrary, Mrs. Coil, why shouldn't they know? And if you're feeling sick, I'll gladly take you to our room."

Misa's stomach lurched. What the heck?! Did he really... Ooh, he's gonna pay big time for that!

Misa forced a sticky, sweet smile onto her face. "Thank you, my husband, for offering. But I think I'm quite capable of finding my own way."

"Nonsense! I shall accompany you." L stood up and offered her his hand.

She took it and they walked away, leaving the children with a mixture of starstruck, confusion, and wonder. The teases!

Misa cleared her throat gently as they walked along a long, twisty corridor. It was barely seeable a few feet in front of them, lit only by candles. Misa wasn't about to admit it, but she was glad for his hand holding her's. It kept her steady.

"Um, did you really have to tell them we're married?" She inquired softly. "I mean, why lie more than you already have? They don't even know you're L."

Her hand moved a bit as he shrugged. "Keeping my identity a secret is necessary. And no; Near was not the first kid who's figured my identity out. He's just the first one to publicly announce it."

Misa laughed at the tone. He sounded strangely content was the last statement. "And you're okay with that? I mean he publicly ousted you," she pointed.

L thought of a way to explain it into words. Most likely, Misa wouldn't understand anyway. "I'm proud of him," he spoke finally, carefully. "Mello found out by accident, Near deducted from coincidence, B forced it out of me, and I revealed myself to you."

"Four people?"

"Five, including Watari. Although, I guess you could add Light and Ryuuzaki, making it seven. Oh, and chief Yagami and Mogi-

"Okay, I get it!" She screamed loudly.

Lawliet smirked as his wife cowered with her hands over her ears. Her eyes were exaggeratingly wide to feign her horror. She stood up after a moment of quivering.

"All of that because of my statistics? Wow, Love, that's sad even for you..." he trailed off and she frowned.

"It's called acting!" She retorted, grabbing his hand and dragging him behind her. He was struck with amazement at the gesture.

Misa finally seemed to realize what she'd done. Her checks flared bright red as she came to a halt. She glared down at the ground in shame and embarrassment. L removed his hand and grabbed her's back inside his.

Dominance.

He tugged Misa along the darkened hall. "Let's go to sleep okay?"