Warnings for this chapter: consequences of anal fissure
Disclaimer: I do not own Death Note. This is a non-profit fan work.
Break the Haughty - Chapter IX
L used the time Light was asleep (or out) to research the attackers. The police records showed Haro Suzuki's involvement in a street brawl when he was 16. Apparently, several high school students had been severely injured. If Light knew about this? Such an incident must have been reported in the news back then. There was also an address in the records, but it was probably dated. L wrote it down anyway and went on to the public internet. He found a social network entry for a Haro Suzuki. It even had a profile picture, making it easy to confirm the identity. Apparently, he had, indeed, attended the same high school as Light, graduating a year before him instead of taking part in the university entrance preparations. Judging from the comments on his profile, he worked as a waiter at some restaurant or bar in Shibuya. L took a sip of the green tea that Watari had conveniently placed next to his laptop. Oh, right. It had been cold for the last 2 hours or so. L spit the cold tea back into the cup and went over to the sweets bowl to help himself to some quick energy. Sucking on a very fine piece of Japanese chocolate, he looked for more traces left over time in the tagled webs of the internet. Lucky for him, the net hardly ever forgets. As the online gallery of his school proudly presented, Haro had been quite a good boxer as a student. L looked over his shoulder at Light's battered figure. If that was true, he could have been a lot rougher with Light. On the social network profile was another address. L wrote it down and planned to pay that address a visit tomorrow. He was not too successful on the matter of Kazuo, though. Kind of expected, since all he had was a face and a very common first name. There was a person with that name in Haro Suzuki's friends list, but the picture did not look anything like the man L had seen a few hours earlier. He wrote down the details anyway. It was not uncommon to use a random profile picture, after all.
When Light woke up, he wished he hadn't. His head was throbbing like crazy and the aggravating sensation in his bottom indicated last night had actually happened, instead of being a particularly vivid nightmare. He groaned involuntarily when he tried to move, as a splitting pain rushed through his intestinal tract.
"So you're awake." L remarked. Light made an unhappy sound of agreement.
"How does it feel like to wake up in another man's bed?" asked Ryuk and snickered.
"I wish I wasn't." Light said, glaring up at his shinigami.
"Well, the doctor left you some pain killers," L said, "I suggest you take them."
"Oh, it's not that bad."
L gave him a crooked smile.
"I'm sure it is."
Light avoided the detective's penetrating gaze and concentrated on the bed sheets instead. As long as he didn't move, it was sufferable. The room smelt kind of funny, though.
"I'll order some breakfast," L announced. "What would you like?"
Light sighed.
"I don't really feel like eating."
L shrugged.
"Suit yourself."
After what seemed like an endless delivery of pastries, creamy puddings and fruit desserts, L abruptly said:
"I have to go out in a bit. You should call your family to let them know about your condition and that you're alright."
Light shook his head, regretting it instantly.
"I can't tell them what happened. But I will call them. Not to worry."
"Tell them whatever you like. But have you seen your face? It'll take at least a week to get rid of that black eye."
"I'll think of something."
"You are an excellent liar, Light Yagami, no doubt about it. But even you have limits."
"Someone's onto you," Ryuk commented.
Light put on an innocently shocked face.
"What do you mean 'liar'?"
L began spooning up a skillfully decorated vanilla pudding.
"I mean I've seen you talking to your mother yesterday." He licked some cream from the edge of his mouth. "And I'm not your girlfriend."
Light decided to change the topic.
"Why did you order so many sweet things, Ryuga? Is it a typical breakfast where you come from?"
"Not really."
Light's gaze traveled over the numerous trays and back to L.
"So why did you order them?"
"I like sweets."
Light gave up. This was not going to be a pleasant conversation in a million years.
"I think I'll take a shower now."
"You just showered yesterday and I had to get you out of the tub because you passed out. I strongly advise against it."
Light huffed. He adjusted his position to get a better look at L and almost screamed, so painful was the sensation. Ryuk cackled.
"Painkiller?" asked L.
"No, it's fine!"
"I don't think so."
"I said it's fine!" Light snapped, a tad more aggressive than he had intended.
L finished one of the many syrup-soaked pastry pieces laid out on a ceramic platter.
"As I told you, I have to go out. Are you sure you can make it to the bathroom without passing out?"
"Of course!"
"Let's give it a try then, shall we?"
Light threw L a deadly look while Ryuk roared with laughter. But L returned his gaze with the same calmness he had displayed ever since Light first met him. Then he got up from his chair and folded back Light's duvet - and for the first time Light had known him, he looked sincerely surprised.
"What is it?"
L didn't say anything, but pointed at a lower area on the bed. Light pulled himself up, so he could see, groaning quietly from the inexorable pain. And then his features froze. The flawlessly white bedsheets had turned brownish-red around his lumbar region. He blinked. It was no trick of lighting. The sheets were indeed soaked in a mixture of blood and faeces. His thighs and hips were also stained with the smeary substance and now the duvet was removed his brain could fully identify the stench of decay and excrement. Light felt tears welling up. The humiliation was, in a sense, worse than yesterday. L had been so kind to care for him. A debt he would have to repay before he could kill him. And now... this. L turned around and picked up the phone.
"This is room 365. We need room service. New sheets."
"I'm so sorry..." Light stammered, "I will repay you for the-"
"Never mind." L stood up and came to the bed. "Can you stand up?"
Light nodded, but honestly, he was not too sure. Everytime he used his gluteal muscles, it felt like he was touched by a red hot poker. He put all his effort into maintaining a stoic mask, while his hitched breath betrayed him. He clenched his teeth just to be able to endure the pain long enough to stand up. L noticed the rather shaking feet and slung an arm around Light's shoulders. The young man seemed much worse than last night. Which probably served to show how effective the stress reaction of the body was. Slowly, he walked Light to the bathroom, instructing him to hold on to the door handle.
Light's vision started to get blurry. He saw L switching on the faucet. Then he came back.
"You look like a butchered sow," Ryuk said.
"I'm preparing a bath for you, so you can clean yourself," said L, "I don't trust you standing in the shower by yourself."
Light didn't answer, but he gave a faint nod. L was helping him into the tub, when they heard a knock at the door.
"Gotta be the maid." mumbled L.
to be continued...
Author's note: sorry for the long time between updates. I hope this new chapter compensates you a bit. It's the longest chapter yet, although nothing much happens. I already have a part of the next chapter ready and with luck it won't be long until the next update. Reviews, as always, are very welcome. Cheers!