Chapter 4:

"Tracker"

Cameron Cross escorted Misa to her cabin with Light in tow. Cameron seemed a lot more interested in Misa's company and pretty much ignored Light.

Light assumed that they would be given separate quarters, but Val, the "Maid"—whom Light had still had not seen—had only made up one cabin. Lakes told them this when he made a surprise return appearance after speaking with Val. It was a misunderstanding, being a couple, and a single, queen size bed had been made up for Light and Misa. Originally two cabins were to be made up, but Val err'ed.

It even surprised Cross when he was told. Lakes said he would tell Val to make up a second cabin for Light, but it would take a little time.

Not to be rude, or allow Cross to assume that there was "trouble in paradise", Light accepted the shared cabin. Misa was surprised. Light just smiled off any issues and pretended he and Misa were as close as any couple could be.

Cross seemed to take the situation in stride, and said a selection of swimsuits from Cameron's own private collection would be brought to the cabin for Light to choose from, and Cross would meet them both at the Jacuzzi in half-an-hour.

After Cross departed, Light sat on the queen size bed in the cabin and stared at the opulence of the room. It was decorated in reds and golds to show both richness and class. There were a couple of sea-faring framed paintings on the walls and the furniture was ritsy.

Misa turned to him. "Light, why? Well, I'm happy you want to share a cabin with me, but—"

"Normally, I would have asked for a separate cabin, but…"

Misa smiled broadly. "Ah, I get it. You're jealous. You didn't like when Cross kissed my hand." She dropped down next to Light on the bed and cupped his arm in hers. "Don't worry, nothing could ever tear me away from you, Light." Then she sprung up on her feet and raised her arms and twirled. "And now, I get to share a rich cabin with my boyfriend! Just don't get fresh, okay. I'll let you know when I'm ready." She turned, winked.

Light's brow rose. He remembered when Misa had latched onto him in the epicentre and the task force has to pry her off him. And he began to reject this arrangement almost immediately.

"Now, what am I going to wear?" Misa said gleefully, and began to rummage through her attire.

Light grabbed his bag and took out his cell phone, but when he turned it on, there was no service. No doubt, they were too far away from any signal towers. But the yacht should have wireless service. He would just need the password.

If he needed to contact L directly, he knew what he would have to do.

He touched his upper chest, his right pectoral, and felt it. When he accepted Cross's offer to sit in the Jacuzzi, he had completely forgotten one important thing. Misa had asked him where L's GPS tracker was as they were on the boat to the yacht, but he didn't tell her.

Watari and Mogi had decided to devise an tracking device for the 'younger generation" and attach it to him in an inconspicuous place.

The indignity of it would be exposed to anyone now.

Misa had gone into the bathroom to change and she had taken an entire suitcase with her, she was having a one-way discussion with herself with what to wear, even arguing that "this one is uncute, or this was was too boring, or this one was too conservative". How many swimsuits had she brought, anyway? And Light had brought none. Since they were going to be out on the water for a few days, he didn't think to bring one—but he should have thought ahead. Now he would have to borrow one from his host and he felt embarrassed for that.

Light had prepared, somewhat, for the trip, and brought a series of light t-shirts to wear, and chose a fascia one. Some people would say it was pink, but there was a difference. He put it on.

He took off his shirt, and there it was—a pierced gold nipple ring, which was in reality the GPS tracker attuned to a private satellite that belonged to the Kira Task Force. L knew exactly where he was at all times. He still felt sore from when he was forced to have his nipple pierced. Would an earring have been better? But then the tracker would be fully exposed—when he got into the Jacuzzi.

He rummaged through his bag again, and then he found it—something that Light had not packed, and a note. "Light, I noticed you didn't pack a pair of swimming trunks with you. Sorry I looked, but you know my curiosity. You'd probably need one, at the very least. So, I packed one for you. I guessed at your fit, but I'm usually pretty good at things like that. You'll thank me later. Enjoy, and as the 'younger generation' say: Style and Profile!"

Light took out the swimming attire and gasped.

And at that very moment, Misa decided to exit the bathroom, wearing a yellow two-piece, string bikini, that gave the onlooker nothing to image. The top half expressly brought her breasts to full bloom, almost spilling out, and the bottom half, almost looked like it was painted on.

Misa gasped when she saw Light's swimming attire as he held it. And she had to stop herself from laughing. "So, you did bring swim wear. Where's the rest of it?"

Damn you, L!

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Light answered it. Benjamin Lakes stood on the other side, still wearing his white crewman uniform. He held towels, and stood there for a moment, staring at what Light had in his hands.

Lakes then smiled, almost amused. "So, you did bring swim wear," he said. "That's fortunate, because Cameron says he has nothing in your thin-size frame. No offence."

Light sighed. "No offence taken," he said solemnly. "Apparently, someone else decided to pack a surprise for me, believing that I would need it. I guess he was right. A friend," he added quietly.

Lakes nodded. "Well, good," he said, handing over the towels. "When you're both ready…" Lakes looked at Misa and his mouth dropped. He swallowed. "Wow…" he mouthed. "I mean, forgive me…Misa Amane. You look stunning. I'm a big fan of all your movies." He elbowed Light. "You're so lucky, Yagami. You're going to have to tell us how you two met."

"It's a complicated story," Light said.

"It was love at first sight." Misa almost bounced across the cabin to Light and wrapped her arms around him. "Light loves me, and I love him. And our babies will be both smart and beautiful."

Light grunted. "Misa, enough of that," he chided her.

Misa's hand was in a place where it shouldn't be and she felt around Light's upper chest. "What's this?" She lifted up his shirt, exposing his chest. "Whoa, Light! A nipple ring? I never knew you were into that sort of thing?"

Light brushed Misa's hands off him, his shirt falling back down. "It's…nothing," he said dismissively. "I…wanted to try something new, and someone helped me to…explore the new wave of our 'younger generation'." He gave Misa a stare. "But you're hip to this, right, Misa?"

It took Misa a moment, but then she clicked in. "Oh, right," she said. (The tracking device that L wanted Light to wear.) "Sure, but…"

"Nice nipple ring, Yagami," Lakes said. "You're one of the 'in-crowd', I see. I have a few piercings myself, very fashionable with the younger generation these days. But with me, I prefer to be more discreet because of my job." He stuck out his tongue, it was pierced. "But, I think Amane should tell you the slight error you made." Lakes looked at Misa. "I believe she knows what I'm taking about."

"Know what?" Light was confused.

"What…You mean…oh, never mind. Forget about it Have fun." Lakes then left.

Light turned to Misa. "What was he talking about, Misa?" He observed Misa was a little stand-offish and her face told Light that she knew something. "Misa?"

"Well, there are signs that tell people who a person is interested in, what persuasion they follow, and um, your nipple ring—although now that I know it's Ryuzaki's tracking device for you—gives the impression you swing both ways. And those pink speedos and that t-shirt you're wearing don't exactly help you, either. Cross's friend thinks…"

"What!"

"Who decided to pierce you on the left side? No, never mind. I think I get it. The task force members are probably don't know what the 'younger generation' are into. And they just decided to choose a side. But I'm surprised you didn't catch on, being 'hip' and all."

"I don't know these things!" Light dropped down onto the bed and put a hand to his face. "Oh, damn it. I can't wear these speedos, now that I know what the ring symbolizes."

"C'mon, Light. Just say you're enlightened. Pink is the new black."

Light looked up from his hand and rolled his eyes.

Well, it was too late to change it now, he thought. He would just have to go with it.

Light had second thoughts about joining their host in the Jacuzzi after he got a full look at himself in the pink speedo, but he decided to put on a brave front. Unlike in American culture, Japanese culture dictated once you committed to something, you owned up to it, or it would be an insult to oneself, and to others.

And, it would also look poorly on Misa. He promised to be here for Misa, and this invite would be a huge boost for her career with Cameron Cross. So, he needed to play the part of her boyfriend. He could not disappoint Misa. And he would not insult his host. He had to go through with it despite his own reservations and embarrassment.

If he took off the GPS tracker, L would know, and he would never be trusted again.

Misa had gone on ahead as he dressed, or rather "undressed". With his swim attire, fascia shirt, and sandals provided, he made his way up a set of stairs to the main deck. In a vestibule, he finally saw Val, the Maid, who looked at him ever so slightly, but it was the look he caught. She was very pretty.

She had medium auburn hair and tanned skin, like she had just come back from a day in the sun, and she wore a cute, small pair of eye glasses, that suited her sweet, innocent face. She wore a uniform that was a beautiful light blue dress that fit her ample frame.

He blushed when he saw her, and there was just something about her that made his heart beat a little faster, more so than with Misa. The only time he felt this way was with Kiyomi Takada, his sweetheart at ToHo University. But that relationship went no where after he was jailed by L. He wondered what Takada was up to and if she missed him? Had she moved on?

He felt his face flush. She was engaged in her dusting duties with a feather duster. Something about how she held the tool engaged his attention a little too long. Light also smelled the air. There was a fragrance, similar to perfume in the air. Was it coming from the maid?

"Hello, sir," she said sweetly. "Is there anything I can help you with?" She glanced at his attire, but said nothing. "Oh, I must apology personally for misinterpreting that only one cabin was needed."

"No problem at all." Light pulled his shirt down over his front abashed. "But thank-you," he said politely. "Have you been employed with Cameron Cross long?" he asked conversationally.

"Almost three years," she answered. "He's a very good boss. Always nice to his staff."

Light found himself smiling. "That's good…I, uh, must be going. Our host is waiting for me."

"You speak very good English."

"I've had excellent schooling," Light said.

Val smiled back at him. It was a genuine smile, and Light felt a warmth from it. What was this feeling he felt. His heart began to skip a beat.

"I must get back to my duties. I hope you have a pleasant stay, sir," she said.

"Please, call me Light."

"My name is Valerie," she said back. She turned, and all of sudden, she lost her balance, a mis-footing, or a trip, and started to fall backwards.

Light rushed in a caught her in mid-air. He caught her under her arms. "Are you all right?"

Valerie looked embarrassed, she stood up. "Forgive me, I stumbled under my own feet."

Light smiled. "It happens, don't worry about it. If you are okay, then I must find our host. As you can see, I'm going swimming—well, to the Jacuzzi, anyway." Light couldn't believe himself. He was rambling on in front of the help, almost as if he was intoxicated in her presence.

Light cleared his throat.

Light bowed slightly, and then left, and ventured out to the main deck. He stopped for a second and tried to clear his thoughts of Valerie. How come he felt so attracted to her. He read in a magazine that sometimes pheromones overrode the oratory senses to attract the opposite sex, but why would anything like that be here?

He let out a long breath. The fresh air was bringing Light back to his own self.

Light observed the CROSSBOUND was gliding softly across the water's surface as he looked over the railing, but it followed no formal direction. The water was crystal clear with the sun shining high above. It wasn't hot, and a nice breeze whisked across the deck. Whatever the analytical, atmospheric technical method by how the area was found with its "warm spot", Light didn't bother thinking about it. He was on vacation and he wanted to enjoy it. After speaking with Val, he felt more confident, despite his risqué swimwear.

Cameron Cross and Misa were already lounging in the Jacuzzi, the jets bubbling the water.

Cross, exhibited a relaxed tone with his arms over the side of the Jacuzzi, shirtless, fully exposed, and muscular. His thick blonde hair was slicked back with water.

Light had never seen Misa so exposed like this, and he had to admit, apart from her whinny, obsessiveness when it came to him, she was quite attractive. If only she was as smart as Kiyomi Takada, then maybe he could fall for her. Still, the fact that she was accused of being a mass murderer—the Second Kira—was a major turn-off.

He mentally cast the thought out of his mind. He wanted to leave the Kira Case behind and enjoy this vacation. There was nothing untold happening on the CROSSBOUND, despite a prior feeling of unease—and that Cross had hit on Misa when they first met and kissed her on the hand—but he felt relaxed. And he knew Misa was loyal. She even said so in front of Lakes, and Lakes had probably reported everything back to Cross. However, that probably wouldn't stop this playboy.

"Yagami," Cross said, when Light reached the Jacuzzi. "Don't be shy, join us." Light felt his face flush. "And nice speedos, very hip with the 'in crowd' these days, along with the nipple ring, I'm told. We can have that changed, if you wish." Light sighed. Lakes had told him everything. "Lakes can do it. He's very proficient. He has a few body piercings himself."

"I'll fine, Mr. Cross," Light replied. "I tried something new and it hasn't worked out. I suppose I'm not one of the 'in crowd' after all."

"Again, call me Cameron. Let's see it."

Light hesitated, but then he swallowed his pride, and pushed his abashment aside. He took off his shirt and revealed not only the pink speedos in full view, but also the nipple ring. For a moment, it appeared Cameron Cross frowned after looking Light over. Light filled out the speedos to the point they were tighter than he would have liked. He was above average.

Misa'a eyes bulged and her mouth dropped open.

"Oh, my, god! Light, they are so cute on you!" she commented.

"Nice nipple ring, Yagami," Cameron remarked drily, as Light slipped into the Jacuzzi. Light felt better now that he was in the water, it hide his speedos and distracted from his nipple ring. He knew the water would not affect its operation. But then Cross tilted his head slightly. "Your arm, are those what I thing they are? I'm told your the son of a police detective. Were you shot?"

Light had forgotten about the bullet marks in his left arm done by Jasper Yuta. They weren't as visible as before, but they were still noticeable to anyone who did take notice. "Yes, as a result of an incident that happened a while time ago." He didn't want to reveal the details.

"Light was once kidnapped by a serial child killer when he was younger," Misa said. "And the son of that killer later came back to finish the job. But he was killed by Kira."

"Misa! I'm sorry, but some things are not appropriate conversion, especially here."

Cross seemed amused by it all. "There is a lot more to you than meets the eye," he said with a smile. "I think I'd like get to know more about you, Light Yagami."

Light mentally sighed. He had no intention of being the "main character" here, this was Misa's invite with Cross. All he wanted was to pretty much fade into the background. Yet now, Cameron Cross had his cross-hairs on him and Light began to regret joining Misa here.

To be continued…