Gloria Victis

A/N: Two posts in one day to make up for my laziness. WARNING: There is at least one VERY disturbing scene in this chapter. Like, seriously fucked up…but I have a feeling some of you wont mind. Read at your own risk.

CHAPTER 7
BUSINESS PROPOSITION

"It's L! L's speaking to Kira! It's being broadcast on every channel!" The video feed was being repeated hourly, in the squares of all major cities, in the private living rooms of every home across the country. Japan was the first to receive it, as the suspicion over the serial killer's whereabouts still centered in that region, but soon all the countries would be receiving the news live.

Light Yagami had casually walked home from his college courses, upset that he had been with the one teacher who refused to switch on the broadcast, to let the students out early for the event. It would be on all day, she'd said, and she personally was in no mood to have it darken her classroom. The teen was hoping to dig up something heinous about the woman, so he could add her name to his death note. Of course, merely opposing god was surely a crime in itself. However, that was not as important as the latest challenge that L was no doubt setting for him. Time to play games, again. How immature.

When the teen finally made it home, he took the time to kiss his mother, to look over Sayu's homework before heading to his room. It was only half past the hour; the feed would be on again soon enough. "Light, are you going to come back down for supper? I hope you aren't planning to lock yourself in your room all night dear; your father is coming home early. He'd like to have a nice family dinner for once." His mother called as he made his way upstairs. He agreed that he would, knowing that no doubt his father would have even more insight on what L was doing. The task force had been corresponding with the detective for quite awhile, though he was still refusing to appear before them.

Light turned on the television, casually writing a few names down while he watched the evening news. There was a counter at the bottom of the screen, in just five more minutes L would address him personally, in front of the entire world. He was ready, tapping his pen on the desk, merrily humming a tune that had been stuck in his head all afternoon while periodically tossing apples to Ryuk, who was chuckling to himself in-between munching.

The video came on, L's huge black symbol taking up the space inside the blank white screen. "Kira, I have a proposition for you. No doubt an offer you will not be able to refuse." Bring it on, the teen thought. "First, please watch closely. I apologize to the general public for what you are about to view. It is no doubt deeply disturbing to you all, and I ask that you please guide younger children, and those with weak stomachs away from any monitors." The screen went black for a moment, then the events unfolding in startling color. It was difficult to make out the scene at first, but thankfully after a few minutes, a light was turned on in a nearly bare bedroom. There was very thin, very obviously naked blond child on his knees, hands cuffed behind his back. Light counted several large bleeding wounds, at the hands, the feet, one in the stomach. The five wounds of Christ. Where was L going with this?

Light's mouth opened in shock, and even Ryuk seemed to be a little confused and disturbed over what happened next. Light was old enough to have seen such things in magazines, on the Internet, acted out in movies, but still could not believe that he was watching unedited, explicit sex live on television. It didn't end there. There was another scene, the blond boy being tied up, made to perform sex acts in-between being beaten and cut, was then violently raped. Another scene, this time the child asked his captor to hurt him, to make him bleed, to cut him and burn him and then...'fuck' him. The feed went on for nearly half an hour, showing clips of unbelievably heinous acts. Now the boy was bent over a table, a choke chain meant for training a dog tightened around his neck while the man leaned over him. Light watched as blood dripped down the child's thighs, as he screamed ‘no, stop’, then later, ‘yes, please, again’. It seemed that the kid was enjoying the torture, more so with each new scene. But brilliant Light Yagami knew the word for this - Stockholm Syndrome, or some form of it at least.

Finally, when Light thought that he might become physically ill, when even Ryuk was gagging and had put down his apple, the video went back to the black and white symbol of the greatest detective the world had ever known. His scrambled voice was back, addressing Kira himself. "The videos you have just watched were sent to myself over the period of one year and nearly four months, each coming on the first of the month. In two weeks, the teenager that you watched on the monitor just now will be sixteen. If you do not care to do the math, I will say that this means when he disappeared, when the rape, the torture, and the psychological abuse started, he was merely fourteen-years-old. His name is Mello, and he is a very important to me. In fact, he was in my care when a man that he should have been able to trust, that he saw nearly every day growing up, kidnapped him. The man that committed these crimes is Beyond Birthday. I know that this name is strange, but it is the one he was given at birth. He would not have suspected that you would ever see his face, or know learn his identity; so he was foolish enough to frequently let his face appear on camera. I am going to make a deal with you, Kira. This cat and mouse game that has been going on between us will end, I will throw in the proverbial towel on the case, if you do this for me…I want Beyond Birthday dead. I do not care how it is done, but he must die for what he has done."

An image flashed again, a freeze frame of the kidnapper's face in vivid detail. L spelled out the name slowly. "I will remind you again, this man, this Beyond Birthday, has physically and psychologically tortured an innocent person, a teenage boy who has never committed a single evil act in his life. Who has strong Catholic convictions, as you can see by the rosary that he wore around his neck in the earlier videos, by the cross that was cruelly displayed on the wall opposite the bed that he’s been chained to. For more than a year, Mello has been tied down, left nude and wounded. The only times he has been let up were to suffer new unspeakable acts at the hand of a man who watched him grow from an infant, who was in fact a professor of sorts to him. The only thing that Beyond Birthday has taught him over the last year and several months is how to become the perfect slave, used for depraved sexual acts and sick games. He’s been tortured the point where his mind has broken down and he has come to believe that he wants these acts to continue. The damage may be irreversible, but I want him returned to me safely and I want that bastard dead for what he has done. I admit that I myself have not been able to find him and exact revenge, so I am left with beseeching you to do this for me. If you kill Beyond Birthday, I will give up my pursuit and leave you to do your work in peace. This is a one-time offer, Kira. These videos will continue being broadcast for one week, in hopes that they reach you. You will have no longer than that to respond. If in that time I receive no answer, then I will be forced to suspect that you are not righteous in your work of destroying evildoers, and will continue my case against you. But I have faith that you will find this as punishable as I, and that you will do what is right by ending this boy's suffering. I want him home, and I want him home now. The world will be a better place without Beyond Birthday in it."

The news came back, recapping what had transpired and apologized to viewers for it's graphic nature. The newscaster said that they did not condone what was viewed, but had no choice in broadcasting it. Normally, Light would have expected this to be untrue, the media loved violence and tragedy, but it had been L who sent it, so there probably really wasn't a choice. It was well known that the detective did whatever he pleased, especially after that little Lind L. Tailor stunt.

Light was shocked, but felt a surge of pride for being enlisted to assist the great detective. Maybe he really did side with Kira, and only now just figured it out, since a crime had struck him personally. Light couldn't guess exactly what this Mello meant to him, maybe he was his child? It made him think of his own parents, how painful it would be for them should anything like this happen to himself or Sayu. But whatever the case, it didn’t matter. He would do this, because the world would be a better place without the kind of man that had done these terrible things. This was exactly the kind of message he was trying to send out. He would punish those who hurt others and protect those who were unable to protect themselves. It could have been anyone who Beyond Birthday had kidnapped, he just happened to pick someone close to the great L. He would have to thank the man for the opportunity. This kind of publicity could only be good for his cause, to show everyone that supporting Kira was the right decision, that he would not let them down. Justice would always be served.

"Ryuk, this is going to be a long night." First things first, the teacher who had ruined Light's afternoon was disposed of. What a disgusting bitch, not caring for that poor innocent soul that suffered. He could have avoided a few more hours of pain and torture if she had just let Kira do his holy work. Ryuk giggled manically as he watched the woman's name being written in the book, then left to find another apple. He wouldn't watch Light do his work; he wanted to wait for it to happen in real time. Maybe he would even find this Beyond Birthday and get front row seats.

Humans were so…interesting.

*****************************************************************

Mello's birthday was coming up soon; he knew this because L kept reminding him that he had special plans for it. Just 14 days to wait, then he could have his present. He wondered what it might be, a new collar perhaps? A new toy? Another mark? God, L loved him so much.

"Hey baby..." Mello called, his voice low and hopefully sounding as seductive as he was attempting. L had been gone for hours, again, and he'd been waiting so patiently, missing him so much but L was a busy man and he was just lucky to have him whenever he could.

"Not now...just...not now." Beyond paced the room, feeling that there was something, what he didn't know, but something nipping at his heels with each step he took. "Goddamn it, shut up!" The brunette raged, throwing a stack of books off the computer desk, searching for the cord to the camera whose red light still blinked though he was sure it'd been shut off. It taunted him, he could hear it taunting him, could almost see those damned panda bear eyes watching in fascination from the other end of the feed. "It doesn't matter anyway." Beyond laughed, bracing himself with palms against the desk as his laughter grew and he had to take deep breaths to keep from hyperventilating. "Of course, it doesn't matter. You can't do anything. You're there, and I'm here with /him/ and he's mine so watch all you want. Do you like what you see? Hmm? I hope so, I know I do."

"L, are you alright?" Mello tugged at the cuffs on his wrist, hissing in both pain and pleasure, hoping it would get the detective's attention. The brunette did turn, smile widening, crossing the room in a quick stride, grabbing the blonde's chin and kissing him roughly, biting his lip until he felt skin breaking. "Mmmm, more? Please? You don't look so good baby, why don't you just lay down with me? I can make you feel better." The teen shifted, trying with what little mobility he had to shake the thin sheet off his chest, exposing the bruises and cuts and deeper marks that showed who he belonged to.

It felt so good to have L close again, each time he left was harder and when he came back he was always more upset than the last time. That was ok, because Mello was here to help take the pain away, to absorb it into himself in any way necessary. It was all right as long as he could help but just this morning L had done something that the little blond still couldn't think about without shedding worried tears. The brunette had brought out a knife, placing it against the blonde's throat until Mello all but stopped breathing, waiting for the sting and then the comforting kisses that would be placed over the new wound. But instead L had taken the blade to himself, once on each wrist, then sat at the foot of the bed and stared at the flow for a long time until letting out a frustrated cry and ripping his white shirt into shreds, wrapping pieces of cloth around the cuts and storming out.

"Just...be quiet love. I need to concentrate. Can't you hear it? Can't you hear him? He might be just outside, he's waiting and he's so close. He's coming for us." Mello shook; wriggling again in his restraints because despite how he was supposed to remain this way he desperately wanted to get up and hold his lover, to pet his hair and tell him it was all right. It had been so long since the last time he had been allowed to do that, way back before they were running from the monster that wanted to separate them, when Wammy's was still safe without traitors within.

"I don't hear anything. Baby, you're just stressed. It's ok, come lay down with me. I'll make you feel better. You can fuck me and you'll feel so much better." The blond purred. The brunette reached for the sheet, began peeling it down the now emaciated body of his little captive, but his hand stopped when body hips were exposed, when the feeling of cool air on his exposed dick made Mello moan and write more.

"No, of course you don't. Of course." Beyond stood, shuffling away from the bed only to turn around and wonder why he wasn't just taking the gorgeous teen, wasn't throwing the sheet off and fucking him until he bled. His was such a rich, bright color, was sweeter and damn it the boy could bleed forever and not pass out, not give up. He'd just beg for more. But there was no time; it felt like, no time to enjoy himself. There was something right on his tail, he could feel it breathing down his neck, feather light touches on the bare skin. It was cold, colder than him even. It was a challenge; a creature more evil than him was coming to take away his prize. "No! I fucking earned it and you can't have it." Of course Mello could not see or hear it, it wasn't L that lurked in the shadows, waiting to catch him off guard. It was something bigger and badder than that, greater than L but certainly not greater than Beyond Birthday.

"L, just come back. Baby I'm worried about you." The blond pleaded, but the brunette was already stalking out of the room, heading down the hall until he was far enough away not to hear the teen crying any more.

*********************************************************************

There was more furniture in here, comfortable chairs to curl up and read in, a big bed with dozens of pillows and blankets. Just like the great L, he had a bit of a weak spot for finery. Raised by an older English gentleman, who was already independently wealthy before either man came into his care, they had been given everything a spoiled prodigy could possibly want, so it was really the fault of their care taker that the geniuses had a weakness for material possessions like antique porcelain tea sets, or fine Egyptian cotton.

Beyond laughed as he flopped onto the bed, ignoring a flash of black wings in the corner of the room. Ah, let the monster stalk him; let him see just how much bigger a terror the human was in comparison. The kidnapper, or murderer, depending on whom you asked, curled up in the soft white sheets, kicking at a lump at the foot of the bed. It had once looked like something other than meat, a petite boy dressed in a lacy skirt and high heels, picked up off some street corner, and what a gentleman he'd been to offer her some tea. 'She' had giggled, sipping the tea with stockinged legs crossed at the ankles, not bothering to ask why he wasn't joining.

Soon he'd been swaying in the seat, fanning himself with a gloved hand. B hand walked behind the boy, hands first on shoulders then slipping to unbutton the top and remove it, then carrying his latest victim to the bed. Immobile, mind off wherever the drugs had taken him, the prostitute had been placed so gently on the bed, and B was whispering such kind words when he began to take the lovely body apart, piece-by-piece. Pity it had choked on its tongue before he could finish the work. But as much fun as it was to play with them alive, the bodies were just as fascinating, and now all that was left was a few tufts of cotton candy pink hair, some shreds of red and black lace, the rest of it too covered in gore to be recognizable.

The murderer lifted the edge of the sheet, inspecting his work yet again. Maybe it could be kept for another night or two before it began the stench became too much. That was always the only downside to bringing the playthings home, it was harder to throw them away when it came time.

"You won't have that long." A raspy voice whispered, sounding like the man was swallowing shards of glass and enjoying it immensely. Beyond sat up, eyes darting around the room until he spotted it, then shook his head and looked away. No. No no no.

"The door was locked. It is terribly rude to enter a locked door without knocking first. Go away. I do not have time for you." Beyond waved the creature away, glaring at it's yellow eyes and hoping that it recognized the pretty gift he'd been given at birth, the eyes that saw everything, though there were no numbers or words above this...thing's head.

"Ah, so you can see me. Isn't that interesting. Well, I hope you don't mind company. I've come for the show." This time the dark haired human didn't respond, which annoyed the shinigami Ryuk but not enough for him to leave. This was going to be one hell of a show, Light had promised. The shinigami never bothered to read what his companion wrote in the notebook, because that just ruined the surprise. He was so cunning, and if the young man had promised that this would be the best yet then it would no doubt be worth the wait. There was still time left, but the kitchen had some lovely apples, enough to supply him through the finale.

It wasn't there. Just a figment of his nervous imagination. Nervous? Over what? "Oh, shut up you." B scolded himself, hearing a cackle that rivaled his own. Jealously welled up so the brunette returned the eerie sound with a deep giggle that turned into riotous laughter. He bent over, slapping his knee and wiping tears from his eyes. Ah, that felt better. Yes, now that he'd made it apparent who was the winner of this little game, he went about removing the sheets and poking at the body. His hands covered in congealed blood, he amused himself by leaving red handprints over his white shirt.

"This is getting boring." Ryuk stated loudly, narrowing his eyes when the brunette only tensed for a second before going back to playing with the body. The shinigami had hoped for more of a reaction, especially when he flapped his wings noisily before disappearing through the wall.

Beyond began to sing to himself as he stripped out of his stained shirt, tossing it with the discarded clothes of his victim. He went back to shoving his hands into the mess and covering his chest and arms with it, like it was that sweet strawberry soap he used in the bath. The murderer licked at his fingers, trying to get every last bit on his tongue and down his throat, succeeding in causing a secondary reaction to satisfying his craving.

He couldn't help but have the nagging feeling that he was forgetting something, that he should be somewhere, when the brunette tugged the loose denim off his hips and stepped out of the jeans before laying on his back. Some more of the blood served in another purpose, as his hand went around his dick and still his mind wandered. The wonderful thing about being a genius was the ability to multitask, to solve problems and riddles that would be driving the average folk mad, and still be able to perform more interesting tasks simultaneously.

The nagging feeling grew when the sound of wings returned, a bored sigh from right behind him. That voice, that horrible nagging voice that kept whispering awful things. "Get out..." The brunette growled, sitting up and grasping the knife that still lay next to the dead body, pointing the six inch blade at the skeletal figure that now tilted it's head and stared with confused clownish features.

"Humans are so disgusting. Pathetic really. But you're not quite like the rest, are you? You're...special." Ryuk laughed, biting his apple in half and chewing twice before swallowing several large chunks at once. "Pity, not for much longer. Doesn't it bother you? Hmm? To look in the mirror and be the only one that has no expiration date. Heh heh. That's ok, I could tell you the exact moment if you like."

"Oh, but I can. L Lawliet is not to die for quite some time." He'd taken Mello, taken the thing that made L who he was, so Beyond Birthday had already expired. He was L now, the world's three greatest detectives and possibly the most brilliant man alive. And he had such a pretty lover, tied up and waiting for him. Now if only his eyes and ears would stop playing tricks on him long enough to get back to the lovely blond teen and properly enjoy his company. "Now go back the way you came. This is between the two of us and I will not share."

Ryuk took a look at the pile of meat and bone; it was starting to stink, reminding him of home. Yuck. The shinigami took another bite of the apple, munching loudly and getting bits on the corner of his lip and in the black feathers of his wings. "Whatever you say." Ryuk tilted his eyes toward the clock, smirked, then began to float away. "Tick tock. Tick tock." He chanted over and over, voice carrying long after he'd made his way back to the basket of apples. He could have as many as he wanted, there'd be plenty more at the Yagami house, as promised for the delivery he'd soon be making.

With the distraction gone, Beyond paced the room in annoyance for some time, waiting for the irritation to subside so he could get back to...relaxing. Time ticked by, and the murderer decided that the best way to help organize his thoughts would be to replay some home movies.

Ah, that was better, the volume up high as it could go, drowning out the sound of the real live version of Mello crying somewhere in the house with this version begging him for more. Beyond was able to keep his full attention on the video, one hand back between his legs. All had been perfect until the antique clock down the hall began to chime, signaling the start of a new day. Then the overwhelming need came to stand up, to rummage through the messy drawers of his desk for paper and pen.

Just what the hell was he doing? Beyond grit his teeth as his hand carefully scrawled out the address of his hideout, seemingly of it's own will. "I know where I am, I need no reminder, thank you very much." Still he gripped the pen, each letter and number done carefully so there would be no mistaking them. "Why should we care if they're legible? Who in the bloody hell is going to read them?" But of course there was no answer, because he was alone, at least in the room. As he folded the paper and tucked it in an envelope there was a loud crash in the kitchen.

There, that was done. The nagging feeling was getting better already. Beyond smiled, taking a place back in the bed, thinking he'd just lay down for a bit and enjoy the soft sheets and a cooling body that he could just barely poke with his bare toes. He was not going to ponder what he'd just done, or why he had done it. He was perfectly in control, of course.

That sensation of his arm being tugged, like a string was wrapped around it when it lay over the six inch blade, it wasn't really there. It did not exist. He chose to do it, yes. BB liked knives, like how the metal shined and how skin and bone parted with the skilled movements of his hands. He liked to just hold them, test the weight and listen to the instrument tell all it's stories of the places it had been, the people it had maimed and killed.

Oh, and the blade liked him too, he thought as he dragged the tip down the center of his chest, crossing and uncrossing his legs before giving up and taking his cock in his other hand. It had been so long since he was able to do this alone, so wrapped up in his new prize that there was really no need for masturbation. But, oh, the blade felt good against his skin, and it knew the pretty blond in the other bedroom so well. It had left its marks; it had helped him make not so shallow cuts in the boy's wrists and throat, across his belly and on the inside of his thighs. Yes, he remembered each time fondly, and so did the blade.

As much as the brunette did enjoy a little pain, he hissed when the blade dug into a hip, but his hand still slid up and down his erection and he took a moment to use some of his own fresh blood to lubricate his hand before continuing. Of course that had been intentional, he thought, even when it pressed in further and he wondered why all the commands to stop and retreat weren't making it from his brain to his arm.

He was going to kill that bastard; this had to be L's fault somehow. Beyond raged, screamed when his hand fell away from his dick, when the blade came to press against the tip and was harshly dragged down to the base. Blood was already flowing out and staining the sheets, covering his hips and belly and all he could do was lay there. His legs wouldn't move, his free hand wouldn't move, he couldn't squirm or turn over or fucking get up and run out of the room.

Even when he did move it wasn't his decision to make, all he could do was chant no, and bastard, and ask who the hell was doing this to him and did they know how much they were going to pay for it? His legs spread wide, each knee bending slightly and his ass was up off the bed now, exposed to the tip of the blade that was positioned dangerously close like a patient lover. The sharp end pressed ever so slightly against the sensitive skin, already making a cut but that wasn't enough. Tears stung his eyes, he screamed, he looked anywhere but down because that knife, that six inches of expertly sharpened, beautiful blade that was his favorite, was now edging it's way into him. And though he'd never once been fucked in his life, though the muscles resisted and he screamed more the sharpened silver kept pushing past, deeper until it was halfway in and he looked just in time to see it draw back out and it was like a faucet had been turned on.

Surely the room was going to completely fill with the blood, and shouldn't that be enough, and oh how was he going to even get up, let alone survive this. He stubbornly refused to believe this was happening, though even his eyes weren't under his control any more, watching the blade plunge back into him faster, back out, in and twisting as if it were searching for something. He was getting weak, both from the blood loss and the sheer disgust of being forced to watch as his own hand, his own fucking hand, plunged the blade in harder, and finally it was buried up to the hilt but then his body did what it was wired to do and everything began to go black around the edges. His final thoughts were hazy and disconnected, and still he fought to not die, not like this, and not because it was humiliating and hurt but because he had to surpass L. He was so fucking close to destroying the bastard. B had to win, had to become L, it was what he was meant to do and someone had cheated, but at least he couldn't feel it anymore and when he woke up and could /get up/ he would...

Ryuk had known the time was coming when he heard the clock chime, because the numbers above the human's head, the human gifted with the eyes but no notebook, were rapidly dropping last he saw the man. Unfortunately, he had underestimated just how...creative Light was capable of being when he really set his twisted little mind to it. "I'll say it again, humans are disgusting." The shinigami floated away, making sure to retrieve the envelope, taking one more glance at the bed in time to watch red eyes roll up into the back of Beyond Birthday's equally twisted head. The body spasmed once or twice more, then went completely limp as the numbers stopped dropping and finally disappeared.

The man was dead, Light had given his little gift to L and Ryuk was tying up the loose ends before heading to the Yagami house for his bag of apples. Light owed him, he had gone above and beyond the call of duty this time, delivering damned envelopes and having to see naked humans and...Ryuk groaned. That genius brat was getting to be annoyingly demanding, but still interesting. Very, very interesting.

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Ryuk had made one stop between the hideout of Beyond Birthday and the home of the Yagami's. The poor shinigami had had to fly for quite some time to reach a large secluded building in England. What a dark, dreary place, he'd thought, as he delivered the letter to the front doorstep like Light had requested. He was amazed that the Light hadn't asked him to reveal the location, not that he would have. It wasn't fair. And what fun would it be if the teen didn’t have to work for it?

Watari had found the letter outside, rushed it into L's office. He had already seen the broadcast several times, and was so far ignoring the calls from Interpol. Even Near was refusing to take responsibility to intercept the calls. That would be L's problem. He had not done it. Though it found it somewhat creative, it was indeed disturbing. And slightly unethical, though if it served the purpose, he supposed it could be fixed later. Finding Mello was top priority.

"Would you like me to read it? It is probably some kind of threat. I still cannot believe you, L. What were you thinking?" The letter was snatched from his grasp, and L read silently as Matt, Near, and Watari looked over his shoulder. It was not a world leader, or Interpol, but a response from a self-appointed god, though in the unmistakable handwriting of another.


/L, I must admit that I was shocked when I first received your message, but like you said, my morals could not let me resist in aiding you, even considering the amount of trouble you have given me in the past. I take your asking for my assistance as a great compliment, and to thank you for including me, I have done you one better than you asked by including the address of your friend's whereabouts so he may be found as quickly as possible and given adequate medical attention.

You will find Beyond Birthday in a rather messy state; I think that you will be quite pleased to know that he suffered a long and painful death as suitable punishment for his crimes. I assure you that your friend did not have to witness a moment of it, and is safe in a bed awaiting your arrival. I hope that he finds the peace he deserves, though it will no doubt be a long road.

It pleases me to see that you have changed your mind about my methods of creating a new world, and dearly hope that we might be able to work together again soon. I have a deep respect for you and for the work you do. It would give me great pleasure to meet you in person, and perhaps even work at your side. My regards and best wishes to you and yours.

Your partner in making this dark world a better place for the innocent,

Kira. /

"Watari, ready the car. He isn't more than an hour's drive away. I need five minutes. Near, you'll be staying here, and are going to put out this message for me. Matt, you're not going either. Get to work on preparing all of Mello's favorite foods, remove any case information from my bedroom, and talk to the children. No one is to breathe a word about any of this in his presence. I expect the both of you to be ready to greet him when he arrives, if he wishes to appear."

Near went to work at setting up L's recorder and voice changer, then sat with his redheaded boyfriend to plan how to address the children next. The gossip had not ended for the entire year, and now that everyone had seen L's last message, there were of course mixed feelings. Some of them were angry or scared that L had given up so much information, others were cheering him on, still others were doing their best to ignore it all.

L began his message to Kira, carefully choosing his words so as not to upset future plans.

/Kira, I must thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you have done. As this message is being broadcast, the rescue is underway, and I am more than grateful for your aid. I owe more to you than you may ever realize.

I shall also take this time to accept your offer, and look forward to meeting you in person soon. Further arrangements will be made for contact, if you would be so kind as to see to the details of setting up such a meeting. I have great confidence in your skills and intelligence, and know that you will be as careful and discreet as possible. We put both of our safeties at risk in doing so, but I believe that such an arrangement will be highly beneficial to us both. My thanks again.

Sincerely,

L./

"L, you're fucking crazy." The response was more likely to come from Matt, but it had indeed come from the usually quiet Near at his side. It had been the first time the detective had heard him curse, and it made the man smile. Maybe the little one had some fire in him at all. Possibly that was in thanks to his new-found relationship with the redheaded teenager.

"Yes, yes, I am well aware. Now stop snuggling and get to work.”


Watari and L brought only one other person with them. Though Matt had begged to go, he had been refused, and instead one of the live-in nurses from Wammy’s House was brought along, though made to stay in the car. L would not have even allowed Watari inside, but the old man reasoned that Mello might have a fit, or at least not be able to walk on his own, so the detective would need assistance. The real reason behind the caretaker's insistence was that he didn't trust L to be able to handle the situation alone. Mello would no doubt look much worse in person than he did on camera. It might be too much for the detective to deal with all at once, and he would need the emotional support.

The only accessible door was in the room just ahead of where Beyond had died. L was smiling evilly as he saw the body, and went to go check on it, but was pulled away by his caretaker. "Mello first. There will be time later."

"I was just going to kick it. Once, for good measure." Watari nodded, but lead the detective on. The old man desperately wanted to have a go at the body himself, but remained calm. They could come back for the body later, and possibly both have a chance at it. He nervously suspected that the detective might ask to have the head kept as a prize, or something equally disturbing.

Mello was just in the next room, though the form was hard to make out in the dim light, they could already hear his excited voice from the bed. "L! You're back!" There was a cough, and the light was turned on in time for the older men to see the teen leaning his head over the side of the bed, throwing up on the floor. "Do you have my medicine?" The blond whimpered, struggling against his restraints. "Can I have it yet, please? I'm sick again."

The detective went to work on removing the handcuffs, frowning at the abrasions on the blonde's wrists. There were several spots that had been rubbed raw to bleeding, deep scarring underneath that. He had seen it all in the videos, but it was indeed worse in person. "Soon, my love, soon. Please hold still." As soon as the detective spoke, the boy went stone still, staring up at him with pleading blue eyes. There were dark circles under them, not so much from lack of sleep, but of eyeliner that hadn't been washed away before he'd slept. It made his beautiful almond eyes stand out all the more, gave his features a much more innocent look, causing him to seem several years younger and terrified. L helped the boy stand, holding back angry tears when his thin legs struggled to hold his nearly weightless form upright. The detective barely managed to catch him as he crumpled to the floor. "Where are your clothes?" he asked.

"I'm ok. I'm not cold. I just need my medicine. It's been so long I'm shaking. I'm really sick. Can I have it now please?" Watari had fetched the black leather pants, the vest from a nearby chair, frowning at both but handed them to the detective. They would have to do for now. L had to lay Mello back on the bed to get the pants on, which were still unbelievably tight even though he looked thinner than he ever had, and the boy just laid there like a rag doll, allowing himself to be dressed up like one of the Barbie’s some of the younger girls at the orphanage were so fond of. As the older man helped his love into the vest, he saw the track marks and was almost sick himself.

Of course. Medicine. That's what he'd meant. Beyond had been giving him drugs to keep him quiet, he'd seen that himself. His lover was no doubt experiencing the symptoms of withdrawal. They’d have to deal with that later.

"Just as soon as we get you to the doctors, you can have your medicine, alright love?" The blond threw his arms around the detective's neck then, unbalancing him, so that he fell on top of the teen on the bed.

"No! I won't go!” he shouted. “You're going to leave me there! Please don't leave me. I'll be good. I'm sorry I asked for my medicine. I know better. Ok?" L lifted the child by placing one arm under his knees, and one under his back. He could feel every bone, desperately wanted to give the boy a chocolate bar right then. He couldn't wait to bring Mello home just so he could feed him.

"I'm not leaving you. I'll be right there the whole time. I can't fix what's wrong with you though, you need a proper physician." The child looked skeptical, and squirmed in L's arms. "Mello, hold still." Again, the command was immediately heeded without another question. The boy had been treated like a slave for over a year, and was exhibiting the signs of a very good submissive. L felt sick. "I think I may need a doctor too," he added as a side note, more to himself but Mello pouted.

"Oh. Ok. My poor baby." The blond laid his head against his shoulder, closing his eyes for a moment. "Is this ok?" The detective responded in the affirmative, and Mello let himself be carried out of the room.

Unfortunately, there was only one way to exit, so that meant that they had to again go through the room where Beyond's body lay, surrounded by a pool of blood and intestine, a pen still clasped in one hand. Ah, so Kira had controlled B into writing that note, as had been suspected. It was disturbing, but for the time being it had served the purpose. "Keep your eyes closed beautiful."

It had been too late for the command; Mello had already seen the body. He looked from L, to the body, then back again. He was struggling in the detective's arms, screaming. "Oh my god! L! Who are you? What have you done? What's going on?" The blond shrieked, falling from the detective's arms to the ground, practically crawling towards the body. He was crying! "Oh, L. You monsters! Who are you?"

"I am L. That, is Beyond Birthday." The blond shrank back, scrambling back towards the detective, clinging to his legs, still crying and screaming.

"Y-you killed him? So, he found us. Oh god. Oh, thank god you're all right L! Are you a-alright? Did he h-hurt you? Is that why we're going to the doctor?" The stench of cooling death, blood and internal organs was making itself known. It smelled like a slaughterhouse in the room, and Watari held a handkerchief to his mouth and nose, trying to rush them along.

"Yes, Mello. Come on, now, we must go. We do not need to waste any more time on him. He is dead, and he will not bother us anymore." The blond went limp then, and it took a few seconds for the two older men to realize that he had passed out. No doubt the shock of seeing the body on top of the lack of his 'medicine' was making him quite ill.

They were able to carry him out; to make the entire trip back to Wammy's without him so much as stirring. L held him in his lap the entire drive, would not even let the nurse touch him, practically snarling at the woman like a rabid dog, until she slapped him, snapping him out of it. He had been petting the blond hair, crying and shaking, and whispering that it was ok, that he was sorry, that everything would be all right, and if he could, he would resurrect the bastard just to kill him again himself. No one would ever hurt Mello again, because he was L's, and no one came between L Lawliet and that which he cared for.