End Games

Chapter 7: Yotsuba

It was just before dawn, and a petite blonde figure sat wide awake, looking out her living room floor-to-ceiling window. Misa hadn't slept a wink the night before due to the fact that today she and Matsuda were going to meet with the Yotsuba Group. That wasn't the only reason though. Every time she closed her eyes to try to sleep she would relive the moment of passion she had with L the previous day. She would get all hot and bothered, and would need to get up and do something distracting to take her mind out of the gutter. Normally, Misa would just write these things in her journal, but when she went to retrieve the journal to jot down the previous day's event, she couldn't find it. Naturally, she panicked thinking that all her secrets were now at the hands of some pervert. Luckily, she managed to find it inside her night table drawer, one of the many spots where she's been known to leave the thing. Misa was not OCD when it came to organization. However, she found it strange that her journal was there since she could have sworn she left it on top of her night table, not inside. 'Whatever. I probably forgot I had put it in the drawer...' She thought as she went to the living room, where she remained awake, writing.
'That thing that happened with Ryuzaki was wrong. I'm supposed to love Light and kiss only him. It's just that it felt so good to be wanted like that. The way he held me and touched me, and kissed me...' Wrote Misa, blushing. '...it was like fireworks! Who knew the brainy weirdo had it in him?! I, Misa Amane, am pleased with Ryuzaki's kissing skills. At first it was a shy kiss, but then he really went for it and it was...well...let's just say that I might consider going on break with Light for one night...JUST KIDDING. I would never do that to my Light!' She continued, now fighting with herself on the page. Misa groaned inwardly as she looked at the time. It was 6 a.m.
'I should really try to get some sleep. I won't be of much use today if I'm tired.' She thought.
She got up and walked to her bedroom. She was wearing regular pajama pants and a tank top this time. She decided against wearing lingerie to bed since that might give L the hots for her and she wanted to avoid any more complications.
-Later that day-
"Hurry up, Matsu! We still have two more stores to go to and we barely have an hour!" Yelled Misa as Matsuda followed behind her carrying 3 large shopping bags and two boxes full of clothes, shoes, and countless accessories.
"Right, Misa Misa. I'm right behind you...just one question. Why do you need all this stuff? I mean, you're a model, don't you already have nice clothes?" Asked Matsuda while trying to balance his burden.
"Silly Matsu, the clothes I wear for modeling belong to the designers! They sometimes let me keep them but not always. And besides, the clothes I wear for modeling are hardly appropriate! I need to look like an executive office babe, if you catch my drift" She said with a wink.
"Right..." Said Matsuda miserably. He was having a busy afternoon. This was the second time that Misa had asked him to come out with her, and before that she had gone out with Mogi. It seemed like every time she went out she needed a KIT member to go with her. It didn't make much sense to him why she didn't go out on her own. She could get into headquarters with just her finger prints and face recognition. That's what they all did when they didn't feel like entering the passwords.
Once they had arrived at headquarters, Misa made Matsuda enter all the passwords while she just stood and watched him. He was confused by her behavior. The two walked into the main investigation room where the rest of the KIT members discussed final details of the plan. Matsuda dropped the bags and boxes next to the couches and then fell upon it, exhausted from the shopping trips. Misa looked him over.
"Don't tell me you're tired already! I really hope not because I just realized, I'll need to go out once more..." She said innocently.
Matsuda looked alarmed. "Misa Misa, forgive me, I don't mean to sound rude, but...why don't you go on your own? Is it too much to carry by yourself?" He asked her sheepishly.
Misa cocked her head and gave him a puzzled look. "Of course not Matsu. I'm perfectly used to shopping by myself but I just need one of you guys to come with me so that I can get back into headquarters. Watari doesn't send me the daily password since I'm not officially one of you guys of whatever. It's all Ryuzaki's fault because he won't let me get the passwords like you guys do!" She said, glaring at the detective.
At this point, all the KIT members looked completely confused. They were all looking at Misa as though she were speaking nonsense. Some looked at L for clarification but he remained silent as he worked at his computer, sipping coffee. Light was annoyed with Misa for being so dumb. To him, it was obvious that this was some plan of L's to limit Misa's movements. If she went out supervised at all times, then she would not be able to kill anyone.
"That's not how it works at all!" Said Matsuda shaking his head. "Watari doesn't send us any passwords. It's only one password, but you can also get in through finger prints and face recognition." He finished explaining.
"WHAT?! So you're telling me that I've been able to come and go by myself from the very beginning?!" Yelled Misa getting red in the face. She thought of the many occasions in which she had wished to visit Light but did not because she thought she would not be able to get back in, the handful of times that she had asked to be escorted some place by a KIT member, the times that she had gone out with L himself to run errands, and especially that one time that she'd basically gone out on a date with L to the park and ride. All because of a lie he made up. Misa was now furious.
"Yep. I don't know where you got that stuff from! It's pretty creative though, don't you think so Ryuzaki?" Said Matsuda, blissfully unaware of the hell he'd just unleashed.
"Matsuda...please stop talking now..." Muttered L, knowing full well what was coming next and dreading it.
Misa walked towards L angrily. "YOU! Look at me you liar!" She said, pointing a finger right in L's face. "You're a cheat you know that? You play dirty, Ryuzaki! I played right into your hand like an idiot!" She yelled at him.
"I accept your accusation. Now you know the truth, is there any other problem?" asked L calmly. His calmness only made Misa more irritated.
"YES! You TRICKED me into going on a DATE with you to the park and ride...you PERVERT!" She continued, shocking everyone else in the room. L looked at her wide eyed. Everyone, including Light was now staring at him and Misa. Before L could say anything, Light spoke up.
"What the hell do you mean by a date? You went out with Ryuzaki while I wasn't here, Misa? How do you think that makes me feel?!" He said, raising his voice to feign hurt.
Misa was alarmed. She hadn't meant to say that much, it just came out. "Light, it's not what you think. Nothing happened! It's hard to explain, can we talk? Please?" She asked sounding worried. L was the one who answered for him though.
"I'm afraid that's going to have to wait. It's almost time to meet with the Yotsuba Group. I think we all agree that takes precedence over this misunderstanding." Said L while stirring his super sweet coffee. As exquisite as the situation was getting, all the other KIT members assented with a nod of their heads. Misa was outnumbered as even Light agreed that their talk could wait. She turned furiously toward L once more.
"I hate you, you're ruining my relationship Ryuzaki! I thought you were my friend!" She yelled at L. It was Light who spoke next.
"Misa, stop being dramatic and calm down and focus on the mission. This is more important right now." Said Light, crossing his arms over his chest. She looked at him as he sat there, the very high and mighty voice of reason.
"Fine...if that's what you want Light." She said, defeated. "But I'm telling you right now Ryuzaki, once this thing with Yotsuba is over, I'M GONE. I'm going to deliver Kira to you and then I'm leaving!" She said storming off before L could reply.
"Very well..." Said L even though she was already out of earshot.
"Do you mean that Ryuzaki? If Misa manages to flush out Kira, you will let her go?" Asked Light, un-amused by Ryuzaki's recent actions. It was true that he did not care for Misa, but she still was a great weapon in his arsenal, and as such, he did not want Ryuzaki meddling with her too much. If Misa were to be cleared of all suspicion and released, that would be great.
"Yes, Light, I will." He answered simply.
-A bit later -
Matsuda and Misa sat in a fancy lobby on the top floor of the Yotsuba Corporation. Matsuda was there as Misa's manager and his false name was Taro Matsui. Misa was there as herself, of course, and she dressed the part in a form fitting mid-thigh length button-down dress and high heels that screamed sexy corporate babe. Her hair was completely loose and she wore alluring red lipstick. Upon arrival, they had been escorted by two bodyguards who instructed them to wait outside two very large double doors, behind which they could only assume were the Yotsuba Group members. The two looked at each other, and then at the two body guards wearily. Matsuda lowered his head and turned to Misa as though he was talking to her.
"L, I have a hunch that whatever they're talking about in there probably has a to do with Kira. I think that's why they're taking precaution with these body guards. If only we could draw them away so I could listen through the door..." Whispered Matsuda into the microphone disguised as a small pin on his shirt collar.
"Don't do anything stupid Matsuda. Remain there for now." Said L, before Matsuda could continue.
Both Matsuda and Misa had tiny earpieces as well and could hear L. However, Misa disregarded his order. 'If that's what Matsu needs to get some dirt on this Kira, then Misa's going to do it!' She thought. She turned to the bodyguards and gave them a smoldering, seductive smile.
"I'm in need of freshening up. Can one of you strong handsome guys please escort me to the ladies room?" She said innocently. Matsuda gaped at her for going against L's orders, but did not stop her.
"..." L gave a defeated sigh as he heard Misa ask the body guards to take her to the bathroom. 'This woman...never listens...' He thought, un-amused.
The bodyguards looked at each other suspiciously but then one agreed to escort her, telling her to "make it quick." She smiled at him as she took his arm and walked with him down the hall way and around the corner. The bodyguard blushed. A minute later, there was a loud scream and the remaining bodyguard and Matsuda wondered what was going on. The scream sounded like Misa's.
"You! Stay here and DON'T MOVE. I'm going to see what the hell that was" Said the bodyguard to Matsuda as he took his gun out and ran in the direction Misa and the other bodyguard had gone.
"Misa, what are you doing?" Asked L seriously.
Misa was screaming inside the bathroom. The first bodyguard came in immediately, soon followed by the second 'Perfect now I have both of you away from Matsu' She thought.
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!" Demanded the second bodyguard.
"There's...there's...THERE'S A GIANT SPIDER IN HERE! MISA MISA IS DEATHLY AFRAID OF SPIDERS!" Screamed Misa as she started to wail dramatically.
The first bodyguard was petrified because as it turned out, he was genuinely afraid of spiders. "What the hell is wrong with you?" Yelled the second bodyguard at the first bodyguard. They both searched for the spider but could not find it. Yet Misa continued to cry and insist that there was and they should keep looking.
In the meantime, Matsuda was alone. He took the opportunity to get up close to the double doors and listen. He could hear pieces of the conversation inside. "...next week...sooner...kira...kill..." were the words that Matsuda could pick out. 'That's it! These guys are planning to have Kira kill someone next week!' He thought as he got up closer against the door to listen more. Then, unexpectedly, the latch on the doors gave way and Matsuda fell through, into the conference room where eight pairs of surprised eyes stared at him. Then came the most awkward silence in corporate history.
"WHO ARE YOU?!" Demanded one of the board members, getting up from his seat. The others stayed silent, awaiting the answer.
"Um...eh...I'm...I'm Taro Matsui...of Yoshida Productions?...um Misa Misa's manager! I'm here with...her...um. Sorry I tripped and fell through your door!" He said bowing deeply and inwardly praying for his life.
"What. The. Fuck" Said Light from the investigation room. "Just what are these two doing?! They're botching everything!" He said angrily, as he listened to the audio feed.
L simply stayed silent, gripping his knees and listening, a hint of a frown on his face. The rest of the KIT members were speechless. Everything seemed to be going wrong.
"What did you hear? Are you a spy from one of our competitors?" Demanded another board member. Matsuda was now sweating bullets. He wasn't good at talking under pressure, and one of these men was believed to be Kira. For all he knew he could be dead any minute now. Luckily the bodyguards had returned with Misa.
"Look, here's Misa Misa! See? I'm just her manager! I didn't hear anything, I was just outside stretching and I tripped and fell!" Said Matsuda laughing nervously as he brought Misa forth to the board members.
"Oh Matsu, you're always so clumsy!" Said Misa smiling.
The board members were immediately taken with Misa's appearance. They eyed her disgustingly from head to toe, as if undressing her with their minds, and some even had to loosen their shirt collars.
"It is a pleasure to be acquainted with all of you!" Said Misa bowing deeply, giving them view of her cleavage.
"Ah, yes. I recall now we had a meeting request from a Mr. Matsui to introduce to us this lovely young woman. I believe it was about a possible contract with his client, Misa Amane, as a spokesperson for Yotsuba Corporation." Said another one of the board members, a very intelligent looking man.
"Yes! That's it. Thank you for remembering all that" Said Matsuda bowing again. The situation was still tense but at least the board members now believed his story. They all introduced themselves and asked to see Misa's portfolio and list of references. They asked her and Matsuda some basic questions, which they answered well enough, smiling through their teeth the entire time. In the end, she was invited back for two rounds of interviews the following day as well as the week after. All those in the KIT headquarters gave a sigh of relief.
"I can't believe those two managed to get the job done after all" Said Chief Yagami, wiping the sweat off his forehead with his handkerchief. "They nearly gave me a heart attack" He said.
An hour later, the door to the main investigation room opened and in walked a very triumphant Misa grinning from ear to ear, and a very disgruntled Matsuda.
"We're back!" She sing-songed as she walked in. "And I'm pretty sure we're in, right Matsu?" She said cheerfully.
"Right..." Groaned Matsuda. His knees were still shaking from the day's events. He was ready to go home, have a few drinks, and then go to sleep.
"Matsuda, when you were left alone without bodyguards, did you learn anything noteworthy?" Asked L.
Matsuda perked up at the question. He'd completely forgotten to mention that important part.
"Yeah! I'm certain that I overheard them talking about Kira! They were saying how they would have Kira kill someone next week, or something like that. I'm positive!" He said. The KIT members were excited with the news. This was by far the most significant lead on Kira that they had come upon in months.
"Good work today you two" Said L looking at both Misa and Matsuda. Misa was beaming at his praise, long forgetting their argument earlier that day. Matsuda was equally as elated because he finally did something useful.
'Everything is going as planned...' Thought Light with a sinister smile.
"Just try not to take so many liberties next time. You guys had us worried there for some time" Said Light, with his arms crossed over his chest disapprovingly.
Matsuda scratched his head and laughed nervously. Misa ran over to him and said "Oh Light you were worried about me weren't you?" She said with a twinkle in her eyes.
"Oh course I was. And I was also angry because you deviated from the plan. Don't do that next time, ok?" He said as he pulled her into a hug.
"Yeah...sure!" Misa said unsure if she should be happy because Light cared for her, or upset because he had been angry with her. "Do you want to do something tonight to celebrate? I can make us an awesome dinner and we can have our talk over dinner!" She said excitedly.
He looked at her and said "Alright, sounds good, Misa." In truth, all Light wanted to do was go home and relax. However, in light of recent events, he figured that maybe he should pay more attention to Misa. It was possible that L was trying to pull a fast one on him by getting close to Misa. He knew the chances of the model leaving him for Ryuzaki were pretty much 0 but the occasional date with Misa could only help him solidify her affections for him.
"Great!" She squealed as she pecked him on the lips. "I'm going out to get some ingredients I'll be back in half an hour, I promise!" She said and before she exited the room, she turned on her heel and said "Oh, and I'm going BY MYSELF." as she stuck her tongue out at L.
Right as Misa left, Light's cell phone went off. It was Takada. She sent him a text saying that she needed to see him as soon as possible and it sounded urgent. Light began to gather his things and L looked at him slightly puzzled.
"Aren't you going to have dinner with Misa?" He asked.
"Not tonight. A friend just texted me about something important and I have to go. Please give Misa my apologies" Said Light as he exited the room.
L knew it was probably Takada. The day that he met Misa at To-oh University's campus, he had seen Light with her. He was certain that they were still going out now, which meant he was two-timing both Misa and Takada. It wasn't his business and at the time, he didn't really care for it either. However, for some reason now L wasn't as indifferent about it. He couldn't help but think how lucky Light was to have such beautiful women throwing themselves at him. He'd never had such a thought before, and he wasn't sure why he was having it now.
Misa returned to headquarters within half an hour like she promised. She went upstairs through the elevators and started to cook right away. Within an hour, most of the food was ready and she wondered when Light would be coming up. Just then, she heard a knock on her door. She threw her heels back on and let her hair down again. She still wore the sexy button-down dress she had on earlier but she had retouched her make-up and put on lingerie underneath. "Coming, Light!" She yelled as she reached the door, swung it open and, without thinking, threw herself happily into a familiar pair of arms that were definitely not Light's.
She was in his arms. Again. It was a very surprised Ryuzaki that now held her a mere inch from his face.
"What are YOU doing here?! And where's Light?" She said not pushing back from him. She looked him dead in the eyes, their height a little more equal now that she was wearing heels.
"I'm afraid he's not coming to have dinner with you, Misa." He said looking into her eyes as well, not making any move to release her.
Misa's heart sunk. 'Light is standing me up?' She thought dejectedly.
"I don't believe you. You're a liar Ryuzaki" She said, narrowing her eyes at him. She desperately searched his dark gray eyes for any sign of deceit. She found none, but then again, since when could she read L like a book?
"No, I assure you, I'm actually telling you the truth this time. And if you don't believe me then time will prove it to you. He's not coming" He said. He hated the look of bitter disappointment that crossed her pretty face. Misa wore her heart on her sleeve, and even if she tried to hide her feelings, he usually could guess them pretty accurately.
Misa didn't say anything. She diverted her gaze from L and blinked back a few errand tears that were threatening to spill out. She was frozen in place, having mixed feelings. She was sad and disappointed because Light had let her down yet again. She tried not to keep tabs on all of Light's mistakes because she feared that at the end of the bill, the man she thought she loved came up short. She didn't want to believe that Light really hadn't grown to care at all for her. She turned a blind eye each time he disappointed her, always making excuses for him, giving him chances, believing that once day he'll change into the loving boyfriend she dreams for him to be. And alas here she stood an idiot. A well-dressed, well-behaved, idiot with a warm, loving dinner for two set up, which would now serve as a bitter reminder of her foolish hopes.
L realized that Misa was sniffling. She wasn't crying but he knew she wanted to. He moved his hands from her sides to close behind her back as he pulled her into a hug. Misa welcomed the hug though she did not allow herself to cry still. She was at least thankful that Ryuzaki, as much of a jerk as he was, seemed to care for her. She drew her face up and looked at L in the face. His arms encircled her completely and held her body against his. She could feel the slender muscles underneath his shirt and she could not help but blush. She remembered last time they had been in a similar position, they had been lip-locked in fit of passion. The memory sent a pleasurable chill down her spine and she wondered if Ryuzaki was thinking the same thing.
L was conflicted. On the one hand he was offering comfort to a friend, yet on the other hand, he was still a man holding a very attractive woman against him. One, which he was very much attracted to. He noticed she had angled her face towards his, making her lips more accessible than before. If he wanted to, he could easily claim her lips with his. And he did want to, very much.
The two stood in that same position for a minute. Judging by her body language, Misa was practically begging him to kiss her, but L just wasn't biting. He slowly released his hold on her, and she stepped back reluctantly, visibly annoyed.
'I can't believe that was it! I was practically fawning over him and he did nothing! I hate all men...' Thought Misa, suppressing the urge to scoff. Her annoyed look only told L one thing: he'd messed that one up.
"Well, I guess this is goodnight" Said Misa, crossing her arms over her chest, feigning disinterest. Before she had the chance to leave, L quickly thought of something that might appease her.
"Actually Misa, I had another thing I wanted to tell you. Two things, actually." He said quickly. "The first is that Light did ask me to send his apologies."
At this Misa rolled her eyes.
"That was the reason I came here, but the other thing I wanted to tell you was that I apologize for lying to you about the passwords. I thought you had been spying on me that day and because of that I wanted to keep track of all your movements." He said.
Misa remembered that day he had been talking to a bunch of children through a computer. She had questions about that, but she knew better than to ask them now. For now she was content with just his apology.
"Thanks. No hard feelings! I promise" Said Misa. Then she got an idea. "Hey, you wouldn't happen to be hungry, would you?" She asked, looking hopeful.
"I'm not hungry. I'm famished." Said L giving her a slight smile of his own.
"Well that's perfect! You are more than welcome to have dinner with me then!" She chuckled, delighted. She turned and walked into the apartment, motioning for L to come in as well.
"That would be...lovely." He said not believing what just happened. He walked inside, relieved that perhaps he hadn't messed things up too badly after all.
-In a dingy hotel on the outskirts of town-
Light walked into the hotel room that Takada had rented under her alias. The lights were off and there were candles everywhere.
"Kiyomi, are you in here? What was that important thing you wanted to talk about?" Asked Light.
"I'm right here Light" Said Kiyomi seductively, walking out of the bathroom, wearing absolutely nothing.
Light's eyes suddenly became wide, and his jaw dropped. He appreciatively ran his eyes over Kiyomi's figure as she drew nearer. When she finally reached her target, she proceeded to massage his now growing erection.
"What took you so long huh?" She whispered into his ear. Light realized she had asked him a question and said "Misa wanted me to go to some stupid dinner with her. But clearly I made the right choice tonight" He said, toying with one of Kiyomi's breasts. 'Well looks like I win again Misa' Thought the short-haired woman. Kiyomi took Light's mouth in hers, and the rest was history.