Heartstrings or Handcuffs? (L x Light)

From Scratch

Me: "Alright, so this chapter marks the start of the continuation of this story. The last chapter, chapter 8, used to be the ending for this story, but, yeah, that was a pretty abrupt ending, huh? Anyway, I hope you enjoy the continuation! Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think in the comments section!"

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"I assure you, Mr. Yagami, all loose ends of this case have been tied up."

"But-!" Dad tries to interrupt the famous detective, L, once again.

"I am well aware, just as you are, that Misa Amane was not acting alone. While she is the only one we will be able to bring to trial for her crimes, the first Kira does not remain at large. He is gone."

"He's gone?! What do you mean by that?!" Dad shouts. Frankly, I'm with him on this one. It seems completely ridiculous—ludicrous even—that L, the L, would just let Kira...walk like this. I mean, that's the way it seems anyway. He just says that he's gone, and the case is over. Is Kira really gone or is L just giving up or is he...actually covering for a criminal? Why would he do that?

"Ryuzaki," I speak up, "I have to side with my father on this one. Unless you explain what you mean by 'gone,' it does not seem that the first Kira was brought to justice, and I think it's highly inappropriate for you to just give up on this case. You're one of the only people thought to be able to solve it, and you consented to work on it of your own free will. For you to just give up before it's over...well, it's highly suspect. I can't believe you would just let this go. Doesn't justice mean anything to you?"

L's eyes flicker over to mine, blank, unmoved by my words. We're sitting in his hotel room, apparently hashing this out one final time before it's all over and done with. He had even recently brought me in on the case twenty-four seven, handcuffed to him, like the case was ramping up, not on the verge of being quit altogether.

L's eyes, those static eyes, flicker back to Dad. "Again, I assure you, Mr. Yagami, all loose ends of this case have been tied up. I am not at liberty to discuss with you the details surrounding the first Kira case, but, I repeat, he is not at large. You have nothing to worry about. You should return to your family and your work. I would like to thank you for all of the sacrifices you have made in service of this case when other officers of the law would not have done so. Those sacrifices have not been in vain. Your son is safe. You are safe. Countless others are safe because of what you and the other officers who have worked with us on this case have done. You do not need to inform the other officers of the conclusion of this case. I will be speaking with each of them individually as I have with you and your son."

You didn't speak to me individually, I think testily to myself. I just don't understand what's going through his head. How is this case coming to this conclusion? Surely, L must know something that the rest of us don't. "If this case is really over," I assert, "then you'll tell us your real name, won't you?" If he says his name, then I guess it is over, but if he doesn't...I can't even begin to think what that means. Has Kira gotten to him?

"Of course, my name is L Lawliet. I can have Watari confirm with documentation if you have your doubts."

"No..." Dad breathes out a shaky sigh, bowing his head over his steepled hands in his lap, "For you to admit your real name...I understand that the Kira case has been wrapped up. I do not understand how, but I trust you, L. You would not let Kira go unpunished. Proof of your identity isn't necessary. Thank you for working with us on this. Light," he addresses me, "it's time to go home now. You, your sister, and your mother will never have to worry like that again. I'm sorry for putting you in harm's way."

"But, Dad-" I protest. L may have said his name, but...even so...how can it just be over like this? It's so sudden.

"But nothing, Light. I know it's hard to accept, but this case is over. I do not doubt L. Let's go home." He sounds tired and lets out another sigh as he pushes himself to his feet. No one cares about this case more than Dad—I've witnessed how it's torn him apart, the stress it's put on him. If he really believes that it's over...Well, I thought it myself: if Ryuzaki admitted his real name, then the case is over.

And he did.

"I guess we're not important enough to know how this all got wrapped up so neatly, though, huh?" I bite out at L as I shove up out of the hotel sofa to my feet like Dad.

"Light!" Dad immediately rebukes me because I've just challenged his idol, "You should be grateful to this man, not questioning him! We're going home now, and that's final!"

"Further mentioning of the details of this case would only put you in danger, Light. Please distance yourself from it. Forget it ever happened." L's tone is as indifferent as ever.

Hah. Not very likely, but I keep the snide remarks to myself and dutifully follow my father from the hotel room.

*POV Change to L*

"Watari, consider yourself dismissed for the day. I will manage discussing the conclusion of this case with the other officers by myself. You may leave my birth certificate here, though, in case any of them asks," I say once the Yagamis have left the room.

Quillsh Wammy—known aliases, W and Watari—nods politely, pulls the requested document from his briefcase, and sets it on the coffee table in front of me. "If I may ask, L..."

"What exactly are the circumstances surrounding the conclusion of this case?" I supply what I presume to be the rest of his intended inquiry.

"Yes," Watari nods.

"Nothing untoward," I offer unhelpfully. This answer won't satisfy him, but I know he'll keep any further misgivings he has to himself, and he'll move forward with whatever the next case we work on may be.

Watari leaves me, and I turn my attention to the Shinigami in the room. "So...once the Death Note has been given up, one loses all memories associated with it?" I ask for confirmation. It's in my possession now of course and shan't fall into the wrong hands again.

"Yeah..." This Shingami's, this Ryuk's, voice has a very gravelly quality to it, a sort of bone dry rattle.

"How much exactly does one forget, though? Light Yagami...It's like he's a different person."

"Pretty scary, huh?" Ryuk chuckles, "Underneath all of that goody two shoes act is someone who would kill you in a heartbeat if he ever got his hands on it again."

"You're suggesting that he's acting still?"

"Who knows with him. Can't say I ever understood the kid myself. It was fun as hell, though, trying to figure it all out. You seem to feel similarly," Ryuk puts up his hands in a placating gesture, "No judgment," and cackles.

"Maybe so," I allow, though really I think the way I feel about Light Yagami could not be farther from the way this Shinigami feels about him, "Also, he would not kill me in a heartbeat if he ever got his hands on the Death Note again. He had his chance. He didn't take it."

"Maybe he was playing you," Ryuk offers cryptically, "Some of his plans are so roundabout that I never see them coming until they smack me right in the face!" he cackles again, "That's the only reason I'm holding out hope that this will get interesting again, by the way. Otherwise, I'd just kill your boring ass and be on my way! You don't seem like you'd ever use the notebook for any reason."

"I wouldn't," I agree.

"So...waiting..." Ryuk mutters a few moments later.

"I suppose so."

"Ya got any apples?"

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Me: "So...is this the beginning of Light turning over a new leaf? Or all according to plan? And what about L?" *Assumes overdramatic announcer voice* "This and so much more in the next installment of Heartstrings or Handcuffs? (L x Light)!" *Returns to normal voice* "Actually you probably won't even have half of your questions answered in the next chapter. Still, I hope you're finding this all exciting!"