The Heart Never Lies

Author’s Notes: Wow, wow, wow. I really appreciated all the feedback that I got from the reviewers. It made me really happy and inspired me to write this chapter faster!

Sorry if there are a few mistakes. I haven’t found a proper beta yet ;__; I will try and come back later to fix them if I can.

Now please sit back, relax, and enjoy Chapter 1 of The Heart Never Lies!

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

Rivalry is the life of trade, and the death of the trader.

Light seriously wanted to strangle Ryuzaki’s neck right now, Kira accusations be damned. Light was reaching his breaking point and didn’t think he could take anymore of this shit. Light didn’t curse often because he could usually find more intelligent words to fit situations, but when he did, he meant it.

Immediately after he and Misa had been released from their cells, they had been shoved in a car and told of their current situation. Soichiro Yagami had revealed to them that they were being taken to be executed because they had been proven guilty of being the first and second Kira. Light remembered the absolute terror in the pit of his stomach, he wasn’t ready to die just yet and definitely not because of something he was falsely accused of. Light wasn’t Kira, no matter what Ryuzaki told him every day. Just because his memories were fuzzy in places and certain events didn’t fit together right, didn’t automatically make him Kira. Light reminded himself of the panic that flooded his senses when his own father had stuck a gun to his head and told him that he was going to kill him, following his son soon after. Light remembered the scream he had emitted, trying to prepare himself for death when he heard the bang. A blank. It had been a fucking blank. Light recalled the wave of relief, followed by anger, when he realized that his brains weren’t splattered all over the windows and it had been just a test. A test to see if he would kill his father with his “Kira powers” if his father held a gun to his head and threatened to kill him, which was ridiculous really because he wasn’t Kira.

Soon after Light and Misa had returned to Head Quarters and he had been immediately handcuffed to the detective, not allowed privacy or personal space until they found Kira. And much to Light’s chagrin he had figured out soon enough that the detective was indeed an insomniac as the bags under his eyes suggested. Light hadn’t slept properly on a bed for days and was reaching the point where he was just too exhausted to function. Light looked over with distain at the detective who was dropping sugar cubes in his coffee while staring at the screen with his wide eyes, dark hair sticking up in all places. Light had a certain distaste for the way Ryuzaki presented himself, not liking the idea of someone with such genius being such an unpresentable and anti-social person. Still though, Light had to marvel at the fact that Ryuzaki could stay up for a week without sleep but loathed Ryuzaki for having the notion that Light could as well.

Light ran a hand through his hair and grimaced. Light couldn’t remember the last time he’d showered, which was disturbing in itself. Light prided himself on his perfection and hated the feeling of old clothes sticking to his skin and the grease he felt in his hair. He could feel the bags under his eyes and surely had lost weight being chained to the detective because all there seemed to be to eat was cake and he really hated sweets. Ryuzaki seemed to hope he would change his mind one day because he offered him a different sweet almost everyday, to which Light always politely denied. Really, at this point Light didn’t even want to look at himself in the mirror.

Light set down the pen he was currently writing up reports with, his vision going a bit fuzzy. Light rubbed the bridge of his nose in attempts to make his eyes clear enough to write, but to no avail. It was almost three in the morning and the other task force members had left for home a long while ago. Light envied them, they didn’t realize how lucky they were not to be chained to this damn insomniac detective.

Light burnt holes in the back of Ryuzaki’s head with his glare, sure that Ryuzaki could feel the glare upon him and was choosing to ignore it. In Light’s eyes that was the same as ignoring him, another aspect that bugged him about Ryuzaki. Light didn’t like being ignored, especially by someone who was on the same intellect level as him. It made Light feel inferior to the detective and he loathed that feeling more than anything. Light really did hate to lose, but then again so did the detective. Light took a deep breath before turning to the detective, this wasn’t going to be easy, but nothing ever was with Ryuzaki. Light fought to keep his face in a calm mask, Ryuzaki loved to get under his skin and Light was determined to show that he wasn’t affected at all by him.

“Ryuzaki,” Light said smoothly, focusing his eyes upon the detective, “I haven’t slept in almost two days, may we please take a break now?”

Light asked the question as calmly as he could, flashing his friendly smile at the detective. Light knew that bugged Ryuzaki to no end, Ryuzaki didn’t care for the false friendship they had on the outside for everyone to see. Light knew that Ryuzaki would rather everyone see it as plain rivalry and hatred, not caring for the feelings and outward image he displayed. Light had a reputation to keep in front of his father though, so their relationship was friendship to the rest of the task force. They just weren’t on the same intellectual level to see what it actually was. A strong rivalry between them both that was so suffocating Light realized that the rest of the task force must have been idiotic not to sense it when Ryuzaki and himself were in the same room together.

Ryuzaki stayed quite for a while, stirring his coffee with a red lollypop that had been in his mouth earlier. Light grimaced when he imagined how sugary the coffee was and opened his mouth to repeat himself when Ryuzaki finally answered.

“I was under the impression that Light-kun slept a few days ago,” Ryuzaki said, his sharp voice cutting the silence like knives. Ryuzaki turned back to his coffee, giving Light the signal that he didn’t care anymore. Light twitched.

“I did Ryuzaki, but unlike you, I am a normal human being who requires a little amount of sleep each night,” Light bit out, trying to control his anger. Light didn’t think he could win a fistfight with him tonight, he was too worn out and Ryuzaki was sure to win. Light refused to let such a thing happen.

Light was seemingly being ignored again, Ryuzaki taking favor in the piece of strawberry cake in front of him. Light watched as Ryuzaki stabbed the cake with a fork and shoved a ridiculous amount of cake into his mouth, causing Light to grimace. Ryuzaki had no manners either, another bad characteristic he could add to the list that he had created in his mind. Light opened his mouth to inquire if Ryuzaki heard him, even though he knew he had, but was interrupted again.

“If Light-kun can not keep up with the work load all he has to do is tell me,” Ryuzaki said, staring at Light with those wide innocent eyes of his. The look on his face showed that he had no idea how much he was getting under Light’s skin, but Light knew that Ryuzaki wasn’t innocent or stupid. Light took a few deep breathes to calm himself, resisting the urge to get up and punch in him in the jaw. Light literally felt like ripping his head off and bawled his hands into fists to control his anger. Light would not let Ryuzaki know he was furious, that would just mean that he had won the battle for tonight.

But still, how dare he? Light was seething and clamping his teeth together to control his mouth which had some very nasty things to say. Of course Light could keep up with the workload. Light just required sleep every night like every normal human being. Light wanted to catch Kira more than anything, it was the only thing that would clear his name and set him free from the aggravating detective. Sometimes Light doubted whether or not he’d ever be let go, Ryuzaki didn’t want to seem to want to give up his original idea of Light being Kira. Light thought that Ryuzaki was just a sore loser, Light wasn’t Kira and he knew it for a fact.

“Or maybe Light-kun just wants to delay the case from progressing by taking me away from work because he ‘needs sleep’,” Ryuzaki stated aloud, thumb on his lip as if he were trying to think over the percentages of this actually being true.

Light snapped. The weight of not sleeping for a few days and being chained to Ryuzaki for a few weeks finally broke his calm resolve. Light’s mask shattered into pieces, a nasty scowl overcoming his face for a moment before he was able to control it again.

Light stood out of his chair slowly, his charming smile on his face as he made his way over to Ryuzaki, the links on the chain clinking as he got closer to his target. Light walked slowly and eerily calmly over to him, turning Ryuzaki around in his chair when he finally reached it. They had an intense glaring battle before Light pulled back his arm and punched Ryuzaki square in the jaw, the charismatic smile still present on his face the entire time. The smile was knocked off his face with Ryuzaki’s foot though. Light didn’t expect the counter attack to be as strong as it was and toppled over, hitting the floor with a smack and bringing Ryuzaki down with him by the chain.

And there they were. They were lying on the floor face down next to each other, Light staring full on into Ryuzaki’s dead-looking eyes. Light glared harshly at Ryuzaki and wasn’t surprised when the look was returned full force. They both lay there for a while, panting and trying to out glare each other. The air was thick with their hatred and anyone who might have walked in at the moment might have dropped dead by the overwhelming emotion in the air.

Finally Light decided he’d had enough of their games and stood, partially dragging Ryuzaki up with him. Light brushed the imaginary dirt off his pants and shirt, turning to see that Ryuzaki had returned back to sitting in his weird posture in the chair, eyes focused on yet another piece of cake. Light rolled his eyes, he’d never hated anyone so much in his entire life and proceeded to tell him so.

“I hate you,” Light said calmly, but with full intention and force behind his words. The air was silent for a bit as Light returned to his seat, getting back to writing the reports he was supposed to be working on, sleep long forgotten. Light expected Ryuzaki to ignore the comment and was surprised when he opened his mouth and answered.

“I’m flattered that Light-kun has such strong feelings for me,” Ryuzaki monotoned, sliding the fork full of cake in his mouth once more, a sarcastic hint to his voice that made Light almost snap his pen in half.

Light twitched and decided it was in his best interest to ignore the comment and anything else Ryuzaki said for the rest of the night. He began to type up what he had written down on his computer, his fingers tapping the keys furiously in his attempt to relieve his anger.

Light was surely going to kill himself before this was all over.

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

“Light-kun, look what Misa brought you!” Misa squealed, grabbing onto Light’s arm tightly and hugging it until Light felt his arm go numb. This girl was too much of a hassle to have around, Light couldn’t even remember why they’d started dating in the first place. Misa was a stupid girl, smarter than some out there, but still stupid none the less. He only dated girls like that temporarily, he preferred to date girls who actually had thoughts and didn’t refer to themselves in the third person, which confused him as to why he’d tolerated Misa as long as he did. It was too late to get rid of her now though, he couldn’t dump her according to Ryuzaki who needed her around because she was suspected of being the Second Kira.

Light pried Misa off his arm to stare at what Misa had brought him. It was a basket. A pink basket to be precise that was covered with red hearts and confectionaries. The basket was filled to the brim with all sorts of different kinds of fruits. The site actually made Light’s eyes sting a bit, the bright colors and hearts mad him feel a bit nauseas. Light stared at the basket with a look of confusion in his eyes, it made no sense why Misa would have brought him a fruit basket, and the thought process just didn’t connect. But that was Misa for you, no thought process what so ever.

Misa must have thought Light’s silence was of gratitude and began to blabber on about which fruits were in the basket exactly and what the hearts meant. Truly, Light didn’t care but pretended to listen, his eyes glancing over towards Ryuzaki who seemed to be attempting to drown out the whine of Misa’s voice with cake. Light didn’t blame him at all this time.

“Misa doesn’t want Light becoming skinnier than his girlfriend, Misa sees you’ve lost so much weight lately, so you better eat,” Misa huffed, crossing her arms and blowing a stray blonde lock out of her face with her mouth.

Ah, so she’d noticed. Light was surprised she figured it out so early, but wasn’t surprising, Misa probably ogled his body enough to noticed he’d lost a considerable amount of weight. Last time he’d checked he was eleven pounds under his usual weight but didn’t care enough about it to fight with Ryuzaki about eating a proper meal. Light refused to fight over something that ridiculous, there were better excuses for fighting than Light demanding one day that Ryuzaki wasn’t feeding him. Light made a disgusted face, it made it seem as though he were Ryuzaki’s dog. Something he would never be.

“Does Light-kun not care for all the fruit Misa bought him?” Misa asked, clawing on Light’s arm with a big pout on her lips. It’s not that he didn’t like fruit, he just didn’t care for the way Misa had prepared it, and that she’d been the one to give it to him in the first place. None the less Light smiled and plucked an apple from the basket, bringing it up to his lips and taking a bit to appease Misa.

Light went to take another bite of the apple, not particularly liking the sweet fruit taste on his tongue but would do so to get Misa to shut up, but stopped when he saw Ryuzaki’s face. Ryuzaki had apparently turned around in his chair and had all of his attention on the fruit in Light’s hand, biting down on his thumb in that annoying way of his. Light stared back with full force, trying to comprehend what Ryuzaki was thinking and why he was staring at the apple so intensely.

Light knew that the mood was about to take a turn for the worse the second Ryuzaki opened his mouth.

“L, do you know that Shinigami love apples?” Ryuzaki mumbled, but still loud enough for Light to clearly hear. Light could see a drop of blood form on Ryuzaki’s thumb where he continued to bite down and quickly the air had become thick with hatred again.

“Ehhh?” Misa whined out, not understanding the situation. Of course she couldn’t understand and she wouldn’t even if he tried to explain it to her. Misa, or anyone really, would never understand the hatred Light had for Ryuzaki and vice versa. Light was still surprised that Misa couldn’t feel the hatred in the air, it was so thick, mostly radiating from Light himself because he was infuriated. Ryuzaki was taunting him and he was furious because it was working. Light wanted nothing more than to chuck the apple at the detective but forced himself to breathe. Light wouldn’t lose another battle.

Light plastered his charming smile on his face and picked up another apple in the stack and throwing it lightly to Ryuzaki. Light wasn’t out to play nice today and grinned when Ryuzaki caught it.

“What was that Ryuzaki? I’m afraid I didn’t catch that,” Light said his sickly sweet voice, which he knew would make Ryuzaki irate. Ryuzaki didn’t like that Light smiled falsely and had an outward image of perfection around him that caused people to be immediately drawn to him. Light grinned at the childish scowl on Ryuzaki’s face that followed.

“I was unaware that Light was deaf, but what I said was, L don’t you know Shinigami like apples?” L said coldly, his voice slicing the air like knives, “That is an apple you are holding in your hand, is it not?”

Light rolled his eyes. Kira was someone who liked apples? Well that narrowed it down to about five sixths of the population. Light was infuriated at the fact that Ryuzaki would always try and find something to connect him to Kira. Personally Light thought he’d gone a bit far with the apple though.

Light set a look of stupid confusion on his face. Another thing Light had learned that Ryuzaki despised. Ryuzaki hated when Light pretended to act dull, when in fact he was one of the sharpest tools in the shed. Light had to hold back his grin when the scowl on Ryuzaki’s face deepened.

“Yes, but I don’t understand what you’re implying Ryuzaki,” Light questioned innocently, cocking his head to side a bit to make the image of confusion all fit together. Light knew that Ryuzaki could see right through it but it didn’t matter anyways. It was really all for the fun of the game.

Before Light realized what was happening the detective had stood out his chair abruptly, his fist slamming into Light’s face, causing him to stumble back a few inches. That had hurt and Light wasn’t in the mood for such games today. Light growled and counter attacked quickly with a punch of his own, hitting Ryuzaki square on in the nose. Light hoped that it was broken. The force of the punched pushed Ryuzaki onto the couch and Light in front of him, sending him an icy glare. What Light didn’t expect was when he received a blow to his stomach from Ryuzaki’s foot that the wind would be knocked out of him, which pushed him backwards and pulled Ryuzaki up off the couch. Light snarled and punched Ryuzaki in the face, who then promptly fell back onto the coffee table full of sweets, dragging Light with him.

The sickly sweet smell that surrounded Light made him want to go throw up right on the spot. Light blinked his eyes open and sat up, trying not to smirk at Ryuzaki’s condition. Ryuzaki’s hair was covered in different colors of frosting, his white shirt was stained with jellies and other confectionaries, and his face was covered with cream. Though Light really shouldn’t have been smirking at Ryuzaki since he looked about the same, only with a little less damage.

Light stood up and dragged Ryuzaki with him. This simply wouldn’t do to be seen like this and Light felt dirty as it was, even without icing in his hair. Light was going to take a damn shower whether Ryuzaki liked it or not. Light brushed briskly past Misa, ignoring her whines and shrieks that had been going on their entire fight. Light had become quite adept at ignoring them by now. Light dragged Ryuzaki down the hallway until they reached the bathroom.

It was interesting that Ryuzaki had thrown the first punch. Light deducted that if Ryuzaki was snapping over such trivial banter then that meant that Ryuzaki was getting just a sick as being chained to Light, as Light was to him. Light grinned, he was sure to win the constant war between them. After all he had just won his first battle and was determined not to lose again.

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

Author’s Notes: I actually sort of liked this chapter..? Which is strange because I usually hate most of my work xDD Well drop a review by, feedback is much appreciated!