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A Doppelganger\'s Bet	By : pinkfeline Category: Death Note > Yaoi-Male/Male > L/Light Views: 3881 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Death Note, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 6
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Chapter Six

Sakura petals flittered down over the heads of the honorary number who was here to celebrate the day, as though nature herself was celebrating. Light watched with dispassionate eyes as students and family members, University staff and all other manner of people milled around and slowly drifted to the building�s entrance. Kira, dressed neatly in a grey suit, watched the people with an equal amount of disinterest. Standing within the Sakura trees shadows, Kira appeared almost picturesque.

It was only as the time neared that Kira made any move to follow the other students into the auditorium. As was only proper, his seat was in the very front row, giving a clear view of the podium, and the important and influential persons seated there on. Light hovered at first along the corridor, looking around at the numerous faces around him as the starting speeches began. Glancing at Kira, Light found him calm, eyes half-lidded as he listened to the droning of the man on the stage.

Light was actually somewhat thankful that he had the liberty to move around and not be confined to the appropriate etiquette that the occasion required. These important people definitely were not made so for their ability to enrapture an audience, especially not a youthful one. Despite their achievements, the students entering University were still of a young mind and watching them, Light could already see the beginnings of wandering attentions and whispered conversations.

It was only when the freshmen representatives were called out for a few words that Light turned his attentions to the podium. He trailed after Kira as he ascended the stairs; his eyes trained on the enigmatic "Hideki Ryuuga" whom followed. Light took a moment to examine his rival once more.

The same messy appearance Ryuuga had sported during the exam was worn even now. His hair was still in disarray, his shoulders hunched and his spine bent. The same outfit of loose baggy jeans and plain white shirt, along with a pair of faded old sneakers that were only half filled made him look quite poor and unsightly amongst the smartly dressed masses.

Though Kira appeared relaxed, Light was familiar with the tension in his double�s shoulders and the stone-like quality of his expression. Something about Ryuuga unnerved Kira to a great extent, something that Light viewed with uncertainty. There was something not right about Hideki, they both agreed on that, but Kira�s actions were a little too stiff to be justified by only that.

Hideki�s voice rung out in the auditorium, a low deep monotone that was as interesting as the speaker before. He droned on, reading off the speech notes that was held between two pinched fingers, as though he cared little for what was being said and was merely dutifully fulfilling a role with the barest amount of effort. Light wanted to scoff at the poor presentation, suitably irritated at the dark haired �genius�. Yes, neither Light, nor Kira in the guise of Light, cared for the speech or the ceremony. At least they were able to feign respectful interest and vary their tone suitably to regain some interest.

There was no place in the world for geniuses of Hideki�s sort. In these times, presentation was as important as ability, if not more so, and it was presentation that Hideki lacked. How could anyone take a person seriously who styled themselves in such a way as to appear homeless and socially inapt? Light folded his arms and huffed silently to himself.

It was a little strange, he would admit, that Ryuuga seemed to rub him the wrong way without ever even interacting with him. Strange that the messy man ruffled his proverbial feathers without even trying. Strange that Light felt the need to belittle him in any way in order to remain comfortable in his intellectual superiority. That last part Light felt better to ignore, uncomfortable with the fact that he felt threatened.

No wonder Kira was so wound up, standing five feet away from Ryuuga irritated him, where Kira was right next to the guy!

At last their speech was over, Kira having done a much better and respectful job at it, and the two students moved to retake their seats. It was just as they passed the spot where Light was standing that Ryuuga spoke, his attention pointedly on Kira.

"Yagami-kun. I have something I wish to speak to you about after the ceremony, if you please."

Kira glanced back at Ryuuga with a carefully blank face. Dark pitiless eyes stared back unrelenting and recognising that this was no mere meeting on Ryuuga�s part, Kira nodded in affirmation. The rest of the ceremony made little affect on either of them, both Kira and Light involved in their own thoughts. Ryuuaga appeared quite at ease next to them, if bored with the events as well.

When at last the ceremony came to a close and the students began to depart, Kira and Ryuuga both stood slowly, taking their time and letting the rush of bodies out the door first. They did not talk, even as they slowly made their way to the exit, Light trailing behind and watching both contemplatively.

Basking in the release of the tedious event, Light took a moment to breathe. At the entrance stood the same sleek black Rolls-Royce that Light had seen Ryuuga slip into on the day of the exam. The driver had already opened the door and stood waiting patiently. Light watched as Ryuuga turned to Kira, hands shoved deep into his jean pockets as he regarded �Light�.

"A café would be a better setting for a discussion I believe. It is not everyday after all that one meets another of equal intelligence and I believe it will be quite refreshing to hear your opinions."

Meeting no resistance, Ryuuga gestured towards the car in an open invitation to get in. A moment�s hesitation before Kira stepped forward and gingerly climbed into the back seat, followed by Ryuuga. Seeing that space was somewhat limited, Light opted for a front seat. He did not miss anything at all considering that that the two geniuses sat in tense silence.

Well that was a fine start to camaraderie, which only meant that simple friendship was not on Ryuugas agenda any more than it was on Kiras. It was a relief when the car pulled to a stop and Ryuuga stepped out. They had been dropped off in front of a quaint little café, one that the sloppy one seemed familiar with.

Ryuuga led them over to a table a corner and perched on the chair in that strange way of his. Kira took a more graceful approach, leaning back in his chair in an effort to get more comfortable. Even with the peaceful contented air of the café, the tension hardly eased any. Orders were made and it was only when their tea arrived and was placed in front of them that either of them made an attempt to break the silence.

"Your educational achievement is quite something. It is somewhat rare to find a person with intelligence such as yours."

Both Light and Kira blinked at the praise, not quite sure what to make of it. Kira waved it off.

"The work wasn�t particularly challenging."

Ryuuga made a sound of agreement while pouring a surprising amount of sugar into the steamy cup of tea. Light grimaced from the side, his expression reflected in Kira�s own. Was there no end to Ryuuga�s peculiarities?

"I have also had the benefit of learning about your contributions to the solving of crimes in the past. Impressive, considering your age."

There it was. Ryuuga was most definitely hiding something and Light was starting to get an idea as to what it may be. Looking at Kira, he took note of the calculating glint in his eyes. So they were thinking along the same lines. Kira seemed to relax somewhat, a curious smile playing over his lips.

"I am curious, Hideki-kun, as to what purpose an investigator has in entering Touou. Am I right in believing it to be in regards to the Kira phenomenon?"

Ryuuga�s eyes were just as sharp as he regarded Kira over the rim of his teacup. Placing the cup down carefully, Ryuuga considered him.

"You are the son of Police Chief Yagami Soichiro. You�re father must have instilled the same strong sense of justice in you, an admirable trait. In faith that you are a man after your father, I am willing to reveal to you some important information regarding the Kira case, provided that I can trust you not to reveal what you hear to anyone else."

"I have the good sense to know to keep my mouth shut, but I do wonder why you are willing to reveal anything at all. While it is true that I am the son of the Police Chief, I have not been privy to any information regarding the case nor am I part of the investigation. By revealing anything to me, you are basically involving a citizen, and considering the unusual nature of Kira�s killings, effectively putting me in danger."

Ryuuga had taken to nibbling at his thumb, his face remaining unchanged, curiously blank as he listened.

"Indeed. I have high hopes that Yagami-kun would be able to contribute to the case, considering his intellect and background. I am considering including you in the investigation, we could do with some new insight and input."

Ryuuga paused, finishing his cup of tea which must surely have cooled considerably by now � Ryuuga didn�t even grimace.

"Alright, what is this information you wanted to share then?"

Kira�s expression was suitably curious without revealing too much of an interest, but without being so disinterested that he would look suspicious. After all, he was �supposedly� doing his own investigation into Kira and should be jumping at the opportunity to get some inside information.

"I am L�"

Kira had gone stiff in surprise while Light stepped back in surprise. The innate hostility between Kira and�L�it made sense. Ryuuga had already proven himself to be intellectually capable, though he looked too young for the part. Light could not deny though that there was something dangerous in the dark irises of the detective, something intensely intelligent and harsh.

"And I suspect that Yagami-kun may well be Kira."

The final bombshell dropped. A fist clenched around Light�s heart, the pain spreading into his lungs and depriving him of the ability to breathe. The ground lurched beneath him once, but he managed to remain standing. Kira had been knocked speechless for a moment and before he could formulate a reply, the newly revealed L slowly stood from his seat.

"Please consider what I have said Yagami-kun. I believe that you will be a great asset to the case regardless of my suspicions."

With that said, the detective ambled out of the café, climbed into the Rolls-Royce and disappeared from view. After a couple of minutes of contemplative silence, Kira finally stood and walked to the counter to pay for the tea. Their walk home was a silent one, and disregarding the cheerful greeting of Lights sister, both made their way to the safety of their room.

As the door lock clicked into place, Kiras body tensed, hands clenching until the knuckles turned white. A fierce scowl twisted his face, teeth bared in a vicious snarl. Light shuddered at the animalistic expression twisting his mirror image, collapsing onto his bed. Well this was certainly beginning to look like a mess. He watched as Kira fumed and was overcome by overwhelming bitterness. After all this was his life being played with and Kira was messing up.

"Well, your intentions was to lure L to you, wasn�t it?"

Kira turned and scowled at him, running a hand though his hair.

"I hadn�t accounted to the fact he would find out or come to such a conclusion so early in the game. Considering the actions he has taken thus far, it can be safe to say that we are probably the main suspect. We will have to tread carefully from this point on, give L no evidence to back his claims."

What evidence was L basing his suspicions on? From what Light could account for, Kira had been playing pretty well at being Light and had been careful about doing anything strange. Deaths were few but constant, differing in time. Nothing out of the ordinary � Kira and Light did not converse out in public anymore unless absolutely necessary. So that would mean that the most likely evidence came from before Light was made aware of being tailed by Raye.

What had Raye seen or heard that would put suspicions on Light? He couldn�t recall any instance really, but it didn�t matter now. The damage was done, even if Light was to tell Kira of Raye�s whereabouts, the agent�s death would do no good but to back L�s accurate conviction.

"It is probable that L will extend a hand of friendship, or that we will meet again on campus. When the opportunity presents itself, follow him. Find out the validity of L�s claims and the state of the investigation. We will need all the information we can get if we are to beat L in this little game."

Light said nothing at first, contemplating his options and their consequences. He was not adverse to the idea of following L, apart from he fact that he would be blind as to Kira�s actions. However, L might just be the key to his freedom if only he could communicate with him in some way. If he could get an idea of how L functioned, his thought patterns, Light may be able to conclude whether he had any hope in the somewhat eccentric man.

With that decided he nodded affirmation to Kiras demand.

Review!

My apologies for the two-month long delay. I am having a bit of trouble motivating myself to write. I have managed to get a better idea of what to put in the next chapter so it will hopefully be released sooner. Light�s contribution in this chapter was somewhat insubstantial, however rest assured that Light and L will both become more prominent figures in the upcoming chapters.

Thanks again for the people who took the time to review! You readers truly are the best!
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A Doppelganger\'s Bet