AN- I've just been informed that I may not have computer access tonight, so instead of being late about it...I might as well give ya what you want. So Loves, here you have it, the finale of Violins, Light. I'm sorry the opening is so erratic, but I needed to set everything in place, and the second half will hopefully make up for it.

Two weeks passed. They'd narrowed everything down to seven members of the Yotsuba group, and had tapped the building and sent in a spy as Eraldo Coil.

Aiber had been something new…He'd walked in and introduced himself as two different people and had half the team believing him before the handshakes were through. L and Light just smiled. He'd shaken Light's hand as L shook them out of the man's spell.

"…And this is Light Yagami."

"I didn't need to know his name, L….I always recognize a fellow member of the business." The conman's hand had suddenly made Light feel dirty.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Aiber had just smiled…

Light didn't like to think about it now.

Misa's bandage came off just in time for her to play a role in their plans...You couldn't tell she'd even been injured. Watari knew his medical. She'd come running to hug Light, showing off her perfect skin again. Light had sighed, until L got this funny little grin on his face.

"Purple is my favorite color, Misa." She'd hit him, blushing furiously while Light laughed. It had felt good to laugh for a moment.

They'd somehow managed to kill Matsuda in the world's eyes.

"Heh…kinda cool to be a dead man walking, I guess." He'd remarked after finding his tiny obituary and taping it to his monitor.

Everything was…changing, and that feeling of sick excitement never once dulled out in the pit of his stomach. He couldn't eat, he couldn't sleep. Something, no…Everything, was about to happen, whether he wanted or was ready for it. It affected the entire team…after months of nothing, of dead ends and meaningless tedium, things were finally moving again. Matsuda was about to go on television and unmask Kira...Higuchi of the Yotsuba seven...

Higuchi.

Everything hinged on Higuchi.

XXXX

They took a two hour break so that everyone could emotionally prepare themselves…L said he needed to make some calls and further preparations, but this was a lie. He needed to stave off that wild feeling in his heart as well…

Two hours until they came face-face with Kira.

Two hours.

L started them with a shower. If the water hadn't eventually gone cold he might have stayed the entire two hours in there…as it was, there was deeper cold, one seemingly laid along his bones. Fear…He marveled at the sensation. L really had no problem sacrificing men in the past if the cause was great enough. In fact, if this mission led to the end of Kira, he'd likely forgive himself a few deaths afterwards. He'd grown rather fond of his Japanese team, however…even Matsuda. It'd been a long time since he dealt with what he called Real People. People that he thought stood up for humanity like no others could…represented what being human was really about. Matsuda had made his decision then and there…he would go through with the plan. In that moment, he'd seemed like a different person. L had always known the rookie was stronger than he looked, but he'd underestimated the sheer heart the man possessed.

It was utterly depressing.

He'd said he was ready now, but…Still, no one else was. Two hours were warranted, for everyone on the team.

This was Kira, after all.

He stepped out of the shower and toweled his hair. Light sat on the closed toilet, his fingers laced and his head resting on them. L dressed quickly.

"It's free if you want it, Light-kun."

"I'm fine…" He didn't look up.

"Is there something…else on your mind?" L's own mind was racing, and he could carry eight trains of thought at one time. He couldn't imagine what Light felt like.

"Hmm? Oh…Your Violin has arrived. Watari set it on the bed for you."

L's eyes widened…he'd forgotten. He'd actually forgotten that Light was buying him a new violin. Thinking on it now, he remembered seeing the order when he read through the computer log for Light's account, but…he'd completely missed it. This Yotsuba business was weighing heavily on him. Light still hadn't moved.

"L…do you think I'm crazy?"

"…Sometimes."

Light raised his head and regarded him quietly for a moment.

"Yeah…me too." L's thumb came to his lips as he considered this statement. The week's events were having a profound impact on the boy's mind. L only sunk further into his depression as he integrated it into the Kira Scheme. That was what he called his mental check list of comparisons between Light and Kira.

"Are we really about to go through with this?"

"Yes. Matsuda-san is a credit to Japan and its police force."

"Agreed."

Light stood suddenly and motioned towards the door. L led out, and saw a small, black case lying beneath his pillow. There was a red ribbon on the handle, and a wry smile graced his lips. Watari had suggested the ribbon out of sarcasm, he knew, but Light must have taken him seriously. Light had probably chosen the color as well.

Light himself went to recline on his pillows, his legs stretched out, looking at something that was suddenly much more interesting than it usually would be. Under different circumstances, L would likely have made this experience as miserable for him as possible, drawing it out, prolonging his embarrassment. But with the Upcoming Mission…That wasn't happening tonight. L was glad to just take this one piece of happiness and use it as a buffer for the upcoming drama.

His hands didn't shake as he reached and opened the case. He lifted the lid as he came to sit next to Light on his side of the bed. The smell of new wood arose, but not the old books and fine oils that his old one had. He knew that would come with time. Light pointedly looked away, even leaned a few centimeters as he tried to put distance between them. L knew this is likely the most awkward moment of his life…because this was likely the only real gift he'd ever given. The only one with any meaning to him, personally, and it must be galling to know that it was for the wiry detective next to him.

L lifted the violin out, and his breath caught. It was a beautiful piece…far more expensive than his old one, and heavier. He glanced at Light, questioning…

"I…drew from some college money…a grant for music that I never made use of. Don't worry about it."

"'Only a fool believes Price and Value to be the same thing.', Light-kun." He lay the violin across his knees and pulled out the red silk sheathe that held the bow. Red..the silk lining was red too…Light's touch was definitely present in this gift. L supposed it would be a reminder of him…after…after all was said and done.

He inspected the bow and returned it to its case. The violin was a magnet for his attention, however, and he needed to hold it for a moment. The wood was a beautiful cherry-wood stain, the color of half dried blood, or preserved rose petals. He decided he liked the extra weight; it sat better on his shoulder.

Light opened his mouth and paused…

Light was the only person in the world who could blush and scowl at the same time. It made L smile.

"Yes, Light-kun?"

"Just…turn it over…there's something I asked for that…just…" He trailed off, sighing and gesturing with a hand. L was sure his stomach was turning with humiliation. He turned it over and froze.

There, in the center of the curve, at the heart of the instrument…was L's insignia.

The Gothic L wasn't burned or carved…both of which would ruin the instrument by creating weakness. Nor was it painted, which would have dimmed the instrument's beauty by a few degrees.

It was merely stained a darker color, a deep vibrant red, crimson burnished wood.

L couldn't breathe.

It was…perfect.

He was mesmerized by the letter, running his fingers over the varnish. It was perfectly done…the stain was contained, precise, and sealed over, so that it was part of the wood itself. His fingers met nothing but perfectly smooth wood.

He put it back on his knees before he dropped it and looked at Light. Light's eyes were closed, but the bright flush on his cheeks spoke volumes. He hated this. He felt absolutely disgusted with himself, he was tired, and he was still cuffed to the one person in the world he wanted to be away from right now.

Even that didn't matter, didn't dim the gift. L's eyes returned to his avatar, and his mind, which only minutes ago had been racing so fast that he was developing a rare headache…it was quiet now.

"Thank you, Light."

Light flinched as though struck, but recovered quickly…

"I…Is it good enough?"

"It's perfect." Light went crimson again and sighed heavily. He opened his eyes and looked at the detective for the first time since they left the bathroom. L was smiling at him…the same smile that he wore when he played. Light nodded slowly to himself at the unguarded expression, and the tension visibly drained from his shoulders.

"Good…I…that's Good. I guess something's going to end tonight."

L returned his eyes to his beautiful violin.

"Yes…something."

"Kira perhaps?"

"No...I don't think so. But something will end."

AN- And there you have it. The Price and Value quote is credited to my favorite poet, Antonio Machado. Chapters will be longer in the sequel, all reviews welcome. Thank you so much for reading.

Step lightly,

Mikanis