Here's chapter twenty eight. It took alot of work and sleepless nights but I succeeded. It is completely different from my original version that I posted up on another site, mostly because when I re-read it, it just didn't seem to flow right in my mind. I felt like I could have done a whole lot better on it. In the end, I totally rewrote it, adding three more pages of content to it. Hopefully it's good. This is where the storyline starts to get a bit tricky (with regards to the building of the actual relationship. I don't want to rush it or make it agonizingly slow. I really hope that it's somewhere in the middle.) Anyway, thanks for reading and thanks to all of you who sent me reviews.

Disclaimer: I do not own Death Note or anything affiliated with it.

"I am… alive? How is this possible? I should be dead-" L said, mostly to himself, going over everything that happened in moments leading up to his demise. He couldn't see how it was possible. He remembered the pain in his chest, the falling to the cold floor, the smirk Light gave as he watched him die. All of that was permanently etched in his mind, so he knew there was no way he could deny his death, but this made absolutely no sense. One minute he's dead, next he's alive and well? Was his mind playing tricks on him? Was this some kind of sick joke brought upon him by a higher power intent on torturing him? What the hell was it, he wasn't too sure. All he knew was that he was apparently in some room, sitting before who he recognized as Hikari, unless his mind was playing tricks on him in that department as well.

"I . . . uh," Hikari spoke, gaining his attention. He could easily see that she was worried about something, or it could possibly be the fact that a dead guy just came back to life in her living room. Little did he know her concern was on how he would react to her explanation of him coming back from the dead?

"Hikari?" he spoke, encouraging her to continue. She was silent for a moment thinking of the best way she could explain this to him. Of course, she knew that there wasn't a best way when it came down to it. No sugar-coating could brighten up this explanation.

Avoiding his gaze, which she would admit at the moment was intimidating as hell or perhaps it was her guilty conscience making it seem that way, she looked to the floor. After all, it was kind of her fault that the detective died. Sure, in the moments leading up to his death she was going to tell him the truth and even tried, but that wasn't an excuse. She should have done it long before that. She should have told him the truth the first time she was asked. She was told then that anything she said to him would be confidential. Why didn't she listen? Why didn't she just say it and keep a lot of this from happening? Right, it was because she would get burned for it as well. The name in the notebook was proof enough. She killed someone and even though it wasn't necessarily intentional, she still did it. She selfishly valued her life over countless others. She hid it all just to save herself and for that she knew she deserved whatever happened after she revealed it all.

Taking a deep breath, she looked up, ready to face judgment. "I-I did it. I was able to bring you back," she paused for moment, picking up the small, white eraser as well as the page of the Death Note, "I was able to remove your name from the shinigami, Rem's notebook," she continued, handing both objects to the detective. He took them cautiously and after looking at her for a brief moment, his eyes focused on the objects in his grasp. He looked from the eraser to the paper, seeing the few, small eraser shavings left in the worn spot on the page where his name apparently used to be. He was unsure how what looked like an average eraser could erase a name and bring a person back from the dead. That seemed a little far-fetched, but instead of speaking, he patiently waited for her continuation.

"It's known as the Death Eraser," she explained, "And the reason I know of its existence is because..." she stopped, dreading her next statement. She was as nervous as hell and it was easily seen by her actions. She was avoiding eye contact, looking towards the floor as she fidgeted with her hands. Her palms were starting to sweat a little and there was a lump in her throat, making it difficult for her to continue. Definite signs of nervousness.

Sighing, she summoned all the courage she had and delivered her final words, or in her opinion the final crushing blow to her life as she knew it, "It's because I have a Death Note," she finally admitted. Almost an entire year, she had kept quiet about the thing, thinking it was better for her to pretend to know nothing about Kira's power or his identity.

"What?" L finally spoke. He heard what she said; he just couldn't really believe it. He knew since the beginning that Hikari was aware of Light being Kira, but he was stunned by the fact that she held the same weapon that he did. Why didn't he see that? Was it her seemingly innocent personality that caused him to almost refuse to believe what she had just said? He couldn't deny what she said, especially after she revealed the notebook soon after admitting that she had one. She knew everything since the beginning of this investigation and chose now to admit it? Was she only playing innocent with him, slowly gaining his trust to help Light achieve his goal of defeating the detective? Was it all an act?-no, if it was an act, she would have tried harder, plus she would have no reason to tell him any of this, let alone bring him back from the dead. It was definitely mind-boggling to the detective, but more so it was unnerving.

"You had one all this time and never said a word . . ." he stated softly, his onyx eyes shifting from her to the carpeted floor.

"L, I'm sorry I didn't say anything... if I could go back, I would. I just-" she started.

"No, if you would have revealed this then the case would have already been solved. Those countless lives wouldn't have been sacrificed for nothing. Light wouldn't have won!" he said, his usually monotone voice laced with anger. His eyes were back at her, narrowed slightly, showing he was pissed off. She didn't blame him, not at all. This was the reaction she knew he would give; this was the reaction anyone would give, but she knew she had to tell him the truth... she just had to.

"L, I didn't mean-" she tried explaining, while also trying to keep her emotions in check. She could never stand being yelled at, in fact she hated it. She'd always end up crying and it made her feel weak.

"Just leave me alone . . . and it's Ryuuzaki," he said, rather shouted, in a cold, harsh tone. He sat in his usual manner, gripping his knees while turning away from her, shutting himself off from everything around him. A bit childish? Maybe, but at the moment he was just too irritated to care.

Following his requests, she set the notebook on the table and left the room. He heard a door shut and sighed. He turned back around, seeing the notebook. Rising from his position, he grabbed the notebook and opened it as he sat back down. He looked through the notebook, noting the mostly blank pages, and read the only names he was able to find, which he found on the first page. 'Only two names have ever been written? Eito Shimizu' He noted the way the name was written, sloppy and rushed as if it had been written in the heat of the moment. 'and Light?' He found himself rather surprised by seeing Light's name, but noticed it wasn't complete.

"She couldn't bring herself to do it," a voice spoke to him from the archway. He turned, seeing Kaito. With this being his second encounter with a shinigami, he wasn't surprised by it as he was when he first saw Rem. He stared at the thing, which was apparently male according to the voice, noting how different this shinigami was in comparison to the previous one. He appeared more menacing (especially with the blood-stained scythe and piercing crimson eyes) than the first one did.

"A shinigami?" It wasn't a question in to if the creature was or wasn't one, it was just a mere statement.

"The name is Kaito," he said bluntly as he walked over to the corner of the room. L shut the notebook and placed it beside him. "I don't know what she sees in you," Kaito said. L looked over to the shinigami, giving him a look that seemed to ask what the creature was talking about.

"Hikari. It's amazing how she tries to help, but ends up getting yelled at. I wouldn't have wasted my time-or in Hikari's case, my life for your damn soul," Kaito told him, seemingly upset by L's actions in regards to his current host.

"Her life?" he asked, sounding a bit concerned.

"Ah, I see; so you decide to care if her life is threatened, typical," he replied, sounding bored. Hanging upside down while sitting Indian style, Kaito yawned and sharpened his nails or in his case, claws, against the nicked up blade of his scythe.

"Listen, shinigami, I don't have time for your games, I would appreciate it if you would answer my question," he demanded.

Kaito's gaze shifted back over to the raven haired detective and laughed, "Ha, well, well pretty brave to be talking to a shinigami like that, human. Besides, why should I tell you? Give me one good reason, L Lawliet," Kaito said.

"Just answer my question-" he replied, starting to lose what patience he had left with the thing. He had only met the thing minutes ago and it had already irked him more than Misa Amane did. Who ever thought that would be possible?

"Why, so you can then feel bad for her and go apologize for your actions?" Kaito rolled his eyes and shook his head. "I swear you humans are pathetic," he told him. He looked back at L, noticing that the man wouldn't let him be until he answered him. Kaito sighed and gave a grin, seeming to brighten up a bit. By what, L wasn't sure and it was a little creepy, "Well, seeing as you won't leave me alone until I answer, I'll explain it, but I'm only saying it once, so don't ask me questions cause I won't answer them," he said frowning.

'This shinigami sure has a rather... strange personality, it's almost bipolar,'L thought as Kaito began to explain, while once again upside down. L knew better than to question the thing, knowing that he could kill him at any time with the notebook he undoubtedly carried with him.

Teardrops fell into the sink, distorting Hikari's image in the water as it was mixed by the constant ripples created through her crying. She cupped her hands into the water, splashing it upon her face. Droplets of water ran down her cheeks mixing with the remaining tears. She repeated the act again and again before drying off with a hand towel. Switching off the bathroom light, she walked toward her bed, dressed in light blue, flannel pajamas.

She pulled back the comforter, climbing into bed and pulled it back over her as she rolled over on her side. She faced the door, her eyes heavy from crying even after splashing water against her face. Staring at a spot on the door, she tried to fall asleep. She wanted to forget what had happened in the living room, to forget about Kira, the investigation, shinigami, Death Notes, and most of all forget about L. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she began to drift off.

She was woken up by the soft creak of her bedroom door only moments after finally drifting off. Her eyes remained shut; she only listened to the soft footsteps as they got closer and closer to her. She knew who it was, who else would it be?

"Hikari?" she heard him say softly, his voice more gentle than before, no longer laced with anger. He obviously wasn't there to yell at her anymore. Of course she ignored his calls, pretending to be asleep. She heard him sigh as he stopped.

"I'm sorry," he spoke even softer. He was aware that she knew she made a mistake; she's only human after all. He could understand her hesitation, knowing now that she hid it only in fear of her life. What right did he have to be angry with the fact that she did all she could to live, after all, did he not do the same? He spent his life hiding in the shadows, allowing others to sacrifice their wellbeing for the sake of the case. He did what he could to stay alive and she was only doing the same.

I'm sorry. Hearing those words come from his mouth made her heart skipped a beat and sent a shiver down her spine. He was apologizing to her, apologizing for something that he was in the right to do. She deserved it, didn't she? She didn't know what to do, just ignore him or to suddenly just wake up? She felt his warm hand against her forehead, his fingers gently brushing the strands of hair from her face. She froze at his touch, almost unable to breathe. Thankfully, the lights were off or he would have seen that she was awake.

She was so confused, not by why L was sorry, but more of why she was acting this way when he spoke to her softly, when he touched her. Kaito would always tease her about having a crush on the detective, which Hikari would always deny. Even Misa picked up on it during their little shopping excursion. So were they right? Was she reacting to him this way because she might have feelings for him? Was that even possible? She did recall how before she found out that he was L she seemed to be falling for him. Was it because of who he really was that caused her to sort of back out of that? Or was she trying to make herself believe that she did out of fear of rejection? After all, he was the world's greatest detective there was no way he'd fall for a normal girl like her, right?

Feeling his hand move from her skin, leaving cool air in its place, she heard retreating footsteps. She opened her eyes, "Hmm . . . Ryuuzaki?" she spoke as she sat up. He stopped and turned around. "What is it?" she asked with a yawn, pretending that she had just woken up. He was silent as he walked back over to her. He sat down beside her, looking to the ground.

"Forgive my earlier actions, Hikari. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that, it was wrong of me."

"No, it's ok, I deserved it. I mean, you were right. If I would have revealed the notebook long ago then-"

"No," he interrupted, causing her to look at him. "That doesn't give me the right," he explained, his eyes piercing deep into hers with a look of sincerity. His gaze left hers as he looked back to the floor. A few moments passed before he spoke again, "So, why did you do it?" he asked.

"Do wha-Oh. Well, because it seemed like the right thing to do. I know it can't make up for what happened, but... I just had to," she explained.

"I see . . ." he spoke, his eyes once again connecting with hers for a moment. He turned his gaze to the wall as he sat there before her. Like always, he was in his usual crouching position, hugging his knees. Hikari couldn't help but smile, he looked so... so... adorable? He noticed her staring at him and turned to her. "What?" he asked, not sure why she was smiling.

She shook her head, "Nothing, it's just you look adorable sitting like that," she admitted, mentally smacking herself for it afterwards. Why didn't she just say no reason? Why did she blurt that out? What the hell was she thinking?

She could tell by seeing his thumb against his lips that he was deep in concentration over her statement, which caused her to panic a bit. Regaining control of herself, she raised an eyebrow, wondering what exactly the detective's genius mind was thinking. "Ryuuzaki, are you alright?" she asked, a bit skeptical of his response. A few seconds passed and he still didn't respond. She sighed, not really expecting his next action.

"Hikari," he called to her. She turned to face him and froze. Her gaze widened, startled by his lips pressed against hers. She was completely stunned, unable to move, breathe, or even think a clear thought. She was so lost, she didn't even realize that she had closed her eyes and kissed him back. She could now compare herself with the deer in the headlights, unable to move to save its life. How was it possible that one man could do something as simple as give her a kiss and turn her brain into jelly? Maybe, it was absolute bliss she was feeling at the moment that made her feel as if time had stopped. Was this how all those other girls from her high school years felt when they received their first kiss? This wonderful sensation... was this it?

He pulled away, his eyes slowly returning to the spot on the ground. "Thank you," he said softly, barely above a whisper. In the amount of time she had spent with him, she knew he was a little uncomfortable when it came to human interaction and could tell by his actions afterwards that the detective was indeed nervous about what he just managed to do. Like her, this was the first time he had ever kissed someone. She smiled as she watched him.

"You're welcome, Ryuu--" she began.

"L's fine," he told her, looking back up to her. He caught her gaze with his own as an awkward silence passed between them. She smiled and hugged him, causing another wave of puzzlement to pass through his mind. But as confusing as it was, he didn't mind it. It actually felt… nice.

Kaito stood near the doorway, watching the scene. He sighed and shook his head as he walked off, "I never will understand humans and their emotions. It's all beyond me," he said as he grabbed the last bag of chips out of the cabinet and lied down on the couch.

A/N:Aww! I've been waiting 28 chapters to write that kiss scene (hope it was alright). Finally, we're getting somewhere, now all we need to do is kill off Light and we have a happy ever after… as if it's that easy XD Anyway, hopefully you all enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it! Thanks for reading and please review! :D

Orohippus: Well, I can see you're happy. Thanks for the review ;D

Kittenn1011: Glad you're enjoying them :D thanks for the review

The Blonde One:lol, yep, L's alive! Thanks, it makes me happy that the chapters didn't turn out as bad as I thought they would. Thanks for the review! : )

Anonymous reviewer:I'm happy you like the story and Hikari, she's fun to write (as is Kaito who is my favorite oc- not too sure why, but he just makes me laugh when I write him, especially later on in the story). Yeah, when I read the pilot manga and saw there were no rules I was actually a bit disappointed. I'll try my best to keep up the good work and I'll try to update soon. :D Thanks for the review

Twilit Queen:Yay! I'm glad to see that you love the story. Yeah, I try my best to keep him in character though I will admit that at some moments it's a bit tricky. Hopefully, I kept him pretty much in character in this chapter as well. Aw, I'm sorry. Yeah, Rem was pretty cool up to the point where L died, but that was more Light's fault -stabs Light plushy with a spork- Anyway, thanks for the review! :D

-Reaper