Chapter 11

Light was tired of the whole façade after the third festival game stall they visited. The whole laid back atmosphere of the festival, the way L and Harry seemed to get along, the lack of everything but platitudes was grinding on his nerve.

L was waiting for something and Light wasn't about to let the man win.

"I don't believe that you would come here just to play games," he said. Then he went back over the words, searching for incriminating details and when he found none, set out planning his next comment. He couldn't be too careful speaking to L and even the mere reminder of this scruffy man's identity was enough to send his heart beat spiking and make his palms ever so slightly sweaty.

He took a deep breath, thankful that L still had his back turned and wouldn't be able to see his face.

L threw and the feathered dart curved in a light arc, hit the board at an angle and bounced off. Unperturbed, he reached for another.

"Oh ho ho, I'm sure you'll get something this time," the stall keeper said with a jovial but fake smile. "Great mask, by the way."

And it was just like L to re-wear his mask. Was it a statement? Did he think he'd be protected if his face was covered in the off chance that Kira's powers worked that way? Was he hiding from someone else or was the mask symbolic – that even though he stood so close to them that he was further apart and something different entirely?

Or, as Light was beginning to think, was the detective merely playing with him.

L threw and this time the dart left his fingers with incredible speed. The stall keeper's jaw dropped and Light blinked at the difference in L's stance. The dart thunked into the board and quivered there, stuck right in the red bullseye.

"Nice throw," Harry said and patted the other man on the shoulder. "Last one too. Hey which one are you going to get?"

The stall keeper echoed the remarks, but a great deal less enthusiastic and reached up with his pole to unhook a choice of prize.

Light forced himself into a smile and stepped up to examine the throw. "If you could have done that at the beginning, why were you wasting time with the nine previous darts?"

L turned around, ignoring the plush toys the stall keeper offered and tilted his head. Still slouched, he barely rose to Light's chin and they stood so close together it was an effort for both of them to meet each other's eyes.

"But Light is wrong. I needed the preliminary samples to project a better trajectory for my last throw. Since I bought ten darts with my money, there was no disadvantage to marking the distance and texture of the board before I could guarantee a success."

Light remained smiling. Calm. Innocent. "So that's how you work then? Scout out everything before moving in…"

Behind his mask, L comically widened his eyes. It was all a test. Everything was fake. "For the kill?"

"For the target," Light corrected.

"Hey. If you're not going to pick, I'm going to do it for you," Harry said. He held the two grand prizes, one of those large hare plushies that every stall seemed to have, and a smaller less fluffy panda. He was looking quite specifically at the latter.

L stepped over and Light silently cursed his green-eyed companion for drawing L away before his question was answered. But then again, he didn't doubt that L would have made some other excuse not to say. The detective was here to undermine their secrets, after all, not divulge ones of his own.

"Harry doesn't like the hare? It's what most people would have chosen to take home from the March of the Hares."

The Master of Death – not that he appeared as such right then – shrugged. "You can take the hare if you want." It was obvious he still wanted the panda, both to Light and to L who shook his head and pushed the black and white plushie to Harry.

"I don't seem to want it as much as you. Although it's interesting you should pick out that one. Do you like pandas, Harry?"

Harry grinned and squeezed the panda in his arms. "What would you think of me if I said yes? What would you think of me if I said no?" He was enjoying this too much although no wonder, with his immortality and powers the man was untouchable. He played a game of no consequence, the complete opposite of what Light was in.

It was frustrating, having such a potential liability with him all the time. A liability, yes, but also an ace. A wildcard whose uses had yet been fully explored by Light and however he wished to fill in the gaps to his knowledge, he knew he couldn't rush things. The Death Note had worked – Harry had told him much more about his abilities as the Master of Death than he ever had, and there was that incident with the pork bun. He had managed to find a way to gain control over his wild card but it wasn't absolute.

He could work with that. If the stakes became too high and Harry threatened to tip the balance unfavourably, he'd be able to move the man away for a time. Before that though, he'd continue to gather data and put the information to use.

All I have to do with the books is just zap something intending to kill it and that's that.

The creation of more Death Notes. That was very possibly now, although Light wasn't yet in a position to use them to his advantage. In the future, perhaps… and he'd have to modify his plans. It had potential and if he played this right, his plans for a new world could be accelerated beyond anything he'd hoped to do by himself.

Again there were potential liabilities but also the promise of something great.

"I wouldn't think anything of Harry. Except for his preference of pandas, of course," L said and Light reigned his thought back to the present. There was more at stake at this moment than his plans and he struggled not to let the fact that this was L throw him off balance.

"Light is right about something," L continued. "I need something more than inferences to successfully catch Kira. My reasoning will be nothing without a sturdy grounding of hard evidence so you don't have to worry about any of that right now. I'm only here to observe."

Observe for evidence, of course. Harry would understand not to give anything away. For whatever reason the Master of Death had taken up play on his side of the fight and Light can only hope he'd continue to stay there. Or, at least be satisfied with occasional gifts of pandas.

"Well, thanks anyway. I have a friend back home that this reminds me of." Harry tilted his head back and laughed, his mask nearly coming away but he paid that no mind, one hand idly stroking the panda's fur.

"Ahh, is it for a gift?"

Harry paused and answered him with the widest of grins. "Maybe, maybe not. Will you find out?"

This was going into dangerous waters. If L brought up Harry's complete lack of public records and un-identity, Harry was on his own and Light didn't have that much faith of the other man's abilities to be entirely comfortable with that.

"Why don't you take your mask off, L?" Light asked. "It mustn't be comfortable after such a long time."

He'd have to work on a backstory for Harry and soon. L couldn't have information on everyone in the world. It wouldn't be difficult to plant Harry in one of L's blind spots if he had access to the detective's records.

Or perhaps Harry could draw the information from him like he did before. Light suppressed a shiver, recalling the way L had frozen under Harry's spell. It was unnatural… but how Light desired Harry's power.

"Please, call me Ryuzaki in public. I've chosen to disclose my identity to garner your trust and establish our relationship on equal grounds but I don't wish for that to become common knowledge. Kira could be in these crowds after all."

With that, he reached up and removed his mask and it was the same, black rimmed eyes and pale skin that greeted him. Light once again committed his face to memory but it wasn't hard. There wouldn't be many people in the world that shared L's appearance.

"Sure. Ryuzaki it is then," Harry said. "And I don't think my Panda will appreciate this gift. If there was a peacock here, that would be a different matter but then again, Peacock doesn't really look like a peacock."

As much as the detective wanted to hide it, Light couldn't miss the interest the detective held in Harry and while it was likely Harry's intention, without reassurance that the man could handle everything that was required, it was a wary Light that watched on.

If he was L, how likely was Harry to be Kira? The detective had never said but Light suspected the other man was more suspicious than he. If the Master of Death, who had no stakes in the game, became the prime suspect, Light would have much more freedom to move. L was a great detective though – he had to be to match up to Light himself… perhaps the freedom would be less than if the Kira case was led by any other.

In any case, there was a delicate balance here and Light knew he'd have to use everything he had to manage both Harry and L, to come out on top. An electric burst of anticipation shot down his spine at the thought.

They visited two more games stalls before L dragged them to a dessert stand, filled with all sorts of fluffy marshmallow creations that could almost pass for hares. There was one that reached nearly half a meter in height, no doubt the centrepiece of the table, and L stuck his face so close to the thing Light thought he had actually taken a bite out of it.

Then he straightened, or he straightened as much as his slouched back would allow and held up two fingers to the middle aged woman at the stall.

She wore a pink, frilly apron and a matching set of bunny ears on her head. A stack of brown paper bags printed with the words 'March of the Hares' lay on the side of the table and trays upon trays of small marshmallow hares sat on the other.

"Only two?" the woman asked. "Why not take one each? They're very nice, you know. There's blueberry and chocolate and these are vanilla flavoured. Or maybe try some mango ones? They're nearly sold out."

L shook his head. "No. I want twenty bags."

"T- Twenty bags? Of marshmallow hares? Oh, no you meant just empty ones right? But I'm sorr-"

"No. I want twenty bags," L said again. "Five for each flavour."

What was he doing? Was this another test? Harry let out a giggle at the face the sales woman was making and Light felt himself working in overdrive trying to figure out what the detective was playing at this time. Twenty bags of marshmallow hares. Were they for his investigation team? But why give out the numbers. And why marshmallow hares?

"Are you sure?" The woman looked to Light and Harry, as if asking for permission. "They'll be quite pricey and one bag is usually for a couple to share."

Was L gauging their reactions, even now? But to what purpose?

"Yes. I'll have someone come later to pick them up. Give me two bags for now."

More comfortable with the order, the woman scooped up the hares L pointed to and handed them over. L immediately plucked a handful out and stuffed them in his mouth. Light took a quick step back and watched in horrified fascination as the man munched.

"Merlin you're really going to go through those by yourself aren't you?" Harry asked, as disturbed as Light was by L's sweet tooth. "Sure I was wondering but that's more candy than I'd be able to chug in a month. No, a year!"

Light was still perturbed. A year? He couldn't go through twenty bags of marshmallow hares in his lifetime. Just thinking about how much stomach space twenty bags would take up was making him dizzy. Could that be what L was doing?

The ring of his mobile caught them all off guard and Harry especially made a spectacle of himself with the way he jerked and reached for the wand Light knew was in his sleeve. He checked the caller. Father? What was… it wasn't about L being here, was it?

Light shot a glance at the detective who didn't appear to be paying any attention, and answered.

"Hello?"

"Light? It's me. I want you to bring Harry and come home immediately."

Blinking, Light turned from the others and walked a few steps away – exactly what L should expect a normal person to do when taking a call.

Still, it was with a hushed voice that he spoke. "Alright. Is mother and Sayu okay?"

"I- Yes. They're fine. Just come back as quickly as you can. I need to talk to you. And Harry too."

His father had hesitated. Stuttered. Light narrowed his eyes. What had he meant to say? Were they not safe? But that wasn't very likely. Apart from accidents, who knew enough to put his family in harm's way? Father wouldn't lie unless he was being threatened and he had codes to use in those circumstances.

Light was strikingly aware of L's presence behind him, watching him. Observing. Another test? Or was this a trap?

"We'll come," he said, "I'll see you soon."

He couldn't afford to stray from being the perfect son too soon. If it was a trap, they were going to have to fall in it and hope that Harry is both willing and capable of pulling them through. If not… well, Light had an equal belief in his own abilities. With a deep breath, he schooled his expression and returned.

Should he tell the truth? If L and father were in on this together, it would be a sign of good faith. Or would they take it as a weakness that he'd share information so freely?

"My father just called. He doesn't like me staying out too late so let's head home, Harry." There. Not quite the truth and it worked, even if he did end up appearing overprotected. "But before we go, Ryuzaki, I want to know if there'll be any repeats of today in the future. Having you follow me around is a bit problematic if this turns into a routine."

L raised his eyebrows and scrunched up the top of his bag. It was already half empty. He continued chewing for a second before, "Today has been enlightening and I shall not dismiss the possibility of a reunion. However, I am quite hurt that you'd be so averse to my presence. Am I that difficult to be around, Light?"

For once, the detective showed a hint of genuine emotion. He actually seemed as hurt as he said but Light refused to take any guilt for it. Harry, however, gave L a nudge with his elbow.

"Come on," the Master of Death said, "you're not that bad. I mean, you helped me when I was choking, didn't you? So did Light, but if I was alone, you could've really saved me. I'm serious. I owe you one. A life debt even."

The man was holding back laughter. Light didn't see what was so amusing. That little exchange probably gave L more clues than Harry had realised but that was the price of having him around. Light jerked his head.

"Let's head back. You can pay Ryuzaki with sweets if you want but there's only so many trains we can catch. It's been an interesting day, Ryuzaki but we'll leave you to enjoy the festivities by yourself."

With a wave, they were off, leaving L alone clutching his two bags of marshmallow hares, a look on his face that Light couldn't quite place. Harry twirled his mask around his finger beside him and shoved the panda plushie into Light's arms. He held onto it.

They joined a trail of others who were leaving the festival, each laden with masks and souvenirs. A couple of foreigners peered at the signs in the park and chattered to each other in German, obviously lost and in need of assistance. If it was any other day, Light would have gone to help, but he had his father's urgent summons and L still lurking on his mind.

The sun had already set and the only light came from the lanterns above each stall. Further away, street lamps and the tail lights of cars made a curious double layer on the roads. The moon was close to being full, but the clouds were thick enough it only showed as a fuzzy halo in the sky.

Neither spoke until they'd reached the station and had a moment to rest before their ride. Harry made an odd motion with his finger and the voices of the other commuters dulled into the background. The same privacy spell he'd used before?

Then with one foot to prop himself on the wall, Harry scratched the back of his neck with an abashed grin.

"So, you're not going to mention my mistake?"

Light frowned, momentarily thrown. Then he chuckled and rolled his eyes. "You were serious? I thought it was an elaborate joke. An extremely untimely joke and not one that was very funny, but I haven't forgotten the penguin sandwiches."

"It's really not my fault."

"Really? And whose fault would it be then?"

"Merlin, I don't see you being any better if you suddenly have to contend with the wizarding world. You try fitting in after a couple centuries out of everything. I say I've been doing quite well in fact."

The arrival of the train halted their conversation for the brief time it took them to board. It was crowded, as always, and this time in more passengers outfitted from the festival. Conscious of the lack of privacy now that Harry had taken down his spell, Light leaned close.

"You are doing well," he whispered with a smirk, "for someone who hasn't even done any preliminary research. When there's time, I say we go over everything you think you know about the world and move up from there."

It would be worth it to invest in some time to reduce the risk of having a completely unpredictable Harry. L had been enough to deal with already.

"Well, you are meant to be my guide," Harry whispered back. "It's only fitting that you do your job. But remember, I'm meant to be-"

"On holiday," Light finished.

"Yes. But be your entertaining usual self for me and the shinigami up there and you'll find yourself better for it."

And that was exactly what Light was counting on. As if sensing his thoughts Harry gave him a sardonic grin, eyes filled with amusement and glowing faintly in the dimly lit carriage. Not for the first time, Light was reminded that he was being used as much as he was using Harry and that if the Master of Death ever got an inkling of how he had control through the Death Notes, the grin would be filled with teeth as sharp as any shinigami's scythe.

Harry trailed behind Light as they climbed the steps out of the station. He'd gotten his panda back when they'd gotten off the train and again he was amazed at how soft the fur was. So much so that he wanted to rub it on his face and the only thing stopping him was the thought that he'd look much less imposing to Light.

It didn't however, prevent him from running his fingers through the fuzz over and over again like it was some kind of small animal. A ferret perhaps, though much more likeable. For some inexplicable reason, Harry chuckled to himself, amused by something he couldn't remember.

Light sent him a look, queering, but he declined to answer. How could he tell Light the joke if he didn't even know how it went? But then he sobered and tried to wrap his mind around the fact that L wasn't a computer. It was absurd. But he couldn't deny the effects of his own spell. It was absurd, then, that he'd even make a mistake like that in the first place.

It was possible, he supposed, that the man only thought himself to be L. Harry didn't know what kind of tricks muggles used to brainwash people, but he was sure they had some. Or maybe they didn't and he'd done something silly again. Light's reaction told him everything, though. Apparently this world weren't at the stage for computers to be solving their crimes. It made sense, in a way. If there were such amazing computers there wouldn't be any crime at all.

Then Light wouldn't have to go around killing everybody. Harry shook his head. He was the Master of Death. He wasn't one to worry himself about the affairs of mortals, especially knowing full well that every soul would be reincarnated and that death was nowhere close to being the end.

Still, he remembered suffering.

Light's keys jangled as he unlocked the gate but they hadn't taken a step in before his father opened the door, a garbage bag in each hand. Light's father motioned for them to stop and joined them at the gate after he dumped the bags.

"Father?" Light asked. "We're back. What was the matter?"

"Good. Follow me," Soichiro said. He nodded to Harry, wiped his hands on his trousers, and set off back the direction that they came.

Harry and Light shared a look but followed after him. By chance, Light's father lead them to the now familiar grasses of Tongling park and they passed not far from the tree where Harry had spoken to Luna.

The place was deserted at night and Harry breathed in the silence, enjoying the break from people after an evening in the crowds. The smell of beef noodles wafted in from some nearby home and although Harry was still full from the festival's stall foods, he entertained the idea of slipping into which ever house the smell came from and steal their dinner from under his invisibility cloak.

They stopped by the side of one of many tall hedges that lined the park and the lights were so that they were nearly hidden in the shadows.

Harry's longing smile slipped when a serious Soichiro that turned to face them and Harry wondered if there was yet another encounter lined up for him. What a day it had been already. If he was doing the watching, Harry would be just as entertained as the shinigami would undoubtedly be but instead he was fighting back yawns and having trouble concentrating from the delicious scent of beef noodles.

A scuffle was the only warning they had.

A pair of thick, muscular arms shot straight out of the hedge and pulled Harry back into the scratching twigs. He had time only to shout, more startled and genuinely frightened before he felt the prick of a blade on his cheek.

"Hold still buddy or I'll cut you a new smile," came a voice from behind. Harry didn't move his head but in his position, he could just barely see Light in a similar condition, arms held by a leering leather clad man with a buzz cut. Soichiro was on the ground.

A man, obviously the leader, stepped out from behind the hedges and twirled a gun with his finger. His hair fell thick across his face but didn't do a good job of hiding a network of scars and a horribly deformed nose. Across his chest he wore nothing but a leather strap, stretching from shoulder to hip and although he moved like a feral animal, everything was clean and well kept.

Two others flanked him, each wielding a small wooden bludgeon, looking similar to the one who held Light – buzz cuts and leather all around.

"What's this now? Our headquarters have been infiltrated by three little rats," the leader said with a grin.

Harry grinned straight back. He hadn't had this much fun in decades.

AN: Whoot! Wrote this all in one day… it sure was a ride. Seriously wasn't expecting the last scene. I knew I had to do something but I wasn't expecting a whole out fight happening. Hahaha, at least it's exciting, huh?

Also, four hundred followers? Woah! That's a heck of a lot. Believe me, if it wasn't for you guys, I wouldn't have written this today. If you like it enough to follow or fav, I'd appreciate if you could leave a little encouragement in a comment. Suggestions, corrections, anything's welcome.

And until next time, 31st