Abysmal Descent

Disclaimer: I don't own anything copyrighted except for my own characters in this fanfic.

Yes yes yes. I finally reviewed! I thank you all for your reviews, but here's a friendly little reminder: I will only update every ten reviews (I realized I forgot to add that in the past chapters). So I'd really appreciate some feedback!

And sorry, Sayoko's-fire! Didn't mean to offend by..uh...not updating? Boobooboo. I was debating on post-poning for a year, actually... cx
Just jokes! But your reviews are welcome. Flames too, I guess, since it still gets the number up there. Enjoy the chapter, mes amis!

((Blame the musical I was ass. directing! But but but!! It finished. Yay!! ))

Chapter Three

"I think he's fine...leave him on the couch." L said through a mouthful of strawberry cheesecake. He gingerly held the fork as he chewed slowly, never removing his gaze from Ed as the other dropped the kid unceremoniously onto the bed. He placed the empty plate onto the table then walked over to observe the newcomer. "Yes...the signs are showing very well..." He muttered while checking a pulse. Ed scoffed and crossed his arms.

"That should be obvious. By the way...he puked in the vehicle. I was debating on leaving it for you to take care of..." He grinned, but faltered as L seemed to ignore his comment. The detective was now over Raito checking his wrist for a pulse. He made no sound as he continued his "diagnosis", instead just poking and prodding various areas. After a few quick moments, L stepped back with a look as if he understood something about the male's body that Ed didn't.

Those fathomless black eyes fixed onto Ed, "Less then twenty four hours." Of course, the pale figure knew exactly what L meant. With human beings, the transitioning to a vampire can vary depending on the person and their body structure. For example, if a man who was physically fit and had a top notch immune system but was blooded, it would take a maximum of twenty four hours for the 'virus' to completely take over and 'kill' the host. But if they were a routinely sick individual, the process of the vampire infection would spread easier and thus the human would turn much more quickly. This was something L had personally conducted research on, when he used to be an apprentice under a great scientist whose life was devoted to finding out the mysteries of vampirism.

"'Cause that really helps, L." Ed rolled his eyse but sat down in the closest plush armchair, "Fine...whatever. I'll keep an eye on him while you do your shit then." The other nodded before resuming his work.

Currently the pair were searching for an individual only known as 'Kei'. He went by a strew of other names, but Ed and L always used the most common alias for him. It ended up being less confusing that way...unless they discussed him in public. Which was a rariety itself because L preferred the solitary hotel room and sent Ed out to do his little errands.

A few hours slowly dragged by. Ed had already fallen asleep while L remained in his crouching position on the seat in front of the computer. His eyes were glued to the screen absorbing anything of importence. So far, not a breakthrough. A couple of odd disappearences on the outskirts of the city but those could be explained in more normal terms. Kei's strategy was to hunt on the core of the city where the action and easy bait were, so that ruled out the three missing children.

A moan from the corner of the room almost made the detective jump. Almost. He glanced over, knowing fully well that it was the infected one. The time should be nearing...that man was in for some extreme pain soon...

Another groan. A sudden gasp.

Raito Yamagi jerked then sat up quickly, "W-where...?? What--ach!!" He clutched his side and took a wide eyed glimpse at the room, "The police station...! Misa?! I could -ehh!!- have sworn that..." He started to shake violently. The disturbence finally caused Ed to snap awake.

"Aw fuck! L, why didn't you say something god damned it!" Ed growled. He leapt onto the bed and forced Raito to lay down by straddling him and pinning his shoulders. Over his own shoulder, the male ordered, "L! Get my wallet from the table and stick it between his teeth! He's going into shock!!" L did as he was told while not tearing his eyes away from the victim at all. The bed shook and tremored until Raito finally stopped jerking and went still. Ed felt a wrist before calmly stating, "Dead."

With a sharp gasp, Raito's chocolate brown eyes snapped open. He sucked in a few more deep breaths of air, turning onto one side with his own hand grasping at his hair. Pain hit his body suddenly! He cried out once then again as another wave crashed against him. Everything ached so badly!! The brunette made a small whimper in the back of his throat when he sat up on the bed.

"Heh. He didn't take that long as the others." A deeper, cold voice to his left said. Another softer, quieter one answered.

"Yes. I thought he would have been at least two hours longer."

Left...left...his left...Raito looked down at his hands and held one up in wonder. Has his skin always had such a moonlit glow to it...? He never was that pale, was he...? His joints were still cracking and whatnot, but he no longer payed any attention to it. In fact...the pain was subsiding rather quickly...

"Yagami-san. How are you feeling?" His bewildered gaze shifted to the two figures beside him. What an odd looking pair...

It took him a few minutes to register who was speaking until the one who sat in such an uncomfortable looking position asked his question once more. "Eh...? ... ... ..." He shifted his gaze away from the unearthing stare of the tired-looking one, "I feel...better, actually. Then before." Raito looked at Ed and shrugged, "Sorry about your car."

Ed waved a hand carelessly, "Whatever. At least you remember some things..." He leaned forward with his hands rested on his knees, "Now...I have a few questions regarding your schedule for the past two days. I need to know -everything-." He emphasized the last bit dramatically before leaning back again, "Now..." The questioning began. The male seemingly answered everything that he could remember but when it came to that one night at the bar, Raito suddenly looked hesitant.

L was munching on a box of chocolates as Raito spoke. He finished chewing then said, "It doesn't matter on your sexual orientation...we just need to know information about that stranger. What was his name?" He held up a small round candy, observed it for a bit, then popped it into his mouth.

"H-Hey!! I never said...!! Ugh..." Raito rubbed a temple and continued in an irritated tone, "His name was Kei. I never got a last name because I was too drunk...so we went back to his hotel. I think you can guess where things went," He said pointedly in L's direction, "How do you know my name anyway? ...And why am I here? I can't remember anything after passing out in the back seat..." He cast another curious look around the hotel room, taking in its grandeur and wondering mildly how those two scruffy men could afford such a nice room like this. Not that it was relevant to his current situation.

Ed was the first to answer, "That part is none of your buisness. What we CAN tell you is that you died and came back to life. Simple as that." He hated bandying with words about details such as the blooding process.

L, on the other hand, threw an unreadable look at Ed before taking control of the discussion, "Research. We're searching for a man known as Kei. Red hair, red eyes, and a charm that seems...irrisistable. It is obvious that you were an intended victim, but he kept you alive...you should be glad. Kei prefers to kill when he feeds." Seeing a look of confusion on Raito's features, L continued, "He's a vampire. The reason why you got so ill in such a short time was because he infected you by mixing his blood with yours. The vampire cells will quickly take over the human cells."

"Like...like a virus?" Raito's voice quavered a little bit.

The detective nodded, "Mhm."

"So...I'm dead...now?" He still sounded uncertain, "But if I'm dead, how come I'm still functioning? As in my brain?" He frowned when the two didn't answer, "Or...is that a figure of speech? So it's because my human cells are now obsolete?"

Ed grinned, "Bingo. Your aging process will also be slowed, but not eternally. Every ten years of a vampire's life is equivalent to one human year. And..."

Raito's eyes narrowed, "...And?"

Ed proceeded to tick off his points on his fingers, "Your physical abilities will increase pending on your previous athletic limits, you're now impotent, and...you need blood at LEAST every three days in order to survive." Seeing the look on the vampire's face, he smirked, "Yes. Blood. But thankfully I can teach you how to hunt. I'm one myself."

It took Raito a few minuts to process that but when he did, he stood right up, "You're saying I can never have children? That I'm going to always be stuck this way!? There's no cure...?" He looked over at L in desperation but only recieved a blank stare in return. Anger rapidly coursed through the male and soon enough he found himself shouting at the top of his lungs, "Why the hell am I here then?! Who did this to me in the first place?!" His shoulders tensed and his hands curled into tight fists as he attempted to control the fury building up within him, "I'm STUCK like this!? Forever!? Why won't you tell me EVERYTHING?" Raito trembled as he fought the urge to punch something, locking his eyes onto those of the unphased L.

"Ahhhh, calm down and shut up!" The shorter, orange-eyed on growled, "Others might hear you from outside, for fucks sake!" The two glared at eachother for what seemed like hours until Raito took in a sharp breath then plopped back down onto the edge of the bed. Ed smirked in satisfaction while casually playing with a spare pocket knife while L just sat there assessing what had just happened. "...Good. Now, chances are that this man, Kei, who blooded you will most likely return. After all..." He shrugged, "He probably sees you as a new pet. The master vampires rarely abandon their kin..." The last part was laced with bitterness and the way Ed's brows furrowed clearly showed it...but the young other vampire failed to comment.

L was busily chewing on his thumb nail with a focused expression. His eyes were the same as ever - dead, blank, and tired-looking but the way he just bit that nail seemed to hold purpose. Ed glanced over and fell silent from the feeling that whatever L was going to say next was going to be something importent...until the buzzing of a cellphone broke the mood.

The three of the glanced at eachother until Raito jumped in surprise. "Ah, that's mine." He muttered as he pulled it out from his back pocket.

"Hello, Raito-kun...I trust you miss me?"

Designer Armani loafers rested on a darkwood coffee table similar to what Raito Yagami's strange new acquaintences' hotel room had while the man wearing them was leaned back comfortably on his matching chair. His stray hand brushed crimson strands out of his eyes. Kei chuckled, "Ah...please, give Edward my regards. I wouldn't want him feeling left out now." He began checking his nails, waiting for the younger male to respond.

"Y-you...!! How did you get this number!?"

"How I got it really isn't any of your buisness, Raito. What matters is...I think we should meet up once more. Be by the Westgate Park by seven p.m tomorrow night...I'll see you then. Oh, and remind L that this call is untraceable" He cheerily added, hanging up without further notice.

Kei tucked the tiny mobile device safely into his dress shirt chest pocket with a smile. The major chance was that Raito wouldn't show up, but to have a set location and time like that would definately tempt Edward for they had some...unfinished buisness. Either way, it was a win-win situation...right?

The brunette stared down at his cell with shock written all over his features. How did Kei get this number...!? He cleared his throat and did not make any eye contact when he stated, "That was him. That was...Kei..."

Ed's eyes widened, "What!? That bastard?" He barked, stabbing the pocketknife into the arm of the chair, "What did he say!?"

"He...he said to meet him tomorrow. At Westgate Park at 7 p.m." Raito gritted his teeth, digging his finger nails into his palms. There was no pain as he did so.

L finally spoke up through a mouthful of chocolate, "What do you plan on doing then, Raito-kun? Surely not meet him, I suppose? But this is a perfect opportunity to get rid of him..." He stared directly into Raito's eyes, not even pulling away to eat another chocolate. Ed, meanwhile, just muttered a few random curses before standing up abruptly.

"Boy, you -are- going..." Ed spat, "...But as bait! I want him -dead-!" He did not utter another word as he snatched a black jacket on the back of the sofa before slamming the door behind him. The newly turned vampire stared at the door while trying to decide what was the proper thing to do. Afterall, going to meet Kei would definately mean drama...he couldn't just hold nothing against the man who STOLE his humanity away from him after a silly one night stand!! Why didn't the red head just kill him? He had the capability to do so!! But he didn't...

He didn't...why was that?

A loud slurp interrupted Raito's angry thoughts. He looked over pointedly at L, who didn't show any sign of acknowledging anything. He had already creeped over to his computer and was typing something. What was with that detective...? And why didn't they say anything else about his situation?! But after exploding earlier...Raito did admit, he could use a nap.

He opened his mouth to say something, but it was useless. Nothing came to him to blurt to the detective and everything just felt...awkward...so the brunette just crawled back into the bed with his back facing the other. As long as he didn't have to put up with those two freaks during a nice little nap...that was fine...but the questions of this new and alarming future was really unsettling...

AHHHHHHH!! ...There you go.
'Kay, I won't lie, I got lazy at the end. But I think we all may have noticed that. I don't even know where I'm going with this cuz my path keeps changing. So...bear with me?
I'm truly sorry for not updating sooner. It's a super bad habit of mine! But now with highschool completely finished, I have a little bit more time to continue with this fan fic!

Anyway, I'd love to hear some opinions -- especially constructive critisism. Lovings are wanted too!! And don't just add this to your faves without reviewing!! Rawr!

...But I do love you all!