Death: I apologize about the inconvenience. I was struggling with school stuff, and then when school was over I got author's block with this. But now that my other story that I've been working on has caught up with this one, I started to think things over. And now I've got the ideas done and down. I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: Does it look like I'm Ohba-sama or Obata-sama? I thought so.

Chapter 8 Shaken Bonds

Light was, for the first time in his life, in utter confusion. Completely confused, and for another first, he couldn't feel his twin anywhere. No matter what the situation, if Raito happened to be on a school trip while they were in different classes, they were still able to feel as if they were in the same room. But not this time.

It was as if his aniki had been wiped off the face of the earth. But that was impossible. Not unless Raito happened to be dead. Light stopped, frozen of the thought. Could Raito be dead? He feared it to be true.

Suddenly the wave of loneliness, and sadness overwhelmed him. Light reached forward to the nearest wall, using it to support himself as he clutched his chest. He didn't know if he was sobbing, or if tears were streaming down his face. He couldn't believe it to be true, Raito couldn't be dead.

So with the most sensible thought came to Light, and reached into his pocket for his wallet. The teen fished it out and grabbed some change for the pay phone not too far away. His throat felt constricting as if someone was choking him. He suddenly felt the breath being taken away from him.

Light quickly worked his hands to put the coins into the pay phone, picking it up and held it over his ear. His vision was starting to blur, but his fingers still managed to push the right numbers to his father's cell.

Once the numbers were pushed, Light gasped for air weakly as he waited for his father to pick up. By the third ring Soichiro's worried voice answered.

"Hello?"

"D-Dad…" Light managed to gasp out, the constriction around his throat tightening as he tried to talk.

"Raito? Or Light?" Soichiro seemed confused for a moment. "Never mind, tell me where you are."

"I…don't…I don't know…Dad…can't…" Light tried to gasp for more air, leaning his whole body against the wall as he tried his best to keep his hold on the phone.

Immediately the teen's father scrambled to tell the man next to him to inform Watari to trace the call. Within seconds Soichiro turned back to his cell, putting it on speaker and setting it on the table with the rest of the team staring warily.

"Just stay with me son, just listen to my voice and tell me any clue as to where you are. What can you see, smell, feel, etc." Soichiro tried to remain as calm as possible.

Light gasped for a few moments, trying to set his eyes to focus on his surroundings. Finding everything too blurry, he closed his eyes again and decided to use his other senses.

"I smell…I smell raw fish…" Light heaved his chest, trying to keep his lungs working as he took in the foul scent. "And…I think I hear…ocean…"

Aizawa spoke up, following the chief's calm example. "Is there any traffic nearby?"

"Y-Yes…a lot…" Light gasped out, his senses were weakening drastically.

"Light," Soichiro said, pausing for a moment. "Stay with us, please stay with us."

"C-Can't…" then they heard the boy gasp loudly, the background seemed scrambled as if the phone was being dropped and hung by the chord, and Light's body fell.

"Light!"

For ten minutes Light slipped in and out of consciousness. His senses were all muffled, as he tried to remain awake. Slowly he found that he could breathe once more, if a lot better than before he had collapsed.

Slowly but surely, his normal breathing had returned if a little raspy and uneven. It was still better than nothing. In the distance he heard sirens, heading down the street he was currently located at. His ears strained, and he heard one of the detectives on the other line of the phone dangling near his shoulder desperately calling out his name repeatedly.

"Light-kun! Please answer me, Light-kun!"

He distinctly remembered the name of that voice, Touta Matsuda. Light vaguely remembered the name for the man was the hyper active puppy that his father cherished as a friend at work.

Without opening his eyes, Light felt around to the chord, pulling the phone back up to his ear.

"I hear you…"

"Oh thank goodness! You scared the hell out of everyone! Don't worry! The chief is on his way right now. He should be arriving any second!" Matsuda breathed out, trying to catch his breath.

"I hear the sirens…" Light whispered softly, his voice still weak and raspy.

Not a minute later he heard a car pull up to the curb, and not even bothering to kill the engine Soichiro ran out to his son. Hurried footsteps made themselves to the teen, and Light let out a sigh of relief. Soichiro pulled him into his fatherly embrace, if not squashing him a little but Light didn't care. He felt safe.

"Light, thank god you're safe…" Soichiro trailed off as he caught sight of his son's neck.

The chief wasn't sure if his eyes were seeing things, for he only saw the red marks for a second. And as of now Light was leaning against him like a helpless child, eyes closed as he allowed himself to relax. Soichiro picked up the phone, brushing the marks out of his mind.

"Matsuda, I'll be at the hospital. You can tell Ryuzaki that—"

"No, dad, no hospitals. I'm fine now, aniki is safe too. I can sense him now." Light spoke softly, his eyes still closed and leaning against his father's embrace.

"Now? Then something happened to Raito?" Soichiro furrowed his eyebrows with worry.

"He's safe." The teen confirmed.

After a brief moment Soichiro nodded, turning his attention back at the young detective on the other line.

"I shall be arriving back at headquarters with Light. From there we can only wait for Raito to return." And with that, Soichiro hung up before Matsuda could reply.

Light felt being picked up gently in his father's strong arms. He remembered distant memories where Soichiro picked up his sons, carrying one sitting over his shoulders and holding onto his head and the other close to his chest. Light smiled fondly at the memory, he always wanted to be the one to hold onto the back of Dad's head instead of close to their idol's chest.

Raito had teased him everytime he got a piggy back ride, overjoyed to be spoiled for once. After the accident Light was always the one being spoiled, even though their parents tried to spoil the Yagami twins equally as possible. And because of the accident, he was also treated like glass.

Therefore whenever they begged Soichiro to carry them around, their father always held little fragile Light while Raito gladly nuzzled his chin over Soichiro's head. Light didn't like being held like a baby, he was too young and stubborn to realize that his father was only thinking of his safety out of love.

Before Light was laid in the back seat, he opened his eyes, smiling weakly.

"Dad…?"

"Hm?"

"Thank you."

Taken aback, Soichiro stared down at his son. There was no lie in those bright eyes, those same eyes he and Raito shared from their mother. Give or take a shade lighter than Sachiko's, but still the same soft honey color no doubt. Soichiro nodded, carefully laying his son along the backseat of the car.

"Anytime, son."

And just like that, Light closed his eyes and fell asleep.

Sitting in the front seat, Soichiro turned over to view the rear end so he could back out. By accident his eyes landed on Light, and his eyes chose to stare at the boy's neck. His jaw clenched tightly, realizing that his eyes weren't playing tricks earlier. There were red marks, as if hands were clenching around the boy's neck.

Soichiro prayed that he wouldn't find the soul who hurt his sons. Or that he wouldn't happen to have his gun in his belt at that fated moment.

L stared at his computer, watching the Kira Investigation HQ through the cameras. Watari called him, informing him to return to the hotel to watch and if given the chance, converse with the teen that had been found. At the moment it was Light, who was sleeping on a couch that was moved next to Chief Yagami's desk.

The moment L set eyes on the teen, he focused on any changes. And his trained eyes found red marks around his neck. This could only suggest that the boy was choked, but there was no sign of struggle in his features. No messy hair, his clothes weren't rustled, and there were no signs of bruises along his arms, wrists, hands, or even legs.

Although L had to politely ask Soichiro to check for the bruises. The man was grim about the thought of invading Light's privacy, but it was for his safety. And after a few moments of lifting up the boy's sleeves and found no bruises. This confused L, and everyone else who were sitting near Chief Yagami.

"Yagami-san, is there by any chance that the twins can experience the same pain as the other?" L spoke up after he pondered over the possibility of the Yagami twins having a strong connection.

"I've seen it before many times. But never to this extent." Soichiro sighed, taking a glance at the red marks around his son's neck.

"How so?" L was curious now.

"After a serious accident, the boys grew close. I believe that was when they realized they would feel each other's pain. While Light was still recovering, Raito was playing sports and he tripped and fell. Later Light was complaining about his knee, and they had the same scrape when Light had been idle in his bed the whole day.

"Since then Raito never allowed himself to be injured. When he realized he was, it had to be from Light. This is the first time that their roles were switched." Soichiro crossed his arms.

"I see…so because of their strong connection they can not only feel each other's pain, but obtain the same wounds. Speaking hypothetically, what if one of them died? Will the other live, or will he mysteriously die as well?" L didn't want to sound so cold to the man, but it was a question that needed to be asked.

Soichiro paled at the thought. He knew that the boys grew so close that L's theory was most likely true. Soichiro was starting to wonder if the boys could deal with living in separate homes let alone in a separate country.

"I say that no matter what, they would follow each other to the grave." The chief said truthfully, his voice strained to express such thoughts.

L understood the man's strain. The truth hurt.

Light slowly awoke some hours later, his senses found his surroundings familiar. He took a few moments to blink, realizing that he was in his father's office. The teen recognized a few faces, some of the detectives he met over the years when he and Raito helped a few cases.

Light felt a lump in his throat.

Aniki…Where was Raito?

Weakly, Light raised his head. His vision blurred, and a wave of dizziness overwhelmed the teen. He laid his head back down and felt a hand wrap around his own. Light knew the hand belonged to Raito. He weakly smiled, opening his eyes again to see his twin smiling back.

"Hey, how are you feeling otouto?" Raito raised his other hand to brush the a few stray bangs out of his eyes.

"…Like crap." Light grumbled.

He heard his aniki chuckle softly.

"At least you're safe." Raito's smile quivered, struggling to remain as a smile.

Light raised his head again, when he noticed the red marks around his twin's neck. The teen raised his free hand to barely feel over the marks with the tips of his fingers. Light couldn't believe his eyes, that such hindering marks were marring his mirror's skin.

"Am I seeing things…?" the younger twin frowned.

"Sadly no. It hurts me more when you have the same marks." Raito pushed his brother's hand away from his neck.

Light's eyebrows furrowed at this. "I have the same marks? But I wasn't with anyone…"

"I'm sorry…" Raito frowned deeply.

"Oh, boys." Soichiro had returned from a short coffee break.

The Yagami twins raised their heads up in perfect sync as their father sat down in his desk.

"Your mother is overly worried. Took a good hour to convince her to stay home with Sayu." The elder man visibly sighed.

Light bit his lip nervously. He knew that she was more worried about him leaving home and getting lost. But they all knew that they'll have equal scolding, and possibly a few weeks away from their computers.

"So…" Raito tried to encourage his father to continue.

"Let's just say that your mother and I have been considering your future." At this Soichiro directed his gaze at Light.

The younger twin felt his gut twist into knots. "No…Dad."

"You're not going to the Americas. You can pick whatever college you want, so long as it's in Japan." Soichiro held his ground.

"No! Dad, please! I don't want to stay in Japan!" Light stood up in a flash, his voice rose to a high pitch.

"You left the house, without leaving a note or any indication where you were going. And on top of that you left your phone, and you got yourself lost for about two hours. You nearly gave us heart attacks, Light. Now if you have a better punishment, then tell me." Soichiro offered.

Light opened his mouth but no sound came out. He looked frustrated, and for a moment he couldn't breathe. Worried, Raito stood up.

"Otouto—"

Everyone in the room nearly gasped in shock as Light pushed his twin away harshly. Raito almost stumbled, but caught his footing and stared at the other with a mix of surprise and hurt.

"The one time I try and get you out of trouble and I get the blame! Thanks to you I won't have a future!" Light wailed, almost bursting into tears. "I hope you're happy, because I am not going to college!"

With that, Light strolled away to the nearest bathroom. Raito stood, blinking for a few moments trying to get over the pain in his chest. With an almost whimper the elder brother took a step towards the direction Light went when his father stopped him, shaking his head.

"Raito, give him a few moments." Soichiro rubbed his forehead.

"But—"

"Raito." His father warned.

"All right. Then tell me who and where otouto's babysitter is and I'll give him a few good punches." Raito replied in a dark snarl.

"I'm afraid I can't do that." Soichiro crossed his arms, starting to lose his patience.

"Good luck holding up a conversation with me then." Raito turned to sit at one of the empty desks that sat as far away from his father as possible.

"Raito."

Said teen twirled his chair around, ignoring his father and whistled a little tune.

Soichiro released a loud sigh. "I know what you're doing, Raito. You're trying to turn the punishment towards you and away from Light. But I'm afraid it's not working."

The eldest twin continued whistling his happy tune.

After a brief moment of silence, L spoke up.

"I must say that I have never witnessed a brother feel so compelled to protect his sibling. Even going as far as embarrassing himself, and his father in the office." A monotone voice spoke up.

Raito immediately stilled. Shivers ghosted up and down his spine, the strands of hair on the back of his neck standing up. The teen forgot about Watari and his white computer. Raito twirled his chair around once to greet the strange man who was hiding his face from the shadow of his hat and dark coat.

"He's my brother. I would do anything for him." Raito pulled off his trademark smile.

But deep down, the teen was terrified. L had never spoken a word when Raito entered the building. Even when they were politely introduced by Matsuda, L didn't even grant the young prodigy a greeting or any indication that he was there.

"Anything? Would you even die for him, Raito-kun?" the voice sounded amused even with the voice over effect that made L's voice sound more computer-like.

"If worse comes to worse, then yes." Raito answered truthfully, a slight edginess in his voice.

Everyone in the room stared at the teen, taking in the serious tone and the intense expression across the teen's face. The words sunk in, and everyone knew that Raito was indeed, serious about his answer. Even L was surprised about Raito's answer. There was no hesitation, not even a moment to ponder over the question.

"Interesting." Was all L could say.

Raito held a steady gaze on the white computer for a few moments, doing his best to ignore a chuckling shinigami standing behind him. After a few minutes the teen twirled his chair around so that he would stare at the hallway his otouto went.

"What are you going to do Raito? You were calmer when Light was asleep, but now that he's gone you're turning into a nervous wreck. L is only a computer away. Hyuk hyuk." Ryuk chuckled, purposefully tormenting the teen.

'Shut the hell up Ryuk. I'm doing the best I can and leave me alone!' Raito thought harshly, releasing a drawn out sigh to relieve the last bit of his anger at the creature.

It was then the teen felt a sudden pull in their connection, a small tug towards Light's direction. His otouto was calling him, with the emotions Raito recognized as need of comfort. The elder twin softened his features, relaxing his tense body and stood up.

"Where are you going?" Aizawa dared to ask.

"Otouto."

Mogi gave a slide glance at the chief, noticing that the elder man didn't stop his son.

"Chief?" Mogi inquired. "Aren't you going to stop him?"

"Raito doesn't move until Light wishes him to. Even after today's events their connection hasn't been broken. Shaken, yes, but not broken or hindered." Soichiro explained.

"I'm curious, what will it take to break that connection?" L asked out loud.

"I would highly suggest for you not to find out." Soichiro warned.

"You have my word, Yagami-san." But deep down, L wanted to know.

Raito entered the men's room to find his brother sitting against the corner on the other side of the room. Rushing over, Raito gently pulled his younger twin into his lap, arms embracing the sobbing teen in comfort.

"Shh, I'm here, otouto. I'm here." Raito whispered, rocking their bodies like their mother used to do when they were toddlers.

"Why is he doing this…? All I wanted was to help you, aniki." Light bit his lip.

"You weren't thinking over a plan, otouto." Raito pecked his twin's cheek.

"But I—"

"Doesn't matter now, otouto."

The younger twin stopped thinking of the subject. Instead he welcomed the comforting silence between them. And the silent comfort eased Light from his troubled thoughts. The thought of losing sight of his goals, and the idea of living a life of hell by not going to college, was no longer present within his mind.

"Light, how would you feel if I tell you to come to To-Oh with me after the high school exit exams?" Raito broke the silence, using his brother's name to show he was serious.

"But I didn't even apply—"

"It's never too late. We're taking the same exams." Raito smiled fondly. "Think about it, you come with me and do as Dad says—"

"But…"

"Let me finish." Raito brushed a few strands out of his brother's face, frowning for the interruption.

Light nodded, listening.

"As I was saying, you do as Dad says and he won't pester us. By that time we can switch places, and no one would know. And you wouldn't take all of the blame, and no one will treat you like glass." The elder twin's trademark smile was back.

Light thought for a moment. Raito had a way with words.

"I won't be the weak little boy they see me as?" the younger twin frowned. "What about sports?"

"Easy. Don't apply for sports. And if anyone asks, just say you'd like a game of tennis." Raito shrugged. "Personally, I think this would be a great way for you to expand yourself."

Light considered this for a moment. On the upside, he could show everyone that he wasn't weak. And that he wasn't made of fragile glass, as everyone assumed. But on the downside Raito would carry the burden of being sympathized by anyone who knew of the accident.

"You won't feel bad by the pressure of being treated like a fragile object?" Light stared up at his twin, searching for truth.

"I won't feel bad. I've felt your pain too, remember? They're just words and actions, otouto." Raito's smile was genuine.

A smile tugged on Light's mouth.

"So what will it be, otouto?"

"Sure."

Death: Well there you go. It seems sloppy to me...I guess it's been a while. But trust me, towards the end this part comes into play later on.

1) Ok, I know you guys wanna know what happened between Raito and B...but I've learned that there's a number of you who would like to see the pairing, and there's also a number of you who don't want me to write their actions as a couple for this is a L and Light story. So I'm doing a little experiment, how many of you feel like I missed out too much? Or does this chap look ok to you?

2) I know, seems kind of heartless for Soichiro to destroy his son's dreams. But step into his shoes for a moment. As a father, what would you do when your son goes out, without a word to where he's going, without his phone, and nearly give you a heart attack? And not to mention there's nothing much to use against your sons, since they don't have any playstations, ds, psp, any of the toys teenagers have these days. I don't think taking away Light's phone would do any justice, since he didn't bring his phone in the first place.

3) Ok, officially, the twins have met a strange man on the same day, who happens to be L. L doesn't tell them about the incidents so basically the Yagami twins never officially met L as L.

Now click the lovely button below! I needs some encouragement here, I still think this chap is sloppy somehow.