Pros and cons went along with being chained to Ryuzaki.

Well, mostly cons.

Okay, all cons.

Light was most grateful for being released. Now all he needed was a shower. This, however, he dare not ask for. He instead suffered in silence at his computer, trying not to move his left arm more than absolutely necessary. While he did not ask for a shower, he did request a haircut.

Matsuda had all-too-happily obliged.

Light sighed and rested his chin in his hand. The date with Misa had been dreadful. There was no need for a date so soon after being released. He retained a headache from her voice (Where had he found such a squealing girl?) and, on top of that, sported a nasty bruise from Ryuzaki's kick.

Everyone, particularly Light's father, kept a watchful eye on the two. They weren't paranoid, oh no, merely cautious. The investigation would not be aided by their bickering.

"The task force should sleep." Ryuzaki said in his usual voice.

" But Ryuzaki-" Soichiro Yagami turned in his seat.

"No new leads have been found. Yagami-kun will remain and help me continue looking. If a lead is found, Yagami-san will be notified immediately. Until then, he has a family and is in need of rest. He is, I am 92.37% certain, not the only one."

Matsuda was the first to give in and agree, but the last to leave. He watched as his friends – comrades, at least- left one by one, Soichiro reassuring patted his son's shoulder, promising to bring in a change of clothes or two in the morning.

Once everyone had left, Light commented to Ryuzaki. "A rather low percentage, I think."

Ryuzaki glanced over. "Light-kun and I also count. I am not ready to rest and nor, do I think, are you."

Light couldn't argue with that. He returned to looking at his computer screen. He saw Ryuzaki do the same. The world's greatest detective kept one hand on the mouse lightly, delicately biting into a fresh chocolate chip cookie.

"Light-kun has been wanting to ask me something." Ryuzaki said suddenly.

Light was puzzled, for once. He had no questions on the case, so unless Ryuzaki had acquired the ability to read minds, Light doubted that Ryuzaki knew anything. He was probably just trying to raise his percentage of being Kira.

Ryuzaki still did not turn to Light. "I believe he has been wanting to ask it since his hair cut."

Of course Ryuzaki would figure out Light wanted a shower. "Ryuzaki, I think you know what I want to ask."

"I am 72.57% certain Light-kun would appreciate a shower." Ryuzaki began to type.

Light leaned back in his swivel chair. "Another surprising percentage."

"Again too low?" Ryuzaki rested his thumb against his lower lip.

Light shook his head. "Too high."

Ryuzaki finally turned his head. "I know Light-kun well enough to know that he showers habitually every day. Fifty days without a single shower would leave him longing for enough time under the water to make up for fifty days."

"Then may I-"

"Not yet." Ryuzaki returned to staring at his computer.

"Ryuzaki, we have no leads, no evidence. Everyone else has left. The investigation won't be hindered by a shower." Light barely covered annoyance with indifference.

"Does Light wish to slow down the investigation because he is worried about being caught as Kira?"

Light didn't reply right away. "Ryuzaki." He stood, chain jangling. "All I want is to remove fifty days worth of grime from my skin."

Ryuzaki looked at Light musingly. "Light-kun does not appear to be dirty. He would hardly have had opportunity to sweat or exert himself."

Light sounded annoyed now. "It's the principle, Ryuzaki."

Ryuzaki turned to his computer. "Sit down, Light-kun. I must finish reading this article before Light-kun showers."

The chair did not deserve the beating it received as Light collapsed into it. He didn't look at Ryuzaki, instead staring up at the ceiling. He listened to the incessant tapping of keys with only half an ear.

The chewing of another cookie made Light look over. He never realized it, but Ryuzaki was not a quiet eater. Usually the room was too loud to notice it, but when it was only the two of them, Light could easily hear Ryuzaki's cookie being pulverized.

It would surely have driven Light insane had Ryuzaki not then stood up, half a cookie in his hand. "Alright, Light-kun, let's shower."

Let's?

-T.B.C.-

Hey out there! May I present my very first step into the lovely Death Note fandom. All the stories I've read here have been wonderful. And inspiring, as you can see.

I hope to receive a review, lovely or not! They make the muses hyper.

Till next time!

~ Elly Liselle