Saving the Light Within

Chapter 1: Wishful Thinking

AN: So, hopefully I got most of the details from the anime right. Also, major SPOILERS ahead. You've been warned. Hope you enjoy it!

Even the strawberry in his mouth tasted bitter, but maybe it was just imagination getting at him. It did do that sometimes, especially after a long amount of time without sleep. Or maybe it was a bad strawberry.

L tried to make himself focus on all of the sheets of papers around him, telling him things he knew about already, instead of the sound of the rain pattering against the rooftop, or the sound of traffic below his current apartment, or the tornado of thoughts in his head.

He stood and walked towards the window overlooking the town, his usually blank stare slightly weary as he stared out the window, not really seeing anything, though.

Or not seeing anything out the window, anyways. He just saw himself in the reflection, mixed with memories of who he used to be, and mixed with memories of the Kira Case...

...and Light.

He saw Light, and Light stared back at L, his normally well masked expression finally showing, but it wasn't the face of an evil killer or a crazy god, it was the face of a sad, helpless young adult.

His amber eyes shined with tears, and for a moment, L wanted to look away.

Near, or "N" had been working on finding Kira for a long time now, giving any information that he found to L, the detective everyone thought was dead.

And now, very soon, they'd prove that Light was and is Kira.

L turned away from the window as Watari walked in, "It's about to happen."

With a nod, L followed him back outside and got into the car waiting for him there, trying to be quick to avoid getting wet.

The drive to the warehouse wasn't too long, as Near had told him, too, where it was, and about a hour later they were parked a good ways from the warehouse, walking towards the building carefully.

Soon they quietly made there way into the second floor of the building, where the cameras were set up already, and L sat down on a chair before one of them, watching as the plan Near made started to unfold.

L didn't say a word as the victory continued, partly because he wished Light wasn't Kira, partly because someone downstairs might hear him, and partly because he was extremely satisfied with Near's work, and content with just watching as one of the world's worst killers was finally being revealed for who he is.

And then...Matsuda raised his gun at Light...or Kira.

It didn't matter to L what Kira said to make Matsuda do that.

L ignored Watari's efforts of trying to stop him as he practically ran downstairs, revealing himself to everyone below, "Don't!"

They all stared at him, and Light's eyes seemed to flicker between insane and something else for a moment.

Near was the first to make any sound, as he sighed, sounding slightly annoyed, "Matsuda, put the weapon away."

Matsuda's shocked stare turned into an enraged glare as he turn to Near, tears still trailing down his face, "With how many people he's killed?! I have every right-!"

"If you kill him, no matter what the reason, then how are you any different than him?"

Matsuda's glare only got more deadly as Near finished his sentence and began to curl his white hair, "Because..." Matsuda paused, trying frantically to find words to help him, "I'm not him! I won't kill hundreds or thousands of people, just him, and then-"

Near cut him off again, though, "Matsuda, back away from him, and lower your weapon."

Matsuda looked back at Light, fighting more tears as he glared at him, then he slowly backed up, lowering the gun in his shaky hands.

Light started to shout something, but L spoke first, "Watari, bring them in, now."

Watari ran out on L's command, and quickly brought back a crew of agents.

With the insane look in his eyes, mixed with fear, Light stood immediately and turned towards another door before opening it with little difficulty and escaping.

In the back of his mind, L wondered why he hadn't decided to get that door locked, but mainly he focused on running after Light, with Watari, the agents, Near's team and the police force all following him.

Light soon cornered himself in a building with no escape, and L carefully walked forward, his breathing slowing down from the chase.

"I'm-I'm a god! You can't restrain me! I-"

L took his chances now that Light was surrounded, and he walked forward before punching him, not really wanting to hear any speech that began in that way, but also knowing that Light wouldn't give up without a fight.

Light quickly recuperated, dropping down, and swinging a leg at L, who swiftly jumped and land again, out of the way of Light's leg, then L lifted his foot to shove Light into the nearby wall.

L saw as Light began to make a move, but he quickly pulled Light off the wall by his shirt, which was when Light spun them, and shoved L into the wall instead, pinning his arms down.

The agents moved in to grab him and Light punch L before turning to face them.

L quickly grabbed Light against him, wrapping an arm over his neck to hold him in place against himself.

Light growled as the police crew began to cuff his hands together, then he turned, trying to face L from where he was, but he only barely managed, "I'm just gonna get away again. You can't stop me...unless you kill me."

L stayed silent as Light begin to laugh in his mindless way again.

L had made his decision already. He wanted to try one more thing, before letting his friend be killed.