Summary: He thrived in a realm where decay and sloth ruled

Summary: He thrived in a realm where decay and sloth ruled. He became something much more terrifying and refined. Yagami Light became a Prince among the Shinigami and what's more…he's given the gift to live again. LxLight

Rating: T - Rating may change

Chapters completed: 10/14

The Prince of Death

By K. Kotone

Chapter Nine: Savior

He could only spare one short glance over his shoulder to look and see if Misa was alright before he had to turn his attention back to the one his scythe was pitted against. He could feel Avarice resisting the strength of Wrath and resisting wonderfully. His eyes locked onto the green irises before him and he gritted his teeth pushing Avarice harder into his opponent before backing out of the Wrath's range. The scythes were different. Avarice's handle was thinner, range longer and blade more elegantly curved while Wrath had a thick handle, range was shorter but the blade was thicker and longer. He vaguely remembered Roast raising that thing above him but from what he could recall he knew that Wrath had somehow changed. It was as though it had been polished and sharpened. But still, in comparison and in his opinion, Avarice was the better scythe.

"Yagami Light, look at you. You've changed." This man knew him? "My sis told me all about you. Told me what Malam said to her before he kicked the bucket."

"Akane? So you must be-"

"Akane Lireal. Her older brother… You got one yourself don't you, a sister?" Light caught onto why Lireal had directed the conversation in such a direction.

"Are you threatening my sister?" He asked and Lireal grinned with a smile of pride at correctly guessing one of his weaknesses. Well, two could play at that game. "Sato Akane." He had only to speak her name to wipe that grin off that bastards face.

"You monster!" Lireal charged at him and he swung Avarice to block. He could hear the scythes scream and when they collided he could feel Avarice take most of the blow so his arms weren't strained under the pressure Lireal had put into his swing. After two swift blows following he jumped backwards and tossed Avarice at Lireal. Lireal attempted to dodge but Light snapped his fingers and Avarice disappeared that thick black smoke that always came at the withdrawal of a scythe appearing and destroying Lireal's visibility. It would dissipate soon but he took advantage of it and leapt inside his fist making contact with Lireal's face. He jumped backwards just narrowly keeping his head as Wrath's blade suddenly cut his shoulder. But the action made an opening and he summoned Avarice again and swiftly swung her down. Lireal hollered as the Avarice gouged his hand nearly cleaving it off. Lireal cradled it to himself and Light smirked raising Avarice once more above his head. This was it.

You may extend the life of a human at the cost of half of your current lifespan and three days of suffering.

His heart staggered and his fingertips began to tingle. Wait a minute, did that mean-and that by saving Misa he'd-Shit! He needed to retreat. Even now, if he concentrated he could feel his lifespan slipping rapidly away. Withdrawing Avarice he turned and hoisted Misa in his arms ignoring her squeak of surprise.

"Rem, follow by air!" He ordered and contained his surprise when she listened to him her wings appearing and hoisting her in the air with one strong beat. He now turned his gaze to Lireal who was trembling holding his hand against his body, blood seeping through his clothes and drizzling onto the gravel.

"Kill one person I care about, just one person Lireal, and your sister is dead." Lireal's eyes widened before narrowing, his teeth clenching to form one of the most hateful expressions he'd seen a person wear.

"Y-You savage monster! I swear I'll kill you and it will be slow Kira! You will suffer!" Light felt his face split into a smile.

"Good luck with that." Turning his back to Lireal he heard the young man take a deep breath before releasing a scream of rage.

0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.

Misa had initially wrapped her arms around Kira's neck, the delight bubbling nearly uncontained in her body. Her Kira had saved her and was now carrying her bridal style! The stars couldn't have granted her this wish! That was until she'd noticed the blood coating her left arm and had pulled it back startled. She was bleeding? No, not her blood. Kira…It was her Kira's blood. Her eyes had widened and her delight vanished in an instant. He'd been wounded protecting her.

"Kira, I'm-" His eyes went down to her and she gulped averting her own. His eyes were so otherworldly and intense. If not for them she'd think her Kira normal!

"Don't worry…You got the Note?" She nodded indicating to the backpack on her back. He nodded his eyes flickering briefly to it before going to the path ahead of them. "Keep it on your person but don't touch it. I'll need it in the near future." She nodded watching as his blood kept trickling from that wound near his throat staining his clothes and marring his silk skin. She went to pull out a hankie to wipe the blood away and perhaps stem the flow but Kira shook his head seeming to predict what she was about to do.

"Don't bother. It will never heal."

"Won't heal?"

"The scythes are the embodiment of sin. Sin cuts cleanly the very fabric of existence. Once cut it doesn't heal."

"S-S-So because of me-" Kira smirked

"Misa, as much as I want to blame you it's shallow and not that bothersome." His eyes suddenly darkened "However, it is another flaw…" He's mood seemed to deteriorate at that last sudden realization and she felt worse.

"Kira, this may not mean much but…" She looked up at him. "Misa doesn't see it as a flaw. You're beauty transcends reality." His lips quirked in humor and for a second she thought he was going to laugh.

"Transcends reality? Is this really Misa?"

"You know Misa?" She asked confused and he nodded his expression telling her not to delve further but it made her wonder… Was Kira watching over her? Like a guardian angel? She smiled at that thought her delight once again peaking and making its way inside her heart.

"Prince Kira, are you alright?" Rem's voice was close and she jumped slightly in Kira's arms. Looking overhead she spotted Rem hovering closer then she'd been a moment before.

"I'll be alright… I extended a life. I'm not going to die but-" Kira winced and it was then she remembered Rem's story of Jealous… Her delight died at the thought.

0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.

The pain had started in his fingertips and then had slowly made its way through his arms before the pain began appearing in his feet. Every step he now took hurt and made his legs throbbed while his arms were near shaking with pain. Carrying Misa was taking its toll on his body and the strain her weight was putting on his shoulder was staggering, but he kept carrying her. Why? If he had to put a finger on it he'd say it was to keep a closer eye on her and to make the message clear to Lireal of who was superior. That he could not only walk away but carry her away as well. He stopped and stared down at Misa as the girl wrapped her cloth around his wound.

"Misa I told you-"

"Misa knows but Misa thinks Kira wouldn't want to bleed everywhere." He rolled his eyes at her and looked up at the building he was standing in front of. Somehow his feet had led him back here.

Back to L… despite his intention not to return.

0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.

Light had returned with a girl. A girl which was currently being carried in his arms and resting her head against his chest. L couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy that evolved into anger. How dare Light reveal his location! He was tempted to shut off his computer that currently held the image of Light entering the building, but didn't.

"He's hurt." Lure was the one that spoke this and L leaned in closer to the image his eyes widening when his eyes confirmed what Lure stated. There was blood soaking through his shirt. "And his lifespan has halved…" Lure was muttering to herself her eyes narrowing in brief thought. "I suspect he saved that girl, extending her life at the cost of half his own. His body will also begin feeling pain as it rejects the invitation of death. He needs to rest." L nodded in understanding and pressed a button on the computer.

"Watari… Bring Kira to me and introduce the young lady to a vacant room."

0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.

Watari had first guided Misa to a room before dealing with the creature called Kira. During his absence Kira had tried to make its own way to the top floor but had failed and was now seated on the ground leaning back against a wall its arms hanging limp by its sides, palms facing up. Watari quickly noted the heavy rise and fall of Kira's chest and sweat now coating the body. Was the injury that severe? Kira looked up at him their eyes meeting before Kira smirked breaking eye contact.

"It is forbidden to save a life in the Shinigami world. Normally the cost is death. However, as I am a Prince, the rules are different. My body takes the toll and I have to endure the pain." Watari didn't say anything in response seeing as he really didn't care but he begrudgingly found himself offering a hand to which Kira shook his head and muttered.

"I can't feel my arms anymore; same can be said for my legs." Kira leaned his head back against the wall behind him and released a short laugh. "If you want to be done with me Quillsh now is the time. There are no cameras pointed in this direction it's-" Kira winced his eyes widening and breath stilling momentarily. When the pain looked to have passed Kira groaned curisng underneath his breath.

Watari wasn't startled to know that Kira knew his name and as tempting as it was to shoot the monster before him… he couldn't. Kneeling down on his good knee he ignored the startled expression that appeared on Kira's face as he lifted him up in his arms. Much like Kira had done for the young woman he'd brought.

"L has sent me to collect you." Was all he said and Kira nodded understanding.

"I won't say 'thank you' then."

0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.

When Watari entered the room carrying Light L felt his heart skip a beat.

"He can no longer walk." Watari said placing the man on the couch before taking his leave saying he had to attend to their other guest. L recognized the excuse but left it alone thankful that Watari had brought Kira as he had.

L stood and made his way to Light's side but Lure got to Light first her fingers removing a cloth before going to prod and inspect the wound.

"For being hit by Wrath this is shallow. However, since this injury is coupled with the consequence of saving a life... it will be aggravated and cause more trouble then should." Lure rose her gaze to L. "Do you know how to sew?"

"Yes."

"Then, you're going to need to sew his wound shut since it will not heal. That is the best way to deal with this."

0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.

L had decided to move Light to his bedroom since he didn't want Light to be moved after sewing his wound close. It took him only a moment to get everything he needed ready and now came the hard part that had him nervous. Light's condition had deteriorated in that little space of time and Lure had made the point of warning him to be gentle. Kneeling by the couch he slowly slipped his arms underneath Light's legs and shoulders and then picked him up. Light winced his eyes squeezing close and L froze for a moment before Lure had told him to be quick. Going to his bedroom he laid the body on the bed ignoring Light's gasp of pain and now paid attention to the injury. It wasn't as deep as he'd guessed but it was bleeding readily with no sign of slowing down. Grabbing a couple of towels he placed them underneath Light's shoulder to prevent blood from getting on the sheets and then with shaking fingers took a pair of scissors and began cutting away Light's shirt. He worked hard to keep his thoughts clean though failing when he couldn't help but run a hand up from Lights naval to shoulder. His skin was like silk and combined with the sweat- Lure cleared her throat and he stopped and sighed in disappointment before picking up the needle. Sewing up the wound was tedious and painful in appearance but Light hadn't reacted anytime during the process and had lain there quietly. L had asked if he wanted something for the pain beforehand but Light had snorted saying it was nothing. L forced his hands not to shake as he finished up and when he was finished he grabbed the towel he'd draped over his shoulders to gently wipe away the blood that had seeped from the wound while he'd been sewing. Light asked him if he was done in a strained, worn out voice and he shook his head while murmuring that he still had to do a few things. Lure handed him the bandages and L gently began to wrap the injury knowing that blood would sometime during the course of the next couple of days bleed through the injury again and hopefully these bandages would prevent the blood from staining clothes and whatever else Light was in contact with. It was a wound that would never heal. For the rest of Light's existence as Kira.

0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.

Light had felt that hand touch his body. He'd felt it touch his stomach trail it's away across his chest to meet his shoulder. It had oddly enough been soothing. Where the cool fingertips had touched they had swept away the pain, like cool water would sweep away heat. When L had finished and got up to leave Light had simply found himself reacting and had whispered the word 'stay'.

"Pardon?"

"Please…Stay." He didn't know what to expect but he was startled when he saw L nod once and then get back on the bed to lie beside him. Light heard himself sigh and hoping he wouldn't have those reoccurring bad dreams felt his eyes close allowing sleep to claim him.

0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.

Lireal wrapped his hand in the tie he'd been wearing sinking to the ground when he was finished. G-God damn it!

"Rickard!" He shouted. "Rickard! Show your ugly face. I know you're nearby!" A moment of silence and then…

"When you told me I was to provide support for something you wanted to pursue I was honestly expecting a woman." Lireal smirked when the owner of the deep voice appeared wearing his over worn black business suit and overcoat.

"G-Geez Rick when I phoned you the other day I to-ld you it wasn't that." Rick nodded before smiling suddenly at him.

"That pretty boy I saw, was he your target?"

"Yes."

"I don't suppose I could keep the body when all is said and done?"

"Sure, just don't tell me what you end up doing with it. There are things I don't need to know."

"Got it boss."

Rickard's grin and eyes told Lireal what that man wanted to do and Lireal found himself shivering in disgust.

0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.

Ukita looked around alarm rising in his chest. He'd lost her! Naomi had been sitting in a restaurant for six hours and because of that he let his guard down and allowed his mind to drift. When a waiter had broken a plate snapping him out of his drifting and distracting thoughts she suddenly wasn't there. He did a quick search around the place, even checking the ladies room, before grabbing a waitress and doing what he should've probably done in the beginning.

"Ma'am, I'm from the police, can you tell me where the lady that was seated there went?" He made a hurried indication to the table and the waitress blinked looking.

"I-I'm sorry but I wasn't aware she'd left… till now of course." The waitress made a sheepish smile of apology and Ukita felt his gut drop to his feet. L had given him the simple order to follow her. Make sure she didn't hurt herself or worse, hurt someone else…and now she was gone.

L was going to kill him.

0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.

L watched Light sleep all too conscious of Lure's presence at the foot of the bed her arms crossed and eyes watching.

"You're presence is ruining the mood." L complained and Lure regarded him for a moment before uncrossing her arms and nodding.

"I trust that you remember what I said about taking him." Like she needed to say anything…

"What about the reverse?"

"No matter the time or date if he was to take you you'd die."

"What?"

"And take your lifespan. That is the main reason why a Shinigami Prince would commit such an act. Especially if they didn't have a Death Note on hand and they needed to increase their lifespan immediately..."

"I see..." So that really wasn't an option. Running a hand through Lights hair he glanced at Lure who appeared conflicted. "I won't do anything." He promised and Lure nodded before leaving warning him that she would check up on them in a few minutes. Once she was gone L devoted his full attention to Light and sighed resting his head on Light's chest listening to the rapid beating of his heart. This reminded L of the incident involving Roast except Light seemed considerably calmer and less pained. Unable to resist he ran his hand back and forth on Light's smooth yet hard abdomen and as if in response Light moaned. L found himself swallowing knowing he'd have to take a cold shower after all was said and done. God. Light was so tempting. Screw this! Unable to help himself to one treat he sat up slightly and descended his lips towards those belonging to Light.

"Hey!" L jumped and looked to the door to see Lure staring at him with a giant frown on her face.

"I was just going to kiss him!"

"…Then go ahead but know that I'm staying right here." She planted herself on a chair in the corner of the room and L pushed her presence to the furthest part of his mind as he went in. His lips tingled in ecstasy as they met the soft flawless lips of Kira beneath him. Tilting his head he delved in further pushing his tongue pass the perfect rows of teeth and tasting the sinful cinnamon of Kira's saliva and breath. His hand went to the back of Kira's head loving the silky feel of hair as he pushed Kira's face against his own refusing to take a breath as he ran his tongue across the roof of Kira's mouth. He sucked Kira's breathe away and toyed with his tongue till his lungs began to burn demanding air to which he ignored for as long as he could before he had to retreat nipping Kira's lips as he went. Kira panted filling his deprived lungs with air and L found himself panting as well his heart pounding in his head and groin demanding him to proceed further.

"I-I'm-" He cleared his throat and tried again. "I'm going to have a shower. Watch him." Lure released a short breath and L could feel her eyes on his back and heard the bored mutter of.

"I really, really don't get humans."

0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.

Misa flopped on the bed grabbing a pillow and hugging it to her chest. Today had been a very exhausting day but one filled with excitement as she'd finally been able to meet her beloved Kira. A part of her had been worried that she'd set her expectations too high and would be disappointed when and if she ever met Kira but no… he was much more then she expected. He had saved her, swept her off her feet and carried her to safety all the while treating her gently and respectfully. To top it all off he was handsome and strong. She smiled clenching the pillow harder.

"Hey Rem…"

"Hmm?"

"Why does Kira look so human? He's a Shinigami isn't he?"

"Kira was once a human who died and descended into the Shinigami realm. I do not know who he was or the details but he became a Prince and was reborn as a human. The Kira you see is very likely not his true form."

"Oh." She felt the smile twitch and fall from her face. "Hey Rem, he doesn't need Misa… does he?"

"I would think he saved you because he needed you." Misa blinked at Rem's words and then smiled turning her head away from the Shinigami.

"Hey Rem…"

"What Misa?"

"Thank you."

0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.0o.

Three horrid and long days slowly went by. They past to Light in a blur of pain and confusion and when they were over it seemed to him that he was waking up in a whole new world. L was seated next to him a laptop laid out on the bed his fingers flying over the keys. L was so absorbed in what he was doing that he seemed unaware of Light having woken up.

"What's got you all tense?" Light complained wincing as he sat up his body aching and stiff. L stared at him for a moment before going back to the laptop.

"Over five hundred people have died of heart attacks in the last forty-eight hours."

"Oh. They have anything in common?" Light asked smacking his lips and narrowing his eyes when something felt off.

"They're all women."

"All of them?" Light asked taken off guard when L leaned against him and nodded.

"I've compiled a list of explanations as to why it would be women but until I discover who the killer is-"

"That'll be Lireal." Light said glancing at Lure seated in the room her eyes focused on him. "Why didn't you ask Lure who the killer was. I'm sure she knew."

"I did." L said staring at Lure who rolled her eyes. "All she said was that it was the other Prince. The 'prince who does not have a name'."

"Well he does. It's Akane Lireal."

"No." Lure interrupted. "You have the name Kira and he, he holds no name. For now it is simply Prince."

"Well. When he was human he went by the name Lireal Akane." Light clarified and Lure stared at him blankly before saying.

"I was unknowledgeable about his name as a human."

"I'm not blaming you or anything. It's just that he has or more accurately had a name and-Why do my lips feel funny?" Lure opened her mouth but L cut her off as he seemed to remember something.

"What do you want done with the girl, Misa?"

"For now keep her comfortable. I need to go and write some names down." He made a movement to get up but L stopped him grabbing his arm.

"And you think I'll let you go and do this?"

"My lifespan needs to be lengthened I just lost half of it. If I don't I'm in trouble."

"This is true." Lure confirmed. "The shorter the lifespan the more easily fatigued a shinigami becomes."

"I'm sorry Light but not with me here." Light tugged on the collar around his neck brining L's attention to it.

"Want me to leave? Cause I can and will." L paused for a moment before speaking.

"You may go, but if you leave don't come back." Light stared at L gauging the expression he wore. L didn't seem to want him to leave but he wasn't bluffing with the threat. Thinking on it Light knew that L was watching his family, watching Misa and by the looks of things had been watching him as he'd slept and suffered. Sighing and resigning himself that he was staying he scanned his surroundings.

"Where's my jellybeans?" L grabbed a jar that had been resting out of his sight (on the floor) and handed them to him. Light took them in subdued delight wasting no time in opening it and flicking a jellybean in his mouth. Ah, that hit the spot nicely…

Now if he could only figure out why his lips were feeling strange.

Next Chapter: The Thousand Woman Grave

Preview:

N/A

Note from Author: So you remember back in chapter Six when Lireal phoned someone with a deep voice? Well I finally bring in that bastard. The creepiest guy of my story, at least in my opinion… Rickard. Duh, Duh, Duh. And that pretty much concludes my introduction of characters.

I think you would be proud of me if you saw how little time I had to work on this and how I was able to get it done in such a relatively short time. Also because of this there are likely going to be errors and once again I extend an apology. It seems that every chapter is rushed... Maybe when this is completed I'll do a final edit of the whole thing.

Gah. There are a few parts of this chapter that really need a face lift!

Also that was my first kissing scene I've ever written...hopefully it'll be good enough...

Hrm... I really do need to redo a couple of scenes for this chapter. But nothing too major.

Anyway thank you for reading!

Four more chapters left!

-K. Kotone