The Dragon

by Isa

Rating: M

Pairing: L/Light

Summary: Taken from his family and sold into slavery, a young Light makes his way in a society very different to the one he grew up in. Will he be able to make his way and escape, or will he become everything he once hated and forsake the sense of justice that he and his family paid the ultimate sacrifice for?

Warning: This story will include slavery and abuse. This will be slash/yaoi sometime in the future. If this offends you, I ask that you do not read and then tell me about it. Constructive criticism and suggestions however are very much welcome since this is my first fanfiction of any kind, and not my first language either. Also, consider yourself be warned, I cannot guarantee fast updates.

Disclaimer: I do not own or otherwise have rights to Death Note and all its content.

Prologue

It had already been twelve hours by the time the call came. Twelve hours during which the family had gone from panic to hope to devastation. Soichiro Yagami was a police officer and he knew what it meant when there was no ransom. It meant death. But then, when he had almost given up his hope of seeing his son again, the call came.

"Yagami, we have your son." The caller's voice was male, rough and low, obviously falsified.

"Please, let me talk to him. What is it that you want?" Soichiro was panicking. Light was still so young, so innocent. He didn't want to think about what he may have had to endure during these twelve hours, didn't want to think about the possibility that he wasn't even alive anymore and that the call, the demand was all an elaborate ruse. Around him, the police officers under his command froze for a moment, then rushed to record and trace the call.

"You have been investigating a certain organization in the last few days. We demand that you drop your investigation and also guarantee that it will not be taken up again by anyone else in the future. If you do this then we are prepared to let you have your son back... Once we are you have done as we demand."

"Before I commit to anything I want to talk to my son! I need proof that he is still alive!" At this point, the hope that Soichiro had harboured had evaporated. He knew that he would never be able to guarantee that the case would be dropped and also never taken up again. If they had demanded money there would have been a chance... But this? Oh gods, his son. His poor, innocent son who had never done anything to deserve this fate, and who would now have to pay for his father's drive for justice.

There was silence on the other end for a short while, and then a young voice spoke. "Father?"

"Light! Are you hurt? Did they do anything to you?" The relief that was felt by Soichiro was short-lived. Even though Light was still alive now, he wouldn't be for long. The police didn't know where he was taken, and until now not even by whom. There wouldn't be enough time to find him.

"I'm fine, they didn't hurt me. Father, I heard what they demand." There was a short pause. "Promise me, no matter what they do to me, no matter what they demand, don't you give it to them! Promise that you'll bring them to justice!" Light's voice was resolved and strong, belying his thirteen years of age and sounding more mature than most adults.

"Light..." Soichiro was torn between fierce pride and grief. His son was so brilliant, had such a keen sense for justice. He knew that there was no way out for him, of course he knew. There was nothing he could do for his child. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw the officer running the trace shake his head solemnly. One last hope was destroyed. He took a deep breath. "I love you, Light. And… I promise. I promise, son." Tears blurred his sight.

"I love you too, Dad. Tell mom and Sayu… Tell them-"Abruptly the sound of a muffled impact was heard, then the kidnapper was back.

"You won't give in even for your son's life? To save your brilliant child?" The angry voice taunted on the other end of the line.

"I cannot fulfill your demands, no matter how much I may want to." Soichiro closed his eyes in pain.

"Then so be it. Your son's life is on your conscience." That was the last Soichiro Yagami heard before the connection was broken, the kidnapper having hung up.

For a long moment he stared blindly at his desk, aware of the other officers around him, all work having stopped at the criminal's declaration. Then he dropped his head into his hands and wept bitterly for the lost life of his wonderful generous child that had been taken from him much too early.