I'm finally back, guys!! Please...enjoy this new chapter! Have fun with it! 'Specially since I figured out that I not only can write only when I have the time, but also the inspiration...have fun and enjoy...like I said! Yeah!

"Mr. Jones" by Bob Dylan just rocks, by the way.

Text below 'LL Narrator'--is L is 3rd person narrator (LL meaning L Lawliet)

text below 'MA Narrator'--is Misa is 3rd person narrator (MA meaning Misa Amane)

during dialogue, neither of them narrate the fic

“shopping”

chapter three

…time together…

(LL Narrator)

Things were getting, for lack of a better word...strange. Really strange. My vocabulary hasn't been as precise as usual, thanks to these incidents.

It would have probably been easier on me and for everyone else involved with the Kira case if I had simply kept my logic about me. But things had gotten so...strange, lately, that my wits had been dulled. As a result, I've been staring off into space lately.

Of course, one of my natural tendencies is to stare into space anyway, but that was because I would always be analyzing something, trying to decode the often sparse clues laid before me.

But now a different mystery was glaring me in the face, for I could only keep asking myself why my logic was so scattered and often unintelligible, as if an obscure cloud had covered my mind.

And I had only one clue.

This had been happening ever since that odd occurrence...in my hideout...with that silly girl.

This was one mystery that I, for once, did not want to solve.

But I managed to conceal my confusion well. I had Watari do most of the thinking for me for the next week, and he never asked why, as is always the case. I would relay the messages and evidence Watari would send me via computer to the rest of the Kira case team, using my usual direct yet vague language. And whenever Misa went into the room where we did the investigation (and danced around with that same dumb smile,) I would make sure to silently disappear before she even saw me.

It worked out quite well, to be sure, as long as I never watched the cameras linked to her room...well, actually it's an entire floor of the building now, where Misa stays. I wouldn't even glance at it, for fear that I might end up staring at her trivial antics and never be able to tear my eyes off the screen...

--But for a reason unknown to me, I'd still stare at those images—when I was sure no one was watching.

However, I knew I couldn't keep up the odd charade forever. Trying to hide the truth is something I find as successful as substituting frosting with poisonous spikes and eating it. Yet I couldn't see the Truth that I was hiding from in the first place...

…Nevertheless, it started to become obvious that I was hiding something. Watari chose to be ignorant, while most of the Kira case team was too focused on the latest corporate-related evidence to notice. But Light was getting more and more suspicious of me.

It wasn't surprising. But it still made me nervous...which I concealed, as I reminded myself that I had far greater reasons to be suspicious of him.

He seemed merely curious and faintly interested in the beginning. But then he started shooting questioning glares at me, asking me to clarify myself, since I was finding it difficult to explain myself about the investigation recently.

I felt a strain building up in the back of my mind, and I even started to wish for the ability to sleep more often, with this irritating pressure.

And now I'm slightly desperate to tell everyone about that purely meaningless and isolated incident—with Misa. I want to say it for the sake of saying it--but that would not only distract everyone, it would also cause complications regarding the Kira suspicions with Light and Misa...

So how am I supposed to solve this perpetuating issue?!

--

He skidded down the hall again, for the millionth time…

Well, he didn't really run, but he shuffled quickly. Very quickly.

He was determined not to be noticed, like all the other times when Misa would prance into the room and scream at Light (well actually she just yelled loudly. Very loudly.)

But this time, as he turned his head and glanced behind him to make sure no one was following him, someone firmly grabbed his arm, between his wrist and elbow.

He almost fell forward from the sudden stop, but managed to regain his balance in time to see his "attacker."

Two baby blue eyes stared at him just inches away, curious and watchful. He realized after being completely startled that the little blond model had caught him, gripped to his arm.

"Ryuuzaki-san!" she chirped as usual. He was glad that she wasn't using the same blaring volume as she did with Light. "It's great to see you! It feels like it's been forever!"

He resisted the urge to gulp, as something related to fear tingled at his insides. "…Err, hey, Misa..."

"Where have you been lately anyway? I was always looking for you so I could say hi! And you always stay in this building, don't you?"

"That's correct..." he couldn't even manage a fake smile as he dreaded what might happen next.

"Well then you should show up more often you dummy! I can't always keep track of where you are, you know. I have my career to keep up."

"And I'm constantly behind a computer or TV screen trying to find more evidence," His initial fear was now tinged with slight boredom. "Your point?"

She frowned and glared at him harmlessly. "Don't make fun of me, Ryuuzaki!" Then she started to smile as she tightened her grip on his arm. "Now come back to that case-room with me! I'd like to talk with Light, and I'd much rather have you there with me than that silly Matsu."

He resisted when she tried pulling him along, and gave a disinterested glare when she looked at him.

"I'd rather not."

"But why not, Ryuuzaki? What's so much more important than solving one of those cases you're so obsessed with?"

"I need cake. I'm low on blood sugar."

"Watari can bring it to you. You know that already!"

"But I need it now. That special cake I told you about."

"But you know what happened the last time we got some! Now stop being so stubborn and come with me!" She grabbed his arm with both hands now, and pulled harder than ever. "Come on, Ryuuzaki!!"

He did nothing except remain standing where he was silently, bored and almost apathetic. He'd stay like that until she'd give up and leave—and she couldn't do anything to convince him otherwise.

After several seconds, she finally gave up trying to force him anywhere, and glared at the floor as she had to catch her breath. Then, her eyes screwed up in thought, before she looked up at him again. An idea seemed to have occurred to her.

He looked back, trying to figure out what she was thinking. He really didn't like it if Misa was pondering something at a time like this.

Finally, she let go of his arm and took a step back. He found her smile unreadable, which bordered on scary to him.

"...You aren't trying to run away, are you, Ryuuzaki-san?"

"...What-?"

"Don't tell me something's scaring you. What on earth would scare a detective like you?"

"..."

"Come on, Ryuuzaki. I know you're hiding something, so spit it out."

"I'm not hiding anything...I just have my secrets. That's all," he tried sounding firm, but she didn't look convinced.

She just kept smiling. "Tell me, does that case really scare you so much that you always have to go running out in the middle of those meetings?"

"Of course not. That would be pathetic—and if that were true I wouldn't be a detective in the first place."

“Then quit being so immature and come with me already!” Her almost erotic brand of feminine knowing switched back to her usual self, suddenly, as she pulled on his arm with a quick tug.

And being too distracted to argue, he finally let her pull him along.

--

As he was finally, clumsily escorted into the meeting room, Ryuuzaki abruptly pulled away from Misa. Especially when he noticed Light was watching.

The boy’s expression was a strange blend of…curious, and…almost amused.

“What’ve you got there, Ryuuzaki? A new crush…?”

Misa squealed in protest. “Oh, be quiet Light! You know you’re the only one for me!”

He ignored her. “Come on, L. You don’t mind telling a team-mate, now do you-?”

Before he could reply, Matsuda loudly cut in.

“So Misa-Misa, you ready for those photo shoots yet?!”

“—Matsuda, would you mind toning down your voice a bit-?” L sighed as he rubbed his temples.

He’d barely been caught, and he already had a headache.

Misa kept squealing. “Light! Stop talking! You know I would never do such a thing with Ryuuzaki!” Her eyes were worried as she squashed up against him. “…Why do you want to mess with Ryuuzaki-san like that?”

The vain boy continued to peer at him through the corner of his eye.

L was sure as to why—

He probably enjoyed messing with his mind.

L couldn’t help but frown at the two in disgust, for some unknown reason. He turned away as he sat in a computer chair, scratching his feet.

“…So…I deduce, from today’s findings—”

“Why don’t we talk about something different today, L?” Light looked like he was just getting started with his taunts. “I’m sure Watari is busy enough without having to cut you slack, also.” He grinned wider this time.

“So, when will you have that date with Misa?”

Misa turned to Ryuuzaki with that same worried look, before abruptly turning to Light.

“Light-kun, I already told you, Ryuuzaki-san and I aren’t—”

“Shut up, Misa. This has nothing to do with you.” He shoved her away carelessly.

L had no idea if that was just another way to get at him, but he had no time to process as he suddenly reacted.

Misa nearly screamed, inching away from a few drops of blood and a mess of two stupid boys.

She just realized, then…that L had in that split second charged at Light with a kick that actually drew blood.

It was still dripping off the side of his forehead. The Valedictorian now looked more pissed off than amused, as he gripped L’s shirt threateningly.

“Don’t. Ever. Say that to her again, Light Yagami.” His glare was ominous.

“Understand-?”

Light continued to glare, before loosening his hold on L’s shirt. Almost smiling again.

“Fine, then. But if that doesn’t prove something’s going on between you two,” Light pointed at them both, almost carelessly. “Then I’m not too sure what will.”

L widened his eyes in surprise. He hadn’t suspected Light would play such a petty mind game with him, over someone like Misa. Either Light was just really enjoying messing with him today, or he actually set up that whole scene on purpose.

Now that L noticed, no one else was in the meeting room by now. He hadn’t even seen anyone other than that idiot Matsuda…

“…Well, I feel like a complete idiot today—” he couldn’t help but voice his real thoughts, for some reason.

“Then do something idiotic, for once, oh great Detective!” Light almost laughed. “Go on, go out with her. I won’t tell anyone…” He almost chuckled. Again.

L stared at him with an almost bored look. Misa, on the other hand, started protesting again.

“But, Light…you don’t really mean that, do you-?”

The boy-king decided to spare her his attention this time as he turned to her.

“Of course I mean it, Misa. When have I ever lied to you-?”

For some odd reason, several curses built up in the back of L’s throat…but, he ignored it.

“But, Light-kun!” Misa still wouldn’t give up. “I love you, and only you. I couldn’t go out with anyone else…”

He actually chuckled aloud this time. “Well then, do it for me, Misa Dearest.”

He had the nerve to turn to L and stare him in the eye.

“And Ryuuzaki, please. Put your feet up, relax. I can take care of this case while you’re on break. I need the amusement, anyway.”

L felt compelled to ask what that meant, exactly, but chose to keep quiet for Misa’s sake.

“…Fine, then. I’ll take your advice,” L stood and in one swift motion stepped towards Misa and grabbed her by the shoulder.

“But that doesn’t mean I’ll like it…”

And with that, he walked out of the room, Misa just behind him.

She looked back. He didn’t.

--

(MA Narrator)

I wondered why he was doing this. Why was L being so nice to me? Why did he kick my beloved Light in the head because of some silly comment he made?

Do I really matter that much to him-?

That was one thing I kept asking myself as he took me to his Limousine, which led to the downtown mall.

It was an anonymous place. Things like that didn’t matter to me anymore, like they used to.

The only things I cared about now were two things. Two guys, actually.

One was Light. He was my boyfriend, my everything, my secret ally.

But now there was another. And he cared for me in a way that I somehow knew Light couldn’t.

That’s why I liked him. That’s why I bothered to be around him. That’s why L mattered so much to me.

But I couldn’t quite place those feelings. Was it friendship? Or…was it love-?

No…no, it couldn’t possibly be love. I mean, it just wouldn’t make any sense. Why would I want to be around a guy who loathed socks and ate sweets all the time-?

It would take a girl with incredible patience to always put up with that. And I definitely was not a patient girl. I may have high priorities, but that just makes me high maintenance. That’s all.

Okay, so he was simply a friend. Then why was I so fascinated by him? Why did he make me blush that night a couple weeks ago? Why were all my questions making me so nervous right now-?

It couldn’t be love, could it?

No. No…I knew this feeling.

And it is called Lust.

But, but…! That’s not right!! I only belong to Light-kun!

So then why is my heart pumping so fast? And why are my hands all clammy? And why is there a lump in my throat and I’m too shy to even talk to him at this moment-?

Is that lust, or love? Or friendship? Or some crazy mix of the three-?

I was so confused. Words could not describe how confused I was.

But even while being confused, I loved my time together with him.

I cherished it…even though he was just a Pervert. And I was just a model.

We were together anyway. In that stupid mall, in the middle of a stupid evening with absolutely nothing to do.

So I decided to give us something to do.

--

“Ryuuga-kun, let’s do something fun. Okay-?” Misa winked at him.

“What did I tell you about calling me by that name-?” He looked bored again. “Didn’t we agree on a couple of rules?”

“—Yeah, but I never said I’d follow ‘em,” Misa smiled and then started running away.

And to her surprise, he actually started to get a bit worried.

“Misa…where are you going? Don’t you know you’re in a public establishment?” He started getting preach-y. “Being out here will have an impact on how society sees you, and if you do that—”

“Ah, come on, Ryuuga-kun!” she noticed that he nearly flinched, hearing that name. “Whoever said that I actually care what society thinks-?”

“I don’t want you to care, Misa-chan,” he grudgingly decided to play her game a while. “I just want you to be safe!”

“Aww, ain’t that just cute!” Misa almost squealed, as the detective gave a bewildered look.

“You actually care about me, don’t you-?”

He narrowed his eyes. “Whoever said that I care about you? I have a reputation, Misa. I’d like it to stay low-key, if you don’t mind.”

His attempt to change the subject failed.

She kept smiling. “You’re so cute when you try to hide that you care!”

L just stared, not knowing whether to glare at her or to just marvel at his own stupidity.

“……Ahem……” He cleared his throat, and doing his best to think logically, he proceeded with his plan to stop doing nothing.

“—Mind if we get a bite to eat?” Misa pointed at a local candy store. “For some reason, I get so hungry when I’m with you.”

Deciding to ignore the many twisted thoughts that quote put in his head, Ryuuzaki proceeded in a shuffling fashion towards the candy store.

And of course, he would buy almost the whole store out of business.

But nothing was too good for him and his little date, on that strange evening. All he wanted to do was please her.

She wanted candy. He bought her ice cream and three mounds of pink cotton candy.

She wanted water. He bought two gallons of spring water and made sure to keep some with him.

She wanted clothes and jewelry. He bought a few diamonds, several pearls, the finest silk and satin garments, and threw in a few sapphires, just for luck.

By the time she had gotten everything she wanted, the famous and very well off Lawliet was nearly broke and a bit worried about how this would affect his case.

But she was happy as a clam. And he earned a kiss on the cheek.

That was the second time she did it.

She couldn’t help it. The girl loved having fun, and buying everything her heart desired, even if it wasn’t her money.

He couldn’t help calling her every whim. Somehow, he felt compelled to follow every step she took. And for once, he didn’t feel ashamed doing something in public, for once.

Little did the odd couple know, a tiny camera was attached to Misa’s purse.

And Light Yagami laughed as he watched the whole date like it was a hilarious soap opera.

--End Vignette #3…

--

Hey peeps!! DO YOU EXIST?! If you do, then REVIEW!!

YESH!! I'M JUST CRAZY LIKE THAT!! BUT ISN'T THE WHOLE FRIKKIN' AWESOME ANIME?!

-smiles- Be nice, pleez-les.

--Saffyre Neko