"How long do I have to live, Ryuk?"

The words left Light's mouth as he sat at his desk, writing names in the Death Note. He didn't even look up to see Ryuk's shocked expression.

"What?" The Shinigami was puzzled.

"I said," Light stopped writing and looked at his 'companion,' "how long do I have to live?"

Ryuk chuckled a bit, overcoming his initial shock. "Light, you know that I don't help you. I'm only here to watch. If I gave you that advantage, then half the fun would be gone."

Light closed his eyes and smiled. "I see... Well then, how about a trade?"

Ryuk was intrigued. "What kind of trade? Does it involve apples?"

Light ignored him. "I'll give you three percent of my remaining life in return for the knowledge of how much life I have."

Ryuk paused, unsure if he had heard what he thought. Light continued. "I only want to know a single death date, Ryuk. Your own Shinigami Eye Deal would half my life in exchange for billions of lifespans. Three percent for a single one is a bargain for you."

Ryuk began doing the math in his head. "Light, are you sure? You've never been one to treat your life with so much disdain."

Light's smile widened. "I've been thinking about this course of action since you first mentioned the Shinigami Eyes. It's not a decision I have made lightly."

Ryuk was hesitant. On the one hand, he pretty much be letting Light know whether or not he was going to win against L. On the other, Yagami was right: One lifespan for three percent of his life would be an extremely good deal.

Ryuk chose. "Light, hold out your hand."

The teenager did so, the smirk on his face growing pronounced. Ryuuk grasped it, his red eyes glowing. He watched as the number above Light's head began to go down rapidly, much faster than a single second per second. Then, it stopped. "Light, as of this moment, you have twenty-six years, four months, and three days to live."

Light nodded. "That generally would mean I win, but it could just as easily mean that I die in jail, subject to a life sentence..." He checked the date. Today was the sixteenth of December, 2012.

Kira trailed off, and turned back to the Death Note. He wrote a single entry, and stood. "I win, Ryuk. I think I'm going to go have some dinner now..."

Light left the room, and Ryuk peered over at the open notebook, curious as to what could make Light so confident of victory. Upon seeing what he had written, Ryuk laughed so loud that anyone who could have heard him would think he was even crazier than he was. The Shinigami followed Light downstairs, hoping to snag an apple.

The Death Note remained open to its current page on the desk, where the deciding entry stood out, written in bold:

"Light Yagami. Nineteenth of April, 2039, at 1:00 in the morning. Dies in his sleep of a stroke, with no regrets, happy that his life has been such a success."