The instant Rem handed Misa the Note, she knew it was a bad idea.

Meddling with the human realm was dangerous, and Jealous was testimony to that. Yes, Rem had noticed Jealous gazing obsessively at the human world; rather, at a certain human girl-child. It was pure chance that the day Rem had peeked over his shoulder in order to see what all the fuss was about, Jealous had hastily scribbled Misa's attacker's name in his Note. Registering mild surprise at the now-pile of dust that was once Jealous, Rem had picked up the notebook and stored it safely in her side-pouch with her own Note.

Now, Death Gods didn't have morals. The very idea was laughable. But then what, exactly, urged her to pass the Note on in the first place? The Amane girl had no claim to the notebook. Rem was cold, untrusting, and most of all, not one to do silly impulsive things like give a Note to a human.

But nevertheless, Rem gave it to her. Misa had accepted the Note and the Shinigami's presence with a childish glee – something that had immediately unnerved Rem. Something so dark and wicked thrust into the hands of someone so pure, so happy and naïve. It wasn't Rem's place to destroy something so rare. But even afterwards, even while using the notebook, Misa had never put up anything but that façade of cheerful innocence.

That, perhaps, was what made Rem sick to her stomach. It was one thing to kill and feel remorse; it was another to kill for fun.

In the months that followed, Misa refused to heed the Death God's advice. Whether it was "be more discreet" or "leave that 'Kira' alone", Misa wrote people off left and right in order to achieve her goals, seeking vengeance with a smile on her face. According to Misa herself, she was the heartthrob of an entire nation. She could do no wrong. It was this attitude precisely that led to her to Light, and to the scrutiny of the investigation team, where she was currently being held under surveillance in her apartment.

Rem wasn't experienced in the way of humans, but she knew recklessness when she saw it.

So, day after day, as Rem watched the sweet little girl murder innocent lives with the slash of a pen, she felt a strange emotion lapping gently across the edges of her mind. Was it…guilt?

No, Rem dismissed it, irritated with herself. Gods didn't have such base human feelings, let alone guilt, for goodness' sake. But, for whatever reason, obligation or boredom, she had bound herself to the Amane girl and was determined to see her through this series of tests and obstacles.

Now, how to go about that? Misa's most dangerous adversary was L. If he ever produced hard evidence linking her to the killings, well…

Yes, L would have to go.

And Light? Rem knew Light was up to no good. His god-complex, while amusing to the Shinigami, was out of control and nothing short of harmful to Misa. She also knew that Misa adored Light and would do anything for him, no matter how many times the Shinigami tried to warn her. Rem decided that she'd put his death off, at least until she could convince the silly girl that he didn't care a whit about her.

Again, Rem caught herself wondering why she cared at all. Death Gods didn't lower themselves to human matters; what made these circumstances any different? With a great sigh, Rem came to the conclusion that this whole situation could only end badly, and wondered how much of it was her fault.

She regretted ever getting involved in this.

Don't start something you can't finish.