AN- Okay, finally, this story is starting to flow with me. In case you couldn't tell, the first few chapters were almost forced...I was having trouble getting this thing moving. Last chapter and this one, however, I think it's finally starting to click. My writing should return to it's usual level and stop sounding so blocky and hesitant. This story is now officially serious with me. -Kani

"Heeeeey…they put cameras in your house too!" Ryuk scuttled across the walls, peering into corners and air vents. Misa didn't move, still staring at her reflection as she brushed her hair. The news didn't surprise her at all, not after that last phone call. Light had been so worried, warning her about the upcoming trials. She sighed and began pulling her hair back. Sometimes, it was as though he thought her stupid. It was because he himself was a genius, she knew, but it was frustrating none the less.

Cameras in the house…that meant there were cameras in her cars, and likely someone tailing her at the photo-shoots…

"Guess that means you can't talk to me anymore can you? Do I still get apples?" Misa nodded gently, as though assuring her self of her hair. Ryuk laughed to himself and continued scouting the house. Apparently Light had been downright stingy with the fruit, but Misa was generous by nature, and Ryuk loved her for it. She'd seen him go into withdrawals exactly twice, and she hoped it never happened again.

Cameras…now, how could she work around those?

She pulled out her shoebox of manicure tools and went out to the couch. After a minute of fishing for the remote, she turned the T.V to some sitcom and sat there thinking. The black fingernail polish came off with practiced ease, the ruby red and tip liners easing into place. Dressers, tablets, the kitchen drawer, beneath the towels in the cabinet beneath the sink in the bathroom…individual sheets of DeathNote she'd set aside and hidden were all over the house. The Note itself was kept in a non-vital drawer of her clothing…one that she wouldn't have to open if she suddenly found herself under surveillance. The tip-liners went on, covering ends of her nails.

"He's gone all out with you…346 cameras and counting, with audio."

Misa fudged a nail on purpose, sitting up as though remembering something. "Did Mikatsu get my limo back?! Shit…I'll have to call him tomorrow…he's always messing with my things…"

Ryuk chuckled to himself and scuttled out to the cars, taking the hint. Misa expertly wiped the nail clean and repainted it. Cameras in every room…bathroom included. He'd likely have tapped her internet and phones too. She frowned and recapped the red paint, staring critically at her nails as she waited for it to dry.

"Cameras in every car but that beat up red one…" Of course, Misa thought, blowing on her nails impatiently.

Misa-Misa wouldn't be caught dead in that car. Shit.

She pulled the black paint over and peeled the liners off, considering her schedule. The house was on lock-down…there was no way she could kill while at home anymore. The customary model-syndrome kicked in, and her frustration at having her schedule interfered with showed when she over did her middle finger, Black paint spread too far, and she took a minute to calm down before capping it and reaching for the polish remover. Instead of trying to take the black off, she just stripped the entire nail of color. No room for error…none. She finished the black, resolving to repaint the mess-up last.

So the house was out…cars had cameras, but she could talk names onto paper, so that was useless. She caught a glimpse of the shinigami hovering overhead, and paused. She could always read name to him and have him write them for her… No, Ryuk wouldn't be that helpful, no matter how many apples she offered him. Dictation was out. She switched hands and continued thinking, pretending to listen to the show and painting during commercials.

She had a back up list…fifty names saved in her cell phone, an emergency list for a situation like this. They were scattered throughout her contact list, and she knew that L would likely just be monitoring her phone calls at first. Later, when that didn't pan out, he'd start paying closer attention. Light had said that at first, he'd just be looking for an excuse to dig deeper.

Even L would find her contact list daunting. She thanked her model training, but she knew enough about the industry to weed out the names of people that held false positions. Like secondary Make-up…she was under contract with company, any other work would void her agreement. Risky, but it was a last resort after all…the list was simply there to buy time enough for Light to give her instructions.

She trusted him, after all. Painting done, she capped the colors and paused before putting the box away. After a moment's hesitation, she pulled out the rhinestones. They were set to the side as she relaxed; her hands safely out of harm's way.

So she had names…now she needed opportunity. She ran through her list of hidden paper again. The bathroom stash had potential, depending on camera placement. Scribble a name when she went in for a towel before showers…maybe two if she 'forgot' to grab one for her hair. She made a mental note to have a distant assistant pick up more apples and have them on hand at the next photo-shoot. A little bribery would get her the general description of the blind-spots.

Kitchen? No, too risky. Misa didn't cook, didn't plan on cooking, and had absolutely no interest in picking the skill up. Besides, it was better publicity to eat out, meet and greet fans on their own terms. Kitchen was out. She picked up the sheet of rhinestones and critically began placing them on the outer corner of the black stripes.

Closet? No, too many clothes, no reason for a pen, cameras.

Couch? No, cameras.

Bathroom? Maybe, worth bribing about.

Cars? Worth bribing.

She finished one hand and inspiration hit her. The tablets…autographs. The other stones went on without flaw and she put the box away. She constantly signed autographs during shoots…and during filming. There were quite a few pages of deathnote stashed in the back of each tablet. If she were surrounded by fans, the person that tailed her wouldn't notice her flipping to the back of the tablet every few signings. She could memorize the names in fives, and kill until she got in touch with Light again. Simple, but effective…and it proved that she was useful.

Misa smiled again as she went to the bathroom to wash her face before bed. The next week was taken care of…she wouldn't be working at a fraction of what she had before the surveillance, but she'd be doing something, at least. Enough to keep that nasty detective off of Light for a few more days….hopefully, long enough for Light to think them out of this.

She idly wondered how many other models contemplated murder while painting their nails.