When Monday rolls around, I nearly cry, and I beg Mei to let me stay with her, but she disagrees and sends Ritsu and I both to school, which turns out to be the same school I attend.

"How have we never run into each other?" I ask incredulously as I take in the sight of him wearing my school's male uniform. I don't have my uniform on, just jeans and a nice shirt, as I didn't pack it and didn't bother to return home to retrieve it; at this point, I think a uniform infraction is the least of my concerns. I don't even have my satchel with my homework.

Ritsu shrugs as we start walking and I fall quickly into step with him. "It's a pretty big school. Maybe we have and never noticed?"

I shake my head. "No way, it would be impossible for me to forget your face."

We blush when we realize what I just said.

"S-Sorry," I stammer, looking down at the ground. "I-I just . . ."

"It's fine, Noriko," he says with a slight chuckle, and when I look at him, I can see the blush on his cheeks. "Want to know something funny?"

"Sure," I say with a nervous chuckle of my own.

"I almost didn't recognize you with all that makeup on the other night," he admits, the blush on his cheeks darkening.

I furrow my brow quizzically for a moment before I realize what he said and what it means. "Wait, you knew who I was?" I ask, pointing at myself, and he nods. "Now I feel like a jerk for not knowing you. Do we share any classes?"

Ritsu shakes his head. "No, we're in different classes, but I know your friend Haru. Weird guy, I've caught him staring at some red-haired girl and my friend Sora."

I let out a loud and very unladylike snort. "Oh god, Parisa would love to know that. She's had him pegged as either gay or bisexual since we met."

Ritsu chuckles. "I heard a rumor that he and the red-haired girl are dating. Guess Sora's out of luck now."

I frown slightly, of course, he would know about that. "I guess they are, as far as I know. I don't think it's official yet."

"I see," says Ritsu, glancing at me. I can feel his eyes burning into the side of my face, and I try not to look at him; I don't want him to figure out why hearing about Haru and Sango makes me upset. "I'm sorry about the tennis tournament. I know you've been working hard for it."

"Yeah, no more morning practices for me," I say with a slight sigh as I realize where Ritsu might know me. "Ritsu, did you ever watch me practice?"

I watch as his face becomes almost beet red at the question and I know my answer before he even opens his mouth.

"Y-Yeah," he admits, looking like he wishes he were anywhere but here right now. "S-Sorry if that sounds weird, I know I sound like a stalker now. I think even my parents thought I was a stalker because on the days you'd practice, I was always at school early." He claps a hand over his mouth, and I can't help but smile.

"Now I'm really sad that I don't get to practice anymore," I say with a kind smile. "Unless you'd care to practice with me?"

Ritsu shakes his head. "Oh god no, I'm terrible at tennis. I'm much better at badminton and baseball."

"Maybe I should watch you practice then," I say slyly, watching as I set his blush off again. God, this boy is too cute for his good. "Baseball starts up soon, right?"

"Y-Yeah," he says with a slight stutter. "Anyway, what's your plan for today? I'm pretty sure you're convinced you're going to be expelled and charged with assault."

I sigh heavily. "Right, the reason why I got on my knees and begged your mom not to send me to school. Not exactly my finest moment."

"Maybe not," agrees Ritsu and I try not to glare at him for agreeing. "I used to do that when I was a kid, and she would always pick me up, dust off my knees and send me to school anyway. Good to know that it wasn't just because I'm her son."

"Do you think your parents would hire me?" I ask suddenly and without thinking. I thought about this last night as a possibility when I was kicked out of school and after I served out whatever sentence I was given for assault. "I mean, once all of this is settled, I wouldn't want to put your parents out any more than I already have."

Ritsu looks at me with a surprised expression. "I'm sure they would and why do you think you've put them out? My parents love to help other people, and I think they like you. They were so upset when I told them about you and the bridge—crap."

"It's fine," I say with a dismissive wave. "I already figured you'd told them and I completely understand. What happened last night wasn't something a high school student is typically prepared to deal with."

"That's true," he agrees and then his hand shoots out and grabs mine.

I almost fall over from the act and quickly right myself. It's then I realize that Ritsu is looking at me with intense interest and I barely dare to meet his gaze. His hand is hot in mine, and I wonder if the rest of him feels just as warm. It takes more restraint than I'll ever admit not to just fall against his chest and hope he holds me.

"Noriko, I don't regret it," he says, his voice drawing me from my thoughts. "I don't regret any of it. I'm glad I saved you, and I'm glad that you dove under that table. I would do everything the same, including this."

My cheeks are on fire, and I have the overwhelming urge to lean up and kiss him, right here and now. Who cares if we barely know each other? He's already saved my life once, and he's seen the ugliest part of my personality and didn't even flinch. That's more than I can say for my friends or Haru and they've known me for years; they would always pretend that my temper and outbursts didn't exist. Ritsu seems to accept it as just part of me. I give in and lean my head up, parting my lips only slightly, hoping that he'll get the message and not think about it too much. He cautiously squeezes my hand, and I watch as he starts to lean in as well, his green eyes half closed and lips half open. My heart pounds in my chest and I move to meet him halfway . . .

"Ritsu!" shouts a very unwelcome person and the voice breaks the tension between us.

Ritsu blinks at me a couple of times before he seems to register who just called him. He turns away from me and looks over his shoulder and gives a half smile to the person while I silently plot the many ways I can kill them without getting caught. Damn this person for interrupting what would have been my first kiss. Damn him to the most bottomless pits of hell.

"Hey Sora!" says Ritsu, winking at me knowingly. I suppose I get to meet the infamous Sora sooner rather than later.

A boy with black hair and blonde tips comes running up, slightly winded and uniform disheveled, as he stops long enough to catch his breath. He apparently hasn't noticed me yet, but I'm sure he will. When he lifts his head, he smiles at Ritsu before his brown eyes find me, and they widen almost comically when they land on our joined hands.

"Since when do you know Miss To-Oh?!" Sora demands, almost sounding hurt that his friend kept this a secret from him. "And since when do you hold her hand?! Isn't that like against every school rule?"

I frown sharply. Since when am I revered as some unattainable goddess? I look at Ritsu and almost expect him to drop my hand then and there, but he doesn't and just holds it tighter.

"She has a name, Sora, and it isn't Miss To-Oh," sighs Ritsu, giving me an apologetic look as we start walking again, this time holding hands. Sora trails behind us, still panting. "Oh and Noriko, this is my basket case friend Sora. Sora, this is Noriko, you're revered Miss To-Oh."

"Don't ever call me that," I say, looking at them both, the warning clear in my voice and Ritsu and Sora nod. "I hate that nickname, and I don't know what I did to deserve it."

"How about getting top marks on the national exams?" suggests Sora, only to be glared at by Ritsu. "What? It's true. No one's scored that high since Light Yagami took the exams however many years ago that was." He then looks at me with a slightly confused expression. "You know, you look pretty good for someone who had the crap beat out of her this weekend."

My heart nearly stops. "What do you mean?" I ask cautiously, glancing at Ritsu who seems just as confused as me.

"At the tennis tournament," Sora elaborates and I nearly trip from shock. "I heard all about from that girl Rika Hatori. She said you were comforting her and that some chic decided that it would be fun to needle you and you politely told her to screw off before she threw her fist in your face." He comes up close and looks carefully at my face. "You must have some amazing cover-up, I can't see any bruising."

Ritsu pushes his friend away with his free hand while I stare down at the pavement, my heart pounding hard in my chest, blood rushing in my ears. It's like what I felt when I attacked that girl but for an entirely different reason. How could he get the story so wrong? And how could Rika? She was there; she knew exactly what happened, so why was she lying?

"Sora, who else knows about this?" asks Ritsu, voicing the question I can't. I fear my voice will crack and reveal just how little I know.

"The whole school, dude!" exclaims Sora incredulously. "Where the hell have you been, Rittie? I tried texting you like a million times. I figured you'd want to know the love of your life was in trouble."

Ritsu's face and neck turn almost garnet, and he glares harshly at Sora. Apparently, I wasn't supposed to know that.

Sora hardly seems perturbed. "What does it matter, dude? You're holding her hand, aren't you? And walking to school together, at least I'm assuming you're going to school. She's not in uniform."

"It's not washed," I lie clumsily. My mind is still focused on everything Sora just said. I glance at Ritsu and can see the worry in his eyes. Neither one of us knows why this is the story that's circulating campus, but I will find out before the day is over.

When we arrive at school, I'm reluctant to leave Ritsu's side. There's something uneasy about this entire situation, and I don't want to face it alone, at least not until I know I can handle it; mercifully Ritsu seems to understand and doesn't drop my hand or head to his class. Instead, we go to my locker, and he physically puts himself between the rest of the school and me while Sora bounces around, asking questions about our apparent relationship.

Ritsu's answers are curt and to the point. I'm curious as to why he's acting so short with his friend, and after a few questions are fired my way, and Ritsu answers them, I conclude that he's doing it to keep me from being uncomfortable. Now I wish Sora hadn't interrupted us earlier.

"Miss Matsuda," says a chilly voice and we all look to see Mr. Irie watching us, his gaze icy and I shrink further against my locker and Ritsu seems to stand taller. "I need you to accompany me to the principal's office, your parents are already here and are expecting you presently." His eyes then go to Ritsu, and even I'm startled by the fierce glare he's giving Mr. Irie. "Mr. Saga, is there something you wish to say?"

"I can escort Noriko, if it's all the same to you, Mr. Irie," he replies sharply, already taking my hand. He flashes me a reassuring grin before his attention returns to the teacher.

Mr. Irie regards Ritsu carefully as if sizing up a threat and I almost call him out for it, but he relents and nods at Ritsu. "Very well, so long as you're in class by the bell," he says and heads down the hall.

Ritsu, Sora and I all let out a collective breath. We start giggling when we realize what we did.

"God, that guy gives me the creeps!" says Sora, almost loud enough for Mr. Irie to hear. "I swear the rumors about him being a vampire are true."

I let out a loud laugh. "I've never heard that before! And I agree, incredibly creepy. All of the girls on the tennis team think so, too."

Ritsu squeezes my hand. "The man might be a creepy vampire, but he has a point. We should get to the principal's office and figure out what the hell's going on."

I nod, and with a wave to Sora, we start off towards the office on the floor below. Our walk is peppered with questions from every direction, some are about my alleged fight, and most are about when did Miss To-Oh and the captain of the baseball team started dating.

"I should've known you were the captain," I tease lightly, trying to deflect how nervous I am about what's about to come. "Does that mean I can't come watch you practice?"

Ritsu chuckles. "Why would it? If anything, I would think it'd encourage you. You can see me in all my floundering glory."

"I highly doubt you flounder," I counter with a squeeze of his hand. "You wouldn't be captain if you were a terrible athlete and leader."

"I guess," says Ritsu, his voice growing soft and I soon understand why. We're at the principal's office. He raises his hand and knocks on the door, and a muffled "Enter" greets us. He turns to me and quickly pecks my cheek, turning slightly pink in the process. "Good luck, Noriko."

"Thanks, Ritsu," I say, gingerly touching the spot where he kissed me and then he takes off just as the bell starts ringing. I feel a little sorry that he'll be late to class, but I'm so glad he came with me, even this far.

With a shaking hand, I grip the doorknob and turn it, holding my breath with every movement until it can't move anymore. I gently push open the door and see Matsuda, Raku, and Principal Kurusu. He's behind his desk, and my "parents" are seated in the chairs opposite his desk, they seem on edge, but I can't fault them for that, this isn't going to be one of the best meetings they've ever had.

"Ah, Noriko," says Kurusu pleasantly as I step inside, closing the door slightly, my hand now gripping the doorknob from the inside of the room. "Please have a seat."

"I'd rather stand," I say, a hint of nervousness in my voice. "I'm sorry, I just don't think I can sit still right now."

Kurusu nods thoughtfully. "Understandable. I'm glad that you're doing better, I imagine Saturday was rather eventful for you."

I nod, my throat closing up.

"Well, your parents and I have spoken, and they're not going to press charges against the girl," continues Kurusu, glancing at my "parents." "We're of the same mind that it would be better to drop the matter and allow the two of you to heal without having to rehash the evening repeatedly in a trial. Also, in light of recent events, the committee in charge of the high school tennis tournament has disqualified that team on the grounds of unsportsmanlike conduct and your team is now back in."

My eyes widen, and I feel my jaw fall open. 'What the hell are they talking about? The girl didn't attack me; I attacked her! There should be charges, expulsion, something! Not this.'

"Excuse me," I say, and all eyes fall on me. "I'm not sure what story you've heard, Principal Kurusu, but that girl didn't attack me. I'm the one who attacked her. I broke her nose and left her a bloody mess."

Kurusu looks confused. "Are you sure? I've seen the footage from the game, and you were attacked."

"Coach had to pull me off of her!" I say, the volume of my voice rising slightly. 'What the hell is going on here?' "The entire team was talking about it, about me and what I did. Rika couldn't even look at me afterward!"

Matsuda stands up and takes a step towards me, and I flinch. "Nori, I know you've been through a lot recently, but you need to calm down. You aren't in trouble—"

"I should be!" I shout, and this time he flinches. "I should be charged with assault and be expelled! I was prepared for that, not this nonsense." I stare at him helplessly, I feel so confused and angry, and I don't know what to do or say now. "Dad, please, just stop messing around. I know I was wrong, I know I shouldn't have lost my temper, and I'm sorry. I am. So please, no more games."

Matsuda opens his mouth to speak but he looks at Raku instead who shakes her head, and he closes his mouth. My eyes widen. They did something. They know why I'm not being charged when I should be. They're covering up the truth for some reason, a reason I can't imagine, and I don't think I want to. My mind goes back to all of those times in school whenever I got in trouble; I have never been reprimanded the way I should've been, I was always given a slap on the wrist and sent back to class or transferred to another school, no questions asked. No matter what I did, I was never really punished; it was just discreetly swept under the rug. Whatever my "parents" are capable of, it seems they can influence the police and witnesses.

"You're both lying," I say coldly, and I almost don't recognize my voice. It's flat and dangerous and full of raw hate. I meet Matsuda's gaze and fear flashes in his eyes, bright and prominent. I see Raku reach for something on her belt and I realize it's a Taser. 'Why would she need a Taser and why would she use it against me?'

Before anyone can do anything to me, I throw open the door and break out into a full-on sprint, my sneakers slapping hard against the linoleum and my vision clouding with tears. I barely manage not to fall down the stairs in my mad dash to get the hell out of this school and as far away from my "parents" as possible. I can't even begin to wrap my head around all that they have or haven't done throughout my life. How powerful are they? How did they get that way? Why are they using it to keep me out of trouble, to begin with? With Matsuda being with the police, I would assume he'd want me to be brought to justice, even if I am his dau—No, I'm not.

"Noriko!" I hear Matsuda shout behind me and I slow down a little. I know I can outrun him but part of me doesn't want to, part of me wants him to catch up and maybe explain what the hell is going on. "Noriko, please! I'm sorry!"

"Touta!" Raku shouts and I resume my original pace. "Touta, get back here! We need to talk about this!"

"What's there to talk about?" Matsuda demands, his voice becoming distant as I keep running until I can no longer hear him or Raku. I run until I reach the front doors, and then I push them open and keep running.

My only goal right now is to get away, away from everyone and everything. None of this is making any sense. She wanted to taze me, he wants to talk to me, and they both are lying about so many things. This is insane. What kind of people adopted me? How can they have this much power in the world? What did they do to get it? I thought they were just lying about my birth parents, but no, this goes deeper, to places I can't even begin to imagine.

Suddenly my feet fly out from under me, and my head is going forward along with the rest of my body, falling briefly before colliding with something hard and unyielding. I groan slightly as I regain my bearings, my side hurts like crazy, and I wonder what kind of insane position I was in when I slammed against whatever this is. Slowly I open my eyes and breathe a small sigh of relief when I see the branches above my head; at least I'm not in a ditch or the water. I look to my left and see a tree trunk and my side throbs slightly, my indication that this is what I fell against. I look to my right and see a small branch lying in the path where I'm pretty sure I was running. I guess that's what I tripped over. It's funny; I didn't even realize I had run in here; I was too caught up in my thoughts to even pay attention.

Slowly I sit up, taking inventory of my possible side injury and conclude that I will just be bruised there for a while. It's a small relief considering it could have been broken. When I'm upright, I move my back against the tree, bringing my knees up to my chin and wrapping my arms tightly around them. I can't go back; I can't. I don't know who to trust or if I can even believe the people who raised me; of the two of them, I never expected the man I considered my father to lie to me, he couldn't even lie about the tooth fairy when I point blank asked him at eight-years-old. How was he able to pull this off for years?

"What am I supposed to do now?" I wonder aloud as I look up at the tree, a few leaves and thick branches cast shadows down on me. It's strangely peaceful here as if it's in its own world and people can't find it. I certainly can't remember this place being here before, and I've lived in this city my entire life.

I see a small dot in the sky, and my eyes are instantly drawn to it. I watch with mild interest, as it slowly grows larger and larger, taking the shape of a black rectangle. Moments later, the black rectangle lands with a thud just a few inches from my feet. I move my knees down and lean forward, ignoring the ache in my side as I reach for the strange object. It looks like a notebook, its cover and back are both black, and I can see white pages inside. When I pick it up, I see the cover, and I raise an eyebrow at the English silver letters across the top.

"Death Note?"