"Mmm…Natsu!"

I sat up abruptly and glanced around the room I was in until my eyes landed on a crouched figure sitting not too far away and looking at me with his face lit up by the computer in front of him.

"Are you okay, Kitsu? You appeared to be having a nightmare of some sort."

I stayed silent, remembering that I was still waiting for an apology and noticing that the clothes I was wearing were not the ones I was wearing before. I stared at the blanket that had fallen off me while I fiddled with the hem of the long sleeved white sweater that smelled of sweets. I could still feel his gaze on me as I stood up and headed to the kitchen, hoping to find some hot chocolate since I didn't drink coffee. I had only been in there for a few minutes when Ryuzaki popped up behind me.

"Holy sh-Don't do that!"

"I'm sorry."

I looked at him and just knew that he was apologizing for more than one thing. So, I pressed for a more definite answer.

"For what."

He stared at me for a minute, probably contemplating his response until he sighed.

"I apologize for scaring you and for kicking you. And, although you should not have attempted to stop Light and I in such a way, I apologize for saying something that upset you as well."

"Good enough for me."

I shrugged my shoulders, smiled, and ruffled his hair; which practically froze the poor guy. He must not be used to physical contact. Then, I continued my search through the cupboards for hot chocolate.

"Kitsu."

"Yo."

I turned around to find Ryuzaki holding just what I was looking for with a slight smirk on his face. I couldn't help but scowl as I took the container of hot chocolate mix.

"Think you're so smart, don't ya."

"Yes, actually. I do…but there is one thing I have not figured out yet."

"Oh something has stumped the great detective. Do tell."

"Who is Natsu?"

I stopped what I was doing, dropping my shoulders, and turning around to face Ryuzaki. It wasn't exactly a story I wanted to get into, but I felt as though Ryuzaki should know.

"Natsu Pyne. He was…just another street brat I suppose. When I first met him, I felt bad for the kid and helped him out. Probably one of the worst ideas I've ever had, too."

Ryuzaki had pulled a couple of stools forward and he sat crouched on one, gesturing to the other like he knew that this was going to be a long story.

"What happened, Kitsu?"

"Well, he started following me after that. My group even nicknamed him 'The Mutt' since he never left my side. It bothered me at first, but I grew used to it and we became friends, I guess. Anyway, one particular day my group and I had gone out drinking. It was maybe a week after my mother's death and they all knew how depressed I was. I ended up deciding to leave early and Natsu offered to walk me back. We had a short conversation about my mother and what she was like. Eventually, we were getting close to our place and I heard a car heading in our direction. It was late out and the area where we were was not populated much at all. So a car driving down the road was practically shouting 'Something's up!'. Of course, I was drunk and just stood there like an idiot as it appeared to be heading past us. I didn't even see them pull the gun out and try to shot me, but Natsu did and…he took the bullet for me.

That knocked some sense into me and I pulled out the pistol I keep on me, firing at their tires but I wasn't lucky enough to hit them. Oh, and it turns out, Natsu had fallen for me too. That was the last thing he told me…that he loved me. I felt so stupid for not even noticing. I was sitting there wallowing in self pity when I realized that I had one bullet left in my gun and pointed it at my head. Stupid idea, I know. My death wouldn't have solved anything, but I was too drunk to use any common sense.

I got lucky though. One of the guys had gotten out of control and had been kicked out of the bar early so he wasn't too far behind us. He saw me and stopped me from doing anything stupid, before he pulled me into a back alley as the cops arrived. Needless to say, I took out my frustration on the alley wall. Busted up my hands pretty good; broken bones, stitches, the whole bit. Pretty stupid, huh?"

"Quite, but your friend did what he felt was necessary and there is nothing about that that makes it your fault."

I looked at him, finding his face completely serious and I smiled of all things. I got up and finished making my extra sweet hot chocolate, pulling a piece of cake out of the fridge for Ryuzaki.

"It's just like you to know exactly what to say to me, L."

"I merely didn't know how you would've wanted me to comfort you. You do not seem to respond well to pity, so I did what I could."

I nodded and we sat in silence for a good while, contemplating. I soon finished my hot chocolate and Ryuzaki his cake, so we both headed back into the main room. Instead of sitting next to him or on the couch, I plopped down on the floor in front of him, resting the back of my head on his legs. I was somewhat surprised that he didn't say anything about it and even more so when he rested his chin on my head and reached around me to continue to type on his laptop.

"What are you doing?"

"You were in the way. I was simply continuing my work despite of this."

"Heh, hey L."

"Yes, Kitsu?"

"Thanks for listening."

"Of course."

We were now in the month of October, and the bruises on my face and side had either disappeared completely(my face) or dulled significantly. Ryuzaki and I were on better terms now and I had plenty to do, what with all the puzzles and other things he'd gotten for me. Currently, he was watching me with that silly grin on his face as I was sliding across the marble floor in one of his rolling chairs. Light was practically the only one working at this point, so when he discovered something we were all paying attention.

"What do you think, Ryuzaki? Do you have some motivation now?"

"If this does have something to do with Kira, then their intention is not necessarily punishing criminals but-"

"Personal gain? But if that's the case, then this isn't the same Kira that was punishing criminals. Cool."

"Yes, it is quite impressive."

I spun around in my chair again as Light began talking about how he did it. I noticed Matsuda trying to get attention too, but it wasn't really working out for the poor guy. I tuned back in to Light's conversation just long enough to discover that a business group called Yotsuba was prospering by the deaths of other company deaths. Interestingly enough, not all of the deaths were by heart attack.

"Which means Kira can kill people with more than just heart attacks!"

That statement alone got my mind working. If Kira can kill with more than just heart attacks, then how many people have died by other means without us knowing? Naomi for instance. Kira must have found her and she had beneficial information that could potentially help us, so he got rid of her. L told me before that she wouldn't have committed suicide on her own. So does that mean Kira did it? What could she have discovered? I have to retrace her steps. If I do that, I may be able to find the first Kira before more people are killed.

"L? Can I get a laptop and a room to myself for a while? I'll also need anything on Naomi, as well."

"If that is what you want. Did you discover something?"

"Possibly, but I'm not 100% certain, so I will tell you when that happens."

"In that case, I will arrange everything you need."

I will find you, Kira, so you better be watching your back.

Here's the next chapter! I would be updating more often, but the site I use for reviewing the manga has been down and it's a pain to find another. ANyway, please review and tell me what you think! ALSO, it's getting close to L's death and I want your opinions on what should happen. I can't decide whether or not I want L to die or if I want Near coming in early or if Near should even appear at all. If you have some advice, I'd love to hear it ^^