I own nothing.

This was really fun to write. xD My favorite so far. Also the longest one too.

Song 04: Christmas Shoes

Neku was stood patiently in line. Shiki had abandoned him here to stand in another line in another store. Neku was silently cursing the fact that Eri had work today and couldn't accompany Shiki to the mall like they originally had planned. He also cursed the fact that he had agreed to go in Eri's place after Shiki began to make those puppy eyes at him.

The conversation in front of him, though, was beginning to sound interesting.

"Look, Fukushi, as much as those shoes can 'help us' we can't afford them."

"I'm telling you Arashi, if I have to fight one more noise in these wet soggy broken shoes of mines, I'm going to end up slipping and breaking my neck. Whoever thought it was a brilliant idea to make this stupid Reaper Game in the middle of freaking Christmas is insane."

"And how do you suggest we pay for them? I'm telling you, we don't have the yen for it!"

"… Well we could walk right out the door. It isn't like people can see us you know."

"FUKUSHI!"

Neku blinked. Instantly he recalled something Joshua had mentioned yesterday about 'Little Lost Lambs' and making sure they got home in time for the holidays. Huh, what were the chances?

"Excuse me," he interrupted the two standing in line in front of him. The two boys jumped, startled and turned back towards him.

"What do you want?" snapped the brown with gold streaks haired boy. Fukushi, if Neku was overhearing the conversation right.

"Nothing much," Neku replied with a small smile. He remembered when he used to act the same. Neku vaguely wondered if Fukushi would change like he did. Well this game did force people to challenge their limits. "I just couldn't help but overhear that you're a bit short on yen?" He reached into his wallet, still very padded from the rather unlimited amount of yen he had earned from the game.

Neku handed them a few bills. "Is that enough?" he asked.

The other boy's, Arashi, green eyes widen in shock before narrowing in suspicion. "Why are you doing this?" he asked.

Neku shrugged. "It's Christmas?" he lamely offered. Arashi clearly didn't believe him as his eyes narrowed even more. Neku couldn't help it. A smirk appeared on his face, one that would make Joshua proud.

"You want to make it to the end of 7 days don't you?" Neku causally asked. He watched in amusement as the two boys eyes grew as wide as dinner plates.

"H-how do you know about the Reaper Game?" Fukushi practically shouted. He subconsciously took a step back away from Neku, ignoring the stares he was staring to get from the people in line.

Arashi growled. "You're a Reaper aren't you?" Neku watched has he reached towards his pocket. There was no doubt that there was where he held his pins.

Neku's smirk grew. "Nope," he nonchalantly replied.

"You're not a player," Arashi accused. "If you were, your partner would be nearby since it would be a death wish to go anywhere without them. I saw you earlier, the girl you came in with, already left the store."

"You're right," Neku said with a nod, "I'm not a Player either." 'Smart kid,' he thought to himself. Arashi clearly knew enough about the game, about real life to know not to trust anyone so blindly. He was also observant and was picking up on the subtle unspoken words of Neku's sentences. If they made it to the end of 7 days, it would probably be on Arashi's street smarts.

"Then how do you know about the game," Fukushi questioned, pointing his finger in accusation, reminding Neku of a familiar lawyer game.

Neku chuckled. "I'm the end result of surviving seven days, I suppose."

To that, both Arashi and Fukushi's eyes widen in surprise. "Y-you won the game?" Arashi stuttered, the surprise evident in his voice.

Neku stopped to think about that. Technically the game he won, he didn't come back from since Shiki technically did (even if Shades lied). The second one he was "disqualified" and well while he "won" the third one, he also technically "lost". Neku mentally frowned at that thought. It had been awhile since he thought of that day. He shoved those thoughts back into a dark corner of his mind. "I survived the seven days," Neku said, not answering their question really.

He walked around them, cutting in front them to purchase his item from the cashier. People were beginning to look at them as they were clearly holding up the line. Then, Neku turned to leave out door, stopping to look back at the two partners who were still staring in shock at him. He gave them a comforting smile and simply said:

"Good luck."