Disclaimer- I don't own Death Note...Did you know that lawyers make really funny noises when you tell them that right is wrong and left is right? It overloads their brains...Feed smart people strange lines that make no sense and it's funny to see the reaction... I ramble a lot. Sorry.

Chapter 13

Blinded

A few days later, Noriko lie in her bed staring at the ceiling. It had been about a week since the woman, Naomi Misora, had disappeared and still there was no trace of the woman.

A frown creased her features as she snatched her phone off her desk and dialed a line was picked up almost immediately.

"Hey, we haven't gotten to spend much time together lately, soo how about a cup of coffee?" she asked.

She paused as she waited for an answer and smiled when she received a yes. "Ok, I'll meet you at the coffee house that's just around the corner," she replied, snapping her phone shut.

She slipped off her bed and put her coat on over the gray t-shirt she wore. Grabbing her black sneakers she then made her way out of the house and to the little brown coffee house just down the block.

Noriko took a seat in the corner of the little coffee shop away from the prying eyes of the other occupants and people milling about outside. A smile lit her face as she saw the person she was waiting for approach the shop. She waved jovially to catch their attention and stood up as they entered the shop.

"Hey," she said as she gave the newcomer a tight hug.

"Hi. So what's this all about, Noriko?"

"Hmm. Well I had a question," she answered, sitting back down and eying the table.

"What is it?"

"Can we get coffee first?" she asked, faking a smile.

There was soft sigh in response. "Fine."

Noriko waved a young girl over and ordered herself a soy latte, while her company just ordered a coffee.

There were no words spoken as the two waited for the arrival of their coffees. Noriko stared down at the table, avoiding any type of eye contact and fiddled with her hands. The male across from her nervous form just watched her curiously.

"Here you go," the waitress said, setting their beverages before them.

"So what was the question Nori?"

Noriko frowned and took a small sip of her drink to give herself time to think of a way to phrase her inquiry. "On New Year's I was out walking around. You know me, always had to walk in the snow or run in the rain. I wound up downtown near the police headquarters..." She trailed off for a moment still not meeting the gaze of the brown eyed boy across from her.

"I saw you with that woman, Light," she said quietly, finally bringing her green eyes up to look into the surprised brown eyes of the handsome Light. "She went missing that day, did you know that?"

"No, I didn't," Light replied a little too quickly.

Noriko raised a brow at him. "Why were you talking with her?"

"I went to drop off clothes for my dad, but he wasn't in his office. She was there trying to talk to someone from the Kira task force. I had told her who I was and offered to let her talk to my dad when he called me back since I had called and left him a message about his clothes. She seemed pretty upset, so we decided to take a walk and talk," he answered smoothly, bringing his coffee to his lips to sip it delicately.

"Is that so?" Noriko mused.

"Yes, why what did you think? I was cheating on you," Light replied chuckling softly.

"No. I trust you and don't think you'd do that. She was engaged to one of the F.B.I agents that died, wasn't she?"

Light's face remained impassive, but Noriko knew better. She could see him thinking behind his beautiful dark eyes. See that he was trying to figure out what to say and how to find out what else she had heard.

"Yes she was. That's why she was upset. She seems to think that her fiance had come in contact with Kira," Light replied as he ran a hand through his brown hair.

"I see. So then she was telling you her theories I take it?"

"How long did you spy on us, Noriko," Light asked, she could hear the disapproval in his tone but ignored it.

"I overheard part of your conversation while I was in the park sitting on a bench. I had been thinking about that picnic when it had begun to rain on us. Anyways, I heard you talking, but couldn't really make out what you were saying. I did follow you for a little while though, but not close enough to hear what was being said. I overheard the last little bits after I walked back into the park," Noriko answered easily, her eyes locked on his.

"It's nothing to worry about, Noriko. I was just trying to help. She was upset over losing her fiance and had a few ideas about the Kira case. She had the same idea as you actually," he told her.

"What idea?" Noriko asked, confused.

"That Kira can kill by other means than a heart attack," Light replied casually sipping his coffee after he crossed his legs in front of him.

"Why would she think that," she asked curiously.

Light seemed to hesitate for a moment before replying. "Apparently, he was put into a situation where he had to show his ID to someone in order to help. There was an accident of some sort at the subway station."

This piqued her interest. "What situation?"

"Is this twenty questions or something, Nori? I thought you wanted to spend time together," Light said some what irritated with her and her questions.

"I do, but do you?" she asked, turning her gaze to the table and taking a drink of her latte.

Light raised a delicate eyebrow at the girl across from him. "Of course, it's just that with entrance exams coming up I'm trying to focus on studying. What's really up, Noriko?" Light asked sensing that there was more that she wasn't saying.

"It's just that you're keeping something from me. Don't try and say you're not I know that you are. We've known each other forever Light, it's hard for us to lie to each other or hide things from each other for a long period of time," Noriko answered, her auburn hair falling in her face as her head drooped sadly.

Light frowned at her. "I love you, Nori," he said quietly. He reached across the table to take her hand in his and squeeze it.

"I love you too."

"There's something else bothering you isn't there," Light asked when she still hadn't looked up at him.

"Yes," she said quietly. "The day on the bus, did you know the agent was tailing you?"

Light seemed surprised by the question and very nearly spilled his coffee on to his beige jacket. "What are you talking about," he asked quickly.

"That agent was most likely tailing you. It makes sense. It seemed like Kira had information only the police should have access to. Meaning, either Kira was in the police force or he was close to someone who was. Having the police investigated makes perfect sense," she explained, her gaze on the steaming beverage before her.

"You've been thinking about this a lot. It does make sense, but what are you getting at?"

"You saw that man's ID. You had everything Kira would need to kill that man," Noriko paused and frowned.

'Just what am I getting at? I don't even know,' she thought to herself.

"You're wondering if I'm Kira," Light asked her.

"I don't know," she said, shaking her head. "So much has happened in the last few weeks and none of it makes any damn sense."

"You're worrying too much, Noriko," Light said softly. "You need to relax."

"What about L?" she asked suddenly, looking up into his face.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, he had access to all the names and information. Don't you think it's strange that he brings in outside help that only he knows about and then they wind up dead," she asked.

"It is strange, but it would also be the most obvious answer. I don't think it's the right one though, L wants justice, but I don't think he'd kill innocent people to get it," Light answered.

Noriko winced slightly when he had said innocent people. "I'm sorry, Light," she said softly, hanging her head over the table, ashamed by her insinuations that he could possibly be Kira.

"Sorry for what? It's perfectly understandable, I can see where you came to the conclusion that I might be Kira, but I assure you I'm not," he replied with a warm, reassuring smile.

"You have been hiding something from me though, haven't you?" she questioned sadly.

She felt his grip on her hand tighten for a moment.

"I have," he replied quietly.

Noriko brought her head up to look into his eyes, she hadn't expected him to finally admit it. "What," she pleaded.

Light frowned and looked away from her.

"What," she asked again, pulling her hand from his grasp and staring pleadingly at him.

It took him a moment to reply. "Not here, let's take a walk," he said, giving her a smile and holding his hand out to her.

She smiled back as best she could and took the offered hand.

"Well," she asked impatiently after they had exited the little shop.

Light took her hand in his and smiled reassuringly down at her. "Be patient would you," he teased.

"No," she grumbled.

They walked to Light's house which was little more than two blocks away.

"I thought we were going on a walk, not to your house," Noriko stated.

"We are," he said, opening the gate and holding her for her.

"Then why are we here?" She was growing more and more impatient with each passing second. Standing in front of the door, she folded her arms stubbornly over her chest and stared expectantly at him.

"Just wait here," he told her with a sigh and a shake of his head as he entered his house and shut the door behind him.

"Wait here, who does he think he is," Noriko grumbled, kicking at the ground stubbornly.

Light walked up to his room and casually opened a desk drawer and pulled out a small object. The object was a box that he quickly popped open and then snapped shot quickly after making sure that the item inside was in place. He gingerly placed the object in his coat pocket, making sure it was visible to the cameras that were hidden about his room as he did so. A minute later Light reemerged from the house, a small smile on his face.

"What," Noriko snapped at him.

He just rolled his eyes, grabbed her hand and led her away from the house.

They walked for a few more minutes before walking into a small, deserted park. The walkways were lined with cherry trees and benches. It was quite peaceful as they walked hand in hand through the park. There were few other people in the park, it looked like most of them were couples lounging around and talking happily.

Light led her to one of the benches a little way into the park where there was less people and sat down.

She remained standing, arms crossed stubbornly over her chest, and a single eyebrow raised as she looked at him. Light sighed and grabbed one of her arms tugging her to the bench and then pulling her down next to him before wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"Well," she pressed again.

"Are all women as impatient as you," he asked her.

She poked him in the ribs and gave him small glare.

"I suppose it doesn't matter really," he said as he rubbed at where she had poked him.

"Oh, and why is that?" she asked impatiently.

"Well, I was going to wait until gradation but..." he said and trailed off.

"But what, dammit," Noriko demanded.

Light smiled warmly at her and reached into his coat pocket.

Noriko felt her eyes grow big and her jaw drop when she saw the little box in his hands.

"What's... that," she asked slowly and uncertainly.

He gingerly flipped the box open and Noriko nearly fell to the ground when she saw the contents. Her whole body felt like it was suddenly made of jello.

"It's a ring," Light replied as he lifted the white gold band out of the box.

It was absolutely stunning, it had small black and white diamonds in a wave like design that was simple yet beautiful.

"Whhhyyy?" Noriko asked slowly eyes glued to the ring in Light's hands.

Light brought his other hand up and placed it under Noriko's chin, he slowly made her look up and meet his eyes.

"I love you Noriko," he said quietly.

She was speechless, her mind was blank, and she couldn't force herself to return the sentiment since she was pretty sure she had lost the ability to speak coherently.

"I wanted to ask if you'd-"

"Oh, hey Light," a female voice cut in.

Noriko snapped out of the trance she was in and looked at the new arrival. Her face flushed in anger as she saw that it was none other than Kimiko. She had to take a deep breath in order to restrain herself from jumping up and tackling the girl to the ground.

"Hi Kimiko, was there something you wanted I was busy" Light replied as kindly as he could although the irritation in his voice was still very noticeable.

"I was just-" Kimiko stopped abruptly when she saw the ring in Light's hands.

The girls eyes widened and her mouth opened and closed as she looked from Light to Noriko and then back to Light.

"You look like a fish Kimiko. Spit it out and then get lost," Noriko spat harshly.

"I was just going to see if Light wanted to join me for some coffee," she said putting on a smile that faltered slightly as she spoke.

"No," Noriko answered before Light even had a chance to open his mouth.

"It really is a shame. You'd think he would want some intellectual company once in a while," Noriko replied.

Noriko started to rise, but found herself pulled forcefully back down on to the bench. She growled at Light, but quickly turned her attention back to the girl in front of her.

"Let me guess, you think that intellect is what the football team taught you, right?" Noriko said through clenched teeth.

Kimiko's eyes hardened and her smile wavered.

"Ok, that's enough you two," Light cut in before either girl tried to kill each other. "Kimiko, I'm not interested. Now could you please go, I was in the middle of something important."

Kimiko pouted at Light, who just sighed and rolled his eyes. Noriko tried to stand up again but was pulled right back down on to her butt by Light who was still gripping the back of her coat.

"Fine, but if you change your mind just let me know," Kimiko said as she turned away and waved at Light.

Completely forgetting the fact that Light still had a ring in his hand, Noriko tried once again to lunge at the girl only to wind up looking like a complete idiot when she couldn't move and her hands grasped at thin air. Light had a firm grip around her waist now and wasn't letting go.

"Let me at her," Noriko whined angrily. "I'm gonna kill her."

"No you're not. You're gonna sit there and be quite," Light ordered.

Noriko looked over at him and tried pouting. "Please?"

"No."

"Pretty please. I won't kill her, just... maim her."

"No, Nori."

"You're no fun," she huffed dramatically as she crossed her arms over her chest indignantly.

"Sorry, but I'd prefer that my future wife didn't kill people," he said calmly.

"I said I wouldn't kill heeeerrrr," she said drawing out the last word as she began to look confused, "Wait, what," Noriko asked, as she turned towards Light her face blank. She had forgotten that he had been in the process of giving her a ring.

"I said I'd prefer that my-"

"Are you proposing to me?" Noriko asked her surprise evident on her face.

"I was trying."

"Well do it again. I wasn't paying attention," Noriko ordered uncrossing her arms and throwing them in the air before settling them in her lap.

"Noriko will you marry me?" Light asked as he grasped her hands in his and slipped the ring on her finger.

Noriko's jaw dropped, she had honestly thought he was kidding.

She stared down at the ring that sat on her finger, sparkling in the afternoon sun.

'I thought it was just like a promise ring or something, I wasn't expecting that...Oh, crap what do I say!?' she thought frantically while looking at the ring with wide eyes.

Light grinned as she stared at the ring in awe, she had completely forgotten about the reason why she had asked to meet him.

'She's mine now,' he thought. 'She'll have no reason to doubt me ever again.'

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