He turned to her on the sidewalk and Hitomi steeled herself for another lecture, but he hesitated. His hard grip slowly loosened until he let go of her completely, and she forced herself to break the silence.

"I- ah... sumimasen, Ryuzaki-kun. I didn't mean to-"

"Are you all right?" His voice was softer, lower than usual. "He didn't hurt you?"

"No, I- I'm fine. Really," she blinked back the tears of embarrassment that had been burning in her eyes. L still looked at her, obviously worried.

"You don't need to go home?" A small smile cracked on her face.

"No, Ryuzaki-kun. I'm fine. Let's go for some karaoke." He nodded and the pair started down the street. After a few feet, Hitomi edged a little closer and, still looking at the sidewalk shyly, slipped her hand onto L's arm. He stared down at it for a moment, unsure of what she was doing, and she seemed to notice this.

"I thought maybe... In case there's any more perverts around..." She was about to bring her hand back when he slipped his hand from his pocket and held it open for her. She fought back her blush as she entwined her fingers with his. It took him a second to respond, and even then his hold on her was loose, barely there. Theirs arms brushed together now as they walked, and for a brief flash Hitomi was reminded of when she;d last held hands with Raito. Only that wasn't nearly as nice...

"Oh, Ryuzaki, what happened to Raito-kun? I haven't seen him since he went off with that girl."

"I saw them leave just before you made your first exit from that club. I'm almost positive Raito took her to the other place you mentioned." Hitomi nodded and they finished walking in silence. She didn't let go of his hand until they were inside and an elderly japanese woman rushed up and hugged her tightly.

"Hitomi! Watashitachi ha, watashi anatawo shinpai shi hajime teitashibarakuno kan nakatta! Ogenki desuka? Gakkou haumakuiiteiruka? Tabe runiha juubun wo ete iruka?" Hitomi bowed a little and nodded, smiling widely,

"Hai, hai, Nakamura-san." She glanced at L and the other few customers at the front counter, then switched to english. "I'm doing good."

"How is your poor mother?" Mrs. Nakamura asked. Hitomi grew more serious.

"She's... still in the hospital."

"Bah! Foolish! What she need is to be with her family now!" Hitomi forced a smile and changed the subject.

"This is my friend, Ryuzaki-kun." The woman looked him over, then looked back at Hitomi.

"Very nice dear. Another friend of yours came in. He asked if you were here, but I tell him you weren't. He's in there now, with some floosie." Hitomi's smile was back.

"Arigato, Nakamura -san." L started forward and spotted Raito, who stood and began to cross the room to get them. While L was 'distracted' Mrs. Nakamura leaned to Hitomi and whispered,

"That's a weird boy you're with. Older too. Be careful with older men, Hitomi. They're nothing but trouble."

"Of course, Nakamura-san. I'm always careful." The two women hugged breifly, then the older one said cheerily,

"Anything you want tonight, is on the house. Okay?"

"All right. Arigato. Watashi ga aisatsu shita nakamura-san wo ii nasai."

"Touzen. Now you go have fun." Hitomi nodded and joined L and entered the main room just in time for Raito to reach them.

"Ryuzaki! Hitomi! It's about time you two made it over here!Couldn't get enough dancing, huh?" L and Hitomi looked at each other for a second, but didn't say anything as Raito led them back to the table Sarah was at. The blonde quickly turned to Hitomi, who was seated next to her, and said,

"Oh, Hitomi! Light has been telling me how you two were childhood friends. Is it true you used to want to be a japanese pop star?" Hitomi glared across the table at Raito, who seemed to ignore her, talking to L about what they'd done without him.

"Yes, that was my dream. when I was about six."

"Up until she was about sixteen!" Raito cut in jokingly.

"Ooh, you must be really good then! Let's hear you sing! Oh, pleeaase?"

"Well, I don't see why not. It's kind of the point of this place anyway, right?" She stood. "You wouldn't want to do a duet by any chance, would you, Ryuzaki-kun?" L looked at her wide eyed, which she took for a no, but she was surprised when Raito stood.

"Actually, Hitomi-chan, I've already picked out the perfect song for you."

"What?"

"It's a surprise. You go up on the stage, and I'll get it taken care of. It'll be a lot of fun." THey left the table, and Hitomi almost growled at him,

"You'd better not try to pull anything smart here."

"I've got no idea what you mean. That american slang of yours is so confusing."

"You know exactly what I mean."

"Be careful, Hitomi. There are a thousand ways I could ruin your little act here. Now, up we go!" Raito shoved her unexpectedly onto the stage, then turned to the man who ran the machine. She grabbed the mic hesitantly, and as soon as the music started and words came up on the screen, she vowed she would embarass Raito as badly as he was trying to do her. But for now, she supposed she would have to sing.

A/N: partial chapter, I know. and it's been a long time again. and i always have an excuse, but the computer has apparently decided that the file was corrupted and deleted the last like 10 or so pages i was preparing to post. so here's what i have, and as soon as the rest is retypes from the handwritten notebook, it shall join this.

translations: mrs nakamura- hitomi, we haven't seen you in a while, I was starting to worry about you! how are you? Is school going well? are you getting enough to eat?

hitomi- yes, yes, nakamura-san (mrs. nakamura)... tell nakamura-san (mr. nakamura) i said hello.

mrs. nakamura- of course

if i missed anything you don't get, just ask. and notice how i'm starting to work in the cute hehe