#11 Promise

Misa's tears fell like raindrops onto the pillow.

Already she missed Light. And it was stupid because he was still there, but now he was dragging that stupid detective around by the wrist, he wouldn't be able to hold her or kiss her or anything she so wanted him to.

And it didn't matter how many childish insults she laid on Ryuzaki, because he genuinely couldn't care less that her heart was breaking every moment she was apart from Light.

"Misa?"

She looked up from her tearstained pillow, mascara in trails down her cheeks, eyes as big and blue as the ocean.

There was Light at the door, behind him L was hovering uncomfortably.

Light smiled and opened his arms a little way.

Misa leapt to her feet and ran to him, knocking the boy slightly off-balance as she dove into the hug, nuzzling her face to the fresh scent of his shirt and feeling more at home there than anywhere else.

"Light..." She whimpered.

His hand cupped her cheek, tilting her face towards him, the handcuff brushed her neck slightly.

"Come on now, crying never solved anything." He whispered, his lips brushing her forehead. "I promise you, Misa, I will catch Kira and clear my name. Then we can be together."

Misa felt her heart flutter in her chest, and believed every word.

~*~*~

She watched in slight terror as his caramel eyes darkened. Had they always had that reddish tint?

Had he always looked so merciless or was it the influence of the creature? Was Ryuk's presence somehow changing Light?

Light smiled and hissed without moving his lips, "Long time no see, Ryuk."

Misa gulped. Then mumbled softly, "Light… I made the trade again."

She'd never seen Light look surprised like that before. His eyes widened. Then a soft and gently and loving smile spread across his face, and slowly he curled his arms around her shoulders, pulling her to his chest.

"You idiot." He purred into her ear, but he spoke affectionately. "You beautiful, wonderful idiot."

She nuzzled his shoulder. "I'd do anything for you, Light… My life isn't worth anything without you."

"Misa… for what you have done…" he whispered in her ear, making her shudder slightly at the sensation, "I promise that before your lifetime runs out, you will see our perfect world."

Behind them, Ryuk laughed.

~*~*~

She knelt on the carpet, mopping up the spilt drink with a towel. It soaked into the knees of her jeans as well. Her manicure was ruined.

She saw the tears hit the carpet before she felt them running down her face. She stayed there for a while, watching the droplets merge with the drink.

She'd only wanted to make him smile… he seemed so angry… he always used to like when she did things like that, when they first moved in together. He used to like her making him drinks or massaging his shoulders. He said it was comforting to know he could always come home to one of her home-cooked meals and a hot bath.

Now he just snapped at her all the time…

Maybe he didn't love her anymore. Now she'd grown up a little more, she wasn't so gothic and cute…

"Misa."

Her head jolted up and quickly she scrubbed at her face, trying to hide the redness.

Light sighed from his spot in the doorway. "… It wasn't your fault."

Misa shrugged, her blonde hair bounced on her shoulders. "I was bothering you."

She felt him clasp her to his chest, and she closed her eyes, that feeling of total bliss overriding all other senses.

"No, I just took it out on you, I shouldn't have."

She nuzzled closer to him, breathing in the scent of his cologne. "Mmm… promise me we'll always be together."

"I promise."

~*~*~

The wind whipped at her dress and her hair, threatening to throw her over the edge too soon. She gripped the railing tighter, and tried to breathe enough of the thin air to get her words out.

"You promised… you promised." She whispered to the clouds. As though they might break open with all the answers she so desperately sought.

But they did not.

She closed her eyes, and let go.