A seven year old Light aimed his gun at Lawliet's head. It felt light in his hands; the bullets were scattered around his feet. Lawliet raised his hands, a playful grin dashed across his face. He had promised the Yagami's that he would watch Light until they got back from a night of dancing. Light adored spending alone time with Lawliet because he agreed to play whatever Light wanted and he always had fun ideas. Today, Light was a rebel from the North, who came down to escape the warrant on his head. Lawliet, the sheriff of the town, found out who Light was and planned to kill him. Lawliet had lost this round; intentionally, of course.

"Bam!" Light cried, his voice failing to echo the harsh sound of a firing gun.

"Oh, you got me," Lawliet clutched his heart dramatically and fell on his knees.

Light cackled, triumphantly puffing his chest out. "I win!"

Lawliet stood up and dusted the dirt off his knees. For some reason, Light always wanted to play the bad guy. When Lawliet asked him why once, Light shrugged and claimed it was funner. Lawliet tried not to let the statement bother him, but he's spent hours wondering how he would convince Light being a good person was fun, as well.

"I lost one of the bullets," Light's eyes suddenly glistened in fright. "My paw's gonna kill me if he knows I touched his gun."

The open barrel in Light's hand was full, except one slot. Lawliet comforted him and promised they would find it. They began to search around the area. Lawliet glanced carefully behind rocks, hoping there would be no snakes underneath it. Suddenly, Light cried out.

"Light?" Lawliet ran to the boy, who was sitting on the ground, clutching his ankle. A snake hissed and slithered away. Light had been bit.

"It hurts," he sobbed.

"Don't worry, it'll be aw'right," Lawliet promised, rolling Light's pant leg up to get a better look. Two puncture marks were surrounded by swollen, red skin. "Light, I think that was a venomous snake. I'm gonna have to suck the poison out, and we'll bring you to my ranch so my dad can fix it up for you."

Light whimpered as Lawliet brought his lips to the wound. When Lawliet made contact, Light snatched his ankle back, staring intently at the ground. Lawliet didn't argue, but just firmly held his ankle and began to suck on the wound. The mixture of blood and venom was nauseating, but Lawliet knew he couldn't stop. When he figured he'd gotten most of it, he spit at the floor and wiped his mouth.

"Let's go, Light. You'll be okay, I promise."

And Light was; Lawliet was always right.

What the fuck have I gotten myself into?

I stared out at the horizon in front of me. The sun was still rising. I decided to use it as a compass so as not to get lost. If I needed to go back, I would just head west. For now, though, the East was summoning me, and I had no choice but to listen. I was on a vast sea of sand, heading for an island that I wasn't sure existed. I began to wish I'd planned this better.

My jaw ached from Higuchi's blow. I stopped my stallion and slid off. Lightly I touched where he had punched me; a surge of pain leaked through my body. I whimpered, wondering if it was broken or just unhinged. I was laughing before, so that was a good sign. But, it was locked out of place now. I closed my eyes, dreading what I had to do next. Carefully, I clutched my chin and took a deep breath.

I hesitated, unsure if this was the proper thing to do for a popped jaw. What I needed was medical help. I turned to face the West, suddenly yearning to go back to town. But, I know what awaited me; an angry Higuchi and a too passionate Misa.

Misa. I had idiotically slept with her, giving her something that she would hold dear forever. She said she loved me, but she didn't know what love was. Hell, she didn't know my last name. She was just infatuated and let her feelings take her on some fantastical journey that had no destination. If she really loved me, she wouldn't have thrown herself at me so easily. It would've been paced and passionate; to make sure it was the right choice. But, I was intoxicated and she'd taken advantage of that. If I didn't feel so indifferent about the matter, I would say I was raped.

No, maybe raped is too harsh of a word. Used. I didn't feel used, but I was. Misa had looked at me with those longing, needy eyes, portraying me as the hero in her imagination, but I wasn't her hero. I don't even like the girl. But, we fucked and that was it.

I've heard rumors that sex leads to consequences, but this wasn't what I imagined; bare chested, in the middle of the desert, running from a mad man.

I stared down at my bare torso. It was red from the sun exposure, and I'd only been riding for two hours. At least I had my hat and pants.

I snapped my jaw back into place, yelping. The sound of the crack was almost as painful as the adjustment. I massaged my jaw, trying to ignore the unbearable pain. Sex with Misa had been beneficial in one way; I distracted myself so I wouldn't be hesitant. But my jaw was killing me.

The horse whined, uneasy from standing in the hot sun. I climbed back on top of him and with one click of my boot, the horse sped off. It glided across the packed sand, taking me on a quest to find something.

Someone.

Lawliet's face flashed across my mind. His hard, black eyes and thin, chapped lips. The way his arms seemed to run on forever. His hunched over appearance. That smile that would only come if he were either plastered or in a particularly good mood. The way he said my name...

"Light?"

"Yeah, Lawli?"

"When we get outta here, we should be blacksmiths."

"But yesterday you said we should be sheriffs."

"I know. That was yesterday."

Indecisive, unpredictable Lawliet. His logic always guided him, but I could never tell where to. He always called me impulsive, but his mannerisms were meticulously difficult. Every time he ate, he would discover a new way to play with his food. It took him about fifty tries to find a comfortable seating position. He lacked any type of passion, and his emotions were rarely displayed. Yet, I never knew what he would say next.

An overwhelming urge to sleep started. I could tell it was from the heat, but I couldn't stop until I found someplace to rest. Maybe I would sleep out in the middle of the desert, like Lawli and I always wished we could do. But, I didn't want to, not if he wasn't here. Besides, how far could the next town be?

The horse was exhausted. He swayed as he trudged across the desert. The sun was almost setting behind us, casting a long shadow. We followed it, unsure where it would lead. My lips were so dry; I was parched. The heat had made me perspire until I was sure all the water in my body was gone. I slumped over the horses neck, wishing he would go faster. My body to be hydrated and fed, but there was nothing I could do. I would die because I had sex with Misa, because I drank with Higuchi, because I agreed to go with my fucking father.

They were all mistakes mistakes, which traced back to my original one; abandoning Lawliet.

"I'm sorry, Lawli," I muttered into the horse's rough mane.

Suddenly I caught a glimpse of something ahead. In the soft twilight, I couldn't tell what it was, but it looked like a town. I clicked my spur into the horses side a few times, but he was stubborn. Finally, I hit him as hard as I could and he began to gallop. As we got closer, I could definitely make out a few buildings. Finally, I could eat and rest. My tongue was sand in my mouth, I was so parched. My lips cracked as I smiled. Even the dingy town felt welcoming.

I stopped my horse in front of the saloon and attached it's reigns to the post. It was the only building that's lights were on. Laughter and voices shouted over each other from inside. I climbed up the steps and pushed through the doors. Suddenly, the men were silenced; each of them stared at me. Apparently, this town wasn't big on strangers.

I didn't say anything and just headed for the bar. Every part of me was exhausted. All I wanted was a bit of water and a place to sleep. Thankfully, I some money buried deep in my pocket. Enough for food and a room, at least.

"Can I help you?" someone called across the silent room. I didn't want to turn; I couldn't fathom dealing with anyone at that moment. Foot steps started to approach me, and I suddenly wished I had headed West.

"He's talking to you," the bartender sneered.

I finally turned, only to face a revolver aimed for my head.

What the fuck have I gotten myself into?