Death Note: Moral Compass

Part 2: Love Stricken

Ryuk suddenly found something else of interest and plucked off a high book shelf. He brought it down in forefinger and thumb, it was a small ring box.

Light gasped shocked. He immediately snatched it away from the Shinigami, even going to far as to jump to grab it. He had actually forgotten it was up there. "Do you mind?" he said, a little too loud for comfort at this time of the night. "There are things I wish to remain private!"

"I've seen those things from the Shinigami Realm, your species give things like that to a significant other," Ryuk said, a smile broaching his face. "Are you in a relationship?"

Light frowned. "I warn you to stop touching my things," he said.

"You warn me, human? I can kill you any time I please," Ryuk threatened. "I'm merely curious, that's all. Who is it for?" Ryuk said. He pointed at the ring box with a gloved, taloned finger.

Light momentarily took in the Shinigami's lengthily fingered hand and the talons that could, if Ryuk wanted to, slice him to pieces like some nightmarish creature from one's dreams. He swallowed, and said calmly, "It's a ring." Light opened the box and inside was a gold ring with a 24k diamond. "It was actually a lost item that was handed in to my father's precinct. Being Chief of the National Police Agency, he has the authority to accept items not claimed after a certain amount of time."

"Looks pretty fancy," Ryuk said. "Why do you have it? Did you plan on giving it to someone?"

Light shut the ring box with a loud thump! "It's a private matter," he said irked with the thought. He hated to be reminded of it. "It no longer matters. She's gone now."

"Gone? Left you? Did you do something stupid to make her leave you?"

Light clenched a fist at his side, his nails dug into his palm. The pain was actually soothing to his troubled soul. Every time he thought about it his heart ached and he got upset.

"Her name was Dana and she left me without even a letter why," he said. "It's been some years now. I loved Dana, she was my first love. My father was shocked that I wanted this to give to Dana—later in years, of course. I was too young to understand what I was feeling, but we'd been dating for two years, and she was very special to me. It hurts me still. Thanks to Demmy, I got through it—somewhat."

Ryuk cocked his neck. "Ah, human children grown up so fast these days," Ryuk said with a chuckle. "But you still have feelings for this girl, I gather."

Light didn't respond to that. Did he still have feelings for her? He was more angry then regretful. He wanted to know why she left him and where she went. Instead he said, "We'd been friends for as long as Demmy and I have," he said. He put the ring box on his desk next to the picture of himself and Demmy, and switched off the lamp. "Now, if you don't mind, I need to get some sleep."

"Avoiding the question, I see," Ryuk said, with a low chuckle.

Light went back to bed and got under the covers, but laid on his back.

Ryuk lumbered over. "I thought you said you weren't tired? Tell me more about your family, friends, and anything else I might find interesting? I'm not tired."

Light faked a yawn, hoping the Shinigami would get the hint. "Why? So you can use it at the later date against me in some blackmail scheme? Besides, you already know my family."

"Yeah, I do—their names," Ryuk said, "but not who they are. Your mother is a homemaker, your father a police man, and your younger sister is in school like you." Ryuk then quickly looked around. "And where is that foolish cat of yours? The one you said you brought home one day abandoned in the street?"