Disclaimer: We own nothing of Death Note...unfortunately (I want L).

A/N: This is so exciting! Our first Death Note fic! For those who don't know, LoonyDooney is a partnership kinda thing. We've written 9 stories together already and now this one! Seriously, Death Note has been one of my fave obsessions so far! Anyway...even rambling.

This story has lots of spoilers from the show so you should probably be careful if you haven't already finished it. We hope you guys like it since we put a lot of work in it! Please review!

Chapter 1: Stereotypes

Miya doodled in her notebook as she sat quietly in her desk. She was a little early and had nothing to do until class started. Finally as class time neared, students began to file into the classroom. Everyone was chatting casually with each other, and Miya couldn't help but eavesdrop on their conversations as she completed her masterpiece of squiggly lines. They seemed to revolve around the two new freshmen, Light Yagami and Hideki Ryuga and how amazing they were. Miya had never actually met them but she had seen them around campus a few times.

Light Yagami was extremely handsome, with light brown hair and brown eyes to match. He was tall, athletic-looking, and obviously a genius to be able to get a perfect score on the exam. He was very popular around the school, and Miya always saw him with a different girl.

Hideki Ryuga seemed like the complete opposite of Light. Contrary to what his name made you think of, he was nowhere near as handsome as the actual actor, Hideki Ryuga. He had raven hair and onyx eyes that were emphasized by the dark circles under them. It looked like he had never slept a day in his life, though his hair gave off that just rolled out of bed feeling. His fashion sense wasn't any better. He was always wearing a plain white shirt and jeans, and his feet were crammed in old sneakers without any socks. Apparently he was a genius, seeing as he also got the highest score on the exam. However that seemed to be the only thing he and Light shared.

Before Miya even realized it, the class had begun. Health Concepts was a required class at the university and since Miya had just transferred there for her sophomore year, she hadn't taken it as a freshman. She looked around at her other classmates and saw that Hideki and Light were in the class as well, sitting next to each other.

'They must be friends,' Miya thought to herself, though the idea of that seemed strange.

Miya turned back to the front of the class to see the professor writing several random and unrelated words on the board. The words Loner, Jock, Popular, Friendly, and Nerd were visible as the professor turned to face the class.

"You see these words?" the professor asked. "These are some broad terms that can be used to describe people in this classroom. Let's see," the professor began looking around the classroom until his eyes landed on Miya, "Miss Yamaguchi, using one of the words up here, please describe Mr. Ryuga."

Miya looked up quickly from her desk at the sound of her name and immediately blushed. She was supposed to describe Ryuga? She didn't even know him! She glanced across the room and met the gaze of Hideki. He had a blank look on his face and for some reason Miya felt even more embarrassed.

"Well, Miss Yamaguchi?" the professor pressed.

"I've never spoken to Hideki Ryuga before," Miya explained. "I wouldn't know which group to place him in."

"Regardless, when you see him, what do you think?" The professor was persistent, and Miya was feeling cornered.

Miya glanced at the board again and tried to decide. Without looking anyone in the eye, she sighed. "Loner, I guess."

There was scattered laughter in the classroom and Miya couldn't bring herself to look at Ryuga. She felt so embarrassed.

"That was tough," the professor chuckled. Miya would have glared if her eyes weren't glued to the desk. "That would be an example of a stereotype," he continued as he turned away from her toward the other students. "People tend to have a preconceived idea of what a person is like before they have even met them. Therefore, today we are going to work on our social wellness. Half of the room is going to pull a name out of this hat and in it will be a name of one of your classmates from the other half of the room. You will have a list of things to do together. You're free to wander around campus, but you are to stay on campus. Let's see what you can learn about your partner." He then walked over to the side of the room, where Miya was. She reached her hand in the hat and pulled it out.

"Who'd you get?" The professor seemed to really enjoy picking on her today.

"…Hideki Ryuga…"

The professor chuckled again. "Karma sure knows how to bite you in the ass, huh?"

Miya walked awkwardly beside Hideki as they made their way outside. He was slouched over, making him a head shorter than he should have been. He hadn't said anything to her since they'd started and it just made her feel more uncomfortable.

"Listen, I'm sorry about the loner comment," Miya tried apologizing. "I really didn't mean to embarrass you."

"You didn't embarrass me," he replied curtly, not even bothering to glance at her.

She gave him a strange look. "Really?"

"I assure you, Miss Yamaguchi, that I did not take offense to your comment." He then faced her for the first time since they'd walked outside. "Now, what is our first task?"

Miya looked down at the paper that was in her hand. "Tell your partner something that he/she doesn't know about you," she read aloud. "Hmm…"

"What is it?" Ryuga asked curiously, his gaze now focused on her.

"Shouldn't the professor put into consideration that Kira is at large and spilling secrets to strangers could be dangerous? I mean Kira could be anyone and we're just going to tell our life stories?"

"Good point Miss Yamaguchi," Ryuga said. "But actually, Kira only needs a name and a face to kill."

Miya half-smiled. "That's not very reassuring. It's not that hard to get a name."

"Kira also goes after criminals. Unless you're a big-time criminal, I'm sure you have nothing to worry about." Miya couldn't help but feel awkward as he spoke to her. He'd spent the first half of their walk avoiding her gaze, and now he wouldn't look away. He didn't even seem to blink.

Miya shrugged and tried to focus on their conversation instead. "Well there's nothing wrong with being cautious, right?" When Ryuga didn't reply, she proceeded in answering the question. "Ok well, I'm adopted. I don't know my real parents but my adoptive dad is Japanese while my mom is American. Your turn."

"I like sweets. They're very helpful for the brain and help with deductive skills," Ryuga replied easily. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and continued to walk slowly. Miya followed, relieved to be out of the spotlight of his stare.

"Wow, I didn't know that. That's really interesting. What's your favorite sweet?"

"Strawberries are the best."

Miya brightened. "I love strawberries! Who knew we'd have something in common?"

"That was the objective of the assignment I suppose," Ryuga said. Miya nodded before continuing.

"Ok, next question. We're supposed to talk about current events. Can we get any more current than Kira?"

"Yes," Ryuga agreed. "I have been wondering what your opinion on the matter is." Miya wasn't sure why that was, but they were getting along so she decided to answer.

"Well, to be honest, the thought of killing awful criminals sounds good because the world could do without them, but to have some random person decide who deserves to die or not is extremely creepy. What if Kira suddenly gets bored and decides to kill innocent people? I think Kira needs to be stopped at all costs." Miya couldn't help but feel that she was sounding a little lame, but Ryuga didn't seem to mind.

"I agree," he told her. "That was nicely put by the way. Very enthusiastic."

"Thank you," Miya smiled, choosing to take that as a compliment. "And you know, I think that detective L is going to be the one to bring him down."

"Is that so?" Ryuga asked curiously.

Miya nodded. "I've heard a lot of people talking about him, saying how he's an idiot and stuff, but I don't believe that. I think he's our only hope." Miya was feeling lame again and couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking of her 'go justice!' opinions.

"I'm sure L would appreciate that sentiment,' Ryuga said after a pause. "What's next on the list?"

"Where do you think you'll be in five years?" Miya read, thankful to be moving on from the Kira discussion as the two made their way towards a bench. As Miya went to sit down, she couldn't help but notice the unusual way Ryuga sat. His legs were brought up to his chest and he placed his hands on his knees. Miya thought he resembled a gargoyle and was suddenly picturing him perched on the edge of a castle.

"Is something wrong?" Ryuga asked, observing her hesitance.

"Nothing…it's just that, um…that's an unusual way to sit. Are you comfortable?"

"This has nothing to do with comfort. If I were to sit normally, my deductive ability would drop forty percent."

Something suddenly clicked in Miya's mind, distracting her from his strange answer. "Deductive ability, huh? That's the second time you've said that. Do you want to be a detective or something?"

"Very perceptive of you," Ryuga observed, putting his thumb to his lip in thought. "Why yes. I would like to be the world's greatest detective and be the one to bring Kira down."

"What a coincidence," Miya smiled. "Seems like we have something else in common, Mr. Ryuga." Miya had always had an interest in being a detective, though she wasn't sure she was reaching for something as ambitious as bringing Kira down. Either way, their conversation had turned out to be much more interesting than she'd imagined it would.

The assignment didn't last much longer, as Ryuga and Miya had gone through everything relatively fast. The whole point of the project was to get to know someone that you wouldn't normally hang out with and to see that they probably weren't what you would expect. That was definitely true with Ryuga, and while Miya felt like she did get to know him a little better, he still seemed like a complete mystery to her. For some reason, she had the feeling that Hideki did that on purpose.

What could he be hiding?

As she walked across campus, she saw a large group of students surrounding the tennis courts. She was planning on ignoring whatever spectacle everyone was staring at but curiosity got the best of her. She made her way over to see what everyone was gawking at and was extremely surprised to see Light Yagami and Hideki Ryuga playing an intense game of tennis. What was even more surprising was that they were tied.

Miya almost dropped her jaw in shock. She could see Light being an amazing athlete…but Ryuga? That was definitely a surprise. They both seemed to be playing effortlessly and the crowd was getting more excited. Miya felt her own interest growing as she inched toward the fence to get a better view.

After a moment, however, Miya glanced down at her watch and was disappointed. She really wanted to see the outcome of this match but she would be late if she didn't leave now. She grudgingly walked away, but not before giving Ryuga one last look. She still couldn't believe he was actually playing tennis that well. He glanced at her for a second and then continued playing the game.

Miya was relieved as she pulled up in front of the day care center. Phew, she'd made it on time! If she was late again, she was sure they would slap a monster late fee on her, and that was something she really didn't want to worry about.

"Hi mommy!" A little boy around three years old giggled as he ran up to Miya excitedly, holding onto a stuffed panda. He had light brown hair and vibrant green eyes.

"Hey sweetie," Miya said with a smile. "Ready to go home?"

The little boy nodded and lifted his hand, indicating for Miya to grab hold of it. She held his small hand in hers as they began their trek home.

Noah Yamaguchi was the whole reason Miya was even alive, or at least that's what it felt like to her. She had never loved anyone as much as she loved her son. She was very young when she had him, only being fifteen, and even though she was sure her life would be easier if she wasn't a teenage mom, she wouldn't have it any other way.

Noah's father had been Miya's boyfriend for three years. She really loved him and would have done anything for him, and she'd thought he'd felt the same. As soon as he found out she was pregnant however, he left her without hesitance.

Luckily, Miya's parents had been there for her. Though they couldn't hide their disappointment, they'd allowed her to stay living with them until she was able to fully support herself and Noah. In fact, they'd insisted. Miya couldn't help but feel extremely lucky, especially since she was still living with them. She was trying her hardest to save up for a place of her own, but paying for school and day care took all the money she could earn from her waitressing job. Her mother had offered to watch Noah while Miya was away, but she'd refused. How could she ask her parents to be her personal day care center after everything else they'd done for her? No that was out of the question. It was bad enough that they had to watch him some nights while she was at work! She'd just have to make due with what she could.

"How was your day sweetie?" Miya asked the small boy as they walked hand in hand.

"Good!" Noah answered happily. "We had gam crackas for snack!" Miya chuckled as Noah continued. "How was yo' day mommy?"

"Good," Miya answered with a smile. That wasn't exactly true, as her day could be more described as strange, but Noah didn't need to know all that. But yes…her day was strange indeed.

Miya was leaning on the podium at the front of the restaurant, waiting for customers to walk in. She had eaten dinner at her house and then gotten ready for the evening shift at work, which sadly looked like it was going to turn into a night shift as well, seeing as they were short staffed today. That was why Miya had the fabulous job of not only waitressing, but also hosting.

Her interest suddenly peaked, however, as she saw Hideki Ryuga and Light Yagami approaching the restaurant. Did they really hang out together? Apparently so, as Light opened the door and headed into the restaurant, followed by Ryuga.

"Miss Yamaguchi," Ryuga said politely with a head nod when he saw her, though he couldn't help but be surprised. Light barely acknowledged her as she grabbed two menus.

"Right this way," she said awkwardly, turning away from them and leading them toward a table.

"You know her?" Miya heard Light ask.

"From class," Ryuga answered simply as they reached the table. Miya began to set their tables down when she heard Light speak.

"Excuse me but could you possibly find us a table in the back?" Miya paused for a moment, realizing he was speaking to her.

"Um, sure no problem," she said with a nod, picking the menus up off the table and heading toward the part of the restaurant where virtually no one ever sat. Why they would need to sit back there was a mystery to her.

"This better?" she asked when they reached the booth. Light nodded.

"Yes thank you," he said, sitting down. Ryuga slid into the seat across from him and instantly pulled his knees up to his chest.

"This coffee shop is one of my favorites in the area," Light said casually as Miya placed the menu in front of him. "And if we sit here there's no chance of anyone overhearing us." Miya was trying to act casual, but that was a suspicious statement. Why would it matter if someone overheard them?

"Thanks for showing me this place," Ryuga replied as Miya handed him his menu. "I can see why you like it." Miya was certain he was just being polite, as he had barely looked at the restaurant since they'd arrived. Other than acknowledging her existence, Ryuga's focus had been on Light one hundred percent. He was practically staring, just like earlier when they'd done their project.

Miya proceeded to pull out her notepad as Light proceeded to speak. "Not to mention we're so out of the way here no one is going to give you a hard time about the way you sit." Miya had to hold back a laugh, and wound up snorting. She instantly tried to cover it with a not so convincing cough, and Light glanced up at her curiously.

"Excuse me," she said, patting her throat as a final scene to her act. Light shrugged and turned away from her, and Ryuga continued as if nothing happed.

"I don't sit like this because I want to. I have to sit like this. You see if I were to sit normally my deductive skills would be reduced by roughly forty percent. So, what was it you wanted to ask me?"

"Um…what can I get you to drink?" Miya said slowly. She didn't want to interrupt their conversation, but neither of them was paying attention to her and she wasn't going to stand there all day.

"Tea please," Light said quickly, glancing up at her for a moment before looking back at Ryuga. Miya scribbled it down quickly and looked to the dark haired man to her right.

"I'll have a coffee. And please bring extra sugar cubes to the table." He didn't even break his gaze from Light as he said this, or as she scribbled it down. Why did he stare at people all the time? It was really starting to bother Miya, and she had the sudden urge to clap right in front of his face to see if he would blink. He probably wouldn't.

"Okay, be back in a flash," Miya said before walking away. She was almost to the kitchen when she heard Light speak again. He was speaking so low she could barely hear him, but what he said definitely caught her interest.

"Right, I'm sure that can wait until you're convinced that I'm not Kira. But please let's talk about whatever you want to." Miya froze for a moment before realizing she probably looked stupid. Did he just say Kira? And why would Ryuga suspect Light Yagami of something like that? She continued her walking in confusion.

"You're under no obligation to do this, but would you mind submitting yourself to a test of your deductive reasoning skills?" Miya furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. She wasn't sure what kind of conversation they were having, but it sure was a weird one. She rushed to get their drinks, anxious to get back out there and eavesdrop. She burst through the kitchen door, much to the confusion of her co workers in the kitchen, and then slowed to a normal paced walk, the tray of drinks in her hands.

"Very interesting…" she heard Light say as she reached the table. He had cards spread out in front of him, and he appeared to be thinking about them deeply. Ryuga was staring him down, unblinking, apparently awaiting his reaction.

"Here are your drinks," Miya said, placing the tea in front of Light and the coffee in front of Ryuga, followed by a bowl full of sugar cubes.

"Thank you," Ryuga said quickly. He seemed reluctant to look away from Light as he reached for the sugar cubes and dropped the whole bowl into his coffee. Miya stared at him in awe, as there must have been about fifteen sugar cubes in that bowl.

"Wow you really do like sweets," she commented. When he didn't answer, she sighed and turned away from the table, heading back for the kitchen.

"It'd be quite amazing to learn that not only could Kira kill others, but could also control his victims actions." Miya heard Light say. She was instantly overwhelmed with curiosity again, and looked around for a spot to hide. She settled for standing just around the corner, in a spot where they couldn't see her but she could still hear. Part of her was saying that she really shouldn't be doing this, but she quickly told that part to shut up as she settled in to listen.

"I think Kira wrote these and it seems he's encoded a message for you as well. Almost as if he's mocking you. If you line these notes up side by side, and take a look at the first letter of every line it reveals a message. Rearranging it like this…gives you…L do you know Gods of Death love apples. But there are obvious print numbers on the back of all these photographs. Arrange it in that order we get…L do you know love apples Gods of Death. That doesn't sound right and based on that it's hard to believe Kira would have wanted you to read it this way." L? Gods of Death? And why would Kira be sending messages to Ryuga?

"That's incorrect," she heard Ryuga reply. "The truth is there are actually four photographs. When we add this one it reads…L, do you know gods of death who love apples have red hands?"

'This must be part of the deductive test Ryuga was talking about giving Light,' Miya thought to herself as the two continued on with their conversation. Her head was spinning now, though it really wasn't any of her business. It just seemed like a strange conversation for Light Yagami, one of the most popular boys in school, to be having with Hideki Ryuga

"Um, Miya, what are you doing?" a co worker said as she approached. She had long blonde hair and dark brown eyes, and was looking at Miya with confusion.

"Oh…um nothing just…"

"They need you in the kitchen. Table four's order is ready." Miya sighed and reluctantly stepped away from the wall and the conversation to serve the customers. It took her much longer than she'd hoped, and when she was finally back in her hiding spot, she hoped the conversation was still going. Luckily for her, Light was in the middle of a long speech.

"…But I know that I am not Kira," he was saying, "and I certainly don't want to be killed by him. Besides what proof have you been able to give me that you yourself aren't Kira? I mean it hardly seems fair for just one of us to be investigated wouldn't you say? At this point, neither of us can prove that we're not Kira. However if you are in fact L, I can't imagine it would be that hard for you to prove it to me. I think I'd be convinced if say, my father or someone else from the task force headquarters was able to confirm your identity. If you can't do that then I'm afraid I just won't be able to help you." Miya was amazed by how much Light Yagami could talk, and she was also amazed by what she was hearing. Why was Light defending himself against being Kira? And why was Ryuga suspecting him of it in the first place? Could he be L like Light was suggesting?

"I don't remember saying you couldn't meet anyone from task force headquarters to verify my identity. I am currently working alongside your father, as well as several other detectives from the NPA. Now if I understand you correctly and I take you to task force headquarters, you'll help us with the investigation. Am I safe in making this assumption?" Miya was completely thrown. Hideki Ryuga was working with the NPA. Maybe he was L. No, it was just too crazy. It was then that Ryuga's phone rang, and Miya took this opportunity to check on their table.

"Can I get you anything else?" she said politely. Light's phone had rung too, and so naturally no one answered her. It seemed she had walked in on something very serious, however, as both of their faces turned grave.

"Light it's your…" Ryuga said quickly.

"….my father," Light finished. "He had a heart attack." Both of them then instantly jumped up from the table and ran for the exit of the restaurant, leaving Miya standing there staring after them.

"Um…your bill…" she said, more to herself, as she knew they wouldn't hear her. Great, her boss was gonna kill her for that. She decided to simply not mention it, and maybe no one would notice that customers had left without paying. Miya sighed and picked up their cups, feeling very confused. Could Light be Kira? And could Ryuga be L? No, it was too insane. It was just too impossible. But for some reason, Miya couldn't get it out of her mind as she continued to the kitchen.