Chapter 24;Part 2

I wake up that morning to a hangover.

"What happened?", I ask Quart.

"You down three glasses of wine and almost confessed to having a Death Note.", he says.

"Ugh.", I say, litterly sliding off the bed. I walk to the bathroom and look in the mirror. I see myself with dark circles under my eyes. My hair color is starting to fade make to it's natural brown color.

I walk downstairs to see Matt and Mello sitting in the couches looking at the tv, probably playing a game. "Where's L?", I ask.

"He and Near went to the bakery and got some sweets." Mello tells me. I lay on the couch beside Matt and curl up into a ball.

"I feel terrible."

"You look terrible." Matt says.

I kick his arm so he drops the controller and falls off a road in Mario Kart.

"NOOOOOO!"

I laugh as Lawliet and Near walk through the door with bags of sweets and coffee. "Sweets for Mello and I and coffee for Neir, Matt and Ashley." Ryuzaki says, setting everything down. The boys sit their games down on pause and we walk over. Mello grabs a bunch of chocolate from a bag and sits back on the couch. Neir and Matt grab their coffee and sit in front of the TV. I stand beside Lawliet, drinking my coffee while he eats candy after candy.

"Are you okay?" he asks me. I nod, taking a sip of my coffee.

"You were pretty drunk last night." he says. I nod in agreement.

"When I was bringing you to your room, you were trying to seduce me using your slurred speach." he laughs.

"And is that good or bad?" I ask.

"A bit of both."

I smile at him and he smiles back.

He turns and presses his warm lips to mine. He kisses me softly.

"Get a room." Near mutters.

Mello and Matt bust out in laughter.

He pulls away about an inch or two and raises his eyebrow. "Do we make them go to another room?"

"Of course."

I laugh at his comment and side beside Near on the floor. I lay back and my phone rings. I dig it out my pocket and answer.

"Hey Ash!" my brothers voice says.

"Hey."

"Kayley and I wanted to know if you would want to go out with us. Just walk around and stuff."

"Sure! What time should I meet you?"

"Is the café in two hours fine?" he asks.

"Sure. It's just around the corner from where I'm currently at." I tell him.

"Bye."

"Who was that?", Matt asks.

"My brother and sister. I'm meeting them in a while.", I say.

He nods and I walk upstairs to get ready.

I put on my makeup and change into 'cute' dress with sandals then write in the death note for a few minutes in the bathroom. The cameras in the rooms have been removed by Watari after Light's death and Misa's exile.

"You're playing a dangerous game.", Quart says.

"I know. That's why I'm planning to quit this game."

He looks surprised.

"I can't countinue this.", I tell him. "I'll just hurt people and probably end up getting killed myself. The world is a dangerous place."

I go to add more but someone knocks on the door. I get up and shove the death note under my mattress and open the door.

"Hey.", I say to Matt.

He looks at me for a minute. "You're wearing a dress."

"And?"

"I've never seen you in a dress."

I roll my eyes and push him out the way while smiling and walk downstairs with him.

"I'll be back later.", I say to Ryuzaki who is standing by the couch. I peck his lips and walk out.

-----CAFÉ-----

"Ashley!", Kayley screams, running towards me and hugs me.

I sit there awkwardly as she hugs me.

"You're wearing a dress! Last time I saw you, you looked like a drug dealer in a sweatshirt and sweatpants."

"Shutup."

I pull myself out her hug and wave to Cameron. We order drinks and sit down.

"So, Ash, what has happened since the last time we came?", Cam asks me.

Well I thought my boyfriend and two of my old friends died, I almost got stabbed to death by a mass murderer who uses a notebook to kill and got drunk last night.

"Nothing really.", I reply.

"There has to be something. No achievement? No boyfriend?", he says.

"Well..."

"Ohmygosh! She has a boyfriend!", Kayley exclaims.

It fine to tell them about Ryuzaki. Just Ryuzaki. Not L.

I blush as Cameron stares at me, unsure of how he is taking this.

"What's his name? When did you meet? Have you kissed? Have you-", Kayley asks all in one.

"Shutup!", I say, stoping her. "His name is Ryuzaki. We were old friends and happened to meet up again and we just were happy."

She squeals and smiles.

"Can I punch her?", Quart asks.

Please do.

"How long have you and him been together.", Cameron asks.

If counting the time I thought he was dead, "Maybe about seven months."

He almost spits out his drink. "Seven?"

"Yes."

"Jesus Ash.", he says. "That was before we visited the first time!"

I nod. The rest if the day goes by in a blur of shopping and questions.

-----WEEKS LATER-----

Today is the day I'll give up my Death Note. I ripped a piece off and slid it between my braclet and arm to keep the memories.

"Guys, I need to talk to you guys. Can you meet me on the roof in a few minutes?" , I ask Matt, Mello, Near and Lawliet.

"Sure.", they all say.

I go up to my room and put my Death Note in my bag and run to the top of the roof before they get up there.

"Goodbye, Quart.", I say. "It's been fun."

"I agree.", he says. "I'll miss you. You were one of the only humans I've met that haven't died from thinking too much of themselves."

I smile as a tear runs down my cheek.

They all walk out on the roof.

"What did you call us up here for?", Mello asks.

I turn away. "Please don't hate me...", I say worried.

I can feel thier confused looks on me. I take the Death Note out my bag, making sure they don't see.

"Close your eyes."

"Why?", Near asks.

"Just please. Close them." and they do. I walk around and press the Death Note to thier skin. My breathing starts coming out in small hiccups. I walk back i front of them and stand beside Quart. "Open."

They all open their eyes and have a horrified look on their face.

"Ashley...", Lawliet says.

"You have a Death Note.", Mello quietly says.

"That's Kira's murder weapon." , Near says.

"That's a shinigami.", Matt whispers to himself.

My heart is beating out my chest as I start crying. "I was Fire. I used to work with Kira at the beginning. Light became an asshole so I quit and became my own. I never wrote in it alot after that. I have the eyes also. This is my shinigami, Quart."

"Ashley.", Lawliet says, slightly angry.

I turn to Quart. "I, Ashley James, forfeit ownership of this Death Note back to its original owner." I hand the notebook to him.

"It's been interesting. See you in nothingness.", he flies off with the Death Note.

I fall to the ground and I cry.

"Ashley. Fire. You've never told me or anyone.", Ryuzaki says.

My breathing is coming out in hiccups and my shirt is dampening with tears. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I wanted to but I couldn't bring myself to do. It was hard! I'm sorry! I always knew I would have to!", I say bursting out in sobs.

"How could you?"

"I'm sorry!", I yell, looking at him. Above his head I still see his lifespan.

What? But the eyes, they should be gone.

I stand up shaking and try to slow my breathing.

I can see the mixed emotions on all their faces.

"I'm sorry."

I turn and start walking slowly to the edge of the building. I deserve to die. Near grabs ahold of me at the last moment and pulls me back.

They all look at each other. "We'll discuss it later."

They bring me to my room and talk outside of my door.

"She can't be trusted!"

"...watch her."

"No!"

"She has to die!"

"...Fire."

"Kira..."

The talking stops. I lay down on my bed, frustrated.

I really wish Quart was here.

-----NEXT DAY-----

My door slowly opens and I close my eyes, hearing Matt and Near quietly talking. Matt carefully sits beside me on my bed and Near sits on the edge. I sit up, waiting to be taken away to my death but that doesn't happen.

"Happy Birthday."

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fact #23: i have to admit, i got slightly emotional writing this chapter