A/N: I have not finished the anime yet, so I have no idea whether or not this concept is explored in the show, so if it is I didn't mean to steal it. I just couldn't resist the idea.

Light entered his house, having left school about twenty minutes ago. His mother appeared in the hallway instantly, always showing up without fail to greet her son - seeing Light and his excellent grades and his many friends always made her feel like she'd accomplished something good in the world. He'd be a hard-working and honest policeman one day, just like his father, which she told to anyone who'd listen.

"How was school, dear?" Oh, so kind, so ignorant.

Light answered with a brief, "Fine," and started to work his way upstairs.

"Don't forget your apples!" She handed him the basket. "I don't know how you manage to eat so many every day - you never used to like them this much. Anyway, the market was out of the normal kind, so I had to buy green apples. You don't mind, do you?"

"Of course not." He took them upstairs, and let out a sigh. Sometimes his mother could just droll on and on.

He walked into his room and set the basket on his desk. Ryuk had been waiting eagerly in his room for the delivery. While Light settled into his chair and turned on his PC, he approached the apples with a grin on his face. When he peered down into the basket, about to eat one, he recoiled.

"What kind of idiot do you think I am? Are you trying to make a point? I am FINE!" He stared at Light with a hurt expression on his face. The young wannabe god had never seen him act like this.

"What are you talking about?"

Ryuk groaned. "Of course, you wouldn't know, would you?"

"Know what?"

"Green apples are like the equivalent of nicotine-free cigarettes! No self-respecting shinigami would be seen eating these!"

Light turned back to his computer. "I have work to do. You can hold off on eating apples for a day."

"But the withdrawal symptoms, remember! UGH!"

"It won't kill you to eat it."

"I bet you wish it would, don't you? You're missing the point."

Light looked at Ryuk for a long time without speaking. Finally, he said "I suppose I am. Too bad, though, I might've been able to hook you up with some regular apples otherwise. But no, I don't understand, so there's no way I can help you. My sincerest apologies."

"You despicable little boy."