7:33 a.m.

Matt woke up on the couch the next morning stiff. ‘No wonder.’ He thought as he dropped his lower half off the sofa. He’d fallen asleep playing one of his many game systems. He had trouble sleeping lately. So he would take refuge in his alter world when dreams haunted his mind preventing his once sound slumber.

“Near what are you doing out here?” He yawned pacing toward the television.

The hunched figure looked at him with mild interest. “I was thinking.” He said “Is it alright if I think in the outer parts of the home sometimes?”

Matt smiled and ruffled the snowy white hair. Near smirked when the older boy left continuing his card castle.

“So.” Near snapped up he hadn’t noticed the red heads return with a bowl of cereal. Matt sat back down on the couch crossing his gangly form into some pretzel type shape.

“Has Mel said anything about our move?” Matt said taking a huge spoonful of cereal and shoving it in his mouth.

“Not to me.” Three cards left in his hand. But he didn’t move to place them anywhere. He seemed to stare at them comparing the pure white of the cards blank surfaces to his own skin. His face contorted with heavy thought.

“Hey.” Matt waved his hand in front of Near’s face. “Penny for your thoughts?” Matt shook the small boy’s shoulders. “Near! What are you thinking of?”

“It’s nothing really, Matt.” Near said so quietly Matt had to lean over more to hear his soft whisper. Matt sighed and sat back on the couch. A pit drop would have been welcome in the impending silence.

“Matt.” Near said suddenly turning to the teen. “What’s your story?”

“My story?” Matt repeated blinking and leaning back on the couch. “I don’t know if I want to.” He took a few more bites. “It’s not the kind of story that’s easy to tell. Ya’ know?”

“I know it’s sudden but my recent notion counts on it.” Near said looking at the floor.

“Why?” Matt leaned forward again. He lifted Near’s head till they sat face to face. “Why is my pathetic history of any importance?”

“If it is satisfactory, I will say.” Near said a determined look plastered across his youthful face.

Matt sat back. “Fine.” He said, “Get ready. Cause once I start I won’t stop.”
He lit a cigarette while Near shuffled up on the couch beside him. After a long intake he started his sad tale.

“I was born somewhere in the toe of the boot of Italy. Don’t ask where. Even I don’t know.” He glanced and continued. “My dad was a notorious drunk, having worked at a winery.” He took another puff giving Near a chance to ask a question.

“Who do you take after?”

“Mostly my dad. Except I’ve got mom’s red hair.” Matt replied “I only knew them till I was five. Any other time I get to see them is in a photograph.”

Another long drag. Near knew this was killing the poor gamer, but he needed to know this so badly.

“Anyway.” He continued. “They use to fight all the time. And one day he came home so stoned and boozed up…” Matt’s voice trailed off and he looked at the floor. “He somehow ended up killing mom and nearly getting me.” Matt brought a shaking hand up and inhaled the rest of the stick.

“How did you escape?” Near pressed.

“Luck I guess. He killed himself after he thought we were dead.” Matt lit another stick. “They said he went crazy having snapped out of his state.” A small smirk tinted his lips. “I was discovered as alive and brought to Great Brittan for treatment. There I was discovered by Mr. Whammy and L as they visited one of the boys who had been ill.”

“How?” Black glass eyes were fully on the yellow/green goggles.

“I was screaming in pain, duh.” Matt chuckled “I had just gotten there. And L’s curiosity got the better of him so he looked in my room.” He rubbed his black gloves together. “When I saw him I hopped off the bed and begged him to get me out of there.” He shook his head “I was surprised when he tolled me to get back in bed and be good.” Now he was laughing “He was only eleven after all. So, I might have freaked him out.” He removed his goggles “When I did it he called Whammy in and asked for an I.Q. test. When I was well enough they brought me to the home.” Matt looked at Near with satisfaction written on his face. “The end.”

Near sat twirling his curls for a while. Watching the teens chest rise and fall with his hitched breathing. One question was all he had left. But, he hesitated to ask it. 'Damn my self if I don't know though.' Taking a deep breath he tugged on Matt's sleeve. Matt turned with a small smile."Yes? May I help you?"

Now Near felt terrible for what he would say. But, he opened his mouth and out it came. “Do you have scars?”

His face fell a little. “Why do you think I’ve never willingly gone shirtless like Mello?” The red head looked a way with a deep breath. He adjusted his goggles and started on another cigarette.

2:12 p.m.

Matt helped Mello dress in his black leather fashion. A month had passed since the ‘accident’ and the blond was eager to get back home. All his injuries had healed as much as they could. Although his face was forever going to be both beautiful and hideous. The scar wasn’t that bad it had turned a cross between his flesh tone and a rose color.

Mello looked at himself in the mirror finishing lasing his pants. He turned and starred at both sides of his body. “Ironic.” He said out loud facing Matt.

“What is?” Matt pulled the vest over Mello’s shoulders so the blond didn’t have to reach back so far with his still sensitive shoulders. “That sitting around for a month didn’t cause you to gain weight?”

Colder, tired eyes turned in the snickering red heads direction. “No.” He tugged at the laces of his matching leather boots. “At the idea that now my body matches my mind.” Finished with his desired look he carefully zipped his vest over his scared chest. “Got a comb?” He asked.

“You know there’s nothing wrong with the way you are, Mel.” Matt said handing over a small black comb. "I like the way you are. Nothings changed to me."

Mel chuckled as he pulled the bristles threw his now shaggy locks. “You liar.” He sighed; untangling a persistent knot. “Even my hair is different. It’s coarse.” It didn't end far. But, having grown past his ears a bit it tickled the living part of his neck.

“That is irrelevant.” Matt retorted taking the comb putting it in one of his fur vest many pockets. “Now lets get out of here.”

“In a second.” Mello said placing his rosary around his neck kissing the crucifix muttering something in German. He had waited so long to finally do that. He felt a bit more alive from the sensation.

Without another word they walked out of the room. Mello limped next to Matt who halted his usually lengthy stride to keep up with the broken boy. They checked out leaving Mr. Nil Bret in the shadow of a very deceived hospital.

“Do you need help?” Matt finally broke the silence.

“I can manage.” Mello gave him a half smile.

Matt slightly frowned at Mello’s determination then bent and scooped the surprised man up into his arms. “You’re too slow.” He said.

“Put. Me. Down!” Mello protested “MATT! I’m warning you! Put me down!” The normal side of his face blushed a deep crimson. He struggled and pointed to the ground. “I swear I’ll kill you if you don’t do as I tell you!”

Matt's chest started to vibrate with the red head's deep chuckles.The goggles that covered his eye's couldn't hide the amused twinkle and his mouth cracked into an award winning smile.

“Why are you laughing!?” Mello inquired still pushing on Matt’s chest trying to free himself. By this time people were staring and pointing, whispering wonders about the two males making their way through the dark parking garage.

“You are so damn funny!” Matt knocked his head against Mello’s. “You’re acting like such a girl.” He stopped and looked down at Mello’s shock struck face and broke into another fit. “’Put me down!’ you say like I’m some psychopath out to harass you or somethin’!” He put Mello on his feet and dug through his pockets for the car keys.

Mello spun away from Matt to hide his now very red features. The blush was so heavy you couldn’t tell were his scar started and were it stopped. “Matt.” He crossed his arms over his heaving chest. “I’m not a girl.” He turned back his blush replaced with a frown. “I can carry myself at anytime! Understand?”

“Oh. O.K.!” Matt replied in his sing song ways. He climbed into the driver seat snickering to himself as Mello fought with the seat belt in the back.

“Shut it! Up there!” Mello ground out giving the back of Matt’s head a death glare.

Matt didn’t act as though he heard him and put on a c.d. of assorted game music. Somehow it pleased him to hear the semi suppressed grown echo from the back seat. Matt was incharge of driving now. And he was going to take advantage of it at every moment!

That’s how the entire trip back to the country residence of the three very genius yet immature boys was. Matt calling all the shots and Mello acting the part of the most mortified man on earth.

This changed as soon as they pulled into the parking lot of the huge house.

Near, who had been playing cards with Mikami on the porch, tripped and stumbled over his oversized pajama stile pants to greet the 'home to stay' characters that stepped out of the black car.

After hello’s had been exchanged Near looked Mello in the eyes for a while. “You’ve got some new determination in your eyes. Do you have a plan?” He seemed excited at the thought of the fun. It had been boring with the bold chocoholic gone. With Matt and himself in charge the Mafia's actions had only been status. Now things could pick back up again.

“We’re going to move.” Was all the man said before marching into the dark interior of the house, trailed after by his companions.

11:13 a.m.

BAM!!

The door flew open.

“Hey, Near!!! Time to-” Matt froze looking at the detective, “What!?” He stepped in a wide circle before coming forward and poking L a few times on the shoulder.

“Good morning, Matt.” L said, an amused smile playing on his thin, pale lips.

Matt stepped back. He took off his goggles and blinked once. “Well what do you know.” Matt held his hand out to L. “The world’s greatest detective L has come to see the refugees.” He chuckled.

“Yes.” L said taking the hand offered to him, “I was just talking to Near about that topic actually.”

“Really?” Matt cocked an eyebrow. “I thought you were on a case. To busy to be bother or some such stupidity.” He put on an airy look, and swat his hand at nothing in particular.

“I am.” L said bitterly. “But I got information of what happened.”

“From Mikami.” Near retorted looking from the red head to the raven.

“Heh…” Matt pulled his goggles back down. “Never mind it, Near. We’ll worry about him later.” He help Near up and out to the hall. The small boy's face one of confusion. “Mello’s coming in a chair soon." He looked back at the waiting detective. If you wanna come L you can. He might like that.”

L nodded, sat up and shuffled out with them. He knew Matt was not too pleased to see him. And if Near had it his way he would not be going to see Mello. But here he was. Not as a threat but as a friend, as he hoped they would see.

They walked into Mello’s room. The now fully awake blond was sitting with his back to a window. His poorly cut hair stuck out in all directions under the bandages. He smiled at them through the clear breathing mask. “Hey.” He said softly.

The two boys sat beside him silently, waiting for him to notice L.

Said man was looking at the display of affection like it was a feather on the wind. There they all sat. Mello the injured king flanked by his most admirable soldiers. Yes, a truly fragile moment. For he felt it would be gone the second he spoke.

“Hello, L.” Mello said in the same tone. His one eye hard with curiosity. “What do you want after all these years?”

L visibly pouted at the boys tone. “I came to see you.” He felt as though all his devotion he put to the boys had been thrown back at his feet.

“That’s apparent.” He turned to the gamer “Take this damned mask off me. I feel as though its choking me.”

Matt obeyed without question. Slipping the mask off Mello’s face, he tossed it on the bed for the nurse to find later.

The youth shook his head as though he still had long hair. half laughing at the useless gesture.

“Alright, L.” he spoke with little emotion. “If its Near you came for,” he looked at the huddled teen next to him, “you can’t have him.” He looked darkly at L. “He’s mine.” Mello's famous 'Glare of Death' ripped into the man's heart. But, he would give in to the impractical teens.

“I have no intention of taking him from you. Seeing you need him more than I.” L spoke to the mafia leader. “I am not dead yet. You may keep him till I am.”

“How noble of you.” Mello gave a stiff mock bow “But I know for a fact that you came to take him.”

“What gave you that idea?” L said looking innocently at the spiteful team. Now it was his turn to to show his acting.

Mello rolled his eye and lingured on the long form stretched out on his bed. “Mikami tolled me, fool.”

With that L turned to the dark man lounging on the bed. Mikami gave him a sheepish grin and shrugged. “You said Near was going back with you. Which I can’t allow, seeing as he’s under my care now.”

“I am fully aware of the adoption, Teru.” L looked as through he might lunge at his companion. “But you forget that all boys put in Whammy’s are under my immediate jurisdiction.”

“The court gave him the choice seeing as how he is sixteen years old already!” Mikami look as though the whole thing should have been avoided. "Gosh, L. Where have you been!?"

Ignoring Mikami's taunt, L turned to Near. “You’re sixteen?” He asked.

“I am.” Near responded like he was talking to a complete imbecile. “I chose to be with Mikami in order to be by Mello.” He gave a swift look of triumph to the blond. Who placed a hand on his snowy hair. “Whammy’s is located in Great Brittan correct? Well. We are some were completely different now. You have no power over me.”

L starred at the boy for a while. Since when had the tiny boy become a man of his own calling? It didn’t matter. “As I said: ‘You are truly cruel sometimes Near.” L said with an air of equal triumph.

"We shall see, L." Near sighed. He turned to look over Matt's shoulder at the ever puzzling PSP.

Mello cleared his throat, causing both older men to look at him. "Remember." Mello said with venome. "Near is mine. He maybe your's" He pointed to Mikami "By power of the state." That finger was turned on L. "And he maybe your's in responsibility." He sat back. "But, for loyalty. Hmph! I own it all."

10:17 a.m.

“…Orry. But he has a legal guardian, sir.”

Near turned his head over. His vision bleary from sleep. 'This early?' He thought as he turned his attention to the sourse of the noise.

Figures moved in front of his door. “No. That’s not possible.” One voice said just hearable over a mumble. "This child is an orphan under my care. He ran away. And I've finally found him. I'm taking him home."

“Let’s see…” he didn’t move but attempted to figure out who the people were. “The nurse… Some guy in glasses… An elderly man…” His eyes shot open with surprise. “L!?” He said louder than he intended.

The talking abruptly was brought to an end. A cream white hand silently pushed the door open. The figure of a much stooped man shuffled in. He had matted shaggy, raven black hair that was clumsily pushed mostly to the left side of his head. His eyes resembled Nears: large, beetle black, void of all emotion, under those pools of knowledge were dark shadows, proving he didn’t sleep at night. His lankly figure was clad in a simple, white, long sleeve t-shirt. Blue jean pants were held onto his slim hips by a worn black belt. From head to toe his appearance screamed of an insomniac who has never went outside a day in his life.

“Near.” He said in his monotone drawl, “I’ve come to take you home.”

Near thought for a moment before answering. “How did you find me, L?”

L seemed taken back by the request. “I have my ways, Near.” He said “Your not hard to track down you know?” He smirked, a lot like how Near did. “My accomplice has been keeping tabs on you for me.”

“Accom-!?” If Near’s face could get any paler he would be a ghost. Why? Oh, why? Had he not thought sooner. “Mikami? Does Mikami work for you?”

“Very good, my successor.” L shook his head approvingly. This was why he had picked the small boy to follow him.

“I wonder if this is betrayal or some twisted loyalty.” Near sunk into his bed.

“Loyalty by far.” The insomniac sat on the edge of the bed. His wide orbs fixed on the tiny genius. “When I became involved in this latest case, it was for your own protection that I went without warning. Mikami watched you for me.”

“And Mello and Matt?” Near played with his hair, “What of them? Their on the list of future ‘L’s too. Did you feel any of our loss?”

“A valid question indeed.” The raven didn’t seem moved, “Tell me, Near.” Here he paused for a moment. “Near. Please look at me when I’m talking to you.”

Near’s hand fell and he looked his mentor full in the face.

“It is important that you be able to let even things you love very much go before you engage in battle.” He spoke as if he were directing his son. “I missed all the children at Whammy’s very much. I may seem heartless but I feel deep for you three especially. You are not given the choices most children have from the start of life. None of you have families to confide in.”

“O.K.”, Near whispered when L halted again. “But, we left too have our own family. We’ve become our own people through our actions. You weren’t there for Mello when he broke down and ran away.”

“Why do you think Mello ‘broke down’ and left?” L interrupted.

“Because Rodger never liked him. He tormented Mello with his weaknesses. Telling him he would never amount to mere dirt. Mello is emotional to the point of fault. When no one would help. He left.”

L nodded. Its true that the two hated each other. But he didn’t realize just how much. “And Matt?” He closed his eyes.

“He worried about Mello till he finally followed him out.”

“And yourself?” L again opened his eyes concentrating on absorbing every word.

Near smirked twirling his hair again. “I wanted to be as free as they were I saw them the TV.” His voice raised a little as he continued. “They were escaping a burning building. I thought: ‘Look at them laughing at themselves. I want to laugh like that. I want a taste of life’s sweetness too.”

By the way L’s eyes had gone hard, Near knew he had the mans attention fully. His smirk widened into a full smile. He knew this was killing the detective to hear that his own successor wanted to be a criminal.

“Near can be cruel.” The man said.

“I know.” Near replied with smug satisfaction.

6:55 a.m.

At this time the hospital was usually filled with perfect silence. But it was disturbed by the sound of shuffling and squeaking.

Near was again on the move. Like his mentor, he didn’t sleep unless drugged. Now that he was toy deprived he viewed it best to use his night walking the halls checking on his friends at any time he wished. No hassle. No problem.

He pushed his way to Matt’s room. Just down the hall from his own room.

Matt was furiously punching the small buttons of his handheld machine. Its tiny pixel noises resounded in the otherwise empty room. Again his goggles were pulled down over his forest like eyes. His mouth a perfect line in his concentration.

Near smirked to himself as the next room he came upon was Mikami’s. The usually dark dressed man was sitting in a chair, ignoring the please on a nurse for him to get back in bed. In his hands was a rather dirty magazine he never thought someone of Mikami’s standing would be reading. Yet, there he sat engrossed in the rag sheet. Not heeding the nurse or the fact he was only dressed in a hospital nightgown.

Continuing on his journey the small albino finally came to the critical area of the hall. Peeking in he could just make out in the moon light the bed they had strapped his leader to. Tubes, needles, and breathing machines of all kinds were pressed to and into his precious skin. His injured eye was heavily wrapped in gauze. His once strait hair had been clumsily hacked away so he could be treated easier. Garbed in nothing but a towel, metal and bandages he looked like something out of a sci-fi movie. But, in a bad way.

He gently pushed the door open wider, slowly shuffling his way to the side of the metal contraption.

Mello’s body jerked. His good eye opening, resting on Near. He was too tired to move his entire head or to speak either. If he could speak at all; he really didn’t know. So he barely moved his hand hoping the small boy got that he was awake and paying attention.

Near pressed Mello’s fingers in his own. Then brought out Mello’s rosary for him to see. "I've brought it, Mello." Silly. But, it was the only thing he could think to say.

Mello’s eye went wide; he choked up at the sight of the gift he thought he had lost. Tears glistened in the gentle light, as Near put it in his hand. He held it as tight as he could. His treasure, his peace had been returned by the only family he seem to have in the whole world. He smiled as best as he could at Near trying to move the occupied hand.

“What?” Near whispered, watching said hand moving up and down. “What do you want? The rosary?” He sat contemplating the acts.

But the longer he waited the more desperate Mello became. He went from trying to jerking his hand, the tubes imbedded there flailing about.

“Calm down, Mello!” Near whispered hurriedly, “If you make too much noise, they’ll find and remove me! An then I won't be able to help.”

The tears were freely falling from his eye. Pitiful mewls coming from his throat. Then he lay as if he had been struck. His head facing away from Near’s worried face, softly moaning and weeping, his shoulders shaking with the force of his pain.

“What are you doing!?”

Near turned back to the door. An angry nurse, the same in Mikami’s room, stood there, her brow nit in a frown.

“He wants something!” Near exclaimed in frustration “I can’t figure it out! I don’t understand his actions!” He joined Mello in his tears. He felt simply awful for having failed in knowing Mello’s wants. For the first time Near had failed.

Mikami came in, followed by Matt. They stood watching as the nurse pulled Near away from Mello. "Whats happened?" Matt breathed out. He looked from the weeping child to the shaking body. "Has he gotten-."

“Ah! You two!” She breathed. She had obviously had enough of the two trouble makers for one night. Then a thought seemed to come. “Oh well. Take him out so I can help Nil.”

Near fought in his mentors hands, yelling apologies to Mello. Telling him he didn’t get it. Anything after that was incoherent. Near eventually stopped, allowing himself to be brought were ever they were going.

He didn’t notice when he was brought into his room or that he was laid and covered. All he could see was the face of a man. A man so ripped by anguish that he seemed lost to anything else. A man he had failed. There was no other word for it. He, Near, number one at Whammy’s, L’s successor, had failed. The boy who could solve the most difficult of crimes could not help his wounded friend. It was the most crushing feeling he had ever experienced.

“How outrageous…” He griped to no one. He then buried his white head in the sheets. He hoped his mind would discontinue harassing him, allowing his own kind of peace to win. He could hear the others talking, but didn't listen to them. All he wanted was for the knife in his chest to either leave him be or do it's worst. It didn't matter to him anymore.

"I think he's settled down." Mikami whispered to Matt. Who in turn nodded his agreement.

"Yeah. Poor, kid." Matt soothed the snowy curls that peeked from the covers. "This is all to much for him. When he arrived on our step, I was so happy." Matt shook his head solemly. "It was wrong. We should have sent him back." He felt Mikami put a hand on his shoulder and guide him up.

"No. He's strong." Mikami pulled the teen to the door."If he didn't feel safe he wouldn't be here." With that they left to get their rest.