A/N:

Hi! Sorry that this is so late –it needed a lot of editing, and most of this has been re-written. Due to some accidents on my part, this is the last chapter! Sorry!

Also, I know that I contradicted myself on how L found out about Near's Dad's death, but please take the explanation of the last chapter as the true definition. XD Another apology from me.

Finally, a big thank you to my beta-reader Forbiddensoul562! You have really helped make this fanfiction what it is (you should feel guilty =P)!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter =)

-

Chapter 4: Phoenix

It was 2 'o clock in the afternoon. The sun was shining down from within the cerulean sky.

Light washed his kitchen utensils vigorously.

He had checked on Near last night, after he'd given him the 'remedy'. The bowl had been empty, and his breathing had been incredibly shallow.

'And when I go upstairs today, he shall be dead.'

Light began cleaning a particularly large knife. He ran a cloth across its smooth, steel surface.

Everything had been going to plan. His 'friends' had already begun to sway the political system in favour of Oligarchy. Control was drifting further and further into the hands of the rich and the powerful –of which he was the most powerful of all. Ryuzaki had been trying to undermine this movement for years, but never had he succeeded.

'He will never be able to stop me. I own the majority of Britain's most expensive properties, my political influence is unrivalled and I am conceivably the most intelligent man in existence.'

Ryuzaki didn't stand a chance.

Near's death was simply another part of that plan. Light gained no pleasure out of killing Near. If anything, killing Near was the greatest shame of all. He had held much hope in his heart for Near; Light had honestly believed it were possible for his nephew to be fixed after being under the influence of his rebellious father. But he had to die, Light was sure that Near was helping Ryuzaki, relaying information to the rebel under his nose. In his own mansion.

When Ryuzaki had interfered with the natural process, Near's evolution from neonatal rebel to mature, upstanding citizen by invading his home, he ignited suspicion in Light; a suspicion that only burgeoned as the days passed by.

Initially, Light had suspected Mello. The upstart of a house servant had always been a threat; he'd always been controllable though. But if Ryuzaki was confident enough to simply barge into the mansion, then Light could only conclude that he had sufficient backup in case things went wrong.

Light had started to wonder about just how much backup Ryuzaki had, just how well prepared he was. Then he'd begun to suspect Near, and one thing lead to another…

He'd started to become paranoid recently. He'd caught himself feeling suspicious about random people walking by in the street on more than once occasion. He couldn't stop thinking about Ryuzaki, about how everyone could be in on that outlaw's plans.

Light had known what would come of inviting the detective to his party. He'd not had much choice in the matter; Ryuzaki, previously just an irritating, meaningless detective, had recently become his cousin in-law. Light wished that his Aunt had never been widowed in the first place.

Light would have had Ryuzaki assassinated there and then if his cousin didn't already have connections to every assassin in Winchester.

But he didn't. Instead, he'd decided to make use of a plan that had already been put into place.

He could have not murdered Aiko at the party, not murdered Aiko right in front of Ryuzaki, but that wouldn't have been fair sport. No, he'd wanted Ryuzaki to suspect him –he'd left Aiko's food within Ryuzaki's reach for that very reason.

If Ryuzaki wanted a competition, he could have one. Light had been waiting for an opportunity to kill him, anyway.

'Now to set the beginnings of Ryuzaki's end in motion.'

Light placed the knife alongside the other clean utensils and left the kitchen.

-

He rapped twice on Near's door. No answer.

Light felt a surge of energy run up his spine; a grin crawled across his features.

'Yes, I've succeeded, I've beaten you, Ryuzaki!'

He opened the door and walked in. The grin was slapped off of his face.

The room was empty. Near was nowhere to be seen.

'WHAT!?'

He looked to Near's bedside table –the bowl was empty.

'What's happened? Has Mello done something? Has Ryuzaki done something? Did he actually have the bravado to infiltrate my mansion whilst I slept!?'

Light dashed out of the bedroom.

-

He'd wanted to see Mello; that's why he'd left. He'd wanted to go down to the garden again.

Leaving his room had been difficult. It had taken great effort just to put his hand on the doorknob. Eventually, he'd pushed it open and carefully walked out onto the landing. He had made it down the staircase and into a hallway, but then he'd lost it. Panic had set in, and his thoughts had started to swirl together and spin around like a tornado. His emotions had followed suit, and fractured, allowing the pain locked behind the fragile window of his mind to spill forth into his body.

'I'd even been feeling well until I left my room. But now…'

Near leaned his head against a wall. He couldn't push the anxiety out of his mind; it just kept forcing itself back in, again and again. His breathing was becoming laboured, and he could feel the sweat covering his body.

'Why am I reacting so irrationally? I know that there is no danger in leaving my room. Yet these emotions refuse to leave me alone.'

He thought about closing his eyes… - he pushed the idea out of his head; if he couldn't see the surrounding area anything that was there could attack him before he had a chance to react.

'What is anything? Do I even know what anything is?'

Near shook his head against the wall, trying to clear his confused mind.

'This is starting to get ridiculous. I can't simply stand here!'

Near was almost ready to give up and crumple to the floor when he heard Mello.

"Near!" he called.

'He sounds concerned… do I look that unwell?'

"Are you all right? You look ill." Mello's voice was controlled, but Near could detect an undertone of fear.

'Why does he seem to be so worried about me? Should I be honest with him…? No, I can't do that yet. He's impulsive, and I have no idea how he will react.'

"Yes, I'm fine thank you."

'I can't expect him to believe that.'

Near continued to look down at the floor. He could feel Mello's incredulous stare boring into his skull.

Mello sounded dreamy and distracted when he spoke again, "Near, do you want to come to the Library with me?"

'What a strange question… the Library must somehow be connected with his thoughts on my appearance. Does he wish to continue to question me there? It would seem strange to refuse at this point; and besides that, I'd much rather be with Mello than be alone in the hallways of this mansion.'

Near looked up at Mello. The blonde-haired boy was staring out toward the Lobby; his eyes were darting around in their sockets, intense, and alert.

'What are you thinking about Mello?'

Near eventually spoke up, "Yes," he replied feebly, "I'd like to come."

Mello wasn't broken out of his thoughts by this response. He simply began to walk forward, turning his head from left to right as they walked past the many doors and corridors in Light's mansion.

Eventually they reached the Lobby. Light strode down the staircase towards them.

"Hello Near, good afternoon!" he began, sounding genuinely happy. He then nodded at his blonde-haired servant, "Mello."

'I wonder if Uncle Light can detect how anxious I have been feeling as well…'

Light turned around; his eyes connected with Near's.

"How are you feeling today? Are you feeling any better?" he asked.

'I'm not actually ill any more, though I'm incredibly hungry, and weak. However, if I look ill, he might assume that I'm lying. Would he ask me more questions if I said that I was well?'

Near decided that he'd take that risk, "Yes; I'm well, thank you."

Light stared down at Near; his gaze unfaltering.

"I'm pleased to hear that," he began, his voice smiling despite the frown depicted in his eyes, "did the medicine help?"

'Did it help…? I can't remember anything from last night… I can only remember Uncle Light entering my room, and then… nothing.'

"I think so… I can't remember much from last night." Near replied levelly.

"I see." His Uncle muttered.

'He doesn't sound as if he's truly paying attention to what I'm saying.'

A glint of irritation passed across Light's brown eyes.

"Near, why are you with Mello?" He asked, curiosity and animosity boiling in unison under his barely cool voice.

'I must answer him before Mello has a chance to; if Mello replies, then Light might suspect him of blackmailing me into silence or passivity.'

Near tried to speak, but faltered.

'No, I paused! Now he'll know for certain that I'm lying!'

Near quickly started talking, twirling a lock of white hair in his fingers as he did so.

"I asked Mello to show me around the mansion. I would have asked you, uncle, but you seem like a busy person." He explained.

Near avoided thinking about his initial hesitation, and instead focused on the hair between his fingers.

He stared at his Uncle, and Light stared back at him. Light's face was as expressionless as a mask.

Then his mouth curved in a smile, "Okay then." he began amicably, "Well, I have an engagement to attend to. I won't be back until much later in the evening; I'll see you then. Goodbye Near!"

Light waved and walked out of the front door.

-

Light locked the door to his mansion behind him, mulling over what he'd just discovered.

Near hadn't died. On top of that, Near and Mello were obviously on friendly terms with each other. Light gathered that much from the bits of their conversation that he'd overheard.

Their amiability wasn't a concern in itself, but if he was right about Ryuzaki contact Mello, and possibly Near, then it meant that they were actually working together against him.

That simply couldn't be allowed to continue.

He hadn't intended to go out today, but circumstances had changed since then. He didn't have any weapons on his person at the moment. He'd need some, and he knew just the man to supply them. It wouldn't be difficult: Thousands of pounds were quite an incentive for a black-market dealer.

Light saw two uniformed men walk towards him.

'Good, they're on time.'

As they drew closer, Light smiled at them and greeted them both in turn.

The smile quickly left his face as he got down to business.

"As guardsmen, I'm sure you're well aware of what you're expected to do. However, I have a slightly unusual request…"

Light paused for a moment, examining the two tall, broad gentlemen.

'I can't truly trust them, but I'm sure that they are not foolish enough to cross one of the most powerful men in Britain.'

He continued, raising his arm and gesturing toward the front door, "Let in anyone who wants to come in. However, under no circumstances are you to allow anyone to leave the building; understood?"

The men nodded without hesitation.

'Servile idiots.'

Light brought out a smile once again, "Excellent. I shall pay you when I return at around 11pm, and pay you well, if everything is in order."

They both nodded, their eyes almost bulging in avaricious hunger.

Light bid the guardsmen adieu and strolled down the street.

'Fools.' Light mused as he walked away, 'Though they are very useful fools.'

He turned and walked onward. It was a brilliant day today, and it was only going to get better.

-

Worry crawled into Mello's mind like a long, voracious insect.

' "…he's planning on killing both you and Near."'

That's what Matt had said in his letter. Was it true? …Why would he lie?

Mello had never trusted Light, ever, but he hadn't expected Light to kill his own nephew.

But then he'd seen Near in the hallway; the white-haired kid been panting as if he'd just sprinted for a couple of miles, and he was shaking like a sick puppy.

But Near's eyes, God his eyes were so wild and afraid. That had scared the crap out of Mello.

' "Don't let him catch you alone, and don't give Light any opportunity to get Near on his own either."'

Matt had been quite adamant about that.

Mello wondered if he would be sitting on a chair opposite Near right now if he hadn't got involved.

It started with the letter. He'd read the contents at least twice; the news hadn't become easier to deal with the second time around.

After a few minutes, he had found himself worrying about Near last night. It had frustrated him; one half of him had wanted to talk to Near, to warn Near about Light's plans, the other half hadn't wanted to allow him to feel such emotions so openly.

He'd ended up going to Near's room; he wasn't going to allow the only other orphan he'd met, the only other person who might truly understand the pain of being alone, to die.

He could remember it clearly. He'd barged into Near's room despite the closed door, half-expecting to see a dead corpse lying on the floor.

At first he'd believed that he was looking at a corpse. Near had chucked his bedcovers onto the floor in a floral heap, probably whilst he slept, as if they had made him too hot even in the height of winter. His skeletal feet and hands stood out starkly against the colours of the bed. Near's hair had lain across his gaunt face in moist spaghetti strands, covering his pallid, sweaty skin. He'd been holding his teddy bear to his chest for comfort, like a small child who was having a bad nightmare.

Mello had just stood there for a while, staring at the pitiful scene before him. Then he remembered why he had wanted to see Near in the first place; they were both under threat from Light.

It didn't take him long to spot something out of place: it was the smell. At first, Mello had attributed the acidic, metallic smell to Near soiling himself whilst he slept. But when he'd moved closer to Near, he realised that the smell was coming from a bowl on white-haired boy's bedside table.

He could remember the contents: a swirling mixture of red and green goop. Little black islands had formed on the surface like cankerous sores on human skin. Mello had to resist the urge to throw up.

One thought had come to his mind: Light.

Now he and Near were alone in the mansion, and Mello planned on being ready for any shit Light might throw at them.

Mello's stomach growled. He hadn't eaten since Matt suggested that Light could be poisoning him. He'd read that letter only a day and a half ago, yet it seemed as if it had been weeks. He was starving.

His arms had become thin and skeletal, and he didn't have the strength that he'd had before. He felt like a walking cadaver, just waiting to wither into nothingness.

He didn't plan on fulfilling that prophecy.

They were sitting in the dim library on two of the four chairs available in a corner near the window. They were facing each other across the table that stood between them; Near with one knee on the chair, Mello splayed out across an armchair like an erotic corpse. They had been just sitting in silence for several minutes.

'He probably doesn't want to talk, but I need to know what happened in the hallway.' Mello thought.

He leaned forward, not bothering to prevent his emotions from seeping through onto his face.

Mello shattered the silence like a hammer through glass, "Near, what were you doing in the hallway, and why were you shaking so much?

Mello thought he heard Near swallow.

There was a long pause. The white-haired boy simply sat perfectly still, twirling his hair idly in his fingers.

'I was right, he doesn't want to talk about it. Did Light threaten him, and scare him into not speaking about it?'

Near abruptly broke the pause; "I was going into the garden, to see if you were there…"

'… He must want to start from the beginning and work to the end, which is logical… but… how does wanting to see me relate to the state he was in earlier?'

Near brought his leg closer to his chest, and rested his head against it. Mello could only see the thick white hair on his head, poking out from behind a knee clad in white pyjamas.

"I was afraid to leave my room, but I forced myself to do so…" Near continued calmly.

More silence. Mello simply sat still and waited for Near to continue. He was finding it harder and harder to be patient. He was desperate to know whether or not Light harmed Near.

'God damn it Near, spit it out!'

Near lifted his head up from his knee, and stared at Mello with his cold, grey eyes. "I became emotional, afraid, because I was outside of my room," he turned his head away at that point, as if embarrassed, "and that was why I was in the panicked state I was in earlier."

'Panicked?' Mello thought, 'He was panicking, and not ill at all? So Light wasn't even involved…'

"So in the hallway," Mello began suddenly, "you were afraid?"

"Yes." He replied simply, revealing nothing behind his neutral expression.

Mello started chewing on one of his fingers, "Near… why didn't you tell me this before?"

Near leaned into his knee again, obscuring his face and leaving only his curly hair visible, "I didn't think that you would understand. I'm sorry."

'I guess I can see where he's coming from… I'd probably be the same…'

Mello relaxed into his chair, "I understand."

Near relaxed a little bit, a slight dropping of his shoulders. It was a subtle movement, but Mello noticed it.

'Does that mean that he trusts me a bit more now?'

There was a silence then; the air felt heavy amongst the dusty tomes in Light's Library.

'Now I need to know if I can trust him with my feelings.'

"Near," Mello inquired, "… do you ever feel lonely?"

There was a small pause, but then Near replied, "Yes, very often. I was lonely even before I left my own home to come here, as I had no friends."

This time Near didn't hesitate.

"…Do you ever feel lonely, Mello?"

'He asked that quickly…'

Mello held his breath at that question and after a moment's thought, he sighed heavily and replied, "Yes, all the time."

He leaned forward and clasped his hands together; "I haven't got any friends either. I've got Matt, but he's not really a friend. I consider him to be more of a confidant –the only one I have."

Mello paused briefly, then continued, "-was the only I had."

He didn't bother giving Near a chance to speak.

Mello started playing with his hands, "I don't enjoy living here. I mostly just sit around feeling like shit."

He looked down at the wooden floor.

"Yagami is a complete asshole…"

Near looked on calmly, his face belying nothing. For a moment, Mello wondered what Near was thinking, but then he continued.

"… He hates my guts -the feeling is mutual; and always orders me around, well, always used to…"

He looked up at dark, wooden ceiling reflectively.

"I almost preferred it when he did order me around, at least then I was angry, and not depressed. Do you know what it's like to have no purpose other than to serve? Let me give you an idea: it's shit."

He slammed a fisted hand into his own leg, "I'm not some fucking slave, damn it!"

Mello sighed, resting his head in his hands, "… I think about this kind of stuff all day. I try not to, but I have no choice, seeing as I'm stuck in this house; Asshole ordered me to stay in here at all times. I could leave, but then Yagami wouldn't let me in again, and I'd have nowhere to sleep. There won't be any work for someone like me either –I'm completely uncultured and unpretentious –the exact opposite of your everyday manservant."

Mello's face twisted into a snarl; "I hate those pathetic kiss-ups!" He growled, "That's all they are, kiss-ups. They allow themselves to be disrespected by those delusional aristocratic oafs!"

Then he looked up at Near, remaining silent as he did. He tried to read Near's reactions, his face, his hands, anything to judge whether or not he should continue.

'There may not be another time that we will be able to talk like this.'

Mello crossed his legs; "…I know you're an orphan…"

Near fidgeted slightly.

'Is he uncomfortable with this subject…?'

Mello continued, "I'm an orphan too… I've never known my parents. I was raised in a poor excuse for an orphanage, where all I learned was to shut people out."

'There… I told him… now he might trust me when I finally tell him what I've been meaning to tell him all day…'

Now it was Mello who looked awkward. He fidgeted in his seat, crossing and then uncrossing his legs, leaning forward for a while and then leaning backward afterwards.

Finally, he spoke again, "I've got something to tell you Near. You may not like it, and you probably won't believe me, but I'm going to give you a chance."

Near didn't seem to be listening, he was twirling his hair with his fingers again.

'He always does that, and he's always seemed to take in what I say… so I should continue.'

His voice was low, and sombre as he said, "I've got reason to believe that Light is trying to kill both of us."

Despite the gravity of the news, Near remained straight-faced.

'He can't be that calm…'

Mello leaned forward in the chair, "I've been writing to a guy named Matt for a while now. He and his associate know Light –but then, everyone important in Winchester knows about Light. Anyway, he told me in his most recent letter than he and that colleague of his are almost certain that Light wants to kill us both. He didn't say how he knew though."

He was playing with his hands again, "At first I was sceptical, but Matt, though he often insults Light, has never told an outright lie before –to my knowledge anyway. He's never mentioned anything about Light's actions outside of what I told him, either. I trust Matt, so I'm willing to believe it; but I wanted evidence, I wanted to see what that bastard was planning for myself. That was why I was in the hallway when I saw you."

Near was staring straight at him now.

'So he is paying attention.'

Mello continued, "When Light asked you if you were feeling 'better', it made me even more suspicious. 'Better' implies that you were unwell, and if you were unwell, then Light might have been feeding you poison; he only has to travel to wherever his ores are stored and he can take as much as he likes. If he were poisoning you, it would explain why he spends so much time in his kitchen. Though I understand that this conclusion is rather forced."

Mello's gaze then fell upon Near. The white-haired boy had to turn away to escape the force of Mello's cold stare.

"I tried whatever was in that bowl in your bedroom. It tasted like liquid iron. I threw it out of your window."

Mello broke Near's train of thought, "I know that I haven't got enough evidence to prove that Light really wants to kill us –that's what's so frustrating; but I can't just ignore what Matt says either. If he's right, and I ignore him, we're as good as dead."

Near suddenly became involved in conversation once again, "Mello, I think we should act on the assumption that my Uncle wishes to murder us both, as it is safer; any evidence proving that he wishes to do this will be very useful. However, evidence to the contrary will also be important. Also …May I see those letters?"

'He was definitely paying attention.'

Mello simply sat still for a while, as if he were a living statue, frozen in time. Then he jerked back to life and almost jumped out of his chair, striding over to the Library door without so much as a pause in movement.

Near looked on, feeling slightly confused.

"Come on then! You want to see the letters, don't you?" Mello called, sounding slightly irritated.

Near slowly extricated himself from the chair before carefully padding over to the blonde-haired boy.

Mello walked through the door, turning back to comment; "Man you're slow."

They walked through the Library doors.

-

The time was drawing near. He only had a few hours left before he would leave.

L knew that Light could have armed guards waiting outside of his mansion at this point. That's why he wasn't going to attempt to infiltrate it this time. No, he had a much better plan, a plan that would almost guarantee the safety of both Near and Mello.

He had kept Matt unaware of this particular scheme; the Anarchist would only protest if he knew.

What Matt did know was that he had to be at the Yagami household at midnight; he understood that L would be there before he was.

Light had dragged Near and Mello into a petty struggle which had nothing to do with them, and Ryuzaki had had enough of it.

L was going to end it tonight, and he was going to win.

-

They were in Mello's room. It was the most atrocious and foetid place Near had ever been in. Clothes were strewn across the floor, tools were randomly clustered, cluttered or otherwise thrown into any corner or orifice which would prevent them from falling down; and Mello's bed was nothing but a pile of dirty rags.

Near kept his voice level, "Mello… I didn't realise that Light made you sleep in a place like this…"

"Pfft," Mello scoffed, "it's easy to complain about it, but I don't see you offering me your room."

Near remained silent. 'You haven't asked me…'

"…Anyway," Mello said, continuing as if Near hadn't commented on the room at all, "the letters are under my bed rags."

Mello reached down and pulled out a large collection of paper. He sifted through them, selecting two or three pieces in particular and setting the rest down neatly by his side.

'These letters must be important to him, as he doesn't appear to treat other things in this room with such neatness and care.' Near observed

Mello handed Near the three sheets of paper.

Near sat down on the floor and quickly read through them; he then read through them again as he tried to take in every detail.

The first letter was rather nondescript. It could probably be summarised as: "Sorry about your life Mello, I think you're cool!"

The second one had a spelling mistake, but was otherwise uninteresting.

The third one was particularly interesting. It too had a spelling mistake. The word 'midnight' had been completely mangled to form 'thigmind'. But the whole letter was quite revealing. Near realised what it meant as soon as he finished reading it.

It had read:

"Hey Mells,

How are you? I'm pretty good myself, or was.

You see, I've got some bad news to relate to you: Light is planning on murdering you. In fact, he's planning on killing both you and Near. Hide all of my letters, or destroy them, if you want. Whatever you do, don't let him catch you alone, and don't give Light any opportunity to get Near on his own either. This guy is seriously murderous –he's been poisoning people for years, and he's almost in the position of power that he's always wanted.

Don't let him know that you've figured him out, either. If you do that, he might try to finish you off –no matter how he has to do it.

He's probably already started on Near. Don't let him finish the job, because he'll almost certainly blame it on you.

But Near isn't your enemy. In fact, we have good reason to believe that Near will be on your side on this one –his dad was a well-known political radical, and he would have most likely imparted such views onto his son.

I know that I didn't really need to say that, considering what you wrote in your last letter, but I wanted to make sure that we were totally clear.

Meet me.

Thigmind."

'Meet me, Midnight… That's what he's saying. Mello must have gathered this already; though I don't see the point in such a simple code. Is the simplicity intended to mislead people into thinking that there are alternative meanings?'

Near put the letters down on the floor gingerly. He turned to face the blonde-haired boy. "Mello… do you agree that Matt is stating that he will meet you at Midnight?"

Mello stood in front of Near with his arms crossed in front of his chest.

"I saw that as soon as I read it." He said confidently. Near couldn't help but wonder if that confidence was real or merely a facade.

He let his arms fall to his sides, "Near, we should stick together from now on. Just in case Light decides to forgo the poisoning and just attack us. If he really were that impatient, two people would be much better than one."

'Would my uncle really do that…? My own uncle…? He may have tried to poison me already… if what Mello says is true, then the medicine he gave me was in fact poison… would Mello lie? But what would he gain out of such a lie? He always seemed to be so emotional, so obvious and blunt… is he really manipulative…?'

Near finally nodded in reply to Mello's suggestion, pulling and twisting his hair as he did so.

'No… Mello wouldn't lie. Or, at least, if he is lying, he is the greatest actor I have ever seen. He managed to appear oblivious to the outside world when he was ranting in the Library, and he feigned being blunt when he stormed into my bedroom. No, Mello can be trusted so long as no conflicting evidence arises. If such a situation should occur, I'll investigate the issue myself and inform Light if what I find suggests that I should indict Mello.'

"Near?" Mello's voice shot through the hazy mists of Near's thought like a lightning bolt out of the sky.

"Yes?" He replied; trying to act unsurprised.

He must have failed, as Mello said, "You looked totally lost in thought; what were you thinking about?"

'I can't tell him the truth; that would create immediate enmity between us.'

"I was just thinking about on the content of the letters."

Mello was quick, "What, you don't believe what they say?"

'He's quite percipient.'

Near fidgeted slightly, "I do, I was just clarifying them in my mind."

Mello sighed slightly; it was barely audible, "I see."

'I do believe you Mello… I just need to be completely sure of what you say…'

The clock chimed in the Lobby. It was 4pm.

-

He had the gun. He had the ammunition. And he most certainly had the resolve.

He was ready.

'I've had enough of Ryuzaki and his disciples ruining my plans. I shall rip that rose out of the earth. Thorns and all.'

Light walked up to his mansion. It was dark now –his watch said half past 11. The house was a foreboding giant against the starry sky. He moved closer and talked to the guardsmen. The men reported that no one had tried to exit. Light paid them, and then dismissed them disinterestedly.

Clearly Mello hadn't gone to see the man again.

'Was he aware that I was watching him? Is this a trap? It's possible… I can't let myself be caught off-guard now.'

Light was sure he wouldn't be. He was prepared –prepared for Ryuzaki to disrupt his plans like a plague of locusts descending upon a lively crop.

'You're not going to get the chance to ruin my plan this time. Whether you surprise me or not, both you and your acolytes will die tonight.'

Light unlocked the front door and strode into his mansion –and what a glorious mansion it was. Magnificent, handmade carpeting covered the whole floor. The banisters were all Oaken, and his clock, the greatest treasure in the whole mansion, stood shining at the top of the centrepiece –his staircase.

He loved the mansion.

'And now, for ultimate glory.'

Light ascended the stairway and went into his bedroom.

He sat down on his bed. The covers were made of silk, and were soft and smooth to the touch. But he didn't have time to enjoy his luxuries; there was work to be done.

He pulled the handgun –a Derringer- out of his large black jacket.

This was it; the deed was now going to be done.

'Mello first.'

Light once again hid the gun in jacket. It wasn't perfectly concealed, but he wouldn't need to hide it for too long.

Light wondered for a moment if he was paranoid, and deluding himself about Mello and Near. But he shoved the thoughts out of his mind –he couldn't afford to doubt himself at this stage.

'I must do this. For the sake of Britain and the few virtuous people who reside in it. I must do this.'

He left his bedroom. The stairs leading to the servant's room were just to his side.

He grimaced –this would be the first time he killed a man with a gun. But he was sure it wouldn't be his last.

He walked calmly up the stairs, before finally entering the room.

It was empty.

Light held back a scream. He had been so ready to kill Mello right there, in that room, at that moment. But he'd gone.

'Where is he!?'

Then Light realised.

'Near… he's with Near. Fine, I'll kill them both, and then hide Mello's body. People will believe that he killed Near… and even if they don't, they won't question someone as powerful as I am.'

He almost ran down the steps. When he reached the landing he paused. There was a rapping at the door; loud bangs that sounding like someone beating wood.

'A knock on the door, at this time!? Damn whoever it is! I shall tell them exactly what I think of their rudeness!'

Light almost neglected to hide his handgun, but he managed to stow it in his jacket as he wrenched the door open and invited in the biting winter wind.

Before him stood a man of average height. His hair was a formless mess on his head; he had black bags under his tired eyes. His gaze was intense, and it was burning right into Light's skull.

It was Ryuzaki.

'So… you decide to reveal you face to me this time? Near must be important to you.'

Light smiled warmly, "Ryuzaki! Hello! How are you? Come in!"

Light gestured for Ryuzaki to come in. Ryuzaki obliged and entered the Lobby, closing the door behind him.

"I was just preparing dinner." Light lied, "Would you like to join me?"

Ryuzaki kept a straight face, "Yes, that would be most pleasant, thank you Light."

They walked into the Kitchen; it was shrouded in shadows apart from the main counter and some worktops, which were lit by small lamps. Light motioned for Ryuzaki to sit down as he took the seat closest to the door.

'You're not escaping this time.'

Ryuzaki hopped onto a stool, watching Light intently, as he did, "You're not cooking anything?"

"No." He replied, smiling; "and you knew that when you came in."

Light folded his hands on top of one another; his smile dropped off of his face, "So, why did you come here?" he asked firmly.

"You knew the answer to that question when I came in, Light." Ryuzaki replied, his gaze unfaltering.

Light controlled his expression; he couldn't let Ryuzaki know how he was feeling, "That's true, but I want to hear it from your lips."

Ryuzaki sat in silence.

'Fine, I don't need you to speak.'

Light stood up; "Why do you keep getting in my way, Ryuzaki?"

Ryuzaki put his thumb to his lips, "Why do you keep getting in my way?"

'Irritating scum.'

Light leaned over the counter, snarling, "I deserve a proper answer this time, Ryuzaki."

Ryuzaki just looked calmly back at Light; "Murderers deserve nothing."

Light ignored him, moving back slightly as he growled, "For five years, you have stood in the way of progress; five years. All because I killed your parents. -"

He gesticulated wildly with his arms, "-They were nothing but filth, just like you!"

'I'm losing control; I must remain composed…'

Light sat back down. Ryuzaki was still staring at him blankly; Light hadn't seen him blink yet.

'Stare as much as you like,' he thought, a feeling of righteousness rising within him, 'enjoy your last moments on this Earth, Ryuzaki.'

-

They'd been talking.

In fact, they'd been talking to each other for several hours in-between the many silences, each taking turns listening to the other.

But their conversations had gradually dwindled, until eventually they sat in what felt like a soundless vacuum, like they were now.

Near's room was sumptuous and lavish. Mello was sitting next to Near on his soft, comfortable bed. Mello could only imagine how comfortable it must be to sleep in.

'I have been denied these luxuries for my entire life…' Mello mused.

He played with the silver cross around his neck; 'How much have I missed? How deprived am I?'

Mello hated the thought that he was deprived –he felt like a child that had been refused a toy.

'I'm not a child damn it! I'm not deprived! Yet… I haven't experienced all the things Near must have… he said that, to him, it was normal, and so it didn't seem special… are people really so unaware of how good they've got it?'

Mello felt empty, he didn't know who he was anymore.

'Am I even the same person I was a week ago? God… I never really saw things from a different perspective back then; I'd never met anyone to share perspectives with.'

He had told Near so much about himself. It scared him, because he knew that he was vulnerable now; he couldn't bear that feeling.

Yet he'd had no choice; he'd almost been compelled to spill his guts to the white-haired boy who sat quietly next to him.

'But I can trust him… he trusted me enough to tell me everything – he poured his heart out the same as I did. He trusted me, too…'

Mello looked at the boy who sat next to him. Near seemed to be completely lost in thought; he simply sat twirling his white hair as he stared at the wall in front of him.

'What does Near think of me?'

Mello continued to watch him, noticing how his chest rose and fell ever so slightly under his white pyjamas. His delicate hands slowly moved in-between his snow-white hair. His skin was pale and devoid of any blemishes.

Mello was starting to sweat. He'd been feeling strange even yesterday –so much so that he had to tell Matt in his letter. Even the following day the feeling didn't leave him.

He'd attributed it to his lack of human contact. Every man has urges, it was just that most of them tend to marry or have sex with prostitutes –or both. Mello hadn't had such luck, as he wasn't allowed outside –probably because Asshole was afraid of him telling people what a lousy ship he runs.

The feeling had become duller, but it hadn't gone away; and now, at the worst possible time, it had decided to come back to play once again.

'No way, I'm not even going to think about touching him. I'm not, I'm not going to.'

Mello could feel his body starting to react.

'This just isn't fair. If I'd still resented Near like I did yesterday morning this wouldn't be so hard. But, after talking to him, I kind of like him. Liking him is not helping one fucking bit at the moment.'

Near turned to face Mello now.

"Mello," he began, carefully forming each letter with his sweet, soft lips, "I'm quite cold. Do you mind if I go under the bedcovers? Only, you'll have to move for this to be possible."

'Have to move… To where? To the floor, presumably. Not the bed, right…?'

Mello managed to nod, hunching as he stood up to hide his rebellious urges from Near.

'Mother fucking thing! I'd stomp on you if you weren't attached to me!'

Near's mellifluous, monotonous voice drifted from the bed, "Mello, why are you hunching?"

'He could picture the scene now: "Well, Near, let me explain. You see, when a man loves someone very much he-"'

"Pulled a muscle." Mello muttered quickly.

Near didn't respond.

Mello lifted the silver cross off of his neck and dropped it on the floor with a flourish.

'Lord, don't punish me too harshly, I'm an imperfect human being, as the Nuns liked to say.'

Mello swivelled on one foot gracefully, stopping as he faced Near.

Without any warning, he leant down and gently kissed the white-haired boy on the lips.

'This isn't going to end well.'

Mello withdrew, noticing that, for the first time, Near looked surprised.

'I've just fucked up any trust we may have had… shit… I never thought it would feel so God damn awful about destroying this boy's trust in me…'

Near sat up, the shock had left his face now. He leaned toward Mello, and Mello unconsciously leaned in with him. They kissed again, their lips brushed against each other tenderly; Near's soft skin against Mello's own. It was bliss.

'No way… did he really…?'

They separated again, except this time a tiny smile adorned Near's angelic features. Mello smiled back.

Near lay back down on his bed; Mello thought that Near wanted to end their contact there, but then the white-haired boy suddenly tugged on his sleeve.

Mello let himself be pulled onto the bed. He slipped under the soft covers, putting on arm over Near as he did. Mello could feel the other boy's small form press against his own. Mello kissed him again.

'God, does it feel good to kiss someone… this is not helping at all.'

Mello lay there, listening to the small boy's breaths.

'He's so delicate… oh man… no, I can't do what I… want to do…'

He closed his eyes, and allowed the warmth of Near' body to meld with his own. Near snuggled his head into Mello's shoulder.

Mello thought of his cross, cast to the depths of the carpet.

'You win this time Jesus, but don't get hopeful about winning again.'

-

Matt walked through the sewers of Winchester, carrying a huge tank full of oil in his hand. Yagami was going to burn.

It was pitch black in the sewers, but had learned the pathways by heart long ago; he didn't need sight to navigate them now.

He'd worked with L many times through Watari, but this was the first time he'd ever seen person behind the letter.

L had sent him a message requesting his help. He'd accepted immediately –if L wanted it done then it was almost certainly a worthy cause.

In the beginning, L had been so confident; so passionate. He had planned out every move, thought out every single action that he would take against Light.

But after Light had seen Watari, L had started to lose hope. He'd seemed so tired and depressed recently.

What had really scared Matt was what L had said to him before he left for Light's mansion.

' "Goodbye Matt, you have been my greatest asset in this investigation." '

It sounded so final; what was he planning on doing? He had an escape plan, didn't he?

Matt hadn't given it too much thought –the more he let it play on his mind, the less focused he was, and L needed him to be focused.

'He didn't ask me to help him plan, I'm good at what I do –destroying things. Light's mansion is next on the hit list and baby, it's going to burn like so much rotten timber when me and my other keen allies are through with it.'

Matt trudged through the grime and muck, getting ever closer to his destination.

-

They had sat in silence for almost fifteen minutes,

'Is he trying to force me to speak? …He might be waiting for something to happen… has he already got to Near and Mello?'

"They're dead." Light said nonchalantly, picking up some vegetables with his fork, "Mello killed Near, and then tried to kill me. So I killed him first."

Light gazed into Ryuzaki's dark eyes as though waiting to analyse his cousin's reaction.

'I knew it, he wants a reaction from me. What a fool.'

L simply stared back at him enigmatically, "That's a shame. You must be quite distraught."

'Why is he trying to anger me?'

Light remained composed, "Yes, aren't you?"

"No, I never knew them very well." L retorted.

Light frowned deeply, and stood up from his chair.

"Let's drop the pretences." He said coldly, "give yourself up now, and I won't need to kill you."

L remained seated.

'Surely he can't expect me to accept this absurd deal. He must have an alternative plan.'

Light sighed in mock despair, placing a hand to his forehead, "That's a shame Ryuzaki."

He pulled out a gun, brandishing it in front of himself cockily. "You're helpless now, they'll never know that I did it…" He growled.

Then Light screamed; he roared so loudly that it echoed back off of the pristine walls and hurt L's ears.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING RYUZAKI!? STOP IT!"

Light lifted up his left forearm and shot it. The bullet hit the flesh with a dull thud. Blood gushed out of the wound in a red waterfall, splattering all over the previously clean counters and tiles.

Light grinned, "You're next."

-

Two gunshots, then another three.

Near had awoken with a start as Mello jumped out of the bed.

"He's lost it, he must have killed someone else, and we'll be next." Mello stated sombrely.

Near grabbed his teddy bear; then he quickly got out of bed and followed Mello out of the bedroom door.

The clock was chiming its sonorous tones, one after the other; each ring pounded against Near's chest as if he were being hit by a heavy rock.

It was midnight.

Loud bangs shot out from the front door. It started to crack, breaking little by little. Then the force became too much, and the doorway was completely eviscerated. It fell to the floor in a splintery heap.

An army of shadowy figures stormed in and began running around wildly, swinging tanks and bottles and boxes of liquid around in their hands. The black substance clung to the walls and was absorbed into the carpets. They flung their empty containers onto the floor in a wild frenzy.

One of them called out, "Hey Mells! Get the fuck down here!"

Mello turned to Near and grabbed his hand, charging down the stairs like a gazelle.

Mello stopped to speak to the man but he just yelled, "No! Move, move now! There's no time!"

Mello ran out of the door and dragged Near through the raucous crowd with him. Voice shouting "Run, I'm setting it alight!" could be heard from behind.

Near looked back as his white hair flew about in the wind. The house was ablaze; fire raged from within the mutilated doorway like a burning throat. The windows were lit up like eyes, screaming in agony.

Near felt ill as he realised that he was staying in the burning edifice only moments ago.

'Uncle Light… he's dead… just like my father.'

A redheaded man ran past them both. "Come on!" he commanded.

Mello ran after him, but was snagged by Near's motionless body.

"Near, move! We've got to follow Matt!"

Near gazed at the carcass of a mansion one more time before letting Mello drag him along by his hand. 'What's happening?' he thought.

The sewer lid came into sight. The redhead jumped down it. Mello went afterwards. Then it was Near's turn. He held onto his teddy bear with his mouth as he descended into the black, gaping maw.

-

Matt hated newspapers, but he couldn't help but pick up the local paper that morning.

"ARSON

Community Devastated

Last night at approximately midnight, a mansion belonging to local businessman and socialite Light Yagami was burned to death. The police have found the body, but it has sustained too much damage to be identified. The local authorities are searching for suspects, and welcome any information the public has to offer…"

Matt threw the newspaper to the floor.

'What happened to L? Did he escape?'

Mello and Near were still lying asleep in each other's arms on the small couch in the abandoned building; Matt supposed that the shock of the situation had got to them.

He sighed and leaned back in the mouldy armchair in his redundant 'HQ'. He picked up a cigarette and lit it –he needed something to calm him down right about now.

'They only found one body… is that Light's… or L's…?'

-

He was alive.

In the end, he'd escaped by breaking the kitchen window. He wasted no time; he'd run all the way. He'd run as far away as possible, using only the back streets so that no one spotted him.

He'd stayed in an alleyway that night, getting only one hour's worth of sleep. He didn't mind that too much; it was worth it.

He'd won this time. He knew he would.

Now it was morning time, and he was going to go and contact the press.

Light Yagami grinned from ear to ear. He had to stop himself from laughing out loud.

He'd won!

Light walked up to his mansion, ready to put on the act of his life.

'You should have taken my offer Ryuzaki.' he thought, 'You should have taken it.'

-

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-

-

That's it! It certainly didn't turn out anything like I had hoped it would, but I'm still sort of pleased with it nonetheless. Obviously, let me know what you think of it.

Most importantly, I hope you enjoyed it. =)

Thanks for reading this fanfiction!

-Insanitoon