Short Chapter, Near's P.O.V. Review = Quicker Updates ;)

I continued to place the white jigsaw pieces in their appropriate positions while making an endeavor to ignore the piercing gaze I was receiving from the hot-tempered blond. Though, I didn't thoroughly understand why he held so much resentment towards me; all I know is that his hatred is apparently derived from the fact that I am a place above him in the running to become L's successor. This is where my discernment runs flaccid.

Why does he allow himself to be driven by emotion so much so that it deters himself from accomplishing his primary objective?

This is how most people are so it may be peculiar for me to be questioning why something that commonly occurs among people, happens to one specific individual. My reasoning for my inquisition is quite simple: I expect more from him.

Someone that is as intelligent and devoted to his aim as he, you would think he would try a little bit harder to keep a level head. He acts recklessly, rarely thoroughly contemplating the possible consequences of his actions. He gets himself into so much unnecessary trouble at the orphanage for picking fights with random students constantly. I believe that all of his hatred and anger will one day be the death of him.

It's pitiful, really.

I wouldn't mind being a comrade of his… a "friend" more rather. I believe that's what people tend to call the peers that they become close to. I'd like to work with him, if anything. I believe we would make a great team; he and I. If only he wasn't such a pain in the— THWACK

I felt a strong force hit me swiftly in the side, causing me to fall on my side a few feet from my original spot. I languidly blinked and placed a hand on my throbbing side, despite the fact that I was truly taken aback by the kick. It was a normal advance for Mello to engage in, but I seemed to have let my guard down by mistake. It's not as if I haven't taken the beating, because I certainly have had enough nurse visits on record to justify otherwise; but it was the fact that I was unprepared. How… out of character of myself…

"You think you're so god damn superior to me…" I began to sit up and opened my mouth to retort, but was cut off by his fist grasping the collar of my shirt and hoisting me up from the ground. "You and your presumptuous, know-it-all, overconfident bullshit. How bout' you actually grow a pair of balls and fight back?"

I didn't let his ignorance get to me. I'm above that. If he insists on insulting me… I might as well fight back verbally. If I continue to keep silent he will begin to believe I fear him; which I can assure you is far from the case.

"For one, Mello, I don't intend on engaging in a physical dispute. Secondly, I can't simply grow a pair of balls since it's something I already have. Even if I lacked that appendage it would be physically impossible to do so on a whim."

Mello's scowl deepened, "You little fuckin' smart-ass, I know you're socially deprived but I know sure as hell you knew what the fuck I was talking about," he began to stretch back his fist, readying for another punch.

"You know Mello, you say "fuck" so much it makes me wonder if you're actually implying something," I stated slyly, suddenly feeling confident in my comebacks. I let a smug grin play at the corners of my lips. I prepared myself for another hit but was baffled to find that he just stopped in his tracks with his fist still raised. His face began to redden with each passing second, and he looked quite mortified to say the least. My stoic expression began to falter to an expression of surprise.

Why is he so… flustered? What on earth is going through his head?

"I…" he started as he made an unconvincing attempt to furrow his eyebrows angrily. His face remained the color of a tomato, "That is…!" he sputtered, cutting himself off.

I raised an eyebrow questioningly as a sign to silently prod the rest of the sentence out of him.

He tilted his head downwards in defeat and let out a long, shaky breath. "DAMNIT!"

I, naturally, jumped; startled at the outburst. Without another glance, he threw me out of his grasp and fled the main room. The disturbance caught the attention of the rest of the students in the room and the unsettling sound of whispers began resonating against the walls. I felt the familiar uncomfortable receptivity of several pairs of eyes groping my very being. I shuddered and hastily regained my composure, returning to previous spot on the carpet beside my puzzle. As I restarted my puzzle, once again, I had one very pestering question in mind.

What the hell made Mello act like a flustered schoolgirl?