1:17 a.m.

“Shit!” Mello screeched as the boiling liquid was poured on an open wound. He had just come back from another raid, and was letting Matt fix him up.

“Be quiet.” Matt muttered around his cigarette. “Boiling water helps to sterilize and relax the tissue, then I’ll pour on cold water to stop the swelling. After all that hell is over, I’ll remove the splinters.” He finished patting Mello’s silk locks with one hand while the other grabbed the bowl of cold water. His smile seemed to grow at the thought of Mello's situation. Oh. Bad dog he was.

Mello hissed as the freezing, numbing fluid hit the gash. “I don’t care about the water.” This caused Matt to raise a brow. “I do though… want you to STOP SMOKING WHILE TENDING OPEN FLESH!!!!!!” He ripped the stick from Matt’s lips and threw it out the open window. “There.” He said leaning back, “Don’t do it again.”

“What!?” Matt face clearly showed his shocked disapproval. “It was an innocent cigarette! You killed it!” Matt looked forlorn out the window and glared at Mello. “You nut case! You keep getting weirder and weirder since you started working without Near. If I didn’t know for a fact that you were a boy I’d swear you were a depressed, pmsing girl.”

“Oh sure.” Mello said smugly lifting his hands into the air. “Like any girl would walk around with a face and reputation that I’ve got.”

“That’s stupid, Mel.” Matt moaned, “I’m meaning your behavior. I didn’t say anything about your physic or rep.”

“Shut up, Matt.” Mello muttered fingering his rosary. “Everything’s so screwed up right now. A lot of my most trusted men got killed tonight and….” He trailed off to watch Matt pull a huge piece of metal from his kneecap.

“And what?” Matt urged the blond, turning his head up to look at Mello’s filmy eyes. His hands continued to move pouring alcohol across the open, bleeding wound. “What’s happened?”

“I’ve heard that Outa was killed by Kira. I just got the information from one of my men watching Near’s hideout. They said Outa was driving to the building when his car suddenly swerved into the side of the road, hitting the glass entrance to the bank. He stumbled out of the car falling half into the busy street were his body was hit by a fast moving vehicle. His body was picked up and the doctors report that he had died from a heart attack. Just like Kira’s other victims.”

“O-oh. My-.” Matt stuttered running a hand threw his hair. “Wow. Man.” He sat in front of Mello diving into his subconscious. “So I guess Near will half to find another aid, huh?”

“Yes. But, I know who killed Outa.” Mello winced as he put pressure on his bleeding arm. “I believe that it was Mikami who murdered him.”

Matt’s face lit up. “You think? ...... Of course! Mikami believes that Kira is a god! What better way to prove his loyalty than to kill his own best friend! He might have used Outa’s death as a way of showing his ‘repentance’. What a crappy bargain! That jerk!” Matt lit up another cigarette. “Nothing good is gonna come outa this, Ya’ know. If Miakmi has Kira’s power, as is made known threw Outa’s death, we could all be killed.”

Mello took the cigarette from Matt’s lips again and dropped it into a glass of water sitting on the counter. Ignoring the cold glare, he motioned for Matt to continue cleaning him up. “I know all that. But, he might have even done it indirectly. If he loves Kira so much, he might have just given Kira the info. And let the basterd do his dirty work for him. I might have a chance since all my records have vanished or been destroyed. There’s nothing for me to worry about at the moment. And thank god, you don’t pose as any sort of threat to this mad man. I don’t think I could handle all the technical stuff.”

Matt chuckled softly. “I’m not going anywhere. I’d die if it meant keeping things as sain as possible. But, since I’m your friend, I’ll stay as close as I can. You need a keeper, to hold your temper in check, so you can finish this case.” He lifted his goggles from his green eyes to get a better look at the gash in the older boy’s upper thigh. He didn't know how Mello could get as hurt as he was and still not have a mark. Well. Except for the scars on his upper body. But, even those had started to fade. Really if there was a God, He sure was watching this fool.

“Why did you not take the job as Near’s assistant?” Mello said unwrapping a chocolate bar. “You could have had everything as far as new computers and hacking skills.”

“Well-” SNAP! Matt winced at the noise. "I didn't think-" SNAP! “Don’t snap your damn chocolate while I’m talking!? That is by far the most irritating habit you’ve developed recently!”

“Huh.” Mello grunted letting the piece of candy hang from his mouth as he slowly sucked on it.

Matt pouted and looked back at his work. “ANYWAY. I didn’t take the job because I knew you would be treated as an outcast. Nears my friend, but I hold a lot of obligation were you are concerned. I’ve stuck with you this far. I don’t see why I should stop being the lazy mobster I am to be a good boy.” A big goofy grin spread across the redhead’s face as he finished and looked up.

Mello’s face went from mild shock to the picture of an angel. Everything about him seemed to glow with heavenly radians. His eyes soft and serene. Those thin lips curved at the corners. He placed his hand on Matt’s shoulders. “Thank you, Matt.”

“No problem, Mels.” Matt said smiling even bigger.

“Now.” Mello stated removing his hands. “Hurry up and finish. I’m getting cold sitting in just my skivies and skin.” He leaned back and took another giant chomp out of his candy.

Matt’s face fell back to the original ‘just great’ look before he sighed and went back to cleaning the blonde’s tanned skin. He was begining to wonder if even this God could save the maddening angel from falling. All he could think to do right now was search out all their info. and dispose of it before anyone tattled.

"Say, Matt?" Mello suddenly whispered looking unblinking at the still working gamer.

"Hmm?" Was all he got for an answer.

"Mikami can't tell Kira much right? I mean. If he's trying to clear himself for the big man." Mello gently pulled Matt's face up "He can't let his dirty recored out of the bag. He's gotta stay sain for the boss, am I right? And what better then to probably pay for some kinda shock treatment to clear his mind? Expecially when he just got his best friend killed? If not killed him himself?" Mello's looked like a kid again on Christmas. The candy was waiting for him and he could eat as much as he like with a clear mind.

"You gotta point there." Matt said sitting back and motioning for Mello to get dressed again. When Mello had left the room though. The poor red top hung his head and wished things were that kind to them. But, something tolled him it was not that simple. He got up and walked out telling his cat like friend "I'm gonna go out for some smokes, Mels."

"Get me somemore chocolate while your at it!" The boy shouted from his place.

All Matt did was nod and quietly leave. Needing time to think things out.

3:48 a.m.

It had been six months and Near sat in his newly acquired base working over the case in sure fury. Things with it had become more difficult and news that he wasn’t L’s successor hadn’t helped any at all. Not long after he had arrived in the foreign country had he been told that Rodger had made a mistake and that L had given his place to none other than Light. The very person L had suspected! It was outrageous! That freak had called about L's passing to Mello and others! Dirty filth should not speak that name or hold that damn title! It was HIS! Near hadn’t been this emotionally furious in many years.

“Why am I not in that very place?” Near murmured to himself through set teeth. He placed another Lego on the growing fortress he was building around himself.

“Don’t grit your teeth, Near.” Outa said from somewhere outside the Lego mess. “I think that L was controlled like so many others when he gave the position to the Yagami boy.”

“I’ve thought of that.” Near sulked “But, I’m still upset.” He pushed a part of the wall out and crawled from his fort. After looking at it for a moment, he sat next to Outa and began idly typing on the key bored.

“Stop it.” The man said “You continue and I’ll tell Mello and Matt about your little bit of defeat.” He hoped it had the effect he wanted it. And it did.

“You will not say anything!” Near hopped up. “To say anything to them is to kill any reasons I took you with me.” He began typing with even more vigor. “By the way. Have you found Mikami yet?”

It was Outa turn to sulk. “No.” He said slumping in his chair slightly. “If he was going to be joining Kira he would be were there would be plenty of activity.”

“Have you gotten the information on what the other L is doing?” Outa asked after a few moments had past.

“Just the usual, it seems.” Near clicked open a window that showed the inside of L’s fortress.

There sat Light, a rather tall slender built young man about collage age, with light brown hair that seemed perfect in every place. His tight kaki pants and stiff choler shirt made Near cringe. He was moving from computer screens to a black notebook laid out in front of him. He seemed to be taking notes of the criminals Kira had killed in it; writing their names, how they died and at what time it happened. Stupid perfectionist bitch.

Near sat looking at the screen, twirling a lock of his hair. Nothing showed openly in his huge orbs. They appeared to have this mysterious void about them As if their owner was in two places at the same time.

Shaking himself a little Outa stood up. “I’m going out. Do you need anything?”
His question was meet with silence so he left with out another word.

‘This is all he does.’ Near thought as he continued to watch his mini rival walk to get some coffee and talk with a former police agent. ‘He sits at his computers, TVs and that notebook. Just typing and looking. All day he does that, all night. He never moves.’

It’s as though on cue, Light looked up at the tiny screen. He couldn’t see Near but it’s as if he felt him. They gazed into each other for nearly five whole minutes before the same officer came to the brunet’s side.

“What’s wrong, Light?” The man asked in his home tongue. He proceeded to glance at the same spot that Light was looking at. “Do you want me to get the base cleaned?”

‘This man is so thick…’ Near thought with a smirk at Light’s dense companion. He had memorized the manes of all the people who worked with the ‘new L’.

The man with Light right now was Matsuda. A young officer who had quit the task force to continue working with L as an undercover man, although he had nearly gotten himself killed on more than one occasion. Near didn’t have to worry about this guy’s brains seeing as how L used to refer to him as ‘that stupid Matsuda.’

Mogi was the silent worker. He seemed to obey orders without question and gather information. L’s recorded said that Mogi was efficient for handling the unglamorous work. This man could posse as a problem, if crossed.

And lastly there was Soichiro Yagami, Light’s father. This man had unmatched figuring skills, and bravery to the point of it being ridiculous. Almost as ridiculous as Matt’s. L had it down that when he put Light in quarantined observation, that his father had himself locked up too. His love and trust for his son was so strong that he knew seeing his child confined could drive him to even attack L.

‘I’ve got to be watchful of that one.’ Near sighed looking at Light’s file. The young chestnut was the top graduate of his high school and private lessons. Light had a record of physical feats that Near could never dream of doing. And he was the freshman representative for his collage, having scored all one hundred percents alongside L. L hadn’t trusted Yagami and therefore took him to there base for close watch. When it appeared he was innocent, L used him for his brain.

But, the file wasn’t complete since L had died. And now Light had HIS position! He just couldn't take this. It was wrong. Not just he not being L. But, the idea that Light Yagami somehow fooled L. The world's best.

Near tossed the files away from him and turned back to the screen. “Light Yagami.” He muttered to himself, “I believe L was right. You are Kira and I shall take you to prison for trial and death. If you have the gall to send people to their graves prematurely then you shouldn’t have a problem with me sending you to yours. I am justice. You are mine.” He took out a picture from his pocket and gazed at the frowning blond on it. It was all he had left of his cheerished memories. “When this is over, we can all be safe. That’s what I wish for anyway.” He placed the picture now in a hiden pocket of his shirt. And once again, turned to the cameras.

8:43 p.m.

The whole room filled with smoke as Matt sat staring at the many screens he had feed into the living room. Wires and sparks flew from various places and fizzled out of existence. Heat seemed to kill the air. Not that this stopped Matt and as he turned from his D.S. to the score of numbers and symbols that flew around the different sized monitors.

People shuffled in and surrounded the concentrating gamer. “Mello wants to know if you’ve got anything to report.” A tall sandy haired men asked turning Matt’s swivel chair to face them.

Matt didn’t even look up. “Jacks. You tell blondie that he doesn’t have to be formal with me. And if he wants to know what his hell is like he can come and see me himself.”

Jacks took a step back. “You sure are gutsy with the boss.” He finished with a nervous laugh. “Are you sure you want me to tell him that?”

“Be my guest.” Matt mumbled taking along drag and blowing it in the guy’s direction.

Jacks took the hint and went down the stairs. “Is he crazy!?” one the other men said. “Mello is gonna be so mad when Matt challenges him. That freak better pray for his life.”

“Matt’s got nothin’ to worry too much about. It’s his ability to be so close and open with Mello that keeps him alive actually.” Jacks said opening and climbing threw the small door that lead to the hiding place of the crazy blond.

“What did Matt say?” Mello was dressed in his all black and silver leather suit. He was bent over a large map he had stolen of L’s building. When they staid quiet just a second too long he got up, the tight leather creaking with every move he made. “WELL!?” He shouted moving around the table and stopping in front of his band of goons.

“He- He said that if you want any info. to come see him yourself.” Jacks said controlling himself to not back away from the enraged blond. They knew that the small height of their leader was nothing in comparison with his sudden movements and attacks.

Mello’s face turned to pure disgust and he snickered to himself. “That so?” He muttered and turned to Jacks. “The next time I send you for information I expect you to come back with it.” He said evilly and punched the man’s face. “Get up top and find out what the cops are doing about Kira.”

They all turned and walked back out, leaving the enraged flaxen haired man to himself. But, soon he too left the basement to find his suddenly rebellious red head pup.

“Here he comes.” Matt muttered around his cigarette. He faced Mello as the blond came in and stormed over beside him taking in the various codes.

“Why did you reject Jacks with my orders? No matter who asks you it comes from me.”

“Mels.” Matt sighed putting out what was left of his cigarette. “I don’t care who brings it, if you want it get it yourself. You aren’t an invalid, you can walk from there”, he pointed to the stairs, “to here anytime.”

Mello snickered and pulled up another chair. “Have there be any changes in the activity?” He asked squinting to try to understand what was happening on the screens. He wouldn’t admit it but he didn’t have a clue what Matt could see.

“No.” Matt replied by turning off his game. “What have you found?”

“That if this Kira ever get our picture or names, we’re dead. It seams that from what L got so far. There are two or three Kiras. Two have either passed on their power or they‘ve simply made themselves look innocent for the time being.”

“Why are we dead just by our pictures and names?” Matt secured his goggles in front of his eyes. “That doesn’t make sense at all, Mel.”

“I know. But, it’s all they need to kill you.”

“How?” Mello could tell Matt was hooked now by the way he didn’t play his games while he talked.

“Kira can kill you by either giving you a heart attack or any other means he can think of. He’s gotten pretty creative too. He’s killed someone with a bus jacking, and he’s caused the death of twelve F.B.I. agents sent to Japan on L’s request for the investigation. And now he has killed L himself.”

“How can you force a heart attack?” Matt said. “No one, unless you’ve got some kind of condition, can be told ‘You will die of a heart attack’ and do it.”

“He doesn’t need to say anything it seems or else they would have caught him by now.”

“Then how is he doing it?”

“That is what we need to find out.” Mello said biting a chocolate bar in half “We need to send some guys over there to spy for us. Then we’ll move in ourselves. Get me Aiber and Wedy to look into it. Their there anyway. They were working with L at his request.”

“Now you’re talkin’!” Matt chanted pulling out his phone and connecting it to his computer. “One thief and con artist team comin’ up!”

An hour later.

Matt's phone was still conected and beeping in the same repetitive way it did when a line was dead or busy. He frowned and reaching over shook Mello's shoulder to wake him from his doze.

"Wha?" Mello asked rubbing his lidded eyes and stretching like a cat in his chair. He leaned toward the phone Matt held out to him. He quirked when the line clicked and died. A simple message started it was Aiber's voice. The conman was saying things in a code. Mello started to write the information down and handed it to Matt while he tried Wedy's number. It was the same thing.

Matt tapped on Mello's unscared shoulder and held up the paper. Mello dropped Matt's phone to the table top at the now de-coded message.

*When this code is found. I've either quit my bussiness or died. You pick.*

"Sorry, Mel's" Matt said, he followed the blond to the kitchen area. "Aiber didn't quit, thats for sure. He must have died." Some how it sounded so bad to act so nonchalot about the professional's passing. But, it was obvious something they needed to face with a strait face to hold it together.

Mello just nodded and poured himself a strong drink. He only benged when something struck home with him. And boy had it ever. Kira comes and startes his killings. L takes up the case. L lets people see him for the first time and then dies! Now Aiber and Wedy!? What will happen next? Who will stop reporting? What if it's himself? Or Matt? And if Near ever dies they probably wouldn't find out till it was to late to do anything about it.

The kitchen was quiet as both men sat at the table and shared these similar thoughts.

2:30 p.m.

Near sat after Matt had talked with Rodger, wondering if this was real? Had both Mello and Matt just thrown away there easy chance at all the things they had ever dreamed of?

He stood up and felt as though he had some kind of power in his limbs. ‘So this is why Mello turned it down.’ He wondered ‘If we had worked together I would have been just as passive as L feared!’ He put his fisted hands over his wide eyes. ‘He knew this and gave Mello a challenge! Even in death L knew how to handle his successors.’ He turned to the stairs and walked up them. ‘With out the help of all the people I’ve depended on so closely…..Even Matt saw it sooner than I did.’ He smirked ‘I would have been a burden to them and any people who are involved in this case.’

He stopped at the familiar sound of chocolate being snapped. He looked up to see Mello standing at the top watching him with eyes of ice. “So are you going or not!?” He said in a tone that would kill. “As my rival, I can’t let you stay here and play around.” He walked toward Near his face filling with anger at every step. But, Near didn't move an inch. “Don’t just stand there, idiot! Get the hell out of my damn house!!”

Near felt Mello’s fist slam into his left cheek. Sending him flying into the wall. He got up and charged Mello his arms hanging at his sides. Mello didn’t have time as Near’s socked foot crashed his side. Near fought with his legs as much as possible. He had learned this from L when he was very small. His hands weren’t meant for combat but hidden beneath those baggy pants were the sturdiest pair of legs in the whole orphanage.

Mello was on his feet again and he immediately reached for his gun. He pulled it out to find that Near had one pointed at him as well. They stood waiting for each other to move. Mello felt the pain and the feeling of betrayal reflect from Near’s black pools. They both lowered their weapons and Mello just had time to mutter “Get out.” before he vanished into one of the many hidden places through out the house.

Matt had watch it all and had been waiting for one of the two to come find him. As he now bandaged Mello’s side he felt it o.k. to talk to the unruly blond. “You were pretty harsh with him.” He muttered around a cigarette.

“I had to.” Mello said looking down at the gamer. “It was the best way I could think of to get him moving. He can’t stay here if he wants to be L. Justice doesn’t blend with the Underline. They are two separate worlds.”

Near, who had been standing with his own recovery, clutched his chest as he listened to this. He knew that as long as he lived he would never forget those words. They meant too much to him. He foght the deep sad inside himself and wished them a silent farewell before he left to gather his things.

He meet Outa at the top. “I’ve a request for you.”

“Sure! What do you need?” Outa picked up one of the many boxes labeled ‘toys’ and began moving it down. He stopped and turned blinking at the white boy. “What?”

“I need an assistant for my work in the Kira case.” Near said sheepishly, twirling his hair.

Outa raised an eyebrow. “And I guess that you want me to get you one?”

“No.” Near replied “I want you to be my assistant. I need someone who knows what there doing in the underground and in the court rooms. You being a lawyer and a killer of sorts.” He finished and picked up another box moving down with Outa.

“Are you sure you would want me? Living a double life is dangerous enough without getting in the whole L thing.” Outa was thinking very hard about all this. “What about Mikami, anyway?”

“Mikami has gone ahead to join Kira.” Near sated with the utmost disgust. “He seems to think that killing criminals and being a murderer is only way to exist.”

Outa snickered at the ironic statement. “It’s funny to hear that from you of all people.”

“I am justice now. I can not afford to think of the past any. People need me I can not be selfish. As the L before me I must be able to give up things that I love very much before I engage in battle. That means my past lives and everyone in them.”

“How did you know that Mikami left? He didn’t even tell me except by cutting all our connections. It’s sad really….” They had reached the car by now and he leaned on the back while he asked Near about the topic.

“Sad as it is.” Near said “I don’t think Mikami felt the need to put any faith in L. Especially after they talked at the hospital. I could tell from then on that they wanted nothing more than to be away and opposite each other.”

There was a small silence that was followed by a heavy sigh. “How could L have died? He always took the utmost caution. I even heard that he built his own building to work inside of so he wouldn’t have to into hiding.” The older man sat hard on the ground. He rested his head in his head and made circular motions with his fingers over his temples.

“True. But, Kira was and still is some were in the small group of people that he let see his face.” Near sat next to Outa. “I’ve read everything that L chronicled about this case. And it seemed that of everyone he suspected a man named Light most.” Nears face sat frozen with his mask, but the rage burned his gut. For it was Light that had contacted Outa in the first place! That fool. He would pay for playing with them this way.

“Well…” Outa moved and stood a few steps from the undersized teen. “Were are we off to, N?” He said

“Our journey starts in Japan and goes were ever the case does.” He smiled at the sudden change in the man’s mind. Maybe this could become something interesting after all.

12:55 p.m.

All three of L’s top successors sat in the darkened basement. Each had their own reasons for being there. Matt: to decline any L offers that came to him. Mello: to see if he would be alone after this fateful meeting. Near: To see who would succeed their mentor.

The door opened and in walked the familiar figure of Rodger. The man who took charge of these matters since Watari had also died in the ‘Kira’ case investigation.

“You boys know the L routine am I correct?” Rodger stated sitting in the front of the long table. “The previous L left us with a little surprise as to the key of who will succeed him.”

Matt snickered behind his cigarette and turned away. His fingers blazing over some controllers buttons.

The old man glared at the upstart before turning back and looking at Near and Mello. “There is the rule that only one may go on to be L.” He gazed over some papers he held. “He never picked one of you.”

“What?” Mello said leaning forward. All those years of work he had put into showing them his worth and now none of them would be L?

“Let us hear Rodger out, Mello.” Near said. “Please continue. If he didn’t pick either of us who held his eye?”

Matt spun back around, “No way your making me do anything L’ish. I’m not up for it. I’m a passive type of guy mostly. Ummm……” He snapped his fingers “A follower not a leader. That’s what I mean!”

“L knew your intentions Matt never fear.” Rodger calmly told the boy. “L had other intentions for you.” He slid Matt some section of paper and again turned to the other two. “L said that Matt would act in the place of Watari.”

“Awwwwww.” Matt said “Ain’t he sweet!”

“Shut up, Matt!” Mello barked sitting down. “Now Rodger. Tell us who L picked.”

“L wished for you two to collaborate. He stated that one could benefit from the other. As Mello needs someone to act as the passive L and Near would require someone to do all the active work.”

The silence that followed made the air itself feel stifling. Both boys seemed to star off at nothing in particular.

Mello spoke first. “There can’t be two L’s at one time. It’s impossible. Near and I would only wined up fighting over the position.”

“Look here, you!” Rodger shouted standing up and going to stand beside Mello. “He watched you all the years he could! And even after he called when possible to check on the progress! You are not going to sit there and tell me that the consideration of a man who is now dead! Is going to be thrown away by the least likely of all of them! Why if it were up to me I’d have never even given you a thought!”

Mello stood up so quickly the man didn’t even see the movement. He had been sitting in the dark but was now in the full light in front of the man. His scar fully exposed and seemed to pulsate with his rage. “And if it had been ME! I would not have put an abusive old freak like you in charge of 78 children!!! For the man who was the world’s three top detectives, L sure didn’t pay to close attention to the underlying problems of his own institute. ‘The man who sees the world, doesn’t see his own home!’”

Rodger backed away from the mad look in the boy’s fiery eyes. “I only did what was in interest.” He stated pointing a shaking finger at him. “Discipline is the key to success! No matter what the cost!”

“ALL WE EVER WANTED WAS LOVE!!!! REAL LOVE AND APRESCIATION!!!” He stood panting for a moment, Near watching this quazi-drama unfold. His eyes wide with surprise. When Mello had collected himself he said in a whisper. “It’s all any of us wanted…. I want the position of L passed on to Near and Matt. I will catch this ‘Kira’ my own way. I’m grown and don’t need a parents hand to hold me down. Besides Near will be able to solve this keeping his cool. Something I can’t do.”

“Fine.” Rodger sighed “Near and Matt will go on. While Mello…” He glanced in the blond’s direction “will have all his records at Whammy’s erased. For his cowardice at not standing for justice.”

“As you see fit!” Mello spat walking up the stairs.

Matt stood at some point during the whole scenario “Ummmmmm…..Rodger?” Matt piped up. He walked and placed the papers back in the folder. He put out his cigarette on the bottom of his boot. “I’ve got something to say about the matter of being L’s assistant.” He ran a hand threw his mop of hair causing the mess to stick up on the top.

‘What a sight.’ Near snickered to himself.

“Yes, Mail?” Rodger said looking warmly at the red head.

“Not sure how else to put it…. But, I don’t want to be the Watari figure.”

“What!?” The man looked like he had just been torn in two. “Why!?” That smug Mello would get a good laugh at him if he had heard that.

Matt simply smiled. “Isn’t it obvious?”