This is later than I meant it to be... x_x
Haruka wasnt going to answer her cell phone until she saw the caller ID.
Beep.
"Roger? You got the message then?" she asked in English.
"Yes, unfortunately. How long ago did it happen?"
"In November. I would have called you, but I knew you would find out, and I wasn't thinking terrible well..."
"I understand." He sounded sympathetic. "It was Kira?"
"Yes," Haruka said shortly. "Whave you told Mello and Near?"
"I did. Mello... Well. Mello. Near took it calmly, like always."
"Of course," she murmered. "What are you going to do about L's successor? He didn't choose one."
"I asked them to work together," Roger said. "But Mello wouldn't have it. And he said that Near was the better choice. But... He's leaving the orphanage."
Haruka's eyes got wide. "What? But he's not even fifteen yet!"
"I know."
"Well, you have to stop -- he's already gone isn't he?" Roger didn't say anything. "Um, I'm sure I'll talk to him, I have his cell phone number. How's Near doing?"
"Very well. He's been looking over the case, and we're going to form a team to handle everything, like the task force in Japan. Possibly based in America."
Haruka took a deep breath. "Can I work under him?"
She could hear the surprise in Roger's voice when he answered. "But why? You're already working with the task force."
"So I'll leave. I can't stay here, Roger. I just can't."
"I understand," he said softly. "I'll talk to Near."
"Thanks Roger. I'll let you know if I get ahold of Mello."
"All right. Goodbye."
"Bye."
The next time Haruka's phone rang, it was morning. Three in the morning to be exact. She groaned and answered without opening her eyes.
"Moshi moshi," she mumbled.
"Haruka! What happened to L?!"
"Mello?" she looked at the clock next to her bed. 3:12. "Do you know what time it is here?!"
"What happened to L? Was it Kira?"
"Yes," Haruka sighed.
"Kira..." Mello muttered threateningly.
"Mello, you should go back to Wammy's. You and Near would make a good team. You could make a real difference."
"No, " he said right away.
"Just flat-out no..." Haruka said. "Nothing I say will convince you, I'm sure. Just promise me you won't do anything too illegal."
"No promises."
"Oh gees," Haruka groaned. "Mello, I can't deal with this at 3 in the morning. I do actually need sleep. But keep in touch, okay?"
"Mm," he grunted noncommitedly and hung up.
Haruka sighed deeply, rolled over, and went back to sleep.
The next day, Haruka was with the task force during their meeting. During a lull in the talking, her phone beeped with a text message, form Roger.
You can work with Near.
Haruka took a deep breath and loked up at everyone. "I need to say something." She waited until she had everyone's attention, then continued. "I'm leaving the task force."
"What?!" Matsuda cried immediately. "You can't, we need you here!"
"I'm sorry, Matsuda-kun. Really. But I can't stay here."
The chief spoke up, much more calmly that Matsuda. "When will you be leaving?"
"As soon as I can pack my things and get a flight out of here, Yagami-dono."
"It's a shame, " Light spoke up. "You're a real help to the investigation. Is there anything we could do to make you stay?"
"No, there's really not," Haruka said, a little more coldly than she meant to. She had to remind herself not to act suspicious around Light. She couldn't do anything about it until she teamed up with Near. No matter how much she wanted to jump on him right now.
She answered a few more questions, managed to calm Matsuda down a little, and left a few days later.
And that was how Haruka ended up with Near, grinning slightely at his proclamation.
"You can address me as N."
I believe this is the longest chapter I've ever written. I think it's also my favorite, because of Mello's phone call ^^ But I tihnk the ending isn't very good. I dunno.
