A/N: This is just me trying to figure out what's going through Near's head.
9/27/08: I moved this from my old account, so if this looks familiar, that's why.
Disclaimer: None of the below characters, situations or settings are mine. I've taken a few lines from the manga (VIZ translation), including all the dialogue and two sentences at the end. They are not mine either.
Stand
No, stop. That's not right.
Don't be so stupid.
I stare at the screens where this so called President is making the worst mistake anyone can make. Worse, he's making it for the entirety of the United States. He who is supposed to lead the people, protect them…he has destroyed all their moves. Democracy is gone now, Kira is absolute. Their game has ended.
And I…
My organization will be dissolved. I will have to escape before the 'President' tells Kira how to find me…
I am beyond infuriated at this set back, although I know that this will likely end in my favor. Mello will be able to contact me once I go into hiding. If he chooses to do this (and there is only a slight chance that he will not), things will be made clear.
But they'll be made clear for both of us, and that is troublesome. We will have access to the same data, and the same chances. I'm not arrogant enough to think that Mello will be unable to work out all that I have done.
Still, it's better to find out what he knows. We have too much at stake to let even our rivalry hold us back from the smallest detail. In this game, the slightest detail could spell both of our destructions. I glance around at my subordinates, still staring, transfixed, at the screen. The 'President' is still talking, although nothing he says has meaning now.
Assuming she remains with me, Mello's path to me will certainly be though Hal. She was distantly linked to him through his mafia, and has, if I'm not mistaken, been in contact with him since before he was forced to destroy his hide out.
"What's going to happen to us now?" Hal mutters. Perfect, perfect body control, no involuntary movements or glances towards me. She has given absolutely no signals that would draw attention to herself but for her words. So it appears she will stay. Excellent.
"We're going to be dissolved. Thanks to that chicken-hearted president…no, he's not a chicken. He's not even a maggot." Strange, even to my own ears I sound bitter.
At the tone, the SPK turns to me, and I notice first that Hal and Giovanni have unconcealed surprise on their faces, then that I am standing.
Their expressions are warranted, as I am surprised myself. Despite my perhaps over-confidence, certainly despite my competitive nature, I've never been wont to express myself physically. When confronted, even by those I consider far beneath me, I shrink into myself. I stay low, avert my eyes, never raise my voice, or even scowl. This can easily be mistaken as submission, and is an advantage to me.
So my instinct to stand just now (for it certainly was an instinct, I made no conscious decision to move at all) is very much out of character for me. Additionally, it seems rather cliched. It brings phrases such as 'taking a stand' or 'rising to the challenge' to mind.
Ridiculous.
Pointless actions aside, I will carry on with my fight, and I will win, not just this competition with Mello, but also for the fate of the world.
Because accepting Kira is out of the question.
A/N: Please review, any feedback at all is highly appreciated!