Chapter 7:

An old man was sitting in his office working on some papers. He had his cell phone turned on next to him incase there was a message. A few seconds later it had beeped. He looked at the message with a little sadness in his eyes. He had gotten up from behind his desk and walked outside his office. He began walking down the hallway as some of the children were running down it. He had stopped one of the boys.

"Mello," he paused then said looking in the room of where he stood in the doorway. "And Near. Come to my room."

"Okay," Said the boy named Near.

"What's wrong Roger?" Mello asked.

Roger sat behind his desk with his hands folded as he said, "L has died."

Mello had looked surprised at his death. Near didn't show much of a reaction. But he seemed surprised as well.

"Who is his successor?" Asked Mello in a somewhat despereate voice.

"L wasn't able to choose. It seems you were both equal canidates to be his successor." Roger paused then said looking at both Near and Mello, "Mello. Near. How about working on this case together?"

Mello clearly didn't like the answer that was given.

Near was still working on a blank puzzle as he said, "that sounds agreeable."

Mello had argued for a few more minutes before he had left the office. On his way out he told Roger that it was okay. Near would take L's position since he seemed more fitted for the position.

He decided he would catch KIRA on his own with no help.

"Near," the old man said looking at the white haired boy who stayed in the office.

"What is it?"

"I was asked to give you a message from L. Here it is." He said handing his phone over so Near could read the message.

Near had read it. "I am asking you to protect Kara. I'm sending her to Los Angeles where you are. You are the only one who can protect her. I know you care for her as much as I do. This is why I'm entrusting her with you. I think Kara knows who KIRA is but is scared and angered at what he'll do to me. She should be arriving at the airport in two days after you receive this message. L."

"I understand." Near said leaving the building.

(Two days later)

Kara had arrived at the airport to take the flight to Los Angelus that L had set up before his death.

"Miss Ryuuga?" Asked a man in a suit walking up behind her. "I'm here to pick you up for the flight we'll be taking." The man said showing her his identification card.

"You're from the FBI?" She asked looking at him after seeing his identification card.

"Yes. I have orders to come and pick you up for your flight and take you to meet the head of the investigation team who's after KIRA." At the mention of his name Kara felt tears fall from her eyes. "Miss Ryuuga?" The man asked.

"I'm alright." Kara said as she wiped her eyes.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to mention that name to you. I know you are still mourning over your late husband. Please forgive my rudeness." The man said bowing apologetically.

"It's alright. I know I'll be hearing it alot until the case is closed." Kara said as they boarded the plane for Los Angeles.

"Are you alright Miss Ryuuga?" The man asked.

"I'm okay. It's just morning sickness." Kara said as she closed her eyes and laid her head back.

"You're pregnant? Are you sure you should be traveling so soon?"

"I'm okay. A little travel won't hurt me or the child." Kara said smiling at the man.

Five hours later they had arrived at the Los Angeles airport.

"Right this way." The man said leading Kara towards a black limousine. He opened the back door and Kara sat down on the back seat. The man sat down next to her and closed the door. The limousine driver had began driving with the directions given to them from the FBI agent.

They had arrived at a tall building and walked inside. They went towards an elevator and walked inside. The FBI agent had pressed one of the buttons and the elevator began moving downwards.

A few minutes later they arrived at a room.

"Place your hand on here." He said showing her a hand scanning machine.

"Okay," Kara said as she placed her hand on the scanner.

Near had looked at the video screen.

"She's here." He said with a small smile.

"You care for her Near." The female agent said.

Near looked at her and asked, "is it that obvious?"

"You always have a serious face on. You hardly ever smile like you just did." She said looking at him.

"She means alot to me. And L knows I care for her as much as he did." Near said looking at the female FBI agent. "That is why he entrusted me with protecting Kara. I'll do whatever it takes to protect her from KIRA." Near said with a serious look.

"I see." The female agent said looking at Near.

Kara and the FBI agent had walked into the room.

"It's been a while Kara-chan." Near said turning around in his chair so he faced her.

"Near-chan," Kara said in a somewhat shocked voice. All of a sudden tears fell from her eyes. She ran towards him and hugged him. "I'm so glad to see you. I've missed you."

"I've missed you too." Near said hugging her back. "You've changed somewhat? Has something happened?"

"Well," Kara paused then said. "I never got the chance to tell Ryu-chan."

"Tell him what?" Near asked.

"He was going to be a father." Kara said with her eyes closed.

"You're carrying his child?" Near asked a little shocked.

"Yeah. I had taken three different tests and had visited a doctor to make sure it was positive. I've been having the morning sickness for the past week." Kara said looking at him.

"I see. Are you feeling okay now? You've traveled quite a bit today. You're probably exhausted from it. You should go and lay down."

"Kara-chan can rest on the couch over here." One of the men said as they had gotten up.

"Thank you," Kara said smiling at the man.

Near had grabbed a blanket from the back of the room and placed it over her.

"You just lay here and rest. I'll wake you up in a while, okay." Near said smiling at her.

"Okay." Kara said as she closed her eyes.

Near went back to sitting where he was before Kara had shown up with the FBI agent.