AN: You guys are SO lucky XD I had a BUNCH of inspiration and wrote until my fingers hurt - and even further - and now my parents are practically cursing at me to hurry up already in order to catch the plane.

You better enjoy it! :3 And see ya in thee weeks ^^

Chapter 10

Date: 20th May

"You're going to Japan?" Mai said, confused and slightly amazed. I nod and turn from my puzzle to look at her reaction more carefully.

"…Why?" She said eventually, probably thinking Japan would be amazing – she always talked about foreign countries and that she wanted to go there later. I twirl my hair mindlessly. "L needs help on the investigation." I explain briefly. Mello would be coming too, but Matt would stay here. I'm sure he'll be enough of a replacement for me and Mello according to his friendship with Mai.

"How long will you be away?" She then asked slightly coolly, but the tiny smile told me she was a little jealous.

"…I don't know." I answer truthfully. It wouldn't be over a year or something, but it might take a while. According to Mello, L wants us to stay there until the Kira case is solved. I believe otherwise – it could take months before it's solved. From what I heard it was a difficult case – difficult enough for L to take months. "A while."

"A shorty or a long?" She asked, eyes at the ceiling in thought, before she looked at me again. I shrug and she pouts at the incomplete answer before looking mildly worried. "When are you going?"

"Tomorrow."

A frown appeared on her face – she was thinking why I didn't tell it her earlier. "I just heard it this afternoon." I quickly explain, seeing no need for why I would make her angry. She nods and looks around the room, eyeing the suitcases in the corner. She had asked for them – and I had given her the answer. "Okay." She said and nodded, before giving me a bright smile. "If you don't write and call me – you won't be able to return." She said and I blink before smirking lightly at her antics. At this she lets out a delighted laugh before jumping up from my bed.

"You should pack!" She exclaimed, waltzing down to the bathroom door. "I'll come and get you for dinner."

Date: 16th July

I sigh lightly when I press the buttons to get the computer working. I didn't mind working with L – but I'd like to go back home at the moment. And maybe – I admit it – Mai has been itching in my thoughts right now. Pretty stupid for me to get homesick. But then again, even Mello complained about it – and he loved it here because he could see L daily. And, the fact she's been pretty cold and silent lately. First she kept on whining she didn't find it nice to talk to a letter on the screen with me able to see her, but lately she just asked the same things or answer my questions, and then we would hang up. Truly, she was a mystery I wouldn't get to solve.

The computer made a beep and I open some files before clicking on Wammy's house. Mello grunted his greeting at me and sat down on a random couch in the room, when I clicked the button to call Wammy's.

It ringed a few times before Roger got into the picture. "Near?" He asked doubtfully. I reach up to twirl my hair.

"Correct. Roger, I call to inform you we will be leaving in a week." I said and he nodded, a polite smile on his face. "Okay, I will start preparations."

"Good. Now, I would like to speak to Mai." I said, wondering if my voice was also robotically changed by the communicator. Through the camcorder I could see Roger sigh.

"She ran of with Matt. Left a note saying they'll be on a vacation in France." He said in a dead-pan voice, and Mello perked up behind me. Mai was on a vacation in France with Matt? How could she aff- no wait, I know she could afford it. But why would they go? How did they sneak out? "And you are not going to get them back because…" Mello asked, standing behind me.

Roger looked at the screen quizzically before re-adjusting his glasses. "I believe Mai could use some time off." He explained. Interesting… Mai needs time off. I wonder what the cause is. As I hoped, Roger continued explaining. "I thought she would've informed you about it when you called her, Near." He said confusedly and I sit up a little straighter. Did something happen? "I guess I'll pass the news. Mai's mother and little brother died in a car-accident on their way here."

Mello snorted in confusion and I tensed lightly, before covering it up and rubbing my fingers over the desk. "I can give you her location…"

"Please."

Mello decided on going with me because he wanted to see Matt again, and L told us we were allowed to go – the case was, according to him, as good as closed, for he was sure Light Yagami was Kira. The only thing he would need was actual evidence, and we agreed upon helping him from out Wammy's. "I am taking earlier leave." I mutter in explanation for Mello and me, and L nodded, already informed.

The day later, we were on the airport in France, and I was only a little nervous with Mello around. He wasn't exactly my type of friend, but I was here with him, so we'd have to move together.

"Marseille… they sure did pick on hell of a location." Mello said contently when he felt the burning on his bare skin once we got outside. I scowl lightly – I didn't like heat. I let Mello do the leading – he seems to know where to go with instinct which I could trust. He may do rash things, but he never did extremely wrong things. We eventually landed up in the part of the city Roger told us they were, so now we only needed to search. Great. I heard Mello suggest we would go and wait at their hotel, and I reluctantly agreed. It would be better than trying to search the entire city for them.

I waited for a while for Mello to read the map and was glad when I noticed it was past six pm already – the heat was going down thankfully.

"Naaah let me gooo!" I heard a male someone slur and Mello scoffed at the obvious shouting of – approximately – two people who might have a little too much to drink. "That tickles!" I tune out their bickering voice and watch at the streets for a second. Most people would be a little more than afraid at being here with no clue where to go – but that was really just unnecessary. If we got lost, we had enough money and we could always call Roger. Besides, I trust Mello would know what to do – he was more of an adventure type than me.

"Dammit Matt you can be so annoying. I told you not to drink that much!" Someone female scoffed at her companion and Mello perks up earlier than I do. "Get your hands of that place mister." The scowling got replaced for a giggle which I definitely recognized and the word 'timing' flashed right through my mind before I turned around and saw Matt and Mai coming from another street.

Matt had one arm around Mai's waist and was pulling her hair and Mai allowed it with a sour face, replacing his hands sometimes when she thought they went to far. "I don't know how people keep up with you…" She murmurs and squeaked when he pinched her side. "MaiMaiMaaai~" He sung out, before hiccupping. "Youknowyou'rereallypretty? Maybebetter… than movies. Youcouldnever compete withgames." He said quickly and Mai sighed before shaking her head, mildly amused.

I however – was not amused. Who did Matt think he was? I was about to walk over to them when Mello decided to take action for me. "Fuck you Matt!" Mello scoffed and Matt looked up wildly, proceeding into tumbling to the floor, nearly dragging Mai with him. Mai raised an eyebrow at him before blinking and looking up again to the intruders. Her eyes widened considerably when she saw me and she opened her mouth to say something, before closing.

"BONJOUR MELLO YELLOW FELLOW~" Mello interrupted him with a whack on his head, stopping Matt from his dance-like-run at his best friend. Immediately – like always – Mello began bickering against him and Matt made random comments which would either earn him a chuckle, a scoff or a punch.

Meanwhile, Mai held out her hands in front of her quickly. "I didn't drink! Seriously! Didn't touch anything beside water… and maybe soda." She said worriedly and I frown lightly at her, wondering why she would think I believed she had been drinking. Even if she did – it wasn't really my business. I was waiting for the normal welcome – heck, even when I came to her after an exam she would squirm into my arms and give me a big kiss. Now, however, she didn't even move from her spot.

We stood in silence for a while and she lowered her hands, awkwardly scratching her arm a little. "Why are you here?" She then quietly asked and I lowered my hand from the lock of hair I had been twirling, resting it at my side.

"We are here to get you and Matt back at Wammy's." I answer monotonously and she furrowed her eyebrows. "Why?" She asked again and I wonder if she was really expecting more information. I decided upon answering her.

"The rule is that you are not allowed to leave Wammy's without a supervisor." I explain and she scoffed at me – she scoffed at me without the playful glint.

"Roger let us go, I called him myself." She stubbornly shot back and I don't reply, staring at her. Mello yelled for us to continue walking and Mai quickly complied, hobbling after them.

As said, we were in the plane back to England three hours later. Mello had them pack their stuff quickly – maybe a little torturing with it – and right now Mai was sitting next to me silently, while Matt and Mello were making enough noise for ten.

I understood she was upset about her loss, but I expected her to talk about it. She was that kind of girl, and right now I feel like I don't know her at all. She didn't look different – only the significant change in expressions. Didn't someone comfort her when she heard the news? And why were her mother and sibling on their way here anyway? Random family visits were very rare – not always allowed and not always wanted. It crossed my mind she didn't dealt with it yet and just went here with Matt to have something else on her mind.

"It's okay to cry." I murmur to her while eyeing her. She had been silent for the entire ride to the air port too. Matt and Mello had given up on noise and decided to do a card-game in the seats across from us. The luxury of a private plane – no annoying people who make a lot of noise.

"No. No, it's not." Mai replied coolly, glaring at the seats opposite from us, who were unoccupied. Between them and our seats there was a small table, but with enough leg-room. She kept silent again and Mello rolled his eyes but I could see he was considerate, before he turned to play with Matt again.

Odd. I felt a little uncomfortable with her silence. I guess I got used to her chattering. I miss her noise. Out of the corner of my eyes I see her stare in front of her, and I briefly wonder what she was really thinking.

"You suck dude." I heard Matt say next to me when he, apparently, lost another game of whatever card-game they were playing. It looked like poker, but I never deepened in those things. Mello made a remark back which Matt snorted at, and they continued bickering about the game.

It was silent for a while and I realized I really despised the music they would play in private planes – it was way to 'cheesy' as people call it.

I feel the arm rest move and watch Mai's hand grab it tightly, trying to squeeze it hardly and I move my gaze over to her face. Her eyes were closed tightly, bangs in front of it a little while she pressed her lips together tightly, rocking back and forth.

With a swift movement my arm shot out and I released her from the belt around the chair, before tugging her arm and she complied, moving out of her seat and pushing both my knees down, putting her arms around my neck and her face in it, her legs pulled up to her chest. I stroke her hair softly as she lets out strangled sobs in a row, clutching my shirt tightly.

I completely ignore Matt and Mello who were giving us awkward glances, but obviously knowing what was wrong with her, and because of that they decided to stand up and move to the compartment behind this one, continuing their games there and I glanced after them thankfully. Maybe the most awkward thing for them to see was me displaying my affection for her. Oh well.

"It's my fault..." She murmured through her sobs. "She came to get me far enough to go home with her…" Really? Why would she do that? Mai had clearly told them she rather stayed at the orphanage, at least that's what she said before the accident. "She called on a divorce… and wanted me back…Mom and Damian…" She buried her face deeper in my shirt and I gently wrap my arms around her a little, resting my head on top of hers.

I let her cry out her heart before letting her go a bit more, my hold on her not tight anymore and she released her hands from my chest, sniffing now and then and staring at my wrinkled and wet shirt. "I'm sorry." She semi-whispered and I was about to tell her it didn't mind she wet the shirt, only to find her talking about something else. "I should not have reacted it on you… That was low." I don't respond and gently rub circles with my thumb on her back. "I love you," She said quietly and I smile lightly, murmuring my answer back to her and it made her close her eyes and relax a little on my body.

It was silent for a while and some body parts became to ache – but I ignored it. I know Mai would rather stay in this position for the entire ride, and I wouldn't mind.

"It's Fleurette. Fleurette Mireille."

I remained silent, my eyes only widening a little bit. Why did she tell me that? Her real name? L forbids Mello, Matt and me to ever tell our names to anyone – it didn't matter who, even if it was someone who claimed to be our long lost families. He made it very clearly he wouldn't have any of that, for people could betray you very easily.

But Mai wasn't that kind of person was she? She might get distant when angry, but she wouldn't tell things that were supposed to be a secret. "It's… a beautiful name." I reply and I wonder if her face scrunched up in the reply – she must understand by now I am not intending to tell my name.

Her body was as relaxed as ever and when I looked at her briefly her eyes were still closed, dried up tears on her cheeks and some fresh tears still at her lashes. She didn't mind me not telling her. So it really was just the cause she wanted to tell me, for me to know in case.

Content with that thought I rest my head on hers again and close my eyes when she gives my neck a soft kiss. Her hair tickles lightly and she shuffled a little before I felt her body relax more and heard her breathing get more even with the seconds, and I allowed my hands to stroke through her hair and rub at the small of her back, thankful she was going to sleep.