Author's Note: *bows to readers* GOMENASAI! GOMEN! GOMEN! TT_TT I am so sorry for taking so fudgin' long on this! It's short, yes, but the next chapter will be much longer and much more descriptive and professional sounding. This is a failure to my Near fanfic, but I had to upload this chapter to let you guys know I'm still alive and writing! Upon uploading this, I'll be working on my Beyond Birthday fanfic, so keep your eyes out for that one! Again, I am SOOO SORRY! Gomen! *bow bow*

"This guy, who the hell does he think he is?"

"What connection does he have to Near?"

"I think his presence will help Near out with the case. I'm glad I thought to call him."

Near had called a SPK meeting, all members required to attend. Rester seemed content with his decision of asking Mello to come. Lidner, however, look positively disgusted with Mello's conduct and mannerisms. Gevanni's expression was a mix between confusion, anger, and contentedness. All eyes were on Mello as though expecting some sort of violent act from the newcomer. Mello was leaned back in his chair, his feet propped up on the long table. Near sat across from him, curled up in the chair, still in his pajamas (which had small trains and actions figures printed on the cloth). Mello took yet another large bite of his fifth chocolate bar, looking over at Lidner and smirking.

"The hell you looking at?" She snarled. Mello scoffed.

"Quite the feisty one. Damn, Near, you hired a freaking anger-induced assassin!"

"Watch what you say, asshole."

"Ouch, that reeeeally stung."

"Why, I oughta--"

"Lidner, sit down."

Lidner looked angrily at Near, the one who had commanded her to sit down, before throwing a dirty look towards Mello and resuming her casual stance in her seat. Mello looked away from her before turning to Near.

"So, what you're telling me is, this girl that you met on the streets is a Kira follower. So then you put her into captivity to research her a bit further and she mentioned..what?"

"She was talking to a..a shinigami."

Mello threw his feet off the table and sat forward, his eyes wide. "What? A shinigami? But..how can that be? I mean, I didn't think they existed."

Near glared at Mello. "I didn't think they existed either, but I saw a spot that was pressed down on the bed next to her suddenly disappear, as though something or someone were sitting on the bed beside her and stood up. It wasn't a trick of the eye."

Mello shut his mouth. "You know, I hate it when you predict everything I'm going to say."

"And I hate it when you're a smart ass."

"'Ey, you better get used to it. You should be used to it by now, we grew up together!"

"True, but it's been so long since we've last actually talked that I had forgotton how incredibly stubborn you are."

Mello stood up and looked at Rester, his gaze smoldering. "You told me the little twit wouldn't pull anything like being an ass if I came down! I took time out of my schedule to help out him out and he treats me like this?!"

Rester looked at Near. "Near, please to considerate. Mello did actually come down here for your sake and I think it would be only fair to try and not argue. Surely you have your differences, but please, just see it from all perspectives and agree."

Near looked at Rester, surprised. Never once, had he been talked down to like...like a child. Of course, he knew he was merely an adolescent, but he was an adolescent with more power than any other. He sighed and looked at Mello.

"Forgive me, Mello. I'll learn to cooperate."

Mello scoffed and sat back down, flinging his leather clad feet back onto the table. He took another loud bite of his chocolate bar and nodded. "Alright, I'll stay." He muttered. "So, you have the re-run of the tape with the shinigami proof?"

Near nodded and stood up, disappearing from the room. A moment later, he returned with a large TV that rested on a stand. It towered significantly over Near and Rester was surprised the young boy was that strong to wheel such a heavy thing into the room. Near then brandished a large video tape, it's title labeled in Japanese. He pushed it into the VCR and the static faded from the screen to reveal the familiar scene of Katsumi muttering to what it first appeared, herself. Suddenly, Mello saw the same thing Near had seen and dropped his chocolate. It made a semi-wet slap on the table, for Mello had just about taken a bite, and he scrambled from his seat to peer at the screen closer. He re-winded the video and looked at the scene over and over.

"No, way. No f***ing way!" He said, a grin spreading across his thin lips. "D-do you think L might've figured out about shinigami too during his life?" Near shrugged.

"There's a good chance he had, but I can't be sure..."

"Near..."

Near looked up, the strange and sudden change of Mello's tone having piqued his interest. The boy saw his rival, now his partner, look at the screen, his grin turning to a wide smirk. His green eyes glimmered with some sort of hope and idea that Near was sure he would share with him in just a moment's notice. Sure enough, Mello opened his mouth and Near faced him to listen more clearly.

"I think it's time we payed Miss Katsumi a little visit."