To quote Whovians Initiates Tributes (who was so kind to review, thank you!):"...Soon it will be 2017 and I really hope I won't be graduating college by the time you finish the series."

By the time I finish this series I'll be done with highschool so I know the feeling. Even though I'm so slow I might as well say I'll be writing this until I finish college.

Or not if I get my shit together. Pray for me.

Good Memories and Nightmares

Chapter nine

4th of December 2012.

New York

Idri's POV

"Near, you've been watching news for five hours now." I said, looking at the whitehaired boy sitting on the floor in front of the TV. He was constantly changing channels even though the sound was on mute.

"Demegawa was killed on 27th and Kira still hasn't given his verdict on the new spokesperson. It's getting suspicious." He simply said. All of the news channels he was watching had written news on the bottom of the screen, and by keeping the same tempo each had a different one.

"Kira is not in the position to choose a new spokesperson, we know that."

"New Kira is."

"I don't think he will decide that in Kira's stead."

"He'll have to. Second L will not risk doing anything we might interpret as giving orders. Sooner or later, New Kira will have to make a decision." I sighed, turning around and making my way to the HQ kitchen.

It was 5:18 in the morning and the HQ was completely empty. I filled the teapot with water and put it on the stove, standing in front of it and watching the water. There was something calming in watching the water boil. I always thought it seemed to take longer if I stare at it.

My mind was running over everything we knew about Kira, about the notebook, about shinigami's, about policemen working with Kira, about victims, about tactics that were already conducted. I went like that for a while, back and forth, taking facts from drawers in my mind, placing them on their place in the puzzle of this case, and then back in the drawer.

Bubbles appeared in the water and I removed the teapot, putting teabags in. My eyes caught sight of one of my paper cranes on the table so I grabbed it, undoing the crane creation until all that was left was a piece of paper with creases on it. I put it in my pocket, fishing out my phone. Kim was the one who sewed pockets on all my dresses that didn't have them. I didn't understand the need for a dress if it didn't have pockets on it.

I looked at numbers saved in my phone. Jade gave me Matt's and Mello's number, just in case anything happens. With the two of them, the only one who was missing was Near. But he didn't have a phone and I doubted I'll ever need to contact him on one. Right now that would be useful though, I could text him if he wants milk in his tea, and if he does, how much.

Oh, but Gevanni did bring him tea once. I remembered it now. I just have to recreate the colour.

I went to the fridge but there was no milk. Only a note saying 'Gevanni buy more milk'.

I sighed and took my jacket, entering the security code and exiting the HQ. I hid my hair with the hood of my jacket, stepping out in the cold.

The first time I came to this hideout was when Near threw L's money from their old hideout. Jade was the one driving and we both knew the SPK will come to the new one now that Kira is directly threatening them. She dropped me off at the corner before speeding off back to the old hideout in order to meet with Mello and I entered the building with Kim's help, even though that stalled her a bit in her hacking of Matt's computer.

I know I saw a 24h store at the same corner, and my memory never lied.

I entered the store and the old woman behind the counter gave me a look, her hand backing off from the counter as she observed me. She instantly calmed down as she saw my face, and went back to her magazine.

I grabbed milk and a package of biscuits before going to the cashier.

"Newspapers?" Woman proposed and I shook my head. "I know the news already."

"You should remove your hood, you have a pretty face." So that's what scared her.

"It's cold outside." She nodded in understanding, returning me the change.

Cold air didn't bother me all that much in fact, but 5 in the morning wasn't the time for a walk so I went back immediately. After inputting the code the security doors opened and I walked in the warm HQ, only to hear faint "Idri?" and then a pair of footsteps coming to the kitchen.

I pulled my hood down, raising my eyebrow at Near who peeked into the kitchen. "It's her Gevanni, you can stop with the search."

"What?" I asked as Near took off his bluetooth. "What search?"

"I couldn't find you so I called Gevanni and asked him to search for you." I pursed my lips. "I went to the store."

"You could have told me."

"I didn't think you would notice it. You were busy looking at the TV." I poured milk into the cups of tea. "Here you go."

"You said you won't walk out of here if I take off your handcuffs." I stopped drinking tea, indeed remembering I've said that.

"It was just to go to the store." He made me feel guilty for it. "Look, if you've had a phone you could have called me to see where I was and then you wouldn't have needed to trouble Gevanni."

"You didn't give me your number."

"Huh?"

"There is a phone here, but I don't know your number." I took the paper from my pocket, scribbling down my number with a pen.

"Here you go." He looked at the paper briefly before giving it back. I smiled, making it back into a paper crane.

"It's useless watching all those channels on only one TV. Buy more TV's and have every play different news station." He reached for his bluetooth.

"Oh give poor Gevanni a break. He'll come in at eight and you can tell him then." He left the bluetooth on the table, going back to the room. I took the package of biscuits and my tea, going to sit next to him in front of the TV. He wasn't changing channels any more so we sat there in silence, me munching biscuits and sipping tea.

"You're not afraid of going out alone?" He asked me all of a sudden. I glanced at him.

"No." He gave me a look and I knew he wanted a more detailed answer. "I've become more independent outside of Wammy's. In Paris I went to libraries and museums by myself. Stores as well. Jade was rarely home and Kim was mostly busy with computers. I didn't have Lego's or puzzles like I did in Wammy's. It's not like I couldn't buy them but it was easier to not have many possessions. So I had to keep myself occupied differently."

"By observing people." He said and I smiled. "Right. That's what we always did in Wammy's when we weren't in the playroom. Back then it was easier. Now I had to go out." I took another biscuit. "I don't think we would have been afraid of the outside world if they hadn't made us afraid of it."

"You mean Roger and Penny?"

"Yes."

"Perhaps."

"Don't you think being alone is worse than doing things that scare you but doing them with someone?" He twirled the lock of his hair.

"I've been alone long enough to know the answer." I tilted my head, looking at him.

"I won't be going out any time soon. Kira is out there." He added. I had a feeling he'd say that.

"We'll take care of Kira. Besides, you're not the one taking the biggest risk." He knew who I was talking about. He went to fetch the puzzle box, coming back and building the picture in front of my eyes.

"Do you remember how I once said I hate my photographic memory because I remember everything, even things I don't want to remember because they make me sad?"

"I do."

"Well, if I manipulate it I can remember good things in perfect detail. Then my memory has a better use. I replay the moment when I was really happy." He remained quiet and I sighed, taking empty teacups and going back to the kitchen.

Once I came back I laid on the floor, pillow under my head.

"What is your fondest memory?" He asked and I smiled.

"I'll tell you only if you tell me yours afterwards." He nodded. "Well I really enjoyed all our meals together. There was always something happening at our table, whether it was Jade and Mello arguing or Kim and Matt excited about a game. Also how we made that giant castle in the playroom. I really liked that."

"Mine would be when we all went to the abandoned house next to Wammy's." I looked at him. "Right, I forgot about that." I thought about it. "So your favourite memory is when we went outside. Funny if you think about it."

"We were all together, exploring something unknown."

"Like a team." I added. "You're right, that was fun." I sat up, looking at the clock on the wall. "I think Gevanni will come soon since you woke him up. I'll make breakfast then." Near looked at me as I went back to the kitchen, opening cupboards. "Hm, we don't have pancake mix." I thought out loud.

"Don't go to the store again." I looked at Near who followed me to the kitchen, sitting by the table with his toys.

"Then I'll have to think of something else." In the end I settled on French toast.

"Have you been in contact with Jade?" He asked as I prepared the ingredients. "Not since the 1st." I shook my head. "If she's not calling me then that means there's nothing happening at their end."

"We are all waiting for the new spokesperson."

"Yes, I think so. I do wonder what they are doing."

"Watching the news." I chuckled.

"I have a feeling it's not that simple."

Los Angeles

Kim's POV

"Psst, Kim!" I heard from the outside of the bedroom just as I turned my laptop off. I thought I had imagined it but then the sound repeated. I thought it was Jade because she went to the bathroom a second ago but upon opening the doors I saw Matt.

"Matt? What are you-"

"Good, you're not sleeping."

"Um, almost. What? Did something happen?"

"I'm hungry." He said and I blinked. "Huh?" Right on cue I heard his stomach growling. He pointed at it and I chuckled. "What he said. Come on."

"Come where? You're the one who's hungry, what's this have to do with me?"

"Just come with me." I sighed, but grabbed my jacket, quickly putting my shoes. He was waiting for me in front of the car. As soon as he saw me he extinguished his cigarette and circled around the car, sitting on the passenger seat.

"Keys are in the ignition." I sat behind the wheel, looking at him. "Why am I the one driving?"

"Because."

"Are you drunk?"

"No. Hungry."

"Then what the hell?"

"I'll tell you once you start the car." I started the car and he put his goggles on. "To McDonalds!" He said excitedly.

"You owe me an explanation." I took a right turn. "If you want me to be a taxi driver I'll have to charge you."

"Rude. What's wrong with 3am McDonalds?"

"Well I'm not hungry."

"You don't have to be hungry to have room for McDonalds." I rolled my eyes.

"So?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I just told you I wanted you to go with me to McDonalds?"

"No." He sighed.

"There's this guy that works on drive-in that hates me because last time I was there taking ice-cream when Mello called me and I had to go real fast so I kinda threw the ice-cream back in his face." Good thing we were at the red light because I burst out laughing.

"Yeah so, I can't exactly show my face again."

"That is the most absurd thing I've ever heard." I managed to mutter between fits of laughter.

"Ha ha. Green light, Kim." I continued on ahead, still laughing a bit.

"How's that even possible?"

"I don't know. I only saw his ice-cream covered face in the rear mirror. I heard him yelling at me but really I should have been the one yelling since I wanted that ice-cream. I even paid for it."

"So are we going there for another ice-cream?"

"No, I'm actually hungry right now so I'll take all that I can." I sighed but took a turn for the drive-in. "Okay so what do you want?"

"Two cheeseburgers, one McChicken, big fries, and strawberry shake." I looked at him. "You've gotta be kidding me."

"I told you I'm hungry. I'm not fucking around when it comes to McDonalds." I chuckled, leaning a bit out of the window and saying the order.

"Anything else?" The voice from the speaker asked me. I pursed my lips.

"Um, one more strawberry shake actually. That'd be all." Since I'm already here I might as well enjoy myself.

"See, I knew you would take something."

"I didn't drink that for a while." I shrugged, paying. Matt was fumbling with the radio as I went to the last window. The man working there leaned, giving me a bag of food which I passed to Matt immediately. He then squinted, looking at Matt sitting behind me but as he opened his mouth to say something I was already out of the McDonalds parking lot.

"I see you also called me so you could eat all that and not have to worry about driving." I glanced at him.

"Precisely. If I had driven myself all this would be cold by the time I came back." I smiled, seeing a red light on the command board from the corner of my eye. "I think we're low on gas." I said, taking a turn in the opposite direction of the house.

I can't say I actually doubted Matt would eat all that, but he ate all of it by the time we came to the gas station. And that took us less than five minutes. He was just finishing his shake when I looked at him as we waited for a green light. "Where do you store all that?"

"I have a big capacity. I don't eat for a day and then I eat a whole cow."

"Literally." I parked at the gas station and exited the car. But as I made my way to the rear of the car Matt suddenly exited the car. "Kim, wait!" I sighed. "What, you want me to take the trash?" It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.

"No, the red light is not for the gas, it's for the oil."

"Oil?" I raised my brow.

"Yeah. It didn't make sense the car is already low on gas when I was at the gas station in the morning." He went to the trunk. "I just saw it blinking so I didn't bother to check."

"No matter, we can just fill it up here." He opened the trunk and the contents of it made me turn around in case anyone's looking.

"Are you out of your mind?" I asked, my voice lower than usual. "Why do you have all this in the trunk?" I mean, it's not like normal people have a set for breaking in just lying there in the trunk of the car. Plus computer equipment that is more or less illegal. I mean, GPS tracking systems, bugs, cameras...good thing it was middle of the night.

"What? Where else would I keep it?" He rummaged through, looking for oil. "What if someone sees it?"

"Like who?"

"FBI." He looked at me with eyebrow raised. "Why would FBI be looking at my car?"

"Because you have connections to mafia." I made a 'duuh' face.

"Well no one looked at my car before, and certainly won't any time soon." He was completely chilled about it while I kept looking around us.

"Will you relax already?" I threw my hands in the air, going back to my seat and taking my strawberry shake.

"All of you are out of your goddamn mind." I came back just in time to see him open a secret compartment on the side and reveal a black gun.

"You have a gun?!" I nearly yelled. Then I quickly put a hand over my mouth, again looking around myself.

"Kim, we're in America. Everyone has a gun." He didn't even blink. "Well, it turns out I don't have oil. We'll have to buy it." He closed the trunk, putting hands on my shoulders as I continued to slurp my shake in order to calm down. "I haven't used it yet and I won't, unless I have a very good reason."

"And what would that be?" He shrugged. "One day when I won't be able to run away. So, relax. You know how to hack."

"So?"

"No that definitely isn't illegal." I made a face. "Okay, forget I said that. Let's go to the store." He took his hands off and I only kept thinking how he's so tall and grown up and my face became hotter, even though I was drinking cold shake.

Great, I was blushing like an idiot again.

I went after him. "I'm not sure they have the oil we need." He muttered, looking at the shelf. "Does it make a difference?"

"Well it depends on viscosity and additives and-" I gave him a look. He laughed. "It's less complicated than you may think."

"Right. I'm going back to the car. The guy at the cashier isn't too happy about me drinking shake in here." He chuckled.

I waited for him by the bonnet. "Look, it's really easy to check whether you're low on oil." He opened it, moving the metal lever upwards to secure the hood. "You need to find the dipstick." I burst out laughing. "Why does everyone always laugh on that?"

"The dipstick?" I repeated.

"Yes, here it is brightly coloured, T-shaped-Kim, pay attention." He smiled as I once again lost it. "Okay, I'll definitely remember this one. So, once I locate the dipstick, then what?" I tried not to laugh too much.

"I'll be quick. You pull it out, you wipe it clean, then you insert it again and check for the markings. There are engravings on the dipstick and oil needs to be between them. Got it?"

"Yeah."

"Now, you'll need to find the oil filler cap. It's usually marked, see here." He leaned closer to me, showing me a cap that said OIL. "Don't pour into other caps, because then you fucked up big time."

"Got it."

"Basically you pour in oil little by little, checking the dipstick every now and then to make sure you don't overfill it. Overfilling is bad for the engine."

"So don't overfill it if you don't want to fuck it up." He nodded.

"Yeah. Do you maybe have a tissue?"

"No, sorry."

"There goes my only clean shirt." He muttered and I figured he'd wipe that oil on his shirt.

"Oh I'll just go buy some. Wait here." I went back to the store. I could see the man narrowing his eyes at me but as soon as I threw my empty shake in the trash outside he put on a smile. It kinda creeped me out.

It took me less than a minute to go to the store and back. I handed the tissue to Matt.

"Thanks. Now that you now theory, I'll show you practice." He was fast but I managed to catch up with everything he was doing. It was easier since he explained it to me beforehand.

"Where did you get the gun?" I asked him in between.

"Mello gave me. It was around that time I met with him. Before all this was set in motion."

"I do believe you have no intention of using it." He glanced at me. "Why?"

"Then you wouldn't keep it in the trunk."

"I guess."

"Though, if we ever go to Japan you won't be able to take it with you."

"I know. You can't take a gun on the plane."

"That too, but it's illegal to carry arms in Japan."

"It's illegal to be killing people but some jerk is doing that regardless." I nodded. "And we're using illegal methods to catch him."

"All is fair in love and war."

"You got that right." He was finally done with the oil thing so I went back to the car.

"You still hungry or can I drive back?" I asked as I started the engine.

"What time is it?"

"Close to 4am."

"Too early for breakfast."

"You've gotta be kidding me." He chuckled. "I'm just messing with you. We can go back. I can get three hours of sleep and then go get donuts."

"I would like pink frosted sprinkled donuts, thank you very much." He grinned.

"You can take it yourself, I'm waking you up to drive again."

"Oh come on."

"It's easier if I don't have to drive all the time." I sighed but corner of my lips curled in a smile.

Meanwhile with Jade

I couldn't sleep. It didn't have anything to do with Kim typing in the same room I was trying to sleep in. I got used to it over the years. It was something else and fuck me if I knew the reason.

In the end I stood up and went to the bathroom, splashing my face with warm water. I sighed, looking at bags under my eyes. My looks told me I should sleep more but my scumbag brain wouldn't let me.

I exited the bathroom and upon returning back to the room I found it empty. I raised my eyebrow and went to the living room. Matt's computer was on the coffee table, ashtray full of cigarette butts next to it, but no sign of Matt.

I waved it all off, going back to bed. But the pillow somehow made me feel like I'm lying on a cement block so I gave up, putting on my black hoodie and going to the kitchen.

"I finally have time to have a decent goodnight sleep and then I'm unable. Un-fucking-believable." I muttered to myself, opening the fridge and then smiling in delight.

Ice-cream!

God bless Kim.

It was cookie-dough flavour so I took a spoon and sat on the counter and began eating it, staring at the fridge in front of me. After a couple of minutes of doing that I finally noticed something in the corner of my eye.

A coffee pot. A full coffee pot.

It surprised me so much I stopped the spoon halfway to my mouth, looking at brown fluid in transparent pot. Coffee? Here? Under Kim's nose?

Wait a goddamn minute, coffee right under my nose? What the hell?

Well it wasn't me. Kim doesn't drink it and only thing I've seen Matt drink was either cola or red bull. No, this is Mello's doing. He is the only one Kim wouldn't sanction for such a thing. He gave off this vibe of silent, unquestioned authority, and everyone felt it. Though it's not like he didn't have that authority before. It wasn't as silent as it was now, but he had it.

I heard a pair of footsteps coming closer to the living room. They stopped before taking a turn to the kitchen, and then they stopped again at the entrance. I knew who it was without turning my head.

"Didn't know Matt went to sleep." Speaking of the devil...

"Don't think he is. Kim disappeared somewhere so unless she's in his room, which I think is highly unlikely to happen for another week or so, they've gone out." I put another spoonful of ice-cream into my mouth, not breaking my stare from the fridge in front. "Pretty sure they went for some food." I said with full mouth. He passed by me, going to the coffee pot.

"Did Kim tell you anything regarding the coffee?" I asked him just in case.

"No. She gave me a look, but that'd be all."

"I mean it is tempting. Full coffee pot, unsupervised." I clicked my tongue.

"Yet you're eating ice-cream in the middle of the night." He said as he poured himself another full mug.

"Can't sleep. Drinking coffee right now won't benefit me. However, if I continue to be unable to sleep until morning I'll rethink it." I looked at him. He was leaning on the counter next to the sink, looking at me. I moved my stare away.

"You aren't eating chocolate ice-cream."

"Nope."

"Why?"

"There was only cookie dough flavour." I shrugged.

"As a matter of fact, I haven't seen you eat chocolate at all. Ever since you came back." I shrugged yet again.

"I don't have a craving."

"For how long?"

"For years now." I looked at him. "Why? Is it important?"

"Depends on the reason."

"I already told you the reason." He sipped his coffee.

"Why mafia?" I asked with full mouth. "If you don't mind me asking." I added quickly.

"Tell me one person who isn't controlling the police right now. Near can control it, Second L, even Kira. Who hates Kira more than we do? The very criminals he's killing. The enemy of my enemy is my friend."

"Yeah something like that. But still, you have to find mafia, you have to enter it, you have to climb your way to the top." I licked my lips with my cold tongue. "You did it, obviously, so I'm wondering how."

"Matt told me already." I raised my eyebrow. "I mean, Kim told him and then he told me."

"What are you talking about?"

"The fact that you found me." I tapped the spoon on the container before smiling. "Did she now?"

"He told her you were right and she barely believed him."

"More than she believed me." I muttered.

"How did you know that was me?"

"Hunch."

"You had to have something." I shook my head. "Nothing. I tried both with bribes and with threats to get my hands on more evidence. Threats nearly got me killed. But I was close. I would have gotten my hands on it if it weren't for...tch...it's over and done now." I looked at half of the empty ice-cream container. "I just heard about some youngster promising to get the head of some mafia boss not even Kira could kill. And I thought how that sounds like something only you'd had the confidence to say. I knew it all along. Doesn't really surprise me that I've been right." I looked at him only to find him still staring at me.

"That doesn't answer my question." I said.

"What would you have done?"

"If I had succeeded?" He nodded.

"Didn't think that far. Would probably be disappointed by seeing how the actual mafia looks like. Have a feeling it's not like in The Godfather." I sighed. "I bet it would be harder to persuade you to work with us. Because I would just appear out of the blue and mess up your plans."

"And right now you aren't?" I smiled at him. "Ha ha." I've had enough of ice-cream so I put the lid on. "It's for the better you didn't find me then." He said.

"I think so too. I would have acted too impulsive. Kim and Idri still needed me then." I jumped down from the counter, putting the ice-cream back in the fridge. "Though this could be used to my advantage." I smirked. "Now they both owe me big time for not trusting in my judgment." My smirk got wider. "You'll just use it for coffee." I looked at him. "Nah. Won't use it for something so trivial." I yawned. "Anyway, any reports on Kira's new spokesperson?"

"Not at the moment."

"Watching TV nowadays is unbearable. Every station is competing to be Kira's new spokesperson."

"I told you we need to wait. Near is doing the same thing."

"I know, I know. It's just so boring." I sat back on the counter. "It's the right time to have plenty of sleep but of course that isn't the case." I looked at him but he was silent, still staring at me. I couldn't decide whether that was making me nervous or annoyed.

"Why did Matt tell you that?"

"To make sure I'm not underestimating you."

"Well, are you?"

"No."

"And before?"

"No."

"Well he probably thought you did since you wanted us gone."

"That had nothing to do with your skills." I narrowed my eyes. "Irrational of you to not use the skills we offer, regardless of other things."

"Let's not get started on irrational things." He sipped his coffee and I tried not to roll my eyes.

"What do you think is the biggest setback in this case?" He asked me all of a sudden and I furrowed my brows.

"Hm. Probably the fact that we can't get close to Second L to observe him. It's easier to make him slip in his role if we observe him psychologically." He nodded. "We can't find a way to do that, though." I added quickly. "It would be suicide."

"I know."

"Why are you asking me that?"

"No particular reason."

"Yeah right." I yawned yet again.

"You should go to sleep." He suggested and I jumped down. "Don't think I'll forget about this. You always have something in plan."

"You'll find out in due time." I pointed at him. "You bet. Good night."

"Night."

5th of December

Los Angeles

Jade's POV

My phone rang as the four of us stared at the TV and the picture of Kira's new spokesperson.

"Jade, are you-"

"Yeah Idri, we've all seen it. Kiyomi Takada of NHN." Kim looked at me from the couch before nudging Matt that was sitting next to her. "Can you pass me my laptop?" He nodded.

"Any thoughts?" I asked Idri.

"She seems calm and collected. We're still looking into her."

"Likewise. I'll call you later then." I hung up.

"She is very popular news anchor. She leads 6 o'clock news." Kim added.

"Completely different persona than Demegawa." I muttered. "Precisely. But this is because this time Kira chose someone who suited him better." Mello next to me spoke and I looked at him.

"You think she's somehow connected to Second L and therefore Kira?"

"There's a possibility."

"What if Misa was the one who chose her?" Kim suggested.

"We haven't been checking in on her lately, ever since that tall guy moved out of her apartment." Matt added.

"Mogi. But there was no change with or without Mogi being there with her. Criminals were still dying." I said.

"She's not Kira any more, if she ever was." I nodded. Mello had a point.

"Yeah but remember how L detained her? That was rough. She didn't speak then, she won't slip up now." Kim also had a point.

"Just in case we should check what the Task Force is doing." Mello said.

"I'll check on Misa then." I offered.

"But if we were to research that Takada girl, that means we have to go to Japan." Matt said and Kim smiled.

"We knew that from the beginning. Okay, let's say we'll be on our way to Japan in two days tops." Everyone seemed to agree with me.

"Japan is Kira's turf. We should see what Task Force is planning while we're still here and have the upper hand." Mello said as I went to grab my jacket. He took the car keys from the table. Matt stood up. "My equipment is still there on the lookout." And in a second the three of us were already ready to leave.

"Yo Kim, make sure we have plane tickets ready!" I yelled.

"Leave it to me."

Happy New Year, guys! Thanks for sticking with me for so long. And for reading this. And for reviewing. Love y'all!