Chapter 13. Decisions
Mello and Near stayed in Matt's room playing video games. Matt was happy for his two friends, he will finally stop hearing Mello rant about Near. "So, are you guys gonna tell L and Light?" Matt asked. Mello looked at him from the floor, as did Near. "Well, we kinda have to." Mello said. "It's not like we can keep it a secret." He said again.
"True that, but I wanna be there and see their faces!" Matt exclaimed. Near smiled, "I am pretty sure that they will know already. Since, Matt is the mastermind behind all of this." Matt laughed, "Hey! If it wasn't for me, both of you would have been stuck in your room acting miserable."
"I realize that, but I was just saying that they wouldn't act surprised if they do find out." Mello agreed with Near. "That's right, now if only Matt could've kept his mouth shut, no one will know. But, knowing Matt he'll tell everyone." "I'm not a gossiper!" "Yeah you are!" "Am not!" "Are to!" Mello tackled Matt onto the floor and pinned him there, with his arm to his back. "Say, you like to gossip!" "No!" he yelled from the floor. "Say it!" "Never!" Mello pulled his arm back more, until Matt cried out.
"Near, tell him to stop!" Matt said, looking at Near for help. "Sorry Matt, you were practically asking to get tackled." Near said. Matt stared in horror. "Nooo! Now you got innocent Near into the dark side!" Matt cried. Mello laughed. "You can save yourself from more hurt if you just say you like to gossip." "No!"
"Um, guys?" Light asked, coming into the room. He saw the two boys on the floor. "What?" Mello said. Light looked over at Near. Near simply shrugged and went back to pushing buttons on the controller. "I need to ask you guys for a favor." "We dont want to get involved in a evil scheme that you might pull." "It's nothing like that." "Oh really?" "yes, and i'll give each of you whatever you want."
Instantly, Mello let go Matt and stood. "Whatever? you say?" "Yeah." "Alright, I'm listening." The other two nodded. "Ok, well since Ryuzaki's birthday is coming up, I kinda wanted to throw him a party." "A party? Do you really think he'll like that?" Matt asked. "Worth a shot, no?" "True." "I need the three of you to finish preparing the room. Everything is up there , with the help of Watari you guys should be able to finish fast." "Wait, so Watari knows?" Mello asked.
"Yeah, he was the one who encouraged me to do it. So, will you?" Light asked. "What are you gonna do?" "Well, he already suspects me, so I can't really go anywhere." "Light, can I ask you something?" Near said. "Sure.." "Do you love L, is that why you're doing this?" He said. Light blushed, "I do, actually. I just want him to be happy." "Sound familiar." Matt mumbled, and received a pinch. "Ow!" he said rubbing his arm.
"What is he talking about?" Light asked, looking at them. "Nothing." Mello mumbled. Matt sighed. "Mello told Near that he likes him and now well, as you can see!" Near blushed. "Matt, I told you you like to gossip." Mello said, trying to hide his spreading blush. Light chuckled, "Well, I am very happy for the both of you and i'm sure L will be to."
"Whatever." Mello mumbled. "So, will you help?" Light asked again. "I will." Near said. "I'm in to!" Matt said, cheerily. "Yeah, alright." Light broke out into a huge grin. "Thanks guys, just don't let L know." "Got it." They said. Light walked out of the room and went to his.
X~X~X~X~
"I will see Matt and Mello in the morning. I am going to bed." Near said, standing. "Alright. Good Night, Near." Matt said. Mello stood, "Yeah, I'm gonna leave too." "Ok, bye lovebirds!" Matt said, happily. Mello rolled his eyes and followed Near out the door.
"Will Mello stay with me?" Near asked, shyly. Mello smiled, "Sure. Just don't hog the pillow." Near smiled, and went inside, climbing into bed. Mello layed next to him, his back to the cool wall. They stared at each other. "Is Mello sleepy?" Near asked. "Not really. Are you?" Near nodded. "Go to sleep." Near turned around, Mello wrapped his arm around the pale boy.
"Mello?" "Yeah?" he said. "Do you think that Light is Kira?" Near asked, serious. "Why do you say that?" "Is it possible for him to have been Kira in the past and not know?" "Maybe. Why are you asking?" "When he asked for our help, he seemed different. Like he was hiding something." "Like what?" "I don't know, but L might already know."
"Well, that's good then." "I suppose." "Don't worry about it." Mello said, kissing Near on his head. "If Light were Kira then why would he throw a party?" "`Cuz he's twisted." "Light loves him, so he would never do that." "Yeah, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't try." "No, he wouldn't even try, Light loves L too much to cause him pain." Mello nodded. "Near, do you think he's Kira?" Near turned to face Mello, "Yes, i do."
"Why?" "He is L's suspect, and well, most of the evidence points to him. What I believe is that he is Kira but, with a heart." "With a heart?" "Yes." "So, you think that Light is Kira, but wouldn't harm anyone?" Near nodded. "Wow, that's weird." "But, if that is not true, then we are all doomed." "Is that what were getting at?"
"Yes." "Then, just say that." Mello said, grinning. "I'm serious, Mello." "I know, but let's not think about that ,okay?" He said, giving a peck to Near's forehead. "Alright." Near snuggled closer to Mello's chest and closed his eyes.
X~X~X~X
L was currently looking over the case files, while Light slept, well tried to. Light removed his covers off his body, and sat up, sighing. L eyed him strangely. "Is something wrong?" He asked. "I can't sleep." Light replied placing the pillow on his lap. "Is there something on your mind?" "I don't think so." L paused, "Then, go to sleep." "Didn't I just say that I couldn't sleep." "Yes ,you made it clear by shoving everything off of you." "Alright, L. I was just thinking that maybe I should tell my father."
"Tell him what?" "About me being you know 'kira'." Light said, whispering. "I see, do you think that it'll help?" "Well yeah, I mean i'm tired of lieing to my family, i can't stand to see them suffer because of me." "I don't know Light, isn't telling them going to be a bit difficult?" "Yeah, but it's killing me L, I can't stand hiding this anymore. The guilt is just plaguing my mind and-" Light sighed, "I have to." L thought this over. "It's your choice, Light. Just think about what you are doing."
L got up and left the room, walking toward Near's room. He knocked and heard someone on the other side shuffling the bed sheets and then a thump. 'Did he fall?' L thought. "Yes?" Mello answered, opening the door and wiping his eye. L blinked. "What is Mello doing in here?" Mello's eyes widened. He didn't expect to see him. "I was just-" "Don't worry about it, I just came to talk to Near, but he's asleep." "About what?" Mello asked. "Well, about the case." "Kira case?" "Yes, since you're here, i'll might as well ask you."
"Alright." "What would you say if Light were Kira?" "I'll say were screwed." L nodded. "I see." "You know, Near and I were just talking about this." "Why?" Mello stepped outside and closed the door, so they wouldn't wake Near. "Near was saying how much Light is different." "Different how?" L asked. "I don't know, different with you or something. But He also thinks that he is Kira." "Impressive." L muttered. "Yeah well, he also said that he is Kira but with a heart." "What does that mean?"
"It means, that he wouldn't hurt a soul. Near believes that Light loves you too much to cause you pain. or anyone for that matter." 'I need you to stay away from me.' L remembered. The day L found out he was Kira, he caused him pain. But, he already knew what was supposed to be the outcome of it all. Just hurt. "I see." that was the only thing he could say. "Thank you, Mello. I am sorry i kept you up." L said. "It's fine." "Well, goodnight. Please, tell Near to be up early, as well as Matt. I think we should discuss this case." "Sure, see ya." L walked away as Mello entered the room.
He walked inside and spotted Light still up. "They think I'm kira, don't they?" "How do you know that?" L asked. "Well, you guys weren't exactly whispering." "Ohh.." "Ryuzaki, just lock me up. I know that you hate what am I." Light stated. "Even if that were true, I couldn't do that." "Why not?" "I don't have the evidence to prove that you are Kira."
"So? but you know the truth." L sat on the bed. "Light, I just can't. Look, tomorrow we'll think of a plan." Light sighed, "fine." He layed down, next to L's sitting form. "Please be up early." L said. "Whatever." He grumbled and fell asleep.
X~X~X~X
The next morning, Mello was up bright and early. He walked out of Near's room toward Matt's. He turned the knob and found Matt lying on the floor. Mello took the pillow from his bed and whacked Matt with it. Matt jumped, "ahh!" He saw it was Mello. "Dude, what the hell?" "You need to get your lazy self up." "Why? You know, i wake up until like three." "Well, tell that to L." "Ah, now i get it." Mello smirked and hit him again. "I will get you!" Matt yelled as he left the room.
He went into his room and took his shower, brushed his teeth, and spent another twenty minutes fixing his hair until it was just right. He left his room and munched on a chocolate bar, heading toward Near's room. He peeked inside and found him still asleep. Closing the door behind him, he walked toward Near's bed. "Hey, wake up." He said, caressing his cheek softly.
Near stirred and turned his face away. "five more minutes." He mumbled. Mello smiled. "No, you need to get up." Near blinked his eyes open, and stretched. "Get up." "Fine." Near stood and walked toward his bathroom. He turned the shower on and went back outside to get his clothes. "Does Mello mind waiting a couple of minutes?" "Nah, I'll just sit here and wait." "Ok, i won't take long." Near said, closing the bathroom door.
Mello gazed around Near's room, there were toys scattered about, an unfinished puzzle in the corner and other toys among them. He sat back on the bed, and remembered that he and Matt were supposed to take him to play outside. 'Maybe one of these days.' He thought. Five minutes later, Near walked out.
He towel dried his hair, and combed it. His short silver curls falling around his face. "Mello? why must we be awake so early?" Near asked, sitting on the bed. He grabbed his robot and played with it. "L said he was gonna explain the case or something." "I see." "I think we should head downstairs now." Near got up and rummaged around his toy box to find a toy that wold keep him entertained. "What are you doing?" Mello asked.
"Finding a toy or puzzle." "Take the robot." "I don't want the robot." "Then how about a puzzle?" "I have finished most of them." "Here, take this." Mello handed Near a stuffed rabbit that was laying on the floor. "But, I never had this?" "It's for you. I got it from a toy store, before we were coming here." "Why did Mello get a stuffed animal?" "I was gonna give you the bunny at wammy's but i never did." He said.
Near felt how soft the bunny was, it had a black ribbon tied around it's neck. "Thank you." He said, and smiled at him. "Your welcome." Near walked toward him and kissed his cheek. Mello smiled and grabbed his hand heading for the door. "Let's go." They walked out of his room and went downstairs.
X~X~X~X
"Good morning, everyone." Near said, greeting them. "hey." They said. "I don't know why we had to wake up early, couldn't he just tell us in the afternoon?" Matt whined. Near sat on the floor and played with his bunny. Mello sat next to his friend flicking him on the forehead. "Stop whining, I swear playing video games has made you lazy." "When did I ever say I wasn't lazy?" He retorted. Light smiled.
"Good morning, everyone." L said, exiting the kitchen and entering the kitchen. "Hi." The three of them said. "L, why did you have us wake up so early?" Matt told him. "It is only nine o'clock. That's not so early." L said, sitting next to Light on the couch.
"Well, still three o'clock would've been fine." L rolled his eyes. "Anyway, I called you here because I wanted to discuss the case with you." "What about the task force?" Near asked, from the floor. "I wanted to let you guys know before they arrive." Near nodded. "Now, as you are aware I am working on the Kira case. But, there are minor things that are left out in it." "Like what?" Matt asked, as he played his game.
"Like, Light. For one, he is the main suspect. And he is Kira." L stated. L paused for the information could sink in. But, Mello and Near already knew without L telling them, Matt was the only one that didn't. Matt looked up from his game and stared at L then at Light. Light felt bad, he never wanted them to know, especially since he asked them a favor.
Now, they will think that he was only doing it as part of his plan. Which was not true. "Is this true, Light?" Matt asked. Light sighed, "Yeah, I am so sorry. I never wanted this to happen, I would never put any of you in danger." Light said. "Well, it's too late for that now, isn't it?" Matt said. "Matt, don't say that." Mello told him. "But, it's true."
He said, again. "No, Mello, he's right." L stared at him. "What do you mean?" Near asked. "I mean, I can easily hurt you guys without me wanting to. It's better if you all just stay away from me." Light left the room and headed upstairs. L stared after him, not knowing if he should follow or not. "Dude? What was that?" Mello told Matt, smacking his arm.
Matt didn't even hit him back. "See, what you did? Matt, you can't just say stuff like that to people." Matt sat there staring at the wall with a blank look. "But, he's a killer, Mello!" He yelled. "It doesn't matter, he's still a human being! Can't you see how hurt he was!" Mello yelled back at him. "Of course i did, but how do you know if he was lieing or not?" Near went over to Mello to try and calm him down before he did anything he would regret.
"Whatever." Mello said. L just sat there listening ti them argue. It was because of Kira they were fighting. L needed to solve this case fast. By that, he needs to find Misa. L bit his thumb, thinking. "Would you guys like to assist me on this case?" L asked. "I don't know." "You don't need to be with the task force at all." "Alright." Near said.
"Ok, well, there is another suspect Amane Misa." He layed the picture of her on the coffee table so the boys could look at it. "Is she the second Kira?" Mello asked. "Yes, we have not been able to locate her since her release." "Then, why did you let her go?" "We couldn't keep her here anymore since we had no proof she was the second Kira." "So, your saying you need our help finding her?" Mello asked.
"That is exactly what I'm saying." "Ohh, well ok."Mello replied. "What do we have to do?" Near asked. "I want you three to figure out where she might be, like hanging out or the last place she has been." "You make it sound easy." Matt said. "Well, you are all smart so i'm sure it won't be hard." The three of them nodded and agreed to the plan.
"L?" Matt asked. "Yes?" "Aren't you going to check on Light?" L blinked. "Of course." He said, and headed upstairs.
X~X~X~X
Matt sat on the couch still thinking. "Hey, Matt?" Mello said. "Yeah?" "Sorry, for yelling at you. I was just i don't know, i'm sorry." He said. Matt smiled, "Don't worry about it." Mello smiled back at him and lightly punched his arm. Near went to sit next to Mello on the couch, clutching his bunny.
"Hey Near?" Matt said. "Yes?" "Did Mello give you that?" Near blushed, "Yes, he did." Matt smirked. "Wow Mel, I never knew you were the type to give gifts to someone." "Ha Ha, very funny." Mello said, "I always give gifts." "Oh yeah, who have you ever given a gift to?" Mello thought. "I gave one to Linda." "It was her birthday and you had to give her something." Matt said rolling his eyes.
"Well, at least i gave her something." Mello shot back. "Mels, you know you've never given someone something unless, they had to give you something in return. The only one is Near." Matt said, smirking. "Shut up, already." Mello told him. He got up and stormed to the kitchen. Matt only smirked and returned playing with his DS.
Near sat there, was he really the only one Mello would ever give a present too? No, Mello could easily give Matt something, but it didn't seem like the blond had ever mentioned anything about a gift to Matt. "You know Near," Matt started, "Mello is beginning to get all mushy about this love thing." He said. "What do you mean?" Near asked, curling a lock of hair.
"I mean, that he would never do this, unless he was forced too do it. But, with you I guess he's trying to make up for all those years that he hurt you." Matt told him. Near stared at Matt. "Does Matt mean that he feels guilty or upset about it?" He asked. Matt nodded. "But, I told Mello that it was fine." "Near, for you to just forgive him like that is, i don't know.." He stopped not knowing what to say.
"Thank you, Matt. For your concern." Near said, smiling at the red-head. Matt returned the smile.
X~X~X~X
Light sat on the bed of his and L's room, feeling overwhelmingly guilty that he had to put Mello, Near, Matt, and especially L in this situation. Couldn't he just stay locked in this room and be left alone, that way no one that he cares for ever get hurt. "Light?" L asked, coming inside the door.
Light sighed. "Yeah?" he said. L walked over to him slowly. "I am sorry for Matt's behavior, I'm sure he doesn't mean that." L said, and sat next to Light. Light gave a low chuckle,"Sure he didn't." "Light, Matt was the only one that didn't know. It was normal for him to react that way." "What about Mello and Near? Do they know?" "Yes, they figured it out on their own." "I bet they hate me now." Light said., angry with himself.
"They don't hate you it's just, they need to know that what you say is true." "What do you mean?" "Light, they want to make sure that you aren't playing with them." L said. Light looked away. "Ryuzaki, I would never do that. they mean alot to you and wouldn't want to jeopardize the only family you have left." L nodded.
"Light, you are my family too, and I wouldn't want anything to happen to you." Light stared up at him, he inched closer to L until he was almost able to capture L's lips in a kiss when-
"L the task.." Matt stopped mid sentence as he saw the two of them almost kiss. "Sorry to interrupt." He said. L stood and headed for the door "It's fine, Matt." L walked downstairs leaving Light and Matt alone. "Light, I'm really sorry." Matt started. "No, Matt, you dont' have to say sorry." "But, i said mean things to you." "It doesn't matter, I deserved it."
"No, you don't, I was just surprised, i guess." Matt said, staring at the floor. Light walked over to him, "Hey, it's okay. Don't worry about it." Matt smiled up at him. "I'm sorry." He said, for the last time and gave him a hug. Light was surprised, but he hugged him back.
X~X~X~X
"Come on!" Matt said, his happy self again. They made it downstairs, and saw the task force already there. Light gulped, it was time to tell everyone the truth. Even though it pained him to know that they will hate him, he had to do this.
"Oh, hello son." Soichiro said. "Hey dad, everyone." he said, waving at everyone. They waved back. Matt went to sit on the couch next Mello and Near. "Hello everyone, I know you may all have met Matt." L said, motioning his hand toward the red-head. Matt gave a short wave to them.
"This is Mello and Near." He said, and also motioned to them. Near simply curled a lock of hair, avoiding their gaze. Mello sat there eating away at a chocolate bar. "Ryuzaki, if you don't mind me asking, but who are they? You've clarified that they aren't your kids.." Soiciro said.
"They are my successors." L said, simply accepting the cake and tea Watari brought him. Light went to sit next L. The task force were slightly surprised. "Successors? why do you need successors?" Matsuda asked. "Well, in case something horrible happens to me and i am not able to take on anymore cases, then they will. They will continue being the next L."
"But, nothing bad will happen to you." Matsuda said, quietly. "Thank you for your positiveness, but that's how things are." L said and continued, "At any rate, I have some news that will help us further move on into solving this case."
"What? Do you mean, there has been more deaths?" Aizawa asked. Mogi stayed there, silent and observing everything. "No, recently there have been no reports on sudden death, which is in fact quite odd. But, we may have information on who the second Kira may in fact be, and who the primary Kira is."
Everyone from the task force gasped. "Who is it? Who is Kira?" Soichiro said, in a rush. Light glanced at L, 'is he really just going to reveal it like nothing?' Light thought. "First, before we get in to who is Kira, Has anyone found any information about where Amane is?" L said.
"Well, We've been asking several of the stations she has worked in, and none of them confirmed that she has been there since her release." Aizawa said, looking at his paper. "I see. What about her home?" L asked. "We went to where her apartment is located and we only have several people claim that she has been going in and out of her home." L placed his thumb to his lip, thinking of something.
"Where does she live?" Mello asked. Aizawa seemed skeptical in revealing information to him, but since he is one of L's successors he had no choice. "She lives not too far from here, on Blossom avenue(1)." "Well, can't you like follow her?" Mello said. "Mello, would you and Matt like to follow her and go into her home and find evidence?" Mello shurgged, "Okay." Matt nodded.
"Very well, I would also want you to place hidden cameras." "Why cameras?" Light's dad, said. "We need to make sure if she is the second Kira or not, and figure out how she kills people." Light felt a huge lump in his throat, he knew how they killed, but he couldn't say it in front of the task force.
"Ryuzaki, are you going to tell us who the real Kira is?" Matsuda asked. L thought for a moment, he gripped his knees tightly. Should he tell them the truth? or just let it go? L avoided there gaze. "I am sorry, but I wish to keep that to myself." Next to him he felt Light tense up but relax. "What?" They yelled.
"You can't! We have the right to know who he is!" Aizawa yelled. "I understand that, but what if you did find out? what would you have done? Even if it was someone, you didn't expect?" L said, releasing his grip from his knees. "L, we understand, if you don not wish to tell us, it's fine." "But-" "no, Matsuda, it's probably for the best."
'For the best..' L repeated. "Anyway, please continue to work hard on this case, I know we will bring Kira to justice." L stated, and walked to the kitchen. Everyone stared after him. Light got up and followed him.
X~X~X~X
"Ryuzaki, are you alright?" Light asked, entering the kitchen. "yes, I'm fine." L said, getting a slice of chocolate cake. "Doesn't seem like it." L stared at him for a split second and moved his gaze toward the living room. "I can't tell your father." He said, whispering. "Why?"
L shrugged, "He's been through alot already." Light sighed. "But, he knew what he was getting into." "Well, Light, it's different now." He said, and walked back. Light followed him back. "Is everything alright?" His dad asked. "Yes, everything is fine."
"Now, everyone, we will have Mello and Matt go to Amane's home and figure out her method of killing. Once she has left her home, we will have them place cameras throughout her home." They nodded. "When should we do this?" "Aizawa, when exactly did the witnesses say that they see Amane in and out of her home?"
He glanced at his paper, "some people claim five in the evening until midnight." "What does she do all day?" Matt asked, to no one in particular. "Alright, well we will have them arrive at four, so they can examine the area and when it nears five and she is gone, you guys may enter." L said.
"What is she is still there?" Matt asked, closing his game. "Then we will need a distraction for her." L glanced over at Light. "Light, would you mind in helping Mello and Matt distracting Amane?" he asked. "No?" he said. "good. We have everything you will need in this operation. In the meanwhile, will the task force refrain from coming to headquarters, while Mello and Matt investigate, for your safety."
"I don't know how that will help?" Soichiro said. "Please, and once they are done you may come back to work." "Fine." he said. "Thank you."
X~X~X~X
Mello, Near, and Matt went upstairs to fine Watari. "Watari." Mello said, tapping the older man on his shoulder. Watari turned from his chair and gazed at the trio. "What is it?" He said. "Well, Light told us that he was gonna throw L a party and he asked if we can help you guys with it."
"Ah, I see. Very well, do you guys want to start now?" "Well, yeah I mean, tomorrow we'll only have a limited amount of time to work." Matt said. "Okay, well follow me."
The four of them exited the surveillance room and headed up stairs. they took the elevator and once they got there they were amazed at how big the room was. "Wow." Matt said, gazing at it. "this place is huge!" Mello said. Near simply stared at the room, amazed.
"Watari, what does Light have in mind on decorating this place?" Mello asked, walking further into the room. "All he wants is for it to be decorated, oh and it is a halloween party." "Ohmigosh! i Love halloween parties! Mello and I know exactly what to do!" Matt said, excited.
"And what is that?" Near asked, as he looked through a box of costumes. He took out a red devil's costume. Mello took it out. "Since when did he have all this stuff?" "We brought it from Wammy's, it didn't fit in the storage room so I brought it here." Watari said.
"Ohh.."He said, and kept glancing at the costumes. "Well, shall we get started?" Watari asked. They all nodded and started looking through the many boxes. Hoping, that L, would finally enjoy celebrating his birthday with the people that cared about him.
(1). I made that street up cuz i don't know exactly where Misa lives and I needed a street for the story xD, hope you enjoyed! Next chapter will be up soon, stay tuned! :D sorry for spelling mistakes!