Near tapped an insistent tune with his pencil. The setting sun was blinding, and cast a pink-orange light into his room.

"I wonder what L's up to.."

- - -

"Bang!"

"Huh?! What was that for?!"

L pouted. "If I were Kira, you would be dead."

- - -

Near sighed. Whatever it was, he hoped L missed him.

- - -

L sighed. "Near and Mello would have gotten this by now, and they're not even old enough to buy porn."

- - -

Near shrugged, rolling his sore shoulders. He ran a hand through his curls and went to dinner.

- - -

"Wazzup, Ghost?" Matt sang, slamming his tray down. Near flinched from the resonating crack of the plastic on the table.

"Nothing."

Needless to say, Mello followed Matt to the table, but thankfully for Near, set his tray down with much less vigor than Matt.

"Jesus," he hissed, "I still have a headache, remember?!"

Matt smiled sheepishly. "Oh, I'm sorry. It must have slipped my mind."

Mello muttered something about just where Matt could shoves his tray, and started to eat.

"Don't you two have something better to do than to bother me?"

The two looked at Near, then at each other.

"Psh," Matt scoffed, violently stabbing a carrot. "Bothering you? I thought we were friends."

"Friends?" Near asked, confused.

"Yeah. Ever heard of them?" Mello taunted.

"I've... never had a friend before."

"Yes you have." Mello accused, pointing his fork at Near.

"Yeah. Us." Matt finished. Then he turned to Mello. "Look at him! Here we are, pouring our hearts out, telling him our secrets, confessing our hopes and dreams and fears and he doesn't even acknowledge that that we're his friends. The audacity."

"God Near," Mello continued, "You're so insensitive."

"I didn't know.." Near mumbled, defending himself.

"Psh, whatever." Matt looked at Mello. "What do you think we should do to the traitor?"

Mello replied, "Ignore him." He blatantly turned his head away from Near.

"Guys..." A smile played on his lips.

"Do you hear something?" Matt asked.

"No, nothing at all."

"Hmm, must have been my imagination."

"I'm sorry." Near finally muttered.

"Oh Mello, did you happen to hear the sound of a boy apologizing to his best friends?"

"I think I did, Matt," Mello said with a nod, "but I can't be sure. Maybe if he would say it again..."

"I'm sorry!"

"Ah-- Yes, I'm sure I heard it that time!"

The two boys turned back to Near, their eyes dancing with amusement. Near was blushing and smiling and not in control of himself at all.

"Hey, you know we have a field trip tomorrow, right?"

Near swallowed a mouthful of milk, feeling rather light hearted. "Yeah, to the museum."

"Have you been there before?" Mello asked, pulling out a bite sized Hershey bar.

"No," Matt and Near replied at the same time.

"We're staying the night there." Mello said quickly before Matt could yell jynx.

"Wait-- what-- seriously?"

"Yeah. Cool, no?"

"Isn't it supposed to be haunted?" Near asked, twirling spaghetti on his fork. Who the hell paired carrots with marinara?

Matt gulped, paling.

"Haunted? Like, by ghosts?"

"No Matt," Mello sighed, "flower children."

Near snorted with laughter, choking on the bite of over cooked noodles he'd just taken.

Matt and Mello laughed at Near laughing, and soon they were all laughing so hard that they couldn't remember why they were laughing.

The whole cafeteria just stare, Kinoko scowling with jealousy.

- - -

L bit into a pink marshmallow bunny, imagining for a second it's cries of pain as the hungry L-wolf sunk it's fangs it to it. He heard Watari pouring him tea, and squashed the marshmallow to the roof of his mouth with his tongue, allowing him to talk, though his words were slurred.

"Tell meh what ya think of Matt."

"From Wammeys?"

"Uh huh."

"I think he should apply himself more."

L prodded the bunny with his tongue, melting the coarse sugar off.

"Why do you ask, sir?" Watari handed L the cup. L added the scalding liquid to the sweetened mass and swallowed them both, his tongue still burning.

"How about for a successor?"

"I don't think he would be a good L."

"Neither do I."

Watari looked at L oddly. "Then why ask me?"

L shrugged. "I just wanted your opinion." He ripped a pink bunny in half and dipped it into his tea.

"What do you think of Mello?"

"Intelligent but rash."

"And Near?"

"Very intelligent, like you, but he doesn't exert himself enough."

"Yes," L nodded, "These are my thoughts as well." He took another sip of tea. "Who would hunt Kira the best?"

Watari was quiet, thinking for the first time about the questions. After a few moments he spoke. "They would work best together."

L swished the sweetened tea around in his mouth. "Yes, I believe so too."

- - -

The next morning, Matt awoke to an excited bundle of black clothes and blonde hair on his chest.

"Mello--" he cried, the breath being knocked out of him.

"Today's the day!" Mello cheered, shaking the other boy. "We're going to the museum."

"Yes, I know, I know. Lemme sleep." Matt attempted to roll over, but Mello caught him.

"No, we have to get ready soon, don't you know that? We're leaving early!"

"Then I'll stay here." Matt groaned, glaring at Mello.

"No, you wont. You'll get up and join me for pancakes."

Matt was quiet for a second before he moaned and sat up. "Fine," he growled, "I'll get up." Mello bounced off the. He disappeared out the door, and Matt watched him go, pulling off his shirt.

- - -

All Near could see was a wall of white. His breathing was labored, like he was breathing through a pillow.

On second thought, he was breathing through a pillow.

Blinking, he felt his light eyelashes brush the soft cotton. In the hall he heard the everyday rush of students. He identified Matt's and Mello's voices above the ruckus, and wondered if they were coming to wake him. He hoped not, he'd enough being buddy-buddy for one 12 hour period. Maybe he'd be social at the museum.

There was a knock at the door.

"Near, honey, are you awake?" Matt called in a high pitched voice. Near groaned.

"Matt, you make a bad woman, why not let Mello try?"

"What?!" Mello yelled, slamming his palm against the wood. Near smirked, happy that it was locked.

At breakfast the cafeteria buzzed with excitement, more so than usual. Only a handful of kids were going, the tops of the class. The other kids were disappointed, but still asked the lucky if they could bring back pictures. Near was mildly looking forward to the trip. Sure, the museum would be fun, better than nothing, but it was nothing to be hyperactive because of. He munched his toast and listened to the hub-bub around him, keeping his eyes in soft focus, making note of everything around him.

"You excited?" Linda asked, bouncing up to Near.

"To an extent."

"The museums haunted!" She continued, her eyes wide with astonishment.

"So I've heard." He could feel Kinoko's eyes on him, burning into his head. What was wrong with her?

"Are you scared?"

"Not really." Near admitted.

"Not at all?" Linda was either impressed or disbelieving.

"I'll have to wait and see. It's just a rumor."

"So if there really is a ghost?"

"Then I assume I'd be scared."

"Near's afraid of ghosts?"

Near and Linda looked up, and Pierre stood there, looking pleased.

Near momentarily regretted his outburst months ago.

Meeting Pierre's gaze he said, "Not particularly."

"I'm going on the trip too, so you better watch your back." He leaned closer, sneering. "I haven't forgotten."

"I'm not afraid of you." Near answered evenly.

"You will be." Pierre snarled before walking off.

Linda looked after him, then at Near, and scuttled away. Near shrugged it off. He wasn't going to be intimidated by someone who was all talk.

"Wow, Near's gonna get in a fight." Matt whistled.

"It's okay, I've fought him before. I can take him."

The look of surprise on Matt's face was priceless.

- - -

"Near! Near! What kind of dinosaur is that?"

"A pterodactyl."

"Ohh, and that one?"

"A therizinasaur."

"Wow, and that?"

"... a blue whale skeleton."

"Gosh Near, you're so smart!"

Near twisted a strand of hair so hard he ripped it from his scalp. His eyes watered.

"Near, do you know--"

"May I ask you a question?"

"O-of course."

Near stopped, removing his fingers from his hair.

"Why are you all following me?"

The three girls surrounding him fell silent.

Finally, one of them spoke. Near identified her as Annaliese. "Well, we'd always wanted to get to know you, and now that you're being social..."

"So you think that means you can just up and mob me? Please, leave me in peace." With that statement, he slunk out of the group and approached a large, tattered ancient rug. The girls loitered where he left them, whispering furiously. Near ignored them.

- - -

"Near has fangirls."

"What?"

"fangirls. He has them."

"Why?"

Matt shrugged. "I'm thinking 'cause he's being nice to us."

"Us." Mello said quietly. "Not them."

"If you're so possessive, give him a big kiss and claim ownershi— ow!"

Mello shook his hand, it still tingling after the impact with Matt's shoulder. "Not that loud, you idiot--"

The museum echoed with an ear shattered scream. Matt and Mello looked at each other before running. They were the closest to the screaming girl, and got there in seconds. A light haired girl, whom Mello identified as Talya, was on the ground, hyperventilating. An interactivity was still talking about the exhibit.

"It turned on by itself!" Talya yelled, pointing.

"Maybe you leaned against the button?" Near asked calmly. He'd turned the corner and into the cramped hallway unnoticed.

"No! No, I was nowhere near it and it just-- just turned on!"

The display quieted down, and Near's and Mello's eyes met, Mello shrugged and Near nodded.

"You okay?" Matt asked, kneeling beside Talya.

"Y-yeah, just startled, is all."

"Mmkay," Matt patted her on the shoulder before helping her to her feet. Slowly, he walked back to where Mello and Near now stood and let out a long sigh.

Mello smirked. "You're putting on a good front."

Matt shook his head. "This place is freaking haunted."

- - -

"Come on, time for lunch!"

The kids gathered in clumps in a nearly vacant room.

"Eat neatly!" An older man said, "You'll be sleeping here tonight!"

Matt, Mello, and Near sat in a triangle, eating the bland, bag lunches they'd been given.

"Dear Lord, I think my milk is curdled."

"Stop complaining, Matt, your milk is fine." Near replied before crunching a potato chip.

Mello pondered aloud, "Do you think they'll give me another apple?"

"Probably not." Near said.

"Ghosts have probably poisoned the ham in my sandwich. It's just the thing they would do." Matt continued.

"Don't be stupid."

The three kept chatting when the sound of boots interrupted their conversation.

"I see you think that hanging with the neighborhood bad boy will save your ass."

"I'm merely sitting with my friends, is that a problem?"

Pierre snorted. "You don't have friends, Near."

"We're his friends." Mello said quietly, threateningly.

"Why now? You hated him. Did he promise to let you win again?"

"Feelings change." Mello growled.

"Oh, feelings?" Pierre got a cocky smirk on his face. "Are you telling me that Near is your boyfriend now?"

Near's face colored and Mello was to his feet faster than anyone could comprehend. He had Pierre by the collar of his shirt and was shaking him violently.

"He's not," Mello spat, "but even if he was, what are you, homophobic? Do you think they'll let an intolerant ass become the next L?"

Pierre started to snarl, his mouth opening in what was going to be a yell, but another shake from Mello made the yell a gargling hiss.

"Listen to me, and listen to me good. You mess with my friends, you mess with me. You think mousy Near is easy to boss around?" He leaned closer to Pierre, who gulped audibly. Near was reminded of a movie, or a cheesy book.

"Let's see how easy he is to control when I'm there."

Mello released him and took a step back. Pierre coughed and glared up at Mello.

"He's not the only one with friends!" He spat. "And you can't protect him forever!"

With that, he stumbled away, coughing.

Mello crossed his arms and smiled.

- - -

Later that night, Near lay on his stomach, half asleep when he felt an insistent tugging on the fleecy blanket covering him. He ignored it for a few moments, before moving slightly. It stopped momentarily, but started almost immediately again. He groaned and rolled over to at who was tugging.

No one was there.

Near looked at the vacant space that was pulling on his blanket.

Despite himself, fear flooded his mind and he laid back down, eyes wide. He attempted to lull himself back to sleep with the steady breathing of those around him.

He had almost calmed down the beating of his heart when a very cold breeze ghosted across the exposed skin of his face, neck and hands. Shivers raced down his spine. The breath caught in his throat. He didn't know what it was, what to do-- no one was there.

He curled up into himself, genuinely scared. He was hearing things, odd things, around the museum. Things he'd never heard before. Not the settling of the building, the creaking of exhibits. This was something else entirely.

Shakily, he reached out a hand and shook Mello awake. Mello woke with a start, blinking confusedly at Near.

"Whatd'ya want?" He slurred.

"Mello," Near whispered, eyes wide, "this place is haunted."

"Don't tell me you believe that?" Mello asked softly, the look of terror in Near's eyes spurring him into consciousness.

"I didn't, but now I have my reasons."

Near looked small and fragile under the dark blue blanket, and Mello instantly felt sympathy for him.

"What happened?" He inquired. Near shook his head.

"There was something pulling on my blanket, and I looked, and nothing was there. Then there was this sudden cold air, and now, I'm hearing things."

Mello stopped to listen. He listened to the silence for a few moments before turning back to Near, who's large, pale eyes reflected the bit of light in the room. "I don't hear any--" A thump followed by a shrill whine cut him off. His head snapped in the direction of the noise, and he strained his eyes in the darkness.

"Mello..." Near whispered. Mello shushed him and continued looking.

"Wake Matt up." He sad finally.

"Why?"

"We're going on a ghost hunt."

Near looked at Mello, and Mello stared back, completely serious.

"You can't be serious."

"I'm totally serious."

"Matt's dead scared of ghosts, remember? He's not going to help us at all."

Mello thought for a second. "He will. I'll make him."

"Why do we need him?" Near whispered hoarsely, trying to spare the poor boy.

"He has the best night vision. We'll need him."

Near sighed and rolled over, facing the contentedly sleeping Matt.

"Matt," he hissed, poking the red head. "Maatt."

"Wha?" he groaned, rubbing his eyes.

"We're going on a ghost hunt."

Matt snapped into a sitting position, anger, fear and shock mixing on his face.

"WHA--"

"Shh!" Mello barked. Matt fell silent.

"We need you Matt."

"No way, man."

"But you see the best in the dark."

"I don't care."

"Matt--"

"No! I wont! You can't make me!"

"It's like--"

"No, no no no no no!" Matt replied, shaking his head vigorously.

"You owe me." Mello growled. Matt blinked.

"Oh, come on..." He whimpered, looking from Near to Mello fearfully, "don't do this to me."

"Up," the three boys got to their feet, Matt very reluctantly, and looked around. No one else appeared to be awake, and they started in the direction of the noise.

As they walked, the room got progressively darker. Near noted that Matt was shaking viciously, his eyes darting around, looking for the sources of creaks and bumps. Near felt bad that Matt had to be dragged along. They turned a corner and stopped abruptly.

"What?" Matt whispered.

"I... thought I saw something... an apparition."

Matt stiffened, paling. "Mello, can we go back, please?"

"No. Look, tell me if you can see anything."

Matt took a steadying breath before grinding his teeth together and taking a step forward. He peered around the room, looking for something that might hint at what Mello saw. He almost screamed when he caught sight of it.

"What?! What is it?!"

"It's-- it's nothing. A-all you saw were our shadows. Please,please let me go back."

Mello didn't answer him. Instead, he bit gently on his tongue, wishing he had a bar of chocolate to eat. "Our shadows, huh?"

"Yes. That's it. That's all it was--"

"Then we'll just have to move deeper. Come on."

Matt wrapped his arms around his shaking body and followed.

"Are you going to be okay?" Near asked, watching Matt tense at the sound of his voice.

"No, oh God no. Why is he making me do this?"

Mello shushed them and they kept walking, the light gradually diminishing. The darker is got, the more determined Mello became, the more jumpy Matt became, and Near settled on curiosity and fear.

"Matt," Mello started quietly, grabbing his friend by the wrist, "what do you see?"

"Nothing! Mello, there's nothing. Lets go back."

"If there's nothing then why are you so.. scared... Matt?"

But Matt wasn't listening. His jaw dropped and his eyes widened to saucers, staring, fixed, on one spot.

Mello turned to look, but he didn't see anything. He looked back at Matt, but saw Near with the same look of terror.

"Me-Mello..." Near whimpered.

Mello looked behind him again, and this time he saw it.

The body bled profusely, and the blood dotted the floor and made glistening puddles on the tiles. He was swinging back and forth, his head bent at a wrong angle, the rough rope leaving angry red marks on his neck.

Mello felt Matt's hands grip his arm, and he thought about running, but he was transfixed by the rhythmic sway of the body, the rope creaking on the banister.

It was Matt who finally screamed.

His voice echoed down the hallways, waking teachers and students alike. He turned, still screaming, and pushed Near out of his way.

Near lost balance and tumbled into the pool of blood. It was warm and sticky and he was covered with it. He looked up at Mello, who hadn't moved, and shuddered.

Light flooded the room and Near squinted to see Roger who stood there, panting, with Matt peeking out behind him.

"What's happening?!" He demanded.

"Look!" Near held out his hands, attempting to show roger the blood clotting on his sleeves.

His hands were clean.

"What are you talking about?"

Mello started to try to explain what they'd seen, but the body was gone. It'd disappeared when the light came on.

Near sat on the floor, shivering.

Oh my God. I've had this written for so long, but I never got around to typing it. Please forgive me! I have the next chapter written, and half of 16, and I'm going to try to get them up soon. Life is little hectic, what with high school and boys and all. I'm going to be starting a new semester tomorrow, what fun, what fun. Freshman year is half over. It's been going by so fast.

I think I might have a time skip soon. I'm totally ruining some of the story. L worked on the Kira case for two years, but I need him to work on it for four. Is that okay? And I need Near to miraculously turn 12, so if in one of the upcoming chapters if it's suddenly like, "Life passed as usual for two years. Mello, Matt and Near grew ever closer. blah blah blah." don't hate me for it.

SO about this chapter that is TOO short for you poor people to have to wait THREE MONTHS for it to come out. It's pretty much a filler. These are all pretty much fillers. Rawr. Fillers.

MUCH LOVE to all of those who have stuck around, and to new fans, and to EVERYONE who's put up with me for so long. You're truly amazing, all of you. Ich liebe dich. (I'm not actually taking German. I am, however, obsessed with a German band.)

-Hybrid