Chapter twenty five:

"We need to send out a message to all divisions." A woman tells the group gathered around the table. "It is time for a great gathering and a huge plan. We are going against the government after all so we will need our own army."

"We'll send out those the most qualified and that we don't need if something happens before we can gather them all or at least let them all know that the time to strike is drawing near." A male speaks up in agreement and the others nod also in agreement as quite a few glance to someone sitting next to them as they nod, plus a few also let out almost too quiet to be heard sounds to accompany the nod.

…

Mello concentrates on the dummy that he's targeting with his hand alight in flames and he doesn't even need to run through the steps in his head. He's memorized them well over the past few days. He raises his hands then moves his left leg forward only to slightly jog for a second in which he throws his hand like he's throwing a ball at the dummy. He watches as an almost tennis ball sized flame ball hurls itself at the dummy.

It is hit and bursts into flames that is quickly put out by a water user who has been standing by now that Mello is really getting somewhere.

Mello clenches his hands by his chest with a grin. "Yes!" He's gotten much better at his powers with his friend, and lover, support and guidance. He turns as a hand is clapped onto his shoulder in which he sees Near smiling at him with Matt slightly behind him.

"That was perfect." Near confirms and Mello's whole face brightens in pride.

Mello's grin turns to have a little bit of a smirk in it then he wraps his arms around Near's waist picking him up enough to spin him around a little.

"Mello!" Near gasps at this as it was just so out of the blue causing both Mello and Matt to laugh a little but Mello slows to a stop and hugs Near close as the laughter dies down. "You silly." He teases slightly with a smile on his face and he leans his head against the blonde's chest while he brings a hand to one of Mello's arms holding him. He considers this a hug to return the one that he is currently being given. He rather enjoys being in the embrace of his blonde lover.

Mello's eyes flicker to Matt for a moment and the red head flashes his friend a thumbs up with a grin. He closes his eyes afterwards also enjoying the embrace alongside Near.

Always and Beyond watch from afar leaning against the front side of a building with their arms crossed over their own chests.

Beyond tsks in which Always turns to him waiting for him to speak about what's wrong. "I don't like it." He admits not caring if anyone else can hear him.

"Hush." Always reaches over placing a hand on the others arm gently. "He makes Near happy and he is treating him well. We should be happy for him. I had always hoped that he'd find someone right for him who will treat him how he should be treated."

"Still." Beyond huffs as he glares at the blonde and he speaks with a slight growl in his voice. "Is blondie really the right one for Near? I mean they were once rivals and Mello wasn't completely nice to him."

"Maybe once upon a time ago." A pushes himself away from the wall keeping his left hand on Beyond's arm while his other hand drops to his side. "But he's now treating Near right and they look great together I must say." He closes his eyes for a moment.

Beyond turns with curiosity in his gaze without a hint of a glare at Always. "Doesn't it bother you?" He questions the other. "Doesn't how things have turned out bother you at all?"

Always turns to meet Beyond's eyes with his own. "Yes I will admit that it did have me a little concerned at first but after watching them I've been able to push aside my worries because I can see that it'll be alright." He lowers his hand away from Beyond's own arm and he turns so his right side is facing the training area. "Come along love. We should get something to eat before we do some training ourselves." He walks away with that and Beyond watches him go for a moment turning back to the three that the two had been watching before pushing himself away from the wall.

Beyond's arms fall to his side swinging slightly for a moment and he turns following after Always.

Near opens his eyes and as movement catches his attention his eyes are naturally drawn towards what has made movement. He sees a man heading off in the direction of the way that they come in and out of here though without a cloak. He blinks at this and he can't help but watch him.

Mello opens his own eyes and seems to have noticed that Near seems distracted with something causing him to frown in worry. "Near? What's up?"

Matt's attention is brought to the two lovebirds as soon as Mello says this, even though he had been distracted by a nearby woman practicing her abilities with light blue balls of energy that leave a sparkle trail behind.

"That man." Near nods in the direction in which the other two males turn in that direction spotting the man that Near is talking about. "Something isn't right. I get a strange feeling like something is wrong about him. Plus I overheard a rumor that he did gain attention before coming here so surely he'd be going out with a cloak on. Unless that rumor is false as that is a possibility."

Mello's eyes narrow at the man and the three watch the man leave the city. "You know you are right. Something about him just strikes me as odd. I mean he is leaving the city while pretty much everyone else is getting ready for the possible war. No one has gone out at this time before because we usually take a break right about now so I have noticed. Should we go after him and spy a little on him?" He suggests to the other two.

"We totally should! We can follow him and sneak around not letting him know that he's being followed. We can find out if he is a traitor and just what kind of traitor and everything. It can be like a spy movie!" Matt adds his own thoughts bringing a fist up to be by his chest in enthusiasm.

"I don't think that's a good idea." Near responds with a shake of his head and the other two turn their attention to him at this response coming from him. "If we are right then him leaving could mean that something big is going to happen soon. We should focus our time on preparing for whatever might happen. Whatever it will be we can safely say that it won't be good."

"You're right." Mello agrees with his lover and he pulls Near a little closer. "You're absolutely right. We should prepare for the big event headed our way. It's gonna either be the reason that man feels off to us or the war that has been declared."

Matt's eyes flicker to Mello who meets his eyes when he speaks. "Hey. Do you think that we are getting the feeling about something being off about that man because of the orphanage we were once a part of?" He suggests as even Near looks to him.

"It is a great possibility." Near agrees to that theory and while keeping his one hand on Mello's arm he uses his other hand to twirl a strand of his hair. "With our education and training in the justice system we've picked up one something those without it might not."

"Either way let's get back to training. We need to prepare more than ever now." Mello turns away from the direction of the entrance way while the other two make sounds of agreement.

Meanwhile….

"Welcome back. Good job on doing your part." Beth greets the man that walks over to the small group of four standing at a corner having waited for him. She turns to Catherine who is standing next to her with her arms over her chest while Beth has one hand at her own side along with her other hand placed as a fist on her hip. "Okay. It is time that we leave the area. We've done our part."

"What are we gonna do when the government goes and raids that place?" Catherine questions looking right at Beth who is watching her back meeting her eyes. "I mean should we get in on the action that is going to take place?"

Beth shakes her head and lightly crosses her arms over her own chest shifting her stance to lean more onto her right foot. "We won't be joining that. We'll be having our own things to do." She smirks while the others around her lean in a little closer in interest upon hearing her words. "Now listen here. First we are going to stay inside and wait for the commotion to really take off and while those government dogs are busy we make our move." Her eyes fall to half open and a wide smirk gracing her lips. "They'll be so focused on charging at the group of freaks down there that the city will be unprotected. They're will be little if any at all of those government dogs here to bark at us for making some major moves. The city won't even know what hit it."

The other laugh in agreement with a hint of cheering mixed in there as the explanation of the plan comes to an end.

"Well lets go then." Beth turns away from the direction that the man had come from. "We must sit back and prepare for what we are going to do while the dogs are going to be distracted." She takes the lead heading off with the others moving after her to follow her.

AN:

I can't upload this weekend so here have this early update instead.

I hope that you are enjoying the story so far and feel free to drop a review but be warned that flamers will be used to make cookies!

Mello.