A/N WHAT IS THIS? Another new chapter? Be shocked. Be very shocked. :)

Just a warning - there is some language in this chapter. It is Mello, after all.

It was just like any other morning since they arrived at the hotel. Mello woke, got dressed, brushed his teeth, and then headed into the small kitchen area to grab some breakfast. He was a little surprised to see that L wasn't sitting in his usual chair but he figured they detective was trying to get some sleep. It seemed to be irritating the man that Near was remembering more than he was. Besides, Mello seemed to be awake earlier than he usually was. He had never beat Near out of the bedroom before.

Near was the next to make his way out of the bedroom. He had changed into a fresh pair of white pajama's and was rubbing his eyes sleepily as he shuffled into the room. He blinked around the room for a moment and his eyes paused as they landed on L's empty chair. He seemed to let out a deep breath before slowly making his way to the table Mello was sitting at. "Morning," Mello greeted as the boy perched on the chair, bringing his knees up toward his chest.

"Mello should be having real food for breakfast. Chocolate does not count," Near said sleepily as his eyes went to the bar in Mello's hand.

Mello rolled his eyes and shrugged as he bit off another section. He wasn't in the mood for real food. Chocolate was fine for now. "Shouldn't you be eating something? If you're going to lecture me on a proper diet…"

Near scrunched up his nose at the words and Mello couldn't help but chuckle. Near had never really liked food even if he knew of its importance for the human body. Mello stood from his chair, the chocolate bar hanging out of his mouth, and grabbed some of the fresh fruit Wammy kept for Matt. He placed the fruit bowl in front of a blank faced Near. "Just a few pieces," Mello coaxed. Near's gray eyes flittered over to study Mello's face. He must have seen the unrelenting gaze fixed back at him because he let out another small sigh and picked up one of the strawberries. He eyed it distastefully for a moment before taking a small, almost miniscule, bite. "Yeah, more than that," Mello chuckled.

"You two are just too adorable," Matt said cheerfully as he wandered into the room. He snagged his own strawberry and devoured it in less than a second. Mello glared at his best friend but he just got a cheeky grin in return. "Makes me wonder just how…interesting our return to Wammy's will be."

Mello felt dread build in his chest. He hadn't really had to deal with any of the other children from Wammy House since his return. They would all expect him to be the same thirteen year old Mello they had always known. But he wasn't that person. Not fully. Not anymore.

And he was pretty sure he would kill the first person that went after Near. Which was something that was sure to happen based on his memories of their years at the orphanage.

"So, where's our fearless leader?" Matt asked as he grabbed a grape from the bowl and popped it into his mouth. "Sleeping late?"

"Apparently. I haven't seen him," Mello responded. He looked pointedly at the bowl and Near gave him another displeased look as he grabbed a grape.

"I think Mello should take a walk," Near announced suddenly. Mello blinked and looked at the smaller boy. He thought he should what now?

"Huh?"

"Mello likes to be outside. He should take a walk. Matt will go too."

"Oh, will I now?" Matt asked in amusement as he sent a questioning glance Mello's way. Mello shrugged in bewilderment. He had no idea what had prompted the sudden change in conversation.

"Well," Mello drawled as he glanced at L's empty chair once more. "It would be nice to get out for a bit." He raised his eyebrows questioningly at Matt who nodded in response. "Sure. We'll get out of here. Though I am a little worried why you're trying to get me to leave," Mello said with a narrowed eyed glare toward Near. The younger boy just stared back at him blankly. Mello stood and stretched his arms over his head. "Fine, fine. I'm going. Make sure you eat at least four more pieces of that," he ordered, pointing at the bowl.

Matt grabbed a handful of fruit for himself and the two boys made their way toward the door. They had almost arrived when the door to L's room pulled open. Mello paused, thinking he should probably let L know where he was going, but then stepped back in surprised horror at what he saw.

Light was walking out of L's room. He was wearing the same clothes as the day before. His hair had obviously not been brushed from its natural bed head. And…his lips were swollen.

"You have got to be kidding me!" Mello screamed as he turned fully to face the older boy.

Light looked up, eyes wide. He stared at Mello for a moment before he scowled toward Matt. Matt raised his hands up defensively. Light just sighed loudly and shifted his eyes back to Mello. "You're up early."

Mello's mouth dropped open as the words pierced his brain. How would Light know that Mello was up early? The other boy was never here this early. Unless…

Mello turned furious eyes onto Near. "This is why you wanted me to leave? Because you knew that Yagami was here?"

Near's hand was in his hair, his fingers twisting round and round as he avoided Mello's gaze. Something in Mello's chest seemed to snap. He turned his head sharply to Matt. The boy was staring up at the ceiling and whistling innocently. Son of a bitch!

"And how long has Yagami been staying here?" Mello hissed, his hands clenching. He wanted his damn gun so he could blow the son of a-

"I do not believe it is any of your concern," L commented as he appeared behind a smirking Light. Mello stared at his mentor in horror. "I believe there are other issues to be studying. Please continue your work."

Oh, now Mello was definitely drawing blood. "Are you fucking kidding me?!" Mello's head turned from one person to the other. "The two of you knew about this? Have you lost your damn minds?!"

"Please calm down. And I am sure Roger would not approve of the language you are using."

"Not approve of my language?!" Mello screamed, taking a menacing step forward. Oh, what he wouldn't give to be back in his twenty year old body right at this moment so he could beat the hell out of the smirking idiot. "I don't think he'd agree with you sleeping with a fucking murderer!"

"I'm not a murderer."

"You don't say a damn word!"

"Well, if you are going to still hang that whole mess over my head it's only fair that I do the same to you," Light shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. The words made Mello's blood boil. "And if this Roger disapproves of me…I can't wait to see what he says about the little thing between you and Near."

Mello lunged at the older boy with a yell. He had his hands around Light's throat before the other boy could respond. Light grabbed his wrists to try and pull him away. Matt was shouting. Mello didn't pay it any attention. He wanted this man dead.

And then something slammed into his chest.

Mello's hold broke and he fell to the floor, hard. He gasped for breath as he rubbed at his chest. What the fuck was that?! His eyes flew toward the boy. L was standing in front of Light, his leg moving toward the floor. L. L had kicked him. "You…fucking…" Mello gasped.

"Matt, please take Mello into the bedroom and help him calm down. Near, please continue with the research. Mello," Mello's eyes met the bottomless pit of L's own, "I do not condone your behavior. You will not attack anyone within this room. I am an adult and-"

"Fuck this," Mello yelled, his voice still slightly breathless as he pulled himself to his feet. He shook of Matt's hand as the boy attempted to pull him toward the bedroom. "I'm out of here."

"Mells-"

"Shut up!" Mello pushed past his best friend and moved toward the door. He hesitated as he pulled the door open and glanced over his shoulder. Near was on his feet, probably having moved there when Mello went after Light, and was staring at him. The younger boy shook his head and pulled at his hair. Mello scowled and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

They could all go to hell.