A/N: Final chapter! It's a long one though so don't worry :)

Hope you enjoy and reviews are always welcomed!

(L P.O.V)

We'd searched everywhere for the boys and found nothing. No little ball of white, no blonde, and no red head. They'd just… disappeared. It was getting worrisome now, especially now that night was falling.

Light was scared to all hell for his boys and had been pacing the living room of his parent's house since we'd lost the three. Soichiro had gone out to look for them, getting more than a few cops out there and looking as well while Light's mother Sachiko stayed home and helped him to calm down. Although, knowing Light, there was no calming down from losing his children.

Light was a good parent to the boys, so it came as no surprise to me when he developed the motherly instincts that came with parenting. He knew when his boys needed him, he knew when they'd caused trouble, and he knew when something was wrong. He'd expressed every few hours how he felt like his boys were suffering the moment we'd arrived in Japan. I suppose he'd been correct to assume this since Near didn't always speak out against his elders like that, but now wasn't the time to dwell on it.

Now was the time to worry.

When Light started hyperventilating I sat him down beside me and held him close, telling him everything would be alright.

I worried about the boys, but I knew they were alright.

Mello was headstrong and full of spunk, so I knew he wouldn't let anything happen to him or his brothers. Matt was stringy, but very quick when needed to be so I could only assume that he'd find a way out of any predicament. As for Near, even though he was smaller and much weaker than Matt and Mello, was smart and resourceful. I doubt any of them could get hurt when they stuck together, and I had all the faith in the world that they'd show up in no time.

The only thing that was making this tragedy worse… was Light's grandmother.

Once the whole family went into a panic for Light's sake, she immediately turned her nose away from the news saying something along the lines of 'finally, some normality'.

But no one cared to really listen to her. It didn't matter how she viewed them, because what was important was that we'd lost three kids in a foreign country. Smart though they may be, that didn't matter to some pedophile or murderer out there.

And they could only do so much.

I held Light close to me. "They'll be alright, Light. I promise they'll be fine."

He shook his head, close to the brink of tears. "You can't promise that. We don't know where they are, if they're alive, or even that they're together. All we know is that they're gone."

"And that they're incredibly smart in their own ways. They'll not let death claim them so soon, Light. They have their wily ways and you know it. They'll be fine."

Just as Light was calming down, I heard the huff of a certain woman from the stairway.

"You treat those mongrel children like they're your own, Light. Why can't you take this as a sign to stop with all these dramatics and fake family and just return to normality like the rest of us? Broken children are for broken homes, and you waste your time on them like they're human beings! Just let them go!"

I stood up to say something to her, losing my temper for the first time in… well… years probably.

However…

(Near P.O.V)

"Near, stop with this and let's go home! It's getting dark out!" Matt cried to me, still giving me my space.

"What home!?" I cried back, forcing down my tears. "The home with two men who barely care about us enough to stand up for us!? Why would I go back to that!?"

"Come on, Near!" Matt replied. "It's cold, and I'm tired! We should just go back!"

"Then go back!" I retorted, keeping my gaze forward as I kept walking. "I'm not going to crawl back to someone who doesn't even love me!"

Just then I felt someone grab my arm and spin me around. I half expected it to be Matt, but it was Mello instead. He hadn't exactly said anything while I've been trying to leave their sights, but he looked angry at me for some reason.

Then again, he usually looked angry at almost anything.

"Listen freak," he began, "I know it seems like Light doesn't care at the moment, but running away isn't going to solve your problem here!"

"And why not!" I screamed, still forcing down tears. "You ran off! So why shouldn't I?!"

He let me go then and made a huff of exasperation. "Near, we both know you're not mad at Light. He's in a difficult situation and- -"

"And nothing!" I interrupted. "Light has done nothing but let his stupid grandmother walk all over us and allow those kids and adults to think lesser of us because of where we came from! It's not fair, and we shouldn't be treated like this! We're the successors of the world's greatest detective, and we deserve more respect than this! We deserve a home! A loving family! A family who doesn't forget about us, and LEAVES US IN A GODDAMN GAS STATION LIKE AN UNWANTED, DISGUSTING RAG OF A SHITTY SHIRT!"

I finally fell to the ground in tears, silently begging for Mello to just go away and leave me to wallow in my own self-pity.

To my surprise though, I felt two sets of arms encase me lovingly and protectively. As if trying to hug away all the negative memories I had from my past and stop the tears. I liked to have thought that it worked, but it only made me cry more. I didn't know if they were sad tears because of my hellish memories, or they were happy tears because I had a loving family trying to help me out.

Either way, I was too scared to open my eyes. I thought for sure it was all in my head.

But there they were. Matt and Mello, hugging me to let me know that I was loved. But why had they cared? After all the times they picked on me, called me names, and generally ignored me… why did they suddenly care so much?

Matt then spoke up through a foggy throat. "Near, it's not like we don't know what you're going through. Maybe our pasts are different, but we each had to deal with our own abandonment. You lost your parents, my mother left me with an abusive dad, and Mello's parents ignored him after his incident. We were each abandoned and alone… but that didn't stop us from being loved."

"Light may not be showing it too much right now," Mello started, "but he loves us like we were his own flesh and blood. He kept us warm in his hugs, he made us laugh and learn, and he's always been there when we needed him most. The same goes for L. I'm sorry you're feeling this way… like you're going to be abandoned again… but Light would never let that happen. He needs us, and he loves us. I know you want to run off before he can do so to you… but how would you feel if you knew you broke his heart like that? How devastated he would be to lose you. You know it would kill him."

"It would kill L and us too." Matt added. "You're our brother, despite how much we pick on you. Hell, we pick on you because we love you!"

I sniffled slightly, a smile sneaking up on me. What they said… it was all too true.

The two backed up and grinned at me before Mello asked if I was alright.

I nodded before crashing into a hug with him, thanking him and the gamer for helping me come to my senses.

We suddenly heard sirens blaring and a police car pulled up onto the sidewalk towards the alleyway where we were. Soon enough, out popped Sofu and he ran to hug us in relief, thanking god that we were safe and unharmed.

I apologized for my outburst once he let us go, but he barely cared about that and just expressed his joy at seeing us fine and healthy.

We hopped into the cruiser and we headed home soon after.

I worried the entire way there about facing Light and L, knowing that they'd be mad about me causing all this panic, but Matt and Mello assured me that everything would be alright.

"Well," Mello though aloud, "we might get grounded. But I don't suspect it being for more than a month."

"Nah," Matt waved off. "Two weeks, at best."

"So…" I said quietly. "Who wins the bet? Mello didn't exactly lose his temper, and I doubt Light will stay here for the entire week now."

The two looked at each other before they came to an agreement.

"You buy me a king sized chocolate bar…"

"And you sing me one lullaby."

The deal was set, and nothing was said further about the agreement.

We made it to the Yagami household, and I prepared for the scolding of a lifetime…

Until…

(Light P.O.V)

I had HAD it with her!

"You know what, grandmother, I don't care about your opinion on them, or about me and my choices for that matter. What I do care about is that my three boys are out there, doing god knows what, in streets they are unfamiliar with, and I'll be DAMNED if they turn up injured or dead! I don't care that I have a boyfriend, I don't care that I adopted three 'broken kids', because the truth is I couldn't be happier when I'm with them! They sure as hell are smarter than you in every which way and that, they have opinions and minds that supersede your terrible and conformist attitude, and furthermore are a hell of a lot more interesting than you will EVER be!

"I left Japan to start a life with someone I love and I ended up with a loving, caring family that would go through hell and high water to make me happy! You could never say you did the same because all you ever cared about was fitting me into a slot that I didn't fit in! I am not a statue made to be placed somewhere to marvel at and let the world decide my fate, I'm a human being with human emotions, and I desire the need for happiness no matter who it's with! I love Ryuzaki, I love my boys, and I love the life I've chosen to live! Just because you don't understand it, doesn't mean you have to continuously try to rid them from me and my life! It doesn't surprise me in the slightest that you've been married six times! No one was ever good enough for you aside from grandfather, and that old bastard died of a heart attack! No fucking surprise there since you probably caused it! What an unbelievable BITCH you are! How is it that anyone respects you or takes you seriously when all you do is rip on other people's decisions because they aren't yours!?"

I then turned to my aunt and uncle. "And you two! Allowing your bratty, unrefined kids to mock mine because they were adopted! Shame on you! SHAME ON YOU! You and your kids are nothing but spawns from the lowest of lifeforms! My kids aren't perfect, but they are a hell of a lot better behaved than your sorry excuses! Nothing more than bastard children from bastard lineage!"

Lastly, I turned to my younger cousins. "And don't think I haven't seen you three pushing around my Near. I know full well you tried to beat him up today, and if Mello hadn't stepped in when he did, you can bet your shitty little face that I would have instead. And I damn well guarantee you you'd make it out with more than a kiss you disgusting pile of horse shits!"

I finally took a breath and looked at the old woman in front of me. She was in too much shock to counter any arguments with me.

I felt my nostrils flare. "I came here because I wanted to spend time with my family. I wanted you and everyone else to see how happy I was to have a family as wonderful and delightful as I'd had with my parents and sister. Instead, I asked them to behave as one of us, uncaring and aloof. Detached from their minds and their way of thinking. And that only caused them to run off. That isn't a family, that's an act. Matt isn't quiet and calm, he's loud and tells stupid jokes to make the tension less awkward! Mello's a raging ball of blonde kick ass who would hug away any tears if you were hurting. And Near? Near is the kindest, sweetest, and cutest little boy to have ever lived, and I'm damn proud to be his mother! So I don't give a shit what you think about them! I don't care that you believe they're broken and worthless! They're priceless to me, and I'd go to the ends of the earth to have them beside me again!"

I suddenly felt three pairs of arms crash into me and I was immediately pulled out of my rant to look down and see my boys safe and sound once more.

The anger fled and I was soon on my knees hugging them close to me, tears in my eyes at seeing them safe and within arm's reach. I don't know how much of my rant they had caught but it didn't matter to me. I had them back, in my arms, and unharmed.

I kissed each of their heads happily and hugged them closely yet again. "I'm so glad to see you all safe!"

They each hugged me a bit tighter before Matt giggled. "And we're glad to see you stand up for us finally!"

Near nuzzled into me. "I'm so sorry for running off, Light. I didn't mean to scare you."

I kissed his head again. "It doesn't matter now. You're here and you're safe. That's all that matters right now." I then glared at my former family members. "And that we're heading home in the morning."

All three of them relaxed at this while my parents each looked at me with a bit of sorrow. I could see in their eyes that they were happy to see me relieved and with my family again, but at the same time I could see that they hadn't wanted any of what had happened to play out like this.

My father gave a sigh before opening the door once again. "Then allow me to drive you all home. I can see this stress has taken a toll on the lot of you and I'd feel safer if I saw you all home personally."

I agreed to this and allowed my father to bring us home, not caring of the glares and stares I got from the people I once considered family.

My grandmother, before we had fully left the house, gave one last warning.

"Light, if you walk out that door right now, then you are never allowed back into this family."

My eyes narrowed. "Good."

The door was slammed in her face and we walked to the car happily. Me carrying Near, and L holding Mello and Matt's hands.

I heard the detective chuckle. "That was some show you put on there."

"Indeed." My father commented. "But don't take what my mother said to heart. You five are always welcome into my home. She on the other hand, is not."

I heard Near hum slightly before asking, "Am I in trouble for running off?"

I kissed the boy's head yet again before hugging him close to me. "No Near, of course not. If anything you had every right to feel how you did. But I promise that I never meant to hurt you guys in any way. I should have had more backbone than I did… and I'm sorry for that."

"No apologies necessary Light!" Matt said happily. "Not with the rant you gave!"

As my father opened the car door for the boys I heard him chuckle. "And in fact, Light, I am quite proud of you for standing your ground like that. A man's family is his pride no matter who thinks differently. And, if you would let us, your mother and I would like to spend at least one last day with you and Ryuzaki as a family before you leave. I have a feeling your Aunt Kass would probably love to join us as well."

Once I had Near in the car I hugged my father happily, agreeing to his request. Truth was, I didn't want to leave without actually having a good time myself. I'd missed my parents and little sister, and I knew they missed me. What kind of son would I be if I didn't visit them more times than I did now?

The ride home was quiet since the boys had been falling asleep. Near had a soft smile on his face while he slept, and it made me happy to see that he would be alright.

L got Matt and Mello into bed while I got Near, and with that our day was done.

Tomorrow would be my last day in Japan… but at least it would be happier than the days before. I'd be with my family, three lunatic boys and frog prince – detective – and all. And that thought made me happy.

Yes, L was weird, and his boys were crazy. But they were perfect in my eyes. And no amount of hate from my supposed family members could change that in my mind.

I fell asleep with L right beside me, not even having to be pressured into sleeping that night. He just lay down beside me and allowed me to sleep in his arms. I believed, in truth, that L had been just as worried for Near, Matt, and Mello just as much as I had. He's just someone who wouldn't admit his worry until he was for sure it was time for him to worry.

That didn't matter though. We were home, we were safe, and we had our boys back.

That's all I cared about now.

(Mello P.O.V)

I curled up into a fetal position, taking in the warmth of my bed. It was nice to wind down after all that had happened today. I didn't believe I'd have any nightmares tonight, but if I did… I was too sure they wouldn't last long.

Yes, what Matt had said was more than true. We'd all been abandoned by our parents in some way or another. But in that abandonment we'd found a home. L and Light had taken us in, given us a home and people to love and cherish. We wouldn't be abandoned again. Not by them.

I got to thinking of my parents again that night. Of my mother and father… of my brother… of everyone. I briefly wondered if they were still looking for me, but I set the thought aside. Lord knows they'd given up by now. It might have broken my mother's heart to see me go missing, but not enough to make her rant in the same way Light had.

"Mello?" Matt's voice called past my memories.

"Yeah?" I answered hazily.

A short pause. "Will you sing that lullaby now? I promise to get you your chocolate bar in the morning."

I silently sighed to myself and was about to decline when another, smaller, voice said, "Please, Mello?"

Two against one? That was just unfair.

I rolled over in my bed to face them, taking a breath and thinking of the lullaby that would be quick so I could get some sleep.

I thought of one, but was unsure if it was considered a lullaby or just a really good song.

Either way, it was quick.

I took a short breath and quietly sang.

"Come stop your crying, It will be alright.

Just take my hand, Hold it tight.

"I will protect you From all around you.

"I will be here, Don't you cry."

I continued on with the song, hearing Matt hum along slightly before growing ever so quieter. I didn't know whether or not I should be flattered that he liked my voice or not, but I was only ever singing him one song in this life, so he'd better appreciate it while he could.

"'Cause you'll be in my heart.

"Yes, you'll be in my heart.

"From this day on,

"Now and forever more.

"You'll be in my heart,

"No matter what they say,

"You'll be here in my heart, always."

I heard Near hum a smile out. "Always." Came a small whisper before he fell asleep.

Matt chuckled slightly. "How much would I have to pay you in chocolate bars every night to make you sing us to sleep?"

My eyes rolled as I turned away from him. "You can't afford me, Matt."

Another chuckle. "I'll find your price."

He could try.

For the rest of that night there was nothing but peace. No fear, no worries, and no harm. Just a night of happiness and warmth.

(Matt P.O.V)

Mello really did have an incredible voice, and I knew I'd have to pay him over ten king sized chocolate bars to make him sing again, but it would be worth it.

Tomorrow I'd pay him his one, and things would be settled between us. After that, everything would be normal again. Light would be happy, L would be himself – snarky and childish – and we'd go back to picking on one another for sport. For tonight though, everyone was just happy and at peace. Even Mello was… well… mellow.

I cringed at the thought of saying that in front of the blonde. Lord knows the kid was never mellow despite his – rather ironic – name. I'd make a joke of it in the future, but for the moment I wanted him to sing to me again, and I'd get no brownie points if I mocked his name at the moment.

Maybe picking on Near would set me up a peg or two.

Nah, I'd wait until we were back in England to do that. Near was having a tough time as it was without me getting involved.

The day's events made me think back to my parents… to my mother. The fact that she left us had hurt me immensely.

But the fact that she'd left me with someone like my father just killed me from the inside out.

When L had picked me up… I was a wreck. I was high off of everything, I craved more drugs than my body could take, and I didn't know clean from a hobo's arse. But even with all that, L still took me in… gave me a home. And Light… Light was the mother I'd always wanted. For him to stand up for us, to say he loved us and take a stand for us and who we were… I was touched.

No, I didn't have a mother… but I had something better…

(Near P.O.V)

I had Light.

To hell with my mother and father! To hell with my little brother who they'd wanted more than me! Light was a real parent. He loved and cared for me like no one else. He kept me warm and safe, and he loved my genius and all it had to offer. Light was a real parent… a real mother.

Despite him being male, he was my mother. He was raising me, teaching me wrong from right, and loving me like I was his own flesh and blood. He gave up so much just to be with us, and I was sorry that I ever doubted him to begin with.

I'd make it up to him one day. I'd show him how sorry I was to have doubted him.

But for now… I just wanted to sleep.

Mello's song helped a bit with that, but I mostly fell asleep thanks to the day's events. Although, I wouldn't mind it if he sang to us every night.

I overheard Matt talk to the blonde about paying Mello with chocolate bars to sing to us every night and I figured I get in on the action tomorrow morning.

Something told me Matt already had a price set in his mind.

Perhaps I could double that if I offered.