Sorry for the delay, I had a lot going on. Anyways, here's the next chapter.

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Chapter 20-Recollections

"I told you not to scratch it." Amaya complained while she changed the bandage on L's eye.

"Have you ever had a bandage on an eye before?" L asked her.

"No, why?"

"Because if you had, then you would be able to understand why I scratch it." Amaya sighed as she placed a fresh bandage on the eye. Just looking at the eye reminded her of what had happened several nights earlier. She shuddered at the though of L laying on the floor with his blood stained everywhere. Is something wrong?" L asked her.

"No." She quietly answered.

"You're lying. What's wrong?"

"It's just that...well...the other night...when I saw you hurt like that...I..."

"Amaya, I'm fine now. You really shouldn't worry like that."

"But seeing you on the floor and all the blood...I..." Amaya bent her head down and stared at the floor.

"You what?"

"L, you're probably the strongest person I've ever known...you're like the older brother I never had...seeing you hurt like that...it...it hurt me to see you like that." L turned around and stared at her. Never had he heard her, or anyone else, say something like that to him.

"Amaya..." Startled, Amaya looked up at him. "I'm glad you think of me like that." She smiled. "Besides, you're the only friend I've ever had."

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"Damn it!" Mello screamed, for it was the fourth chess game he had lost to Near. "Why do I always lose to you?!"

"Because you don't think clearly, but you came closer to beating me then you did last time." Near calmly replied. Mello stood up and glared at Near.

"I don't even know why I play theses games with you."

"I don't either."

"What do you mean?"

"You've always tried to beat me, but you've never had a reason why." Mello stared at Near, stunned since what he said was true.

"I have a reason!" He yelled angerily.

"Then what is it?"

"It's...it's because I'm tired of being second to you."

"Second isn't always bad."

"How do you know?"

"I don't, I've just heard that it isn't." Near then looked up at Mello. "Mello, perhaps if you weren't so focused on being better then me, perhaps we could work together better." Mello thought about the idea for a few moments and finally came to a decision.

"Near, just so you know, this is the only time I plan on agreeing with you."

"So you mean you're actually not going to try to prove you're better then me?"

"What do you think I meant?"

"Good. Now all we need is L and surely this time we can bring Light down."

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Sorry if this chapter seemed crappy, I was in a rush and I was braindead. Hopefully the next one will be better. Anyways, please review.