Disclaimer: Note that none of these characters belong to me. I an merely borrowing them for use in the fanfic.

Note: This story will contain Yaoi/Shounen-Ai.

Another Note: I'm really horrible at writing humor. If you have any suggestions, PLEASE, don't hesitate to leave them in a review or message!

Day 21

The Runaways

Nothing eventful had happened in the past few days. It had been boring, just sitting at the desks with L, waiting for a case. One never came. Maybe the criminals in the world thought that Kira was still out there, and would punish them if they did any wrong. They were right, though. Kira was still there. Just without power.

Lowly and trapped with the one person he hated the most.

Soichiro had started a chat with L a few times over the latter's laptop, but they never really went anywhere. The older man was obviously upset with L for releasing his son from Prison. And, to prevent anything more from happening.

He had told Roger.

L's eyes had widened when Soichiro said this. He seemed utterly shocked and entirely horrified.

L had never liked Roger as much as Watari. The man was different. He worried too much over L and Watari, keeping the clock at his side at all times. L often wondered how he got to be the head of Wammy's House. Probably only because Watari left, and the only one that could fill the position was his brother, Roger.

Not even the kids liked the man. Apparently, Mello and Matt, being best friends since Mello said his first word to the red-head, had pulled numerous pranks on Roger. Every time, they were caught and given detention. Every time, they ditched.

After he knew there was no changing what had been done, no making sure Roger didn't find out, he just sighed and brushed it off.

Light found him that night; sound asleep in his chair at the expanse of computers. There were no plates around him, meaning he'd eaten no sweets recently enough. A sugar shortage, probably. Light wondered where his room was. Did the detective even have one?

The brunette had resorted to asking Watari.

"Watari? Does L have a bedroom?" Light asked nervously. He was holding L in his arms, the older of the two clearly still asleep.

"Yes, but it is extremely unused. It would be better if you didn't go in there until I've had a chance to clean it up."

Light just stared. He could take L to his room, but that meant he'd have nowhere to sleep. Oh well. It was for the better.

On the way to his room, still carrying L, it occurred to him. A few days ago, Light would've just left the detective to sleep in his chair. He wouldn't have cared whether he burned at the stake or not. If that wasn't proof of warming up to L, nothing was.

"Matt, throw it here!"

The silver disc flew through the air towards the waiting blonde. It was caught with pinpoint precision, the disc landing in the dire center of his hand. Biting off another piece of the chocolate he was known for always having, the boy ran, only to be followed by a red-head and a wailing girl. The numerous chained crosses he kept on his person clinked slightly as he ran. His breaths puffed, hot and warm in his face. Leaving countless yards behind, the boy dashed around a corner and hurdled down a large flight of stairs. The red-head trailed closely behind. Both rounded a corner, the blonde giving his friend just enough of a speed boost to catch up, but continuing to leave their victim in the dust.

Suddenly, two hands extended from a doorway and caught the backs of their shirts. The blonde dropped the disc. It didn't break, and the girl took it back.

"I need to speak to you two," Roger said, still holding their shirts.

Mello and Matt looked up at him gravely, and nodded.

"Find Near. It's important."

"Kira is free."

"What?!" Mello was furious.

"Kira has been freed by L," Roger repeated.

Near sat on the floor, a lithe ghost, absorbed in his puzzle. The boy was rarely seen walking or standing; he preferred to remain near to the floor. His hand wavered, still holding a white puzzle piece. Kira was free? Why would L do such a stupid thing? He could easily be killed!

"Why?" It was the first word the boy had said all day, filled with malice, yet calm. Unlike the fuming Mello.

"Who knows what goes through that boy's head. All we know is that it's done and can't be undone."

Then Matt spoke up. He had been silent before; just listening. "Maybe we should pay our mentor a little visit."

Near and Mello murmured in agreement, Near still watching as his puzzle steadily came together.

"No. You must stay at the orphanage," Roger complained.

The threesome glared at the old man.

"We're old enough to go somewhere alone," the little white boy murmured.

"Plus, it's boring here. We'll have guns when out there, too," Matt added.

"And chocolate!" Mello smiled.

"I don't," Near mumbled. They all stared at him. Everyone at Wammy's House carried a gun when outdoors.

Almost.

In Mello's case, he'd taken a few other students' guns for himself. He hid them in random spots all over the orphanage. None of the caretakers had ever been able to find all of them. When he went outside, it was odd to think of where he kept all of them.

"You may not go."

"We're going," Mello and Matt argued in unison. They smiled at each other, knowing their minds were well intertwined.

Surprisingly, Near abandoned his puzzle and stood next to them.

"If they go, they're bound to drag me along with."

The blond and red-head shot each other a malevolent grin.

Roger stood up suddenly, knocking his chair back, silencing the trio as his fists slammed down on the ornate, wooden desk. "You three aren't going anywhere. Go to your room. Now."

Through golden tresses, the most violent of the three glared at Roger. Matt just sighed and placed his hand on the blonde's back to calm him. The turned around, still making contact with one another, and stalked out of the room. To work off the anger, the devilish duo would probably torment other students. There was no stopping them, everyone knew by then.

Near seemed hurt. He bowed slightly and inch by inch, exited the room.

A sleepy-eyed detective shuffled out of Light's bedroom slowly. He wondered why Light hadn't been in his room, and where he was. Also, when had L fallen asleep? He hadn't slept in longer than he could remember.

Light was on the first floor, which was mostly unused. He'd set out long walls of dice, stacked high. Placing one wrong, one pile collapsed, causing a chain reaction. Within seconds, the brunette was surrounded by mounds of die.

"All those hours of work…" He glared solemnly at the ground, at the mounds of die.

"It was quite exquisite while it lasted."

Light whipped around at L's voice, surprised. He had black streaks under his eyes, just like L. It seemed he hadn't slept at all, the same as the detective had predicted. He pitied the younger man. Light had given up his bed just so L could sleep well.

"It's nice to see you're awake." L raised an eyebrow at this. Light really was changing for the better, just as he had thought.

"Yes ,well. I'm up for some breakfast. Do you want anything?"

"Sure. What're you having?"

L looked at him as if he was stupid. "Have I ever had anything except cake?"

Light seemed to think about it, then shook his head. He had never seen the detective eat anything but sweets. It just wouldn't be him if he did.

The two, side by side, stalked up the flight of stairs.

Still sulking from Roger's refusal, Near slowly went back to him room after dinner, his bare feet tapping away at the wooden floor. He rubbed an eye and opened the door. Matt and Mello looked up at him. They were on the floor, stuffing bundles with clothing, food they had obviously stolen from dinner, cigarettes, and chocolate. Near looked at them questioningly.

Mello had obviously retrieved his guns from their various hiding places around the orphanage. Matt had a bundle for the soul purpose of game systems and batteries.

Near then spotted the toys he'd been trying to find a good portion of the day. They were in their own bundle, directly beside Matt.

Mello stood and gathered his two rucksacks. He approached Near and placed a hand on the younger boy's shoulder. Matt joined him.

"Grab the stuff we packed for you and anything you want. We're leaving," the blonde said rather gruffly. It was an order. They were taking him with.

Near nodded and closed the small bag they had put together for him. Joining them, the three trotted out the door and into the expanse of hallways. Everyone would still be at dinner, so they should have been in the clear if they'd calculated their timing right. It wouldn't be long before someone in the orphanage realized they were gone. The only reason was that Mello and his best friend, Matt were always causing trouble in one way or another. It would be quiet without them.

Looking out into the pouring rain, the trio stood there, their sacks slung over their shoulders. Giving Wammy's House one final look, they turned.

And left for good.

And so, our brave little trio is off on an epic adventure!

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