Stripes
Chapter 6 - Family
Ice-Puppet
Author note: Lol, its funny 'cuz I don't really like Misa... oh well. She's still cute.
--
Misa returned about an hour later, she and her bus driver both caring bags and bags full of puzzles. It appeared as if she had bought out an entire store full of them.
Near watched her in almost amusement. "Misa," he commented as the driver placed the last bag in front of him. "You know you're not supposed to spoil hostages, right?"
She giggled. "Yeah, I know." Sitting beside him, she began to pull the puzzle boxes out of the bags. "But I'm human, and I have a heart, you know. So does Raito, but he doesn't show it to everybody. But I know he has one." She smiled lightly to herself. "We're the reason your fa- I mean, L, is dead, and here we are kidnapping you and dragging you away from your home after all that. I don't know, it just doesn't seem all that fair. So I guess I'm trying to make it up to you."
Near stared at her a moment before commenting, "You're a good person."
She smiled warmly.
--
Raito awoke bright and early the next morning. He had given Nate free run to sleep in the living room, with a quick call down to the front desk to make sure the security guard watched the cameras so he didn't leave the room (it only took a little sympathetic cry of 'his father just died and he might try to run away to hurt himself.') Raito was a light sleeper, and the guard promised to call if Near even so much as opened the door. After a full night without a call he expected to find the boy in the living room.
And find him he did.
Nate had passed out on the sofa, curled into a ball much the way L would have done. However, unlike L, the floor around Nate and all over the living room was covered in countless puzzles of all sizes. They overlapped each other, each one finished perfectly and discarded for the next. Raito remembered seeing the puzzle boxes last night and scolding Misa for spoiling their hostage, but the sight before him was truly amazing. All of the puzzle boxes now stacked on the table, empty, their contents laying around Nate like a protective barrier.
"Wow," Misa breathed, coming up behind Raito. "Did he do those all in one night?"
"Impressive," Raito agreed.
"He has to be L's son," Misa pointed out, moving to fix her hair up in its normal pigtails. "This just proves it."
Raito nodded. "Which means he's a threat, and he has to be deposed of."
Misa gasped and turned to him. "But, Raito-!"
He shook his head, turning to her and grabbing her shoulders. "He's a threat, Misa, just like L was. Just like Mello is. All three of them have to go."
She frowned up at him, her eyes confused. "But, they're only children, Raito-"
"Children that are trying to kill us!" He snapped. "Children that don't understand why we do what we do, and want us to stop, just like L did! Don't you understand, Misa? They have to be taken care of."
Frowning, Misa slowly nodded. He released her and she stepped across the puzzles toward the sofa. With a small sigh, the blonde girl lifted up a blanket and laid it across Near's sleeping body.
--
It was barely a few days later when the phone in the hotel room began to ring. Near looked up from a puzzle he was re-doing out of boredom. He had done them all at least three times, but there was nothing else to do, as Raito wouldn't allow Misa to buy him anymore puzzles.
"They're here," Raito told Misa, who nodded and grabbed her purse before rushing out of the room. He turned to Near. "Don't move from that spot until I tell you to."
Near nodded in understand and Raito left the room. He returned a few moments later and sat beside Near.
Misa opened the door as he sat, letting Mello and Matt into the room and letting it close after them.
"Mihael Keehl, M-I-H-A-E-L K-E-E-H-L," Misa informed, making Mello jump. "Mail Jeevas, M-A-I-L J-E-E-V-A-S."
Raito nodded, motioning for the two to sit. They did so, Matt's eyes locking with Near's instantly. "I'm not sure how far into L's notes you read," he began. "But I can kill you all with your names and faces. Misa has the ability to tell your real name with one look at you. By real name, it is classified as the name placed on your birth certificate. If your mother's maiden name was placed instead of your father's last name, this is what she will see.
"I now have the power to kill all three of you, if things do not go my way."
Mello narrowed his eyes and Near glanced at Misa, placing another puzzle piece into place.
"The Death Note, if you will," Raito motioned to Mello.
Mello removed the black notebook from a bag and placed it on the table. He opened it up to the first page, Raito's name and death written there.
"Cross out each line with two lines," Raito explained. Mello picked a pen up from the table and leaned down, carefully crossing all of his writing out with two lines. When he was finished, the words disappeared, as if they had never been there.
"Near," Raito addressed the albino, who didn't even glance toward him. "You may return to your family now." He reached across the table and grabbed hold of the Death Note, placing it in his lap.
Near stood, giving a small bow of respect to Misa. He paused only a moment before turning around and practically talking Matt.
"I'm never leaving you again, I swear it," Matt breathed, hugging Near to his chest as tight as he could without hurting him. Near didn't respond, but snuggled into Matt's neck.
"He really is like his father," Misa muttered.
Beaming Raito with a glare, Mello left the room, Matt and Near in tow. The door closed behind them and Raito pulled a piece of paper from his pocket, picking the pen up off the table.
"Mihael Keehl, Mail Jeevas." Smirking, he placed the paper down. Misa frowned across the room at him, but said nothing.
The phone began to ring and Raito answered it. "Yes?"
"Yamagi, sir?" The security guard questioned. "That boy you mentioned just left your room with two other boys."
Raito looked at his watch. "I know. Those are his friends." Four seconds. Three. Two. One.
"Alright, sir," The guard replied. "Just thought you ought to know." He hung up, leaving Raito dumbstruck.
"They… they should be…" he looked at the paper in front of him, before his eyes narrowed and he turned to Misa. "What did you do?"
She shook her head, as if disappointed in him. "They're only children, Raito. Leave them be."
"They're going to kill us both!" He snapped.
"They don't have any way to," she replied. "They have nothing on us. They have no Death Note, and no way of proving who we are. Just leave them be."
"Are you stupid!?" Raito shrieked, standing up. "They're L's lackeys! They're just miniature versions of him! They'll find a way to kill us, Misa, and they'll do it!"
Misa picked up the Death Note and shot him with a glare that made him freeze instantly. "You already took that boy's father away from him," she growled. "But I'm not going to let you kill an innocent child. Don't be mistaken, Raito. I love you with all my heart and soul… I believe in what you do. But if you're willing to kill three children that did absolutely nothing, then you're not the Kira I fell in love with."
His eyes narrowing, Raito crossed his arms. He knew this was not a winning battle. Misa was a good asset to have on his side, especially with those eyes of hers. If it took the lives of those three to keep her on his side, so be it. He could always kill them later, behind her back.
Watching Raito for only a few moments, Misa sighed and closed her eyes. She could read the life spans of people, but the numbers made little sense to her. Still, if she could tell correctly…
"Just let him live the last few days in peace," she whispered to herself.
--
Mello couldn't help but watch with longing eyes on their flight away from Japan. Matt held Near snuggled in his arms on one of the sofas, the albino seeming content and happy, his eyes closed and his head against Matt's chest.
Even though Near had Matt, Mello was still crushing on him. For some reason, he couldn't seem to get over it. It was as if his own crush had grown into the same obsession he had accused Matt of having. But he just couldn't seem to let go.
The three were on their way back to America, this time to New York to find Matt's bother. After they found him, they planned on heading back to see Near's mother, and then take it however it came from there.
"I'm surprised we aren't dead," Matt breathed, catching Mello's attention. "I mean, if Kira knows our real names, he could easily kill us."
"Yeah, I'm a bit surprised at that as well," Mello agreed, trying to look anywhere but the cuddling couple.
Near, seeming to realize how uncomfortable he was making Mello, sat up and removed himself from Matt's body. Despite the protesting pout Matt gave he ignored him. "I doubt it was his choice." He glanced out of the plane window, sighing lightly. "I'm sure it was that girl who did it. She seemed like she actually had a heart."
"A heart, maybe," Mello mumbled. "A brain, no."
"People who think with their hearts before their heads often become tools," Near mused. "Sadly, a good percent of them need to feel that way to feel loved." He looked to Mello for a moment. "Not to say thinking with your heart isn't a bad thing, so long as you think with your brain as well."
Mello bit back a comment. If they had been back at the orphanage, back before all this, he may have teased that Near never thought with his heart. However, after all of the happenings, he knew it wasn't true. Near did have a heart, but he hid it until the right moments.
About an hour and a half later, Matt was passed out on the sofa, game boy in hand. Near quietly leaned over him and took the object, switching it off.
"What do you think his brother is like?" Mello questioned in a soft whisper.
Near shook his head. "If he's anything like Matt, he'll be pleasant. But I hope he isn't exactly the same… I don't think we could handle two of him."
Mello smiled slightly, holding back a laugh. "You guys are really happy, huh?"
Near glanced up to him. "We try, but it's hard for me to be happy when I see you so sad."
Green eyes blinked, feigning innocence. "What do you mean?"
Frowning, Near shook his head. "It's easy to see, Mello… Yes, I'm happy to be back with Matt, but I know it hurts you. And not only because he's your best friend."
With a small sigh, the blonde turned away. "I had plenty of chances to try, he just got there first."
"If you had plenty of chances, why didn't you?"
Mello looked a bit surprised at the question. "I guess I thought it would be… kind of weird. I mean, we are rivals, and I've been mean to you for a long time… for me to suddenly say, 'Hey, I like you more than I should' would… I don't know, sound off?"
Near nodded a bit in understanding. "You know," he corrected. "You saw me as a rival, but I never saw you as one. Not because I thought you weren't smart enough, or because you always were second best or anything. Just because I've never understood the point of having a rival. My entire life, I had one goal in mind, I never really thought that someone else would reach it."
Mello snorted slightly. "That's a bit arrogant."
Near hummed. "I suppose it is. As well as a bit selfish." He glanced to Matt, a slight frown on his face. "It might have been weird, Mello, but I'm not one to care about things being 'weird'. If you had approached me with something more than anger, I would have gladly taken a friendship. I can't say wether it would have been more, honestly, but at least a friendship would have been welcomed."
Mello sighed, leaning back in the chair he occupied.
"Well," Near breathed. "Can we be friends now?"
Mello glanced toward him. He gave a small grin. "Is that a rhetorical question?" Near gave a small, amused sound. "Of course we can be friends. Although, its still a little awkward."
"Well, you have the title of L," Near informed, leaning back. "And honestly, I think you deserved it. You may over-think with your emotions at times, but at least you're not afraid to show them."
--
Matt's heart was in his throat. He could feel it beating against his neck, and the feeling did nothing to calm his already crazed mind.
His heartbeat slowed with a soft hand entwined with his and gave it a gentle squeeze. Eyes moving to Near, he shared a soft smile with the albino before lifting a hand and knocking on the apartment door.
A young man, perhaps 18 or 19, opened the door after a few moments. He looked them all up and down, as they did him. He was taller then all three, with messy red hair and deep blue eyes.
"Can I help you?" He asked in English.
"Are you Kyle Jeevas?" Mello asked.
"Who wants to know?"
Matt cleared his throat. "Its me, Kyle. Mail."
Kyle's eyes widened and he hung his mouth open. "Mail!? No shit!" He reached forward and pulled Matt into a tight hug. "I thought you died or something, kid!"
Matt shook his head as Kyle released him. "I, um… was put in an orphanage."
"Well, you're lucky then," Kyle informed. "The family that adopted me was a right set of freaks. I'm glad I got away." He paused, looking at Mello and Near. "Who are you?"
"These are my best friends from the orphanage," Matt explained. "Mello, and Near."
"Strange names," Kyle mumbled. "Blah, sorry for me rudeness. Come in! Come in! The water's fine." He opened the door, closing it after they had entered. "Sorry for the mess, but I just moved in." After they had been seated on a sofa he asked, "Anyone want anything to drink? I have water, water, and more water."
They all declined politely, and he sat across from them on an unemptied box.
"So, how did you manage to find me?" Kyle asked, glancing as Matt sat closer to Near then Mello.
"Actually, someone else did it for us," Matt said, glancing at Near.
Kyle noted the 'us', but didn't mention it. "Who?"
"A detective," Mello said almost instantly.
Kyle raised an eyebrow. "You hired a detective?"
"We knew one," Matt explained.
"Okay, little bro, I gotta ask." Kyle leaned forward, looking Matt in the eye. "And don't think I'm gonna disown you, okay? I got no problem with it." Matt stared in question. "Which of these two boys is your boyfriend? See, I was thinking maybe it was the blonde, Mello was it? 'Cuz you're avoiding touching him, but then I thought maybe it was the albino kid, Near if I remember, 'cuz you're kinda leaning against him."
Mello and Near glanced at each other.
"Must run in the family," Mello said. Near nodded in agreement.
"Near," Matt responded.
"To bad, the blonde's cuter," Kyle commented, sitting back. Mello raised an eyebrow. "Then again, I kinda have a thing against albinos. Nothing personal. Just a nasty ex girlfriend. Plus, the colorless eyes kinda creep me out."
Matt glanced to Near, who looked back. "I like it?" He offered.
"I don't really care," Near admitted.
Kyle laughed, joking, "What a sweet guy." He sat back. "Man, its so great to see you… I always wondered where you ended up. The stupid bastards that adopted me kept telling me to forget about it, that you were probably dead or something. I never lost faith though."
Matt nodded, moving up to play a bit with the goggles against his forehead. "I thought for a long time you'd dropped off the face of the planet. I'm really glad L found you."
"L?" Kyle asked.
"The detective," Mello explained.
"Isn't that the guy who was going after that Kira dude?" Kyle asked, whistling in awe. "You guys know him? That's awesome."
Matt was silent a moment, before he turned to Near. "How much do we tell him?" He questioned in nearly perfect Russian. Kyle stared, instantly confused.
"He's your brother," Near replied, his Russian flawless. "You decide how much you want to trust him."
"No fair," Mello mumbled in Japanese. "You guys know I suck at Russian."
"You do?" Near replied in the same language.
"Yes," Mello admitted. "For some reason I always struggle with it."
"My Chinese is fairly poor," Near confessed.
"What the fuck are you guys saying?" Kyle asked.
"L was more than just someone we knew," Matt admitted, speaking in English. "He was… like a teacher to us. He is actually dead now… though not many know it. Mello is his successor." Matt glanced at Near, his eyes locking with the boy's. "And Near is his son."
"His son, huh?" Kyle asked. "That's cool."
They didn't stay much longer, exchanging phone numbers with promises to call and assurances that they had a hotel to stay at nearby. Matt, despite having found his brother, for some reason felt uneasy. He didn't share his worries, however, during the ride back to the hotel.
To be continued