Chapter 3

"Nate, come to me," A low voice commanded.

Near twirled around in the darkness trying to find the source of sound but it was echoing all around.

"Who's there?!" He shouted moving backwards.

The voice only laughed causing him to cringe into a ball. The laughter was sickening; it matched the one of someone who has truly gone insane.

"How do you know my name!?" He asked again.

"Oh Nate darling you don't remember me?"A pair of red eyes appeared in front of him holding him in place, "I'm the one who killed your parents."

"No!!!"

"Near! Near! Wake up!"

'That voice…' "L?"

"Near, you were screaming are you okay?" L's eyes were filled with concern and his voice dropped just below a whisper, "Was it that nightmare?"

Near nodded and allowed himself to be pulled into a hug, "I have it all the time but I couldn't see the killer…"

"I promised you we would find out who murdered your parents," L reassured rubbing circles on his back.

The gesture soothed Near and lowered his breathing back to normal. Slowly he closed his eyes letting L's voice lull him to sleep.

Xoxoxo

Near looked into the blue sky sighing sadly to himself, the full moon shown through the morning atmosphere meaning Mello would not be here for a whole twenty four hours. Near's hand grabbed the amulet hanging from his neck and held it in front of the sun. He awoke the day Mello brought him back to the house with it on. Mello had said it was a gift for him but he could not show anyone and had to keep it one at all times. Near didn't ask why just thanked the vampire and did as Mello had said.

Near froze and was about to turn around when he saw Matt standing on the dirt road in front of him.

'Maybe I can sneak past him—'

"Hey Near!" Matt waved his hand in the air at the albino.

'Or not…'

Near tried to ignore Matt as he walked by but the red head began walking with him keeping pace.

"Near I want to talk to you."

"Haven't you caused enough trouble in my life," Near spat.

"That's why I need to talk to you. Please," Matt begged.

Near stopped, "Fine."

"Near I'm extremely sorry for all this crap I've put you through. It's just when I was hanging out with you all the boys said you were a creep and whoever hanging out with you was one as well. And my little kid self didn't want to be different so did what the others did. But I finally realized that I missed you," Matt placed his hands on Near's shoulders, "Really. I mean this. I seriously regret messing up our friendship. Those boys weren't my friends. They were just some losers who did whatever their leaders say. And they always pick on those younger than them so they could feel more powerful. I now realize I don't want any part of that."

Near searched Matt's brown eyes not saying a word. Hearing nothing the red head released his hold and bowed.

"I am truly sorry. I will understand if you hate me or not. I just wanted you to know that."

"Matt," Near spoke up before Matt walked away, "Its okay. I forgive you."

Matt swore he felt tears racing down his eyes as he pulled the small boy into a big hug, "Oh thank you! Thank you! Damn it Near I swear I will make sure no one will hurt you! You're just too forgiving!"

"Er your welcome," Near felt himself heat up as Matt placed a peck on his cheek, "Me-Matt!"

"Hee sorry, couldn't resist. I've missed doing that to you," He apologized ruffling Near's hair.

Near swore Matt and Mello are very similar to each other they could be brothers it was kind of creepy.

On the way to school Matt and Near chatted together about old times and what was currently occurring in there life now. Though Near did leave out the part Mello was a vampire.

"How did you meet Mello?" Matt asked.

"That day you and your old group attacked me and he defended me was the first day I actually met him. From then on he wouldn't leave me alone and we grew close."

"Oh," Matt looked down at the sandy road kicking a pebble, "Sorry about all that."

"Like I said before its fine," Near looked up with a smile, "It's all in the past."

Matt felt relief wash over him. Near was just too sweet and innocent. And one day someone is going to take advantage of that.

'And I will do everything in my power to stop that day from happening,' Matt promised to himself.

Xoxoxo

The recess bell rang and the students were ushered outside leaving Near alone in his classroom. He was sitting with a book that their teacher had assigned them that morning. She told them they would be given a chapter a day but Near decided to start reading it all through recess.

"Hey Near where's your buddy Mello?" A voice snarled from behind the albino.

"Yeah looks like he left you. Too bad."

Near looked up from his desk spotting the group of bullies in front of him. He cringed when the taller male lifted his arm ready to strike him.

"Put your arm down Phil."

Phil's arm froze a few inches away from Near's face.

"Hey it's Matt!" One of the boys exclaimed happily.

"You want a piece of him first," Phil said grinning, "That's cool."

"No I don't," Matt stepped in front of Near, "Now leave him alone for good or else."

"What! Don't tell me your going soft on us?!" Phil asked.

"I won't go soft on you while I beat you to the ground if that's what your asking."

The group of males growled glaring at Near, "You better be careful Matt. Since now you're in the same group as that ghost freak and his blond psycho."

Matt glared at them as the bullies exited the room.

"Matt," Near whispered tugging the red-head's striped shirt.

"Yeah Near."

"Thank you."

Matt ruffled Near's locks, "It's no big deal."

"Now," Matt kneeled down so he was resting his elbows on Near's desk, "What book are you reading?"

"It's the outsiders. Its for my class."

"Oh I've read that, it's real good."

"I just started but yeah it's pretty good."

Near looked down at his page and continued to read as Matt watched him. The silence was relaxing like when Mello and him hung out or back in the day when Matt and him weren't friends.

Matt watched as Near flipped the pages, taking the time to soak up the detail written down.

'He's gotten so much cuter,' Matt thought uncousily bringing his hand up to Near's curl. He began twirling it around his fingers noting how soft it was.

"Matt?"

"Hm."

"What are you doing?"

"Oh just playing with your hair. It's really soft by the way," Matt commented.

"Er thanks," Near felt a pink tint his cheeks. It was weird still from having Matt hating him to having him liking him in one day but he didn't want to throw away what the two once had.

The bell signifying recess was over rang breaking the silence.

"Well I'll see you later," Matt was about to get up when something grasped his shirt.

"Hey Matt," Near looked down at his fists that were shaking, "Do you want to come over at school."

"Won't L beat me for setting foot in your house after what I've put you through?" Matt questioned sadly.

"No," Near said solidly, "He understands how we're kids and we make mistakes. And people change."

"Okay," Matt bent over placing a kiss on Near's forehead, "It'll be like before but better."

"Yeah," Near whispered quietly, "Better."

Xoxoxo

L stood hovering over the sink with a potato in one hand and a peeler in the other. He was going to make some mashed potatoes for Near when he returned from school which should be very soon.

L's worry for Near began escalating through this week. Those nightmares Near's been having haven't affected him that badly before. It died down after Mello came into Near's life but whenever Mello leaves with Ratio he gets down and the nightmare that night is so bad he wakes up screaming. But then the next day when Mello returns it's gone.

'How can I prevent them from happening when Mello is not here,' L thought pausing his potato peeling, 'Or in other words who can I find to help.'

"L! I'm home and I brought someone!"

"Er, long time no see L," Matt greeted waving his arm nervously.

"Matt it's been awhile how are you?" L asked politely. He of course knew what the red head made Near go through but seeing Near smiling beside him told him that those two were going to be okay.

"I'm fine, school's been getting harder," Matt looked down at Near who smiled reassuringly.

"L we're going upstairs now."

"Okay, I'll call you when dinner's ready."

L watched as the two scurried upstairs after one another. He smiled and continued making dinner.

'Looks like I found that who.'

Xoxoxo

TBC

Yeah!!!! UPDATED IT FINALLY XD Yeah that's what I wrote from a power boost and getting back from my second game this afternoon. *we won 4 of them except for the first one* X3 and even though it might suck at least I updated. I might reedit it again when I have time.

And yeah Matt and Near are friends again but what will happen once Mello gets back and finds out that someone is taking up his sheep's time.

Ps. I will update the wish upon a star one soon, I need to find that chapter I started. So might be awhile…..