A/N: This chapter didn't come out the way I wanted it to, but I'm still fairly happy with it. :] Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Death Note Characters. However, this story is mine.

Near sat on the tile floor of the Common Room. Alone in the room, the only noise that could be heard was the soft clicking of the puzzle pieces fitting together. Only a few minutes passed before Near's fingers craftily placed all the pieces together, finishing the blank, white puzzle for another time that day.

This was one of the few things Near did on a lazy Saturday. Most of the children within Wammy's Orphanage would choose to play outside and enjoy having a break out of school, but Near almost always chose to stay within the Common Room. If he wasn't in the Common Room, then he would more than likely be up within his room playing with the robot figurines he had a liking to.

Puzzles. Near believed that several children within the Orphanage thought of him as a puzzle. Near wasn't exactly an ordinary individual. He was different from everyone physically and mentally. Yes, this was an orphanage for mentally gifted individuals, but still Near remained obviously different from everyone.

Near was born with albinism. His skin was extremely pale. It wouldn't change in the slightest if he chose to be outside for most of his time. The fact that Near easily burned was probably a contributing factor as to why he stayed indoors. Like his pigment, Near's hair was snowy white. Each lock curled gently, making Near's hair appear like a mound of fallen snow. Near's eyes were silvery-gray like a hovering mist during a rainfall; unlike what most people thought, not all albinos had distinct, pink eyes.

In theory, white would stand out more than any other color, but in this case, it was actually quite the opposite; Near usually went unnoticed by orphans and teachers alike. The fact that Near looked different from the other children could be a factor as to why no one really noticed him, but Near knew the real reason why.

Near's thinking patterns and emotions were portrayed as unusual by the other children. Naturally, Near was an introvert. He kept his thoughts and feelings to himself. Actually, Near could be described as an extreme introvert due to the fact that Near never showed his emotions to anyone. Over the years, Near showed less and less emotion until he completely locked up his feelings inside. Now, in Near's mind, he didn't believe he had a true, logical reason to show anyone his emotions.

His emotions were replaced with logic. Near observed everything in a logical manner. He had never once let his emotions get the best of him, not recently at least. It would have been inevitable as a young child, but now at the age of fifteen, he had full control. Perhaps this was the reason as to why Near was labeled as number one at the orphanage; he didn't let his emotions distort his way of thinking.

Even with being at the top, the students refused to have anything to do with him. Well, every student except for two. Linda was one of them. She was a brown-haired girl who's hair was usually up in two, high pigtails. Everyone had known Linda to have a talent in art, but in actual studies and tests, her grades faltered.

Linda would often come into the Common Room to show Near her newest pieces of art or to say a simple hello. Near knew that several individuals within the orphanage disliked Linda because they found her to be an annoying, loudmouth tattletale. Near, however, didn't dislike her; he had no reason to. Linda's motives towards him were always considerate, and Near didn't see the reason to turn down kindness.

Kindness wasn't something he received too often. Although, Near never really thought much of it. Kindness wasn't exactly something Near felt like he needed. He was content with his puzzles, robots, and studies. His sociality wasn't exactly a large part of his orphan life. The other person, however, who looked upon Near was--.

Suddenly, the twin doors of the Common Room flew open and slammed against the wall. A raged blond stormed into the room. He had long, golden strands that came down to his shoulders. His skin was lightly sun-kissed. He was wearing a solid black shirt with long sleeves and dark blue jeans that were a bit tight. His hands were tightened into fists as he stomped across the room, heading over to Near. His mouth was twisted in a sneer as his icy blue eyes flashed with frustration and fury.

It was Mello.

Mello was labeled as number two at Wammy's Orphanage. He also happened to be the exact opposite of Near. Unlike Near, who was logical and seemingly unemotional, Mello almost always acted on impulse. The blond was driven by his emotions. Mello was impulsive, aggressive, and extremely independent. He did what he wanted whenever he wanted. Different from Near, Mello greatly stood out.

Everyone knew not to mess with Mello unless they wanted to get a black eye. Some were okay acquaintances with the blond, but most of the students chose to avoid him possible out of fear. The only one that didn't fear the blond was Matt.

The main reason that Mello didn't choose to associate himself with others was most likely because they were lower ranking then himself. One reason Matt was still Mello's friend was because he was close enough on intelligence level to talk to and also because Matt didn't surpass Mello in intelligence level. Matt was number three, and Mello was number two. Near was number one, thus creating a problem.

"Near!" Mello fumed, his icy eyes glaring down at Near.

The albino looked up from his finished puzzle. He glanced over at Mello through silver-gray eyes. He already knew that nothing good was going to come out of this conversation—or one-sided argument.

Nevertheless, Near answered, "Yes, Mello?"

As soon as Near and Mello's eyes locked, Near could see Mello's anger rise another ten feet. It was as if his existence as angering Mello. Near never quite understood Mello. It was the one thing in his life that Near was always questioning. Mello was unpredictable; he was a puzzle to Near.

As observed many times, Mello's anger only seemed to rise around Near. Sure, Mello might snap at someone or be irritated at another orphan, but Mello's anger only shot out of the roof when he was around Near.

The only logical reason Near could think of was the fact that Mello was extremely competitive when it came to their grades. Mello's goal was to become number one, to succeed not only L but Near as well. Roger, the orphanage's caretaker, had suggested many times that Mello and Near should work together. Near wouldn't mind working beside Mello, but every time this was suggested, Mello would strongly object. It was as if he believed Near and Roger were trying to mock him in some way.

It was odd, really. Near had never really enjoyed the company of others, but Near enjoyed having Mello in the room. He enjoyed it even though Mello was usually spitting curse words at him, trying to harm him, or trying to destroy Near's puzzles and robots. Near's logic only told him that it was because Mello was another puzzle to solve. A puzzle Near couldn't seem to solve. Maybe that was why.

"Damn it, Near! Don't act like you don't know why I'm here!" Mello spat.

Near had a guess as to why Mello had stomped into the Common Room, looking for the albino. The grades were usually posted on Saturdays. They had taken a test earlier that week. Near had seen the grades, so he knew. As usual, Near had received a perfect score. Mello...had missed a perfect score by one point.

As the usual routine on Saturdays, Near knew this was where Mello tried to cut Near down mentally. This was quickly followed with Mello either punching him, kicking him, or trying to destroy Near's possessions. Sometimes the events were flipped. Even knowing what was about to happen, Near could do nothing to prevent it. Near knew that attempting to fend off Mello would be in vain, considering that Mello was much stronger than him.

"I know why you're here, Mello, but what do you think it'll achieve." Near asked, the usual monotone expression on his face.

Unfortunately for Near, Mello had interpreted Near's words in the wrong way. Near was meaning that he knew why Mello was there, but even if Near already knew, Mello would tell him anyway. However, Mello read this statement as a mock. A mock that Mello's presents wouldn't solve anything or achieve anything.

Although Near didn't mean this, it was true. Mello's violence wouldn't solve anything. It would only send the two of them to Roger's office again. Then again, Near couldn't see Mello any other way but aggressive.

"You don't know everything, Near!" Mello shouted.

With one swift movement, Mello kicked the puzzle Near had worked on. The blank, puzzle pieces broke apart and flew across the room. The sound of cardboard hitting against the tile floor echoed throughout the large room. Before Near could completely process what was happening, Mello grabbed him by the collar of his over sized, pajama shirt.

Near's eyes widened ever so slightly, but Mello didn't noticed. The albino didn't squirm or cry out once Mello grabbed a hold of him. Not showing any signs of fear made Mello furious. Near's silver eyes stared up at Mello, who's blond bangs were shadowing his eyes.

Pain shot through the left side of Near's face shortly after Mello's fist collided with the side of Near's head. Near roughly hit the floor of the Common Room. He lied there for a moment, mostly because his body was still in shock. Near didn't exactly have a liking to physical contact. It wasn't something that he enjoyed nor was use to.

Near pulled himself up so he was sitting in his usual position on the floor. He stared up at Mello, who was staring at the ground. Something seemed to be building up inside of him, troubling the blond. However, Near still couldn't read Mello's face due to his bangs still covering his face.

A mumble escaped Mello's mouth, "I hate you...."

Although the words themselves were meant to harm, Mello's tone was filled with more confusion than hate. Today was definitely different that most days. The fight seemed to be lighter than it usually was. Usually, the fights lasted until a teacher had to break it up or until Linda went to get Roger. However, today Mello seemed to stop the beating all on his own.

Near wondered what the cause of it could have been. Although like most days, Near couldn't figure out what the reason was behind Mello. There were several possibilities, but Near couldn't seem to narrow them down.

Actually, the last couple fights—or one-sided beatings—had been different. Near could tell there was something different about Mello, something Near couldn't decipher.

As Near was beginning to ponder the reasons behind Mello, a feminine voice echoed through the Common Room. Near looked over towards the Common Room doors to see a girl with pigtails standing there. She was glaring at Mello's back. Before racing out of the room to head to Roger's Office, Linda shouted, "Roger! Roger! Mello's hurting Near again!"

I'm sorry that this chapter was probably a little bland.

This chapter is more of an introductory chapter, so everyone knows what's currently going on.

This is daily life in Wammy's Orphanage as Near knows it.

The next chapter will be about Light & L and what is currently going on with them.

Review please~

:D