MistressxMisfit: Hey guys sorry it took me while to update the last chapter. We're off from school till May 11th because the Swine Flu is getting worse in this area. I swear it's going to turn into a zombie pandemic. So anyways here's the third chapter for your reading pleasure. Please review afterwards. I'd really appreciate it.

Disclaimer: I DO NOT Death Note in anyway whatsoever

Author's Note: This chapter takes place 2 years after Hayley's arrival at Wammy's.

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I shot up from my bed, knocking Che to a side.

Yes I still slept with my stuffed penguin, laugh it up. I rubbed my eyes, trying to adjust my vision to my surrounds. Then as I squinted, I made out the form of my red-headed best friend sitting at the foot of my bed playing his Nintendo DS.

He looked at me and beamed his beautiful smile of his.

"Morning beautiful.," he greeted.

"Morning Papa Bear.," I said addressing him by the pet name I had given him after awhile of staying here. It just sort of clicked.

He closed the lid to his DS and scooted towards me, lying down by my side, picking up Che.

"God, Roger gives you special treatment, Tink. You're bed is a lot more comfortable than mine.," he said placing Che on his stomach.

"I think someone's been drugging my water.," I complained lying back down and turning to face him.

"Uh oh. More bizarre dreams? What was it this time?"

"Eh. It was raining out in the courtyard and there was a parade of elephants holding up umbrellas and you, Mello, L, and I were marching with them."

He stared at me for a good while, not uttering a word.

"What?," I asked feeling uneasy.

"What kind of drugs are they putting in your water so I can get me some?"

I laughed and pushed him playfully before rolling off the bed.

"So what's on the agenda today?," I stood up slowly making sure to stretch out my legs before doing arm circles to get the blood flowing.

"Movie marathon, remember? You were practically on your hands and knees last night begging me to watch movies with you all day." He didn't say it in an aggravated way. More like in a teasing tone. It was usually a daily routine for us. I'd make a whole bunch of plans and forget about them the following morning, Matt usually being the one to remind me of them.

"Oh yeah. Thanks again for giving in."

"When you make 'the face', how can I say no? You play dirty, Tink." His face contorted into a smile. It wasn't a bad sight to start off my day with. Matt had matured quite a lot within these past 2 years. His hair was just as unruly as it was the day I met him. He still wore the same orange tinted goggles, usually keeping me from ogling at his electric blue orbs. He had gotten a lot taller than me, about a good 6 inches, seeing that I was only 5'0 flat I felt tiny beside him.

Something had begun to develop over these past 2 years as well.

Last year, I began to notice these changes in Matt and I found myself wanting to be with him in a romantic way. I had wanted him to notice me the way I noticed him.

I began wearing skirts and other feminine clothing to try to catch his attention. I let my hair grow out so it was slightly past my shoulders; I even experimented with it and dyed my bangs a bright teal color.

But I never got anything more than Matt's usual friendly responses. 'Oh you look pretty, Tink.', 'Nice hair, Tink.', or 'Cool shirt, Tink.' were the things he usually said when I was looking for something more along the lines of 'Teal, you take my breath away.' or possibly 'I love you, Teal.'

Of course I would be hoping for too much. Within these past couple of years of both our physical maturing, I never really noticed him staring at other girls or never had he once mentioned any that caught his attention to Mello or me.

I guess that was a good thing.

What if Matt's gay?

I looked at him from my peripherals as I went to my closet to pull out some clothes. He was sitting up at the edge of my bed reaching out for my black acoustic guitar that leaned on the side of my nightstand.

Matt couldn't be gay, could he? I mean, I knew he would joke around with Mello, but I mean he was just joking, right?

He did have an impeccable fashion sense, but that was just being stereotypical.

I decided to focus on something else other than Matt's sexuality and tried to put together an outfit.

Finally, I decided on a light form-fitting grey sweater and a blue jean skirt. I heard the familiar chords to 'Jamie' by Dashboard Confessional being struck. I turned to Matt and saw him playing the song gracefully, his fingers pressing down on the strings and skimming up and down the frets. He was slightly chewing his bottom lip, a habit he had whenever he was concentrating on something.

I had been giving Matt lessons shortly after we first started hanging out and lucky for me that he was a fast learner. Music soon became one of the many hobbies we shared. We'd trade mixed c.d.'s and usually introduce one another to new bands.

I walked over to him with my clothes tucked under my arm and ruffled his hair, causing him to stop mid-song and gaze up at my with his toothy grin.

"Am I getting any better?"

"Of course you are, Matt. You got that song down perfectly."

"Eh. I still think I'm kinda rusty, but if you say so I'll take your word for it." He placed the guitar back against my nightstand and stood up. His five foot six form towered over me as he walked over to my computer.

"Have you heard from L at all?," he asked taking a seat on the leather chair.

"Nope. He's been really busy with that Kira case. Last I heard from him, he told me that a lot of policemen dropped out of that case because they felt as if they couldn't trust him because he hadn't revealed himself to them."

Even through his goggles, I could see his brows cross, giving his angelic face a frustrated look.

"What a crock of shit! You'd think they'd learn to look past things like that to 'serve and protect'" He made air quotes as he said that last part.

"Yeah well policemen can be cowards just like every other person."

"And Wammy?," he began spinning around in the chair.

"Emails me whenever he can. He's going by an alias out there; 'Watari'. He said he'd be mailing you, Mello, and me a huge package of Japanese candy."

"Psh. You and I won't be seeing much of that candy, babe, if Mels gets his hands on it before we do."

"Eh, I guess you're right. Well I'm gonna head into the shower."

Matt shot up from his chair as if something had scared the shit out of him. His eyes went wide.

"Wait, Teal!" His face had gone perfectly still and serious. His right hand reached to the side of his face as he pulled down his goggles revealing those blue orbs I was infatuated with.

My breath caught up in my throat. I could feel my knees trembling beneath me and I was praying that I wouldn't pass out in front of him. Why, oh why did he have to take his goggles off?! His eyes were like my kryptonite.

"Uh, yeah Matt, what's up?," I managed to say.

He stood perfectly still, not uttering a word. My eyes locked onto his, feeling my stomach do somersaults at that very moment. The inside of my throat was beginning to feel extremely dry.

Please, just say those three words I want to hear so badly.

"What's your password?," he asked, his index pointing to my computer screen.

I couldn't help but let a small frown cross my lips. Not exactly the three words I was hoping to hear, but at least the suspense was over.

"Zombie1234," I sighed and walked into the bathroom.

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After I got dressed, I walked over to the mirror and applied a bit of powder to my face. I added a little bit of blush to the apples of my cheeks and a thin layer of black liquid eyeliner to my top eyelids.

I didn't like to wear an excessive amount of makeup. I liked keeping it close to natural.

I walked out of the bathroom and saw Matt lying face down on my bed, Che tucked under his right arm. This was my opportunity to get back at him for earlier. I tiptoed over towards his sleeping form and pounced right onto his back.

"You're mine now, Papa Bear!"

I buried my face between against the cloth of his black and white striped shirt. I could feel him stir beneath me.

"Silly Tink, I was already yours."

If only his words were true.

I crawled off of him and watched as he sat up lazily, running a hand through his hair, his goggles yet again shielding his eyes.

"So what movie do you wanna watch first, Matty?"

"Evil Dead 2."

I smiled at him. Horror movies were another passion we both shared. We could never get our fill on mindless gore.

He threw some pillows on the floor in front of the T.V. as I walked over to my DVD rack and pulled out the movie of choice.

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"Bruce Campbell is my one and only God." Matt declared as the movie ended with Ash bruised and battered in the Medieval Ages.

We had been lying down for about almost a good two hours through the whole movie and now I was beginning to get a bit hungry.

"Let's get some grub. My stomach is having some kind of internal battle to stop it from digesting my own organs. " I joked standing up.

"I second that, babe. Let's see if we run into Mels. Maybe he'll wanna catch the next flick with us"

We went to the kitchen to get some quick lunch which consisted of instant Ramen, Gold Fish Crackers, and a few chocolate bars to take back to Mello.

We walked back to my room, our stuff loaded up in our arms. That's when I saw the spawn of Satan, herself.

"Well if it isn't the odd couple themselves. How goes it, Sharon and Ozzy? ," Trista chuckled to herself as she marched over towards us.

"You know Trista, I thought the air headed blonde fad died out in '99. Why are you still trying to bring it back?" Matt replied, not even bothering to glance at her as he fidgeted with the bundle of food in his arms.

"I see your little girlfriend's still as flat as the surface of a desk."

She was obviously referring to my chest. Apparently, puberty really came full force at Trista over these past 2 years, while I was still growing into my body.

"Ouch. Well I guess not all 14-year-old girls are lucky enough to have Double Dees thrusted upon them like you." I shot back at her. I was starting to get bored of this routine of always getting into it with her. Her body might have developed, but her comebacks surely hadn't.

"I guess not." She smirked cockily.

I sighed and pushed my way past her. I seriously just wanted to get back to watching my movies and hunger was making me really irritated.

"See ya, Circus Tits." Matt said pushing past her as well.

"You nerds should go just do everyone a favor and jump off a cliff!" She called out towards us.

"After you, sweetie!" I replied cheerily.

The view of our favorite blonde boy came into view at the end of the hallway. What a relief. Mello was pretty much the only blonde around here I could stand. God knows I wished Trista would just take a long walk off a short pier.

"Hey Mels, wanna join us in our movie marathon?" Matt asked as we walked up to him.

Mello didn't reply but went straight for the chocolate in Matt's arms. He tore the wrapper off, almost a bit hostile. What was bugging me was the fact that he hadn't answered Matt's question, but kept chomping down on the bar like a starved dog does when given a meal.

"Earth to Mello." I called out.

"Fucking Near! He's always testing my patience. One day I swear…," Mello trailed off, his icy stare fixed past Matt and me, probably off somewhere else imagining how he was torturing Near with ancient medieval devices.

"Mello calm down. Look it's a Saturday. You just need to relax and get your mind off of Near for one day. Join me and the lovely Teal in a marathon of blood and guts."

"Ergh. Fine I guess so." He said wiping his mouth of any chocolaty remains.

"Good. You need a break, Marsh-Mello." I smiled calling him by my pet name for him.

He managed to crack a small smile at the sound of his nickname. At first he hated it, but it kinda stuck with him after awhile. I loved Mello like a big brother; he was always sticking his neck out for me whenever I was in trouble.

"I hope there's more where these came from." He said unwrapping another chocolate bar.

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Months passed by and I hadn't heard anything from L or Watari. I was beginning to worry. What the hell was going on over there in Japan?!

I checked my e-mail everyday, waiting for a reply from my eccentric detective friend or even the kind hearted man that gave me the option of living here.

Nothing.

I paced around in my room, barefooted.

It was early in the morning and Matt was more than likely still asleep, so I thought I'd let him rest. Mello had to have been up though; he was usually an early bird.

I walked out my room and over to his door that was right next to Matt's room. I tapped on the door slightly then waited a few moments.

No reply.

He must have been in the dining hall eating breakfast, either that or the kitchen.

I made my way down the halls humming the rhythm to Bob Marley's "Jammin'".

"What was that?! What did you just say, Roger!?"

It was Mello's voice coming from inside Roger's office. I stopped in my tracks and pressed my body against the wall to listen. He sounded panicked and hostile.

"I'm afraid L is dead." I heard Roger say, grief dripping in his voice.

My breath caught in my throat.

No.

Not L.

I felt the tears well up in my eyes, but I didn't want to blow my cover.

"But…but how?! Was it Kira? Did Kira kill him? C'mon Roger, you've gotta tell me!" Mello begged frantically.

"Probably." Roger said.

"But he promised me he'd find Kira and execute him and now you're telling me that he's been killed!" The disbelief was clearly evident in the tone of Mello's voice. It just made the blow of the news even harder to bear.

"Mello!" Roger called out to him.

The sudden sound of several tiny objects landing on the floor hushed the two men down. There were a few moments of silence. I held a hand over my mouth to silence my sobs, feeling the tears stream down my cheeks.

"If you can't win the game, if you can't solve the puzzle….then you're just a loser." It was Near's voice that stated this, calmly. It sent a shiver down my spine. How could he say that about L? I knew that Near seemed unemotional and distant, but he couldn't be that cold, could he?

"So which of us did L pick, me or Near?" Mello asked.

"L hadn't chosen yet and now that he's gone, I'm afraid he won't be able to." Roger stated causing Mello to grunt.

"Mello, listen. You too, Near. Can't the two of you work together?" Roger asked.

"Alright, sounds good." Near said nonchalantly.

I tried to hold back a gasp. Near and Mello working together!? Was Roger oblivious to the passionate hatred Mello harvest for the albino boy?

"It'll never work Roger! You know we can't do this together. You know I don't get along with Near. We've always competed against each other. Always." The spite dripped off of Mello's voice.

There was another long unbearable moment of silence. I slid down against the wall and wiped away the stray tears on my face with the sleeve of my shirt. I was dreaming.

I had to be. This was just a dream that had gone astray.

"You know what?! It's fine. Near should be the one to succeed L. He's not like me, he never gets emotional, he just uses his head like it's a game or a puzzle. And as for me, I'm leaving this institution."

I felt the nausea come over me like the wave of a monsoon. He wasn't serious was he?!

"Wait! Mello!" Roger pleaded.

"Don't waste your breath; I'm almost 15-years-old. It's time I started living my own life." I could here what I only assumed were Mello's footsteps coming closer to me as he exited the room, shutting the door behind him.

I looked up at him as he glared down at me with those piercing eyes of his.

"Hey Marsh-Mello." I greeted trying to hold back a sob.

He sighed and walked over to me, helping me stand up.

"So I guess you heard all of that, huh?"

"Mello, you can't be serious? How will you survive out there?!" I exclaimed trying to knock some sense into him. I knew it was futile. Once Mello's mind was made up, there was no turning back for him.

"I'll manage, Teal. I can't stay here trying to solve this case with Near. It's to be expected of me if I stay, so I'd rather risk it out on my own. Try to understand. I'm not coming second place to him, Teal. I'm going to make L proud and catch Kira by any means possible."

All I could do was nod like an idiot. How could I even attempt to wipe that look of determination off of his face?

He placed a hand on my shoulder, his expression softening a bit.

"Come help me pack. It's only fair I told Matt as well." He said.

I nodded, feeling a lump form in the back of my throat.

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Matt, Mello, and I trudged through the courtyard. The wind ruffling the remaining dead leaves on the trees was the only thing that could be heard. Mello only carried a black backpack I gave him and filled it up with a few clothes, some money we had saved over the past couple of years, and a week's supply of chocolate.

We reached the black gates at the entrance of the orphanage. He turned to face the both of us. His expression was stern, as well as Matt's. How could these boys manage to stay so strong in a moment like this?

I was no longer crying, I hated crying in front of them, I was trying to remain strong as well, but the look in my eyes probably betrayed my facial expression.

"You guys know I have to do this." Mello said.

Matt and I nodded.

"I don't know when, but I know we'll see each other soon. You two are the only family I have, so I won't forget you. Please keep each other safe while I'm gone." Mello said, a gust of wind blowing through his golden locks.

"We will, man. Don't get yourself killed Keehl." Matt said with a ghost of a smirk.

"Keehl?" I asked.

"It's my name, Teal. And I'm entrusting you with it now. Mihael Keehl. I'll leave you with that bit of info." He smiled before turning towards the gate.

"Look for us, Mello! Please!" I ran up to him hugging him.

"Don't worry, I definitely will. And Teal…"

"Yeah?" I looked up at him fighting back the tears, yet again.

He leaned in close to my ear so as to where the two of us were the only ones in hearing range.

"Please tell Matt how you feel about him soon."

My eyes went wide as he slipped out from my embrace and walked past the gates and out into the world. I dropped to my knees as my stare continued to follow him until he was no longer in our sight.

Matt kneeled down beside me and slung his arm around my shoulders.

"Mello's gonna be fine, Teal. Trust me on this one. We'll see him again one day."

"You really think so, Matt?" I asked resting my head on his shoulder.

"I know so. L was like a big bro to all of us, especially Mello. All Mello really wanted was to make him proud. Mello won't let L's death be in vain. He's driven by determination to beat Near and bring Kira to justice by any means possible." Matt stated, the same determined look Mello had was now glazed over his profile.

"By any means possible." I repeated.