Sol of Luna: Near and Far

Author: Gakusangi

Author's Notes and Acknowledgements:
RECAP - First we see a brief history of Light Yagami, Teru Mikami and Kiyomi Takada. Apparently there is a long history between the three, which Ryuk finds greatly amusing. Meanwhile Mello and Near are in the care of a healer named Matsuda, and his young, soon to be wife, Sayu. Further down the trade road, Mello and Near's pursuers pick up their trail. Thankfully all Daimyo units have been called to the border to prepare for an attack on the Empire. Near must rest at least a day before he and Mello can make for the Guild. Mello and the mysterious commander Deus must wait before their confrontation…both intend it to be the last.

This is a Death Note fan fiction. Many of the characters presented here are not mine, but the legal property of writer Tsugumi Ohba, and artist Takeshi Obata.

Chapter 07: The Return

Light Yagami glanced over his shoulder for maybe the fifth time that day. The whole command team that Mikami had assembled, including the Imperial High Sommoner, Kiyomi Takada, was leading the main unit composed of the Kagebannin's best soldiers. What had caught Light's attention, however, was the large, black carriage at the rear of the formation. To say that it was out of place among them was like declaring the sky was blue, obvious and painfully unnecessary.

"Something catch your eye?" Ryuk asked inside Light's mind.

Light ignored the question, instead riding up beside another member of the command team, a young man named Gevanni. Gevanni, unlike everyone else was not wearing armor, but dark-grey stealth gear, with the mask pulled down and the hood drawn back, leaving his head completely uncovered.

"Hey," Light asked Gevanni, "What's with carriage?"

"Didn't you hear?" Gevanni asked in surprise. "The Emperor wanted Princess Misa to accompany us."

So he was serious about bringing her along. Then he must have been serious about her…abilities. Hopefully they prove useful.

"Yagami!" Mikami called from the front.

"Yeah?" Light answered.

"You and Lidner fall back." Mikami commanded. "The Princess needs sufficient cover."

Power hungry bastard!

"Aye!" Light replied bitterly, retreating back towards the carriage.

Another horse followed Light back, bearing a woman with blonde hair, and beautiful, but strong features. Halle Lidner had been a member of the Prince's personal entourage, along with Gevanni and commander Anthony Rester. However, Halle was the only one to have also served as the Princess' bodyguard, and Hyrua's before the birth of her daughter. Halle had been Hyrua's friend long before she had married the Emperor. She had taken to Hyrua's children as naturally as a blood related aunt, or even a second mother in some instances. But now she no longer carried herself with a proud and noble air. She had failed. The Prince, Near, had been abducted. She had been incapable of protecting the child of her dearest friend, a friend that had taken her own life out of grief.

Light and Halle came up on opposite sides of the carriage, which pleased Halle. She hadn't wished to converse with, or even look at Light, the long held captive enemy of the Empire, the former commander of the dreaded Akabannin. She couldn't, for the life of her, imagine what Mikami, or the Emperor, saw in Yagami's release, or his part in this important task. She had a sense of the something else moving behind the mission, but was unable to grasp at any solid leads. Nevertheless, she had no intention of associating with Light, but also didn't intend for him to ever at any one point be far from her. They didn't need a man like Yagami sneaking around while everyone's back was turned.

Light was surprised when one of the side windows of the carriage slipped open, and young, blonde girl with pigtails popped her head out, smiling broadly.

"Hi!" The girl greeted brightly. "You're awfully cute."

Light was taken aback by the sudden outburst, but quickly regained himself.

"Uh, thanks." Light replied.

"Misa hasn't seen you around the palace." The girl stated happily. "Misa is wondering where you came from."

Was that a question?

"I was hired by Commander Mikami." Light lied.

"Oh, a mercenary!" The girl said with a certain sense of awe. "Misa thinks that's very romantic."

"Misa?" Light repeated the name. "You mean, Princess Misa."

"That's right." The girl replied, grinning again.

"You're, Princess Misa?" Light asked in surprise.

"Misa is Misa." She replied joyfully.

That hardly answers my question. What's with this girl? Does she have a speech impediment or something?

Suddenly Takada appeared next to Light.

"Princess, you shouldn't be out in the open." Takada warned the girl sternly. "If someone were to see you, your life could be in danger. You're worth quite a bit of money."

The girl, Misa, pouted, but retreated back into the carriage without any protest. Light was thoroughly relieved. He leaned in close to Takada.

"Is she for real?" He whispered.

"Painfully so." Takada replied quietly. "Wealth, power, fame, and neglect have made her a bit eccentric."

There's another word for it.

"I can tell." Light responded. "What's with the third-person thing?"

"Who knows?" Takada replied.

Then she rode off, leaving Light alone once more. Light half expected Misa to poke her head out again, now that Takada was gone. To his great relief, Misa remained inside her carriage, as she had been advised.

With any luck, she'll stay put for the rest of the trip. But that's not likely, since I'll needed her eyes later.

Halle poked her head around the side of the carriage, to catch a glimpse of Light. There he rode, apparently withdrawn into deep thought. Halle wished that she was a mind reader, so she could have a look at whatever was going on behind Yagami's eyes. He turned to her then, spotting her watching him, and the side of his mouth curled into an amused smirk. Halle quickly retreated back out of sight.

(XXX)

Mello awoke as he felt the light of dawn warming his cheeks. He rolled lazily from his mat, and stood up. The whole house was quiet, indicating that everyone was still asleep. He walked quietly across the room, and to a door on the far wall. It was slightly ajar, so he peeked inside. There lay Sayu and Matsuda. Both in their own separate beds. Mello snorted with amusement. Apparently they really were waiting until she was old enough before making anything official. He figured it was for the best. Then he figured he really didn't care.

Mello proceed up the stairs and into the spare room. Near was still fast asleep. Mello set himself in the chair next to the bed, and watched Near for a time, drifting back into his own thoughts. What was going to happen when they reached the Guild? Roger was gone, and the Guild was now without a Guild Master. With L operating at the border, the frontline, defending the Empire against the Daimyo, there really wasn't anyone left to manage headquarters. Mello supposed that Nancy could take over for a time, but she wasn't Guild Master material. She was barely Guildswoman material. Mostly she was there for the children.

Mello figured that L would probably be notified as soon as he explained what had happened. Then L would have to come up with an idea. Mello was certain that L wouldn't take up the mantle. It wasn't in his character. He had so much responsibility as it was. So who would he pick? Mello pushed the thought aside. It was something he needn't dwell on. He was, after all, only a Guild Cadet. These sorts of matters were beyond him. Beside him, Near rolled quietly over to one side, but didn't wake. Mello watched him rest. He found something kind of peaceful in it. But he wasn't sure why.

(XXX)

It hadn't taken long for Misa to forget Takada's advice and poke her head out again to converse more with Light. He couldn't figure out why she was so infatuated with him. She went on for a long time. Night soon fell overhead, and Mikami declared that they were setting up camp for the night. Misa's carriage was pulled away from the main body of the troop, with only her personal entourage following along. Thankfully Light was not a member of Misa's personal guard, and so he was relieved of her company. Talking with Misa had been a sheer test of will, and mental fortitude. He felt as though his intellect dropped a point with every word she said. He also discovered that certain things, such as sarcasm, were wasted on her, giving him no real weapons against her advances.

Light pulled off to the side, and dismounted. He stretched his aching muscles, and took in a long, slow breath.

"Looks like you have an admirer." Ryuk remarked.

Light turned and spotted Halle not far away, watching him intently. Once she noticed that she had been spotted, she rode off to join the others.

Damn it, they've got someone on me! If this keeps up, I'll never get my chance to take the Prince and Princess aside.

"She seems awfully suspicious of you." Ryuk continued. "You won't be able to kill off anyone in secret with her snooping around. You should take her out now, and save yourself the trouble later."

No, if she dies now, then that will only point further suspicion towards me. I have to be cautious. I'll keep her around until we find the Emperor's son. Who knows, maybe she'll become useful to me.

(XXX)

Halle rode up beside Rester. He was a large man with broad shoulders and a powerfully built body. His hair was blonde, greying at the sides, and his eyes were sharp, like a hunter hawk. Halle leaned in towards the man.

"I think we should keep an eye on, Yagami." Halle whispered.

"I agree." Rester said without looking at her. "I'll set, Gevanni, on him."

"I'll continue to observe him as well." Halle replied. "Since he already knows I'm watching him, it might serves as a distraction."

(XXX)

"You should eat something." Sayu suggested.

Without any arguments, Mello set himself down at the table, opposite Sayu and Matsuda, and began placing food on his empty plate. It wasn't much, but it was food, and he was very hungry. He had three helpings before finally pushing his plate aside, and leaning back in his chair. Sayu seemed very pleased.

"Matsuda doesn't like my cooking, so it's nice to see someone who does." Sayu said.

In all reality, Mello had been too ravenous to have even tasted the food as it went in. But he chose not to share this piece of information. It might break the pleasant mood. After he had finished eating, Mello left the table and flopped back down on his mat. He hadn't intended to fall asleep, but was overcome by it in moments.

(XXX)

"With the Kagebannin stationed at the capitol in full force, we have no chance of overcoming their defenses." Light Yagami said bitterly.

"We need some kind of distraction, something to draw their attention." Ryuzaki responded.

Ryuzaki stood in one corner of the room. His hands were buried in the pockets of his jeans, his white, long-sleeved shirt draped over his gangly form. Raven hair was set above two large eyes, each with dark crescents beneath them, as though hadn't slept for weeks. He walked over to one of the chairs, his bare feet patting against the stone floor. He set himself down in his usual, yet unusual, squat position, his knees drawn up into his chest. He bit the tip of his thumb thoughtfully. Light had become accustom to Ryuzaki's bizarre behavior, and let it all play out without comment. He was a brilliant strategist after all, and who was Light to disrupt his train of thought with idle discomforts.

Finally Ryuzaki leaned forward and place his finger on the map laid out on the table.

"This area of farmland is vital to the capitol, as it is its main source of grain." Ryuzaki explained. "With this years drought, the grain production is already pretty meager. If we threaten that, then the Emperor will be forced to retaliate."

"So, we set fire to the fields." Light replied. "And the towns, just to be sure that we get their full attention."

Light grinned.

"We should only send a small team to set the fires, leaving our main forces to attack the city when the Kagebannin aren't there to protect it." Ryuzaki recommended.

"Yes, that's good thinking." Light remarked. "In fact, you should personally head up this operation."

Ryuzaki regarded Light for a moment. Light wished he could see what was happening behind those dark, crescent eyes of his, but Ryuzaki was an unreadable man.

"It would be an honor, Commander Yagami." Ryuzaki finally replied.

(XXX)

Light shot awake inside his tent, drenched in a cold sweat and breathing hard. All sorts of horrible thoughts and memories began to flood into his shocked mind. He placed his head in his hands to try and steady it, to wash away all the excess and regain his composure. But then a voice came to him.

"Who's, Ryuzaki?" Light recognized the voice.

Light whirled around and came face to face with Misa, who was crouched next to him, looking worried and confused.

Damn!

(XXX)

Evening fell over the small trade post, and Mello was preparing for his and Near's departure. He had informed Matsuda that he intended to leave at nightfall, since Near tended to sleep during the morning and afternoon hours. With Near up and about, their trip would take less than a day. Near was busy getting dressed upstairs. He hadn't seemed to mind the idea of wearing Sayu's clothes, which were still a little big on him. Mello slipped into his black, quilted fencer's vest, slipped on his leather gloves, and buckled his boots. He took up his sword, and placed it at his left hip, then tucked the flintlock he had 'acquired' into his belt.

As Mello finished gearing himself, Near descended the stairs, the shoes that Sayu had given him making light tapping noises on each step. When he came off the staircase, Matsuda help place a large traveling pack on his back, packed with food and an odd assortment of supplies. Mello looked to the young man apologetically.

"I don't have much money." Mello admitted.

"It's nothing, really." Matsuda replied, holding up his hands and smiling warmly. "I couldn't just leave you two to the elements. It's not in me to abandon anyone."

"You have our gratitude, Matsuda." Then Mello turned to Sayu. "And you too, Sayu. I'll repay you both someday."

"In the meantime just get back home." Sayu replied with a smile of her own, though her eyes glistened with tears.

They bid…well Mello bid them farewell, Near doing little more than giving a brief wave, and then they departed. They hadn't gotten far from the font gates when Near suddenly stopped, forcing Mello to do the same. Mello watched in stunned silence as Near removed the shoes that Sayu had given him from his feet, tied the laces together, and then draped them about his neck. He curled his socked feet once or twice, stood on the balls of his heels, and then leaned forward on the tips of his toes, as if to test them. Then he resumed walking. Mello stood for a moment wondering at the small, white haired boy, but then shook his head and simply moved on. He would only hurt himself trying to understand everything that went into Near's character.

(XXX)

Day was just beginning to break over the horizon as the great walls appeared in the distance. Mello felt a warm, excited feeling begin to well inside his chest. Beside him, Near yawned. Mello knew that they hadn't much time left before the boy was out on his feet again. He quickened their pace. Closer and closer the walls came, massive constructions of stone brick. Set in their center was large set of sturdy, wooden doors, adorn with arcane markings to ward harmful magic. Mello wasn't sure if magic did indeed exist. Though he was beginning to have thoughts concerning the matter after he had witnessed a few odd things since he had encountered Near. The strange coiling mist, filled with hidden assailants, the wolves that defended them during the second encounter with their pursuers. And then, of course, there was the rain at the rice fields. But had Near really been responsible for two latter instances, or was it merely coincidence? And what about the encounter with the Vile? Near's touch had burned the daemon somehow. And ultimately, that had saved their lives.

These thoughts were blow aside as Mello wrapped on the great doors of the Guild headquarters. They were finally home. They were finally safe. Near yawned again. The doors began to open slowly, and Mello felt a light breeze pass over him. Once the doors were opened enough for him to see the corridor beyond, Mello beheld an elderly woman, with glasses. She immediately pulled Mello into a tight embrace, like a mother being reunited with her long, lost child. Mello was slightly embarrassed by this, but wasn't at all surprised. Nancy had a gentle, and motherly nature. She was that figure to all of the children at the Guild, orphan or otherwise.

"Mello!" Nancy breathed through her tears. "I was so worried!"

"It's okay, Nancy." Mello replied, patting the old woman lightly on the back.

Nancy removed herself from the blonde boy, and looked him over. Once she was satisfied, she glanced over at Near with a puzzled look. Then she looked about, as if trying to find something that wasn't there. Mello knew what question was coming, even before Nancy began it.

"Where's, Mr. Roger." Nancy asked.

Mello stood silent for a moment, trying to find the right words. He realized there really weren't any, just a long list of wrong words. He took a breath and looked her in the eyes.

"Nancy, we need to talk." Mello said quietly.

Nancy nodded her head slowly, and then stood aside to admit them. Mello took down the long corridor, stained glass windows, and the occasional door flanking him on either side. Behind him, Near handed Nancy the shoes Sayu had given him as he passed her, and entered the Guild. Nancy closed the door, and took the lead. They followed her down the hall, until they came to a large, open courtyard. There wasn't anyone here, just the quiet, peaceful serenity of the scene to greet them. Near yawned a third time, this one louder and longer than the previous two. They moved on, following Nancy across a small bridge that crossed over a wide stream in the center of the courtyard.

They stepped into another long corridor. As they passed an open room, one that Mello knew well, there came a small voice.

"Mello!" It belonged to a small boy with a round face and glasses. "Hey everyone, Mello's back!"

A sea of small children swarmed Mello. Many of them wrapped their arms about him affectionately. Mello smiled gently and patted their heads. He had always been popular among the orphans. He was their vanguard, of sorts.

"Hey guys." Mello said gently. "Have you all been behaving while I was gone?"

"Yes, yes!"

"Yeah."

"Yes, sir!"

"Of course."

"Yes, Mello."

It was a chorus of responses that brought an even broader smile to Mello's face. Near watched in silence, curling a strand of his white hair around his finger. Nancy stepped in.

"Now children," She began, "Mello is very tired from his trip, and has some very important things to do. So off you go, back into the playroom."

"Aw!" It erupted from the mouth of every child present.

Mello smiled again. Nancy herded the children back into the room, and then returned and resumed leading the two boys away.

(XXX)

Nancy laid a blanket over the slumbering Near. He had fallen asleep almost as soon as he'd set himself down in the bed. Nancy ran her fingers through his soft hair once, before turning back to Mello. Her eyes were still dampened from tears. Mello felt a lump form in his throat, and his eyes began to burn.

"We'll have to send a message to, L." Nancy said quietly. "He'll need to appoint someone as Guild Master. He's the only one with that authority."

"Yeah…" Mello replied.

Nancy regarded him for a moment, her face filled with sorrow.

"You should probably get some rest yourself, or maybe something to eat." Nancy suggested.

"I've eaten." Mello replied. "And I'm well rested."

The last wasn't entirely true, but Mello certainly wasn't ready to keel over from exhaustion.

"Linda, and Matt have been waiting for you." Nancy said, stepping away from Near's bed. "You should go see them."

"How am I gonna tell them?" Mello asked, his eyes become glassy just with the thought of it. "How can I tell them that, Roger's gone?"

Nancy sighed, and placed a hand on the blonde boy's shoulder.

"I'll tell them." Nancy said. "You just get some rest. They'll want to see you tomorrow. Everyone will."

Mello nodded in agreement. Nancy left the room. Mello undressed, and soon found himself under the covers of his bed. He closed his eyes, not expecting to sleep much, if at all. He fell into a light slumber a few moments later. Apparently more exhausted than he had thought.

To Be Continued…

Author's Comments

I finally made it back to the Guild (Wammy's more or less)! I can't wait to finish the next chapter, all the Wammy's favorites are going to be in it, including L.