Sol of Luna: Near and Far

Author: Gakusangi

Author's Notes and Acknowledgements:
RECAP – We are introduced to Constable Naomi Misora, who receives a letter from L, asking her to come to the Guild. It's obvious that she and L aren't on the best of terms, but she decides to go anyway, just to see what he has to say. Meanwhile, Near pays a visit to Linda, who is busy decorating Roger's burial chamber with images of his many accomplishments. Later Near finally has his meeting with L, but the conversations are still pretty one-sided. L finally reaches Near by mimicking him. Naomi arrives at the Guild, five days after receiving L's letter. She wanders around the guildhalls for while, before she is suddenly ambushed by an unseen assailant whom she kicks down the stairs…It turns out to be L.

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 11: Decisions

Gevanni brought his horse up bedside Rester and Halle. The veteran guardsman turned to the younger man.

"Report?" Rester asked rather than demanded.

"Something very interesting." Gevanni said, and his tone made Halle very uncomfortable. "It seems that Yagami has an admirer."

"Who?" Halle asked, a cold feeling rising in the pit of her stomach.

"Princess Misa." Gevanni said slowly.

Rester let out a frustrated sigh. Halle shook her head slowly.

"How long has this been going on?" Rester asked, pinching his nose to relieve the pressure building in his head.

"Not sure." Gevanni admitted. "She only pays occasional visits, but it's obvious that she's completely infatuated with him."

"And Yagami?" Halle asked.

"Not so much." Gevanni replied. "I think he's just dragging her along. Probably doesn't want to offend her."

"Not likely." Rester muttered. "Good work, Gevanni."

"Thank you, sir." Gevanni responded. "I'll report back when I've got something new."

"Gevanni?" Halle called suddenly.

"Yes?" Gevanni asked, seeming a little surprised.

"Light and the Princess," Halle began, "They haven't…"

There was a brief pause, but Gevanni suddenly understood.

"No." He answered, shaking his head. "They've only talked."

Halle was noticeably relieved by this news. Gevanni gave a nod to Rester, and then fell back into the ranks. Rester looked over at Halle for a moment, before shaking his head and sending his attention back to the trade road that Mikami was leading them down. It was rumored that a Vile was prowling this route, and they had to be alert and ready. Rester never would have thought that he'd be relieved to have Takada with them. But magic could prove useful, should they cross the path of a daemon.

(XXX)

So, they set Gevanni on me, huh.

"He's been present for all those recent visits the Princess has been paying you." Ryuk remarked. "If he stumbles across you while your trying to convince her to use her powers against the Prince, then he could be a threat. You should take care of him before he discovers anything."

No, while they think their keeping an eye on me, they'll have their guard down. This whole thing is actually allowing me more freedom. All I have to do is make sure to misdirect their attention.

"Then how will you ever get the girl to help you?" Ryuk asked.

That's where you come in.

"Me?" Ryuk said in surprise.

You can communicate with the Princess' Shinigami, right? All I have to do is get you to relay the messages, and since I can talk to you without saying a word, then it should be easy to hold up two conversations at once. To anyone else, we're just a love-struck couple, but on the inside, we're conspirators.

"Hmm, interesting." Ryuk remarked. "With all this careful planning, I might not get any action. How boring."

That does remind me. Why are you so interested in having me kill someone? I mean I know you're a death god, but this seems different. What do you gain out of all this, Ryuk?

"Everything." Ryuk chuckled.

Everything?

(XXX)

"Guild Master…" Naomi said flatly, unable to fully comprehend the offer he had just made her. "You want me to be Guild Master?"

L was seated across from her in his usual, yet unusual, squat position. It made her uncomfortable how much he resembled Ryuzaki…or rather how much Ryuzaki had managed to resemble him. They looked the same, they sounded the same, and they even moved the same. It was really kind of creepy, the more she thought about it. It was this line of thinking that had distracted her from what L had actually been saying, and so when he threw his offer on the table, she had been completely caught off guard.

"Yes, I want you take up the mantle of Guild Master." L said nonchalantly. "I understand that this is an unusual request. It has its obvious benefits. As well as its share of a few risks."

"You couldn't have thought this out very well." Naomi remarked.

"Actually, I've been contemplating this for some time now." L corrected blankly. "I had thrown a few names around, but none of them fit quite as well as you. You're intelligent, fit, and dedicated. Those are all traits of a Guild Master. Not to mention that the concern and care that you show towards victims in your line of work, proves that you consider others, maybe even place them before yourself. That's what it takes to run an organization like this one."

"I'm not even a guild member." Naomi replied.

"You were, more-or-less, initiated the moment you walked through the front doors." L explained, his tone never changing. "That would make you a Guild Cadet. From there you would have to show your aptitude in order to become a Guildswoman. You detected my approach, and dropkicked me down the stairs. I'd say you passed. Besides, I'm well aware of your investigative work, your deductive talents, and your reasoning abilities. You don't possess a linear mind. In fact, you're quite creative, capable of thinking abstractly. And you entirely self reliant, something I can appreciate, even relate to."

"So that's it?" Naomi asked exasperatedly. "That's all there is? I walk in the door, and you offer me a position. A high ranking position!"

"It's true," L admitted, "You would out rank me. Technically, I'd be at your beckoned call. You would have authority over my actions."

"Now that makes it sound a little more appealing." Naomi grinned.

L shifted uncomfortably, wondering if maybe he shouldn't have addressed that particular issue. But it was too late now.

"I'm curious though," Naomi said suddenly, "Why couldn't you become Guild Master. You more than qualify, I'm sure of that."

"Also true," L replied, "And I have been nominated for the position once before. But as Guild Master, I really couldn't work effectively. I needed to be out on scene, not inside issuing orders."

"What makes you think I feel any different?" Naomi asked.

"You've already been out there and seen the atrocities." L explained. "Sure, you'd miss some of the hands-on, but you don't wish to spend the rest of your life looking over dead bodies. And with all the resources the Guild offers, you'd still be making a difference. Just in a different way."

Naomi thought for a moment. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and she had already passed up one before, and regretted it still. But this was so big, much bigger than she was. How could it just be thrown at her like this? Was Rue absolutely insane? No, he was crazy…crazy like a fox…and nuttier than squirrel crap.

"I'll have to think about it." Naomi finally said.

"Take your time." L replied quietly. "In the meantime, enjoy your stay. You have free run of the entire place, as an honored guest."

"Thank you." Naomi said, rising to her feet.

She left the room, leaving L to think in the dim silence.

(XXX)

Light's eyes opened slowly, but he was greeted with only more darkness. For a moment, a cold fear washed over him, but then he heard something somewhere near him. He rolled over and looked up. In all the blackness, there sat Ryuk, in all his horrible glory, perched upon a stone that was as out of place here as the Shinigami would have been at a lawn party in spring. Light rose slowly, testing the shadowed expanse beneath him, just to see if it would support his weight, or if he might simply plummet into the void below. It was like standing on firm ground, so he went at ease. Ryuk chuckled at the sight of him, and anger flushed Light's cheeks.

Suddenly the darkness began to clear, like a light mist caught in a strong wind. Light gasped as he was greeted with the most horrible sight he had ever beheld. The landscape was unlike any that could be found among the world of the living. Everything was flushed grey, devoid of any real color. The skies were overcast with ash colored clouds. The air was dry and stale, being neither hot nor cold. From the barren land, rising from the cracks and crevasses set in its desiccated surface, where massive monoliths, which resembled the bones of some creature, long dead. Something that resembled a sun was rising, or setting on the horizon, casting a pale light over everything in sight, and sending long, twisted shadows in every direction.

Light knew what this place was. He knew, as an animal might instinctively know that an earthquake is about to occur. It was the Shinigami realm, the land of the dead, the other side. And it was more horrible than he had ever imagined it could be. Ryuk laughed hysterically at Light's shocked silence, finding it all very amusing. Light turned to the Shinigami, if only to avoid seeing the blasted landscape before him any longer.

"Everyone reacts the same when they first lay eyes upon the world of the dead." Ryuk said gleefully. "What did you expect, sun filled gardens set beside grassy hills, and birds chirping in leafy trees that pockmark the open plane? Get real."

"I certainly wouldn't have expected this." Light replied. "Why did you bring me here?"

"Hmm?" Ryuk responded, almost seeming puzzled. "I didn't bring you anywhere. This is all inside your own head. You're just pulling from my memories now. That's why you can see this place as though you were actually there."

"Pulling from your memories?" Light repeated. "So, I can know what you know?"

"Not really." Ryuk answered. "I can stop you from sniffing around inside my head, if I really wanted to. I didn't see any harm in this however."

"I see." Light replied. "So the merger is more than just a communication link. We really are the same person now, aren't we."

"Yeah, but you can die and nothing will happen to me." Ryuk said.

"What?" Light asked in disbelief.

"If you die, you're done." Ryuk explained. "I simply return to this world, and wait until someone summons me again."

"And since I made the pact, I can neither go to heaven or hell." Light repeated what had been explained to him during his meeting with the Emperor. "So what does happen to me?"

Ryuk smiled, his razor-like teeth displayed.

"Your soul is tacked onto mine, and my lifespan is extended." Ryuk answered. "However many natural years you have left, I get them added to my own."

Light was silent for a moment after this. Ryuk grinned.

"Don't look so glum." Ryuk said. "There is a way to help guarantee that this will not occur."

"How?" Light asked, leaning forward eagerly.

"Kill someone!" Ryuk said intensely. "Use my powers, the powers of the Shinigami, and take a life!"

"How does that help me?" Light asked.

"You've already said you can neither go to heaven or hell." Ryuk repeated. "This much you already know. It's part of the pact. However, neither can the souls of those you slay."

"What?" Light questioned in puzzled disbelief.

"The souls of those you kill," Ryuk explained with a wicked smile cutting his face in two, "Are taken into you. They augment you, fill you, nourish you, in ways that only they could. A soul is a powerful thing, more filling than any food, and more revitalizing than any medicine known to mortals."

"With each person I kill…" Light began faintly, "I get stronger?"

"One soul can nourish, but three souls can alter." Ryuk said. "The more you take, the more powerful you will become. All that's left is the decision."

"What decision?" Light asked.

It didn't seem possible, but Ryuk's smile broadened.

"Who?" Ryuk replied.

(XXX)

Naomi was lying atop a small bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, just visible in the darkness. Her mind was alight with all kinds of thoughts, most whizzing by to fast to be interpreted correctly. She had a huge decision to make, and she couldn't make it lightly. This was her life, and she could change it with little more than one word. Yes, that was all it took. An answer that would determine the course of the rest of her life, and it was all laid out before her now. But what would she do? How could she make that choice? It was all too big for her. There was too much responsibility. But she wanted it. She wanted it badly, more than anything she had ever wanted.

She silently cursed Rue for sticking her in this position. He had trapped her. He had peaked her interest to get down here, and now she was caught, hooked, and left to flounder on the shore. He had planned everything, just as he had when they went after Ryuzaki. But that was the past, and she needed to keep her head in the present, and focused on the pressing issue. Naomi rose from the bed, and crossed the room, opening the door. She slipped out into the hall. Her nerves were shot, and she needed to move, to clear her head for a little while. The corridor was long, and dimly lit. Her bare feet moved silently across the carpeted floors as she went.

She was so immersed in her own thoughts that she nearly ran into the elderly woman walking in the opposite direction. Nancy jumped back with a start, dropping the folded clothing she had been carrying.

"I'm sorry." Naomi said quickly, kneeling down to help retrieve the clothes on the floor.

"It's alright." Nancy replied gently. "I should have been watching where I was going. I'm not used to having someone else wandering around after I've laid the children to sleep."

Naomi rose, the newly washed clothing resting in her arms.

"Where're you taking them?" Naomi asked.

"Just down the hall." Nancy replied with a warm smile.

"I'll help." Naomi said, returning Nancy's smile with one of her own.

They walked together, to a small room at the end of the corridor. Nancy quietly opened the door, and slipped inside, followed by Naomi. The room was dark, with one window and two beds. There was a large dresser, with a mirror resting atop it, set next to the door. Nancy approached the dresser and began placing the clothes in the drawers, Naomi waited for older woman to take the clothes she was carrying, and put them in their proper places. Suddenly a small noise caught Naomi's attention. She glanced over and saw a small girl turning fitfully in one of the beds, groaning in her sleep. A nightmare.

"Sounds like Andrea's having another bad dream." Nancy said.

The elderly woman started towards the bed, but then Naomi stopped her.

"Here." Naomi said, handing Nancy the clothes she had been carrying.

Nancy took the clothes and looked upon Naomi with a puzzled expression. Naomi made her way quietly over to the little girl, Andrea. All the while, a distant memory from her own childhood flashed into her mind, playing itself out over and over again. It was of her mother. On nights when Naomi had suffered from night terrors, her mother would lie in the bed beside her, and comfort her until she fell back asleep. Mother's were good for thing like that, always there for their children…in most cases that is. But not these children, they didn't have mothers, or fathers for that matter. Orphans, victims of their own cruel times, families torn apart by war and political strife. They were the survivors, and how they suffered for it. Naomi slipped into the bed beside Andrea, and took the struggling girl into her arms.

"M-mommy?" The little girl mumbled, still half asleep.

"Shhh." Naomi whispered gently. "It's okay, you're safe now."

The little girl pressed herself against Naomi, who tightened her embrace. The little girl was warm against her chest, and she felt something deep in her chest. She had almost been a mother once, a long time ago. But that was just another piece of her past, something to leave behind her. Besides, it was too painful to think about at the moment. Still, as she held the child in her arms, and breathed in her scent, taking it into her nostrils and committing it to memory, she couldn't help but think about how wonderful motherhood would be. Naomi closed her eyes, letting the warmth consume her.

She was on the verge of slumber when a thought popped into her head, causing her eyes to shoot open, and her mind to clear. Motherhood. That's what it was! It was something else that Rue had counted on. She had once told him about the child she had lost. It was a second opportunity, and one that would equally change her life. She would be the adopted mother to these children. She would raise them, teach them, and train them. She would mold them into guild members. That's what it was to be a Guild Master, the surrogate mother. But was she up to it? Could she fill that roll? But the question had already been answered. It had been the moment Andrea had spoken.

Mommy…

Nancy was beside the bed now, smiling down at the two of them. Naomi sat up slightly.

"Nancy, could you tell Rue to meet me in my room?" Naomi asked.

Nancy seemed surprised by the question.

"Y-yes, I could do that." Nancy replied.

"Thank you." Naomi said gently.

Nancy gave a short bow, and then exited the room.

(XXX)

Who? That had been the final question. And now Light Yagami played it over and over in his mind, while he lay awake inside his tent. He couldn't just kill anyone. That would raise too much suspicion, or cause too much chaos. It had to be someone minor, someone that they could stand to lose…but whom? Light began to recall the faces of all the men and women in their company, hearing their names in his mind. Somewhere among them, he would find his target…but would he be able to follow through with it. There was a possibility that Ryuk had lied to him, though he couldn't imagine what the Shinigami would gain by doing so. There was also the possibility that Ryuk had withheld certain facts from him, and this was far more likely. It was gamble, and he wasn't sure he was willing to take it.

Ill Ratt

He was a member of the city watch, chosen specifically for his services to the Empire during the Clan Wars. He wasn't anything special, just someone the Mikami could trust. Now that the name and face had been chosen, all that was left was his final decision. Would he use his new powers to take a life, or would he wait. Really the only person he had to kill was the mortal reincarnation of a fallen god, using the Princess' eyes to find its true name. But Ryuk had told him about the benefits of slaying someone. Could it really be so? Could he become stronger by taking lives? It was worth at least one try.

Light sat up from his bedroll, crossing his legs beneath him, and setting his hands in his lap, in almost meditative position. He closed his eyes, and concentrated on Ratt's face, every detail that he could muster from his memory, and bring to the fore. Once that was done, he opened his eyes and held out his left palm. Drawing his dagger from its sheath at his right hip, Light began to carve into the flesh of his hand. He gritted his teeth through the pain, as the dagger's tip bit into his skin, and carved the meat just beneath its surface. The letters took shape slowly, but Light could endure.

I – L – L – R – A – T – T

Finished, Light looked down at his bleeding palm. At first, all he could think about was how ridiculous this seemed, and how his injured hand would only serve to raise suspicions about him. But then he gasped with sudden surprise, and watched in wonder as wounds on his palm began to seal themselves shut, leaving no traces of their ever being there. Then he felt something strange. A sense of urgency, which was soon followed by an emptiness, a hollow feeling that passed through him. Then a sudden and violent pull, as though some unseen force were ripping him from the floor. The world lost its color, sounds were muffled, as though he under water. Light tried to stand up, only stumble, almost losing his balance entirely. He had an odd sense of displacement, vertigo. It was as though every direction had suddenly become up, or left. Once the feeling had passed, he tried his legs again, finding them steadier this time through.

Light's surprise was only intensified once he took a look around his tent. Everything was still flushed, and colorless, save for a slight blue hue, like you might see during the early morning hours. Sounds still seemed muffled, deluded, and deadened to his ears. But what near sent him into complete shock, was what lay, or sat rather, on the floor right in front of him. There he was, Light, sitting cross-legged, just as he had been only moments ago. Looking down at himself, Light's body appeared to be asleep, and anyone else would probably have assumed as much, if they happened upon it.

Light glanced down at his palm. There in glowing text, carved into the bleached flesh, was the name.

Ill Ratt

Suddenly the letters flickered, and bean of intense, golden light shot out from Light's hand out of his tent. Light followed the beam outside. Everyone was there, taking up their patrol routes, ignoring Light as he passed, as though he weren't even there. And he knew that from there perspectives, he wasn't. He was invisible to their sight, silent to their ears. The only indication of his passing, were the occasional shudders that passed through the others whenever he walked close by. He was the angel of death among them. Light grinned with grim satisfaction, and followed the golden beam. The people seemed to unconsciously part around him, as though somewhere deep in their subconscious, they were avoiding him.

The beam entered another tent nearby. Light didn't bother with the front flap. As he had predicted, his phantom state enabled him to pass through the canvas as easily was one might step through a sheet of falling water. It's an odd feeling, passing through tangible material. It's like feeling sudden rush of air that's both cool and warm, neutral but still detectible, though not in a real physical sense. In reality Light didn't feel anything. It was his mind telling him that he was passing through the fabric, which provoked the sensory response, like someone suffering from phantom limb syndrome, who can feel the presence of a severed limb, regardless of its absence.

There he sat, completely unsuspecting, his attention entirely consumed with the young woman that was sitting eagerly on the bedroll beside him. Ill Ratt, formerly of the Imperial Legion, and a commanding officer of the city watch. Light snickered at the scene before him. Though he wasn't entirely comfortable with the idea of killing Ratt while he appeared to be doing so well for himself, the young lady was quite attractive, Light stalked forward, like a predator with its wounded pray in sight. As he neared, he could make out glowing markings etched into Ratt's forehead. It was his name. Ill Ratt.

There was another glow, this one in Ratt's chest, just where his heart would be. It was so warm, and it had pull that Light could not resist. He reached forward with hungry, greedy hands, and took the small glowing orb. His fingers closed about it tightly, threatening to crush it out of existence. Then be ripped it from Ratt's chest. From the outside, all that was witnessed was Ratt suddenly gripping his chest, just over his heart. Then he collapsed, and lay motionless on the ground. The young woman screamed, and muffled sound of it brought another smile to Light's face. Looking down at the glowing object in his hand, Light thought that the shape reminded him of an apple. He brought it to his mouth pushed it inside. It stimulated all of his taste buds at once. He swallowed and felt the warmth trickle down, filling him, reviving him. He had never felt more alive than he had in that very moment.

The pull again, this time it seemed more forceful. Light was ripped from the tent, and sent flying through the encampment at an impossible speed. He closed his eyes to avoid becoming dizzy…then stillness, a pressing, empty stillness. Light opened his eyes. He was back in his own tent, the world had regained it color, and the sounds of commotion outside were as clear as ever. Light quickly looked down at his left hand. No signs of damage, no name. There was nothing to verify what had happened. Except for one thing. The warm feeling that filled Light still, making his senses seem that much more acute, making his body feel that much better rested, and revitalized. Ryuk had not been lying. Light hadn't felt this well since before his imprisonment. Light grinned again, fighting back a bout of hysterical laughter, as the sounds of alarm echoed outside.

(XXX)

L stepped into the dimly lit room. Naomi was seated on the edge of her bed, looking thoughtful, and beautiful, even L had to admit. He closed the door behind him, Naomi didn't even look up at him as he crossed the room and set himself in a chair across from the bed. The lamplight flickered as the silence hung over the two of them. L waited for her to open the conversation. He was willing to let her lead, knowing she would appreciate that.

"I guess you already know what I'm going to say." Naomi said without looking at L.

"I didn't like having to do this to you." L admitted, and there was an air of truth in his solemn tone. "I like freewill, and choice. I'd hate to take away someone's right to choose. No matter what end it might lead to."

"That doesn't seem like you." Naomi replied, her eyes rising to meet his.

L sighed.

"I guess I've changed since last we met." L said.

"We both have." Naomi responded grimly.

"That doesn't mean for worse." L added. "We still have the same morals, and standards. It's just that now we expect certain things of others, because we've seen what men and women are capable of. What choices they make."

There was brief silence after this, as Naomi contemplated his words. She unconsciously brought her thumb up to her lips as she pondered. Then she nodded slowly, finally coming to a decision.

"I'm in." Naomi said over her thumb, still failing to notice its presence.

"Thank you." L replied.

He looked as though a great burden had suddenly been lifted from him. Naomi could understand why. L rose from the chair, Naomi following suit.

"So what now?" Naomi asked.

"Tomorrow, we call the children into the Grand Hall." L explained. "That's where I'll address the loss of our Guild Master, and nominate you. The senior guild members will vote in my favor, and you'll be unanimously elected for the position."

Naomi nodded.

"After that," L said, "We'll have to address the matters of the Prince."

"What?" Naomi asked in surprise.

(XXX)

It was like clockwork, all playing out as L had predicted it would. Before all the children, cadets, and Guildsmen, Naomi was undisputedly elected Guild Master. She couldn't help but feel slightly embittered by how she had been used. She was L's tool no longer. She was Guild Master. He would answer to her. But she couldn't let the satisfaction of that little fact cloud her mind. She had certain responsibilities. She was the surrogate mother of the guild now. After her initiation ceremonies were out of the way, Naomi, L, Nancy, and rest of the senior officers made their way into the meeting room, to address recent events.

Naomi had been surprised to find children among them, four to be exact. There was a small boy, with bleach white hair. A taller boy with blonde hair, and the bluest eyes Naomi had ever seen, standing next to a taller boy still, with coppery, red hair, and goggles. And finally there was a young girl with amber hair and emerald green eyes. They stood off to the side, while all the Guildsmen and women took their seats around a long table set in the middle of the room. Naomi was at the head of the table, with L seated at her right, her right hand man. L tapped his knuckles lightly on the table's wooden surface, and the murmuring voices died down.

"We are here to discuss a recent contract undertaken by the Guild." L announced. "Here are the facts."

He cleared his throat, and everyone, except for Naomi and the children, leaned in their seats.

"Several days ago," L began, "Our previous Guild Master made arrangements with the Royal Lady, to bring her son, the Prince, to the Guild, for his own safety."

L indicated the small, white haired boy, who stepped forward and gave a polite, and respectful bow to those seated at the table.

"However, the Guild Master was ambushed and killed, leaving a cadet to escort the Prince here." L continued. "In this, he was successful."

Everyone glanced over at Mello, and gave him an approving nodded.

"However," L went on, "I've just been informed that the Daimyo have crossed the borders, and are pursuing the Prince. Furthermore, I've received word, that Commander Teru Mikami, has rallied together a special unit whose sole mission is to recover the missing Prince."

"We couldn't possibly stand up to a force like that." A Guildsman known simply as Mogi suddenly piped in. "Not with the children to consider."

"He's right." Another Guildsman named, Hideki Ide, agreed. "It's too dangerous a task for us to undertake."

"But the contract has been made." Nancy suddenly interjected. "Once that's been done, there's no backing out on our part."

"I have an alternative in mind." L said quietly, his words almost drowned out of the voices of the other guild members.

Silence fell over the room.

"If we send a small escort," L began to explain, "To take the Prince to another secure location, then we can uphold the contract, and ensure his safety."

"Where?" Ide asked.

"The Emerald Sage." L answered calmly.

No one said a word, but the shocked expressions on all their faces forced Naomi to break the tense silence.

"Who's the Emerald Sage?" Naomi asked.

"One of the remaining Seven Sages." Nancy answered. "A wise man wielding powerful magic, and protector of the sacred, and forbidden arts."

"That's just legend." Mogi replied. "No one knows if the sages exist, or where to find them."

"I do." L responded casually.

"Who would we send?" Nancy asked.

L thought for a moment. Naomi leaned back in her seat, and watched the thought process light L's dark eyes.

"I'll do it." A small voice answered.

Everyone, even Near, turned and looked upon Mello with disbelief. He set them all with determined eyes.

"I'll take him to the Emerald Sage." Mello said evenly. "I've already brought him this far. I can do again, if I have to."

L nodded slowly.

"They have traveled together before." L told Naomi. "And children traveling together wouldn't draw too much attention."

"But Mello's only a cadet!" Nancy breathed.

"No, I don't think so." L replied. "He roughed it out all the way here from the capitol, bring someone in tow. I think I more than qualifies for a promotion."

"Hold it." Matt suddenly said, stepping forward. "If he's going, I'm going. There's no way I'm missing out on this."

"If goggle-head here is going, than so am I." Linda said stepping beside Matt. "He won't last long without me looking after him."

Matt snickered. Mello's eyes remained locked on the men and women seated around the table.

"Well Guild Master?" L asked, looking to Naomi.

Naomi didn't miss the pleading look in L's eyes. She laced her fingers in front of her and closed her eyes to think. She was Guild Master now, and the decision was hers, hers alone. She opened her eyes, and looked upon the blonde boy.

"You are willing to take him all the way, no matter what obstacle may lie before you?" Naomi asked.

Mello nodded.

"That is you final decision?" Naomi asked him.

"Yes." Mello answered.

Naomi nodded.

"Very well." Naomi said at last. "You three will escort the Prince to Emerald Sage."

L turned a looked upon the children with his dark eyes.

"You are all officially no longer cadets, but honorary members of the Guild now." L said. "I hope you're up for the challenge."

To Be Continued…

Author's Comments

Sorry about the time it took to finally get this out here. I was trying to get everything to fit together well enough to be passable. I wanted to create a sense of urgency, but no one was willing to take anything too quickly...come to think of it, that's exactly what I did to myself in this chapter. The next one will be out soon, I promise.