Sol of Luna: Near and Far
Author: Gakusangi
Author's
Notes and Acknowledgements:
RECAP – L tells the children how
to get to the Emerald Sage, unfortunately it means crossing the
border into Daimyo territory. A tearful farewell leaves
the young guild members feeling grateful to those who care for them,
gifts are exchanged and heartfelt words are shared. Soon
after they set out, L informs Naomi that he doesn't intend to let
the children go without some kind of assistance, and departs from the
Guild. Not long after they enter the woods, the Mello and
Linda begin having an argument. Distracted by their
bickering, Matt is caught off guard when a rabid bear attacks
them. After a few quick maneuvers, the animal is killed,
but then a small voice speaks up, sending the others into shocked
silence. The voice's source…Near.
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 13: A Blast from the Past
"The Medic's confirmed that Ratt's heart suddenly gave out." Halle told Rester. "No signs of foul play."
Rester's temples seemed to throb for a moment. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"No traces of poison, or any kind of toxin, natural or otherwise?" Gevanni asked.
Halle shook her head.
"And Yagami was in his tent the whole time?" Rester asked the younger male officer.
"I was there." Gevanni answered. "All he did was…meditate for a little while, before all the commotion caught his attention."
"Meditate?" Halle repeated in confusion.
"It's not incriminating." Rester responded. "Still, I want you keep a close eye on him."
"Yes, sir." Gevanni replied.
"The eye witness account also supports the idea that no one else could have had a hand in Ratt's death." Halle continued with her initial report.
"He was older." Gevanni commented.
"He was younger than me." Rester retorted. "And his life wasn't half as exciting."
"Half as exciting?" Gevanni remarked with a smirk curling the side of his mouth. "Did you get a good look at the girl he was with?"
"Shouldn't you be keeping up with Yagami?" Halle asked the young man, her tone indicating her irritation.
Gevanni rode off, looking glum. Rester sighed heavily, shaking his head. He seemed strangely older to Halle.
"What is it?" Halle asked Rester.
"It feels like things are going to get a little more complicated." Rester replied grimly. "And dangerous. For all of us."
(XXX)
"They're talking about you again." Ryuk informed Light.
I'm already aware of that. But Gevanni should confirm that I was in my tent the whole time. Also the girl that was with Ratt didn't see anyone else in the tent. Without any traces of poison or something like that in his system, I should be well in the clear. Even with my suspicious behavior the other night.
"Are you planning on killing more people?" Ryuk asked, unable to keep the hopefulness out of his tone.
Maybe a few soldiers here and there to get used to the whole process, but I really should take this with an air of caution. If too many people start to die mysteriously, then someone will undoubtedly start to suspect something. No, I'll just use my powers to make sure that no one will catch on, if the need to do so should arise. It's great to feel so energized, but I really should use this new power sparingly.
"Ehh, how boring." Ryuk sighed.
Just bear with me for a little while longer, Ryuk. Things will get very interesting the moment we find the Prince. And after that, the rest of these incompetent fools are no longer needed.
"For that matter, you won't be either." Ryuk pointed out.
What do you mean?
"What do you think the Emperor's planning on doing after you confirm the death of his son?" Ryuk asked. "Your services won't be required anymore after that, and he's already got your name and face."
I thought he couldn't kill anyone who'd made the pact!
"You're not a member of the royal family, so the terms are different for you." Ryuk explained. "That also means that anyone can kill you, just like any mortal."
So he'd kill me just to cover it all up…I have to say, that's exactly what I would have done. I can't believe how stupid I've been! I should have caught onto this a lot sooner!
"Also, if he kills you, he inherits all the souls that you have accumulated with your own powers." Ryuk added.
So he has only to gain in all of this…Well I'll have to beat him at his own game.
"How do you intend to do that?" Ryuk asked.
Light grinned, his eyes lighting with intelligence that was as shocking as it was horrible. His head turned slowly so that he could face the Princess's coach following closely behind them. Behind the young warrior's face, Ryuk grinned too, realizing what Light had in mind.
"Humans are so…interesting." The Shinigami remarked with amusement.
(XXX)
They all sat around the fire, every eye focused on the small, white haired boy seated across from them. Mello pecked at a piece of chocolate, not because he craved it, but because he needed something to distract him. Anyone could see the anger behind his eyes, and know that the smallest thing could send him over the edge. Matt and Linda knew Mello well enough to avoid addressing him directly. It had always been that way with him, too passionate, too emotional, too much thinking with his heart, and not enough with his head. But that was what made him a great leader, and why they could befriend and trust him so easily. Mello could feel, he had a heart, and he showed it often. He wasn't a tool, as Matt would have said, and had said on many occasions.
Near remained silent, curling a lock of his ivory hair with one slender finger. Though it probably wasn't because he wanted to deter Mello's anger, otherwise he would have said something. By now he had to be aware that his silence worked on Mello's nerves. Matt leaned in closer to Linda.
"Doesn't say a word for days, and then suddenly comments on eating habits." Matt mused. "Now he's not talkin'?"
"He may not talk much, but I bet he hears just fine, Matt." Linda replied, blushing and slightly embarrassed.
Matt snorted, not in annoyance, but amusement. Getting on Linda's nerves was one of his favorite pastimes.
"Say something." Mello said around his chocolate.
Matt and Linda looked at blonde boy fearfully. Near only continued curling his hair.
"Start with that first night." Mello said, removing the chocolate from between his teeth. "The night my friend died."
"Mello–" Linda began to plead.
"Who were those men, and why are they after you?" Mello demanded, his anger rising.
Near remained silent, he didn't look at Mello.
"Talk to me!" Mello shouted. "I know you can talk! We all know!"
When Near didn't answer him, Mello threw his chocolate at him, bouncing it off the smaller boy's shoulder.
"Mello!" Linda hollered.
Mello looked at her, his eyes intense, his chest heaving with fiery breath. He looked at Near one last time before snorting in disgust, rising to his feet, and storming off into the woods. Linda hopped up and went after him, disappearing silently into the shadows. Near reached down and picked up the chocolate Mello had hit him with. He tossed it indifferently into the fire. Matt sighed.
"Well, it's understandable." Matt said.
Near glanced up at him, his eyes blank and dark.
"I don't mean it personally." Matt added quickly. "I mean that Mello…doesn't have a fondness for…people of high standing."
Near didn't seem at all interested, turning his attention back to the fire and pocking at it with a stick.
"When he was little," Matt went on, despite Near's disinterest, "his village was burned during a nobles war. Mello's mother and father were both burned alive. He only survived because L found him, and brought him to the Guild."
Near stopped curling and poking at the fire, his attention suddenly caught by something on the ground. He reached down and picked whatever it was up, and examined it in his small, pale hand. He rose and walked over to a nearby tree. Matt noted that the boy was not wearing any footgear, save for socks, and wondered why he hadn't noticed it before. Near never wore shoes, not once since the redhead had met the white haired boy. Matt came over beside the smaller boy, interested in whatever had peaked his curiosity. As Matt approached, Near held out his hand so that Matt could see what he had found. Matt looked down at a small berry, wrinkled and browned, but still recognizable.
"Midra berry." Matt said, taking the small piece of fruit from the other boy's hand. "But this one's all rotten."
Near suddenly tapped the redhead's chest to get his attention. Matt looked up. Near pointed at the tree in front of them. Matt leaned in closer to see. The bark had grayed, and blackened sap bled from small, decaying patches that pockmarked its surface. The smell rising from it reminded him of a dead animal that had been out in the sun for days. Rotten. Suddenly Matt was aware of a cold, empty feeling settling into the pit of his stomach. Really, it had been there this whole time, but with all the commotion, he hadn't paid any mind to it. But it was there, intense, and nauseating. Matt began to look fearfully about the clearing. Everything here was grey, black, and rotten. Matt was gripped with a sudden, almost instinctual fear, a sense of something being very wrong, even unnatural.
(XXX)
Mello muttered bitterly under his breath, as he pushed through thick, thorn filled patches of brush, ignoring the scrapes and cuts they inflicted. He never seemed to notice injuries when he was worked up like this. He huffed loudly, stomping across the loose soil.
"What the hell is his problem anyway?" Mello snapped. "Fathead needs to get off his high horse. I mean we're risking our lives! The least he could do is grace us with some words!"
"I don't think he spends much time around people." A familiar voice drifted from behind him.
He turned to find Linda leaning up against a nearby tree. He glared at her, embarrassed and annoyed by her inability to allow him some privacy. She had always been like that, unable to just let him fume. Not like Matt. Matt was a real friend. Matt knew it was better just to let him go. But Linda…it was like she didn't trust him or something. Like he might do something…drastic.
"Can I have some time alone?" Mello asked, irritated.
"It would only be a waste of the time." Linda stated. "We have to stock up in, Kanetoshi. After that, we just keep moving. We don't have any time to waste."
"Why should we help someone who treats us like dirt?" Mello snapped the question.
"First, because his royalty for one thing, though I know that doesn't help his standing at when it comes to you." Linda said bitterly. "Second, he'd never survive on his own, and he needs our help. Lastly, Roger made a contract with his mother, and therefore a contract with the Guild. The Guild fulfills its contracts."
She calmed herself with a slow breath before continuing. Mello found that, despite his intense anger, he couldn't argue with her reasoning. It would only be a stubborn attempt to waste more time anyway.
"We volunteered for this, Mello." Linda said. "You were the first one to throw your hat in…I think he wanted you to come along."
"What?" The anger left Mello's features, instead being replaced with very puzzled expression.
Linda fought to suppress a laugh that threatened to escape her at Mello's complete loss.
"You should have seen the look on his face when you jumped aboard." Linda said with a grin. "It was the most expressive I've ever seen him."
Linda could see that Mello was calming down, the tension easing from his body, his posture no longer so defensive. But suddenly there was a crashing sound in the bushes nearby. Mello and Linda drew their weapons, images of the rabid bear still fresh in their minds. Matt blundered out of the brush, dragging Near behind him, a torch he had crafted leading the way. He looked at the other two, his eyes wide with alarm.
"We have to go!" Matt said desperately. "We need to go now!"
"What's wrong, Matt?" Linda asked in alarm.
Mello stepped closer, looking first at Near, and then at his best friend.
"Look." Matt said, bring his torch close to one of the trees.
Mello looked upon the bark, and saw the gray patch that had spread over it.
"It's dead." Mello said flatly.
"Yeah, it's all dead." Matt replied.
"What?" Linda asked.
"Look!" Matt shouted, bring the torch around the light up the far reaches of the clearing.
Mello and Linda watched, seeing the greying that had spread over all the trees, the blackened, foul smelling sap that was bleeding from their festering wounds. Mello's eyes widened.
"All the trees are dead?" Mello asked.
"Not just the trees," Matt breathed, "Everything! The bushes, the grass, even the soil!"
"Listen." Linda said.
Everyone was silent for a moment.
"I don't hear anything." Mello commented.
"Exactly." Linda replied.
Mello thought about her words. Then he realized what she was saying. There wasn't a sound in the woods. Nothing was moving. Everything was silent, with no traces of any nocturnal life. This place should have been alive during the night, and yet nothing could be heard.
"There's something wrong here." Matt whispered, as though fearful that something might hear him. "We need to go."
"Yeah, I think you're right." Mello murmured without looking at Matt.
They left the clearing and plunged headlong into the darkness of the forest. Eyes darted about their surroundings, seeking signs of hidden threats behind the decaying foliage. Matt was still pulling Near along, who looked a little distressed about being drug behind the tall redhead. Mello and Linda still had their weapons out, and were looking madly about, their heads whipping one way and then the other, their eyes wide and fearful. All the while, they wondered why they hadn't detected the heavy scent of decay in the air, or how the shadows seemed deeper than they should have, or the overwhelming sense of foreboding that had gripped them all the moment they had crossed the tree line.
(XXX)
Despite all their worry and paranoia, the four companions did, in fact, make it out of the decaying wood without further incident. However, the situation did not seem to improve upon arriving at their destination. Kanetoshi had been built new the end of the Imperial Expansion, bringing it closer to the border than most of the Empire's other settlements. It had been a gem in its time, managing trade between many of the border towns. But that was before the Clan Wars. Afterwards, most the bordering territories had fallen on ill times, but few had been hit quite as hard as Kanetoshi, and as the children would soon discover, it had only gotten worse over the last couple of days. A shadow now hung over the old, dilapidated town.
They passed under the archway, an old sign reading Kanetoshi in faded lettering, barely legible. The dirt roads moistened by the recent rains, the wood of the porches and decks suffering from dry rot, warped by weathered years, broken windows boarded up rather than replaced. Barely a thing move on the outside, and the most commotion, which was pathetic in its own right, came from a tavern at the far end of the main road. A few broken down wagons were set on either side the street, wheels shattered or missing, canvases torn or completely gone. Matt figured that the missing canvas had helped contribute to more than a few homeless shelters that were set in alleyways as they passed. It was a grim, depressing sight, this town. It was dying, just as surely as the forest at its borders was.
They decided that the tavern was their best option. They were likely to get answers there. Mello figured that daylight was only about an hour or so away, and that they would have to be put up for the night. His eyes shot over to the white haired boy walking behind his best friend, looking relieved by the fact that he was no longer being strung along by the red haired boy. Though Mello hated having to spend what little coin they had, he knew that there was no way they'd be able to travel with Near incapacitated. He only hoped that there were some decent rooms available in this rickety old town. A sign outside identified the tavern as: The Grey Lilly, a suitable name only in the instance that the building was actually grey.
Inside the place didn't seem any less miserable. There was large fireplace off to the side that cast a minuscule amount of dim light over the open room, and gave off little to no heat. In fact the place seemed significantly colder than it had been outside. There was a small assortment of mangy looking townsfolk seated randomly about. Most of them seemed elderly, or sickly. Linda took this moment to note that she hadn't noticed any traces of children anywhere in town. She wasn't sure why this observation disturbed her, but it set a chill down her spine. Matt slipped another cigarette between his lips and lit it, taking a long, slow drag to take off some lingering edge.
Near, Matt and Linda took a seat at a small table in front of the counter, while Mello approached the barkeep. He was a tall, thin man with a narrow, hairless face and pale green eyes. He had long, stringy, dark hair, pale skin and wore tattered garments of grey and brown. He didn't look up as Mello approached, instead dedicating all of his attention to a glass he was cleaning with a less than clean washcloth, which only served to smear whatever it was that he was trying to clean up. Mello drummed on the counter. The man continued scraping at the glass. Mello cleared his throat. The man spit into the glass to get a little more moisture against the cloth.
"Excuse me." Mello said, his voice edged with irritation.
"You're excused." The man replied without looking up at the blonde boy. "What can I do for you?"
"You know where I can find some rooms for the night?" Mello asked bitterly.
"The huts in the alley not to your liking?" The barkeep asked in response.
"Are you going to make me come over this counter and split your head open?" Mello replied, his hand falling casually to the grip of his sword.
The barkeep gave a chuckle, setting down the glass and reaching under the counter. Mello slipped smoothly into a defensive stance, expecting the man to come back up with some kind of weapon. Instead, the man came back up with a smile and two large, rusty keys in his hand. Mello got a good look at the man's eyes at this point, and saw how dilated and unfocused they seemed. Blind. Mello felt a little embarrassed. The man chuckled lightly.
"I only got two rooms available." The barkeep said. "The rest I'm lending out to some old friends."
"Thanks." Mello said taking the keys. "What do I owe?"
"The rates have gone up lately." The man said regrettably.
"Yeah I noticed that the place seems a little…empty." Mello said as tactfully as he could.
"Well it hasn't been the same since the war." The barkeep admitted. "But recently it's gotten really bad."
"What happened?" Mello asked.
"Well first there was the drought." The man explained. "But that cleared up some days ago, for some odd reason."
Mello recalled the night Near had called rain, an event that had inevitably led to his failing health.
"But then things just started…dying." The man said with a very puzzled tone.
"Dying?" Mello pressed for a little more detail.
The barkeep sighed heavily, his eyes staring off into space, but not seeing anything…or maybe seeing something more.
"Everything here…" He thought for a moment, seeking the right words. "I don't know. It's like everything's…rotting."
Mello felt a chill run through him like a cold breeze.
"Yeah, I've been getting that a lot lately too." Mello replied.
(XXX)
"You and Linda can share a room." Mello told Matt. "I'll bunk up with Near."
"Wonderful." Matt said with a thick air of sarcasm. "Should we get something to eat?"
"I don't know if this place would be the best place to catch a bite." Linda commented.
"Food's cheap!" The barkeep called from the counter. "I'll send Lilly over to take your order!"
"I guess we're eating before turning in." Mello remarked.
Matt wondered if Lilly was the Grey Lilly the sign had indicated, but was pleasantly surprised. There nothing gray about Lilly. She was young, like all of them, with shoulder length hair and perfect skin. She was tall, like Matt, with strikingly blue eyes, which caught the light in a peculiar way. For fleeting moment, Matt was rendered completely speechless. Lilly looked down at Mello, and Linda noted the obvious overwhelming sense of joy that seemed to wash over the young girls features as her eyes played hungrily over the oblivious blonde boy.
"Hi, I'm Lilly." The girl said brightly. "What can I get you guys this evening."
"Something quick and cheap." Mello replied.
"I have some stew in the back." Lilly said with an enormous grin. "I'll spoon some up for you."
Then she was gone, leaving Linda to wonder.
(XXX)
The meal had been decent enough. The only complaints that Linda had was Lilly's need to be no more than ten feet from Mello at all times. She had practically eaten dinner with them, and told them her entire life's story. Lilly had, like Mello, been orphaned during the Clan Wars. She fell into the care of an old, traveling fortuneteller named Rita, who had died only recently. In need of food and shelter, she had taken to helping Rufus, the barkeep, in exchange for a place to stay. This had only been a few days prior to their arrival. After dinner, Lilly insisted on walking them up to their rooms. Mello had been pleasant enough the entire time, but anyone could see that he wasn't interested, no matter how Lilly advanced. Linda and Matt were pretty much left to fend for themselves, but they didn't mind.
Lilly lead Mello and Near to their room and threw open the door. It was small, with two beds, and a table set between them with an oil lamp sitting atop it. There was one window, which allowed them to look out over the bleak landscape. The sun was just beginning to pop over the horizon. Mello turned to the young girl, who was still waiting in the doorway, smiling broadly.
"Well?" Lilly asked eagerly.
"It looks cozy, thank you." Mello replied politely.
Near began climbing into one of the beds, catching Lilly's attention.
"If the beds are too cold, I could get a hot hotter bottle." Lilly said to white haired boy.
Near didn't reply, he just closed his eyes and fell into a light slumber. Lilly shook her head in an amused sort of way, and looked back at Mello.
"Is there anything I can get for you?" She asked quietly.
"No, I'm fine." Mello replied. "Thank you."
"I could…stay for a little while, if you're not tired." Lilly offered.
"No, thanks." Mello responded. "That won't be necessary."
He turned his back on her and made for the other bed.
"Really?" Lilly asked playfully. "Who knows, maybe it's just what you need."
"Goodnight, Lilly." Mello said firmly without looking at her.
There was a pause, and Mello wondered if maybe he had come off too harsh.
"Just gonna shut me out like a whore again, huh?" Lilly said bitterly from the doorway.
Again? Mello turned to the young girl, and his breath was stolen from him in that instant. Lilly's eyes were no longer the attractive blue they had been. Instead the pupils had swollen until they had swallowed the rest of her eyes. They seemed familiar, and empty. Mello's jaw fell open.
"You!" Mello gasped.
Lilly crossed the room like greased lightening, sending her open palm into Mello's torso and knocking him against the small table in between the two beds. Mello's head struck a corner of the table, splitting it open, blurring his vision and numbing his senses. Lilly leered over him, with a mocking smile, her oversized canines prominently displayed.
"Good to see you again." Lilly hissed. "I've been waiting for a little while now."
She reached out to clutch Mello's throat, only to have a small, pale hand grab her by the wrist. She looked up into the blank stare of Near, no longer sleeping. There was a stillness then, after which Lilly began to laugh.
"Nothing." Lilly gasped mockingly. "You destroyed my body, remember? This one's just a loner."
She laughed, and then rolled over the top of Near, pinning him down on the bed. She looked down at him hungrily.
"Now, right from where we left off last time." Lilly sneered.
The kunai's diamond-shaped blade buried itself deep into Lilly's back, causing her and glance quickly over her shoulder. Linda stood in the doorway, a bandoleer full of throwing knives crossing her chest.
"Believe me, you're not his type." Linda said to the daemon.
Lilly hissed loudly and leapt from the bed with unbelievable speed. Before Linda knew it, she was caught and being lifted effortlessly from the ground. She stared down into the Lilly's empty, black eyes.
"What's goin' on!" Matt suddenly appeared in the hall, spear in hand.
Lilly tossed Linda as though she weighed nothing at all, sending her colliding into Matt and knocking them both hard to the ground. Near took the oil lamp resting atop the small table and threw it with all his might. It shattered against Lilly's back, drenching her. She whirled around. Her eyes were alight with unholy flame. She grinned at the white haired boy.
"I haven't forgotten you, sweetie." Lilly spat. "I'm gonna have a lot of fun with you."
Near shrank back against the wall, his expression still blank and unreadable.
"But you forgot about me already." Matt said, flicking his cigarette.
The cigarette struck Lilly against her thigh, igniting the oil and turning her into a small column of fire. She screamed in agony and ran across the room. She leapt, smashing through the room's only window, and plummeting into the street below. Mello stirred, and Linda ran over to help him up. Matt retrieved his spear and crossed over to the window, peeking outside. There were no signs of Lilly to be found. Matt then looked over at Near, still huddled against the wall.
"Are you okay?" Matt asked the smaller boy.
Near nodded. It was the most he had ever offered for an answer.
"We should go." Linda said suddenly.
"Yeah." Mello agreed, pressing one leather-clad hand against the wound on the back of his head.
Matt took Near by the hand and pulled him out of the bed. Together the four dashed from the room, down the hall, and out of the tavern, too quickly to be stopped for questioning. There was nothing that Kanetoshi could offer them. But at least they had discovered the source of its plight, and done away with it…at least they hoped…
To Be Continued…
Author's Comments
Finally! I can't believe this weather! I can barely get out of my driveway! Anyway, at least I have something to show for the long wait, it isn't much but here's Chapter 13 (unlucky for some).
I'd like to take this opportunity to show my gratitude to everyone who has read and supported this story. I know I don't comment often, but I hope that this shows my thanks in some small way.
Here you are, in no particular order:
MissRandumb
Obsessed Jedi Master
Nicha The Purple Ghost
ZoneRobotnik
aisling13
Ice-Puppet
Threshie
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wolf1380
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Madizecu
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Mimichang
Thank you all!