Sol of Luna: Near and Far

by Gakusangi

Mello is charged with the task of protecting the son of the Emperor, Near, while he is being hunted by a group of warlords calling themselves the Daimyo. But there is far more to Near than Mello had originally thought...

23. Chapter 23: Of Gods and Mortals

Sol of Luna: Near and Far

Author: Gakusangi

Author's Notes and Acknowledgements:
RECAP – In our last installment the children finally managed to meet up again. Now at full strength, they find themselves at a shadowed passage, guarded by the final challenge, the Sphinx. The cat creature, Aia, who has gone notably insane from years of isolation, presents them with a riddle contest as a test to prove their worth. Once the terms of the contest have been agreed upon the riddling begins. In the end, Mello, Linda, and even Near find themselves unable to bring Aia down with any riddle they come up with. However, Matt, in a most daring gamble, presents her with a joke rather than a riddle, which she is unable to answer. Defeated, and quite amused, Aia moves aside, and allows them to pass. With the labyrinth finally behind them, the children can now meet with the Emerald Sage, and hopefully a few questions can finally be answered…

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 23: Of Gods and Mortals

"They'll be here soon." The old sage said, rising to his feet. "I'll get started on some tea."

"I'm sure that'll be just what they need after all of this." L replied, also rising from the table.

It was impossible to tell whether or not L had been serious with his last statement, due to his unwavering tone, deprived of any emotion, though he tended to sound a little sarcastic even when he truly agreed with something. L began pacing around the room, scanning over the oddly assorted items set upon the shelves, for the second time since his arrival. While his back was to the old man, even considering that the guildsman could sense what he was doing, he reached across the table, and drew the last gambit L had taken from the top of his pile, the one that represented himself. The old sage looked upon the image printed on the card's front. Silvery links crisscrossed the surface, gleaming even in the dimly lit room. The Chains of Destiny. The old man found it oddly fitting for the guildsman. He set the card down and disappeared behind a red curtain in one corner of the room.

Idols, totems, chalices, bottles, books, a number of things, a treasure trove of knowledge just waiting for someone to appraise it, to learn from it. There were puzzle boxes, an odd assortment of extravagant jewelry, layered with dust, old talismans that had long since lost their potency, but waited to be quickened once again. L reframed from touching any of the items. For one thing, he remembered the incident involving the small bell from earlier, and for another, it was impossible to discern the difference between something that was safe, and anything that was cursed. In this time, even when superstition was frowned upon and scoffed at, no one chanced a curse, not even a man as daring, and maybe even a little mad, as L.

A few of these odd-end tokens called up memories, but the legendary guildsman was unable to determine whether they were genuinely his own, or the former property of the Azure Sage. It really made little difference, but it was still frustrating. He could imagine why 'he' had gone insane from the whole ordeal, though most of his insanity was also the fault of the guildsman himself. The boy hadn't been able to endure the stress, or bear the responsibilities associated with his role…and in this instance, L was the only one to blame. Just another weight added to his slouching shoulders. Another nail in his coffin…so to speak.

A dull thud echoed off the rocky walls of the room. A layer of dust fell from the ceiling, and all the candles flickered with the sudden rush of air that passed through the chamber. L allowed a small grin to cross his features, but for only a moment. He turned around in time to see the children come stepping cautiously inside, the stone slab sliding back into place behind them. They looked about with a measure of fearful curiosity, still unaware of his presence. L was reminded of the days of his youth…a lot of bad memories. He shook the feeling off, reminding himself that the children's arrival was a blessing. They had survived, and that meant they stood a fighting chance.

"I'm glad you could make it." L finally said, catching their attention.

Small, innocent eyes fixed upon him with wide-open wonder. L suppressed another smile that wanted desperately to creep across his face.

"How the hell did you get here so fast?" Mello demanded.

L noted that the blonde boy didn't seem at all weary from his ordeal. He was strong, just as the guildsman was. Another indication that he, L, had made the correct choice in Mello.

"Ukita took me down the old trade road." L explained. "It's a stone's throw away from the border. From there I walked."

Just then, the old sage reappeared from behind the curtain, carrying a tray with a kettle and six cups. The kettle and cups were porcelain, with golden weaves upon their surface, gleaming, beautiful, and very delicate looking. He began to offer tea to the children while Mello fumed.

"So why the hell did we have to go through so much trouble to get here?" Mello snapped.

"It was the Old Kingdom Road." The old man answered. "Anyone seeking the Emerald Sage, must take the Old Kingdom Road to his dwelling, and then pass through the trials of the Labyrinth, in order to prove their worth."

"Who's Jeeves?" Mello barked, tilting his head in the old man's direction.

"The Emerald Sage." L answered flatly.

Mello's mouth quickly snapped shut as he accepted tea from the old man, who only chuckled lightly to himself at boy's bewildered expression.

"To keep things casual and friendly," The old sage said in a gentle, but still strong voice, "You may all refer to me as, Watari."

"Watari?" Linda repeated in confusion. "Handler?"

Watari chuckled again.

"We've got a bright one here." He said, indicating Linda with his elbow.

"I think you'll find that they're all very intelligent." L replied in his lifeless way.

Matt took his tea, and stepped over to one corner of the room. He sipped it, liked it, and then began walking around the room, taking in the various objects stacked upon the shelves lining the walls, just as L had earlier. Watari offered L some tea. L took a cup, and then began looking around the tray for sugar cubes, or some other sweetener.

"I sweetened it with honey." Watari told the guildsman.

L took a quick sip, and nodded his approval. Watari smiled, setting the tray on the table, and taking his own cup into his gloved hands. He took a slow sip, letting the warm liquid ease the tension from his aged body.

"Alright, we're here." Mello said bitterly. "Now what?"

"Now, we take a moment to relax." Watari replied.

"We can relax later!" Mello snapped. "I want some answers!"

L shot Mello what could be interpreted as a severe look, but Mello chose to ignore it.

"You've been through a lot." Watari said, sounding almost astonished. "Don't you feel the weight of your exhaustion pressing down upon your shoulders?"

"I feel fine." Mello replied shortly.

"All the same," The old man responded, maintaining his composure, "I'm tired, and I would like to finish my tea."

Mello realized then that further argument would only be futile and stubborn of him, so he decided not to pursue it. This old man was patient, like Roger had been. Mello took a sip from his cup. He felt the warm tea pass through him, relaxing his muscles, providing them with newfound vitality. He felt the cobwebs of his weariness clear from his mind. It was like he was starving, and given a feast. Like he was dying of thirst, and suddenly given fresh spring water. The revitalizing power of the tea was astonishing, but Mello kept all this to himself. He could never admit to being wrong, even if everyone else were experiencing the exact same thing he was.

Matt came to a small shelf. Something caught his attention immediately. It was tiny bell, expertly crafted, as it was inlaid with various intricate designs. Its shape was flawless, and its miniscule size would have made such etching vastly difficult for its crafter. Matt reached out to touch the bell with one entranced hand.

"Don't touch that!" L said suddenly.

The harshness of L's tone was what caught Matt's attention, and broke the spell the bell had placed on him. He looked at the item now like it was a poisonous snake, coiled and ready to strike. Matt retreated from it, passing nervous glances at it ever so often, as though it might suddenly leap out at him. He passed over a few more items, before he was suddenly aware of another's presence. Matt turned slightly to find L standing behind him. The guildsman hadn't made a sound as he rose from his seat and crossed the room to meet the redhead. L reached out and took Matt's shoulders, at first Matt thought that L was straightening his vest, but then he realized what was happening.

"It's nothing." Matt said, a little embarrassed.

L looked upon the vicious, blood stained rip crossing Matt's back.

"It's…hideous." L said quietly. "Who wrapped it?"

"I did." Matt replied.

"I want it cleaned." L said.

"As soon as I get the opportunity, I promise." Matt responded.

"I'll hold you to that." L replied.

"You can count on me." Matt said.

L regarded the boy for a moment, his head nodding slowly.

"I know I can." L finally said.

Matt grinned up at him. Suddenly Watari appeared beside L. He looked down at Matt.

"I was curious," The old man said, "How did you manage to best Aia?"

Matt's grin broadened.

"I told her a joke." Matt said proudly.

L and Watari both frowned, looked at each other, and then back at the redhead.

"A joke?" Watari repeated.

"What joke?" L asked, still frowning.

"What do a squirrel, and a ninety-year-old man have in common?" Matt asked.

More frowning, and the two men looked at each other again before looking back at the red haired boy.

"What do they have in common?" Watari asked.

"They both forget where their nuts are, half the time." Matt answered.

Watari shook his head and left. L stood there for a moment looking at Matt. Then the guildsman erupted into laughter, startling everyone, including Matt and Watari. After a moment, Matt joined him in laughter, while the other children looked on in confusion.

"It's crude." Watari remarked.

"But it was very clever." L chuckled, his fit of laughter having finally subsided.

"I think that's enough downtime for the moment." Watari said, polishing off his cup and setting it down on the tray. "Now come, we have much to discuss."

He motioned for the others to follow him, which they did, each setting their teacups down on the tray as they passed. Near was the last to do so. He paused, looking over at a small set of four cards lying facedown on the table. They were L's gambits for the children, though Near wasn't aware of this fact. Near reached across the table and began to turn them over. The first card depicted a golden orb, with what looked like flames jumping off of it. The Sun. Near turned over the next card. The image was of a silvery crescent, accompanied by small gleaming diamonds. The Moon, and even Near could tell that. The third card was of an elderly man, with a baldhead, and a long, white beard, dressed in brown robes. The Sage. The final card was then flipped face up. Near frowned at the picture presented to him, an odd feeling coming over him. It was of a man, lying at the base of a cross, his hand pressed to a vicious chest wound, which bled out violently. The Martyr.

Near left then, an odd feeling falling over him, empty and chilling, which sat heavily in the pit of his stomach. He met up with the others, who had been led before a curtain in one corner of the room, the same one that Watari had returned from with the tea. Watari turned to all of them, his weathered eyes passing over each in turn, until they rested upon L.

"Could you please, fetch the mirror?" Watari asked.

L nodded and left for a moment. He returned with a long pole with three legs at its base, and a small, reflective dish atop it. He set it down where Watari instructed him to, just beneath a hole in the ceiling, with more of that strange, golden light bleeding in. Then the curtain was thrown open to reveal a long, dark passage. The sage angled the mirror so that a single beam of light raced down the passage, and bounced off something shiny at the end. Then he turned to the others.

"Try to stay clear of the beam, and behind me." Watari told them, and it sounded like a warning.

They all followed the old man, L just behind him, Mello next, then Linda, Matt, and Finally Near. They all walked beside the beam, which was so intense it was almost like a solid object running down the middle of the passage. When they reached the end, Watari stopped, and held out his arms, signaling them to stop and stay behind. Mello snorted, almost offended that the man would think they could have forgotten his warning so soon. The hollow rush of air told the children that there was a drop off, vast and nearby, maybe just ahead of them.

The shining object that they had noticed earlier turned out to be another mirror, similar to the one that L had placed at the opening, beneath the sunbeam. Watari turned the mirror, reflecting the beam out into the darkness ahead. What happened next was amazing. Apparently, there were hundreds, maybe even thousands of mirrors positioned throughout the expansive chamber. Light bounced from one to the other, lighting the whole area, and causing the beams to converge towards the center of the cavern. At the cavern's center was a small island set in the middle of a deep, subterranean lake. On this island stood a tower that appeared to be constructed from solid crystal, sea green in color. The light beams were absorbed into the structure, which began to glow brightly, shedding emerald light over the entire cavern.

The children all stood in silence, marveling at the scene before them. Watari waited a moment, his mustache curling into a small smile at their wonderment. Beside the chasm, upon whose edge they stood, was a narrow stair, carved right out of the cavern wall. They descended these steps carefully, for there was no railing of any kind to prevent them of plummeting into the black waters below. At this height, striking water would have been like hitting concrete. It was a long way, but the tea had restored them, provided them the strength they needed. Once they reached the bottom, they came before a long, wooden bridge, which seemed in disrepair. However, when they stepped upon it, there wasn't even the slightest creak, it held firm, and ropes that supported it seemed very strong beneath their fingers.

From here they could make out various windows and balconies along the outside of the crystal tower. However, there was only one entrance, which stood open at its base, without gates, bars or even doors to blockade them. Mello thought that it was quite impressive that an old man like Watari, sage or not, would be confident enough to leave his dwelling wide open in this manner. He probably had more than enough safety measures inside to prevent harm to himself, but it still said a lot when one could have their front door unlocked, or in this instance wide open. It said lot about the man, and Mello was beginning to think he liked – maybe even admired – his daring.

The corridor beyond the entrance was long, and flanked by at least a dozen staircases. It appeared that the structure was not built with various rooms and passages going out, but rather each new area was built upon an older one, ascending up and up, higher and higher. Every area seemed open, with large balconies and immense windows, most of which were not closed, with long red or white drapes bellowing at their sides, like gowned maidens. There were no lamps or torches inside to light the place, instead all illumination was provided by the green glow of the crystal as it drew in the light of the mirror beams outside. Not only did these beams appear to provide light, but also warmth, as each room was more than comfortable in that regard.

Here too, like in the previous room, were artifacts and items that the sage had gathered – or as he put, inherited – throughout the long years of his life. Only unlike the old, and tattered seeming objects that littered the other room, these items all appeared more or less new, and were arranged neatly about the place, almost seeming to be there for their aesthetic value. There were no banners or pictures like in the guildhalls, but there were statues, and even the occasional suit of armor, though these tended not to be present for decoration, but rather were counted among his collection.

The room that Watari led them to was obviously some kind of study, immense and walled by bookshelves, making it resemble a library more than anything else. There was a long sofa, and 'long' did it no justice in description, for it could have easily seated over a dozen people comfortably. There were also many armchairs, none of which matched, but all of which looked in good condition. The one piece of furniture that really caught Mello's attention was a couch that was striped like a zebra, set in one corner of the room. It was this couch that he flopped in the middle of, throwing his arms over its back and crossing his legs. L squatted into one of the armchairs, while Linda, Matt, and Near all took a seat on the, before mentioned, sofa. Watari set himself in another armchair, which sat well enough in everyone's range of vision, so that he could address them all at once.

The old man cleared his throat before speaking.

"Now we have gathered." Watari stated flatly. "It's time that questions be answered…at least to best of my abilities."

His eyes shot over to L.

"Perhaps you wish to fill in a few details before I start?" The old man asked.

"Hmm, yes, I suppose that's alright." L said in his usual lifeless way, almost seeming bored. "I held palaver with the Prince before your departure. You're already more than aware that the Imperial Lady made a contract with us because she feared for her son's life. What didn't know…"

L seemed to consider what he was going to say carefully. The children all leaned in eagerly.

"Is that she knew nothing about the Daimyo operatives that snuck into the capital." L finally finished.

Everyone looked puzzled.

"Then, who was she worried about?" Linda asked.

"The Emperor." L answered.

Everyone looked at one another in disbelief.

"His father?" Linda breathed.

"The Emperor is afraid of the Prince." Watari said.

"Why?" Mello asked evenly.

"Because the Prince can kill him." Watari answered.

Another round of silence followed this, along with disbelieving and confused expressions. Watari sighed, and then began to explain.

"Long ago, in the time of the Fourth Emperor," Watari began, "The Seven Sages, myself included, were gathered to place of summoning. The Emperor had always feared death, nearly given up everything to discover a way to gain immortality. What he found was not a method of living forever, but rather a method of staying the scythe before his time. With our aid, and how we have paid for this grave mistake, the Emperor succeeded in making contact with a being from the other side."

"A being?" Matt asked, leaning forward.

"A Shinigami, a reaper of souls, a god of death." Watari said. "And on that fateful day, he made a pact. The conditions were, that in exchange for using the Emperor as a mortal vessel, the Shinigami would prevent any mortal from slaying the Emperor before the end of his reign."

The children all thought on this for a moment. A god of the underworld, a bearer of the dead, and an agreement to make you invincible…it all sounded like something out of myth. Mello stood from his seat and crossed the room until he was only a few feet from the old man.

"If the Emperor is invulnerable, why does he think that Near can kill him?" Mello asked.

"Because Near can override the conditions of the pact." Watari answered.

"How?" Mello demanded.

"Near is the mortal embodiment of a god." Watari replied.

Silence filled the room, the children's eyes went wide and their jaws hung ajar.

"Near's a god!" Matt burst.

"A mortal reincarnation." Watari explained. "A spiritual medium for a divine being, a possessor of a god soul. In this case, the soul of Luna, the spirit of dusk, and Lady of the night."

"And because of this he can kill the Emperor?" Mello asked, seeming unfazed by anything the Emerald Sage had just said.

"Yes." Watari answered calmly. "He is considered outside of the death gods' power, and therefore does not have to answer to the conditions of the pact."

"How – why does he have a god soul?" Linda asked.

"During a time, when the gods still walked among mortal men," Watari started, "A great evil, from the darkness behind the stars, fell upon this realm. The gods fought hard against this evil, but where unable to defeat it. In their final effort, the gods sacrificed themselves, and the evil was banished once again to the darkness."

Mello turned and took a seat beside Matt, his bluer than blue eyes staring intensely.

"However, for their efforts," Watari continued, "The mortals were left without guidance, and fell into disarray. A dark age consumed the world, where greed and strife brought men to war upon one another in a desperate struggle for dominance. It was in this time, that the gods returned."

Watari turned, and looked upon Near.

"You are familiar with the tale of the First Emperor?" Watari asked.

Near nodded.

"He came down from the sacred mountain as a child of heaven." Near said quietly. "He united the people against the Third Daimyo, and drove them out into the west. He then became the people's Divine Emperor."

Near turned and looked at the others. His dark eyes fixed upon them, calm and lifeless.

"But the sons of the Daimyo returned from exile, and waged war with the Empire." Near went on. "The Emperor, who had become ill and weak, sent his greatest warrior to find the ultimate weapon, which he could use to fend off the Daimyo. The warrior returned in the company of a monk, bearing two powerful swords. But rather than accept the swords, the Emperor gave them to the warrior, and the monk, telling them that they would have the fight in his stead. The Emperor then sealed himself inside of his tomb, and died."

Near looked over at L now, who met his gaze with one just as dead.

"The warrior and the monk managed to defeat the Daimyo." Near continued. "The monk took one of the swords for safe keeping, and vanished, and the warrior was crowned Emperor."

Near could feel Mello's eyes boring into him, but only reached up and began to curl his hair. Watari nodded.

"Do you know why the Emperor succumbed to illness and died?" Watari asked.

Near shook his head, and the others leaned in to hear.

"It was because of that mortal coil." Watari said. "He was made of the same clay as any other man, and though his reign was great when compared to a mortal lifespan, he was destined to the same ultimate end. And so all of the gods began to die."

"All of them?" Matt asked in confusion.

"The Divine Emperor was only one of many who returned in mortal form." Watari explained. "They returned to bestow their wisdom, and bring mankind out of its plight. Once this task was finished, balance and order having been restored, they gods began to depart. However, there was left behind a prophecy."

"What prophecy?" Mello asked.

"That when they were needed once again, they would return." Watari answered. "Near is in possession of the soul of Luna, because that time has arrived. There is something dark gathering on the horizon, dark and powerful. I fear that our world is about to become eclipsed by a great evil."

"So, Near's going to deliver us from evil." Mello said, seeming oddly bitter.

"That's what I think, yes." Watari answered, a little taken aback by Mello's strange emotional state.

Mello nodded. He rose quietly from the sofa, and left then, leaving everyone behind, looking puzzled at his departure. Then all eyes fell on L.

"That is the situation." L told them, as if final confirmation was needed.

"It is late." Watari said, rising from his chair. "We should all get some much needed rest. Your rooms have already been prepared."

Watari looked at L.

"And I mean all of us." Watari said firmly to the guildsman.

* * * *

The room, like the tower's entrance, and all the other rooms in the crystal structure, was without door. Linda stood upon the balcony in a pair of black shorts, and gray t-shirt, her amber hair undone and left to cascade over her shoulders and down her back, long and silky. Matt, was already fast asleep in one of the two beds. He was sprawled out, with half the covers kicked off, snoring lightly, one of his arms dangling over the side. Linda leaned over the balcony's railing. The calm, black waters of the lake reflected the glowing image of the tower, with the glimmering reflections of the mirrors scattered about the cavern's expanse, glittering like stars in the night sky. There was a light knock on the empty doorframe, and Linda turned to find Watari standing there.

"I hope the accommodations are to you liking." Watari said quietly.

"It's lovely, thank you." Linda replied politely.

She stepped back into the room, and gave it another quick scan. Her eyes fell upon an odd object set on a small table in one corner of the room. It was metallic sphere, polished to a mirror finish, set upon a stand. Linda approached the orb, and realized then that it was reflecting everything except for her, the old man, and Matt.

"What's this?" Linda asked.

The old sage came up quietly beside her.

"It's a mirror." The old man answered.

"A mirror?" Linda asked in confusion.

"A mirror that reflects many things." Watari explained. "It shows whatever it's asked to reveal."

Linda looked back at the orb with a measure of wonder.

"How does it work?" Linda asked.

"Who knows?" Watari sighed. "I've had the thing for years, and still I haven't been able to get anything out of it."

Linda gave a short laugh, which the old man shared in. Watari then stepped over to the vacant bed, and pushed the covers aside, offering it to Linda. Linda crawled beneath the blankets, and allowed the old man to draw them over her. She found that there was something comforting about this. She trusted Watari, feeling a sense of security with him, like one might feel towards a grandparent. Watari glanced over at Matt. He removed the goggles from atop coppery haired boy's head, and setting them on a small table beside the bed. Then he lifted Matt's dangling arm and set across the boy's chest, before pulling the covers back over him.

"He always needed a little looking after." Linda whispered to the old man.

"I don't mind looking after." Watari replied. "I used to look after certain someone a long time ago."

The old man let his eyes go comically wide as he brought his thumb to his lips, which made Linda laugh again. Watari smiled gently.

"Good night." Watari said.

"Night." Linda replied.

As soon as the old man had crossed the threshold, the intense glow of the room softened to warm, dim light. Linda closed her eyes and rolled over, allowing sleep to overtake her.

* * * *

Like Linda, L had been standing on the balcony overlooking the lake when Watari came in to check on him. It was just like old times, the old man there as he had been when the guildsman was still just a boy.

"Do you think I made the right choice?" L asked, his back still to the old man as he entered.

"I think the choice has been made, and it doesn't really matter at this point." Watari answered, coming forward and joining L on the balcony.

"Mello seemed upset when he left." L remarked.

"He probably thinks that you don't trust him." Watari said.

L looked at him, frowning in confusion.

"You didn't share any of this with him earlier." Watari explained. "He probably interpreted it as you believing that he couldn't handle something of this magnitude."

"But, Mello would be the one person I could trust with this." L replied.

"But he's young, and very volatile." Watari said. "You can't expect him to assume something like that."

The old man's expression seemed suddenly sorrowful.

"He's so desperate to impress you." Watari went on. "Just like–"

"I know, I know." L interrupted. "That's why I stay away. To avoid letting him get too close."

"That won't help." Watari responded. "You have a pull. Besides, pushing him away like that will only hurt him. It only serves to provoke his turbulent emotions."

"Then how do I reach him?" L asked.

"I have some experience in this." Watari said. "Let me speak to Mello. In the meantime, you need rest."

L looked over at the bed, his expression dark. Watari considered him for a moment, before giving a nod and speaking.

"Still have nightmares?" Watari asked.

L nodded, and the old man sighed.

"It's been a long time since I drug you out of that desert, half dead." The old sage said. "But you haven't changed much."

"Oh?" L asked.

"For all our years and experiences, we all remain who we have been." Watari said gently. "We're still just…boys chasing after our dreams."

"But mine are all bad." L replied gravely.

"Leave them where they lie." Watari responded. "If you continue to drag them with you, they will only pull you down."

"Then maybe I can finally get some sleep." L replied solemnly.

* * * *

Mello was still roaming the halls, his pace and posture making apparent the anger the coursed through him, hot and unyielding. After everything he had done, all the things he had seen, heard, and experienced, he was still being left in the dark. Near was a god? Then why did he hold his hand all the time? And what about L? Here they were, exhausted and nearly dead from all the challenges and trials they had endured, and he's been sitting around reminiscing over tea. Was this all just some kind of game to him? And why hadn't he bothered to tell him anything? This whole thing was just a test to prove their worth. Hadn't he proven it?

Mello stopped for a moment, and leaned up against the wall. His chest was heaving, he was drenched in sweat, and his eyes stung horribly, wanting to tear up. There was a weight in Mello's chest, a painful lump that just hung there, choking him. Was this really how pathetic he was? Is this all it took to send him over?

"Mello?" The voice belonged to Watari.

Mello looked down the hall, and saw the sage making his way up to him. Mello gritted his teeth and looked away, as the old man approached. Watari stopped, seeing how worked up the blonde boy was, and decided to think on his next words very carefully.

"You seemed…upset, when we finished." Watari said, merely pointing out the obvious.

"I'm fine." Mello said quietly, but harshly.

Watari waited a moment, letting some of Mello's steam blow off a little.

"You have impressed me, you know?" Watari said, leaning up against the opposite wall. "L too."

"Yeah." Mello said, though he sounded none to convinced.

"Braving the labyrinth when you weren't properly prepared, and without any real cause to do so." Watari went on. "That really says something. I can see why he picked you."

Now he caught the boy's full attention.

"Picked me?" Mello repeated.

"I could honestly think of no one more capable." Watari said, seeming not to notice Mello's confused look. "He made an excellent choice in this matter."

Mello looked down at the floor. L had picked him. He had trusted Mello with this task, and Mello had succeeded. But why couldn't he have told him more?

"Why didn't he tell us?" Mello asked, careful to use 'us' instead of 'me'.

"He came here to confirm certain things." Watari explained. "Really, he was almost just as in the dark as you were. He's always trusted my word, ever since he was young."

Mello thought for a moment.

"I think I trust you too." Mello found himself saying.

The old man nodded, his mustache curled at its edges.

"Thank you, that means a lot to me." Watari replied. "You should get some rest. Our business here is not concluded, and you have a long way to go."

Mello looked up at him.

"And you'll know everything that I have to offer." Watari assured him.

Mello nodded. Then he reached into his pocket, and withdrew the fang that the old tribes woman had left for Near. He held it up to the old man.

"What can you tell me about this?" Mello asked.

Watari took the token, and looked upon it for a moment.

"It's a wolf fang." The old man said. "A white wolf. Someone is protecting you from evil spirits."

"Spirits?" Mello asked, frowning.

"Wolves walk between our world, and the spirit world." Watari explained, choosing to leave out the fact that cats do as well. "They act as the wardens of the other world, monitoring and even binding spirits in this world."

He handed the fang back to Mello.

"Keep it close." Watari said. "It may come in handy."

Mello nodded. The old man sighed, then turned and started down the hall, leaving Mello behind. Mello watched the old man's retreating back for a moment before making his move.

"Quillsh?" Mello called.

The old man stopped, and then looked over his shoulder at the blonde boy. Mello nodded, having confirmed his suspicion.

"We heard you were dead." Mello said.

"I am." Watari replied. "Quillsh Wammy died many years ago."

Then he left without another word shared between them. Mello felt a better now. It wasn't a matter of trust, or worth. L trusted him. He had trusted him enough to give him this assignment when he requested it. No, he wasn't made at L anymore. He wasn't really mad at the situation anymore either. But there was something, something that kept the fire going. And Mello had a pretty good idea what it was. He turned and stormed down the hall, in the opposite direction that Watari had gone. Something had to be addressed.

* * * *

Near sat in the center of the room, one leg drawn up to his chest, and one finger curling a lock of his ivory hair. The room was simple. There was a bed mat, similar to his back at the palace, though much smaller, and not as thick. There was a small desk and three windows, all open with the sounds of a gentle cave breeze coming in through them. The air here was warm, and fresh, with that green glow set over everything. The light almost seemed to pulse, but he figured that it was just his tired eyes playing tricks. Morning fatigue was beginning to settle over him, and he knew that outside the rocky walls of the cavern, dawn was fast approaching.

Near made to crawl over to his bed, when a small noise caught his attention and he looked back. Mello stood in the empty doorway, leaned against the frame, looking down at the white haired boy severely, gloved hands balled into tight fists. He stepped into the room without waiting for an invitation, and gave it a quick once-over. His eyes returned to Near, so focused and angry.

"Well you gave us all a big surprise today." Mello said, and the venom positively dripping in his tone.

Near only curled a lock of his hair, remaining silent as usual. Mello crossed the room suddenly, and Near couldn't help but blink in surprise at his approach. Mello took hold of the smaller boy's shoulders and pulled him roughly up to his feet. Mello squeezed his shoulders, bring their faces close together. Near said nothing, his calm expression masking the rapid and fearful beating of his heart. Mello knew he had shaken him, and smirked cruelly. Some god this kid was. Mello released Near, allowing him to fall back onto the floor, looking up at the blonde haired boy. Mello liked that. Near looked better looking up at him.

"I didn't come here to fight." Mello said calmly, though his eyes were still frighteningly alight. "I came to tell you, that I'm in this until the end."

Near blinked, somewhat confused. Mello liked that too.

"I'm sticking with you, even though you're a complete bastard for keeping us in the dark like that." Mello went on. "And the fact that you're too high and mighty to even offer us a few words most of the time. So, there you have it."

Mello reached into his pocket and withdrew the wolf fang.

"Here." Mello said, tossing it at Near. "It's yours…I have one of my own anyway."

One of Mello's gloved hands found its way to rosary around his neck. The rosary that was once Roger's, and that Nancy had given to him before their departure. Near picked up the fang and looked at it. Mello turned and stormed out of the room, the fire now reduced to glowing embers.

"Thank you." Near's voice was faint, but Mello still caught it, and paused in the hall outside.

The blonde boy snorted, and walked on. The fire had almost rekindled. Near just had a way of getting to him, and he couldn't explain why. Back in the room, Near took the fang and draped the string it was tied to about his neck, letting it dangle in the center of his chest. Now he and Mello both had one.

To Be Continued…

Author's Notes

This one was harder to write than I thought it was going to be...I wrote most of it while I had a fever, so bear with me, please. I know, not whole lot we didn't already know, but this is only the first part, so don't be too disappointed. Next chapter, we get a little look into L's past, but I don't want to give anything away.

Chapter 23 down, and Chapter 24 on the way...