Hello, my sweeties! :D I sincerely hope you enjoyed last chapter, leaving on a heartwarming note!
Mello and Lilith are very cute, aren't they? XD Yeah, they are. :P Well, this chapter is filled with drama, and a little bit of blood. Tiny. Microscopic. Ah, well... maybe just tiny. I'm rambling again aren't I? LOL! Today, I was just reading Promise by XdeadXsilenceX. Another fellow Mello story, (Yes, I did a terrible rhyme) but very powerful. XdeadXsilenceX, keep on writing! Amazing stuff! :)

I do not own DN, nor the characters. I only own this story, Lilith, Juno and Gold. Enjoy! xxxxxx

Three Months Later... Library 12:00pm

All was well in Wammy's House. The weeks past, Mello and Lilith's relationship grew stronger, making a bigger bond. Roger learned how to make Lilith's favorite cookies, considering Watari gave the guardian orders to supply the children with whatever they needed. Lilith tried to tell Roger that it wasn't necessary but it was no use. The treats were just too addictive and too delicious to throw away.

Near's calculations on the girl's intellect was fairly correct. She had scored 100% on all tests given, without even trying. When Lilith put in effort, it was as if they were received from Steven Hawking or Einstein. Lilith's IQ was the exact number as Near's. Mello and Lilith studied often together, helping to prepare for lessons by Roger. This was a threat to Near's chances of being chosen to succeed L.

Matt didn't really need to study. He was mainly on the same level as Mello, which was beyond excellent. Although Near tried to tell Matt that all the gaming and staring at the small rectangular screen all day could ruin his brain cells, it didn't do anything at all. Nothing changed. Near was sat, finishing off his Rubik's cube and observing Lilith and Mello at the same time.

Lilith was extremely close against Mello's side, supporting him and advising him with a practice case that Roger had set out for them. "The murderer must be Mrs Johnson." Mello scoffed. "It states here that she hesitated and didn't even answer some questions in court, such as where she was at the time of death of her husband!"

Lilith stared at her boyfriend's reaction, smiling with pride. "You just won." Mello smirked back at her.

"You think?" Mello gave back a small grin.

Lilith nibbled at her bottom lip, reflecting back. "Well, we won't know until we hand our answers in."

The two busily scribbled away at their notebooks, focusing hard at their work. Mello was never as concentrated as he was whenever the ocean eyed boy was working with or around Lilith. That could be an even larger threat. Near would have to do something about it.

After noting their opinions into the exercise books, Lilith gave a tired sigh. "I'm in the mood for some cookies."

Mello chuckled. "I could really do with some chocolate right now..."

Suddenly, the two raced off, hand in hand down the hallway into the kitchen to go find Roger. Once the hungry teens were out of sight, Matt slowly strolled over to follow, his emerald eyes glued to the Mario Kart game on his DS.

"Matt." Near stood up, grasping Matt's shoulder. Matt turned around, giving Near a questioning glance.

"Oh, hey Near. What's up?" Matt went and sat on a chair, whilst Near knelt on the floor in front of him.

"You do want to become L's next detective, yes?" Near twirled a small part of his silvery locks.

What is he on about? "Uh, yeah of course."

"I've been thinking and come to the conclusion that ever since Lilith joined us, Mello has been focusing a lot more on his work. His grades have improved greatly." Near explained in a monotone voice.

"That's great, though." Matt commented.

"Well..." Near tried his hardest to act concerned. "I believe that Lilith is isolating you away from Mello."

Matt didn't at all believe a word that Near had just said. He gave an angry grunt, tightening his fist on the table. What the hell? Why is Near coming up with this shit? "Near, nice try." He stood up, about to walk away from the situation. "Mello would never do that to me. You wanna know why?"

"Enlighten me." Near only aggravated Matt more.

"Because we're best friends. He wouldn't even think of leaving me out of anything." Matt slammed the door behind him, leaving Near to think, kneeling and mentally negotiating the situation with himself. Matt took a few deep breaths, walking over to meet his friends in the kitchen.

Near, the idiot. Thinking he can manipulate me like that? He's dead to me.

The so called 'idiot' was smirking by now, knowing his next move. Near rarely worked hard, but he knew for once in his life, today he would have to. Just to keep his position as main candidate.

Roger's Kitchen 12:15pm

It came to Matt's surprise to find the young couple holding out plates, with over-exaggerated smiles beaming across their faces. Roger was handling a tray of hot cookies, the smell gently uplifting the air with a sweet, chocolaty scent. Mello had a couple of candy bars stashed in his coat, but just couldn't wait to get his hands on Roger's legendary chocolate chip cookies.

Roger seemed to be under a slight bit of pressure by the childish reaction of the two teenagers. Matt just found it extremely amusing. Walking into the room next door, the dinning hall, they sat down near a few children who were just starting to eat their lunch.

Lilith shoved half of a cookie in her mouth, biting off the other half. "Gorgeous!"

Mello took a bite of one his own, sighing in delight. "Beautiful."

Matt shook his head, not believing the overreaction of his friends, snatching one of Mello's cookies. Mello and Lilith glared at him excitedly, waiting to see his amazed thought of the tender biscuit.

Snapping a piece of fiercely, his taste buds immediately caught the brilliant taste of the cookie. It tasted insane... all these sensations kicked off in his mouth straight away. The sweetness took over, leaving a rich, creamy and chocolaty aftertaste, with a gooey center but crunchy outside. Through his amber goggles, he stared at the magnificent bake.

"Well?" Lilith smirked, knowing that this would happen.

Matt shoved the whole thing in his mouth, his cheek abnormally large and looking like a hamster. Matt nodded quickly, beaming with joy.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!" The three couldn't stop laughing at Matt's reaction, with it being the most hilarious out of them. Mello and Lilith leaned on each other, losing all strength from the amount of laughter, whereas Matt fell of his chair, rolling on the floor.

Back Garden, Wammy's House 14:00pm

It was close to the end of Autumn. The large oak tree's leafs were a golden or amber-brown. Although the sun was beating, many children wore coats or jackets. Mello wore a plain black one, that he had received last winter (which was too large for him) and Lilith wore an olive hoodie, zipped all the way to the top.

They sat on a wooden bench, opposite Matt, who was pressing his DS buttons repeatedly to improve on his Mario game.

"One month to go." Lilith pecked a kiss at Mello's cheek, referring to their birthday. It was the tenth of November, exactly a month away from Lilith's and Mello's fifteenth birthday. "I have no idea what to get you."

"Just a card would be fine." Mello replied kissing her cheek gently, then rethinking his answer. "Or some chocolate..."

Lilith chuckled at his response. Matt looked up at the two of them. Mello met Matt's gaze, smiling warmly at him. I dunno. Maybe Near was right. Wait... what the hell am I saying? Matt shook his head of those thoughts, stating that he was going inside. Mello followed him, his fingers locked with Lilith's.

Mello knew something was up with Matt. What happened? I'll have to ask him. This really isn't like him... The blond thought to himself.

Mello and Matt's Room 14:10pm

After chatting for a good ten minutes, Matt decided to confess as to what was the matter. Near's ideas began to haunt him, but he wanted them out.

Sitting cross-legged on his bed, Matt's eyes stared down at the floor. "Near said that... he thought you two were leaving me out."

Mello, who was sat to the right of him, tensed up. "We aren't!" He defended. Lilith, sat to the left of Matt just let out a sigh, knowing fine well where this would lead.

"I know, Mello." Matt muttered, feeling slightly more vulnerable for what he and Lilith both knew what was going to happen. "It's just his view. Please don't-"

Before Matt could finish his sentence, Mello was storming out the door, instantly searching for Near. "Where is he?" Mello bellowed down the halls. "Where is that little rat?"

Matt and Lilith immediately ran after Mello, in attempt to stop him in his tracks. Mello's stomping footsteps lead to Near's room. "Mello!" Both Matt and Lilith called out to him, trying to prevent him from causing a scene based on overreaction, when he bursts through Near' door.

Near looked a little shocked, but failed to show much emotion.

Near's Room 14:25pm

Mello grabbed his rival by his while shirt, pulling him up forcefully. Lilith and Matt was still searching the halls, searching for Mello. Near gave a blank expression to Mello, not looking astonished or surprised in any way, shape or form.

"What's the matter, Mello?" Near asked, in his usual monotone calm voice, only to infuriate Mello more. The aggravated blond just bared his shimmering white teeth.

"YOU KNOW BLOODY WELL WHAT IS WRONG!" Mello shouted down Near's ear hole and possibly damaging his ear drums. Near was internally smug about the situation, as things went exactly the way he planned. Near showed no discomfort, no facial expression of an emotional sort.

"I only expressed how I saw thing to Matt." Near tilted his head enough so that Mello could still catch the fabric of his shirt. "Did he tell you? Let me guess, he tried to tell you not to overreact. I'm right? Aren't I?"

Mello has lost it. He couldn't bottle it up, or control himself. Still grabbing the youngest boy, he pulled back his left arm, his fist clenched. Near's gray orbs shrunk into tiny balls, his large eyes widening. He didn't expect Mello to go this far.

Mello's fist connected with Near's jaw, pressing hard and sending Near falling back against a wall. The entire side of Near's face was already a deep purple color, and his nose began to bleed. Near struggled to stand up. He was still in pain, but refused to show it. He wouldn't stop there.

"See how violent she makes you?" He attempted to provoke Mello.

Oh God, what have I done? The ocean eyed boy thought to himself, but immediately snapping back as soon as Near said those six horrible words. "Lilith is using you, Mello." Near stood, stumbling like some mindless zombie.

"Where the hell did you get that from, Near?" Mello sounded less angry, more hurt. Just don't listen to him. In a few hours or even minutes, the only thing you'll have to hear from him is an apology. "She l...loves me and I l-l...-" After all that time, Mello still struggled to say those three words.

Near scoffed. "I can just tell." Damn it! Come up with a better excuse! Near told himself inside.

"You can just tell..." Mello scoffed back.

"When have I ever been wrong?" Near took a few weary steps over the Mello, his face even more serene and stern. He swerved a low kick, aiming for Mello's legs. Aiming correctly, Mello fell on his back, surprised by Near's move. The pain shocked up instantly, causing tremendous doses of it up his spine. Just like Near, he stumbled up. Mello thought of retaliating, but thought it would be best not to.

Matt and Lilith bursts into the room, caused by hearing all the banging and thudding. "What in the world is going on here?" Lilith shouted, totally confused just like Matt.

Of course Near was lying. Mello thought to himself. Lilith wouldn't of come if she wasn't concerned. "Nothing." Mello lied.

As Lilith and Matt separated from the doorway, Roger appeared, giving a scornful look to the injured boys.

"Oh, man..." Mello mumbled, as he knew how this would end for sure...

Near also thought the exact same thing.

So, Mello punched Near in DA FACE! I believe the word for that is Karma. ;D
I had a fun time writing this chapter, although, if feel bad for making Near be ever so slightly evil. Poor Melly's back, though. Ouchy. D: My inspiration for this was (kinda) the fight scene between L and Light and Misa's foot to cake contact. ;P

Tune in next time! More drama to come! :D

Reviews, good or bad make me stronger! ;]

Love to all,

Darkness

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