A/N: Just so you all know, this is the last one concerning Mello. The next few will be of a certain Red headed boy who was on the show for maybe five seconds. :)

Enjoy!

New Life, New Friends, New Family

Living at the Wammy house was as ideal as I thought it was.

I arrived at the orphanage with L by my side. While he had been working on a case in Germany – a small fact he told me after his offer – he asked Watari to teach me some English, which I took to almost swimmingly. English and German weren't too far apart, and it helped that the name Mello sound the same in both English and German. So, my name wasn't much trouble.

And yes, before any of you say anything, I'm well aware that there is a 'W' at the end of 'Mellow'. But my way of spelling it looks better.

At any rate, the orphanage seemed to stand still when they saw L walk me into the room. It was later that I figured out that I was the first of the house to personally speak to L by his own will. This, I believe, only swelled my ego further.

Forgive me if I sound stuck up at all during all this. But at the age of five, after being treated like I was, I wanted something to be proud of.

As I said, from the moment I stepped foot into that school, I was at home. I didn't really try to make friends at Wammy's, but I knew some kids. Most kids were afraid of me, which I liked, but they didn't understand me too well.

I was always angry when in class. I pretty much had a collection of broken pens and pencils from my fierce grip. I was angry when I didn't get my answers correct, when I was thinking about my supposed 'family', and was furious whenever someone mistook me for a girl. That happened one too many times, and I took out my anger on them within an instant. It just reminded me of how much I hated my brother, and how much I wanted to beat him to a pulp.

My anger wasn't that bad when I was around L or Watari… maybe because they saved me from my torture. Other than that, L was like the brother I wanted. He was kind, spoke to me like his equal, and never called me stupid. Everything my genetic brother was, L was the opposite. And Watari? He was the father I wanted. Kind, soft spoken, didn't drink like it was his bread and butter, and he cooked… well… for me and L.

Another thing that was the best about my situation, I was the only one that was allowed to hang around L.

Maybe I shouldn't say that. All of the kids could have hung out with L, like me. But Roger had told them not to. He told me the same, but I never listened. Roger would start to lose his temper when he found out I wasn't doing as told, but L would stop him before he could punish me. All in all, I had a free run around the house. The only time I ever got punished was when I beat up another kid for calling me girl.

The classes I was in were almost too easy. I managed to pass A and B without much trouble. The two smartest kids in the Wammy house, and it took maybe six months to pass them.

A was from New York, or so he told, and was top of the class. Though, he struggled to get there, whereas I took a mere six months. His friend B… was creepy. The way he looked at me was more than murderous. Maybe he didn't like me because of how much time L spent with me. B almost worshipped L, and I suppose the 'new kid' getting all the attention was enough for him to hate me. Though, I couldn't help it. We were all looking to the same goal, and if anything, me and A tied at the top. I only passed him by a bit, and B was not far behind.

I don't think A held it against me. Considering I was five – close to six – and I was in line to be L's successor, I suppose I impressed him. I never took my anger out on the two, mostly because they knew right away that I was a boy, and also because I think B would murder me. The only guy in the world scarier than my dad.

My dad… the bastard.

He had scarred me for life. I no longer had a good sleep because of the nightmares he inflicted. Especially that gun… the one he used to point at my head. I'd have dreams about that gun actually going off, but thankfully I'd wake up. I'd wake up in tears, but I was still awake, which was better than nothing. After my nightmares I would usually run to L's room and he'd comfort me. I thanked every god there was that he was an insomniac. He would always, always, comfort me.

The brother I always wanted.

But let's fast forward a bit. My sixth birthday had come and gone and L was preparing to leave for Romania. That's the way he was, always leaving for another country after a few months – or weeks, give or take. Only this time, he was taking me with him. He sort of sprung it on me at the last second, but I was excited just the same. A was happy for me, but B seemed furious. His murderous looks suddenly got scarier toward me. Though I suppose he couldn't help it… I think B may have liked L more than he let on. The guy looked so similar to him, he might as well be his doppelganger.

We had said our goodbyes and were on our way to the private plane – owned by Watari – and I can remember all the excitement coursing through me. It was just me and L for a whole month… at least, that's what I first thought.

The flight didn't take long for us, and by the time we landed I was ready to go exploring. L had told me earlier that this was a belated birthday gift from him. He wouldn't usually take someone of the Wammy house to one of his cases, but this time was an exception. I didn't care, I was with the best person on earth for a whole month.

I'd like to remind you, I was six at the time.

At any rate, we were in a hotel when I decided to go looking around. L had told me to stay within the area of their building, but I decided not to listen. The first and only time I did not listen to him… for good reason.

While I was out I had bought enough chocolate – with L's credit card – to sustain me for the month to come. Chocolate was usually the thing to calm me after a nightmare, and it didn't hurt to have a bar every day or so. Though, being young, making a chocolate bar last a day was difficult.

I had already unwrapped my first bar when I noticed something moving in an ally-way. Something was moving around in the trash, but I couldn't see it well enough. As I got closer, I never dreamed that what I'd see would soon be my new roommate.

At that moment I ran back to get L and Watari. They'd know how to help him.

A/N: Terrible, I know, but I really wanted to get to the next chapter after this. :)