(Near P.O.V)

For the most part, Mello had returned to his normal self. There were times he fell into a bit of sadness, but he always managed to get right back to where he was before. It was this that made me admire him. The determination he had to get out of bed and face the world, no matter what he felt in his heart. It wasn't something I myself was capable of.

Matt remained at his side like always in the Wammy house, giving him a good laugh every now and then to make sure he was okay. It was good to see Matt and Mello together again. Before we had left for Germany, Mello had veered away from Matt more times than I could count. I could see it hurt Matt that his friend wanted nothing to do with him, but he seemed to understand. He never held anything against the blonde, which surprised me greatly since most kids in the orphanage hated Mello for one reason or another. But not Matt. Matt would always be there for Mello, and Mello for Matt.

The relationship between the two surprised me still. Matt, not being a very physical person, was always defended by Mello when it came to bullies or older kids. As for Mello, having both a superiority complex and a bad temper, seemed to always stay calm around Matt. It was a perfect pair, these two. One could not function properly without the other.

As for me… I worked alone.

I suppose it's more of a pride thing than anything else. I knew I couldn't work with others because my mind needed to stay focused. I was always alone as a child because the silence and solitude gave me power. If I had silence, I had answers. And if I had answers, I was able to function. Matt and Mello needed each other, and I needed myself. That's what made us different. Well… it's what made me different.

That isn't to say I wasn't human.

Of course I wanted friends. What child doesn't? But the fact remained that I wasn't capable of making any. Either it was because I was too smart for others, or I didn't know the proper communication methods. It was a chore for me. So, when I found out the truth about it all, I realized silence was my friend. Peace and quiet were the best friends I had. I didn't need a physical being to be my companion. They were noisy anyhow, and far more boring than my own thoughts.

So, I sat alone and listened to the thoughts of my own being. It was a lot more peaceful than first reflections would indicate. And thus, I became who I was. I suppose it's how I came to be more like L. I focused more on my thoughts than my feelings. Though, that didn't stop me from trying to be on Mello's good side.

I know it may sound strange, but I truly wanted to be his friend. I knew he didn't like me too much but… it's almost like he was a forbidden fruit. Just beyond reach, but not allowed to be touched. Only those he deemed worthy, were close to him. And so far, Matt was the only one worthy of his attention. I understand how ridiculous this must sound, but I knew I wasn't the only one who felt that way. Some of the younger kids looked at Mello with admiration. Some tried to even talk to him, but were greatly ignored. I didn't know if he saw the same thing I did, but it was interesting to notice either way.

But I seem to have detracted from the story.

At that moment the Wammy house was out for recess. I, of course, was inside playing with my toys. The outside was too grimy and loud for me too stand, so most recesses I played indoors. Mello had always loved the outside, but Matt loved his games so the two would argue over who did what. They usually came to an agreement within five minutes, but I still found the situation humorous. They were like an old married couple some days.

This time around Matt had won the rights to play video games indoors while Mello sat around looking bored out of his skull. I hadn't been paying much attention to them by this point. I was too busy with my domino tower to care. The way they stacked had to be perfect if I wanted it to look good.

I had been setting up the last few dominos, when it was suddenly kicked into my face without warning. And before you jump to conclusions, it wasn't Mello who kicked it. It was someone far worse.

Torrik.

He was taller, older, and always seemed to be power hungry. Nothing about him was kind. He was just nasty to everyone. Every kid in the orphanage wanted him gone, but here he remained.

I looked at my fallen tower with a heavy heart. It had taken me the whole hour of recess to complete. Still, being the shy person I was, I said nothing. Torrik was known to throw punches, and I wasn't about to get a black eye for saying something stupid.

"Little freak, what the matter? Cat got your tongue?"

I rolled my eyes. How he managed to get into Wammy's would always remain a mystery.

As I was collecting the dominos to put away, I was suddenly pushed to the floor by Torrik's boot. It had been so forceful that I gasped upon impact. No one had ever treated me so roughly before. For the slightest second, I feared for my life.

"Fucking freak, get up! Honestly, what's wrong with you!?"

"Fuck off, Torrik. Just leave him alone."

I turned to see Mello right behind me, body relaxed, and hands stuffed away in his jacket pockets. There was a look in his eyes I hadn't seen much beforehand. Not rage or anger, or even sadness. No, it was more like he was fed up.

Torrik snorted. "And why do you care? You don't like this freak, we all know that."

"So? You don't go around kicking kids like that. So fuck off, he's done nothing to you."

Was he seriously defending me? Mello? The one kid at the orphanage to deliberately ignore me on a daily basis.

The bell for recess to be over rang out, and a small group of kids gathered around to see the two staring off. Mello hadn't cared though. He merely drew out his favourite brand of chocolate, then took a bite. He seemed utterly uninterested in the whole situation.

Torrik crossed his arms. "And if I don't leave?"

Mello swallowed his bit of chocolate. "Dude, are you really gonna ride this out? Just leave the kid alone."

"Make me," Torrik said as he pushed Mello back a bit.

Matt had actually stood me up and backed me away at this point. Though, Mello did not look fazed to say the least. In fact, he actually grinned.

"You know something… you push like girl." Another bite at his chocolate, the grin still playing at his lips.

Torrik straightened up a bit. "Oh, is that so? The how 'bout this!?"

The taller of the two threw a punch at Mello, but the room fell silent when the blonde caught it and stopped it with his one free hand. He now held it in place as he took yet another bite from his chocolate.

Everyone was amazed. Torrik was sixteen years old, but the ten year old had stopped this punch without any trouble. Even the teenager looked a bit scared at this point. The room was either gaping in awe, or frightened at what was to come next. I myself felt a bit touched that Mello would get into a fight to help me. But then… I don't believe this was the first time.

Mello was far from heartless, though I know he'd have thought differently. He didn't always defend the younger kids at Wammy's, but that was mainly because the first time he had… no one tried him on afterwards.

Before I had come to the Wammy house Mello had defended Matt against some bullies and almost had himself expelled because of it. Though I believe it was probably a rumour, there was the possibility that it had happened. In all honesty, he wasn't physically mean to the younger kids. Verbally, he was always cruel to us, and those who were close to his age got a few hits from him. Other than that and the anger driven rampages, there wasn't much else.

Finally, the blonde spoke. "You've got one of two options; Leave the kid alone… or have your arm shattered. Ten seconds."

Torrik only stared at him in complete dismay. We all knew his pride was too swollen to just let Mello win. But at the same time, would this ten year old really break his arm?

We never found out the result though. Roger came bursting into the room asking angrily what Mello and Torrik were doing.

Too frightened to speak, Mello did the talking. "Just playing a game, Roger. No harm done." He pulled Torrik forward a bit. "Right?"

The teen only shook his head in agreement before Mello let go of his fist. Said teen quickly ran out of the room, past Roger and down the hallway. I have to admit, it was a glorious day seeing Torrik scared out of his wits.

When Roger left a bunch of the kids started chuckling at what had just happened. Others whispered some cockamamie rumors about Torrik. Matt and Mello on the other hand took their exit. Before they left though…

I gathered up my courage and ran towards Mello, grabbing his sleeve to stop him.

When he turned around to look at me, I froze for maybe half a second before quietly saying, "Thank you Mello."

He raised an eyebrow before turning away. "Whatever. Just try not to get yourself hit next time." He then left with Matt trailing him.

As I watched him leave, a genuine smile spread across my face.

(Mello P.O.V)

"Oh Tin-man, you do have a heart." Matt teased as we made our way toward our last class of the day. I swear if he kept on with this…

No, I still didn't like Near. But I hate bullies a lot more than him. A bully was what my father was, picking on someone who was younger because it was easier. And I knew I didn't want to be a bully like that. What satisfaction did people get when picking on someone younger than them? It was just wrong.

I didn't care that I had helped the person I disliked more than anyone else at the orphanage. He couldn't defend himself so I stepped in. I'd do it for anybody if they needed me. Though Matt could lay off the teasing. I think he failed to realize I had almost broken Torrik's arm… but, then again, he knew I wouldn't hurt him.

'Damn, this teasing may take a while to die down.'