A/N: Sorry for the wait. Been having internet troubles. Meant to post this yesterday, but... hey, stuff happens.

Anyway, hope you all enjoy. Reviews welcomed...

And thank you to all who've remained with the story for so long. :)

(Near P.O.V)

Once Mello had left the headquarters I thought it would be necessary to speak with the fake L once again. This time, however, I spoke not only with him – but with the others at the task force. I had simply asked them, knowing the answer full well, if the new L had ever been suspected of being Kira. I was not disappointed with my results either, but that didn't come until after the… incident.

But I suppose you can all wait a bit longer, can't you?

I had also let them in on Mello's arrival. I had told that we captured him, but he escaped. The fake L didn't buy it, but I kept to my lie. I'd also told them of the fake rules and asked if he believed any of them were truly fake. I was surprised to hear that there was in fact a shinigami with them at the moment, but I was only too sure that he would be lying on Kira's behalf. I almost found the idea humorous. I mean, an all-powerful being listening to a human? It was too much.

After having everything I needed, I offered to write Mello's true name in the notebook to test out these rules. I knew they'd say no, so I might as well try. I didn't actually know the blonde's name. No one, not even the true L, knew his real name. It was a possibility that Matt knew, but no one else other than him. If they had said yes, on the eight percent chance, I would've probably been in the worst situation. For starters, I'd have to know Mello's name – which wasn't going to happen – and even if I'd asked him, I doubt he or Matt would've allowed me to live for much longer after that. I'd already gotten into enough trouble with the blonde and his red-headed companion for letting the bomb drop about him being a Wammys kid.

At the end of it all, I had my answers. Light Yagami was the fake L. And the fake L was the mass serial killer, Kira. All I truly needed now, was a confirmation. Something I was sure to get sooner or later.

It was a few days later before I spoke with Mello and Matt once again. I decided not to hold any information back.

I'd rather not repeat the profanities and curses that were thrown my way whilst speaking with the blonde. I have some dignity.

Matt held him back as he held a hand over the raging chocoholic's mouth. "Near, you're incredibly lucky we're far away from you right now! How could you tell Kira that Mello was still alive!?"

"Like I've said before, it was to gain a reaction. Unsurprisingly, they didn't like how I'd 'let you get away.' I doubt they'll go looking for you personally, anyway. And I never once mentioned you, Matt. You should be happy at all that you're still alive."

Another few profanities were thrown my way once again. I believe there was something about 'skinning me alive,' at one point. But, I wasn't paying too much attention to Mello at the moment.

When the blonde finally calmed down, he pushed Matt's hands away. "Look here, you little freak!" He spat. "I've done nothing to you during this investigation…"

"Except kill most of my people." I reminded.

He grit his teeth. "Whatever, just listen. Matt and I are going to Japan tonight. We'd be there right now if it weren't for the extra days trying to find a cargo plane to transport his car…"

"I love that car more than I'd love my own children! And don't forget that it saved your sorry ass a month ago!"

I grinned a bit when Mello slapped him upside the head. Something about the two made me happy to see them together. Maybe it was because that they hadn't changed over the years.

Mello returned his attention to the monitor. "As I was saying, we're heading to Japan to learn more about Kira. We'll be on the down-low for a while, and I'd appreciate it if you'd shut your goddamn mouth whilst speaking to that faker, L!"

I chuckled a bit. I can't say having him mad at me was a good thing at this point, but it still lit up my mood. I could tell that this was the real Mello we'd seen growing up at the Wammy house. Anger driven, but still caring.

"Fine then. I won't say a word about you or where you are anymore. Again, I was only searching for the correct reaction. And I found it."

"What reaction? What is it exactly that you said?"

I got up from my spot on the floor and climbed into a chair with my favourite robot. I think I remember Mello taking a glance at it before rolling his eyes.

Yes, it was the same one he'd gotten me on my birthday all those years ago.

"For starters," I began, "I told them about the fake rules. 'L' didn't seem too surprised by this, but then again he is our suspect, is he not? At any rate, he seems to have a shinigami of his own by his side."

"Is that so? Any idea what he looked like?"

"None. I didn't even hear him speak. But I doubt Kira is allowing him to tell the truth to the others. How I go about seeing him for myself, is the question."

"It's a lot simpler that you'd believe. You just have to touch the notebook for yourself."

"Where would I go about finding it, then?"

"Well, that's the question. We don't know who has it right now. Obviously Kira himself doesn't have it in his possession. That's too risky. He definitely has someone else writing the names, whilst trying to make himself look innocent."

"So we find out who's closest to Mr. Yagami."

"I already know of one person. Sayu, his sister. But I doubt she'd be doing any of this."

"No, she wouldn't. She's too close to Light Yagami. So we'd possibly be looking at a companion. Someone who would always remain faithful…"

"A girlfriend?" Matt chimed in.

"Not a bad choice." I remarked. "I'll have to look into that. But I can't say for certain…"

"Near." Mello suddenly interrupted. There was something… wrong in his voice. It almost sounded as if he were worried.

"Yes?"

"Did you tell them anything else?"

I thought for a quick second before answering. "I asked them if they would want me to write your true name down, but they said no. Had they'd said yes, I'd be at an impasse. Obviously, I don't know your name…"

"But they do. Soichiro Yagami said it out loud, and I'm too sure he told 'L' before he died."

I can tell you all now, that my heart literally dropped to the floor when I'd heard this. I couldn't believe how big of a risk I truly took with that suggestion.

Mello didn't seem angry with me at this point, though. He looked… disappointed? Almost like L had whenever we didn't think things through right to the end.

"Near, don't take chances like that anymore. Not unless you know for sure what the outcome is going to be. You may have been trying to provoke Kira, but provoking him too much can lead to disastrous outcomes."

I'd turned my head from him at this point now. Had they'd said yes to my proposal, had they'd given me his name… I didn't like thinking about it.

Even Matt was silenced by Mello. Neither one of us could believe that this man, who'd once been known to be the one being chastised by L and all the other adults, was now doing the reprimanding. Then again, I did deserve it for not thinking things through completely. I should have gotten Mello in on my small plan, and he would've given me the correct advice. Instead, I took a gamble. Not my wisest decision, but thankfully everything went alright.

I heard him sigh. "Look, it's over and done with. Nothing happened, and now you have to learn from this. You're a smart kid, but don't think you'll always make the right decision on your own. It's not shameful to ask for help."

Matt stepped up again. "Take it from the guy who constantly needed it as a child." He said while pointing a thumb at Mello. This landed him an elbow to the stomach.

"And another thing," He started again. "Don't stay in New York for too long. Kira has the President on his knees and kissing his arse. If anything, he'll contact him soon and ask for your coordinates. There's no way that this L is gonna let you continue on with your business. You need to get out and find another hideout. Preferably closer to Kira."

"And that's why you're going to Japan. To get close to him as possible under his radar."

"Like I said, it's close to Kira, I have no ties there, his country-men don't know me too well, and when I act I'll have the lowest possibility to be found out. Where you are right now is probably one the most dangerous places to be if you're investigating Kira. The President knows who you all are, and can easily give your location away to save his own life. So get out of there."

Behind me I could feel everyone's eyes on me. Gevanni and Rester didn't like taking orders from Mello, but would happily follow my own. Halle would follow Mello if asked of her, but needed my own consent.

I nodded. "We'll do so right away. But we won't be heading to Japan for a while now. We'll move somewhere out of radar though, as you suggest. We may need a few days to pack up everything."

"I'd hesitate to even go an hour later, but if you insist. Anyway, we have to go. Our plane leaves in an hour, and we aren't fully packed yet. When you do get to Japan though, call us right away and tell us what you've found. We'll relay what we've got with you and see about coming to a conclusion with this whole thing."

I nodded once. I then felt the urge to apologise. "I'm sorry for my mistake. Had I known…"

"Don't apologise. You thought it through pretty well, but thinking it was the only option was a bad move. Also, doing so behind my back may have been the worst part."

I nodded again. "I understand. I'll think things a bit more clearly next time."

Mello only shrugged. "Whatever. Just don't apologise. I've got work to do, now. I'll see ya when we see ya."

With that, he was gone. The transmission ended and I was alone once more. Albeit with my team, but they hardly compared to the company Matt and Mello brought forth. At least I was able to hold an intelligent conversation with them.

To a degree.

Halle spoke up then. "So when should we leave?"

"In the next few days, like I said. We need everything packed and ready to go by the end of the week. If not, sooner."

I now wish with all my might that I'd listened to Mello fully. Because the next day was my downfall.

It was a regular day for the SPK. Gathering information, on our own budget thanks to that maggot President, and finding out what we could about Light Yagami. We had also began packing as well, but we didn't get very far.

A loud crash sounded throughout the building and surveillance showed that we were being attacked by Kira supporters. Demegawa, leader of the Kira supporters and from Sakura TV, had led them to the building in hopes to drain me out. Kira had done this, no question about it.

I instantly hated the President now. He was less than a maggot to begin with, but now he was just worthless. How dare he…

I had to think fast now, and hoped to god that my plans wouldn't fail. After this was all over, I'd have to call up Mello once again and apologise once more.

He probably laughed when he first saw the broadcast as well. Just from knowing he was right.