(Near P.O.V)

The closer I was to solving this case, the farther away Kira seemed to get. I knew for a fact that Yagami was in on this, but he wasn't killing by himself. He was being extra careful now that I was in Japan along with him.

Since I knew Kira was using a dummy in his place at the moment, who I've named X-Kira, it was no trouble for me to find out who it was. Although, with many people following Kira at the moment, it wasn't as easy as I thought. But in the end, it couldn't be anyone but Teru Mikami. He was always there through every talk show, riot, and conference. He spoke only of good things about Kira and was openly accepting of Kira's will. There was no doubt in my mind that this man was X-Kira.

But like I had said. The more I got closer, the farther away he became.

After I got the word from Gevanni, who I had tailing Mikami, that he was in fact using a notebook, my suspicions only grew. Gevanni had said that Mikami had been an easy trail. That he never tried to hide anything or was even remotely concerned about being followed. This struck me as odd. However, it wasn't my biggest concern.

The days were rolling by now and I had to work quickly. I had Gevanni get in contact with the notebook to confirm the existence of a shinigami, but that was an utter failure… for a time. And now I had two, willing, captives on my hand.

I seemed to have misplaced a few important details. My apologies. Allow me to explain.

I had Lidner become one of Takeda's bodyguards for information on her. Along with Mikami, she seemed to be one of Kira's biggest supporters. Even being 'chosen' by him to be his spokesperson. However, since Mikami was in control of the notebook, I could only confirm that this was his doing. Not Kira's. But when Mr. Yagami chose to get involved with Miss Takeda, my suspicions arose once more. It had even made one of Yagami's partners question his actions… enough to get in contact with me.

I urged him not to do anything unnecessary, but to simply keep an eye on Light. After this, I made my next move.

Since Mello and Matt were trailing Misa at the time, I got word from them that Takeda had wanted to have dinner with Amane. I thought nothing of it at first, until Lidner had called saying that they were fighting over who loved Light more.

I found it amusing, to be honest. Some women were just caddy. I was thankful to have grown up around stronger, more intelligent, women. But, aside from the humor, there was also the fact that these two would not betray Yagami any time soon.

After the dinner escapade, I decided to detain Misa Amane for a while, much to Mello and Matt's relief. They would have some time off before I stuck them with something else to do. Though, this wouldn't be for some time now.

Now that you all are caught up, remotely, I will continue where I left off.

After Gevanni came into contact with the notebook, I learned from Mogi that the user of the notebook could control their victim for up to twenty-three days. Which meant I would have to meet Yagami when those days are up to confirm whether or not Gevanni was being controlled.

Aside from my main plan, I had to come up with a new plan for Mello and Matt. One where they could help but not be found out.

I wish I'd acted sooner.

When I'd finally come up with something for them to help me with, I couldn't contact them. I'd tried for a half-hour straight, but nothing. Nothing but static. It had been a month or so since Mello's birthday, and I hadn't been in too much contact with them. But even knowing we were both busy, they still would have picked up my calls.

Something was off.

I asked Rester to drive me to their apartment, but this didn't go without question.

"Near, they're fine. Why are you so worried about them?"

"Because I am." I said bluntly. "If this were your family you'd do the same. Now I won't ask again. Drive me to their apartment."

I guess I shouldn't have been so harsh, but I was worried. If Kira had gotten to them…

No… no I couldn't think that way. Mello would never have that happen, especially to Matt. I had to think positive.

Rester did as told and drove me to where they were hiding out. I didn't even wait for the car to stop completely before jumping out and running to the door. I didn't like the way the building smelled, being an old apartment building on its last year, but I hadn't cared too much to think about it. I was just worried for my brothers.

Once I got to their room I banged on the door as hard as I could. My worries vanished when I heard someone trip over something and heard Mello's familiar laugh right afterwards.

When the door opened, I didn't give Matt a second thought. I hugged him almost immediately and wouldn't let go for anything.

"Near?" He huffed out. "Jesus, you scared the crap out of me! I thought the landlord was about to kick us out!"

"I'm sorry." I mumbled through his shirt, still keeping my iron grip on his waist.

I suddenly heard Mello step in. "That was hilarious, Matt!"

"Shut up! I really hurt myself!"

"I know! That's why it's funny!"

I let go of Matt and hugged Mello, who surprisingly wasn't wearing his usual leather vest. Just a regular white under-shirt.

The blonde hugged me back. "Care to explain why you've come over for a visit?"

I hugged tighter. "I've been trying to get into contact with you two for hours now, and I thought the worst."

There was silence for a quick moment before Mello patted my back. "No worries, Near. Just some technical difficulties on our part. And you shouldn't assume the worst like that. Even if Kira had found us, we'd be able to escape."

"And if Kira had still been here?" Matt reminded me.

I suddenly felt stupid for overreacting like that. Of course they were fine, and if they had been in trouble they would have contacted me right away. Or at the least after they were safe. But I couldn't help but worry. Kira knew Mello was alive, and he knew about Wammy's. If everyone I cared for died because of me…

My thoughts were interrupted by Mello. "You need to get back to your base, Near. It's too dangerous out here for you."

"What?!" I looked up at him, feigning a smile. "But I just got here…"

"Mel's right, Near." Matt stepped in. "You need to get back. We're fine here, you don't have to worry."

I could suddenly feel the tension the room. There was something they weren't telling me. And it only made my stomach churn in worry once more.

"N… no. I want to stay." I said defiantly, burying my head into Mello's chest. I admit, in front of others I kept my image of callousness. But with Matt and Mello I was anything but. I wanted them to know that I cared for them and didn't want to lose them. They were the only family I had.

Mello pried my hands off of him. "Near, you need to go back. Right now."

"Why?" That was a dumb thing to say. I knew why. I just found any excuse to stay longer.

He didn't even answer me. He just looked back at Matt, and with a quick nod from the red-head, he picked me up and slung me over his shoulder. I squirmed to get away, demanding why he was doing this, but he still wouldn't answer me.

Matt opened the doors for him until the got to Rester's car, in which case it was Rester's turn to demand to know what was going on.

Mello didn't say a word until he had me in the front seat and locked in. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but Rester was shouting at the two. When the man calmed down, Mello began speaking softly to Rester so I wouldn't hear.

I suddenly got angry at the blonde and began kicking at the door he was leaning against. I half thought about kicking the window out, but I didn't get the chance once I saw both Matt and Mello glaring at me to stop my childish acts. The same way a parent would look at their own child, they had looked at me. It made me feel cold. Perhaps because it was the same way L had looked at us when we did something out of turn.

I stopped kicking altogether and tried for the other doors, but they had all been locked automatically by Rester's car lock on his keychain, which Matt had grabbed and kept a swift thumb on the lock button for when I went for the door.

Finally, their conversation was done and Matt threw him the keys. Rester nodded once and made for the driver's seat.

When I saw my opportunity, I finally opened the door and tried to make a beeline to the two walking away. However, Rester had been faster and grabbed me almost immediately. I was shocked to see him defy my will and cooperate with Mello and Matt. There was definitely something going on.

I looked towards Mello, who in turn looked back. There was something in his eyes. Something lost to the world. They never looked more human to me.

I was finally seated in the car once more, but I didn't struggle. I continued to look into Mello's eyes as if trying to find something that I knew was not there. My heart began to ache more when he simply turned away and walked into the building, Matt following right behind him.

Even when they were out of sight, even when we had begun our drive again, I kept looking out the window.

Finally, I spoke.

"What did he tell you?"

Rester said nothing. Not one word.

"Tell me!" I demanded, turning to him.

"I am not at liberty to say." He replied. "I'm sorry."

I felt my heart sink a bit as I looked away. What was it he wasn't telling me?

(Matt P.O.V)

"You should have told him." I said once we entered our room. "He has to know…"

"He'll find out the day it comes up. Lidner promised me she'd tell him everything I asked of her."

"Mel. He's family."

Mello paused. "I know. But he'd only try to stop me."

"I'm still trying to stop you! Mel, this is crazy! You have to do something else to get rid of Takeda!"

"Like what, Matt? Just simply shoot her? Believe me, if it were that simple, I'd do it. However, this chick is trying to get closer to Near, as well as Kira himself. And I know Near is going to confront him soon, which means they'll strike then. I have to do this to eliminate Kira's hand. If anything, it'll help to expose his second as well."

"Mikami? Near already has a handle on that…"

"No, he doesn't. I've already told you about this, Matt. Mikami is not Kira's hand. He is simply there to take the fall when necessary. Takeda is the biggest problem because she's as close to that Yagami guy as she can get. And we already know he's Kira, so why sugar coat this anymore than we have to?"

"I know. But still… I don't like that you're doing this alone."

"Don't go there again, Matt. I told you what to do, so don't try anything stupid."

I felt my chest tighten a bit. "Mel, I don't want you to go."

The blonde hugged me as tight as he could. "I'm sorry, Matt. Please forgive me."

I hugged him back just as tight. 'Only if you forgive me.' I thought.

My orders were simple. Follow the road and lead them away from the scene, an exit to the right will lead me to freedom and I'll live to see another day.

But knowing Mello wouldn't be joining me at the end of that road… I made a new plan.

I loved Mello. That much was obvious. And I couldn't live with myself knowing he'd be giving his life for all this to be over. No. I wouldn't listen to his words.

I already know my fate that was to come in a matter of hours. I knew Mello's fate as well. He knew it as much as I did. That's why he'd spent the last few days writing up his manuscript on his laptop. The stories he'd been told by L. The one's about Beyond Birthday, the two detectives L once fought, Eraldo Coil and Denuve, and the small history around L and how he first came to be. He had also taken the time to write some short stories about life in the Wammy house. About Near and myself, and how we had become a family in time. He had been writing for days on end up until tonight.

Tonight he'd finished the last of his stories and had saved them in a certain file for Near to find. He then packaged his laptop, addressing it to Near himself.

Seeing everything being packed away made me sad. Because I knew that these were my last hours on earth. My last hours with Mello. I had wanted to make the most of them, but there was no hiding from the inevitable.

My last hours were spent with Mello, in our bed, completely ignoring the world. I knew that when I was about to go, that I would remember the moments I had with the blonde. When it was just us. No Kira, no worries, and no fear of death. When I'm gone, my last thoughts will be of Mello and myself. Knowing that it was me and me alone who won his true affections.

But I seemed to have grown melancholy here. So allow me to bid farewell, readers. For this will be my final chapter. I would be taking my writings with me in the next few hours, but I want them to be preserved for the future kids at Wammy's. I think they all need to know the truth of L's successors. That it wasn't always work, and that L truly cared for us. And that, with time, love will come to each and every one of them.

It did for me. It did for Mello. The love of a true family. That's what we had. And more than anything, it made us who we are. I'm only sorry I don't get more time to enjoy it.

Goodbye, my readers. I hope you've enjoyed my rather boring story about my past. I've convinced Mello to write about his past, and I believe he's been working on a few stories himself. I hope it's a better read than my past. For now, I'm off to grab a pack of smokes. If I'm gonna die, I'm at least gonna enjoy one last drag and a few more hours of video games before then. Mello's gonna allow it since he won't be around to nag me to stop.

I wish I could tell him my own plan. But it's best that he not stop me. I was miserable without him at Wammy's, and knowing I won't see him again after tonight, it'll only lead me to suicide eventually. At least with this, I'll be going down a hero. Or rather, a sidekick to the hero. I helped to stop Kira, but it wasn't me exactly…

Jesus, here I go again making a long goodbye. I should really tear off this band-aid now before I hurt anyone further.

Once again, my readers, farewell. I will miss you all terribly. By extension, I will consider all of you friends for reading this.

Please, take care.

A/N: Dear lord it almost killed me to write this chapter. However, all things must come to an end. I'm guessing you all know what the next chapter will be. I'm sorry for writing this. :(