Authors note: So here's the update. It's been a while and it may be so before the next update. Sorry, school is more important. I'm swamped with work. I guess the upcoming chapters will develop the five wayish thing going on and reveal the origins of Matt2, or Matt's other personality. Which ever you wanna call him. Anyway read, review and please do enjoy.

Thy enemy is my best friend

Near and Mello weren't allowed on the beach. Why? Because Matt was on the beach and he wasn't to know that they were there. Instead they were stuck on a balcony together overlooking the beach, Matt and his mysterious companion with his arm around Matt. It boiled Mello's soul that someone other than himself was touching Matt but he couldn't risk their cover. He could never risk their cover, well maybe if the time was right he might be able to get Matt alone and finally be able to talk to him.

This whole trip was nothing but a side track to everything they had been working on for so long. Near was perched under a large umbrella holding several figures in his hands but they were turned away from Mello. Besides he didn't want to look at the little freak long enough for him to notice that he was paying him attention. He shook his head slightly using the binoculars to zero in on the two again.

A month ago if you would have told Mello that he would be sitting directly beside Near and not be trying to kill him he would have shot you in the face. If you would have told him that him and Matt would no longer be friends anymore because Matt walked away he would have shot you again…twice. Mello felt horrible, more than horrible but he be damned if he let Near knew how he felt. Therefore he was using make up to cover up the dark lines under his eyes from sleepless nights and he had been eating a constant amount of chocolate and snapping it loudly to upset the white haired boy. Though if Near was paying any attention he didn't say anything nor make a move to tell Mello to stop.

A slightly triumphant smile appeared on Mello's lips. Near hadn't done anything to cross him since they had gotten here which means that white haired boy had remained completely and totally silent. Mello could care less as long as the boy didn't talk to him.

Beside him Near shifted staring blandly into space. Mello couldn't tell by side glances if the boy was actually watching Matt or not but he assumed that he also was. The thing that freaked Mello out the most is that it always appeared that Near didn't have emotions. The only times he had actually seen the boy smile was when he was talking to Matt and as far as he knew Matt hadn't had contact with either one of them since leaving.

~*xXx*~

Cool was the best way to describe the sand on the beach. It probably should have been hot but sitting under the umbrella that Raito had brought out had helped that quite a bit. In the distances the waves crashed against the sand sending ocean spray into the air and giving it a salty taste. The family sitting not too far away from them quietly made sandcastles while their children frolicked in the smaller waves running intensely from the larger ones. Matt only watched quietly from his seat, what else was he to do?

Beside him Raito had placed his arm around shoulder and he inwardly felt as if he should brush it off. He didn't. Instead he occupied himself by not looking at the man beside him. He had never had someone interested in him before and he wasn't exactly sure how Mello would react to something like that. 'Yeah Mell, you know I tried it on with you and it didn't work out because you're an egotistic crybaby that can't iron out his own feelings without replacing them with religion but I've found this new guy and he's pretty cool. So yeah, I'm going to try it on with him instead, is that cool with you? No? Well too damn bad we're not friends anymore.' He cringed at the very mental imagine of a starkly pissed off Mello hearing that message and decided to store it away. It could never be heard by human ears lest Mello become even more of a murderer.

"Do you like the beach Matt?" Raito's voice calming, almost too calming and it usually put Matt on edge. Unfortunately he was at the beach and the whole point was to relax. He still hadn't achieved that manner of relaxation that Raito had bummed. The man was lying back with his arm draped around the other man, golden brown eyes observed everything in a quick succession but Matt but his voice was languid and smooth as if it were all just a dream. "I thought that maybe it would relax you enough because of your family issues."

Matt snorted, "That's one thing to call them." He replied but the word family sent a hard shock to his core. He tensed momentarily before forcing himself to relax. He wasn't even sure why he had that kind of reaction. Maybe it was because the only person he considered as family he no longer really talked to. It had only been a few weeks but that he been enough. It was actually more encouragement that Matt was willing to admit that he was able to move out from under Mello's tense grasp and possibly move on. "It's nice, thank you for considering me." He replied lightly.

The brown haired man glanced over finally taking in Matt's pale almost lucid skin in contrast to his red hair. Under the sun tinted goggles green eyes watched the world with so much intelligence. He had hoped that maybe the red head would let down his guard a bit so that they could have an actual conversation. Being alone was such a problem especially in a world where he couldn't trust anyone, ever. Matt was no difference. No, that was wrong; Matt was different because he wanted to trust Matt. He really did. "Don't worry about it. This is a chance for you to let loose and finally get the rest that we've both needed."

Matt smiled slightly, "Maybe you're right." He leaned back allowing his body to get some well-deserved sun.

~*xXx*~

Did Mello actually believe that Near didn't see him watching him from the corners of his eyes? He could, quite easily actually. His gaze didn't even need to drift sideways in order for him to figure that much out but Mello was the last thing on his mind. Matt was sitting down there by the beach. Yes, Matt, not his counterpart that had waltzed his way into all their lives leaving nothing but mystery and annoyance in his wake.

The other half of Matt never gave reasoning for his existence. He never questioned the actions of anyone and yet he was so intensely aware of Near's feelings and Mello's true feelings that it unnerved Near to even think about it. That night all those years ago when he first met that man, or that part of that man…if he would have known what this all would have led to…

He shifted slightly keeping his gaze rested on the distance so that he could think better. If Watari, Roger and L knew of the existence of Matt's other half they never let on. He was allowed in the general population with the rest of the students. Maybe Matt was some form of social experiment gone wrong. The reasoning of his other side wasn't clear nor was his formation. If Near had to really question it he would chalk it up to Mello's mental abuse but he remembered strictly being told that it was not Mello that created him. Some form of painful past has split the man into two people, nearly polar opposites of each other. One serves as the protector and the other serves as the one to be protected.

His fist clenched roughly. Nothing added up and it annoyed him. "Mello, stop staring at me." The blond's shoulders tensed for a second before he fully turned his head a sneer readily on his lips.

"What the hell makes you think that I would waste my time looking at you?" He hissed coolly. "We're supposed to be watching Matt, right?"

Near blinked, his head slowly turning his head to look at Mello. "No. We're supposed to be relaxing." By the sound of his voice Mello couldn't rightly tell if he was being sarcastic or serious.

Instead he just sat back and glanced back over to Matt who was packing up. He scowled. They were apparently in some hotel under assumed names and Near hadn't bothered figuring out which one. He kept mumbling something about Mello's jealousy being the reason why things would have never worked out. He bit his lip to keep from yelling right now.

"Oh fuck this." He threw his hands up storming from the balcony. Near remained shaking his head wearily. Something about this didn't sit too well with him. Then again, nothing usually did.

~*xXx*~

Raito sat quietly on the bed in the hotel room. Matt hadn't seemed to have too much opposition to them rooming together on the trip which bode well for what he needed to happen. The red head was in the shower washing off sand and dirt. Inwardly he wished he would have asked if Matt needed help but that would be taking steps too quickly. Matt had to be the one. He just had to be.

His eyes snapped to attention when the red head came strolling out of the bathroom. Green eyes blinked belaying so much intelligence Raito wanted to take him then and there. He wore a black silk Chinese shirt buttoned down to the naval and a pair of slacks. It seemed a bit off from his usual attire but Raito wouldn't object to a bit of skin.

"Good shower?" He asked aloud watching the man fold his dirty clothes piece by piece and placing them back into the suit case. All except for the goggles that he sat out in plain sight.

Matt glanced up, "The best. You look apprehensive." He said sliding into the seat across from Raito without asking. "What's up?"

Raito opened his mouth wishing he would have rehearsed something hours ago. It all seemed so simple back then and now that he had to do it he was worried it wouldn't come out the wrong way. He took down the likes of L and he was worried about getting tongue tied in front of this man. "That's not it. I wanted to talk to you Matt. You have a brilliant mind, good looks and everything that I've actively searched for."

Matt blinked, nonplused. "You want to date me?" He questioned aloud a slow smile spread over his lips. The brown haired man returned the smile. A million thoughts passed through Matt's mind but his other side would have to deal. "I don't see why we can't." He said aloud allowing Raito to take his hand. Near would be proud.

~*xXx*~

"Nope." Matt's voice was tired and slightly annoyed. He stood outside at three in the morning talking to Near and Mello apparently on a damn party line. "Why can't this wait until the morning?" He questioned. There was no way they could have known about what he did…well almost. If they had bugged the room they definitely would know. Unfortunately this didn't seem to be the case.

Near's voice was deadpan. "It is customary to check upon individuals that you are close with. Mello charged his way in, as usual."

"Shut the fuck up Near. Don't pretend like you're fucking golden." He growled. "I can get to you in a matter of seconds.

Matt shook his head, "I don't care or understand what's going on between the two of you though I would say that sex would get rid of all that tension." The silence that filled the phone almost made him laugh. "I just got laid, I don't see why you two can't put your differences apart for a few minutes and do it. Really helps."

Mello snarled, "Sex? With whom?"

Matt took perverse enjoyment in this. "Why, Matt's boyfriend of course. It was pretty nice, didn't live up to a certain someone I've played with before but I won't name names." He sniggered. "Right Near?"

"Right." The white haired boy replied softly.

Mello sounded furious, so much so you could hear him in the background of Near's phone also. "What the fucking fuck is going on?"

"Mello calm down." Near's voice sounded tight.

"Shut the fuck up Near. This is bullshit! Motherfucking bullshit."

Matt shook his head, "You're right. This is bullshit, it's early in the morning. I'm going back to sleep. Good night Near." The response never came. The phone was simply hung up.