Chapter one:
Mello is walking around just before classes. He is eating a chocolate bar as he walks. He pauses as he sees Near in the common room sitting with his puzzle but that's not uncommon or even the reason it makes Mello freeze.
No….. Near is usually playing with some toys or maybe a puzzle but….. He's not really doing either… He's just kind of flicking a piece of the puzzle back and forth looking lost in thought.
Mello is the only one that has seen this and he lowers his chocolate bar wondering what's wrong. He then smirks and goes inside to bug Near. "The robot Near actually looks bothered." He says as he approaches. "Am I dreaming?"
Near's eyes flicker to Mello for a moment then he looks away from both the puzzle and Mello no longer playing with piece.
Mello blinks as his smirk falls since he realizes that something is indeed really really wrong. He may be a jerk and may not like Near but he has his pride along with that he isn't a complete jerk. "Near?" He puts the folded back wrapper over the chocolate bar then puts it in his pocket only to kneel next to Near who still silently won't look to him. "What's going on?" He questions.
"Don't worry about it." Near responds so softly Mello just barely heard him.
Mello's worry rises.
Near's never acted like this…. NEVER!
Mello frowns. "Near." He says slightly holding the others alias as if in warning. "You know I know better than that. Now tell me what's going on."
Near stands. "Please leave it alone." He says quietly again then turns and leaves heading towards the direction of the orphans rooms.
Mello gets to his feet watching the other go. "He sounded almost like he was going to cry….." He says under his breath. "What the hell has happened?" He starts to follow Near but then Matt pokes his head into the room spotting Mello.
"Ah there you are Mello!" Matt rushes over to the blonde. "Are you skipping class?" He questions.
"Not now Matt." Mello says. "There is something I need to do."
Matt blinks a little confused then glances down noticing the puzzle still on the floor. "Hey where's Near?"
"You put his puzzle where he puts it." Mello says. "I'm going to find him." He then rushes out before Matt can say anything only allowing the red head enough time to open his mouth.
Matt wonders what's going on but then turns and begins putting away the puzzle knowing better than to argue.
Mello looks for Near and he heads to the hallway where the rooms are. He stops in front of Nears room and stands there facing the closed wood door. He raises a fist to knock but it just hovers in front of the door as he hesitates.
Should he knock?
Should he just go in?
He doesn't know what to do… Nothing like this has ever happened… Not with Near. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.
If he can't decide then he will just do both.
He knocks then his hand uncurls from a fist to grip the doorknob pulling it open. He heads into Near's room. "Near?" He glances around only to spot the other standing at the window looking outside.
Near doesn't seem to have even noticed Mello at all yet.
Mello enters and closes the door behind himself. He feels that this isn't an issue that should be taken lightly so it should be kept probably between the two of them. He heads over to Near. "Near?" He tries again only to get a sigh in turn. He stops beside Near and looks to the others face as best as he can.
"What can I do for Mello?" Near asks without even flickering his eyes to the blonde.
"I want to know what is going on." Mello says. "And don't give me that crap to leave it alone. Something's bugging you and you should know keeping it in is not good for you."
"I'll be fine Mello. I always will be." Near pushes himself away from the window only to turn and walk into the bathroom locking the bathroom door behind himself.
Not once did he look to Mello and Mello thought he saw Near's eyes a little teary eyed.
Mello wonders what exactly is going on with Near and it's really bugging him. He's never seen Near like this and the way the other is acting it most troubling. He heads towards the bathroom door. "Near." He puts a hand on the door. "Don't be like that." He says. "You know I may seem like a jerk but if you need someone to talk to I can be there for you." He says.
No reply.
"Please at least consider it." Mello says knowing that there is no talking Near out of the bathroom and if he skips class Rodger will go looking for him then will start making assumptions if he finds Mello in Nears room. He knows the drama will not help Near and besides it seems Near needs a little time to think. "Just please…. Don't do anything rash. Come find me if you feel like talking." He then reluctantly leaves using every last drop of his will to actually turn away to walk away then to walk away. He really hopes Near will actually talk to him about whatever is going on and he swears on anything that he will be a supportive person for Near. He then thinks of something. "Say. Wasn't this the day Near arrived to Whammy's house?" He blinks. "Then this might be about how he lost his family!" He realizes. "Man I can't believe I didn't think of that before!" He looks back over his shoulder as he stands there. He can still see the entry way to Near's room. "No wonder he's upset… But wait….. Why react now instead of every time this date came up?" He questions. "I'm starting to think it's not about his family."
Meanwhile….
"No sign." The king sighs. "As before." He looks to the guards kneeling in front of the king and queen. "We have no choice." He says and looks quite serious. "Bring them in."
The guards nod and turn rushing out to do as ordered.
The queen puts a comforting hand on the kings shoulders getting him to turn to her. "It'll be ok." She says. "I'm sure we'll find him."
The king sighs and glances away. "I hope so." He responds to his wife's words.
Two people enter making the king and queen turn to them.
The queen removes her hand from the king.
The two people move forward then stop only to kneel respectfully.
"You called for us?" One speaks.
"Your highnesses." The other adds.
The king nods even though the two can't see since they are kneeling with their heads bowed. "Yes. We have a very important mission for you both." He says.
"Anything for you your highnesses." One of the people summoned says.