Disclaimer: I do not own Deathnote, if I did you would have seen A in at least two panels.

Mello's Pov:

"Mello? Are you okay?" Matts voice sounded from across the room, causing me to look up at him from my place on my bed.

"I think so?" I responded, giving him an inquiring look, not sure what he quite meant. Sure I had things on my mind, but I'm sure everyone in the house did. Maybe mine were a little more exeptional though. More apparent.

He looked away, going back to his math textbook as he responded. "It's just you seem to have been really distant since you punched that guy, I know it was a big day for us of course, but is something bothering you?" He asked me, his eyes firmly on his textbook.

"'I'm fine" I told him, going back to my own english book. I saw him nod slightly out of the corner of my eye, probably wanting to pry, but he just left it.

"Are you sure Mels?" He spoke up a few minutes later, giving me a sideways look. I shrugged, sitting up in my bed.

"I'm fine" I repeated "just tired I suppose" I lied to him. I didn't want to tell him what was going through my head, I wasnt even sure it was right. Well, surely it was wrong, but still, if what I was feeling was just a phase, then it would just mess things up if he knew. It was probably just a phase, I shouldn't even think about it.

"Alright" He simply responded, running a hand through his hair as he turned back to his book once again. I watched for a moment as he twirled a strand of red in between his fingers, my eyes drifting around his body for a moment before I pulled my gaze away. Cringing at the slight warmth on my cheeks. Surely I wasnt attracted to my best friend? That was wrong, it was so wrong, I couldn't...

My frantic line of thought was interrupted by a loud knock on the door, causing my head to raise, but I didnt have time to ask who it was before the door burst open. Revealing a grinning ravenette as he stepped inside our room.

"What do you want?" I growled at the teen before he could even try speaking up, earning a slight frown from him as his mood dimmed.

"Nothing really, I was just wondering if you would like to go to a party with us" He stated, an eyebrow raised at me as I only glared at him. "Hm?" He sounded in mild confusion after I didn't respond for a few moments.

I snorted, "No, go by yourself" I didn't feel like going out, not in the slightest.

"Sorry but.." He began as he walked up to me and grabbed my arm, effectively pulling me off of the bed "When I asked, I meant you had too" He finished, a firm grip on my arm as I kept my own hold on my bed-frame.

"No, I don't feel like it" I deadpanned, trying uselessly to get my arm back. The guy was pretty strong despite his appearance.

"Who's gonna be there?" Matt spoke up from his bed, causing me to frown. Leave it to Matt to want to go, whatever, he can do whatever he wants.

"Naomi, L, Light, Misa, Teru, and quite a few others" He offered, still holding my arm firmly.

"So its your whole group" Matt concluded, and indeed it was, I don't even know how L or Beyond got into the popular group of kids at school, but then again it could have been because of Light. the guy was like a doll, perfect in every damn way. "Lets go Mells, you're done most of your work anyways" He eventually said, earning my best glare, of course it didn't faze him though.

After a straight minute of glaring between the two I sighed, giving in. Going out wouldn't be to bad, Its not like I was going to do anything else here besides study anyways, I just had to withhold from punching anybody. "Fine" I told the teen beside myself, getting my arm back as I stood up and rubbed it gingerly.

"Alright then, get dressed and meet us downstairs" He told us, giving a slight wave as he slid out of the room.

Huffing, I stood up and walked over to my closet, opening the doors to find my vest. I tore off my flannel long sleeve before easily slipping on the leather vest.

"Why'd you want to go?" I questioned Matt as I turned back, "Usually you want to stay in and play video games"

He shrugged "I thought you could use the fresh air, staying in isn't helping whatever is bothering you" He stated blandly as he stood up, "You ready?"

I scowled at him a little, but it was quite halfhearted "Yea, lets go"

L's Pov:

"Beyond, why the hell did we let you drive?" Mello grumbled as he hopped out of the car, sending the black haired teen a glare as he did so.

Matt chuckled from behind him as he followed suit, "I drive way worse than Beyond, Mells, you shouldn't be complaining"

"Yea, well I trust you" He told the redhead pointedly, earning a smile from the boy.

"Mells loves me" He teased, wrapping his arms around the blond's back.

Promptly Mello's face turned light pink, "You're an idiot" he grumbled as he shook of the other teens arms. Matt pouted, but let go.

"Don't worry, next time I will make sure that Light-kun drives" I told them, twisting a lollipop around in my fingers as I made my way to the lit up building across the parking lot.

Seeing that I was departing, Beyond quickly made his way up beside me, slinging an arm around my shoulders, much to my chagrin. "I'm not that bad of a driver am I?" He questioned, his voice full of mockery.

"It depends on how you define bad" I drawled, "You don't crash, but you don't follow the rules either, it depends on your opinion" I told him honestly as I shrugged off his arm.

"I see.." He trailed off thoughtfully as his arm fell back at his side.

I glanced back to the rest of out group behind us, Matt silently tagging along beside Mello as per usual, while the blond was talking about something with Light. I knew there was something going on between Mello and Matt, I could see it as clear as day. Especially living with them for ten days now, there was no doubt. Though I wondered what was going through their heads, neither of them had told the other anything from what I could tell.

Relationships could be so fickle, So it was understandable. There were things like; what if it would ruin our friendship, what will other people think, and the fact that it is not socially acceptable.

Which is why I'm not in one, and I don't want to be. Unless the other person can match me in intelligence, but I think only Light would be able to do that. It was an interesting thought, being with Light, but I doubted the idea was exactly correct. Not that I was against it, it was just out of my comfort zone. The chance that Light was interested, was also very low, then again Light was tough for even me to read.

I made my way up the stairs of the brick building, reaching the door and promptly opening it. Letting Beyond walk past me into the noisy building, before I went in myself, letting Light catch the door as I let go of it. Inside was crowded already, as expected. Every guy here was probably hoping to get with Misa, and every girl with Light. The thought made me want to cringe, Light would never like any of them, he already doesn't like Misa as it is.

"L, Light, your late" A familiar voice sounded from behind me, and I didn't have to turn around to know that it was Takada. I tilted my head to the side to look at the japanese girl, today dressed in a white dress shirt and gray skirt, different from her school uniform, but still familiar. I smiled at her.

"I apologize, Beyond decided last minute that we should bring Matt and Mello" I told her.

She nodded in response, "Well, I'm glad that you could come" She turned her attention to the younger duo beside Light. "you too, Matt, Mello"

"Of course" The blond told her, while Matt only smiled.

Matt's Pov:

"Mello, you're underage" L noted, staring blankly at the cup of beer.

"One more year and I will be of age in England" The leather clad blond countered, taking another sip from his cup defiantly. L frowned slightly, but only shook his head and turned away, walking back into the crowd with his signature slouch.

"I dont think L agrees with your logic" I told Mello from my place beside the table, where I was leaning on it, "Or he just has better things to do" I added.

Mello only shrugged, taking a sip from his cup again before setting it down on the table "I don't really care" he told me.

"Thought so" I drawled absentmindedly, letting my eyes drift around the crowded room without any real purpose.

"Hey, what are you two doing over here?" A familiar voice spoke from behind me, causing me to turn my head to see Naomi across the table. I had met the girl on the second day of school, and ever since she had been quite friendly. I liked her quite a lot.

"Just hanging around" I offered, giving her a light smile.

"ah I see, do you wanna come play some games with Takada and I?" She asked with a smile.

"Um sure" I turned to Mello "Do you want to?" I asked, not really wanting to go unless my friend did too.

He shrugged. "Might as well"

"Alright, come on then" She said as she picked up an extra cup of punch and signaled for us to follow her. Me and Mello both nodded, following a few feet behind her as we made our way through the hallways. I was quite amazed by the sheer size of this place when I first got here, I guess that girl, Takada, was from a wealthy family. It didn't surprise me really, the girl had a rich personality, if anything I pictured her in a house like this.

"Here we are" Naomi said as she opened up a door to what was apparently a study. There was a desk in the middle, a few couches, a coffee table, curtains over the window and a fish tank. All themed in modern grays and whites. I couldn't say I shared her style, her clothing was so proper and formal, even in casual company, it just wasn't my thing. There were four people inside, Takada, as mentioned before, Beyond, and two other boys that I didn't recognize, all settled around a monopoly board.

"I brought guests, I hope you don't mind" She told them inside once we stepped in, catching the attention of everyone.

"Not at all" Takada said, sending me and Mello a smile as she was handed a cup of punch. "Come sit down, we haven't gone far so we can restart the game" She offered, waving towards where Beyond was sitting. Me and Mello nodded, moving around the room to sit beside Beyond, across from the two other boys.

Takada set at rearranging the board, followed by the others shortly. In no more than a few seconds the entire board was reset and we were rolling to see who goes first.

"Okay, Mello, Beyond, Takahashi, Rai, Naomi me and then Matt goes last" Takada stated, handing Mello the dice. "Roll a good one" She told him.

"I will" My friend said with a rather cocky smirk as he rolled a twelve, landing right on Connecticut Avenue, for 120 dollars "I'll buy it" He stated, handing the money to Beyond who was running the bank.

"Good choice mate" The ravenette drawled, taking the paper bills and handing him the property.

It was almost surprising how long the game went on when there was so many people playing, it felt like it went on forever before it was my turn, and even then I only rolled a nine and lost my next turn. I growled when I picked up the card, but simply slipped it back under the pile after reading it, and handed the dice to Mello.

"bad luck" Naomi drawled, thoughtfully observing the board.

"Oh, shut it" I told her jokingly as I watched Mello roll again.

"It was bad luck" Mello agreed with a chuckle "But it doesn't matter because I'm winning" He stated, earning a a light elbow in the side, followed by my own chuckle.

I'm going to get some punch" I told the group as I stood up from the floor, earning a few distracted nods and 'okay's. I hissed at the stiffness in my legs from sitting on the floor for so long, and stretched as I made my way to the door.

The party had not cooled down at all during the hour we were playing Monopoly, I had realized once I go into the main room, and concerning the game, Mello was of course right, he was in the lead. But I was glad that he was in a better mood, I knew his competitive streak would cheer him up if anything.

I made my way to the party's table, finding a cup and pouring some punch into it, meanwhile eyeing the crowd in the room. Many teens that I barely recognized, as well as a few that were familiar from school milled about, talking, drinking and dancing. I didn't know where Light was, or L, I would have expected them to be hanging out with us, but I supposed that they had their own friends separate from adopted family.

I frowned at the thought, I was comfortable at wammy's house, but then they had to tear us away and place us in Japan without explanation. Mello had figured it was because no one in England wanted us, but I didn't believe that, it didn't make sense. Just because we were in a certain program. I took a sip of the punch, cringing at the sweet flavor, it wouldn't quench my thirst at all, but it was better then, say, alcohol.

"Hey"

I turned my head at the sound of the voice, to see a drunken Korean girl leaning against the table with a smile on her face. Clearly she was intoxicated, I had thought Japanese teens weren't so wild...As portrayed by playing Monopoly at a party like this.

"Hello" I responded, making to walk back to the room where the others currently were, I didn't want to deal with her. But before I could take even a few steps she grabbed my arm, the one holding the punch, and caused it to splash over my shirt. I yelped in surprise, pulling my arm back and giving the girl a incredulous look.

"What!?" I questioned, grabbing a napkin and wiping what I could off my shirt.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to" She pouted drunkenly as she backed up, holding up her hands apologetically.

"It's fine" I sighed "Be more careful next time tho-" Before I could continue the sentence her lips were crushed against mine, and her hands on my back holding me in a tight grip. I gasped into the sloppy kiss, before pointedly shoving her off of me. My eyes met her deep brown ones, though the sultrily pout that they held earned nothing from me. "No-" I stuttered uncertainly, before sighing and looking away from her "You're drunk, just go hang out with your friends or something" I felt bad as soon as the words exited my mouth, her face turning into one on the brim of tears.

"Um-Alright-I'm just gonna go drive home then" She told me, turning away with one hand running through her hair.

"What-" She couldn't drive like that, no way. "Hey!" I piped, grabbing her shoulder lightly, causing her to turn around with a questioning look on her face. "I'll drive you, there's no way your going to drive home like this" I told her with a frown, it didn't matter if she was going to make a move on me, or that I didn't have a license in Japan, I couldn't let her drive home and possibly crash. I could just picture seeing it in the news the next day...

She nodded faintly, "Okay"

I sighed in relief "Just stay here for a moment, I'm going to ask Light if I can borrow L's car keys okay?"

Mello's pov:

I watched from my place by the stairs as Matt led a girl out of the building, my fists tightened angrily and tears threatening to fall from my face. She kissed him, and then he takes her out to the car with L's keys? I couldn't even think, I could only process what I had just seen.

I could feel that familiar anger bubbling up in my stomach, and I only had a vague explanation for it. Just, how could he? Tonight was about friends, not hooking up with some random girl. Or maybe she wasn't so random, maybe he has known her for awhile by now. I couldn't believe it, my Matt, my best friend, taking some girl out..I couldn't think about it, the image made my stomach churn. I should have expected this, he is bi, but he had never ever even shown an interest in girls. I felt betrayed by my own best friend.

With a huff I turned around and marched down the hallway, going past the room where the game of monopoly was currently on hold. All the way down towards the bathroom where I entered and promptly slammed the door behind myself. No sooner than the door closed did I smack my fist against the marble wall, cringing as pain seared through my knuckles, but I hardly paid attention to it as I sunk down to the floor and into a position I wouldn't even let Matt see me in. Curled up with my head buried in my knees.

"Dammit Matt" I whispered through faint sobs. "What are you doing to me? You just-" I paused there. What did he do? Go out with a girl like a normal teenager would, though he abandoned the game..No. I had no reason to feel this way.

"Fuck!" I groaned, slamming my fist against the linoleum flooring. "Why Matt, why do you always have to be there? And now I think..." I trailed off through choked sobs, curling into myself even more. "I can't, I can't, this is supposed to be just a phase, like every other teenager.."

Beyond's Pov:

"Beyond, rewash those, we can't have unclean dishes" Sachiko told me has she walked past the sink on her way out of the kitchen. I grumbled in response, but complied, pulling the dishes out of the rack and dumping them dejectedly into the water once again. I disliked dishes, L could do them perfectly, but I could never, and they looked just fine to me.

I sighed, whatever, there were worse things than dishes to deal with... Shaking the thought from my head, I peaked into the living room where Matt and Mello were currently sitting. A familiar dark cloud settled over them, I frowned, ever since we got back from the party last night they had been tense, Mello mostly, but Matt was certainly effected. I cocked an eyebrow as Matt questioned Mello once again about his mood, while Mello only shrugged him off, saying it was nothing, once again.

"Mels, something is wrong, stop saying its nothing" Matt demanded of him firmly. Only to earn another huff as Mello crossed his arms.

"I'm fine, just leave it okay? It doesn't concern you.." He trailed off as Matt only glared at him, eventually raising a defiant eyebrow.

"Mello, we are best friends, of course it concerns me" The redhead told his friend pointedly, though Mello didn't look like he was going to budge.

"Hey guys?" I questioned after another small bout of silence, earning two irritated looks.

"What?" Mello grumbled.

"I was just wondering if you would like me to leave so you can talk" I suggested, though I knew there was no point. If they wanted they could just leave themselves. Matt was probably in the process of figuring it out anyways, I could see it in his expression. The boy was bright, I'd give him that, But he was also ignorant to things he didn't want to know.

"That won't be necessary, we don't have anything to talk about" Mello huffed, turning his gaze back to Matt's concerned one. "There isn't, so stop giving me that puppy look, Matt" He told the boy as his friends face turned into one of hurt, but also in faint understanding.

"Mell-"

"No, there is nothing to talk-"

"Did you see that girl kiss me last night, is that it?" The younger teen demanded, while Mello froze on the spot. I just turned back to my sink of dishes, discretely paying attention to their conversation.

"What kiss?" The blond asked, though even I could tell he was lying through his teeth.

"Mello she was drunk, I pushed her away and then when she said she was going to drive home I offered her a ride. I couldn't just let her drive home drunk like that" The striped boy rushed, not even pausing in his sentence as he explained. While Mello only snorted and stood up from his seat.

"Why would I care about you kissing a girl? You can do what you want you know" He told Matt as he began to walk away.

"Mello wait" Matt piped, jumping from his seat as well, preparing to follow the blond.

"No, fuck off, your bothering me" Mello grumbled.

Making up my own mind, I cut into their clear disagreement. "Guys, I have to pick up some things for supper tonight, do you two want to come to the market with me? you can get some chocolate Mello, I'll pay" I added, seeing the incredulous look on both boys' faces.

Mello paused, before he decidedly shrugged, cooling down slightly from his previous demeanor, "What time?" he asked, this time only a faint undertone of frustration in his voice.

"Thirty minutes" I supplied.

He looked thoughtful for a minute, and I thought he was going to decline until he spoke up. "Alright, let me get dressed" He said, before promptly exiting the room, the sound of his footsteps following his exit as he made his way up the stairway.

Matt stared in his direction for a moment, before sighing lightly and following. I sighed as well once the redhead was out of view, turning back to my dishes and hurrying to finish them with a frown. The least Matt could do was thank me, Mello would have most likely gotten way more angry then that if I didn't interrupt, and now I was obligated to make supper.

"Its called katsudon" I supplied, looking at my list again, "Its the only thing I know how to cook" I added admittedly.

"katsdoom?" Matt asked, a confused expression on his face.

"No, katsudon, Kat-tsu-don" I corrected slowly, but absentmindedly as I sifted through a shelf of nori.

"Oh, katsudon" The redhead realized, nodding sheepishly.

"You know Japanese fluently, but you have trouble pronouncing katsudon?" I asked him incredulously, raising my eyebrows as I handed a package of nori to the counter clerk.

Matt shrugged in response, "Just because I can speak Japanese doesn't mean I have to be able to pronounce every dish you know" He countered while crossing his arms.

I nodded as I received my purchases in a bag, and turned back to Matt. "I guess, but anyways, where did Mello go?" I asked him, earning an expertly confused expression from the boy.

"What do you mean?" He asked as he turned to look behind himself, a smirk formed on my face, as his lips formed an 'oh' in realization. I had noticed Mello leaving the second we arrived at this shop, I just didn't mention it, I doubted he was going to get into trouble anyways. Matt then turned back to me "When did he leave?" he questioned curiously.

I only shrugged, beginning to walk away from the shop and down the crowded pathway. Matt followed behind me, probably hoping that I knew where his blond friend went as his eyes flitted around the market grounds. "Knowing him, he will find us eventually" I told the stripe clad boy, earning an agreeing nod, though he didn't stop his visual search as we came up to another shop full of spices.

Taking my time, I found everything I needed from the shop, before paying and moving on to an indoor meats shops. I dislike the smell of these shops, ever since I got to Japan really. They smelt fishy, mainly that was what I hated, but they did tend to carry fancy jams for whatever reason, so it was generally worth it.

I made my way to their jam shelf, carefully observing the brands until I found the one I wanted and picked it up gingerly, copying L's signature movement with my thumb and middle fingers. I was painfully aware of Matt's inquiring gaze as I did this, and turned my head to look at him, catching him slightly by surprise. "Yes?" I asked, knowing what he wanted to ask, But it was fun to play with the awkward boy.

"Uh, nothing" He replied, shaking his head and shoving his hands into his pockets much like Light would do, not like mine or L's way.

I snorted, going over to the counter and asking the clerk for nine pork loin chops, I waited patently as the clerk went into the back to get what I needed. Meanwhile Matt was looking a little antsy, whether is was from Mello disappearing or me catching his expression I didn't know, though it was probably a mix of both. The two were quite inseparable, and I suspected that they had been together 24-7 since they were little. Not the greatest thing, but who was I to talk, Me and A were like that, until I had to leave..no, I couldn't go telling myself that, we were supposed to come here together. I frowned, letting my eyes shift to the floor as all the hurt from that day came flooding back, the memory never seemed to go away.

"Beyond?" Matt questioned, his head tilted to the side as he noticed my sudden change in disposition.

"Yea?" I responded tonelessly, bringing my gaze to his face.

"Are you okay, you look..." He trailed off, not able to describe my expression out loud.

"I'm fine, just remembered something" Something I would rather forget at this point, I reminded myself. Just then the door to the shop swung open and a cheerful blond teen entered the store, walking over to us smoothly with a bag in hand.

Matt's attention immediately shifted to Mello, before he spoke up "Where'd you go?" He questioned as the blond came up beside him.

"Chocolate shopping, is that really a question?" The blond supplied sarcastically, pulling a fancy English chocolate bar out of the bag pointedly before dropping it back in.

Matt nodded "You could have told me, not just left" he told the blond, earning a smirk.

"That would have ruined the point"

That earned a raised eyebrow from the redhead, "Exactly what point?"

"That would ruin it too" The blond supplied, and this time Matt only shook his head with a sigh and let a slight smile come onto his lips, glad that his friend was in a much better mood then previously.

Authors note: Do you know how difficult this was? It took me all month to get it out, and now I'm done, and I'm not sure if it's that great. So tell me what you think please, it would be well appreciated :)