Owl from Mello to A

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

A,

Hey, just wanted to make sure you and the kittens cats are doing okay. If you need anything, let me know. I'll be in the common room for a while, avoiding the library like the plague if you want to talk.

M.

Comments

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

"Yes," I said, and before he could continue, I added, "The rest, A."

I told him how Near and I had been chosen, though since L died before he could pick which of us, we'd been asked to work together. I told him we worked separately, though. I explained our hunt through the notes L had left behind, gathering resources, of my work through the mafia to get to a point where we would have the clout to challenge Light since he'd taken to using L's name.

I told him how Near and I maneuvered Light into a corner, and how I died, how Matt died, and what I learned from Near of how Light went completely crazy and tried to kill everyone in the Yellow Box only to be caught after he confessed and of his own shinegami writing his name into the Death Note, of how Light snapped and begged for mercy and how it couldn't be found.

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

Light's death wasn't enough, A thinks bitterly. He didn't (wouldn't?) suffer enough.

One thing does make him smile a little, though.

"You made his father die?"

Nevermind that he's met Soichiro Yagami, that Soichiro was very kind to him. If it hurt Light at all, even a little...

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

"I didn't want him to die. He wasn't the enemy, just being used. I knew there was a chance, that he might have survived." We'll ignore the fact that he gave my name to that bastard. "I also didn't want to die, not before Light was cornered. I knew that I had information Near didn't and I had to get it to him."

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"L likes Near," A says a little distractedly. "He says they are friends."

Which is enough to make A think a little kindly of him, even though they don't really know each other.

"But, he just... Light, he just..." A says aloud what he had been thinking. "It was too easy."

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

"Maybe, but it was the worst think he could do to Light. He died in shame, raving, trapped by someone he didn't see as a worthy opponent. Near would have imprisoned him, only that wasn't an option the way things happened. With as many witnesses as they were and the enormity of the crimes he committed, there would have been a battle over the right to kill him and how."

I turned to face him. "He died like a rat and L's death was avenged, A. He was made a fool, a mockery. He died without dignity. He died knowing that L had defeated him. Near took up L's name, his purpose, everything, before he walked into the Yellow Box. Light lost to and died in front of L."

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"Too easy," A repeats, but it's at least a little consolation, to know that Light was defeated by L's friend.

"But it's not right. That he killed L."

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

"I agree. Light wasn't worthy of L. If it hadn't been for the notebook, L never would have been involved. It was only the method of death and proving in that drew L in. And you know, when one of us gets a puzzle, we don't stop until it's solved. Light was just scum with a parlor trick, that's all." I turn to face him. "He's not worthy of you, either. You're one of us. He's beneath all of us."

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"Stupid," A says a little smugly. "Something untraceable, and he got caught at all."

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

I nod, smiling, glad he's got the idea. "Exactly. None of us would have been caught so stupidly. Just think, he had the perfect weapon and he still got caught. Without his little Death Note, he's nothing. There's no way he could hurt L or any of us here. As for the other timeline, it's been four years. Near and I will begin putting the pressure on Light in a year. In this place, though, there's no record of that case. We've all looked."

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"But even if he can't, can't here, he would. He would hurt L." A frowns again, wanting desperately to be able to act, to make Light suffer for even thinking, under any circumstances, of hurting L.

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

I reach over and touch the back of A's hand very lightly. "Light is a coward, A. He hid behind a Death Note, a stolen name, a voice modulator. He's nothing. I know how you feel. I understand, I really do. I felt the same way when I heard about B's threats against Matt. That's why I practiced so hard with Matt, why I spent so much time in the library. Looking for the best way to keep him safe. It worked, too. L practices with me, both magic and fighting. If you want, I'll practice with you, too, so you're as strong as you can be. That, I think, is the best thing you can do."

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"But we hurt B," A says with satisfaction. "I made him hurt. Punished him."

Oh, how he wishes he could hurt Light the same way. Make him bleed, make him plead, scar him forever.

"I would like to learn. I would like to be strong."

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

"We hurt B because he attacked. If Light attacks, we will go after him, as well, all of us. But, we do not initiate, A. That makes us no better than them and we are better."

I nod. "We'll start, then. But, first, I would like to see the cats. They've gotten big since I last got a chance to play with them and they didn't want to leave you the other day." I really do like petting them. Near needn't worry, though. I don't want to sleep with them. One bed partner is quite enough.

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"I am sure they will be glad to see you," A says agreeably. "They like you. Would you like to give them some catnip?"

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

"Catnip?" I ask, just stopping myself from asking if it really is like pot for cats since I don't think he'd get the reference. "Yeah, that'd be cool. And, when they're played out, we'll go to the dojo and I'll see what you know and where we need to start, okay?"

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"They get very silly and happy when they have catnip," A tells him, standing. "I have to keep some very tightly sealed in a container in my closet to keep them from stealing it."

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

"I'd like to see that," I say, moving to follow him. I'm sure they could use some relief time as well.

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"Come with me and you will see it now," A says, relaxing a little. "They like to play, and they like it even more when they have catnip."

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

I bow a little, indicating for him to proceed me. "We'll play with them and then practice," I repeat for him. "When they're tired out, I'll show you where the dojo is. Though, you know. It's where we all had the meeting, with Kusu and everyone. When Near was getting sick."

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"I remember," A nods. It had been stressful for him.

His step becomes a little more sure as he makes his way to his room. The cats will be waiting, after all, and the catnip will please them.

"Will it be hard? Practicing?"

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

"At first, mostly because you're not used to it, but as you practice, it gets easier." I shrug. "You might need some of that willow bark tea of yours after because you'll be achy, but the more you practice, the less you hurt. Even falling stops hurting after a while because you learn to fall correctly."

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"Maybe I will drink it before, then, so it will already be working." There are other things he can add for pain, that will mask the bitterness somewhat. "if it needs to hurt I can stand it, but if it does not need to hurt I would rather not hurt."

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

"It hurts less as you learn what to do and as your endurance builds. The first time, if the willow bark dulls you at all, though, you should wait until after." I know it was in that tea they gave me when I was sick, but there were other things in it to put me to sleep, too.

[i-am-an-hero.livejournal.com]

"Willow bark can make your stomach hurt if you are sensitive, but it should not make you sleepy. Meadowsweet is gentler, and not so bitter, but it is not as strong."

[mello-n-choco.livejournal.com]

I blink. I hadn't expected a botany lesson, but the information may be useful. "Does willow bark bother your stomach?" I ask. "I know aspirin does a number on mine if I don't eat with it."