A/N: I managed to drag myself away from Sims 3, idk how. It's technically still open... I'll probably return to it after I've posted this chapter XD 

Anyway, I had half of this written last night because I couldn't stop writing XD I'm not satisfied with the last part of this chapter though, idk why. 

Chapter Twenty-Two –

Mello's POV

I stand there stunned as the black-haired girl runs from sight. What did I just do? One minute we're arguing and then I'm –

I can't be attracted to her! No way. She's annoying. She passes out from a silly explosion. Plus she's L's sister. That makes her completely off limits. I shouldn't even be thinking of being attracted to a girl. I have to win against Near. I have to catch Kira before he can. I can't have a girl take up my thoughts or my effort. I can't let her get in the way of my victory.

I hear a door slam shut upstairs and I consider going up there to talk to her.

Maybe leaving her alone would be best?

I should start thinking about how I should defeat Near while I have some free time.

Benihime's POV

I stand under the shower and let the warm water relax my muscles and my pounding heart.

I lean my head back and let the water hit my face, keeping my eyes shut tight.

What happened? Why do I feel so weird about what happened?

Do I like Mello?

Hell no.

He was a member of the Mafia! He's a criminal! I don't even want to know what crimes he committed.

He's so angry too! He always ends up shouting and it pisses me off!

He also kidnapped me! I did go along with him, but I would have been killed if I didn't! Well, I wasn't really much of a prisoner since I was allowed to walk around. I can easily escape now, since we're not exactly at a Mafia base anymore. I doubt he'd let me run back to LA though, I'm fairly certain we're still in New York.

I've never had to deal with boys before. I've grown up being ignored by most. I was the weird kid that no one noticed. Thinking about it, I don't think I've ever had a friend. So it's no surprise that I don't know how to deal with Mello.

I climb out of the shower when I've finished and look around the room desperately for a towel... until I remembered I never brought one in with me. Thinking about it, Abi never stated where the towels are either.

I let out a sigh. My options are to stand and wait for my body to dry off, or make my clothes damp by just putting them on anyway, or ask Mello to get a towel for me.

I open the shower door and step out, I carefully step over to the door – making sure I don't slip on the tiles. I open the door, hiding myself behind it.

"Mello?" I call out. Nothing. "Mello!?" I shout, I hear footsteps run up the stairs and I quickly panic. What if Mello barges into the bathroom thinking I've been hurt? "I forgot a towel." I explain very quickly. I squeeze my eyes shut and pray that he doesn't walk in.

"How can you forget a towel?" He comments, and I hear his footsteps retreat for a brief amount of time. He returns and holds out a towel out through the gap.

I take the fluffy material and mutter a quick "thanks," before shutting the door, making sure his arm is safely away from the frame so I don't injure him.

I dry my body off quickly and pull on my clothes. I then dry my hair as best as I can before running my hands through the tangles. I need to buy a hairbrush as well. I also need to ask Abi what I should do with my arm, the bandage is all wet and I don't know whether I should change it or not.

I glance in the bathroom mirror and try not to freak out when I see my appearance. I wipe away the condensation and take a closer look. I need to get my hair cut. It has gotten really long as I haven't had it cut in months. It goes to the middle of my back. I frown. I also stare at my eyes, I've developed dark circles beneath them, causing me to look almost like my brother.

I throw the towel in the basket and exit the room, not taking another look at my reflection.

Even if I did like Mello, there's no way he'd like me back. I'm not pretty, so there's no way he could find me attractive.

I guess it is the personality that counts – but he made it clear that he doesn't like my personality one bit.

I pace around my temporary bedroom as I delve deeper into my thoughts.

I definitely don't like Mello. I don't. No way. So why am I considering it?

I'm going crazy.

It's just Stockholm's Syndrome.

That's it.

So that clearly means I should escape. I should go back to Near.

There must be a library nearby, or something where I can make a phone call and arrange a way home.

I stop pacing when I hear a door open and I realise how late it is.

"Mello? Benihime? Are you guys home?" A woman's voice shouts to us. I open the door to the room and quickly walk down the steps. Standing in the living room is a middle-aged woman with greying brown hair. Her eyes are a kind shade of green and she offers me a polite smile. "I'm glad to see you're awake. You didn't look too good when Mello brought you here." She stretches her hand out towards me. "I'm Abi."

I take her hand. "Thank you for looking after me." I drop her hand and give her a smile, letting her know I'm truly grateful for her help.

"It's no problem, I owe it to Mello. He helped my son with his schoolwork when my husband and I were too busy with work. I've known Mello for several years now. It feels like yesterday when my husband found him beaten up in an alley and brought him here for me to look after." Abi explains. She sits down on the sofa and pats the space next to her. I take a seat. "Anyway, how long have you been awake? Have you had anything to eat? Do your bandages need changing?"

"I've been awake for a few hours, I guess. No... and I'm not sure. They're still damp from my shower." I explain. Her eyes become wide and she lightly grasps my bandaged arm, she begins to tug the bandages away from my arm and pulls out a new roll from her bag. I'm presuming she's a nurse.

My skin is red and I look away quickly. It's definitely going to leave a scar, that's for sure.

"So, how did you get to know Mello?" She asks. I freeze, not knowing whether she knows about him being in the Mafia.

"Uh-" I begin to say, but get cut off by a certain blond.

"We met in LA. She lives there actually. I thought I'd show her the area where I live. I never thought the gang I used to be in would drag us to their hideout and attempt to blow us up." He lies smoothly. She doesn't know.

I look at Abi and gouge her reaction to his words. Does she know he's lying? Her eyes become wide and a grin spreads across her face.

"Are the two of you dating?" She asks immediately, her face glowing in anticipation of the answer. I go to shake my head and deny it as Mello agrees. I turn to look at him in confusion, why is he wanting us to act like we're dating? What is he trying to achieve? "That's amazing news! I always knew you'd find someone special, Mello!" She gushes as she finishes wrapping my arm up in bandages. She stands up quickly and I watch her as she heads in the direction of the kitchen. "I'll leave the two of you alone while I make us some dinner!"

I look back at Mello and frown. I mouth a "What the hell!"

He rolls his eyes and sits in the spot next to me. "Just go along with it!" He hisses and I glare at him.

"Why should I?" I spit back in reply and furrow my eyebrows.

"We can't have her suspecting what's really going on. She thinks I was a troubled teen who ran away from home and got messed up in illegal stuff. She let me live here for a while when I began working for the Mafia. I left when I was old enough to pretend to get my own apartment and a well-paid job. We'll be leaving in a week anyway. You can go back to Near and I can go back to capturing Kira. We'll never have to talk again after that. So just do this one last favour for me." He hisses.

I let out a sigh of defeat. "Fine." I mumble. "I'll go along with it." I can't help but feel sad at the thought about not seeing Mello again; but I just put those feelings to it being Stockholm's Syndrome. I definitely don't like him.

A/N: Vote and comment if you enjoyed the chapter! Let me know what you think! 

This is #318 in Fanfiction at the moment, thank you :3 also, 39k reads o.O thanks so much!! :D You're the best readers ever :3 

Today's question: What song do you think fits this story? 

For the past few chapters I've been listening to Blue Bird by Ikimono-Gakari, Silhouette (Shiruetto) by Kana-Boon and Again by Yui. I prefer listening to songs I can't understand when writing because the music itself inspires what I write, rather than the meaning and lyrics of the song. 

Instragram (I post drawings): Alicelovesanime 

Tumblr: Fullpikachualchemist

YouTube: ImmortalAlice (though if you do want to find it you have to search Alice Plays Yandere Simulator :L) 

- Alice