The Flaw

Suggested Listening: The Catalyst by Linkin Park (ONLY good song on new cd)

Part 4

~Shock~

Mello was still trying to process what he was seeing, the pain he was feeling in his lower abdomen, when Matt picked him up into his arms. He didn't even think to protest, a little more than panicked, as Matt started yelling for Watari or L, whoever was closest.

He was taken to their own medical ward and a doctor was called, one on L's payroll.

Mello had nothing to tell them about what could have caused the bleeding, and there didn't seem to be anything obvious wrong either, but then Matt spoke up about the discomfort and pain Mello had been feeling for the last few days and the doctor listened raptly. Mello hadn't even thought of it.

There were no internal injuries, bleeding or otherwise, nothing had burst and when it appeared that Mello wasn't about to die from bloodless or anything immediate of the sort things slowed down to a less frantic pace, one that his foggy mind could actually follow.

There was test after test but there seemed to be nothing wrong with him. Nothing that would cause blood to...

Mello prided himself on not being afraid of really anything, but what was happening scared the hell out of him. It wasn't normal, no where near normal, and he was happy to have had Matt take charge. Though he'd never admit it.

Matt had stayed with him the entire time all the tests were going on and despite the embarrassment of the situation he appreciated it. The one thing he hadn't appreciated, was having everyone else in the room along with him, especially Near.

That damn albino just stood there in the corner and stared at him with his large blank eyes, as though he was enjoying the situation. Though Mello wouldn't be surprised if he was, that little bastard...

"Alright, I am going to request that everyone please leave the room. I can't get accurate results if his heart rate and blood pressure are increasing because of you."

Mello stared thoughtfully at the doctor; Mello hadn't thought he'd been that obvious, though it might have had something to do with the angry lurch his heart made every time he glanced at Near... damn heart monitor didn't let him hide his discomfort.

Mello shrank further back into the bed as Matt hesitated; he really didn't want the redhead to leave and he almost sighed in relief as Matt stayed seated despite the doctor eying him expectantly.

"He can stay." Mello muttered and ignored the smile directed his way. It shouldn't have been surprising that his best friend calmed him down, and yet in a way, it was.

"Alright, I'm going to do an Ultrasound. While there doesn't seem to be any trace of tumors or abnormal growths I can't rule them out and using the ultrasound will give me a better look." the doctor told him reassuringly; he was an older gentleman though not as old as Watari nor quite as young as L.

And despite him having been genuinely nice the entire time, Mello hated being treated like he were ten rather than seventeen. Yes he was freaked out, but that didn't mean he wasn't intelligent enough to know what an Ultrasound did. He didn't comment on it though.

Nor did Mello think it was odd for L to have one of those machines in the medical ward. L spared no expense with that floor, and had just about every possible thing a doctor or technician could want. Just about meaning that Mello hadn't seen an MRI machine in the place yet, though after this he expected one to be flown in.

Mello flinched as his shirt was pushed back, slacks already low on his hips, and his stomach assaulted by the cold gel. He watched, eyes transfixed, as the device was rolled over his flat stomach, though it was uncomfortable and put pressure where it hurt.

The screen wasn't facing his way so he couldn't tell what the 'hmm' and 'I thought so...' meant. It made that unfamiliar spark of fear race through him and even Matt's hand on his arm didn't help. Doctors were all about the patient, and yet it seemed they did all they could to make patients uncomfortable.

The doctor wiped the gel from Mello's stomach gently and Mello yanked his shirt back down as the man stood up. "I will be back in one moment." the doctor said with a smile as he stood and swiftly walked from the room, though Mello could hear his voice from just outside the door. He couldn't shake the feeling that it was bad news.

"You'll be fine Mello." Matt told him, as though he had read his thoughts. Mello nodded mutely but knew that only the results would show if that were true or not.

Hardly a second later everyone who had been booted from the room was back, though Near stayed by the doorway, far enough away where Mello wasn't as tempted to throw something at him. Too bad too as all the closest things were nice and pointy.

"I wanted all of you to be here for this, as it didn't make any sense to tell you separately."

"What is Mello's diagnosis?" Watari asked, though Mello wished he could have formed the words himself.

"It appears that you Mello, are on your period." there was dead silence after the doctor had said it and Mello felt for sure it was some sort of sick joke and yet no one was laughing.

"E-excuse me?" he managed to stutter out. There was no way- that man had to be mistaken!

"I said you are on your period." the older man said gently.

"I heard that part! But it's impossible, I'm a guy. And believe it or not I paid attention in class and I most certainly do not have the female parts necessary to get that..!" he snarled but quietened as Matt nudged his side.

"Actually, you do." the doctor said with a bit of a wince.

Mello's jaw dropped. "What? Since when?" he had... he had...

"Here, let me show you." the doctor lifted Mello's shirt again, Mello more than sufficiently subdued, and put more of that obscenely cold gel on his stomach and rolled it around as a picture began to show on the screen. He showed them what he had theorized after some of the tests showed and odd amount of hormones that should not be present in a normal male.

He had a uterus. He had a fucking uterus that Mello knew hadn't been there before.

"It is looks relatively normal doesn't appear to be harming you in any way. You were born with this and probably acquired from an unborn twin while you were still a fetus. I would say that despite no prior indication of this, the pain you have been feeling the last few days was probably the premenstrual side effects and your body adjusting to the changes for the first cycle."

Mello honestly felt as though he were having a nightmare, the only problem being he couldn't wake up from it.

"I suggest getting in contact with a specialist. This sort of thing is far beyond my knowledge. You would be better off with someone trained in that area." Mello didn't want to hear that. And he most certainly didn't want to be talked to by someone who specialized in parts he shouldn't even have!

"You will also need some sort of pad or other absorbent fabric that will absorb the blood before it gets onto your clothing. You may have to adjust whatever you buy as they are made for women, not men."

Mello simply sat there, letting his mind soak up the information. He vaguely heard L suggest that he use a few moments to take in everything before they all met up in the computer room. Mello didn't know why L wanted to meet, and for once, didn't really care.

Mello looked forlornly at the doctor, doubting that the man would be able to answer any of the questions that suddenly burned in his mind. Hell, Mello doubted anyone could answer them.

"Mello?"

Matt's voice suddenly cut into his thoughts and he had forgotten the redhead was there with how utterly quiet he was. No games were pulled out and his goggles had been pushed to the top of his head. Mello titled his head to the side, not up to having to speak quite yet. He would get used to it, he would have to until he figured out if there was something he could do about it, but he needed time...

"Um... you're bleeding through..." Matt trailed off, looking uncomfortable. Mello groaned as he looked down. He had indeed 'bled through' the material given to him earlier. What a fucking disgusting problem.

"Can you see if anyone decided to get anything to stop this?" he waved to his lower half, face heated in embarrassment despite the need to voice the question. Matt looked more than happy to leave for the moment, but Mello knew not to be offended. It was a very... odd situation.

He let his head flop to the pillow with a sigh of resignation. The motion sent a wave of pain up from his pelvic area and he groaned, turning to his side a little and cradling his stomach as though it would help.

Mello remembered some of the horror stories the girls had gossiped with each other about, reasons to skip class and stay in bed all day. He had thought they were just lazy and used it as an excuse. But damn did it hurt!

The pain had steadily been increasing, like someone was scraping a knife along his insides...it was hardly a pleasant feeling. "Hey Mello, apparently Watari went out to get you something-Mello?"

Mello opened his eyes, having only just closed them as the knife feeling kicked up a notch, and caught sight of Matt's concern. The redhead must not have been paying attention as his face was generally expressionless if he could help it. Mello had no idea why Matt was so hung up on not showing emotions and he'd always filed it away as something in the 'things we don't talk about' category.

"Hopefully he'll be back soon." Mello muttered, completely ignoring Matt's concern.

"Mello-" Matt's tone held a warning and Mello grimaced.

"I'm fine." he said shortly. He didn't like to show any weakness if he could help it, even to Matt. So despite the pain pulling at him he grinned. Matt's less than pleased frown said he didn't believe him, though Matt stayed silent.

"I was really only trying to sleep-"

"Keep lying Mello." Matt told him. Mello sighed again. He really didn't want to deal with an angry Matt on top of everything else. For all their smarts, Mello thought they acted incredibly immature at times...

"It only hurts a little..." he mumbled finally, hardly liking the dark look on Matt's face and wanting it gone.

"You could probably get something for it, girls must have something they can take-"

"I'm not a girl, Matt!" how could Matt even suggest-

"I know you're not a girl. I've walked in on you changing too many times not to know that, but you do have a rather girly problem at the moment and if you can ease the pain then you should do so. Holding it in until you pass out or something isn't going to make you 'macho'." Matt smirked at him and Mello hid his face in the pillow.

Oh how Matt had to remind him of those times. It had been so awkward between the two of them afterwards. But Mello wouldn't completely fault Matt; it wasn't the gamer's fault he'd forgotten to lock the bathroom door as he stripped.

"Boys." a soft voice called out in greeting, it made Mello jump slightly as he hadn't heard anyone come in. Watari stood a few feet over with two bags in his hands, two bags that Mello assumed contained things that were now his.

"When you are finished please meet with L in the designated location." Watari inclined his head slightly as he handed over the bags to Matt, who had reached out, before leaving them as quickly as he had appeared.

"You can make it to the bathroom alright by yourself?" Matt asked. Mello flushed in anger and snatched the bags from Matt's grip.

"Yes." he hissed and pretended he hadn't seen the flash of hurt in Matt's eyes. Throwing his legs over the side Mello gripped the material closer to him careful not to let it slip. He felt Matt's eyes following him and hobbled along. He didn't care if the girls had to deal with it most of their life, he wanted it gone.

Mello shut the bathrooms door and locked it. He was more than happy there was a bathroom just outside the main entrance to the ward, he as it didn't require him to walk through the hallway as he was.

With a frown he pulled the clothy material away from himself and used the clean portions to wash himself down. He was disgusted by the entire process and somehow knew he would become entirely too familiar with it.

Mello dumped the contents of the first bag onto the counter, the one that had felt squishy, and frowned at the clothing. He certainly couldn't stay in what he was wearing, but black sweatpants and t-shirt? He hadn't worn anything like that in years...

He'd have to see if any of Matt's jeans would fit him; they were usually too big for him but with a belt they would be alright. Mello shifted the other bag onto the counter, not knowing what to expect.

Mello stared at the contents blankly.

Adult diapers.

Just. Fucking. Wonderful.

He sighed in defeat, feeling a little more than degraded, but redressed himself accordingly. He could not let Matt see those...ever.

With the soiled clothing shoved into the other bag, and it tied tightly together, Mello hesitantly left the bathroom to find Matt waiting patiently a few feet away. He smiled slightly at him, but couldn't manage anything more.

It was time to meet with L.

But for once, Mello was dreading it.

-End Part 4-