A/N So, because I was bored, and avoiding homework, I decided to start another story. And like the others, I probably won't finish this one anytime soon. But it will be finished! I am determined to do so! I've had this idea in my head for a couple days now. I decided to change Misa's story just a tad because it ticks me off that she acts so stupid, so I made her smart. She'll still act like a total ditz when the time comes for Kira to show up. This is about 5 or 6 years before Kira, I figure L would be about 19 or 20. Anyway, this first chapter is 1,030 words (Word says 1,012, though) Enjoy!

OH! and Italics are thoughts. Unless they're after the line break at the bottom. Kay?

Chapter 1: I Really Should Stop Sleeping in Alleys

I woke from my dream with a gasp. A shot of fear ran up my spine. I hadn't had that dream in almost a month. What a sweet, short, glorious month that was. It was such a chore having to watch my parents die night after night after night. The interim of no dreams had been blissful. I looked up to the sky, watching as the sun rose from behind the tall London buildings lining the alley I was currently in.

Crap I thought. It's too late, I'm toast.

As though the world had received a memo stating where I was, a group of gruff-looking men appeared at the end of the alley. The one in front smirked when he saw my on the ground. I scrambled to my feet, not even stopping to take a breath before I bolted out of sight, my blonde hair whipping behind me.

I heard the sound of their shoes slapping across the pavement as they chased after me. They had caught me before, but I had escaped. I wasn't going to give them the pleasure of catching me again. I cringed as the images raced through my mind. I struggled, but I managed to pull my thoughts away from the horrid time inside that warehouse.

I rushed through the crowd, looking behind my ever so often to see if they were still chasing; they were. As I neared the center of town, and the crowds got thicker, it got increasingly more difficult to maneuver through the streets. I looked around for somewhere to hide. There were no corners to hide around, so I ducked inside of a door.

Once inside, I looked around to see where I was. An airport. Interesting. So many places to hide. I rushed towards the incoming flights terminal, hoping to find a family that seemed friendly enough to let me tag along long enough to be free of my pursuers. No such luck. I turned around and saw the group coming into the terminal, they spotted me right away.

Oh snap. I thought I'm a dead woman.

I rushed towards baggage claim, darting through the crowd. My mind whirling, I looked around to look for anything that would be of any help to my cause. I spotted a tall man in a trench coat holding a cane. As I rushed by him, I grabbed it. Spinning around, I rushed my attackers, sliding on my knees as I got close. I swung the cane around, taking down two of them. Two down, three to go.

I struck one of them in the abdomen with the cane while simultaneously kicking one behind me. Standing up, I smiled at the last man. He pulled out a knife and rushed for me. I grabbed his forearm, stopping the knife from cutting me. Twisting around behind him, I pinched the pressure point in his wrist, forcing him to drop the knife. I hit him over the head once, hard enough to render him unconscious.

I felt a hand on my shoulder. Whirling around, I saw it was the man I had taken the can from. He was a kind-looking old man. Smiling sheepishly, I handed him his cane back.

"Thank you." He said.

"Hey," shouted a voice from behind me. "Stop right there!"

I sighed. Of course the security guard had to show up now instead of earlier. Because that would make too much sense. And we can't have this making sense.

"I'm going to have to take you into custody." The security guard said, pulling handcuffs from his belt.

I nodded and stuck out my wrists. The old man, still standing behind me, chose then to speak up.

"Officer Charles?" He said.

"Yes, Mr. Wammy?" The aforementioned "Charles" answered.

"I would like to take her with me. If that's all right with you?" The man smiled.

"Of course." The officer nodded and turned to address the crowd.

The old man turned to me. "My name is Quillsh Wammy. Would you like to come with me?"

I hesitated a moment and then nodded. Mr. Wammy smiled, and gestured for me to follow him. He led me to a bench where a scraggly young man crouched. He couldn't have been more than 19. His deep black hair hung over his eyes as they watched me. His thumb rested on his bottom lip.

"Who's this?" He asked bluntly. "Is she right for Wammy's House?"

"I think you should ask her yourself, and yes. I believe she is."

The strange young man turned to me. "Who are you?"

I ducked my head, my blonde hair hanging over my face. I shook my head.

"Can you talk?"

I nodded.

"If I told you my name, will you tell me yours?"

I hesitated, and then slowly nodded my head.

"My name is L. You may call me anything but that. Now, what is your name?" The man never changed his tone.

I swallowed. I had never told anyone my name before and I didn't want to start now. I had agreed, though. So, I guess I have no choice.

"Misa. My name is Misa." I whispered, barely loud enough for the two of them to hear, let alone the passersby. L nodded.

"Well. Let us be off. Come, Misa." Mr. Wammy said kindly. I hesitated for a bit, and then followed him and L as they journeyed to the parking lot. I guess I hadn't been paying much attention, because next I knew, we were driving off in a limo.

L tried to get me to talk the whole drive. I wouldn't speak; I just stared out the window memorizing the passing scenery. We pulled up to a cast-iron gate, which opened as we arrived. As we drove down a long winding road I took this moment to wonder what exactly I had gotten myself into. Evidently something good, because I was shocked to see what house was at the end of this road.

Well, what do you know? They own a freaking mansion. Just what is going on here?