Difference of a Wolf
Chapter 1
Whoo! The second half of Kota's tale.
I do not own Death Note. Still.
Kota/Ivy is an OC.
There is a timeskip involved here.
SPOILER WARNING FOR THE ENTIRE SERIES. SOME THINGS HAVE NOT BEEN CHANGED.
And some things have been.
It had been a while since they had all left Wammy's House.
Matt had gone off and gotten himself a high paying hacker job for some mysterious company. He kept his information guarded.
Near had formed the SPK and was now conversing with the 'current' L, (whom he suspected was Kira in the first place) He was somewhere in the U.S Kota believed.
And Mello had joined some kind of mafia which caused trouble on a regular basis. His ego and temper had only gained speed since his position rose in their ranks.
Kota hadn't spoken to any of them since they parted in the hallway the day that L's death was announced. She had called Circuit, explained her situation, and disappeared from sight, basically.
Circuit, aka Damien Alks, was now 18, and had his own place. He had a job working on custom racers, and it paid well. Plus, his side hobby earned him enough to live more than comfortably, racing his pride and joy, the black eclipse. The graphics were faded now, but still visible. Kota had said over and over that she should paint something different on the car, but Circuit would have none of it. They lived in L.A, a few blocks away from the high end shop he worked in. Kota herself had finished high school early, to Circuits, as well as many other of her friends, surprise. It was hard, keeping the secret that she lived with a minor, but the school never asked about it. She hadn't gotten into trouble, so no signatures or conferences were needed. Kota was serious about her goal. She was 16 now, and working with Circuit in the shop. Cleaning, sometimes doing a paint job. A couple people even requested she paint a custom graphic on their cars. That earned her even more extra money, saving for parts to add to her own ride. College wasn't needed, really. She certainly could go if she wished. Between them, there was enough money for it, but she had refused when Circuit asked.
Kota herself had changed a lot with the short two years. Her hair was no longer rainbow. It was now a more wild blue and green. It hung down past her shoulders a litte ways. She wore mostly black, loose clothes. Partly because she worked with cars, and partly because it was more to her liking, not having to really care about matching. But her make up hadn't changed at all. There was now a lip piercing in the left corner of her mouth. She still wore brightly colored eyeshadows and liner, which made her a bit menacing if she did it just right. Along with her outside, her inside was different too. She had put up a wall to world. Never putting trust in anyone who didn't earn it. Circuit was about the only one she could count on, or truly trust. She was robotic to everyone else. But that served it's purpose as well. People don't mess with you when you look like you want to eat their heart out.
But secretly, she had been searching for Mello and Matt. Near was easy to find. She already knew he was the leader of the SPK. Whenever there was a public outburst against Kira with the old English style N on the screen of a TV, it was Near. She had no intention of contacting him unless it was absolutely necessary. For now, she would work on her own defenses. No leads have been found as to where Mello or Matt were though, and it was beginning to make her desperate.
One evening, coming home to their large apartment, Kota had finally decided that she should contact Near. She was getting nowhere finding the others herself, and tracking definitely wasn't one of her strong points. Near had given her a number to call if she was ever in danger.
"Because," he had explained, "You are connected to me. If Kira ever tries to get to me through another person, you might be targeted. Just in case."
But Kota had seen through that reasoning. He wanted to keep in touch with her because he saw her as a friend. A barely visible smile played at the corners of her lips as she looked through her jewelry box to find the small piece of paper with the number. It was faded now, but still readable. Picking up the phone slowly, she dialed the number, then the pass code.
"Hello?" answered an obviously disguised voice, sounding more like a robot then a human.
"Uh… Hi. This is Ivy. Can I talk to Near?"
"How did you get through to this line?" it asked.
"He gave me the number a while ago. In case of emergencies. Can I please talk to him?"
There was a silence and rustling of papers and fabric. Then the phone was shifted.
"Ivy. You finally used that number, hm? What made you call?"
"I need some information."
"I'm afraid I cannot help you over the phone. I cannot be sure if you are alone or not. If you want, I can arrange a meeting."
"Yeah, fine, whatever. I just need to talk to you."
Silence again.
"We've traced you're alias name and have your address. I'll send you a letter with the place and time written on it. Please do not tell anyone else."
"I will tell Circuit. I have too. I don't keep secrets from him like that."
"Can he be trusted?"
Kota blinked. He was actually considering letting Circuit get a little close to the SPK. She guessed he would know that more questions would come forth if she said she was meeting someone. "Yeah. He can. I would trust him with my life."
"Alright. But please, as I've said, come alone."
"Yeah. I know."
"You will receive the letter shortly. Goodby-"
"Hey, hold on kid."
"Hm?"
"It's good to finally talk to you again, Near"
At the SPK headquarters, currently stationed in the U.S, Near held the phone loosely to his ear. She finally called. Took her long enough. He contemplated how to answer to her last comment, twirling a piece of snow white hair with his free hand. "I'll see you soon, Ivy." With that, he hung up. The decision to meet with her had been a spur of the moment one. It was certainly dangerous, and risky to their mission if there was any interference. Plus, he couldn't be sure if Kota was still herself. If she was working with Kira now or not. But, he doubted it. The odds were slim. And, I can't help but think it, that I want to see her again? He shook his head, silently denying himself the thoughts that ensued after the first. I am working on something that has to have my full attention. I cannot stray from my goal.
Halle Lidner, who had answered the phone at first, gave Near a skeptical look. "Are you serious about this meeting?"
Near shuffled over to a desk in the middle of the control room. "Yes, I am. Please prepare the note for her and send it, if you would, Lidner."
"How can you be sure?" she questioned again.
"I knew her before. I have a good grasp on her personality, and I don't believe that she would do anything to put me, or the organization in danger."
Halle sighed. "Are you sure she's not just a girlfriend from back in the day that you wanna see so bad?"
Near gave her an almost embarrassed, yet serious glare. "I'm sure."
"Kota!" shouted a voice from outside her room.
She was combing her hair back into a ponytail. "I'm almost ready!"
"Hurry it up, kid! Today's an important day!"
Kota smiled. Circuit wanted to get to work early, so he could scout out the new arrivals in the shops junkyard shipment. Classic cars were bought at super low prices and taken apart to use their parts for other rare ones that were in better shape. She had to admit, Circuit couldn't have found a better place to work. The money was great, and he was doing what he loved. And Kota benefited from it as well. She was learning how to work on cars, kept painting, and got to be with Circuit all day, too.
Looking around her room to make sure she had done everything that needed to be done before leaving, Kota nodded to herself and exited. Circuit was waiting at the end of the stairs, an eager grin on his face. Just to mess with him, she went as slow as she could down each step.
"C'mon grandma! I know you're getting old but damn!" he shouted up to her.
An eye twitched as she leapt from the top of the flight and landed smoothly at the bottom. She had been taking karate classes, as well as strength training and endurance ones on the side. If she was ever attacked, and had no weapons on her, she could defend herself with the best of them.
"Show off."
"And proud of it! I worked hard to get like this," she informed him with a friendly punch to his arm, before taking the keys from him. "I'm driving today," she said with a smile before sprinting to the garage built into their apartment on the lower level.
"Who said that?!" he retorted, following.
Opening the metal door, Kota gazed out at all the cars. Four, in total, if you counted the motorcycle as one. A company owned Dodge truck for hauling parts, a modified Jeep Wrangler made for off roading, Circuit's prized Mitsubishi Eclipse, and Kota's own mode of transportation. A silver Suzuki Hayabusa. It had also been modified by Circuit, to increase performance, handling, and speed. Different parts had been added, taken off, and enlarged to make it go much faster than the legal street bike limit. He had forbidden her to ride it until it was finished though, saying that, "It wouldn't be doing the bike justice," But she knew he was just worried she would kill herself in a crash, which was highly understandable. Kota was a speed demon, she had come to find out after two years of learning to drive and practicing on her own.
Something hit her suddenly, and fell to the concrete floor as she was admiring her bike. Keys. The ones to the motorcycle. She picked them up, and looked at Circuit.
He had gone over to the bike, and gestured for her to come as well. "Watch this," he said, pushing a small, metallic button on the underside of the left handlebar. Something motorized made a small moving sound at the end of the bike. Kota jerked her head to see a black piece of glazed plastic cover the license plate. "What is that?"
"It's a new part. Someone at the shop had one of these on his car. We could all tell he used his for street racing. It's a safety measure against the cops, in case you get caught going way too fast." He grinned. "I'm not saying it's okay to run from them, but, you know, if you can avoid getting your bike impounded, or you get into some kind of situation, it comes in handy." Circuit reached out and jangled the keys in her hand. "Oh, and it's finished now. All that needs to be done is the graphics, which I believe, are your specialty. How 'bout you take it over to the shop and get that done?"
She gave him a big hug. "You're the best, Cir. The fuckin' best."
"I know it," he said, hugging her back.
Kota spent the entire day repainting her bike. She colored over the silver with a black base coat, then began to pin stripe in blue, pink, green, yellow, and a special glitter paint. It was half an hour to closing time, and Kota only had a few more to go. The door to the paint room opened without her hearing, as she had in earbuds, and Circuit, followed by the owner of the shop, stepped in to survey her work. He tapped her on the back. Turning around, she took out the earphones. "What?"
"Mr. Mechson wanted to see what you've been doing in here all day," Circuit said, walking around the bike.
The older man did the same, running his hands over the dried parts. "This is a great job, kid. Looks professional."
"Thanks!" she said, putting the small detail brush down. David Mechson had always been nice to them in the two years they had been working there. He was the bad ass biker type to the eye. Grayish beard and mustache, but short blondish hair, and almost wrestler like muscles. Usual attire was dirty jeans, stained with oil and paint, and leather combat boots with some kind of tee shirt or tank top on hot days. His passion was also cars, which is why, she figured, that he and Circuit got along so well. That, and he really wasn't like a boss. He also worked with them. Helping trainee's, or just when business got backed up. He also understood Circuit's and Kota's situation, and didn't report her as a guardianless minor when she asked for a job. He could definitely be trusted.
"I've been wonderin' for a while now, since you got so much talent in paintin' up cars, if I should add that on to the main list of things my shop offers, hm?"
Kota's mouth hung open. "Really?"
"Yeah. That'd bring in a bunch more business, not to mention, you'd have an official title here, besides assistant. What'cha think?"
"Hell yeah! I'd love too!" she answered, hopping up and down.
"You wouldn't be the only painter here, though, ya understand that, right?"
"Yeah, yeah, I know."
"I'll go talk to the paper work guy about it, n' see if I can't get someone to add that on to the sign out front," he said, taking one last look at the bike, then leaving.
Kota gazed at Circuit, who was beaming. "You're moving up, kiddo."
When they got home, there was an envelope slid under the door. Kota instantly knew what it was.
The time and date had been set for later that day. 12:00 at an old warehouse, out of the city, and into the desert a ways. She told Circuit what she was doing and where she was going. He didn't really approve, which he told her, but there wasn't really a way to get her to change her mind. "Just be careful," he said before she sped off on the motorcycle, disappearing down the street.
It was pitch black when she finally found the place. The only light in the desert was from the moon and the headlights of the bike. There was a car already there when she arrived. She stood by the bike for a few minutes, before taking out a small, metallic handgun and checking the magazine before walking towards the door. She didn't exactly know what she'd taken it, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. Just in case something happens…
The big sliding door was open just a crack. Kota pushed it aside, and stepped into the dimly lit place.
Near, surrounded by serious looking adults, stood in the middle of the room, eyes cast off to the side, twisting a piece of his hair tightly around a finger.
Still has that old habit. She let the hand holding the gun fall to her side.
Halle noticed the weapon first. "She's got a gun!" she drew her own weapon, followed by the others.
"Ah!" Kota shouted in shock, bringing the gun back up to shooting position. "What the hell man?!
"Please, lower your weapons. She's not an enemy," Near instructed his team calmly, lowering himself to the floor and sitting.
"Not until she drops hers," Halle said.
"Fine, fine," Kota said, setting her gun on the ground. "There."
The adults lowered theirs as well. Halle walked over to Kota. "Turn around," she ordered, preparing to search her for other weapons.
Kota, of course, would have none of it. She gave the woman an indignant face. "Bend over," she shot back, crossing her arms.
"Excuse me?!"
"Yeah, see? You don't like it either."
"You little brat!" she called, grabbing Kota by the arm.
"Halle! Don't make me repeat myself! She's not an enemy!" Near called to them, looking up.
"She came in here with a gun, and you expect me to not be suspicious of her?!"
"Ow!" Kota twisted away from the woman and backed up. "Geez! Treat me like a fuckin' criminal, why don't ya?!"
Halle gave the girl a glare before returning to Near's side.
"What information did you want form me, Ivy?" the boy asked, staring at her. She's changed quite a bit in the last two years. A slight pink discolored his cheeks, but quickly went away, undetected.
"I want to know where Mello and Matt are. And, I want to know about the Kira case. Whatever clues you guys have, or suspects. I want to know everything you do. I want to help you."
Gevanni stepped forward. "You must be out of your mind! There's no way that can happen. You're trustworthiness cannot be proved, despite Near's comments. And, if you slip up, you could put all of us in danger, and waste our efforts."
Near narrowed his eyes. "He's right. I trust you, Ivy, but I cannot force my team to. I can, however, tell you where Mello might be, or what he's doing. I don't know anything about Matt."
Kota sighed and lowered her gaze.
Near sensed her disappointment. "I'm sorry," he mumbled, looking away.
"Alright. Well, tell me what you know about Mello then."
Near held out a folded piece of paper. "This is all I know."
Kota slowly approached him and took the paper. "Thank you, Near."
She started to walk away.
"What are you planning to do if you find him, Ivy?" he asked, watching her.
"I'm not sure yet," she said, continuing.
Neart thought for moment. "I suspect the current L as being Kira. His name is Light Yagami. He's in Japan."
Kota turned around with an astounded expression.
"Near!" Gevanni, Halle, and Lester shouted at once.
A sparkle showed in Kota's eyes as she ran from the warehouse and got on the bike.
They went outside and watched as the girl disappeared into the distance.
"Why did you tell her those things?! She could get in our way!" Gevanni questioned the boy.
"No, she won't. She's smarter than that. She'll do want she wants with that information. One thing I have learned about her, is that she is unpredictable to an extreme," he said, opening a back door to the car and getting in. As the others did the same, he continued. "She may do nothing, and she may do something that could get her killed, I don't know." He looked out the window. Please don't do anything stupid, Kota.
Author's Note:
Here's the sequel:D Thank you so much for all the wonderful reviews. I hope you guys enjoy this one just as much.