Chapter 2

"I believe that is everything," the director of the orphanage was saying as he looked over the paperwork the older gentleman sitting across from him had just signed.

"Very good," Watari said as he stood from the desk, although here in public he was known by his given name of Quillish Wammy, no one knew his double life as L's handler.

"I'll let Mihael know you're here to transfer him to your fine orphanage. He said he wasn't feeling well so he's still in his room. I'm sure he'll be happier at your place than he is here. I don't believe we have the right…people to handle his kind of behavior and needs," the director leaned forward towards Watari, "Although I am wondering exactly what it is you see in Mihael as all we've seen here is a moody, emotionally volatile and sometimes violent young man."

"As you say, you certainly do not meet his needs nor offer him the stimulus his brilliant mind needs, but I will be able to rectify that situation. I know where his room is, I will be happy to fetch him myself. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter." He said graciously enough, but the director had the feeling he somehow had been insulted.

Watari walked out of the office and headed down the dark hallway, which led to the rooms. One of the immediate problems of this orphanage as well as many others he had seen was the lighting, they all seemed to have such low lighting which immediately gave the feeling of dread. Wammy's was bright and cheerful; the rooms inviting and warm. Of course he understood that most of these places were government run and were given precious little in the way of funds and probably did the best that they could under such circumstances but it still bothered him.

He made his way to where he remembered young Mihael's room had been, shared with five others, and knocked on the door.

"Master Keehl, may I come in?" he called and a few moments later the door opened slowly, the young blonde boy peering up from the opening.

"Is it true? You've come to get me?" he asked and when Watari nodded the door flew open and the little boy ran to him, his arms wrapping around his body as far as they could go. Watari smiled and patted the youngster's back.

"Yes, it's true Mihael, I'm taking you with me to the Whammy's House where I believe you will be much happier and your intelligence not wasted." Mihael nodded and backed away from Watari, his face taking on a tougher look.

"It's a good thing because I was gonna leave this place anyway," he said making Watari chuckle.

"Oh, I see. Then it's a good thing I got here when I did or I would have missed you and that would have saddened me a great deal." Mihael searched the older man's eyes as he looked up at him in surprise.

"It would have? If I wasn't here I mean?" he asked and Watari nodded.

"Indeed. There is quite the different and fulfilling future waiting for you if you wish it, and I would have been sad not to be able to offer it to you. But more importantly, I have enjoyed our few meetings and looked forward to spending more time with you."

The man's gentle eyes as well as his words that he believed were true warmed Mihael. Someone actually wanted him around, that was a feeling he hadn't had since…

"Do you have your things packed?" Watari asked bringing the boy back to present, shaking his head.

"This is the only thing I'm taking with me," he said holding out the rosary around his neck.

"No clothes or toys Mihael?"

"I don't have any toys and the clothes they gave me suck," he said and Watari tried to hide a chuckle as he held out his hand to the boy.

"Then it's time to go," he said smiling and Mihael nodded as he took the man's hand. As they walked out and down the hall, the Director came out of his office, an obviously faked smile on his face.

"Good luck Mihael, it has been a pleasure having you here and we will miss you," he lied and the boy stopped a moment, and with a beautiful smile, he raised his free hand and presented the Director with his middle finger, the angry expression and huffing noise he got in response exactly what he wanted.

"That is far from polite," Watari told him as they walked out of the door and when they were outside he smiled down at the boy, "Even when it was obviously deserved." Mihael burst into laughter as he was led to a large black car and ushered inside.

Mihael couldn't believe his eyes as they pulled into the driveway of The Wammy's House. There was the grandest building he had ever seen at the end of the driveway, surrounded by lush gardens and trees. There were children running through the yard towards the back and he could only assume there was some type of playground back there.

"Is this really where I'm going to live?" he asked as Watari brought the car to a stop.

"Yes, welcome to The Wammy's House, Mihael," he answered as he got out of the car. Mihael nearly knocked him over as he ran out of the car, his excitement overtaking him. He ran up the stairs to the huge double doors, and opened them to reveal the huge brightly lit foyer with polished wood floors.

"Come, I will introduce you to Roger the administrator here, and then I will take you to your temporary room."

"Temporary?" Mihael asked suddenly nervous.

"Don't worry, it's where you will stay until we get you set up in a proper program and the living quarters that go along with it. You are here at Wammy's to stay until you graduate." He reached to Mihael's hand once again and led him to the Administrator's office.

Mail sat at his desk listening to the teacher drone on about a math problem he had finished five minutes ago. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his game, leaning back in his seat totally ignoring what was going on. He didn't even notice that the teacher had gone quiet and was making his way over to his desk until the teacher's shadow fell on him.

"Am I boring you Mail?" he asked and the youngster eyed him quickly before returning his gaze to the game.

"Yea, I already finished that problem ages ago," he answered honestly, "And I finished the whole page so I don't really need to listen," he finished causing some of the other students to giggle.

"Perhaps you would like to explain the problems to the class then if you don't feel the need to listen?" the teacher asked sarcastically and Matt paused his game and looked up at him.

"Not really, then what would you do?" he asked causing the rest of the class to completely lose it. The teacher practically growled and grabbed Mail by his arm, hauling him out of his seat.

"I believe it's time for a discussion with the administrator about your behavior!" he nearly yelled and Mail rolled his eyes.

"I didn't do anything wrong, I just answered your questions," he complained but didn't fight as he was being pushed down the hall.

"Well, Mihael I am sure you will be happy here, we are quite different from what you're used to," Roger was saying to the young blonde boy in his office.

"I will be going over your paperwork and your tests and we'll place you where your interests and strengths seem to be. Our children here are all gifted and study various subjects such as criminal investigations, art, science, and general business for example. Some of our graduates have stayed on as teachers, gone on to join law enforcement, manage large companies; have been instrumental in advancements in medicine and science. We try to give children with your type of intelligence a place for their gifts to grow and not go to waste, providing them with futures when they have grown up so they may help themselves and be assets to society. We also try to make sure they know they are safe and have as happy a place to live as well. We know we can never replace your family, but we try to be as nurturing and helpful as possible."

Mihael smiled and looked back at Watari who was smiling and nodded at him, as if reinforcing what the other man was saying.

"For your first week here, however, we'll just get you used to your new surroundings and basic classes before you hone in what your interests are," Roger continued, "I know this is a lot for you to take in, but how does all this sound to you, Mihael?"

"It sounds okay, how's the food?" he asked and Watari laughed.

"We have the best kitchen in Winchester," he answered and then reached into his suit jacket pocket and retrieved a chocolate bar.

"My welcoming gift to you Mihael," he said handing it to the now wide eyed youngster, "I do remember you telling me that one of the things you really hated about being where you were was that they wouldn't allow you to have chocolate, something that was a special treat for you before the fire. I can guarantee you that will not be a problem here..within reason of course. I have another graduate of Wammy's who has a similar sweet tooth, so I certainly understand."

Mihael took the candy bar staring at Watari with wide eyes that were brimming with tears. He unwrapped it quickly and took the first bite, closing his eyes as he savored the taste, memories flooding him as the flavor overtook his senses. Watari smiled at him and stood up.

"Come on, let's get you settled," he said and Mihael nodded, standing up with him and both heading for the door. Before they got there the door flew open and in walked what appeared to be an angry man, hauling a young red head boy into the office by his arm.

"What's going on Mr. Donovan?" Roger asked as they walked in.

"I apologize for just coming in, but I think Mr. Jeevas here needs an immediate attitude adjustment," he said. Watari stopped for a moment, this was one of the three that he had pointed out to L would be good candidates for heirs.

"I didn't do anything wrong Roger," Mail told him, "I finished my math problem and I just started playing while waiting for everyone else to catch up. He asked me questions and I answered them truthfully."

"What kind of questions, Mr. Donovan?" Roger asked him.

"I asked him if I was boring him and he said yes!" Watari tried not to smile but couldn't help it.

"Then he asked me if I wanted to instruct the class since I had finished and I told him no, what would he do if I did that? It is his job, isn't it?" Mail asked.

"Mail, although what you said might have been truthful, it was rude and you shouldn't be rude to teachers," Roger said and then looked to the teacher, "You should get back to your class, Mr. Donovan I will take care of Mail." The teacher nodded and left the office, nodding at Watari as he left. Mail turned to watch him leave then acknowledged Watari and the new boy.

"Mail, this is Mihael, he has just arrived here," he said and Mail nodded at him.

"Hey," he said simply and went back to his game. Mihael walked over to him and stared down at the game.

"They let you have this?" he asked surprised and Mail nodded in answer.

"Perhaps we should reassess that situation," Roger said sternly and Mail's head shot up in surprise.

"You wouldn't do that to me Roger, you know I'm your favorite," he said with a grin making Roger roll his eyes.

"I would suggest that Mail has learned the error of his ways," Watari said from the doorway, "Perhaps his curriculum needs to be changed to challenge him a bit more."

"Perhaps, but I believe some sort of punishment is necessary here," he added.

"I agree. Mail, I am going to assign you to show Mihael around and be his chaperone until he gets used to the school." Mail sighed heavily; this was going to seriously cut into his game time.

"But…"

"It's either that or one week suspension to your room and no video game for that period," Roger told him and Mail looked at him horrified.

"Great, I'm a punishment," Mihael grumbled and Watari patted his shoulder.

"Don't look at it that way, look at it as a way to get to know him," he said as Mail got out of the chair and walked over to him.

"Okay, you got me," he said peering at the blonde through his goggles.

"Take him to the temporary room and get him set up there, you're excused from the rest of your classes for the day. Then show him the cafeteria, it will be lunch soon." Watari told him and the red head nodded and headed out of the door.

"Come on then," he said to Mihael who shrugged his shoulders and followed him out with one final look at Watari who nodded and smiled at him.

"That wasn't much of a punishment, Quill," Roger said after they had left.

"I know, but I felt it would be better to have him show Mihael around than to punish him for being the genius he is," he answered.

"Genius he may be, but he's also got to learn his place, Quill. You've made me Administrator here, you need to let me do my job."

"I'm sure there will be other insurrections you will be able to handle, in the meantime don't forget that he is up to be one of L's heirs, along with our new addition."

"Wonderful, he's destined to be just as arrogant as L is," Roger said looking through Mihael's folder. Watari walked over to his desk, put his hands on it and leaned forward.

"With what L has accomplished he has every right to be arrogant, Roger. You are my dear friend, but I will not have you speak badly of L."

Roger looked up into the very serious face of his friend remembering L was the one line he didn't cross with him.

"I'm sorry Quill, I didn't mean to say anything against the boy," he said and Watari stood up from his desk, his face once again gentle.

"I know you didn't," he looked at his watch, "And I've been away from him too long, he'll need his lunch soon. Let me know if there is anything else you need about Mihael."

"That's fine, I will," Roger answered quietly and watched as Watari walked out of his office.