Yay~ We get to meet Mello in this chapter~ Matt won't come in for a couple more though, I don't think Maybe next chapter, but I'd like to build a relationship between Mello and Kare first.

1993, Moscow, Russia

It had been nearly half a year since Kimi had started working with L. During that time, she learned many things about him. 1; he rarely slept. 2; he rarely ate anything with low sugar content. 3; He had an assistant, Watari, who ran a place called the Wammy House for Gifted Children. Basically an orphanage for geniuses and naturally talented children. In fact, L confessed to her that if she'd refused to come work with him, he would have insisted that she stay at Wammy's.

L was... eccentric, to say the least, but more commonly, she thought of him as being downright weird and socially awkward. In fact, he had gone out of his way to thank her several times for helping him out of awkward social situations when he was having trouble getting his point across. Over those months, their relationship and trust for one another had strengthened, to the point where L trusted her to go off and collect information or handle situations for him. This was one of those times.

Kimi, (Now known as Kare, to protect her identity,) had been sent to Russia by L to keep an eye on what would be later known as the Russia Rebellion. He was concerned that if things got out of hand, it might effect other countries as well. Her goal was simply to keep an eye on things, just in case, and report any findings to L so they could be dealt with accordingly.

For appearances' sake, she was a tourist who had come at a bad time. She always had a camera hanging around her neck and a map in her hand, even though she knew her way around pretty well and didn't see the need to take pictures. It was the day after the Ostankino TV Studio incident, and the streets were fairly quiet. She understood why, of course. People were mourning. Of course there were still gunshots and screaming from somewhere in the distance, but it was not nearly as lively and bloody as it had been the day before, so she felt fairly safe. She surveyed her surroundings, as she was careful to do every few minutes, just in case, and noticed something a bit strange. A little blonde boy was stomping something shiny into the dirt. Upon closer inspection, Kare realized that it was not just any shiny object, but a silver cross. Clearing her throat, she asked in Russian, "What are you doing, my child?" The kid looked up at her, and she noted that he couldn't have been more than four years old. Even so, his words were clear, and dripping with malice.

"What's it to you, foreigner? Where are you from, huh? The United States? Bet this is fun for you, isn't it? Watching people kill each other... What do you care? This isn't your country, so it's not your problem, right?" He spat on the ground to illustrate his anger, "Leave me alone."

She frowned. It was impressive that a boy his age knew so much about world politics, and he was spot on with her origin, but... "No, that's not why I'm here." She said, crouching down and pulling the cross out from below his bare feet. Dusting it off, she asked, "Why are you doing this? What's this cross done to you?"

The boy chuckled as if she'd told him a joke, "It's not the cross, it's what it stands for. Jesus... God... It's all lies and bullshit!" He snatched the cross away from her and threw it across the street. "No God... Would allow these things to happen. If there truly is a God, he's forsaken us." The child was trembling now, and Kare could easily relate to his feelings.

Sitting on the curb, Kare said softly, "I felt the same way, you know?" He shot her a glare, but she continued, "Sometimes it seems like God gives you the world only to snatch it out of your hands. It's hard to be comfortable with what you have knowing it could be taken away at any given second, but... I think that if there is a God, he'd have to do this, to teach us that we should be grateful and cherish what we have now, knowing that it could slip away just as easily... Once you've learned this lesson thoroughly, he may give you a wonderful gift as a reward, that you'll be even more grateful for. That's... how I'd see it, if I believed in God."

"...You don't believe in him either?" The boy asked cautiously, taking a step closer to this strange woman.

Kare shook her head, "I used to, and I believe sometimes, but... Other times I just have to wonder why. Why would any God be so cruel? Is he just a complete sadist? Does he really love us, or does he just want to see us suffer? When I start to think like that... I don't like to believe in Him. I can understand, however, how faith helps people through hard times, and why it's good to believe in something..." She stood and crossed the street, picking up the cross and returning it to the boy. "Tell me, what happened to you, my child?"

Mello looked down, gripping the cross tightly in his hand, "My parents were murdered yesterday. They died in that battle for the stupid TV station. How dumb is that? A war over a television station! Is that really worth dying for?!" He sat down and began to sob. Kare had been waiting for this moment. She knew that if he'd just break down and cry, he could get all of that pent up anger out of his system.

Her hand came to rest gently on the boy's shoulder, "I'm so sorry to hear that..." She said softly, "Sometimes people do stupid things. As they say, all is fair in love and war... All is dumb in love and war, too. People do stupid things for love, and people do stupid things for war. Some people will do anything to win, even if it winds up killing them, because they're standing up for what they believe in." With a small sigh, she rubbed circles on the child's back, attempting to soothe him. "What's your name? I'm called Kare..."

The boy sniffed, "Mihael... Keehl..."

"Well, Mihael, where are you staying now? Are you going to stay with some relatives?" She asked gently, brushing some hair out of his face. He shook his head 'no,' and she continued, "Then, why don't you come home with me?" He blinked and looked up at her, backing away slightly. "No, no, I'm not a pervert or anything..." She chuckled, "Listen, do you want to know the real reason I'm here?"

"...To pick up orphans and make them your slaves?"

Kare blinked, "Who the hell taught you about people like that?" She shook her head in disgust, "Never mind, just listen. I'm here because a... friend... More like a coworker... Asked me to keep an eye on the situation here so he could send backup if it gets too serious."

"What's that got to do with me?" Mihael snapped, seeming to have snapped out of his mournful state.

"That friend has another friend who owns an orphanage in England called Wammy's House for Gifted Children," She continued, "You see, my friend, he's become a bit famous as of late. They're starting to call him a super-detective, and he goes by the name "L.""

"That's a weird name," Mihael mumbled, not making eye contact.

Kare shrugged, "Weird suits him. Anyway, Mihael, you don't belong in a normal orphanage. People there won't understand you... It almost sounds mean to say this, but you're too smart for them. Even in just these past few minutes I've spent with you I can see that. I think that... With the help of Wammy's... You could really go far. A normal orphanage can't give you the opportunities Wammy's can." The boy was silent, staring at the ground, and it was apparent by his expression that he had no intentions of going with her, but he wasn't running away, either. "Look, I know it's hard to trust someone you just met, but you're a smart kid. I'm sure you've heard horror stories about orphanages, even at your age."

"I once... knew someone who was in an orphanage. He was killed last week for telling me what happened..." Mihael said softly, shaking his head at the memory as he gripped his cross tighter, "But how do I know you're any different? That place, Wammy's, how do I know that's any safer than where he was?"

The girl sighed softly and straightened up, "I can't make you trust me, Mihael. As the saying goes, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. Wammy's is no paradise, I won't lie to you. There are no chocolate fountains or unicorns or even enough rooms for every child to have his own. But I do know the people there genuinely care, and I know that if I had the choice, I'd much rather be there than at any other orphanage. Normally, they'd test you to get in, to see if you're smart enough or have some outstanding talent, but... I don't need a pen and paper to see you've good a good head on your shoulders. I can't guarantee your safety if you choose to stay here... Hell, I can't even guarantee my own safety when L sends me out on crazy missions like this... But I can promise you that no matter what, you'll be safe at Wammy's."

Mihael was silent for what seemed like an eternity before he mumbled, "I just want them back..."

Kare ruffled his hair affectionately, "I know, and I know the feeling... But what's done is done. You can't change the past, you can only do what's best for your future, and hope like hell everything works out alright." Having been around L- the king of all things sugary- for so long, Kare had developed an appetite for sweets herself, and this moment called for chocolate. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out two snack-size Hershey bars. They felt a bit soft, but she didn't care in the slightest. "Want one?" She offered, holding one out to Mihael as she tore the other open with her teeth. He eyed her warily, knowing it was bad to take candy from strangers. "It's good. Chocolate is like a big warm hug that makes all the bad things go away, even if only for a moment. That's why I always have it on hand. Try it, you'll feel better," She assured him, biting into her own bar.

Deciding there was no way for her to tell if she'd poisoned one and not the other, Mihael accepted the chocolate and bit into it slowly. Having grown up in a family full of health nuts who really weren't all that wealthy, he didn't have chocolate often, and savored it when he did, like now. A small smile crept onto his face, "You're right..." He said softly, looking up at her.

She smiled back and murmured, "Good, I'm glad... Even if it only makes the pain go away for a little while, it's still something. At any rate, I have to get back and report to L before he sends the National Guard looking for me. It's entirely up to you, Mihael, if you want to come with me or not. I can't promise I'll be back if you don't make up your mind now. They're talking about pulling us out soon, and I don't know how soon "soon" is."

He looked away, thinking about it. He really wasn't sure what to do... But something told him he could trust this stranger. And besides that, even if things didn't work out, at least it would be an adventure in the end. He reached up and took the girl's free hand. It was warm and kind, just like his mother's. He couldn't help but smile at the memories of her. "Okay,"

"Okay," She replied, squeezing his hand gently, reassuring him that this was real, and that no matter what had happened in the past, she was here for him in the here and now. Kare led Mello back to the US Embassy, Moscow where she had been staying and brought him to her room. "I have some games in that bag, if you're interested. I can play with you once I'm done here," She told him, pointing to a suitcase near the door as she sat down at a desk and dialed a phone number. Mihael took a seat on her bed, still eating his chocolate thoughtfully. "L~ Something exciting happened today." She told the phone in English with a smile.

"Exciting? What kind of exciting? You sound happy..." L murmured. He had recently acquired a voice filter, which he was using now, even though he knew he was talking to a friend. It wouldn't matter if their line got tapped, this way.

Kare sighed happily, "Yes, well, I've found a new addition to Wammy's."

"Wammy's? Kare, you're not there to recruit orphans. Please remain focused on the task at hand."

Somewhat annoyed by this response, she snapped, "I know that, I've been paying attention! It seems there was an attack on the White House earlier, and after a cease-fire, Yeltsin came out victorious. Obviously tensions are still high, but I think the physical battles are over with. At least for now. I've aready made preparations to leave for England tomorrow."

"I see... Well, that's good, let's hope it stays that way until the doubtful public comes to their senses." L said softly before changing the subject, "Now that that's cleared up, tell me about the child. Is he... suited for Wammy's?"

With a smirk, she replied, "I wouldn't be surprised if he owns the place some day. He's brilliant, moreso than any child, or even adult, I've ever met aside from you. He can't be more than five and he was able to keep up with me in a religious debate, and besides that, he was smart enough to doubt me in a way children his age simply shouldn't think. He thought I was going to bring him into the child slavery ring, and was able to say it while mourning the loss of his parents."

Seeming somewhat surprised, L questioned, "Did he agree to come with you?"

"Yeah, but it took some convincing. He still looks like he's on the defensive, really edgy... But he's here. I'll try to open up to him a little more to earn some trust. I know it must be hard for him to be asked to trust a stranger like this, but I've been in his shoes. I may not have your aura of greatness, but I do have your sense of justice." Kare remarked proudly.

There was a pause, then L asked, "Why don't you let me talk with him, Kare? Perhaps I can clear up some of his doubts."

Though she was rather confused by his willingness to talk to other people, Kare shrugged and called out to the boy, speaking Russian once more, "Mihael, L would like to speak with you."

Mihael looked up at her, "L wants to talk to me...?" She nodded and held the phone out to him. Mihael gingerly accepted it and took a deep breath. His expression suddenly changed. He was no longer the nervous little boy curled up on her bed. He was a soldier, ready for orders, no matter how risky they may be. "Hello?"

"I believe Kare said your name was Mihael, is that correct?" L asked, smoothly transitioning into Russian. Without waiting for an answer, he continued, "I know she may be a bit... eccentric, but she's really not a bad person. Most likely, the reason she even started talking to you and became attached so easily is because she saw some of herself in you."

"...What do you mean by that?" Mihael asked, genuinely confused by this statement.

"Let's just say Kare has had more than her fair share of hardships, so when she saw someone as young as yourself wearing an expression she saw on herself in the mirror, it moved her to talk to you. Kare is... a much more emotional person than I am, so I can't say that I know this for sure, but, judging from what I've seen when she interacts with the children at Wammy's, I believe this to be the case." The man replied, recalling the first time he'd seen a face so mixed with emotions. The first time he had brought Kare to Wammy's.

There were a few moments of silence while Mihael collected his thoughts before he finally asked, "I have a question. If Wammy's is for 'gifted' children like Kare said, why isn't there a test or something I have to take to get in? That seems a bit suspicious."

"Ahh, I brought this up with her as well. Kare has convinced me that a test is not required for you, although I'd be happy to supply you with one if it would make you more comfortable. Unfortunately, I don't think it would arrive before the plane leaves." L explained softly.

"What did she tell you? When you were speaking in English?" Mihael wondered, disliking being left out of conversations regarding him.

"She mentioned some of the things that you discussed that most children your age wouldn't be able to understand or even consider. She didn't go into great detail, but I trust Kare and her opinion on this matter." There was more silence between them before L added, "It is ultimately your decision, if you want to go with her or not, but I would advise you to go with her. It's in your best interests. At any rate, there's a client calling me, so I have to go, but take care of yourself, whatever you do."

"I will. Thank you."