A Small Voice, an L Fanfiction

By: Kayani Neko

Chapter Three

Twenty-two years old. Grandpa had been right, it had been a great deal better at the Academy. She'd even made a friend, her name was Kendra. She was more then a bit sarcastic and pessimistic. Apparently, her, Mello and Matt had grown up together at the House of Wammy.

Which was odd, because Rose and her hadn't met. Kendra's reasoning was that Rose was always inside and hiding, and Kendra was always outside.

She had graduated finally, after years of training. By hanging around Kendra, Rose had become a great deal more confident. Grandpa was fawning over her, how grown up she'd become.

Of course, her looks had changed, but only slightly. Her hair was black, but now it was short and wavy, all thanks to a pair of scissors and group of jealous kids. She decided to keep it that way however, due to the fact long hair would get in the way of jobs. She kept it down, seeing as trying to get it back into a ponytail was a hopeless quest until she grew it out more.

Her body was about 4'9" in height, and she was still petite. She wished for so long to get taller, more shapely, but it never happened. She gave up hoping on her twenty-first birthday. It wasn't that she was bony, she had some muscle, and a bit of shape. Enough to get her called cute.

That was another thing, unlike before, she loved when people complimented her, it meant they loved her, right? Though, only Kendra and Grandpa talked to her enough to compliment her. Rose still had problems talking to people.

Today would be a special day, she could feel it. Grandpa smiled down at her. "Today, I'd like to invite you to work alongside L and I. As a spy, and as my beloved granddaughter."

Rose nodded. "I'd love to work by your side Grand-I mean Boss." Grandpa laughed patting her head.

"No no, call me Grandpa. I said 'as my granddaughter', didn't I?" Rose nodded, smiling like crazy. She'd get to see Grandpa everyday! It was like a dream come true. "Oh, but the first few weeks will just be you and L, I have a few things I need to take care of." So much for dream come true.

That was another thing that hadn't changed; she still hadn't spoken to L. The closest they'd ever gotten to even coming into contact was that moment so many years ago with the food and tea. Grandpa waited. "Oh, that's fine, really. I'll wait for you then. Where will we be staying?"

"You'll be staying in Seattle, Washington, in America. Another thing…" He smiled a little sheepishly. "You and L have two choices; never go outside, or act like newlyweds when you go outside."

Rose's eyes widened. "I-I'll be staying inside." Grandpa smiled, then kissed her forehead.

"You're so adorable, you know that?" Rose made a pouting face. "I know you don't get along with L, but can you try? For my sake?"

Rose sighed, then bowed her head. "I will do whatever it takes to make you proud, Grandpa."

Grandpa had left L and her in the apartment two hours ago, and Rose had spent the entire time pacing her room. Did Grandpa mean for her to talk to L? Or not cause problems? She'd prefer just not causing problems, but she had a feeling the answer leaned more the other way.

She sighed, and left her room. She ran into L, literally as she left her room. She fell to the ground and stared up at him in shock. He quickly recovered and held out his hand for her, she stared at it a bit. This was too fast. She stood on her own and ran back to her room.

She sat on her bed, trying to calm herself. Something about L, she didn't know what, but it made her want to stay quiet, almost as if he'd be as mean as the other boys, or even just laughed. She didn't want him to, so she stayed quiet.

There was a soft knock at the door, and L came in. He bowed his head a little, though with his body alignment, it looked like a great deal more of a bow. "Sorry." And he quickly left.

Rose sighed. Why was she still so scared to talk to him? What was it? She shook her head, clearing away any doubt. She had to do it. She had to speak to him.

She stood again, and walked slowly out her door, and to the living room, where L was sitting drinking tea. His gaze lifted as he saw Rose come in the room. Rose swallowed, her mouth dry. She opened her mouth to speak… And a tiny squeak came out. Her whole face flooded with color and she turned and bolted back to her room.

She leapt onto her bed in despair. That was so embarrassing, Rose couldn't leave the room, not until Grandpa came back. When was that? Oh yeah. In somewhere around a month. Rose's eyes welled up with tears and she buried her face in her blankets to hide her tears. She sighed when she was done crying, and stood up.

She went to the bathroom to get a look at herself. Her eyes were puffy and red, and her face was still burning with embarrassment. L must think she's insane…

That's when a thought came to her. Why was she so embarrassed? She wasn't even this embarrassed when she fell through her hiding place in Near's room. She touched her hand to her face. Why did she care what L thought?

There was a soft knock at the door, and L popped his head in. "Rose? There's someone here for you."

Rose blinked, surprised. L's eyes went to her red ones. She wiped them, trying to make it go away and slipped past him. She went to the door cautiously. It was Near. "Hello Rose. Watari-san forgot, he wanted to give you this." He held out a small package. "He said open it in three days."

Rose took a deep breath. "H-hello, Near-san…" She bowed her head, and came up with a sheepish grin on her face.

Near's eyes widened in surprise. "You speak?" He twitched an almost smile. "Well, I guess the Academy really does affect people."

She smiled again, extremely happy she could do it. "W… When I was there, I… I thought that the next time we met, I might… Well, I might be able… To say hi…" Her face flushed with excitement.

Near nodded. "Well, maybe one day we'll work together, hmm?" He bowed his head slightly. "Until then." And he was gone.

Rose skipped back to her room, happy with herself once more. She had done it! She'd spoken to someone aside from Kendra and Grandpa! Kendra had been easy to speak with. Even though she was… Well, energetic to put it in the least, something about her calmed Rose. Nothing about this day could get better.

But of course, it got worse.

Rose was enjoying looking out the window, when she heard a crash. She ran to the door, and peeked out of it. There was a man, and him and L were fighting. Rose's eyes widened in horror.

She ran to her room and pulled a gun from her nightstand. She ran back and pointed the gun at them. "You! Get out now!" She squeaked out.

The man smirked. "And what're you going to do? Shoot me?" He arrogantly smirked. "A little girl like you best go and-" BANG!

The gun fired, the bullet shot right next to his ear. "I may be little, but I guarantee you, I was the best shot in my class." She spit out. The man's eyes were wide, and he turned and ran out the door.

Rose was frozen, she couldn't move, couldn't put the gun down. Honestly, she was shocked her voice had sounded at all, no matter how quiet and shaky it was. L cautiously made his way over to Rose. "It's alright, you can put the gun down now." He looked her over. There was no way Rose could put it down, her arms wouldn't move.

L gently placed his hands on her arm, and led her hands down. He took the gun from her and put it on the ground. Rose's eyes watered, and she burst into tears, she was so scared. "Shh, it's alright…" L cooed her, trying to calm her down. He wrapped his arms around her, and to both her and his surprise, she hugged him back, even buried her face in his shirt. L rubbed her back, cooing to her calming things, letting her cry.