Kat: New bate, hi.

CHAPTER 14

TALKING TAILS

BROKEN'S POV

Okay, I can do this, I can do this. Just act the same way around them as you did around BB the other day. Calm, collected and smart-sounding.

Did that even work last time? I mean, you almost cried in front of him.

It was a very emotional moment!

. . . Yeah, I guess.

I sighed and looked over at L. He had just gotten off the phone with Watari about the boys and what he'd do about them. For now he'd leave them be until the next flight to England was available. Apparentlyall flights were cancelled due to some difficulties with the systems.

"Umm, L?" He turned his large eyes to me.

"Yes, Birthday?"

"Umm, it's about the boys."

"What about them?"

"They want to talk to me." He nodded his head in understanding, and began nibbling at his thumb nail.

"Yes, I suspected they would. You are quite the mystery to them." I got what he meant. Having weird eyes, cat ears and tail would freak anyone out. What was even weirder was the fact that I don't think they noticed these things. Wow, they are dumber than I thought!

"So, do I go and see them?"

"No."

". . . No?"

"Yes, no."

". . . Yes?"

"No."

"Wait, no to the yes?"

"Yes."

"Wait, yes to the no?"

"Exactly."

". . . Say what?"

"The answer to your question is no."

". . . What were we talking about?" L stared at me blankly for a few seconds and I could tell if Death Note were a less dark/realistic anime/manga, he would have face palmed. For some reason this didn't bother me, IDKY, I guess I'm just real comfortable around him, which is weird because he's not exactly the kind of person anyone would sit next to on the bus or train.

"You won't be seeing the boys."

". . . Why?"

"Broken." He turned his body so he was facing me fully. Ooooooh, he's getting serious! "Like it or not you are a Kira suspect, despite how utterly low the percentage is, but even if you weren't a suspect it is fact that you are the one and only living relative of Beyond Birthday, and that alone is enough to convince me to keep you at a safe distance from boys you consider a threat."

Say what?! "I don't think they're dangerous!"

"Is that so?" I nodded, my eye narrowed in determination . . . and slight confusion. "Then explain why your ears were down whenever you so much as mention them."

"I . . . I was . . . unsure. I don't think they're dangerous, I could take them out with my arms behind my back if I felt out of place!"

"Exactly." My eyes widened as he took a step closer, staring into my eyes. "If you wanted, you could take them each out all too easily, perhaps even kill them. I am not concerned for your safely, but more so their lives."

. . . Okay, I wasn't sure how to respond to that. Should I be thrilled that he thought so highly of me that he felt he had to protect his succeeders for me and my awesomeness, because if you speak fluent L-ese you'd know that's exactly what he's saying, or offended that he thought I'd even do that?

I decided to go with the first, because . . . well, who'd choose being offended and upset over an insult then happy over a complement from L? I grinned up at him, my ears snapping back up and tail swerving.

"Aaaaaww! That's one of the nicest things anyone's ever said to me! I mean, sure I've had better complements then openly saying I'd kill someone so easily with my awesomeness, but it's still something, right?!"

He stared at me blankly again for a few seconds, then me cracked a small but rare smile. "Yes, I suppose it is."

I giggled again. "You know, it's uncanny how much you remind me of someone sometimes," Light sighed. Oh, I forgot he was still there. I was going to question him, but I saw it! The look on him face and the way his eyes shifted to the computer screen. I looked over and saw what he was talking about.

"YOU BASTARD!" I screeched in terror. "I'm nothing like . . . like . . . MISA AMINE!"

"Whoa, I was just saying―"

"Take it back!"

"W-what?"

"Take . . . it . . . BACK!" I lunged out him, but was logical enough not to really attack him, instead I continuously fisted him over and over again in the chest. "Stupid, stupid,stupid,stupid,stupid,stupid!"

"I see what you mean, Light-kun." I froze, then looked over at L.

"No," I whimpered, giving him my best kitty eyes. "No, not you too. It's not true. It can't be." He stared at me, and I just knew he was sad for me! I could see it in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Birthday," he said sadly, his back hunching further. Not a good thing. "But it's true, you do share so similarities with Misa Amine."

And that was how I fell into a deep depression . . . for a few minutes anyway. So much for getting complements from L. I don't really have anything against Misa personally, it's just she's a stupid, clingy bitch with almost no self esteem and . . . did I mention stupid?

To me, she's like HarleQuin from Batman, only less awesome. Harley at least fell insanely in love with an awesome character (the Joker), while Misa had to go for a dick like Kira. I don't want to be like her, who would? She's not even that pretty!

After a few seconds I began dragging myself up the stairs and towards my room. What point was there for living anymore? My life is dead, and I have no one to talk to about it.

. . . Or do I? Before I could throw myself onto the depressing looking bed I got went on thinking.

You shouldn't think too much, Christy, you might just pull a vain or something.

Shud'up!

Anyway, it got me thinking, I do have someone that might disagree and tell me who I really am. Not that I don't already know, but they might be able to reassure me by saying I'm not like that stupid blonde slut!

I quickly ran out of my room and to the elevator, heading to my 'brother's' room. Beyond Birthday.

"What an idiot," Beyond said calmly once I had told him what Light said.

"I know, right?! So I go on hitting him, telling him he's stupid!"

"Well, he deserved that."

"Yeah! But get this, L goes on saying he agrees!"

"He didn't."

"He did! He said he could see why Light thought that way! He agreed!"

"That is lower than a turtle's plastron."

Yeah― wait what? "I don't know what that is."

"A turtle's plastron is it's chest and stomach plate," he told me, matter-of-fact.

"Ooooooh! . . . How's that low?"

"Because when a turtle is on land its plastron is usually touching the ground, if not sliding against it. I suppose it depends on the kind of turtle it is."

"Yeah . . . unless it's a Ninja Turtle." He didn't stare at me weirdly like I knew Light, Matsuda, Mr. Yagami and even L would have. He just smirked, his eyes half closed and the sides of his lips curled up. I wonder if that hurts with all the burn marks on his face.

"I doubt a turtle could gain ninjutsu skills."

"Well! Clearly you haven't seen TMNT then!" He chuckled darkly, shaking his head in amusement. I smiled at him. It felt good knowing I could make him laugh, and so you know, he is laughing with me, not at me.

"Clearly," he agreed. "But you know, neither of our opinions matter to L, only his own."

". . . Yeah I know. Isn't that kinda why you did the whole killing-spree thing? So he would start valuing you thoughts and actions." He smirked wider, and I was relieved for that because it'd suck if I offended him by bringing up the LABB Murder Cases.

"I suppose that was part of it, yes."

"But the real reason was so you could prove to be better than him, right?"

He cackled lightly. "That is correct. So they are wrong."

"About what?"

"You aren't as stupid as they think. In fact, in some ways you are wiser than most of them." I smiled wider and was about to tell him how much that meant to me, and that he just made my day, but he continued. "You know things. Things that none of us know. There is a Godly killer in this building and a detective trying to catch him, yet you posses the most amount of power out of all of us."

Okay, what do I say to that? He knows! He has to! Why else would he say that?! What do I say?!

Why not try an awkward 'thank you'?

"Ummm . . . thank you?" Awkward enough?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure you just nailed it.

Sweeeeeet.

"I'm only stating a fact," was his only response.

"Yeah . . ."

"Well, you should get going."

Say what? A little ping of hurt hit me, but it's okay, I took it well and calmly, like any sane person would. "What?! Why?! Don't you like me anymore?! What, I'm too Misa-Misa for you now?! Is that it?! WHY ARE YOU KICKING ME OUT?!"

"Breaking―"

"ANSWER ME, WORM!"

". . . I am not kicking you out, you can stay if you want, but nothing will be resolved if you do."

". . . What do you mean," I sniffed, pouting at him. Cute face!

"Firstly, stop looking at me that way." I quickly lost the cute face. I guess he doesn't like cute things. Wait! Does that mean he doesn't like himself? It'd explain the whole I'm-gonna-copy-L-by-looking-like-a-complete-freak-then-kill-myself thing. "Secondly, how is talking to me going to ultimately help your case? Why not do what I did?"

". . . Go on a killing spree?"

He chuckled darkly. "If you want, but I mean make him see your thoughts and opinions."

Oh! I grinned with wide eyes. "Yeah!" I cheered, clapping my hands.

So, when did you give up looking smart and intimidating?

After I pulled the cute face, so shut up. "That's an awesome idea! What should I do?!" He shrugged, still smirking. "Oh! I know, I could―"

"Don't say it," he interrupted. I froze with my mouth shut tightly. He lightly waved his hand around, like a wizard casting a spell. "They're probably watching us."

Man, I wish he was a wizard, then I'd have a wizard brother! Would that make me a witch? That'd be cool too! It took me a second to remember something. I'm not his sister, I'm just a girl lucky enough to have files mysteriously state that we're related, but that doesn't mean I am. I frowned sadly. I wish he were my brother, at least then I'd have some kind of family with me. Although, he's like my brother, in every way that counts. Sure, no blood ties or anything, but he still likes me enough to listen to my stories and give me advice, and I like him enough to share jam with him, and that's saying a lot!

"So, if you will follow my advice, then leave and do what you must."

"Okay, I will!" So I jumped up and ran to the door. I would do this, and I'd do this with style! But first. . .

I turned back to Beyond and gave him the cute face, and when I saw the scowl on his face I ran!

Ha-ha! I'm actually doing this! Sweeeeeet! Man, L's gonna be pissed, but hey, it'll get his attention, so it'd be worth it! I giggled and kept crawling.

And before you wonder, yes, I said crawling. Why? 'Cause that's what I'm doing. Where? Through the air-vent. Yeah, I know I've done this before, and it's less awesome because I'm not blind folded this time, but it's still pretty cool. Why? Because this time I'm not going outside. I'm going to see Mello, Matt and Near!

At first, I thought I'd go see Misa because she's a really vital character to the story, but then I realised something. I fuckin' hate Misa! I already told you the reasons. I'd go over them again, or at least I would, if I could, but I can't, so I won' , now I got a headache. Too many 'ould's' and'n't's' and 'shouting'.Wait! Shouting? I stopped for a second and realised what I meant. I'm hearing shouting!

Bravo. A gold star for the genius.

Yeah, well . . . shut up.

Ooooooh, good combat!

You know what; I'm not even going to give a combat to your combat of my combat.

. . . What?

Ha! Who's the generous now?

The voice didn't reply, so I kept crawling closer to the shouting.

"I can't believe this! How could this have happened?! The plan was full-proof!"

"We came to see to L and the investigation, Mello, surely you should have been open to the chance of failure."

"SHUT UP, NEAR!" Yep, I'm going the right way. I kept crawling closer and closer to the boys' voice.

"What I don't get is how the girl got us when I made sure nothing else could," Matt sighed in defeat. "Do you think . . . this goes beyond technology or even science? That that girl is―"

"Don't be stupid, Matt," Mello grumbled. "There's a logical explanation for this."

At this point I was right above their room in the sealing, and hearing what Mello just said made me do something I'm still not sure was a good idea. I laughed. Hard. "KYHAHAHAHAHA!" I mean, c'mon, that's funny! What part of any of this is logical?! I'll tell you, NONE OF IT! So I laughed. "KYHAHAHAHAHAHAH!"

"Who's there?!" I heard Mello demanded. Oops, guess the laughing thing was a bad idea then. Or was it? Everyone knows the best part in a horror movie that makes it so scary is the jumpy parts! Why not turn my greeting into a horror movie and make Mello jump? I would have completed the impossible! I grinned wickedly. "Who's THERE?!"

All was silent, and I watched through the air-vent exit as Mello let his shoulders relax and was about to sit down again. That's when I struck!

I kicked the vent door open beneath me until there was just a hole that I jumped through and landed right in front of his face.

"BOOO!"

"Aah!" he and Matt screeched, jumping back in fright. The look on their faces was hilarious! Their eyes looked like they were going to fall out and I swear their faces were as white as Near's hair!

"KYHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!" I laughed out. Man, if L doesn't kill me after today Mello probably will, because if there's one thing he hates, it's being laughed at. Well, that and coming second to a human whiteout.

"You!" Mello barked after my laughter had calm down a little.

"H-h-h-hi," I giggled in response. He was kinda quiet and looking at me funny. That's not a good thing, so I thought I'd try to break the ice a little. "I'm . . . I'm Breaking." Still that funny look. I gulped down the lump in my throat and continued. ". . . Or Break . . . or Birthday . . . or Broken . . . or Brokening." Wait, is that even a word? Mental sigh. I'm so stupid. "So, ummm . . . you must be Mello."

Something was up with the way he shifted just now, but thankfully Matt noticed this too, and he didn't hesitate to jump into action. My hero. "Whoa, Mells, cool it, it's just a girl. Besides, we're in enough trouble as it is, don't make it worse by blowing up at some girl."

"Hey, I'm not some girl!" I shrieked angrily. What? I'm not! As if some girl could come up with an elaborate plan to prevent L from dying! Speaking of which, I need to come up with the rest of that plan.

"He's right," Near agreed. Wait, he? Man, they must really think I'm a boy, I mean I know I look kinda like one, and I'm glad because that helped out to get me in here. But I mean, come on! "If he was an ordinary person he wouldn't have been able to locate our whereabouts without the use of any technology."

"First of all," Matt pitched in. "This girl, is obviously a babe, so get that through your oh so bright head! And secondly"— He turned back to me with a curious and confused look. —"How did you do that?"

I stared at him blankly. "You're kidding, right?"

None of them answered. I sighed.

"Well, pull up a chair, 'cause you're in for a long story."

And so, I told them everything. Well, except for the whole I-not-from-this-world-because-this-is-all-just-a-manga thing. I just stick to the story I told L, you know the whole I'm-Beyond-Birthday's-sister-that-has-cat-ears-and-a-tail-and-came-here-to-get-rid-of-Kira-to-pretect-him-andmyself.

Long story short, they bought it.

"Whoa, I mean . . . I saw the ears on camera, but I never thought they'd actually be . . . for real!"

"Well, they are, Matt."

"That explains why you could hear us," Mello pondered thoughtfully.

"Yeah, sorry about that, but it was a part of my duty as a member of the Kira investigation."

"Oh, don't worry about it, we get it!" Matt assured, and that earned a glare from Mello. "What? Don't tell me you wouldn't do the same, Mells."

I was about to laugh at that, because come on, it's funny, you never do get to see Matt and Mello's relationship in the manga, hell, we don't even get to see what colour Matt's hair is until the anime came out, but even then it was kinda hazy because it was night in bad light, and now that I look at it, I wouldn't say it's a full on red, but more like a nice bronze. Yeah . . . it kinda reminded me of Ted's hair . . .

Wait, what was I talking about?

About how you were about to laugh at Mello and Matt's relationship . . .

Oh, right! So, I was about to laugh at Mello and Matt's friendship, but found I couldn't as I froze up.

Why, one may ask, did I suddenly freeze while the temperature is as fine as any custom made L rooms should be? Easy, because the most craziest-weirdest-stupidest-awesomeist-awekwardist thing happened.

Near, the one and only albino we all know and love, the exact one that has eyes and cold as ice and a smile as creepy as a prdo's . . . was touching my ears!

Yeah, I said it. Or . . . thought it . . .? But it's true! He's touching my ears! Gently running his pail thumb along the back where the ebony fur was while his slim fingers slowly stroked the rim on them.

This is weird . . . s-so w-w-weird.

"Ummm . . . w-w-what are you d-doing?" I questioned with a shiver.

"Examining," he said simply. I looked at Matt for help, and at first he did look like he was going to, but something about the situation must have told him that it wasn't worth it, so he dropped himself on the couch and started playing on his handheld videogame. That left only Mello to turn to, but as you can guess, he hates me too much to care. But then again, he probably hates Near more, maybe even just enough to pick a fight with his at any given situation, this one included. So I turned to him.

"Don't look at me like that," he growled. Yeah, he's not gonna help.

"You, know, this is really weird," I informed Near.

"Is it? Huh." Yep, he's not gonna do anything about it. I sighed and relaxed my tense body. May as well get use to it.

The way Near was rubbing my ears . . . it was just plain annoying now. Well, I guess that's better than being uncomfortable, but still, the way he did it made it hard to hear because all I could hear was the rubbing of skin on skin. That made it hard to keep them still, so they kept on flicking and flinching. "How did you get these," he asked . . . or demanded. It's hard to tell which.

"I was . . . born into this world with them." Well, it's not a lie.

"And the tail . . .?" he said as he stroked my waving tail.

"Oh, that came with time. I like to think it was a part of puberty."

"Was it exchanged for anything?"

". . . What'd ya mean?" Yeah, what did he mean?

"Is there any part of puberty that you think may never come from this extra adolescence growth. For example, do you think instead of your voice deepening, you have grown a tail? Or perhaps the growth of the genitalia in exchange for the growth of a tail." Okay, we're back to it being weird.

But, you gotta admit, he has some pretty good points.

. . . Yeah, now that I think about it, he's actually onto something there.

"Well . . . I've never had a period. Does that count?"

"I KNEW IT!" Matt suddenly shouted, dropping his game to wave his arms around in victory, but quickly remembered the game and hurried to pick it up, like money he dropped on the side walk in winter. When with was resting back in his hands he laughed, still victorious. "I knew she was a girl!"

"Don't be so sure, Matt," Near cut in, obviously wanting to rain on Matt's parade. "For all you know, he could be using sarcasm."

"Oh, please, the only one that can't read fluent sarcasm is you."

"And the only one that didn't know Mello was a boy was you."

"Yeah, and I said that's how we became the best of friends!" he chuckled proudly, rapping an arm around his best of friend's shoulders.

"And I said not to touch me, you four-eyed-freak!"

You know, it's true, he did say all that. Near lot go of my tail and went back to both my ears. "And I said that this is really weird you know," I reminded Near as I took my tail gently in my hands to pat it reassuringly.

"And I said for you not to come up here."

"No you didn't," I accused my tail with a laugh. "Ryuzaki had said that."

Wait, tails don't talk . . . do they?

Sure, tails can talk, the voice in my head confirmed. At least, as much as voices in your head do.

So . . . they do talk . . .?

No, you idiot! We've been compromised!

Oh shit . . .

I turned my head to the door with a snap. Standing there, with a slouched back, stood a very intimidating yet awesome looking L . . . with a confused and frustrated looking Light.

"Umm . . . h-hi, Ryuzaki."

Okay . . . no words.

Okay, some words because I wrote over 4,000 words in this chapter, but what I mean is I have no words to describe how sorry I am for the late update.

What I can say however is that I am so grateful for the lovely and loyal reviews and I hope no one died from suspense. I'll update as soon as possible and if you liked this chapter please tell me how much, and if you have any ideas then feel free to tell me them because at this point in time I'm pretty much making it up as I go.

Don't get me wrong, I have some big plans from the future, like the ending and the major plot points to help us get there, but if anyone wants to share an idea for a little stepping stone to help up enjoy the ride, don't hesitate, because chances are that I'll add the idea.

I hope you like the story and thank you all so much, I'll update soon, and so you all know, no matter how long I may take sometimes, always know that I plan on seeing this story through to the end, and if one day I suddenly never post again, it will probably be because I suddenly hate Death Note and the characters as much as Mello hates Near . . . or Breaking.

But I'd have to be dead before that ever happened so I think you get it.