A Small Voice, an L Fanfiction

By: Kayani Neko

Chapter Two

Twelve years old. And not a thing had changed aside from the fact that the bullying got worse. She had even stayed looking the same, just slightly taller. She had a baby face, and was smaller then most of the people at the orphanage. Which the bullies, now not just faces; Mello, Jordan and Harland, found extremely hilarious. A new boy had come, Matt. But he never picked fights, or even got in them.

The boys laughed at her, shoving her around in a circle, and she cried. "Sissy little Rosy, never going to grow big and strong!" Finally, she was thrown out of the vortex, and was kicked.

Mello, the ring leader of this mini-gang ordered them to stop. He came forward coolly, and stepped on her face. "You're dirt." And they were gone.

Rose stood weakly, and made her way into what she thought was her room. It was dark, and she was disoriented. She closed the door behind her and slid down it, crying silently, but hard.

"Why are you here?" A soft voice called, coldly. She flinched at the voice, shocked. She stood wearily and bowed, running from the room. But not before she caught a glimpse. It was Near, the albino that was said to be the successor of L.

Over the next few days, she crawled through her secret hole and watched Near make his puzzles. It was fascinating to her, how he would finish, then start over. Then there was his giant dice, or other random objects made into cities.

It was all nice, until one day. When she fell through her hole, right next to Near. She crumbled in pain, clutching her head. Then she saw Near's unchanged expression. She ran over to his bed and ducked under it.

He sighed. "Why do you watch me everyday? And please do explain what the point of hiding is after you've been so dramatically caught." His gaze never left the puzzle, not hesitating.

Rose stood and bowed, running for the door. She ran all the way to her room, and refused to come down for dinner in embarrassment.

Somehow, even that embarrassment didn't stop her from watching him work. She just did it where he could clearly see. She hid behind the usual couch, him having moved his practice the room near the front door.

Only this time, he didn't comment on it. It made Rose really happy, it was almost like having a friend.

On a day, seemingly like every other, Rose decided to make a daring move. She waited in her usual spot for Near. He showed, at the same time as he always did. She watched him work for awhile on the puzzle, then stretched her arm out to grab a puzzle piece. Near sighed, probably thinking she was stealing it. She reached her arm back out, and placed the piece near directly in the middle of the puzzle.

Near eyed her suspiciously, then continued work on it. His gaze widened. "You found the right spot." Rose smiled a little, then ducked back behind the couch. Near smiled a very little. "There's more to you then there seems, Rose."

Fifteen years old. Throughout the past few years, Near and Rose became impromptu friends, Rose never speaking a word. Finally, it was Grandpa's day to visit again, and she could barely contain herself. Watari sat her down, a talk was coming. "Rose, I know you're struggling with people here, but I see through your grades that you're ready for the next step." He smiled. "I'm proud to say aside from L, and maybe Near, you're the youngest to move onto this stage. We're sending you to Wammy's Academy for Gifted Folks."

Rose looked confused. "What for?" She was only fifteen, and this sounded like something very grown up.

"Due to some observations that have been made, you'll be training as a spy, someday to work with L and I." Her eyes widened, surprised. "Don't worry, they'll send you home for holidays and your birthday, under my orders. I know you'll do better there."

And she was shipped off. A bittersweet goodbye to the life she'd come accustomed to.

Author's Notes: So, I've decided to respond to everyone who sends me reviews through each new posted chapter. 3

Well, except anonymous reviewers, of course. :3

Twilight1: I'll try to update as often as I can! 3

p3puala: I'm trying to make her a mystery, to be solved at the end of the series! Or in the middle… Depends on if I'm patient enough to withhold information. xD