I'm sorry it's taken me so long to update. I have this story completely finished on my computer, it's just a matter of finding time to get all of the chapters up online. Anyway, enjoy! And as always, reviews, complaints, etc. are welcome and appreciated.

Part V

Journey

Watari explained everything to me on the way to the airport: how he would see to it that my parents' bank account and its contents would be transferred to me, that the money from the sale of the house would be as well. He had also advised me to leave a note for Sharon so she would know that I was moving. Watari then had me list the things I wanted to be taken from the house to the orphanage.

At about 6:30 pm on the 20th of September 2001, Watari and I arrived in London England. I was greeted there by magnificent stone towers, buildings and balustrades. Everywhere stood businessmen in fancy, black suits and teenaged girls dressed as I was: blue jeans and a t-shirt. London was a lively city, bustling with activity as an ant colony would be in mid-July.

As we took the main highway to the south out of the city in a fancy black Mercedes, Watari asked: "So, what did you think of London?"

"It's… amazing," I replied in awe. "I've always wanted to come here, but I never thought I'd get the chance." Then, I was reminded of a time, in my childhood, when my parents had gone to London on a business trip. I hadn't been allowed to go along because I was so young. As I fought back tears, Watari made an abrupt left turn. I quickly raised my head, startled. "Wow. The ride off of the highway sure turned to forest in a hurry," I commented to try and start a conversation.

"Wait until you see the location of the orphanage," Watari replied, and smiled.

...

About a half an hour later, Watari and I entered a cozy city. Average sized houses lined the clean streets, with the exception of a large, homely mansion that stood on a hill overlooking the rest of the small city. An ominous, coal-black metal gate and fence became visible as Watari drove up the lane leading to the large building which in turn stood like a guard tower against the woods to its back.

Watari then pulled his sleek, black Mercedes through the gate as it opened. Once he pulled the car into a garage and parked it, the famous inventor popped the trunk and removed my bags from it. Suddenly, the door leading from the garage into the mansion opened. There stood a seasoned man who may have been a decade or more younger than Watari. "Good day, Roger," Watari said, acknowledging the man with a smile. "I do hope everything went well in my absence…?"

The man called Roger smiled as well and began to speak. "Of course, Watari. All is well, unless you count Mello and Near's routine squabbles. Oh, and L has returned."

My heart leapt as Watari's smile broadened. "Excellent. I have just brought a new resident for him to meet. Roger, this is Kita." He gestured to me.

Roger stepped forward and took my hand to shake it. "Pleased to meet you," he told me happily.

"No, the pleasure is mine, Roger," I replied with a smile.

"Thank you, Kita." Roger then turned back to Watari. "I will go inside and prepare everyone to welcome her. Shall I allow you to introduce her to L?"

"Yes, thank you," Watari said as Roger left the room with a bow. The orphanage's founder then turned his attention to me. "Well, in we go!" He walked briskly toward the door through which Roger had entered. He ignored me when I protested against him carrying my bags as we walked through the door. The building was like a safe haven with a hard outer shell. Nervously, I stayed in the doorway and Watari turned to face me. "Come in, child," he said.

I was inside the building then, and the inside put the outer walls to shame. "It's so beautiful," I told Watari in awe as a I gawked at the large entryway and the polished oak staircase. On a wall beside the stairs was a portrait of Watari himself. He smiled upon the House like God smiles upon the earth.

"Come and meet the residents," Watari called warmly from the top of the steps. I had been so fascinated by the place that I hadn't noticed him walk up. Footsteps on the floor above piqued my curiosity. So, I nodded and followed him to the top.

A hallway with several doors on each side awaited me above. "Where do those doors lead?" I looked at Watari for an answer.

"The rooms of L's successors," he explained, "and some classrooms among other things."

"Now come to my office," Watari said, and led me through the large door at the end of the hall. Inside stood 17 children, all gathered around the large oak desk in the center of the room. All were chattering excitedly amongst themselves. "Children," Watari barked over the hum of their voices. All of the children stopped speaking and turned to face their caretaker. "Everyone, I would like you to meet Kita Matsuyama." He gestured to me. "She will be living with us for as long as she would like to, so please make her feel welcome. Now, I would like for all of you to introduce yourselves with your real names."

A brown-haired, Hispanic looking girl stepped forward and introduced herself as Maria. All of the other children introduced themselves as well, some of their names being James, Collin, Anna and… Sharon. I flinched when she introduced herself to me, but just as she finished Roger entered the room and called them all back for classes.

Watari turned to speak to Roger once more. "Where are the Three?"

End Part V