I don't own Death Note.

I do own this particular interpretation of it.

BB, Tielwal, and L put their plans into motion. Who will win?

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10 - Beyond Birthday

Maria spent the next several weeks in the infirmary. They diagnosed her with lung poisoning. They diagnosed the new girl with a less severe case of it. They cleared her to go to her initiation. It was a private affair, as these initiations always were. It was just her and L. He asked her what her name would be. She thought for a moment. She eventually settled on the name Kat. She was fond of cats.

She was hospitalized shortly after.

It wasn't for anything serious, just precautionary. She was released a week later. She regularly visited her new friend. The times when Maria could talk, or was even awake, were few. But in them, they talked for as long as Maria could. They learned many things about each other. For example, Maria is really into history. She is also the youngest of eight children. Due to poor living conditions and some family deaths, she was passed from orphanage to orphanage. She eventually found herself at Wammy's House when she was five years old.

On the other hand, Maria learned why Kat doesn't like wearing socks outside of shoes. She never liked the feel of carpet on sock and, unfortunately for her, her house's floors were 99% carpet. So she went around the house barefoot most of the time. She also had many pets. Many of them shared the same problem of being unable to go to the bathroom in the right places. This made the carpets dirty. And they could never keep it 100% clean. So she avoided socks altogether. Also, beng barefoot inside all the time helped her mentally. Being sockless increased her awareness and her ingenuity. She says "If anyone grows up in a situation like that, they have to be aware of everything around them and have the ingenuity to evade what's on the floor. Nobody wants that shit on their bare feet."The increasingly dirty carpets had a lot to do with her move to "sockless while shoeless," but mostly she just hated socks to begin with.

She defended the question of why didn't she just wear shoes all the time with the response: "I don't much care for shoes."

They don't fully understand how they became friends. Even as Maria got better and they started hanging out more, they still had no understanding of their friendship. They attribute it to their shared hatred of Matt, Asher, and Wesker. Well, mostly Matt.

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BB was looking at the men and women gathered before him.

500 strong. Those three did well. He originally sent four people to recruit, but one was killed by the police the day after his assignment. The remaining three quickly gathered the recruits for his personal army and were overseeing the training.

Those three did well. Especially...

Especially the small, red haired girl. She was fiercely dedicated and loyal to the cause. She was quick to eliminate any who threatened BB-sama.

But there's something familiar about her... Something about the girl was troubling to BB. But her pale blue, almost grey, eyes were impossile to read. He couldn' tell what was going on inside her head...

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L was lookng at nothing in particular through his window. Today was especially boring. Nothing was happening. It had been like that for the last six months.

It's the calm before the storm. The only question is which storm will break first...

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"Are you sure those two will be alright?"

"Heh. Are you worried about them? Do they mean that much to you, Uret?"

"Not that bastard, DY. But Airam's like a sister to me. I hate how you always give her the toughest assignments we have."

"I give her those assignments because she's the only one with the determination to see them through."

"But, she's barely old enough to drive! She's gonna get herself killed if y-"

"She's never going to grow up if you keep holding her back! And besides, she's willing to do the tough assignments."

"..."

"Relax. I'd worry about DY if I were you... But I have a contingency. I've assigned Raen to be his partner."

"What about Airam?"

"Her task is simple compared to the ones I've given her in the past. All she has to do is act like one of BB's loyal followers. As long as she doesn't let on that she's not devoted to him, then there isn't a problem."

"How do you know that won't happen?!"

"Beause she's loyal to me! She carries out any order I give her without question. She will not fail."

"Ok... what about DY's task?"

"That doesn't come into play until after BB starts to make his move. Now, come with me. I have to dish out the other assignments."

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"Are you sure we should be doing this?"

"Lighten up. We won't get caught if you just keep watch."

"Alright... Alright..."

Kat went to the door to watch for anyone who might catch them. Maria was sitting at L's computer.

I got to her hair, and to her style... Now I just need to get to her head... But, Jesus... Is there anything that doesn't make her look good?

It was true. Maria had gotten to Kat. Kat's hair was now longer, still short (Only a little less than to her shoulders), and was no longer styled. Well, unless you count "whatever way it is when you get up in the morning" as a style... It also covered most of her face.

The goth-punk thing Kat was into was over thanks to Maria. She now favored more loose fitting clothes and had actually started to hate the color black. She still refused to wear socks without shoes...

She was also afraid of breaking the rules. It took Maria 3 months to convince her to get a cat. It took longer still for Maria to convince her to participate in these "pranks" she liked to play.

Wow... Maybe I am a bad influence... No. My bitch of a sister will not be right. But then I'll have to stop our games... Damn. "Argh! Why won't it work?!"

"You have to type one key at a time. Like this." L demonstrated the correct method for hacking his computer.

"Kat! Where were you?! Of all the people to let get past you... I swear! You've got a lot to learn...!"

"I'm sorry! But I was distracted! It was my evil white kitten, Mr. Bigglesworth." She held up her cat.

"How many times do I have to tell you?! She isn't evil, white, or a boy! She's barely a kitten anymore! And for God's sakes, call her by her proper name! It's Reese!"

"But... But..."

"Enough fighting you two. Now. I would ask what you were doing... But, I have more pressing matters to deal with. Please leave and send in Light, Near, and Mikami."

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"So, that's the plan."

"Are you sure it'll work?"

"Of course he is! We are talking about BB-sama after all."

"Right... So prepare the troops. We leave for The Agency at midnight."

"Yes, sir!"

The battle begins... Next time!

Next Time:

"Is everything ready?"

"Yes."

BB smiled. "Good."

Ever since hearing that plan, he vowed to end it. He thought of no other way but this. This was the only way.

The clock struck midnight.

"Let's go!"

BB attacks...