A/N: Alright, decided to just continue on in this story. We'll call it part 2 anyway because... well... I can. Besides, I think it works better this way.

Just a warning, there is some... themes, in this half of the story. It's not M rated, but some stuff is graphic. I'm more of a guts and gore kind of M rated than sexually explicit, so... yeah.

Enjoy the chapter guys! :)

Reviews always welcomed.

(Mello P.O.V)

One Year Later

"Well this fucking sucks! No food, no money, no goddamn bed! FUCK! WHERE DID I GO WRONG?!"

All I could do was scream at myself. I'd been careless and before I knew it, L's credit card maxed out and now I had nothing. I knew for a fact Near didn't know I had it, and I doubted that he'd pay for my debt anyway. So, the reality of the matter was, I was alone, in L.A, and starving.

Forgive me for not explaining.

You see, right after I left Wammy's, the first thing I did was board a flight to Los Angeles. I really didn't care where I went, and the first thing I saw was the U.S anyway, so I decided to jump over. Since I'd stolen L's – or rather Near's – credit card, I was able to get there with no problems. During my year of solitude, I'd stayed at a hotel and had gotten myself a new wardrobe, considering I was growing out of the old one.

Don't ask about the leather thing. I simply saw some that I liked and… well… I did say I was careless.

Anyway, my credit card finally emptied, the hotel kicked me out, and I hadn't had a decent meal in over three months. I had thought about returning to Wammy's… to Matt… but I had no ways of getting myself there. My life was turning into a nightmare now, and I couldn't wake up.

Even worse… Matt wasn't there to make it all better.

I thought about him often. How I'd left him, deserted him. I wondered sometimes if he hated me for what I'd done. I didn't like that thought, but I was too certain that this was the case. I mean, I promised him we'd be friends to the end. That I'd never desert or forget him. Well, I didn't forget him… but still…

But, I'm off topic.

I finally took a breath and began walking again. The leather I was wearing helped a little with the bitter, November air. But only by a little bit, considering I showed more skin than I ought to. I still have no idea what drove me to buy such a getup. All I knew was that I'd bought it, and I didn't look terrible in it. Hell, when I first got it, I looked sexy as fuck! However, looks didn't matter at this point since I was freezing and starving at the same time.

Thankfully, the old saying 'good things come to those who wait,' was not far off for me.

I heard a scream from behind me, and as I turned I saw a woman being mugged by some guy around my age. The woman herself, was a small, frail lady who fought desperately to keep her bag with her. I knew deep down I couldn't let this continue.

Maybe it's because I was a better person then, or I just really hated bullies, but I stepped in to help. I instantly ran up to them and grabbed the guy's right wrist and pinned him against the wall, holding his left arm painfully behind his back. He still had the woman's bag in his hands as he froze in fear. He didn't even struggle. I doubted he thought anyone would stop him.

As I held him in place, I spoke. "Gonna tell me why you're robbing this lady?"

He shook a bit. "I… I just needed the money. I-I'm sorry!"

"We all need money, guy. How you get it determines who you are. And right now, all you are is a punk." I tightened my grip on his right hand. The one that held the lady's bag. "Now let go."

He dropped the bag instantly, then I set him free. He made a run for it but I didn't bother to follow. I simply picked up her bag and politely handed it to her. "I'm sorry for stepping in, but I couldn't just sit back and watch him commit such an act."

The middle-aged woman took back her bag with some hesitation. I suppose, considering how I looked, she wasn't sure why someone like me would help her.

She suddenly grinned, her brown eyes glowing a bit. "Thank you. It's nice to know there's a kind soul around these parts."

Indeed. Where I was right now, reeked of havoc and crimes. I suppose I was the only one around who was unwilling to go through criminal activity just for a few bucks. Well, not now anyway.

Forgive me, for I seem to be telling more than I should right now. Back to the main story.

I had just said my goodbyes and grabbed my mediocre bag filled with nothing more than clothing and a few spare knick-knacks, when the woman stopped me.

"Young man, have you eaten today?"

'If you call garbage food, then…' "Yes… I suppose."

She grabbed my arm gently. "Come with me. I work at a diner close to here, and I feel you should be rewarded for your good deed today."

I flinched away when she said so. "Oh, no-no thank you, ma'am. I… I just helped because I wanted to. Please, I don't ask for anything in return."

"Nonsense. You're a good man, and I know some of the other ladies working there will be more than happy to help you out a bit. Please, it's the least I can do for you helping me."

I was about to protest once more, but my stomach was a lot quicker – and louder – than my thoughts.

She gave me a cheeky smile, then looped her hand onto my arm. "That settles it then. Come with me, please."

I grinned at her. This lady was hard-headed. "Alright, but only if you tell me your name. I don't wanna be calling you 'ma'am' or 'miss' the entirety of our walk."

She grinned back as she began walking us. "Maria. And you? What is your name?"

I stuffed my hands in my cold pockets as I walked alongside her. "Mello."

"And where are you from, Mello? Certainly not from L.A. I can hear you have an accent not even close to American soil."

I thought about my answer, but simply went with the truth I preferred. "England. Though I've been in Los Angeles for over a year now."

"Tell me about it. I've always wanted to see England, but of course with my salary, it's not exactly possible at the moment."

I chuckled a bit. "You'll get there. You just gotta believe you will."

The walk with Maria seemed to be the best part of my day. It felt good to talk about home with someone, and she didn't seem put off in the least about how I looked anymore. And once we had actually gotten to the diner, it just got better.

Maria sat me down in one of the booths and explained to the other waitresses about what I'd done to help her. They were instantly in awe of my efforts and were as kind to me as Maria was. The first thing they did to show their gratitude, was when they got me a fresh cup of coffee. I admit, I don't always drink coffee, but I was freezing and desperate. I took the mug with the kindest expression I could give. Truly, the environment I was in right now, was as good as being at the Wammy house when L was still alive.

Maria had just set down a plate of food – the usual lunchtime kinds of foods, sandwiches and that – when I noticed something in the atmosphere changed. Everything turned… colder. Almost fearful.

That's when one of the waitresses quickly grabbed Maria, mussing up her red hair a bit. "You have to get him out of that spot."

"What? Why- - wait… he's here?! This early?"

"I know, but just… move him! We can't have him pissed off again…"

I felt my heart sink a bit when the front door opened, and what looked like a horde a burly, angry looking men, walk into the diner. They surveyed the area in just a quick second before eyeing me down. But, it wasn't a sinking feeling like I was afraid. It was sinking in a way… like I knew these people. Like I'd seen them before. Where had I seen them before?

The lankiest one, the one that caught sight of me, walked up to me rather fierce-like, slamming his hands on the table. Not only did he ruin my food, but spilled what was left of my delicious, hand-warming coffee.

My temper flared, but I kept to my seat. I wouldn't let this guy win.

He leaned in, his breath foul and vomit-inducing. "That's the boss' seat. Get up!"

'Boss?' What boss was he talking about?

I crossed my arms. "Why should I?"

The lanky one ground his nails into the table. "Because I said so! And you!" He turned to Maria. "How dare you stupid bitch allow this to happen?! I should fucking…!"

Whatever he was going to say was cut short by me. I had already grabbed him and pinned his stupid face to the table, holding his arm behind him in the most painful way I knew how. Like I've said before… I really hate bullies.

I heard guns being drawn and Maria had been pulled away by some other waitress. That was good. I'd rather be the one to be shot right now. Not her.

I was about to break the guys arm, when I noticed something on his hand. I was a giant scar running along the base of his thumb to the knuckle of his forefinger. It looked like this guy had been bitten… badly.

My mind flashed back to my kidnapping as a ten-year-old. How I'd bitten a man exactly the same way… this couldn't be…?

"Jack?" I whispered. I was sure it was him.

He looked at me. "What? How… no, my name is Snyder."

"Don't be a pussy, I know it's you. But you don't seem to recognise me." I took a look at his hand, grinning wickedly. "Let me give you a hint."

I bit down hard and he screamed. The other men didn't even shoot. They all remembered me now.

As soon as I knew they had all remembered, I let go of Jack – or rather, Snyder – and spat out the blood that leaked into my mouth.

Finally, Snyder backed away from me. "Y-you're… t-that kid! The one we kidnapped… how…?"

"Shut up, Jack." Came that oh so recognizable voice.

I grinned a bit from the memory. "Rod Ross."

The man himself strode through the parting men. Not much had changed other than he got a lot more buff. Seriously, he looked as though he were on steroids.

"Well, this is a surprise. Little Mello, here in L.A. I suppose you've been looking for me, then? Why else would you be here?"

'That's right, you said you were from Los Angeles. Well, I guess coming here was a subconscious choice. Not a bad option though. Still… joining the mafia?'

I snorted at him. "I only just remembered you now, Ross. And that's because Jack here's a bigger idiot than I thought." I glared at the lanky man, who crumbled away. "Besides, I've been here a lot longer than you think, and you once told me to be looking into bars to find you. I think I'm smart enough to have found you before now."

Ross grinned at me. "I suppose you are correct."

I now glared at him. His eyes did not match his body language. Though he stood with a rather intimidating stance, his eyes did not stay locked onto my own. No, they roamed over every part of me, making me want to punch him. It was those same eyes that that monster who raped me made. They were hungry… and I was the main course.

I flicked my head away from him. "Why are you here, Ross?"

"It's a diner, isn't it? I came to eat."

Those words… the way he had said them... they were sickening.

"Find another diner. These people don't need you here. And besides, your foul stench is ruining my meal."

"Come on now, Mello. We're on better terms than this." He stated as he strode up to my side, grabbing my waist. "Let me buy you a new meal, since Snyder ruined your first one."

I rolled my eyes, shifting away from his hand. "No thanks. I seemed to have suddenly lost my appetite." I then looked at Jack. "Why the sudden name change?"

"Kira's why."

That name. I perked up right at the mention. "Kira? Trying to escape him, then?"

"It's worked so far. He's targeted many of the Mafia's around the world. Some were smarter than others." He grabbed my waist again, my stomach churning a bit. "But you know, with your help," he began whispering, "we'd be able to outsmart all of them plus Kira. We may even be able to take him down."

My heart clenched at this. Could we really…? No… no, we couldn't. For god sakes, Kira had even killed L!

'He… killed him.' I thought. 'My mentor… my brother. He killed my brother. HE KILLED L!'

I whipped my head back to look at Ross and he backed away a bit, still keeping his hand on me. Jesus, how much I wished I was ten once more. Maybe the pervert wouldn't touch me so much.

I knew he saw it though. The determination. "Fine. I want Kira's head anyway." I looked back towards the forgotten Maria. "On a few conditions." I smacked his hand away and strode over to my things waiting at the booth. "First, you leave these kind people a very generous tip for being an asshole in this fine establishment.

"Second, you find a new diner to hang around, or I do sweet fuck all to help you in this endeavor."

Ross grinned as he nodded. "Of course. I was thinking of relocating anyway. And you're correct, these fine people deserve a tip for putting up with us." He pulled out a roll of loose cash and gave each of the waitresses two-hundred dollars, plus a few hundreds in the tip jar for others.

I grinned wickedly. 'Anything for a pretty face, huh? That pervert may be useful to me. Under better circumstances, of course.'

I decided to put this to the test.

As I picked up my things, I did my best strut towards the hungry-looking man. Getting as close as possible, without touching him, I made my final demand. "I also ask for a daily supply of chocolate. Unless you want a moody psychopath on your hands."

"Psychopath? That's putting it lightly." He joked, pulling me in closer. "But I can do that. If you're really willing to get paid in chocolate, who am I to refuse?"

'Sucker.' How exactly was he the boss here? I knew exactly who ran this show, and evidently, it wasn't him.

As we all began to leave, I turned my head to Maria, who mouthed a 'thank you' towards me. I simply put a finger to my lips and winked. Not only had I found a place to stay, but in no time… it would become my empire.