AN: Welcome one and all to this project I've been working on over a year now.
I want to first apologise to everyone who has been patiently waiting for me to update this fanfic.
I am still working on this. Don't worry. I've actually planned out the vast majority of the chapters so far, and I plan on writing a little bit every day compared to my previous… lack of dedication.
But have faith, I'm determined to finish this.
Now onto the fanfic: Crimson Avenue is a clear AU of Death Note. It has the same beloved characters, the occasional OC, and other minor & nameless characters from Death Note. I have also added some distinct parallels to the original manga with a little twist mixed in.
As the brief summary states, this is an L/Light fanfic. So, if you're uncomfortable with anything that's gay then I don't think you're in the right place.
The Update: I've updated the prologue and the first two chapters to incorporate a new premise I have in mind. Light will no longer be running around in the middle of the night with no goal in mind. It will make more sense compared to the previous idea of his "instinct" kicking in that I had written prior, and will play a huge part in the upcoming chapters. I hope you like it. :)
I am also going to try harder to thank the reviewers and/or respond to them. I'm usually pretty bad at keeping up this sort of thing. I apologize for my silence. I'm pretty introverted on the computer... which is weird because it's usually the opposite for people.
Disclaimer: I do not own Death Note nor any of the characters in the manga. They belong to the creators of Death Note. All I do own is the premise of the story, the plot, and the words in it.
Now onto the beginning, the beginning of the end!
Recommended song(s): Lover's End by The Birthday Massacre. Welcome to the End by Celldweller.
Prologue: The Beginning of the End
"Take a deep breath. Breathe. Let in that final gasp of air before I take it away. Think of it as a gift from me to you, and my gift? Well your life of course; doesn't that sound romantic?" a thin blade tore into moist, porcelain skin with an act of passion, digging further into its flesh with every inch the sharp metal gained. Tears escaped the man's prey.
"Why am I doing this, you ask? Well that's none of your concern right now, but don't worry, I'll leave your body somewhere nice. Comfortable. Where someone can find you. That way, there's some hope that you can be avenged, but by then I'll be long gone," a disposable phone illuminated the otherwise dark, bare room for an instant as its holder studied the inanimate object.
"3 AM and still no response. It appears that your fate has been decided. He's not going to save you. It's a shame really, we were just starting to get to know each other. There's so much left to learn," strong hands grasped onto small, delicate ones, bending it to its side at an unnatural angle until an unmistakable crunch resounded throughout the enclosed space. A muffled scream followed.
"Wait, don't move. Let me savor your tears, your image. That way I'll have something to commemorate my memory of you. Smile now," a bright flash momentarily blinded its intended victim.
"Good girl. That turned out marvelous, didn't it?" a soft smile graced his lips for just an instant as he shared the photograph he had just taken. A sob was its response.
"Well, it's about time. I have a test to take in a few hours and I can't afford to miss it, now can I? Fortunately, this is where we must part ways," he gradually lifted his chosen weapon above his head, its shadow staring menacingly at its intended sufferer, pausing for a moment so its wielder could whisper a single word.
"Goodnight."
As if it were a welcomed embrace, midnight descended upon the city with one fluid motion cloaking the empty streets in darkness. A sudden light illuminated a previously opaque alley, left compassionately beside a still angel. Soft fingers trailed down the bare skin of the angel's shoulder, lips hovering over the painted red lips of the woman; a smile overtook the man's features. He whispered, breath ghosting across her mangled corpse, "I never meant for this to happen, but you brought this upon yourself." He lowered his lips until it barely touched her ear, sorrow tainting his previously wholesome voice, "I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."
He rose from his crouched position, slowly surveying his surrounding environment in order to ensure that everything was in its proper place. He didn't wish to disappoint its future spectators. With a final look of scrutiny, he abruptly removed himself from the lifeless being, soon ignoring its presence all together, and left its vicinity in order to head home.
It was only a matter of time before someone discovered the trail of candles which led to the body of Misa Amane.