I only own my OCs. Skip beat belongs to it's rightful owners.

This fic is in the process of being re-written.

Beta read by brennakai.

This fic contains cursing, character death (obviously) and mentions of abuse. It is generally targeted at anyone interested, but I do not suggest this to anyone under 13.

Enjoy!

~O~

'I used to wonder, if dying would hurt. Now I have an answer...'

'YES! YES, IT DOES HURT!'

And this is the story of how I found this out- and what happened after that.

It was my 19 birthday and I was walking home from my part-time job, a family restaurant that was badly understaffed. I lived alone, so I didn't need to wonder if someone was waiting for me. So, I took my time, hoping to blow off some steam. I was covered in sauce and leftovers. I had been cleaning tables, when someone's kid decided it would be fun, to throw their food at me. Because of that, my blond hair was now pointing in every possible direction. The parents hadn't even cared, they just seemed glad that THEY weren't the ones the tantrum had been directed at. They didn't apologize or try to help clean up the mess their made either.

My tired, sleepy eyes were tinged red, bloodshot from being awake the whole night before. I had needed to read and study for my exams. I ended up needing to read this one chapter at least five times. I just couldn't seem to understand it. I wasn't the smartest, or brightest when it came to school. I especially had difficulty with Math and Physics. I had to put everything I have into studying them. So when exams came around, I had to give them my all.

In other words; it could be said I was a loser, loner, social outcast. I did have "friends"... Not that they were very good company. I did have people I could talk to at work and my teachers didn't hate me... Much... Yeah, I couldn't really blame them. But overall, I didn't have enemies other than myself. If anyone actually hated me, that would have been Fate, as well as my own damn family. To my parents I was the second biggest mistake of their lives, even if I tried really hard not to be I was a failure to them.

Anyway, I was walking on the sidewalk next to a freezing river, when a drunk man came barreling from around a corner. The guy was running as fast as he could, and he looked like Death itself was chasing him. I don't think he really saw where he was going. I didn't react fast enough, and he crashed into me. Now, I wasn't a very big guy to begin with and, I was thoroughly exhausted. So even a strong gust of wind would have sent me falling down on my ass. So, when we collided, I was sent flying. Due to his size and momentum, I was pushed back into the river. The water was frigid, ice cold, like it usually is at the end of October. At first, it felt like millions of tiny ice needles became burning cold knifes. Then I didn't feel the cold any more, as hypothermia set.

The river was really deep, and I felt myself sinking deeper every second into the deep dark waters…-or I thought I did. I tried to swim to what I thought to be the surface, but my limbs didn't listen to me. Not that it even mattered- the water was pitch black, as a moonless midnight sky. I lost all sense of up or down in the bleak nothingness. So, I just sunk deeper as my eyelids become heavier. I gave a bitter smile. 'Fuck, this SUCKS! You can eat shit Fate. 'Cus this plot twist sucks.'

I remembered clearly how my co-worker had said today, that I probably had the worst luck in the world, and I agreed with him wholeheartedly.

'DAMN, dying on my own birthday... I always knew someone up there hated me, but seriously? I mean my life wasn't GREAT, but I don't want to die! Not when I still haven't even read the end of the Skip Beat manga!'

Aaaand then, everything went to shit. What? You thought that was bad? Oh, you are in for a ride.

~O~

The next time I woke up- 'wait I woke up?' My eyes snapped open from that shocking thought. I tried to remember what happened and the first thing in my head was the river. I thought I was just in the hospital… That maybe someone had seen what happened and called for help. But I soon realized, the white space I was staring at didn't seem to have form, no walls or a ceiling. I blinked, realizing I didn't actually feel cold at all, like I thought I should. I… I didn't physically feel anything. But at the same time, it felt like someone was pulling me apart. I soon put the pieces together. 'Did I really… Was this what dying felt like?' I sat up and stared at myself and the weird white space… I was shocked and it was well very… numbing really. I blinked when something came flashed before my face.

'WHOA, WHERE THE HELL DID THIS GRANDMA COME FROM?!'

"What the?! Who the hell are you, old hag?!" I screamed at the old woman whose face just seemed to appear centimeters away from mine. All I got from that, was a smack on my head. Naturally, I covered my poor head with my hands, glaring at the evil woman who hit me.

"OW! What the hell, old hag?!" My response to being hit was immediate.

"Stop calling me old hag! I'm not THAT old looking! I decide to give you another chance to live and that's all thanks I get?! Honestly, people these days…" The last part was mumbled, but I heard her anyway. Feeling a little ashamed of my actions, (to my defense, it was a completely normal reaction to the sudden appearance of an elder woman) I sighed and rose my hands up in surrender.

"Sorry, I'm not usually like that, but I did just die, so what did you expect? But let's start over. Hi, my name is Roy. Would you kindly tell me who you are or where I am?" I asked overly politely. In the same mocking tone I used with my teachers. But presumably, she just didn't understand the sarcasm. She DID raise an eyebrow at my seemingly sudden change of attitude, but quickly smiled brightly. It was disturbing to see this white-haired grandma smiling so brightly, while she wore those black robes with an enormous hood. Those bright red eyes finished off the "creepy as fuck"-look oh so nicely.

"My, my, now that's better! And I forgive you. After all, it is kind of my fault that your in here... Anyway! Over the years I have had many names. I am the one your people have called as 'Reaper' or Hades, God of Death, Shinigami, whatever suits you the best. And the space we are in now, this is the Limbo between life and dead. Only me, angels and those damned demons can come and go as we please. Souls, like yours, can only come and go if one of those three, or the Big Boss, wishes it so."

"Ah, okay, so now wh- WAIT A SEC! What do you mean, 'this is kind of my fault'?! ARE YOU FUCKING SAYING YOU PULLED AN YUSUKE UREMESHI* ON ME?!" I screamed, enraged that what I thought to be the end of my story, was actually just A BIG. FUCKING. TYPO.

"Ahaha, well... I just maybe, might have taken your soul accidentally instead of that drunken man. Who, as it turned out, has the Sight... I'm terribly sorry! But what can I say!? It's not my fault you looked like him to me!" Was her sheepish and very unprofessional answer.

"How, in the name of everything that has a pulse, do I look ANYTHING like that guy?! Ever heard about something called glasses?!" I yelled, feeling seriously offended. I was QUITE sure I didn't look like I was in my forties, AND, I didn't even drink!

"Ah, I need to get myself a helper- ("DON'T IGNORE ME!" I screamed at her) -and Boss can say whatever he wants about that. There are millions of angels, so why the hell do I have to work alone?! It's annoying to deal with so many miss-hits every fourth second! And glasses would do good too..."

"... Just how usual is this?" Yeah, that's the only thing I got out of her tirade. If I had been in an anime, I would have had a sweat drop next to my temple.

"... It started about three centuries ago. You know, maybe I should have done something about this some time ago..."

"Yes, yes, YOU definitely should have. But anyway, what's going to happen to me now?" I asked, while sitting cross-legged in the white space. 'Cool, I'm floating!'

"Well, since I fished out your soul before you were supposed to be sent to be judged by Boss, I have to send you into another life. So, if you have anything in mind, speak up."

"Well, for one, I want to stay as a dude thank you very much..." I growled out. I like my gender. No offence to anyone. "And well...Hmm, is it possible to be reborn in anime? Cause the real world ain't cutting it for me." I asked jokingly. Hey, a guy can dream right?

"Yes, it's actually a whole lot easier than being reborn in another universe, for example. I can just use some manga book as portal, instead of MAKING one, which bye the way, takes lots of energy."

"Oh, I see, then- Hey wait, a sec! It's possible?! Can I be reborn in Skip Beat?!" I think my eyes were sparkling.

"Uhmm, yes, it is possible. . . Was that your wish? To be born in the world of Skip Beat?" Really, I could swear that I saw a sweat drop just then... Meh, whatever! I nodded my head in the speed of light. Reaper looked amazed that my head didn't fly off.

"Well, hope we won't see you again too soon." The world went black for me.

'Let's see how this will come out. Watch out LME, I'm coming!' And that's where this REALLY kicks off.

~O~

~Some hospital, Japan~

Haruka Akiyama would have never thought that she would be giving birth to her firstborn at the age of eighteen. Not that she wasn't happy, no, she was happiest than she had ever been. Honestly, with her luck, she was happy just to be alive. But to be engaged to the man she had loved since she could remember and have a child together? She couldn't believe it at first.

It had started years ago, when Daichi, (child's father), and she met. First came friendship and over the years, it had turned into adoration. But their road hadn't been very smooth. Daichi was three years older and both of their families seemed to hate each other without any real reason. Daichi had a massive old and very traditional extended family. While Haruka's was barely holding together. So maybe it was just the difference that made them wary. Then again... While Haruka was fairly normal looking, short woman, she had a strong presence. With her hourglass figure, pitch black eyes and flaming red hair, she was not a force to be confronted. While her unnatural hair DID earn her many scorning looks, it was really her Yankee-like nature that scared people away.

Haruka was a very stubborn, short tempered and strong woman. But she was also loving, loyal and full of cheer.

Daichi, on the other hand, was naturally tall as hell. And even thought the plain brown hair and green eyes didn't really make him that imitating, people always cowered at the sight of him. Funny enough, he was actually very kind, positive and patient man. Daichi didn't speak much, leading many to think he was mute or just rude, both of which weren't true. Daichi just didn't see talking as important and this always caused misunderstandings.

The young pair had only realized their feelings while attending University. After talking it out and considering it carefully, they had gotten married against their families wishes. (Bah, like they cared about those old timers.)

And that's how we arrived here, where Haruka was giving birth while practically crushing her husband's hand... (How Daichi wasn't the one who was screaming his head off in pure agony, we'll never know...)

Nurses and the doctor were impressed by how Daichi hadn't fainted or panicked, like new fathers usually did. He had just calmly supported his wife by holding her hand as she screamed him half-deaf. (And let me say, that Haruka had a very, VERY healthy pair of lugs...)

After almost six painful hours, there was the wail of a new born baby. It was finally over. The doctor came to over to couple, with the baby in his arms and gentle smile on his face. "Congratulations Mister and Miss Akiyama, you have a healthy baby boy." Giving the infant to its parents, the doctor left the room for a while, to give the couple some privacy.

As soon as Haruka had her new baby boy in her arms, her normal scowl turned into a beautiful smile. Those usually blank black eyes turned into warm ones in a second. Infant's eyelashes stirred and they slowly showed big jade green eyes. The boy had the same red hair as his mother, making him look like a tiny elf.

"He has my hair and your eyes, isn't this great?" She smiled as the infant giggled and tried to grab some of her waist long hair. Daichi smirked at that, before gently smiling at the scene in front of him.

"It will only be better, if he doesn't have your temper." His deep voice was practically purring with pride, and Haruka could only laugh. To him, her laughter sounded like bells, while someone else would have described it as knife being dragged against a plate.

"Hahaha, that's true. I don't think you can handle two volcanoes at once. Thought, even if he turns out to be like me, I would never love him any less." Haruka stated before starting to coo at her small angel. Daichi chuckled. There was no way they wouldn't love him, no matter what the others might have thought. This was their son, and no one's else's.

"What do you want to name him?" Daichi asked. When his wife gave a very confused look, he rolled his eyes but explained anyway.

"We agreed, that if it was girl, I would name her and if it was a boy, you would name him. I certainly hope he will have a better memory than you." The last bit was just teasing, and his wife only huffed, with red cheeks. She really had forgotten.

"Okay, let's see. . ." She had absolutely terrible naming sense and they both knew it, but she was determined to prove him (and herself) wrong.

A minute went by...

Then another...

Then another...

"... You sure, you want to name him?" Daichi finally asked after a long silence. He would have sworn he saw the baby giving Haruka a deadpan look. Then she finally snapped fingers of her free right hand.

"I got it! Ryo, written like 'reality'! To remind me that this isn't a dream and that he really truly is our son." Haruka looked proud, that for once, she had come up with a good name. Daichi couldn't say anything at that, it was a nice name. And actually, made sense. (And it wasn't something like the first suggestions... He still wondered how she came up with 'Shinigami'...)

"Hmm, Ryo Akiyama... I like the sound of that. Good job!" Daichi said as he ruffled his wife's beautiful hair. Haruka giggled, amused by her husband's antics. There was a yawn and they both looked at their son, who was now newly named as Ryo. Haruka let her own yawn escape when she looked at Ryo, everything catching up to her.

The doctor came and took baby from tired mother's arms and gave him to be taken to the nursery. Daichi looked at his wife, who's head was already dropping. He smiled and kissed Haruka's forehead. "It's fine now. Sleep Haru. You've deserved it. I'll stay here until you wake up." Haruka just nodded. She was so tired. Daichi looked at her peaceful face as she slept, while in the nursery, Roy, now Ryo, decided that he liked his new name.

'Things are going to be interesting from now on.' both thought.

~O~

Last edited: 22.5.2019

Beta reader: brennakai

(A BIIIG THANK YOU TO YOU 3 I hope you'll continue to help me in the future too!)

*Yusuke Uremeshi is the lead character of anime/manga named Yu Yu Hakusho, who died way before his time and comes back to life.