A/N:

Heeeey~ welcome to my fic!

I've been working on this for a while planning planning planning and planning lol but now I think I am ready to unleash it for all of you to read and possibly enjoy!

So please read, leave a review if you would like~ I know it's only the first chapter but hopefully, it'll grab your attention enough to keep you coming back~

The setting for this is about two years before the beginning of season 1; I have only seen the anime so if there's stuff that happens before the first season during this timeline, then I am not aware so let's pretend that those things didn't happen and therefore this fic does not conflict with the original story.

Anyway, enjoy~!

Chapter. 1

She had dark hair; the lighting of the photo revealed that her tresses were, in fact, an espresso brown color, and her round eyes resembled the darker hues of the ocean. Even though the smile on her small face was crooked with an imperfect set of teeth, Akira felt a sense of jealousy while examining the picture on her phone.

Despite the flaws, this girl was cute and would probably arouse some attention on the day she would arrive at Raira Academy. That day was today in fact; only a week after the school year started, and Akira found herself waiting at the entrance of said academy, watching every female figure that passed.

Her dark chocolate eyes looked back at her phone screen, fingers itching to text back a questioning response to the image sent to her… But she couldn't; she didn't have the courage to question the reasoning behind targeting this new student.

Several minutes had passed and a number of bodies entering the academy dwindled down just before the bell rang through the halls alerting everyone that class was going to start. The annoyed student sighed and retreated inside to make her way to homeroom, assuring herself that she would find this new student eventually.

As Akira walked through the halls toward her class, the hateful thoughts began to rumble around in her head. Orihara had sent her that photo, telling her to find this girl and learn everything she could about her… But why? Akira bit her lip as the jealousy reared its ugly head once again and the thoughts of him wanting to know more about such a cute girl had her gut boiling. Orihara was hers and no one else could have him, not even some-

Her thoughts were interrupted when she rounded a corner and collided with someone else. She stood still for a moment and watched as the student stumbled back and dipped their head.

"I'm so sorry."

It was a female student with dark hair. "It's fine." Akira sighed and watched as the student stood up straight to make eye contact. "Wait." She recognized that face; those eyes. "You're new aren't you?"

This comment seemed to catch the young student by surprise and she nodded. "I am…"

"Oh… You just looked... So unfamiliar." Akira smiled sheepishly wondering just how unconvincing she sounded. "Do you need help?"

That crooked smile appeared on the girl's face, "I do, and actually would you mind pointing me in the right direction?"

Upon closer inspection, Akira could see clearly that this new student had olive skin and a dark freckle just above her lip on the right side of her face.

"Of course, and my name is Koizumi Akira by the way."

The new student shared Akira's homeroom which was perfect, and even though she already knew the new student's name, she couldn't help but be completely indulged in the new girl's greeting.

"Hello, my name is Hayashi Mari and I was previously homeschooled in a small town up north so being in such a large school is new to me so please help me out if I look lost." She bowed politely, allowing her long hair to fall over her lithe shoulders and chest.

Flashing that crooked smile again, the class responded with many questions and excited comments until the teacher quieted everyone down before telling Mari to find a seat.

Akira watched as the new girl looked around before locking eyes again and she made her way to the empty desk next to the blonde. They exchanged respectful smiles before the teacher started class; Akira couldn't help but zone out as she inspected Mari through her peripheral vision.

The dark-haired student simply sat up straight with good posture and took notes as the teacher wrote on the board. She appeared to be a regular student who was trying to make a good first impression which was normal. As her observation continued, Akira tilted her head; pretending to scratch her head to get a better look at Mari's chest before directing her eyes back to the front. A triumphant smile crept across her face at the realization that the blonde had her beat at one thing so far; she was always proud of her sizable breasts.

As Akira continued to watch the teacher speak, her thoughts wandered off into what she imagined as the perfect future events that will play out. Soon Akira predicted that Mari would grow comfortable and that was when she would be able to deliver some juicy details to the man she cherished most. Once this was all said and done, Izaya would only have her to observe and not have to worry about him looking at any other women in the meantime.

Lunch arrived rather quickly and Akira wasted no time to ask Mari if she would like to join her. It wasn't much of a surprise when the petite girl said yes, considering she was new and followed Akira down the hall and up the stairs while all the other students were rushing to their usual meet up spots with their friends.

Akira led Mari to the roof where there were a few groups of friends scattered along the sides of the gates that lined the edges. The group that Akira was going for was the one that other students would not dare come near.

"I'm gonna introduce you to my group," Akira said to Mari as they approached the group of students. "Everyone, this is Hayashi Mari, she's new here."

Only a few were muttering while others stared at the new girl until one of the students in the group stood and placed herself in front of them. She was taller than most of the other female students there with long raven hair tied up in pigtails. Honey colored eyes examined Mari before looking at Akira with a raised brow; her name is Oshiro Kimiko.

Akira leaned in close, "Orihara-kun requested." She whispered before looking over at the oblivious girl next to her, "She seems like a smart student, that's why I figured she would do great with us."

Kimiko tilted her head, "I guess." She sounded unimpressed; obviously disappointed by her frail appearance, then looked over when a male student stepped up.

"Nice meeting you Hayashi-san, my name is Kawaguchi Hayate." He dipped his head and kept his dark brown gaze on Mari's face while showing off his charming smile. Hayate was quite the playboy who was currently involved romantically with Kimiko, despite the fact that he constantly messed around with other female students from this school and others.

Akira had told Kimiko about his involvement with the other girls in this city but she refused to listen or even believe such things. To her, Hayate was the perfect boyfriend who she watched over like a hawk when they were in the same room; otherwise, he did what he wanted so long as she wasn't around.

Akira kept her eyes on Kimiko's annoyed expression as Hayate exchanged a few words with Mari until a curious question escaped the new girl's lips.

"So what kind of group is this?"

Hayate let out a small laugh before running a hand through his dark red dyed hair, "This is a group that welcomes those who are interested and the type of group that will defend anyone we call our own. We practically control the students at this academy and patrol certain parts of the city to let the others know what is ours."

"Like a color gang," Mari replied.

Akira let out a quiet scoff; so this new girl knew stuff about the city already? Even though she is from a small town up north… As that thought crossed her mind, the blonde couldn't help but wonder if maybe there were gangs where Mari was from… She decided to ask later when they were alone.

"Exactly." Hayate nodded, "There are no rival gangs at this academy but they are on the streets but that's okay because we outnumber them and we are far more powerful than they are." He was bragging.

"Who's the leader?"

"So many questions." Kimiko piped in, "How about you stop asking and eventually you'll learn everything you need to know."

Akira let out a sheepish laugh in response to Kimiko's hostility, "What she means is would you like to join us?" She watched as Mari glanced around, her dark blue eyes revealing nothing but curiosity for the possibilities presented to her. It was at this moment that Akira felt another fire being lit from within her chest as a cute smile appeared on the new girl's face.

"Sounds like fun."

The next few days were uneventful and Akira began to wonder if maybe she was just being impatient during this time having to get to know Mari. They had yet to do the initiation for her official joining of their gang, which Kimiko seemed to not mind at all even though this was something they were supposed to do sooner than later.

During this time, however, Akira took note of how easily Mari made other friends and even joined the track club. The blonde began to wonder if maybe Mari truly was not interested in keeping up with their gang; this was why she felt the need to get her initiation done or else she risked upsetting Orihara.

"We're doing it today after school." Kimiko sighed; Akira had caught her when lunch ended and everyone else was already heading back to class. "You don't need to preach to me about upsetting that annoying crush of yours."

Akira felt her face grow hot and the raven-haired girl began to laugh, "Shut up!"

"C'mon Zumi-chan, you can't get mad at me." Kimiko cooed, "I was the first person you told about your crush on him since middle school."

Akira let out a breathy sigh, "Then is it bad that I don't like the fact that he wants us to watch the new girl?"

Kimiko tilted her head; they were alone on the roof now. "Jealous?" Her honey eyes watched as Akira looked away, "There's nothing wrong with that." She grinned. "Just keep an even closer eye on her if you have to."

When school ended, Akira made sure to grab Mari before she had the chance to slip away. "You're coming with me today." The petite girl didn't complain as Akira pulled her along to the lockers to exchange their slippers for their street shoes. It was only after this that Mari questioned the reasoning behind Akira's hastiness.

"Today is your initiation." She replied before making her way out of the building.

"Initiation?" Mari followed close before gasping, "Oh! You guys were serious about all that?" A playful smile crossed her face and Akira narrowed her eyes at the small girl.

"Of course," Akira replied simply, "And by end of today, you will be officially apart of the Red Devils."

Mari had placed herself next to Akira as they walked out of the school gates, "So does this mean I get to join you all on your adventures through the city?"

Akira's brows furrowed, "Adventures? I guess you could call them that, so yes." Despite the reality of the situation, she couldn't picture Mari actually doing anything gang related, or anything violent for that matter. She was just too small and oblivious to everything going on. She accepted this route in her life with such ease that Akira began to mull over the inevitable events that would take place after today. Mari would be spending far more time with her; this wasn't too bad considering it was her duty to get to know everything about this new girl, but having to see her so much was starting to get on Akira's nerves.

Usually, when Orihara requested that her group keep an eye on someone, it was because said person was going to be dealt with in ways that resulted in Akira not having to see them ever again. This time, however, he wanted Akira of all people to get close to this girl and find out anything and everything about her. It was too strange. Typically it was a group effort rather than a one on one effort to get close and personal.

"So Koizumi-San, do you have any siblings?"

Mari's question caught Akira off guard, "Huh? Yeah, I have a younger brother. You?" She pushed away her thoughts so she could try to pay attention to the new girl again.

"No, I am an only child."

Akira felt her heart begin to pound; could Mari read minds? Was she purposely trying to give Akira information now? It was the thought of the fact that being able to read minds was impossible that calmed the blonde down and she let out a small breathy laugh which caught the small girl's attention. Desperate to conceal her reason of such relief, Akira blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "Explains why you're so weird." She replied followed by a nervous laugh.

Mari just stared at her which made Akira even more nervous but before the blonde had time to apologize, that crooked smile flashed and laughter ensued.

Initiation consisted of two things; of course nothing too horrible like being beaten into a bloody pulp, but instead a mark on the skin and a task to officially become one of the Red Devils.

The mark was given by and single blade carved into the skin in the same spot as everyone else: Just above the hip on the right side; before this procedure, though, the person would be given a task to complete in order to prove their worth to the gang.

Akira and Mari arrived at the Red Devil's meet up spot which was an abandoned parking garage in the middle of a few old, unoccupied buildings. The walls of the garage were filled with various colored graffiti all of which even Akira had a hard time figuring out what it all said. As they ascended the many ramps, Akira noticed that Mari was completely indulged in the graffiti that greeted them on every level; so the new girl liked this type of art? Or maybe she was trying to appear distracted rather than force small talk? Akira frowned and turned her attention forward as they reached the floor where everyone else would be.

The two were met by many stares from the rest of the group. There were still a few conversations going on as Akira led Mari over to Kimiko and Hayate.

"About time," Kimiko said when she noticed that they had walked up. "We were beginning to think that you weren't interested." She directed her words toward Mari who finally met her gaze.

"Oh don't worry," Mari said simply, "I'm definitely interested." She finished her words with a smile that made Akira feel uneasy.

"Then shall we start?" Hayate spoke up, "I was thinking that your task should be-"

A sudden uproar interrupted the grinning teen and everyone turned their attention to what had the rest of the group excited. As Akira followed the gazes of her fellow gang members, her heart skipped a beat as her eyes met a familiar mahogany stare.

"O-orihara-kun!" She gasped, feeling her face grow hot as he sauntered over to them. She admired how nonchalantly he approached with his hands in his coat pockets and a relaxed smile on his handsome face.

"Well well, it looks like there's a party going on." He spoke carelessly, "why wasn't I invited?" He rested his dark gaze onto Hayate who appeared to grow tense.

"I do not remember calling you." Hayate spoke bluntly, "so what can we do for you?"

"Straight to the point." Izaya sighed as he looked over at the new girl, "I see you have another plaything."

Akira felt her chest grow hot when he looked at Mari who simply stared back at him. "That's Hayashi Mari." The blonde spoke quickly. "A new member."

"Not yet." Kimiko pitched in, very obviously annoyed by Izaya's comment about Mari being Hatate's new plaything. "She's being initiated today."

"Ah, it's nice to meet you Mi-chan." He spread out his arms as if he was about to embrace her in a friendly hug. "My name is Orihara Izaya, but you can call me by my first name."

Akira bit her lip, she had never dared to call him by his first name, even after all these years.

"It's nice to meet you too, Orihara-kun," Mari replied simply while maintaining eye contact and keeping that odd smile on her face.

Akira watched as they seemed to have a bit of a stare off; one that began to make her and the others feel uncomfortable.

An unsettling smile spread across Izaya's face and he let out a small scoff.

"Can we get on with things already?" Kimiko snapped, which in turn caught Izaya's attention and he looked at her.

"Right, that is why I am here."

Akira couldn't help but keep her eyes on Mari as envy filled her entire being. Soon enough, though, she imagined that Miss Hayashi wouldn't be around much longer; there had to be more to Izaya's request to watch her than what he was revealing.

Dark blue eyes suddenly met Akira's chocolate gaze and she quickly looked away; her heart dropped from getting caught staring, but she averted her attention to Izaya as he spoke to Hayate.

"I have a special task!" Izaya's voice echoed through the cement building, "I want you to rough someone up for me." His hands were back inside of his coat pockets. "Or kill him, preferably."

"Who?" Hayate asked.

"Him." A photo was suddenly placed in front of the young man and he took it.

"Who is he?" Questioned Hayate as he looked at the picture.

"Names are not important in this situation." Izaya taunted while waving his hand as if the topic was no longer important, "What is important, however, is that this gets done sooner than later."

Kimiko leaned in to take a closer look at the photo, "He looks familiar."

"He works at a bar, and the location is on the back." The dark haired man then looked over at Mari, "I think it will be the perfect task for a newbie." He chuckled softly before making his exit. "Oh, and-" he turned on his heel to take one last look at the murmuring teens, "Don't disappoint me!"

Akira watched as he continued down the ramp before looking over at Hayate and Kimiko who were quietly discussing their plan. The blonde then looked at Mari, but the petite girl was too busy looking at her nails; a strange smile still on her face.

She decided to take this opportunity to talk to him, the one man she only had eyes for since the day she saw him.

"Orihara-kun!" She was huffing as she finally caught up to him.

Izaya looked over his shoulder through the fur on the trim of his black coat, "Zumi-chan, long time no talk."

"I'm watching Hayashi-san like you requested." Akira spoke eagerly once she was close, "Please tell me why I have to watch her again?"

"Oh silly girl," Izaya sighed, turning his body to face her, "You don't have to do anything."

Akira blinked in response, confused.

"I simply asked you a favor and you accepted." He shrugged," I'm not making you do anything." He let out a small laugh, "You did say that I requested this after all right?"

A sly smile appeared on his face and Akira almost forgot why she was talking to him. "R-right but I just want to know why… Why you asked me to watch her... Is all." She was crumbling the trim of her skirt while speaking to him.

"Why, why, why, so many questions!" The twenty-year-old sighed, "But I understand your curiosity." He had placed himself next to her and rested a hand on her shoulder. "And in time you will find out everything, but for now I cannot tell you why I want you to watch her or else it might ruin the authenticity of my own observation." His free hand pressed against his chest dramatically. "Besides," He let go of her shoulder and took a step forward, "What fun would it be to reveal everything right away, hm?"

Akira frowned, "I understand."

Izaya tilted his head before patting the top of hers, "There, there, everything will make sense in time, just be patient." He then put his hands back into his pockets, "In the meantime, could you do me one more small favor?"

Akira perked up rather quickly, "Anything!"

Izaya's smile grew.

When Akira returned to the floor where everyone else was, she could see Kimiko watching her, a knowing smile on her snobby face. Mari, on the other hand, was busy playing on her phone, looking rather bored.

"So we know who he is," Hayate spoke when he saw that Akira was back with them.

"What?"

"You know, the guy who Orihara wants us to deal with?" Kimiko responded amused, "It's Heiwajima Shizuo."

Akira blinked as the dreadful realization set in, "What?" She scrambled for words, "I-I had no-"

"Save it for later." Hayate sighed, "hopefully no one dies because of this."

"All because of your crush-"

Feeling her face grow hot, Akira hushed Kimiko who smiled vivaciously in response.

"It's all good though like Orihara said, it's the perfect task for a newbie." Kimiko looked over at Mari who looked up, "You are coming out with me tonight to handle this, got it?"

Akira swallowed dryly, "I should come too."

"No." Kimiko looked at her, "It's time for me to spend some personal time with the new girl since you've been having all the fun around here."

"It would be nice to get to know you better Oshiro-san." Mari was suddenly next to them which spooked Kimiko but she quickly recovered by folding her arms defensively.

"Well, then it's settled." The raven-haired girl stared down at Mari, "Meet me at this address tonight at nine." She handed her the photo of the man who they were going to be dealing with. "Don't be late."

Mari looked down at the photo, examining the man as Akira looked at Kimiko.

"Are you sure I shouldn't tag along?"

"We'll be fine." Kimiko replied simply, "I've got some guys I can bring who will be there to do most of the dirty work." She then leaned in close so that only Akira could hear. "Don't worry, I'll make sure your little project for Orihara-kun doesn't get hurt." She backed away and winked at the blonde who only frowned.

"Do I get to keep this photo?" Mari spoke up.

"It's all yours." Hayate sighed, "I would rather not have to see his face ever again."

A/N: Hope you liked this first chapter! There will be more to come~

So please please please leave a review, follow, or fav this story~ It'll mean the world to me! (kinda)

Let me know if I'm staying in character with the original characters of this awesome abime~ I'm doing this for fun, but I do like to keep things authentic~

until next time!