Full Summary: Gracey-Lynn Sakurai is half Shinigami, half human, and 100% done with this shit. After being bullied in America for having 'fake' cat ears and a tail, her dad agrees to allow her to be an exchange student in Japan, his home country. Thinking she's finally found a place to fit in, it all changes when she meets Light Yagami, a human with a Death Note. Now she's caught in a mess with Kira, but perhaps this Lawliet boy can help her find some balance.
Chapter One: お早う
The world is desolate, barren, a landscape of dull monotone grays and browns. It takes a while for my eyes to adjust to the lighting, the dullness boring into my brain. I rub my eyes, my arms moving slowly as though they're submerged in water. My head feels fuzzy, and I can't remember where I am. Who even am I?
"I win again." A gruff voice comments in amusement. So I'm not alone. That's good? Blinking a few times, I steady my breathing and look around at my surroundings once again.
Still barren, desolate and monotone. However, I notice two figures below me. They sit close together, limbs unnaturally boney, skulls around their feet. A cold fear chokes my veins. I know what these are, well, who they are.
The Shinigami don't pay me any attention, perhaps they haven't noticed I'm here. The fear ebbs away slightly, and I focus intently on their shapes. As long as I'm out of sight I should be okay. I could scout from up here, see who these strange creatures are. Most importantly however, I'm looking for something specific.
Cat ears. If I see any cat ears I'm going to flip.
A loud annoyed sigh sounds off at my side. I jump and turn, my heart racing once again. Shit shit shit.
It's a Shinigami, impossibly tall and muscular. Their back turned to me and looking down at the others. This Shinigami doesn't even glance at me, and I can't see their face. Only their back, tufts of fur extending out from their shoulders. I might actually have a heart attack. Tufts of fur on their shoulders. This can't be-
"Mom?" I call out, reaching towards the Shinigami.
I jolt awake, my body covered in sweat and ears twitching. My heart feels like it's going to burst out of my chest. It was just a dream. I run my hands over my ears, feeling the realness of the fluffy fur. I'm still alive, mentally okay, and physically fine. There are no Shinigami here, besides well, me.
I sit up in my bed, and catch my reflection in the mirror.
Yup, that's me. The one and only Gracey-Lynn Sakurai. Part Japanese and part Shinigami. The thought causes my cat ears to twitch in annoyance. I don't think I'll ever get used to them, even if I'm 16. Good thing I'm a furry. That thought brings a smile to my normally neutral face. Stretching, I reach over to my phone and put on 'I Never Told You What I do For a Living' by My Chemical Romance, my favourite song by my favourite band. The music blares around my room through the built in speakers, and I push off the black fur blanket on my bed and stand up.
The uncomfortable feeling, along with disappointment to not seeing the Shinigami's face sticks with me. Alright Gracey, nothing My Chemical Romance can't fix. I look at my reflection again. My blue hair is a mess, hanging in a frizzy knotty mess over my left shoulder, irritating the ear on that side.
"Another knife in my hands
A stain that never comes off the sheets"
I sing, dancing in my favourite pajamas. A baggy Gerard Way tank top, pink skeleton boxers, and black fishing net socks. Gerard Way truly looks amazing on me. I glance at the clock, yup I really should be getting ready to attend school.
Today is actually kind of exciting. I'm starting my first day of school in Japan! It seems like only yesterday I was in America getting bullied for my cat ears, and good grades. I fix my hair, untangling it around my ear and running my black nailed fingers through it. Today is going to go well! Once again I feel incredibly thankful my dad grew up here and agreed to let my be an exchange student. If things went well here, he said we could move here permanently. If it's even a little better than America, I am completely down.
I go to my bathroom, My Chemical Romance still playing behind me as I dance along. After I finish getting ready and putting on some makeup, I head back to my phone. I change the song to my Pan!c at the Disco playlist, and go into my walk in closet. I put on my usual outfit of a My Chemical Romance long sleeve shirt, ripped black skinny jeans and a fluffy black, fur scarf. I clip a cat tail to the back on my jeans, placing the remote in my pocket. As I look at my reflection in the mirror while I clip on my choker, I wonder how much I really look like my mom. The thought, along with the residue from the dream has my stomach clenching in longing.
I never met her, that's all there is too it. I never have and probably never will, I've never even seen a picture of her. All I have is my dad's word. She had white cat ears, an arm without flesh. Her skin was a gray blue, the colour of bruises and evening storm clouds. She had a single functioning leg, the other wrapped in bandages, just like her entire upper body. She apparently rocked a black mini skirt. Her tail was incredibly long, something I wasn't born with. I only wear one because it helps me explain the ears better; this is all simply my furry costume. There is no way in hell people would understand me being born with cat ears. Our eyes are also strikingly similar, according to dad at least. Red, the colour of roses, or as I prefer- the colour of blood. Clipping the choker in place, I brush the scarf. My heart lurches. She had tufts of black fur fanning out around her shoulders.
Did I really see her in my dream?
No, I couldn't have. Shaking my head, I go over to my desk and place the black bracelets all up and down my arms, completing my pleasant gothy emo look. Kicking my feet up on my desk, I grab my laptop and log onto my tumblr.
Dawn the Undead
I'm honestly still proud of my username. Dawn is the name of my fursona, and undead, well, when you're half Shinigami that's what you pretty much are. I fuck around for a bit, mindlessly reblogging stuff until one of my mutuals messages me. By mutuals I mean my best friend from America. Ally Zaeles.
CloverFox: Hey Dawn, how's Japan 3
DawntheUndead: Well I haven't been made fun of in the last week, so way better than america.
CloverFox: Ugh whatever, just don't flirt with too many hotties
I roll my eyes. Ally was the only good thing in my life for a while, aside from my dad of course. She was the one who convinced me to apply for the exchange program. Japan wasn't my first language for nothing!
DawntheUndead: Lmao, I gotta go, I'll call you after school
I close my laptop, mentally reminding myself to message her after school. I grab my phone and unplug it, interrupting Brendon Urie mid song. I love him almost as much as Gerard. Placing it in the front pocket of my black backpack, I swing it over my shoulder and head out of my room. In a stark contrast to the dark colours of my room, the rest of our apartment is light pale colours. Dad's already left for work, but the note on the kitchen counter has me grinning.
Have a good first day in school, I know you're gonna do great. Yú would be so proud. I love you - Dad
Yú, my mother. I place the note back down, grabbing my bento off the counter and placing it along with my binders into my backpack. As I head towards the main door, the image of the fur on the Shinigami's shoulders pops into my mind. I shake my head again, willing it to go away. I don't want to deal with this so early in the morning. Grabbing a juice box my dad must have placed on the table beside our door knowing my typical teenager habit of skipping breakfast, I pull on my boots. The buckles click together with every slight movement. I adored them.
Taking a deep breath, and switching everything to Japanese mode, I marched out of the house.
I remember we need to wear a uniform the moment I'm standing outside the school fence. Students all in fresh, neat uniforms stare at me, whispering amongst themselves. Great, my social life is destroyed before it even started, all thanks to me. Guess I would have to go back to America after all. Taking a deep breath, I hurry towards the front office. I apologize rapidly and in Japanese to the secretary who seems more amused than anything about my mistake.
"It's always a little confusing on the first day." She explains, ushering me towards one of the small rooms. I stand outside while she retrieves a new uniform, all the while I stumble over apologies. My ears lay flat on my head while my face burns in embarrassment as she hands the nicely pressed outfit in my hands. "You can return it tomorrow." Her smile is bright and kind, far too polite for my taste. I thank her profusely, and rush to the bathroom. I'm changed in a matter of seconds, skirt swishing around my knees while my hoodie and jeans lay stuffed inside the bag I had been given. Glancing at the clock on my phone I internally grown and resist the urge to break down and cry. I'm late.
I run through the school, feeling uncomfortably like an anime character as I burst into my first class.
"I'm sorry!" I pant, well aware of all the eyes on me. The teacher smiles welcomingly, placing the chalk back down and gesturing to me.
"Welcome! Please, come in and introduce yourself."
Controlling my breathing I stride into the room. I'm used to it by now, so the names and numbers hovering above every person's head doesn't affect me. I have no idea what the numbers mean either, which only adds to the easiness of ignoring them.
"I'm Gracey-Lynn Sakurai. I transferred here from America." Whispering starts up at that, I have a strong feeling I'll have to deal with that for the rest of the day. It's nothing I'm not used to, so whatever. The leader, Ms. whatever says something about welcoming me and being nice, as I awkwardly stand beside her. There's some open seats near the back, looks like one of those is going to be home. As I walk down the aisle to my seat, students whisper but smile? I'm not used to this. I duck my head, ears flattening and smile back. Alright, I like this. I sit beside a black haired girl who looks very pleased about my choice. The name above her head says 'Komori Tsuki'.
"I really like your hair." She whispers.
"Thanks." I reply, brushing back my blue hair so I can see her properly. The rest of the class is spent in silence, us both taken notes and Komori answering questions with confidence. I should definitely befriend her, plus her appearance could easily be a synonym for attractive. We exchange small talk, the classic 'how are you liking Japan so far?' and 'Did you bring a gun here?' all asked. Before I even know it class is done, and the rest of the day flies by.
I end up eating lunch with Komori and her friends, all far more polite than those I had to deal with in America. They don't make any rude comments about my ears, tail, eyes or hair. It almost feels weird that no one is pulling my tail or ears. By the time lunch is over and I'm having to read the names of the girls to remember them, I head off to my final class. English. It's no doubt going to be a breeze, and I'm really looking forward to it.
By the time I enter the classroom, most of the seats are taken except for one near the back. The back of the classroom is slowly becoming my best friend. If only that brown haired boy wasn't sitting near the window than I'd have some entertainment. As though some strange ritual, the teacher introduces me to the class, and I walk to the open seat. The boy, 'Yagami Light' turns to me, smiling politely as I take a seat.
"Hi, I'm Gracey-Lynn." I say, mentally hitting myself as he know doubt knows my name from my introduction not even ten seconds ago.
"Yagami Light." Light answers, smiling still. He's sort of attractive, okay, really attractive. I may or may not blushed under his gaze.
Class drones on, the teacher who's name I can't bother to remember occasionally calls me to critique a student's English pronunciation. It's nice. The attention positive, and welcoming. I wish I could pay attention, but soon my mind is wandering and the outside world seems far more interesting compared to this. I already know English, I honestly don't need to pay attention. Dozing off, I stare outside, watching the birds and the book. The book.
I jerk to full alertness. There's a book falling from the sky. Holy shit. The words 'Death Note' flash in my mind, as the small black book flies past the window. I know what that is. My heart races. Oh my god, a Death note. I can hardly think straight. Maybe it was a hallucination. I had to have imagined it. Light's eyes catch mine in the reflection of the window. So he saw it too, the knowing gleam in those milk chocolate eyes distracts me briefly. Death note, ugh, don't get distracted by some guy. The teacher calls on Light and he stands up, eyes glued to the window.
A Death Note.
Dad said mom had one. I can feel the pulse in my wrists, my ears twitching again. Class ended in five minutes. The moment this is over, I'm getting down there.
Each minute passes painfully. I feel like I'm losing years of my life. I tap my fingers on the desk, repeatedly meeting Light's eyes in the reflection. Why was he staring out there too? Maybe I should ask him-
The bell rings, and everyone jumps up. I'm one of them, my legs propelling me forward and out the door.
Mom. What if that was her Death Note? The prospect gives me the urge to vomit. Dammit, why now? Why here? I race down the steps of the front door, shoving past students, scanning for the book. It should be here. Did someone take it? Panic grips my chest. I'm about to let out a frustrated yell when I see it nestled in the grass next to some bushes. Bingo. I walk towards it, trying to look casual, as though a piece of my mother was not in front of me. What would dad say? Could be summon mom with it? What if-
"Hey hey hey little kitty." I tense, swinging around to face a group of three guys. I feel weighted down by dread and stop in my tracks. My stomach is in knots but I face them with my chin held high.
"What the fuck do you want." I snap, crossing my arms. The leader of the group glares at me, a smirk lighting up his face.
"We don't mean no harm." One of the other guys say, it's easier to ignore them if I don't acknowledge their names. The less I know about them the better. I scowl, narrowing my eyes. Now this, feels like home.
"Fuck. Off." I grit out. The leader snickers, what's so funny? "HEY!" I yelp, wiping around as another guy yanks on my tail. The group laughs, one of them reaching forward to grab my ears. I duck my head, fuming. Just because it's my normal does not mean I like it. I pull back my arm, ready to start throwing punches. I am not going to allow a couple low lives to ruin my time in Japan.
"Stop." I freeze, noting how the guys in front of me are frowning too. I look over my shoulder and see the familiar brown eyes of Light. "Leave her alone." He speaks calmly, and the leader steps back muttering something under his breath. I grit my teeth. Light's defending me, someone is standing up for me. A total stranger to boot. The group of guys slowly disperse, casting resentful glances back at me as they walk away. I let out a long heavy breath that rattles my ribs.
"Are you okay?" Light asks, his face stony but worried. I smooth out my skirt, suddenly very self conscious.
"Thanks to you. I owe you one." I laugh a little at the end, still shaken up from the tail pulling. It never does get easier. "Thank you, really." Light laughs it off, it's terribly charming.
"I was just doing what any normal person would." He explains, stepping away from me with that irresistible grin. I shuffle my feet, unsure what to say. "I'll see you tomorrow." With that, Light waves a farewell and heads back on his way. My shoulder's relax and I feel the blush to the tips of my ears. Oh god this is embarrassing. Was this how dad felt when he met-
The Death Note.
Everything seems to stop, all emotions thrown out the window. The Death Note, how did I forget it? I look towards the spot, but spot nothing. I frantically look around, going as far as to run over and start scanning the grass for the book. I needed the Death Note. Horror and panic floods my brain. If only I hadn't let those guys distract me, I should've ignored the comment and just go to the book. I was an idiot. I stare at the mass of students, looking for the book. I'm sure if I just find out who took it I can get the Death Note back. If it's gone I don't think I'd be able to forgive myself. I'm so close to giving up hope, I can't tell dad about this, he'd be so upset too.
The pain in my chest seems to pop, before coming back in a concentrated wave of terror and shock. Maybe it's from the fact I see the Death Note now, but of course, it's who's carrying it that has my head reeling and emotions whirling.
Light Yagami has my Death Note.