Dax rose early the next day, deciding to head out and find a job. He placed his name into a few public schools, and a few private schools. An English-Japanese translator also crossed his mind, so he placed his name in as a translator at a few places as well. As he walked down a familiar path near his old house, his feet began to lead him to the nearby park. He remembered playing with Blaine at this small park, and it brought back many memories. A smile crossed his lips as he walked over and sat on the bench, overlooking the park.
A small black object caught in his peripheral vision and he turned his head to see a black notebook laying on the grass. He raised his eyebrow, and turned his head away. Someone must have forgotten it. He sat there for a while longer and finally stood. The notebook caught his sight again and he sighed, walking over to pick it up. It had a blank black cover, nothing unique written on it. Even the front page had nothing. Just numerous blank lines. He flipped through the book; nothing.
He shrugged and walked back over to the bench. He planned on setting it down on the seat; maybe the owner will come to the retrieve it, or someone else may need it. That was his intentions, but as he bent down to set the notebook down, a chill ran down his spine. His body froze and his fingers shook as he held the book. He lifted his head slowly, and the sight made his blood run cold. He gasped as he fell backwards, the notebook flying from his hands. He quickly scrambled backwards, staring at the unworldly creature standing before him.
It was tall and lanky, it's back slightly hunched, and it's arms hung at it's side. It's arm were wrapped in red bandages, stitches running straight down it's browning torso. Where his hips were, horns extended outwards a few inches. It had short shaggy black hair and a jutting jaw. Two large sharp teeth hung out of his mouth, and his one visible eye was a sharp yellow colour. His other eye was covered by a bandage that wrapped around his head and ran around his neck, running around his torso and down to his hips where it wrapped around it's pelvis and legs. Wings extended past his arms, rising high in the air and twitched.
Dax's eyes were widened as he stared at the creature. It stepped forward, stepping right through the bench as it walked towards Dax. His body was too shocked to move, and all he could do was stare up at the terrifying thing.
"Daxter Nemie…" The creature spoke. It's voice was raspy and deep, and pulled a shocked gasp from Dax. He couldn't speak.
The creature chuckled. "Daxter, you picked up my notebook."
"I-I didn't know…" He stuttered, weakly pushing himself further from the creature.
It chuckled again. "This notebook, is the notebook of a shinigami. Any name written in this book will die within the next 30 seconds if written without a cause. It's now in your hands, and you can do with it what you wish."
"W-what? Why would…what?" Dax shook his head, pushing himself to his feet and stepping back further. The creature stepped towards him again. Dax turned to run, but the creature appeared before him as soon as he began to run again. He looked around frantically, people were looking at him strangely, and he was curious as to why they weren't screaming and running for their lives.
"They can't see me, Daxter. Only those who touch the notebook can see me, which in this case is you." The creature said. "I am a shinigami, and unless you give up ownership of that notebook, than I will remain with you. Or unless I decide to kill you."
Dax's eyes widened and he glanced at the notebook, then at the people walking around. "G-give up ownership?"
The shinigami nodded. "Give up ownership…or die. If you give up ownership, everything that had just happened, you will never remember."
Dax slowly and cautiously walked back to the notebook and picked it up again, keeping his eyes on the creature carefully. He flipped it open again and looked at the blank pages. "I…don't know about this. Maybe I'm dreaming." He shook his head and hit the side of his head with his hand. This was too supernatural to be believable. The shinigami chuckled.
"This is no dream, Daxter."
"Then what are you?"
"I told you, I am a shinigami, and that is my notebook." It said.
Dax held out the book. "Then here you go."
"You're giving up ownership?" The shinigami questioned.
Dax looked at the book, staring at it for a few seconds before lowering his head and groaning. "I don't know!"
"Why don't you take it for a while, and see what you think." It said, followed by a low chuckle.
Dax couldn't resist. It's not that he wanted to see what it was like to own this strange notebook; it was a murderers tool! But to think that simply writing a name could kill someone, that was absurd! He shook his head. Maybe it wasn't a joke. Maybe it wasn't a dream. Could this be what the murderer dubbed as Kira uses to kill with? His identity was still unknown, and he killed in the most mysterious ways. People were committing suicide, were dying in the strangest ways. Dax shook his head again. Maybe he should sleep on it. He couldn't deny his curiosity. He looked at the shinigami and nodded. "I-I'll sleep on it." He stated.
The shinigami chuckled and nodded. Dax turned around, deciding he was going to visit Blaine. Maybe she could shed a little light on what he should do. The shinigami followed, and no matter what he did, Dax couldn't rid of the thing. He arrived at the house and knocked on the door, waiting impatiently and slightly anxious. What if she see's the shinigami and freaks out? He sighed; the shinigami said that no one could see it unless they touched the notebook.
After a few moments the door opened and a sleeply Blaine yawned. "Hm?" She mumbled, shielding her eyes from the blaring sun before she realized who was at her door. "D-Dax?" She stuttered, blushing slightly, knowing she was a mess.
"C-can I come in?" He glanced to his right where the shinigami was, and turned back to Blaine. Clearly, the shinigami was not spotted.
Blaine raised a eyebrow before nodding and moving aside. "I'm surprised you'd want to after last night. Good thing is, Chris is at work." She chuckled, motioning him inside.
Dax stepped inside, taking the door and quickly closing it before the shinigami could slip through. His attempt failed as the shinigami floated through the door with a chuckle. Dax's eyes widened and he shook his head, moving away from the door and scratching the back of his neck anxiously.
Blaine cautiously moved her hand to touch Dax's shoulder. "A-Are you okay, Dax? You're very jumpy…"
Dax nodded. "I-I'm sorry. I'm just a little… I think I have a fever or something." He laughed nervously and took off his shoes, moving to the living room. "I-I have a question for you, Blaine." He murmured, sitting on the couch and tapping his foot nervously.
Blaine moved to sit beside him. She placed the back of her hand to his forehead. "You feel fine, Dax." She murmured before pulling her hand back and setting it on her lap. "What's your question?"
Dax chuckled lightly and ran his hand through his hair. "I've heard a little bit about the murderer named Kira while I was away in Canada, and I was wondering about what you thought about him…her…?"
Blaine's eyes widened before she lowered her head. "I'm surprised you know anything about it." She sighed deeply and shrugged.
Dax shrugged. "CBC News."
Blaine shrugged. "Anyway, I don't particularly like him. I mean, I guess I should be thankful since he murdered my father, but I still don't like him. Maybe if he had never attacked innocent lives I wouldn't have minded him, but since he did, I can't accept it." She shrugged again and looked up at Dax. "Why do you ask?"
He shrugged. "I-I was just wondering. How much does Japan know about Kira? What does he use to kill? Have they found anything that may point to an identity?"
Blaine shrugged. "Most is kept hidden from Japan. Kira and the worlds greatest detective, L, had a bit of a… I guess fight, on television." She chuckled softly. "Anyway, no one knows who it is or how he performs his killings."
Dax nodded and lowered his face into his hands. He sighed, and his sigh turned into a groan. "Kira…is a strange one."
Blaine nodded as she looked over Dax. "I-Is this normal for you? I mean, acting like this? You're kind of worrying me…" She murmured, placing a hand on his back.
Dax sighed. "I guess you could say I saw a ghost…" He chuckled nervously, running his hand through his hair.
The shinigami chuckled. "I'm no imaginary ghost, Daxter."
Dax shook his head. "I-I placed my resume into a few places. I'm just waiting for a reply now." It was his attempt at trying to distract his mind. Maybe if he changed the subject and took his mind off the matter, he'd wake up and everything would be fine again - not as strange as they were currently.
Blaine gave Dax a soft smile and nodded. "I'm sure you'll get a reply in no time."
Dax nodded. "I really hope so." He waited a moment and looked away. "I was thinking about what your brother said." He murmured.
Her eyes widened as she shook her head. "D-Dax, I-I told you not to worry. I said I was fine. I don't need help.." She murmured, her face now turning away from his.
Dax shook his head. "I want to give you a break, Blaine. You've been running all over, playing this game your entire life. I felt so much sorrow for you when we were young, and I always wanted to make it better for you. An English teacher pays good money here, and I could afford to keep this house for you…us… I wouldn't mind, really. Actually, I would want to." He explained. "At least, once I get a job." He chuckled.
Blaine shook her head and lowered it. "Dax… p-please… that would feel wrong to me. After twelve years, you're suddenly going to pay just so I can live in this house? Th-That's not fair to ask… I-I can't ask that of you…"
Dax shook his head and chuckled. "I wouldn't just be paying for you, I need a place to stay as well. And considering that a mortgage would be cheaper than renting in the long run…"
Blaine shook her head. "Dax… I-I seriously cannot accept this…"
"Then don't accept. But know that you owe me from that time I saved you from drowning." He smirked. When they were only six years old, they had went to the beach with his family and her brother. Blaine and him had felt rebellious and adventured out into the deep, but Blaine had grown anxious and began to panic. Dax had safely pulled Blaine back into shore, and she had vowed to owe him back. Now was the time. "I really do want you to allow me to…" Dax whispered.
She shook her head. "Th-This wouldn't be paying you back! I-If anything, it's another debt I'll have to repay…"
Dax shook his head. "No debt, Blaine. As I said, an English teacher pays well, I'll be able to keep this house easily. You don't need to worry about it. I mean. whatever you can pay, you can. But I would hate to see you on the streets."
Blaine shrugged. "Wouldn't be the first time." She murmured before sighing. "Look, paying for me is something my family or e-even husband - had I had one - would do. Not my childhood friend who just returned to Japan! I don't care how much you make! It's not your responsibility!"
Dax sighed. "Roommates work as well. I've had to share houses with various people, especially in University." He chuckled. "It's nothing new with me. And really, I would rather be a roommate with my childhood friend than some stranger. I've met some pretty strange people." He laughed nervously. "It'll be fine. And I'll have a clear conscious knowing that you're safe and provided for. That's exactly what I am, a friend, and would a friend just let their friend live on the streets without helping them?"
Blaine sighed deeply, her head still lowered. "F-Fine… c-clearly you're not going to give up. Y-You can live here and pay if you want… I-I promise all the money I make I'll use to help though…" She whispered.
Dax sighed, going to speak when the shinigami chuckled. He turned his head to look at the creature cautiously, questioningly.
It turned it's head to look at Dax and smiled.
"What?" He murmured under his breath.
The shinigami shrugged. "Don't mind me. This girl just amuses me."
Dax narrowed his eyes and turned back to Blaine, completely forgetting about what she had just said. He stood up and placed his hand on Blaine's shoulder and smiled. "It's alright, Blaine. Everything will be fine." He looked towards the door. "I-I think I should go now."
Blaine raised an eyebrow before shrugging. "I-I guess if you have to…"
He nodded. "I'll see you again sometime. I-if you want, you can come visit me at the hotel. Stay the night if you want luxury for once." He smiled.
Her eyes widened as she shook her head violently. "Th-They'd never let someone like me in!"
Dax raised a brow. "They don't care, as long as they are being paid."
Blaine groaned and laid down on the couch, looking up at Dax. "A-Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" She murmured.
The shinigami chuckled again. "You'd think she's making a pun towards the book; but it's unintentional."
Dax widened his eyes and looked from Blaine to the shinigami. "N-no! No heart attack!"
Blaine raised an eyebrow at Dax as she sat up to look where his eyes kept drifting to. She saw nothing. Slowly she turned back to Dax. "Wh-What's wrong? I was just kidding. What do you keep looking at? No one but us is here…"
His eyes widened but quickly he shook the shock. "N-Nothing. Just still feeling uneasy. I don't really understand a few things at the moment. Maybe cultural shock? Which would be strange…considering I grew up here…" He scratched his cheek and laughed nervously.
"Smooth." The shinigami murmured and chuckled.
Blaine shook her head and slowly rose to her feet. "D-Did something happen when you went back to the hotel last night? Or is it the Kira thing? Kira wont touch you, Dax. You don't even have a criminal record, or at least you don't seem like the person who would." She chuckled nervously. "I'd be more off to be murdered than you."
Dax shook his head. "N-no… You…" He sighed and turned to the door. "I-I'll talk to you later. Have a good…afternoon." He murmured and pulled his shoes back on.
Blaine shook her head and tugged on his arm. "Do you want me to come with you? I'm worried to leave you alone when you're so… jumpy. What if you…" She shook her head. "Do you want my company?"
Dax peered over her shoulder at the shinigami who simply floated in the air behind Blaine. He looked at her again and nodded. Maybe her presence would push the creature away, make it disappear.
He nodded again. "Yes, that would be…quite nice." He laughed.
She gave him a soft smile. "Can you wait a few minutes so I can get dressed?"
His mouth popped open and he glanced at the shinigami again. "Uh…h-hurry up, I guess." He laughed nervously.
"I-I'll be quick.." She murmured awkwardly as she ran off down the hall.
