Smile, the worst is yet to come

We'll be lucky if we ever see the sun

Got nowhere to go, we could be here for a while

But the future is forgiven, so smile

~ Mikky Ekko

I spent the first weekend out of the hospital cleaning the pigsty that was now my home (Lucas and Touta suddenly had an "urgent" case every time I picked up a broom) and found what I thought was the perfect hiding place for the Death Note I so unwilling acquired; I Hid it between my mattress and box spring, sure it wasn't rigged to explode or anything but I was never planning to bring it out again and just wanted to forget about it. Even sharing a room with Lucas the chances of it being found were about nil, Lucas respected my space. As soon as that was finished I went looking for a job god knows we need the money.

The only problem was no one was willing to hire a foreigner with no prior work experience. I couldn't go back to school either again because the lack of funds, I try not to dwell on the thought of school it being a sore subject for me. It was after spending an entire day applying in one of Japan's many shopping districts with no luck that I found myself sitting slumped over on a bench. Lucas was having the time of his life, he loved working for the police he was friends with most of his coworkers,and most nights he was out. It was almost like he didn't even want to go back home I thought bitterly looking up at the overcast sky. Why should he? Its not like he has anyone waiting for him back home; I instantly feel horrible for letting that thought pass through my mind.

Its not his fault that I was having such a miserable time adjusting. Every time I went to sleep I had the same nightmare; it started off with Shao begging me not to kill her then she morphs into my sister. Her blue eyes glaring at me in disgust calling me a murder, a criminal, she slaps me then screams as headlights appear and she is hit; I try to run towards her but I can't I'm just running in place. A cold laugh vibrates the room we are in and a Death Note is placed in front of me and I watch as my hands grab it and began to write down names. "See don't you feel better? Stop resisting." That damn Shinigami appears and says with a laugh, but the sick thing was that I did feel better with each name I wrote. I always woke up then gasping quietly almost feeling like the notebook under my mattress was pulsing with the need to be used.

I sigh and rub my eyes preparing to get up and apply to a few more places.

"Hey you there!" Some women a few feet behind me shouts but I pay her no mind and keep walking.

"Hey stop!" I tense as a manicured hand clasps my shoulder.

"Sorry but how old are you?" She lets go of my shoulder and I turn to face her; she was a middle aged woman with brown hair tied into a tight bun.

"Eighteen." I give her a questioning look and she gives a smile. "How would you like to make some money?"

"Depends on the job." I reply cautiously. Was this some weird prostitution thing?

"Just a bit of modeling." She says absentmindedly as she types furiously on her cellphone.

I sigh "I'm not a girl."

"So?" She snaps her phone close and grabs hold of my upper arm pulling me along.

"Hey! I didn't even agree." I shout as we weaved through the crowd almost crashing into the women when she suddenly stops.

" My name is Katsu, Mura I am one of the top modeling agents in Japan. The only reason I am giving you the time of day is because the model who was supposed to show up decided to elope with his girlfriend and I can't get hold of anyone else. Do this shoot and if I like you enough I could launch you into fame" Her eyebrow raises as if she was challenging me.

Modeling that was as far from health care as one can get although I didn't necessarily care about fame the money I could use.

"Okay I'll do it."


"Those bags!" Yumi exclaimed as she pats more powder on my face I resist the urge to sneeze. I had been sitting in the makeup chair for what seems like hours but in reality was only about thirty minutes as Yumi, the makeup artist with bubblegum pink hair hovers over me with a plethora of brushes muttering about the faults of my appearance. I just let her do as she wishes even though the makeup makes me want to scratch my face off; until she lifts a pair of scissors.

"No!" I shout grabbing at my blonde locks, I haven't had a haircut in years and I wasn't about to start now.

"Just a little trim." She insists.

I shake my head frantically I know it's silly but my hair has always been a security blanket, even more now that I was stuck in this world.

"Okay." She tutted disapprovingly. "But I will need to fix it."

"Volia!" Yumi rips the curtain over the floor length mirror my eyes widen after almost two hours of makeup, hair, and wardrobe I didn't look that much different sure my hair looks a bit shinier and healthy my face looked like nothing was on it but what ever she did made my eyes seem wider and my lashes darker-mascara? Is that what it was called? The outfit was frankly weird- a ruffled white long sleeve button up shirt that had sleeves that billowed like a pirate, untucked. White shorts that stopped at my knees with long socks that reached the hem of the shorts. It was all edged in gold, I looked like a tool.

"It will have to do." Katsu said circling around me like a vulture. "Now follow me so I can introduce you to your partner." Katsu speeds out of the room her heels clacking and I struggle to follow her down the long well lit hall.

She opens the door to a large studio it didn't have much in it except for a long table full of fruit and other goods, a large green screen where a large white couch was placed. I looked around noticing that there were quite a few people roaming around for the most part they all wore suits no one exactly model material I began to wonder where my partner was when I heard a familiar high pitched voice.

"Muraaa!" A whirl of blonde and white zooms past me and launches at Katsu. My eyes widen as I take in the form of Misa Amane AKA The Second Kira.

"Misa, Missed Mura very much!" She squeals not letting go of her struggling manger.

"I told you a hundred times not to call me by Mura its too familiar." Katsu manages to get out pushing Misa away.

"What took you so long?" Misa pouts.

"I was busy trying to replace Nobu." She replies thrusting her hand to me.

"Awww, he's so cute!" How come Katsu and Misa are the only people who managed to get my gender right on the first try? "And American right?" the blonde questions.

"Irish actually." I state my hands feeling clammy and my heart racing I was talking casually with a future killer. I felt like passing out.

"Well Mr. Ireland, what does Misa call you?"

I could feel sweat start to form and my stomach lurches I didn't want to give her my name even the fake one. "N-Noah." I stutter and she wrinkles her nose.

"Noah? Thats not cute at all Misa-Misa thinks you should have a cute stage name!"

"I agree-" Katsu butts in "-but something Japanese it'll help is image." I watch in slight amazement as Misa and Katsu toss names at one another wondering not for the first time how was this my life?

"Misa gots it- Ko! It means happiness and light a perfect name for someone so cute."

Katsu nods her approval and snaps her fingers "Okay everyone to their places!"

I guess I had no say in that.


I tiredly stick the key into the lock leaning heavily on the door. Who knew modeling could be so energy consuming? And awkward? Misa had draped all over me and all she wore was black lingerie, the photographer said he liked the look of 'innocence' in my eyes and how unsure I was 'acting' and wanted Misa to be the corrupting older sister. If I had any uncertainties about my sexuality it was gone now; I am most definitely gay. As awkward and clumsy as I felt Katsu said I was a natural and said she'll be in touch.

When I enter the living room I happily note that it is spotless. I gave Lucas and Matsuda a stern scolding when after I spend that whole weekend cleaning they had the nerve to leave their clothing thrown over the sofa, needless to say they now cleaned up after themselves.

I'm turning into a mother hen I snort at the thought but it was pretty true I even made their Bento boxes so they didn't have to go out and by fast food.

"Touta? Lucas?" I yell out flipping on the living room lights.

"We're back here! In Touta's room." Lucas shouts. I smile and follow his voice; the door was already open and I stand in the doorway observing them. Touta was spread out on his bed in duck boxers his tongue poking out his face the picture of concentration a controller in his hand. Lucas' had the sleeves of his dress shirt pushed up to his elbows and his tie loosened also focused on the game they were playing. I guess it wasn't all bad being here, I've never seen Lucas so relaxed and Touta has quickly wormed his way into my heart.


"Hey Noah are you wearing makeup?" Lucas questions me and I instantly flush. Damn I for got to take it off.

"Well.."

"I can't... believe you got a job as a.. model!" Lucas gasps out between bouts of laughter.

"Why not Lucas? Noah is very pretty!" Touta says looking at me encouragingly I guess that was suppose to make me feel better but it just made Lucas laugh even harder.

"Stop reinforcing gender stereotype." I say smacking Lucas over the head.

"Sorry! Sorry!" He brings his hand up to protect himself.

" I was paid up front so do you guys want to go get ice cream to celebrate?" I ask them already knowing Touta would decline.


"I wasn't being completely honest." I say after we walk for about ten minutes; I looked ahead feeling strangely guilty that I wasn't upfront about it. There was a few beats of silence the only sound was our footsteps.

"About what?" He asks casually but I could see how tense he was out of the corner of my eyes, he didn't like it when people weren't honest with him.

"I didn't have a photoshoot with just myself I was partnered up with another model-Misa Amane." He stops.

"What? With Misa. THE Misa" I finally look at him he looked startled.

"Yeah, and I have a coffee date with her on wednesday;I'm going to try and change her path." I say my eyes downcast not wanting to see his expression.

"I guess this is it then." He replied coldly.

"What?!" I look up my eyes wide. What does that mean I think hysterically.

"I have to admit hoping that you would choose to help me with Light since you were never strictly on one side." He walks a few steps in front of me his hands in the pockets of his jeans and with his back turned towards me looks up at the sky.

"But you always had a soft heart for the 'victims-' and I say that term loosely- of Death Note. The line is drawn here and now I guess."

"But you said!" I exclaimed running up and grabbing his arm my heart racing. I can't lose him I just can't!

" I know what I said and I meant it I will not harm you. I am not like Light, those who oppose me are not necessarily evil...more like a obstacle. I love you Noah." He turns to me and takes my hand his smile is warm but his eyes are sad. " That will never change but we have different visions and whether you like it or not we are different sides of this war but that does not mean we can't still be friends. Now lets go get ice cream." His hand still laced with mine we walk the rest of the to the ice cream shop shop in silence the only thought running through my head was 'he called me an obstacle'


A/N

WOW! Thank you guys for all the reviews/favorites you have no idea how much it means it me that you are enjoying this! I love all of you.

Things are going to be picking up from now on! And the next chapter is going to be in Lucas' POV we get to see that he is being a bit hypocritical on the whole hiding secrets thing.

Btw Smile by Mikky Ekko is the theme song to this whole fic.

Now tell me did you hate it? Love it? Indifferent? Please tell me in a review!

P.s I noticed the link of Noah on my profile didn't actually appear on there so I fixed it you can now go see the amazingly drawn picture.