-a/n-

Waddupp again?! Here's the very first chapter of 'Ninth Life'. I'm a crazy fan of science fiction ever since I read Meyer's Twilight Saga. It was beyond beautiful. I loved the story too much and I can't help but blab about it on and on. And I love Edward Cullen most! Woohhoo!! So before I get insane again, here it is. Enjoy!

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Ninth Life

1. Curiosity Kills a Cat

By ©ancercute

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••Mimi••

I woke up to the sound of my alarm clock ringing beside my bed. I pulled out the covers and prepared myself to school. It was my first day at again another new school. I won't be one of those ordinary students here, being a fact that I'm not even ordinary myself.

This will be my ninth and final life left, so I am desperately trying to find a way to live it to the fullest. My last life…

Entering the bathroom, I took off my shirt and looked at my back in the mirror. The scar was still there in place for the passed ten years looking fresh since I was eight. Being a shape shifter is tiresome. I get so tired after transforming, although I somehow got used to it. It's hard… being a dual creature. One of the things people can't get used to.

Pushing the thought away, I stepped in the shower adjusting it to warm. I never liked bathing in cold water- it was just my nature. I dried myself after, then put on a tight denim black pants and a leopard printed spaghetti strapped shirt. It fitted perfectly in my shape. I stepped in my medium heeled brown sandals, pulled my cinnamon colored hair into a ponytail and grabbed my things.

I hoped inside my black Mercedes and drove my way to school. Being in Tokyo again was a relief. It was like home, though I only stayed here only a few years when I was a baby. I just moved from the States, where the most fateful time had happened to me. The place where that stupid dog- cat war erupted. I even feel like this is an unreal world.

As I reached my destination, I headed to the office for my schedule.

"Mimi Tachikawa please," I said. "I'm a new student."

"Of course," smiled the woman in the desk.

When I received my schedule, I went to the main building to find my locker. Several eyes were staring at me; some even gawked as I walked in. Most of them were guys though. I didn't feel embarrassed. I was flattered actually. Hah. There goes my ego. A smile crept to my face as I found my locker and got my stuff. Then I headed for my first class.

I was inside the room before classes started or even the teacher was in, and I took in an empty seat. A girl with short auburn hair sitting beside me turned and talked to me.

"Hey, what's up?" she greeted. "I'm Sora. You new here?"

"Yeah, I'm new. I'm Mimi," I replied shaking her hand.

"Do you want me to show you around school later?" she asked casually.

Sora's cool, I'd say. She was wearing a red polo shirt, dark denim pants and a pair of converse.

"Sure, thanks."

The teacher suddenly came in and started the classes and made me introduce myself. Sora and I had most of the classes together before lunch.

Then, lunch break came and Sora introduced me to her wild brown haired boyfriend Tai. He was funny and nice actually. I found myself laughing at his jokes. So far, everything was normal for a human in here- nothing extraordinary. Although I have a slight weird vibe around Tai. Or probably it was just because he was being silly most of the time.

I went to English, my next subject- one without Sora- and went to sit down. Few students started to come in though I barely paid attention to them. Then, a guy, blonde with ocean blue eyes happens to pass by my table, stopped and stiffened. It made me curious enough to lift my head and look at him, wondering why the sudden reaction. His eyes were hard, but looked straight ahead, and wrinkled his nose as if he smelled something bad. But then continued to sit down in the desk beside me without averting his gaze. That completely shocked me.

'Do I smell bad?' I thought in frustration. 'Oh no. No way. This has nothing to do with my odor. I smell perfectly fine.'

Classes started and after every while, I would occasionally peek at him in the corner of my eyes. No one would be able to fool or catch a cat's sharp eyesight. I should know.

••Yamato••

I couldn't concentrate on the lesson. She was bothering me, making me curious. Her smell bothers me. Not that she smells bad or anything. It's just she doesn't smell like everybody else. Her odor doesn't smell completely human. Something different is stirring. It's quite distinct from the rest. My nose could not be wrong. Was it just her perfume? No, it could be something else. I don't doubt my senses, especially my sense of smell. There's something unusual about her.

I noticed everyone packing their things and I realized class has ended. She was getting up from her seat, and I could tell, she moves fine. Graceful enough. Maybe too graceful. It makes me more curious.

I shrugged off the thought. I couldn't be judging her. I don't even know her. That's the point exactly, I don't know her. But it's better to pay attention. I know, she's different.

••Mimi••

I'm glad to be out of the room. The blonde guy is making me weird out. I had one more class until I can go home.

I was finally relieved to have all my classes done. I put all my things to my locker and got the things I needed. The day was fine… except that moment with the blonde guy. But maybe it wasn't about me…

My feet led me outside the building and I was headed towards the parking lot.

"Hey Mimi!" someone shouted. I turned my head to look who it was, and saw Sora and Tai. But the relief I felt suddenly sank down as I saw the person they were with. It was him, again- the blue eyed blonde, the one who thinks I smell awful. He looked surprised to see me- his eyebrows knitted. But remained calm.

Sora motioned for me to come near them. I almost hesitated, but then, there was nothing to be afraid of. They won't bite. So I went over.

"Hey Meems," Sora started. "We were about to see a basketball game. We hoped you'd like to come with us."

We? I know both Sora and Tai would like me to come. I just don't know about the other one.

"Oh, I forgot. This is Yamato," she introduced me. I offered my hand and said my name. He looked at my hand like it was some germ and almost hesitated, but he took it anyway.

"Matt." And as he touched my skin, an odd, unusual feeling overwhelmed me. There was something in him and I couldn't understand what. Then he released it as if he felt it too.

"Sorry," he murmured as he looked away. It left me questioning.

"So, you up to it?" asked Tai. I simple nodded.

"But what about my car?"

"We won't be long. You can get it back after."

We started walking- I was between Sora and Tai, and Matt was beside him. The game wasn't a school event, so the court should be outside.

"You play?" I asked the wild brown haired.

"No, I play soccer. Matt's younger brother here plays basketball," he grinned.

"Oh, so we will be watching him then. What do you do Matt?" I interrogated. It was awkward talking to him. He was so quiet, and mysterious. It made me wonder.

"Play the guitar," he answered simply. I raised an eyebrow to his answer.

"He's in a band," explained Sora. "Vocals and lead guitar."

"Oh. Cool. What's the name of the band?"

"Teenage Wolves," Sora snorted.

I flinched. The name caught me by surprise. Wolves… It gave me shivers down my spine. Those creatures were the last thing I wanted to exist on earth. They were the ones who killed them, and I can't accept that fact. They were murderers. Killing those who are innocent. My enemy…

"Hey, you okay?" asked Tai, as he examined me with concern and curiosity with a slight hint of amusement. I suddenly snapped back.

"Oh yeah.."

I noticed Yamato turn his head towards me with a wondering expression of what caught me off guard. I could tell. I was somehow bothering him. It's like my very existence is new to him. Could he, might be, probably tell that I'm…

No. He couldn't. He was just merely a human after all. Maybe that's just his usual reaction to new people.

We turned to the corner of the street, and there was the court. Luckily the game hasn't started yet. We took a seat on the left corner in the bleachers, and I noticed a young blonde who looked like a smaller version of Yamato. That must be his brother.

Tai got up and walked over to a young girl with short brunette hair. He told her something then got back to us.

"Who were you talking to?" I asked.

"That was my sister. She's best friends with Matt's brother, Takeru or TK for short."

"Oh.."

The game finally started. I watched as TK dunked the first shoot. His team was good, and he was good. They managed to score a few points ahead the other team, but the opposing team managed to catch up. It was a close fight.

Every now and then, Tai would get up from his seat, talking to his sister or buying food, or whatsoever, and leaving a space between Yamato and me. I saw in the corner of my eyes that he was tense. He never seemed to relax when the space between us was unoccupied.

I lost track of the game, continuing on to examine him. The wind suddenly blew and at the same time he inhaled. His azure eyes turned hard, narrowed. He stiffened. Was it my scent again? I couldn't tell.

I was being careful for him to not notice me. I took the rubber band off my hair and let it fall, so that he wouldn't see me flicker to his direction. But that didn't work. My actions only made him shift his head and look at me with a serious expression. I quickly turned my sight away from him.

Turning back my attention to the game, I completely ignored him. He makes me frustrated. Do I smell bad? Or is he really retarded? Aaarrgghh. That's just it. He's driving me insane with all of his reactions. Because of him, I haven't notice the time. The sun had already set. It was evening already, yet the game has not finished yet.

"I think I should be get going now," I told Sora. "It's getting late."

"Are you sure? You're heading back alone?"

"Yeah."

"Don't you want to have Tai or Matt accompany you? It's really dark."

I grimaced at the mention of Yamato's name. Like I could ever get back to my car without ambushing him in frustration. I took a glance at Matt, and he raised his one eyebrow, and then I turned back to Sora.

"No, I'll be fine by myself. I'm used to the dark anyway," I assured her.

"Okay. Whatever you say. Take care though."

"Sure," I headed out my way.

The streets were dark and quiet as strolled down. I could feel the cold wind brush against my skin. It took me moments before I reached back to the school's parking lot and I easily spotted my car. There were few parked cars left.

I pulled open the door, and I felt something. Someone or something is watching me. I could sense it. My eyes roamed around the dark area, but found nothing. Unusual. My eyes never miss anything. I didn't need to adjust in the dusk; my eyes were used to seeing total blackness.

The coast was clear, nothing suspicious. So I got in my car and drove back home. Still, there was that eerie feeling that someone was monitoring my every move. I didn't feel nervous at all. Whoever that was clearly needed to mind his own business. I don't need to get into a fight. This is my last life, and I'm not affording to lose it soon.

I stopped the engine as I arrived home. I took out my things and headed for the gate to close and lock it. As I was just about to close it, I spotted something from across the street of my house in front. A wolf, with light faded yellowish fur, was standing with its head bowed down.

I looked at it in disgust as I continued to lock the gate. I didn't get to see its face or eyes, but I know it was looking at me.

"Mongrel," I murmured under my breath.

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-a/n-

First of all, thank you for reading if you did read it. Second, I'm sorry about the game part. I'm just not good at describing sports stuff. And lastly, please review. I want to know what you think. Thanks! Till then, Cancercute, out.