Acceptance || Death Note

I'm sorry this took so dang long. So here, have the humble beginnings of the main ship of this fic. c:

She hoped that when she woke up the next morning, all of this would have been a terrible dream. She'd still be in her original bed, being woken up by her caring and loving mother. She would have made Kite breakfast and as she ate, her father would walk into the kitchen ready for work. He'd smile at Kite and give her a pat on the head before kissing his wife on the cheek. That's what Kite had been wishing for.

But then she woke up, being met with nothing but disappointment. This hadn't all been a haze filled dream. Sitting up in her bed, Kite wiped the tears from her eyes that had begun to form while she was still sleeping. Coco was already up and about, having come out of the bathroom drying her hair with a towel.

"Mornin' Kite! Hurry and get ready. We have classes after breakfast." Coco reminded her while running a brush through her thick dark brown hair.

Without saying a word, Kite pulled herself out of bed and got a pair of fresh clean clothes to wear. Entering the small bathroom, she saw that instead of a bathtub with a shower head, it was more of a shower stall. Stripping off her pajamas, Kite wrapped a towel around her small frame and turned the shower water on.

Once the temperature was warm enough, she stepped in and took the towel off. Sliding the glass door closed, the warm water hit her smooth skin and relaxed her entire body. As she stood there under the running water, Kite thought about how much she didn't want to leave her room. She'd have to go to class and be around the other kids.

All she could feel was anxiety.

It felt crippling, like her body didn't want to move. She wanted to just hide in here, but she knew that there was no way Coco would let her. Kite thought of faking being ill, but she had never once fibbed in her life. She was far too honest, almost to a fault. She couldn't ever say no to anything. It made her an easy target for bullying, and she never once defended herself.

After washing her body and shampooing her brown hair, Kite stepped out and began to dry herself off. Quickly getting dressed, she brushed her damp hair and tied her black ribbon into it and walked out. She was ready to go, but unsure if she actually wanted to go to class. She had to, though. It was mandatory, sadly enough. Kite stared at her reflection in the mirror, which was fogged up from the condensation in the air.

Would the kids here call her ugly too?

Despite Coco's insistence that Kite was anything but ugly, she couldn't think of herself as cute or pretty. Her appearance was made fun of far too many times, twisting the way she looked at herself. Her perception of herself became warped, and all her thoughts were anything but positive.

A knock on the other side of the door brings her back to reality. "Kite? You ready?" Coco's voice could be heard, the very slight hint of impatience evident. She probably hadn't meant to come off that way, but hunger can make a person feel impatient.

"C-Coming." Kite stuttered quietly while squeezing some toothpaste onto her toothbrush. She brushed her teeth as quickly as she could and opened the door. Coco's bright smiling face greeted her as soon as she stepped out of the small bathroom, and the dark skinned girl gently took Kite's wrist in her hand.

"Come on~ We gotta get breakfast before everyone gets all the good stuff!" She dragged the mousy girl out into the hall. She seemed to be in a hurry, and Kite wondered if the really good breakfast items were limited. It didn't take long for the two girls to enter the eating area, Coco immediately grabbing them both trays and handing one to Kite. She gingerly took it and stood behind Coco in line to get their food. They were right on time to get some scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, hash browns and chocolate milk. Coco led the way to an empty table towards the back and Kite sits beside her friend.

Coco made no haste in digging into her meal, chewing delightfully. "So good~"

A smile ghosted onto Kite's lips and she slowly worked on her scrambled eggs. Taking small sips of her chocolate milk as she tried to eat as much of her meal as she could. Kite had never been the type to eat much, only when she really needed to. Being in a new place made her nervous, and when she's feeling this anxious it's impossible for her to eat a lot. But she forced herself so Coco wouldn't worry that she isn't eating enough.

Coco had finished way before Kite did, and the latter hadn't even been able to eat everything. She followed Coco over to the drop off area where they placed their empty trays after throwing out their garbage. Kite tensed up as the same blond boy from the day before walked past her, his redheaded companion at his side. Why did she freeze up like that? Is she scared of him? That's what she wanted to think, but at the same time she was strangely...curious about him. If asked why, Kite wasn't sure if she'd be able to explain it.

She's then taken by the wrist again and pulled off towards the classrooms, despite her reluctance to go. Coco had reassured her that she'd be okay since she'd be there with her, but that bit of earnest sincerity failed to ease the anxiety tightening her chest or the knot twisting in her stomach. The more Kite thought of how everyone would stare at her with what she assumed to be judging gazes, the more she just wanted to run away and hide.

It's what she's always done. Hide herself from the eyes of others so she couldn't get hurt anymore. She hated herself for being so cowardly, but in her mind it was far better than being ridiculed by everyone around her.

As the two girls neared the classroom, Kite stopped walking and Coco halted to turn and look at her, concerned. "Kite? What's wrong?"

"I...I can't...I-I'm scared…" The frail girl stuttered out quietly, her eyes looking elsewhere. "W-What if...everyone makes fun of me?" It's something she couldn't bear to go through again. She was battling with herself, deciding whether she should suck it up and go to class or run away to that special room Coco had shown her the previous day. That sounded far more appealing to Kite. Sitting in the empty room with a good book, nothing but silence and the words on the pages to comfort her.

However.
She'd remain friendless.

She knew this. Her mind screamed at her to hold her head up high and walk in there with confidence. The saying goes that "it's easier said than done" and right now that applied to how she felt in this situation. "I-I really can't do this—"

"Don't say that, Kite." Coco interjected, expression soft and warm as she places her hands on Kite's slender shoulders. "Stop saying you can't. You won't know unless you try. Besides, if anyone makes fun of you, I've got your back." She removed her hands from Kite's shoulders and reached down to take one of her hands. "Remember, you're not friendless anymore. I'm here for you. So hold your head up high and let's walk in there together."

Kite still felt the agonizing tightness pull at her chest and the lump in her throat that she couldn't seem to swallow. She still felt like she was endlessly drowning, but…

Coco's reassuring smile and the warmth of her hand convinced her to act a little brave today. She promised herself she'd try to change and become more confident. Today would be a step in the right direction.

"O-Okay." Kite quietly stuttered, returning Coco's shining expression with a flush of her cheeks and a timid smile of her own. She held tightly onto her more outgoing friend's hand as they approached the classroom. The closer they got—

Ba-bump
Ba-bump

—the louder the thumping of her pounding heart became. Normally, this wouldn't be such a huge deal to any other child. But...Kite isn't a normal child. Anxiety is a tricky thing. The smallest things always seem much more overwhelming and difficult than they really are. Kite had felt that way about a lot of things for a long time. Today will be a step in overcoming her crippling social anxiety.

Today, she would go to class and maybe make another friend or two.

With that in mind, Kite held her head up and walked through the door into the classroom. A lot of the children already there were around hers and Coco's ages. This included Pyro and his two friends, that little white haired boy named Near, that blond haired boy and his redheaded companion and…

Intense green eyes narrowed into slits as they bore into Kite from the back of the room. She now knew why the blonde haired girl was called Kitten. Her eyes resembled a cat's because of just how green and sharp they were. If she was a ferocious cat then Kite was her prey, a small and helpless mouse that she would catch and devour. Any ounce of positivity and motivation Kite had for those few seconds had all but deflated into oblivion.

Kite stuck to Coco like glue as they walked further inside, the more outgoing girl leading the way. She surveyed the room for an empty seat, but the only other unoccupied desk was...right beside the boy called Mello. Coco's face twisted in displeasure, she would rather give Kite her seat and take the empty one than make the poor girl put up with him. However, at the same time she knew if she sat beside him they'd constantly argue with each other leading to both of them getting in trouble. Coco turned to Kite with an apologetic gaze.

"There's an empty desk beside...him." She grumbled, gesturing to the blond male who shot her a dirty look in return.

The feeling was mutual.

Kite followed where Coco's finger pointed, a sinking feeling in her stomach when she noticed who she'd be seated next to. She knew nothing about Mello, only that Coco didn't like him and he seemed like a bully towards the other kids. He wore a constant scowl, giving her the impression that he's not too friendly. She was reluctant to leave Coco's side, but once the other girl went to her usual seat Kite had no choice but to accept her fate. Coco herself did not wish to subject Kite to sitting anywhere near Mello, feeling terrible about the situation. At the very least, they were in the same room so if any trouble did arise she could come to Kite's rescue quick enough.

The shy brunette quietly and awkwardly made her way towards the empty seat, sitting down as a sense of dread filled her very being. Curiously, she turned her head to take a brief glance at the blond boy next to her. He stared forward, not even acknowledging she was there. She supposed that should be a blessing, right? At this point, being ignored by a bully is much better than being made fun of by one.

Mello felt a pair of eyes on him, glancing at the timid girl beside him out of the corner of his gaze. "What?" Came his sharp, edged tone that startled Kite and emit a small gasp before facing forward. Her body language stiff and showing just how scared and nervous she was. He rolled his eyes, facing forward again. Wonderful. Out of all the places she could sit, she had to choose the desk right beside his. Unfortunately, because of his attitude, nobody but Matt really liked him all that much. So while the redhead sat on one side of him, the other had remained empty...until now that is.

He hated it.

He was starting to believe that the orphanage was just bringing in any kid who seemed bright just because they got good grades. Kitten was one person that came to mind. Why the hell was she even here? She didn't seem particularly bright and she cared more about her looks or boys to even focus on what actually mattered. Then there were kids like Coco and Pyro. Sure they were bright, but they didn't have any interest in trying to succeed L. Plus, their rankings were nowhere near his level. This girl...she'd never make it here, let alone out in the real world. She looked like the kind of person who could barely hold a conversation.

She's too mousy and timid. A pushover. Nobody worth his time. Yet the world seemed to hate him because now he'd probably be forced to interact with her.

"You." He spoke up, startling her yet again but managing to get her attention. The mousy girl slowly turned her head in his direction, big blue eyes wide with fear. "Don't bother me, and we won't have any problems. Got it?" A nod of her head tells him that she understood her place and confirmed that she wouldn't speak a word to him. She seemed too frightened to even open her mouth and say something. She was a weak minded girl who didn't belong here, as far as he was concerned.

While Kite waited patiently for the teacher to begin the lesson, she took a glance around the room. The teacher was at her desk, possibly organizing today's lesson plans and paperwork. She looked to be in her sixties, thin graying hair pulled back in a tight bun and wearing a pair of thin framed glasses on the bridge of her nose. Her skin was starting to wrinkle and she sported a white blouse tucked into a long black skirt. She appeared strict, but when she looked up to meet Kite's gaze she smiled.

She felt relieved knowing the teacher was kind. It made her feel just a little bit better being here. Continuing her survey of the room, she noticed the varying ages of the other kids. Some were at least close to her own age and some were much younger. She spotted Pyro near Coco and when he caught her looking at him he turned away as a blush crept up his freckled cheeks. She turned to look over her shoulder only to be met with Kitten's intense glare. Quickly she turned right back around, deciding it was probably better to stare forward. But she could still feel Kitten's eyes on the back of her head, attempting to burn a hole right through Kite.

She swallows hard, sinking into her chair. All she could really do was try not to think about it. Ignore how she's being treated. That's right…

There's nothing she can do.

The teacher went to stand in front of the class, clearing her throat. "I realize that you all know me by this point, but there is a new face among us. So I will formally introduce myself." She looked directly at Kite, whom had begun to shrink even further as all eyes fell on her. "My name is Mrs. Swanson. What name do you go by?"

She smiled sweetly at Kite, but it didn't help her growing anxiety and panic. She sat up straighter in her seat, and for a few brief moments she found herself unable to speak. She opened and closed her mouth several times, her face burning hot when she realized she was embarrassing herself. She had to talk before she made this moment any more awkward.

She took a deep breath and exhaled steadily. "K-Kite."

"It's nice to have you here, Kite. Let me get you a copy of the book we're reading together." She stepped away to her desk while Kite glanced around. The other children all had pulled out a copy of her favorite book, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Mrs. Swanson came back with a copy just for her, despite the fact she already owned her own. The timid girl graciously takes it while stuttering out a small 'thank you.' The others had their books open to a specific page, which one it was Kite had no clue.

"Everyone remembers where we left off?" Everyone nodded their heads except for Kite, who already appeared overwhelmed. "Oh, my apologies, Kite. We're on the very first page, first paragraph of chapter two. Would you like to start us off?" Mrs. Swanson started, but wore a confused expression when Kite began to speak without having even opened the book at all.

"Curiouser and curiouser!' cried Alice (she was so much surprised that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English); 'now I'm opening out like the largest telescope that ever was! Good-bye feet!' (for when she looked down at her feet, they seemed to be almost out of sight, they were getting so far off.) 'Oh, my poor little feet, I wonder who will put on your shoes and stockings for you now, dears? I'm sure I shan't be able! I shall be a great deal too far off to trouble myself about you: you must manage the best way you can—but I must be kind to them' thought Alice, 'or perhaps they won't walk the way I want to go! Let me see: I'll give them a new pair of boots every Christmas.'

While she had gotten into it, their teacher had been looking from the page to Kite and back again. Every word she was reciting was exactly as how it was printed on the page. Kite's pronunciation and speech was clear and precise, her tone far more calm than it had been just a moment ago. As she recited the passage from memory, she seemed to completely forget she was in a room full of other people. She'd become immersed in the moment, and when she was done speaking she looked around at all the shocked expressions on the faces of not only her classmates, but Mrs. Swanson as well.

Uh oh.

Had she done something wrong? Kite had figured that maybe...just maybe since she was surrounded by kids who were intelligent that nobody would call her a 'teacher's pet' or think of her as being weird. She thought someone might be impressed that she could recite a passage from a book by memory, so she took a risk. Now thinking about it, she was starting to seriously regret exposing her gift like this. Kite shrunk back in her seat, her face turning a deep scarlet.

"Oh my...Kite, I had meant for you to read from the book but...that was quite surprising." Mrs. Swanson, sounding impressed, walked over to Kite with a smile. "A photographic memory?"

Kite nodded her head quietly, now desperately wanting to run away and hide out of sheer embarrassment. Or better yet, just become invisible so nobody would keep staring at her. The older woman had a twinkle in her eye, the prospect of having a child with a photographic memory in her class appearing to excite her.

"That's wonderful! It's been a long time since we've had someone like that here! There was a young boy who was like you years back…" But the moment Mrs. Swanson recalled whoever this boy was her mood changed, as did the atmosphere in the room. Most of the older children grew somber, while the younger ones hadn't clue what everyone was looking so gloomy over. Kite herself being just as confused. People like Mello and Kitten didn't seem to really care.

Actually, Mello didn't care about...that. He was still peering over at the timid girl next to him in a state of utter surprise. Had he known she had been gifted with a photographic memory, perhaps he'd have tried to respect her more from the start. He had seen her as nothing but a nuisance initially. Someone who wasn't worth acknowledging or even speaking to, someone who was brought here to fill up space.

But he knew Watari wouldn't just pick any old child to be admitted here. Not just any kid could be chosen as a potential successor to the world's greatest detective. Though...he doubted she even knew why she was chosen to be brought here in the first place. In other words, she's utterly clueless.

Not to mention timid, shy, quiet and lacking any sort of confidence. She stuttered nearly every instance she spoke to someone. She attached herself to Coco the moment they met, telling him that she is dependent on someone being around her to feel comfortable. She's a total pushover, a doormat. Anyone could take advantage of her and she wouldn't so a thing to stand up for herself.

Well...he could help her overcome these obstacles…

...That is, if she were to help him get to the number one rank. Mello would beat Near no matter what it took. Even if it meant recruiting this girl's help and using her vast memory to his advantage.

Getting her to help him in his studies would be far too easy.

The corners of his lips tug up ever so slightly, the faintest hint of a smirk beginning to form.

Sure. It's a horrible thing to do, but when has Mello ever really showed much compassion towards anyone? Aside from befriending Matt? Never, and he isn't about to start now.

Mrs. Swanson quickly changed the subject and called on another student to continue reading. Kite felt awkward for indirectly causing so much sorrow and discomfort in the room, even with her lack of knowing exactly why. At the same time, a warm feeling bloomed in her chest. Nobody had mocked her or called her a freak for having a photographic memory. Nobody thought she was just trying to show off or get extra credit.

Maybe...this is the place she could finally feel like she belonged in.

Class went on as it normally would, Kite listening to the other kids read a passage from the book before class was dismissed. It would only be the first of several classes she'd have to get through today. She was about to stand up, but nobody else seemed to be getting up. Confused, she glanced over at the boy next to her as if somehow he would answer her question.

"We stay in the same class and switch teachers." Mello explains in that grumpy tone of his that everyone in the orphanage has come to know. Kite, feeling embarrassed, slowly sat back in her chair and waited for the next teacher to come. They had math next, followed by world history and science. After those first three classes, the children all had lunch in the cafeteria. Then the last two classes they had were a class on writing and one that Kite wouldn't have expected. The last class of of the day was about crimes committed throughout history and how they were solved.

Kite found this kind of subject material to be strange to be teaching to orphans, and if anything a little bit inappropriate for the smaller children. Nevertheless, she took notes and committed the information she was learning to memory. All the while, the timid girl had no choice but to sit beside someone who quite frankly scared her. Once class was dismissed for the day and the children were free to go do as they pleased, Kite stood clutching her textbooks to her chest.

"Hey." Mello's deep, disgruntled voice got her attention before she could make her way over to Coco. Kite stiffened, cautiously turning to face the blond teen. "Meet me outside your room in ten minutes. I need to speak with you about something." He didn't even give her a chance to respond as he'd already dragged Matt out the door by the back of his shirt. The redhead looked up for a second from his game to wave at her, being scolded by Mello to "put that damn game down and walk."

She stayed glued to that spot, frozen with fear and anticipation. Kite had so many questions piling up, but had an answer to none. Why would he want to talk with her after making it clear she shouldn't bother him? Coco seemed to have failed to notice the little exchange as she was still talking quite happily with Pyro. Not wanting Coco to freak out and worry about her, Kite quietly slipped out of the classroom and walked through the halls by herself. Books still clutched to her chest and anxiety causing her breath to catch in her throat. She returned to her room and set her textbooks down, jumping when she heard a knock at her door.

Cautiously did Kite walk over to answer it, already having her suspicions about who it could be. Her assumptions were correct, for the moment she opened the door she was met with a pair of icy blue eyes. Mello stood there looking impatient, glancing down the hall for some reason.

"Hurry up and get out here before Coco comes. I don't need to deal with her right now." Mello's tone was commanding, if not disgruntled. Kite quickly exited her room and shut the door behind her. Meekly watching his every movement, arms drawn close to herself. "I have an offer for you. See, there's someone here that I'm trying to surpass. With that mind of yours, I might have a chance."

Kite quietly nodded her head, allowing him to continue.

"In short, I want your help. I've noticed you have confidence issues. Being the way you are, you'll never survive out there in the real world when you leave this place." Mello's words and tone are quite harsh, but even Kite had to admit he'd hit the nail right on the head.

Again, she simply nods her head. He continues.

"So in return for helping me one up that bastard Near...I'll help you learn to stand up for yourself." His words take her by surprise, and the mousy girl looks at him as if he were her savior. She couldn't believe someone, let alone a boy like Mello, was offering to help her overcome her confidence issues.

Of course, even Kite could see that he had ulterior motives. He seemed to want to one up that cute white haired boy for some reason. So he's seeking out her help in return for teaching her to stick up for herself. If Coco knew about this, she'd most definitely tell Kite to decline. Thinking Mello to be a scummy individual who is only using her for her vast memory.

Perhaps Kite is just desperate for friends, but…

Mello is kinda scary...

Perhaps Kite is being too naive and trusting of a boy she didn't know…

…but—

He didn't have to help her overcome her issues. Nobody, other than her parents, had ever tried to help her. She took it as Mello showing a rare sign of compassion, even if she might have been completely wrong.

—maybe he's not as bad as everyone thinks he is. She wants to believe that.

"Well?" Mello asked, growing impatient with her silence. His arms folded over his chest, eyebrows furrowed together and that scowl of his never wavered even for a second. He brought a chocolate bar up to his lips and bit into it, creating a crisp and loud snap. "Do we have a deal?"

It was like he was asking to form some contract with her. Well...if it would help her better herself and gain companionship...what was there to lose?

Kite's soft looking lips parted slightly, her answer coming out in a soft stutter that Mello knew they'd have to work on getting rid of.

"Y-Yes. I-It's a deal."

And so the contract has been sealed.