I had expected the First Shinigami to be intimidating.

Of course, I am a hard person to intimidate -- I am practically fearless, besides my ridiculous distrust of rum and my intense dislike of spiders -- but I had expected at least the lead God of Death to terrify me.

Eric and I were sadly disappointed.

The First Shinigami was not broad shouldered and burly. He was tall and lanky, with white hair cascading down his back and past his waist, and his bangs hid his eyes from view. He was cloaked in black, and decorative chains hung around his neck, along with colorful beads on green twine. He was sitting upside down in a tall-backed chair in the center of the room, humming an unfamiliar tune and staring at the ceiling, twiddling his thumbs.

A smile spread across his face, very young despite the color of his hair, and he peered at us through his fringe. "Heh, hello." A scar ran from his jaw to his nose, clumsily mended.

Eric and I were stunned. "Hello?" I blurted.

He righted himself and rested his chin on his fist, gazing thoughtfully at us. The smile continued to play on his lips. "Why hello, humans! Welcome to the humble land above the clouds and beneath your feet. I am First. How can I help you two poor souls?"

I swallowed my rude words and cleared my throat. "Hi. Um, I'm Captain --"

"Oh, I know who you are," He blithely waved a hand, "You're Jacqueline. And you are Eric!"

Eric was immediately suspicious. "How do you know our names? We've never met."

First let out another giggle, pointing a long finger at us. "Why, I look into your eyes and see all the answers I need. I'm the First. I'm special."

The First what? I wondered. The First Shinigami to ever live? The First to die? To reap?

I was curious. "What else can you do?"

I couldn't see his eyes but I felt them burn into me. "I can see your Life, Jacqueline, and I can also reap your soul if I do desire."

I realized that despite his absurd appearance, we were dealing with a dangerous man.

"No thanks." I said quickly. "We came with a request."

"Oh?" He hummed, tilting his head. His white locks fell away to reveal one stunning green eye.

"Oh is correct, sir," I said with a smile and flourish, regaining my bearings. "Eric and I came to request that you give us your Death Note."

His gaze leveled out. "I see." My smile faltered.

Eric piped up, in his usual even tone. "We were sent by Taylor Sutcliffe."

"I know." First said, eyeing him. "I'm not giving you anything."

My heart sank.

"Sir, you have to understand," I said, only allowing a hint of desperation to creep into my voice. "He has my crew. He's probably killing them as we speak. He killed my parents. Sir, please --"

"I know everything." He stood, walking toward us. "I told you I can see your Life. I can also see his. And I know of Taylor. I was at the trial. I met your mother."

I broke off, staring at him. "You? Adeena?"

"And your father," He smiled, "But we didn't speak. We didn't give him permission, heh."

"What...what did she say?"

"A lot of unpleasant things," He grinned. "But we came to an agreement. Sutcliffe was banished. She didn't want him dead for some reason. Odd, considering her character."

Very odd. Mom wasn't bloodthirsty but she didn't hold back when she was angry. Her temper tantrums were hilarious to Jack and I. "I want...is she ok?"

"Oh, she no longer exists. She was reaped. She is stored in the Library along with your father."

I felt a simmering anger rise in my stomach. "So you killed them again. Again. You blasted Gods took them twice."

He stepped forward so we were nearly nose to nose. "She was reaped. It is the fate that befalls all souls not stolen by --"

Eric surged forward and pushed him away, brandishing his dao -- a Chinese sword with a curved blade. "Don't touch her."

First backed away with a smile. "Of course. I can see all of your Life, you know, Eric."

"I know." Eric said calmly. I gave them quizzical looks.

Then I was quizzical for another reason. Why wasn't I mad at Eric for stepping in front of me -- again?

"I guess we're taking it by force, then!" I called, pushing Eric aside. "I'm not sacrificing my crew."

First stared at me for a moment before reaching into his cloak and emerging with a leather-bound book. "Miss Sparrow," He said slowly. "Do you know what this does?" He waved the thing in my face.

I nodded confidently. "Your name goes in, you die."

"It can do other things." He said. We waited. "Take the Death Note of a Shinigami, that Shinigami dies."

"Ah. I see why you're reluctant."

"If a Shinigami's name in written in a Death Note, they will die," He continued. "Do you know what I think Sutcliffe intends to do with this Death Note?"

"I do." I said quietly.

Eric brushed my arm. "Jacqueline --"

"But I don't care!" I said loudly, for some reason furious. "My human friends mean more than --"

"Jacqueline!" Eric said, louder and in a panicked tone. "First! Stop --"

I realized First was writing something.

I stopped, leaping forward. When I yelled my voice was hoarse. "No! You will not --"

He spread his fingers and pointed his palm toward me. I was suddenly held back by some unseen force. "Look," He smiled, holding up his Death Note. "Your name. In little letters."

I stared at my name. Jacqueline Angelica Mari Elizabeth Sparrow.

"They did go overboard, didn't they?" I murmured quietly. "The length is ridiculous."

Eric hissed under his breath. Suddenly he was clenching my hand hard enough that it was slightly painful -- I didn't mind. I held on with equal strength. I needed something to tether me to the ground.

"You just killed her." Eric growled.

"I just did!" First laughed, letting his hand fall. I was shoved to the floor, and my hand was ripped from Eric's. I let out a quiet whimper. "You'll be reaped tomorrow, at dusk, by --"

Eric let out a furious cry and rushed forward, sword raised and poised to strike.

In a flash, First was brandishing a Scythe -- and not just any Scythe. It was long and delicate, with a wide, silver blade at the end; red stained the blade and it flashed under the light. It stood taller than First, and nearly hit the ceiling. He wielded it like it weighed nothing and held Eric off with the handle.

"Oh, my," He giggled, "You're angry."

I reached for my sword and then remembered it had been taken.

It's not fair! My thoughts were a mess of angry complaints, and just plain fury -- I'd never been this mad. So angry I wanted to rip my hair out and scream.

I steeled my thoughts, burning a hole in the floor with my eyes. I am Jacqueline Sparrow, and I will not let anyone else die.

I clenched my fists and let out a frustrated cry, stamping my foot, leaping to my feet. "Aftó den eínai díkaio!"

It was enough. At my words First looked up, and was distracted.

Eric struck. He lunged forward, aiming for First's chest.

***

Yeah. Um.

I feel like I've taken such an odd turn with this story -- I didn't plan any of this at all (Realms, Death Notes, Scythes and First in general) Like, basically, when I decided Sutcliffe was the villain, I knew at some point some Shinigami shit was gonna go down, 'cause he's one of the characters based off of a character from Black Butler, and that character is also a God of Death.

(Has anyone spotted the characters I stole -- er, borrowed?)

But I didn't think I'd have so many Shinigami all at once -- this is like OCs EVERYWHERE and I've wondered if people are still enjoying this shit.

Btw, Shinigami (it's Japanese -- I'm one of those weird culture freaks) in English can be translated as God of Death or Grim Reaper. So yeah, they're Grim Reapers. Shinigami sounds cooler and less cliched. Shut up, editor who insists a story about pirates can't get anymore cliche.

So here's the deal. I have a question.

I've been thinking and by the time you read this I'll probably already have made the decision -- but you know how Adeena was 'reaped'? And how First said she is 'stored'?

I'll explain it in depth later, what that means, but if I had Jacqueline encounter Adeena and (maybe? What do you think?) Jack, would ya'll like that? It could shed a lot of light on what Adeena knew and shit and things and people like Adeena for some reason so yeah.

As I've been writing this I've been realizing the first three books, particularly the first and third, could use a lot of editing. Like a lot. I've read them and I think some of it sucks. Should I go back and do some major revision? After that, I might do On Stranger Tides -- you know I skipped that movie to go to this book.

GIVE ME YOUR OPINIONS! OR YOU SHALL BE REAPED! *holds you for a ransom* *is kidding*

I've just said a lot of shit that I may have already said (but I'm repeating because some of you probably didn't read my last author's note) I hoped the amount of shit that just flowed out of my mouth didn't disturb your day.

Please enjoy and give me feedback on those questions I just asked -- I love your feedback. Getting feedback is the best feeling. Knowing people want more of my writing and care about it as well is so lovely.

Love ya'll! See ya next AN!