The Aves of Maria

Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet or "As She Began Loyal, So She Persists."
***

Light had inherited many things from his father. His hand shape, for starters, and Soichiro's extremely strong sense of justice. One thing he was glad to not inherit, however, was his father's unfailing ability to let his feelings overrun logic and reason.

It was certainly outside the stereotype that his father was the more emotional parent. Perhaps Soichiro was too used to bottling up his emotions until they spilled over, or Sachiko was simply better at putting on a strong façade in order to keep a happy home. Whatever the reason, Light was glad he only had half of his father's genetics.

Driving a bus through the front doors of Sakura TV while a deadly broadcast was going on was not something Sachiko would have ever done, no matter how upset or gutsy she was. And she would have especially not escaped from the hospital to do it. She, at least, knew where the line between bravery and foolishness lied. As if the Yagami family wasn't on edge enough from the old man's stress-induced heart attack, Soichiro didn't need to be playing Kira's martyr so soon after the first scare.

Or, the fake Kira, rather, because this person was so obviously a copycat killer that Light couldn't help but laugh. But maybe that was only his opinion.

And Ryuk's of course.

If he played his cards right, perhaps he could throw L off his trail for good with the imitating idiot.

That aside, it was incredibly surprising that the hospital did not decide to keep Soichiro for a few more days for observation after that reckless stunt. However, he was released at the date he was scheduled to and the Sachiko made an elaborate, delicious dinner to welcome the family head home. Sayu commented to her brother under her breath and with a teasing smirk that the doctors were probably glad to be rid of a troublesome patient that did nothing but try to escape. Light had rolled his eyes and didn't voice his agreement.

Breakfast was equally elaborate and after Sachiko had all the dishes and cookware tucked away in the dishwasher, the four of them filed out the door to church. Sayu was practically skipping and Soichiro and Sachiko consistently held hands. The other churchgoers, expectedly, swarmed the family, welcoming Soichiro back with happy smiles and syrupy words and grasping fingers.

Light's annoyance toward the masses was relieved when Maria took the initiative to sit with them. Sayu, who was usually so inattentive, listened to the golden-haired widow as she broke the flowery, flighty, holy words down into more intellectually manageable murmurs. Light was quietly impressed and watched her constantly out of the corner of his eye.

Mass ended soon enough and as the people surrounding them stood to go about their business, Maria invited the family to her home for afternoon tea. For a moment it seemed that Sachiko would decline, but the eager glitter in both of her children's eyes persuaded her to accept.

Now, here they sat on Maria's veranda, facing the backyard. The three elder Yagami's nursed mugs of sweet tea—too sweet, in Light's opinion—listening to Maria speak while Sayu "aw"ed and cooed over the aviaries in the bird coop.

She made baby talk to the birds, sticking her fingers through the wire mesh to rub her fingers along the snowy backs of those that didn't scurry away. Maria's primary male breeder—which she had informed them was named Icarus—seemed to particularly enjoy the attention, though he hid it by acting as if he were annoyed, nipping at the girl's fingers every so often.

"He reminds me of you, Onii-chan!" Sayu said, giggling.

The adults chuckled while Light scoffed, rolling his eyes.

"Is that so, Yagami-chan? Do tell us, how is my dear Icarus like Yagami-kun?" Maria prompted.

Sachiko nodded. "I am interested as well."

Soichiro didn't say anything, choosing instead to sip at his tea, but his eyes were sharp.

Light sighed, resting his chin in his palm. "'Icarus: a character from Greek mythology who flew too close to the sun with wax wings and plummeted to his death.' I do not see what I could possibly have in common with a guy like that."

Sayu laughed outright. "Silly, Onii-chan. I'm comparing you to this bird, not the character. Look at him, he doesn't want to admit he likes attention!"

"Oh yes, I am being compared to a pigeon, even better," The young man said, sarcasm lacing his tone. "I suppose I am 'flighty' as well?"

His sister frowned. "'Pigeons?'" She echoed. "I thought they were doves?"

"People usually like to think of them that way, but no." Maria spoke up, smiling softly, "Technically speaking, they're homing pigeons. Doves don't come back when released, and you want the birds to return. Homing pigeons are bred to know to return to a certain place instead of just fluttering off on their own. If they were really doves, they'd be all over the city like a wild flock."

Sayu nodded. "That makes sense." Her eyes grew bright. "So, I could open the coop and chase them all out and they'd come back later?"

Maria laughed. "You could, but I'd rather you left them be. Some of them are still in training."

"Come and sit with us, Sayu, and leave the birds alone for a bit," Sachiko said, patting the floor beside her.

The girl gave Icarus one last stroke before bouncing over to her mother's side. She tucked her legs and skirt under her and leaned against Sachiko, resting her head on the older woman's shoulder. Sachiko hummed pleasantly and reached up to stroke her daughter's hair.

"I really like your house, Mashiro-san," Sayu said, "Although, maybe that's just the good weather talking."

The golden haired woman made an approving noise. "Thank you, Yagami-chan." She turned her head to look back at the head of the family, "Are you doing well back there, Soichiro-san? You're so quiet, if I were less familiar with you I think I'd feel like a bad hostess!"

The police officer colored slightly. "Ah, my apologies, Maria-san. I suppose I just don't have much to say when it comes to birds." He chuckled, smiling from under his salt-and-pepper mustache.

Maria smiled back, the corners of her eyes crinkling. "I suppose you wouldn't, would you? Tell me, are you looking forward to going back to work?"

His expression sobered. "'Looking forward' isn't a term I think I would use to describe it, but yes, I am eager to rejoin my team. It is only a matter of time until Kira is found and I want to be there when he is brought in."

She nodded. "I can't really understand, but that's to be expected, I think. I don't have the motivation or courage to do that kind of job. You are a very admirable person, Soichiro-san!"

"Thank you,"

"I understand Yagami-kun is following in your footsteps," Maria added brightly, "You must be so proud."

"We are very proud," Sachiko said, smiling.

Light leaned back on his palms, inwardly preening. "What do you think of Kira, Mashiro-san?" The other four humans blinked in surprise at the question before gaining thoughtful expressions.

Maria pressed her forefinger to her chin.

"You know, in all the time Kira has been around, this is the first time someone has asked me that. I certainly don't believe that he is God, if that's what you're asking. Everyone ought to worship God according to his or her own inclinations, and not to be constrained by force or fear." She rested her head on her knuckles, her bright eyes losing their sparkle. "No, no, he is certainly not God. God would not be so biased, so cruel. At least, not like this. If God wanted to rid the world of sin, He would turn men into salt statues or raise the seas, not pick sinners off one by one."

Soichiro nodded gravely. "Kira is a mortal man. His power, whatever it is, is no gift. It is a curse." He stared into his teacup.

Maria inhaled deeply. "It is not our place to decide who should die for their crimes. We are only human. To err is human. To forgive is divine. Kira does not understand forgiveness, therefore, he cannot be divine." Her voice fell to a whisper. "The Antichrist, maybe."

The blood drained from Sachiko's face. "The… s-surely Kira can't be… that person…" Even Soichiro looked rather startled.

Maria's lips pinched. "I certainly hope not."

Ryuk laughed as he hovered around the pigeon coop harassing the birds, his eerie voice echoing in Light's ears.

Light discreetly curled his fingers into a fist. Him, the "Antichrist?" Blasphemous; ridiculous! As if! Light was Justice! Kira was Justice! If anyone was remotely like the Antichrist it was that blasted detective, L! L, whose goal was to eliminate Kira and stop the world from becoming a peaceful utopia, was the one that was evil candy-coated in human flesh! He had deceived so much of the world into believing Kira was a horrible murderer.

Poor Maria. She didn't know any better. How could he blame her for being ignorant? Light felt sure that L hadn't yet tainted her thoughts and he would make sure she stayed that way. She was just reacting in the way any devoted religious person would. She would come to see the error of her ways in time. He would shield her from L's treachery and a gentle nudge toward the truth would certainly not go astray.

It was all a matter of time.

"What's wrong with the birds?" Sayu asked, tilting her head. The white-feathered creatures cooed and squawked, fluttering about their cage to try and get as far away from Ryuk's gangly form as possible. Light wondered for the first time if animals could see shinigami unhindered. Even if they couldn't, it was obvious that they could at least sense the otherworldly being.

Something about that was unnerving.

Maria frowned. "I don't know. They're usually so well behaved when company is here. Perhaps it's the weather? It's supposed to rain later this week, maybe the clouds blew in earlier than expected."

***

"…was caught speeding. When he was taken to jail officers realized that he was the man who had stabbed the Neimuresu family to death while they were out camping two months ago. He was then…"

Obata Takeshi