The Aves of Maria

Fiat Iustitia Et Pereat Mundus or "Let Justice Be Done Though The World Shall Perish."

Also: "To jealousy, nothing is more frightful than laughter."—Francoise Sagan, La Chamade
***

Not long after the Sakura TV incident with the mysterious Second Kira, Light was dispatched on the mission to scout out the "Blue Mountain" district of Tokyo: Aoyama.

He was not alone, of course; L was too suspicious of him for that, and Matsuda had been the first to volunteer, anyhow. Light introduced his companion as his "cousin," Taro. It was an alias, of course, but Light wasn't about to argue. The other college students were all too eager to welcome the new face into their group, not because they were friendly, but because they wanted to impress Light. He had thought that it was something that would have died out after high school, but being the #1 student in all Japan still managed to persuade even the most reclusive bookworm to peek out from his dank corner.

This group was not much different from the others Light had socialized with; they were just as eager to please, as eager to wiggle into Light's inner circle (as if he had such a thing!) and claim bragging rights—"I know the country's top student!" they'd crow—and just as easily manipulated. Not a one of them knew Light outside of campus, but even so, a few phone calls and some smooth talking was all it took to have them jumping at the chance to "hang out" with him like flies to rotting meat.

Speaking of which, Ryuk, invisible to all but Light, shadowed the group. Light was incredibly annoyed that his shinigami would not tell him when he spotted another death god. True, by now he was accustomed to most of the humanoid's bizarre quirks and mannerisms, but at times he wished the monster would be more cooperative.

He was confident that the Second Kira would be at the Blue Note café. He was concerned, however, that he would not be able to recognize the other Death Note. He was only familiar with his own notebook and Ryuk's; there was no guarantee that all notebooks looked the same. And would the Second Kira even have such a notebook left out for him to slyly touch when the person wasn't looking?

They entered Blue Note café, and though they stayed there for almost half an hour ordering drinks and snacks and talking, Light didn't spot any potential Death Notes or suspicious characters.

It was a bit dismaying, but Light would not be put off. Chatting away, the group left Blue Note. His amber eyes scanned the masses shuffling and crowding the streets and sidewalks. The faces all seemed the same, except for one, which gave him pause.

There was Maria, standing across the street. What strange coincidence that she was in Aoyama on the 22nd! Could she perhaps be…?

No, it was impossible. There was absolutely no chance that Maria was the Second Kira. Her thoughts on the elimination of criminals were obvious and she was too pure-hearted for something like that. This was just a bit of chance.

But Maria was not alone. There was a man with her.

He was in Maria's age range—possibly older than her, possibly younger; his hair was bleached, gelled into clumpy, immature spikes, and a pair of nerdy but attractive glasses rested on his nose. His cheeks were smooth but his chin was covered in stubble and he walked with a relaxed, cocky gait.

Light hated him on sight.

He gathered himself, back straightening, shoulders thrown back, chin lifting, his eyes glinting sharp and hard. He slid his gaze over to Matsuda, who, feeling the younger man's eyes on his back, turned to him questioningly.

Light smiled. "Hey, I just spotted somebody I know. You all go ahead and I will catch up with you in a few minutes."

"Oh, okay." Matsuda said.

"Who is it, Light?" One of the females in the group asked brightly.

Light spared her a glance and began walking away. "A family friend who lives near my neighborhood."

"Okay!" she called to his back, "We'll be at Pizza-La!"

"Pizza-La?" he heard Matsuda yelp. "I love Pizza-La!"

Light ignored the group's growing excitement and crossed the street, sidestepping pedestrians and scooters as he neared the familiar blonde with growing purpose.

"Mashiro-san!" He called.

Whatever she was saying to her male companion stopped sharply. She pivoted her head around, eyes scouting out the person who had so boldly called her name. Her eyes slid over him twice before she recognized his face. When she did, beckoned him over with her hand like a maneki neko* and smiled brightly.

Light smiled back and approached her side. "Hello, Mashiro-san."

"Yagami-kun! What a coincidence to see you here!" She greeted informally, "What brings you to Aoyama?"

He rolled his shoulder. "I am out with some friends. I spotted you and thought I should say hello."

She nodded. "I see! Oh," she turned slightly, looking over at her male companion, "Let me introduce to you my dear friend, Takagi Akito. Akito, this is Yagami Light."

The two men bowed toward one another cordially, but in Light's stomach a fire began to burn and grow.

"Nice to meet you." The blonde man greeted, grinning.

"Nice to meet you," Light replied in a much more reserved tone. He detested this man.

Maria wrapped herself around Akito's arm; her eyes bright in a way Light had never seen them.

"We were enjoying the hanami** at the Aoyama Cemetery." She said.

Enjoying the hanami with that guy? She had to be joking.

Akito smiled with honest curiosity. "So how do you know this young man, Maria?"

Light felt like vomiting. Preferably all over Akito's labeled, fashionably ruffled clothes.

"We know one another through the Orivu Buranchu* Church. I am friends with his mother and father." The blonde woman stated.

"That is right," Light managed to force out. It wouldn't do to be too passive in the conversation. He continued, "Although, I would like to consider us friends as well, Mashiro-san."

She blushed prettily and Akito laughed, setting one large hand over Maria's slender waist. "See, Maria! He thinks you should accept friendships more quickly, too! You keep people at arm's length too much!"

Her blush deepened, but she was smiling. "You say that every time we get together!" she said to her companion before turning her eyes to Light, "I'd like to consider us friends as well, Yagami-kun. I apologize if I made it sound as if I didn't like you."

The college student inclined his head. "Already forgiven, Mashiro-san."

She nodded back at him. "I'm relieved."

"Maria and I go way back. I was best friends with Moritaka during high school." Akito said.

"Moritaka…?" Light repeated questioningly before understanding dawned on his handsome features, "Oh. Your late husband, Mashiro-san?"

She nodded. "Yes."

Light tried to imagine Maria in black or grey, the colors a woman traditionally wore for the year following her spouse's death. He shied away from the mental image quickly. Such impure, depressing colors did not suit her.

Akito continued. "We miss him every day. But, you know what they say, 'when God closes a door somewhere he opens a window.' I think your sister is the only one who knows you better than I do, Maria!" He chuckled.

"Ah-ah-ah," she began, wiggling her forefinger at him, "You forgot the pastor!"

Akito laughed. "Oh, definitely!" His expression sobered as he tilted his wrist to look at his watch. "I have to go now, Maria. Rice and fish don't put themselves on the table!" He groaned childishly, "Maaan, I don't want to go to work!"

Maria giggled and slapped his shoulder playfully. "You'll be fine. Thank you for spending your morning off with me."

He grinned toothily. "Of course! Some part of me mourns the missed chance to sleep in, but you're my gal-pal!"

Light watched the exchange with something foul writhing in his gut. Maria was so casual, so friendly and adoring toward this man, why? He was almost like Matsuda, only wittier and less clumsy. What was likable about someone like that?

The two older persons drew together, embracing and exchanging friendly pecks on their cheeks. Light bristled at the sight of the older man's chapped lips pressed suggestively against Maria's porcelain cheek. Worse still, she kissed him back! As if a rotten guy like that deserved to be blessed with such a thing! The sight of her perfect mouth pressed against that rough, unshaven cheek was burning into Light's retinas.

He clenched one hand into a tight fist and fought back the desire to break Takagi's nose in… and worse.

'I will kill him. I will kill him. Kill him. I will fucking kill you, Takagi Akito.'

"I should be on my way as well. Goodbye, Mashiro-san… Takagi-san," Light said, his tone clipped, and walked away. He couldn't stand this man, this-this human trash touching and laughing with Maria who was pure and angelic. "Friends?" Maybe Maria thought so, but Light was a man and he knew how other men's minds worked. Takagi Akito didn't want to "just be friends" with Maria. It was sickening and Light would not allow it to continue.

Maria and Akito separated, looking at his retreating back with bewildered expressions.

"Yagami-kun?" Maria called after him.

He pretended not to hear her.