SALL (Death Note)

Chapter 1

It wasn't the sunniest or brightest weather out, in fact it was quite cloudy and chilly. But Kokona Arakida didn't care. Most of the students were on their way back to their homes by now, but she was sitting with her back leaning against a tall, dry tree. Her long, dark brown hair was in a messy ponytail that had only taken her about ten seconds to do, and strands of the fine hair were in front of her closed eyes. Her facial expression held a look of peaceful sleep, though she was awake. She wasn't in her dreamland, but she wasn't in reality either. Her inner thoughts were imagining what it would be like to meet her idol, the only person worthy of respect to her, the person who had managed to change the world in so many ways in so little time.

Kira.

But as Kokona thought, a familiar voice brought her out of her trance. She opened her eyes, and was face to face with her childhood friend, whom she had known since she was barely five years old. Mei Matsuda, sister of Touta Matsuda.

"Really Kokona? Asleep, right before your shift, again?" Mei asked her friend, sighing. But her voice held a humored tone in it. Kokona responded with a eye role, not picking up on the hint that revealed that she was only kidding, she spoke.

"No, I'm wide awake." She replied, sitting up straighter and moving her hands to her sides. "I'm not that irresponsible." Her fingers traced the soft, green grass and she clutched a handful, pulling it out of the ground as she spoke. "What are you doing?"

"Well, I think I could be arguing on the fact that you are very irresponsible," Mei laughed softly, "But since you have to start your shift in about thirty minutes, I figure that waking you up would be the better choice." Mei sat besides her closest friend, crossing her right leg over her left. "But obviously you're in no rush."

Kokona shook her head to confirm that statement was true. "It only takes me like five minutes to walk there, and I never wear the uniform anyways. So I'm going to take my time." She grinned. "Maybe I'll even get fired."

"Only you would consider that a good thing." Mei sighed, looking at the ground, then she turned back to look at Kokona. Sometimes she wondered how they became and remained friends, since they were complete opposites of each other. Kokona was loud and most of the time rude, but Mei was quiet and polite. Kokona was athletic, and Mei was more of a reader. Kokona loved Kira, and Mei hated him.

"By the way, when is Touta gonna quit the Kira search and accept that Kira's word is law?" Kokona asked Mei, smirking. Mei sighed, shaking her head in disappointment.

"Kokona, you know that's not happening. Kira is a criminal, not a savior." Mei stated firmly, only to be playfully punched in the arm by her best friend.

"You know that's not true!" Kokona argued, her face twisted into a disgusted frown. "Kira is amazing, he's gotten rid of so many criminals. He has done more for the world than anybody else!" Kokona was firm in her belief that Kira was a true savior, the righteous and the true ruler of the earth. After all, he had gotten rid of so many criminals, and he lets those who have lived innocent lives go about in peace, what wasn't there to like about Kira?

"What about L?" Mei demanded. Like Kokona, she was firm in her beliefs as well. But she believed that Kira was the enemy, a faker, an immature child who needed to be taught a lesson. "Remember? Kira killed that Lind L. Tailor guy!"

"Who was a criminal!" Kokona exclaimed, throwing her hands up for emphasis. "He judged him righteously!"

Mei bit the inside of her cheek, a habit of hers. "No, Kira didn't know that he was a criminal. He thought he was L; who, if I can recall, is a detective who also stops criminals. Kira has shown to the nation that he is not there just to kill criminals, but also innocent people who oppose him. He's scaring people into obeying his laws; if you don't think Kira is god, you die. What kind of leadership or freedom is that?"