Author's Note: Having just watched the ending of Death Note last night, I thought it was fitting to write this short one-shot.

Friends

"It would be a problem if you were Kira because I feel you're the first friend I've ever had."

The statement hung in the air for a few seconds and I could feel Light Yagami's surprise and apprehension at me referring to him as a friend.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. The two of us have a lot in common," he finally said.

I knew I had an unconventional definition of the word "friend." Then again, I had had an unconventional childhood. Whammy's Place was not one to grow up playing with other children and make relationships. It was an institution for orphans that showed exceptional promise. Whammy's was a place of learning, challenge, and competition.

Thus, although I suspected Light of being Kira and tensions were often high between us, I enjoyed his company. He was the only person I had ever met who could truly keep up with me. Our conversations were witty, interesting, and kept my mind sharp. I think my suspicions of him made me like him even more in some ways. I knew Kira must be brought to justice for what he was doing. Yet if Light was Kira, it made him that much cleverer.

Eventually the day came when I sensed a change in Light. He offered himself up to confinement on the pretense of not knowing whether or not he was Kira, and during his imprisonment, Light became almost an entirely different person. He seemed less intense, less manipulative, and more emotional. He was still as shrewd as ever, and I liked working with him more and more during these days. I began to feel as though Light was starting to see me as a friend as well—my feelings were no longer one-sided.

The day we got into it in Miss. Amane's room almost made me feel like we were in a sibling rivalry. I'm not sure what possessed Light to strike me—he was usually more composed. Perhaps he thought the punch would bring me to my senses. Regardless of his intentions, I wasn't about to go down without a fight.

"An eye for an eye, my friend," I told him as my kick landed and we went flying across the room.

That was the first time anyone had noticed strange behavior on my part. Light Yagami had realized I was acting different, that I had no drive to work on the Kira case. I had been wrong about him and Misa, or at least as far as solid evidence could prove. Having never been so mistaken about a case before, it affected my disposition. Light brought me to my senses, with his own brutal awakening. I was grateful to him for that. I would have never thought of dropping the Kira case after so much time, but Light got me back on my feet faster than I would have myself.

Light changed again after we caught Higuchi. The intensity was back, but what I noticed more than anything else was the way he acted around Miss. Amane. After his detainment, Light had refused to lead her on to extract information from her. Now he seemed to be doing just that. Perhaps I was being paranoid, though. Misa was beautiful, successful, and brighter than one first realized. Not to mention she was completely infatuated with Light. It was highly possible he had fallen for her. I let my observations of Light's new behavior with Misa go unvoiced.

Then it came. The day I had feared since I first showed my face to the members of the Japanese police force. I felt the tightening in my chest, the floundering of my heart, and I knew I only had forty seconds left to live. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion, me falling out my chair and everyone jumping in shock. And I saw him, Light Yagami, running towards me, calling my name and begging me not to die. With the last breath of consciousness I had, I thanked whatever grace was out there for letting me die still believing Light Yagami was my friend.