Soichiro Yagami, the sheriff of a small town, arrested and hanged one of the most feared bandits in the west.
The execution of the sheriff's plan was not important, for A. Kinan had surrendered easily, with his hands held high. As they rode back into town, stones were pummeled at the bandit. He was no longer the threat that had once kept women and children locked in their homes and men indoors at night.
It was rumored that when he was on the gallows, he stared out into the crowd of observers and smiled. He was said to have announced that the world would soon be faced with someone much worse, and the crowd had no reason to fear him anymore. He apologized, bowed his head and dropped through the trap door.
The next day, as the red sun set, Light Yagami was born.
"Look at those eyes," the midwife cooed.
Soichiro laughed as the new born grabbed his finger. "He's certainly going to be strong."
"He'll probably become a sheriff, like his dad," Mogi, Soichiro's deputy, winked.
When Light was handed to his mother, Sachiko, he gurgled and smiled up at her. She only gasped, gazing at her beautiful son.
The town welcomed the sheriff's first born son into the world a few days later. Fiddles and harmonicas echoed through the starry night. Feet stomped on the dirt, matching the heavy rhythm of the band. The townsfolk laughed and danced, swinging around and drinking until some could barely stand. Sachiko barely noticed, though. Her face was buried in her son's cradle all night, watching him intently. Although he was only a few days old, she could tell he was extraordinary. His sharp, alert eyes signified that he was studying how people acted and babies rarely smiled when they were first born.
"Mrs. Yagami?" a small voice called.
She turned her attention away from Light for a moment. Little Lawliet stood close to his father, clinging at his pants. His father beamed, giving his son a nudge forward. Lawliet gulped as he took a step forward. He was a quiet, shy child, but believed to be quite intelligent. At the age of three, he had learned the alphabet and had learned how to multiply. And (when he spoke) he had a better grip on language than most children his age.
"Yes Lawliet?"
"Can I see Light?"
She laughed and beckoned him over. Cautiously, he approached her as she placed Light onto her lap. He gazed at Light for quite some time, playing with his tiny fingers. Light cooed, obviously happy with the attention. Lawliet grinned widely, laughing as Light yanked at his raven black hair.
"I think he likes you," Sachiko smiled.
"I like him, too!" Lawliett announced as Light pulled on his finger. The boy laughed again.
After that, the two were inseparable. Whenever Lawliet had any free time, he would walk from his father's ranch to the Yagami ranch and play with Light for hours. Sometimes, Sachiko place Light on Lawliet's lap, as long as he promised not to move. Light would curl up on his lap, slowly dozing off. And Lawliet would always have a smile on his face.
At eight months old, Light took his first steps.
"Mrs. Yagami, come quickly" Lawliet shouted from the parlor.
Lawliet rarely had excitement in his voice. Sachiko ran into the parlor, expecting the worse. Instead, she met a standing Light. He wobbled over to her, a large grin planted on his face.
At nine months, he said his first word: water.
And at ten, he would run to the door when it was time for Lawliet to come over.
Light Yagami turned out to be an extraordinary child and the whole town had high hopes for him. They would praise him as he ran through the town's streets, and even when he stumbled, he was met with applause. Lawliet already planted educational seeds in Light's head when he sang him the alphabet over and over again, giggling if Light mimicked him. The two always made each other laugh. This extraordinary child would soon be met with an extraordinary destiny.