Light was seven years old when he realized his father wasn't a man to be loved, he was nine when he learned his father was to be feared.
Light kept himself up in his room, studying quietly, ignoring the rumble of his stomach from being denied dinner three days in a row. The only time it seemed he got to eat was at school, so the boy studied hard so he could attend the next day.
The boy flinched when the front door slammed open.
Light held his breath.
Footsteps thundered up the stairs and Light hunched over the textbook, studying common algebra problems for and above his grade.
His father opened the door to see the boy studying and grinned wickedly," Studying hard Light?"
The boy nodded quietly," Yes sir,"
"Report card, where is it?"
Light slowly got up and pulled the envelope out of his bag with shaky hands, the twelve year old wasn't ready for the punishment surely to come.
His father shook silently with rage, the sudden slap echoing through the room," What do you call this Light Yagami,"
"97, in English," the boy yelped as he was thrown into the wall, he looked down and slowly the world was tunnel like in feeling, hearing, and sight.
By the time the twelve year old came to, he was bleeding on the floor with several bruises, the report card at his feet stained with blood and tears.
He looked up to see Sayu in the doorframe, he held out his arms and she rushed to him, hugging him tightly.
He assured her he was alright, even if it was a lie.
Light was a child genius, he had higher expectations.
He'd gladly take all the pain if Sayu was left alone.
It was better him than anyone else.
Better him than his mother.
Better him than his baby sister Sayu.
He ruffled her hair and tugged her into bed with him quietly.
Light often wondered if it was all worth it, but in the end, it wasn't up to him... it wasn't about him... it was about keeping his family safe.
The boy sighed quietly and snuggled into his sister despite the pain, he would protect her with everything he had, even his life.
Sayu was his world, and he'd never let anything befall upon her, that was for certain.
He'd always be there for Sayu, no matter what he had to do.
He just didn't know five years later that exact testament would be put to the test, and even still, it would ring true.
