Author's Note: This is just a little something I came up with one day. I feel happy with how it turned out and I hope that you all enjoy. Feel free to leave suggestions or comments. Just be polite about it; that's all that I ask.

Past the Monster

Mizuki walked down the cement sidewalk, waiting for the red walking sign to turn green. It was then that she heard two loud gunshots fired in rapid succession. People started to look around worriedly, and most began to walk away in the opposite direction. But not Mizuki. Normal people would flee from the scene if they heard such a sound, but the young woman went against the crowd and picked up her pace, no longer caring anymore about fetching groceries. Two minutes later, she was in a dead run. A horrible feeling crept over her, and she shivered. Mizuki's instincts screamed to turn around, to get away from whatever had happened. But Mizuki trudged on, jogging along the brick wall of a building. She ducked down an alleyway, the same one that the gunshots had echoed in, and stopped. There, lying on the cold concrete was a person. Her brown eyes widened in horror. Shaking her head to clear it, she dashed forward.

"Hey! Hey, are you ok?" She knew that it was a stupid question to ask. Of course he wasn't ok; he'd just been shot! There was a groan from the man. His eyes were closed, and he looked a little pale. Mizuki glanced over him. He'd been shot in his left leg and mid-section. Blood poured from both wounds profusely, soaking the ground beneath him crimson. The woman reached forward and gently shook the man.

"You shouldn't lie down like that. Do you think you could sit up?" The blond opened one amber eye to look at her. A second later, he squeezed it shut.

". . . Suppose so." he groaned. Mizuki helped him sit up, trying her best to be as calm as possible, even though she knew he could die from severe blood loss. She let him lean against her while she pulled out her cell phone. After dialing a number, she began to get a little nervous. What if he didn't pick up? While she listened to the dial tone, Mizuki kept glancing at the bloodied individual next to her. She let out a silent sigh of relief when the person on the other line picked up.

"Shinra, its Mizuki. Listen, I need your help right now. There's someone here who needs immediate medical attention. They've been shot and I'm not sure how bad his injuries are. I'm at. . ." She rambled off an address, making sure to include any distinguishing landmarks. A breath later, Shinra told her that he was on his way and would be there as quick as he could. The phone was flipped shut and placed inside the woman's pocket.

"Help is coming. Don't worry." The blond male gave a slight nod. His eyes were still shut and his shoulders moved with each pained breath he took. Mizuki's brows knitted together in concern. He really didn't look well; given that the man was becoming paler with each passing moment. The sound of footsteps caught the female's attention. A brunette appeared between the buildings, muttering to himself. He turned, and was shocked to find the two on the ground.

"Shizuo!" he shouted, running over to Mizuki and the wounded man. He knelt down and placed a tanned hand on the ex-bartender's shoulder.

"Man, what happened?" Mizuki tried her best to fill the newcomer in.

"I heard gunshots so I came to see what occurred and found him like this. He was alone; I guess the people who shot him took off. I already called a doctor I know, so he should be coming shortly," The man with dreads gave her a grateful look. "I'm Mizuki Takashi, by the way."

"Thank you." His eyes drifted over to Shizuo then back to the woman. He then noticed her outstretched hand and shook it. "I'm Tom Tanaka, Shizuo's employer," he said. "When Shizuo didn't come back from his break I started to get a little bit worried. He's never late," Tom explained. "I suppose now I know why." Mizuki addressed the man next to her.

"So you're Shizuo?" she asked, trying to keep the man conscious. She knew that it would be dangerous if he fell comatose while losing so much blood. The blond grunted. The ghost of a smile crossed Mizuki's lips. "What's your last name?" Shizuo opened his eyes lazily.

"Heiwajima."

Mizuki tested the new name out loud. Tom eyed her warily. She smiled at him.

"I like it." There was a sigh from beside her. "But it sounds familiar." confessed the woman. "Have we met before?" Tom laughed.

"Have you never heard of him? Shizuo Heiwajima, the strongest man in all of Ikebukuro?" Mizuki pressed her lips together.

"Oh. So that's where I heard it from." she said simply. Tom gave her an awed look when she said nothing more. Shizuo's tawny eyes slid shut as he sighed again. The woman glanced down at him with a bit of a worried expression. Gently, she brushed his bangs out of his eyes. Tom watched her and then looked at his employee. One minute passed, and then another before anyone spoke again.

"Who was the doctor that you called?" Mizuki opened her mouth to answer but was cut off.

"It's-"

"That would be me." Tom turned around to see a familiar brown-haired man standing in a white lab coat.

"Shinra!" Mizuki's shouted out the name in relief. Tom gawked at the woman.

"You know Shinra?" asked the debt collector. The woman nodded as Shinra approached.

"Yeah, we went to high school together. We would talk every once in a while. Oh, he also helped me when I broke my leg on the soccer field at school. He's really good at what he does." she finished. The doctor knelt down beside the three and set down the silver suitcase he had been carrying. The lid clicked softly as he opened it and he pulled out a few instruments. Shinra stole a glance at Shizuo, worry causing his brows to furrow.

"Shizuo, are you still awake?" The blond reluctantly opened an eye.

"Sleepy. . ." he mumbled, earning a look from Tom. Mizuki turned her head to speak to the underground doctor.

"I kept him awake because I knew it would be bad if he fell asleep after losing so much blood so quickly." came the rapid explanation. Shinra gave her a pleased smile.

"Good. So you did remember something from the lessons after all." Mizuki shrugged and switched her attention back to the ex-bartender. Shinra worked in silence for a while, for no one wanted to break his concentration. Once he removed both of the bullets, the brunette pulled out disinfectant for the wounds and applied it. Shizuo gritted his teeth, feeling the sting of the liquid. After cleaning the bullet gashes, Shinra pulled out bandages. Before he could wrap them, however, Mizuki spoke.

"Shizuo?" The blond had been quiet for a time, and the woman was becoming nervous. Shinra checked the man's breathing and relaxed.

"He's just asleep. The bleeding has mostly stopped so he's out of the danger zone." Tom let out the breath he had been holding.

"That's good."

Shinra finished wrapping the wounds and started to pack his things. He faced Mizuki with a grin.

"Normal people would head the opposite way if they even heard the name of Shizuo Heiwajima, but not you, huh?" Mizuki shrugged again, slightly embarrassed. "Some even say that he's a monster, with that abnormal strength of his and all." He watched the brown-haired woman for her reaction.

"I don't believe the rumors. Sure he's strong, but why should that make him any different?" Shinra's grin widened.

"You don't consider him a monster? Or even a freak of nature?" Mizuki rolled her eyes.

"You're the only freak of nature here, Shinra." Tom laughed, relief spreading among the trio.

"But I'm serious," Shinra enforced, wanting a direct answer. "You're not afraid of him?" There was a pause as the persistent doctor waited. Finally, the woman gave him an answer.

"I don't think he's a monster," murmured Mizuki. Her hand brushed the hair from his forehead like it had previously. Her chocolate eyes softened with something hidden in their deep pools. "He's just misunderstood." Shinra gave a soft chuckle.

"I've never seen him look so peaceful." Tom gave a word of agreement.

The blond was leaning against the female brunette, his head on her shoulder. Mizuki held him close to her in case he fell, with one arm around his shoulders and the other caressing his face. Mizuki didn't know exactly why she wanted to be with Shizuo then; she had only just met him. The woman, just like everyone else in Ikebukuro, had known of Shizuo through his reputation. Until then, he hadn't really mattered. He was just another unusual citizen of the district of Tokyo like everyone else. But once she'd seen him injured, it hit her. Labeled as a monster, Shizuo lived his life being feared and going through the hardship of having few people, if no one, there for him. It had to hurt; living alone, knowing that you were unlike the people around you, and having to be tormented day and night by the simple fact that you couldn't even control a single thing that happened around you. To Mizuki, the real monsters of Ikebukuro were the ones who preyed on the people who couldn't, or wouldn't, defend themselves.

Shizuo stirred in her arms, jerking Mizuki from her thoughts. Shinra and Tom were deep in conversation and paying her no mind. As Shizuo slowly gaining consciousness, Mizuki leaned down and pressed her lips to his forehead. She tipped back to see Shizuo staring at her through half-lidded eyes. He wasn't still fully awake, but she could see that he knew what had just happened. She gave him a gentle smile, causing him to glance away and blush slightly. But underneath the embarrassment, she could see a hint of happiness within the amber eyes.

Someone had finally seen past the monster.

Anyone else feel a bit of sadness coming from this story? Maybe it's just me but I hope you all liked it. Don't forget to drop a review on your way out!