Chapter 2 - The Stalker and The Protector

"How is he Shinra?"

"He's stable now. One lucky guy. If Izaya still had his appendix, he would've certainly died. I stitched him up, so all he needs is rest."

"Ok."

"I can't believe that the Slasher attacked you guys! Anyone in their right mind you never go up against the two of you."

"Well the Slasher isn't really right minded, seeing that it's killing random people."

"True, now the weird thing that you told me is, why did it only attack Izaya? Why not you?"

"I don't know. When I stepped in front of the flea to keep the Slasher from attacking him, it stopped and ran away."

"Hmm... Celty has been trying to hunt the Slasher down. It seems to disappear then reappear at different times. It's starting to show up more frequently now that the Dollars had had their meeting six months ago..."

"Yeah... Things are starting to get strange around this city."

"I'll keep an eye on Izaya for the night. You can go home Shizuo."

"Alright. Night Shinra."

Leaving the underworld doctor's apartment, the blonde started home in the pouring rain. People ran in buildings looking for shelter as he passed them through the streets. Returning to his apartment, he took a shower, changed into sweats and retired for the day. He fell backwards onto his bed, staring at the ceiling and thinking about the informant.

(*sigh* What a day. Damn Slasher got in my way! I could've killed that flea once in for all today if it hadn't been for him! Dammit dammit dammit! That flea's always slipping away from me no matter what the situation is... Pisses me off! Why did I even save him? I should've just left him lying there to bleed to death! What the hell's wrong with me?) Confused and pissed off, the blonde slowly drifted into a deep sleep, his last thought about the brunet.


{At Shinra's...}

"Where am I...?"

"Ohh Izaya you're awake!"

"Shinra?"

"How are you feeling?"

"Weak, which is unacceptable." The brunet unconsciously raise his hand and smacked himself in the face. (Stupid! And you call yourself swift! How could you let someone come up to you and stab you like that? Idiot! Worthless! Dumbass!)

"Izaya! Stop hurting yourself!"

"What? Ohh sorry..."

(He's still doing that huh... That isn't good.) "Izaya, you have to stop inflicting pain to yourself."

"I know I know. It's just that...it's a habit..."

"I know, but at lease try."

"I will. Well, I better leave." He tried to get out of bed, but a sharp pain stabbed his side and made his eyes teary.

"Easy now. Your wound is still unhealed. Don't move so much, you might reopen it."

"Ok, I'll stay for the night, but I'm leaving first thing tomorrow morning."

"Well I can't stop you I guess. Anyways get some sleep."

"Alright. Night Shinra."

The doctor left the info-broker alone to go to bed. Not knowing how he got here, the brunet tried remembering what happened after he was attacked. (Hmm...I was stabbed by that damn Slasher, then it came after me again. Shizu-chan stepped in front of me, blocking the Slasher's attack and it ran away. I tried to escape, fell, and then next thing I know, I'm lying here. So that must mean that the protozoan brought me here... *sigh* this has not been my lucky day...)

Trying to fall asleep, he played out what he planned to do tomorrow. Before he was able to finish his important planning, the painkillers started to kick in, causing him to fall into a deep, uneasy sleep.


{Hours later...}

Buzzzz! Buuzzzz! Buuzzzzz!

"Dammit! What is that annoying noise?"

Buzzzz!

The blonde's cellphone was going off on his drawer. Not opening his eyes, the blonde stumbled his hand around looking for his cellphone. Finally finding his cell, he answered the phone in a sleepy annoyed voice.

"Hello...?"

"Shizuo? Hi it's Shinra. Can you come over? There's something I need to tell you..."

"What is it?"

"I think it's best that I show you."

"Alright. I'll be over in a few minutes."

Hanging up his phone, the blonde shuffled to his bathroom to brush his teeth, take a shower, changed into a pair of dark blue jeans and a white button up. Walking out the door, he wondered what Shinra was so eager to show him. Making his way down the busy street, he couldn't help but feel like someone was watching him.

Arriving at the doctor's apartment door, he knocked on the door and the doctor answered in a split second.

"Shizuo hurry! Get inside!"

The doctor pulled the blonde into the room before he was able to get a word out. Pushing him further into the room, he only stopped to close all the blinds and lock the door.

"I think you'll be safe for now."

"What's going on?"

"I'll explain in a minute."

Shinra rushed pass Shizuo and went into the room where Izaya was still at. The blonde followed him, obviously annoyed by the fact that the doctor hasn't told him anything.

"Shizu-chan! You came to visit me! How nice of you."

"Shut up flea before I break your neck."

"And you're the same as ever. So Shinra, have you told him yet?"

"Told me what? Shinra, hurry up and tell me what's going on!"

"Well, this morning when I went to get my mail, I found this."

Shinra pulled out a letter from his lab coat pocket and handed it to the ex-bartender.

"What's this?"

"Well I guess you can say it's a fan letter Shizu-chan~ and a death note to me. Just read it."

The blonde opened up the letter and started to read the scratchy handwriting.

Shizuo. Shizuo. Shizuo Heiwajima. Love. Shizuo. Love strong people. Heiwajima. Love. Mine. Shizuo. Is. Mine. Love. Love. Love. Shizuo. Love. Kill. Kill. Kill. Izaya. Kill. Izaya. Mine. Shizuo. Mine. Love. Kill. Orihara. Izaya. Orihara. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill. Blood. Love. Blood. Izaya. Blood. Kill. Kill. Kill!

Then Shizuo will be MINE...

"What the-? What the hell is this?"

"Well, I think it's your little friend the Slasher Shizu-chan! For the way this letter is written, it's similar to the way he talks in the chat room. I think he's stalking you."

"What?"

"Calm down. We can figure something out." The underground doctor tried his best to calm the enraged blonde, but of course that wasn't working.

"I just want to know why the hell the Slasher is in love with me!"

"I'm not sure, but from the looks of this letter, if seems like it doesn't like Izaya very much. Probably the reason why it attacked him and not you last night."

"*sigh* well this isn't the first time someone tried to kill me. I can handle it Shinra."

"I don't think so Izaya. You need to lay low and have someone watch over you. And that's where you come in Shizuo..."

The underworld doctor looks nervously at the blonde, obviously afraid to tell him something.

"What is it?"

Taking a deep breath and letting it out in a puff, the doctor decided to just tell him.

"I'm gonna ask you to watch over Izaya."

"WHAT?"

Both of the males shouted that same word at the same time. They both stared at Shinra, completely shocked, dumbfounded at what the glasses wearing male just said.

"You want me to stay with...with HIM? Shinra! He'll KILL me!"

"Now Izaya I think you're over reacting-"

"No he's not! I would kill him!"

"Shizuo please be reasonable. The Slasher is obviously after Izaya, and since it's "in love" with you, it wouldn't attack if he's near you. Please."

"No! Absolutely not! I'm not having that flea in my house! Why can't he stay here? Or at his place?"

"Well the Slasher knows that he's here, seeing that that's how he dropped off the letter. And it probably knows where Izaya stays."

"Dammit! I'm not doing it!"

"Shizuo please!"

"It's fine Shinra."

The doctor turned around to face the brunet sitting up on the bed. He had a worried look in his eyes as he stared at Izaya. The informant laid still on his bed, eyes covered by his short uneven bangs to mask his face.

"I'll be fine."

His voice was low and quiet, not a hint of mischief behind it. (Is that...fear in his voice? He's actually scared? No that's impossible. Izaya Orihara, scared of the Slasher? Yeah right!) The blonde was arguing in his mind. Part of him wanted to do a good deed, but the fact that it was Izaya made him want to deny Shinra. He didn't want to watch over the person he hated the most, but the fact that Shinra knows that he hated the smaller male and still asked him to watch Izaya, how could he say no?

"Fine!"

"Shizuo?" The doctor looks at the larger male, confused at his sudden outburst.

"I'll look after the damn flea!"

"What?"

The in-tell broker looked like he was having a heart attack. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Don't make me repeat it." The blonde turned his attention back to Shinra. "So I just have to look after him til the Slasher's gone?"

"Yeah...are you sure you can do this Shizuo?"

"It's not like I have a choice."

"Hey! Don't I have a saying in this?"

The brunet didn't want to be anywhere near the crazy blonde, especially living in his place for god knows how long.

"Yeah, live with me or be killed by the Slasher."

"I rather die."

"Fine with me."

"No no! Izaya you're staying with Shizuo. That's final!"

"No..." (It's official; Shinra's trying to get me killed... I'm gonna die...)

"Alright let's go flea."

The blonde picked up the brunet bridal style, carrying him out the door.

"No Shinra don't let him do this!"

"It's for you're own good!"

The doctor waved to them as the left, a smile spread across his face.

"And Shizuo! Don't kill him!"

"No promises there."

They stepped into the elevator, while the brunet tried to wrestle his way out of the blonde's grip. (Dammit! What a pain in the ass!)

"Stay still before I throw you down hard enough that you go through the floor and fall to you death!"

The brunet immediately froze, knowing that what the larger male said was true.

"Where are we going Shizu-chan?"

"To my place. I don't have to work today, so I guess I'm stuck with you."

"Aww you don't have to sound to excited about it!" The brunet teased sarcastically.

"Shut up."

The elevator stopped at the main floor and the doors opened to let them out. Setting the brunet down gently, the ex-bartender started walking out the lobby. Following like a lost puppy, the brunet walked behind the blonde, looking over his shoulders every so often to see if anyone was following him. The brunet had accidentally bumped into the larger male when he wasn't paying attention in front of him.

"What are you doing?"

"I was checking to see if anyone was going to come out of no where and kill me..."

"Well watch where you're walking in front of you!"

"Why did you even stop?"

"Do you want to be run over by multiple cars? Cause I know the feeling and it isn't pleasant!"

"Hahahaha!"

The brunet couldn't help but think back to the first time he trick Shizuo to get hit by a truck.

"Come on." They started moving again. Still paranoid, the brunet fell further and further behind the blonde as he kept looking behind him. (Dammit! At this rate, he'll get lost in the crowd. Why does he have to be so annoying?) Turning around, he walked back to where the brunet was, grabbed his wrist, and pulled him down the street.

"H-hey! What are you doing?"

"You're too slow. Hurry up! I heard it was suppose to rain today and I don't want to get caught in it."


Rushing home, they only stopped when they were in front of Shizuo's apartment door. Unlocking the door, the blonde walks in with the brunet following him.

"Wow...I'm surprised Shizu-chan! I wouldn't have expected you to live in such a decent place. It's pretty nice."

The informant took off his shoes before stepping further into the room. He moved to where the couch was and sat down, kicking up his feet on the table and closed his eyes. He wasn't able to fall asleep last night, not after he had a certain nightmare.

"Hey Shizu-chan?"

"What...?" His voice was filled with irritation as he walked into the living room.

"Where am I going to sleep?"

"On the couch."

"What? You can't expect me to sleep on the couch! Let me sleep with you! Please!"

"No! I don't want your germs all over my bed."

"I don't like the idea sleeping with you either, but I can't sleep on the couch! My back will get messed up."

"So? Why should I care?"

"*sigh* you're so mean Shizu-chan..."

"It's pay back for all the time you tortured me. You're lucky I haven't killed you yet."

Walking out of the room, he blonde went to the bedroom to calm himself. (Dammit dammit dammit dammit dammit! I can't stand being in the same room as that freak! How am I going to survive this? I should've never agreed to do this! What the hell was I thinking?)

"Shizu-chan!~"

"What?"

"I'm hungry!"

"And why should I care?"

"Can you make me something to eat?"

"No. If you're so hungry, make it yourself."

"I can't! I'm in pain and it hurts to move. Walking all the way here was agonizing for me!"

"Good."

"Ahhh! You're so mean! Fine! I call take out!"

Flipping out his expensive cell phone, the brunet dialed the Russian Sushi shop. Waiting for someone to answer him, he wondered what he was going to do while he stayed he. He would need to get his laptop if he wanted to get any work done. And he needed someone to give out his information, now that a psychotic killer was after him. (Hmm, well I can ask Celty to get my laptop for me and to give out my info... She would do it. As long as I pay her, she'd do anything. And I would need some clothes too...*sigh* this is all really annoying...)

"Heelloo?"

"Simon is that you?"

"Ohh Izaya helloo. What you call for?"

"I wanted to order your largest order of Fatty Tuna for delivery please."

"Of course of course. I bring to you as soon as possible."

"Actually bring it to Shizu-chan's place. That's where I'm staying at the moment."

"What? Why you stay at Shizuo's?"

"It's complicated. He's basically my bodyguard at the moment. The Slasher's trying to kill me, so Shinra asked the idiot to watch over me."

"Ohh I see, very good. I bring you sushi soon! Bye!"

The Russian hung up. Setting his phone on the table, the brunet closed his eyes and rested. About ten minutes later, the doorbell rang.

"Who's that?"

The blonde came out of his room, walking towards the door.

"I think it's Simon. I ordered some sushi and he's delivering it."

Opening the door, the blonde was greeted by his happy Russian friend.

"Hello Shizuo! I bring sushi. It really good!"

"Ahh yeah. Umm let me get my wallet."

Leaving the front door open, he walked back to his room to get money.

"Hey Simon, come here."

"Hmm?"

Walking into Shizuo's apartment, he went over to where the informant was sitting.

"Here."

He pushed money into the Russian's hand and smiled.

"Shh! Don't tell Shizu-chan."

"Haha, ok thank you Izaya."

"Bye Simon."

The Russian walked out the room, closed the door behind him and left. The blonde came out of his room just seconds later.

"Ok Simon, how much do I- where'd he go?"

"He's gone. You're too slow Shizu-chan."

Happily eating his favorite food, he smiled at the blonde and motioned him over with his pointer finger.

"What?"

"Come here!~"

The blonde walked over cautiously to the brunet; surprised when a piece of sushi was shoved up to his face.

"Huh?"

"Eat. I brought enough for the both of us. I figured you would eat a lot."

"Why would you get me something to eat? What are you up to?"

"Nothing; I just don't want you weak or the Slasher might overpower you."

"Typical. Everything you do is always for your benefit."

"But of course!"

They sat on the couch, eating until every piece of sushi had disappeared.

"Phew! I'm full!"

"I didn't even know you ate."

"I rarely do. Have to keep my slim figure."

"That's disgusting. Being skinny like that isn't healthy."

"That's what Shinra said, but I think I'm fine." (Is he worried about me? No, I'm imagining things.)

"It's late. Better get to bed. I'll find a spare toothbrush for you."

The blonde walked into the bedroom and returned with a toothbrush.

"Umm... Can you help me up?"

"You can't even walk?"

"I can kinda... But it hurts..."

"*sigh* fine."

The larger male moved his arms under the thin body and lifted him up with ease. Steadying the informant, they walked into the bedroom and to the bathroom that was connected to the room.

"Can you can brush your teeth by yourself, or do you need help with that to?"

"Don't mock me."

Pushing the blonde away, the in-tell broker started to brush his teeth. Spitting out and rinsing, he closed the door to have some privacy. A few seconds later, he arrived back into the bedroom and saw thy the blonde was in the middle of changing. (Wow...Shizu-chan has a great body...wait! Did I just say that? No no! I must be insane...) He limped pass the blonde and back into the living room. He was surprised when he saw a blanket on the couch. Lying on the couch, he realized he was still in his street clothes on.

"Shizu-chan?"

"What is it?"

"Can I borrow some sleeping clothes? Something warm?"

"Dammit flea you're being really annoying!"

The blonde appeared with a pair of black sweat pants and a white t-shirt. He was in gray sweat pants, and wearing a short sleeved black shirt.

"Here."

"Thanks."

The brunet started to strip, but the pain on his sides kept him from stretching his arms up past his shoulders'. A sudden swift movement later, his shirt was off. A confused look crossed his face as he looked up to see the blonde had taken off his shirt for him.

"You can't do anything by yourself can you?"

The informant's face started to get red from embarrassment. (Stupid stupid stupid! You're letting the protozoan make fun of you! Can't even walk or undress yourself? You really are hopeless!) The brunet grabbed the remote on the table and was about to hit himself, when a strong arm stopped him.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"I-I don't know..."

"You were about to knock yourself on the head with the remote!"

"I...I..."

(What's wrong with him? Is it some sort of mental problem he has? I knew he was crazy, but this is a bit extreme...)

"It's a bad habit I have... Who cares?"

The informant began reaching for the shirt Shizuo gave him, but before he could grab it the blonde pulled it out away from him.

"Here, I'll put it on."

Obeying the blonde, the in-teller stuck his arms out in front of him while the larger male carefully put the shirt on him. He noticed that there were long striped scars all across the smaller male's back. (Wonder what happened to him...)

"Thanks..."

"No problem. You need any more help?"

"No..."

"I won't make fun of you."

"No I'm fine. I can at lease put on my pants..."

"Alright."

The blonde walks back to his room, giving the brunet space and privacy. After a few minutes, he looked out his door to check on the informant and saw that he was lying on the couch. (So he's sleeping. I guess I'll let him rest.) Moving to his bed, Shizuo draped the warm blanket over himself and fell asleep.