Chapter 2: Some Proper Meeting...

Me: Okay. I understand that some people had trouble reading the previous chapters with the time zones and everything. So I'm going to put an asterisk like this (*), to point out that it takes place three years ago. Two asterisk (**) for three years ago at a different past time. And no asterisk for present day. Hopefully this helps! ;)

Present Day Ikebukuro; Shinra's Apartment; 12:15 AM

Midnight.

A winter night.

Completely dark and very cold.

It's really sad that some people have to walk in these cold nights to get home or something of the matter. Because you can either slip on the ice, freeze to death, catch a cold or fever, and live to tell the tale.

Shinra looked out of his window, sighing softly as the moon disappeared into the clouds. It was always like this. No light from the full moon. But Shinra kept his composure with an uneasy smile and lied back on his chair.

Celty, Shinra's former girlfriend, walked in the room, her neck clearly visible with smoke coming out from it. She sat beside Shinra and took out her PED. She typed:

[So... He left?] It was clear she was here when Shizuo stopped by two hours ago, questioning about the mysterious girl, Megumi Aiko. The name clearly ringed a bell for the Dullahan, for she knew who Megumi was and used to be. Though, the thought about it got Celty questioning about Shizuo's recent actions that revolved around her. It just bothered the man now. Even though he regretted talking to the girl three years ago.

"Yeah. He left," Shinra replied to Celty's question. "I've got to say, he was pretty mad."

[Because he couldn't remember her, right?]

"Correct. I don't blame him though. That memory box of his is indestructible. No matter how many times he tries to open that box to regain his recent memories, it just won't break. Because he made a vow to himself that he won't meddle in the past. Even after he lost Aiko-chan." the Underground Doctor stated.

Celty didn't reply. Shizuo did fall in love back then. Because of that new girl's appearance in Ikebukuro, everything began to change. But Ikebukuro also changed in a seemingly dangerous way, too. It had a both positive and negative outcome. and the negative outcome happens to be death.

But it's sad.

The thought about the one who loved you being non-existent in this world is heart-shattering.

Shinra shifted in his chair and began to speak, "Even so, if Shizuo did see Aiko-chan like he said, to the point it bothers him, don't you think, Celty, that it's just a mere hallucination. An ill-fated memory? I don't think so." Shinra looked a Celty with a wide grin as if he was a detective solving a murder case. Shinra didn't fully believe in ghosts. Hell, the dead can never come back. Once your dead, your existence is completely wiped away from this world. That's what Shinra believed and Izaya never liked the thought of it.

[What makes you say that?] Celty questioned, mildly curious. This is Ikebukuro we're talking about and this headless woman already exists. So anything could be possible.

The Underground Doctor adjusted his glasses, not taking his eyes off of Celty, "I think it's because Megumi came back from the dead for another purpose," Shinra narrowed his eyes. Shinra knows Megumi enough to know that she won't let anything like her death be dropped, including a certain someone's actions after that. "Maybe it's because she's angry."

A puff of smoke emitted from Celty's neck. It disheartened her, yet, in a way, it confused her and left her a bit clueless. How could Aiko be angry? She has lived her life to the fullest, right? She won. But... [How? It doesn't make sense.]

"Think about it, Celty. Shizuo isn't the only one who has an important connection with Megumi Aiko. This other man was important, too."

Celty looked back after the events of Megumi's death. Yes, everyone she knew was devastated, including herself. But... Yes. It's coming to her now. At the funeral...

"So that means..." Celty thought to herself.

Shinra grinned. Although Celty doesn't have a head, he could still read her thoughts, "Orihara Izaya is the one she's looking for..."

Three Years Ago; Ikebukuro Park; 10:50 PM*

Aiko sat on the nearest bench she found and sighed. She seemed pretty disappointed due to the fact that she's lost and she can't even remember where her apartment was located. She can't contact anybody either because her phone is still missing. All Aiko has is her watch which read '10:50'. Then '10:51'. The raven sighed.

"Maybe I should've stayed with Shizuo-san..." she muttered under her breath. She wouldn't mind being around someone for a while, not to mention staying at their place. Aiko was just used to living with someone. "I guess I have to sleep here for the night..." So Aiko lied down on the cool bench and winced when her head made contact with it. "Oh, yeah..." she rubbed her head. "That bump on my head. It's getting worst." she said to herself. If Aiko doesn't get help soon, she'll end up in a world of hurt. Hopefully she doesn't have a concussion...

Aiko sat up from the bench and wobbled slightly, her vision getting blurry. She pushed it aside and started walking forward, to the point she ended up crossing the street. Bystanders stared at the girl shockingly, some even screaming. Cars and nearby vehicles started honking their horns at the girl angrily. But those sounds fell on deaf ears, for Aiko's head injury started to make the girl nauseous and dizzy.

Aiko raised her head slightly and stopped dead in her tracks. Yep, it's over.

The girl fell to her knees and collapsed.

A hand shot forward and grabbed her shoulders...

Izaya smirked devilishly as he held the unconscious girl in his arms; ignoring the constant stares of bystanders at the same time. Half of them who know him and half of them who were in awe at his so-called 'kind action'. Please. This was nothing new to the man. He needs her alive and when he's done toying with her, he could just leave her be and could care less if she died or got hit by a truck.

But for now... Megumi Aiko is his for the time being.

It's a shame that Shizu-chan left her in the cold.

Carrying her like a bride, Izaya skipped home with an unconscious girl in his arms making him look like the person who was glad he killed his wife. When Izaya entered his apartment, Namie didn't even bother asking who the girl was. But she was surprised that this girl was unconscious at the time. But Izaya just said she just hit her head.

"Some god complex..." Namie thought to herself sarcastically.

Izaya laid the girl down on his couch carefully and removed her shoes so her body was fully on the couch. Namie didn't have to be asked twice to grab an ice pack for Megumi's head. Izaya then combed down strands of dark thick hair to one side to find that hideous bump but instead just traced his fingers where he thought it was due to the abnormal thickness of hair. Aiko then winced when Izaya placed the ice pack on her head, then finally relaxed.

"Tch!" Namie looked away at the hideous scene taking place in disgust.

"What? Jealous?" Izaya grinned at the woman.

"Shut up!" Namie hissed. "I can't imagine how disgusting you're going to act around this one." she said. Every time Izaya would bring someone 'interesting' to his place, they would always be fooled by his façade and end up losing their color in the end. Namie looked down at the sleeping girl and she seems to be just like any other girl that Izaya would bring over. "What makes this one so special?"

Izaya looked down at the girl, his grin widening even more. Slowly, it disappeared into a frown, something that Namie doesn't see much.

"You sadistic little bastard."

The Next Day; An Apartment in Shinjuku; 9:35 AM*

Morning came in Shinjuku.

Everything seemed so quiet during that time.

Izaya, with his usual smile, stared at his little doll lying on the couch across from the desk he sat on.

Aiko lied there, completely asleep with an ice pack on her head. Her messy hair covered half of her sleeping face as she slept.

The Informant Broker grew excited by the minute as he patiently waited for this human girl to wake up. This girl is full of surprises, Izaya thought. And he can't wait to reveal them all.

But first, he has to get this girl to trust him.

As if on cue, Aiko shifted on the couch slightly with a groan, her eyes fluttering open. Izaya walked towards Aiko and knelt down beside her, red eyes locking with gold ones.

"Good morning, Megumi Aiko-chan," he said with a grin. "Did you sleep well?"

Aiko, still dizzy and dazed, sat up and rubbed her eyes.

"Hm? Oh, sort of..." she yawned. "Where... am I?" the girl asked as she scanned the room. She touched her head where her bump formed the other night, only to wince in pain.

"Now, now. Just relax," Izaya smiled. "You were pretty hurt last night, so I had no choice but to bring you to my apartment."

"Huh?" the girl asked, dazed. "I'm not supposed to talk to strangers..."

Izaya forced a laugh, "Ha ha! I'm no stranger to you, Ai-chan. Just a few hours ago, I saved your life from a large truck that was about to run you over."

Aiko rubbed her temple, "Really?" Izaya nodded. "Well..." Aiko yawned. "Domo arigatou gozaimasu." she said politely, trying to not make a bad impression. The girl sensed something creepy and disheartening about this man when she looked into his eyes. His grin showed very menacing signs, something Aiko didn't like. But like what her Obaa-chan said: 'Don't judge a book by its cover.' After all, this man did save her life.

Izaya smiled at the girl's 'thank you', "No problem, Ai-chan," he said before said girl flinched with wide eyes.

"Huh? How do you know my name?!" she questioned the Informant.

Izaya laughed, "Haven't you heard about me, Ai-chan? I'm Orihara Izaya."

One Day Ago; Ikebukuro; Train Station; 11:01 AM**

Aya : Neh, neh. Setton-san, Kanra-chan, before I get to Ikebukuro, can you tell me who I should lookout for?

Aya : I love my life the way it is thank you very much!

Setton : Hmm...

Setton : Well, stay away from Color Gangs, that's for sure! :/

Kanra : The Black Rider

Aya : Uh-huh...

Kanra : And watch out for Heiwajima Shizuo and Orihara Izaya

Kanra : They're pretty nasty!

Aya : Who's that? 0.0

Kanra : Who?

Aya : Who?

Kanra : NO! I mean Izaya and Shizuo! =.=

Aya: Yeah! Who's that?!

Kanra : WHO?!

Aya : KANRA-CHAN~! =3=

Kanra : AYA-CHAN~!

Setton : Hey, you two!

- Tanaka Taro has entered the chat room

Tanaka Taro: Hey, guys! :)

Tanaka Taro : What's going on?

Setton : Aya and Kanra are fighting again... *sighs* =_='

Tanaka Taro : Ha ha! Is it another girl talk?

Setton : Not really...

Tanaka Taro : Is it about that argument whether or not a tomato was a vegetable or not?

Setton : God no!

Setton : That whole week... Ugh...

Tanaka Taro : Ha ha! So what's it about this time?

Aya : Hi, Tanaka Taro-san!

Tanaka Taro : Morning again, Aya-san.

Aya : I was just asking Kanra WHO are Heiwajima Shizuo and Orihara Izaya.

Tanaka Taro : I see...

Kanra : Who are you talking about?!

Aya : For the last time, Kanra-chan...

Aya : WHO'S THAT?!

Tanaka Taro : Um...

Tanaka Taro : Aya-san, Kanra meant which one are you talking about?

Setton : Who do you want to know about? Izaya or Shizuo?

Aya : Oh...

Aya : Sorry, Kanra-chan...

Kanra : You yelled at me for nothing...

Kanra : You're so mean!

Kanra : WAAAHHHH!

Aya : Oh no!

Kanra : What?

Kanra : Did you just noticed how much I'm crying now?

Aya : I just came!

Kanra : ...

Kanra : Wait...

Kanra : Who are you with?

Setton : Kanra!

Kanra : What?

Setton : Ugh, never mind... =_=

Setton : You two...

Tanaka Taro : Kanra-san, I don't think Aya meant it that way...

Aya : Guys, I'm in Ikebukuro!

Tanaka Taro : Oh! Really?

Setton : Wow! Now you're officially welcomed to Ikebukuro~! :D

Aya : YAAAY!

Aya : Sorry guys, I'll chat later!

Aya : I'LLSEEYOUGUYSSOONBYE!

- Aya has left the chat room

Now: *

"Helloooo? Anyone home?" Izaya waved his hand in front of the Aiko's eyes, trying to snap her out of her trance. "Me-gu-mi-chaaan! Are you still alive?" Aiko blinked with a small jolt, snapping out of her trance in an instant.

"Huh? Oh," Aiko rubbed her temples. "I'm fine... um... Izaya-san..." she said. "Just a little headache..."

Izaya frowned, "There, there," he held the girl's hand in a soothing way, "You should rest for a while. I can't afford letting you get all sick here." Oh well. It was best to leave her to rest before the fun begins. After all, it won't be fun if this girl stays silent throughout the whole trip, complaining about her head.

"Orihara..." Aiko's eyes hung low in a sleepy way. "...Izaya..." and then she fell asleep again. Izaya smiled and adjusted the ice pack that rested on Aiko's head.

"Sleep tight, Ai-chan..." When she wakes up, the fun will begin.

Present Day Ikebukuro; Shinjuku; Izaya's Apartment; 8:10 PM

Izaya tapped his fingers on his desk. The whole place was quiet. A little too quiet. I mean, he did enjoy not being disturbed when working. But why does something feel missing? Namie was gone for the day and no one came. He stared at the computer screen with eyes half closed, looking somewhat bored.

"I hate you..." What did that girl mean?

Izaya would always have those harsh words directed at him and it never affected him much. But when those words escaped the girl's mouth, it disheartened him. How dare she talk to him like that? After everything he's been through...

"Do you still care about my opinion?"

No way... Izaya looked down. He didn't believe in spirits, but this girl made him wonder. She was dead, right? But how come she keeps appearing right in front of him? Izaya thought to himself that this girl is, in fact, alive and would just like to see him suffer. An opportunity that Izaya would prevent. But not much evidence supported his theory.

Izaya held in his breath and stopped tapping his fingers. His back felt cold and his stomach started to sink. He didn't move. He was silent as a statue. He listened closely to his surroundings, but nothing was there. It was just him. Alone.

"And you always will be..." the pale girl whispered, causing the Informant to widen his red eyes.

Izaya swiveled his chair to the side, only to see nothing but the closed drapes that covered the large glass windows. He made a fist and opened the curtains wide so he can see the world below him. As he scanned his eyes around the area, he saw his face reflected against the glass. Right next to his refection was the pale girl, her smile so kind and warming, but yet so sinister.

The man straightened his back and turned his head.

No one there.

Izaya grinned with a small laugh, "I thought you wanted to speak to me, but instead you went off and started to play hide-and-seek?" he spoke to no one. "I see..." he sat back down on his chair and grabbed his fur-trimmed jacket, taking out the piece of paper that he received earlier.

There was nothing written on it...

Again, Izaya frowned and closed his eyes, trying to take the image of the girl out of his head.

End of this chapter! ;) Review, follow, favorite. No flames.