Yay, I just finished typing out the next part! and just so you all know, lately I've been prone to writers block TT_TT so if any of you ever have any ideas for something to happen, please do tell me, it'd be a great help!

anyway, onto the story!

- Taro Tanaka has logged on -

- Setton has logged on –

- Saika has logged on –

- Bakyura has logged on –

- Kanra has logged on –

[Taro Tanaka]: Evening.

[Saika]: Good Evening.

[Setton]: Good Evening.

[Bakyura]: Hey.

[Kanra]: Hello all~ how is everyone?

[Bakyura]: Been Better.

[Saika]: Pretty Good.

[Setton]: I'm doing well, You Taro-san?

[Taro Tanaka]: okay, I guess, perhaps just a bit bored.

[Taro Tanaka]: Nothing truly exciting has happened in a while.

[Saika]: What do you want to have happen?

[Taro Tanaka]: I don't know, but life is getting dull again.

[Kanra]: Taro-kun, don't you live in Ikebukuro?

[Kanra]: I can't imagine a more exciting city.

[Kanra]: A Headless rider, The Slasher, The Dollars, Shizuo Heiwajima, even the Yellow Scarves!

[Kanra]: Ikebukuro is bursting with eccentricities!

[Taro Tanaka]: *sigh* Yes, well I've gotten used to it all now, it's just like back home.

[Bakyura]: Sounds like you need to get some Taro-kun~

[Setton]: How have you gotten used to it?

[Taro Tanaka]: Get some what?

[Kanra]: Heh heh Taro-kun, you really are too cute and innocent~

[Taro Tanaka]: Huh?

[Bakyura]: You need to get laid!

[Taro Tanaka]: MASAOMI!

[Saika]: I don't think that's what he needs Bakyura-kun.

[Kanra]: I disagree, I think Taro-kun needs a lover too, then maybe he won't be so bored.

[Taro Tanaka]: I don't need to get laid.

[Kanra]: I could help you with that Taro-kun~

[Bakyura]: Go to hell Kanra.

[Kanra]: you suggested it.

[Bakyura]: I didn't mean you!

[Kanra]: Did you mean yourself then? I've see you two together *smirk*

[Bakyura]: That doesn't mean I want to sleep with Taro-kun!

[Taro Tanaka]: *eye twitch* I'm leaving; this conversation is becoming borderline creepy.

[Saika]: good night Taro-kun

[Setton]: Night Taro-san

[Taro Tanaka]: Night.

- Setton has logged off –

- Saika has logged off –

-Kanra has sent a PM –

[Kanra]: Ne, Mikado-kun, if you're bored, come work for me.

[Taro Tanaka]: Work for you?

[Taro Tanaka]: And do what?

[Kanra]: That's just it, you can do anything.

[Kanra]: With me it's never a dull moment … unless you're Namie.

[Taro Tanaka]: Namie? Who's Namie?

[Kanra]: You remember Namie-san don't you? She's my secretary now.

[Taro Tanaka]: Wait, you mean Namie Yagiri? That doctor lady who hates me?

[Taro Tanaka]: and you want me to work around her?

[Kanra]: Oh don't worry Mikado-kun, She hates me too, probably more~

[Kanra]: And I'll make sure she doesn't hurt you!

[Taro Tanaka]: Still I don't know …

[Kanra]: That's my job!

[Taro Tanaka]: What?

[Kanra]: Ha ha! Kidding

[Kanra]: … Maybe.

[Kanra]: But no, it all seriousness, you could be my apprentice.

[Kanra]: I have always wanted one!

[Taro Tanaka]: …

[Taro Tanaka]: I'll have to think about it.

- Bakyura has sent a PM –

[Bakyura]: Ne, Mikado-kun, you know I was joking, right?

[Bakyura]: Why did you make such a big deal of it?

[Taro Tanaka]: You usually joke like that about Sonohara-san.

[Taro Tanaka]: I just wasn't expecting it, Okay?

[Bakyura]: were you all flustered? *smile*

[Taro Tanaka]: What does that have to do with it?

[Bakyura]: Mikado-kun, you're just too much fun to tease. :P

[Taro Tanaka]: *groan* Masaomi-kun

*Ping* *Ping Ping*

[Kanra]: Mikado-kun?

[Kanra]: Are you still thinking?

[Kanra]: Mikado-kun, are you ignoring me?

[Taro Tanaka]: Huh?

[Taro Tanaka]: Oh, sorry Orihara-san, Masaomi PMed me too.

[Kanra]: Oh so Kida-kun is more important than me? *sniff*

[Taro Tanaka]: What?

[Taro Tanaka]: No!

[Taro Tanaka]: well …

[Taro Tanaka]: *dizzy* I don't know how to answer that.

[Kanra]: Heh heh, Mikado-kun is just so cute to mess with.

[Kanra]: Can we meet up tomorrow to talk it out more?

[Taro Tanaka]: *sigh* Sure, I guess.

[Taro Tanaka]: Where?

[Kanra]: Oh no need to worry, I'll find you!

[Kanra]: Sleep well Mikado-kun~

- Kanra has logged off –

*Ping*

[Bakyura]: Mikado-kun, are you mad at me?

[Taro Tanaka]: No, I'm not mad, I should have expected it.

[Bakyura]: Aw, That's a bit mean Mikado-kun.

[Taro Tanaka]: Masaomi-kun, it's like I said

[Taro Tanaka]: I've gotten used to it all.

[Bakyura]: Even my jokes?

[Taro Tanaka]: Yes, even you're jokes.

[Bakyura]: Guess I'll need some new material then! *grin*

- Bakyura has logged off –

[Taro Tanaka]: Not even a good night?

[Taro Tanaka]: Oh well.

- Taro Tanaka has logged off –

Mikado Ryuugamine logged out of the chat room and checked the screen. The clock read a little after midnight, he groaned. Tomorrow was Saturday, but knowing Masaomi, he'd want to wake him up early for some ridiculous reason, probably hitting on older women. Oh well, Masaomi had just logged off himself, and with any luck he'd sleep in and let Mikado do the same. Said boy stood up, drawing a glass of water from the tap. He walked back over to the computer, carefully stepping around his bedding as he went. He might as well check the Dollars web page too if it was already this late. As he pulled up the page and was about to log in there was a knock on the door. Startled, Mikado looked to his door, it was almost one in the morning! Who could it possibly be? Masaomi? No, he would have just gone to bed. Sonohara-san? No, that's crazy, she wouldn't do something like this, it just didn't seem like her style. So carefully, he walked over to the door & hesitantly looked through the peep hole.

"AH!" He stumbled back a bit. All he could see was red! Shaking, albeit minutely but still, he opened the door a bit, knowing full well that opening the door when you don't know who's there isn't the smartest thing to do but his gut was telling him to ignore his better judgment.

"Ah, Mikado-kun, glad to see you're still awake~ I was worried I might have woken you up." came the sing-song voice of the one and only Izaya Orihara.

"Orihara-san? What are you doing here?" He blinked a few times. "Oh, w – would you like to come in?" he asked, opening the door wider, stepping out of the way for the informant to enter.

"I told you, let's talk tomorrow, well Mikado-kun, it's tomorrow~" he said walking into the one room "home."

"Well yes, technically it is "tomorrow" I guess, but I had thought you'd meant later today."

"Why wait?" Izaya kicked the door closed and pulled Mikado to him. The smaller giving a soft "oomph" as he made impact with the informant's chest. "You're here, I'm here, it's tomorrow, there's not really a whole lot to think about." The man pushed his captive from his chest and held him at arm's length. He paused for a moment. "Ne, Mikado-kun, wanna know a secret?" Izaya grinned.

"A Secret?"

"Yes, a secret." He repeated taking out his flick blade and proceeding to play with it, flipping it open and closed repeatedly. Mikado hesitated. What if it was a trick question or a trap somehow? What if what Izaya had to say was something horrible, that he was admitting to something that Mikado didn't want to get involved with? … then again what if Izaya was just being his oddball self and just wanted to talk? … What if it really wasn't anything to worry about? So without anymore thought on the matter –

"Sure Orihara-san, what's your secret?" Izaya's grin widened as he proceeded to leave his knife open and held it out to his side a bit. He gave a playful sigh then laughed a bit.

"Mikado-kun's been such a naughty boy lately." He grinned and before Mikado could protest or ask any questions Izaya had his knife to his neck. Knowing all too well that the man only wanted a reaction, he kept his calm, a perfect poker face.

"How so, Orihara-san?"

"Now don't interrupt Mikado-kun. I was getting there." Izaya said pouting slightly. Mikado carefully nodded for the broker to continue. "You see Mikado-kun, you're different, why even now, a normal man twice your age would be quaking in fear, begging me not to kill them right now, but you …" He paused, smirked, and moved behind the small brunette, never removing the knife from the teen's neck. He moved his head so he was speaking directly into Mikado's ear. "You, you just stand there. Waiting. Trusting. Trusting that I won't slit your throat as we speak." To emphasize he drug the knife across the small raven's neck, drawing the tiniest bit of blood in the process.

"Orihara-san, was that your secret, that I'm different … because if so, that secret was lame." The teen retorted blandly, making sure not to move his head too much lest he get a deeper cut. At the comment the information broker just couldn't help himself from laughing.

"Oh what fun you are Mikado-kun! You've even insulted me, again, more than a sane man would do. No, my secret is this; You Mikado Ryuugamine, the boy of steel, have been plaguing my mind for quite some time now. You're just so interesting! You seem to have taken up a permanent residence in my brain. Mikado – Kun, what makes you tic?" He applied more pressure as he drew the knife farther down Mikado's neck to the junction where his neck met his shoulder, drawing more blood as he went. Mikado winced, but didn't move, he kept his ground, not wanting to cause himself anymore unnecessary injuries.

"I'm sorry I bother you so Orihara-san, but really, I don't have anything special to offer. Why would you want me to work with you, especially if I'm already a problem?"

"Problem?" Izaya chuckled. "Oh Mikado-kun, the only problem you've caused are the results of a few dreams." Izaya smirked as he licked a drop of blood rolling down the side of Mikado's abused neck. Then grinning like the Cheshire cat as he felt Mikado shiver against his body as a result of the act.

"W-What kind of dreams?" Mikado asked, trying to clear his mind of the haze Izaya was putting it in.

"Ah ah ah~! Mikado-kun, that's off topic. So, wanna work with me? I'll keep you safe … relatively anyway, mostly from strangers; I make no guarantees about myself though." Mikado thought about it, if he worked for the man he wouldn't have to deal with Izaya telling anyone about who he was. He could keep a pretty good eye on him too. It sounded pretty good to him but he still wasn't completely sold on the idea.

"Orihara-san, I have school, The Dollars, and Masaomi to worry about. When could I possibly make time for you?" Izaya's smirk seemed perpetual to the smaller of the two and in some ways, it scared him more than anything else the tall brunette did. That smile spelled trouble with a capital "T", something he didn't need in his life … but then again, maybe it was just what he needed right now.

"The Dollars can be managed from any computer you have access to, correct? I have plenty of computers to lend you the service of. And as far as school goes; naturally I would never ask you to skip, you'd come in after it got over. And then there's Kida-kun, as for him, he's a big boy don't you think? He should be able to take care of himself, no?"

"Orihara-san, you seem to forget that Masaomi hates you, he'd never let me work for you, Not to mention if I said I'd gotten a job he'd want to know what, where, when, and for who. He's pretty nosey sometimes. He'd also want to know when we'd be able to hang out again."

"Hmm … you do make good points. Tell him you'd be a paid intern, doing odd jobs. As for hours and time off … that's negotiable. So? What do you say?"

"And when he asks who I work for?"

"Improvise; you're a smart kid Mikado-kun." The informant shrugged removing the knife from the teen's throat. As soon as the knife had left his skin Mikado reached up to his neck to assess the damage done, going over to a mirror. He moved his head side to side, lifted his chin up and finally decided that the harm was minimal. Wiping the blood away as best he could with his hand, which only succeeded in smearing it, he turned around to face the cinnamon eyes that belonged to the person before him. He remained silent for a while then looked over to his computer monitor; it wasn't nearly as distracting as he had hoped it'd be. Finally, he sighed.

"If I do … what do I get out of the deal?" his clear sapphire blue eyes hardening as he looked back to Izaya. The broker smiled. Mikado truly was interesting.

"If I'm going to give my time to work with you, I want to know the benefits I'll get from it." Izaya nodded.

"Makes sense, what benefits do you want?" The tone in his voice was playful, the glint in his eye, mischievous. Mikado faltered for a second but then came back.

"I want you to leave my friends alone, I want to be kept in the loop, no secrets, and I want you to agree – seriously – to keeping my secret. None of that "oh but it'll make for such a great scenario" crap. I want to keep my affiliation with the Dollars out of my personal life."

"Are those all of your demands?" Mikado nodded. "Aside from keeping things interesting; yes."

"Alright, done. So is that a yes?" Smiling as he received a curt nod in affirmation he moved behind the smaller brunette again, hands on either of his shoulders, and mouth by his ear. "So, Mikado-kun, My first act as your new boss and mentor, I'm going to require you to move in with me."

okay, so I'm just gonna leave it there, I'm really sorry if there are mistakes I missed! if you find any, feel free to tell me. & again, I look forward to what you all have to say so please review~

[edit] - okay so I put up a poll on my profile page that pertains to this story, just to kinda see what people think of an idea I had, depending on what you all think, I may or may not go with the idea.

[edit] - Okay, poll's close, and according to everyone who voted, Which I thank you by the way, I'll go alone with my idea and anyone who didn't vote, ya' don't get to know what the idea was, sorry. XD

- Evi