Chapter One: Of Mind Games and Trickery

Heiwajima Shizuo often finds himself in situations that, to many others, seem impossible. For example, nowhere in his morning plans did he desire to uproot that parking meter and destroy public property. Nor did he ever want to smash in that vending machine till all of its contents were destroyed and worth nothing. Shizuo had simply come to the conclusion that life had decided to fuck him over and there wasn't much he could do about that.

Fuck life back?

Sure, tell him how and he'd do it. But for now, he had to deal with the frantic city life of Ikebukero and its population of morons.

Beside him strolled his partner and employer, Tom, who seemed none the wiser to Shizuo's inner ramblings. The man simply sighed, hands thrown into his pockets as they trudged through the city, people avoiding them as they came. A debt collector and his monster body guard. Maybe they all weren't morons after all.

"Feeling hungry," the dreadlocked man inquired as he checked his watch. Shizuo glanced upwards and beyond the smog and city fumes, he could see the sky beginning to lighten. It was getting late and his job for the day was done. Redirecting his attention, he shook his head.

"Not tonight," he responded and Tom simply nodded. Shizuo pulled his smokes from his chest pocket and fumbled with the lighter as he pulled a cigarette out of the case and perched it between his lips. After a few failed attempts, the lighter still refused to ignite. Shizuo's jaw clenched irritably and the cigarette snapped in half.

"Damn," he growled, obviously frustrated with the turn of events. Tom sighed, pulling his own lighter from his pocket and tossing it to Shizuo has he began to walk away. "See you tomorrow," the dark haired man called back with a wave, never turning to see if Shizuo bothered to wave back.

He never did.

Shizuo watched Tom's receding form before lighting up a new cigarette and inhaling deeply. A serene calm washed over him with the action and he closed his eyes, standing there in the middle of the street. Placing his cigarettes back in his chest pouch, his brows furrowed.

"Need more smokes…"

"Thanks, come again."

Shizuo grunted in reply as he pocketed the smokes and his now near empty wallet. Taking up the milk, he stepped back out into the streets. Rarely did he ever bother with a proper reply but the man at the counter never bothered with proper hospitality.

"Damn 'Bukero," Shizuo growled as gripped the bottle tight. Obviously he wasn't the most sociable to get along with but it was his job. With a low grumble, Shizuo was just thankful the cashier hadn't run or hid like many of the others he had stopped at on previous nights.

Really though. He was just buying some smokes and milk. What about that screamed 'DANGEROUS'?

("He-Heiwajima!")

Oh right. His name was enough. He couldn't blame Kasuka for having an alias.

The air had grown cold and stiff with nightfall but he didn't mind much as he trudged his way home, snapping the lid off his drink. It clattered to the ground, a loud noise that broke the still silence but Shizuo ignored it as he drank the milk in one swig.

Staring at the now empty bottle, he frowned.

"Need more milk."

With a scowl, he placed the bottle on the ground, careful as to not tip it over. He wasn't sure if the silence could take any more noise, such as the shattering of class. At least Shizuo knew his nerves couldn't.

Returning his large hands to his pockets, the blonde man cast his gaze around. A presence lurked near, he could sense it. Of course, this wasn't anything new. Life had decided to fuck him over, remember?

He ground his teeth, the cigarette in his mouth ground to pieces of paper and tobacco as well. He spit out what remained of the destroyed smoke and continued his walk home, doing his best to ignore the foul taste in his mouth. But, he couldn't ignore the sense of irritation washing over him.

How long did they plan to wait?

Tilting his head, a deep 'humph' left his throat as he suddenly thrust his arm out of his pocket when he neared a street sign. Clutching at the large piece of pole, he clenched his fist, looking around himself threateningly as the poll was crushed between his fingers. It swayed under his grip before breaking off entirely and crashing to the ground.

Shizuo once again cast his gaze around him as he bent down and hoisted the sign to his shoulder.

"Wanna come out?" he called into the dark but of course there was no response. The air remained still but the stiffness was there, lingering, waiting, watching. His eyes roamed every corner of pitch blackness but, as suspected, he remained alone. Shizuo paused before placing the sign back on the ground, destroyed for all real world purposes. The presence lingered a moment longer before a sudden rush of emptiness once more overtook Shizuo. Whomever it had been had at least been wise.

Without another word, Shizuo turned to continue his shuffle home. He was too tired to be pissed.

And to notice the gleaming eyes gazing upon him…

"Shizuo, you monster."

Izaya.