Game Of Life
Izaya began to delve ever deeper into the workings of the underground, he also started his own firm and became an information broker. Shizuo went through various different jobs, he was fired everytime he lost his temper but was eventually able to land a job with a debt collection agency. Shinra stayed the same, working as an underground doctor. And I was scouted out by a certain agency, I became an actress which wasn't exactly what I wanted to do with my life, however, it seemed to make my parents proud so I went on with it.
My work eventually lead to Kasuka Hewajima, I played as his love interest in SIlence Of The Butlers, playing the role of a cruelly sadistic lovestruck mistress was no where near as difficult as I had imagined it would be.
Izaya and I grew apart once more but I was sure that some way or another we would come back together again. My relationship with Shizuo became significantly stronger, he began to rely on me more and more as I tried to help him get a good hold on his temper. Once he appeared to have complete control Izaya would show up and piss him off, sending Shizuo into an immediate retreat from all the progress we had made.
CRRRRASH!
I glared evilly at the man who knealt before me, as he covered his left eye with his hand small streams of blood ran down his face, and broken glass lay all around his unshaken form; his only response to the situation was to look upon me with an air of stoic indifference, as he'd expected me to be cross with him when he revealed his secret.
"Get out of my sight, Hotaru! I don't want to see your face until further notice!" I demanded angrily, as the professionally dressed Kasuka stood with a grimace, the evilist of smirks appeared on my face. "You know what will happen if you should fail to comply with my orders. If I see even a glimpse of you today you will be punished severly." I said, my voice holding something dark and foreboding.
"CUT!" The director screamed, and he approached Kasuka and I with a grin. "That was absolutely perfect! Great job! Both of you were excilent today!"
Kasuka and I had come in for a last minute shooting of Silence Of The Butlers, it was unexpected and the scene had barely been rehearsed, however if the director liked it then what did I care?
"I enjoyed working with you today, Noemi-chan." Kasuka said, I cringed as he used the name that the movie industry had insisted I use, Noemi Oka meaning Beautiful Cherry blossom, the assigned name assaulted my senses as an insatiabal odor would.
"Kasu-kun, please don't call me that. Call me Kammi-chan." I had attended primary school with Kasuka but we had never really conversated except for in passing.
"Alright, Kammi-chan, but you need to get used to being called Noemi-chan. Thats the name all of your fans know." I looked to him quizically.
"Fans? What fans?" He smiled at that before shaking his head and moving on to his dressing room. I had acted in only a few films by that point, I didn't think that I had any sort of fanbase... Oh how wrong I was.
"Arms up." Kotomi, who worked in wardrobe, ordered softly, I complied. My costume was a victorian dress made for royalty, and it wasn't the easiest thing to get in and out of even with assistance. After twenty-some minutes I was finally out of the overly heavy dress and into my favorite T-shirt and skinny jeans, it felt good to rejoin the twenty-first century.
I checked the time quickly before grabbing my bag and hurrying out of my dressing room, where Kasuka waited for me.
"Kammi-chan, would you like to have lunch with me?" He questioned, I smiled to him but shook my head.
"I'm sorry, Kasu-kun, but I have a class to attend right now, how about dinner instead?" He nodded in response before he added.
"By the way, i'm inviting my brother along, you should invite someone as well."
"I'll do that. I've actually been wanting to introduce you to a good friend of mine for a while now, I think you'll hit it off with her."
After a little while longer of idle chatter I hurried out of the studio and onto campus where I just barely made it in time for my physicology lecture. As I've said before, I didn't really have an interest in acting I was only doing it for the pride of my family, and so if that were to fail I would be able to become a college professor if I worked hard enough. For whatever reason I found myself craving knowledge and only ever wanted to be surrounded by it, maybe it's because of all the years I spent in the library with Izaya. My class ended and I made a call to my good friend Ruri Hirijibe, who met me at the restraunt along with Kasuka and Shizuo, the place wasn't overly fancy but it also wasn't casual; the three of us sat at a small round white clothed table as we waited for our food to come.
"What is this supposed to be? Some sort of weird double-date?" Shizuo half growled, I shook my head at his temper.
"Of course not Niisan, it's only dinner." Kasuka offered. Our dinner was unfortunately uneventful, as most of the day had been, and by the time we were all going our seperate ways I couldn't help but feel truely, painfully, bored. I sat in my town car, staring out the window from the backseat on the drivers side, as Setsuna, my driver, did his best to weave through traffic quickly.
"No need to rush, Setsuna-san, I don't think we'll be going anywhere, anytime soon." I said and he looked at me through the rearview mirror with pericing blue eyes, that held wisdom only somone of his age could aquire, a sweet smile came across his wrinkled face.
"Yes, Miss. Noemi, you're right."
I could've gotten out of the car and walked home but, I would have felt awful for leaving the older man to suffer in such awful traffic alone. We hadn't moved much twenty minutes later, and I felt my boredom increasing when something caught my attention. I squinted as I tried to get a good visual of the shadowy figure that stood across the street, the only thing I could make out were two glowing red orbs.
"Love, Kammi, cut, Kammi." I herd a voice whisper as I continued to stare at the figure in a mesmerized state, suddenly gunshots were fired and the back passanger window was shattered.
"Get down !" Setsuna cried, as he and I both ducked down and covered our heads. Seconds seemed like hours as the shower of bullets finally ended, a terrible sort of warmth erupted from my right hip and arm, as thick blood trickled down. " ! Are you alright?!" Setsuna was turned in his seat looking down on me, he pulled his cell phone from his breast pocket and flipped it open. "Don't worry I'll call fo-" he was cut off by a blade stabbing into his shoulder, he never got the chance to make a noise as the blade cut and stabbed all over him.
There it was that dark figure I had seen standing across the street just before the attack. Did it have something to do with the attack? Was it acting as a decoy earlier? Was it there to finish the job? As the figure moved beside me and seemed to loom over me, I felt something I hadn't since the day Shinra was stabbed, true fear.
"I love you so much, Kammi, cut, Kammi, cut..." It repeated as it raised its blade above it's head and brought it down swiftly onto my stomach, the sting of cold metal slicing through my flesh caused a gasp to escape me and another as it was removed. It had raised it's knife again, when a black shadow knocked the creature from my car completely. Someone grabbed my shoulder as my shot arm screamed from pain, I was dragged from the car and onto the crowded street. I looked around to see that a large group of people had formed around me, and I herd the siren of an ambulance as I was pulled into the black riders arms. Celty had shown me messages she'd typed on her cell phone, but my vision was too blurred to read any of it, I caught a glimpse of paramedics rushing to my side as I fell into unconciousness.
I woke day's later in the hospital at sunset, despite the warm glow emitted by the sun and the many flowers, balloons, and plushies that sat all over the area, the room still appeared harsh, inhospitable, and bland. A nurse attended to me once I'd woken, she'd reminded me of the event that landed me in the hospital, and assured me that Setsuna would live. I requested my bag, which she gave to me with out a word, I handed her some money and told her to order some flowers for the injured old man, with that she left.
I was questioned by the police shortly after my awakening, I told them everything I could remember and they left. I sighed as fatigue settled into my wounded vessel and I closed my heavy eyes.
"Kammi-chan?" A voice brought me from my doze, and as my eyes fluttered open I saw Izaya standing over me wearing the jacket I'd given him three years prior, his face was flushed white, and his rusty eyes were wide, I could only smile weakly at him.
"Whats that look for? You seem as though you've seen a ghost." He took a seat on my bed.
"I was afraid you wouldn't wake up." His tone was serious which was unusual for him.
"You thought I'd die?" He shook his head.
"No I thought you would go into a coma."
"It's still completely possible." He looked to me when I said that, "but I'll try my best to keep concious." He gave me a pitiful smirk, before he looked around the room.
"You've gotten quite alot of attention," he seemed to be less tense then, "your fans have really made a ruckus over this. I'm not including your friends and family in that, of course. We've made ruckuses of our own, Shizu-chan especially." I sighed at the mention of the blond bartender.
"Whats he done? He hasn't hurt anyone has he?" Izaya chuckled.
"Of course he has! He's pissed," Izaya turned to me, "he's been scouring the city trying to find your attacker." As he said that his gaze settled on the matress, and I took note of the small scuff marks on his jacket and face.
"I'm assuming you've done the same then?" He chuckled and stretched his arms over his head.
"Boy, nothing gets past you! Yes, yes, I too have been on the search for the ones who tried to have you killed." I scolded him for doing so, he didn't need to trouble himself with such dangerous things, I told him to let it go the event had passed it was over, and there was no point in searching.
"Hand me my cell phone." I said as I pointed to a nightstand that was just out of my reach, he did so obediantly as he guessed my motives.
"Calling Shizu-chan are you? You know if you do he'll come here, and we'll fight again."
"No, Shizu-chan won't fight you not while i'm here, not while i'm like this." I spoke to him as the phone rang, on the fourth ring Shizuo answered, out of breath and angry.
"What?!" He clearly didn't check the caller ID.
"Shizu-chan. It's Kammi I-"
"Kammi-chan?! Are you alright?! Who did it?! Can you tell me who?! I swear I'll kill 'em dead! I'll kill 'em deader than dead!"
"Calm down Shizuo.' I demanded sternly, earning silence from the bartender and a strange look from the info broker. "Stop searching the city for this guy, it won't help. Besides you're losing hold on your temper again, you know you worry me when you do that." There was a short pause before he spoke again, his voice calmer this time.
"Sorry, I'll try and calm down. I'm coming to visit you now."
"Alright, but, just to warn you, Iza-senpai is here."
"Heeeey~ Shizu-chaaaan~" Izaya exclaimed, evoking a growl from Shizuo.
"Thats fine." After that we ended the call.
"You know Shizu-chan really likes you." Izaya commented which surprised me.
"Yeah, we're friends, he should." Izaya shook his head at me.
"Thats not the kind of like I meant."
"Oh..." Was my only reply, Izaya smirked.
"Shizu-chans such an idiot, he doesn't even know how he feels about you yet!"
"How in the hell do you know all this? You don't even talk to Shizu-chan, outside of threatening his life." I said somewhat flusttered.
"I'm very insightful Kammi-chan!" I raised an eyebrow at him.
"Shinra-senpai told you didn't he?" Izaya laughed with a nod.
Not long after that, Shizuo appeared for a visit. He barely offered Izaya a glance as all of his attention was trained on me. The two stayed with me until visiting hours were over, and even then they were reluctant to leave, the two never once said a word against each other, they did well they made me proud.
Izaya had thrown me for a loop, Shizuo had feelings for me. I didn't know how I felt about that, I'd never had feelings for anyone, I'd never even had a boyfriend before, due to my lack of interest in dating. I wanted to keep Shizuo as a friend but I had no romantic intentions toward him, I hoped that Izaya was wrong for once and that Shizuo only felt a sort of sibling connection toward me, as I did to him.
It had become difficult to walk, the damage to my right hip had been great, if the bullet had been aimed just a little higher it could've made my leg unusable. I stood looking at the flowers my parents had sent, also the stuffed bear and balloons from my brothers, who had only left a little while ago. As I sat on my bed I took notice of the large rose boquet a fan had sent me, a message was scrawled sloppily onto the small card tied to one of the flowers stems which read:
To: Noemi-chan
Get well soon, my cutesy little love bird! When your ready just give me a call, and I'll take you out on a date!
Love: Masomi Kida
A phone number was listed just below the message, I only smiled and shook my head at how naive that kid was. My agent, Nori, entered spewing something about publicity again, I ignored her and told her that we would send thank you cards to every fan that sent me something, Nori smiled at my kindness before she bounced out of the room.
"Kammi-chan!" I turned to find a woman come charging at me, she wrapped her arms around me gently as she spoke. "I was so worried! I never imagined you'd be attacked like this!" When she pulled away from me I smiled.
"Mikage-chan."
"How're you holdin' up?" I looked over her shoulder only to find Kadota, with a small group standing behind him.
"Dotachiin? You're here too?" A young girl dressed all in black stepped out from behind him.
"Waaa! She really does know you doesn't she Dotachiin?" A blond boy came forward, and took my hands in his.
" , may I just say that I am a HUGE fan! I love everything you do!" He exclaimed, Kadota grabbed him by the back of his hoodie and pulled him away from me.
"Alright thats enough, Walker! I knew I shouldn't of brought you in here."
"It's okay Dotachiin," I said with a wave of my hand, "they're not hurting anything." Kadota sighed as he released the boy.
"Not yet anyway," was all he said.
The group stayed for a long while, before they took their leave... Well Walker had to be dragged away by Erika, but for arguements sake, i'm just going to say they left quickly. I had many visitors during my stay at the hospital, most were my close friends and family, others were fans. Yes I know I must've been crazy to let a fan come into my hospital room while I was injured, but I had gaurds stationed inside and all of those fans seemed cool.
My first night back home was a little more than tense for me, I was frightened that an attempt on my life would be made again. Celty and Mikage both offered to stay the night with me, I refused of course, I had to face my fear on my own otherwise I would never get over it.
"Nakidashisou na kao de furueru hikui sora," my new ringtone went off, alerting me that I had an e-mail. "Nani mo kamo ga kowarisou no fuan idaite asu ni obie-" The song was cut short as I went to my inbox. I was invited by somone named Kanra to a chatroom, I accepted. When I got to the site I was asked to choose an avatar, I chose one dyed a deep pink color, and a username I wasn't the most original person so I went with something simple...
-Alice has entered the chatroom.-
Kanra: Hey Alice! Cute name.
Setton: Welcome!
TanakaTaro: Hello!
Alice: Hey. What are you guys talking about?
Kanra: Noemi Oka, that famous actress who got attacked by the slasher.
Alice: Slasher?
Setton: Uh... Kanra... I think we should change subjects, I feel like thats a bit out there for a newbie.
Kanra: Nonesense Setton! She needs to know about this!
TanakaTaro: I agree with Setton, we don't wanna scare her away or anything.
Kanra: You to Taro?!
Alice: It's okay, I wanna know about it actually.
Alice: Will you tell me more about the slasher Kanra?
Kanra: Of course I will!
Setton: Oh no, here comes Kanra's latest gossip.
TanakaTaro: Not again...
Kanra: Wha?! You guys are mean!
I was able to learn all about the slasher, I was intimidated to say the least, and in my new found nervousness I'd failed to notice how much Kanra resembled a certain info broker I knew...
Alice: Oh... Well thanks for the information...
Setton: Ah! You see! You've gone and scared her!
Kanra: No I havent!
Setton: Have too!
TanakaTaro: Please don't be frightened, Alice, Kanra doesn't mean anything by it.
Alice: Haha I know, I know, i'm not scared at all.
Kanra: See! Take that Setton!
Setton: Pfft, whatever.
Alice: Well, it's getting late, I'd better be going now.
Kanra: Have a goodnight!
TanakaTaro: Sleep well!
Setton: Talk to you soon!
Alice: Bye everyone.
-Alice logged out-
I leaned my head back against the soft plush of the couch as I gazed at the high cieling, I began to wonder why it was that I could tell when something was bothering Shizuo or Izaya, but they couldn't do the same with me. My ringtone went off, a simple melody not worth mentioning, I checked the collar ID and knitted my brows together before answering.
"Hello?"
"Kammi-chan? Are you okay?" Izaya questioned over the phone, could he have been able to tell something was wrong or...
"Yeah, i'm fine, perfect actually." I lied.
"Really? I figured you might be afraid to stay by yourself after that attack, especially since it's night time." I looked outside and found that darkness had crept up on me, my breath caught in my throat. "You're not really fine are you Kammi-chan?"
"No... I'm really not..." I began to say that I would call Mikage over to spend the night but Izaya cut me off before I could.
"I'm on my way over there now."
"Wha? no thats okay-" A dial tone interuptted me and I placed the phone on the couch, once Izaya's mind was set on something there was no way of changing it. I waited for some ten minutes before a knock sounded on my door, I was almost reluctant to answer it but I did nonetheless, Izaya entered not bothering to remove his coat or shoes.
"I was wondering if you were going to be okay on your own. I know you're too stubborn to ask for help." He said as he took a seat next to me on the couch.
"True, very true... So how did you know I was doing poorly?" I questioned and Izaya smirked.
"Maybe I've finally gotten your sixth sense." I narrowed my eyes at him.
"No way. You did something." Was my response, he only chuckled innocently at me as he had alway's done when I caught him doing something mischevious.
"Why would you assume that? I'm not alway's up to no good!"
"Yes you are, you did something, you tricked me somehow, I don't know how yet but I know you did! I know you too well Iza-senpai."
"Ah! You wound me!" He cried theatrically, never denying the fact that he'd tricked me, we both knew he had and we both knew that even if he did I wouldn't turn him out, not yet anyway. I sighed in slight frustration.
"Well, since your here, what do you want for dinner?"
Izaya and I spent the night together, he wouldn't take no for an answer. I let him sleep in the guest room nearest to mine. I spent most of the night thinking of how I could've fallen into this trap, the only thing that suggested the moment I was tricked was the chatroom and thats when I figured it out. I got out of bed and went into Izaya's room with out so much as a knock, I quickly went over to his sleeping form and kicked him in the back as hard as I could, causing him to fly from the mattress with a yelp.
"What the hell Kammi-chan?!" He groaned as he sat up to look at me in the darkness.
"Payback for tricking me, Kanra." He blinked a few times before he grinned evilly at me.
"Ah~ I was wondering when you'd figure that out." He stood and apporached me, "but what else was I supposed to do? If I didn't scare you at least a little bit you wouldn't of been able to get any rest tonight."
"I still haven't because of how much I've been scolding myself for being tricked so easily." I retorted, Izaya snaked an arm around my lower back and pulled my body against his in response.
"Then maybe you should sleep with me tonight." His voice was low and seductive, a prank I presumed.
"I think we both know that I wouldn't get any sleep with you around." I said as I pushed myself away from him, and walked to the door.
"You won't even consider it?" I paused, he had been serious. I turned to him.
"Iza-senpai, when-" I jumped when I noticed his close proximity.
"Just sleep, nothing more." His voice was still low, and in the darkness I could see the slightest hint of hurt in his eyes, I sighed somewhat unsure of the situation.
"Just sleep." I agreed, which made Izaya's smirk return, somehow I'd felt as though I'd fallen for another trick. But as I lay in darkness wrapped in his arms I decided that might not be such a bad thing.