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Disclaimer: My OCs are mine and the DRRR! characters are not. Kami technically isn't mine; she belongs to Shan-kun, who leant her to me for this story.
"Eight years?" Arlua repeated. The red-eyed girl nodded, then turned toward the door, where a strange man with dark brown hair and red-brown eyes was waiting.
"I have to go now," she said quietly.
"Wait, I-" Arlua broke off as the girl darted toward the door. Movement in the corner of her eyes made her turn. Izaya had stepped forward to intercept the girl and possibly talk to the man. Arlua hesitated, then gestured to him to let her go. The informant frowned, but did as she asked. A moment later, Kami was gone.
Arlua didn't have time to discuss the girl with her boyfriend until after the party, when Supai, Rimiko, her parents, and all the guests were gone.
"Kami Megu?" he murmured. "I know that name. The Megu family is well known for its skill in deception. Disguises, misdirection, spying…where the Nakaos are pioneers with poisons, the Megus are chameleons. That was probably another member of her family who came to fetch her."
"Lovely. So they all mimic voices?" the technician asked. Izaya shook his head.
"No. There are supposed to be multiple talents. I'd have to ask my disreputable cousin what their present talents are; they're based in his half of Ikebukuro," he explained sourly. Two years before, Supai had managed to solidify control of half of the city – mainly because he lived there and it was the farthest section from where Izaya lived in Shinjuku.
"I'll get more details from Supai and then have my employees in that area keep an ear to the ground," she decided. Izaya chuckled. Supai may technically control that part of the city, but Arlua's FanaTECH technicians were allowed in and out freely, and they told her whatever they heard, which she reported to her boyfriend, which meant that if Izaya wanted to, he could destroy Supai's grip at any time. But the older informant was content to let his cousin be the authority on information there. It meant that people wouldn't look to Izaya if circumstances indicated an informant was messing with people there. And that amused the older Orihara.
"All right. In the meantime, I'll look through my files and see if I can find any connections to the Megus from…what did she say? Eight years ago?"
"That's right. She said 'eight years isn't as long as you think,'" Arlua sighed. "But the only thing that stands out about eight years ago is meeting you and then Natsuki going crazy." Izaya nodded.
"No use worrying about it now," he grimaced. "Since my files are in Shinjuku and you gave your employees the day off." Arlua scowled.
"I know. But I can't get it out of my mind," she grumbled. Izaya moved closer to her and reached up to brush a bit of hair away from her eyes.
"Maybe I should give you something else to occupy your mind then, Lu-chan,~" he purred, sealing his lips to hers.
Rimiko skipped happily on her way home, her parents on either side of her.
"Hey, Rimi-chan," Shizuo began. His daughter looked up at him, expression expectant.
"Yes, daddy?" she replied.
"What was all that about, telling your friends' parents that I wasn't the scariest one there?" he asked. Rimiko tilted her head, frowning.
"What do you mean? It's the truth. You're not scary at all. But Flea is scary sometimes, when Uncle Sup is being mean to him," she explained. Shizuo blinked. He was continually surprised with how completely unafraid the little girl was of him.
"Rimi-chan…" before he could decide what to say – should he ask about what that damn flea had done that made her think he was scary? Or should he ask how Supai managed to be mean to the older informant? – Tania tensed and glanced around, and Shizuo fell silent, watching her.
"You know, Mrs. Monster, its rude to reach for your gun before you even know who's wanting to talk to you," Izaya's voice chastened. Tania scowled.
"What do you want, flea?" she demanded. "Shouldn't you be with Arlua?"
"She insisted I come warn you. Something from eight years ago may be about to become relevant again," the information broker's voice sighed. "If it does, your precious little home life with that protozoan might shatter around you. Wouldn't that be awful?" Shizuo scowled.
"You damn flea! Tell us what you mean!" he growled.
"But your protozoan brain wouldn't be able to comprehend it," came the response. "Good night, Mr. and Mrs. Monster. Good night, Brat."
For a long moment, the three stood there, tense. Finally, Tania sighed.
"I think he's gone," she murmured.
"Can't tell. The whole city smells like shit with him in that apartment," Shizuo grumbled, forgetting in his agitation and the suppressed irritations of the party that Rimiko was right there and listening intently.
"Daddy, what do 'damn' and 'shit' mean?" she asked innocently. Tania glared at her husband, who winced.
"Those aren't nice words, sweetie. Forget you heard them," he said quickly. Rimiko tilted her head.
"Is that why you called Flea 'damn'? Because it's not a nice word, and you don't like him?" she questioned. Shizuo grimaced.
"Rimi-chan, don't say those words, please," he father pleaded.
"But you said them," she protested.
"I shouldn't have. I'm sorry," he added, glancing at Tania, who was eying him icily. He got the feeling he would be in trouble once Rimiko was home in bed. Rimiko considered this.
"But-"
"Rimiko," Tania broke in sternly. The girl sighed.
"Okay, mommy. I won't say the words," she muttered. Tania and Shizuo breathed sighed of relief, although Tania's expression still seemed – to Shizuo at least – to promise a long, long lecture about controlling his tongue.