Author's Note:

Thank you guys for the follows and reviews! I really appreciate it! ^_^

Nakura: Have you heard about the Dollars?

Ren: Yeah

Nakura: There's a Dollars gathering next weekend. I think I might go

Ren: Gathering for what?

Nakura: It's apparently a masquerade themed party!

Ren: What's that

Nakura: It's when you dress up and wear masks to disguise your face. Sounds fun eh?

Ren: It sounds stupid

Nakura: Aw you're no fun :p

Nakura: Hey, maybe we can both go!

Ren: So you're in the Dollars?

Nakura: Yeah

Ren: Me too.

Ren: Is that even a good idea? For a Dollars member to have a party like that

Nakura: Well the masks will hide our true identities

Ren: I guess

Nakura: So, wanna go?

Ren: No

Nakura: Aw why not?

Ren: I don't like parties

Nakura: But then we can meet each other :)

Ren: You want to meet me?

Nakura: Of course! I feel like I've never had a connection like this with someone before. You're the only person I can really open up to.

Ren: Oh

Ren: Yeah same

Nakura: And it won't be so bad if we're both wearing masks

Nakura: That way you don't have to show me who you really are if you don't want to

Ren: I don't know

Nakura: Please, Ren? I'd love to finally talk to you in person

Ren: Sorry.

Ren: I can't be around people. You don't understand

Nakura: What if I meet you before and we show up together? That way you won't have to be that uncomfortable, because I'll be there with you!

Nakura: Unless you don't want to be around me :(

Ren: I didn't say that

Ren: I like you

Ren: I mean, as a person

Ren: Or something

Ren: Shit forget it

Nakura: Are you saying I'm your friend?

Ren: Um if that's what you call it

Nakura: Aw, I'm so happy!

Ren: Then

Ren: You're my friend?

Nakura: Yes :)

Ren: Okay

Ren: Um I just have to wear a mask right?

As the weekend came, so had the night I planned to be my grand finale. However, it does make me a bit sad. Ren was such an interesting game piece. I definitely enjoyed playing with him the past couple weeks. His thoughts and problems are so pathetic, I love it.

Yes, I am very much looking forward to tonight.

We agreed to meet twenty minutes before the Dollars party at a bench next to the main intersection. Hah. I can't wait to see the look on his face when I finish him off. At a party. Full of people. People that make him uncomfortable. People that are afraid of him. People that I love.

I put on a white button up shirt and a black jacket, completing my ensemble with a matching black tie. Believe it or not, I do own at least one formal outfit. It is only for rare occasions of course.

I slip on my black slacks and walk towards the bathroom. Contemplative over changing up my hair for the night, I finally decide to comb it to the side. It really does not suit me, but tonight I am not Izaya Orihara. Tonight I am Nakura.

A simple black mask decorates my small face, framing my maroon eyes.

Alright. I'm ready.

A cool evening breeze brushes against my face as I exit my apartment. Prancing along the sidewalk in excitement I send Ren a text letting him know I'm on my way.

Just left my apartment. See you soon!~

Not even ten seconds later I hear my phone beep from inside my pocket.

Same.

Oh Ren. I'm very excited to see what kind of person you really are.

Several blocks away from my destination I decide to take a small shortcut I haven't been through in a while. Being an information broker, and periodically chased all over town for years by a certain someone, you could say I pretty much know all the ins and outs of this city.

Walking down the narrow street, I remember how dark it can get around here at night. I look up and notice a half moon, gently illuminating the black sky. I'm almost at the end of the street when I notice the large silhouette of man leaning against the concrete wall, smoking a cigarette. Tonight I don't need any trouble. I quickly walk past him, until I feel a firm hand on my shoulder pulling me backward.

"Ey. Where do you think you're going dressed like that?"

The moonlight hits the right side of his face, making out several distinct features. He is considerably taller and bigger than me, with tattoos climbing up the side of his neck. His eyes are sharp, looking straight into mine as he puffs secondhand smoke into my face.

"Ey, you don't talk or something?"

The man grabs the front of my shirt and pulls me closer.

"Excuse me, I was only on my way to a social gathering," I say through the grin on my face.

Hah. These types of people never know what they're getting themselves into.

"But if you really want to stop me, I guess I have no choice but to let you try."

In an instant, I reach for my pocket to switch out the blade to my pocket knife.

Wait.

It's not in here.

Then I remember I'm not wearing my usual coat.

Shit.

"Oh, confident are we?" the man snorts with a nasty smirk on his face.

Without hesitation, I kick the man in his shin as hard as I can, jumping backward with skillful speed. When I think I'm free to run, I feel a pair of hands grab my arms from behind, locking them in a painfully strong grip.

"Hahahaha," the man laughs in my face, giving an appreciative nod to whoever is holding my arms from behind.

Then it hits me hard.

At first I'm being punched. Over and over and over again. But after that, it feels worse. Heavier. Deeper.

The pain strikes through my skull, rippling through my body in waves. When the beating is done, the pain remains, sinking into every nerve. Something warm trickles down my face. I think I'm bleeding. I want to get up. But I feel like I'm glued to the ground. Everything is going black. Blacker than it was before.

I can't even see the moon anymore.