I own nothing. Sorry it took this long to update!

Shizuo missed his cat very much at the moment. He had no idea why. He just wanted to see it, that's all. It felt like the cat was somehow Shizuo's responsibility even though it wasn't even his. What was with it? Shizuo let out a deep sigh which made Tom glance at him with a raised brow. Shizuo really wanted to know how the cat was doing. Shizuo also knew he couldn't keep the cat now because he didn't have the time for it or the money. All the supplies would cost way too much for his budget at the moment at least. He had called the vet in the morning and told that he still needed to think things over with it. And there was no "danger" in taking the cat because it turned out the cat really wasn't a street cat after all. He was just a runaway, who no one had looked for. This fact made it only worse for Shizuo. To know the cat was all alone… Shizuo didn't like being alone all that much so just thinking about a cat that couldn't get enough food, people shoving it off from places it "didn't belong"… Shizuo had a serious dilemma.

"…Is everything alright, Shizuo? You're sighing more than usually today and it's just a bit past noon." Tom said with a bit concerned voice.

"Huh? Oh, well no… Or yes. But isn't anything serious," the blonde didn't look at his work partner.

"…Alright… Well if you need anything just ask. I can give you some advice too."

Shizuo gave a mumble in response and they continued walking.

The town had started get ready for the coming Tanabata festival. If you hadn't heard about it an explanation will be in order: Tanabata is a Japanese star festival. It celebrates the meeting of Orihime and Hikoboshi, who are deities both. The legend says that the Milky Way separates these lovers and they are only allowed to meet once a year.
So the festival was beginning to get close as it was the end of July already. This of course meant that the whole town was getting ready for it and talking about it too. For example what to wear, what to do, when to go and where? The air was full of excitement. And because Shizuo enjoyed festival he was feeling excited as well though many people couldn't see it. Tom had already asked Shizuo what he was going to do at the festival and of course Shizuo just shrugged and told he was just going to wonder around the town and see a little bit of everything. Shizuo and Celty hadn't talked about the festival much but Celty had once or twice told Shizuo how she loved festivals even though she couldn't really go to them. She would love to try out a kimono or a yukata.

Speaking of kimonos and yukatas, Tom had also asked Shizuo if he was going to wear a kimono for the Tanabata festival. Even now he had begun to talk about it, in fact.

"So about the kimono… Have you decided yet?"

Shizuo took a cigarette from his cigarette box and a litter. "I have…"

Tom's face seemed like it lit up a little, "and?"

Shizuo lit his cigarette, placed it on his lips and took a smoke "I'm going to wear a kimono…"

"That's great!"

"Just explain this one thing… Why is it such a big thing? To wear a kimono I mean."

Tom chuckled and put his hand into the pocket of his pants "I just… kinda—" Tom stopped in the middle of the sentence because Shizuo had stopped walking suddenly, "…Shizuo?" And just as he turned around he saw his work partner standing still, a blank expression on his face and Izaya right behind him. This was the moment when Tom slowly backed away.

"You know, Shizu-chan… A kimono would really suit you," Izaya chuckled with a smirk, "at least I want to see you wearing one."

Shizuo's heart skipped a beat. This was something that he didn't take a big note of though. The blonde then turned around, only to meet Izaya's intensive gaze and the informant's body much closer than he had thought. "Flea…!" Shizuo growled like usually.

Izaya smirked more and took a step back from his blond-haired enemy. "Hello Shizu-chan… I got your text last night." The informant even took his phone from his pocket and showed Shizuo the text "I was so thrilled when I got it! Really, you couldn't make me happier."

"I didn't say 'come here," the blonde almost barked at the smaller man and clenched his fists. Sure, he had sent him the text but he didn't want to see him the next day! It wasn't an invitation, damn it, "Flea!" And now that Shizuo also remembered why he had sent the flea that text he froze for a second.

"Oh I know that… But see, I was just so happy about the text that I figured I'd come and see you." He smiled a little and looked into the brute's eyes. He wanted to ask why he had sent that text in the first place. It had to be his dream that had made him act like that that, throwing a punch at a table, right?

Tom looked at the two enemies. He was the only one standing there because everybody else had run away (a wise decision). They still had a lot of people to see and get money from them but here Shizuo was again with Izaya. Tom sighed. Izaya was starting to get on his nerves somehow, too. It wasn't like he was stupid enough to go between the two and drag Shizuo away from the crazy informant but sometimes he really wish he could do just that. "Shizuo, I'm leaving now." he informed his bodyguard who he knew wasn't listening.

Shizuo might have not paid any attention to this but Izaya did. Of course, it was his job to see and hear everything. "Well this is nice… Going to give all your attention to me again even though you have work, Shizu-chan?" Izaya chuckled and shifted a little when Shizuo glared at him more and took a step forward. "I'm kinda moved...Or disgusted. Maybe both?"

That's when Shizuo aimed a couple of punches at Izaya again but missed. He wanted to get back to work but now that Izaya was there his rage got the best of him! "Why don't you go to hell?!"

Izaya couldn't help himself this time either, "because you would miss me if I was gone!"

Shizuo just roared and tried to get a hold of Izaya's arm as he took his blade from his pocket. He missed and Izaya got the change to swing his arm and tried to get a hit on Shizuo with the knife. Of course he failed at his attempt as well and just took a couple of steps away from the raging monster.

"So why did you text me anyway?" Izaya asked still keeping his signature smirk on his face.

"Because I was irritated!" Shizuo spat and gritted his teeth.

"About what?"

"You!"

Izaya chuckled and looked at Shizuo and took a few steps closer. He felt like playing with Shizuo, like with a puppet, like with an animal. "Oh… But you don't usually text me if you're irritated with me… Or do you just think about me so much?" It was going a little bit too far – yes. But at the moment Izaya couldn't care less, honestly.

"Shut up!" Shizuo barked. Izaya was pulling just the right strings to get all his rage out, he knew this, and yet there was nothing he could do about. "Shut up, shut up, shut up!" Shizuo roared and quickly skipped over to a road sign, pulled it off from the ground and swung it at Izaya.

.

When Izaya finally found his way back home he was happy. Yes, happy. And the reason or reasons why he was happy were: Shizuo had chased him around for a good while and had seemed to be more aggressive than usual, though this was normal, since Izaya had teased him a lot. The second thing was that he had gotten a few emails from Shiki and some other mafia, much smaller than Shiki's. The smaller one's name was Kuroki. The name was idiotic to Izaya. Now what was so nice about these two mafias? It was the fact that Izaya was going to have a brilliant festival because of them.

"Namie! Could you get me some coffee?" The informant asked while typing away on his computer. Things were suddenly – finally – becoming interesting. Something the black haired man had been waiting for a while already.

Namie soon appeared in front of Izaya's desk, a cup of coffee in her other hand. "You know," she said with an annoyed tone while placing the cup next to Izaya, "I'm not your maiden."

Izaya just smirked a bit and glanced at her quickly. "I also need a few files and information about a small, new found yakuzas named 'Kuroki'. I think their boss's name was… Mit…Michi? Mitchi Kanaki – something like that anyway."

"Kuroki?" Namie frowned. Izaya lifted his eyebrow slightly. "Ah, yeah. What do you need to know about them?"

"Everything… You look like you know about them a little. Care to tell me?"

"It's not much but I know that it's just founded and that it has a lot of money – more than usually anyway." She glanced away from Izaya since the man was paying her more attention than usually, meaning he was really listening to her now. "Kuroki's boss, at least I've heard, is a son of some millionaire who died not a long while ago. I guess they got the money from him. Killed him maybe – though that's just a rumour I heard." She kept a pause and shrugged and began to walk away. "That's all I've heard anyway. And why don't you look information about them yourself?" She asked this with a demanding tone.

"That's because I have more urgent things to do and find out about. You just get me that information now." Izaya got no reply from her, which meant she was going to do just that. Good. Izaya smirked. Finally he was going to have some fun that didn't involve Shizu-chan.

Izaya clicked the text file away that he was writing, which caused his desktop to be revealed. The camera icon waited in the right corner of it and Izaya sighed heavily as he opened the internet and his email. That could wait. Plus the brute wouldn't even be home. He was still at work.

The first thing he had to do was email both of the mafia's that he would accept their tasks. Both of them wanted to know about the festival and its schedule. That part was easy. And not a long time passed since he sent the emails to both of them and they answered with "good" and "so you're up the task?"

Izaya knew everything that was happening in Ikebukuro and Shinjuku. He knew a lot about what was happening in the Tokyo area as well and a little bit about the whole Japan – he was an informant after all. So it wasn't hard for him to guess what both of them wanted. See, during the Tanabata festival people usually forget there's such thing as 'evil' in the world at all – which every mafia and gang knew. So it wasn't hard to rob bank or trick money from people during the festival time. In conclusion: Shiki wanted to know what the other mafias were going to do and where and the Kuroki's just wanted to know a good place to get some money. And if they had at least some intelligent among them they were going to ask about other mafias as well. This was when he needed information about the Kuroki mafia; to see if they knew how to think on their own, were they clever enough not to trust an informant like Izaya, did they even know his reputation (which wasn't all bright and clear) and were they going to bluff in case they knew about Izaya and his usual bluffs. If the new found rich yakuza family was with a boss that was clever (a bit like Shiki) would it be a good idea to help them and switch sides? Work for the new family and get all the power Shiki now had to the new family? Izaya did love the way both of them would probably do anything to get him to their side.

Izaya's devilish smirk never left his lips as he typed away to Shiki.

Hello again, Shiki. I'm more than willing to hear more about your "problem". So just tell me what you need me to find out like usually and I get back to it.

Then it was time to write a similar email to the other yakuza family.

Nice to meet you, Michi Kanaki. I'm flattered you have heard of me.

I am pleased to tell you that I will look into your offer. Just send me the details and everything and we'll see what happens from there. Is this okay with you? If you like to meet me that will do as well. But the most important thing that I need to know now is that what is it that you want me to do and get information about.

Thank you for understanding,

- Izaya Orihara

Now the only thing that Izaya needed to do was to wait.

.

Shizuo sighed – huffed – while he lazily leaned against the fence of the bridge. He looked down to the motorway where many cars were driving fast from under the bridge or under it. Shizuo sighed again. He had chased Izaya even though he still had work to do. If this happened on a daily basis he was sure he wouldn't get the whole pay check in the end of every week. His phone buzzed in the right pocket of his black pants, signalling he got a message.

It was from Tom, a reply to his earlier; just a couple of minutes ago sent text, 'where are you?'. Tom told him he was heading towards and old factory building that, apparently, was hiding a couple of men that were in huge dept. In other words: "meet me there".

So Shizuo left from the bridge and headed towards the address Tom had given in his text message.

Shizuo wasn't happy how his days had been turning out lately. The flea had been strolling around Ikebukuro more than once a day which mean nothing good. Celty was maybe the only who was even a bit alerted about Izaya's doings, which irritated Shizuo to no end. Izaya never just went somewhere without any bad intentions. Well, mostly anyway. Because he, Shizuo, wasn't an excuse to the flea to come to Ikebukuro, right? Sue, when he went away for a sort while he had come and piss Shizuo off, but other than that… There were no special occasions with the flea.

When Shizuo finally reached his destination and met Tom he apologized like usually. Tom wasn't mad at him, like usually. Just a bit tired of Izaya ruining their work every other day. Soon after they went to get all the money they poor men had and left the factory. The sun was beginning to set already in the horizon.

"I know this may just… make you irritated," Tom began and rubbed his neck, "but have you noticed that Izaya had been to Ikebukuro more than just once a week?"

Shizuo nodded and took a smoke from his cigarette, "I have. So I'm not the only one who has noticed it… Good."

"…Yeah," Tom swallowed and looked a bit stressed. Should he open his mouth?

"Any idea why?"

"No, not really." The brown haired cursed his immediately stated reply. Shizuo raised an eyebrow. "I mean…" Tom sighed, "I know this is going to sound stupid and you probably punch me for it…" he muttered and Shizuo frowned.

"Tell me anyways. I try not to punch you."

Tom took a deep breath. "I just… I have this feeling like Izaya is coming over here just because… Well, because of you."

"…Me?"

"Yeah." Tom bit his lip quickly, "like, he comes here and… you know, pisses you off and then leaved the town. I just don't get it. You sense him so well too so I guess you noticed him doing that, too? It's just… thought; a theory."

"It doesn't sound that far off," meaning Shizuo wouldn't punch him. "He did piss me off whenever he had the change when we were in Raira."

So Tom did have a point there. "And I know this might sound like I know something but I really don't… But maybe Izaya is just bored? Maybe he… well, doesn't have a job going on at the moment."

"…" Shizuo chuckled and then laughed for a few seconds. "Hah! You're probably right. That asshole does get bored easily…" Shizuo smiled a satisfied smile and looked at Tom then, "yeah, that's probably it. Thanks."

Tom smiled back and when they soon parted ways, Tom swung around and frowned as he looked Shizuo's back as he walked away. Why wasn't the blonde annoyed or questioned about the fact that if Izaya was he would take it out on Shizuo. "Sometimes I wish I knew what was going on between them…" was all Tom could mutter as he walked back to the office.

.

Shizuo walked out of the building with a tote bag made for cats. Meaning he was just leaving from the vet's place with his kitten. Yes, his kitten. Shizuo had decided to keep the thing. At least try keeping it. He still was a bit unsure was he able to take care of it.
Because Shizuo was willing to take the cat, the vet had given him coupons that would give him some food for free and a litter box plus some toys. The vet was clearly more than grateful to Shizuo for taking the cat and certainly had grown more interested about him because of it if you know what I mean. Shizuo felt a little bad for her because of certain reasons but was happy he got the coupons. Because owning a pet, no matter what size or species, was not cheap.

So after getting everything he need for the cat from the pet store he went home and then left the things there with the kitten and left to the convenience store.

While on the sort trip Shizuo wondered what was the festival going to be like. He also wondered about Tom's words about Izaya. How come he didn't think of it before? He usually knew what Izaya was thinking – or at least the main part of his thoughts. No way was he ever going to understand the flea completely. He wanted to laugh at the idea.
Shizuo bought some salad, chips and chocolate. He also got some meat and juice, etc. Just something he could make a dinner from.

Once home he greeted the cat and put everything on place from the cat supplies to his groceries. And once ready putting everything to their right places Shizuo found the kitten sleeping on the sofa. He was small. Really small. Shizuo hoped he wouldn't sit on him by accident.

.

The clock was almost nine. The air was warm, it was summer after all, and many people were still outside walking on the streets with friends. Izaya was as well having a walk but had a destination: the bar/restaurant Bellaora".

Bellaora was a well-known bar/restaurant in Shinjuku. And even though it was well-known many didn't know that it was actually owned by the Kuroki, a yakuza gang. Izaya was heading there for a meeting with said gang. Izaya walked fast since he was in a little hurry. He usually was never late but this time he had somehow managed to stare at Shizuo and his cat playing with some toy for too long (about 20 minutes too long). He wasn't going to be late, no. He just didn't have any time to waste now. Izaya wasn't happy about this.

Once Izaya arrived in front of the bar he was pretty impressed. Because the whole place looked very good from the outside, which was a very surprising thing for a bar/restaurant that was owned by a gang. The name was written with neon lights, "Bellaora". Izaya couldn't help but wonder why a Japanese yakuza used a European-looking name. He decided not to give it much thought at the moment.
The inside of the bar was another surprise. The whole place was rather clean and had a nice atmosphere. Izaya couldn't help but to smirk a little. He took out his phone and clicked the inbox icon. He opened the message that had the direction to the bar and the introduction to go and sit to the right table. Izaya scrolled to the end of the email:

You will find us at a lodge, at a table that has three roses in a vase on the table. Other tables only have one. There are two men in black suits and the third, Kanaki Michi, is wearing a vest. It's impossible to miss the three of them.

And as Izaya looked around and at the different lodges he soon saw a table with three men; two dressed in black suits and the third one in a vest. The vase on the table has three roses in it. Izaya started to walk towards the table with a slight grin on his face. The only thing he's thinking is that his evening will be fun and interesting.

"Good evening gentlemen," Izaya greeted as he stepped in front of the table. All the tree men turned to look at him. The two men in black became alert. This is, until the brunette interrupts their hands that are already ready to take the guns from their pockets.

"Good evening. You must be Izaya Orihara?" The brunette's voice is soft but dangerous.

"I am. And I take it that you are Kanaki-san?"

"I am. Sit down, Orihara-san."

Izaya sat down next to the other nameless body guard to the other side of the table. Izaya reminds himself that he has to focus. This isn't 100 % play at the moment. After a few polite words from both of them and a "would you like something to eat or drink", the leader took a deep breath and looked at the informer.

"Shall I explain my problem?" Izaya noticed that the man is probably enjoying himself just as much as Izaya is, maybe a little less, but still. He was being way too polite for Izaya's tastes. Maybe he was testing his boundaries? This makes Izaya snort slightly in amusement.

"Go ahead."

Kanaki drinks the last of his drink and then leans to the table with his elbows before starting to talk, "Actually it's not even a problem. I just want information because it would make my plans work easier. I'm a little lazy." Izaya nodded at this and the man continued, "As you probably know, the Tanabata festival is taking place in a few weeks. The festival draws much attention from the people. And that is perfect because I can carry out my plan then." He kept a pause, thinking what to say next or how to say his next lines "I am going to try – no, I am going to – rob a bank, burn down a house and trick a few… enemies in one night."

Izaya still had a smirk on his face, "I see… But why do you need my help?"

"I think you know that yourself, Orihara-san: to do all that I need to have some help and some information about people, and so on."

"I think I understand what you're getting at…" Izaya licked his lips and realized then that the leader in front of him had a similar outfit to Shizuo's. "You want a couple of guards to be in the bank in time of the robbery and those guards are "on your side"."

"So you do understand!"

"Of course" A grin formed on Izaya's face. "I understand more than well," his hand moved to his chest, "and I will see if I can help you after we have discussed the details."

It was a successful meeting for everyone that evening.

.

Shizuo never really enjoyed being put up for everyone to see because it made him feel, well, embarrassed. And that was why he especially hated buying clothes while more than one person looking at him but it seemed like he had no other choice at the moment.

Behind Shizuo there were four or five (maybe even six) people looking at him while he was standing in front of the mirror. Actually all these people were women. And they were all staring at him. And Shizuo didn't even know why. All he was doing was trying on a kimono for the coming festival.

"So… is it any good? I really can't tell on my own." Shizuo huffed as he looked at himself from the mirror.

"You look very handsome!"

"Fantastic!"

"You look wonderful in it, Heiwajima-san!"

"It's like it's made for you!"

All of those were the comments from the young women around him. The blonde didn't really know how he was supposed to react to that so he just nodded and muttered "I see, thank you." He then turned to look at the older woman who was around 70 or 80. She was looking at him as well but not like the other women. Thank God. "So… Is it any good?"

The older woman smiled and nodded, pleased, "yes. It looks very good on you and the blue really suits you."

"So I should buy it?"

Again there were many 'yes's and squeals about how it was just perfect for him. Still, Shizuo just wanted to hear what the old lady thought (for some reason he already felt close to her. But what can you say? Old ladies have their charm). "You should. And it's not that expensive."

"I see. Then I guess I'll take it."

As Shizuo left the shop many of the women told him to get around again and even tried to give him phone numbers for some modelling business. Modelling? Hah, not for him, thank you.
Shizuo never felt comfortable around many people. Or no – he just didn't like the attention. But if he got some attention there was really nothing he could do about it so tried his best to always endure it. Not that it worked in most cases because most cases were fights or something similar. The blonde didn't really understand why people would even seek him and challenge him to a fight. He never asked for it.

Shizuo was just about to cross the street when out of nowhere a familiar black motorbike drew in front of him. And before Shizuo could react with a "hi" or anything Celty had shoved her phone in front of her friends face.

'Is it true?!'

Shizuo frowned. "What is?"

'That you have a cat! I heard about it yesterday!' Celty couldn't talk but Shizuo felt that she was very excited about this.

"Ah… Well yes," Shizuo answered, not really understanding what the big deal was. Maybe Celty loved cats? She did have a helmet with the cat ears and all.

Celty squealed, without a sound, 'Is it at your apartment? Can I see it? Oh please tell me you'll show it to me!' And before Shizuo could answer or even blink she continued yet with another question, 'Is it a girl or a boy? What about the name?'

"Celty calm down… And yes, it is – he is – at my apartment. And no he doesn't have a name yet," Shizuo sighed and then glanced at the motorbike that Celty was getting off from. "Actually I thought that I ask people for suggestions. I think I wouldn't be so good with picking up a name."

'Really? I'm happy! I have always wanted to name a cat! Or some pet at least. Can I see him before I give any names? It would be horrible to give a cat a name that doesn't suit it!'

And as Celty went on Shizuo smiled a little. He was lucky to have a friend like Celty. He bet Izaya would just laugh if he was to know about his cat. Though… How did Celty hear about it? "Hey, Celty… From whom did you hear that I have a cat? I haven't told anything about it to anyone… I think."

Celty tilted her head 'Someone saw you coming out of the vet yesterday. And he was at this chat that I am on too.'

Shizuo yawned, "I see…"

'What's in the bag?' Celty asked and seemed to look at the big bag Shizuo had in his right hand.

"Oh this? This is my Kimono for the Tanabata festival. I just bought it."

'A kimono?!' Celty was surprised.

"Yeah. I wouldn't have bought it but our company is in good terms with the shop. Meaning this was pretty cheap."

'So you are coming to the festival? That's good to hear! I love festivals! Oh but I have to go now. Shinra says he has something for me… But can I come and see your cat sometime?'

"Yeah, sure. Just send me a text or something."

'Bye Shizuo—' Celty pulled her device away from Shizuo quickly after writing this and then quickly typed something else entirely, 'By the way, have you heard about the rumour? The one about the new mafia/yakuza?'

"Uh…no. Haven't heard anything. Why?" And what was so important about this new yakuza? Yakuza's had nothing to do with him (unless they wanted to fight him, which happened a lot in the past (damn Izaya)).

'Search for 'Kuroki' from the web. There should be an article about them. Sorry Shizuo, I would tell you more but I gotta go. See you!'

"Alright. I'll do that if you want to. Bye." And Celty was off and soon in the distance among the cars on the street.

.

Shizuo arrived back home somewhere in the afternoon. He's work would start a little later today. Or then he had a day off. Izaya didn't know. He hadn't bothered to check it up today. The informant's eyes followed the blonde on his screen and watched him take all the fabric from the bag. "So you did get yourself a kimono…" Izaya muttered and leaned to his hand while smirking a bit. He couldn't wait until the festival (for many reasons).
Shizuo's cat was sniffing the bag and trying to bite it while Shizuo told him not to and soon lifted it of the bed to the floor. The brute then put all the clothes to the closet and yawned, said something to the cat and left to the kitchen. He put some food for the cat there and then went to get his vacuum cleaner. This is was boring so Izaya decided to get some tea for himself and maybe go watch TV.
He has been watching Shizuo a lot lately. And thinking, too: he had tried to find a way to get the monster mixed with the Kurokis and surprise he found away. Izaya took a sip from his tea while turning the TV on.

He wanted to see him. He wanted to tease him, soon. Izaya didn't like this feeling. Sure, he knew the feeling when he wanted something but this was Shizuo. The informant opened is phone just in time to get a new message. It was from Shiki.
As Izaya read it a familiar anime started to air. It was the one about the two boys. One of them was Nezumi and the other one Shion. At least Izaya thought so. Not feeling like watching the show the raven decided to go back to his computer. Maybe Shizuo was doing something else than cleaning. And he was.

Just as Izaya sat down to his chair and opened his web browser and the chat, he opened the window of his cameras. And what a sight it was: Shizuo was playing with the cat in the living room with some toy mouse. The blonde had an amused smile on his face. Izaya could do nothing but stare at the brute's face and the smile with a little blush forming on to his cheeks.

"I didn't know you could smile like that…"

Hello and let me apologize a thousand times! D: I didn't mean to update this slow. Believe me it has been painful for me too... I really wanted to write but I had a lot of school work and when I had time I didn't want to do anything because of all the school work I had done had taken all my energy. I haven't been able to go to our cottage either... (I write better and faster there for some reason.)

So, an important reminder about this chapter: when I wrote and continued this chapter I was a bit loss. Actually this took a turn that I hadn't really... thought of. So I think that my style of writing changes from time to time. Mostly in parts where nothing really happens (the whole chapter hah haa) my writing is probably lazy :/ Sorry! But I promise, again, that the next chapter will have a bit more love in it! :'D

And for those who reviewed: thank you, I love you! You really boost my writing process

Please review~ It helps me a lot!

PS. If someone knows something about festivals in Japan, something that Wikipedia doesn't have, please do tell me!