Disclaimer I don't own Durarara!
Chapter XXV
A crash was heard in the bathroom, me throwing away a now useless box. Cold, slowly warming water hit my scalp. The water didn't run clear, it wasn't blood, the color was a warm chestnut. Mitsu Sasaki was dead. That's what the city believed, the police was even looking for her corpse. The sad thing was, I was said corpse, and I wasn't dead. Wonder how Izaya plans on cleaning this mess up, he was the one who made it. I wasn't a maid, and I had no more obligations to clean up after him. As I said before, technically as an informant, I'm dead.
Running a towel through my hair I lifted my head and looked in the mirror, frowning. I still looked like the same person. How disappointing, well there is always a way to fix that issue. Picking up some scissors, I started cutting my hair, letting the freshly colored shit fall into the bathroom sink. Attacking my hair with a blow dryer and straightener, I then added colored contacts and took in my reflection.
My hair was shorter, hovering a good inch from my shoulders, some strands refused to conform, and just stuck out randomly. I didn't look like Mitsu, that was the goal. Now, the hardest part of creating a new identity the name, then there was the forgery of paperwork, but that was child's play. Getting a new reputation was going to take a while, and I still had to figure out which of my backup phones I was going to use. I had to then pass my new number around town, unless I wanted to be one of those really creepy informants that knew everyone's number but nobody knew mine. That was actually not a bad idea.
I casually turned my head at a sudden unannounced knock at my door, he was early. To be honest, I knew he would come, but I thought he'd be late. It's typical for people when walking into unfamiliar situations to be hesitant and thus late, early is a little uncalled for. Walking through my bedroom I grabbed a button up light blue button up shirt, throwing the t-shirt I was wearing off. Not bothering to see where that shirt landed, I closed the door, walking toward the front door buttoning my shirt up. I smirked as there was another knock, this one hurried meaning he was getting nervous.
"Hold your goddamn horses!" I called as I half limped over to my apartment door and pulled down on the handle. "Come-in Mikado. I see you decided to come solo." The kid held onto the strap of his messenger unsure of the situation as I took a step back and gestured for him to enter my apartment. The teen was still apprehensive, looking me in the eyes trying to detect if I was a threat. "Sorry, allow me to introduce myself, I'm Eiko Muro." I smiled reassuringly toward the raven-haired teen.
Mikado slightly bowed and walked into my apartment, taking off his shoes and studied his surroundings. I had my curtains pulled back, sunlight making the air look inviting, open. The feel of the room was more like a person's apartment, not my apartment. I put my hand on his shoulder and eased him into the room. The kid tensed up, I didn't blame him. I was now a stranger, a stranger that had ties to the late informant, so I told him. That automatically made me a threat in his eyes.
"M-Muro-san a-are you sure you know w-what In Finem is doing?" he asked slightly trembling in reference to the anonymous message I had sent him yesterday, not signing it. I nodded and went into the kitchen and stated to get some tea ready, this was going to be a nice long chat. The high school student nodded and sat down on the couches I had around the coffee table. This was going to be one of my more shady trades. The kid gets information, I get conformation that I'm dead.
"I'm positive I can answer your questions," I responded confidently, walking into the main room and fell back into my chair, looking into the dark eyes of the kid. He looked at his hands which he held between his knees clearly unsure about the situation. It all came down to how to word his questions. He didn't know if Muro was the same as Sasaki. "Alright let's start with what any information here will cost you alright?" The teen nodded, relaxing slightly. "You can ask whatever you want for the simple price of making sure everyone knows that my former partner Mitsu Sasaki is dead. I hated the bitch anyways, she was always too damn arrogant." Mikado's eyes widened, normally the plan would be the opposite, but Hisaro knew that Katsuki was Mitsu, and so if Mitsu was dead, he was going to assume that Katsuki shared her fate and consequently he'll slowly spread his power and think he's won his revenge. "So do we have a deal?"
"U-uh yeah, we have a deal. And I have one main question at this point, what is Primus planning?" I pouted, according to what I have gathered, he had fulfilled his main plan, the next step was to take over the city to prove that he was better than his nemesis. I did tell him he could ask anything, but I never promised a straight answer. Standing up when the teapot started whistling, I realized I had cut my bangs to fall into my left eye, I could work with this, make them believe I had a blind spot. It was actually pretty smart. I looked over the bar separating the kitchen and living room.
"Primus' main goal was to see that Sasaki bitch dead, by his command. In retrospect, it looks like he got his goal, but don't be so naïve. As far as I know, there was another pawn at play and now our little gang leader isn't going to be too happy about it. Though, he will see the value in this person, so I suspect they'll join forces." Should that happen, he'd be a target for out demon friend, and that wouldn't be fun. I kept my face flat as I continued to make the tea and bring it to Mikdao.
"What would that mean?" Mikado's eyes narrowed slightly, trying to hide the fear in them. I chuckled and tilted my head in fake thought, trying to figure out how to answer his question. I wasn't going to be honest with him, for once I was going to throw a piece of fake information and watch with a sadistic smirk as things play out before my eyes. If he backs out, then just how committed he was to the Dollars came to light.
"It means Mikado Ryugamine, that everyone is going to die. That includes you. The chances of Primus finding out who you are is almost definite. So now, the question is, are you willing to continue fighting?" I asked my voice was smooth, calm, quiet. The persuasiveness was heightened because of this, and I never used this. Being cynical was too much fun, but I was trying to differentiate myself from who I was.
I stood up and turned my computer on, letting the teen think about his decision. I've already played this game, I had a chance to back out of In Finem before things got out of hand. I chose not to, I chose to stick with the gang until everyone figured out that the "true" leader of the gang didn't want to have anything to do with the gang, that I had slandered him easily. The decision was easy for me, even after all of these years. Everything back then worked according to plan then, and they will work according to my plan again, and again. Hisaro Ichihoshi was one of the more predictable pawns in this game.
"I'll get back to you on my decision," Mikado mumbled as he stood up. "And, I'll get the post about Mitsu Sasaki's death on the Dollar's message boards before tonight." I nodded and stood up, shaking his hand and leading him to the door, I watched him walk down the hall, arms crossed leaning against the door frame. He'll come around, he'll always come around. The sole reason he was here was to be different, and if he backed out now, he would never be able to get back in.
Closing my door, I crossed the living room and sat in front of my desk, launching a program I haven't used in years. I was surprised that from my various computer changes over the years I managed to keep this program, I wasn't planning on dying in the distant future when I used it the first time. Speaking of, I might as well talk to the bastard who started this rumor to begin with. At first it did piss me off, but that's typical when things don't go my way. Then I thought about the possibilities and going brown hair brown eyed seemed like the way to go.
Leaning back in my chair while the official looking screen loaded, I pulled out the middle drawer of my desk, looking through the discarded cell phones just collecting dust. I shuffled through the drawer before pulling out an overpriced iPhone, an impulsive buy, but hey I had the money. Funny thing is, this wasn't even mine. I stole it from someone I found passed out on the curb. Taking out the charger, I plugged the phone and let it start to charge a few seconds before I turned it on.
Turning back to the computer monitor I started typing in basic information I already had off the top of my head, alias, date of birth, hair and eye color, blood type. For once, I was happy O positive was a common blood type. Opening another drawer, I found official looking paperwork that would fill in the holes of making a new identity, and then the program would work its magic and Eiko Muro would be an official Ikebukuro citizen.
Spinning in my chair again I picked up my "new" phone and called a number that belonged to an infamous informant. As far as I could see from phone records, the number I was calling was a Celty-exclusive line. Listening to the monotonic hum I watched the progress of my new identity to load. My nose cringed slightly, this phone still had the "shit-faced drunk" smell to it. Why had I hacked into the phone company's website and put the bill on automatic withdraw from my dad's funds? I needed to get the vomit smell off of this piece of shit.
"Well, I wasn't expecting this call," Izaya sneered across the other line. "You're fast I have to admit, home for only a few hours and you already have a new identity, who are you this time?" I rolled my eyes and introduced myself. "I see, so Miss Muro, what's your first plan as the newest informant of Ikebukuro?" It was my turn to smirk, he knew just as well as I did that I already made my first move. He was breathing down my neck as I set it up.
"Already covered, I filled in Mikado. As for my next action, I have already started getting my new file into the city's database. When this is done, I plan on taking care of some other business, the last mess of yours I'm cleaning up. There is something you want from me, you wouldn't have asked otherwise," I said smirking as I looked out of the window in front of me. "Oh, and you can come in." I hung up and opened the one file I had on my computer that I really didn't care spread around the city. I spent half the night last night working on this, racking my brain for remembrance. It was in the past, all that mattered to me at that point was the fact that it all worked out, details were lost. It was those details he wanted, damn bastard.
I slightly lifted my head as the door opened, the person on the other side walking in completely silent. I smirked as I printed out the sheet of paper my visitor was going to request, the thing to discuss now, was a price. I was fairly certain I already knew what information I was going to ask for, as he was on the information I was going to give him, but hearing it from the birds mouth, with our without the arrogance was always the most reliable source.
"Alright Orihara, I thank you for letting me crash at you place, now we come to another information exchange. Both of us are pretty certain that we know the answers, but I'm going to ask first. My place my rules, if you wanted this on your terms get the fuck out, and make an appointment," I smirked and crossed my arms, pulling the sheet of paper from the printer behind me and folded the paper three times, giving him enough time to say whatever snarky remark he wanted to. Only, none came, it was completely silent minus my fingers rubbing against the paper "Please sit down, you're being abnormally quiet, what's wrong getting sick?"
Izaya sat down while under my gaze. There was something up, if he didn't have anything to say then he'd find something to say. Letting the "enemy" have the final word went against his character. My eyes dug into his, as I let my face melt into one that didn't show any emotion. Something bad has happened. It happened, the thing I was waiting for finally fucking happened and I was behind! Damn it all to – wait, let's see what Izaya has to say about it. My expression softened even more, looking more human than it has in years. The informant smirked, apparently I was ignorant toward something.
"Hisaro Ichihoshi, I need anything you have on him. You are the only one who knows how far he will go to get revenge. However, the one he's looking to get revenge on is dead, so his next scheme is no doubt centered on taking over the city ne?" I gestured for him to continue, there had to be more, surely he knew that I knew this already. He just admitted I knew something more than him, what was the catch? "It seems that the gang's members are becoming scarce Katsu-chan. Let's see if you can find out why. Now, the letter." He pointed to the page still in my hands.
I looked at it, I had a small window to decide, get conformation, or make my job easier. According to Shinra's orders I still had another week before I could continue the normal life I've been living since I graduated. The conformation at this point was more important. "Fine, but you owe me. The head, is it or is it not at Shizuo's apartment?" Izaya looked up at me, and smirked before nodding. Sitting back I threw the page at him, standing up and walking to my window, crossing my arms. Hisaro was still Hisaro, but he had already found and started talking to the Sins. He made a withdrawal with his forces and now we wait. I still had time….I had lots of time.
More important questions then to be asking filled my head. Do I let Shizuo in on this? On the fact I was alive? It's not like he had a lot of people to tell, my sister and Tom. My sister was loyal to family, and Tom was still scared shitless of me, if they squealed on me it'll be easy to set them straight. Then I'll just have to die again, this time it'd be cleaner, better organized. Little did Izaya know, I actually had my fake death planned out for years, and I was just waiting for the right moment to use it.
"Is that all Izaya?" I asked suddenly, "or is there something else you want?" I raised my eyebrow and turned toward him slightly. He looked up from the sheet of paper I had typed and shrugged, folding it and putting it in his jacket pocket. "Thanks for the lead." I smirked at him.
"Don't get the wrong idea, we're still racing to see who can defeat Hisaro first. I am just giving you a boost from falling to far behind. Wining by a narrow margin always stings the loser more, you should know this Katsu-chan. I'll see you around," Izaya sang as he danced out of my apartment. I started straight ahead and shook my head, my own smirk across my face. Once again, we both withheld information from one another. Though mine was more cleverly hidden, I get style points then. I went to my bedroom and thought about the letter as I tried to find something I said I'd never use, but kept just in case.
Hisaro Ichihoshi, age 22, and has no occupation at this given moment. He's slightly more intelligent compared to the common person in this town, he sees through the garbage I put in my sentences, or so he thinks. He's cold, heartless, hungry for power. He will do anything to get what he wants no matter the cost. He's still easily manipulated though.
He wasn't always like this, no years ago he was kindhearted, soft, a pushover with acne and glasses. Top student next to yours truly, and was content with his standings. Truth be told, he had a small crush on the girl who was deemed smarter than him, even though she tended to look like she put no effort into school.
This set up a spark, he loathed people who put forth no effort and didn't rise to their full potential. In his eyes, it simply wasn't fair to those who busted their asses off. He worked late at night to try to show the world what hard work did, what rewards it would reap. There are things that he didn't realize in his haste.
He failed to realize exactly what I was doing, that I was baiting him the entire time because his obvious conflicted emotions toward me. This to me was interesting, so I started looking in to it, watching how he acted in his classes, learned how to hack. In a way, he was the first of many people I'd look into for the purposes of just knowing.
I had gone to ends such as walking past him and letting it slip on what my electives were as I talked to a friend while walking past him. I didn't think he would but he did take the same course as me. This opened a lot of possibilities for me, an entire hour to study him, and he to try to find a way into my heart.
He became cold after he found out just what I was doing with the club we had created. He became cold after he found out that I didn't love him. He became cold when he got that scar. It all lead to me, it was all my fault. Did I regret it? No, I loved it. This was the turning moment of my life, the time that I had decided to let myself become twisted, and that then turned into me becoming an informant.
He thought that I would stop if he brought a gun to the meeting of In Finem, fear is a powerful emotion if I could feel that emotion. It was too late, I was already twisted in my own little world at this time. His ignorance lead to him getting cut by my hand that then would've killed had I not brought him to the hospital, but I did save him didn't I?
After I left, he was wondering the streets, looking for the old warehouse I used. He had heard that In Finem was still a gang, being the goodie goodie he was, he was going to put a stop to it. Needless to say he was jumped, beaten to an inch of his pitiful life.
Hisaro told the bastards the truth, that he was the true leader of the gang, seeing how it originated from a stupid club. By surviving the beating he was respected, and after a month of proving his worth through his intelligence, he became a leader. He then started plotting his revenge.
I shrugged on my jacket and pulled the hood over my head, pausing to take a deep breath before taking my keys from the bar and walked out of the apartment. I locked my door and twirled the keys around my finger as my other hand found went inside my favorite leather jacket and made sure the cold heartless weapon I had been keeping was there. I wasn't uncomfortable, it was that the weapon I had was more heartless than me, and I hated it for that single purpose, it's the reason I carry knives.
I looked up, eyes squinting at the low afternoon light of Ikebukuro. I probably should've called, but it was a little late for that here. I scanned the streets and jumped into the crowd, keeping my head slightly tilted down, fighting the smirk that desperately wanted to paint itself of my face to uncover itself. There are three basic rules for my situation, normally I encouraged fights, but not right now.
First, don't talk period-to yourself or otherwise. Not even a whisper is acceptable. People rely on their ears more than they realize. A voice is one of the more distinguishing characteristics of a person. If someone were to go blind, they become to other senses sure but what they use to identify people with is their voice. A voice is like a fingerprint, it's different for every other person, and how we craft words into sentences is also different from person to person. This is also easily faked, muddled, and with time changed. To fake one believably is something I had yet to perfect, and it was something I had no doubt the Sins would pick up on within minutes.
Second, hide your face. Not everyone is blind. I don't think I need to explain why it's a bad idea to not hide your face, I mean if you don't think to do that you are probably better off dead. A hood makes you look shady, but it's the easiest tool at your disposal. If it's cold outside, then it's less suspicious, especially if you don't use a hoodie, or a hood that doesn't look like its meant to hide a face. The fur lines jackets might draw the eye, but they'll be more focused on the fur and not who has it, the city is too big and if it helps speed up your steps slightly.
Moving on, don't take detours unless you are positive you are being followed. Getting out of the public eye should be a priority, but there are things that are even more important. Leading people to where you're going is the last thing you want to do. Not only does it put you at a bigger risk, simply because people are ritualistic, but it puts whoever you were visiting at risk. If you are being followed, travel into the crowds of people and get lost. Yes, I do expect you to follow rule one and two when trying to find your way back.
I lit a cigarette and turned to look over my shoulder, nothing. My hands were stuffed into my pockets as I continued to walk within the masses toward Shizuo's apartment. Did I normally care if people see me, no. Today however, I was announcing I was dead via the Dollars, though to those who have proven to be worth my time, they'll hear another story. Sure the disguise was thorough, it's better to be safe than sorry. Exhaling a puff of smoke I blended into a crowd.
Yuki and Shizuo were a part of this select group. If they deserved something that was a little better than the lie that the town, which they did, I owed them anyways. I figured if I wasn't going to be Katsuki Rin, or Mitsu Sasaki, they should know that I'm alive. Knowing Yuzuki she was probably freaking out about my supposed death. As much as I'd love to leave her in the dark about what I'm really doing, I can't grant Shizuo the same courtesy, I'm going to need his help.
I knocked on Shizuo's door, turning to look down the hall as I waited very impatiently. I tapped my foot and bounced up and down as the door opened. I jerked my head up slightly, still keeping my face covered from under the hood. The blond raised an eyebrow at my small figure "Who the hell are you?" I turned my head slightly and pulled my hood down, hair still clouding my left eye's eyesight. A smirk found its way to my face, my former best friend didn't recognize me, perfect.
"Shizuo Heiwajima, it's me," I muttered under my breath, looking at the smooth, yet spiky arrangement of my brunette hair in his eyes. "Let me inside and I will explain why I'm here and what the hell happened. As far as everyone knows Mitsu Sasaki is dead, I intend to keep it that way." I looked down the hall and pulled down my hood, the short hair falling in place instantly. Shizuo moved aside and let me inside. I kicked off my boots and hung up my jacket, following the blond deeper into his apartment.
The auburn hair girl I was so familiar with stood up when we entered. I looked at her and smirked causing her to slightly frown at me. She shook her head and crossed her arms tapping her foot impatiently at me. I closed my eyes and sighed. Opening them to look at my sister's hardened eyes, she's grown up, learned how to hold a grudge. Again, she's made me proud. I knew what she wanted, and these words really had no weight, it's just what she wants to hear.
" Alright, alright. Yuki, Shizuo, I apologize for keeping vital information that I was aware of the entire time from you knowing that your lives could be in grave danger," I said with a bow of my head. Shizuo pushed me forward roughly, but it wasn't out of anger. I turned around and smirked as I took a seat in the other room. The two of them followed, hand in hand, it's about damn time. "Shizuo before I leave I'm going to have to find Celty's head the damn flea hid it here." I leaned back and draped my arm along the top of the couch, crossing my legs.
"He was here?" yelled Shizuo standing up I nodded as Yuzuki put her hand on his chest and eased him back down gently. "Alright, just get the damn thing out of here." I nodded, that was the plan. Yuzuki tore her gaze from Shizuo and looked at me. Her soft grey eyes met my fake brown ones. She paused really taking in my appearance, committing it to memory. She blinked and then looked at the ground in thought.
"Kat, they want the head don't they? If you get your hands on it, what's going to change?" her voice was quiet, uncertain. Totally distrustful, and I didn't blame her, I was also glad I wouldn't have to sit through this much longer, disappearing and laying low were two things I was really good with. I knew her habits already, I knew what to avoid and when. She had a point though, I couldn't be trusted with the head.
I sighed and sat back shaking my head, long drawn explanations without twisting my words were always boring. "Well, we know that Hisaro thinks I'm dead, so hiding the head with the belongings of a dead person seems logical. Nobody would suspect that the new informant on the block will know where it is. In fact, most people won't know about the informant to begin with. I plan on actually playing this more covertly. I am done giving out information for the most part."
"What about your apartment?" asked Shizuo raising an eyebrow, as he let his hand get enlaced with Yuki's who reached up and snuggled against him for comfort. I smiled at them and said that I had already transferred the deed to my new alias. "Tch, whatever, I'm still waiting for the day when shit like this lows up in your face." I rolled my eyes and pointed to me with my thumb. I then looked out the small window frowning, the sun was setting.
"Trust me, I think everything out, people are predictable. The only reason something will blow up in my face is if I make a plan sober." Yuzuki narrowed her eyes at me in my confidence, she's the only person in this city who has seen me work with no nicotine, or alcohol in my system. "Don't worry too much, if I get out of hand Shizuo will most likely beat the shit outta me." I waited, I was going to let Shizuo say that I should just hurry up and leave.
"What about the Sins, what if they attack and step up their game?" asked the blond. I wavered, I hadn't thought about that. I I mean I expected it, but I wasn't planning on countering, I was a different informant afterall. In order to have Shizuo on my side, I couldn't hold anything back. I was treading in dangerous waters, and even though he was calm now, I've seen how this ends more than the average person. I closed my eyes, uncrossed my legs and leaned forward.
"The Sin's only focus is getting Celty's head, this is why I want to retrieve it. The Sins are working with, if not that, for Hisaro. Shizuo, you are the only guy I know who could possibly take Wrath on alone and live. Yuki, do me a damn favor and learn to fight, hell." I shook my head and smirked, standing up. "Now, I'll collect the head and be on my way." I turned and walked toward Shizuo's room, the blond growling under his breath as I looked around.
I've never been here, it was neat, homey. It didn't really smell like cigarettes even though there was a pack on the dresser, unopened. The bed had a sky blue comforter, the pillows indentions suggested someone was sleeping on both of them. I snuck a look at Yuzuki as I turned toward the wooden dresser to my left. If I was Izaya… I must be getting soft, should really cut back on the cigarettes then. Since when did I care what people would think if they saw me digging through their shit? I looked up at the brute as he came in to make sure I didn't snoop for information, some people have no faith.
"I really don't want to open these because knowing how Izaya is you can guess where it is," I said stepping back as the temperamental man opened the middle drawer and started digging through it. I looked at my sister, who had taken her spot next to me. "It's about to get ugly, I'd leave but you're not going too. I'm your sister afterall."
"You're right. I like it here, and I told dad I came here for school, if I left because of this gang war he'll know you're here, or at least assume it and won't let me come back. There are multiple reasons why I want to stay here." Her eye had that certain sparkle in it, the one of true love. I remember seeing it in our parent's eyes, Shinra's too. That's it really, the couples Izaya and I play with rarely have this sparkle, its why we target them, show them how ridiculously lustful they're acting. Izaya also had that sparkle sometimes. Shizuo slamming the drawer closed snapped me out of my thoughts.
I shook my head and took hold of the head, the scepter of power in this case. Asleep, just as I remembered it from when it was at Izaya's apartment. With this I could control Abbadon, the sins and with it Hisaro. I closed my eyes and bowed my head. Beauty! I laughed a real laugh, not forced, not faked, not added to show that I wasn't fazed by people trying to intimidate me. I was laughing for me. I was the ultimate puppet master, all the strings lead to me.
"Thanks Shizuo, The end is coming. Hisaro will fall to his knees, for what he did and will do. I'll need your help for this. And if you both could use my alias that'd be nice." I bowed and left with the jar. Now, transporting this was going to be an issue now wasn't it.
I pulled my leather jacket on and pulled out an old Russia Sushi bag, smiling as I stuck the head in the plastic bag. I waved my final goodbye to Shizuo and Yuzuki as Katsuki Rin and walked out of the apartment, pulling my hood over my head, being dead was harder than it looked.
I'm alive! Sorry again for the hiatus, it had to be done and don't worry, life is under control now. Or at least I think it is.
The poll on my page for what story I should post next is still up, and will probably stay up until this story is over, I don't know. So….vote people, please?
Alright, so Happy New Year! We survived the 2012 apocalypse, don't we feel awesome? I feel awesome. Go humans!
Thanks for reading, reviewing, alerting, and favoriting. If you reviewed the last chapter and for some reason I didn't PM my response, lemme know, and don't be afraid to call me out on that, I like talking to you guys.