Roppi sighed as he walked home, shivering against the cold. With his coat still in his kittens' cage, he had gone back to wearing an old gray pullover hoodie. The front pocket was nearly torn off and there were white and peach paint blotches on the stomach, wrist, and lower back. Most people were glancing at him with a look of distaste as if he looked like trash.

But he didn't really care. This hoodie had more sentimental value to him than they had decency. So they could glare and snort all they wanted, it wouldn't affect him any.

His pants pocket vibrated, making him jolt. He pulled out his phone, where his eyes widened.

Tsuki texted.

Since their last meeting, they had had little to no contact at all, which he didn't really mind. He was busy with the animal shop and the news paper company that he didn't really have time.

He opened his phone to check the message.

Only to bump into someone.

The phone fell out of his hand while a glass object fell out of the strangers.

"Ah, no!" the man called.

Roppi's reflexes kicked in and he quickly snatched the glass object before it hit the ground. But he ended up not saving his phone, where the back cover and battery sprayed out.

Roppi cursed.

"Here." He held out the thing—it felt like an animal of some sort but he didn't stop to look at what it was—to the stranger.

"Ah, th-thanks."

"Yeah." Roppi kneeled back down and picked up his phone pieces, putting them back together.

He turned on his phone and walked away.

Before checking his message, he ducked into an alleyway so he wouldn't bump into anyone else.

:Hey, Roppi-san. I passed the semester so me and Nii-san are going to celebrate—:

'Nii-san and I.' Roppi thought in irritant. 'He passed but doesn't get that right?'

:—at Shinra's tonight. We're having a hotpot. And I was wondering if you'd like to come?:

Automatically he answered back, :What's a hotpot?:

He waited a moment and his phone vibrated again.

:It's a gathering of friends andfamily coming together to eat a hotpot—which is a bunch of meat and vegetables in a casserole-stew thing kinda.:

Roppi started getting nervous.

:How many people are going to be there?:

This text took longer to get a reply back.

:Nii-san, Shinra, Celty-san, and a couple of their friends. Then me and three of my friends. And their friends.:

:How many is that?:

There was a long pause. Then, :With you, it'd be 20 is what Nii-san said:

Roppi repressed a shiver. 'Twenty…?'

As much as he wanted to see Tsuki, he was almost certain that many people wouldn't be good for him. Unless…

:Is Izaya coming?:

:No.:

The reply was almost automatic, which made Roppi cock a brow. But he decided not to question it.

'If Izaya's not there, then I'll be surrounded by strangers.'

Roppi didn't like that concept.

:What about Shiki?:

A pause.

:No.:

:What about Simon?:

Another pause.

:I think so:

Roppi's finger hovered over the buttons in an anxious pause.

'If Simon's going then it…shouldn't be so bad, right?' Roppi told himself that.

But he wasn't so sure. His insides were churning with anxiety at just the thought of being surrounded by all those people, and the notion that Simon might not be coming. An :I think so: is not a definite yes. If Simon didn't show, it could end very badly for him.

Was he willing to be surrounded by people who didn't know or wouldn't like him so he could see Tsuki?

:I'll come, where's it at?:

'Might as well try it.'

"So, your yakuza boyfriend's gonna be coming?" Kida asked, drinking his cup of tea.

"He's not a yakuza." Tsuki said. "But yes. He said he'd come."

"Hmm."

"Wait, boyfriend?" Seiji looked at him.

Tsuki blushed. "Um, y-yeah."

"Yup yup~!" Kida threw his arm over Tsuki's shoulder. "Our innocent, adorable little flower likes the hotdog, not the donut."

"Ki-Ki-Kida-san!"

*Thwack* Delic karate chopped Kida in the head.

"Ouch, that hurt!"

"Then don't spew stupid shit. And don't go spreading that around."

"Eh~?! You're gay?" Mairu sat forward, peering at Tsuki's face.

"U-um…I…guess…"

"Wow! I've never met a gay person before! That's so cool! Isn't it, Kururi?"

"Not really…" the monotone girl said.

"No but it is! Cuz high school girls can admit they're sexual orientation and get away without too much pain. But you don't see high school boys admitting it! Cuz they could get beat up or discriminated against much more savagely than girls—"

"And that's why you keep your mouth shut about it, kay?" Delic growled.

"Oh, I have no intention on telling others. Kururi's the one who can't keep a secret."

"Not true…"

"It is too—no, don't Molester Spray me!" Mairu buried her face in Tsuki's chest as Kururi put her hand in her purse.

"Chap stick."

The short-haired girl pulled out a thing of pink chap stick.

Then a camera flashed, drawing everyone's attention to the entryway.

"So, Izaya's not allowed to come but his little sister's can, huh?" the raven walked in, holding his camera up. "They're just as fucked up as he is."

"Iza-nii?" Mairu gawked at the newcomer in surprise.

"No way in fucking hell." The raven's face soured in distaste.

"Roppi-san," Tsuki's tone suggested he shouldn't use such strong language but then his eyes widened. "Wait, Orihara-san's sisters?!"

"Yeah," Roppi pointed to the two. "Orihara Mairu and Kururi. Twins, Kururi older by five minutes and 29 seconds. Age difference to Izaya by eight years. What one has the other doesn't thus making one perfect being when combined. They go to Raira with you, first years'."

"Eh? How do you know all that, doppelganger-san?" Mairu asked.

"Izaya told me."

"Hm?" Mairu started to circle him. "You look like Iza-nii but don't act or sound like him? Are you a plaything of Iza-nii's?"

"I don't see why you'd need to care." Roppi walked past her. "Izaya doesn't share so I won't be your plaything anytime soon."

"No fair! So Iza-nii didn't like being a non-twin so he bought himself a look-alike? Where'd he get you from? The black market? Did he give you plastic surgery? He did, didn't he?"

Roppi didn't answer, walking to the other side of the room with his arms crossed.

'Why is he wearing that ragged hoodie?' Tsuki wondered, staring at his lover. 'Where's his fur-trimmed coat?'

"If Iza-nii owns you then he must have named you too. It'd probably be something close to Izaya so Mizaya? Kuzaya? Nagazaya?"

"Pfft, Nagazaya? Sure, totally. My name's Nagazaya because when you sleep, I turn into my naga-form and creep into little girls' bed like yours so I can eat your life essence. I just realized that sounded really wrong, please ignore me."

"Eh~? What are you talking about?"

"Actually, Naga's don't do that anyway. At least, I think they don't. I can't remember really. But hey, if I'm a naga then at least my red eyes wouldn't be questioned."

"Why?" Kida snorted. "People notice how fake they are?"

"They're not fake." Roppi turned on him. "Thank you very much."

"Oh really? And we're supposed to believe you're natural eye color is red?"

"Um, yeah. Ever heard of albinism?"

Tsuki's eyes widened.

"Considering you're a Jap, I thought you'd know what we look like, since your culture has them in nearly every other anime that's created."

Kida's eyes narrowed in obvious offense. "Peh, last I checked, albino's don't have black hair."

"It's called hair-dye, short bus. Wanna see my roots? Oh, I guess I should kneel before thee so the royal highness of assiness doesn't need to stand on his tiptoes too much." Roppi gave the most elegance of bows, with his feet crossed and on arm folded to his chest. While the other was pointed straight at Kida with all fingers folded down save for the middle one.

"You…" Kida clenched his fists tight, planting a foot firmly against the ground as if to push off in a charge.

"Uh, um-um," Mikado stood, grabbing Roppi's arm and swinging him around while Saki wrapped her arms around Kida's with a smile on her face. "Wha-wha-what's a naga, exactly?"

'Thank you, Ryuugamine-san.' Tsuki sighed in relief at the topic changer.

Roppi cocked a brow. Then chuckled. "You're kidding. You hang out with Izaya. You should have read that book of his."

"What book?"

"The one on the top shelf next to 'Sociopathic Children'."

"I haven't…been to Izaya-san's house."

Roppi just stared at him for a moment. Then: "Don't tell me you two are porking in your apartment when your walls are as thin as paper."

Mikado's face flushed red. "Ho-how-how—"

"Izaya told me."

"Is there anything he doesn't tell you?!"

Roppi shrugged. "If he does then I can't really tell you what I don't know, now can I?"

"Wait, wait, wait." Kida turned to Mikado. "You're dating Izaya?!"

"No, I'm not!" Mikado stiffened in defiance.

"So, you're just fuck buddies?!"

"No! It was only once!"

"Yeah." Roppi added. "Like a year ago. And Izaya was the bottom so no harm done."

Mikado stared at him wide-eyed for a moment.

"You said 'porking', though!" Kida turned to the red raven. "Present tense!"

"Did I?" Roppi cocked his head. "Sorry, Japanese isn't my native language so I get some words wrong."

Tsuki's eyes widened yet again. 'Huh? Roppi-san's a foreigner? He spoke perfect Japanese before.'

"See, see, see!" Mairu yelled, hugging Kururi. "He's a foreigner so Iza-nii must have bought him on the black market."

"I'm not a foreigner—"

"Learn Japanese all the way before you talk then, shit head."

"I'm the shithead? The only reason you're pissed about Mikado sleeping with Izaya is cuz he's your ex."

"I never dated Kida-kun!" Mikado yelled.

"Not you."

Kida looked like he was ready to punch Roppi again, his teeth clenched and fists shaking. But Saki stepped forward and touched Kida's shoulder, pushing her hand into his.

The blond looked down at her, then glared at Roppi, snorted and turned away.

"We could cut the tension with a knife, couldn't we, Celty?" Shinra chuckled.

"Yeah, sorry." Roppi quickly said. "Probably shouldn't have come, huh?"

"Oh no, it's fine—"

"No it's not." Kida growled.

"You still haven't told us how Iza-nii bought you—"

Before Mairu could finish, a blond bartender walked into the room.

His eyes fell on Roppi in an instant.

"The fuck are you doing here?!" Shizuo barked.

"Wait, wait, wait, Shizuo-kun!" Shinra started. "It's not Izaya—"

But Shizuo was already on the charge.

Roppi was quick to react. Throwing his camera on the couch, he stepped to the side and let Shizuo fly by him while his knee was up and out. The angry blond rammed his stomach full long into the tiny raven's knee.

But it had no effect. If anything it helped slow Shizuo down so he could turn and sock Roppi.

Roppi easily dodged the punch with a tilt of his head. The second punch Roppi diverted away by slamming his wrist into Shizuo's.

As Shizuo went for a third punch, Roppi dodged that one by leaning back on one leg—

And slamming the heel of his foot into Shizuo's chin.

Shizuo staggered back, more in shock that the raven landed a blow than the blow itself as Roppi gracefully twirled so both feet were back on the ground.

"People who go into a fight without preparation should hold no expectation of winning." Roppi said. "I figured a dumb fuck like you knew that."

"Roppi-san—"

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A DUMB FUCK?!" Shizuo picked up a chair. "YOU DUMB FUCK!"

He threw it at the raven.

Who dodged yet again.

"STOP DODGING, YOU DAMN FLEA!" Shizuo grabbed the coffee table next.

With a call of rage, the Fortissimo of Ikebukuro threw the table as well.

But this time Roppi stood his ground. This time Roppi held his arms out and with a well-timed twist of his body, he caught the table. But with the speed it was going, the table ended up turning Roppi around, who spun on the balls of his feet almost like a ballerina to keep balance. Then he slammed the table on all four legs, intact and not broken.

"Well, then." Roppi slammed his foot on the table, leaning on that knee with an expression that could be considered innocent. "Would you rather I go on the attack? Cuz you absolutely won't win if I do, dumb fuck."

"Oh, really?" With wide, angry eyes and a pissed off grin, Shizuo cracked his knuckles. "I'd like to see that, you shit-faced flea."

Roppi's eyes narrowed dangerously.

Then with a heave, he kicked the table across the floor toward Shizuo. Shizuo easily jumped over it but Roppi was on the charge, hand pulled back in a fist. Shizuo balled his own hand and swung.

The two fists collided with each other, a series of sickening cracks following.

Shizuo's eyes widened.

As the two lunged past each other, Roppi leaned forward and swung his foot at Shizuo's face again. Shizuo crossed his arms to protect his head, deflecting Roppi's attack and spinning the raven around, where he landed gracefully on both feet yet again while Shizuo ran past.

Shizuo turned, staring at the raven wide-eyed.

'He…broke my middle and ring finger. But,' he glanced down at Roppi's hand, which was shaking noticeably. 'I must have broken something as well.'

"Wai-wait, Heiwajima-san, Roppi—"

Tsuki's words fell on deaf ears as the two were at each other again.

'What the hell?' Shizuo thought. 'He dodges better than the damn flea but even more so…'

Shizuo punched at him again, only for Roppi to leap over the swing, land on his hands, and slam his heel into Shizuo's cheek.

'He actually fights back close range. Izaya would never do this. If Hachimenroppi looks like the flea then didn't he learn to fight like the flea?'

"Wow," Kida muttered on the sideline, standing by the TV with Saki at his hip. "I've never seen someone go at Heiwajima head-on and not get knocked flat on their ass within five seconds."

"His attacks are so precise." Anri pointed out. "It's as if he can read Shizuo's mind."

"Roppi-san!"

Roppi flipped to land on his feet and quickly leaped out of the way of Shizuo's kick. Crouching in a cat like position, Roppi glared up at Shizuo.

"Shitty brown eyes…"

"Hah?"

Roppi pushed off the floor with his fist balled in another punch.

It was Shizuo's turn to dodge. He stepped to the side and grabbed Roppi's non-striking wrist tightly.

Roppi automatically screamed in agony, eyes wide with pain and shock. He went to wrench his arm free but Shizuo refused to relent, holding his wrist firmly, and pulled the raven back.

"Let go!" Roppi leaned down and swung his foot toward Shizuo's face.

The blond caught it easily.

"Let go, fucker!"

"I thought I didn't have a chance at beating you, HAH?"

Tears stung the corners of Roppi's eyes, his teeth clenched in obvious pain.

"Heiwajima-san!" Tsuki called, Delic pulling him back so he didn't get hurt as well. "You won, okay?! So let him go—"

Roppi brought his free foot up, relying on Shizuo to hold him up, and kicked the blond hard in the chin. Shizuo's eyes widened as he staggered back, his hand on Roppi releasing although he accidently tore the raven's sleeve and the gauze bandages underneath.

With the twirl of his kick, Roppi landed flat on his rump but he was on his feet in an instant and running away from Shizuo, favoriting his wrist to his chest.

"Bastard." Shizuo held his chin. 'That actually hurt.'

"YOU MOTHERFUCKER!"

'Eh?'

Roppi glared death at him, an expression that could easily match Shizuo's.

"THAT FUCKING HURT!"

Roppi was on the charge before Shizuo could process that a man with Izaya's face was making the same calls of rage as him, let alone that he was attacking.

Roppi reached over and grabbed an empty cup from the sink. In the next moment, he stuffed his ungauzed hand into the cup—

And punched Shizuo as hard as he could with it.

Shizuo fell away, staggering backwards while holding his face. The vision in his right eye went red. But not from rage.

This little shit…

Had damaged him.

Blood drizzled down his brow and cheek from where the cup had actually pierced his skin. Pain enveloped that eye, that side of his face.

What the hell? He had taken a 2-by-4 to the back of the skull and had recovered after less than a minute. He got shot three times and didn't feel a thing. But with a cup, this kid had dazed him to this extreme?

"Worthless. Piece of FUCKING shit." Roppi growled, tossing the cup back onto the counter so he could hold his wrist. A mixture or red and yellow began to goop down the raven's hand, dripping onto the floor. Roppi began to rewrap the loose end of the bandage, tucking the end under the other gauze. "That FUCKING hurt."

"Like you have any right to complain when you fight dirty." Shizuo said, but he did feel guilty for hurting the raven when he was already injured.

"Fight dirty? Ha, that's hilarious. All's fair in love and war, you little bitch. You have no right to complain about the damage I deal you when you started the fight!"

Shizuo's eyes widened.

"Understand? So if I kill you, you have no right to complain!"

Celty's shoulder's jolted up. 'Shizuo's…!'

'I've…' Shizuo thought in surprise. 'Said that before…'

"So, you done, limp dick? Gonna pussy out of the fight you started? If you do, don't worry, I won't judge."

"WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU CALLING A PUSSY?!" Shizuo snapped, his anger quickly returning and replacing all guilt and surprise towards the raven.

"Wait, you two." Shinra tried to intervene. "Let's just calm down—"

"Fuck that! This flea pisses me off!" Shizuo cracked his knuckles.

"Glad the feelings mutual, stupid ass dog."

Shizuo growled.

"Wait, Shizu—"

The two charged at each other.

"Gah, Celty do something!" Shinra turned to the black bike, who stood frozen by his side.

'No way. I'd get killed if I went in there. And, what's more…'

Shizuo punched first but Roppi easily dodge. Roppi went with a kick, aiming to knee Shizuo in the gut but the blond grabbed it.

'I'm curious who would win.'

In a quick motion, Shizuo curled his arm under Roppi's leg, grabbed the chest of Roppi's shirt, and lifted the raven off the ground. With a growl of rage, he chucked Roppi, who called out in surprise. He toppled over the counter—Celty and Shinra rushing out of the way—knocking bowls and plates to the ground that broke on impact. Roppi fell over the other side with a thud.

"Enough, Shizuo-kun!" Shinra called. "Don't destroy our house!"

"SHUT—"

His sentence fell off his lips as Roppi was back on his feet, leaping onto the counter. Then he grabbed Shizuo's shoulders and did a flip over the blonds head, but not before his heel slammed into the back of Shizuo's head and sent him bending over the counter.

'Eh?' Tsuki's eyes widened. 'Th-that's what Orihara-san did at the park!'

"You…" Shizuo growled. Then with a quick turn and a stool in his hand, he yelled. "BASTARD FLEA!"

Shizuo threw the stood.

But Roppi didn't dodge. If he did, it would hit either Tsuki or Kida. So Roppi stood his ground. But he didn't have his feet in the right position to catch it.

So, reluctantly, he let the stool slam into him. He let out a choked cry of pain as it slammed into his injured shoulder, a series of cracks following. Roppi clenched his teeth and slammed the stool to the ground.

Then he started to laugh.

Tsuki's eyes widened as well as everyone else. 'Eh?'

'He's laughing?!'

'He just got hit full force by a stool thrown by Heiwajima Shizuo and he's laughing?'

'How is he even on his feet right now?'

'He should have slammed against the wall.'

'How is this guy structured?'

"Hahahaha, ah ah," Roppi rolled his shoulders, cracks following that made more than just Tsuki cringe. "Thanks for that. I did something to my shoulder two weeks ago. Bet I can actually sleep a full eight hours now."

Roppi then pulled the hoodie over his head, turning to Tsuki.

"Switch ya." He hopped over with a near giddy smile.

"Eh?"

"Don't go using him as a shield!" Shizuo yelled, running over to grab at the raven.

Roppi gave Tsuki his hoodie and pulled at the blonds scarf.

The scarf was wrenched from Tsuki's neck as Shizuo grabbed Roppi's shoulder and yanked him back. Roppi swung his feet at Shizuo, making the blond stumble back away from the furniture.

Then he turned and threw the raven.

Roppi leaned his foot down, allowing it to slam against the counter, thus making him flip. With the velocity change, Roppi slammed into the wall…

On his feet, flat-footed.

'Hah?!'

'He's defying gravity!'

'Like right out of an anime!'

In the next second, Roppi pushed off the wall.

Where he slammed his knee into Shizuo's temple hard.

Shizuo staggered back, his vision beginning to blur from the hit. He leaned against the plush chair, his world now starting to spin.

'He stunned Shizuo?!'

"You done, Heiwajima?" Roppi asked, wrapping the scarf around his hands then pulling it tight. "I'm tired of fighting you. People like you piss me off but I think I've knocked enough sense into you so I'm ready to quit this little shmeck. What do you say?"

Shizuo lunged forward and slammed his fist into Roppi's cheek.

Roppi let out a cry mixed with pain and a squeal as his head jerked to the side with the smack.

Shizuo stood panting, his vision slowly beginning to return.

Roppi stared down at him, his bottom lip coated in blood, which Roppi licked up. He wore a droll expression as he gazed down at the blond.

'He recovered so quickly!'

'What the hell is with this guy? How can he still be standing after getting punched by Shizuo?!'

"Alrighty then." Roppi smiled.

Then slammed his head forward, head-butting the top of Shizuo's cranium.

'He head-butted SHIZUO?!'

Shizuo staggered not because it disoriented him but because Roppi only did it to push him back.

With that prompt distraction, Roppi swiveled around Shizuo, unraveled the scarf, and wrapped it around the blonds' neck like any scarf.

"See, I don't like scarves." Roppi said, kicking out Shizuo's knees so the blonds' legs gave out on him. "Because all someone has to do is grab both ends…"

Roppi pulled the ends, tightening it around the blonds' throat.

"And you can't escape its hold."

Shizuo choked. With a growl, he swung his arm to smack at Roppi. But the raven bit into the scarf and, with his arm free, put the blonds arm in a headlock.

Now beginning to panic, Shizuo swung his other arm to try the same thing. But so did Roppi.

With both ends of the scarf clamped firmly between his teeth, Roppi had Shizuo's arms in headlocks by his sides and was proceeding to strangle him. Shizuo struggled, trying to throw the stupid bastard off, but with every struggle Roppi only tugged his head back farther.

Shizuo growled and tugged at his arms, trying to pull them free, but his strength was starting to fade with every tug Roppi gave.

"Ro-Ro-Roppi-san! Please stop! He can't breathe!"

'That's the point.'

"Stupid…bastard!" Shizuo kicked off the floor with a foot, sliding on one knee across the hardwood with a toss of his head to try and shoulder the raven.

Roppi slammed his foot in to the center of Shizuo's shoulder blades. And pushed.

Shizuo choked, now beginning to really panic. There was no way he could be killed so easily. He's been through so much to die by this shithead's hands? There was no way this short little shit was going to kill him. No way. No way!

Shizuo let out a strangled hack.

And Roppi released.

Shizuo hacked and coughed, holding his throat and began panting heavily.

Roppi slammed his foot into Shizuo's shoulder, turning his around and sending the blond on his back.

"Stupid…bastard…"

"Indubitably." Roppi said and stood over Shizuo.

Then he sat down on the blonds' stomach.

And began unraveling the scarf.

"But you bought it on yourself."

Then he stood with the scarf around his own neck.

"Now, I'm only going to say this once so this doesn't happen again. I. Am not. Orihara Izaya. My name. Is Hachimenroppi. And there is a reason every street gang in Ikebukuro are scared of me. So, if you want to fight me, make sure you have beef with me and not that fucking shit face in Shinjuku. Got it?"

Shizuo just glared at him.

"Now that that's cleared up." Roppi held a hand out to him. "You should get your throat and head checked. Oh, and your eyes. Seem like I broke the blood vessels in the right one."

Shizuo continued to glare at him.

But took his offering.

"I should get checked? You're the one with a broken hand."

"And the stereotype that men become friends after a fight is once again proven correct…" Mairu muttered.

"Eh?" Roppi pulled his hand away and stared at it. "Really?"

"The fuck you mean really? Aren't you in pain?"

"No. I have nerve damage in this hand. I can't feel anything up to my elbow."

"Eh?!" Tsuki jolted and broke free from Delic's grip to run over. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, dummy. Nerve damage means you don't feel anything. I just said that."

"Bu-but your face—"

"What of it? He only hit me once. You should worry more about Heiwajima."

"I'm fine, stupid." Shizuo growled. "Shit doesn't even hurt."

"You're not fine, stupid. I strangled you. You're throat will inflame."

"Hah?"

"Don't you know? You can get strangled and be fine. But underneath the surface, your throat is trying to fix the muscles that were construed and the blood vessels that had broken. And so, like any wound, it'll inflame. So, in conclusion, you'll suffocate hours, even days after getting choked out.

"And besides, I broke a cup against your face, and hit you in the head how many times? Seriously, why was it that choking worked better than trying to stun you?"

"You didn't break the cup."

"I did too. Didn't you hear it crack?"

Shizuo glanced over at Shinra, who grabbed the cup and looked it over. Then he filled it up with water.

The water drizzled out three cracks down the side.

"Yeah, note to all." Roppi said with a guilty smile. "If you're going to punch someone with a cup, make sure it's a metal one. Like the ones in prison."

"And you would know what they use in prison." Kida growled.

"Of course. I do watch movies. Makes me very glad I haven't been there personally."

Kida just glared at him.

"By the way, Shinra, right?" he turned to the underground doctor.

"Yeah?"

"Sorry for breaking your dishes and all. I'll pay for 'em, promise. Not right now cuz I don't got money but I will pay you back."

"Haha, it's fine. It wasn't really your fault—"

"Yeah it was. What are you talking about? As someone who's not your friend to attack your friend in your house and, not only that, break your stuff, it falls on me to pay for the damages."

"Who the hell told you that?" Shizuo growled.

Roppi looked up to the ceiling in thought, his fingers flicking up in tally.

"Well, they're wrong." Shizuo interrupted him when seven fingers were up and he was still thinking.

"I don't see how." Roppi stared at him. "It makes sense."

"No it doesn't."

"Yeah it does. Besides if I hadn't shown up at all this wouldn't have happened. And, and!" he said quickly as Shizuo opened his mouth to interrupt. "Since you're a friend of Shinra's and I'm not, technically speaking, I shouldn't have hit you at all and let you do what you wanted."

There eyes widened.

"It would have been over faster. But Izaya used to get really pissed at me when I let people hit me so he kinda beat that out of me and so it's kinda instinctive to fight instead of hold still."

"The fuck is that?!"

Roppi jumped.

"You don't let people hit you!"

"I just said I don't anymore!"

"No, I know, you—you shouldn't never let anyone hit you!"

"…But if someone wants to hurt you, there's nothing much you can do about it."

"Yes, there is—"

"Cuz they'll just hit you harder for trying."

Shizuo fell silent in surprise.

'What are you saying, Roppi-san?' Tsuki thought. 'You're always telling me to fight when I'm attacked. Why are you saying this all of a sudden?'

"Um, Roppi-san, are you okay?" Tsuki asked, cautiously. "Does your head hurt at all?"

Roppi didn't answer.

'Crap.' He thought. 'I said something I shouldn't have, didn't I?'

"Well, seems like it's about time I left, neh?" he said as he turned to the entrance hall.

"You don't have to," Shinra said. "You haven't been here very long."

"Long enough, it seems."

"What?"

"Bye—"

"Wait a moment." Shizuo reached out and grabbed Roppi's arm.

The raven jumped.

"You should let Shinra look at your injuries."

"What injuries?" Roppi smiled at him. "All you did was punch me."

The raven jerked his arm free and made a step to the entrance hall.

Then a series of cracks followed.

Roppi let out a call of surprise and fell to his knees.

"Are you okay?" Tsuki kneeled down by him.

"See, I told you!" Shizuo growled.

"Wait, you can't leave yet!" Mairu called, "we still have questions for you!"

"I say he should leave."

"Masaomi…" Saki smiled.

"Here, let me see." Shinra kneeled down as well.

'Too close. Too many.' Roppi thought, staring up at the humans that loomed over him. 'There are too many people here.'

Shinra touched his leg.

Roppi leaped to his feet, backing away from the group of people that crowded him with a slight limp.

'I need to leave. There are too many people here. I can't—'

"Roppi-san, are you okay?" Tsuki asked, walking up to him with his hand reached out.

"Don't touch me!"

Tsuki flinched back.

Roppi could feel the tears of anxiety beginning to weld in his eyes. He was aware that he was shaking so he wrapped his arms around himself to try to stop it.

"Eh, what's wrong with doppelganger-san?" Mairu asked.

"Scared?" Kururi suggested.

"Ro-Roppi-san?"

"Ha…hahaha ah, I'm-I'm sorry. I thought—I thought I could handle my anxiety. I thought I'd be okay. But-but I guess I can't. I can't handle it. I-I-I…I rea-really need to leave. I just need to leave and I'll be fine. I'll be…"

"Is he having a panic attack?" Kida scoffed. "He just fought against Shizuo and now he's scared?"

"Kida-kun." Mikado started.

"It's not—It's not Shizuo's fault!" Roppi called, staring at them wide-eyed. "It's not Shizuo's fault at all! I'm not—I'm not scared of Shizuo! I—"

"Hey, it's okay." Shinra took a cautious step forward. "It's okay. You can leave. No one'll stop you. But you should let me look at your injuries first. Your eye has starting to swell."

"No, no, no, no! No way in hell! I don't want to be alone with you! I-I can handle myself. I really can. Be-besides, I'm half-blind in my left eye anyway."

'Eh? He's blind…!'

"…Well, let's make sure it doesn't get any worse. And you're wrist is infected, isn't it? That's the wound I bandaged two weeks ago, right?"

'Hah?' Tsuki stared at Shinra.

Roppi just stared at him, then tugged his wrist behind his back.

"It's-It's really fine. I can do it myself. I-I lost my lighter so I was going to buy a new one anyway."

"Lighter?" Tsuki's tilted his head in confusion.

"And anyway, it's infected. Eve-even if I wanted you to touch me, I wouldn't go into a room alone with you. And I can't let you unravel my wrist here with so many people around because it's rotting so it smells really disgusting. I don't want everyone to lose there appetite."

Shinra started to look a little protrude. "At least let me set your broken leg."

"…I-I know—I know your trying to be nice. But I just…I don't trust you. I don't want you anywhere near me. Be-besides, I don't have any money so I couldn't pay you—"

"So, you're just gonna grin and bear it?" Shizuo growled.

Roppi backed away from the threatening tone.

"I always do…"

"Hey, sorry we're late." Someone called.

Kadota and his three friends walked in, more than a little confused to see all their friends standing around a crying person who looked like Izaya.

"What's going on?"

"The great, infamous Hachimenroppi is having a panic attack." Kida chuckled.

Kadota cocked a brow. "Hachi…"

He looked at the raven. 'This kid?'

"Ro-ppi-kun here?"

"Ah, hey Simon."

"Samia?"

"Hmm?" Simon looked over at the raven.

"Everyone, just back up." Delic growled, motioning for the ground to do as said. "Crowding him won't help."

Simon ignored him as he walked past.

"Ah, Simo—"

"Samia!" Roppi cried, lunging forward to bury his face in the Russian's chest. "I'm sorry!"

'Eh?' Tsuki's eyes widened. 'What language is that?'

Simon patted Roppi's head, then grabbed Roppi's hands and led him towards the balcony. "What happened?"

'Russian? Is it Russian?'

"It's no one's fault! No one did anything!"

"What happened to your face?"

"It's all my fault! I'm sorry! I thought I could handle myself! I thought I could—I could be normal! I just—I-I-I—"

"Calm, Roppi." Simon opened the sliding glass door. "It's okay. It'll be okay."

The Russian closed the door behind them.

"Jeez, Tsuki." Shinra chuckled. "You never told us your boyfriend had social anxiety."

"I…didn't know…"

'I didn't know a lot of what Roppi had. Nerve damage and social anxiety?Or that he was half blind and could speak Russian. For christ's sake, I didn't even know his wrist was damaged!'

"Well, let's start eating, neh?" Mairu suggested. "Not like we can do anything for him."

"Sounds good to me." Kida agreed.

"Curious that Roppi let Simon touch him when he was telling even Tsuki to stay away." Mairu said as everyone started dishing up.

"Right? I thought that was a little weird."

"But Simon's a special case in most things anyway."

"Why, cuz he's black?"

"Racist."

"No, because he's Simon, of course!"

Tsuki casted his eyes to the two on the balcony. Simon was sitting on one of the lawn chairs with Roppi sitting on his lap. The raven was holding Simon's hand, gripping his big black fingers like a little kid would with his father.

'What is the relationship between those two? I don't get it—'

"Tsu~ki's jealous, huh?"

"I-I am not!" he yelled before realizing who was talking to him.

"Uh-huh, sure." Kida snickered. "Then you're just staring at them for random reasons?"

Tsuki blushed, glaring at the ground.

"Don't sweat it, bro." Delic wrapped his arm around his shoulder. "Getting jealy's normal. Just goes to show you actually care about him."

Tsuki didn't answer.

Everyone broke off into different groups as they all sat down to eat. Tsuki stuck close to Delic, who was talking with Celty and Kadota. He noticed that Shizuo and Shinra had vanished. He figured the two went into the back room to look at his injuries.

As everyone was finishing and Shizuo and Shinra returned, Simon walked in, carrying Roppi with one around while the raven had his face tucked into the Russian's chest.

"Better now?" Kida scoffed.

Roppi didn't answer, scooting closer to Simon's torso and holding himself tighter.

"I take Roppi home. He no good around lot people."

"That's fine." Shinra said. "But make sure he disinfects that wound and don't let him walk on that leg."

"Ja. Good-bye."

With that, they left.

"Weirdo." Kida said, taking a drink of tea.

"I agree." Mairu said. "He really isn't anything like Iza-nii."

"Why'd he come here if he knew he wasn't good in crowds?' Mikado chimed.

"Probably to see Tsuki." Delic said. "They hadn't seen each other in nearly two weeks."

"Nice reunion." Kida imputed.

"I wonder though: What's the relationship between Simon and Hachimenroppi?" Mairu sneered.

"Lovers?" Kururi suggested.

"Wha—no way!" Mairu said. "Simon and an Iza-nii! That's gross!"

"Whore?"

"Eh, I wouldn't doubt it—"

"He isnot a whore." Tsuki snarled.

They stared at him.

"How do you know?"

"Sleeping?"

"Yeah, you sleeping with him?"

Tsuki didn't answer. Just glowered at them with his arms crossed.

"Hm. Well, then question: How do you know you're not one of many?"

"Because, I do." Tsuki growled. "And it's not any of your business."

"Jealous girlfriend…"

"Totally agree…"

Tsuki just snorted and turned his head away.

'I don't need to justify anything. Roppi-san wouldn't have broken it off with Shiki otherwise.'

"You should probably get tested for STD's. Who knows if Doppleganger-san is clean."

Tsuki didn't answer.

"Eh? Is he ignoring us?"

"That's actually not a bad idea, Tsuki." Delic said, plopping down next to him. "You really don't know—"

"If he had a sexually transmitted disease, Roppi-san wouldn't touch me."

"And you know that how?" Kida asked

"Because I know Roppi-san."

"As well as you think? You didn't know he had social anxiety."

"He never told me."

"And he told you he was clean?"

Tsuki fell silent for a moment. "I trust him."

"I wouldn't."

'Only because he looks like Orihara-san.' Tsuki barely stopped himself from saying it.

Delic opened his mouth to say something but fell silent when someone's phone began ringing.

Pon pon way way way

Pon pon way pon way pon pon

Way way pon pon pon

Way way pon way pon way way

Everyone looked around then their eyes all fell on the ragged gray hoodie laying on the floor.

"Uh oh…" Tsuki kneeled down to pick up the coat and camera.

"Well, that's not good."

"How did these end up on the floor?"

The phone finally fell silent, beeping to state he missed a call.

As Tsuki pulled the hoodie up, two objects fell out of the torn front pocket.

"Shoot."

Delic kneeled down and picked up the black flip phone and a brown handle flickblade. He paused, staring at the blade.

"Um, Nii-san…"

"Hm." He sat back on the couch and handed the two items to Tsuki. "He had a knife on him the whole time but didn't use it."

Tsuki's eyes widened slowly, as if he couldn't quite process what was being said.

"Hm." Shizuo sat on the arm of the couch. "Why not? The flea would have."

Delic just shrugged.

Kida, on the other hand—who as sitting on the coffee table—whistled as he looked through Roppi's camera. "These are pretty well taken, Tsuki?"

"What are?"

Kida just leered at him.

Tsuki tilted his head in confusion, sitting there thinking about what could be on the camera that would make Kida grin so…

Tsuki's entire face went red.

"Gimme that!" Tsuki lunged for it.

"No~pe!" Kida hopped away.

"Kida-san!" Tsuki gave chase.

"You look really happy here, Tsuki-kun!"

"Shut up! Kida-san!"

*Snatch* Delic plucked the camera from Kida's hand.

Tsuki felt like he was going to die. "No, Nii-san! Don't look!"

Delic's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Why the fuck are you letting that shithead take pictures like this?"

"I don't let him!" Tsuki reached up on his tippy toes to try for the camera but Delic just raised his arm higher. "He just does it!"

"What's the photo?" Kadota asked.

"Roppi and Tsuki, sitting in a tree~" Kida sing-songed. "F-U-C-K-I-N-G~"

"Kyaah! Really?!" Erika squealed.

"Stop it! Gimme!"

Mairu stood on the back of the chair and snatched the camera from Delic.

"No, give it back!" Tsuki begged.

Mairu hopped down and looked it over. "Nope!"

"Please!"

Kururi came up behind Mairu and took the camera after whacking her upside the head.

"Here." She held it out to Tsuki.

"Th-thank you." Tsuki graciously took it.

"The next time I see him…" Delic grumbled as he sat back down.

"Please don't, Nii-san."

"Why the fuck is he taking pictures like that?!"

"I-I don't know! He-he only takes pictures for things he likes!"

"Well, doesn't he likeyou." Kida chimed.

Tsuki blushed.

But the subject of the matter was put on hold as someone tapped on the sliding glass door.

They all turned to see a grinning ebony-haired man staring in at them. He waved.

"The hell?" Shinra rushed over and opened the door. "How did you get out here?"

"Well, your front door was locked so I came around the long way."

Izaya pushed past Shinra and looked around, tottering off to the guess bedroom door.

"You damn flea. What the fuck are you doing here?" Shizuo growled.

Izaya stared at him, particularly his white bandage patch and medical eye patch over his right eye and the casting over two of his fingers on his left hand.

He then turned and went down the hall, opening the closet and bedroom door.

"Hey, stop snooping. What are you looking for?" Shinra followed after him.

The two returned momentarily. Izaya grabbed a rolling pin and walked over to the medium-sized vent by the fridge. The raven pressed his back to the fridge, brought the rolling pin up, and slammed it into the metal grating—causing a loud bang that echoed through the vent and made everyone jump.

More than just Tsuki covered his ears and jumped.

When the ringing stopped, Izaya looked at them.

"Where's Roppi?"

"…Um…" Tsuki started. "He—"

"He left." Delic took over.

"Alright, correction: What did you do to Roppi?"

The room fell silent. Izaya's smile was anything but happy and friendly.

'He's pissed.'

Kadota answered. "He had an anxiety attack so Simon took him home."

"And why did he have an anxiety attack?"

"He just did." Shizuo growled.

Izaya padded over to Tsuki, bending over the arm of the couch to be face-to-face uncomfortably close.

"What did you do?"

"…Um…I—"

"He didn't do anything." Delic yanked Tsuki away from the raven, making the smaller blond stand behind him. "Roppi just had an anxiety attack, nothing more."

"Why?"

"Too many people crowding him."

"Tsuki, why did you even think that it was a good idea to invite Roppi here?"

"Eh? Um…"

"Think, Tsuki. Use that little brain of yours that seems to rival Shizu-chan's in stupidity."

Tsuki stiffened while Shizuo growled.

"Roppi was absolutely terrified of letting you play seme. Why do you think that is?"

"Um," Tsuki cast his eyes to the ground, honestly thinking as his hands fastened against Delic's sleeve. "Be-because…"

"Because. People. Have. Hurt him. And you thought it was a good idea to invite him to a gathering full of people?"

Tsuki didn't answer.

"None of us would hurt him." Delic growled.

"Really?" he held a hand out to Shizuo. "Because I'm pretty sure that besides me and Simon, Hachimenroppi is the only one who would hit Shizu-chan back."

Delic fell silent.

"And let me guess, it's because Roppi looked like me so the protozoan didn't care, right?"

No one answered.

"Figured as much." Izaya scoffed.

"He said he wasn't scared of Shizuo." Kida said. "So don't go blaming him."

"Oh, I doubt that highly."

"He said—"

"Did he say it when he was in a fit of tears?" he turned on Kida so quick it make the dark blond jolt a bit.

Kida glared at him but didn't answer.

"He only said that so Shizu-chan wouldn't hit him again. Because he wouldn't defend himself the next time around."

"I don't hit people who are crying." Shizuo growled.

"And he would know that how? You'd be a first, don't you know."

"Bastard. You hit him?!"

"Hahaha, you think I'm like them? Like you? Of course not. But more than one person has hit him or done worse for the same reason you did. So do you understand why he'd panic when he's surrounded by people who hate him?"

"We don't hate him!"

"Speak for yourself." Kida grumbled.

"But you hate me!" Izaya chose to ignore Kida. "And he looks like me—"

"We wouldn't use him as a replacement!"

"Then you'd be a first!" Izaya and Shizuo were now inches away from each other, screaming in each other's faces. "Do you not understand he doesn't know that?!"

"Then tell him that!"

"You'd think he'd take my word for it?"

"Why wouldn't he? You bought him, right?"

"Bought him? I found him sleeping in a drainage pipe eight years ago."

"Yeah, sure. So, you just happened across a boy with your exact face? Bullshit!"

"What, you think I put him through plastic surgery?"

"Fuck yeah!"

"Well, I didn't."

"Bullshit."

"Believe what you want. Roppi and I are the only ones' who need to know it. Now, Tsuki—" he pointed at the blond, making him jolt. He was trembling against his brother, holding Delic's sleeve tightly. "Stay away from Roppi until I say so. He'll go on and say his panic attack isn't your fault but that's complete horse shit. And I'm not quick to forgive."

"You?!" Delic yelled, making Tsuki jolt. "Last I checked, Roppi's an adult! He doesn't need your approval!"

Yes, he does. I'm the closet thing he has to a parent. So, understand this," he turned to Delic and stood up to the blond. "You're threat isn't one way. If Roppi gets hurt because of your little brother, I will take him away from Tsuki."

Delic glared at him. "Roppi is independent now." Delic's voice was barely above a growl. "So, he doesn't need you."

"Sorry, but that's the wrong answer. Roppi is far away from no longer needing me anymore. When Tsuki proves more effective than me, then I'll gladly hand him over. Until then," he glanced down at Tsuki, who automatically adverted his eyes. "I'll allow you to stay in Roppi's life. You're actually proving useful in making Roppi realize he's not a broken toy. But as soon as you prove opposite, don't expect that you'll remain with him."

Delic gave Izaya a shove. "Back the fuck up, you prick."

Izaya chuckled and grinned. "Seems like Tsuki-chan can't handle confrontation, hm?"

Delic's hand balled into a fist.

Izaya chuckled and turned away. He pulled out his cell phone, pressed a button, and placed it to his ear as he walked out.

"Ah, Samia." Izaya said in that strange language Tsuki didn't know. "Is Roppi with you?"

The room fell silent.

"Tsuki, are you okay?"

"I-I-I'm fuh-fine. " Tsuki took off his glasses and wiped his eyes, snuffling and coughing.

Delic sighed. "I think it's time to go home. Shinra, everyone."

He gave a solo wave good-bye as he grabbed Tsuki's bag.

"I-I said I'm fine." Tsuki inhaled deeply. "Dammit, I—"

"You not fine and you know it. You only curse when you're upset." Delic held his hand out to him.

Tsuki scowled wiping his eyes more before taking Delic's offer and following him out.

I HAVE FINISHED HANDWRITING PART TWO!

^0^

FUCKING FINALLY!

Now, all that's left is the extra's.

And for those who are curious, I will be writing Crowns and Headphones as I write part three. So keep an eye out.

Kittycatkyla