Storms of yesterday

by thedollars666

Izaya and Shizuo lose their memories of their romantic relationship and ultimately forget they became anything more then enemies. Forced to confront their feelings; Izaya denies everything, but Shizuo starts to realize that their maybe something more between them. Can their friends help them remember before its too late? Sequel to Winds of Change. RECENTLY REVISED AS OF 13/02/20

8. Unlikely friendship

So much had happened, regaining his memory was more painful than anything he'd endured before. He felt the guilt crush him like a boulder, he hadn't meant to do those things - say those things.

Izaya wasn't even sure why he had decided to take the cure in the end. He remembered feeling conflicted with himself, a battle raging within him, like two sides of himself fighting to stay in control; one side subconsciously and one side at the forefront. Only when he had spent the night at Shizuo's, when he showed up at his door, finding out that the blond had already accepted the cure. He knew Shizuo had pretended to hate him, their encounter was anything but gentle, he knew, Izaya wanted to believe that their relationship was merely physical.

He remembered waking up in the middle of the night - or rather - early that morning, sitting up in the bed with more than a few bruises, he simply stared over at Shizuo, sleeping heavily. Remembered thinking that it was the first time he'd ever looked at him as anything more than a monster. That thought alone had scared him, he couldn't stay, he had to get the hell out, lest he have a breakdown.

He remembered the battle, between his mind and his shielded heart - one he had thought was impenetrable, one that he protected with great precision. He remembered questioning everything, every move, every word, every part of his life up until now. Shizuo had always been unpredictable, it had been one of the sole reasons Izaya hated him so much. Yet, in less than five days, his world fell apart, his mind hazy and his heart unravelled, he couldn't take the sudden change, he had never been so desperate to take away anything in his life. He imagined it was exactly how Shizuo had felt, in fact, the blond had admitted that to him, didn't he?

He showed up at Shingen's door, breathless, desperate, sleepless, he just wanted it all to stop. "Give me something, anything, just make it go away," he had said, begged him. So, he hadn't out right asked for the cure, not really, he just wanted something. Maybe, maybe he was asking for an end, a way out, at the time, maybe he was asking for a quick exit. He had never been the cowardly type, at least, not in that way, but he couldn't find a way on his own this time, he had all but given up trying. Izaya couldn't handle it, his heart couldn't handle it, his mind certainly couldn't.

Maybe Shingen knew what he wanted, and it wasn't to take his own life, not really, it was as if Shingen knew that if he took the cure, it would ease the mental pain he had become trapped in. Needless to say, the doc had been right, everything became clearer, became less confusing, less intolerable, he gained all of his memories from his time with Shizuo, all the effort he had made to change for the better - mostly.

However, the memories he had after being forced to take the drug, remained. They didn't disappear, so even though he was back to normal, back to the person he had worked so hard to become; the battle within himself was replaced by guilt. Guilt was something he'd gotten accustomed to feeling over his time with Shizuo.

He remembered the very first time he felt that emotion, it was sudden and painfully unexpected. It was after his encounter with the guy from the club, hiding out in Shizuo's apartment. It was a cold evening, he had partially blamed Shizuo for leaving him alone at the time of his, 'attack.' "I forgot, nothing is ever your fault, is it?" Shizuo had said to him and Izaya felt as though he wanted to hide away forever. What he'd said to Masaomi in the hospital, the day Saki had gotten hurt, had never been truer, though he never expected that to bite him in the ass.

After that, he continued to experience that same emotion, every single time, every time the past reared its ugly head, something he'd done always appeared and the guilt would surface. He couldn't escape it, at least, not all the time. He made a deal with himself, that he'd spend the rest of his life trying to make amends, trying to make up for those he'd wronged by helping others that experienced what he had created against people in the past.

He couldn't always remember those whose lives' he'd messed up, he wasn't one to openly reach out and stutter out apologies, but if he got the chance to help them at some point, he'd do so without hesitation.

He couldn't see Shizuo, not yet, especially not after how their last meeting went. Izaya was deeply embarrassed by his actions, not because he was disgusted - as he imagined Shizuo might have thought he would be if taken the cure - no, it was the fact that he enjoyed it, the pain mixed with pleasure was a secret fixation for him. It wasn't all that uncommon, not really, but Shizuo wasn't like normal people, he 'spent every waking moment trying to control his strength, he wanted to be gentle, he wanted to experience normalcy every chance he got. Shizuo prided himself on his ability to be a gentle lover - though he could be ravenous - Izaya didn't have it in him to change that, he wouldn't do that to him.

He'd known Shizuo as a lover for what seemed like a long time now, he would not change him, because he loved that about him. It was another reason why he felt guilty, he'd forced Shizuo into doing those things, even though he hadn't meant to, he knew it wasn't his fault, but still, he hated himself for it, because he knew he liked it, whether he was drugged or not.

Once he had finally rested, when his regained memories had settled, and he was able to take a breath, think without wanting to rip his hair out. He decided to pick up where he left off, he hadn't been that far from figuring out Shingen's spy, his meeting with Satoshi had been interrupted or otherwise - sabotaged. He had figured that out soon after receiving the cure, but he couldn't risk anyone knowing that he was normal, he needed time to finish his work.

So, calling Satoshi wasn't a choice for him, he wouldn't be able to help him in the way he needed anyway. He was supposed to tell him everything there was to know on Tainted, he would have too, had they not been stopped. He had mentioned the fact that he felt like he was being followed, trailed. He hadn't told anyone but him, Izaya trusted him with that, because he knew Satoshi wasn't just a standard cop. He wasn't corrupt or anything like that, he was just the type that dealt with each case differently depending on the person seeking his help. Him and Izaya had developed an understanding, they weren't quite sure when it happened, but at some point, information for information became a weekly occurrence.

Even when he thought Satoshi was just late, Izaya had a feeling them not meeting was deliberate. He'd been stupid, unusually careless, it was something he'd have to live with, it was done, nothing he could do about it now.

Regardless, Izaya knew from experience, that something as substantial as this, needed to be dealt with a certain way - not quite on the level, it was the case of - beat them at their own game - fight fire with fire - that kind of thing. Izaya wasn't a hundred percent clear on what happened between the yellow scarves and The Dollars, that night Masaomi left with Saki. He knew Kadota was part of it, he and his group gathered members still loyal to The Dollars to gain control. But he couldn't be sure on details, even though he had initially started the war that led to the feud of those within that fight, he wasn't exactly sure how it ended, since it wasn't the result he planned, not entirely.

That's why he was here now, he could have asked Mikado or even Kadota, they'd know. But he needed someone that wouldn't be so willing to help him - that sounded stupid right? it was true, he needed a neutral ally, someone that had a different view on the situation back then. Someone that wasn't intentionally involved, yet someone more involved then she realised.

Instant red eyes glared back at him through round lenses, he knew he wasn't welcome here, that much was clear by the expression on her face. He glanced down; the tip of her katana began to show through the bottom half of her arm. "I'm not here to hurt you or cause you trouble. I actually need your help."

The girl tensed; hatred shone for the man in front of her. "Get away from here."

Izaya continued to smile. "Sonohara, I wouldn't be here if I thought I could handle it myself."

"What makes you think I would ever want to help you with anything?"

Izaya leaned back slightly. "Understandable. I mean, why would you trust me after what I've done to you and your friends, Masaomi especially. I know you're protective of Mikado too, you have my word that this has nothing to do with them."

Anri's eyes narrowed and her katana fully sheathed from her arm and she held it at arm's length toward him. "Leave - now." Izaya spread his arms out wide beside him, a small acceptant smile on his face.

"I'm completely harmless. I'm not carrying a weapon, nor have I any intention to fight with you. There's a lot of things that have happened that you have no knowledge about. I'm different Anri. I guess you could say I've changed."

"I don't believe a single word of what you say. I know you're just manipulating me into thinking what you want me to believe."

Izaya stepped forward, the sharp point of the blade poking him in the chest, not quite enough yet to cause any damage. "I don't blame you for not trusting me, but I've never come to you for help - at least - not like this."

Anri showed no intention of backing down, no sign of retreat. "You don't deserve anyone's help. You caused the mess you got into, get yourself out."

Izaya gave her a shrug. "I deserved that. Thing is, this wasn't my doing, I'm honestly trying to help more than just myself. I come here selflessly. Just let me in, I'm willing to explain everything, the whole truth and nothing but."

Anri frowned, she wasn't budging, but the way he spoke, the way he was acting, in the time she'd known him, this was the most honest she'd ever seen him. She didn't know what to think, he confused and angered her, like he always had done. Something about him tonight though, it was different, he wasn't even wearing his usual jacket, something that always made him recognisable. "You expect me to believe you've changed, just like that?"

Izaya chuckled. "Not really. I didn't exactly change my way of life overnight. It - it took time, like I said, a lot has happened."

Anri stepped forward, the blade pushing forward just the slightest bit. "And Shizuo? What about him? I saw the news."

Izaya tilted his head. Oh. "It's complicated. Please let me in and I'll tell you everything. Are you a friend of his?"

"Why does that matter?"

"It doesn't, I was just asking, because if he trusts you, I should too I suppose, you know he doesn't befriend people so easily, if you're lucky enough to pass the first introduction then he'll be a loyal friend for life."

Anri wasn't sure why he was talking this way, he was being way too honest, way too open with her, it was unnerving, and she couldn't understand it. There was one thing she knew for certain though... "Shizuo detests you, a lot."

Izaya gave her a sideways smile. "When was the last time you actually spoke to him?"

"I haven't really had much of a chance to speak with him in quite a while. What does that have to do with you?"

Izaya laughed lightly, trying to keep any cynicism from his tone, he didn't want to give her any reason not to trust him, because he really wanted her trust, he couldn't make his plan work without her. "You know me enough that I wouldn't be here if I had any ulterior motive, if I did, I would have most likely sent another in my place. I'm not that cryptic anymore, I made a promise to someone, I plan to keep it, if you will hear me out, I'll tell you why."

Anri studied him one last time before retreating her sword, her eyes fading back to their usual colour. She took a breath, feeling worn out.

Izaya took a step forward, as though he was ready to catch her if she fell. "I hadn't meant to cause you discomfort."

Anri stared at him for a moment before replying. "I'm fine. It only happens when I restrain myself from lashing out."

Izaya grinned a little. "I should thank you then."

Anri stood straight, finally stepping aside to allow him to enter her apartment. She shut the door and then led him into her small living space after Izaya slipped off his shoes by the door. It looked a little funny if she was honest, she hadn't really had much adult company before, except Celty.

She stood in the archway and watched Izaya as he sat on the edge of her bed, it seemed as though he didn't quite know what to do with himself. She almost laughed, like he was trying to find the politest way to make himself comfortable, who knew he was etiquette. "Sorry. I don't have a couch for you to sit on."

Izaya chuckled. "Don't worry about it."

"Make yourself at home, don't feel obligated to act so formal. It's not as though we're not well acquainted by now, even if I don't trust you - or like you."

"I'm not entirely sure how to take that comment," Izaya teased, but Anri noticed his good-natured tone. "I'll just take it as a compliment."

"If you want." Izaya smiled and relaxed a little when the tension seemed to shift slightly. He scooted back, leaning against the back wall by the window, one long leg outstretched while the other was propped as he rested his hand across it. If Anri noticed his bandaged fingers, she didn't say anything. "Um, I don't have much in the way of hosting, but I could make some tea though...?"

"Thank you." Anri nodded and left the room. Izaya let go of the breath he was holding, it wasn't as if he was scared, but Anri could be one of two people; she could be your best friend or your worst enemy, at least, that's how Izaya saw her. Huh, just like Shizu-chan. For once, he hoped for the former, he didn't expect full forgiveness or anything that drastic, but he hoped that by the end of this, he'd have her trust. Anri came back into the room a few minutes later and handed him a white cup. "Thank you, it's been sometime since I've had a hot beverage."

Anri's eyes darted away, stammering over her next words, unsure how to feel at the blatant gratefulness coming from him. "Oh. It's - it's no trouble."

Izaya cradled the mug in his hands, savouring the warmth as he held it balanced on his outstretched leg. "I can't tell you everything. Some things I prefer not to mention, it's - they're private. I hope you can understand that."

Anri simply nodded, she understood that better than anyone. "I just want an explanation why you're suddenly different, why you're here. I'm not going to make you say anything you feel uncomfortable talking about. Everyone has their right to privacy even you."

Izaya smiled. "Appreciate that, I can see why Mikado and Masaomi regard you as such a good friend."

Anri shifted on her feet before sitting down on the small pillow spread over the floor. "I don't really feel I'm as good a friend as they see me."

"That doesn't matter. They both value you, a lot."

Anri bit her lip, was she really sitting here, in her own living room, talking to Izaya Orihara as if they were best friends? It was maddening, it was impossible. "Um, how's the tea?"

Izaya took a few sips to illustrate his point. "It's good." Izaya looked over at her, for once, seeing her as a normal human being, not as a parasitic demon. "I just tell it how I see it; I didn't mean to embarrass you."

Anri shook her head. "No it's okay. I just, it surprised me, that's all. Most people sugar coat things around me, but with you, it's like you agreed with me, but at the same time-" she had to remember who she was talking to, he was up to something, she was sure of it, but she said she'd hear him out first.

Izaya leaned forward and placed his empty mug on the coaster upon the nightstand before leaning back against the wall. "No need to explain yourself, not to me anyway. I should really start from the beginning." Izaya huffed a laugh. "Good thing it's not a school night."

Anri found herself smiling a little and then nodded. "You have my full attention."

…...

By the time Izaya had explained everything, Anri was staring at whom seemed to be a stranger to her now. No way, no way was this a trick, it was real, she knew that, Saika knew that. It was overwhelming, she had no idea one explanation could hold so much emotion within. She opened her mouth to speak, but her voice failed her, this wasn't the same man, not at all. He really has changed. On the outside, he was still the same cocky sly asshole that he always had been, but on the inside... He was thoughtful, passionate; he loved, he hurt and sought out those around him for a deeper understanding. He wasn't the kind of man to show everyone this side of himself, which could only mean that he had trusted her as much as he wanted her to trust him. Anri knew he would not have told her what he did for none other than that reason.

Izaya gripped the cover beneath him, just to hide his shaking hands, he hadn't opened-up like this to anyone else apart from Shizuo, and maybe Shinra. "Sorry, I know it must be a lot to accept." He chuckled. "Saying it out loud even sounds crazy, even after this long."

Anri let out the breath she didn't know she was holding. "I - I don't know what to say..."

Izaya looked at her. "Do you believe me?"

Anri looked back at him, and for a second, she expected to see a shit-eating grin spread across his face, but she didn't. There was a sad smile in place of that expectant grin and doubt in his abnormal crimson orbs. No one had ever been so honest before, who knew that one day she'd find herself on the receiving end of such honesty, who knew it would be Izaya Orihara showing her that. "Yes, I do."

She heard him sigh in relief, wondering just how hard it must have been for him to come here and tell her such personal things. "There's a reason why you, Mikado and Masaomi were kept out of all this. I - I couldn't risk it, not after what I did to you."

Anri nodded, he had just as much right not to trust her as she did, she probably would have done the same. "I understand."

"I suppose you would; I know revenge is probably not your way-" Izaya gave her a sideways smile, "or maybe it is, who knows."

Anri sighed. "I sometimes think about it, but I could just never go through with it."

Izaya huffed a laugh. "You could have you know, I certainly wouldn't have thought any differently of you, though if I'm honest, back then I probably would have laughed and praised you." Anri frowned as she clenched her fists, Izaya scooted off the bed and knelt beside her, he placed a hand over her fist. "You didn't. Even after everything, that makes you a bigger person then I'll ever be."

Anri looked up at him in surprise. "I-"

Izaya smiled. "Sometimes revenge is the only way we can protect those we love, as long as it's for the right reasons." Izaya removed his hand and sat back, curling his legs under himself.

Anri smiled and giggled lightly. "I'm...happy for you, it's strange, but I am. You know, Mikado always believed there was something good in you, he's like that."

Izaya wasn't really surprised by that, Mikado was always too trusting, he was more surprised that the boy was right - this time. "Not always a good trait to have."

"I know, but this time, he was right wasn't he, I can see he was."

Izaya nodded. "I'm sorry that it took me this long to show you. You must think that I only told you such things if only to get your help."

Anri smiled knowingly at him. "Didn't you? Would you have told me all this if you didn't need my help?"

Smartass. "Maybe you're right, I'm selfish like that." Izaya laughed, surprisingly though, Anri returned the laugh light-heartedly.

"I want to help."

Izaya's eyes widened for a moment before slanting with the creases of a smile. "Are you sure?"

Anri nodded. "You said revenge sometimes is the only way we can protect the ones we love. Which is why I believe that this isn't a plot for selfish gains. I'd do anything to protect my friends, to protect Mikado, just like I can see that you'd do anything to protect Shizuo."

Izaya shifted uncomfortably, slightly hindered by her bluntness. At least she hasn't hugged me, he thought with amusement, since that had become a thing with him, for reasons he really couldn't fathom. "I should go over the plan with you, but not tonight though, it's late. You should get some rest, I'll come by early in the morning, if that's all right."

Anri watched him stand up and then followed him, Izaya suddenly stumbled slightly and placed his palm flat against the nearest wall. Anri stepped forward, almost reaching for him, but refrained from doing so when Izaya held up his other hand. "Are you all right?"

Izaya chuckled. "Don't worry, just a little lightheaded."

Anri frowned, she almost forgot how old he was, he looked a lot younger than, 24? 25? She wasn't quite sure of his age. "When was the last time you ate something?" Izaya let the stubborn girl lead him back onto the bed. it had always been a gripe from those around him, whether they meant it out of concern or not, just because he was skinny, didn't mean he starved himself. Though in this case, he had neglected to take care of himself, not on purpose mind you, he just had a lot to figure out. Finding out the spy and planning his next moves with Anri had become his top priority, obviously even more important than basic needs.

Izaya huffed a laugh. "I don't know, I can't remember if I'm honest."

Anri shook her head. "I'm not a very good cook, but I have plenty of ramen?"

Izaya looked up at her, feeling like he really didn't deserve her kindness, he shook his head. "I've imposed long enough, I'll come back tomorrow, okay?" he stood once again and this time, Anri caught him mid fall and she frowned.

"You're not going back outside until you've had something to eat. Don't make me use Saika on you."

Izaya raised an eyebrow, he could tell she was serious, but he chuckled anyway. "So you're a -cruel-to-be-kind type of friend?"

Anri seemed to be taken aback by the reference, did Izaya want her friendship, as well as her trust? Who'd have thought... "Ramen?" she asked again, awkwardly ignoring his question for now.

Izaya smiled. "Okay, if you insist, I wouldn't want to give you any reason to use that sword of yours." She returned the smile and left the room again to make their food.

…...

Izaya lay back against the wall, he felt a whole lot better now that his body was fuelled, he looked down at Anri through half lidded eyes. Feeling exhaustion settling in, now that he was finally full, his body was catching up to other things he had lacked, sleep. "I should go. Thank you for the food, I didn't realise I was that hungry."

Anri gave a knowing smile. "I know what that's like, sometimes I forget to take care of myself too, it's easy to do that when you live alone, when you've got no one to remind you."

Izaya nodded, feeling his heart clench, aching to be with him. Shizu-chan. He wanted now more than ever to make things right, to hold him close and tell him how much he meant, to be able to tell him that everything was okay now. Izaya knew this wasn't his fault, it was obvious to even a stranger. Tainted. This was their fault, they tore him and Shizuo apart, along with that idiot accomplice of theirs, they would pay, dearly.

"You look exhausted," he heard her say, interrupting his thoughts.

"I'll be fine, I'll come by around 7."

Anri looked over at the clock, it was almost one in the morning, she shook her head. "Just stay here. You're practically dead on your feet."

Izaya laughed. "You sound like Shizu-chan."

"If he were here, he'd probably kick your ass for neglecting to take care of yourself."

Izaya raised both eyebrows, she was nothing like how he imagined her to be, he leaned back on his palms. "So this is what being friends with Anri Sonohara is like, you're not shy, you're mean." Anri laughed, trying to ignore the 'friend' reference Izaya kept gesturing between them. "Honesty is an excellent quality to have in a friend."

Anri shook her head quickly. "I never considered myself as someone's friend, not really, I'm really nothing more than a-"

Izaya frowned then. "You're not a parasite Anri, you do know that friends lean on each other for support, right? It's a natural response to rely on the other."

Anri's eyes became wide. "But-"

"Not that I can talk, I'm the last person that can sit here and give you a lecture about accepting help from others. I know that it doesn't make you a parasite."

Anri clenched her fists, it was the complete opposite to what he had said to her when they previously crossed paths, she wondered whether he realised that, yet neither of them was willing to dive into that occurrence. She sat down beside him, propping her legs up to her chest. "Sorry."

Izaya tilted his head, she reminded him of a girl he had tricked into a suicide pack, one of many that is. Broken, fragile and giving up on life. Of course, Izaya knew Anri wasn't the type, she'd never take her own life like that, it was just her thoughts - that reminded him of them. "Don't apologise, you should never apologise for being you. I certainly don't regret being who I am." Anri looked at him and Izaya continued before she got the wrong idea. "I just regret what I did. It's not a substantial difference between the two, but a small difference can mean a lot more if you search hard enough for it."

Anri smiled. "A life lived for others is a life worth living..."

Izaya nodded. "Something like that, it just - it took me a hell of a long time to realise that."

"Einstein is smart like that." They were quiet for a moment, an apology was on the tip of his tongue, but he wasn't ready for that last step, he'd apologise when this was over, because Anri wasn't the only one he owed that to. "You really should just spend the night, okay?"

Izaya was grateful, that she wasn't prying for an apology. "It does make more sense doesn't it?"

Anri laughed as she nodded and stood up to walk toward the closet that was on the opposite side of the room. "I've got a spare futon at least, you can take the bed though, it's easier if I sleep on the floor."

Izaya tilted his head with a small grin. "Is that a quip on my age? I'm not that old you know."

Anri tensed and turned to him, shifting awkwardly with the futon in her hands. "Um, no?"

Izaya chuckled. "Relax, I'm kidding. I really don't mind sleeping on the floor, it's your home."

Anri shook her head and then lay the futon flat on the floor. "You're the guest."

Izaya was too tired to argue about formalities, he took off his jacket and hung it over the headboard. "If you insist." Anri left the room to change out of her clothes, she came back to the living room/bedroom in a fresh pair of pyjamas.

"I um - don't really have anything for you to sleep in. but there's a pack of new toothbrushes under the sink and a towel on the rack, if you want to freshen up."

Izaya nodded. "Thank you."

The light had been switched off and both Izaya and Anri were now laying in comfortable silence upon their respective beds. "Izaya?" Izaya opened his eyes, grunting in reply, he hadn't realised he'd dropped off. "Being the good guy – it suits you."

A small smile tugged on his lips. "Goodnight Anri."

"Night."

Izaya looked up at the ceiling, thoughts of the plans he had crossed his mind. Anri had been so kind to him already, and he was worried about what he was getting her into. "Anri?"

"Yeah?"

The raven frowned. "You won't get hurt, I promise you that."

"You don't have to worry about me."

"I do. I'll make sure you're safe." Izaya then laughed. "Besides, if you get hurt, I'll have to answer to Mikado or Masaomi, or both, that's never a good thing."

Anri nodded, even though neither could see within the darkness of the room, she then laughed. "That's true."

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight...Izaya."

…...

Eiji glared angrily at the mass crowd of people before him. nothing was happening at all like he planned, Izaya was back to his old self and they still hadn't gotten anywhere. Doubt was quickly beginning to spread within his Tainted group, but he knew they were afraid, that thought alone made him grin. "Our day will come!" he felt like he'd been repeating that since this whole thing started, it was becoming meaningless, like he was starting to not believe it himself.

"We've been hearing that a lot lately, you said Izaya was helping us, that he's back to his old self, Shizuo hates his guts, so what's the damn hold up!?" someone from in front of the group said - Fujima? Faruri? - Eiji couldn't remember his name, he couldn't remember over half of these people's names.

"Shut up! You're not in charge here!"

"Neither are you," came a distant voice.

Eiji stared around, who the hell had said that? He could have sworn he recognised that voice.

"You've never been in charge, not really."

"W-what? Who's saying that!? Show yourself!"

"I told you before, you're just a rookie, a pawn on the chess board."

Eiji's eyes widened. No way... it's - it can't be.

"You didn't take my warning seriously. I predicted as much." Eiji heard a chuckle. "You really are in way over your head." He watched as a tall figure approached him, dressed in plain dark trousers, black shoes and a dark grey-blue hoodie. "I think it's time I finally introduced myself." Eiji's eyes widen more when the long fingers of the mystery voice pulled back the hood, Eiji shook as he stared in disbelief. "Nice to meet you, I'm Nakura."

Izaya narrowed his eyes and then quickly slammed the lid down on his laptop, grabbed his phone, slipped his shoes on by the door and made his exit. As he left the building, he flipped open his phone and skimmed the contacts until he found who he was looking for. It rang a few times and Izaya wondered whether he'd even answer.

{Izaya,} a sudden familiar voice came over the phone. {I was wondering when you'd call. I knew it was only a matter of time.}

Izaya clenched the phone. "Really?"

{I take it you're back to normal, that the effects of the drug are no longer within your system I mean.}

Izaya's eyes narrowed and he took a sharp turn down the street, he stopped and leaned against the wall. "It was you."

{Maybe. I didn't think you'd take it so personally.}

Izaya gritted his teeth. "You fucking drugged me."

Izaya heard him chuckle. {I didn't give you the drug Izaya.}

"You were there, weren't you, that night?"

Another chuckle. {Yes, but I wasn't within sight. You have no idea how long I've waited to watch you suffer.}

Izaya rolled his eyes. "Seriously, could you be any more cliché Nakura?"

{You did this to me! It's your fault I'm this way, you've spent fourteen years making me suffer, pay for everything you started, tarnishing my name.}

Izaya snorted. "You deserved it, you still do."

{I didn't deserve this! I never-}

"You stabbed my best friend. I wasn't going to let you get away with it. I promised him that I would spend the rest of my days making you pay for it." Izaya heard him stutter, breathe shakily down the phone and smirked. "I'm not saying of course that I didn't deserve what you did, but I've done far worse to others, your revenge is pointless, it doesn't compare."

{You...bastard.}

"Though I have to say, I didn't think you were smart enough to pull off something of this size. I feel sorry for poor unsuspecting Shingen, of course, he doesn't know what really happened, does he?"

{I hate you, you manipulative fucking freak.}

"Are you still that sore over what happened? I didn't force you to make bets, it wasn't my fault you lost all your money - or rather - your dad's money." Izaya laughed then. "I was eleven, we were kids, you had to go just that one step further. You made your own life hell, when you stabbed Shinra."

{I didn't mean to! It was supposed to be you!}

"It doesn't matter now. By the way, how did you end up working for the pharmaceuticals and nebula? As I recall, you weren't that bright."

{Not everyone in the companies needs to be. I only got the job at the pharmaceuticals after I was employed by Shingen. I told them about the drug that he was working on, they offered him a lot for it, but he refused.}

"Let me guess. The pharmaceuticals told you to steal it for them, yet you had other plans in mind."

{Quick-witted as always Izaya. I didn't intend for the drug to get into the public like this, I only wanted it to get to you.}

Izaya narrowed his eyes. "If only that was true. You may have had a vendetta with me, and personally I would have called it quits, as such. But you crossed the line when you involved those I care about, you tore him away from me, you hurt him, and that I will not forgive."

Nakura laughed. {You don't care about anyone Izaya, quit trying to fool me.}

"A lot of things change. You, however, are still the same ignorant boy from middle school with a pathetic grudge. You have no idea what I'm truly capable of. You messed with my family; you will pay."

Then the panic began. {Izaya! Wait! I did quit...I - after you were forced to take the drug, after I told the leader of the Tainted what to do next - I backed out, I panicked, I abandoned it all-}

"You ran away."

{I was a coward. I knew, I knew that you and Shingen were working on figuring things out. He was working on the cure and you were trying to find the spy. I didn't want to be anywhere nearby, because I knew eventually, you'd take the cure.}

"So only after the attack, after they left us both for dead - or otherwise – did you figure out it was a bad idea? You're pathetic. I knew I was being followed by the way, you're not that subtle, I just didn't know it was you."

{How else would I have gotten the information on you? About your life with Shizuo, about your run in with Gok-}

Izaya laughed. "Conspiring with gangsters now? How low you've sank."

{Like you're one to talk. I only found out the info through trailing you. It wasn't all that hard, I learned everything I needed to know.}

Izaya snorted. "You broke into my apartment and what - bugged it?"

"Just your living room, and then took the time to browse through your computers while I was at it, I was there the day you and Shizuo met with that business owner, at the verve café."

Izaya's eyes widened when he remembered the picture he'd received once he'd come back from Yamata. "You sent the picture."

{I wanted to mess with you. I couldn't resist, since you had no clue what was going on.}

"Did you tell him I was going to be there?" He thought the man was supposed to be in prison, of course he hadn't known that at the time.

{I looked him up, he feigned innocence and blamed his wife on the whole thing, he got out with a caution and a ban from fostering any more kids. I got into contact with him when I found out that you were going to the exact same place that you had already been to. That secretary of yours has good diversion skills.}

Izaya gritted his teeth and then grinned. "Just what did that achieve? Did you hope for Mr Washiba to kill me?"

"Not really. Like I said, I wanted to mess with you."

Bastard. "And Tainted?"

{They're kids. But you could say that I planted ideas in their heads, just like what you did to the yellow scarves, you could say I wanted to mimic you, using your persona, the same way you used mine. You tricked them and played them, and as a result, a young schoolgirl got hurt.}

Izaya tensed, that was something he had to live with for the rest of his life, nothing he could do or say would ever make up for that. "Your point?"

{It's kind of the same thing, except you were on the receiving end of it this time. Maybe people will be grateful. The funny part is, that I didn't even meet them face to face.}

Izaya smirked. "Until they find out you ran away like a coward. You can never measure up, to the likes of me, but just like me - I will never let you forget what you did either."

{I told you everything.}

Izaya chuckled. "Yes you did, and thank you for that."

{What are you going to do, Izaya?}

Izaya hung up, it was Nakura all along, he was to blame. He was following him, he stole the drug, he distributed it into the city, he told the Tainted group about where to find him and Shizuo, about how each of them was attacked before. "I guess I don't have to worry about him anymore anyway. One less obstacle in my path."

Eiji shook his head. "No, it can't be... you're-"

"I told you, I'm not one to be messed with. You think you're the only one that's crawled up from nothing? You think leading you're group of sheep makes you a somebody?"

Mayu looked over at her brother and then back at the taller man, trying to figure out what was happening, she could have sworn the man before them was Izaya. "Eiji, what's going on?"

Eiji gritted his teeth. "What the hell kind of person do you take me for? You expect me to believe that you - that all this time, you were Nakura?"

A smirk. "I am Nakura."

Eiji shook, his legs wobbly and his fists clenching so tightly that he was sure he was creating crescent marks within his palms. "STOP MESSING WITH MY HEAD!"

The taller man walked toward Eiji, stopping inches from him and grinned. "But it's fun."

Jupei snorted and stood beside his brother. "Don't let him get to you Eiji, he's insane if he thinks we're dumb enough to fall for that."

The man grinned. "Oh, how interesting-" he turned back to the other boy, "they don't know, do they?"

Jupei frowned. "Know what?"

Eiji seethed, his rage building. "Shut up! You don't know anything!"

"I know everything, about who you are, why you came here and what you're really trying to achieve. Does it really strike you as that surprising? Weren't you suspicious at all?"

Eiji growled. "If you were Nakura all this time, why would you intentionally go through all that?"

A shrug. "I'm a good actor; that drug? didn't affect me at all."

Mayu turned sharply to her brother. "You met him! You met Izaya! You said-"

Hiroshi looked at him for an answer, this was getting creepy fast.

Eiji stiffened, thinking back on his past encounters. "I did – I - I mean...on the street, I met him... when I asked for his help."

Jupei then replied, "Wasn't that before you got into contact with that other guy?"

Mayu began to get annoyed. "How could you not know it was the same fricking guy!?"

The raven-haired male asked with a sly grin. "Want me to tell them?"

Eiji shook his head, fists clenched. "I - I never met him, I got into contact with him over the phone, he told me his name but, told me not to reveal it to anyone else. He gave me information, told me exactly what to do and before we knew it, we had a much larger group and a powerful drug in our possession." Saying it out loud sounded even worse, how could he have been so stupid?

"This isn't right, what the hell are we supposed to do now?" Mayu said as she looked at her brother when he wasn't replying. "Eiji!"

Jupei lay a hand on his shoulder. "Yo, it's okay, we messed up, but we've got numbers on our side."

Hiroshi snorted. "Hate to say it, but he played us. We're just kids who dealt a bad hand. We never were in control." He stepped back, shaking his head. "I'm out, I'm sorry Eiji, but I think it's time we bailed."

"Me too," Mayu agreed, "let's get out of here."

Jupei looked at their brother, his eyes were wide with what looked to be restrained rage building. "Eiji?"

"You, you cocky son of a bitch. How dare you!" Eiji watched the raven grin and that only angered him further. "You'll pay, you'll pay dearly. You can't touch me now!" Eiji glared into the crowd. "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!? HE BETRAYED US! KILL HIM, KILL HIM NOW!"

Hiroshi pulled on his arm to get his attention. "Eiji! We should go, let's get out of here."

Why aren't they doing anything? "DON'T JUST STAND THERE!" What the hell is happening?

The four siblings looked around at the group, it was only when they studied them carefully, did they see sharp red glowing eyes staring back.

"So, you want to sabotage their gang, in the same way that The Dollars infiltrated the yellow scarves." Anri handed Izaya a mug of tea and then sat on the floor across from him, cradling a cup of her own. It was early, the sun had barely been in the sky two hours.

"Sort of, I'm honestly not quite sure what happened. I was the one responsible for everything that happened, but I don't know the details as to how it was resolved. I would ask Dota-chin, but I can't let him know I'm back to normal yet. I would ask Masaomi but - well, you know how that would go."

Anri nodded. "I can't really tell you all that much. Celty and Kadota probably know a lot more than me, the whole thing was a blur."

Izaya sipped his tea and then took one of the rice crackers from the plate in front of them. "Just start from your side. I imagine you took control of them, or at least, most of them." Anri stiffened in surprise. "I take that as a yes. I guess I'm simply good at reading people like that."

"I did take control of those in the yellow scarves. It was all I could do to stop them from hurting Masaomi, Kadota gathered the members of The Dollars and blended them in with the yellow scarves, they didn't know what hit them. I just wish I could have stopped them a lot sooner."

"I don't think it would have made a lot of difference. Masaomi is the revengeful type, he wanted to make whoever hurt you pay. Of course, he didn't know that the Slasher was connected to you."

Anri sighed. "He still doesn't, but that's okay, all three of us made a promise, that when he comes back, we'll tell each other everything."

Izaya smiled. "You know, I'm jealous."

"Why?"

"I didn't have that kind of childhood, you know, a friendship triangle like you three have."

Anri smiled. "Maybe if you weren't so dis-trustworthy, and kept playing around with other people's lives-"

Izaya huffed. "Hey, I'm not completely to blame." He pouted a little and then chuckled. "Though I think if anyone is truly jealous, it was Shinra. He only had two real friends in the whole time he was growing up at school. Imagine having those two friends meet, hoping for a chance to experience the bond like what you share with the boys, only to quickly discover that they were destined to hate each other."

"Are you talking about Shizuo?"

"Shinra really wanted us to get along. He'd conjured up this trio fantasy, one that threw harmless insults and got into trouble with each other."

"I see. So you and Shizuo - you really didn't like each other, ever?"

Izaya shook his head with a light chuckle. "I spent most of the time setting him up during high school, and he spent most of the time trying to kill me after it. So I suppose Shinra partly got his wish, we did get into trouble, just not exactly with each other."

"I can tell though, that you regret it now."

Izaya smiled. "Whether I do or don't doesn't matter. If I could go back and change it, I don't think it would have made a difference. Shizu-chan was a hard person to get along with, his temper was something of a problem, even if I didn't do what I did, my personality would still have sent him into a rage. I think Shinra was just setting the bars too high."

Anri stared at him, he was being too hard on himself. "Only now you-"

Izaya laughed. "I really don't know how he puts up with me. He often tells me how annoying I am, my attitude hasn't changed all that much, but for some reason, his temper has dissolved significantly over the time we've been together."

Anri smiled. "He must really love you..."

Izaya shifted uncomfortably and then grinned. "I think we've gotten off topic."

Anri stammered, "I didn't mean to pry-"

"Don't worry about it." Izaya placed his empty mug on the nightstand. "The yellow scarves and The Dollars feud were inevitably my doing, just like the blue squares."

Anri nodded. "You didn't have anything to do with Tainted though, they conjured that up all on their own."

Izaya grimaced. "Mostly. They asked for my help after I was drugged, but I don't think I got far with them, at least, not that I can remember, Namie did an excellent job of keeping me away I think."

"I was just wondering how you was going to sabotage their group without knowing what they're capable of. I mean, you knew the yellow scarves, and you knew The Dollars."

Izaya smiled ruefully. "I did, but when the fights started, when it all went down, was I there?"

Anri shook her head. "I don't ever remember you being there at the end."

"I set up the whole thing, only to sit back and watch the fireworks." Anri clenched her fists then and Izaya looked away. "Shizu-chan may have been drugged at the time, but what he said was right, I am a coward, I was always a coward, even you and Mikado burst in blazing, ready to fight anyone, and you're just high schoolers. I'm capable of a lot of things, but when it comes right down to it, I'd rather simply watch how it ends."

Anri gasped at his bluntness. "You can't compare yourself with everyone. Not everyone is the same, besides, I've seen you fight plenty of times-"

Izaya chuckled. "I'm quick on my feet and good with a knife, that's all."

Anri shook her head. "If you were a coward, you wouldn't be risking your life right now."

Izaya frowned. "Tsk. If I weren't a coward, I wouldn't be asking a high school sixteen-year-old for help."

Anri sighed, having this conversation with anyone was tiresome, having it with Izaya was practically impossible, he was as stubborn as they come. "You're not a coward Izaya. You barged into that club on your own when you thought those men had your sisters. You risked your own happiness to protect everyone from the truth when you told Shizuo those lies, you stood in front of that gun, knowing that you might not survive, because you just wanted Shizuo safe."

Izaya sighed and then laughed. "Okay, that wasn't exactly my plan, I didn't have time to think."

"You still did it. If - if anyone is a coward, it's me, I just don't know how to survive without others."

Izaya shrugged. "Not necessarily a bad thing. If I'm honest, once me and Shizu-chan became a couple, I found myself subconsciously seeking his protection. Not all the time, but knowing he was there, made me feel safe, something I didn't think I needed before."

Anri gaped in surprise. "Really?"

Izaya took a deep breath. "I didn't mention this before, and I won't go into detail, but someone from my past came to my apartment once, and the first thing I could think of was that I wished Shizu-chan was there, to help me, to protect me." He laughed. "Pretty pathetic right?"

Anri shook her head. "No, not at all. Did - did he protect you?"

Izaya tilted his head and huffed. "I tried to ask him, but subtlety isn't his strong suit."

Anri flinched. "Oh."

Izaya laughed. "It's fine, really. I discovered something about him then, that he's the type of person that will blame himself if he's unable to protect those he cares about. I think it's more of the case that he knows he can, he just got there late."

Anri looked at him and smiled. "Maybe we're both cowards."

Izaya returned her knowing smile. "Maybe."

A determined frown appeared on her face. "I want to help you; I just think we'll be spotted before we get a chance to do anything."

The raven nodded. "They'll recognise me for sure, even without my jacket, but they've never seen you before, you said that no one suspicious came to you to ask about us, right?"

"No, I was never approached."

"They really are amateurs, at least the four that started it all are, and the larger group are merely humans that have nothing left to lose." Izaya grinned. "Though I think some might just want to kick my ass if given the chance."

Anri almost chuckled and then she said, "So... you want me to-"

"I need to get my knife at least, it's out of character for me to attempt this plan as it is, I'm really not willing to go full kami-kaze and not have a means to defend myself." Anri nodded. "I'll give you a few hours, will that be enough time?"

Anri was a smart girl, she didn't need Izaya to tell her what he wanted her to do. "By the time you get there, none of the others will recognise you."

"I can blend in that way."

"Then what do you plan to do?"

Izaya grinned. "I know a lot more then he thinks I do. I know exactly how to get under his skin. I have a feeling his siblings don't know the full story, it'll be all too easy to turn them against him." Anri blinked in surprise. "Trust me, he deserves it. He'll soon realise that his precious gang isn't even going to help him, thanks to you of course, and he'll crack under the pressure."

"Do you think he'll just run?"

Izaya shook his head. "Probably not. He's not that smart," he then frowned, "but I know first-hand what he's capable of."

"R-right..."

Izaya lay his hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, I told you that you'd be safe."

Anri smiled. "I was actually more worried for you."

Izaya laughed. "Well I appreciate that. Physically, I'm not capable of inflicting a lot of damage, unless I use my weapon, I could fight, but I've already broken my fingers once," Izaya lifted his hand up. "Heh. Shizu-chan's face is like a solid wall."

Anri laughed. "Maybe you just need more milk."

Izaya laughed too. "Funny, that's what he said." Izaya's expression grew serious again. "Regardless, we both know I can cause more damage with words."

Anri nodded, she knew he meant that. "I understand."

He then sighed, reluctant to bring the next topic up, because he was truly worried about putting her in danger. "The only thing that concerns me, but I don't want to scare you, I know he has a gun. I'm hoping that I'll be able to catch him off guard before he has a chance to use it."

"You think he would?"

"I'm willing to bet he already has. If he loses it - which he might do when he realises there's no way out for him - we should be able to make a quick escape before he tries anything. If his siblings do stick around, they'll be too busy fending off your little Saika's to worry about us."

"He might just leave them behind to come after us."

"It's a possibility." Anri nodded, they both stood up and Izaya laid a hand on her shoulder. "I should thank you Anri."

Anri smiled at him. "Thank me when it's over."

"All right. I should at least thank you for trusting me. I know it couldn't have been easy."

"I was sceptical, I figured it was just another one of your schemes, to get me on your side for who knows what. But someone who was willing to admit to as much as you did, I knew that you were telling the truth. I could see it for myself that you had changed."

Izaya shrugged. "I'm really not all that different."

Anri sighed, he really was impossible to convince. "Whatever you might think, it's enough."

Izaya moved his hand away and smiled. "Though I probably don't need to worry, be careful anyway. Just do what you did to the yellow scarves, nothing more."

Anri nodded. "I shouldn't have any trouble. How will I know when you're there?"

Izaya grinned. "You'll know."

"You don't have any control left. They don't work for you, they never did, though I think you knew that, didn't you?"

Eiji clenched his fists. "What have you done?"

Izaya chuckled. "I didn't have to do anything, you screwed up all by yourself. I just wanted to see the look on your face when I made you realise that."

No! it wasn't supposed to happen like this! I don't get played, I don't! How did this - how did one guy manage to cause me so much trouble. He's a monster. He isn't human! How dare he do this to me. Eiji tucked his hand inside his jacket. "I've come too far, too damn far to be taken advantage of by the likes of you!"

Hiroshi gasped. "Eiji! Have you gone insane!?" Izaya knew what Eiji was reaching for, he quickly darted forward and lunged at him, Eiji held the gun at arm's length, he fired in panic and the bullet strayed off to the side and Mayu screamed when the bullet hit her leg. "Mayu!" Hiroshi and Jupei knelt beside her, she gritted her teeth and they pressed their hands against her leg to stop the bleeding.

The gun slid from Eiji's hand the moment they hit the ground, Izaya grinned as he pinned the younger male to the floor, his knife dangerously close to his throat. "Whatever you did to me is nothing to what you did to Shizuo, I won't let you get away with it."

Eiji tried to push Izaya off, but the informant was too close, the knife was too close. "Jupei! Hiroshi! Get him off me!"

Hiroshi frowned, he wasn't going to leave Mayu's side, didn't Eiji know that the gun had wounded her? As Jupei was about to step forward to help, they noticed some of the group stepping toward them. "What the hell is going on!? We're a group! We're not a threat to you! He betrayed you, not us!" it was like they couldn't hear him.

Izaya grinned down at Eiji. "These humans are mine. You don't mess with them." Eiji glared at him, Izaya retreated his knife and jumped off.

"Wha-"

As the group of people drew nearer, Izaya spun around, eyes instantly searching for Anri. His eyes soon locked onto hers as she stood just at the forefront, he ran toward her and shook her shoulders slightly. "Anri-" Anri blinked, her eyes returning to her normal colour, she latched onto his arm for a moment. "We need to leave, are you all right?" Anri nodded, Izaya grabbed her hand and turned to Eiji with a grin and a wave of his hand. "Maybe if you had learned more about the people in the city rather than focusing on just me and Shizuo, you might not have been in this predicament."

Eiji gritted his teeth, he jumped to his feet, searching for the fallen gun. He grinned and then made a grab for it and turned back. "I'll fucking kill you!"

Izaya snorted and then made a run for it, dragging Anri with him.

"Eiji what the hell are you doing!? Are you just going to leave us here!?" Hiroshi couldn't believe it; the three other siblings glance up as they became surrounded by the zombie looking people. "Shit. Fucking bastard."

"This fucking sucks!"

Izaya and Anri were almost at the front of the exit, a couple of shots rang out and they duck their head. Izaya stopped long enough to smash his elbow against the window, he then coaxed Anri forward, helped her climb out of the window and then followed her as another shot was fired. They ran across the grounds of the old building and turned sharply to the left, jumping over the low wall. They then ducked behind a larger one, Anri peered around the corner, trying to quieten her breathing.

She could see Eiji from her viewpoint and whispered over her shoulder. "I don't think he saw us come this way." She watched him for a few seconds longer, he didn't seem convinced that they'd escaped entirely. She then turned back to Izaya when she didn't get an instant reply. "Izaya?" she looked at him for a second and then glanced down to see him holding his side, her eyes widened. "You're hurt!"

Izaya hissed. "I'm all right... I was just grazed... that's all."

Anri stepped toward him. "You're bleeding..."

"Back there, the bullet must have grazed me, but it hit that girl instead. I didn't realise at the time; I didn't even feel it." Izaya grinned a little. "Heh. Maybe I was too lost in the moment."

Anri looked back around the wall, she noticed that Eiji had stopped walking and was looking at the floor. she gasped and backed up against the wall when he looked up. "I think he knows we're over here."

"I probably...left a trail." Izaya moved away from the wall. "We should move." The moment he turned to run, pain throbbed through him and he yelped as he fell back.

Anri held onto his elbow. "Izaya..."

The raven gritted his teeth when he glanced at her. "You should get out of here, now."

Anri shook her head. "I'll distract him away from you, it'll be a lot easier for me, if I can get close enough, I can cut him."

"No, you need to run, don't put yourself at risk, what about Mikado? He'll kill me if anything happens to you..."

"What about Shizuo!?" Izaya blinked in surprise at her, he was about to say something, but she interrupted him. "I know what I'm doing, don't worry." Izaya tried to grab for her but she was already running across the short distance toward the next building ahead of them.

"Anri!" Izaya whispered before he hissed and doubled over. "Fuck..."

Namie cursed under her breath for the second time, she didn't want to get anyone else involved but she had a bad feeling. She hadn't seen him since last night and as far as she could tell, he hadn't been back at the apartment. She checked her phone for messages and then decided that it was best to let the others know.

She sat on the bed of her hotel room and sent a message out to their group chat.

NY: Has anyone seen Izaya?

It didn't take long for someone to reply.

MO: Huh? Not since the day we got him to Shinra's, why? What's wrong?

KO: Everything okay?

SK: What's he done now?

NY: I don't know. He was acting weird and then left in a hurry last night, I haven't seen him since, and I checked his laptop, he found out who stole the drug.

SK: He did? But - does that mean he's taken the cure?

NY: It's a good possibility. I tried calling him, but he didn't answer.

SK: Who is it? Who stole the drug?

S: Sorry for the late reply everyone. What's going on? Who's responsible for all this? Is Izaya back to normal?

SK: Who is it Namie?

NY: All right, but you didn't hear it from me, it's Nakura.

SK: What? Are you sure!?

NY: Yes, his name matched up with a list of people from Nebula and Pharmaceuticals.

SK: He didn't say anything about where he was going?

NY: No, he's not even wearing that damn jacket.

S: Sounds like he doesn't want to be found.

SK: More like he wants to blend in. He had to have taken the cure. But, Nakura? What the hell is he doing working for Nebula, or the pharmaceuticals for that matter.

S: Do you know him?

SK: He's an old classmate of mine, from middle school.

MO: Hey! Sorry for ghosting. But I just checked the chat site and Kanra just entered.

SK: Are you sure? Hang on.

Shinra left his phone on the table, walked into the corridor and burst into the bathroom. Celty jumped and slid open the shower door, Shinra could tell she was glaring at him, like he hadn't seen her this way a hundred times. But this wasn't the time. "Sorry Celty, but I need you to check your chatroom.

Celty quickly stepped out of the shower and coated her body in shadowed clothing before picking up her phone. [What's wrong?]

"No time to explain. Check the group messages."

Celty quickly scanned over their group chat and then gave a startled surprise. She then entered the chatroom, sure enough, Kanra was there.

Kanra: Everybody is here but no one's answering, I'm booooored!

Celty typed on her phone. [Sounds like him.]

Shinra tilted his head. "Isn't Shizuo on there now?"

[Yes, but when he took the cure, he didn't want to risk Izaya knowing about it, so he kept away.]

"That makes sense." Shinra left the bathroom and Celty followed him back into the living room.

SK: I'm back. Celty sees it too.

MO: Well duh!

KO: Why would we lie?

CS: Ask him if he's okay. Wait, I'll ask him. It'll sound less suspicious.

Pm Setton to Kanra.

Setton: How are things with you? Are you okay?

Kanra: Of course! Why wouldn't I be?

Celty slumped.

CS: It's him.

MO: Did he take the cure or didn't he?

NY: If he did, he didn't want anyone to know about it. He didn't tell me, but something was off.

SK: Are you sure he's not back at the apartment?

NY: I don't know about now, I'm at a hotel.

S: Maybe we should give him a day. He's obviously fine for now.

SK: I'll let you guys know if I hear from him.

MO: Likewise!

Everyone logged out of the group chat.

Celty then sent a quick goodbye to the chatroom and then turned to Shinra. [I should go check on him.]

Shinra smiled. "I thought you might say that. Be careful." Celty picked up her helmet and nodded. As she was about to leave, her phone bleeped. Celty stiffened in surprise. "What's wrong?"

[It's Anri. I think she's in trouble.]

"Is she okay?"

'Anri, where are you, are you hurt?'

Anri crouched low behind the rooftop's building, she then typed on her phone quickly, covering the light as much as possible. 'I'm not hurt, but someone is after me, I'm on a roof-'

Celty's hand jolted. "What is it?"

[She's near that old building where the Yellow scarves feud took place.]

"Really? That seems a bit strange."

'I'm on my way. Don't move, stay hidden.'

'I'll try.'

"You should go and help her, I'm sure Izaya is fine, but if you want, I can go. Not like we weren't friends anyway."

[Are you sure?]

"Why not. Just a friend catching up with a friend. Ha ha, he'll probably kick me out anyway." Celty hugged him and ran out of the apartment.

Mairu stood up from the bed of hers and Kururi's room and reached for her jacket. "Come on."

Kururi looked up at her. "Where are we going?"

"We're going to Izaya's."

"He won't want to see us."

"I don't care. He's our brother and I want to see if he's okay, we can beat him up at the same time for worrying us."

Kururi shrugged and then got up to get her own jacket. "All right."

Shizuo blew smoke into the night air as he leaned over his balcony. He felt surprisingly calm. He honestly didn't know how that was possible. He didn't know how he had managed to stay away from Izaya, it was killing him not knowing if he was okay. His thoughts drifted to their last encounter as he took another drag of his cigarette. "Damn it Izaya, what the hell were you thinking that night." His phone then bleeped and he saw a text from Tom.

'Hey. Have you heard from Izaya?'

"What the hell?"

'No, should I have?'

'Namie hasn't seen him since last night, but a few minutes ago, Izaya's sisters said that he was just on the chatroom. Apparently, he's fine.'

Shizuo sighed. 'Why tell me then? I mean, I'm glad he's okay, but he hates my guts right now.'

'I know. Thing is, Namie thinks he might have taken the cure.'

Shizuo's eyes widen. 'He what? How do you know all this?'

'When you and Izaya got drugged, everyone worked hard to make sure everything was how you remembered it, right?'

'Yeh?'

'We made a group chat. All of us, Satoshi included.'

Oh. 'Has Izaya spoke to anyone?'

'Not really. Like I said, his sisters AND Celty spoke to him on that chatroom. He seems fine.'

'Right. Thanks for letting me know.'

Shizuo frowned, he couldn't help but worry.

'You're going over to see him, aren't you?'

Shizuo sighed, he knew it was probably a bad idea, but after what he just found out, he wanted to see for himself. 'I'll be careful.'

Eiji opened the door to the roof.

Anri looked up when she heard a squeak. Celty should be here soon. She regretted the decision to climb to the roof, but it was the easiest way to draw him away from where Izaya was. She peered around the wall and watched as Eiji slowly made his way across, searching. She wondered if maybe she could run to the door, but she could see the gun still in his grip. Would I make it? She looked over, the door was at least seven feet away from where she was, she watched as he turned back her way. Her eyes widened as he started to approach the wall, thinking he was sure to spot her if she stayed there, she made a dash for the door.

Eiji at once turned and jumped at her, making a grab for her jacket. She yelped as she was pulled back roughly and thrown backwards. She fell hard against the ground. Eiji gritted his teeth and stalked toward her. "Where is he!?"

Anri scrambled back on her palms, trying to put some distance between them. "I don't know."

"Liar!" Anri flinched when a gunshot echoed and sparked as it hit the ground. "I don't even know who you are, but you're obviously a friend of his. Where is he!?" Anri scrambled to her feet as Eiji continued to approach her, his eyes wide and crazed with uncontrollable rage.

Izaya was right, he really can kill someone. Anri stepped back but stiffened when her heel grazed what felt like the edge. She looked down only to confirm her suspicions. She noticed that there appeared to be another building below her, she couldn't see it properly, but given the reflection of moonlight that was bouncing off it, it looked like a glass ceiling.

Anri distanced herself slightly from the edge, it was unlikely she'd survive if she fell. Anri glared at him as he moved toward her, her eyes shifting to red. Eiji was too unstable to really notice, he held the gun toward her. Anri gritted her teeth, her katana slowly ebbing out from her arm.

"Where – is – he?"

"Right here!"

Eiji spun around and was met with a crack to his face, he fell with a thud and the clank of a pipe followed. The gun skidded across the ground once more. Izaya hissed as he picked it up and threw it off the roof. Anri let out a breath as she dropped to her knees. Izaya turned to her with concern. "Anri, are you all right, are you hurt?" Anri realised he was talking to her and she stared up at him, he held his hand out to her.

She shook her head as she took his hand, he pulled her to her feet with a grunt of pain. "I'm all right, I'm not hurt at all."

"Good. Why don't we clear the building of your little Saika's and get out of here?" Izaya gritted his teeth as he took a step forward, and Anri took hold of his arm, bringing it over her shoulder to support him.

"I think we should go to the hospital; you need medical attention."

Izaya chuckled. "I'm fine...we shouldn't leave them like that for long, you need to tell them to disband from the group before they snap out of it..." Anri knew he was right, when she had taken control of them, she had told them what to do according to their plan up to a certain point. Escaping the building had been secondary, they weren't entirely sure how Eiji would react. "He did leave his siblings behind... you were right."

"I had a feeling that might happen. I told the others not to hurt them, only to hold them back."

"You think that worked?"

"I hope so..."

Celty screeched to a halt, stopping just between the two buildings. 'Anri. Where are you? I'm here.'

Anri took her phone out, saw the text and smiled. "It's Celty."

Izaya blinked in surprise. "She's here?"

Anri nodded. "I told her where I was, that I was in a bit of trouble. I didn't say anything about you." She smiled. "You were supposed to leave."

Izaya grinned at her. "Disappointed?"

Anri shook her head. "Happy. I wasn't a hundred percent sure if you really had changed. Now I know for sure." She then typed on her phone. 'I'm safe. We're up on the second roof.'

We. Celty looked up to the building on her right, she could see Anri, but someone else with her. Is that Izaya? Celty, now confused, messaged her back. 'Anri, is Izaya with you?'

Anri stiffened. "Um..."

Izaya peered at the screen. "It's okay. It's all over now, you can tell her."

Anri nodded. 'Yes, he asked for my help, he told me everything, he wanted to stop Tainted before he told you. We're...we're friends now.'

Izaya raised an eyebrow. "We are?"

Anri smiled with a nod. "You did just save my life."

Izaya shrugged. "I just really wanted to get him back. He did break my shoulder blade." Izaya laughed lightly.

"We should really get you to the hospital."

Izaya nodded. "First things first though... okay?"

Celty shook her helmet, how was that possible? How is he here, when he was logged in as Kanra less than an hour ago? She quickly found Shinra's number and rang him. She waited –

and waited -

no answer.

Shinra's phone sounded throughout an empty apartment as it vibrated against the coffee-table.

Celty slumped, she wasn't going to start worrying just yet. They had both been in a bit of a hurry. The idiot probably left his phone behind.

Anri was about to take a step forward when she saw Eiji sit up, she froze. "Izaya..."

Izaya looked over at the gestured direction and smirked. "Getting up after a pipe to the face, I'm impressed."

Eiji stood with a slump, grinning manically. "You...bastard, I'm going to...fucking kill you." Eiji ran toward them, bloody face and no fear. "I'M GONNA KILL YOU!"

Anri's eyes widened. Celty.

Eiji laughed as he approached them, hands spread wide. "YOU'RE DEAD!"

Izaya tensed, he glanced at the girl beside him, she looked frightened. He glared at the crazed boy coming toward them, making his decision. "Anri, tell Shizu-chan I'm sorry." Anri looked up at him, but before she could question what he meant, she was pushed roughly to the side. Izaya clenched his eyes shut as Eiji lunged into him and they fell over the edge.

Anri watched in horror as the two fell toward the building below. "IZAYA!"

Celty's attention was brought to the roof when a loud screech pierced the silence, followed by what sounded like glass shattering. She froze, she could have sworn she saw - she got off the bike and ran.

Anri clutched her chest and dashed for the exit, she threw open the door and had to keep herself from toppling down the steps. She jumped the last few and stumbled forward, crying out as her knee hit the ground. She didn't care, her heart thudded in her chest and she got to her feet, she ran out of the building and dashed toward the one below.

Please, please don't die, you can't die on me now. As Anri turned the corner, she stopped when she spotted Eiji, he'd landed outside of the building, he wasn't getting back up this time. She turned away from the gory sight, and then dashed toward the entrance beside her. She froze in the doorway, Celty was already with him. "Celty?" Celty looked up when she heard her name being called, Anri limped into the room. "Is - is he-" when she reached them, she fell to her knees beside him, not caring about the shooting pain it caused her. "Tell me he's okay..." Anri's voice cracked as tears threatened to fall.

[Anri-]

Izaya groaned, his whole body was caked with lacerations from the glass, to which Celty had removed before he woke up. She had also wrapped a thick layer of shadow around his abdomen. "I should... stop saving...people. I'm...really bad at it."

Anri laughed through her tears, she couldn't believe it. "You're really alive..."

Izaya moved to lean on his elbows, only to be crushed by Anri as she wrapped her arms around him. "Ugh..." Izaya hissed and fell backwards. Again, with the hugging. "Yeh..." Izaya's lips tugged into a smile as he lay a hand on her back. Anri pulled away with a smile.

[Idiot!] Izaya blinked at the brightness shoved in his face. [Why didn't you tell anyone!]

Izaya's smile grew. "I didn't want anyone involved; you'd been through enough trouble."

[You should have at least told Shizuo!]

"If he found out about those involved here, there's no telling what he'd have done. I don't think I would have been able to stop him, not even you."

[I do, and you're right, you really are bad at it.]

Izaya chuckled through ragged breaths, he then looked at Anri. "Okay, now I need a hospital." Anri nodded, laughing at the same time. Izaya moved up onto his elbows once more, testing the rest of his movements. Anri tucked her hands under his arm, ready to help him stand.

Celty quickly tried to show him another message but -

Izaya let out a pained cry when he placed weight on his right leg. "Fuck!" he fell back, gritting his teeth as he clenched his eyes shut, trying not to black out.

Anri looked up at Celty's phone and grimaced when she read her next message, she had been about to show Izaya. "Celty said your leg is broken."

Izaya took a deep breath. "Great... thanks for the warning..." together they helped Izaya to stand, placing most of his weight on his left leg. They moved slowly out of the building, Izaya tried his best to walk with only the slightest pressure of his right foot on the ground.

The door handle to Izaya's apartment opened, it was dark, no sign of anyone being there. It didn't make sense, he'd entered the chat log, it seemed unlikely he'd be anywhere else but here. "Izaya, are you home?"

The people on the city street below suddenly screamed as a loud explosion sounded above them. Glass shattered from the window of the top floor and a mass of flames flared outwards. Some stared up in horror, realising that the building was an apartment complex. Some ran off screaming. Others shouted for help. Another explosion, smaller in mass, rocked the building as more flames drifted from the hole above where the glass windows had been. It was likely, that if anyone was home, they would not have survived. it didn't look good for anyone else living there either. If it was possible, the sky became darker as a thick layer of smoke covered the stars, leaving a glow of orange in its wake.

A hooded figure stood across the street, grinning as he watched the building burn. He took a photo with his phone and pulled back his hood. Feeling rather satisfied with himself, Nakura laughed loudly, nobody heard it since it was drowned out by the noise of chaos around him. "Game – set – match." He sent the photo in an email and then walked away.

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