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

5. Effects of crimson

Shinra spoke with a low tone as he carefully lifted his friend up and over onto his back. "Izaya can you hear me?" He assessed the visual damage with his eyes, carefully cradling Izaya's body so as not to cause him any more pain. Celty stood beside them, looking toward the exit, watching encase anyone came by. "Izaya?" Shinra grabbed some gauze padding from his case and quickly placed pressure on his abdomen. It was too dark to see the full extent of the damage; but he could see a lot of blood. he'd have to work blindly until they could get him back to their apartment. Shinra's main concern was that Izaya had shown no signs of having heard him since they got here.

Celty turned to them and knelt beside Shinra. [Is he okay?]

Shinra sighed. "I can only see one severe injury at the moment, I don't know how badly he's really hurt, but the wound is – it's a stab wound."

Celty typed more aggressively. [Again!?]

Shinra nodded, he was so confused, but there was a thought lingering in his mind, that Izaya had been drugged and then attacked right after – or rather – during. Shinra chewed his lip, because now he almost didn't want his friend to wake up. When he did, he wasn't going to be the same. "I think I've stopped the bleeding, we're safe to move him now." Shinra smiled up at her. "Celty? Would you mind giving me a hand?"

Celty hesitated for a few seconds, she then knelt and scooped Izaya up into her arms, like the way a mother would carry a child. She glanced down at his pale form, now she could see some of Izaya's bruises, and even though he was unconscious, he looked in pain. Shinra couldn't help but smile at her kind aura as he followed her toward the entrance of the alleyway. Shinra stepped into the awaiting carriage of the transformed bike, Celty then placed Izaya in with him and then mounted her horse.

Eiji tightened his grip on his phone, he growled into the speaker. "I went a little overboard, so what, you said yourself he was tough. Don't tell me what to do, I orchestrated this ordeal, you just gave me the details. You didn't even have the guts to do it yourself, besides, the knife wound wasn't that deep, I'm sure he'll recover fine. I know what I'm fucking doing!" Eiji hung up and placed his phone in his pocket. "Dick head."

"Are you sure you want to continue this plan?" Hirou asked, because now he wasn't so sure this was what he himself wanted. "Ever since that guy - whoever he is – started working with you, sounds like we're no longer in charge of things."

Eiji glared at him, fists clenched. "We control everything! He wouldn't have even gotten this far without us."

"He is the one that got us the drug."

"Whose side are you fucking on!? It doesn't matter who got the drug. We need Izaya on our side, not that other asshole, and once we have what we want, everything will fall into place; no one will touch us."

Hirou sighed and then turned to his other siblings. They didn't appear to be as worried as he was, so he kept quiet.

There was a shout among the crowd, one that hadn't come from any of his siblings. "I don't understand why Heiwajima had to live! We could have had our chance to do away with the strongest guy in the city! What the hell was the point in keeping him alive?" the shout caused others to protest with gained confidence.

Eiji's eyes widened in what looked like controlled anger. Are they right? Have I made a mistake by letting Shizuo live? I'm beginning to doubt that letting even Izaya live was the best move. No! How dare they question me! They're all nothing without a leader.

Eiji's siblings could tell that the pressure was already getting to him, they were slowly falling victim to manipulation, and it had nothing to do with them. Eiji spoke softly, but his tone held malice, he reached into his jacket, slowly. "Don't ever question me, I will not be made a fool of anymore." Eiji's expression grew into an evil smirk as he took out the gun and pulled the trigger without hesitation. Most of the group flinched in fear; Mayu stood there dumbfounded, up until now, she had begun to think whether Eiji would even use it on someone, but now…. It was one thing to shoot Shizuo - because it was part of the plan - but now she wondered what kind of person their brother was becoming.

Jupei sighed with annoyance. "I hope that doesn't become a habit, took us this long to group this many." He spoke as though what Eiji just did hadn't fazed him at all; Mayu looked at him, it probably hadn't.

Silence fell over the group now as they half focused on Eiji - nobody else dared say another word - the other half of their focus was on the dead guy with a bullet in his skull.

Tom smiled as he walked his date to her door, they stopped at the porch, she turned to smile at him. "I had a wonderful evening; would you like to come inside?"

Tom grinned inwardly. Score! "Sure," he replied politely. Just as she turned the key in the lock, the sound of a phone interrupted her. Tom cursed in embarrassment and fumbled in his pocket to get to his phone. "Shit, sorry."

"It's fine." She waited by the door for him, still smiling.

Tom looked at the caller ID and groaned; Shizuo knew he was on a date, why the hell was he calling him? He better not be drunk. Tom answered the call with a little humour in his voice. "You better be dying man." Like anyone could kill him anyway; but dread began to fill him, because he knew Shizuo wouldn't call him unless it really was an emergency. As soon as Tom heard the voice on the other end, he knew something was wrong. "Who is this?"

{Tom? Listen, it's Jude. There's been an incident, I really need you to come to the bar man.}

Now Tom was really concerned, because if Shizuo was drunk, Jude wouldn't go to the trouble of calling him, he'd have just shoved him in a cab and sent him home. "What's going on? If he started a fight or something, you might be better off calling Izaya, he's good at smoothing things over."

{Yeh I know; but that's just it – Tom, I found him unconscious while taking the trash out into the alley. I hate to worry you, but I think he's been shot - at least three times.}

Tom's eyes widened and he began to panic. Shot, again? "Shit, he's okay though, right?"

{Well, he's awake, kinda. He said he was going to make his way to a friend of his, who's probably a doctor, I hope. I said there was no way I was letting him walk out of here in his condition.}

Tom chuckled at that. "Believe it or not, he's done that before; but I get that you don't want anything to affect your business, so I'll be there in ten minutes."

{Okay, good. One more thing though, I wouldn't call Izayaif I were you.}

"Izaya? Why not? I think it's mandatory now, don't you?"

{I know, but something isn't right, I mean, really. Shizuo doesn't even remember being in the bar earlier, he has no recollection of someone buying him a drink, and when I asked him what the last thing he did remember was, he just laughed and said I was shot. He also said something about Masaomi Kida being to blame for it.}

Tom frowned; he was beginning to get a bad feeling. What? "Are you with him now?"

{I left him on one of the tables, I'm just in the back getting the first aid kit. He's bleeding pretty bad, but I made him swear not to move, told him I'd call you. Something is wrong here right? I mean, he hasn't mentioned Izaya once, you'd think with a situation like this, he'd be the first person Shizuo would ask about, he'd be worried.}

Tom sighed, it was starting to sound bad, he couldn't be a hundred percent certain, but he had a feeling Shizuo might have had an encounter with that damn drug. It couldn't be, of all people? Why him? "I'm on my way Jude, just do me a favour. I need you to delete Izaya's number from his phone while you have it on you, I don't know if it's under some nickname or whatever, but I'm certain it has a heart next to it."

{Okay sure. I took his ring off before he woke up too, just to clean it, but after hearing that, I'm thinking that I should hang on to it until you get here.}

"I'll be there as soon as I can." Tom hung up and then gave his date an apologetic smile. "I have to go, sorry. My friend, he's in trouble, he's hurt, they think he's been shot."

The woman covered her mouth with her hand. "Oh no! Then go, go help your friend, I understand."

"Sorry about all this, I had a good time though." Tom gave her a quick peck on the cheek and ran off, leaving her at the door. Well, at least I walked her home; damn Shizuo, why'd ya have to get shot at a time like this.

…...

Shinra finally made his way out of the guest room, he'd been in there for almost two hours. Celty turned around and stood up, instantly showing him her phone. [How is he?]

Shinra stretched his arms up above his head and let out a yawn, before sitting next to her on the couch. "Whoever attacked him wanted him to live at least. The knife wound was superficial, so the wound itself wasn't that deep, that was my main concern at the time."

[At the time?]

Shinra nodded, his expression serious. "When we were outside, I couldn't see the extent of his other injuries. Someone was really out to get him though; the knife wound is the least of the problem."

[How bad?]

"He'll be okay, I mean, he hasn't woken up yet, but…. it's hard to tell whether the attackers were strong or-" Shinra looked over at her, his expression now one of worry. "I think Izaya was drugged, and not just with something to knock him out, that new drug. If that's the case – it would certainly make Izaya a lot weaker, enough to be able to cause him this much injury. Several of his ribs are broken, there's a lot of bruising around his abdomen that leads to his lower back."

Celty was tense now, she had stopped listening the moment Shinra had said about the drug. [I'm more concerned about his memory Shinra, what are we going to do if it is that drug? It means he's not going to remember anything to do with Shizuo, or how much progress he's made in becoming a better person.]

Shinra looked down at the floor, smiling sadly. "I don't know, we won't know anything until he wakes up, we shouldn't call Shizuo either, not until we know what we're dealing with."

[But won't he be looking for him soon? When he realises that he can't get hold of him, or when he doesn't come home... he'll start to worry.]

Shinra shook his head. "Until I know what state Izaya's mind is in, there's no point. I don't want to worry him with Izaya's injuries, just for him to come barrelling over here to find out the damn idiot has no clue who he is."

Celty tensed again. [Wait, are you saying Izaya might not even remember, anything?]

"We should be so lucky. No I meant that he'll know Shizuo, but he won't remember what he means to him."

[This is bad. Really bad. Shinra, what are we going to do?]

"I just don't know."

[What about your dad, have you heard from him?]

"Not a peep."

[He's hiding something!]

Shinra smiled. "You really think he's the sole creator of the drug don't you?"

[I'm sure of it! You said it yourself that the name sounded like something he was working on.]

"I don't doubt you, but this is getting out of hand, I really don't think he intended it this way. It's just, it's something that I have to believe."

[Shinra, he erased my memories before.]

"I know, but this is different, because it's effected a much larger scale of people."

[You're right, that doesn't make sense. So, it's probably true that the drug was stolen, maybe.]

Shinra nodded.

…...

Shinra changed out the bag of fluids and added a new drip, he looked down at his friend when he heard a soft groan. "Izaya?"

Izaya's eyes fluttered open, his head was pounding, like he was waking up from a bad hangover - not that he would know what that felt like. More importantly, his body felt as though he had been hit by a bus. He glanced over and Shinra blurred into view, he became aware that he was in the man's apartment too.

Shinra gave him a smile as he stood beside him. "Hey, I was beginning to think you weren't ever going to wake up."

Izaya grinned weakly. "Sorry to disappoint you then."

Shinra pushed his glasses up and then sat on the edge of the bed. "How do you feel?"

Izaya tried to sit up but Shinra placed his hand gently on his chest, Izaya hissed when pain shot through his left arm, through to his upper shoulder blade. "Broken..." and then he collapsed back to the bed with another moan of pain.

"You were pretty beat up..."

Izaya looked up at the ceiling, when had that happened? He didn't recall them getting that much of an upper hand. Shinra laughed.

"I haven't seen you this roughed up since high school."

Since high school? Izaya looked over at him, a sudden thought crossing his mind. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Shinra blinked, there was no humour in Izaya's voice and Shinra wondered whether he'd taken what he'd said out of context. "Nothing, just that I haven't had to treat you for this many-"

"Shinra." Izaya's eyes burrowed into his friend's.

Shinra shook his head. "It's really nothing."

"You're lying. I know you called Shizu-chan, and I just bet that monster looked for any excuse to finish me off."

Shinra gaped in surprise. "Wait, what?"

"While I was dying in the alleyway, I suspect he probably took the opportunity to-"

He thinks Shizuo beat him up while he was unconscious? Shinra frowned. "Izaya, what's the last thing you remember?"

Izaya raised an eyebrow. "Getting stabbed, I don't remember anything else after that."

"Okay, wrong question. What do you remember, before that?"

Izaya chuckled then. "Don't worry, I promise that I won't get you involved."

Shinra continued to frown, he was starting to think his suspicions were true. "I just wanna rule out concussion, so humour me okay?"

Izaya raised his eyebrow, Shinra was acting weird, but he did have a headache after all. "I completed a job for someone; they didn't like the outcome."

Shinra huffed. "Could you be a little more specific?"

"Gok Arasaki. The info was for him, he wanted me to find out whether his partner, Kenji, was cheating on him." Izaya grinned. "Info delivered."

Shinra rolled his eyes, but then sighed. I guess that answers our question, he's been given Crimson, and it's affected his memory, just like everyone else. As if he'd only just registered what Izaya had said earlier; Shinra frowned and said, "Shizuo didn't cause your other injuries Izaya. Even you should know that he wouldn't attack someone who was already unconscious."

"Whatever."

Shinra wondered whether there was a small chance that the Izaya they knew now was still there somewhere. He refused to get his hopes up, so far, there hadn't been any reports on the news, that those who had taken the drug, had begun to remember anything.

"While you think Shizu-chan might not beat someone whose already been injured and unconscious; I don't count, he wouldn't think twice."

Shinra placed his hands in his lab coat. "Shouldn't that be your first clue then? You probably wouldn't be alive if he were the one to find you." Izaya closed his mouth, he couldn't think of a reply good enough, and he was too weak to argue any more. "It's more evident that the guys who stabbed you were responsible for your other injuries too." Shinra didn't wait for a reply, he simply walked out of the room, leaving his friend to his rest and his thoughts.

Shinra and Celty sat in the living room, she was sat next to him on the couch, he'd been silent since he'd come back. He sipped at his coffee, she looked at him, he appeared to be deep in thought. She couldn't take it anymore and typed on her pad, shoving it in front of him, so that he had no choice but to pay attention. [Shinra.]

Shinra looked up, blinking at the sudden object in his view line. "Sorry, did I space out?"

[You've been quiet for some time.]

"Oh, I didn't mean to ignore you."

Her shoulders slumped a little. [That isn't what I was getting at. Something is bothering you.]

Shinra laughed lightly. "You mean besides the awkward situation at the moment?" Shinra smiled and then looked down into his half empty mug. "I was just thinking about something Izaya said."

[Did he remember something?]

Shinra snorted. "If only. Izaya thinks that Shizuo caused his other injuries, that he beat him after he was already unconscious."

The shadow that seeped out of her neck pulsed thickly for a few seconds, showing that she was annoyed. [That's crazy! Shizuo isn't that sort of person, and if he had found him, he'd have called you or brought Izaya here himself.]

"I know that, and this is just a thought, but, what if Shizuo came into contact with this drug too?"

[I don't want to believe that, and even if it was, Shizuo still wouldn't hurt someone that couldn't defend themselves! We know that for a fact, remember when he took Izaya to the hospital before?]

"I don't mean to doubt him, it's just that, Izaya has a fractioned glenoid-" Shinra pointed behind his back. "The part of the upper arm that connects to the shoulder blade. That's a very rare bone to break, a lot of power must have gone into that blow. Too bad Izaya's left-handed."

Celty shook then. [That would only be caused by someone of Shizuo's strength?]

"Very possible, his strength is one of a kind."

[Think about what you're saying!]

Shinra sighed. "I am, and it makes me want to hurl, I just don't know where to go from here."

[They're supposed to be engaged! They're supposed to be a couple!]

Shinra laughed lightly. "A year and a half ago, the idea of that made you queasy."

[I know, but I also know how happy they were, look how much they both sacrificed, Izaya changed, nobody ever thought that would happen, ever!]

Shinra turned and covered both of Celty's hands with his own, she began to breath heavily. "It's okay Celty, it will be okay; we'll figure this all out. I promise, I'm not about to give up on them now." Izaya's and Shizuo's relationship didn't just change them, it affected many of their friends, in all sorts of ways. It made Celty appreciate her life more, if that were possible. She could see the changes - though minor - in Shinra too, like he was finally happy because his only two friends were getting along. Celty placed her forehead against Shinra's, neither willing to pull away. Why? What gave someone the right to screw with someone's mind like that? The sound of the doorbell startled them both. They pulled away and gave each other a questioning look. "I'll get it."

Celty stood up with him. [I'm coming with you. It's late. We can't take any chances.] Shinra smiled and they made their way out into the corridor. Just as Shinra reached the door handle, Celty pulled him back. [I'll go first.]

Shinra stepped to the side, it wasn't like her to be this worried about someone knocking on their door so late. But given the circumstances, she had a right to be cautious. Shinra watched her hesitate slightly before she opened the door, slowly. He waited for her reaction, she stepped backwards and then Shinra saw them. "Shizuo? Tom?"

Tom and Shizuo walked into the corridor, Shizuo was leaning against him with his arm draped over his shoulders, almost struggling to stand. "Hey, sorry it's late, but we were at a loss about where to go," Tom said with a smile.

Celty draped Shizuo's other arm around her shoulder and helped Tom take him into their living room. Shinra shook himself out of his shock and followed after them. They sat him on the long coffee-table and Shinra went to retrieve his medical supplies. [What's the last thing you remember?]

Shizuo looked at her PDA and let out a short laugh. "What's with that? Why do people keep asking me that? I got shot. I'm sure I was on my way home actually, but then some guys approached me, I didn't get any time to react. I realised there was blood and that I was bleeding, that's when I thought, 'oh I've been shot.' the bastards ran off before I could get to my feet."

Celty looked at Tom who shook his head sadly, telling her that he didn't remember anything. It doesn't make sense. This isn't right. It's not fair, and why is Shizuo's memory further back then Izaya's?

Shizuo leaned forward. "Celty? You okay there? Don't mean to worry you or anything. I'm fine really, just need the Doc to get these damn bullets out of me."

[I'm glad you're okay.] She then stood up and showed him her phone once more before leaving the room. [I'll go make some drinks.]

Tom stood up. "I'll help you."

Shizuo watched them both scamper into the kitchen. Since when were they so chummy? He sighed. "Why is everyone acting so weird today."

"Well, it's not every day you get shot you know," Shinra's voice reached him as the man walked back into the living room. He knelt in front of his friend and began removing his equipment from his bag.

"Just fix me up, I need to kill the bastard that ordered this hit."

Shinra shuddered, it felt like the room had literally shifted him back in time, except everything that happened that day was different. "That would be?" of course he knew what Shizuo was going to say, but he also wondered who actually had ordered it, because he didn't believe back then that it was that kid. He couldn't help but notice though - if Shizuo and Izaya were given the drug almost at the same time - why were their current memories different? Shizuo's was at least two to three months before Izaya's.

Celty poured out two mugs of coffee, a glass of milk, and then poured tea into a fourth. Tom looked down; he knew that Celty didn't need to consume beverages, so then…. "There's four cups here."

Celty's shoulders slumped and then she typed. [Izaya is here.]

Tom's eyes widened and then he lowered his voice to a whisper. "What, where?"

[He's in the guest room. He called us earlier, he was beaten up and then stabbed.]

Tom became frantic. "What the fuck? We can't let Shizuo see him, not while his mind is-"

[It's more of a problem than that.]

Tom frowned. "He's okay though, right?" Tom then laughed. "Who knew there'd come a day when I'd be worried about him."

[Shinra said he'll heal, but the same can't be said for his mind right now.]

Tom pulled a sour face. "You're kidding right?" Celty didn't need to reply, Tom already knew by the sad aura she was giving off. "Damn, this is not looking good. Now we really can't let them see each other." He pulled out a ring from his pocket. "Even the barman thought something was up. He only took the ring from Shizuo to clean, but he didn't dare give it back, it must have been obvious that Shizuo's memory was fuzzy."

Celty held out her palm. [Let me hold onto that.]

"Sure." Tom handed the ring to her and she covered it with shadow. "Have we any idea who's behind all this? I mean, it's a bit of a coincidence that both happen to get their memories wiped." Tom might even say it had been planned. "Isn't it?

[I don't know. We don't know what happened. When Izaya called us, he was normal, then when he woke up, he was the old Izaya.]

Tom sighed. "Great."

Shinra pinched the bullet within Shizuo's leg and pulled the metal out, setting it down onto the tray with the other two. "That's all of them."

"Could have sworn there were more shots."

Shinra looked at him, wondering if maybe Shizuo was right, he just didn't remember exactly. "Some of them probably missed, you were lucky."

Shizuo gritted his teeth. "They're the lucky ones."

Shinra gave him a small smile and then began wrapping the wounds in several bandages. The door behind them slid open quietly, without either of them noticing, and then –

"Shinra...have you got my-" Izaya instantly froze in the doorway. Shinra stiffened and whipped his head round, his heart began to thud in his chest, he had completely forgotten that Izaya was in the next room.

Shizuo's head snapped up, immediately his eyes fell on his enemy. He stood up quickly, almost knocking Shinra over. "What the fuck are you doing here!?"

Izaya merely breathed out his name in shock. "Shizu-chan..." he didn't know what to do, he could hardly stand on his feet let alone run away. Shit. He clutched the door frame with his good arm, the other currently now in a sling. He didn't even know where his switchblade was, he was like a deer caught in headlights.

Shinra turned his full attention on the raven, stepping forward. "Izaya! What the hell are you even doing out of bed!? You shouldn't even be walking around."

Shizuo grabbed the coffee-table, raising it above his head. "Shinra! You didn't tell me that fucking flea was here!" Izaya's eyes widen, he was so screwed; he stepped to the side, grabbing a vase, it was all he could use to defend himself. "I'm gonna kill him!"

Shinra turned to Shizuo. "Wait, you're both injured, and this is my apartment, please calm down."

Tom and Celty ran into the room at once when they heard the commotion. Tom looked over and saw who was standing there, he sighed. "Great, he couldn't have just waited until we left." Celty stepped between them, her shadows creating a shield for them, Shizuo took a few steps closer.

"Dead dead dead!"

Celty then held her phone up to his face before he could get any closer. [Calm down! Izaya was already here before you showed up. We didn't know you would come over, I'm sorry. Please calm down, you shouldn't exert yourself. You're both hurt, try to relax.]

Shizuo growled, clenching his hold around the table, he shuddered with anger, trying his hardest to calm himself down.

Izaya put the vase back after Shizuo put the table down. Brute. Celty's shadows disappeared when she was sure neither of the two would make a move to attack. Izaya let out a shaky breath, his ribs constricting with the effort, he was sure that he was going to collapse soon. He had no idea Shizuo was in the apartment, there was no way that he was going to show that kind of weakness to his sworn enemy.

"Look," Shinra began, "I'll just bandage your injuries and then you can leave, okay?"

Shizuo's fists clenched at his sides as he sat down. "Do it fast, I'm so pissed off..."

Izaya watched intently, never once letting Shizuo out of his sight, he couldn't risk letting his guard down, but his eyes glanced away when Celty approached him. [You feeling okay? You should be resting.]

Izaya read her message and then focused on Shizuo again. "It's not like you to worry about me." Izaya huffed a laugh. "I'm not moving until he's out of my sight."

Shizuo growled. "Like I can stand the fucking sight of you either flea! You're just lucky I'm not at my best right now, I'd snap you like a twig!"

Izaya grinned. "You mean despite my inability to defend myself? How very, you."

Celty typed angrily. [That's not the person he is!]

Izaya chuckled. "Of course it is. Look how quick he was to throw that table; had you have not stopped him; he would have."

Shizuo clenched his fists. "You don't know me flea! Shut up, before I really fucking kill you."

Izaya leaned against the wall, a hand over his side, yet he was still grinning. "Are you saying I'm wrong? That you would have backed down on your own?"

Tom placed his hand on Shizuo's shoulder. "Don't listen Shizuo, we know you better."

Izaya laughed, he hadn't seen Shizuo show restraint like this since they were in school, he suddenly wanted to know how far he could push. "Congratulations to the ones that took you down, I ought to give them a reward."

Shinra tensed, was Izaya really pushing him on purpose right now? He really wanted to go over there and give him a piece of his mind. He should have known they'd cross paths when Shizuo showed up, but he really didn't think Izaya would be able to come out of his room. I should have sedated him.

Shizuo glared at him, he really wanted to strangle him. "As if you don't already know, somehow you're probably involved, that is easier to believe; instead of some guy named Masaomi Kida, who I've never even met."

Izaya tilted his head and then laughed when he realised what Shizuo was talking about. "That was almost three months ago! Did you get shot again?"

Shizuo stood up abruptly, causing Shinra to sigh as he was once again interrupted. "I've never been shot! Don't mess with my head flea! I just bet you do know something about this!"

Izaya backed himself against the wall, his body was acting on adrenaline alone at this point. "Maybe I do, or maybe it's that one percent situation again."

Shizuo picked up a mug, at first Izaya thought he was going to lob it at him, but it smashed in his hand. "Like hell! There's never been a one percent situation! You're always causing shit!"

Izaya smirked. "So I've been promoted, now the ratio has gone up to the full hundred percent, how fun."

Celty remained in her spot, if they ever did get their memories back, she didn't think Shizuo would forgive himself if he did any harm to Izaya. she had to keep them from fighting, even if that meant she had to protect Izaya from Shizuo, or even the other way around, she'd do it.

"So now that your accusations have gone up, was that warning phone call something of a temporary relapse, against your better judgement?"

Shizuo narrowed his eyes. "What the fuck are you talking about!? I wouldn't warn you of anything! I'd quite happily tell whoever wanted you dead where to find you!"

Izaya then smirked, his suspicions were starting to come true. "Or - having wanted to kill me yourself, you waited, and then struck me while I was already dying in the alleyway."

Shizuo was so confused, what warning? How the hell would he have known Izaya was even injured to begin with? He thought about what his friends said, would he have really attacked someone while they were unconscious? Even if that someone was Izaya? Shizuo gritted his teeth and let out a half-hearted laugh. "No, not even. I don't care what you think, I don't care about you or your pathetic attempts to get me killed. Had I been the one to find you, I wouldn't have inflicted any further injury on you. Not out of pity, but merely to prove to everyone that I'm not a monster-" Shizuo glared up at him. "Like you."

Izaya closed his mouth for a moment, he couldn't understand why, but those words stung. "Tsk. Unpredictable as ever, I fucking hate you."

Shizuo laughed. "The feeling is more than mutual; I actually want to shake the hand of whoever took you down."

Shinra finally finished wrapping the rest of Shizuo's wounds, it was an awkward situation to be in, he didn't quite know how to handle it. They could try to explain to them about a certain drug and what had happened, but somehow, he doubted the two would even listen. How would you even explain the missing time? He was sure that Izaya wouldn't believe the whole, 'you were in a coma for about a year' story. The man was too smart for that. Shizuo might have, he wasn't always aware of the days and months anyway.

Izaya and Shizuo were still glaring at each other, the tension in the room was almost as thick as Celty's shadows. Tom then tapped Shizuo on the shoulder and said, "Let's go, I know you'd rather not hang around."

Shizuo snorted, took one last threatening look at Izaya and then nodded at Shinra. "Cheers for the fix up."

"Sure, no problem..." A sudden thought sprang into Shinra's mind, what if Shizuo tried to go home? He didn't even have that apartment anymore because he lived with Izaya, and speaking of that; once Izaya went home, there'd be a lot of evidence that someone else lived there, he was certain that the bartender outfits would be a dead giveaway of whom. "Wait! Shizuo, you shouldn't be on your own while your wounds heal."

Shizuo turned and laughed. "Don't need a babysitter, did you forget that my body heals pretty fast?"

Izaya narrowed his eyes, because he was almost certain that he was going to collapse the moment Shizuo left. Lucky you.

Shinra looked at Tom with a silent plea; the brunet tilted his head in thought and then grasped exactly what Shinra was thinking. Izaya and Shizuo were sure to notice that something wasn't right eventually, but for now, they needed to do all they could to lessen the confusion. "The doc is right, I don't want you going home, passing out and shit. Plus, I'm your friend, gotta take care of you."

Shizuo shook his head. "Appreciate that, but I seriously don't need the help, I'll be fine, it's really nothing."

"I won't take no for an answer. Besides, you'll have to take a bit of time off, and I'm gonna make sure that happens." Tom was only grateful that the block of apartments that Shizuo used to live at, had the same layout. He just hoped there was one available and hoped that Shizuo wouldn't question it too much.

"You don't have to be this concerned, you know me Tom, come on."

Tom shook his head. "Sorry Shizuo, not this time, you're staying with me for at least a week." That should give me some time.

Shizuo looked surprised, Tom's expression told him that the man was serious. "You're not kidding, are you?" Tom smiled at him and Shizuo sighed. "I won't argue then."

Izaya huffed a laugh. "Sucks for you."

Shizuo clenched his fists, he turned to glare at Izaya and said, "Make sure I don't see your face in Ikebukuro after this, or I'll make sure you die." Izaya gave him a half smirk, and then wiggled his fingers at him. Shizuo turned his attention to Tom, gritting his teeth. "I need to leave, now."

Tom nodded, he motioned for Shizuo to go first and then looked at Shinra, smiled and then followed his friend out of the apartment.

Shinra turned to Izaya, hands in his lab coat. "That goes for you too, you should probably stay here for a few days, at least."

Feeling like he could relax now that Shizuo wasn't glaring at him, Izaya let out a breath and said, "Think so?"

Shinra smiled. "Doctors orders, I'll strap you to the bed if I have to."

"Kinky." Izaya grinned when Shinra rolled his eyes.

"I'm serious, don't make me sedate you."

"You're cruel." Izaya pushed away from the wall with a small grin, hoping to hide the pain he was in as he placed the back of his hand over his mouth, trying to muffle a cough. The sudden movement of his chest muscles caused pressure around his ribs and pain stabbed through him. "Nghh..." Izaya's legs buckled under him and he collapsed to his knees, spots of blood decorated his hand when he coughed again. Shinra ran over to him, he grabbed his good shoulder and leaned him up against the wall. Izaya curled against him, not even caring about the open display of weakness. "Can't breathe..."

Shinra bit his lip as his hand fell against Izaya's, squeezing it, to reassure him - of what exactly - he didn't know. That he would be okay? That he was here for him? Izaya's moans of pain snapped him from his thoughts. "Celty, grab my bag!"

Celty didn't move, her mind was still clouded over what had happened. Because now that Shizuo was affected too, it just made everything ten times worse. What if the drug is permanent?

"Celty!"

Shinra's loud voice startled her, she quickly grabbed the bag from the coffee-table. Shinra moved from his position just enough so that he could prep some pain relief.

Izaya gritted his teeth as he cradled his abdomen, tears prickling at the corners as he in-took short sharp breaths. Shinra glanced at him, sweat was pouring from Izaya's face. "Izaya, I'm going to give you a strong dose of morphine, it's going to knock you out for a while." Shinra wasn't even sure Izaya had heard him, he looked at his face, he'd gone tremendously pale in such a brief time. Suddenly, Shinra held his hand out toward Celty. "Bowl!" This time, Celty didn't need to be told twice, she ran into the kitchen, grabbed their metal mixing bowl and dashed back into the living room. "Izaya?"

Izaya curled on his side, the pain was causing him a great deal of nausea, he felt dizzy and just wanted everything to stop; but he knew that if he was sick, it was just going to make the pain worse. "Shinra..." Izaya cradled his arm around his stomach more tightly. "Sick..." Shinra reached for the bowl and helped support his body. Izaya wretched and pain clutched around his chest as a mixture of bile and blood spewed from his mouth. He spat and gasped as tears poured down his cheeks, he coughed again to try and clear the contents from his throat. "Fuck..."

Shinra tightened his hold, he hadn't seen Izaya like this before. "It's okay." Izaya spat again, hissing through clenched teeth. "Take slow breaths, you need to calm down, okay?"

Izaya's body shook, he could barely hear what Shinra was saying.

Celty wasn't a doctor, but she didn't need to be, she knew, Izaya was scared. She knelt beside her fiancé and then took her shadowy glove off to place her hand in Izaya's.

Shinra blinked up in surprise, he looked at Celty and then smiled warmly when Izaya began to calm down. The raven's hand matched Celty's tight grip when he started to take slower breaths, shuddering every so often. Shinra took the opportunity to insert the needle into Izaya's arm. The informant relaxed completely as the strong dose of morphine entered his system, and the last word to pass his lips before surrendering to sedation surprised them both. "Shizu-chan..."

Shinra huffed a laugh, blinking back a few tears. "Did you hear that?" He wouldn't get his hopes up, because that could have meant anything, but – it was something. He sighed heavily, and together, he and Celty took him back into the guest room. Shinra made sure he was comfortable and then they left the room.

"We could embarrass him with that when he wakes up, but we best not tell him anything." The two sat back tiredly on the couch, the day's events catching up to them.

Celty turned to him with her phone, shaking with excitement. [He said his name!]

Shinra smiled sadly with a nod, he could tell how happy she was. "I know, but given the circumstances, we can't get our hopes up yet, okay?"

Celty leaned forward, her body language just screamed worry. [I don't wanna see him like that again.]

Shinra blinked in surprise for a moment, then he smiled, and his hand covered her own. "You might not have realised it, but you get this strong maternal instinct when it comes to those two."

Celty tensed and now she was embarrassed. [That's ridiculous! They're grown men!]

"Given how long you've lived for, they're practically babies compared to you."

[Don't make fun.]

"I'm not, I actually think it's adorable. You've been looking out for them since high school, always trying to keep them from fighting." Shinra chuckled. "They act like children anyway."

[One of them does at least.]

Shinra smiled and lay his head on her shoulder. "It makes me think what a great mom you might make... if it were possible."

Celty stiffened, but her heart fluttered. Shinra.

…...

Shinra and Celty spent the next few days making plans with their friends. Tom rented out an apartment from Shizuo's old block on the same floor as his old one, at least some luck was on their side. With the help of Namie, Izaya's sisters and Kadota, they were able to move anything that belonged to Shizuo out of Izaya's apartment and into Shizuo's, "new" one. They felt frustrated, they wanted so desperately to tell Izaya and Shizuo what they were to one another, it was painful to think of them as just enemies now. Shinra and Celty were grateful to their friends, everyone was willing to help. they had to plan their steps carefully, because neither one of them could afford to mess up. Izaya and Shizuo could never know anything about their current lives, it was as if they were turning back time throughout the whole city!

In the next week that Izaya and Shizuo were recovering at their friend's apartments, they were unaware of the effort everyone was putting into making sure nothing seemed out of place. Every little detail was precious. Shinra even changed the date on Izaya's phone, if only to buy some more time. Namie did the same on his laptop, and his computers, including all his other phones that he had stashed about in his desk. She grumbled about not getting any extra payment for her efforts but dealing with this was a lot better than dealing with the fallout. Shinra refused to let Izaya have any access to the internet while he stayed at their apartment, including the tv. However, he had to change his Wi-Fi password at least five times because Izaya would always hack it within a day.

Shizuo had been easier to deal with, he rarely used the internet anyway, or even his phone, he paid little attention to the news unless it was important. Tom had informed their boss on the situation and he was very understanding, to which the brown-haired man was grateful for. During his time spent with Shizuo, he had been hoping for any sign that Shizuo remembered something, anything that would suggest his other memories were still there somewhere.

Tom was worried, there had been at least six other cases since Izaya and Shizuo. It annoyed him too, because even some of their clients had been affected, they couldn't remember ever borrowing money. Tom suspected a few were just making it up, it was easy tell which ones were genuine. When they had two clients in a row claiming to not remember anything, Tom had to tell Shizuo about the drug that had been slowly affecting the cities. "What a load of shit, just excuses," he had said, it didn't sound reassuring when they decided to try and get them back to normal.

Another two weeks passed before either Izaya or Shizuo moved back into their, "rightful" homes. Izaya wasn't an exceptionally fast healer, but Shinra wasn't too surprised that by week three, most of Izaya's bruises and his knife wound had healed. He still had trouble with his ribs, and his shoulder was still stiff, but Shinra suspected that those would heal completely in the next few days.

Shizuo had bought the story that his apartment had been closed off for fumigating, it was the perfect excuse, since it took a while to get the new rented apartment ready. Tom took care of the paperwork, signing everything off in Shizuo's name; even the landlord that owned the building was surprisingly considerate, he was even willing to play along with the fumigating story that Tom had told Shizuo. Apparently, despite his extremely short temper and violent outbursts, the blond had been the landlord's best tenant.

Namie turned her attention to the door when she heard it click open. She placed her hand on her hip and glared at Izaya as he walked into the apartment. "How nice of you to show yourself, three fucking weeks! Do you know how much crap I've had to deal with while you've been gone?"

Izaya rolled his eyes and then laughed as he strolled over to his desk. "Nice to see you too; I'm fine by the way."

"I don't care." Namie knew that was a lie, even she had been worried about him when Shinra had phoned her.

"Say what you wish, but I know you missed me really." Izaya grinned at her.

"Ha!" Namie sat on the opposite desk chair to the left. "By the way, I should get paid double for doing all your work." In truth, there wasn't hardly any work to do while Izaya had been gone, everyone had been too consumed with worry over the drug incident.

"Is that so." Izaya then looked beside his desk, he then frowned. "Namie?"

"What?"

"What happened to my plant?"

Namie's eyes widened. Shit! "I took it upon myself to take a week off while you were healing. I didn't know it was real, it died." well, that wasn't a complete lie, it had been her fault that the plant had withered anyway.

Izaya pouted. "You're so inattentive! I should pay you double because?"

Namie leaned back in her chair, arms folded. "Because if I were anyone else, you'd be dead. You're lucky I put up with you."

Izaya laughed. "How long have you been sitting on that one? You act like I'm so annoying, yet secretly-" Izaya stretched and sighed dramatically. "I think you missed it."

Namie snorted. "Did anyone ever tell you that you have selective hearing?"

Izaya grinned at her from his chair, linking his fingers. "Did anyone ever tell you that incest is wrong?" Namie clenched her fists and stood up, tensing with the sudden urge to punch him in the face. "Something I said?" Namie bared her teeth at him and walked away, grabbing her coat as she left the apartment, if she didn't leave now, she might really kill him. Izaya laughed and span around on his chair as he pumped his fists into the air. "I'm back! I didn't think I'd miss this apartment so much! Nothing appears to have changed at all." Izaya glanced over to where his plant used to be. "Most things haven't changed, but Namie owes me a plant."

Izaya switched on his computer. "Since Shinra forbid me from the using the internet, I'll just have to spend a couple of days catching up on what I've missed. Gok Arasaki, let's start with you." Izaya took out his phone that he had stored in his top desk draw, scrolled down the list of names and - "I could have sworn I had his number on here." Izaya opened the second draw and checked two of his other phones that he used for work. "Nothing." Izaya leaned back in his chair, he then opened the web browser; an explanation mark popped up on the screen and then a, 'No internet connection' message.

Izaya sighed and then double clicked on the Wi-Fi symbol, he was then prompted for the password. Getting frustrated now, he typed in his usual password and the box shook and re-asked for the code. He tried again and received the same result. "Are you kidding me?" Izaya couldn't do his job without the internet, half of his life revolved around the internet. He grabbed his phone again decided to swallow his pride and call Namie for help.

The phone connected within a few seconds. {What?}

Izaya was momentarily surprised. "Oh you picked up."

{What do you want?}

"The Wi-Fi password isn't working; do you know anything about that?"

{I changed it.}

Izaya pulled a face as he stood up and leaned on his desk, not that she could see his threatening posture. "Mind telling me just what that is? I have a lot of information to catch up on."

{So you want the new Wi-Fi password?}

Izaya closed his eyes, he knew she was getting him back for his little remark about her love interest earlier; but taking away his ability to work was just cruel. "I want the password, I also need you to send me Gok Arasaki's number, it's not in my phones and I know you had it too."

Izaya heard her snort. {I'm not giving you the password until I get an apology. Secondly, Gok and his little minions are already in prison.}

Namie hung up on him and continued walking through the shopping centre, shopping always did cheer her up, at least, that is when she couldn't see Seiji. Truth was, she had to change the password anyway, since it had gotten changed when Shizuo moved in as the blond needed something easy to remember. She couldn't remember the old password so she made one up, who's to say that she couldn't have a little fun, Izaya would never get it.

Izaya had tried at least three passwords since Namie had hung up on him. Seiji Yagiri/IloveSeiji/MyloveforSeiji. He soon received a text from Namie.

'By the way, the password has nothing to do with Seiji.'

Izaya banged his forehead lightly on the desk. "What an evil woman she is." His second phone began to ring, he noted that the caller was unknown. "Orihara."

Eiji grinned when Izaya's voice came through, he turned to his siblings and said, "He answered, he's alive after all."

Izaya rolled his eyes. "I can hear you."

Eiji cringed. Whoops. "Oh! Sorry about that, I heard about your attack, I must say, quite a relief to hear that you're okay."

Izaya raised an eyebrow. "And you are?"

"Just call me Tainted for now."

Izaya looked at his phone with boredom for a second before replying, "Uh huh, is that supposed to be a reference to something?"

Eiji couldn't risk telling Izaya his real name, for fear that it might trigger a memory. They still didn't understand how the drug really worked, and with someone like Izaya, his memories may still be in his subconscious somewhere. Also, Eiji's reliable source, had become not so reliable anymore, in fact, he hadn't heard from him in at least two weeks. "I'm just dying to meet you in person, I've heard a lot about you, your reputation proceeds you."

Izaya snorted in amusement. "Was that your best shot at flattery, Mr Tainted?"

Eiji laughed. "I need your expertise to help me reach my goals."

Where the hell did this kid come from? "What kind of goals in mind do kids have these days?"

"Did my voice give me away?"

Izaya laughed. "I've met twelve-year olds more mature sounding then you."

Eiji clenched his fist. "I'm not a child Mr Orihara."

"So these goals of yours, what makes you so sure they're worth my time?"

"I think they're very worth your time, I can pay you of course, just to confirm that little detail before we continue."

Izaya chuckled, no one ever realised that with Izaya, it wasn't all just about the money. Their misfortune was his real payment. "Why don't you enlighten me with your objectives then?"

"It would make things a lot easier if we were able to meet in person."

Izaya grinned. So naïve. "It'd be a lot better for you if we didn't. you're not alone, you probably have others working with you, it might not be wise for our paths to cross so soon."

The drug had worked, Eiji could tell, even talking on the phone, he could hear the difference between the Izaya he'd spoken to on the street, and the one he was conversing with now. It was almost creepy, how something so small could cause such a drastic change. "So, you're that kind of informant."

"You'll find that most informants differ to one another, each has their own way of getting the job done. Want some free advice? You might have a bunch of people on your side now, but in the end, all it ever comes down to is you. Are you willing to drop those around you for the sake of your own gain?" Eiji's eyes widened as he tried not to shake. Despite the differences, the informant ignited that same cold fear he felt when he'd first met him, drugged or not. "Should I take your silence as a yes?"

Eiji glanced at the large group of people within the factory. He then glanced at his siblings, ever since they'd completed their first task of getting Shizuo and Izaya's memories erased, they'd been judgemental. He knew they were beginning to lose their faith. He turned his back on the group and said, "It's like you already know me." Eiji grinned.

"It doesn't make you all that special though. After all, you wouldn't be the first to abandon their so-called friends to get what they wanted." Izaya smirked. It just makes you predictable.

Eiji snorted and then a dark smirk crossed his features. Hence the name Tainted, I know exactly what to do to get what I want, and people will do anything for revenge, without even knowing just how much they're being used. Once I'm in full control, you will be the first to go Izaya Orihara, You're not that special either. "I think we're going to get along just fine."

Izaya shook his head. You carry on thinking that.

"I'll be in touch."

Izaya grinned as they both disconnected their phones. "Looking forward to it." Namie walked into the apartment, Izaya watched her hang up her coat and then silently make her way to her desk with her laptop. She switched it on without a word or even an acknowledged glance his way. "Silent treatment? I thought only couples did that, are we a couple Namie?"

Namie knew he was teasing her, but she wouldn't take the bait, knowing that he disliked the silent treatment; memory loss or not, somethings remained the same either way.

"I suppose close friends might often give one another the silent treatment if annoyed enough. Perhaps that makes us friends then?"

Namie frowned. Certainly not while you're this way, and over my rotting corpse would we ever be a couple. My heart and body belong to Seiji.

Izaya huffed and double clicked on the web browser out of habit, forgetting momentarily that he was still locked out. He pulled a sour face and sighed dramatically as he leaned away from his computer.

Namie grinned to herself when she saw what he was trying to do. Izaya was right, it was sometimes fun to mess with people, especially when that person was him. She decided to see just how long she could keep this going for, wondered just how long it would take for Izaya to get mad. "My love for Seiji is real." She wasn't going to let his remark from earlier go that quickly.

Izaya turned his attention to her. "I never said it wasn't, I simply said it was wrong."

"So you're saying that love is wrong?"

Izaya laughed. "Not entirely, I love humans. but there's a difference between love and in love."

Namie shrugged. "To say you love something or someone, there's no different context in my opinion. Surely you must have heard the Japanese myth about the union birthing two gods."

Izaya laughed again. "Are you kidding?"

"It states that the union birthed two gods, Izanagi and Izanami, the two wedded each other and mated to create the country of Japan. This caused a lot of people to believe that our country was built on incest."

"It's not surprising that you are one of those who would believe in such a myth. Perhaps you might consider the other myth, it's similar."

"A similar myth?"

Izaya grinned. "I personally think if people have to believe in mythological love to prove to themselves that their own love is real, then it really isn't love, is it?"

Namie glared at him. "Just tell me about the myth!"

Izaya leaned back in his chair. "Just that some star-crossed lovers are reborn as siblings, it's fate keeping them together but actively apart."

Namie became surprised by this information, it seemed as if - to her at least - it described her and Seiji's situation perfectly, just knowing that they were lovers in an earlier life was enough for her for now. she blushed. "I think I like that myth better." Izaya raised an eyebrow, it wasn't like her to be openly grateful, especially about something he said. "Thank you."

"It wasn't supposed to be of any help to you, I was teasing you. But take it however you wish, always happy to help." He leaned forward, his elbows supporting his chin as they touched the desk. "Now can I have the password?"

Namie smiled innocently at him. "No."

…...

Namie sighed as she watched the news, they were supposed to be trying to keep Izaya and Shizuo away from each other. It was easy enough when the two were confined only to their friends' apartments. She knew it wasn't going to be long before they would run into one another eventually. They didn't have any latest information about the drug. Namie was concerned that the longer they stayed this way, the harder it was going to be getting them back. She looked at the file on the coffee-table, a job that he'd already completed, it would distract him for a little while, hopefully. It would keep him away from Shizuo, and away from that damn Tainted group. She hadn't heard of them until recently, he'd never mentioned them to her before he'd gotten his memories erased. Namie had this bad feeling that Tainted might have had something to do with Izaya's and Shizuo's attacks.

Izaya entered his apartment with a skip, Namie stared over at him as he closed the door and walked toward his desk. "Causing chaos again?" she asked as she switched off the TV.

Izaya grinned over at her once he had sat down. "Whatever gave you the impression that I have?"

Namie pointed at the screen. "It's all people talk about when you and Heiwajima get into a fight."

Izaya shrugged and switched on his laptop. "They'll soon get bored of that within a couple of days, I didn't start the fight this time, actually, I almost never do."

Namie rolled her eyes. "You could just not go to Ikebukuro."

Izaya clicked his tongue. "As much as he likes to think so, Shizu-chan doesn't own the city, I go wherever I please, besides, a lot of my clients reside there."

Namie snorted. "What a coincidence."

The raven let out a small chuckle. "I thought that you didn't believe in coincidences."

She frowned at him and stood up from the couch. "Where you're concerned, "coincidences" just happen." She placed a file on his desk when she reached him and then said, "I have to make a phone call." Izaya glanced down at the folder and then raised an eyebrow.

"It's a job, I just haven't had time to read it properly yet."

Izaya huffed and then grinned, knowing his next statement would annoy her. "You can be a poor excuse of a secretary sometimes." She placed her hand on her hip, not as fazed by his comment as he would have liked.

"And you can be an obnoxious, irritating, weirdo; So, I guess we're both screwed." Namie then left the apartment.

Namie spoke to Shinra with annoyance. "I take it you saw the news?"

She heard him sigh. {You were supposed to keep Izaya busy.}

Namie frowned, she was not going to be blamed for this. "I am, I mean I was, I didn't know he'd even gone to Ikebukuro today. He's been preoccupied with some group called Tainted lately."

{What's Tainted?}

"I don't know much about them, but if you ask me, it's just another Yellow Scarves/dollars incident waiting to happen."

{Really? Have you heard of them before this, Izaya's change I mean?}

"I haven't, they called him within a few weeks after his memory disappeared, that's got to be a coincidence, right? Or am I just over thinking this?"

{It does sound sketchy, are you saying that they might have something to do with all this?}

"Perhaps; like I said, I don't know much about them. All that I know, is that they want his help to establish some form of control, it's unclear what their goals are."

{I haven't heard anything new; my dad still hasn't been in contact. Never thought I'd say this, but I'm starting to get worried.}

Namie rolled her eyes, she didn't care about his problems, but they needed each other's help to resolve a mutual issue in their lives. It seemed incomprehensible, but Namie had begun to see Izaya as a friend - maybe even an annoying brother, one that she hadn't fallen for. She wanted him to be safe at least. "Anyway, I've also given Izaya an old job he worked on with Shizuo. It should keep him occupied for a little while."

{Didn't Shizuo help him rescue a kid? She's with the Awakusu now isn't she?}

"Yes, but he doesn't know that, he might even take a different route to getting the information, he'll still come up with dead ends though."

{If he questions it?}

"I'll think of something." Namie hung up, only to receive a message in the group chat they had all formed when things went wrong.

TT: Taking Shizuo out of town for a while, buying time, keeping him away from Izaya, he thinks we're going to collect debt from a client that skipped town. probably might head Yamata way since it's not too far out, more believable.

SK: Good idea! Keep us informed.

MO: That's good. We can't let them fight like that again! We have to get em back!

NY: Izaya is working on an old job, he'll be occupied for a little while too.

S: Do I need to be on standby for this, NY?

NY: Most certainly, he'll probably contact you.

S: No problem.

KO: I hope that works.

NY: Me too, I better go.

Present day.

Celty opened the door to their apartment, she was greeted by Izaya's sisters and stood to the side, shutting the door as they passed through. She made her way into the living room, Shinra looked up with a smile. "Who was it?"

She typed quickly but Mairu and Kururi appeared from behind her. [Izaya's sisters are here.]

Shinra chuckled. "Hey you two, what's up?" Celty left the room, leaving the three to talk.

Mairu and Kururi stepped into the room, Mairu spoke up first, "Just checking in."

"We were wondering if you know how Izaya is doing."

Shinra smiled. "You know, you can actually go and see him, it's not like he doesn't know that you're his sisters."

"Yeah we know," Mairu said, "but if we're supposed to act like nothing has changed, we can't start visiting him like we care and all that." Her hands fell on her hips as she gave an annoyed expression. "He was pretty insufferable back then."

Shinra laughed. "I agree."

"Mairu misses him," Kururi said quietly.

Mairu gasped in shock, turning to her sister. "You do too!"

Shinra chuckled. "Not that you're not welcome here, but why are you really here?"

The two girls sat crossed legged on the rug by the table, Celty came back into the room with a tray of beverages and cookies, she placed them on the table and took out her phone. [What did I miss?]

Mairu read the message and then spoke. "Did anyone ever approach either of you asking about Izaya? Or Shizuo maybe?"

Shinra gave a thoughtful expression and then shook his head. "No, then again, I don't spend that much time around the city."

Mairu turned to the Dullahan. "Celty?"

[No, why'd you ask?]

"Well, about six months ago, we got approached by some girl, she said she was new to the city, along with her brothers; and get this! They're-"

"They're quadruplets," Kururi interrupted.

"Naw! I wanted to tell that part!" Mairu huffed. "Anyway, she started asking about the city at first. Which wasn't a problem, you know, cause we love it anyway." Mairu looked guilty as she looked up at Celty. "Sorry Celty, we did kind of ramble about you a bit. Nothing specific! Just like, the legendary part of you mostly."

[Don't worry. A lot of people talk about me like that, it's not uncommon anymore.]

Mairu sighed in relief that Celty wasn't mad. "We introduced ourselves naturally of course, we didn't even mention we had a brother, nor did his name cross our lips. But one of them must have found out about him somehow, it didn't take them long to make the connection between us, because a few days later; she approached us again asking about him."

Shinra reached for one of the mugs from the tray, blowing on the liquid before speaking. "Did you tell Izaya all this afterward?"

Mairu frowned in annoyance. "Yeah! He was all like, "What did you do?" and we were all like, "Why do you assume we've done something?" and then he was like-" Mairu's voice became muffled when her sister placed her hand over her mouth.

"He wasn't worried, but I'm sure he looked into it."

Mairu's mouth was still moving, like her sisters' hand wasn't even there, Kururi removed her hand - "And then he hung up on me! And I was like, "I'm going to punch him in the face next time I see him!" and Kururi was all like, "No you won't," and I was like, "Oh yes I will." I mean who hangs up on someone when they're trying to help anyway! Then Kururi kissed me and then I felt better." Mairu sighed, finally taking a breath.

Shinra blinked, waiting to make sure the two were done with their story before replying, "Did they mention anything to you about something called Tainted?"

Mairu tilted her head in thought. "No. I don't think so, I would have remembered a corny name like that."

"Why?" Kururi asked with a tilt of her head.

"Just something Namie told me today. Izaya's been working with something or someone, or several people - I'm not too sure on the details, but they're called Tainted anyways. Namie has her suspicions that they are responsible, for the attack on your brother and Shizuo."

Mairu frowned. "Wait! Are you saying that those quadruplet weirdos might be Tainted?"

"Well, I wouldn't quite say that, but there are a lot of coincidences revolving around that situation it seems."

Mairu clenched her fists, she had spoken to that girl! She had helped her feel welcome, and she just - "So all this time, they could be responsible for this?"

[Shinra, your dad created the drug, not them, right?]

"Probably, but everyone's involvement only happened after the drug was already leaked and already effecting people."

[Oh, right.]

"They were right under our noses this whole time!" Mairu stood up, pumping her fists in the air. "Those bastards need to die!" She was then pulled back down to the carpet by her sister.

"Calm down."

"They're responsible for what's happened! They nearly killed him!"

"He's okay."

Mairu sighed. "He's not okay, his mind is all messed up."

Shinra chuckled lightly. "His mind was always a little messed up."

Mairu looked down at the floor. "I thought he had settled the issue; because the girl never approached us again after we contacted him."

Celty placed her hand on Mairu's shoulder and the girl looked up. [He probably didn't want you involved any more then you already were.]

Shinra looked upon the tray, something was beside the cookies, something that wasn't a beverage, nor a sustenance. He picked up the circular disc, twisting it around in his hand. "Hey Celty, what's this?"

Celty's body reacted with surprise. [Oh! I almost forgot. I found it in the back of the cupboard where we keep the mugs.]

Shinra frowned in thought. "Why would something like this be in there?"

Kururi took a cookie from the tray and said, "Maybe it was an easier place to remember to store something important."

Shinra hummed, he then noticed that there were three letters written on the front. SOS. Shinra blanched instantly. "Oh geez."

[Shinra, what's wrong?]

Mairu looked at him. "Whoa, you're really pale."

"I - I think I know what this is."

[What?]

Shinra gulped, how had he forgotten something so important? He stood up and switched on their television and placed the disc inside the player. "Please don't kill me guys, I really didn't mean to forget."

"What are you talking about?" everyone turned their attention to the screen.

…

By the end of the disc, none of them could move, their mouths agape. Mairu found her voice first, utter surprise in her tone. "No way! No fucking way!"

[We need to show this to Shizuo and Izaya!]

107