I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who has left comments on this fic. While I don't get the chance to respond to all of you, know that I read each one and they make me smile every time. So thank you again for reading and I hope you enjoy this chapter!

…~Seven Years Ago~…

Excitement rushed through Izaya's veins. Or was it that he was apprehensive? No, Orihara Izaya doesn't get nervous. He was always sure to have the upper hand. He had just recently turned 18 and had instantly taken the plunge into the dark underbelly of Ikebukuro. Fresh out of high school, Izaya knew he wouldn't be taken seriously, which is why he would have to work hard to prove himself worthy of the title "Information Broker, Orihara Izaya". However, considering he was already gaining worth in the eyes of the Awakusu-kai, he didn't feel that too much hard work would be necessary on his part. This came naturally to him after all. He knew how to navigate his slowly building information network to find personal information on anyone in the city. He was on his way to the top and nothing—not even Heiwajima Shizuo—was going to take him down.

He couldn't keep from grinning as he stepped out of his small apartment in Ikebukuro. His career was finally kicking off and he had a busy day ahead of him. Three clients, all with vastly different backgrounds had requested his services. His plan was to meet with them, get the extra information he needed in person, and head home for a cup of tea.

The afternoon was particularly uneventful. Izaya made his way to the first meeting with a woman in her late 30's. Sato Momoko was her name. Her dark eyes gave him a skeptical look as he sat down across from her in the restaurant where she had chosen to meet with him. Izaya was used to it by now. He knew his appearance made him seem much less experienced that he was—really he looked more like 15 years old rather than 18—but sometimes he could use that to his advantage. However, most of the time the looks he received grated on his nerves. She ordered some fancy burger while Izaya only ordered a cup of coffee.

"So about my husband," she began, "Do you really think you can find him?"

Ah, yes. She was already doubting his abilities. Momoko was a rather successful business woman whose husband had mysteriously gone missing along with a good chunk of Momoko's jewelry and money from their shared bank account.

"Sato-san, finding people is my specialty," Izaya responded. It was somewhat of a lie. His specialty was digging up information, but finding people came extremely easy to him. Especially people who had no idea what they were doing and ordered plane tickets under their real name.

"He is on his way to London as we speak," Izaya continued, "I will pinpoint his exact location when he arrives."

Within an hour Izaya had everything he needed to locate Momoko's husband and all of the stolen property as well. He looked forward to such an easy assignment. He could get it done quickly and end his evening as planned.

The next meeting place was rather strange. Almost the definition of "back alley transaction"—rather in this case it was behind a pizza delivery shop. Izaya truly enjoyed finding out what his clients deemed as appropriate meeting places. It was remarkable what they could come up with.

"You're the informant? You're just a kid!"

Izaya resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

This man had a more interesting situation in Izaya's opinion. He was jealous because a co-worker had gotten the promotion he wanted and now he was looking for anything he could use to get said co-worker fired so he could take the promotion he felt was rightfully his. People like this are the reason Izaya began working as an informant. He got to see the ugly side of these otherwise disgustingly ordinary people.

"If you don't want my help then I'll just leave," Izaya said, spinning on his heels and taking a few steps.

"Wait—"

A wide grin spread across Izaya's face which he quickly replaced with a friendly smile as he spun back around.

"You've made the right choice," he said.

…~-~…

Making a stop at Russia Sushi for dinner, Izaya was beginning to get tired and was ready to get the final meeting over with. The final client went by the name of Kimura Jiro and requested that all information be dealt in person. This wasn't an unusual request for a client to make considering phone calls can be monitored and emails hacked; however, his choice of location didn't seem ideal to Izaya.

The location Jiro had chosen was an old bar. Izaya had to resist the urge to cringe when the strong smell of cigarettes infiltrated his senses. He could almost taste it which made him want to shudder. He hoped this meeting would be over with quickly. Stepping further into the bar, Izaya took a moment to let his eyes adjust to the low light and dark wood furniture combination.

The bartender—an older gentleman—looked up from serving the only other two in the bar. He acknowledged Izaya with a glance and nodded towards the back of the bar. A small smile crept on his face as he spoke. "If you're looking for Kimura he's in the back."

Apparently the bartender knew his client. That smile was rather unsettling though. Izaya decided to raise his guard as he made his way to the back, almost too aware of the bartender's eyes following him as he went.

Izaya wasn't sure what he expected when he opened the door to the back room. It looked like a small office space with a table in the center, a man sitting in a chair facing the door. There was another door behind him, which considering the size of the building, Izaya assumed was an exit to the outside.

"Ah, Nakura-san! I'm glad you could meet me today."

Izaya spent a moment to take in Jiro's appearance and demeanor. From what he was able to find, Kimura Jiro was 38 years old, however the fine lines in his face accentuated by the low lighting made him look older. He was fairly tall with a thin face with a defined jaw and large forehead which looked larger because of the receding hairline of dark brown hair. His eyes were narrow and cold, almost reminding Izaya of a certain Awakusu-kai executive.

However that is where similarities ended. Shiki gave off an air of power and confidence. This man had confidence, but lacked the intimidation factor. His posture gave the impression that he was anxious or introverted with his arms held close to his body, legs crossed, and shoulders tense.

Jiro gestured for Izaya to sit in the chair on the opposite side of the table. As he moved into the chair, he took notice of the food and drinks already prepared on the table. While this man didn't seem much of a threat, Izaya decided to play it safe and not touch what was offered.

"Care for a drink or something to eat?" Jiro asked, sipping from his own glass.

"No, thanks," Izaya replied, "I don't drink and I just had dinner. But please, tell me why you've requested my services. I'm curious what you could want since you didn't give me any details via email."

"Ah, yes," Jiro began, "I am gathering information on a man by the name of Nakamura Hiro."

Izaya recognized the name instantly. Nakamura Hiro was a rather influential member of a yakuza group which rivaled the Awakusu-kai.

"You should know, Kimura-san, that I am a neutral party. I'm afraid I cannot sell information that would put me in a dangerous position such as this without reason."

"Unfortunately, I cannot reveal why I need this information, Nakura-san," Jiro said, his arms uncrossing and falling into his lap. Izaya's guard heightened when he lost sight of Jiro's hands. Something felt wrong.

"However," Jiro continued, "I don't believe you are telling me the truth about being a neutral party. I happen to know that you have been in close contact with the Awakusu-kai lately."

"And where did you hear this?" Izaya asked, curiosity piqued. He could feel a shift in Jiro's demeanor as he poured himself another drink.

"Once again, I am afraid I cannot reveal my sources. However I am sure we can still work out a deal. Please, have a drink. It's on me. I know you're only 18, but you won't be seen back here. Besides, I know the owner."

It has to be drugged, Izaya thought to himself. He didn't see Jiro pour the drink after all.

"Again, I have to decline, Kimura-sa—"

Izaya was cut off when a flash of metal caught his eye and suddenly he was looking down the barrel of a gun aimed right between his eyes.

"I insist," Jiro said with a light smile.

Izaya swallowed. In a matter of seconds everything about the man before him had changed. His stance opened up and his shoulders relaxed. He held the gun with a very steady hand and his eyes had become intensely cold despite the smile on his face. The sudden change threw Izaya off and sent his mind into confusion. What had he missed? How could he have misjudged this man so badly?

"Kimura-san," Izaya began but was interrupted.

"There is nothing you can say to get yourself out of this situation. Tell me, What were you able to find about me when you did a background check?"

Izaya blinked and responded with a voice dripping in malice, "Kimura Jiro. Age: 38. Realestate agent."

Jiro smiled. "And how do you know that is really my name? Or my occupation?"

"I admit, I was suspicious about that," Izaya stated.

"Orihara Izaya. Age: 18. Up and coming information broker fresh out of Rajin high school. Claims to love all of humanity. Also claims to be a neutral party, yet has strong ties with Shiki Haruya of the Awakusu-kai. You have provided information to benefit the Awakusu-kai on many occasions. Your parents are currently working overseas in America, and your younger sisters, Mairu and Kururi are both 11 years old being taken care of by your grandparents."

"Impressive," Izaya said dryly.

"Yes, now, are you going to drink, or am I going to kill you?"

Izaya hesitated. With how quickly this man was able to change his personality, he didn't doubt the seriousness of the threat of being shot between the eyes. However what would happen if he complied with Jiro's demands?

It was surely better than his life being cut short. Also, in his position, he wasn't sure he could move fast enough to disarm Jiro from across the table with only his flick blade.

Slowly, Izaya reached forward to grasp the drink and put it to his lips. The click of the gun being cocked prompted Izaya to take the first sip of the bitter drink.

"All of it." Jiro said.

With a steady hand, eyes locked with Jiro's, Izaya raised the glass to his lips once more, finishing off the drink and whatever Jiro had slipped into it before he had gotten here.

Jiro's smirk widened and Izaya quickly realized why. Whatever was in that drink was strong. Within 30 seconds he was beginning to feel dizzy. Within 45 he had to break eye contact to hold his head in his hand. He could feel his consciousness slipping after only one minute.

One minute and 15 seconds later, Orihara Izaya was unconscious.