Nothing belongs to me except for Ryuu Akihana, Kanta Akihana, Ichirou Arata and the story itself. All rights go to Ryohgo Narita! Enjoy!

"Text me as soon as you get back! Not a second longer than necessary! If anything happens, give me or Kanta-nii a call — no hesitations!"
Kadota looked back towards the train docked at the loading platform before taking a glance at his watch for the third time. Izaya stood with Arata and was nodding to all of Ryuu's demands obediently with a smile. For over ten minutes, Ryuu had been fretting over Izaya and worrying over him like she was more his mother, rather than his friend. It would be funny if it weren't for the situation that brought up the behavior. The conductor called for any last minute passengers to get on board quickly since the train would be leaving soon. Kadota needed to get Ryuu home and he was sure Izaya would be in trouble if he took too long getting back. Arata was there, but he knew from Erika and Walker that their boss wasn't the most patient person in the world. With that thought in mind, Kadota stepped forward and put a hand on Ryuu's shoulder to get her attention.
"Ryuu, we have to get on the train now. It's going to leave soon. You'll see Izaya after winter break."
Ryuu looked conflicted as she kept her gaze towards the ground. She knew that with everything happening she couldn't be late getting home, but she also couldn't help worrying. For the first time since the car crash that killed Izaya and his sister's parents, Ryuu was scared that when she left Izaya alone, he might not be so lucky.
"I know, Kyohei. I know that! it's just…"
Raising her gaze back towards Izaya, her sentence trailed off. Arata, having grown tired of waiting for however long the three friends would take to say goodbye, came up behind Izaya and placed a hand on the teen's head and ruffled his hair messily.
"Iza-chan's in good hands, Miss. The boss isn't keen on killing children."
Ryuu crossed her arms and glared at Arata accusingly. It was clear that she wasn't a fan of his, and upon noticing her demeanor, Kadota was also giving the lackey a look that warned him to tread lightly.
"Is that so, Mr. Foot Soldier? Do your co-workers share the same sentiments?"
Arata smirked and moved his hand from Izaya's hair to his hip. Izaya blushed as he looked at the position of Arata's hand on him, before looking back and forth between the grunt's cocky smile and Ryuu's enraged expression.
"I can assure you that his life is in no danger with my co-workers."
Kadota was barely able to grab Ryuu in time as she made a lunge for the lackey. Arata and Izaya watched as she was dragged onto the train kicking and screaming, gaining the attention of every bystander within a five foot radius. Once the doors were closed, Kadota let the girl bury her face in his chest. Izaya felt a tug in his chest as he watched the train make its way out of the station, and Kadota sent a hard glare at Arata while he rubbed Ryuu's back and appeared to be trying to calm her down.
As the train made it's way out of the station, the brief picture of Ryuu's eye's brimming with tears before she was pulled away burned into the Izaya's memory. He had only seen Ryuu cry once in his life. Izaya had woken up in the hospital after the accident that killed his parents; Ryuu's crying face and Kanta's distraught expression were the first things he could make out once his vision cleared.
Ryuu had cried because she was scared for him, but she wasn't just scared that Izaya would be injured. She feared for his life.
Izaya glared up at Arata in disapproval, which the older male responded to by smiling in an embarrassed manner and uncaringly shrugging shoulders before making his way out of the station. Sparing a final glance to the platform, a new train taking it's place to welcome a new set of passengers, Izaya exit the station and quickly caught up with Arata.
"Arata, I wish you didn't tease Ryuu-chan like that. She was really upset."
Arata glanced down at Izaya before returning his gaze to where he was walking.
"Good thing I'm not a genie."
"Arata-senpai, I'm asking you not to antagonize my friends! They're special to me and-"
Arata sighed in frustration before turning to face Izaya, stopping the younger teen in his tracks. Izaya looked up to find a friendly smile directed at him, but the grunt's eyes spoke the opposite implication.
"Look, kid, you're in good hands. If anything, you couldn't be in better hands since you're shacking up with the boss. With him keeping you within arms reach and me escorting you everywhere like a chauffeur, none of the other guys will even try to touch you. Your friends have nothing to worry about."
If there was anything Izaya hated above all else, it was not being taken seriously and worrying his friends unnecessarily. Furrowing his brows in anger and meeting Arata's stare, the raven continued to plead his case.
"It doesn't change the fact that you treated Ryuu-chan and Dotacchin unfairly! If Dotacchin hadn't stepped in-"
A hand landing on the top of Izaya's head and the light pain its grip brought with it forced Izaya to pause what he was saying to redirect his focus on getting Arata's hand off of him. Ignoring the small hands that clawed at his much larger ones, Arata forced Izaya to look up at him.
"Listen, hot shot. My only concern is your whereabouts and well-being. As far as my orders go, your friends aren't a part of that concern. As a result, I'm not required to play nice. The boss wants you back in his office straight after school, and it's already risky that I let you see them to the station. You're cute, but you're not worth my left pinkie. Understand?"
Izaya stood shocked as Arata took his hand off the teen's head and threw back a "no offense" while continuing on the road towards the art gallery. Izaya wasn't sure what to think. Arata had been so nice to him since they first met, and seemed understanding of his situation. It was strange to think that the lackey could change his personality like a switch. Izaya would often see characters in his favorite anime shows act like that due to loneliness or a dark past, so he wondered if Arata was the same way.
Running to catch up to the older male, Izaya grabbed hold of his uniform jacket sleeve to stop Arata and grab his attention. Arata turned to Izaya with a confused, yet curious expression. Given the display the normally quiet, obedient teen was showing him, Arata knew that what Izaya had to say next had to be at least worth a listen.
"Have you ever been lonely, Arata-senpai?"
Arata blinked twice before bursting out into fit of laughter and startling Izaya with its surprising force. Izaya could only watch as Arata struggled to remain upright and let his chuckles die down into light coughing before meeting the younger teen's flustered gaze.
"Are you trying to appeal to my humanity or something, kid? Sorry, but this isn't the movies or some fictional story. This is real life. You're property of the Awakusu-kai until your innocence is proven, and surrounded by those who have long since abandoned their humanity. We're all monsters. The sooner you learn to accept that, the better off you'll be."
The two teens continued to stare at each other, each trying to dominate the outcome of the conversation through their eyes. It was when Izaya averted his gaze down to the sidewalk that Arata let a triumphant smirk adorn his face.
Making to continue on his way down the street, Arata found himself unable to move since Izaya had yet to release his sleeve. Switching his gaze between the hand grabbing him and the teen the hand belonged to, Arata waited for Izaya to let go s they could continue on their way. However, instead of slacking his fingers, Izaya's grip tightened and his eyes rose back up to meet Arata's. The grunt was shocked to see those rust colored irises shining so brightly with determine confidence. The effect they had compelled Arata to listen when Izaya finally spoke.
"If what you say is true, and all yakuza are truly monsters, then I find no reason to hold back anymore. This time, I'm not asking you. I'm threatening you. If you make Ryuu-chan cry again, or mess with any of my friends like you did today, I won't feel obligated to play nice either. Understand?"
Arata was frozen where he stood. The most he could manage was a slight nod to give his answer to the smaller male. Even when Izaya finally let go of the Arata's jacket sleeve and walked past him in the direction of the base, Arata remained still. Suddenly, the lackey couldn't help the silent chuckle that bubbled up his throat as he Turned to follow after Izaya, who was now a ways ahead of him. Arata watched the teen from behind with a delighted expression.
Heh. This simple job of playing baby sitter just got a whole lot more interesting.
"Youre a funny kid, Orihara Izaya."

Shizuo and Celty stepped out of the car, the taller of the two shooing his driver away and opening the door for Celty himself. Celty nodded in a gesture of gratitude and followed Shizuo into the gallery and up to his office. Shizuo removed his coat and hung it up on the coat rack before offering Celty a seat on one of the couches.
"Can I offer you a drink? I'm sure, after all that excitement with the west side of of our territory, you must be thirsty."
Celty shook her head and smiled reassuringly, which Shizuo nodded to in understanding. The yakuza reached into his vest pocket to pull out his pack of cigarettes and a lighter, looking up briefly only to see a dead stare directed at him. Sighing in disappointment, Shizuo returned his cigarettes and lighter to their respective place, allowing Celty to smile once again.
"Sorry, I forgot you hate the smell. Anyway, it's like I said in the car. If you wanna marry the guy, then do it. Screw what others think. What happens between the two of you is your business."
Celty pulled out her PDA, typed a response out quickly and showed the device to Shizuo.
[But what about my condition? What about my appearance? Shinra is a handsome, smart and successful. He could do so much better than me!]
Shizuo read Celty's response before it was taken for the woman to type out another response, the screen being returned to his view not much later.
[Besides… I'm still concerned he might only be going out with me because he pities me. I know you said that that's impossible, but I can't help it. You saw me that day. I was practically at deaths door.]
Shizuo sighed again. It was true that when he found Celty, she was in pretty bad shape. Her vocal cords had been ripped out, she had been severely beaten with whatever blunt object was within reach at the time and even Shinra had told him it would be a miracle if Celty survived the night. However, Shizuo had never seen Shinra have much interest in dating or women generally. Shizuo had brought plenty of women to be fixed up by Shinra in the past, but Celty was the first and only one Shizuo had to deal with Shinra talking his ear off about.
Looking back up at Celty, Shizuo saw the downcast expression she was making. It was clear that this proposal was eating at her, and she wanted Shizuo to reassure her that it was okay to accept. It wasn't the question of whether or not she was ready for marriage, or even wanted to marry Shinra, but of whether or not it was being offered for the right reasons.
"Celty, I think the best advice I can offer you is to talk to Shinra. I can tell you as many times as you want that the guy is head over heels for you. He's so far gone that I don't think even I could have tossed him that far."
Celty's shoulders shook in what appeared to be laughter, making Shizuo smile gently. It was good that she was smiling again, but the yakuza knew he had finish his thought. He only hoped it would help Celty make her decision.
"Although I'm sure you trust my opinion of that psycho, I can tell he's the one you want to hear all this from. In order for a marriage to work, you need trust. Love's unstable sometimes, but trust is its foundation. Shinra will give you all the confidence you need to go through with this. I'm sure of it."
Celty seemed to think about Shizuo's words carefully before typing on her PDA and showing him what she had to say. Shizuo nodded with a wide smile, relief flooding through him once he'd read Celty's words.
[You're right. I can't keep doubting him. Thanks for listening Shizuo. I'm glad it was you I chose to talk about this with. I'll talk to him tonight when I get home.]
"That's good. Unfortunately, that's all the time I have left. Should we schedule another counseling session for 3 o' clock in front of the coffee shop tomorrow afternoon? My treat."
Celty giggled silently before answering with affirmation. The two friends honestly never got to hang out anymore. Shizuo smiled and rose from the couch to guide Celty out of his office.
"I'll walk you out. If I left you alone to deal with the assholes I have working under me, Shinra would never let me hear the end of it."

"Iza-Iza! Ara-senpai! What a coincidence!"
Izaya and Arata had been about to cross the street to make it to the art gallery, but were stopped to find Erika and Walker running to catch up with the two males, Erika waving her arms wildly to get their attention while Walker seemed to be carrying both their bags over his shoulder and trying to keep up with the girl.
"Karisawa-san, Yumasaki-kun, hello."
Erika pouted before slamming her hand down on Izaya's shoulder, making the teen cry out in surprise. He never thought the girl would have so much strength given her petite stature, but she might have been able to give Ryuu a run for her money with how much force just impacted his shoulder right then.
"That sounds so stuffy, Iza-Iza! Just call me Erika! You can just call Yumacchi by his name too."
Walker waved in response to him being brought into the conversation, Izaya nodding back to in greeting. It finally dawned on him that Erika had been calling him by a strange name for awhile then, but was pulled close to Arata by his wrist before he could ask her about it. The older male smiled at Erika and Walker as though scrutinizing them before speaking.
"Might I remind you two that your job is done. What exactly are you planning? The boss made it very clear he wanted him brought back unharmed."
Erika glared lightly at Arata, Walker waving his hand in front of his face to show that the lackey had misunderstood their intentions.
"You got it all wrong, Ara-senpai. We just wanted to talk with Iza-Iza. It's not everyday you meet another otaku offline, so we were just hoping to get to know him a little better."
Arata sighed and ran a hand down his face lazily. If ever there was anybody that the teen could not handle, Erika and Walker were the kind of people he hated dealing with most.
"Izaya isn't a part of the Awakusu-kai. He's a prisoner under my supervision. Regardless of whether he's released through peaceful or violent means, you can't hold contact with him. The boss likes to keep these things seperate."
Erika pouted again before answering.
"Aww, but that's so boring! Besides, why are you so possessive of him Ara-senpai? You're not normally this serious about a boring job like this? Could it be you've opened your eyes to world of BL at last?"
"Not at all, you crazy witch! I'm just making sure you know not to take out his eyes with a ink needle or something, like with that one hostage who chose the book with the butler on the cover."
"Black Butler."
"Whatever!"
Izaya stiffened at the casual utterance of him being maimed or worse. The teen concluded that he would never understand these other people around his age, wearing his school's uniform and looking so content to discuss the topic of someone's torment.
"Oh, it's Shizu-chan!"
Erika's loud exclamation had Walker covering her mouth and Izaya breaking out of his train of thought. The four teens saw Shizuo exiting the art gallery across the street from them with an attractive women wearing a skin tight leather suit at his side. Izaya was confused to say the least.
Another woman? What about the one from last night?
While Izaya watched Shizuo help the woman to a motorbike parked in front of the building, he was astounded to find the man smiling so gently and smiling so freely. Considering how Izaya had only seen the yakuza scowl or glare. The closest the raven had ever seen the man come to a smile had been a smirk that made the hairs on the back of Izaya's neck stand up.
"Who's she?"
Izaya couldn't stop the question from passing his lips, nor did he understand why it was so important that he have it answered. Arata looked down at him briefly before returning his gaze to the two adults.
"She comes by a lot. She's a courier with ties to our doctor, but she's been around since before I joined. The only thing I hear about regarding her and he boss is that they're really close personally. I see them meet up outside of work like this sometimes. Why?"
Izaya scowled at the ground. The teen couldn't even tell why he was suddenly so disgruntled. He didn't care what the blonde man did or who he met up with. It wasn't his business. As far as the teen was concerned, his only concern was trying to get out of the yakuza's clutches alive.
He missed playing games until three in the morning, watching anime and singing along to the theme songs he'd heard and memorized by heart, meeting up with Ryuu and Kadota at his favorite manga cafe, playing with his sisters at the park on the weekends and asking for guidance with his homework from Kanta. Izaya wanted his old life back more than anything.
However, if all of that were true, why did he suddenly feel a dull stab where his heart was supposed to be?
"No reason. I was just curious."

Aftestory Monologue:

Momo: Guys! Good news! I'm not dead!

Izaya: Yet.

Momo: Play nice.

Izaya: Aw, but I no longer feel "obligated to play nice", Momo-chan!

Momo: Ignoring you now. [Turns To Camera] Hello, my lovely readers! I'm once again apologizing for not getting this next chapter out quickly. I meant to finish it and have it up weeks ago, but since summer vacation started, I've just not had the time! The thing is that I've gone back to college, and I took on a full credit course that kept me from focusing on anything besides homework. I'm really loving it at this new college though and I'm learning a lot. I hope that comes out in my writing for future works as well as this one. Complications started popping up literally after my last day for quarter, but its slowly calming down now, giving me more time to focus on writing!

In other news, I'm also considering copying my work onto Wattpad. I'm not moving, but I do think it will be easier to talk with you guys there. We could discuss the story, errors, contradictions and I find it easier for people to share their opinion there. It will also make it easier to send out alerts on if or why a chapter may take longer than usual, or if I need your guy's opinion on the plot. Since I also want to work on original stories, I'm thinking of posting those projects there too. If you guys think that would be a good idea, let me know in your reviews or send me opinions privately through the messenger!

Shizuo: Hopefully that won't get too confusing if it happens.

Izaya: Not all my lovely humans are like you, Shizu-chan!

Shizuo: What did you say, Flea?!

Momo: ANYWAY, it's summer vacation for me right now until September, so only my job will interfere with my free time to write for now. For those who are still waiting on my Blue Exorcist fanfic to come back up, it is on the back burner for now, but I've not forgotten about it. For those that have expressed an interest in me continuing Hysteria, as I have edited in the description, I will continue that story separately at a later date. I started Hysteria with not much context in mind, but I have finally come up with a plot that would make sense, so consider that story a prologue or sneak peek.

What else... I should really learn to write down the things I want to tell you guys. MY ADHD makes it difficult to remember what all I want to tell you sometimes... Oh well! Make sure you leave a review to let me know how you're enjoying the story so far. Your encouragement does wonders and I'm always happy to receive advice or critiques on my writing. Make sure to let me know what you think of the Wattpad idea too! Shizuo-kun! Iza-chan! Did you guys want to say good- Oh. That's why they were so quiet. Nevermind then! Until next time, guys! Ja-ne~! [Turns Camera Off]