Here it is, the next chapter. Wow...i didn't think that many people would like this ^^' thanks alot for the reviews, they boosted my confidence a little. Enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 2

Shinra saw it the moment he stepped into the empty class and saw Shizuo at his desk, head down and buried in his arms. He didn't even need to look at his face because he knew it. "Show me your arms."

Shizuo didn't even look up. "Go to Hell."

Shinra frowned, walking over and standing infront of Shizuo's desk. He stared at him before speaking firmly. "Shizuo, show me your arms, now."

Shizuo let out a small sigh, sitting up. Slowly, with his eyes looking anywhere but at Shinra, he began to roll up his sleeves. Shinra waited, wincing just a bit as he was shown two deep, new gashes right under shizuo's left wrist. He wanted to yell but the fearful look that lingered in Shizuo's eyes eased his anger, replacing it with saddness. "Shizuo..."

"Don't lecture me," Shizuo muttered, pulling his sleeves back down quickly and looking out the window. "...I've had enough lectures."

Shinra sat at his desk, leaning back and gazing at the ceiling. "...What happened last night?"

Shizuo was silent for a few seconds. "...My dad got mad, that's all."

Shinra fidgeted, biting his lip slightly. ""Did he-"

"He didn't hit me," Shizuo cut in quickly. He sighed, looking at his desk with distant eyes. "...He wanted to, though...but he didn't. He just...you know what, it's not important."

"Shizuo," Shinra huffed, standing. "Tell me what went on! I can't help if I-"

"Drop it," Shizuo stood up in a flash, chair screeching against the floor as he glared dangerously at his friend. He clenched his fists, shaking ever so slightly. "You can't help so just drop the subject, damn it!"

Shinra stared up at his friend, a small smile forming on his lips. "...Sorry, man."

Shizuo sighed in aggitation, running a hand through his hair and sitting back down. He gazed out the window. There were clouds today, small, puffy looking ones that dotted the sky here and there. Again, it would be a nice day.

"So, a friend of mine just moved to Ikkebukuro," Shinra's voice startled him a bit and he glanced over. Shinra smiled at him. "He's staring school here tomorrow, so...be nice, ok?"

Shizuo raised an eyebrow, his annoyance suddenly springing up. "You just automatically assumed I'd kick his ass or something?"

"Well...yeah," Shinra said, smiling nervously as he tapped his pencil. "He's one of those guys, you know?"

Shizuo frowned heavily. "...So, he's a douche."

"Well, kind of," Shinra began, thinking a bit. "He's an ok guy, but at the same time he's a completly horrible person. I mean, he's nice to me but i'm pretty sure he'd mess with you so just don't hurt him...at least, not too much."

Shizuo nodded absently, sighing. "Whatever, as long as he isn't as annoying as half the assholes here."

Shinra smiled and then the bell rang. Students filed in, the teacher entered and class began. Shizuo took some notes, paid as much attention as he could. That lasted an hour and a half and he finally set his pencil down, looking down at his hands that now rested in his lap. He eased up his sleeved slowly, his right thumb ghosting over one of the gashes. It stung a little and, oddly enough, it made him smile sadly.

He sighed quietly and closed his eyes, leaning back in his seat. He could doze off right then and there if he really wanted too; the teacher was too afraid of him to try waking him up, after all. It was almost funny to Shizuo that people that didn't even know him were terrified of him. Walking down the street, he saw how people veered away from him, how the parents pulled their young children away.

It was complete and utter bullshit. He wasn't dangerous!

Ok, maybe he was at times he was, but that was only if he was provoked. No, he didn't wander the streets looking for someone to beat to a bloody pulp, for god's sake!

He was nice, extremly so if he wasn't in a bad mood. He hated violence almost as much as he hated his dad, that's why he hated himself; he was a monster in human form.

When lunch rolled around, Shinra dropped another bento in Shizuo's lap. "There's extra rice in there; I figured you'd want more."

Shizuo blinked a bit and then threw a small smile at his friend. "Thanks, Shinra."

Shinra nodded, plopping beside Shizuo and digging around in his pocket. He retrived a small tube of cream and held it out to Shizuo. "It's scar cream; use it so your parents don't find out."

Shizuo frowned at the cream and looked away, unwrapping the bento and breaking apart his chopsticks. "No thanks; they woudn't care, anyways."

Shinra sighed softly, setting the cream aside and unwrapping his own bento. "Shizuo, I don't know what I'm going to do with you."

"Leave me the hell alone," Shizuo suggested through a mouthful of rice. "That'd be nice."

Shinra broke apart his chopsticks and rolled his eyes with a smile. "I know; I'm coddling you and I know you hate that."

Shizuo surpressed a sigh, looking up at the sky as he swallowed his rice. "What day is it?"

"Tuesday," Shinra muttered, eating.

Shizuo nodded, shoving more rice into his mouth. "I told you I was free Friday, didn't I?"

"Yes," Shinra said with a grin. "And you're so comming over Friday. Celty misses you like hell and my dad seriously wants to see you."

Shizuo couldn't help but smirk. "If I hadn't known you since elementary, I'd say your dad was some sort of child molester."

Shinra snickered a bit, nodding. "Well, he does give off that vibe...but only around you."

"Lucky me," Shizuo laughed, shaking his head.

The rest of lunch was spent eating and calling each other the most random names that came to mind. It was good for Shizuo, and that's why Shinra did it; the randomness kept Shizuo's mind off everything and away from that dark place.

Shinra hated Shizuo's dark place, hated how bad Shizuo could get when he was stuck in it. He could be stuck for days, weeks even, and Shinra hated those times. Shizuo's smile during that time were all fake, forced, and his laughs were strained. His anger was always right there beneath the surface, like some beast waiting to spring to life. Every little thing would set the blonde off; dropping his pencil, someone sneezing in class, people walking too slow in the halls...

Shinra absolutley hated it.

The bell rang and both boys were soon back in class, Shinra dutifully taking notes and Shizuo...sleeping. Shinra sighed a bit but didn't bother waking him; Shizuo needs his sleep.

It was then that Shinra really began to think about the conversation the two had earlier that morning, the one about the friend he wanted Shizuo to meet. He had warned Shizuo to be nice, though now that he truley thought about it...he realized how difficult that would br. His friend was an ass, after all...

When school ended, Shizuo found himself walking with Shinra this time. He'd never admit it, but he liked walking with Shinra, even though he pretended the other male ignored him to no end.

Shinra was his best friend, after all.

"So, why are you freeFriday again?" Shinra wondered, yawning a bit. "You never told me why it was Friday."

"Kasuka," Shizuo muttered, shrugging lightly. "He's go an audition, so they'll be gone. Mom and Dad made it Friday. most likely so I wasn't stuck at home while they were away."

"Another audition," Shinra murmured, tapping his lips in thought. "Man, your brother has it good; the face of an angel, he can act perfectly, amazing grades and-"

"Shut up," Shizuo snapped, turning on his heel and glaring at the other boy. "I know he's fucking perfect so shut the hell up!"

"Shizuo, look, sorry," Shinra held up his hands in defense. "I was rammbling, sorry; I know you hate that."

Shizuo looked away, taking a deep breath to calm himself. "...I know my brother's perfect; my parents say it all the time, I'd rather not hear it from you too."

There was a moment of awkward silence between the two, the bustling noise of the ever shifting city being the only sound surrounding them. Shinra sighed a bit, playfully punching Shizuo's arm. "Going soft?"

Shizuo smirked lightly, swatting the other boy's hand away. "Go home, Shinra. I'll text you later."

After waving goodbye, Shinra dashed away and Shizuo let out a sigh, begining his walk home. the people on the streets kept as far away from him as they could, mothers pulling their small children closer to them. Shizuo would have cried right there, had he been that...well, dramatic. Instead, he settled for picking up his pace, making it home not too long after. He closed the door behind him, kicking off his shoes. "I'm home."

There was no response, as usual, and he made his way to the kitchen, peeking in. Kasuke was there, leaning against the counter with a glass of juice in his hand. He nodded a bit at Shizuo. "Welcome home."

Shizuo nodded back stiffly. Kasuka took a sip of his drink before speaking. "Mom and dad aren't here. Mom's at a friends until tomorrow, dad's going out with his friends drinking after work."

At that, Shizuo visibly flinched. "...What time will he be home?"

"Eleven, probably," Kasuma murmured, staring blankly at his brother. "You should be asleep before he gets home, just in case."

Just incase he decied to beat the shit out of me, Shizuo thought bitterly. He huffed, looking away. "Don't tell me what to do; you're a kid."

"A kid who's smarter than you," Kasuka snapped back in a dull voice. "I'm trying to help you, Shizuo."

Shizuo clenched his hands at his sides. "...Then stop being so perfect if you really want to help me."

The words were never supposed to bed said, but the moment they passed his lips, a wave of regret washed over him. He didn't dare look at Kasuka; he was too afraid to see his little brother's reaction.

"...Perfection is far from what I am," Kasuka mumbled, setting his glass down on the counter. He walked towards Shizuo, reaching out his hand and tugging Shizuo's shirt sleeve gently. "but I'm your brother, and I'm sorry; I know they don't value you, I see it everyday and I try to get the attention on you but...it never seems to work."

Shizuo tugged his arm free, still not looking at his sibling. "...I'll make dinner tonight; go do your homework."

Kasuka stared at Shizuo as the older male trudged down the hall and almost sighed. Shizuo...

Shizuo all but slammed his door behind him, throwing his bag to the far side of his room and plopping down on his bed. He held his head in his hands, his shoulders shaking just a little. It felt like one of thosedays again, the days where he was falling back into his damned pit of Hell.

To occupy his mind, he wound up on the computer, looking up music videos and watching random animes he had already seen and finished a hundred times. It was mind numbing and he could have done something else, but he couldn't bring himself too; he knew what he would end up doing if he let his mind wander and, frankly, he didn't feel like listening to Shinra bitch at him for having more scars.

So, anime and music kept him busy for a couple hours until he finally stood and made his way to the kitchen. Kasuka was in the livingroom, judging by the sounds of the T.V coming from said room. Shizuo opened the fridge, biting his lip as he thought about what he could make for dinner.

He wasn't a very skilled cook, it was actually more of Kasuka's thing; go figure. He shrugged it off, though, settling for closing the fridge and tapping his chin in thought. "Kasuka, what do you want for dinner?"

there was a minute of silence and then his brother walked in, blank faced as usual. "Anything is fine."

"I can't cook much," Shizuo reminded quietly. "I can...make stir fry...maybe some rice..."

"...Let's get pizza," Kasuka offered, reaching into his back pocket. "I have some money."

Shizuo's eye twitched and he sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "If you don't like my cooking, just say so."

Kasuka lingered in the door way as he pulled out his cell phone. "...I'm not fond of your cooking, Shizuo." And then he left, already dialing for pizza.

Shizuo knew he should have been asleep, but his body wouldn't let him. He was asleep, staring up at the ceiling. "Damn..."

He kicked his blankets off and stood from the bed, sighing and making his way to the kitchen. He would have gotten a glass of water if he hadn't froze on the spot, eyes widening.

There was sound comming from the living room, from the T.V. most likely. He knew for a fact that Kasuka was asleep, or at least on his computer in his room, and his heart skipped a beat; his dad was home.

Shizuo took a quiet, deep breath and then walked to the cabinet, reaching up and getting a glass.

"Why the hell are you up?"

Startled, the glass slipped from shizuo's hand, shattering on the floor. Shizuo whirled around, facing his dad who stood in the doorway. He could smell the stench of sake and vodka and everything else that lingered on his dad; it nearly choked him. "Dad..."

His dad huffed, swaying a bit. "Tch, you should be in bed."

"I uh," Shizuo bit his lip, taking a calming breath. "I was thirsty."

"Thirsty," his dad muttered, rolling his eyes. He stepped closer, staring down at the shattered remains of the glass that Shizuo had dropped. "Your mom won't like that you dropped one of her glasses."

Shizuo hesitated, biting his lip. "You made me drop it..."

"Oh, so now it's my fault," His dad's eyes glazed over with drunken anger. He lashed out, gripping Shizuo's hair so tight that the blonde yelped. "I didn't do a damn thing, you little brat!"

Shizuo was shoved into the counter, wincing at the pain that seared up his spine. His dad looked furious, reaching out and gripping the front of Shizuo's night shirt and yanking him so close, Shizuo could smell his foul breath. "You make me sick."

Shizuo pushed at his dad's chest, stumbling back and backing against the counter once more. He gulped, hands shaking at his sides. "S-sorry..."

"Sorry," His dad blurted, laughing a bit. "Sorry doesn't mean shit, you little brat! Sorry doesn't pay for the hospital bills, sorry doesn't repair all the shit you've broke, sorry doesn't mean anything at all, you little pathetic brat!"

"Stop calling me that!" Shizuo sapped, feeling tears sting the back of his eyes. "If you didn't make me feel like shit then maybe I wouldn't be like this!"

"I don't do shit!" His dad's fist collided with his jaw in the blink of an eye and Shizuo found himself on the floor, his dad glaring down at him. His dad's eyes were narrowed dangerously once more and he huffed. "Why can't you be normal like Kasuka?"

Shizuo winced, closing his eyes as his dad exited the room. He layed there for a few minutes, shaking and still fighting back his tears. It was all so frustrating, so...so annoying...it made him sick.

He cleaned up the glass from the floor and, as silently as possible, made his way back down the hall. He froze, though, seeing Kasuka peeking out of his bedroom. They stared at eachother, Shizuo's hand craddling his bruised cheek. Kasuka blinked slowly, head tilting ever so slowly. "...Do you want an ice pack?"

Shizuo didn't know why, but that simple, innocent question broke the last string. He walked away quicly, tears started to cascade down his cheeks. He closed his door behind him and slid down, hands over his face and shoulders shaking madly. Why...? Why?! I don't want to be like this...!

He contemplated his blade but...he didn't even have the willpower to do that, even. He sat there, crying and shaking, asking why he was cursed to be what he was...

A monster.

Raira was the same as usual the next morning, students still veered away from Shizuo as he walked onto the campus. However, one thing felt...off, wrong. He stopped, not sure what exactly it was. Slowly, his brown eyes lifted and locked on a window of the school.

He was being watched.

His observer had to be male; he justknew it, didn't know why. From what he could see, the guy had dark hair, most likely black. He wasn't in the Raira uniform, instead wearing black jeans, what looked like a red t-shirt and a black jacket over it.

A shiver went down Shizuo's spine and he frowned, quickly looking away and continuing on his way to class. Shinra was there first, believe it or not, and as soon as the brunet caught sight of him he gasped. "Your face!"

Shizuo paused before sighing, plopping in his seat. "Yeah, whatever; shut up."

Shinra huffed, crossing his arms. "Shizuo..."

"Shut up," Shizuo snapped, eyes closing in annoyance.

Shinra sighed, looking away and pushing his glasses up his nose. "...I'll make you tell me."

Shizuo stayed silent, settling for looking outside. Shinra clenched his fists but the bell rang before he had the chance to say anything. students came in, everyone fell into their daily routine.

This time, however, Shizuo didn't even attempt to pay attention. He stared outside, his face blank and uncaring. He stayed that way until lunch, when he and Shinra were walking around outside. then, he frowned, "Why aren't we on the roof like we normally do...?"

"My friend I told you about," Shinra explained with a small smile. "He wanted us to meet him around here somewhere."

Shizuo barely raised an eyebrow as he looked around. "...Here, at the basketball court?"

Shinra shrugged. "Yeah, I guess I mean-"

"Yo, Heiwajima." The voice was unfamiliar and, scowling, Shizuo turned. There was another student staring at him, several other boys behind him. They were all glaring, the front man seething. "I heard you've been talking about me."

Shizuo frowned, an eyebrow raising once again. "I don't know who the hell you are."

The othe rteen huffed, fists clenching. "You liar! I'll beat the shit out of you!"

Shinra yelped, jumping back as the teens, the entire group of them, ran at Shizuo. For a slight second Shizuo hesitated before gritting his teeth, stopping a fist before it hit his face. The other teen blinked and Shizuo glared. "...You just put me in an even worse mood, fucker."

Shizuo's other fist sent the teen flying and he looked towards the other boys around him. In an instant they flew at him and Shizuo reacted. Shinra watched, sighing as Shizuo punched kicked and sent the other boys flying as well. Shizuo, by the time it was over, stood there panting, a light dust cloud lingeroing at knee length. There was a silence before a clapping sound was heard.

"My, my, you really are as strong and hot blooded as they say." The voice was unfamiliar yet, alluring.

Slowly, Shizuo turned. Seated on the bleachers beside Shinra, was that same guy who had been staring at him that morning. Up close, Shizuo noted that he had been right; he had black hair. His eyes were almost crimson in color; contacts, maybe? His skin was white, not exactly pale but definatly not tan, either. Shizuo had to admit it...the guy was attractive.

"Shizuo, this is the friend I was telling you about," Shinra stated, smiling. "This is Orihara Izaya; he's a great guy. Well...ok, not really; he's a totally bad guy."

"How mean," Izaya said with a small smirk, tilting his head at Shizuo. "Nice to meet you, Shizu-Chan."

Shizuo blinked. Shizu-Chan...? What the hell?

However, Shizuo couldn't help but let his eyes lock on the raven haired male's smirk...those lips...

Shizuo grit his teeth, glaring at Izaya suddenly. "...You piss me off."

Dun dun dun! Hahaha, stopped it here. sorry if the conversation isnt exactly how they met; I havent watched Durarara in a while. anyways, i hope u liked it. i really tried. Izaya wasn't in as much but i promise, more to come...and yaoi will come as well, patience. ^^ review plz?