A/N: So, one of the reasons this update took a while is because I kept changing my mind about how I wanted this chapter to go. I think this turned out well though, so I hope you like it.

Chapter 5

*The Next Day*

Why is he the first one I thought of?

Sora asked herself this as she looked through her phone contacts.

Part of her did realize that it was unfair to associate Masaomi with Izaya.

Sora thought getting more info on Izaya might help her to protect Akira more. She thought that maybe if she could get more information on him she could discover a weakness and if she does then maybe she could use that to somehow protect Akira from him.

She realized that maybe getting more info on Izaya would not do her any good. This was Izaya Orihara after all! Sometimes it was like he ran Ikebukuro. However, Sora was beginning to feel desperate about protecting Akira. Especially since Izaya was slyly slithering closer and closer to Akira.

Akira was so fragile. She always seemed to practically idolize her crushes. They would occupy so much of her mind, and she would seem like she'd want them more and more involved in her life. (Theoretically that is since her crushes before had never seemed to pay Akira any mind.) Almost like she thought giving more of herself to her desired crush would insure her greatest protection. But Sora knew how badly that could end! Sora had worked so hard to make sure Akira didn't completely give her heart over to any guys yet. Any other guy and Sora might have been able to protect Akira. Izaya, however, gave Sora such shivers. Nothing was more dangerous than viewing a deadly tiger like a majestic creature who was as harmless as its soft fur.

Sora knew that Masaomi was no expert on Izaya. If anything, Saki would probably be a better person to ask about Izaya. Saki was a girl who Sora was very close to in middle school. Sora still calls her a friend, but they haven't been as close since Saki ended up in the hospital. Sora would still visit her sometimes in the hospital, but they definitely did not talk as much as they used to. Saki would talk about Izaya all the time. It was no secret that Saki has some sort of unhealthy idolization of Izaya Orihara.

Saki may know a lot about Izaya, but since she idolized him so, there was no way Saki would aid in Sora's attempt at going against him. Plus, if Sora were to go to Saki for information, she really would not be surprised if Saki told Izaya about the conversation. Saki had always made clear who her main loyalties lie in.

Masaomi may not have been Izaya's "apprentice", but the two guys had seemed close during the gang wars. At least, they had to Sora. Since Sora had been such good friends with Saki, she had ended up being around Masaomi and Izaya a lot in middle school. Izaya would aid Masaomi in the war between the Yellow Scarves and the Blue Squares.

However, given how things had turned out in the war along with Saki ending up in the hospital, Sora had no doubt that Masaomi would be willing to help go against Izaya. Like Sora, Masaomi was wary of Izaya as well.

No, that wasn't the issue. That wasn't why she was hesitant to do this.

Sora finally came across the name she had looked for. Masaomi's name shown on her screen. There was a really silly picture of Masaomi smiling cheekily as his picture in her phone contacts. He must have taken the picture on her phone once when she wasn't looking. That was totally something he would have done. Sora tried to refrain from thinking nostalgically about times in middle school. That wouldn't help her now.

Many times, when Sora would pass over his name in her phone she would ask herself why she hadn't deleted his number. She never talked to him anymore, so what was the point in keeping his number? Izaya would surely have a field day with this.

Perhaps now keeping Masaomi's number would come in handy?

She clicked on his name in her contacts and just looked at the text icon.

She already went over why she should ask him. This was for Akira after all. Sora was about to click the button to add text when a surge of memories played in her head. They started with humorous and happy memories of when the three were friends in middle school. Yet almost immediately the memories became upsetting as events surrounding Saki's accident played in her mind.

She suddenly snapped her phone closed and threw it on the bed.

This was ridiculous. Why couldn't she just get it over with? This was for Akira. She couldn't let her own personal issues get in the way of protecting her friend. Akira was way more important after all. Still unable to just text him, Sora contemplated whether a walk would help her clear her head. She took a deep breath and slipped her phone back into her pocket.

Saki used to tell Sora that Izaya suggested watching other humans in ordinary life when you are uncertain what to do. Sora rolled her eyes at the memory. Saki really seemed to see herself as Izaya's "little apprentice". This used to always drive Sora crazy. She wondered how little Izaya probably thought of Saki.

Despite mentally mocking the reason behind Saki's advice, Sora decided to try it anyways. Unsure yet where she was going, Sora simply breathed in the Ikebukuro air as she attempted to take a calm walk.

This was one of the few days in the week where Sora didn't have to work. Homework didn't seem very inviting in that moment, especially when she was so distracted from worrying.

At least she didn't need to worry about leaving Akira alone. At the moment, Akira was at her therapist appointment. Sora's own parents had taken Akira, so this reassured Sora some.

As much as Sora did not like Izaya, she allowed herself to try this watching humans' suggestion. (Yes, being fully aware of the irony in why she was doing this.) Ever since Sora was in middle school, she had always noticed that Ikebukuro was a city that was always bustling. It had awed her when it was still new.

Cool wind blew against her, opposite of the way she was actually walking. So many people bustled about. Some going her way, some going the opposite way, all at different paces for whatever was going on. They almost seemed gray with how varied and blurred some of their paces appeared. Maybe there was something behind this people watching thing. It was almost...peaceful.

Only outward appearances showed, yet when one is focusing on watching the interactions of those around them, its difficult not to wonder what goes in their lives. What kind of people are they? What have they learned from experiences? What does Ikebukuro mean to them?

Remembering who also got a pleasure from people watching, she tried to shake away getting too caught up into it.

Gosh, I've been thinking about Izaya and Saki way too much. Even though she wouldn't ponder how to play with people, like a certain info broker, she still did not like the idea of having anything in common with that snake. Honestly, she just wished he would go away so she wouldn't have to deal with him anymore.

The faint sound of a horse neigh could be heard in the distance. Sora of course recognized the sound, although she had never seen the legend herself. At one point, she thought she heard incomprehensible yelling and the harsh clinging of metal on metal.

Street fighting maybe? Probably best to avoid wherever that is coming from.

Going into her own thoughts, Sora contemplated how the city was of course not nearly as peaceful as it seemed. There was an almost hidden danger to the city, possibly hidden in each crevice and part of it all. Sora had experienced for herself some of the city's dangers. It could be wild. Ikebukuro was not a city one should get too comfortable in. Especially with people like Izaya in it.

Gang wars were not as big of a concern as they used to, but that didn't mean they were gone. Sora could almost feel it in her bones. The tensions of gang turf seeking almost seemed to emanate from the shadows encompassing Ikebukuro.

Somewhere in the back of Sora's mind she realizes that she was heading in the direction of the building. The one where Saki said Izaya loved to watch over "his humans" of Ikebukuro. Sora thought she remembered something about there having been many suicide attempts from this building. It struck Sora as extremely messed to enjoy watching over people from a place with such darkness. This definitely seemed like a suspicious thing for Izaya to do in her opinion…yet here she was walking that way, not really being sure why.

A voice somewhere in the back of her mind suggested that maybe it was to try to get into Izaya's thinking by going somewhere he liked to. In a way, to 'put herself in his shoes' type of strategy. She doubted it would do much good, but she had to try something.

"I can see it in your face, you sexy thang~. You~ want me!"

Sora paused in her strolling and looked over at the park she just realized she was walking past. There was the owner to that annoyingly energetic voice. Masaomi Kida was once again failing at picking up older women. It almost made Sora want to laugh…almost. The shy-seeming dark-haired boy Sora had noticed with Masaomi lately started stuttering and blushing. He flailed his arms out in front of him.

"M-Masaomi! You-you can't talk to girls like that!"

Masaomi just waved him off.

"Oh, please, Mikado. They want all of this, they are just afraid to admit it."

The boy, Mikado, simply facepalmed, and hesitantly took a step towards the humiliated ladies, seeming like he was going to apologize for his friend's actions.

Masaomi's literally right there. Granted, he's making a fool of himself like usual. Sora found that she was internally arguing with herself again.

You don't have an excuse this time. Go over there and ask him about Izaya! It's for Akira, surely you can be mature enough for her own good?

Yet she remained just watching him.

At some point, while Masaomi tried his attempts on new victims, Mikado noticed Sora watching them and made eye contact with her. Confusion and curiosity shown in his eyes. Sora suddenly glanced away, feeling her cheeks heat up slightly at being caught watching the pair.

She tried to subtly speed walk away from the park. She already had a sense that Masaomi's eyes were following her. Masaomi had most likely followed his friend's glance and seen her.

Well, that was an epic fail. She really was a coward. How could she protect Akira when she couldn't even find the backbone to prove Izaya that he was wrong? She just really hoped that Masaomi wouldn't try to follow after her. This was embarrassing enough as it was. When she realized that his annoying voice wasn't calling out for her from behind, Sora relaxed slightly. She eased herself back into a normal pace. A few blocks later, Sora felt her mind begin to clear again when she heard,

"Sora-Chan! Hiya!"

Sora paused in her walking and turned towards the direction the voice had come from. Sora had not heard that voice in a long time. A girl, who looked like she was in her twenties, was beaming and waving excitedly as though she drank too much coffee today. She had a loose bun somewhat tucked in a loose black baseball-like hat and was wearing all black.

What was her name again? Sora wanted to say it was maybe…Erika?

Despite remembering having seen Erika before, she wasn't entirely sure why Erika added the -Chan at the end of her name.

Possibly Erika was standing in front of the back of a van. The back of the van was opened up. A pile of mangas lay spewed about on the floor of the van behind her. Another guy, probably also Erika's age, sat cross-legged in the back of the van next to the mound of mangas. He was wearing a light blue hoodie, and he had dirty blonde hair with bangs seemed to make pointed down triangles. He looked like he was squinting, possibly from having just been reading mangas.

Two other guys stood in front of the side of the van, partially leaning on it. One of them had light brown hair somewhat to his shoulders. The other appeared tall and somewhat muscular. He had dark hair covered by a black beanie, and he was wearing a dull green hoodie.

All three of the guys looked up at Sora in response to Erika's energetic greeting.

Sora forced a small smile towards them and crossed the street to chat with them.

Sora had seen this group before. She kind of felt bad about not remembering their names. Then again, other things had occupied her mind when they first met. Plus, Erika stuck out because she had very enthusiastically introduced herself to Sora the first time. She hoped it wasn't obvious that she was hesitant to come over to them.

Sora didn't have any problem with these guys. It was just that seeing them reminded her of the circumstances which had led to her seeing them last time. And that was during a time she didn't like to remember.

It had been at the hospital, soon after Saki was injured by the Blue Squares.

Sora had been attempting to do her homework when Izaya called her and told about what had happened. Sora had left for the hospital as soon as she could to go see Saki.

Sora met this group in the waiting room. After Erika's introduction, the taller one had asked Sora if she was there for Saki as well. After saying that she was, he then told her that they had been the ones who had saved Saki.

Of course, she had been very grateful to them for doing so. Therefore, she felt very bad now about having not taken the time to learn their names. It wasn't like she had ever seen them since. Honestly, she did not think she would ever see them again.

Sora walked over to them and bowed politely in greeting, but then began to feel an awkward silence overcome her. One that Erika seemed to be immune to somehow. Sora smiled somewhat shyly at them.

"Hi. It's Erika…right?"

"Yup! I'm glad you remembered me."

"Well, you're kinda hard to forget." Sora said with an amused smile.

They all laughed at that comment.

"I'm honestly surprised you remembered me, Erika. After all, I've only seen you guys one other time."

"Oh, I don't forget names easily. Especially if it's the name of someone as majorly hot as you!"

Sora definitely doesn't blush as much as Akira, but she definitely felt her cheeks heat up from that comment.

"Um…

"Erika, don't scare her away please." The Taller guy said.

"Oh, come on Dotachin! I gave her a compliment. That clearly isn't scaring someone."

"Yeah, but you clearly made her uncomfortable. So, you should stop. And I told you it's Kyohei, not Dotachin."

"Pfft, she might just be modest. Oh my gosh, that just makes her even cuter!"

"Erika- "

"Oh, c'mon Kyohei. Erika's just very blunt. She tells them as she sees them. You know that" Erika's manga buddy said.

Erika just giggled "innocently" at that comment. Kyohei rolled his eyes.

Sora tried smiling again, but her thoughts went back to Akira and Izaya. Her smile came across a bit forced. Kyohei looked back at Sora again and frowned slightly.

"Is something up, Sora?"

She was slightly taken aback by him noticing that anything was off. Erika and Walker stopped their playful banter after hearing Kyohei speak up, and looked to her.

"I mean, besides Erika's straightforwardness that is."

Sora glanced away wondering what to say. Then a thought occurred to her. She was pretty sure they used to be a part of a gang. They were the ones who saved Saki also. Maybe they could help her. She looked up again.

"Um, if you don't mind, I was wondering what you know about Izaya Orihara?"

Kyohei raised his eyebrows.

"Why do you want to know about him?"

Sora sighed.

"Well, because a friend of mine is becoming very captivated by him and I don't know how I can protect her. I've warned her about him, but he seems to have taken an interest in her. And by him taking an interest in her, I don't mean that in a good way if you know what I mean…"

Kyohei simply nodded as though he did. Izaya taking an interest in someone didn't mean that he "liked" them. It typically meant that he found them interesting to play with. Kyohei seemed to know this, Sora thought.

"so yeah…I'm very afraid for her wellbeing. She's kind of, well, fragile. She's been through a lot and I'm very afraid that he's going to break her. I have no idea how to stop him, since I know he's pretty powerful. Do you know anything that might be able to help me at all?"

Kyohei sighed but seemed to think for a moment. The others in the group seemed to have grown quiet from the topic change.

"Well, to be honest, I'm not sure what I know that could help you at all."

"Please. Having any information on him is better than just letting him do whatever he wants with her."

"You sound like you might already know a little but about him Sora- "

"Please, just tell me what you know!" Sora realized she was a little short with him and ducked her head in remorse. He was just trying to help after all. He chose not to comment on her interruption though.

"Well, um, there is one person who seems to be able to stand against him. I'm sure you've heard of him."

"…The bartender?"

"His name is Shizuo Heiwajima. I wouldn't recommend going to him though because he can be kind of chaotic when he's mad."

Sora simply nodded at this, having heard the stories.

"Well, Izaya does have younger sisters. But I don't know how knowing that could help you at all. He doesn't really like them. That, and I don't really know how to contact them if you wanted to ask them anything about him. I don't really know them that well.

There is someone who could probably tell you more about him than me. His name is Shinra Kishitani. He knows Izaya better than anyone. Probably because he's the only one Izaya really considers to be his friend. I'm not sure how much talking with him would help you either though. Not that he wouldn't be willing to help, but Izaya has even held back from telling things to him."

Kyohei sighed. So far, nothing Kyohei had said he seemed confident would be helpful at all.

"If you really want to keep him from messing with your friend, the only thing that I can honestly think of that might do any good unfortunately relates to um shady business. "

Kyohei paused for a moment.

"I'm sure you're aware that there are a good number of gangs in this city. There is one very powerful gang of organized-crime that even Izaya knows to be wary of. However, I certainly wouldn't recommend going anywhere near anybody who is even remotely related to that group. Even though they could stop him from doing something, nothing good could come from working with a shady group like that. I don't think you want to get involved in anything illegal. It just wouldn't be worth it so I'm not sure what to tell you- "

"Well, now what are you all talking about, hmm~?"

Sora tensed when she heard the unfortunately familiar voice come from directly behind her. Almost like he was practically touching her. Slowly, Sora turned around to see gleaming red-brown eyes. Izaya was smirking like he normally did.

When did he get there? More importantly, how long had he been there?

Nobody moved for a moment, sensing the elephant in the room.

He directed his gaze directly on her, sly eyes seeming to take in her shocked reaction.

"Sora, may I have a word with you?" He tilted his head slightly in one direction and began to walk away.

Sora inhaled shortly but then proceeded to follow him. She knew it wasn't a good idea but felt like she didn't have much of a choice. Even though she didn't look back to see their faces, Sora was sure that the van gang had wary expressions as well.

They walked a bit away from the group, and over to the side of a building where not very many people were around. He stopped right in front of a wall and turned to face her again, still smirking. She sighed and walked up to him, trying to keep a personal bubble. Sora tried to avoid eye contact.

"Just what did you think you were going to accomplish miss Sora, hmm~?" He leaned his face slightly towards her. Sora fought the urge to lean away from him. She felt determined to not show him that he was getting to her.

She began to nervously clench and unclench her fingers.

"Did you really think discussing me with Dotachin would benefit you in any way?"

Sora tried to calm her nerves, at least enough that they wouldn't show so much on the outside. She then looked up at him with a determined expression.

"Sitting around and doing nothing was not going to do me any good."

She was determined to not back down. There was a gleam of amusement in his eyes. He sighed.

"It really is such a human thing to try to fight against something you know you don't have any chance against. I have seen it so many times before but still don't understand why people willingly act so irrational. It's interesting though."

Sora narrowed her eyes slightly, not feeling she should comment on that.

"Why are you doing this, Izaya?"

"Why, I thought that would be obvious by now. It's because I love humans."

Sora willed herself to stay still.

"Yeah, but even still. There are so many different humans in this city. I'm sure Akira is not the first girl to take an interest in you, so why even bother with her?" Sora wanted to curse at herself when she noticed that her voice shook while saying that. Izaya's smile almost gleamed wickedly.

"Hmm, I don't really expect a mere human like you to understand why I engage with who I do."

This time Sora allowed her hands to curl up into fists at her sides.

"She's not a play toy Izaya. She is a person. There has got to be plenty of others in this city who are more interesting to mess with than Akira I'm sure. I just don't see the point in you trying to break her- "

"Oh, why would you think I want to break her?"

This surprised Sora. She raised her eyebrows, but his expression hadn't changed at all. There was no way to tell if he was serious about that or not.

"After all, where would the fun be in that?"

Sora felt very desperate and helpless. She didn't like it. She would not accept that it was hopeless.

"I don't know if there is anything I can say that would get you to stop. If there is, I will definitely say it. Even if you have to tell me what that would be. I don't want to beg, after all that has never worked on you with anyone in the past I'm sure. But I just cannot accept this just to happen.

She's already broken…I don't know how she would handle someone messing with her again."

That last part Sora mumbled, more so to herself. She was not even aware that Izaya picked up on it. His eyes perked up in controlled curiosity and intrigue.

"Say, Sora, I'm getting the impression this is more than just you being an overprotective friend." He leaned in closer so that their noses were practically a millimeter away from touching.

"There's something you're not telling me about Akira…isn't there~?"

Taken aback by his sudden inquiry, Sora forgot to hold her resolve, and widened her eyes. She paled slightly and felt like she couldn't breathe for a moment. He looked at her with smugness as though her silence was confirmation.

His eyes were so close to her. How can eyes seem so intruding?

His lips were so close to hers that she could feel his breath tickle her lips as he said,

"You know, I don't have to find out from you. You know that. If there is something being kept from me, I won't have much difficulty finding out what it is."

Sora felt paralyzed.

No.

His lips curled up in a very feline way.

"Well, I'm sure this is not the last you'll see of me. And Akira will definitely see more of me. Until next time Miss Sora Tanaka."

He pulled his face away from hers suddenly and began to skip away, leaving her still frozen where she was.

No…. No…this couldn't be happening. Sora felt stuck. Surely there is something she could do. If only Akira wasn't so obvious around her crushes.

A/N: So yeah, this came out more intense than I originally thought. Don't worry though, not everything will seem tense. Feedback please?

Oh, and I am coming back to Akira of course.

Also, I'm thinking about working on the next chapter during my Spring Break so you can look forward to that update in a couple of weeks or so I hope.