(The events in this chapter take place after the end of Durarara x2)

Some times we may find ourselves running from the wrong things and unsure why were running at all.

It had been 2 weeks since Ayame had been injured an another week since she had woken up. In that week she had managed to avoid Shizuo while staying at his place. She still cooked and left food for him so that he knew she was still there and that she was ok. Being around him lately made her heart pound and she wasn't sure what to make of it. Was it a natural reaction? She knew it wasn't fear that made her heart race but she had never experienced this feeling before. She was doing the only thing she knew was safe, the only thing she could do. She ran. Both metaphorically and literally, if she wasn't at work she was running through the city doing her best to avoid the blond with kind eyes.

That was until there was a note on the fridge. The piece of paper scared her. Maybe it was Shizuo telling her to go back to her brothers? Perhaps he had gotten tired of her being there? Like she cared either way, she lied to herself. Ayame took a deep breath and stared at the note in confusion. Was this even a language? She couldn't make out a single word that was written on the paper, but it must be important for him to try and tell her something right?

"Wake me up when you get up, couldn't read note. Eat first though." she scribbled on the bottom and sat it next to the plate of food. Ayame hadn't been sleeping well and work had seemed more hectic than usual. Without much thought about it she curled up on the couch instantly falling asleep.

Shizuo woke up and lit a cigarette and stared at the clock on his night stand. His mind wondered for a minute. He couldn't figure out why the hell Ayame was avoiding him. He was sure she was too, he would see her running through town some nights but the minute she saw him she would vanish into the cracks of the city. For someone who hadn't lived in this city for long she sure knew her way around it. He sighed as he finished his cigarette and got dressed. Usually he wouldn't bother with that yet but since the girl had been staying with him he tried to remember to get dressed before leaving his room, even though he'd only seen her once in the apartment.

He ran his hand over his face as he saw the plate of food and the note next to it. Damn even her hand writing is tiny. He had to squint to read what she had wrote then looked back up at his own handwriting. It wasn't that bad, he shrugged his shoulders. At least she was willing to speak with him and he hadn't done anything to scare her. The food was still warm whenever he unwrapped it, she must not have been home long. He started the coffee pot and grabbed some utensils, once the food was gone he walked to the room she was staying in and lightly knocked on the door. When there was no answer he cracked it open to go wake her up but was a little frustrated to see the bed empty.

You don't tell someone to wake you up and then leave. She could have just ignored the damn note. Then again maybe she had something to take care of and thought he would be awake later? Nah, she had successfully figured all that out so that they wouldn't run into each this past week. Walking back into the kitchen to check on his coffee he noticed a foot hanging off the end of the couch. Curious he walked over and stared down at the girl who was sprawled on the couch. Her hair was a mess and her shirt and hoodie and came up revealing her stomach, and her scars. Shizuo had the sudden urge to trace them but decided against it. Ayame had to of passed out right after she made breakfast. Shizuo felt a little guilty. Why would she go through the effort to make him food of she was this tired.

Shizuo decided to let the girl sleep for a bit longer and noticed that she hadn't done the dishes this time. That was something she was normally very good at doing. He shook his head as he turned the water on, if it was that much work to avoid him then she should just move back in with her brother. That thought hurt him a little bit more than he cared to admit, but maybe it was for the best. All he did was cause trouble anyway.

Once the dishes were done and he had poured his coffee into a cup with lots of sugar he walked back over to where the girl had passed out. How do you wake some one up? Shizuo crouched down and moved the girls hair out of her face.

"Shizu-chan." He felt as if his heart stopped for a moment. The girl was still asleep but she had leaned into his hand and spoken his name. Or at least the annoying nickname that Shinra and Izaya gave him.

It was moments like this that made him afraid to be near her. She looked so small and fragile as she slept a small smile on her face. As gently as he could manage to he placed a hand on her shoulder and shook her slightly.

"Ayame?" for some reason he felt a little nervous to be face to face with her.

"Hmmmn." Ayame's eyes fluttered open as she glared at the one who awoke her. She had to remind herself that she had technically asked him to.

Shizuo found himself slightly afraid of the girls glare. He wasn't sure why but it seem like a wise idea to not provoke the usually even tempered girl. Ayame sat up and rubbed her eyes, then looked over at the window. It seemed that someone had put a thick blanket over it to block the sunlight.

"Sorry my hand writing has never been that great." He sat back down on his heels and took a drink of his coffee.

Ayame blinked at him again then looked at the cup he was holding. She had a desire to touch him she couldn't explain. Teasing herself she reached out and took the cup out of his hand, brushing his hand slightly, and took a drink of the coffee to try to wake up. She regretted doing so almost immediately, both the bitter taste of coffee and the confusing tingle touching Shizuo caused.

"How can people stand coffee." She couldn't hide the disgust as she forced herself to swallow the bitter sweet liquid.

Shizuo couldn't help himself and laughed at the girl. "Don't take other peoples drinks then." He took his cup away from her.

"So what were you trying to write?" She figured she might as well get this over with.

"Verona goes back to Russia today. I was wondering if you wanted to come with Tom and I to see her off."

"Yea I'll go with you what time does she leave?" She really didn't want to go. She was afraid she would see something she didn't want to, but at least he didn't want her to leave.

"In about an hour. We should head out soon." He couldn't help but feel relief that she hadn't run away from him, "Also it's supposed to be really hot out today so you may not want to wear your hoodie."

"But." She looked down a little, "but when I don't I get attention and I don't really like it. I don't know what to think about it or how to respond. If I wear my hoodie I won't have to deal with it."

"If anyone gives you trouble I'll take care of them." Shizuo smiled at her reassuringly.

She looked down at the hoodie she was wearing and in a small voice muttered, "thank you." She would have to avoid talking when she was tired. She gave too much away in this state.

The walk to Russia Sushi was quiet. Neither of the two minded much but they both had things on their mind they didn't know how to say. Ayame tightened the cloth around her eyes and walked a little closer to Shizuo then she would normally have done. She felt exposed being outside in just a t shirt and jeans. When a group of people walked towards them she felt herself grab a hold of his shirt and hide behind him. Even though this was uncomfortable she was glad she hadn't wore her hoodie, she was already sweating.

Shizuo looked down as Ayame hid behind him. He didn't mind her clinging to him, in fact he rather liked it. His hand twitched in his pocket with the urge to put his arm around her to make her feel safe but he ignored it. He didn't want to scare her off again after finally having her around him again. Though seeing her act so timid kind of pissed him off. This wasn't the girl he knew but in a way it was kind of cute. He looked back when she let go of his arm and stopped in the middle of the side walk. She was looking back at the group with a fierceness she didn't have minutes ago. Now this was more like the girl he know.

"Something wrong?" He looked past her to the group that was turning the corner, had they said something?

She shook her head and joined him though she was still angry. She didn't want to make a scene but if he could walk around without hiding himself while the world called him a monster than she could do the same. She gave him a smile and walked next to him, her head higher than when they first started their journy, even if her stomach still twisted with anxiety. They waiting outside for Tom and Verona while Shizuo smoked.

"Did they say something?" Normally he wouldn't push the subject but he was curious about how she reacted.

"The said something I disagreed with is all. It's not important though." She wasn't sure if she could stand another person saying those words though, let alone repeat them.It intrigued her how much words, who had hurt no one, had made her feel so...protective?

He shrugged, it must have been about him. He couldn't figure out why she was the one angry though. Her face didn't show much to reveal her mood but he was beginning to learn how to read them.

"You look a lot smaller without jacket." Verona's voice ended the awkward conversation.

"I know, I hate it." Ayame looked at the ground. She wasn't sure how Verona and Shizuo's relationship had grown in the past few weeks that she had been out of the picture. She wasn't too keen to figure it out either.

"Small does not mean weak. You are not weak." Verona looked into the eyes of her rival. She wasn't sure what to call what she felt for the blond man but she didn't want this girl stealing him before she could figure it out. She would have to fight her for him. But how to do so without men getting in way again.

Ayame gave Verona an odd look as they walked. She was up to something. She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice the uneven sidewalk. It only made itself known to her mind that she had fallen when she fell into Tom's back. The man looked over and helped steady her.

"Sorry." Ayame looked up and gave Tom the best smile she could manage at that time. Her heart racing from the fall. She shouldn't be this thrown off.

"It's ok." Tom smiled back and scratched his head, one hand still resting on the girls shoulder. That was until a faint growl came from Shizuo. Ayame couldn't see what the look on his face was but Tom removed his hand seconds later. She wasn't sure why he would care, Tom wasn't going to hurt her right?

Shizuo was used to his sudden bouts of anger, but this time it surprised him. He had never found himself getting this mad at someone he called a friend. Tom hadn't done anything wrong, he was just trying to help Ayame but seeing another man touch her had almost made him loose his head. That smile too had made him angry, it was almost real and he didn't want to share her real smile with anyone. He ran his fingers through his hair as they proceeded to the airport. He shouldn't be so possessive, it's not like they were dating or anything. Plus if she knew what had angered him she would probably only respond by running away again. She had been caged for so long he didn't want to cage her in another way. He had been so lost in thought that he almost walked past the entrance to the airport. His sudden stop had caused Verona to walk into him.

"Sorry." He looked back at the blond who smiled at him.

"It's ok. I was not paying attention myself." That wasn't necessarily the truth. There wasn't a time that she could remember when Verona hadn't been aware of everything around her. She had ran into him in hopes that she would be embraced in the slight way that Tom had caught Ayame. Maybe it was because the man infront of her didn't think she was as frail as the girl next to her looked. She looked over at the girl next to her and noticed that she seemed a little out of sorts. The girl who's face never changed from that doll like smile had a slight look of fear on her face, and that's when Verona noticed the attention they were getting as they walked through the crowded airport.

Ayame had suddenly become the center of attention. All eyes turned to look at her as they walked she could feel her heart start to pound. This is what she was afraid of. This is why she always wore that damn hoodie. Her chest felt tight and she was finding it a little difficult to breath, she couldn't help but flinch as someone touched the small of her back. She looked back to try and figure out who had touched her and relaxed as she realized it was Shizuo. He was glaring at the people who where looking at them causing them to turn away. His presence had caused her to blend in once more, or at least be ignored.

"Sorry." She hadn't realized she had stopped, Shizuo had came back for her when they others had left her behind.

"If you were uncomfortable you could have just said something." Shizuo looked down trying to hold onto the anger he felt for the people who had cause her to be afraid. He didn't think he would ever get over the odd effect she had on him.

"I'm not used to having friends to lean on." Ayame paused for a second and wrinkled her nose as she thought. "That doesn't seem like the right word for you." She hadn't realized she had spoken the last words aloud until she looked up at Shizuo's confused face. "S-sorry I was just thinking aloud we should join the others Verona's flight is soon right?" Her heart was racing for another reason now.

Shizuo wasn't sure what to make of the girls words so he just nodded. Usually he would get annoyed and not be able to think about stuff like that but he still had his hand on her back as they walked over to the group. Only once they were all together again did he finally release his hand from the girl.

"It was good working with you." Tom smiled at Verona.

"It was good working with you as well. Shizuo If I get a chance to come back let's battle. Not with fists but with words." Verona felt her heart rate increase a little for what she was about to do.

"Sounds good." Shizuo wasn't really sure what to say in these situations. He didn't know how to thank the girl in front of him for saving him from being a murderer. Or how to really tell someone good bye. Those things where masked by what happened next though. Shizuo felt his shirt crumple at the chest as he was being pulled down by Verona. Confused, and not wanting to rip his shirt, he complied and leaned down. His confusion increased once more as Verona leaned forward and kissed him. His mind went blank and he barely registered the movement from the corer of his eyes. The only thing he could think as he was being kissed was the last time he had suddenly been kissed was by a small girl in an oversized hoodie. Granted it had been a ploy to give him a shot but he had never forgotten the way his heart felt then, so much different than how it did now.

"What was that for." Shizuo demanded once Verona had released him, feeling much more annoyed than he should.

"Something for you to think about while I am away. Also a means of getting that girl to give up on you." Verona blinked at Shizuo not understanding his irritation.

"Do you mean Ayame? What do you mean get her to give up on me?" His anger was rising as his confusion increased, none of this made since.

"Obviously girl Loves you. She's not aware that's the name of what she feels but the way she looks at you it's clear." Verona found herself confused now. She had thought that Shizuo was aware of the girls feelings and didn't return them. If he was in love with someone else she would just have to fight harder for him.

"Shizuo!" Tom leaned over as he tried to catch his breath.

"Hmmm?" He looked over at his friends trying to understand why he was out of breath.

"Ayame." He huffed and took a big breath. "Ayame took off running when you and Verona kissed. I tried to catch her. She's freaking fast she was too far away before I even reached the door."

"I have to go now." Verona hid her smile until she had turned away. She knew the girl had been avoiding Shizuo before this, now she probably wouldn't speak to him again. She blended in with the crowd before she could see Shizuo's reaction.

"Dammit!" He yelled, "Did you at least see which direction she went."

Tom had finally caught his breath and prepared himself for the effect of what he was about to say."You've got to make a decision, Ayame or Verona. You can't have both."

"I don't know what the hell you're talking about! Stop messing around where the Hell did she go!" Shizuo grabbed Tom by the shirt and lifted him off his feet knowing that she was getting farther away by the second.

"Ayame has feelings for you! Seeing you and Verona kiss upset her." Tom's heart was pounding. Why was he having this argument it wasn't his business. He should just tell him which way the girl was running, when did he become suicidal.

"Dammit! I didn't kiss Verona she kissed me!" Shizuo was getting to the point that he was going to hurt Tom if he didn't answer the question.

"She was headed toward the old warehouse district." Tom answered finally understanding what was going on. Verona had used Shizuo's clumsiness in these situations to her advantage.

Shizuo released his boss and ran off through the crowded airport. He wouldn't let her run away, he didn't want to deal with her avoiding him again when he finally got to speak with her once more. This time he had a feeling he wouldn't see her again if he couldn't catch up tp her.

Most of the time things have a way of happening on their own. Sometimes, when people are unaware they should be doing something, they need a little push for things to proceed. Only then can both parties find a way to move on with their situation. Whether its forward together or away from each other at least then there is movement instead of a stand still.