I still don't own DRRR, but if anyone would be willing to give it to me as a Christmas gift, I'd love you forever. w

It was almost like, for a minute, she was there beside him. For a moment, he could feel her presence and almost smell the hazelnuts she adored to the point of obsession.

But just as quickly, the feeling was gone, and he was left alone again in his memories.

He missed her; that much was obvious to anyone who cared to look close enough. Tom was worried, and so was Celty and Shinra; they'd made that much clear with their constant and random appearances to "see how he was and if he wanted to go out for a few drinks".

"Well, well, well! Aren't you looking downtrodden today, Shizu-chan?" A cheerful voice cut through the humid Ikebukuro air. It was the information broker, Izaya. But instead of reacting the way he usually did, Shizuo shocked the man by merely walking away, his jaw tightened and his eyes focused on a point that seemed to be somewhere between here and there.

Izaya was Izaya, however, and he couldn't just let that slide; he was the information broker, after all, and scoops didn't get much better than this! Shizuo Heiwajima, a man as well known for his strength as his short temper, walking away from a confrontation? What on earth had this world come to?

Unless the dumb brute has figured out she's back. His maroon eyes glinted maliciously and his mouth curved into his usual smirk. Let's see how far I can push him without breaking my deal with Tanuki.

"You look miserable, Shizu-chan!" Shizuo's back continued to get further and further away.

"Do you miss her, Shizu-chan?" There was still no reaction.

Hmm... His brain was working fast now, trying to find something to say to make Shizuo react.

"I heard she's engaged!" A lie, yes, but it worked and Shizuo's large hand was holding him up by his sweater collar.

"What?" Spittle flew from Shizuo's clenched teeth as he shook the bane of his existence.

"Uwaa~. I shouldn't have said that!" Izaya couldn't help but smirk at the rage on the blonde's face. "It could just be a rumour, Shizu-chan!"

Shizuo didn't seem to understand that he'd merely been playing with him; he never really did.

And now Izaya was flying through the streets, his coat flapping like broken wings behind him before he smashed forcefully into the building across the avenue, with Shizuo storming in the wrong direction; away from him.

Things are getting even more and more interesting. He mused to himself, picking himself up from the rubble. He went to brush the dust off his coat, but his finger caught in a tear in the shoulder. His eyes widened in horror as he turned his head and surveyed the extent of the damage. There was a large gash about two inches under the seam, and another one near his right pocket. The tanuki owes me for this, he thought bitterly, mourning his precious coat as he walked back his office, not sparing a glance for the two otaku who had overheard the entire thing.

oooo

"Dotachin, Dotachin!" Erika's loud voice cut through the soothing quiet in the parking lot.

The man in question merely grunted in acknowledgement; he'd long since accepted the nickname; he didn't particularly like it, but by now it had become so engrained it was too much of an uphill battle to fight it. Besides; he'd grown to like the stupid little nickname that broker had given him. He'd never admit it out loud though.

"What do you want?" The bandana stayed firmly over his eyes and his feet planted on the dashboard of his van.

"Tai's engaged!" It was Walker who screamed this, his narrow eyes open wide for a change.

Kadota sprang from his seat, bashing his head against the roof with a curse as he tried to get a closer look at the two otakus.

"What? That's impossible!" It had to be.

"Apparently not! Izaya said it himself!" Erika chirped her voice overly cheerful.

"No." It came out as a hopeless and hoarse whisper. "No."

"Mhmm! Shizuo looked really angry about it!"

"Yeah! It's like a romantic comedy! Shizuo's going to have to fight this other man for Tai!" Walker exclaimed, his usual geeky grin back on his face.

"Totally!" Erika too had become distracted by the premise of this 'romantic comedy' and had started to argue with her counterpart about the outcome of this 'battle royale'.

Kadota, however, had been reduced to a shaking mess; if this was really true, then who knew what would happen to Shizuo? She'd been the only one capable of calming him down, and now she might be gone...

Get a grip, man. You need to try and fix this, somehow. And try he would.

A/N: Delayed update is delayed.

Sorry about that guys. D:

BUT!

At least it's here! :3

I know Kadota might seem slightly OOC, but meh; this isn't really all that canon.

I really hope you guys enjoy it, and that you leave me some feedback in the comments!

It'd be very greatly appreciated.