A/N: That Ketsu finale… I don't know what I'm going to look forward to now… DX
Taro Tanaka: Has anyone seen the new Yuhei movie that came out last week?
Saika: Not yet. I'm going to see it with a friend on the weekend.
Kyo: …five…
San: We've watched it five times! It's the best movie ever!
Bakyura: You say that about every Yuhei movie
Kyo: All…best
San: Exactly! They're all the best movies! XD
Setton: I'm watching this American show right now, maybe after that
Taro Tanaka: Has anyone talked to Kanra recently? I haven't seen him online for a while…
Bakyura: With any luck, that bastard died in a hole somewhere
Kyo: Cruel…
Saika: That is mean Bakyura-san
Bakyura: Not if you knew this guy like I do
Private Message
Taro Tanaka: Celty, there's a lot of rumors going around right now. Like he pissed off the yakuza, or Shizuo-san caught him. There's even a rumor that says they saw him with you on your bike…
Setton: …
Taro Tanaka: I'm kind of worried. He won't answer his phone either. This seems like the kind of rumors he might actually start but I don't know why…
Setton: Actually, this time it's not.
Taro Tanaka: Then…?
Setton: Ah… Well Shizuo actually injured him pretty badly…
Taro Tanaka: Really? How badly?
Setton: Well, I don't think he'll be running around Ikebukuro for some time. Even once he heals, I have a feeling he might avoid the city. I think Shizuo really scared him-
Izaya frowned as he scrolled through the chat logs on Celty's computer. He wasn't scared of Shizuo.
Really.
It was just…
A tall figure, framed in light looked down on him, eyes boring into his soul.
"Time's up."
Izaya ignored the cold sweat that started beading along his forehead and the way his hand shook slightly.
Mikado had been telling the truth about all the rumors too. As he perused the Dollars forums there were several threads claiming they had heard Orihara Izaya was dead. Some claimed it was Shizuo's doing, others claimed the yakuza or one of the color gangs. One poster even made an outlandish claim that the black biker was a god of death that had finally come to collect Izaya's soul. This was accompanied by a very grainy picture of what could be Celty and two other figures on her bike. It was nearly impossible to make out the identity of the other two figures, but one was tall and dressed in a white shirt-
Izaya! What are you doing?! The phone was shoved in front of his face, blocking his view of the computer screen. He leaned back in the swivel chair, ignoring the pain in his ribs that slight movement caused and grinned up at the flustered dullahan.
"I'm bored," he explained, "you can't expect me to lie in that bed forever."
You can't just go looking through my computer without permission! Celty tapped out the message rapidly, showing it to Izaya.
"Oh? Do you have private photos on here?" Izaya laughed.
Th-that's none of your business! Shadows poured out of her neck in what Izaya assumed was a blush. He wasn't as adept at reading dullahan body language as a certain doctor.
Seriously? Huh, why didn't I even think to check? You're slipping, Orihara.
"Don't worry," he laughed, "I'm hardly interested." Mostly true.
Still! You should ask me before using my computer! Celty leaned over and with a couple of clicks, logged off her account. She double-clicked the Guest account and tapped out a message.
Seriously, just ask, okay?
"Ah Celty, you're ruining all the fun I have," Izaya sighed.
Spying on people and going through their stuff is just creepy.
"But it is interesting," Izaya smiled, eyes gleaming.
Just… stay out of my stuff. Celty finally answered, striding out of the computer room. Izaya watched her leave, eyes narrowed.
"But where's the fun in that?" he murmured, logging out of the Guest account and typing in Celty's password with a flourish. He hovered over the pictures folder for a moment before deciding against it.
On second thought, I don't really want to know what I'll find.
-DRRR-
Hideki stretched, his muscles protesting the movement after the hours of staying in the same position. He had been staking out the warehouse exit for the last twelve hours, making sure there was nothing suspicious going on.
Well, nothing more suspicious than the usual black market business.
The caller on the phone had sounded especially nervous and Hideki had no plans to walk into a trap. Despite his suspicions though, there didn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary. He had counted seven trucks unload or pick up various goods from the warehouse and eighteen personal couriers. No one else seemed to be scoping the place out or setting up an ambush of any kind.
17:46.
Fifteen minutes until the planned meeting. About half an hour ago, he'd seen someone lock up and turn off the lights, leaving the parking lot only dimly lit by the nearby streetlamps. He watched through his binoculars as two men emerged cautiously from the back door. One had wild auburn hair and square-framed glasses, and the other, the more nervous of the two, looked like a generic businessman in a clean navy suit and combed black hair.
He also carried a briefcase.
17:54
Hideki double-checked to make sure his weapons were secure and concealed before fastening an oni mask to the front of his face. It limited his vision, but it was the one indulgence he let himself have. After all, he had a reputation to maintain. Moving smoothly and silently, he exited the building adjacent the warehouse where he'd set up his surveillance and crossed the parking lot to where the two men waited anxiously. He was only ten meters away when the businessman spotted him.
"Ah!" The man paled and took a step back. His partner glanced at him, then turned to Hideki, annoyance giving way to surprise.
"Ah… hello, you… you're Shimono Hideki, right?" The man with the glasses asked, mustering enough courage to smile. Hideki just nodded, enjoying the way the two man flinched at even that movement. A reputation could be a powerful thing indeed.
"Jirou, the money," the first man growled, turning to the sweating businessman.
"R-right," the man called Jirou fumbled with the lock on the briefcase for a moment before managing to open it. Hideki scanned the contents, running a gloved hand over the bills. The money was actually immaterial to him, but it really wouldn't do to have people know that, so he kept up the act. He lifted a couple of bundles, making sure the case wasn't padded with something else at the bottom. Hideki mentally calculated the bundles and nodded approvingly when the figure matched up with the one mentioned yesterday.
"The target?" He asked, turning again to the auburn haired man that seemed to be in charge.
"Ah, right," the man handed him a folder, "This was all the information we could get on him. He… we haven't heard from him in a while so I don't know where to currently find him."
Hideki opened the folder, scanning the name and attached picture inside. He'd heard of this man before. Hmm. An information broker, right?
"So, uh, do we have a deal?" The bespectacled man asked, smiling nervously.
"We have a deal. He will be dead within the week." Hideki answered simply. Both men seemed to relax a little at those words. The businessman, Jirou, extended the briefcase to him and Hideki took it, smoothly, turning to leave.
"Is it true?" The first man called to him, making him hesitate. "Is it true no one has ever actually seen your face before?"
"Eiji!" Jirou hissed, fearfully. Hideki turned slowly, a grin pulling at his lips.
"Would you like to see?" He lifted his free hand towards the mask. Both men paled.
"N-no that's alright," Eiji replied with a nervous laugh, "I'll just trust the stories are true." Hideki was about to ask which stories, but shrugged instead. It didn't really matter whether it was the story of him truly being a demon, a god of death, horribly disfigured… whatever the story they all ended the same.
No one knew what he looked like.
Because anyone who saw his face was as good as dead.
Or so the stories claimed.
-DRRR-
"Is everything okay, Celty?" Shinra asked, joining her for their Saturday tradition of cooking supper together. Damn him and his astute observations. Celty thought to herself, setting the grocery bags on the table.
Ah, I'm fine. It's just Izaya getting on my nerves.
"Ah," Shinra chuckled, "that would be what he's best at." Celty collapsed into a chair in frustration.
Why do you even put up with him?
"Well, he doesn't really have a lot of people he's close to. Actually, probably no one." Shinra shrugged, opening the grocery bags and looking through them. "Oh good! I forgot to put milk on the list! I'm glad you remembered, Celty!"
I don't feel sorry for him. It's his fault, you know.
"The milk? Oh- his lack of friends. Well, he doesn't really have a choice, I suppose." Shinra balanced the milk and eggs in one hand, opening the fridge door with the other.
What do you mean? Celty leaned forward in her chair, curiously.
"Mm," Shinra paused, looking thoughtful for a moment, "imagine you were scared of being alone, but you were equally scared of the certainty of getting hurt if you let people get too close. What would you do?" The dullahan considered the question, mentally frowning.
Keep people close… but not too close, I guess…
"Izaya needs to love someone to fill the hole in his life. Just like me. Loving you is enough to keep me going, even if you didn't love me back, just knowing that I get to live another day seeing you and loving you is enough to get me out of bed in the morning. He's the same." Shinra grinned as smoky shadows poured from her neck in a blush and Celty found herself playing with her hands at Shinra's words.
Shinra…
The doctor grinned wider, putting away the last of the groceries. He pulled out a pot from one of the cupboards and started filling it with water.
"In his case though, he claims to love all humans," Shinra continued, "Because if he loves everyone, no one is special. No one can get close." Celty considered that as she stood up washing her hands and drying them carefully before picking up her phone again.
That's… almost sad.
"Oh? I thought you didn't feel sorry for him?" Shinra laughed.
I don't! He's still an ass, but…
"Mm," Shinra agreed, "I'm friends with him because I understand." They worked in silence for a while, Shinra boiling the pasta while Celty cut up the vegetables. She paused suddenly, picking up her phone again.
If he loves everyone, then why does he hate Shizuo so much? Does he really just not think he's human?
"Aha!" Shinra grinned almost crazily, "I was wondering if you would realize it!"
?
"It's a simple answer, really, but if I don't explain it, you wouldn't believe me," the doctor told her, stirring the pasta before nodding approvingly at it. "To Izaya, all humans are liars. People lie, keep secrets, hide the truth; he probably doesn't realize it but in Izaya's mind, that's what makes humans human."
So he doesn't trust anyone… Celty tapped out thoughtfully.
"It's the reason he won't let anyone close," Shinra agreed, "he's built his entire way of life on that assumption. His job is uncovering people's lies and telling the inconvenient truth. His truth has power over humans' lies."
Shizuo doesn't lie! Celty typed out excitedly, nearly dropping the knife she was holding.
"Exactly!" Shinra grinned, "Shizuo doesn't lie to others, or even to himself. He's honest and open, meaning Izaya has no power over him. He hates that. But more importantly, if humans lie and Shizuo doesn't lie…"
He thinks Shizuo is too good to be human?
Shinra laughed, nearly letting the pasta boil over before hurriedly lowering the heat on the element.
"I guess you could say that," he agreed, "but more importantly, if Shizuo doesn't fall under the category of 'human', he can't be kept at arms' length like everyone else. Worse- he doesn't lie, so he's trustworthy." Celty stared in astonishment as the realization hit her.
Izaya pushes Shizuo away because he's afraid he might end up trusting him…
Shinra beamed, removing the pasta from the stovetop and straining it carefully into the sink.
"I told you that you wouldn't believe me," the doctor smiled. Celty shook her 'head' back and forth, knowing Shinra could tell by the movements of her neck and shoulders.
I just can't believe it… Izaya's not scared of Shizuo's strength, but his honesty? Even now?
"Ah," Shinra adjusted his glasses, setting the steaming pot of pasta on a potholder, "it's hard to say. Izaya definitely seems a little shaken, but he might bounce back once he's a little more mobile." Celty tapped her finger against the table thoughtfully before replying.
It still doesn't give him the right to go through all the stuff on my computer… Well, maybe I'll drive over to his house and pick up his laptop. At least he'll have something to do that isn't snooping through all our stuff.
"That's a good idea," Shinra nodded, "you should grab him some clothes too. He's too skinny to fit any of my clothes properly." Celty nodded, reaching for her yellow helmet.
Okay, I'll be back soon.
"Drive carefully, my sweet!" Shinra called after her. Celty shook her helmeted head at the comment. She moved to close the door behind her and hesitated. Was it her imagination or did she see a shape slinking off down the hallway behind the kitchen? Ah, it was probably nothing.
-DRRR-
Shizuo heard the distinctive whinny of Celty's bike speeding off in the opposite direction as he approached Shinra's apartment complex. He glanced at his phone. 8:34. Huh, I wonder where she's off to at this hour. Ah well. In truth, he had been hoping Celty could act as an intermediary if that bastard, Izaya was still staying at the doctor's place, but it looked like he wouldn't be that lucky.
Grumbling to himself, Shizuo let himself in to the building, hitting the 10 on the array of elevator buttons.
He tried not to think of the last time he was in this elevator.
His chest was starting to feel a little tight and it was very tempting to pull the protruding blade from the home it had made for itself between his ribs. He debated having another smoke before deciding against it. Shinra would just make him put it out right away anyways.
Finally arriving on the floor, he knocked heavily on the doctor's door.
"Coming!" His friend called from the other side, sliding the chain and opening the door.
"Ah! Shizuo, what are you doing- is that a knife?!" Shinra inspected the wound, pulling the ex-bartender inside and to the kitchen. Shizuo could smell something cooking and heard the water boiling.
"Sorry to interrupt your meal," Shizuo muttered, sitting in the chair Shinra directed him towards.
"It's fine," Shinra answered, waving a hand, "you should be apologizing for always managing to get hurt. Seriously though, you shouldn't be walking around with an injury like this!" Shizuo shrugged, leaning back to let the doctor get a better look at the wound.
"I have to get my supplies, wait here," Shinra instructed.
"Sure," Shizuo grunted. I wonder if that bastard is still here? I haven't seen him, but… It was hard to smell him either over the scent of cooking food. Shizuo's stomach growled and he realized he hadn't eaten supper yet either.
"Alright, hold still," Shinra advised, returning with his medical supplies. Shizuo did as instructed, grunting when the doctor pricked him with a needle. As the surrounding skin started going numb, he toyed with the idea of asking Shinra about Izaya, but mentally argued he didn't really care. Honestly, as long as he never saw the informant again, he could live happily.
No, he needs to die.
That was strange. Shizuo's brow furrowed. It was almost like-
"Annnnd there!" Shinra tugged out the blade, quickly covering the wound with a large square of gauze. "Hold this for a while, I need to check on supper. Have you eaten yet?"
"Uh, no actually," Shizuo answered, embarrassed by the loud growl his stomach decided to let out at that moment. Shinra grinned.
"Well, we made spaghetti, there should be enough to go around!"
"Uh, sure," Shizuo agreed, hesitantly as Shinra moved over to the stove, stirring something delicious smelling.
"The sauce is nearly done," Shinra said, mostly to himself, "okay, let's see about getting you stitched up." Shinra moved to his side, peeling back the bloodied gauze. He shook his head in wonder. "If only everyone healed as fast as you did, Shizuo. Actually…eh…nevermind." Shizuo frowned down at the doctor but didn't bother asking. He felt the blunt pressure through the numbness as Shinra began stitching the wound.
Shizuo sighed, leaning his head back against the chair and relaxing. It had been a long week after all. He could really use a home-cooked meal.
"Shinra, where did you leave…" The familiar voice that had come from down the hall trailed off as its' speaker rounded the corner and entered the kitchen.
This just couldn't be a peaceful visit, could it? Shizuo slowly raised his head, opening his eyes and meeting the gaze of one Orihara Izaya.
He looked scrawnier than the last time Shizuo had seen him, though that could just be blamed on the oversized sweat pants and loose T-shirt that seemed to dwarf his frame. His right arm was casted and hung in a sling, his left only splinted. The bruise on the side of his face had nearly faded, but his eyes were malicious as ever.
Izaya recovered first and was already smirking when Shizuo locked eyes with him.
"Shinra! I didn't know you were a veterinarian as well! That's so kind of you, patching up animals like that!"
Shizuo growled low in his throat, rising from his chair.
"Ah! Shizuo, I'm not finished yet! Please sit back down," Shinra glanced from the blond to Izaya who stood arrogantly in the doorway, "eh, Izaya, maybe you could wait in the other room…?"
"Or perhaps Shinra is more like Dr. Frankenstein?" Izaya continued, his eyes never straying from Shizuo's, "patching together monsters-" Izaya's grin widened as he ducked under the chair that Shizuo had been sitting on moments earlier. The bodyguard growled as he strode across the room, closing distance between the two of them rapidly.
"Shizuo!" Shinra's voice was just background to him now.
Kill. Kill. Kill.
"And we all know how that story ends, right Shizu-chan?" Izaya taunted, unflinching as Shizuo stepped right up to him. The informant ducked under the punch aimed at his head, but stumbled, not as agile as he was used to. Shizuo caught him by the front of the too-large shirt, slamming him into the wall. Izaya winced, clearly in pain, but his smirk returned almost immediately.
"Ah, Shizuo!" Shinra called to him, trying to pull him away from Izaya, " You're going to open your stitches! Or his stitches. Look, either way I'm going to have to patch someone up again and I really don't want to do that before supper so…"
"Are you going to finish me this time?" The question was said tauntingly, but Shizuo could see the flicker in Izaya's eyes.
No, I said I wasn't going to do it. I refuse to let this bastard make me a murderer. Shizuo began to loosen his grip until like a crashing wave, The Calm took over.
He needs to die.
Shizuo casually shook Shinra off, sending the doctor skidding into the kitchen table. He turned back to Izaya who's eyes had widened in surprise… fear maybe? He could feel himself speaking, but the words weren't important. Only one thing was important now. He tightened his grip on the shirt, lifting Izaya off the ground.
Kill him. Kill him! KILL HIM!
Shizuo froze. The whole world stopped for a moment as the realization hit him. He dropped Izaya who slid down the wall with a groan, and stepped back. Shizuo backed away slowly, stumbling over the chair he had previously thrown. Izaya looked up at him, confusion and… yes, definitely fear in his expression.
Shizuo turned and ran.
That was…
He didn't bother with the elevator, electing to bolt down the ten flights of stairs instead. He hardly noticed the burn in his thighs, nor the sharp bite of winter air as he pushed through the double doors of the apartment complex.
The voice. The Calm…
Shizuo wasn't sure how long or how far he planned to run, only that he had to get away before he did something he might regret.
Because he had suddenly realized it.
The Calm was the same voice in his head that whispered to him every time he exploded with violence.
It was the voice that had told him to pick up the refrigerator all those years ago.
It was the voice that told him to wrench a street sign right out of its home in the concrete.
It was the voice that told him to punch a guy clean across a block.
It was the voice that had told him to hate Izaya the day he'd met him.
And it.
Wasn't.
HIS.
Voice.
A/N: Hopefully people are still interested as this plot gets more and more convoluted…