Author's Note: Hi again! I'm here with an update. Firstly, I wanted to thank for the reviews and all the story alerts and favourites. It means very much to me and make me feel motivated! Secondly, just ask for an opinion if you would like longer chapters with a bit longer wait or shorter but updated faster... But for now, just enjoy the chapter... :)

Blue Foundation – Eyes on Fire

"I won't soothe your pain

I won't ease your strain

You'll be waiting in vain

I got nothing for you to gain"

It's hard to startle Orihara Izaya. I can count those who managed to do it on fingers of my one hand. Shizu-chan, in some unknown to me way, is one of those persons... and at the top of the list at that. This time, however, it wasn't something he could gloat over if he had such a wish, what was actually more than less likely... even if he was conscious.

Yes... I, Orihara Izaya, Heiwajima Shizuo's worst nightmare and enemy, was looking down at his unconscious body, partially lying under the fire escape or rather what was left of it. The only logical deduction was that it didn't last out the earthquake and crushed Shizu-chan or maybe taken him down when it was falling...? It didn't matter now. The effect was the same. Helpless Shizu-chan. Well, at least for a moment or two. It wasn't easy to achieve a long lasting result. At least that was what I thought... until I came closer and took a good look at the brute's condition. It almost made me gasp. Almost... And only because it was such a rarity.

Apart from his obvious unconsciousness and minor bruising visible on his face and neck, there had to be a gash on his head, as his forehead and a part of a cheek were covered in blood. However, that in particular wasn't something exactly new. He received those more then often. Sometimes I wondered if it was the reason for his thoughtless rampages and unpredictability – that he had just problems thinking thanks to all the head injuries and so just depended on his instincts... Really... One couldn't tell...

But as I said, it wasn't the wound on his head that fixed my attention in an almost sick way. What I couldn't tear my eyes of off were Shizuo's legs, or rather his left one. Because, yes... I knew very well that the protozoan had a frighteningly long list of fractures, I made myself sure of it actually, yet all of them weren't hard for him to recover from. Shinra more than once prattled about how strong Shizuo was, how easy his bones healed and cuts and bruises faded away. And from all the talking and my later not so subtle inquiries, Shinra wasn't hard to question about that topic, I new that this kind of injury was a first. And maybe that's why the bone apparent in the long tear in Shizuo's left pant leg was as good as impossible for me not to look at... An open fracture of his thigh bone... As far as I was aware, those could be very hazardous. A potential life threat. And a serious one at that.

It started in my stomach. First inaudible, a spasm of muscles that I couldn't control. Then it changed, low and quiet, as it travelled to my chest to resonate and gain more power. The tone changed into a higher one, only to leave my throat without my actual consent...

Finally, I erupted in laughter.

I couldn't stop, my body shaking with the high sounds. Resounding from the walls, they created an echo and it only spurred my to laugh harder, longer. I didn't stop until I felt an alien dampness on my cheeks. Tears...? I had to confirm it by touching one and licking it incredulously of my finger. Tears indeed. I laughed myself to tears looking at hurt Shizuo... After a second thought, that wasn't really a big surprise, now was it?

Only then I let myself understand fully why I laughed so hard. And how could I not? Because, wasn't it ironic? Heiwajima Shizuo – the strongest one in Ikebukuro, Ikebukuro's monster, the seemingly invincible one whose life I made a constant fight with fists, blades, bullets and much much more – defeated in a sudden encounter with nature. There was this sweet irony that what made him yield was what gave him his unnatural strength. And it somehow made sense. Nature was as unpredictable as him, as impulsive as him, as vigorous as him... What else could be his ultimate adversary? The one that would be more than a momentary trouble, an inconvenience, a fly under his nose that he would smash with ease or a mosquito bite that would irritate and made him scratch, but eventually leave no trace... That's why I laughed. It was... perfect!

It didn't look like he was waking up any time soon and it struck me that I had so many options right now! The easiest one was just to ignore him and leave. Someone could find him on time... or not. A little bit of gamble on my side, letting the situation progress without me mingling into it, not sure of the outcome. Though, then was the question of what I truly wanted... It was was only a logical step to think about ending what the nature has started here and displayed right in front of me like an early Christmas present – found somewhere in the closet, tempting to open it as there wasn't a single soul to witness the wrongness of the act.

I couldn't stop thinking about it, a part of me ready to put an end into Shizu-chan's faint breathing pattern, but in the same time I couldn't move to execute my wish. Or was it really...? Something that I couldn't quite grasp, an inner voice or whatever else it was, told me to ask myself again, think about the consequences. And I did...

Who would I provoke, taunt and run after? Of course there were all the people, my beloved humans to observe, to push their boundaries, but... it wasn't the same. They would not retaliate in a way that Shizu-chan would. They would not provide me with a chase in which my heart would beat loudly in my ears, pumping blood and adrenaline to my system. They weren't so untamed, so simple and yet inexplicable, so... there. Besides, maybe Orihara Izaya is sly and deceitful, but never was one to choose the easiest way. And killing Shizu-chan right now would without a doubt be an easy solution. Hence, not one I could go for.

And so, one last look at Shizu-chan and a mobile phone appeared in my hand, my fingers already going for the speed dial. I didn't have to wait long for a familiar voice to answer me in its usual, happy manner.

"Ah! Izaya-kun~! Let me guess, you need patching up? Were you injured during the earthquake? If not for Celty I would also definitely nee-"

"Yes, we all now how amazing Celty-san is... Now, Shinra, I need some patching up, but am in no condition to be running about. Can you perhaps meet me were I am right now? I believe Celty-san wouldn't mind giving you a ride..." I interrupted him. As good as a doctor Shinra may be, his attention tends to wonder about. I was in no mood to waste more of my precious time.

"Are you in such a bad condition?" Shinra's voice changed to a more professional one thankfully.

"I believe so... Ne, Shinra~, you think you can hurry up for me? You wouldn't want someone bleed to death, now would you? I'm in Ikebukuro, actually, I think I'm were Shizu-chan lives. What a coincidence, isn't it?" I laughed inwardly, not caring for the earlier misunderstanding, playing into it. Why give Shinra more reasons to ask useless questions?

"Shizuo's? How did you ended up there? Tell me, wasn't it actually Shizuo who beat you up? Is he still there?" Shinra inquired, I sighed.

"Ne, Shinra~, come and see for yourself. And maybe later we will throw a little party for my poor traumatised persona. Jā ne~!" at that I hung up on him, knowing that he will come anyway, only if because of curiosity.

After my call I left the alley to wait for Shinra and Celty in front of the brute's apartment. A part of me was still wondering what the hell was I doing, but then I reassured myself that it wasn't because of some suddenly awakened pure intentions. I wasn't a good Samaritan, I was just acting accordingly to a whim of mine. Everything was nice and normal...

It was about ten minutes after my call and I was able to distinguish the sound of Celty's motorbike running down the rode from other noises attacking my ears. Shinra was with her of course and he almost run into my direction the moment the vehicle stopped, dragging a rather big, leather bag along. He stood before me, his eyes scanning what was visible of my body and after a moment of this examination a crease marking confusion formed on his forehead. He huffed, probably trying to understand what was the meaning of this.

"What is the meaning of this, Izaya!" Ah, didn't I say so? "Are you scheming something again or you have a major injury hidden under those clothes..." he eyed me suspiciously. I smiled sweetly, not trying to hide my amusement.

"Oi, Shinra, why so flustered...? You think I would waste your time and ask for help without a good reason? What for...?" I asked, my voice feigning hurt.

"Amusement? I can see that you already are... I could have spent my time with Celty instead of riding around the city believing you're hurt!" he responded almost irritated. Must have been a stressful day if he was snapping so fast... Though, it was not my concern right now.

"Ah, well, if you're putting it that way... I was only trying to be nice for once... Go to the alley and tell me if it was right of me, ne~?" I motioned into the direction of the alley where Shizu-chan was, reflecting on his possible state again. Was he even alive still? Could have kicked the bucket by now... Wonder what Shinra will tell then? Will he blame me? Now that wouldn't be so surprising...

My thoughts were interrupted by a loud shriek... Shinra's obviously, never new his voice could be so high-pitched, and the he emerged from the alley, look of bewilderment on his face. He didn't speak to me or even cast me a glance, instead going right to Celty.

"You must help me Celty, I can't get him out of there without your help." he said and after a second I could see Celty using her phone to type something for Shinra to read.

"Shizuo... It's Shizuo. Just... come with me." he repeated and Celty nodded with her helmet, going fast after Shinra.

The man sounded serious, if not a little frightened. Was it really so bad? I didn't exactly approach the protozoan too close, so I wasn't sure. I couldn't be so bad. He wasn't dead, if one was to go by Shinra's behaviour. Oh, well, que sera, sera... It wasn't my place to worry. I could do nothing to help. He wasn't my friend. Not even a colleague. And one doesn't worry about enemies, obviously. Besides, Orihara Izaya doesn't worry about people as a rule...

I sighed under my nose. It was starting to be a bit boring... Standing here all this time, thinking about useless things... That's why I moved to see what Shinra and Celty were up to with Shizu-chan's limp body. Just then, for a fraction of a second it came to my mind that I never really considered Shizu-chan a human... I dismissed that thought immediately.