Author's Note: And on with the updating! I can't of course forget about thanking for the reviews and other responses to my work, and finally, I wanted to especially thanks those, who review regularly with such nice words of encouragement and appreciation for the story! It's probably what makes me writing so fast :D.

From now on, there will be more changes with the POV's in a chapter, not just one for each character I think. Don't hesitate to tell me if you won't like it and think it's troublesome. After all, the story should be pleasurable for you to read. So, here's it is... :D

Sia – Don't Bring Me Down

"I'm going down, I don't wanna change
I'm going down, going down the drain "

"Tch! Losers... Always spoiling my fun..." I couldn't stop myself from kicking the stone that found itself on my way, looking as it hit a nearby standing car. It made a loud cracking noise, but I didn't bother stopping to find potential flaws in the lacquer. It wasn't my car...

That Shinra had the guts to shout at me and throw me out made my lips purse into a thin line. Logically, he didn't really throw me out, just verbally insisted on it, repeatedly... I doubt he would have tried using force on me, he wasn't an idiot after all. He knows he doesn't stand a chance on me, so no reason to ridicule himself... Besides, there was no force known to me that would be capable of taking care of me and Shizu-chan at the same time... The consequent thought made me cringe even more. What made me leave then? What made me bloody leave...?

Okay now... I was an intelligent and capable individual who had a vast knowledge of humans and what could be standing behind their actions. I observed, draw conclusions and catalogued for future reference on a daily basis. How hard could it be to adapt that kind of process, as there had to be certain alterations taking my distinction from an average person into account, and apply it to myself? I had to admit it was disconcerting having to consider it and I was going even a step further... Disconcerting, because up to this point, my priorities, and hence decisions, were quite clear and I have no cause to second-guess myself. Of course, I've operated under pressure and in situations when something unexpected made me modify my actions more than once, yet everything was still a calculation, not chance, coincidence or a hot-blooded instinctual act. Though I must say, I was seen as such a man and I did a great job at keeping up certain appearances... It came as an ace or a joker, whatever you prefer, in my field of work.

I sighed inwardly, again. It was starting to become an irritating habit, which I had to work on disposing. Later, however... Now it was time for my little self-investigation. I just had to stop thinking it was something unusual... Easier said than done. Right...

What was important in that matter was my motivation for the behaviour in question. That reminded me about a particular book on psychology that I've read not so long ago about "SDT". Psychology was one of my long-term interests and it was only logical for me to study it in my free time... Given my deep love for the human kind, it made me immensely curious from my young years just what exactly others have to say about it. Reading along with my own 'field-work' made me quite the mind-reader one could say...

Going back to "SDT", which is self-determination theory, and don't confuse it with "STD" because it's not exactly the same area of inquisition... Importantly, the book referenced to three basic psychological needs that ought to be satisfied – competence, autonomy and relatedness. And in those three was my answer. In one of those being more exact. Guess which one could it be...

And then like an avalanche, came one theory after another. I would say it was fate's doing, just trying to irritate me, throwing the knowledge that I possessed at my face in a form of mockery, if I was one to believe in it...

Sixteen basic desires according to Reiss – social contact, acceptance among them. Maslow's hierarchy of needs – a sense of belonging and acceptance again as one of the levels. Fundamental human needs developed by Manfred Max-Neef – affection, understanding and participation... I could go on and on...

However, the only need I had in that moment was to stand and laugh my lungs out. I think it was a week good of laughing in those two, almost three days. Maybe it was psychotic? Or, more probably, an identity crisis... Whatever. It didn't matter even if I was going nuts...! I could be as big of a loony I wanted and bearing in mind my usual behaviour, I don't think anyone would notice and make a fuss over it. Except Shinra perhaps... He was a doctor. He was bound to know basic psychology I suppose.

I had enough of that self-evaluation. Didn't like it a bit, the little I made myself think about... I was better off with my good old self – observing others and loving it. What to change if the system works and brings profits? Should have thought about it earlier instead of wasting time on some psychological theories that were meant for my 'humans' specifically. Tch!

Only halfway to my apartment did I notice the package resting comfortably in my jacket's pocket. Damn! The whole purpose of my short visit all ignored and forgotten. Great... That's about my time management. Like hell I was going back to Shinra's... His little fit made him Izaya-less for some time if I were to decide. Let him ask for some information and then see how he'll be ready to apologise... Guess it was a meeting with Celty in the city after all...

Twenty minutes after my message and Celty, as well as her bike, was in front of me. I smiled widely and gave the small package to her.

"Hello, Celty-san! Same as always, I want you to deliver this to the address I sent you. I'll be waiting for a confirmation from you. ASAP." I said, not having time for chit-chat as I normally would.

Celty pulled out her phone and typed quickly, motioning for me to read.

"You'll have it delivered. And Shinra asked to pass on to you 'Don't come to my house until I'll say otherwise. If life threatening – call, I'll come myself.' That's all."

I smiled sweetly, though inwardly I was more than irritated.

"Shinra and his antics..." I snickered under my nose.

"Izaya-kun? He's serious. And so am I. I heard about today... I'll contact you after the job's done." she wrote and swiftly brought her black motorbike to life.

I looked after her retreating back for a moment, before resuming my walk home.

Why everyone was so serious? It's not like I tried killing the Neanderthal, only had a bit of fun... Why they were even so after him? He wasn't exactly the epitome of a best friend, now was he? He was brutal, irrational and uncouth. He could destroy Shinra's apartment when least expected... Once he even did... Celty I could understand somehow. She wasn't even a human being, people feared her and the same went for Shizuo. He was a monster and most tried to steer clear from him. He could create quite a lovely pair with Celty in my opinion... Sometimes I even thought that Celty was more human that Shizuo... She actually feared things. I don't think that Shizuo did too. But Shinra? I know he is fascinated with the enormous strength... It was the only reason I could come up with for him being so fond of the idiotic brute, really...

Tch! I didn't exactly need his companionship. If he wanted me away then he could have his way. My pleasure...! Tch...!

Cold War Kids – Hospital Beds

"There's nothing to do here
some just whine and complain
in bed in the hospital
coming and going
asleep and awake
in bed at the hospital"

"No."

"But Shizuo...! It's a necessary part of your recuperation..." Shinra exclaimed.

"First, don't use doctor's words on me, I don't feel well enough to have my head flooded with them. Second, I don't give a damn." I explained. I was extremely calm for myself nowadays. I considered it the medications doing, as Shinra was really one to boost my anger.

"Don't you want to heal faster? Even if for the fact that you will be free from my ranting? I know it's an addiction, but I'm perfectly sure you're one ready to deal with it. I'm not asking you to stop at once. Just to cut out on it... Two per day. One in the morning and one in the evening... Should be enough, right?" - he pleaded exasperatedly.

"No. No, it shouldn't. It's the only thing that makes me relatively calm and I'm not going to cut out on it. Do you want me to go fucking nuts? I'm practically grounded as for now. Can't move my leg or it fucking hurts like hell. You said it's even too soon for rehabilitation or some other shit, so what I'm supposed to do? Lie like a corpse? Cigarettes are at least a part of my normal life routine; if everything else went to hell... You're a sadist, Shinra?" I looked at him with squinted eyes.

"I am not! But I'm your doctor and I'm supposed to be concerned about your health condition. And cigarettes don't exactly help it, quite the opposite. I know it's hard... But it's for the greater good. You want to have a drag every other hour more than to stand on your own feet faster?" he asked incredulously.

"For fucking...!" I clenched my jaw, crushing the pack of cigarettes that was in my hand and then throwing it at Shinra. "Great! Fucking great...! Have them and see what good it will do. I'm not a cripple, I'm a fucking will deprived puppet. You should be grateful for the amount of drugs in my system, Shinra, and for the useless leg or I would gladly crash a thing or two...!" I snarled, not even looking at him anymore, instead focusing my gaze on the ceiling.

"I'm glad that you made the right decision, Shizuo. I'll send Celty with your food soon. Get your rest." he left the room quietly and a bitter laugh stuck in my throat.

Rest. He told me to get my rest... How much rest did I fucking need according to him? A lifetime? I wasn't doing anything except resting these days and it was turning me crazy. Abso-fucking-lutely crazy. I wanted to do something... Anything! Just not lie in the bed all day, dressed in a hospital gown and with my foot propped on a cushion. It wasn't even a week and I already couldn't take it. Was I really so anomalous? Every other person would have found some kind of activity to keep her or himself busy, right? So? What was the problem?

Oh, that I knew very well, actually. I was a man of action. I was used to physical activity, having my day filled with Tom-san's clients and... chasing after the flea. My mind was racing, but my body had to stay still and that was a no-no option for me. Not that I could change it for now. Fuck! I was almost ready to scratch the walls clean from paint from lack of anything else... And to think that I wanted the louse out of here... I was thinking with distaste that it was almost better having him here – pissing me off – than that all-consuming boredom. It showed how desperate I was quite well, I think... I wouldn't let that kind of thought form in my mind being my usual self. I loathed the pest and that was that.

Celty came into the room with a tray of food and a glass of milk, strawberry, I was certain. She put it on my lap, as now I was at least able to eat by myself. I don't know what I would do if my arms weren't working properly as well... I smiled at her faintly. We always had a good relationship.

"You should it it all. It'll make you stronger." I've read on her Pad.

"I don't think I need any 'stronger'" I said sceptically. Maybe my leg was broken, but my initial strength stayed intact, I was sure. It's just that I couldn't use it right now.

"You need nutritions, Shinra said. To heal faster. Besides, you must be hungry by now. We worry, Shizuo." She typed fast on the device. It always amazed me how quickly she could do it. Guess, it was practise. If you can communicate in that one way... Except for Shinra. But he was so fixed on her, that it was no surprise he could read her so well. Even I knew that...

I looked at the tray before me and sighed. Guess Celty was right. I was hungry... Still hot Dangojiru and Onigiri. They were really trying hard to help me go back to health and I knew I should co-operate. It would be unfair of me to abuse their hospitality.

"Itadakimasu!" I slowly started to eat the soup, weary to burn my tongue on it. Celty lightly squeezed my shoulder. I rose my eyes, knowing that Celty wrote me something again.

"Maybe you'd like a laptop to surf the net for a bit? Something to keep you entertained? I know you hate laying like that... Or I could give you some books to read. Shinra actually has some..."

"Thank, but I'll pass. They're probably some medic books about dissection or something... I've had enough of Shinra's 'doctor' talk, don't feel the need for more... But why not the laptop. I'll take you on that. Thanks, Celty." I smiled more genuinely this time.

"Then I'll be right back."

And she did after a moment, this time taking the tray away and leaving me with her laptop. I opened a blank page, pondering on what should I do. In reality, I'm not one of the computer or internet freaks that are almost everywhere nowadays. No favourite sites and such... I could live without it and so I didn't have an actual idea of what should I look for that could keep me entertained or at least take my mind off things.

Then, I don't know why, but the flea came into my mind. I knew he was an informant and that it was nowadays almost impossible not to use the internet to collect information, I am not dumb... But, if there were information about others, what about him? Was there something about him in the endless depths of the net? I could feel my fingertips itch... Oh, what the hell...! It wasn't like I had anything better to do...

My fingers hoovered over the keys for a second, but then landed on them firmly. Orihara Izaya. That was what I entered into the explorer. It felt strange to write his full initials. I think it was the first time I've done this. I dismissed that thought and focused on the results that popped out on the monitor. My mouth fell open slightly. Six hundred and seventy-six thousand results? What...? Now that was a bit of a surprise. I thought, that given his job, he would assure that there would be nothing about him out there, just to be safe or something... And that? Shit...!

There was no way I was going to go through all the pages. I wasn't that interested in him... I was just trying to kill my time. Though, it didn't hurt to browse some of them. A couple of first ones...

I clicked on the first one to open it. I couldn't hide even from myself that I was curious just what people were writing about that louse. I firmly believed that it couldn't be something good. He was a walking shit in my opinion... How could someone like him at all?

You can imagine my shock when I actually saw what was on those sites... The first one must have been created by some crazy stalker, because it was all about the times that someone have seen the flea, with all the details of the encounter. When and where it was, who he was with, what he was wearing – like he even changed from that stupid fur-trimmed coat of his... - or eating... It was sickening! There were even some pictures, though of a shitty quality. I guessed the person didn't come too near while taking them.

And do you know how many visitors that site had? I shuddered. What the fuck was wrong with people? They could have a flea-free existence and they were bombarding themselves with his images? Did he even know about it? Well, if I could find the site so easily he had to, right? Didn't it bother him at all...? Ah, right... It was the flea I was thinking about... He was probably exhilarated that someone was trying to find out what kind of underwear he preferred... I closed the site before it made me heave.

It took me a whole minute to open another one. Can't blame me for being suspicious of its contents... This time I chose haphazardly. To my luck, there were no pictures. It looked like a plain text and I was, once again, curious as to what it could be. The title said: "Orihara Izaya – the real thing". Was someone writing about his or hers vision of Izaya? Now that could be entertaining...

It took me three sentences and, in daze, I closed the site, cleared browsing history and turned off the laptop. It was enough internet for today. Or even better... for my whole life. I hated people!

I could feel my cheeks hot from embarrassment. What the fuck was that supposed to be? Was nothing holy these days? Was there no privacy? People had no morals, I swear... To write something... something like that? About a stranger? And then put it there for everyone to read...? And in the first place, use that person to create that kind of fantasies? Worldwide-accessible fantasies? I could feel gooseflesh covering my body, my cheeks even hotter than before. I'll have nightmares after that... And all I wanted was something to take my mind off things... Fuck! Now that worked brilliantly...!

Attention!: Sorry that I'm bothering you once again. Actually, one person wrote a review pleading for me to change it from "Izuo" to "Shizaya" and it made me think. Actually, at the beginning, when I chose the pairing, I didn't think about that particular part of their relationship and just chose alphabetically their names from the list, so it's not like it's fixed. So, what are your thoughts on it? What would you prefer? I could write the story according to readers wishes in this part, as I think it wouldn't change it's value no matter who is 'dominant' per se...