A bad dream

A/N:- Thank you for the reviews and onto the next chapter. Enjoy.

Phone, dreams and memories are in italics.

"Nii-san, dad brought me a new toy. Do you want to play?" Shizuo smiled as his little brother waved the new toy at him. "I'm helping mum." Kasuka pouted. "You never play with me." Hopping down from the stool, he was standing on, he looked up at the kind woman. "Shizuo, you can go and play with Kasuka. No mess, dinner will be ready soon." His younger brother smiled happily, taking his hand and dragging him away.

Shizuo blinked, wondering when the hell he had fallen asleep. His head was pounding, it felt like a sledge hammer against his skull. Where was he? Ah that's right Izaya was trying to get hold of him. Forcing his eyes open, he found that he couldn't. What was wrong with him? There was a sharp prick somewhere outside the blackness of his vision and then his eyes were slipping shut, the world tilting sideways.

"Nii-san?" A young Shizuo groaned and screamed. How did he manage to pick up a fridge? Looking up in horror, he realised he had just tried to throw it. "Kasuka. I'm sorry I- AGH!" His bones shattered, the heavy object falling behind him. "Shizuo? Kasuka? What's with the screaming?" Tears flooded his eyes, pain racking his body. He noticed his mother pale and knew it must look bad. "Kichirou, can you drive us to the hospital?" Warm arms wrapped around him. "Shh! How did you manage to break your arm?" He had passed out after that.

The scene changed, letting out a sigh he knew that was the last of his pleasant memories. He was in hospital, his arm wrapped in a cast. Kasuka was sleeping next to him, making him smile. His father was outside talking to one of the doctors, his mother was standing at the door biting her nail. "Mum?" She jumped, looking at him with tears in her eyes. "Don't call me that... you monster." His eyes widened as his mother ran from the room.

The next time he woke up, it was to the glare of a bright light. Forcing his eyes open, he found himself in his new apartment, still slumped against the wall. The only difference was that he couldn't move and there was something heavy around his wrists. Glancing down he could see they were handcuffs. Shizuo couldn't bring himself to look up, as he watched a pair of feet make their way across the room.

Ah, now he remembered what had happened. But it didn't mean he had to believe it. "Nii-san. You're awake." The teen said nothing, it wasn't possible. That his innocent younger brother could be – it wasn't fucking possible. It just – couldn't be. "Are you thirsty?" Before he could answer, a bottle was placed between his lips, forcing the liquid into his mouth. His eyes widened as he coughed repeatedly, feeling like he was choking. Kasuka pulled him forward patting his back as if he was a baby. "There we go. You drank too fast." Shizuo closed his eyes wishing he would wake up from this nightmare.

"I let dad know I was staying, so he won't bother us. Its just me and you, nii-san." The blond closed his eyes, slamming his head back against the wall. Why wasn't he waking up? "I'll make us dinner. You must be hungry." No, he wasn't hungry. He felt empty. All the envelopes, the creepy messages, the roses that cut his hands up. Raising his head, he looked into his brother's blank ones. Opening his mouth, he felt as if it was full of cotton wool.

It took him a while before he could speak. "...Its...not you." Slim fingers stroked along his cheek, he knew there would be scratch marks. "It's not my fault, nii-san." Shizuo sighed in relief. As he thought, his little brother wasn't capable of such a thing. "You're mine. They tried to get close to you." The blond shook his head, his eye sight wavering. "...Who threatened you?" His blood ran cold as Kasuka laughed.

"No one threatened me. They interfered. The principal. Izaya and that woman." That woman? "Who?" Kasuka moved closer, their was now centimetres between them. "The one that gave birth to us." Shizuo blinked, his headache was back with a vengeance. Raising a hand to his head, the chains clinked and rattled. "Get some rest." He didn't move as a needle bit into his arm. Good. If this was reality, he didn't want to be here.

"Nii-san? Where are you?" Shizuo didn't answer, his knees were curled into his stomach,as he hid under the bed. He was a monster now. No one would love him, his mother had said so."Nii-san?" Closing his eyes, he tried to block out everything. That was until his bed covers were lifted, instantly revealing him. "What's wrong?" A young Shizuo sighed. "No one loves me, because I'm a monster." What had happened after that? He couldn't remember.

The next time he woke up, the smell of hot food wafted from the kitchen, making his mouth water. He still hadn't woken up yet. He was still in his nightmare. Looking down at the chains, he tried to move them, his arms feeling like jelly. He was going no where. Once again he was sitting slouched against the wall.

He could see someone walking towards him and knew it was Kasuka, who else could it be? His little brother sat down next to him, his dinner on a plate on the floor. "Open up, nii-san." His mouth opened whether he wanted to or not, every muscle felt loose and useless. Shizuo wanted to turn away, he didn't want to see Kasuka blow on his food. He still didn't believe it. Couldn't believe it.

His stomach dropped as he was fed, why of all people would it be Kasuka? "If you eat all of this. I got you some cake too." There was a small smile on that blank face. He had never been able to read his little brother. Another mouthful, which he reluctantly chewed and swallowed and then another.

The plate was taken away, replaced by a smaller one with a slice of cake on. Kasuka kneeled back down on the floor, crawling over his legs. "Nii-san. I love you." His eyes widened as soft lips pressed harshly against his own, his head hit the wall as he moved back in disgust. Kasuka followed, cutting short his little escape attempt. Biting his lip he tried to keep his mouth closed, but the drugs still ran through his system.

His mouth was pried open easily, a wet tongue darting inside, after licking along his lips. His hands remained bound, useless as his little brother kissed him. This was wrong. They were family. "Kas-" His words were cut off as Kasuka became more insistent, catching his tongue. Hands that he had thought were so gentle, slipped into his own and he knew even if he had his strength, he couldn't do a damn thing. "I love you, nii-san. Only me."

"Oh, we're almost out. I have to get some more." Shizuo looked at the now empty injection, the drug running through his bloodstream. In his hazy mind he thought about where the drug had come from, surely Kasuka wouldn't get involved in anything that would cause trouble? So that left... The chains clinked loudly as he slumped to his side, unconscious before his head hit the floor.

Oh, he was here again. His little kaleidoscope of twisted memories. Ah, this was the bit that he hadn't remembered. Kasuka took his hand, pulling him out from underneath the bed. "I love you, nii-san." He could always count on his little brother to cheer him up. After his mother had turned against him, his brother was the only one that stuck by his side. Along with their father. "Thanks Kasuka." Kasuka knew about the bruises that ran along his legs, he was the only one he could confide in.

He wasn't sure how long he had slept for, but this time when he woke up, he remained where he was, eyes shut, hopefully Kasuka wouldn't realise he was awake. There was a loud knock at the door and part of him hoped it was his father. "Kishitani-san. I called ages ago." Shizuo resisted the urge to open his eyes. What was going on? He heard the door close. "Why is he with you?"

He could hear his brother's monotone voice, along with someone else. "You asked me to keep him out of the way, which I did. He's your responsibility now." Shinra? Why was Shinra here? "Here, there should be enough to keep him out for another twenty four hours. Shizuo felt his heart clench painfully. Shinra was involved. "Now about my payment?"

Footsteps got closer, he felt a slight stinging, which lasted a few seconds. "Here, a blood sample. Get out and take that with you." He could hear Shinra laugh. "Do you know how long I've been waiting? Shizuo wouldn't let me take any. Oh, Izaya is your problem. See you, Kasuka-kun." There was something else said, but the blond was focused on one name. Izaya. Where was he?

Faintly he could hear the sound of something being dragged. Whatever it was, was dropped none too gently. His curiosity was peeked. Opening one of his eyes, the cry left his mouth before he could stop it. "Izaya!" The teen was unconscious, slumped on the floor. The chains rattled and for some reason, he felt that he had more energy. "Nii-san." If Kasuka was shocked to see him awake he didn't show it.

Then again, he didn't show much, except for when he was on stage. Glancing behind him he could see tiny movement, nearly unnoticeable. "Kasuka, I need the toilet." He could only hope whatever was wrong with his brother, hadn't driven him completely insane. He had already lost one family member. The chains clinked as his binds were unlocked, Kasuka holding onto him. Glancing over his shoulder, he could see crimson watching him. Hurry up and get out of here, Izaya.

Since when did the flea listen? Never. So once he returned from his long needed trip to the bathroom, he was shocked to see his future step-brother still laying there. You idiot. Sitting back down, he allowed Kasuka to put the chains back on. He didn't move as his head was patted. Glancing over his brother's shoulder, he could see Izaya had his eyes closed.

Kasuka was gazing around the apartment. "We should get a bed in here." He didn't want to think about what that meant. It was still his little brother, right? "Nii-san. I love you." Behind him he could hear laughter, cold and mocking, not to mention so damn familiar, that his heart started racing. "I guess I should thank Shinra, he saved me a lot of trouble."

Shizuo couldn't look away, as the teen grinned, calculating crimson eyes taking in everything around him. "We need to talk later, Shizu-chan." Nodding dumbly, the blond wondered if he knew that Shinra was involved. There was a clink as Izaya raised his hands, he was handcuffed as well, but had a lot more movement. "You, you tried to take nii-san away."

He flinched at the coldness of that voice, it sent cold chills down his spine. "Hm? Its not tried. I did." Shizuo looked away from that suggestive look. "Liar." He had never seen his little brother get angry before, he had always remained calm, even when he had picked up the fridge. "Ask Shizu-chan." He could feel both of them looking at him, his face heating up.

"You're lying. Shut up." He blinked as Kasuka got up and hit Izaya with his fist. In reply the flea looked up and laughed. "So weak, looks like Shizu-chan is the only one with strength." What are you doing Izaya? He watched as the flea was hit repeatedly. "Stop it!" Both of them froze, turning to look at him. From here he could see Izaya's lip was split, blood running down his chin. The chains clinked as he struggled, slowly but surely he was getting his strength back. He needed to get the flea out of here.

Shizuo found himself meeting a blank gaze. He didn't move as fingers cupped his chin or when he was kissed. "Its okay, nii-san. We'll be together. Just you and me." His eyes widened as he felt the pin prick in his arm. For the first time, his gaze met Izaya's as he struggled against the drug. No, he would get hurt. Wait. Who was he worried about?

"...Shizuo! My baby." His eyes widened at the unexpected response. Kasuka clung to his arm. "I missed you. So much. Mummy missed you." A young Shizuo stared uncertainly. "Wasn't my fault. He made me do it. Wasn't me." He tried to back away as his mother began to rock back and forth, tugging at her nails. "Nii-san. Lets go." Shizuo covered his ears as a loud screech filled the room. "No. Don't take my baby. I did everything you asked." He blinked in confusion, seeing the woman trying to reach for him. "Nii-san, we shouldn't have come."

Following after Kasuka, he left the wailing woman by herself, a doctor in a white coat rushed in. "Sorry, nii-san." Shizuo forced a smile as gentle arms wrapped around his waist. "We'll do everything together. Just me and you." Returning the hug, he left the building, hurrying back to keep the secret from their father.

The next time he woke up, he bolted upright, eyes wide. Izaya! The teen was covered in blood, the crimson liquid running from his forehead, past his eyes. "You can't have nii-san. He's mine." In response the flea spat out a mouthful of blood and laughed. "Ne, Kasuka-kun. Shizu-chan is mine." Like hell he was. Why was everything so damn complicated? "Liar. You're just like Tanaka-sensei, trying to take him away."

"Hm, I'm sure you know what -ow- they were doing then. All alone in that big office." Shizuo flinched as his brother drew more blood. "Shut up." Izaya laughed. "I haven't even started yet. Maybe I should tell you about what Shizu-chan and I have been doing? You must know we never went to Shinra's that weekend."

What are you doing Izaya? Why was he letting himself get beaten up? None of this was right, they were still kids. Why did he have to go through this crap? When was he going to wake up from this bloody nightmare? It seemed like Kasuka hadn't realised he was awake, his brother was too busy venting his frustration on Izaya.

Izaya knew though, the raven made sure to keep eye contact. He couldn't read what was behind that gaze, but his heart tore at the sight of the other teen. This had nothing to do with the flea, it was his fault. "...Shizu-chan." Shaking his head, he tried to block everything out. Where was his ridiculous strength when he needed it? "Shizu-chan. Do you see why I didn't tell you?"

Those words were like a bucket of ice water, the sincerity in that gaze... Oh god. It was true. The thorns, the threats, being pushed from a height that would kill most people. His mother wasn't the only crazy one in his family. Kasuka, his innocent little brother was his stalker. The one he had sworn to protect was out to ruin his life. His vision blurred, but this time it wasn't because of the drugs, tears streaked down his cheeks, even as he forced a smile, meeting Izaya's concerned gaze. "...Thank you. For not telling me."

Next:- A rude awakening