Title: Things that change for better or for worse
Chapter 12: Confronting the Change 3
By: Sissy

Disclaimer: DRRR shall never belong to me otherwise there'd be more yaoi.
Warning: I just had to make that joke. I'd been hearing it a lot lately so it's a given it doesn't belong to me. Also, some passive aggressive fighting. And wimpy-girl type running away. Oh, and fangirl Aoba.

Izaya figured there might be a need for a doctor. Things would sure get nasty after all. It was a good chance as any to make the day less boring. And the ex-leader of the Dollars had to be taught a lesson. Property doesn't change hands unless the owner acknowledges it. Izaya knew perfectly well he had a twisted view on the situation, but damned be it for the ex-bartender to one up him with his playthings.

"Well, are you ready for our date, Mikado-kun?" With a sly grin in place, he figured the boy would show a little hesitation.

So it came as a bit of a surprise when Mikado first chuckled. They currently stood in front of Mikado's professor's office, the other just having finished another day's work. According to the information Izaya had, the boy didn't work every day, just Monday through Thursday. And considering that it was the middle of the week, it came as no surprise that Mikado had been working. Izaya loved to work fast sometimes. Something to do with age; according to Erika at least.

"What date would that be Izaya-san? We haven't planned anything, have we?" Mikado asked with a smile in place and started walking away.

That didn't stop Izaya from walking just a couple of steps behind Mikado. "Of course not, but really, I want to spend quality time with you Mikado-kun."

"And why should I comply? Your advances are too forward, Izaya-san. It's a little off-putting." Izaya could hear the laughs Mikado stifled with that comment. It was starting to seem fun to Izaya.

"I think you misunderstand Mikado-kun. I simply called it a date to be polite. I can forcefully make you go on this date with me, don't you think?" At those words, Mikado stopped in his tracks. Izaya hoped he showed a paled complexion and tried to sneak a peak, but by the time he caught a glance of Mikado, the other was smiling. If his words had any effect, he missed seeing what that effect was.

"This is why Izaya-san doesn't have a lover, you know. But I understand. I'll accompany the lonely and miserable Izaya-san, if only that will make you happy." His words were cold as ice but anyone who saw the scene from afar would think they were two normal good friends.

"Why, thanks Mikado-kun. This is why you'll make the most adorable wife. See how I know your role? You can't be a husband anymore, what with deciding to no longer make any advances to Anri-chan. Not that Saika would let you anyways." Izaya returned the attack with one of his own while they began walking side-by-side.

"I think Saika-san wouldn't mind either way. I'm sure it loves Sonohara-san in its own way. But even if Izaya-san became a husband, you'd probably get a divorce soon due to adultery. I think you should be more loyal to your partners." Mikado came up with another rebuttal as they exited the building.

"Aren't I loyal to you though? I can safely say you've been in the recesses of my mind for quite a long time Mikado-kun. I was hurt by your disappearance as well, you know." Izaya calmly states with a proud grin while patting his chest.

Mikado hides another chuckle again and smiles to Izaya. "I somehow doubt that, Izaya-san. You'd be terribly more proactive if that were the case. And I know you well. Possibly just as well as you believe to know me. There's no way your activities as an informant would cease with my travel abroad. And it's those activities which give you the fun you always seek. So in essence, you're the same as always."

"I think you'd make an understanding wife, Mikado-kun. You know me inside and out! Should I propose?" Izaya asked with a wink as they exit the campus grounds and head towards the hustle and bustle of the city.

"I'll respectfully decline. There are too many people who would be jealous of that marriage. Both from my side and yours." Mikado answered and failed to see the wide grin on Izaya's face.

"Right, your side. That would include a certain particular individual you're hiding from, right?" Izaya hoped this time Mikado would give him the reaction he sought but the other simply gave him a blank stare.

"Why do you care so much about that particular subject?" Mikado managed to ask and resumed walking since Izaya's question had caused him to freeze on the spot.

Izaya went into thought, even though he already knew the answer and grinned to the younger man. "Well, it's because that little incident was what caused you two to become acquainted with each other, remember? Also, it might be psychological, but that wound is still visible, even with his inhuman body structure."

Mikado's thoughts lingered on his left arm. There was a tingling sensation over there and it wouldn't go away. His next move was gone by now and only instinct remained. "You're so mean."

The words were murmured but Izaya still heard them. Finally, we're getting somewhere. However, before he could act out any more words to incite Mikado, Izaya was forced to take a step back. His body reacted before his mind did since he could feel it coming a mile away. But what surprised Izaya was that Mikado took the same step back, totally in sync with Izaya.

It was as if he felt it too.

… … …

Aoba was waiting. He couldn't help but wonder, What the devils does that man want me to see here anyways? And who am I being useful to? As he balanced the ups and downs of following through with Izaya's request, he caught a glimpse of the culprit. Thinking of what he could say to the man to get answers, he quickly heard the great crash.

It, obviously, was quickly followed by an, "IIIIZAAAAYAAAA!"

He deserves getting pummeled. Maybe old age will catch up to him one of these days and… His thoughts completely stopped once he noticed there was someone right there next to Izaya. "No way…" Aoba voiced out his thoughts and began walking towards Izaya again.

Yet his brain knew there was danger ahead. That little voice inside him, screaming in a metallic voice, "Danger Will Robinson!" was not enough to stop him. His body refused to stop. Aoba needed to be there right now. At that moment.

Because if there was anyone to be useful to; it was that person.

… … …

Mikado was now the correct shade of paleness Izaya wanted him to be. It was perfect to him. And it didn't seem like Shizuo had noticed him yet. That was the moment he was really waiting for.

"Sempai!" And then that one came towards them. Izaya simply hoped he'd stay by the sidelines watching whatever plan Izaya had cooked up but now he'd have to improvise.

"Watch out!" Mikado's scream was loud enough to stop the raging beast. Izaya took note of that for future reference. "Don't involve others into this!" He screamed towards Izaya while holding back Aoba, having protected him from another vending machine.

Really, the way he moved was exhilarating. With Mikado's words, Izaya was back on plan. "That's funny. Isn't that the same thing you told me Shizu-chan?" He turned to the frozen blond with a wide grin.

"Mikado-sempai?" Aoba glanced up at the paled face of Mikado before the other began pulling him away from the scene. He was caught by surprise but figured he should go with the flow for the moment. As long as he could be near the other again, Aoba didn't care what was happening.

"What'll you do? Me or him?" Izaya offered to Shizuo with a smile that seemed about to break into a laughter. Interestingly enough for Izaya, Shizuo acted just like he thought he would, which was a rare occasion. The ex-bartender threw another object towards Izaya before running after the other two.

It was a truly rare sight when Heiwajima Shizuo turns away from his most hated enemy. Though the reason why is obvious, even though I'm the only one who knows. Izaya thought very wrongly but continued on his way, now having finished his so-called date with Mikado.

… … …

"You haven't changed your phone number, right?" Mikado asked sweetly, his strange demeanor now back in action. It was as if the adrenaline woke something up from its slumber.

"Uh, n-no." Aoba quickly replied, looking back to see the glimmer of the blond. Why is he chasing us?

Though it made no sense to Aoba, Mikado knew the answer to that question more than anyone. "Then I'll call you later, Aoba-kun. I run faster when I'm not pulling anyone and he's catching up right now." Letting go of his ex-kouhai's hand, Mikado indeed ran faster now. Within seconds, he was out of Aoba's sight.

There was only a feeling of warmth lingering behind his previously captured hand and that caused Aoba to bring it closer to his body. That small moment to himself was ripped apart by the tight feeling of someone like Shizuo grabbing hold of his shoulder.

"Where'd he go?" Shizuo demanded of Aoba but the younger male now looked slightly angry at the interruption. He had the feeling he was the last to know Mikado had returned to Japan. That plus the fact that it was Izaya who caused the revelation irked him. But he was curious…

"What's your relationship with Mikado-sempai, Shizuo-san? I've never seen you around him. Besides, it's pretty weird that you didn't go after Izaya-san but sempai." Aoba seemed to demand an explanation but Shizuo didn't give any. The man simply tightened his hands into fist and walked the other way.

Aoba didn't know; Shizuo was both hurt and pissed at the same time.

To Be Continued…