Title: Things that change for better or for worse
Chapter 18: Unseen by Change 1
By: Sissy

Disclaimer: DRRR shall never belong to me otherwise there'd be more yaoi.
Warning: People doing things behind Mikado's back.

Anri was the first to be surprised when Mikado came back, groceries in one hand and a sleeping Ruka in the other. She immediately called Masaomi, who called Kasuka in return and within another hour, Kasuka and Ruri arrived at Anri's shop. As Mikado came closer, Ruri was surprised to see her son asleep in his arms. Kasuka took the moment to take a picture of his son asleep.

"He rarely falls asleep this early. He tends to be more active at night. This is cute." His doting father side was a surprise to the others but Ruri graciously accepted Ruka into her arms.

"Thank you Mikado-san. I wasn't sure if he was alright. Ruka-kun is my treasure." Ruri was happy her son was back in her arms. Her son was important to both parents but Ruri sometimes felt more attached to him since she feared for his safe being. Kasuka sometimes felt overly confident that his son would always be alright and it would always reassure his wife.

"I should be thanking you. Ruka-kun helped me remember something." Mikado's easygoing smile seemed bright to Masaomi who shielded his sight.

But the host recovered easily and smiled at his best friend. "What'd he help you remember?"

"Oh! Uh, um…" Mikado blushed and Masaomi simply got closer to see if the other would feel like answering. However, what the host didn't know was what Mikado would do to him once he got close enough. "Masaomi, you'll be mistaken for a pervert someday." He explained once he had thrown Masaomi on the floor.

The rest in the shop were caught by surprise and only Kasuka seemed unfazed by it all when he started applauding. Mikado laughed somewhat lightly and bowed to Kasuka as if it was all a show for them. After a few blinks, Masaomi recovered and got back up. "What the devils was that?"

"Oh! Um… I took a few judo classes while I was in America. I was told to do something that might help my reflexes and balance." Mikado explained somewhat shyly. It embarrassed him to speak about all that he did to get to where he was.

"By that sponsor of yours?" Anri asked curiously and Mikado smiled joyfully.

"Yes, yes! Him! He also told me to learn parkour. I believe that's what Izaya-san learned as well." Mikado explained with a soft blush on his face before he heard another click. "Um, Kasuka-san?"

"Oh, I thought I'd add this as well to my collection before I send it to…" Kasuka's mouth was covered by his wife's hand as she looked a bit embarrassed.

"Yu-Yuuhei-san, that's a scary thing you were about to say. Please save us the embarrassment." She pleaded with her husband who nodded in response. He could never say no to his beloved Ruri.

"Personally, I think it's more embarrassing to cover someone up from saying an embarrassing thing, but Imma let it slide." Masaomi thought out loud as Ruri put her hand away.

"Then we'll be taking our leave. Thank you again, Mikado-kun." Kasuka gave Mikado a light bow and left, followed by Ruri and Ruka after the woman did the same.

Immediately after they left, Masaomi turned to his best friend and cornered him. "So, you and Heiwajima-san are friends?" He asked with a slight pout and noticed the blade coming out of Anri's hand. He gulped but quickly turned serious, though he did start with a stutter. "W-well, just get your stuff cleared out! There's more pressing matters than you and Heiwajima-san's little fight!"

"Kida-kun, did you just seriously call a matter that has lasted six years a 'little fight'?" Anri asked confused, her blade back in place. Masaomi went into thought then nodded with a grin. "And what is this pressing matter that supersedes Ryugamine-kun's affair?"

"Calling it that seems so ero, Anri-chan." Masaomi giggled but looked seriously at them both. "And that matter will only be cleared once you two get your act together! So fix things Mikado! Fix them soon!" The host spoke while retreating from the shop and closing the door.

"Should I be worried?" Mikado asked curiously but Anri simply shrugged her shoulders.

… … …

"Oh, Namie-san, could you hand that over to me?" Izaya asked with a wide smile as he typed around the computers in front of him. "I see, I see. So that's what you've been doing all this time, Mikado-kun."

"Your obsession is akin to my love for Seiji. Are you sure you're not just smitten by the brat?" Namie asked curiously as she handed what Izaya wanted to him. Coming by everyday allowed Namie to be of help to Izaya and it was her plan to get on his good side first before getting him to finance what she wanted.

"Me? Smitten by Mikado-kun? Could be. I hate to lose. Oooh. So that's how he got the scar. Aw, they make a pair, don't they?" Izaya chuckled to himself, leaving Namie confused. For the moment, Izaya used his contacts to track Mikado's movements over the past six years while he was in America. He hadn't done it before since it would be like admitting he lost but now that Mikado had challenged him, it was a whole different ball game.

And since he hated to lose, Izaya planned on first getting to know his target before confronting him. Knowing all the little secrets that Mikado hid from his time abroad would give him a better chance at beating both Mikado and Shizuo. Plus, he wanted to understand the whole reasoning behind his hiding the donation thing. What was the purpose behind not being honest about it?

"Heiwajima Shizuo was the reason the brat left, wasn't it? Is that what this is about? Someone else played with your toy so you got angry?" Namie asked, eyeing her ex-boss curiously.

"So wrong, Namie-san! You've trampled all over the heart strings of a young maiden in love!" Izaya joked around with Namie, who simply shook her head and went the other way. It was a difficult job her beloved Seiji had given her but she was determined to receive the bounty. Izaya knew that well and simply grinned. Now how should I go about asking for information from those people that Mikado hung out with over there?

… … …

"I sent it to your phone anyways." Kasuka commented as Shizuo took his phone from his brother's hands. Tom watched them curiously since he had wondered why Kasuka was at their work place in the first place. Shizuo was about to throw his phone against the wall when Ruka cried out again happily.

"One of these days, Kasuka…" Shizuo felt like threatening his younger brother, a bit like he used to in their younger days but stopped.

"I thought it would look good as your screensaver." Kasuka said nonchalantly and saw his brother blush.

"Kasuka!" Shizuo yelled but stopped when the actor took his own phone out again and looked over to it.

"Did something happen?" Ruri asked, stepping closer to her husband. She looked surprised by the message he got and tried to look away but kept reading from it.

"What's going on?" Both Shizuo and Tom asked at the same time, the difference in their tone of voice apparent.

Kasuka looked over to his brother and the older could tell he was happy about something. Shizuo was genuinely worried but didn't dare move. Tom still had no idea what was going on and Ruri had started to leave the vicinity with her son, who seemed interested in it all.

"We've been invited to a baby shower." Kasuka replied and saw the confused look on both their faces.

To Be Continued…