(I'm seriously glad that people are liking my story, and for that I want to thank you guys SO VERY MUCH! I am a pretty fast upater, and it's surprising because I do all of this on my phone! Weird, I know. I'll try to update as fast as I can for you guys! I'm just super glad a lot of people enjoy it, so here's the next chapter! Enjoy~!)

Chapter 4: Ascending Suspicions

Tom was walking with Shizuo in the morning to collect debts from the scum who never obeyed as always. Since it was morning, they could get a head start on their job. Surprisingly, Vorona was out of town because she said she 'Had important work'. "Alright, up next is a man that goes by the name Yoji Kurome. He says he hasn't paid his debt because he claims to have 'busy' things. Yeah right." Tom's shoulders droop down to a lower level, but it seemed that Shizuo didn't seem to hear him fully. The man seemed totally out of it and pretty frustrated than usual when he's with Tom.

"Hey Shizuo, are you okay man?" He turned over to notice that Shizuo was grinding his teeth together loudly. "What? Oh, sorry Tom. I'm fine." The blond stared at his senpai for a split second before moving on. "So what was his name again? Yojuu Kurapu? Eh, whatever the hell his name is." Tom sighed. "Yoji Kurome. To be honest, I don't really give a damn either. As long as we get the usual debt and get outta there then we'll be on our way and won't have to deal with him again. Unless he decides to be stubborn and ignore what's coming to him." The dreadlocked man puffed while Shizuo took out a cigarette to smoke. Whatever was getting onto Shizuo, it wasn't going unnoticed and he really needed nicotine to calm him down.

After inhaling and exhaling the needed smoke from his cancer stick, he found himself stopping in front of Tom when he said "We're here." The place was a normal looking apartment, but it looked pretty old for a man who was described as 'always going out' type of person. They approached the door that was slightly chipped and had faint cracks on the sides. Tom knocked on the door with the back of his hand. "Hey, if anyone's home, we're here to collect your debt." He said. Silence was the only thing heard besides the rustling of trees and chirping of birds. There were shadows moving from below the door completely noticed and it sounded like they were trying to keep hidden. A sigh left Tom, but a growl erupted from Shizuo. The place had a faint stench that Shizuo knew all too well. He wasn't sure, but it wouldn't stop pestering him, even if the smell was faint.

It smelled like a certain louse...

Before his senpai could knock on the door a second time, Shizuo busted open the door with one kick. "GET YOUR DAMN ASSES OVER HERE!" He shouted throughout the apartment making the walls shake, only to be greeted by two men. A chubby one in his middle ages wearing a jacket and very short black hair. He looked a lot older than the other one who had a red hoodie and short trimmed dark brown hair. He had ear rings and piercings, seemed to be at least in his late twenties. "W-We're so sorry for t-taking so long- Please spare us!" The chubby one pleaded with fear pouring from his eyes, but the other one looked serious. He looked like a man who was trying to cover up his fear, but was slightly failing at it. "If you don't want this to happen again, then PAY YOUR DAMB DEBTS ALREADY!" He found his arm reaching down and hauling the man up by the collar of his shirt. "Woah, Shizuo! Calm down there!" Tom rushed to his side resting his hand on Shizuo's shoulder. "Tch, you guys are punks. Even your place smells like shit and I can't stand it..." he snarled letting the man drop to the floor and crawl away. Eyes all on the ex-bartender as if he was the creature that did not belong until Tom spoke up.

"Who here is Yoji Kurome? We'll leave once we get our debt, so if you kindly just hand it over, we'll be on our way and hopefully won't come here again."

"O-Oh, I'm the Yoji you speak of! Kamito, please get the money!" The one in the hoodie kept glaring as if he was suspected of something but turned his head over to a desk drawer and approached it. Hands reached in and a small case emerged from the desk. It didn't look big, but it seemed to be their pay that was surprisingly enough. "This is all we have, so I hope we won't cause any trouble. You can go now." He gave the small case to Tom, but as he was turning around even for a split second, Shizuo and him exchanged dirty looks. A slightly blinding light caught the honey colored eyes and they drifted to the shining object which was on Kamito's finger...

A silver ring.

It felt like time had just stopped and Shizuo was stuck there examining that shining silver ring. It looked so familiar-

"Like my ring?" Shizuo snapped out of his trance to notice that Kamito guy was speaking to him. He raised it up slightly higher to show the blond but... the ring. That silver ring. It looked familiar. Shizuo approached the man slightly and started looking at the ring again, ignoring the man's face retort in a confused disgust.

"You smell like shit, and that ring, where'd you get it?" Shizuo practically felt like he was a wolf looming over a cowering bunny, which made things even more suspicious as the way Kamito was glaring. "A fellow buddy of mine gave it to me. He said it was a present from the shop down town to show our close ties as friends."

"Okay that's enough. Shizuo come on, we're going." The blond felt a pat on his back and nodded at the gesture. "Ah sorry about this, I hope it doesn't happen again." Tom slowly waved before walking out with the tall man behind him.

No one gave a single word, not even when they were outside the apartment. The wind wasn't even saying a word, nor the rustling trees and chirping birds that were earlier. Suddenly, the dreadlocked man came to a halt and turned to his kohai.

"What happened back there? Are you sure you're alright Shizuo?" Shizuo only stood before turning around to the now distant apartment. "That place smelled like the flea. And that Kamito guy, his ring."

"Yeah, what about it?" Tom sighed.

"It looked exactly like his ring. And it smelled just like him." Even if his kohai had his back turned, Tom could still feel that he was snarling with disgust. "Well we don't have to worry about it anymore. Come on, let's go." Even if they continued to walk, Shizuo couldn't get his mind off what happened. He was brought back to the reason why he was mad all day, which pissed him off even more.

The louse, the flea,

Izaya.

What happened to him? Is he okay? Did he finally keep his word and stood away from Ikebukuro?

"Shit, why do I fucking care?" Teeth grinding against each other greeted with a deep growl.

'Damnit Damnit Damnit Damnit DAMNIT!'

"This is fucking hopeless!" He didn't realize he spoke out loud catching the attention of his boss and a few people around.

"Hey, maybe you should take a break. Perhaps take a smoke." Tom stopped and smiled at Shizuo. "Sorry, are you sure?"

"Yeah, go ahead. When you're feeling up to it, come back alright?" He nodded back at his boss before spinning around and waving goodbye going the opposite direction.

Whoever those guys were, they were bringing back that same voice. That same cowering voice of fear...

'...No...'

'Stop...'

Footsteps became heavier and heavier as the voice grew louder and louder until he was constantly pounding the cement. Just when he thought he was doing fine,

A fur trimmed coat

Caught his eye.

Faster than he could manage, Shizuo darted over through the crowds of people to where the figure was walking. It turned the corner, but when he reached the spot and turned over the same lane-

Nothing was there.

Was it an illusion? Shizuo's face twisted with confusion and heart ache until he finally decided.

He's been constantly on his mind ever since last night

Decided on his choice.

Decided to go see Izaya.

(Shitty names, Oh, Shitty names~

Why do you mock me~? q.q)