A/N: I made a banner for this fanfic. It's on my profile page. I'd have to say the banner for this fanfic is the best one thus far. Also, I changed the little pic for the fanfic. It is now a pic of Haruka when she had longer hair (as seen better in the banner).

"Damn it!"

The blonde-haired debt collector tore down the street, eyes scanning the area wildly. "She'd better be okay," he grumbled.

"IIIIZAAAAYAAAA!" Shizuo launched object after object at the cause of his rage. Said target merely continued to run, a small squeak squeezing out of him as a vending machine just skimmed his head. The squeal was enough for Shizuo to realize that something wasn't right. He stopped running for a moment to take aim with the pole in his hands. Taking a few steps, he tossed the pole sideways, effectively hitting and pinning down his target.

The frustrated blonde stomped over to the trapped, black-haired pest, lifting the man up by his collar. Immediately, Shizuo's stomach dropped. The man he caught was definitely not Izaya. While he had black hair and was dressed exactly like Izaya, this man's eyes were a light brown color. The man was on the verge of tears, trembling in fear.

"I'm sorry! Please don't kill me!" the man pleaded, tears now pouring down his face.

"Where's that damn flea?" Shizuo growled.

"I-I don't k-know! He o-only said he'd pay off my debts if I wore this outfit and walked around town today! I-I don't know w-why!"

In his anger, Shizuo threw the man into a wall. He took off back to the park, only to discover that Haruka was no longer there. "Damn it!"

Shizuo knew instantly that this was exactly what Celty had warned him about. Who knew what that twisted information broker was doing to Haruka. It was especially disconcerting how Izaya made sure the bubble-brained woman was completely alone. He had sent Celty that job request and probably caused the injuries of Shinra's clients. Izaya, having predicted Celty's concern and her subsequent appeal to Shizuo, sent the blonde on a wild goose chase through town. A growl tore from his throat as the realization hit him.

Shizuo's frustration grew the longer his search drew on with no signs of anything out of the ordinary. His grip tightened around the end of the scarf Haruka let him borrow. 'I'll kill him for this. He'd better not have done anything to her.'

Despite his grumbling, Shizuo had come to enjoy the lively woman's company. As annoying and troublesome as she was, Haruka still was one of the very few people who didn't run away from him on sight after witnessing his violent fits. Haruka even went as far as to seek him out and keep him company, even when he lied and said he wanted to be alone or threatened her. He would never admit any of this, of course. However, he'd be damned if he let Haruka get killed, especially under his watch.

Shizuo glanced into every alleyway he passed. Somehow he knew Izaya would utilize the dark areas in his schemes.

Another alleyway was coming up on his left when someone stumbled out of the one across the street. Shizuo skidded to a stop, recognizing the lithe figure. His heart pumped faster when he took notice of her appearance.

Familiar auburn hair was matted down by a dark red liquid. The strands of hair that didn't stick to her skin eerily shadowed her face. The same liquid drenched her figure, staining the light-colored outfit she wore a vibrant crimson. The woman's head was bowed, her arms hanging limply at her sides. She stood perfectly still, with the exception of her slumped, trembling shoulders.

"Haruka!" Shuzio shouted, rushing over to her side. A short, muffled laugh, one that almost sounded like a huff, reached his ears as he approached. Shizuo would have brushed it off as nothing, but another laugh followed right after. Then another. And another. Each laugh got progressively louder with a shorter gap between them.

Haruka suddenly threw her head back, revealing her wide eyes and the psychotic grin splayed on her face. A crazed cackle escaped her lips.

Shizuo, a bit unnerved by her sudden change, peered into the alley she stepped out from. What he saw made even him stumble back in shock.