A/N Hello there! Sorry it took me almost a month to post this chapter. Also if anyone's interested, I made a Tumblr where I'll be posting fic updates and reblogging Anime and fandom-related things. My URL is shadeofwinefics. Anyway, Enjoy!

"I know you, of all people, value the power of observation," Shinichi continued, the bat still hovering steadily above Shizuo's head, "I owe everything to observation."

He maintained eye contact with Izaya and raised an eyebrow, expecting a response.

"And?" Izaya asked. Despite his fear and anger, he had grown impatient.

"And it is through simple observation that we have come this far. Well, that and a little bit of computer know-how and muscle."

He raised the bat high above his head, arching his back.

"No," Izaya said. It was almost a whisper. His mouth had run dry.

Shinichi brought the bat down. A scream echoed throughout the room; it took Izaya a second to realize that the scream was coming from his own throat. The air in the room seemed to have gotten colder and Izaya became hyper-aware of everything that surrounded him in that one moment. His heartbeat. Shiki, shuddering next to him. The light in Shinichi's eyes. Akito, leaning against a box, bouncing his leg up and down. The smirk on Jin's face. He averted his eyes, expecting to hear the sickening crack of the bat against Shizuo's skull. However, he heard nothing. Shinichi had stopped mere centimeters above Shizuo's head. He was looking at Izaya with amusement.

"Jin had Akito start following you a few weeks ago. We knew Shiki's weakness was his own men, but we didn't know yours. We couldn't think of anything good enough to lure you here. But soon, your weakness became obvious, very obvious," he nudged Shizuo with the tip of the bat, "that was actually very convenient, you know? Two birds with one stone."

It was at this point that Jin stepped forward and walked toward Shiki. A light shining down from the ceiling reflected off of something he carried in his hand. Shiny. Metallic. A long butcher's knife. Izaya hadn't noticed it before as Jin had been standing in a rather shadowy area, but now, it stood out prominently and looked menacing in the florescent lighting. Shiki took a step back, but Kenzo grabbed his shoulder from behind to keep him in his place.

Izaya kept his eyes on the windows.

Jin raised the knife and stabbed Shiki in his left forearm. Shiki howled in pain and crumpled to the floor. Jin hadn't pulled the knife out; instead he reached into the pocket of his black jacket and pulled out another knife, just as long as the first.

"Make that three birds with one stone."

"I'd advise you to keep that knife in," said Jin, his voice cold and monotonous.

Shiki stopped screaming and slowly, but defiantly rose back to his feet. His face was bathed in sweat. Teeth barred, eyes wide.

"I would also advise you to save your strength. You're in for a long and painful death."

He raised the knife, but before he could bring it down, an incredibly loud sound reverberated through the room, striking everyone to the core. Even Izaya and Shiki, who had both expected it, winced and grabbed at their ears.

The sound of breaking glass. A motorcycle revving. A horse neighed and shadows overtook the room. Izaya grinned as he watched Jin, Shinichi and all of their men and women turn and stare as Celty busted through one of the huge windows behind them. Her brakes screeched as she came to a stop a few feet behind Shizuo and immediately swung her scythe so that its blade rested against Shinichi's neck.

"You were careless," said Izaya, his usual confident voice returning to him, "you shouldn't have given us this address." He strode over to Jin, palm upturned. With a scowl, he reluctantly placed the knife in his hand. Shoulders relaxed, heart rate returning to normal, Izaya hurried to Shizuo and effortlessly cut the ropes that bound him to the chair. For a moment, he struggled with his one free arm to bring him down to the ground. Celty eventually used her shadows to assist him.

Shizuo had been badly beaten. His right arm stuck out at an unnatural angle, dried blood caked his face and clothing. What was most concerning—along with the fact that he was still unconscious—was a long gash on his thigh that was slick with fresh blood. Izaya brought two fingers to his neck, feeling for a pulse and was relieved when he could feel the slow, but steady beats of his heart. He moved his fingers under his nose, smiling when he felt Shizuo's warm breath against his skin. Tenderly, he brushed his sticky hair off of his forehead and eyelids and gazed down at his pale face. After a moment, he shook him, as hard as he dared, willing him to wake up. It was no use. He was out cold.

"Now, we can do this the easy way or the hard way," Izaya said, rising to his feet, "either you disband and leave town or," Izaya paused, making sure to look Shinichi in the eye with all the strength he could muster, "you'll all die."

"We can talk about this," said Shinichi, his voice less boisterous, but not necessarily fearful.

"I'm done talking. You can agree to my terms or die."

Shinichi let out a hardy laugh. Izaya tried to not let any hint of surprise show on his face.

"My death wouldn't mean anything to these people. Don't you get it? The only reason we all banded together was to take you down at any cost. I was leading the White Gloves when I happened to find Jin and the Black Hats. We damn near started a gang war before we realized we shared the same goal. As soon as the Black Rider swings that scythe of hers, they'll all be on you before you can even blink."

"How many people are in here? Thirty? Forty? Do you really think that could stop the Black Rider?"

"Maybe not, but she's not their target. Are you willing to gamble that she can protect you, Shiki, and Shizuo all at the same time?"

A scream emanated from Shiki once again. A new knife had been thrust into his right forearm, and Jin appeared to be readying a third. A new wave of anger and disgust washed over Izaya. He turned to Celty.

"Do it," he said.

Celty drew her arms back and without hesitating, sliced through Shinichi in one fluid motion.

After that, all hell broke loose.