Something not right

A/N:- Last few chapters.

Izaya Orihara was loved. The funeral is a small event just like Shizuo's will be. The informant is buried with his family. Shinra has managed to stop the priest from saying anything overly religious. Everyone the informant ever helped attends sitting patiently in their seats to say their goodbyes.

Rio is one of the more familiar ones. Namie is there too, along with Seiji and Mika. Kadota and the van gang sit in stunned silence. Anri and Masaomi are there too. Shinra sits at the front frozen in shock. Unfortunately it's only the first of the two funerals. The illegal doctor has to say goodbye to one more friend before the day is over.

At the back on the edge of the other mourners, stands a woman in black, a wide hat sitting on her head. A long trench coat is drawn around her slim figure. She watches with a smile. The humans had loved Izaya after all. Turning from the crowd the woman leaves. Her only regret is putting Shinra through so much pain. It will take a long time for the bespectacled raven to recover. He'll be okay though. Celty is at his side.

x-x-x

Celty almost maims someone with her scythe. Shizuo Heiwajima has almost as many spectators as Izaya did. Sitting at the front are Tom, who's in tears with his head on the sealed coffin. Anri is there with Shinra, who's on the verge of a breakdown and Celty who's grief is palpable from the shadows drowning their feet.

Kasuka stands to give his eulogy. The retired actor looks distraught and empty. The words spoken towards the older Heiwajima are lifeless. Everyone understands.

The van gang sit in silence in the row behind with Simon. The woman in black wants to know why the sushi seller didn't come to Izaya's funeral. Instead she looks around, brow furrowing when she can't find who she's looking for. The guest of honour hasn't turned up to his own funeral.

x-x-x

The woman thinks about her future now that it's come to this. She stands in front of Shizuo's grave waiting for her visitor to appear. It's not her other half that steps up beside her but his brother. Glancing to the side he can see the young man isn't phased by the words on the stone.

"Good afternoon, Kasuka-kun."

"Is it?"

"It's a new day." The woman smiles. "A new beginning."

"Killing off my brother is hardly a new beginning." Kasuka tells him. There's a small bit of anger in his words.

"This is the way it has to be. This is the only way we'll be left alone. He wasn't at the funeral today?"

"No. He said it was too morbid. He'd hurt enough people."

"Shame. It would have been a good chance to see how loved the monster truly was. He meant a lot to everyone."

"He still does."

"Yes. You're taking him to your new home?"

"Yes. He needs to heal."

The woman nodded. "Maybe he will this time. I'll make my own way. Mikado will be here soon."

"Good luck." Kasuka handed him a scrap of paper with an address and contact details on.

The woman took it smiling at the address. Soon they would be together again. It was a pain her partner had to be left to another. More so that their was a niggling feeling in the back of her mind. Too late now. Kasuka had left and a car was pulling up.

Patting the headstone, she turned to smile at the teen walking towards her. "They didn't bury us together. I thought Shinra might have intervened."

Mikado nodded eyes wet. "Hey."

"Hey. Women's underwear chafes, hm?"

The teen nodded turning away. They'd already spent too long out in the open. Once they were both in the car, the woman relaxed taking Mikado's hand.

Mikado's mother drove away staring at her through the mirror. "And you would be?"

"I don't have a name right now." She smiled.

"This is Izaya." Mikado smiled leaning into him. "One of my lovers."

Izaya raised a brow in question. Mikado crawled into his lap stealing his breath away.

"Okay. I thought you were a woman. My mistake. Should you be making out when there still might be eyes watching you?"

"Your mother has a point, Mikado."

"I know." The teen grumbled slouching back into his seat. "I love you."

"Oh? It takes me dying for you to tell me?"

"I was stupid."

Izaya shook his head smiling. "It's okay."

"Excuse me. How are you not dead?" The teen's mother was looking back at him strangely.

"We had a plan. All or nothing." Izaya sighed stroking the back of Mikado's hand. "It wasn't enough for just the three of us. So I added two more. The first is you and the second is Kasuka."

"Me? I'm just here to take my son home."

"Exactly. You're the only one that can." Izaya explained. "Mikado wouldn't have been able to leave without you. We knew we wouldn't be able to leave by train but we tried anyway. Shiki would have been expecting us to try. I booked a series of hotel rooms. In the one down the hall was Kasuka."

"That's Shizuo's brother." Mikado supplied.

"Ah. Your...husband?"

"Yeah." The teen flushed.

"Kasuka is a retired actor who left Ikebukuro. No one knew he was back. He was the one who did all our make up and gave us a few cheats. He brought an artist to help so it was done in double time."

"The blood?" Mikado's mother asked.

"Real. It's from a donor."

"I see. Continue."

Izaya nodded squeezing Mikado's hand. "Once it was done we used a real gun to destroy the room. Kasuka left with his assistant moving to another room that his friend had booked. The yakuza wouldn't have laid a finger on her."

"It's another idol. The yakuza like her."

"That was when Mikado had to come back to find us. I called an ambulance and Shizu-chan called Celty."

"So you were in no harm?"

"Not quite. We took a drug to help us appear dead. Kasuka said he used it in a vampire movie. He had to be dead for a large chunk of it. If Shiki wanted to he could have shot us. It was all or nothing."

"You traumatised my son."

Izaya glanced over to Mikado. "I-I knew what was happening but when I saw them like that I forgot. I thought they were really-"

"Shh. No one died." Izaya soothed kissing the top of Mikado's head.

"Yeah. I know. Kanra kept me anchored."

Then it was a good thing she was there.

"I don't know how I'm going to explain this to your father. Or what I'm going to call you, young man."

"Izaya is a unique name. I won't be able to use it."

"One last question. Why are you dressed like a woman?"

Izaya laughed quietly. "Shizu-chan's revenge. He'd asked Kasuka to supply our clothes." Turning to Mikado he smiled. "They look good but these things aren't made for comfort. You can wear whatever you want."

"This...husband of yours, are we picking him up too?"

Izaya answered. "No. He went with Kasuka. We'll meet up with him when it's safe."

"Okay...is he dressed like a woman too?"

"No. He looks like a regular bad boy, I imagine. No hair dye, dark jeans, white top and a leather jacket. Those were the clothes I saw."

"It looks like both of you have been through a lot. Get some rest. I'll get us home."

Mikado nodded flopping against his shoulder. "Thanks mom."

x-x-x

Saitama. They were here and free of Ikebukuro and bad guys with evil plans. His father was home and up to date on everything that had happened. Mikado didn't know what his mother had said but it was accepted and life moved on.

Izaya was to stay in his room since they'd established they were in a relationship. His mother had taken pity on him offering to go clothes shopping. Izaya had taken up the offer and sent her off with some money. He'd withdrawn all his money from the bank and given it to Kasuka for safe keeping. They had enough to keep them going for a few months.

His lover was back in basic black looking a lot happier. If not for the frown that crossed his mouth every so often. Mikado knew he was worrying about Shizuo. He was too. The last he had seen of his husband was his deathlike appearance.

Izaya joined them for dinner and supper where his parents asked about the informant's life. Then they were both sent to bed. Mikado glanced at the lock on his door. Seeing the duo dead put a lot of things in perspective. Locking the door he moved to the bed laying next to his topless lover.

"Mikado?"

He kissed him. Full on the mouth one hand cupping his lover's cheek. He could feel Izaya smile kissing back.

"You sure?"

"Yeah." The teen nodded. "I need you. Prove to me you're still here. I don't want to wake up and still be in that room." Mikado pleaded.

"You don't want to wait until we meet up with Shizu-chan?"

"No. I need you now." Mikado kissed him again letting the older male roll on top of him.

"Keep your voice down, hm?"

"Yeah." Kanra giggled. "Wouldn't want your parents hearing you."

Mikado blushed. Izaya kissed him, not moving on from his face. It had been a while. Raising his hands he smoothed his thumbs over Izaya's cheeks and jawline. Izaya smiled patiently crinkling the sides of his mouth.

"You're here." The teen breathed tears threatening to fall.

"I'm here." Izaya reaffirmed. "I'm not going anywhere." They kissed some more, Mikado hugging Izaya to him. "I can't move like this." His lover grinned wickedly. "You do want to do other things?"

More than anything. Mikado settled for a nod urging Izaya to touch him. "Please. Touch me."

The teen shivered under his thin cotton pajamas. It had taken a lot to take off his blood soaked clothes at the station. They had given him what they had in the lost property. Now his top was pushed up exposing his torso.

Izaya breathed deep positioned between his thighs. His head rested on his abdomen. "I'm sorry. First the fire and now guns and blood."

"It was worth it." Mikado whispered smoothing his fingers through Izaya's hair. "I'm free. I'm here with you-"

"And Shizu-chan."

Mikado smiled. "Yeah. Kanra too."

"I don't think I can go any further." Izaya shrugged lazily closing his eyes.

"No. I think I just want to cuddle. We can do that, can't we?" Mikado asked quietly.

"Yeah. That we can do. I do want to touch you though."

"Me too."

"For now cuddling is good."

Mikado closed his eyes his body rolled on top of Izaya's. "I think it's because this isn't our home."

"Hm? Maybe. I love you, Mikado."

"Me too." Kanra answered not at all happy about being cut out.

"Yes. You too." Izaya grinned kissing their nose. "I guess we should include the protozoan too."

Mikado nodded lifting his head. Izaya already had his phone to his ear. Creeping up he listened to the voicemail service. "He's not answering."

"Remember Shizu-chan is still sick. We're going to see him tomorrow."

"Yeah. C-could you try again? Maybe leave a message?"

"Sure."

"You're worried." Kanra whispered.

"I have a bad feeling." Mikado murmurs watching Izaya try again.

"We're at Mikado's parents. We'll be coming tomorrow. Goodnight, Shizu-chan."

"Goodnight Shizuo." Mikado says when Izaya holds the phone his way. When the call ends Izaya pockets the phone holding him close.

x-x-x

Mikado knew as soon as he closed his eyes the nightmares would start. He found himself thrust back into that room seeing his lovers on the floor. This time it was Shiki that stood over them with a now empty gun.

He'd woken up in a silent scream finding himself curled up in Izaya's arms. Slipping from the bed, the teen unlocked the door hurrying softly down the stairs. In the kitchen he poured himself a glass of water and then he was outside in the fresh air gasping for breath.

Long shaky breaths spilling the water. Mikado sat down against the outside wall his head on his knees. A hand rested on his shoulder. Izaya. He knew it would be the older raven. "Nice night, hm?"

"Y-yeah." Mikado forced his head up to look at the starless sky. His eyes were wet and he knew he wouldn't be able to stop the tears.

Izaya sat down beside him one arm around his shoulders, helping to anchor him back to reality. "Everything will be okay. Once we catch up with Shizu-chan, it will be a new beginning for all of us."

"I know." Mikado nodded letting Izaya brush away the wetness on his cheeks. "I haven't spoken to Shizuo or seen him since the hotel."

"Neither have I." Closing his eyes he rested his head against the raven's shoulder. "You're not the only one anxious to see him again. Come on. You don't want your mother to worry about you."

Mikado nodded resting his weight on Izaya to help him up. "Everything will be okay, won't it?" The teen asked meekly, head bowed.

"I promise. Now come to bed."

"Oh? Finally getting it on?" Kanra teased.

"He didn't mean it like that!" Mikado flushed.

"Didn't I?" Izaya asked with a wink.

"I-"

"I'm joking. You'll have to take the initiative."

"You'll be waiting a long time." Kanra grinned. Mikado scowled. They were being unfair but it took his mind off of the bad things.

x-x-x

Mikado had never seen his mother look so happy. She pulled them out of bed early the next morning, fussing over them. Mikado was surprised Izaya had been shoved in the shower with him. Now they were eating breakfast, their plates laden with food. Apparently his mother liked Izaya. She looked at him as if she had gained a child.

"So I get to meet your husband today?"

"Y-yeah." Mikado filled his mouth reaching for his glass of water.

"Once we pick him up. We're going to Akabane." Izaya explained. "By train if it's okay?"

Mikado nodded.

"Will you need lunch?"

"We should be okay." Izaya smiled. "I'm sorry to take your son away from you again so soon."

His mother smiled. "You're coming back. I should go shopping. Prepare something special for dinner."

"Mom! No-"

"If you get a couple of cakes or anything dairy, the protozoan will be happy." Izaya shrugged.

"Izaya-nii, we should go."

"Let's go catch a train."

"I'll drive you to the station after breakfast."

Mikado nodded clenching his hands under the table. Would Shizuo accept his confession? The blonde hadn't called them back or answered the phone when they called again this morning. Izaya leaned over resting a hand on his shoulder.

x-x-x

It was strange seeing Izaya without his fur trimmed coat. Mikado ignored the looks they received on the train. Not because they recognised Izaya as he feared but because they were holding hands. Izaya wouldn't abandon him. Not again.

His heart clenched finding somewhere to sit. It was almost time. Mikado swallowed, his hands clammy. Izaya was the same but hid it better.

"How did Kasuka-san take the news?" He asked quietly. When Kasuka had arrived it had been a quick glance and a nod.

"He wasn't happy. After the state I left Shizu-chan in, I don't think he'll ever forgive me."

"But he helped."

"Yeah. Shizu-chan asked him to."

Mikado sighed squeezing Izaya's hand. "Do you regret it?"

"Regret what?"

"Leaving everything behind?" Mikado asked softly.

"I'd already quit as an informant. Either someone else will step up or they'll find another source elsewhere. I made the right choice." Izaya smiled kissing his cheek.

"Won't you miss your friends?"

"...yeah. Shinra thinks he lost both of us. This has probably hurt him the most."

Mikado nodded remembering their last exchange. "D-did you make up?"

"Yeah. I called him before we...died. It doesn't matter now. That part of our life doesn't exist any more. We can't go back to Ikebukuro."

Mikado nodded. "This train doesn't go through Ikebukuro?"

"No."

"Oh."

Kanra grinned. "He thought that because of your disguise."

Mikado shook his head. Izaya was wearing blue for a change. Dark indigo jeans that hugged his legs and a black tee with some logo splashed over it in white. A small silver chain hung from the belt loops. If anyone from Ikebukuro or Shibuya saw Izaya now, they would bypass him in a second.

"Hm?" His lover raised a brow. "You don't like it?"

Mikado looked away. "It looks good."

Izaya smiled lifting his chin forcing their eyes to meet. Mikado found himself staring at the raven's lips. "That's not what I asked, Mikado-kun."

"I- we shouldn't be drawing attention to ourselves. Anyone could get curious and take a photo."

Izaya nodded leaving him alone. "You're right. We have to be careful."

Mikado bit back his disappointment.

"So. I noticed there was a black skirt on the bed this morning." Izaya narrowed his gaze. "Was that for you or me?"

"Me." Kanra smiled. "We're negotiating. We're wearing the skirt tomorrow."

"At the weekend." Mikado corrected.

"Tomorrow."

"It looks like you both have things sorted. Let me know if you need anything." Mikado nodded blushing when Izaya ruffled his hair.

"Izaya-nii, I want purple contacts." Kanra smiled.

"I'd rather not." Mikado sighed.

"It's the contacts or a dress." His counterpart huffed.

x-x-x

The address was in Shimo. Izaya paid for the cab once they were out of the station. Their destination was a share house. Big enough for the four of them and two more. Izaya looked at it, that gnawing feeling was back again. It didn't look like somewhere a high earning actor would be living. The door slid open at his touch, opening into the thin hall.

The hall was empty, their feet echoing across the laminated flooring. Around the corner were steep steps and right next to them was the first room. Izaya poked his head in seeing it was empty apart from the tatami mats, a few scrolls and a television.

The kitchen was relatively small and unused as was the bathroom. Izaya kept Mikado close as they explored the upstairs. Six rooms and only one of them had a bed. The rest were unfurnished or had a single appliance. Izaya felt it before he'd opened the last door. Not once had he called out for the blonde.

"Where is he?" Izaya shrugged taking the piece of paper from his pocket. He had memorised the address but he double checked anyway. It was the right place. Taking out his phone he tried to call receiving no answer. "Damn it, Shizu-chan."

Had their old lover run away after all? There was nothing left for the protozoan, that was the only reason he had allowed Kasuka to take him.

"Izaya, where is Shizuo?" Mikado asked quietly tugging at his tee.

"I-" downstairs they heard a chorus of noise. Izaya led the way seeing a small group of what he'd estimate as university students. It was a mix of boys and girls, each lugging multiple bags or a suitcase.

"Oh. Hey. You're the guy from the phone, right?" One of the guys stepped forward. "Thanks for accepting our offer. We thought we'd end up in different houses."

"You're living here?" Izaya asked slowly to confirm.

"Yeah. You emailed all the forms across."

"Right." Izaya steeled himself leading Mikado from the apartment. The protozoan had run away from them. "Fuck." Mikado looked around as if it was all a prank. Izaya gathered him into his arms kissing the top of his head. The brute was gone.

x-x-x

Shizuo glanced at the time. It was reaching midnight and there was no sign of Izaya or Mikado. He'd been worried about sleeping in case he missed their arrival.

He wasn't alone but he might as well have been. The room was a strange shape closest to a trapezium. It was a double room with two identical beds. Too big for him alone no matter the size. The walls were a warm dark sunshine giving off a glow thanks to the ceiling lights. The mattress was soft, his injured body sinking into the white covers. Propping him up was half a dozen cushions.

Behind each bed was a framed picture. Flowers and a horse in this room. To the side against the window was a TV. Decorated around the rest of the room was a small table with a small vase of flowers, a small chair for one person and a three seater.

The most noticeable thing about the room was the window. Made to stretch to the height of the ceiling and the length of the wall. Shizuo didn't have to get up but he did so anyway. What met him was a landscape of skyscrapers and lights. With a sigh he looked out at the starless sky. The lights that were Tokyo tower would have outshone them anyway.

Mikado would like being here. So would Izaya, he would spout out facts and history he had researched. But they weren't there. Not yet. "Nii-san, you should be resting."

"Kasuka, you gave Izaya the address, didn't you?"

"Yes. Nii-san, you can't stay up all night waiting for them. We can't stay here long either. This hotel isn't cheap."

Shizuo nodded. Everything about the room screamed luxury. The bathroom en suite was a shiny black and glass. The bath was big enough to lay down flat. It was as expected of his brother. Yet again another debt he couldn't repay.

"We can wait another day." Kasuka walked over to him pulling the curtains shut. Just like that his world was reduced to one strangely shaped room. "On the condition you rest."

Shizuo nodded sure Izaya would turn up Tomorrow. Climbing into bed, he let the fresh scent of the covers to fill his senses. He wondered if Mikado was okay. What the teen had witnessed-even if it was fake- would be traumatising. He hoped Izaya was being gentle, guiding him safely from his nightmares should they occur.

Shizuo rolled into the middle of the bed stretching himself out like a starfish. His toes reached the edge of the bed. Too much space. It didn't feel right. Rolling back he made himself as small as possible, piling cushions to his left and right. For now it would have to do. "Goodnight, Kasuka."

"Goodnight nii-san." His brother answered from the other bed.

"Goodnight, Mikado. Goodnight, flea." There was no answer. Shizuo clutched the cushion feeling a part of him was missing. Maybe they were running late. Maybe something urgent came up. Izaya could turn up during the morning. He could suck it up for a few more hours.