Six days.
Fourteen hours.
Thirty-seven minutes.
Ten seconds.
That's how much time has passed since Izaya last saw Shizuo Heiwajima on the streets of Ikebukuro.
The info broker languidly strolled along the lively streets of the city he loved. He could feel the pulse of life under his feet and the static of energy surrounding him. He smiled, feeling at ease as he kept his red gaze alert for any blonde headed monsters lurking in the shadows.
But alas, he didn't feel the twinge in the back of his head, or the rise of the hair on the back of his neck. None of the normal sensations he gets when he feels those warm honey eyes harden like amber in the sun as they bore into his back. The only thing making his skin crawl was the dense humid air surrounding him; the clouds threatening to unload themselves all upon this glorious city Izaya couldn't bear to be aware from.
He kind of missed Shizu-chan and his presence; the desire to run, the buzz from the chase, the pleasure from the cuts and bruises and scratches. The way Shizuo growled and screamed his name in a desperate rage, as the brunette slipped through the blonde's fingers yet again.
Izaya sighed and flipped open his phone, glancing at the messages. None. It seemed like no one needed his information today.
He frowned and close it again, skipping it back into his pants pocket, feeling the hard handle of his blade against his hand through the fabric of his jacket.
Ahh, his trusty blade. The one thing that make him feel completely in control and fearless. Without this sharpened edge, hand carved handle, and deadly strike: Izaya Orihara would be nothing more than the average informant. Half of his deadly reputation would diminish to nothing but a rumor that couldn't be fulfilled.
Perhaps he was jealous of Shizuo for that reason. The monster was born with his strength and rage; his reputation was a part of his DNA: something that could never falter. It made Izaya sick thinking about it.
He dropped into an alleyway, slinking into the shadows as he crawled under a fire escape and pulled his jacket close to him. A raindrop fell from the sky, landing on Izaya's nose. He narrowed his carmine eyes and pulled his hood over his head, concealing his face from the world around him. The dark and dismal world that kept him coming back for more.
A few more drops, and soon the heavens were crying; blankets of rain falling upon this lively concrete jungle.
"Run humans…run for shelter." Izaya murmured to himself as he glanced down the length of the alley, watching as his precious objects of wonder and amusement ran for cover.
"They say water makes the wicked melt." Izaya sighed as he stepped out from the alley, and into the now empty streets. He tilted his head back, letting the rain fall on his face. His eyes closed, a small blissful smile on his face as the rain dripped along the porcelain skin, matting his fur trimmed hood and inky locks to his face.
"Look like I'm not so evil after all…"
Izaya spun in a circle, letting the hood fall back as the rain beat at his head. The water dripped down his hair, clinging to his face and clothes as he was soaked to the bone, a smirk sprawled across his face as he laughed toward the sky.
He giggled and stopped, staring at the puddle forming beneath his feet. His reflection stared back at him, wavering and rippling; masking his features from the world.
"Tell me Shizu-chan…does water make a monster like you melt?" He narrowed his eyes and stomped in the puddle, creating a splash that destroyed the reflection of his more human self. He hissed and frowned, clenching his fist.
"Or are you…just like the rest of us…?"
.
.
.
.
.
.
Shizuo sighed as he exhaled, a long stream of smoke puffing in front of his face. He leaned against the windowsill, staring outside at the rain. The soft patter of the roof being pelted with water was the only background noise that reverberated in the small apartment.
Shizuo loved the rain. It was the only thing that didn't anger him. It was calm. Soothing.
Everything he wished he could be.
With another puff of his cigarette, he ground the end of his cigarette into the ashtray on the windowsill, before stretching as he walked toward his bedroom. It was dingy; not exactly picture perfect. But it had all the things he needed. A bed, a nightstand, a closet. The wallpaper wasn't ripping or anything, but it sure wasn't up to date. Didn't matter that much though, Shizuo didn't mind.
He cleared his throat, covering his mouth with his fist as the slight movement caused a chain reaction of pain. His body heaved and convulsed as rib rattling coughs coursed through him. He bent over, coughing harder as he struggled for another breathe. His body trembled slightly as the tremors faded, allowing him to take a shallow breathe to clear his head.
He groaned and got up, walking toward the mattress he had only got out of an hour prior. It was still messy, pillows half falling off the side, and the blankets strewn about.
With another shuddered cough, he fell onto his bed, lying flat on his back with his arms spread. He closed his eyes as he coughed pitifully, feeling the bed rock underneath him.
He wheezes and pulled a pillow from his feet, placing it over his head as he tried to ignore the threats of another coughing spell.
'Dammit, I can't hide this from Shinra…'
Shizuo rolled over onto his side, hugging the pillow to his face as he reached for his phone. He flipped it open and sent a hasty text to Celty, asking if she could pick him up. He really didn't feel like walking all the way there.
Half a heartbeat later, the phone buzzed in his hand, making him jump a bit as he flipped it open and squinted into the light.
[I'm on my way.]
Grunting as he forced himself off the bed, the blonde staggered to his closet to pull on something less casual. He slid off the navy blue track pants he had been sleeping in for two days straight, and pulled on some nicer jeans. He struggled with the zipper, finding it hard to get strength in his fingers. It struck a chord with him and made him worry a bit.
"Definitely something I'll have to tell Shinra."
Rather than finding a shirt, he just slipped on a decent jacket, and headed to the front door, where he knew Celty would be waiting for him.
He stepped outside, taking a deep breathe of fresh air. He felt it tickle his throat and felt his abs clench as his body prepared for another coughing attack. Swallowing thickly, he forced himself to hold it back, as Celty silently pulled up beside him.
"Hey." he grunted as Celty created a helmet made of her black essence, and formed it around his blonde head. Shizuo climbed on, finding it hard to balance as she sped off. He felt himself slip a bit, and wrapped his arms around Celty's waist as he clung for balance.
Although she wasn't able to vocalize her questioning, he could feel it as her body tensed up for a bit. She glanced back, and Shizuo could see his weary reflection in her visor.
"I'm fine. Just a bit off balance." She nodded and sped forward, weaving in between traffic to get back to Shinra's as fast as she could. It was easy to tell that Shizuo was still feeling under the weather, and needed help.