Shizuo awoke the next morning to his cell phone going off repeatedly. He groaned and rolled over, blurry vision trying to focus on the caller ID. He vaguely saw the same blinking as the vibrations shook his hand. He yawned and flipped open the phone, murmuring a croaky "Hello?"

"Hi nii-san."

"Hey, Kasuka." Shizuo smiled warmly as he rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling. "What's up?"

"I'm in Ikebukuro for the day. I wanted to see you." Kasuka said on the other line. His voice was still monotone, but Shizuo could hear the happiness that was hidden. He sat up and stretched, running his fingers through his hair.

"Yeah, that'd be great. Do you want to meet up somewhere?"

"Maybe at your place?"

Shizuo frowned a bit, sighing. He really didn't want Kasuka to see what type of place he lived in. It certainly could be better than the shabby apartment.

"How about in front of Sunshine 60? We can walk around there and maybe stop by Sunshine City Plaza. I need to get some more clothes." Shizuo stammered a bit as he tried to think of another alternative.

"You don't like the bartender outfits anymore?" Kasuka questioned.

"No, that's not it! I just need some casual wear. And maybe we can…I don't know, just window shop?" Shizuo started, worried that he had upset his brother. Although the soft chuckle on the other end of the line calmed his nerves a bit.

"Alright. See you."

"Seeya."

Shizuo dropped the phone on the bed and got up, rushing into the kitchen to pop some bread into his toaster. He stared at the orange pill bottle sitting on the counter and groaned. He opened the cap and poured out a pill, swiftly popping It into his mouth without giving himself a chance to think about it.

The taste instantly gagged him, but he quickly downed a bottle of milk from the fridge to wash it down as fast as he could. He shook his head and gasped, gagging a bit as he shuffled to the bathroom to brush his teeth. Shizuo glanced back toward his room and saw his bartender outfit hanging in the closet. Although he wasn't working, He didn't want to upset Kasuka, so he'd wear his uniform anyways.

Pulling on his black slacks and his white button up, he headed back into the kitchen to check on the toast. As he pulled his vest over his shirt to complete the ensemble, he grabbed the toast from the toaster, placing it in his mouth as he fumbled with his bowtie. He slipped his shoes on and rushed out the door, toast bobbing up and down lightly as he ran.

He skidded to a halt, remembering he left his phone in his house and ran back inside, grabbing the phone as he bit into the toast, small crumbs falling onto his chest. He huffed and coughed a little bit as the crumbs fell down the windpipe. He stumbled forward, bending over as he opened his mouth to cough heavily. Tears stung his eyes as he coughed harder, resting his forehead against the doorframe of his bedroom. He swallowed and breathed heavily, blinking back the water In his eyes. He stared at the buttered toast that was now on the floor. He grit his teeth and clenched his hand, breaking the wood of the doorway.

"Gah…fuck."

Shizuo stifled another cough as he stepped into the bathroom, turning the cold dial on the sink to full blast. The icy water splashed against the porcelain and spattered onto his shirt as he bent down, shoving his mouth under the spout.

He tilted his head, trying to gulp down as much water as he could to soothe his raw throat. The frigid water coated his scratched and worn throat, and instantly brought relief. He pulled away, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Shaking his head lightly, he shook the water droplets from his hair, where the water had drenched the tips.

He rubbed the wet blonde tips with a towel, getting them mostly dry, before fixing back his tie, grabbing his phone, and tossing out the spoiled toast. He didn't bother to make another breakfast, and left to head for the subway.

It didn't take long for Shizuo to make it from his apartment to Sunshine City, and the walk to the large skyscraper in the center of the city was quick. He glanced around, looking for the familiar face of his brother, and was disappointed to not find him there.

He sat on the stairs, pulling out a cigarette from his breast pocket and placed it between his lips. He folded his hands in his lap and groaned, itching to light the stick in his mouth. But he knew he couldn't…but it helped a bit to have it just in his mouth.

He played with it a bit, but felt the hair on his neck prickle. He felt like he was being watched. Anxiously, he dropped his cigarette on the ground and snuffed it with the toe of his shoe, grinding it into the asphalt. He stared at the black smudge and licked his lips, letting out a tense breath.

The honk of a horn took Shizuo from his daydreaming, and made him look up. A large stretch limo pulled up to the curb, parking in front of the main doors. Shizuo stood up, as the driver got out of the car, and walked around to open up the back passenger side door. The driver bowed slightly, as Kasuka ducked out and brushed his shirt to smooth out the wrinkles.

Shizuo smiled a bit as Kasuka nodded for the driver to leave, and started walking up the steps, ignoring the whispers and squeals of the bystanders around them.

"Long time no see." Shizuo said, shoving his hands in his pockets. Kasuka nodded and blinked slowly, his eyes fixated on Shizuo: his version of a smile.

"Yeah. Do you ever shop around here, Nii-san?"

The blonde shook his head, "No, but I thought we could do a lot here. Spend the day together without getting bored."

Kasuka nodded again and stepped closer to his brother, before the two left Sunshine 60 and started walking down the street. Shizuo glared at any fan girls who tried to get near Kasuka, keeping them at bay. He stayed close to his younger brother, nearly brushing shoulders with him.

"Kasuka, remember how we used to go to the aquarium every summer with mom and dad?" Shizuo asked after a few moments of silence. The young actor nodded.

"Lots of fun."

"Wanna go back there? I'm sure there are different animals there now a days."

Kasuka nodded again, blinking slowly and looking at Shizuo. Another smile. Shizuo patted Kasuka's back and smiled, leading them toward the World Import Mart Building.

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Hours before hand in Shinjuku, Izaya was lying in his bed with a pillow over his face. The windows were drawn shut, blocking out all light. The only noise was the light thrum of the fan in the ceiling. The informant sighed tiredly, still feeling drained even after a few hours of deep sleep.

His mind was still turning after the break through with Shizuo's diagnosis. Or rather, suspected diagnosis. Never in his life had Izaya suspected that Shizuo could possibly develop such a deadly disease. But now his curiosity and interest in the situation was at it's highest. He wanted to see how Shizuo dealt with this. Did the brute know? Was he aware he could potentially die? Could he die from something like this in the first place?

So many questions and theories buzzed in the informant head. Izaya rolled over onto his stomach, grabbing his cell phone from the night stand and scrolled through the contacts.

He itched to find the blonde brute, and to watch him. Observe how he acted. See how much longer it was until this terminal disease finally took him. He wanted to see how much longer he could play.

Red eyes fixated in the name that was highlighted. The stolen number scrolled across the screen, with the name Heiwajima Shizuo bolded above it. He watched the number as contemplated calling. But the question that stopped him was "Why?" Why bother call the brute? What good would that do?

With a lazy sigh, Izaya rolled back onto his back, head dangling off the edge of his bed. He didn't like this feeling that was bubbling inside him. He couldn't put his finger on it. Boredom? Cabin Fever? Anxiety? All he knew was it made him antsy and made him want to run. Run far away from this feeling.

And the perfect person who could make him run….was currently taking a sick day.

Rolling out of bed, Izaya decided to give himself a personal day off. A day without chases, or information. No one calling his cell phone or texting him with job offers. He needed to just let out pent up energy.

Slipping on his shoes, he didn't bother to change out of pajamas, and left his apartment in his black gym shorts and gray fleece pull over. He pulled the hood over his head, and thumbed the flick blade he carried in the front pocket. He almost left without his cell, but decided to bring it in case something important came up. He knew he couldn't just abandon his job.

Well, he could. But then Shiki-san might have his head. And Izaya liked his head. He thought it was beautiful; almost as beautiful as Celty's.

He slipped some dark shades over his eyes to mask his identity, giggling to himself about how he felt "Shizu-esque" from the mannerism, and glided down the streets of Shinjuku, heading straight to his favorite hot bed of humans.