Shizuo stayed still, eyes locked on the man dressed in white. After a moment of silence, Shiki turned to face the door to look at Izaya. "I believe we have come to an agreement, Orihara-san?" the man inquired, ignoring Shizuo completely, as if he was never there to begin with. The three guards stepped out from Izaya's apartment, surrounding Shiki protectively. One kept his eyes on Shizuo, making sure he didn't move.
"I can assure you, I will have your information by the end of the week." Shizuo heard Izaya say smoothly. The man in white, someone of whom Shizuo assumed to be a very high person in the underground world, pulled a cigarette package from his breast pocket, and pulled out a stick.
"Shiki-san, not here." Izaya quickly retorted, stepping up to the door in a fast movement. The guard closest to the door grabbed at his hip. Shizuo instantly recognized the movement, and stepped forward to…
…to do what? What could he do? Sure, he got shot before. Still hurt like hell. But at this close of range, who knows what would happen.
Shiki raised his hand, causing Izaya and the guard to freeze. He tilted his head a bit and raised his brow, "What should I not do?" he challenged. Shizuo felt his mouth dry as the tension in the air grew.
Izaya stood stiffly in the door frame, neither outside or inside of his apartment. He stood precariously on the threshold, face stoic. But Shizuo could see the tightness in his jaw, and the slight dilation in his pupils. The flea was calculating something.
Staring intently at Shiki, Izaya's eyes flicking down to the cigarette in his hand. He licked his lips a bit, deciding his next move carefully. He may be Shiki's desired informant, but that didn't mean he could slip up and make a mistake. Deciding that the truth would be better than anything else in this situation, he gestured over toward the brute standing in a defensive manner.
"My guest here isn't fond of smoke. I would prefer to keep the air clear." he answered effortlessly, as if it was nothing but the truth. Of course, he did keep Shizuo's identity to himself. Without his trademark hair, outfit, or personality, he was nearly unrecognizable. But Shiki's eyes flashed with knowledge, instantly connecting the dots from the previous conversation.
The six of them stood in the hall in silence. After a moment, Shiki slipped the cigarette back into its case, and slid it into his pocket. "Very well. I'll be leaving then. I expect that information by next week. This operation has been going on for too long. You're slipping Orihara-san."
Izaya nodded, "You have my word." Shiki nodded curtly, and led his men away, brushing his shoulder against Shizuo in an intimidating manner. Authority radiated off of him as he passed, and made Shizuo shiver. He turned back to Izaya, who still looked stiff, but a bit more calm.
"Is he…?"
"Always like this? Yes, I suppose. He's just more impatient this time around." Izaya sighed, "As you heard, I've been falling behind on my information."
"Because of me?"
"To put it bluntly, yes."