Happy New Year! I don't know if I'll be updating that night, since I'm throwing a party. Maybe late saturday night/early sunday morning? We'll see! School starts again on the 9th, so I'll have a full schedule again! But I will keep trying to update frequently! Thank you for keeping up with the story!

Izaya stood outside of his home in Shinjuku, leaning on a single crutch as the mid January wind blew around him. The day was starting off beautifully. The sun was shining, the weather wasn't too cold. In fact, it was just warm enough for the brute to be outside without damaging his lungs.

The raven smiled, thinking about how happy the blonde would be to know he could leave his apartment. The past week had been pretty rough with their slow healing. At least Celty had allowed one crutch to transform into an ankle brace. Now he would walk on it softly, getting used to the pressure on it again.

Shizuo was also doing well. Every day, he was leaving his room and strolling around his apartment. His back was no longer thrown out, although his chest still ached and his muscles were still sore. He had really outdone himself when he'd thrown that couch.

Izaya turned when he heard the sleek black car pull up to the curb. He smirked, a surge of authority surging through him as the driver stepped out and walked around to open the door for him. He shuffled into the car, trying to appear as if his balance was as good as ever. Pulling his crutch onto his lap, he crossed his legs and smiled at the familiar face sitting across from him.

"It's a surprise to see you."

"Is it really a surprise, Orihara-san?"

Izaya chuckled, "Of course! You haven't personally picked me up to take me over to Shizu-chan's over the past week."

"I have a reason to be here." Shiki sighed as the driver started pulling away from the curb and heading toward Ikebukuro.

Izaya leaned forward with interest, a grin on his face. "Ahh, so what do I owe the pleasure?"

Shiki raised his brow a bit and tapped the crutch, "First, you might want to tell me why you're on these." Izaya frowned and sighed with exasperation.

"Just a little accident. I'm still functioning well."

"Actually, it's only more proof to what I've been wondering the past few months." Izaya's eyes widened slightly, but he pulled his confident mask back on before Shiki noticed. The elder sat back into his seat and folded his hands on his lap. "Ever since you started helping Mr. Heiwajima, you have grown…soft."

"Soft? I'm not sure what you-"

"You know exactly what I mean." Shiki reached forward to brush his thumb across Izaya's cheek, narrowing his eyes. "You don't look nearly as sinister as you did in the past."

Izaya narrowed his eyes, but didn't flinch at Shiki's gesture. "You know very well it could be another mask."

"But it isn't." Shiki pulled his hand back, folding them back into his lap. "How long have I known you, Orihara-san?"

"Since I was in high school." Izaya's voice was tense, as he realized where Shiki was taking this.

The yakuza nodded and reached into his pocket to pull out a photograph from his wallet. Izaya glanced out the window, trying to see the reflection of what Shiki was holding, but it was too blurred.

"Tell me, Izaya -" The informant knew that Shiki was touching on a personal or private subject, "- How would have described yourself in high school?"

At this point, Izaya would have been tapping his foot, unsure how to handle the situation at hand. However, he wasn't able to do what with his wounded foot, and was stuck drumming his fingers along the seat.

"I would have said I was a determined and cruel person." He grinned a bit, teeth flashing, "I I really didn't give two shits about anyone else except myself. That is the reason why you first contacted me, is it not?"

Shiki nodded, handing Izaya the photograph he was looking at. His eyes widened when he recognized his high school photo - his face covered by a perfected mask consisting of narrow and cold eyes and a smirk that oozed mischief. He turned it over, seeing his handwriting with his own contact information scrawled on the back with a red pen.

"You were cool, calculated, and willing to do anything for a price. And, as you said, you didn't care about anyone but yourself - which made you a perfect informant." He reached forward to retrieve the picture, sliding it back into his breast pocket. "However, that has changed as of late."

"…You truly think I've grown soft."

Shiki gestured to the window, "Look at your reflection. Your eyes don't hold that same determination or hold that same icy glare. Your expression is flecked with concern. If you need more physical evidence, look at your wounded ankle. You would have never allowed that to happen in the past."

"…Accidents happen."

"You would have never gotten this close to Mr. Heiwajima to begin with."

Izaya clenched his first, glaring at himself in the mirror before looking at Shiki. "Your point?"

Shiki chuckled lowly under his breath, a smile pulling on his face. "Simply stating the facts, Orihara-san. Just to remind you that you are still an informant and you are still working for me. It would be best if you hardened up a bit."

The raven nodded, staring out the window as they pulled up to the curb. He was still a quarter mile away from Shizuo's home, but he didn't want to let his whereabouts be known.

Izaya's eyes widened as realization dawned on him. He was protecting Shizuo by hiding his exact location. He was caring for someone other than himself.

He was growing soft…

He closed his eyes, letting the reality sink in. Taking care of Shizuo had become second nature. He didn't need to think twice, or try hard to protect him. It was now becoming a part of his life. As easily as he had changed his entire personality to accommodate the blonde, would he be able to do it again? He was sure he would…but…

"Shiki-san?"

"Yes?"

He faced his boss, a look of tension on his features. "What would happen if I weren't able to…"harden up"?"

Shiki's authoritative smile remained on his face, although his eyes seemed to soften slightly. He reached forward to clap Izaya on the shoulder gently. "All I would ask is that you don't hurt yourself. After all, you are our most reliable source. It would be a shame to lose your services."

The underlying tone in Shiki's voice made Izaya smile. The driver opened the door, bowing slightly to Shiki and Izaya. Izaya nodded to Shiki, thanking him for the lift. He stood at the curb, watching as the car pulled away, before turning to walk the quarter mile to Shizuo's apartment.