Darker Than Black

Chapter 5

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Izaya stayed in the shadows on his way home, now needing to because of his "condition". It was best to avoid accidentally running into something or someone he didn't want to, as well.

I do hope Shizu-chan isn't out right now.

But his peace was short lived.

The raven silently skidded to a halt when he heard someone coming.

"Izayaaaaa-kun, where are you hiding?" A familiar voice growled. "I know you're here..."

Shit.

The brute had found him.

Izaya stashed himself behind a corner and kept quiet. He went to hold his breath, only te realize he had none.

Oh, right.

He concentrated on not moving an inch instead. The brute had a keen sense of smell alright, but how can someone who no longer sweats even give off a scent? How had Shizuo found him?

But Shizu-chan doesn't require logic to exist, now does he?

Izaya heard the footsteps grow closer, as it seemed Shizuo could still find him with his special Izaya-sense quite easily. He must've been just a few blocks off, grumbling and scattering the crowds as per usual. And just like usual the sound of twisting metal giving into a strong grip resounded. Izaya peaked around to see his enemy's weapon of choice this time around. A stop sign, it appeared.

A stop sign that within seconds whooshed right past his head, leaving the tiniest of cuts yet still a line of dark blood.

He was seen.

"Damn you, beast..." the raven whispered. That monster sure was a pain.

"There you are, flea."

But as soon as Izaya raised a hand to his cheek, the blood had vanished.

Huh?

That was right, he had inhuman powers too, now. There was no way Shizuo could hurt him now or catch him if he ran just as fast as he had earlier in the day. Izaya didn't even have to worry about the brute catching him. A wicked grin spread itself across his face.

Not anymore.

He took off, hood pulled sharply over his head, dashing past the broken imbedded infrastructure and away from the blond imbecile he often enjoyed pissing off. Often but not today. Not until the sun was set at least.

"STOP RUNNING YOU FLEA BASTARD!" The raging beast was chasing his version of a red cloth.

Izaya giggled to himself and slowed down just a bit. Shizuo still couldn't catch up to him?

Just sad.

The raven sped up just as the blond was closing in. He could practically smell the blood pumping hard in the other's veins and the rush of frustration it gave him. Oh how fun it was to watch Shizuo get angry like that.

Smell?

The vampire frowned at that unsavoury new development. He turned around once they were under the cover of the buildings' long shadows, they casted long enough for a reasonable battle front even though the sun was not yet hidden.

"Shizu-chan, what's wrong~? You're awfully slow today." The smuggest expression he could manage surfaced on his face. Shizuo was breathing hard while he wasn't breathing at all.

"You fucking flea—we both know the different one is you. How the hell did you get that fast?" He glared, panting.

"My, I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just the same as ever. All that sugar you shovel down each day must be really getting to you, ne?" Izaya spoke carelessly, faking a small lack of oxygen and watching the other monster turn to find his newest metal victim. A light post it was, Izaya noted, dogging it with ease and preparing a knife in his left hand. As he anticipated, the blond charged forward and aimed a punch. Missing yet again to Izaya's delight.

The informant decided to make his own first move, slicing forward to ruin that truly horrendous bartender getup. It drew blood, he could tell—or rather smell—immediately. A button from the black vest went flying.

Now Shizuo was really pissed; if the roar that erupted from him was anything to go by. Izaya glided back a couple steps and narrowly missed the post which was promptly launched at him.

Izaya watched with a smirk as Shizuo ripped said post from the concrete it was just imbedded in, but was drawn to something else by his nose. There was splash of blood on his knife.

Without thinking he licked it.

And licked it twice just to make sure all that heavenly red was off. It tasted so wonderful, he almost purred before realizing his careless and downright strange actions.

He didn't see that, did he?

Izaya stood still for a second to look to the inhumanly tough man, who wasn't focusing on him at the moment.

His feet started to carry him away by instinct as the angry blond yanked the metal from the street's grip, with the sweet metallic taste fresh on his tongue. It tasted absolutely incredible, dismayingly. He smiled as a rogue thought drifted into mind.

Hadn't I heard somewhere that livestock taste better on an all-carb diet? Much like Shizu-chan's?

With that justification, the new vampire took off at lightning speed, confusion and aggravation left once more in his wake.

.
.
.

"Where have you been all day?"

As Izaya slumped into his chair, he paid little mind to his ever-sour secretary.

He hummed before replying coyly,

"Where have I been indeed?"

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