Thank you everyone for sticking with this story, especially Sissy, who helped Beta for a while. I loved every thought and review that appeared in my inbox; they always make me feel giddy and happy, and always encourage me to write more.

With this gratitude in mind, I announce the final chapter for If We Ever Meet Again.

Recap: After the Yellow Scarves took Mikado to the warehouse where Saki was killed, Izaya kidnaps the Dollars Leader before any commotion can begin.

I don't own.

Izaya's hold tightened around Mikado as he made his way between one of the alleyways of the warehouses. If he had stopped to consider his position, he would have realized how pathetic this all seemed. But he didn't have time for that. Mikado was there, in his arms, and all the informant wanted was to get away from the commotion of the warehouse. Of course, if he had actually stopped to consider his position, he would have noticed one other thing: Mikado did not struggle.

The informant easily pushed the younger man against the wall of the warehouse, and then proceeded to trap Mikado between his arms. Izaya grinned down at him, power surging through his veins.

"Well lookie that," he purred to his prey. "Your flimsy plan fell apart quite easily, don't you think?"

Izaya giggled, the adrenaline still pumping in his veins. He faintly realized how insane he sounded, but he pushed it far away from his mind. His prey was in front of him, and he wasn't about to let this chance go by.

"You really need to think these through, Mikado," Izaya added with a mocking shake of the head.

But Mikado did not flinch nor acknowledge the suffix-drop. His face had returned to the cold mask and those damned predatory eyes were watching the informant like a toy. It was unnerving.

Before any words could leave Izaya's mouth, multiple loud roars of vehicles filled the air. From the small gap of the warehouse, the informant could make out faint traces of cars. Don't tell me-?

He heard the engines of the vehicles being replaced by the sound of a man. "Help Heiwajima-san and the Black Rider!"

Dota-chin.

Then footfalls and flurries of bodies ran past the alleyway, towards the warehouse entrance. And suddenly, Izaya understood. Disbelief flooded his senses and he took two stumbling steps away from Mikado's sharp gaze.

"You…" It took a few more seconds to get his mouth to work again. But when it did finally work, he couldn't stop the excited grin that spread across his face as the words flew from his mouth. "You planned all that! You knew they would come. You knew this would distract the Yellow Scarves! You knew. All this so that we could be alone together? How sweet of you."

The corners of Mikado's mouth curved into a soft smile, although it never reached those cold eyes. He took a step forward, but Izaya's eyes were glued to the younger man's mouth. The informant unwillingly took few steps back, trying to keep the distance between them the same.

"Granted, I didn't expect Shizuo to appear," Mikado admitted as he took another step forward, certain in his movements. "Nor did I expect to see Celty-san."

Izaya's back hit against the wall of the warehouse. Still, Mikado continued his trek forward until the two were chest to chest, Mikado about half a foot shorter than Izaya. But the cold gaze never left Mikado's eyes, even as the two breathed the same air.

"But yes, I did plan all that just so we can talk," the younger man whispered.

The informant did the only thing natural. He leaned forward, ready to close the distance between them. But before his mouth could land anywhere near the Dollars Leader, the sound of a gun click filled the air. Izaya froze, feeling something hard pressing against the left side of his chest. From his peripheral vision, he knew without a doubt that it was the Glock 17 he had given to Kida Masaomi so long ago.

His eyes flickered from Mikado's lips to his eyes. Terribly mean, Mikado. To be so close to me, only to leave me hanging.

"I thought we were talking, Mikado," Izaya said. There was no anger in his voice, no frustration. Just amusement. Mikado looked back up at him with his infinite calm.

"We will," the younger man said. "I'm just making sure that you're not going to delude yourself any longer."

A soft hiss left the informant's mouth as the Glock's nuzzle dug into his chest. And despite the damning position of this situation, Izaya couldn't help but to feel strangely content.

Erika and Walker stood side by side by the entrance of the warehouse, staring at the massive fighting in front of them. In the middle of the warehouse were the Black Rider and Heiwajima Shizuo, both clearing the ground with ease. They've long lost track of who was fighting whom, who was winning. It just looked like a bundle of bodies, crashing into each other.

"Why do we always get involved in this war?" Erika gritted in-between her clenched teeth.

Walker turned the crowbar in his hands. "We just have bad luck like that. At least this time, we have both the Black Rider and Shizuo helping us."

"That doesn't make war better." She glanced over at Walker and swung her spiked baseball bat to get the feel for it. "It just ensures that we're the winning side."

"Of course, not that we were ever on the losing side," Walker added, mirroring the swinging bat with his crowbar.

With twin grins on their faces, they ran in, prepared to destroy anyone who got in the way of rescuing their brother. They were so focused on their rampage that they missed the entrance of the Yellow Scarves Leader and the Slasher.

Shizuo threw yet another body behind him as he searched through the prongs of bodies. He knew people were yelling all around him, but he had no time to pay attention to that. There were more bodies piling into the warehouse, and he was getting lost in the swarm of bodies. Damn you, Yellow Scarves. Damn you!

Body after body, the ex-bartender easily picked up and threw aside without caring for whose side they were on, as he continued his frantic search for his-. He stopped. My what? What does this make Mikado to me?

"Heiwajima-san!" Shizuo whirled around at the sound of that voice. Like hell I'll forget the voice of the one who shot me!

Unfortunately, there were just too many bodies to pick out the fake blonde with the gun. With an angry snarl, he shoved those in front of him away. But before he could take a step, a girl appeared before him. He knew he had seen her somewhere, but he wasn't too sure where. But there was something about the way she bowed, very politely, before pointing towards the side exit of the warehouse, that tickled the back of Shizuo's mind.

"Heiwajima-san," the girl said. "Mikado-kun isn't in this building. Leave the small fries to us. Please rescue him."

You know him too? The thought was in his mind, but Shizuo had more important things to do. Mikado was here somewhere, taken by the Yellow Scarves, who were, no doubt, being controlled by that stupid fleabag as usual. With a nod of thanks to the girl, he ran towards the exit, freely throwing different bodies aside.

Hang in there, Mikado. I'm coming.

Anri returned to Masaomi's side, who was looking at the mess of fights with a pained expression.

"I hoped things wouldn't turn out this way," he admitted to her without looking at her. She did not reply but shared his sentiments.

"But I guess some past wasn't meant to be buried." He sighed softly before turning to face her with his infamous flirtatious smile. "Dance with me?"

Anri drew forth her blade in answer.

"Alright Mikado," Izaya declared finally. "You got me. What's your grand scheme from here?"

"Obviously, I'm going to kill you," Mikado said nonchalantly.

The informant held back a giggle. Instead he shook his head in wonder. "So you started a war. After all, what's another corpse in the midst of a gang war?" He leaned forward, ignoring the way the gun dug into his chest. Staring into those too blue eyes, Izaya grinned. "I wonder what Shizuo would say if he knew you started this war for me." How very romantic of you.

"Ah but Izaya-" The informant's ears perked at the sound of his name without a suffix attached to it. "- who will know? A dead man tells no tales."

"You will never be happy with Shizu-chan, you know," Izaya said, changing tactics. He leaned back away from Mikado, away from the warmth.

Blue eyes narrowed at him. "I love him." What was that painful throb of his heart?

"Love doesn't mean happiness."

"Cute words. I'll make sure to put it on your tombstone," Mikado said.

Izaya heard the gun click, and pushed for his final words. "Do you know why you'll never be happy with Shizuo? It's because he doesn't know who you really are. You always hide yourself from everyone behind a mask. I don't know why the mask is there, but I know that you have one. You two might be happy for a week, maybe few months. But the guilt will eat you away. You won't be able to face him. All your secrets, all your masks, will chain you away from Shizuo. Or even if you could fight away the guilt and be able to face him with no shame, he will sense something. He will begin to question you. And well, it should be obvious what happens after."

Mikado smiled at that; this time, his eyes reflecting amusement. Izaya's heart skipped at the sight. "And I suppose you think that that won't happen with you?" the Dollars Leader asked.

Izaya's eyes caught a flicker of movement at the alleyway's mouth. Tch. That stupid lug is here already? With a grin, he pulled closer to Mikado, knowing full well that they looked like they were kissing in that position.

"I've already seen both your sides," he whispered.

And just as the informant planned, the person at the mouth of the alleyway spoke up. "Mikado?"

With that one simple word, the predatory mask shattered completely. Wide blue eyes turned to stare at the blood-covered ex-bartender, horror most likely pumping through his veins. And using this moment to his advantage, Izaya hit Mikado's gun-holding hand, easily knocking the Glock 17 into the air and snatching it. Before Mikado could fully turn back around to the informant, Izaya held the gun against the young man's head, and wrapped the other arm firmly around his chest.

"IZAYA!" came Shizuo's war cry.

"I wouldn't if I were you, Shizu-chan! My finger just might… slip."

The ex-bartender froze, his face flushing with rage. But he didn't dare move from his spot.

"Shizuo," Mikado said, attracting both the men's attention. "I'm glad you're safe."

And Izaya couldn't take it anymore. How was it fair? He was the one who has seen Mikado at his worst, at his best, both sides of the mask. He was the one who knew and understood the young man. But why did Mikado always shower Shizuo with his attention? Why did Mikado always speak to Shizuo in that loving tone of voice? Why couldn't Mikado share that warmth with him?

Before anyone else can move or react, Izaya fled, Mikado held tightly in his grasps.

"You know, this is getting old," Mikado declared.

The Dollars Leader could feel Izaya's grin without seeing it. "I know," the informant assured him. "That's why, we're stopping here."

Izaya let Mikado go and took two steps away. The blue-eyed man looked at him confused. They were standing by the other side of the warehouse, by the seaside. Mikado was standing two steps away from the ocean, with Izaya blocking his way to any exit with his gun. A quick glance around told him that the cars, most likely from the Dollars members Kodata brought, were parked by the warehouse entrance, and blocking any view from there to here.

And with all the fighting in the warehouse, they'll probably not hear the gun, Mikado thought to himself. Tch. If only I had shot earlier…

"Now, let's continue our talk," Izaya said.

You know, I really haven't cleaned as much as I should have. I've really only dusted once. Ah, I haven't even wiped down the computers. I wonder how Celty-san and Shinra-san would react to the mess. They should be back soon. I wish I could've cleaned a bit more before they came back. I don't want them to be disappointed in choosing me to take care of their apartment. After all, it's all thanks to them that I was able to meet so many people and encounter so many adventures.

"Shizuo is a poor choice of a match for you. You need someone who can stand by your side as an equal. Not someone you need to babysit."

Erika-nee and Walker-nii wanted to start watching a new anime series with me. We were going to have a party, all five of us. Kadota-nii probably would have made that annoyed look at us but relented at the end, because that's the kind of person he is. Togusa-nii probably would have complained loudly but then sat with us, a magazine about Ruri-san in his hands. All of us would have had so much fun, even if we didn't all admit to it.

"That's why you should look at this in a logical standpoint. Intellectually speaking, Shizuo is way below your level. All he is, is nothing compared to what you can be if you… Well that is, if you stood by someone else."

I haven't gone to visit Simon at the Russian Sushi in a long time. Did I ever thank him for taking care of me on my first day here? If it wasn't for him, I probably would have died a long time ago. I should cook him something, too. Speaking of which, I don't think I ever picked up my paycheck from Aidokosho's owner. Hehe, silly me. How could I forget?

"Think about it, Mikado. Is it really worth having to hide who you really are to be with Shizuo? Think about it, is there anyone in the world who you've shown your true self to? Well, it certainly wasn't Shizuo, now was it?"

I was able to cook something for Shizuo only once. That's not fair at all, especially with all the food he's bought for me. It was so wonderful, going to different restaurants with him. And I was supposed to buy him furniture so that his apartment wasn't so empty. I wonder why he was willing to buy me food when he doesn't have enough money to buy furniture. He's… too kind of a person. Izaya's right about that, we're not a good match. I don't deserve someone so kind and sweet.

"So why not pick me? I'm right here, Mikado! I've seen you. I've seen what you can do, what you're willing to do. So pick me! Mikado-"

Even if it's selfish, I love Shizuo.

Mikado ran forward, hurling all of himself at Izaya. It had the effect he had expected.

Bang!

The sound of gunshot snapped Celty's attention. A quick glance around her told her that Shizuo was nowhere to be seen. Odd, he was just by my side. If she had a head, she would have frowned. Instead, she just rushed towards the entrance. After all, she and the others had effectively brought the fighting to a halt.

Bodies of both Yellow Scarves and Dollars members were sprawled everywhere. We should probably call an ambulance or something, she thought guiltily. But there was something more important. If the Yellow Scarves have a gun… Then there was only one person whom they could've possibly shot.

Celty prayed to whatever deity was up there to protect that person.

I'm sorry, Mikado. If I hadn't asked you to come to Ikebukuro…

Mikado slumped forward, his forehead hitting Izaya's chest. Izaya had only one moment to blink and wonder what had just happened when Mikado's hand reached up and grabbed the Glock from Izaya's hand. Blue eyes set in hard determination looked into Izaya's startled ones.

"Mikado!"

Why does that stupid lug always-?

Izaya felt the heavy body ram into his, causing the informant to plunge to the ground, the gun knocked out from his hands. When he could catch his breath, he looked up to see Shizuo cradling Mikado to his chest, looking deathly afraid. But Mikado just smiled up at the ex-bartender, with that same loving gaze he always held for Shizuo.

"I'm okay," Mikado was telling that stupid lug. "It only grazed me, is all."

When he was reassured, Shizuo gently placed Mikado on the ground and turned to face Izaya. The informant grinned. "You don't deserve him," Izaya told Shizuo.

Then with a flurry of movement, Izaya lunged for the Glock 17 and leaped into the ocean. I'll never let you have him.

By the time Celty made it through the throngs of cars, she found Shizuo walking towards her with Mikado in his arms. The younger man's eyes lit up at the sight of Celty, and the Dullahan was graced with the sight of a happy smile. Thank goodness.

"Sheesh! And here I was worried we might have to spend the next year in the hospital!" Walker joked as he walked side by side with Erika, both had dropped their weapons before coming out. The two looked relieved and immensely happy, despite probably being tired from the crazy fighting. Behind them, Kadota and Togusa stood smiling gently at the scene.

And near the back were Masaomi and Anri. But after a few seconds, the two turned away and left. Odd, I wonder why they were here. And why didn't they stay?

Those questions were pushed aside from her mind as her good friend and her employee arrived. If she had a head, Celty would have smiled at them. She supposed she would just have to show her smile with her movement instead.

"Shinra-san is a doctor?" Mikado asked as the group sat in Celty and Shinra's apartment. Mikado was currently situated on Shizuo's lap, the two sitting on a loveseat together. Celty was standing to the side, watching the scene with amusement. The otakus and Kodata was sitting on the long couch, and Togusa was sitting on a chair, conversing with Celty through her cell phone. Shinra, meanwhile, was running around with his medical kit, trying to look at everyone's wounds.

"Yeah, I know. He looks more like a mad scientist, doesn't he?" Walker said sniggering as Kadota flinched at each dab of disinfectant on his wounds.

"I'm only a mad scientist as a part time job," Shinra said with a bright grin.

Mikado wasn't too sure if he was joking or not, but he figured that he didn't have to know. He just happily leaned back into Shizuo's warmth, content to be alive.

"Well I think the better question is," Shinra said as he continued to dab Kadota's wounds. "When did that happen?" he gestured towards Shizuo and Mikado.

Everyone looked at each other, wondering where to begin. Then Shizuo snaked his arms around Mikado and with confidence declared, "Since the beginning."

And no one could find a way to dispute that, even if they wanted to.

"Masaomi-kun," Anri said, standing a few feet away from the fake blonde who was placing the flowers down.

The said blonde looked up and gave her a sheepish grin. "You heard, huh?"

"You disbanded the Yellow Scarves," she stated. She always stated things, there was never a question.

"I can't take care of them when I can't even take care of myself," he said, looking away from her and down at the flowers.

"You can't come with me."

"I'm not going to ruin your Saika group," he said with a laugh. When the laughter died, his eyes turned sorrowful. "I'm going after Izaya-san. He may have disappeared for now, but who knows what he's planning now."

She didn't answer, just stared at his back. Then with a soft puff of breath, she strode forward until they were side to side. "None of this was your fault."

He nodded slowly, disbelief obvious in his movements. His eyes didn't stray from the grave marker in front of him. "I wonder what she would have said in this situation."

She would tell you to stop being depressed. She would tell you to just obey Izaya-san. She would beg you to stop what you're planning to do, because it would probably involve hurting Izaya-san. You know what she would say. Instead, Anri looked up at the sky. "She will tell you to move on."

Masaomi glanced at her for a second before smiling. Liar, he thought. But out loud, he only had one thing left to say. "Thank you."

He turned back to the grave of the one girl he ever loved. The same girl he allowed to be killed in front of his eyes. This is goodbye forever, Saki.

And in the faint whispers of the wind, he swore he heard her gentle laughter calling him a fool.

It was only two weeks since the warehouse event, and yet already the streets of Ikebukuro had forgotten the great battle. The streets were back to gangs just hanging out, threatening those around them, although no one wore yellow scarves anymore.

"Shizuo!" Mikado greeted the ex-bartender before jogging to catch up to the smoking man.

The said man quickly put out his cigarette and took off his sunglasses. When he turned to the blue-eyed man, he couldn't stop the soft smile forming at his mouth. "Shall we?" he asked, holding his hand out.

"Yes!" Mikado said with a giggle and took the offered hand. "Did you pick which furniture we're getting first for our apartment?"

"A bed."

Blue eyes widened at that. "A… B… b-b-bed?" Mikado stuttered as his face turned beet red.

"Yeah, I want you to be comfortable at night. Hm? Why're you so red?"

The Leader of Dollars covered his face with his free hand. "N-nothing! Nothing at all!"

There was a small pause before Mikado recovered enough to peek up at Shizuo. There were three words in his minds that he repeated over and over again, but he would never have the courage to say it out loud. Instead, when Shizuo looked down at him with curious eyes, Mikado would just smile softly and they would both think of the same three words that neither can say out loud, never have said out loud, and never will say out loud.

If one asked Ryugamine Mikado which three words he could never say was, he would blush and stutter, before glancing shyly at Shizuo and declaring, "It's a secret."

Fin.

A/N: If you wanted this story to have a happy ending, please stop reading here. If you would like to know how this story leads to Operator and why this story's title is "If We Ever Meet Again," read on.

Mikado turned on the laptop that Celty had gotten him when he moved into Shizuo's apartment. Two years since Hellish Graduation, and he finally felt like he had a handle on life. First of all, he had siblings who would back him up if anything went wrong. He had Celty and Shinra, who were similar to parental figures. He had a grand adventure, and almost died three times within the past year and a half. And best of all, he was living with the man he loved, although they've never uttered the three sacred words.

With a soft smile on his face and satisfaction fueling him, he logged into his usual chat that he hadn't had a chance to get on before.

Kanra has logged on.

Tanrou has logged on.

Tanrou: Hello Kanra-san. How have you been?

Kanra: Oh, Tanrou-kun! I thought you were never going to log back in after you moved to Ikebukuro!

Tanrou: Sorry about that.

Kanra: I guess real life is treating you well now?

Tanrou: Appears so.

Kanra: Not fair! You guys are always having fun off-line without me and I'm always just hanging out here. Tanrou-san, entertain me!

Tanrou: Oh right… uh… there's this joke.

Kanra: Better yet, meet me!

Tanrou: Meet you?

Kanra: Yes. Why not? We live in the same district and you never play with me!

Mikado frowned. Well, Shizuo was at work working, and it wasn't like Mikado was busy at the moment. What did he have to lose?

Tanrou: Where?

Mikado walked slowly into the park area, his eyes darting from one side to another, trying to locate Kanra. I wonder what she looks like? She said I'd be able to tell as soon as I saw her…

"Kanra-san?" he called out as he walked towards a bench. I guess she's running a little late. He sat down, hands crossed in front of him. He closed his eyes and hummed a tune of an anime opening under his breath. Walker-nii and Erika-nee are coming over today for our weekly anime-a-thon. I should buy something for us to snack on while I'm out. And while I'm at it, I bet I can surprise Shizuo by picking him up after his work!

"Ah, Mikado. You made it."

Blue eyes snapped open at those words. That voice. His heart thudded heavily with fear. Why? Why are you here? Why now? Where were you hiding before this?

"Izaya," he whispered softly. His mouth felt dry as he turned to stare at the informant, who was smiling down at him.

"I'm so glad you agreed to meet me."

Meet…? But that means…!

"You're Kanra-san?"

But I always thought Kanra-san was a girl? The humor of that thought was immediately quashed by Izaya's predatory grin. Mikado squirmed slightly. There was no doubt about it. That was Izaya, alright. No one else could put Mikado on defense like this.

"What's wrong? You haven't change to your other self yet," Izaya said as he sat down casually next to Mikado. "You know, you were rather rude before. Without considering how I might feel, you ran off before you can give me a proper answer." The informant proceeded to place his hand around Mikado's shoulders. "And I do so hate being left in the dark."

It was then that Mikado felt something poke his side. A quick glance down revealed that it was metallic. A gun…? Tch. I really should have shot you when I had the chance.

"So I'm going to make this very easy for you," the informant continued as if he wasn't pointing a gun at him. "Choose."

So basically if I chose Shizuo, you'll shoot me? You've got to be- Mikado took a deep breath. No. Calm down. There has to be a way out…

Izaya's smile stretched into a smirk. And if Mikado wasn't panicking earlier, he was now. What could he possibly do? What could he possibly say? There was a strange glint in the Informant's eyes, and the Dollars Leader had a hard time figuring out a plan. Mikado licked his lips slowly, watching as the Informant's eyes trailed after the tongue. He shuddered, wishing desperately for the arm around his shoulders to be someone else. Someone…

Shizuo.

"Phone call," Mikado said finally. "Let me make a phone call."

The informant frowned slightly. After a small contemplation, he shrugged, the smirk returning to his face. "Here," he said, handing Mikado his cell. "But you might want to hurry it up. My finger's getting oh so tired."

As if to remind him, the gun dug into the blue-eyed man's side. Mikado took a deep breath, pressing the familiar buttons on the cell without looking at it. He then brought the cell slowly to his ears, waiting for the rings to end.

I'm sorry, Shizuo. But this is the only thing I could think of. I'm sorry. And if you're reborn in another life, please don't change. Because if we meet again, I'll be someone who can stand by your side. If we ever meet again…

When he heard someone pick up on the other end, he spoke without being prompted. "Operator, will you please help me place this call?"

Fin.