"Rid of that clan."

He still remembers it clearly. He remembers the sword pierced into his two younger sisters. He remembers his mother's crying face screaming at him to hide. He remembers his father fighting with wounds all over his body. He remembers the smell of burning flames. He remembers everything.

It was 16 years after that incident. 16 years after that one order from the king that so feared his people. Izaya Orihara, the name he had made up for himself, is now 23 years old. His raven haired wig covered a bit of his brownish red eyes. He smirked. Everyone knew him. Not as a survivor, but as Izaya Orihara, a person who wrecked the whole kingdom and caused problems. Everyone of the kingdom wished him gone, yet can't, knowing how much they need his skill in obtaining information as well as power.

As dark as his past was, he grew up learning the harsh ways of the world. The grown up male achieved a personality that was both manipulative and witty. There was no one person in town that didn't recognize his voice. Even the old king of the land came to know him.

Mind you, he also knew his status. His clan was the top of the country. His father was the brother of the king, though from a different mother. With years of research, he had almost a full complete history of his family. From scrapes of pottery to books of every kind. He had learned them all.

If anything, the person that knew his voice the most would be the ever so loyal royal knight of the great palace: Heiwajima Shizuo. Being slightly taller than Izaya, he was known for his brute strength that no one had come to defeat. And as usual, the game of cat and mouse began once again.

"IZZAAAYYYAAAAA-KUUUUUNN!"

"Ara Shizu-chan, you're energetic today as well!~"

"I TOLD YOU NOT TO COME NEAR THE COURTYARD IZZAAYAAAA!"

"Yadda yadda yadda, what harm will it do? Shizu-chan needs to calm down. I'm sure that thick headed brain of yours can at least figure that out." He laughed.

The duo had started to run all over the place. While it did screw up some trees and a properties of a few people, it was something of a norm. Some may even call it a routine. Despite their clear hatred for one another, it actually wasn't like that. If anything, Shizuo was probably the closest person that he knew. The person that he would probably defend and fight for. But being the way he is, there was no way in living hell that he was going to admit that.

-Izaya POV-

I met him during my teen years. We were 16 and he had saw me eat an apple I had stolen. The first thing he did was glare at me while giving me a punch right in the face. Quite a greeting isn't it? It wasn't until he found me on the same spot everyday that made him chase me. After that, things sorta just got sorted out by itself.

It was already late afternoon when we had gotten tired. We sat down in our usual spot, the tree on top of a hill. As usual, we exchanged information.

Information that we can share.

Things from the rumors around the castle to the boy across the street, anything that we can have an actual conversation about. Of course he would yell at me for causing someone to fight another person, but whose fault is that? I only gave him facts on what they are feeling and what they actually want to do.

Shizuo eyes were closed. His golden locks swayed with the wind. If it wasn't for his short temper, ladies would be scrambling over their heels for him. A small trademark smirk of mine were implanted on my face. I questioned a lot of things. Perhaps even everything. I wanted to be like god. At least the closest being to god.

What if I told you who I am?

What if I told you my name?

He was asleep. That brute. I got up and silently left the place. While I had no place I can call home, no family, no person that I can call my lover, I don't care. I'm content. It's much more fun to see people's reactions. Humanity is really all one pure joke. And I'm part of it.

My feet stopped at an inn. I walked in and tossed a couple of silver coins to the registry room and grabbed a key with a number. It should do for two nights.

The next day I met up with Shizuo again.

"Our country is going to war. His majesty declared it last night."

His face was grim. He was staring at me. Hard. It wasn't like his usual angry stares, it was the way he would look at peasants and his family. Like he didn't want to lose me. Who knew the loud brute can make this expression in front of me.

"I need to talk to you." He pointed down at the grass and we both sat. I made a joke about him being so serious. That was a mistake.

"I'm going to the front lines. This war would probably affect the whole country. So... just. Goddamn, I don't even know." Shizuo held his head in frustration.

He continued speaking. "Run. Run away from here. I- Even though you're shit and all, you shouldn't be caught up in this. Especially since you know me. We have to cut our ties."

I was angry. My face was expressionless, but I was angry. Without a word, I only stood up again and took his sword of pride. Its blade reflected on the sunlight. I pointed it at him.

"Who do you think I am Shizu-chan? Of course I won't listen to you. Cutting ties? I might as well cut your throat for saying that."

The sword dropped out of my hands. I wanted to turn back and leave. I did. But his words made me turn back. Really, it made me want to laugh it all out. Everything.

"This is the last time I might be meeting up with you like this. But I never knew anything about you. I know what you do, but I don't know you as a person. You know where I came from, my relationships, my likes and dislikes, but I know nothing. So, before you leave... want to have a drink?"

If I told you about myself, you would kill me. One word of my name, we would be fighting not for the war-but for ourselves.

"Ah, what's up with this mood, not fun at all. What else do you need to know? I'm of course, Izaya Orihara, age 23, likes watching people's reactions and-"

"Izaya."

"Let's get a drink."

And so we did. At the end I still never told him. We both went our separate ways. No goodbyes, no hugs, we just left like how we usually do. Just like any normal day. But it wasn't. It felt empty. My chest hurt.

A day became a week. A week become a month. A month became a few months. Our country was deteriorating. My days became dead. The king held an announcement for everyone. If I were to put the reason why he did, it was desperation. It was written all over his face, he needed people to fight in the war. There was a few times where I wondered if Shizuo was still alive or not. I convinced myself that he is. As much as I avoided large crowds and ceremonies, I came to this one.

"I am your king, and you all are my people. We are together, one unit, and have had lived together through the harsh and good times. I ask for you to fight- not for yourselves but for your friends and family, for everyone you care about..."

Bullshit. Funny how you say that when you slaughtered many of those families. But continue. I want to hear all the other crap you came up with my dearest king. How laughable.

"Come join us! The nobles, peasants and all. We are all brothers armed together to defeat a single enemy. Our nation is strong. It is not because we have riches but because of you. It is because of our love and desire for peace-" Peace my ass. You declared the war.

I couldn't help scoffing. I didn't care if people heard me. The king? I'm not afraid of him. In the end, we all will be in the same place. All of us will lie on the same ground.

"My king, is it alright if you cut the chase and just asked people to sign up to be in your army?"

All eyes were on me. My gaze met the royal majesty, his eyes narrowed as if wanting to kill me for interrupting him. He spoke directly to me this time.

"May I ask your name?"

"...Orihara Izaya."

"You. I know of your name. Who is your father?"

"I don't have one."

"I don't recall any noble with the name of Orihara. Are you from the farmland?"

"I'm afraid not, your majesty. Why don't you continue that speech of yours? Though it would save many people's time if you just said what you want. Am I right?~" A smirk was on my face once again.

The king called me up.

"You shall be my attendant."

My eyes widened. Attendant? Well, whatever. My days that I had been living was quite dull. Might as well experience something new in my life. If the king thought I would listen to him, he's got another thing coming at him.

"Then Your Royal Majesty, allow me to demonstrate how your speech is supposed to go."

The shocked expression on his face just made my day. The thing is, if Shizuo was there, he would attempt to kick my face. I'm sure of that. I faced everyone. Something told me I belong here. I belong on the stage talking to everyone.

"I'll make this as short as possible. Our country isn't strong! We are weak, and was born weak! Our resources, land and water, everyone had taken them away. But why do you look at the ground? Lift up your heads. I repeat, lift up your heads. We are not brothers, we are masters and slaves living on the same land. We are strangers coping with life. But then, why do we fight? The reason is simple.

It is not honor that we should seek. It is not because we want peace. It is because we are fighting to live. Live the life we want, cling onto the hope we have. We are tied by our status, our responsibilities, but how are we different? In the end, we all die on the same filthy dirt. But, we are still alive, and as long as we are still alive, we have a choice. This country, everyone who wants to be free to be whatever they want, you all have a chance. However, if we lose this war... everything is gone. So I ask of you, fight. Fight for your will to live. It is much better than dying uselessly. Make your choice."

Even I was a bit shocked in myself. It was as if I had a voice inside of me that always wanted to speak out. I turned to look at the king.

"That, your majesty, is how to make an announcement."

I already feel the immense amount of hatred he had for me. I only looked away.

It wasn't another month until I saw him again. Shizuo that is. He had grown much thinner, paler and now with visible dark circles under his eyes. We were inside the castle.

"Izaya-kun..? Why are you here? Are you crazy?!"

"It's been a while Shizu-chan. Don't worry, I didn't sneak in. Did you miss the wonderful me?~"

"Then how?" This blonde monster ignored my last question. Talk about stingy.

"The king appointed me as his attendant. Wish I have the time to tell you how much he tried to put me in the cellars. Failed each time."

Shizuo didn't chuckle or even smile. But in his hand was something that had caught my eye almost immediately. It was a sword. No, it wasn't the sword that he was usually carrying, but a sword I had recognized. Even if it was years ago, I knew what that sword was the moment I laid my eyes on it.

"Shizu-chan, what's that in your right hand?"

"Hah? It's exactly what you think it is. A sword dumbass."

"Ah, let me rephrase that question. Where did you get it?"

"... His majesty gave it to me. He said something about a prophecy about a man wielding the sword will end the country's rule with royal families. I'm guessing I'm not that man considering he gave it to me. You know he said to me.."

He looked hesitant. I noticed that. The brute was the worst at lying anyways.

"He wanted to make me the next king. Which is why he gave me this sword. He has no son..so that's what happened I suppose."

"Even if it has a family name imprinted on it?"

"Yeah. But I heard the whole family name died due to an accidental fire."

I spoke again. I looked at Shizuo with cold eyes. My words was laced with venom.

" Be careful about claiming ownership of that sword." I left.

The real owner is right in front of you. It was left for me to hold, and I will get it. 'Akashi'. My name is on it after all. The last enemy I want to make... is you.

((Hey, so I'm sorry if everything seemed kind of rushed. But I hope you stay tuned in for more of this. See you all soon! Feel free to drop reviews c: ))