It felt like I was watching everything go in slow motion. Jia fell backwards, his arms loosely beside him as he hit the ground not too far in front of us. I felt my eyes widen slightly as he then landed, his eyes closed. I remember turning to Toki as he stood there, frozen on the spot as his mouth hung open. I looked back at Sung who had immense satisfaction in his eyes. He smiled as he then let his arm fall slowly beside him and he looked directly at me. I glared at him as he turned and then handed his gun to his employee beside him and said,

"Kill them. Then burn this place."

Sung began to turn and leave as I saw Toki moving back a step. I thought for a moment he was going to run but instead he went into his pocket and took out his gun, pulled the clip back and pointed the gun to the person beside him and pulled the trigger. A full out shooting battle began, Toki and I refusing to go down without a fight. I kept seeing Jia laying there, motionless and I turned away and tried to keep the fight away from him. Toki was caught in a fist fight and was being outnumbered. I saw Akio come back in as he went to help Toki. Tai came in to back me up. Between being shot at and swung at, everyone got shots in. At the end, I was pushing back my hair, feeling my face was tender as Toki had Sung. He pressed the end of his nine to Sung's forehead as he had the powerful triad to his knees. Toki breathed hard as he said,

"You were stupid to underestimate us jus cuz there's four of us."

Sung looked up as he said,

"You do this and-"

"And what? You'll kill our boss? Already done you fucker."

He pulled the trigger as Toki stepped back. He couldn't look up...he just stared at Sung's now dead body. Tai and I approached Jia as we saw Jia had been shot in the chest, blood already coloring his shirt. Tai seemed to be in shock himself as I was. I didn't show it but Akio said,

"We should...we should move him."

Tai nodded as he knelt down and went to reach for Jia when he stopped suddenly. He then said,

"Wait..."

We looked over at him as he said,

"He's got...he's got something..."

Tai opened Jia's coat and then moved his tie back as he undid the buttons of the shirt. We saw Jia had stuck a thick magazine between himself and his shirt. The bullet had struck him, but with not as much force as it would have. It was then I saw him turn his head slightly as his eyes opened and he asked...

"What happened?"

Akio had to smile as he said,

"Jia...you...you just..."

He shook his head as Toki came over and said,

"You whinny bitch!! Don't you EVER do that to me again!"

Jia smiled slightly as he said,

"I hurt..."

"You just got shot in the chest Jia...of course you're hurting." I said.

Jia laughed slightly as he brought his hand up to his chest. Tai sighed as he said,

"Let's get him some help before he bleeds to death."

We picked him up as Jia groaned slightly. He then said,

"Burn this place."

Tai nodded as Akio and I stayed back to do our job as Tai and Toki took Jia to a hospital. As they got in the limo Sung had brought us in and drove off, Akio and I went back inside, searching through the warehouse to start the fire with. As we did, Akio said,

"With Sung dead...it could mean open ground for Jia to come in."

I nodded as I found a gas container and picked it up as I said,

"Found this."

He took it as I said,

"Jia will take over here. I know he will."

Akio and I said nothing else as we soaked a couple of crates and Akio took out a book of matches as he lit on and tossed it in. We then left and began to walk away from the docks.

We called Tai to find out where they went and found out they took Jia to a hospital. With Jun being in Tokyo still, we had to get him in a hospital. Hospitals in Bangkok were often a luxury some people couldn't afford. Also, since Jia had a gun shot wound, they might have turned him away. Toki's money and a glare allowed him access. When Akio and I showed up Tai was waiting for us in the lobby. He explained Jia's condition to us in the elevator. I noticed Tai had this huge look of relief on his face, a smile tugging on the corner of his lips every now and then as he thought of Jia's survival. Akio was equally pleased. I was as well but as always gave no gesture to show it. Once we got to the floor Jia was being kept on, Tai led us to his room. He knocked once before he opened the door and we walked inside. Toki was sitting on Jia's bed, holding his hand as Jia looked over at us.

"Kon ba wa Jia." Said Akio.

I bowed my head slightly as Jia sighed slightly and said

"Hey you two. What took you so long?"

"Last minute details."

Akio pulled up a chair as he sat down and said,

"How do you feel?"

"Like I've been shot."

Akio gave a laugh as did Toki as he then said,

"I don't know how long I have to be here for."

Tai then said,

"We're going to call everyone and let them know."

"That's fine. I should have Jun come here. I need him to check me out. I don't trust doctors here."

Toki then brought up Jia's hand to his mouth, kissing it as he said,

"We'll do that. You rest now...we got this shit."

"Like I have a choice other then to rest."

He said it with a smile as Tai said,

"We're not sure of what the Teo Chiu's intentions are..."

Jia looked over at Tai and said,

"Whatever they are I don't care. But whatever happens...don't let anyone aside from us, know I'm alive."

"What of our allies Jia?" Asked Akio.

"They're in New York. The news of this won't reach them for a while. But in Tokyo, don't let anyone I survived. It will give me time to recuperate and then to take over. The Teo Chiu can't do much of anything now anyway. Not with their head dead."

He sighed heavily, as if in pain and Toki got up as he said,

"You okay? Need somethin?"

"No, I'm fine. Just a little discomfort. Go do your jobs."

Toki shook his head as he said,

"Fuck that...I'm stayin right here."

"Toki..."

"I'm serious! Aint shit goin on now anyway aside from callin everyone. Tai, Ghosto an Akio can do it."

Jia looked at him at first with impatience, then he softened and said,

"Fine. Stay here."

Tai made Akio and myself leave the room as we went to do what we were told.

After making the phone calls to our associates in Tokyo, I stayed in my hotel room. I couldn't sleep. I found I was angry, but at what or at who I couldn't figure out. At first I contributed the anger to Sung and that look on his face as he shot my oyabun, glad he had killed him. I hated him for that and I was glad Toki had been so cruel and quick, ending his life while the triad was on his knees. Yet the more I thought of it...I realized that, that was not the anger that was swallowing me right now. I tried not to think about it and went to take a shower. Once I was done, I went to bed since it was close to four in the morning. I woke up a little later that morning. I don't know why since I was tired when I went to bed a few hours earlier. I stayed in bed, my head still swimming with thought and wonder. I thought for a little while, unable to really sleep though I yawned constantly. I did get up after a while and went to get something in my stomach.

I met up with Akio later and he let me know that he had to get Jun, who was on his way to Bangkok. He then said bye to me as he went on his way and I met up with Tai. Tai and I had breakfast as we discussed Jia's situation.

"With the Teo Chiu at a temporary pause...it's enough for him to come in."

"Jia's wounded though."

"If he so wishes, I can begin everything while he recuperates."

I nodded as I said,

"You should take the time to recuperate yourself Tai."

"No, I'm fine. They didn't do anything to me. I'm more concerned over Jia and Gabriel. How is Gabriel?"

"He's fine. He took a knock to the head but Jun said he was better."

Tai nodded as he said,

"Good. I feel better now."

"Tai, you shouldn't work yourself so hard."

Tai shook his head as he then took a drink from his coffee. He then said,

"I owe Jia everything. I would do anything for that man. Anything, even if I had to take that bullet myself."

"He did it for you. It's the reason he came here himself."

Tai looked down as he said,

"He shouldn't have. I'm not worth the trouble."

"To Jia you are."

Tai felt guilty yet, grateful that Jia thought of him so highly. So much so that he would die for Tai. During the course of our breakfast, Tai kept getting calls back and forth. Finally after about an hour or so, breakfast now done and over with, Akio arrived with Jun. Jun went in to set his bags down in his room before I took him to Jia's hospital. We were both quiet as we headed to the subway. He gave me sideway glances as I looked back at him.

"Your face is bruised."

I nodded as I said,

"From the fight the other night."

"I figured as much. You weren't hurt otherwise?"

"No."

"That's good."

He looked away again as I said,

"Jia's injury isn't as bad as it would have been had he not had that magazine in the way."

"Jia's smart. He knew he couldn't face the Teo Chiu without some kind of protection. He would have probably been killed had he not done that."

I nodded as I thought about Jia falling, laying there after being shot. It scared me for a moment, thinking, even if it was just for a moment, that our oyabun was dead. Our golden reign of power would soon stop. But it wasn't so...Jia lived and I was also grateful for that fact. Later on, we arrived at Jia's room. We knocked on the door for a moment before coming in. I saw Jia was still asleep, Toki sitting beside him, his head down on the bed next to Jia's hand. He looked completely at peace. So did Jia. Jun then sighed and picked up his medical charts as he said,

"He's in better shape then I imagined."

"What did you think happened?"

"I don't know. But according to this, Jia is better then I thought."

Jun then said,

"I should have him checked. Jia's right not to trust these people."

He then went to Jia's side and tapped Toki's head. Toki sat up, yawning as he said,

"Wha...? What time is it?"

"Almost ten."

"Fuck it's early."

"No it's not. Could you move?"

"What you doin here?"

"I came in earlier this morning. I have to check Jia."

Toki got up without anymore protest as he yawned again. He then said,

"Imma have a cigarette."

Jun gave him a wave as Toki left and then went about checking Jia's status. I watched as Jun worked around Jia to not wake him. As he did we exchanged minor conversation as I said,

"You should fill Tai in on Gabriel. I was so vague."

"I will. Gabriel was fine when I last left him. He doesn't remember much unfortunately...or fortunately depending on how you look at it."

He checked the wound on Jia's body as he said,

"He should heal fine. No scarring if he actually listens to me for once."

"Jia listens to you."

"Not so much these days."

He then finished up as Jia began to stir. He yawned for a moment as he said,

"Jun?"

"Hai. Ohayo Jia."

"Ohayo. What's going on?"

"Nothing. I just finished checking on you."

"And? How am I?"

"Well enough Jia. You just need a little rest."

"How's Tai? And Gabriel?"

"Both are fine. No need to worry."

Jia nodded as he said,

"Where's Toki?"

"Went to smoke. He'll be back." Said Jun.

Jia nodded as he brought his hand up to his chest and said,

"I'm tired."

"Go back to sleep. We'll wait until Toki comes back."

Jia nodded, thanking Jun again before he went to sleep again. A few minutes later, Toki came back. He looked tired and in pain himself, but he didn't say anything. His concern was on how Jia was. Jun let him know not to bother Jia while he was asleep and then said he would be back later on in the day. Toki took his place beside Jia's bed side again as he put his head down, holding Jia's hand as he started to sit still. Jun then gestured me to leave.

Once we were out of the hospital, Jun said,

"It's the same thing every time. Those two get all romantic each time one of them nearly dies."

"They love each other Jun. What do you expect?"

He rolled his eyes as he said,

"Whatever, I'm not involved with whatever those two have."

I didn't say anything, so use to Jun looking down on people. Even Jia at some points. As we started to return to our hotel, Jun said,

"I'm hungry."

"I'm not surprised."

"You gonna have breakfast with me?"

"I already ate but I'll keep you company."

We went to get something for Jun to eat as I had a cup of coffee. I exchanged small talk with my partner, asking him how his flight was, how he was...things of that nature. Jun responded, slightly tired. By the time he finished eating, he seemed tired. I sipped the last of my coffee as I said,

"You going to sleep?"

"Yeah for at least a little while before I go check up on Jia again."

I nodded as he then asked for the check. After he paid, we left the restaurant and Jun went to his room. I myself, went to my own room and sat down for a while before napping for a few hours.

I woke up a couple of hours later when I heard my phone ringing. I answered as I said,

"Hai?"

"Mikkie you awake?"

"Hai."

"Open your door."

I hung up as I got up and went to the door as I opened it. I saw Jun there as he said,

"You fell asleep?"

"Surprisingly yes."

"I'm going to check up on Jia. You coming with me?"

"Sure."

I got my coat and shoes on as I finger combed my hair back from my face as we left. A few days passed afterwards. We had to stay in Bangkok until Jia was released from the hospital. We all took turns guarding him so some of us could get some rest. We didn't allow anyone from the 36 Moons back in Tokyo to come to Bangkok though almost everyone was on the next plane out when they heard Jia was injured. Jia told them all not to show up. It would leave Tokyo unguarded and the Teo Chiu was still standing...for now. Jia also did not want to risk Toshimasa and Xiao Tien in case the Teo Chiu decided to act on anything. While the Teo Chiu still stood, Jia was not risking anything. Also, he did not want his enemies in Bangkok to know he was still alive. Jia was feeling well by the end of the week and wanted to go, but the hospital was over tending him because he had money. They wanted to keep him as long as possible. By Monday morning, Jia was exasperated and decided to leave anyway. Tai and Toki helped Jia get ready and then took him out of the hospital. Jia was still a little weak, slightly tired and still a little sore. He wanted to get back to Tokyo right away.

"I need to get back. I don't want Toshimasa or Xiao Tien getting worried for any longer then they have to."

After we arranged to travel back to Tokyo, I was asked by Tai to ask Jia if he wished for anything to eat. Jia was spending all of his time in his hotel room, in bed sleeping as if he had not slept in years. Toki for the most part was usually dead asleep beside him. Other times, he would be filling up on liquor and cigarettes before he would go back to sleep. It was strange to see him half asleep like that, but we said nothing nonetheless. I went to Jia's room that night to ask him if would be eating since he was asleep since the day before. I knocked softly, not wanting to intrude as I then listened to the door. After a few minutes, I just opened the door with the key Tai gave me as I went inside the master suite and turned on the small lamp near the door. I looked ahead seeing Jia and Toki's sleeping figures as I walked ahead and stepped up to the room as I stood on Jia's side. I nudged him slightly as I whispered his name. He then turned slightly as he opened his eyes and looked up at me.

"What is it?"

"Tai asked me to see if you were going to eat. You've been asleep since yesterday morning."

Jia rubbed his eyes as he said,

"I have?"

"Yes."

"Shit...I should eat then."

I nodded as I stepped back and allowed Jia to get up. He was a little uncoordinated and he yawned a couple of times, but he got up. I noticed he was still in his dress pants and button down shirt only both were now wrinkled and the shirt was untucked, the sleeves rolled up. He ran his hand through his hair as he then grabbed his coat and got his shoes on as we left to get something to eat.

As Jia sat with Tai having dinner, Jia yawned and said,

"When are we leaving?"

"Tonight."

"Good. I can't wait to be home."

"How do you feel?"

"I'm still sore. And I'm tired. What's the word around here with the Teo Chiu?"

"The Teo Chiu are scrambling to get themselves organized. The second in command is trying to get back in power."

Jia nodded as he said,

"Well...by the time I get back to Tokyo it'll be too late."

Tai nodded as he drank some of his tea as I saw Jia suddenly smirk. I looked at him curiously as he then looked up from the cup his finger was running across as he said,

"I told Sung I would haunt him..."

Tai then suddenly gave a smile as Jia fully smiled at Tai in return.