We returned to Tokyo during the middle of the night. During three in the morning, we snuck through Bangkok and left. When we arrived back in Tokyo, Jia was still tired, still sore but he knew he couldn't just leave his work to be taken care of by Tai. Jia insisted on working, saying he was fine enough to do his job. Tai and Jun said otherwise and refused to let him work. Tai said he could handle it, it's why everyone else was working for him and Jun said Jia wasn't well enough to work just yet. Too much stress was bad for Jia at this point. Once we arrived at Narita that morning, even I was surprised to see the rest of the top heads standing at the terminal waiting for us. Aoki, who has not seen a morning unless he worked through it was standing there along side of Aya, Jo and Gabriel. Jia was surprised to see them all as he walked up to them and said,

"What are you all doing here?"

"Waiting for you Jia." Said Gabriel.

Jia sighed as he hugged them all, grateful for them showing up. After they spoke for a moment, Jun suggested that Jia get right to bed, he was still weak and needed to get better quickly. Jia was frustrated that he needed to be tended to as he was, but he was just shot at close range in the chest. He didn't have room to argue. Jo escorted Jia to the car, Toki and myself following. Everyone else would be taking cabs back into the city. I got in the passenger side as Jo got in the driver's seat, waiting for Jia to get in as Toki then got in behind him, slamming the door as he got comfortable. Jo then started up the engine, his hair falling around his face as he then adjusted the mirrors and started to pull out. He barely glanced over to the other side as he pulled out and sped towards the city. Jo's entire driving experience was based on speed. He did it naturally. He felt going one twenty was slow. He wove in and out of traffic, Jia leaning down on Toki's shoulder as he got comfortable. Toki had rolled down the window slightly to smoke as Jo drove with one hand, leaning back in his seat as he had a cigarette. I was use to Jo's insane driving even as he stopped inches away from the car in front of us, how he suddenly switched lanes and how he never slowed down as he parked. I still wasn't sure how he managed to learn to drive so well. As he began to switch lanes, I saw he barely moved his hand to use a turn signal. I looked over at him as I said,

"Don't you use signals?"

"Yeah sometimes. If I'm not in a rush."

He smoked as I said,

"People must hate you in the roads."

He laughed as he said,

"Yeah right. Like anyone is gonna say anything to me driving this car."

Jo's latest toy was an Acura. An all silver, leather interior, Acura RSX which Jo raced the hell out of. He loved to work on the car himself, claiming no one else would know what it needed. Jia shrugged and let him do as he wished, the rest of us just looked at him oddly as Jo spent most of his free time working on the car until it was to his satisfaction. Once we got back into Tokyo, Jo went to Jia's apartment first. He stopped in front of the building as he then set the car in park and looked over his shoulder and said,

"Jia..."

Our oyabun woke up, his eyes a little dazed as he said,

"Hm?"

"You're home."

"Oh...good."

I got out of the car as I went to the back and opened the door as Toki got out first. Jia then followed as he said,

"Have Jun check on me around...ten tonight."

I bowed my head slightly as Toki and Jia went inside their building. I got back in the car as Jo started up and drove off again. I leaned back against the seat as Jo sped, stopping inches away from a car in front of us. I looked over at him as I said,

"You get closer and closer."

"I know. I try not to though."

He smirked slightly as he finished smoking and then threw his cigarette out the window. As the light changed and he went ahead, he said,

"You want me to take you home?"

"No, thanks. I'll be going back to work."

"You jus got back from Bangkok. Aren't you tired?"

"No. I'm fine."

I yawned, my jaw cracking as I put my hand over my mouth. Jo didn't look but I saw him raise his eyebrow and more or less part his mouth as if he was going to say something, but changed his mind last minute. I leaned back on the seat as I said,

"I just need some coffee."

"I didn't say a word."

"I saw your face."

He smiled sheepishly as he said,

"I was just saying you sound tired. But hey if you're not, you're not. To each his own."

I sighed to myself as Jo drove me to headquarters. Once we arrived, I stepped out as he said,

"You know, a bunch of lower heads are just working."

I turned and looked at him as he said,

"Yeah...I don't think Tai's coming in since he just got back. At least not till later tonight."

"Ah..."

I paused, looking back at the building as he said,

"You wanna get breakfast?"

"I guess."

I got back in the car and we left.

Jo filled me in on what was going on in Tokyo.

"The China Doll and Toshimasa think Jia's dead."

I looked up at him from my tea as I said,

"Why do they think that?"

"No one got a chance to let them know. Since the lower heads don't anything of anything, they don't know what's going on. But....since the China Doll and Toshimasa know of Jia's trip and him not coming back, they're starting to assume the worse."

I shook my head as I said,

"I should clarify them both now that I'm here. Where are they staying?"

"The Imperial. I moved them there as Jia asked me to."

I nodded as I said,

"I should go after breakfast."

Jo nodded as he drank his coffee. He then said,

"Want me to come with you?"

"Sure. Unless you have something better to do."

"Nah. I rather see the China Doll and Toshimasa again anyway."

I shook my head slightly.

"You are your father's son."

"And how. I inherited almost everything from that man. Including his sense for finer, younger things in life."

He smirked as I continued to drink my tea.

After breakfast, Jo and I headed to the Imperial hotel as we went to their rooms. Toshimasa's room was first. He allowed us in as he called Xiao Tien in to join us. Once the China Doll arrived, the two sat down as Toshimasa said,

"Is Jia alive?"

Jo nodded as I said,

"We had some trouble in Bangkok...and it's not entirely over yet. But Sung is dead. Jia was injured."

"Is Jia well though?" Asked Xiao Tien.

"Yes, he's fine. He's resting at home. He won't be about for a few more days."

The two looked relieved as Toshimasa said,

"I'm relieved. I thought for sure something happened when we received no word of Jia after Joryu moved us."

I then stood up from the chair I was sitting in as I said,

"No, all is well. We will let you know when Jia is able to see you two."

"When can we go back home?" Asked the China Doll.

"I'm not sure. Since things with the Teo Chiu have yet to come full circle, we don't know what's going on."

Jo then interjected.

"For now, stay here. We'll check in on you."

We then made our exit.

We waited for a while, Jun being my link to find out how Jia was. Our oyabun was resting comfortably, tired and still sore. Since he didn't want to scar, he actually followed Jun's instructions. Toki was around for the most part, unless he was going stir crazy and then he was leaving as Jun was coming in. Tai was working through being kidnapped, taken hostage and returning all in stride. He was working by the late night the first time he returned home. He never gave himself a break. He worked on getting all of Jia's New York allies to Tokyo since there was still the matter of Shikou somehow being involved with the Teo Chiu. The Itto Ketsuen, the Yami, the Ryuujin no Chi and Yuki were on the next plane out of JFK and on their way to Narita. Tai asked Jo, Aoki and myself to meet them. He wanted to send Toki as well, but he couldn't find him and didn't have enough time to find him. Tai figured that Toki was probably out with Akio...more then likely in Kabuki-Cho, getting drunk and feeling up waitresses and strippers. When it came time for me to go back home after a few hours of running all over Tokyo, checking on Toshimasa and Xiao Tien, accompanying Jun when he checked on Jia or just running small favors for Tai, I was actually beginning to look forward to getting those few precious hours of sleep. It was a day and a few hours since Tai had arranged all of the New York heads to arrive and within a few more hours, I had to get up and pick them up with Jo and Aoki. I had been busy all that time and now I was going home. On my way out the door, Jo stopped me as he said,

"Going home?"

"Yes. I'm actually tired for once."

He shook his head in this disapproving manner as I said,

"What's with that look?"

"I was going to invite you to come socialize with me but you're tired."

I looked at him strangely as I said,

"Socialize with you?"

"I'm on my way to Kabuki-Cho. Get a few drinks since tomorrow we all gotta work all day."

"Oh..."

"So, I'll see you later."

I paused as I looked over at him as I said,

"What's...what's so great about the Kabuki-Cho?"

Jo turned and looked at me, smirking slightly as he said,

"You never been?"

"I've never have a reason to."

He shook his head, as if astonished.

"I've only been there on business. Not pleasure."

"It's not all pleasure. Come on. You seem interested."

"I'm.....curious."

He smiled slightly as we both left.

Going into the red light district for other then business was new for me. I had never ventured into this part of the city that shut off during the day and its inhabitants only crawled out at night. I took a cab with Jo and his regular outing partner, Hisoka, a lower head. As we got into the Kabuki-Cho, Jo's attention turned out the window as he said,

"We should go there."

Hisoka sighed, rolling his eyes as he said,

"You always wanna go there."

"Got some of the better drinks."

They stopped the cab as we got out, Jo paying the fare as we went inside the bar. Inside was a decadence of red lighting, smoke and loud music. I rubbed the side of my head for a second as I felt people's hands on my arms and shoulders. I ignored it all, walking past them as I followed Jo and Hisoka to the bar. They ordered drinks, Jo I noticed, flirting with the bar tender being a female with bright red hair that was tied back with chopsticks and pins. She wore horrible eye make up and still giggled like an idiot when Jo whispered something in her ear. She then gave up three drinks and Jo slid one to me, the other to Hisoka. Jo then sat down as Hisoka started running off things to do after they had enough to drink. When Hisoka mentioned a strip show, I figured it was well enough time for me to go. I finished my glass of beer as I set the empty glass down on the counter and shook my hand free from condensation as I thanked Jo for the drink. Jo then said,

"Don't go yet! We just got here!"

I sighed, sitting back down as he said,

"What, don't wanna see a strip show?"

"I've never been particle to women taking off their clothes in front of me for stimulation."

He and Hisoka laughed as he said,

"It's not that kind of strip joint. Come on."

We walked down the block, passing all kinds of people enjoying the night life. Jo lit a cigarette as I started to chew on my thumb nail again as we entered a neon lit doorway, the word Pleasure scribed above it as bouncers stood inside, the crowd going wild as salarymen, free lance yakuza and petty thugs watched the different arranged shows. Girls in very little were whirling around on poles, shaking streamers in their hands. Legs open as they showed off their body glitter and thongs. It was so distasteful. On other side was two more women, each feeling each other up, both looking underaged. On the far left of the area were young men...or rather boys, dancing for what they were worth. Jo and Hisoka both nodded, pleased with the shows going on. The stood in the middle of the girls and the boys. Watching, alternating as Jo and Hisoka clapped after each set. When new dancers came out, they watched intently. As for myself, I was getting bored and took a seat. I started chewing on my thumbnail, the second hand smoke getting to me again. As I sat down there, I noticed the music toned down slightly as Jo and Hisoka grabbed some chairs and sat beside me. I looked at Jo as I said,

"What's going on?"

"Nothing, the shows are paused for now. Now the dancers come about. For a good sum, at least to them, they'll let you do whatever you want to them."

"So they're whores as well."

"Most of them." Said Hisoka.

Jo nodded as he said,

"Some leave it on the stage. Most don't though."

Once the throng of girls and boys began circling the area, I got up, not wanting to be mistaken for one that needed a lapdance. The last thing I needed was some girl or boy covered in sweat and the stench of others pressing themselves against me. I watched as Jo and Hisoka got their lapdances, Jo feeling up on a young man that had chin length violet colored hair as Hisoka had a blonde girl. I turned my attention away, about to get a drink when he suddenly stood up, taking the boy by his wrist as Hisoka suddenly got up as well. I wondered what was going on when the boy turned his body slightly, black markings inked into his skin as Jo reached up and yanked at the violet hair. It came off easily since it was a wig and Jo shook the boy. The young man looked up in shock, shame..one of the two as Jo looked horrified. He dropped the wig as he let the boy go. The management came out a moment later, asking if everything was okay. The boy started picking up his wig again as the manager yelled at him and told him to go to work. Jo shook off any idea of compensation as he started to leave. Hisoka and I followed as we got outside as I looked at the lower head and said,

"What just happened?"

Hisoka sighed slightly as he said,

"You know that guy that was giving him a lapdance?"

"Yeah what about him?"

"That was Miya."

"Ah..."

It made sense now. Jo's former, once very over protective lover was now nothing more then a whore working in the Kabuki-Cho where salarymen, petty thugs, yakuza and people like Toki could pay to fuck something that was once solely Jo's. Jo didn't have time to dwell, however. His cell phone went off as he answered. Mine was next as I found it from the inside of my pocket as I heard Aoki.

"We're ready to go. The New York flight is here."

"That was earlier then expected."

"Yeah, we're all thrown off. If Karasu wouldn't have called Tai we would have left them waiting."

"Oh...hai."

"You think you can get there within forty-five minutes?"

"Sure...I'll manage."

I hung up as Jo then nodded and said,

"We gotta get to Narita."

Hisoka sighed as he said,

"I thought you weren't working till later."

"I thought so too. I'll call you later."

Hisoka nodded as Jo hailed a cab and we both got in and headed back to headquarters. Once there, Jo took out the keys to the car and turned off the alarm system as he opened the driver's side. I got in as well as both doors shut and Jo started up the engine, smiling slightly before he looked over his shoulder and pulled out quickly, shifting gears and then sped out of the garage.

A little less then thirty minutes later, we were screeching into the parking area of Narita. Jo looked up after shutting off the engine and said,

"How much time we got?"

"Fifteen minutes."

"Go me. I'm gettin better at getting here each time."

I shook my head and got out of the car as I called Aoki, asking him what gate he was at. Once we arrived to meet up Aoki, we saw the flight was just landing. Aoki looked at us as he said,

"Good timing."

"Jo speeds."

Aoki smirked slightly before he turned and we watched as the gate began emptying out. Then, like a great wave parting, the Yami, the Itto Ketsuen, the Ryuujin no Chi and Yuki all appeared. The crowds of people could sense they were something...yakuza. I was use to the stares, the fear in people's eyes. It was nothing new to me. As everyone arrived, Aoki began walking with Kotei, Ren, Yuki and Estuya out to the first cab, Jo with Sozaburo and Karasu, as I escorted the Yami. We went outside as Jo opened the back door for Karasu and Sozaburo. He then pulled off as I hailed a cab for the Yami as Aoki hailed one for the Ryuujin no Chi. Once we got back into the city, we went to Jia's building and then escorted all three syndicate's to Tai's office. Tai was about to explain the situation to the remaining oyabuns. I had no business being there so I waited in the lobby along with Estuya and Jiki. Later on a couple of the other heads showed up to sit in the lobby like Aoki and Jun. Jo was there since he was a business head and a hired gun, like Akio.

Toshimasa and Xiao Tien later showed up and went to Tai's office as well. While everyone spoke, we all sat down, waiting for the word to come back to us. After about an hour, the oyabuns came back down to the lobby as they began to say good bye to each other. Once they were all gone, Tai let us know what happened.

"Shikou is still somewhat involved with the Teo Chiu. He has not been able to cut his ties for fear they would kill him, but he didn't tell Jia in fear Jia would kill him."

Aoki sighed as he said,

"So what does that mean?"

"It means we have to get into the Teo Chiu now. Before they build up again. It won't take them too long to replace a head. But the longer we wait, the more time we give them to recover."

Akio nodded as he said,

"Time to get to work then."

And we all stood up as we began to prepare to leave.