The more things change the more they stay the same. I must have heard that expression a hundred times. I must have said it to myself more then that. It has been four years after Jia's last episode in California and Hong Kong. Things have settled to a peaceful quiet. Aside from a few run in's here and there, things are pretty much the same thing. Well...the same for me anyway.

I had long been established in Jia's empire. I have a name for myself, I have my reputation and when someone sees me, they still cannot believe the person is not as big as the name. It doesn't matter, I'm not out to impress people. After four years in the quiet making, Kotei, who was last nineteen, was now turning twenty-four. He was at all prime now to take over the Ryuujin no Chi, his father's syndicate. Because of said fact, we had to return to New York, to greet the little emperor into Jia's circle. It was raining the night we returned to New York. I personally had not been back in New York for about four years now. While everyone else had some other reason, Jia had his business to go back and forth to, taking the occasional side trip to Hong Kong or California, I for the most part was in Tokyo. I stayed were I was unless I was required to be elsewhere. As the four years slowly went by, I grew my hair back. It had taken me years to grow it out in the first place and on a single act of emotion, I cut it all off. I was mad at myself for doing that and I knew I had no one else to blame but myself so I didn't even dwell on it to long. It just upset me as it was growing back. During different stages, it often made me look younger then my face already made me look. Anyway, the night we returned to New York, it was raining. I saw the rain as we entered the airport. I looked out the window as I heard everyone behind me start yawning, talking among themselves as Jun came over to me and said,

"You okay?"

I nodded as I turned away from my reflection seeing dead eyes and chin length black hair. I looked like a girl. I walked with Jun towards everyone else. I kept my head up, despite the fact I was beyond exhausted. A fourteen hour flight and Jia was still up and ready to go to work. I noticed the only other one that was awake was Joryu. I guess Jo had enough sleep on his way over here. Jia needed to get the Ryuujin no Chi to start working for him. Ren, Kotei's body guard and also Nagashima's saiko-kimon had been the figure head since Nagashima died. Kotei was just waiting to be old enough and now Jia could put the Ryuujin no Chi to work. Aside from that, Jia had his own business to take care of that no one asked about. That night, we walked out of the airport, Jun beside me as he complained slightly about the rain, yawning at the same time. We all gathered outside, Jia giving a few last minute details about when to meet tomorrow and then dismissed us. He and Toki shared a cab, going off into the city as Jun sighed and said,

"You going home?"

"Straight to sleep." I answered.

"You never look tired."

"I try not to."

We both got a cab and went home ourselves. Jun didn't live that far from me, in fact only down the block so we often took the same ride home. And either I would walk or he would walk, depending on who felt like it. The ride back to our New York apartments were quiet as usual. Jun and I never really spoke much, even on a personal level. He kept his secrets, I kept mine. The only time I dared tell him anything was of my entire situation with Toki. He was not pleased...he said I was being distracted by him and I didn't want to admit it but I was. I cursed Toki under my breath because of that...and I continued to curse him even now sometimes. We reached Jun's apartment and we both got out, him paying the fare as he quickly ducked under his apartment building's doorway. I stood in the rain as he said,

"You want an umbrella?"

I shook my head, saying good night to him as I went home.

Going home was about the most pointless thing I could do. I was better off somewhere else. But I didn't like to socialize and I didn't have many friends plus I was jet lagged. Now was not the time to think of any place but home. I arrived at my building, the rain had soaked my clear through so my clothes were heavy and becoming binding with each arm or leg movement. I opened the door to the dark almost empty apartment. This apartment held a couple of memories, none that I liked to revisit or much less think about. I turned on the lights to the dining area, taking off my coat and dropping it in front of the door with a heavy slosh. After toeing off my shoes and leaning down to take off my socks, I pulled loose my tie and threw that down once it was off. I left a trail of wet clothing to my bathroom as I took it off and then grabbed a towel. I looked up after drying my face off and saw my reflection. Was it any wonder people soon learned my name did match my presence? I then ran a comb through my hair and then changed to get some sleep. I decided to worry about my clothes later.

The next morning around nine, I found myself looking up at the ceiling. I wasn't tired anymore and I knew I had to get to a meeting but it wasn't until late this afternoon. I tried going to sleep again and found myself still awake. I couldn't sleep anymore. I continued to stay in bed, not finding a reason to get up. Sometime around ten I did get up though. I picked up my damp clothes from the floor as I dried them out and then showered. Once I was done, I began getting dressed and looked at my reflection only when I had to. Most of the time I can groom and fix myself up without having to look at my reflection. Once I had finished, I decided to get something to eat. Later that afternoon, after I spent most of it walking around, I went back to the Pearl Tea House. I met up with Jun, who called me to let me know he was there. I met up with my partner sometime later as he stood outside and said,

"You don't live that far from here."

"I was uptown."

He nodded as we went inside towards the back room where the meeting was starting up. The heads of the Itto Ketsuen were there, the Yami, Yuki and Estuya, Takeo and finally the newest head of the Ryuujin no Chi, Kotei with his guard Ren. Kotei looked about the same, his hair still falling over his eye. It reminded me of Jun's style for a moment as I took my seat and then looked across the table. I saw Toki there, already lighting his cigarette as he then put his lighter back in his pocket, adjusted the rim of his black knitted back on his head and then picked up his glass filled with alcohol. He took a drink, his eyes already drowned behind the glass rim. I turned my attention away and went to my own drink of tea. I stirred it gently with a wide spoon as I heard everyone else around me settling down, getting ready to eat and speak and for Jia to make the announcement clear of Kotei being the new oyabun of the Ryuujin no Chi. Jun sat beside me, as he settled in comfortably and said,

"I'm hungry."

"When aren't you hungry?"

He looked at me and sorta smiled as he shook his head and picked up a glass of water. Waitresses were running in and out of the private room, trays of appetizers and tea and sake, setting down chopsticks for anyone that just came in from the rain. After a few minutes once the 36 Moons had settled, then everyone else we ordered dinner and just drank for a while. Jia then spoke to Kotei from the other end of the table. The little emperor who was drinking his own drink looked up and spoke to Jia as an adult. I had to remind myself not to pass judgment on his age because I didn't even look my age. Anyway, Jia then raised his glass, all of us following as the Yami and Itto Ketsuen, along with Yuki, Estuya and Takeo did as well as Jia said,

"To the newest oyabun of the Ryuujin no Chi."

Kotei bowed his head to Jia before he even dared crack the rim of the glass against someone else's. The chime of the glasses hitting one and other soon filled the room in the room in a matter of moments and just as quickly, finished out. Dinner arrived shortly after, setting what seemed to be buffets in front of us. Once everything was settled and the waitresses left again, I pulled apart my chopsticks and waited for everyone else to start eating. I begin to eat, Jun ate and everyone else ate. Conversation was passed every now and then until I heard Tsubasa clear his throat and say,

"Jia, what of the situation?"

I looked at Jia as did Toki. Jia then said,

"It's a minor situation."

"What's a minor situation Li?" Said Toki.

I never could understand how Toki could never draw the lines between being a professional and being Jia's friend. Calling him by his first name in front of everyone was one of the most disrespectful things I could imagine for an oyabun. But Jia didn't care. Jia set his cup down as he said,

"There's someone in my city. I don't know who it is, but I'm also here to find that out."

I went back to my dinner as Jia then said,

"I'm sure my New York associates are aware of the minor problem."

I looked over at the Yami and Itto Ketsuen and anyone else that could give away anything. My job was the first thing I had delved head first back into. My work was most important. Especially after...mishaps in my personal life. I didn't want to think about them so I thought of work. Ren said,

"Hai Jia, we know."

Tsubasa, licking his lips, the tip of his tongue running along the corner of his mouth where the scar from a few years ago marked him forever, said,

"The situation should not be considered a serious enough one Jia."

"Serious enough for me to look into it now that I'm here. Besides, I don't want to make it serious. So I'll put a stop to it now."

"What is the situation Jia?"

I ask. I figured if no one else is, I might as well. I could see Jo leaning on the table, looking up at Jia too. A cigarette is about to be put near his split lip, a scar stitching on the inside of the bottom part of his lip. Anyway I start to want my own cigarette, a habit I have yet to kick because of what it usually brought me. I only bring my hand up and begin to bit my thumbnail. Jia then sat up as he said,

"The truth is, someone's in New York. Four years without stepping into the city and some punk kid thinks it's home free. Anyway, rather then wait before he does something, I'll take care of it now."

"How now Jia? After dinner now? Or...later now?" Asked Aoki.

Jia thought for a moment as he said,

"After dinner now."

Aoki nodded as we then finished up dinner.

Once dessert was eaten and the last of the sake and tea was done, we all got up and began leaving, getting our shoes and coats and umbrellas as we prepared to go to work. It was ten at night when I checked my watch. Jun got his coat on as he said,

"Subway or cab?"

"Cab."

We all began filing out, Jia picking up the tab as the gracious host as the Yami walked out first. Ai'iro holding an umbrella out for Tsubasa as the ningyo tossed ebony hair over his shoulder and then put his hands in his knee length coat pockets. Jia lit a cigarette once he stepped outside and then said,

"Be careful Tsu."

The ningyo nodded as Jia leaned down slightly, kissing his cheek as Jiki hailed a cab for him. The Itto Ketsuen was out behind us, Karasu not caring about the rain, letting his still spiked out dark brown hair get soaked as he stood there. Sozaburo however held his umbrella protecting himself as he thanked Jia for the evening and told him members of the Itto Ketsuen would send him over more information soon. Karasu finished up by saying the valued information was what counted and once they had a hold of all of this new problems vitals, they could crush him. Jia thanked them as I saw Sozaburo give a nod to Jia and then wink at Jo. The baby of our syndicate had a fine eye much like his father for pretty young things. It was no shock to me to know those two were messing around. Karasu and Sozaburo had their car pulled up to the curb as the oyabun and his second in command got in. The car then pulled off. Tai, who stood beside Jia holding an umbrella for him was thanked and then stepped back, slicking his hair back further as Tai said,

"Jia, you need an escort back home."

"I'm fine Tai."

Tai paid him no mind as he asked Jo to escort him. Jo nodded, his hair already soaked through from the messy knot he put on the top of his head as he walked over to Jia. Toki was already arguing about taking him home himself but Jia told him to go to work instead. Toki gave up and sighed, going over to Aoki as he stood under Aya's umbrella. Aya being the only other one with an umbrella. Jo went to get the car as Jia gave out some final orders.

"Don't any one of you dare do anything stupid. Don't have Gabriel spring you from anywhere and don't hesitate to kill this guy. Whoever he is. I don't give a good Goddamn if he's someone's kid, brother, cousin whatever. He's here, he's fucking with me, kill him."

We nodded as the car pulled up. Jo was waiting as Tai opened the back seat door for Jia. Our oyabun got in as the door slammed behind him and the car sped off. Jun then pushed his hair back from his face as he said,

"Come on Mikkie...time to work."

I nodded, checking my gun as we started to walk down the street, pausing slightly to hail a cab and then get going.

Work...the only thing I prided myself in. It was the one and only area of my life I made no mistakes in. In the cab I brushed my hair out with my fingers as Jun said,

"I'm fucking soaked."

"So am I."

"Where did Jia say we have to go?"

"Uptown."

"How far Uptown?"

"Club scene Jun. Why don't you listen?"

"I was I just couldn't hear all the way."

I nodded, feeling my hands freeze over gradually as I said,

"Don't worry about it...I heard."

Jun nodded as we stayed silent the rest of the way. The club strip in Uptown New York was going as always. Ten at night was prime time to start getting in and just now start the party. Jun and I paid the fare as we got out from the cab and began looking up and down through the rain. I was surprised it had rained two nights in a row...but nonetheless, I had a job to do. Jun and I went into Jia's well populated clubs, asking the owners that knew were being watched by not only the three more powerful syndicates in New York but by the 36 Moons. They cooperated with us rather easily, letting us know that nothing out of the ordinary had been happening. One by one we worked the strip, running into Aoki and Aya along the way. We entered the Red Dragon near twelve, the stairs leading us down, bright red lights guiding us as we headed towards the managers office. There, the manager, a seedy low life I wouldn't trust with my pocket change let us know of something new.

"Yeah...someone new in town. Has a taste for the finer things in life."

He stood up from his desk as he walked over to the window facing the club scene. He extended on of his gold covered fingers towards the clearly lit tables as he said,

"Right there. Ordering Crystal and females like there's no tomorrow."

Jun and I peered over as Jun said,

"Let's go."

We left the managers office as we started crossing the club floor to the clearly lit tables. The crowd got thicker and we started pushing our way through. Once there, at the table was the one ordering Crystal, his black hair falling around his face, covering one of his eyes and part of the other, his full lips enjoying the fine champagne as he had a couple of girls around him. Jun then gestured to me as I saw him looking over to the side. Aoki had broken through the crowd, Aya close beside him. Jun and I stepped back and watched them work. Aya's pretty face could get him anywhere and with a simple undoing of a few shirt buttons and taking off his coat, Aoki was invited to sit with the new one. Jun then whispered to me,

"Let's cover him."

I nodded and we separated. Just then I ran into Toki. He smirked his trademark smirk as he then said,

"Rush?"

"I'm working." I said with no particular tone in my voice.

I stepped back as I went around him and continued to keep my eye on the table not too far from me. I was ready to strike at a moment's notice. And I kept looking at the new one and I saw Aoki making small talk, having a cigarette, Aya like a pretty decoration beside him. The new problem stopped mid drink as he suddenly stood up. He said something to Aoki and then gathered his coat, pulling it on as he started to leave. We were all surprised for a moment as we started to follow him out, his minions behind him making it harder for us to keep track of him. I damned my height when I lost visual sight of him but I pushed through, trying to get to him as quickly as I could before he was gone. At the staircase leading up stairs, I saw him rush up, his full length black coat spreading behind him. He didn't look back. The sign of a yakuza...you never look back when being chased. I saw Aoki getting to the stairs first as Jun followed, Aya meeting me up as Toki came behind us. We raced upstairs as I saw he was gone. We looked up and down the streets, Aoki taking one direction, Toki the other as the rest of us looked. But he was gone, vanished as if he never existed. Toki cursed loudly as he said,

"So we lost him."

"He got up suddenly. Like he suddenly realized something." Said Aya.

I nodded in agreement to that as Aoki said,

"So he knows something."

Toki sighed, pulling off his cap as his hair was soaked. He rung out the cap as he put it back on and said,

"Let's keep workin. We bound to come up with somethin right?"

"Right. Let's go."

We spilt up again, Jun and I going one way, Aoki and Aya the other. Toki lingered around for a while longer as I looked at Jun and said,

"What do you think he recognized?"

"I don't know."

He said it like maybe he did know, yet didn't want to say. I didn't ask anything else, with Jun, it would get me nowhere.

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Definitions

Ryuujin no Chi- Literally translates into Blood of the Dragon God

Oyabun- Japanese for don, boss.

Saiko-kimon- Senior Advisor to the oyabun. Controls about fifteen subgangs.

Ningyo- Doll

Sake- Japanese alcohol

Crystal- Expensive champagne. Considered one of the best