As things begin to settle down, I was glad to know that Jia was wrapping up assisting Furukawa in anyway. All that meant was from here on out, the Kitsune would have to know what he was doing. It was why Jia employed him in the first place. But for me, that meant not having to see him again. What little interest I did have in the beginning was now quickly replaced by this immense annoyance for Furukawa. He was unlike anyone I had met and that was not a good thing. Most people knew enough to keep away from me and if they dared to get close then they knew well enough not to annoy me. Toki was probably the only acceptation to that, mostly because there was something there before...and Toki's annoyance to me was that he was so determined. I wander from the subject...anyway so I thought I wouldn't have to worry about Furukawa for a long time. A long time meant about a month. With nothing going on, I didn't have to go in to see Jia since Jia himself was home doing nothing or doing something I didn't care to know. I came in one afternoon after a month to see if anyone was working, aside from the lower heads and maintenance people and went to Tai's office. His door was open, less folders were on his desk as he still sat there, writing away, his free hand holding up his head and pulling back his hair. I knocked on the door frame as he said,

"Mikkie...what are you doing here?"

"Just came to see if anyone was around. Why are you here on down time?"

I came in but didn't sit down until Tai asked me to. He sighed as he said,

"Oh, I haven't been here for about two weeks. I decided to come in to do some of this minor stuff. Just to get it out of the way."

"Furukawa been any kind of help?"

"Took most of the work off my desk. So yeah...he's been a huge help."

I nodded as I moved some of the files aside as he said,

"Something on your mind?"

"Just thinking. I hate being on down time."

He smiled slightly as he said,

"I would imagine it would be boring for you."

I nodded as I said,

"How's Gabriel?"

"Fine. At home sleeping I'm assuming. It's too early for him to be awake."

"It's ten in the morning."

"Too early for him if he has down time."

"Sou ka."

We were quiet again as Tai finished up the last of what he was doing, folding it into a folder and then standing up. He put his coat back on as he said,

"Going home?"

"Iie...I'm bored."

"Let's get some coffee."

I nodded as Tai and I left.

It was rare for someone like Tai to be out and about. Most of his time was spent in Jia's building, working on something or other, taking in more meetings then Jia and doing almost all the paperwork. Yet somehow he managed to carry on his personal life with Gabriel. We went to Bon, a pricey Shinjuku coffee house and ordered as we sat down. The waitress looked at Tai with fear as his appearance usually does. Tai being of height and stature of an American, people often mistake him for a foreigner in Tokyo, only when they see his face do they apologize. Tai's use to it, but I'm still amused by the people that would think Tai is some kind of brutal man when he's one of the kinder people I know. We sat in silence for a while as Tai said,

"You seem distracted."

I shook my head as I said,

"Something keeps picking at my head."

He nodded as he said,

"Maybe you should give it a rest."

"I'm trying."

It was quiet again until we received our coffee. Then the atmosphere was filled with the sound of spoons hitting bone china cups. I took a drink as Tai said,

"Is there any reason why Furukawa would ask for your services?"

"None that I can think of."

"He asked for you the other day. I told him I couldn't find you since you're on down time."

"Sou ka."

He didn't say anything but I could tell he was thinking something. I then smoothed back my hair as I said,

"He has an interest in me."

"That I picked up by his constant stares."

I rolled my eyes as I said,

"I thought I did at first, then he turned out to be so irritating."

He laughed softly as he said,

"Determined?"

"Iie, it seems like he rather turn me away most of the time. He annoys me and gets me angry just for him to not do anything about it. I don't see what warped interest that is. So I just stopped being around him."

He nodded as he said,

"He's a strange one."

"More then strange Tai."

He took a drink of his coffee as he said,

"And what happens when you do get to see him again? Business wise?"

"I'm going to assume that he's smart enough to keep away from me at this point."

Tai laughed again as he said,

"You never seize to amaze me."

"What did I do that is so amazing?"

"You push away someone like Furukawa but have no qualms with the likes of Toki."

"I'm use to Toki and his ways. There's no point in fighting him and I can get around him when I have to. I don't know Furukawa that well."

"Sticking with the evil you know huh?"

"Basically."

I took a drink of my own coffee as Tai shook his head, amusement clearly on his face.

Tai and I spent a few hours sitting there, talking about little things. He reminded of Jo sometimes because like Jo, we spoke of nothing. Nothing personal, nothing in depth, nothing that would make either one of us want to run and hide. We all had our demons...some of us kept them hidden and if they snuck out every now and then, we did our best to hide them away again. Tai still dealt with his demons and trying to deal with a future and a demon that reminded him of his past was hard for him. I think it's why he rather keep himself buried under a pile of work. My own demons tormented me over the usual things...nothing was ever new. Tai and I discussed about going somewhere, taking out of town trips, little things we always said but never actually took action to do them. We couldn't. At a moment's notice Jia could call us all in from wherever we might be. So, planning was usually not required because it never happened. It was still nice to talk about.

"I haven't been to an onsen in years."

I nodded as I said,

"Neither have I. Closest things here are sento's like Sakura's Touch."

"And I don't want Sakura touching me."

I shook my head, amused, but not laughing. It was my own way of saying I was laughing. Tai then took another drink as he said,

"It would be nice to go."

"A lot of things would be nice."

Tai agreed as he then checked his watch and said,

"I should get going."

"Me too."

"I got the bill."

"Oh...arigato."

He nodded in response as he paid for the coffee and then we both left. We parted ways after a few blocks and then I was alone. I was use to it, but at the same time, I didn't know what to do with myself. Luckily I didn't have to wait and wonder too long since Jun called me. He asked meet him back at Jia's building.

"I was just there."

"I didn't know. I was in the basement. Restocking and all that shit."

I sighed and said,

"Only because I don't know what else to do I'll go back."

We hung up and I went to go meet up with Jun.

Once back at the building, I saw Jun was talking to Furukawa and I had already made my presence known. It was too late to back out and act as if I hadn't seen them. I stood frozen on the spot as Jun saw me first and then Furukawa. He turned, dark hair falling around his pale face, searing eyes, peering at me as I cleared my throat and said,

"Konichiwa."

I bowed my head slightly, remembering he was like a boss to me as Furukawa then said,

"There he is. It's been too long Yuurei."

I bit the inside of my lip from reminding myself not to roll my eyes as I said,

"How are you Furukawa-sama?"

"Better."

Jun buttoned the front of his coat as he said,

"Ano....well, as I said, Furukawa, Jia's not here so...it would be best to contact him later. Perhaps I could do that for you."

Furukawa looked at him as he said,

"Yes, contact him for me later. Arigato."

He then approached me as he stopped in front of me as he said,

"Been avoiding me?"

"Been busy."

"You're on down time."

"So? I could have plans."

He smirked slightly, cunning sly smile across his mouth as he said,

"I really doubt that."

He spoke in a soft tone, soft enough for me and me alone to hear. I then glared at him as I said,

"What do you want?"

"The pleasure of your company."

"My company is busy. My apologies."

He laughed softly as he said,

"I would do anything to have your company."

"Then do it elsewhere. I'm busy today."

I bowed my head slightly, remembering to be rude but not completely disrespectful. When I picked my head up slightly I saw his eyes still staring down at me as I then stepped away and gestured Jun to accompany me as I started to leave. Once we were in the subway, Jun laughed as he said,

"What did he say?"

"Nothing important."

And it wasn't important. Once Jun and I got to Daidaiya in the Ginza District, we were amazed to see Toshimasa and Xiao Tien there. They joined us once Jun offered them a seat and soon the China Doll and Toshimasa sat with us.

"Why are you two still in Tokyo?" Asked Jun as he began eating some rice.

"We just got back from Hong Kong." Said Xiao Tien.

"Sou ka. Things going well?"

"Hai. Since the latest little incident with Kaji we had to stay primarily around Tokyo anyway." Said Toshimasa.

He rested his cane beside him, taking a sip of the tea in front of him.

Jun paused to finish eating as he said,

"I heard of that. Was the damage extensive?"

"Not as much as one would think. The most we suffered was some loss of funds. But nothing that couldn't be replaced."

Jun and I nodded as Xiao Tien tucked his hair behind his ears and said,

"There was a bit of scare, but nothing serious."

"The employees there I'm assuming." Said Jun.

Toshimasa nodded as he set his tea cup down and said,

"Hai. But...it's fine now. We're just taking the slow recovery time and being careful with things. I wouldn't want to assume we were fine and then find out we weren't."

Jun nodded as we continued with dinner. We found the owners of the game to be good company. Somewhere in the back of my mind I imagined Toki, Akio and Aoki throwing a huge tantrum if they found out Jun and I had dinner with them. Besides, where those three hang out, the possibility of either one of them setting foot into the Kabuki-Cho was almost nil to not happening ever. Xiao Tien may seem like someone who's willing to spread for just about anyone, but...he's more reserved. Toshimasa was also quiet, well educated and shy if believed. He talked well of his business but when it came to anything else, he flustered and more often then not, drew his eyes down and his pale face was awashed with a shade of pink. On the lapel of his dark gray pin striped suit was the red rose again. It was partially bloomed this time, the green leafs flourishing with light against the dark gray of his coat and black shirt underneath. The red petals parted slightly, like the openings of someone's lips, dark, lush, inviting. When Toshimasa moved slightly, I tore my eyes away from the rose as I heard,

"How have you been Mikkie?"

I looked up to see Toshimasa was looking me. He had spoken to me and was now waiting. I cleared my throat as I said,

"I've been well."

He nodded, not expecting much else from me as Xiao Tien's more flirtatious nature smiled at me as he said,

"You don't say much do you?"

I shook my head as he said,

"Quiet ones are the best. They make the best noises when you have them on their backs."

Toshimasa almost choked on his tea as he set the cup back down quickly and brought the napkin up to his mouth to blot it as Jun laughed slightly, shaking his head. I just gave Xiao Tien a look as he looked at me, winked and went back to eating. Toshimasa then pat his mouth and looked at Xiao Tien, his face flushed with color as he said,

"Could you please not be so brash?"

"I try."

Jun then went back to eating, laughing slightly as he shook his head.

After dinner, we said good night to the owners of the game as Jun and I started to leave. The both of us walked for a while until Jun pat his pockets and said,

"Shit..."

I paused, looking at him as I said,

"What?"

"I left my phone in the office."

I rolled my eyes as he cursed again and said,

"Great now, I have to go all the way back to Roppongi."

"It's not that far. I'll go back with you."

We hailed a cab and got in as we went to Roppongi and back to Jia's building. Once we got there, Jun went downstairs to get his phone as I lingered around the lobby. I then noticed the light in the lobby was turned on and a stream of consistent smoke was lifting up from one of the sofas. I thought it might be Aoki until I saw an all too familiar boot rise up, the ankle turning side to side for a while, the undone laces swinging back and forth from the tanned leather, a white sock barely visible since it was down past the boot as the jean cuff was up and showing skin. I looked over the couch as I saw Toki laying there, his arms above his head, white shirt on with a white button down over it. He looked up as he took the cigarette out of his mouth and said,

"Hey Ghosto."

"Hi Toki. What are you doing here?"

"Waitin for Akio. He had to do some work before it got piled up so I came to wait for him."

"Sou ka."

"What about you?"

"Jun left his cell phone in his office somewhere. I came back with him."

"Where were you?"

"In Ginza...having dinner."

He nodded as I said,

"With...Xiao Tien and Toshimasa."

"You had dinner with the owners of the game?"

"Hai."

"Fuck...I hate Jun. He gets all the luck."

"Relax. It was just dinner. Not an orgy."

"Now there's a mental image Imma have running through my head all night."

I sighed as I said,

"When isn't your mind on sex?"

"When I'm havin it."

I rolled my eyes as he then reached up, taking a hold of my hair, twirling it in his fingers as he said,

"Why you cut your hair for?"

"Stress relief."

"It took you forever to grow it out."

"It's just hair."

"You miss it?"

"It's just hair."

"I miss it. I loved your hair that long. Gonna grow back out?"

"I think there's enough people with long hair around here don't you think?"

"It's not as sexy on everyone else."

"I look like a girl with longer hair."

"Nah."

I reached up to his hand as I said,

"I have to go."

"You always running."

He sat up as he brought my head down lower and with his lips close to mine he said,

"Can I?"

"You're asking?"

"I learned the first time."

I was about to say yes when I heard Jun say,

"I got it."

Toki let go as I sat up straight and turned to face him as I said,

"Okay."

"You okay?"

I nodded as Jun saw Toki still sitting up as he said,

"He bothering you?"

"Iie."

Jun then gestured me to go as he said,

"I should call Jia."

"Why, what's goin on?"

Toki looked over at us as he exhaled the last of his smoke and rubbed out the end of the cigarette into an ashtray. Jun then said,

"Furukawa needed a word with him earlier and I promised I'd call him."

"I'll tell him. You go ahead."

"Thanks."

Jun and I then left.

The next afternoon I went back to Jia's building to see if Tai would need anything. If Jia had his meeting with Furukawa then Tai would probably be around. Once I got there, I found out Jia had his meeting much earlier with Furukawa then expected. When Tai told me I looked up at him shocked, or as shocked as I could be, as I said,

"Jia came in early?"

"Hai. Said he wanted to get it out of the way."

"Sou ka....I just....I haven't seen Jia up and about at this time in years."

It was close to nine thirty that morning. Tai nodded in agreement as he said,

"Well...he is actually doing more work. So...whatever."

"Toki here?"

"Yup. In Jia's office. Probably sleeping. When I saw him come in he had a hat over his eyes and yawned every could of seconds."

"Typical."

I sat in Tai's office until the meeting was over. Tai and I got up and left his office once we saw Jia and Furukawa walking out. Tai went to see Jia as I escorted Furukawa to an elevator. As I pressed the button to call the elevator up. I saw his arm reach out as he pressed his hand to the wall near my head as I looked up at him. He got close all the sudden as I pressed myself against the doors of the elevator, hoping they would open soon. Furukawa's dark smoldering eyes gazed on me as he said,

"So...Yuurei. Let's stop all these games and let me be straight forward. I miss your company."

"You have an odd way of showing it."

"Why are you avoiding me?"

"I'm not. I have time off. I choose not to spend all of it working."

Blasted doors! I cursed the elevator for not getting here faster.

"But I rather have you around me. I would love to get you alone somewhere."

I raised an eyebrow as I said,

"That's more then likely not going to happen."

"And why not?"

"Because I don't spread for anyone. And you don't have the time or patience to try to get into me and I don't have either nor do I want you."

"Lost interest in me already?"

"The moment you started getting on my nervous. Now back away from me or I'll snap your neck and apologize profusely to Jia for killing his new associate who couldn't get out of my face."

He smiled that smile again and backed away as he said,

"I'm disappointed. I do like you."

"Then you shouldn't have been so quick to annoy me."

"I do it to get a rise out of you. You're always so flat, no emotion. At least by annoying you I could tell something was under there."

I saw the sense in that. I then said,

"Well stop doing it. It only suits you for me hating you."

He nodded as he said,

"I apologize. I won't do it anymore."

He brought his hand up to stroke my cheek as I moved my face away.

"I don't like being touched."

"Yeah an if you do it again, Imma break your fuckin hand."

We both turned to see Toki standing outside of Jia's office. Furukawa smirked as he said,

"I thought you were asleep."

"I was."

He approached Furukawa as the Kitsune stood towards him. He tilted his head slightly to the side as Toki got in his face,

"Who fuck you think you are to be touchin him like that?"

"The same as you. No one."

"I'm more someone then you are, I better not see you puttin your hands on him again."

I grabbed Toki's wrist as I said,

"Will you stop?"

Furukawa smirked as the elevator finally got there. He stepped in as he said,

"I'll be in touch."

He looked at me as he said touch. Toki only glared at him harder and didn't stop until the doors closed. He then looked at me and for a moment I felt worried. But then I realized this was Toki. Why should I have to explain myself to him? I let go of his wrist as I adjusted my coat and turned towards the elevator to wait for the next one. He didn't say anything which worried me. But I was even more worried when he just walked away without saying a word and went back to Jia's office.

-------------------------------------------

Definitions and References

Onsen - A natural hot spring

Sento(s) - Bath houses

Yuurei - Japanese for Ghost

- Daidaiya is a real restaurant located in the Ginza District. Considered to have some of the best food around as well as atmosphere.

-Bon is a real coffee shop located in the Shinjuku. Known for having some of the best, also priciest coffee around, served in bone china cups.