I was actually nervous. No, scratch that, I was terrified of seeing Jia again. After begin told your mere presence was cause for hatred, I didn't want to be seen again. When I arrived at the Dragon Leaf later that night, I saw Jia's car pulling up. I paid my fare and swallowed hard as I stepped out of the cab, pulling at the front of my coat and placing my usual face on as I saw Jo park the car and get out. He walked around and opened the door for Jia as our oyabun stepped out. All his grace and class flowed with him, white full length coat almost falling to the cuff of his Gucci suit pants as his hair fall around his face, a black thin scarf fell against the white snow of the coat as he stood up straight. Behind him came Toki, in his usual attire, baggy khakis that fell over his unlaced boots, an open black button down over a white wife beater, the sleeves rolled up to expose his pale arms, scarred and tattooed, a heavy watch on his wrist. He tossed his head back slightly, moving dark red hair back from his face as they went ahead inside. Jo slammed the car door behind them as he set the alarm on the car and then turned as he saw me.

"Hey Mikkie."

I nodded in return as he said,

"I got dragged into this."

"Me too."

"Upside is I get to see the owners of the game."

I shook my head as Jo smiled and we both went inside. Tai was already waiting with Xiao Tien and Toshimasa inside but once he saw us, the three of them got up and went over to meet us since they were waiting at the bar. Tai bowed his head to Jia as did Toshimasa and Xiao Tien and Jia greeted them in return. I trailed behind everyone, not wanting to be seen but knowing it was only a matter of moments. Once we got inside Jia's private room and sat down after removing our shoes, the waitress came in with tea tray. She set it down and then bowed before leaving again. After Jia, Tai, Xiao Tien and Toshimasa had tea poured, Jo had a cup as I served myself last. Jia had his cigarette let as he then said,

"So, Toshimasa, China Doll, someone tell me what's going on."

Toshimasa set his cup down as he said,

"I think we're ready to expand."

"Expand to where?"

"New York. It is your territory after all."

Jia smoked as he brought the cup of tea to his mouth as he took a sip then said,

"You want to set up a casino there?"

Toshimasa nodded as he said,

"Hai. What you own, plus the history that the city has, it would be like another Hong Kong."

Jia thought about it as he looked at Tai. Tai then said,

"Well...it doesn't sound like a bad idea. What made you come to this conclusion?"

"Profit." Said Xiao Tien.

"How much profit?" Said Jia.

"We're making well over a billion every three months Jia. Totaling from Hong Kong alone. Include Japan in that equation and we make more money. Add New York and you might as well buy the States."

"Sou ka. Okay, I get it. We make a lot of money. But most of that goes right back into my syndicate anyway."

"Now it would just be a richer syndicate Jia." Said Toshimasa.

"That's true. All right...I can always use more money." Jia said with a smirk.

After that, the dinner went on quietly, Jo admiring the owners of the game from across the table as he ate. Tai and Jia spoke every now and then as Toki sat silently and smoked. I ate my dinner quickly and drank some tea as small conversation was passed. Once plates were empty, chopsticks resting on them and tea cups being refilled, Jia said,

"Should we go to New York sometime soon?"

Tai nodded as Toshimasa nodded as well as he said,

"Yes, the sooner the better."

"Okay. We'll go sometime this week."

He set his cup down as Toki poured some sake in his tea cup. Since he was the only one drinking, he didn't have to share the bottle so it sat in front of him. The owners of the game all agreed with Jia's plans to travel to New York soon. Toshimasa seemed a touched worried as Tai said,

"Daijoubu?"

"Oh...hai. Just thinking."

His hand went over to the lapel of his black suit as his fingers brushed against the green leafs of the rose. He then said,

"I've never been to the states."

"Don't worry about it." Said Xiao Tien.

"Why shouldn't I? I'm about to go into a country I don't know and don't speak the language."

"Because, I speak English. Besides, a face that pretty doesn't need to speak a word."

Toshimasa flushed pink again and turned away and looked down as Xiao Tien laughed a little. Jia laughed as well as he said,

"Toshimasa, I had no idea you were so shy."

"He's not use to flattery."

"He's a pretty little thing though. You'd figure a face like that'd be use to it." Said Toki.

Toshimasa blushed harder, more red pooling in his cheeks as Xiao Tien laughed and said,

"Okay he's embarrassed enough."

Jia smiled, drinking his tea as he said,

"Grown a soft spot for him have you?"

"Of course."

Toshimasa tried drinking his tea as he looked down at the table.

Once dinner was over, Jia picked up the bill as usual as we all walked outside. Toshimasa had his cane in hand as usual, holding himself up straight as his hip went to the side again as we stood there. He had a cigarette lit as Xiao Tien, Jia, Toki and Jo all smoked. Tai and I stood among the smoke as Toshimasa exhaled and said,

"When should we start preparing for New York?"

"Sometime this week. Get all that legal shit ready and we'll go to New York hopefully by Friday."

Toshimasa nodded as he and Xiao Tien then gave their thanks to Jia as they caught a cab and left. Jo took off the alarm of the car as he went to open the door for Jia and Toki but Jia looked at Toki and said,

"Go ahead."

Toki looked at him confused as Jia said,

"I'll be there in a minute."

Toki nodded, getting in the car as Jo got in the driver's side. I was left alone with my employer as I bowed my head and said,

"Good night Jia."

"Mikkie....look, what I said to you before."

"You don't have to explain yourself to me Jia."

"Why does everyone always say that?"

"Because...who I am to have to listen to an explanation you don't owe?"

"I do owe you an explanation. And an apology."

I shook my head as I said,

"It's all right."

He sighed and I stopped talking as I looked down. He then said,

"I didn't mean what I said. I was angry...as well as drunk."

I nodded as he said,

"You don't have to avoid me."

I nodded again as he said,

"Are you going home?"

"Hai."

"Jo can drive you."

"Thank you."

He lead me to the car where I got in the passenger side and Jia got in the back. I heard Toki moving over and then get close to Jia again as they got comfortable. Sounds of soft excitement came from behind us as Jo drove. Jo didn't seem bothered...I think because he was use to it. At a light I looked at him as Jo looked back and whispered,

"They're just kissing. Toki's just loud."

"Sou ka."

I never realized how loud Toki was at almost everything he did.

As we waited for Toshimasa and Xiao Tien to get organized so we could go to New York by the end of the week, I saw Furukawa. Or...Kazuki as he preferred me to call him. I let him know I was leaving by the end of the week.

"So soon Yuurei?"

His habit of calling me Ghost by a different form. His fingers ran through my hair as I sat beside him in his office.

"Hai. Most of us will be leaving. For a short time."

"I understand. Maybe it's better. Then I could get more of my work done."

"It's your own fault you want to distract yourself."

He laughed softly, his face near my ear as he kissed the lobe and said,

"I know. I'm not complaining though."

It was quiet for a few minutes as he said,

"These are nice."

I felt his fingers near my ear lobe again as he said,

"White gold?"

"Platinum."

"Yuurei spoils himself."

"They...they were a gift."

He nods, almost knowingly as I stand up from the chair and turn to him.

"I have to go."

"You just got here."

"I know, but...I still have things to do."

He nodded, understanding as he got up and pressed a kiss to my mouth as he said,

"Hopefully I'll see you before you leave."

I nodded as I left and went to find Jun.

My partner and I had grown to talking a little more. Mostly because he realized that as much as I acted like I didn't, sometimes I did need someone to talk to. Though these days I wasn't talking much anyway. Jun and I ate silently for a while as he said,

"We're leaving Friday morning."

"Morning? Since when has Jia seen a morning?"

"It's what he wants so we could get there at night."

I nodded, drinking my tea as he said,

"You've been off lately."

"I'm not though."

Jun didn't say anything but it was clear of what he was thinking. He could tell something was wrong but couldn't prove it. Luckily he didn't push it. By the end of the week we gathered in the airport and left for New York. I did not see Kazuki before I left. I decided not to.

When we arrived in New York, Toshimasa and Xiao Tien were both jet lagged. After having them checked into the Stanhope, we all left to our own apartments and got some sleep. Or rather attempt to get some sleep. I found I still could not sleep in New York. For the few brief hours I was asleep, it was not relaxing and nightmares stalked my dreams. I stared up at my ceiling, breathing deeply as I turned and checked my clock. Four in the morning. I got out of bed and went to make some tea before I took a shower and went to get dressed. Around seven or so as I watched the news, standing in front of my TV as I finished getting my tie on, I checked the clock and then got my coat and my shoes. As I leaned down to tie my shoes on, I noticed my hair had gotten longer. I sighed for a moment, tucking it behind my ears and finished tying my shoes and then left, locking the door behind me. I went to the building to see Tai had just gotten there himself. He held the elevator for me as I walked in. Once I was there, he pressed the button to his floor as he said,

"Good morning."

"Good morning. You got here almost the same time I did."

"I was a little late because of Gabriel."

I gave him a look, somewhat surprised he would admit that as he said,

"He had to walk his dog. I accompanied him."

"Oh. I didn't know he had a dog."

"He does. I came to see him earlier this morning and we went for a walk instead."

I nodded as Tai smoothed his hair back and said,

"I have to go over properties in New York, see what we can shell out for a casino."

"Don't you need Akio for that?"

"Yes."

"Anything I can do?"

"Well you know this city, you can help me start at the most."

"Okay."

We got to his office and moved over some paper work and unrolled maps of each borough and began work.

By the late afternoon, Akio, Jo, Aya and myself were in Tai's office going through maps and outlining different areas of almost the entire city. Toshimasa and Xiao Tien arrived by early dusk, apologizing for not being there sooner. Tai waved it off, understand that jet lag was their reason for arriving so late. Jo wondered how they got there without assistance as Toshimasa said,

"Jia's guard came to pick us up."

"Which one?" Said Tai.

"Toki." Said Xiao Tien.

Jo shook his head as he said,

"Surprised you got here in one piece."

Xiao Tien smiled and moved a seat out for Toshimasa who sat down, resting his cane against Tai's desk as the China Doll said,

"He was somewhat tired. He didn't do much but a quick stare."

The China Doll took off his coat as Tai hung it up for him and the discussion continued.

I could see why Jo would have gotten bored of this. Later that night, Akio was smoking along with Jia, Toshimasa, Xiao Tien and Jo as Jo looked bored out of his mind, the cigarette hanging between his lips as he held up his chin with his hand as he leaned against his chair. Finally Jia checked his watch as he said,

"Okay...it's getting late and I'm hungry."

Toshimasa nodded as he put out his cigarette and said,

"Hai...I am hungry."

Jia then said,

"Come on. We'll pick this up later."

Jia grabbed his coat, pulling it on with ease as we all started getting up. I wasn't very hungry but decided to go anyway. It would be a long night of working anyway.