Jia contacted Furukawa over some time after he received his package. He let him know of Niikura's actions and how he planned to make Tokyo and Kyoto power cities. Furukawa nodded as he said,

"So...Niikura sent you his enemies head."

"Hai...it's why he carries that sword. It's not just for show after all."

"You think he's worthy of such a strong alliance as yourself Jia?"

"Sure...he can handle himself. Besides, he reminds me of a younger me. When I was at his age, I just wanted to get in...I wanted to get in and hold power but I didn't want to back stab and make people distrust me. So when Shido gave me the chance to prove myself I jumped at it...and now I'm giving Niikura that same chance."

Furukawa tucked his hair behind his ear as he said,

"You think that Niikura is a younger version of you?"

"No, not like me at all. Just someone who has the same ambitions. If he wants power, he'll have to earn it the old fashioned way. He'll have to wait us all out in death."

Furukawa laughed slightly as he said,

"People like you Jia live forever."

Jia smirked as he said,

"So I hear."

Jia pushed open one of the windows behind him, showing they weren't just for show, to air out his office a little more. The stench of decay was still lingering as Furukawa said,

"So how much longer you think that stench is going to last?"

"I don't know. Hopefully it'll be out soon."

Jia then said,

"Niikura said he would be here tomorrow afternoon...I shall have lunch with him, discuss small things with him...Furukawa you will of course be there."

"I don't know Jia, I have so much to do already."

"I'll tell Mikkie to show up."

Jia looked up at me from over Furukawa's shoulder since I was near the door of his office as Furukawa turned and looked at me slightly and said,

"Sou ka...there's a deal sweetener. All right, I'll go."

Furukawa excused himself as he left Jia's office. As I closed the door behind him, he grabbed my wrist and yanked me out with a quick gasp, closing the door behind us as he held me. I moved back from him as I said,

"Don't do that again. Jia could need me for something."

He kissed my cheek as he said,

"I just wanted a moment with you."

I sighed to myself, but didn't resist when he put his arms around me and drew me close. After a moment or so, I moved back and said,

"I have to get to work. So do you."

"I'll see you tonight."

I nodded as he kissed my cheek once more and then left.

After the box was disposed of, Jia called Suzuka to let him know what had happened. From what Tai told me later on, even Suzuka was astonished at Niikura's methods. I went out later that night with Kazuki as he said,

"You are so serious."

"I know. I get that a lot."

"For some reason, I keep thinking once we get out of the office atmosphere you'll be different. But here we are and you're as if you never left work."

"I never do."

"I could tell."

He tugged on the sleeve of my coat as I looked down and moved away. I then said,

"So...I'm still in my suit. So what. So are you."

"I didn't have time to go change. I picked you up at home."

I paused in our walk as I said,

"So now how I dress bothers you?"

"No, of course not. I'm just stating some facts."

I rolled my eyes as he said,

"Yuurei, I'm not trying to annoy you. Don't get frustrated with me."

He picked my face up to look at him better as he smiled and said,

"I'll make you smile one day."

"I really doubt that."

He made me walk a little more before we went to get some dinner.

The next afternoon, Jia came in on his own, Jo as his driver. Once I saw him, I stood and bowed my head to him as he said,

"What time is it?"

"Almost three."

He nodded as he tucked his stray strands of black hair behind his ear as he said,

"I gotta get going to the Dragon Leaf soon but I came to see if Akio was around. Is he around?"

"Upstairs with Aya and Aoki. I'll get them."

I excused myself as I called Akio's cell to see if he was available. When he didn't answer, I called Aya.

"He stepped out to use the rest room."

"Sou ka."

I went upstairs to search for Akio and once I found him, I let him know Jia was waiting for us. Akio went back to the office he was working with as we interrupted Aoki and Aya as Akio said,

"Sorry, Aya we have to go."

"Oh..."

He got up, buttoning the few undone buttons of his shirt as he did his tie up quickly then picked up his coat as Akio grabbed his and pulled it on. He then said,

"I'll call you later Aoki."

Aya leaned down to kiss Aoki once more before the three of us left. We regrouped with Jia downstairs as we then got in the car and Jo took us to the Dragon Leaf. Tai and Gabriel had left earlier to pick up Niikura at the train station so we would be their early. We sat in Jia's private room, having a drink until Furukawa joined us. The Kitsune walked in after removing his shoes as he said,

"Good afternoon. Am I insanely late?"

"No, come in." Said Jia.

He sat down beside me since Jia sat at the head of the table and there was one space reserved for Tai, another one next to that, Akio, then Aya while on the other side was a space reserved for Niikura, one for Furukawa, myself and Jo beside me. Once seated, he poured himself a cup of tea and said,

"When will he be arriving?"

"In a few moments. For now, let's just enjoy this."

Sure enough after about half an hour, Niikura, Tai and Gabriel arrived. They apologized for being late, stating the driver was an idiot. Jo then tucked his hair behind his ears as he said,

"That's why I always drive."

Furukawa laughed slightly as he said,

"I've seen how you drive. It's like you're always being chased."

"Best way to get around."

Jo smiled as Tai sat down on Jia's right as Gabriel sat beside him. Niikura took off his full length coat, revealing the sword he carried was secured by an arrangement of straps that ran under his arms, across his back and held tightly by a small noose where the sword's sheath was. He removed the sheath carefully as he raised his arm and then sat down beside Furukawa. His hair was still done in that spiked knot, most of his bangs falling around his eyes as he then looked at Jia and bowed his head slightly. Jia bowed his head slightly as he took a sip of his drink and said,

"How was the train ride?"

"Long. Well worth the destination, however."

"How are things in Kyoto?"

"Calmer now. The head is gone so the syndicate that tried to start problems was well crushed."

"I'm just curious....how did you manage to sever the head of your enemy?"

"I tracked him down myself, found him, confronted him. He thought he was so hardcore, said he would take me down in a minute. When he asked if I had a gun I said I didn't so he laughed. When he looked down, I had my sword out already and that was the last thing he saw."

Jia nodded as he said,

"He underestimated you."

Niikura nodded as he poured himself a cup of tea. He then said,

"I don't look like I can cause damage do I, Jia-sama?"

Jia looked at him for a moment then said,

"No, you don't. And that's your greatest weapon."

We had lunch shortly afterwards when the waitress came in and took our orders. Niikura was still very young, acted so sometimes when he opened his mouth to speak the shut up right away when Jia spoke. He respected Jia so much that if he did interrupt him by accident he would apologize profusely and bow his head. Jia didn't mind and often waved it off. Furukawa sat beside me, his cigarette case in front of him as he said,

"Niikura, how is your operation in Kyoto?"

"Hectic. Iida was a bubble headed woman that didn't know numbers from her tits so our books were all screwed up. She trusted whatever anyone said business wise so we have a lot of bad ties and connections with free lance yakuza who don't appreciate being cut off from a syndicate and especially from their pussy which Iida gave up. Since she's no longer around I've been dealing with all these people that crawled out from under every rock claiming Iida gave them this, or Iida owes them that."

"How long have you been dealing with this?" Asked Jia.

"About two years. It was quiet for a while until the street got word that Iida was dead for real. It wasn't just some fake out. That's when they started coming after me."

Furukawa nodded as he said,

"Who does your books?"

"I had to employ someone outside of my syndicate. I passed myself off as my father's associate to have the books done in a somewhat legit manner. Anything that comes across as suspicious, we pay off the accountant a good sum to keep his mouth shut."

Furukawa nodded as he said,

"If you wish, I'll help you."

Niikura looked at him as he said,

"Honto ni?"

"Hai."

Jia then said,

"Niikura I didn't call you here just to praise you. I wanted to make a deal with you."

"What kind of deal?"

"You need to keep Kyoto where it's at. Cut the free lance yakuza from your connections, get your books in order and you and me and can make it another city just as powerful as Tokyo. Only difference is, you'll be running it."

"You trust me to do such?"

"Of course not. But I know you wouldn't screw up such a sweet offer."

"Iie. Only an idiot with a death wish would go up against you Jia-sama."

"Flattery will get you nowhere."

"I'm only speaking the truth."

Jia waved it off as he then said,

"So, you interested?"

"Hai. I'll get on that right away."

"Good. Next time you have a problem and you can't take care of it, you let me know. Also, Xiao Tien, one of my personal friends, lives in Kyoto. If any harm should come to him, I'll take it out on you. Understand?"

"Hai. I understand."

"Good."

Jia then went back to drinking his tea as we finished our lunch.

Once we finished and had dessert, Jia paid and we all left. We gathered outside. Jia, Furukawa, Akio, Jo and Niikura all lit a cigarette as Niikura said,

"Jia-sama, how long do I have to get organized?"

"How long do you think it would take you?"

"Four, maybe five months."

"Then you have five months. After that, if you're not organized, I'll retract my deal and you're on your own again."

Niikura nodded as he said,

"Five months from now, I will completely organized."

Jia nodded as he finished his cigarette and flicked it away as he said,

"I'll see you in five months then."

Niikura nodded as he and Jia shook hands and then Tai offered to escort Niikura to his hotel since he wouldn't be leaving until later that night. Once Jia dismissed us, Kazuki trailed me and said,

"Yuurei, what are you plans for tonight?"

"To go to bed."

"Sounds good."

I paused and looked at him as he smiled and said,

"What? I wouldn't mind joining you in bed for some sleep."

"Oh..."

"What did you think I meant?"

"Nothing."

"Hentai Yuurei."

I looked away as he teased me and then he hugged me as he kissed my cheek and said,

"I'm serious though. I'd like to sleep beside you."

"Why?"

"I just would. To watch you sleep."

"Good thing we're in Tokyo then."

"Hai. So...can I?"

"If you wish."

He smiled as he said,

"I'll be at your place later."

I nodded as he then let go and I took a cab home.

Later that night, I was trying to sleep beside Kazuki. I wasn't doing to good a job because I kept looking at him. He laid beside me as if he was by himself, his arm tucked under a pillow as his other hand rested on the mattress. His hair was still out, loose, flaying everywhere in a messy ocean of black ink. He said he wanted to watch me sleep but instead I ended up watching him sleep. He slept in his clothes, the only difference was that he slept without his shoes, coat and tie. He we peaceful...calm. And I found myself admiring him for most part of the night instead of sleeping. When I did eventually sleep, I was close to him, enjoying his warmth, not actually touching him, but feeling him close to me all the same. That same morning, I woke up feeling closer to him then I intended to be. My face was up against his chest, my arm over him as I felt his hand stroking my hair back. I opened my eyes fully as I moved back, his hand cradling the back of my head as I said,

"What?"

"I should ask you that."

"Why?"

"You were in my arms when I woke up."

"Oh..."

"You didn't seem to mind. You were there for about an hour."

"Why didn't you wake me?"

"I wouldn't dare move. I felt as if I did, the moment would be ruined."

He laid me on my back and laid his weight evenly on top of me as he said,

"You looked so peaceful. Like that first time I saw you asleep in the lobby."

He leaned down and kissed me as I kissed back and then said,

"You're crushing me."

He laughed slightly as he said,

"I'm not that heavy."

"I'm not that big."

He smiled as he got off me and allowed me up as I went to the bathroom and went to brush my teeth and take care of my morning routine.

During the five months Niikura had to pull himself together over in Kyoto, Kazuki traveled back and forth between each city, helping Niikura with his books. Tai and Gabriel went over with Kazuki every other week or so to get Niikura back in order. Meanwhile the rest of us screwed around and did nothing. Jun and I caught some movies while we weren't working since I loved sitting in the dark and watching movies and we played pool. Eventually after some begging and nagging from the trio and Jo, we went to play cards with them. Jun was hesitant about spending time with the trio especially since he looked down on them. But eventually when I told him they were just interested in his card playing skills, he went with me. We went to Jia's building since it was neutral ground for all of us and picked one of the empty board rooms. There, the light from a few lamps were on, some sake bottles were already cracked open along with some glasses of different sizes and ashtrays were scattered about the table. Jun and I walked in and took a seat as Jo said,

"Hey you guys are here. Let's get started."

Akio exhaled a cloud of smoke as he said,

"Baby, you know how to play?"

"Hey, I don't jus go to Kabuki-Cho to get my dick sucked okay?"

Everyone laughed except me as Jun shook his head and Aoki started shuffling the cards. He then said,

"Okay, pocket change game only. We're all rich here. I doubt we need more loot."

Toki nodded as he reached into his pockets and dumped out some of his change as Akio and Jo did the same. Jun and I searched through our pockets pulling out loose change and single yens as we set it in front of us. Pretty soon Aoki had finished shuffling the cards and then started passing out the cards. Hours later into the game, Jo had folded with half of his change gone, Akio was close to folding as Toki, Aoki, Jun and myself stayed in the game. Akio was soon out as the four of us remained playing. Aoki was a hard person to read since he played cards like he killed people....totally blank. Toki was an idiot only when he felt like it. Money wise, he was not an idiot. Jun and myself also had good poker faces especially since mine never changed. Finally as the stakes got higher and we started tossing in loose yen, Toki folded since he didn't have any more money to bet. Then it was between Aoki, Jun and myself. Finally Aoki said,

"I call."

Jun nodded as Aoki leaned his cards down and revealed his hand. Jun then went as well as myself. Jun had won and he wasn't even trying. He collected his winnings as Aoki said,

"Fuck...he's good."

Toki tucked his hair behind his ears as he said,

"Fuck Jun. How's you get so good?"

"It's about concentration and odds. That's it."

He gathered the change back up as he said,

"Another round?"

Akio scoffed as he said,

"I don't have anymore loose change."

"Fuck it. Let's go for broke and play for real cash." Said Toki.

"We won't give it back Toki." Said Aoki.

"Fuck it. It's just money."

Jo nodded as he said,

"I'm in."

I shrugged as I said,

"Let's go."

Akio shuffled the cards this time as we went into another game that last even longer then the first one. The stakes were raised higher this time when the yen started carrying over into the triple digits. No one wanted to back out of the game. But soon Akio folded as he said,

"Fuck that I need cab fare home and I only brought so much with me."

Jo stayed in for another hour before he too folded stating he didn't plan on loosing that much tonight. Toki stayed in for another hour before he folded as well. It was the three of us again. No one called. We kept trading cards and watching each other, raising the stakes higher and higher. Finally Aoki folded saying it was too much for him as he took a drink and lit another cigarette. Jun and I kept playing and I knew I would loose since Jun was who taught me. After two more hours of playing around, Jun called and I lost. He gathered his money as Aoki said,

"Fuck...I thought he had Jun." Said Toki.

Aoki nodded as I shrugged and said,

"He's the one that taught me."

Jun then gathered the wad of yen and rolled it up as Aoki said,

"I will get better at this game. We'll play a week from now."

So every other week or so, Jun, myself, the trio and Jo would all gather in that board room and play poker. I didn't see much of Kazuki during that time because usually he was in Kyoto. I wasn't working so I was screwing around with my associates, playing poker, having lunch and watching movies. I didn't even realize how fast the five months had gone by until one night at our usual poker games that took play every other Saturday, Aoki said,

"Last one before we get back to work."

"Shit I know, that went by quickly." Said Jo.

I looked at Jun as I said,

"Has it been five months?"

"Yup. Gonna be five months next week."

"Why does it seem like nothing?"

"Because, you've been screwin around." Said Toki.

I sighed as I tucked my growing hair back as Jo said,

"You should start tying that up."

I looked down at my hair seeing it had grown past my shoulders again. I then said,

"I will."

But for the time being, I just tossed it over my shoulder and went on playing.

The five month period was up. Jia was wondering if Niikura had done as he said he would and called him up to find out. Furukawa, Tai and Gabriel had done all they could to assist him and now it was a matter of Niikura coming through on his word. One afternoon as we waited for Niikura's word, Xiao Tien and Toshimasa appeared at our doors. The China Doll graciously accepted Aoki's arm to be escorted as he held a newspaper under one arm as Toshimasa blushed furiously once Toki took his free hand, leading him to Jia's office. Once there, Jia was surprised to see them both. The China Doll winked at Aoki, thanking him as Toshimasa thanked Toki and soon cleared his throat, trying to calm down as Xiao Tien said,

"Jia, I bring word to you from Kyoto."

"What's it dealing with?"

"You know your little associate there?"

"Hai, Niikura."

"He caused war in the past five months."

"What? Are you serious?"

"I'm serious."

"Is that why you're here?"

"No, I'm just doing my rounds with Totchi. But what I did come to tell you is that Niikura won."

"He caused war and won it?"

"Hai. There are more free lance yakuza then you think in Kyoto. Niikura did the simplest thing. He found the main one, cut his head off and stuck it on a post as a warning to others."

Xiao Tien then removed the newspaper he brought with him from under his arm as he looked at it for a moment then handed it to Jia.

"News straight from Kyoto."

Jia opened the paper as he saw a small paragraph outlining the gruesome details of Niikura's methods to keep his enemies at bay.

"The government won't allow more then that or a picture. When the head was found, the city had to dispose of it in a matter of minutes. It was in the center of the city where everyone walks through so...you could imagine the horror it would have caused."

"Sou ka. So Niikura won?"

"Hai. He should be in contact with you soon Jia. It seems you have yourself a powerful new allie."

"Seems I do."

Jia then folded the paper and set it on the side of his desk as he leaned back in his seat.

"Now to wait for my associate to make contact."