I admitted to myself, Kazuki was the one that made me happy. I couldn't remember feeling that way in a long, long time. Actually, I couldn't remember feeling anything positive in a long, long time. I almost always wanted to smile around Kazuki when he said something foolish, when he said anything funny, when he tried to make me laugh. I couldn't help but start biting my bottom lip to keep the smile back. He didn't notice my new habit until I bit through my lip clear through and started to bleed. His fingers came across my lip as he said,

"You're bleeding."

I nodded as I sucked on my lip slightly to make it stop until he kissed me. I let him, I even kissed back until we heard a soft knock on Kazuki's office door. Yes, we were in his office. I was spending some time there, helping him do some of the paperwork he had fallen behind on. It wasn't anything major, but still some things he had to do. He moved back from me as he got up and went to the door to answer. He spoke for a moment as he then received a file and closed the door. I looked back at him as I said,

"Problem?"

"Nah...just some papers."

He opened the file as he walked around his desk and sat down as he went through them for a moment, skimming everything as he said,

"Okay, nothing important, just stats and stuff of the month. Everything is fine."

He then paused, reading over something to himself, as he brought his hand up to his hair and began fiddling with it. He then rested his chin against his palm as I said,

"Is everything fine? Or are you just saying that?"

"Oh..."

He looked at me as he then picked up all the papers and stashed them all back in the folder as he said,

"Yeah, everything is fine."

He didn't look it though.

A few days later, I slept, Kazuki beside me...or under me should I say since I had my head on his chest, my arm flung over him as his hands were resting on my back. My hair fell over my eyes and I felt so heavy. I sunk into this deep slumber, as if I hadn't slept in years. Just then my phone rang and I shot my head up as I blinked a few times since I was groggy. When I understood my phone was ringing, I reached over and picked up as I said,

"Hai?"

"Mikkie are you okay?"

I cleared my throat as I said,

"Hai...why?"

It was Tai. I recognized him by the tone of his voice and his concern.

"Because it's ten in the morning and you're not here."

"Oh....OH. I'll be there soon."

I hung up as I rubbed my eyes and checked the clock a little better as I saw the numbers change from five after ten to six after ten. I sighed as I looked down and saw Kazuki staring up at me.

"Is Yuurei late?"

"I'm extremely late. I've never gotten up so late before unless I was dead exhausted."

His hand reached up to my hair as he stroked it back and said,

"What will people say?"

"Nothing I care about."

He smiled slightly as he leaned up and kissed my lips slightly. He then said,

"Go get ready."

I got out of bed as I went to shower and change into my suit. By the time I was done, Kazuki was getting his coat on at the door as I towel dried my hair as best as I could and then gathered it up in my hands and grabbed a rubber band on my night stand as I tied it up and snapped the band back. I realized just how long my hair had gotten over time. Some of my baby hair fell forward, framing my face as I tied up my tie and pulled my coat on as got my shoes on and then started to leave my bed room. I checked my breast pocket for my gun and my wallet as I then grabbed my keys from the dining room table and met Kazuki at the front door. He made me stand up straight as he said,

"You're all a mess."

"I'm usually never late."

He adjusted my tie for me as he said,

"Is your hair wet?"

"A little."

He shook his head as I said,

"What?"

"You'll get sick."

"I'll risk it. It's not that cold outside."

He smiled slightly as we then left. I got to headquarters a little while later. I rushed inside as I took the elevator to Tai and Jia's floor as I adjusted my coat and tie a little button and buttoned the front as I then took my hair down and pulled half of it back. By the time I snapped the rubber band in place, the elevator bell dinged and I exited and went to Tai's office. I peeked in to see the door was open and he wasn't there. I then went to Jia's to see the door was closed and I knocked slightly. A moment later, Jo opened it as he allowed me in and I saw almost everyone there. I felt terrible I was late. Almost as late as Akio. I bowed my head to Jia as I said,

"Gomen...I over slept."

Jia waved it off as he said,

"It's okay, we didn't start yet."

Toki was asleep on the couch against the wall as he laid curled up on his side, his red hair tucked away under a cap as his bangs fell against his face, over his eyes. The sleeves of his black zip up hoodie were pulled up so you could see the heavy watch on his wrist, his tattoos and scars and part of his missing finger. Aoki and Aya were standing beside each other, Aya going over some paper work as Aoki lit another cigarette. Tai and Gabriel sat in front of Jia's desk, both of them talking among themselves as Jo leaned against the wall looking bored and tired. His hair was also down, cascading past his shoulders in blood red waves. Jun saw me as he stood by Jia's desk. Akio was missing for the time being and I put my hands behind my back as I stood near Jun. After a few minutes, the door opened as Akio came in and said,

"Sorry, traffic and all that."

"Uh huh. Okay let's get this started." Said Jia.

Tai got up as we all gathered around Jia's desk and Tai laid out a folder as he then opened it. He then tucked a stray strand of hair behind his ear and said,

"This is an unknown yakuza that just came in from New York. About three nights ago, this unknown person came in with an army."

Tai spread the pictures across Jia's desk so everyone got a good look at them. I looked at the unknown man, a small stature, no taller then me by the looks of his guards and soft, auburn colored hair that fell slightly over his sunglasses covered eyes. Tai then continued.

"He's not doing much right now, just hiding out in Roppongi which gives us reason to watch Jia a little more closely."

"I don't need a guard outside my door twenty-four hours a day." Said Jia.

Tai looked at him as he said,

"Yes you do Jia. For whatever reason he's in Roppongi, you will need to be watched."

Jia sighed, rolling his eyes as Jo said,

"I'll take first watch."

Tai nodded as he said,

"Fine. We'll need to find out what this guy is doing here and what he wants and why he's even here with an army. He may be here to cause trouble."

Jia then picked up the picture as he said,

"Someone wake Toki."

Aoki walked over as he leaned down and pinched Toki's nose shut with one hand and then put his other hand over Toki's mouth. Within seconds Toki started moving wildly around as Aoki let him go. Toki gasped as he said,

"WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT!?"

"Jia asked for you to be woken up."

Akio and Jun laughed slightly as Jia shook his head and Toki got up as he walked over to Jia and said,

"Nice."

Jia laughed slightly as he said,

"It was funny."

"Shut up."

Jia smiled and then gave him the picture as Toki took it and said,

"Who's this. New toy?"

"New enemy Toki. Stop thinking with your dick."

Toki smirked as he said,

"You know that aint neva gonna happen. So what's his name?"

"Don't know yet. You don't recognize him?"

"Nah...wish I did though. He's cute."

Jia took the picture back as he said,

"He's in Roppongi."

"Good!"

Jia sighed as he said,

"Toki, he's got an army with him. He may try to kill me."

"Thas a problem."

"You think?"

Aoki then took a look at the picture as he said,

"If he's in Roppongi he shouldn't be too hard to track."

"No, that would probably be the easiest part." Said Tai.

He began putting the papers back as he said,

"I already sent out the lower heads on guard to watch out for this guy. Any move he makes we should all hear about it soon enough."

Jia then said,

"Okay, since lower heads are on it, I suggest you all just try to keep yourselves busy. I'll send you all at night."

He then dismissed us.

After about half an hour, Jun and I decided to get some coffee and stepped out. He noticed the scab on my lip from where I bit through a few days ago as he said,

"Furukawa's rough."

I touched my lip as I said,

"I did this."

"Why?"

"I was picking at my mouth too much."

"As long as you're not biting your thumb nail. That was a disgusting habit."

"Why was it so disgusting anyway? It's my thumb."

"Do you have any idea how many germs your hands collect through the day?"

I shrugged as he shook his head and got his mocha frappachino as he stuck a straw through the whipped cream and said,

"I can't stick my fingers in my mouth. The idea bothers me."

"You sound so obsessive compulsive."

He laughed slightly as he said,

"Can't help it. Doctor knowledge."

I nodded as I took a sip of my hazelnut coffee as he then asked,

"You still seeing Furukawa?"

"I don't know if I consider it seeing him."

"What would you consider it then?"

"I have no idea."

He laughed slightly as I continued taking sips of my coffee. We returned back to Jia's building where we waited out the rest of the day. By night fall, Tai came downstairs to send us out to work to watch this guy. At the time, he had not set foot outside anywhere in Roppongi, so he might do it at night. We paired up and went out to look for this guy, hoping we could find what he wanted. Jun and I sat in a small cafe across the street from the hotel he was staying at. We looked out the window every now and then, having dinner as Jun said,

"I wonder what this guy wants. If anything, the New York heads would have warned any up and coming syndicate to never travel into Japan."

I nodded as I took a sip of my tea and glanced outside. There I saw him again. I tapped Jun as he said,

"Hm?"

"He's there."

We watched the new one walk out from his hotel as he swept his auburn hair away from his eyes as he hailed a cab. His two guards stood beside him as a cab eventually pulled up. Jun and I got up quickly as Jun picked up some of his sushi he had left and stuffed it in his mouth as he carried out another piece. We threw down some yen on the table as we ran outside and watched as the cab pulled off. It headed towards the Shibuya District as I got my ear piece out and called Jo. I let him know we saw the new one and he was headed towards Shibuya. Jo said he was around there and would let Hisoka know. We hung up as Jun said,

"Should we follow him?"

"Hai."

I raised my hand as I hailed a cab and we got inside and went to Shibuya.

We followed the newest enemy into Shibuya and once there, I called Jo to let him know. Jo said,

"I know, Hisoka saw him about a block away from where I am. He's headed towards Furukawa's building."

I paused as I said,

"Why would he?"

"Damned if I know. I'm on my way there now."

"Hai."

I hung up as Jun said,

"What's going on?"

"He's headed towards Furukawa's building."

"Why?"

I shrugged as I told the driver to keep going as we headed to Furukawa's building ourselves. I called him on our way as I said,

"One of our newest enemies is headed towards you."

He was quiet for a while as he said,

"I know."

"How?"

"Aside from the fact that a couple of my employees let me know, I knew since a few days ago."

I felt confused as it then clicked.

"When you said everything was fine."

"Hai."

I put my hand up to my face as I pulled my bangs back and I said,

"We'll be there to back you up."

"Yuurei, I wanted to tell you sooner. This isn't-"

"It doesn't matter. We'll be there soon."

I hung up as I pulled my ear piece out and put it back in my pocket. Jun looked over at me as he said,

"Well?"

"I let him know."

Once we got to Furukawa's building, Jo was there with Akio as Furukawa was in the lobby with the newest enemy and the two guards. A few of Furukawa's employees stood not too far behind him as Jun and I joined the crowd. The enemy crossed his arms and said,

"You got quite a crowd here Kazuki."

"Associates of my allie. What do you want Kei?"

Kei as he was called said,

"I wanted to talk to you. Privately of course."

"Like I would trust you to speak to me privately."

Kei pouted slightly as he said,

"You wouldn't even return my calls. You made this trip necessary."

"No one told you to cross the ocean because I wouldn't call you back."

"You're selfish Kazuki."

Furukawa shrugged as he said,

"Talk now."

Kei suddenly seemed to drop his tough, aloof act as his shoulders fell and he hung his head slightly as he started toying with his fingers as he said,

"Kazuki...onegai...I just need to talk to you for a moment. Alone. I won't do anything I swear."

Jo looked at him as he then looked over at Akio. Akio leaned over and whispered something to him as Jo nodded in agreement. Jun then said,

"Who do you think this guy is?"

I could look at Kazuki and know exactly who it was. He was obviously someone of Kazuki's past and he was there to see him and possibly claim him back. The Kitsune looked at me as I glared back at him, feeling incredibly angry with him. He saw my anger and turned away as he then said to Kei,

"I won't be stupid enough to lock myself in a room with you. Come over here."

He motioned over to the lobby area as he and Kei walked over there. His employees and the rest of us moved over to the other side of the lobby as Jo looked at Akio and said,

"What do you think?"

Akio looked over at them and at Kei's behavior as he said,

"I think they fucked."

Jo looked over at me as I stood impassive as ever. I was angry but I wouldn't show it. Kei and Kazuki spoke for a few minutes before Kei suddenly got up and stormed out with his guards. Furukawa stood up as he walked over to us as he said,

"I need to see Jia."

Within the hour, we were back at Jia's office as Furukawa stood in front of Jia's desk as he said,

"I need to tell you something."

Jia let him explain as he said,

"Have a seat."

"No, thanks. I have a feeling I won't be here for long after I tell you this."

Jia looked at him as he sat up straight as he said,

"Talk."

"This enemy of yours that came into the city....his name is Atshusi Keibetsu."

"Okay, we know his name."

"No, the thing is...I knew he was here when he first got here."

Jia started standing up as he said,

"Why didn't you say anything sooner?"

"That's the thing Jia, he's not here for you."

"Then why is he here?"

"He's....he's here for me. He and I have old scores to settle. I knew him in New York. It's why he's here. But he's not after you or your empire."

"You damned Kitsune. You should have told me this sooner instead of wasting my time and man power."

"I know, I apologize Jia, but since he wasn't doing anything, I didn't think you would waste the time or effort."

"I keep an eye on anyone that sets foot into this city with an army behind him."

"It's not a fight with you he's looking for. Please, let me handle this. Should it get out of hand, I'll be sure to tell you."

Jia sighed as he sat back down and said,

"All right. But you better not hold information back from me ever again Kitsune I swear! I'll send you back to New York in pieces! I can't afford to have anyone hold anything back from me you understand?"

Furukawa nodded as he then bowed his head again in apology. Jia then dismissed us as we started to file out and leave. Toki stayed behind in Jia's office as Tai and Gabriel went to Tai's office, Jun, Akio and Jo went to the elevator to go back downstairs as Aoki and Aya went behind them. I decided to take the stairs downstairs and I went to the stair well. As I started my journey down, I began thinking to myself how angry I was, how really, really angry I was. I couldn't even begin to believe that he would do something like this. Then I calmed myself down for a moment when I thought, well okay Furukawa was nothing of mine anyway. It would be like getting angry at Toki for going back to Jia. And then thoughts of Toki and his actions filled my mind and I suddenly felt so miserable. I sat down in the middle of the stairs as I pulled my hair back from my face and covered my mouth. I felt like it was the same thing all over again. Same actions different person. Was I just doomed to be a middle point for anyone I was interested in? Furukawa had his destination and it wasn't me. I was just the crossing in between before he reached Kei. Or whenever he got tired of Kei...it was back through me. I felt so angry with myself for allowing to even think that I could let him get close. I put my head down on my folded arms as I shook my head in disgust. I was being toyed with all over again. I would shoot my self in the foot if it didn't impair me in my job. I sighed as I picked my head up again and felt my hair fall back into place. I was so stupid. It was the only opinion I had of myself at the time. I got back up as I went down the rest of the way. Of course it took a while since I was traveling from such a high point. I eventually stopped at one of the floors and took the elevator the rest of the way down.

By the time I was in the lobby again, everyone else had left and I decided to go outside. I peered up at the sky, the dark evening had painted everything black and the light struggled to shine through. I checked my watch as I saw it would be too late for me to get a cab now as I walked towards the subway. Once I got home, I rested in bed, but I didn't sleep. I wasn't tired and I felt like I was in New York. I couldn't sleep now. And my sheets haunted me with ghosts of a new demon. I sat up as I got out of bed and walked around my room for a while, pacing almost because I couldn't sleep in my bed and I couldn't lay on my couch. I brought my hand up to my mouth as I started chewing on my now much shorter thumbnail. I bit on it slightly pacing back and forth slowly as I thought to myself. I was just so angry and confused and I couldn't sleep which just irritated me. I stopped as I checked the clock on my night stand and saw it was two in the morning. I bounced slightly on the balls of my feet as I then walked over to my cell phone and picked it up. I looked at it as I scrolled through my phone book, wondering who should I call, if anyone. I finally decided on Jo when I saw Akui come back up through my phone book. I pressed in for his number and sat down in bed as I waited for him to answer. It took a moment as I then heard,

"Hai."

"Hey Jo. You busy?"

"Nah, just sitting here."

"You're home?"

I had to admit I was surprised. I had never caught Jo at him before.

"Hai. I'm home."

"Any reason why?"

"Nothing to do really."

"Sou ka."

"Why what's up?"

"I.....I just needed some company."

He was quiet for a moment as he said,

"Sou ka."

"You think we could...go out for a drink or something?"

I felt very awkward asking Jo to go do something with me. I think he sensed that as he said,

"Sure, where at?"

"Anywhere."

He suggest one of his usual places in the Kabuki-Cho and I agreed to meet him there in about half an hour or so. I couldn't believe what I was doing. After about a half hour or so, I arrived at the bar where it seemed to be a slow night and I walked in. Jo was there already, having a cigarette in his jeans and a regular white shirt. His hair was pulled up as he tapped the cigarette into the ash tray. I joined him as he said,

"Hey."

"Hi."

I ordered a drink as I started fidgeting with my hands and before I brought my thumb nail to my mouth, I said,

"Jo...?"

"Hm?"

"Could you give me a cigarette?"

He looked so surprised as I said it. He then said,

"I thought you didn't smoke."

"I just need something right now."

He nodded as he took out his pack and opened it for me as he turned it towards me. I took one out as I put it to my mouth and Jo lit it for me. I inhaled as I then exhaled and pulled my hair back as I rested my face against my hand. I sighed as I said,

"Could you do something else for me?"

"Sure."

"Don't tell anyone about tonight."

"I don't think anyone would believe me anyway."

I nodded as I then picked up my drink and took a sip. Jo and I didn't really talk afterwards. Just a few words here and there but mostly we drank and smoked. I was grateful for his company even if we didn't speak much. It was just better then sitting in my apartment being haunted by new demons.