I remembered raw jealousy from Jia's behave. He didn't mean for it to come out so much, so filled to the overflowing brim, but it always did. Jia had raw emotion that most of us could surpress, hide or even get rid of. Jia couldn't. Jia's emotions carried him, they worked him, they owned him. So whenever he was angry he showed it. When he was sad he showed it. Whenever he was happy, amused, disgusted, confused...he showed it. And like everything else, his jealousy often took full bloom. I didn't mean for anything to happen, the last thing I wanted was Toki to ever look at me again and to want me in his life. I didn't want that because I knew what that caused and I knew Jia's volatile reaction to it. When Jun said Toki was having another one of his temper tantrums. I pulled my hair back in complete and total despair, knowing this would effect me more then anyone else. I tried not to show my growing concern for the situation as Jun said,

"We should probably head to the lobby. No point standing outside Jia's office."

Tai nodded in agreement as he said,

"Yes. Everyone go do something for now. I'll call everyone once Jia gives me a word."

I didn't have to be told twice. I quickly walked to the elevator and pressed the button, calling it up. My head ached as I waited for the elevator to appear. Jun stood beside me as he said,

"You okay?"

"Head hurts."

He nodded and said,

"We'll go to my office. I'll get you some aspirin."

I nodded as we got to the basement and Jun gave me some aspirin as I swallowed them dry. I then sat down on the table as I bit my bottom lip and said,

"My life is becoming a horrible drama."

Jun looked over at me as he said,

"Why don't you just tell Toki to back off?"

"Easier said then done."

Jun began adjusting some of the things on his table as he said,

"Look, Jia may be completely and totally spineless when it comes to Toki, but he has enough back bone to draw the line when it comes to his business. He won't get rid of Furukawa and yes, Toki will be pissed. But what can be done? Nothing. So it's just best waiting things out. They'll make up like always."

I nodded, thanking my partner for his insight. I knew he was right and I had nothing else to worry about.

So, like it has happened many, many times, Jia and Toki fought. Toki was pissed Jia wouldn't do as he said and get rid of Furukawa, but Jia needed Furukawa for his business and he wouldn't do it just because Toki was jealous. Toki got mad and disappeared for a few days while Jia tried his best to maintain himself. After about three days though, Tai found Jia collapsed on his desk, sound asleep from exhaust and sent him home so he could recuperate. Tai hated to see Jia like that, we all did. Once Tai found Jia liked that, our oyabun, usually full of grace and stature was falling apart, his eyes dark and bloodshot, barely able to keep them open from exhaust, his hair falling flat around his face since he couldn't gather enough strength to sweep it back, his suit on, but the coat over it falling off his shoulders. Tai helped him to the lobby where Jo took over since he was going to take him home. Meanwhile the rest of us looked on and waited. The thing with Jia's condition was that it was only healed by Toki. The catch with that was that no one could force Toki to do it. He would do it on his own given time. Any business that needed to done could be passed through the business heads, meetings Jia usually sat in and took, Tai took. We all did our part as Jia tried to regain himself. The other thing about Jia's condition was that usually any time it happened, nothing was happening. We had been lucky for so many years that anytime Toki chose to fight with Jia, leave and let Jia fall apart, nothing had happened. There was the one time where Toki mutilated himself to get back in Jia's good graces, but other then that, the moments had been quick.

We waited meanwhile, as the things between Jia and Toki began to settle and the rest of us were quietly running his empire. Toshimasa and Xiao Tien came back from New York shortly after and wanted to stop in to see Jia. Tai took in the meeting, saying Jia wasn't well and apologized for his absence. Toshimasa didn't mind so long as he could tell someone of the accounts there. After their meeting, Aoki, Akio and Jo surrounded the owners of the game, lavishing attention on them and while Xiao Tien basked in it, flirting back in return, Toshimasa often flustered and blushed deeply, making him all the more of a target. After all the attention was toned down some, Xiao Tien said to Tai,

"I've been taking in meetings with Niikura. The young man is interested in how things work with the casino."

Tai nodded as he said,

"He told Jia he would be cleaning up his books and such. I'm not surprised."

"He's a surprisingly strong person. People among the underbelly of Kyoto are starting to fear him."

"He's gaining a reputation for himself. That's good."

Xiao Tien nodded as Toshimasa said,

"Niikura is like a guardian in Kyoto. But I think he has other interests in mind as well."

Xiao Tien nudged him as he said,

"Totchi suspects Niikura of having double meaning in his actions. Yes, he's doing them for Jia, but....for me as well. So Totchi says."

Toshimasa didn't say anything for a moment but smoothed the sleeve of his coat as he said,

"As much as I appreciate what he is doing, you can't deny that he doesn't have to do all he does."

Xiao Tien gave a cute smile as he said,

"It's adorable. Leave him alone Totchi."

Toshimasa turned his head slightly, gripped his cane and said nothing. Tai then said,

"As long as he's doing his job, his personal feelings have nothing to do with anything."

Xiao Tien tucked his hair back as he said,

"That's what I've been saying."

Tai then said,

"I'll let Jia know. Do you two need anything else?"

Toshimasa shook his head as he said,

"Iie, arigato Tai-san."

He bowed his head slightly as Tai bowed his head as well as they began to leave. Tai began to write something down at his desk as I said,

"What's going on for today?"

"I still have to run some checks over the New York stuff. Also the 24K checked in. It seems all of Jia's work is piling up on him."

I nodded as Tai then sighed and said,

"No matter. I can take care of this."

"Anything I could do to help?"

Tai thought about it for a moment as said,

"For the moment, I just need someone to check on Jia for me."

"I'll go. I doubt he'd want to see me though."

Tai looked down and said,

"I know, but someone has to."

I nodded as I excused myself and went to run the usual errands.

In the mood Jia was in, I really doubted he wanted to even hear my name let alone see me. But I bought him some food, bought him a new pack of cigarettes, bought him a drink and went on my way to his place. Out of the top heads, aside from Toki, Tai has a set of keys to Jia's apartment. He always lends them to me since I'm usually the one going to his place to check on him anyway. I came in and toed off my shoes as I closed the door quietly behind me. Toki's two cats peered around and walked over to me, the yellow one stroking his face against my pant leg as the red one eventually came over. I sighed, walking away from the affection of the two animals as I went to Jia's bedroom. I pushed open the door slightly as I saw him laying there, still awake as he stared up at his ceiling, an ash tray sitting not too far from his hand as he smoked. The tray was already filled with used cigarettes, crunched up and mashed into the bottom of the jade. Jia wore his black pajamas of silk, his sheets crumbled up and thrown about on the bed and landing on the floor. It stank of smoke in his entire room. I knocked slightly as he looked over at me and then back at the ceiling.

"I bought you something to eat."

He only rubbed out the cigarette he was smoking as he sat up slightly and then groaned as he said,

"Good...my head hurts."

His voice was deeper then usual, raspier and harsh. I gave him the jade tea first as he took and began to drink right away. I then gave him the take out of miso soup and nori-maki. He looked at it as he set the soup aside and opened up the platter of nori-maki as he picked one up and bit into it slowly. He paused in between bites as if thinking as I picked up the ash tray and threw out the ashes in it and then threw away whatever trash was around the room. I then picked up the sheets and blankets on Jia's bed and did my best to straighten it out. I then tucked my hair behind my ears as Jia raised his arm with the tray in it and I thought he was done but when I looked at the plate I saw he still had nori-maki in it. I looked at him for a moment as he said,

"Have one."

"Oh...arigato."

I took one of them as I bit into it as Jia put his arm down and offered me a seat. I sat down at the edge of his bed as he continued eating, his eyes focused on some undetermined object. It was quiet and I felt slightly awkward sitting on my oyabuns bed having nori-maki with him as he sat in his pajamas. Once I was done with mine, he offered another as I took another one and he finished his second. He picked up another one as he said,

"How are things?"

"Well. Tai took a meeting with Toshimasa and Xiao Tien earlier. He'll probably let you know about that later."

Jia nodded as he then set the plate down, finally turning to pick up his tea as he took a sip. I ate slowly, not wanting to make him have to offer me another one of his nori-maki as he then said,

"I ran out of cigarettes."

"I bought you another pack."

"Oh...you jus thought of everything."

"I know you well enough."

He sort of smiled as he said,

"Yeah...we know each other better then we think."

I looked at him as he sighed and set he plate down as he picked up his tea again. I suddenly felt guilty. I knew it was also my fault for causing Jia's misery.

"Jia...I'm sorry."

He looked at me as he said,

"It's not really your fault. You can't control Toki any better then I can."

"I don't discourage his actions though."

Jia looked down at his cup as he said,

"I know."

"So I am to blame as well."

"His jealousy isn't your fault. You're trying to go on with your life. And he just wants to have it both ways."

"I know."

He set the cup back down as he said,

"I accept him either way though."

"I can't."

He nodded as he picked up another one of his nori-maki and bit it as he chewed, paused and swallowed as he then said,

"I can't keep doing this to myself."

I nodded. He then finished up the last of his food and set the plate aside as he leaned to the side of his bed and picked up his phone. He called someone and I just gathered all the trash and went to throw it away. When I came back he was still on the phone so I just waited silently. From what I gathered, he was speaking to either Shikou or Tsubasa because he used their nicknames of ningyos every few moments. Finally he hung up and then dialed another number. It was there I distinguished that he first called Tsubasa first, then Shikou. I should have known since he called Shikou his Antantaru Ningyo. After confirming something, he hung up and leaned back in his bed. He then looked at me as he said,

"In about fourteen or so hours, I'll need someone to pick up Shikou and Tsubasa."

"From...the airport?"

"Hai."

He seemed completely satisfied with his actions.

I went back to headquarters later and let Tai know and all Tai could say was,

"At least he's trying."

Gabriel perked up as he said,

"Yes, but both of them? I thought they hated each other."

"So did I." I said.

Tai shrugged as he said,

"Jia probably worked something out knowing him."

And Tai was right. Though both of his beloved toys disliked each other, they called a truce so equal attention could be lavished on each of them. I was not in any position to say anything on my oyabuns actions. Around four that morning, Jo and I went to pick up Tsubasa and Shikou. Both of us stood at the gate as Jo yawned and said,

"I can't believe he asked both of them to come."

"Neither can I."

I tucked my hair back behind my ear as the flight from New York finally began to empty out. It wouldn't be hard to miss Tsubasa or Shikou, Tsubasa being slightly taller then me by an inch or so and Shikou towering over him and almost over everyone else. Both pale, slender figures draped in black. After a few moments, I caught a glimpse of Tsubasa as Jo saw Shikou.

"I see them."

I nodded as both of them walked towards us in easy strides as their guards walked not too far behind them. After a brief greeting, we gathered their bags and took them to the Imperial.

After a day or so, Jia also disappeared, but we all knew where he was so it didn't really count as a disappearance. While the rest of us went about our usual routine, I spent some time with Furukawa finally. Kazuki had been busy dealing with Atshusi from afar and cleaning up the mess left behind. But now that I was able to see him and I was actually happy to. The scab on his lip was gone so I was able to feel his mouth against mine and I actually missed it. We laid in my bed, his arms around me as he kissed me, nipping at the corners of my mouth as I allowed him. I still felt strange in participating so I just allowed him..to an extent. But Kazuki knew when to draw the line and his flesh has yet to come in contact with mine. He moved his head back, yellowing bruises revealed on the side of his face as he finished healing as he said,

"You okay?"

I nodded as he pressed his hand to the side of my face and swept my hair back. He looked at me with dark eyes as he kissed my cheek and smile as he said,

"You seem calmer."

"I am."

He leaned down to my throat as I felt his open mouth to it, his tongue worshipping the skin on my neck as he bit it gently and began to suck. I groaned to myself, clenching my teeth so it wouldn't escape as he applied a little more pressure and bit me again. Though my hands were relaxed, my arms and legs were so tense I could have balanced between two chairs. When he was done, he passed his tongue over his work as he looked back at me and smiled that cunning smile. I looked at him as I said,

"Stupid fox."

He laughed a little as he kissed me again and said,

"I only like when you say that Yuurei."

I brought my hand to my neck as I felt my damp skin as I said,

"Did you just mark me?"

"Hai. My kiss mark."

He kissed the same spot, nipping at my fingers as I let him and he took my fingers in his mouth, biting the tips gently as he sucked on one for a moment. I watched him for a moment with slight fascination before he let go and sighed and moved back. He laid beside me as I said,

"You're tired already?"

He laughed as he said,

"No, but I don't want things to get too far. I have a feeling you would tense up in that horrible way you do when things go too far."

"I do not tense up in some horrible way."

"Says you."

I nudged him as he took my hand and brought it to his mouth and said,

"I'm starting to learn how you react. I can read your non-expressive face now Yuurei. I won't screw up with you again."

I just looked at him and then leaned closer to him to kiss him.

Things were well for a while, Jia was back at work after a while and he had a well fucked smirk on his face when I saw him. His hair slicked back, black suit on and that smug look on his face as he walked in to greet us in the afternoon. Seems time with his toys was well spent. None of us really cared since we were just relieved to have Jia functioning again. I was making my rounds, going to see Tai upstairs, seeing Jun and asking him if he wanted to get some lunch and then stopping in on Jia's office to see if he needed anything before I left. As I did everything, I went to Jia's office last as I knocked on the door. He allowed me in as he smoked and he was on the phone. He hung up once I came in and he said,

"Hai?"

"I was about to leave for lunch. Would you like something?"

"Iie, I'm good. I'm about to step out for lunch myself actually."

I nodded as he started getting up and got his white coat from the coat hanger at the corner of his office as he got it on, slightly humming to himself as he then went to his desk to get his keys when his phone rang. He paused for a moment as he picked it up and said,

"Hai, Jia Li desu."

He paused to listen as his sudden happy mood changed as he said,

"When?"

He started to sit back down as he then brought his hand to his face and took a deep breath as he said,

"Hai...I'll be in touch."

He hung up as he then slammed his hand on his desk and shout.

"FUCK! I should have known!!"

I looked at him as I said,

"Jia...what happened?"

"Daisetsu left San Francisco! And not only that but he left a stack of dead bodies in his wake including that of Eve's!"

"He killed Eve?"

"He did more then kill her. He multilated her. And no one found her for weeks later. No one even knew he left until recently. No one knows where he is."

"Who else did he kill?"

"His own guards, Eirinsu's people...and now Eirinsu is pissed with me because I sent this psycho to his city."

Jia sighed as he said,

"I'll need to call in a meeting."

I nodded as I said,

"I'll let Tai know."

I then excused myself and went to let Tai know.

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Definitions

Nori-maki - Triangular or round rice patties wrapped in nori seaweed.

Ningyo - Doll

Antantaru Ningyo - Dark doll