Jia was surprised by Jo's words. For Utsukushii to have been set up in a matter of a short amount of time was almost unheard of. Jia spoke to Tai about it and Tai said,

"He could have been here for years Jia."

Jia nodded as he said,

"But if he was, why wasn't anything heard of him prior?"

"He was keeping quiet. It's not impossible Jia."

Jia nodded as he walked back and forth in front of his desk. He then stopped and put his cigarette out as he said,

"Would he be so foolish to think a drug empire and my own empire were one in the same?"

"The threat his brother made was not an empty one Jia." I said.

He nodded as he sat on top of his desk and said,

"Jo.....did you see him?"

"I acted as if I was looking for work. It's how I found out how established he was."

Jia nodded as he said,

"So he established himself in my city. And wants to push me out of the way. I think it's about time we go back into this the old fashioned way."

Tai looked at Jia somewhat confused as he said,

"How do you mean?"

"Well, I'm going to assume that finding his brother's dead and obviously violated body is going to cause a rise from him. Ambitious as he is, when he hears that the owner of New York is going to come looking for him...he'll jump at the chance not only for revenge but for the chance to take over."

Tai nodded as he said,

"I understand but how do you go about doing that?"

"By sending my best killers to do the work."

Tai and Jia looked at Jo and myself as Jia got on his cell phone and called Toki. Tai called in Aoki. Within a few minutes, we were assembled in Jia's office. Jia let us know what was going on, told us about the Utsukushii and how far advanced he was.

"So, I want this done the old fashioned way. All of you get into the underside of this city, do some searching, find anyone, get as much as you can out of them and then kill them. I don't want to risk anything by this guy finding us before I find him. Also what works best about all of you is that you can get in anywhere because of how you look."

Toki scoffed as he said,

"Like you couldn't Li."

Jia laughed slightly as he said,

"Not as good as you all. Now go ahead, call back if anything."

He dismissed us as Toki was already talking to Aoki as Jo tucked his hair behind his ear and said,

"There's another club we could go to."

I nodded he said,

"Are you going like that?"

"Like what?"

He paused as he said,

"You're in an Armani suit Mikkie....I don't think that classifies as club gear."

I sighed and said,

"I don't want to go home and change."

Toki and Aoki walked by as Toki said,

"Oh yeah, go like that Ghosto....you won't stick out and be all extra obvious."

I narrowed my eyes at his sarcasm as they left and Jo looked at me. I nodded and said,

"Okay...I'll change."

I wasn't fond of having to change my appearance just to go somewhere and do my job. But...as much as I hated to admit it, I would stand out if I went in the way I was dressed. Jo and I swung by my place as I allowed him to stay in my living room as I went to change. I left my bedroom door slightly open as he stood out there and I went to my closet. I had so little casual stuff to wear and I was too embarrassed to say so. I lived in and out of suits since all I ever did was work. And even when I didn't work I was in pajamas so...it wasn't much variation. I dug through the back of my closet as I heard Jo saying,

"I wouldn't imagine you being the type to have casual wear."

I paused in my actions as I said,

"Well...I'm not."

I swore I heard him laughing as I looked back in my closet and continued searching. Somewhere in the back of my closet I found a pair of jeans. I thanked my lucky stars I at least had that and changed into them. I put a wifebeater on with a black silk shirt over it, got an old pair of boots on and brushed my hair out. Once I was done, I felt completely stupid...that and like I had no place to put my things in my pockets. I managed to tuck my wallet into my back jean pockets but I had no idea what to do with my gun. I grabbed my coat and keys as I walked out from my room and saw Jo still standing in my living, looking up as he gathered all his hair in his hands. He turned once he heard me and said,

"Whoa..."

"I feel like an idiot already. You say anything further you're getting a bullet in the foot."

He shook his head as he said,

"No, I didn't mean whoa like that. I mean you look almost...normal."

"What the hell is that suppost to mean?"

"You usually look different. So now you're normal."

"Oh..."

I got my coat on as he said,

"Why you waving your gun around?"

"I'm trying to figure out where to put it."

"Back of your pants. Between your jeans and boxers. Pull your wifebeater over it."

"Ah.."

I did that as he put his hands in his pockets and said,

"We should go."

I nodded as I led him out of my apartment.

We headed to the clubs Jia owned and Jo and I got in easily. We slipped among the crowds, females already racing to Jo's side as they attached themselves to him, playing with his hair and stupidly giggling. A few came onto me and I just ignored them. I was not here for that. Jo hung around them as I made my way to the bar and sat down. I ordered a drink as a few girls crowded around me and I paid them no mind as I looked around, trying to spot that familiar face if possible. I took a sip of my drink, watching as Jo worked. He was just like Aoki...it was almost disturbing to see a mirror image of him working not that far from me. I sat there for a while, waiting, looking around and ignoring prospects of getting laid. After about forty-five minutes, Jo came and sat beside me. He smoked as he said,

"A couple of his whores are here."

"How do you know they're his whores?"

"Utsukushii marks his property."

"He marks them?"

Jo nodded, ordering a drink as he inhaled his cigarette and said,

"Yeah. He brands them like cattle. Everyone he owns as has a mark about here..."

He touched the top part of his chest, a little to the right of his heart as he said,

"They got a symbol, something like a dragon that's chained down."

I nodded as I said,

"Is that his personal symbol?"

"Yup. They say Utsukushii's got it marked himself. I didn't notice it on Kiyohara. If he did have it."

"But Kiyohara was just his brother."

Jo nodded as he said,

"True. But if the first Utsukushii has it, maybe the brother did too."

I nodded as I said,

"So...he has an entire ring here that spreads further."

"Sells drugs, pimps...and I'm pretty sure he does more."

"Not surprising."

I took a drink from my glass as Jo put out his cigarette. He then said,

"You know that about fifteen girls were floating around you?"

"I care deeply."

He laughed slightly, shaking his head at my sarcasm and monotone voice.

"I don't think he's here."

"Neither do I."

It had been an hour at this point and if we weren't spotting him now, chances are, he wasn't there. We stayed another half hour just in case the last Utsukushii decided to show up. After the half hour was up, I got a phone call. It was Toki asking where we were.

"At Speed."

"Okay, that's not too far from us."

"Why?"

"Utsukushii was just here. We got word he was headed over to Speed now."

"We'll look out for him."

We hung up as I told Jo. He nodded as he finished the last of his drink and said,

"We should see him coming in."

We both got up from the bar and went towards the entrance. We stood outside, watching as the crowds got in a little at a time. I crossed my arms in front of me as I ignored the catcalls of idiots thinking I was a girl. Jo smoked again as we stood outside. A few minutes later, we saw a beautiful black car pull up. I nudged Jo as he said,

"It's him."

The crowd watched in awe as Jo and I walked over very casually. Sure enough Utsukushii stepped out. Cloaked in black, a much more elegant version then Kiyohara. Dark, ebony hair spilled over his shoulders, some framed his face and covered one of his eyes. I remembered his face from before, only from the side I was standing at before, I didn't notice the silver ring piercing through the side of his bottom lip. Jo put one hand in his coat pocket and the other out to stop Utsukushii. He looked at him as his guards started to come around. I saw we would have a problem if I didn't react and shoved Utsukushii back in the car, following him and taking out my gun. Jo got in behind us as he slammed the door and locked it as he leaned over the side and shot the driver. He crawled over to the front as he opened the door and shoved the driver out as he got in his place and drove off.

I called Toki to let him know there had been a change of plans as I kept my gun aimed at Utsukushii. The elegant version of Kiyohara leaned against the window, his arms and legs falling beside him naturally, one of his pale slender hands near his face as his dark hair was pushed aside. His lip ring caught light as Jo sped through the streets. Once I hung up, the elegant one looked up at me with wide eyes as he said,

"Who do you work for?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

Jo kept driving all the way to Jia's building as he then called Jia to let him know who we had. Once we got to Jia's building, Utsukushii was led out by Jo and I had my gun to his back. We walked him inside as we saw Jia waiting there. Finally both enemies came face to face. I noticed that Utsukushii was taller then Jia by a good couple of inches. Jia had his cigarette lit by Jo as he said,

"Utsukushii..."

The tall elegant one stayed silent for a moment, noticing the tattoos on Jia's hands as he said,

"Jia...oyabun of the 36 Moons."

Jia nodded as he said,

"You're not what I imagined."

Utsukushii was dressed in black, a full length, yet light coat over his slender frame. It fell to above his ankles and had a high split in the back. Underneath, he wore black loose dress pants that clung to his slender hips, A black silk button down shirt that was clinging to his pale skin right above his pant line was visible as dark, past his shoulders hair fell around his face. Jia then said,

"How old are you?"

"It's my secret."

Jia smirked as he said,

"You're in the market to cause me some trouble aren't you boy?"

"Maybe. But it shouldn't matter to you."

"And why shouldn't it matter?"

"You left this city."

"For a temporary amount of time."

Utsukushii then crossed his arms as he said,

"Where you the one responsible for my brother?"

Jia nodded as Utsukushii then said,

"I imagined. It's okay. I'm actually glad you found me before this started."

"What makes you think I won't end it now."

Utsukushii smiled slightly and turned to walk but not to the door. He walked towards the sofas in the lobby and took off his coat with an easy gesture as he said,

"There's rumor of your tastes Jia."

He turned and sat down on the sofa, leaned back, raising his arms exposing more of his pale flesh as he said,

"I'm here to test those rumors."

Jia raised an eyebrow as he then laughed slightly as he said,

"You're kidding me."

"I don't look this way for no reason."

He spread his legs open to further make the offering temptation. Jia then said,

"And what am I suppost to do with that?"

"Whatever you want."

"And in exchange? What do you get?"

"You leave me alone."

"Not a chance in hell."

Utsukushii looked surprised as he said,

"Why?"

"Listen, I may fuck you and let you live, but I wouldn't dare let you keep any kind of power in this fucking city. All your ass will buy you with me, is your life."

Utsukushii sat up as he said,

"There's nothing I could do to change your mind?"

"Not a damn thing."

Just then Toki and Aoki came in. Toki looked over at Utsukushii and said,

"Who that?"

"Our enemy."

"Damn...."

Toki smirked as he said,

"So....what we do with him?"

Jia exhaled as he said,

"He just offered to fuck me for his life."

Toki glared at Jia as he said,

"So we kill him or what?"

Jia looked back at him as he said,

"Why? He just asked me to save his life."

Toki narrowed his eyes at Jia as he said,

"Yo...what the fuck Li."

Jia then said,

"Utsukushii....what's your first name?"

"Shikou."

Jia smirked as he said,

"Nice name."

"I try."

Toki then said,

"You're not serious about this are you?"

"Sure. He's offering...it is his life we're dealing with. And I don't think I have the heart to put a bullet in that without putting something in there first. Do you?"

"In a fuckin heart beat."

It was amazing to see the jealousy Toki had for Jia. He didn't want anyone near him, yet it was okay for Toki to do as he pleased. Jia then said,

"Toki will you please wait until later?"

Toki of course, did what he did best and turned around and left. He was pissed off. Jo and I made eye contact as Jia then said,

"You mind if I call you Shikou?"

"No, not at all."

"Listen, you seem like a somewhat reasonable person. I can't cut you into my city. It is mine by the way. I bought if off the Yami some years back, the Itto Ketsuen works for me, the Ryuujin no Chi works for me, Yuki works for me, you try to trifle with me and I will kill you, with or without fucking you."

Shikou nodded as he said,

"How much?"

"How much what?"

"How much would you be willing to accept for the city? Money wise."

"You don't have the digits to even begin to calculate how much this city cost me."

Shikou stood back up as he said,

"Money is not tempting you is it?"

"Not from you. Not from anyone. Your drug and whore money isn't good enough for me. I'm a business man Shikou, my empire stands on grounds more solid then street crime."

The elegant one nodded as he said,

"I'm not stupid enough to bring a war against you. I thought I could...at first. But listening to you, not even knowing your full record, knowing how much back you have in this city...it would be like signing my own death warrant."

Jia nodded exhaling his smoke as he said,

"You're smart not to start war with me. I don't like blood shed. I do what I have to when I have to though."

"I feel like a fool trying to not even fight you."

"You're a business man. I doubt you want to see your empire fall and crumble."

"No."

"Dead bodies aren't becoming. I already got rid of your brother."

"I know. I understand why you did so I hold no ill will."

"Listen you can't beat me. You never could. Not unless you have something more then the empire you have."

Shikou nodded as he started getting his coat back on. He then said,

"And what of yours?"

"My empire spans across the world. The 36 Moons...it's something that's now living in infamy."

"There are stories of the 36 Moons. Almost like legends. Some don't even expect to cross against one of you...but when it does..."

"It's best not to cross me. You cross me, you end up dead."

"Can we make a deal?"

It was unexpected for Shikou to say that. Jia then looked around for a place to put his cigarette out as Jo took it and took it outside. Jia then said,

"Sure. Deals can be made. But it depends on what you have in mind."

Shikou nodded as Jia sent me to pat him down before he was allowed in his office. Once I made sure he was harmless, Jo escorted them to Jia's office.

I sat in the lobby and waited, chewing on my thumbnail as I read through the paper someone left in the lobby earlier. Aoki passed through, looking for either Aya or Toki, Gabriel eventually came in as I noticed he had cut his hair and it still remained blonde with golden highlights. He walked past the lobby to the elevator as he then left. Akio came in later on as he smoked, the scent of it making me chew my thumbnail again. He then said,

"Hey Ghost."

"Hi."

"You seen anyone?"

"Working."

"Damn still?"

"Aoki passed through. Tai, Jia and Gabriel are upstairs with Utsukushii."

"They caught him?"

"Earlier tonight."

"Fuck. No wonder."

He then said,

"Did Aoki leave?"

"I doubt it."

He then thanked me as he went upstairs. Aya eventually flitted about, his pretty eyes gazed over at me as he said,

"Is Jia still upstairs?"

"In a meeting."

"With who?"

"Utsukushii."

"They caught him." He said with a sigh.

I nodded, never looking up from my paper as I continued chewing on my nail. He was about to walk away as he said,

"Why are you dressed down?"

"I had to work tonight."

He nodded as he then left. I continued reading the paper until I felt someone standing in front of me blocking the light. I looked up, thinking it was Jun for a moment until that oh-so familiar scent came over me. I saw Toki standing there as he said,

"Hey Ghosto."

I looked back down, continuing to read as I said,

"You're in my light."

He moved as he sat down beside me. I kept reading as I chewed my thumbnail again. Suddenly, he took my hand as he said,

"Damn...your thumbnail is all long and shit."

I snatched my hand back as I said,

"I'm aware."

"You want a cigarette?"

I didn't dare look at him as the words on the paper began to get blurry. I then said,

"No."

"Then stop chewin your nail."

"What's it to you of what goes in my mouth or not?"

He laughed. That came out so wrong and of course he caught it. I cleared my throat as I went back to reading as he said,

"Come on Ghosto, have a cigarette with me."

"I don't smoke."

"You use to."

"I quit."

"Uh huh."

"I quit everything when it came to you Toki."

"Come have a cigarette with me."

"Is the only reason you're paying me any attention is because Jia has the very elegant, much younger then you, taller version of Tsubasa in his office right now?"

That struck a nerve. I saw his face change almost immediately from humor to anger. I attacked him from all sides and he saw it. I didn't regret it though. I turned back to my paper as he said,

"That's fucked up."

"It's the truth. Besides, you haven't spoken to me in years. Now that a new diversion for Jia comes in, now you wanna make conversation? Go to hell Toki."

"Yo...I can't make no kind of conversation now? We're still associates."

"So? We're not working. I see no point in me discussing anything with you right now."

I saw Jun come across the lobby, leaving the elevator as he said,

"You still working Mikkie?"

I put the paper down as I said,

"No, I'm done."

I picked up my coat from beside me as Toki stood up and said,

"Hold up."

"I have to go."

He nodded as he said,

"I know, relax. Just put out your hand."

"What for?"

"Will you jus put out your fuckin hand? I'm not gonna do anything to it."

I sighed in an annoyed manner as I put my hand out for him. He then put a cigarette in my open palm as he said,

"Hold it. Jus in case you do wanna have a cigarette with me later."

He then let me go as I put the cigarette in my pocket of my coat. Jun looked at me as he said,

"He bothering you again?"

"Yes."

"I don't know why you even bother with him."

"I don't know why either."

I didn't know why. I could shoot myself in the foot for being so dumb sometimes. I looked at the cigarette for a long time once I got home. I left it on my dresser, trying not to be tempted by it. I hated the kind that Toki smoked. They were so strong and everytime I smoked them I felt as if my throat was being scraped by sand paper. But I smoked them nonetheless. I sighed, ignoring it for now and went to change before I went to bed.

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

Definitions

Utsukushii- Literally translates from Japanese to beautiful

Shikou- Literally translates from Japanese to supremacy