Jia came down from his good mood rather quickly after that. He discovered Daisetsu had been holding in his insanity and like he warned Jia, it exploded. Eirinsu was not happy. The only reason Daisetsu was not caught sooner was because he killed slowly. Unlike in Japan where he made his death and body count known, in California, he was quiet and more discreet about it. So Eirinsu didn't know Daisetsu was murdering his lower heads until too many started disappearing. By then, Eve was already dead, her body was rotting away in their apartment and Daisetsu long gone. Jia called a meeting in and told us what had happened. Tai had a worried look on his face as he said,

"He could have gone to New York."

Jia nodded as he said,

"That's what I'm worried about."

"We should contacts the heads there. Takeo, Kotei, Sozaburo and Karasu."

"Hai, Tai do that for me please. With Tsubasa and Shikou here, that's all I'm worried about, New York wise."

After discussing the problem, Jia decided that it would best dealing with Eirinsu face to face. Only thing was that Toki still hadn't come around and Jia was not too excited about leaving the country without Toki. He started to feel bad all over again but before he fell into that pattern, Shikou and Tsubasa showed up. Later that evening as Jia was about to leave and go home, both dolls appeared. They sought out Jia's attention and over all, his company. Jia the broke the news to them of why he didn't show up for his lunch with them.

"Daisetsu skipped town. We're assuming he might be in New York."

Tsubasa frowned slightly as he said,

"If he then there's a problem. I just left my part of the city unguarded."

Jia stroked his fingers under Tsubasa's chin as he said,

"It's nothing that serious. Daisetsu isn't out for power."

"All the same..." Said Tsubasa with a worried look on his face.

Shikou pouted slightly as he ran his tongue over his bottom lip, bumping into the silver ring on the corner of his mouth as he said,

"Jia, do you think that Daisetsu would just go and start his killing spree in New York?"

"I'm hoping he won't do that. Which is why I have to go see Eirinsu in Cali first then head over to New York. Tai already called everyone there to let them know."

Shikou nodded as he rested his head on Jia's shoulder, Tsubasa standing in front of him holding onto Jia's wrists. Jo and myself gave each other a look as Jia then said,

"I should be getting home for tonight. I didn't even arrange my plans for traveling to Cali yet and I have to leave soon."

Jo then said,

"Jia, we could arrange them for you. Seems like you have your hands full already."

Jia looked at Jo as he said,

"Arigato. I'll be leaving then."

Shikou lead him out as Jo and I stood in the lobby as Jo said,

"That is one lucky king of the world."

I looked at Jo from the side of my eyes as I said,

"You think what he has is luck? Jia didn't build this on luck."

"I meant the dolls."

I paused to think as I said,

"I should have known."

Within the next few days, we made travel plans to get to California. Jia seemed to now be undaunted by the fact that Toki still had not reappeared. And from what Jo and Tai gathered, Jia had been getting regular sleep, thanks in part to Shikou and Tsubasa who were using the fact that Toki was absent to get to Jia in every way. We had a week to prepare since Jia wanted to wait one more week to give Toki a chance to come back. A few days before hand, Tai asked me to go check in on Jia. I raised an eyebrow as I said,

"Tai...Jia is....you know that Tsubasa and Shikou are here....right?"

"I know."

"Then....why would I have to go check on him? I think he's fine."

"I don't mean go find him and check up on him, I mean check if he's home. If he's not we know he's with his Tsubasa and Shikou."

I nodded as I then excused myself and went to do just that. When I got to Jia's apartment, I let myself in, making my presence known just in case as I saw Toki come out from the bedroom. I paused near the door, wondering if he and Jia had reconciled.

"What's up?"

"Oh...I was...checking in on Jia. A favor to Tai."

"Nah, Li's not here."

I nodded as I then said,

"Okay, I'll go then. Oh, we're leaving for California by the end of the week."

"How come?"

"Daisetsu broke loose. Killed a bunch of Eirinsu's heads so Eirinsu is pissed off at Jia."

Toki sighed, running his hand through his black and blonde hair, bangs falling back around his face as he said,

"Shit...I guess I should go back then."

"Where have you been staying?"

"Friend of mine. He's been holdin me up for a while."

I nodded as he said,

"You goin back to work?"

I nodded as he got a little closer to me and noticed he was damp, his hair still somewhat wet as he wore a pair of jeans and a white wife beater. He had that heavy watch on his wrist, a pair of socks in his hands as he was about to get dressed and leave again. He grabbed my hand as he pulled me inside the apartment better and closed the door behind me. I leaned back against the wall as he leaned closer to me and said,

"Why you always shrink down around me?"

"I'm not shrinking. I'm naturally this short."

He smirked as he said,

"You sure you gotta go back to work?"

"Hai. I just promised Tai I would check if Jia was home and he wasn't so..."

He got as close to me as he could, his mouth on my cheek as his free hand reached up to my hair and pulled it back. He threw his socks on his shoulder as he then gathered all my hair, which I had let down that day as he kissed my ear and said,

"I love your hair this long."

I didn't say anything but tried to move my head as I said,

"Toki...I really have to go. I don't have time to play."

He laughed softly as he kissed my ear again and said,

"Jus for a little while...come on."

I shook my head as he kissed my cheek, gradually moving closer to my mouth as I tried to move away but he eventually kissed me. I closed my eyes and without thinking, kissed him back. Both his hands cupped my face as he kissed me in the only way he knew how. His tongue entered my mouth so suddenly, I wasn't even sure when I had opened my mouth to allow it. His hands let my face go as he moved them down, holding my sides as he held my waist, my hips and a little further down as he touched the side of my thighs. I was surprised when he suddenly lifted me up, making me open my legs to him and wrapping them around his waist as he used the wall as support behind me. I grabbed his arms, still kissing him as I finally came back to my senses and moved back as I said,

"No...stop. Toki, put me down."

He sighed as he still held onto my legs, his face buried on the side of my neck as he said,

"Damn...why'd you say no to me?"

I panted softly as I leaned my head back against the wall and said,

"Because I don't want to get caught in you again. Besides...this is Jia's apartment...I can't do this."

He sighed heavily as he moved his head back, my hair falling from his cheek as he gradually put me down. Though my feet where back on the floor, he was still pressed up against me, his height making me feel so much smaller as he kissed the top of my head, his fingers still raveled in my hair as he said,

"I miss you so much."

I weakly tried to push him off me as I said,

"Toki...I have to go."

He stepped away as I adjusted my coat and my hair as I then opened the door and left. He would be the death of me yet.

A day before we left for California, Toki did show up again. Jia wasn't entirely sure if he should be thrilled or worried considering his personal toys were still lingering around since they wouldn't leave until Jia did. Jia and Toki had an awkward moment of silence before Toki sighed and said,

"So, say something."

Jia paused for a moment before he said,

"You're such a brat."

"You whine too much."

"You're spoiled."

"You made me that way."

Jia laughed slightly as Toki smirked. That was their make up. The next day, we all packed our bags and headed to California. I said bye to Furukawa before we left, promising him I'd call if I stayed longer then a week. And soon we were off. When we got to California, the weather was calm, like a spring feel. Toki, Aoki, Akio, Jo and Jia all lit a cigarette once outside in the cab though the driver told Toki and Jia not to smoke. Jia shut him up quickly with an extra fifty dollars and he took us to our hotel without another word. We were jet lagged so first and foremost was to get some sleep. The next morning however, as I slept through Jun getting up and getting ready, I felt my phone vibrate on the table between the beds. I turned over and answered it only for it to be Tai to let me know we had to get up and get ready to go. I got up and out of bed after I checked the time, seeing it was nine in the morning. I showered, dressed and with Jun, Tai, Jo and Akio, we went to see Eirinsu.

We met at the Hilton for breakfast and once we entered the dining hall, I felt that rush of cold wash over me. I only had to look ahead to see Eirinsu sitting at a table, stirring a cup of tea as he sat alone. Jia walked over to him as he sat down and Eirinsu looked up as he sipped from the fine china cup. Jia picked up the napkin on the table as Eirinsu said,

"I'm not happy Jia."

"I never thought you would be."

"You sent that psycho to my city. Do you know how many of my people are dead?"

"How many?"

"Twenty-six. At least twenty-six that we know of."

Jia sighed heavily as I said,

"I apologize. I know this is my fault."

"It's more then your fault Jia. It's all you. Only you would dare to dream to send a psychopath to my city."

"Look Eirinsu, I'll take the wrap for this since it is my fault, but don't sit there all smug and shit like you didn't know. How many people did it take for you to even realize Daisetsu was gone missing? Your whole fucking city, the most important person slips out and you let him slid through your fingers. And on top of that, you need a body count to even realize he was doing something."

Eirinsu glared at Jia, knowing our oyabun was right. Jia then folded the napkin up as he said,

"I decided to see you face to face so we could discuss this. But if all you want to do is blame me and not listen, then I'll be on my way. I have to stop him before he does any kind of damage in New York."

"What makes you think he's in New York?"

"There's not really any other place he could go."

Jia got up as he said,

"Thank you for your time. I'll be in touch."

Jia left without another word, the rest of us following him out.

Later in the day, we gathered in Jia's suite as he sat in his bed, Toki resting his head on Jia's lap as he laid on the bed, looking as if he was still asleep. The only thing making us think he was awake was that every now and then his eyelids fluttered open, his eyes looked around and then he stayed still. Jia played with Toki's hair as he said,

"He's such an asshole. Granted, it is my fault Daisetsu was here, but he didn't have to blame everything on me."

Toki yawned as Tai said,

"He feels it's entirely your fault Jia."

"I know. Fuck him. Fuck him and his damn city. Whenever I feel like taking it, I will and I'll crush him in the process."

Toki turned his head slightly as he said,

"Who we killin?"

"No one...yet."

Toki nodded and started dozing off again as Aoki said,

"We heading out for New York?"

"Hai. Someone make the arrangements."

We nodded as Jia then dismissed us and we left.

Aya made the arrangements and let us know. For the rest of the night, since Jia didn't call us in for anything, we all sat in Akio's room and played poker. Akio, Aoki, Jo, Jun and myself all sat down to play. Tai, Gabriel and Aya watched on as Jun shuffled the cards. As he did, Aoki said,

"What we playin for?"

He took off his coat as Jo pulled his hair back in a knot again as Jun said,

"I don't know...who's up for what stakes?"

Akio shrugged off his coat as well as he undid his tie and said,

"Say dollars. We'll play for that kind of scratch."

Tai crossed his arms as he said,

"This what you all do when you're not working?"

Jo smirked as he said,

"Nah, this is the tame shit."

Aoki and Akio laughed slightly as Tai shook his head. Jun then began passing out the cards as I removed my coat as well and pulled up my sleeves once I undid the cuffs. We played for a few hours, Aya and Aoki sitting by each other as Aya looked at Aoki's cards and told him which one to put down. Akio and Jo were kicking each other under the table and Jun and I were the only ones really concentrating aside from Gabriel and Tai watching on. As Jo folded, I started to notice that Aya knew what he was doing. He was helping Aoki win and before I knew it, I had to fold. Akio then dropped out as Jun and Aoki sat across from each other, watching each other's moves. I couldn't believe Aoki was winning because of Aya...I guess that pretty face knew more about poker then any one of us had ever imagined. We all watched the game in silence as Jun changed two cards, then Aoki changed one. Aya whispered to him now and then and the stakes got higher until a good two hundred or so dollars was sitting on the table. Jun finally tossed his hair back slightly as he said,

"I call."

He laid his cards out on the table as Aoki laid his out with a smirk and said,

"I win."

Jun looked a little surprised as he looked at Aoki's cards and then back at him as he then laughed and said,

"Finally another worthy challenge. Good game Aoki."

Aoki nodded as he picked up his winnings and counted it before giving half to Aya. Jo then sighed and said,

"Wasn't all him Jun."

"I know. Aya you and me should play."

Aya took his half of the money as he folded it and then stuck it in his coat pocket as he said,

"Nah, I rather help Aoki win."

We played for another few hours, winning a couple of games as Jo said,

"Aya, when we goin to New York?"

"Tomorrow evening. It was the quickest flight I could find."

Jun nodded as he said,

"I wonder if Daisetsu will be stupid enough to try anything."

"I doubt it." Said Tai.

Akio then stretched his arms up over his head as he then relaxed and said,

"If he does, the Yami, the Itto Ketsuen and Ryuujin no Chi are there anyway. They should take care of anything he might do."

Gabriel tucked a stray hair back as he said,

"We shouldn't write it off completely either."

Aya the picked his head up from Aoki's shoulder as he said,

"We'll find out tomorrow."

We then resumed the game.

The next afternoon, after we all woke up, got ready and had brunch, we got on a plane to New York. Toki and Jia had made up obviously and made no qualms about kissing in front of...damn well near everyone. Once in New York, hours later, we took different cabs back to our own apartments and got some more rest. The next morning, I found myself wide awake. I couldn't sleep again. Damn New York apartment. I can never sleep here. I sat up from my bed, my hair falling all over the place as I realized I didn't tie it back before I went to bed last night. I didn't bother lingering around or trying to go back to sleep. I just got out of bed and went to shower before I changed, pulled my hair half up and then got my things and left. I saw Tai at the office first thing, Karasu was there with him as they discussed something. I excused myself for interrupting as Tai said,

"No, it's okay. Karasu was just explaining how Daisetsu has been seen here but he hasn't done anything."

I nodded as I said,

"It's like in Tokyo."

Tai nodded as Karasu put out his cigarette and said,

"I hear that this Daisetsu guy is insane. If anyone starts to go missing, I'll be sure to have him crucified first."

Tai and I nodded as Tai stood up once Karasu did and they shook hands as Karasu said,

"I'll contact Jia soon."

Tai nodded as I bowed my head slightly to Karasu and he left. Tai sighed as he said,

"We'll need to see what Daisetsu wants. And why he killed Eve."

I nodded as I then went to get some coffee.

Around late afternoon, Jia and everyone else came in. We were soon assigned to work later that night. Jia wanted Daisetsu brought to him.

"Before that mad man does anything else, I wanna know why he's doing it first off. If he continues to be a threat, I'll have to kill him."

Tai then said,

"Jia, he may be a threat regardlessly."

"I know. I just like to avoid bloodshed if I can."

Tai nodded as Jia then dismissed us and sent us out to look for Daisetsu.