We regrouped in Takeo's apartment after the whole incident was over as Jun checked everyone over. It took a while for the lower heads to get there, but once they did, the bodies had to be moved. Takeo himself suffered from a blow to the head that had knocked him out for a while. His memory was hazy and he had a hard time focusing once he was awake. There were welts and marks on his arms and wrists from the bindings he was in for the most part of the day and dark bruises on the corners of his mouth from the gag. He was dehydrated and tired and Jun urged him to lay down for a while as he checked the remainder of his harem. Jia stood in his room while the lower heads cleaned up outside. Takeo laid in his bed, blonde hair still coated in blood as he rubbed his injured wrists. Jia looked at him as he said,

"You remember anything?"

"Nothing yet. When I do I'll let you know."

Jia nodded as he said,

"Anything I can get you?"

"Need a drink. Where's Sashi?"

Jia sighed as he put his hands in his pockets and said,

"He's dead."

Jia turned to me and asked if I could call in a lower head. I stepped outside for a moment as I sent a lower head to the bedroom as Jun finished checking Toki. I went over to my partner as I said,

"How's everyone?"

"Aside from the welts, the bruises, the dehydration that shows Daisetsu had them here for days like this, the marks on their mouths and wrists and the psychological scarring...they're...alive."

I shook my head slightly as I said,

"How about Takeo and Toki?"

"Well Takeo is in the same condition as the rest of his harem. Toki's just got a couple of a bruises, couple of scrapes, the broken lip, nothing else. As usual, he'll live."

I nodded as Toki tapped his bottom lip with a napkin, blotting the blood from his lip that had slowed down as he said,

"Where's Ryuhei?"

Jun and I looked at each other as I said,

"I don't think I saw him in the pile."

"Neither do I."

We asked some of the lower heads that were cleaning up if they had seen Ryuhei's body anywhere. They all shook their heads as Akio then asked what we were doing.

"Ryuhei's missing." Said Jun.

Akio sighed as he said,

"Great...you sure he wasn't among the dead?"

"We just asked the lower heads." I said.

Akio took out his ear piece from his coat as he brought it to his ear and called Jo who was downstairs in the lobby with Aya and Gabriel checking over the last of the bodies. Akio let him know that Ryuhei was missing and if he was among the few downstairs. We waited for a moment as Akio then said he would call Jo back as he said,

"He's not downstairs."

Toki then said,

"Someone should let the pimp know."

I had to return to see if Jia needed anything anyway so I turned and went back to the bedroom. I knocked before coming in as I then went inside once permission was granted. Jia looked at me as I said,

"Ryuhei's missing."

Takeo looked at me as he said,

"He's missing?"

"He's not among anyone alive or the dead."

Jia sighed as he said,

"It's possible he ran. He has a habit of doing that."

Takeo looked at Jia as he said,

"You think he ran away from me?"

"Not from you, but anytime there's trouble, Ryuhei usually turns tail and runs like hell in the opposite direction. In fact, it's why he lived so long fucking yakuza."

Takeo gave a heavy sigh as he said,

"If it's possible, could you find him?"

"I could try sure. Want me to bring him back?"

"Not unless he wants to. I don't keep anyone by force. I'm not an actual pimp."

Jia nodded as he said,

"Once my people clean up here, we'll let you get some rest. My personal doctor will be at your disposal. If you remember anything, call me right away."

Takeo nodded as we both then left his room, closing the door behind us as Jia said,

"Ryuhei's long gone."

"What makes you think so Jia?"

"When isn't that whore in trouble? He smells trouble since he knows it can effect him. I'll humor Takeo and do a quick search for him, but I wouldn't waste too much strength on it. He'll show up when he wants and by then he'll be on someone else's arm."

Jia went to see Karasu and Jiki who were by the door, watching as the bodies were picked up and removed. Luckily, we had the cover of night and the hours on our side so around three that morning, we had gotten rid of the ten bodies in Takeo's apartment, the two outside in the hallway, and then countless dozens through the actual building. Daisetsu's body was found sometime later in the alley from where he landed. We decided to leave it there, not wanting to deal with shattered organs and remains spread out on the concrete.

The next couple of days, Jia spent on the phone with Tai, Gabriel and Aya contacting Japan and letting them know of Daisetsu's death. The rest of us were sent out into the city to look for Ryuhei. Jia mostly sent us out to have something to do. Jun and I spent most of our time in the city having lunch, keeping brief watches out for Ryuhei since the days were getting warmer. Jun and I wore sun glasses and our suits, walking through the city looking out for him but most of the time, window shopping or just eating. Jun was always hungry as I mentioned before. He always had some kind of food in his hand, ice cream, candy, whatever as long as it was edible. He just finished off a popsicle as he popped the stick out from his mouth as he said,

"Damn...I'm hungry."

I was admiring some of the art work in a display from a gallery as I said,

"You always are."

"I can't help it. I think I may have a tape worm."

I shook my head as he walked over to me, still chewing on the stick as he said,

"What are you looking at?"

I pointed up at the canvas on display, the inky design shaped as two eyes, in the pupil was the vision of death, holding a scythe, his hand out reached as decaying skin fell from visible bones. I looked at it for a long time as Jun said,

"I like it."

"So do I."

"Buy it then."

"I can't."

"Don't say you don't have the money."

"I do. But...I just feel strange about buying someone's artwork. I never have before."

"Then don't and lets keep moving. We have to be pretending to be looking for Ryuhei remember?"

"I know."

I stepped back as we continued looking.

A week went by and no sign of Ryuhei appeared. Jia didn't really care knowing that the young whore was just out and about looking for someone else to support and take care of him. After everything was cleaned up with Takeo over the Daisetsu mess, Jun checked in on Takeo and the last of his harem every other day.

"He's getting better. His other wounds are fine, I'm just worried about the his head and the fact that it's been a week or so and he still can't remember anything."

"You think the injury is more serious?"

Jun shook his head, setting down a briefcase on the counter in his office. He brushed his hair away as he said,

"If it was serious, his memory would have been more distorted. He wouldn't know who he is or what he's doing or any of that. But he remembered faces, names, so it's not that serious."

I nodded as Jun sighed, pulling up a chair and sitting in it, slouching back as he unbuttoned his coat. He leaned his head back, dropping his head as he sighed louder as he said,

"I am so tired."

"From what?"

He thought for a moment as he then said,

"From everything. I still have to see my aunt before we leave."

"Oh...how is she?"

"Still dying. My cousin is bitching at me, saying I'm an ungrateful bastard for not coming to see my aunt. But fuck him, I got shit to do. I can't drop everything."

I nodded, knowing the feeling as Jun then sat up straight and said,

"I'm hungry."

I just sighed to myself, knowing those words came out of Jun's mouth more then anything else. We then went to get some lunch.

The Yami, the Itto Ketsuen, the Ryuujin no Chi and Yuki were all around, coming in and out of Jia's building. Jo and Ai'iro spoke the most, exchanging conversation as Estuya sometimes came in. Estuya was a father and unlike most fathers in this line of work, he kept his work life a secret. He was actually ashamed of what he did and he never wanted his son to know he was a yakuza. Jiki was the silent one that never spoke a word. For as long as Jia's been allied with the Yami, Jiki has never spoke. None of us had ever heard him say a word and though we question if he even had the ability to speak, Tsubasa said he could. Sozaburo and Karasu would come in every now and then and then Toki and Aoki would tease Jo about his lover being there. Jo denied Sozaburo and him had anything though I knew well enough. As did Toki. Kotei came in with Ren and the little emperor would usually come and hang out with Jo. He rather play with Jo then do actual work. Not that Jia or Ren minded since Ren was acting in place of Kotei when he needed and Jia was use to dealing with Ren anyway. Kotei still dressed like an oyabun and he had the attitude of one, but he still acted as if he was eighteen. Near the end of the month as it started getting warmer and warmer, Jia said,

"We should go back to Tokyo."

He rested his chin on his hand, a cigarette hanging out of the other side of his mouth as he contemplated that. His hair wasn't slicked back that day, dark and falling around the sides of his face. He looked so young when his hair was like that. Toki sat on the corner of his desk as usual, smoking as well as the rest of us stood in his office. For the past month as we humored Takeo in looking for Ryuhei, I had received phone calls from Furukawa in Tokyo. He missed me he said and even though I didn't say it back, I missed him too. I avoided time alone with Toki since he said he loved me again. The only reason I kept avoiding him was because I was scared of what he would awake in me and what he would provoke in Jia. When Jia said he was ready to go back to Tokyo I was almost all but delirious was relief. I also wanted to go back, not only because I missed Kazuki, but because I was exhausted. I had slept a handful of hours in a week and I could barely keep my eyes open if I sat down anywhere. Jia then finished his cigarette as he said,

"Takeo's doing better, he even managed to gain back some of his harem. I think he misses Ryuhei but rather not say since it's not in him to miss one of his concubines. But like I said, he probably ran so I'm not surprised. So we'll head back. Um...Jo, Mikkie, let Takeo know that we couldn't find the whore and we'll be leaving soon."

Jo nodded as he said,

"Is there a reason I'm always sent with Mikkie to see Takeo?"

"I don't trust anyone else to bring you back."

Jo laughed slightly as we then went on our way. We arrived at Takeo's building which was already looking normal again, the fact the building was old covered up the massacre that had occurred there not too long ago as we got to Takeo's door. We knocked and after a moment, a young girl answered, she had black hair that fell to her waist, parted down the middle and large dark eyes as she said,

"Yes?"

"Takeo here?" Jo asked.

"Yes, who should I say is asking for him?"

"Jo."

She nodded as she closed the door again and made us wait in the hallway. Jo looked at me as I said,

"Precautions."

A moment later, the door opened again as we were allowed inside. The apartment had been redone, even the floors had been stripped and replaced. The sofas, the entertainment center, the drapes, even the lamps where all replaced. The area where Takeo's once large harem laid about was half empty and less girls and boys laid on their sides watching TV like puppies. Takeo was stilling on his sofa, in black drawstrings and a white button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, his wrists and arms still marked with welts and fading bruises. All that remained on his face were the bruises from the gag. Once he saw us, he looked up as he took his hand from a young girl that was kneeling on the floor, sucking his fingers. Jo nodded at him as he said,

"Hey Takeo. How you feel?"

"Better. What brings you two here?"

"Jia sent us to let you know that we couldn't find Ryuhei. Also we'll be leaving for Tokyo soon."

Takeo nodded as he pet the girl kneeling on the floor as he said,

"I started to remember something yesterday. Mostly when Daisetsu came here. How he came in...though I didn't know who he was. Everything happened really fast. After that I don't remember much."

Jo nodded as he said,

"I'm sorry for this happening to you Takeo."

The pimp waved it off as he said,

"As long as I'm alive. Most of my pets are too."

The girl tilted her head up, long hair spilling back as Takeo stroked her chin. I then said,

"If you like, before we leave we can send Jun here."

Takeo shook his head as he said,

"No need. I'm better. All that's left is fading bruises and welts. It'll heal."

We then nodded and excused ourselves as we left.

A few days before we returned to Tokyo, I found myself wandering Soho and standing back in front of that gallery. I admired the same painting and seriously considering what Jun had told me, to just go in and buy it. I was still considering it when someone from inside came and picked up the large canvas with care and removed it from the front. I sighed as I realized it had been sold. I was about to just ignore it when I saw the buyer. He had the figure of a model and even that was visible though the gray suit he wore. His nose was slightly larger then normal but it took nothing away from his over all appearance. His hair was a soft brown, almost echoing that of Aya's in the caramel tone. His eyes seduced with browns and golds, almost like amber, though I was not one that was easily seduced while his skin glowed in a soft radiant way, as if he was made of fine powder. He turned slightly, going back to his business deal as I turned and left.

As I was ready to go back to Tokyo, pulling back my hair, yawning all at once as I listened to Jun tell me about how Jia had called us in to confirm travel plans while we rode the elevator, I dropped my hands and said,

"I'm so exhausted."

"I can't believe you still can't sleep in New York."

"I don't know why I can't. I hate it. It's also driving me insane."

Jun shook his head as he said,

"We'll get back to Tokyo soon enough."

Once we got to Jia's office, we stood there, talking about confirming flights and all that as I tried to pay attention. Just then, Jia got a phone call. He picked up as he leaned back in his chair and talked for a moment. He then raised an eyebrow slightly as he said,

"Yeah? Since when?"

He paused again as he said,

"I see. Okay, I'll look into it."

He then hung up as he sighed loudly and said,

"Shikou found Ryuhei."

"Where was he?" Asked Toki.

"With some guy named Mizui."

We all looked at Jia for a moment as the trio seemed to have a revelation.

"Mizui.....he doesn't mean..." Said Toki as he looked at Aoki.

Aoki looked over at Akio as Akio said,

"If it's that Mizui..."

They looked at each other nervously as Jia said,

"You three know something the rest of us should know?"

Toki shifted his eyes slightly as he said,

"We know of Mizui."

"Oh..? What's his business?"

The three looked at each other again as Toki cleared his throat and said,

"Runs a whore house in the Kabuki-Cho."

Ay smacked Aoki on the arm as Aoki flinched slightly as Akio looked off to the side as Toki said,

"We...uh...we're frequent customers. So Mizui might know us."

Jia nodded as he said,

"Nice. That's how you three spend your free time off?"

"Hey if we didn't you wouldn't know who Mizui is!" Said Toki.

Jia smacked his leg off his chair as he stood up and said,

"According to what Shikou told me, Mizui is here. So I'll have to have him found and I'll have a meeting with him."

"Why do you need to see him Jia?" Asked Gabriel.

"For whatever reason. It might help me keep track of this one sometime down the road."

He gestured to Toki as he spoke. Jia then buttoned the front of his coat as he said,

"Looks like we won't be going to Tokyo just yet."