The first thing I did was let Jia know. I called everyone on my way to his office. Once we reached him and I let him know the news, Jia sat a little shocked. The only thing he could say was,

"Toshimasa and the China Doll lived there."

I saw everyone was somewhat upset, the trio was as well. Jo shook his head as Jia got up and said,

"We have to find Kaoru. Now. And make him pay."

We all started to split up as we went downstairs. Tai was giving orders, letting us know where we had to go and what to do as we went down the elevator.

"We have to cover this entire city. Because Jia doesn't have absolute control over it'll be a little harder to manage. We should find Kaoru in a matter of days though."

"We should look harder before anything else happens." Said Jun.

Tai nodded as he said,

"We're limited here Jun. Unless we all want to work all night."

"We probably will." I said.

The elevator doors opened a moment as we stepped out. I buttoned my coat as I looked ahead, as did Jun, Akio, Tai, Jo and Aya who had all gone in the elevator with us. Jia, Toki, Aoki and Gabriel stepped out from the other elevator as Jia saw us standing there, looking ahead as he came around and saw just what we were staring at.

"Well....if it isn't the Yuuki twins."

Both twins stood in front of us, both wearing black suits with white shirts underneath that had the collars open so their slender pale throats were exposed. Toshihiro, the younger one that had lost a finger from past incidents left his hand exposed, the scarring from the mutilation was visible since they had cleanly removed the entire pinky finger. Both twins had the same hair style, short and angled to fall over their eyes. Toshihiro had it to the left, Yasuhiro to the right. Their color was back to how it was before, Toshihiro with blonde bangs black hair, Yasuhiro with blonde hair and black bangs. They both stood in the lobby with one hand in each pocket as they bowed their heads and Yasuhiro said,

"Good evening Jia-sama."

"I thought I told you two to stay in New York."

"We were. Until we heard of the Jade's rise again."

"How do you know of that?"

"A few associates of ours in New York were contracted by the Jade."

"Where you two?"

Toshihiro intervened as he said,

"No, the Jade didn't find us. They think we're dead."

"So what are you doing here?"

"Offering assistance." Said the twins at the same time.

Jia nodded as he said,

"What's in it for you?"

"What do you mean?" Asked Toshihiro.

"You couldn't be doing this out of the goodness of your own hearts. God knows last time we crossed paths, it was less then pleasant."

The twins looked at each other as Yasuhiro then said,

"It was business. On both our parts."

"Why are you so willing to help me anyway?"

"Because you spared us." They both said.

Jia nodded as he said,

"One of my businesses was just blown.

"We heard." They both said.

Jia sighed, brushing stray strands away from his face as he said,

"Two of my associates were caught in the blast."

Toshihiro looked down as Yasuhiro sighed and said,

"I'm sorry to hear that."

Jia nodded as he said,

"You two know Victoria well enough don't you?"

The twins nodded as Jia said,

"Good, one more set of eyes out there for me. I don't think I have to warn you two about double crossing me."

"No, Jia-sama." They both said.

After that Jia dismissed us to go to work.

Jun and I headed uptown, checking through the shopping centers as we heard about the fire that had been on the other side of town. Since none of us could go there anyway since the cops had blocked off the whole area, we had to hear about it. News crews stood in front of the scene, reporting it on TV as Jun and I watched the footage of the burning building from a store. Jun shook his head as he said,

"They shouldn't have been there."

"I know."

I wish I understood Chinese at the point as cops were talking, firemen and everyone was explaining what was going on. Jun then said,

"Come on, we gotta find Kaoru."

We kept walking. The explosion had caused minor disruptions, making it hard to move around discreetly since everyone wanted to come out and view the orange smokey sky as the building burned. We couldn't find much of anything until it got darker. Then we traveled through the back allies and checked in with the overseers of the prostitutes that worked under us. They had heard nothing of Kaoru and they had not been approached either. Some of the bootleggers had been approached but feared to leave Jia's safety and so they lied and said they had nothing to do with anything. Jun and I sighed as we stepped outside.

"I'm hungry."

"I'm just exhausted."

"Let's take a break and eat. Then we'll go back to work."

We did just that as we sat down to eat. As we ate, Jun and I looked at each other. I was looking at him as he looked at me, as if trying to think of something. I finally sighed and said,

"What?"

"What?"

"You've been staring at me all night."

"I was trying to figure out what that is."

"What?"

"Those off purple marks on the side of your throat."

I brought my hand to my neck as I said,

"Bruises."

"From?"

"I hit myself."

"In succession I see."

"Why do you care anyway?"

"Well because you're never the type to walk around with kiss marks. That's usually Jo."

"Well...it's nothing."

Flashbacks of how those marks got there ran through my mind as I then shook my head and went back to eating. Jun said nothing else.

We worked through the night and into the early morning hours. As the sun started to rise over Victoria Point, Jun and I headed back to our homes. I slept until about twelve that afternoon. I only woke up when I heard my cell phone. Jun called, a yawn in his voice as he said,

"We gotta go."

"Okay...I'll meet you at Jia's building. One hour."

"Yeah...later."

I hung up and went to get ready. An hour later, as I walked into Jia's building, tying my hair back, Jun was there, sucking on a lollipop as he held a bottle of water in the other hand.

"Hey."

He nodded as he took the candy from his mouth and said,

"Tai woke me up this morning. He said we had to meet here early."

I nodded as Aya came in soon afterwards, Aoki not too far behind him. Aya looked as elegant and beautiful as ever but Aoki looked tired as he brought his hand up over his mouth, yawning as he held a cigarette in his other hand. He paused to light it for a moment as he then went to the lobby's sofas and sat down right away. A little while afterwards while Jun, Aya and I spoke, Jia and Toki came in. Toki went to the sofa right away, pulling his hat down over his eyes as he laid down and went right back to sleep. Jia yawned slightly as he said,

"Who's missing?"

"Baby, Akio, Gabriel. Tai's upstairs." Said Jun.

Tai came downstairs just then as he said,

"Good afternoon Jia."

"Hey Tai. How long you been here?"

"About two hours."

Jia nodded as he said,

"Any word on the Yuuki twins?"

"I got word they were resting now. They worked for the entire night. Kaoru is well hidden."

"So I see. I need to find out if they found the remains of the owners of the game. And...all that shit."

Jia looked away as he sighed and said,

"All right. Time to work. I better not see you guys until later. When Akio and Baby get here, send them to work. Tai where's Gabriel?"

"He went to work already. I sent him."

"Oh okay then. I'm gonna start making some calls. See if I can't find out any information. I'll see you all later. And be careful."

Jia went upstairs with Tai as Toki and Aoki stayed asleep on the sofa. Aya went to wake Aoki up as he told him we had orders. Jun went and poked Toki in the back to wake him since Toki was face down on the sofa, his arm hanging off the cushions as one of his feet rested on the arm. I noticed he wore sneakers today, also unlaced. Toki stirred, but fell back asleep a moment later. Jun finally had to shake him and say,

"Get up!"

"Fuck off!"

"We got orders."

Toki grumbled, turning to his side as he continued sleeping. Aya went over to him as he said,

"Toki, come on. We have orders."

Toki grumbled, staying where he was as Aoki then shook his head and said,

"Leave him. He'll wake up when he's good an ready."

Jun sighed and went with me as we left.

We saw the Yuuki twins later as we arrived at Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon, also known as the red light district. The building, now a charred mess was sealed off with barriers and guards making sure no one tried to get in. Jun and I looked around for a while as one of the Yuuki twins left from the scene after talking to one of the cops. He saw us and walked over to us as he bowed his head and said,

"Good afternoon."

If it wasn't for the hair, I would have known it was Toshihiro by his manners. Jun and I replied in return as he then said,

"I have news."

"What?" Said Jun.

"It was arson, that's known, but they found no remains."

"No bodies?"

"None. The police are looking since there was a living quarters, but they found nothing. Not even gamblers."

Jun and I looked at each other as we then thanked Toshihiro who went on his way and I called Jia.

"There were no bodies."

"Then that means they're still alive."

"Hai."

"I want you and Jun to locate them. If you can. Don't worry about Kaoru."

"Hai. I'll call you soon."

I told Jun our new orders as we set about doing that.

We didn't search for too long. As we came back into the east of Kowloon, we got word that the owners of the game weren't too far off us. Before we got to them however, Aoki and Aya did and brought them back to the building. Jia called Jun and I back in for a moment. Once there we saw that the two owners of the game were being lavished with attention, everyone just glad they were alive. Jun smiled slightly as he said,

"How did you two know?" Asked Jia.

The China Doll tucked his hair back behind ear as he said,

"I told you Jia, I was a triad before. I knew Kaoru's type couldn't handle me saying no. If he couldn't have the business then you wouldn't either. I took Totchi with me back to my old apartment earlier. They thought we were still there when it blew."

Jia sighed slightly as he said,

"Well that's four people Kaoru thinks died."

"Four?" Asked Toshimasa.

"Hai, the Yuuki twins are around."

"They're contract killers." Said Xiao Tien.

"I'm aware. They say they owe me for sparing them from our last encounter."

He gave a shrug as Jia then said,

"I want you two to stay where you are. If possible, try to get out of Hong Kong. Go back to Japan or to New York."

Toshimasa then brushed some dark hair away from his face as he said,

"And you?"

"I still have to deal with Kaoru. So...don't worry about me."

"We're not completely helpless Jia." Said the China Doll.

"Humor me. Just go back to Japan or New York."

The owners of the game looked at each other as Toshimasa nodded and said,

"Hai. We'll go."

Jia nodded as he said,

"Thank you. Mikkie, Aya, accompany them back to their place and make sure nothing happens to them from now until the time they leave."

They nodded as the four of us left and Jun and Aoki went back to work. They gathered some of their personal belongings as Toshimasa made arrangements to leave for New York. Aya and I stood by the door, waiting for them until they were ready. Toshimasa said,

"The plane won't leave until later tonight."

I nodded as Aya said,

"That's fine. We'll stay here until you have to leave."

Xiao Tien thanked us as they returned to their living and relaxed for a while.

It got dark quickly. I stood by the window, watching the clouds roll over the once clear sky as thunder echoed across the sky, lighting showing it the way. I worried for a moment, fearing another omen. Anytime it seemed to rain, something happened. I looked over at the owners of the game as Toshimasa looked over the newspaper, Xiao Tien watching television. Aya was near the door, his arms crossed as he looked off to the side. I turned back to the window as I said,

"I hope it's safe for you to travel. The weather looks horrible."

Toshimasa set the paper aside, getting up by the aid of his cane as he walked over to me and said,

"It does. Xiao, you think we can fly in this weather?"

The China Doll didn't look away from the screen as he said,

"Yeah, they'll fly over it."

An hour and a half before their plane began to board, Aya suggested we leave. Toshimasa and Xiao Tien grabbed an umbrella, saying they would share it as they gave one to Aya. Aya offered to share it with me but I said he didn't have to. We went downstairs and outside as they walked ahead, opening the umbrellas and walking out into the pouring rain. It was hard rain, but still visible enough to see. I walked out, getting soaked almost right away as I hailed a cab. Once one stopped, everyone got inside, me last as I shut the door beside me and we were on our way to Chak Lap Kok, the airport on Lantau Island. The drive was quick and fairly easy. My hair dripped on the sleeve of my coat as we sat quietly. It had gotten so dark it seemed to be the middle of the night when it was only around nine. After dropping off the owners of the game and making sure they boarded with no trouble, Aya and I headed back. We caught another cab and started to go back into the city. Aya sighed as he said,

"I'm wondering what Kaoru is thinking."

"So do I."

The cab pulled up to a light as I reached up to my hair and smoothed it back since it was wet. I closed my eyes just for a moment as the serene atmosphere of the ride was shattered with a loud bang. I looked ahead to see someone standing beside the cab driver's window which was now shattered our driver, slumped over at the wheel as his blood was splattered across the windshield. Aya and I wasted no time opening the other door as we got out and began to run across the traffic filled streets. Cars blared their horns at us, lights coming straight ahead as gun shots echoed around us. I urged Aya ahead as I took out my gun and climbed onto the hood of a car that nearly missed us as I saw the one shooting at us. I took a couple of shots, firing back as I then slid off the car and followed after Aya. We reached the other side of the street as we heard whoever was shooting at us, following us. Aya took out his own gun and pulled the safety off as we both stopped along side a car, noticing it wasn't just one person but four. Aya looked at me as he said,

"We have to get out of here."

I looked back over at the four as they started coming towards us. Aya crawled around to the back of car as I slid along the side, keeping my eyes on the four. As I approached the back, I turned my head slightly as I then felt something against my temple. I didn't have to look up to know there was a fifth.

"Put it down."

I set my gun down on the concrete as I felt my hair fall around my face. I wondered faintly where Aya was when I heard a gunshot and the fifth fell. I looked up as Aya stood there, gun smoking as he said,

"Come on."

I picked up my gun as the both of us ducked into an alley as the remainder of them fired off more shots. We raced through the back ways, winding and turning trying to loose them as they remained in pursuit. After a few blocks, I was getting tired and so was Aya. We took a risk and ducked into a doorway, using the shadow and dark night with the rain to hide us as Aya texted Aoki to let him know what was going on. I did the same with Jun as we then tried catching our breath. We stood absolutely still as we saw the four that were chasing us, slow down around us. I held my gun in hand, just in case as I waited, sinking back against the wall as Aya stood perfectly still. When they began to leave, we still stayed still, waiting to make sure we were completely cleared. Once we were sure, we went the opposite direction as Aya took out his cell phone and called Aoki. As we walked quickly, Aya told Aoki where we were, as I looked around, making sure we were clear. As we turned a corner, I heard another gun shot and Aya hung up as we looked around, not seeing anyone. We leaned against the wall looking around for something as we went back through the alleys and mingled in with the crowded streets. We ducked under umbrellas, passing through the central market as we kept a look out. It was crowded, noisy so when a gun shot went off, we didn't hear it until a woman beside us screamed and fell over, blood puddling around her. Aya and I saw one of the four standing not to far from us as he aimed, ready to shoot again as he pulled back the hammer on the gun. I raised my arm, fired and shot a clear shot, watching him go down, people ducking for cover as they screamed. That was two down, three left. The last three emerged as Aya and I turned and ran back the other way. As we did, we saw a car racing up and for a moment, I feared it was more of Kaoru's people. I was ready however and watched. The car skidded to the side as the door opened and Toki stepped out, raising his arm, nine in hand as Aoki got out from the other side, aiming over the hood of the car. Toki shouted for us to get down as we both fell to the ground and a rain of bullets went over head. When it was done, Toki ran over to us and picked up quickly as he rushed us into the car, slamming the door behind him as Aoki got back in and Jo floored it out of there.

Aoki stored his gun back inside his coat as he looked at Aya with relief. Toki put the safety back on his gun as he said,

"You okay?"

"I'm fine."

I felt his hand on my cheek as he stroked back my soaked hair and kissed my face. I didn't move away but I didn't respond either. Jo raced us back to Jia's building, making sure we were not being followed. I sat back in the seat, tired, out of breath and soaking wet. It had been a long night.

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

References

Tsim Sha Tsui - Located at the tip of the Kowloon Peninsula. Considered the ghetto area of Kowloon. It harbors the Red Light District

Kowloon - One of the four main areas of Hong Kong.

Chak Lap Kok - The newest international airport on Lantau Island.

Victoria Point - One of the highest points in Hong Kong. Said to have an amazing view from any direction. It's also located in the business district.