I could scream from frustration and anger when it came to Toki. Why could he soften me so easily when it took an army for others? Why him and not Furukawa? Why? Why does my life outside of work have to be one big fucking drama? I didn't fall apart. I wanted to and the temptation was there. But what held me together was my frustration and anger. Toki did as promised and gave me some space and I continued seeing Kazuki. My Kitsune proved himself to both myself and Jia over time. While Jia called in Taylor from London and Soryo from the 24K to continue clarifying the situation in Hong Kong, Kazuki helped him out. Along with Tai, Gabriel, Aya and Akio, Kazuki put his part in and organized among them and set aside accounts for London and Hong Kong, making less work for Tai. Jia was impressed. As for me, he only kept better company. If he couldn't finish his work at his office, he brought it with him and after spending time with me and I fell asleep, he usually worked. On more then one occasion, I would wake up and see him sitting up beside me as he held a folder on his lap, a pen in one hand, a cigarette in the other as he had the lamp on while he worked silently. I said nothing and would just go back to sleep. Jia continued fixing the situation, the owners of the game coming in, traveling back and forth from Hong Kong to Japan, putting New York on hold for the time being. The business heads and Jia worked for weeks on getting everything back in order. Even contacts from New York were called in to be let known of the situation. Pretty soon, Jia had every oyabun from New York, to California in his office. Aoki, Toki and Jo all lingered around Jia's office the most, trying to catch a look at the Owners of the Game, at Tsubasa, Shikou, Masao since Niikura had arrived, Sozaburo and anyone else that was standing in that office. Jun and I stood guard outside Jia's office as the remaining trio and Jo lingered outside. Jun then said,

"Toki why aren't you in there?"

"Li kicked me out. Said I wouldn't be of use."

Jun laughed as he said,

"Truer words were never spoken."

Toki flipped him off as Jo said,

"Did you see all that eye candy in there?"

Aoki shook his head as he said,

"Damn...it's so much it hurts."

Jo sighed as he said,

"Masao is in there too."

Toki nodded as he said,

"Such a fragile, tender, little thing...."

He smirked as Jun rolled his eyes and Aoki said,

"I wonder when they'll let out."

Toki shrugged as he said,

"Let's hope soon."

They stayed around for another hour, smoking, talking among themselves before they decided to go out for a quick drink. Jun and I stayed still for a while, him complaining he was hungry as I said,

"When we can leave, we'll go have dinner."

"I'm starving. I feel like I haven't eaten in years."

"Exaggerating much?"

"Just a touch."

He smiled slightly as he laughed.

Twenty minutes later, Jiki and Ai'iro came to stand guard in our place as we left for the lobby. Downstairs, the trio and Jo had returned, sitting on the sofas as Toki smoked. Jo was having some tea as Aoki took random drinks from a can. Jun then said,

"I thought you three where going to get a drink."

"Was...then decided it would be a bad idea to get wasted while all that candy was upstairs." Said Aoki.

"Sou ka." Said Jun.

"We'll be back soon." I said.

They nodded as Jun and I went to eat. Dinner was quiet for the most part. As I picked up the last sushi roll on the platter, Jun, already looking for dessert, I said,

"I'm seeing Furukawa."

He stopped eyeing the menu as he said,

"Are you serious?"

"Yes."

"When did this happen?"

"A little after we got back from Hong Kong."

"I'm glad."

"I am too. He makes me happy."

"Oh yeah, I can see that all over your very vivid expression."

I glared at him as he smiled. I then said,

"He's not bad."

"I know this. I see how he reacts with Jia nowadays. He pulled himself together real quick."

I nodded as I bit into the sushi and thought for a moment. Jun then said,

"He's good for you Mikkie."

I nodded as he as then ordered dessert.

By the time we returned to Jia's building, there was a row of cars parked out in front of us. We went inside as we saw the oyabuns, saiko-kimon and guards were all preparing to leave. Jia was speaking to everyone so it was madness in the lobby as Toki, Aoki and Akio regrouped and oogled everyone standing there. Toki managed to pull Masao out from the crowd as he began to sweet talk him, whispering something in his ear the rest of us couldn't hear but it was making Masao blush furiously as he looked down at the ground and brought his hand up to his mouth as he looked away. Akio was working his magic on Xiao Tien as Jo just watched Sozaburo. Aoki couldn't do much because his seiai was among the eye candy so he just pleased himself by looking since he didn't want to get into another fight. Although he did talk to Toshimasa every now and then and of course the owner of the game would flush a soft pink and look at his cane. When Niikura shook Jia's hand and said he would be back tomorrow, Masao excused himself from Toki as he cleared his throat and went to his oyabun as they left, the lower heads from the 36 Moons escorting them out. The China Doll and Toshimasa then went on to speak to Jia as Aoki pulled over Aya but Akio and Toki remained without someone to hit on. Once they left, the Itto Ketsuen spoke to Jia and then the Ryuujin no Chi. By the time all the major syndicates were on their way out. Jia was left with his toys, whom he kissed quickly on the cheek and spoke to them about business before promising them something each. Then they left. The 24K and Taylor had already gone and Furukawa, along with Tai were the only ones with Jia. Jia sighed as he rubbed his jaw and said,

"My mouth hurts. I never had to talk so much."

"You'll get use to it." Said Furukawa.

"Ah, Kitsune, I'm finally starting to see why you earned that name."

He smiled in satisfaction as Jia said,

"I'm almost done with this damn problem. I will never again dismiss a property of mine as nothing. It's more work in the end."

He checked his watch as he said,

"I need a drink."

Toki was smiling happily as Aoki and him spoke. Jia then said,

"Hey, you ready for a drink?"

Toki snapped out of it as he said,

"What you doin tonight?"

"I'm not sure. Why?"

"Checkin."

Jia rolled his eyes as he said,

"You coming or not?"

"Yeah."

Toki got up as he waved to his friends, saying he would call them later as left. Akio yawned as he said,

"Still early."

Jo nodded as he said,

"I'm gone for the night."

Akio said,

"Where you off to?"

"Not that it's any of your business but I'm going out with Hisoka. I haven't seen him in a minute."

Akio waved him off as Jo left. Aya and Aoki had already gotten comfortable in each other's arms on the sofa as Jun looked over at me and said,

"So...what now?"

I shrugged as I saw Furukawa looking at me for a moment before he left. I looked back at my partner as he said,

"Go ahead. I'll keep myself entertained."

"It's not like that."

"I know but he wants your company. Go ahead. I'll call you later okay?"

"Okay. Later."

We parted ways as I went outside as Kazuki was standing by the curb, a cigarette in his mouth as I stood beside him. I looked over at him as he said,

"I thought you were going out."

"No. I'm going home."

"Want some company?"

"If you're offering."

He smiled as I turned and went to the subway to catch the train home.

I was happy with him. And not everything was of a sexual nature. Once back in my apartment, he took off his coat and shoes and we went to my bed. I laid beside him, his fingers stroking my hair back from my face as we were silent. After a while I said,

"Jia's impressed with you all over again."

"I know. I'm grateful for it."

I suppressed a yawn as he said,

"Tired Yuurei?"

"Not really."

He stroked my hair back as I eventually did fall asleep. The next morning, I woke up with him laying beside me, his hair all over the place as usual. I stroked it back, smiling at him though trying not to. When I sensed him starting to wake up, I stopped smiling and bit my lip to keep it back. He opened his eyes after he yawned and saw me. He blinked a couple of times as he said,

"How long you been up?"

"Just a few minutes."

He lifted his hand up slightly just to look at his watch as he said,

"Wish I had time to stay but I have to get home, change and meet Jia for the next meeting."

"So early?"

"Jia does have a couple of syndicate heads here. Not including Taylor and Soryo."

"True."

He kissed my cheek as he said,

"I'll see you later."

I nodded and after gathering his things, Kazuki left. I began to get ready myself shortly afterwards. After a warm shower, dressing, then drying and tying back my hair, I went to make some tea. Once I had finished the last drop in the cup, I set everything in the sink, grabbed all my necessary items and left. I met up with Jun in the lobby as Aoki, Akio and Jo talked among themselves. I noticed the usual one was absent since it was ten in the morning. Once Jun and I walked in, they stopped talking as they said good morning to us. Jun sat down as he said,

"What's with all the secrecy?"

"It's nothing you'd want to hear Jun." Said Akio.

Jun rolled his eyes as he said,

"Humor me."

"Toki got a hold of Masao."

"Yeah you're right I don't want to hear this. I'll be in my office. Call me if I'm needed."

Jun got up and went downstairs as Akio went on with the story. He explained how last night, Toki had managed to get in contact with Masao and actually sweet talked him enough to bed the saiko-komon that worked for Niikura. Jia still had no idea because Jia was busy himself. Aoki shook his head as he said,

"Whatever Toki wants, Toki gets."

Akio nodded in agreement as he said,

"Of course."

A few moments later, Gabriel came in, yawning as he held up a cup of coffee. He waved to us as he went upstairs to Tai's office as we continued waiting. After Aya came in, the first syndicate followed being the Yami. The ningyo, dolled in black as always, white blonde hair loose and falling over his shoulders, faint twists lingering in the front as soft gray make up floated over the lids of his eyes. He greeted us as Akio let him know Jia wasn't in yet. As he sat down to wait, Ai'iro and Jo talked, Jiki sitting beside his oyabun in silence. Around eleven, Jia himself showed up, yawning as he pushed up his sunglasses, a cigarette in his other hand as he came in, white Gucci coat floating around him until he stopped walking. He said good morning to us before inviting Tsubasa to join him. He looked at Akio and said,

"Once everyone starts coming in, send them upstairs."

Akio nodded as we continued to watch everyone else come in. A little after eleven the Itto Ketsuen and Furukawa arrived. Sozaburo wore a thicker choker around his slender neck, but it barely did anything to hide the kiss marks that bruised his fair skin. He and Karasu along with a few of their guards came in and Akio escorted them upstairs to Jia's office. Shikou came in shortly after, his guards standing around the lobby as Jo brought him up. Taylor arrived next along with Niikura and the 24K. Before Niikura went up, he stopped and asked Aoki and myself,

"Have either one of you seen Masao?"

I shook my head as Aoki said,

"He'll wander in Niikura. We'll send him up once he does."

Niikura nodded, spiked hair barely moving as he went upstairs with Taylor. Around twelve, the Ryuujin no Chi arrived and soon, Toki did, Masao not too far behind him. The pretty, fragile little young thing that Toki once addressed was well dressed, his hands at his side as he bowed his head to us and was about to excuse himself to go upstairs as Toki kissed him before allowing him to go up. Masao blushed furiously before turning and going to the elevator. Aoki and Akio laughed, applauding him for his skills. The owners of the game were the last to arrive and the trio quickly jumped up to greet them. The China Doll loved the attention but Toshimasa would flush a soft pink. Akio and Toki took one of the China Doll's hands each and escorted him upstairs while Aoki took Toshimasa upstairs. I stayed in the lobby and picked up the paper and began to read. It would be a long day.

Later that night, each oyabun and their saiko-komon dismissed the guards, allowing them to return to the hotel as Jia said he was going out to have dinner. Taylor, who was a little out of place, asked.

"Jia? When we have dinner..."

"Don't worry about it. You'll like it. It is edible unlike what you're use to eating."

Taylor laughed as he followed Jia out. Tai, Gabriel, Akio and Aya also went with Jia since business would be conducted there as well. As for the rest of us, like Jun, Aoki, Toki, Jo and myself, Jia gave us the night off. I felt bored however because Furukawa would be going with Jia to dinner. With each syndicate's guards gone and the lower heads also off, the remaining trio sighed and Toki said,

"Kabuki-Cho?"

"Strip show?" Asked Aoki.

"Of course. Baby you up for it?"

Jo shrugged as he said,

"Sure."

As they left, Jun looked at me as he said,

"Dinner?"

"Sure."

"Italian?"

"If you want."

We then left and went to get dinner ourselves.

Problems with Hong Kong finally began to iron out but Jia still had no one to place there permanently. Eventually, the 24K would need all of their power back and Jia knew he couldn't leave them there forever. The next afternoon, everyone began to make plans to head back to their respective countries and cities to continue on. Before Soryo and Nago left with the 24K, Soryo stopped by to see Jia. I sat in Jia's office that afternoon since he had called me in for something but before he got the chance, Soryo came in. I sat down on the sofa, awaiting orders as Soryo came in, shaking hands with Jia as he said,

"I thank you for your hospitality."

"Anytime Soryo. I thank you for what you've done."

Soryo nodded, blonde hair coming untucked form his ear as he tucked it back and said,

"I had a bit of a question for you before I left to see if you were interested."

"What?"

"I have an associate in Bangkok. He was based in Hong Kong some time ago, but since all that mess happened, he's been in Bangkok. He was away from the Teo Chiu's eye because he is Chinese."

"Born and bred in Hong Kong huh?"

"Yes. I trust him. And I know you do need someone to watch Hong Kong for you."

"I am interested, send him to me when you can."

Soryo nodded as he shook Jia's hand again and then left, promising to call once he arrived back on his own land. Jia smiled once Soryo left and said,

"Looks like I'm getting what I want."

I nodded as he then looked over at me and said,

"I brought you in here for something...I forgot now. Do me a favor and call Tai instead."

I nodded as I got up and excused myself to do as told.